Seedlings of the semi-shrub Artemisia ordosica are resistant to moderate wind denudation and sand burial in Mu Us sandland, China

Sand movement is a common stress for plants in dune ecosystems. Seedlings in such an environment often experience various degrees of denudation or burial. A field experiment was conducted with Artemisia ordosica, a dominant semi-shrub species in Mu Us sandland, China, to test seedling survival and growth under different degrees of denudation and burial. Seedlings from two cohorts with height of 5.0 ± 0.02 cm (S1) and 9.3 ± 0.09 cm (S2) were selected and randomly subjected to three denudation treatments (2.5, 5, and 10 cm), five burial treatments (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 cm), or a control. S2 seedlings had a higher survivorship than S1 seedlings, especially under severe denudation (10 cm) and complete burial (5 cm in S1; 10 cm in S2). Seedling survivorship was unaffected by moderate burial (<5 cm in S1; <10 cm in S2) or denudation (<10 cm), but it was significantly reduced under complete burial or severe denudation. Seedling growth in leaf area, height, and biomass only declined in severe denudation or complete burial. Seedling burial led to higher biomass investment in shoots, while the reverse was the case in denudation. The results indicate A. ordosica is highly tolerant to moderate burial and denudation, showing adaptive responses that likely increase survival. Differences in responses between seedling cohorts suggest that large seedling size is beneficial for successful establishment in sandy environments and measures to prevent severe denudation and burial of recently germinated seedlings are necessary in attempts to restore steppe vegetations.     

Length‐weight relationships of Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Opsarius tileo (Hamilton, 1822) and Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839) collected from Manas River in Assam,India

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) are presented for three hill stream fish species belonging to the family Cyprinidae namely, Barilius barila (Hamilton, 1822), Opsarius tileo (Hamilton, 1822) and Cyprinion semiplotum (McClelland, 1839). Fishes were collected on a monthly basis from January 2016 to December 2017 with the help of cast net (270 cm length, 1.2 cm mesh size) and gillnet (7,500 cm length × 130 cm depth, 5 cm mesh size) from the Manas river in Assam, India.. A new length record for the FishBase LWR database was observed in B. barila.      

Establishment of the evergreen broad-leaved tree species Castanopsis cuspidata in an abandoned secondary forest in western Japan

Recently, populations of Castanopsis cuspidata have often expanded into secondary forests in western Japan. To determine the establishment processes of this species, we analyzed its spatial distribution in a secondary forest dominated by Quercus variabilis and Quercus serrata that is located adjacent to a stand dominated by C. cuspidata. Saplings, defined as ≥30 cm stem length (SL) and <5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH), were abundant and their size distribution was inversely J-shaped, indicating continuous recruitment. Although seedlings (SL < 30 cm) and small saplings (30 ≤ SL < 50 cm) of C. cuspidata were aggregated near flowering trees of this species, some were found ≥40 m from the nearest adults, suggesting that there is animal-aided dispersal of acorns. The distribution of larger-sized individuals (≥100 cm SL) of C. cuspidata was unrelated to distance from the nearest flowering C. cuspidata or dominant Quercus species (≥5 cm DBH), but was associated with dead Pinus densiflora trees, which were abundant at the site. Thus, the establishment of C. cuspidata in this forest is controlled mainly by two factors, viz. patterns of acorn dispersal by animals, and forest disturbance regime (i.e., deaths of pine trees).     

Length–weight relationships of six fish species from the headstream region of the Dongjiang River,China

Dongjiang River, a main tributary of the Pearl River, is geographically situated in South China. The present study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of six fish species (Acrossocheilus paradoxus, Barbodes semifasciolatus, Onychostoma elongatum, Microphysogobio fukiensis, Microphysogobio kiatingensis, Metzia lineata) from the headstream region of the river including five Chinese endemic species (A. paradoxus, B. semifasciolatu, O. elongatum, Mi. fukiensis, Mi. kiatingensis). Fish species of five genera of the same family were collected quarterly from April 2012 to October 2014 by using non‐selective fishing gears: drag nets (5 m, mesh‐size 3 cm), drift gillnets (30 × 15 m, mesh‐size 5 mm), fish cages (4 m, mouth opening 40 × 40 cm), scoop nets (mesh‐size 0.5‐1 cm), and electro‐fishing (12V, 200 Hz). The parameter a and b in the LWR equations (W = a L^b) ranged from 0.0014 to 0.0228, and 2.89 to 3.18, respectively. Compared with FishBase, this study provides the first LWR records for four cyprinids (A. paradoxus, B. semifasciolatu, O. elongatum, Me. lineata) and a new record of maximum body length for O. elongatum.     

Age, growth and reproductive parameters of the Mediterranean cardinal fish, Apogon imberbis

Life history parameters (age, growth and reproductive characteristics) of the Mediterranean paternal mouthbrooding cardinal fish, Apogon imberbis, were investigated at a coastal locality off Blanes, NW Mediterranean Sea. Maximum age was found to be 5 years for both sexes. Age was validated with an otolith chemical (tetracycline) marking experiment. Both females and males reached maturity at length >5.5 cm, corresponding to 1 year of age in both sexes. The spawning season ranges from July to October, with a peak in August. The number of eggs in the mouths of males increased linearly with fish total length.     

Length–weight relationships of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807), Barilius shacra (Hamilton, 1822) and Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822) from Manas River in Assam,India

The present study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) for three ornamental hill stream fish species from the Manas River in Assam, India, namely, Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807), Barilius shacra (Hamilton, 1822), and Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822). Fishes were collected on a monthly basis from March 2015 to February 2016 with cast nets (270 cm, 1.2 cm) and gillnets (7,500 × 130 cm, 5 cm). This is the first information on LWR data for two of the species.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of five Mystus species from the Ganges and Rupsha rivers,Bangladesh

This study focused on the length–weight and length–length relationships of five Mystus species from Bangladesh. A sum of 398 individuals (Mystus bleekeri = 47, Mystus cavasius = 171, Mystus gulio = 59, Mystus tengra = 65, and Mystus vittatus = 56) was collected from the Ganges and Rupsha rivers, Bangladesh. Fishes were caught by gill net (mesh sizes: 2.0–4.0 cm) and cast net (mesh sizes: 1.5–3.0 cm) from July 2014 to June 2015. Total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) were measured to 0.1 cm, while whole body weight (W) was taken to the nearest 0.1 g for each individual. The TL ranged from 6.0–13.5 cm for M. bleekeri, 5.0–15.0 cm for M. cavasius, 7.4–17.2 cm for M. gulio, 4.6–11.6 cm for M. tengra and 5.5–12.3 cm for M. vittatus. The W varied from 3.0–18.2 g for M. bleekeri, 1.3–30.4 g for M. cavasius, 6.1–62.2 g for M. gulio, 1.7–15.1 g for M. tengra and 2.7–19.2 g for M. vittatus. All LWRs were highly significant (p < .001), with all r² values ≥.950. The LLRs were also highly significant (p < .001), with all r² ≥.980. This study provides information on LWRs and LLRs for M. gulio and M. tengra for the first time. The results of this study can be very effective for stock assessment of Mystus species in the Ganges and Rupsha rivers as well as in the surrounding ecosystems.     

Length–weight relationships of three fish species in the East China Sea

Length–weight relationships were determined for three fish species (Acanthopagrus latus Houttuyn, 1782; Acentrogobius caninus Valenciennes, 1837; and Nematalosa japonica Regan, 1917). Samples were collected from the East China Sea (N 27.306020, E 120.918026), from May to July in 2015–2016. Samples were collected using commercial trawls (5 cm main trawl and 3 cm codend mesh). Length–weight relationships for these three species were determined for the first time.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of three small indigenous fishes from the Payra River,southern Bangladesh

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) and length‐length relationships (LLRs) for three small indigenous fishes (Esomus danrica, Pachypterus atherinoides and Salmostoma bacaila) were reported from the Payra River, southern Bangladesh. Samples were collected using traditional fishing gear including cast net (mesh size ranges from 1.0 to 2.0 cm), seine net (mesh size ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cm) and square lift net (mesh size ~ 1.0 cm) in August to September 2017. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 2.66 for E. danrica, 3.08 for P. atherinoides and 3.06 for S. bacaila. The LLRs were also highly significant with r² ≥ .956.     

Length–weight relationships for eight fish species from the Pearl River Delta,China

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for eight native fish species collected in the lower reaches of the Pearl River, Guangdong Province, South China. Fish were sampled in March and September 2014 and January 2015, using gillnets with various mesh sizes (5–8 cm) and trawl nets with a 3 cm mesh size. A total of 568 specimens of the eight species were analyzed. The r² values for these species ranged from 0.951 to 0.991. The b values ranged from 3.00 for Takifugu ocellatus and Moolgarda cunnesius, to 3.57 for Clupanodon thrissa. New maximum total lengths are recorded for Takifugu ocellatus (17.6 cm) and Liza carinata (24.4 cm). For five species (Clupanodon thrissa, Megalobrama terminalis, Collichthys lucidus, Coilia grayii, Takifugu ocellatus), the LWRs are presented to fishbase for the first time.     

Length–weight relationships of three demersal fish species caught from the eastern region of Java Sea,Indonesia

Length–weight relationship (LWR) parameters were determined for three demersal fish species Nuchequula gerreoides, Scarus scaber and Therapon theraps. The fishes were collected by seine net (the mesh size of wing: 12.70 cm, body: 3.81 cm, cod end: 2.54 cm, and total length of net: 20 m) in eastern region of Java Sea Indonesia during October 2016 – March 2017. The total length of these species (14.3 cm for N. gerreoides, 24.5 cm for S. scaber and 21.5 cm for T. theraps) were longer than previous studies. The b values of the LWR were 2.967 for N. gerreoides, 3.046 for S. scaber and 3.0475 for T. theraps.     

Discards in bottom trawl fishery in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay,Turkey)

Sampling was carried out on a seasonal basis during 2007–2009, using a conventional bottom trawl net with 44 mm codend mesh size in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea. A total of 116 valid hauls: 27 in autumn, 28 in winter, 35 in spring and 26 in summer, were conducted at depths ranging from 30 to 70 m. A total of 112 species: 15 Chondrichthyes, 83 Osteichthyes, 11 Cephalopoda and 3 Crustacea were obtained in the trawl codend. All captures were separated into commercial (C) and non‐commercial (NC) species. The C ratio was 69.6%, while NC (i.e. discards) was 30.4%. Diplodus annularis was the most abundant species in all seasons, followed by Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, Citharus linguatula, Serranus hepatus, Lepidotrigla cavillone, Spicara maena, Myliobatis aquila, Diplodus vulgaris, and Trisopterus minutus in decreasing order of abundance. These top ten species constituted 75% of total catch weight. Biomass ratios of total discards to commercial species were 0.44 : 1.     

Length–weight relationships of nine freshwater fishes from six rivers of the Western Ghats of India

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for nine freshwater fish species collected three times using a scoop net (mesh size 0.3–0.5 cm), cast net (mesh size 1–1.5 cm) and gillnet (mesh size 2.5–4.5 cm) from six rivers of the Western Ghats of India during August 2017–October 2018. The b values for LWRs varied from 2.862 to 3.656 (R² > 0.916 and p < 0.0001 for all species).     

Length weight relationships of five marine fishes from the Bay of Bengal

Length weight relationships (LWR) of five marine fishes were estimated from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. Fish samples were collected occasionally from fisher's catch with gill net (mesh size: 3 cm) during November 2019 to October 2020. Fishing was done overnight. Total length (0.1 cm) and body weight (0.01 g) of each individual were measured. We recorded maximum total length for P. maculatus (55.0 cm) and P. parmatus (39.0 cm).     

Length-weight relationships of four fish species from the Hei River in northwest China

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) were assessed from four fish species in Hei River in northwest China. All specimens were collected using (fishing1 km along the river and 3 meters along the river bank) and netting (gill nets, nets: 30 × 1.2 m; mesh size: 3 × 3 cm) and shrimp cages (nets: 20.0 × 0.5 × 0.4m; mesh size: 0.5 cm) seasonally from April 2019 to October 2020. The gill nets and shrimp cages were soaked in water in the afternoon and pulled in around 10 a.m. the next day after an overnight stay. These specimens were measured for total length (L, 0.1 cm) and body weight (W, 0.1 g) while the specimens were fresh. The parameters for the LWRs were estimated with the basic statistical analyses. The study provided the new maximum total length for Gymnocypris chilianensis (21.0 cm) and Triplophysa tenuis (17.0 cm).     

Length–weight relationships of Dermogenys pusilla Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1823 (Zenarchopteridae) and Labeo bata (Hamilton, 1822) (Cyprinidae) from the Ganges River (NW Bangladesh)

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for Dermogenys pusilla (n = 75) and Labeo bata (n = 304) from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh, collected between July 2013 and June 2014, using traditional fishing gear (e.g. cast net, square lift net and gill net). Total length (TL) was measured to 0.1 cm and whole body weight (BW) was taken to the nearest 0.1 g for each individual. The TL varied from 6.60 to 16.10 cm for D. pusilla and 7.90–25.20 cm for L. bata. The BW ranged from 1.20 to 10.90 g for D. pusilla and 4.70–167.30 g for L. bata. All LWRs were highly significant (P < 0.001), with all r² values ≥0.976. Moreover, the present study provides a new record of the maximum length (16.10 cm TL) for the D. pusilla female. The present study can assist in the management of these two endangered species in the Ganges River ecosystem.     

Length–weight relationships of three Gobiidae species from the Rupsha River in southwestern Bangladesh

This study reports the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of three Gobiidae fish species (Acentrogobius viridipunctatus, Apocryptes bato, and Odontamblyopus rubicundus) from the Rupsha River, southwestern Bangladesh. A total of 388 individuals were sampled using cast nets (mesh size ranges from 1.5 to 3.0 cm), gill nets (mesh size ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 cm) and square lift nets (mesh size ~1.5 cm) from December 2014 to November 2015. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 3.23 for A. viridipunctatus, 2.70 for A. bato, and 2.67 for O. rubicundus, respectively. The first LWRs records for these three Gobiidae species, they can be used online for FishBase as well as in future studies.     

Vertical distribution of female adults and larval offspring of the white grub <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dasylepida ishigakiensis</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the soil of a sugarcane field on Miyako Island,Okinawa

To determine the depth of soil at which mated females of the white grub beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis Niijima et Kinoshita oviposited and their larval offspring stayed in the soil in different seasons, 847 mated female and male adults were released into a caged sugarcane field on Miyako Island. We then excavated this field systematically to collect adults and their larval offspring in the soil once or twice per month from 24 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. Dead females were found between 10 and 50 cm deep in the soil (N = 91), but most frequently in the layer 30–40 cm deep (N = 42; 46.2%). They were recovered more frequently in the soil at the plant foot (N = 73; 80.2%) than in the furrows (N = 18; 19.8%). On the other hand, no male carcass was discovered either in the soil or on the ground surface. The number of larvae discovered in the soil per row was large on 30 April (N = 52.5) and on 5 June (N = 58.3), when they were at the first instar. It decreased rapidly thereafter until 21 August (N = 9.5), when they molted to the second instar, and remained at similar levels through to the following 31 March (N = 8.0), during which they were mostly at the third instar. The larvae were found at various soil depths ranging from 0 to 70 cm, but the majority were found between 10 and 30 cm deep. The last sampling on 31 March indicated that mature larvae moved to a deeper layer for estivation. These results suggested that physical control through rotary tillage before they move to the deeper layer may be effective.     

Length–weight relationships of four marine fish species in Motaf fishing grounds,southern waters of Bushehr (the north of the Persian Gulf,Iran)

This study presents the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of four caught fish, including Drepane punctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Alectis indica (Rüppell, 1830), Argyrops spinifer (Forsskål, 1775), and Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795). During 27 tows, the fish specimens were captured by Cutlassfish trawl net, with 80 mm mesh size in the cod‐end, from March 2015 to April 2016. The fishing operation was conducted at depths more than 50 m in southern waters of Bushehr (the northern Persian Gulf). The estimated b values were as follow: 3.17 for D. punctata, 2.59 for Alectis indica, 2.56 for A. spinifer, and 3.26 for S. tumbil. In the present study, new maximum total lengths for D. punctata (15.2–43.5 cm), A. indica (21–69.5 cm), and A. spinifer (15.3–66.5 cm) were reported in comparison with previous researches.