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The effects of different dietary protein and lipid levels on juvenile greenfin horse-faced filefish (Thamnaconus septentrionalis) was experimentally evaluated in a 56-day study. Fish (initial weight 6.47±0.56 g) were fed with nine different diet combinations containing three varying levels of protein (37%, 43%, 49%) and lipids (4%, 7%, 10%) in triplicates, where the protein-to-energy (P/E) ratios of the diets varied in the range of 19.17–26.99 mg kJ−1. Results showed that fish fed diets containing 49% protein and 10% lipid exhibited significantly lower feed intake than those fed other diets. The weight gain of fish fed diets with 43% protein was significantly higher than that of fish fed 37% or 49% protein diets. While no significant change in weight gain was observed when lipid content was increased from 4% to 7%, weight gain decreased significantly when lipid increased from 7% to 10%. The protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency were highest when the fish were fed the diet with 49% protein and 7% lipids. Muscle crude lipid content was positively correlated with dietary protein level regardless of lipid level. The diet of 43% protein or 7% lipids significantly reduced the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in liver. The contents of aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were significantly increased from 4% to 10% lipids in plasma. The plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were positively correlated with dietary lipid level at the same protein level. Our comprehensive analysis concluded that a diet with 43% protein and 7% lipid, with a P/E ratio of 23.07 mg kJ−1, significantly promote the growth performance, feed utilization and health of juvenile greenfin horse-faced filefish.

Background The microbiomes of foundation (habitat-forming) species such as corals and sponges underpin the biodiversity, productivity, and stability of ecosystems. Consumers shape communities of foundation species through trophic interactions, but the role of consumers in dispersing the microbiomes of such species is rarely examined. For example, stony corals rely on a nutritional symbiosis with single-celled endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) to construct reefs. Most corals acquire Symbiodiniaceae from the environment, but the processes that make Symbiodiniaceae available for uptake are not resolved. Here, we provide the first comprehensive, reef-scale demonstration that predation by diverse coral-eating (corallivorous) fish species promotes the dispersal of Symbiodiniaceae, based on symbiont cell densities and community compositions from the feces of four obligate corallivores, three facultative corallivores, two grazer/detritivores as well as samples of reef sediment and water. Results Obligate corallivore feces are environmental hotspots of Symbiodiniaceae cells: live symbiont cell concentrations in such feces are 5–7 orders of magnitude higher than sediment and water environmental reservoirs. Symbiodiniaceae community compositions in the feces of obligate corallivores are similar to those in two locally abundant coral genera (Pocillopora and Porites), but differ from Symbiodiniaceae communities in the feces of facultative corallivores and grazer/detritivores as well as sediment and water. Combining our data on live Symbiodiniaceae cell densities in feces with in situ observations of fish, we estimate that some obligate corallivorous fish species release over 100 million Symbiodiniaceae cells per 100 m2 of reef per day. Released corallivore feces came in direct contact with coral colonies in the fore reef zone following 91% of observed egestion events, providing a potential mechanism for the transfer of live Symbiodiniaceae cells among coral colonies. Conclusions Taken together, our findings show that fish predation on corals may support the maintenance of coral cover on reefs in an unexpected way: through the dispersal of beneficial coral symbionts in corallivore feces. Few studies examine the processes that make symbionts available to foundation species, or how environmental reservoirs of such symbionts are replenished. This work sets the stage for parallel studies of consumer-mediated microbiome dispersal and assembly in other sessile, habitat-forming species.

The greenfin horse-faced filefish, Thamnaconus septentrionalis, is a valuable commercial fish species that is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. This fish has characteristic blue-green fins, rough skin and a spine-like first dorsal fin. Thamnaconus septentrionalis is of conservation concern because its population has declined sharply, and it is an important marine aquaculture fish species in China. Genomic resources for the filefish are lacking, and no reference genome has been released. In this study, the first chromosome-level genome of T. septentrionalis was constructed using nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technology. A total of 50.95 Gb polished nanopore sequences were generated and were assembled into a 474.31-Mb genome, accounting for 96.45% of the estimated genome size of this filefish. The assembled genome contained only 242 contigs, and the achieved contig N50 was 22.46 Mb, a surprisingly high value among all sequenced fish species. Hi-C scaffolding of the genome resulted in 20 pseudochromosomes containing 99.44% of the total assembled sequences. The genome contained 67.35 Mb of repeat sequences, accounting for 14.2% of the assembly. A total of 22,067 protein-coding genes were predicted, 94.82% of which were successfully annotated with putative functions. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using 1,872 single-copy orthologous genes, and 67 unique gene families were identified in the filefish genome. This high-quality assembled genome will be a valuable resource for a range of future genomic, conservation and breeding studies of T. septentrionalis.

Most fish contain some kinds of organoarsenic compounds. To assess the health risk for the chronic effects due to intake of these compounds, it is necessary to quantify the concentration of each chemical form, since the toxicity is difference depending on the form. We developed and validated the LC-MS/MS method to determine the concentration of monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), tetramethylarsonium (TeMA), arsenobetaine (AB), and arsenocholine (AC) in fish. Using this method, we quantified the concentration of each organoarsenic compounds and total arsenic in 50 fish samples from across 10 groups. Total arsenic concentration ranged from 0.53 to 25 mg/kg in all samples, except for in thread-sail filefish where the concentration ranged from 8.3 to 25 mg/kg. With the exception of sardines, in all samples AB was found at the highest level in relation to the total arsenic concentration. In sardines, the concentration of DMA was higher than that of AB, accounting for 16 to 24% of total arsenic. In red sea bream, concentrations of total arsenic, AB, and AC in farm-raised fish were lower than those in wild-caught fish.

The upper and lower tooth-bearing jaws of the filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) were scanned using a micro-CT system in order to address the existing gaps between the traditional pictures of the morphology and histology. 2D tomograms, reconstructed 3D models and virtual dissection were employed to examine and evaluate the in situ geometry of tooth implantation and the mode of tooth attachment both separately and collectively. No distinct sockets comparable to those in mammals were evident, but shallow depressions were observed in the premaxillary and the dentary. The opening of the tooth pulp cavity was not simply oriented towards the apparent tooth base in a direction opposite to the tooth apex. The opening was distorted basoposteriorly or basoanteriorly depending on the position of the tooth, and the edge of the pulp cavity opening was barely ankylosed; i.e. the sites of pleurodont ankylosis along the basoposterior or basoanterior edge of the opening appeared to closely match the contour of the shallow depression in the bone. These 3D findings appear to be very informative when considering the phylogeny of tooth attachment, suggesting that micro-CT would be a useful modality concurrent with or in advance of histological investigations.

To enumerate Staphylococcus aureus in food, Baird-Parker Agar (BPA) is usually used in the conventional method, However it requires time and space for the preparation and plating, and incubation. Thus, use of the 3MTM PetrifilmTM Staph Express Count Plate (STX Petrifilm) might be appropriate to solve these challenging problems. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of STX Petrifilm with BPA for enumeration of S. aureus in various foods. A mixture of S. aureus strains ATCC29213, ATCC25923, and ATCC13565 was inoculated on marinated pork chop, beef (chuck tender), dried filefish, semi-dried squid, rice cake, and Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) at 2, 3, 5, and 7 Log CFU/g. S. aureus cell counts were enumerated by spread-plating on STX Petrifilm and BPA after 0 and 24 hours at 4oC (marinated pork chop, beef, semi-dried squid, and stir-fried glass noodles) and 25oC (dried filefish and rice cake). Recovery of STX Petrifilm for S. aureus from various food samples was compared with BPA, and the results showed that there were no significant differences between two selective media in all cases. The results indicated that STX Petrifilm had enough efficiency to recover S. aureus from various foods as well as saving time and space.

Lactococcus garvieae is recognized as a crucial bacterial pathogen of freshwater and marine fish species. It has been divided into two serological phenotypes, namely KG? and KG+. Difference of the two phenotypes is owing to the presence or absence of polysaccharide capsule, and a phenotypic change from KG? to KG+ occurs during stocking of isolates for a long period or by repeated subculturing. We found that the phenotypic change occurred more readily in L. garvieae isolates from cultured filefish, thread-sail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer and black scraper Thamnaconus modestus, than those from other fish species. Thus we studied the gene cluster for capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis (capsule gene cluster) of a filefish isolate, strain BSLG13015, and revealed that the strain possessed the same capsule gene cluster as those from other fish species, but that it was integrated in a newly identified plasmid. The plasmid, a size of 31,654 bp and circular, was named pBSLG13015. It was detected in all of KG? filefish isolates but not in KG+ filefish isolates or L. garvieae from other fish species. It is highly probable that the easier change from KG? to KG+ in L. garvieae filefish isolates is attributed to the loss of the plasmid., Fish Pathology, 52(2), pp.82-88; 2017

A feeding trial was designed to assess the effects of dietary protein and lipid content on growth, feed utilization efficiency, body composition, and hematological indices of juvenile filefish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer. Eight experimental diets were formulated with a combination of four protein (35, 40, 45, and 50%) and two dietary lipid levels (7 and 14%). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish (3.2 ± 0.06 g) to apparent satiation for 8 wk. Fish growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by increasing dietary protein and lipid levels, with no significant interactions between factors. The highest growth performance value, in terms of weight gain, was observed in groups fed the diets with 50% protein (399%). However, fish fed the diet containing 45% protein had comparable growth (357%) while achieving relatively higher protein efficiency ratio. Hepatosomatic index was significantly affected by interaction of dietary lipid and protein with the highest values observed in those fish fed the highest protein (45–50%) and lipid (14%) diets. There was a significant increase in body lipid content (5.1 to 6.6%) and a decrease in body protein (15.8 to 14.8%) and ash (2.47 to 2.16%) with increasing dietary lipid levels from 7 to 14%. Muscle lipid content was significantly affected by both dietary protein and lipid levels and tended to increase with increasing dietary protein and lipid levels, ranging from 0.13 to 1.20%. Liver lipid content (65.9 to 68.7%) was significantly increased with the increase in dietary lipid levels while liver moisture content (28.9 to 25.9%) showed a clear decreasing trend. Hematological values were also altered with the increase in either dietary protein or lipid levels. These findings may suggest that a diet containing 45% protein and 7% lipid, with a protein to energy ratio of 23.8 mg/kJ, could deliver sufficient nutrient and energy to support acceptable growth and feed utilization and avoid excessive fat deposition in juvenile filefish.

The greenfin horse-faced filefish, Thamnaconus septentrionalis, is a valuable commercial fish species that is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. It has characteristic blue-green fins, rough skin and spine-like first dorsal fin. T. septentrionalis is of a conservation concern as a result of sharply population decline, and it is an important marine aquaculture fish species in China. The genomic resources of this filefish are lacking and no reference genome has been released. In this study, the first chromosome-level genome of T. septentrionalis was constructed using Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technology. A total of 50.95 Gb polished Nanopore sequence were generated and were assembled to 474.31 Mb genome, accounting for 96.45% of the estimated genome size of this filefish. The assembled genome contained only 242 contigs, and the achieved contig N50 was 22.46 Mb, reaching a surprising high level among all the sequenced fish species. Hi-C scaffolding of the genome resulted in 20 pseudo-chromosomes containing 99.44% of the total assembled sequences. The genome contained 67.35 Mb repeat sequences, accounting for 14.2% of the assembly. A total of 22,067 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 94.82% were successfully annotated with putative functions. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using 1,872 single-copy gene families and 67 unique gene families were identified in the filefish genome. This high quality assembled genome will be a valuable genomic resource for understanding the biological characteristics and for facilitating breeding of T. septentrionalis.

The age and growth of filefish, Thamnaconus modestus (Gunther 1877) in the southern waters of Korea were investigated. Samples were collected with commercial trawl catches during the period from May 2009 to December 2011. Of the 2,626 specimens collected, the sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 (P > 0.05). The total length ranged from 11.3 to 42.1 cm. The gonadosomatic index for both sexes was the highest in May to June, indicating that May to June is the main spawning period. The length of females at sexual maturity was 25.92 cm. The length-weight relationship of the filefish was TW = 0.0121TL3.0536 (n = 1,692, r 2 = 0.9034, P < 0.001). The age of the sampled individuals was estimated by counting growth rings recorded on the 5th vertebrae; ages ranged from 0 to 9 years. The filefish of the same age displayed a high individual variation in total length. Length-at-age data were fitted by using the Von Bertalanffy growth model. The estimated Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L ∞ = 42.04 cm, k = 0.21 year−1 and t0 = −1.56 for females, L ∞ = 41.20 cm, k = 0.18 year−1 and t0 = −2.36 for males, and L ∞ = 43.16 cm, k = 0.17 year−1 and t0 = −2.18 for the combination of both male and female. These data can be used as useful biological information for the future fishery management of filefish resources in Korean waters.

Although jellyfish are important predators of fish larvae, many fish species also feed on jellyfish. Therefore, the predator–prey role of jellyfish and fish may switch during the course of their life histories. Here, we investigated such interactions by examining (1) the avoidance behaviour of threadsail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer to moon jellyfish Aurelia sp. and (2) the feeding behaviour of filefish on moon jellyfish medusae and polyps. The efficiency of filefish as jellyfish predators was examined by comparing their behaviour with that of black scraper Thamnaconus modestus and red sea bream Pagrus major. Filefish and black scraper were able to avoid medusae and obtain tolerance against nematocysts at a smaller body size compared to red sea bream. Filefish initiated feeding on medusae when they became juveniles of 21.8 mm SL. Feeding trials of yearling filefish on polyps at different temperatures (range 10–30°C) indicated that the highest feeding rate was 3.1 individuals s−1 at 26.8°C. We suggest that the feeding pressure of filefish on jellyfish polyps may have an impact on medusa biomass.

We examined the diel activity pattern of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus with or without the presence of food and predators. We also tested whether they have the capability for time–place learning. In the feeding experiment, juvenile and adult sea cucumbers were fed at either 00:00 or 12:00, at a fixed feeding place for 12 days, and the presence of animals in the feeding area was recorded. In the predator experiment, juvenile sea cucumbers were kept in a tank with or without a filefish, and the emergence of juvenile sea cucumbers outside the oyster shell area was recorded. Juvenile sea cucumbers did not show a diel activity rhythm, whereas adults were nocturnal, but this was altered by feeding at 12:00. Neither juveniles nor adults appeared in the feeding area before feeding time, suggesting an inability for time–place learning. Juvenile sea cucumbers hid under the oyster shells during the daytime and were active at night in the presence of a filefish, but without a filefish, they also showed high activity in the daytime. We suggest that sea cucumbers change their activity depending on the presence of food and predators, but without the influence of time–place learning.

The marine macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia is increasing its distribution worldwide, both within its natural range, where it can replace seagrass following a disturbance, and in areas where it is invasive. C. taxifolia presents a bright green background colouration for inhabitants, while seagrass habitats are typically much deeper green in coloration. The fan-bellied leatherjacket, Monacanthus chinensis inhabits both seagrass Zostera muelleri and C. taxifolia habitats in Moreton Bay, Australia and is camouflaged in these contrasting habitats by brown and bright green colour morphs, respectively. Aquarium experiments measuring colour change of brown and green morphs with respect to contrasting habitats (i.e., brown morphs in C. taxofolia and green morphs in seagrass) revealed that over 21 days, brown morphs significantly altered their skin colouration towards the colouration of green morphs, but green morphs did not alter their colouration. In a habitat preference experiment, brown morphs, which match the colouration of the seagrass, significantly preferred seagrass to C. taxifolia, whilst green morphs showed no preference. We conclude that variations in C. taxifolia coverage present a substantial challenge to this species at short time scales (weeks). This challenge may be overcome by colouration changes at longer timescales assuming fish can survive predation during the adjustment period.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis was conducted for eight different kinds of dried seafood products to investigate their gamma-irradiation status. The specimens consisted of 0∼10 kGy-irradiated bones, which included five dried fishes (plaice, hairtail, saury, herring, and dried filefish) and three dried mollusks (beca squid, dried squid, and mitra squid) without flesh or marrow. ESR analysis showed that irradiated specimens exhibited typical asymmetric signals as compared to non-irradiated specimens. ESR signal intensities of all dried fishery samples significantly in- creased depending on irradiation dose, whereas hydroxyapetite radicals clearly appeared in irradiated plaice, saury, and hairtail. In comparing hydroxyapatite (HA) ratio, irradiated hairtail showed a greater hydroxyapatite-radical gen- eration rate than plaice and saury, and the HA ratio significantly increased with elevated irradiation dose. However, all irradiated plaice and hairtail samples, including 5 and 10 kGy-irradiated saury, showed radiation-derived radicals, whereas filefish and mollusks did not. From the results, ESR spectroscopy was found to have potential to be applied for identifying irradiated plaice, hairtail, and saury, which all contained bones.

Summary This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cold oxygen plasma (COP) on the reductions of Penicillium citrinum and Cladosporium cladosporioides on the surface of dried filefish fillets (Stephanolepis cirrhifer). The counts were significantly (P 0.05) differences were observed in the counts between 3 and 5 min of COP. The average decrease in the counts of C. cladosporioides and P. citrinum caused by 3–20 min of COP was 0.91 and 1.04 log10 CFU g � 1 , respectively. A reduction of >1-log10 CFU g � 1 was observed on the fillets treated with COP for >10 min. Decimal reduction time (dR) by Weibull model was 9.32 and 7.42 min of COP for C. cladosporioides and P. citrinum, respectively. The fillets exposed to 20 min of COP displayed increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and decreased overall sensory acceptance. However, the fillets treated with 10 min of COP received satisfactory TBARS and consumer acceptance. Therefore, a 10-min COP could be effective in reducing >90% and inactivating of the mould without causing any deleterious changes to the physicochemical and sensory qualities of the fillet.

In this study, novel antimicrobial peptides had been derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of filefish (Thamnaconus modestus) byproduct (HFBP). Different proteases, (papain [P], trypsin [T], neutrase [N], pepsin [PE], and the mixture I [PN] and mixture II [PT]) and different hydrolysis time (60, 120, 180, and 240 min), have been used to generate peptides with different lengths and amino acid sequences. The antimicrobial properties of HFBPs were tested, against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, using disc diffusion method. HFBP prepared after 120 min of the enzymatic hydrolysis by trypsin (HFBP-T) exhibited greatest antibacterial activities. Bacillus cereus 10451 (BC) and Salmonella enteritidis 10982 (SE) strains were most sensitive to HFBP-T with an inhibitory zone of 24.68 and 29.67 mm diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial activities of tested HFBPs increased significantly at low pH and temperature. The amino acid analysis showed that HFBP-T protein hydrolysate is high in an amino acid of proline, which probably contributes to the antimicrobial activity. The results obtained from scanning electron microscopy suggested that HFBPs might kill bacteria by acting on the cell wall of bacteria. Conclusively, the HFBP derived from filefish byproduct with biological activates is an interesting alternative to the use of waste from the fishing industry as natural antimicrobials in food stuff.

The reproductive biology of the planehead filefish, Stephanolepis hispidus, in the waters of the Canary Islands area was studied. The study was conducted with a sample of 906 specimens from 8.9 to 25.9 cm in total length (TL) that were caught in fish traps from February 1998 to August 1999. Females predominated in the catches, and the sex ratio of 1.0:1.4 significantly deviated from the theoretical 1:1 distribution. This ratio varied when calculated by the length classes and by the season. Based on the monthly evolution of the Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and the proportion of mature individuals, the spawning season occurred between May and October, with a peak in July and August for both sexes. This species accumulates energy reserves in the liver to be spent during the maturation of the gonads and spawning. The mean size at sexual maturity (L50) was 13.9 cm TL in females and 14.9 cm TL in males. The fecundity of S. hispidus fluctuated between 14,071 and 91,323 (mean = 55,239 ± 19,079), and the relative fecundity oscillated between 460 and 1,238 oocytes/g of eviscerated weight (mean = 904 ± 206). The diameter of the oocytes was 0.47 mm (SD = 0.10). The described reproductive characteristics provide options to fishery managers including regulations for spatial and temporal fishing closures to protect the breeding fish during spawning and the selectivity of fishing gears. Thus, it is proposed that fishing be limited to water depths greater than 30 m and that the minimum legal length of fish be established at 18 cm TL.

Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides are the primary spoilage molds of dried fishery food products. This study investigated the effects of different doses of ultraviolet (UV) light (260 nm) on the reduction of A. niger, P. citrinum, and C. cladosporioides on experimentally contaminated dried filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) fillet surfaces and the effect on the quality of the fillets. All three strains counts were significantly (p 0.05) between the nontreated (control) and UV-treated fillets, the flavor and overall acceptability significantly (p

A new fossil filefish, Aluterus shigensis sp. nov., with a close resemblance to the extant Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck), is described from the Middle Miocene Bessho Formation in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. It is characterized by: 21 total vertebrae; very slender and long first dorsal spine with tiny anterior barbs; thin and lancet-shaped basal pterygiophore of the spiny dorsal fin, with its ventral margin separated from the skull; proximal tip of moderately slender first pterygiophore of the soft dorsal fin not reaching far ventrally; soft dorsal-fin base longer than anal-fin base; caudal peduncle having nearly equal depth and length; and tiny, fine scales with slender, straight spinules. The occurrence of this fossil filefish from the Bessho Formation is consistent with the influence of warm water currents suggested by other fossils, but it is inconsistent with the deep-water sedimentary environment of this Formation. This is the first fossil occurrence of a filefish in Asia; previously described fossil filefishes are known from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of Italy, the Pliocene of Greece, and the Miocene and Pliocene of North America. These fossil records suggest that the genus Aluterus had already been derived and was widely distributed during the Middle Miocene with taxa closely resembling Recent species.

Past studies suggested that a basin-wide regime shift occurred in 1988–1989, impacting marine ecosystem and fish assemblages in the western North Pacific. However, the detailed mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are still yet unclear. In the Ulleung basin of the East Sea, filefish, anchovy and sardine dominated the commercial fish catches in 1986–1992, but thereafter common squid comprised > 60% of the total catch in 1993–2010. To illuminate the mechanisms causing this dramatic shift in dominant fisheries species, I related changes in depth-specific oceanographic conditions from 0 to 500 m to inter-annual changes in the fish assemblage structure from 1986 to 2010. In the upper layer of 50–100 m depths, water temperature suddenly increased in 1987–1989, and consequently warm-water epi-pelagic species (anchovy, chub mackerel, and common squid) became dominant, while sardine, relatively cold-water epi-pelagic species, nearly disappeared. An annual index of the volume transport by the Korea Strait Bottom Cold Water, originating from the deep water of the Ulleung Basin, displayed a sudden intensification in 1992–1993, accompanied by decreased water temperature and increased water density in the deep water and replacement of dominant bentho-pelagic species from filefish, warm-water species, to herring and cod, cold-water species. The results suggest that climate-driven oceanic changes and the subsequent ecological impacts can occur asynchronously, often with time lags of several years, between the upper and the deep layer, and between epi-pelagic and deepwater fish assemblages.

The threadsail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer is one of the most important commercial fish resources in Korea. However, its natural populations have declined drastically over the last several decades. To investigate the genetic characteristics of the threadsail filefish for conservation and management purposes, its genetic variation was analyzed in Korean fishing grounds using 11 microsatellite loci. All populations showed moderate genetic diversity (mean number of alleles (NA) = 8.6, expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.73), representing a slightly lower level of genetic variability than other congeneric species. The presence of a weak genetic population substructure was detected (FST = 0.023, RST = 0.030, P

This study was conducted to help better understand the current sodium intake of Korean children and to establish children's good eating habits through investigation of the sodium content of ready-to-eat foods collected from nine major amusement parks in Korea. The sodium content of a total of 322 products was analysed by using ICP and then the potential risk based on the recommended daily intake of sodium as described in the Korean dietary reference intakes was determined. The results showed that sodium content was the lowest in muffins (245 mg/100 g) and the highest in seasoned dried filefish (1825 mg/100 g). The average amounts of sodium per serving of seasoned dried filefish, tteokbokki and fish paste were 1150, 1248 and 1097 mg, respectively. The values were above 50% of the daily intake of sodium recommended by the Korean dietary reference intake. The ready-to-eat foods were also classified into high, medium and low sodium content on the basis of standards recommended by the Korean Food and Drug Administration. Most snacks were classified as high sodium foods because they exceeded "300 mg (84.5% of the total daily allowance)". Furthermore, the meal substitution foods such as kimbab, tteokbokki, mandus, sandwiches and hamburgers exceeded "600 mg (90.3% of the total daily allowance)" and were also classified as high sodium foods. In addition, ready-to-eat foods in amusement parks are similar to foods eaten on streets and foods around school zones, which contain high sodium content; thus, the intake frequency might be high, which would induce high risk to children health. Koreans already consume a high amount of sodium daily via their usual diets. So, the sodium content in snacks and substitution foods needs to be reduced. Consequently, this study noted that parents and guardians should carefully consider their children's consumption of ready-to-eat foods from Korean amusement parks.

Using field and laboratory experiments, this study examined the mechanisms that determine the distribution patterns of the filefish Rudarius ercodes, one of the most dominant seagrass habitat fishes in temperate Japan. Few individuals were preyed on in a field tethering experiment, suggesting a relatively low predation risk, even in the open bare sand and mud areas around seagrass habitats. In the laboratory, predator presence or absence did not affect filefish distribution, with filefish mostly staying in the area planted with seagrass, even when predators were absent in the open bare area. Filefish showed a strong preference for the structure provided by seagrass, staying significantly longer in the seagrass area (despite a lack of food) than in the area with food but devoid of seagrass. Faced with the choice of both seagrass and food, and seagrass without food, even satiated filefish, which showed lower foraging activity, remained significantly longer in the seagrass area with food, suggesting an additional preference for seagrass with abundant epiphytic food. Accordingly, habitat preference may be the most important factor determining the distribution patterns of filefish, which may primarily select seagrass habitats via an intrinsic preference for the structure provided by seagrass, with their distribution pattern subsequently being modified by food availability via a preference for seagrass with abundant epiphytic food.

Eun-Joo Park, Han-Na Jang, Deokjo Jo, Gui-Ran Kim, and Joong-Ho Kwon*School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National UniversityAbstract Dried fish products, such as seasoned cuttlefish, anchovy, and filefish, were analyzed to investigate thephysicochemical quality and luminescence properties following gamma-irradiation. The overall color difference slightlyincreased in all irradiated samples, showing significant changes in Hunter’s L, a, and b color values. Cuttlefish and filefishshowed higher values in hydrophilic browning, whereas anchovy showed a higher value in lipophilic browning. The browncolor intensity of filefish showed a dose-dependent increase. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value significantly increased inirradiated samples of cuttlefish and anchovy, which have relatively high lipid contents. Irradiated samples, except anchovy,were not suitable for screening using photostimulated luminescence (PSL) because only negative or intermediate valueswere observed. Thermoluminescence (TL) measurements were suitable for all fish samples, i.e., irradiation-specific glowcurves were obtained, signal intensity increased, and the TL ratio fulfilled the criterion. There was no significant differenceamong the irradiated samples with regard to the sensory properties.Keywords: cuttlefish, filefish, anchovy, gamma irradiation, luminescence

Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) analyses were conducted for the detection of different irradiated dried fishes. All the non-irradiated samples provided PSL counts of lower than 700 (negative: T1). Clear identification of irradiated sample was only possible for irradiated anchovy with PSL counts >5000; however, the results were unsatisfactory (not positive) for irradiated cod, dried filefish, hairtail, and herring samples. The contaminating silicate minerals were obtained by density separation or acid hydrolysis to perform TL analysis, which resulted in a low intensity of TL glow curve with a maximum peak after 250 o C for the non-irradiated samples that are irrespective of their kinds and methods for the mineral separation. The TL glow curves of high intensity with maximum peak in the temperature range of 150-250 o C were observed for all the irradiated samples. However, better results of TL glow curves and particularly of the TL ratio (TL 1 /TL 2 ) were obtained when the minerals were separated by a acid hydrolysis method.

The reproductive characteristics and stomach contents of the filefish Stephanolepis diaspros were investigated in the Gulf of Suez during the period from 2004 to 2007. The overall sex ratio of males to females was estimated as1.00: 0.18, where females were represented in small sizes (8.0- 16.0 cm), while males largely outnumber females up to the length interval of 16.0- 26.0 cm. The monthly average values of gonad weight percentages and monthly different maturity stages showed that the species spawns during summer with intensive spawning in May. The length at first sexual maturity was estimated at 9.5 cm for males and 8.5 cm for females. The diet of file fish consisted of a wide variety of items, dominated by crustaceans and mollusks. Algae, echinoderms, coelenterates and fish remains were also demonstrated in the stomachs. Sponges, hydrozoans, foraminifera and Bryozoa were also preyed by the file fish. The maximum feeding intensity was attained in spring, while the minimum was observed during summer (June to September).

Infections with the pennellid Peniculus minuticaudae Shiino, 1956 occurred on three species of marine fishes, the unicorn leatherjacket filefish, Aluterus monoceros (L.), the hairfinned leatherjacket, Paramonacanthus japonicus (Tilesius), and the brown-banded butterflyfish, Roa modesta (Temminck & Schlegel), held at a public aquarium in Kagoshima, Japan. Using specimens from the aquarium and type material, the postmetamorphic and premetamorphic adult females of P. minuticaudae are redescribed. The adult male, copepodid I, and late chalimus stages are described for the first time. The three fish species represent new host records for P . minuticaudae . Fishes were found heavily infected with P. minuticaudae , and extensive lesions associated with infections were found on the skin and around the fin rays of R. modesta . While pennellids usually use two hosts during their life cycle, it is very likely that P . minuticaudae completes its life cycle using one host, as suggested by copepodids, chalimi, adult males, premetamorphic adult females, and postmetamorphic adult females of the parasite all being found on a single fish.

The present study evaluated and compared the utility of the cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase I genes as mitochondrial markers for determining the original species and for food regulatory control. Evaluation of a selected DNA barcode region, using a newly designed species-specific primer set, generated a species-specific ‘fingerprint’, and tested the efficacy of this barcode during analysis of simulated canned fish meats, dried fish fillets, fried fish powders, and commercial doubtful products. Results suggest that the cytochrome b gene is an effective gene marker for the purpose of species authentication. When used in conjunction with the newly designed primer set, the selected DNA barcode region was demonstrated to be highly discriminatory, accurate, efficient, and species-specific. Because of current circumstances within trade of fish tissues, mitogenomics-based technology may provide an efficient and reliable means of resolving problems relating to fish meat adulteration and mislabeling.

Small artificial reefs (1.2 × 1.02 × 1.1 m) were placed near to (15 m; n = 20) and distant from (500 m; n = 20) larger artificial reefs (1.2 × 2.4 × 2.4 m; n = 20) in July 2008 and 2009, and each set of reefs (two small and one large) was placed 1.7 km apart at a site 28 km south of Dauphin Island, Alabama, in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Divers used visual surveys to identify and count all fish present on the small reefs and estimated fish lengths in 25-mm categories during August 2008, August 2009, and September 2009. Significantly higher numbers of age-0 red snapper Lutjanus campechanus were detected on the small distant reefs (500 m) than on the small nearby (15 m) reefs in all surveys. In addition, significantly higher densities of rock sea bass Centropristis philadelphica and pygmy filefish Stephanolepis setifer were observed on the small distant reefs compared with the small nearby reefs in both August and September 2009. Mean species richness was significantly higher on the small distant ...

Two species of filefish, Spephanolepis cirrhifer and Thamnaconus modestus, are commonly dried, seasoned with sugar and salt, roasted, and sold as a snack called Jwipo in Korea. These species of fish are imported from China, Thailand, and Vietnam because of drastic catch reduction. However, imported materials have been identified as Aluterus monoceros, Paramonnacathus choirocephalus, and T. septentrionalis in a market survey. For these reasons, we developed a DNA microarray that distinguishes five species of filefish for quick and simple species identification. Species-specific oligonucleotide probes were designed by sequence analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. In this study, a DNA microarray system using species-specific probes successfully and rapidly identified five different filefish species, and shown potential for determining geographical origin.

Consumers of seagrasses are increasingly recognized for their ability to shape land- scape features and regulate energy flux in coastal ecosystems. To date, however, the nutritional char- acteristics and morphological features by which herbivores and omnivores make feeding decisions are poorly understood. To elucidate how consumers of marine vascular plants discriminate among different food resources, we conducted food-preference assays with seagrass leaves and seagrass- incorporated agar diets of the 3 most common seagrass species of the Gulf of Mexico (Thalassia tes- tudinum, Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme). These 3 species were offered simultaneously to the most abundant local consumers: the omnivorous pinfish Lagodon rhomboides and filefish Stephanolepis hispidus, the herbivorous emerald parrotfish Nicholstina usta, and the herbivorous sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Consumption rates (g fresh weight (FW)) of leaves or seagrass-incorpo- rated agar diets were estimated over 24 h periods. Measured plant properties included C:N, N:P, total carbohydrates, protein and lipid concentrations, caloric content, percentage of organic matter, water and ash. Results showed that S. filiforme was preferred by all fish species (81, 60.2 and 59% of total leaf consumption of pinfish, filefish and parrotfish, respectively), whereas sea urchins consumed the highest amounts of H. wrightii (71.2% of total). However, when leaf structure was removed, by incor- porating ground leaf tissue into agar matrices, pinfish and filefish did not show any significant dietary preference. In contrast, parrotfish and sea urchins maintained their preferences for S. filiforme and H. wrightii, respectively. Parrotfish preference for S. filiforme coincided with highest lipid and carbo- hydrate contents, whereas the preference of sea urchins for H. wrightii could be explained by higher levels of the percentage of organic matter and caloric content. Our results suggest that structural plant features (e.g. leaf manipulability and/or visual recognition of resources) are the most important factors driving discrimination between seagrass species by omnivorous fish, whereas strict herbi- vores make feeding decisions that are highly influenced by nutritional characteristics, presumably as recognized by both olfaction and gustation.