A new sculpin species Cottus sabaudicus sp. nova (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) from the Savoy district, France

Sculpins from mountain tributaries of the upper reaches of the Rhone River (Haute-Savoy district) in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History (Paris, France) are described as a new species Cottus sabaudicus. This species belongs to the species group C. gobio, but is characterized by several morphologically specific features. It differs from the typical species of the genus C. gobio in its monotonous body coloration, an increased postanal distance that equals preanal distance, an absence of dark stripes on ventral fins, the ratio of the length of caudal peduncle and depth (1.8–2.3 versus 2.3–2.8), and a greater number of pores in the trunk seismosensory canal (34–37 versus 31–33 + 1).     

Phylogenetic relationships of sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus volki</Emphasis> Taranetz, 1933 (Scorpaeniformes,Cottidae) according to the results of analysis of control region in mitochondrial DNA

Sequencing of the fragment of control region in mitochondrial DNA in sculpin Cottus volki and the comparison of obtained data with homologous nucleotide sequences in the other species from genus Cottus demonstrated that C. volki occupies the basal position in the “poecilopus” group, which includes also typical sculpin C. poecilopus Heckel, 1837 from water bodies of Europe, sculpin C. szanaga Dybowski, 1869 from the Amur River basin, and sculpin Cottus cf. poecilopus from the Lena River basin. Early separation of C. volki line from common trunk of “poecilopus” group explains the presence in C. volki of several primitive (plesiomorphic for this group) morphological characters: long interior ray of ventral fin, practically complete lateral body line, and well-developed dentition of palatine bones.     

Conservation genetics of prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) at the periphery of its distribution range in Peace River, Canada

Populations at the edge of their range often invoke taxonomic confusion and are increasingly considered to harbour cryptic genetic diversity of significant adaptive potential. In the Peace River region of northwestern Canada, three sculpin species have been reported: spoonhead (Cottus ricei), slimy (Cottus cognatus) and prickly (Cottus asper) sculpin. Prickly sculpin occurrence in this region represents the most eastern edge of its distribution, but its status has remained uncertain following its initial discovery in 1989. These populations may represent an independently evolving lineage of special conservation concern, or be the consequence of an ongoing range expansion, possibly accompanied by interspecific hybridization with local species. Using a combination of mtDNA sequencing and microsatellite analyses, we did not find peripheral population differentiation or interspecific hybridization, suggesting that the Albertan Peace River population belongs to the same genetic group as its western counterparts. Future studies will benefit from a greater understanding of whether demographically independent prickly sculpin populations established in Alberta without the typical genetic signatures of expansion at the periphery of their range.     

Age and growth of Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) and young brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a subalpine Norwegian river

Age, growth and density of Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) and young brown trout (Salmo trutta) within two sections of River Atna; above Lake Atnsjøen [Section 1 at altitudes between 739 and 715 m] and below Lake Atnsjøen [Section 2 at altitudes between 430 and 370 m] was studied during a 6-year period (1986–91). The water temperature was considerably lower in Section 1 than in Section 2, as the number of days with a water temperature above 10?°C (T _{D ≥ 10?° C} ) from spring to August 1 ranged between 2–26 and 26–52 days, respectively. Juvenile brown trout (age 0+) attained a significantly smaller body size in Section 1 than in Section 2; mean length ±SD was 35 ± 8 mm (ranged 27–46) and 43 ± 7 mm (range 38–46), respectively. In Section 2, there was a highly positive correlation between the body length of 0+ brown trout and mean water temperature in June (p<0.005), and also to some extent in Section 1 (p=0.11). Individuals of age 1+ did not exhibit any such difference, while fish in age group 2+ were larger in Section 1 than in Section 2. By using the number of days with a water temperature between the range 5–10?°C (T _{D ≥ 5 ? 10?° C} ) as test variables, we found a highly positive correlation between the August 1 body length of 0+ brown trout and T _{D ≥ 9}?°C from spring to August 1 in Section 2 (p<0.05), as opposed to T _{D ≥ 7}?°C for trout in Section 1 (p=0.11). Young Siberian sculpin (age 0+ and 1+) also exhibited slower growth in Section 1 than in Section 2, but this was not the case among older specimens. In the year with the lowest temperature measured (1987), no 0+ Siberian sculpin were caught in any of the two sections, indicating that low temperature affects their survival. Both species exhibited large spatial and temporal variation in density. Thus, data on abundance and growth sampled on one occasion at one site can not be regarded as representative for these two fish populations.     

Biochemical characterization of α- and β-glucosidases in alimentary canal, salivary glands and haemolymph of the rice green caterpillar, Naranga aenescens M. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The biochemical properties of ??- and ??-glucosidase in salivary glands, alimentary canal and haemolymph of Naranga aenescens larvae, one of the most damaging pests of the rice crop in Iran, were investigated. The specific activity of ??-glucosidases were 3.88, 2.74 and 1.58 ??mol/min per mg protein in the alimentary canal, salivary glands and haemolymph of last instar larvae, respectively. The specific activity of ??-glucosidases were 1.27, 0.077 and 0.414 ??mol/min per mg protein in the alimentary canal, salivary glands and haemolymph of last instar larvae, respectively. The optimal pH for ??-glucosidases were 6.0, 6.0?C8.0 and 6.0 and the maximum activity for ??-glucosidases were obtained at pH 6.0, 5.0?C7.0 and 5.0 in alimentary canal, salivary glands and haemolymph, respectively. The optimum temperatures for ??-glucosidases were determined at 55°C in alimentary canal, 35?C45°C in salivary glands and 55°C in haemolymph, whereas the ??-glucosidases reached their optimum at 45°C in all three tissues. Effect of metal ions on the activity of ??- and ??-glucosidases showed that K⁺ (20 mM) and Mg²⁺ (10 and 20 mM) increased N. aenescens ??- and ??-glucosidases activities from salivary glands, while Ca²⁺ increased ??- and ??-glucosidases activities in haemolymph. In the presence of Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Hg⁺ and Zn²⁺ (10, 20 mM) and Hg²⁺ (20 mM), these enzymes from all tissues were completely inactivated. K _m values were estimated for the ??-glucosidases as 3.96, 0.547 and 3.084 mM and for ??-glucosidases as 1.93, 1.014 and 1.93 mM in the alimentary canal, salivary gland and haemolymph, respectively. The zymogram analyses of N. aenescens crude extracts indicated the presence of at least two isoforms for ??-glucosidase and one isoform for ??-glucosidase.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus sibiricus</Emphasis> and an estimation of differences between this species and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus dzungaricus</Emphasis> (Cottidae)

The type specimens of Cottus sibiricus and C. dzungaricus as well as individuals from the Olkha River (Yenisei River basin) are studied. The diagnostic features of C. sibiricus are established. Comparative morphological and molecular analysis of divergence between C. sibiricus and C. dzungaricus demonstrates that the differences lie within the limits of one polymorphous species. The rank of Dzungarian sculpin is lowered to the subspecies, C. sibiricus dzungaricus.     

Non-indigenous amphidromous sculpin Cottus pollux small-egg type (Teleostei: Cottidae) detected in rivers entering the Sea of Japan off Honshu Island, Japan

The amphidromous sculpin Cottus pollux small-egg type (SE) is an endemic species in rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean on the east side of Honshu Island, Japan. However, our molecular genetic and morphological analyses using recently collected specimens showed that C. pollux SE inhabits some rivers flowing into the Sea of Japan, where this species is originally non-indigenous. Thus, these results suggest that C. pollux SE was anthropogenically introduced into these rivers. In addition, our data on the size distribution of juvenile fishes suggest that non-indigenous C. pollux SE reproduce at least in rivers of Ishikawa Prefecture.     

Diverse migratory histories of Japanese Trachidermus and Cottus species (Cottidae) as inferred from otolith microchemistry

The migratory histories of Japanese freshwater sculpins, one Trachidermus and four Cottus species, were studied by examining strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in their otoliths using wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectrometry on an electron microprobe. The Sr : Ca ratios in the otoliths changed with salinity of the habitat. The otoliths of Cottus nozawae showed consistently low Sr : Ca ratios, with an average of 3·37 × 10^?3 from the core to the edge, suggesting a freshwater resident life cycle. In contrast, the otolith Sr : Ca ratios for Trachidermus fasciatus and Cottus kazika changed along the life history transects possibly in accordance with their migration patterns from sea to fresh water. The ratios of T. fasciatus and C. kazika averaged 5·4 × 10^?3 and 5·3 × 10^?3 respectively, in the otolith region from the core to the points 450–890 μm, and changed to the lower levels, averaging 2·0 × 10^?3 and 2·7 × 10^?3, in the outer otolith region. These data suggest that both the species have a catadromous life cycle. The otoliths of Cottus hangiongensis had low Sr : Ca ratios in the two regions from the core to the points 15–30 μm and the points 415–582 μm to the edge, averaging 2·0 × 10^?3 and 1·9 × 10^?3, with significantly higher ratios in the narrow area between these regions, averaging 4·6 × 10^?3. Similar ontogenetic changes in otolith Sr : Ca ratios were found in the otoliths of Cottus amblystomopsis, suggesting their amphidromous life cycle. These findings suggest that otolith Sr : Ca ratios reflect individual life histories and that Japanese Trachidermus and Cottus species have diverse migratory histories.     

Genetic population structure of Japanese river sculpin Cottus pollux (Cottidae) large-egg type,inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

The geographic distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes from Japanese river sculpin Cottus pollux large-egg type (LE), collected from 55 locations in 22 rivers over most of the species’ range in Japan, was examined to assess for patterns of population genetic structure. The 87 haplotypes observed from C. pollux LE were distinguishable from C. pollux middle-egg type and small-egg type haplotypes from previously published research. Cottus pollux LE from each river were largely represented by diagnostic mtDNA haplotypes, with limited geographical associations of haplotypes, suggesting that each river must be treated as a separate management unit.     

The genomics of incompatibility factors and sex determination in hybridizing species of Cottus (Pisces)

Cottus rhenanus and Cottus perifretum have formed hybrid lineages and narrow hybrid zones that can be best explained through the action of natural selection. However, the underlying selective forces as well as their genomic targets are not well understood. This study identifies genomic regions in the parental species that cause hybrid incompatibilities and tests whether these manifest in a sex-specific manner to learn about processes that affect natural hybridization in Cottus. Interspecific F₂ crosses were analyzed for 255 markers for genetic mapping and to detect transmission distortion as a sign for genetic incompatibilities. The Cottus map consists of 24 linkage groups with a total length of 1575.4 cM. A male heterogametic (XY) sex determination region was found on different linkage groups in the two parental species. Genetic incompatibilities were incomplete, varied among individuals and populations and were not associated with the heterogametic sex. The variance between populations and individuals makes it unlikely that there are species-specific incompatibility loci that could affect the gene pool of natural hybrids in a simple and predictable way. Conserved synteny with sequenced fish genomes permits to genetically study the Cottus genome through the transfer of genomic information from the model fish species. Homology relationships of candidate genomic regions in Cottus indicate that sex determination is not based on the same genomic regions found in other fish species. This suggests a fast evolutionary turnover of the genetic basis of sex determination that, together with the small size of the heterogametic regions, may contribute to the absence of fitness effects related to the Haldane''s rule.     

Embryonic and early larval development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus czerskii</Emphasis> Berg, 1913 (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)

The embryonic and early larval development of the Cherskii’s sculpin Cottus czerskii Berg, 1913 was studied. The duration of the embryonic period was 21 days at a water temperature of 9–10°C. Pelagic larvae of approximately 8.0 mm total length leave the egg envelopes, with a large rounded yolk sac with one large oil globule, 10–12 trunk and 30–31 precaudal myomeres and several large melanophores on the yolk sac, 2 melanophores in the peritoneal region, and 30 melanophores in a postanal ventral row. At 11 days after hatching at a length of 9.0 mm, the yolk sac is completely resorbed and the number of myomeres remains the same; seven rays become visible in the caudal fin. The fully formed larva of C. czerskii has an elongated body, a small head, a rounded snout, and an oblong tail part. The melanophores are located in the peritoneal area above the gut, in the abdominal area, and in the postanal ventral row. Armament in the form of spines on the top of the head is absent, pointing to the affiliation of the species that we studied to the Cottus–Leptocottus phenetic group.     

The effect of granulated barley as single major ingredient in the growing or finishing diet on productive performance,carcass, meat and fat quality of heavy pigs

A total of 48 Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) gilts of 46.8 kg BW (86 ± 3 days of age) were used to investigate the effect of diet during the growing and finishing periods on growth performance and carcass, meat and fat quality. The control diet consisted of a commercial feedstuff and the granulated barley diet had that cereal as the single major ingredient. There were three treatments: (i) control diet provided from 45.6 to 127.8 kg BW (C group), (ii) control diet from 47.0 to 91.8 kg BW and granulated barley from 91.8 to 129.7 kg BW (C + GB group) and (iii) granulated barley from 47.9 to 93.1 kg BW and control diet from 93.1 to 135.1 kg BW (GB + C group). Each treatment was replicated eight times, with two pigs per replicate. The C group grew faster (P < 0.001) and had a better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001) than the GB + C group, with C + GB being intermediate. Carcasses from C + GB gilts had higher backfat depth than those from C gilts, with GB + C being intermediate (P < 0.05). Also, the main joints (ham + shoulder + loin) had a higher (P < 0.01) yield in carcass in the GB + C group than in the C group, with C + GB being intermediate. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher (P < 0.001) in loin from C + GB and GB + C gilts than in C gilts. The IMF of loin from C + GB gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) proportions than that from C gilts, whereas the C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA percentages were lower (P < 0.05) in C + GB gilts than in the remaining gilts. The total saturated FA percentage was lower (P < 0.05) in loin from GB + C than in that from C gilts. Hams from C + GB and GB + C gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated FA proportions and lower C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA contents than those from C gilts. We can conclude that granulated barley provided during the growing or the finishing period improved some carcass and meat characteristics of heavy gilts desirable for dry-cured ham production.     

Distribution of Cottus poecilopus Heckel and C. gobio L (Pisces) in Scandinavia

Andreasson. S. (Department of Animal Ecology, Lund University, Lund. Sweden.) Distribution of Cottus poecilopus Heckel and C. gobio L. (Pisces) in Scandinavia. Zool. Scripta 1(2): 69–78, 1972. –The distribution of the freshwater sculpins Cottus poecilopus Heckel and C. gobio L. in Scandinavia is presented. In southern Scandinavia there are rather defined limits between the species with C. poecilopus in the upper parts of the water courses and C. gobio in the lower reaches. There are few cases of sympatry. In northern Scandinavia there is a broad overlap and coexistence is common in the large rivers. The distribution pattern seems to be partly a result of an interaction between the species. In the South, the sharp limits are set by falls blocking the upstream dispersal of C. gobio thus indicating an exclusion of C. poecilopus in the lower reaches below the falls by the presence of C. gobio there. Where the species meet or overlap there is a habitat segregation.     

New data on the distribution of the Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) flexible crinoid Cibolocrinus (Crinoidea,Flexibilia)

Two new species of flexible crinoids of the genus Cibolocrinus (Crinoidea, Flexibilia) from the Upper Carboniferous of the Moscow Region are described: C. kutasovi (Moscovian Stage, Podolskian Regional Substage) and C. gerassimovi (Gzhelian Stage, Dobryatinian Regional Substage). The first species, C. kutasovi, belongs to a group with low cone shaped cups that first appeared in the Moscow Basin and then spread to the Midcontinent of North America. In one specimen of C. gerassimovi the smallest infrabasal plate is situated in the A ray, which is not typical for flexible crinoids. A poorly preserved crown of Cibolocrinus sp. from the Upper Carboniferous (Gzhelian Stage) of the Darvaz Ridge (western Pamir, central Tajikistan) is also described. The described specimens of Cibolocrinus from the Moscow Region and the Darvaz Ridge are the first reliable specimens of this genus described from Europe and Asia.     

Assessing riverscape-scale variation in fish life history using banded sculpin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus carolinae</Emphasis>)

Advancing the field of fish ecology requires a shift in focus from describing patterns in species occurrences to understanding the mechanisms that regulate distributions and abundances across broad scales. For stream fish ecology, this includes understanding environmental mechanisms that regulate stream fish demographic properties at the scale of stream networks or riverscapes. Despite the fact that Banded Sculpin Cottus carolinae occupy a diversity of habitats and stream sizes across the southeastern United States, relatively little is known about the demography of this species. We assessed annual demographic properties (reproduction, growth, and survival) of C. carolinae collected monthly from four sites distributed longitudinally along the Roaring River riverscape in Tennessee to simultaneously describe life history attributes of the species and address riverscape-scale variation in population dynamics. Cottus carolinae lived for a maximum of four years, local populations were dominated by age-0 and age-1 individuals, reproduction began after one year, spawning occurred during December and January, and mean ova number was 398. A life history tradeoff between growth (robustness) and survival was evident at one site where water temperature and flow were least variable, otherwise life history attributes were consistent across the riverscape despite longitudinal changes in abiotic variables. Our work illustrates the potential for muted population responses to a strong hydrologic gradient in stream size and highlights the stability inherent with fish life history adaptations to natural environmental regimes across broad spatial scales.     

Ectodysplasin signalling genes and phenotypic evolution in sculpins (Cottus)

Despite their deeply conserved function among vertebrates, ectodysplasin (Eda) signalling genes are involved in microevolutionary change in humans and sticklebacks. If such a dual role is common, Eda signalling genes constitute hotspots for morphological evolution. Variation in sculpin (Cottus) skin prickling and body shape resembles patterns caused by variation in Eda signalling in sticklebacks. We mapped Eda signalling genes and performed quantitative trait locus mapping in crosses between Cottus rhenanus and Cottus perifretum. A genomic region containing the Eda receptor (Edar) was strongly associated with prickling and contributed to shape. The expression of Edar in developing prickles and skeletal elements in Cottus was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Coding sequence changes between Edar alleles in C. rhenanus and C. perifretum exceeded sequence differentiation in other vertebrates. However, it is likely that additional genetic elements besides coding changes affect the phenotypic variation. Although the phenotype in a natural hybrid lineage between C. rhenanus and C. perifretum resembles C. perifretum, the respective coding Edar alleles are not fully fixed (88.6%). Hence, our results support an involvement of Eda signalling in microevolutionary changes, but imply that the Edar gene is affected by multiple evolutionary processes that vary among freshwater sculpins.     

Comparative karyology of species of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cobitis</Emphasis> (Cobitidae) from the Amur River Basin in connection with their taxonomic relations and the evolution of karyotypes

Data are first provided on karyotypes of four species of Cobitidae from the Amur Basin: Misgurnus nikolskyi (2n = 50 = 10m + 4 sm + 36sta, NF = 64), Cobitis lutheri, (2n = 50 = 12m + 8sm + 30sta, NF = 70), C. choii (2n = 50 = 8m + 10sm + 8st + 24a, NF = 68), and C. melanoleuca (2n = 50 = 6m + 16sm + 28sta, NF = 72), and number of chromosomes in M. mohoity (2n = 50) and karyotypes of C. melanoleuca from the basin of the Don, Malyi and Bol’shoi Uzen rivers, and Selenga. These data are discussed in connection with problems of taxonomy of the studied genera, as well as the evolutionary relations of their karyotypes. On the basis of karyological differences between the populations of C. melanoleuca from different parts of the range, a new subspecies C. melanoleuca gladkovi subsp. nov. that inhabits waters of Europe is described.