The species of Pseudaphya (Teleostei: Gobiidae) and the evolution of aphyiine gobies

The Mediterranean gobiid genus Pseudaphya Iljin, 1930, formerly containing two nominal species, the type Ps. ferreri (O. De Buen & Page, 1908) and Ps. pelagica De Buen, 1931, is now believed to be monotypic after examination of Adriatic material originally identified as Gobius pusillus Canestrini, 1861. The last is here provisionally regarded as Pomato-schistus knerii (Steindachner, 1861). The genus Pseudaphya is redefined, with additional osteological features, and its single species, Ps. ferreri , redescribed. In comparison with other small transparent gobiids, Pseudaphya is shown to possess certain primitive features and a possible mode of evolution for this group of tiny gobies by neoteny from postlarvae of hill-stream sicydiines is discussed. An origin from less specialized gobiines seems more acceptable.     

Isozyme criteria in the testing of phyletic relationships between species of Gobius and related eastern Atlantic-Mediterranean genera (Teleostei: Gobüdae)

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was employed to investigate allozyme variation at 19 isozyme loci, in nine closely-related Atlantic-Mediterranean gobiid fish species, to assess genetic relationships, and to compare this with a phyletic hypothesis based on morphological apo-morphies. The species examined were Gobius niger, G. auratus, G. cruentatus, G. paganellus, Mauligobius maderensis, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, Thorogobius ephippiatus, Padogobius martensii and P. nigricans . Various phenetic and cladistic analyses were performed on isozyme and morphological data. The phenetic and cladistic results from morphological data, and the cladistic results from isozyme data, were largely comparable, with P. martensü and P. nigricans forming a sister group to all the other taxa, species of Cobius forming a crown group within the latter, and stem lines formed by Mauligobius, Zosterisessor and Thorogobius , respectively. The isozymic estimates of genetic distance differed from these chiefly in the relative positions of Zosterisessor and G. auratus , which appear less similar to other species of Gohius. G. auratus shows many alleles which are unique within the genus Gobius ; possible explanations for this are put forward. The position of nigricans as congeneric with Padogobius martensü is confirmed by both phenetic and cladistic analyses of isozyme data.     

The endurance of endemism: the Mediterranean freshwater gobies and their prospects for survival

Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae), spawning in fresh waters of the Mediterranean catchment area, are listed, and their diagnostic features and relationships summarized. The species, by zoogeographic category, include (i) Mediterranean: Padogobius martensii (Günther, 1861) and P. nigricans (Canestrini, 1867) from the northern Adriatic and west-central Italy, (ii) West Balkanian: Economidichthys pygmaeus (Holly, 1929) and E. trichonis Economidis & Miller, 1990, and (iii) Ponto-Caspian: Prorerorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1811) and Knipowitschia caucasica (Kawrajsky, in Berg, 1916), from the northern Aegean area but otherwise widespread in the Ponto-Caspian region, and the endemic Mediterranean K. punctatissima (Canestrini, 1864) (north-eastern Italy) and K. thessala (Vinciguerra, 1921) (Thessaly). Scenarios for differentiation following the late Miocene Messinian salinity crisis are outlined. The vulnerability of these species is discussed, and their present status reviewed. Populations no longer exist at the precise type localities of E. pygmaeus (Lefkas) and K. thessala (Hasabali spring, Pinios river system). Special features of scientific and cultural interest are noted, and the biological capability for species recovery is assessed.     

A new record of Gobius jarosi (Teleostei,Gobiidae) from the Early Miocene of Poland with inference to paleogeography and palaeoecology of the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

Gobies (family Gobiidae) were in the past and now important components of marine ecosystems as an essential part of the food chain. However, the early fossil record of this group is relatively meager, with only scarce skeletal remains. The oldest known representative of the genus Gobius has been recently described from the Early Miocene of Czech Republic as Gobius jarosi P?ikryl & Reichenbacher, 2018. Here we present a detailed study of a well-preserved goby skeleton of the same age from the Harta locality (Poland). This specimen is assumed as belonging to Gobius jarosi based on its almost complete morphological and meristic identity with the type material from the Vá?any nad Litavou locality. Some aspects of the paleogeography and paleoecology of the Early Miocene fish assemblage from Harta with special reference to the Carpathian Basin are also discussed in this paper.     

A new West Balkanian sand-goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

A new species of West Balkanian freshwater sand-goby Pomatoschistus montenegrensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the Morača River, southern Montenegro, and shown to be related to the euryhaline Adriatic Pomatoschistus canestrinii . The generic status of these two species is discussed with reference to the limits of Pomatoschistus (type Gobius minutus ) and the status of a subgenus [ Ninnigobius (type-species Gobius canestrini )]. The habitat and the local distribution of the new species are described.     

The occurrence of the rock goby, Gobius paganellus L. 1758 and the two-spot goby, Chaparrudo flavescens (Fabricius,1779) in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex (S.E. England)

The capture of a rock goby, Gobius paganellus , and two-spot gobies, Chaparrudo flavescens from the upper Blackwater Estuary during the autumn of 1974 is reported. Reasons for their presence are discussed, since this appears to be the first record of Gobius paganellus in the North Sea .     

Acoustic communication in two freshwater gobies: the relationship between ambient noise,hearing thresholds and sound spectrum

Two freshwater gobies Padogobius martensii and Gobius nigricans live in shallow (5-70 cm) stony streams, and males of both species produce courtship sounds. A previous study demonstrated high noise levels near waterfalls, a quiet window in the noise around 100 Hz at noisy locations, and extremely short-range propagation of noise and goby signals. To investigate the relationship of this acoustic environment to communication, we determined audiograms for both species and measured parameters of courtship sounds produced in the streams. We also deflated the swimbladder in P. martensii to determine its effect on frequency utilization in sound production and hearing. Both species are maximally sensitive at 100 Hz and produce low-frequency sounds with main energy from 70 to 100-150 Hz. Swimbladder deflation does not affect auditory threshold or dominant frequency of courtship sounds and has no or minor effects on sound amplitude. Therefore, both species utilize frequencies for hearing and sound production that fall within the low-frequency quiet region, and the equivalent relationship between auditory sensitivity and maximum ambient noise levels in both species further suggests that ambient noise shapes hearing sensitivity.     

The autosomal dominant trait of obesity, acanthosis nigricans, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and diabetes type 2.

OBJECTIVE: Among obese subjects, acanthosis nigricans in both males and females is not as uncommon as previously thought. Whereas this finding was extensively evaluated in females, mostly in the context of polycystic ovaries syndrome, little attention has been paid to obese males with acanthosis nigricans. As acanthosis seems to be a marker for insulin resistance, the present study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that the clinical syndrome of obesity and acanthosis would take a different clinical course than that of simple obesity. METHODS: To characterize the course of acanthosis nigricans and obesity in males, we examined 22 children and adolescents with this complex, together with their parents and grandparents and found them to follow a detrimental sequence of the metabolic syndrome. We compared the findings to 13 age-matched males with obesity but no clinical apparent acanthosis nigricans. We analyzed the clinical course, fat distribution, glucose, insulin and C-peptide and lipoproteins. RESULTS: Onset of obesity in the metabolic syndrome group was at a mean age of 6.4 years, as compared to 2.3 years in the controls. The metabolic syndrome patients had a truncal (android) distribution of fat and their fasting blood glucose was significantly higher. HDL/total cholesterol was lower. Examination of the pedigrees suggested autosomal dominant inheritance of the obesity and acanthosis nigricans complex, extending to hypertension and ischemic heart disease in the parents' generation, and further extending to include diabetes type 2 in the grandparents' generation. CONCLUSIONS: This metabolic syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, with onset of truncal obesity at age 6-7 years, acanthosis nigricans during childhood or adolescence, extending to hypertension and ischemic heart disease during young adulthood, and further extending to include diabetes type 2 in late adulthood. It is recommended that such children should be followed up as an 'at-risk' group, and would probably benefit from intensive weight reduction, which may prevent the later manifestations of the syndrome.     

Cytogenetic analysis of a Mediterranean Gobiid fish Gobius paganellus L., 1758 from Turkey

In this study, cytogenetic analysis of Gobius paganellus, a Mediterranean Gobiid fish from the southern coast of Turkey, was carried out by modified air-dried technique. Phytohemaglutinine pretreatment was performed before the conventional air-dried technique to increase the mitotic index. Chromosomes were obtained using gill tissue. As a result, it was determined that the diploid chromosome number of Gobius paganellus is 2n = 44 (NF = 45), comprising one large metacentric and 43 acrocentric chromosomes.     

Evidence for domestication of Lens nigricans (M.Bieb.) Godron in S Europe

Evidence for domestication of Lens nigricans (M.Bieb.) Godron in S Europe. Small disjunct populations of the wild lentil Lens nigricans were found in secondary and man-made habitats throughout S Europe. Much larger populations of this species were found in primary habitats in SE Spain, S Italy and along the Adriatic coast of Yugoslavia. The majority of the L. nigricans populations were cytogenetically alike. One population differed from them by one reciprocal translocation, and another two by four chromosomal rearrangements. The L. nigricans accessions from S Europe were invariably cross-incompatible with L. nigricans of the Middle-East and with the cultivated lentil L. culinaris. The latter two were cross-compatible and their hybrids partially fertile. The existence of small L. nigricans populations in man-made habitats was interpreted as escapes from cultivation. Being cross-incompatible with L. culinaris these L. nigricans populations apparently were derived from a domesticated form of L. nigricans.     

Length–weight relationships of 17 less-studied fish species from Çanakkale, Marmara region of Turkey

This study reports length–weight relationships for 17 cryptic and rare species, Aidablennius sphynx , Arnoglossus kessleri , Callionymus pusillus , Callionymus risso , Clinitrachus argentatus , Echiichthys vipera , Gobius geniporus , Gobius paganellus , Labrus viridis , Lepadogaster lepadogaster , Ophidion barbatum , Pomatoschistus minutus , Pomatoschistus pictus , Salaria pavo , Tripterygion delaisi , Tripterygion tripteronotus and Zebrus zebrus from Çanakkale near shores in the Marmara region of Turkey.     

Features of the structure of the cornea of fish]

Electron microscopy of the cornea have been performed in marine fishes. Some structural peculiarities in the cornea of prebottom-dwelling fishes have been demonstrated. In Gobius fluviatilis (Pallas), Gobius (Proterorhinus) marmoratus (Pallas), glossa Platichthys flesus (L) the cornea is double and there is an iridescent layer. It is stated that cells of the iridescent layer play an active part in the formation of the endothelial basal membrane. In Syngnathus nigrolineatus, according to its living conditions, the cornea has a rather simple composition and structure. In the cornea of fishes either epithelial or endothelial basal membrane (Gobiidae, Syngnathus nigrolineatus) or a wide electron opaque epithelial membrane (Blennius tentacularis) or else, besides this, the Bowmen membrane (glossa) can be formed.     

Reproduction and recruitment of sympatric fish species on an intertidal rocky shore

The reproductive cycle of seven common species (Gobius paganellus, Gobius bucchichi, Gobius cobitis, Parablennius sanguinolentus, Salaria pavo, Tripterygion tartessicum and Symphodus roissali) on rocky shores in the Gulf of Cadiz and their relationship with the sea surface temperature (SST) is analysed. Partial data on Scorpaena porcus are also given. Fecundity of these short lifespan species shows a positive linear correlation between the number of oocytes and an increase in female size. Spawnings are concentrated in the first 7 months of the year. An analysis of reproductive growth with respect to SST shows that water temperature in the winter months affects the timing of the onset of reproduction in most species. Recruitment is takes place throughout the year, but a temporal segregation within different families occurs in their spawning as well as recruitment.     

Weight‐length relationships for five fish species from a temperate coastal lagoon of southern Europe

The weight‐length relationships (WLR) were estimated for five fish species of Ria Formosa, a coastal lagoon in southern Portugal. WLRs for Gobius couchi, Pomatoschistus microps and Parablennius pilicornis were determined for the first time ever and for Gobius cruentatus for the first time for the southern European Atlantic coast.     

Hyperinsulinemia Associated With Acanthosis Nigricans,Finger Pebbles,Acrochordons, And The Sign Of Leser-Trélat

ObjectiveTo review common skin manifestations associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and to discuss a potential underlying mechanism for these manifestations.MethodsA PubMed literature search was conducted for articles describing the skin manifestations associated with hyperinsulinemia and type 2 DM. A case presentation describes a morbidly obese patient with type 2 DM treated with metformin who developed acanthosis nigricans, finger pebbles, scores of skin tags (acrochordons), and the sign of LeserTrelat (sudden onset shower of seborrheic keratoses) in the absence of internal malignancy.ResultsAcanthosis nigricans, acrochordons, and finger pebbles have been associated with type 2 DM and obesity. While the LeserTrelat sign is classically associated with internal malignancy, it can also be idiopathic. To our knowledge, this the first report of the occurrence of the LeserTrelat sign in a patient with DM absent internal malignancy.ConclusionSeveral skin manifestations can be seen in this patient with DM because of underlying insulin resistance and subsequent stimulation of insulinlike growth factor receptors. Management strategies could include weight loss, diet, and insulinsensitizing pharmacologic therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:522525)