Relations of intraspecific variations in fecundity, clutch size, and oviposition frequency to the body size in three species of stoneflies, Sweltsa sp., Isoperla aizuana, and Stavsolus japonicus

Most stoneflies oviposit several times during their adult stage. In this study, the relations among oviposition frequency, the number of eggs per egg mass, and body size were examined in the chloroperlid stonefly Sweltsa sp. and two perlodid stoneflies, Isoperla aizuana and Stavsolus japonicus. It was found that larger individuals tended to oviposit more frequently than smaller ones, but the relation was significant only in Isoperla aizuana. In Sweltsa sp. and Isoperla aizuana, the number of eggs per egg mass was higher for the less-frequently ovipositing individuals than for those ovipositing more frequently, and the number of eggs per egg mass decreased with successive oviposition events. Stavsolus japonicus showed the same tendency but it was not statistically significant.     

High toxicity of the novel bloom-forming species Chattonella ovata (Raphidophyceae) to cultured fish

A toxicological study of an axenic cell line of novel species Chattonella ovata Y. Hara et Chihara (Raphidophyceae) revealed that cultured species of sea bream (Pagrus major), horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus), and yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) were killed by 4.1–6.8 × 10³, 5.4 × 10³, and 2.8 × 10³ cells/mL, respectively. The sensitivity of the gill lamellae to C. ovata differed among the fish species tested. This finding revealed that C. ovata was highly toxic to the cultured fish. Histological examination showed that edema and hyperplasia of the secondary gill lamellae of red sea bream and horse mackerel occurred when exposed to, or killed by C. ovata, whereas severe damage in the gill lamellae was not observed in yellowtail. Chattonella produced high amounts of superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide, possibly responsible for the fish death observed. Based on the results of this study and occurrence of a red tide by this organism in China in 2001, we consider this organism to be one of the harmful algae in coastal waters. This is the first report demonstrating that C. ovata is highly toxic to fish, and that it produces superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.     

Seasonal and interannual variation of the ichthyoplankton off the coast of Northern Morocco

Changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the ichthyoplankton off the coast of Northern Morocco (36–28° N) are analyzed in different seasons of 1994–2008. Pelagic eggs and larvae of over 80 fish species belonging to 57 families are recorded. In cold periods at the Morocco coast, there is maximum spawning of fish belonging to the subtropical (Mediterranean-Atlantic) fauna, the dominant of which are European pilchard Sardina pilchardus, common scad Trachurus trachurus, and Atlantic mackerel Scomber japonicus. In warm periods, in addition to the aforementioned species, the ichthyopankton often comprises eggs and larvae of fish form the tropical fauna. Among the latter are round sardinella Sardinella aurita and West-African mackerel T. trecae dominate. The spawning biomass of principal commercial fish is also calculated by the quantity of eggs laid by females.     

Eggs and late-stage embryos of Allocareproctus unangas (family Liparidae) from the Aleutian Islands

Four unusual masses of adhesive fish eggs surrounding limbs of the octocoral Primnoa sp. were collected in Seguam Pass in the Aleutian Island Archipelago at a depth of 397 m. The eggs contained embryos in the flexion stage of development. When dissected and cleared and stained, counts of dorsal and anal fin rays and vertebrae allowed identification of the eggs as those of Allocareproctus unangas Orr and Busby, a newly described snailfish species. This is first report of snailfishes of the genus Allocareproctus, and of liparids other than those in the genus Liparis, spawning outside of lithodid crabs.     

Egg identification of three economical important fish species using DNA barcoding in comparison to a morphological determination

Accurate identification of fish eggs to species level is a challenging task as many species have similar egg sizes and morphology. The results of egg determination of three economically important fish species are presented by using DNA barcoding in comparison to the classical morphological determination. About 500 fish eggs from the Celtic Sea were collected, morphologically identified and used for DNA analysis. In total, DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 98% of the investigated eggs, including 167 DNA barcodes from 169 morphologically identified fish eggs of Merluccius merluccius (98.8%), 257 of 262 Scomber scombrus (98.1%), and 47 from 50 Trachurus trachurus (94%). Overall, species identification with DNA barcodes showed a congruence of 96.2% to identification by morphology, whereas 3.8% (n = 18) of the analyzed eggs were morphologically assigned to the wrong species. The highest number of incorrect identified eggs was for S. scombrus (n = 15). Our study highlights the usefulness of DNA barcoding for valid fish egg identification but also indicates the robustness of the classical morphology‐based approach.     

Taxonomic review of East Asian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleuronichthys</Emphasis> (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae), with description of a new species

A review of East Asian frog flounders, genus Pleuronichthys (family Pleuronectidae), recognized Pleuronichthys japonicus sp. nov. and P. cornutus (Temminck and Schlegel 1846). Pleuronichthys japonicus sp. nov. is characterized by small, dark, rounded spots or marbled markings on the ocular side of the body, rounded cycloid scales somewhat irregularly arranged, usually 12 abdominal vertebrae, 67–80 (modally 75) dorsal-fin rays, 48–59 (modally 55) anal-fin rays, and a short branch of the supratemporal lateral line usually present on both sides. Pleuronichthys cornutus is characterized by densely distributed small, dark, irregular spots on the ocular side of the body, elongate cycloid scales somewhat regularly arranged, usually 13 abdominal vertebrae, 72–88 (modally 77) dorsal-fin rays, 52–65 (modally 58) anal-fin rays, and a branch of the supratemporal lateral line usually absent on both sides. Whereas P. cornutus is distributed from Miyagi Prefecture (Tohoku District) southward along the Pacific coast of Japan to the Bungo Channel, from Akita Prefecture (Tohoku District) southward along the Sea of Japan coast through the Tsushima Strait to the East China Sea, Yellow and Bohai Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and northern Chinese coast of the South China Sea, P. japonicus is distributed from southern Hokkaido southward along the Sea of Japan and Pacific coasts of Japan to the southern East China Sea. Geographic variations were found in caudal vertebrae and anal-fin ray counts, and caudal-peduncle depth in P. cornutus, and in ocular side body coloration, body depth, and head length in P. japonicus. Pleuronichthys lighti Wu 1929 was regarded as a junior synonym of P. cornutus.     

Antifungal activity of some marine organisms from India,against food spoilage Aspergillus strains

Crude aqueous methanol extracts obtained from 31 species of various marine organisms (including flora land faunal), were screened for their antifungal activity against food poisoning strains of Aspergillus. Seventeen species exhibited mild (+ =zone of inhibition 1–2 mm) to significant (+++ =zone of inhibition 3–5 mm) activity against one or the other strain under experiment. However, extracts of 12 species were active against all the three strains. Organisms like Salicornia brachiata(obligate halophyte), Sinularia leptocladus(Soft coral), Elysia grandifolia (Mollusks),Gorgonian sp. 2 and Haliclona sp. exhibited significant (inhibition zone of 3–5 mm) antifungal activity against one or the other strains. However,extracts of A. ilicifolius, Amphiroa sp.,Poryphyra sp., Unidentified sponge, Suberites vestigium, Sinularia compressa,Sunularia sp., Sinularia maxima, Subergorgia suberosa, Echinogorgia pseudorassopo and Sabellaria cementifera were mild (inhibition zone of 1–2 mm) to moderate(inhibition zone of 2–3 mm) active against the respective strains. The growth of A. japonicuswas significantly inhibited by the extracts ofS. leptocladus (r = 0.992, p < 0.0001)and E. grandifolia (r = 0.989, p < 0.0001).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonal and interannual variation of ichthyoplankton off Mauritania

Changes of the quantitative and qualitative composition of ichthyoplankton off Mauritania (21–16° N) in different seasons of 1997–2008 are analyzed. In this area, pelagic eggs and larvae of over 120 fish species belonging to 71 families are recorded. In warm periods, the fish of the tropical fauna intensively spawn off Mauritania; round sardinella Sardinella aurita, West-African horse mackerel Trachurus trecae, and jack mackerel Caranx rhonchus are dominant. In cold periods, active spawning of fish belonging to the tropical fauna is recorded, the most abundant are European pilchard Sardina pilchardus, European horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus, and Atlantic mackerel Scomber japonicus. The spawning biomass of principal commercial fish species is calculated on the basis of the quantity of eggs laid by females. Environmental factors control fluctuations of abundance and distribution of ichthyoplankton in the considered region.     

Immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide in the fish heart and blood plasma examined by electron microscopy,immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay

Summary The immunoreactivity of atrial natriuretic peptide and ultrastructure of cardiocytes were examined in 5 species each of freshwater and seawater teleosts, as well as in 2 species each of elasmobranchs and cyclostomes. Immunoreactivity was strong in the atria of Cyprinus carpio, Anguilla japonica and Conger myriaster, rather weak in atria of Channa maculata, Lepomis macrochirus, Salmo gairdneri, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Eptatretus burgeri, very weak in atria of Pagrus major, Trachurus japonicus and Triakis scyllia, and not detectable in atria of Hexagrammos otakii, Narke japonica and Lampetra japonica. The immunoreactivity of the atrial cardiocytes was generally stronger in freshwater than seawater fish. Ventricular immunoreactivity was detected only in 7 species, always being weaker than that observed in the atrium. Ultrastructurally, however, secretory granules were found in atria and ventricles of all species examined, being more frequent in the former than the latter. By radioimmunoassay, immunoreactive ANP was detected in the extracts of blood plasma and both atrial and ventricular tissues of all species examined. There were no statistically significant differences in the values between freshwater and seawater species.     

Chemical ecology of oribatid mites III. Chemical composition of oil gland exudates from two oribatid mites, Trhypochthoniellus sp. and Trhypochthonius japonicus (Acari: Trhypochthoniidae)

The composition of oil gland exudates from two oribatid mites, Trhypochthoniellus sp. and Trhypochthonius japonicus, was studied with reference to the related species Trhypochthoniellus crassus. Trhypochthoniellus sp. contained a mixture of seven compounds; (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, geranial, 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (γ-acaridial), neryl formate, neral, (Z)-8-heptadecene and geranyl formate in decreasing order of abundance. The profile of the components from T. japonicus consisted of two types depending on the locality of sampling with unknown reason; one possessing a mixture of eight compounds [(Z,E)-farnesal, γ-acaridial, (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, (E,E)-farnesal, (Z)-8-heptadecene and geranial in decreasing order] together with two unknown compounds, and the other composed of the same set of compounds together with 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde as the most abundant component. Relative abundance among common components was consistent between the two types of T. japonicus. Profiles of components differed among three species including T. crasus. The phylogenetic relationship between Oribatida and Astigmata was discussed based on secretory compounds commonly distributed between these two suborders. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The brine shrimp Artemia sp. as alternative prey for rearing the predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus

The predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus, which is widely used in greenhouse crops, is limited in its application by its high price. An important factor in the cost is the high price of Ephestia kuehniella eggs, the prey used in their mass rearing. In order to reduce their price, alternatives to moth eggs are currently being investigated. The brine shrimp Artemia sp. is produced in large quantities in saline lakes and is fed as live food source to the larvae of a variety of marine and freshwater organisms. In this study, we tested Artemia sp. as prey for rearing M. caliginosus from two strains. We evaluated developmental and reproduction parameters of the predator when fed nauplii, enriched nauplii with a fatty acid, dry cysts and hydrated cysts, and were compared with those obtained when the predator was fed with E. kuehniella eggs. Nauplii had a significant reduction in survivorship, a delay in development of nymphs and a low reproduction of adults. Nauplii enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n − 3), a common practice for larviculture of some marine fish species, resulted toxic to M. caliginosus nymphs and survival was quite low. On the contrary, either dry or hydrated cysts from the two strains tested of the brine shrimp produced the same nymphal survivorship, nymphal development time and weight and fecundity of adults as those obtained with E. kuehniella eggs. Demographic parameters of the eighth generation of the predator reared with cysts of the two strains, either dry or hydrated, were as good as those of moth eggs. We concluded that Artemia sp. cysts were a good substitution prey for the mass rearing of M. caliginosus.     

Morphological and genetic characteristics of sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus, from the Ariake Sea, Japan

Sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus, from the Ariake Sea, characterized by black dots on the lateral body region as in the Chinese sea bass,L. sp., were examined and compared morphologically and genetically withL. japonicus andL. sp. Some meristic characters of the Ariake form tended to fall midway between values for the two former species. Genetic features, evaluated by isozyme analyses, indicated that the Ariake form as represented a simple Mendelian population, there being no significant differences from a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium according to chi-square tests. Although some extreme differences in allelic frequencies were found at some loci betweenL. japonicus andL. sp., the Ariake form possessed many heterozygotes at thePROT-1 ^* locus, in addition to allelic frequencies at some loci conforming to those ofL. sp. Average allele numbers per locus, rate of polymorphic loci and average heterozygosity of the Ariake form were higher than for eitherL. japonicus orL. sp., indicating high genetic variation in the former. The results suggested that the Ariake population is genetically independent of other populations ofL. japonicus, but might be genetically influenced byL. sp.     

Seasonal and interannual variation of ichthyoplankton off the coast of the Moroccan Sahara

Changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of ichthyoplankton off the coast of the Moroccan Sahara (21–28° N) in different seasons of 1994–2007 are analyzed. In this region, the pelagic eggs and larvae of over 100 fish species belonging to 62 families have been recorded. In cold periods, off the coast of the Moroccan Sahara there is peak in the spawning of fish of the subtropical fauna. The majority of them are European pilchard Sardina pilchardus, common scad Trachurus trachurus, and Atlantic mackerel Scomber japonicus. In warm periods there is intensive spawning of fish of the tropical fauna. Among them, dominants are round sardinella Sardinella aurita, West-African scad Trachurus trecae, and Atlantic bonito Sarda sarda. The spawning biomass of principal commercial fish is calculated by the quantity of eggs laid by females. The environmental factors are indicated that influence the fluctuation of abundance and distribution of ichthyoplankton in the region under consideration.     

DNA barcoding of marine fishes from Saudi Arabian waters of the Gulf

We used the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (coI) gene DNA to barcode 117 endemic Gulf and cosmopolitan Indo–West Pacific fish species belonging to 54 families and 13 orders. Novel DNA barcodes were provided for 18 fish species (Trachinocephalus sp., Nematalosa sp., Herklotsichthys lossei, Upeneus doriae, Trachurus indicus, Apogonichthyoides taeniatus, Verulux cypselurus, Favonigobius sp., Suezichthus gracilis, Sillago sp., Brachirus orientalis, Pegusa sp., Lepidotrigla bispinosa, Lepidotrigla sp., Grammoplites suppositus, Hippichthys sp., Paramonacanthus sp. and Triacanthus sp.). The species delimitation analysis, conducted with Poisson tree processes– Bayesian PTP (PTP–bPTP) and nucleotide-divergence-threshold (NDT) models), found 137 and 119 entities respectively. Overall, NDT method, neighbour-joining species tree and the prior taxonomic assessment provided similar results. Among the 54 families considered, only 10 (Ariommatidae, Ephippidae, Leiognathidae, Nemipteridae, Plotosidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Priacanthidae and Rachycentridae) showed the occurrence of molecular diagnostic pure characters. The DNA barcoding database developed during this study will help ichthyologists to identify and resolve the taxonomic ambiguities they may encounter with the fishes occurring in The Gulf and throughout the region.     

Microflora and internal parasites of the digestive tract of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia

Faecal and vomit samples were collected from 12 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in May 2002 and examined for bacteria, fungi and parasites. Bacteria present included Escherichia coli, Aeromonas salmonicidia, Proteus sp., Escherichia fergusonii, Providencia alcalifaciens, Micrococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. Mycological examination revealed the presence of Candida sp., yeasts and in one case, Rhodotorula rubra. Strongyle eggs were found in several samples. In most faecal samples, ascarid eggs of Toxocara type were found. Tapeworm eggs of Moniezia type were present in one faecal sample. Both microbiologic and parasitic findings are most likely the result of the feeding habits of griffon vultures.     

Transient expression of the GUS gene in a unicellular marine green alga,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.<Emphasis Type="Italic">MACC/C95</Emphasis>, via electroporation

A transient expression system for a unicellular marine green alga,Chlorella sp.MACC/C95, was developed using a reporter GUS gene coded for by plasmid pBI121. The results demonstrated a high transformation efficiency could be achieved by using electroporation to deliver DNA into intact cells and the CaMV35S promoter to drive the foreign gene expression inChlorella sp.MACC/C95. The use of a carrier DNA coupled with osmosis treatment improved the transformation efficiency, while linearization of the plasmid had minor effects. Investigation of the effects of DNA concentration and growth phases ofChlorella sp.MACC/C95 on transformation efficiency indicated that the highest level of transient expression was observed when 6 μg mL⁻¹ of plasmid DNA and cells 2–6 days old were used.     

Food habits of fishes on an exposed sandy beach at Fukiagehama,South-West Kyushu Island,Japan

To clarify the feeding habits and major food sources of sandy beach fishes, the gut contents of 55 fish species collected on a sandy beach at Fukiagehama, South-West Kyushu Island, Japan, were examined. Ontogenetic changes in food preference were recognized in nine species (Hypoatherina valenciennei, Lateolabrax japonicus, Trachurus japonicus, Sillago japonica, Sphyraena japonica, Paralichthys olivaceus, Heteromycteris japonica, Paraplagusia japonica, and Takifugu niphobles). A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the sandy beach fish assemblage comprised six trophic groups (mysid, amphipod, zooplankton, juvenile fish, terrestrial insect, and mollusk feeders). Of these, the first three groups were the most abundantly represented, whereas the last two were represented by only a single species. These results indicated that epibenthic macrofauna, such as mysids and gammaridean amphipods, and zooplankton, were important food resources for the fish assemblage at the study site, but infaunal macrobenthos, such as polychaetes and bivalves, being relatively unimportant.     

Rickettsial Agents from Parasitic Dermanyssoidea (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Mites are often overlooked as vectors of pathogens, but have been shown to harbor and transmit rickettsial agents such as Rickettsia akari and Orientia tsutsugamushi. We screened DNA extracts from 27 mites representing 25 species of dermanyssoids for rickettsial agents such as Anaplasma, Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia by PCR amplification and sequencing. DNA from Anaplasma spp., a novel Bartonella sp., Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia sp., and an unclassified Rickettsiales were detected in mites. These could represent mite-borne bacterial agents, bacterial DNA from blood meals, or novel endosymbionts of mites.     

Characterization of the nuclear DNA ofPhialophora gregata ff.sp.adzukicola andsojae

Phialophora gregata nuclear (n) DNA was characterized by physical methods. The nDNA of f.sp.adzukicola was shown to be larger than that of f.sp.sojae, 2.9 and 2.1 × 10¹⁰ Da, respectively. The amounts of repetitive sequence and AT-rich region in the nDNA were also larger in f.sp.adzukicola than f.sp.sojae. These results indicate that the nuclear genome organization of the two formae speciales is differentiated.