低龄草鱼鳞片环纹的增长及幼轮和年轮特征的初步研究

幼草鱼鳞片环纹,以孵出后第二个月生长最快,往后生长减慢,冬季停止生长。幼鱼体长一般在47—70毫米形成幼轮。鳞片的“切割相”是区别年轮和幼轮的标志。幼鱼在饥饿时,环片不仅不增长,反而出现环片被吸收的现象。鳞片上各种副轮标记的形成与摄食条件的变化有关。计算了体长与鳞径、环纹数以及鳞径与环纹数的迴归方程,它们之间都呈直线正相关,相关显著性均在99%以上。       

Experimental investigation of the effects of temperature and feeding regime on scale growth in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar post-smolts

Salmo salar post-smolts were reared in seawater under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks. The fish were exposed to three constant temperature treatments (15, 10.5 and 6°C) and four feeding treatments (constant feeding, food withheld for 7 days, food withheld for 14 days and food withheld intermittently for four periods of 7 days). Scale growth was proportional to fish growth across all treatments, justifying the use of scale measurements as a proxy for growth during the early marine phase. The rate of circuli deposition was dependant on temperature and feeding regime and was generally proportional to fish growth but with some decoupling of the relationship at 15°C. Deposition rates varied from 4.8 days per circulus at 15°C (constant feeding) to 15.1 days per circulus at 6°C (interrupted feeding). Cumulative degree day (^°D) was a better predictor of circuli number than age, although the rate of circuli deposition ^°D⁻¹ was significantly lower at 6°C compared with 15 and 10.5°C. Inter-circuli distances were highly variable and did not reflect growth rate; tightly packed circuli occurred during periods without food when growth was depressed, but also during periods of rapid growth at 15°C. The results further current understanding of scale growth properties and can inform investigations of declining marine growth in S. salar based on interpretations of scale growth patterns.     

The zebrafish scale as model to study the bone mineralization process

Danio rerio (zebrafish) shows high similarity with humans in terms of bone architecture, bone cells, matrix proteins and molecular signalling. The fish body is covered by elasmoid scales which are part of the dermal skeleton. Since few data have been published about the function of the fish scale cells, we investigated the mineralization pattern of the scale and the role of the episquamal osteoblasts in the neodeposition of the bone tissue. First, we described a specific mineralization pattern and distribution of the bone forming cells in different areas of the scale. We observed along the external circuli that, during the scale growth, the marginal cells migrate and organize in a cord-like structure just before the mineralization process takes place generating a new circulus. These cells exhibit alkaline phosphatase activity, a well known mammalian osteoblastic differentiation marker. The internal circuli are also characterized by new matrix deposition. Thus, zebrafish scale represents a useful model for analyzing the osteoblast behaviour during bone formation and mineralization and it could be useful in physiological studies and pharmacological tests.     

Circuli spacing and annulus formation: is there more than meets the eye? The case for sockeye salmon,Oncorhynchus nerka

This study describes a pattern of circulus spacing on the scales of sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka , which has not been reported previously. The average distance between circuli formed during the second year of ocean growth is much less than that of first year or in subsequent years. This pattern was persistent for fishes of two river systems, six year–classes and two age groups (2.2 and 2.3) and was due to summer growth. Statistical analyses were conducted only on age 2.2 fish because of small sample sizes in four of the six years for age 2.3 fish. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the distance between circuli formed in the summer and in the two stocks for various years at sea. No significant variation in average spacing between circuli was explained by oceanic temperatures.
Annuli were formed between November and January. However, oceanic temperatures were declining at this time and do not reach minima until April. Thus, annuli are formed about the time of the equinox and during a declining temperature regime. We hypothesize that the pattern of circuli spacing and annulus formation are responses to photoperiod and food availability which the fish experience during their existence at sea.     

Changes in scale circulus spacings of an endangered Atlantic salmon Salmo salar population: evidence of a shift in marine migration?

Post‐smolt scale circulus spacing patterns for two Atlantic salmon Salmo salar populations from the Southern Upland (SU) of Nova Scotia, Canada, were compared with spacings from two endangered populations from the inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, to determine if growth patterns differed among these populations, and if growth patterns had changed as the abundance of these populations declined. An analysis of numbers of marine circuli from scales of post‐smolts and one‐sea‐winter adults of known age indicated that circuli were deposited at a rate of about one circulus per week in summer and slowed to one every 2 weeks in winter. During the summer and the autumn, mean circulus spacing in the iBoF populations, known to have occupied the outer Bay of Fundy during these seasons, was lower than in the SU populations, which are known to migrate to the North Atlantic. Similar circulus spacing patterns within SU populations is suggestive of a common marine distribution for these populations. In contrast, a cluster analysis revealed that within the geographically intermediate Big Salmon River (iBoF), some individuals exhibited wider spacing patterns that resemble the distant migrating SU populations, while others exhibited narrower spacing similar to other iBoF S. salar. Within the Big Salmon River, the relative abundance of the wider and the narrower spacing patterns varied in the earlier years, but all fish sampled since 1999, exhibited wider spacings similar to distant migrating SU S. salar. The apparent disappearance of the narrower pattern, characteristic of localized migration and indicative of historical iBoF populations, suggests that local migration may not presently be a successful strategy for these populations.     

Date of marine annulus formation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and implications for retrospective growth analyses using scales

Fish scales have increasingly been used to quantify annual and seasonal growth trends and in efforts to relate growth to environmental conditions. Understanding the timing of formation of an annulus (a group of narrowly spaced circuli) is critical when assessing the influence of marine ecosystem conditions on seasonal growth patterns of Atlantic salmon, yet the literature does not provide consistent answers regarding the timing or drivers of marine annulus formation. This study demonstrates a novel method for estimating stock-specific annulus formation timing based on marked individuals with known emigration and return/recovery dates. An equation was applied to estimate the date of annulus completion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using known dates, number of circuli after the most recent annulus and marine circulus deposition rate. Five marine circulus deposition rate scenarios were tested, some of which accounted for individual, seasonal and age-related variability and others which use previously published marine circulus deposition rates. Based on these results, an argument is presented to reconsider the practice of assigning annulus formation dates to winter solstice in favour of dates estimated by a scenario that accounts for individual, seasonal and age-related variation in circulus deposition. This scenario suggests that annulus formation occurs between mid-February and late March. In this case, the annulus would be formed during the coldest part of the year in the primary overwintering area for North American Atlantic salmon.     

多齿蛇鲻鳞片表面结构的扫描电镜观察

本文对多齿蛇鲻鳞片表面结构进行扫描电镜观祭,描述了鳞纹、年轮形式、齿状粒突、辐射沟、伸缩缝、后区隆突和小棘。鳞纹嵴顶上的齿状粒突,其形态特征和排列方式可作为辅助鉴别疑难种类的依据。鳞纹和后区隆突上的伸缩缝,作者认为对鳞片的伸缩起着柔软缓冲作用。     

The growth of Tilapia mossambica Peters (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Lake Sibaya, South Africa

The scales of Tilapia mossambica Peters * from Lake Sibaya show clear rings formed by broken, widely-spaced circuli in the anterior field. In order to determine the rate and time of scale ring formation, the number of circuli in the marginal increment was determined. Five scales from the pectoral region of 2223 fishes caught at regular intervals over two years were examined. When plotted as histograms, the number of circuli in the marginal increment showed a sharp movement to the left in September–October and again in January, indicating that the rings were formed during these months in the majority of fish examined. Pre- and postbreeding feeding migrations, and increases in condition factor, were associated with scale ring formation. Otoliths and opercula were also examined for age determination. Annual length increments were calculated for 450 T. mossambica collected throughout the year, and growth curves plotted. T. mossambica from Sibaya reach maturity after one year at a standard length of about 8 cm in females, and after two years at 10 cm in males. The breeding population had a standard length mode of 11–12 cm in females and 17 cm in males. The maximum final size was about 24 cm.     

Are scale circuli deposited daily in juvenile weakfish,Cynoscion regalis?

Synopsis Scale circuli of juvenile weakfish,Cynoscion regalis, were counted to determine if deposition was daily. Scale circuli counts were precise with little variation between counts (99% of the two counts from an individual scale were identical, N = 3580). Tetracycline marked juveniles (N = 71) had mean scale circuli deposition rates that were daily up to 24 d after marked. Data from several sources suggest that daily deposition of weakfish scale circuli occurred over a relatively narrow size range, approximately 14.3 to 111.9 mm standard length, however it is during this time that juvenile weakfish occupy estuarine nursery areas, where growth, mortality, and survival may alter subsequent year class strength. The estimated upper size limit at which scale circuli were no longer daily occurred over a wide range (82–142 mm standard length), and additional research is required to further clarify the limits of size and age of daily circuli deposition.     

Imaging scale surface topography of an endemic cyprinid fish,Garra sharq from the Arabian Peninsula: An integrated optical light and scanning electron microscopy approach

The optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques have proven to play a key and noteworthy role in the advancement of morphological studies in general, and in investigating fish scale morphology in particular. These techniques have illustrated several hidden architectural structures in scales that contribute effectively to fish identification and classification. The scale morphological and topological characters such as type, size, shape, lateral surface, focus position, circuli appearance, radii type, lepidonts, and posterior and anterior margin shapes were obtained using macro- and microscopic analysis in six body regions for three size classes of Garra sharq, a cyprinid endemic fish of the Arabian Peninsula. The general scale type in the studied G. sharq species was a basal elasmoid cycloid and a sectioned type. As a protective structure, the scales display several specific characteristics including firm attachment to the fish body, overlapping, and thin structure with a high surface area and high strength. These characteristics improve scale resistance to penetration, increase protection against mechanical injury and microbial infection, enhance scale flexibility, reduce fish weight (reduce friction drag), and increase scale transparency. The scales demonstrate plasticity in focus shape, size, and position in the six fish body parts and fish size groups. The examined scales displayed narrow or wide grooves (radii) in three types including primary, secondary, and tertiary present in all four scale fields (anterior, posterior, and laterals), thus a tetra-sectioned type that is almost specific to the genus Garra. This characteristic also increases scale flexibility. The rostral margin of scales was characterized by the presence of waved and striate types. The lepidont shape and size varied being blunt, flat, pointed, tiny, sharp, short, and long. Some of these scale characters and their morphologies could be used as an alternative tool for identification, classification, and phylogenetic interpretation among the different freshwater fish species and genera.     

Relationship between scale growth checks, circuli formation rate and somatic growth in Rutilus rutilus (L.) a fish farm-reared cyprinid

Check formation on scales of roach Rutilus rutilus was examined during their production cycle at a fish farm in England through analysis of circuli patterns. Regular check formation was associated with the movement of fish from one type of grow-out facility to another; this resulted in a sudden shift in growth rate and the formation of a new check. As these had the characteristics of annual marks, their formation potentially invalidates their use as structures to determine the age of individuals during recapture events that may follow their introduction to the wild. At low growth rates, the number of circuli was constant throughout the year; this situation changed when fast growth rates were achieved. Five methods of backcalculation were also validated. When the proportionality between the body length and scale radii was weak, backcalculation methods were poor in determining length at check formation.     

Scale surface micro-structures of British freshwater cyprinidae

The scales of the roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), rudd (Scardinus erythropthalmus L.) and Crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.) Cyprinidae, Teleostei, were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The circuli in the overlapped areas of the scales were found to be denticulated. Inter-specific variation of denticular morphology, height and spacing was revealed when circuli of comparable ontogenetic age were investigated. The osseus material forming the circuli is reduced in thickness or absent at the scale radii. On the basis of the results of this study it is considered that the term micro-structure should be used in preference to ‘ornamentation’ to describe scale surface characteristics.     

Links between patterns of marine growth and survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, L.

The hypothesis that marine survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo Salar is linked to marine growth was explored by using inter-circuli distances and total numbers of circuli existing on scales from a population monitored over nearly four decades. The results suggest that marine growth controls survival, particularly during the late summer and early winter of the first year at sea. Recruitment is strongly linked to growth, described as the total number of circuli, but not to inter-circuli distances. This highlights the potential of patterns of circuli number to be considered as proxies for growth. Indications that hatchery populations might be subject to other mortality events, in addition to those experienced by wild populations, are also presented.     

Variation in the post-smolt growth pattern of wild one sea-winter salmon (Salmo salar L.), and its linkage to surface warming in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean

Variation in circulus spacing on the scales of wild Atlantic salmon is indicative of changes in body length growth rate. We analyzed scale circulus spacing during the post-smolt growth period for adult one sea-winter salmon (n = 1947) returning to Scotland over the period 1993–2011. The growth pattern of the scales was subjectively and visually categorized according to the occurrence and zonal sequence of three intercirculus spacing criteria (“Slow”, “Fast” and “Check” zones). We applied hierarchical time-series cluster analysis to the empirical circulus spacing data, followed by post hoc analysis of significant changes in growth patterns within the 20 identified clusters. Temporal changes in growth pattern frequencies showed significant correlation with sea surface temperature anomalies during the early months of the post-smolt growth season and throughout the Norwegian Sea. Since the turn of the millennium, we observed (a) a marked decrease in the occurrence of continuous Fast growth; (b) increased frequencies of fish showing an extended period of initially Slow growth; and (c) the occurrence of obvious growth Checks or hiatuses. These changes in post-smolt growth pattern were manifest also in decreases in the mean body length attained by the ocean midwinter, as sea surface temperatures have risen.     

Studies on scale regeneration in the Common goby, Pomatoschistus microps (Pisces)

The longevity of original scales and the process and consequences of scale regeneration in the euryhaline Common goby, Pomatoschistus microps (Kroyer), has been studied by monthly sampling of two populations. Scale regeneration comprises four stages: formation of a new growth centre, a regenerated area in the form of a wide central irregular area lacking concentric circuli: formation of short and widely spaced circuli at the outermost region of the regenerated area: a check in regenerated scale growth on reaching the size of the original scales: and the commencement of normal growth similar to that of the surrounding original scales. Growth of regenerated scales within 30 days was not sufficient to attain the same size of the original ones. The average percentage of regenerated scales in successive months during the life span of P. microps is about 20% in immature fish and sharply increases up to about 60% of the total scales during the breeding season. The correlation between sharp increases in regenerated scales and the breeding season is also confirmed on examining scales from two other gobioid species, Gobius paganellus and Gobius cobitis. It is suggested that the loss of a large number of scales may result in the check in body growth during the breeding season.     

Using scale characteristics and water temperature to reconstruct growth rates of juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss

Juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from a northern California Central Valley population were reared in a controlled laboratory experiment. Significantly different rates of growth were observed among fish reared under two ration treatments and three temperature treatments (8, 14 and 20° C). Wider circulus spacing and faster deposition was associated with faster growth. For the same growth rate, however, circulus spacing was two‐fold wider and deposited 36% less frequently in the cold compared to the hot temperature treatment. In a multiple linear regression, median circulus spacing and water temperature accounted for 68% of the variation in observed O. mykiss growth. These results corroborate previous research on scale characteristics and growth, while providing novel evidence that highlights the importance of water temperature in these relationships. Thus, this study establishes the utility of using scale analysis as a relatively non‐invasive method for inferring growth in salmonids.     

Validation of scale‐age determination in European grayling Thymallus thymallus using tag‐recapture analysis

To validate age determination from scales in European grayling Thymallus thymallus, the scale‐read age of fish was compared with the true age obtained by tag‐recapture analysis. A total of 3997 individuals were tagged with visible implant tags and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in the River Wylye, south‐west England during 1999–2007. Annual repeat surveys were undertaken and collected scales read without prior knowledge of tag‐recapture age. Accuracy of fish ageing by scales was highest in 1 and 2 year‐old fish but decreased in older fish. In later life stages (>4 years old), underestimation of age occurred and the error in reading scales rose to 51·9% in 5 year‐old fish. Age assigned from scales underestimated the tag‐recapture assigned age by as much as 3 years. This study suggests that use of scales is an appropriate method to age a short‐lived population of T. thymallus inhabiting productive lotic systems. The underestimation of age in older fish, however, needs to be considered in the management of fish stocks because it may lead to undesirable exploitation of population.     

大鳞副泥鳅鳞片表面结构的扫描电镜观察

对大鳞副泥鳅的鳞片作了扫描电镜观察。结果表明,大鳞副泥鳅具圆鳞;基区、侧区和顶区均具有辐射沟及环沟,二者交织成网状,将鳞片分割成块状,可增加鳞片的柔软度;次级辐射沟发出部位可作为确定年轮的主要依据。     

Marine post-smolt growth and age at maturity of Atlantic salmon

The annual variation in sea-age of maturation for a hatchery dependent stock of Atlantic salmon was compared to variation in post-smolt growth as evidenced by circuli spacing patterns. The proportion of returns of 1-seawinter (1 SW) and 2 SW salmon and the fraction of the smolt year class or cohort that maturated as 1 SW fish, were compared to seasonal growth indices determined from circuli spacing on the scales of smolt class survivors returning as 1 SW and 2 SW spawners. Using image processing techniques, we extracted inter-circuli distances from scales from 2244 recaptured fish. Spacing data for the first year at sea were collected and then expressed as seasonal growth indices for the spring period, when post-smolts first enter the ocean; the summer, when growth appears maximal; and winter, when growth appears to be at a minimum. In general, circuli spacings were wider for 1 SW than for the 2 SW returns of the same smolt cohort. The 1 SW fraction was significantly and positively correlated with late summer growth, suggesting that growth during this season is pivotal in determining the proportion of a smolt class that matures early.     

Ontogenic development of surface ornamentation in the scales o fHemichromis bimaculatus (Cichlidae)

The scale surface of laboratory-raised Hemichromis bimaculatus selected from five age classes contains two regions, each characterized by a distinct ornamentation. The boundary between them corresponds to the anterior limit of the epidermis that covers the free region of the scale. In the overlapped region, the circuit and denticles are oriented toward the focus of the scale and form a classical pattern of ornamentation. During growth, the size of circuli and denticles does not change after they are formed. They appear stable at the species level and could thus be used in systematics. The ornamentation of the free region of the scale is composed of rounded tubercles, elongated ridges and sometimes ctenii. These structures appear long after the scales have been formed and thereafter grow and thicken throughout the life of the fish. The ontogenetic changes suggest that these characters should be used cautiously for taxonomic studies. The ridges of the scales of wild specimens are distinctly organized in a pattern that is lacking in laboratory specimens. Mechanical and hydrodynamical implications of the ornamentation are discussed.