Estimating the girth of fish by applying an elliptic model

A new method for estimating the maximum girth of roundfish is proposed as illustrated; this is based on an elliptic approximation of the cross sections of the fish body. Results derived from a small sample horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus, suggest that maximum girth estimates based on the elliptic model are more precise than the values estimated by applying a conventional method.

Redescription of Hypoptopoma inexspectata (Holmberg, 1883), with notes on its anatomy (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Hypoptopoma inexspectata is diagnosed and redescribed based on the examination of additional material and comparison with its congeners. This poorly known hypoptopomine species is distributed in the Paraguay and Paraná river draínages. Hypoptopoma inexspectata is diagnosable based on the autapomorphy biserial arrangement of anterior snout rostral margin odontodes, laterally extended to limit between second and third infraorbital plates, with dorsally directed dorsad series separated from ventrally directed ventrad series by a narrow odontode-free area, which at the level of first and second infraorbital plates is reduced to a dividing line of the series. The species can be further distinguished by the combination (1) low number of canal-bearing lateral plates (20-22, typically 21), (2) presence of a shield of prepectoral dermal plates, (3) arrangement of abdominal plates in one paired series of 3-5 plates, (4) shorter least interorbital distance 4856% head lengh, (5) larger horizontal eye diameter 17-20% head lengh, and (6) least orbit-nare distance 812% head lengh. Intraspecific variation skull dermal bones, neuracranium and suspensorium bones, dermal plates, adipose fin is reported. (PDF has 20 pages.)

Toward identification of larval sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the western North Atlantic Ocean*

The identification of larval istiophorid billfishes from the western North Atlantic Ocean has long been problematic. In the present study, a molecular technique was used to positively identify 27 larval white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), 96 larval blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and 591 larval sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) from the Straits of Florida and the Bahamas. Nine morphometric measurements were taken for a subset of larvae (species known), and lower jaw pigment patterns were recorded on a grid. Canonical variates analysis (CVA) was used to reveal the extent to which the combination of morphometric, pigment pattern, and month of capture information was diagnostic to species level. Linear regression revealed species-specific relationships between the ratio of snout length to eye orbit diameter and standard length (SL). Confidence limits about these relationships served as defining characters for sailfish >10 mm SL and for blue and white marlin >17 mm SL. Pigment pattern analysis indicated that 40% of the preflexion blue marlin examined possessed a characteristic lower jaw pigment pattern and that 62% of sailfish larvae were identifiable by lower jaw pigments alone. An identification key was constructed based on pigment patterns, month of capture, and relationships between SL and the ratio of snout length to eye orbit diameter. The key yielded identifications for 69.4% of 304 (blind sample) larvae used to test it; only one of these identifications was incorrect. Of the 93 larvae that could not be identified by the key, 71 (76.3%) were correctly identified with CVA. Although identif ication of certain larval specimens may always require molecular techniques, it is encouraging that the majority (92.4%) of istiophorid larvae examined were ultimately identifiable from external characteristics alone.

Adjustment of ocean color sensor calibration through multi-band statistics

The band-by-band vicarious calibration of on-orbit satellite ocean color instruments, such as SeaWiFS and MODIS, using ground-based measurements has significant residual uncertainties. This paper applies spectral shape and population statistics to tune the calibration of the blue bands against each other to allow examination of the interband calibration and potentially provide an analysis of calibration trends. This adjustment does not require simultaneous matches of ground and satellite observations. The method demonstrates the spectral stability of the SeaWiFS calibration and identifies a drift in the MODIS instrument onboard Aqua that falls within its current calibration uncertainties.

A new deep-sea crab, genus Chaceon, from the Arabian Sea (Crustacea, Decapoda, Geryonidae)

The sixth nominal species of Chaceon to be recorded from the western Indian Ocean is named from a specimen collected off Somalia in 504-506 meters. Chaceon somaliensis, n. sp., resembles C. macphersoni (Manning and Holthuis, 1988) and differs from the other four species known from the area in having the dactylus of the walking legs dorsoventrally depressed. It differs from C. macphersoni in having slenderer legs, a smoother body, and a much deeper, evenly curved orbit.

Note on Nematopalaemon tenuipes (Henderson, 1893) (Crustacea:Palaemonidae) from the Pakistan coast of Arabian Sea

On a few occasions palaemonid shrimps turned up in the collections from the Karachi fish harbour. The specimens resembled Nematopalaemon tenuipes (Henderson, 1893) but for the walking legs which were invariably missing or incomplete, in the latter case the dactyli were broken at or just near the base. The only reference from Pakistan is in context to its distribution (Holthuis and Miguel, 1984). The abbreviation cl. is used in the text for the carapace length measuring from the orbit to the posterior margin of the carapace.

A re-description of the little known rabbit fish Siganus lineatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) (Pisces:Siganide) with notes on siganid fishes of the Vembanad Lake

Siganus lineatus (Cuv. and Val) is reported from the coast of peninsular India for the first time and a detailed description of it is given based on morphology and meristic characters. It differs from the other allied species of the genus Siganus Forskal in having an oval body without spots and having fifteen parallel longitudinal golden yellow bands, relatively larger last dorsal spine, maxillary position far below the level of the orbit and cheek with distinct rows of scales. S. javus (Linnaeus) and S. canaliculatus (Park) were also obtained from the Vembanad Lake. Short notes on the habitat, occurrence, abundance, seasonal and geographic distribution in relation to fluctuating hydrological conditions of the Vembanad Lake are incorporated together with a key for their identification.