New records of a rare species of spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Bleeker, 1854) (Osteichthyes: Sparidae) from Russian waters of the sea of Japan, with notes on the taxonomy of the genus Acanthopagrus Peters, 1855

A rare species of the spariform fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii from Russian waters is described. The synonymy of this species and the related literature data are analyzed. It is suggested that two species occur in Russian waters that differ in body coloration: A. schlegelii and A. czerskii.     

Distribution of the Eelpout Lycodes soldatovi(Pisces: Zoarcidae) over the Continental Slope of the Sea of Okhotsk

The eelpout Lycodes soldatovi was found at depths of 153 to 1005 m in the Sea of Okhotsk; however, it usually inhabits the depth range of 400 to 800. The mean and maximum abundance and the biomass of this species were 198.5 and 1037 individuals per km² and 173.7 and 1275 kg/km², respectively. In view of the data on the distribution of young fish (up to 30 cm in total body length) and the reports on the absence of Lycodes larvae, a hypothesis was developed that this species spawns predominantly in the waters off western Kamchatka and eastern Sakhalin at the depth range of 700 to 900 m. Large individuals (>50 cm) exhibit higher migratory activity and are more tolerant of environmental conditions. That is why they are encountered throughout the distribution area of this species, even in subzero temperature areas. Lycodes soldatovi seems to be a typical inhabitant of the Sea of Okhotsk, except for the waters off the South and Central Kuril Islands and the Pacific waters off the North Kuril Islands.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptoclinus maculatus diaphanocarus</Emphasis> (Schmidt, 1904) (Zoarcoidei: Stichaeidae) of the northen part of the Sea of Japan

Juveniles of Leptoclinus maculatus diaphanocarus were observed in great numbers in netting of bottom trawl in the period from April 28 to May 7 2007 in the Tatar Strait. Metamorphosis of juveniles reached its end at the body length from 8.5 to 11.0 cm. It was accompanied by change of coloration. After transition to the bottom mode of life, the frequency of occurrence of specimens of this species in catches drastically decreased. Principal counts are estimated, with consideration of additional material from far eastern seas of Russia. Two groups of specimens which would correspond to the Pacific and the Atlantic subspecies sensu Andriashev are not found. It is suggested that, for determination of the actual taxonomic status of intraspecies groups of the species L. maculatus, additional comparative material on morphology and genetics is needed from different regions.     

Molecular phylogenetic study of several eelpout fishes (Perciformes,Zoarcoidei) from Far Eastern seas on the basis of the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Co-1</Emphasis>)

A total of 95 nucleotide sequences of a Co-1 gene fragment of approximately 650 bp were analyzed for fishes of the orders Perciformes and Scorpaeniformes (outgroup). Gene trees based on four algorithms (BA, NJ, MP, and ML) were similar in topology of solved branches. An emphasis was placed on the species and generic levels, but a significant phylogenetic signal was obtained for higher taxonomic ranks as well. For instance, a monophyletic origin was confirmed for the family Zoarcidae and the subfamily Opisthocentrinae (Stichaeidae). The proportion of different nucleotides in the sequences compared (p-distances) significantly increased with increasing taxonomic rank. The p-distances were estimated for four hierarchic levels and were (1) 0.15 ± 0.06% for the within-species hierarchic level, (2) 6.33 ± 0.37% for the within-genus level, (3) 11.83 ± 0.06% for the within-family level, and (4) 15.22 ± 0.05% for the within-order level. The difference in the Co-1 gene fragments between levels (1) and (2) allows almost errorless species identification on the basis of this kind of a molecular bar code.     

Molecular phylogenetic study of several eelpout fishes (Perciformes, Zoarcoidei) from far eastern seas on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (Co-1)

A total of 95 nucleotide sequences of a Co-1 gene fragment of approximately 650 bp were analyzed for fishes of the orders Perciformes and Scorpaeniformes (outgroup). Gene trees based on four algorithms (BA, NJ, MP, and ML) were similar in topology of solved branches. An emphasis was placed on the species and generic levels, but a significant phylogenetic signal was obtained for higher taxonomic ranks as well. For instance, a monophyletic origin was confirmed for the family Zoarcidae and the subfamily Opisthocentrinae (Stichaeidae). The proportion of different nucleotides in the sequences compared (p-distances) significantly increased with increasing taxonomic rank. The p-distances were estimated for four hierarchic levels and were (1) 0.15 0.06% for the within-species hierarchic level, (2) 6.33 0.37% for the within-genus level, (3) 11.83 0.06% for the within-family level, and (4) 15.22 0.05% for the within-order level. The difference in the Co-1 gene fragments between levels (1) and (2) allows almost errorless species identification on the basis of this kind of a molecular bar code.     

Identification of Larvae of Stichaeus fuscus Miki et Maruyama, 1986 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae) and Their Distribution in the Far Eastern Seas

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - Larvae of Stichaeus fuscus from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk have been identified and their diagnostic traits described. Larvae of this species were...