A preliminary study of two species of flatfish (family: Bothidae) from the south-west Atlantic

Two species of the family Bothidae (lefteye flounders), Mancopsetta maculata metadata and M. milfordi occur in the south-west Atlantic but are caught rarely by commercial bottom trawlers. Little is therefore known about their general biology from this area. A total of 251 M. maculata and 276 M. milfordi were sampled during deep-water exploratory fishing conducted in November 1994 within the Falkland Islands Interim and Outer Conservation Zones, at depths of 400-1000 m, using standard commercial bottom trawling gear. The two species were found to have similar geographical distributions between 48.30'-53.30'S and 55°-62° W and were often obtained at the same stations in depths of 400-900 m on the continental slope. Mancopsetta maculata maculata showed a uni-modal cohort structure with a modal length at the 29-cm total length size-class. Males of M. m. maculata outnumbered females in a ratio of 3.5 : 1. Mancopsetta milfordi showed a tri-modal length distribution, the main mode at the 37-cm total length size-class, with females outnumbering males in a ratio of 1.1 : 1. Length-weight relationships and length-at-age information are presented for the two species. Diet was determined from the analysis of stomach contents and, although the major prey type for both species consisted of crustaceans, the morid fish Austrophycis marginata also formed an important part of the diet of M. milfordi. Key words: Mancopsetta maculata maculata; Mancopsetta milfordi; distribution; south-west Atlantic; size; diet.     

The phylogeny of the cactophilic yeasts based on the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences: the proposals of Phaffomyces antillensis and Starmera caribaea, new combinations.

The complete sequences of the 18S rRNA gene fragments of the type strains of the cactophilic yeast species, Pichia antillensis, Pichia caribaea, Phaffomyces opuntiae, Phaffomyces thermotolerans, Starmera amethionina var. amethionina, and Starmera amethionina var. pachycereana were determined and compared. The type strain of Phaffomyces opuntiae had two kinds of the 18S rRNA gene sequences of which base differences were counted to be 15 and of which the percent similarity was calculated to be 99.1. The type strains of P. antillensis, P. caribaea, and Starmera amethionina var. pachycereana had the Q-7 system. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera were monophyletic and distant from each other and from the other species examined of the ascogenous teleomorphic genera, and that P. antillensis and P. caribaea were included within the clusters of the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera, respectively. The two Pichia species were transferred to the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera as the new combinations, Phaffomyces antillensis and Starmera caribaea. The new family Phaffomycetaceae was proposed as the type genus Phaffomyces.     

Maturation, spawning and growth of rock soles off Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska

Northern rock sole Lepidopsetta polyxystra females from the Kodiak Island area, Alaska, reached 50% maturity at 328 mm L _T and an average age of 7 years. In contrast, southern rock sole Lepidopsetta bilineata females reached 50% maturity at 347 mm L _T and an average age of 9 years. Spawning started in midwinter for northern rock sole and peaked during the spring, while spawning for southern rock sole occurred during the summer. The bottom depth for spawning northern rock sole ranged from 43 to 61 m and averaged 45 m; spawning depth for southern rock sole ranged from 35 to 120m and averaged 78m. Both species appeared to develop a single stock of oocytes and to ovulate them in a single spawning. Northern rock sole females grew faster overall ( K =0.24) than southern rock sole females ( K =0.12) but reached a smaller maximum length ( L _∞=430 mm) than southern rock sole ( L _∞=520mm). Males of both species grew more slowly than females after 5 years of age and reached a smaller maximum length.     

Length‐weight relationship and GSI index of smallhead hairtail,Eupleurogrammus muticus (Gray, 1831), northern Persian Gulf,Hormozgan coastal waters

Length–weight and length–length relationships (LWR and LLR) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) were estimated for smallhead hairtail (Eupleurogrammus muticus). A total of 441 fish were collected on a monthly basis from October 2011 to August 2012 using a bottom trawl net at depths of 5–30 m. The length‐weight relationship did not differ significantly between males and females (P > 0.05). Data on the gonadosomatic index (GSI) revealed that spawning is principally from January to June.     

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.     

Spatial distribution and features of biology of Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus in the North Pacific

The results of the investigations of spatial and vertical distribution of Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus in the North Pacific Ocean conducted for many years are presented. In addition, the size distribution and features of biology of the species are studied. The largest abundance of the species is registered in the Bering Sea, western Gulf of Alaska, eastern Aleutian Islands, and Pacific waters of northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka. The species is the most abundant near the bottom at the depth from 200 to 700 m and in the pelagic waters at a depth of 100–200 m. The average depths of the catches of Pacific sleeper shark substantially change over the year reaching minimum values in June and maximum values in December. Vertical daily migrations (to the water column at night and to the bottom during the day) are registered. The catches are represented by fish 26–352 cm in length, and sharks 100–200 cm in length prevail. The males are noticeably smaller than the females. In general, condition of the fishes decreases and feeding intensity increases with growth. Food composition substantially changes with the increase of body length: consumption of squids decreases and consumption of crustaceans, fishes, and fishery wastes increases. The food composition is slightly different in the females and males.     

FORAGING OF JUVENILE MONK SEALS AT FRENCH FRIGATE SHOALS, HAWAII

Emaciation and poor survivorship of juvenile Hawaiian monk seals at French Frigate Shoals atoll prompted a study of their foraging, using video camera technology ( crittercam ). Nine juveniles between the ages of 1 and 3 yr (six males, three females) were fitted with crittercam to identify their foraging habitat and feeding behavior. All feeding was directed at small (≤ 10 cm), cryptic, benthic prey. Older seals (ages 2 and 3), varied in their foraging intensity with most of their attention directed at shallow atoll depths (10–30 m). In contrast, the three yearlings focused all their feeding in the sand fields (50–100 m) on the atoll's outer slope. Bottom trawls were used to assess the prey abundance of the sand habitat and found 70% of the numerical catch was flounder ( Bothidae ). Extrapolating the yearlings' prey capture rate (0.13/min, derived from the crittercam video) over their total bottom time yielded an estimated 1–1.3 kg/day of flounder. The mean size of flounder (5 ± 1.7 cm) caught in the bottom trawls was close to the size at which larval flounder settle from the plankton (3 cm), suggesting that localized changes in oceanography could directly impact the seals' prey supply. Extensive use of sand communities by young seals may be the strongest link yet identified between juvenile survivorship and oceanographic dynamics.     

Taxonomic list of the asteroids (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the shelf and superior slope from the Colombian Caribbean

Between 1998 and 2001 we surveyed the benthic macrofauna of the continental shelf and its upper slope in the Colombian Caribbean. The INVEMAR-MACROFAUNA I-II expeditions used a "semi-ballon" net were for 10 minute bottom drags from Punta Gallinas (Guajira) to Arboletes (Antioquia). These covered seven ecological sectors from the Colombian Caribbean: Guajira (GUA), Palomino (PAL), Tayrona (TAY), Magdalena (MAG), Archipiélagos Coralinos (ARCO), Morrosquillo (MOR), and Darié (DAR). We collected 4109 Asteroidea individuals belonging to six orders, 13 families, 26 genera, four subgenera, 35 species and eight subspecies. Luidia barbadensis, Luidia heterozona barimae, Luidia ludwigi scotti, Luidia sarsi elegans, Prionaster elegans, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) sepitus, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Pseudarchaster gracilis gracilis, Rosaster alexandri, Pteraster acicula, Pteraster militarioides militarioides, Doraster constellatus, Mammaster sigsbeei and Coronaster briareus are first records for the Colombian Caribbean. Luidia sarsi elegans, Marginaster pectinatus, Tamaria halperni and Stephanasterias albula are first records for the south Caribbean and Pterasterpersonatus and Dipsacaster antillensis are first records for the Caribbean sea.     

On occurrence and biology of Berg wrymouth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptacanthodes bergi</Emphasis> (Cryptacanthodidae) in the north-western part of the Sea of Japan

With consideration of the data obtained in the period from 1981 to 2009, the occurrence of Berg wrymouth Cryptacanthodes bergi is estimated in the north-western part of the Sea of Japan. Almost all captures of wrymouth were made in Peter the Great Bay (only once was it caught in the Northern Primor’e) in a bathymetric range 18–60 m. Captures of Berg wrymouth are confined to aleurite bottom sediments. The size of captured specimens varied from 11 to 29 cm. The ratio of males and females in collections was close to 8: 1. In July–September, the gonads of females were at maturity stages III and IV and gonadosomatic index varied from 3 to 14%; in males, gonads were at stages II–III and III and gonadosomatic index varied from 0.5–2.7%, respectively.     

Distribution and biology of Alepocephalus rostvatus from the Mediterranean Sea

In the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean) A. rostratus was found on the bottom below 500 m and reached its maximum abundance and biomass at 1100–1300 m depth, being captured down to 2209 m. Mean fish size increased progressively with depth. Larger fish were predominantly females, and 50% of maturity was reached at 23–6 and 27–7 cm in males and females, respectively. Although a high percentage of the population was mature all year round, a peak was attained in autumn, coinciding with the slowest growth of the species. Size-at-age indicated a slow growth rate. The greatest observed age was 23 years, although most of individuals were 7–12 years old. Overall, A. rostratus can be considered as a typical K-strategist, showing a good adaptation to the oligotropic deepsea environment.     

Behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host snail of Schistosoma mansoni, at different depths in water in laboratory conditions

Using three columns of different depths (1.10m, 8.40m and 10.40m), we investigated the possibility of Biomphalaria glabrata moving towards deep regions. In the 1.10m column, we noted that locomotion can occur in two manners: 1) when the foot is in contact with the substrate: a) sliding descent; b) sliding ascent; c) creeping descent; d) creeping ascent, 2) when the foot is not in contact with the substrate: a) sudden descent without emission of air bules; b) sudden descent with emission of air bules; c) sudden ascent. In the 8.40m column containing food on the bottom (experimental group), the snails remained longer at this depth when compared to those of the group which received no food (control). The sliding behavior was characteristic of locomotion occurring at 0 to 1m both in upward and downward directions. Creeping behavior was typical for the ascent of the snails that reached deeper levels. When the snails were creeping, the shell remained hanging as if it were heavier, a fact that may have been due to water entering the pulmonary chamber. In the 10.40m column, the snails slid downward to a depth of 4m or descended suddenly all the way to the bottom. Ascent occurred by creeping from the bottom to the surface. In the 8.40m and 10.40m columns, copulation, feeding and oviposition occurred at the deepest levels.     

Novel steroidal saponins, Sch 725737 and Sch 725739, from a marine starfish, Novodinia antillensis

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an active fraction from an extract of a marine starfish, Novodinia antillensis, led to the isolation and identification of two new saponins, Sch 725737 (1) and Sch 725739 (2). Compound 1 was identified as the NaV1.8 inhibitor with IC(50) of approximately 9 microM. The purification and the structure elucidation of these two saponins are described.     

Long‐term proximity relationships in a captive social group of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

To visualize long‐term social relationships among 12 gorillas in a captive breeding group at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego, CA, the multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure was applied to proximity (within 5 m) values collected in five different periods over 2.5 years. The resulting two‐dimensional representations clearly show that in samples taken during this 2.5‐year period, the silverback male was surrounded by five adult females, while three infant or young juvenile females, gathered in a body, remained between the silverback male and adult females. Some adult females maintained proximity to the silverback male more frequently than other adult females throughout the five periods. Unlike mountain gorillas in the wild, females with dependent offspring did not tend to stay near the silverback male more frequently than other females, and related females did not tend to spend more time near each other than non‐related females. Three older juvenile or young adult males were plotted the furthest from the silverback male, with gradual changes with increasing age. The usefulness of the MDS procedure, which can be used to visualize easily and clearly the social relationships among individuals, is discussed from the viewpoint of the management of breeding groups of captive gorillas. Zoo Biol 20:197–209, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

不同林龄阔叶红松林林下簇毛槭的性比格局及雌雄个体的空间分布

为探讨不同发育阶段林分下的雌雄异株植物与性别相关的性比格局和空间分布, 以5.2 ha的中龄林和1.0 ha的老龄林固定监测样地内簇毛槭(Acer barbinerve)雌、雄植株的定位观测数据为基础, 对比分析了长白山不同林龄的阔叶红松林中的已花簇毛槭的性比格局、空间分布及其与环境因子间的关系。研究结果表明: 中龄林和老龄林中雌树的胸径均显著大于雄树, 总体上性比极显著偏离1:1。随着树木的生长, 性比由偏雄性转变为不再偏离1:1, 这可能是因为雄树始花胸径较小所致。O-ring单变量点格局分析显示中龄林样地中的雌树和雄树符合异质性泊松分布, 老龄林样地中的雌树和雄树均完全随机分布。O-ring双变量点格局分析显示, 在随机标签假设下, 中龄林中的雌树和雄树在1-4 m尺度上空间负相关, 在4-100 m尺度上空间独立, 老龄林中的雌树和雄树在所有尺度上空间独立。簇毛槭在中龄林和老龄林中不同的空间分布格局说明中龄林中簇毛槭分布的斑块性相对明显, 随着林分的发育, 郁闭度较高的老龄林样地中环境异质性降低, 环境因子对簇毛槭分布的影响减弱。典范冗余分析(redundancy analysis, RDA)表明在中龄林中, 林分密度只能解释3.73%的雌树分布的变异, 与雄树分布的相关性不显著, 叶面积指数和非生物因子对雌树和雄树的影响均较弱; 老龄林中簇毛槭的分布与生物因子和非生物因子的相关性均不显著。     

Aspects of the biology of the spotted dragonet Callionymus maculatus Rafmesque-Schmaltz from the west coast of Scotland

The biology of a Scottish population of the spotted dragonet Callionymus maculatus was studied from February 1975 to September 1976. The data were taken from monthly samples totalling over 700 fish trawled in 18–36 m on a soft mud bottom. Neither otoliths nor radial bones were found to be suitable for age determination, but evidence from other sources suggested that most growth takes place in the first two years of life and that males grow faster, but do not live as long (at least 3 years) as females (at least 5 years). Examination of the gonads showed that the spawning season probably lasts from April to September, that females mature earlier in life than males and are serial spawners. The males may reach first maturity at different ages. The sexes are markedly dimorphic. The rays of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins grow isometrically in females but growth of these organs in males is allo-metric after maturity has been achieved. The fish feeds predominantly on polychaetes and amphipods, although bivalve molluscs, macruran decapods and ophiuroids also occur frequently in its diet. There is some difference in the diet between length classes, smaller fish taking fewer polychaetes and more amphipods than the larger individuals. The species is finally compared with other dragonets whose biology is known.     

The nematode fauna in the sulphide–rich brine seep and adjacent bottoms of the East Flower Garden, NW Gulf of Mexico. II. Monhysterida

Eight nematode species of the order Monhysterida are described from the East Flower Garden at 72 m depth in the north–western Gulf of Mexico. The material is from sandy and rocky bottom samples influenced or beyond the influence o f a sulphide–rich brine seep. Seven species are new to science: Monhystera anoxybiotica sp.n., Gonionchus intermedius sp.n., Theristus (Theristus) coplatus sp.n., Theristus (Theristus) rezaki sp.n., Xyala oxybiotica spa., Desmolaimoides thiobioticus gen. et sp.n. and Linhomoeus gittingsi sp.n. Specimens of a Linhomoeus species are also described. The species is probably new to science, but the available material only includes females and juveniles.     

Spatial and length distribution,sex composition,and feeding of the notched-fin eelpout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoarces elongatus</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) in the Sea of Okhotsk

Based on the data from six bottom trawl surveys carried out on the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk in 1997–2007, the features of the distribution, size and sex structure, and food composition of the notched-fin (east) eelpout Zoarces elongatus were analyzed. It was established that this species regularly occurs in trawl catches only in the eastern part of the sea and that the density of its schools decreases with depth. It was recorded that females of the notched-fin eelpout are larger than males. The sex ratio of the fishes varies from year to year. Females prevail at depths less than 25 m and males prevail at depths greater than 25 m.     

Distribution and food habits of the slender smoothhound,Gollum attenuatus,from the waters around New Zealand

Three hundred and seventy-three females and 385 malesof Gollum attenuatus were caught with bottom longlines from the Challenger Plateau, Wanganella Bank and Three Kings Ridge around New Zealand. The sharks ranged in size from 440 to 1092 mm TL for females and 442 to 1067 mm TL for males. Catch rates (number of fish per 100 hooks) were 0.41 for the Challenger Plateau, 0.14 for the Wanganella Bank, and 4.52 for the Three Kings Ridge. The sex ratio was 1:1. In terms of 100-m depth intervals,G. attenuatus was most abundant in 500 to 599 m depths. There was a marked decrease in catch rates with increased distance of the hooks from the bottom. Stomachs contained such varied items as sharks, teleost fishes, gastropods, squids, octopi, decapods, isopods, brittle stars, and human garbage. The data in this study suggest thatG. attenuatus consumed, in order of importance, fishes and crustaceans.     

Some observations on the ecology of Galeus piperatus Springer and Wagner,a little known shark endemic to the Northern Gulf of California*

Galeus piperatus Springer & Wagner, the peppered shark, is a dwarf shark found in the Gulf of California north of the City of Guaymas, Sonora. It has been taken in June and August 1971 and in February and March 1972, and is found from 130–550 m with maximum abundances from 170–420 m deep. Numbers are higher in June and August (up to 110 individuals/ha) than in February and March. In June and August 1971 the area of distribution included all the waters north of Isla Tiburón and Isla Angel de la Guarda, and below the 130 m isobath. During these months Galeus piperatus was found at 12 and 33 stations respectively, but was taken at only one station in the same area during February and March 1972. The fishing effort expended during these periods was 16, 42 and 60 units respectively. It seems likely that a strong migratory movement causes these differences in abundance and distribution. Galeus piperatus has been taken from 50–100 m off the bottom in mid-water trawls at night and is clearly a mid-water and demersal form. Sexually mature females carrying olive green egg cases were taken in large numbers in June 1971 and were also present in reduced numbers in August 1971. Only females 18 cm or more in total length carried egg cases. The migration of Galeus piperatus into the North Gulf of California appears to coincide with sexual maturity.