A key to the species of Mugilidae (Pisces) in the Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, with explanatory notes

A key is given for identifying the eight species of Mugilidae of the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. The use of Risso's names for four species is justified and explained and recognition is given to Tortonese's discovery that Mugil capurrii (Perugia) is a senior synonym of M. monodi Chabanaud. The relationship of Liza saliens to certain species of West and southern Africa is held to be additional support for the recognition of Protomugil Popov as a subgenus of Liza including these species. Chelon Röse, with type-species Mugil chelo Cuvier (= Chelon labrosus (Risso)), is recognized, following Jordan & Evermann (1917) and Schultz (1946), but its limits are differently conceived so as to include Crenimugil Schultz rather than Liza Jordan & Swain. The latter is held to comprise about 30 Old World species. The status of Chelon bispinosus (Bowdich) is discussed, with its bearing on possible population-differences in C. labrosus and the relationship of this species with C. crenilabis. The identity of Liza seheli (Forskål) is discussed and reasons are given for disagreeing with Wimpenny and others in applying this name to the species found at both ends of the Suez Canal zone. The latter is L. carinata (Ehrenberg in Cuvier & Valenciennes). Myxus maroccensis Mohr is believed to be a young Liza ramada.     

Length–weight relationships for four mullets from the Chilika lagoon,East coast of India

Current study provides information on Length–weight relationship (LWR) of four fish species of family Mugilidae i.e., Planiliza macrolepis (Smith, 1846), Chelon parsia (Hamilton, 1822), Osteomugil cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) and Valamugil speigleri (Bleeker, 1858) from Chilika Lagoon, East coast of India. Samples were collected during monsoon (July 2016), winter (November 2016) and summer (April 2017) seasons from the fisher's boats inside the lagoon while fishing with screen barrier nets (mesh size 18‐38 mm) and gill nets (mesh size 34, 38, 46, 62 and 86 mm). The b values were determined from the data set in LWRs as 2.958 for P. macrolepis, 2.952 for O. cunnesius and 2.919 for C. parsia and 2.883 for V. peigleri. In all species, regression values were statistically significant (p < .05).     

Genetic Divergence and Phylogenetic Relationships in Grey Mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae) Using Allozyme Data

Genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships among five species of the Mugilidae family (Liza saliens, Liza aurata, Liza ramada, Chelon labrosus, and Mugil cephalus) were investigated, in the present study, on samples taken from Messolongi lagoon in Greece, using allozyme electrophoresis. Ten enzymic systems corresponding to 22 genetic loci were assayed, among which, four were found to be polymorphic in Liza saliens, Liza aurata, and Chelon labrosus, seven in Liza ramada, while only two were polymorphic in Mugil cephalus. Several loci showed different electrophoretic patterns among the species and thus, they can be useful in species taxonomy as diagnostic markers, as well as for further evolutionary studies. It must be underlined that among them the aGPD-2* locus proved to be species-specific, while the other ones can be also used in various combinations for the same purpose. The observed heterozygosity was found to range from 0.020 to 0.051. Allele frequencies of all loci were used to estimate Nei's (1972) genetic distance, which was found to range between 0.249 and 1.171 among the five species studied. UPGMA and NJ trees, obtained by genetic distance matrix methods, as well as, a tree based on the discrete character parsimony analysis were found to exhibit the same topology. Our result show that the three species of the genus Liza are clustered together, Chelon labrosus being closer to the previous clade, while Mugil cephalus being more distinct.     

Length–weight relationships for 22 fish species of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (western Mediterranean Sea)

Length–weight relationships were estimated for 22 species of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (south‐eastern Spain): Lipophrys dalmatinus, Salaria pavo, Callionymus pusillus, Aphanius iberus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Gobius cobitis, G. niger, G. paganellus, Pomatoschistus marmoratus, Symphodus cinereus, Chelon labrosus, Liza aurata, L. ramado, L. saliens, Mugil cephalus, Diplodus puntazzo, D. sargus sargus, Lithognathus mormyrus, Sarpa salpa, Sparus aurata, Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus abaster. The captures were made in shallow areas of the lagoon during 2002–2004. Significant length–weight relationships were found for all species.     

Phenetic relationships of six species of mullets (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mugilidae</Emphasis>) from the south Adriatic,as inferred from the study of the visceral and dermal skeleton

This study examines the interspecific variability and phenetic relationships in six southern Adriatic mullet species: Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1826), Liza aurata (Risso, 1810), Liza ramada (Risso, 1826), Liza saliens (Risso, 1810), and Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829). Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of the visceral skeleton and the dermatocranium of mullets were analyzed. The major distinguishing characters were those of the jaws. M. cephalus was clearly separated from the other species; O. labeo differed to a somewhat smaller extent; and C. labrosus was the least distinguished species. The species of the genus Liza were phenetically most similar, while the other species of mullet differed significantly from them. The greatest distances were between M. cephalus and C. labrosus, as well as between M. cephalus and O. labeo. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Length–weight relationships of two fish species from Sanniang Bay of Guangxi,China

The length–weight relationships were determined for two fish species (Callionymus curvicornis Valenciennes, 1837 and Johnius fasciatus Chu, Lo & Wu, 1963) belonging to two families. Fish samples were collected using commercial trawls (mesh sizes: 70 mm) and the frequency of use three times during each sampling period from Sanniang Bay, China. Samples were collected quarterly from October 2016 to July 2017. The allometric coefficient (b) of length–weight relationship varied from 2.75 for Callionymus curvicornis to 2.92 for Johnius fasciatus. Length–weight relationships for these two fish species were determined for the first time.     

Phylogenetic relationships of nine mullet species (Mugilidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Phylogenetic relationships among four genera and nine species (Mugil cephalus, Mugil soiuy, Liza ramada, Liza aurata, Liza abu, Liza saliens, Liza carinata, Chelon labrosus, Oedalechilus labeo) of the Mediterranean mullets (Mugilidae) were investigated by means of allozyme electrophoresis using a seven-enzyme system (CK*, GAPDH*, G3PDH*, IDHP*, ME*, MDH*, PGM*) comprising eleven putative loci. The highest genetic divergence was 1.299, detected between M. cephalus and L. aurata and the lowest (0.280) was found between L. carinata and L. saliens. The amount of genetic divergence between the genera Chelon and Oedalechilus did not appear to be high (0.285). In a UPGMA tree, all nine species were grouped in two main branchings. In the first branch, C. labrosus and O. labeo clustered as closest taxa and were sister group to L. ramada. The other four Liza species produced two sub-branching in this group; L. carinata branched together with L. saliens, and L. aurata branched together with L. abu. In the second branch the two species of the genus Mugil, M. cephalus and M. soiuy, clustered together and were clearly isolated from the other three genera.     

Length–weight relationships of fishes collected from the Korangi‐Phitti Creek area (Indus delta,northern Arabian Sea)

Length–weight relationships of 41 fish species (20 families) collected from the Korangi‐Phitti Creek area on the northern side of the Indus delta at the northern Arabian Sea are presented. This study provides first reports of length–weight relationships for seven species (Sardinella brachysoma, Arius arius, Trachinotus mookalee, Nuchequula blochii, Gerres limbatus, Brachirus orientalis, and Synaptura commersonnii). The coefficients of determination (r²) were > 0.90 for 35 species. Estimates of b ranged from a minimum 2.204 for Liza carinata to a maximum of 3.535 for Pseudorhombus arsius; 16 species showed isometric growth (b = 3), eight species showed positive allometric growth (b > 3), while 17 species showed negative allometric growth (b < 3).     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of some small indigenous fish species from the Mathabhanga River, southwestern Bangladesh

The present study describes the length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships for eight important small indigenous fish species (SIS) from the Mathabhanga River, southwestern Bangladesh, namely Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822), Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793), Hyporamphus quoi (Valenciennes, 1847), Macrognathus aculeatus (Bloch, 1786), M. pancalus (Hamilton, 1822), Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822), Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822), and Setipinna phasa (Hamilton, 1822). A total of 2543 specimens used for this study was caught by traditional fishing gear from January to December 2005. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presented the first reference on LWR and LLR for these species from Bangladeshi waters.     

Length–weight and length‐length relationships for four freshwater fish species from Gölbaşı Lake (Hatay), Turkey

Length–weight and length–length relationships are presented for four freshwater fish species [Liza abu (Heckel, 1843), Aphanius mento (Heckel, 1843), Oxynoemacheilus hamwii (Krupp & Schneider, 1991) and Chondrostoma kinzelbachi Krupp, 1985] captured in Gölba?? Lake, Hatay, Anatolia. No information regarding length–weight relationships was reported previously in FishBase for C. kinzelbachi, A. mento and O. hamwii. Specimens were obtained from January to May 2012 using electrofishing and cast nets. This study presents the first study on LWR data for C. kinzelbachi, A. mento and O. hamwii.     

Length‐weight relationship models of two tropical shads,Tenualosa macrura (Bleeker, 1852) and Tenualosa toli (Valenciennes, 1847) in the coastal waters of Sarawak,Malaysia

This study investigates length‐weight and length‐length relationships of two species of the tropical shads, Tenualosa macrura (Bleeker, 1852) and Tenualosa toli (Valenciennes, 1847) collected from the coastal waters of Sadong (1°30′59.4”N and 110°44′46.4”E) and Sebuyau (1°31′26.8”N and 110°58′05.8”E), Sarawak, Malaysia. The fish were captured using gill nets (mesh size range 5–12 cm) operated by mechanized boat along the coast of Sadong and Sebuyau, Sarawak. Relative growth coefficient (b) was 2.942 and 3.408 for males and females of T. macrura while 2.909 and 3.178 for males and females of T. toli. All LWRs were significant (p < .05) between sexes for both species with the coefficient of determination (R²) ranging from .85 to .99. This report provides the reference of length weight relationship (LWR) models for the two species in their range of distribution.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships for seven fish species from the Zohreh River,Iran

Length–weight and length–length parameters were calculated for seven fish species belonging to five families in the Zohreh River, Iran. The weight–length relationships were estimated using the equation W = aL^b. The b values varied between 2.72 and 3.33, with a mean ± SD of 2.88 ± 0.28. The b values parameter in the length–weight relationship equations were calculated as 3.15 for Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843; 3.78 for Barilius mesopotamicus Berg, 1932; 2.86 for Cyprinion macrostomum Heckel, 1843; 2.89 for Nuchequula gerreoides (Bleeker, 1851); 2.80 for Mastacembelus mastacembelus (Banks & Solander, 1794); 2.72 for Liza abu (Heckel, 1843); and 3.19 for Paraschistura nielseni (Nalbant and Bianco, 1998). This study presents the first LWR and LLR references for these species in the Zohreh River.     

Spatial and temporal variations and assemblage structure of fish species in Beymelek Lagoon,Turkey

Spatial and temporal variations and assemblage structure of fish species were investigated in Beymelek Lagoon, on the south‐western Mediterranean coast of Turkey. A total of 3956 fish, mainly juveniles, from 24 species representing 11 families were sampled by gillnets and trammel nets from February 2006 to January 2007. Twelve of the species were marine straddlers, 11 were marine‐estuarine‐dependent and one was catadromous. Numerical contribution of marine‐estuarine‐dependent species to the total fish abundance was 86.2%, while marine straddlers contributed only 13.8%. Despite the higher number of species, the numerical abundance of marine straddlers was lower than the abundance of marine‐estuarine‐dependent species. The contribution of catadromous species by number was only 0.02%. The assemblage was taxonomically dominated by Sparidae (seven species, 51.3%), Mugilidae (five species, 36.0%), and Clupeidae (one species, 10.3%). Among sparids, Sparus aurata, Diplodus sargus and Lithognathus mormyrus contributed 38.0, 7.2 and 4.6% to the total catch, respectively. The most abundant mugilid species was Liza saliens with 25.2%, followed by Chelon labrosus 5.2%, and Liza aurata 4.0%. Contribution by the other mugilid species to total catch was quite low. The Clupeidae (10.3%) were represented by Sardinella maderensis with 9.1% of the total catch. While the upper reaches of Beymelek Lagoon were dominated by Sparus aurata and Liza saliens, dominant in the lower reaches were Sardinella maderensis, Sparus aurata, Diplodus sargus, Lithognathus mormyrus and Liza saliens. Sparids were generally caught from mid‐summer to mid‐winter while mugilids were caught throughout the year. Clupeids occurred mainly from autumn to spring.     

Unusual occurrence and some aspects of biology of juvenile gilt sardine (Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847) in the Zrmanja River estuary (eastern Adriatic)

A total of 644 juvenile gilt sardine, Sardinella aurita Valenciennes 1847, were obtained by random sampling from the Zrmanja River estuary (Novigrad Sea Bay, eastern part of the North Adriatic), which is a nursery ground for small pelagic fish species. Gilt sardine were caught by purse seine as well as with beach seine. From their first recorded occurrence in this area, representative samples were collected monthly from October 2000 to May 2001. Monthly fluctuations in length frequency distributions of gilt sardine juveniles were observed. Total length was in the range of 8.0–16.0 cm. Minimum and maximum weights recorded were 3.02 g and 28.98 g respectively. The modal number of vertebrae was 47, with a mean of 47.13 vertebrae. Length–weight relationship of the gilt sardine juveniles was described by the expression: W = 0.0043L^3.1162.     

A review of length–weight relationships of fish from the Segura River basin (SE Iberian Peninsula)

We present the relationships between fork length and total weight for 14 fish species from the Segura River basin (southeastern Spain): Barbus sclateri, Chondrostoma polylepis, Gobio lozanoi, Aphanius iberus, Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis gibbosus, Carassius auratus auratus, Cyprinus carpio carpio, Sander lucioperca, Gambusia holbrooki, Liza ramado, Mugil cephalus, Atherina boyeri and Pomatoschistus marmoratus. Significant length–weight relationships were found for all species. The values of the exponent b of the length–weight relationships ranged from 3.82 for Sander lucioperca to 2.59 for Micropterus salmoides.     

Molecular Phylogeny of Grey Mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae) in Greece: Evidence from Sequence Analysis of mtDNA Segments

Mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis has been used to explore genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships among five species of the Mugilidae family, Mugil cephalus, Chelon labrosus, Liza aurata, Liza ramada, and Liza saliens. DNA was isolated from samples originating from the Messolongi Lagoon in Greece. Three mtDNA segments (12s rRNA, 16s rRNA, and CO I) were PCR amplified and sequenced. Sequencing analysis revealed that the greatest genetic differentiation was observed between M. cephalus and all the other species studied, while C. labrosus and L. aurata were the closest taxa. Dendrograms obtained by the neighbor-joining method and Bayesian inference analysis exhibited the same topology. According to this topology, M. cephalus is the most distinct species and the remaining taxa are clustered together, with C. labrosus and L. aurata forming a single group. The latter result brings into question the monophyletic origin of the genus Liza.     

Length‐weight relationships of 19 fish species from the Saemangeum Reservoir in South Korea

The length‐weight relationships were analysed for 19 species classified into nine families from the Saemangeum reservoir, South Korea. The sample size ranged from 12 individuals for Silurus asotus and Micropterus salmoides to 548 for Liza haematocheila. Six species have no length‐weight information in FishBase.     

Length–weight relationships of five fish species collected from Manora Channel and associated backwaters of the northern Arabian Sea

This paper provides length–weight relationships estimated for five fish species (four families) economically important not only to the local community, but to the larger Indo‐Pakistan sub‐continent. All fish were collected from the Manora Channel and backwater creeks near Karachi, Pakistan in the northern Arabian Sea during July 2000 to October 2002. These represent the first reports of length–weight data for two species (Sardinella sindensis and Pomadasys stridens) while also providing additional data on the remaining three species (Alepes kleinii, A. melanoptera, and Liza carinata) for which limited information was available. Estimated b values obtained for the six species ranged from a minimum of 2.310 for L. carinata to a maximum of 3.082 for S. sindensis.     

Length–length and length–weight relationships of oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus), escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum), snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens), and longnose lancetfish (Alepisaurus ferox) from the Gulf of Mexico and the western North Atlantic Ocean

Oilfish, escolar, snake mackerel (order Aulopiformes, family Gempylidae), and longnose lancetfish (order Perciformes, family Alepisauridae) sampled from the western North Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed for length–weight and length–length relationships. These species are encountered as occasional bycatch of pelagic longline fisheries. The fish (161 specimens, 19.0–149.1 cm TL) were collected over a 3‐year period (January 2007–January 2010) from pelagic longline gear targeting swordfish and tuna. For each species, 95% confidence limits (CI) of parameters b and log a and regression coefficients (r²) were calculated for log‐transformed length–weight relationships. The length–weight parameter b for all species ranged from 2.881 to 3.358, with regression coefficients (r²) ranging from 0.75 to 0.98. Linear relationships between fork lengths, standard lengths, and total lengths were also calculated.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships for 10 pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

Length–weight and length–length relationships are described for 10 of the most important and most frequent small, middle‐size and large pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea, namely Sardina pilchardus Walbaum 1792, Sardinella aurita Valenciennes 1847, Sprattus sprattus Linnaeus 1758, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1758, Belone belone Linnaeus 1761, Scomber scombrus Linnaeus 1758, Scomber japonicus Houttuyn 1780, Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus 1758, Auxis rochei Risso 1810 and Sarda sarda Bloch 1793. Length–length equations for converting size measurements: standard length (SL) and fork length (FL) to total length (TL) and vice versa, were linear.