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The biometric characteristics of Trachinus araneus, Trachinus draco and Trachinus radiatus from the Egyptian Mediterranean waters at the West of Alexandria City, were studied. In total, 105, 96 and 55 specimens of these three Fish species were sampled, respectively, by the use of bottom trawls operated in the sectors of El-Dabaa and Sidi Abd El Rahman. The morphological characteristic and related index ratio were determined. The results showed that T. araneus total length varied from 10.9 to 30.0 cm TL with mean length of 19.87 ± 5.43 cm TL and a number of horizontal dots appear to be distributed along the lateral line, T. draco total length was 11.8 to 27.6 cm TL with a mean length of 17.85 ± 4.23 cm TL, and specimens of this Fish species showed yellow vertical oblique lines on the body. On the other hand, T. radiatus is characterized by a total length of 10.6 to 35.0 cm TL with a mean length 18.04 ± 4.87 cm TL, and by circular brown dots spread on the whole body and head. Furthermore, these three Fish species have poisonous spines, one on each operculum, and both spines on the internal border of the dorsal part of each eye orbit. The morphometric regression of each morphometric character showed close agreement between the observed and calculated values.

Despite comprising over half of the biodiversity of living venomous vertebrates, fish venoms are comparatively understudied. Venom from the lesser weever fish (Echiichthys vipera syn. Trachinus vipera) has received only cursory attention despite containing one of the most potent venom toxins (trachinine). Literature records are further complicated by early studies combining the venom with that of the related greater weever (Trachinus draco). The current study used a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay to investigate venom bioactivity following the application of measured quantities of crude venom to a major bilateral vein at 1 cm distance from the heart. The venom had a dose-dependent effect on survival rate and exhibited dose-dependent cardiotoxic properties at day six of development. Crude E. vipera triggered tachycardia at doses of 37.58 and 44.88 μg/μL and bradycardia at 77.4 μg/μL. The three highest doses (65.73, 77.4 and 151.24 μg/μL) caused significant mortality. These data also suggested intra-specific variation in E. vipera venom potency. Unlike a number of other piscine venoms, E. vipera venom was not haemorrhagic at the concentrations assayed.

Press juices (PJs) from seven, mostly underutilized, fish were tested for their anti-oxidative properties. The effects of thermal processing, freezing, and lyophilization of fresh PJs on these properties were investigated. Lyophilized samples were further subjected to in vitro digestion. It was concluded that thermal processing significantly affected only the ferric ions reducing ability, while freezing affected the anti-oxidative properties of only certain species. Lyophilized samples from Dactylopterus volitans and Trachinus draco were able to delay significantly the onset of hemoglobin-mediated oxidation. Finally, the exposure of the PJs to different pH values during in vitro digestion seemed to play an important role in their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)% inhibition ability.

4 pages, [EN] A total of 58 specimens of Trachinus draco Linnaeus, 1758 were caught in Galician waters (Northwest Spain) and the Gulf of Cádiz (South Spain) between June and November 2020. Twenty-eight of them were males. They showed a distinct dark patch located above the pectoral fin and below the lateral line on both sides of the body. Bibliographic and photographic data showed the same coloration pattern over time and throughout their range of distribution. A temporary nuptial coloration in males is proposed for the first time as the cause of this coloration, [FR] Un total de 58 spécimens de Trachinus draco Linnaeus, 1758 ont été capturés dans les eaux de Galice (nord-ouest de l’Espagne) et dans le golfe de Cadix (sud de l’Espagne) entre juin et novembre 2020. Vingt-huit d’entre eux, tous des mâles, présentaient une tâche sombre distincte située au-dessus de la nageoire pectorale et sous la ligne latérale des deux côtés du corps. Les données bibliographiques et photographiques ont montré le même schéma de coloration dans le temps et dans toute leur aire de répartition. Une coloration nuptiale temporaire chez les mâles est proposée pour la première fois comme cause de cette coloration

International audience; Many Pauciconfibula spp. have a long and complicated taxonomic history. The remaining unsolved taxonomic confusion in this genus is impelled by the host range and status of Pauciconfibula spp. from trachinid fishes: Pauciconfibula trachini and Pauciconfibula draconis, from Trachinus radiatus and Trachinus draco (Trachinidae), respectively. Pauciconfibula trachini was reported on Trachinus draco, type host of Pauciconfibula draconis suggesting thus a stenoxenic specificity for the former monogenean and the occurrence of two congeneric polyopisthocotyleans on a single host. Moreover, the validity of Pauciconfibula draconis was repeatedly questioned by several authors, unjustified synonymy between the two species was proposed, and the delimitations between the two species remained unsolved. Original descriptions were also incomplete and poorly illustrated. In this study, we provide a detailed illustrated redescription of both species based on newly collected specimens of Pauciconfibula trachini and Pauciconfibula draconis collected from their type hosts from off three Mediterranean localities: Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy. Integrative taxonomy using COI sequences was applied to resolve the delimitation between Pauciconfibula trachini and P. draconis. This study provides the first DNA barcoding for members of this genus.

In comparison with other animal venoms, fish venoms remain relatively understudied. This is especially true for that of the lesser Echiichthys vipera and greater weever fish Trachinus draco which, apart from the isolation of their unique venom cytolysins, trachinine and dracotoxin, respectively, remain relatively uncharacterised. Envenomation reports mainly include mild symptoms consisting of nociception and inflammation. However, like most fish venoms, if the venom becomes systemic it causes cardiorespiratory and blood pressure changes. Although T. draco venom has not been studied since the 1990's, recent studies on E. vipera venom have discovered novel cytotoxic components on human cancer cells, but due to the scarcity of research on the molecular make-up of the venom, the molecule(s) causing this cytotoxicity remains unknown. This review analyses past studies on E. vipera and T. draco venom, the methods used in the , the venom constituents characterised, the reported symptoms of envenomation and compares these findings with those from other venomous Scorpaeniformes.

On the 15th April 2017, one female specimen of the greater weever, Trachinus draco measuring 44.69 cm in total length and weighting 885 g was captured by trammel net in Oran Bay (Cape Rousseau) at 120 m depth. Up to date, this length is a new record of maximum length reached for this trachinidae for Algerian waters and the second maximum length recorded in Mediterranean basin according to Fischer et al., 1987 observation noted at 45 cm.

Trachinus draco Linnaeus 1758 ���Greater weever Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Trachinus draco, L. by Gruvel (1931: 112); subsequently recorded as Trachinus draco Linnaeus 1758 by George et al. (1964: 20); as Trachinus draco (Linnaeus) by Mouneimn�� (1977: 64); as Trachinus draco Linnaeus 1758 by Mouneimn�� (2002: 199���200). Material in collection: AUBM, BMNH and USNM. Distribution. Western Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, eastern Atlantic: Norway south to Morocco, including Madeira and Canary Islands. Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 14 July 2014); Med. (LC: 16 November 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, FIB, unknown. Occurrence: Common. Low priority for conservation action., Published as part of Bariche, Michel & Fricke, Ronald, 2020, The marine ichthyofauna of Lebanon: an annotated checklist, history, biogeography, and conservation status, pp. 1-157 in Zootaxa 4775 (1) on pages 96-97, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4775.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3983887, {"references":["Gruvel, A. (1931) Les Etats de Syrie. Richesses marines et fluviales. Exploitation actuelle-Avenir. Societe d'Editions Geographiques, Maritimes et Coloniale, 453 pp.","George, C. J., Athanassiou, V. A. & Boulos, I. (1964) The fishes of the coastal waters of Lebanon. Miscellaneous Papers in the Natural Sciences. The American University of Beirut, 4, 1 - 24.","Mouneimne, N. (1977) Liste des poissons de la cote du Liban (Mediterranee orientale). Cybium, 3 (1), 37 - 66.","Mouneimne, N. (2002) Poissons marins du Liban et de la Mediterranee orientale. INCAM-EU / CNRS Lebanon, Beyrouth, 271 pp."]}

Marine organisms represent a great source of natural bioactive molecules, from which bioactive peptides are of great importance in biomedicine application in many diseases such as diabetes and its related complications. in this study, greater weever (Trachinus Draco) myofibrillar proteins were sequentially hydrolyzed and the different RP-HPLC purified fractions were tested for potential inhibitory activities of ACE and DPP4, in addition to metal chelation and antioxidant activities. Four fractions were found to have high levels of activity (with two peptides being multifunctional) and were subsequently sequenced using the de novo sequencing method. the results indicate that the peptides are novel and highly effective for each related activity compared to reference molecules. the current findings suggest these multifunctional peptides as promising therapeutics against oxidative stress, hypertension, and diabetes. Practical applications We have described the finding of two multifunctional bioactive peptides from Trachinus Draco (greater weever) myofibrillar proteins having two or more activities. They have ACE inhibitory, DPP4 inhibitory, antioxidant, and metal chelation activities. These new peptides could be used for future biomedicine applications as a stand-alone treatment, in combination with other molecules, or as a supplement. Furthermore, after identification of their sequence in our work, it would have a great potential to be artificially synthesized. the field of food supplements could be explored further., Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [Short Term R and D Funding Program (1002), 215Z486] Funding Source: Medline

In comparison with other animal venoms, fish venoms remain relatively understudied. This is especially true for that of the lesser Echiichthys vipera and greater weever fish Trachinus draco which, apart from the isolation of their unique venom cytolysins, trachinine and dracotoxin, respectively, remain relatively uncharacterised. Envenomation reports mainly include mild symptoms consisting of nociception and inflammation. However, like most fish venoms, if the venom becomes systemic it causes cardiorespiratory and blood pressure changes. Although T. draco venom has not been studied since the 1990's, recent studies on E. vipera venom have discovered novel cytotoxic components on human cancer cells, but due to the scarcity of research on the molecular make-up of the venom, the molecule(s) causing this cytotoxicity remains unknown. This review analyses past studies on E. vipera and T. draco venom, the methods used in the , the venom constituents characterised, the reported symptoms of envenomation and compares these findings with those from other venomous Scorpaeniformes., Highlights • Research on the weever fish venoms Echiichthys vipera and Trachinus draco has been scarce. • E. vipera and T. draco venoms elicit cardiorespiratory symptoms in victims. • E. vipera and T. draco contain unique cytolysins – Trachinine and Dracotoxin. • Dracotoxin is haemolytic and contains membrane depolarising activities. • E. vipera venom triggers apoptosis in human colon carcinoma cells.

The specimens of Trachinus draco collected from the Bay of Bizerte were found to be infected with a new Ceratomyxa species described as Ceratomyxa draconis n. sp. The sequence of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene obtained in this study differs from other Ceratomyxa sequences available in GenBank. Mature spores of this species were elongated and crescent-shaped in sutural view, measuring 7.4 ± 0.77 (6.4-8.0) μm in thickness and 30.8 ± 1.65 (28.8-32.8) μm in width. The polar capsules were spherical, equal in size, and measuring 3.3 ± 0.2 (3.6-4.0) μm in diameter. The Ceratomyxa draconis n. sp. showed a clearly seasonal variation of prevalence with highest prevalence noted during summer months.

Analiziran je odnos između srednje vrijednosti faktora kondicije i faktora oblika za 209 jedinki riba, odnosno 12 vrsta ulovljenih u travnju i svibnju 2016. god. na zadarskom području – središnji dio istočnog Jadranskog mora. Najmanji prosječni faktor kondicije zabilježen je kod izduženog pauka bijelca Trachinus draco (K = 0,6329), a najveći kod zaobljenog škarpuna Scorpaena porcus (K = 1,7758). Korelacija između faktora kondicije i faktora oblika za ovih 12 vrsta je statistički značajna (K = 0,404 + 0,663 a3.0; r2 = 0,815; P < 0,01). Analizom većeg broja vrsta i jedinki ovi bi rezultati bili još precizniji., The relationship between the mean Fulton’s condition and form factors of 12 marine species (N=209 fish specimens) caught in the Zadar area (middle eastern Adriatic) was analysed. The lowest mean condition factor (K = 0.6329) referred to the elongated Trachinus draco, while the highest one (K = 1.7758) referred to the deep-bodied Scorpaena porcus. The correlation between the mean Fulton’s condition and form factors of these 12 populations was highly significant (K = 0.404 + 0.663 a3.0; r2 = 0.815; P < 0.01). Including more species in the calculation would give even more accurate results.

This study describes the distribution patterns and population structure of greater weever in the Adriatic Sea. Biological data were obtained during MEDITS surveys in the spring-summer period. The aim of this study is to provide recent data for better understanding of species biology and to create basis for fisheries management based on ecological approach.

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845, P. draco n. sp. and P. radiata n. sp. (Nematoda: Philometridae), are described from the marine perciform fishes Trachinus draco (Linnaeus) and T. radiatus (Linnaeus) (both Trachinidae), respectively, in the Gulf of Hammamet, off the northeastern coast of Tunisia. Philometra draco n. sp. and P. radiata n. sp. can be separated from other gonad-infecting species of this genus by the structures associated to the gubernaculum (e.g. dorsal protuberance, smooth field separating the dorsolateral longitudinal parts), as well as by the length of the body, spicules and gubernaculum. Philometra radiata n. sp. can be distinguished from P. draco n. sp. in having the dorsal side of the gubernaculum distal end provided with a median longitudinal smooth field demarcated by two dorsolateral lamellate parts. These two new species are the first philometrid species described from fishes of the family Trachinidae.

Greater weever (Trachinus draco) have a wide distribution range. Nerocila species was reported from many fish in the areas but did not receive any record of the greater weever. Nerocila bivittata was reported the first time from the greater weever (Trachinus draco) in the world wide in the peresent study., Greaterweever (Trachinus draco) have a widedistribution range. Nerocila specieswere reported from many fish in the areas, but did not receive any record of thegreater weever. Nerocila bivittata wasreported the first time from thegreater weever (Trachinus draco) in the worldwidein the present study.

We describe a new myxosporean species, Zschokkella trachini n. sp., infecting the gallbladder of greater weever Trachinus draco Linnaeus 1758 from Tunisia. This is the first record of Zschokkella species in T. draco. Plasmodia were polysporic producing six to eight mature spores; they were attached to the gallbladder epithelium or free floating in the bile. Mature spores were sub-ovoid in the frontal view, measured 15.2 ± 0.6 (14.4-16.0) μm in length and 9.8 ± 0.7 (9.0-10.8) μm in width. Two equal spherical polar capsules 4.0 ± 0.4 (3.6-4.5) μm in diameter, were located separately at the spore's extremities. The prevalence of infection ranged from 23.5 to 87.7 %. Morphological data and molecular analysis of the small subunit rDNA gene identified this parasite as a new species of Zschokkella. Neighbour joining clustered the parasite in a sub-clade containing other Zschokkella species parasiting the gallbladder of marine fish hosts, located within the coelozoic clade of the major freshwater clade. This is the second Zschokkella species reported from Tunisia.

Summary The diet compositions of greater weever, Trachinus draco, from the eastern-central Adriatic Sea, were investigated with respect to seasons, fish size and sampling locations. Analyzed were the stomach contents of 592 specimens, total length (TL) of 9.9–31.2 cm, collected by commercial bottom trawls from January to December 2008. The frequency of empty stomachs varied significantly with the season (43.3% maximum during winter; 6.8% minimum during summer). Prey items identified in the stomachs belonged to seven major taxonomic groups: Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, Decapoda, Mysidacea, Isopoda, Amphipoda and Teleostei. Decapods were the most important prey (%IRI = 72.8) followed by teleosts (%IRI = 16.4) and mysids (%IRI = 15.0); other prey groups were only occasionally ingested. Diet composition showed little seasonal variation; decapods were the most important prey in all seasons. Fish size was the most important factor influencing the composition of the diet. Small individuals (

The structure of the venom gland of Trachinus draco was studied by histological techniques using light microscopy. New structures in the large glandular cells were detected, including concentric cytoplasmic laminae, basal vesicles, silver nitrate staining cytoplasmic granules, and a high affinity for wheat-germ agglutinin lectin in the cytoplasm of mature large glandular cells.We also describe morphologic changes of the venom gland during thermal test. At low temperatures, the large glandular cells and their nuclei become enlarged, whereas at high temperatures the large glandular cells are smaller and their nuclei irregular in shape. Similarly, samples from fish captured during two opposite seasons showed differences in their nuclei, which were smaller in summer than winter. The larger growth of supporting cells at low temperatures, together with their aggregation during conditions of stress and their vacuoles secretion, suggest that supporting cells could be played several roles.

A lure assisted, visual census, belt transect method has been developed and compared with the traditional visual census. Presentation of a lure was predicted to improve visibility of fish that are difficult to detect or identify. These include species hidden within three dimensional structures, buried in or camouflaged with the substratum, and fast swimming. A snorkeler presenting an artificial lure near the seabed along 3-m transects recorded all fish visiting the lure or present near the lure's path. Totals of 1527 lure-assisted transects and 1292 lure-absent transects intersecting a diversity of benthic habitats were carried out at thirty sites spanning the Croatian Adriatic coast in spring 2010. More than half the observed fish visited the lure, and lure presentations increased the probability of census for 76% of the 58 observed taxa. The overall significantly higher fish density at lure-assisted transects than at lure-absent transects was also significant within all common habitat types and for the entire investigated depth range (0.25–9 m). The positive effect of the lure on estimates of density was significant for 33% of taxa, including: ambush predators ( Trachinus draco ), fast moving cruise-chase predators (Sparidae), predators chasing prey from a hidden waiting position ( Coris julis and Serranidae) or from a position of camouflaging against bare sand (Gobiidae). Adding lure presentation to regular visual census is logistically simple and flexible in the detail of its design and application.

The status of the trematode Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 in the western Mediterranean is re-assessed by means of a comparative morphological study and rDNA sequences based on newly collected material. A. laguncula (sensu stricto) is redescribed from Trachinus draco L. and a new cryptic species of the 'A. laguncula complex', Aponurus mulli n. sp., is described on the basis of abundant material from Mullus barbatus L. (type-host) and M. surmuletus L. off the Spanish Mediterranean coasts. The new species is differentiated from A. laguncula (sensu stricto) by its: significantly larger, elongate body, with maximum width at the level of the ventral sucker; shorter forebody; distinctly larger sinus-sac, seminal receptacle and seminal vesicle, with the latter also being more elongate; vesicular pars prostatica; more anteriorly located vitellarium, which consists of eight globular follicles; and distinctly smaller eggs, which are also smaller in relation to body size and have both their opercular and anopercular poles rounded. The variability and the allometric growth of the morphological characters in the new species were studied in detail, resulting in additional distinguishing features. Sequences of the large subunit rRNA (28S) gene (domains D1-D3) and ITS2 rRNA gene region for the new species have been submitted to GenBank in order to enhance future studies on species differentiation within the 'A. laguncula complex'.

Summary Weight–length (W–L) relationships were estimated for 46 species of fish captured off the western Portuguese coast between April 1994 and September 1995. The best-represented family was Scyliorhinidae (2677 fishes), followed by Gadidae (1871), Sparidae (1682) and Merlucciidae (1108). The estimates for the parameter b of the W–L relationship (W = aLb) ranged between 2.171 and 3.873, with a median of 3.124. Significant variations in b were found at seasonal level for striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus), axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne), greater weever (Trachinus draco) and the sardine (Sardina pilchardus), at the regional level for Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), and between sexes for the small-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula).

The scarce published literature on greater weever in western and northwestern European waters is reviewed and synthesized, along with a summary of a Danish investigation in the Kattegat for the years 1961–1973. Distribution, growth, mortality, migration, fecundity, abundance, and stock abundance in relation to the directed local commercial fishery are described. The greater weever has not been and still is not in any way protected by legislation or management, although it moves little, grows slowly, has high catchability, and has been exposed to high total mortality. Since the mid-1980s, directed fishing effort has declined, likely as a consequence of the decreasing catches, and because the effort applied through poundnets, which earlier produced about 40% of the total yield, has for other reasons almost halted. Total landings concomitantly decreased, and the current yield is now only by-catch from trawlers and from two or three 40-ft vessels occasionally directly targeting the species.

The spermatic ducts and the testicular efferent ducts were investigated in different marine teleost fish species (Diplodus sargus, Mullus barbatus, Thalassoma pavo, Trachinus draco, Uranuscopus scaber, Sparisoma cretense, Synodon saurus). From the morphological, histological, fine structural and biochemical investigations it appeared that the testicular main ducts and spermatic ducts of the investigated marine fish have the following functions: storage of spermatozoa, monosacharide synthesis for nutrition of spermatozoa, synthesis of steroid glucuronides, synthesis of seminal plasma proteins, formation of a ionic gradient in the seminal fluid and phagocytotic activity. Species-specific differences were only found in the morphology of the gonads and in the histology of the spermatic duct epithelium.

In an attempt to detect changes in the diet and the feeding intensity of demersal fish caused by fishery discarding, two hauls were carried out 22 h apart at a depth of 90 m in an area of the Cantabrian Sea closed to trawling. Before the second haul, dead fauna that were not common in the sampling area under natural conditions, such as Micromesistius poutassou and squat lobster (Munida spp.), which are both usually discarded by the fleet and mainly found in deeper water, were thrown overboard. A total of 319 stomach contents from 12 demersal fish species caught in both hauls were analysed. The percentage emptiness decreased in the second haul (32%) with respect to the first (43%), and at the same time the feeding intensity of scavenger species such as Trachinus draco, Pagellus acarne, Scyliorhinus canicula, Raja montagui and Leucoraja naevus increased. Discards of M. poutassou was actually found in the stomach of a typically planktophagous species, Pagellus bogaraveo. Observed changes in trophic structure of the species analysed as a response to discards are discussed. Con el objetivo de detectar los cambios que producen los descartes de las pesquerías en la intensidad de alimentación y la dieta de los peces demersales se realizaron, en un intervalo de tiempo de 22 horas, dos lances de arrastre de fondo semejantes a una profundidad de 90 metros y en un área cerrada a la pesca comercial de arrastre del Mar Cantábrico. Antes del segundo lance, se arrojó al mar fauna muerta que se encuentra en condiciones naturales en aguas más profundas, como Micromesistius poutassou y Munida spp, especies que suelen ser descartadas por la flota. Se analizaron 319 contenidos estomacales de 12 especies de peces demersales capturados en ambos lances. El porcentaje de estómagos vacíos decreció en el segundo lance (32%) con respecto al primero (43%), y al mismo tiempo aumentó la intensidad de alimentación de las especies carroñeras como Trachinus draco, Pagellus acarne, Scyliorhinus canicula, Raja montagui y Leucoraja naevus. La especie descartada M. poutassou se encontró en estómagos de la especie típicamente planctófaga Pagellus bogaraveo. Asimismo se discuten los cambios producidos en la estructura trófica de las especies analizadas como respuesta al alimento suplementario que constituye el descarte.

Injuries caused by weever fish ( spp) are probably more ubiquitous than reported. Such injuries are extremely painful and require prompt treatment. Only relatively few clinical descriptions of envenomation have been published. We present three patients with envenomation and describe their treatment. Two patients were fishermen injured while handling caught fish and one was a tourist wading into the sea for pleasure. The clinical picture was dominated by extreme pain, which responded partly to the application of warm water, and usually necessitated systemic opiates for adequate control. Follow-up in one of the patients indicated prolonged, slow recovery of the local inflammatory reaction. Prompt analgesia is the mainstay of treatment of this non-lethal but extremely painful envenomation, with the application of hot water being effective, although not always completely.

* &squ; Trachinus draco Linnaeus, 1758 – Greater weever fish; Peixe-aranha-maior ①, Aranha ③, Published as part of Carneiro, Miguel, Martins, Rogélia, Landi, Monica & Costa, Filipe O., 2014, Updated checklist of marine fishes (Chordata: Craniata) from Portugal and the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf, pp. 1-73 in European Journal of Taxonomy 73 on page 55, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2014.73, http://zenodo.org/record/3866515

The species and size selectivity of long-lines using small hooks were studied off the south coast of Portugal using ''Mustad'' brand round bent, flatted sea hooks (Quality 2316 DT) numbers 15, 13, and 11 baited with razor shell clam (Ei-isis siliqua). Hook numbers 13 and 11 are 49 and 109% larger respectively than number 15 hooks in terms of overall size (maximum width x maximum length). A total of 39 900 hooks were fished in 45 sets and 35 species of fish and cephalopods were caught. As a group, 13 species of sea breams (Sparidae) dominated the catch by numbers (58%) and weight (73%). Six species of sea breams, along with the greater weever fish (Trachinus draco) accounted for 81% of the total catch by weight, with the common or white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) bring the most important (29%). Catch size distributions by hook size were, in general, highly overlapped for all species and hook size had little apparent effect on minimum size at capture. All hooks caught a wide range of sizes per species, but the catch rate (number of fish per 100 hooks) was significantly lower for the largest hook. Except for the black sea bream (Spondyliosoma cantharus), capture of illegally sized or immature fish was minimal. Small increases in average size with hook size were evident for four species: Diplodus sargus, D. vulgaris, Lithognathus mormyrus and Serranus cabrilla. No differences in size selectivity were detected for Boops boops, D. annularis, Spondyliosoma cantharus and Trachinus draco. A skew-normal model adequately described differences in size selectivity in five of six species. (C) 1996 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

Fish samples representing 10 different fish species caught from Abu‐Qir Bay (Trigla lyra, Sphyraena sphyraena, Pleuronectes platessa, Lithognathus mormyrus, Siganus luridus, Boops boops, Xrichthys novacula, Dicentrachus punctatus, Merluccius spp. and Trachinus draco) were analyzed for determination of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cd and Pb by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study indicated that, the concentrations of some metals such as Co and Cu varied a little among fish studied and there were minor concentrations of trace metals in the tissues of the different fish species. There is no risk from human consumption. The concentration factor was found to be high in Trigla lyra for Cu (24.9), in Xirchthys novacula for Pb (23.8) and in Merluccius spp. for Cd (12.0).

Two frequently reported but poorly known hemiurid digeneans, Lecithochirium musculus (Looss, 1907) (Lecithochiriinae), from the stomach of Trachinus draco and Citharus linguatula, and Ectenurus lepidus Looss, 1907 (Dinurinae), from the stomach of Spicara maena, are redescribed based on material from off the Barcelona coast of the western Mediterranean. The two species are commented upon, and Lecithochirium israelense Fischthal, 1980 is considered a synonym of L. musculus. Records of the two species in the Mediterranean Basin and North East Atlantic region are summarised.