Severe decline in abundance of the red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) population off the southeastern United States

Status of the southeastern U.S. stock of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) was estimated from fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data, 1972–97. Annual population numbers and fishing mortality rates at age were estimated from virtual population analysis (VPA) calibrated with fishery-independent data. For the VPA, a primary matrix of catch at age was based on age-length keys from fishery-independent samples; an alternate matrix was based on fishery-dependent keys. Additional estimates of stock status were obtained from a surplus-production model, also calibrated with fishery-independent indices of abundance. Results describe a dramatic increase in exploitation of this stock and concomitant decline in abundance. Estimated fully recruited fishing mortality rate (F) from the primary catch matrix increased from 0.10/yr in 1975 to 0.88/yr in 1997, and estimated static spawning potential ratio (SPR) declined from about 67% to about 18%. Estimated recruitment to age 1 declined from a peak of 3.0 million fish in 1973–74 to 94,000 fish in 1997, a decline of 96.9%. Estimated spawning-stock biomass declined from a peak of 3530 t in 1979 to 397 t in 1997, a decline of 88.8%. Results from the alternate catch matrix were similar. Retrospective patterns in the VPA suggest that the future estimates of this population decline will be severe, but may be less than present estimates. Long-term and marked declines in recruitment, spawning stock, and catch per unit of effort (both fishery-derived and fishery-independent)are consistent with severe overexploitation during a period of reduced recruitment. Although F prior to 1995 has generally been estimated at or below the current management criterion for overfishing (F equivalent to SPR=35%), the recent spawning-stock biomass is well below the biomass that could support maximum sustainable yield. Significant reductions in fishing mortality will be needed for rebuilding the southeastern U.S. stock.

Population structure of king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) around peninsular Florida, as revealed by microsatellite DNA

A total of 1006 king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) representing 20 discrete samples collected between 1996 and 1998 along the east (Atlantic) and west (Gulf) coasts of Florida and the Florida Keys were assayed for allelic variation at seven nuclear-encoded microsatellites. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were found for six of the microsatellites, and genotypes at all microsatellites were independent. Allele distributions at each microsatellite were independent of sex and age of individuals. Homogeneity tests of spatial distributions of alleles at the microsatellites revealed two weakly divergent “genetic” subpopulations or stocks of king mackerel in Florida waters—one along the Atlantic coast and one along the Gulf coast. Homogeneity tests of allele distributions when samples were pooled along seasonal (temporal) boundaries, consistent with the temporal boundaries used currently for stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource, were nonsignificant. The degree of genetic divergence between the two “genetic” stocks was small: on average, only 0.19% of the total genetic variance across all samples assayed occurred between the two regions. Cluster analysis, assignment tests, and spatial autocorrelation analysis did not generate patterns that were consistent with either geographic or spatial-temporal boundaries. King mackerel sampled from the Florida Keys could not be assigned unequivocally to either “genetic” stock. The genetic data were not consistent with current spatial-temporal boundaries employed in stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource. The genetic differences between king mackerel in the Atlantic versus those in the Gulf most likely stem from reduced gene flow (migration) between the Atlantic and Gulf in relation to gene flow (migration) along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of peninsular Florida. This difference is consistent with findings for other marine fishes where data indicate that the southern Florida peninsula serves (or has served) as a biogeographic boundary.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers for specific identification of istiophorid and xiphiid billfishes

Independent molecular markers based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were developed to provide positive identification of istiophorid and xiphiid billfishes (marlins, spearfishes, sailfish, and swordfish). Both classes of markers were based on amplification of short segments (<1.7 kb) of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent digestion with informative restriction endonucleases. Candidate markers were evaluated for their ability to discriminate among the different species and the level of intraspecific variation they exhibited. The selected markers require no more than two restriction digestions to allow unambiguous identification, although it was not possible to distinguish between white marlin and striped marlin with any of the genetic characters screened in our study. Individuals collected from throughout each species’ range were surveyed with the selected markers demonstrating low levels of intraspecific character variation within species. The resulting keys provide two independent means for the forensic identification of fillets and for specific identification of early life history stages.

Fishes of Ceylon: a catalogue, key and bibliography

A knowledge of the specific composition of Ceylon fish fauna is essential to any programme of development of commercial fisheries, or the study of Ceylon's ichthyology and the need for cataloguing it has been keenly felt for many years. The need for cataloguing the whole of Ceylon's flora and fauna was stressed by the Natural Science Section of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science during its 1952 annual sessions and it was then that the writer agreed to help satisfy this need by compiling an up-to-date check list of species of two families of fishes, the Clupeidae and the Carangidae, which are important in the beach seine fishery which he was studying at that time. In the course of this work it was decided to expand the check-list to make it comprehensive of all species of fish that have been recorded from Ceylon to date and to supply keys for their identification. This has involved a screening of the pioneer works of Bennet (1834) and Day (1878-1889) and the many subsequent references to Ceylon fish scattered through various scientific journals and other publications, some of them long out and now almost unobtainable.

Further studies on the water bugs of the genus Anisops (Hemiptera:Notonectidae) in Ceylon

In the present paper a short account is given of the biology of Anisops in Ceylon, their distribution and descriptions of Anisops ali and A. occipitalis. All the other Ceylonese species are described by Leong and Fernando (1962 . Brooks (1951) has given detailed descriptions of all the Ceylonese species except Anisops ali. A revised key to the Ceylonese Anisops is given and includes for the first time A. ali whose male has so far not been described and therefore omitted from the keys of Brooks (1951) and Leong and Fernando (1962).

A Guide to the freshwater fauna of Ceylon. Supplement 2

This is the second supplement to "A guide to the freshwater fauna of Ceylon" by A. S. Mendis and C. H. Fernando, Bull. Fish. Res. Stn., Ceylon, No. 12, 160 pp. (1962). In the present supplement additions and corrections are made in the sections on Protozoa, Annelida and Arthropoda. The sections on Platyhelrainthes and Nematoda have been expanded and the Acanthocephala added. A list of species recorded and the hosts of the parasitic forms are included. In the "Guide", the insects with only larval stages in aquatic habitats were mentioned only briefly and no species lists were included. In this supplement this gap is largely filled by added notes and inclusion of species lists of all these groups except the Neuroptera, Lepidoptera, Tabanidae, Syrphidae and Stratiomyidae. The orders Neuroptera and Lepidoptera have relatively few members in freshwater habitats and the families Tabanidae, Syrphidae and Stratiomyidae have forms with larvae in aquatic habitats and also in moist places which are not true freshwater habitats. At this time, it is not possible to separate those forms living in freshwater habitats. Short diagnoses of six additional families are given, namely, the ixidae, Psychodidae, Tabanidae Stratiomyidae, Rhagionidae and Sciomyzidae. Keys are provided for the Odonata and Ephermeroptera larvae down to the family level. An attempt has been made to make the references more comprehensive. Works dealing specifically with the Ceylonese fauna are of course included, but in addition those which are of use in diagnosis of local genera and species have been cited.

Investigation on the species diversity of Pleuronectiformes order in the Iranian coastline water of Persian Gulf

In Iranian Coastline water of Persian Gulf we researched about flat fishes and revision their Scientitic names, Investigated diversity species (Pleuronectiformes) around three provinces such as khouzestan, Bushehr and Hormozgen. The aim focuse on introducting major family and Species Identification for this Purpose 1311 Specimens collected. Then 36 investigation Parameters includes 18 Morphometric, 11 meristic, 7 distribution has been measured in Excel. The descriptive statistic in spss software would be able us to graph dendrograms by Clustering methods, then Design a standerd table and comparised all the datas with it six major family has been found in Iranian Coasline which named: Soleidae, Bothidae Paralichtidae, Cynoglossidae, Psettodidae, Citharidae. Some of the scientific species names such as Pseudorombus arsius, P. annulatus, P. elevatus, P.malayanus, P. triocellatus from Bothidae family Join it to Paralichtidae family and Eurylossa orientalis change It's name from Soleidae family to Brachirus onentalis. Cynoglossus, bilineatus, C.Puncticepts, C.durbaensis, Clachneri, one of the most Important Point that viewed in our samples, founding a new species (C.Sp) Which we couldn't identify it with all the known keys, then sent it to international Scientific references for this porpose. (Family Cynoglossidae); Pseudorombus annulatus, P. elevatus P.arsius, P.malayanus, paralichtodes algoensis, Poecilopstei Javanicus (Family paralichthidae) Arnoglossus aspilos,A.arabicits, Engyprosopon grandisquama, L.pectoralis, Pseudorombus navalensis, Psettina brevirictis (family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae); Citharoides macrolepis (Family Citharidae) in khouzestan Brachirus orientalis, Parachirus marmoratus, solea elongata, Zebrias synapturides (Family Soleidae) Cynoglossus bilineatus, C.puncticeps, C.arel, C.kopsii, C. Capenis (Family cynoglossida); Pseudorombus arsius, P. elevatus, P. malayanus, Poecilopstei javanicus (Family Paralichthidae); Laeops guentheri, Arnoglossus aspilos, Engyprosopon grandisquama (Family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family psettodidae) in Bushehr. Brachirus orientalis, Parachirus marmoratus (Family Soleidae); Cynoglossus arel, C.bilineatus, C.Puncticeps, C. lachheri (Family cynoglossidae); Pseudorombus arisus, P. elevatus, P. malayanus, Poecilopestie j avanicus (Family parlichthidae); Arnoylossus aspilos, A. arabicus, Laeopes guentheri (Family Bothidae); Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae); Citharoides macrolepis (Family Citharidae) In Hormozgan. Khozestan has the maximus diversity speices (26 species) and the minimum is Hormozgan (15 Speices). 13 species of five family has never reported inpersian Gulf but we identify them in our studies for the first time. We abserved 29 Species of six family in our studies, comparision between are resualts with other researches shows that this use is the most compelet study in Iranian coastline water of Persian Gulf.

Key for the identification of the East African marine fishes to family level

The paper provides key for the identification of the East African marine fishes. Just like in most determination keys this one is based on the "either-or" principle, i.e. there is a single alternatIve at each point. A specimen either fits all the characters recorded, or fails to conform to one or more characters and you should then proceed to the next number, keeping this up until the fish to be identified does fit all the characters.

A key to the families and genera of freshwater fishes of Tanzania

The purpose of this key is to facilitate rapid and accurate identification, in the field, for fisheries workers. It is therefore based as much as possible on external characters only and an attempt has been made to keep it simple and straight forward. The only real difficulty arises in clearly demarcating the numerous cichlid genera of the great lakes, despite the fact that these have been treated in separate sections for each lake. Moreover, it hasn't been possible to revise the key to the lake Nyasa genera (taken from Jackson, 1961) to any significant extent, my experience with L. Nyasa fishes being limited; also, a few new genera have been or are still in the process of being published and I unfortunately haven't had access to these papers. A short bibliography is appended covering the major publications relevant to the systematics of Tanzania freshwater fishes and the sources from which these keys have been drawn up.

Parasites of endemic and introduced fishes of Zaianderud River of the Esfahan

In this research, 9 species of local and introduced fishes of the Zayandehroud River in Esfahan province (in the Sarmatian region belonging to the large paleoarctic fauna) in 6 seasons (winter 2003, spring, summer, autumn and winter 2004 and summer 2005) were parasitologically studied. The local fishes included alburnoides bipunctatus, Alburnus maculatus, Aphanius vladykovi, Capoeta aculeata & Capoeta damascina & the introduced fishes included Aristichthys nobilis, Carassius auratus, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio. Upon being hunted, the fishes were transferred alive to Esfahan Aquatics Breeding Center and physiologically studied after the determination of their species and genus by identification keys Berg (30), Coad (31), Saadati (51), Abdoli (20) and Holchic (38). 32 species of parasites were totally identified as follows: 6 Protozoan species including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, 5 Trichodina species, 2 Myxobolus species including Myxobolus cristatus & Myxobolus saidovi, 16 monogenea species including Dactylogyrus alatus. D. anchorutus, D. baueri, D. chalcalburni, D. chramuli, D. extensus, D. gracilis, D. lamellatus, D. lenkorani and D. pukher, 4 Dactylogyrus spp. 2 Gyrodactylus species, 1 species of Digenea, Diplostomum spthaceum, 4 species of Cestoda including Bothriocephallus gowkongensis, khawia armeniaca, Ligulaintestinalis. Caryophyllaeus sp. 1 Acanthocephala: Acanthocephalo rhynchoides cholodkowsky, 2 species of the crustaceans including the mature & copepodian stages of Lernaea cyprinacea & 1 sp of the genus Lamproglena. Out of all the 166 pcs of the fishes hunted in this research, 127 fishes (76.5%) were infected, and 39 fishes (23.50%) were not infected. In the fishes studied, having 14 of 32 species of the parasites identified, Capoeta aculeata displayed the most variety of infection, and having only 1 sp of the parasites. Aristichthys nobilis displayed the least variety of infection. The new findings of the research will follow: Myxobolus saidovi sp is reported for the 1st time from Iran's fresh water fishes, Alburnus maculatus and Capoeta aculeata are new hosts for M. saidovi and M. cristatus, respectively. Regarding monogenea Capoeta damascina & C. aculeata were reported as the new hosts for parasite D. pukher. The presence of D. pukher the infection of Capoeta aculeata with D. chramuli, D. lenkorani and D. gracilis in the Zayandehroud river were the 1st report. Regarding the Cestodea, Bothriocephalus gowkongensis was reported to be hosted by Aphanius Vladykovi for the 1St time in Iran.

Les pagures du Viet-Nam. II. Sur quelques espèces du Genre Calcinus Dana

The collections of the Oceanographic Institute of Vietnam include several species of hermit crabs of the genus Calcinus Dana. Three of keys were studied by Fize and Serene (1955): C. herbsti Man, C. gaimardi H. Milne Edwards and C. latens Randall . The seventy specimens belong to four species. The first one, C. minutus Buytendijk, was described by Indonesia in 1937; the second one, represented by a single small specimen is related to C. spicatus Forest. Finally, two other are Calcinus vachonis sp. November and Colcinus pulcher sp. nov.

Separation and identification fresh water leeches of waters resources in Kordistan Province

In the primary studying, known leeches have included into free living and parasitic which the parasitic group, besides of direct impacts like: growth detraction, anemia, making wound in the connecting part with the skin, with making plat for secondary bacterial and molding infections in the toll place, is able to cause to transfer blood flagellate and virus to the fish too. Therefore, by accusing information related to fauna leeches of each area a risk factor from the viewpoint of the possibility of being or accusing transferred diseases by these leeches, one can predict and forehand about them. Freshwater leeches of Iran to present accurate recognition (morphological, molecular) have not been, and there are some limited reports from different parts of the country about them. One of the areas that its leeches have not been identified yet is Kurdistan, By having five latrines and big permanent rivers and 32000 springs and a lot of deep and semi-deep wells and this province is a convenient bed for growing aquatics in the country. Therefore, identifying risk factors for development of aquaculture on water resources is one important factor to access achieving development goals. For recognizing leeches of this province, some samples from 10 stands were token. Samples from under stones, sticking to the fish, turtles, plants and solid substances in the water were separated and after recording their physical characteristics, calming with 10% ethylic alcohol with 10% formalin become fixed and after painting with Carmen acetic acid by standard keys for 7 species of Helobdella stagnalis, Placobdella costata, Hemiclepsis marginata, Erpobdella octoculata, Hirudo medicinalis, Dina lineate lineata have been identified and described. Which Helobdella stagnalis has the highest distribution in the province and the minimum one is Hirudo medicinalis. However, that the data obtained in leeches in Kurdistan is a relatively complete collection in this research, recognizing fauna of these areas needs more studying. The Placobdella costata and Hemiclepsis marginata sticking to the fish were separated among identified species which showed that these are parasites for the fish. The sticking area of those leeches to the skin was accompanied with scales cast, damage to mucous membranes beneath the parasite and bleeding Was associated with Histopathology studying effect includes observing break and disconnection in the leech connecting place to the epithelial layer of epidermis in the skin, destroyed nucleus in skin Epithelial cells with observing necrosis in ulcerative place become of the leech and the sub acute inflammated penetration until acute necrosis with opening in Dermis layer is observable. Kidney of this fish have changes such as: proliferation, like proliferative kidney disease with increasing proliferative glomerular cells and increasing in membranous cells in Capillary corpuscle, observing necrotic cells in haematopoietic tissue of kidney along with increasing in infiltration of leukocyte's cells generally mono nucluars such as lymphocytes and less poly morpho nucluars such as neutrophiles that are symptoms of disorders causing anemia become of nourishing and sucking blood by the leech and creating a chronic kidney infection that originally root is in another place like the skin. Also Hemorrhagic anemia causes losing RBC's is because of using the host blood by the leech. (In this situation, one can see immature RBC red cells in Peripheral blood. To identify potential carriers of the leech to the viruses, after finding them in recorded stands and putting them in 75% ethanol for viruses cause IPN, VHS, IHN, they were tested by PCR that the conclusion of these experiments approved IPN virus in Hemiclepsis marginata and Hirudo medicinalis. This kind of leeches can act like a mechanical carrier and causing spreading the agent of this disease. It is worth mentioning that studying the pathogenicity of this virus for aquaculture sources, mentioned before needs more research. During the study of infected fish with leeches that was done after preparing bloody slides and staining them, no case blood parasites was observed. During a research about infecting fish experimentally to known leeches it become clear that 5 days after being in aquarium including leeches, samples of sticking Hirudo medicinalis leech to the golden carp with scales cast were observed. Including leeches to the fish started with molting the scales in the sticking area in the fish and fish become too uneasy and by rubbing themselves to the malls and things inside the aquarium, tried to separate them. Finally, after around 30 hours, leeches penetrate the skin, feeding from blood and tissue liquids and cause mortality the fish and then they become separated from them. If the corpse of these fish stayed in the aquarium, the Helobdella stagnalis and Erpobdella octoculata would start feeding them.