The importance of the littoral epiphyton as food for commercial fish in the recent African man-made lake, Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir is a man-made lake in the Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania. The commercial fisheries are principally based on the cichlids, Sarotherodon pangani Lowe, S. jipe Lowe, S. esculentus Graham, and Tilapia rendalli Boulenger.
Examination of gut contents revealed that the dominant species, S. pangani and S. jipe , fed on the epiphyton attached to the vegetation in the littoral zone, S. esculentus was a phytoplankton filter feeder, and T. rendalli consumed macrophytes and associated epiphytes.
A fish exclosure quantitatively demonstrated that the epiphyton community was appreciably depleted by the grazing of fish. After 35 days the mean epiphyton density on the submerged surfaces of Cyperus articulatus L. within the exclosure was 285 times 10³ individuals cm^-2 shoot, but only 181 times 10³ individuals cm^-2 shoot on grazed surfaces outside the exclosure. The differences were statistically significant, and corresponded to a difference in biomass of about 6.5 g organic dry weight m^-2 lake surface. Vertical profiles of periphyton density on Cyperus indicated that fish grazed mainly below a depth of 100 mm from the water surface.
The littoral epiphyton → commercial fish food chain, which may be unique, is considered to predominate in Nyumba ya Mungu, and is compared with the major food chains of commercial fish in some other African natural and man-made lakes.     

Observations on the zooplankton and littoral macroinvertebrates of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

Eight species of Crustacea and 28 species of Rotifera were identified in zooplankton samples from Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir. In all localities the dominant organism was the copepod Thermocyclops hyalinus. Cladocerans and rotifers made a variable contribution. Insects, among which the Chironomidae were pre-eminent, formed the major component of littoral macroinvertebrate communities. Oligochaetes, crustaceans and gastropods, including vectors of Schistosomiasis, were rare or restricted in distribution. In contrast to the deep end of the lake, where submerged trees were the poorest substrate, those at the shallow end supported a high biomass of invertebrates, since prolonged exposure had accelerated rotting and facilitated colonisation by the burrowing nymphs of Povilla. The variety of invertebrates on stony and muddy shores was increased when rooted emergent plants were present. The richest benthic community was found in submerged beds of Ceratophyltum. It is suggested that drawdown and the restricted development and movement of floating vegetation, have limited the spread of gastropods in the lake. Zooplankton, chironomid larvae and pupae, and ephemeropteran nymphs were shown to be important in the diet of small carnivorous and omnivorous fish species.     

Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania The general features

Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir was completed in 1965 in northern Tanzania. By 1970 there was a thriving tilapia fishery but it declined catastrophically in subsequent years. A team of biologists surveyed the lake in 1974, and this paper outlines their hydrological, geographical, and climatic findings.
The dam, constructed across a north/south Neogene fault-trough 80 km south of Mt. Kilimanjaro, has produced a reservoir about 180 km² with a mean depth of 6 m. The catchment area is extensive but the main source of water is from Mt. Kilimanjaro. The lake is situated in an arid area, and over one quarter of the input water evaporates from the lake's surface. The outflow is regulated by a hydro-electric power station and is practically constant. At full capacity the retention time of the lake is one year but due to abnormally low rainfall, the reservoir was not full, and the retention time was nearer nine months.
The lake is polymictic and a deep wind-driven current is maintained by the Trade Winds for most of the year.
The general features of Nyumba ya Mungu are briefly compared with other man-made and natural lakes in Africa.     

The 1974 biological survey of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania Concluding remarks

Hydrobiological events in Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, a recent man-made lake in Tanzania, are reviewed in the light of those described for larger impoundments in other parts of Africa. An initial phase of rapid eutrophication and of high fish production has been replaced by a slower stabilization phase. At present the inflowing rivers supply a nutrient rich water and the level of primary production remains high. In spite of the risk of an encroachment of Typha domingensis across the shallow end and events associated with overfishing, the lake retains most of the essential requirements to continue as a useful tilapia fishery. The introduction of new fish into the reservoir, to fill gaps in the trophic structure of the fish community is not recommended.     

Limnochemical and phytoplankton studies on Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

This publication reports on the chemical and phytoplankton aspects of a three month biological survey of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania.
The lake had a total salt concentration of about 8 meq dm^-3 and specific conductivity of 900 μS cm^-1. The main salt in solution was sodium bicarbonate, and when the lake level fell it sometimes formed a crust on the exposed shore. The concentrations of major nutrient ions were probably not limiting to algal growth and good nutrient replenishment was provided by the two inflow rivers.
Nyumba ya Mungu supports a rich phytoplanton dominated by Melosira and blue-green algae. Acetone extractions gave chlorophyll 'a' concentrations ranging from 20–40 mgm^-3 in the vertical profiles, and light and dark bottle experiments indicated a maximum gross photosynthesis of about 800 mg O₂ m^-3h^-1. There was evidence of chemical stratification in the open water and diurnal stratification in the sheltered bays, but discontinuities were short-lived and the Trade Winds ensured regular mixing of the water. The lake appeared to have a higher primary production than the larger Rift Valley lakes and it was considered that this level of production would continue.     

The vegetation of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

A study was made of the aquatic macrophyte ecology of Nyumba ya Mungu; a nine year old man-made lake in northern Tanzania. The vegetation is described with the aid of percentage cover histograms and standing crop estimates. Concurrent physical, chemical and biological studies helped in ecological interpretations. Distinct vegetation communities were found in the deltaic swamps of the two major inflow rivers and it is concluded that this was due to water chemical differences. The water of the more alkaline River Kikuletwa appeared to influence the greater part of the perimeter swamps as the species composition largely coincided with that reported for higher pH, higher conductivity African lakes. Typha domingensis swamp was predominant and extensive, whilst Cyperus alopecuroides and Paspalidium geminatum were also common emergent species. Floating and submerged plants were relatively unimportant in the lake with respect to cover. The major zonations of species appeared to be a function of water depth, while chemistry seemed the main factor controlling vegetation pattern. In conclusion the significance of interrelationships between the macrophytes and other aquatic organisms is discussed.     

Species integrity and origin of Oreochromis hunteri (Pisces: Cichlidae), endemic to crater Lake Chala (Kenya–Tanzania)

Extensive transfer of tilapia between lakes throughout East Africa has often led to hybridisation with indigenous fish populations. The endemic Oreochromis hunteri of Lake Chala, an isolated crater lake near Mount Kilimanjaro, is potentially susceptible to introgression from a species formerly identified as Oreochromis korogwe, introduced ~ 30 years ago. We combined whole-body geometric morphometry on 104 specimens of both taxa with molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial loci from 15 O. hunteri and 9 O. cf. korogwe specimens to assess whether hybridisation has occurred. Using fishes from Lake Jipe and Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, we expanded our analysis to all four Oreochromis species currently inhabiting the Upper Pangani River system to determine the closest relative of O. hunteri, and hence the possible source population of the ancestral species that colonised Lake Chala. Our results indicate no interbreeding occurs between O. hunteri and O. cf. korogwe, and suggest O. jipe to be the closest living relative of O. hunteri. The introduced O. cf. korogwe is a phenotypically uniform but genetically variable population, the identity of which remains unknown. The high haplotype diversity of O. hunteri is consistent with fossil evidence indicating that its ancestor colonised Lake Chala at least 25,000 years ago.

     

The periphyton communities of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

The periphyton communities established in Nyumba ya Mungu were investigated between July and September 1974.
One hundred and ninety-two taxa were identified. One hundred and fifteen taxa were collected in the southern end of the lake, where 97 taxa were non-selectively distributed in the littorine epiphytic, epilithic, and epixylic environments. The offshore epixylon supported only 53 taxa. The epipelon and epipsammon were poorly developed at the southern end of the lake but were well developed in the northern inflow regions.
Diatoms and cyanophytes were the dominant phyla which contributed over 80% of the algal numbers. Chlorophytes were not common. Taxonomic compositions of periphyton on artificial and natural surfaces were similar, but artificial substrata accumulated greater proportional representations of diatoms.
The mean net production rates of periphyton on artificial substrata located at depths from 0-0.65 m for 28 days ranged from 140 mg organic dry weight m^-2 day^-1 on shoots in the macrophyte zone to 820 mg organic dry weight m^-2 day^-1 on glass surfaces on a rocky shore. The epiphytic environments produced the least standing crops of less than 250, 000 individuals cm^-2, but maximum densities of over 2,000,000 individuals cm^-2 were recorded in the epilithon.     

Intraspecific differences in the diet of Antarctic fur seals at Nyrøysa, Bouvetøya

Intraspecific differences in the diets of many species of pinnipeds are to be expected in view of the great differences in morphology, life history and foraging behaviour between the sexes of many species. We examined the diet of the Antarctic fur seal population at Bouvetøya, Southern Ocean, to assess intersexual differences. This was made possible by the analysis of prey remains extracted from scats and regurgitations collected in areas used primarily by one or the other sex. The results indicate that both males and females feed primarily on Antarctic krill Euphausia superba with several species of fish and squid being taken, likely opportunistically given their prevalence. Significant differences were identified in the frequency of occurrence of otoliths in scats and the percentage numerical abundance of the major fish prey species in the diet. Adult males ate a smaller quantity of fish overall, but ate significantly more of the larger fish species. The greater diving capabilities of males and the fact that they are not limited in the extent of their foraging area by having to return regularly to feed dependant offspring may play a role in the differences found between the diets of males and females. Additionally, females might be more selective, favouring myctophids because they are richer in energy than krill. The absence of major differences in the diet between the sexes at this location is likely due to the high overall abundance of prey at Bouvetøya.     

Phylogenetic studies of three sinipercid fishes (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences

The sinipercids are a group of 12 species of freshwater percoid fish endemic to East Asia and their phylogenetic placements have perplexed generations of taxonomists. We cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of three sinipercid fishes (Siniperca chuatsi, S. kneri, and S. scherzeri) to characterize and compare their mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial genomes of S. chuatsi, S. kneri, and S. scherzeri were 16,496, 17,002, and 16,585?bp in length, respectively. The organization of the three mitochondrial genomes is similar to those reported from other fish mitochondrial genomes, which contains 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a major non-coding control region. Among the 13 protein-coding genes of all the three sinipercid fishes, three reading-frame overlaps were found on the same strand. There is an 81-bp tandem repeat cluster at the end of CSB-3 in the S. scherzeri control region. The complete mitochondrial genomes of the three sinipercids should be useful for the evolutionary studies of sinipercids and other vertebrate species.     

滇西南四个自然保护区鱼类多样性及评价指标探究

为了解滇西南怒江水系的南滚河自然保护区、南捧河自然保护区、永德大雪山自然保护区及澜沧江水系的澜沧江自然保护区鱼类多样性和变化趋势, 探讨其差异和变化的原因, 本文采用β多样性指数分析了4个保护区的鱼类多样性, 并比较了鱼类分类阶元的特有性、单型性和古老成分的有无等多项指标。结果显示, 4个自然保护区共有土著鱼类85种, 隶属于6目13科45属。在中国仅见于怒江水系的4个特有属有异鲴属(Aspidoparia)和新条鳅属(Neonoemacheilus)分布于这3个保护区中; 18种特有种中, 仅分布在这3个保护区的狭域特有种5种。在中国仅分布于澜沧江水系的属有31个, 但仅安巴沙鳅属(Ambastaia)分布于澜沧江保护区; 在澜沧江保护区分布着中国仅见于澜沧江水系的特有种20种, 其中狭域特有种3种。怒江水系的3个保护区分布有1个单型属, 即鳗鲡属(Anguilla), 但没有单型种; 澜沧江自然保护区无单型属与单型种分布。4个保护区中的鱼类均系晚第三纪和第四纪形成的种类或类群, 没有古老或孑遗种类。β多样性结果显示, 在4个保护区中澜沧江自然保护区的鱼类多样性最丰富, 而南滚河自然保护区的丰富程度最低, 但是怒江水系3个自然保护区鱼类多样性的代表性及保护地位比澜沧江自然保护区的要高。而特有阶元和单型性阶元的存在体现出怒江水系3个自然保护区的保护价值及保护意义比澜沧江保护区高。地理范围跨度大小、生境空间异质性高低、保护区面积大小及支流多少等是影响鱼类多样性的主要因素。因此, 规划和设计保护区时, 如果能在水系的上、中、下游分别规划1条一级支流作为保护区, 可使该水系的绝大多数鱼类得到保护。     

罗霄山脉地区鱼类物种多样性

罗霄山脉是赣江和修水流域与湘江流域的分水岭, 是中国生物多样性保护的关键地区之一。然而, 罗霄山脉地区的鱼类缺乏系统性的研究, 其鱼类物种组成、分布以及受威胁因素尚不清楚。为此, 我们于2014-2018年对罗霄山脉地区11条河流的鱼类进行了系统的调查。结果表明, 该地区共有鱼类5目17科64属113种, 山脉东坡鱼类108种, 高于西坡的72种。从生态类型看, 罗霄山脉鱼类以肉食性、底栖性、定居性类群为主。区系组成上以东亚江河平原类群为主。从物种多样性看, 遂川江、袁水、蜀水和修河的鱼类物种多样性较高, 锦江和富水的鱼类物种多样性较低; β多样性指数揭示遂川江与锦江、禾水、富水间鱼类物种出现一定的分化现象。     

Increasing southern invasion enhances congruence between endemic and exotic Mediterranean fish fauna

Species movements in relation with global warming may increase the spatial overlap between exotic and endemic species, which is a critical issue for the conservation of biodiversity. The Mediterranean Sea, which is a receptacle for exotic species while being a hotspot for endemism, provides exceptional material for a case study. The aim of our study was to quantify (i) the increasing invasion from southern fish exotic species (Red Sea and Atlantic Ocean) that the Mediterranean biota is experiencing and (ii) the spatial overlap between exotic and endemic Mediterranean fish fauna following the northward movement of exotic species within the Mediterranean Sea in the context of global warming. The historical invasion dynamic of exotic fish species and the sea surface temperature series were reconstructed from 1810 to 2006 in order to estimate the correlation between invasion rate and climate. The geographical distributions of exotic and endemic fish richness before and after the period of global warming were used to assess the dynamic of spatial congruence. The results revealed (i) an acceleration of successful introductions from the Red Sea and (ii) the introduction of Atlantic species from lower latitudes in correlation with the increasing temperature of the Mediterranean Sea. We also showed an increasing overlap between the spatial distributions of endemic and exotic species richness. Taken together, our results suggest that endemic fish species are facing a growing number of exotic species because the Mediterranean Sea is acting as a catchment basin for southern species.     

The Mediterranean Sea as a ‘cul‐de‐sac’ for endemic fishes facing climate change

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot of biodiversity, and climate warming is expected to have a significant influence on its endemic fish species. However, no previous studies have predicted whether fish species will experience geographic range extensions or contractions as a consequence of warming. Here, we projected the potential future climatic niches of 75 Mediterranean Sea endemic fish species based on a global warming scenario implemented with the Mediterranean model OPAMED8 and a multimodel inference, which included uncertainty. By 2070–2099, the average surface temperature of the Mediterranean Sea was projected to warm by 3.1 °C. Projections for 2041–2060 are that 25 species would qualify for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List, and six species would become extinct. By 2070–2099, 45 species were expected to qualify for the IUCN Red List whereas 14 were expected to become extinct. By the middle of the 21st century, the coldest areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Adriatic Sea and Gulf of Lion) would act as a refuge for cold‐water species, but by the end of the century, those areas were projected to become a ‘cul‐de‐sac’ that would drive those species towards extinction. In addition, the range size of endemic species was projected to undergo extensive fragmentation, which is a potentially aggravating factor. Since a majority of endemic fishes are specialists, regarding substratum and diet, we may expect a reduced ability to track projected climatic niches. As a whole, 25% of the Mediterranean Sea continental shelf was predicted to experience a total modification of endemic species assemblages by the end of the 21st century. This expected turnover rate could be mitigated by marine protected areas or accelerated by fishing pressure or competition from exotic fishes. It remains a challenge to predict how these assemblage modifications might affect ecosystem function.     

Otolith shape analysis for three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sicyopterus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Sicydiinae) species from New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Otolith shape analysis has been used in a number of studies as an inexpensive and powerful method for categorising fish in individual stocks. Elliptical Fourier analysis was used on three different amphidromous Sicyopterus species. Sicyopterus lagocephalus is a widespread species while the other two have a limited distribution area, Sicyopterus aiensis being endemic to Vanuatu, and Sicyopterus sarasini to New Caledonia. Both endemics live in sympatry with the widespread species. The otolith shape of all fish sampled was a clear species differentiator, thereby demonstrating that otolith shape is species-specific. At an intraspecific level there are different river populations within samples from Vanuatu, indicating a western group and an eastern “central” group.These results are congruent both for the endemic species, S. aiensis and for the cosmopolitan species. Finally, we found that, for S. lagocephalus, the cosmopolitan species, New Caledonian samples are close to western Vanuatu samples, the latter two being well differentiated from the eastern “central” Vanuatu samples. The explanation for these results may lay either in the influence of environmental factors on the otolith shape, or in the influence of common early life history thus reflecting genetic factors, or a combination of both.     

Haplorchis infections in intermediate hosts from a clonorchiasis endemic area in Meinung,Taiwan, Republic of China

Snails and freshwater fish were examined from four ponds in the Meinung township in which Clonorchis sinensis was known to be endemic 18 years ago. No metacercariae were found in 478 Tilapia nilotica, whereas of 451 Ctenopharyngodon idellus examined, 16.2%, 3.3% and 0.9% were found to be infected with Haplorchis pumilio, H. taichui and Clonorchis sinensis, respectively. In addition, there were some unidentified metacercariae in 12.0% of Ctenopharyngodon idellus examined. Overall, no positive correlation between infection rates and sizes of infected fish was shown. Six species of snails were collected in this survey and two frequently-occurring snails, Melanoides tuberculata and Thiara granifera were commonly infected with H. pumilio. Reasons for the prevalence of Haplorchis species and the absence of Clonorchis sinensis in fish and snail hosts in a previously reported endemic area for human clonorchiasis are discussed.     

近十年来赤水河不同江段鱼类群落年际变化特征

赤水河是目前长江上游为数不多的仍然保持着自然流态的大型一级支流, 同时也是长江上游珍稀特有鱼类国家级自然保护区的重要组成部分, 在长江上游珍稀特有鱼类保护方面发挥着至关重要的作用。文章基于2007—2016年连续十年的渔获物监测数据, 对赤水河不同江段鱼类群落结构的年际变化特征进行了分析。调查期间, 赤水镇、赤水市和合江县3个调查江段共采集到鱼类7目20科84属133种, 其中包括长江鲟Acipenser dabryanus和胭脂鱼Myxocyprinus asiaticus2种国家重点保护野生动物以及36种仅分布于长江上游地区的特有鱼类。鱼类物种数量呈现出随河流梯度向下游延伸而逐渐增加的趋势, 其中赤水镇江段采集鱼类47种, 赤水市江段采集鱼类90种, 合江县江段采集鱼类120种。聚类分析和排序分析显示, 赤水河不同江段鱼类群落结构均发生了较为明显的年际变化。主要表现为部分大中型鱼类在渔获物中的比例持续降低, 其中赤水镇江段中华倒刺鲃Spinibarbus sinensis和白甲鱼Onychostoma sima的相对丰度由2007—2011的12.19%和14.26%降低至2012—2016年的0.66%和3.25%; 赤水市江段中华倒刺鲃的相对丰度由2007—2008年的8.21%下降至2009—2013年的4.31%和2014—2016年的3.47%。此外, 部分特有鱼类在渔获物中的比例逐年下降。合江县江段张氏?Hemiculter tchangi的相对丰度由2007年的8.41%下降至2008－2012年的7.98%和2013—2016年的1.51%; 圆口铜鱼Coreius guichenoti的相对丰度由2007年的2.08%下降至2008—2012年的0.10%, 2013—2016年则完全从渔获物中消失。造成赤水河鱼类群落结构变化的原因是多方面的, 不仅包括流域内高强度的商业捕捞和日益增强的人类活动, 而且还与整个长江上游的水域生态环境变化密切相关。为切实保护好赤水河鱼类资源, 建议加强渔政管理, 实施生态修复, 同时加强科研监测。     

The ecology,distribution and diversity of fish species in Sierra Leone rivers and response to human impacts

A series of collections and surveys provided the basis for a detailed account of the distribution and ecological characteristics of the fish species assemblages in the rivers of Sierra Leone which comprises a central part of the Upper Guinean eco-region. Within and between river differences were analysed and a high degree of statistical similarity was found between the species composition of the major rivers. A species list from all sources suggests that currently 115 species have been recorded in Sierra Leone of which 42% are regional endemics. Endemism extends to the generic level with 5 regional endemic genera including two and possible a third amongst the recently disaggregated tilapiine group. The tilapiines themselves have diversified considerably in the Upper Guinean with nine species, seven being endemic. The drivers of this considerable diversification generally in the Upper Guinean are discussed.Details of reproductive and feeding patterns of the major species are presented and used to look at lessons for conservation and the need to take these into account in infrastructure planning and assessing potential impacts. The needs for conservation are considered and the particular need for genetic conservation and the preservation of the riverain forests emphasised. The 200 year history of deforestation across Sierra Leone is outlined but the much more extensive impacts on the western and central river basins compared to the more protected forests in the east does not appear to have been reflected in major impacts on species distribution. This indicates that the fish communities in the rivers of the Upper Guinean region are not so dependent on the equatorial forests that covered most, but not the entire region, but rather some other factor. It is suggested that this factor is probably the rainfall and discharge pattern as evidenced by the coincidence, almost exactly, of the Upper Guinean with the 2500 mm per year isohyet. Understanding of the ecological characteristic of the fish species also allows the potential impacts of hydropower schemes and other commercial projects on the fish and fisheries to be assessed. Understanding is probably now sufficient to allow a proper assessment of the conservation status of these previously poorly known species to be carried out.     

Characterization of Gambierdiscus lapillus sp. nov. (Gonyaulacales,Dinophyceae): a new toxic dinoflagellate from the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Gambierdiscus is a genus of benthic dinoflagellates found worldwide. Some species produce neurotoxins (maitotoxins and ciguatoxins) that bioaccumulate and cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), a potentially fatal food‐borne illness that is common worldwide in tropical regions. The investigation of toxigenic species of Gambierdiscus in CFP endemic regions in Australia is necessary as a first step to determine which species of Gambierdiscus are related to CFP cases occurring in this region. In this study, we characterized five strains of Gambierdiscus collected from Heron Island, Australia, a region in which ciguatera is endemic. Clonal cultures were assessed using (i) light microscopy; (ii) scanning electron microscopy; (iii) DNA sequencing based on the nuclear encoded ribosomal 18S and D8‐D10 28S regions; (iv) toxicity via mouse bioassay; and (v) toxin profile as determined by Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry. Both the morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that these strains represent a new species of Gambierdiscus, G. lapillus sp. nov. (plate formula Po, 3′, 0a, 7″, 6c, 7‐8s, 5?, 0p, 2″″ and distinctive by size and hatchet‐shaped 2′ plate). Culture extracts were found to be toxic using the mouse bioassay. Using chemical analysis, it was determined that they did not contain maitotoxin (MTX1) or known algal‐derived ciguatoxin analogs (CTX3B, 3C, CTX4A, 4B), but that they contained putative MTX3, and likely other unknown compounds.     

Strain variation in Mycobacterium marinum fish isolates

A molecular characterization of two Mycobacterium marinum genes, 16S rRNA and hsp65, was carried out with a total of 21 isolates from various species of fish from both marine and freshwater environments of Israel, Europe, and the Far East. The nucleotide sequences of both genes revealed that all M. marinum isolates from fish in Israel belonged to two different strains, one infecting marine (cultured and wild) fish and the other infecting freshwater (cultured) fish. A restriction enzyme map based on the nucleotide sequences of both genes confirmed the divergence of the Israeli marine isolates from the freshwater isolates and differentiated the Israeli isolates from the foreign isolates, with the exception of one of three Greek isolates from marine fish which was identical to the Israeli marine isolates. The second isolate from Greece exhibited a single base alteration in the 16S rRNA sequence, whereas the third isolate was most likely a new Mycobacterium species. Isolates from Denmark and Thailand shared high sequence homology to complete identity with reference strain ATCC 927. Combined analysis of the two gene sequences increased the detection of intraspecific variations and was thus of importance in studying the taxonomy and epidemiology of this aquatic pathogen. Whether the Israeli M. marinum strain infecting marine fish is endemic to the Red Sea and found extremely susceptible hosts in the exotic species imported for aquaculture or rather was accidentally introduced with occasional imports of fingerlings from the Mediterranean Sea could not be determined.