Body Size,Age Structure,Growth, and Maturation of Black Scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus (Scorpaenidae) from Southwestern Crimea (Black Sea)

Journal of Ichthyology - The body size and age structure, as well as the features of growth and sexual maturation, of black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus from the coastal waters of southwestern...     

Age and Growth of the Black Scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) under Anthropogenic Pressure in the Black Sea

Journal of Ichthyology - Age structure and growth dynamics are examined for the black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758, from three sites characterized by different levels of pollution:...     

Primary Structure of Insulin of the Black Sea Rockfish Scorpaena porcus

Insulin of the Black Sea rockfish Scorpaena porcus was isolated, purified, and the primary sequence has been determined. The hormone amino acid sequence has been established: the A chain—GIVEQCCNRPCNIFDLQNYCN, and the B chain—AAGPQHLCGSHLVDALYLVCGDRGFFYNPK. The rockfish insulin, in comparison with the human one, has 14 amino acid substitutions; an additional alanine is present at the N-terminal of the B-chain, whereas the 30th amino acid at the C-terminal is absent. In in vitro experiment, the 50% inhibition of the pork ¹²⁵I-insulin binding to the rat liver plasma membrane was 4 nM, i.e., 50% of the standard pork insulin affinity (2 nM) to the insulin receptors. The pork rockfish insulin biological activity as determined in the mouse convulsion test in vivo was 18 ± 2.2 ME/mg or 75% of the pork hormone activity. It is suggested that the relatively low rockfish insulin biological activity is due to the presence of A8 asparagine position in the hormone structure     

Age, growth and reproduction of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus (Pisces, Scorpaenidae), on the Black Sea coast of Turkey

Age, growth and reproduction of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus were studied in specimens from the coast of the Sinop Peninsula (Black Sea) between March 2002 and April 2003 in order to characterize these population parameters in comparison to specimens from populations of nearby regions. A total of 1086 specimens was captured by beam trawl at the depths between 0 and 30 m. The total number of females (510) was significantly higher than that of males (373). Total length of males and females ranged between 5.7 and 23.6 cm, and 4.9 and 31.7 cm, respectively. The length–weight relationship showed a positive allometric growth. Females grew faster and reached a larger size at age than males ( L _∞ = 111.9 cm, K  = 0.035 year⁻¹, φ' = 2.64 for females, and L _∞ = 74.6 cm, K  = 0.054 year⁻¹, φ' = 2.49 for males). The age range estimated was up to 8 years for females and 5 years for males. Reproduction likely occurs between June and September. Sex ratio varied greatly with season, perhaps indicating different seasonal migratory patterns in adults of different sex. An inverse correlation between gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) was evident during the reproduction seasons. The mean size at first sexual maturity was 17.5 cm TL for females, and 16.7 cm TL for males.     

Age, growth and food composition of Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the southeastern Black Sea

Samples of 525 Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758) were collected from the southeastern Black Sea between January 2002 and May 2003 for information on age, growth, length–weight relationships and stomach contents. Total length of sampled fish ranged from 4.6 to 22.9 cm and total weight from 1.3 to 220 g. The sex ratio (1 : 1.61) was biased toward females (P < 0.05). Positive allometric growth was determined in the collected samples. The length–weight relationship for all individuals was described by the parameters a  = 0.0149 and b  = 3.09, with r ² = 0.99. The sample was composed of five age-classes (0–7 years). Three growth models were used to identify the growth characteristics: von Bertalanffy,     ; logistic,     ; and Schnute and Richards,     . Among these, the Schnute and Richards model was best fitted to the data as     The diet was composed of Carcinus mediterraneus (18.2%), Crangon crangon (12.1%), unidentified crab species (10.6%), Gobius sp. (4.6%), Palaemon sp. (4.5%), Macropipus sp. (4.5%), Engraulis encrasicholus (1.5%), Gastropoda (1.5%), and unidentified remains (34.9%).     

Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Erythrocytes and the Methemoglobin Level in Blood of the Black Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus,Linnaeus 1758) Exposed to Acute Hypoxia

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - The effect of exposure to acute hypoxia on the level of methemoglobin (MtHb) in blood and the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in...     

Molecular identification and infection levels of Anisakis species (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa (Scorpaenidae) from the Aegean Sea

The red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa (Scorpaenidae) is a high commercial value marine fish species along the Mediterranean coasts. Anisakiasis is a fish–borne parasitic zoonoses caused by Anisakis larvae in consumers. To date, there are only a few epidemiological studies on the presence and molecular identification of Anisakis larvae infecting S. scrofa. A total of 272 S. scrofa captured from the Gulf of Izmir in the Turkish Aegean coasts (FAO 37.3.1) were examined for Anisakis larvae between March 2019 and March 2020. The prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of Anisakis larvae were 9.6% (95% CI 6.5–13.7%), 2.8 (95% CI 1.88–5.19), and 0.27 (95% CI 0.15–0.56), respectively. All Anisakis larvae were collected from the viscera and body cavity of S. scrofa. Anisakis pegreffii, A. typica, and A. ziphidarum were genetically identified by RFLP analysis of the ITS region. These species were also confirmed by cox2 sequence analysis. A weak positive and statistically significant correlation between the total length (ρS 0.204; p = 0.001) and total weight (ρS 0.200; p = 0.001) of S. scrofa and the number of Anisakis larvae was observed. This survey presents the first molecular detection of A. typica and A. ziphidarum in S. scrofa. Thus, this fish species is a new host for A. typica and A. ziphidarum. This is also the first report of the presence of A. ziphidarum in the Aegean Sea.     

Testicular structure and semicystic spermatogenesis in a specialized ovuliparous species: Scorpaena notata (Pisces, Scorpaenidae)

Study of the histology and ultrastructure of the testes of Scorpaena notata reveals some unusual features in the most basic form of oviparity, termed ovuliparity. Distribution of spermatogonia and subsequent stages of development are consistent with an intermediate type of testes, somewhere between the restricted and unrestricted types. Spermatogenesis is semicystic, a feature rarely found in fish, which may account for the high vacuole count found both in the various spermatogenic phases and in the Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells cover the interior of the testicular lobes and have an initial phase of secretion. They go on to penetrate the lobular lumen and become phagosomes. The spermatozoon has a relatively long midpiece and is surrounded by large quantities of seminal fluid. The sperm makes its way from the central sperm duct to a series of peripheral ducts, where the sperm line up with their heads toward the epithelium and their tails toward the lumen. All indications are that this orientation facilitates the release of sperm onto the gelatinous mass of eggs, and that this could be linked to this type of semicystic spermatogenesis. Results obtained confirm that S. notata is a specialized ovuliparous species.     

Glutathione-S-transferase activity in the blood of scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus) depending on sex, age and season

Glutathione-S-transferase activity in the blood of scorpion fish inhabiting coastal areas of Sevastopol depending on sex, age and season were studied. The decrease of glutathione-S-transferase activities has been observed with fish ageing.     

Variations in C-banding patterns and DNA values in two scorpion-fishes (Scorpaena porcus andS. notata,Teleostei)

The karyotypes of two morphologically similar species,Scorpaena porcus andS. notata, were analyzed by means of silver staining and C-banding techniques. The variation in their DNA values (S. porcus = 0.92 pg andS. notata = 0.56 pg) is positively related to the variation in chromosome number and to the amount of C-banded heterochromatin. Only one chromosome pair shows the nucleolus organizer regions, and this has similar characteristics in both species. These data are discussed in terms of the karyotypical evolution of the genusScorpaena.     

Contemporary genetic structure and postglacial demographic history of the black scorpionfish,Scorpaena porcus,in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in the light of past demographic events linked with climatic shifts will help to forecast evolutionary trajectories of ecosystems within the current context of climate change. In this study, mitochondrial sequences and microsatellite loci were analysed using traditional population genetic approaches together with Bayesian dating and the more recent approximate Bayesian computation scenario testing. The genetic structure and demographic history of a commercial fish, the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, was investigated throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The results suggest that the species recently underwent population expansions, in both seas, likely concomitant with the warming period following the Last Glacial Maximum, 20 000 years ago. A weak contemporaneous genetic differentiation was identified between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. However, the genetic diversity was similar for populations of the two seas, suggesting a high number of colonizers entered the Black Sea during the interglacial period and/or the presence of a refugial population in the Black Sea during the glacial period. Finally, within seas, an east/west genetic differentiation in the Adriatic seems to prevail, whereas the Black Sea does not show any structured spatial genetic pattern of its population. Overall, these results suggest that the Black Sea is not that isolated from the Mediterranean, and both seas revealed similar evolutionary patterns related to climate change and changes in sea level.     

百合育性与花药发育过程中激素和内源物质含量及能量代谢酶活性的关系

为揭示百合雄性不育发生与其花药内源激素含量、几种内源物质含量和能量代谢酶活性变化的关系,该研究利用高效液相色谱法、串联质谱法和比色法,测定了可育系和不育系花药发育关键时期的激素、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、丙二醛、脯氨酸含量和COD及ATP能量代谢酶活性,分析激素含量、各激素间比值、内源物质含量和能量代谢酶活性对百合雄性不育的影响。结果表明:(1)在百合花药造孢细胞期到四分体期,花药内源激素含量、内源物质含量及能量代谢酶活性变化在不育系与可育系间均存在差异。其中,不育系花药的生长素(IAA)含量在发育的各阶段均高于可育系;ZR和GA4含量在花粉母细胞期不育系与可育系相差不大,但到四分体期不育系中的含量低于可育系;ABA含量在不育系四分体期出现盈积;JA含量在不育系的花粉母细胞期低于可育系,而在四分体期高于可育系。(2)花药内源物质中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量表现为可育系均高于不育系,但不育系的丙二醛含量在四分体期显著高于可育系。(3)COD和ATP能量代谢酶活性在花药发育的各阶段均是可育系高于不育系。研究认为,在百合不育系花药发育关键时期(花粉母细胞期到四分体期),其IAA含量增加,ABA水平提高,GA4和ZR含量降低,影响了花药内源物质和能量的正常代谢,这可能是导致百合花药中花粉发育受阻、形成败育的原因。     

A new species of the scorpionfish genus Scorpaena (Scorpaenidae) from Izu Peninsula, Pacific coast of Japan

A new species of scorpionfish, Scorpaena brevispina , is described on the basis of a single specimen collected from off the east coast of Izu Peninsula, Pacific coast of Japan, at a depth of 45 m. Scorpaena brevispina is distinguished from other Indo–Pacific species of Scorpaena by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 17; longitudinal scale rows 44; scales below lateral line 13; gill rakers 17; anterior surface of preocular spine with three vertical or slightly oblique ridges; lateral surface of maxilla without a distinct longitudinal ridge; lateral lacrimal spine present; extremely deep occipital pit; occipital pit rectangular in dorsal view, length distinctly less than width (length 53·3% of width); numerous small papillae on surface of occipital pit; pectoral fin relatively long (33·3% of standard length, L _S), posterior tip extending beyond verticals through last dorsal-fin spine base and second anal-fin spine base; relatively short third to fifth dorsal-fin spines (third spine length 14·6% of L _S, fourth spine 15·5%, and fifth spine 15·8%, respectively).     

Methemoglobin and the Activities of Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase in Nucleated Erythrocytes of Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758) under Experimental Hypoxia (in vitro)

The effect of hypoxia on nucleated red blood cells of the black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) was studied in vitro. Deep hypoxia (the oxygen concentration was less than 1 mg O₂ L^–1; the norm was 7–8 mg O₂ L^–1) led to the transition of a part of the hemoglobin molecules to the ferric state (methemoglobin). The maximum increase in the concentration of methemoglobin was 32%. The accumulation of methemoglobin in red blood cells was accompanied by an increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase and a decrease in the content of reactive oxygen species in the cytoplasm of cells. It was shown that the formation of methemoglobin did not cause damage to the cytoplasmic membranes of red blood cells. The percentage of red blood cell lysis in deoxygenated (less than 1.0 mg O₂ L^–1) suspensions quantitatively coincided with the control values.

     

Postmetamorphic Growth and Metabolism of Long-Spined Black Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) Reared in the Laboratory

Postmetamorphic growth and metabolism measurements were obtained on two cohorts of laboratory-reared Diadema antillarum. The cohorts grew linearly from less than 1 mm to over 43 mm. Daily growth averaged 0.097 and 0.11 mm d^?1, respectively, for the two cohorts, and was found to differ significantly. Urchin metabolism was examined by a series of simultaneous measurements of oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion over 16 days on starved juveniles ranging 16.5 to 18.3 mm. Metabolic activity under conditions of starvation was used as a test of the viability of urchins reared in the laboratory with cultured food resources. Catabolic activity differed from the first week of starvation compared to the second. Metabolic response included: (1) a 2.2-fold increase in oxygen consumption rate; (2) 50% decline in ammonium excretion rate; and (3) a 5.1-fold increase in oxygen to nitrogen ratio. These measurements are consistent with a shift from almost pure protein catabolism during the first seven days of starvation to a lipid : protein catabolic ratio of 1 : 1 after the first week. Growth and metabolism experiments of this type are seen as a first step towards optimizing laboratory culture techniques of this species.     

Postmetamorphic Growth and Metabolism of Long-Spined Black Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) Reared in the Laboratory

Postmetamorphic growth and metabolism measurements were obtained on two cohorts of laboratory-reared Diadema antillarum. The cohorts grew linearly from less than 1 mm to over 43 mm. Daily growth averaged 0.097 and 0.11 mm d^-1, respectively, for the two cohorts, and was found to differ significantly. Urchin metabolism was examined by a series of simultaneous measurements of oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion over 16 days on starved juveniles ranging 16.5 to 18.3 mm. Metabolic activity under conditions of starvation was used as a test of the viability of urchins reared in the laboratory with cultured food resources. Catabolic activity differed from the first week of starvation compared to the second. Metabolic response included: (1) a 2.2-fold increase in oxygen consumption rate; (2) 50% decline in ammonium excretion rate; and (3) a 5.1-fold increase in oxygen to nitrogen ratio. These measurements are consistent with a shift from almost pure protein catabolism during the first seven days of starvation to a lipid : protein catabolic ratio of 1 : 1 after the first week. Growth and metabolism experiments of this type are seen as a first step towards optimizing laboratory culture techniques of this species.     

A light and electron microscopic study on the organization of the testis and the semicystic spermatogenesis of the genus Scorpaena (Teleostei,Scorpaenidae)

The testicular organization and semicystic spermatogenesis of Scorpaena porcus and Scorpaena scrofa are analyzed by means of optic and electron microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques. The testicular structure of S. porcus and S. scrofa belongs to the unrestricted spermatogonial type, but has typical features of the restricted type. Moreover, the structure presents an epithelioid arrangement of Sertoli and germ cells rather than the germinal epithelium that appears in the majority of teleosts. After the cysts open, Sertoli cells hypertrophy and remain on the basement membrane, linked by interdigitations and tight junctions and bordering the lumen of the lobule, which at this moment works as an efferent duct. Secretions of Sertoli cells usually function in the nutrition of germ cells, and they seem to contribute in it even in this kind of spermatogenesis in which the free lumen spermatids do not have any connection with Sertoli cells. In addition, Sertoli cells can divide after the cysts have broken apart and hypertrophied, suggesting that they are still important for the final maturation of spermatozoa and seminal fluid formation. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.