New and rare species of snailfishes (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) collected during the ICEFISH cruise of 2004

During the ICEFISH cruise of 2004 13 specimens of the fish family Liparidae (Scorpaeniformes) were collected from Burdwood Bank and near South Georgia. These specimens, with the addition of three more from the King Edward Point Laboratory of the British Antarctic Survey, represent nine species. Two of these are new and are described herein: Careproctus stigmatogenus new species and C. maculosus new species; the second specimen of C. minimus Andriashev and Stein is reported and described, specimens of C. georgianus Lönnberg, C. falklandicus (Lönnberg), C. ?pallidus (Vaillant), Paraliparis copei gibbericeps Andriashev, P. gracilis Norman, and P. tetrapteryx Andriashev and Neelov are reported, and live color of C. georgianus, C. falklandicus, and P. tetrapteryx is described and shown.     

Diet induces phenotypic plasticity of Percichthys trucha (Valenciennes, 1833) (Perciformes,Percichthyidae) in Patagonia

The South American fish genus Percichthys, due to its great morphological variation, has included several nominal species throughout a long history. However, current genetic analyses signal the existence of only two extant species, Percichthys melanops Girard in Chile (west of the Andes) and P. trucha (Valenciennes) in Chile and Argentina (west and east of the Andes). Here the morphological variation of free embryos, larvae, and juveniles of P. trucha was analyzed using linear measurements and geometric morphometrics. Early morphological variation and compensatory growth were examined using sibling free embryos and larva. Morphological consequences of experimentally controlled food treatments were explored in juveniles. Our results showed individual variation in the size of the yolk-sac of free embryos and in the duration of the mixed feeding period. Phenotypic convergence of the upper jaw length from larva to juveniles and adults, and the causal relationship between diet and head shape was found to change as a consequence of controlled feeding. Embryonic, larval, and juvenile morphological variation and phenotypic plasticity observed in P. trucha pinpoint a possible cause for the shape variation observed in the wild. Phenotypic plasticity allows P. trucha to exploit different trophic resources and to occupy different habitats in low biodiversity lakes of Patagonia, being a major factor taking part in the past and present success of P. trucha.     

Interannual variability in the feeding of ice fish (Notothenioidei, Channichthyidae) in the southern Scotia Arc and the Antarctic Peninsula region (CCAMLR Subareas 48.1 and 48.2)

We have studied the annual variation in food intake of three sub-Antarctic ice fish species (Champsocephalus gunnari, Chaenocephalus aceratus, and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus) and three high-Antarctic ice fish species (Chionodraco rastrospinosus, Cryodraco antarcticus, and Chaenodraco wilsoni). Stomach content analyses were conducted during bottom trawl surveys around the South Shetland Islands in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2007, the South Orkney Islands in 1999 and 2009, and off the north-western Antarctic Peninsula in 2002, 2006, and 2006/2007 in order to obtain further insight into the amount of food of Antarctic demersal fish consume during summer. Annual variation in food intake was comparatively low within an area in the krill-feeding species C. gunnari and C. wilsoni. Food intake was much more variable, by a factor of 2 or 3 among years and areas, in larger C. aceratus and C. antarcticus, which rely heavily on fish as their dietary source. Food consumption was intermediate in the two species P. georgianus and C. rastrospinosus, which rely on both krill and fish.     

Age and growth of black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Sparidae) in Hong Kong and adjacent waters of the northern South China Sea

Age and growth of the black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (family Sparidae) from the northern South China Sea (NSCS) were studied by reading growth rings in sectioned sagittal otoliths. Ring formation frequency was determined to be annual by using marginal increment analysis. The von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were estimated as: L_∞ = 43.7 cm L_S; K =0.22 year; t₀ = ?1.59 years. Functional males are significantly younger than functional females, with sexually transitional individuals between the modal ages of males and females supporting protandry in this species. Males become sexually mature within 1 year and 50% age at sex change is at 2 years. The maximum age recorded for both males and females sampled was 9 years which is lower than for conspecifics elsewhere and may reflect high fishing pressure in the study area when compared with conspecifics in other areas or could reflect latitudinal effects. Otolith mass was significantly and positively related to age, providing a cheap and quick alternative method for approximating age. Acanthopagrus schlegelii is a relatively fast‐growing and rapidly maturing species attaining a similar asymptotic length to conspecifics. A need for fishery management is indicated to protect both young juveniles and older adults, especially females, to increase reproductive output and safeguard fishery production.     

Length–weight relationships for the family Triglidae in the Adriatic Sea,northeastern Mediterranean

Length–weight relationships were estimated for the first time for seven species of gurnards (Triglidae) based on data collected over the past 27 years in the Adriatic Sea (northeast Mediterranean). Results show significantly different relationships between juveniles and adults (females and males combined) for Aspitrigla cuculus, Eutrigla gurnardus, Chelidonichthys lucerna and Lepidotrigla cavillone. Isometric growth of juveniles is indicated for four species, allometric growth of adults for all species.     

Periodicity of the growth-band formation in vertebrae of juvenile scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from the Mexican Pacific Ocean

The age of 296 juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks Sphyrna lewini caught by several fisheries in the Mexican Pacific Ocean from March 2007 to September 2017 were estimated from growth band counts in thin-sectioned vertebrae. Marginal-increment analysis (MIA) and centrum-edge analysis (CEA) were used to verify the periodicity of formation of the growth bands, whereas elemental profiles obtained from LA-ICP-MS transect scans in vertebrae of 15 juveniles were used as an alternative approach to verify the age of the species for the first time. Age estimates ranged from 0 to 10+ years (42–158.7 cm total length; L_T). The index of average percentage error (I_APE 3.6%), CV (5.2%), bias plots and Bowker's tests of symmetry showed precise and low-biased age estimation. Both MIA and CEA indicated that in the vertebrae of juveniles of S. lewini a single translucent growth band was formed during winter (November–March) and an opaque band during summer (July–September), a period of faster growth, apparently correlated with a higher sea surface temperature. Peaks in vertebral P and Mn content spatially corresponded with the annual banding pattern in most of the samples, displaying 1.19 and 0.88 peaks per opaque band, respectively, which closely matched the annual deposition rate observed in this study. Although the periodicity of growth band formation needs to be verified for all sizes and ages representing the population of the species in the region, this demonstration of the annual formation of the growth bands in the vertebrae of juveniles should lead to a re-estimation of the growth parameters and productivity of the population to ensure that it is harvested at sustainable levels.     

Effect of the degree of autotomy on feeding, growth, and reproductive capacity in the multi-armed sea star Heliaster helianthus

The term autotomy refers to the process by which some species lose limbs or parts of limbs in response to adverse biotic or abiotic conditions, as for example, predation or abnormally high temperatures. The multi-armed sea star Heliaster helianthus is a key predator of the intertidal and the shallow rocky subtidal communities of north-central Chile. Natural populations of this sea star have been found with up to 60% of the individuals showing some degree of autotomy. The present study evaluated the effects of autotomy on feeding rate and growth of juvenile and adult H. helianthus after experimentally induced autotomy of 17% and 33% of their arms, as well as on the energy content of the pyloric caeca and gonads of adults during the reproductive period. Experimental juvenile sea stars were maintained and fed in the laboratory over a period of five months and adult sea stars for one month, Intact individuals were maintained as parallel controls. The results showed that juveniles undergoing 33% autotomy decreased their feeding rates, and as a consequence showed lowered net individual growth. In contrast, adults with 17% and 33% autotomy showed marked reductions in feeding. The results showed that autotomized adults had between five and seven times lower contents of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins (and thus energetic content) in their pyloric caeca and gonads. The loss of the arms not only decreased the capacity for feeding in sea stars, but also allocated energy away from growth and reproduction into the process of regeneration of arms. This suggests that autotomy reduces the fitness of H. helianthus. Growth was reduced in the juveniles, while adults became limited in their ability to store energy which then limited their reproductive potential. Finally, based on the important effect of autotomy on reducing the feeding capacity of H. helianthus, the role of this sea star as a predator in the environment may be strongly affected.     

鄱阳湖越冬白鹤家庭行为

2012年11月至2013年3月,采用焦点取样法,对在江西鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区内越冬的白鹤(Grus leucogeranus)家庭行为进行了研究。结果表明,以家庭为活动单位的白鹤群,成年白鹤活动时间分配比例为:取食80.9%、警戒10.5%、理羽4.0%、游走3.9%、其他0.7%;越冬早期,成年白鹤游走行为的日节律呈现早、晚高,中午低,低谷在10:30~12:30时;越冬晚期,13:00~14:00时出现明显的取食低谷及警戒、游走和理羽的高峰;而越冬早期、中期的理羽高峰出现在14:00~15:00时;成年白鹤雄性与雌性的活动时间分配比例差异不显著;越冬期早、中、晚三个时期,成年白鹤的警戒(F=3.45,P=0.040)、理羽(F=6.99, P=0.001)及游走(F=7.79, P=0.001)行为比例差异显著。幼鹤活动时间分配比例与成年白鹤差异非常显著。幼鹤活动时间分配比例为:取食66.2%、乞食14.0%、警戒3.7%、理羽5.4%、游走3.6%、其他7.1%。雄性成鹤对幼鹤的喂饲频次呈递减趋势,雌性成鹤对幼鹤的喂饲频次从11月底到12月初呈上升趋势,12月中旬以后呈递减状态。整个越冬期,雄、雌成鹤喂饲幼鹤频次无显著性别差异(P=0.340),但越冬中期(P<0.001)及晚期(P=0.005)表现出极显著差异。随着幼鹤的成长,其活动时间节律发生较大变化;幼鹤取食行为比例明显增加,同时其乞食行为的比例显著减少,警戒行为比例显著增加。本次研究从行为学的角度展示了成年白鹤性别差异、幼鹤的生长过程及成鹤对幼鹤生长的重要性。     

Description of Harpagifer permitini sp. nova (Harpagiferidae) from the sublittoral zone of South Georgia and redescription of the littoral H. georgianus Nybelin

Comparative morphology of Antarctic spiny plunderfishes of the genus Harpagifer from the littoral and sublittoral zones off South Georgia (Scotia Sea) is investigated. A new species H. permitini from the depth 65–80 m is described and the littoral H. georgianus Nybelin, 1947 is redescribed. The significant differences in their morphology are shown. Two morphological and bathopathic forms (“soft” and “spiny”) of spiny plunder-fishes are characterized.     

The distribution of Stichaeus ochriamkini Taranetz, 1935 (Pisces: Stichaeidae) in the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan and some data on its biology

The distribution and biology of Stichaeus ochriamkini in the Peter the Great Bay was studied. Based on SCUBA diving observations and trawl catches, it was revealed that S. ochriamkini occurs at depths from 2 to 157 m, mostly on sand bottoms. The fish??s body length (TL) ranged from 20 to 162 mm. The juveniles (TL up to 60 mm) inhabited depths of 2?C9 m under water temperatures of 9.6?C22.0°C and the adults inhabited depths from 25 to 157 m at water temperatures of 1.1?C2.1°C. S. ochriamkini spawned in the Peter the Great Bay, probably in September?COctober.     

Diet,intestinal morphology,and nitrogen assimilation efficiency in the damselfish,Stegastes lividus,in Guam

Synopsis Analysis of stomach contents of Stegastes lividus revealed a shift from omnivory in juveniles to herbivory in adults. Red algae, primarily Polysiphonia spp., Gelidiopsis intricata and Ceramium spp., formed the bulk of the diet in all size classes. Foraminifera and small crustaceans were of particular importance in the diet of juveniles. Net nitrogen assimilation efficiency of field-fed S. lividus was approximately 61%, and did not vary with fish size. The net assimilation efficiencies of fish fed on Enteromorpha in the laboratory ranged from size-class means of 36–79% for nitrogen and from 29–72% for total organic material, and increased from juveniles to adults. Apparently, juveniles compensate for a lower efficiency in assimilating plant food by including a higher percentage of animal material in their natural diets. The ratios of intestine length to standard length (IL/SL) and to intestine diameter (IL/ID) increased rapidly in juveniles and leveled off in adults. The retention time for ingested food items may only be about one-half as long in juveniles as in adults. The combination of observed IL/ID ratios and estimated retention times proved most valuable in the interpretation of ontogenetic changes in feeding habits and assimilation efficiency.     

An exceptional Pleistocene specimen of Panochthus Burmeister (Xenarthra, Glyptodontoidea) from Bolivia: Its contribution to the understanding of the Early-Middle Pleistocene Panochthini

Knowledge of the Early-Middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan Age/Stage ; ca. 1.8-0.4 Ma) South American Glyptodontidae (Cingulata) is still poor compared with the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene taxa (Lujanian Age/Stage). This is especially true for the Glyptodontidae Panochthini, in which it is possible to recognize two Ensenadan species from the Pampean region of Argentina, Panochthus intermedius and P. subintermedius, known only by their type material. Prior to this contribution, the knowledge of P. intermedius, a taxon with biostratigraphic importance for being considered as a guide taxon of the Ensenadan Age/Stage of South America, was limited to a dorsal carapace. The finding of an exceptional almost complete specimen from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of Bolivia has allowed us to greatly improve the morphological characterization of this species, and discuss some taxonomic aspects related to the other Ensenadan Panochthini. This specimen represents the most completely known Panochthini and one of the most complete Glyptodontidae from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of South America.     

The enigmatic molar from Gondolin, South Africa: Implications for Paranthropus paleobiology

The specific attribution of the large hominin M₂ (GDA-2) from Gondolin has significant implications for the paleobiology of Paranthropus. If it is a specimen of Paranthropus robustus it impacts that species' size range, and if it belongs to Paranthropus boisei it has important biogeographic implications. We evaluate crown size, cusp proportions and the likelihood of encountering a large-bodied mammal species in both East and South Africa in the Early Pleistocene. The tooth falls well outside the P. robustus sample range, and comfortably within that for penecontemporaneous P. boisei. Analyses of sample range, distribution and variability suggest that it is possible, albeit unlikely to find a M₂ of this size in the current P. robustus sample. However, taphonomic agents - carnivore (particularly leopard) feeding behaviors - have likely skewed the size distribution of the Swartkrans and Drimolen P. robustus assemblage. In particular, assemblages of large-bodied mammals accumulated by leopards typically display high proportions of juveniles and smaller adults. The skew in the P. robustus sample is consistent with this type of assemblage. Morphological evidence in the form of cusp proportions is congruent with GDA-2 representing P. robustus rather than P. boisei. The comparatively small number of large-bodied mammal species common to both South and East Africa in the Early Pleistocene suggests a low probability of encountering an herbivorous australopith in both. Our results are most consistent with the interpretation of the Gondolin molar as a very large specimen of P. robustus. This, in turn, suggests that large, presumptive male, specimens are rare, and that the levels of size variation (sexual dimorphism) previously ascribed to this species are likely to be gross underestimates.     

Feeding habitats of the Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, in the Suwannee and Yellow rivers, Florida, as identified by multiple stable isotope analyses

Stable ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ³⁴S isotopes were analyzed to define the feeding habitats of Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi in the Suwannee and Yellow River populations. For the majority (93.9%) of Suwannee subadults and adults, ¹³C and ³⁴S signatures indicate use of nearshore marine waters as primary winter feeding habitat, probably due to the limiting size of the Suwannee Sound estuary. In the Yellow River population, ¹³C isotope signatures indicate that adults remain primarily within Pensacola Bay estuary to feed in winter, rather than emigrating to the open Gulf of Mexico. A minor Suwannee River subset (6% of samples), comprised of juveniles and subadults, displayed ¹³C signatures indicating continued feeding in freshwater during the spring immigration and fall emigration periods. This cannot be interpreted as incidental feeding since it resulted in a 20.5% turnover in tissue ??¹³C signatures over a 1?C3?month period. Cessation of feeding in the general population does not coincide with high river water temperatures. The hypothesis of reduced feeding in freshwater due to localized prey depletion as a result of spatial activity restriction is not supported by the present study. Instead, Suwannee River A. o. desotoi appear to follow two trophic alternatives; 1) complete cessation of feeding immediately upon immigration in spring, continuing through emigration 8?C9?months later (the predominant alternative); 2) continued intensive feeding for 1?C3?months following immigration, switching to freshwater prey, selected primarily from high trophic levels (i.e., large prey). Stable ??³⁴S data verifies that recently immigrated, fully-anadromous A. o. desotoi adults had fed in nearshore marine waters, not offshore waters.     

New and rare snailfishes (Liparidae,Scorpaeniformes) with the description of four new species from the Southern Hemisphere and tropical east Pacific

New and rare liparid fishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) are found and described. Careproctus armatus Andriashev, 1991 sampled off the South Sandwich Islands (at a depth 2281–2369 m); it is the second record of the species. Four species are collected in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands: Careproctus parini Andriashev et Prirodina, 1990 (off King George Island, 573–861 m), Paraliparis meganchus Andriashev, 1982 (off Elephant Island, 559 m), P. monoporus Andriashev et Neyelov, 1979 (off Elephant Island, 559 m) and Paraliparis specimens, most similar to P. tompkinsae Andriashev, 1992 (off King George Island, 766–861 m). Paraliparis charcoti Duhamel, 1992 recorded at the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (475–633 m). Paraliparis, most similar to P. tetrapteryx Andriashev et Neelov, 1979, found in the Southwestern Atlantic (1200 m). Four new species are described. Paraliparis porcus sp. nov. based on one male SL 85 mm from off the South Shetland Islands (Elephant Island, 332–374 m). Paraliparis acutidens sp. nov. described from the juvenile SL 115 mm, sampled in the western part of the Scotia Sea (3721–3723 m). Paraliparis kocki sp. nov. known from 3 adults caught in the depression of the Bransfield Strait (1914–1920 m), isolated from the Weddell Sea by shallower waters. The only specimen of the Paraliparis mexicanus sp. nov. collected in the tropical Pacific off Mexico at depth not more than 900 m.     

Age,growth, and reproductive biology of blacktail snapper,Lutjanus fulvus,around the Yaeyama Islands,Okinawa, Japan

Age, growth, and reproductive characteristics of blacktail snapper, Lutjanus fulvus, which is a commercial fish species, were investigated using 322 specimens (40–332 mm in fork length) caught around the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan. Spawning season was estimated to be from April to October, and spawning was confirmed around the full moon and the last quarter moon. Age determination using sectioned otoliths revealed that ages ranged from 0 to 34 years and the majority was ≥ 3 years. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were estimated to be L _∞  = 270 mm, k = 0.40, and t ₀  = ?0.48 years for females, and 257 mm, 0.44, and ?0.42 years for males. Initial growth was rapid during the first 3 years, attaining over 200 mm for both sexes, and then females grew larger than males. Sizes (ages) at the first sexual maturity were 225 mm (4 years) for females and 207 mm (3 years) for males. The wide range of age composition in catch with majority of ≥3 years old implied that the current fishing effort to harvest was not sufficiently large enough to collapse the stock immediately.     

Age estimation,growth and maturity of the Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi Marini, 1933) along the northernmost limit of its distribution in the south-western Atlantic

Age, growth and length-at-maturity of the Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) were studied in the northernmost limit of the species distribution in the south-western Atlantic. A total of 351 otoliths and information from 1610 specimens sampled from the industrial double-rig trawl landings between May 2013 and April 2014 were used. Age and growth were estimated by counting and measuring increments in sectioned sagittae otoliths, and length at maturity was estimated based on macroscopic gonadal analysis. For both sexes, hepatosomatic index and condition index increased mainly during spring, reaching a maximum at the end of summer before the subsequent spawning season began. Gonadosomatic index was highest in April, believed to correspond with peak spawning. The annual periodicity of alternate opaque and translucent zones was validated by marginal increment analysis. Growth curves were fitted to back-calculated size at age by fitting the three-parameters von Bertalanffy growth function. The maximum age was 5 years in fish of either sex. Females attained larger sizes than males. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equations were: L∞?=?533?mm, k?=?0.231 year^?1 and t₀?=??0.935 year for females; L∞?=?394?mm, k?=?0.405 year^?1 and t₀?=??0.463 year for males. The mean length and age at first maturity was 273?mm at 1.9 years for males and 274?mm at 2.0 years for females.     

A panel of microsatellite loci from two species of octopus, Pareledone turqueti (Joubin, 1905) and Pareledone charcoti (Joubin, 1905)

Eighteen dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from two octopus species, Pareledone turqueti and Pareledone charcoti, which are endemic to the Southern Ocean. Genetic diversity was assessed in samples of P. charcoti and P. turqueti from Elephant Island and Shag Rocks respectively. All except one locus (which has proved to be polymorphic in other species) were variable in the focal species and amplified between six and 30 and between four and 28 alleles for P. charcoti and P. turqueti respectively; mean expected heterozygosities varied between 0.38 and 0.95 (P. charcoti) and between 0.34 and 0.97 (P. turqueti), with significant (P < 0.05) departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at seven loci; three of these loci provided significant (P < 0.05) evidence for null alleles. Two pairs of loci isolated from P. turqueti demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) linkage disequilibrium. We are presently using these genetic markers to quantify spatial genetic structure in the genus Pareledone.     

Carnivory during Ontogeny of the Plagioscion squamosissimus: A Successful Non-Native Fish in a Lentic Environment of the Upper Paraná River Basin

This study evaluated feeding patterns and ontogenetic variations in a non-native fish species (Plagioscion squamosissimus) in an isolated lake in the Upper Paraná River floodplain. Quarterly samplings were performed from April 2005 to February 2006 using plankton nets to capture larvae, seining nets for juveniles, and gill nets and trammel for adults. Stomach contents (n = 378) were examined according to the volumetric method in which the volume of each food item was estimated using graduated test tubes or a glass counting plate. During early development (larval stage), P. squamosissimus consumed mainly Cladocera and Copepoda. Juveniles showed a more diverse diet, including shrimp (Macrobrachium amazonicum), fish, aquatic insects (Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae and pupae of Diptera) and plants. It was notable the high proportion of cannibalism (23.3%) in this stage. Adults consumed predominantly shrimp and fish. The use of food resources varied significantly between development stages (ANOSIM; r = 0.458; p<0.005), showing changes in food preferences during ontogeny. The Similarity Percentage Analysis (SIMPER) indicated that Cladocera and Copepoda were responsible for the differences observed between the larval stages of pre-flexion, flexion and post-flexion. M. amazonicum and Chironomidae were responsible for the differences between juvenile and larval stages, while M. amazonicum and other fishes caused the differences between adults and other ontogenetic stages. These results are confirmed by the relationship between standard length and developmental periods (ANCOVA; r² = 0.94; p<0.0001). In general, there were low values of trophic niche breadth. The essentially carnivorous habit from the early stages of P. squamosissimus and the predominant use of M. amazonicum by adults have important roles in feeding patterns of the species, suggesting a major contribution to its success and establishment, especially in lentic environments.     

Growth and production of Euphausia lucens in the southern Benguela Current

The growth rate of a population of Euphausia lucens from thewest coast of South Africa was estimated from laboratory studiesand from monthly size-frequency distributions of samples collectedover a 1-year period. Laboratory studies indicated that growthrates ranged from 0.131 (larvae) to 0.047 mm day^–1 (juveniles),while size-frequency distributions suggested a growth rate of{small tilde}0.026 mm day^–1 for the adults. The mean annualbiomass from the inshore, intermediate and offshore regionsranged from 9.75 to 47.29 mg dry wt m^–3 with the highestbiomass being found in the inshore region. Calyptopis larvaewere present for most months of the year, indicating continuousrecrwtment. The relative contribution of flesh, moults and eggsto the total annual production was estimated separately forall three regions. Production due to growth (P_g) was estimatedto be 92.71–185.60 mg dry wt m^–3 year^–1, whileexuviai production (P_e) varied between 60.01 and 281.38 mg drywt m year Production of eggs (P_r) was estimated to range from5.07 to 12.39 mg dry wt m year the lowest value being obtainedin the inshore region. Moult production represented {small tilde}6times the mean biomass in each region, while the P/B ratio forflesh production varied from 3.92 to 8.91, the highest ratiobeing obtained in the offshore region. Total P/B ratios rangedfrom 10.14 to 16.01.