Primeres dades sobre la reproducció de Scorpaena Notata (Pisces, Teleosti) en el Mediterrani Occidental

S'analitzen diversos caràcters morfomètrics i índexs relacionats amb la reproducció d'una mostra de 260 exemplars de Scorpaena notata. La proporció de mascles és molt més elevada que la de femelles, especialment a les talles més grosses. Les variacions estacionals de l'índex gonadosomitic (IGS) indiquen que aquesta espècie es reprodueix a l'estiu i principi de tardor, hipòtesi confirmada per l'estat de maduració de les gònades observades. Així mateix, la disminució brusca que pateix l'index hepatosomàtic (MS) a la tardor posa de manifest que les reserves hepàtiques han estat utilitzades per a la posta

Injuries caused by scorpionfishes and (Scorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789 Scorpaena brasiliensis Cuvier 1829) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian coast): epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of 23 stings in humans

Fishes of the family Scorpaenidae are responsible for severe injuries and occasionally deaths in humans around the world. The more venomous fishes on the Brazilian coast and in the Southwestern Atlantic region are classified in the genus Scorpaena (family Scorpaenidae). However, there are few studies on the venomous apparatus, the effects of the venom, or clinical aspects of human envenoming provoked by Atlantic scorpionfishes.In this communication, the authors present 23 accidents caused by scorpionfishes of the genus Scorpaena among fishermen, and report the species that provoked the injuries, the circumstances of contacts, the clinical aspects observed and the therapeutic measures utilized for control of the symptoms of the victims. The intense pain and the systemic findings observed in the patients were very frequent and we think that the injuries provoked by scorpionfishes should be considered the most important manifestations caused by venomous fishes of the East Atlantic Ocean. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Systemic response induced by Scorpaena plumieri fish venom initiates acute lung injury in mice

Scorpaena plumieri venomous fish inflicted severe injuries in humans characterized by systemic effects and cardiovascular abnormalities. Although cardiotoxic and hypotensive effects induced in rats by this venom have been studied, little is known about their effect on bronchial epithelial permeability and airway inflammation in mice. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether the intraplantar or intraperitoneal injection of S. plumieri venom results in systemic response, and whether this event initiates acute lung injure. We found that BALB/c mice developed neutrophilic infiltrates, areas of lung hemorrhage and alveolar macrophage activation within 24 h after injection with S. plumieri venom. These histopathological changes were associated with an early increase in BAL fluid protein and early induction of cytokines, chemokines and matrix metaloproteinases, followed by a later increase in BAL fluid neutrophils. These findings provide clear evidence that the injection of S. plumieri venom in footpad or peritoneal cavity of mice results in venom deposition in the airway and initiates a sustained inflammatory response in the lungs. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tecniche di campionamento di sostanze bioattive da aculei di Scorpaena porcus

Nel presente report vengono descritte le tecniche utilizzate per l'estrazione del veleno dagli aculei della specie ittica Scorpaena porcus. Gli estratti grezzi ottenuti sono successivamente processati al fine di ottenere frazioni da utilizzare in saggi biochimici, per lo studio di possibili attività biologiche.

Notes and memoranda

The distrubution of Unciola crenatipalma, Bate. Notes and observations on: Raniceps raninus, Linn. Chimaera monstrosa, Linn. Lumpenus lampetraeformis, Walbaum. Gastrosteus pungitius, Linn. Pleuronectes microcephalus, Donov. Scorpaena dactyloptera, De la Roche.

L'oviparisme en la família Scorpaenidae (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes)

En aquest treball de tesi doctoral es descriu l'estructura gonadal, gametogènesi i cicle anual de Scorpaena porcus, S. scrofa i S. elongata per tal d'aprofundir en el coneixement dels diferents graus d'especialització dins l'oviparisme en peixos. Es pretén fer èmfasi en aquells trets inusuals que difereixen del què s'ha descrit fins ara per la majoria de les espècies ovípares de teleostis, i relacionar-los amb l'estratègia reproductiva de les espècies que els presenten El mostreig s'ha dut a terme de forma intensiva entre l'any 2000 i 2002, tot i que s'ha continuat recol·lectant mostres fins a l'agost de 2004, amb més o menys freqüència segons la necessitat. En total s'han obtingut 258 exemplars de S. porcus, 119 de S. scrofa i 46 de S. elongata. S'ha pogut veure com S. porcus, S. scrofa i S. elongata són espècies ovípares ovulípares especialitzades, ja que la seva estructura ovàrica presenta tot una sèrie de trets molt particulars i poc comuns a la resta de peixos ovípars estudiats fins ara: posició central del raquis musculo-connectiu que es troba envoltat completament pel lumen i la paret ovàrica; presència de peduncles en oòcits en fase de creixement secundari; escassetat i mida petita dels alvèols corticals; poc gruix de la zona radiata; i secreció d'una massa gelatinosa que engloba els ous en el moment de la posta. Totes aquestes característiques també s'han observat en Scorpaena notata, suggerint que l'especialització de l'oviparisme ovulípar es dóna en tot el gènere Scorpaena. L'estructura testicular i l'espermatogènesi d'aquestes espècies també és força particular. Per una banda els testicles són del tipus lobular no-restringit, tot i que presenten algunes característiques com la ordenació parcial dels cists segons l'estadi de maduració de les cèl·lules germinals que contenen i l'absència de lumen central, que actualment només s'ha observat en testicles del tipus lobular restringit de les espècies de la sèrie Aterinomorpha. Per l'altre banda, l'espermatogènesi és del tipus semicística, és a dir, els cists s'obren abans d'acabar tot el procés i les cèl·lules germinals s'acaben de desenvolupar a la llum del lòbul fins a espermatozoides. La posta d'aquestes espècies és múltipla i constisteix en una massa gelatinosa d'ous pelàgica, que en el cas de S. porcus s'alliberen entre els mesos de juny i agost, i en S. scrofa, a partir del mes de juliol. S'ha relacionat la presència d'aquesta massa amb un aparellament mascle-femella, de manera que el mascle alliberaria l'esperma directament sobre la massa d'ous, assegurant així la fartilització total dels mateixos.

The venomous toadfish Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim or miquim): report of 43 injuries provoked in fishermen of Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State), Brazil

Os peixes da família Batrachoididae causam um grande número de acidentes em pescadores das regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. O gênero Thalassophryne apresenta várias espécies no Brasil e a espécie Thalassophryne nattereri é a mais comum, todas apresentando veneno. O veneno é inoculado por duas espículas ocas na nadadeira dorsal e duas nas regiões pré-operculares, ligadas a uma glândula de veneno na base. Os envenenamentos causaram dor intensa, edema e eritema iniciais em 43 pescadores observados em Salinópolis (Pará) e Aracaju (Sergipe). em todos os casos, não ocorreram fenômenos sistêmicos dignos de nota, mas ocorreu necrose local em oito pacientes e infecção bacteriana em dez. As circunstâncias dos acidentes são comentadas, assim como aspectos terapêuticos. Nossa conclusão foi que o envenenamento por Thalassophryne é importante e freqüente e deve ser considerado de média gravidade, em função de não haverem fenômenos sistêmicos, como observado nos acidentes por peixes-escorpião (Scorpaena) ou arraias marinhas e fluviais.

The Global Plankton Database: an inventory and data from the Former Soviet Union expeditions

At present time, there is a lack of knowledge on the interannual climate-related variability of zooplankton communities of the tropical Atlantic, central Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea, due to the absence of appropriate databases. In the mid latitudes, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is the dominant mode of atmospheric fluctuations over eastern North America, the northern Atlantic Ocean and Europe. Therefore, one of the issues that need to be addressed through data synthesis is the evaluation of interannual patterns in species abundance and species diversity over these regions in regard to the NAO. The database has been used to investigate the ecological role of the NAO in interannual variations of mesozooplankton abundance and biomass along the zonal array of the NAO influence. Basic approach to the proposed research involved: (1) development of co-operation between experts and data holders in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UK, and USA to rescue and compile the oceanographic data sets and release them on CD-ROM, (2) organization and compilation of a database based on FSU cruises to the above regions, (3) analysis of the basin-scale interannual variability of the zooplankton species abundance, biomass, and species diversity.

Composición de la dieta y estrategia alimentaria de cinco especies de peces bentónicos de la costa de Cullera (España)

This paper provides data on diet and feeding habits of five benthic fish species (Torpedo torpedo (Linnaeus,1758), Mullus surmuletus (Linnaeus, 1758), Uranoscopus scaber (Linnaeus,1758), Scorpaena scrofa (Linnaeus,1758) and Synaptura lusitanica (Capello,1868)) common in the artisanal fisheries in the Cullera coast (Mediterranean sea – Spain) and T.torpedo, U.scaber y S. lusitánica feeding habits are almost unknown. T. torpedo preferred small preys like fishes, polychaetes and molluscs, these preys were feed in small portions. M. surmuletus showed the highest feeding dynamic, consuming small prey in large numbers like crustaceans (brachyura and amphypoda). U. scaber had similar feeding habits, but the numbers of preys in the stomach were lower. The principal preys were fishes, crustaceans, molluscs and polychaetes. S.scrofa ate larger prey items such as fish, followed by crustaceans and molluscs. Finally S. lusitánica had a high vacuity index, feeding polychaetes as the most important prey in their diet. Feeding strategy indicates a specialization of T.torpedo, S.scrofa and S. lusitanica; conversely M. surmuletus and U. scaber were generalized species.

Trammel net selectivity studies in the Algarve (southern Portugal), gulf of cadiz (Spain), Basque coutry (Spain) and cyclades islands (Greece)

Trammel net fisheries were studied in four areas: the Cantabrian Sea (Basque Country, Spain), the Algarve (Southern Portugal), the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain) and the Cyclades Islands (Greece). Surveys were carried out in order to identify trammel net métiers and to characterise the gear used. Trammel nets were among the most important gears used in the small-scale fisheries, with up to 9 different métiers identified in each area. The most important métiers in the Algarve and the Gulf of Cádiz were those for cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and soles (Solea senegalensis, Microchirus azevia, Synaptura lusitanica). In the Cantabrian Sea, sole (Solea vulgaris), shellfish (several species) and scorpion fish (Scorpaena spp.) métiers dominated while a variety of species where targeted in the multi-species trammel net fishery in the Cyclades. In each area, experimental trammel nets of six different types (combinations of 2 large mesh outer panel sizes and 3 small mesh outer panels) corresponding to the most common métier, were constructed and fishing trials carried out on a seasonal basis (4 seasons in the Cantabrian Sea, Algarve and Cyclades and 2 in the Gulf of Cádiz) using chartered commercial fishing vessels. Overall, 271, 360, 185 and 185 km of trammel nets were fished in the experimental fishing trials in the Cantabrian Sea, Algarve, Gulf of Cádiz and Cyclades Islands respectively.

Caracterizaçao da pesca recreativa de costa sul e sudoeste de Portugal

Trammel net fisheries were studied in four areas: the Cantabrian Sea (Basque Country, Spain), the Algarve (Southern Portugal), the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain) and the Cyclades Islands (Greece). Surveys were carried out in order to identify trammel net métiers and to characterise the gear used. Trammel nets were among the most important gears used in the small-scale fisheries, with up to 9 different métiers identified in each area. The most important métiers in the Algarve and the Gulf of Cádiz were those for cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and soles (Solea senegalensis, Microchirus azevia, Synaptura lusitanica). In the Cantabrian Sea, sole (Solea vulgaris), shellfish (several species) and scorpion fish (Scorpaena spp.) métiers dominated while a variety of species where targeted in the multi-species trammel net fishery in the Cyclades. In each area, experimental trammel nets of six different types (combinations of 2 large mesh outer panel sizes and 3 small mesh outer panels) corresponding to the most common métier, were constructed and fishing trials carried out on a seasonal basis (4 seasons in the Cantabrian Sea, Algarve and Cyclades and 2 in the Gulf of Cádiz) using chartered commercial fishing vessels. Overall, 271, 360, 185 and 185 km of trammel nets were fished in the experimental fishing trials in the Cantabrian Sea, Algarve, Gulf of Cádiz and Cyclades Islands respectively.