Early recoveries of fin‐clipped quinnat Salmon in New Zealand (note)

Early Marine Department records (1930–42) show that of about 100,000 parr, of quinnat salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), fin clipped at the Marine Department's Hakataramea Salmon Hatchery in south Canterbury, only 3 were positively recovered; later independent readings of scales from these fish agreed with the known age. A further 11 scale samples (for 1937 and 1939) of fin clipped fish have been read, but details of their recovery and of their fin‐clip combinations cannot be found. Thus, from approximately 100,000 fin clipped parr, only 14 recoveries can be substantiated.     

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.     

Two new records of Valenciennea helsdingenii (Perciformes: Gobiidae) and Chromis margaritifer (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) from Jeju Island,Korea

Two specimens of Valenciennea helsdingenii and one specimen of Chromis margaritifer were collected on scuba in October 2011 from Jeju Island, Korea. V. helsdingenii is characterized by a body with two dark stripes that connect the head and caudal fin, and a large dark spot between the third and sixth dorsal fin spines. C. margaritifer is characterized by a body that is dark brown anteriorly but white posteriorly at the boundary between the fifth dorsal fin soft ray and the ninth anal fin soft ray. The Korean name ‘Bok-gi-mang-duk-sok’ is proposed for the genus Valenciennea, the name ‘Du-jul-bok-gi-mang-duk’ is proposed for the species V. helsdingenii, and the name ‘Huinggo-ri-ja-ri-dom’ is proposed for C. margaritifer.     

Identification of Albula sp. (Albulidae: Albuliformes) Leptocephalus Collected from the Southern Coastal Waters of Korea using Cytochrome b DNA Sequences

A single specimen ofAlbula leptocephalus (55.7 mm SL) was collected from the southern coastal waters of Korea using an aquatic lamp. It is characterized by having a ribbonlike body with a small head and a well-forked caudal fin. Although the general appearance was similar to the leptocephalus ofA. vulpes including myomere counts and fin ray counts, the melanophore deposition was different from that ofA. vulpes. This leptocephalus specimen was confirmed withA. forsteri using the cytochrome b mtDNA (Cytb) analysis. The genetic distance ofCytb between the present leptocephalus andA. forsteri is 0.006-0.038, which falls into the cutoff point separatingAlbula species into eight deep lineages including the four valid species. Its genetic characteristic have more similarities to those of Fiji than those of Hawaii and the Northern territory of Australia.     

Description of a small goby, Trimma grammistes (Perciformes: Gobiidae), from Jeju Island, Korea

A small goby, Trimma grammistes, was described in detail as the first reliable record from Korea based on 10 specimens (27.8～34.0 mm SL) collected from the coastal waters of Jeju Island. The species is easily differentiated from congeners by having no scales on the predorsal region, VI-I, 10 dorsal fin rays modally, I, 10 anal fin rays, 18 pectoral fin rays, 27～30 longitudinal scales as well as two dark longitudinal bands on the body.     

出现于南沙海域的黄带棘箱鲀的形态特征

2011年4月17日在南沙海域调查时,采集到2尾棘箱鲀属(Kentrocapros)标本,经鉴定为黄带棘箱鲀(Kentrocapros flavofasciantus),标本现保存在南海水产研究所标本馆.标本体长分别为108、135 mm.无鳍棘和腹鳍,背鳍和臀鳍各1个.背鳍鳍条数目为11,胸鳍鳍条数目为12,臀鳍鳍条数目为10,尾鳍鳍条数目为11.体长为体高的2.41～2.57倍,体宽的3.07～3.09倍,头长的3.38～3.48倍,吻长的4.35～4.70倍.头长为眼径的2.22～2.38倍,眼间隔的1.35～1.54倍,鳃孔长度的3.10～3.33倍.除尾柄、胸鳍基部、背鳍基部、臀鳍基部、肛门附近之外,体披硬体甲,体甲刚好在背鳍前方闭合,体甲为6棱形,无刺平滑,从肛门连续沿纵线到胸鳍基部下前方形成裸褶.体侧无侧线.上下颌每侧具8个小柱状切牙.胸鳍最上第一鳍条很短,长度约为第二鳍条的1/6.体为褐黄色,体甲有两条较宽的纵向黄带.唇为褐棕色,牙为红褐色.所有鳍条为黄色或略显褐黄色.     

Prey availability and diet of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) in relation to riparian willows (Salix‐spp.) in three New Zealand streams

Macroinvertebrate benthos and drift and the diet of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) were investigated in willowed and non‐willowed sections of three New Zealand streams during summer. The abundance and biomass of the principal macroinvertebrate taxa in the benthos and daytime drift differed in relation to riparian willow (Salix spp.) density, but the trends were not consistent across all three streams. Crustacea, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Diptera comprised a major proportion of the diet of juvenile trout. Diets of trout from non‐willowed and willowed sections were dissimilar in three of five pair‐wise comparisons. In all three streams, juvenile trout fed selectively, with the amphipod Paracalliope fluviatilis, ephemeropteran Deleatidium, and trichopterans Aoteapsyche and Hydrobiosidae being the preferred prey. Their avoidance of the gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum, trichopteran Oxye‐thira albiceps, coleopteran Hydora, and drift of terrestrial origin appeared to occur in all streams. Total abundance and biomass of invertebrates drifting during the day described the potential prey available to juvenile brown trout better than did the abundance and biomass of benthic invertebrates.     

Validation of growth zone deposition rate in otoliths and scales of flathead mullet Mugil cephalus and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis from fish of known age

Flathead mullet Mugil cephalus and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis are important components in South African estuarine fish communities and fisheries, but there is little information on their age and growth or age validation. This study validated the periodicity of growth zone formation in sectioned sagittal otoliths and scales of fish of known age that had been at liberty for 10 years. For both M. cephalus and M. capensis, the number of growth zones counted on otolith sections did not differ significantly from the known age of the fish. There were significantly fewer growth zones on scales than the known age of both M. cephalus and M. capensis. Growth zone deposition rate could therefore be validated as annual for otoliths but not for scales of the two species. It is recommended that future ageing studies focus on otoliths rather than scales.     

Morphological and molecular evidence supports the first occurrence of two fishes,Siganus sutor(Valenciennes, 1835)and Seriolina nigrofasciata(Rüppell, 1829)(Actinopterygii:Perciformes), from marine waters of Odisha coast,Bay of Bengal,India

Marine ecosystems provide a wide variety of diverse habitats that frequently promote migration and ecological adaptation. The extent to which the geographic distribution of marine organism has reshaped by human activities remains underappreciated. The limitations intrinsic to morphology-based identification systems have engendered an urgent need for reliable genetic methods that enable the unequivocal recognition of fish species,particularly those that are prone to overexploitation and/or market substitution. In the present study, however, an attempt has been taken to identify two locally adapted fish species, Siganus sutor(Valenciennes, 1835) and Seriolina nigrofasciata(Rüppell, 1829) of order Perciformes, which happens to be the first record in Odisha coast,Bay of Bengal. The diagnostic characteristics of Siganus sutor are: dorsal fin XIII-10, anal fin VII-9, pectoral fin 15,pelvic fin II-3, while that of Seriolina nigrofasciata dorsal fin VI-I-35, anal fin I-17, pectoral fin 16, pelvic fin 5. All COI barcodes generated in this study were matched with reference sequences of expected species, according to morphological identification. Bayesian and likelihood phylogenetic trees were drawn based on DNA barcodes and all the specimens clustered in agreement with their taxonomic classification at the species level. The phylogeographic studies based on haplotype network and migration rates suggest that both the species were not panmitic and the high-frequency population distribution indicates successful migration. The result of this study provides an important validation of the use of DNA barcode sequences for monitoring species diversity and changes within a complex marine ecosystem.     

Stranded redds of quinnat salmon in the Mathias River,South Island,New Zealand

In May and June 1974 seven naturally made, stranded redds of quinnat salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytsha (Walbaum) were excavated. Ova numbers per redd varied from 2295 to 6510 and per egg pocket from 99 to 1608. Egg pocket depths varied from 18 cm to 43 cm. The ova were found to be healthy.     

Morphometric or morpho-anatomal and genetic investigations highlight allopatric speciation in Western Mediterranean lagoons within the Atherina lagunae species (Teleostei, Atherinidae)

Current distribution of Atherina lagunae poses an interesting biogeographical problem as this species inhabits widely separate circum-Mediterranean lagoons. Statistical analyses of 87 biometric parameters and genetic variation in a portion of the cytochrome b gene were examined in four populations of A. lagunae from Tunisian and French lagoons. The results suggested a subdivision into two distinct Atherinid groups: one included the French lagoonal sand smelts and the second included the Tunisian ones. Tunisian lagoonal sand smelts were distinguished from the French ones by the lower number of lateral line scales, vertebrae, pectorals and first dorsal fin rays and the higher number of lower and total gillrakers. In addition, A. lagunae from Tunisian lagoons are characterised by short preorbital length, developed operculum, broad interorbital space, larger head, robust body and a relatively small first dorsal fin which is positioned backwards. In addition, intraspecific sequence variation in a portion of the cytochrome b gene was examined in 87 individuals from Tunisia and France. The high correlation between the results of the molecular phylogenetic tree and biometric statistical data analysis suggested that two different sibling species or at least sub-species or semi-species have colonised the lagoons. In addition, our analyses suggested that the evolution of A. lagunae probably occurred in two steps including marine sympatric speciation within the large Atherina boyeri complex and a post-Pleistocene colonisation of the lagoons.     

Mapping QTLs of caudal fin length in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) exhibits significant morphological variability in the shape and size of the caudal fin. In this study, we used 190 progeny from two F₁ parents to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence caudal fin length (CFL) and the ratio (RCS) between caudal fin length and standard length (SL) based on a microsatellite genetic map of common carp. A total of 15 QTLs were detected in seven different linkage groups. One significant and eight suggestive QTLs affecting CFL were identified on LG8, LG14, LG29, LG32 and LG44, which explained 8.0%–22.1% of the phenotypic variation; six suggestive QTLs affecting RCS were detected on LG8, LG32, LG46 and LG48, which explained 7.0%–15.4% of the phenotypic variation. The QTLs for caudal fin length detected in this study may serve as a starting point for identification of genes involved in caudal fin development in common carp.     

Description of the post larva of star pipefish,halicampus punctatus (syngnathidae, gasterosteiformes) first found in the southwestern east sea, Korea

Larval specimens ofHalicampus punctatus were collected off Ulsan and Uljin in December 2002 (three specimens) and off Ulsan in December 2003 (one specimen). These specimens are characterized by the following morphological characteristics: rings, 14 + 35 = 49; subdorsal rings, 1 + 3 = 4; dorsal fin rays, 19 – 20; pectoral fin rays, 14 – 15; anal fin rays, 9; head length (HL), 5.8 – 6.7 in the standard length; snout length, 1.9 in HL; snout depth, 3.7 – 5.2 in snout length. The number of caudal fin rays 9 is less than those of the other species in the same genus 10. Wide stripe bands composed of small pigments are shown in the trunk and the tail. Melanophores are not found in the dorsal fin, the pectoral fin, and the anal fin except the caudal fin. The supraoccipital crest is on the head. The frontal ridge is on the dorsal side of front trunk. The blanched ridges on the opercular are fused with a main ridge like a tree branch. A few branched ridges that are small and narrow on the trunk and the tail are fused with the main ridges. We report these specimens as the first record in Korea and name them ‘Byeol-silgo-ki’ in Korean.     

Ecological aspects of fin whale and humpback whale distribution during summer in the Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian Sea is a migration and feeding ground for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in summer. During the last decade, significant structural changes in the prey community, including northerly expansion and movement in the distribution of pelagic fish species, have been reported from this ecosystem. However, little information on whale feeding ecology exists in the Norwegian Sea and surrounding waters. A total of 59 fin whales and 48 humpback whales were sighted during 864 h of observation over an observation distance of about 8200 nmi (15,200 km) in the Norwegian Sea from 15 July to 6 August 2006 and 2007. The fin whale group size, as mean (±SD), varied between one and five individuals (2.1 ± 1.2 ind.) and humpback whale group size varied between one and six individuals (2.5 ± 1.7 ind.). Fin‐ and humpback whales were observed mainly in the northern part of the study area, and were only found correlated with the presence of macro‐zooplankton in cold Arctic water. Humpback whales were not correlated with the occurrence of adult Norwegian spring‐spawning herring (Clupea harengus) except for the northernmost areas. Despite changes in the whale prey communities in the Norwegian Sea, no apparent changes in fin‐ or humpback whale distribution pattern could be found in our study compared to their observed summer distribution 10–15 years ago.     

福建省沿海鱚属（Sillago）鱼类新纪录种——中国鱚（Sillago sinica Gao and Xue,2011）

本研究报道了在福建省晋江和厦门近海采集到的新记录种——中国鱚,将其分布区向南延伸至福建省沿海,并对采集到的中国鱚进行形态特征的重新描述,及扩增其DNA条形码.中国鱚的主要鉴别特征为：第一背鳍鳍膜具不规则的、呈弥散状的黑色斑点,由前往后逐渐稀疏;第二背鳍沿鳍条具3～4行规则的黑色斑点;侧线上鳞数为6～7;脊椎骨数为37～39.结合Gen Bank中鱚属鱼类的同源序列进行比对研究,结果显示本研究采集到的中国鱚与中国鱚模式种聚类到一起,并与其余种类明显分开,在遗传距离和氨基酸水平上与其他种类产生了明显地分化,进一步证明了DNA条形码能高效快速的鉴别鱚属鱼类.本研究为鱚属鱼类分类与研究提供理论基础,通过调查发现中国鱚主要分布在有大量淡水注入的河口区,南至韩国光阳沿海,北至中国福建省沿海,数量较少并不能形成渔汛.     

A rapid change in methylmercury tolerance in a population of killifish,Fundulus heteroclitus,from a golf course pond

Embryos of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from Bullhead Bay, Southampton, New York, showed considerable variation in tolerance to methylmercury (meHg) in 1980, 1981 and 1983, in that some females produced eggs that were tolerant to the teratological effects of 0·05 ppm, while other females produced susceptible eggs. However, in 1982, over 40% of the females produced clutches of non-viable eggs (which could not be tested for meHg tolerance) and those fish which produced viable eggs generally produced tolerant ones. After hatching, the larvae were also more tolerant. Accompanying the shift in meHg tolerance was a trend of increasing fin ray count of the females, a parameter which has previously been correlated with the production of more tolerant embryos. In 1982, a nearby population exhibited a distribution of embryonic and larval tolerance and fin ray count comparable with that of the first population in the other years.We hypothesize that the unusually high rainfall in June, 1982 caused an inflow of pesticides and heavy metals from a golf course adjacent to the first site, and that the contaminants were responsible for the striking changes in reproductive success and meHg tolerance. Residues of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides were found in fish of the first, but not of the second, population. The variability in the original population may have permitted a segment of it to withstand the inflow of pollutants, while the susceptible individuals produced non-viable eggs. This may have been the cause of the rapid shift of overall tolerance in the population.     

Early scale growth characteristics of the New Zealand snapper,chrysophrys auratus (Forster), with reference to selection of a scale‐sampling site

Scales from 17 body areas of juvenile snapper, Chrysophyrs auratus (Forster), were examined to determine scale growth characteristics, with the aim of denning the most suitable body site for routine scale‐sampling. Least‐square regressions of fish length on scale measurement from 0+ fish were calculated for several body areas, and back‐calculations were made to fish length at first annulus (L₁) from a sample of 1+ fish, using both the “uncorrected” and “corrected” formulae.

The overall fish/scale relationship is curvilinear, but high correlation coefficients show that fish/scale regressions from 0+ snapper may be taken as essentially linear. Such regressions give hypothetical fish lengths at scale formation of 8–23 mm. Mid‐body scales form at 10–14 mm, caudal scales earlier, head scales later.

Back‐calculated L₁ values from each area were compared with the mean for the whole body. Using the uncorrected formula there is a general trend for them to be lower than the mean at the head and higher at the tail, while the mid‐body region shows minimum variation from the mean. These variations are caused at least partly by differences in time of scale formation. The corrected formula gives smaller L₁ variations and a mean back‐calculated L₁almost identical to an observed L₁ from independent length frequency data.

The observed variations in scale structure and growth suggest that the “pectoral area”, bounded by the lateral line and the ventral edge of the pectoral fin, is the most suitable site for scale sampling.     

浙江海域天竺鲷科鱼类新纪录种—黑边银口天竺鲷(Jaydia truncata)形态特征与DNA条形码研究

2015年10月中旬,在浙江省舟山市近海的渔业资源调查中采集到天竺鲷标本,经鉴定发现其中黑边银口天竺鲷为浙江新纪录种。本文对采集的6尾黑边银口天竺鲷标本拍摄照片并开展形态特征和DNA条形码研究,对该种的拉丁学名进行校正。黑边银口天竺鲷的有效学名为Jaydia truncata(Bleeker,1854)。具有以下主要形态特征:背鳍鳍条数VII+I,9,胸鳍鳍条数16—17;背前鳞数4;第一鳃弓总鳃耙数3—4+11—13,发达鳃耙数1+9—10,角鳃弓上的鳃耙数9;前鳃盖骨边缘锯齿状;第一背鳍上端黑色,第二背鳍及尾鳍边缘黑色,第二背鳍与臀鳍中部各具一黑色纵纹。本研究分析了浙江海域5种天竺鲷科鱼类的形态差异,并编制了检索表。测定了6尾标本的DNA条形码,结合Gen Bank中所有学名为Jaydia truncata及其同种异名的同源序列分析,发现所有个体明显分为两个分支,且两者遗传距离达到0.149,表明两分支可能为不同的有效种,Gen Bank中只有AB890050和JQ681488与本研究序列结果相近。