Variation and taxonomic changes in the family Retropinnidae (Salmonoidea)

The family Retropinnidae contains one monotypic genus, Stokellia, in New Zealand, and nine nominal species of Retropinna: five in New Zealand, three in Australia, and one on Chatham Island. Four Chatham Island populations contain much of the recorded range of variation for the family for head length in standard length ratios, numbers of dorsal and anal rays, and numbers of scale rows. These characters are analysed for 29 populations incorporating five nominal species from New Zealand and Chatham Island. When interrelated these characters are shown to be linked (loosely) and high values are typical of coastal populations. When related to latitude their values increase to the south. The reverse trend is found with increase in altitude. Decrease in salinity depresses the values. Area of the lake habitat has little effect.

Observations suggest that size of fish and numbers of teeth vary predictably. Thus all observed variation is related to environmental conditions. The four nominal lake species are submerged in Retropinna retropinna (Richardson), the type species of the genus, which is considered to be highly adaptable rather than highly variable. R. osmeroides Hector is recognised as distinct from R. retropinna on one character and on sympatric distribution. Records of Australian and Tasmanian species suggest that R. victoriae Stokell differs fundamentally from all other species but that R. semoni Weber and jR. tasmanica McCulloch do not differ greatly from R. retropinna Similar environmentally correlated variation is suggested to relate some diadromous species of Galaxias and their lacustrine isolates.     

Cleaning symbiosis among New Zealand fishes

These first observations of cleaning symbiosis amongst New Zealand fishes were made between June 1967 and March 1970. Five species of labrid fishes; Halichoeres sp., Coris picta (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Coris sandageri (Hector, 1884), Pseudolabrus luculentus (Richardson, 1848) and Pseudolabrus miles (= coccineus) (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) are now known to be facultative cleaners. One is an undescribed species and two others are new records for New Zealand. Halichoeres sp. is a more active cleaner than the other four and is almost an obligate cleaner. Observed behaviour indicates that these species are typical temperate zone cleaners.     

Comments on a new taxonomy of Retropinna (Galaxioidei: Retropinnidae)

A recent taxonomy of Retropinna (Woods 1968: N.Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 2: 398–425) is based on the conclusion that variation in four taxonomic characters is related largely to environmental factors. Thus Woods treated all existing New Zealand species in the Retropinna retropinna complex as synonyms of R. retropinna (Richardson). Analysis of Woods’ data casts some doubt on the validity of this argument.     

我国近海鲚鱼生态习性及其产量变动状况

一、概述 鲚鱼是鲚属(Coilia)鱼类的泛称,属鲱形目(Clupeiformes),鳀科(Engraulidae)。我国有记录的共8种,除去同物异名或错误记载,目前大家一致承认的共4种,即:刀鲚(长頜鲚,Coilia ectenes Jordan et Seale)、凤鲚[C.mystus(Linneaus)]、七絲鲚(C.grayii Richardson)和短頜鲚(C.brachygnathus Kreyenberg et Pappenheim)。刀鲚主要分布在我国黄渤海和东海一带。凡通海的江河如辽河、海河、黄河、长江、钱塘江等均能见到。凤鲚在我国海域分布十分广泛,北起     

对虾鳃虱亚科(甲壳动物亚门:等足目)的分类学与动物地理学研究进展

基于对虾鳃虱亚科(Orbioninae)的形态学特征,作者比较了属间存在的差异,对该亚科的分类学研究进展进行了归纳。总结世界范围内对虾鳃虱亚科的地理分布特征,解析该亚科动物地理区系特征。迄今,对虾鳃虱亚科包括8属39种,分别为:异对虾鳃虱属(Anisorbione Bourdon,1981,1种);偏对虾鳃虱属(Asymmetrorbione Boyko,2003,2种);表对虾鳃虱属(Epipenaeon Nobili,1906,8种);小对虾鳃虱属(Minicopenaeon Bourdon,1981,4种);圆对虾鳃虱属(Orbione Bonnier,1900,8种);仿偏对虾鳃虱属(Parasymmetrorbione An,BoykoLi,2013,1种);拟对虾鳃虱属(Parapenaeon Richardson,1904,13种);仿拟对虾鳃虱属(Parapenaeonella Shiino,1949,2种)。在中国各大海域共发现对虾鳃虱亚科物种6属18种。对虾鳃虱亚科形态特征:头前板和底节板发达,体形较大。从形态特征推测的系统发育关系,作者认为对虾鳃虱亚科是寄生亚目寄生于鳃部中比较进化的类群、其地理分布范围受寄主对虾总科分布的限制、物种分布相对集中、主要分布范围于印度-西太平洋海域。根据该亚科主要属种的地理分布信息,作者推测该类群的演化是从环热带古地中海闭合开始,直到始新世。     

Growth of two species of flounders in the hauraki gulf,New Zealand

Growth of the sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), and the yellow‐belly flounder, Rhombosolea leporina Günther, in the Hauraki Gulf is described. In both species females grow more quickly than males. At 2 years of age male and female sand flounders reach mean total lengths of 17 cm and 23 cm respectively, and male and female yellow‐belly flounders reach mean total lengths of 24 cm and 29 cm respectively.     

Early life history of the congrid eels gnathophis habenatus and G. incognitos in New Zealand waters

Larvae (leptocephali) of Gnathophis habenatus (Richardson, 1848) and G. incognitas Castle, 1963 occur off Castlepoint throughout most of the year (not sampled December‐February), In general they are smallest in late summer (March) and ilargest in mid‐spring (October‐November), with metamorphosis to the juvenile in early summer of the year of spawning. The two species therefore have a larval life of approximately 10 months. The early life of these two species in Australian waters, and of G. capensis (Kaup) off southern Africa, agrees well with these observations. Eel eggs collected in the East Cape region of New Zealand and tentatively identified as those of Gnathophis confirm the spawning times (March—April) suggested by the sizes of leptocephali.     

Myctophid fishes of the genusMyctophum (myctophidae) in the pacific and Indian oceans

The key to the nine species:M. nitidulum Garman,M. aurolaternatum Garman,M. spinosum (Steindachner),M. asperum Richardson,M. obtusirostrum Tåning,M. orientale (Gilbert),M. phengodes (Lütken),M. selenoides Wisner andM. brachygnathum (Bleeker), was prepared for the genusMyctophum, typical surface migrating myctophid fishes, from the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The three species ofM. cuvieri (Castelnau),M. indicus (Day),M. novaeseelandidae (Steindachner) were excluded from the present key, since they have not been reported since they were originally described.M. lychnobium Bolin formsM. spinosumlychnobium complex and was also excluded. The systematic accounts were given for seven species.     

Morphological and molecular evidence supports the occurrence of a single species of Zebrias zebrinus along the coastal waters of China

The so-called zebra sole includes a group of small flatfishes characterized by transverse band pairs on the ocular side and distributed throughout shallow waters along the coast of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Sev-eral species of the zebra sole have been recorded from the coastal waters of China. Morphological analysis of 1 107 specimens of the zebra sole from 15 successive localities along the China’s coast demonstrated that no significant variations among these localities were found on the basis of meristic counts and morphometric characters. Phylogenetic analysis based onCOI gene sequences of 14 individuals and D-loop of 22 indi-viduals from eight localities showed that they were indistinguishable among these localities. Therefore, both morphological and molecular evidence supported the occurrence of a single species of the zebra sole along the China’s coast. The available name for this species isZebriaszebrinus （Temminck and Schlegel, 1846） in-stead ofZ.zebra （Bloch, 1787）.Zebrias fasciatus（Basilewsky, 1855） andSolea ommatura （Richardson, 1846） are considered here as two synonyms ofZ. zebrinus.     

Fish populations of the Avon‐heathcote estuary

Details are given of gut‐content analyses for nine fish species from the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand: sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson); yellow‐bellied flounder, R. leporina (Hutton); common sole, Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae (Gunther); yellow‐eyed mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri (Cuvier & Valenciennes); kahawai, Arripis trutta (Bloch & Schneider); spotty, Pseudolabrus celidotus (Bloch and Schneider); cockabully, Tripterygion nigripenne (Cuvier & Valenciennes); common bully, Gobiomorphus basalis (Gray); and globefish, Spheroides richei (Freminville). The percent occurrences of each food type recorded over Ihe sampling period (April 1965‐April 1966) for each species are compared. Monthly food tables are given for those species of which suitably large samples were obtained (sand flounder, yellow‐bellied flounder, common sole, yellow‐eyed mullet, and globefish). Where possible, the dietary occurrence of different food types is related to environmental and other factors observed or considered likely to influence food selection.     

Turbulent structure in the upper layer of the western Equatorial Pacific Ocean

The Richardson number dependence of vertical eddy diffusion coefficients in the western Equatorial Pacific Ocean was examined on the basis of a Microstructure Profiler (MSP) observations during the cruise of Natsushima (JAPACS-89). The Richardson numberR _i was estimated by using the mean shear of velocity profile measured by an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) with the vertical interval of 15 meters within one or two hours of the each MSP cast. The raw data plot of the vertical eddy diffusion coefficientK _p shows a large scatter with increasing tendency belowR _i =0.5. The relation between the mean vertical eddy diffusion coefficientK _p and the Richardson numberR _i , averaged over every 0.025 in theR _i , supports the model of Pacanowski and Philander (1981) in the range ofR _i >0.5, but coincides with the result of Peterset al. (1988) in the range ofR _i <0.5.     

Avoidance behaviour of freshwater fish and shrimp exposed to ammonia and low dissolved oxygen separately and in combination

Abstract

The responses of common smelt (Retropinna retropinna Richardson), inanga (Galaxias maculatus Jenyns), common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall), and shrimp (Paratya curvirostris Heller) to ammonia and low dissolved oxygen (DO), separately and in combination, were measured in a fluvarium. Only common smelt avoided high or low ammonia (c. 8.5 and 2.0 g m^?3 NH3, respectively) and low DO (c. 2 g m^?3) alone and in combination. Shrimp avoided high ammonia and low DO+ammonia but not low DO on its own. Inanga and bullies showed no significant negative response to either contaminant; rather, inanga were strongly attracted to low ammonia and bullies to low DO. These results parallel those from toxicity experiments that show common smelt and shrimp are usually among the most sensitive native species to various contaminants. The consistent and appropriate avoidance behaviour shown by common smelt, in particular, suggests this species would be a good indicator organism for assessing the health of lowland waterways.     

Fish populations of the Avon‐Heathcote estuary

Characteristic organisms are tabulated, and the substrate conditions briefly described for seven habitats in the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand. Temperatures and water movements within the estuary are outlined.

From April 1965 to April 1966, samples were collected by short otter‐trawl shots, gill netting, beach seine hauls, and dip netting; the limitations of the gear are noted. The distributions and movements are recorded for nine fish species : sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson) ; yellow‐bellied flounder, Rhombosolea leporina (Hutton) ; common sole, Peltorhamphus novae‐zeelandiae (Gunther) ; ye'llow‐eyed mullet Aldrichetta forsteri (Cuvier and Valenciennes); kahawai, Arripis trutta (Bloch and Schneider); spotty, Pseudolabrus celidotus (Bloch and Schneider); cockabully, Tripterygion nigripenne (Cuvier and Valenciennes) ; common bully, Gobiomorphus basalis (Gray); and globe fish, Spheroides richei (Freminville).

Length‐frequency distributions showed that most of the nine species of fish used the estuary as a feeding area for adults and as a nursery area. Only two species did not migrate to and from the sea.

Length‐weight relationships for eight species showed that weight was a function of length approximately cubed, and that the exponential equation could be used to predict weight from length.

Regressions of caudal fin length on standard length for four species gave a positive correlation (r = +0.95). Relative proportions of body length to caudal fin length were related to habitat; fish of benthic habits had proportionally shorter caudal fins than pelagic fish.     

Geographical variation in fin ray numbers in the New Zealand sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia (richardson)

The numbers of dorsal and anal fin rays were compared in samples of sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson) collected from different localities around the coasts of New Zealand. Fin ray numbers were highest on the west coast of the North Island, particularly in the South Taranaki Bight, and were lowest on the east and south coasts of the South Island. Within the areas studied five regions were recognised within which the mean numbers of fin rays were relatively constant, but between which the mean numbers of fin rays differed considerably. The significance of these differences is discussed.     

应用一种基于产量数据评估方法对东海三个重要渔业的资源评估

Most fisheries in China do not have maximum sustainable yield(MSY) estimates due to limited and poor data.Therefore, finding a common method to estimate MSY or total allowable catch(TAC) for fishery management is necessary. MSYs of three important fisheries in the East China Sea were evaluated through a catch-based model.Estimates for intrinsic rate of increase(r) and five levels of process error were considered. Results showed hairtail Trichiurus japonicas(Temminck and Schlegel) and small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis(Bleeker) fisheries experienced overfishing from the mid-1990 s to the early 2000 s, and the suggested TACs were 55.8×10~4 t and9.06×10~4 t, respectively. Decades of overfishing in wintering and spawning grounds of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea(Richardson) caused the fishery's collapse in the 1980 s, and it has not recovered until today.The Catch–MSY model generated similar estimated MSYs with other methods and may be a useful choice for the assessment of regional stocks in China.     

Egg and yolk sac stages of the sand flounder (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae)

The developmental stages of the eggs and yolk‐sac larvae of the common sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), are described and illustrated.     

Validating a turbulence closure against estuarine microstructure measurements

A simple k–ε turbulence closure is introduced which has no stability functions but instead a Richardson number-dependent turbulent Prandtl number. Its free parameters are determined in a comparison with microstructure observations from a stratified and sheared tidal estuary and laboratory measurements. The closure is able to simulate observed turbulent dissipation rates (ε) and turbulent length scales (l_th) in regions of strong mean shear and small gradient Richardson number (R_g) to within factors of 2–3. It fails in regions of small shear and large R_g, presumably because of the dominance of internal wave-driven mixing. Additional simulations with a k–ε closure with stability functions taken from Canuto et al. [Canuto, V.M., Howard, A., Cheng, Y., Dubovikov, M.S., 2001. Ocean turbulence I: one-point closure model. Momentum and heat vertical diffusivities. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 31, 1413–1426] and with the closure of Baumert and Peters [Baumert, H., Peters, H., 2004. Turbulence closure, steady state, and collapse into waves. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 34, 505–512] show poor performance. Establishing a valid 1:1 comparison of simulated and observed ε and l_th requires nudging the model velocity and density toward observed values because free model integrations quickly diverge from the observations. Steady state gradient Richardson numbers are constrained to a range of 0.18–0.25, while flux Richardson numbers are constrained to the range of 0.1–0.22. The closure output is rather insensitive to such parameter variations. The simulations are sensitive, however, to the treatment of the observed velocity and density used to nudge the model. Good closure performance requires averaging the measured tidal flow over about an hour, a time scale for which conventional numerical models of estuarine circulations should be able to match observed shears. In the closure simulations the TKE balance stays close to a production–dissipation balance. The time rate of change and vertical diffusion of TKE are small, of the same order of magnitude, and vary in magnitude relative to each other systematically across the water column.     

Biological features of Pupu Springs

The flora and fauna of Pupu Springs (40°51'S, 172° 46'E) and five other New Zealand cold springs are described. In Pupu Springs there are 16 species of algae, 10 species of bryophytes (including three species of liverworts), and 5 species of angiosperms. The fauna includes a phreatic form (an eyeless planarian, Dugesia sp.), a possible glacial relict (the caddis fly Rakiura vernale), and cold stenotherms (e.g., the caddis fly Psilochorema tautoru). The most abundant animals in the New Zealand springs are Mollusea, Crustacea, and’ larvae of Plecoptera, Diptera, and Trichoptera.

Pupu Springs consist of five biotopes and associated biocoenoses.     

Abnormal pigmentation in the sand flounder (note)

Two abnormally pigmented sand flounders, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), are described; one exhibits complete ambicolouration and the other almost total albinism. Causes of ambicolouration and albinism are discussed.