Histopathological Observation of Lymphocystis Disease and Lymphocystis Disease Virus （LCDV） Detection in Cultured Diseased Sebastes schlegeli

Lymphocystis nodules occurring in the cultured sting fish Sebastes schlegeli were observed under light and electron microscope. Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) in the tissues of diseased fish was detected with indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT). Results showed that lymphocystis cells had overly irregular nuclei, basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies with virions budding from the surface, and hyaline capsules outside the cell membrane. Numerous virus particles about 200 nm in diameter scat- tered in the cytoplasm, electron-dense particles 70-80 nm in diameter filled in perinuclear cisterna, and membrane-enveloped parti- cles with electron-dense core of 70-80 nm appeared around cellular nucleus. IFAT using monoclonal antibody against LCDV from Paralichthys olivaceus revealed that specific green fluorescence was present in the cytoplasm of lymphocystis cells, epithelium of stomach, gill lamellae, and muscular fibers under epidermis of S. schlegeli, just as that in the cytoplasm of lymphocystis cells of P. olivaceus, suggesting the presence of LCDV in these tissues.     

Vertical distribution of two sympatric labrid fishes in the Western Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic rocky subtidal: local shore topography does matter

Changes in the shore topography (e.g. slope) occur at a scale of hundreds of meters in several locations in the Lusitanian and the Mediterranean Sea provinces. We tested whether differences in the bottom inclination might affect the vertical distribution patterns of two sympatric coastal labrid fishes, the rainbow wrasse Coris julis and the ornate wrasse Thalassoma pavo. Visual censuses were used to determine the distribution and abundance of these labrid species in high (≥30°) and low (≤3°) slope rocky substrates covered by brown macroalgae and at two different depths (shallow, 4–7 m, and deep 14–20 m). Pectoral fin aspect ratio was used as an estimate of swimming performance to potentially explain the patterns observed. Despite the intrinsic biogeographical differences in the overall density of T. pavo and C. julis, on steep coasts the ornate wrasse dominated in shallow waters, whereas the two species coexisted both in shallow and deeper depths on gentle slope coasts. These distribution patterns were consistent across locations, and fin aspect ratio was not a good predictor of between‐habitat use for wrasses. We show that, under specific topographical conditions, the depth segregation pattern seems to be an interactive segregation (likely related to resource competition) rather than a result of selective segregation due to morphological differences in the pectoral fin. Significant ecological changes might occur in locations where the density of T. pavo has recently increased as a result of water warming.     

The influence of a new artificial structure on fish assemblages of adjacent hard substrata

Deployed for diverse purposes, artificial substrata can, theoretically, act as fish attractors or as fish producers. We tested these hypotheses by comparing fish assemblages on two artificial hard substrata, the Ca’ Roman and Sottomarina jetties, before (1994 and 2003) and after (2005 and 2006) the deployment of a new breakwater in the area. Our results support the fish production hypothesis. A remarkable increase in richness and abundance of sedentary species was observed on the extant substrata with the presence of the new barrier. More mobile species showed less definite trends. The net result has been a total increase in abundance and richness in the area. While fish assemblage showed important temporal variation in composition before deployment (Ca’ Roman, comparison between 1994 and 2003), clear trends of increasing abundance were concurrent with the presence of the new barrier. This increase in abundance, particularly of sedentary species, may be attributed to enhanced connectivity and/or an improvement in larval retention due to the changes in water circulation connected with the new breakwater, or to an increase in juveniles and/or adults promoted by changes in environmental conditions. Indeed, changes in benthic cover were recorded, with an increase of uncovered rock and the appearance of previously unrecorded algae after breakwater deployment.     

Spatial patterns in fish herbivory in a temperate Australian seagrass meadow

Seagrass grazing by fish was measured in a large seagrass-dominated temperate bay (Geographe Bay, Western Australia) to examine whether: (1) seagrass herbivory occurs; (2) the level of herbivory is influenced by nitrogen in seagrass leaves; and (3) how herbivory and herbivorous fish communities vary with water depth and seagrass species. Species and abundance of fish and herbivore bite marks on seagrass leaves were recorded from diver surveys of 23 sites of varying depth ranging from 1 m to 18 m. Posidonia sinuosa, Posidonia coriacea, Amphibolis griffithii, and Amphibolis antarctica seagrass leaves were collected, dried and analysed for total nitrogen. Evidence for low levels of seagrass grazing was found at over half the sites surveyed, though high levels of grazing were recorded at only one site. An east–west pattern was observed in the location of grazed sites and of herbivorous fish species that corresponded with the general prevalence of patch reefs, indicating that reef associated fish assemblages may be responsible for the observed grazing. Total nitrogen was elevated in seagrass leaves associated with drains, although increased nitrogen was not associated with increased grazing. While grazing was recorded in this temperate seagrass meadow, the abundance of herbivorous fish was low and the amount of biomass removed by them was small compared to the balance of the meadow remaining, and to seagrass grazing studies elsewhere.     

Coral bleaching and habitat effects on colonisation of reef fish assemblages: An experimental study

Degradation and mortality of corals is increasing worldwide and is expected to have significant effects on coral reef fish; hence studies on these effects are essential. In the present study, a field experiment was set up within Mafia Island Marine Park in Tanzania (East Africa) to examine the effects of bleaching and habitat structure on colonisation of coral reef fish assemblages. Live and bleached staghorn coral Acropora formosa was transplanted onto plots in a site dominated by sand and rubble, and the experimental design comprised of three treatments: live coral, bleached coral and eroded coral rubble. There was an immediate increase (within 24 h) in fish abundance and diversity in the two treatments with standing corals. Overall, live and bleached coral plots showed similar effects, but differed from the eroded coral plots which had a much lower abundance and diversity of fish. In general, fish species diversity changed with time over the study period while fish abundance did not. Multivariate analyses showed that while there were differences in fish assemblage structure between standing corals and the eroded coral treatment, there was neither a difference between live and bleached coral treatments nor any temporal effects on fish assemblage structure. Our findings suggest that physical structure and complexity of habitat have stronger effects on colonisation of reef fish assemblages than changes in coral health (such as bleaching) which do not affect coral structure. This may have important implications for appropriate coral reef management.