An alternative hypothesis on the phylogenetic position of the family dactylopteridae (pisces: Teleostei), with a proposed new classification

The phylogenetic position of the family Dactylopteridae is inferred cladistically. The family lacks a close relationship with the Scorpaeniformes, owing to the posterior extension of the infraorbital in the former not being homologous with the scorpaeniform suborbital stay. Monophyly of the Dactylopteridae and percoid family Malacanthidae is supported by 20 synapomorphies, the former having a sister relationship with the malacanthid genusHoplolatilus supported by three synapomorphies. The former Dactylopteridae plus Malacanthidae are redefined as a percoid family. Dactylopteridae. being subdivided into the following four subfamilies: Branchiosteginae (includingBranchiostegus andLopholatilus), Malacanthinae (Caulolatilus andMalacanthus), Hoplolatilinae subfam. nov. (Hoplolatilus) and Dactylopterinae (Dactylopterus andDactyloptena).     

Hypertrophic changes in the ovarian chromaffin tissue (catechol storing tissue) under the influence of the pituitary and its theoretical implications in the teleost fish, Nandus nandus.

Evidence is presented in this work for the existence of a special chromaffin tissue in the ovary of the percoid teleost fish, Nandus and its hypertrophy under the influence of the pituitary extracts. The relationship between the pituitary and the ovary has been discussed from various viewpoints and the secretions of the ovarian chromaffin tissue and the interrenal are suggested as the possible mediators in the process of maturation and ovulation in the teleost fishes.     

美国红鱼生长激素基因的克隆及其遗传进化分析

采用PCR方法从美国红鱼肝脏中扩增出美国红鱼生长激素基因。该基因序列长为1 497 bp,与5个已报道的鲈亚目鱼类生长激素基因结构比较发现,他们的外显子和内含子之比均为6∶5,而且相对应的6个外显子大小一致。用Clustal X软件对美国红鱼和其他13种鲈形目鱼类生长激素基因序列进行比对,选取同源性较高的551 bp的编码区序列构建NJ和MP系统进化树,结果发现由其构建的MP和NJ树与根据形态特征构建的系统发育树基本一致,特别是在鲈形目鱼类科间及科以上分类阶元的系统发育研究方面比较一致。研究结果表明鱼类生长激素基因序列能够较真实反映近缘鱼类之间的关系,是进行鲈形目鱼类系统进化分析的较好遗传标志。     

Relationships among four genera of mojarras (Teleostei: Perciformes: Gerreidae) from the western Atlantic and their tentative placement among percomorph fishes

A phylogenetic study of the percoid family Gerreidae at both lower and higher taxonomic levels is presented based on DNA sequence data of four genes: mitochondrial 12S and 16S, and nuclear genes rhodopsin and recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1). The taxonomic sampling includes four genera of Gerreidae from the western Atlantic, 39 additional percomorph representatives and two outgroups. Phylogenetic results confirm the monophyly of the Gerreidae and suggest that the family is divided into two sub-groups ( Diapterus auratus plus Eugerres plumieri and Eucinostomus gula plus Gerres cinereus ), which correspond to two previously defined taxonomic assemblages characterized by the shape of the preoperculum. Gerreids are placed at an intermediate position in the percomorph tree between two basal clades (L and Q) and a terminal clade N (grouping tetraodontiforms, acanthuroids, lophiiforms, caproids and several percoids). In addition, topology tests indicate that two traditional assemblages, Labroidei (seven representatives sampled) and Percoidei (22 representatives sampled) are not natural groups. Labrids and scarids appear to be more closely related to gerreids and to the members of clade N than to any other basal percomorphs, including their labroid 'allies' sampled in this study, Embiotocidae, Pomacentridae and Cichlidae, which are all nested within clade Q that also includes atherinomorphs, mugiliforms and Chandidae. The percoid taxa included in this study are widely distributed among various percomorph lineages. The percomorph phylogeny obtained is highly congruent with results from recent molecular studies.     

Cloning and Sequencing of the Growth Hormone Gene of Large Yellow Croaker and Its Phylogenetic Significance

Using conserved primers and the PCR reaction, the growth hormone (GH) gene and the 3'-UTR of the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) were amplified and sequenced. The gene structure was analyzed and compared to the GH genes of 5 other percoid fish downloaded from Genbank. Also the GH gene of the large yellow croaker and the genes from 14 Percoidei and 2 Labroidei species were aligned using Clustal X. A matrix of 564 bp was used to construct the phylogenetic tree using maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining methods. Phylogenetic trees by the two methods are identical in most of the clades with high bootstrap support. The results are also identical to those from morphological data. In general, this analysis does not support the monophyll of the families Centropomidae and Carangidae. But our GH gene tree indicates that the representative species of the families Sparidae and Sciaenidae are a monophyletic group.     

Population genetic structure of the catadromous Australian bass from throughout its range

One hatchery-derived impoundment and nine wild riverine populations of the catadromous percoid Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata were examined at six polymorphic allozyme loci to reveal population genetic structure. Subtle genetic differences among many populations indicated that fish did not interact as a panmictic unit, but rather conformed to an isolation by distance pattern of population structure. The hatchery-derived Glenbawn Dam sample differed from the riverine populations in both average heterozygosity and number of polymorphic loci, demonstrating the need for caution in supplementation programs to rehabilitate wild riverine populations.     

Phylogenetic studies of three sinipercid fishes (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences

The sinipercids are a group of 12 species of freshwater percoid fish endemic to East Asia and their phylogenetic placements have perplexed generations of taxonomists. We cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of three sinipercid fishes (Siniperca chuatsi, S. kneri, and S. scherzeri) to characterize and compare their mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial genomes of S. chuatsi, S. kneri, and S. scherzeri were 16,496, 17,002, and 16,585?bp in length, respectively. The organization of the three mitochondrial genomes is similar to those reported from other fish mitochondrial genomes, which contains 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a major non-coding control region. Among the 13 protein-coding genes of all the three sinipercid fishes, three reading-frame overlaps were found on the same strand. There is an 81-bp tandem repeat cluster at the end of CSB-3 in the S. scherzeri control region. The complete mitochondrial genomes of the three sinipercids should be useful for the evolutionary studies of sinipercids and other vertebrate species.     

The new family Caucasichthyidae (Pisces,Perciformes) from the Eocene of the North Caucasus

Caucasichthys kumaensis gen. et sp. nov., a representative of a new monotypic perciform family Caucasichthyidae, from the Middle Eocene (Bartonian, Kuma Horizon) of the North Caucasus (Gorny Luch locality) is described. The new family is characterized by elongated body, strong preopercular spine in adults, absence of supraneurals, large pelvic fins, long caudal peduncle, and anal fin longer at the base than soft dorsal fin. Scales vary from cycloid to spinoid on different parts of the body. Caucasichthys shares a number of apomorphic features with members of certain percoid families, most notably the Priacanthidae. However, because of its unique combination of features, the new family cannot be properly placed within any existing perciform suborder and it is placed incertae sedis among the Perciformes.     

3 types of sperm proteins in eukaryotes

Basic spermal proteins of various species of hydrobionts attributed to Pisces and Cephalopoda are studied. It is established that chromatin of nine species referring to two Cypriniformes families includes the somatic histones. Histone H1 of Cypriniformes is attributed to the lysine-rich type histones and contains 35% mol. of lysine and 0.7% mol. of tyrosine. Chromatin of 14 species of fish referring to nine families of the percoid fish superorder includes protamines similar to salmin, a typical protamine of salmon. The amino acidic analysis of protamine from the sandre sperma has shown that it contains 59% mol. of arginine and no tyrosine. Chromatin of three species from squid superorder referring to Cephalopoda includes gametones -- proteins differing from histones and protamines both in the electrophoretic mobility and amino acidic composition (75% mol. of arginine, 3% mol. of tyrosine).     

Non-monophyly of fish in the Sinipercidae (Perciformes) as inferred from cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> gene

The sinipercids represent a group of 12 species of freshwater percoid fish, including nine in Siniperca and three species in Coreoperca. Despite several classification attempts and a preliminary molecular phylogeny, the phylogenetic relationships and systematic position of sinipercids remained still unsolved. The complete cytochrome b gene sequences from nine sinipercid species four non-sinipercid fish species were cloned, and a total of 12 cyt b sequences from 10 species of sinipercids and 11 cyt b sequences from 10 species of non-sinipercid fish also in Perciformes were included in the phylogenetic analysis. As expected, the two genera Siniperca and Coreoperca within sinipercids are recovered as monophyletic. However, nine species representing Moronidae, Serranidae, Centropomidae, Acropomatidae, Emmelichtyidae, Siganidae and Centrarchidae included in the present study are all nested between Coreoperca and Siniperca, which provides marked evidence for a non-monophyly of sinipercid fishes. Coreoperca appears to be closest to Centrachus representing the family Centrarchidae. Coreoperca whiteheadi and C. herzi are sibling species, which together are closely related to C. kawamebari. In the Siniperca, the node between S. roulei and the remaining species is the most ancestral, followed by that of S. fortis. S. chuatsi and S. kneri are sibling species, sister to S. obscura. However, the sinipercids do not seem to have a very clear phylogenetic history, for different methods of phylogenetic reconstruction result in different tree topologies, and the only conclusive result in favor of a paraphyletic origin of the two sinipercid genera is the parametric bootstrap test. The paraphyly of Sinipercidae may suggest that the “synapomorphs” such as cycloid scales, upon which this family is based, were independently derived at least twice within sinipercid fishes, and further study should be carried out to include the other two Siniperca species and to incorporate other genes. Handling editor: C. Sturmbauer     

Transition to viviparity in the order Scorpaeniformes: Brief review

Among teleost percoid fishes (Percomorpha), the subordes Scorpaenoidei (Scorpaeniformes) and Zoarcoidei (Perciformes) are of particular interest due to the presence of intermediate stages between oviparity and viviparity in several species. We analyze the features of reproductive biology in the fishes of the suborder Scorpaenoidei, including morphology of the urogenital system, gametogenesis, gamete ultrastructure, and embryonic development. The new materials are represented for three tropical coral reef fish species with external insemination from the family Scorpaenidae (Scorpaenopsis possi, Sebastapistes cyanostigma, and Dendrochirus zebra). In particular, a hypertrophied urinary bladder used for storage of mature sperm for insemination of pelagic egg clutch is described in the males. Evolutionary transition to viviparity within the family Sebastidae is discussed. Alternative reproductive strategies are registered in viviparous fishes from the suborders Scorpaenoidei and Zoarcoidei. They are connected with the production of a large number of morphologically weakly developed larvae and a small number of individuals at the juvenile state, respectively.     

Length–weight relationships of Garra birostris Nebeshwar & Vishwanath, 2013, Garra annandalei (Hora, 1921), Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822) and Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822) from the Brahmaputra River basin,Northeast India

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) for one percoid (Johnius coitor) and three cyprinid (Garra birostris, Garra annandalei and Raiamas bola) fish species from the Brahmaputra River basin in Assam, Northeast India, was studied on a monthly basis from November 2015 to December 2016, using fishing gears namely, cast nets (9′, 1/2″) and gillnets (30 × 0.9 m). No previous record is available on LWR data for three of these species.     

Biological Versatility, Evolution, and Food Resource Exploitation in African Cichlid Fishes

Increased potential versatility in form and function of thefeeding apparatus of cichlid fishes has led to a prodigiousproliferation in the number of possible functional solutionsto an increasing variety of biological problems. Optimal utilizationof every conceivable trophic resource in lacustrine environmentsby just one fish family, the Cichlidae, has been achieved byeruptive evolutionary radiation within the characteristicallycichlid body plan producing mechanisms which partition the diversefood resources with extraordinary efficiency therefore minimizingresource sharing. There is a direct relationship between theeffectiveness of trophic resource exploitation and the functionalintegration of the cichlid body plan in which a minimum numberof adaptive compromises are necessary to evolve optimal anatomicalsolutions by rapidly realizable changes Anatomical data presented here reveal that cichlids possessa specific kind of mosaic in which the basic percoid jaw apparatuspermits unparalleled optimal adaptations by simple morphogeneticchanges while unique and dramatically diverse patterns of muscularcoordination involving degrees of synchrony and extensive modulatingcapabilities of antagonistic muscle groups have been discoveredelectromyographically. At the same time the highly integratedpharyngeal jaw apparatus is sufficiently specialized providingcomplete freedom for the jaws to evolve into refined collectingdevices. The exceptional evolutionary success of lacustrine cichlidsdemonstrates how rare and very specific kinds of biologicallyversatile morphological mosaics represent the best preadaptationsfor the ancestors of major new taxa. Given identical ecologicalconditions and temporal factors, a group of organisms possessingsuch rare mosaics, in which optimal biological versatility isrealizable by simple evolutionary mechanisms, will dominatenewly formed environments to the detriment of taxa not so endowed.     

Population genetic structure of Scombrops boops (Percoid, Scombropidae) around the Japanese archipelago inferred from the cytochrome b gene sequence in mitochondrial DNA

The gnomefish (Scombrops boops) is a member of the percoid family Scombropidae, which includes a single genus and three to four species worldwide. Since little is known about the ecology of this species, here, sequencing analysis of the cytochrome b gene (1141 bp) in mitochondrial DNA detected 101 haplotypes from 186 individuals of S. boops collected from waters at seven localities around the Japanese archipelago. A single haplotype (Sb2) was the most abundant in the combined populations of S. boops from various localities. Genetic population structure analyses revealed no significant differences among these populations (Fst = - 0.0313-0.0195; Φst = - 0.0505-0.0615) with high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity. This suggests that S. boops around the Japanese archipelago constitutes a single population, and indicates that the genetic structure of this population may be influenced by larval and egg dispersal in association with warm currents.     

Further investigation on nuclear transplantation in different orders of teleost: the combination of the nucleus of Tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica) and the cytoplasm of Loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus).

The nucleus of a blastula cell from Tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica, family Cichlidae, order Perciformes) was transplanted into an enucleated egg of Loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus, family Cobitidae, order Cypriniformes). From among 3747 nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid (NCH) eggs two NCH larval fish (0.05%) were obtained; one died on the 6th day and the other died on the 12th day after the operation. Morphological examinations showed that both NCH larval fish had developed normally with an opened mouth except they could not take food after complete utilization of their egg yolk on the 5th day of development. The possible mechanisms for obtaining such inter-order NCH larval fish are discussed. This is the first report indicating that inter-order NCH larval fish can be obtained in spite of their evolutionary divergence.     

Badidae, a new fish family–behavioural, osteological, and developmental evidence

The behaviour of Badis badis is similar, in general, both to that of "nandid" fishes and that of anabantoid fishes; trenchant differences also exist. It is impossible at this time, on behavioural evidence alone, to assess the relative importance of the behavioural findings. However, the remarkable and consistent agreement in the performance of the spawning embrace suggests a close relationship of Badis to anabantoid fishes rather than to the "nandids".
The osteological studies confirm this hypothesis. Badis apparently split off from the ancestral anabantoids before they acquired the air-breathing adaptation. The osteological differences between Badis and the anabantoids stem chiefly from the modifications accompanying aerial respiration.
The egg of Badis badisis enclosed in an unusually tough sheath that is extremely adhesive. The egg itself lacks any special device for attaching. The larva has an adhesive organ at the tip of the yolk sac. The egg and the larva of Badis badis are thus unique among teleosts insofar as is known.
From these three lines of information we erect a new percoid family, Badidae, based on Badis Bleeker. This family appears to have descended from the proto-anabantoid stock.     

Introductions and extinction of fish in the African great lakes

The great lakes of Africa contain one of the most remarkable known examples of rapid evolution and speciation of a vertebrate group. The three major lakes - Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika - each contain a unique radiation of fish belonging to the family Cichlidae. This has produced species 'flocks' that are unique to each lake in species numbers and diversity. At present most of the cichlid species in Lake Victoria are facing extinction as a result of the introduction of an exotic fish species. There are many other examples of introductions or invasions of non-native fish that have had severe effects on the native fish populations and regional economics. These examples should provide a clear warning against the proposed introductions of exotic fish into Lake Malawi.     

Reproduction and Development in Some Genera of Pipefish and Seahorses of the Family Syngnathidae

The members of the family Syngnathidae stand out among the bony fish for their specific parental care: the male bear embryos in a particular brood chamber or pouch. The physiological role of the latter is discussed in the literature in detail. The pouch is rather multifunctional; its osmoregulatory function is the most well studied. The unusual parental care supposes that some specific features should exist in the reproduction biology and development in these fish. This idea is supported by detailed studies of the ovaries and oogenesis in pipefish. On the other hand, the structure of the testes and specific features of spermatogenesis in the representatives of the family Syngnathidae remain poorly studied. The interest in the reproduction and development of pipefish is also determined, to a certain degree, by the fact that in the countries of Southeast Asia seahorses are objects of fishing and are used as a source of pharmacological materials comprising active compounds. Attempts to cultivate these fish have also been undertaken in these countries [13].     

The sexual mechanism of the reef bass Pseudogramma bermudensis and its implications in the classification of the Pseudogrammidae (Pisces: Perciformes)

The reef bass, Pseudogramma bermudensis, is an hermaphroditic percoid in which the testicular tissue is confined to a median lobe in the mid-dorsal wall of the oviduct. Development of an invagination of the ventral oviducal wall is correlated with the presence of maturing ova. These unique features indicate that Pseudogramma has had a separate evolutionary history and is not closely related to either the hermaphroditic Serranidae or the Grammistidae.