Detecting the intertidal morphologic change using satellite data

Previous research has suggested that competitive bottlenecks may exist for the Mediterranean grey mullets (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) at the fry stage with the exotic Cyprinus carpio (Osteichthyes, Cyprinidae) playing a central role. As a consequence, the structure of grey mullet assemblages at later stages is thought to reflect previous competition as well as differences in osmoregulatory skills. This paper tests that hypothesis by examining four predictions about the relative abundance of five grey mullet species in 42 Western Mediterranean estuary sites from three areas (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Ebro Delta and Minorca) differing in the salinity level and occurrence of C. carpio. Field data confirmed the predictions as: (1) Liza aurata and Mugil cephalus were scarce everywhere and never dominated the assemblage; (2) Liza saliens dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was higher than 13; (3) Liza ramado always dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was present; and (4) Chelon labrosus dominated the assemblage only where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was absent. The catch per unit effort of C. labrosus of any size was smaller in the presence of C. carpio than where it had not been introduced, which is in agreement with the juvenile competitive bottleneck hypothesis. Discriminant analysis confirmed that the assemblage structure was linked to the salinity level and the occurrence of C. carpio for both early juveniles and late juveniles as well as adults. The data reported here reveal that the structure of grey mullet assemblages inhabiting Mediterranean estuaries is determined by salinity and competitive interactions at the fry stage.     

摄食水平对梭鱼的生长和能量收支的影响

于 1 999年 8— 1 2月 ,在水温为 (2 4 .0± 0 .5 )℃ ,摄食水平分别为体重的 0 %、1 %、2 %、3 %、4%和饱食的条件下进行梭鱼的摄食 -生长实验。结果表明 ,梭鱼湿重、干重、蛋白质和能量的特定生长率 (SGR)与摄食水平呈直线关系 ,其转化效率与摄食水平的增加成正比 ;梭鱼的湿重、蛋白质、干重和能量的维持水平分别为体重的 1 .85 1、1 .85 3、2 .882和 2 .3 4 2 (% d) ;排粪率和排泄率随摄食水平的增加而增加 ,并呈直线关系。在最大摄食水平下 ,能量收支等式为 :1 0 0C =4.41F +1 1 .1 8U +47.0 6R +3 7.3 5G     

Juvenile bottlenecks and salinity shape grey mullet assemblages in Mediterranean estuaries

Previous research has suggested that competitive bottlenecks may exist for the Mediterranean grey mullets (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) at the fry stage with the exotic Cyprinus carpio (Osteichthyes, Cyprinidae) playing a central role. As a consequence, the structure of grey mullet assemblages at later stages is thought to reflect previous competition as well as differences in osmoregulatory skills. This paper tests that hypothesis by examining four predictions about the relative abundance of five grey mullet species in 42 Western Mediterranean estuary sites from three areas (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Ebro Delta and Minorca) differing in the salinity level and occurrence of C. carpio. Field data confirmed the predictions as: (1) Liza aurata and Mugil cephalus were scarce everywhere and never dominated the assemblage; (2) Liza saliens dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was higher than 13; (3) Liza ramado always dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was present; and (4) Chelon labrosus dominated the assemblage only where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was absent. The catch per unit effort of C. labrosus of any size was smaller in the presence of C. carpio than where it had not been introduced, which is in agreement with the juvenile competitive bottleneck hypothesis. Discriminant analysis confirmed that the assemblage structure was linked to the salinity level and the occurrence of C. carpio for both early juveniles and late juveniles as well as adults. The data reported here reveal that the structure of grey mullet assemblages inhabiting Mediterranean estuaries is determined by salinity and competitive interactions at the fry stage.     

梭鱼（Lizahaematocheila）外部形态性状对体重影响效果分析

采用相关分析、通径分析、决定分析和多元线性回归分析方法,对不同年龄组梭鱼外部形态性状对体重的影响效果进行了分析研究。结果表明,体长、体高是影响各年龄组梭鱼体重的共同性状,在0、1、3、5龄组,体长对体重的作用最大;在2、4龄组,体高对体重的作用最大。尾柄高是除3龄组外影响梭鱼体重的重点性状。头长、尾柄长对体重直接作用相...     

Genetic diversity and adaptability of two species of Mugilidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) of the Po river delta coastal lagoons

Molecular polymorphisms (allozyme and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP)) were investigated in the mullet specie's Liza ramada and Liza saliens to determine levels of genetic variability and assess possible correlations between the population genetic structure and the specie's adaptability to shallow water environments. The thinlipped (L. ramada) and the sharpnose (L. saliens) mullets are diadromous species that enter coastal lagoons during early life stages to complete growth previous to sexual maturation. Bi-monthly samples (n = 30–50) were collected in the period 2000–2002 in different sites of the Sacca di Goro (Po river delta) and a nearby aquaculture lagoon (Valle Bertuzzi). Biochemical analyses were carried out by means of starch gel electrophoresis (SGE) on 24 genetic loci corresponding to 15 gene–enzyme systems. In addition, molecular species-specific AFLP (15 primer combinations) were obtained by means of capillary electrophoresis. The degree of allozyme variability determined at three polymorphic loci, GPI-A, GPI-B and G3PDH in L. saliens and L. ramada (polymorphic loci P = 0.08; mean heterozygosity H = 0.010–0.022) and AFLP diversity (P = 0.110–0.430), seems lower than the one reported in the literature for ecologically similar teleost species. The identification of diagnostic alleles at GPI-A, G3PDH, AK-2, CK-A, CK-B, AAT, IDH, PGM-1, PGM-2 loci in the two mullet species was used for the taxonomic classification of L. saliens and L. ramada. Molecular taxonomy (allozyme and AFLP) demonstrated that the presence of small individuals inside the lagoons previously identified according to morphological characters has often been misinterpreted. The results are discussed in relation to the adaptive role of genetic variation and the migratory characteristics of Mugilidae.     

一种腐屑食性鱼类对生态系统氮循环的影响

研究表明 :腐屑食性鱼类——梭鱼对环境中有机氮的摄入能力随体重的增加而增加 ,随温度的升高 ,体重系数显著减少。摄入氮 (CN,mg/ d)与体重 (W,g)和温度 (T,℃ )的数值关系可用如下模型表示 :CN=0 .6 370 W1 .0 642 ln(3.70 0 8T)。体重为 1 0 0 g的梭鱼每日可消耗环境中 332 mg氮有机质。梭鱼氮的吸收效率主要受温度的影响 ,而氮的转化效率与体重呈显著的正相关关系。随体重的增加 ,排泄氮所占比例降低     

Structural aspects of the surf-zone fish assemblage at King's Beach,Algoa Bay,South Africa: Short-term fluctuations

Short-term changes in the King's Beach surf-zone fish assemblage were investigated by means of two 24 h studies (January and August 1979), and by seine netting on three consecutive days at both high and low tide. They revealed considerable variation in the fish assemblage over a 24 h period. Four species: the gorrie, Pomadasys olivaceum; the mullet, Liza richardsoni; the streepie, Sarpa salpa; and the sand steenbras, Lithognathus mormyrus, dominated the catches of both 24 h studies. The number of species caught reached a peak just after twilight. Trends in other community parameters were not consistent for these two sets of data. Considerable variation in dominant species, numbers and species diversity indices was observed from day to as well as between high and low tide. Shortterm fluctuations in various community parameters often exceeded the long-term variability observed in a seasonal study of this fish assemblage.     

Comparison of microsomal lipid peroxidation in fish and rats

Lipid peroxidation, which is promoted in animal tissues by a variety of toxic agents, is believed to be associated with disruption of cell membranes and loss of activity of membrane-bound enzymes. While the process of lipid peroxidation has been well studied in mammals, only a few non-mammalian species have been examined.¹ In the present study, in vitro assays for lipid peroxidation were performed using microsomes prepared from the livers of rats (Rattus rattus) and a marine fish, mullet (Mugil cephalus). Although lipid peroxidation was observed in microsomes prepared from both mullet and rat tissues, and was stimulated by xenobiotics, the mechanisms of generation appeared to be different. In contrast to rats, NADH was much more effective than NADPH in stimulating lipid peroxidation in mullet liver microsomes. The results suggest that NADH-dependent, as well as NADPH-dependent, lipid peroxidation may be important in vertebrate tissues.     

Analyses of stomach contents and stable isotopes reveal food sources of estuarine detritivorous fish in tropical/subtropical Taiwan

Detritivorous fish generally refers to fish that primarily ingest unidentified organic detritus. We analyzed stomach contents in combination with stable isotopes to trace and compare the food sources of the large-scale mullet Liza macrolepis and other detritivorous fish species in subtropical mangrove creeks and a tropical lagoon in Taiwan. The volume of organic detritus always contributed >50% of the stomach content of L. macrolepis in the two habitats. However, consumed items were distinct between the two habitats and corresponded to the types in which they reside. The consumed items in the lagoon were more diverse than those observed in the mangroves. In the mangroves, the diet composition of L. macrolepis was primarily determined by season, not by body size. In the lagoon, there were no clear seasonal or size-dependent grouping patterns for the diet composition. There were significant seasonal and spatial variations in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of potential food sources and L. macrolepis. However, neither δ¹³C nor δ¹⁵N values of L. macrolepis were correlated with fish body size. Joint analyses of stomach contents and stable isotopes indicated that benthic microalgae on sediments were the most important assimilated food in both seasons for the dominant detritivorous fish in the mangroves, whereas a greater reliance on microalgal and macroalgal periphyton on oyster-culture pens was observed in the lagoon. Mangrove and marsh plants and phytoplankton, which are mostly locally produced within each habitat, were of minor importance in the assimilated food.     

梭鱼人工养殖群体与自然群体的随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)分析

利用随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)技术,对黄河口海域棱鱼人工养殖群体与自然群体的遗传多样性进行了分析比较,以期由分子水平了解梭鱼的种群遗传多样性背景及人为干涉因素对梭鱼种群遗传多样性造成的影响.选用OPC组20个10碱基对(bp)的随机引物,对采自河北省黄骅市的24尾野生梭鱼和15尾人工养殖梭鱼进行了分析.选出11个扩增效果稳定的引物用于群体分析,扩增结果具有较好的可重复性.11个引物共检出112个位点,其中养殖群体中有94个表现多态,多态比例为83.93%;自然群体在96个位点上表现多态,多态比例为85.71%.经计算,养殖群体的遗传多样性指数为0.2124,自然群体的遗传多样性指数为0.2271;梭鱼两群体间的相似系数为92.82%,遗传距离为0.0718.研究结果表明,目前黄河口海域梭鱼群体的遗传多样性比较丰富,人工养殖过程对其未造成明显的影响,估计这与人工养殖过程中人为干涉因素少(如育苗历史短、亲鱼来源于自然群体、无定向选择和近亲繁殖等)有关.这一结果表明,梭鱼的人工养殖业在黄河口海域有很好的发展前景.     

Plastic ingestion by estuarine mullet Mugil cephalus (Mugilidae) in an urban harbour,KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Coastal urban environments have high plastic pollution levels, and hence interactions between plastic debris and marine life are frequent. We report on plastic ingestion by mullet Mugil cephalus in Durban Harbour, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Of 70 mullet (13.0–19.5?cm total length), 73% had plastic particles in their guts, with a mean of 3.8 particles per fish (SD 4.7). Plastic ingestion showed no relation to digestive tract content or fish length. White and clear plastic fibres were ingested most commonly. This urban population of M. cephalus had a higher incidence of plastic ingestion than has been reported in studies on fish from other coastal areas or the oceanic environment.     

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) as vectors of contaminants to human consumers in northwest Florida

The health benefits of regular consumption of fish and seafood have been espoused for many years. However, fish are also a potential source of environmental contaminants that have well known adverse effects on human health. We investigated the consumption risks for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; n = 104) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus; n = 170), two commonly harvested and consumed fish species inhabiting fresh and estuarine waters in northwest Florida. Skinless fillets were analyzed for total mercury, inorganic arsenic, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides. Contaminant levels were compared to screening values (SV) calculated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations for establishing consumption advisories. Largemouth bass were found to contain high levels of total mercury at all sampling locations (0.37–0.89 ug/g) and one location exhibited elevated total PCBs (39.4 ng/g). All of the samples exceeded Florida fish consumption advisory trigger levels for total mercury and one location exceeded the U.S. EPA SV for total PCBs. As a result of the high mercury levels, the non-cancer health risks (hazard index–HI) for bass were above 1 for all locations. Striped mullet from several locations with known point sources contained elevated levels of PCBs (overall range 3.4–59.3 ng/g). However, total mercury levels in mullet were low. Eight of the 16 mullet sampling locations exceeded the U.S. EPA SV for total PCBs and two locations exceeded an HI of 1 due to elevated PCBs. Despite the elevated levels of total PCBs in some samples, only two locations exceeded the acceptable cancer risk range and therefore cancer health risks from consumption of bass and mullet were determined to be low at most sampling locations.     

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.     

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.     

Composition,species richness and similarity of ichthyofaunas in eelgrass Zostera capensis beds of southern Africa

This study collates published and unpublished data on the ichthyofaunas associated with beds of eelgrass Zostera capensis in eight estuaries and one lagoon in southern Africa. These macrophyte beds are utilized predominantly by small teleosts, both species which breed in the estuary and juvenile marine fish. By far the most abundant of the 97 species of fish recorded in these beds were Atherina breviceps, Gilchristella aestuaria, Liza dumerilii, Liza richardsonii and Rhabdosargus holubi. Classification grouped the ichthyofaunas of the six warm-temperate estuaries in the South-Eastern and Southern Cape at a similarity level >50 per cent. Ordination produced a similar clustering and also demonstrated that the subtropical Richards Bay and warm-temperate Mngazana estuary, together with the cold-temperate Langebaan Lagoon, were outliers. Classification and ordination showed that, within an estuary, the ichthyofaunas of dense and sparse Zostera areas were more similar than either was with those of non-vegetated areas. The species richness (R) of fish within eelgrass habitats along the southern African coast tended to decrease from north-east to south-west, a trend attributable to an attenuation in the number of tropical/subtropical Indo-Pacific species. The numerically dominant fish families in eelgrass beds in South Africa showed a greater degree of overlap with those of south-eastern Australia than with those of either southern Japan or eastern North America.     

Chronic dietary exposure to copper affects growth, tissue lipid peroxidation, and metal composition of the grey mullet, Chelon labrosus

Juvenile grey mullet (Chelon labrosus) were fed either a basal (4.4 mg Cu/kg dry wt) or high-Cu diet (2400 mg Cu metal/kg dry wt) for 10 weeks to assess the relationship between growth and Cu-induced oxidative damage. No mortalities were observed, but growth rate and food intake were reduced by 43 and 29%, respectively, in the high-Cu group. This was not only attributed to peroxidative damage of the food which reduced food intake (palatability), but also to direct effects of hepatic lipid peroxidation. Hepatic α-tocopherol concentrations were 63% lower, while malondialdehyde (MDA) increased by 304% in mullet fed a high-Cu diet for 67d. Cu-exposure reduced apparent α-tocopherol retention by 420%. Hepatic Fe and Zn levels fell, while Cu increased (p < 0.05). The results show that oral Cu exposure induces oxidative stress in grey mullet. Quantification of lipid peroxidation (rancidity) in the food, reflecting palatability, is essential to differentiate the direct toxic effects of Cu on growth from the secondary influences of reduced food intake.     

Structural aspects of the surf-zone fish assemblage at King's Beach,Algoa Bay,South Africa: Long-term fluctuations

Regular collections of fish were obtained from the surf-zone at King's Beach, Algoa Bay. A total of 3970 fish, representing 50 species was caught with a coarse net and 16 857 fish, representing 37 species, were caught with a fine net. Predominant species were the blacktail, Diplodus sargus; the sand steenbras, Lithognathus mormyrus; the mullet, Liza richardsoni; the gorrie, Pomadasys olivaceum; the white stumpnose, Rhabdosargus globiceps; the sandshark, Rhinobatos annulatus; and the streepie, Sarpa salpa. No seasonal trends were discernible in the overall abundance or species diversity. The species composition of the dominant component of the fish assemblage varied considerably. This indicated instability in the community structure and cast doubts on the applicability of a classic community concept and the use of diversity indices. Neither classification nor correspondence analysis were of any use in identifying a characteristic species component. Multiple regression analysis indicated that short-term variations in wind conditions might be a primary determinant of fluctuations in abundance. The lack of seasonality in the community parameters may reflect the fact that short-term variability masks seasonal perturbations.     

浙江三门湾鱼卵、仔稚鱼群聚结构时空变化研究

鱼卵和仔稚鱼在海洋生态系统能量传递中起重要作用,作为渔业资源的早期补充群体,其分布、群聚结构对评估渔业资源和保护渔业资源具有重要意义。为了解三门湾鱼卵、仔稚鱼群聚结构时空变化规律,对该海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼进行春、夏两季调查,分析了该海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼组成及群聚结构变化等特征。结果发现:(1)两季共鉴定出鱼卵、仔稚鱼8目21科40种,其中定性样品鱼卵、仔稚鱼8目21科36种,定量样品鱼卵、仔稚鱼4目11科24种;鱼卵优势种为斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)、鲷科未定种(Sparidae)、蓝点马鲛(Scomberomorus niphonius)、鮻(Liza haematocheila)、舌鳎属(Cynoglossus spp.)、石首鱼科未定种(Sciaenidae)、小公鱼属(Stolephorus spp.);仔稚鱼优势种为鮻、孔虾虎鱼(Trypauchen vagina)、小公鱼属、细棘虾虎鱼属(Acentrogobius spp.)、缟虾虎鱼属(Tridentiger spp.)。(2)三门湾湾内与湾外鱼卵、仔稚鱼群聚的组成存在显著差异,且湾内密度均高于湾外,反映出优势种鱼类在产卵季对于水文环境(如海流、温度)的空间响应。(3)三门湾鱼卵、仔稚鱼的群聚组成季节波动明显,主要由鱼类产卵的季节节律以及以洄游习性等差异形成。结果表明,三门湾鱼卵、仔稚鱼群聚结构空间、季节差异明显,与历史资料相比,鱼卵、仔稚鱼资源从“年际”短时间尺度看已初步显现一定恢复态势。     

Nursery areas of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), hake (Merluccius merluccius) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) in the Eastern-Central Mediterranean Sea

The spatial pattern of the nursery areas of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), hake (Merluccius merluccius) (Linnaeus, 1758) and deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) (Lucas, 1846) was studied in the South Adriatic and North Ionian Seas (Eastern-Central Mediterranean) applying geostatistical techniques and data from time series trawl surveys conducted in the area. The analysed variables were: R (number of recruits/km²) and R/Tot (fraction of recruits on the total sampled population). The structural analysis showed a spatial pattern of both variables characterized by continuity on a small scale. Predictions of nursery area localization with probability of finding recruits at different threshold values were obtained through median indicator kriging. For the red mullet the nurseries were mainly identified in the South Adriatic Sea off the Gargano peninsula and between Molfetta and Monopoli within 50 m in depth. The main concentration of hake juveniles was found to be between 100 and 200 m in depth along the Gargano peninsula and between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca, where a nursery of deep-water rose shrimp was also detected. An overlapping depth, between 100 and 200 m, was identified for hake and deep-water rose shrimp nurseries. Protection of these areas through limitations of fishing pressure is discussed.     

Habitat use by larval fishes in a temperate South African surf zone

Larval fishes were sampled in the Kwaaihoek surf zone on the south east coast of South Africa. On six occasions between February and May 2002, larval fishes were collected in two habitat types identified in the inner surf zone using a modified beach-seine net. The surf zone habitats were classified as either sheltered trough areas or adjacent exposed surf areas. Temperature, depth and current measurements were taken at all sites. Trough habitats consisted of a depression in surf topography characterised by reduced current velocities and greater average depth than adjacent surf areas. In total, 325 larval fishes were collected. Of these, 229 were collected in trough and 96 in surf habitats. At least 22 families and 37 species were represented in the catch. Dominant families were the Mugilidae, Sparidae, Atherinidae, and Engraulidae. Dominant species included Liza tricuspidens and Liza richardsonii (Mugilidae), Rhabdosargus holubi and Sarpa salpa (Sparidae), Atherina breviceps (Atherinidae) and Engraulis japonicus (Engraulide). Mean CPUE of postflexion larvae of estuary-dependent species was significantly greater in trough areas. The proportion of postflexion larval fishes in trough habitat was significantly greater than that of preflexion stages, a result that was not apparent in surf habitat sampled. CPUE of postflexion larvae of estuary-dependent fishes was negatively correlated with current magnitude and positively correlated with habitat depth. Mean body length of larval fishes was significantly greater in trough than in surf habitats. These results provide evidence that the CPUE of postflexion larvae of estuary-dependent fishes is higher in trough habitat in the surf zone and this may be indicative of active habitat selection for areas of reduced current velocity/wave action. The implications of this behaviour for estuarine recruitment processes are discussed.