Length–weight relationships of deep-sea fishes from the western Bering Sea

Length–weight relationships are lacking for most deep-sea fishes. This study presents length–weight relationships for 42 species from the western Bering Sea. Results show significantly different relationships between females and males for 11 species and between juveniles and adults of four species. A plot of length–weight estimates, log a over b , showed the deep-sea fishes in this study to be more of the elongated shape compared with other marine fishes.     

Étude biométrique de deux espèces de crevettes profondes exploitées en Guyane française

Values for selected morphometric relationships are extremely important for shrimp fisheries management. This information, however, does not exist for some deep-sea shrimp species which are of interest to fisheries. A variety of weight-weight, length-length and length-weight relationships have been established, therefore, for two commercially important species of deep-sea shrimp from the continental slope off French Guiana (western central Atlantic), i.e. the solenocerid shrimp Solenocera acuminata (orange shrimp) caught on the upper slope (about 200 m) and the aristeid shrimp Plesiopenaeus edwardsianus (scarlet prawn) widely distributed on the middle slope (from 400 to 900 m). This paper represents the first contribution on the morphometric relationships of these two deep-sea shrimp species.     

Length-weight relationships of seven fish species from the laguna del cisne basin (Canelones,Uruguay)

This work provides new length-weight information for seven species of freshwater fishes. The analyzed specimens were collected monthly during a year (April 2018–March 2019) in a coastal lagoon system and its associated streams in southern Uruguay. During each sampling campaign, fishes were captured using gillnets in the lagoon and electrofishing in the streams. This study reports a new maximum size for four species and the first length-weight relationship report for Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura. Length-weight estimates and their confidence intervals are provided for all species.     

Length-weight relationships of 10 fish species from the coastal waters of the East China Sea

The present study provides the length-weight relationships (LWRs) for 10 marine fish species collected from the coastal waters of the East China Sea by bottom trawl surveys. The open width of the sampling net was 40 m and the mesh size of the codend was 20 mm. Specimens were collected from November 2015 to November 2019 at seasonal intervals. The measurement accuracy of weight and length were 0.1 grams and 0.1 centimeters, respectively. This study provides new information of LWRs for nine species which have not yet been reported in FishBase. Also, this study updates the information of maximum length for two species.     

Length-weight relationships of eight fish species from the Hailang river,China

The present study reports the length-weight relationships (LWRs) for eight fish species sampled in Hailang River, a left-bank tributary of the Mudan River in Northeast China. The fishes were collected from April to October bimonthly 2017 by electrofishing (fishing 2 kilometers along the river and within 5 meters from the bank) and netting (drift gillnet: mesh size 2 cm × 3 cm; 200 m net length). The specimens were weighed (nearest 0.1 g) and measured (nearest 0.1 cm) in the laboratory. This study provides an update in maximum lengths for five species.     

Demographic structure and stock status of Lethrinus lentjan in Saudi coastal waters of the Red Sea

Fishes of the family Lethrinidae form a considerable portion of the catch from both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, and the species Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepède, 1802) is one of the most important among these fishes. This study was conducted to evaluate the demographic structure coefficients, survival rate, and stock status of L. lentjan from the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. A total of 593 samples were collected on a monthly basis for a period of one year from the landing site for fishing boats operating in Red Sea waters off Jeddah. The results indicated that 88.87% of the specimens were female; the maximum total length recorded was 43.5 cm with the most frequent length (14.67%) being 23–23.9 cm. The maximum age recorded for both males and females was 6 year-plus, and the 1 year-plus age category represented the majority of the samples (57.67%). The total mortality coefficient, natural mortality coefficient, and fishing mortality coefficient were 1.538, 0.315, and 1.223, respectively; all mortality coefficients in the female fishes were higher than those in the male fishes. The survival rate of males was higher (0.617) than that of females (0.214). The results of the present study indicate that L. lentjan is subjected to overfishing and a new management strategy is necessary to improve the stock status of this fish species.     

Population genomic response to geographic gradients by widespread and endemic fishes of the Arabian Peninsula

Genetic structure within marine species may be driven by local adaptation to their environment, or alternatively by historical processes, such as geographic isolation. The gulfs and seas bordering the Arabian Peninsula offer an ideal setting to examine connectivity patterns in coral reef fishes with respect to environmental gradients and vicariance. The Red Sea is characterized by a unique marine fauna, historical periods of desiccation and isolation, as well as environmental gradients in salinity, temperature, and primary productivity that vary both by latitude and by season. The adjacent Arabian Sea is characterized by a sharper environmental gradient, ranging from extensive coral cover and warm temperatures in the southwest, to sparse coral cover, cooler temperatures, and seasonal upwelling in the northeast. Reef fish, however, are not confined to these seas, with some Red Sea fishes extending varying distances into the northern Arabian Sea, while their pelagic larvae are presumably capable of much greater dispersal. These species must therefore cope with a diversity of conditions that invoke the possibility of steep clines in natural selection. Here, we test for genetic structure in two widespread reef fish species (a butterflyfish and surgeonfish) and eight range‐restricted butterflyfishes across the Red Sea and Arabian Sea using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. We performed multiple matrix regression with randomization analyses on genetic distances for all species, as well as reconstructed scenarios for population subdivision in the species with signatures of isolation. We found that (a) widespread species displayed more genetic subdivision than regional endemics and (b) this genetic structure was not correlated with contemporary environmental parameters but instead may reflect historical events. We propose that the endemic species may be adapted to a diversity of local conditions, but the widespread species are instead subject to ecological filtering where different combinations of genotypes persist under divergent ecological regimes.     

Fish length-weight relationships in the Weddell Sea and Bransfield Strait

Length-weight relationships are provided for 49 Antarctic fishes from 9 families. The fish were from three research cruises of 1996, 1998 and 2000 to the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula. Samples were collected by benthopelagic net, Agassiz trawl and bottom trawl at depths of 200–2,300 m. The exponent b in the length-weight relationship W=aL ^b ranged from 2.53 to 4.05. With a mean of 3.33, 50% of the values ranged between 3.157 and 3.480. In 31 species, the parameters were determined for each sex. For 64.5% of species, b was higher in females than in males. Exceptions were the Channichthyidae where b for six species was higher for males.     

Community structure and biogeography of shore fishes in the Gulf of Aqaba,Red Sea

Shore fish community structure off the Jordanian Red Sea coast was determined on fringing coral reefs and in a seagrass-dominated bay at 6 m and 12 m depths. A total of 198 fish species belonging to 121 genera and 43 families was recorded. Labridae and Pomacentridae dominated the ichthyofauna in terms of species richness and Pomacentridae were most abundant. Neither diversity nor species richness was correlated to depth. The abundance of fishes was higher at the deep reef slope, due to schooling planktivorous fishes. At 12 m depth abundance of fishes at the seagrass-dominated site was higher than on the coral reefs. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a strong influence on the fish assemblages by depth and benthic habitat. Fish species richness was positively correlated with hard substrate cover and habitat diversity. Abundance of corallivores was positively linked with live hard coral cover. The assemblages of fishes were different on the shallow reef slope, deep reef slope and seagrass meadows. An analysis of the fish fauna showed that the Gulf of Aqaba harbours a higher species richness than previously reported. The comparison with fish communities on other reefs around the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean supported the recognition of an Arabian subprovince within the Indian Ocean. The affinity of the Arabian Gulf ichthyofauna to the Red Sea is not clear. Received in revised form: 2 November 2001 Electronic Publication     

Foraminiferal response to the Northeast Monsoon in the western and southern Arabian Sea

Sediments from the western and southern part of the Arabian Sea were collected periodically in the spring intermonsoon between March and May 1997 and additionally at the end of the Northeast Monsoon in February 1998. Assemblages of Rose Bengal stained, living deep-sea benthic foraminifera, their densities, vertical distribution pattern, and diversity were analysed after the Northeast Monsoon and short-time changes were recorded. In the western Arabian Sea, foraminiferal numbers increased steadily between March and the beginning of May, especially in the smaller size classes (30–63 μm, 63–125 μm). At the same time, the deepening of the foraminiferal living horizon, variable diversity and rapid variations between dominant foraminiferal communities were observed. We interpret these observations as the time-dependent response of benthic foraminifera to enhanced organic carbon fluxes during and after the Northeast Monsoon. In the southern Arabian Sea, constant low foraminiferal abundances during time, no distinctive change in the vertical distribution, reduced diversity, and more stable foraminiferal communities were noticed, which indicates no or little influence of the Northeast Monsoon to benthic foraminifera in this region.     

Length–weight relationships of five fish species of headwater streams from upper Paraná River Basin,Southeastern Brazil

The length‐weight relationships (LWRs) of five fish species are reported. The fishes were sampled between September and December 2016 with seine net (4 mm mesh size) in 15 headwater streams from the upper Paraná River basin, Southeastern Brazil.     

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of common minnow, Esomus danricus (Ham.) from different freshwater environments.

Investigations were made on the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Esomu danricus (Ham) from ponds and flowing water channels. These relationships could be represented by the regression equations, log W = -2.6252 + 3.2451 log L (for channel fishes) and log W = -1.5390 + 2.6318 log L (for pond fishes). The correlations were significantly high (P < 0.001). The mean values of condition factors were 0.529 and 0.713 for pond and channel fishes, respectively. The additive action of various factors in stagnant ponds, such as oxygen deficiency, stratification of indispensahle nutrients at the bottom, accumulation of body wastes of fishes, and unoxidized chemical compounds, competition for many necessities of life as space, food, shelter, seemed to adversely affect the growth rate and condition factor of pond dwelling fishes. Contrary to this the circulation of water induced by currents in the channels appeared to cause mixing of water at all depths to even out differences in dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature, nutrients, besides minimizing the effect of repressive factor. Such conditions invariably offered more opportunities to fishes to conserve almost all the available space and other resources in the habitat. This ensured rapid growth as evidenced by higher condition factor of the flowing-water fishes as compared to their counterparts occurring in ponds.     

Length weight relationship of five deep sea fishes from Kerala,south west coast of India

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for five deep sea fishes viz. Astronesthes martensii, Glyptophidium macropus, Neobythites multistriatus, Physiculus roseus, Synagrops japonicus from Kerala, south west coast of India. Fishes were collected from commercial trawlers monthly from February 2018 to March 2019 operating at depth ranged from 270 m (Lat. 9°29.35′ N, Long. 75°44.74′ E) to 350 m (Lat. 9°26. 49′ N, Long. 75°42.36′ E) in the south east Arabian Sea. Correlation coefficients (r²) were found high for all species, with b value ranged from 2.923 to 3.404.     

Aspects of the biology of the pygmy ribbontail catshark Eridacnis radcliffei (Proscylliidae: Carcharhiniformes) from the south-west coast of India

Biological data are presented for the pygmy ribbontail catshark Eridacnis radcliffei based on specimens collected from the by-catch of the commercial deep-sea shrimp trawl fishery operating in the Arabian Sea off the south-west coast of India. A total of 549 individuals, from 101 to 257 mm total length (L(T) ) and 2·2 to 56 g, were collected. The L(T) at first maturity (L(T50) ) of females and males was estimated at 183 and 170 mm, respectively, and analysis of stomach contents revealed that E. radcliffei feeds primarily on crustaceans.     

Length-weight relationships of three Clupeiformes species from the Southeast coast of India,Bay of Bengal,Eastern Indian Ocean

This study deals with the length-weight relationships (LWRs) of three commercially important marine fishes belonging to the family Clupeidae from the major landing centers in Tuticorin, Mandapam, Thondi, Nagapattinam and Chennai in southeast coast of India. Monthly sampling were done at the respected landing centers from June, 2018 to April, 2019 from the commercial trawlers (with cod-end mesh size of 25–35 mm) and gill netters (with different mesh size vary from 20 to 170 mm). The estimated ‘b’ values ranged from 3.1215 (Sardinella albella) to 3.1819 (Amblygaster clupeoides) and ‘a’ values varied from 0.0059 (A. clupeoides) to 0.0074 (S. albella). The study also provides a new maximum total length (TL_max) for two species A. clupeoides and Sardinella fimbriata.     

Length-weight relationships for seven endemic fish species from streams of the last two large remaining dam-free tributaries of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain in the Paraná State,Brazil

This study reports the length-weight relationships (LWR) for seven endemic fish species from streams in the Ivaí (Characidium heirmostigmata, Corydoras lacrimostigmata, Curculionichthys oliveirai, Hisonotus pachysarkos, and Cambeva horacioi) and Ivaí and Piquiri (Apareiodon vladii and Planaltina kaingang) River basins, Paraná State, Brazil. Fish specimens measured and weighed were collected between November 1994 and July 2019, fixed with 10% formalin, and are preserved in 70% alcohol. Measurements were done for standard length (SL—0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW—0.01 g precision). All coefficient of allometry obtained is within the general range for fishes representing useful tentatives for LWR parameters. We highlight the importance of information about the biology of the endemic fish species in a crucial area for the biodiversity conservation of the Upper Paraná River system.     

Stock differentiation of the greater lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Teleostei: Synodontidae) collected along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman using meristic characters

Meristic variation among stocks of greater lizardfish Saurida tumbil through the western coasts of the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman was examined using meristic characters. Statistical analysis of meristic traits proposed that there is constrained migration of populations of greater lizardfish along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. Overlapping of the two samples from the northern part of the Arabian Gulf (Iraq-Kuwait waters), three samples from the middle region of the Arabian Gulf (Bahrain-Qatar-Saudi Arabia) and two samples from the southern part of the Arabian Gulf/Sea of Oman (United Arab Emirates–Sultanate of Oman) suggested that there are three self-recruiting populations in the studied area. Inspection of the role of each meristic trait variable to Canonical discriminant analysis showed that changes among samples appeared to be linked with the pattern of distribution of water temperature and configuration of current in both the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman areas.     

Biological patterns and ecological indicators for Mediterranean fish and crustaceans below 1,000 m: a review

The Mediterranean Sea is a relatively deep, closed sea with high rates of fisheries exploitation. In recent years fishing activity has tended to shift towards deeper depths. At the same time, the Mediterranean displays some rather special hydrographic and biogeographic conditions. The present paper reviews the present state of knowledge of the fisheries, biology, and ecology of the deep-sea fish and crustacean species in the Mediterranean dwelling below 1,000 m with potential economic interest, placing special emphasis on the western basin, for which more data are available, as a basis for future studies of the ecology, biodiversity, and effects of climate change and exploitation in this zone. This review reveals that mediterranean deep-sea fishes and crustaceans employ highly conservative ecological strategies, and hence the low fecundity and low metabolic rates in a stable environment like the deep-sea make these populations highly vulnerable. Moreover, ripe females of the main species mentioned here concentrate in the deepest portions of their distribution ranges. Deep-sea fish and crustaceans have high trophic levels and low to medium omnivory index values. The ecological indices discussed here, in combination with the limited knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems, clearly call for an approach based on the Precautionary Principle.     

Deep-sea fishes in Canada’s Atlantic: population declines and predicted recovery times

Because of their slow growth rates, late maturity, low fecundity and long potential lifespans, deep-sea fishes are vulnerable to and theoretically slow to recover from overexploitation and bycatch. As industrial fishing moved into the deep sea, population declines were predicted and five species were shown to meet The World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria for endangered species in Atlantic Canadian waters and two other deep-living species were listed as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. We used data from scientific surveys to determine population trends in a 17-year time series for an additional 32 deep-sea fishes from the same geographic region. Eight species exhibited significant population declines, five increased, two were data deficient, and 17 showed no significant trends. Thus approximately 38% of the deep-sea bottom-living fishes in that well-investigated region could be at-risk, but definitive assignment to an IUCN category for most species is hampered by a lack of basic biological information, especially species specific generation times. Lack of biological information also limits efforts to determine possible recovery times, especially with respect to calculating intrinsic rates of population growth (r). For two Atlantic grenadiers (where r could be estimated using life-history parameters and standard life table techniques), the time to recovery with no fishing mortality could range from over a decade to over a century. This broad range results from the general uncertainty on life-history characteristics of these deep-sea species. Given the documented declines, the lack of basic data on life-history parameters, and the conservative assumption that recovery rates are likely to be prolonged, we argue that it is imperative to conduct additional studies pertaining to life history characteristics of deep-sea fishes and implement conservation measures in the deep sea immediately.     

Length–weight relationships of 10 fish species from Shengsi Ma'an Archipelago Special Marine Protected Area,East China Sea

The length–weight relationships (LWR) for 10 species belonging to seven families from the Shengsi Ma'an Archipelago Special Marine Protected Area (East China Sea) are presented. Four fishes had no previous LWR estimates in FishBase, and one new maximum fish length was recorded in the study.