New Replacement Name for Rana paradoxa Mocquard, 1890 with Designations of Lectotypes for Rana paradoxa and Rana conspicil- lata Giinther, 1872： Both Synonymized with Limnonectes kuhlii （Tschudi, 1838） （Dicroglossidae： Dicroglossinae）

Fanged frogs, now called Limnonectes kuhlii, from Borneo are remotely related to true Javanese L. kuhliL For future taxonomy of Bornean fanged frogs, we fix the nomenclatural status of two existing names, Rana conspicillata Giunther, 1872 and Rana paradoxa Mocquard, 1890. Morphological comparison of the type-series revealed heterospecific relationships of the two species. For R. conspicillata, we designate BMNH 1947.2.29.20 as the lectotype, and for R. para doxa, we also designate MNHN 1889.222 as the lectotype and propose a replacement name Limnonectes mocquardi, in order to stabilize their nomenclature.     

Threatened fishes of the world: Brycon nattereri Günther, 1864 (Characidae)

Brycon nattereri (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae), a threatened South American freshwater fish, occurs in the Paraná, Tocantins and São Francisco river basins in central Brazil. It is a middle-sized (up to 50 cm SL), omnivorous species, which occurs in swift, clear-water rivers with well-preserved riparian vegetation. Main threats to the species are water pollution, dam building, and deforestation.     

棘腹蛙(Rana boulengeri Günther)早期胚胎发育与分期的研究

本文研究了湘西地区棘腹蛙（Ｒ．ｂｏｕｌｅｎｇｅｒｉＧ．）的早期胚胎发育与分期．用人工诱导排卵、人工授精的方法获得受精卵,在控制水温为（２３±０．５）℃下发育,棘腹蛙的胚胎发育从人工授精开始到蝌蚪的鳃盖完全闭合需要２６１ｈ;以胚胎形态变化和主要生理特征的出现为基础,该蛙早期胚胎发育可分为２５个时期．棘腹蛙发育过程中的形态特征和其它无尾两栖类相似,但在某些方面也呈现出与适应山地溪流环境有关的一些特点．     

Fine-scale population genetic structure in Artemia urmiana (Günther, 1890) based on mtDNA sequences and ISSR genomic fingerprinting

We investigated the genetic variability and population structure of the halophilic zooplankter Artemia urmiana from 15 different geographical locations of Lake Urmia using nucleotide sequences of COI (mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and genomic fingerprinting by ISSR-PCR (inter-simple sequence repeats). According to sequence data, A. urmiana exhibits a high level of haplotype diversity with a low level of nucleotide diversity. The haplotype spanning network recognized 36 closely related unique haplotypes. ISSR profiles confirmed a substantial amount of genomic diversity with a low level of population structure. No apparent genetic structure was recognized in Lake Urmia but rather a random geographic distribution of genotypes indicating a high degree of panmixia. The population genetic data indicate the possibility of an individual’s relationship, implying that differentiation of individuals is not affected by ecological factors. Therefore, the A. urmiana population from Lake Urmia should be considered as a single management unit for conservation.     

Embryogenesis and larval development of migratory matrinchã Brycon orthotaenia Günther 1864 (Characiformes: Bryconidae)

The present study aimed to characterize the embryogenesis and larval development of matrinchã (Brycon orthotaenia), through the analysis of egg and larval morphology. Fertilized eggs had a mean diameter of 1.17 mm, with yolk occupying most of the egg (1.06 mm). Embryogenesis lasted for 15 hr at an average temperature of 27°C. At hatching, yolk-sac larvae measured 3.67 mm in mean standard length (SL). Pre-flexion, flexion and post-flexion larva had 5.01, 8.24 and 11.88 mm mean SL, respectively, with significant increases observed particularly in head length, head height, and eye diameter. The yolk persisted in the yolk-sac and pre-flexion stages (5.96 mm SL). The mouth opening could first be observed 13 hr after hatching, and cannibalism was observed 29 hr after hatching in pre-flexion larvae after absorption of the yolk sac; in such cases, the larvae had already developed teeth and a complete digestive tract. For an endangered species such as matrinchã, early life history studies are important because they provide researchers with a better understanding of critical stages of development and thus enhance captive management by rearing and restocking of the species.     

Metabolic and cellular stress responses of catfish,Horabagrus brachysoma (Günther) acclimated to increasing temperatures

We investigated the metabolic and cellular stress responses in an endemic catfish Horabagrus brachysoma acclimated to ambient (26 °C), 31, 33 and 36 °C for 30 days. After acclimation, fish were sampled to investigate changes in the levels of blood glucose, tissue glycogen and ascorbic acid, activities of enzymes involved in glycolysis (LDH), citric acid cycle (MDH), gluconeogenesis (FBPase and G6Pase), pentose phosphate pathway (G6PDH), protein metabolism (AST and ALT), phosphate metabolism (ACP and ALP) and energy metabolism (ATPase), and HSP70 levels in various tissues. Acclimation to higher temperatures (33 and 36 °C) significantly increased activities of LDH, MDH, ALP, ACP, AST, ALT and ATPase and blood glucose levels, whereas decreased the G6PDH enzyme activity and, tissue glycogen and ascorbic acid. Results indicated an overall increase in the carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism implying increased metabolic demands for maintaining homeostasis in fish acclimated to higher temperatures (33 and 36 °C). We observed tissue specific response of HSP70 in H. brachysoma, with significant increase in gill and liver at 33 and 36 °C, and in brain and muscle at 36 °C, enabling cellular protection at higher acclimation temperatures. In conclusion, H. brachysoma adjusted metabolic and cellular responses to withstand increased temperatures, however, these responses suggest that the fish was under stress at 33 °C or higher temperature.     

Synonymy of Cymbacephalus staigeri (Castelnau 1875) and Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus (Günther 1860), and validity of Cymbacephalus parilis (McCulloch 1914) (Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae)

Ichthyological Research - Although Cymbacephalus staigeri (Castelnau 1875) has been regarded as a valid species, several authors have suggested that it may be a junior synonym of Cymbacephalus...     

Channa siamensis (Günther, 1861), a junior synonym of Channa lucius (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831)

The holotype of Channa siamensis (Günther, 1861) was examined and compared with specimens of all other channid species currently considered to be valid (2 genera, 27 species). As all of the examined morphological characters (meristics, morphometrics, coloration, a patch of gular scales, and cephalic sensory pores) of the small-sized hototype (74.2 mm SL) agree with those for C. lucius except for slight gaps in predorsal length and interorbital width (subject to allometric changes), the authors concluded that C. siamensis is a junior synonym of C. lucius (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1831). Received: April 25, 1999 / Revised: December 6, 2000 / Accepted: February 16, 2001     

First record of the Mayan Cichlid Mayaheros urophthalmus (Günther, 1862) in South Asia and its potential implications

We provide the first record of the Mayan Cichlid, Mayaheros urophthalmus from South Asia, based on specimens collected from the River Chalakudy in Kerala, India. Genetic analysis of the Indian sample showed close affinity with those from Philippines suggesting their potential South East Asian origin, and introduction through the unmanaged aquarium trade. Ecological plasticity, opportunistic predatory behaviour and eurytopic nature of M. urophthalmus could facilitate colonization in the new environment, unless urgent management strategies are developed and implemented.     

Paeonocanthus antarcticensis (Hewitt, 1965): a rare copepod parasite of bathypelagic fish, Bathylagus antarcticus Günther, from the Antarctic Ocean

Paeonocanthus antarcticensis (Hewitt, 1965) is redescribed based on four specimens recovered from a deep-sea smelt, Bathylagus antarcticus Günther, collected in the Antarctic Ocean (65 degrees S, 139 degrees 59.6'E). Studies on the morphological variations of these four specimens plus comparison with the three documented specimens yielded that the sphyriid reported as P. antarcticensis from the goiter blacksmelt, Bathylagus euryops Goode & Bean, taken in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean is a different species. It is renamed Paeonocanthus hogansi n. sp.     

Influence of body mass, age, and maturation on specific oxygen consumption in a freshwater cichlid fish, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Günther, 1869)

The oxygen consumption of a freshwater convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) was determined throughout the fish development from age 74 days to 403 days, covering the period before and after maturation. The specific oxygen consumption decreases with increasing age. The decrease in metabolic rate appears rather in distinct phases. A small increase in the average specific metabolic rate (mainly from the bigger fish) around age 200 days suggests an involvement of internal changes in the fish during a transition period from "young" state to "mature" state. The relationship between the specific oxygen consumption and body mass is determined by maturation and age. Before reaching maturation (before age 200 days) the correlation between specific oxygen consumption and body mass is negative for "young" fish of the same age. After age 200 days, no correlation between both parameters could be found. We suggest from this study that both factors "age" and "size" of the organism have to be considered for determining the metabolism, especially in fish. This study indicates that even in fish, which retain a continuous growing capability until they die, the decrease in the specific oxygen consumption is related to the aging process.     

A new species of fossorial natricid snakes of the genus Trachischium Günther, 1858 (Serpentes: Natricidae) from the Himalayas of northeastern India

A new species of natricid snakes, Trachischium apteii sp. nov. is described from the northeastern Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. The new species differs from its congeners in the following suite of characters: dorsal scales in 15:15:15 rows, SVL 293–299 mm, higher ventral count 143–150, very faint dorsal longitudinal lines, absence of yellow patch on the neck and the belly being pale yellow. Preliminary discussion on the phylogenetic position of the members of the genus Trachischium is presented. This discovery of a new snake species advocates the need for dedicated surveys to document biodiversity across Arunachal Pradesh and the neighbouring States of northeastern India.