Der Bau des Lautapparates vom Knurrenden Gurami (Trichopsis vittatus Cuvier & Valenciennes) (Anabantidae,Belontiidae)

Zusammenfassung Das lautbildende Organ vonTrichopsis vittatus besteht aus einem mächtig entwickelten Anteil des M. adductor superficialis an der Innenseite des Cleithrum, der mit zwei Sehnen am 5. und 6. Brustflossenstrahl ansetzt, welche zu elastischen Polstern verdickt sind. Diese Sehnenpolster liegen über einer Erhebung, welche durch die Basis des 2. und 3. Flossenstrahles gebildet wird. Ausschaltungsexperimente zeigen, daß die Sehnenpolster während der Kontraktion des Tonmuskels über die Erhebung schnellen. Schneidet man den Tonmuskel durch, so hört die Tonbildung auf. Schneidet man eine der beiden Sehnen durch, so wird der doppelimpulsige Tonstoß einimpulsig.

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Structure of the sound producing organ of the croaking Gourami (Trichopsis vittatus Cuvier & Valenciennes) (Anabantidae, Belontiidae)

Summary The sound producing organ ofTrichopsis vittatus consists of a very enlarged part of the M. adducor superficialis. It is found at the inside of the cleithrum, which is attached to the fourth and fifth pectoral fin ray by two tendons, thickened to elastic pads. These pads are situated above an elevation formed by the base of the second and third fin rays. In experiments it is demonstrated how the double-pulsed tone bursts are generated by the pads snapping over this elevation during the contraction of the sonic muscle. If the sonic muscle is cut, the sound production ceases. If one of the two tendons is cut, the former double-pulsed tone burst turns into a single-pulsed burst.

     

Vocalization of the tree frogPolypedates maculatus (Rhacophoridae)

The period of calling activity ofPolypedates maculatus lies between April and October. Males possess an indistinct subgular vocal sac which turns yellow during the breeding season. Mating calls type I, type II and distress calls have been identified. Mating calls type I and type II consist of a single pulse group. Type I call comprises of 7–22 pulses, whereas type II call consists of 4–6 pulses. Pulses are short. The frequency spectrum is broad and continuous. Distress calls, with 6 hormonics, are given by the females with their mouth open.     

Agonistic behaviour and sound production in Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, (Gadidae)

Agonistic behaviour and sound production were described for captive Gaidropsarus mediterraneus , a shore-dwelling gadoid. Thump-like sounds were produced during agonistic interactions, which involved disputes over access to shelter sites.     

Sex-differences in the Agonistic Behavior of Spiny-mice (Acomys cahirinus)

Observations of 8 groups each containing three adult spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) revealed that instances of chasing and physical displacement were quite common, while fighting and biting were rarely observed. The relationships between the most frequent behavioral categories were presented in a correlation matrix. In a second, study, ♀♀ tested in their home cages were dominant over ♂♂ In the ♂♂ home cages, however, no differences in the frequency of ♀ vs. ♂ aggression were observed. More instances of aggression were observed in the cages of the ♀♀ than in the cages of the ♂♂.     

The reproductive behaviour ofAequidens vittatus (Pisces,Cichlidae) in Surinam,South America

Synopsis The behaviour of free-living pairs ofAequidens vittatus was observed in Surinam, South America. An ethogram of breeding behaviour is presented, based on those observations and on aquarium-held fish. This is a biparental, substrate-guarding species that spawns on a movable platform. Sexual differentiation of parental roles was more pronounced when the young were in the embryonic interval than when they were mobile juveniles. Females spent more time near their brood, attacked juvenile conspecifics more often, and fanned and mouthed embryos more than males did. Males were more involved than females in territorial spacing of pairs. The movable spawning leaf provides support for eggs on detritus substrate and may also provide protection against predators and rapid water level changes.     

Structural organization of the gills in pipefish (Teleostei,Syngnathidae)

Summary The morphology and structural features of the gills of the two Western Baltic pipefish Nerophis ophidion and Syngnathus rostellatus were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The general anatomy of the gills complies with the general pattern in fish. Several adaptations though, show the highly specialized nature of pipefish gills. The filaments are extremely short, few in number and carry only a few lamellae due to the limited space in the branchial cavity. The lamellae have a widely projecting form yet still have a small area in comparison to other fish. Gill irrigation is performed by a specialized pumping mechanism which forces respiratory water through the small but densely packed gill sieve. Although both species live in the same habitat and belong to the same family, differences in gill morphology were found and are related to different lifestyles. S. rostellatus is the more active species and therefore has more filaments per gill arch, more lamellae per filament, wider projecting lamellae and a more extreme utilisation of available space in the gill cavity through a very densely packed gill sieve. N. ophidion has a stationary mode of life and therefore has a less extreme gill anatomy.     

The Function of Embryonic Vocalization in the Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)

Various functional explanations can be proposed for the evolution of bird embryonic vocalizations during the pre-hatching period, namely: 1. To elicit switching of parents from incubation to parental behaviour typical of the chick period; 2. To allow thermoregulation of embryos by soliciting parents to incubate; or 3. To establish parent—offspring individual recognition. In this paper, we present the results of field experiments designed to test hypotheses 1 and 3 in the colonial, ground-nesting little tern. Parents that had their hatching eggs cross-fostered with foreign eggs at the same hatching stage exhibited a parental behaviour similar to unmanipulated controls. Parents that incubated foreign eggs up to a stage in which embryos were not yet vocalizing, and were challenged with their own hatching eggs that had been incubated in foster nests, performed less efficient parental cares than unmanipulated control pairs and pairs that had cross-fostered hatching eggs. The results do not support the hypothesis of early individual recognition and suggest that embryonic vocalizations in little terns have the function of promoting switching of parents from incubation to accepting and feeding hatchlings. Similar to other tern and gull species, the duration of incubation period in the little tern varies markedly among pairs and years. In these species, embryonic vocalizations can be adaptive since they provide parents a cue to switch at a proper time from incubation to parental cares typical of the chick period.     

Phylogeny of the flyingfish family Exocoetidae (Teleostei, Beloniformes)

The phylogeny of the flyingfish family Exocoetidae is studied cladistically, using 41 morphological characters encompassing early life history, and external and internal features. The monophyly of the family is supported by 10 synapomorphies. Within the family,Oxyporhamphus is the sister group to all other genera, the monophyly of the latter being defined by 10 synapomorphies.Fodiator is the sister group of genera characterized by the presence of chin barbels in juveniles.Parexocoetus is the sister group ofExocoetus, Cypselurus, Prognichthys andHirundichthys, the latter being defined by four synapomorphies. In the latter group,Exocoetus is the sister group of the other three genera. The phylogeny of the Exocoetidae is characterized by the stepwise upgrading of gliding capability, with sequential modifications of the caudal, pectoral and pelvic fins. The subfamily Oxyporhamphinae is resurrected.     

Micro-anatomy of the pectoral fin in blennies (Blenniini, Blennioidea, Teleostei)

Blennioid fishes show a highly differentiated pectoral fin, which they use to cling to the substrate. The lower part of the pectoralis, comprising about four to six fin rays, forms a hook-field with specific anatomical features: (1) the rim of the fin web has a saw-like appearance, because it extends from the tip of a fin ray to the shaft ofthe upper of two neighbouring fin rays, (2) the outer half of the bony fin ray carries a lepidotrichal cord composed of fibrocytes, collagen, elastic fibres and acidic GAGS, (3) the epidermis overlying the lepidotrichal cord is differentiated in terms of cyto-architecture and forms a conspicuous cuticle. The upper part of the pectoral fin does not show any obvious specializations and is used for swimming and undulation. The vascularization of the fin originates from a stem vessel which gives rise to five branches, each supplying two or three neighbouring fin rays. Each fin ray is accompanied by a single arterial vessel at its upper edge. No vessels are found in the space between the bony fin ray halves. The morphology of the shoulder girdle and pectoral fin shows only little variation among the four species of Blenniini studied. Most remarkable is the fusion of the coracoid with the cleithrum, loss of one element of the suspensorium and the absence of branched fin rays. The possible relevance of the Blennioid pectoral fin as a model for the origin of morphological novelties in connection with functional specializations is discussed.     

A gular plate in Pterothrissus (Pisces, Teleostei)

A gular is reported in Pterothrissus belloci Cadenat and P. gissu Hilgendorf (Albuloidei, Pterothrissidae).     

Melanization of the alimentary tract in lizardfishes (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae)

Investigating the alimentary tract in several species of lizardfishes (Synodontidae, Teleostei) of the genera Saurida, Synodus and Trachinocephalus, from various sites of their distribution, revealed melanization of the tract wall. This phenomenon was observed in several species of the genus Saurida, but not in the other two genera. This melanization is caused by layers of melanosomes rich in melanin granules and deposited within the connective tissue of the submucosa, between the muscular wall and the muscularis submucosa. From this site this black submucosa extends into the folds of the mucosa. In S. tumbil and S. filamentosa, the entire alimentary tract is black, whereas in S. macrolepis only the stomach is partially or entirely black. This phenomenon and its possible importance are discussed.     

Structural Organization of the Taste Apparatus in Characins (Characidae,Teleostei)

The morphology and distribution of taste buds in the outer integument of the body and in the oral cavity of two forms (blind cave and sighted terrestrial ones) of the astyanax Astyanax fasciatus and in intact and blinded individuals of the Buenos Aires tetra Hyphessobrycon anisitsi have been studied using electronic scanning and light microscopy. In sighted individuals of both species, the morphometric parameters of the taste apparatus and the distribution of taste receptors are similar; the taste apparatus in the oral cavity is more developed than in the outer covers. Morphologically different taste zones were found in the oral cavity of characins. In blind fish, the taste apparatus of the maxillary zones is distinguished by smaller taste buds and a greater density of their distribution. The sensory field of taste buds in blind and sighted individuals of astyanax and tetra has a similar ultrastructure; it is formed by taste cells of three types. In blind astyanaxes and blinded individuals of tetra, numerous modified epidermal cells were found for the first time in the epithelium of the taste zones and in contact with taste buds, which are regarded as tactile receptors and a constituent element of polysensory taste-tactile complexes localized in blind fish in mainly ventral sensory zones.     

Reproductive biology of Mystus vittatus (Bloch) (Bagridae: Siluriformes) from Guntur,Andhra Pradesh

Maturation, minimum length at first maturity, spawning season, spawning periodicity, sex-ratio and absolute fecundity of Mystus vittatus, a common bagrid catfish, have been investigated. The observations show that spawning takes place during September and October. Each individual spawns only once in the season as evidenced by the study of the intraovarian ova. Females dominate the catches, and absolute fecundity (F) can be expressed by% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaaiaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOabaeqabaGaciiBai% aac+gacaGGNbGaaeiiaiaabAeacaqGGaGaaeypaiaabccacaqGTaGa% ae4maiaab6cacaqGYaGaaeyoaiaabkdacaqGGaGaae4kaiaabccaca% qG0aGaaeOlaiaabgdacaqG3aGaaeymaiaabgdacaqGGaGaaeiBaiaa% b+gacaqGNbGaaeiiaiaabYeaaeaacaqGHbGaaeOBaiaabsgacaqGGa% GaaeOraiaabccacaqG9aGaaeiiaiaab2cacaqGXaGaaeOlaiaabwda% caqG0aGaaeinaiaabwdacaqGGaGaae4kaiaabccacaqGWaGaaeOlai% aabMdacaqG0aGaae4naiaabkdacaqGGaGaae4vaaaaaa!5FCC!\[\begin{gathered} \log {\text{ F = - 3}}{\text{.292 + 4}}{\text{.1711 log L}} \hfill \\ {\text{and F = - 1}}{\text{.5445 + 0}}{\text{.9472 W}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \]     

Interrelationships of the ostariophysan fishes (Teleostei)

The history of ostariophysan classification is summarized and it is noted that traditional concepts of relationships have never been supported by characters found to be unique to the taxa. We present a new hypothesis of relationships among four of the five major ostariophysan lineages: Cypriniformes, Characiformes, Siluroidei, and Gymnotoidei (Otophysi). Cypriniforms are the sister-group of the remaining three (Characiphysi), and characiforms are the sister-group of siluroids plus gymnotoids (Siluriformes). Placement of the Gonorynchiformes as the sister-group of the Otophysi is supported by additional evidence. Each of the five lineages is monophyletic. Analysis was concentrated upon species thought to be the least specialized within each lineage; choices of these species are discussed. Chanos is determined to be a relatively primitive gonorynchiform morphologically and the sister-group of all other Recent members of the order. Opsariichthys and Zacco are found to be morphologically primitive cypriniforms. We propose that a monophyletic group comprising the Citharinidae and Distichodontidae forms the sister-group of all other characiforms. Within the two families, Xenocharax is the least specialized. We suggest that Hepsetus, the erythrinids, and the ctenoluciids are more derived than the distichodontids and citharinids, and may form a monophyletic group within die characiforms. The traditional hypothesis that Diplomystes is the primitive sister-group of all Recent siluroids is substantiated. Our evidence suggests that Sternopygus is the most primitive gymnotoid morphologically; but rather than being the sister-group of all other gymnotoids, it is the primitive sister-group within a lineage called the Sternopygidae by Mago-Leccia. Previous explanations of otophysan distribution have been based on notions of relationships which are unsupported by the evidence presented herein. Our own analysis of relationships serves primarily to make clear the extent of sympatry, and therefore the probability of dispersal, among the major ostariophysan lineages. The extent of sympatry, together with the widespread distribution of ostariophysans, suggests that the group is older than previously supposed, and our hypotheses of relationships among the characiforms implies that many of the extent characiform lineages evolved before the separation of Africa and South America. Further understanding of ostariophysan distribution must await phylogenetic analysis within each of the five major lineages so that distributions linked with vicariance patterns and dispersal events can be sorted out.     

Mitochondrial genome of Onychostoma lini (Teleostei, Cypriniformes)

The complete mitogenome sequence of a vulnerable species Onychostoma lini was determined using polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced with primer walking method. The complete mitogenome was 16,595?bp in length, containing 37 genes of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The gene order and composition of O. lini was similar to most other fishes. The descending order of the base composition on heavy strand was 31.6% A, 27.9% C, 24.6% T, and 15.9% G, with a relatively lower level of G and a slight AT bias of 56.2%. The codon usage followed the typical vertebrate mitochondrial pattern (ATG or GTG for start codon and TAA or TAG for stop codon). The complete mitogenome sequence of O. lini provides fundamental data for further conversation genetics and captive breeding studies on this species.