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The present study express the biometry, including length-weight relationships (LWRs) using 12 equations, length-length relationships (LLRs) using 15 equations, condition factors (allometric, KA; Fulton's, KF; relative, KR; and relative weight, WR), form factor (a3.0), first sexual maturity (Lm), natural mortality (MW) and fecundity (FT) of Dermogenys pusilla from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. A sum of 75 individuals was hardly collected using cast net and gill net during July 2013 to June 2014. In our study total length ranged from 6.6-16.1 cm for male and 7.5-15.6 cm for female and fin formula was- dorsal, D. 12 (4/8); pectoral, P1. 11 (2/9); pelvic, P2. 6 (1/5); anal, A. 13-14 (2-3/11-12) and caudal C. 18-20 (4/14-16). All LWRs were highly significant (P < 0.001) and based on highest value of r2, BW vs. FL was the best fitted model among 12 equations for both sexes. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant differences between males and females for LWRs (P < 0.001). Also, all LLRs were highly correlated (P < 0.001) with r2 values = 0.940. According to highest value of r2, LLR by TL vs. FL was the best suited model among 15 equations for both genders. Based on Pearson correlation values, KF was highly correlated with BW and TL; thus KF can be used for the wellbeing of this species in the Ganges River. The a3.0 was 0.0025 for male and 0.0024 for female. The Lm was 9.70 cm TL for male and 9.40 cm TL for female. Also, the MW was 1.13, 1.41 year-1 for males and females respectively, and the fecundity was ranged from 620-1544 (mean ± SD = 1125 ± 248). Therefore, the findings of this study would be very effective for sustainable conservation of this endangered species in the Ganges River and surrounding ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemiramphid larvae and juveniles collected from surface mangrove flotsam (e.g.. leaves, twigs and seeds) in a shallow coastal area off Trang Province, southern Thailand, from June 2011 to July 2012, were identified as Zenarchopterus sp. 1 [n = 175, 5.4-36.7 mm in body length (BL)] and Zenarchopleriis sp. 2 (n = 41, 6.0-25.2 mm BL), based on dorsal- and analfin ray and myomere numbers, body proportions, and the presence of paired long nasal papillae. The two species were easily separable by their pigmentation patterns, Zenarchopterus sp. 1 possessing 6-8 dark transverse lateral bands on the body and a heavily pigmented dorsal fin, whereas Zenarchopterus sp. 2 lacked such distinctive pigmentation, instead having numerous melanophores scattered along the myomeres. Zenarchopterus sp. 1 occurred throughout the year, Zenarchopterus sp. 2 being restricted to the rainy season (May through October). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can provide genome-level information (e.g. mitochondrial genome structure, phylogenetic relationships and codon usage) for analyzing molecular phylogeny and evolution of teleostean species. The species in the order Beloniformes have commercial importance in recreational fisheries. In order to further clarify the phylogenetic relationship of these important species, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of garfish Hyporhamphus quoyi of Hemiramphidae within Beloniformes. The mitogenome was 16,524 bp long and was typical of other teleosts mitogenomes in size and content. Thirteen PCGs started with the typical ATG codon (with exception of the cytochrome coxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene with GTG). All tRNA sequences could be folded into expected cloverleaf secondary structures except for tRNASer (AGN) which lost a dihydrouracil (DHU) stem. The control region was 866 bp in length, which contained some conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) common to Beloniformes. The phylogenetic relationship between 26 fish Beloniformes species was analyzed based on the complete nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 13 PCGs by two different inference methods (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference). Phylogenetic analyses revealed Hemiramphidae as the sister group to Exocoetidae and it is a paraphyletic grouping. Our results may provide useful information on mitogenome evolution of teleostean species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The African halfbeak Hyporhamphus picarti (Hemiramphidae) is one of the most abundant species within the ichthyoplankton community of the Sine Saloum estuary (Senegal). A year‐round occurrence of larvae suggests that the Sine Saloum is an important spawning habitat for this species. Annual fluctuations in water temperature, however, can have severe impacts on the survival probabilities of marine fish larvae. To determine whether temperature has an effect on the growth of H. picarti during its larval development, larval age at length and somatic growth rates were investigated for two contrasting spawning seasons in 2014: February (cold season, 20.8°C) and June (warm season, 26.4°C). In both months H. picarti larvae were sampled at the mouth of the Saloum River using neuston nets. Sagittal otoliths’ increments were counted to estimate the larva age at a given standard length (SL). The age of larvae ranged between 2 and 22 days, with SL of 3.86–21.68 mm, respectively. In order to describe larval age at length during the contrasting spawning seasons, two distinctive Gompertz functions were applied. Accordingly, specimens sampled in June (0.94 ± 0.17 mm per day) exhibited significantly higher somatic growth rates than those sampled in February (0.60 ± 0.06 mm per day). These findings suggest that water temperature is an important factor influencing larval growth in H. picarti. Information concerning the early life stages of H. picarti are scarce and the results of the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the species’ biology and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, gelatin was extracted from black-barred halfbeak ( Hemiramphus far ) skin by successive alkaline and acid treatments and then hydrolyzed with Purafect ® . The black-barred halfbeak gelatin (BG) and its hydrolysate (BGH) were characterized and compared to the commercial bovine gelatin (CG). Samples were evaluated for their antioxidant, antibacterial and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. Results obtained using size exclusion chromatography showed that BG contained lower level of high molecular weight proteins, compared to CG. In addition, the amino acids composition revealed that BG contained lower level of imino acids (Pro+Hpx), compared to CG. These differences reflect the variations observed in the gel strength and gelling and melting temperatures of both skin gelatins. Furthermore, high similarities were observed between CG and BG in terms of their Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, while their amino acid compositions were quite different. BGH, with a degree of hydrolysis of 12.5%, showed high antioxidant potential that was assessed by the scavenging activity, reducing power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, β-carotene bleaching protection and lipid per-oxidation inhibition assays. In addition, BGH sample exhibited antibacterial activity against different Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. The ACE-inhibitory activity was also investigated. BGH showed an inhibitory effect of 80.76%, while BG inhibited the ACE only by 36.51% at 1 mg/ml. Thus, black-barred halfbeak gelatin represents a promising source of antioxidant, ACE-inhibitory and antimicrobial peptides that might prevent humans from several diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents preliminary data on the genetic diversity and population structure of Hyporhamphus sajori by analysing a 510 bp sequence in the mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) control region and eight polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. The H. sajori individuals from different locations were indistinguishable from one another based on mtDNA variation, as demonstrated with a neighbour-joining tree and minimum spanning network analysis. Low level of genetic diversity and the absence of population structure in H. sajori from the north-west Pacific Ocean, combined with negative indices for neutral evolution in these populations, suggest that H. sajori underwent a population expansion after a recent bottleneck. The Structure analysis, discriminant analysis of principal components ( DAPC) and the pair-wise ΦST values after Bonferroni correction using eight microsatellite loci provided no clear inference on the genetic differentiation and thus no evidence of population structure of H. sajori. The genetic connectivity among locations might be due to fairly high gene flow via transport of eggs and larvae by the Kuroshio and Tsushima warm current. This study revealed low levels of genetic diversity and suggested high level of contemporary gene flow among populations of H. sajori in the East (Japan) Sea and the Pacific Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was utilized to assess the species diversity of the freshwater halfbeak genus Hemirhamphodon. A total of 201 individuals from 46 locations in Peninsular Malaysia, north Borneo (Sarawak) and Sumatra were successfully amplified for 616 base pairs of the COI gene revealing 231 variable and 213 parsimony informative sites. COI gene trees showed that most recognized species form monophyletic clades with high bootstrap support. Pairwise within species comparisons exhibited a wide range of intraspecific diversity from 0.0% to 14.8%, suggesting presence of cryptic diversity. This finding was further supported by barcode gap analysis, ABGD and the constructed COI gene trees. In particular, H. pogonognathus from Kelantan (northeast Peninsular Malaysia) diverged from the other H. pogonognathus groups with distances ranging from 7.8 to 11.8%, exceeding the nearest neighbor taxon. High intraspecific diversity was also observed in H. byssus and H. kuekanthali, but of a lower magnitude. This study also provides insights into endemism and phylogeographic structuring, and limited support for the Paleo-drainage divergence hypothesis as a driver of speciation in the genus Hemirhamphodon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nador lagoon, located in the northeastern part of the Moroccan Mediterranean coast, was sampled with a beach seine at six stations during different seasons, from 2012 to 2014. The African halfbeak Hyporhamphus picarti was collected among the fish species and some aspect of its biology and ecology (colonization of the lagoon, spawning period and growth) was described for the first time. This species was found only in late summer and autumn, and all the individuals captured were juveniles, indicating that the lagoon serves as an important nursery for this species. Growth increments in the lapilli otoliths were used to investigate its early life history. assuming that the primary increments are deposited daily, age and hatching dates were determined by counting these increments in juvenile fish collected during late summer and autumn. The estimated ages of juveniles ranged from 39 to 58 days (TL: 68.10 ± 15.19 mm) in 2012, and from 42 to 77 days (TL: 101.03 ± 28.77 mm) in 2013. Juveniles collected in 2013 had significantly higher growth rates (2.35 mm. d-1) than those collected in 2012 (1.88 mm. d-1) regardless of temperature. for both years, the average otolith increments width increased until about the 25th day (corresponding to a size of about 28 mm TL), and then decreased. Back-calculated hatching dates of juveniles collected in the lagoon indicated that they hatched in summer, from June to September. These results indicate that H. picarti has a short spawning period during the warm period and uses the lagoon as a nursery ground in late summer and autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable biological identification is essential for effective management programs for fishery resources. In many cases, individuals of species with overlapping features and/or subtle morphological differences can be misidentified by traditional taxonomic procedures. The conservation status (i.e., genetic diversity) of commercial fishery stocks of the Southern Atlantic are in general poorly understood. The halfbeak populations found off the coast of northeastern Brazil represent a suitable model for testing controversial identifications, given that the two local species ( Hemiramphus brasiliensis and H. balao) not only present very subtle morphological differences, but are also harvested intensively. The present study examined the potential occurrence of the two species off the coast of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco using a multilocus DNA approach, which also provided insights into the conservation status of these stocks in relation to the genetic variation found in both mitochondrial and nuclear regions, analyzed by molecular systematics and population genetics parameters. The results indicated the presence of only one halfbeak species in the region, reinforced by phylogenetic relationships and population genetics in both mitochondrial and nuclear loci. The conservation status of the stocks in terms of their genetic diversity appears to be good despite the intense exploitation. The results of this study provide a new perspective for the conservation and management of this fishery resource, particularly given the fact that the intensive exploitation over the last five decades appears to have impacted a single species, rather than two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of the lateral line system and its innervation in a freshwater halfbeak, Zenarchopterus dunckeri (Beloniformes: Exocoetoidei: Zenarchopteridae), revealed adaptations of a surface insect feeder. Superficial neuromasts (SNs) occurred on the head (ventral surface of lower jaw, snout, cheek, supratemporal region and opercle), trunk (forming four longitudinal rows: middorsal, dorsolateral, lateral and ventrolateral rows) and caudal fin (two rows). The middorsal row was broad, involving three longitudinal scale series (middorsal and left and right adjacent series) anteriorly on the trunk and including 809 SNs (counted on the left side); up to 108 SNs formed a more or less crescentic patch on each scale. The supratemporal ramus of the posterior lateral line nerve (PLLN) extended strongly posterior to innervate the middorsal row. The lateral ramus (of PLLN) gave off an anterior dorsal ramule innervating the dorsolateral row, four short ventral ramules innervating the lateral row, and 15 long ventral ramules innervating SNs of the ventrolateral row and canal neuromasts of the trunk lateral line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Scuticociliatosis caused by Miamiensis avidus is one of the major diseases in cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Korea. However, until recently, no effective chemotherapy or vaccine has been developed. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine motifs (CpG-ODNs) have been shown to be effective in enhancing innate immune responses and preventing infectious diseases in fish. However, it has not been experimented whether CpG-ODNs can be used as a therapeutic tool against infectious diseases in fish. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of CpG-ODN 1668 against scuticociliatosis in olive flounder for the first time. The group of fish administered CpG-ODN 1668 at 3days after the infection showed clearly higher survival rates than the groups of fish administered GpC-ODN 1720 or PBS, indicating a high therapeutic potential of CpG-ODN 1668 against scuticociliatosis. However, the treatment efficacy of CpG-ODN 1668 was diminished when administered at 6days post-infection, and no treatment effect was found when administered at 9days after the infection. These results suggest that early diagnosis through continuous monitoring and early treatment with CpG-ODN 1668 are essential for increase of treatment efficacy. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time the possible use of CpG-ODN 1668 in treatment of scuticociliatosis in olive flounder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined the growth and mortality of two widespread small fish species, Toxabramis swinhonis (Cyprinidae) and Hyporhamphus intermedius (Hemiramphidae), from a shallow lake (Niushan Lake, China) along the Yangtze River, by analyzing monthly length frequency data (July 2005 to June 2006) with the FAO- ICLARM stock assessment tool (Fi SAT). Estimated von Bertalanffy growth equation parameters were: L∞ (asymptotic length) = 145 mm TL, and K (growth coefficient) = 0.66 year−1 for T. swinhonis; L∞ = 189 mm TL, and K = 0.68 year−1 for H. intermedius. The instantaneous rates of natural mortality ( M) calculated for T. swinhonis and H. intermedius were 1.35 and 1.28 year−1, respectively. The length-converted catch curve method gave the total annual instantaneous mortality rate ( Z) of 2.92 year−1 for T. swinhonis and 1.53 year−1 for H. intermedius. Recruitment patterns of both species were continuous, displaying a single major peak event per year. Despite not being of direct fishing interest, T. swinhonis, with high abundance and productivity as indicated by a high Z-value, can be an important species in fisheries management as an excellent food source for aquatic organisms, especially for larger fishes of economic value. These results represent the first information on population characteristics of T. swinhonis and H. intermedius, and constitute a comparison base for future growth studies in other lake environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new viviparous species of the zenarchopterid genus Nomorhamphus are described from Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia. The two new species are allopatric, share the same anal-fin morphology of adult males, but differ clearly in the length of the lower jaw and by features of fin pigmentation. Nomorhamphus lanceolatus, new species, and N. sagittarius, new species, are distinguished from all other congeners by a lanceolate, dorsally slightly curved spiculus in the male andropodium and by presence of a distinct black spot on the base of the pectoral fin. Nomorhamphus lanceolatus, from the Sampara river basin at the west coast of south-east Sulawesi, is further distinguished from congeners by its conspicuously short (15.0-25.3 times in SL) lower jaw, and black pigmentation in dorsal and anal fins. Nomorhamphus sagittarius, from the Mangolo river basin, has a longer (6.4-15.0 times in SL) lower jaw, and is further distinguished from all other members of the genus by presence of a few conspicuous teeth on the dorsal surface of the extended portion of the lower jaw. This brings the number of Nomorhamphus species endemic to Sulawesi to 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Hemirhamphodon are described from Borneo island. Hemirhamphodon sesamum, new species, from lowland basins draining into the Makassar Strait, differs from its congeners in having unique colour markings on its dorsal fi n and lower jaw; males with posterior projections on the fourth anal-fi n ray, with third, fourth and eighth anal-fi n rays branched, and with posterior projections on the fourth anal ray; females with third and fourth anal-fi n rays branched. Hemirhamphodon byssus, new species, from southern Sarawak differs from the allopatric H. kuekenthali in having the anterior dorsal-fi n ray extensions reaching to the middle of the caudal fi n (vs absence or small extensions on dorsal-fi n rays), black pigment on the anterior half of dorsal fi n (vs middle part of dorsal fi n), males with posterior projections on the fourth anal-fi n ray. Hemirhamphodon kecil, new species, from the lower Mahakam in East Kalimantan, can be distinguished from its congeners in having few or no markings except for sparse black pigment along sub-margin of the dorsal fi n and anterior dorsal margin of the caudal-fi n base. It is a small species (up to 41 mm SL). Notes and a fi gure of the holotype of H. phaiosoma are provided, along with colour descriptions of fresh material. An artificial key to Hemirhamphodon, inclusive of the new species, is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the structure of the nasal barbel of fishes in the taxon Zenarchopteridae (Beloniformes). The nasal barbels comprise the external paired olfactory organs of the fishes. Scanning system and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the barbels' structure in the viviparous halfbeak Dermogenys pusilla. It is suggested that probably all Zenarchopteridae may possess the most uniform and least elaborated olfactory organs.

The objectives of this study were to measure the levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in the muscle tissues of halfbeaks (Hyporhampus affinis) captured at five stations along the East Java coast, Indonesia. This fish is one of the important species and consumed by local people as a cheap source of protein. We evaluated the hazard level posed by the metals in relation to the maximum residual limit for human consumption and to estimate the weekly intake and compare it with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations in fish at all stations ranged from 0.006 to 0.023 mg/kg, 0.007 to 0.024 mg/kg, and 0.047 to 0.055 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. All samples of halfbeaks collected from this area appear to be safe for human consumption because their metals’ levels are below the permissible limit for human consumption and the maximum weekly intakes are below the recommended values of PTWI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns in the timing of spawning of the eastern Australian river garfish Hyporhamphus regularis ardelio were investigated by sampling fish throughout 24 h during their peak spawning period. Patterns in gonadosomatic indices, the presence of hydrated oocytes and post-ovulatory follicles in histological ovary sections, together with previously demonstrated polymodal distributions of oocytes undergoing final maturation, indicated that river garfish were capable of spawning at any time during the 24 h period. Spawning had either recently occurred or was imminent in all females sampled suggesting that river garfish could spawn multiple times in a given season. Although energy resources are used in the production of low numbers (<2500) of large (~2.5 mm diameter) eggs per batch, total fecundity during the reproductive season may be elevated through multiple spawning events. Implications of these findings on current fishery management regulations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of a stomach is not uncommon amongst teleost fishes, yet our understanding of this reductive specialisation is lacking. The absence of a stomach does not restrict trophic preference, resulting in fishes with very similar alimentary morphology capable of digesting differing diets. We examined the digestive biochemistry of four beloniform fishes: two herbivorous halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) and two carnivorous needlefish (Belonidae) to determine how these fishes digest their respective diets with their simple, short gut. We found that although the halfbeaks showed significantly greater α-amylase activity than that of the needlefish ( P < 0.01), trypsin, lipase, aminopeptidase and maltase activity were not substantially different between the two families. We also found that habitat (freshwater vs. marine) appears to play a significant role in digestive capability, as the two freshwater taxa and the two marine taxa were significantly different (ANOSIM; dietary Gobal R = 0.544, P = 0.001, habitat Global R = 0.437, P = 0.001), despite their phyletic and dietary similarities. Our findings offer partial support for the adaptive modulation hypothesis, support the Plug-Flow Reactor model of digestion in herbivorous halfbeaks and also support the compartmental model of digestion but suggest that another model is required to describe stomachless carnivorous needlefish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccular otolith mass asymmetry was studied in the teleost Rhynchorhamphus georgi collected from the Sea of Oman. It was calculated as the difference between the mass of the right and left paired otoliths divided by average otolith mass. the absolute value of x in R. georgi does not depend on fish length and otolith growth rate as the case of other symmetrical fish species. On the other hand, the absolute value of otolith mass difference is increased with the fish length. The value ofx falls between -0.2 and +0.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding ecology of southern garfish, Hyporhamphus melanochir, in South Australia was investigated to determine the dietary composition and diurnal feeding patterns, especially in relation to a hypothesised relationship between prey availability and feeding patterns. Samples of H. melanochir were collected at different times of the day and night during autumn and winter, and assigned to 3-hourly intervals. The dietary composition and feeding patterns were determined from gut contents analysis. The main food items were seagrasses (Zosteraceae) and hyperbenthic crustaceans, mainly amphipods. Polychaetes and insects were also consumed. A clear diurnal trophic shift was evident: seagrass was consumed in large volumes during the day, whilst hyperbenthic invertebrates dominated the diet during the night. Plankton samples indicated that this trophic shift reflected the higher abundances of hyperbenthic invertebrates in the water column at night. Less time was spent consuming seagrass during winter, coinciding with shorter day-lengths. H. melanochir has a strong trophic association with seagrass beds, which may account for the high garfish abundance in northern Gulf St. Vincent where extensive Zosteracean seagrass beds occur. This may be useful fundamental information for future environmentally-based fishery management decisions to help ensure the sustainability of southern garfish population and the ecosystem of which it is a part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of genetic linkage map and evaluation of population genetic diversity both require large numbers of polymorphic molecular markers. In the study, 60 microsatellite loci were isolated from a dinucleotide- enriched genomic library of Japanese halfbeak (Hyporhamphus sajori). And 30 polymorphic microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphic between 2 and 11 alleles. The number of observed, expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content per locus in 24 individuals ranged from 0.1667 to 1.000, 0.1828 to 0.9220, 0.1828 to 0.8945, respectively. Three loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction analysis and there was no significant linkage disequilibrium found between pairs of loci. As a result, 30 microsatellite loci probably should provide sufficient level of genetic diversity to investigate the fine-scale population structure, stock management and enhancement, genetic linkage map construction and molecular marker-assisted breeding in H. sajori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously documented multiple, independent origins of placentas in the fish family Poeciliidae. Here we summarize similar analyses of fishes in the family Zenarchopteridae. This family includes three live-bearing genera. Earlier studies documented the presence of superfetation, or the ability to carry multiple litters of young in different stages of development in the same ovary, in some species in all three genera. There is also one earlier report of matrotrophy, or extensive postfertilization maternal provisioning, in two of these genera. We present detailed life-history data for approximately half of the species in all three genera and combine them with the best available phylogeny to make inferences about the pattern of life-history evolution within this family. Three species of Hemirhamphodon have superfetation but lack matrotrophy. Most species in Nomorhamphus and Dermogenys either lack superfetation and matrotrophy or have both superfetation and matrotrophy. Our phylogenetic analysis shows that matrotrophy may have evolved independently in each genus. In Dermogenys, matrotrophic species produce fewer, larger offspring than nonmatrotrophic species. In Nomorhamphus; matrotrophic species instead produce more and smaller offspring than lecithotrophic species. However, the matrotrophic species in both genera have significantly smaller masses of reproductive tissue relative to their body sizes. All aspects of these results are duplicated in the fish family Poeciliidae. We discuss the possible adaptive significance of matrotrophy in the light of these new results. The two families together present a remarkable opportunity to study the evolution of a complex trait because they contain multiple, independent origins of the trait that often include close relatives that vary in either the presence or absence of the matrotrophy or in the degree to which matrotrophy is developed. These are the raw materials that are required for either an analysis of the adaptive significance of the trait or for studies of the genetic mechanisms that underlie the evolution of the trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an investigation of the relationship between acidic glycoproteins released in the pharynx and oesophagus of Hyporhamphus regularis ardelio and ‘juice’ released from Zostera capricorni by pharyngeal milling, autoradiographs of thin sections of guts of fish fed C14 labelled seagrass leaves revealed high emission densities in the acidic glycoprotein sheath surrounding the ingesta. This indicates that ‘juice’ liberated from seagrass is taken up by the mucus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of using sectioned otoliths to estimate age in three species of garfishes (family Hemiramphidae) was validated by: (1) staining fishes with the vital stain alizarin complexone (ALC) and periodically examining their otolith growth, and (2) marginal increment analyses. Staining fishes with ALC indicated that opaque zones were formed during winter and spring, but did not become visible on the otolith edge until late spring and summer. Hyporhamphus australis were found to be similar to the hemiramphids of the Atlantic in having fast growth rates and a maximum observed age of 4+ years old. Hyporhamphus regularis ardelio and Arrhamphus sclerolepis krefftii were found to be more similar to the southern sea garfish, Hyporhamphus melanochir, in being moderately long-lived, with maximum observed ages of 7+ years old for both species. Females grew faster and attained greater fork lengths than males for each species. Sectioned otoliths showed large variation in the appearance of opaque zones between the three species studied, with those from the wide-ranging, oceanic H. australis appearing inconsistent and diffuse when compared to the estuarine H. r. ardelio and A. s. krefftii. This variation was also apparent from fishes kept in aquaria, suggesting that the appearance of opaque zones in otoliths of these species is largely influenced by physiology, rather than by environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used carbon stable isotope and stomach content analyses to test whether snub-nosed garfish, Arrhamphus sclerolepis (Hemiramphidae), in the extensive artificial urban waterways of southeast Queensland, Australia, rely on autotrophic sources different to those in natural wetlands. Carbon isotope values of A. sclerolepis were similar to those in previous investigations, with enriched values in natural habitat (mean = −13.9‰, SE=0.6) and depleted values (−19.1‰, 0.1) in artificial habitat. A. sclerolepis in natural habitat consumed large amounts of seagrass during the day and night, and at night also ingested small quantities of crustacean prey. In artificial habitat, A. sclerolepis consumed macroalgae during the night and switched to invertebrates (terrestrial ants) in the day. Values of δ15 N in all the fish were 3–8‰ more enriched than sources. Mathematical modelling of feasible source mixtures showed that in natural habitat the bulk of the dietary carbon is obtained from seagrass, but the nitrogen is obtained from animal prey. In artificial habitat, carbon is obtained from a mixture of macroalgae and animals. We could not determine the nitrogen sources in artificial habitat of A. sclerolepis since, even after accounting for trophic fractionation of δ15 N, the values were outside the range of potential sources. If the types of animals ingested vary over time, perhaps one or more types of animal important in the provision of nitrogen was not sampled during the study. This study demonstrates that not only does A. sclerolepis occur in both artificial and natural habitats, but it uses the same strategy of bulk herbivory with the inclusion of smaller amounts of animal prey. This understanding of how ecological processes support fisheries production in artificial habitat improves the overall understanding of the effects of urbanisation on coastal food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive biology of eastern sea garfish Hyporhamphus australis, eastern river garfish H. regularis ardelio, and snub-nosed garfish Arrhamphus sclerolepis were described throughout their respective ranges in the coastal waters of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Peaks in gonadosomatic indices indicated that spawning of eastern sea garfish occurred in late spring and early summer (November–December) on the south coast of NSW, and in winter and early spring (June–September) on the north coast. Eastern river garfish spawned between July and December in NSW estuaries and snub-nosed garfish spawned between October and January in the Clarence River. The sex ratios in commercial catches of eastern sea garfish from the north coast of NSW were biased toward male fish, but approached equality for fish caught from the south coast. Sex ratios were significantly biased toward female snub-nosed garfish, and female eastern river garfish from all estuaries sampled. Mean (±SE) batch fecundity was 1498 ± 110 (range: 98 – 3449) ripe oocytes per female for eastern sea garfish, 917 ± 36 (range: 102 – 2268) ripe oocytes per female for eastern river garfish, and 716 ± 104 (range: 20 – 2956) ripe oocytes per female for snub-nosed garfish across the range of mature sizes examined. There was a linear relationship between batch fecundity and fish size for all three species of garfish. Eastern sea garfish approached 50% maturity at a larger size than snub-nosed, or eastern river garfish. Size at 50% maturity was similar for male and female eastern river and snub-nosed garfish, but male eastern sea garfish matured at a significantly smaller size than females. All three species appear capable of spawning in the spawning season immediately following the one in which they were born. Mature female fish of all three species had distributions of oocyte diameters consisting of three or four modes, which strongly suggests asynchronous oocyte development and a multiple spawning strategy during the spawning season. Implications for the management of garfish fisheries in NSW are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable isotope values for a range of size classes ofHyporhamphus regularis ardeliofrom Moreton Bay, south-east Australia were determined. There was a positive linear relationship betweenδ13C and standard length( LS)(δ13C = 0·034LS − 16·23;r2 = 0·78).δ13C ranged from−8·48 to−17·29‰ with the smallest size class(50 mmLS) being on average 1·04‰ enriched with respect to that of zooplankton( Temora turbinata) and 7·97‰ depleted compared toZostera capricorni.δ13C was positively correlated withLS( P < 0·01)(more enriched with increasingLS) with those fish of the largest size class(225 mmLS) being 9·86 and 0·84‰ enriched thanT. turbinataandZ. capricorni, respectively. There was no detectable trend inδ15N values withLS( P > 0·01) withδ15N, ranging from 9·18 to 11·00‰. Fish of all size classes were on average 2·32 and 7·63‰ more enriched than zooplankton and seagrass, respectively. Carbon isotope data indicate thatH. r. ardeliocommence life as carnivores and change to a diet in which seagrass is the primary carbon source. The dependence on animal matter, however, is always present. Due to the low percentage of nitrogen inZ. capricorni(2·5%) compared to zooplankton(9·1%) it appears that nitrogen from zooplankton is necessary throughout their life history with the carbon requirements for these fish coming chiefly fromZ. capricorni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection properties of three experimental mesh sizes were examined in the lampara net fishery for eastern sea garfish,Hyporhamphus australis(Steindachner), in New South Wales, Australia. The sizes of fish retained in 25-, 28- and 32-mm mesh nets were compared with those retained in a control 12-mm mesh net. The 25-mm mesh net retained significant numbers of immatureH. australis, the 28-mm mesh net retained predominantly only mature fish and the 32-mm mesh had very low catch rates. Catch rates decreased linearly with increasing mesh size and there was a significant linear relationship between mesh size and the 50% selection size (L 50). Given this species is being overfished, the 28-mm mesh size is recommended as the most appropriate for use in the fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on halfbeak bait fishery in Florida. Materials and methods; Landings and markets; Fishing methods; Species and size composition; Management implications.

The complete mitogenome of Hyporhamphus quoyi was sequenced, which is a closed double-stranded circular molecule of 16,511 bp, and we analyzed the main features in terms of the genome organization, gene arrangement and codon usage. The overall base composition includes A(27.4%), T(26.0%), C(30.4%) and G(16.2%). Moreover, the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) encode 3804 amino acids in total, 12 of which use the initiation codon ATG except COI uses GTG, most of them have a complete stop codon, whereas Cytb ends with the incomplete stop codon represented as a single T. The phylogenetic tree based on the neighbor-Joining method was conducted to provide relationship within Beloniformes, based on 12 PCGs encoded by the heavy strand, the NJ tree demonstrated that H. quoyi has a closest relationship with Hyporhamphus intermedius, which could be a useful basis for propagation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hyporhamphus dussumieri is a kind of minor commercial fishes, usually marketed fresh and dried salted. However, to date, there is a limited genetic resource available for this species. In this study, we assembled the whole mitochondrial genome of this species yielding a 16,542 bp circular assembly composed of the typical vertebrate mitochondrial features. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, a putative control region, and one origin of replication on the light-strand. The overall base composition includes C(28.3%), A(28.9%), T(27.1%), and G(15.7%). Moreover, the 13 PCGs encode 3800 amino acids in total. The result of the phylogenetic tree supports H. dussumieri has a closest relationship with Hemiramphus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Hyporhamphus limbatus is reported herein, the gene composition and arrangement in H. limbatus mitogenome were identical to those of most vertebrates, which is 16,508 bp in length and contains 13 PCGs, two rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 tRNA genes, and a putative control region (CR) and one origin of replication on the light-strand (OL). Two start codon patterns and three stop codon patterns were found in protein-coding genes. Only the tRNA-Ser(AGY) could not fold into a typical clover-leaf secondary structure for lacking the dihydrouridine arm. A phylogenetic tree based on the neighbour-joining method was constructed to provide relationship within Beloniformes, which could be a useful basis for management of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of this species was first determined in this study, which is 16,544 bp in length, the overall base composition includes C(27.0%), A(30.7%), T(27.1%) and G(15.2%). Moreover, the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) encode 3801 amino acids in total, 12 of which use the initiation codon ATG except COI uses GTG, most of them have TAA or TAG as the stop codon, whereas four protein-coding genes (COII, COIII, ND4 and Cytb) ended with the incomplete stop codon represented as a single T. The phylogenetic tree based on the neighbour-joining method was constructed to provide relationship within Beloniformes, the result supported that H. far was clustered with Hyporhamphus dussumieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzed were the length-weight relationship ( LWR) and length-length relationship ( LLR) of two fish species, Strongylura strongylura (family Belonidae) and Hyporhamphus limbatus (family Hemiramphidae) from Chilika Lake, India. A total of 616 specimens were sampled bi-monthly from August 2014 to June 2016 using seine nets and screen barrier nets operated by local fishermen that were used for the present estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports length-weight relationships and growth parameters for Chriodorus atherinoides from La Carbonera, a karstic tropical coastal lagoon on the northwestern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. A total of 667 specimens were collected between April 2009 and March 2010. The length-weight relationship obtained was W = 0.0034Lt 3.22. This study presents the first estimation of the model parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation ( L∞ = 27.30 cm, k = 0.76 year−1 and t0 = −0.178 years), the instantaneous total mortality (2.51 year−1) and the maximum length record (26.0 cm total length), which is greater than previously recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted halfbeak Hemiramphus far (Osteichthes: Hemiramphidae) is recorded from Collo Bay (eastern Algeria), representing the second report of this species in the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The two specimens measured 25.9 and 29 cm total length and were captured by fishermen in December 2010. Morphometric characteristics are described. This species is the second lessepsian migrant fish reported from Algeria and the third one to be found in the western basin of the Mediterranean. The spread of the species through the Sicilian Channel is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to assess small-scale variations in and spatial comparisons among the composition, distribution and abundance of the main zooplankton groups in the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA). Plankton samples were collected in May 2008 by net with a 300 µm mesh size. Sampling was carried out at two stations, Inner and Outer, during five consecutive days in the early morning and late afternoon. A total of 153 zooplankton taxa were identified. Copepoda was the most abundant and frequent group (with 49 species identified). Exocoetidae (Teleostei) eggs were also present in large numbers. No significant differences were found between stations or between day and night samples. The observed biomass was low; however, it was superior to that observed in the open ocean. The density of zooplankton was also low, but it increased slightly during the night. Indicator species for upwelling, such as Phaenna spinifera and Flaccisagitta hexaptera, were observed. We conclude that physical factors are important for structuring the SPSPA zooplankton community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]