Length-weight relationship, relative condition factor (Kn) and morphometry of Arius subrostratus (Valenciennes, 1840) from a coastal wetland in Kerala

The length – weight relationship and relative condition factor of the shovel nose catfish, Arius subrostratus (Valenciennes, 1840) from Champakkara backwater were studied by examination of 392 specimens collected during June to September 2008. These fishes ranged from 6 to 29 cm in total length and 5.6 to 218 g in weight. The relation between the total length and weight of Arius subrostratus is described as Log W = -1.530+2.6224 log L for males, Log W = - 2.131 + 3.0914 log L for females and Log W = - 1.742 + 2.8067 log L for sexes combined. The mean relative condition factor (Kn) values ranged from 0.75 to 1.07 for males, 0.944 to 1.407 for females and 0.96 to 1.196 for combined sexes. The length-weight relationship and relative condition factor showed that the well-being of A. subrostratus is good. The morphometric measurements of various body parts and meristic counts were recorded. The morphometric measurements were found to be non-linear and there is no significant difference observed between the two sexes. From the present investigation, the fin formula can be written as D: I, 7; P: I, 12; A: 17 – 20; C: 26 – 32. There is no change in meristic counts with the increase in body length.

Efeito do beneficiamento sobre o valor nutricional do peixe mandim (Arius spixii)

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do beneficiamento sobre o valor nutricional do peixe mandim (Arius spixii) comercializado em Maceió-AL, determinaram-se nas suas formas in natura e beneficiada (salgado-seco) a composição centesimal, valor calórico, cloretos, perfil de ácidos graxos e colesterol, sendo também analisada a ocorrência de óxidos de colesterol. Os resultados obtidos para o mandim in natura e beneficiado, respectivamente, de umidade (70,13% e 40,31%), proteínas (51,73% e 38,07%, base seca), carboidratos (4,67% e 2,24%, base seca), calorias (486 kcal/100g e 367 kcal/100g, base seca), ácidos graxos (poliinsaturados 14,54% e 15,49%, ômega-3 8,51% e 6,51%), colesterol (82,66 mg/100g e 61,30 mg/100g) e óxidos (7-cetocolesterol 8,31 µg/g e 17,90 µg/g), permitiram concluir que o beneficiamento favoreceu alterações significativas no valor nutricional do mandim.

Histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultraestructural evaluation of inflammatory response in Arius genus fish under experimental inoculation of BCG

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response kinetics after experimental inoculation with BCG in the primitive Arius sp. fish. The BCG was applied through the intramuscular injection in the caudal peduncular region, and the samples were collected for the analyses at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 33 post-injection. Acute phase inflammatory infiltrate was characterized by the predominant mononuclear cells, intersticial edema, and muscular tissue necrosis. As the inflammatory response evolved, a large number of multinuclear giant cells were formed containing the BCG. These giant cells were positive for the S100 protein at the histochemical analysis, which demonstrate the macrofage activity, confirmed by the ultra-structural analysis showing the lack of the cytoplasmic membrane enveloping the many nuclei within the giant cell. These results led to the conclusion that Arius sp. fish injected with the BCG showed a difuse inflammatory response characterized by a large number of mononuclear cells, absence of granuloma formation, and predominant giant cells.

Sarja I baletista "Arius"

Soitinnus: orkesteri.

Johdanto ja muunnelmia baletista "Arius"

Soitinnus: orkesteri.

Sarja nro 2 baletista "Arius"

Soitinnus: orkesteri.

Alimentação, distribuição espacial e sazonal das espécies de Arius (Siluriformes : Ariidae) do estuário amazônico

Pertencente a ordem dos Siluriformes, a família Ariidae compreende os bagres marinhos e estuarinos os quais distribuem-se pelas costas de todos os continentes, habitando áreas costeiras de região tropical e subtropical, onde vivem em águas de pouca profundidade, com fundo arenoso ou lodoso. No estuário Amazônico, no estado do Pará, encontram-se 7 espécies pertencentes ao gênero Anus (A. couma, A. parkeri, A. rugispinis, A. quadriscutis, A. grandicassis, A. phrygiatus e A. proops). O objetivo deste estudo é identificar os hábitos alimentares, sobreposição alimentar e espacial, distribuição espacial e sazonal das espécies de Anus (Siluriformes, Ariidae) do Estuário Amazônico. As coletas foram realizadas durante o período de agosto a outubro de 1996, de fevereiro a abril e agosto a outubro de 1997. Os indivíduos foram capturados com rede de fundo sem porta da frota piramutabeira do estuário Amazônico. Existem dois grupos de espécies do gênero Anus: as espécies que se alimentam de crustáceos (A. rugispinis, A. quadriscutis, A. grandicassis, A. phrygiatus e A. proops) e as espécies que se alimentam de peixes (A. couma, A. parken). Com relação a sobreposição alimentar todas as espécies apresentam um certo grau sobreposição alimentar assim como a sobreposição espacial. A. couma e A. phrygiatus estão mais abundantes nos estratos de profundidade entre 5-10 m e A. rugispinis, A quadriscutis, A. grandicassis, A. parkeri e A. proops nos estrato de 10-20 m. A. phrygiatus é a única espécie que apresenta maior abundância durante o inverno e as demais espécies aparecem tanto no verão como no inverno

PLANKTON-CAUGHT ZOEAL STAGES AND MEGALOPA OF THE LOBSTER SHRIMP AXIUS SERRATUS (DECAPODA: AXIIDAE) FROM THE BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA, WITH A SUMMARY OF AXIIDEAN AND GEBIIDEAN LITERATURE ON LARVAL DESCRIPTIONS

Wild-caught larvae, attributed to the lobster shrimp Arius serratus, consisting of two zoeal stages and a decapodid (megalopa), are described in detail. Parentage of larvae was ascertained based on geographic distribution of axiideans and gebiideans (= former thalassinideans) within the study area and close morphological resemblance to other congeneric larval stages. Larvae of A. serratus represent the first described 'thalassinidean' larvae from Canadian Atlantic waters and the first for Axiidae within the northwest Atlantic. Among axiidean larvae, those of A. serratus most closely resemble larvae of A. stirhynchus from the eastern Atlantic. Distinct features include the spination of the pleon that set A. serratus zoeae apart from those of most other 'thalassinideans' but that, in combination with a telson very similar to Homarus americanus, contributes to the general resemblance of A. serratus larvae to those of the American lobster. The primary distinction between these taxa is the presence of a chela on the third pereiopod in the latter that is not present in the former. In view of these appendages being prone to loss or damage, other characters that separate these taxa are listed and discussed. Given the uncertain status of some taxa within Axiidae and limited detailed information of larvae with certain parentage, difficulties in delineating the family based on larvae persist, as they do for cladistic analyses using adult morphology and molecular approaches.

Microampullary organs of a freshwater eel-tailed catfish, Plotosus (tandanus) tandanus

Whole body studies of Plotosus tandanus revealed that ampullary pores occur over the entire body of the fish, but are in higher concentrations in the head region. These pores give rise to a short canal (50-60 mum) produced by columnar epithelial cells bound together by tight junctions and desmosomes. At the junction. of the canal and the ampulla, cuboidal epithelial cells make up the wall. The ampulla consists of layers of collagen fibers that surround flattened epithelial cells in the lateral regions and give rise to supportive cells-that encase a small number of receptor cells (10-15). The ampullary wall comprises several types of cells that are adjoined via tight junctions and desmosomes between cell types. The ovoid receptor cells possess microvilli along the luminar apical area. Beneath this area, the cells are rich in mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. An unmyelinated neuron adjoins with each receptor cell opposite multiple presynaptic bodies. This form of microampulla has not been previously described within the Family Plotosidae. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Miocene catfishes (Ariidae,Bagridae) from Lisbon: a Nilotic (or Sudanian) type fauna

Miocene catfishes from Lisbon are dealt with. Two distinct sets of pectoral and dorsal pterygiophores are described. That from the Langhian V-b is referred to Arius sp. probably close to A. heudeloti. Another ser from the uppermost Burdigalian V-a may be ascribed to a bagrid, cf. Chrysichthys sp., identified for the first time in this region. The catfish and Lates association is sctrikingly similar to African, nilotic or sudanian ones as far as freshwaters are concerned. In marine, coastal environments, stenotherm warm-water forms (Polynemids, large barracudas and several sharks) indicate, as a model, faunas like chose from Cape Verde to northern Angola. There is some gradation for brackish waters (fig. 1). Catfishes and Lates probably migrated into the Iberian Peninsule in the lower Miocene. They are unknown after Langhian V-b except for a reappearance of Arius in the middle Tortonian VII-b. Decreasing temperatures and aridity account for local extinction at least in freshwaters. Expansion of these fishes have been made easier owing to the displacement of land masses chat narrowed or closed the marine waterway between Europe and Africa. Salinity tolerance is not necessarily the sole explanation for migration. Catfishes plus Lates associations colonized inland waters from both sides of the Paleomediterranean. Local extinction may have weighed more in the development of modern distribution patterns than migration.

Miocene c4tfishes (Ariidae, Bagridae) from Lisbon: a Nilotic (or Sudanian) type fauna

Miocene catfishes from Lisbon are dealt with. Two distinct sets of pectoral and dorsal pterygiophores are described. That from the Langhian V-b is referred to Arius sp. probably close to A. Beudeloti. Another set from the uppermost Burdigalian V-a may be ascribed to a bagtid, cf, Chrysichthys sp., identified for the first time in this region. The catfish and Lates association is strikingly similar to African, nilotic or sudanian ones as far as freshwaters are concerned. In marine, coastal environments, stenotherm warm-water forms (Polynemids, large barracudas and several sharks) indicate, as a model, faunas like those from Cape Verde to northern Angola. There is some gradation for brackish waters (fig. 1). Catfishes and Lates probably migrated into the Iberian Peninsule in the lower Miocene. They are unknown after Langhian V-b except for a reappearance of Arius in the middle Tortonian VII-b. Decreasing temperatures and aridity account for local extinction at least in freshwaters. Expansion of these fishes have been made easier owing to the displacement of land masses that narrowed or closed the marine waterway between Europe and Africa. Salinity tolerance is not necessarily the sole explanation for migration. Catfishes plus Lates associations colonized inland waters from both sides of the Paleomediterranean. Local extinction may have weighed more in the development of modern distribution patterns than migration.

Revalidação de Cathorops arenatus e Cathorops agassizii (Siluriformes, Ariidae), bagres marinhos das regiões norte e nordeste da América do Sul

As espécies nominais das regiões norte e nordeste da América do Sul, reconhecidas na literatura como sinônimos júnior de Cathorops spixii (Agassiz, 1829) têm seu status específico revisto. Os tipos de Arius arenatus Valenciennes, 1840, Arius fissus Valenciennes, 1840, Tachisurus agassizii Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 e Arius pleurops Boulenger, 1897 foram examinados. Cathorops arenatus e Cathorops agassizii são espécies válidas, Cathorops fissus é sinônimo júnior de Cathorops arenatus e Cathorops pleurops sinônimo júnior de Cathorops agassizii. Os caracteres morfométricos tradicionalmente usados em descrições e chaves de identificação para espécies da família Ariidae são redefinidos e novos caracteres são utilizados.

Two new species in the genus Cucullanus (Nematoda - Cucullanidae) from the australian region

Two new species of Cucullanus are described: C. bourdini n. sp. and C. laurotravassosi n. sp. C. bourdini is a parasite of Pristipomoides filamentosus , Aprion virescens and P. flavipinnis (Lutjanidae) in New Caledonia. The species is closely related to C. amadai, C. bulbosus and C. hians by the disposition of the post-and ad-cloacal papille but differs by the more posterior position of the deirids. C. laurotravassosi n. sp., a parasite of Arius sp. in Australia, is close to C. bagre but can be distinguished by the more posterior position of post-cloacal papillae.

“Stress Responses of Stinging Catfish Heteropneustes fassilis (Bloch) to Organophosphorus Insecticide Monocrotophos”

Poisoning by pesticides from agricultural fields is a serious water pollution problem and its environmental long-term effect may result in the incidence of poisoning of fish and other aquatic life forms (jyothi and Narayan, 1999). Fishes like Heteropneustesfbssilis and C/arius batrac/nus are especially prone to serious pesticide pollution as their habitat is mostly the agriculture area. Though only few studies are conducted in this area, it can be assessed from the local information that, population of such fish is on the verge of vulnerability due to extensive use of pesticides. The knowledge of sublethal effects of xenobiotic compounds on hematological parameters, enzyme activities and metabolite concentrations is very important to delineate the fish health status and provide a future understanding of ecological impacts. These pesticides act by causing inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (ChE) by formation of enzyme inhibitor complex (O'Brien, 1976) and damaging the nervous system. These effects may result in metabolic disorders. Associated to cholinesterase activities, a study of other enzymes such as phosphatases and aminotransferases close to intermediary metabolite determination provides a wider view of metabolism. Interest in toxicological aspects has grown in recent years and research is now increasingly focused on mechanistic aspects of oxidative damage and cellular responses in biological system. The term ‘biomarker’ is generally used in a broad sense to include almost any measurement reflecting an interaction between a biological system and a potential hazard, which may be chemical, physical or biological (WHO, 1993). As biomarker stands for immediate responses, they are used as early warning signals of biological effects caused by environmental pollutants. The present work attempts to assess the toxicity of organophosphorus insecticide monocrotophos on the experimental organism selected for this study namely stinging catfish (Heteropneustesfossi/is) (Bloch), and to probe into the stress responses of the organism

Cestóides da ordem Trypanorhyncha em peixes de importância comercial capturados no litoral amazônico

Objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a fauna parasitária, em especial os cestóides da ordem Trypanorhyncha, que acometem peixes de valor comercial capturados no litoral amazônico e avaliar os possíveis impactos na produção pesqueira industrial. Foram examinados 328 exemplares de cinco espécies de peixes: Cynoscion acoupa, Macrodon ancylodon, Plagioscion squanosissimus, Centropumus undecimalis, Arius Parkeri. Foi feita a mensuração do seu comprimento total e pesagem dos peixes, na filetagem examinou as regiões corporais, musculatura e serosa. Os blastocistos de Trypanorhyncha encontrados foram removidos e encaminhados para Laboratório Carlos Azevedo. Todas as espécies pesquisadas estavam parasitadas por Trypanorhyncha, totalizando 283 (73,78%) exemplares parasitados. A espécie Callitetrarhynchus gracilis apresentou maior prevalência parasitária. Poecilancistrium aryophyllum foi a que mais parasitou as espécies de peixes estudadas, seguida da Pterobothrium crassicolle e as Pterobothrium heteracanthum e Callitetrarhynchus speciosum, parasitaram Cynoscion acoupa e Arius Parkeri, respectivamente. As regiões da musculatura abdominal e dorso-lateral foram as mais acometidas.