Otolith morphology and periodicity of increment formation on the sagitta of manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus (Mullidae)

Otolith morphology and microstructure of the sagitta are described in the mass tropical species manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus. The hatch check is absent on the sagitta, and the appearance of the first contrasting increment is connected with the transition of the larva to exogenous feeding. The increments are distributed within several concentric zones, and each zone is separated by more pronounced dark areas (in transmitted light) of the increments (checks). The number of increments within a zone is variable; and the modal group (with the exception of the first zone from the primordium to the first check) includes from six to ten increments. In the juveniles, the periodicity of increment formation on the sagitta ranges from <1 to >3 in a day, but it is close to one increment per day in the individuals larger than 86 mm FL and 11 g in weight. The number of increments deposited in a day does not depend on the growth rate or feeding frequency of the juveniles.     

Age and growth of manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus (Mullidae) from the Nha Trang Bay of the South China Sea

The growth of individuals is analyzed in the mass tropical species manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus from the Nha Trang Bay of the South China Sea. The relationship between the body weight and body length is determined for the females and males. Among the fishes larger 180 mm fork length (FL), the males prevail. Linear growth of the sagitta is characterized by negative allometry in relation to body length, and sagitta growth in length is faster than in width. Age of fish assessed based on the analysis of daily increments on the sagitta does not exceed three years, and the majority of individuals reach the first sexual maturity by the age of one year. The growth rate of the fish is characterized by a large individual variation.     

Some data on the structure of the gonads of manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus (Mullidae) from the Nha Trang Bay, South China Sea

Gonadal differentiation and development of sex cells are described in the tropical representative of the family Mullidae, manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus, using histological methods and observations of oocytes in vivo. Anatomical differentiation of the gonads is registered by approximately 5 cm fork length (FL) and 1.5 g body weight of the fish, and cytological differentiation (in the females) occurs by approximately 6 cm body length and 2.6 g body weight. In the ovaries of sexually mature females before spawning, oocytes of all phases and periods of development can be found. Based on the gonadal structure and frequency distribution of oocyte diameter, the type of oogenesis is continuous.     

Reproduction and initial development of manybar goatfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parupeneus multifasciatus</Emphasis> (Mullidae)

Features of reproductive biology and the stages of early ontogeny are described in the mass tropical species manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus. In general, in the catches represented by mainly sexually mature fishes, females prevail but males prevail in the largest size classes. The females reach their first sexual maturity by approximately 110 mm fork length, and they are characterized by continuous oogenesis and egg deposition in batches. The fish spawn over the entire year with a trend to lower values of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the females from June to October. The features of early ontogeny are compared in manybar goatfish and red mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus from the Black Sea.     

Sympatric species of Deretrema Linton, 1910: D. combesae n. sp. and D. combesorum n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from the manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Perciformes: Mullidae) from New Caledonia

Two sympatric species of Deretrema, D. combesae n. sp. and D. combesorum n. sp. are described from the manybar goatfish Parupeneus multifasciatus from off New Caledonia, South Pacific. D. combesae n. sp. does not fit any of the described Deretrema subgenera. The combination of the characters, tegumental spines, caeca reaching past the testes, the vitellarium reaching into the hindbody, much of the uterus at the level of and anterior to the gonads, a long oesophagus, testes in the hindbody and the pre-testicular ovary are not found in any of the described subgenera. D. combesorum n. sp. fits into the subgenus Deretrema (Deretrema), but differs from the described species in the sucker-ratio, eggs size, elongate shape and contiguous testes. The sympatry of these dissimilar species of Deretrema casts doubt on the value of the subgenera in Deretrema.     

Dragonets (Callionymidae) of soft bottoms from the coastal zone of southern Central Vietnam

A review of dragonets (Gallionymidae) from the coastal waters of Khanh Hoa (Nha Trang and Van Phong bays) and Binh Thuan (Phu Quy Island) provinces, Vietnam, was conducted based on the samples of the author. In total, nine species were recorded, including three species indicated in the fauna of the country for the first time. In addition, geographic and bathymetric distribution of C. altipinnis, as well as morphological variation of several other species, was specified.     

Ecomorphology of six goatfish species (Mullidae) from Toliara Reef,Madagascar

Environmental Biology of Fishes - Despite the role that goatfishes play in reef ecosystems, knowledge of their ecomorphological diversity remains scarce. Here, we explore the ecomorphology of six...     

First record of Red Sea goatfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parupeneus forsskali</Emphasis> (Osteichthyes: Mullidae) from the Syrian coast (Eastern Mediterranean)

This paper reports the first record of Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali (Fourmanoir and Guézé, 1976) from the Syrian coast. This record confirms the occurrence of the species in the Levant Basin. However, no sufficient data were carried out to date to support that a population is at present substantially established in the same area.     

A comparative gametogenesis and biochemical differentiation of goatfish (Family: Mullidae) from the Red Sea

Comparative study between few species of goatfishes (Mullidae), locally called Sultan Ibrahim, has been investigated from Jeddah coast. The present study compares gonad structure, oogenesis and spermatogenesis in three species of goatfish. The various stages are similar in the different species, but differ in time of spawning. The reproductive biology of three goatfishes, Mulloidichthys flavolineatus (1 black blotch), Mulloidichthys flavolineatus (3 black blotches), Mulloidichthys vanicolensis, were examined. A macroscopic and histological examination of the gonads demonstrated that all the three species are typically gonochoristic. Species-specific reproductive parameters including male stages, changes in gonado-somatic index (GSI), classification of oocyte stages were analyzed for each of the three targeted species. All three species have asynchronous ovary. The spawning season for the three studied species differ from one species to another i.e., the spawning season for M. vanicolensis females and males from April to July; M. flavolineatus, (1 black blotches) for both sexes from May until December; for M. flavolineatus (3 black blotches) showed a peak in May to early October for both sexes. Ultrastructurally the mature spermatozoon’s head shape appears like a computermouse, the tiny mid-piece consist two mitochondria and a flagellum. The chromatin, within the nucleus is electron-dense and homogenous in M. flavolineatus (with one black blotch), while the chromatin is granular in (M. vanicolensis and M. flavolineatus (3 black blotches)). The posterior region of the nucleus is deeply penetrated by the nuclear fossa which contains, the basal part of flagellum and centriolar complex. The ultrastructure of the eggs of the three Mullidae species is circular in shape and contains a simple, circular micropyle. The ovarian follicular epithelium of the three Mullidae species consists of two layers, an outer theca layer and an inner granulosa layer with zona radiata under them. Zona radiata consists of 2 layer-interna and externa. Zona radiata interna is thicker than zona radiata externa. Differences in protein patterns of muscles and gonads were observed in the present study.     

Niche separation between colonizing and indigenous goatfish (Mullidae) along the Mediterranean coast of Israel

The present study assesses the resource partitioning between two Red Sea colonizers, the goldband goatfish Upeneus moluccensis and the brownband goatfish U. pori , and the two indigenous Mediterranean goatfishes, the red mullet Mullus barbatus and the striped mullet M. surmuletus , along the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
Niche separation was studied along three axes: habitat selection, feeding habits and spawning season. Habitat selection is the most significant parameter separating the species. The two colonizing species occupy a shallow habitat, U. pori dominating the primarily sandy bottom at 20–30 m and U. moluccensis at 40–50 m, at which depth the sea bottom becomes increasingly silty. Of the two indigenous species, M. barbatus is dominant in depths below 55 m, while M. surmuletus appears at low abundance in all depths.
Niche separation by feeding habits is much less evident. All four species feed primarily on macrurid crustaceans and thus the values of diet overlap are rather high (0·666≤ T ≤0·928). Prey size is not an important factor in niche separation. Young fishes (S.L>,115 mm) of all four species feed upon prey of similar size (20–160 mg). Among older individuals (S.L.>115 mm) three species continue to feed upon the same size prey, while U. moluccensis feeds upon considerably larger prey (600–2200 mg).
The difference between the spawning seasons of the colonizing vs indigenous species and consequent timing of benthic settling may contribute to niche separation.
The results of this study suggest that success in colonization by Red Sea goatfish may be due to the existence of unexploited niches in the eastern Mediterranean ecosystem.     

The food and feeding habits of the goatfish, Parupeneus barberinus (Lacepede), from Aqaba, Jordan

The food habits of the goatfish, Parupeneus barberinus , from Aqaba were studied. A total of 166 fish over a range of 15 to 27.7 cm and representing five age groups were examined. The major dietary components, based on occurrence, were crustaceans (82.6%), sand (71.1%), foramniferans (55%), detritus (52.3%) and polychaetes (49%). Based on gravimetric analysis, crustaceans and sand were the major food components comprising 54.4% and 23.3% of the total food weight respectively. The food consumption decreased from 1.5% of body weight in the 2-year group to 0.3% of body weight in the 6-year group. Seasonal variations were observed in relation to food consumption, percentage weight composition and intensity of feeding.     

A new species, Parupeneus procerigena, from the Saya de Malha Bank in the western Indian Ocean (Perciformes: Mullidae)

A new mullid fish, Parupeneus procerigena, is described on the basis of 13 specimens (118.9–198.4 mm SL) from depths of 92–148 m off the Saya de Malha Bank in the western Indian Ocean. This species resembles P. chrysopleuron and P. heptacanthus in color pattern without black stripes or spots, but it differs from them in having more gill rakers, two scales in lachrymal region, deeper body, deeper cheek, and longer distance between nostrils. Received: April 4, 2000 / Revised: July 27, 2000 / Accepted: August 27, 2000     

Spermatozoal ultrastructures of two marine perciform teleost fishes, the goatfish, Paraupeneus spilurus (Mullidae) and the rabbitfish, Siganus fuscescens (Siganidae) from Taiwan

Mature spermatozoa of two perciform teleost fishes, Paraupeneus spilurus (Mullidae) and Siganus fuscescens (Siganidae) from Taiwan were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Despite the fact that spermatozoa of both species are of the primitive type, the results of the present study highlight the potential application of spermatozoal morphology in studies of fish phylogenetic relationships. To our knowledge, the flattened nucleus observed in P. spilurus spermatozoa is reported for the first time. Several features common to Sigandae spermatozoa-the unusual almost parallel situation of the centrioles, the arrangement of mitochondria and the near absence of shallow nuclear fossa-are significantly different from other common teleost sperm types. These unique features may be synapomorphies for the Siganidae and Mullidae and evidently contribute to the study of phylogenetic relationships in teleosts.     

A new species of Dactylostomum Woolcock, 1935 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from the goatfish Upeneichthys lineatus (Bloch & Schneider) (Mullidae) in Western Australian waters

Dactylostomum nicolli n. sp. is described from the intestine of the goatfish Upeneichthys lineatus (Bloch & Schneider) (Mullidae) caught off Point Peron, Western Australia. The problem of assigning the new species to the appropriate genus, especially with regard to its close resemblance to Paropecoelus Pritchard, 1966, which also infects goatfishes, is discussed. This is the second report of Dactylostomum Woolcock, 1935 from an Australian marine fish. The new species is distinguished by its elongate form, simple ventral sucker papillae and irregularly shaped ovary.     

Goatfishes (Mullidae) as indicators in tropical and temperate coastal habitat monitoring and management

This review investigates if goatfishes qualify as habitat indicators and play a role as key species for use in coastal ecosystem monitoring and management, emphasizing major gaps of knowledge in goatfish ecology and systematics. Currently, 66 species of goatfishes are known, the family occurring widely in tropical, subtropical and temperate habitats from the upper littoral down to the upper slope. Studies of goatfish occurrence and abundance in natural habitats have documented general preferences for sand-associated bottoms after post-larval settlement that goes hand in hand with the development of the characteristic barbels. Species, populations and later life-history stages may, however, differ significantly from each other in habitat use. Some species are more restricted to hard bottoms, others separate mainly by depth. Goatfishes respond to human-induced factors such as fisheries and habitat modification, as reflected by abundance, size, or weight changes, or changes in their distributional ranges. Temperature increase may lead to increased reproductive or growth rates and longer warming periods may induce goatfishes to migrate to higher latitudes, as exemplified by striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) in the North Sea. Isolated occurrences of this species in the Norwegian Sea at 60°N have been documented. Goatfishes may act as allochthonous ecosystem engineers through their vigorous foraging behaviour with barbels and mouth, which leads to the stirring-up of sediments and associated detritus particles high into the water column. Goatfishes play a key role in the formation of multi-species foraging associations as nuclear species that are followed by many other species. The role of goatfishes in food webs has been rarely evaluated and the many interactions goatfishes may be involved in have not yet been sufficiently considered. There is also a considerable lack of basic systematic and taxonomic knowledge, new species still being described and intraspecific morphological variation and genetic differentiation requiring more detailed studies. Goatfishes clearly deserve more attention in future coastal habitat exploration, monitoring and management efforts.     

Reproductive features of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Upeneus margarethae</Emphasis> (Mullidae), a species recorded in the coastal zone of Vietnam for the first time

The species Upeneus margarethae described recently from the western Indian Ocean is recorded in the coastal zone of Vietnam for the first time. The reproductive features of the representatives of the species from southern Central Vietnam (Nha Trang Bay), Central Vietnam (Da Nang), and North Vietnam (Ha Long Bay) are studied. Based on the analysis of maturity stages of female’s ovaries and gonadosomatic index, the fishes spawn over the entire year in Central Vietnam, but the spawning interruption is observed in North Vietnam during a winter season. In Nha Trang Bay, 50% of females reach sexual maturity at the body length (FL) 9.8 cm. Based on histological structure of ovaries and frequency distribution of oocyte diameter before the spawning, the oogenesis is continuous. Anomalous oocyte structure is registered in 20% of the females. Egg morphology is described for 3 h after activation of ovulated oocytes. A comparison of reproductive parameters in U. margarethae and U. tragula is conducted.     

Foraging activity and behaviour of two goatfish species (Perciformes: Mullidae) at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical West Atlantic

The goatfishes (Mullidae) include about 50 bottom-foraging fish species. The foraging activity of the yellow goatfish, Mulloidichthys martinicus, and the spotted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus, was studied comparatively at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off coast of Northeast Brazil tropical West Atlantic. Pseudupeneus maculatus fed over a larger variety of substrate types, had lower feeding rate, roamed more per given time, spent less time in a feeding event, and displayed a more diverse repertoire of feeding modes than M. martinicus. The differences in the foraging activity and behaviour between the two species possibly minimize a potential resource overlap, as already recorded for other sympatric mullids. Pseudupeneus maculatus had lower feeding rate most likely because it feeds on larger items, and roamed over greater distance per time. Possibly this is because it foraged over a greater variety of substrate distributed over a larger area than that used by M. martinicus. Notwithstanding the overall morphological and behavioural similarity of goatfishes in general, they do differ in their substrate preferences and foraging activity, which indicates that these fishes should not be simply considered generalized bottom foragers.