A new snailfish of the genus Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Pacific coast of southern Japan

Ichthyological Research - A new snailfish, Careproctus tomiyamai, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Suruga Bay, Tosa Bay, and the Hyuga-nada Sea, southern Japan...     

A New Species of Snailfishes (Liparidae) of the Genus Careproctus from the Northern Slope of the Aleutin Basin (Bering Sea)

Journal of Ichthyology - A new species of snailfishes Careproctus schmidti sp. nov. from the northwestern part of the Bering Sea is described. The specimen was caught in the mesobenthal of the...     

Feeding of the Snailfish Careproctus cf. cyclocephalusin Pacific Waters of the Northern Kuril Islands

This paper describes the feeding habits of the snailfish Careproctus cf. cyclocephalus (Scorpaeniformes, Liparidae). The diet consisted mostly of crustaceans, among which decapods predominated comprising up to 69.3% of the mean biomass of food organisms. Small shrimp (Eualus biunguis and E. townsendi) dominated the diet making up over 40.9% of the total stomach fullness index.     

Feeding of the Snailfish Careproctus roseofuscus in Pacific Waters of the Northern Kuril Islands and Southeastern Kamchatka

The paper describes the feeding of two phenotypically different forms of the snailfish Careproctus roseofuscus (Scorpaeniformes, Liparidae) from the Pacific waters of the northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka. The diet in the first form is comprised of actiniae. The second form mostly feeds on fish eggs and the amphipod Metopa majuscula Gurjanova. The second form is supposed to be confined to the biocenosis of Ophiopholis aculeata + Spongia.     

New species of the genus Careproctus (Liparidae) from the Kara Sea with notes on spongiophilia,reproductive commensalism between fishes and sponges (Rossellidae)

A new species of the family Liparidae, fulvous snailfish Careproctus fulvus sp. n., is described from the Novaya Zemlya Depression of the Kara Sea at a depth between 190 and 414 m. The species belongs to the group of slit-eyed Careproctus (longitudinally oval pupil, elongated lower lobe of the pectoral fin, and large urogenital papilla). The representatives of the species are characterized by fulvous coloration with orange spots, deep body, small teeth, and three radials in the pectoral girdle. The eggs are deposited into glass sponges Schaudinnia rosea (Rossellidae). Valvatophilia (commensalism with bivalves) and carcinophilia (reproductive commensalism with crab-like decapod crustaceans of the family Lithodidae) have been registered in the family Liparidae before, but spongiophilia are described for the first time. Egg deposition into glass sponges (Rossellidae) is known also for cod icefishes (Nototheniidae) from Antarctic waters. Reproductive commensalism between the representatives of the family Liparidae in the Arctic, the species of the family Nototheniidae in the Antarctic, and glass sponges represents a new finding of bionomic bipolarity (independent appearance of similar adaptations in unrelated groups of fishes in two polar regions of the earth). Based on the ecologo-ethological classification of fish reproduction, brood hiding Careproctus species belong to ostracophils, a group of fishes deposited the eggs into live animals.     

Description of Careproctus patagonicus sp. nov. and C. magellanicus sp. nov. (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) from the lower slope of Drake Passage

Two new species of Liparidae are described from Drake Passage (55°32·8' S, 65°54·3' W). Careproctus patagonicus differs from all other congeneric species in the following combination of characters: C 9 (1+4/4), epural and parhypural unfused to single hypural; gill slit above P base; lower pectoral lobe well developed; pectoral girdle with one ventral radial (0+0+0+1) with a central foramen; da 2·4, aAf 10·2% LS; disk 41·5% HL; some crater-like pits on posterior half of body; head and anterior part of body white. Careproctus magellanicus has the following diagnostic characters: A 46; P 24, well-developed lower pectoral lobe; scattered crater-like spots and some thumb-tack prickles on body; one suprabranchial pore; basal plate of the pectoral girdle with two fenestrae; four radials (3+1), the first with a ventral notch; HL 17·1, preD 18·5% LS. The structure of the endochondral pectoral girdle of both species is commented.     

Carcinophyly of fish of the genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) in waters of southeastern Sakhalin (Sea of Okhotsk)

In waters of southeastern Sakhalin (Sea of Okhotsk), clutches of snailfishes of the genus Careproctus containing eggs at different stages of development or prolarvae were found on gills of the largest individuals (mainly in males) of three species of crabs (Lithodidae)-Paralomis verrilli (clutches were found in 1.4% of individuals), P. multispina (0.8%), and Lithodes covesi (11.6%). With an increase in the carapace width of lithodid crabs, the amount of eggs of snailfishes deposited in them and their diameter increase. More frequently, clutches are located from the left side of the carapace of crabs. Two-side clutches occur in larger individuals of crabs. No direct relationship between the presence of clutches of snailfishes on gills of lithodid crabs with necrosis or reduction of gills was revealed. The form of relations between lithodid crabs and Careproctus snailfishes was defined as “lodging” with different degree of impact on the host.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus iacchus,</Emphasis> a new variegated snailfish (Liparidae) from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk

A new species of snailfishes, Careproctus iacchus, is described on the basis of three specimens collected from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk. Among the species of Careproctus, the new species is most similar to Careproctus comus and Careproctus faunus, both known from the Aleutian Islands, in having a variegated body coloration. However, it can be distinguished in having 44–46 dorsal- and 39–40 anal-fin rays (vs. 50–56 and 44–50 in C. comus and 47–51 and 41–45 in C. faunus, respectively), a pectoral fin without a notch (vs. both with a shallow notch), no interradial fenestra between proximal radials two and three in the pectoral girdle (vs. both having a fenestra between proximal radials two and three), a gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin (extending to just above the pectoral fin or to 1–5th ray), a body with many white spots (vs. mottled with red and white), and a large white blotch on cheek (vs. no distinct markings on cheek) when fresh.     

Description of Careproctus guillemi n. sp. (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) from Weddell Sea

Careproctus guillemi differs from the other Careproctus species in the following combination of characters: pectoral fin rays 22 (11 + 4+7); pectoral girdle with three round radials (1 + 0+ 1 + 1); mouth oblique and maxillary extending beyond posterior edge of eye. Relationships between C. guillemi and C. longipectoralis are provided. The endochondral pectoral girdle of C. longipectoralis is described for the first time.     

Preliminary results on the reproduction of a deep-sea snailfish Careproctus rhodomelas around the active hydrothermal vent on the Hatoma Knoll, Okinawa, Japan

Deep-sea snailfish Careproctus rhodomelas were collected from an active hydrothermal vent using a remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V. Hyper-dolphin) and a pressurized device (Deep-Aquarium). Careproctus rhodomelas exhibited a cystovarian-type ovary containing a small number of developing oocytes at different stages, suggesting that the fish is a batch-spawner that spawns large eggs (c. 6·0 mm) several times within its life span. In vitro culture of the oocytes in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin showed that oestradiol-17β production fluctuated with oocyte development, suggesting that the oocytes were at the vitellogenic stage.     

Rhodopsin in the Dark Hot Sea: Molecular Analysis of Rhodopsin in a Snailfish,Careproctus rhodomelas,Living near the Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent

Visual systems in deep-sea fishes have been previously studied from a photobiological aspect; however, those of deep-sea fish inhabiting the hydrothermal vents are far less understood due to sampling difficulties. In this study, we analyzed the visual pigment of a deep-sea snailfish, Careproctus rhodomelas, discovered and collected only near the hydrothermal vents of oceans around Japan. Proteins were solubilized from the C. rhodomelas eyeball and subjected to spectroscopic analysis, which revealed the presence of a pigment characterized by an absorption maximum (λ_max) at 480 nm. Immunoblot analysis of the ocular protein showed a rhodopsin-like immunoreactivity. We also isolated a retinal cDNA encoding the entire coding sequence of putative C. rhodomelas rhodopsin (CrRh). HEK293EBNA cells were transfected with the CrRh cDNA and the proteins extracted from the cells were subjected to spectroscopic analysis. The recombinant CrRh showed the absorption maximum at 480 nm in the presence of 11-cis retinal. Comparison of the results from the eyeball extract and the recombinant CrRh strongly suggests that CrRh has an A₁-based 11-cis-retinal chromophore and works as a photoreceptor in the C. rhodomelas retina, and hence that C. rhodomelas responds to dim blue light much the same as other deep-sea fishes. Because hydrothermal vent is a huge supply of viable food, C. rhodomelas likely do not need to participate diel vertical migration and may recognize the bioluminescence produced by aquatic animals living near the hydrothermal vents.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus parvidiscus</Emphasis>, a new species of liparid fish (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes) collected from the southern Okhotsk Sea,Japan

 A new liparid, Careproctus parvidiscus, is described on the basis of a single specimen (177 mm in standard length) collected from the southern Okhotsk Sea, off Shiretoko Point, Hokkaido, Japan, at 400–700 m depth. It is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of the characters: 50 dorsal fin rays, 44 anal fin rays, 10 + 47 = 57 vertebrae, 2 pleural ribs, 14 pyloric caeca being slender and pointed, 2 suprabranchial pores, narrower gill opening, longer lower lobe of pectoral fin, base of uppermost pectoral fin ray almost on a level with center of eye, rudimentary disk, dusky peritoneum, and black stomach. Received: June 13, 2001 / Revised: December 7, 2001 / Accepted: December 22, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus surugaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Liparidae), a new snailfish from Suruga Trough,Japan

A new species of liparid fish Careproctus surugaensis is described from a single specimen collected between 1,450 and 1,570 m depth on the northern part of Suruga Trough, Suruga Bay, Japan. It can be distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: 50 total vertebrae, 47 dorsal-fin rays, 39 anal-fin rays, 32 pectoral-fin rays, 10 principal caudal-fin rays, pectoral proximal radials 4 (first to third with notches); trilobate teeth on both jaws, gill slit 7.1 % SL, extending in front of 7th pectoral fin ray base; maximum body depth 19.1 % SL, disk length 7.9 % SL, anus midway between posterior margin of pelvic disk and anal-fin origin; body and fins light orange except blackish peritoneum.     

Secondary contact in the Sea of Japan: the case of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus rastrinus</Emphasis> species complex (Liparidae)

The Careproctus rastrinus species complex, widely known from the North Pacific, has been revealed recently to include nine genetically divergent groups on the basis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variations. Herein we describe an AFLP analysis that focuses on three closely related groups in order to clarify the evolutionary history of the species complex in the Sea of Japan and off the Pacific coast of Japan. A principal coordinate analysis indicated the absence of nuclear divergence in two groups defined by mtDNA variations in the Sea of Japan, whereas another group from the Pacific coast of northern Japan was clearly distinct. This suggests extensive gene flow between two groups in the Sea of Japan as a result of secondary contact.     

Age/size relations and food of two snailfishes,Liparis gibbus and Careproctus reinhardii (Teleostei,Liparididae) from Spitsbergen coastal waters

Summary The snailfish family Liparididae was well represented in bottom trawl hauls (205–370 m) from the Spitsbergen area, with Liparis gibbus being the dominant species. Careproctus reinhardti was less numerous. The present paper is based on 539 specimens of C. gibbus (size range 6–25cm) and 120 specimens of L. reinhardti (size range 5–26 cm). Both species showed a rather similar size and age distribution. The stomach contents reveal that both snailfish species feed both benthically and pelagically. Crustaceans, especially amphipods and decapods, were the most common prey items. With increasing size of the fish, the decapod Pandalus borealis becomes more important, particularly for L. gibbus. Juvenile Liparis (1.3–4.3 cm in length) were found pelagically (35–200 m), and their diet mainly consisted of copepods and young hyperiid amphipods.     

Genetic and morphological evidence for cryptic diversity in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus rastrinus</Emphasis> species complex (Liparidae) of the North Pacific

The molecular phylogeny of the Careproctus rastrinus species complex is presented on the basis of sequence variations in the 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes (1,447 base pairs) of mitochondrial DNA using specimens collected from across the North Pacific and its marginal seas, including the Sea of Japan, the Pacific coast of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Arctic Ocean. Gene flow and migration between geographic regions is apparently strictly restricted in the C. rastrinus species complex, as this phylogeny revealed nine genetically diverged groups in the C. rastrinus species complex, most of which corresponded well with major geographic regions. Most of the groups were different in terms of morphological characters. Five nominal species have been considered to be members of the complex and have been variously recognized as being valid or as synonyms of C. rastrinus, but the present genetic and morphological differences suggested that the C. rastrinus species complex represents far more divergence. Such cryptic diversity of the C. rastrinus species complex defined by geographic regions may be related to their low dispersal ability, because they bear large demersal eggs. The genetic divergence suggested that colder climates from the late Pliocene and the isolation of marginal seas during the Pleistocene may have driven the divergence of the C. rastrinus species complex.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus kidoi</Emphasis>, a new Arctic species of snailfish (Teleostei: Liparidae) from Baffin Bay

Careproctus kidoi sp. nov. is described from the Baffin Bay between Greenland and Canada, in the northern most part of the western North Atlantic. During a series of bottom trawl surveys conducted in 1988–2004, 22 specimens of an undescribed species of Careproctus were caught at depths between 952 and 1,487 m. It differs from Arctic and North Atlantic congeners in the combination of the characters: pectoral fin rays 21–26, dorsal fin rays 54–60, anal fin rays 50–54, vertebrae 61–64; sucking disc oval, 4.2–6.6% SL; teeth simple; pyloric coeca 3–12; head pore formula (2-6-7-1); color light to dark brown, stomach dusky to dark brown, peritoneum black. It is generally found in deeper waters than the sympatric C. reinhardti.     

The data on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus furcellus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. rastrinus</Emphasis> (Liparidae) from the Olyutorskii Gulf of the Bering Sea: Size composition,indices of organs,and diet

Traits of biology of Careproctus furcellus and C. rastrinus are reviewed on the basis of the material of bottom trawlings made in the Olyutorskii Gulf between 59°40’ and 60°05’N and 166°29’ and 168°32’ E at depths from 240 to 580 m on June 10–August 1, 1999. These species spawn in the Olyutorskii Gulf in the second half of June-the beginning of July. Careproctus furcellus attains 50% maturation at length 32 cm and C. rastrinus attains the same at 32 cm. The mean individual absolute fecundity of C. furcellus is 1129 eggs, diameter of oocytes 3.46 mm, and weight 29.2 mg. The diet of C. furcellus basically consists of Gammaridae, Pandalidae, and that of C. rastrinus basically consists of Gammaridae and, to a lesser extent, Pahuridae.     

New radiolaria of the family Pseudodictyomitridae from the Coniacian-Santonian of the Perapedhi Formation of southern Cyprus

A new genus of Late Cretaceous radiolarians, Cyprodictyomitra gen. nov., comprising two new species, C. longa sp. nov., C. elegantissima sp. nov., and a new species, Pseudodictyomitra crassa sp. nov. are described. These new taxa come from rich Coniacian-Santonian radiolarian associations of the Perapedhi Formation of Southern Cyprus.