Videos of our shows from 2001 to 2019 will be found on www.vimeo.com/southendaquarist
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Count started 7th September 2019
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from Rocha et al. 2019 depicts the 86.2 mm SL holotype of a male Spinipterus moijiri from Río Tapauá, Río Purus basin, Brazil.
Rocha et al. 2019 shows the color pattern of live individuals. Note how the jaguar-like rosettes develop with growth.
A New Catfish with Stunning Jaguar Coloration
Rocha et al. 2019 depicts the 86.2 mm SL holotype of a male Spinipterus moijiri from Río Tapauá, Río Purus basin, Brazil.
Spinipterus is no longer a monotypic genus. A new species of auchenipterid catfish, Spinipterus moijiri, was recently discovered in the middle Río Purus basin, Brazil (Rocha et al. 2019). It was collected from the Río Tapauá (Río Purus basin) and from Igarapé Ubim, a tributary of Lago Amanã, Río Japurá, Brazil. An additional record of this species is documented from Maynas Province in the Loreto Region of northeastern Peru, specifically from the Río Nanay confluence with Caño Tarapoto. Spinipterus moijiri were found inside of submerged tree trunks and rocks with fellow auchenipterids, Liosomadoras morrow, Tatia sp., Pseudocanthicus sp., and Panaqolus sp.
Figure 7 from Rocha et al. 2019. Top photo depicts Spinipterus moijiri (right) and Tatia sp. inside a tree trunk. Bottom photo highlights the spines along the anterior neurocranium bones of a small S. moijiri.
Spinipterus moijiri has a spectacular color pattern that resembles a jaguar, light yellow to brown background with black rosette-like spots. Small individuals (< 60 mm SL) show simple large black spots that gradually transform to rosette-like spots as the fish grow. Large individuals (>90 mm SL) exhibit spots all over the body and some of the spotting begins to fragment into small black spots on the body, head, and all fins, particularly the caudal and dorsal fins. The belly of the fish is yellow to light brown and lacks spots. The adults of this species are much larger than its congener S. acsi (> 100 mm SL compared to a maximum known size of 37 mm SL). Both Spinipterus species have pectoral and dorsal-fin spines with three anterior rows of serrations from the base to the tip of spines, a single row of spines along the lateral margins of skull roofing bones, and a groove along the dorsal midline behind the dorsal fin.
In this sexually-dimorphic species, male S. moijiri exhibit an intromittent organ that is attached to and extends along the length of the anterior anal fin margin. Beyond the presence/absence of this intromittent organ, no other sexually-dimorphic characteristics found in other auchenipterids were observed in S. moijiri.
Figure 6 from Rocha et al. 2019 shows the color pattern of live individuals. Note how the jaguar-like rosettes develop with growth.
This spiny driftwood catfish is known to the native Paumari Indians that inhabit the Río Tapauá, Purus basin as ‘Moijiri’. The specific epithet moijiri pays tribute to this fact. The stunning jaguar-like coloration of this species has high potential for use in the ornamental fish trade and is occasionally consumed by the indigenous people in the area.
For a more detailed overview of this species description, please refer to the original article by Rocha et al. 2019, published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Article Abstract:
An expedition to the middle Río Purus basin uncovered a remarkable new species of the genus Spinipterus. The new species has a very distinct and conspicuous color pattern resembling a jaguar and it is almost four times larger than Spinipterus acsi, a small specimen (32 mm LS) from Caño Santa Rita, a right-bank tributary of Río Nanay in Peru, and a second specimen was reported from Río Juruá, Amazonas State, Brazil. Although the new species is more similar in size and color pattern to Liosomadoras, it shares the synapomorphies for Spinipterus. The new species differs from the congener by the following characters: (1) color pattern with large black rosette‐like spots over a light yellow to brown background (v. brown background with small dark blotches over the body); (2) adult body size reaching 104.5 mm LS (v. maximum known size 37.1 mm LS); (3) posterior process of cleithrum short, never reaching vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin (v. posterior process long, surpassing vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin); (4) seven soft pectoral‐fin rays (v. six); (5) caudal fin truncated (v. caudal fin rounded).
Reference:
Rocha, M., F. Rossoni, A. Akama, and J. Zuanon. 2019. A new species of spiny driftwood catfish Spinipterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Amazon basin. Journal of Fish Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14211
from Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
Rocha et al. 2019 depicts the 86.2 mm SL holotype of a male Spinipterus moijiri from Río Tapauá, Río Purus basin, Brazil.
Spinipterus is no longer a monotypic genus. A new species of auchenipterid catfish, Spinipterus moijiri, was recently discovered in the middle Río Purus basin, Brazil (Rocha et al. 2019). It was collected from the Río Tapauá (Río Purus basin) and from Igarapé Ubim, a tributary of Lago Amanã, Río Japurá, Brazil. An additional record of this species is documented from Maynas Province in the Loreto Region of northeastern Peru, specifically from the Río Nanay confluence with Caño Tarapoto. Spinipterus moijiri were found inside of submerged tree trunks and rocks with fellow auchenipterids, Liosomadoras morrow, Tatia sp., Pseudocanthicus sp., and Panaqolus sp.
Figure 7 from Rocha et al. 2019. Top photo depicts Spinipterus moijiri (right) and Tatia sp. inside a tree trunk. Bottom photo highlights the spines along the anterior neurocranium bones of a small S. moijiri.
Spinipterus moijiri has a spectacular color pattern that resembles a jaguar, light yellow to brown background with black rosette-like spots. Small individuals (< 60 mm SL) show simple large black spots that gradually transform to rosette-like spots as the fish grow. Large individuals (>90 mm SL) exhibit spots all over the body and some of the spotting begins to fragment into small black spots on the body, head, and all fins, particularly the caudal and dorsal fins. The belly of the fish is yellow to light brown and lacks spots. The adults of this species are much larger than its congener S. acsi (> 100 mm SL compared to a maximum known size of 37 mm SL). Both Spinipterus species have pectoral and dorsal-fin spines with three anterior rows of serrations from the base to the tip of spines, a single row of spines along the lateral margins of skull roofing bones, and a groove along the dorsal midline behind the dorsal fin.
In this sexually-dimorphic species, male S. moijiri exhibit an intromittent organ that is attached to and extends along the length of the anterior anal fin margin. Beyond the presence/absence of this intromittent organ, no other sexually-dimorphic characteristics found in other auchenipterids were observed in S. moijiri.
Figure 6 from Rocha et al. 2019 shows the color pattern of live individuals. Note how the jaguar-like rosettes develop with growth.
This spiny driftwood catfish is known to the native Paumari Indians that inhabit the Río Tapauá, Purus basin as ‘Moijiri’. The specific epithet moijiri pays tribute to this fact. The stunning jaguar-like coloration of this species has high potential for use in the ornamental fish trade and is occasionally consumed by the indigenous people in the area.
For a more detailed overview of this species description, please refer to the original article by Rocha et al. 2019, published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Article Abstract:
An expedition to the middle Río Purus basin uncovered a remarkable new species of the genus Spinipterus. The new species has a very distinct and conspicuous color pattern resembling a jaguar and it is almost four times larger than Spinipterus acsi, a small specimen (32 mm LS) from Caño Santa Rita, a right-bank tributary of Río Nanay in Peru, and a second specimen was reported from Río Juruá, Amazonas State, Brazil. Although the new species is more similar in size and color pattern to Liosomadoras, it shares the synapomorphies for Spinipterus. The new species differs from the congener by the following characters: (1) color pattern with large black rosette‐like spots over a light yellow to brown background (v. brown background with small dark blotches over the body); (2) adult body size reaching 104.5 mm LS (v. maximum known size 37.1 mm LS); (3) posterior process of cleithrum short, never reaching vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin (v. posterior process long, surpassing vertical through the dorsal‐fin origin); (4) seven soft pectoral‐fin rays (v. six); (5) caudal fin truncated (v. caudal fin rounded).
Reference:
Rocha, M., F. Rossoni, A. Akama, and J. Zuanon. 2019. A new species of spiny driftwood catfish Spinipterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Amazon basin. Journal of Fish Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14211
from Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae from a tributary to the Guaviare River, Colombia. Image from Ortega-Lara and Lujan, 2020.
Oral disks of (A) paratype of Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, 268 mm SL, showing well-developed patches of papillae immediately interior to each premaxillary and dentary tooth row and (B) P. nigrolineatus nigrolineatus, 267 mm SL, with much smaller, more reduced patches. Fig. 3 in Ortega-Lara & Lujan 2020
L330 described: Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae from a tributary to the Guaviare River, Colombia. Image from Ortega-Lara and Lujan, 2020.
The wood-eating spotted loricariid catfish referred to as the watermelon pleco, the spotted royal pleco, or simply L330, is popular in the ornamental fish trade. A recently published article by Armando Ortega-Lara and Nathan Lujan in the journal Zootaxa elevated the status of the fish to a recognized subspecies, Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae.
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae is generally phenotypically distinct from P. nigrolineatus based on color pattern and the presence of elongated papillae located near the premaxillary and dentary tooth row. Most adult P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae have a dark base with yellow-greenish spotting on the head, body, and abdomen. While the abdomen is nearly always spotted, the dorsal pattern can have a varying degree of striping. Distribution ranges also differ whereby P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae occurs as a distinct population from the Guaviare River basin in southern Colombia. Panaque nigrolineatus was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. The authors interpret the phenotypic distinction and separate distributions as evidence that supports taxonomic recognition of P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae as a distinct evolutionary lineage.
Oral disks of (A) paratype of Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, 268 mm SL, showing well-developed patches of papillae immediately interior to each premaxillary and dentary tooth row and (B) P. nigrolineatus nigrolineatus, 267 mm SL, with much smaller, more reduced patches. Fig. 3 in Ortega-Lara & Lujan 2020.
The elevation to full species status, however, can not be made at this time. Genetic sequencing showed a variation of less than 0.5%, whereas by convention a 3-4% divergence is an accepted minimal level of variation to separate species. None of the sequenced gene regions support monophyly of P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae or of individuals from the Guaviare River basin. This study had a low sample size and near future analyses are likely limited by political turmoil in the area.
The authors were compelled to elevate the status of L330 to a distinct subspecies in order to contribute to conservation efforts and legal protection and to provide a basis for the legal tracking of harvest and export of the fish. Panaque are among the most valuable fishes to Colombia’s ornamental fish trade.
The subspecies epithet laurafavianae honors the daughter of author Armando Ortega-Lara.
Article Abstract:
The suckermouth armored catfish genus Panaque contains seven valid species, including the Royal Pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus, which has long been popular as an ornamental aquarium fish and was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. We examine a phenotypically distinct population of P. nigrolineatus from the Guaviare River in southern Colombia at the south-westernmost corner of the Orinoco River basin. In contrast to typically boldly striped populations from closer to the type locality of P. nigrolineatus, the Guaviare River basin population is usually boldly spotted, earning them the common name Watermelon Pleco in the aquarium fish trade. Because of the commercial popularity of this distinctive color morph, it is heavily exploited for export to the global ornamental fish trade. We find that the Guaviare River P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae is not only distinct geographically and in color pattern, but is also morphometrically diagnosable from P. nigrolineatus individuals from outside the Guaviare River basin. However, relatively subtle phenotypic differences, invariance in nuclear DNA markers, < 0.5% divergence in mitochondrial DNA markers 16S, cytb, and ND2, and the non-monophyly of Guaviare River populations prevent us from robustly inferring species-level distinctiveness of the Watermelon Pleco. We therefore propose to recognize this population as a distinct subspecies.
Reference:
Ortega-Lara, A. and N.K. Lujan. 2020. Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, a new, commercially exploited subspecies of ornamental wood-eating pleco (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from the Guaviare River basin in Colombia. Zootaxa 4732(3): 393-408.
From Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae from a tributary to the Guaviare River, Colombia. Image from Ortega-Lara and Lujan, 2020.
The wood-eating spotted loricariid catfish referred to as the watermelon pleco, the spotted royal pleco, or simply L330, is popular in the ornamental fish trade. A recently published article by Armando Ortega-Lara and Nathan Lujan in the journal Zootaxa elevated the status of the fish to a recognized subspecies, Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae.
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae is generally phenotypically distinct from P. nigrolineatus based on color pattern and the presence of elongated papillae located near the premaxillary and dentary tooth row. Most adult P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae have a dark base with yellow-greenish spotting on the head, body, and abdomen. While the abdomen is nearly always spotted, the dorsal pattern can have a varying degree of striping. Distribution ranges also differ whereby P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae occurs as a distinct population from the Guaviare River basin in southern Colombia. Panaque nigrolineatus was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. The authors interpret the phenotypic distinction and separate distributions as evidence that supports taxonomic recognition of P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae as a distinct evolutionary lineage.
Oral disks of (A) paratype of Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, 268 mm SL, showing well-developed patches of papillae immediately interior to each premaxillary and dentary tooth row and (B) P. nigrolineatus nigrolineatus, 267 mm SL, with much smaller, more reduced patches. Fig. 3 in Ortega-Lara & Lujan 2020.
The elevation to full species status, however, can not be made at this time. Genetic sequencing showed a variation of less than 0.5%, whereas by convention a 3-4% divergence is an accepted minimal level of variation to separate species. None of the sequenced gene regions support monophyly of P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae or of individuals from the Guaviare River basin. This study had a low sample size and near future analyses are likely limited by political turmoil in the area.
The authors were compelled to elevate the status of L330 to a distinct subspecies in order to contribute to conservation efforts and legal protection and to provide a basis for the legal tracking of harvest and export of the fish. Panaque are among the most valuable fishes to Colombia’s ornamental fish trade.
The subspecies epithet laurafavianae honors the daughter of author Armando Ortega-Lara.
Article Abstract:
The suckermouth armored catfish genus Panaque contains seven valid species, including the Royal Pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus, which has long been popular as an ornamental aquarium fish and was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. We examine a phenotypically distinct population of P. nigrolineatus from the Guaviare River in southern Colombia at the south-westernmost corner of the Orinoco River basin. In contrast to typically boldly striped populations from closer to the type locality of P. nigrolineatus, the Guaviare River basin population is usually boldly spotted, earning them the common name Watermelon Pleco in the aquarium fish trade. Because of the commercial popularity of this distinctive color morph, it is heavily exploited for export to the global ornamental fish trade. We find that the Guaviare River P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae is not only distinct geographically and in color pattern, but is also morphometrically diagnosable from P. nigrolineatus individuals from outside the Guaviare River basin. However, relatively subtle phenotypic differences, invariance in nuclear DNA markers, < 0.5% divergence in mitochondrial DNA markers 16S, cytb, and ND2, and the non-monophyly of Guaviare River populations prevent us from robustly inferring species-level distinctiveness of the Watermelon Pleco. We therefore propose to recognize this population as a distinct subspecies.
Reference:
Ortega-Lara, A. and N.K. Lujan. 2020. Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, a new, commercially exploited subspecies of ornamental wood-eating pleco (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from the Guaviare River basin in Colombia. Zootaxa 4732(3): 393-408.
From Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
This 82.2 mm holotype of Mystus prabini is from the Sinkin River at Lower Dibang valley district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Image reproduced from Darshan et al. 2019.
A new Mystus catfish from northeastern India
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There is a new catfish known to science! Mystus prabini was formally described this summer by a team of eight scientists in the journal Zootaxa. Similar to nine other currently known Mystus catfish, this small bagrid catfish has a long fleshy adipose fin that stretches to the base of the dorsal fin. Mystus prabini, however, stands out from the others as it exhibits a distinct narrow black mid-lateral band that extends the length of the body from a dark tympanic spot to the round spot at the caudal-fin base. Genetically, its closest known relatives are M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus. Keep an eye out for this fish; perhaps it has already been unknowingly imported into the trade.
Article Abstract
Mystus prabini, a new species, is described from the Sinkin and the Dibang River in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all South-Asian congeners except M. bleekeri, M. cavasius, M. zeylanicus, M. falcarius, M. seengtee, M. cineraceus, M. ngasep, M. rufescens and M. ankutta in having a long adipose fin that reaches anteriorly (vs. distinctly does not reach) the base of the last dorsal-fin ray. The new species can be distinguished from the named nine species in having (vs. lacking) a narrow black mid-lateral stripe extending from the anterior region of tympanic spot to the rounded black spot at the caudal fin base. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence shows that the K2P value between Mystus prabini and all other Mystus species ranges from 8.6-22.1%. Mystus prabini is closest genetically to M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus, from which it has a genetic distance of 8.6% and 13.9%, respectively. The genetic distance (K2P) between the new species and M. dibrugarensis is 21.1%.
Reference
Darshan, A., S. Abujam, R. Kumar, J. Parhi, Y.S. Singh, W. Vishwanath, D.N. Das, and P.K. Pandey. 2019. Mystus prabini, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern, India. Zootaxa 4648(3): 511-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.6
from Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
.
There is a new catfish known to science! Mystus prabini was formally described this summer by a team of eight scientists in the journal Zootaxa. Similar to nine other currently known Mystus catfish, this small bagrid catfish has a long fleshy adipose fin that stretches to the base of the dorsal fin. Mystus prabini, however, stands out from the others as it exhibits a distinct narrow black mid-lateral band that extends the length of the body from a dark tympanic spot to the round spot at the caudal-fin base. Genetically, its closest known relatives are M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus. Keep an eye out for this fish; perhaps it has already been unknowingly imported into the trade.
Article Abstract
Mystus prabini, a new species, is described from the Sinkin and the Dibang River in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all South-Asian congeners except M. bleekeri, M. cavasius, M. zeylanicus, M. falcarius, M. seengtee, M. cineraceus, M. ngasep, M. rufescens and M. ankutta in having a long adipose fin that reaches anteriorly (vs. distinctly does not reach) the base of the last dorsal-fin ray. The new species can be distinguished from the named nine species in having (vs. lacking) a narrow black mid-lateral stripe extending from the anterior region of tympanic spot to the rounded black spot at the caudal fin base. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence shows that the K2P value between Mystus prabini and all other Mystus species ranges from 8.6-22.1%. Mystus prabini is closest genetically to M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus, from which it has a genetic distance of 8.6% and 13.9%, respectively. The genetic distance (K2P) between the new species and M. dibrugarensis is 21.1%.
Reference
Darshan, A., S. Abujam, R. Kumar, J. Parhi, Y.S. Singh, W. Vishwanath, D.N. Das, and P.K. Pandey. 2019. Mystus prabini, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern, India. Zootaxa 4648(3): 511-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.6
from Reef to Rainforest Media
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XVII National Congress of Ichthyology
XVII Latin American Symposium of Ichthyology
October 27 to 30, 2020
Four Cienegas, Coahuila, Mexico
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XVII Latin American Symposium of Ichthyology
October 27 to 30, 2020
Four Cienegas, Coahuila, Mexico
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Cirripectes matatakaro • A New Species of Combtooth Blenny (Blenniiformes: Blenniidae) from the Central Pacific, illuminates the Origins of the Hawaiian Fish Fauna
Cirripectes matatakaro from Kiritimati Island, Kiribati, Line Islands.
Hoban & Williams, 2020
Suspiria Blenny || DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8852
Photographed by D. Rolla.
Abstract
Included among the currently recognized 23 species of combtooth blennies of the genus Cirripectes (Blenniiformes: Blenniidae) of the Indo-Pacific are the Hawaiian endemic C. vanderbilti, and the widespread C. variolosus. During the course of a phylogeographic study of these species, a third species was detected, herein described as Cirripectes matatakaro. The new species is distinguished primarily by the configuration of the pore structures posterior to the lateral centers of the transverse row of nuchal cirri in addition to 12 meristic characters and nine morphometric characters documented across 72 specimens and ∼4.2% divergence in mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I. The new species is currently known only from the Marquesas, Gambier, Pitcairns, Tuamotus, and Australs in the South Pacific, and the Northern Line Islands and possibly Johnston Atoll south of Hawaiʻi. Previous researchers speculated that the geographically widespread C. variolosus was included in an unresolved trichotomy with the Hawaiian endemic and other species based on a morphological phylogeny. Our molecular-phylogenetic analysis resolves many of the previously unresolved relationships within the genus and reveals C. matatakaro as the sister lineage to the Hawaiian C. vanderbilti. The restricted geographic distribution of Cirripectes matatakaro combines with its status as sister to C. vanderbilti to indicate a southern pathway of colonization into Hawaiʻi.
Cirripectes matatakaro sp. nov
Suspiria Blenny
Diagnosis: Cirripectes matatakaro can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) male genital papilla with two widely separated slender filaments to either side of the gonopore, type I sensu Williams (1988) (Fig. 3A); (2) nuchal cirri divided into two, rarely three or four, groups always slightly separated dorsally on nape with bases swollen beneath ventralmost cirri on either side; (3) overall shape of the transverse row of nuchal cirri modally type I (Fig. 4A) and sometimes type II (Fig. 4B) (types C and G sensu Williams), with 32–38 independently based cirri; (4) dorsal separation in row of nuchal cirri 0.1–0.7 mm (median width 0.3 mm); (5) where interrupted laterally, lateral breaks in row of nuchal cirri 0–0.4 mm in width (median width 0 mm); (6) sensory pore structure directly posterior to lateral center of row of nuchal cirri type I (Fig. 4C), posterior and parallel to row of nuchal cirri, does not visibly penetrate through break (where present); (7) 0–6 distinct LLT; (8) head coloration in life commonly bright reddish orange on upper section with bright red spots and/or slashes extending dorsally and posteriorly from the snout; (9) outer ring of iris bright orange-red in life.
Figure 10: Underwater photograph of likely female Cirripectes matatakaro sp. nov. Photographed by D. Rolla at Kiritimati Island, Kiribati, Line Islands.
Etymology: The specific epithet is i-Kiribati, consisting of the words “mata” (eye) and “takaro” (ember/burning coal) and refers to the large, eager-seeming eyes and the reminiscence of the red slashes on the face to smoldering embers or burning coals. The species was named in the i-Kiribati language to honor the people and culture of Kiribati, where the first author first encountered and collected the new species. The common name Suspiria Blenny is in reference to the color palette of the 1977 Dario Argento film of the same name.
Remarks: Cirripectes matatakaro is noteworthy in habitat use for a member of this genus. In the southern portion of its range, from Pitcairn to the Austral Islands, C. matatakaro has primarily been collected from >20m depth, deeper than other known Cirripectes species. This may be a unique habitat exploited by this species, although in the Line Islands (Kiritimati and Palmyra) we collected it from the shallow (<5 m) oceanic forereef habitat more typically inhabited by congeners. Williams (1988) remarked that certain “problematical” specimens of C. variolosus, which were collected from deeper reefs in the Pitcairn Islands exhibited a reddish-orange head, and he speculated that the coloration might be an artifact of their depth of occurrence. Upon reexamination of that material, we determined those specimens to be the new species. Thus, the reddish color is more likely to be a property of the species rather than a product of its habitat, as individuals from Kiritimati and Palmyra show similar color patterns. We have not seen consistent evidence of sexual dichromatism, however one individual photographed in situ at Kiritimati Island had a distinctively light grey body coloration that is sometimes seen in females of other species of Cirripectes (Fig. 10).
Conclusions:
The Hawaiian Archipelago is one of the most isolated island groups in the world and the origin of its marine species is an important question. Hawaiian biodiversity is thought to arrive either from the Western Pacific, via the Kuroshio Current, or from the south, via dispersal from Johnston Atoll or the Line Islands. The Scarface Blenny Cirripectes vanderbilti, which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, was long thought to be closely related to the widespread C. variolosus. Through genetic and taxonomic analyses, we showed that the sister species to C. vanderbilti is a new species, C. matatakaro, that is known from the Line Islands south to the Marquesas, Pitcairn, Tuamotus, Gambier, and Austral Islands. Its limited distribution throughout islands to the south of Hawaiʻi and its status as sister to the Hawaiian endemic strongly indicates a southern route-to-colonization, although the lack of specimens from Johnston Atoll leaves the specific pathway an open question.
Our work, and other recent studies, shows that the genus Cirripectes contains more cryptic diversity than previously thought. These results highlight the importance of ongoing genetic and biodiversity inventories on coral reefs, particularly as these habitats are increasingly under threat. Investigation of often-overlooked groups such as cryptobenthic reef fishes may uncover interesting evolutionary patterns, as in the case of Cirripectes, where widespread taxa are found to comprise multiple cryptic lineages with adjunct geographic ranges, suggesting parapatry as well as allopatry as evolutionary mechanisms in fishes. Our work also showcases the value of natural history collections to taxonomic and biogeographic research. Despite low sample numbers and narrow geographic coverage for our phylogeographic/genetic analyses, we were able to use museum specimens to make inferences about species range sizes and historic routes to colonization. Combtooth blennies and other cryptobenthic fishes often utilize vulnerable, high-energy surge zone habitats and may be underrepresented in museum collections as these habitats are difficult and/or dangerous to sample. As mass coral bleaching events and habitat degradation increase worldwide, we risk extensive biodiversity loss before we are even aware of its existence.
Mykle L. Hoban and Jeffrey T. Williams. 2020. Cirripectes matatakaro, A New Species of Combtooth Blenny from the Central Pacific, illuminates the Origins of the Hawaiian Fish Fauna. PeerJ. 8:e8852. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8852
==========================
Cirripectes matatakaro from Kiritimati Island, Kiribati, Line Islands.
Hoban & Williams, 2020
Suspiria Blenny || DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8852
Photographed by D. Rolla.
Abstract
Included among the currently recognized 23 species of combtooth blennies of the genus Cirripectes (Blenniiformes: Blenniidae) of the Indo-Pacific are the Hawaiian endemic C. vanderbilti, and the widespread C. variolosus. During the course of a phylogeographic study of these species, a third species was detected, herein described as Cirripectes matatakaro. The new species is distinguished primarily by the configuration of the pore structures posterior to the lateral centers of the transverse row of nuchal cirri in addition to 12 meristic characters and nine morphometric characters documented across 72 specimens and ∼4.2% divergence in mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I. The new species is currently known only from the Marquesas, Gambier, Pitcairns, Tuamotus, and Australs in the South Pacific, and the Northern Line Islands and possibly Johnston Atoll south of Hawaiʻi. Previous researchers speculated that the geographically widespread C. variolosus was included in an unresolved trichotomy with the Hawaiian endemic and other species based on a morphological phylogeny. Our molecular-phylogenetic analysis resolves many of the previously unresolved relationships within the genus and reveals C. matatakaro as the sister lineage to the Hawaiian C. vanderbilti. The restricted geographic distribution of Cirripectes matatakaro combines with its status as sister to C. vanderbilti to indicate a southern pathway of colonization into Hawaiʻi.
Cirripectes matatakaro sp. nov
Suspiria Blenny
Diagnosis: Cirripectes matatakaro can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) male genital papilla with two widely separated slender filaments to either side of the gonopore, type I sensu Williams (1988) (Fig. 3A); (2) nuchal cirri divided into two, rarely three or four, groups always slightly separated dorsally on nape with bases swollen beneath ventralmost cirri on either side; (3) overall shape of the transverse row of nuchal cirri modally type I (Fig. 4A) and sometimes type II (Fig. 4B) (types C and G sensu Williams), with 32–38 independently based cirri; (4) dorsal separation in row of nuchal cirri 0.1–0.7 mm (median width 0.3 mm); (5) where interrupted laterally, lateral breaks in row of nuchal cirri 0–0.4 mm in width (median width 0 mm); (6) sensory pore structure directly posterior to lateral center of row of nuchal cirri type I (Fig. 4C), posterior and parallel to row of nuchal cirri, does not visibly penetrate through break (where present); (7) 0–6 distinct LLT; (8) head coloration in life commonly bright reddish orange on upper section with bright red spots and/or slashes extending dorsally and posteriorly from the snout; (9) outer ring of iris bright orange-red in life.
Figure 10: Underwater photograph of likely female Cirripectes matatakaro sp. nov. Photographed by D. Rolla at Kiritimati Island, Kiribati, Line Islands.
Etymology: The specific epithet is i-Kiribati, consisting of the words “mata” (eye) and “takaro” (ember/burning coal) and refers to the large, eager-seeming eyes and the reminiscence of the red slashes on the face to smoldering embers or burning coals. The species was named in the i-Kiribati language to honor the people and culture of Kiribati, where the first author first encountered and collected the new species. The common name Suspiria Blenny is in reference to the color palette of the 1977 Dario Argento film of the same name.
Remarks: Cirripectes matatakaro is noteworthy in habitat use for a member of this genus. In the southern portion of its range, from Pitcairn to the Austral Islands, C. matatakaro has primarily been collected from >20m depth, deeper than other known Cirripectes species. This may be a unique habitat exploited by this species, although in the Line Islands (Kiritimati and Palmyra) we collected it from the shallow (<5 m) oceanic forereef habitat more typically inhabited by congeners. Williams (1988) remarked that certain “problematical” specimens of C. variolosus, which were collected from deeper reefs in the Pitcairn Islands exhibited a reddish-orange head, and he speculated that the coloration might be an artifact of their depth of occurrence. Upon reexamination of that material, we determined those specimens to be the new species. Thus, the reddish color is more likely to be a property of the species rather than a product of its habitat, as individuals from Kiritimati and Palmyra show similar color patterns. We have not seen consistent evidence of sexual dichromatism, however one individual photographed in situ at Kiritimati Island had a distinctively light grey body coloration that is sometimes seen in females of other species of Cirripectes (Fig. 10).
Conclusions:
The Hawaiian Archipelago is one of the most isolated island groups in the world and the origin of its marine species is an important question. Hawaiian biodiversity is thought to arrive either from the Western Pacific, via the Kuroshio Current, or from the south, via dispersal from Johnston Atoll or the Line Islands. The Scarface Blenny Cirripectes vanderbilti, which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, was long thought to be closely related to the widespread C. variolosus. Through genetic and taxonomic analyses, we showed that the sister species to C. vanderbilti is a new species, C. matatakaro, that is known from the Line Islands south to the Marquesas, Pitcairn, Tuamotus, Gambier, and Austral Islands. Its limited distribution throughout islands to the south of Hawaiʻi and its status as sister to the Hawaiian endemic strongly indicates a southern route-to-colonization, although the lack of specimens from Johnston Atoll leaves the specific pathway an open question.
Our work, and other recent studies, shows that the genus Cirripectes contains more cryptic diversity than previously thought. These results highlight the importance of ongoing genetic and biodiversity inventories on coral reefs, particularly as these habitats are increasingly under threat. Investigation of often-overlooked groups such as cryptobenthic reef fishes may uncover interesting evolutionary patterns, as in the case of Cirripectes, where widespread taxa are found to comprise multiple cryptic lineages with adjunct geographic ranges, suggesting parapatry as well as allopatry as evolutionary mechanisms in fishes. Our work also showcases the value of natural history collections to taxonomic and biogeographic research. Despite low sample numbers and narrow geographic coverage for our phylogeographic/genetic analyses, we were able to use museum specimens to make inferences about species range sizes and historic routes to colonization. Combtooth blennies and other cryptobenthic fishes often utilize vulnerable, high-energy surge zone habitats and may be underrepresented in museum collections as these habitats are difficult and/or dangerous to sample. As mass coral bleaching events and habitat degradation increase worldwide, we risk extensive biodiversity loss before we are even aware of its existence.
Mykle L. Hoban and Jeffrey T. Williams. 2020. Cirripectes matatakaro, A New Species of Combtooth Blenny from the Central Pacific, illuminates the Origins of the Hawaiian Fish Fauna. PeerJ. 8:e8852. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8852
==========================
ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET GROWTH AND BUSINESS OUTLOOK TO 2025 | LIUJI, JIAHE, WANJIN, HAOJIN, OASIS FISH FARM
MARCH 23, 2020 QURATE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ORNAMENTAL FISH, ORNAMENTAL FISH FORECAST, ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET, ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET GROWTH
Ornamental Fish Market describes an in-depth evaluation and professional study on the present and future state of the Ornamental Fish market across the globe, including valuable facts and figures. Ornamental Fish Market provides information regarding the emerging opportunities in the market & the market drivers, trends & upcoming technologies that will boost these growth trends. The report provides a comprehensive overview including Definitions, Scope, Application, Production and CAGR (%) Comparison, Segmentation by Type, Share, Revenue Status and Outlook, Capacity, Consumption, Market Drivers, Production Status and Outlook and Opportunities, Export, Import, Emerging Markets/Countries Growth Rate. The report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive landscape of the industries. The Ornamental Fish market report assesses the key regions (countries) promising a huge market share for the forecast period.
GET FREE SAMPLE REPORT OR PDF COPY NOW!Leading Players of Ornamental Fish Market Covered In The Report:
Liuji
Jiahe
Wanjin
Haojin
Oasis Fish Farm
Aqua Leisure
Imperial Tropicals
Florida Tropical Fish Direct
BioAquatix
Captive Bred
Key Market Segmentation of Ornamental Fish:
Market by Type
Cold-water Fish
Tropical Fish
Market by Application
Commercial
Residential
The Ornamental Fish report gives detail complete examination to territorial sections that covered The USA, Europe, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia, South America, South Africa, and Rest of World in Global Outlook Report with Ornamental Fish Market definitions, characterizations, delivering reports, cost structures, advancement strategies, and plans. The results and information are top notches in the Ornamental Fish report utilizing outlines, diagrams, pie graphs, and other pictorial portrayals concerning its Current Trends, Dynamics, and Ornamental Fish Business Scope, Key Statistics and CAGR Analysis of top key players.
ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET GROWTH AND BUSINESS OUTLOOK TO 2025 | LIUJI, JIAHE, WANJIN, HAOJIN, OASIS FISH FARMMARCH 23, 2020 QURATE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ORNAMENTAL FISH, ORNAMENTAL FISH FORECAST, ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET, ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKET GROWTH
Ornamental Fish Market describes an in-depth evaluation and professional study on the present and future state of the Ornamental Fish market across the globe, including valuable facts and figures. Ornamental Fish Market provides information regarding the emerging opportunities in the market & the market drivers, trends & upcoming technologies that will boost these growth trends. The report provides a comprehensive overview including Definitions, Scope, Application, Production and CAGR (%) Comparison, Segmentation by Type, Share, Revenue Status and Outlook, Capacity, Consumption, Market Drivers, Production Status and Outlook and Opportunities, Export, Import, Emerging Markets/Countries Growth Rate. The report presents a 360-degree overview of the competitive landscape of the industries. The Ornamental Fish market report assesses the key regions (countries) promising a huge market share for the forecast period.
GET FREE SAMPLE REPORT OR PDF COPY NOW!Leading Players of Ornamental Fish Market Covered In The Report:
Liuji
Jiahe
Wanjin
Haojin
Oasis Fish Farm
Aqua Leisure
Imperial Tropicals
Florida Tropical Fish Direct
BioAquatix
Captive Bred
Key Market Segmentation of Ornamental Fish:
Market by Type
Cold-water Fish
Tropical Fish
Market by Application
Commercial
Residential
The Ornamental Fish report gives detail complete examination to territorial sections that covered The USA, Europe, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia, South America, South Africa, and Rest of World in Global Outlook Report with Ornamental Fish Market definitions, characterizations, delivering reports, cost structures, advancement strategies, and plans. The results and information are top notches in the Ornamental Fish report utilizing outlines, diagrams, pie graphs, and other pictorial portrayals concerning its Current Trends, Dynamics, and Ornamental Fish Business Scope, Key Statistics and CAGR Analysis of top key players.
Buy Full Report Now @
Rhodeus cyanorostris & R. nigrodorsalis • Two New Species of Rhodeus (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) from the River Yangtze, China
Rhodeus nigrodorsalis &
R. cyanorostris
Li, Liao & Ara,. 2020
DOI: 10.25225/jvb.19055
facebook.com: Fan Li
Abstract
Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. and R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. are described from two tributaries of the River Yangtze, in Sichuan and Jiangxi Provinces, China, respectively. Both species have a small number of branched dorsal-fin rays (both with a mode of 8) and anal-fin rays (mode of 7-8 and 8, respectively), which makes them easily distinguished from all congeners. Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. differs from R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in having more predorsal scales (14-16 vs. 12-13), fewer pectoral-fin rays (10-11 vs. 12), a shorter major axis of the eggs (2.5-2.8 mm vs. mostly 3.3-3.5 mm), absence of two rows of light spots on the dorsal-fin rays (vs. presence), and absence of a black blotch on the dorsal fin in adult males (vs. presence). The breeding season in winter of the two new species is unique among the Acheilognathinae.
KEYWORDS: bitterling, Breeding season, egg size, lateral line, taxonomy
Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 32-35; pored scales absent; transverse scale series 11 (10-12); branched dorsal-fin rays 8 (rarely 7); branched anal-fin rays 7-8; vertebrae 33-34 (rarely 35); light spots on dorsal-fin rays absent; in males with nuptial colouration, snout blue, and iris, belly and all fins yellow.
Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Bai-Tiao, a tributary of the River Yangtze, in Pidu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China (Fig. 8). The type locality was a small river with mud and gravel mixed substrate. The water level varied from approximately 0.5 to 1.0 m depth.
Adult R. cyanorostris sp. nov. are small in size. The smallest female found with mature oocytes was 23.6 mm SL. The main spawning season is in winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually releases clutches of 3-8 eggs when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.
Etymology: The specific name, cyanorostris, is derived from the Latin terms cyano for blue and rostris for snout, a noun, alluding to the distinctive blue snout in nuptial males.
Fig. 14. Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in breeding season, collected from its type locality. A) male; B) female just before spawning (with ovipositor in maximum length). Specimen not preserved.
Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 33-35; pored scales 2-4 (rarely 0); transverse scale series 10 (rarely 11); branched dorsal-fin rays 8; branched anal-fin rays 8 (rarely 9); vertebrae 34-35 (rarely 33); iris yellowish, belly yellow, dorsal-fin membrane dark black, and a vertical band on the anterior of flank in nuptial males.
Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Le-An in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province (type locality) and the River Lv in Qimen County, Anhui Province both flowing into Lake Poyang in the River Yangtze basin (Fig. 8). The type locality is a large river where R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. occurs mostly in shallow marginal areas with a substrate of mixed sand and mud.
Female R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. starts spawning at just 30 mm SL, but with the maximum length of this species seen in a captive male kept in an aquarium for 17 months of 47.1 mm SL. The main spawning season is during winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually release 2-7 eggs in a clutch when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.
Etymology: The specific name, nigrodorsalis, is derived from the Latin terms nigro for black and dorsalis for dorsal fin, a noun, alluding to the diagnostic black dorsal-fin membrane in adult males.
C) Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. in preservative, SOU 1801001, holotype, 32.1 mm SL; D) R. amarus in life, 59.8 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Ballica, Turkey;
E) R. shitaiensis in life, 56.1 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Shitai County, Anhui Province, China; F) R. rheinardti in life, 49.3 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Hue City, Vietnam.
Fan Li, Te-Yu Liao and Ryoichi Arai. 2020. Two New Species of Rhodeus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) from the River Yangtze, China. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 69(1); 1-17. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.19055
facebook.com/FanLi10690/posts/2842914452456703
==========================
Rhodeus nigrodorsalis &
R. cyanorostris
Li, Liao & Ara,. 2020
DOI: 10.25225/jvb.19055
facebook.com: Fan Li
Abstract
Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. and R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. are described from two tributaries of the River Yangtze, in Sichuan and Jiangxi Provinces, China, respectively. Both species have a small number of branched dorsal-fin rays (both with a mode of 8) and anal-fin rays (mode of 7-8 and 8, respectively), which makes them easily distinguished from all congeners. Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. differs from R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in having more predorsal scales (14-16 vs. 12-13), fewer pectoral-fin rays (10-11 vs. 12), a shorter major axis of the eggs (2.5-2.8 mm vs. mostly 3.3-3.5 mm), absence of two rows of light spots on the dorsal-fin rays (vs. presence), and absence of a black blotch on the dorsal fin in adult males (vs. presence). The breeding season in winter of the two new species is unique among the Acheilognathinae.
KEYWORDS: bitterling, Breeding season, egg size, lateral line, taxonomy
Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 32-35; pored scales absent; transverse scale series 11 (10-12); branched dorsal-fin rays 8 (rarely 7); branched anal-fin rays 7-8; vertebrae 33-34 (rarely 35); light spots on dorsal-fin rays absent; in males with nuptial colouration, snout blue, and iris, belly and all fins yellow.
Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Bai-Tiao, a tributary of the River Yangtze, in Pidu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China (Fig. 8). The type locality was a small river with mud and gravel mixed substrate. The water level varied from approximately 0.5 to 1.0 m depth.
Adult R. cyanorostris sp. nov. are small in size. The smallest female found with mature oocytes was 23.6 mm SL. The main spawning season is in winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually releases clutches of 3-8 eggs when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.
Etymology: The specific name, cyanorostris, is derived from the Latin terms cyano for blue and rostris for snout, a noun, alluding to the distinctive blue snout in nuptial males.
Fig. 14. Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in breeding season, collected from its type locality. A) male; B) female just before spawning (with ovipositor in maximum length). Specimen not preserved.
Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 33-35; pored scales 2-4 (rarely 0); transverse scale series 10 (rarely 11); branched dorsal-fin rays 8; branched anal-fin rays 8 (rarely 9); vertebrae 34-35 (rarely 33); iris yellowish, belly yellow, dorsal-fin membrane dark black, and a vertical band on the anterior of flank in nuptial males.
Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Le-An in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province (type locality) and the River Lv in Qimen County, Anhui Province both flowing into Lake Poyang in the River Yangtze basin (Fig. 8). The type locality is a large river where R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. occurs mostly in shallow marginal areas with a substrate of mixed sand and mud.
Female R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. starts spawning at just 30 mm SL, but with the maximum length of this species seen in a captive male kept in an aquarium for 17 months of 47.1 mm SL. The main spawning season is during winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually release 2-7 eggs in a clutch when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.
Etymology: The specific name, nigrodorsalis, is derived from the Latin terms nigro for black and dorsalis for dorsal fin, a noun, alluding to the diagnostic black dorsal-fin membrane in adult males.
C) Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. in preservative, SOU 1801001, holotype, 32.1 mm SL; D) R. amarus in life, 59.8 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Ballica, Turkey;
E) R. shitaiensis in life, 56.1 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Shitai County, Anhui Province, China; F) R. rheinardti in life, 49.3 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Hue City, Vietnam.
Fan Li, Te-Yu Liao and Ryoichi Arai. 2020. Two New Species of Rhodeus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) from the River Yangtze, China. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 69(1); 1-17. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.19055
facebook.com/FanLi10690/posts/2842914452456703
==========================
Just a quick message to let you know that due to the ongoing situation with the corona virus the members of the Ryedale Aquarist Society have taken the decision to postpone their Open Show, which was due to take place on Sunday 26th April.
Once the current situation changes for the better the Society will work with the people at the venue to arrange a new date for the Open Show so watch this space.
Wishing you all well and take care.
Regards David
Open Show Secretary, Ryedale A.S.
==========================
Once the current situation changes for the better the Society will work with the people at the venue to arrange a new date for the Open Show so watch this space.
Wishing you all well and take care.
Regards David
Open Show Secretary, Ryedale A.S.
==========================
Anabantoid Association of Great Britain
AAGB Spring 2020 meeting and Coronavirus
The increased concerns and risks surrounding the Coronavirus has forced us to consider how safe and practical it would be to continue with the AAGB spring meeting scheduled for 18 & 19 April.
I have spoken in detail with the IBIS Hotel and have been informed that their day to day practices are currently under review by the parent company and that this may have an impact on services such as catering and reducing large gatherings.
After a great deal of consideration and in the interest of safety for everyone, the AAGB has decided to cancel our spring meeting.
We have negotiated alternative dates without incurring a financial penalty and are very grateful to the IBIS staff for their understanding and help.
The Autumn meeting will take place 3 & 4 October 2020 again to be held at the IBIS Hotel
Anyone who has pre-booked accommodation with The IBIS Hotel / Accor direct and not through a third party booking (or example Booking.com ) is advised to contact the IBIS Hotel in Rotherham on 01709 730333 and they will free of charge move your booking to the autumn dates.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this will cause to our members but are confident that the decision we have made is considered and appropriate at this time.
Please do not hesitate to contact the secretary Chris Webb if you have any further concerns.
cjlabyrinth@tiscali.co.uk
07940590474.
==========================
AAGB Spring 2020 meeting and Coronavirus
The increased concerns and risks surrounding the Coronavirus has forced us to consider how safe and practical it would be to continue with the AAGB spring meeting scheduled for 18 & 19 April.
I have spoken in detail with the IBIS Hotel and have been informed that their day to day practices are currently under review by the parent company and that this may have an impact on services such as catering and reducing large gatherings.
After a great deal of consideration and in the interest of safety for everyone, the AAGB has decided to cancel our spring meeting.
We have negotiated alternative dates without incurring a financial penalty and are very grateful to the IBIS staff for their understanding and help.
The Autumn meeting will take place 3 & 4 October 2020 again to be held at the IBIS Hotel
Anyone who has pre-booked accommodation with The IBIS Hotel / Accor direct and not through a third party booking (or example Booking.com ) is advised to contact the IBIS Hotel in Rotherham on 01709 730333 and they will free of charge move your booking to the autumn dates.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this will cause to our members but are confident that the decision we have made is considered and appropriate at this time.
Please do not hesitate to contact the secretary Chris Webb if you have any further concerns.
cjlabyrinth@tiscali.co.uk
07940590474.
==========================
Trichomycterus lauryi • Taxonomical Study of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin reveals A New Species Recorded in the early 20th Century
Trichomycterus lauryi
Donin, Ferrer & Carvalho, 2020
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14278
twitter.com/Ferrer_Juliano
Abstract
A new species of Trichomycterus endemic to the Ribeira de Iguape River basin, southeastern Brazil, was studied based on morphological and molecular evidence. This species had an outer layer of coloration composed of scattered, round, black or dark‐brown spots smaller or equivalent in size to the circumference of the eye; eight pectoral‐fin rays; 28–29 opercular odontodes; 54–56 interopercular odontodes; and supraorbital line of the laterosensory system not interrupted, with pores s2 absent. Two other species of Trichomycterus from the Ribeira de Iguape River basin are recorded, and their taxonomic status is discussed: Trichomycterus alternatus and Trichomycterus jacupiranga were not differentiated using molecular analysis but may be consistently distinguished based on morphology. The phylogenetic relationships of the co‐occurring species, T. alternatus and Cambeva zonata, were inferred using mitochondrial data, reinforcing the taxonomic status of these recently revised species that have a complex taxonomy. In addition, a new combination for Trichomycterus taroba with its inclusion in the genus Cambeva is recommended.
Keywords: Cambeva zonata, colour pattern, incomplete lineage sorting, Trichomycterinae, Trichomycterus alternatus
Trichomycterus lauryi sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet “lauryi” was given in honour of Laury João Donin (in memoriam), Laura Donin's father.
Photograph of the specimen provided by Miranda Ribeiro (1908b, 1911) presently identified as Trichomycterus lauryi.
Laura M. Donin, Juliano Ferrer and Tiago P. Carvalho. 2020. Taxonomical Study of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin reveals A New Species Recorded in the early 20th Century. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14278
twitter.com/Ferrer_Juliano/status/1239946520675397632
==========================
Trichomycterus lauryi
Donin, Ferrer & Carvalho, 2020
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14278
twitter.com/Ferrer_Juliano
Abstract
A new species of Trichomycterus endemic to the Ribeira de Iguape River basin, southeastern Brazil, was studied based on morphological and molecular evidence. This species had an outer layer of coloration composed of scattered, round, black or dark‐brown spots smaller or equivalent in size to the circumference of the eye; eight pectoral‐fin rays; 28–29 opercular odontodes; 54–56 interopercular odontodes; and supraorbital line of the laterosensory system not interrupted, with pores s2 absent. Two other species of Trichomycterus from the Ribeira de Iguape River basin are recorded, and their taxonomic status is discussed: Trichomycterus alternatus and Trichomycterus jacupiranga were not differentiated using molecular analysis but may be consistently distinguished based on morphology. The phylogenetic relationships of the co‐occurring species, T. alternatus and Cambeva zonata, were inferred using mitochondrial data, reinforcing the taxonomic status of these recently revised species that have a complex taxonomy. In addition, a new combination for Trichomycterus taroba with its inclusion in the genus Cambeva is recommended.
Keywords: Cambeva zonata, colour pattern, incomplete lineage sorting, Trichomycterinae, Trichomycterus alternatus
Trichomycterus lauryi sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet “lauryi” was given in honour of Laury João Donin (in memoriam), Laura Donin's father.
Photograph of the specimen provided by Miranda Ribeiro (1908b, 1911) presently identified as Trichomycterus lauryi.
Laura M. Donin, Juliano Ferrer and Tiago P. Carvalho. 2020. Taxonomical Study of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin reveals A New Species Recorded in the early 20th Century. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14278
twitter.com/Ferrer_Juliano/status/1239946520675397632
==========================
Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete • A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from the western Amazon basin in Colombia and Peru
Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete
García‐Alzate, Lima, Taphorn, Mojica, Urbano‐Bonilla & Teixeira, 2020
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14319
twitter.com/CarlosGarciaAlz
ABSTRACT
Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete n. sp. is described from the Río Caquetá drainage in Colombia and the Río Ucayali drainage in Peru, western Amazon. The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a conspicuous narrow midlateral stripe, starting on sides of body behind the opercle near the lateral line; lateral stripe overlapped anteriorly with a vertically elongated humeral blotch; inner premaxillary teeth pentacuspid; margin of anal fin falcate in mature males, with a relatively well‐developed anterior lobe.
Keywords: Río Caquetá drainage, Río Ucayali drainage, Serrania de Chiribiquete, Hyphessobrycon agulha, Neotropical diversity
Live colors of Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete.
ICN-MHN 21764, paratype, 28.3 mm Ls. Female.
Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete new species
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality of this species, in the Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete, and territory of the ancient indigenous Carijonas. It is to be treated as a noun in apposition. Chiribiquete National Natural Park is located in the northwest sector of the Colombian Amazon in the departments of Caquetá and Guaviare. The nearest large town is San Juan de Guaviare. It is the largest national park in Colombia and the largest tropical rainforest national park in the world. It was established on 21 September 1989 and has been expanded twice, first in August 2013 and then in July 2018. The park occupies about 43,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) and includes the Serranía de Chiribiquete highlands and surrounding lowlands, which are covered by rainforest and savannas. (WWF 2018, Website of Parques Naturales Nacionales de Colombia 2019).
C. A. García‐Alzate, F. C. T. Lima, D. C. Taphorn, J. I. Mojica, A. Urbano‐Bonilla and T. F. Teixeira. 2020. A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from the western Amazon basin in Colombia and Peru. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14319
twitter.com/CarlosGarciaAlz/status/1238949418113605634
==========================
Bunocephalus hertzi (left), 53.8 mm SL holotype and Bunocephalus larai (right), 49.5 mm SL. Image adapted from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Scientists Describe A New Species of Banjo Catfish
12 Mar, 2020
Bunocephalus hertzi. Image from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
A new banjo catfish has been described from the upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. In a recent paper in the journal Zootaxa, authors André L.H. Esquícero, Ricardo M.C. Castro, and Thiagon N.A. Pereira described the novel species, Bunocephalus hertzi, and provided a redescription of its congener B. larai, whose type specimens were lost.
Banjo catfishes (siluriform family Aspredinidae), as the name implies, are easily recognizable due to their unique body shape. There are 13 identified genera of Aspredinidae, and Bunocephalus is the most speciose genus with 13 described species. Bunocephalus (etymology: buno – bump or knob; cephalus – head, referring to the rounded cusps or bumps on the head) are benthic omnivores that hide in leaf litter or bury in the substrate of the rivers they inhabit.
Similar congeners
Bunocephalus hertzi and B. larai appear similar in their coloration. According to Esguícero et al. 2020, both fish have a dark brown head and dorsal region and light brown ventral region. Both exhibit three black dorsal saddles on the body. The first being conspicuous and located at and is as wide as the dorsal fin base and extends to the ventral region. The other two are inconspicuous saddles on the posterior region of the body region. Both species have brown pectoral fins and light yellow with dark blotched pelvic and anal fins. Dorsal fins are dark brown with a light yellow distal portion and the first dorsal fin ray is yellow. Caudal fins differ slightly where B. hertzi has a black caudal fin that is bordered by yellow margins, and B. larai’s caudal fin is yellow at the base with a dark brown distal portion. Both species have light brown barbels with dark brown blotches.
Bunocephalus hertzi (left), 53.8 mm SL holotype and Bunocephalus larai (right), 49.5 mm SL. Image adapted from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Distinguishing features
Although the species are phenotypically similar, there are several key morphological diagnostic features to distinguish B. hertzi from B. larai, the only congeners in the Paraná River basin. Bunocephalus hertzi have shorter maxillary barbels than B. larai, whose barbels extend past the pectoral fin origins. Furthermore, the two species differ in skull ornamentation. Both species possess bony protuberances between the posterior end of the occipital and the origin of the dorsal fin, however, B. hertzi has five of such “bumps” whereas B. larai is limited to four.
Skull ornamentation of (A) B. hertzi, 47.6 mm SL and (B) B. larai, 53.7 mm SL. Arrows indicate bone protuberances at supraoccipital bone (so), complex centrum (cc) of the Weberian apparatus, and at nuchal plate (np). Image is Figure 2 from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Endemic to the Paraná River basin, B. hertzi has been recorded in the Pardo, Paranapanema, Paranaíba, and Ivenhema River drainages. Bunocephalus larai has registered occurrences in the Tiete, Paranapanema, and Paranaiba River drainages and in the Paraná River proper near the mouth of the Sucuri River. There is only one record of the species occurring at the same locality at the Córego Nhame, a tributary of the upper Paranaiba River basin.
The main channel of the Mogi-Guaçu River at the type locality of B. hertzi is relatively large (~85 m wide and ~2 m deep) characterized by turbid waters, a bottom of sand and plant-debris, marginal sandbanks, and floating macrophyte mats. The catfish were collected at the river margins among masses of plant debris during the dry season.
Map of southeastern South America showing the geographic distribution of Bunocephalus larai (type locality- grey triangle; non-types- grey squares) and B. hertzi (holotype black triangle; paratypes- black circles) in the upper Paraná River basin. The following rivers are labeled: 1) Paranaíba, 2) Grande, 3) Paraná, 4) São Marcos, 5) Capivari, 6) Pardo, 7) Mogi-Guaçu, 8) Piracicaba, 9) Tietê, 10) Ivinhema, 11) Paranapanema, 12) Pirapó, 13) Tibagi, and 14) das Cinzas. Figure 3 from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Etymology
The specific epithet of the novel species honors Hertz Figueiredo dos Santos, a biologist at the Laboratório de Ictiologia de Ribeirã Preto and co-discoverer of the new species. Figueiredo dos Santos contributed approximately three decades to the studies of Neotropical fishes.
Article Abstract
Bunocephalus hertzi, a new species, is described from two tributaries of the upper Rio Paraná basin. Because the type series of B. larai (the only other species of Bunocephalus in the basin) is lost, a redescription of B. larai is also provided herein. Bunocephalus larai and B. hertzi can be distinguished from all their congeners, except B. minerim, by the absence of an epiphyseal bar (vs. present). From B. minerim, both species can be distinguished by the presence of 10 principal caudal-fin rays (vs. 9). Bunocephalus hertzi can be differentiated from B. larai by the longer coracoid process size (11.9–16.2% vs. 6.7–9.8% SL), shorter maxillary barbel (just reaching the pectoral fin origin; 54.6–67.4% vs. 73.7–84.6% HL) and skull ornamentation represented by five bony protuberances between the posterior end of the occipital and the origin of the dorsal fin (vs. four bony protuberances).
Reference
Esguícero, A.L.H., R.M.C. Castro, and T.N.A. Pereira. 2020. Bunocephalus hertzi, a new banjo catfish from the upper Rio Paraná basin, Brazil (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae), with the redescription of Bunocephalus larai Ihering, 1930. Zootaxa 4742 (1): 105-116.
from Reef to Rain Forest
==========================
12 Mar, 2020
Bunocephalus hertzi. Image from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
A new banjo catfish has been described from the upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. In a recent paper in the journal Zootaxa, authors André L.H. Esquícero, Ricardo M.C. Castro, and Thiagon N.A. Pereira described the novel species, Bunocephalus hertzi, and provided a redescription of its congener B. larai, whose type specimens were lost.
Banjo catfishes (siluriform family Aspredinidae), as the name implies, are easily recognizable due to their unique body shape. There are 13 identified genera of Aspredinidae, and Bunocephalus is the most speciose genus with 13 described species. Bunocephalus (etymology: buno – bump or knob; cephalus – head, referring to the rounded cusps or bumps on the head) are benthic omnivores that hide in leaf litter or bury in the substrate of the rivers they inhabit.
Similar congeners
Bunocephalus hertzi and B. larai appear similar in their coloration. According to Esguícero et al. 2020, both fish have a dark brown head and dorsal region and light brown ventral region. Both exhibit three black dorsal saddles on the body. The first being conspicuous and located at and is as wide as the dorsal fin base and extends to the ventral region. The other two are inconspicuous saddles on the posterior region of the body region. Both species have brown pectoral fins and light yellow with dark blotched pelvic and anal fins. Dorsal fins are dark brown with a light yellow distal portion and the first dorsal fin ray is yellow. Caudal fins differ slightly where B. hertzi has a black caudal fin that is bordered by yellow margins, and B. larai’s caudal fin is yellow at the base with a dark brown distal portion. Both species have light brown barbels with dark brown blotches.
Bunocephalus hertzi (left), 53.8 mm SL holotype and Bunocephalus larai (right), 49.5 mm SL. Image adapted from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Distinguishing features
Although the species are phenotypically similar, there are several key morphological diagnostic features to distinguish B. hertzi from B. larai, the only congeners in the Paraná River basin. Bunocephalus hertzi have shorter maxillary barbels than B. larai, whose barbels extend past the pectoral fin origins. Furthermore, the two species differ in skull ornamentation. Both species possess bony protuberances between the posterior end of the occipital and the origin of the dorsal fin, however, B. hertzi has five of such “bumps” whereas B. larai is limited to four.
Skull ornamentation of (A) B. hertzi, 47.6 mm SL and (B) B. larai, 53.7 mm SL. Arrows indicate bone protuberances at supraoccipital bone (so), complex centrum (cc) of the Weberian apparatus, and at nuchal plate (np). Image is Figure 2 from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Endemic to the Paraná River basin, B. hertzi has been recorded in the Pardo, Paranapanema, Paranaíba, and Ivenhema River drainages. Bunocephalus larai has registered occurrences in the Tiete, Paranapanema, and Paranaiba River drainages and in the Paraná River proper near the mouth of the Sucuri River. There is only one record of the species occurring at the same locality at the Córego Nhame, a tributary of the upper Paranaiba River basin.
The main channel of the Mogi-Guaçu River at the type locality of B. hertzi is relatively large (~85 m wide and ~2 m deep) characterized by turbid waters, a bottom of sand and plant-debris, marginal sandbanks, and floating macrophyte mats. The catfish were collected at the river margins among masses of plant debris during the dry season.
Map of southeastern South America showing the geographic distribution of Bunocephalus larai (type locality- grey triangle; non-types- grey squares) and B. hertzi (holotype black triangle; paratypes- black circles) in the upper Paraná River basin. The following rivers are labeled: 1) Paranaíba, 2) Grande, 3) Paraná, 4) São Marcos, 5) Capivari, 6) Pardo, 7) Mogi-Guaçu, 8) Piracicaba, 9) Tietê, 10) Ivinhema, 11) Paranapanema, 12) Pirapó, 13) Tibagi, and 14) das Cinzas. Figure 3 from Esguícero, Castro, & Pereira 2020.
Etymology
The specific epithet of the novel species honors Hertz Figueiredo dos Santos, a biologist at the Laboratório de Ictiologia de Ribeirã Preto and co-discoverer of the new species. Figueiredo dos Santos contributed approximately three decades to the studies of Neotropical fishes.
Article Abstract
Bunocephalus hertzi, a new species, is described from two tributaries of the upper Rio Paraná basin. Because the type series of B. larai (the only other species of Bunocephalus in the basin) is lost, a redescription of B. larai is also provided herein. Bunocephalus larai and B. hertzi can be distinguished from all their congeners, except B. minerim, by the absence of an epiphyseal bar (vs. present). From B. minerim, both species can be distinguished by the presence of 10 principal caudal-fin rays (vs. 9). Bunocephalus hertzi can be differentiated from B. larai by the longer coracoid process size (11.9–16.2% vs. 6.7–9.8% SL), shorter maxillary barbel (just reaching the pectoral fin origin; 54.6–67.4% vs. 73.7–84.6% HL) and skull ornamentation represented by five bony protuberances between the posterior end of the occipital and the origin of the dorsal fin (vs. four bony protuberances).
Reference
Esguícero, A.L.H., R.M.C. Castro, and T.N.A. Pereira. 2020. Bunocephalus hertzi, a new banjo catfish from the upper Rio Paraná basin, Brazil (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae), with the redescription of Bunocephalus larai Ihering, 1930. Zootaxa 4742 (1): 105-116.
from Reef to Rain Forest
==========================
Plectranthias cruentus, a New Perchlet Species from Lord Howe Island
Plectranthias cruentus is a very unexpected new species of perchlet discovered in the remote waters of Australia’s Lord Howe Island region. The sole photo of a freshly preserved specimen collected off Ball’s Pyramid shows a fish that looks quite a lot like our beloved Plectranthias pelicieri except with a lot more red color overall.
This red-orange coloration of Plectranthias cruentus is how it has been bestowed with the common name of bloody perchlet. The head and body of the bloody perchlet are bright orange with some indistinct red stripes below the eyes, with notable yellow markings in the pelvic and anal fins, complimented by slight yellow bars around the belly.
Although the fish may look red overall we know from our experience with the similar looking Pelicier’s perchlet that there’s a whole world of interesting details and color that are hard to accurately describe. From the elongated spines of the first dorsal fin, african cichlid style ‘eggpots’ in the anal fin, and the intricate network of yellow, red, and white markings all over, we’re pretty confident in assuming that Plectranthias cruentus probably has an interesting and colorful appearance in real life.
Alas, not only was the bloody perchlet collected in fairly deep water of 285 feet deep, the holotype was from Ball’s Pyramid, a hallowed region of the sea which is the only known place that recreational divers can expect to see the mythical Ballina angelfish. Thankfully with captive breeding of marine fish getting better every year, hopefully we’ll one day see cultured P. pelicieri at which time it might make sense to make a special broodstock collecting trip for some of the angelfish and basslets of this super special subtropical ecoregion. [ZooTaxa]
from ReefBuilder
==========================
Plectranthias cruentus is a very unexpected new species of perchlet discovered in the remote waters of Australia’s Lord Howe Island region. The sole photo of a freshly preserved specimen collected off Ball’s Pyramid shows a fish that looks quite a lot like our beloved Plectranthias pelicieri except with a lot more red color overall.
This red-orange coloration of Plectranthias cruentus is how it has been bestowed with the common name of bloody perchlet. The head and body of the bloody perchlet are bright orange with some indistinct red stripes below the eyes, with notable yellow markings in the pelvic and anal fins, complimented by slight yellow bars around the belly.
Although the fish may look red overall we know from our experience with the similar looking Pelicier’s perchlet that there’s a whole world of interesting details and color that are hard to accurately describe. From the elongated spines of the first dorsal fin, african cichlid style ‘eggpots’ in the anal fin, and the intricate network of yellow, red, and white markings all over, we’re pretty confident in assuming that Plectranthias cruentus probably has an interesting and colorful appearance in real life.
Alas, not only was the bloody perchlet collected in fairly deep water of 285 feet deep, the holotype was from Ball’s Pyramid, a hallowed region of the sea which is the only known place that recreational divers can expect to see the mythical Ballina angelfish. Thankfully with captive breeding of marine fish getting better every year, hopefully we’ll one day see cultured P. pelicieri at which time it might make sense to make a special broodstock collecting trip for some of the angelfish and basslets of this super special subtropical ecoregion. [ZooTaxa]
from ReefBuilder
==========================
Association of Aquarists
Regret we have taken the decision to postpone our Spring Auction Event on the 5th April. Given the current 'delay' status of the coronavirus it is likely that this may now peak around the date set for our auction. It therefore makes sense to make the decision now as it may be that soon all public events will be either restricted or stopped and we would not in any case wish to put anyone's health at risk.
We will revisit our decision once the current scare is over and the situation has stabilised but it may well be that we are unable to reschedule the event.
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Two new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) with notes on the distribution of the genus in northeastern Colombia
ALDEMAR A. ACEVEDO, ORLANDO ARMESTO, R. EDUARDO PALMA
Abstract
We describe two new species of the genus Pristimantis from the western margin of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. The species have a sympatric distribution and are found in the humid tropical forests of the lower part of the Tamá National Natural Park (PNN Tamá) and its buffer zone. The new species were described from morphological comparisons and phylogenetic reconstruction from the sequencing of three mitochondrial and two nuclear genes. With these two new species, the number of Pristimantis species known in the department of Norte de Santander has increased to 10. In addition, we included new sequences for the species P. anolirex, P. nicefori, P. mondolfii, and P. yukpa. Our explorations in the last decade indicate that there are probably between five and 10 species that have not been described in the northeastern part of Colombia, especially in areas where the armed conflict has predominated in the last five decades.
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Novaculops compressus, a New Species from Japan Joins the Razor Wrasses
Novaculops compressus is a new species of the small group of razor wrasses that are fun and different from the usual aquarium labrids. Unlike the usual fairies and flasher wrasses, the razor wrasses are uniquely adapted to take shelter in sandy zones, and now we have one more species to appreciate from this group.
As the name implies, the new Novaculops compressus has a body that is flattened on its sides, with the reduced profile making it that much easier to dive into loose sand or substrate. This feature is not unique to this species as the Xyrichtys which come to mind first when describing razor wrasses are even more laterally compressed.
Novaculops halsteadiBut while the ‘true’ razor wrasses might be even more inclined to go sand diving, the Novaculops are somewhat more colorful even if their bodies are mostly devoid of well defined patterns. Novaculops halsteadi is the most ‘common’ species encountered in the aquarium hobby, recognizable by a slight rainbow iridescence and a small black spot bordered in white.
The newly described Novaculops compressus appears yellow overall with bright patches of orange color on the dorsal and mid-body areas, with a white ventral area. Pectoral fins and lips are also bright orange while the tail fin is mostly yellow overall. This new razor wrasse or sandy wrasse was described from two specimens originating from the northwest Pacific Ocean around Japan and the Philippines by Yoshino Fukui in a recent edition of ZooTaxa.
==========================
Novaculops compressus is a new species of the small group of razor wrasses that are fun and different from the usual aquarium labrids. Unlike the usual fairies and flasher wrasses, the razor wrasses are uniquely adapted to take shelter in sandy zones, and now we have one more species to appreciate from this group.
As the name implies, the new Novaculops compressus has a body that is flattened on its sides, with the reduced profile making it that much easier to dive into loose sand or substrate. This feature is not unique to this species as the Xyrichtys which come to mind first when describing razor wrasses are even more laterally compressed.
Novaculops halsteadiBut while the ‘true’ razor wrasses might be even more inclined to go sand diving, the Novaculops are somewhat more colorful even if their bodies are mostly devoid of well defined patterns. Novaculops halsteadi is the most ‘common’ species encountered in the aquarium hobby, recognizable by a slight rainbow iridescence and a small black spot bordered in white.
The newly described Novaculops compressus appears yellow overall with bright patches of orange color on the dorsal and mid-body areas, with a white ventral area. Pectoral fins and lips are also bright orange while the tail fin is mostly yellow overall. This new razor wrasse or sandy wrasse was described from two specimens originating from the northwest Pacific Ocean around Japan and the Philippines by Yoshino Fukui in a recent edition of ZooTaxa.
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New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus) from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei
Tea, Pyle & Rocha, 2020
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-297
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
twitter.com/CoralReefFish
Abstract
The new species, Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, is described on the basis of the holotype and six paratypes collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines, between depths of 82 and 110 m. The new species is most closely related to Cirrhilabrus pylei, but it differs primarily in the presence of: more pored scales on the posterior lateral line (7–9 vs. 5–6); a lower number of circumpeduncular scales (14 vs. 16); a lower number of gill rakers (16–17 vs. 18–20); and differences in coloration details of the dorsal and caudal fins. Both species differ from all other congeners in sharing the following combination of characters: pelvic fins very long (56.5–70.0% SL), often extending past anal-fin terminus in males; caudal fin scintillating and iridescent in males; dorsal fin with sinuous scribbling in both sexes; anterior dorsal fin with a metallic blue spot on first one to two interspinous membrane spaces; snout with three parallel stripes from maxilla to anterior edge of orbit; and rest of head with a network of short broken pinstripes in both sexes. These characters are also distributed in part amongst other species of Cirrhilabrus, in particular, C. katoi, C. lineatus, C. rhomboidalis, and C. rubrimarginatus, and their putative relationships are discussed on the basis of meristic, morphometric, and molecular sequence data. We briefly comment on the variability of morphological characters within Cirrhilabrus and their implications towards phylogenetic classification, with remarks on methods for data collection for species of Cirrhilabrus.
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, aquarium photographs of specimens from Verde Island, Philippines
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, and Cirrhilabrus pylei in life.
(A, B) Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, aquarium photographs of specimens from Verde Island, Philippines;
(C, D) Cirrhilabrus pylei, aquarium photographs of specimens from Vanuatu. Note the series of parallel stripes on the snout. Specimens not retained.
Photographs by S. K. Tea (A), E. Fleishauer (B), F. Walsh (C), and K. Kohen (D).
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
A selection of species of Cirrhilabrus in life.
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species
Latigo Fairy Wrasse
Etymology.— We name this species Cirrhilabrus briangreenei in honor of Brian D. Greene, who in addition to collecting the type specimens, has contributed extensively towards the study and exploration of coral-reef diversity (particularly on MCEs) through deep technical diving. To be treated as a noun in apposition. The common name ‘‘latigo’’ is Tagalog for ‘‘whip,’’ given in reference to the long, slender pelvic fins.
Yi-Kai Tea, Richard L. Pyle and Luiz A. Rocha. 2020. A New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus) from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines. Copeia. 108(1); 91-102. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-297
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1232023941679435777
twitter.com/CoralReefFish/status/1232012635836579840
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1231977407935995904
==========================
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei
Tea, Pyle & Rocha, 2020
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-297
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
twitter.com/CoralReefFish
Abstract
The new species, Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, is described on the basis of the holotype and six paratypes collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines, between depths of 82 and 110 m. The new species is most closely related to Cirrhilabrus pylei, but it differs primarily in the presence of: more pored scales on the posterior lateral line (7–9 vs. 5–6); a lower number of circumpeduncular scales (14 vs. 16); a lower number of gill rakers (16–17 vs. 18–20); and differences in coloration details of the dorsal and caudal fins. Both species differ from all other congeners in sharing the following combination of characters: pelvic fins very long (56.5–70.0% SL), often extending past anal-fin terminus in males; caudal fin scintillating and iridescent in males; dorsal fin with sinuous scribbling in both sexes; anterior dorsal fin with a metallic blue spot on first one to two interspinous membrane spaces; snout with three parallel stripes from maxilla to anterior edge of orbit; and rest of head with a network of short broken pinstripes in both sexes. These characters are also distributed in part amongst other species of Cirrhilabrus, in particular, C. katoi, C. lineatus, C. rhomboidalis, and C. rubrimarginatus, and their putative relationships are discussed on the basis of meristic, morphometric, and molecular sequence data. We briefly comment on the variability of morphological characters within Cirrhilabrus and their implications towards phylogenetic classification, with remarks on methods for data collection for species of Cirrhilabrus.
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, aquarium photographs of specimens from Verde Island, Philippines
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, and Cirrhilabrus pylei in life.
(A, B) Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species, aquarium photographs of specimens from Verde Island, Philippines;
(C, D) Cirrhilabrus pylei, aquarium photographs of specimens from Vanuatu. Note the series of parallel stripes on the snout. Specimens not retained.
Photographs by S. K. Tea (A), E. Fleishauer (B), F. Walsh (C), and K. Kohen (D).
twitter.com/FishGuyKai
A selection of species of Cirrhilabrus in life.
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, new species
Latigo Fairy Wrasse
Etymology.— We name this species Cirrhilabrus briangreenei in honor of Brian D. Greene, who in addition to collecting the type specimens, has contributed extensively towards the study and exploration of coral-reef diversity (particularly on MCEs) through deep technical diving. To be treated as a noun in apposition. The common name ‘‘latigo’’ is Tagalog for ‘‘whip,’’ given in reference to the long, slender pelvic fins.
Yi-Kai Tea, Richard L. Pyle and Luiz A. Rocha. 2020. A New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus) from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of the Verde Island Passage, Philippines. Copeia. 108(1); 91-102. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-297
twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1232023941679435777
twitter.com/CoralReefFish/status/1232012635836579840
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1231977407935995904
==========================
Tomiyamichthys eyreae, a Colour coordinated New Species of Shrimp Goby
Tomiyamichthys eyreae is a brand new species of shrimp-goby again from the hot bed of biodiversity that is the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia. This slender, ground dwelling gobiid is related to the recently described Tomiyamichthys emilyae which has long been an aquarium favorite as the magnificent fan shrimp goby.
This new shrimp goby is unique in its appearance with irregular large white blotches and orange bands like a candy cane. Interestingly Tomiyamichthys eyreae has been photographed inhabiting burrows with the eye-catching Randalli pistol shrimp which is also red and white, making for a color coordinated shrimp & goby pair.
Male Tomiyamichthys eyreae have been measured up to 37mm or just about 1.5 inches long and lives in the sort of gradually sloping, sand/rubble-bottom that you’d expect for a fish like this, and only 28 meters or just about 91 feet deep. [Aqua]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Tomiyamichthys eyreae is a brand new species of shrimp-goby again from the hot bed of biodiversity that is the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia. This slender, ground dwelling gobiid is related to the recently described Tomiyamichthys emilyae which has long been an aquarium favorite as the magnificent fan shrimp goby.
This new shrimp goby is unique in its appearance with irregular large white blotches and orange bands like a candy cane. Interestingly Tomiyamichthys eyreae has been photographed inhabiting burrows with the eye-catching Randalli pistol shrimp which is also red and white, making for a color coordinated shrimp & goby pair.
Male Tomiyamichthys eyreae have been measured up to 37mm or just about 1.5 inches long and lives in the sort of gradually sloping, sand/rubble-bottom that you’d expect for a fish like this, and only 28 meters or just about 91 feet deep. [Aqua]
from ReefBuilders
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Earth’s Deepest River Conceals an Evolutionary MysteryThe lower Congo River’s depths have made it a natural lab for convergent evolution, yielding fish with unexpected features.
Blind fish from lower Congo River.Credit...Melanie L. StiassnyBy Asher Elbein
“I thought, could this thing really be dying of the bends?” she said. “And if that was the case, how deep is the water here?”
The Congo River runs for 2,500 lazy miles through Africa’s equatorial basin, coiling like a snake through the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, 186 miles from the ocean, it drops into a dangerous series of gorges, sinking 12 feet every mile. The swirling waters of the Kongo Central province, bordering the Republic of Congo and Angola, contain 30 percent of the river’s fish diversity and have long attracted ichthyologists.
Dr. Stiassny works with The Congo Project, a partnership among the University of Marien Ngouabi in the Republic of Congo, University of Kinshasa, in the D.R.C., and the A.M.N.H. that studies the unique fish and environment of the lower river. Their research, presented in January at the American Geophysical Union, has revealed a river landscape more bizarre than previously imagined. Its hostile currents and depths of more than 700 feet are an incredible natural laboratory for studying convergent evolution, or how diverse species develop similar environmental adaptations.
The initial clue to the river’s depths came from the dying fish. According to Victor Mamonekene, an ichthyologist with the University of Marien Ngouabi, the fish — known locally as mondeli bureau, or “white man in an office” — had long been known to the residents of Bulu village, where the scientists first saw it. The species was originally described in 1976 as a cichlid, part of the family that includes tilapia, bluegill and peacock bass. But the animal is quite different from its relatives: very small, eyeless, and pale as a cave fish.
To find out where a potential deep water fish might have come from, Dr. Stiassny said, the Congo Project partnered with the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Geological Survey. In 2008 and 2009, they dispatched a team of “crazy white water kayaker dudes,” she said, to run the rapids during low-water season. Their kayaks carried echo-sounders and depth measurement equipment.
The river gorge is inaccessible and sparsely populated. Its rapids carry five times the amount of water of the Mississippi River down a channel less than a mile wide, and it is practically nonnavigable by boat.
“The strong current that reigns there makes it a very dangerous area for working on water,” Dr. Mamonekene said.
Luckily, all of the kayakers returned in one piece. The data gathered by the white water team revealed a harsh underwater landscape: huge towers of rock, stripped bare of sediments and plants by fast currents that run both upstream and downstream.
“Almost as if you’ve got two rivers in the same channel,” Dr. Stiassny said.
The complexity and power of the currents are the key to the evolutionary richness of the lower Congo, she said. This hostile environment keeps breeding populations of fish separated in isolated pockets of water, and resulted in the evolution of new species.
“We’d get populations diverging on either side of a rapid,” Dr. Stiassny said. “Maybe they’re only separated by a kilometer, yet it’s as if they’re 50,000 miles apart.”
Interspersed with shallow rapids are canyons deep enough that the team had to use measuring equipment designed for the deep ocean to study them. Parts of the Congo River measured around 720 feet deep, almost as far down as the twilight zone of the ocean. Immense vortices of water plunge up and down the canyon walls like underwater waterfalls.
Dr. Stiassny’s team suspects that the mondeli bureau live in these deepwater canyons, and are occasionally plucked up by the currents that churn along the rock walls. They are rocketed hundreds of feet up to the surface, the nitrogen bubbling out of their blood. The same bends that kill them make their diets a mystery, bursting their swim bladders and pushing out the contents of their guts.
Still, the team’s research suggests that the deep waters are nutrient poor: Mondeli bureau have lost a gene that suppresses appetite, suggesting that the species binges when it can. “Food is probably sporadically being brought down into some of these currents, and when it is these guys just eat like mad,” Dr. Stiassny said.
Image
A blind cichlid in hand.Credit...Melanie L. StiassnyThe mondeli bureau is one of six fish in the lower Congo to develop elongated forms, lose their pigments and shrink their eyes. The others — from families as diverse as catfish, elephant fish and spiny eels — are found in the shallower waters along the riverbanks. That suggests that the mondeli bureau’s strange adaptations may not be dictated just by living in the depths, but by the currents of the lower Congo itself.
Unrelated species sometimes arrive at remarkably similar anatomies through a process called convergent evolution. Many species of fish and salamanders have independently slowed their metabolisms and lost their eyes to survive in deep caves.
But while such convergence has long been recognized as a phenomenon, researchers are still trying to discover more about how it works in shaping animals. That’s why this project is significant, according to Kirk Winemiller of Texas A&M University, an evolutionary biologist who was not involved in the research.
“It seems like there are certain optimal solutions to problems,” he said. “Melanie’s work shows multiple species adapting to an extreme environment with fairly predictable patterns.”
The next step, Dr. Stiassny said, is to find the fish elsewhere in Congo most closely related to the mondeli bureau, so they can compare them with their more anatomically specialized cousins. They’re also investigating the genetics and physiology of other blind fish in the river, to work out whether they’re using similar genetic mutations to adapt to the river currents.
“There are many questions,” Dr. Mamonekene said. “Almost everything remains to be discovered about these species, hence the need to continue this research.”
==========================
Blind fish from lower Congo River.Credit...Melanie L. StiassnyBy Asher Elbein
- Feb. 25, 2020 from the NEW YORK TIMES
- In 2007, fishermen living along the lower Congo, the deepest river on Earth, brought Melanie Stiassny a fish. It was six inches long, ghostly white and eyeless. Like most fish held out of water, it was dying. What surprised her was what was killing it.
“I thought, could this thing really be dying of the bends?” she said. “And if that was the case, how deep is the water here?”
The Congo River runs for 2,500 lazy miles through Africa’s equatorial basin, coiling like a snake through the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, 186 miles from the ocean, it drops into a dangerous series of gorges, sinking 12 feet every mile. The swirling waters of the Kongo Central province, bordering the Republic of Congo and Angola, contain 30 percent of the river’s fish diversity and have long attracted ichthyologists.
Dr. Stiassny works with The Congo Project, a partnership among the University of Marien Ngouabi in the Republic of Congo, University of Kinshasa, in the D.R.C., and the A.M.N.H. that studies the unique fish and environment of the lower river. Their research, presented in January at the American Geophysical Union, has revealed a river landscape more bizarre than previously imagined. Its hostile currents and depths of more than 700 feet are an incredible natural laboratory for studying convergent evolution, or how diverse species develop similar environmental adaptations.
The initial clue to the river’s depths came from the dying fish. According to Victor Mamonekene, an ichthyologist with the University of Marien Ngouabi, the fish — known locally as mondeli bureau, or “white man in an office” — had long been known to the residents of Bulu village, where the scientists first saw it. The species was originally described in 1976 as a cichlid, part of the family that includes tilapia, bluegill and peacock bass. But the animal is quite different from its relatives: very small, eyeless, and pale as a cave fish.
To find out where a potential deep water fish might have come from, Dr. Stiassny said, the Congo Project partnered with the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Geological Survey. In 2008 and 2009, they dispatched a team of “crazy white water kayaker dudes,” she said, to run the rapids during low-water season. Their kayaks carried echo-sounders and depth measurement equipment.
The river gorge is inaccessible and sparsely populated. Its rapids carry five times the amount of water of the Mississippi River down a channel less than a mile wide, and it is practically nonnavigable by boat.
“The strong current that reigns there makes it a very dangerous area for working on water,” Dr. Mamonekene said.
Luckily, all of the kayakers returned in one piece. The data gathered by the white water team revealed a harsh underwater landscape: huge towers of rock, stripped bare of sediments and plants by fast currents that run both upstream and downstream.
“Almost as if you’ve got two rivers in the same channel,” Dr. Stiassny said.
The complexity and power of the currents are the key to the evolutionary richness of the lower Congo, she said. This hostile environment keeps breeding populations of fish separated in isolated pockets of water, and resulted in the evolution of new species.
“We’d get populations diverging on either side of a rapid,” Dr. Stiassny said. “Maybe they’re only separated by a kilometer, yet it’s as if they’re 50,000 miles apart.”
Interspersed with shallow rapids are canyons deep enough that the team had to use measuring equipment designed for the deep ocean to study them. Parts of the Congo River measured around 720 feet deep, almost as far down as the twilight zone of the ocean. Immense vortices of water plunge up and down the canyon walls like underwater waterfalls.
Dr. Stiassny’s team suspects that the mondeli bureau live in these deepwater canyons, and are occasionally plucked up by the currents that churn along the rock walls. They are rocketed hundreds of feet up to the surface, the nitrogen bubbling out of their blood. The same bends that kill them make their diets a mystery, bursting their swim bladders and pushing out the contents of their guts.
Still, the team’s research suggests that the deep waters are nutrient poor: Mondeli bureau have lost a gene that suppresses appetite, suggesting that the species binges when it can. “Food is probably sporadically being brought down into some of these currents, and when it is these guys just eat like mad,” Dr. Stiassny said.
Image
A blind cichlid in hand.Credit...Melanie L. StiassnyThe mondeli bureau is one of six fish in the lower Congo to develop elongated forms, lose their pigments and shrink their eyes. The others — from families as diverse as catfish, elephant fish and spiny eels — are found in the shallower waters along the riverbanks. That suggests that the mondeli bureau’s strange adaptations may not be dictated just by living in the depths, but by the currents of the lower Congo itself.
Unrelated species sometimes arrive at remarkably similar anatomies through a process called convergent evolution. Many species of fish and salamanders have independently slowed their metabolisms and lost their eyes to survive in deep caves.
But while such convergence has long been recognized as a phenomenon, researchers are still trying to discover more about how it works in shaping animals. That’s why this project is significant, according to Kirk Winemiller of Texas A&M University, an evolutionary biologist who was not involved in the research.
“It seems like there are certain optimal solutions to problems,” he said. “Melanie’s work shows multiple species adapting to an extreme environment with fairly predictable patterns.”
The next step, Dr. Stiassny said, is to find the fish elsewhere in Congo most closely related to the mondeli bureau, so they can compare them with their more anatomically specialized cousins. They’re also investigating the genetics and physiology of other blind fish in the river, to work out whether they’re using similar genetic mutations to adapt to the river currents.
“There are many questions,” Dr. Mamonekene said. “Almost everything remains to be discovered about these species, hence the need to continue this research.”
==========================
Ryedale Aquarist Society Annual Open Show & Auction
of aquatic items will be held on Sunday 26th April at Kirby Misperton Village Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire. Y017 6XN.
The Open Show will consist of 33 Classes covering the full range of tropical freshwater and coldwater fishes plus a fish craft Class. YAAS rules and standards apply. Entry fee 20p per exhibit. Benching of exhibits 10.00a.m. to 12.45p.m.
For the Auction lots must be tabled by 12.30p.m. Lots can be brought along on the day or pre-booked by sending a Messenger message to David Marshall. Please note that Ryedale A.S. will take a 15% commission on all auction lots sold. Please label lots to assist the auctioneer while making sure that all electrical goods are clearly marked with the name and address of the seller. Starting time 12.45p.m.
For further details you are welcome to visit the RAS website at: www.ryedaleaquaristsociety.co.uk.
==========================
of aquatic items will be held on Sunday 26th April at Kirby Misperton Village Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire. Y017 6XN.
The Open Show will consist of 33 Classes covering the full range of tropical freshwater and coldwater fishes plus a fish craft Class. YAAS rules and standards apply. Entry fee 20p per exhibit. Benching of exhibits 10.00a.m. to 12.45p.m.
For the Auction lots must be tabled by 12.30p.m. Lots can be brought along on the day or pre-booked by sending a Messenger message to David Marshall. Please note that Ryedale A.S. will take a 15% commission on all auction lots sold. Please label lots to assist the auctioneer while making sure that all electrical goods are clearly marked with the name and address of the seller. Starting time 12.45p.m.
For further details you are welcome to visit the RAS website at: www.ryedaleaquaristsociety.co.uk.
==========================
Ammoglanis obliquus • A New Psammophilic Species of the Catfish Genus Ammoglanis (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from the Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil
Ammoglanis obliquus
Henschel, Bragança, Rangel-Pereira & Costa, 2020
DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.48952
Abstract
Ammoglanis obliquus sp. nov., a minute catfish species reaching a maximum adult size of 15.5 mm, is described from the Rio Preto da Eva drainage in the central Brazilian Amazon. It is distinguished from all of its congeners in possessing an exclusive combination of character states, including the presence and number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of interopercular and opercular odontodes, presence of cranial fontanel, number of dorsal-fin rays, number of anal-fin rays, number of caudal-fin rays, number of pelvic-fin rays, number of pectoral-fin rays, absence of pelvic splint, antorbital morphology, and absence of supraorbital and autopalatine morphology. It is considered to be a member of a clade also including A. pulex and A. amapaensis due to the unique oral, antorbital, and autopalatine morphology. Ammoglanis obliquus is regarded as more closely related to A. pulex than to any other congener, as both species exhibit a similar colour pattern, an absence of the metapterygoid, and the presence of two finger-like projections on the chin region.
Ammoglanis obliquus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Ammoglanis obliquus differs from all its congeners except A. pulex by the presence of seven diagonal rows of dark cromatophores forming a banded pattern on flank of live specimens (vs trunk with three longitudinal rows of dark chromatophores in A. diaphanus and A. amapaensis, or whitish with few minute dark chromatophores scattered on body in A. multidentatus), the absence of metapterygoid (Fig. 3; vs presence), and by the presence of two finger-like projections on chin region (de Pinna and Winemiller 2000: fig. 2b; vs absence). It is distinguished from A. pulex by the presence of dentary teeth (Fig. 4A; vs absence), the presence of premaxillary teeth (Fig. 4B; vs absence), by having 6+6 caudal-fin rays (vs 5+5), and by the absence of the pelvic splint (vs presence). It further differs from A. diaphanus, A. amapaensis, and A. multidentatus by the absence of the sesamoid supraorbital (Fig. 5, vs presence), by having fewer premaxillary teeth (3 vs 9–12 in A. diaphanus, 8–11 in A. amapaensis, and 10 or 11 in A. multidentatus), fewer dentary teeth (4 vs 8 in A. diaphanus, 7 or 8 in A. amapaensis, and 11–13 in A. multidentatus), and fewer dorsal-fin rays (total of 8 vs 10 in A. diaphanus, 9 in A. amapaensis, and A. multidentatus). It is distinguished from A. diaphanus and A. multidentatus by the presence of 6 pectoral-fin rays (vs 7 in A. diaphanus and 7 or 8 in A. multidentatus), and the presence of a scythe-shaped antorbital (vs antorbital straight, with its tip not curved mesially); from A. amapaensis, by the presence of a wide cranial fontanel (vs dorsal surface of the neurocranium totally ossified, without a fontanel; Mattos et al. 2008: fig. 4), absence of separate ossification of the anterior cartilage of autopalatine (vs presence); from A. multidentatus, by possessing fewer opercular odontodes (8–11 vs 15 or 16), fewer interopercular odontodes (5–8 vs 10 or 11), fewer anal-fin rays (total of 8 vs 9), and fewer pelvic-fin rays (total of 4 or 5 vs 6).
Distribution: Known only from its type locality in Rio Preto da Eva drainage, Amazonas river basin, northern Brazil.
Etymology: From the Latin obliquus, meaning oblique, referring to the conspicuous diagonal banded colouration pattern of living specimens.
Ecological notes: This species is known only from a small clearwater tributary of Preto da Eva river, which is a left margin tributary of the Amazonas river. Individuals were found associated with a sand-bank lying on the centre of an artificial widening of the main course, next to a road. The stream course margins were lined by gallery rainforest, and the water column was about 1 m deep with a weak current. The sand-bank was composed of coarse, yellow sand and with sparse patches of small banks of macrophytes. Capture was accomplished by scooping of the superficial layer of sand with fine hand-nets. Specimens of Potamoglanis Henschel, Mattos, Katz & Costa, 2018 and Ammocryptocharax Weitzman & Kanazawa, 1976 were frequently captured together with Ammoglanis obliquus. This area as a whole is under high deforestation pressure due to local human occupation.
Elisabeth Henschel, Pedro H. N. Bragança, Filipe Rangel-Pereira and Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2020. A New Psammophilic Species of the Ccatfish Genus Ammoglanis (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from the Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 96(1): 67-72. DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.48952
==========================
Ammoglanis obliquus
Henschel, Bragança, Rangel-Pereira & Costa, 2020
DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.48952
Abstract
Ammoglanis obliquus sp. nov., a minute catfish species reaching a maximum adult size of 15.5 mm, is described from the Rio Preto da Eva drainage in the central Brazilian Amazon. It is distinguished from all of its congeners in possessing an exclusive combination of character states, including the presence and number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of interopercular and opercular odontodes, presence of cranial fontanel, number of dorsal-fin rays, number of anal-fin rays, number of caudal-fin rays, number of pelvic-fin rays, number of pectoral-fin rays, absence of pelvic splint, antorbital morphology, and absence of supraorbital and autopalatine morphology. It is considered to be a member of a clade also including A. pulex and A. amapaensis due to the unique oral, antorbital, and autopalatine morphology. Ammoglanis obliquus is regarded as more closely related to A. pulex than to any other congener, as both species exhibit a similar colour pattern, an absence of the metapterygoid, and the presence of two finger-like projections on the chin region.
Ammoglanis obliquus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Ammoglanis obliquus differs from all its congeners except A. pulex by the presence of seven diagonal rows of dark cromatophores forming a banded pattern on flank of live specimens (vs trunk with three longitudinal rows of dark chromatophores in A. diaphanus and A. amapaensis, or whitish with few minute dark chromatophores scattered on body in A. multidentatus), the absence of metapterygoid (Fig. 3; vs presence), and by the presence of two finger-like projections on chin region (de Pinna and Winemiller 2000: fig. 2b; vs absence). It is distinguished from A. pulex by the presence of dentary teeth (Fig. 4A; vs absence), the presence of premaxillary teeth (Fig. 4B; vs absence), by having 6+6 caudal-fin rays (vs 5+5), and by the absence of the pelvic splint (vs presence). It further differs from A. diaphanus, A. amapaensis, and A. multidentatus by the absence of the sesamoid supraorbital (Fig. 5, vs presence), by having fewer premaxillary teeth (3 vs 9–12 in A. diaphanus, 8–11 in A. amapaensis, and 10 or 11 in A. multidentatus), fewer dentary teeth (4 vs 8 in A. diaphanus, 7 or 8 in A. amapaensis, and 11–13 in A. multidentatus), and fewer dorsal-fin rays (total of 8 vs 10 in A. diaphanus, 9 in A. amapaensis, and A. multidentatus). It is distinguished from A. diaphanus and A. multidentatus by the presence of 6 pectoral-fin rays (vs 7 in A. diaphanus and 7 or 8 in A. multidentatus), and the presence of a scythe-shaped antorbital (vs antorbital straight, with its tip not curved mesially); from A. amapaensis, by the presence of a wide cranial fontanel (vs dorsal surface of the neurocranium totally ossified, without a fontanel; Mattos et al. 2008: fig. 4), absence of separate ossification of the anterior cartilage of autopalatine (vs presence); from A. multidentatus, by possessing fewer opercular odontodes (8–11 vs 15 or 16), fewer interopercular odontodes (5–8 vs 10 or 11), fewer anal-fin rays (total of 8 vs 9), and fewer pelvic-fin rays (total of 4 or 5 vs 6).
Distribution: Known only from its type locality in Rio Preto da Eva drainage, Amazonas river basin, northern Brazil.
Etymology: From the Latin obliquus, meaning oblique, referring to the conspicuous diagonal banded colouration pattern of living specimens.
Ecological notes: This species is known only from a small clearwater tributary of Preto da Eva river, which is a left margin tributary of the Amazonas river. Individuals were found associated with a sand-bank lying on the centre of an artificial widening of the main course, next to a road. The stream course margins were lined by gallery rainforest, and the water column was about 1 m deep with a weak current. The sand-bank was composed of coarse, yellow sand and with sparse patches of small banks of macrophytes. Capture was accomplished by scooping of the superficial layer of sand with fine hand-nets. Specimens of Potamoglanis Henschel, Mattos, Katz & Costa, 2018 and Ammocryptocharax Weitzman & Kanazawa, 1976 were frequently captured together with Ammoglanis obliquus. This area as a whole is under high deforestation pressure due to local human occupation.
Elisabeth Henschel, Pedro H. N. Bragança, Filipe Rangel-Pereira and Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2020. A New Psammophilic Species of the Ccatfish Genus Ammoglanis (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from the Amazon River Basin, northern Brazil. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 96(1): 67-72. DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.48952
==========================
GAR 2020
We are proud to announce the Gar 2020 conference to be held at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana!
This conference is presented by the International Network for Lepisosteid Research and the Nicholls State University Center for Bayou Studies. The meeting will feature oral and poster presentations, and local social activities. More information, including the call for abstracts, coming soon! Contact: solomon.david@nicholls.edu
==========================
We are proud to announce the Gar 2020 conference to be held at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana!
This conference is presented by the International Network for Lepisosteid Research and the Nicholls State University Center for Bayou Studies. The meeting will feature oral and poster presentations, and local social activities. More information, including the call for abstracts, coming soon! Contact: solomon.david@nicholls.edu
==========================
Careproctus shigemii • A New Species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and A Redescription of the Blacktip Snailfish Careproctus zachirus
Careproctus shigemii
Matsuzaki, Mori, Kamiunten, Yanagimoto & Kai, 2020
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w
Abstract
A new snailfish, Careproctus shigemii, is described on the basis of three specimens collected in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan. The new species has previously been confused with Careproctus zachirus Kido 1985, known from the Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, the Pacific Ocean off southeastern Kamchatka and the northern Kuril Islands, and the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido, Japan, because of their similar appearance, including a noticeably elongate pectoral fin extending beyond the anal-fin origin, the gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin, no opercular flap projection, one suprabranchial pore, and trilobed teeth. However, C. shigemii is clearly differentiated from C. zachirus in having dorsal and anal fins margined with black (vs. white margined dorsal and anal fins with a black submarginal band), and a black caudal fin (vs. pale pink caudal fin), when fresh. Careproctus shigemii differs additionally from C. zachirus in having the cephalic pore pattern 2-6-6-1 (vs. 2-6-7-1), 30–35 pyloric caeca (vs. 20–31), and a shorter pectoral fin lower lobe, 8.2–9.9% SL (vs. longer lobe, 15.9–25.6% SL). A large sequence divergence between C. shigemii and C. zachirus (0.028 in uncorrected p-distance) in the DNA barcoding region (COI) also supports the validity of each species. A redescription of C. zachirus is also provided on the basis of the holotype, paratypes and non-type specimens.
Keywords: Careproctus shigemii, COI, Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Western North Pacific
Careproctus shigemii sp. nov.
AMF-2-11-04-00-0031, paratype, 231.4 mm SL.
Careproctus shigemii sp. nov.
(New Japanese name: Otohime-Kon’nyaku-uo)
Distribution. Known only from the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan. Collection depths ranged from 200 to 300 m. By comparison, C. zachirus in the same area occupies depths of ca. 500–800 m.
Etymology. Named after the late Shigemi Fujimoto, a fisherman of Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan, who assisted our team in collecting various marine organisms, including the present new species, and contributed significantly to our efforts to understand the marine biodiversity of Rausu and Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Heritage Area.
Koji Matsuzaki, Toshiaki Mori, Moeko Kamiunten, Takashi Yanagimoto and Yoshiaki Kai. 2020. A New Species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and A Redescription of the Blacktip Snailfish Careproctus zachirus. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w
Aquamarine Fukushima Discovered in Shiretoko, Hokkaido!公 表 Announcement of the release of a new species of deep-sea fish “Otohime Konjac” re-how.net/exhibition/418862
prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000030.000043556.html
Careproctus shigemii
Matsuzaki, Mori, Kamiunten, Yanagimoto & Kai, 2020
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w
Abstract
A new snailfish, Careproctus shigemii, is described on the basis of three specimens collected in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan. The new species has previously been confused with Careproctus zachirus Kido 1985, known from the Aleutian Islands, eastern Bering Sea, the Pacific Ocean off southeastern Kamchatka and the northern Kuril Islands, and the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido, Japan, because of their similar appearance, including a noticeably elongate pectoral fin extending beyond the anal-fin origin, the gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin, no opercular flap projection, one suprabranchial pore, and trilobed teeth. However, C. shigemii is clearly differentiated from C. zachirus in having dorsal and anal fins margined with black (vs. white margined dorsal and anal fins with a black submarginal band), and a black caudal fin (vs. pale pink caudal fin), when fresh. Careproctus shigemii differs additionally from C. zachirus in having the cephalic pore pattern 2-6-6-1 (vs. 2-6-7-1), 30–35 pyloric caeca (vs. 20–31), and a shorter pectoral fin lower lobe, 8.2–9.9% SL (vs. longer lobe, 15.9–25.6% SL). A large sequence divergence between C. shigemii and C. zachirus (0.028 in uncorrected p-distance) in the DNA barcoding region (COI) also supports the validity of each species. A redescription of C. zachirus is also provided on the basis of the holotype, paratypes and non-type specimens.
Keywords: Careproctus shigemii, COI, Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Western North Pacific
Careproctus shigemii sp. nov.
AMF-2-11-04-00-0031, paratype, 231.4 mm SL.
Careproctus shigemii sp. nov.
(New Japanese name: Otohime-Kon’nyaku-uo)
Distribution. Known only from the southern Sea of Okhotsk off Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan. Collection depths ranged from 200 to 300 m. By comparison, C. zachirus in the same area occupies depths of ca. 500–800 m.
Etymology. Named after the late Shigemi Fujimoto, a fisherman of Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan, who assisted our team in collecting various marine organisms, including the present new species, and contributed significantly to our efforts to understand the marine biodiversity of Rausu and Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Heritage Area.
Koji Matsuzaki, Toshiaki Mori, Moeko Kamiunten, Takashi Yanagimoto and Yoshiaki Kai. 2020. A New Species of Careproctus (Cottoidei: Liparidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk and A Redescription of the Blacktip Snailfish Careproctus zachirus. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00734-w
Aquamarine Fukushima Discovered in Shiretoko, Hokkaido!公 表 Announcement of the release of a new species of deep-sea fish “Otohime Konjac” re-how.net/exhibition/418862
prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000030.000043556.html
Heteroconger guttatus, a New Garden Eel Species from the Bird’s Head Peninsula
0Heteroconger guttatus is a new species of garden eel just described from the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua. There are 35 species of garden eels belonging to two different genera, Heteroconger and Gorgasia with most occurring in the Indo-Pacific Oceans.
Garden eels are woefully underrepresented in the hobbyist aquarium community but they can make a very captivating display sometimes seen in public aquariums. We’ve seen some small groupings in full reef tanks from our friends over at Amazing Aquariums & Reefs and Greenwich Aquaria but it’s definitely best to set them up with their own, dedicated display, deep sand and all.
Two similar species of garden eels, Heteroconger fugax with lighter spots on the left, H. taylori with larger, darker spots on the right. Interestingly the new Heteroconger guttatus was recognized on surveys of the area way back in 2006 but it took 13 years for type specimens to be collected in order to perform the original description. As the ‘guttatus’ name implies, H. guttatus is recognizable by a pattern of closely spaced fine spots which can be light orangish brown or a light shade of black, fitting neatly between two other species in superficial appearance, H. fugax and H. taylori. [JOSF]
From ReefBuilders
==========================
0Heteroconger guttatus is a new species of garden eel just described from the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua. There are 35 species of garden eels belonging to two different genera, Heteroconger and Gorgasia with most occurring in the Indo-Pacific Oceans.
Garden eels are woefully underrepresented in the hobbyist aquarium community but they can make a very captivating display sometimes seen in public aquariums. We’ve seen some small groupings in full reef tanks from our friends over at Amazing Aquariums & Reefs and Greenwich Aquaria but it’s definitely best to set them up with their own, dedicated display, deep sand and all.
Two similar species of garden eels, Heteroconger fugax with lighter spots on the left, H. taylori with larger, darker spots on the right. Interestingly the new Heteroconger guttatus was recognized on surveys of the area way back in 2006 but it took 13 years for type specimens to be collected in order to perform the original description. As the ‘guttatus’ name implies, H. guttatus is recognizable by a pattern of closely spaced fine spots which can be light orangish brown or a light shade of black, fitting neatly between two other species in superficial appearance, H. fugax and H. taylori. [JOSF]
From ReefBuilders
==========================
Coronavirus Already Threatening Supply of Aquarium Goods.
The threat of the Coronavirus has been the subject of many headlines over the last few weeks, and China is going to great lengths to contain the spread of the infection. These efforts have gone as far as to quarantine large urban areas, restrict travel to and from major manufacturing hubs, and many factories of all types are running on very limited staff or are closed altogether.
You may have already heard of the speculation that electronic and tech products from major consumer brands may be in short supply, but if that does come to pass many reef aquarium goods will also suffer the same shortages. Whether the goods are Chinese, American or European brands, the globalization of parts, supplies and components could significantly impact the globally connected aquarium industry as well.
The supply of high end glass tanks from all the major brands could see a serious dip in availability; pumps, lights, protein skimmers and more may also be hard to get for a time, depending on how long the Coronavirus containment protocols are in place. Due to long lead times in shipping with many containers already in transit, the immediate supply won’t be affected.
But if the factories remain closed in China, there could be a delay in the period of time that some of our favorite devices will be limited in availability. Some manufacturers have already sent out notices to their customers of this potential product shortage; it’s still too early to know the degree to which aquarium gear might be affected. So if you’ve been considering getting a new tank or some equipment upgrades in the next couple months, you might want to get it sooner than later.
From ReefBuilders
==========================
The threat of the Coronavirus has been the subject of many headlines over the last few weeks, and China is going to great lengths to contain the spread of the infection. These efforts have gone as far as to quarantine large urban areas, restrict travel to and from major manufacturing hubs, and many factories of all types are running on very limited staff or are closed altogether.
You may have already heard of the speculation that electronic and tech products from major consumer brands may be in short supply, but if that does come to pass many reef aquarium goods will also suffer the same shortages. Whether the goods are Chinese, American or European brands, the globalization of parts, supplies and components could significantly impact the globally connected aquarium industry as well.
The supply of high end glass tanks from all the major brands could see a serious dip in availability; pumps, lights, protein skimmers and more may also be hard to get for a time, depending on how long the Coronavirus containment protocols are in place. Due to long lead times in shipping with many containers already in transit, the immediate supply won’t be affected.
But if the factories remain closed in China, there could be a delay in the period of time that some of our favorite devices will be limited in availability. Some manufacturers have already sent out notices to their customers of this potential product shortage; it’s still too early to know the degree to which aquarium gear might be affected. So if you’ve been considering getting a new tank or some equipment upgrades in the next couple months, you might want to get it sooner than later.
From ReefBuilders
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The World’s Largest Known Subterranean Fish: A Discovery in Meghalaya (NE India) of A Cave-adapted Fish related to the Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822)
Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822)
in Harries, Arbenz, Dahanukar, Raghavan, et al. 2019.
Cave & Karst Science. 46(3);
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
Abstract
In February 2019 a troglomorphic fish was discovered in a cave in Meghalaya in northeastern India. The largest individual seen in the cave was in excess of 400mm in standard length making it, by far, the largest known subterranean fish found to date. Initial investigations indicate it is a close anatomical match to Tor putitora but differs in its depigmentation, lack of eyes and in its subterranean habitat.
Keywords: Subterranean fish, cave fish, Meghalaya, standard length.
Conclusion:
The fish discovered in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya in February 2019 is by far the largest troglobiotic fish yet known, and is nearly 5 times the mean length (85mm) for all known subterranean fishes to date. The only other species exceeding 300mm in length are eel-likeynbranchidae with nothing like the bulk of the new fish. The large size of the latter is probably related to a plentiful food supply.
Dan Harries, Thomas Arbenz, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Mark Tringham, Duwaki Rangad and Graham Proudlove. 2019. The World’s Largest Known Subterranean Fish: A Discovery in Meghalaya (NE India) of A Cave-adapted Fish related to the Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822). Cave & Karst Science. 46(3); 121–126.
Researchgate.net/publication/338066161_The_world's_largest_subterranean_fish_Tor_putitora
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10156373297690938
World’s largest cave fish discovered in India on.natgeo.com/31O4YW1 via @NatGeo
Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822)
in Harries, Arbenz, Dahanukar, Raghavan, et al. 2019.
Cave & Karst Science. 46(3);
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
Abstract
In February 2019 a troglomorphic fish was discovered in a cave in Meghalaya in northeastern India. The largest individual seen in the cave was in excess of 400mm in standard length making it, by far, the largest known subterranean fish found to date. Initial investigations indicate it is a close anatomical match to Tor putitora but differs in its depigmentation, lack of eyes and in its subterranean habitat.
Keywords: Subterranean fish, cave fish, Meghalaya, standard length.
Conclusion:
The fish discovered in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya in February 2019 is by far the largest troglobiotic fish yet known, and is nearly 5 times the mean length (85mm) for all known subterranean fishes to date. The only other species exceeding 300mm in length are eel-likeynbranchidae with nothing like the bulk of the new fish. The large size of the latter is probably related to a plentiful food supply.
Dan Harries, Thomas Arbenz, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Mark Tringham, Duwaki Rangad and Graham Proudlove. 2019. The World’s Largest Known Subterranean Fish: A Discovery in Meghalaya (NE India) of A Cave-adapted Fish related to the Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822). Cave & Karst Science. 46(3); 121–126.
Researchgate.net/publication/338066161_The_world's_largest_subterranean_fish_Tor_putitora
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98/posts/10156373297690938
World’s largest cave fish discovered in India on.natgeo.com/31O4YW1 via @NatGeo
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae • A New, Commercially exploited Subspecies of Ornamental Wood-eating Pleco (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from the Guaviare River Basin in Colombia
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae
Ortega-Lara & Lujan, 2020
Watermelon Pleco || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.3
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan
Abstract
The suckermouth armored catfish genus Panaque contains seven valid species, including the Royal Pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus, which has long been popular as an ornamental aquarium fish and was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. We examine a phenotypically distinct population of P. nigrolineatus from the Guaviare River in southern Colombia at the southwesternmost corner of the Orinoco River basin. In contrast to typically boldly striped populations from closer to the type locality of P. nigrolineatus, the Guaviare River basin population is usually boldly spotted, earning them the common name Watermelon Pleco in the aquarium fish trade. Because of the commercial popularity of this distinctive color morph, it is heavily exploited for export to the global ornamental fish trade. We find that the Guaviare River P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae is not only distinct geographically and in color pattern, but is also morphometrically diagnosable from P. nigrolineatus individuals from outside the Guaviare River basin. However, relatively subtle phenotypic differences, invariance in nuclear DNA markers, < 0.5% divergence in mitochondrial DNA markers 16S, cytb, and ND2, and the non-monophyly of Guaviare River populations prevent us from robustly inferring species-level distinctiveness of the Watermelon Pleco. We therefore propose to recognize this population as a distinct subspecies.
Keywords: Loricariidae, Taxonomy, Neotropics, Orinoco, coloration, wood-eating, ornamental aquarium fishes
Armando Ortega-Lara and Nathan K. Lujan. 2020. Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, A New, Commercially exploited Subspecies of Ornamental Wood-eating Pleco (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from the Guaviare River Basin in Colombia. Zootaxa. 4732(3); 393–408. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.3
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/1228086932430819331
==========================
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae
Ortega-Lara & Lujan, 2020
Watermelon Pleco || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.3
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan
Abstract
The suckermouth armored catfish genus Panaque contains seven valid species, including the Royal Pleco, Panaque nigrolineatus, which has long been popular as an ornamental aquarium fish and was originally described from the Apure River basin in Venezuela. We examine a phenotypically distinct population of P. nigrolineatus from the Guaviare River in southern Colombia at the southwesternmost corner of the Orinoco River basin. In contrast to typically boldly striped populations from closer to the type locality of P. nigrolineatus, the Guaviare River basin population is usually boldly spotted, earning them the common name Watermelon Pleco in the aquarium fish trade. Because of the commercial popularity of this distinctive color morph, it is heavily exploited for export to the global ornamental fish trade. We find that the Guaviare River P. nigrolineatus laurafabianae is not only distinct geographically and in color pattern, but is also morphometrically diagnosable from P. nigrolineatus individuals from outside the Guaviare River basin. However, relatively subtle phenotypic differences, invariance in nuclear DNA markers, < 0.5% divergence in mitochondrial DNA markers 16S, cytb, and ND2, and the non-monophyly of Guaviare River populations prevent us from robustly inferring species-level distinctiveness of the Watermelon Pleco. We therefore propose to recognize this population as a distinct subspecies.
Keywords: Loricariidae, Taxonomy, Neotropics, Orinoco, coloration, wood-eating, ornamental aquarium fishes
Armando Ortega-Lara and Nathan K. Lujan. 2020. Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae, A New, Commercially exploited Subspecies of Ornamental Wood-eating Pleco (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from the Guaviare River Basin in Colombia. Zootaxa. 4732(3); 393–408. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.3
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/1228086932430819331
==========================
The extinction of the Catarina pupfish Megupsilon aporus and the implications for the conservation of freshwater fish in Mexico
From www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/extinction-of-the-catarina-pupfish-megupsilon-aporus-and-the-implications-for-the-conservation-of-freshwater-fish-in-mexico/B13134408D6EDDA38FEB6D9A474E2154?fbclid=IwAR02rqHaRhbEvbtbsLud0FraHHn8jHKwJk4RAxoKZhn5E7Cru7oUQa5hXvA#.XkLaMDtSqxo.facebook
==========================
- Arcadio Valdés González (a1), Lourdes Martínez Estévez (a2), Ma. Elena Ángeles Villeda (a1) and Gerardo Ceballos (a3)
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S003060531800056X
- Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 December 2018
From www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/extinction-of-the-catarina-pupfish-megupsilon-aporus-and-the-implications-for-the-conservation-of-freshwater-fish-in-mexico/B13134408D6EDDA38FEB6D9A474E2154?fbclid=IwAR02rqHaRhbEvbtbsLud0FraHHn8jHKwJk4RAxoKZhn5E7Cru7oUQa5hXvA#.XkLaMDtSqxo.facebook
==========================
CAS fish auction February 19
- Wednesday, 19 February 2020 at 19:30
- Albion Street WMC
38-40 Albion Street, WF10 1EN Castleford
Lots can be booked now by messenger or mobile 07833400924
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Phylogenetic classification of bony fishes
| phylogenetic_classification_of_bony_fishes.pdf |
==========================
Platygobiopsis hadiatyae • A New Species of Deepwater Gobiid (Gobiidae, Gobiinae) from east Sunda Strait, Indonesia
Platygobiopsis hadiatyae
Larson, Jaafar, Hui & Peristiwady, 2020
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68;
Abstract
A new species of the gobiid genus Platygobiopsis Springer & Randall, 1992, is described based on a single specimen collected via dredge deployed at a depth range of 172 m and 182 m within the East Sunda Strait off Panaitan Island (Indonesia). The new species differs chiefly from congeners in having a scaleless (vs. scaled) chest and belly. A key to the four known species of Platygobiopsis is provided.
Key words. Gobiidae, Gobiinae, Platygobiopsis, new species
Fig. Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, new species, MZB 17230, holotype, 43.0 mm SL, photographed soon after collection; Indonesia, Panaitan Strait along the Sunda Strait. Photographs by Tan Heok Hui.
Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, new species
Renny’s Flat Goby
Diagnosis. A very elongate, slender member of Platygobiopsis with flattened head and body, distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: total number of vertebrae 26; dorsal pterygiophore pattern 3-12210; sensory papillae on head in longitudinal pattern, with most papillae fleshy and forming two low fleshy ridges or folds on side of head; sensory pores on head absent; lateral scales 56; scales absent from head, predorsal, pre-pelvic area and belly; no barbels on underside of head; I,12 dorsal-fin rays; I,13 anal-fin rays; 17 pectoral-fin rays; translucent pinkish when fresh, upper part of head and body with fine dark brown speckling, fins translucent with variable brown speckling.
Distribution. Indonesia, currently only known from Panaitan Strait along the Sunda Strait.
Ecology. Large polychaetes, many tube worms, molluscs, crustacea, and ophiuroids came up in the dredge with the goby. The dredge started at 182 m and was lifted at 172 m (after 14 minutes of bottom time), over mud and clay bottom.
Etymology. This species is named for our dear colleague Renny Kurnia Hadiaty, who died too soon (21 August 1960 to 30 January 2019). She co-authored 19 gobioid species names in addition to many other taxa.
Helen K. Larson, Zeehan Jaafar, Tan Heok Hui and Teguh Peristiwady. 2020. Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, A New Species of Deepwater Gobiid from Indonesia (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Gobiinae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68; 14-18.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2020/01/RBZ-2020-0002.pdf
==========================
Platygobiopsis hadiatyae
Larson, Jaafar, Hui & Peristiwady, 2020
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68;
Abstract
A new species of the gobiid genus Platygobiopsis Springer & Randall, 1992, is described based on a single specimen collected via dredge deployed at a depth range of 172 m and 182 m within the East Sunda Strait off Panaitan Island (Indonesia). The new species differs chiefly from congeners in having a scaleless (vs. scaled) chest and belly. A key to the four known species of Platygobiopsis is provided.
Key words. Gobiidae, Gobiinae, Platygobiopsis, new species
Fig. Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, new species, MZB 17230, holotype, 43.0 mm SL, photographed soon after collection; Indonesia, Panaitan Strait along the Sunda Strait. Photographs by Tan Heok Hui.
Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, new species
Renny’s Flat Goby
Diagnosis. A very elongate, slender member of Platygobiopsis with flattened head and body, distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: total number of vertebrae 26; dorsal pterygiophore pattern 3-12210; sensory papillae on head in longitudinal pattern, with most papillae fleshy and forming two low fleshy ridges or folds on side of head; sensory pores on head absent; lateral scales 56; scales absent from head, predorsal, pre-pelvic area and belly; no barbels on underside of head; I,12 dorsal-fin rays; I,13 anal-fin rays; 17 pectoral-fin rays; translucent pinkish when fresh, upper part of head and body with fine dark brown speckling, fins translucent with variable brown speckling.
Distribution. Indonesia, currently only known from Panaitan Strait along the Sunda Strait.
Ecology. Large polychaetes, many tube worms, molluscs, crustacea, and ophiuroids came up in the dredge with the goby. The dredge started at 182 m and was lifted at 172 m (after 14 minutes of bottom time), over mud and clay bottom.
Etymology. This species is named for our dear colleague Renny Kurnia Hadiaty, who died too soon (21 August 1960 to 30 January 2019). She co-authored 19 gobioid species names in addition to many other taxa.
Helen K. Larson, Zeehan Jaafar, Tan Heok Hui and Teguh Peristiwady. 2020. Platygobiopsis hadiatyae, A New Species of Deepwater Gobiid from Indonesia (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Gobiinae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68; 14-18.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2020/01/RBZ-2020-0002.pdf
==========================
Walking, Swimming or Hitching A Ride? Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Walking Shark Genus Hemiscyllium
Hemiscyllium strahani Whitley, 1967
Hemiscyllium michaeli G. R. Allen & Dudgeon, 2010
in Dudgeon, Corrigan, Yang, Allen, Erdmann, et al., 2020.
DOI: 10.1071/MF19163
photos: Mark Erdmann / Conservation International conservation.org
Abstract
It can be challenging to identify the forces that drive speciation in marine environments for organisms that are capable of widespread dispersal because their contemporary distributions often belie the historical processes that were responsible for their initial diversification. In this contribution we explore the likely sequence of events responsible for the radiation of walking sharks in the genus Hemiscyllium using a dated molecular phylogeny. The nine currently recognised species in the genus consist of small, benthic sharks that are restricted to the Indo-Australian Archipelago and show limited dispersal at both juvenile and adult stages. We discuss how major tectonic changes, sea level fluctuations and the unique biology of the species may have influenced speciation in the group, as well as the current distribution of the genus and each of its constituent species. Phylogeographic analysis of the genus combined with biogeographic reconstruction of the region shows a recent radiation during the Miocene and Pliocene, and supports a combination of vicariance and founder modes of speciation mediated by major tectonic, geological and oceanographic historical processes.
keywords: Australia, eastern Indonesia, epaulette shark, New Guinea, radiation, Sahul region.
A walking shark Hemiscyllium strahani in Depapre Bay, Indonesia.
Christine L. Dudgeon, Shannon Corrigan, Lei Yang, Gerry R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann, Fahmi, Hagi Y. Sugeha, William T. White and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2020. Walking, Swimming or Hitching A Ride? Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Walking Shark Genus Hemiscyllium. Marine and Freshwater Research. DOI: 10.1071/MF19163
Walking sharks discovered in the tropics tinyurl.com/vfz22wa via @uq_news
Discovery afoot: New study cracks mystery of how ‘walking’ sharks split conservation.org/blog/discovery-afoot-new-study-cracks-mystery-of-how-walking-sharks-split
Researchers discover 4 new walking sharks mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/videos/walking-shark-species-discovery-australia-new-guinea
==========================
Hemiscyllium strahani Whitley, 1967
Hemiscyllium michaeli G. R. Allen & Dudgeon, 2010
in Dudgeon, Corrigan, Yang, Allen, Erdmann, et al., 2020.
DOI: 10.1071/MF19163
photos: Mark Erdmann / Conservation International conservation.org
Abstract
It can be challenging to identify the forces that drive speciation in marine environments for organisms that are capable of widespread dispersal because their contemporary distributions often belie the historical processes that were responsible for their initial diversification. In this contribution we explore the likely sequence of events responsible for the radiation of walking sharks in the genus Hemiscyllium using a dated molecular phylogeny. The nine currently recognised species in the genus consist of small, benthic sharks that are restricted to the Indo-Australian Archipelago and show limited dispersal at both juvenile and adult stages. We discuss how major tectonic changes, sea level fluctuations and the unique biology of the species may have influenced speciation in the group, as well as the current distribution of the genus and each of its constituent species. Phylogeographic analysis of the genus combined with biogeographic reconstruction of the region shows a recent radiation during the Miocene and Pliocene, and supports a combination of vicariance and founder modes of speciation mediated by major tectonic, geological and oceanographic historical processes.
keywords: Australia, eastern Indonesia, epaulette shark, New Guinea, radiation, Sahul region.
A walking shark Hemiscyllium strahani in Depapre Bay, Indonesia.
Christine L. Dudgeon, Shannon Corrigan, Lei Yang, Gerry R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann, Fahmi, Hagi Y. Sugeha, William T. White and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2020. Walking, Swimming or Hitching A Ride? Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Walking Shark Genus Hemiscyllium. Marine and Freshwater Research. DOI: 10.1071/MF19163
Walking sharks discovered in the tropics tinyurl.com/vfz22wa via @uq_news
Discovery afoot: New study cracks mystery of how ‘walking’ sharks split conservation.org/blog/discovery-afoot-new-study-cracks-mystery-of-how-walking-sharks-split
Researchers discover 4 new walking sharks mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/videos/walking-shark-species-discovery-australia-new-guinea
==========================
Pristipomoides amoenus (Snyder 1911), a valid species of jobfish (Pisces, Lutjanidae), with comparisons to P. argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes 1832)
TAMAKI SHIMOSE, NOBUAKI SUZUKI, YUKIO IWATSUKI
Abstract
Platyinius amoenus Snyder 1911 has long been considered a junior synonym of Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes 1832), however, the two are discernible as distinct species from color patterns and counts of gill rakers based on examination of their type materials and non-type specimens. Furthermore, genetic differences based on molecular analysis among the two species (mtDNA, COI gene) strongly support the validity of both species. Pristipomoides amoenus can be readily distinguished from P. argyrogrammicus in having no white margin to the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, silvery blue spots continuing inside dorso-lateral yellow blotches, and presence of modally10 (vs. modally 12) lower gill rakers. Both species were collected sympatrically around Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan.
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Papuan Coelacanth Could Represent a Third, New Species
The Coelacanth is the stuff of legend – a prehistoric relic that has been rediscovered not just once, but twice in the last hundred years. The first major rebirth for the Coelacanth happened off the east coast of Africa, and then again more recently in Manado Indonesia.
These two distributions represent two different species, Latimeria chalumnae and L. menadoensis respectively, but a recently analyzed specimen from West Papua has some researchers excited about a possible third species of this so-called ‘Living Fossil’. This notion of a third species of Latimeria is still in embryonic stages of development, but is bolstered by a deep genetic rift between two populations of Indonesian Coelacanth that may have been separated by up to 13 million years.
The evidence comes from genetic analysis of a single sample of a Coelacanth that was fished up from 300 meters deep in West Papua, that was ‘mostly eaten’ before some tissue could be preserved. Coelacanth have been sighted and documented on the north coast of Papua before but this is the first time that a sample of its DNA could be obtained for further investigation.
Although the Coelacanth was collected only 750km away, a deep trench and powerful oceanic currents form an effective physical barrier between Sulawesi and West Papua. Since most of the fish was consumed, genetic analysis is the only tool that was used to study this particular fish – researchers are cautious about declaring a new species of Coelacanth has been discovered because more detailed investigations must be undertaken to learn more about this fish. [Nature]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
The Coelacanth is the stuff of legend – a prehistoric relic that has been rediscovered not just once, but twice in the last hundred years. The first major rebirth for the Coelacanth happened off the east coast of Africa, and then again more recently in Manado Indonesia.
These two distributions represent two different species, Latimeria chalumnae and L. menadoensis respectively, but a recently analyzed specimen from West Papua has some researchers excited about a possible third species of this so-called ‘Living Fossil’. This notion of a third species of Latimeria is still in embryonic stages of development, but is bolstered by a deep genetic rift between two populations of Indonesian Coelacanth that may have been separated by up to 13 million years.
The evidence comes from genetic analysis of a single sample of a Coelacanth that was fished up from 300 meters deep in West Papua, that was ‘mostly eaten’ before some tissue could be preserved. Coelacanth have been sighted and documented on the north coast of Papua before but this is the first time that a sample of its DNA could be obtained for further investigation.
Although the Coelacanth was collected only 750km away, a deep trench and powerful oceanic currents form an effective physical barrier between Sulawesi and West Papua. Since most of the fish was consumed, genetic analysis is the only tool that was used to study this particular fish – researchers are cautious about declaring a new species of Coelacanth has been discovered because more detailed investigations must be undertaken to learn more about this fish. [Nature]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Ruby Red Dragonet Formally Described
The male holotype of the newly described Ruby Dragonet, Synchiropus sycorax, initially introduced by the aquarium trade as the “Ruby Red Dragonet”
News breaks today that the vibrantly colored dragonet, which made its trade debut just a few years ago (early 2013) under the trade name “Ruby Red Dragonet,” now has a formalized scientific name. Shortened to simply “Ruby Dragonet” (on the basis that “Ruby Red” is somewhat redundant), we can now know this species as Synchiropus sycorax. The name was published in the journal Zootaxa, in the article Synchiropus sycorax, a new species of dragonet from the Philippines (Teleostei: Callionymidae), by Yi-Kai Tea, and Dr. Anthony C. Gill.
A female “Ruby Red,” or simply “Ruby” Dragonet, now Synchiropus sycorax, clearly displaying the sexual dimorphism and dichromatism in the dorsal fin that makes it so easy to differentiate the sexes.
This species has seen a meteoric rise in the aquarium trade, from individuals costing hundreds of dollars while being very limited in availability, to almost ubiquitous offerings at times at very affordable prices. Like every other dragonet, they are slow-feeding benthic pickers, which means particular care must be offered to ensure their well-being. This species was bred in 2016 nearly simultaneously by two distinct camps, with reports first coming from the the team of Tom Priscu and Kathy Leahy via the Marine Breeding Initiative (MBI), and ORA’s commercial release that came just days later.
It’s interesting to note that all of these accomplishments occurred in a relative vacuum of information; the formal description of S. sycorax on Oct. 1, 2016, finally reveals the origin of the species, currently known only from Jolo Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines. The paper also furnishes our first detailed habitat information; “it occurs at depths of 20–38m in areas of broken coral rubble interspersed with outcrops of soft and stony corals.” This information can be attributed to the transparent collaboration of Barnett Shutman at RVS Fishworld, who even provided the type specimens used for the description through Iwarna Aquafarm.
We encourage you to read the full description to learn more about this formerly mysterious species, including additional photos of it, and the related S. tudorjonesi. You will also find out exactly where its interesting name, sycorax, comes from!
Image Credits: Yi-Kai Tea, aka. “Lemon” Tea Yi-Kai
From ReefBuilders
==========================
The male holotype of the newly described Ruby Dragonet, Synchiropus sycorax, initially introduced by the aquarium trade as the “Ruby Red Dragonet”
News breaks today that the vibrantly colored dragonet, which made its trade debut just a few years ago (early 2013) under the trade name “Ruby Red Dragonet,” now has a formalized scientific name. Shortened to simply “Ruby Dragonet” (on the basis that “Ruby Red” is somewhat redundant), we can now know this species as Synchiropus sycorax. The name was published in the journal Zootaxa, in the article Synchiropus sycorax, a new species of dragonet from the Philippines (Teleostei: Callionymidae), by Yi-Kai Tea, and Dr. Anthony C. Gill.
A female “Ruby Red,” or simply “Ruby” Dragonet, now Synchiropus sycorax, clearly displaying the sexual dimorphism and dichromatism in the dorsal fin that makes it so easy to differentiate the sexes.
This species has seen a meteoric rise in the aquarium trade, from individuals costing hundreds of dollars while being very limited in availability, to almost ubiquitous offerings at times at very affordable prices. Like every other dragonet, they are slow-feeding benthic pickers, which means particular care must be offered to ensure their well-being. This species was bred in 2016 nearly simultaneously by two distinct camps, with reports first coming from the the team of Tom Priscu and Kathy Leahy via the Marine Breeding Initiative (MBI), and ORA’s commercial release that came just days later.
It’s interesting to note that all of these accomplishments occurred in a relative vacuum of information; the formal description of S. sycorax on Oct. 1, 2016, finally reveals the origin of the species, currently known only from Jolo Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines. The paper also furnishes our first detailed habitat information; “it occurs at depths of 20–38m in areas of broken coral rubble interspersed with outcrops of soft and stony corals.” This information can be attributed to the transparent collaboration of Barnett Shutman at RVS Fishworld, who even provided the type specimens used for the description through Iwarna Aquafarm.
We encourage you to read the full description to learn more about this formerly mysterious species, including additional photos of it, and the related S. tudorjonesi. You will also find out exactly where its interesting name, sycorax, comes from!
Image Credits: Yi-Kai Tea, aka. “Lemon” Tea Yi-Kai
From ReefBuilders
==========================
Seale’s Cardinalfish is the Latest Captive-Breeding First
Seale’s Cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus sealei, is the newest captive-bred cardinalfish, brought to market by the team at Biota. Image courtesy Biota Aquariums.
Every new species of marine fish that’s bred for the first time ups the species tally by one: one more proof of concept, one more accomplishment in the world of marine ornamental aquaculture, one more step into uncharted territory, even if the path is somewhat familiar. This is the case with today’s announcement.
With sparkling blue eyes and eyecatching lemony adult coloration, Seale’s Cardinal is a connoisseur’s cardinalfish only sporadically available to reef aquarists. Now, Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau has succeeded in breeding the shoaling species and is working to ramp up its commercial-scale production. Formerly known as Apogon sealei, Seale’s Cardinal is named Ostorhinchus sealei. Biota Aquariums (Florida) announced today that the first captive-bred Seale’s Cardinalfish will be distributed starting this week.
According to our most current “Captive-Bred Marine Fish Species List for 2019,” O. sealei is the 17th cardinalfish species to have been successfully bred, and it is the 6th from the genus Ostorhinchus. It is suspected that this latest accomplishment follows the methodologies used to breed and rear the many related paternal mouthbrooding cardinalfishes. However, each species often has its own idiosyncrasies, which must be worked out before commercial-scale production is possible.
Captive-bred Seale’s Cardinalfish being prepared for export from Palau.
From Biota: “The Seale’s Cardinalfish is a hardy and beautiful shoaling species of cardinalfish. These do extremely well in reef tanks and peaceful community tanks. When they reach adulthood, the Seal’s Cardinalfish have beautiful blue eyes and a yellowish hue with defined horizontal lines.” Biota’s specimens are currently feeding on Reef Nutrition’s TDO C1, Piscene Energetics Mysis pellets, and Hikari mysis shrimp.
FishBase lists a maximum size for this species of 4″ (10 cm), although a size closer to 3″ (7.7 cm) is considered more typical. FishBase also notes that Seale’s Cardinalfish is rather uncommon in nature, but when encountered it’s usually found at depths less than 30 feet (10 meters).
Biota’s captive-bred Seale’s Cardinals, Ostorhinchus sealei, are available to the aquarium trade starting this week.
Personally, I think of cardinalfishes as the tetras of the marine world: they’re small, generally attractive fishes which shoal and school, making them an ideal supporting cast for an aquarium’s star fishes. They add movement and interesting behavior to a reef tank. There are dozens if not hundreds of species suitable for our aquariums, yet they don’t seem to get the attention I think they warrant in our aquarium communities, and therefore only a handful of species are routinely available. The captive breeding of Seale’s Cardinalfish offers the potential to take a seldom-seen marine fish species and make it a staple offering in the aquarium trade, but only if aquarists choose them for their tanks!
from Reef Builders
==========================
Seale’s Cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus sealei, is the newest captive-bred cardinalfish, brought to market by the team at Biota. Image courtesy Biota Aquariums.
Every new species of marine fish that’s bred for the first time ups the species tally by one: one more proof of concept, one more accomplishment in the world of marine ornamental aquaculture, one more step into uncharted territory, even if the path is somewhat familiar. This is the case with today’s announcement.
With sparkling blue eyes and eyecatching lemony adult coloration, Seale’s Cardinal is a connoisseur’s cardinalfish only sporadically available to reef aquarists. Now, Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau has succeeded in breeding the shoaling species and is working to ramp up its commercial-scale production. Formerly known as Apogon sealei, Seale’s Cardinal is named Ostorhinchus sealei. Biota Aquariums (Florida) announced today that the first captive-bred Seale’s Cardinalfish will be distributed starting this week.
According to our most current “Captive-Bred Marine Fish Species List for 2019,” O. sealei is the 17th cardinalfish species to have been successfully bred, and it is the 6th from the genus Ostorhinchus. It is suspected that this latest accomplishment follows the methodologies used to breed and rear the many related paternal mouthbrooding cardinalfishes. However, each species often has its own idiosyncrasies, which must be worked out before commercial-scale production is possible.
Captive-bred Seale’s Cardinalfish being prepared for export from Palau.
From Biota: “The Seale’s Cardinalfish is a hardy and beautiful shoaling species of cardinalfish. These do extremely well in reef tanks and peaceful community tanks. When they reach adulthood, the Seal’s Cardinalfish have beautiful blue eyes and a yellowish hue with defined horizontal lines.” Biota’s specimens are currently feeding on Reef Nutrition’s TDO C1, Piscene Energetics Mysis pellets, and Hikari mysis shrimp.
FishBase lists a maximum size for this species of 4″ (10 cm), although a size closer to 3″ (7.7 cm) is considered more typical. FishBase also notes that Seale’s Cardinalfish is rather uncommon in nature, but when encountered it’s usually found at depths less than 30 feet (10 meters).
Biota’s captive-bred Seale’s Cardinals, Ostorhinchus sealei, are available to the aquarium trade starting this week.
Personally, I think of cardinalfishes as the tetras of the marine world: they’re small, generally attractive fishes which shoal and school, making them an ideal supporting cast for an aquarium’s star fishes. They add movement and interesting behavior to a reef tank. There are dozens if not hundreds of species suitable for our aquariums, yet they don’t seem to get the attention I think they warrant in our aquarium communities, and therefore only a handful of species are routinely available. The captive breeding of Seale’s Cardinalfish offers the potential to take a seldom-seen marine fish species and make it a staple offering in the aquarium trade, but only if aquarists choose them for their tanks!
from Reef Builders
==========================
A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio de Contas basin, Bahia, Brazil
ABSTRACT
A new species of Astyanax from tributaries of the rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil, is described. The new species differs from congeners by having three horizontal series of scales from lateral line to pelvic-fin origin and the distal margin of third infraorbital distinctly separated from vertical and horizontal limbs of preopercle, leaving a broad area not covered by superficial bones. The new species further differs from most congeners by the presence of bony hooks on all fins of mature males. Particularly from congeners occurring in rivers of the Northeastern Mata Atlântica freshwater ecoregion, it further differs by having the highest body depth just anterior to the dorsal-fin origin, 34-37 pored lateral line scales, a vertically elongated conspicuous dark humeral blotch reaching below the lateral line and a conspicuous dark wide midlateral stripe extending from the clear area on the rear of the humeral blotch to the end of middle caudal-fin rays and forming an inconspicuous blotch on caudal peduncle.
==========================
ABSTRACT
A new species of Astyanax from tributaries of the rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil, is described. The new species differs from congeners by having three horizontal series of scales from lateral line to pelvic-fin origin and the distal margin of third infraorbital distinctly separated from vertical and horizontal limbs of preopercle, leaving a broad area not covered by superficial bones. The new species further differs from most congeners by the presence of bony hooks on all fins of mature males. Particularly from congeners occurring in rivers of the Northeastern Mata Atlântica freshwater ecoregion, it further differs by having the highest body depth just anterior to the dorsal-fin origin, 34-37 pored lateral line scales, a vertically elongated conspicuous dark humeral blotch reaching below the lateral line and a conspicuous dark wide midlateral stripe extending from the clear area on the rear of the humeral blotch to the end of middle caudal-fin rays and forming an inconspicuous blotch on caudal peduncle.
==========================
Annual tropical & cold water fish show · Hosted by Bracknell Aquarist Society
- Saturday, 13 June 2020 from 09:00-18:00
- Birch Hill Community Association
Leppington, RG12 7 Bracknell - =========================
.Plectranthias ryukyuensis, Japan’s Ninth New Species of Perchlet
Plectranthias ryukyuensis is a new species of our favorite group of basslets which as the name describes, come from the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. The new Ryukyu basslet is closely related to the similar looking Plectranthias sagamiensis which is occasionally enjoyed by rare fish aquarists in Japan.
Unlike the Sagami basslet however, the Ryukyu basslet has a much more restricted distribution that we know of, consisting only of the Ryukyu Islands whereas the Sagami basslet is known from most of Japan, the Philippines and Southern Indonesia. Like so many of the Plectranthias, especially the newly discovered species, the depth range for the new P. ryukyuensis lives beyond what is easily reached by recreational SCUBA, having been trawled at 120 to 270 meters deep, or between 393 to 885 feet!
Plectranthias ryukyuensis is not the most colorful species in the genus, having a mostly pale white ventral area that is colored with orange to brown blotches on the upper part of the body, trending towards more yellow near the face and pectoral fin. The description of Plectranthias ryukyuensis brings the number of Japanese species to nine, and a global total of 54 Plectranthias, but there are surely many more waiting to be discovered in the mesophotic reef around the world. [Ichthyological Research]
from Reef Builders
==========================
Plectranthias ryukyuensis is a new species of our favorite group of basslets which as the name describes, come from the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. The new Ryukyu basslet is closely related to the similar looking Plectranthias sagamiensis which is occasionally enjoyed by rare fish aquarists in Japan.
Unlike the Sagami basslet however, the Ryukyu basslet has a much more restricted distribution that we know of, consisting only of the Ryukyu Islands whereas the Sagami basslet is known from most of Japan, the Philippines and Southern Indonesia. Like so many of the Plectranthias, especially the newly discovered species, the depth range for the new P. ryukyuensis lives beyond what is easily reached by recreational SCUBA, having been trawled at 120 to 270 meters deep, or between 393 to 885 feet!
Plectranthias ryukyuensis is not the most colorful species in the genus, having a mostly pale white ventral area that is colored with orange to brown blotches on the upper part of the body, trending towards more yellow near the face and pectoral fin. The description of Plectranthias ryukyuensis brings the number of Japanese species to nine, and a global total of 54 Plectranthias, but there are surely many more waiting to be discovered in the mesophotic reef around the world. [Ichthyological Research]
from Reef Builders
==========================
Dying Fish Revealed Congo Is World's Deepest River
River rapids launched the deep-dwelling fish up so fast that the animals got the bends.
Lamprologus lethops, a fish that lives in the lower Congo River, is pale and blind like fish that dwell in caves deep underwater.
(Image: © Courtesy of Melanie Stiassny)SAN FRANCISCO — A mysterious case of dying fish in the lower Congo River helped scientists discover that this body is the deepest river on the planet. It's also a place where raging rapids, powerful currents and even submerged "waterfalls" divide the water, much as mountain ranges can separate habitats on land.
These impassable river barriers isolate fish populations and have shaped the emergence of hundreds of species, according to research presented on Dec. 12, 2019, here at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Scientists' first glimpse into the lower Congo's depths began more than a decade ago, when they spotted pale, blind fish that appeared only when dying or dead. It turned out, those fish were killed by the bends, or decompression syndrome, in which air bubbles form in the blood and in body tissues.
In the researchers' effort to understand how that was possible, researchers discovered that parts of the river bottom lay many hundreds of feet below the surface — deeper than in any river on Earth.
Melanie Stiassny, a curator in the Department of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, studies the biodiversity and evolution of fish in the turbulent rapids of the lower Congo, the final 200-mile (322 kilometers) span before the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stiassny led the research investigating the puzzle of the dying fish.
More than 300 species of fish are found in the lower Congo alone, Stiassny said at the AGU meeting. The rapids there are so powerful that they physically separate fish populations, driving new species to evolve even when there isn't much physical distance separating the animals from their close relatives.
But even among this multitude of species, one notable example stood out.
"In one place, we found this particularly weird fish," Stiassny said. "It's a blind, depigmented cichlid — it looks very much like a cave fish, but there are no caves in the river." She and her colleagues puzzled over why they couldn't find any living individuals of this fish, until Stiassny detected a vital clue in a fish that was barely alive.
"As it died in my hand, bubbles formed under its skin and over its gills," a sure sign of decompression syndrome, Stiassny said. During a rapid rise from very deep water to shallower depths, pressure drops steeply and causes dissolved gases to form bubbles inside the body. If left untreated, this condition can be fatal.
That introduced a question the researchers hadn't previously considered: Could there be deep water — really deep water — in the lower Congo?
In the turbulent lower Congo River (indicated on the map in red), Melanie Stiassny studies convergent evolution in closely related fish species. (Image credit: Courtesy of Melanie Stiassny)To find out, the scientists sent intrepid kayakers over the rapids in 2008 and 2009, deployed with equipment to measure the river depths. These researchers also used an instrument called an acoustic current profiler to measure the currents' direction and speed throughout the water column.
"The results that we got were quite astounding: It's deep. It's very deep," Stiassny said.
The river bottom of the lower Congo lies more than 650 feet (200 meters) below the surface, according to findings published in 2009 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Their data also showed that powerful currents cycled through the water, creating strong jets that shoot from the river bottom up to the surface. A small fish living near the bottom that swam into one of those jets would be rapidly launched to the surface hundreds of feet above, where it would die of the bends, Stiassny explained.
While the mystery of the dying fish may have been solved, there is still much to discover about this unique river location and the animals that live there. Intriguingly, some of the fish populations that are isolated from each other have nonetheless evolved similar traits, in a process known as convergent evolution. How that happens in this unique and extreme environment is the next big question that Stiassny and her colleagues are diving into, she told Live Science.
Originally published on Live Science.
==========================
River rapids launched the deep-dwelling fish up so fast that the animals got the bends.
Lamprologus lethops, a fish that lives in the lower Congo River, is pale and blind like fish that dwell in caves deep underwater.
(Image: © Courtesy of Melanie Stiassny)SAN FRANCISCO — A mysterious case of dying fish in the lower Congo River helped scientists discover that this body is the deepest river on the planet. It's also a place where raging rapids, powerful currents and even submerged "waterfalls" divide the water, much as mountain ranges can separate habitats on land.
These impassable river barriers isolate fish populations and have shaped the emergence of hundreds of species, according to research presented on Dec. 12, 2019, here at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Scientists' first glimpse into the lower Congo's depths began more than a decade ago, when they spotted pale, blind fish that appeared only when dying or dead. It turned out, those fish were killed by the bends, or decompression syndrome, in which air bubbles form in the blood and in body tissues.
In the researchers' effort to understand how that was possible, researchers discovered that parts of the river bottom lay many hundreds of feet below the surface — deeper than in any river on Earth.
Melanie Stiassny, a curator in the Department of Ichthyology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, studies the biodiversity and evolution of fish in the turbulent rapids of the lower Congo, the final 200-mile (322 kilometers) span before the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stiassny led the research investigating the puzzle of the dying fish.
More than 300 species of fish are found in the lower Congo alone, Stiassny said at the AGU meeting. The rapids there are so powerful that they physically separate fish populations, driving new species to evolve even when there isn't much physical distance separating the animals from their close relatives.
But even among this multitude of species, one notable example stood out.
"In one place, we found this particularly weird fish," Stiassny said. "It's a blind, depigmented cichlid — it looks very much like a cave fish, but there are no caves in the river." She and her colleagues puzzled over why they couldn't find any living individuals of this fish, until Stiassny detected a vital clue in a fish that was barely alive.
"As it died in my hand, bubbles formed under its skin and over its gills," a sure sign of decompression syndrome, Stiassny said. During a rapid rise from very deep water to shallower depths, pressure drops steeply and causes dissolved gases to form bubbles inside the body. If left untreated, this condition can be fatal.
That introduced a question the researchers hadn't previously considered: Could there be deep water — really deep water — in the lower Congo?
In the turbulent lower Congo River (indicated on the map in red), Melanie Stiassny studies convergent evolution in closely related fish species. (Image credit: Courtesy of Melanie Stiassny)To find out, the scientists sent intrepid kayakers over the rapids in 2008 and 2009, deployed with equipment to measure the river depths. These researchers also used an instrument called an acoustic current profiler to measure the currents' direction and speed throughout the water column.
"The results that we got were quite astounding: It's deep. It's very deep," Stiassny said.
The river bottom of the lower Congo lies more than 650 feet (200 meters) below the surface, according to findings published in 2009 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Their data also showed that powerful currents cycled through the water, creating strong jets that shoot from the river bottom up to the surface. A small fish living near the bottom that swam into one of those jets would be rapidly launched to the surface hundreds of feet above, where it would die of the bends, Stiassny explained.
While the mystery of the dying fish may have been solved, there is still much to discover about this unique river location and the animals that live there. Intriguingly, some of the fish populations that are isolated from each other have nonetheless evolved similar traits, in a process known as convergent evolution. How that happens in this unique and extreme environment is the next big question that Stiassny and her colleagues are diving into, she told Live Science.
Originally published on Live Science.
==========================
Ophichthus vietnamensis • A New Species of the Snake Eel Genus Ophichthus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), with Additional Records from Vietnam
Ophichthus vietnamensis
Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2019
ZoolStud.sinica.edu.tw
A new species of snake eel, Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens collected from off Ky Ha, central coast of Viet Nam. The new species is distinguishable from four similar congeners by having two preopercular pores, a less elongate body (both depth 20–25 times in TL) and the following combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; teeth moderately large and conical, biserial along the entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer, and total vertebrae 121–130. Five Ophichthus species are also found in Vietnamese waters, including O. asakusae, O. erabo, O. lithinus, O. rutidoderma and O. urolophus. Detailed descriptions are provided for all species.
Key words: Pisces, Taxonomy, Ichthyology, Snake eel, New species.
Fig. 1. Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov.
(a). OIM-E.55769, holotype, 387 mm TL, fresh; (b, c). OIM-E.55768, paratype, 421 mm TL, fresh.
A anus and D dorsal-fin origin.
Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov.
New English name: Vietnamese Snake Eel
Diagnosis: A species of Ophichthus with posterior nostril above upper lip, covered by a flap that extends well below the edge of mouth and a less elongate body than other members of the genus (both depth 20–25 times in TL). It can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; posterior end of tail thick, broadly pointed; dorsal origin above tip of appressed pectoral fin; pectoral fin broad and rounded; upper lips with a knob-like barbel at anterior margin of posterior nostril; cephalic sensory pores: SO 1 + 4, POM 8 – 9 + 2; teeth moderately large and conical, biserial along entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer; coloration yellowish-tan, slightly contrasting with white throat and belly; dorsal fin grayish with pale base, pectoral fin light brownish and anal fin uniformly pale; total vertebrae 121–130, mean vertebral formula 12-52- 125.
Etymology: The specific name refers to the type locality (Vietnam) of the new species.
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge of the snake eel genus Ophichthus from Vietnamese waters has been expanded and reviewed. A new species is described, and five species are confirmed from specimens. Data are provided based on type series together with specimens newly collected from a broader range. Additional descriptive characters are employed for recognizing its congeners and to establish the new species. This study provides an additional understanding of snake eel species in Vietnamese waters. Additional collections are needed to help further understand the taxonomy of this group.
Quang Van Vo, Yusuke Hibino and Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2019. A New Species of the Snake Eel Genus Ophichthus, with Additional Records from Viet Nam (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae). Zoological Studies. 58:43. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2019.58-.43.
ZoolStud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/58/58-43.html
twitter.com/ZooStudies/status/1215533877449486338
==========================
Ophichthus vietnamensis
Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2019
ZoolStud.sinica.edu.tw
A new species of snake eel, Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens collected from off Ky Ha, central coast of Viet Nam. The new species is distinguishable from four similar congeners by having two preopercular pores, a less elongate body (both depth 20–25 times in TL) and the following combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; teeth moderately large and conical, biserial along the entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer, and total vertebrae 121–130. Five Ophichthus species are also found in Vietnamese waters, including O. asakusae, O. erabo, O. lithinus, O. rutidoderma and O. urolophus. Detailed descriptions are provided for all species.
Key words: Pisces, Taxonomy, Ichthyology, Snake eel, New species.
Fig. 1. Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov.
(a). OIM-E.55769, holotype, 387 mm TL, fresh; (b, c). OIM-E.55768, paratype, 421 mm TL, fresh.
A anus and D dorsal-fin origin.
Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov.
New English name: Vietnamese Snake Eel
Diagnosis: A species of Ophichthus with posterior nostril above upper lip, covered by a flap that extends well below the edge of mouth and a less elongate body than other members of the genus (both depth 20–25 times in TL). It can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; posterior end of tail thick, broadly pointed; dorsal origin above tip of appressed pectoral fin; pectoral fin broad and rounded; upper lips with a knob-like barbel at anterior margin of posterior nostril; cephalic sensory pores: SO 1 + 4, POM 8 – 9 + 2; teeth moderately large and conical, biserial along entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer; coloration yellowish-tan, slightly contrasting with white throat and belly; dorsal fin grayish with pale base, pectoral fin light brownish and anal fin uniformly pale; total vertebrae 121–130, mean vertebral formula 12-52- 125.
Etymology: The specific name refers to the type locality (Vietnam) of the new species.
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge of the snake eel genus Ophichthus from Vietnamese waters has been expanded and reviewed. A new species is described, and five species are confirmed from specimens. Data are provided based on type series together with specimens newly collected from a broader range. Additional descriptive characters are employed for recognizing its congeners and to establish the new species. This study provides an additional understanding of snake eel species in Vietnamese waters. Additional collections are needed to help further understand the taxonomy of this group.
Quang Van Vo, Yusuke Hibino and Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2019. A New Species of the Snake Eel Genus Ophichthus, with Additional Records from Viet Nam (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae). Zoological Studies. 58:43. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2019.58-.43.
ZoolStud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/58/58-43.html
twitter.com/ZooStudies/status/1215533877449486338
==========================
Comprehensive Goodeid Species Status Update Published
Some of Mexico’s most imperiled freshwater fishes: photos of eight representative goodeid fishes. All photos taken by John Lyons of freshly preserved, wild-caught, adult, male specimens. A) Allotoca goslinei, B) Alloophorus robustus, C) Ameca splendens, D) Chapalichthys encaustus, E) Goodea atripinnis, F) Skiffia lermae, G) Xenotaenia resolanae H) Xenotoca doadrioi. See the paper for full location data of these specimens. CC BY 4.0
The little livebearers collectively known as the goodeids (aka. splitfins) are perhaps a classic example of what some might call “little gray fish that almost no one cares about.”
Well, almost no one, save a handful of scientists and dedicated aquarists, many of whom are involved with the Goodeid Working Group, doing whatever they can to conserve these fishes both in the wild and in captive populations. While most are not terribly flashy, and almost none could ever be considered capable of starting a craze among the general aquarium hobby, the plight of the goodeids is often highlighted as one of the areas where the average home hobbyist can make a real difference. CARES Preservation List for the Goodeidae (Splitfins) currently lists 37 species of note for aquarists, and with today’s update, only four of Mexico’s splitfin species would qualify for the “least concern” rating used by the IUCN.
Primary author John Lyons is the Curator of Fishes at the UW Zoological Museum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Published today as an open-access article in the journal ZooKeys, Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes) combines the input of 10 co-authors to create a complete and timely census of these imperiled fishes. This article gives timely updates on the population status of 40 goodeids, and will certainly serve as a primary reference for anyone looking into the conservation of these endangered fishes.
John Lyons, the primary author, said of the project, “It was very educational, enjoyable, and productive working with the world’s experts on goodeid biology and conservation. I’m very happy with how the paper turned out. ”
Read the Abstract:
“The current distribution and abundance of the 40 species of Goodeidae fishes known from Mexico are described, and a total of 84 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) is designated within these species. Two species and four ESUs are likely extinct with no captive populations, and three species and eight ESUs are probably extinct in the wild but have at least one captive population in Mexico, the United States, or Europe. Of the 35 extant species, the analyses indicate that nine should be considered as critically endangered, 14 as endangered, nine as vulnerable, and only three as least concern. Twenty-seven of these species have experienced substantial declines in distribution or abundance or both since 2000, and only eight appear to have remained relatively stable. Of the 72 extant ESUs, our analyses indicate that 29 should be considered as critically endangered, 21 as endangered, 18 as vulnerable, and only four as least concern. Brief summaries of the historic and current distributions and abundance of each species are provided, as well as ESU. Three strategies are recommended to conserve Mexican goodeids: protect the best-quality remaining habitats where goodeids still persist, restore degraded habitat and re-introduce species or ESUs where practical, and establish captive populations to ensure continued survival of the many species and ESUs that will almost inevitably go extinct in the coming years. Limited resources require cooperation and collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and aquarium hobbyists for successful captive maintenance.”
Read the Paper:
To get the full story, or find detailed updates the species you’re most interested in, check out Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes) on ZooKeys. To learn what you can do to help goodeid conservation, consider checking out the Goodeid Working Group!
Reference:
Lyons J, Piller KR, Artigas-Azas JM, Dominguez-Dominguez O, Gesundheit P, Köck M, Medina-Nava M, Mercado-Silva N, García AR, Findley KM (2019) Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes). ZooKeys 885: 115-158. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.885.38152
==========================
Some of Mexico’s most imperiled freshwater fishes: photos of eight representative goodeid fishes. All photos taken by John Lyons of freshly preserved, wild-caught, adult, male specimens. A) Allotoca goslinei, B) Alloophorus robustus, C) Ameca splendens, D) Chapalichthys encaustus, E) Goodea atripinnis, F) Skiffia lermae, G) Xenotaenia resolanae H) Xenotoca doadrioi. See the paper for full location data of these specimens. CC BY 4.0
The little livebearers collectively known as the goodeids (aka. splitfins) are perhaps a classic example of what some might call “little gray fish that almost no one cares about.”
Well, almost no one, save a handful of scientists and dedicated aquarists, many of whom are involved with the Goodeid Working Group, doing whatever they can to conserve these fishes both in the wild and in captive populations. While most are not terribly flashy, and almost none could ever be considered capable of starting a craze among the general aquarium hobby, the plight of the goodeids is often highlighted as one of the areas where the average home hobbyist can make a real difference. CARES Preservation List for the Goodeidae (Splitfins) currently lists 37 species of note for aquarists, and with today’s update, only four of Mexico’s splitfin species would qualify for the “least concern” rating used by the IUCN.
Primary author John Lyons is the Curator of Fishes at the UW Zoological Museum in Madison, Wisconsin.
Published today as an open-access article in the journal ZooKeys, Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes) combines the input of 10 co-authors to create a complete and timely census of these imperiled fishes. This article gives timely updates on the population status of 40 goodeids, and will certainly serve as a primary reference for anyone looking into the conservation of these endangered fishes.
John Lyons, the primary author, said of the project, “It was very educational, enjoyable, and productive working with the world’s experts on goodeid biology and conservation. I’m very happy with how the paper turned out. ”
Read the Abstract:
“The current distribution and abundance of the 40 species of Goodeidae fishes known from Mexico are described, and a total of 84 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) is designated within these species. Two species and four ESUs are likely extinct with no captive populations, and three species and eight ESUs are probably extinct in the wild but have at least one captive population in Mexico, the United States, or Europe. Of the 35 extant species, the analyses indicate that nine should be considered as critically endangered, 14 as endangered, nine as vulnerable, and only three as least concern. Twenty-seven of these species have experienced substantial declines in distribution or abundance or both since 2000, and only eight appear to have remained relatively stable. Of the 72 extant ESUs, our analyses indicate that 29 should be considered as critically endangered, 21 as endangered, 18 as vulnerable, and only four as least concern. Brief summaries of the historic and current distributions and abundance of each species are provided, as well as ESU. Three strategies are recommended to conserve Mexican goodeids: protect the best-quality remaining habitats where goodeids still persist, restore degraded habitat and re-introduce species or ESUs where practical, and establish captive populations to ensure continued survival of the many species and ESUs that will almost inevitably go extinct in the coming years. Limited resources require cooperation and collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and aquarium hobbyists for successful captive maintenance.”
Read the Paper:
To get the full story, or find detailed updates the species you’re most interested in, check out Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes) on ZooKeys. To learn what you can do to help goodeid conservation, consider checking out the Goodeid Working Group!
Reference:
Lyons J, Piller KR, Artigas-Azas JM, Dominguez-Dominguez O, Gesundheit P, Köck M, Medina-Nava M, Mercado-Silva N, García AR, Findley KM (2019) Distribution and current conservation status of the Mexican Goodeidae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinodontiformes). ZooKeys 885: 115-158. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.885.38152
==========================
White Clouds Get a New Cousin: Tanichthys kuehnei
Male Tanichthys kuehnei from the Vietnamese stream Rach Hoi Da. Photo by J. Kühne. Published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
Years in the making, a fourth species has been officially described in the Asian cyprinid genus Tanichthys. This summer a team of four authors, Jörg Bohlen, Tomáš Dvorák, Ha Nam Thang and Vendula Šlechtová, published the description of Tanichthys kuehnei in the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
Tanichthys kuehnei were first exported from the Bach Ma Mountains in central Vietnam into the hobby in 2009 as an undescribed species and sold under the names Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’, Tanichthys sp. ‘lemon’, and/or ‘yellow white cloud’. Unfortunately, it has also been erroneously sold under the epithet of its congener T. thacbaensis. Following its first introduction, ichthyologists and fish collectors alike searched in vain for years trying to recatch this elusive species. Finally in 2017, T. kuehnei was relocated in Hue Province in Central Vietnam, and voucher specimens were used to formally describe the species.
The genus Tanichthys was monotypic for nearly 70 years with T. albonubes (the White Cloud Mountain minnow) as its sole member hailing from China and northeast Vietnam. Tanichthys thacbaensis, an endemic species to Thac Ba Lake, Yen Bai Province in northwestern Vietnam, and T. micagemmae from central Vietnam, were described in 2001.
Tanichthys kuehnei is distinguished from all other Tanichthys by having 9.5 branched rays in its anal fin (vs. 7-8.5 in T. micagemmae and 8.5 in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Another distinguishing feature is the presence of the black stripe that runs along the lateral midline (in T. kuehnei) as opposed to above the mid-lateral line (in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Tanichthys kuehnei differs from T. micagemmae, its closest relative both genetically and geographically, by having a greater number of anal fin rays and white (opposed to red) margins in the anal fin.
Female Tanichthys kuehnei from the Vietnamese stream Rach Hoi Da. Photo by J. Kühne. Published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
The coloration of living specimens includes a light brown dorsal, a white belly, and two mid-lateral stripes, a black mid-lateral stripe highlighted with an iridescent blue and a white/orange mid-lateral stripe that is positioned directly above the dark stripe. Both sexes have a conspicuous black dot on the caudal-fin base and exhibit varying degrees and intensities of red coloration in the central area caudal fin and pelvic and anal fins. Males differ from females by having tubercles on the snout, longer anal-fin rays, and have more intense red coloration in anal and pelvic fins.
The type locality, a stream named Rach Hoi Da, had very clear water with a pH near 7 and very low conductivity at the time of collection. The biotope featured a sandy bottom with rocks and filamentous algae.
A shoaling Tanichthys kuehnei group at the type locality. Image published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
Who’s in the trade, T. kuehnei, T. thacbaensis, or T. sp. ‘Da Nang’?
Most likely, if you have a ‘yellow white cloud’ in your possession, it is T. kuehnei and not T. thacbaensis. There is a cloud (pun intended) of mystery behind the identity of T. thacbaensis as it was described from two individual specimens collected in 1962 from a location at Thac Ba. Shortly after collection, the type locality was inundated following the completion of the Thac Ba Reservoir. No T. thacbaensis has been found since the inundation and to further hamper comparisons, the type specimens have since been lost!
Ingo Seidel reported in a 2012 German edition of AMAZONAS that the species, Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’ from Da Nang Province, is easy to keep and breed. Note that Da Nang is adjacent and to the south of Hue Province. Seidel’s Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’ has the same diagnostics as T. kuehnei.
To add to the confusion, Friedrich Bitter also reported on a Tanichthys species caught in the area of Da Nang, Vietnam in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of AMAZONAS. However unlike T. kuehnei and T. sp. ‘Vietnam’, the Tanichthys sp. ‘Da Nang’ kept by Bitter had 8 anal fin rays and a black mid-lateral line that appears to be above the fish’s midline.
We know from phylogenetic analyses that T. kuehnei is a valid species. What is yet to be determined is if the genus Tanichthys is limited to four species.
References
Bitter, F. 2018. Species Snapshots: Tanichthys sp. “Da Nang”. AMAZONAS 7(6): 95.
Bohlen, J., T. Dvorák, H.N. Thang, and V. Šlechtová. 2019. Tanichthys kuehnei, new species, from Central Vietnam (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 29(1): 9-18. http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1081
Seidel, I. 2012. Ein neuer Kardinalfisch aus Vietnam. AMAZONAS 41: 38-41.
==========================
Male Tanichthys kuehnei from the Vietnamese stream Rach Hoi Da. Photo by J. Kühne. Published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
Years in the making, a fourth species has been officially described in the Asian cyprinid genus Tanichthys. This summer a team of four authors, Jörg Bohlen, Tomáš Dvorák, Ha Nam Thang and Vendula Šlechtová, published the description of Tanichthys kuehnei in the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
Tanichthys kuehnei were first exported from the Bach Ma Mountains in central Vietnam into the hobby in 2009 as an undescribed species and sold under the names Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’, Tanichthys sp. ‘lemon’, and/or ‘yellow white cloud’. Unfortunately, it has also been erroneously sold under the epithet of its congener T. thacbaensis. Following its first introduction, ichthyologists and fish collectors alike searched in vain for years trying to recatch this elusive species. Finally in 2017, T. kuehnei was relocated in Hue Province in Central Vietnam, and voucher specimens were used to formally describe the species.
The genus Tanichthys was monotypic for nearly 70 years with T. albonubes (the White Cloud Mountain minnow) as its sole member hailing from China and northeast Vietnam. Tanichthys thacbaensis, an endemic species to Thac Ba Lake, Yen Bai Province in northwestern Vietnam, and T. micagemmae from central Vietnam, were described in 2001.
Tanichthys kuehnei is distinguished from all other Tanichthys by having 9.5 branched rays in its anal fin (vs. 7-8.5 in T. micagemmae and 8.5 in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Another distinguishing feature is the presence of the black stripe that runs along the lateral midline (in T. kuehnei) as opposed to above the mid-lateral line (in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Tanichthys kuehnei differs from T. micagemmae, its closest relative both genetically and geographically, by having a greater number of anal fin rays and white (opposed to red) margins in the anal fin.
Female Tanichthys kuehnei from the Vietnamese stream Rach Hoi Da. Photo by J. Kühne. Published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
The coloration of living specimens includes a light brown dorsal, a white belly, and two mid-lateral stripes, a black mid-lateral stripe highlighted with an iridescent blue and a white/orange mid-lateral stripe that is positioned directly above the dark stripe. Both sexes have a conspicuous black dot on the caudal-fin base and exhibit varying degrees and intensities of red coloration in the central area caudal fin and pelvic and anal fins. Males differ from females by having tubercles on the snout, longer anal-fin rays, and have more intense red coloration in anal and pelvic fins.
The type locality, a stream named Rach Hoi Da, had very clear water with a pH near 7 and very low conductivity at the time of collection. The biotope featured a sandy bottom with rocks and filamentous algae.
A shoaling Tanichthys kuehnei group at the type locality. Image published in Bohlen et al. 2019.
Who’s in the trade, T. kuehnei, T. thacbaensis, or T. sp. ‘Da Nang’?
Most likely, if you have a ‘yellow white cloud’ in your possession, it is T. kuehnei and not T. thacbaensis. There is a cloud (pun intended) of mystery behind the identity of T. thacbaensis as it was described from two individual specimens collected in 1962 from a location at Thac Ba. Shortly after collection, the type locality was inundated following the completion of the Thac Ba Reservoir. No T. thacbaensis has been found since the inundation and to further hamper comparisons, the type specimens have since been lost!
Ingo Seidel reported in a 2012 German edition of AMAZONAS that the species, Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’ from Da Nang Province, is easy to keep and breed. Note that Da Nang is adjacent and to the south of Hue Province. Seidel’s Tanichthys sp. ‘Vietnam’ has the same diagnostics as T. kuehnei.
To add to the confusion, Friedrich Bitter also reported on a Tanichthys species caught in the area of Da Nang, Vietnam in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of AMAZONAS. However unlike T. kuehnei and T. sp. ‘Vietnam’, the Tanichthys sp. ‘Da Nang’ kept by Bitter had 8 anal fin rays and a black mid-lateral line that appears to be above the fish’s midline.
We know from phylogenetic analyses that T. kuehnei is a valid species. What is yet to be determined is if the genus Tanichthys is limited to four species.
References
Bitter, F. 2018. Species Snapshots: Tanichthys sp. “Da Nang”. AMAZONAS 7(6): 95.
Bohlen, J., T. Dvorák, H.N. Thang, and V. Šlechtová. 2019. Tanichthys kuehnei, new species, from Central Vietnam (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 29(1): 9-18. http://doi.org/10.23788/IEF-1081
Seidel, I. 2012. Ein neuer Kardinalfisch aus Vietnam. AMAZONAS 41: 38-41.
==========================
Birmingham Aquatic Club Social Meeting
- Saturday, 28 March 2020 from 14:00-17:00
- OIKOS Cafe
58 High Street, B23 6RS Erdington, West Midlands, United Kingdom - =========================
Spain’s Beaches In Fuengirola See Man O War Jelly Fish Washed Up On Shore Raising Alarms
This morning in Fuengirola Spain beach walkers were shocked to see Man O War jelly fish washed up in numbers on the beach.
Luke Prothero walking his dog Hugo contacted the Euro Weekly News to inform us of the small invasion and to warn others.
Winter swimming is popular along the Costa del Sol coastline and a swimmers nightmare is jelly fish but Man O War jelly fish are most feared.
The man o’war which not strictly a jellyfish but a floating colony of microscopic hydrozoans has tentacles that can reach 30 yards long and are barbed with a sting that typically cause painful welts lasting up to three to 5 days although in some cases the sting can cause an allergic reaction and heart failure.
Even when washed up on the sand the long tentacles still contain the dangerous venom.
Residents living in Spain’s Fuengirola were grateful as beach workers soon cleared up the area of the dangerous species and Richard Johns from Torreblanca hills said ” it seems the warm waters at his time of year are seeing jelly fish early and swimmers need to be aware as these type of jelly fish have large tentacles that can really sting badly and are hard to spot in the water, dogs walkers need to take care as well as inquisitive dogs can be stung badly even by washed up ones, although the beach workers are fantastic here and soon clean them up”
==========================
This morning in Fuengirola Spain beach walkers were shocked to see Man O War jelly fish washed up in numbers on the beach.
Luke Prothero walking his dog Hugo contacted the Euro Weekly News to inform us of the small invasion and to warn others.
Winter swimming is popular along the Costa del Sol coastline and a swimmers nightmare is jelly fish but Man O War jelly fish are most feared.
The man o’war which not strictly a jellyfish but a floating colony of microscopic hydrozoans has tentacles that can reach 30 yards long and are barbed with a sting that typically cause painful welts lasting up to three to 5 days although in some cases the sting can cause an allergic reaction and heart failure.
Even when washed up on the sand the long tentacles still contain the dangerous venom.
Residents living in Spain’s Fuengirola were grateful as beach workers soon cleared up the area of the dangerous species and Richard Johns from Torreblanca hills said ” it seems the warm waters at his time of year are seeing jelly fish early and swimmers need to be aware as these type of jelly fish have large tentacles that can really sting badly and are hard to spot in the water, dogs walkers need to take care as well as inquisitive dogs can be stung badly even by washed up ones, although the beach workers are fantastic here and soon clean them up”
==========================
Alabama Fish, Twice Declared Extinct, Lives On Near a Car FactoryThe spring pygmy sunfish and a Mazda Toyota plant are going to be neighbors
.BY SABRINA IMBLERJANUARY 6, 2020
A Tiny Alabama Fish, Twice Declared Extinct, Lives On Near a Car Factory
The spring pygmy sunfish, blue and ready to breed. CONSERVATION FISHERIES
In This Story
DESTINATION GUIDEHuntsvilleTHE SPRING PYGMY SUNFISH HAS already been declared extinct two times, and now its champions hope to ensure there won’t be a third. In 1938, one year after the tiny blue fish was first discovered in a spring in Lauderdale County, Alabama, the spring flooded, the sunfish died, and the species was thought to be extinct. In 1941, the fish was rediscovered in a different spring in Limestone County, Alabama. But that population, too, met a similar end, and the sunfish was once again considered extinct. In 1973, the fish popped up once again in the Beaverdam Spring complex near Huntsville, Alabama, where it survives today. “The fact that it’s held on for this long almost compels you to protect it,” says Elise Bennett, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.
The unsinkable spring pygmy sunfish is getting a new neighbor soon: a Mazda Toyota manufacturing plant that can churn out 300,000 automobiles each year. A development that size, and the chemicals and soil disturbances that come along with it, could pose a serious threat to the diminutive fish, which has only two populations known to science, Bennett says. In 2018, the center, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., and the nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper reached an agreement protecting the Beaverdam sunfish from a future extinction crisis, conserving 1,100 acres of land and creating a $6 million endowment for the fish’s welfare. The agreement was finalized last month, according to AL.com.
As its name suggests, the spring pygmy sunfish is incredibly small, rarely growing more than an inch. Females are a mottled brown; males are dark with iridescent blue bars across their bodies, and they turn sapphire blue when breeding. It’s picky about where it lives, requiring fresh, clean water near the springhead, Bennett says. The fish take refuge in filamentous, feathery plants, including spineless hornwort and two-leaf water milfoil, which protect both adult and juvenile fish from predators, according to a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Though Alabaman conservationists tend to know about the spring pygmy sunfish, it’s far from a household name. “People will ask, ‘What’s a sunfish, and can we fry it up?’” Bennett says. (Please don’t.)
A male spring pygmy sunfish bred at Conservation Fisheries, a biodiversity breeding lab in Knoxville, Tennessee. JWADE30 / CC-BY 4.0After the spring pygmy sunfish was originally discovered, at Cave Spring in Lauderdale County, scientists located two other populations, at Pryor Spring and Beaverdam Spring. But over the past century, according to Bennett, these habitats have disappeared or declined due to a whole host of factors: pesticide and herbicide runoff from nearby farms, dam-induced flooding, sediment overflows from nearby developments. In 1984, scientists attempted to reintroduce the sunfish to a section of Pryor Spring, according to a report by the Center for Biological Diversity. The fish survived there for 20 years, but died off in 2008 due to nearby groundwater harvest and an influx of herbicides. (A few years ago, one more surviving population of the spring pygmy sunfish was discovered in Blackwell Swamp, in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.)
In 2009, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the government to protect the fish under the Endangered Species Act, without success. So they partnered with Mike Sandel, a fisheries scientist at the University of West Alabama, who helped secure the fish’s protection in 2013. But the incoming auto plant, in an increasingly developed Huntsville, seemed to pose a new threat. So the center turned to one of conservationists’ classic “tools in the bag,” Bennett says: buying land and putting it into a trust.
One of the springs at Beaverdam inhabited by the sunfish, before construction began. SHARON DALYAfter months of negotiations with the center and Tennessee Riverkeeper, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. agreed to set aside $4 million for the future conservation of the fish. Nearly 500 of the contracted 1,100 acres have already been purchased by the land trust, Bennett says. No high-impact development, such as lumber extraction, pesticides, or groundwater removal will be allowed in this tract of land, according to the agreement. These new protections will also benefit the other species living in Beaverdam Creek, such as the endangered slender campeloma snail, another Alabama native. “The hope is that, in the future, this land could be a publicly accessible area with trails,” she says. “Or even an educational center.”
Once, while visiting the Beaverdam site, Bennett spoke with a local high school teacher who had studied the spring pygmy sunfish in college, back when the population was so plentiful that you could catch one right under an overpass by a highway. “She said she thought about those fish all the time, that she’d bike by a few times a week and stop by the spring,” Bennett says. She often thinks of the tiny, resilient fish when she has a bad day. “You remember the sunfish has been hanging in there, and you know you can, too.”
==========================
.BY SABRINA IMBLERJANUARY 6, 2020
A Tiny Alabama Fish, Twice Declared Extinct, Lives On Near a Car Factory
The spring pygmy sunfish, blue and ready to breed. CONSERVATION FISHERIES
In This Story
DESTINATION GUIDEHuntsvilleTHE SPRING PYGMY SUNFISH HAS already been declared extinct two times, and now its champions hope to ensure there won’t be a third. In 1938, one year after the tiny blue fish was first discovered in a spring in Lauderdale County, Alabama, the spring flooded, the sunfish died, and the species was thought to be extinct. In 1941, the fish was rediscovered in a different spring in Limestone County, Alabama. But that population, too, met a similar end, and the sunfish was once again considered extinct. In 1973, the fish popped up once again in the Beaverdam Spring complex near Huntsville, Alabama, where it survives today. “The fact that it’s held on for this long almost compels you to protect it,” says Elise Bennett, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.
The unsinkable spring pygmy sunfish is getting a new neighbor soon: a Mazda Toyota manufacturing plant that can churn out 300,000 automobiles each year. A development that size, and the chemicals and soil disturbances that come along with it, could pose a serious threat to the diminutive fish, which has only two populations known to science, Bennett says. In 2018, the center, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., and the nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper reached an agreement protecting the Beaverdam sunfish from a future extinction crisis, conserving 1,100 acres of land and creating a $6 million endowment for the fish’s welfare. The agreement was finalized last month, according to AL.com.
As its name suggests, the spring pygmy sunfish is incredibly small, rarely growing more than an inch. Females are a mottled brown; males are dark with iridescent blue bars across their bodies, and they turn sapphire blue when breeding. It’s picky about where it lives, requiring fresh, clean water near the springhead, Bennett says. The fish take refuge in filamentous, feathery plants, including spineless hornwort and two-leaf water milfoil, which protect both adult and juvenile fish from predators, according to a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Though Alabaman conservationists tend to know about the spring pygmy sunfish, it’s far from a household name. “People will ask, ‘What’s a sunfish, and can we fry it up?’” Bennett says. (Please don’t.)
A male spring pygmy sunfish bred at Conservation Fisheries, a biodiversity breeding lab in Knoxville, Tennessee. JWADE30 / CC-BY 4.0After the spring pygmy sunfish was originally discovered, at Cave Spring in Lauderdale County, scientists located two other populations, at Pryor Spring and Beaverdam Spring. But over the past century, according to Bennett, these habitats have disappeared or declined due to a whole host of factors: pesticide and herbicide runoff from nearby farms, dam-induced flooding, sediment overflows from nearby developments. In 1984, scientists attempted to reintroduce the sunfish to a section of Pryor Spring, according to a report by the Center for Biological Diversity. The fish survived there for 20 years, but died off in 2008 due to nearby groundwater harvest and an influx of herbicides. (A few years ago, one more surviving population of the spring pygmy sunfish was discovered in Blackwell Swamp, in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.)
In 2009, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the government to protect the fish under the Endangered Species Act, without success. So they partnered with Mike Sandel, a fisheries scientist at the University of West Alabama, who helped secure the fish’s protection in 2013. But the incoming auto plant, in an increasingly developed Huntsville, seemed to pose a new threat. So the center turned to one of conservationists’ classic “tools in the bag,” Bennett says: buying land and putting it into a trust.
One of the springs at Beaverdam inhabited by the sunfish, before construction began. SHARON DALYAfter months of negotiations with the center and Tennessee Riverkeeper, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. agreed to set aside $4 million for the future conservation of the fish. Nearly 500 of the contracted 1,100 acres have already been purchased by the land trust, Bennett says. No high-impact development, such as lumber extraction, pesticides, or groundwater removal will be allowed in this tract of land, according to the agreement. These new protections will also benefit the other species living in Beaverdam Creek, such as the endangered slender campeloma snail, another Alabama native. “The hope is that, in the future, this land could be a publicly accessible area with trails,” she says. “Or even an educational center.”
Once, while visiting the Beaverdam site, Bennett spoke with a local high school teacher who had studied the spring pygmy sunfish in college, back when the population was so plentiful that you could catch one right under an overpass by a highway. “She said she thought about those fish all the time, that she’d bike by a few times a week and stop by the spring,” Bennett says. She often thinks of the tiny, resilient fish when she has a bad day. “You remember the sunfish has been hanging in there, and you know you can, too.”
==========================
Ban on Caspian sturgeon fishing extended by end of 2020
January 4, 2020
TEHRAN – Caspian Sea littoral states have extended the ban on sturgeon fishing in the Caspian Sea until the end of 2020, IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday. In the Tehran Times.
The Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in the Caspian Sea and to a lesser extent the Black Sea and ascends certain rivers to spawn, mainly the Volga, Kura, Araks, and Ural Rivers.
The threats faced by this fish include excessive fishing with the removal of immature fish before they have bred, damming of the rivers, loss of spawning areas and water pollution.
According to Nabiollah Khoon-Mirzaei head of Iran Fisheries Organization, due to being enclosed body of water and excessive fishing, the sturgeon population remains shrinking.
So five Caspian states have banned the exploitation of these reserves in an agreement signed during the third meeting of the Commission on conservation and rational use of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea held in Tehran.
Referring to the overfishing of sturgeon after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, he stated that the members of the Commission include Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
Iran considered extending the ban for more than a year, however, since some countries did not agree to a multi-year ban, a one-year deal was set.
Iran will host the summit next year, as well.
Pointing out that commercial fishing is banned since 2014, he added that we will not have a plan for commercial fishing and hope that the sturgeon population face expansion.
The exploitation of this fish is done only for research and restoration purposes, and any fisherman who accidentally catches a sturgeon must give it to research institutes for the restoration and research, he said.
He further stated that Iran had produced 6 tons of aquaculture caviar and 2,800 tons of caviar fish meat last year.
“Sturgeon breeding is carried out in more than 20 provinces of the country. We look forward to enhance it throughout the whole provinces as studies have been carried out in this regard.”
“There are currently 128 sturgeon farms in the country that are breeding the species, and we are planning to reach an output of 100 tons of caviar and 10,000 tons of caviar fish meat by 2025.”
He added that so far more than 230,000 people have been employed in the fisheries sector.
“According to the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2021), we should reach 1.5 million tons of aquaculture production, while we were ahead of schedule last year and reached 1.2 million tons of fishery products.
Per capita consumption of fishery products must be up to 12kg up, which was 12.1 kg last year.
Last year, the share of the Caspian Sea from 773,000 tons of fishery was 42,000 tons which constitute 5.4 percent of the whole country’s fishery, and more than 94 percent of which is related to the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf,” he explained.
Caspian Sea situation is endangering aquatic life and needs more care, he highlighted, concluding, the fisheries industry is growing as fishery production has been 40-fold since the past 40 years.
==========================
January 4, 2020
TEHRAN – Caspian Sea littoral states have extended the ban on sturgeon fishing in the Caspian Sea until the end of 2020, IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday. In the Tehran Times.
The Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in the Caspian Sea and to a lesser extent the Black Sea and ascends certain rivers to spawn, mainly the Volga, Kura, Araks, and Ural Rivers.
The threats faced by this fish include excessive fishing with the removal of immature fish before they have bred, damming of the rivers, loss of spawning areas and water pollution.
According to Nabiollah Khoon-Mirzaei head of Iran Fisheries Organization, due to being enclosed body of water and excessive fishing, the sturgeon population remains shrinking.
So five Caspian states have banned the exploitation of these reserves in an agreement signed during the third meeting of the Commission on conservation and rational use of water bioresources of the Caspian Sea held in Tehran.
Referring to the overfishing of sturgeon after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, he stated that the members of the Commission include Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
Iran considered extending the ban for more than a year, however, since some countries did not agree to a multi-year ban, a one-year deal was set.
Iran will host the summit next year, as well.
Pointing out that commercial fishing is banned since 2014, he added that we will not have a plan for commercial fishing and hope that the sturgeon population face expansion.
The exploitation of this fish is done only for research and restoration purposes, and any fisherman who accidentally catches a sturgeon must give it to research institutes for the restoration and research, he said.
He further stated that Iran had produced 6 tons of aquaculture caviar and 2,800 tons of caviar fish meat last year.
“Sturgeon breeding is carried out in more than 20 provinces of the country. We look forward to enhance it throughout the whole provinces as studies have been carried out in this regard.”
“There are currently 128 sturgeon farms in the country that are breeding the species, and we are planning to reach an output of 100 tons of caviar and 10,000 tons of caviar fish meat by 2025.”
He added that so far more than 230,000 people have been employed in the fisheries sector.
“According to the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2021), we should reach 1.5 million tons of aquaculture production, while we were ahead of schedule last year and reached 1.2 million tons of fishery products.
Per capita consumption of fishery products must be up to 12kg up, which was 12.1 kg last year.
Last year, the share of the Caspian Sea from 773,000 tons of fishery was 42,000 tons which constitute 5.4 percent of the whole country’s fishery, and more than 94 percent of which is related to the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf,” he explained.
Caspian Sea situation is endangering aquatic life and needs more care, he highlighted, concluding, the fisheries industry is growing as fishery production has been 40-fold since the past 40 years.
==========================
A New Livebearer From Mexico
Photo :-Male (a) and female (b) Río Concepción topminnow, Poeciliopsis jackschultzi, paratype specimens published in Conway, Mateo, and Vrijenhoek 2019.
A new livebearer has been discovered just south of the US-Mexico border. Authors Kevin W. Conway, Mariana Mateos, and Robert C. Vrijenhoek published their findings in the October 2019 issue of ZooKeys.
The new species has been named Poeciliopsis jackschultzi, the Río Concepción topminnow. It has an extremely limited distribution being found only in a 30-km stretch of the Río Concepción (also known as the Río Magdelena) in Sonora State, Mexico. The fish were collected in marshy areas and spring-fed pools adjacent to the Arroyo Alisoso-Bambuto branch of the Río Concepción. This habitat has little to no current, muddy substrate, and sparse aquatic vegetation except for some floating plants. This “microendemic species” is of conservation concern not only due to its highly restricted distribution, but it also faces pressures from human demand for water in the arid region as well as the presence of exotic fish species such as the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus).
Poeciliopsis jackschultzi occurs alongside and is greatly outnumbered by the Gila topminnow, P. occidentalis and the hybridogenetic all-female poeciliid, P. monacha-occidentalis. These asexual hybrids are hemiclonal and only pass on their maternally inherited, non-recombinant P. monacha genome to their offspring. The paternally derived genome is replaced every generation by the paternal male. To further complicate matters, a mating between a P. monacha-occidentalis female with a P. jackschultzi male will result in hybridogenetic all-female P. monacha-jackschultzi, which also co-occur with P. jackschultzi.
The preponderance of extremely-similar related forms makes it difficult to identify the new species from its congeners. The most reliable external feature to distinguish P. jackschultzi from P. occidentalis in the field is the absence of a black spot at the anterior base of the dorsal fin. Currently, there are no known external morphological characteristics that can be used to discern P. jackschultzi females from the two co-occurring all-female hybrid forms of Poeciliopsis.
The formal description of P. jackschultzi is a follow-up to a study by Mateo, Domínguez-Domínguez, and Varela-Romero (2019) that through genetic analysis uncovered the previously undescribed species. The etymology is in honor of R. Jack Schultz, a pioneer of studies on hybridization and all-female reproduction in Poeciliopsis.
References:
Conway, K.W., M. Mateos, and R.C. Vrijenhoek. 2019. A new species of the live-bearing fish genus Poeciliopsis from northern Mexico (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae). ZooKeys 883: 91-118. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.883.37586
Mateos, M., O. Domínguez- Domínguez, and A. Varela-Romero. 2019. A multilocus phylogeny of the fish genus Poeciliopsis: Solving taxonomic uncertainties and preliminary evidence of reticulation. Ecology and Evolution 9(4): 1845-1857. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.487
==========================
Photo :-Male (a) and female (b) Río Concepción topminnow, Poeciliopsis jackschultzi, paratype specimens published in Conway, Mateo, and Vrijenhoek 2019.
A new livebearer has been discovered just south of the US-Mexico border. Authors Kevin W. Conway, Mariana Mateos, and Robert C. Vrijenhoek published their findings in the October 2019 issue of ZooKeys.
The new species has been named Poeciliopsis jackschultzi, the Río Concepción topminnow. It has an extremely limited distribution being found only in a 30-km stretch of the Río Concepción (also known as the Río Magdelena) in Sonora State, Mexico. The fish were collected in marshy areas and spring-fed pools adjacent to the Arroyo Alisoso-Bambuto branch of the Río Concepción. This habitat has little to no current, muddy substrate, and sparse aquatic vegetation except for some floating plants. This “microendemic species” is of conservation concern not only due to its highly restricted distribution, but it also faces pressures from human demand for water in the arid region as well as the presence of exotic fish species such as the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus).
Poeciliopsis jackschultzi occurs alongside and is greatly outnumbered by the Gila topminnow, P. occidentalis and the hybridogenetic all-female poeciliid, P. monacha-occidentalis. These asexual hybrids are hemiclonal and only pass on their maternally inherited, non-recombinant P. monacha genome to their offspring. The paternally derived genome is replaced every generation by the paternal male. To further complicate matters, a mating between a P. monacha-occidentalis female with a P. jackschultzi male will result in hybridogenetic all-female P. monacha-jackschultzi, which also co-occur with P. jackschultzi.
The preponderance of extremely-similar related forms makes it difficult to identify the new species from its congeners. The most reliable external feature to distinguish P. jackschultzi from P. occidentalis in the field is the absence of a black spot at the anterior base of the dorsal fin. Currently, there are no known external morphological characteristics that can be used to discern P. jackschultzi females from the two co-occurring all-female hybrid forms of Poeciliopsis.
The formal description of P. jackschultzi is a follow-up to a study by Mateo, Domínguez-Domínguez, and Varela-Romero (2019) that through genetic analysis uncovered the previously undescribed species. The etymology is in honor of R. Jack Schultz, a pioneer of studies on hybridization and all-female reproduction in Poeciliopsis.
References:
Conway, K.W., M. Mateos, and R.C. Vrijenhoek. 2019. A new species of the live-bearing fish genus Poeciliopsis from northern Mexico (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae). ZooKeys 883: 91-118. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.883.37586
Mateos, M., O. Domínguez- Domínguez, and A. Varela-Romero. 2019. A multilocus phylogeny of the fish genus Poeciliopsis: Solving taxonomic uncertainties and preliminary evidence of reticulation. Ecology and Evolution 9(4): 1845-1857. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.487
==========================
Ocean & Coastal ManagementVolume 184, 1 February 2020, 104953
The duplicity of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy in third countries: Evidence from the Gulf of Guinea
Author links open overlay panelIfesinachiOkafor-YarwoodaDyhiaBelhabibb
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104953Get rights and contentHighlights
•The CFP protects EU waters, but damages the marine environment of third countries to which it has now been extended.
•Subsidies under the CFP are a key driver of this overexploitation of fisheries in third countries.
•Abuse of their SFPAs by EU vessels undermines local food security and provokes conflict with artisanal fishers.
•Naively low royalties on fishing agreements to be renegotiated and resulting higher income invested in marine enforcement.
AbstractThe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) espouses the significance of fisheries and their contribution to food and economic security globally. It emphasises the need for the conservation of the ocean and the integrity of marine resources in the interest of future generations. Demonstrating an understanding of the need to implement the UNCLOS, the European Union (EU) introduced a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 1983, later revised in 2013 effective from 2014. This paper discusses how the implementation of the EU's CFP is undermining the long-term food and economic security of highly vulnerable regions such as West and Central Africa. Focusing on examples from Liberia and Guinea Bissau, the paper elaborates further on how the EU fisheries subsidies, which are central to its Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPA) with third countries, contradict the provisions of its CFP, as they continue to target fully exploited and overexploited species notwitstanding the declared commitment to sustainability. The current paper also provides evidence that uncovers the EU's selective application of its own regulations on preventing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing thereby illuminating the extent of its duplicity.
==========================
The duplicity of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy in third countries: Evidence from the Gulf of Guinea
Author links open overlay panelIfesinachiOkafor-YarwoodaDyhiaBelhabibb
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104953Get rights and contentHighlights
•The CFP protects EU waters, but damages the marine environment of third countries to which it has now been extended.
•Subsidies under the CFP are a key driver of this overexploitation of fisheries in third countries.
•Abuse of their SFPAs by EU vessels undermines local food security and provokes conflict with artisanal fishers.
•Naively low royalties on fishing agreements to be renegotiated and resulting higher income invested in marine enforcement.
AbstractThe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) espouses the significance of fisheries and their contribution to food and economic security globally. It emphasises the need for the conservation of the ocean and the integrity of marine resources in the interest of future generations. Demonstrating an understanding of the need to implement the UNCLOS, the European Union (EU) introduced a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 1983, later revised in 2013 effective from 2014. This paper discusses how the implementation of the EU's CFP is undermining the long-term food and economic security of highly vulnerable regions such as West and Central Africa. Focusing on examples from Liberia and Guinea Bissau, the paper elaborates further on how the EU fisheries subsidies, which are central to its Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPA) with third countries, contradict the provisions of its CFP, as they continue to target fully exploited and overexploited species notwitstanding the declared commitment to sustainability. The current paper also provides evidence that uncovers the EU's selective application of its own regulations on preventing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing thereby illuminating the extent of its duplicity.
==========================
Tyttobrycon shibattai • On A Remarkable Sexual Dimorphic Trait in the Characiformes related to the Olfactory Organ and Description of A New Miniature Species of Tyttobrycon Géry (Characiformes: Characidae)
Tyttobrycon shibattai
Abrahão, Pastana & Marinho, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226130
Abstract
Among the order Characiformes, secondary sexual dimorphism is commonly associated to the occurrence of bony hooks on fins, shape and length of the dorsal and anal fins, and sexual dichromatism. The analysis of a new miniature Characidae species of the genus Tyttobrycon, described herein, yielded to the discovery of a sexually dimorphic trait related to nostril aperture and number of olfactory lamellae. In this type of dimorphism, mature males present larger nostril aperture and higher number of olfactory lamella than females. A dimorphic olfactory organ is for the first time recorded and described for a member of the Characiformes. Gross morphology and development of brain and peripheral olfactory organ of Tyttobrycon sp. n. are described and compared to other species of Characidae. It is hypothesized that such dimorphic trait is related to male-male detection during cohort competition in small characids. The new species of Tyttobrycon is diagnosed from its congeners by the number of branched anal-fin rays (19–21) and the absence of a caudal-peduncle blotch. It occurs in a small tributary of Rio Madeira basin, near to the limit between Brazil and Bolivia, Acre State, Brazil.
Fig 1. Tyttobrycon shibattai. (A) MZUSP 125268, holotype, male, 17.1 mm SL, Brazil, Acre, Xapuri, Seringal Cachoeira road, Rio Iná, tributary of Rio Abunã, Rio Madeira drainage, Rio Amazonas basin; (B) MZUSP 125269, paratype, female, 17.7 mm SL, collected with the holotype.
Tyttobrycon shibattai, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Tyttobrycon shibattai can be distinguished from all congeners, except T. spinosus, by having 19–21 branched anal-fin rays (vs. up to 17). It can be diagnosed from T. spinosus by lacking a caudal-peduncle blotch (vs. blotch present). Additionally, it is further distinguished from all species, except T. dorsimaculatus, by the presence of both tricuspid and conical teeth on premaxilla and dentary (vs. teeth exclusively conical). It is distinguished from T. dorsimaculatus by having hyaline dorsal-fin, with few scattered melanophores (vs. dorsal fin with a conspicuous dark blotch) and by the presence of a parallel line of subjacent melanophores dorsal to anal-fin base (vs. melanophore line absent).
Ecological notes:
Specimens of Tyttobrycon shibattai were collected in lentic habitats in the Rio Iná (Fig 8). The type locality was relatively shallow, with its deepest portion reaching 60 cm, and exhibiting a muddy-brown water. The river bottom was composed of clay and sand. Water physicochemical parameters during samples was 30.5°C, 6.3 mg/L of O2 dissolved, pH 6.31, and 62.1 conductivity microSiemens (uS)/cm. The only syntopic species collected with Tyttobrycon shibattai was Tridentopsis sp., which was abundant in the area.
Stomach contents of two adults containing mostly sediments, plant and algae debris, and some autochthonous invertebrates with predominance of ostracods. The stomach content of one juvenile specimen presented mostly plant and algae debris.
Etymology: The specific name honors O. A. Shibatta, a renowned icththyologist from Universidade Estadual de Londrina-MZUEL, for his great contributions to the systematic of fishes and support to new generations of ichthyologists. This honor is also dedicated to the vast influence and importance on the early ichthyological formation of the leading author of this paper (VPA). Shibatta was responsible for encouraging his studies with nervous system of Neotropical fishes.
==========================
Tyttobrycon shibattai
Abrahão, Pastana & Marinho, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226130
Abstract
Among the order Characiformes, secondary sexual dimorphism is commonly associated to the occurrence of bony hooks on fins, shape and length of the dorsal and anal fins, and sexual dichromatism. The analysis of a new miniature Characidae species of the genus Tyttobrycon, described herein, yielded to the discovery of a sexually dimorphic trait related to nostril aperture and number of olfactory lamellae. In this type of dimorphism, mature males present larger nostril aperture and higher number of olfactory lamella than females. A dimorphic olfactory organ is for the first time recorded and described for a member of the Characiformes. Gross morphology and development of brain and peripheral olfactory organ of Tyttobrycon sp. n. are described and compared to other species of Characidae. It is hypothesized that such dimorphic trait is related to male-male detection during cohort competition in small characids. The new species of Tyttobrycon is diagnosed from its congeners by the number of branched anal-fin rays (19–21) and the absence of a caudal-peduncle blotch. It occurs in a small tributary of Rio Madeira basin, near to the limit between Brazil and Bolivia, Acre State, Brazil.
Fig 1. Tyttobrycon shibattai. (A) MZUSP 125268, holotype, male, 17.1 mm SL, Brazil, Acre, Xapuri, Seringal Cachoeira road, Rio Iná, tributary of Rio Abunã, Rio Madeira drainage, Rio Amazonas basin; (B) MZUSP 125269, paratype, female, 17.7 mm SL, collected with the holotype.
Tyttobrycon shibattai, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Tyttobrycon shibattai can be distinguished from all congeners, except T. spinosus, by having 19–21 branched anal-fin rays (vs. up to 17). It can be diagnosed from T. spinosus by lacking a caudal-peduncle blotch (vs. blotch present). Additionally, it is further distinguished from all species, except T. dorsimaculatus, by the presence of both tricuspid and conical teeth on premaxilla and dentary (vs. teeth exclusively conical). It is distinguished from T. dorsimaculatus by having hyaline dorsal-fin, with few scattered melanophores (vs. dorsal fin with a conspicuous dark blotch) and by the presence of a parallel line of subjacent melanophores dorsal to anal-fin base (vs. melanophore line absent).
Ecological notes:
Specimens of Tyttobrycon shibattai were collected in lentic habitats in the Rio Iná (Fig 8). The type locality was relatively shallow, with its deepest portion reaching 60 cm, and exhibiting a muddy-brown water. The river bottom was composed of clay and sand. Water physicochemical parameters during samples was 30.5°C, 6.3 mg/L of O2 dissolved, pH 6.31, and 62.1 conductivity microSiemens (uS)/cm. The only syntopic species collected with Tyttobrycon shibattai was Tridentopsis sp., which was abundant in the area.
Stomach contents of two adults containing mostly sediments, plant and algae debris, and some autochthonous invertebrates with predominance of ostracods. The stomach content of one juvenile specimen presented mostly plant and algae debris.
Etymology: The specific name honors O. A. Shibatta, a renowned icththyologist from Universidade Estadual de Londrina-MZUEL, for his great contributions to the systematic of fishes and support to new generations of ichthyologists. This honor is also dedicated to the vast influence and importance on the early ichthyological formation of the leading author of this paper (VPA). Shibatta was responsible for encouraging his studies with nervous system of Neotropical fishes.
==========================
British Livebearer AssociationBLA and FGUK Spring shows
· ·
The BLA and Fancy guppies UK would like to welcome the BCA to our spring event as co-hosts.
There will be a speaker from the BCA to compliment ours. The format of the show will obviously need to alter slightly so keep watching for new and exciting developments.
==========================
· ·
The BLA and Fancy guppies UK would like to welcome the BCA to our spring event as co-hosts.
There will be a speaker from the BCA to compliment ours. The format of the show will obviously need to alter slightly so keep watching for new and exciting developments.
==========================
New 'netherworldly' freshwater fish named for Thai conservation visionary
by Natalie Van Hoose, Florida Museum of Natural History
Garra surinbinnani, a newly discovered freshwater fish species from Western Thailand, is an algae-eating minnow with an elaborately modified forehead. Researchers named the fish in honor of the late Thai conservationist Surin Binnan. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida MuseumAt first glance, Garra surinbinnani looks like a stout, brown minnow with the face of a boxer who's gone one too many rounds. But the deep gash in its forehead studded with blue spikes is a natural feature whose function remains a mystery.
Discovered by Florida Museum of Natural History researchers, this freshwater fish makes its home in the fast-flowing, rocky streams of Western Thailand, a region that the species' namesake, the late conservationist Surin Binnan, devoted himself to protecting.
Lawrence Page, curator of fishes, and his team collected the fish in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a pristine but treacherous area they could only access with the help and expertise of Surin and sanctuary rangers. When the team surveyed its catch, G. surinbinnani's odd physiognomy was cause for conversation.
"In terms of weirdness, this fish is up there," said Page, lead author of the study describing the species. "The reaction of everyone who saw it was just 'Why is it so bizarre-looking?'"
A few other Garra species have similarly outlandish foreheads, but G. surinbinnani sports two tiny horns, giving it a "netherworldly appearance," Page said. The purpose of the facial groove in these species is unknown: Some scientists have suggested it could be used in territorial displays or even for fighting, but in fish, these behaviors are common only in males, and both male and female G. surinbinnani have the modification.
"It could be for burrowing or maybe it's just bling," said David Boyd, study co-author and an ichthyology collection technician at the Florida Museum.
Museum researchers were not the first to collect G. surinbinnani, which lives throughout the Mae Klong river basin, but it was previously misidentified as another species, G. fuliginosa. The scientists named the new species in honor of Surin, whose single-minded zeal for conservation left a lasting impression on them.
"I felt inspired when I talked to him, just to see someone who felt so convicted about doing what they believed in," said Zachary Randall, study co-author and Florida Museum biological scientist. "He had dedicated his life to protecting the forest. Even in regular conversation, his passion came through."
Surin died of liver cancer in September at age 56.
Walking where tigers tread
Page and his team have been documenting Thailand's freshwater fishes since 2007, honing in on the Mae Klong drainage over the past five years. The team is working on a book that describes all the fish species in the basin, an understudied region, with photographs of live specimens and distribution maps.
They were eager to take their seine nets into the remote, mountainous Thung Yai sanctuary, the largest protected area in Thailand and a World Heritage Site, but wouldn't have gotten far without Surin's assistance. Surin and rangers with Thailand's Royal Forest Department help maintain the sanctuary and defend it against poachers. The undisturbed habitat is home to some of Thailand's most charismatic wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, tigers, barking deer and hornbills.
Both male and female Garra surinbinnani have deeply grooved foreheads, marked with tiny blue spikes known as tubercles. Researchers are unsure what the function of the groove is. G. surinbinnani also has whisker-like barbels for sensing its surroundings. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida MuseumBut little to nothing has been known about Thung Yai's fish—which is how the scientists found themselves perched precariously atop mounds of gear in the back of four-wheel-drive trucks, "clinging on for dear life" as they rollicked over the sanctuary's unpaved road, Boyd said. Meanwhile Surin hung from the back with one hand as casually as though he were riding shotgun in a Lincoln Town Car.
After nightfall—and many stops to winch their trucks from the mud—the group dismounted to walk the final half-mile to the field station where they would sleep. Along the way, Randall's headlamp illuminated a fresh tiger print on the path.
"We all looked at each other and decided to walk closer together," he said.
In addition to tigers, the team had to watch out for gaur, a large, horned bovine considered one of the region's most dangerous animals.
But after sampling streams for several days, the scientists emerged unmauled and ungored—and with at least five undescribed fish species, including G. surinbinnani, and potentially a new loach genus. Surin shared in their excitement.
"He had such an enthusiasm for what we do, and we appreciated that," Boyd said. "He implicitly understood the importance of biodiversity. By bringing us in, he knew he would get a return on investment by learning about the fish, and he instilled that in a lot of the rangers."
The team had heard Surin was terminally ill, but the news was hard to believe in the face of his energy and athleticism.
"We were all looking forward to working with Surin in coming years," Randall said. "After seeing how healthy he was, we thought he had actually beat the cancer."
A force of nature
Formerly the prosperous owner of a computer repair business and a property developer, Surin, whose formal name was Amphol Tapanapunnitikul, devoted the last portion of his life to preserving Thailand's wildlands. He established and directed a non-profit organization, the Foundation of Western Forest Complex Conservation, which planned, constructed and maintained infrastructure projects in Thung Yai to help defend the sanctuary against poaching. The foundation also pioneered many ongoing conservation efforts, such as protecting reservoirs from illegal fishing nets, conducting elephant surveys, reducing human-elephant conflicts and starting Thung Yai's first tiger research project.
Along with a lifelong love of wildlife, Surin had a predilection for undertaking projects others described as impossible, said David Butler, his close friend and FWFCC co-founder.
Surin, who had established Thailand's first computer network, designed and built a radio tower system on Thung Yai's forbidding terrain so rangers could better communicate with one another. He also installed satellite internet and constructed wildlife protection stations—even floating stations—by hand, raising the funds himself.
Surin Binnan devoted the last part of his life to conserving Thailand's wildlands. The last time Florida Museum researchers saw him, he wore a T-shirt that read "Make the planet great again." He died of cancer in September 2019. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida Museum"He gave and gave and gave," Butler said. "He probably knew more about Thung Yai than anyone else. He dedicated his life to it, and he wouldn't let anything get in his way. He was more committed than anyone I knew."
A self-described junk collector, Butler met Surin in 2002 while shipping Vietnam War-era Army trucks back to the U.S. When Surin refused to accept payment for his assistance with the project, Butler, who had noticed the wildlife photos tacked to Surin's office walls, offered to donate to his conservation club instead. Surin readily agreed and, in turn, convinced Butler to board a truck loaded with radio and solar equipment bound for a remote ranger station in Thung Yai.
For Butler, the experience was transformative.
"I was overwhelmed by how important it was," he said. "I saw stuff that no Westerner gets to see. On the way home, I remember being upset at how little was being done to protect it."
Butler had no previous conservation experience and "barely got through high school," but joined Surin's efforts. "We weren't scientists," he said. "We were just doing whatever we could to conserve biodiversity."
He recalled Surin as "the kindest, most thoughtful person. But he also meant business."
Butler recounted a time when rangers warned Surin that a local poacher planned to kill him. Surin's response was brash: He walked into the poacher's house unannounced and dared him to carry out his threat. Completely unnerved, the man abandoned poaching instead.
"He was just a remarkable individual," Butler said. "The only way I can put it is that he seemed superhuman."
Butler accompanied the Florida Museum team on its Thung Yai expedition and said the researchers' deep knowledge of fish was a frequent topic of discussion between him and Surin.
"It was so fun to watch the fish guys," he said. "Their expertise was off the charts."
One unique feature of G. surinbinnani, the researchers noted, was that while other fish sheltered behind rocks in Thung Yai's swift streams, this species openly braved the currents, no matter how strong.
So it was with Surin.
"He was a driving force," Butler said. "He was completely fearless and could just make anything happen."
The researchers published their species description in Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
==========================
by Natalie Van Hoose, Florida Museum of Natural History
Garra surinbinnani, a newly discovered freshwater fish species from Western Thailand, is an algae-eating minnow with an elaborately modified forehead. Researchers named the fish in honor of the late Thai conservationist Surin Binnan. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida MuseumAt first glance, Garra surinbinnani looks like a stout, brown minnow with the face of a boxer who's gone one too many rounds. But the deep gash in its forehead studded with blue spikes is a natural feature whose function remains a mystery.
Discovered by Florida Museum of Natural History researchers, this freshwater fish makes its home in the fast-flowing, rocky streams of Western Thailand, a region that the species' namesake, the late conservationist Surin Binnan, devoted himself to protecting.
Lawrence Page, curator of fishes, and his team collected the fish in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a pristine but treacherous area they could only access with the help and expertise of Surin and sanctuary rangers. When the team surveyed its catch, G. surinbinnani's odd physiognomy was cause for conversation.
"In terms of weirdness, this fish is up there," said Page, lead author of the study describing the species. "The reaction of everyone who saw it was just 'Why is it so bizarre-looking?'"
A few other Garra species have similarly outlandish foreheads, but G. surinbinnani sports two tiny horns, giving it a "netherworldly appearance," Page said. The purpose of the facial groove in these species is unknown: Some scientists have suggested it could be used in territorial displays or even for fighting, but in fish, these behaviors are common only in males, and both male and female G. surinbinnani have the modification.
"It could be for burrowing or maybe it's just bling," said David Boyd, study co-author and an ichthyology collection technician at the Florida Museum.
Museum researchers were not the first to collect G. surinbinnani, which lives throughout the Mae Klong river basin, but it was previously misidentified as another species, G. fuliginosa. The scientists named the new species in honor of Surin, whose single-minded zeal for conservation left a lasting impression on them.
"I felt inspired when I talked to him, just to see someone who felt so convicted about doing what they believed in," said Zachary Randall, study co-author and Florida Museum biological scientist. "He had dedicated his life to protecting the forest. Even in regular conversation, his passion came through."
Surin died of liver cancer in September at age 56.
Walking where tigers tread
Page and his team have been documenting Thailand's freshwater fishes since 2007, honing in on the Mae Klong drainage over the past five years. The team is working on a book that describes all the fish species in the basin, an understudied region, with photographs of live specimens and distribution maps.
They were eager to take their seine nets into the remote, mountainous Thung Yai sanctuary, the largest protected area in Thailand and a World Heritage Site, but wouldn't have gotten far without Surin's assistance. Surin and rangers with Thailand's Royal Forest Department help maintain the sanctuary and defend it against poachers. The undisturbed habitat is home to some of Thailand's most charismatic wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, tigers, barking deer and hornbills.
Both male and female Garra surinbinnani have deeply grooved foreheads, marked with tiny blue spikes known as tubercles. Researchers are unsure what the function of the groove is. G. surinbinnani also has whisker-like barbels for sensing its surroundings. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida MuseumBut little to nothing has been known about Thung Yai's fish—which is how the scientists found themselves perched precariously atop mounds of gear in the back of four-wheel-drive trucks, "clinging on for dear life" as they rollicked over the sanctuary's unpaved road, Boyd said. Meanwhile Surin hung from the back with one hand as casually as though he were riding shotgun in a Lincoln Town Car.
After nightfall—and many stops to winch their trucks from the mud—the group dismounted to walk the final half-mile to the field station where they would sleep. Along the way, Randall's headlamp illuminated a fresh tiger print on the path.
"We all looked at each other and decided to walk closer together," he said.
In addition to tigers, the team had to watch out for gaur, a large, horned bovine considered one of the region's most dangerous animals.
But after sampling streams for several days, the scientists emerged unmauled and ungored—and with at least five undescribed fish species, including G. surinbinnani, and potentially a new loach genus. Surin shared in their excitement.
"He had such an enthusiasm for what we do, and we appreciated that," Boyd said. "He implicitly understood the importance of biodiversity. By bringing us in, he knew he would get a return on investment by learning about the fish, and he instilled that in a lot of the rangers."
The team had heard Surin was terminally ill, but the news was hard to believe in the face of his energy and athleticism.
"We were all looking forward to working with Surin in coming years," Randall said. "After seeing how healthy he was, we thought he had actually beat the cancer."
A force of nature
Formerly the prosperous owner of a computer repair business and a property developer, Surin, whose formal name was Amphol Tapanapunnitikul, devoted the last portion of his life to preserving Thailand's wildlands. He established and directed a non-profit organization, the Foundation of Western Forest Complex Conservation, which planned, constructed and maintained infrastructure projects in Thung Yai to help defend the sanctuary against poaching. The foundation also pioneered many ongoing conservation efforts, such as protecting reservoirs from illegal fishing nets, conducting elephant surveys, reducing human-elephant conflicts and starting Thung Yai's first tiger research project.
Along with a lifelong love of wildlife, Surin had a predilection for undertaking projects others described as impossible, said David Butler, his close friend and FWFCC co-founder.
Surin, who had established Thailand's first computer network, designed and built a radio tower system on Thung Yai's forbidding terrain so rangers could better communicate with one another. He also installed satellite internet and constructed wildlife protection stations—even floating stations—by hand, raising the funds himself.
Surin Binnan devoted the last part of his life to conserving Thailand's wildlands. The last time Florida Museum researchers saw him, he wore a T-shirt that read "Make the planet great again." He died of cancer in September 2019. Credit: Zachary Randall/Florida Museum"He gave and gave and gave," Butler said. "He probably knew more about Thung Yai than anyone else. He dedicated his life to it, and he wouldn't let anything get in his way. He was more committed than anyone I knew."
A self-described junk collector, Butler met Surin in 2002 while shipping Vietnam War-era Army trucks back to the U.S. When Surin refused to accept payment for his assistance with the project, Butler, who had noticed the wildlife photos tacked to Surin's office walls, offered to donate to his conservation club instead. Surin readily agreed and, in turn, convinced Butler to board a truck loaded with radio and solar equipment bound for a remote ranger station in Thung Yai.
For Butler, the experience was transformative.
"I was overwhelmed by how important it was," he said. "I saw stuff that no Westerner gets to see. On the way home, I remember being upset at how little was being done to protect it."
Butler had no previous conservation experience and "barely got through high school," but joined Surin's efforts. "We weren't scientists," he said. "We were just doing whatever we could to conserve biodiversity."
He recalled Surin as "the kindest, most thoughtful person. But he also meant business."
Butler recounted a time when rangers warned Surin that a local poacher planned to kill him. Surin's response was brash: He walked into the poacher's house unannounced and dared him to carry out his threat. Completely unnerved, the man abandoned poaching instead.
"He was just a remarkable individual," Butler said. "The only way I can put it is that he seemed superhuman."
Butler accompanied the Florida Museum team on its Thung Yai expedition and said the researchers' deep knowledge of fish was a frequent topic of discussion between him and Surin.
"It was so fun to watch the fish guys," he said. "Their expertise was off the charts."
One unique feature of G. surinbinnani, the researchers noted, was that while other fish sheltered behind rocks in Thung Yai's swift streams, this species openly braved the currents, no matter how strong.
So it was with Surin.
"He was a driving force," Butler said. "He was completely fearless and could just make anything happen."
The researchers published their species description in Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
==========================
The Bla and Fancy Guppies UK are co-hosting their Spring shows.
The first leg of the fancy guppy league is taking place as well as a livebearer show and a Endler show. Lecturers by some of the best speakers on the circuit and the livebearer auction.
==========================
The first leg of the fancy guppy league is taking place as well as a livebearer show and a Endler show. Lecturers by some of the best speakers on the circuit and the livebearer auction.
==========================
Study tracks genomic changes that reinforce darter speciationby Diana Yates, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Researchers sequenced the genome of the orangethroat darter, pictured, and compared it with that of the rainbow darter, a closely related species. They also hybridized the two species to determine the factors that drive them to diverge. Credit: Lance MerryWhen they share habitat, orangethroat and rainbow darters tend to avoid one another, even though they are closely related and can produce "hybrid" offspring. The males compete with males of their own species and will almost always ignore females of the other species. A new study offers an analysis of the genomic changes that occur when these fish hybridize, offering insight into the gradual accumulation of incompatible traits that likely drives them to diverge.
The researchers report their findings in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Scientists have spent decades trying to understand the factors that allow closely related organisms to evolve into separate species, said Becky Fuller, a University of Illinois professor of evolution, ecology and behavior who led the research with study lead author Rachel Moran. Now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota, Moran conducted the research as a graduate student in Fuller's lab.
The most obvious driver of speciation is geographic isolation, but other factors also contribute, Fuller said.
"For example, two populations may randomly develop anatomical or physiological differences that prevent them from successfully mating with one another," she said.
Other behavioral and genomic changes that contribute to species divergence are subtler and more difficult to track, Moran said.
"We were particularly interested in comparing the orangethroat darter with the rainbow darter because the two species co-occur and can form hybrids," she said. "Interspecies mating is costly for these fish, as it does not result in healthy offspring."
If the offspring die, they fail to pass their genetic heritage to the next generation. Those lineages with a proclivity for interspecies mating gradually die out.
"Consequently, when the two species co-occur in the same habitat, they evolve strong preferences to mate with their own species and ignore the other species," Moran said.
To understand how genomic factors influence this process, the researchers mated orangethroat and rainbow darters in the lab and analyzed the genomes of the few hybrid offspring that survived past hatching. They sequenced the genome of the orangethroat darter and conducted a series of analyses to determine which regions of the two species were misaligned.
"We found that areas of the genome that had a lot of genetic divergence between the two species likely contributed to their reproductive incompatibility," Moran said. These differences are widespread and include problematic variations in the sequence and order of genes on the chromosomes.
The differences would likely disrupt cell division and could alter gene expression in hybrid offspring, Fuller said.
"This study opens a window on the post-reproductive mechanisms that contribute to the evolution of differing traits in closely related species," Fuller said.
"How species that exchange genetic material through hybridization are able to coexist and remain distinct from one another has puzzled evolutionary biologists for decades," Moran said. "The insights we've gained from this study have hopefully gotten us a little closer to answering that big question."
Explore further
In darters, male competition drives evolution of flashy fins, bodies
More information: Rachel L Moran et al, Genomic resources for darters (Percidae: Etheostominae) provide insight into postzygotic barriers implicated in speciation, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2019). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz260
Journal information: Molecular Biology and Evolution
Provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
==========================.
Researchers sequenced the genome of the orangethroat darter, pictured, and compared it with that of the rainbow darter, a closely related species. They also hybridized the two species to determine the factors that drive them to diverge. Credit: Lance MerryWhen they share habitat, orangethroat and rainbow darters tend to avoid one another, even though they are closely related and can produce "hybrid" offspring. The males compete with males of their own species and will almost always ignore females of the other species. A new study offers an analysis of the genomic changes that occur when these fish hybridize, offering insight into the gradual accumulation of incompatible traits that likely drives them to diverge.
The researchers report their findings in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.
Scientists have spent decades trying to understand the factors that allow closely related organisms to evolve into separate species, said Becky Fuller, a University of Illinois professor of evolution, ecology and behavior who led the research with study lead author Rachel Moran. Now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota, Moran conducted the research as a graduate student in Fuller's lab.
The most obvious driver of speciation is geographic isolation, but other factors also contribute, Fuller said.
"For example, two populations may randomly develop anatomical or physiological differences that prevent them from successfully mating with one another," she said.
Other behavioral and genomic changes that contribute to species divergence are subtler and more difficult to track, Moran said.
"We were particularly interested in comparing the orangethroat darter with the rainbow darter because the two species co-occur and can form hybrids," she said. "Interspecies mating is costly for these fish, as it does not result in healthy offspring."
If the offspring die, they fail to pass their genetic heritage to the next generation. Those lineages with a proclivity for interspecies mating gradually die out.
"Consequently, when the two species co-occur in the same habitat, they evolve strong preferences to mate with their own species and ignore the other species," Moran said.
To understand how genomic factors influence this process, the researchers mated orangethroat and rainbow darters in the lab and analyzed the genomes of the few hybrid offspring that survived past hatching. They sequenced the genome of the orangethroat darter and conducted a series of analyses to determine which regions of the two species were misaligned.
"We found that areas of the genome that had a lot of genetic divergence between the two species likely contributed to their reproductive incompatibility," Moran said. These differences are widespread and include problematic variations in the sequence and order of genes on the chromosomes.
The differences would likely disrupt cell division and could alter gene expression in hybrid offspring, Fuller said.
"This study opens a window on the post-reproductive mechanisms that contribute to the evolution of differing traits in closely related species," Fuller said.
"How species that exchange genetic material through hybridization are able to coexist and remain distinct from one another has puzzled evolutionary biologists for decades," Moran said. "The insights we've gained from this study have hopefully gotten us a little closer to answering that big question."
Explore further
In darters, male competition drives evolution of flashy fins, bodies
More information: Rachel L Moran et al, Genomic resources for darters (Percidae: Etheostominae) provide insight into postzygotic barriers implicated in speciation, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2019). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz260
Journal information: Molecular Biology and Evolution
Provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
==========================.
Revision of Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan
Londoño-Burbano & Reis, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A taxonomic revision of Sturisomatichthys is presented. A total of 383 specimens including both type and non-type specimens of all valid species were examined. Sturisomatichthys was found to encompass ten valid species: Sturisomatichthys aureus, S. caquetae, S. citurensis, S. dariensis, S. festivus, S. frenatus, S. kneri, S. leightoni, S. panamensis, and S. tamanae. In addition, three new species are described: Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species, from the Baudó River, in northwestern Colombia, belonging to the Caribbean slope of the continent; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, from the upper and middle Magdalena River basin, Colombia; and Sturisomatichthys varii, new species, from the San Juan River basin in western Colombia, on the Pacific slope. Sturisomatichthys caquetae, from the Morelia River, upper Amazon, is transferred back from Sturisoma, and S. leightoni was found to be distributed, besides the Magdalena-Cauca basin, in the Orinoco basin; thus, Sturisomatichthys is shown to be distributed in both trans- and cis-Andean drainages. A neotype is designated for S. aureus from the lower Magdalena basin. New records of localities in the northwestern region of South America, as well as the redescription and taxonomic comments on all valid species, are provided. Maps with the species distributions and a key for identification of the species are provided.
Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979
Sturisomatichthys Isbrucker and Nijssen, in Isbrücker , 1979:91
(type species: Oxyloricaria leightoni Regan, 1912,
by original designation; gender: masculine).
Included taxa.— Sturisomatichthys aureus; S. caquetae; S. citurensis; S. dariensis; S. festivus; S. frenatus; S. kneri; S. leightoni; S. panamensis; S. tamanae; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species; Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species; Sturisomatichthys varii, new species.
Placement in Loricariinae.--Sturisomatichthys belongs to the Farlowellina, along with Aposturisoma; Farlowella (type genus); Lamontichthys; Pterosturisoma; and Sturisoma.
Sturisomatichthys aureus (Steindachner, 1900)
Sturisomatichthys caquetae (Fowler, 1945)
Sturisomatichthys citurensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)
Sturisomatichthys dariensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)
Sturisomatichthys festivus (Myers, 1942)
Sturisomatichthys frenatus (Boulenger, 1902)
Sturisomatichthys kneri (Ghazzi, 2005)
Sturisomatichthys leightoni (Regan, 1912)
Sturisomatichthys panamensis (Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889)
Sturisomatichthys tamanae (Regan, 1912)
Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species
Etymology.--The specific name honors Mrs. Ruth Gisela Reina, late curator of fishes at STRI, for her contributions to the knowledge of fishes and invaluable help and assistance for several ichthyologists around the world during her time at the STRI.
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, holotype, ICNMHN 24055, 90.7 mm SL, Colombia, Cundinamarca, Apulo, Magdalena River basin, Calandaima River.
Photo by Henry Agudelo (ICNMHN).
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species
Etymology.--The specific epithet guaitipan honors Gaitana, an indigenous heroine from the 16th century, cacique of the Timaná tribe, who occupied the Colombian Andes in the upper Magdalena valley in the Meta department. Gaitana, or Guaitipan as she was also known, fought against the Spanish invasion that occurred in South America between 1539 and 1540, ending in her defeat due to treason by the cacique Matambo, who warned the Spanish army of the rebellion led by Gaitana. Finally in 1626, joining forces with the Pijaos, Panaes, and Pamaos, they obtained victory by expelling the Spanish from their region.
Sturisomatichthys varii, new species
Etymology.--The specific name honors Richard P. Vari for his important and numerous contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical fishes, and for his interest in helping young ichthyologists pursue careers in science to continue to explore the diversity of such Neotropical fishes. Richard left an important legacy which, with no doubt, will help present and future ichthyologists in their research. The conclusion of this study would not have being possible without the selfless and extensive help received from Richard.
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano and Roberto E. Reis. 2019. A Taxonomic Revision of Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Copeia. 107(4); 764-806. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1201957627770617856
==========================
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan
Londoño-Burbano & Reis, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A taxonomic revision of Sturisomatichthys is presented. A total of 383 specimens including both type and non-type specimens of all valid species were examined. Sturisomatichthys was found to encompass ten valid species: Sturisomatichthys aureus, S. caquetae, S. citurensis, S. dariensis, S. festivus, S. frenatus, S. kneri, S. leightoni, S. panamensis, and S. tamanae. In addition, three new species are described: Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species, from the Baudó River, in northwestern Colombia, belonging to the Caribbean slope of the continent; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, from the upper and middle Magdalena River basin, Colombia; and Sturisomatichthys varii, new species, from the San Juan River basin in western Colombia, on the Pacific slope. Sturisomatichthys caquetae, from the Morelia River, upper Amazon, is transferred back from Sturisoma, and S. leightoni was found to be distributed, besides the Magdalena-Cauca basin, in the Orinoco basin; thus, Sturisomatichthys is shown to be distributed in both trans- and cis-Andean drainages. A neotype is designated for S. aureus from the lower Magdalena basin. New records of localities in the northwestern region of South America, as well as the redescription and taxonomic comments on all valid species, are provided. Maps with the species distributions and a key for identification of the species are provided.
Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979
Sturisomatichthys Isbrucker and Nijssen, in Isbrücker , 1979:91
(type species: Oxyloricaria leightoni Regan, 1912,
by original designation; gender: masculine).
Included taxa.— Sturisomatichthys aureus; S. caquetae; S. citurensis; S. dariensis; S. festivus; S. frenatus; S. kneri; S. leightoni; S. panamensis; S. tamanae; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species; Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species; Sturisomatichthys varii, new species.
Placement in Loricariinae.--Sturisomatichthys belongs to the Farlowellina, along with Aposturisoma; Farlowella (type genus); Lamontichthys; Pterosturisoma; and Sturisoma.
Sturisomatichthys aureus (Steindachner, 1900)
Sturisomatichthys caquetae (Fowler, 1945)
Sturisomatichthys citurensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)
Sturisomatichthys dariensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)
Sturisomatichthys festivus (Myers, 1942)
Sturisomatichthys frenatus (Boulenger, 1902)
Sturisomatichthys kneri (Ghazzi, 2005)
Sturisomatichthys leightoni (Regan, 1912)
Sturisomatichthys panamensis (Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889)
Sturisomatichthys tamanae (Regan, 1912)
Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species
Etymology.--The specific name honors Mrs. Ruth Gisela Reina, late curator of fishes at STRI, for her contributions to the knowledge of fishes and invaluable help and assistance for several ichthyologists around the world during her time at the STRI.
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, holotype, ICNMHN 24055, 90.7 mm SL, Colombia, Cundinamarca, Apulo, Magdalena River basin, Calandaima River.
Photo by Henry Agudelo (ICNMHN).
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species
Etymology.--The specific epithet guaitipan honors Gaitana, an indigenous heroine from the 16th century, cacique of the Timaná tribe, who occupied the Colombian Andes in the upper Magdalena valley in the Meta department. Gaitana, or Guaitipan as she was also known, fought against the Spanish invasion that occurred in South America between 1539 and 1540, ending in her defeat due to treason by the cacique Matambo, who warned the Spanish army of the rebellion led by Gaitana. Finally in 1626, joining forces with the Pijaos, Panaes, and Pamaos, they obtained victory by expelling the Spanish from their region.
Sturisomatichthys varii, new species
Etymology.--The specific name honors Richard P. Vari for his important and numerous contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical fishes, and for his interest in helping young ichthyologists pursue careers in science to continue to explore the diversity of such Neotropical fishes. Richard left an important legacy which, with no doubt, will help present and future ichthyologists in their research. The conclusion of this study would not have being possible without the selfless and extensive help received from Richard.
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano and Roberto E. Reis. 2019. A Taxonomic Revision of Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Copeia. 107(4); 764-806. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1201957627770617856
==========================
Imparfinis munduruku • A New Species of Imparfinis Eigenmann & Norris, 1900 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Tapajós Basin, Brazil
Imparfinis munduruku
Castro & Wosiacki, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6
Abstract
Imparfinis comprises 20 valid species in the Heptapteridae, being the most diverse taxonomic group of catfishes of the Nemuroglanis subclade. The genus has one of the widest geographical distributions in the neotropical region, found on both sides of the Andes, from Costa Rica to the Paraná and Uruguay river basins in Argentina. A new species of Imparfinis is described from streams of the upper Rio Tapajós and its tributary Teles Pires in northern Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a vertical dark brown band W-shaped at the base of the caudal-fin rays, a thick dark brown lateral stripe from the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle, dark brown head, long maxillary barbel surpassing the distal margin of the pectoral fin, and presence of 39 or 40 total vertebrae.
Keywords: Pisces, Color pattern, freshwater, Neotropical region, taxonomy
Íthalo Da Silva Castro and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2019. A New Species of Imparfinis Eigenmann & Norris, 1900 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Tapajós Basin, Brazil. Zootaxa. 4701(5); 461–472. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6
==========================
Imparfinis munduruku
Castro & Wosiacki, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6
Abstract
Imparfinis comprises 20 valid species in the Heptapteridae, being the most diverse taxonomic group of catfishes of the Nemuroglanis subclade. The genus has one of the widest geographical distributions in the neotropical region, found on both sides of the Andes, from Costa Rica to the Paraná and Uruguay river basins in Argentina. A new species of Imparfinis is described from streams of the upper Rio Tapajós and its tributary Teles Pires in northern Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a vertical dark brown band W-shaped at the base of the caudal-fin rays, a thick dark brown lateral stripe from the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle, dark brown head, long maxillary barbel surpassing the distal margin of the pectoral fin, and presence of 39 or 40 total vertebrae.
Keywords: Pisces, Color pattern, freshwater, Neotropical region, taxonomy
Íthalo Da Silva Castro and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2019. A New Species of Imparfinis Eigenmann & Norris, 1900 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Tapajós Basin, Brazil. Zootaxa. 4701(5); 461–472. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6
==========================
A new Mystus catfish from northeastern India
This 82.2 mm holotype of Mystus prabini is from the Sinkin River at Lower Dibang valley district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Image reproduced from Darshan et al. 2019.
There is a new catfish known to science! Mystus prabini was formally described this summer by a team of eight scientists in the journal Zootaxa. Similar to nine other currently known Mystus catfish, this small bagrid catfish has a long fleshy adipose fin that stretches to the base of the dorsal fin. Mystus prabini, however, stands out from the others as it exhibits a distinct narrow black mid-lateral band that extends the length of the body from a dark tympanic spot to the round spot at the caudal fin base. Genetically, its closest known relatives are M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus. Keep an eye out for this fish; perhaps it has been already unknowingly imported into the trade.
Article Abstract
Mystus prabini, new species, is described from the Sinkin and the Dibang River in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all South-Asian congeners except M. bleekeri, M. cavasius, M. zeylanicus, M. falcarius, M. seengtee, M. cineraceus, M. ngasep, M. rufescens and M. ankutta in having a long adipose fin that reaches anteriorly (vs. distinctly does not reach) the base of the last dorsal-fin ray. The new species can be distinguished from the named nine species in having (vs. lacking) a narrow black mid-lateral stripe extending from the anterior region of tympanic spot to the rounded black spot at the caudal-fin base. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence shows that the K2P value between Mystus prabini and all other Mystus species ranges from 8.6-22.1%. Mystus prabini is closest genetically to M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus, from which species it has a genetic distance of 8.6% and 13.9%, respectively. The genetic distance (K2P) between the new species and M. dibrugarensis is 21.1%.
Reference
Darshan, A., S. Abujam, R. Kumar, J. Parhi, Y.S. Singh, W. Vishwanath, D.N. Das, and P.K. Pandey. 2019. Mystus prabini, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern, India. Zootaxa 4648(3): 511-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.6
==========================
This 82.2 mm holotype of Mystus prabini is from the Sinkin River at Lower Dibang valley district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Image reproduced from Darshan et al. 2019.
There is a new catfish known to science! Mystus prabini was formally described this summer by a team of eight scientists in the journal Zootaxa. Similar to nine other currently known Mystus catfish, this small bagrid catfish has a long fleshy adipose fin that stretches to the base of the dorsal fin. Mystus prabini, however, stands out from the others as it exhibits a distinct narrow black mid-lateral band that extends the length of the body from a dark tympanic spot to the round spot at the caudal fin base. Genetically, its closest known relatives are M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus. Keep an eye out for this fish; perhaps it has been already unknowingly imported into the trade.
Article Abstract
Mystus prabini, new species, is described from the Sinkin and the Dibang River in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all South-Asian congeners except M. bleekeri, M. cavasius, M. zeylanicus, M. falcarius, M. seengtee, M. cineraceus, M. ngasep, M. rufescens and M. ankutta in having a long adipose fin that reaches anteriorly (vs. distinctly does not reach) the base of the last dorsal-fin ray. The new species can be distinguished from the named nine species in having (vs. lacking) a narrow black mid-lateral stripe extending from the anterior region of tympanic spot to the rounded black spot at the caudal-fin base. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence shows that the K2P value between Mystus prabini and all other Mystus species ranges from 8.6-22.1%. Mystus prabini is closest genetically to M. bleekeri and M. albolineatus, from which species it has a genetic distance of 8.6% and 13.9%, respectively. The genetic distance (K2P) between the new species and M. dibrugarensis is 21.1%.
Reference
Darshan, A., S. Abujam, R. Kumar, J. Parhi, Y.S. Singh, W. Vishwanath, D.N. Das, and P.K. Pandey. 2019. Mystus prabini, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern, India. Zootaxa 4648(3): 511-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.6
==========================
Leadership's in the blood for tiny fish
Leadership during cooperation runs in the family for tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies, new research shows.
University of Exeter researchers studied leadership in guppies by selectively breeding for fish that differed in how likely they were to lead a scouting party to examine a predator.
They created 30 breeding pairs of the males and females most likely to lead, and another 30 of those with lowest leadership.
Three generations later they tested males and females from these lines and found that there were "pronounced differences in leadership tendency" among the two groups -- with the descendants of leaders more likely to be leaders themselves.
Males bred for low leadership were found to be more aggressive and less sociable than males bred for high leadership, but no such effect was seen among females.
"We wanted to know how much leadership is an inherited characteristic, and whether it's linked to other traits," said Sylvia Dimitriadou, of the University of Exeter.
"It seems leadership among guppies is partly inherited -- around a third can be explained by their pedigree, with other factors such as their social and physical environment also key.
"Among males, this appears to be linked to other social traits such as lower aggression (measured by whether fish share food or try to push rivals away) and sociability (moving as part of a shoal and switching between shoals).
"In females, leadership also passed down the generations, but without observable changes to other aspects of behaviour.
"It's not clear why this is. In guppies female and male cooperative and social behaviour differs, so it's possible that certain traits co-evolve or co-develop differently among females and males."
Traits such as boldness and tendency to explore did not diverge between the two breeding lines -- meaning it was only social traits that seemed to differ alongside leadership in males.
The guppies in the study were bred in the lab, and behaviour in the face of a predator was tested by presenting them with a pike cichlid -- a natural predator of Trinidadian guppies -- separated by a clear pane of Perspex.
When guppies are aware of a predator, an individual or a small group leaves the relative safety of the shoal to approach and inspect, before returning to the group.
When they do this in pairs or groups, research has shown that the leading guppy is at more risk than the others.
The assessments of leadership were carried out by pairing guppies with a realistic robotic guppy, Robofish, and seeing how often the real guppy either led or hung back while approaching a predator.
In humans, research suggests leadership tendencies are moderately to largely inherited, though the genes or processes behind this remain largely unknown.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
University of Exeter. "Leadership's in the blood for tiny fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 November 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191120070725.htm>.
==========================
Leadership during cooperation runs in the family for tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies, new research shows.
University of Exeter researchers studied leadership in guppies by selectively breeding for fish that differed in how likely they were to lead a scouting party to examine a predator.
They created 30 breeding pairs of the males and females most likely to lead, and another 30 of those with lowest leadership.
Three generations later they tested males and females from these lines and found that there were "pronounced differences in leadership tendency" among the two groups -- with the descendants of leaders more likely to be leaders themselves.
Males bred for low leadership were found to be more aggressive and less sociable than males bred for high leadership, but no such effect was seen among females.
"We wanted to know how much leadership is an inherited characteristic, and whether it's linked to other traits," said Sylvia Dimitriadou, of the University of Exeter.
"It seems leadership among guppies is partly inherited -- around a third can be explained by their pedigree, with other factors such as their social and physical environment also key.
"Among males, this appears to be linked to other social traits such as lower aggression (measured by whether fish share food or try to push rivals away) and sociability (moving as part of a shoal and switching between shoals).
"In females, leadership also passed down the generations, but without observable changes to other aspects of behaviour.
"It's not clear why this is. In guppies female and male cooperative and social behaviour differs, so it's possible that certain traits co-evolve or co-develop differently among females and males."
Traits such as boldness and tendency to explore did not diverge between the two breeding lines -- meaning it was only social traits that seemed to differ alongside leadership in males.
The guppies in the study were bred in the lab, and behaviour in the face of a predator was tested by presenting them with a pike cichlid -- a natural predator of Trinidadian guppies -- separated by a clear pane of Perspex.
When guppies are aware of a predator, an individual or a small group leaves the relative safety of the shoal to approach and inspect, before returning to the group.
When they do this in pairs or groups, research has shown that the leading guppy is at more risk than the others.
The assessments of leadership were carried out by pairing guppies with a realistic robotic guppy, Robofish, and seeing how often the real guppy either led or hung back while approaching a predator.
In humans, research suggests leadership tendencies are moderately to largely inherited, though the genes or processes behind this remain largely unknown.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- S. Dimitriadou, D. P. Croft, S. K. Darden. Divergence in social traits in Trinidadian guppies selectively bred for high and low leadership in a cooperative context. Scientific Reports, 2019; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53748-4
University of Exeter. "Leadership's in the blood for tiny fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 November 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191120070725.htm>.
==========================
[Ichthyology • 2019] Netuma patriciae • A New Sea Catfish (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from the Philippines
Netuma patriciae
Takahashi, Kimura & Motomrua, 2019
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4
twitter.com/halooie1
Abstract
A new sea catfish (Ariidae), Netuma patriciae, is described based on the holotype and nine paratypes, 127.3–303.4 mm in standard length, collected from Panay and Luzon islands, Philippines. The new species most resembles N. thalassina (Rüppell 1837), in sharing counts of anal-fin rays (17–19 in N. patriciae, 15–17 in N. thalassina) and a distinct dorsomedian head groove (longitudinal length of the groove, 33.7–40.1% of head length, 22.3–31.0%). However, the new species can be easily distinguished from the latter in having fused vomerine tooth patches, and more numerous free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 41–42 in N. thalassina). Although N. bilineata (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1840a) has also fused vomerine tooth patches, the new species is distinguished by having fewer free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 47–51 in N. bilineata) and longer dorsomedian head groove (33.7–40.1% of head length vs. 0–9.7%). The new species can also be easily distinguished from both N. thalassina and N. bilineata by having a filamentous dorsal-fin ray (longest dorsal-fin ray 26.9–35.9% of standard length vs 20.3–23.3% in N. thalassina, 20.9–25.3% in N. bilineata, standard length > 127 mm) and a U-shaped junction of dorsomedian head ridge (vs. V-shaped in both species).
Keywords: Teleostei, Fork-tailed catfish, Netuma thalassina, Netuma bilineata, Taxonomy
Netuma patriciae sp. nov. KAUM–I. 98403, holotype, 200.1 mm SL, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines, fresh condition;
Netuma patriciae sp. nov.
(New English name: Whipfin Sea Catfish)
Etymology. The specific name patriciae is in honor of Patricia J. Kailola, the University of the South Pacific and Pacific Dialogue Ltd, in recognition of her research on the catfish family Ariidae.
Distribution. Known only from Panay Island and Manila Bay, Philippines. Type locality Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines.
Yumeka Takahashi, Seishi Kimura and Hiroyuki Motomrua. 2019. A New Sea Catfish, Netuma patriciae (Siluriformes: Ariidae), from the Philippines. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4
twitter.com/halooie1/status/1194601799170310145
k here to edit.Wednesday, November 13, 2019[Ichthyology • 2019] Netuma patriciae • A New Sea Catfish (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from the Philippines
Netuma patriciae
Takahashi, Kimura & Motomrua, 2019
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4
twitter.com/halooie1
Abstract
A new sea catfish (Ariidae), Netuma patriciae, is described based on the holotype and nine paratypes, 127.3–303.4 mm in standard length, collected from Panay and Luzon islands, Philippines. The new species most resembles N. thalassina (Rüppell 1837), in sharing counts of anal-fin rays (17–19 in N. patriciae, 15–17 in N. thalassina) and a distinct dorsomedian head groove (longitudinal length of the groove, 33.7–40.1% of head length, 22.3–31.0%). However, the new species can be easily distinguished from the latter in having fused vomerine tooth patches, and more numerous free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 41–42 in N. thalassina). Although N. bilineata (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1840a) has also fused vomerine tooth patches, the new species is distinguished by having fewer free vertebrae (43–44 vs. 47–51 in N. bilineata) and longer dorsomedian head groove (33.7–40.1% of head length vs. 0–9.7%). The new species can also be easily distinguished from both N. thalassina and N. bilineata by having a filamentous dorsal-fin ray (longest dorsal-fin ray 26.9–35.9% of standard length vs 20.3–23.3% in N. thalassina, 20.9–25.3% in N. bilineata, standard length > 127 mm) and a U-shaped junction of dorsomedian head ridge (vs. V-shaped in both species).
Keywords: Teleostei, Fork-tailed catfish, Netuma thalassina, Netuma bilineata, Taxonomy
Netuma patriciae sp. nov. KAUM–I. 98403, holotype, 200.1 mm SL, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines, fresh condition;
Netuma patriciae sp. nov.
(New English name: Whipfin Sea Catfish)
Etymology. The specific name patriciae is in honor of Patricia J. Kailola, the University of the South Pacific and Pacific Dialogue Ltd, in recognition of her research on the catfish family Ariidae.
Distribution. Known only from Panay Island and Manila Bay, Philippines. Type locality Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines.
Yumeka Takahashi, Seishi Kimura and Hiroyuki Motomrua. 2019. A New Sea Catfish, Netuma patriciae (Siluriformes: Ariidae), from the Philippines. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-019-00719-4
twitter.com/halooie1/status/1194601799170310145
Akheilos suwartanai • A New Genus and Species of Catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Indonesia
Akheilos suwartanai
White, Fahmi & Weigmann, 2019
Ambon Catshark || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.2
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks
Abstract
A new genus and species of catshark is described based on a single specimen collected off Ambon in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. Akheilos suwartanai belongs to the subfamily Schroederichthyinae which differs from the other catsharks in a combination of: similar sized dorsal fins, supraorbital crests present, pseudosiphon present on claspers, broad subocular ridges under eyes, posterior nasal flaps present, tips of rostral cartilage fused into a rostral node. It represents the first record of this subfamily outside of the Americas. Akheilos differs from the other genus in the subfamily, Schroederichthys in a combination of: clasper groove not fused dorsally, ventral lobe of caudal fin produced, more intestinal valve turns, anal fin slightly larger than second dorsal fin, and in colour pattern.
Keywords: Pisces, Schroederichthys, Schroederichthyinae, new genus, new species, catshark, Indonesia
Family Scyliorhinidae Gill, 1862
Subfamily Schroedericthyinae Compagno, 1988
Genus Akheilos n. gen. White, Fahmi & Weigmann
Etymology. Name comes from the Greek mythological sea daemon Akheilos who was a handsome boy transformed into a shark by the goddess Aphrodite as punishment for his boasting that he was more beautiful than her.
Akheilos suwartanai White, Fahmi & Weigmann, n. sp.
Ambon Catshark
Etymology. Named after the first director of the Research and Development Center of Oceanology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in Ambon, Atjep Suwartana.
William T. White, Fahmi Fahmi and Simon Weigmann. 2019. A New Genus and Species of Catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4691(5); 444–460. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.2
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/1191166718892101632
==========================
Akheilos suwartanai
White, Fahmi & Weigmann, 2019
Ambon Catshark || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.2
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks
Abstract
A new genus and species of catshark is described based on a single specimen collected off Ambon in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. Akheilos suwartanai belongs to the subfamily Schroederichthyinae which differs from the other catsharks in a combination of: similar sized dorsal fins, supraorbital crests present, pseudosiphon present on claspers, broad subocular ridges under eyes, posterior nasal flaps present, tips of rostral cartilage fused into a rostral node. It represents the first record of this subfamily outside of the Americas. Akheilos differs from the other genus in the subfamily, Schroederichthys in a combination of: clasper groove not fused dorsally, ventral lobe of caudal fin produced, more intestinal valve turns, anal fin slightly larger than second dorsal fin, and in colour pattern.
Keywords: Pisces, Schroederichthys, Schroederichthyinae, new genus, new species, catshark, Indonesia
Family Scyliorhinidae Gill, 1862
Subfamily Schroedericthyinae Compagno, 1988
Genus Akheilos n. gen. White, Fahmi & Weigmann
Etymology. Name comes from the Greek mythological sea daemon Akheilos who was a handsome boy transformed into a shark by the goddess Aphrodite as punishment for his boasting that he was more beautiful than her.
Akheilos suwartanai White, Fahmi & Weigmann, n. sp.
Ambon Catshark
Etymology. Named after the first director of the Research and Development Center of Oceanology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in Ambon, Atjep Suwartana.
William T. White, Fahmi Fahmi and Simon Weigmann. 2019. A New Genus and Species of Catshark (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from eastern Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4691(5); 444–460. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.2
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/1191166718892101632
==========================
Parotocinclus adamanteus • An Enigmatic New Loricariid (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) from Relictual Upper Reaches of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
Parotocinclus adamanteus
Pereira, Santos, de Pinna & Reis, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-244
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species, is described from a series of specimens collected in the upper portion of the Rio Paraguaçu basin, a coastal river within the Chapada Diamantina domain, a large plateau on the State of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. The description of this new species represents the first record of a member of the Hypoptopomatinae from this relictual area. The new species is diagnosed from other Parotocinclus by having a distinct rostral border forming a fleshy intumescence on the lateral portion of head ornamented with moderately hypertrophied odontodes in adult males. It is also diagnosed from congeners by a remarkable secondary sexual dimorphism in the shape of the pelvic fin, in which the branched rays of males decrease in size, resulting in a pointed posterior fin margin (branched pelvic-fin rays in females have approximately the same size, producing a round posterior fin margin). In addition, the new species can be further distinguished from other species of Parotocinclus by lacking a rostral plate covering the tip of the mesethmoid anteriorly, by lacking abdominal plates between the pectoral girdle and the anus, by having numerous premaxillary teeth (45–61), and by having a short and mesially expanded ventral portion of the cheek canal plate. Recent phylogenetic analysis indicates that Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species, is closely related to P. jequi, P. prata, and P. robustus.
Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species
Etymology.— The specific epithet is from Latin adamas, diamond, hence adamanteus, of the diamond, in reference to the old plateau where the species occurs, the Chapada Diamantina in central Bahia State, Brazil. A noun in apposition.
Edson H. L. Pereira, Alexandre Clistenes de A. Santos, Mário C. C. de Pinna and Roberto E. Reis. 2019. An Enigmatic New Loricariid (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) from Relictual Upper Reaches of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Copeia. 107(4); 597-605. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-244
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1191376538509463555
==========================
Parotocinclus adamanteus
Pereira, Santos, de Pinna & Reis, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-244
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species, is described from a series of specimens collected in the upper portion of the Rio Paraguaçu basin, a coastal river within the Chapada Diamantina domain, a large plateau on the State of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. The description of this new species represents the first record of a member of the Hypoptopomatinae from this relictual area. The new species is diagnosed from other Parotocinclus by having a distinct rostral border forming a fleshy intumescence on the lateral portion of head ornamented with moderately hypertrophied odontodes in adult males. It is also diagnosed from congeners by a remarkable secondary sexual dimorphism in the shape of the pelvic fin, in which the branched rays of males decrease in size, resulting in a pointed posterior fin margin (branched pelvic-fin rays in females have approximately the same size, producing a round posterior fin margin). In addition, the new species can be further distinguished from other species of Parotocinclus by lacking a rostral plate covering the tip of the mesethmoid anteriorly, by lacking abdominal plates between the pectoral girdle and the anus, by having numerous premaxillary teeth (45–61), and by having a short and mesially expanded ventral portion of the cheek canal plate. Recent phylogenetic analysis indicates that Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species, is closely related to P. jequi, P. prata, and P. robustus.
Parotocinclus adamanteus, new species
Etymology.— The specific epithet is from Latin adamas, diamond, hence adamanteus, of the diamond, in reference to the old plateau where the species occurs, the Chapada Diamantina in central Bahia State, Brazil. A noun in apposition.
Edson H. L. Pereira, Alexandre Clistenes de A. Santos, Mário C. C. de Pinna and Roberto E. Reis. 2019. An Enigmatic New Loricariid (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes) from Relictual Upper Reaches of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. Copeia. 107(4); 597-605. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-244
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1191376538509463555
==========================
Guppy Keepers Society (UK)
Autumn Convention 2019
The first talk of the day will begin promptly. After that times may differ slightly. Our meetings are relaxed and informative, for serious guppy breeders who are already familiar with keeping ornamental fishes.
The meeting will take place at the Hallmark Hotel Derby Midland. Midland Road Derby. DE1 2SQ.
Entrance fee is £5.00 per day, members can attend free of charge. Membership is £25.00 per year.
Saturday 30th November
10.00 – 11.00 Introduction followed by
Derek Jordan Guppy food and nutrition
We often talk about different foods and their nutritional value. What are the requirements of a guppy and which foods meet the requirements?
11.00 – 11.15 Break
11.15 – 12.15 Steve Elliott Cutting, drilling and gluing glass
A practical session with tips and advice for cutting and preparing glass for tanks and equipment and of course how to drill holes in glass.
12.15 – 1.30 Lunch
1.30 - Steve Elliott Judging and assessment of guppies
Another practical session in which we have several displays of show quality guppies to assess. These pedigree fish will be auctioned on Sunday. Judging and assessing guppies is essential skill for judges and also for breeders. How to recognise faults and the best features. Instruction and tips for the assessment, and also information for breeders.
Sunday 1st December
10.00 – 10.30 Introduction followed by
Derek Jordan The Punnett square
Simple explanation and description for the correct use of this breeding device.
10.30 – 10.45 break
10.45 – 11.45 Bill Galbally Old type guppy strains
Description of several old style guppies that we now seldom see
11.45 – 12.00 Break
12.00 – 1.00 Arron and Eamon Live foods
A continuation of live food descriptions and how to best keep them
1.00 – 1.15 break
1.15 – 2.15 Everyone Round robin
An opportunity to discuss and learn from this open forum in which we can discuss our guppy keeping and collectively help with anyone’s difficulties.
2.15 Auction of show quality guppies
The Guppies in this auction are high quality show guppies. The real thing. They have been collected from guppy exhibitions to show the quality and variance of what is available and what can be achieved by the serious breeder.
==========================
Autumn Convention 2019
The first talk of the day will begin promptly. After that times may differ slightly. Our meetings are relaxed and informative, for serious guppy breeders who are already familiar with keeping ornamental fishes.
The meeting will take place at the Hallmark Hotel Derby Midland. Midland Road Derby. DE1 2SQ.
Entrance fee is £5.00 per day, members can attend free of charge. Membership is £25.00 per year.
Saturday 30th November
10.00 – 11.00 Introduction followed by
Derek Jordan Guppy food and nutrition
We often talk about different foods and their nutritional value. What are the requirements of a guppy and which foods meet the requirements?
11.00 – 11.15 Break
11.15 – 12.15 Steve Elliott Cutting, drilling and gluing glass
A practical session with tips and advice for cutting and preparing glass for tanks and equipment and of course how to drill holes in glass.
12.15 – 1.30 Lunch
1.30 - Steve Elliott Judging and assessment of guppies
Another practical session in which we have several displays of show quality guppies to assess. These pedigree fish will be auctioned on Sunday. Judging and assessing guppies is essential skill for judges and also for breeders. How to recognise faults and the best features. Instruction and tips for the assessment, and also information for breeders.
Sunday 1st December
10.00 – 10.30 Introduction followed by
Derek Jordan The Punnett square
Simple explanation and description for the correct use of this breeding device.
10.30 – 10.45 break
10.45 – 11.45 Bill Galbally Old type guppy strains
Description of several old style guppies that we now seldom see
11.45 – 12.00 Break
12.00 – 1.00 Arron and Eamon Live foods
A continuation of live food descriptions and how to best keep them
1.00 – 1.15 break
1.15 – 2.15 Everyone Round robin
An opportunity to discuss and learn from this open forum in which we can discuss our guppy keeping and collectively help with anyone’s difficulties.
2.15 Auction of show quality guppies
The Guppies in this auction are high quality show guppies. The real thing. They have been collected from guppy exhibitions to show the quality and variance of what is available and what can be achieved by the serious breeder.
==========================
A of A Auction17 Nov 2019 12:00
Kempshott Village Hall, Pack Lane, Basingstoke RG22 5HN.
==========================
Interkoi 2020 mit Nishikigoi Europa Championat &
Verkaufsmesse für Koi, Teich, Technik, Bonsai, Garten & Landschaftsbau und vielem mehr
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Verkaufsmesse für Koi, Teich, Technik, Bonsai, Garten & Landschaftsbau und vielem mehr
==========================
A new killifish from central Bolivia: Anablepsoides bibosi (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)
Abstract
Anablepsoides bibosi, new species, is here described from a stream in central Bolivia, in the Rio Chapare drainage, a tributary of Rio Mamoré, Amazon basin. The new species is a member of the A. limoncochae species group and differs from all the other species of this assemblage by its unique colour pattern and some morphological differences.
Full Text | PDF (104 KB)
Anablepsoides bibosi, MSNG 61243, male, holotype, 37.2 mm SL, Bolivia, Departamento Cochabamba, Rio Chapare drainage. Photo by J. R. García Gil.
Jeremy Kenneth Dickens: Annotated checklist to the fish of Laguna Blanca, San Pedro, Paraguay, pp. 155-178
Abstract
Despite the high fish diversity of the Paraguay basin, there is still large uncertainty about the presence and distribution of species in the country of Paraguay. Here, I present an annotated checklist to the fish of Paraguay’s only true lake, Laguna Blanca, in San Pedro department, based on samples collected opportunistically between 2012 and 2017. A total of 32 species from 16 families and 6 orders were found, although the actual total is estimated at between 36 and 58 species. This included an unnamed species of Hemigrammus and the first country record of Moenkhausia bonita. Live colouration is also described for Hemigrammus mahnerti. One species was endemic to Paraguay, four to the Paraguay river basin, eight to the Paraná-Paraguay and 15 to the Rio De La Plata, whilst two were potamodromous. Species composition is typical of Neotropical lentic systems but with a distinct scarcity of benthivores, likely associated with the oligotrophic conditions of the lake. The threats to this unique ecosystem, through uncontrolled development, illegal deforestation, pollution and overfishing are imminent and recommendations for its protection are given.
Full Text | PDF (331 KB)
https://aqua-aquapress.com/volume-25-issue-3-30-july-2019/
==========================
Abstract
Anablepsoides bibosi, new species, is here described from a stream in central Bolivia, in the Rio Chapare drainage, a tributary of Rio Mamoré, Amazon basin. The new species is a member of the A. limoncochae species group and differs from all the other species of this assemblage by its unique colour pattern and some morphological differences.
Full Text | PDF (104 KB)
Anablepsoides bibosi, MSNG 61243, male, holotype, 37.2 mm SL, Bolivia, Departamento Cochabamba, Rio Chapare drainage. Photo by J. R. García Gil.
Jeremy Kenneth Dickens: Annotated checklist to the fish of Laguna Blanca, San Pedro, Paraguay, pp. 155-178
Abstract
Despite the high fish diversity of the Paraguay basin, there is still large uncertainty about the presence and distribution of species in the country of Paraguay. Here, I present an annotated checklist to the fish of Paraguay’s only true lake, Laguna Blanca, in San Pedro department, based on samples collected opportunistically between 2012 and 2017. A total of 32 species from 16 families and 6 orders were found, although the actual total is estimated at between 36 and 58 species. This included an unnamed species of Hemigrammus and the first country record of Moenkhausia bonita. Live colouration is also described for Hemigrammus mahnerti. One species was endemic to Paraguay, four to the Paraguay river basin, eight to the Paraná-Paraguay and 15 to the Rio De La Plata, whilst two were potamodromous. Species composition is typical of Neotropical lentic systems but with a distinct scarcity of benthivores, likely associated with the oligotrophic conditions of the lake. The threats to this unique ecosystem, through uncontrolled development, illegal deforestation, pollution and overfishing are imminent and recommendations for its protection are given.
Full Text | PDF (331 KB)
https://aqua-aquapress.com/volume-25-issue-3-30-july-2019/
==========================
Poeciliopsis jackschultzi
A new species of the live-bearing fish genus Poeciliopsis jackschultzi from northern Mexico (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae)
Kevin W. Conway, Mariana Mateos, Robert C. VrijenhoekAbstractPoeciliopsis jackschultzi sp. nov., is described based on seven specimens (17.9–26.7 mm SL) from the Río Concepción (also known as Río Magdalena), Sonora, Mexico. The new species belongs to the Leptorhaphis species group and can be distinguished from other members of this group by features of the skeleton and colouration. The new species is sympatric with P. occidentalis, a hybridogenetic all-female biotype P. monacha-occidentalis, and hybrids between P. monacha-occidentalis females and P. jackschultzi males. The distribution of P. jackschultzi is highly restricted, and the main habitat, spring-fed marshy streams and pools, is susceptible to loss and degradation in a desert environment with increasing human water demand.
KeywordsTaxonomy, Poeciliinae, Sonoran Desert, unisexual reproduction, gill rakers
IntroductionThe live-bearing fish genus Poeciliopsis (subfamily Poeciliinae, tribe Girardinini Lucinda & Reis, 2005) is distributed from southern Arizona (USA) southwards through western Central America to Colombia (Rosen and Bailey 1963: map 17). Poeciliopsis is among the few vertebrate taxa known to include all-female hybrid forms that reproduce asexually via gynogenesis or hybridogenesis, and has served as a model system for studying the evolution of unisexual reproduction (Schultz 1969; Vrijenhoek et al. 1989; Avise 2015). The genus was last revised by Rosen and Bailey (1963) who provided a rediagnosis based largely on osteological characters and divided the known species between two subgenera, Poeciliopsis and Aulophallus. The genus currently contains 24 valid species, 21 of which are classified in subgenus Poeciliopsis and three in subgenus Aulophallus (Mateos et al. 2002, 2019).
Prior to Rosen and Bailey (1963), Miller (1960) classified six species of Poeciliopsis into what he referred to as the Leptorhaphis species group (based on the generic name Leptorhaphis Regan, 1913; type species Gambusia infans Woolman, 1894), characterised by the presence of a jet black male colouration during courtship, the presence of a small, retrorse hook at the tip of the gonopodium, and the arrangement of the oral jaw teeth into an outer and inner row on the dentary and premaxilla. Miller (1960) originally classified P. infans, P. porosus (= P. infans), P. lucida, P. occidentalis s. s. and P. sonoriensis within this species group. Poeciliopsis prolifica was added subsequently to this species group by Mateos et al. (2002) based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic investigation of mitochondrial DNA sequences. A more recent molecular phylogenetic investigation of Poeciliopsis (Mateos et al. 2019) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences recovered a monophyletic Leptorhaphis species group comprising four named species (P. infans, P. lucida, P. occidentalis s. l., and P. prolifica) and one undescribed species from the Río Concepción (Sonora, Mexico) (see below). Relationships among the members of the Leptorhaphis species group were largely unresolved in this multi-locus topology, but the grouping was firmly nested within the “predominantly Northern” clade of the subgenus Poeciliopsis, which also included P. balsas, P. monacha and P. viriosa.
In the early 1980s, one of us (RCV) collected individuals of Poeciliopsis at marshy localities in the Río Concepción drainage about 24 km south of Nogales (Sonora State). In addition to locally abundant P. occidentalis s. s. and the sperm-dependent, all-female, hybridogenetic biotype P. monacha-occidentalis, the samples included some unusual individuals that differed in colouration from other described members of the Leptorhaphis species group. Male and female specimens of this unrecognised taxon were reared in the laboratory and found to reproduce sexually. Subsequent multi-locus allozyme studies revealed that the unknown sexual species had several unique alleles, including a diagnostic “fast” allele at the Pgd locus. Except for some novel alleles, the new species was first interpreted to be a mosaic composed of genes derived from P. occidentalis and the hemiclonal monacha genome from hybridogenetic P. monacha-occidentalis (see Schenk 1992; Vrijenhoek 1993), but this initial inference was later shown to be incorrect. The new species is unique based on a recent analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences that place it near the root of the Leptorhaphis species group (Mateos et al. 2019). Retention of shared ancestral allozyme polymorphisms in this species likely explains the genomic mosaicism. Nonetheless, introgression from P. monacha-occidentalis hemiclones or P. occidentalis into the new species gene pool has not been ruled out and awaits evaluation at a broader genomic level. The purpose of this study is to provide a formal description for this undescribed species of Poeciliopsis from the Río Concepción.
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/37586/
==========================
Kevin W. Conway, Mariana Mateos, Robert C. VrijenhoekAbstractPoeciliopsis jackschultzi sp. nov., is described based on seven specimens (17.9–26.7 mm SL) from the Río Concepción (also known as Río Magdalena), Sonora, Mexico. The new species belongs to the Leptorhaphis species group and can be distinguished from other members of this group by features of the skeleton and colouration. The new species is sympatric with P. occidentalis, a hybridogenetic all-female biotype P. monacha-occidentalis, and hybrids between P. monacha-occidentalis females and P. jackschultzi males. The distribution of P. jackschultzi is highly restricted, and the main habitat, spring-fed marshy streams and pools, is susceptible to loss and degradation in a desert environment with increasing human water demand.
KeywordsTaxonomy, Poeciliinae, Sonoran Desert, unisexual reproduction, gill rakers
IntroductionThe live-bearing fish genus Poeciliopsis (subfamily Poeciliinae, tribe Girardinini Lucinda & Reis, 2005) is distributed from southern Arizona (USA) southwards through western Central America to Colombia (Rosen and Bailey 1963: map 17). Poeciliopsis is among the few vertebrate taxa known to include all-female hybrid forms that reproduce asexually via gynogenesis or hybridogenesis, and has served as a model system for studying the evolution of unisexual reproduction (Schultz 1969; Vrijenhoek et al. 1989; Avise 2015). The genus was last revised by Rosen and Bailey (1963) who provided a rediagnosis based largely on osteological characters and divided the known species between two subgenera, Poeciliopsis and Aulophallus. The genus currently contains 24 valid species, 21 of which are classified in subgenus Poeciliopsis and three in subgenus Aulophallus (Mateos et al. 2002, 2019).
Prior to Rosen and Bailey (1963), Miller (1960) classified six species of Poeciliopsis into what he referred to as the Leptorhaphis species group (based on the generic name Leptorhaphis Regan, 1913; type species Gambusia infans Woolman, 1894), characterised by the presence of a jet black male colouration during courtship, the presence of a small, retrorse hook at the tip of the gonopodium, and the arrangement of the oral jaw teeth into an outer and inner row on the dentary and premaxilla. Miller (1960) originally classified P. infans, P. porosus (= P. infans), P. lucida, P. occidentalis s. s. and P. sonoriensis within this species group. Poeciliopsis prolifica was added subsequently to this species group by Mateos et al. (2002) based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic investigation of mitochondrial DNA sequences. A more recent molecular phylogenetic investigation of Poeciliopsis (Mateos et al. 2019) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences recovered a monophyletic Leptorhaphis species group comprising four named species (P. infans, P. lucida, P. occidentalis s. l., and P. prolifica) and one undescribed species from the Río Concepción (Sonora, Mexico) (see below). Relationships among the members of the Leptorhaphis species group were largely unresolved in this multi-locus topology, but the grouping was firmly nested within the “predominantly Northern” clade of the subgenus Poeciliopsis, which also included P. balsas, P. monacha and P. viriosa.
In the early 1980s, one of us (RCV) collected individuals of Poeciliopsis at marshy localities in the Río Concepción drainage about 24 km south of Nogales (Sonora State). In addition to locally abundant P. occidentalis s. s. and the sperm-dependent, all-female, hybridogenetic biotype P. monacha-occidentalis, the samples included some unusual individuals that differed in colouration from other described members of the Leptorhaphis species group. Male and female specimens of this unrecognised taxon were reared in the laboratory and found to reproduce sexually. Subsequent multi-locus allozyme studies revealed that the unknown sexual species had several unique alleles, including a diagnostic “fast” allele at the Pgd locus. Except for some novel alleles, the new species was first interpreted to be a mosaic composed of genes derived from P. occidentalis and the hemiclonal monacha genome from hybridogenetic P. monacha-occidentalis (see Schenk 1992; Vrijenhoek 1993), but this initial inference was later shown to be incorrect. The new species is unique based on a recent analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences that place it near the root of the Leptorhaphis species group (Mateos et al. 2019). Retention of shared ancestral allozyme polymorphisms in this species likely explains the genomic mosaicism. Nonetheless, introgression from P. monacha-occidentalis hemiclones or P. occidentalis into the new species gene pool has not been ruled out and awaits evaluation at a broader genomic level. The purpose of this study is to provide a formal description for this undescribed species of Poeciliopsis from the Río Concepción.
zookeys.pensoft.net/article/37586/
==========================
Who loves the guppies?
Come and discover a lot of them at our salon on November 30, 2019...
Here are some of the selections and wild forms available:
Poecilia feel - guppy
Poecilia Reticulata - Japan Blue
Poecilia reticulata -
Poecilia reticulata - guppy guppy high sword green
Poecilia reticulata - varied
Cocoa Cocoa
Poecilia reticulata
Poecilia Reticulata Rio tefé
Poecilia Reticulata 2018
Trinidad and Tobago
Poecilia wingei - guppy endler
Poecilia wingei - guppy endler panda
Poecilia Wingeï Pampas 2016
9, 25, 31, 35
Poecilia Wingeï Cumana 2016
Poecilia wingeï dark sword
Poecilia wingeï cumana rainbow
Poecilia Wingeï Red chest
==========================
Come and discover a lot of them at our salon on November 30, 2019...
Here are some of the selections and wild forms available:
Poecilia feel - guppy
Poecilia Reticulata - Japan Blue
Poecilia reticulata -
Poecilia reticulata - guppy guppy high sword green
Poecilia reticulata - varied
Cocoa Cocoa
Poecilia reticulata
Poecilia Reticulata Rio tefé
Poecilia Reticulata 2018
Trinidad and Tobago
Poecilia wingei - guppy endler
Poecilia wingei - guppy endler panda
Poecilia Wingeï Pampas 2016
9, 25, 31, 35
Poecilia Wingeï Cumana 2016
Poecilia wingeï dark sword
Poecilia wingeï cumana rainbow
Poecilia Wingeï Red chest
==========================
Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, a new species of shrimpgoby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from West Papua, Indonesia
Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann & Meity Mongdong
Abstract
A new species of gobiid fish, Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, is described from West Papua Province, Indonesia, on the basis of two male specimens, 39.1 and 39.2 mm SL. Diagnostic features include 13 dorsal-fin and anal-fin segmented rays, third dorsal-fin spine long and filamentous, 47-49 lateral scales, body scales mostly cycloid, posteriormost scales of caudal peduncle finely ctenoid, and scales absent on head and nape region. Color in life is pale greyish to yellowish white with 5 mid-lateral clusters of blue-margined yellow spots with one or two vertical rows of 3-5 blue-margined yellow spots between clusters. The new species is most similar to Vanderhorstia phaeosticta from the western Pacific Ocean, but differs most notably in lacking pronounced sexual dichromatism.
PDF download
CITATION:
Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, a new species of shrimpgoby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from West Papua, Indonesia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 33, 89-98.
doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3519384
.
publication date: 25 October 2019
==========================
Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann & Meity Mongdong
Abstract
A new species of gobiid fish, Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, is described from West Papua Province, Indonesia, on the basis of two male specimens, 39.1 and 39.2 mm SL. Diagnostic features include 13 dorsal-fin and anal-fin segmented rays, third dorsal-fin spine long and filamentous, 47-49 lateral scales, body scales mostly cycloid, posteriormost scales of caudal peduncle finely ctenoid, and scales absent on head and nape region. Color in life is pale greyish to yellowish white with 5 mid-lateral clusters of blue-margined yellow spots with one or two vertical rows of 3-5 blue-margined yellow spots between clusters. The new species is most similar to Vanderhorstia phaeosticta from the western Pacific Ocean, but differs most notably in lacking pronounced sexual dichromatism.
PDF download
CITATION:
Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, a new species of shrimpgoby (Pisces: Gobiidae) from West Papua, Indonesia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 33, 89-98.
doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3519384
.
publication date: 25 October 2019
==========================
Redescription and Recognition of Etheostoma cyanorum from Blue River, Oklahoma, USA
Etheostoma cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952)
in Matthews & Turner, 2019.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Etheostoma cyanorum, endemic to the Blue River drainage of southern Oklahoma, is redescribed and recognized as a distinct species within the Etheostoma whipplei–Etheostoma radiosum complex, separating it from E. radiosum. Originally described as Poecilichthys radiosus cyanorum, it was one of three putative subspecies of E. radiosum (with E. r. radiosum and E. r. paludosum) considered valid until now, defined in part by drainage-specific allopatry. Two separate mtDNA gene trees show that E. cyanorum forms a distinct and strongly supported lineage. Ten meristic and 16 morphometric traits are reexamined and new information included, confirming traits separating E. cyanorum from E. radiosum, and clarifying ambiguities about “bluntness of the snout” as diagnostic for P. r. cyanorum. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum by lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and greater interorbital width. Large adult E. cyanorum have a deep body and blunt snout per earlier studies, but those traits are not diagnostic due to allometry. Head depth and head width can separate E. cyanorum from most populations of E. radiosum, but they overlap with some populations of E. radiosum in southwest Arkansas. All evidence supports recognition of E. cyanorum as a valid species. A broad geographic, molecular assessment to supplement existing morphological information is needed to assess validity of the two remaining subspecies of E. radiosum.
Etheostoma cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952), elevated to species
Blue River Orangebelly Darter
Holotype.— UMMZ 161366, holotype of Poecilichthys whipplii cyanorum, adult breeding male, 68 mm SL, designated by Moore and Rigney (1952), collected by Moore in 1949 in Blue River at State Hwy 99 north of Connerville, Johnston County, Oklahoma (Fig. 2).
Paratypes.— Paratypes include 329 individuals collected by Moore or students from the Blue River drainage (museum acronyms and catalog numbers, Moore and Rigney, 1952: p. 10).
Diagnosis.— Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum by their allopatric distribution, with E. cyanorum known only from Blue River and tributaries, versus E. radiosum occupying tributaries of Washita River west of Blue River and all drainages eastward from the Clear Boggy to the upper Ouachita and Little Missouri in southwest Arkansas. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum in having all assayed mtDNA haplotypes not shared with E. radiosum, lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and a wider interorbital distance. Etheostoma cyanorum can be distinguished by a deeper and wider head from E. radiosum in all Oklahoma drainages, and in most but not all drainages in Arkansas. Nuptial males of Etheostoma cyanorum differ from nuptial E. radiosum in the geographically closest drainages (Washita, Clear Boggy, Muddy Boggy, and Kiamichi) by a solid blue distal band in the spinous dorsal (Fig. 3C), compared to the distal blue band in those populations of E. radiosum (=E. r. paludosum of Moore and Rigney) having an appearance of blue “dots” or “spots” bordered in white, between clear or orange tips of the fin spines.
....
Distribution.— Etheostoma cyanorum is known only from the Blue River drainage in southcentral Oklahoma, a tributary of Red River. It is most abundant in the upper, spring-fed, rocky portions of the drainage, and in some small tributary creeks, but is scarce or absent in lower, muddy portions of the drainage closer to Red River.
Etymology.— The specific name “cyanorum” (=“of the Blues” referring to Blue River) was suggested for the subspecies, on advice from R. M. Bailey (Moore and Rigney, 1952), to reflect restriction of this form to Blue River and its tributaries. Linder (1955) and Echelle et al. (2015) referred to it as the “Blue River Orangebelly Darter,” but Near et al. (2011) called it “Blue Darter.” We follow Linder (1955) and Echelle et al. (2015) and recommend the common name “Blue River Orangebelly Darter,” because E. cyanorum is not predominantly blue in coloration. This common name aligns with the practice of referring to other fishes in Oklahoma in a drainage-specific manner, including Red River Pupfish (Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis), Red River Shiner (Notropis bairdi), and Arkansas River Shiner (Notropis girardi).
William J. Matthews and Thomas F. Turner. 2019. Redescription and Recognition of Etheostoma cyanorum from Blue River, Oklahoma. Copeia. 107(2); 208-218. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1187913353840283648
==========================
Etheostoma cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952)
in Matthews & Turner, 2019.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Etheostoma cyanorum, endemic to the Blue River drainage of southern Oklahoma, is redescribed and recognized as a distinct species within the Etheostoma whipplei–Etheostoma radiosum complex, separating it from E. radiosum. Originally described as Poecilichthys radiosus cyanorum, it was one of three putative subspecies of E. radiosum (with E. r. radiosum and E. r. paludosum) considered valid until now, defined in part by drainage-specific allopatry. Two separate mtDNA gene trees show that E. cyanorum forms a distinct and strongly supported lineage. Ten meristic and 16 morphometric traits are reexamined and new information included, confirming traits separating E. cyanorum from E. radiosum, and clarifying ambiguities about “bluntness of the snout” as diagnostic for P. r. cyanorum. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum by lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and greater interorbital width. Large adult E. cyanorum have a deep body and blunt snout per earlier studies, but those traits are not diagnostic due to allometry. Head depth and head width can separate E. cyanorum from most populations of E. radiosum, but they overlap with some populations of E. radiosum in southwest Arkansas. All evidence supports recognition of E. cyanorum as a valid species. A broad geographic, molecular assessment to supplement existing morphological information is needed to assess validity of the two remaining subspecies of E. radiosum.
Etheostoma cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952), elevated to species
Blue River Orangebelly Darter
Holotype.— UMMZ 161366, holotype of Poecilichthys whipplii cyanorum, adult breeding male, 68 mm SL, designated by Moore and Rigney (1952), collected by Moore in 1949 in Blue River at State Hwy 99 north of Connerville, Johnston County, Oklahoma (Fig. 2).
Paratypes.— Paratypes include 329 individuals collected by Moore or students from the Blue River drainage (museum acronyms and catalog numbers, Moore and Rigney, 1952: p. 10).
Diagnosis.— Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum by their allopatric distribution, with E. cyanorum known only from Blue River and tributaries, versus E. radiosum occupying tributaries of Washita River west of Blue River and all drainages eastward from the Clear Boggy to the upper Ouachita and Little Missouri in southwest Arkansas. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E. radiosum in having all assayed mtDNA haplotypes not shared with E. radiosum, lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and a wider interorbital distance. Etheostoma cyanorum can be distinguished by a deeper and wider head from E. radiosum in all Oklahoma drainages, and in most but not all drainages in Arkansas. Nuptial males of Etheostoma cyanorum differ from nuptial E. radiosum in the geographically closest drainages (Washita, Clear Boggy, Muddy Boggy, and Kiamichi) by a solid blue distal band in the spinous dorsal (Fig. 3C), compared to the distal blue band in those populations of E. radiosum (=E. r. paludosum of Moore and Rigney) having an appearance of blue “dots” or “spots” bordered in white, between clear or orange tips of the fin spines.
....
Distribution.— Etheostoma cyanorum is known only from the Blue River drainage in southcentral Oklahoma, a tributary of Red River. It is most abundant in the upper, spring-fed, rocky portions of the drainage, and in some small tributary creeks, but is scarce or absent in lower, muddy portions of the drainage closer to Red River.
Etymology.— The specific name “cyanorum” (=“of the Blues” referring to Blue River) was suggested for the subspecies, on advice from R. M. Bailey (Moore and Rigney, 1952), to reflect restriction of this form to Blue River and its tributaries. Linder (1955) and Echelle et al. (2015) referred to it as the “Blue River Orangebelly Darter,” but Near et al. (2011) called it “Blue Darter.” We follow Linder (1955) and Echelle et al. (2015) and recommend the common name “Blue River Orangebelly Darter,” because E. cyanorum is not predominantly blue in coloration. This common name aligns with the practice of referring to other fishes in Oklahoma in a drainage-specific manner, including Red River Pupfish (Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis), Red River Shiner (Notropis bairdi), and Arkansas River Shiner (Notropis girardi).
William J. Matthews and Thomas F. Turner. 2019. Redescription and Recognition of Etheostoma cyanorum from Blue River, Oklahoma. Copeia. 107(2); 208-218. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1187913353840283648
==========================
Sueviota minersorum
Sueviota minersorum, a new species of sponge-dwelling goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Misool, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
Greenfield, David W.; Erdmann, Mark V.; Utama, Ilham Vemandra
A new gobiid species, Sueviota minersorum, is described from 4 specimens, 17.9–23.2 mm SL, collected from inside Theonella tube sponges at 20–22 m depth. The new species has a dorsal/anal-fin ray count of 9/8 and 17 or 18 pectoral-fin rays, all unbranched, and 27 or 28 lateral scales. It furthermore has a basal membrane fully joining the two branched fifth pelvic-fin rays, a character shared with 4 congeners: Sueviota bryozophila, S. lachneri, S. larsonae, and S. tubicola. Sueviota minersorum is most similar to S. lachneri, but differs in having a stocky body with a deep caudal peduncle, not tapering from the mid-body, and in color patterns. It differs from S. bryozophila in having all pelvic-fin rays branched (vs. unbranched), having a single AITO pore (vs. paired ITO pores), PITO and NA pores (vs. absent), and in color patterns. It differs from S. larsonae and S. tubicola by the absence of a frenum (vs. present) and in color patterns.
zenodo.org/record/3516352
==========================
Greenfield, David W.; Erdmann, Mark V.; Utama, Ilham Vemandra
A new gobiid species, Sueviota minersorum, is described from 4 specimens, 17.9–23.2 mm SL, collected from inside Theonella tube sponges at 20–22 m depth. The new species has a dorsal/anal-fin ray count of 9/8 and 17 or 18 pectoral-fin rays, all unbranched, and 27 or 28 lateral scales. It furthermore has a basal membrane fully joining the two branched fifth pelvic-fin rays, a character shared with 4 congeners: Sueviota bryozophila, S. lachneri, S. larsonae, and S. tubicola. Sueviota minersorum is most similar to S. lachneri, but differs in having a stocky body with a deep caudal peduncle, not tapering from the mid-body, and in color patterns. It differs from S. bryozophila in having all pelvic-fin rays branched (vs. unbranched), having a single AITO pore (vs. paired ITO pores), PITO and NA pores (vs. absent), and in color patterns. It differs from S. larsonae and S. tubicola by the absence of a frenum (vs. present) and in color patterns.
zenodo.org/record/3516352
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Pteropsaron indicum, a new species of signalfish (Teleostei: Trichonotidae: Hemerocoetinae) with a micro-CT analysis of osteology
Victor, Benjamin C.; Kumar, A. Biju
An unusual yellow-striped deepwater hemerocoetine fish trawled up from 70 m depth in the Lakshadweep Sea (Laccadive Sea) off Kerala, southern India is described here as the new species Pteropsaron indicum, based on two male specimens measuring 82 and 84 mm SL. The new species of signalfish is notable among the grouping of three genera sharing crowded dorsal-fin spines and a maxillary spine (Acanthaphritis, Osopsaron, and Pteropsaron) in having only three dorsal-fin spines, greatly extended dorsal-fin soft rays in addition to the greatly extended dorsal-fin spines, high counts of rays in the dorsal and anal fins (D- III,27 and A- 29), a high number of vertebrae (38), and a large body size. Pteropsaron indicum possesses the distinctive arrangement of the spinous-dorsal-fin-pterygiophore complex found in this subset of trichonotid fishes. In P. indicum, the complex is placed between the fourth and fifth neural spines. The micro-computed tomography technique (micro-CT) is used to illustrate that osteological peculiarity in fine detail.
More at:- zenodo.org/record/3497519
==========================
Victor, Benjamin C.; Kumar, A. Biju
An unusual yellow-striped deepwater hemerocoetine fish trawled up from 70 m depth in the Lakshadweep Sea (Laccadive Sea) off Kerala, southern India is described here as the new species Pteropsaron indicum, based on two male specimens measuring 82 and 84 mm SL. The new species of signalfish is notable among the grouping of three genera sharing crowded dorsal-fin spines and a maxillary spine (Acanthaphritis, Osopsaron, and Pteropsaron) in having only three dorsal-fin spines, greatly extended dorsal-fin soft rays in addition to the greatly extended dorsal-fin spines, high counts of rays in the dorsal and anal fins (D- III,27 and A- 29), a high number of vertebrae (38), and a large body size. Pteropsaron indicum possesses the distinctive arrangement of the spinous-dorsal-fin-pterygiophore complex found in this subset of trichonotid fishes. In P. indicum, the complex is placed between the fourth and fifth neural spines. The micro-computed tomography technique (micro-CT) is used to illustrate that osteological peculiarity in fine detail.
More at:- zenodo.org/record/3497519
==========================
Channa rara • A New Species of Snakehead Fish (Labyrinthici: Channidae) from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India
Channa rara
Britz, Dahanukar, Anoop & Ali, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8
facebook.com/NeeleshDahanukar
Abstract
Channa rara, new species, is described from the Jagbudi River in Maharashtra, India. It belongs to the Gachua group and differs from all its members by the possession of one or more ocelli in the posterior part of the dorsal fin in adults (vs. ocelli absent or 1, rarely 2–3 ocelli in juveniles only). It is further distinguished from most species of the C. gachua group by having 6–7 dark concentric bands on the pectoral fins. We review recent descriptions of species of the genus Channa and conclude that C. royi is a synonym of Channa harcourtbutleri, that the diagnosis of C. shingon from C. harcourtbutleri is seriously flawed and that C. torsaensis is not sufficiently diagnosed from C. quinquefasciata. The recently described C. amari is a junior synonym of C. brunnea.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, endemism, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot
Ralf Britz, Neelesh Dahanukar, V.K. Anoop and Anvar Ali. 2019. Channa rara, A New Species of Snakehead Fish from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India (Teleostei: Labyrinthici: Channidae). Zootaxa. 4683(4); 589–600. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8
facebook.com/IndiaGillsBangalore/posts/974304026238882
facebook.com/NeeleshDahanukar/posts/2535923133144023
==========================
Channa rara
Britz, Dahanukar, Anoop & Ali, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8
facebook.com/NeeleshDahanukar
Abstract
Channa rara, new species, is described from the Jagbudi River in Maharashtra, India. It belongs to the Gachua group and differs from all its members by the possession of one or more ocelli in the posterior part of the dorsal fin in adults (vs. ocelli absent or 1, rarely 2–3 ocelli in juveniles only). It is further distinguished from most species of the C. gachua group by having 6–7 dark concentric bands on the pectoral fins. We review recent descriptions of species of the genus Channa and conclude that C. royi is a synonym of Channa harcourtbutleri, that the diagnosis of C. shingon from C. harcourtbutleri is seriously flawed and that C. torsaensis is not sufficiently diagnosed from C. quinquefasciata. The recently described C. amari is a junior synonym of C. brunnea.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, endemism, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot
Ralf Britz, Neelesh Dahanukar, V.K. Anoop and Anvar Ali. 2019. Channa rara, A New Species of Snakehead Fish from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India (Teleostei: Labyrinthici: Channidae). Zootaxa. 4683(4); 589–600. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.8
facebook.com/IndiaGillsBangalore/posts/974304026238882
facebook.com/NeeleshDahanukar/posts/2535923133144023
==========================
Silurus tomodai • A New Catfish (Siluriformes: Siluridae) from central Japan
Silurus tomodai
Hibino & Tabata, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.3.5
Abstract
A new catfish, Silurus tomodai, is described based on 37 specimens; 132-514 mm > 139-514 mm [132–514 mm standard length (SL)] collected from streams of Mie, Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and Nagano prefectures of central Honshu Island, Japan. Although S. tomodai is closely related to S. lithophilus (Tomoda, 1961) based on partial mitochondrial DNA sequences, the former can be distinguished from the latter by the position of dorsal fin (predorsal-fin length 28.5–32.1% vs. 30.1–33.7% SL), a shorter head (18.5–21.2% vs. 19.5–22.2% SL) that is more broadly rounded in ventral view, a more slender body (depth at 10th anal-fin ray 12.9–18.3% vs. 15.7–18.8% SL, and 86.8–100.3% vs. 97.2–109.7% of body depth at anal-fin origin), longer mandibular barbel [20.4–47.7% vs. 10.7–35.3% of head length (HL)], shorter anal-fin rays (10th anal-fin ray length 32.2–38.3% vs. 37.3–45.3% HL), eye slightly protruding laterally beyond profile in dorsal view, and the shape of medial depression on anterior face of mesethmoid (deep and narrow vs. shallow and wide). Silurus tomodai differs from S. asotus, a species widely distributed in Japan including central Honshu Island, in the shape of vomerine-tooth band (typically separated into two distinct lenticular patches vs. continuous), the shape and size of teeth (small and slightly recurved vs. relatively large and recurved), snout length (34.7–38.9% vs. 33.0–36.5% HL), the length of lower jaw (110–124% vs. 124–138% of snout length), interorbital width (53.0–61.3% vs. 46.3–52.8% HL), eye location (vertical through anterior margin of pupil usually posterior vs. anterior terminus of lips), inter-mandibular barbel width (24.7–32.5% vs. 21.7–26.7% HL), vertebral count (62–65 vs. 58–63), pigmentation on underside of head (usually mottled with dark pigmentation vs. uniformly white, rarely dark with pale band along posteroventral margin of lower jaw) and eggs yellow (vs. light green).
Keywords: Pisces, Siluridae, Silurus tomodai, Silurus lithophilus, cryptic species diversity, Japan
Silurus tomodai Hibino & Tabata, 2018, sp. nov.
New Japanese name: Tanigawa-namazu;
new English name: Tomoda’s Catfish
Etymology. The scientific name tomodai honors Dr. Yoshio Tomoda, the author of “Two New Catfishes of the Genus Parasilurus found in Lake Biwa-ko” (1961). The Japanese standard name, Tanigawa-namazu, refers to the mountain stream (means "Tanigawa" in Japanese) habitat of S. tomodai.
Yusuke Hibino and Ryoichi Tabata. 2018. Description of A New Catfish, Silurus tomodai (Siluriformes: Siluridae) from central Japan. Zootaxa. 4459(3); 507–524. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.3.5
twitter.com/shonanensis/status/1079421916165726208
==========================
Silurus tomodai
Hibino & Tabata, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.3.5
Abstract
A new catfish, Silurus tomodai, is described based on 37 specimens; 132-514 mm > 139-514 mm [132–514 mm standard length (SL)] collected from streams of Mie, Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and Nagano prefectures of central Honshu Island, Japan. Although S. tomodai is closely related to S. lithophilus (Tomoda, 1961) based on partial mitochondrial DNA sequences, the former can be distinguished from the latter by the position of dorsal fin (predorsal-fin length 28.5–32.1% vs. 30.1–33.7% SL), a shorter head (18.5–21.2% vs. 19.5–22.2% SL) that is more broadly rounded in ventral view, a more slender body (depth at 10th anal-fin ray 12.9–18.3% vs. 15.7–18.8% SL, and 86.8–100.3% vs. 97.2–109.7% of body depth at anal-fin origin), longer mandibular barbel [20.4–47.7% vs. 10.7–35.3% of head length (HL)], shorter anal-fin rays (10th anal-fin ray length 32.2–38.3% vs. 37.3–45.3% HL), eye slightly protruding laterally beyond profile in dorsal view, and the shape of medial depression on anterior face of mesethmoid (deep and narrow vs. shallow and wide). Silurus tomodai differs from S. asotus, a species widely distributed in Japan including central Honshu Island, in the shape of vomerine-tooth band (typically separated into two distinct lenticular patches vs. continuous), the shape and size of teeth (small and slightly recurved vs. relatively large and recurved), snout length (34.7–38.9% vs. 33.0–36.5% HL), the length of lower jaw (110–124% vs. 124–138% of snout length), interorbital width (53.0–61.3% vs. 46.3–52.8% HL), eye location (vertical through anterior margin of pupil usually posterior vs. anterior terminus of lips), inter-mandibular barbel width (24.7–32.5% vs. 21.7–26.7% HL), vertebral count (62–65 vs. 58–63), pigmentation on underside of head (usually mottled with dark pigmentation vs. uniformly white, rarely dark with pale band along posteroventral margin of lower jaw) and eggs yellow (vs. light green).
Keywords: Pisces, Siluridae, Silurus tomodai, Silurus lithophilus, cryptic species diversity, Japan
Silurus tomodai Hibino & Tabata, 2018, sp. nov.
New Japanese name: Tanigawa-namazu;
new English name: Tomoda’s Catfish
Etymology. The scientific name tomodai honors Dr. Yoshio Tomoda, the author of “Two New Catfishes of the Genus Parasilurus found in Lake Biwa-ko” (1961). The Japanese standard name, Tanigawa-namazu, refers to the mountain stream (means "Tanigawa" in Japanese) habitat of S. tomodai.
Yusuke Hibino and Ryoichi Tabata. 2018. Description of A New Catfish, Silurus tomodai (Siluriformes: Siluridae) from central Japan. Zootaxa. 4459(3); 507–524. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.3.5
twitter.com/shonanensis/status/1079421916165726208
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Salinity affects growth but not thermal preference of adult mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus
Jessica S. Thompson
First published: 22 July 2019
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14103Funding information: Funding was provided by the Jeffress Memorial Trust and Christopher Newport University
AbstractThe effects of an ecologically relevant range of salinities (2, 12, 22, 32) on thermal preferences and growth of adult mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus were determined for fish from a southern Chesapeake Bay population. Salinity did not affect the mean temperature selected by F. heteroclitus in a thermal gradient, which was identified as 26.6°C based on observations of 240 individuals. Salinity and temperature had significant and interacting effects on growth rates of F. heteroclitus measured over 12 weeks. Growth rates were highest overall and remained high over a broader range of temperatures at moderate salinities (12 and 22), while high growth rates were shifted toward lower temperatures for fish grown at a salinity of 2 and higher temperatures at a salinity of 32. Significant reductions in growth relative to the optimal conditions (28.6°C, salinity of 22) were observed at the coolest (19.6°C) and warmest (33.6°C) temperature tested at all salinities, as well as temperatures ≥ 26.6°C at a salinity of 2, ≥ 28.6°C at a salinity of 12 and ≤ 26.6°C at a salinity of 32. Growth rates provide a long‐term, organismal measure of performance and results of this study indicate that performance may be reduced under conditions that the highly euryhaline F. heteroclitus can otherwise easily tolerate. The combination of reduced salinity and increased temperature that is predicted for temperate estuaries as a result of climate change may have negative effects on growth of this ecologically important species.
==========================
Jessica S. Thompson
First published: 22 July 2019
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14103Funding information: Funding was provided by the Jeffress Memorial Trust and Christopher Newport University
AbstractThe effects of an ecologically relevant range of salinities (2, 12, 22, 32) on thermal preferences and growth of adult mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus were determined for fish from a southern Chesapeake Bay population. Salinity did not affect the mean temperature selected by F. heteroclitus in a thermal gradient, which was identified as 26.6°C based on observations of 240 individuals. Salinity and temperature had significant and interacting effects on growth rates of F. heteroclitus measured over 12 weeks. Growth rates were highest overall and remained high over a broader range of temperatures at moderate salinities (12 and 22), while high growth rates were shifted toward lower temperatures for fish grown at a salinity of 2 and higher temperatures at a salinity of 32. Significant reductions in growth relative to the optimal conditions (28.6°C, salinity of 22) were observed at the coolest (19.6°C) and warmest (33.6°C) temperature tested at all salinities, as well as temperatures ≥ 26.6°C at a salinity of 2, ≥ 28.6°C at a salinity of 12 and ≤ 26.6°C at a salinity of 32. Growth rates provide a long‐term, organismal measure of performance and results of this study indicate that performance may be reduced under conditions that the highly euryhaline F. heteroclitus can otherwise easily tolerate. The combination of reduced salinity and increased temperature that is predicted for temperate estuaries as a result of climate change may have negative effects on growth of this ecologically important species.
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Piranha swap out their old teeth with new set waiting in a 'crypt`
'By Ashley Strickland, CNN
Updated 1955 GMT (0355 HKT) October 11, 2019
A CT-scanned image of the piranha Serrasalmus elongatus, also known as elongated or pike piranha. Note the ingested fish fins in its stomach.(CNN)Piranha teeth have the tough task of crunching bone and shredding flesh and, like well-used kitchen knives, they dull over time. Since they have no way to sharpen their teeth, piranhas lose and regrow all of the teeth on one side several times over their lifespan.
A new analysis of piranha teeth revealed that a new set of teeth wait in a "crypt" below the current teeth so that the fish are never without a pair. This way, they can happily keep munching on what the study refers to as an "anatomical potpourri of fish parts, ranging from scales and fin rays, chunks of flesh and whole fishes."
The study published in the journal Evolution and Development.Previous research showed that piranhas lose one row of teeth at a time and replace them with sharp new ones. But scientists didn't find any examples of piranhas missing teeth.
But piranhas aren't the only fish that experience this. They have plant-eating relatives called pacus that lose and regrow their teeth in the same way.
This Jurassic flesh-eating fish with piranha-like teeth is the stuff of nightmares
"I think in a sense we found a solution to a problem that's obvious, but no one had articulated before," said Adam Summers, study author and professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences at Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island. "The teeth form a solid battery that is locked together, and they are all lost at once on one side of the face. The new teeth wear the old ones as 'hats' until they are ready to erupt. So, piranhas are never toothless even though they are constantly replacing dull teeth with brand new sharp ones."
A CT-scanned image, left, of the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) shows a set of lower teeth growing below the existing teeth. An advanced imaging technique, right, of the same fish illuminates the replacement teeth on both the bottom and top of the jaw.
The researchers used new imaging technology on fish specimens at different museums, using 3D examination and analyzing 40 different species. This enabled them to actually see the rows of teeth just waiting beneath the surface of the existing teeth inside the jaw.
The detailed look also allowed the scientists to understand why the teeth are replaced this way. The rows of teeth on each side of the mouth act like interlocking blocks.
Great whites may have wiped out the biggest shark that ever lived
"When one tooth wears down, it becomes hard to replace just one," Matthew Kolmann, study author and postdoctoral researcher at George Washington University. "Once you link teeth together, if one wears too much, it becomes like a missing link in an assembly line. They all have to work together in a coordinated way."
Advanced imaging shows how the lower-jaw teeth of a pacu fish interlock together.Interlocking teeth can also handle the stress of chewing better, the researchers said. In piranhas, the teeth act like saw blades and in pacus, the teeth are more like clasps that can crop vegetation.
"With interlocking teeth, the fish go from having one sharp tooth that can crack a nut or cut through flesh to a whole battery of teeth," said Karly Cohen, study co-author and a University of Washington biology doctoral student. "Among piranhas and pacus there's a lot of diversity in how the teeth lock together, and it seems to relate to how the teeth are being used."
Copied from edition.cnn.com/2019/10/11/world/piranha-teeth-replacement-study-scn/index.html
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An Unexpected New Poropanchax (Cyprinodontiformes, Procatopodidae) from the Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Jouke R. Van Der Zee, Kimberly Bernotas, Pedro H.N. Bragança, Melanie L.J. Stiassny
Author Affiliations +
American Museum Novitates, 2019(3941):1-12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1206/3941.1
AbstractA new procatopodid, assigned to the genus Poropanchax, is described from a wetland habitat located adjacent to the Inga Falls in Lower Congo. Poropanchax pepo, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of characters including a higher D/A ratio, rounded anal and dorsal fins, a humeral blotch in males, and the absence of a sharp ventral process on the basipterygium. The finding of a Poropanchax species in Lower Congo was unexpected, since the closest known congeneric population is located in northwestern Gabon, some 700 kilometers to the north. As recognized herein the genus Poropanchax is a clade comprised of five species geographically restricted to humid coastal regions of west and west-central Africa.
bioone.org/journals/American-Museum-Novitates/volume-2019/issue-3941/3941.1/An-Unexpected-New-Poropanchax-Cyprinodontiformes-Procatopodidae-from-the-Kongo-Central/10.1206/3941.1.short?fbclid=IwAR22IXbQ8ZlmHq6OFNuiYyG-aX1BOrvdL5hYOl95LxHUxzGChxl677klxHo
==========================
Jouke R. Van Der Zee, Kimberly Bernotas, Pedro H.N. Bragança, Melanie L.J. Stiassny
Author Affiliations +
American Museum Novitates, 2019(3941):1-12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1206/3941.1
AbstractA new procatopodid, assigned to the genus Poropanchax, is described from a wetland habitat located adjacent to the Inga Falls in Lower Congo. Poropanchax pepo, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of characters including a higher D/A ratio, rounded anal and dorsal fins, a humeral blotch in males, and the absence of a sharp ventral process on the basipterygium. The finding of a Poropanchax species in Lower Congo was unexpected, since the closest known congeneric population is located in northwestern Gabon, some 700 kilometers to the north. As recognized herein the genus Poropanchax is a clade comprised of five species geographically restricted to humid coastal regions of west and west-central Africa.
bioone.org/journals/American-Museum-Novitates/volume-2019/issue-3941/3941.1/An-Unexpected-New-Poropanchax-Cyprinodontiformes-Procatopodidae-from-the-Kongo-Central/10.1206/3941.1.short?fbclid=IwAR22IXbQ8ZlmHq6OFNuiYyG-aX1BOrvdL5hYOl95LxHUxzGChxl677klxHo
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Two new species of miniature psammophilic sarcoglanidine catfishes of the genus Microcambeva from the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)
Wilson J. E. M. Costa,Axel M. Katz,José L. O. Mattos &Filipe S. Rangel-Pereira
ABSTRACTTrichomycterid catfishes of the Sarcoglanidinae, which includes small-sized species living in sandy river substratum, have been poorly represented in collections. We herein describe two new species of the sarcoglanidine genus Microcambeva, endemic to river basins draining the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The presence of a distal widening on the posterior process of the autopalatine and a rudimentary anterior autopalatine ossification shared by the two new species, M. mucuriensis sp. nov. from the Rio Mucuri and M. jucuensis sp. nov. from the Rio Jucu basin, and M. draco from the Rio Jucuruçu basin indicates that these three species are more closely related to each other than to other congeners. Microcambeva mucuriensis seems to be more closely related to M. draco than to M. jucuensis in that the first two species share the presence of a well-developed anterior process of the interopercle. The two new species are also distinguished from congeners by the number of opercular odontodes and premaxillary teeth, and the relative size of the sesamoid supraorbital. Available evidence taken from this study and previous reports indicates that different sarcoglanidine lineages have adapted to live in distinct riverine habitats, with species of Atlantic Forest Microcambeva inhabiting clearwater streams and Amazonian sarcoglanidines found in tea-stained acidic-water streams.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8CFF9C88-1CEC-44AF-AD26-1D4A56F3D946
==========================
Wilson J. E. M. Costa,Axel M. Katz,José L. O. Mattos &Filipe S. Rangel-Pereira
ABSTRACTTrichomycterid catfishes of the Sarcoglanidinae, which includes small-sized species living in sandy river substratum, have been poorly represented in collections. We herein describe two new species of the sarcoglanidine genus Microcambeva, endemic to river basins draining the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The presence of a distal widening on the posterior process of the autopalatine and a rudimentary anterior autopalatine ossification shared by the two new species, M. mucuriensis sp. nov. from the Rio Mucuri and M. jucuensis sp. nov. from the Rio Jucu basin, and M. draco from the Rio Jucuruçu basin indicates that these three species are more closely related to each other than to other congeners. Microcambeva mucuriensis seems to be more closely related to M. draco than to M. jucuensis in that the first two species share the presence of a well-developed anterior process of the interopercle. The two new species are also distinguished from congeners by the number of opercular odontodes and premaxillary teeth, and the relative size of the sesamoid supraorbital. Available evidence taken from this study and previous reports indicates that different sarcoglanidine lineages have adapted to live in distinct riverine habitats, with species of Atlantic Forest Microcambeva inhabiting clearwater streams and Amazonian sarcoglanidines found in tea-stained acidic-water streams.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8CFF9C88-1CEC-44AF-AD26-1D4A56F3D946
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Upeneus caudofasciatus, U. gubal & U. heterospinus • Three New Goatfishes of the Genus Upeneus (Mullidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with A Redescription of Colour Patterns in U. margarethae
Upeneus heterospinus Uiblein & Pavlov
in Uiblein, Gledhill, Pavlov, Hoang & Shaheen, 2019.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.2.1
Abstract
For the goatfish genus Upeneus Cuvier 1829 (Mullidae), a new taxonomic species group called the “margarethae group” is established which can be distinguished from the six species of the most similar “tragula group” by a combination of the following characteristics: absence of dark pigmentation in the area of the first dorsal-fin tip, 21–25 total gill rakers and 28–30 lateral-line scales. Initially, three recently-described species have been included in the margarethae group: Upeneus margarethae Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010, known from the Indian Ocean including the Red Sea and from the Arafura Sea (W Pacific), U. mouthami Randall & Kulbicki, 2006, from New Caledonia and Vanuatu (W Pacific), and U. randalli Uiblein & Heemstra, 2011, from the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the inner Gulf of Oman (NW Indian Ocean). The present taxonomic review of the margarethae group analyses a large data set of 41 morphometric, 10 meristic and many colour characters obtained from 279 preserved goatfish specimens and 166 fresh-colour photos (plus a fresh-colour drawing). For the nominal species of the group, U. margarethae, a redescription of the colour patterns is provided and new records for Myanmar, Andaman Sea (NE Indian Ocean) and the Gulf of Carpentaria, N Australia (W Pacific), are reported. Three new species are described: Upeneus caudofasciatus n. sp. from the area of the Great Barrier Reef to Torres Strait off NE Australia (Coral Sea, W Pacific), U. gubal n. sp. from the S Gulf of Suez (Northern Red Sea), and U. heterospinus n. sp. from S Indonesia to Singapore, the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Taiwan and Japan (W Pacific). A comprehensive alpha-taxonomic approach is adopted, considering population differences as well as intraspecific sizerelated variation in morphology and colour patterns by splitting the data set into two size classes, adults (≥ 65 mm SL) and smaller subadults. Inter- and intraspecific comparisons include statistical analyses for species and population with sufficiently large samples sizes (n ≥ 20). Colour-pattern characterization and analysis are based on photos of recently collected and deceased fish (partly associated with voucher specimens), photos obtained from active or resting fishes in situ or in a tank, and inspection of pigmentation patterns retained in preserved specimens. Species differences are elaborated under consideration of distribution patterns and the characteristics found in the closest-most population of widely distributed species such as U. margarethae, resulting in clear and consistent distinction among the six species in single or in a combination of several characteristics. Comparisons among size classes revealed species-specific patterns in morphometric, meristic and colour changes with increasing size. One species, U. heterospinus n. sp., has seven or eight spines in the dorsal fin which occur in balanced ratio across populations. This is a unique characteristic for Upeneus species which usually have either seven or eight dorsal-fin spines, respectively. The best distinction of Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. from all other congeners is reached by combined examination of dorsal-fin spines with several other characters such as barbel colour, presence of a mid-lateral body stripe, pigmentation patterns (partly retained also in preserved fish), gillraker and pectoral-fin ray numbers, and body-shape variables. The high degree of overall morphological differentation among the three most common species U. caudofasciatus n. sp., U. heterospinus n. sp. and U. margarethae, as revealed by the statistical comparisons, strongly contrasts with a still signficant, but much lower degree of differentiation among populations. The diagnostic characteristics of the margarethae group are updated and the importance to use the results of this taxonomic review in ongoing fisheries-related and ecological research is emphasized. Requirements for future taxonomic research featuring the stunning diversity of the goatfish genus Upeneus are also discussed.
Keywords: Pisces, margarethae species group, meristic characters, body shape, colour patterns, comprehensive alpha taxonomy
Upeneus margarethae Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010
Margaretha’s goatfish
Upeneus caudofasciatus n. sp. Uiblein & Gledhill
Tailbar goatfish
Etymology. The name refers to the occurrence of oblique conspicuous bars which cross both caudal-fin lobes entirely.
Distribution, habitat and size. SW Pacific, NE Australia, Queensland, from W of Thursday Island and S of Daru Island, Torres Strait to NE of Gladstone, Great Barrier Reef; maximum depth 60 m, commonly trawled above soft bottoms at between 15 and 40 m; maximum size 12.5 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. Subadults differ from adults in having a slightly longer head, shallower pelvic-fin depth and longer pelvic fins (Tables 2, 9; Figure 8); they differ in having fewer bars on the caudal fin (only preserved fish could be compared; Tables 2, 9); dark pigmentation is more often found in preserved subadults than in preserved adults (Tables 2, 9; see also preserved colour description above).
Remarks. Because of the relatively small distribution area of the species and low numbers of specimens available from the most distant localities, no quantitative population comparisons could be conducted. In two of the 55 studied specimens the tiny first-dorsal fin spine is overgrown with skin or very small and hence difficult to detect. Though this species appears to be rather common on shallow soft bottoms near coral reefs, we could not find any in-situ fresh-colour photo documentation.
Upeneus gubal n. sp. Uiblein
Gubal goatfish
Diagnosis. Dorsal fins VIII + 9, the first spine minute; pectoral fins 15; gill rakers 6 + 19 = 25; lateral-line scales 28–29; measurements in % SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 24; body depth at anus 21; caudal-peduncle depth 11; caudal-peduncle width 3.3; maximum head depth 20; head depth through eye 16; suborbital depth 9.0; interorbital length 8.2; head length 29; snout length 11; postorbital length 11; orbit length 7.4; upper-jaw length 11; barbel length 19; interdorsal distance 16; caudal-peduncle length 24; caudal-fin length 31; anal-fin height 19; pelvic-fin length 22; pectoral-fin length 22; pectoral-fin width 4.8; first dorsal-fin height 22; second dorsal-fin height 19; preserved colour pale brown.
Etymology. Named after the type locality which is situated close to Gubal Island and in the Strait of Gubal at the southern entrance to the Gulf of Suez, Northern Red Sea. The name “gubal” is used as a noun in apposition.
Distribution, habitat and size. Single locality off Gubal Island, S Gulf of Suez, Northern Red Sea; fish caught by trawling at 70 m depth, most probably on sandy or muddy bottom; size of the specimen is 8.7 cm SL.
Remarks. Fresh colour of Upeneus gubal n. sp. is yet unknown, but the available morphological evidence strongly suggests its inclusion in the margarethae group (see also the Interspecific comparisons section further below). The single type specimen was collected together with a specimen of Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855) (registered as MNHN 2011-0093). The latter did not show any remains of dark pigmentation e.g. of first dorsal-fin tip and oblique bars on upper caudal-fin lobe as indicated to be diagnostic for preserved conspecifics (Uiblein & Heemstra 2010). The single known locality of U. gubal n. sp. in the S Gulf of Suez is about 1100 km north of the northernmost currently known occurrence of U. margarethae off Ibn Abbas Island, S coast of Sudan.
Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. Uiblein & Pavlov
Varied-spine goatfish
Etymology. The name refers to the variable number of 7 or 8 dorsal-fin spines in this species, which is in contrast to most other goatfish species and all other Indo-Pacific congeners which have either 7 or 8 dorsal-fin spines.
Distribution, habitat and size. W Pacific, from border to EIO in S Indonesia to Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Central Philippines, South China, Taiwan, and S Japan; 6–24 m depth, sandy or muddy bottoms; maximum size 16 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. To ensure that the dimorphic expression of seven and eight dorsal-fin spines in U. heterospinus n. sp. is indeed a single-species characteristic, as is unusual in goatfishes, the two morphs were compared using the entire set of studied characters. As was expected, no differences could be discovered in any single character (Table 8), nor in any combinations of characters or in statistical comparisons of morphometric, meristic and colour characters.
...
Remarks. Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. has been reported from many areas using various names and most recently as U. spottocaudalis from Japan (Bandai et al. 2018). From Vietnam, where it is a common species that is frequently encountered in fish markets, biological data have been recently collected and published using preliminary identification information (Emel’yanova & Pavlov 2014; Pavlov & Emel’yanova 2016).
Upeneus mouthami Randall & Kulbicki, 2006
Mou Tham’s goatfish
Distribution, habitat and size. Coral Sea, New Caledonia, Chesterfield Islands and Vanuatu off Malo and Spiritu Santo Islands; 36–175 m depth, muddy bottoms, adults occur shallower than juveniles; maximum size 9.5 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. Subadults differ from adults in shallower head, narrower snout, slightly longer caudal peduncle and first dorsal-fin base, longer caudal fin and narrower pectoral fins (Tables 2, 9).
Upeneus randalli Uiblein & Heemstra, 2011
Randall’s goatfish
Intraspecific comparison. The single subadult differs from adults in shallower maximum body and head depth, shallower caudal peduncle, shallower suborbital depth, larger eyes, longer anal-fin base, slightly narrower pectoral fins and wider bars on caudal fin, especially on lower fin lobe which is crossed by a dark stripe at mid of lobe (Tables 2, 9; Figure 2 G, H).
Franz Uiblein, Daniel C. Gledhill, Dimitri A. Pavlov, Tuan Anh Hoang and Shaker Shaheen. 2019. Three New Goatfishes of the Genus Upeneus (Mullidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with A Redescription of Colour Patterns in U. margarethae. Zootaxa. 4683(2); 151–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.2.1
==========================
Upeneus heterospinus Uiblein & Pavlov
in Uiblein, Gledhill, Pavlov, Hoang & Shaheen, 2019.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.2.1
Abstract
For the goatfish genus Upeneus Cuvier 1829 (Mullidae), a new taxonomic species group called the “margarethae group” is established which can be distinguished from the six species of the most similar “tragula group” by a combination of the following characteristics: absence of dark pigmentation in the area of the first dorsal-fin tip, 21–25 total gill rakers and 28–30 lateral-line scales. Initially, three recently-described species have been included in the margarethae group: Upeneus margarethae Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010, known from the Indian Ocean including the Red Sea and from the Arafura Sea (W Pacific), U. mouthami Randall & Kulbicki, 2006, from New Caledonia and Vanuatu (W Pacific), and U. randalli Uiblein & Heemstra, 2011, from the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the inner Gulf of Oman (NW Indian Ocean). The present taxonomic review of the margarethae group analyses a large data set of 41 morphometric, 10 meristic and many colour characters obtained from 279 preserved goatfish specimens and 166 fresh-colour photos (plus a fresh-colour drawing). For the nominal species of the group, U. margarethae, a redescription of the colour patterns is provided and new records for Myanmar, Andaman Sea (NE Indian Ocean) and the Gulf of Carpentaria, N Australia (W Pacific), are reported. Three new species are described: Upeneus caudofasciatus n. sp. from the area of the Great Barrier Reef to Torres Strait off NE Australia (Coral Sea, W Pacific), U. gubal n. sp. from the S Gulf of Suez (Northern Red Sea), and U. heterospinus n. sp. from S Indonesia to Singapore, the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Taiwan and Japan (W Pacific). A comprehensive alpha-taxonomic approach is adopted, considering population differences as well as intraspecific sizerelated variation in morphology and colour patterns by splitting the data set into two size classes, adults (≥ 65 mm SL) and smaller subadults. Inter- and intraspecific comparisons include statistical analyses for species and population with sufficiently large samples sizes (n ≥ 20). Colour-pattern characterization and analysis are based on photos of recently collected and deceased fish (partly associated with voucher specimens), photos obtained from active or resting fishes in situ or in a tank, and inspection of pigmentation patterns retained in preserved specimens. Species differences are elaborated under consideration of distribution patterns and the characteristics found in the closest-most population of widely distributed species such as U. margarethae, resulting in clear and consistent distinction among the six species in single or in a combination of several characteristics. Comparisons among size classes revealed species-specific patterns in morphometric, meristic and colour changes with increasing size. One species, U. heterospinus n. sp., has seven or eight spines in the dorsal fin which occur in balanced ratio across populations. This is a unique characteristic for Upeneus species which usually have either seven or eight dorsal-fin spines, respectively. The best distinction of Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. from all other congeners is reached by combined examination of dorsal-fin spines with several other characters such as barbel colour, presence of a mid-lateral body stripe, pigmentation patterns (partly retained also in preserved fish), gillraker and pectoral-fin ray numbers, and body-shape variables. The high degree of overall morphological differentation among the three most common species U. caudofasciatus n. sp., U. heterospinus n. sp. and U. margarethae, as revealed by the statistical comparisons, strongly contrasts with a still signficant, but much lower degree of differentiation among populations. The diagnostic characteristics of the margarethae group are updated and the importance to use the results of this taxonomic review in ongoing fisheries-related and ecological research is emphasized. Requirements for future taxonomic research featuring the stunning diversity of the goatfish genus Upeneus are also discussed.
Keywords: Pisces, margarethae species group, meristic characters, body shape, colour patterns, comprehensive alpha taxonomy
Upeneus margarethae Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010
Margaretha’s goatfish
Upeneus caudofasciatus n. sp. Uiblein & Gledhill
Tailbar goatfish
Etymology. The name refers to the occurrence of oblique conspicuous bars which cross both caudal-fin lobes entirely.
Distribution, habitat and size. SW Pacific, NE Australia, Queensland, from W of Thursday Island and S of Daru Island, Torres Strait to NE of Gladstone, Great Barrier Reef; maximum depth 60 m, commonly trawled above soft bottoms at between 15 and 40 m; maximum size 12.5 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. Subadults differ from adults in having a slightly longer head, shallower pelvic-fin depth and longer pelvic fins (Tables 2, 9; Figure 8); they differ in having fewer bars on the caudal fin (only preserved fish could be compared; Tables 2, 9); dark pigmentation is more often found in preserved subadults than in preserved adults (Tables 2, 9; see also preserved colour description above).
Remarks. Because of the relatively small distribution area of the species and low numbers of specimens available from the most distant localities, no quantitative population comparisons could be conducted. In two of the 55 studied specimens the tiny first-dorsal fin spine is overgrown with skin or very small and hence difficult to detect. Though this species appears to be rather common on shallow soft bottoms near coral reefs, we could not find any in-situ fresh-colour photo documentation.
Upeneus gubal n. sp. Uiblein
Gubal goatfish
Diagnosis. Dorsal fins VIII + 9, the first spine minute; pectoral fins 15; gill rakers 6 + 19 = 25; lateral-line scales 28–29; measurements in % SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 24; body depth at anus 21; caudal-peduncle depth 11; caudal-peduncle width 3.3; maximum head depth 20; head depth through eye 16; suborbital depth 9.0; interorbital length 8.2; head length 29; snout length 11; postorbital length 11; orbit length 7.4; upper-jaw length 11; barbel length 19; interdorsal distance 16; caudal-peduncle length 24; caudal-fin length 31; anal-fin height 19; pelvic-fin length 22; pectoral-fin length 22; pectoral-fin width 4.8; first dorsal-fin height 22; second dorsal-fin height 19; preserved colour pale brown.
Etymology. Named after the type locality which is situated close to Gubal Island and in the Strait of Gubal at the southern entrance to the Gulf of Suez, Northern Red Sea. The name “gubal” is used as a noun in apposition.
Distribution, habitat and size. Single locality off Gubal Island, S Gulf of Suez, Northern Red Sea; fish caught by trawling at 70 m depth, most probably on sandy or muddy bottom; size of the specimen is 8.7 cm SL.
Remarks. Fresh colour of Upeneus gubal n. sp. is yet unknown, but the available morphological evidence strongly suggests its inclusion in the margarethae group (see also the Interspecific comparisons section further below). The single type specimen was collected together with a specimen of Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855) (registered as MNHN 2011-0093). The latter did not show any remains of dark pigmentation e.g. of first dorsal-fin tip and oblique bars on upper caudal-fin lobe as indicated to be diagnostic for preserved conspecifics (Uiblein & Heemstra 2010). The single known locality of U. gubal n. sp. in the S Gulf of Suez is about 1100 km north of the northernmost currently known occurrence of U. margarethae off Ibn Abbas Island, S coast of Sudan.
Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. Uiblein & Pavlov
Varied-spine goatfish
Etymology. The name refers to the variable number of 7 or 8 dorsal-fin spines in this species, which is in contrast to most other goatfish species and all other Indo-Pacific congeners which have either 7 or 8 dorsal-fin spines.
Distribution, habitat and size. W Pacific, from border to EIO in S Indonesia to Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Central Philippines, South China, Taiwan, and S Japan; 6–24 m depth, sandy or muddy bottoms; maximum size 16 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. To ensure that the dimorphic expression of seven and eight dorsal-fin spines in U. heterospinus n. sp. is indeed a single-species characteristic, as is unusual in goatfishes, the two morphs were compared using the entire set of studied characters. As was expected, no differences could be discovered in any single character (Table 8), nor in any combinations of characters or in statistical comparisons of morphometric, meristic and colour characters.
...
Remarks. Upeneus heterospinus n. sp. has been reported from many areas using various names and most recently as U. spottocaudalis from Japan (Bandai et al. 2018). From Vietnam, where it is a common species that is frequently encountered in fish markets, biological data have been recently collected and published using preliminary identification information (Emel’yanova & Pavlov 2014; Pavlov & Emel’yanova 2016).
Upeneus mouthami Randall & Kulbicki, 2006
Mou Tham’s goatfish
Distribution, habitat and size. Coral Sea, New Caledonia, Chesterfield Islands and Vanuatu off Malo and Spiritu Santo Islands; 36–175 m depth, muddy bottoms, adults occur shallower than juveniles; maximum size 9.5 cm SL.
Intraspecific comparisons. Subadults differ from adults in shallower head, narrower snout, slightly longer caudal peduncle and first dorsal-fin base, longer caudal fin and narrower pectoral fins (Tables 2, 9).
Upeneus randalli Uiblein & Heemstra, 2011
Randall’s goatfish
Intraspecific comparison. The single subadult differs from adults in shallower maximum body and head depth, shallower caudal peduncle, shallower suborbital depth, larger eyes, longer anal-fin base, slightly narrower pectoral fins and wider bars on caudal fin, especially on lower fin lobe which is crossed by a dark stripe at mid of lobe (Tables 2, 9; Figure 2 G, H).
Franz Uiblein, Daniel C. Gledhill, Dimitri A. Pavlov, Tuan Anh Hoang and Shaker Shaheen. 2019. Three New Goatfishes of the Genus Upeneus (Mullidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with A Redescription of Colour Patterns in U. margarethae. Zootaxa. 4683(2); 151–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.2.1
==========================
Tests Find Plastic in 20 Percent of Mexican Fish
Mexican Legislators Urged to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Microbeads
MEXICO CITY— Microplastics from product packaging and other sources are present in the stomachs of 20 percent of commercially important fish from three regions in Mexico, according to new tests by conservation groups and scientists from prominent Mexican universities.
The tests examined grey snapper, red grouper, white mullet and king mackerel from the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. One-fifth of the sampled fish contained microplastics — tiny pieces that often come from larger plastic debris as it degrades.
The tests are detailed in a new report by scientists from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, the Universidad Veracruzana, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Greenpeace Mexico and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“These disturbing tests highlight how plastic pollution is infesting our oceans and contaminating the fish we eat,” said Alejandro Olivera, the Mexico representative of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Microplastics threaten the environment and public health, in Mexico and around the world. Local efforts to ban plastic bags and straws are important, but we need national lawmakers to step up and help solve the problem.”
The most prevalent plastics came from cellophane and self-adhesive tapes used for wrapping and product packaging. The tests also found plastics from fibers used for clothing and textiles, food containers, fishing gear, bottles, supermarket bags and other sources.
“Although different states and municipalities in Mexico have taken measures to restrict or prohibit single-use plastic items, our national legislators must stop plastic contamination at its source by modifying the General Law for the Prevention and Integral Management of Waste,” said Miguel Rivas, coordinator of the Greenpeace oceans campaign. “Extending responsibility to the producers of the plastic products will stop plastic at its source. It’s time to stop letting big corporations greenwash their plastic pollution.”
Veracruz was the most affected region: The average number of microplastics per fish there was twice as high as in the other two regions. This could be related to the area’s higher level of urbanization, with a greater amount of suspended solid waste in the marine waters because of runoff or wastewater discharges and poor waste management. La Paz in Baja California Sur had the lowest plastic levels, perhaps because of its lower population density.
Recent scientific research suggests that microplastics can break down further and penetrate fish meat. For example, microplastics from shellfish are the third-largest contributor of microplastics to the consumer. It is estimated that consumers could eat, inhale or drink up to 74,000 pieces of microplastics a year.
In the report, Greenpeace and the Center called on companies that pollute oceans the most to assume responsibility and commit to changing product packing to minimize plastic.
They also urged a ban on the disposal of single-use plastics, labeling that inform consumers about the product’s negative environmental impacts have and the correct way to dispose of them, a prohibition on the incineration of containers, packages, and packaging, and a prohibition on the addition of microplastics to cosmetics and creams.
The groups also urged Mexico’s federal authorities to investigate potential health impacts to people who consume these fish and to work with fishing authorities to ensure that the economic activity is maintained in a sustainable manner and without affecting the population.
The full report in Spanish can be viewed at: https://act.gp/reporte-pecesmx
A summary of the report in English can be viewed at: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/pdfs/English-Summary-study-on-fish.pdf
==========================
Redescription of Schizodon dissimilis and appraisal of the dark barred species of the genus (Characiformes: Anostomidae)
Júlio Cesar Garavello1
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2985-6665
Heraldo Antonio Britski2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
1Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, km 235, Caixa Postal 676, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil. garavelo@ufscar.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2985-6665 (corresponding author)
2Seção de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 42494, Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. heraldo@usp.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
ABSTRACT
Schizodon dissimilis is redescribed on the basis of syntypes and non-type specimens from the Parnaíba, Jaguaribe and Mearim rivers, and lectotype and paralectotypes are designated. Schizodon dissimilis is distinct from the Amazonian and southeastern Brazil congeners by having four dark brown vertical bars without a midlateral dark brown stripe or a dark blotch on caudal peduncle. When compared with the northeastern Brazilian Schizodon and those from the São Francisco river, and with the remaining dark barred species S. australis, S. borellii, S. corti, S. fasciatus and S. intermedius, it is diagnosed by a combination of lateral line scale counts, color pattern and body proportions. The color pattern distinguishes S. dissimilis from S. fasciatus and the meristic and morphometric data are important in separating S. dissimilis from S. intermedius and S. borellii. Schizodon dissimilis and S. fasciatus have disjunct distributions, with the first occurring in northeastern basins, and the second widely distributed through the Amazon basin and rivers draining northward from the Guyana Shield. Schizodon intermedius and S. borellii are respectively native to the upper Paraná and Paraguay river basins while S. australis is known from the Paraná-Uruguay system and S. corti was described from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000300201&tlng=en&fbclid=IwAR1vioRmdgEEeOrKEZb1aKmfB178qpwQ3p0UYBToeGWDQKcIhsplyJRaX6k
==========================
Júlio Cesar Garavello1
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2985-6665
Heraldo Antonio Britski2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
1Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, km 235, Caixa Postal 676, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil. garavelo@ufscar.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2985-6665 (corresponding author)
2Seção de Peixes, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 42494, Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. heraldo@usp.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
ABSTRACT
Schizodon dissimilis is redescribed on the basis of syntypes and non-type specimens from the Parnaíba, Jaguaribe and Mearim rivers, and lectotype and paralectotypes are designated. Schizodon dissimilis is distinct from the Amazonian and southeastern Brazil congeners by having four dark brown vertical bars without a midlateral dark brown stripe or a dark blotch on caudal peduncle. When compared with the northeastern Brazilian Schizodon and those from the São Francisco river, and with the remaining dark barred species S. australis, S. borellii, S. corti, S. fasciatus and S. intermedius, it is diagnosed by a combination of lateral line scale counts, color pattern and body proportions. The color pattern distinguishes S. dissimilis from S. fasciatus and the meristic and morphometric data are important in separating S. dissimilis from S. intermedius and S. borellii. Schizodon dissimilis and S. fasciatus have disjunct distributions, with the first occurring in northeastern basins, and the second widely distributed through the Amazon basin and rivers draining northward from the Guyana Shield. Schizodon intermedius and S. borellii are respectively native to the upper Paraná and Paraguay river basins while S. australis is known from the Paraná-Uruguay system and S. corti was described from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000300201&tlng=en&fbclid=IwAR1vioRmdgEEeOrKEZb1aKmfB178qpwQ3p0UYBToeGWDQKcIhsplyJRaX6k
==========================
Redescription of Eviota thamani, an endemic dwarfgoby from Fiji (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
DAVID W. GREENFIELD
Research Associate
,
Department of Ichthyology
,
California Academy of Sciences
,
Abstract
The collection of two additional specimens of
Eviota thamani
from the islands of the Southern Lau Group, Fiji,
allowed us to obtain meristic and morphometric information missing in the original description, and describe
fresh coloration for this species. The earlier type material was old and in poor condition and fresh coloration not
known. The species lacks all cephalic sensory-canal pores, has a dorsal/anal-fin formula of 8/8, both the male and
female urogenital papillae are fimbriate, it has branched pectoral-fin rays, and the fifth pelvic-fin ray is absent or
a rudiment. Its fresh coloration is golden yellow with red-orange markings.
Key words:
taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, Indo-Pacific Ocean, miniaturization,
redescription
Citation:
Greenfield, D.W. & Erdmann, M.V. (2019) Redescription of
Eviota thamani
, an endemic dwarfgoby
from Fiji (Teleostei: Gobiidae).
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation
, 33, 65–69.
doi:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3475516
==========================
DAVID W. GREENFIELD
Research Associate
,
Department of Ichthyology
,
California Academy of Sciences
,
Abstract
The collection of two additional specimens of
Eviota thamani
from the islands of the Southern Lau Group, Fiji,
allowed us to obtain meristic and morphometric information missing in the original description, and describe
fresh coloration for this species. The earlier type material was old and in poor condition and fresh coloration not
known. The species lacks all cephalic sensory-canal pores, has a dorsal/anal-fin formula of 8/8, both the male and
female urogenital papillae are fimbriate, it has branched pectoral-fin rays, and the fifth pelvic-fin ray is absent or
a rudiment. Its fresh coloration is golden yellow with red-orange markings.
Key words:
taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, Indo-Pacific Ocean, miniaturization,
redescription
Citation:
Greenfield, D.W. & Erdmann, M.V. (2019) Redescription of
Eviota thamani
, an endemic dwarfgoby
from Fiji (Teleostei: Gobiidae).
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation
, 33, 65–69.
doi:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3475516
==========================
Batrochoglanis castaneus
New species of bumblebee catfish of the genus Batrochoglanis Gill, 1858 (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae) from the Aripuanã River basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
OSCAR A. SHIBATTA
Abstract
A new species, Batrochoglanis castaneus, is described from the Aripuanã River basin, Brazil. It differs from congeners, except B. raninus and B. transmontanus, by the dark brown color of the body and a dark brown stripe on the caudal fin. The new species differs from B. raninus by the longer maxillary barbel, longer prepelvic length, greater prepectoral length, smaller anal-fin base length, and smaller head depth. The new species differs from B. transmontanus by the longer caudal-fin dorsal lobe, presence of a hyaline spot or stripe on pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins, longer maxillary barbel, longer pectoral-fin, and dorsal-fin spines, greater eye diameter, smaller head depth, and larger mouth width. A metapterygoid anteriorly bifurcated and the lateral line reaching the adipose fin present in the new species are interpreted as synapomorphies of Batrochoglanis. On the other hand, the distribution of pore and neuromasts of the laterosensory system of the head seems to be very conservative in the family. The new species is known only from the Aripuanã River basin, reinforcing its characteristics as an area of endemism for fishes in the Amazon basin.
www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4674.2.6?fbclid=IwAR2J_JObG6CG95TljgitHCw3t7YqKNB16h2197ddJc48MtYSRTaodVHmOmU
==========================
A new species of Pimelodella Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia
CRISTHIAN C. CONDE-SALDAÑA, JUAN G. ALBORNOZ-GARZÓN, JORGE E. GARCÍA-MELO, JORGE A. DERGAM, FRANCISCO A. VILLA-NAVARRO
Abstract
A new species of Pimelodella is described from northern coastal drainages of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), Colombia. The new species is diagnosed from all trans-Andean congeners by the following unique combination of characters: head length 22.2–23.7% SL, bony interorbital width 17.6–21.6% HL, maxillary barbels length 53.0–68.3% SL, inner mental-barbels length 14.4–20.0% SL, body width 17.6–21.1% SL, dorsal-fin spine length 8.3–13.7% SL, dorsal-fin base 12.3–14.9% SL, pectoral-fin spine length 12.9-14.5% SL, pectoral-fin spine length without dentations on the distal posterior margin 21.6–29.8% in pectoral-fin spine length, maximum depth of dentations in posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine 1.40–1.68 times in the width of the spine at its base, adipose-fin base length 22.8–26.4% SL, caudal-peduncle depth 9.2–10.5% SL, 40 vertebrae, having a conspicuous paired dark brown stripe on the dorsal surface of body, extending from posterior margin of head to caudal-fin insertion and a wide dark brown midlateral stripe present. The isolated occurrence of this new taxon living in allopatry in coastal drainages of the SNSM could have interesting biogeographic implications for dispersal and vicariance processes of the ichthyofauna from northern South America.
www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4668.4.8?fbclid=IwAR0k-zKxp6wdXQCxiw-tGYP5x-Mixk260YTpMKdgNSsc6_-OonMvbJ0RM2s
==========================
Tomiyamichthys emilyae, a new species of shrimpgoby (Gobiidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia
GERALD R. ALLEN
Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum,
Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986, Australia
E-mail: gerry.tropicalreef@gmail.com
MARK V. ERDMANN
Conservation International Indonesia Marine Program
,
Jl. Dr. Muwardi No. 17
,
Renon
,
Denpasar 80235
,
Indonesia
California Academy of Sciences
,
Ichthyology Laboratory, Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB),
Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI),
Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
E-mail: ilham.vemandrautama@gmail.com
Abstract
The new species of gobiid fish,
Tomiyamichthys emilyae
, is described from the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi
Province of Indonesia, on the basis of 4 specimens, 32.4–43.7 mm SL. Diagnostic features include a large sail-like
first dorsal fin without filamentous rays; the bases of the dorsal fins confluent; 10 segmented dorsal and anal-fin
rays; 15–17 (usually 17) pectoral-fin rays; scales entirely cycloid, 66–72 lateral and 19–21 transverse scales, no
prepectoral or prepelvic scales; the anterior nostril sheathed in an elongate, partially enclosed tube; and a cephalic
sensory-canal pore system composed of pores B’, C, D, E, F, G, M’, and O’. The new species is overall brown
with 10 or 11 poorly contrasted, darker-brown bars on the lateral body; a dense patch of small white spots on the
dorsal surface of the head; the first dorsal fin orange or blue-grey with a mosaic of irregular, dark brown markings;
the second dorsal fin yellowish to brown with blue bands or rows of dark brown spots; and the anal, caudal, and
pelvic fins dark brown with blue streaks. Type specimens were collected from a gradually sloping, sand/rubble-
bottom exposed to periodic strong currents in 17–23 m depth.
Key words:
taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, Indo-Pacific Ocean
Citation:
Allen, G.R., Erdmann, M.V. & Utama, I.V. (2019)
Tomiyamichthys emilyae
, a new species of shrimpgoby
(Gobiidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation
, 33, 53–64.
doi:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3473511
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EA545DAE-B439-495E-8D17-69DFB92059D3
Date of publication of this version of record:
4 October 2019
==========================
Nothobranchius taeniopygus (Teleostei: Nothobranchiidae) with descriptions of five new species and reddescription
Brian R. Watters, Béla Nagy, Pieter DW van der Merwe, Fenton PD Cotterill and Dirk U. BellstedtNothobranchius taeniopygus (Teleostei: Nothobranchiidae) with descriptions of five new species and reddescription
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/review-of-the-nothobranchius-taeniopygus-species-group-from-central-and-western-tanzania/?fbclid=IwAR1L0QQadMN00NG7ZoBEMnyg_ULULv2cFWCux9bW8OMr3BHYrXFXet7NjM4
==========================
Brian R. Watters, Béla Nagy, Pieter DW van der Merwe, Fenton PD Cotterill and Dirk U. BellstedtNothobranchius taeniopygus (Teleostei: Nothobranchiidae) with descriptions of five new species and reddescription
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/review-of-the-nothobranchius-taeniopygus-species-group-from-central-and-western-tanzania/?fbclid=IwAR1L0QQadMN00NG7ZoBEMnyg_ULULv2cFWCux9bW8OMr3BHYrXFXet7NjM4
==========================
Paraschistura makranensis
Paraschistura makranensis, a new loach from the Jegin River drainage in southern Iran with comments on P. ilamensis and P. pasatigris (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
SOHEIL EAGDERI, HAMED MOUSAVI-SABET, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Paraschistura makranensis, new species, is described from the Jegin River drainage in southern Iran. It is distinguished from its congeners in Iran by having a plain brown or slightly mottled colour pattern on the flanks, a very slender body with a relatively short head, a complete lateral line extending almost to the caudal-fin base, the caudal peduncle covered by scales, and a suborbital flap in males. Paraschistura makranensis is distinguished from P. bampurensis and P. hormuzensis, its closest relatives in our dataset, by an uncorrected-pairwise distance based on the COI data of 4.0 and 5.4%, respectively. We treat Paraschistura pasatigris as a synonym of P. ilamensis.
www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4668.2.6?fbclid=IwAR28DeJDLgMASdclqkqfAK1B88qKskbH6SHNniD932WOdCKj0ClXRpzbii8
==========================
Sinibotia lani, a new species of botiid loach (Teleostei: Botiidae) from Guangxi, China
TIE-JUN WU, JIAN YANG
Abstract
Sinibotia lani, a new botiid loach is described from the Zuojiang River, located in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. The species differs from other members of Sinibotia by a combination of the following morphological characters: body depth 17.5–21.1% SL; snout length shorter than postorbital length of head; eye diameter 10.2–13.2% HL; interorbital width 16.0–18.6% HL; suborbital spine reaching or extending beyond postorbital margin of eye; lower lip with pair of fleshy button-like clusters of papillae; dorsal-fin origin opposite to pelvic-fin origin, pelvic fin not reaching anus; includes six dark vertical bars on the body. A key to the species of Sinibotia is provided.
==========================
Pseudophoxinus cilicicus, a new spring minnow from southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Leuciscidae)
GÜLŞAH SAÇ, MÜFİT ÖZULUĞ, MATTHIAS F. GEIGER, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Pseudophoxinus cilicicus, new species, is described from the Arsuz, Ceyhan and Seyhan river drainages in the Gulf of İskenderun. It is distinguished from other members of the Pseudophoxinus zeregi species group by having a complete lateral line with 38–45 + 2–3 scales, the lower lip usually slightly projecting beyond the tip of the upper lip, a prominent black stripe along the flank, and no black pigments below the lateral line. Pseudophoxinus cilicicus is distinguished from P. zekayi by a minimum K2P distance of 3.8% based on the mitochondrial DNA barcode region. Pseudophoxinus atropatenus and P. sojuchbulagi are returned to the genus Rutilus.
www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4671.1.8?fbclid=IwAR1VnDwPK-FIc9rXfuSDfHGrvgvt4cuaQ7WGPKJ_1nI_PppbarXhaJuwX9k
==========================
Garra roseae, a new species from the Makran region in southern Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
HAMED MOUSAVI-SABET, MARYAM SAEMI-KOMSARI, IGNACIO DOADRIO, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Garra roseae, new species, is described from the stream Tang-e-Sarhe in the Iranian Makran region. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by lacking barbels, having a small mental disc, 42–58 total scales along the lateral line, 24–30 scales along the predorsal midline, and 20–24 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having five diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 5.39% to G. rossica and 5.49% to G. nudiventris in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Garra phryne from eastern Iran is considered to be a synonym of G. nudiventris.
Garra roseae, a new species from the Makran region in southern Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
HAMED MOUSAVI-SABET, MARYAM SAEMI-KOMSARI, IGNACIO DOADRIO, JÖRG FREYHOF
Abstract
Garra roseae, new species, is described from the stream Tang-e-Sarhe in the Iranian Makran region. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by lacking barbels, having a small mental disc, 42–58 total scales along the lateral line, 24–30 scales along the predorsal midline, and 20–24 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having five diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 5.39% to G. rossica and 5.49% to G. nudiventris in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Garra phryne from eastern Iran is considered to be a synonym of G. nudiventris.
Garra rosea
==========================
KILLI - DATA SERIES, 2019, nomenclatural and systematic Analysis of livebearing Cyprinodontiformes.
Killi-Data Series 2019 [156 pages, as a print, ISBN 979-10-93353-09-8, as a PDF document, ISBN ISBN 979-10-93353-08-1]
Killi-Data Series 2019, 4-155, 3 tabs., 8 figs.
The nomenclature and systematics of all generic and specific taxa, valid, synonymous or unavailable, today belonging to livebearing cyprinodontiformes fishes (Anablepsinae, Goodeinae, Poeciliidae minus Tomeurus gracilis) are reviewed (one by one). Each taxon is analysed from its description until latest published evidence in order to assess its status and evaluate its validity ; detailed results include numerous proposed changes following argumentations in accordance with the edition of ICZN Code applicable at the concerned date. Among very many corrections and changes are the following highlights : the spelling of Dow’s Anableps is proposed as dowii in full respect of collector and first reviser because Miller’s previous distinct analyses cannot stand ; a systematic knot is disclosed in the identification of audax, garmani, lateralis, 3 congeners in genus Characodon ; Hubbsichthys is suggested, with reservations, to be moved automatically to synonymy of subgenus Allopoecilia based on earlier synonymy of its type species but then the status of dauli and wandae becomes unstable within related and nearby-ranged caucana-laurae in a large sense, pending a future study of live topotypes of laurae, while, on the other hand, it is not unlikely that Hubbsichthys is more related to subgenus Mollienesia based on a new analysis of Schultz’s description ; Toluichthys is likely a junior synonym of Orthophallus (itself a suggested synonym of Paragambusia, a subgenus of Gambusia) ; the systematic status of aquaristic descriptions historically in genera Platypoecilus and Xiphophorus are discussed in details ; authorship, date of availability and spelling of incrementally described Xiphophorus xiphidius are changed according to then current ICZN code from erroneous Gordon (alone, 1932, as xiphidium) ; Gambusia punctata var. punctulata Garman, 1895 is an available name, overlooked in all modern databases ; numerous lectotypes are herein designated to clarify some ambiguity in type series or in type localities or after the present study of material in some genera or after other authors' unpublished moves that are herein followed but published ; the identity of 2 old taxa, previously as nomina inquirenda, is analysed : Xiphophorus minor Weyenbergh (1877) is proposed to be moved to genus Jenynsia as a probable junior synonym of variable lineata without discarding the options of being a senior synonym of luxata or more probably tucumana or a valid cryptic sp., pending topotypes easy collections and Girardinus januarius reticulatus Köhler (1906) is proposed as an available name and possibly as a senior synonym of Phalloceros harpagos, wide ranged and molecularly polyphyletic, but both reticulatus and harpagos are maintained as provisionally valid, pending topotypes easy collections ; the detailed nomenclatural analysis of synonymous taxa, Hemixiphophorus and junior Poecilopsis, is still due to be done then it is provisionally unchanged herein ; family-group name Chapalichthyini Doadrio & Dominguez, 2004 is shown as not valid and a junior synonym of Zoogoneticini Hubbs, 1924 ; family-group name Belonesocinae is shown as having priority over Gambusiinae, herein downgraded to tribe level. The type locality of each taxon is reviewed, in many cases precised and GPS data are added for the first time. The etymology of each taxon is also suggested based on Latin and Greek roots or historical evidence, mostly for the first time. Systematics of genera and subgenera are aligned to latest molecular evidence (Reznick et al., 2017) and shown in 3 tables according to the 3 (sub)families with addition of a new distinguishing meristic character (D/A ratio), unused for livebearing Cyprinodontiformes, enabling to move a species flock (eiseni et al.) of Goodeinae to another genus (Xenoophorus) and a species flock of Poeciliidae to a new genus Hiatirhaphis nov. gen.
zoobank.org:pub:D66AE672-0933-4BB9-A0B2-00E059C2AC31
==========================
Killi-Data Series 2019 [156 pages, as a print, ISBN 979-10-93353-09-8, as a PDF document, ISBN ISBN 979-10-93353-08-1]
Killi-Data Series 2019, 4-155, 3 tabs., 8 figs.
The nomenclature and systematics of all generic and specific taxa, valid, synonymous or unavailable, today belonging to livebearing cyprinodontiformes fishes (Anablepsinae, Goodeinae, Poeciliidae minus Tomeurus gracilis) are reviewed (one by one). Each taxon is analysed from its description until latest published evidence in order to assess its status and evaluate its validity ; detailed results include numerous proposed changes following argumentations in accordance with the edition of ICZN Code applicable at the concerned date. Among very many corrections and changes are the following highlights : the spelling of Dow’s Anableps is proposed as dowii in full respect of collector and first reviser because Miller’s previous distinct analyses cannot stand ; a systematic knot is disclosed in the identification of audax, garmani, lateralis, 3 congeners in genus Characodon ; Hubbsichthys is suggested, with reservations, to be moved automatically to synonymy of subgenus Allopoecilia based on earlier synonymy of its type species but then the status of dauli and wandae becomes unstable within related and nearby-ranged caucana-laurae in a large sense, pending a future study of live topotypes of laurae, while, on the other hand, it is not unlikely that Hubbsichthys is more related to subgenus Mollienesia based on a new analysis of Schultz’s description ; Toluichthys is likely a junior synonym of Orthophallus (itself a suggested synonym of Paragambusia, a subgenus of Gambusia) ; the systematic status of aquaristic descriptions historically in genera Platypoecilus and Xiphophorus are discussed in details ; authorship, date of availability and spelling of incrementally described Xiphophorus xiphidius are changed according to then current ICZN code from erroneous Gordon (alone, 1932, as xiphidium) ; Gambusia punctata var. punctulata Garman, 1895 is an available name, overlooked in all modern databases ; numerous lectotypes are herein designated to clarify some ambiguity in type series or in type localities or after the present study of material in some genera or after other authors' unpublished moves that are herein followed but published ; the identity of 2 old taxa, previously as nomina inquirenda, is analysed : Xiphophorus minor Weyenbergh (1877) is proposed to be moved to genus Jenynsia as a probable junior synonym of variable lineata without discarding the options of being a senior synonym of luxata or more probably tucumana or a valid cryptic sp., pending topotypes easy collections and Girardinus januarius reticulatus Köhler (1906) is proposed as an available name and possibly as a senior synonym of Phalloceros harpagos, wide ranged and molecularly polyphyletic, but both reticulatus and harpagos are maintained as provisionally valid, pending topotypes easy collections ; the detailed nomenclatural analysis of synonymous taxa, Hemixiphophorus and junior Poecilopsis, is still due to be done then it is provisionally unchanged herein ; family-group name Chapalichthyini Doadrio & Dominguez, 2004 is shown as not valid and a junior synonym of Zoogoneticini Hubbs, 1924 ; family-group name Belonesocinae is shown as having priority over Gambusiinae, herein downgraded to tribe level. The type locality of each taxon is reviewed, in many cases precised and GPS data are added for the first time. The etymology of each taxon is also suggested based on Latin and Greek roots or historical evidence, mostly for the first time. Systematics of genera and subgenera are aligned to latest molecular evidence (Reznick et al., 2017) and shown in 3 tables according to the 3 (sub)families with addition of a new distinguishing meristic character (D/A ratio), unused for livebearing Cyprinodontiformes, enabling to move a species flock (eiseni et al.) of Goodeinae to another genus (Xenoophorus) and a species flock of Poeciliidae to a new genus Hiatirhaphis nov. gen.
zoobank.org:pub:D66AE672-0933-4BB9-A0B2-00E059C2AC31
==========================
Kopua minima (Döderlein 1887), a senior synonym of K. japonica Moore, Hutchins and Okamoto 2012, and description of a new species of Aspasma (Gobiesocidae)
AbstractExamination of the syntypes of Lepadogaster minimus Döderlein in Steindachner and Döderlein 1887 showed that species to be identical with Kopua japonica Moore, Hutchins and Okamoto 2012, although long been regarded as a valid species of Aspasma. A lectotype is designated for L. minimus (= Kopua minima), which is regarded as a senior synonym of K. japonica. A species commonly regarded as Aspasma minima is described as the new species Aspasma ubauo sp. nov., on the basis of 58 specimens from the Japanese mainland, and characterized by the following characters: 5–7 dorsal-fin rays; 6–8 anal-fin rays; 19–22 pectoral-fin rays; 4–6 gill rakers on each arch; head small, moderately depressed (dorsal profile flattened), its length 25.2–34.4% SL; mouth terminal; snout slightly pointed in lateral view; no subopercular spines; dorsal and anal fins well separated from caudal fin; single row (except anteriorly on premaxilla) of rectangular incisors in each jaw, lacking posteriorly hooked tips; large circular gap absent between anterior parts of premaxilla in dorsal view; disc size moderate, its length 15.8–20.6% SL; disc region D and anterior central portion of disc region A without flattened papillae; head sensory canal pores well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; body without elongated spots or stripes. Morphological changes with growth and sexual dimorphism of the new species are also described.
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-019-00701-0?fbclid=IwAR0qBiXLD_ASYfOzj9GigjONAdY0NfgD0wyh9X-NZQdshosJnaKnpcGVoKw
==========================
- Kyoji Fujiwara
- Hiroyuki Motomura
AbstractExamination of the syntypes of Lepadogaster minimus Döderlein in Steindachner and Döderlein 1887 showed that species to be identical with Kopua japonica Moore, Hutchins and Okamoto 2012, although long been regarded as a valid species of Aspasma. A lectotype is designated for L. minimus (= Kopua minima), which is regarded as a senior synonym of K. japonica. A species commonly regarded as Aspasma minima is described as the new species Aspasma ubauo sp. nov., on the basis of 58 specimens from the Japanese mainland, and characterized by the following characters: 5–7 dorsal-fin rays; 6–8 anal-fin rays; 19–22 pectoral-fin rays; 4–6 gill rakers on each arch; head small, moderately depressed (dorsal profile flattened), its length 25.2–34.4% SL; mouth terminal; snout slightly pointed in lateral view; no subopercular spines; dorsal and anal fins well separated from caudal fin; single row (except anteriorly on premaxilla) of rectangular incisors in each jaw, lacking posteriorly hooked tips; large circular gap absent between anterior parts of premaxilla in dorsal view; disc size moderate, its length 15.8–20.6% SL; disc region D and anterior central portion of disc region A without flattened papillae; head sensory canal pores well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; body without elongated spots or stripes. Morphological changes with growth and sexual dimorphism of the new species are also described.
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-019-00701-0?fbclid=IwAR0qBiXLD_ASYfOzj9GigjONAdY0NfgD0wyh9X-NZQdshosJnaKnpcGVoKw
==========================
Cetopsis aspis
A new species of Cetopsis from the Guiana Shield. Cetopsis aspis (Siluriformes: Cetopsidae: Cetopsinae)
VITOR ABRAHÃO, JAN MOL, MARIO DE PINNA
Abstract
A new species of Cetopsis is described from Guiana Shield drainages in Guyana and Suriname. The new species is found in the Konawaruk River and tributaries, Essequibo River basin, Guyana, and in the Mauritie Creek, tributary to the Tempati River, upper Commewijne River basin, Suriname. The new taxon can be distinguished from all congeners by a combination of features: dark spots on sides of the body eye-sized or larger, dark, bilobed patch at the base of the caudal fin, absence of a dark humeral spot, absence of dark pigmentation along the fin-membrane posterior to the first dorsal-fin ray, dark pigmentation at the base of the dorsal fin, dark spots extending ventrally to the bases of anal-fin rays, and 41 total vertebrae with 28 caudal vertebrae. Data on internal anatomy of the new species were incorporated into a previously-published phylogenetic analysis and resolves the position of the new species as the sister group of C. motatanensis, from Lago Maracaibo basin. The new Cetopsis is the first species of the genus known to occur exclusively in the Guiana Shield.
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A new species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina
Guillermo E. Terán1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-3345
Gustavo A. Ballen2
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5424-8608
Felipe Alonso3
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7227-2732
Gastón Aguilera1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5486-2787
J. Marcos Mirande1
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4370-3526
1Instituto de Vertebrados, Fundación Miguel Lillo; UEL-CONICET. Miguel Lillo 251, T4000JFE San Miguel de Tucumán, TU, Argentina. (GET) guilloteran@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-3345 (corresponding author); (GA) gaguilera@lillo.org.ar, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5486-2787; (JMM) mcmirande@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4370-3526
2Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481, Caixa Postal 42494, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. gaballench@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5424-8608
3Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO)-CONICET, Av. 9 de Julio 14, CP4405 Rosario de Lerma, SA, Argentina. felipealonso@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7227-2732
ABSTRACT
A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).
Keywords: Armored catfish; Chaco Ecoregion; Endemic species; Loricariinae; Taxonomy
RESUMEN
Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar).
Palabras clave: Ecoregion Chaco; Especie endémica; Loricariinae; Taxonomía; Viejita del agua
INTRODUCTION
The armored catfish genus Farlowella Eigenmann, Eigenmann, 1889 is the second richest among the Loricariinae (Van der Laan et al., 2014) with 29 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019). Its species are easily recognized by the long and slender body, variably pronounced rostrum, and the dorsal-fin insertion set nearly halfway between the head and the tail (Covain, Fisch-Muller, 2007). Farlowella is widely distributed in the main cis-Andean South American River drainages (Orinoco, Amazon, and La Plata) and species of the genus are also found in the trans-Andean Maracaibo and Magdalena River basins (Ballen, Mojica, 2014). Retzer, Page (1996) proposed six distinct species groups of Farlowella (viz., the F. acus, F. amazonum, F. curtirostra, F. knerii, F. mariaelenae, and F. nattereri species groups). And, some species of uncertain relationships remain unassigned to any group (Tab. 1).
Farlowella hahni has been so far the only species reported from Argentina (Mirande, Koerber, 2015). However, it has been suggested that the type locality of F. paranaense (currently a junior synonym of F. amazonum) is located in Argentina (see, Azpelicueta, Koerber, 2014). During recent expeditions to the upper Bermejo River basin in northwestern Argentina, specimens attributable to the F. nattereri species group were collected and are herein described as a new species.
www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200206&tlng=en&fbclid=IwAR34AMFVdDzyVOkryG_oHFeugPuAkEsSryteJ2yO5BfEP18H2CtTHu1DqRc
==========================
Guillermo E. Terán1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-3345
Gustavo A. Ballen2
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5424-8608
Felipe Alonso3
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7227-2732
Gastón Aguilera1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5486-2787
J. Marcos Mirande1
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4370-3526
1Instituto de Vertebrados, Fundación Miguel Lillo; UEL-CONICET. Miguel Lillo 251, T4000JFE San Miguel de Tucumán, TU, Argentina. (GET) guilloteran@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-3345 (corresponding author); (GA) gaguilera@lillo.org.ar, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5486-2787; (JMM) mcmirande@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4370-3526
2Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481, Caixa Postal 42494, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. gaballench@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5424-8608
3Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO)-CONICET, Av. 9 de Julio 14, CP4405 Rosario de Lerma, SA, Argentina. felipealonso@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7227-2732
ABSTRACT
A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).
Keywords: Armored catfish; Chaco Ecoregion; Endemic species; Loricariinae; Taxonomy
RESUMEN
Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar).
Palabras clave: Ecoregion Chaco; Especie endémica; Loricariinae; Taxonomía; Viejita del agua
INTRODUCTION
The armored catfish genus Farlowella Eigenmann, Eigenmann, 1889 is the second richest among the Loricariinae (Van der Laan et al., 2014) with 29 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019). Its species are easily recognized by the long and slender body, variably pronounced rostrum, and the dorsal-fin insertion set nearly halfway between the head and the tail (Covain, Fisch-Muller, 2007). Farlowella is widely distributed in the main cis-Andean South American River drainages (Orinoco, Amazon, and La Plata) and species of the genus are also found in the trans-Andean Maracaibo and Magdalena River basins (Ballen, Mojica, 2014). Retzer, Page (1996) proposed six distinct species groups of Farlowella (viz., the F. acus, F. amazonum, F. curtirostra, F. knerii, F. mariaelenae, and F. nattereri species groups). And, some species of uncertain relationships remain unassigned to any group (Tab. 1).
Farlowella hahni has been so far the only species reported from Argentina (Mirande, Koerber, 2015). However, it has been suggested that the type locality of F. paranaense (currently a junior synonym of F. amazonum) is located in Argentina (see, Azpelicueta, Koerber, 2014). During recent expeditions to the upper Bermejo River basin in northwestern Argentina, specimens attributable to the F. nattereri species group were collected and are herein described as a new species.
www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200206&tlng=en&fbclid=IwAR34AMFVdDzyVOkryG_oHFeugPuAkEsSryteJ2yO5BfEP18H2CtTHu1DqRc
==========================
Trichomycterus calai sp. nov. (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) une nueva especie de pez de río Suárez, cuenca media del río Magdalena Departamento de Santander – Colombia.
Ardila Rodriguez, C.A. (2019)
Trichomycterus calai Ardila Rodriguez, 2019
https://www.researchgate.net/…/TRICHOMYCTERUS-CALAI-SILURIF…
Figure: Trichomycterus calai sp. nov. Holotipo, CAR815 (224.3 mm de L
==========================
Ardila Rodriguez, C.A. (2019)
Trichomycterus calai Ardila Rodriguez, 2019
https://www.researchgate.net/…/TRICHOMYCTERUS-CALAI-SILURIF…
Figure: Trichomycterus calai sp. nov. Holotipo, CAR815 (224.3 mm de L
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Meiacanthus solomon
Meiacanthus solomon, a new fangblenny (Teleostei: Blenniidae) from the Solomon Islands, with a redescription and new records of M. limbatus
Smith-Vaniz, William F.; Allen, Gerald R.
Meiacanthus solomon sp. nov. (Teleostei: Blenniidae) is described on the basis of the holotype (27.8 mm SL) collected in 60–65 m from the Solomon Islands. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: a single, dark, mid-lateral stripe extending from the snout, slightly onto the dorsal part of the pectoral-fin base, and terminating at the base of the caudal fin, with white immediately above and below the stripe in life, and 13 segmented anal-fin rays. It differs from the other similar dark-striped species, including M. abruptus, M. geminatus, M. luteus, M. vicinus, and M. vittatus, by a combination of color pattern features and fin-ray counts. In addition, M. limbatus is redescribed on the basis of recent collections from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This fangblenny differs from all others in having a narrow black stripe along the base of the anal fin in adults. In view of a previous misidentification, a partial redescription of the species is
provided
https://zenodo.org/record/3268872?fbclid=IwAR30RxzkcCZFz4f-70Xosg3_RROHe365LskFbuYiH_Rr0HFENe_xRuH6CG0#.XZGuB0ZKi00
==========================
Smith-Vaniz, William F.; Allen, Gerald R.
Meiacanthus solomon sp. nov. (Teleostei: Blenniidae) is described on the basis of the holotype (27.8 mm SL) collected in 60–65 m from the Solomon Islands. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: a single, dark, mid-lateral stripe extending from the snout, slightly onto the dorsal part of the pectoral-fin base, and terminating at the base of the caudal fin, with white immediately above and below the stripe in life, and 13 segmented anal-fin rays. It differs from the other similar dark-striped species, including M. abruptus, M. geminatus, M. luteus, M. vicinus, and M. vittatus, by a combination of color pattern features and fin-ray counts. In addition, M. limbatus is redescribed on the basis of recent collections from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This fangblenny differs from all others in having a narrow black stripe along the base of the anal fin in adults. In view of a previous misidentification, a partial redescription of the species is
provided
https://zenodo.org/record/3268872?fbclid=IwAR30RxzkcCZFz4f-70Xosg3_RROHe365LskFbuYiH_Rr0HFENe_xRuH6CG0#.XZGuB0ZKi00
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Channa amari, a new species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from North Bengal, India
Arpita Dey1*, Basudhara Roy Chowdhury2, Ruksa Nur1, Debapriya Sarkar3, Laishram Kosygin4 and Sudip Barat1
1Aquaculture and Limnology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling, Siliguri - 734013, West Bengal, India.
2Paribesh Unnayan Parishad, Sagar Island, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.
3Fishery Unit, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar - 736165, West Bengal, India.
4Freshwater Fish Section, Zoological Survey of India, 27 J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700016, West Bengal, India.
Received: 15 Jan 2019 / Accepted: 13 Mar 2019 / Published online: 1 Apr 2019
Corresponding Author Email: arpitadeycob@gmail.com
Abstract
Channa amari, a new ornamental species is described from Bhalka forest, West Bengal, India. It differs from congeners in having the following combination characters: absence of pelvic fins; 37 dorsal fin rays; 12-13 pectoral fin rays with 4-5 black bands; 23 – 25 anal fin rays; 10-11 caudal fin rays; 44- 45 lateral line pored scales; 40- 41 total vertebrae; 11-13 transverse scales rows; head length 29.4 % SL; inter-orbital space 32.6 % HL. This species is very colourful and may be considered as ornamental fish.
Keywords
Taxonomy, West Bengal, Channa, new species.
*****
INTRODUCTION
Fishes of the family Channidae is commonly known as “Snakehead fish” and distributed in tropical Africa, parts of the Middle East and Asia 1. They inhabit in a wide range of freshwater habitats such as hill streams, lakes, ponds, estuaries, swamps etc. They are characterised by having single long dorsal and anal fins, rounded caudal fin and curved lateral line. Fishes under genus Channa are currently reported as having 43 species 2,3,4,5,6,7 and many of them are popular as aquarium fish because of their beautiful colouration. A total of 15 Channa species namely C. amphibeus, C. andrao, C. aurantimaculata, C. barca, C. bipuli, C. bleheri, C. gachua, C. marulius, C. melanostigma, C. pardalis, C. pomanensis, C. punctata, C. quinquefasciata, C. stewartii and C. striata were reported from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage. While conducting ichthyofauna surveys in the Dooars region of West Bengal of Brahmaputra basin, an undescribed species of Channa was obtained, which is herein described as Channa amari sp. nov..
doi.org/10.21276/ijpbs.2019.9.2.40
==========================
Arpita Dey1*, Basudhara Roy Chowdhury2, Ruksa Nur1, Debapriya Sarkar3, Laishram Kosygin4 and Sudip Barat1
1Aquaculture and Limnology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling, Siliguri - 734013, West Bengal, India.
2Paribesh Unnayan Parishad, Sagar Island, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.
3Fishery Unit, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar - 736165, West Bengal, India.
4Freshwater Fish Section, Zoological Survey of India, 27 J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700016, West Bengal, India.
Received: 15 Jan 2019 / Accepted: 13 Mar 2019 / Published online: 1 Apr 2019
Corresponding Author Email: arpitadeycob@gmail.com
Abstract
Channa amari, a new ornamental species is described from Bhalka forest, West Bengal, India. It differs from congeners in having the following combination characters: absence of pelvic fins; 37 dorsal fin rays; 12-13 pectoral fin rays with 4-5 black bands; 23 – 25 anal fin rays; 10-11 caudal fin rays; 44- 45 lateral line pored scales; 40- 41 total vertebrae; 11-13 transverse scales rows; head length 29.4 % SL; inter-orbital space 32.6 % HL. This species is very colourful and may be considered as ornamental fish.
Keywords
Taxonomy, West Bengal, Channa, new species.
*****
INTRODUCTION
Fishes of the family Channidae is commonly known as “Snakehead fish” and distributed in tropical Africa, parts of the Middle East and Asia 1. They inhabit in a wide range of freshwater habitats such as hill streams, lakes, ponds, estuaries, swamps etc. They are characterised by having single long dorsal and anal fins, rounded caudal fin and curved lateral line. Fishes under genus Channa are currently reported as having 43 species 2,3,4,5,6,7 and many of them are popular as aquarium fish because of their beautiful colouration. A total of 15 Channa species namely C. amphibeus, C. andrao, C. aurantimaculata, C. barca, C. bipuli, C. bleheri, C. gachua, C. marulius, C. melanostigma, C. pardalis, C. pomanensis, C. punctata, C. quinquefasciata, C. stewartii and C. striata were reported from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage. While conducting ichthyofauna surveys in the Dooars region of West Bengal of Brahmaputra basin, an undescribed species of Channa was obtained, which is herein described as Channa amari sp. nov..
doi.org/10.21276/ijpbs.2019.9.2.40
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Cabdio crassus, a new species of cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Kaladan River of Mizoram, India
LALRAMLIANA LALRAMLIANA, SAMUEL LALRONUNGA, MAHENDER SINGH
Abstract
Cabdio crassus, a new fish species, is described from the Kaladan River in Mizoram, India. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by having a ventral keel extending from the middle of the chest, between the posterior base of the pectoral fin and along the abdomen up to the anus (vs. more or less keeled median scales from mid-point of abdomen between posterior base of pelvic fin up to anus in all other Cabdio) and 11½–12½ branched anal-fin rays (vs. 7 in C. jaya and 9 in both C. morar and C. ukhrulensis). It is further distinguished from C. morar and C. ukhrulensis by possessing more lateral-line scales (45–51 vs. 38–42 in C. morar and 35–37 in C. ukhrulensis), more predorsal scales (20–23 vs. 17–18 in C. morar and 14 in C. ukhrulensis) and more lateral transverse scales (½7/1/3½ vs. 5/1/2 in both C. morar and C. ukhrulensis). It also differs from C. jaya in having fewer lateral-line scales (45–51 vs. 52–60), more lateral transverse scales (½7/1/3½ vs. 5/1/3) and more pharyngeal tooth-rows (3 vs. 2). Furthermore, the cytochrome c oxidase sub unit I (coi) gene sequence separates Cabdio crassus from all other Cabdio species (interspecies distance ranges from 7.8–12.3%). The anomalies observed among the GenBank sequences of the genus Cabdio are discussed and resolved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.6
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Branchiostegus biendong, a New Tilefish from Vietnam (Perciformes: Branchiostegidae)
WATARU HIRAMATSU, CHU TIEN VINH, HIROMITSU ENDO
Abstract
A new tilefish, Branchiostegus biendong, is described on the basis of three specimens (181–209 mm in standard length [SL]) collected from a local fish market of Quy Nhon on the South China Sea coast of central Vietnam. It can be distinguished from 17 congeners in having the following combination of characters: six diagonal scale rows exposed on cheek; cheek scales moderately large (diameter 2.2–2.5% SL); predorsal ridge black; cheek almost silver with an oval-shaped, yellow blotch along ventral margin of eye; dorsal fin translucent yellowish with narrow black margin overlapping stronger yellowish coloration dorsally; upper lobe of caudal fin with 5–6 yellow stripes and tip with black blotch; and lower lobe of caudal fin navy blue. A key to five species of Branchiostegus from Vietnamese waters is provided.
dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.6
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Eigenmannia sirius
A new species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with discussion on its species group and the myology within Eigenmanniinae
AbstractA new species of Eigenmannia is described from the rio Mutum, tributary of upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by coloration pattern, position of the mouth, number of scales rows above lateral line, number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of precaudal vertebrae, orbital diameter, mouth width, relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 and relative size of coronomeckelian bone. Comments on potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies derived from musculature, discussion on Eigenmannia species-group and the first dichotomous key for Eigenmannia are provided.
Figures Citation: Peixoto LAW, Ohara WM (2019) A new species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with discussion on its species group and the myology within Eigenmanniinae. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0220287. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
Editor: Claudia Patricia Tambussi, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), ARGENTINA
Received: February 13, 2019; Accepted: July 11, 2019; Published: August 14, 2019
Copyright: © 2019 Peixoto, Ohara. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the manuscript (e.g. Morphometrics and meristics data).
Funding: Authors were financially supported by FAPESP (LAWP process #2018/05084-1; WMO process # 2013/22473–8). This contribution was also supported by the Diversity and Evolution of Gymnotiformes Project (FAPESP/Smithsonian proc. 2016/19075–9). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
IntroductionSpecies allocated in Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann are small- to medium-sized omnivores (up to 350 mm of total length), with insectivorous trends [1–3]. They inhabit floodplains, terra firme streams, river channels or caves [4,5], and use a monophasic electric organ discharge to discharges ranging from 100 to 780 Hz in order to communicate and explore environment [6]. Eigenmannia, known as the “glass electric knifefish” or “ituí transparente” in the aquarium trade, is the most species-rich genus in Sternopygidae, currently with 22 valid species (besides “Eigenmannia” goajira Schultz provisionally incertae sedis; [7]) widely distributed from Río Tuíra basin, Panamá, to Río de La Plata basin, Argentina [8–10]. Its largest diversity is found in the Amazon basin, where approximately half of the known species occur. Despite several taxonomic contributions (e.g., [11–17]), the monophyly of Eigenmannia is currently doubtful (cf. [18–21]), and its taxonomy is grounded on group of species, a similar condition found in several Neotropical fishes that are waiting for taxonomic and phylogenetics efforts to bring light to its classification (e.g. Apistogramma Regan, Corydoras Lacepède, Hyphessobrycon Durbin, Moenkhausia Eigenmann).
Alves-Gomes [22] was the first author who proposed species group within of a phylogenetic context. The author, based on molecular evidences, presented a clade named as “Eigenmannia virescens group” composed by five undescribed species. A few years later, Albert [20] did not recover the Eigenmannia monophyly and proposed two species groups: “Eigenmannia microstoma species-group” and “Eigenmannia virescens species-group”. Due to difficulties in recognizing the characters or the taxonomic compositions considered in previous studies, Peixoto et al. [8] proposed “Eigenmannia trilineata species-group” to allocate those species that share the presence of superior midlateral stripe. This feature corresponds to a concentration of chromatophores between the lateral line and the proximal portion of the pterygiophores of the anal fin, a condition shared exclusively in this group among all Gymnotiformes. At the beginning, the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group was proposed to include E. microstoma (Reinhardt) (removed from E. microstoma species-group--sensu [20]), E. trilineata López & Castello (reallocated from E. virescens species-group--sensu [20]), E. vicentespelaea Triques and seven species described in that study (E. antonioi Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. desantanai Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. guairaca Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. matintapereira Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. muirapinima Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. pavulagem Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, and E. waiwai Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki). More recently, E. besouro Peixoto & Wosiacki, E. correntes Campos-da-Paz & Queiroz, E. sayona Peixoto & Waltz, and E. loretana Waltz & Albert were described and assigned to the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, totaling 14 valid species [23–26], representing the highest diversity within the genus, and even within the remaining genera of Sternopygidae.
Recently, Waltz & Albert [26] proposed the “Eigenmannia macrops species-group” and “Eigenmannia humboldtii species-group”. Subsequently, Waltz & Albert [10] rediagnosed the Eigenmannia humboldtii species-group by: (1) body size larger than 30 cm of total length, (2) body depth greater than 18% of the length to the end of anal fin, (3) broad and opaque body in life, and (4) absence of longitudinal stripes.
Recent fieldwork in the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, yielded an additional and very distinctive undescribed species related to the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, which enabled us now to describe the new species. In addition to it, our review in the gymnotiform literature brought to light the fact that systematics studies in the order have followed the usual trend in Teleostei, with an inordinate emphasis on osteology and/or external anatomy. As result, other relevant anatomical systems, such as myology, remain mostly unexplored.
Recently, the skeletal musculature has proven to be an important source of phylogenetic information for several bony fish taxa and results indicate that this anatomical system is also fundamental for the reconstruction of the evolutionary tree of this group (e.g., [27, 28, 29]). This scenario inspired us to perform a comparative analysis of the dorsolateral head muscles across Gymnotiformes, which allowed us to recognize new potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies for Sternopygidae and Eigenmanniinae. Finally, due to the recently contributions on the arrangement of species in Eigenmannia, a discussion and a dichotomous key synthesizinng the knowledge on species group within Eigenmannia are also provided.
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0220287&fbclid=IwAR1fJnz6B12RHM2XRNj5sg6WU3ChpMla5_Lxe2zz7TqJCpDgQcHmP-2g32A
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- Luiz Antônio Wanderley Peixoto,
- Willian M. Ohara
AbstractA new species of Eigenmannia is described from the rio Mutum, tributary of upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by coloration pattern, position of the mouth, number of scales rows above lateral line, number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of precaudal vertebrae, orbital diameter, mouth width, relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 and relative size of coronomeckelian bone. Comments on potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies derived from musculature, discussion on Eigenmannia species-group and the first dichotomous key for Eigenmannia are provided.
Figures Citation: Peixoto LAW, Ohara WM (2019) A new species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with discussion on its species group and the myology within Eigenmanniinae. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0220287. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
Editor: Claudia Patricia Tambussi, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), ARGENTINA
Received: February 13, 2019; Accepted: July 11, 2019; Published: August 14, 2019
Copyright: © 2019 Peixoto, Ohara. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the manuscript (e.g. Morphometrics and meristics data).
Funding: Authors were financially supported by FAPESP (LAWP process #2018/05084-1; WMO process # 2013/22473–8). This contribution was also supported by the Diversity and Evolution of Gymnotiformes Project (FAPESP/Smithsonian proc. 2016/19075–9). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
IntroductionSpecies allocated in Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann are small- to medium-sized omnivores (up to 350 mm of total length), with insectivorous trends [1–3]. They inhabit floodplains, terra firme streams, river channels or caves [4,5], and use a monophasic electric organ discharge to discharges ranging from 100 to 780 Hz in order to communicate and explore environment [6]. Eigenmannia, known as the “glass electric knifefish” or “ituí transparente” in the aquarium trade, is the most species-rich genus in Sternopygidae, currently with 22 valid species (besides “Eigenmannia” goajira Schultz provisionally incertae sedis; [7]) widely distributed from Río Tuíra basin, Panamá, to Río de La Plata basin, Argentina [8–10]. Its largest diversity is found in the Amazon basin, where approximately half of the known species occur. Despite several taxonomic contributions (e.g., [11–17]), the monophyly of Eigenmannia is currently doubtful (cf. [18–21]), and its taxonomy is grounded on group of species, a similar condition found in several Neotropical fishes that are waiting for taxonomic and phylogenetics efforts to bring light to its classification (e.g. Apistogramma Regan, Corydoras Lacepède, Hyphessobrycon Durbin, Moenkhausia Eigenmann).
Alves-Gomes [22] was the first author who proposed species group within of a phylogenetic context. The author, based on molecular evidences, presented a clade named as “Eigenmannia virescens group” composed by five undescribed species. A few years later, Albert [20] did not recover the Eigenmannia monophyly and proposed two species groups: “Eigenmannia microstoma species-group” and “Eigenmannia virescens species-group”. Due to difficulties in recognizing the characters or the taxonomic compositions considered in previous studies, Peixoto et al. [8] proposed “Eigenmannia trilineata species-group” to allocate those species that share the presence of superior midlateral stripe. This feature corresponds to a concentration of chromatophores between the lateral line and the proximal portion of the pterygiophores of the anal fin, a condition shared exclusively in this group among all Gymnotiformes. At the beginning, the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group was proposed to include E. microstoma (Reinhardt) (removed from E. microstoma species-group--sensu [20]), E. trilineata López & Castello (reallocated from E. virescens species-group--sensu [20]), E. vicentespelaea Triques and seven species described in that study (E. antonioi Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. desantanai Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. guairaca Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. matintapereira Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. muirapinima Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, E. pavulagem Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki, and E. waiwai Peixoto, Dutra & Wosiacki). More recently, E. besouro Peixoto & Wosiacki, E. correntes Campos-da-Paz & Queiroz, E. sayona Peixoto & Waltz, and E. loretana Waltz & Albert were described and assigned to the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, totaling 14 valid species [23–26], representing the highest diversity within the genus, and even within the remaining genera of Sternopygidae.
Recently, Waltz & Albert [26] proposed the “Eigenmannia macrops species-group” and “Eigenmannia humboldtii species-group”. Subsequently, Waltz & Albert [10] rediagnosed the Eigenmannia humboldtii species-group by: (1) body size larger than 30 cm of total length, (2) body depth greater than 18% of the length to the end of anal fin, (3) broad and opaque body in life, and (4) absence of longitudinal stripes.
Recent fieldwork in the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, yielded an additional and very distinctive undescribed species related to the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, which enabled us now to describe the new species. In addition to it, our review in the gymnotiform literature brought to light the fact that systematics studies in the order have followed the usual trend in Teleostei, with an inordinate emphasis on osteology and/or external anatomy. As result, other relevant anatomical systems, such as myology, remain mostly unexplored.
Recently, the skeletal musculature has proven to be an important source of phylogenetic information for several bony fish taxa and results indicate that this anatomical system is also fundamental for the reconstruction of the evolutionary tree of this group (e.g., [27, 28, 29]). This scenario inspired us to perform a comparative analysis of the dorsolateral head muscles across Gymnotiformes, which allowed us to recognize new potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies for Sternopygidae and Eigenmanniinae. Finally, due to the recently contributions on the arrangement of species in Eigenmannia, a discussion and a dichotomous key synthesizinng the knowledge on species group within Eigenmannia are also provided.
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0220287&fbclid=IwAR1fJnz6B12RHM2XRNj5sg6WU3ChpMla5_Lxe2zz7TqJCpDgQcHmP-2g32A
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Luciogobius yubai, a new species of gobioid fish (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Japan
YUJI IKEDA, KAZUAKI TAMADA, KENTAROU HIRASHIMA
Abstract
A new gobioid fish Luciogobius yubai sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Wakayama and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan. This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters; second dorsal-fin I, 9, anal-fin I, 10, pectoral-fin 17 or 18, vertebrate number 16+19=35, the first space between anterior two pterygiophores of second dorsal-fin placed the neural spines of vertebrae 17–18 or 17, four to seven developed dermal flaps under the eye longitudinally, posterior part of eye ridge protruded posteriorly, pectoral-fin with a long uppermost free ray, eye diameter 7.3–10.6 % of head length, pectoral-fin length 14.4–16.9 % of standard length (SL) , second dorsal-fin length 9.7–11.8 % SL, anal-fin ray length 9.1–11.1 % SL, pelvic-fin length 7.3–10.8 % SL, head and body with brownish orange coloration when alive or fresh.
Keywords
taxonomy, Gobiidae, Luciogobius yubai, new species, Japan, Teleostei
Full Text:
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www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4657.3.8?fbclid=IwAR2ObKwQpOiuehK0VEVvAVs4IrJLABk_b9B67YdmXH2VkoDrHhdojpZMgDw
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YUJI IKEDA, KAZUAKI TAMADA, KENTAROU HIRASHIMA
Abstract
A new gobioid fish Luciogobius yubai sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Wakayama and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan. This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters; second dorsal-fin I, 9, anal-fin I, 10, pectoral-fin 17 or 18, vertebrate number 16+19=35, the first space between anterior two pterygiophores of second dorsal-fin placed the neural spines of vertebrae 17–18 or 17, four to seven developed dermal flaps under the eye longitudinally, posterior part of eye ridge protruded posteriorly, pectoral-fin with a long uppermost free ray, eye diameter 7.3–10.6 % of head length, pectoral-fin length 14.4–16.9 % of standard length (SL) , second dorsal-fin length 9.7–11.8 % SL, anal-fin ray length 9.1–11.1 % SL, pelvic-fin length 7.3–10.8 % SL, head and body with brownish orange coloration when alive or fresh.
Keywords
taxonomy, Gobiidae, Luciogobius yubai, new species, Japan, Teleostei
Full Text:
PDF/A (2MB)
www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4657.3.8?fbclid=IwAR2ObKwQpOiuehK0VEVvAVs4IrJLABk_b9B67YdmXH2VkoDrHhdojpZMgDw
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A new tailspot tetra of the genus Bryconops (Teleostei: Iguanodectidae) from the lower rio Tapajós basin, Brazil
Cárlison Silva-Oliveira*, André L. C. Canto** and Frank R. V. Ribeiro** A new Bryconops is described from lower rio Tapajós. The new species differs from all congeners by the following combination of features: posterior extension of maxilla not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones, 1 or 2 tri- or pentacuspid teeth on each maxillary bone, 38-41 perforated scales in the lateral line, 24-27 branched anal-fin rays, and a broad dark stripe placed midlaterally on caudal peduncle. Um novo Bryconops é descrito do baixo rio Tapajós. A espécie nova difere de todas suas congêneres pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: margem posterior da maxila não alcançando a junção do segundo e terceiro ossos infra-orbitais, 1 ou 2 dentes tri- ou pentacuspidados em ambos os ossos maxilares, 38-41 escamas perfuradas na linha lateral, 24-27 raios ramificados na nadadeira anal e uma larga faixa escura posicionada mediolateralmente no pedúnculo caudal. * Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Água Doce e Pesca Interior, Coleção de Peixes. Av. André Araújo, 2936, Caixa Postal 2223, 69060-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil. E-mail: carlison3@gmail.com (corresponding author) ** Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Avenida Mendonça Furtado, 2946, 68040-470 Santarém, PA, Brazil. E-mails: cantoandre@gmail.com (ALCC), fraynner@yahoo.com.br (FRVR) Introduction Bryconops is a genus of small-sized tetras currently composed of 23 valid species distributed throughout most of the cis-Andean freshwater drainages of South America (Guedes et al., 2016; Wingert et al., 2018; Silva-Oliveira et al., 2018). Chernoff & Machado-Allison (1999: 359) diagnosed Bryconops by three putative synapomorphies: (1) ventral edge of maxilla curving sharply posteriorly, almost 90°, extending to or beyond the quadrate socket of the angulo-articular; (2) antorbital with well-developed infraorbital latero-sensory canal; and (3) latero-supraorbital sensory canal extending posteriorly onto nuchal scales. Those authors distinguished two subgenera, Bryconops and Creatochanes, based on the number of maxillary teeth (none or rarely one in Bryconops vs. 1-3 in Creatochanes), posterior extension of the maxilla (not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones in Bryconops vs. reaching junction in Creatochanes), and border between second and third infraorbitals (leaving small naked triangle in Bryconops vs. squared-off, without naked area in Creatochanes). Within Creatochanes, Chernoff & Machado-Allison (1999, 2005) also Dies
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/a-new-tailspot-tetra-of-the-genus-bryconops-from-the-lower-rio-tapajos-basin-Brazil/?fbclid=IwAR0-FO0WmTI8UQl4RBRmTjCd3ppcPtKoeguWB_ltrPBHXFl7sW1FfJuB3rA
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Cárlison Silva-Oliveira*, André L. C. Canto** and Frank R. V. Ribeiro** A new Bryconops is described from lower rio Tapajós. The new species differs from all congeners by the following combination of features: posterior extension of maxilla not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones, 1 or 2 tri- or pentacuspid teeth on each maxillary bone, 38-41 perforated scales in the lateral line, 24-27 branched anal-fin rays, and a broad dark stripe placed midlaterally on caudal peduncle. Um novo Bryconops é descrito do baixo rio Tapajós. A espécie nova difere de todas suas congêneres pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: margem posterior da maxila não alcançando a junção do segundo e terceiro ossos infra-orbitais, 1 ou 2 dentes tri- ou pentacuspidados em ambos os ossos maxilares, 38-41 escamas perfuradas na linha lateral, 24-27 raios ramificados na nadadeira anal e uma larga faixa escura posicionada mediolateralmente no pedúnculo caudal. * Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Água Doce e Pesca Interior, Coleção de Peixes. Av. André Araújo, 2936, Caixa Postal 2223, 69060-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil. E-mail: carlison3@gmail.com (corresponding author) ** Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Avenida Mendonça Furtado, 2946, 68040-470 Santarém, PA, Brazil. E-mails: cantoandre@gmail.com (ALCC), fraynner@yahoo.com.br (FRVR) Introduction Bryconops is a genus of small-sized tetras currently composed of 23 valid species distributed throughout most of the cis-Andean freshwater drainages of South America (Guedes et al., 2016; Wingert et al., 2018; Silva-Oliveira et al., 2018). Chernoff & Machado-Allison (1999: 359) diagnosed Bryconops by three putative synapomorphies: (1) ventral edge of maxilla curving sharply posteriorly, almost 90°, extending to or beyond the quadrate socket of the angulo-articular; (2) antorbital with well-developed infraorbital latero-sensory canal; and (3) latero-supraorbital sensory canal extending posteriorly onto nuchal scales. Those authors distinguished two subgenera, Bryconops and Creatochanes, based on the number of maxillary teeth (none or rarely one in Bryconops vs. 1-3 in Creatochanes), posterior extension of the maxilla (not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones in Bryconops vs. reaching junction in Creatochanes), and border between second and third infraorbitals (leaving small naked triangle in Bryconops vs. squared-off, without naked area in Creatochanes). Within Creatochanes, Chernoff & Machado-Allison (1999, 2005) also Dies
pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/a-new-tailspot-tetra-of-the-genus-bryconops-from-the-lower-rio-tapajos-basin-Brazil/?fbclid=IwAR0-FO0WmTI8UQl4RBRmTjCd3ppcPtKoeguWB_ltrPBHXFl7sW1FfJuB3rA
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Leiocassis rudicula (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Bagridae), a new catfish from eastern Borneo
HEOK HEE NG, RENNY K. HADIATY
Abstract
A new species of bagrid catfish in the genus Leiocassis is described from the Mahakam River drainage in eastern Borneo. Leiocassis rudicula, new species, can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of: distinct concavity at level of orbit in dorsolateral profile of head; tip of supraoccipital spine not reaching anterior nuchal plate element; smooth posterior margin of dorsal spine; presence of an irregular pale band on sides of body between dorsal and adipose fins; anal fin with narrow brown band across middle third of fin; narrow caudal-fin lobes with nearly straight posterior margins; snout length 36–40% HL; eye diameter 14–20% HL; head depth 17.6–20.0% SL; length of dorsal-fin spine 14.1–18.5% SL; length of pectoral-fin spine 15.1–17.7 %SL; dorsal-to-adipose distance 10.9–14.3% SL; body depth at anus 16.4–19.5% SL; length of adipose-fin base 18.9–24.1% SL; length of anal-fin base 18.8–22.6% SL; and caudal peduncle depth 9.1–10.9% SL. A revised key to the genus is also provided.
dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4651.1.12
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Johnius taiwanensis, a new species of Sciaenidae from the Taiwan Strait, with a key to Johnius species from Chinese waters
NING LABBISH CHAO, CHIH-WEI CHANG, MENG-HSIEN CHEN, CHANG-CHANG GUO, BAI-AN LIN, YOU-YU LIOU, KANG-NING SHEN, MIN LIU
Abstract
A new sciaenid fish, Johnius taiwanensis, is described from the southeast coast of mainland China from Zhejiang to Guangdong, Hong Kong, and west coast of Taiwan. Johnius taiwanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Johnius species by having a grayish dorsal half of body divided by a clear line from a whitish ventral half, and a black spot at the dorsal half of pectoral-fin axil, appearing as a distinct dot at the most dorsal point of the pectoral-fin base. First dorsal fin black tipped, other fins pale to dusky but never darkly pigmented. The species lacks distinctly enlarged teeth on upper and lower jaws. Body scales ctenoid, moderately large, with five or six rows between first dorsal-fin origin and lateral line. It is one of the most abundant sciaenids found in the shallow coastal waters (<20 m) of southeast mainland China and the west coast of Taiwan. It has often been misidentified as J. macrorhynus in the region. Phylogenetic analysis from all 27 sciaenid species found in Chinese waters based on the complete COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that the genus Johnius is monophyletic and J. taiwanensis is placed as a sister species of J. trewavasae. Acoustic analysis has shown that J. taiwanensis produces a unique sound among fishes in Taiwan coastal waters.
FIGURE . Johnius taiwanensis. (a) Holotype, NMMBP 23063 (126 mm SL), Jianjun Port, Tainan, Taiwan; (b) a specimen of
158 mm SL, Dongshan, Fujian.; (c) Paratype, NMMBP 31331 (111 mm SL) photographed live from Taoyuan, Taiwan (photo by Ming-Tai Chou); (d) a fresh specimen from Budai Port, Taiwan (photo by Dr. Guo-Shu Chen).
==========================
The Sandy Zebra Shark: A New Color Morph of the Zebra Shark Stegostoma tigrinum, with A Redescription of the Species and A Revision of Its Nomenclature
Stegostoma tigrinum Forster, 1781
in Dahl, Sigsgaard, Mwangi, et al., 2019.
DOI: 10.1643/CG-18-115
Abstract
The Zebra Shark, in recent years known as Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann, 1783), is well known for its dramatic ontogenetic change of color pattern, from striped (“zebra”) juveniles to spotted (“leopard”) adults. Nevertheless, many aspects of the species' biology, ecology, and morphology are still unknown or inadequately described, and its nomenclature is contentious. This study introduces a hitherto undescribed color morph of the Zebra Shark and provides an updated diagnosis and redescription of the species. Firstly, we establish that the Zebra Shark remains a single species based on genetic data from mitochondrial COI and ND4 markers. Secondly, through morphological analyses, we conclude that there are two morphs of the species, the known, zebra striped morph and a new, sandy colored morph. Both morphs were studied morphometrically to expose any ontogenetic changes, such as a decrease in the relative length of the tail with increasing total length (TL). The external coloration pattern clearly differentiates the two morphs, and both morphs can be further divided into three stages based on color pattern and size: juveniles (255–562 mm TL), transitionals (562–1395 mm TL), and adults (>1300 mm TL). The transitional sandy morph is dorsally covered by a swirly pattern of thin, dark brown bands edged with freckle-like brown spots. The adults are a uniform sandy beige, partially covered with brown freckles. A mature male of the zebra morph displayed a yet unknown feature of the claspers: a small, triangular spike extruding from the dorsal terminal of the clasper glands. Finally, we reviewed the nomenclature of the species and suggest that the original name Stegostoma tigrinum Forster, 1781 should be used as the senior synonym for the species.
Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837
Squalus Seba, 1759; Forster, 1781; Hermann, 1783; Bloch, 1784; Broussonet, 1784; Bonnaterre, 1788; Gmelin, 1789; Pennant, 1791; Shaw, 1804; Bleeker, 1852; Gronow, 1854.
Scyllia van Hasselt, 1823.
Scyllium Rüppel, 1837.
Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837; Blyth, 1847; Günther, 1870; Garman, 1913; Whitley, 1939; Bass et al., 1975; Dingerkus, 1986; Compagno, 2001; Goto, 2001; Weigmann, 2016.
Stegostonea Regan, 1929: 293, possible error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Stegastoma Herre, 1934: 10, possible error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Stegastoma Last and Stevens, 1994: 138 apparent error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Type species.— Squalus fasciatus Bloch and Schneider, 1801, by original designation, equals Squalus fasciatus Hermann, 1783.
Stegostoma tigrinum
Zebra Shark
Diagnosis: Stegostoma tigrinum is characterized by a long caudal fin (49.9–54.2% TL) and five dorsolateral ridges along the body, visible even in hatchlings. Spiracles bean shaped, large (length 0.4–1.7% TL); eyes small (length 0.9–2.1% TL); barbels two, short (0.6–2.8% TL); gill slits five, but fourth and fifth partly fused so only four noticeable from a distance; pectoral fins large (anterior margin length 10.4–19.1% TL), broad and rounded; first dorsal fin originates far posteriorly above pelvic fins. Two color morphs, with a three-stage ontogenetic color and pattern change. Zebra morph: juveniles with dark brown background and cream colored bands (zebra-like); transitionals light brown with dark bands, broken up by dots; adults beige to yellow with spotted pattern (can be leopard-like). Sandy color morph: transitionals light beige background with swirly pattern of narrow, darker brown bands with tiny spots breaking up the pattern; adults uniformly sandy beige with tiny dark brown freckles. Maximum length 2050 mm TL, hatchlings approx. 250 mm TL; pectoral-fin rays of semi-plesodic structure, reaching approx. 66–88% of pectoral fin. Total vertebrae 207–262, monospondylous precaudal vertebrae 43–49, diplospondylous precaudal vertebrae 38–50, diplospondylous caudal vertebrae 120–175, precaudal vertebrae 81–101. Tooth rows upper jaw: 13–30, lower jaw: 22–30, and series count, upper jaw: 7–27, lower jaw: 8–16. Ring-type intestine with 18–20 valvular turns.
...
Distribution: The sandy color morph of S. tigrinum has in the present study been documented from a single location, off the coast of Kenya, ca. 10 km north of Malindi (Fig. 9). Six specimens of this morph were caught in June 2016 (rainy season) at a depth of 12 m, on a sandy substrate. A seventh specimen was caught in May 2017, 15 km north of Malindi on sandy bottom, also at 12 m depth.
Etymology: The name Stegostoma tigrinum is made up of the Greek stego meaning cover, and stoma meaning mouth, and can thus be translated to ‘covered mouth' (Froese and Pauly, 2018). The epithet tigrinum refers to the juveniles’ banded pattern.
==========================
Stegostoma tigrinum Forster, 1781
in Dahl, Sigsgaard, Mwangi, et al., 2019.
DOI: 10.1643/CG-18-115
Abstract
The Zebra Shark, in recent years known as Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann, 1783), is well known for its dramatic ontogenetic change of color pattern, from striped (“zebra”) juveniles to spotted (“leopard”) adults. Nevertheless, many aspects of the species' biology, ecology, and morphology are still unknown or inadequately described, and its nomenclature is contentious. This study introduces a hitherto undescribed color morph of the Zebra Shark and provides an updated diagnosis and redescription of the species. Firstly, we establish that the Zebra Shark remains a single species based on genetic data from mitochondrial COI and ND4 markers. Secondly, through morphological analyses, we conclude that there are two morphs of the species, the known, zebra striped morph and a new, sandy colored morph. Both morphs were studied morphometrically to expose any ontogenetic changes, such as a decrease in the relative length of the tail with increasing total length (TL). The external coloration pattern clearly differentiates the two morphs, and both morphs can be further divided into three stages based on color pattern and size: juveniles (255–562 mm TL), transitionals (562–1395 mm TL), and adults (>1300 mm TL). The transitional sandy morph is dorsally covered by a swirly pattern of thin, dark brown bands edged with freckle-like brown spots. The adults are a uniform sandy beige, partially covered with brown freckles. A mature male of the zebra morph displayed a yet unknown feature of the claspers: a small, triangular spike extruding from the dorsal terminal of the clasper glands. Finally, we reviewed the nomenclature of the species and suggest that the original name Stegostoma tigrinum Forster, 1781 should be used as the senior synonym for the species.
Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837
Squalus Seba, 1759; Forster, 1781; Hermann, 1783; Bloch, 1784; Broussonet, 1784; Bonnaterre, 1788; Gmelin, 1789; Pennant, 1791; Shaw, 1804; Bleeker, 1852; Gronow, 1854.
Scyllia van Hasselt, 1823.
Scyllium Rüppel, 1837.
Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837; Blyth, 1847; Günther, 1870; Garman, 1913; Whitley, 1939; Bass et al., 1975; Dingerkus, 1986; Compagno, 2001; Goto, 2001; Weigmann, 2016.
Stegostonea Regan, 1929: 293, possible error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Stegastoma Herre, 1934: 10, possible error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Stegastoma Last and Stevens, 1994: 138 apparent error for Stegostoma Müller and Henle, 1837.
Type species.— Squalus fasciatus Bloch and Schneider, 1801, by original designation, equals Squalus fasciatus Hermann, 1783.
Stegostoma tigrinum
Zebra Shark
Diagnosis: Stegostoma tigrinum is characterized by a long caudal fin (49.9–54.2% TL) and five dorsolateral ridges along the body, visible even in hatchlings. Spiracles bean shaped, large (length 0.4–1.7% TL); eyes small (length 0.9–2.1% TL); barbels two, short (0.6–2.8% TL); gill slits five, but fourth and fifth partly fused so only four noticeable from a distance; pectoral fins large (anterior margin length 10.4–19.1% TL), broad and rounded; first dorsal fin originates far posteriorly above pelvic fins. Two color morphs, with a three-stage ontogenetic color and pattern change. Zebra morph: juveniles with dark brown background and cream colored bands (zebra-like); transitionals light brown with dark bands, broken up by dots; adults beige to yellow with spotted pattern (can be leopard-like). Sandy color morph: transitionals light beige background with swirly pattern of narrow, darker brown bands with tiny spots breaking up the pattern; adults uniformly sandy beige with tiny dark brown freckles. Maximum length 2050 mm TL, hatchlings approx. 250 mm TL; pectoral-fin rays of semi-plesodic structure, reaching approx. 66–88% of pectoral fin. Total vertebrae 207–262, monospondylous precaudal vertebrae 43–49, diplospondylous precaudal vertebrae 38–50, diplospondylous caudal vertebrae 120–175, precaudal vertebrae 81–101. Tooth rows upper jaw: 13–30, lower jaw: 22–30, and series count, upper jaw: 7–27, lower jaw: 8–16. Ring-type intestine with 18–20 valvular turns.
...
Distribution: The sandy color morph of S. tigrinum has in the present study been documented from a single location, off the coast of Kenya, ca. 10 km north of Malindi (Fig. 9). Six specimens of this morph were caught in June 2016 (rainy season) at a depth of 12 m, on a sandy substrate. A seventh specimen was caught in May 2017, 15 km north of Malindi on sandy bottom, also at 12 m depth.
Etymology: The name Stegostoma tigrinum is made up of the Greek stego meaning cover, and stoma meaning mouth, and can thus be translated to ‘covered mouth' (Froese and Pauly, 2018). The epithet tigrinum refers to the juveniles’ banded pattern.
==========================
Captive Bred Sunrise Hogfish Available from Hawaiian Reefer
JAKE ADAMS2 DAYS AGO0
The sunrise hogfish aka Bodianus sanguineus has long been one of our favorite rare, deepwater, exotic hogfish species and in fact it was probably one of the first desirable hogfish species for aquariums. This hogfish, once known only from one photograph taken in a submersible in the late 90s is now available captive bred by Karen Brittain from Hawaiian Reefer.
The bright yellow stripe running through a bold red colored body is unmistakable in an aquarium and comparable only to closely related species of hogfish which themselves are also rare and live exclusively in deep reef habitats. One thing that makes hogfish such great aquarium fish is that they are hardy, get along with most commonly kept marine fish, they’re very active swimming around with a curious nature and they’ll eat all manner of aquarium foods.
Mrs. Brittain has a long history of breeding and raising hawaiian reef fish, many of them for the first time and including such iconic and highly desirable species like the Masked Angelfish and Bandit angelfish. This new captive breeding success by Karen Brittain brings another illustrious deepwater Hawaiian fish to the aquarium world as a small, aquarium conditioned and captive bred specimens.
These small sunrise hogfish are only a couple inches long but at already over half a year old, the very long duration of their larval phase makes them a challenging species to breed in an aquarium. Wild collected Bodianus sanguineus are quite rare and expensive, but if you ever wanted a small sunrise hogfish you can get one, while supplies last, from Hawaiian Reefer for $3500.
copied from ReefBuilders
==========================
JAKE ADAMS2 DAYS AGO0
The sunrise hogfish aka Bodianus sanguineus has long been one of our favorite rare, deepwater, exotic hogfish species and in fact it was probably one of the first desirable hogfish species for aquariums. This hogfish, once known only from one photograph taken in a submersible in the late 90s is now available captive bred by Karen Brittain from Hawaiian Reefer.
The bright yellow stripe running through a bold red colored body is unmistakable in an aquarium and comparable only to closely related species of hogfish which themselves are also rare and live exclusively in deep reef habitats. One thing that makes hogfish such great aquarium fish is that they are hardy, get along with most commonly kept marine fish, they’re very active swimming around with a curious nature and they’ll eat all manner of aquarium foods.
Mrs. Brittain has a long history of breeding and raising hawaiian reef fish, many of them for the first time and including such iconic and highly desirable species like the Masked Angelfish and Bandit angelfish. This new captive breeding success by Karen Brittain brings another illustrious deepwater Hawaiian fish to the aquarium world as a small, aquarium conditioned and captive bred specimens.
These small sunrise hogfish are only a couple inches long but at already over half a year old, the very long duration of their larval phase makes them a challenging species to breed in an aquarium. Wild collected Bodianus sanguineus are quite rare and expensive, but if you ever wanted a small sunrise hogfish you can get one, while supplies last, from Hawaiian Reefer for $3500.
copied from ReefBuilders
==========================
Evolution of acoustic communication in blind cavefish Nature Communicationsvolume 10, Article number: 4231 (2019) | Download Citation
AbstractAcoustic communication allows the exchange of information within specific contexts and during specific behaviors. The blind, cave-adapted and the sighted, river-dwelling morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus have evolved in markedly different environments. During their evolution in darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, allowing the study of adaptation to drastic environmental change. Here we discover that Astyanax is a sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with sound production depending on the social contexts and the type of morph. We characterize one sound, the “Sharp Click”, as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behaviors and as a chemosensory-, food odor-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging. Sharp Clicks also elicit different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments. Our results demonstrate that acoustic communication does exist and has evolved in cavefish, accompanying the evolution of its behaviors.
IntroductionAcoustic signals are widely used among animals for multiple communication and behavioral purposes, including in the aquatic environment1,2. Bony fishes have evolved diverse sound generating mechanisms that are well-studied3,4,5 and use them for intraspecific communication, often for agonistic and mating behaviors6,7,8,9. However, how acoustic communication can evolve via adaptation within species with respect to needs in their specific environments is unknown. To address this question we have used the two morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus. The river-dwelling sighted form and the cave-adapted blind form, which diverged about 20,000 years ago10, have since then experienced markedly different habitats and environmental pressures11,12,13. During their adaptation to perpetual darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes14,15,16,17,18,19, including major modifications in their chemosensory and mechanosensory systems which help them to navigate, find food and find mates in the dark20,21,22,23,24. Yet, hearing abilities are similar in the two morphs25 and to our knowledge, nothing is known about acoustic communication in A. mexicanus.
Here, we question whether acoustic communication has evolved differently in the two morphs of A. mexicanus and accompanied behavioral shifts in the absence of visual communication in cavefish. We show that A. mexicanus is a highly sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with a repertoire of at least 6 sounds. When studied in controlled laboratory conditions, sound production quantitatively and qualitatively depends on the social contexts (solo, duo, or group) and the type of morph. We then further characterize one sound, the “Sharp Click”, as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behavior and as a chemosensory-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging behavior, and which also elicits different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments.
ResultsAstyanax mexicanus is a sonic species, in the lab and in the wildFirst we determined whether the species Astyanax mexicanus produces sounds. Six different types of sounds could be identified from 60 h of acoustic recordings of adult A. mexicanus surface fish (SF) or Pachón cavefish (CF) in the laboratory, including three simple sounds and three complex sounds (Fig. 1a–f and Supplementary Audio 1–6; Supplementary Fig. 1a and Methods). Clocs, Clicks, and Sharp Clicks corresponded to single pulses of short duration (lasting < 20 ms, separated by > 1 s interval from the next pulse; Table 1). Serial Clocs, Serial Clicks, and Rumblings corresponded to repetitions of single pulses and to longer sounds lasting up to 1 s, respectively. Each sound type had a specific structure and spectral range and showed maximum energy in specific frequencies (Table 1 and Fig. 1a–f), which are typically in the range of A. mexicanus hearing capabilities tested with a behavioral assay between 50 and 7500 Hz, with a maximal sensitivity around 1000 Hz25.
Full article at:- www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12078-9
==========================
AbstractAcoustic communication allows the exchange of information within specific contexts and during specific behaviors. The blind, cave-adapted and the sighted, river-dwelling morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus have evolved in markedly different environments. During their evolution in darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, allowing the study of adaptation to drastic environmental change. Here we discover that Astyanax is a sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with sound production depending on the social contexts and the type of morph. We characterize one sound, the “Sharp Click”, as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behaviors and as a chemosensory-, food odor-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging. Sharp Clicks also elicit different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments. Our results demonstrate that acoustic communication does exist and has evolved in cavefish, accompanying the evolution of its behaviors.
IntroductionAcoustic signals are widely used among animals for multiple communication and behavioral purposes, including in the aquatic environment1,2. Bony fishes have evolved diverse sound generating mechanisms that are well-studied3,4,5 and use them for intraspecific communication, often for agonistic and mating behaviors6,7,8,9. However, how acoustic communication can evolve via adaptation within species with respect to needs in their specific environments is unknown. To address this question we have used the two morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus. The river-dwelling sighted form and the cave-adapted blind form, which diverged about 20,000 years ago10, have since then experienced markedly different habitats and environmental pressures11,12,13. During their adaptation to perpetual darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes14,15,16,17,18,19, including major modifications in their chemosensory and mechanosensory systems which help them to navigate, find food and find mates in the dark20,21,22,23,24. Yet, hearing abilities are similar in the two morphs25 and to our knowledge, nothing is known about acoustic communication in A. mexicanus.
Here, we question whether acoustic communication has evolved differently in the two morphs of A. mexicanus and accompanied behavioral shifts in the absence of visual communication in cavefish. We show that A. mexicanus is a highly sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with a repertoire of at least 6 sounds. When studied in controlled laboratory conditions, sound production quantitatively and qualitatively depends on the social contexts (solo, duo, or group) and the type of morph. We then further characterize one sound, the “Sharp Click”, as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behavior and as a chemosensory-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging behavior, and which also elicits different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments.
ResultsAstyanax mexicanus is a sonic species, in the lab and in the wildFirst we determined whether the species Astyanax mexicanus produces sounds. Six different types of sounds could be identified from 60 h of acoustic recordings of adult A. mexicanus surface fish (SF) or Pachón cavefish (CF) in the laboratory, including three simple sounds and three complex sounds (Fig. 1a–f and Supplementary Audio 1–6; Supplementary Fig. 1a and Methods). Clocs, Clicks, and Sharp Clicks corresponded to single pulses of short duration (lasting < 20 ms, separated by > 1 s interval from the next pulse; Table 1). Serial Clocs, Serial Clicks, and Rumblings corresponded to repetitions of single pulses and to longer sounds lasting up to 1 s, respectively. Each sound type had a specific structure and spectral range and showed maximum energy in specific frequencies (Table 1 and Fig. 1a–f), which are typically in the range of A. mexicanus hearing capabilities tested with a behavioral assay between 50 and 7500 Hz, with a maximal sensitivity around 1000 Hz25.
Full article at:- www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12078-9
==========================
Amazon fish species at risk if fires destroy river habitatThe fires burning through the Brazilian Amazon are a threat to the fish that rely on forest flooding to survive, raising fears the fish will be lost.
BY STEFAN LOVGREN
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
MANAUS, Brazil — This year’s unusually severe fires in the Amazon have not only attracted widespread international attention, but also illuminated the effects of mounting deforestation in the region, from evaporating rains to rising carbon dioxide emissions. Yet one effect of forest loss in the Amazon has largely been ignored: how it influences the river system and the fish living in it.
There are few places in the world where aquatic and arboreal life are brought together as closely as they are in the Amazon. While the rainforest is home to the world’s largest river (by volume of water) and 1,700 tributaries, about one-sixth of the basin is also made up of largely forest-covered wetlands that flood for long periods each year and support the commercially most important fish in the region.
“This flood pulse is the driving force governing all the ecological functions and interactions along the river basin, and it creates flooded forests that are crucial for the survival and reproduction of hundreds of fish species in the Amazon,” says Jansen Zuanon, a fish biologist at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) in Manaus.
Although still pristine in much of the Amazon, the floodplain forests have in recent decades been heavily damaged in some parts of the basin, especially in the eastern lowlands of Brazil. Now, the threat to their survival—and the fish that rely on them—may be growing more intense because of increasing deforestation and fire, researchers say, warning that further degradation of the flooded forests could fundamentally alter the Amazon’s aquatic ecosystem.
“If we don’t protect these areas, the rivers will not be the same and we will lose the fish,” says Leandro Castello, a tropical ecologist at Virginia Tech’s Global Change Center, who has studied the links between forest and fish in the Amazon.
Seeking shelter
The Amazon basin, 60 percent of which is in Brazil, is the most biodiverse place in the world, not only on land but also in the water. There are more than 3,000 fish species in the Amazon, with at least hundreds more yet to be discovered. The biodiversity is attributed in large part to the flooding that occurs roughly from December to April. During that time water levels rise by as much as 50 feet, with water spilling over from the rivers to create new bodies of water in forested areas.
Despite its importance to the balance of the rainforest, the Amazon floodplain is relatively poorly studied, though the connection between forest and fish has long been established. Hundreds of fish species use the flooded forests to feed on fruits and seeds floating on the surface of the water, and on an abundance of plankton. Many fish also move into the flooded areas to seek shelter from predators, emerging from hiding once they have grown bigger.
While some studies have documented the relationship between deforestation and fish in small streams in the Amazon, less work has been done to assess the link in large rivers. For one study, published in 2017, Castello and others compared 12 years of fisheries data with satellite images of forest cover in a wide area of the lower Amazon River, and established a strong correlation between forest loss and fewer fish.
“We found that deforested areas matched with local fisheries producing much lower yields than those with larger forest areas surrounding them,” says Castello.
Significant links between forest cover and fish abundance were found for many of the Amazon’s most popular food fish, including the highly prized tambaqui, which can grow up to 70 pounds and has specialized teeth that can crush and grind hard fruits and nuts. Strong connections were also found for carnivorous species, such as the dourada catfish and surubim, which feed on schools of fish that live in the flooded forest.
Tambaqui can grow up to 70 pounds. Native to Brazilian Amazon rivers, it has specialized teeth that can crush and grind hard fruits and nuts. The commercially prized fish is one of the species threatened by habitat destruction from the Amazon fires.
PHOTOGRAPH BY KIKE CALVO, ALAMY STOCK PHOTOIn turn, those forests, which have adapted to survive being under water for months at a time, also benefit from fish dispersing seeds throughout the system.
“The result is a mutually-beneficial exchange of resources that fuels floodplain productivity and high biodiversity,” says Marcia Macedo, a Woods Hole Research Center ecologist who also works in the Amazon. “Without that land-water interaction, these tightly connected ecosystems begin to unravel.”
Highly flammableBrazil’s national forest code provides protection for riparian vegetation, but only up to 500 meters from the river bank in the dry season. This, conservationists point out, is far from sufficient, since flooded areas can extend more than 20 kilometers from the river bank in the wet season.
The extent of forest loss on the Amazon floodplain is difficult to ascertain, but is higher in more populated parts in eastern Brazil. A study published this year in the journal Ecological Indicators analyzed deforestation in several areas along the main Amazon River floodplain since 1970. While a remote location in western Brazil had lost almost none of its flooded forest cover, a more populated area in the east had been 70 percent deforested, the study showed.
The issue of Amazonian deforestation has become highly politicized in Brazil. After the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) published preliminary data showing that overall deforestation in Brazil's portion of the rainforest increased 88 percent in June of this year compared with the same month a year ago, the director of INPE was fired by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who claimed the data was inaccurate. Yet INPE statistics clearly show a worrisome trend of escalating deforestation rates, which had started to drop in around 2005 before rebounding a few years ago.
While drought has often been a driver of forest fires in the Amazon in the past, experts say deforestation is the main cause of the unusually high number of fires—more than 90,000 so far—that have been burning across the Brazilian Amazon this year, as ranchers and farmers use fires to clear forest that has already been cut down to make room for cattle grazing and agriculture.
“These fires often escape into adjacent forest,” especially if it’s been logged, “burning the understory and beginning the process of forest degradation,” says Laura Hess at the University of California Santa Barbara, who has conducted several remote sensing studies in the Amazon.
While floodplains are less of a target for ranchers and farmers than upland forest, the woody vegetation found there may be more vulnerable to fire in the dry season because it is shorter and more open, and occurs in smaller patches. Floodplain forests on sandy soils, such as along the blackwater Rio Negro, are particularly vulnerable because the soil doesn't hold much water.
"The majority of papers and fire models for the region focus on upland forest. Floodplain forests are neglected. There is a huge gap in our understanding of fire impact on floodplain forests," says Paulo Brando, a tropical ecologist at the University of California Irvine.
To make matters worse, such forests are generally not able to recover once they’ve been removed. “A single floodplain fire can cause nearly 100 percent forest mortality, and often this vegetation will not grow back soon,” Brando says.
How much of the flooded forest has been lost this year, if any, is still impossible to judge, says Brando, but he adds that the height of the dry season has not yet reached the northern parts of the Amazon.
In the long term, scientists warn, droughts could become more severe and more frequent through climate change and deforestation, making it difficult to prevent a widespread conversion of floodplain forests into fire-dominated vegetation in the Amazon.
That scenario would have a devastating effect on most fish populations in the Amazon river system. “The fires and the deforestation in the Amazon add another threat to a river system that is already under major pressure from the building of new dams, mining, and other activities,” says Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a National Geographic Explorer.
On the Machado RiverLate last month, Hogan joined a team of Brazilian researchers on a journey down the Madeira River, the largest tributary of the Amazon. Setting off from Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia state in western Brazil, they traveled to the Machado River, which joins the Madeira close to the city of Humaitá, and where the Brazilian government just announced it would go ahead with plans to build a large dam.
The Machado is important habitat for the dourada, the large and highly migratory catfish that feeds on fish in flooded forests. The river is also where the research to establish the connection between fish and forest in the Amazon was first carried out several decades ago.
Standing on the exposed sand bank of the Machado, Hogan listened to the team leader, Lisiane Hahn, a fish researcher at Neotropical, a Brazilian environmental consulting firm, describe the flood dynamics.
“Where we are standing now will be way under water in the rainy season,” Hahn said and pointed to the forest in the distance. “That will all be flooded.”
She added, “I guess you could say the river is the forest.”
This article was copied from National Geographic
==========================
BY STEFAN LOVGREN
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
MANAUS, Brazil — This year’s unusually severe fires in the Amazon have not only attracted widespread international attention, but also illuminated the effects of mounting deforestation in the region, from evaporating rains to rising carbon dioxide emissions. Yet one effect of forest loss in the Amazon has largely been ignored: how it influences the river system and the fish living in it.
There are few places in the world where aquatic and arboreal life are brought together as closely as they are in the Amazon. While the rainforest is home to the world’s largest river (by volume of water) and 1,700 tributaries, about one-sixth of the basin is also made up of largely forest-covered wetlands that flood for long periods each year and support the commercially most important fish in the region.
“This flood pulse is the driving force governing all the ecological functions and interactions along the river basin, and it creates flooded forests that are crucial for the survival and reproduction of hundreds of fish species in the Amazon,” says Jansen Zuanon, a fish biologist at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) in Manaus.
Although still pristine in much of the Amazon, the floodplain forests have in recent decades been heavily damaged in some parts of the basin, especially in the eastern lowlands of Brazil. Now, the threat to their survival—and the fish that rely on them—may be growing more intense because of increasing deforestation and fire, researchers say, warning that further degradation of the flooded forests could fundamentally alter the Amazon’s aquatic ecosystem.
“If we don’t protect these areas, the rivers will not be the same and we will lose the fish,” says Leandro Castello, a tropical ecologist at Virginia Tech’s Global Change Center, who has studied the links between forest and fish in the Amazon.
Seeking shelter
The Amazon basin, 60 percent of which is in Brazil, is the most biodiverse place in the world, not only on land but also in the water. There are more than 3,000 fish species in the Amazon, with at least hundreds more yet to be discovered. The biodiversity is attributed in large part to the flooding that occurs roughly from December to April. During that time water levels rise by as much as 50 feet, with water spilling over from the rivers to create new bodies of water in forested areas.
Despite its importance to the balance of the rainforest, the Amazon floodplain is relatively poorly studied, though the connection between forest and fish has long been established. Hundreds of fish species use the flooded forests to feed on fruits and seeds floating on the surface of the water, and on an abundance of plankton. Many fish also move into the flooded areas to seek shelter from predators, emerging from hiding once they have grown bigger.
While some studies have documented the relationship between deforestation and fish in small streams in the Amazon, less work has been done to assess the link in large rivers. For one study, published in 2017, Castello and others compared 12 years of fisheries data with satellite images of forest cover in a wide area of the lower Amazon River, and established a strong correlation between forest loss and fewer fish.
“We found that deforested areas matched with local fisheries producing much lower yields than those with larger forest areas surrounding them,” says Castello.
Significant links between forest cover and fish abundance were found for many of the Amazon’s most popular food fish, including the highly prized tambaqui, which can grow up to 70 pounds and has specialized teeth that can crush and grind hard fruits and nuts. Strong connections were also found for carnivorous species, such as the dourada catfish and surubim, which feed on schools of fish that live in the flooded forest.
Tambaqui can grow up to 70 pounds. Native to Brazilian Amazon rivers, it has specialized teeth that can crush and grind hard fruits and nuts. The commercially prized fish is one of the species threatened by habitat destruction from the Amazon fires.
PHOTOGRAPH BY KIKE CALVO, ALAMY STOCK PHOTOIn turn, those forests, which have adapted to survive being under water for months at a time, also benefit from fish dispersing seeds throughout the system.
“The result is a mutually-beneficial exchange of resources that fuels floodplain productivity and high biodiversity,” says Marcia Macedo, a Woods Hole Research Center ecologist who also works in the Amazon. “Without that land-water interaction, these tightly connected ecosystems begin to unravel.”
Highly flammableBrazil’s national forest code provides protection for riparian vegetation, but only up to 500 meters from the river bank in the dry season. This, conservationists point out, is far from sufficient, since flooded areas can extend more than 20 kilometers from the river bank in the wet season.
The extent of forest loss on the Amazon floodplain is difficult to ascertain, but is higher in more populated parts in eastern Brazil. A study published this year in the journal Ecological Indicators analyzed deforestation in several areas along the main Amazon River floodplain since 1970. While a remote location in western Brazil had lost almost none of its flooded forest cover, a more populated area in the east had been 70 percent deforested, the study showed.
The issue of Amazonian deforestation has become highly politicized in Brazil. After the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) published preliminary data showing that overall deforestation in Brazil's portion of the rainforest increased 88 percent in June of this year compared with the same month a year ago, the director of INPE was fired by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who claimed the data was inaccurate. Yet INPE statistics clearly show a worrisome trend of escalating deforestation rates, which had started to drop in around 2005 before rebounding a few years ago.
While drought has often been a driver of forest fires in the Amazon in the past, experts say deforestation is the main cause of the unusually high number of fires—more than 90,000 so far—that have been burning across the Brazilian Amazon this year, as ranchers and farmers use fires to clear forest that has already been cut down to make room for cattle grazing and agriculture.
“These fires often escape into adjacent forest,” especially if it’s been logged, “burning the understory and beginning the process of forest degradation,” says Laura Hess at the University of California Santa Barbara, who has conducted several remote sensing studies in the Amazon.
While floodplains are less of a target for ranchers and farmers than upland forest, the woody vegetation found there may be more vulnerable to fire in the dry season because it is shorter and more open, and occurs in smaller patches. Floodplain forests on sandy soils, such as along the blackwater Rio Negro, are particularly vulnerable because the soil doesn't hold much water.
"The majority of papers and fire models for the region focus on upland forest. Floodplain forests are neglected. There is a huge gap in our understanding of fire impact on floodplain forests," says Paulo Brando, a tropical ecologist at the University of California Irvine.
To make matters worse, such forests are generally not able to recover once they’ve been removed. “A single floodplain fire can cause nearly 100 percent forest mortality, and often this vegetation will not grow back soon,” Brando says.
How much of the flooded forest has been lost this year, if any, is still impossible to judge, says Brando, but he adds that the height of the dry season has not yet reached the northern parts of the Amazon.
In the long term, scientists warn, droughts could become more severe and more frequent through climate change and deforestation, making it difficult to prevent a widespread conversion of floodplain forests into fire-dominated vegetation in the Amazon.
That scenario would have a devastating effect on most fish populations in the Amazon river system. “The fires and the deforestation in the Amazon add another threat to a river system that is already under major pressure from the building of new dams, mining, and other activities,” says Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a National Geographic Explorer.
On the Machado RiverLate last month, Hogan joined a team of Brazilian researchers on a journey down the Madeira River, the largest tributary of the Amazon. Setting off from Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia state in western Brazil, they traveled to the Machado River, which joins the Madeira close to the city of Humaitá, and where the Brazilian government just announced it would go ahead with plans to build a large dam.
The Machado is important habitat for the dourada, the large and highly migratory catfish that feeds on fish in flooded forests. The river is also where the research to establish the connection between fish and forest in the Amazon was first carried out several decades ago.
Standing on the exposed sand bank of the Machado, Hogan listened to the team leader, Lisiane Hahn, a fish researcher at Neotropical, a Brazilian environmental consulting firm, describe the flood dynamics.
“Where we are standing now will be way under water in the rainy season,” Hahn said and pointed to the forest in the distance. “That will all be flooded.”
She added, “I guess you could say the river is the forest.”
This article was copied from National Geographic
==========================
Baryancistrus hadrostomus,
Baryancistrus micropunctatus,
Baryancistrus micropunctatus & B. hadrostomus • Two New Species of the Armored Catfish Genus Baryancistrus Rapp Py-Daniel, 1989 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Jari River, Amazon Basin, Brazil
Baryancistrus micropunctatus
de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Oyakawa, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Two new species of the suckermouth armored catfish genus Baryancistrus are described from the Jari River basin, at the border of Pará and Amapá states, Brazil. The new species are the first representatives of the genus described from rivers draining the Guiana shield, and can be distinguished from their congeners by color pattern and a combination of nonexclusive characters. Baryancistrus micropunctatus, new species, has a color pattern similar to B. longipinnis from the Tocantins River, whereas Baryancistrus hadrostomus, new species, has a color pattern that is unique for the genus, with a gray to black body covered by small and widely spaced white points. The first exemplars of the two new species were collected in the late 1980s by INPA ichthyological staff, and in 2007 additional materials were collected by the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), providing a foundation for this description of the new species.
Baryancistrus micropunctatus, new species
Etymology.--The specific name micropunctatus is a combination of the Latin micro, meaning small, and punctatus, meaning dots, in reference to the small dots over the whole body in this species. An adjective.
Baryancistrus hadrostomus, new species
Etymology.— The specific name, hadrostomus, is from the Greek hadros, meaning ‘‘well developed, large,’’ and stoma, meaning ‘‘mouth,’’ in allusion to the extremely large oral disk in this species. An adjective.
Fig. Baryancistrus micropunctatus, MZUSP 103356, paratype, 150.6 mm SL (A);
Baryancistrus hadrostomus, uncatalogued (B);
Amapá, Santo Antonio waterfall.
Live specimens photographed by J. L. Birindelli.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Renildo Ribeiro de Oliveira, Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel and Osvaldo Takeshi Oyakawa. 2019. Two New Species of the Armored Catfish Genus Baryancistrus Rapp Py-Daniel, 1989 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Jari River, Amazon Basin, Brazil. Copeia. 107(3); 481-492. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1174012348841037826
==========================
Baryancistrus micropunctatus
de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Oyakawa, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
Two new species of the suckermouth armored catfish genus Baryancistrus are described from the Jari River basin, at the border of Pará and Amapá states, Brazil. The new species are the first representatives of the genus described from rivers draining the Guiana shield, and can be distinguished from their congeners by color pattern and a combination of nonexclusive characters. Baryancistrus micropunctatus, new species, has a color pattern similar to B. longipinnis from the Tocantins River, whereas Baryancistrus hadrostomus, new species, has a color pattern that is unique for the genus, with a gray to black body covered by small and widely spaced white points. The first exemplars of the two new species were collected in the late 1980s by INPA ichthyological staff, and in 2007 additional materials were collected by the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), providing a foundation for this description of the new species.
Baryancistrus micropunctatus, new species
Etymology.--The specific name micropunctatus is a combination of the Latin micro, meaning small, and punctatus, meaning dots, in reference to the small dots over the whole body in this species. An adjective.
Baryancistrus hadrostomus, new species
Etymology.— The specific name, hadrostomus, is from the Greek hadros, meaning ‘‘well developed, large,’’ and stoma, meaning ‘‘mouth,’’ in allusion to the extremely large oral disk in this species. An adjective.
Fig. Baryancistrus micropunctatus, MZUSP 103356, paratype, 150.6 mm SL (A);
Baryancistrus hadrostomus, uncatalogued (B);
Amapá, Santo Antonio waterfall.
Live specimens photographed by J. L. Birindelli.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Renildo Ribeiro de Oliveira, Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel and Osvaldo Takeshi Oyakawa. 2019. Two New Species of the Armored Catfish Genus Baryancistrus Rapp Py-Daniel, 1989 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Jari River, Amazon Basin, Brazil. Copeia. 107(3); 481-492. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-201
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1174012348841037826
==========================
France’s Marineland Has Rare Captive Breeding of Gramma Dejongi
VINCENT CHALIAS
It appears that Gramma dejongi, once a very inaccessible reef fish is about to become a lot more common fish in the reef aquarium world. Right after Biota showed their first captive bred G. dejongi, a French Public Aquarium called Marineland has also managed to breed them.
The broodstock Dejongi came from Dejong Marinelife, in the Netherlands as an exchange for some captive bred sandbar sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, born at the Aquarium. They came in November 2018 together with some other species for their established in house breeding program including dottybacks, longnose filefish, cardinalfish, bird wrasse, and a variety of dragonet species.
All theses fish were housed in their specially designed broodstock holding system designed and conceived to properly feed the breeders, and harvest the resulting eggs. It took only 10 months to condition these Dejongi broodstock and get them to spawn. The fish are house behind a large window, so they mostly get natural sunlight.
Broodstock tank is 150 liters or around 40 gallons, and equipped with live rock, PVC pipe, Flower pot, and some Caulerpa prolifera. They are copiously fed, and given live mysis regularly. The fish were 4 cm long when they were placed in their tank.
The male picked a 32 mm wide PVC pipe, some Caulerpa prolifera and some white filter media fiber to make its nest. The female visit the nest but prefer to stay in the pot. The only other habitant of the tank were a couple of Acreichthys tomentosus captive bred in the facility and used to regulate aiptasia.
Larvae are collected in the morning from the larvae collector and transferred into a 800 l mesocosm ‘living soup’ filled with rotifers, copepods and Isochrysis. Larvae were collected for 8 days and added to the mesocosm. They have daily spawning over a few days period.
READ Marineland LED Track Light Designed for CustomiziationMetamorphosis happens after 31 days at 26 C. Tubes and other hiding objects must be added to the system as soon as these fish settle. At 39 days all the fish settled, and were collected at 44 days. The survival rate was 50%.
Just Metamorphosed fishWithin a year most species targeted by this program were successfully bred. They are working on other fish, and are collecting a lot of eggs from their display. Most of these fish will enter the exchange program between public aquariums, and there are little chance to see them in a hobbyist tank but luckily Biota is filling that gap.
The young and successful Marineland breeding team is composed of several aquarist including Jérome Gillet (Which is also the photographer), Sarah Mension, Régis Billion, and a new recruit Laetitia Cluzel under supervision of Jean Philippe Catteau. Good Job Guys! A special thanks to Alain Duday for its great advices, and Cfeed for their great help with Copepodes.
From Reef Builders
==========================
=====
VINCENT CHALIAS
It appears that Gramma dejongi, once a very inaccessible reef fish is about to become a lot more common fish in the reef aquarium world. Right after Biota showed their first captive bred G. dejongi, a French Public Aquarium called Marineland has also managed to breed them.
The broodstock Dejongi came from Dejong Marinelife, in the Netherlands as an exchange for some captive bred sandbar sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, born at the Aquarium. They came in November 2018 together with some other species for their established in house breeding program including dottybacks, longnose filefish, cardinalfish, bird wrasse, and a variety of dragonet species.
All theses fish were housed in their specially designed broodstock holding system designed and conceived to properly feed the breeders, and harvest the resulting eggs. It took only 10 months to condition these Dejongi broodstock and get them to spawn. The fish are house behind a large window, so they mostly get natural sunlight.
Broodstock tank is 150 liters or around 40 gallons, and equipped with live rock, PVC pipe, Flower pot, and some Caulerpa prolifera. They are copiously fed, and given live mysis regularly. The fish were 4 cm long when they were placed in their tank.
The male picked a 32 mm wide PVC pipe, some Caulerpa prolifera and some white filter media fiber to make its nest. The female visit the nest but prefer to stay in the pot. The only other habitant of the tank were a couple of Acreichthys tomentosus captive bred in the facility and used to regulate aiptasia.
Larvae are collected in the morning from the larvae collector and transferred into a 800 l mesocosm ‘living soup’ filled with rotifers, copepods and Isochrysis. Larvae were collected for 8 days and added to the mesocosm. They have daily spawning over a few days period.
READ Marineland LED Track Light Designed for CustomiziationMetamorphosis happens after 31 days at 26 C. Tubes and other hiding objects must be added to the system as soon as these fish settle. At 39 days all the fish settled, and were collected at 44 days. The survival rate was 50%.
Just Metamorphosed fishWithin a year most species targeted by this program were successfully bred. They are working on other fish, and are collecting a lot of eggs from their display. Most of these fish will enter the exchange program between public aquariums, and there are little chance to see them in a hobbyist tank but luckily Biota is filling that gap.
The young and successful Marineland breeding team is composed of several aquarist including Jérome Gillet (Which is also the photographer), Sarah Mension, Régis Billion, and a new recruit Laetitia Cluzel under supervision of Jean Philippe Catteau. Good Job Guys! A special thanks to Alain Duday for its great advices, and Cfeed for their great help with Copepodes.
From Reef Builders
==========================
=====
Characidium cricarense
A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from coastal basins in the Atlantic Rainforest of eastern Brazil, with phylogenetic and phylogeographic insights into the Characidium alipioi species group
Evandro Malanski1 2 5
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-8540
Luisa Maria Sarmento-Soares1 3 6
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-1794
Ana Cecilia Gomes Silva-Malanski2 5
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3052-963X
Maridiesse Morais Lopes3
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5103-1446
Leonardo Ferreira da Silva Ingenito1 4
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5506-0620
Paulo Andreas Buckup2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1156-3226
1Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica, INMA, Av. José Ruschi 4, 29650-000 Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil. (EM) evanmal@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-8540 (corresponding author); (LMSS) sarmento.soares@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-1794; (LFSI) leo.ingenito@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5506-0620
2Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. (ACGSM) aceciliagomes@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3052-963X; (PAB) buckup@acd.ufrj.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1156-3226
3Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Humanas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Prédio Bárbara Weinberg, Campus de Goiabeiras, 29043-900 Vitória, ES, Brazil. maridiessemorais@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5103-1446
4Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical, Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, BR-101 Norte km 60, 29932-540 São Mateus, ES, Brazil.
5Base Oceanográfica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, ES-010 km 16, 565, 29199-970 Aracruz, ES, Brazil.
6Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Avenida Transnordestina s/n, Novo Horizonte, 44036-900 Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Characidium from southeastern Brazil is described based on morphological and molecular evidence from specimens collected between the rio Jucuruçu and rio Doce basins. The new species belongs to a group of species within Characidium with an unscaled area in the isthmus and is distinguished from these species, except C. alipioi, C. fasciatum, C. hasemani, and C. kamakan, by the greater distance (greater than 10% SL) and presence of 5-7 scales between the anus and the anal fin, and presence of 14 series of scales around the caudal peduncle. The species is distinguished from C. alipioi by having 4 series of scales above the lateral line (vs. 5 series) and greater distance between the anus and the anal fin; from C. fasciatum and C. kamakan, by the smaller body depth at the dorsal-fin origin, at the anal-fin origin, and at the caudal peduncle; from C. hasemani, by the short distances between the tip of the snout and the pelvic fin, the tip of the snout and the anal fin, and the tip of the snout and the tip of anal fin. The new species forms a presumably monophyletic group with C. alipioi and C. kamakan.
Keywords: Bahia; DNA barcode; Espírito Santo; Rapids; South American darter
INTRODUCTION
Characidium is the most widespread and species-rich genus of crenuchid fishes. Currently, 69 valid species of Characidium are known, 13 of which were described during the last four years (Fricke et al., 2019). Monophyly of the group is supported by the presence of a dark spot on base of median caudal-fin rays, a feature secondarily lost in some species (Buckup, 1993a; Buckup, 1993b; Melo, Buckup, 2002). Most species inhabit fast flowing streams with rocky or sandy substrates. The genus has a broad distribution in South America, ranging from Panama, in Central America, to northeastern Argentina in southern South America (Fricke et al., 2019).
Here we describe a new species of Characidium from the Northeastern Mata Atlântica Ecorregion in Eastern Brazil (Abell et al., 2008). Seven species of Characidium were previously reported from this area: Characidium bahiense Almeida, 1971, Characidium clistenesi Melo, Espíndola, 2016, Characidium deludensZanata, Camelier, 2015, Characidium helmeri Zanata, Sarmento-Soares, Martins-Pinheiro, 2015, Characidium kamakan Zanata, Camelier, 2015, Characidium samurai Zanata, Camelier, 2014, and Characidium timbuiense Travassos, 1946. The fish species diversity of this Ecoregion is still poorly known, as suggested by the fact that five of these species of Characidium were described in the last three years. The present description underscores the lack of taxonomic knowledge in the region.
Full Paper can be viewed at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200212&fbclid=IwAR10XOFoyLtcL8lEinPpaaa3O6ZCNwtAuXzdAmkVuwGESk6Qw2dWH6ExWcE#.XTC0P1YqOxw.facebook
==========================
Evandro Malanski1 2 5
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-8540
Luisa Maria Sarmento-Soares1 3 6
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-1794
Ana Cecilia Gomes Silva-Malanski2 5
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3052-963X
Maridiesse Morais Lopes3
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5103-1446
Leonardo Ferreira da Silva Ingenito1 4
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5506-0620
Paulo Andreas Buckup2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1156-3226
1Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica, INMA, Av. José Ruschi 4, 29650-000 Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil. (EM) evanmal@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-8540 (corresponding author); (LMSS) sarmento.soares@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-1794; (LFSI) leo.ingenito@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5506-0620
2Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. (ACGSM) aceciliagomes@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3052-963X; (PAB) buckup@acd.ufrj.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1156-3226
3Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Humanas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Prédio Bárbara Weinberg, Campus de Goiabeiras, 29043-900 Vitória, ES, Brazil. maridiessemorais@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5103-1446
4Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical, Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, BR-101 Norte km 60, 29932-540 São Mateus, ES, Brazil.
5Base Oceanográfica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, ES-010 km 16, 565, 29199-970 Aracruz, ES, Brazil.
6Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Avenida Transnordestina s/n, Novo Horizonte, 44036-900 Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Characidium from southeastern Brazil is described based on morphological and molecular evidence from specimens collected between the rio Jucuruçu and rio Doce basins. The new species belongs to a group of species within Characidium with an unscaled area in the isthmus and is distinguished from these species, except C. alipioi, C. fasciatum, C. hasemani, and C. kamakan, by the greater distance (greater than 10% SL) and presence of 5-7 scales between the anus and the anal fin, and presence of 14 series of scales around the caudal peduncle. The species is distinguished from C. alipioi by having 4 series of scales above the lateral line (vs. 5 series) and greater distance between the anus and the anal fin; from C. fasciatum and C. kamakan, by the smaller body depth at the dorsal-fin origin, at the anal-fin origin, and at the caudal peduncle; from C. hasemani, by the short distances between the tip of the snout and the pelvic fin, the tip of the snout and the anal fin, and the tip of the snout and the tip of anal fin. The new species forms a presumably monophyletic group with C. alipioi and C. kamakan.
Keywords: Bahia; DNA barcode; Espírito Santo; Rapids; South American darter
INTRODUCTION
Characidium is the most widespread and species-rich genus of crenuchid fishes. Currently, 69 valid species of Characidium are known, 13 of which were described during the last four years (Fricke et al., 2019). Monophyly of the group is supported by the presence of a dark spot on base of median caudal-fin rays, a feature secondarily lost in some species (Buckup, 1993a; Buckup, 1993b; Melo, Buckup, 2002). Most species inhabit fast flowing streams with rocky or sandy substrates. The genus has a broad distribution in South America, ranging from Panama, in Central America, to northeastern Argentina in southern South America (Fricke et al., 2019).
Here we describe a new species of Characidium from the Northeastern Mata Atlântica Ecorregion in Eastern Brazil (Abell et al., 2008). Seven species of Characidium were previously reported from this area: Characidium bahiense Almeida, 1971, Characidium clistenesi Melo, Espíndola, 2016, Characidium deludensZanata, Camelier, 2015, Characidium helmeri Zanata, Sarmento-Soares, Martins-Pinheiro, 2015, Characidium kamakan Zanata, Camelier, 2015, Characidium samurai Zanata, Camelier, 2014, and Characidium timbuiense Travassos, 1946. The fish species diversity of this Ecoregion is still poorly known, as suggested by the fact that five of these species of Characidium were described in the last three years. The present description underscores the lack of taxonomic knowledge in the region.
Full Paper can be viewed at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200212&fbclid=IwAR10XOFoyLtcL8lEinPpaaa3O6ZCNwtAuXzdAmkVuwGESk6Qw2dWH6ExWcE#.XTC0P1YqOxw.facebook
==========================
New species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the highlands of the Guiana Shield in Venezuela
José L. O. Birindelli1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9646-9636
Heraldo A. Britski2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
Francisco Provenzano3 4
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
1Museu de Zoologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, Caixa Postal 10011, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil. josebirindelli@yahoo.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9646-9636 (corresponding author)
2Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, Caixa Postal 42494, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. heraldo@usp.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
3Universidad Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Apartado 47058 Caracas 1041-A, Distrito Capital, Venezuela. fprovenz@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
4Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Leporinus is described using morphological data and compared to all other species of the family. Specimens were illustrated using digital photograph, measured using digital calipers, and had teeth, scales, and fin rays counted under a stereomicroscope. The new species is distinguished from all other Anostomidae, except Anostomus anostomus, A. brevior, A. ternetzi, Hypomasticus despaxi, Leporinus arcus, and L. striatus, by having four dark longitudinal stripes on body. The new species is distinguished from aforementioned species by having terminal mouth with four teeth on the premaxilla, 12 series of scales around caudal peduncle, and 34 to 36 scales in the lateral line. The new species is remarkably similar to Leporinus arcus, which occurs on the opposite side of Guyana Shield highlands. The new species and L. arcus are possibly closely related to Leporinus gomesi, L. granti, L. lebaili, L. melanostictus, L. nijsseni, and L. santosi.
Keywords: Anostomoidea; Phylogeny; South America; Systematics; Taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
Anostomidae is one of the most diverse families of Characiformes (Reis et al., 2003) and the number of known species is still increasing rapidly as field expeditions are carried out and museum’s old collections are revisited (Birindelli, Britski, 2009; Britski et al., 2012). The family currently includes 15 genera (Sidlauskas, Vari, 2008; Ramirez et al., 2017), with species unevenly distributed among them. Leporinus Agassiz, 1829 is by far the richest genus with approximately 90 valid species (Burns et al., 2017). The phylogenetic relationships within Anostomidae are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, no doubts remains that Leporinus is not monophyletic, and should be split into several groups as studies advance (Sidlauskas, Vari, 2008; Ramirez et al. 2016).
During visits to fish collections in the United States and Venezuela, a new species of Leporinus was discovered. The species inhabits highlands of the Guyana Shield in Venezuela, where characteristic table-mountain formations (the Tepuis) emerge from a plain called the Gran Savana (Great Savanna). Here, the new species is described using morphological data and compared to all other species of the family. Comments on the new species phylogenetic relationships and biogeographical history are provided.
Full article at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200218&fbclid=IwAR0fnSL1ozt05Gnh-Y0O3g-7OCZFh3-WRdgKguQFRByBmr93zvX19gY6V-k#.XTC2zBzobmc.facebook
==========================
José L. O. Birindelli1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9646-9636
Heraldo A. Britski2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
Francisco Provenzano3 4
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
1Museu de Zoologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, Caixa Postal 10011, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil. josebirindelli@yahoo.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9646-9636 (corresponding author)
2Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481, Ipiranga, Caixa Postal 42494, 04218-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. heraldo@usp.br, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9651
3Universidad Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Apartado 47058 Caracas 1041-A, Distrito Capital, Venezuela. fprovenz@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
4Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Leporinus is described using morphological data and compared to all other species of the family. Specimens were illustrated using digital photograph, measured using digital calipers, and had teeth, scales, and fin rays counted under a stereomicroscope. The new species is distinguished from all other Anostomidae, except Anostomus anostomus, A. brevior, A. ternetzi, Hypomasticus despaxi, Leporinus arcus, and L. striatus, by having four dark longitudinal stripes on body. The new species is distinguished from aforementioned species by having terminal mouth with four teeth on the premaxilla, 12 series of scales around caudal peduncle, and 34 to 36 scales in the lateral line. The new species is remarkably similar to Leporinus arcus, which occurs on the opposite side of Guyana Shield highlands. The new species and L. arcus are possibly closely related to Leporinus gomesi, L. granti, L. lebaili, L. melanostictus, L. nijsseni, and L. santosi.
Keywords: Anostomoidea; Phylogeny; South America; Systematics; Taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
Anostomidae is one of the most diverse families of Characiformes (Reis et al., 2003) and the number of known species is still increasing rapidly as field expeditions are carried out and museum’s old collections are revisited (Birindelli, Britski, 2009; Britski et al., 2012). The family currently includes 15 genera (Sidlauskas, Vari, 2008; Ramirez et al., 2017), with species unevenly distributed among them. Leporinus Agassiz, 1829 is by far the richest genus with approximately 90 valid species (Burns et al., 2017). The phylogenetic relationships within Anostomidae are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, no doubts remains that Leporinus is not monophyletic, and should be split into several groups as studies advance (Sidlauskas, Vari, 2008; Ramirez et al. 2016).
During visits to fish collections in the United States and Venezuela, a new species of Leporinus was discovered. The species inhabits highlands of the Guyana Shield in Venezuela, where characteristic table-mountain formations (the Tepuis) emerge from a plain called the Gran Savana (Great Savanna). Here, the new species is described using morphological data and compared to all other species of the family. Comments on the new species phylogenetic relationships and biogeographical history are provided.
Full article at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200218&fbclid=IwAR0fnSL1ozt05Gnh-Y0O3g-7OCZFh3-WRdgKguQFRByBmr93zvX19gY6V-k#.XTC2zBzobmc.facebook
==========================
Pristella ariporo • A New Pristella (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Río Orinoco Basin, Colombia, with A Redefinition of the Genus
Pristella ariporo
Conde-Saldaña, Albornoz-Garzón, García-Melo, Villa-Navarro, Mirande & Lima, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-147
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new species of Pristella is described from the Río Meta drainage, Río Orinoco basin, Colombia. Pristella ariporo, new species, is described as the second known species of the genus and differs from P. maxillaris by lacking maxillary teeth, possessing all teeth of premaxilla and dentary conical, by the absence of a dark blotch on the pelvic fin and the absence of a humeral blotch. The evaluation of the relationships of the new taxon within Characidae through an extensive phylogenetic analysis recovered Pristella as a monophyletic clade, sister to Bryconella pallidifrons. A new diagnosis of Pristella is provided. Hyphessobrycon axelrodi, the only species of this genus possessing only conical teeth, may actually be a species of Pristella.
Fig. Pristella ariporo, holotype, CZUT-IC 19972, 29.7 mm SL, female, Colombia, Casanare, Maní, La Porfía, Río Ariporo.
Genus Pristella Eigenmann, 1908
Pristella Eigenmann, 1908: 99.
Type species: Holopristes riddlei Meek, 1907. Type by original designation (also by monotypy). Gender: feminine.
Pristella ariporo, new species
Etymology.--The specific name, ariporo, comes from the Río Ariporo drainage, where the first specimens of this species were found. The word ‘‘ariporo’’ is probably derived from some indigenous language, but we were unable to trace its origin or meaning. The Río Ariporo is an important tributary of the Río Casanare because of its extensive wetlands, which help to maintain a rich biodiversity and the connectivity among regional fish communities. A noun in apposition.
Cristhian C. Conde-Saldaña, Juan G. Albornoz-Garzón, Jorge E. García-Melo, Francisco A. Villa-Navarro, J. Marcos Mirande and Flávio C. T. Lima. 2019. A New Pristella (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Río Orinoco Basin, Colombia, with A Redefinition of the Genus. Copeia. 107(3); 439-446. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-147
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1166741033557868551
==========================
Pristella ariporo
Conde-Saldaña, Albornoz-Garzón, García-Melo, Villa-Navarro, Mirande & Lima, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-147
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new species of Pristella is described from the Río Meta drainage, Río Orinoco basin, Colombia. Pristella ariporo, new species, is described as the second known species of the genus and differs from P. maxillaris by lacking maxillary teeth, possessing all teeth of premaxilla and dentary conical, by the absence of a dark blotch on the pelvic fin and the absence of a humeral blotch. The evaluation of the relationships of the new taxon within Characidae through an extensive phylogenetic analysis recovered Pristella as a monophyletic clade, sister to Bryconella pallidifrons. A new diagnosis of Pristella is provided. Hyphessobrycon axelrodi, the only species of this genus possessing only conical teeth, may actually be a species of Pristella.
Fig. Pristella ariporo, holotype, CZUT-IC 19972, 29.7 mm SL, female, Colombia, Casanare, Maní, La Porfía, Río Ariporo.
Genus Pristella Eigenmann, 1908
Pristella Eigenmann, 1908: 99.
Type species: Holopristes riddlei Meek, 1907. Type by original designation (also by monotypy). Gender: feminine.
Pristella ariporo, new species
Etymology.--The specific name, ariporo, comes from the Río Ariporo drainage, where the first specimens of this species were found. The word ‘‘ariporo’’ is probably derived from some indigenous language, but we were unable to trace its origin or meaning. The Río Ariporo is an important tributary of the Río Casanare because of its extensive wetlands, which help to maintain a rich biodiversity and the connectivity among regional fish communities. A noun in apposition.
Cristhian C. Conde-Saldaña, Juan G. Albornoz-Garzón, Jorge E. García-Melo, Francisco A. Villa-Navarro, J. Marcos Mirande and Flávio C. T. Lima. 2019. A New Pristella (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Río Orinoco Basin, Colombia, with A Redefinition of the Genus. Copeia. 107(3); 439-446. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-147
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1166741033557868551
==========================
16th International Zebrafish Conference (IZFC), hosted by the International Zebrafish Society (Montréal, Québec, Canada, June 16 – 20, 2021
At the 16th IZFC, you’ll learn about the latest zebrafish research and cutting-edge zebrafish research tools and technologies from around the world. The conference will have educational and networking opportunities for you; whether you’re a trainee, junior investigator, or established investigator!
More information on the conference will be published when finalized on the conference webpage at:- https://www.izfs.org/conferences/2021-international-zebrafish-conference.i
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At the 16th IZFC, you’ll learn about the latest zebrafish research and cutting-edge zebrafish research tools and technologies from around the world. The conference will have educational and networking opportunities for you; whether you’re a trainee, junior investigator, or established investigator!
More information on the conference will be published when finalized on the conference webpage at:- https://www.izfs.org/conferences/2021-international-zebrafish-conference.i
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A new species of whiptail armored catfish, genus Pseudohemiodon (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Orinoco River basin, Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela
Yecid Andrey Rojas-Molina1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-5171
Francisco Provenzano-Rizzi2
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
Hernando Ramírez-Gil1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-3047
1Universidad de los Llanos-UNILLANOS, Km 12 Vía Puerto López, PBX, 661 68 00 Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia. (YARM) yecid.rojas@unillanos.edu.co, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-5171; (HRG) hernando.ramirez@unillanos.edu.co, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-3047.
2Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador, and Centro MBUCV, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. francisco.provenzano@epn.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311 (corresponding author).
ABSTRACT
A new species of whiptail armored catfish belonging to the genus Pseudohemiodon is described. The new species inhabits aquatic systems of the Orinoco River basin, mostly in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Previously, it had identified as P. laticeps erroneously. The genus Pseudohemiodon includes seven known species inhabit Amazon and Paraná-Paraguay-Uruguay rivers basins. The new species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of the following characters: abdomen totally covered; area in front of gill opening without plates, ventrally; dorsal body color pattern without transversal dark bands, mostly in the caudal peduncle; head with straight sides; head and caudal peduncle narrower.
Keywords: Diversity; Freshwater fishes; South America; Systematic; Taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
The genus Pseudohemiodon was proposed by Bleeker (1862) to accommodate Hemiodon platycephalusKner, 1853, from the Cuiabá River, Brazil (Isbrücker, 1980). The genus belongs to the subfamily Loricariinae, tribe Loricariini, Pseudohemiodon-group (Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974; Covain et al., 2016). The Pseudohemiodon-group was originally proposed by Isbrücker, Nijssen (1974), but later was changed to the sub-tribe Planiloricariina (Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1986a), this taxonomic level was used by Rapp Py-Daniel (1997) and Provenzano (2011). Covain, Fisch-Muller (2007) used again the name Pseudohemiodon-group, name employed currently (Covain et al., 2016). The group includes species that belong or have been included in the genera: Apistoloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1986; Crossoloricaria Isbrücker, 1979; DentectusMartín Salazar, Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1982; Planiloricaria Isbrücker, 1971; Pseudohemiodon Bleeker, 1862; Pyxiloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1984 and Rhadinoloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974 (Isbrücker, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986a, b; Martín Salazar et al., 1982; Nijssen, Isbrücker, 1988; Chang, Castro, 1999; Rapp Py-Daniel, 1997; Provenzano, 2011; Covain et al., 2016).
Diagnosis of the genus Pseudohemiodon is not precise, and shows some ambiguity. Kner (1853) determined that Hemiodon platycephalus, type species of the genus, does not have teeth in the upper jaw, and Bleeker (1862) used this feature as diagnostic character for the genus Pseudohemiodon (Isbrücker, 1971). From its establishment until 1971, the genus was considered invalid or a subgenus of Loricaria, but that year Pseudohemiodon was revalidated and two subgenera, Pseudohemiodon and Planiloricaria were recognized (Isbrücker, 1971). In the same paper, Isbrücker presented a new diagnosis for the genus, but maintained the absence of teeth in upper jaw as a diagnostic feature. Isbrücker (1973) reported that Pseudohemiodon (Pseudohemiodon) included six species, but cast doubt on the absence of teeth in upper jaw as a diagnostic character, because five of the six species were found to have teeth in both jaws. Isbrücker, Nijssen (1974) considered the absence of teeth in the upper jaw of P. platycephalus (type species), an artifact, and indicated that all species of Pseudohemiodon have teeth in both jaws; in the same paper they elevated Planiloricaria to generic rank.
Since 1971, the number and the species included in Pseudohemiodon has changed (Isbrücker, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974, 1978, 1986a). Currently it includes seven species (Fricke et al., 2019). Four species inhabit the Amazon River basin: Pseudohemiodon lamina (Günther, 1868), Pseudohemiodon amazonum (Delsman, 1941), Pseudohemiodon thorectes Isbrücker, 1975 and Pseudohemiodon apithanos Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1978, and three species are cited for the Uruguay, Paraná and Paraguay, rivers basins: Pseudohemiodon platycephalus (Kner, 1853), Pseudohemiodon laticeps (Regan, 1904) and Pseudohemiodon devincenzii (Soriano Señorans, 1950) (Isbrücker, 1975, 1979, 1980; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1978; Covain, Fisch-Muller, 2007; Covain et al., 2016). The original description of P. devincenzii is brief and do not provide distinctive characteristics (Soriano Señorans, 1950). The holotype, a specimen with 165 mm of TL and 143 mm of SL, has no figure or image known. Isbrücker (1979) indicate holotype of P. devincenzii is lost, and differences, pointed by Soriano Señorans (1950), between P. devincenzii and P. laticeps maybe related with methods and measures used. López-Rojas, Machado-Allison (1975) identify a group of specimens from the Orinoco River basin as P. laticeps. Isbrücker, Nijssen (1978) suggest that the specimens analyzed by López-Rojas, Machado-Allison (1975) could be close or belong to P. aphitanos, but the lack of morphometric data prevents a certain assignment.
Herein, a new species of the genus Pseudohemiodon is described based on specimens captured in aquatic systems of the Orinoco River basin of Colombia and Venezuela, mostly in the Llanos region.
Full paper at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200213&fbclid=IwAR3XM7rni05_UCJ21jk5nmGXVLi_ps0BLkWE9RH0QGeMWgEvQAMwj-tsLp0#.XTC06hC4PrY.facebook
==========================
Yecid Andrey Rojas-Molina1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-5171
Francisco Provenzano-Rizzi2
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311
Hernando Ramírez-Gil1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-3047
1Universidad de los Llanos-UNILLANOS, Km 12 Vía Puerto López, PBX, 661 68 00 Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia. (YARM) yecid.rojas@unillanos.edu.co, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-5171; (HRG) hernando.ramirez@unillanos.edu.co, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-3047.
2Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador, and Centro MBUCV, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. francisco.provenzano@epn.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3296-2311 (corresponding author).
ABSTRACT
A new species of whiptail armored catfish belonging to the genus Pseudohemiodon is described. The new species inhabits aquatic systems of the Orinoco River basin, mostly in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Previously, it had identified as P. laticeps erroneously. The genus Pseudohemiodon includes seven known species inhabit Amazon and Paraná-Paraguay-Uruguay rivers basins. The new species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of the following characters: abdomen totally covered; area in front of gill opening without plates, ventrally; dorsal body color pattern without transversal dark bands, mostly in the caudal peduncle; head with straight sides; head and caudal peduncle narrower.
Keywords: Diversity; Freshwater fishes; South America; Systematic; Taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
The genus Pseudohemiodon was proposed by Bleeker (1862) to accommodate Hemiodon platycephalusKner, 1853, from the Cuiabá River, Brazil (Isbrücker, 1980). The genus belongs to the subfamily Loricariinae, tribe Loricariini, Pseudohemiodon-group (Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974; Covain et al., 2016). The Pseudohemiodon-group was originally proposed by Isbrücker, Nijssen (1974), but later was changed to the sub-tribe Planiloricariina (Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1986a), this taxonomic level was used by Rapp Py-Daniel (1997) and Provenzano (2011). Covain, Fisch-Muller (2007) used again the name Pseudohemiodon-group, name employed currently (Covain et al., 2016). The group includes species that belong or have been included in the genera: Apistoloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1986; Crossoloricaria Isbrücker, 1979; DentectusMartín Salazar, Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1982; Planiloricaria Isbrücker, 1971; Pseudohemiodon Bleeker, 1862; Pyxiloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1984 and Rhadinoloricaria Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974 (Isbrücker, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986a, b; Martín Salazar et al., 1982; Nijssen, Isbrücker, 1988; Chang, Castro, 1999; Rapp Py-Daniel, 1997; Provenzano, 2011; Covain et al., 2016).
Diagnosis of the genus Pseudohemiodon is not precise, and shows some ambiguity. Kner (1853) determined that Hemiodon platycephalus, type species of the genus, does not have teeth in the upper jaw, and Bleeker (1862) used this feature as diagnostic character for the genus Pseudohemiodon (Isbrücker, 1971). From its establishment until 1971, the genus was considered invalid or a subgenus of Loricaria, but that year Pseudohemiodon was revalidated and two subgenera, Pseudohemiodon and Planiloricaria were recognized (Isbrücker, 1971). In the same paper, Isbrücker presented a new diagnosis for the genus, but maintained the absence of teeth in upper jaw as a diagnostic feature. Isbrücker (1973) reported that Pseudohemiodon (Pseudohemiodon) included six species, but cast doubt on the absence of teeth in upper jaw as a diagnostic character, because five of the six species were found to have teeth in both jaws. Isbrücker, Nijssen (1974) considered the absence of teeth in the upper jaw of P. platycephalus (type species), an artifact, and indicated that all species of Pseudohemiodon have teeth in both jaws; in the same paper they elevated Planiloricaria to generic rank.
Since 1971, the number and the species included in Pseudohemiodon has changed (Isbrücker, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1974, 1978, 1986a). Currently it includes seven species (Fricke et al., 2019). Four species inhabit the Amazon River basin: Pseudohemiodon lamina (Günther, 1868), Pseudohemiodon amazonum (Delsman, 1941), Pseudohemiodon thorectes Isbrücker, 1975 and Pseudohemiodon apithanos Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1978, and three species are cited for the Uruguay, Paraná and Paraguay, rivers basins: Pseudohemiodon platycephalus (Kner, 1853), Pseudohemiodon laticeps (Regan, 1904) and Pseudohemiodon devincenzii (Soriano Señorans, 1950) (Isbrücker, 1975, 1979, 1980; Isbrücker, Nijssen, 1978; Covain, Fisch-Muller, 2007; Covain et al., 2016). The original description of P. devincenzii is brief and do not provide distinctive characteristics (Soriano Señorans, 1950). The holotype, a specimen with 165 mm of TL and 143 mm of SL, has no figure or image known. Isbrücker (1979) indicate holotype of P. devincenzii is lost, and differences, pointed by Soriano Señorans (1950), between P. devincenzii and P. laticeps maybe related with methods and measures used. López-Rojas, Machado-Allison (1975) identify a group of specimens from the Orinoco River basin as P. laticeps. Isbrücker, Nijssen (1978) suggest that the specimens analyzed by López-Rojas, Machado-Allison (1975) could be close or belong to P. aphitanos, but the lack of morphometric data prevents a certain assignment.
Herein, a new species of the genus Pseudohemiodon is described based on specimens captured in aquatic systems of the Orinoco River basin of Colombia and Venezuela, mostly in the Llanos region.
Full paper at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200213&fbclid=IwAR3XM7rni05_UCJ21jk5nmGXVLi_ps0BLkWE9RH0QGeMWgEvQAMwj-tsLp0#.XTC06hC4PrY.facebook
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New species of Pyrrhulina (Teleostei: Characiformes: Lebiasinidae) from the eastern Amazon, Pará, Brazil
Lorena S. Vieira1 2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5971-2630
André L. Netto-Ferreira2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-0411
1Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 66075-900 Belém, PA, Brazil. lolly.vieirasa@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5971-2630 (corresponding author)
2Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. alnferreira@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-0411
ABSTRACT
A new species of Pyrrhulina is described based on 60 specimens from tributaries of the rio Amazonas: rio Anapu, rio Capim, rio Guamá and rio Xingu, and coastal drainages in the state of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from all congeners by having the primary stripe (the horizontal stripe of dark pigmentation extending posteriorly from the snout) terminating at the distal edge of the opercle. In all other species of Pyrrhulina, the primary stripe is either restricted to the snout or continues beyond the head (i.e. at least the anteriormost four scales of the lateral line series).
Keywords: Color pattern; Freshwater fish; Pyrrhulininae; Taxonomy; Teleostei
INTRODUCTION
The family Lebiasinidae includes 74 small species of fishes (16.0 mm SL up to maximum 250.0 mm SL) endemic to the Neotropical region (Weitzman, Weitzman, 2003; Netto-Ferreira et al., 2011; Fricke et al., 2019). Within Lebiasinidae, the subfamily Pyrrhulininae includes 45 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019) allocated among four genera, which are defined mainly by synapomorphies related to the oral area and cephalic laterosensory canals (Netto-Ferreira, 2010). Of these, the genus Pyrrhulina currently comprises 19 nominal species (Fricke et al., 2019) and needs revision (Géry, Zarske, 2002; Weitzman, Weitzman, 2003; Netto-Ferreira, Marinho, 2013). Netto-Ferreira (2010) corroborated the monophyly of the genus on the basis of four non-exclusive synapomorphies, the first two of which were traditionally employed to diagnose the genus (Géry, 1977): the presence of two series of functional premaxillary teeth, the lack of postcleithrum 3, the dorsalmost, paired longitudinal series of scales not reaching posterior to the dorsal-fin origin, and the coronomeckelian bone approximately ten times shorter than Meckelian cartilage. During the early stages of a revisionary study of the genus, specimens of an undescribed species of Pyrrhulina were discovered in several collections, where they had been misidentified as Pyrrhulina brevis. The species is described herein
Full Paper at:- .www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200215&fbclid=IwAR14u4EtSTyhTggSUqeWCy0s06bT0GtyJmvEi3JySznPx-p1FDONAQMXu0E#.XTC11zLxzoE.facebook
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Lorena S. Vieira1 2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5971-2630
André L. Netto-Ferreira2
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-0411
1Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 66075-900 Belém, PA, Brazil. lolly.vieirasa@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5971-2630 (corresponding author)
2Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. alnferreira@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3096-0411
ABSTRACT
A new species of Pyrrhulina is described based on 60 specimens from tributaries of the rio Amazonas: rio Anapu, rio Capim, rio Guamá and rio Xingu, and coastal drainages in the state of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from all congeners by having the primary stripe (the horizontal stripe of dark pigmentation extending posteriorly from the snout) terminating at the distal edge of the opercle. In all other species of Pyrrhulina, the primary stripe is either restricted to the snout or continues beyond the head (i.e. at least the anteriormost four scales of the lateral line series).
Keywords: Color pattern; Freshwater fish; Pyrrhulininae; Taxonomy; Teleostei
INTRODUCTION
The family Lebiasinidae includes 74 small species of fishes (16.0 mm SL up to maximum 250.0 mm SL) endemic to the Neotropical region (Weitzman, Weitzman, 2003; Netto-Ferreira et al., 2011; Fricke et al., 2019). Within Lebiasinidae, the subfamily Pyrrhulininae includes 45 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019) allocated among four genera, which are defined mainly by synapomorphies related to the oral area and cephalic laterosensory canals (Netto-Ferreira, 2010). Of these, the genus Pyrrhulina currently comprises 19 nominal species (Fricke et al., 2019) and needs revision (Géry, Zarske, 2002; Weitzman, Weitzman, 2003; Netto-Ferreira, Marinho, 2013). Netto-Ferreira (2010) corroborated the monophyly of the genus on the basis of four non-exclusive synapomorphies, the first two of which were traditionally employed to diagnose the genus (Géry, 1977): the presence of two series of functional premaxillary teeth, the lack of postcleithrum 3, the dorsalmost, paired longitudinal series of scales not reaching posterior to the dorsal-fin origin, and the coronomeckelian bone approximately ten times shorter than Meckelian cartilage. During the early stages of a revisionary study of the genus, specimens of an undescribed species of Pyrrhulina were discovered in several collections, where they had been misidentified as Pyrrhulina brevis. The species is described herein
Full Paper at:- .www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200215&fbclid=IwAR14u4EtSTyhTggSUqeWCy0s06bT0GtyJmvEi3JySznPx-p1FDONAQMXu0E#.XTC11zLxzoE.facebook
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Elassoma alabamae,
Critically Endangered Spring Pygmy Sunfish Gains New Protections
29 May, 2019
The tiny Spring Pygmy Sunfish, Elassoma alabamae, is endemic restricted to just two small springs in northern Alabama. It is considered to be critically endangered by the IUCN. Image credit: Conservation Fisheries
via the Center for Biological Diversity
Critically Endangered Spring Pygmy Sunfish Gains 1,330 Acres, Six Stream Miles of Protected Habitat
Tiny Fish Threatened by Urbanization, Agriculture, Pollution
May 29, 2019 – HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— Following a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will protect 1,330 acres and 6.7 stream miles of critical habitat for the federally threatened spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act.
“These habitat protections will help guide the sunfish back from the brink of extinction and onto the path to recovery,” said Elise Bennett, a staff attorney at the Center. “After watching these tenacious little fish cling to survival for decades while their springs were polluted and destroyed, it’s a relief to see them finally get the safeguards they need.”
Critical habitat for the sunfish includes parts of Beaverdam Spring and Creek, Pryor Spring and Branch, and Blackwell Swamp and Run. These areas have spring systems with the water quality, vegetation and prey the sunfish needs to survive. While the fish currently occupies the Beaverdam and Blackwell complexes, Pryor Spring and Branch has been designated as a reintroduction site essential to the species’ eventual recovery.
“Healthy springs are important for everyone,” said Bennett. “These protections will help safeguard clean water for people and secure habitat for other animals that also depend on these exceptional springs.”
The new critical habitat protections may also provide incidental protection for species like the endangered slender campeloma snail and an unnamed species of salamander, which also depend on clean springs in northern Alabama.
The spring pygmy sunfish is a tiny fish that rarely grows more than an inch. It lives in the dense aquatic vegetation around springs in the Tennessee River Drainage. Since its discovery in 1937, the sunfish has twice been considered extinct. Industrial agriculture, urban development and impoundments have pushed it out of the springs it historically occupied, polluting the water and altering natural flows.
The Center petitioned to protect the spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act in 2009. In 2013 the Fish and Wildlife Service protected it as a threatened species and was required to designate critical habitat at the same time. Today’s critical habitat designation completes those mandatory protections for the species.
Critical habitat includes areas essential to the conservation of an endangered or threatened species. Once designated, critical habitat receives special consideration when activities funded, permitted or carried out by federal agencies might damage it, enabling the agencies to avoid or minimize harm.
About the Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
from Reef to Rainforest
==========================
29 May, 2019
The tiny Spring Pygmy Sunfish, Elassoma alabamae, is endemic restricted to just two small springs in northern Alabama. It is considered to be critically endangered by the IUCN. Image credit: Conservation Fisheries
via the Center for Biological Diversity
Critically Endangered Spring Pygmy Sunfish Gains 1,330 Acres, Six Stream Miles of Protected Habitat
Tiny Fish Threatened by Urbanization, Agriculture, Pollution
May 29, 2019 – HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— Following a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will protect 1,330 acres and 6.7 stream miles of critical habitat for the federally threatened spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act.
“These habitat protections will help guide the sunfish back from the brink of extinction and onto the path to recovery,” said Elise Bennett, a staff attorney at the Center. “After watching these tenacious little fish cling to survival for decades while their springs were polluted and destroyed, it’s a relief to see them finally get the safeguards they need.”
Critical habitat for the sunfish includes parts of Beaverdam Spring and Creek, Pryor Spring and Branch, and Blackwell Swamp and Run. These areas have spring systems with the water quality, vegetation and prey the sunfish needs to survive. While the fish currently occupies the Beaverdam and Blackwell complexes, Pryor Spring and Branch has been designated as a reintroduction site essential to the species’ eventual recovery.
“Healthy springs are important for everyone,” said Bennett. “These protections will help safeguard clean water for people and secure habitat for other animals that also depend on these exceptional springs.”
The new critical habitat protections may also provide incidental protection for species like the endangered slender campeloma snail and an unnamed species of salamander, which also depend on clean springs in northern Alabama.
The spring pygmy sunfish is a tiny fish that rarely grows more than an inch. It lives in the dense aquatic vegetation around springs in the Tennessee River Drainage. Since its discovery in 1937, the sunfish has twice been considered extinct. Industrial agriculture, urban development and impoundments have pushed it out of the springs it historically occupied, polluting the water and altering natural flows.
The Center petitioned to protect the spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act in 2009. In 2013 the Fish and Wildlife Service protected it as a threatened species and was required to designate critical habitat at the same time. Today’s critical habitat designation completes those mandatory protections for the species.
Critical habitat includes areas essential to the conservation of an endangered or threatened species. Once designated, critical habitat receives special consideration when activities funded, permitted or carried out by federal agencies might damage it, enabling the agencies to avoid or minimize harm.
About the Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
from Reef to Rainforest
==========================
A new species of Ancistrus Kner, 1854 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from rio Madeira basin, Amazonas State, Brazil
Alessandro Gasparetto Bifi1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6523-4359
Renildo Ribeiro de Oliveira1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-0833
Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0954-7366
1Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Coleção de Peixes, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, 69067-375 Manaus, AM, Brazil. (AGB) agbifi@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6523-4359 (corresponding author); (RRO) deoliveirarr@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-0833; (LRP) lucia.rapp@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0954-7366
ABSTRACT
During the Mosaico do Apuí expedition in 2006, a new species of Ancistrus was found in the rio Sucunduri, a large tributary of the rio Madeira basin in south Amazonas State. The new species has a unique color pattern for the genus and is distinguished by the presence of alternate light and dark vertical bars on the trunk. Other Ancistrini genera have species with a similar color pattern, but the new species is clearly distinguished by a lack of plates on the snout and presence of fleshy tentacles on the snout as in all Ancistrus representatives. We also provide comments on the taxonomic status of the A. bolivianus, A. heterorhynchus and A. marcapatae.
Keywords: Ancistrini; Ancistrus bolivianus; Ancistrus heterorhynchus; Ancistrus marcapatae; Armored catfish
Palavras-chave: Ancistrini; Ancistrus bolivianus; Ancistrus heterorhynchus; Ancistrus marcapatae; Cascudo.
INTRODUCTION
Loricariidae is the largest family of the Neotropical Siluriformes and is widespread from Costa Rica in the north to Argentina in the south (Weber, 2003). Ancistrus is one of richest loricariid genera, with 70 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019). The genus is easily distinguished from the other Loricariidae by having well-developed cheek spines, and the border of the snout naked, without plates, but ornamented with fleshy tentacles. Ancistrus is abundant in most museums or collections of fishes around the world, but often misidentified at species level due to the limited knowledge of its taxonomy. The type species of the genus, Ancistrus cirrhosus (Valenciennes, 1836), was described from Argentina, Buenos Aires and Misiones, but the holotype has never been found and may have not even been preserved (Fisch-Muller, 2003). Lack of a taxonomic revision of the genus has been the main cause of a never-ending list of taxonomic problems and difficulties with species recognition due to incomplete descriptions and lack of type material. Six species have been described from the rio Madeira basin: A. heterorhynchus (Regan, 1912) and A. marcapatae (Regan, 1904) from río Madre de Dios basin, Peru; A. bolivianus (Steindachner, 1915), A. megalostomusPearson, 1924 and A. montanus (Regan, 1904) from río Beni basin, Bolivia; and A. verecundus Fisch-Muller, Cardoso, da Silva, Bertaco, 2005 from the igarapé Piracolina, upper rio Madeira, Brazil.
During an expedition to Mosaico do Apuí, a group of differently categorized but contiguous conservation units in the southern region of the Amazonas state, a new and peculiar species of Ancistrus was collected from the rio Sucunduri, rio Madeira basin. Almost all Ancistrus representatives possess light spots or vermiculations over a dark background. The new species is remarkable in having a unique color pattern among its congeners, and it is described here along with comments on the taxonomic status of A. bolivianus, A. heterorhynchus and A. marcapatae.
Full article at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1679-62252019000200207&script=sci_arttext
==========================
Alessandro Gasparetto Bifi1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6523-4359
Renildo Ribeiro de Oliveira1
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-0833
Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel1
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0954-7366
1Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Coleção de Peixes, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, 69067-375 Manaus, AM, Brazil. (AGB) agbifi@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6523-4359 (corresponding author); (RRO) deoliveirarr@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-0833; (LRP) lucia.rapp@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0954-7366
ABSTRACT
During the Mosaico do Apuí expedition in 2006, a new species of Ancistrus was found in the rio Sucunduri, a large tributary of the rio Madeira basin in south Amazonas State. The new species has a unique color pattern for the genus and is distinguished by the presence of alternate light and dark vertical bars on the trunk. Other Ancistrini genera have species with a similar color pattern, but the new species is clearly distinguished by a lack of plates on the snout and presence of fleshy tentacles on the snout as in all Ancistrus representatives. We also provide comments on the taxonomic status of the A. bolivianus, A. heterorhynchus and A. marcapatae.
Keywords: Ancistrini; Ancistrus bolivianus; Ancistrus heterorhynchus; Ancistrus marcapatae; Armored catfish
Palavras-chave: Ancistrini; Ancistrus bolivianus; Ancistrus heterorhynchus; Ancistrus marcapatae; Cascudo.
INTRODUCTION
Loricariidae is the largest family of the Neotropical Siluriformes and is widespread from Costa Rica in the north to Argentina in the south (Weber, 2003). Ancistrus is one of richest loricariid genera, with 70 valid species (Fricke et al., 2019). The genus is easily distinguished from the other Loricariidae by having well-developed cheek spines, and the border of the snout naked, without plates, but ornamented with fleshy tentacles. Ancistrus is abundant in most museums or collections of fishes around the world, but often misidentified at species level due to the limited knowledge of its taxonomy. The type species of the genus, Ancistrus cirrhosus (Valenciennes, 1836), was described from Argentina, Buenos Aires and Misiones, but the holotype has never been found and may have not even been preserved (Fisch-Muller, 2003). Lack of a taxonomic revision of the genus has been the main cause of a never-ending list of taxonomic problems and difficulties with species recognition due to incomplete descriptions and lack of type material. Six species have been described from the rio Madeira basin: A. heterorhynchus (Regan, 1912) and A. marcapatae (Regan, 1904) from río Madre de Dios basin, Peru; A. bolivianus (Steindachner, 1915), A. megalostomusPearson, 1924 and A. montanus (Regan, 1904) from río Beni basin, Bolivia; and A. verecundus Fisch-Muller, Cardoso, da Silva, Bertaco, 2005 from the igarapé Piracolina, upper rio Madeira, Brazil.
During an expedition to Mosaico do Apuí, a group of differently categorized but contiguous conservation units in the southern region of the Amazonas state, a new and peculiar species of Ancistrus was collected from the rio Sucunduri, rio Madeira basin. Almost all Ancistrus representatives possess light spots or vermiculations over a dark background. The new species is remarkable in having a unique color pattern among its congeners, and it is described here along with comments on the taxonomic status of A. bolivianus, A. heterorhynchus and A. marcapatae.
Full article at:- www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1679-62252019000200207&script=sci_arttext
==========================
Electrophorus voltai
Unexpected species diversity in electric eels with a description of the strongest living bioelectricity generator (Electrophorus voltai) Unexpected species diversity in electric eels with a description of the strongest living bioelectricity genera
Abstract Is there only one electric eel species? For two and a half centuries since its description by Linnaeus, Electrophorus electricus has captivated humankind by its capacity to generate strong electric discharges. Despite the importance of Electrophorus in multiple fields of science, the possibility of additional species-level diversity in the genus, which could also reveal a hidden variety of substances and bioelectrogenic functions, has hitherto not been explored. Here, based on overwhelming patterns of genetic, morphological, and ecological data, we reject the hypothesis of a single species broadly distributed throughout Greater Amazonia. Our analyses readily identify three major lineages that diverged during the Miocene and Pliocene—two of which warrant recognition as new species. For one of the new species, we recorded a discharge of 860 V, well above 650 V previously cited for Electrophorus, making it the strongest living bioelectricity generator.
Introduction Is there only one electric eel species? Since Linnaeus’s description of Electrophorus electricus 250 years ago1, electric eels have fascinated scientists and layperson alike by their capacity to generate strong (~650 V) electric organ discharges (EODs)2,3. Strong EODs facilitate hunting, prey capture, and defence, while weaker (~10 V) EODs allow electrolocation and communication4. Electric eels inspired the design of Volta’s first electric battery to provide constant current, provide a source of acetylcholinesterase for treating neurodegenerative diseases5, and recently encouraged the development of synthetic protocells with natural nanoconductors and capacitators6,7, and a stacked hydrogel battery that could be used to power medical implants8. Electric eels are also an emerging model for genomic studies of animal electrogenesis9. Due in part to their large size [up to 2.5 m10], and specialized electrogenic morphology, electric eels have long been assumed to comprise a single species broadly distributed through Greater Amazonia—the superbasin comprising the Amazon, Orinoco, and coastal drainages of the Guianas e.g., refs. 11,12.
To test the hypothesis of a single species of Electrophorus, we examine 107 specimens from across Greater Amazonia—including the type locality of E. electricus in Suriname13 (Supplementary Data 1). To explore species-level divergences, we adopt the General Lineage Concept (GLC)14, which recognizes species as separately evolving metapopulation lineages. The GLC unifies several pre-existing species concepts, which vary in their criteria for identifying the point of lineage divergence during speciation14. Practical applications of the GLC seek multiple, congruent lines of evidence for delimiting species, and to this end we subject a large dataset (comprising mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, morphology, and geographical and ecological distributions) to a range of empirical and model-based procedures. Our analyses lead us to conclude that there are three common species of Electrophorus, which occupy predominantly allopatric ranges (i.e., occupy different regions) in the Guiana Shield (E. electricus), Brazilian Shield (E. voltai sp. nov.) and in the lowland Amazon basin (E. varii sp. nov.). Here we describe these three species, and discuss their morphology, evolutionary history, and ecology.
For the full article go to :- www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-11690-z
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Alestion rapax, a new genus and species of miniature paedomorphic characiform fish with large conical teeth from the Lower Congo basin
ROSSELLA · JULY 29, 2019
0 978 6
by Tyson R. Roberts – aqua 25 (3) pp. 82-102
Alestion rapax, an entomophagous new genus and species of Alestidae, scaleless and largely translucent in life, possibly most closely related to Hydrocynus, is described from nine reproductively inactive specimens 12.0-16.8 mm standard length collected from a single locality in the Kwilu drainage near Moerbeke in the lower Congo basin in 1973. Eye large, body elongate and laterally strongly compressed. A number of its characters, such as a midventral fin fold, partly actinotrichous pectoral and caudal-fin rays, lack of scales and adipose eyelid may be neotenic or paedomorphic, while others are highly specialized. Circumorbital bones, including antorbital and lacrimal, absent. Dorsal-fin rays 10, its base entirely posterior to vertical through end of pelvic-fin base (dorsal fin rays usually 10 in Hydrocynus, its dorsal fin base above pelvic-fin base, its dorsal fin origin in front of or above vertical through pelvic fin origin). Anal-fin rays 14 (15-18 in Hydrocynus). Vertebrae 25-26+13-14=39-40 (versus 29-36+15-18=45-54 in Hydrocynus). Mouth slightly upturned, lower jaw with a large fleshy mentum. Apparently two rows of enlarged conical teeth on premaxillary near symphysis of jaws (nearly forming a single row) and two rows of somewhat larger teeth on dentary near symphysis. Outer row of dentary with three teeth and inner row with a single tooth as in alestids with multicupsid jaw teeth generally. Tooth replacement alternating from side to side of the jaw as in alestids and many neotropical characins having complex multicuspid teeth. Premaxillary of largest specimen with a single tricuspid replacement tooth, its small secondary cusps subapical (rather than basal, as in tricuspid teeth of very small Hydrocynus). Feeds on small aquatic insect larvae of the dipteran family Chironomidae.
Full Text | PDF (588 KB)
from Aqua Press International
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ROSSELLA · JULY 29, 2019
0 978 6
by Tyson R. Roberts – aqua 25 (3) pp. 82-102
Alestion rapax, an entomophagous new genus and species of Alestidae, scaleless and largely translucent in life, possibly most closely related to Hydrocynus, is described from nine reproductively inactive specimens 12.0-16.8 mm standard length collected from a single locality in the Kwilu drainage near Moerbeke in the lower Congo basin in 1973. Eye large, body elongate and laterally strongly compressed. A number of its characters, such as a midventral fin fold, partly actinotrichous pectoral and caudal-fin rays, lack of scales and adipose eyelid may be neotenic or paedomorphic, while others are highly specialized. Circumorbital bones, including antorbital and lacrimal, absent. Dorsal-fin rays 10, its base entirely posterior to vertical through end of pelvic-fin base (dorsal fin rays usually 10 in Hydrocynus, its dorsal fin base above pelvic-fin base, its dorsal fin origin in front of or above vertical through pelvic fin origin). Anal-fin rays 14 (15-18 in Hydrocynus). Vertebrae 25-26+13-14=39-40 (versus 29-36+15-18=45-54 in Hydrocynus). Mouth slightly upturned, lower jaw with a large fleshy mentum. Apparently two rows of enlarged conical teeth on premaxillary near symphysis of jaws (nearly forming a single row) and two rows of somewhat larger teeth on dentary near symphysis. Outer row of dentary with three teeth and inner row with a single tooth as in alestids with multicupsid jaw teeth generally. Tooth replacement alternating from side to side of the jaw as in alestids and many neotropical characins having complex multicuspid teeth. Premaxillary of largest specimen with a single tricuspid replacement tooth, its small secondary cusps subapical (rather than basal, as in tricuspid teeth of very small Hydrocynus). Feeds on small aquatic insect larvae of the dipteran family Chironomidae.
Full Text | PDF (588 KB)
from Aqua Press International
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Nothobranchius derhami (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new species of seasonal killifish from western Kenya.
Abstract
Nothobranchius derhami, new species, is described from seasonal habitats in the Nyando River system, belonging to the Lake Victoria basin, western Kenya. Nothobranchius derhami belongs to the N. ugandensis species group and is distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following characters in males: flank light blue with red scale margins; dorsal portion of the head red, lower jaw light blue; caudal fin plain red; pectoral fin hyaline; anal fin light blue proximally to creamy white distally, with series of red dots; dorsal fin almost red proximally with few white to light blue dots, subdistal white to light blue stripe; dorsal fin with black margin, anal fin with dark red to black margin, 15-17 dorsal and anal fin rays, 27-29 scales in the median lateral series, 10-12 transverse scale rows, and 14-16 circumpeduncular scales. In view of the very restricted distribution of N. derhami, it is suggested that its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species guidelines would be Vulnerable (D2).
Full Text | PDF (992 KB)
from Aqua International
==========================
Abstract
Nothobranchius derhami, new species, is described from seasonal habitats in the Nyando River system, belonging to the Lake Victoria basin, western Kenya. Nothobranchius derhami belongs to the N. ugandensis species group and is distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following characters in males: flank light blue with red scale margins; dorsal portion of the head red, lower jaw light blue; caudal fin plain red; pectoral fin hyaline; anal fin light blue proximally to creamy white distally, with series of red dots; dorsal fin almost red proximally with few white to light blue dots, subdistal white to light blue stripe; dorsal fin with black margin, anal fin with dark red to black margin, 15-17 dorsal and anal fin rays, 27-29 scales in the median lateral series, 10-12 transverse scale rows, and 14-16 circumpeduncular scales. In view of the very restricted distribution of N. derhami, it is suggested that its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species guidelines would be Vulnerable (D2).
Full Text | PDF (992 KB)
from Aqua International
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Mastiglanis durantoni from French Guyana, a second species in the genus (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae),
with a CT scan survey of phylogenetically-relevant characters by Mário DE PINNA* (1) & Philippe KEITH (2) Cybium 2019, 43(2): 125-135. https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-423-002 (1) Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré 481, São Paulo-SP 04263-000, Brazil. [pinna@ib.usp.br] (2) Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, UMR 7208 (MNHN-CNRS-UPMC-IRD), CP 026, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France. [philippe.keith@mnhn.fr] * Corresponding author INTRODUCTION The genus Mastiglanis, so far with a single species M. asopos Bockmann, 1994, belongs to the series of interesting discoveries in heptapterid biodiversity in the past three decades. The small semi-translucent fish inhabits sandy environments in rivers and streams throughout a vast expanse of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. With its long filamentous pectoral and dorsal fins, it rests on the surface of the substrate facing the current and preys upon passing allocthonous and aquatic invertebrates in midwater or on the bottom (Zuanon et al., 2006). Mastiglanis asopos can dig into the sand with great ease, hiding its entire body almost instantly, sometimes leaving its large eyes exposed on the surface. Since its description, M. asopos has remained the only species in its genus. The intervening years have seen a significant expansion of its known geographical distribution, with all such new records putatively representing the same taxon. Indeed, samples of M. asopos from widely disjunct localities throughout the Amazon, Orinoco and other basins display great uniformity of morphological and pigmentation traits. When differences exist, they are often bridged by intervening populations showing intermediate character conditions. Thus, although there may be cases of specific Abstract. – A new species of the heptapterid genus Mastiglanis, M. durantoni, is described from three adjacent localities in the upper reaches of the Maroni River in French Guyana. The new species is distinguished from the only other known species in the genus, M. asopos, by several qualitative and quantitative characteristics, such as the slender caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle depth 4.3-5.3% of SL vs. 5.6-6.3%); the upper jaw protruding markedly beyond lower, resulting in long snout (36.5-42.0% of HL vs. 23.4-33.6%); the head depressed (head depth 34.0-44.4% of HL vs. 44.4-53.0%); the procurrent caudal fin rays 12 dorsally and ventrally (vs. 14-17); the dorsal margin of adipose fin concave (vs. variably convex, straight or gently sinusoidal); the occipital process deeply notched, distally V-shaped (vs. distal margin of occipital process variably-shaped, with notch, when present, not deep and forming an obtuse angle); the mesethmoid cornu widest at its midlength (vs. gradually narrower from base to tip). Characters of taxonomic and phylogenetic relevance are observed and illustrated with CT-scan imaging technique. The narrowly endemic and outlying geographical distribution of the new species contrasts with the extremely wide range of M. asopos and suggests a history of peripheral isolation and differentiation. In conformity with that interpretation, the new species has some autapomorphic specializations, while none is currently known for M. asopos.
sfi-cybium.fr/…/mastiglanis-durantoni-french-guyana-…
==========================
with a CT scan survey of phylogenetically-relevant characters by Mário DE PINNA* (1) & Philippe KEITH (2) Cybium 2019, 43(2): 125-135. https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-423-002 (1) Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré 481, São Paulo-SP 04263-000, Brazil. [pinna@ib.usp.br] (2) Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, UMR 7208 (MNHN-CNRS-UPMC-IRD), CP 026, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France. [philippe.keith@mnhn.fr] * Corresponding author INTRODUCTION The genus Mastiglanis, so far with a single species M. asopos Bockmann, 1994, belongs to the series of interesting discoveries in heptapterid biodiversity in the past three decades. The small semi-translucent fish inhabits sandy environments in rivers and streams throughout a vast expanse of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. With its long filamentous pectoral and dorsal fins, it rests on the surface of the substrate facing the current and preys upon passing allocthonous and aquatic invertebrates in midwater or on the bottom (Zuanon et al., 2006). Mastiglanis asopos can dig into the sand with great ease, hiding its entire body almost instantly, sometimes leaving its large eyes exposed on the surface. Since its description, M. asopos has remained the only species in its genus. The intervening years have seen a significant expansion of its known geographical distribution, with all such new records putatively representing the same taxon. Indeed, samples of M. asopos from widely disjunct localities throughout the Amazon, Orinoco and other basins display great uniformity of morphological and pigmentation traits. When differences exist, they are often bridged by intervening populations showing intermediate character conditions. Thus, although there may be cases of specific Abstract. – A new species of the heptapterid genus Mastiglanis, M. durantoni, is described from three adjacent localities in the upper reaches of the Maroni River in French Guyana. The new species is distinguished from the only other known species in the genus, M. asopos, by several qualitative and quantitative characteristics, such as the slender caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle depth 4.3-5.3% of SL vs. 5.6-6.3%); the upper jaw protruding markedly beyond lower, resulting in long snout (36.5-42.0% of HL vs. 23.4-33.6%); the head depressed (head depth 34.0-44.4% of HL vs. 44.4-53.0%); the procurrent caudal fin rays 12 dorsally and ventrally (vs. 14-17); the dorsal margin of adipose fin concave (vs. variably convex, straight or gently sinusoidal); the occipital process deeply notched, distally V-shaped (vs. distal margin of occipital process variably-shaped, with notch, when present, not deep and forming an obtuse angle); the mesethmoid cornu widest at its midlength (vs. gradually narrower from base to tip). Characters of taxonomic and phylogenetic relevance are observed and illustrated with CT-scan imaging technique. The narrowly endemic and outlying geographical distribution of the new species contrasts with the extremely wide range of M. asopos and suggests a history of peripheral isolation and differentiation. In conformity with that interpretation, the new species has some autapomorphic specializations, while none is currently known for M. asopos.
sfi-cybium.fr/…/mastiglanis-durantoni-french-guyana-…
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Zenopsis filamentosa (Zeidae), a new mirror dory from the western Pacific Ocean, with redescription of Zenopsis nebulosa
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Barbatula leoparda (Actinopterygii, Nemacheilidae), a new endemic species of stone loach of French Catalonia
RésuméThis study described a new stone loach species in France, Barbatula leoparda, which is endemic to French Catalonia (Têt and Tech river drainages). Seven specimens were compared to 49 specimens of B. barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758) and 71 specimens of B. quignardi (Băcescu-Meşter, 1967). This new species is characterized by the presence of blotches on the belly and the jugular area in individuals longer than 47 mm SL and by a greater interorbital distance (35.5 to 41.8% of the head length). We brought moreover the sequence of two mitochondrial markers (COI and 12S, respectively 652 and 950 bp) of the holotype, which are well distinct from all other species, for molecular identifications. This discovery is important for conservation.
doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-423-005
==========================
Description of a New Species of Ponyfish (Teleostei: Leiognathidae: Equulitini: Photolateralis) from the Gulf of Oman.
Sparks, J.S. & Chakrabarty, P. (2019)
Photolateralis polyfenestrus Sparks & Chakrabarty, 2019
AbstractA new species belonging to the leiognathid genus Photolateralis, collected from the coastal waters of Oman, is described herein. Photolateralis is unique among leiognathid genera in possessing a species-specific translucent midlateral flank stripe that may be comprised of either multiple independent translucent windows (P. stercorarius, P. moretoniensis, and the new species) or a continuous translucent lateral band (P. antongil). Photolateralis polyfenestrus, new species, is distinguished from congeners by the presence of a short, composite midlateral stripe comprised of three small, rounded translucent windows (vs. numerous windows in both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis, or a continuous translucent stripe in P. antongil), and that is confined to the midflank (vs. extending a majority of the length of the flank in congeners). The new species is further distinguished from both P. moretoniensis and P. antongil by a shallower body, and from both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis by a pigmentation pattern above the lateral midline comprised primarily of larger rounded blotches (vs. smaller sinuous lines and markings comprising a vermiculated pattern). Photolateralis polyfenestrus is characterized by a lower jaw that is deep and convex in lateral view (vs. mostly straight in congeners, excluding P. antongil), and that forms an angle of between 60°–70° to horizontal (vs. less than 45° in congeners, excluding P. antongil). The only other species of Photolateralis reported from the Western Indian Ocean is P. antongil, to date only known from the coastal waters of Madagascar, whereas both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis have ranges restricted to the western Pacific and extending into the eastern Indian Ocean.
https://bioone.org/journals/American-Museum-Novitates/volume-2019/issue-3929/3929.1/Description-of-a-New-Species-of-Ponyfish-Teleostei--Leiognathidae/10.1206/3929.1.short
==========================
Sparks, J.S. & Chakrabarty, P. (2019)
Photolateralis polyfenestrus Sparks & Chakrabarty, 2019
AbstractA new species belonging to the leiognathid genus Photolateralis, collected from the coastal waters of Oman, is described herein. Photolateralis is unique among leiognathid genera in possessing a species-specific translucent midlateral flank stripe that may be comprised of either multiple independent translucent windows (P. stercorarius, P. moretoniensis, and the new species) or a continuous translucent lateral band (P. antongil). Photolateralis polyfenestrus, new species, is distinguished from congeners by the presence of a short, composite midlateral stripe comprised of three small, rounded translucent windows (vs. numerous windows in both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis, or a continuous translucent stripe in P. antongil), and that is confined to the midflank (vs. extending a majority of the length of the flank in congeners). The new species is further distinguished from both P. moretoniensis and P. antongil by a shallower body, and from both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis by a pigmentation pattern above the lateral midline comprised primarily of larger rounded blotches (vs. smaller sinuous lines and markings comprising a vermiculated pattern). Photolateralis polyfenestrus is characterized by a lower jaw that is deep and convex in lateral view (vs. mostly straight in congeners, excluding P. antongil), and that forms an angle of between 60°–70° to horizontal (vs. less than 45° in congeners, excluding P. antongil). The only other species of Photolateralis reported from the Western Indian Ocean is P. antongil, to date only known from the coastal waters of Madagascar, whereas both P. stercorarius and P. moretoniensis have ranges restricted to the western Pacific and extending into the eastern Indian Ocean.
https://bioone.org/journals/American-Museum-Novitates/volume-2019/issue-3929/3929.1/Description-of-a-New-Species-of-Ponyfish-Teleostei--Leiognathidae/10.1206/3929.1.short
==========================
Anchiacipenser acanthaspis • A Rare, Articulated Sturgeon (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
Anchiacipenser acanthaspis
Sato, Murray, Vernygora & Currie, 2018
DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1488137
Abstract
Although fragmentary remains of sturgeon, such as scutes and pectoral spines, are relatively common in fossil deposits, articulated fossilized skeletons are rare in Upper Cretaceous sediments of North America. Currently, there are four extinct species referred to Acipenseridae reported from the Upper Cretaceous of North America; two of them (†Acipenser eruciferus and †A. albertensis) are of doubtful validity because they are based on isolated elements that are probably not diagnostic. Only two species, †Priscosturion longipinnis and †Protoscaphirhynchus squamosus, have been described based on articulated skeletons. In June 2016, an articulated sturgeon specimen was discovered in the Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. This specimen preserves the skull and anterior half to two-thirds of the body but is missing the pelvic, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. This new specimen cannot be included in any of the previously named taxa, so we describe it here as a new genus and species, †Anchiacipenser acanthaspis. A combination of several characters allows us to diagnose the new sturgeon from Dinosaur Provincial Park as a new taxon, including the dermal cranial bones being strongly ornamented with straight and anastomosing ridges, the dorsal scutes being large and laterally expanded and bearing median spines, and the presence of an extensive cover of smaller dermal scales on the flanks. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new taxon belongs in Acipenseridae, although its precise relationships within this clade are not clear.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
Class OSTEICHTHYES Huxley, 1880
Subclass ACTINOPTERYGII Cope, 1887
Infraclass CHONDROSTEI Müller, 1845
Order ACIPENSERIFORMES Berg, 1940
Family ACIPENSERIDAE Bonaparte, 1831
†ANCHIACIPENSER, gen. nov.
Type and Only Known Species— †Anchiacipenser acanthaspis, sp. nov.
Diagnosis— As for type and only known species.
Derivation of Name:— From the Greek word ‘anchi,’ meaning near or close, and the Latinized Greek word ‘acipenser,’ relating to sturgeons, referring to the phylogenetic position of this genus as a member of the family Acipenseridae. Gender is masculine.
†ANCHIACIPENSER ACANTHASPIS, sp. nov.
Etymology:— From the Greek words ‘acantha’ meaning thorn or spine, and ‘aspis’ meaning shield, in reference to the strong spines that are present on most of the dorsal scutes.
Hiroki Sato, Alison M. Murray, Oksana Vernygora and Philip J. Currie. 2018. A Rare, Articulated Sturgeon (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 38(4); (1)–(15). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1488137
==========================
Anchiacipenser acanthaspis
Sato, Murray, Vernygora & Currie, 2018
DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1488137
Abstract
Although fragmentary remains of sturgeon, such as scutes and pectoral spines, are relatively common in fossil deposits, articulated fossilized skeletons are rare in Upper Cretaceous sediments of North America. Currently, there are four extinct species referred to Acipenseridae reported from the Upper Cretaceous of North America; two of them (†Acipenser eruciferus and †A. albertensis) are of doubtful validity because they are based on isolated elements that are probably not diagnostic. Only two species, †Priscosturion longipinnis and †Protoscaphirhynchus squamosus, have been described based on articulated skeletons. In June 2016, an articulated sturgeon specimen was discovered in the Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. This specimen preserves the skull and anterior half to two-thirds of the body but is missing the pelvic, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. This new specimen cannot be included in any of the previously named taxa, so we describe it here as a new genus and species, †Anchiacipenser acanthaspis. A combination of several characters allows us to diagnose the new sturgeon from Dinosaur Provincial Park as a new taxon, including the dermal cranial bones being strongly ornamented with straight and anastomosing ridges, the dorsal scutes being large and laterally expanded and bearing median spines, and the presence of an extensive cover of smaller dermal scales on the flanks. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new taxon belongs in Acipenseridae, although its precise relationships within this clade are not clear.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
Class OSTEICHTHYES Huxley, 1880
Subclass ACTINOPTERYGII Cope, 1887
Infraclass CHONDROSTEI Müller, 1845
Order ACIPENSERIFORMES Berg, 1940
Family ACIPENSERIDAE Bonaparte, 1831
†ANCHIACIPENSER, gen. nov.
Type and Only Known Species— †Anchiacipenser acanthaspis, sp. nov.
Diagnosis— As for type and only known species.
Derivation of Name:— From the Greek word ‘anchi,’ meaning near or close, and the Latinized Greek word ‘acipenser,’ relating to sturgeons, referring to the phylogenetic position of this genus as a member of the family Acipenseridae. Gender is masculine.
†ANCHIACIPENSER ACANTHASPIS, sp. nov.
Etymology:— From the Greek words ‘acantha’ meaning thorn or spine, and ‘aspis’ meaning shield, in reference to the strong spines that are present on most of the dorsal scutes.
Hiroki Sato, Alison M. Murray, Oksana Vernygora and Philip J. Currie. 2018. A Rare, Articulated Sturgeon (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 38(4); (1)–(15). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1488137
==========================
Gymnothorax andamanensis • A New Short Brown Unpatterned Moray Eel (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from Andaman waters, India
Gymnothorax andamanensis
Mohapatra, Kiruba-Sankar, Praveenraj & Mohanty, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.11
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121
Abstract
Gymnothorax andamanensis sp. nov., a new short brown moray eel, is described here on the basis of two specimens collected from Port Mout, Port Blair, South Andaman (11.659327°N; 92.696148°E), caught using baited hand-lines in a sandy habitat at a depth of less than 2 m. The species is characterized in having the dorsal-fin origin before the gill opening, pre-anal length 2.1–2.2, jaw pores with black rim, two branchial pores, predorsal vertebrae 3, preanal vertebrae 57 and total vertebrae 135–136, teeth smooth, three large fang-like median intermaxillary teeth, biserial maxillary and uniserial vomerine teeth, and dentary teeth biserial with two teeth in each side in the second row of the dentary. The new species is compared with all 10 short brown unpatterned moray eels known from the world and two from Indian waters.
Keywords: Anguilliformes, South Andaman, Pisces, new species
Anil Mohapatra, R. Kiruba-Sankar, J. Praveenraj and Swarup Ranjan Mohanty. 2019. A New Short Brown Unpatterned Moray Eel Gymnothorax andamanensis (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from Andaman waters, India. Zootaxa. 4661(1); 189–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.11
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121/posts/2536439426394392
==========================
Gymnothorax andamanensis
Mohapatra, Kiruba-Sankar, Praveenraj & Mohanty, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.11
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121
Abstract
Gymnothorax andamanensis sp. nov., a new short brown moray eel, is described here on the basis of two specimens collected from Port Mout, Port Blair, South Andaman (11.659327°N; 92.696148°E), caught using baited hand-lines in a sandy habitat at a depth of less than 2 m. The species is characterized in having the dorsal-fin origin before the gill opening, pre-anal length 2.1–2.2, jaw pores with black rim, two branchial pores, predorsal vertebrae 3, preanal vertebrae 57 and total vertebrae 135–136, teeth smooth, three large fang-like median intermaxillary teeth, biserial maxillary and uniserial vomerine teeth, and dentary teeth biserial with two teeth in each side in the second row of the dentary. The new species is compared with all 10 short brown unpatterned moray eels known from the world and two from Indian waters.
Keywords: Anguilliformes, South Andaman, Pisces, new species
Anil Mohapatra, R. Kiruba-Sankar, J. Praveenraj and Swarup Ranjan Mohanty. 2019. A New Short Brown Unpatterned Moray Eel Gymnothorax andamanensis (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from Andaman waters, India. Zootaxa. 4661(1); 189–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.11
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121/posts/2536439426394392
==========================
Opsarius putaoensis, a new species of subfamily Danioninae (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) from the Irrawaddy River basin in northern Myanmar
TAO Qin, KYAW WIN MAUNG, XIAO-YONG CHEN
Abstract
Opsarius putaoensis, new species, is described from the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy River in northern Myanmar. For convenience of identification, Opsarius sensu Rainboth (1991) in Southeast Asia and India can be divided into two species groups based on the number of anal-fin rays: (1) the O. gatensis species group with more than 12 branched anal-fin rays, and (2) the O. barna species group with fewer than 11 branched anal-fin rays. The remaining species of the O. barna species group can be divided into two species subgroups by the presence or absence of barbels: (1) the O. chatricensis species subgroup without barbels, and (2) the O. barnoides species subgroup with one or two pairs of barbels. Opsarius putaoensis sp. nov. is a member of the O. chatricensis species subgroup together with O. chatricensis, O. arunachalensis, and O. barna.Opsarius putaoensis is most similar to O. chatricensis in overall appearance, including the number of vertical bars and color pattern, but it differs from O. chatricensis by the following characters: insertion of dorsal not reaching posterior end of pelvic fin base vs. reaching, vertical bars 6−7 vs. 7−8, vertical bars extending to the lateral line vs. not, branched anal-fin rays 9 vs. 10, branched pelvic-fin rays 7 vs. 8, branched pectoral-fin rays 12, rarely 11 vs. 11, circumpeduncular scales 12 vs. 14, and scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7−8 vs. 6. It is distinguished from all other species of the genus Opsarius by a combination of the following characters: barbels absent, dentary with parallel rows of tubercles, snout much shorter than eye diameter, mouth gape below anterior edge of orbit, body deep with depth 25.6−33.3% SL, pectoral and pelvic axial scales lobate, lateral line completely perforated with 35−38 scales, scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7−8, predorsal scales 15, circumpeduncular scales 12, branched dorsal-fin rays 7, branched anal-fin rays 9, branched pelvic-fin rays 7, insertion of dorsal not reaching pelvic-fin base, body with 6−7 vertical bars, extending to lateral line, and distal edge of dorsal fin black.
==========================
A new Goby Sicyopus beremeensis from Papua New Guinea
RésuméA new species of Sicyopus, a sicydiine goby, is described from specimens collected in streams of New Britain (Papua New Guinea). It differs from other species of this amphidromous genus by a combination of characters including a second dorsal fin with one spine and ten segmented rays, fewer scales in lateral series and transverse back series, and smaller predorsal and caudal peduncle lengths.
RésuméA new species of Sicyopus, a sicydiine goby, is described from specimens collected in streams of New Britain (Papua New Guinea). It differs from other species of this amphidromous genus by a combination of characters including a second dorsal fin with one spine and ten segmented rays, fewer scales in lateral series and transverse back series, and smaller predorsal and caudal peduncle lengths.
Bryconops allisoni
A new Bryconops is described from lower rio Tapajós.
The new species differs from all congeners by the following combination of features: posterior extension of maxilla not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones, 1 or 2 tri-or pentacuspid teeth on each maxillary bone, 38-41 perforated scales in the lateral line, 24-27 branched anal-fin rays, and a broad dark stripe placed midlaterally on caudal peduncle.
The new species differs from all congeners by the following combination of features: posterior extension of maxilla not reaching junction of second and third infraorbital bones, 1 or 2 tri-or pentacuspid teeth on each maxillary bone, 38-41 perforated scales in the lateral line, 24-27 branched anal-fin rays, and a broad dark stripe placed midlaterally on caudal peduncle.
https://pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IEF-1087
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Barbatula leoparda (Actinopterygii, Nemacheilidae), a new endemic species of stone loach of French CataloniaGauliard C., Dettaï A., Persat H., Keith P., Denys G.P.J.
Date de parution: juin 2019
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pagination: 169-177
Editeur: Société Française d’Ichtyologie
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-423-005
Notes:Corresponding author: Gaël P.J. Denys, gael.denys@mnhn.fr
RésuméThis study described a new stone loach species in France, Barbatula leoparda, which is endemic to French Catalonia (Têt and Tech river drainages). Seven specimens were compared to 49 specimens of B. barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758) and 71 specimens of B. quignardi (Băcescu-Meşter, 1967). This new species is characterized by the presence of blotches on the belly and the jugular area in individuals longer than 47 mm SL and by a greater interorbital distance (35.5 to 41.8% of the head length). We brought moreover the sequence of two mitochondrial markers (COI and 12S, respectively 652 and 950 bp) of the holotype, which are well distinct from all other species, for molecular identifications. This discovery is important for conservation.
==========================
Date de parution: juin 2019
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pagination: 169-177
Editeur: Société Française d’Ichtyologie
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2019-423-005
Notes:Corresponding author: Gaël P.J. Denys, gael.denys@mnhn.fr
RésuméThis study described a new stone loach species in France, Barbatula leoparda, which is endemic to French Catalonia (Têt and Tech river drainages). Seven specimens were compared to 49 specimens of B. barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758) and 71 specimens of B. quignardi (Băcescu-Meşter, 1967). This new species is characterized by the presence of blotches on the belly and the jugular area in individuals longer than 47 mm SL and by a greater interorbital distance (35.5 to 41.8% of the head length). We brought moreover the sequence of two mitochondrial markers (COI and 12S, respectively 652 and 950 bp) of the holotype, which are well distinct from all other species, for molecular identifications. This discovery is important for conservation.
==========================
Tattooing words and symbols with needles or lasers injures fish, such as these juvenile giant gouramis (Osphronemus goramy). Photo: O. Lucanus
Dyed parrot cichlids have been dipped in a caustic solution to strip their slime coats, then into a dye solution, and finally into a chemical that stimulates slime production. Colors are temporary. Photo: O. Lucanus
An excerpt from the September/October 2019 issue of AMAZONAS Magazine, MAN-MADE FISHES. Click to order the back issue!
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly1
A special excerpt from the September/October 2019 issue of AMAZONAS Magazine, by Stephan Tanner, Ph.D.
An excerpt from the September/October 2019 issue of AMAZONAS Magazine, MAN-MADE FISHES. Click to order the back issue!
“Man-made animals” have become a controversial topic over the past two or three decades. While humans have domesticated animals for the better part of some 15,000 years (MacHugh et al., 2016), the topic has turned into a heated debate between widely opposing sides. Unfortunately, rather than offering an informed discussion that expands everybody’s horizon, many critical voices just deplore such specimens without qualifying their stand. Proponents meanwhile simply disregard the critics or worse. My reason for devoting an issue of AMAZONAS to this topic is based on the realization that we have to discuss it, because man-made fishes have been around for a long time and are here to stay, just think of koi (Cyprinus carpio) or goldfish (Carassius auratus). If we do not cover man-created strains and forms, and debate the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, we leave the field to emotional grandstanding or worse, legal regulations without qualified input.
Man-made fishes and shrimps now come in a variety of forms, and I group them here in four broad categories based on how they have come into being:
Mutants: organisms selected for certain traits from spontaneous or induced mutations (albino, color, fin, or body shapes), such as countless strains of goldfish, koi, guppies, long-finned bristlenose plecos, barbs, tetras, balloon mollies and balloon blue rams, and crippled rainbowfish and gouramis, etc.
Hybrids: the offspring resulting from crosses between species or populations. Examples now omnipresent in the trade include flowerhorns, parrot cichlids, bettas, angelfish, discus, platies, swordtails, and Taiwan and bee shrimps.
Genetically modified fish (GMO): transgenic fish (aka GloFish®) have entered the market as barbs, tetras, danios, and sharks.
Physically modified fish: physically altered and tortured by tattooing, dyeing, cutting, or painting.
The Good:
At least among the mutants and hybrids, there are strains that are well established and hardly make anyone cringe: for example, wagtail platies, coral swordtails, black harlequin rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha), or gold barbs (Barbodes semifasciolatus).
Interestingly, flowerhorns caused an uproar upon entering the trade, yet many devoted enthusiasts happily breed fancy swordtails, angelfish, or shrimps. Maybe they are unaware that the vast majority of fancy platies and swordtails are the product of crossing Xiphophorus maculatus with X. hellerii or X. variatus many generations ago. Or that many domestic angelfish are crosses of various local populations or species. The same is true for domestic discus strains and many fancy shrimp forms.
GloFish carry various color genes from jellyfish and other sources, but otherwise these fish are genetically “normal”, in many cases actually less aberrant from the wild fish than many mutants or hybrids. Demonized by many as the end of fish keeping, they are quite popular among kids. I view them the same way my parents regarded comic books when I was a kid. While my comics were not the best literature, at least I learned to read. Ultimately, I graduated to more sophisticated literature and magazines. Hence, if a youngster fancies a tank with GloFish danios or barbs, let it be! Almost every single one will graduate to “real fish” down the road. And for a hobby that notoriously lacks beginners, we could surely use a little man-made help.
Ultimately, as long as the animal swims normally and can exhibit its behavioral repertoire, creating man-made strains from mutations and crosses poses no ethical dilemma. Hybrids, however, should be clearly labeled as such and not sold as new species or forms of existing species. This is especially true for rainbowfish species which cross easily, resulting in hybrids that are difficult to tell apart. Thus, great care is necessary to keep wild lines pure, and honest disclosure is a must.
The Bad:
While many mutants or hybrids are a matter of taste, there are some with abysmal distortions (ballooning, crippled vertebrae, skull deformations) that can hardly swim. Some parrot cichlids are so deformed that they have trouble eating. Then there are stingrays with partially missing disks, the so-called bat-rays. Most of these horror-show participants are produced in Asia where there is a large market for these grotesque animals. In my opinion, the trade should abstain from importing and marketing such extreme breeds.
The Ugly:
Enthusiasts and the trade need to establish a policy of humane conduct in the aquarium trade.
I should not need to spell it out, but dyed, tattooed, or otherwise tormented fish have no place in the hobby. Physical modification on live animals is in no way justifiable and violates basic animal welfare. Some extreme breeds of goldfish also belong to what I call “torture breeds”, although goldfish enthusiasts will counter that, with the correct care, they can do just fine. Luckily, some of the fanciest strains are not hardy enough for the mainstream trade, hence remain limited to connoisseurs.
Setting Rules and Limits
The above examples show that there is no categorical “right” or “wrong”, unless the animal suffers from man-made physical modifications. Enthusiasts and the trade need to come together to establish a set of moral and ethical rules, call it a policy of humane conduct in the aquatic trade. This is far better than restrictive laws and regulations that are nearly impossible to enforce. GloFish are illegal in Europe, yet available, if you know where to look. Sound familiar? By the same token, we have not managed to root out illegal drugs despite wasting billions of dollars. Accordingly, only a genius believes a black fish market could be outlawed and effectively controlled.
Stephan M. Tanner is a publisher and senior editor of AMAZONAS.
As hobbyists and trade partners, we must go ahead in setting limits. If we don’t, someone else will and we are very likely not going to welcome such restrictions. We are the experts who know what it takes to keep our animals healthy; we know their requirements, and we know what hurts them. Consequently, we are in the best position to propose reasonable rules, limits, and if necessary, write the laws that regulate the aquatic trade. We here at AMAZONAS Magazine welcome discussion and correspondence on the topic of man-made fishes. With that, I leave you to indulge in the best hobby in the world.
Reference
MacHugh, D.E., G. Larson, and L. Orlando. 2016. Taming the past: ancient DNA and the study of animal domestication. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences 5: 529-351.
from Reef to Rain Forest Media
==========================
A special excerpt from the September/October 2019 issue of AMAZONAS Magazine, by Stephan Tanner, Ph.D.
An excerpt from the September/October 2019 issue of AMAZONAS Magazine, MAN-MADE FISHES. Click to order the back issue!
“Man-made animals” have become a controversial topic over the past two or three decades. While humans have domesticated animals for the better part of some 15,000 years (MacHugh et al., 2016), the topic has turned into a heated debate between widely opposing sides. Unfortunately, rather than offering an informed discussion that expands everybody’s horizon, many critical voices just deplore such specimens without qualifying their stand. Proponents meanwhile simply disregard the critics or worse. My reason for devoting an issue of AMAZONAS to this topic is based on the realization that we have to discuss it, because man-made fishes have been around for a long time and are here to stay, just think of koi (Cyprinus carpio) or goldfish (Carassius auratus). If we do not cover man-created strains and forms, and debate the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, we leave the field to emotional grandstanding or worse, legal regulations without qualified input.
Man-made fishes and shrimps now come in a variety of forms, and I group them here in four broad categories based on how they have come into being:
Mutants: organisms selected for certain traits from spontaneous or induced mutations (albino, color, fin, or body shapes), such as countless strains of goldfish, koi, guppies, long-finned bristlenose plecos, barbs, tetras, balloon mollies and balloon blue rams, and crippled rainbowfish and gouramis, etc.
Hybrids: the offspring resulting from crosses between species or populations. Examples now omnipresent in the trade include flowerhorns, parrot cichlids, bettas, angelfish, discus, platies, swordtails, and Taiwan and bee shrimps.
Genetically modified fish (GMO): transgenic fish (aka GloFish®) have entered the market as barbs, tetras, danios, and sharks.
Physically modified fish: physically altered and tortured by tattooing, dyeing, cutting, or painting.
The Good:
At least among the mutants and hybrids, there are strains that are well established and hardly make anyone cringe: for example, wagtail platies, coral swordtails, black harlequin rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha), or gold barbs (Barbodes semifasciolatus).
Interestingly, flowerhorns caused an uproar upon entering the trade, yet many devoted enthusiasts happily breed fancy swordtails, angelfish, or shrimps. Maybe they are unaware that the vast majority of fancy platies and swordtails are the product of crossing Xiphophorus maculatus with X. hellerii or X. variatus many generations ago. Or that many domestic angelfish are crosses of various local populations or species. The same is true for domestic discus strains and many fancy shrimp forms.
GloFish carry various color genes from jellyfish and other sources, but otherwise these fish are genetically “normal”, in many cases actually less aberrant from the wild fish than many mutants or hybrids. Demonized by many as the end of fish keeping, they are quite popular among kids. I view them the same way my parents regarded comic books when I was a kid. While my comics were not the best literature, at least I learned to read. Ultimately, I graduated to more sophisticated literature and magazines. Hence, if a youngster fancies a tank with GloFish danios or barbs, let it be! Almost every single one will graduate to “real fish” down the road. And for a hobby that notoriously lacks beginners, we could surely use a little man-made help.
Ultimately, as long as the animal swims normally and can exhibit its behavioral repertoire, creating man-made strains from mutations and crosses poses no ethical dilemma. Hybrids, however, should be clearly labeled as such and not sold as new species or forms of existing species. This is especially true for rainbowfish species which cross easily, resulting in hybrids that are difficult to tell apart. Thus, great care is necessary to keep wild lines pure, and honest disclosure is a must.
The Bad:
While many mutants or hybrids are a matter of taste, there are some with abysmal distortions (ballooning, crippled vertebrae, skull deformations) that can hardly swim. Some parrot cichlids are so deformed that they have trouble eating. Then there are stingrays with partially missing disks, the so-called bat-rays. Most of these horror-show participants are produced in Asia where there is a large market for these grotesque animals. In my opinion, the trade should abstain from importing and marketing such extreme breeds.
The Ugly:
Enthusiasts and the trade need to establish a policy of humane conduct in the aquarium trade.
I should not need to spell it out, but dyed, tattooed, or otherwise tormented fish have no place in the hobby. Physical modification on live animals is in no way justifiable and violates basic animal welfare. Some extreme breeds of goldfish also belong to what I call “torture breeds”, although goldfish enthusiasts will counter that, with the correct care, they can do just fine. Luckily, some of the fanciest strains are not hardy enough for the mainstream trade, hence remain limited to connoisseurs.
Setting Rules and Limits
The above examples show that there is no categorical “right” or “wrong”, unless the animal suffers from man-made physical modifications. Enthusiasts and the trade need to come together to establish a set of moral and ethical rules, call it a policy of humane conduct in the aquatic trade. This is far better than restrictive laws and regulations that are nearly impossible to enforce. GloFish are illegal in Europe, yet available, if you know where to look. Sound familiar? By the same token, we have not managed to root out illegal drugs despite wasting billions of dollars. Accordingly, only a genius believes a black fish market could be outlawed and effectively controlled.
Stephan M. Tanner is a publisher and senior editor of AMAZONAS.
As hobbyists and trade partners, we must go ahead in setting limits. If we don’t, someone else will and we are very likely not going to welcome such restrictions. We are the experts who know what it takes to keep our animals healthy; we know their requirements, and we know what hurts them. Consequently, we are in the best position to propose reasonable rules, limits, and if necessary, write the laws that regulate the aquatic trade. We here at AMAZONAS Magazine welcome discussion and correspondence on the topic of man-made fishes. With that, I leave you to indulge in the best hobby in the world.
Reference
MacHugh, D.E., G. Larson, and L. Orlando. 2016. Taming the past: ancient DNA and the study of animal domestication. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences 5: 529-351.
from Reef to Rain Forest Media
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A chemical spill near Lake Michigan leaves beaches closed and hundreds of fish dead
By Leah Asmelash and Hollie Silverman, CNN
Updated 2020 GMT (0420 HKT) August 18, 2019
A scenic photograph of Lake View, with mills in back drop.(CNN)The National Park Service has closed several portions of Indiana Dunes National Park after a chemical spill killed hundreds of fish in the area, according to a statement by Portage, Indiana, a nearby city.
The spill occurred last week at the east branch of the Little Calumet River, about three miles upstream from Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park confirmed in a statement. The National Park Service has closed the Portage Lakefront, the Riverwalk beach area and waters out to 300 feet.
The company responsible is ArcelorMittal, a steel and mining company headquartered in Luxembourg. In a statement released Friday, the company said the incident was due to a failure in a blast furnace water recirculation system at its steelmaking plant in nearby Burns Harbor.The accident released wastewater containing high levels of ammonia and cyanide into the river. The company called it an isolated event.
"ArcelorMittal apologizes and accepts responsibility for the incident from the Burns Harbor facility. We are working closely with state and federal regulatory agencies to address the situation and to prevent its reoccurrence," the statement read.
Tim McNicholas, a reporter with CNN affiliate WBBM, posted photos on Twitter that showed dead fish floating in the waters of a marina in Portage.
"The odour is unbelievably bad because they decay pretty quickly," he told CNN affiliate WLS. "So the odour is just awful. You can't stand it."
ArcelorMittal said its Burns Harbor facility is allowed to discharge wastewater containing low levels of the chemicals, but the failure "caused the facility to exceed applicable limits." The system has since been fixed and normal operations have resumed, the company said.
John Cannon, mayor of Portage, said in a statement posted to Facebook that he partly blamed Indiana Department of Environmental Management for not alerting the city about the spill until Thursday, three days after IDEM knew of the environmental concerns."The Mayor is calling for action to be taken. Further, the City of Portage will be taking aggressive action with the EPA to ensure the breakdown of communication, like this, does not occur again," he said in a statement.
Residents have been advised to avoid eating the fish from the affected area.
==========================
By Leah Asmelash and Hollie Silverman, CNN
Updated 2020 GMT (0420 HKT) August 18, 2019
A scenic photograph of Lake View, with mills in back drop.(CNN)The National Park Service has closed several portions of Indiana Dunes National Park after a chemical spill killed hundreds of fish in the area, according to a statement by Portage, Indiana, a nearby city.
The spill occurred last week at the east branch of the Little Calumet River, about three miles upstream from Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park confirmed in a statement. The National Park Service has closed the Portage Lakefront, the Riverwalk beach area and waters out to 300 feet.
The company responsible is ArcelorMittal, a steel and mining company headquartered in Luxembourg. In a statement released Friday, the company said the incident was due to a failure in a blast furnace water recirculation system at its steelmaking plant in nearby Burns Harbor.The accident released wastewater containing high levels of ammonia and cyanide into the river. The company called it an isolated event.
"ArcelorMittal apologizes and accepts responsibility for the incident from the Burns Harbor facility. We are working closely with state and federal regulatory agencies to address the situation and to prevent its reoccurrence," the statement read.
Tim McNicholas, a reporter with CNN affiliate WBBM, posted photos on Twitter that showed dead fish floating in the waters of a marina in Portage.
"The odour is unbelievably bad because they decay pretty quickly," he told CNN affiliate WLS. "So the odour is just awful. You can't stand it."
ArcelorMittal said its Burns Harbor facility is allowed to discharge wastewater containing low levels of the chemicals, but the failure "caused the facility to exceed applicable limits." The system has since been fixed and normal operations have resumed, the company said.
John Cannon, mayor of Portage, said in a statement posted to Facebook that he partly blamed Indiana Department of Environmental Management for not alerting the city about the spill until Thursday, three days after IDEM knew of the environmental concerns."The Mayor is calling for action to be taken. Further, the City of Portage will be taking aggressive action with the EPA to ensure the breakdown of communication, like this, does not occur again," he said in a statement.
Residents have been advised to avoid eating the fish from the affected area.
==========================
Leptopanchax sanguineus • A New Species of Cynopoeciline Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae), possibly Extinct, from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil
Leptopanchax sanguineus
Costa, 2019
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.867.34034
Abstract
Specimens found between 1985 and 1988 in the Magé River Basin, south-eastern Brazil were misidentified as L. splendens. The recent rediscovery of other specimens in the Estrela River Basin near the type locality of L. splendens has clarified the species’ concept, making it possible to recognise the Magé River Basin specimens as a new species. The new species is herein described as Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. and is distinguished from all other cynopoecilines by a unique colour pattern in males, including red bars with sinuous margins. It was collected in a well-preserved, temporary shallow swampy area within dense moist forest, but since 1990 the species has not been found again. Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. is one of three species of cynopoeciline killifishes living in lowland moist forests of the coastal plains of Rio de Janeiro State, where the greatest diversity of endemic cynopoecilines is concentrated. Each of these species has been recorded a single time in the last 30 years, a surprisingly low record attributable to intense deforestation during the last several decades resulting in small fragmented lowland moist forests of today. This study indicates that seasonal killifishes adapted to uniquely live in this kind of habitat should be regarded with special concern in studies evaluating conservation priorities.
Keywords: Biodiversity, conservation, moist tropical forest, systematics, taxonomy
Figure 2. Male fin morphology and life colour patterns in Leptopanchax.
A coloured pencil drawing illustrating Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. in life, about 20 mm SL B L. splendens, UFRJ 6902, 22.7 mm SL
C L. aureoguttatus, UFRJ 6331, 22.3 mm SL D L. itanhaensis, UFRJ 6453, 20.7 mm SL
E L. citrinipinnis, UFRJ 8899, 20.6 mm SL F L. opalescens, UFRJ 8986, 20.2 mm SL.
Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Leptopanchax sanguineus differs from other cynopoecilines, except L. splendens, by the presence of red bars on the whole flank in males (vs. absence); uniquely in L. sanguineus, the bars are broad, wider than the interspace width (vs. narrow, half interspace width or less) and have sinuous margins (vs. straight). Leptopanchax sanguineus is further distinguished from L. splendens by having 15 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 12–14), 6 pelvic-fin rays (vs. 5), 27 scales on the longitudinal series and 9 on the transverse series (vs. 24–25 and 7, respectively), 29 vertebrae (vs. 26–27), pelvic fin tip posteriorly reaching the anal fin in males (vs. reaching urogenital papilla), pelvic-fin bases medially separated, in close proximity (vs. medially united), absence of filamentous rays on the caudal fin (vs. short filamentous rays on the posterior margin of the caudal fin in males), presence of a golden stripe on the distal margin of the dorsal fin in males (vs. white stripe), absence of contact organs on the male pectoral fin (vs. presence) and absence of the dermosphenotic bone (vs. presence). Leptopanchax sanguineus also differs from L. splendens and all other cynopoecilines by the presence of a small red spot on the posterior portion of the iris (vs. spot absent).
Etymology: The name sanguineus, from the Latin, meaning blood-coloured, is an allusion to the predominantly red colouration in males, unique among Neotropical killifishes.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2019. Description of A New Species of Cynopoeciline Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae), possibly Extinct, from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. ZooKeys. 867: 73-85. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.867.34034
Abstract: A recent collection of the seasonal killifish found Leptopanchax splendens c. 5 km from the type locality, 74 years after its last record. The species was historically common in its type locality, the Estrela River basin in south‐eastern Brazil, until 1950, after which it was not encountered and thought to have become extinct due to widespread deforestation and urbanization in the region. Despite the rediscovery, this study finds that other recently published reports of L. splendens are misidentifications.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa, José L. O. Mattos and Pedro F. Amorim. 2019. Rediscovery of Leptopanchax splendens (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae): A Seasonal killifish from the Atlantic Forest of south‐eastern Brazil that was recently considered extinct. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13898
==========================
Leptopanchax sanguineus
Costa, 2019
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.867.34034
Abstract
Specimens found between 1985 and 1988 in the Magé River Basin, south-eastern Brazil were misidentified as L. splendens. The recent rediscovery of other specimens in the Estrela River Basin near the type locality of L. splendens has clarified the species’ concept, making it possible to recognise the Magé River Basin specimens as a new species. The new species is herein described as Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. and is distinguished from all other cynopoecilines by a unique colour pattern in males, including red bars with sinuous margins. It was collected in a well-preserved, temporary shallow swampy area within dense moist forest, but since 1990 the species has not been found again. Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. is one of three species of cynopoeciline killifishes living in lowland moist forests of the coastal plains of Rio de Janeiro State, where the greatest diversity of endemic cynopoecilines is concentrated. Each of these species has been recorded a single time in the last 30 years, a surprisingly low record attributable to intense deforestation during the last several decades resulting in small fragmented lowland moist forests of today. This study indicates that seasonal killifishes adapted to uniquely live in this kind of habitat should be regarded with special concern in studies evaluating conservation priorities.
Keywords: Biodiversity, conservation, moist tropical forest, systematics, taxonomy
Figure 2. Male fin morphology and life colour patterns in Leptopanchax.
A coloured pencil drawing illustrating Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov. in life, about 20 mm SL B L. splendens, UFRJ 6902, 22.7 mm SL
C L. aureoguttatus, UFRJ 6331, 22.3 mm SL D L. itanhaensis, UFRJ 6453, 20.7 mm SL
E L. citrinipinnis, UFRJ 8899, 20.6 mm SL F L. opalescens, UFRJ 8986, 20.2 mm SL.
Leptopanchax sanguineus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Leptopanchax sanguineus differs from other cynopoecilines, except L. splendens, by the presence of red bars on the whole flank in males (vs. absence); uniquely in L. sanguineus, the bars are broad, wider than the interspace width (vs. narrow, half interspace width or less) and have sinuous margins (vs. straight). Leptopanchax sanguineus is further distinguished from L. splendens by having 15 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 12–14), 6 pelvic-fin rays (vs. 5), 27 scales on the longitudinal series and 9 on the transverse series (vs. 24–25 and 7, respectively), 29 vertebrae (vs. 26–27), pelvic fin tip posteriorly reaching the anal fin in males (vs. reaching urogenital papilla), pelvic-fin bases medially separated, in close proximity (vs. medially united), absence of filamentous rays on the caudal fin (vs. short filamentous rays on the posterior margin of the caudal fin in males), presence of a golden stripe on the distal margin of the dorsal fin in males (vs. white stripe), absence of contact organs on the male pectoral fin (vs. presence) and absence of the dermosphenotic bone (vs. presence). Leptopanchax sanguineus also differs from L. splendens and all other cynopoecilines by the presence of a small red spot on the posterior portion of the iris (vs. spot absent).
Etymology: The name sanguineus, from the Latin, meaning blood-coloured, is an allusion to the predominantly red colouration in males, unique among Neotropical killifishes.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa. 2019. Description of A New Species of Cynopoeciline Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae), possibly Extinct, from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. ZooKeys. 867: 73-85. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.867.34034
Abstract: A recent collection of the seasonal killifish found Leptopanchax splendens c. 5 km from the type locality, 74 years after its last record. The species was historically common in its type locality, the Estrela River basin in south‐eastern Brazil, until 1950, after which it was not encountered and thought to have become extinct due to widespread deforestation and urbanization in the region. Despite the rediscovery, this study finds that other recently published reports of L. splendens are misidentifications.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa, José L. O. Mattos and Pedro F. Amorim. 2019. Rediscovery of Leptopanchax splendens (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae): A Seasonal killifish from the Atlantic Forest of south‐eastern Brazil that was recently considered extinct. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13898
==========================
Scientists Describe New Farlowella Catfish Species
The newly-described Farlowella azpelicuetae is only the second confirmed Farlowella species found in Argentina. Image credit: Terán et. al., CC BY.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).
Further Reading
Check out the full open-access article for additional images and discussion of this new Loricariid species. Read, “A new species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina,” by authors Guillermo E. Terán, Gustavo A. Ballen, Felipe Alonso, Gastón Aguilera, and J. Marcos Mirande, published in the journal Neotropical Ichthyology.
from Reef to Rainforest media
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The newly-described Farlowella azpelicuetae is only the second confirmed Farlowella species found in Argentina. Image credit: Terán et. al., CC BY.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).
Further Reading
Check out the full open-access article for additional images and discussion of this new Loricariid species. Read, “A new species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina,” by authors Guillermo E. Terán, Gustavo A. Ballen, Felipe Alonso, Gastón Aguilera, and J. Marcos Mirande, published in the journal Neotropical Ichthyology.
from Reef to Rainforest media
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Eigenmannia sirius • A New Species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with Discussion on Its Species Group and the Myology within Eigenmanniinae
Eigenmannia sirius
Peixoto & Ohara, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
Abstract
A new species of Eigenmannia is described from the rio Mutum, tributary of upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by coloration pattern, position of the mouth, number of scales rows above lateral line, number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of precaudal vertebrae, orbital diameter, mouth width, relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 and relative size of coronomeckelian bone. Comments on potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies derived from musculature, discussion on Eigenmannia species-group and the first dichotomous key for Eigenmannia are provided.
Fig Color in life of Eigenmannia sirius, MZUSP 123938, paratypes, 93.7 and 77.3 mm LEA, A and B respectively, rio Mutum, rio Juruena, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Caudal filament damaged.
Eigenmannia sirius, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Eigenmannia sirius is diagnosed from all putative congeners with exception of Eigenmannia trilineata species-group (sensu [Peixoto, et al., 2015]), by the presence of superior midlateral stripe (vs. absence). The new species differs from all species of the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, except E. besouro, E. correntes, E. vicentespelaea, and E. waiwai, by the subterminal mouth (vs. terminal). It differs from E. besouro, E. correntes, E. vicentespelaea, and E. waiwai by relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 corresponding to 70% length of infraorbitals 1+2 (Fig 2—vs. 40% in E. besouro, E. correntes and E. waiwai, and approximately equals total length of infraorbitals 1+2 in E. vicentespelaea), and in having 15 precaudal vertebrae (vs. 14 in E. besouro and E. correntes, 13–14 in E. vicentespelaea and 12–13 in E. waiwai). Eigenmannia sirius can be differentiated from E. besouro by the origin of the superior midlateral stripe at vertical between base of 23rd to 31st anal-fin ray (vs. origin at vertical between 5th to 15th anal-fin ray). The new species is also diagnosed from E. correntes by the eye diameter (17.2–23.8% HL vs. 10.6–13.3% HL), and by the mouth width (13.1–22.4% HL vs. 23.5–26.0% HL). Eigenmannia sirius is further distinguished from E. vicentespelaea and E. waiwai by having 15–24 premaxillary teeth (Fig 3A vs. 25–26 and 35–40, respectively) and 15–33 dentary teeth (Fig 3B vs. 38–45 and 37–38, respectively). It additionally differs from E. vicentespealea by having 9–12 scale rows above lateral line (vs. seven or eight) and the coronomeckelian bone corresponding to 20–25% of length of Meckel’s cartilage (Fig 3B vs. 45%). The new species can be distinguished from Archolaemus species by the eye completely covered by thin membrane (vs. a free orbital rim); from Distocyclus by the rounded snout in profile (vs. conical snout); from Japigny by the absence of alternating dark bands on flanks (vs. presence); and from Rhabdolichops by the region above the lateral line on the anterior portion of the body covered by scales (vs. absence of scales above the lateral line on the anterior portion of the body).
Etymology: The specific epithet sirius is an allusion to the alpha star of the Canis Major constellation that represents the state of Mato Grosso in the Brazilian national flag, a reference of the state of occurrence of the new taxon. A noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat: Eigenmannia sirius is currently known only from rio Mutum, a tributary of the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil (Fig 9). The type-locality is 502 m above sea level at the Chapada dos Parecis plateau. It is a clearwater river up to c. 3–6 m wide and 0.5–2.5 m deep, preserved riparian vegetation, swift current, and sand, pebbles and dead leaves on the bottom (Fig 10). Several types of microenvironment were sampled exhaustively, but E. sirius was captured only between root and subaquatic vegetation. Other species sampled syntopically were Aequidens cf. rondoni (Miranda Ribeiro), Erythrinus erythrinus (Bloch & Schneider), Hemigrammus skolioplatus Bertaco & Carvalho, Hyphessobrycon hexastichos Bertaco & Carvalho, H. melanostichos Carvalho & Bertaco, Hasemania nambiquara Bertaco & Malabarba, and Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Spix & Agassiz). No other Gymnotiformes were collected with E. sirius.
Luiz Antônio Wanderley Peixoto and Willian M. Ohara. 2019. A New Species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with Discussion on Its Species Group and the Myology within Eigenmanniinae. PLoS ONE. 14(8): e0220287. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
==========================
Eigenmannia sirius
Peixoto & Ohara, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
Abstract
A new species of Eigenmannia is described from the rio Mutum, tributary of upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by coloration pattern, position of the mouth, number of scales rows above lateral line, number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of precaudal vertebrae, orbital diameter, mouth width, relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 and relative size of coronomeckelian bone. Comments on potentially useful characters in phylogenetic studies derived from musculature, discussion on Eigenmannia species-group and the first dichotomous key for Eigenmannia are provided.
Fig Color in life of Eigenmannia sirius, MZUSP 123938, paratypes, 93.7 and 77.3 mm LEA, A and B respectively, rio Mutum, rio Juruena, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Caudal filament damaged.
Eigenmannia sirius, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Eigenmannia sirius is diagnosed from all putative congeners with exception of Eigenmannia trilineata species-group (sensu [Peixoto, et al., 2015]), by the presence of superior midlateral stripe (vs. absence). The new species differs from all species of the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, except E. besouro, E. correntes, E. vicentespelaea, and E. waiwai, by the subterminal mouth (vs. terminal). It differs from E. besouro, E. correntes, E. vicentespelaea, and E. waiwai by relative depth of posterodorsal expansion on infraorbitals 1+2 corresponding to 70% length of infraorbitals 1+2 (Fig 2—vs. 40% in E. besouro, E. correntes and E. waiwai, and approximately equals total length of infraorbitals 1+2 in E. vicentespelaea), and in having 15 precaudal vertebrae (vs. 14 in E. besouro and E. correntes, 13–14 in E. vicentespelaea and 12–13 in E. waiwai). Eigenmannia sirius can be differentiated from E. besouro by the origin of the superior midlateral stripe at vertical between base of 23rd to 31st anal-fin ray (vs. origin at vertical between 5th to 15th anal-fin ray). The new species is also diagnosed from E. correntes by the eye diameter (17.2–23.8% HL vs. 10.6–13.3% HL), and by the mouth width (13.1–22.4% HL vs. 23.5–26.0% HL). Eigenmannia sirius is further distinguished from E. vicentespelaea and E. waiwai by having 15–24 premaxillary teeth (Fig 3A vs. 25–26 and 35–40, respectively) and 15–33 dentary teeth (Fig 3B vs. 38–45 and 37–38, respectively). It additionally differs from E. vicentespealea by having 9–12 scale rows above lateral line (vs. seven or eight) and the coronomeckelian bone corresponding to 20–25% of length of Meckel’s cartilage (Fig 3B vs. 45%). The new species can be distinguished from Archolaemus species by the eye completely covered by thin membrane (vs. a free orbital rim); from Distocyclus by the rounded snout in profile (vs. conical snout); from Japigny by the absence of alternating dark bands on flanks (vs. presence); and from Rhabdolichops by the region above the lateral line on the anterior portion of the body covered by scales (vs. absence of scales above the lateral line on the anterior portion of the body).
Etymology: The specific epithet sirius is an allusion to the alpha star of the Canis Major constellation that represents the state of Mato Grosso in the Brazilian national flag, a reference of the state of occurrence of the new taxon. A noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat: Eigenmannia sirius is currently known only from rio Mutum, a tributary of the upper rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil (Fig 9). The type-locality is 502 m above sea level at the Chapada dos Parecis plateau. It is a clearwater river up to c. 3–6 m wide and 0.5–2.5 m deep, preserved riparian vegetation, swift current, and sand, pebbles and dead leaves on the bottom (Fig 10). Several types of microenvironment were sampled exhaustively, but E. sirius was captured only between root and subaquatic vegetation. Other species sampled syntopically were Aequidens cf. rondoni (Miranda Ribeiro), Erythrinus erythrinus (Bloch & Schneider), Hemigrammus skolioplatus Bertaco & Carvalho, Hyphessobrycon hexastichos Bertaco & Carvalho, H. melanostichos Carvalho & Bertaco, Hasemania nambiquara Bertaco & Malabarba, and Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Spix & Agassiz). No other Gymnotiformes were collected with E. sirius.
Luiz Antônio Wanderley Peixoto and Willian M. Ohara. 2019. A New Species of Eigenmannia Jordan & Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from rio Tapajós, Brazil, with Discussion on Its Species Group and the Myology within Eigenmanniinae. PLoS ONE. 14(8): e0220287. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220287
==========================
Neobola kinondo • A New Species of Cyprinoid Fish(Actinopterygii: Danionidae) from the Tana River, Kenya
Neobola kinondo
Bart, Schmidt, Nyingi & Gathua, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.9
Abstract
Sampling of streams in the middle reaches of the Tana River Basin in Meru National Park, Kenya, from 2010 to 2012 for an NSF-funded International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) project, resulted in the capture of a number of specimens of what were first thought to be Neobola fluviatilis. On closer examination the specimens were determined to represent a distinct species, endemic to the Tana River basin, which is herein formally described. The new species is readily diagnosed from N. fluviatilis by higher counts of lateral line, pre-dorsal, and caudal peduncle circumferential scales, higher numbers of pectoral rays, lower numbers of anal fin rays, and a shorter anal-fin base length.
Keywords: Actinopterygii, Neobola fluviatilis (Whitehead 1962), Neobola kinondo sp. nov., Cyprinoidei, East Africa
FIGURE Photograph of Neobola kinondo showing body coloration in life. Note the yellow pigment in the pelvic fine, anal fins and lower lobe of the caudal fin.
Neobola kinondo sp. nov.
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Whitehead 1962:100 (Distribution, Tana River).
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Howes, 1984:156 (Distribution, Tana River).
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Lévêque & Daget 1984:326 (Distribution, Tana River)
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Seegers et al. 2003:34 (Distribution, Tana River)
Diagnosis Neobola kinondo is readily diagnosed from its presumed closest relative, N. fluviatilis, by higher counts of lateral line scales (mode 41, range 38–47, x̄ = 41.83 vs. mode 40, range 37–41, x̄ = 38.22 in N. fluviatilis, Table 2), predorsal scales (mode 24, range 20–27, of 23.90 vs. mode 19-20, range 17–22, x̄ = 19.38 in N. fluviatilis, Table 3), and caudal peduncle circumferential scales (mode 14, range 12–16, x̄ = 13.90 vs. mode 13, range 10–13, x̄ = 12.57 in N. fluviatilis, Table 4), and lower counts of transverse scales (mode 9, range 7–11, x̄ = 9 vs. mode 10, range 8–10, x̄ = 9.64 in N. fluviatilis, Table 5), principal dorsal-fin rays (mode 8, range 7–9, x̄ = 7.93 vs. mode 9, range 8–9, x̄ = 8.63 in N. fluviatilis, Table 6) and principal anal-fin rays (mode 18, range 18–23, x̄ = 19.23 vs. mode 22, range 20–24, x̄ = 22.17 in N. fluviatilis, Table 7). Combining lateral line scales and pre-dorsal scales completely separates N. kinondo from N. fluviatilis. Neobola kinondo has a combined count of 61 or more scales; N. fluviatilis has fewer than 61 lateral line and predorsal scales (Fig. 3).
Neobola kinondo differs from N. bottegi by its higher numbers of lateral line scales (38–45 vs. 37-40 in N. bottegi) and principal anal fin rays (18-23 in N. kinondo vs. 14–18 in N. bottegi), and a more triangular pectoral axial scale (vs. more lanceolate in N. bottegi). Neobola kinondo differs from N. moeruensis by its higher numbers of principal anal fin rays (18–23 vs. 14 in N. moeruensis) and higher caudal peduncle circumferential scales (mode 14 in N. kinondo vs. 12 in N. moeruensis. Neobola kinondo differs from N. nilotica by its lower modal numbers of lateral line scales and principal anal fin rays (41 and 18, respectively, vs. 44 and 22, respectively in N. nilotica). Neobola kinondo is readily distinguished from N. stellae by its lower count of gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial (7 vs. 10 in N. stellae).
Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species “kinondo” is the Ameru language word for “silver” and is in reference to the bright silver color of the sides of N. kinondo. Species of Neobola are commonly referred to as sardines because of their sardine-like appearance. Thus, we suggest the common name, Tana Sardine.
Distribution: Neobola kinondo is confined to the Tana River of Kenya (Fig. 6). It is known primarily from tributaries of the Tana in Meru National Park and likely also occurs in portions of the Tana River proper bordering the park. The only other record of the species is based on a single juvenile specimen collected from a locality on the lower Tana River near the Hola Concentration Camps, Tana River County (BMNH 1966.8.25.6), suggesting that the species also inhabits lower portions of the Tana River Basin.
Henry L. Bart Jr, Ray C. Schmidt, Wanja Dorothy Nyingi and Joseph Gathua. 2019. A New Species of Cyprinoid Fish from the Tana River, Kenya (Actinopterygii: Danionidae). Zootaxa. 4652(3); 533–543. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.9
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Neobola kinondo
Bart, Schmidt, Nyingi & Gathua, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.9
Abstract
Sampling of streams in the middle reaches of the Tana River Basin in Meru National Park, Kenya, from 2010 to 2012 for an NSF-funded International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) project, resulted in the capture of a number of specimens of what were first thought to be Neobola fluviatilis. On closer examination the specimens were determined to represent a distinct species, endemic to the Tana River basin, which is herein formally described. The new species is readily diagnosed from N. fluviatilis by higher counts of lateral line, pre-dorsal, and caudal peduncle circumferential scales, higher numbers of pectoral rays, lower numbers of anal fin rays, and a shorter anal-fin base length.
Keywords: Actinopterygii, Neobola fluviatilis (Whitehead 1962), Neobola kinondo sp. nov., Cyprinoidei, East Africa
FIGURE Photograph of Neobola kinondo showing body coloration in life. Note the yellow pigment in the pelvic fine, anal fins and lower lobe of the caudal fin.
Neobola kinondo sp. nov.
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Whitehead 1962:100 (Distribution, Tana River).
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Howes, 1984:156 (Distribution, Tana River).
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Lévêque & Daget 1984:326 (Distribution, Tana River)
Engraulicypris fluviatilis (in part), Seegers et al. 2003:34 (Distribution, Tana River)
Diagnosis Neobola kinondo is readily diagnosed from its presumed closest relative, N. fluviatilis, by higher counts of lateral line scales (mode 41, range 38–47, x̄ = 41.83 vs. mode 40, range 37–41, x̄ = 38.22 in N. fluviatilis, Table 2), predorsal scales (mode 24, range 20–27, of 23.90 vs. mode 19-20, range 17–22, x̄ = 19.38 in N. fluviatilis, Table 3), and caudal peduncle circumferential scales (mode 14, range 12–16, x̄ = 13.90 vs. mode 13, range 10–13, x̄ = 12.57 in N. fluviatilis, Table 4), and lower counts of transverse scales (mode 9, range 7–11, x̄ = 9 vs. mode 10, range 8–10, x̄ = 9.64 in N. fluviatilis, Table 5), principal dorsal-fin rays (mode 8, range 7–9, x̄ = 7.93 vs. mode 9, range 8–9, x̄ = 8.63 in N. fluviatilis, Table 6) and principal anal-fin rays (mode 18, range 18–23, x̄ = 19.23 vs. mode 22, range 20–24, x̄ = 22.17 in N. fluviatilis, Table 7). Combining lateral line scales and pre-dorsal scales completely separates N. kinondo from N. fluviatilis. Neobola kinondo has a combined count of 61 or more scales; N. fluviatilis has fewer than 61 lateral line and predorsal scales (Fig. 3).
Neobola kinondo differs from N. bottegi by its higher numbers of lateral line scales (38–45 vs. 37-40 in N. bottegi) and principal anal fin rays (18-23 in N. kinondo vs. 14–18 in N. bottegi), and a more triangular pectoral axial scale (vs. more lanceolate in N. bottegi). Neobola kinondo differs from N. moeruensis by its higher numbers of principal anal fin rays (18–23 vs. 14 in N. moeruensis) and higher caudal peduncle circumferential scales (mode 14 in N. kinondo vs. 12 in N. moeruensis. Neobola kinondo differs from N. nilotica by its lower modal numbers of lateral line scales and principal anal fin rays (41 and 18, respectively, vs. 44 and 22, respectively in N. nilotica). Neobola kinondo is readily distinguished from N. stellae by its lower count of gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial (7 vs. 10 in N. stellae).
Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species “kinondo” is the Ameru language word for “silver” and is in reference to the bright silver color of the sides of N. kinondo. Species of Neobola are commonly referred to as sardines because of their sardine-like appearance. Thus, we suggest the common name, Tana Sardine.
Distribution: Neobola kinondo is confined to the Tana River of Kenya (Fig. 6). It is known primarily from tributaries of the Tana in Meru National Park and likely also occurs in portions of the Tana River proper bordering the park. The only other record of the species is based on a single juvenile specimen collected from a locality on the lower Tana River near the Hola Concentration Camps, Tana River County (BMNH 1966.8.25.6), suggesting that the species also inhabits lower portions of the Tana River Basin.
Henry L. Bart Jr, Ray C. Schmidt, Wanja Dorothy Nyingi and Joseph Gathua. 2019. A New Species of Cyprinoid Fish from the Tana River, Kenya (Actinopterygii: Danionidae). Zootaxa. 4652(3); 533–543. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.9
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Chiloglanis mongoensis • A New Species of Suckermouth Catfish (Siluriformes: Mochokidae: Chiloglanis) from the Rio Mongo in Equatorial Guinea
Chiloglanis mongoensis
Schmidt & Barrientos, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.7
Abstract
A recent expedition surveyed freshwater fishes throughout the continental portion of Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni). This portion of the Lower Guinean ichthyoprovince is relatively unknown with very few collections occurring since the 1960s. Sampling in the Rio Mongo, a tributary to the Rio Wele, yielded two Chiloglanis species; one putatively ascribed to the widespread species C. cameronensis, and the other species having similarities with C. harbinger described from the Lokoundje River in Cameroon. Morphometric analyses between the specimens from Rio Mongo and paratypes of C. harbinger confirm that they are distinct species and should be described as such. Here we describe Chiloglanis mongoensis sp. nov., a narrow endemic species only known from one locality in the Rio Mongo. We provide measurements from paratypes of C. harbinger and emphasize the need for further expeditions in the area.
Keywords: Pisces, Endemism, specimen collection, allometric correction, biodiversity
FIGURE Chiloglanis mongoensis, a new species, holotype, USNM 446973, male ALC, 28.0 mm SL; Equatorial Guinea, Centro Sur, Rio Mongo near Mosumu, ..; in dorsal, lateral, and ventral views. Photographs by S. Raredon
Chiloglanis mongoensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Chiloglanis mongoensis is readily distinguished from all other valid species of Chiloglanis with the exception of C. marlieri and C. harbinger in possessing 28–30 (14+14 – 15+15) mandibular teeth in one row. Chiloglanis mongoensis is distinguished from C. marlieri in possessing a longer dorsal spine (1.8 times into head length versus 3.1 in C. marlieri). Chiloglanis mongoensis is distinguished from C. harbinger in having fewer premaxillary teeth (99–116 versus 150–224) arranged in fewer rows (4–5 versus 7), a longer dorsal spine (9.0–9.7 versus 7.8–9.0% SL), a deeper body at anus (14.0–16.0 versus 11.7–13.8% SL), a larger eye (3.7–4.6 versus 2.9–3.5% SL), and a higher adipose fin (2.6–3.9 versus 1.6–2.3% SL; Tables 2 and 3).
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Rio Mongo, a tributary to the Rio Wele in Equatorial Guinea, where the species is presumed endemic.
Distribution. Chiloglanis mongoensis is only known for the type locality. Upstream from the bridge crossing the Rio Mongo cascades down a bedrock outcrop that is ~3-4 meters high and ~10 meters long. Standing on this very slippery bedrock we were able to collect several specimens of C. cameronensis and C. mongoensis from cracks in the bedrock with the electrofisher. After 30 to 45 minutes we collected four C. mongoensis and five C. cameronensis specimens. Though collected in the same microhabitat; it seems likely that further, more focused, collections would reveal that these two species are occupying different habitats within the Rio Mongo. In co-occurring Chiloglanis species from the Upper Guinea Forest streams in Guinea, Conakry one species is usually found in woody debris or submerged roots while the other occupies the cobble and larger rocks in the riffles and runs (Schmidt et al. 2017b). Chiloglanis mongoensis or C. cameronensis specimens were not collected in a small tributary to the Rio Mongo, but the stream was shallow, substrate was mostly sand and gravel, and there was little flow.
Ray C. Schmidt and Christian Barrientos. 2019. A New Species of Suckermouth Catfish (Mochokidae: Chiloglanis) from the Rio Mongo in Equatorial Guinea. Zootaxa. 4652(3); 507–519. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.7
==========================
Chiloglanis mongoensis
Schmidt & Barrientos, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.7
Abstract
A recent expedition surveyed freshwater fishes throughout the continental portion of Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni). This portion of the Lower Guinean ichthyoprovince is relatively unknown with very few collections occurring since the 1960s. Sampling in the Rio Mongo, a tributary to the Rio Wele, yielded two Chiloglanis species; one putatively ascribed to the widespread species C. cameronensis, and the other species having similarities with C. harbinger described from the Lokoundje River in Cameroon. Morphometric analyses between the specimens from Rio Mongo and paratypes of C. harbinger confirm that they are distinct species and should be described as such. Here we describe Chiloglanis mongoensis sp. nov., a narrow endemic species only known from one locality in the Rio Mongo. We provide measurements from paratypes of C. harbinger and emphasize the need for further expeditions in the area.
Keywords: Pisces, Endemism, specimen collection, allometric correction, biodiversity
FIGURE Chiloglanis mongoensis, a new species, holotype, USNM 446973, male ALC, 28.0 mm SL; Equatorial Guinea, Centro Sur, Rio Mongo near Mosumu, ..; in dorsal, lateral, and ventral views. Photographs by S. Raredon
Chiloglanis mongoensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Chiloglanis mongoensis is readily distinguished from all other valid species of Chiloglanis with the exception of C. marlieri and C. harbinger in possessing 28–30 (14+14 – 15+15) mandibular teeth in one row. Chiloglanis mongoensis is distinguished from C. marlieri in possessing a longer dorsal spine (1.8 times into head length versus 3.1 in C. marlieri). Chiloglanis mongoensis is distinguished from C. harbinger in having fewer premaxillary teeth (99–116 versus 150–224) arranged in fewer rows (4–5 versus 7), a longer dorsal spine (9.0–9.7 versus 7.8–9.0% SL), a deeper body at anus (14.0–16.0 versus 11.7–13.8% SL), a larger eye (3.7–4.6 versus 2.9–3.5% SL), and a higher adipose fin (2.6–3.9 versus 1.6–2.3% SL; Tables 2 and 3).
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Rio Mongo, a tributary to the Rio Wele in Equatorial Guinea, where the species is presumed endemic.
Distribution. Chiloglanis mongoensis is only known for the type locality. Upstream from the bridge crossing the Rio Mongo cascades down a bedrock outcrop that is ~3-4 meters high and ~10 meters long. Standing on this very slippery bedrock we were able to collect several specimens of C. cameronensis and C. mongoensis from cracks in the bedrock with the electrofisher. After 30 to 45 minutes we collected four C. mongoensis and five C. cameronensis specimens. Though collected in the same microhabitat; it seems likely that further, more focused, collections would reveal that these two species are occupying different habitats within the Rio Mongo. In co-occurring Chiloglanis species from the Upper Guinea Forest streams in Guinea, Conakry one species is usually found in woody debris or submerged roots while the other occupies the cobble and larger rocks in the riffles and runs (Schmidt et al. 2017b). Chiloglanis mongoensis or C. cameronensis specimens were not collected in a small tributary to the Rio Mongo, but the stream was shallow, substrate was mostly sand and gravel, and there was little flow.
Ray C. Schmidt and Christian Barrientos. 2019. A New Species of Suckermouth Catfish (Mochokidae: Chiloglanis) from the Rio Mongo in Equatorial Guinea. Zootaxa. 4652(3); 507–519. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4652.3.7
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Trachinotus macrospilus • Indo-West Pacific Species of Trachinotus (Teleostei: Carangidae) with Spots on Their Sides as Adults, with Description of A New Sspecies Endemic to the Marquesas Islands
Trachinotus macrospilus
Smith-Vaniz & Walsh, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4651.1.1
Abstract
Diagnoses, comparisons, photographs and distribution maps are given for three previously described Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus that develop spots on their sides as adults. A new species, Trachinotus macrospilus, is described from the Marquesas Islands where it is endemic and the only species of the genus present. It differs from the other spotted Indo-West Pacific species most noticeably in having adults with only one or two large spots on each side, the largest spot larger than the iris diameter, and in having no large spot positioned above the pectoral fin. An identification key is given for all Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus and a molecular phylogeny, including 16 of the 20 valid species of Trachinotus is presented. A neotype is designated for Scomber botla Shaw, 1803.
Key words: taxonomy, Carangidae, Trachinotus macrospilus n. sp., endemic, Marquesas Islands
FIGURE . Trachinotus macrospilus, MCZ 29732, 211 mm FL, Marquesas Islands. After Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911, plate 1, as “Trachinotus oblongus.”
Trachinotus macrospilus new species
Marquesas dart
Diagnosis. A species of Trachinotus in which adults have only 1 or 2 large black spots on their sides; the largest spot larger than iris diameter (usually smaller than iris diameter in T. baillonii and equal to or larger than eye diameter in T. botla and T. coppingeri), and in having no large spot positioned above the pectoral fin (adults of T. botla and T. coppingeri have 1 or 2 large spots above the pectoral fin). Height of largest spot plotted against head length is also larger than in T. baillonii (Fig. 6). Heights of dorsal- and anal-fin lobes of adults are also usually shorter than in the other three species (Fig. 7). Dorsal fin VI-I, 23‒26; anal-fin II-I, 23‒25; vomerine tooth patch usually chevron shaped and palatine tooth patch relatively long (Fig. 2B).
Distribution. Endemic to the Marquesas Islands.
Remarks. With a reported shore fish fauna of 495 species and 13.7% endemism (Delrien-Trottin et al., 2015), the Marquesas Islands have the third greatest species-level endemism for insular coral reef fishes in the Indo-Pacific. Easter Island, with a much smaller total fauna of only 169 marine fish species and a similar geographic size, has a 21.7% rate of endemism (Randall and Cea, 2011), exceeded only by Hawaii with about 25% endemism of its marine ichthyofauna (Randall, 2007). The Marquesas Islands are high islands of recent volcanic origin and, as discussed by Randall and Earle (2000), combined with their isolation both geographically and hydrographically (westernly South Equatorial Current and major upwelling events) has led to the high level of endemism of the ichthyofauna.
Etymology. From the Greek makros (long, large) and spilos (spot), in reference to the relative height of the largest and usually single spot on the mid-side of the body of adults.
William F. Smith-Vaniz and Stephen J. Walsh. 2019. Indo-West Pacific Species of Trachinotus with Spots on Their Sides as Adults, with Description of A New Sspecies Endemic to the Marquesas Islands (Teleostei: Carangidae). Zootaxa. 4651(1); 1–37. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4651.1.1
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Trachinotus macrospilus
Smith-Vaniz & Walsh, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4651.1.1
Abstract
Diagnoses, comparisons, photographs and distribution maps are given for three previously described Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus that develop spots on their sides as adults. A new species, Trachinotus macrospilus, is described from the Marquesas Islands where it is endemic and the only species of the genus present. It differs from the other spotted Indo-West Pacific species most noticeably in having adults with only one or two large spots on each side, the largest spot larger than the iris diameter, and in having no large spot positioned above the pectoral fin. An identification key is given for all Indo-West Pacific species of Trachinotus and a molecular phylogeny, including 16 of the 20 valid species of Trachinotus is presented. A neotype is designated for Scomber botla Shaw, 1803.
Key words: taxonomy, Carangidae, Trachinotus macrospilus n. sp., endemic, Marquesas Islands
FIGURE . Trachinotus macrospilus, MCZ 29732, 211 mm FL, Marquesas Islands. After Kendall and Goldsborough, 1911, plate 1, as “Trachinotus oblongus.”
Trachinotus macrospilus new species
Marquesas dart
Diagnosis. A species of Trachinotus in which adults have only 1 or 2 large black spots on their sides; the largest spot larger than iris diameter (usually smaller than iris diameter in T. baillonii and equal to or larger than eye diameter in T. botla and T. coppingeri), and in having no large spot positioned above the pectoral fin (adults of T. botla and T. coppingeri have 1 or 2 large spots above the pectoral fin). Height of largest spot plotted against head length is also larger than in T. baillonii (Fig. 6). Heights of dorsal- and anal-fin lobes of adults are also usually shorter than in the other three species (Fig. 7). Dorsal fin VI-I, 23‒26; anal-fin II-I, 23‒25; vomerine tooth patch usually chevron shaped and palatine tooth patch relatively long (Fig. 2B).
Distribution. Endemic to the Marquesas Islands.
Remarks. With a reported shore fish fauna of 495 species and 13.7% endemism (Delrien-Trottin et al., 2015), the Marquesas Islands have the third greatest species-level endemism for insular coral reef fishes in the Indo-Pacific. Easter Island, with a much smaller total fauna of only 169 marine fish species and a similar geographic size, has a 21.7% rate of endemism (Randall and Cea, 2011), exceeded only by Hawaii with about 25% endemism of its marine ichthyofauna (Randall, 2007). The Marquesas Islands are high islands of recent volcanic origin and, as discussed by Randall and Earle (2000), combined with their isolation both geographically and hydrographically (westernly South Equatorial Current and major upwelling events) has led to the high level of endemism of the ichthyofauna.
Etymology. From the Greek makros (long, large) and spilos (spot), in reference to the relative height of the largest and usually single spot on the mid-side of the body of adults.
William F. Smith-Vaniz and Stephen J. Walsh. 2019. Indo-West Pacific Species of Trachinotus with Spots on Their Sides as Adults, with Description of A New Sspecies Endemic to the Marquesas Islands (Teleostei: Carangidae). Zootaxa. 4651(1); 1–37. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4651.1.1
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Pomacentrus bellipictus • A New Microendemic Species of Damselfish (Pisces: Pomacentridae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia
Pomacentrus bellipictus
Allen, Erdmann & Hidayat, 2018
oceansciencefoundation.org
Abstract
A new species of damselfish, Pomacentrus bellipictus, is described from 13 specimens, 37.7-67.9 mm SL, collected at the Kokas area of the Fakfak Peninsula, a portion of the Bird's Head Peninsula of western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). It is distinguished from most similar species in the western Pacific Ocean by having 14 instead of 13 dorsal-fin spines. It also possesses a unique facial coloration consisting of highly contrasted blue areas around the mouth and onto the isthmus, below the eye, and along the margin of the preopercle. The only other species of Pomacentrus from the region with 14 dorsal spines that are also drab-brown when alive, P. fakfakensis and P. opisthostigma, are clearly distinguished on the basis of adult and juvenile color patterns and also show different habitat preferences. In addition, P. opisthostigma is distinguished from the other two species by fewer lateral-line scales (usually 15-17 vs. usual 18-19) and more gill rakers on the first arch (26-29 vs. 18-21). The three species co-occur in the Kokas area, but occupy different habitats: Pomacentrus bellipictus inhabits rocky, wave-washed shorelines in about 1-2 m depth, while the other two species occur in deeper water. The new species is apparently endemic to the small area around the Fakfak Peninsula, where several other microendemic reef fish species have been described.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, microendemic, coral-reef fishes, Indo-Pacific Ocean, Fakfak, Bird’s Head Peninsula.
Figure . Pomacentrus bellipictus n. sp., underwater photographs of adult, approx. 60 mm SL, Kokas District, West Papua Province, Indonesia (M.V. Erdmann).
Pomacentrus bellipictus, n. sp.
Bluemouth Demoiselle
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements usually XIV (rarely XIII),12–14 (usually XIV,14); anal-fin elements II,12–15 (usually 14–15); pectoral-fin rays 17–19 (rarely 19); tubed lateral-line scales 17–19 (usually 18); total gill rakers on first arch 18–20 (rarely 20); body depth 1.8–2.0 (mean 1.9) in SL; scales absent on preorbital and suborbital; lower margin of suborbital series with 4–12 serrae; color in life mainly dark brown, nearly black, with contrasting blue areas around mouth (including isthmus), below eye, and along margin of preopercle; iris of adult mostly dark gray with a narrow bronze ring around pupil.
Etymology. The species is named bellipictus (Latin: war-painted) with reference to its facial coloration and belligerent behaviour towards divers. The specific epithet is a masculine compound adjective.
Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and Nur I. Hidayat. 2018. Pomacentrus bellipictus, A New Microendemic Species of Damselfish (Pisces: Pomacentridae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 30, 1-10. oceansciencefoundation.org/josf30a.html
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Pomacentrus bellipictus
Allen, Erdmann & Hidayat, 2018
oceansciencefoundation.org
Abstract
A new species of damselfish, Pomacentrus bellipictus, is described from 13 specimens, 37.7-67.9 mm SL, collected at the Kokas area of the Fakfak Peninsula, a portion of the Bird's Head Peninsula of western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). It is distinguished from most similar species in the western Pacific Ocean by having 14 instead of 13 dorsal-fin spines. It also possesses a unique facial coloration consisting of highly contrasted blue areas around the mouth and onto the isthmus, below the eye, and along the margin of the preopercle. The only other species of Pomacentrus from the region with 14 dorsal spines that are also drab-brown when alive, P. fakfakensis and P. opisthostigma, are clearly distinguished on the basis of adult and juvenile color patterns and also show different habitat preferences. In addition, P. opisthostigma is distinguished from the other two species by fewer lateral-line scales (usually 15-17 vs. usual 18-19) and more gill rakers on the first arch (26-29 vs. 18-21). The three species co-occur in the Kokas area, but occupy different habitats: Pomacentrus bellipictus inhabits rocky, wave-washed shorelines in about 1-2 m depth, while the other two species occur in deeper water. The new species is apparently endemic to the small area around the Fakfak Peninsula, where several other microendemic reef fish species have been described.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, microendemic, coral-reef fishes, Indo-Pacific Ocean, Fakfak, Bird’s Head Peninsula.
Figure . Pomacentrus bellipictus n. sp., underwater photographs of adult, approx. 60 mm SL, Kokas District, West Papua Province, Indonesia (M.V. Erdmann).
Pomacentrus bellipictus, n. sp.
Bluemouth Demoiselle
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements usually XIV (rarely XIII),12–14 (usually XIV,14); anal-fin elements II,12–15 (usually 14–15); pectoral-fin rays 17–19 (rarely 19); tubed lateral-line scales 17–19 (usually 18); total gill rakers on first arch 18–20 (rarely 20); body depth 1.8–2.0 (mean 1.9) in SL; scales absent on preorbital and suborbital; lower margin of suborbital series with 4–12 serrae; color in life mainly dark brown, nearly black, with contrasting blue areas around mouth (including isthmus), below eye, and along margin of preopercle; iris of adult mostly dark gray with a narrow bronze ring around pupil.
Etymology. The species is named bellipictus (Latin: war-painted) with reference to its facial coloration and belligerent behaviour towards divers. The specific epithet is a masculine compound adjective.
Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and Nur I. Hidayat. 2018. Pomacentrus bellipictus, A New Microendemic Species of Damselfish (Pisces: Pomacentridae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 30, 1-10. oceansciencefoundation.org/josf30a.html
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Bristol Aquarist Society ANNUAL SHOWThe BAS Annual Show takes place on Sunday on 1st September 2019 at:
Hengrove Community Centre
Fortfield Road
Hengrove
Bristol
BS14 9NX
Schedule of activities:
Fish Auction viewing at 11:30
Fish Auction commences at 12:30
Show Hall opens at 14:30
Entry:
Adults £1, under 16yrs/OAPs free
Refreshments – Free Car Parking – Raffle
Northern Goldfish and Pondkeepers Society (NGPS)The NGPS Open Show is on the second Saturday in September at St. Matthews Church Hall, Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester.
Regular meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Church Inn, Church Lane, Prestwich, Manchester.
Email or call Sherridan Moores for details on 0161-969-7567.
Goldfish Society of Great Britain (GSGB)The GSGB Open Show takes place in late September at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, Essex, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8BT.
E-mail the Secretary, Michael Pepper, for details.
==========================
Hengrove Community Centre
Fortfield Road
Hengrove
Bristol
BS14 9NX
Schedule of activities:
Fish Auction viewing at 11:30
Fish Auction commences at 12:30
Show Hall opens at 14:30
Entry:
Adults £1, under 16yrs/OAPs free
Refreshments – Free Car Parking – Raffle
Northern Goldfish and Pondkeepers Society (NGPS)The NGPS Open Show is on the second Saturday in September at St. Matthews Church Hall, Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester.
Regular meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Church Inn, Church Lane, Prestwich, Manchester.
Email or call Sherridan Moores for details on 0161-969-7567.
Goldfish Society of Great Britain (GSGB)The GSGB Open Show takes place in late September at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, Essex, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8BT.
E-mail the Secretary, Michael Pepper, for details.
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The Parosphromenus Project September 6th
- 6 September – 8 September
- Chester Zoo
CH2 1EU Chester, Cheshire
It will be held on September 6-8 2019, at Chester Zoo, Chester, UK. The main day of the Meeting will be Saturday 7th of September.
We are very grateful to be able to hold the Meeting at Chester Zoo, who we already have some good connections to.
We hope to see many of our friends, and people who are interested in our work, and in the Parosphromenus Species.
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Biologists discover deep-sea fish living where there is virtually no oxygen
Cusk eels such as this one seem to prefer seafloor areas where oxygen concentrations are extremely low.
Oxygen—it’s a basic necessity for animal life. But marine biologists recently discovered large numbers of fishes living in the dark depths of the Gulf of California where there is virtually no oxygen. Using an underwater robot, the scientists observed these fishes thriving in low-oxygen conditions that would be deadly to most other fish. This discovery could help scientists understand how other marine animals might cope with ongoing changes in the chemistry of the ocean.
The researchers described their discovery in a recent article in the journal Ecology. The lead author of the article, Natalya Gallo, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She worked closely with professor Lisa Levin and other Scripps researchers on the paper, as well as with MBARI biologist Jim Barry, who led the research cruise.
Cusk eels, lollipop sharks, and grenadiers congregate on the seafloor in the Gulf of California. Image: © 2015 MBARI
In 2015, Barry, Gallo, and eight other researchers conducted a series of dives in several deep ocean basins in the Gulf of California using MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts—a state-of-the-art underwater robot. Gallo was particularly interested in these areas because her PhD thesis focused on animals that live in very low-oxygen environments. The deep waters of the Gulf of California have some of the most extreme low-oxygen habitats in the world.
“I could hardly believe my eyes,” Gallo wrote in MBARI’s cruise blog following an ROV dive in the Cerralvo Trough. “We observed cusk eels,
( Lamprogrammus shcherbachevi) grenadiers, and lollipop sharks (Cephalurus cephalus) ctively swimming around in areas where the oxygen concentration was less than one percent of typical surface oxygen concentrations. We were in a suboxic habitat, which should exclude fish, but instead there were hundreds of fish. I immediately knew this was something special that challenged our existing understanding of the limits of hypoxia [low-oxygen] tolerance.”
Lollipop sharks have large heads and gills, which may help them absorb oxygen in low-oxygen environments. Image: © 2015 MBARI
In fact, instruments on the ROV showed that these fish were living in an environment where oxygen concentrations were one-tenth to one-fortieth as low as those tolerated by other low-oxygen fish. In fact, two species of fish—cusk eels and lollipop sharks—seemed to prefer these low-oxygen areas over areas where oxygen concentrations were higher.
“Many other types of fish are considered tolerant of low-oxygen conditions,” Barry commented.” But the fish in these parts of the Gulf are like the winners among a group of elite Olympic athletes.”
One of Barry’s goals of the cruise was to use the large natural variations in oxygen and temperature found in the Gulf to study how seafloor animal communities might change in response to warmer and reduced-oxygen conditions that have been predicted by some climate models
The researchers still don’t know exactly how these fish are able to survive, and even thrive, under such harsh conditions. The cat sharks have large heads with extensive gill chambers and the cusk eels have vibrant red gills, which may be particularly good at absorbing oxygen from the surrounding water. The fish are also quite small—less than 30 centimeters (one foot) long—and the cusk eels have soft flabby bodies and thin, weakly developed bones—all traits that might help them conserve energy.
Graduate student Natalya Gallo holds a lollipop shark that researchers collected in the Gulf of California. Image: © 2015 MBARI
Why the fish congregate in these particular areas is another mystery. Barry speculates that they might be finding food or avoiding predators. In some low-oxygen areas the researchers saw snails, sea stars, and sea pens on the seafloor. But in the lowest-oxygen areas, the muddy seafloor looked like a barren moonscape, suggesting that even small invertebrates had a hard time surviving.
“We hope to go back to the Gulf soon to try and address some of these questions,” Barry said.
Article by Kim Fulton-Bennett
Original journal article:
Gallo, N. D., Levin, L. A., Beckwith, M., Barry, J. P. (2018). Home sweet suboxic home: remarkable hypoxia tolerance in two demersal fish species in the Gulf of California. Ecology, https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.2539 (27 November 2018)
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Flathead Perch Captive Bred in Western Australia
The flathead perch has been an elusive species to find, both for divers on the natural reef and for fish keepers in the saltwater aquarium hobby. The unique and interesting appearance of Rainfordia opercularis, has made it a target of both rare fish collectors and fish breeders, with only the second successful aquaculture of this species being recently announced by Batavia Coast Maritime Institute in Western Australia.
This recent success with such a special fish is only the second time that Rainfordia have been successfully captive bred, the first being by Todd Gardner who has recently turned his attention to Gramma dejongi. Although the flathead perch was recently sighted in Indonesia, Rainfordia are best known from the western regions of Australia so it’s fitting that the commercial effort to produce this species should take place in Western Australia as well.
As the name implies, the flathead perch has a compressed body which is a special adaptation for it to really feel at home between rocks of the reef, living inside the matrix of caves and holes within it. Interestingly, the larvae of Rainfordia opercularis display a highly elongated dorsal filament which is very remarkable, but creates a challenge when trying to culture many specimens in the same aquarium space for growing out.
The rarity of the flathead perch and its unique larval stages presents a very unique aquaculture exercise for budding fish farmers at the Batavia Coast Marine Institute which also has some experience breeding theiconic Royal Gramma, Gramma loreto. It’s very cool to see another breeding program successfully raise a fish which is of very limited, and expensive, availability in the aquarium hobby, especially since this is a fish found in their local waters. Now if we could convince someone at the BCMI to work on the so-rare-it’s-unknown occidental mandarin dragonet, that would be a world’s first!
https://www.facebook.com/reefbuilders/videos/569598896907617/?t=0 for video
==========================
Ornate Goby (Istigobius ornatus): A Breeding First with DIY Instructions18 Jul, 2019
An adult Ornate Goby, Istigobius ornatus, broodstock used to spawn and rear the species for the first time in captivity. Image courtesy Pei-Sheng Chiu.
Earlier this year, an in-depth study on the breeding and rearing of the Ornate Goby (Istigobius ornatus) was published in the journal Aquaculture Research by Taiwanese authors Pei‐Sheng Chiu, Ming‐Yih Leu, and Pei‐Jie Meng. Having studied the effects of temperature, salinity, and prey densities on the survival rates of this species, the authors believe that their finding “could guide future programs in captive-breeding technology development and commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies.” In short, the open-access article is a worthy read, particularly if you’re interested in breeding saltwater gobies for fun and/or profit!
Admittedly, the appearance of the Ornate Goby doesn’t always live up to its common name moniker. Often cryptically dressed in white-to-beige with black spots, only some specimens appear to show blue dots on their flanks, and few individuals show yellow in the first dorsal fin. Given what’s known of the sexual dimorphism in the Istigobius genus, these more colorful individuals are probably mature males; the researchers noted that their broodstock males had “a more colourful trunk, larger size, and pointed genital papilla,” and Fishbase records suggest that males have darker ventral and anal fins as well.
The Ornate Goby is considered common in the shallows (0-5 m [0-16 ft]) of the Indo-Pacific, and is tolerant of brackish water environments. Mainly owing to its appearance, it’s not common in the marine aquarium trade; according to AquariumTradeData.org, for the years with data available, reported imports ranged from 51 to 222 annually. Most Ornate Gobies arriving in the U.S. over those years were exported from Sri Lanka, and to a lesser extent, occasional specimens entered the trade from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kenya.
Still, this goby has potential. The authors note, “In addition to being marine ornamental fish, I. ornatus have great potential to fulfill the roles of sand‐cleaners and benthivorous fish in home aquaria—a species that can keep the sand spotless and white and clear off the residues from fish diets.”
Perhaps a rebranding as the “Ornate Sand-cleaning Goby” would be beneficial if aquacultured specimens are ever made available. Captive breeding might also gradually select for more vibrantly colored strains.
Aquaculture of Istigobius ornatus
While the paper is extremely detailed the main point is that the scientists found success utilizing Tetraselmis chui microalgae alongside the smaller-strain S-Type rotifer Brachionus ibericus for initial feedings, followed up with copepodites harpacticoid copepod Microsetella sp., along with brine shrimp nauplii and commercial diets. The authors note that the more commonly seen Brachionus rotundiformis rotifer would likely not be a viable first feeding option for I. ornatus, as their mouths are too small to consume them.
Larval and juvenile development of Istigobius ornatus at: (a) Newly hatched larvae (2.12 ± 0.04 mm TL) with 25–26 somites; (b) 1 day post hatch (dph) preflexion larvae (2.47 ± 0.05 mm TL) with yolk completely absorbed; (c) 5 dph preflexion larvae (2.82 ± 0.005 mm TL) with melanophores on the caudal region; (d) 12 dph flexion larvae (3.53 ± 0.005 mm TL) with an upward turn of the notochord tip; (e) 16 dph post flexion larvae (4.47 ± 0.15 mm TL) with the hypural bone pointed upward; (f) 26 dph post flexion larvae (7.46 ± 0.01 mm TL) with the first dorsal and pelvic‐fins; (g) 30 dph juveniles (7.79 ± 0.006 mm TL) with overall adult number of fin spines and soft rays; (h) 40 dph juveniles (10.16 ± 0.09 mm TL) with full juvenile colouration; (i) 50 dph juveniles (18.27 ± 0.03 mm TL) with silvering in appearance; (j) 70 dph juveniles (4.47 ± 0.47 mm TL) with yellow and red blotches on the first dorsal fin; (k) 100 dph juveniles (4.16 ± 0.31 mm TL) with red blotches on the head and snout. The scale bars of (a)–(h) = 1.0 mm and scale bars of (i)–(k) = 10.0 mm
With thousands of eggs per clutch, there were great opportunities for experimentation. Eggs hatched 84 hours after fertilization. Within a day of hatching, the larvae were able to feed on S-type rotifers. By 12 days post-hatch, the larvae were undergoing flexion, and by 26 days post-hatch they started to settle. They continued to settle as transparent juveniles until day 40. By 50 days they had turned silver, and coloration continued to develop as they fish grew. By 100 days post-hatch, the juveniles started to exhibit territorial behavior and were approaching 4 cm (1.5 inches) in length. It’s worth noting that the maximum length given for Istigobius ornatus by Fishbase is 11 cm (4.5 inches).
More precise breeding and rearing information can be obtained by reading the open-access paper.
Not the first Istigobious bred?
Also of note: the authors wrote that two other species of Istigobius were successfully captive-bred decades prior; specifically, Istigobius hoshinonis and I. campbelli, as documented by Shiobara and Suzuki in the early 1980s. With this revelation, three new Istigobious species will be added to the running tally of CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred marine aquarium fish species list this year!
References:
Chiu, P‐S, Leu, M‐Y, Meng, P‐J. Year‐round natural spawning, early development, and the effects of temperature, salinity and prey density on captive ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Rüppell, 1830) larval survival. Aquac Res. 2019; 50: 173– 187. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13880
Shiobara, Y., & Suzuki, K. (1983). Life history of two Gobioids, Istigobius hoshinonis (Tanaka) and I. campbelli (Jordan et Snyder), under natural and rearing conditions. Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, 16, 193–205.
18 Jul, 2019
An adult Ornate Goby, Istigobius ornatus, broodstock used to spawn and rear the species for the first time in captivity. Image courtesy Pei-Sheng Chiu.
Earlier this year, an in-depth study on the breeding and rearing of the Ornate Goby (Istigobius ornatus) was published in the journal Aquaculture Research by Taiwanese authors Pei‐Sheng Chiu, Ming‐Yih Leu, and Pei‐Jie Meng. Having studied the effects of temperature, salinity, and prey densities on the survival rates of this species, the authors believe that their finding “could guide future programs in captive-breeding technology development and commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies.” In short, the open-access article is a worthy read, particularly if you’re interested in breeding saltwater gobies for fun and/or profit!
Admittedly, the appearance of the Ornate Goby doesn’t always live up to its common name moniker. Often cryptically dressed in white-to-beige with black spots, only some specimens appear to show blue dots on their flanks, and few individuals show yellow in the first dorsal fin. Given what’s known of the sexual dimorphism in the Istigobius genus, these more colorful individuals are probably mature males; the researchers noted that their broodstock males had “a more colourful trunk, larger size, and pointed genital papilla,” and Fishbase records suggest that males have darker ventral and anal fins as well.
The Ornate Goby is considered common in the shallows (0-5 m [0-16 ft]) of the Indo-Pacific, and is tolerant of brackish water environments. Mainly owing to its appearance, it’s not common in the marine aquarium trade; according to AquariumTradeData.org, for the years with data available, reported imports ranged from 51 to 222 annually. Most Ornate Gobies arriving in the U.S. over those years were exported from Sri Lanka, and to a lesser extent, occasional specimens entered the trade from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kenya.
Still, this goby has potential. The authors note, “In addition to being marine ornamental fish, I. ornatus have great potential to fulfill the roles of sand‐cleaners and benthivorous fish in home aquaria—a species that can keep the sand spotless and white and clear off the residues from fish diets.”
Perhaps a rebranding as the “Ornate Sand-cleaning Goby” would be beneficial if aquacultured specimens are ever made available. Captive breeding might also gradually select for more vibrantly colored strains.
Aquaculture of Istigobius ornatus
While the paper is extremely detailed the main point is that the scientists found success utilizing Tetraselmis chui microalgae alongside the smaller-strain S-Type rotifer Brachionus ibericus for initial feedings, followed up with copepodites harpacticoid copepod Microsetella sp., along with brine shrimp nauplii and commercial diets. The authors note that the more commonly seen Brachionus rotundiformis rotifer would likely not be a viable first feeding option for I. ornatus, as their mouths are too small to consume them.
Larval and juvenile development of Istigobius ornatus at: (a) Newly hatched larvae (2.12 ± 0.04 mm TL) with 25–26 somites; (b) 1 day post hatch (dph) preflexion larvae (2.47 ± 0.05 mm TL) with yolk completely absorbed; (c) 5 dph preflexion larvae (2.82 ± 0.005 mm TL) with melanophores on the caudal region; (d) 12 dph flexion larvae (3.53 ± 0.005 mm TL) with an upward turn of the notochord tip; (e) 16 dph post flexion larvae (4.47 ± 0.15 mm TL) with the hypural bone pointed upward; (f) 26 dph post flexion larvae (7.46 ± 0.01 mm TL) with the first dorsal and pelvic‐fins; (g) 30 dph juveniles (7.79 ± 0.006 mm TL) with overall adult number of fin spines and soft rays; (h) 40 dph juveniles (10.16 ± 0.09 mm TL) with full juvenile colouration; (i) 50 dph juveniles (18.27 ± 0.03 mm TL) with silvering in appearance; (j) 70 dph juveniles (4.47 ± 0.47 mm TL) with yellow and red blotches on the first dorsal fin; (k) 100 dph juveniles (4.16 ± 0.31 mm TL) with red blotches on the head and snout. The scale bars of (a)–(h) = 1.0 mm and scale bars of (i)–(k) = 10.0 mm
With thousands of eggs per clutch, there were great opportunities for experimentation. Eggs hatched 84 hours after fertilization. Within a day of hatching, the larvae were able to feed on S-type rotifers. By 12 days post-hatch, the larvae were undergoing flexion, and by 26 days post-hatch they started to settle. They continued to settle as transparent juveniles until day 40. By 50 days they had turned silver, and coloration continued to develop as they fish grew. By 100 days post-hatch, the juveniles started to exhibit territorial behavior and were approaching 4 cm (1.5 inches) in length. It’s worth noting that the maximum length given for Istigobius ornatus by Fishbase is 11 cm (4.5 inches).
More precise breeding and rearing information can be obtained by reading the open-access paper.
Not the first Istigobious bred?
Also of note: the authors wrote that two other species of Istigobius were successfully captive-bred decades prior; specifically, Istigobius hoshinonis and I. campbelli, as documented by Shiobara and Suzuki in the early 1980s. With this revelation, three new Istigobious species will be added to the running tally of CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred marine aquarium fish species list this year!
References:
Chiu, P‐S, Leu, M‐Y, Meng, P‐J. Year‐round natural spawning, early development, and the effects of temperature, salinity and prey density on captive ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Rüppell, 1830) larval survival. Aquac Res. 2019; 50: 173– 187. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13880
Shiobara, Y., & Suzuki, K. (1983). Life history of two Gobioids, Istigobius hoshinonis (Tanaka) and I. campbelli (Jordan et Snyder), under natural and rearing conditions. Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, 16, 193–205.
From Reef to Rain forest media
==========================
An adult Ornate Goby, Istigobius ornatus, broodstock used to spawn and rear the species for the first time in captivity. Image courtesy Pei-Sheng Chiu.
Earlier this year, an in-depth study on the breeding and rearing of the Ornate Goby (Istigobius ornatus) was published in the journal Aquaculture Research by Taiwanese authors Pei‐Sheng Chiu, Ming‐Yih Leu, and Pei‐Jie Meng. Having studied the effects of temperature, salinity, and prey densities on the survival rates of this species, the authors believe that their finding “could guide future programs in captive-breeding technology development and commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies.” In short, the open-access article is a worthy read, particularly if you’re interested in breeding saltwater gobies for fun and/or profit!
Admittedly, the appearance of the Ornate Goby doesn’t always live up to its common name moniker. Often cryptically dressed in white-to-beige with black spots, only some specimens appear to show blue dots on their flanks, and few individuals show yellow in the first dorsal fin. Given what’s known of the sexual dimorphism in the Istigobius genus, these more colorful individuals are probably mature males; the researchers noted that their broodstock males had “a more colourful trunk, larger size, and pointed genital papilla,” and Fishbase records suggest that males have darker ventral and anal fins as well.
The Ornate Goby is considered common in the shallows (0-5 m [0-16 ft]) of the Indo-Pacific, and is tolerant of brackish water environments. Mainly owing to its appearance, it’s not common in the marine aquarium trade; according to AquariumTradeData.org, for the years with data available, reported imports ranged from 51 to 222 annually. Most Ornate Gobies arriving in the U.S. over those years were exported from Sri Lanka, and to a lesser extent, occasional specimens entered the trade from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kenya.
Still, this goby has potential. The authors note, “In addition to being marine ornamental fish, I. ornatus have great potential to fulfill the roles of sand‐cleaners and benthivorous fish in home aquaria—a species that can keep the sand spotless and white and clear off the residues from fish diets.”
Perhaps a rebranding as the “Ornate Sand-cleaning Goby” would be beneficial if aquacultured specimens are ever made available. Captive breeding might also gradually select for more vibrantly colored strains.
Aquaculture of Istigobius ornatus
While the paper is extremely detailed the main point is that the scientists found success utilizing Tetraselmis chui microalgae alongside the smaller-strain S-Type rotifer Brachionus ibericus for initial feedings, followed up with copepodites harpacticoid copepod Microsetella sp., along with brine shrimp nauplii and commercial diets. The authors note that the more commonly seen Brachionus rotundiformis rotifer would likely not be a viable first feeding option for I. ornatus, as their mouths are too small to consume them.
Larval and juvenile development of Istigobius ornatus at: (a) Newly hatched larvae (2.12 ± 0.04 mm TL) with 25–26 somites; (b) 1 day post hatch (dph) preflexion larvae (2.47 ± 0.05 mm TL) with yolk completely absorbed; (c) 5 dph preflexion larvae (2.82 ± 0.005 mm TL) with melanophores on the caudal region; (d) 12 dph flexion larvae (3.53 ± 0.005 mm TL) with an upward turn of the notochord tip; (e) 16 dph post flexion larvae (4.47 ± 0.15 mm TL) with the hypural bone pointed upward; (f) 26 dph post flexion larvae (7.46 ± 0.01 mm TL) with the first dorsal and pelvic‐fins; (g) 30 dph juveniles (7.79 ± 0.006 mm TL) with overall adult number of fin spines and soft rays; (h) 40 dph juveniles (10.16 ± 0.09 mm TL) with full juvenile colouration; (i) 50 dph juveniles (18.27 ± 0.03 mm TL) with silvering in appearance; (j) 70 dph juveniles (4.47 ± 0.47 mm TL) with yellow and red blotches on the first dorsal fin; (k) 100 dph juveniles (4.16 ± 0.31 mm TL) with red blotches on the head and snout. The scale bars of (a)–(h) = 1.0 mm and scale bars of (i)–(k) = 10.0 mm
With thousands of eggs per clutch, there were great opportunities for experimentation. Eggs hatched 84 hours after fertilization. Within a day of hatching, the larvae were able to feed on S-type rotifers. By 12 days post-hatch, the larvae were undergoing flexion, and by 26 days post-hatch they started to settle. They continued to settle as transparent juveniles until day 40. By 50 days they had turned silver, and coloration continued to develop as they fish grew. By 100 days post-hatch, the juveniles started to exhibit territorial behavior and were approaching 4 cm (1.5 inches) in length. It’s worth noting that the maximum length given for Istigobius ornatus by Fishbase is 11 cm (4.5 inches).
More precise breeding and rearing information can be obtained by reading the open-access paper.
Not the first Istigobious bred?
Also of note: the authors wrote that two other species of Istigobius were successfully captive-bred decades prior; specifically, Istigobius hoshinonis and I. campbelli, as documented by Shiobara and Suzuki in the early 1980s. With this revelation, three new Istigobious species will be added to the running tally of CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred marine aquarium fish species list this year!
References:
Chiu, P‐S, Leu, M‐Y, Meng, P‐J. Year‐round natural spawning, early development, and the effects of temperature, salinity and prey density on captive ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Rüppell, 1830) larval survival. Aquac Res. 2019; 50: 173– 187. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13880
Shiobara, Y., & Suzuki, K. (1983). Life history of two Gobioids, Istigobius hoshinonis (Tanaka) and I. campbelli (Jordan et Snyder), under natural and rearing conditions. Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, 16, 193–205.
18 Jul, 2019
An adult Ornate Goby, Istigobius ornatus, broodstock used to spawn and rear the species for the first time in captivity. Image courtesy Pei-Sheng Chiu.
Earlier this year, an in-depth study on the breeding and rearing of the Ornate Goby (Istigobius ornatus) was published in the journal Aquaculture Research by Taiwanese authors Pei‐Sheng Chiu, Ming‐Yih Leu, and Pei‐Jie Meng. Having studied the effects of temperature, salinity, and prey densities on the survival rates of this species, the authors believe that their finding “could guide future programs in captive-breeding technology development and commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies.” In short, the open-access article is a worthy read, particularly if you’re interested in breeding saltwater gobies for fun and/or profit!
Admittedly, the appearance of the Ornate Goby doesn’t always live up to its common name moniker. Often cryptically dressed in white-to-beige with black spots, only some specimens appear to show blue dots on their flanks, and few individuals show yellow in the first dorsal fin. Given what’s known of the sexual dimorphism in the Istigobius genus, these more colorful individuals are probably mature males; the researchers noted that their broodstock males had “a more colourful trunk, larger size, and pointed genital papilla,” and Fishbase records suggest that males have darker ventral and anal fins as well.
The Ornate Goby is considered common in the shallows (0-5 m [0-16 ft]) of the Indo-Pacific, and is tolerant of brackish water environments. Mainly owing to its appearance, it’s not common in the marine aquarium trade; according to AquariumTradeData.org, for the years with data available, reported imports ranged from 51 to 222 annually. Most Ornate Gobies arriving in the U.S. over those years were exported from Sri Lanka, and to a lesser extent, occasional specimens entered the trade from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kenya.
Still, this goby has potential. The authors note, “In addition to being marine ornamental fish, I. ornatus have great potential to fulfill the roles of sand‐cleaners and benthivorous fish in home aquaria—a species that can keep the sand spotless and white and clear off the residues from fish diets.”
Perhaps a rebranding as the “Ornate Sand-cleaning Goby” would be beneficial if aquacultured specimens are ever made available. Captive breeding might also gradually select for more vibrantly colored strains.
Aquaculture of Istigobius ornatus
While the paper is extremely detailed the main point is that the scientists found success utilizing Tetraselmis chui microalgae alongside the smaller-strain S-Type rotifer Brachionus ibericus for initial feedings, followed up with copepodites harpacticoid copepod Microsetella sp., along with brine shrimp nauplii and commercial diets. The authors note that the more commonly seen Brachionus rotundiformis rotifer would likely not be a viable first feeding option for I. ornatus, as their mouths are too small to consume them.
Larval and juvenile development of Istigobius ornatus at: (a) Newly hatched larvae (2.12 ± 0.04 mm TL) with 25–26 somites; (b) 1 day post hatch (dph) preflexion larvae (2.47 ± 0.05 mm TL) with yolk completely absorbed; (c) 5 dph preflexion larvae (2.82 ± 0.005 mm TL) with melanophores on the caudal region; (d) 12 dph flexion larvae (3.53 ± 0.005 mm TL) with an upward turn of the notochord tip; (e) 16 dph post flexion larvae (4.47 ± 0.15 mm TL) with the hypural bone pointed upward; (f) 26 dph post flexion larvae (7.46 ± 0.01 mm TL) with the first dorsal and pelvic‐fins; (g) 30 dph juveniles (7.79 ± 0.006 mm TL) with overall adult number of fin spines and soft rays; (h) 40 dph juveniles (10.16 ± 0.09 mm TL) with full juvenile colouration; (i) 50 dph juveniles (18.27 ± 0.03 mm TL) with silvering in appearance; (j) 70 dph juveniles (4.47 ± 0.47 mm TL) with yellow and red blotches on the first dorsal fin; (k) 100 dph juveniles (4.16 ± 0.31 mm TL) with red blotches on the head and snout. The scale bars of (a)–(h) = 1.0 mm and scale bars of (i)–(k) = 10.0 mm
With thousands of eggs per clutch, there were great opportunities for experimentation. Eggs hatched 84 hours after fertilization. Within a day of hatching, the larvae were able to feed on S-type rotifers. By 12 days post-hatch, the larvae were undergoing flexion, and by 26 days post-hatch they started to settle. They continued to settle as transparent juveniles until day 40. By 50 days they had turned silver, and coloration continued to develop as they fish grew. By 100 days post-hatch, the juveniles started to exhibit territorial behavior and were approaching 4 cm (1.5 inches) in length. It’s worth noting that the maximum length given for Istigobius ornatus by Fishbase is 11 cm (4.5 inches).
More precise breeding and rearing information can be obtained by reading the open-access paper.
Not the first Istigobious bred?
Also of note: the authors wrote that two other species of Istigobius were successfully captive-bred decades prior; specifically, Istigobius hoshinonis and I. campbelli, as documented by Shiobara and Suzuki in the early 1980s. With this revelation, three new Istigobious species will be added to the running tally of CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred marine aquarium fish species list this year!
References:
Chiu, P‐S, Leu, M‐Y, Meng, P‐J. Year‐round natural spawning, early development, and the effects of temperature, salinity and prey density on captive ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Rüppell, 1830) larval survival. Aquac Res. 2019; 50: 173– 187. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13880
Shiobara, Y., & Suzuki, K. (1983). Life history of two Gobioids, Istigobius hoshinonis (Tanaka) and I. campbelli (Jordan et Snyder), under natural and rearing conditions. Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, 16, 193–205.
From Reef to Rain forest media
==========================
New Captive-Bred Rabbitfish from ORA26 Jul, 2019
ORA Two-Barred Rabbitfish, Siganus virgatus, is the newest captive-bred species from the Ft. Pierce, Florida, aquaculture farms.
via Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums
Everyone here at ORA is thrilled to announce the release of the first ever, captive bred Two-Barred Rabbitfish (Siganus virgatus)!
This fantastic species is an amazing algae-eating machine for both reef tanks and fish only systems alike. Our fish will eat all types of common fish food pellets, as well as sheets of dried Nori or fresh macroalgae like Ulva.
Bring your aquarium one step closer to 100% aquacultured with the new ORA Two-Barred Rabbitfish, shipping everywhere Monday!
Visit www.orafarm.com to learn more about this captive bred species and more.
Siganus virgatus: Species Profile
Maximum Length: 11 inches (28 cm)
Minimum Aquarium Size: 120-gallons (450-L)
The Two-Barred Rabbitfish, also known as the Barhead Spinefoot or Doublebar Rabbitfish, is a herbivorous fish with a wide distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific. They have pearlescent white on their sides, with bright yellow extending along their dorsal edges and caudal fin. Attractive blue striations line across the top of their bodies, becoming more concentrated toward the head. Their two distinct and namesake black bars come down through the eyes and also extend upwards to the dorsal fin from behind the gills. The fish can rapidly turn off its normal coloration and replace it with a camouflage like blotching, depending on mood or when sleeping. So don’t be alarmed if your beautiful fish suddenly becomes drab in an instant.
Two-Barred Rabbitfish exhibit similar grazing behavior, size and disposition to their cousins the tangs. These fish are amazing at consuming nuisance algae in the home aquarium. They will also readily accept diets formulated for herbivorous fish as well as macroalgae like Ulva and sheets of dried Nori.
All Rabbitfishes possess venomous dorsal, anal and pelvic fin spines which they use for defense. Use care when handling this fish to avoid being pricked by their spines.
Source
ORA Farm
==========================
ORA Two-Barred Rabbitfish, Siganus virgatus, is the newest captive-bred species from the Ft. Pierce, Florida, aquaculture farms.
via Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums
Everyone here at ORA is thrilled to announce the release of the first ever, captive bred Two-Barred Rabbitfish (Siganus virgatus)!
This fantastic species is an amazing algae-eating machine for both reef tanks and fish only systems alike. Our fish will eat all types of common fish food pellets, as well as sheets of dried Nori or fresh macroalgae like Ulva.
Bring your aquarium one step closer to 100% aquacultured with the new ORA Two-Barred Rabbitfish, shipping everywhere Monday!
Visit www.orafarm.com to learn more about this captive bred species and more.
Siganus virgatus: Species Profile
Maximum Length: 11 inches (28 cm)
Minimum Aquarium Size: 120-gallons (450-L)
The Two-Barred Rabbitfish, also known as the Barhead Spinefoot or Doublebar Rabbitfish, is a herbivorous fish with a wide distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific. They have pearlescent white on their sides, with bright yellow extending along their dorsal edges and caudal fin. Attractive blue striations line across the top of their bodies, becoming more concentrated toward the head. Their two distinct and namesake black bars come down through the eyes and also extend upwards to the dorsal fin from behind the gills. The fish can rapidly turn off its normal coloration and replace it with a camouflage like blotching, depending on mood or when sleeping. So don’t be alarmed if your beautiful fish suddenly becomes drab in an instant.
Two-Barred Rabbitfish exhibit similar grazing behavior, size and disposition to their cousins the tangs. These fish are amazing at consuming nuisance algae in the home aquarium. They will also readily accept diets formulated for herbivorous fish as well as macroalgae like Ulva and sheets of dried Nori.
All Rabbitfishes possess venomous dorsal, anal and pelvic fin spines which they use for defense. Use care when handling this fish to avoid being pricked by their spines.
Source
ORA Farm
==========================
Description of a new mud-dwelling goby (Gobiidae: Acentrogobius) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
Abstract
A new species belonging to the gobiid genus Acentrogobius is described from mud-bottom habitat in the vicinity of Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Acentrogobius quinquemaculatus is described on the basis of 41 specimens, 13.1-33.4 mm SL. Diagnostic features include a usual combination of 9 soft dorsal and anal rays, 16-18 pectoral rays, 27-29 longitudinal scales, 8 transverse scales, 11-13 predorsal scales, and 2-3 rows of cycloid scales on the upper opercle. The new taxon is similar to A. caninus, which differs in having a slightly lower longitudinal scale count (25-26) and more predorsal scales (17-20). The two species also exhibit similar colour patterns, including a mid-lateral row of large dark marks on the middle of the side, but, A. caninus differs in having a large green spot immediately above and behind the upper rear corner of the opercle. Additionally, A. caninus reaches a much larger size, to at least 100 mm SL compared to about 33 mm SL for A. quinquemaculatus.
PDF (531 KB)
from Aqua press
==========================
Abstract
A new species belonging to the gobiid genus Acentrogobius is described from mud-bottom habitat in the vicinity of Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Acentrogobius quinquemaculatus is described on the basis of 41 specimens, 13.1-33.4 mm SL. Diagnostic features include a usual combination of 9 soft dorsal and anal rays, 16-18 pectoral rays, 27-29 longitudinal scales, 8 transverse scales, 11-13 predorsal scales, and 2-3 rows of cycloid scales on the upper opercle. The new taxon is similar to A. caninus, which differs in having a slightly lower longitudinal scale count (25-26) and more predorsal scales (17-20). The two species also exhibit similar colour patterns, including a mid-lateral row of large dark marks on the middle of the side, but, A. caninus differs in having a large green spot immediately above and behind the upper rear corner of the opercle. Additionally, A. caninus reaches a much larger size, to at least 100 mm SL compared to about 33 mm SL for A. quinquemaculatus.
PDF (531 KB)
from Aqua press
==========================
Laimosemion gili (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Cynolebiidae), a new miniature species from the Rio Negro basin, Brazil.
Abstract
Laimosemion gili is described from the Rio Preto drainage, Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil. The new species was found in a small creek called Garukana, within a tropical rainforest in the vicinity of Campinas do Rio Preto. This miniature species is considered to be a member of the subgenus Owiyeye, which is diagnosed by a unique frontal squamation. Laimosemion gilican be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique colour pattern, having a metallic blue stripe starting midbody which reaches the origin of the caudal fin. The new species is apparently related to L. romeri, sharing with this latter species a broad black stripe on flanks in males, but is easily distinguished by some other morphological characters.
from Aqu Press
==========================
Abstract
Laimosemion gili is described from the Rio Preto drainage, Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil. The new species was found in a small creek called Garukana, within a tropical rainforest in the vicinity of Campinas do Rio Preto. This miniature species is considered to be a member of the subgenus Owiyeye, which is diagnosed by a unique frontal squamation. Laimosemion gilican be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique colour pattern, having a metallic blue stripe starting midbody which reaches the origin of the caudal fin. The new species is apparently related to L. romeri, sharing with this latter species a broad black stripe on flanks in males, but is easily distinguished by some other morphological characters.
from Aqu Press
==========================
Aenigmachanna mahabali • A New Species of Troglophilic Snakehead (Pisces: Channidae) from Kerala, India
Aenigmachanna mahabali
Kumar, Basheer & Ravi, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.3.6
facebook.com/MonsterFishKeepers
Abstract
Aenigmachanna mahabali, a new species of troglophilic snakehead is described on the basis of a single specimen recovered from a well in Kerala, India, over 200km south of the type locality for the only known species in the genus. The new species can be distinguished from its congener in possessing fewer dorsal fin rays (53 vs 56-57), fewer total vertebrae (61 vs 64), fewer scales in lateral series (76 vs 83-85) and in the pectoral-fin rays being extended beyond the margin of the membrane into filaments.
Keywords: Pisces, Subterranean fish, troglomorph, anabantiform
Rahul G. Kumar, V.S. Basheer and Charan Ravi. 2019. Aenigmachanna mahabali, A New Species of Troglophilic Snakehead (Pisces: Channidae) from Kerala, India. Zootaxa. 4638(3); 410–418. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.3.6
facebook.com/MonsterFishKeepers/photos/10156681138618212
==========================
Aenigmachanna mahabali
Kumar, Basheer & Ravi, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.3.6
facebook.com/MonsterFishKeepers
Abstract
Aenigmachanna mahabali, a new species of troglophilic snakehead is described on the basis of a single specimen recovered from a well in Kerala, India, over 200km south of the type locality for the only known species in the genus. The new species can be distinguished from its congener in possessing fewer dorsal fin rays (53 vs 56-57), fewer total vertebrae (61 vs 64), fewer scales in lateral series (76 vs 83-85) and in the pectoral-fin rays being extended beyond the margin of the membrane into filaments.
Keywords: Pisces, Subterranean fish, troglomorph, anabantiform
Rahul G. Kumar, V.S. Basheer and Charan Ravi. 2019. Aenigmachanna mahabali, A New Species of Troglophilic Snakehead (Pisces: Channidae) from Kerala, India. Zootaxa. 4638(3); 410–418. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.3.6
facebook.com/MonsterFishKeepers/photos/10156681138618212
==========================
Chrysiptera uswanasi juvenile
Chrysiptera uswanasi adult
Chrysiptera uswanasi, the Newest Species of Damselfish from Papua
JAKE ADAMS
Chrysiptera uswanasi is yet another new species of damselfish from the island of Papua, Indonesia. Uswana’s damselfish is the seventh member of the very similar looking cluster of species in the C. oxycephala complex.
Other recently described damselfish from the Oxycephala group include C. papuensis, C. ellenae & C. maurineae from the East Indies and C. burtjonesi from the Solomon Islands. The differences between these closely related species gets harder and harder to distinguish with these so-called ‘cryptic species’ so genetic analysis is required to differentiate them.
The difference in coloration of Chrysiptera uswanasi and the other damselfish is mostly visible in the juveniles. In Uswana’s dmaselfish the juvenile coloration is a blue green overall with solid color on the face, head and dorsal region while the flanks are colored in numerous small bluish green spots.
But as an adult the freshly minted C. uswanasi is the ‘least yellow’ and ‘least blue’ of the oxycephala species being mostly green overall. It mostly resembles Chrysiptera ellenae also from West Papua, but found in the Raja Ampat region while C. uswanasi is so far only known from the Fakfak Peninsula & nearby Triton Bay.
Chrysiptera uswanasi is described by Allen, Erdmann & Cahyani in the latest issue of the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.
==========================
JAKE ADAMS
Chrysiptera uswanasi is yet another new species of damselfish from the island of Papua, Indonesia. Uswana’s damselfish is the seventh member of the very similar looking cluster of species in the C. oxycephala complex.
Other recently described damselfish from the Oxycephala group include C. papuensis, C. ellenae & C. maurineae from the East Indies and C. burtjonesi from the Solomon Islands. The differences between these closely related species gets harder and harder to distinguish with these so-called ‘cryptic species’ so genetic analysis is required to differentiate them.
The difference in coloration of Chrysiptera uswanasi and the other damselfish is mostly visible in the juveniles. In Uswana’s dmaselfish the juvenile coloration is a blue green overall with solid color on the face, head and dorsal region while the flanks are colored in numerous small bluish green spots.
But as an adult the freshly minted C. uswanasi is the ‘least yellow’ and ‘least blue’ of the oxycephala species being mostly green overall. It mostly resembles Chrysiptera ellenae also from West Papua, but found in the Raja Ampat region while C. uswanasi is so far only known from the Fakfak Peninsula & nearby Triton Bay.
Chrysiptera uswanasi is described by Allen, Erdmann & Cahyani in the latest issue of the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.
==========================
Liopropoma incandescens is a Brilliant New Species of BassletJAKE ADAM
00Liopropoma incandescens is a smoking hot new species of basslet from one of our absolute favorited groups of marine fish, the Liopropoma. Like so many of its congeners this new species of Liopropoma wasnot just swimming around on some shallow reefs waiting for normal divers to discover it.
Holotype of the newly described incandescent basslet, Liopropoma incandescens from Pohnpei Micronesia.In a story that is becoming quite familiar, deep diving specialists Brian Greene, Luiz Rocha & Co dove to bone crushing depths of over 400 feet to collect just one lonely specimen as the holotype for this new species. We’d say the dive was worth it because the gorgeous new incandescent basslet is glistening with beautiful colors.
Liopropoma incandescens has a salmon pink body, yellow accents in the unpaired fins and a degree of lightly defined yellow markings on the face and top of the body. This color scheme together with the small black tail spots edged in blue is highly reminiscent of the Caribbean cave basslet, Liopropoma mowbrayi, its Atlantic twin.
The similar looking cave basslet from the Caribbean Sea, Liopropoma mowbrayiThe single holotype collected has a modest length of just 54 mm or about two inches but another large individual approximately 10cm/4 inches long was also observed in the vicinity, so we can expect to see larger examples of this species. That’s a big IF because the likelihood of deep diving collection of ornamental fish in this part of the world is incredibly unlikely, but in the meantime we look forward to at least seeing what this fish looks like at an adult size. [ZooKeys]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
00Liopropoma incandescens is a smoking hot new species of basslet from one of our absolute favorited groups of marine fish, the Liopropoma. Like so many of its congeners this new species of Liopropoma wasnot just swimming around on some shallow reefs waiting for normal divers to discover it.
Holotype of the newly described incandescent basslet, Liopropoma incandescens from Pohnpei Micronesia.In a story that is becoming quite familiar, deep diving specialists Brian Greene, Luiz Rocha & Co dove to bone crushing depths of over 400 feet to collect just one lonely specimen as the holotype for this new species. We’d say the dive was worth it because the gorgeous new incandescent basslet is glistening with beautiful colors.
Liopropoma incandescens has a salmon pink body, yellow accents in the unpaired fins and a degree of lightly defined yellow markings on the face and top of the body. This color scheme together with the small black tail spots edged in blue is highly reminiscent of the Caribbean cave basslet, Liopropoma mowbrayi, its Atlantic twin.
The similar looking cave basslet from the Caribbean Sea, Liopropoma mowbrayiThe single holotype collected has a modest length of just 54 mm or about two inches but another large individual approximately 10cm/4 inches long was also observed in the vicinity, so we can expect to see larger examples of this species. That’s a big IF because the likelihood of deep diving collection of ornamental fish in this part of the world is incredibly unlikely, but in the meantime we look forward to at least seeing what this fish looks like at an adult size. [ZooKeys]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
A new genus and two new species of miniature clingfishes from temperate southern Australia (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae)
Kevin W. Conway, Glenn I. Moore, Adam P. SummersAbstractA new genus and two new species of miniature clingfishes are described based on specimens collected from dense stands of macroalgae in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas along the coast of southern Australia. The new genus, Barryichthys, is distinguished from other genera of the Gobiesocidae by unique features of the adhesive disc, including elongate papillae in adhesive disc regions A and B, the reduction and/or loss of several elements of the cephalic lateral line canals, the lower gill arch skeleton, and the neurocranium, and by having two distinct types of pectoral-fin rays. Barryichthys hutchinsi is described based on 19 specimens (12.4–18.7 mm SL) from Western Australia and South Australia. Barryichthys algicola is described based on 22 specimens (9.0–21.0 mm SL) from Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. The new species are distinguished from each other by characters of body and head shape, vertebral counts, and aspects of live colour pattern. The new genus shares several characters in common with Parvicrepis, another genus of miniature gobiesocids from southern Australia that also inhabits macroalgae habitats. The many reductions and novel characters of Barryichthys are discussed within the context of miniaturisation.
KeywordsMacroalgae, miniaturisation, osteology, reduction, taxonomy
IntroductionThe family Gobiesocidae contains 50 genera and more than 170 species of predominately marine fishes found in coastal areas of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans, from the intertidal zone to ~500 meters depth (Briggs 1955; Hastings and Conway 2017). Seven species are known to inhabit freshwater streams in the Neotropics (Briggs and Miller 1960; Conway et al. 2017a). Commonly referred to as clingfishes, members of this family generally exhibit a well-developed ventral adhesive disc (formed by elements of the paired fins and paired-fin girdles; Guitel 1888), with which they can attach to smooth or even heavily structured substrates with great tenacity (Wainwright et al. 2013; Ditsche et al. 2014). Although some clingfishes may reach body lengths over 200 mm in standard length (SL) (e.g., Sicyasessanguineus Müller & Troschel in Müller 1843), the majority are small-bodied and do not exceed 50 mm SL (Briggs 1955; Brandl et al. 2018). Several small-bodied clingfishes are not known to exceed 26 mm SLand are considered miniature species following the criteria of Weitzman and Vari (1988).
A number of temperate species of clingfishes, including several small-bodied or miniature species, are known to exhibit intimate (potentially obligate) associations with macroalgae and/or seagrasses. This includes members of the genus Rimicola Jordan and Evermann in Jordan, 1896 in the western Pacific (Roland 1978; Lamb and Edgell 2010), Acyrtops Schultz, 1951 in the western central Atlantic (Gould 1965), Opeatogenys Briggs, 1955 in the eastern central Atlantic (Hofrichter and Patzner 2000; Gonçalves et al. 2005), EckloniaichthysSmith, 1942 in South Africa (Allen and Griffiths 1981), ParvicrepisWhitley, 1931, Posidonichthys Briggs, 1993, and two species of Cochleoceps (C. spatula (Günther, 1861) and C. viridis Hutchins, 1991) in southern Australia (Briggs 1993; Hutchins 1983, 1991, 1994a, 2008), and Gastrocyathus Briggs, 1955, Gastrocymba Briggs, 1955, Gastroscyphus Briggs, 1955, and Haplocylix Briggs, 1955 in New Zealand (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Stewart 2015). All these taxa share a number of characteristics that may represent adaptations for dwelling on the surface of macroalgae and/or seagrass blades, including narrow, elongate bodies and relatively narrow heads, short dorsal and anal fins, modified pectoral fins in which the lower rays are generally notably shorter than the upper rays (Briggs 1955), and live colour patterns comprised predominately of different shades of green, brown, orange or red. This type of colouration likely facilitates crypsis on the fronds of macroalgae or blades of seagrass to which they adhere (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Hofrichter and Patzner 2000).
Several undescribed species of macroalgae and/or seagrass inhabiting clingfishes have been known from the southern coast of Australia since at least the 1980s (Hutchins 1983, 1991a, b; Last et al. 1983; Kuiter 1993). They are considered to represent at least four different genera, three of which have yet to be formally described (viz. Genus A, B, and C sensu Hutchins 1994a, 2008). Hutchins (1994a, 2008) considered the undescribed Genus B to be monotypic and comprised of a single undescribed species (referred to using the common name “Rat Clingfish”; Hutchins 1991b, 1994a, 2008) with a disjunct distribution in shallow coastal areas along the southern coast of Australia, including Western Australia in the west and Victoria and Tasmania in the east (Hutchins 2008). Members of Genus B are very small (≤21 mm SL) and similar in general appearance to members of Parvicrepis, with which they are sympatric in shallow coastal areas rich in “weed” (Hutchins 1994a, 2008). Examination of unidentified and unsorted material of gobiesocids as well as material identified previously as Parvicrepis, from the southern coast of Australia held within the Western Australian Museum (Perth) and the Australian Museum (Sydney) produced additional specimens of the undescribed Genus B for study. Based on differences in vertebral counts, body and head shape, and colouration in life, we consider this material of Genus B to represent two different species, both of which are undescribed. In the present paper, we provide descriptions for these two new miniature species, and provide a formal description for the undescribed Genus B, which we name Barryichthys gen. nov.
More information at zookeys.pensoft.net/article/34521
==========================
Kevin W. Conway, Glenn I. Moore, Adam P. SummersAbstractA new genus and two new species of miniature clingfishes are described based on specimens collected from dense stands of macroalgae in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas along the coast of southern Australia. The new genus, Barryichthys, is distinguished from other genera of the Gobiesocidae by unique features of the adhesive disc, including elongate papillae in adhesive disc regions A and B, the reduction and/or loss of several elements of the cephalic lateral line canals, the lower gill arch skeleton, and the neurocranium, and by having two distinct types of pectoral-fin rays. Barryichthys hutchinsi is described based on 19 specimens (12.4–18.7 mm SL) from Western Australia and South Australia. Barryichthys algicola is described based on 22 specimens (9.0–21.0 mm SL) from Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. The new species are distinguished from each other by characters of body and head shape, vertebral counts, and aspects of live colour pattern. The new genus shares several characters in common with Parvicrepis, another genus of miniature gobiesocids from southern Australia that also inhabits macroalgae habitats. The many reductions and novel characters of Barryichthys are discussed within the context of miniaturisation.
KeywordsMacroalgae, miniaturisation, osteology, reduction, taxonomy
IntroductionThe family Gobiesocidae contains 50 genera and more than 170 species of predominately marine fishes found in coastal areas of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans, from the intertidal zone to ~500 meters depth (Briggs 1955; Hastings and Conway 2017). Seven species are known to inhabit freshwater streams in the Neotropics (Briggs and Miller 1960; Conway et al. 2017a). Commonly referred to as clingfishes, members of this family generally exhibit a well-developed ventral adhesive disc (formed by elements of the paired fins and paired-fin girdles; Guitel 1888), with which they can attach to smooth or even heavily structured substrates with great tenacity (Wainwright et al. 2013; Ditsche et al. 2014). Although some clingfishes may reach body lengths over 200 mm in standard length (SL) (e.g., Sicyasessanguineus Müller & Troschel in Müller 1843), the majority are small-bodied and do not exceed 50 mm SL (Briggs 1955; Brandl et al. 2018). Several small-bodied clingfishes are not known to exceed 26 mm SLand are considered miniature species following the criteria of Weitzman and Vari (1988).
A number of temperate species of clingfishes, including several small-bodied or miniature species, are known to exhibit intimate (potentially obligate) associations with macroalgae and/or seagrasses. This includes members of the genus Rimicola Jordan and Evermann in Jordan, 1896 in the western Pacific (Roland 1978; Lamb and Edgell 2010), Acyrtops Schultz, 1951 in the western central Atlantic (Gould 1965), Opeatogenys Briggs, 1955 in the eastern central Atlantic (Hofrichter and Patzner 2000; Gonçalves et al. 2005), EckloniaichthysSmith, 1942 in South Africa (Allen and Griffiths 1981), ParvicrepisWhitley, 1931, Posidonichthys Briggs, 1993, and two species of Cochleoceps (C. spatula (Günther, 1861) and C. viridis Hutchins, 1991) in southern Australia (Briggs 1993; Hutchins 1983, 1991, 1994a, 2008), and Gastrocyathus Briggs, 1955, Gastrocymba Briggs, 1955, Gastroscyphus Briggs, 1955, and Haplocylix Briggs, 1955 in New Zealand (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Stewart 2015). All these taxa share a number of characteristics that may represent adaptations for dwelling on the surface of macroalgae and/or seagrass blades, including narrow, elongate bodies and relatively narrow heads, short dorsal and anal fins, modified pectoral fins in which the lower rays are generally notably shorter than the upper rays (Briggs 1955), and live colour patterns comprised predominately of different shades of green, brown, orange or red. This type of colouration likely facilitates crypsis on the fronds of macroalgae or blades of seagrass to which they adhere (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Hofrichter and Patzner 2000).
Several undescribed species of macroalgae and/or seagrass inhabiting clingfishes have been known from the southern coast of Australia since at least the 1980s (Hutchins 1983, 1991a, b; Last et al. 1983; Kuiter 1993). They are considered to represent at least four different genera, three of which have yet to be formally described (viz. Genus A, B, and C sensu Hutchins 1994a, 2008). Hutchins (1994a, 2008) considered the undescribed Genus B to be monotypic and comprised of a single undescribed species (referred to using the common name “Rat Clingfish”; Hutchins 1991b, 1994a, 2008) with a disjunct distribution in shallow coastal areas along the southern coast of Australia, including Western Australia in the west and Victoria and Tasmania in the east (Hutchins 2008). Members of Genus B are very small (≤21 mm SL) and similar in general appearance to members of Parvicrepis, with which they are sympatric in shallow coastal areas rich in “weed” (Hutchins 1994a, 2008). Examination of unidentified and unsorted material of gobiesocids as well as material identified previously as Parvicrepis, from the southern coast of Australia held within the Western Australian Museum (Perth) and the Australian Museum (Sydney) produced additional specimens of the undescribed Genus B for study. Based on differences in vertebral counts, body and head shape, and colouration in life, we consider this material of Genus B to represent two different species, both of which are undescribed. In the present paper, we provide descriptions for these two new miniature species, and provide a formal description for the undescribed Genus B, which we name Barryichthys gen. nov.
More information at zookeys.pensoft.net/article/34521
==========================
Jenynsia sulfurica sp.nov. from Argentina
Jenynsia sulfurica, male (photo from authors of publication)
new species:
Jenynsia sulfurica Aguilera, Terán, Mirande, Alonso, Rometsch, Meyer & Torres-Dowdall, 2019
published in:
Aguilera, G., G.E. Terán, J.M. Mirande, F. Alonso, S. Rometsch, A. Meyer & J. Torres-Dowdall (2019):
Molecular and morphological convergence to sulfide-tolerant fishes in a new species of Jenynsia (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae), the first extremophile member of the family.
PlosOne 14 (7): e0218810.19 p.
abstract (from publication):
Freshwater sulfide springs have extreme environmental conditions that only few vertebrate species can tolerate. These species often develop a series of morphological and molecular adaptations to cope with the challenges of life under the toxic and hypoxic conditions of sulfide springs. In this paper, we described a new fish species in the genus Jenynsia, Anablepidae, from a sulfide spring in Northwestern Argentina, the first in the family known from such extreme environment. Jenynsia sulfurica n. sp. is diagnosable by the lack of scales on the pre-pelvic area or the presence of a single row of scales, continuous or not, from the isthmus to the bases of the pelvic fins. Additionally, it presents a series of morphological and molecular characteristics that appear convergent with those seen in other fish species (e.g., Poeciliids) inhabiting sulfide springs. Most notably, J. sulfurica has an enlarged head and postorbital area compared to other fish of the genus and a prognathous lower jaw with a hypertrophied lip, thought to facilitate respiration at the air-water interface. Analyses of cox1 sequence showed that J. sulfurica has two unique mutations resulting in amino acid substitution convergent to those seen in Poeciliids from sulfide springs and known to provide a physiological mechanism related to living in sulfide environments. A phylogenetic analysis, including molecular and morphological characters, placed J. sulfurica as sister taxa to J. alternimaculata, a species found in nearby, non-sulfide habitats directly connected to the sulfide springs. Thus, it can be inferred that the selection imposed by the presence of H2S has resulted in the divergence between these two species and has potentially served as a barrier to gene flow.
==========================
Jenynsia sulfurica, male (photo from authors of publication)
new species:
Jenynsia sulfurica Aguilera, Terán, Mirande, Alonso, Rometsch, Meyer & Torres-Dowdall, 2019
published in:
Aguilera, G., G.E. Terán, J.M. Mirande, F. Alonso, S. Rometsch, A. Meyer & J. Torres-Dowdall (2019):
Molecular and morphological convergence to sulfide-tolerant fishes in a new species of Jenynsia (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae), the first extremophile member of the family.
PlosOne 14 (7): e0218810.19 p.
abstract (from publication):
Freshwater sulfide springs have extreme environmental conditions that only few vertebrate species can tolerate. These species often develop a series of morphological and molecular adaptations to cope with the challenges of life under the toxic and hypoxic conditions of sulfide springs. In this paper, we described a new fish species in the genus Jenynsia, Anablepidae, from a sulfide spring in Northwestern Argentina, the first in the family known from such extreme environment. Jenynsia sulfurica n. sp. is diagnosable by the lack of scales on the pre-pelvic area or the presence of a single row of scales, continuous or not, from the isthmus to the bases of the pelvic fins. Additionally, it presents a series of morphological and molecular characteristics that appear convergent with those seen in other fish species (e.g., Poeciliids) inhabiting sulfide springs. Most notably, J. sulfurica has an enlarged head and postorbital area compared to other fish of the genus and a prognathous lower jaw with a hypertrophied lip, thought to facilitate respiration at the air-water interface. Analyses of cox1 sequence showed that J. sulfurica has two unique mutations resulting in amino acid substitution convergent to those seen in Poeciliids from sulfide springs and known to provide a physiological mechanism related to living in sulfide environments. A phylogenetic analysis, including molecular and morphological characters, placed J. sulfurica as sister taxa to J. alternimaculata, a species found in nearby, non-sulfide habitats directly connected to the sulfide springs. Thus, it can be inferred that the selection imposed by the presence of H2S has resulted in the divergence between these two species and has potentially served as a barrier to gene flow.
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Knodus nuptialis • A New Species of Knodus Eigenmann(Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae) from Rio Xingu Basin, Brazil, with Comments on Nuptial Tubercles and Gill Gland in Characiform Fishes
Knodus nuptialis
Menezes & Marinho, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217915
Abstract
Knodus nuptialis n. sp. is described from the Rio Curuá drainage, Rio Xingu basin, Brazil. It can be diagnosed from its congeners by having dentary teeth decreasing gradually in size posteriorly, outer premaxillary teeth row with five cusps, 12–15 branched anal-fin rays and a single humeral spot. The species presents notable sexual dimorphism consisting of densely concentrated nuptial tubercles on head, body, and fins, gill-gland, and bony hooks in the anal fin of mature males. It was found that these sexually dimorphic features are useful and functional in males of the new species only during the reproductive season and after this period, they become atrophied, and eventually disappear. The list of characiform species presenting breeding tubercles is updated and nine species and two genera of the Characidae, Deuterodon and Bryconacidnus, are for the first time reported to have breeding tubercles.
Knodus nuptialis, new species
Diagnosis: Knodus nuptialis can be distinguished from all congeners, except K. deuteronoides Eigenmann in Eigenmann and K. tiquiensis Ferreira and Lima, by having the dentary teeth arranged in a continuous series, with teeth decreasing gradually in size posteriorly (versus arranged in a discontinuous series with the anterior teeth conspicuously larger, followed by abruptly smaller teeth posteriorly). Knodus nuptialis differs from K. deuteronoides by having 3–5 (rarely 3) premaxillary teeth in the outer row (versus 2–3 (rarely 3)), 4 scale rows below lateral line (versus 3), the origin of the dorsal fin closer to snout tip than to caudal-fin base (versus dorsal-fin origin in the middle of the distance between snout tip and caudal-fin base), the origin of the anal fin posterior to vertical crossing base of last dorsal-fin ray (versus anal-fin origin anterior to vertical crossing base of last dorsal-fin ray in K. deuteronoides; data from [13], and midlateral dark stripe reaching humeral spot (versus not reaching, humeral spot with a pale area behind; data from [14]. The new species can be distinguished from K. tiquiensis by having a single humeral spot (versus two) and the relatively narrow midlateral stripe (versus broad stripe). Knodus nuptialis can be further distinguished from all congeners, except K. deuterodonoides, K. figueiredoiEsguícero and Castro, K. geryi Lima, Britski and Machado, K. meridae Eigenmann, K. orteguasae Fowler, and K. tiquiensis, by having 12–15 branched anal-fin rays (versus 16–26). It can be further distinguished from K. figueiredoi by having inner premaxillary teeth with 5 to 8 cusps (versus 3), from K. meridae and K. orteguasae by having 4 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin (versus 2 ou 3) and from K. deuterodonoides and K. tiquiensis by the features aforementioned. The presence of densely concentrated nuptial tubercles in mature males may also help to diagnose the new species.
Etymology: The species name nuptialis is from the Latin meaning pertaining to marriage, in allusion to the presence of a series of sexual dimorphic traits (hooks, gill glands and nuptial tubercles) during the breeding season of this species.
Distribution: Knodus nuptialis is so far known from the Rio 13 de Maio, tributary of Rio Curuá, upper Rio Xingu basin in the state of Pará, Brazil (Figs 9 and 10).
Naércio A. Menezes and Manoela M. F. Marinho. 2019. A New Species of Knodus Eigenmann (Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae) with Comments on Nuptial Tubercles and Gill Gland in Characiform Fishes. PLoS ONE. 14(7): e0217915.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217915
==========================
Knodus nuptialis
Menezes & Marinho, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217915
Abstract
Knodus nuptialis n. sp. is described from the Rio Curuá drainage, Rio Xingu basin, Brazil. It can be diagnosed from its congeners by having dentary teeth decreasing gradually in size posteriorly, outer premaxillary teeth row with five cusps, 12–15 branched anal-fin rays and a single humeral spot. The species presents notable sexual dimorphism consisting of densely concentrated nuptial tubercles on head, body, and fins, gill-gland, and bony hooks in the anal fin of mature males. It was found that these sexually dimorphic features are useful and functional in males of the new species only during the reproductive season and after this period, they become atrophied, and eventually disappear. The list of characiform species presenting breeding tubercles is updated and nine species and two genera of the Characidae, Deuterodon and Bryconacidnus, are for the first time reported to have breeding tubercles.
Knodus nuptialis, new species
Diagnosis: Knodus nuptialis can be distinguished from all congeners, except K. deuteronoides Eigenmann in Eigenmann and K. tiquiensis Ferreira and Lima, by having the dentary teeth arranged in a continuous series, with teeth decreasing gradually in size posteriorly (versus arranged in a discontinuous series with the anterior teeth conspicuously larger, followed by abruptly smaller teeth posteriorly). Knodus nuptialis differs from K. deuteronoides by having 3–5 (rarely 3) premaxillary teeth in the outer row (versus 2–3 (rarely 3)), 4 scale rows below lateral line (versus 3), the origin of the dorsal fin closer to snout tip than to caudal-fin base (versus dorsal-fin origin in the middle of the distance between snout tip and caudal-fin base), the origin of the anal fin posterior to vertical crossing base of last dorsal-fin ray (versus anal-fin origin anterior to vertical crossing base of last dorsal-fin ray in K. deuteronoides; data from [13], and midlateral dark stripe reaching humeral spot (versus not reaching, humeral spot with a pale area behind; data from [14]. The new species can be distinguished from K. tiquiensis by having a single humeral spot (versus two) and the relatively narrow midlateral stripe (versus broad stripe). Knodus nuptialis can be further distinguished from all congeners, except K. deuterodonoides, K. figueiredoiEsguícero and Castro, K. geryi Lima, Britski and Machado, K. meridae Eigenmann, K. orteguasae Fowler, and K. tiquiensis, by having 12–15 branched anal-fin rays (versus 16–26). It can be further distinguished from K. figueiredoi by having inner premaxillary teeth with 5 to 8 cusps (versus 3), from K. meridae and K. orteguasae by having 4 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin origin (versus 2 ou 3) and from K. deuterodonoides and K. tiquiensis by the features aforementioned. The presence of densely concentrated nuptial tubercles in mature males may also help to diagnose the new species.
Etymology: The species name nuptialis is from the Latin meaning pertaining to marriage, in allusion to the presence of a series of sexual dimorphic traits (hooks, gill glands and nuptial tubercles) during the breeding season of this species.
Distribution: Knodus nuptialis is so far known from the Rio 13 de Maio, tributary of Rio Curuá, upper Rio Xingu basin in the state of Pará, Brazil (Figs 9 and 10).
Naércio A. Menezes and Manoela M. F. Marinho. 2019. A New Species of Knodus Eigenmann (Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae) with Comments on Nuptial Tubercles and Gill Gland in Characiform Fishes. PLoS ONE. 14(7): e0217915.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217915
==========================
Wakanda forever! Scientists describe new species of 'twilight zone' fish from Africa
California Academy of Sciences
Summary:
Deep-diving scientists spotted dazzling fairy wrasses -- previously unknown to science -- in the dimly lit mesophotic coral reefs of eastern Zanzibar. The multicolored wrasses sport deep purple scales so pigmented, they even retain their color (which is typically lost) when preserved for research. The scientists name this 'twilight zone' reef-dweller Cirrhilabrus wakanda (common name 'Vibranium fairy wrasse') in honor of the mythical nation of Wakanda from the Marvel Entertainment comics and movie 'Black Panther.'
Share:
FULL STORY
Africa has new purple-clad warriors more than 200 feet beneath the ocean's surface. Deep-diving scientists from the California Academy of Sciences' Hope for Reefs initiative and the University of Sydney spotted dazzling fairy wrasses -- previously unknown to science -- in the dimly lit mesophotic coral reefs of eastern Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania. The multicolored wrasses sport deep purple scales so pigmented, they even retain their color (which is typically lost) when preserved for research. The scientists name this "twilight zone" reef-dweller Cirrhilabrus wakanda (common name "Vibranium Fairy Wrasse") in honor of the mythical nation of Wakanda from the Marvel Entertainment comics and movie Black Panther. The new fish is described today in ZooKeys.
"When we thought about the secretive and isolated nature of these unexplored African reefs, we knew we had to name this new species after Wakanda," says Yi-Kai Tea, lead author and ichthyology PhD student from the University of Sydney. "We've known about other related fairy wrasses from the Indian Ocean, but always thought there was a missing species along the continent's eastern edge. When I saw this amazing purple fish, I knew instantly we were dealing with the missing piece of the puzzle."
Underwater Wakanda
The Academy scientists say Cirrhilabrus wakanda's remote home in mesophotic coral reefs -- below recreational diving limits -- probably contributed to their long-hidden status in the shadows of the Indian Ocean. Hope for Reefs' scientific divers are highly trained for the dangerous process of researching in these deep, little-known mesophotic reefs, located 200 to 500 feet beneath the ocean's surface. Accessing them requires technical equipment and physically intense training well beyond that of shallow-water diving. The team's special diving gear (known as closed-circuit rebreathers) includes multiple tanks with custom gas blends and electronic monitoring equipment that allow the divers to explore deep reefs for mere minutes before a lengthy, hours-long ascent to the surface.
"Preparation for these deep dives is very intense and our dive gear often weighs more than us," says Dr. Luiz Rocha, Academy Curator of Fishes and co-leader of the Hope for Reefs initiative. "When we reach these reefs and find unknown species as spectacular as this fairy wrasse, it feels like our hard work is paying off."
Using a microscope, the team examined the specimens' scales, fin rays, and body structures. DNA and morphological analyses revealed the new fairy wrasse to be different from the other seven species in the western Indian Ocean as well as other relatives in the Pacific. The new species' common name is inspired by the fictional metal vibranium, a rare, and, according to Rocha, "totally awesome" substance found in the Black Panther nation of Wakanda. The Vibranium Fairy Wrasse's purple chain-link scale pattern reminded the scientists of Black Panther's super-strong suit and the fabric motifs worn by Wakandans in the hit film.
Precious life in deep reefs
In a recent landmark paper, the Academy team found that twilight zone reefs are unique ecosystems bursting with life and are just as vulnerable to human threats as their shallow counterparts. Their findings upended the long-standing assumption that species might avoid human-related stressors on those deeper reefs. The Hope for Reefs team will continue to visit and study twilight zone sites around the world to shed light on these often-overlooked ecosystems.
In addition to this new fish from Zanzibar, Rocha and his colleagues recently published descriptions of mesophotic fish from Rapa Nui [Easter Island] and Micronesia. Luzonichthys kiomeamea is an orange, white, and sunny yellow dwarf anthias endemic to Rapa Nui, and the basslet Liopropoma incandescens(another new species published today in Zookeys) inhabits Pohnpei's deep reefs -- a neon orange and yellow specimen collected from a rocky slope 426 feet beneath the ocean's surface.
"It's a time of global crisis for coral reefs, and exploring little-known habitats and the life they support is now more important than ever," says Rocha. "Because they are out of sight, these deeper reefs are often left out of marine reserves, so we hope our discoveries inspire their protection."
Story Source:
Materials provided by California Academy of Sciences. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
California Academy of Sciences
Summary:
Deep-diving scientists spotted dazzling fairy wrasses -- previously unknown to science -- in the dimly lit mesophotic coral reefs of eastern Zanzibar. The multicolored wrasses sport deep purple scales so pigmented, they even retain their color (which is typically lost) when preserved for research. The scientists name this 'twilight zone' reef-dweller Cirrhilabrus wakanda (common name 'Vibranium fairy wrasse') in honor of the mythical nation of Wakanda from the Marvel Entertainment comics and movie 'Black Panther.'
Share:
FULL STORY
Africa has new purple-clad warriors more than 200 feet beneath the ocean's surface. Deep-diving scientists from the California Academy of Sciences' Hope for Reefs initiative and the University of Sydney spotted dazzling fairy wrasses -- previously unknown to science -- in the dimly lit mesophotic coral reefs of eastern Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania. The multicolored wrasses sport deep purple scales so pigmented, they even retain their color (which is typically lost) when preserved for research. The scientists name this "twilight zone" reef-dweller Cirrhilabrus wakanda (common name "Vibranium Fairy Wrasse") in honor of the mythical nation of Wakanda from the Marvel Entertainment comics and movie Black Panther. The new fish is described today in ZooKeys.
"When we thought about the secretive and isolated nature of these unexplored African reefs, we knew we had to name this new species after Wakanda," says Yi-Kai Tea, lead author and ichthyology PhD student from the University of Sydney. "We've known about other related fairy wrasses from the Indian Ocean, but always thought there was a missing species along the continent's eastern edge. When I saw this amazing purple fish, I knew instantly we were dealing with the missing piece of the puzzle."
Underwater Wakanda
The Academy scientists say Cirrhilabrus wakanda's remote home in mesophotic coral reefs -- below recreational diving limits -- probably contributed to their long-hidden status in the shadows of the Indian Ocean. Hope for Reefs' scientific divers are highly trained for the dangerous process of researching in these deep, little-known mesophotic reefs, located 200 to 500 feet beneath the ocean's surface. Accessing them requires technical equipment and physically intense training well beyond that of shallow-water diving. The team's special diving gear (known as closed-circuit rebreathers) includes multiple tanks with custom gas blends and electronic monitoring equipment that allow the divers to explore deep reefs for mere minutes before a lengthy, hours-long ascent to the surface.
"Preparation for these deep dives is very intense and our dive gear often weighs more than us," says Dr. Luiz Rocha, Academy Curator of Fishes and co-leader of the Hope for Reefs initiative. "When we reach these reefs and find unknown species as spectacular as this fairy wrasse, it feels like our hard work is paying off."
Using a microscope, the team examined the specimens' scales, fin rays, and body structures. DNA and morphological analyses revealed the new fairy wrasse to be different from the other seven species in the western Indian Ocean as well as other relatives in the Pacific. The new species' common name is inspired by the fictional metal vibranium, a rare, and, according to Rocha, "totally awesome" substance found in the Black Panther nation of Wakanda. The Vibranium Fairy Wrasse's purple chain-link scale pattern reminded the scientists of Black Panther's super-strong suit and the fabric motifs worn by Wakandans in the hit film.
Precious life in deep reefs
In a recent landmark paper, the Academy team found that twilight zone reefs are unique ecosystems bursting with life and are just as vulnerable to human threats as their shallow counterparts. Their findings upended the long-standing assumption that species might avoid human-related stressors on those deeper reefs. The Hope for Reefs team will continue to visit and study twilight zone sites around the world to shed light on these often-overlooked ecosystems.
In addition to this new fish from Zanzibar, Rocha and his colleagues recently published descriptions of mesophotic fish from Rapa Nui [Easter Island] and Micronesia. Luzonichthys kiomeamea is an orange, white, and sunny yellow dwarf anthias endemic to Rapa Nui, and the basslet Liopropoma incandescens(another new species published today in Zookeys) inhabits Pohnpei's deep reefs -- a neon orange and yellow specimen collected from a rocky slope 426 feet beneath the ocean's surface.
"It's a time of global crisis for coral reefs, and exploring little-known habitats and the life they support is now more important than ever," says Rocha. "Because they are out of sight, these deeper reefs are often left out of marine reserves, so we hope our discoveries inspire their protection."
Story Source:
Materials provided by California Academy of Sciences. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Yi-Kai Tea, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Bart Shepherd, Luiz A. Rocha. Cirrhilabrus wakanda, a new species of fairy wrasse from mesophotic ecosystems of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa (Teleostei, Labridae). ZooKeys, 2019; 863: 85 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.863.35580
A Redescription of the Bearded Gudgeon, Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869) (Gobioidei: Butidae)
Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869)
in Larson & Hui, 2019.
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67
Abstract
The poorly known butid gudgeon Pogoneleotris heterolepis is redescribed based on 15 specimens obtained from fish markets and local fishers from 1982 to 2018, plus examination of the holotype. It is unique among butids in having a longitudinal papilla pattern and the preopercular canal continuous with the oculoscapular canal and is one of only two gobioids (other than Rhyacichthys and Terateleotris) known to have this latter condition.
Key words: riverine fish, Borneo, aquatic biodiversity, Butidae, Pogoneleotris
TAXONOMY
Pogoneleotris Bleeker, 1875: 107
(type species Eleotris heterolepis Günther, 1869,
by original designation and monotypy).
Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869)
Eleotris heterolepis Günther, 1869: 445 (type locality: Malaysia: Borneo: Sarawak).
Pogoneleotris heterolepis – Bleeker, 1875: 107 (Borneo); Vinciguerra, 1926: 543, pl. 1; Koumans, 1953: 323; Tortonese, 1963: 342; Kottelat & Lim, 1995: 247; Larson in Randall & Lim, 2000: 639; Larson & Murdy, 2001: 3577; Parenti & Lim 2005: 194; Atack, 2006: 167; Kottelat, 2013: 395; Tan & Grinang, 2018: 203–210.
Diagnosis. First dorsal fin VI; second dorsal fin I,11–12; anal fin I,10; pectoral fin 20–23, usually 22; 17 segmented caudal fin rays in 9/8 pattern, branched caudal fin rays 15- 17, usually 15 in 8/7 pattern, procurrent caudal elements 11–15 dorsally, 11–13 ventrally; lateral scales about 38–64, counting main rows only (difficult to see scale rows due to many auxiliary scales); TRB 15–25. Vertebrae 10+16=26 (n = 15); dorsal pterygiophore pattern 3-22110; epurals 2; 2 anal pteryiophores before first caudal vertebra. Pelvic fins separate, space between fin bases scaled. Body with large scales, ctenoid scales alternating with clusters of cycloid scales and auxiliary scales present. Teeth sharp, in about six rows in both jaws. Sensory canals and pores mostly obscured by skin and sensory papillae, but canal extends from pore just above upper lip continuously to rear of opercle; pores usually at ends of branches from main canal; four preopercular pores present, in canal continuous with oculoscapular canal. Sensory papillae in longitudinal pattern, papillae themselves are mostly elongate thin flaps or variously branched, others are seated in oval pits on cheek. Known only from estuarine rivers in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Fig. 4. Fresh Pogoneleotris heterolepis from Simunjan, Sarawak; ZRC56949, female above (166.7 mm SL), male below (160.0 mm SL).
Fig. 5. Simunjan River habitat of this species; showing fishers’ boat moored beside lines onto bank from gill net.
Fig. 2. Dorsal view (right side reversed) of head of fresh Pogoneleotris heterolepis (ZRC56949, 160.0 mm SL male); showing extent of scalation and sensory papillae.
Habitat. Known only from estuarine habitats; found in turbid rivers with mud substrate (Fig. 5). Tan & Grinang (2018) describe the habitat from which these came, and dissected one specimen (which contained crustacean remains).
Remarks. It is commonly known as the bearded gudgeon, Ikan buccat butta or Batu betutu, and has been referred to as the Sarawak mud gudgeon. At the Rajang River delta, the local name in the Melanau dialect is Ilong mapak [=blind fish] (Tan & Grinang, 2018).
This species’ conservation status has not been assessed by the IUCN. As it is regularly consumed by the local people and is restricted to mangrove habitats (which are generally threatened throughout South-east Asia), its conservation status deserves assessment sooner rather than later.
Helen K. Larson and Tan Heok Hui. 2019. A Redescription of the Bearded Gudgeon, Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869) (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Butidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67: 385–390.
==========================
Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869)
in Larson & Hui, 2019.
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67
Abstract
The poorly known butid gudgeon Pogoneleotris heterolepis is redescribed based on 15 specimens obtained from fish markets and local fishers from 1982 to 2018, plus examination of the holotype. It is unique among butids in having a longitudinal papilla pattern and the preopercular canal continuous with the oculoscapular canal and is one of only two gobioids (other than Rhyacichthys and Terateleotris) known to have this latter condition.
Key words: riverine fish, Borneo, aquatic biodiversity, Butidae, Pogoneleotris
TAXONOMY
Pogoneleotris Bleeker, 1875: 107
(type species Eleotris heterolepis Günther, 1869,
by original designation and monotypy).
Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869)
Eleotris heterolepis Günther, 1869: 445 (type locality: Malaysia: Borneo: Sarawak).
Pogoneleotris heterolepis – Bleeker, 1875: 107 (Borneo); Vinciguerra, 1926: 543, pl. 1; Koumans, 1953: 323; Tortonese, 1963: 342; Kottelat & Lim, 1995: 247; Larson in Randall & Lim, 2000: 639; Larson & Murdy, 2001: 3577; Parenti & Lim 2005: 194; Atack, 2006: 167; Kottelat, 2013: 395; Tan & Grinang, 2018: 203–210.
Diagnosis. First dorsal fin VI; second dorsal fin I,11–12; anal fin I,10; pectoral fin 20–23, usually 22; 17 segmented caudal fin rays in 9/8 pattern, branched caudal fin rays 15- 17, usually 15 in 8/7 pattern, procurrent caudal elements 11–15 dorsally, 11–13 ventrally; lateral scales about 38–64, counting main rows only (difficult to see scale rows due to many auxiliary scales); TRB 15–25. Vertebrae 10+16=26 (n = 15); dorsal pterygiophore pattern 3-22110; epurals 2; 2 anal pteryiophores before first caudal vertebra. Pelvic fins separate, space between fin bases scaled. Body with large scales, ctenoid scales alternating with clusters of cycloid scales and auxiliary scales present. Teeth sharp, in about six rows in both jaws. Sensory canals and pores mostly obscured by skin and sensory papillae, but canal extends from pore just above upper lip continuously to rear of opercle; pores usually at ends of branches from main canal; four preopercular pores present, in canal continuous with oculoscapular canal. Sensory papillae in longitudinal pattern, papillae themselves are mostly elongate thin flaps or variously branched, others are seated in oval pits on cheek. Known only from estuarine rivers in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Fig. 4. Fresh Pogoneleotris heterolepis from Simunjan, Sarawak; ZRC56949, female above (166.7 mm SL), male below (160.0 mm SL).
Fig. 5. Simunjan River habitat of this species; showing fishers’ boat moored beside lines onto bank from gill net.
Fig. 2. Dorsal view (right side reversed) of head of fresh Pogoneleotris heterolepis (ZRC56949, 160.0 mm SL male); showing extent of scalation and sensory papillae.
Habitat. Known only from estuarine habitats; found in turbid rivers with mud substrate (Fig. 5). Tan & Grinang (2018) describe the habitat from which these came, and dissected one specimen (which contained crustacean remains).
Remarks. It is commonly known as the bearded gudgeon, Ikan buccat butta or Batu betutu, and has been referred to as the Sarawak mud gudgeon. At the Rajang River delta, the local name in the Melanau dialect is Ilong mapak [=blind fish] (Tan & Grinang, 2018).
This species’ conservation status has not been assessed by the IUCN. As it is regularly consumed by the local people and is restricted to mangrove habitats (which are generally threatened throughout South-east Asia), its conservation status deserves assessment sooner rather than later.
Helen K. Larson and Tan Heok Hui. 2019. A Redescription of the Bearded Gudgeon, Pogoneleotris heterolepis (Günther, 1869) (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Butidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67: 385–390.
==========================
Starksia splendens, a New Blenny Species from the Cayman IslandsJAKE ADAMSHARESBlennies are a broad group of marine fish that occur on tropical and temperate oceans all over the world, and recently we’ve discovered one more. Starksia splendens is part of a group of closely related small labrisomid blennies from the Caribbean which was identified as unique based on a variety of factors.
The species of Starksia have highly variable coloration and pattern, two features which are usually the first indications that any species is new and different from other species. In the case of Starksia splendens, it took a lot of underwater photographs of this fish and genetic analysis to determine that this fish is indeed a unique species.
Since the appearance of Starksia blennies varies so much from juvenile to adult, male to female, breeding coloration and even the part of the reef with which it is trying to blend in, it was close examination of DNA which confirmed the divergence of S. splendens from similar species. The defining physical characteristic turned out to be the presence of thin black stripes on the lips of both sexes, even though the overall body appearance varies wildly. The newly described Starksia splendens is only known from the Cayman Islands and was previously believed to be a local endemic population of S. lepicoelia. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
The species of Starksia have highly variable coloration and pattern, two features which are usually the first indications that any species is new and different from other species. In the case of Starksia splendens, it took a lot of underwater photographs of this fish and genetic analysis to determine that this fish is indeed a unique species.
Since the appearance of Starksia blennies varies so much from juvenile to adult, male to female, breeding coloration and even the part of the reef with which it is trying to blend in, it was close examination of DNA which confirmed the divergence of S. splendens from similar species. The defining physical characteristic turned out to be the presence of thin black stripes on the lips of both sexes, even though the overall body appearance varies wildly. The newly described Starksia splendens is only known from the Cayman Islands and was previously believed to be a local endemic population of S. lepicoelia. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Meiacanthus solomon, a New Blenny Species from Melanesia
JAKE ADAMS
Blennies are one of the most beloved and fun groups of small saltwater and reef fish yet we don’t see nearly enough new ones from year to year. The newly described Meiacanthus solomon breaks the drought from a genus of fangblennies which is recognizable for sporting a pattern of white, black and yellow stripes.
Meiacanthus vittatus from Papua New GuineaOne thing which we have always found peculiar about the Meiacanthusgenus is that we tend to think of this group as being from shallow water, which is where most of the small and adorable aquarium fangblenny species come from. However many new and undescribed species of Meiacanthus are actually found in deep water beyond the reach of conventional SCUBA like the new M. solomon.
Meiacanthus luteus from Queensland AustraliaAs you might expect, the Solomon Fangblenny was collected in the Florida Islands group of the Solomon Islands at a depth of 65 meters or more than 210 feet deep. The single type specimen is a lone small male measuring barely more than one inch long at ~28mm although from what we know about this genus, it very probably grows to double that total length.
A group of Meiacanthus limbatus, the male having the outstretched fins in the lower left of the image.Meiacanthus solomon is mostly white with two pronounced dark longitudinal stripes on the upper half of the body from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail. The base of the dorsal fin is a full length black stripe and has a distinctive yellow edge to the dorsal fin which helps to distinguish the species. New species descriptions can be pretty exciting because they often include information and images of closely related species which is precisely the case with Meiacanthus solomon. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
JAKE ADAMS
Blennies are one of the most beloved and fun groups of small saltwater and reef fish yet we don’t see nearly enough new ones from year to year. The newly described Meiacanthus solomon breaks the drought from a genus of fangblennies which is recognizable for sporting a pattern of white, black and yellow stripes.
Meiacanthus vittatus from Papua New GuineaOne thing which we have always found peculiar about the Meiacanthusgenus is that we tend to think of this group as being from shallow water, which is where most of the small and adorable aquarium fangblenny species come from. However many new and undescribed species of Meiacanthus are actually found in deep water beyond the reach of conventional SCUBA like the new M. solomon.
Meiacanthus luteus from Queensland AustraliaAs you might expect, the Solomon Fangblenny was collected in the Florida Islands group of the Solomon Islands at a depth of 65 meters or more than 210 feet deep. The single type specimen is a lone small male measuring barely more than one inch long at ~28mm although from what we know about this genus, it very probably grows to double that total length.
A group of Meiacanthus limbatus, the male having the outstretched fins in the lower left of the image.Meiacanthus solomon is mostly white with two pronounced dark longitudinal stripes on the upper half of the body from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail. The base of the dorsal fin is a full length black stripe and has a distinctive yellow edge to the dorsal fin which helps to distinguish the species. New species descriptions can be pretty exciting because they often include information and images of closely related species which is precisely the case with Meiacanthus solomon. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
The Parosphromenus Project
Don`t forget to sign up for our International Meeting at Chester Zoo 6-8 September 2019, - send an email to helene.schoubye@parosphromenus-project.org
See more about it here https://www.parosphromenus-project.org/…/international-
==========================
Don`t forget to sign up for our International Meeting at Chester Zoo 6-8 September 2019, - send an email to helene.schoubye@parosphromenus-project.org
See more about it here https://www.parosphromenus-project.org/…/international-
==========================
A job with in fish research
About the positionIn the research group for Pelagic Fish at the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, Norway, there is a vacancy for a scientist focusing on the challenges in stock assessment and advice on pelagic fish in the North Sea area, especially regarding herring and sprat.
Pelagic fish like herring, sprat, mackerel and horse mackerel are commercially important stocks in the North Sea ecosystem. These fish are migratory, mixing with other populations from connected areas along the Norwegian coast, Baltic Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, leading to complexity in stock assessment, management and advice. Climate change has also led more warm water pelagic species like sardine and anchovies to migrate into the North Sea area. The ecosystem itself is complex with high human influence that may lead to local environmental changes. Research to understand the general biology, population structure and dynamics of pelagic fish in this area is of great importance for future sustainable stock assessment and advice.
Work tasks:Research tasks:
Relevant experience with pelagic fish in the North Sea and connected areas, especially the main target fish species herring and sprat, will be considered advantageous, given that this will be the focus area. In the evaluation of candidates, we will otherwise emphasize the following general skills and experience:
We offer:
Applications summarizing relevant skills and reasons to apply for the position should be submitted electronically via the link on this page, and should be accompanied by a full CV, with verification of relevant education and certificates, and with names of references from previous jobs with contact info. CV should contain a list of scientific publications, preferably with links to online copies when available.
Final date for applications: 30 August 2019
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About the positionIn the research group for Pelagic Fish at the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, Norway, there is a vacancy for a scientist focusing on the challenges in stock assessment and advice on pelagic fish in the North Sea area, especially regarding herring and sprat.
Pelagic fish like herring, sprat, mackerel and horse mackerel are commercially important stocks in the North Sea ecosystem. These fish are migratory, mixing with other populations from connected areas along the Norwegian coast, Baltic Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, leading to complexity in stock assessment, management and advice. Climate change has also led more warm water pelagic species like sardine and anchovies to migrate into the North Sea area. The ecosystem itself is complex with high human influence that may lead to local environmental changes. Research to understand the general biology, population structure and dynamics of pelagic fish in this area is of great importance for future sustainable stock assessment and advice.
Work tasks:Research tasks:
- Increase biological knowledge of these populations based on data collected during research surveys and from fisheries, combined with scientific experiments.
- Work to understand and define population structure and connectivity, hereunder develop tools to distinguish between populations in mixed samples.
- Work to understand population dynamics, hereunder work to understand processes influencing natural mortality, recruitment and production in the populations, including effects of climate, local environmental changes, interactions with other stocks or other ecosystem changes.
- Although the focus area will be the North Sea, contributions to relevant research on pelagic fish in other areas may be expected.
- Plan and conduct research surveys and the annual monitoring of fisheries on pelagic fish in the North Sea and connected areas.
- Take part in the annual stock assessment working group and relevant workshops for pelagic fish stocks in the North Sea area handled by ICES (International Council for Exploration of the Sea).
- Take part in general advisory work on pelagic fish stocks in the North Sea area; hereunder communication with stakeholders and national and international fisheries authorities.
Relevant experience with pelagic fish in the North Sea and connected areas, especially the main target fish species herring and sprat, will be considered advantageous, given that this will be the focus area. In the evaluation of candidates, we will otherwise emphasize the following general skills and experience:
- Documented high competence and experience with quantitative analyses of complex data.
- Experience with research in fish population biology, structure, and dynamics.
- Experience from planning and conducting fish stock monitoring and sampling through research surveys (acoustics, biological sampling, environmental sampling) and other field surveys.
- Experience from running field (e.g. tagging experiments) and lab experiments to study the biology of fish.
- Experience from stock assessment and advice processes.
- General skills in scientific publishing.
- Good communication skills, as communication of our scientific results and advice to the scientific community, local and international authorities and industry is an important part of the position and planned role.
We offer:
- A challenging and creative working environment.
- Work at a national institute with extensive international contacts.
- Flexible working hours, good pensions and welfare schemes.
- Research surveys in the North East Atlantic and other relevant field work and experiments.
- The Institute of Marine Research offers a governmentally regulated salary as 1109/1110 research scientist depending on qualifications, a pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Funds (see www.spk.no/en/ for more information), and other welfare benefits.
Applications summarizing relevant skills and reasons to apply for the position should be submitted electronically via the link on this page, and should be accompanied by a full CV, with verification of relevant education and certificates, and with names of references from previous jobs with contact info. CV should contain a list of scientific publications, preferably with links to online copies when available.
Final date for applications: 30 August 2019
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Enteromius pinnimaculatus • A New Species of Enteromius (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from southern Gabon
Enteromius pinnimaculatus
Mipounga, Cutler, Mve Beh, Adam & Sidlauskas, 2019
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13995
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas
Abstract
We present and describe a new species of Enteromius, adding to the 16 species of Enteromius currently recorded from Gabon, West Africa. This new species is distinguished from all other Gabonese Enteromius by the presence of several distinct spots on the dorsal fin in combination with three or four round spots on the flanks. In Africa, it is superficially similar to Enteromius walkeri and with which it shares an unusual allometry in that the proportional length of the barbels decreases as the fish grows. Nevertheless, one can distinguish these species by vertebral number, maximum standard length, the length of the anterior barbels, the length of the caudal peduncle and in most specimens, the number of lateral‐line and circumpeduncular scales. These two species also inhabit widely separated drainages, with E. walkeri occurring in coastal drainages of Ghana including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers and the new species occurring in tributaries of the Louetsi and Bibaka Rivers of Gabon, which are part of the Ogowe and Nyanga drainages, respectively. Despite extensive collections in those drainages the new species is known from only two localities, suggesting the importance of conservation of its known habitat.
Keywords: allometry, biodiversity, central Africa, conservation, endemic, morphometrics, systematics
FIGURE 1: Live coloration of Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. Uncatalogued specimen from swampy lowland tributary of the Bissina River, Nyanga River drainage, Gabon.
Figure 10: (a) Adult Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. holotype, tissue voucher GAB17‐486, 41.05 mm standard length (LS), Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon specimen OS22149, (b) adult paratype, 37.6 mm LS (OS22153) and (c) smaller adult paratype, 27.0 mm LS (OS22152) prior to clearing and staining
Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet pinnimaculatus refers to the multiple small dark spots on the dorsal fin, which is a rare characteristic within Enteromius. An adjective in the nominative singular.
Hans Kevin Mipounga, Joseph Cutler, Jean Hervé Mve Beh, Benjamin Adam and Brian L. Sidlauskas. 2019. Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from southern Gabon. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13995
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1124082558042542080
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1134130859299069952
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Enteromius pinnimaculatus
Mipounga, Cutler, Mve Beh, Adam & Sidlauskas, 2019
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13995
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas
Abstract
We present and describe a new species of Enteromius, adding to the 16 species of Enteromius currently recorded from Gabon, West Africa. This new species is distinguished from all other Gabonese Enteromius by the presence of several distinct spots on the dorsal fin in combination with three or four round spots on the flanks. In Africa, it is superficially similar to Enteromius walkeri and with which it shares an unusual allometry in that the proportional length of the barbels decreases as the fish grows. Nevertheless, one can distinguish these species by vertebral number, maximum standard length, the length of the anterior barbels, the length of the caudal peduncle and in most specimens, the number of lateral‐line and circumpeduncular scales. These two species also inhabit widely separated drainages, with E. walkeri occurring in coastal drainages of Ghana including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers and the new species occurring in tributaries of the Louetsi and Bibaka Rivers of Gabon, which are part of the Ogowe and Nyanga drainages, respectively. Despite extensive collections in those drainages the new species is known from only two localities, suggesting the importance of conservation of its known habitat.
Keywords: allometry, biodiversity, central Africa, conservation, endemic, morphometrics, systematics
FIGURE 1: Live coloration of Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. Uncatalogued specimen from swampy lowland tributary of the Bissina River, Nyanga River drainage, Gabon.
Figure 10: (a) Adult Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. holotype, tissue voucher GAB17‐486, 41.05 mm standard length (LS), Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon specimen OS22149, (b) adult paratype, 37.6 mm LS (OS22153) and (c) smaller adult paratype, 27.0 mm LS (OS22152) prior to clearing and staining
Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet pinnimaculatus refers to the multiple small dark spots on the dorsal fin, which is a rare characteristic within Enteromius. An adjective in the nominative singular.
Hans Kevin Mipounga, Joseph Cutler, Jean Hervé Mve Beh, Benjamin Adam and Brian L. Sidlauskas. 2019. Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from southern Gabon. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13995
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1124082558042542080
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1134130859299069952
==========================
Leporinus sidlauskasi • A New Species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil
Leporinus sidlauskasi
Britski & Birindelli, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.1.10
OregonState.edu
Abstract
A new species of Leporinus is described from the rio Teles Pires, rio Tapajós basin, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed based on dental formula 3/4, a dark midlateral stripe on body and a series of transversal dark bars on the dorsum. The new species is similar to a handful of congeners based on the color pattern, including L. britski, L. microphysus, L. parvulus, and L. vanzoi, all of which also occur at the rio Tapajós basin. The new species is distinguished from the aforementioned congeners based on number of premaxillary teeth, number of scales in lateral line and/or around caudal peduncle. The new species is apparently endemic to the rio Teles Pires near the Sete Quedas rapids and upstream.
Keywords: Leporinus vanzoi, Taxonomy, Anostomoidea, Rio Teles Pires, Pisces
Leporinus sidlauskasi sp. nov.
Heraldo A. Britski and José L. Birindelli. 2019. Description of A New Species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil. Zootaxa. 4603(1); 183–191. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.1.10
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1131960714472509441
facebook.com/BrianSidlauskas/posts/10216430313164262
New fish discovered in Amazon basin named after Oregon State researcher today.OregonState.edu/news/new-fish-discovered-amazon-basin-named-after-oregon-state-researcher
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Leporinus sidlauskasi
Britski & Birindelli, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.1.10
OregonState.edu
Abstract
A new species of Leporinus is described from the rio Teles Pires, rio Tapajós basin, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed based on dental formula 3/4, a dark midlateral stripe on body and a series of transversal dark bars on the dorsum. The new species is similar to a handful of congeners based on the color pattern, including L. britski, L. microphysus, L. parvulus, and L. vanzoi, all of which also occur at the rio Tapajós basin. The new species is distinguished from the aforementioned congeners based on number of premaxillary teeth, number of scales in lateral line and/or around caudal peduncle. The new species is apparently endemic to the rio Teles Pires near the Sete Quedas rapids and upstream.
Keywords: Leporinus vanzoi, Taxonomy, Anostomoidea, Rio Teles Pires, Pisces
Leporinus sidlauskasi sp. nov.
Heraldo A. Britski and José L. Birindelli. 2019. Description of A New Species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil. Zootaxa. 4603(1); 183–191. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.1.10
twitter.com/BrianSidlauskas/status/1131960714472509441
facebook.com/BrianSidlauskas/posts/10216430313164262
New fish discovered in Amazon basin named after Oregon State researcher today.OregonState.edu/news/new-fish-discovered-amazon-basin-named-after-oregon-state-researcher
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Channa brunnea • A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from West Bengal, India
Channa brunnea
Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Kannan, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4624.1.4
Abstract
Channa brunnea, a new species of snakehead fish lacking pelvic fins, from West Bengal, India, is distinguished from its pelvic fin-less congeners by possessing an uniform dark brown body, ochre to bright-orange blotches on the caudal fin, fewer dorsal and anal-fin rays (35–37 vs. 47–51 and 24 vs. 28–32, respectively), fewer vertebrae (43 vs. 45–57), and fewer lateral-line scales (43–46 vs. 51–63). Though Channa brunnea superficially resembles C. bleheri, it can be distinguished from the latter by possessing dark-brown oblique markings on the upper half of the body; transverse scale rows (4½–5½ vs. 3½); pre-anal scales (22–26 vs. 17–20); 2 rows of teeth in the fifth ceratobranchial, the outer row with 16 large conical teeth (vs. 3 rows of teeth, the outer row with 13 large conical teeth); dentary with 20 large, stout, conical teeth in the inner row (vs. 32 medium-sized conical teeth); and a Kimura’s two parameter (K2P) distance of 9.8–10.6%.
Keywords: Pisces, Channa bleheri, Channa andrao, cox1 gene, Eastern Himalaya, freshwater fish
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan and Rajesh Kannan. 2019. Channa brunnea, A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from West Bengal, India. Zootaxa. 4624(1); 59–70. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4624.1.4
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Channa brunnea
Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Kannan, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4624.1.4
Abstract
Channa brunnea, a new species of snakehead fish lacking pelvic fins, from West Bengal, India, is distinguished from its pelvic fin-less congeners by possessing an uniform dark brown body, ochre to bright-orange blotches on the caudal fin, fewer dorsal and anal-fin rays (35–37 vs. 47–51 and 24 vs. 28–32, respectively), fewer vertebrae (43 vs. 45–57), and fewer lateral-line scales (43–46 vs. 51–63). Though Channa brunnea superficially resembles C. bleheri, it can be distinguished from the latter by possessing dark-brown oblique markings on the upper half of the body; transverse scale rows (4½–5½ vs. 3½); pre-anal scales (22–26 vs. 17–20); 2 rows of teeth in the fifth ceratobranchial, the outer row with 16 large conical teeth (vs. 3 rows of teeth, the outer row with 13 large conical teeth); dentary with 20 large, stout, conical teeth in the inner row (vs. 32 medium-sized conical teeth); and a Kimura’s two parameter (K2P) distance of 9.8–10.6%.
Keywords: Pisces, Channa bleheri, Channa andrao, cox1 gene, Eastern Himalaya, freshwater fish
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan and Rajesh Kannan. 2019. Channa brunnea, A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from West Bengal, India. Zootaxa. 4624(1); 59–70. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4624.1.4
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Channa amari, a new species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from North Bengal, India
Author(s): Arpita Dey*, Basudhara Roy Chowdhury, Ruksa Nur, Debapriya Sarkar, Laishram Kosygin and Sudip Barat
Abstract: Channa amari, a new ornamental species is described from Bhalka forest, West Bengal, India. It differs from congeners in having the following combination characters: absence of pelvic fins; 37 dorsal fin rays; 12-13 pectoral fin rays with 4-5 black bands; 23 – 25 anal fin rays; 10-11 caudal fin rays; 44- 45 lateral line pored scales; 40- 41 total vertebrae; 11-13 transverse scales rows; head length 29.4 % SL; inter-orbital space 32.6 % HL. This species is very colourful and may be considered as ornamental fish.
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Author(s): Arpita Dey*, Basudhara Roy Chowdhury, Ruksa Nur, Debapriya Sarkar, Laishram Kosygin and Sudip Barat
Abstract: Channa amari, a new ornamental species is described from Bhalka forest, West Bengal, India. It differs from congeners in having the following combination characters: absence of pelvic fins; 37 dorsal fin rays; 12-13 pectoral fin rays with 4-5 black bands; 23 – 25 anal fin rays; 10-11 caudal fin rays; 44- 45 lateral line pored scales; 40- 41 total vertebrae; 11-13 transverse scales rows; head length 29.4 % SL; inter-orbital space 32.6 % HL. This species is very colourful and may be considered as ornamental fish.
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A new cryptic species of Hyphessobrycon caruDurbin, 1908 (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Eastern Amazon,
Hyphessobrycon caru sp. nov. is described based on five different and independent methods of species delimitation, making the hypothesis of this new species supported by an integrative taxonomy perspective. This new species has a restricted distribution, occurring just in the upper Pindaré river drainage, Mearim river basin, Brazil. It is a member of the rosy tetra clade, which is characterized mainly by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin and absence of a midlateral stripe on the body. Hyphessobrycon caru sp. nov. is distinguished from the members of this clade mainly by the shape of its humeral spot, possessing few irregular inconspicuous vertically arranged chromatophores in the humeral region, or sometimes a very thin and inconspicuous humeral spot, and other characters related to teeth count, and color pattern. The phylogenetic position of the new species within the rosy tetra clade was based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1. In addition, a new clade (here termed Hyphessobrycon micropterus clade) within the rosy tetra clade is proposed based on molecular data, comprising H. caru sp. nov., H. micropterus, H. piorskii, and H. simulatus, and with H. caru sp. nov. and H. piorskii recovered as sister species. Our results suggest cryptic speciation in the rosy tetra clade and, more specifically, in the H. micropterus clade. We recommend the use of integrative taxonomy for future taxonomic revisions and species descriptions when dealing with species complexes and groups containing possible cryptic species.
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Hyphessobrycon caru sp. nov. is described based on five different and independent methods of species delimitation, making the hypothesis of this new species supported by an integrative taxonomy perspective. This new species has a restricted distribution, occurring just in the upper Pindaré river drainage, Mearim river basin, Brazil. It is a member of the rosy tetra clade, which is characterized mainly by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin and absence of a midlateral stripe on the body. Hyphessobrycon caru sp. nov. is distinguished from the members of this clade mainly by the shape of its humeral spot, possessing few irregular inconspicuous vertically arranged chromatophores in the humeral region, or sometimes a very thin and inconspicuous humeral spot, and other characters related to teeth count, and color pattern. The phylogenetic position of the new species within the rosy tetra clade was based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1. In addition, a new clade (here termed Hyphessobrycon micropterus clade) within the rosy tetra clade is proposed based on molecular data, comprising H. caru sp. nov., H. micropterus, H. piorskii, and H. simulatus, and with H. caru sp. nov. and H. piorskii recovered as sister species. Our results suggest cryptic speciation in the rosy tetra clade and, more specifically, in the H. micropterus clade. We recommend the use of integrative taxonomy for future taxonomic revisions and species descriptions when dealing with species complexes and groups containing possible cryptic species.
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A new species of the genus Garra paratrilobata Hamilton (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Northeast India
NARENGBAM RONI, YENGKHOM CHINGLEMBA, YUMNAM RAMESHORI, WAIKHOM VISHWANATH
A new species of Garra with a rostral proboscis is described from the Barak River drainage in Manipur, India. Garra paratrilobata, new species, is distinguished from its congeners in having the combination of the following characters: a prominent trilobed proboscis, the median lobe with 5–7 uni- to tricuspid tubercles on its anterior margin and 4–6 minute tubercles on its anteroventral margin; lateral lobe of the proboscis with 3–4 minute tubercles; lateral surface of the snout lobular, with 6–9 tubercles; 33–34 lateral-line scales; and the rostral surface concave, creased and depressed.
A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described
on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal‐fin rays 30–33, pectoral‐fin rays 12–13, trunk rings 18–19, tail rings 43–46, subdorsal rings (2–4) + (5.5–8) = (8.5–10), head length 13–14% standard length, snout length 35–55% head length and snout depth 21–30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south‐west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal‐fin rays and a relatively longer head.
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on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal‐fin rays 30–33, pectoral‐fin rays 12–13, trunk rings 18–19, tail rings 43–46, subdorsal rings (2–4) + (5.5–8) = (8.5–10), head length 13–14% standard length, snout length 35–55% head length and snout depth 21–30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south‐west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal‐fin rays and a relatively longer head.
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Leptonotus vincentae • A New Pipefish Species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south‐west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia
Leptonotus vincentae
Luzzatto & Estalles, 2019
Patagonian Pipefish || DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056
twitter.com/AmandaVincent1
Abstract
A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal‐fin rays 30–33, pectoral‐fin rays 12–13, trunk rings 18–19, tail rings 43–46, subdorsal rings (2–4) + (5.5–8) = (8.5–10), head length 13–14% standard length, snout length 35–55% head length and snout depth 21–30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south‐west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal‐fin rays and a relatively longer head.
Keywords: Atlantic Ocean, Leptonotus blainvilleanus, new species, San Antonio Bay, sexual dimorphism, Syngnathiformes
Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov.
Etymology: The species is named after Amanda Vincent, whose work on conservation of syngnathids has increased our chances of having healthy populations of these fishes in the threatened seas of the world.
English: Patagonian Pipefish;
Spanish (Argentina): pez aguja patagónico;
Spanish (Spain): pez pipa patagónico.
Diego C. Luzzatto and María L. Estalles. 2019. Leptonotus vincentae, A New Pipefish Species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south‐west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056
twitter.com/AmandaVincent1/status/1141485476559257600
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Leptonotus vincentae
Luzzatto & Estalles, 2019
Patagonian Pipefish || DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056
twitter.com/AmandaVincent1
Abstract
A new species of pipefish Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov. (Syngnathidae) is described on the basis of 12 specimens found in shallow waters (<2 m depth) of San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina, in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean. The species is distinguished from congeners by the combination of: dorsal‐fin rays 30–33, pectoral‐fin rays 12–13, trunk rings 18–19, tail rings 43–46, subdorsal rings (2–4) + (5.5–8) = (8.5–10), head length 13–14% standard length, snout length 35–55% head length and snout depth 21–30% in snout length. Although this species has often been mistaken for Leptonotus blainvilleanus, most diagnostic characters of the two species differ. Both species are clearly distinguished by their snout length. L. blainvilleanus has a relatively longer snout than L. vincentae sp. nov. The new species is similar to a south‐west Pacific species, Leptonotus elevatus. However, L. vincentae sp. nov. differs from this species in that it exhibits a lower number of dorsal‐fin rays and a relatively longer head.
Keywords: Atlantic Ocean, Leptonotus blainvilleanus, new species, San Antonio Bay, sexual dimorphism, Syngnathiformes
Leptonotus vincentae sp. nov.
Etymology: The species is named after Amanda Vincent, whose work on conservation of syngnathids has increased our chances of having healthy populations of these fishes in the threatened seas of the world.
English: Patagonian Pipefish;
Spanish (Argentina): pez aguja patagónico;
Spanish (Spain): pez pipa patagónico.
Diego C. Luzzatto and María L. Estalles. 2019. Leptonotus vincentae, A New Pipefish Species (Syngnathidae: Syngnathinae) from the south‐west Atlantic Ocean near northern Patagonia. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14056
twitter.com/AmandaVincent1/status/1141485476559257600
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Pomacentrus vatosoa,
A New Species of Damselfish Pomacentrus vatosoa, (Teleostei: Pomacentridae: Pomacentrus) from Nosy Faho, Madagascar
Benjamin W. Frable1 and Yi-Kai Tea2 Pomacentrus vatosoa, new species, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Nosy Faho, Madagascar. The new species is distinctive in having a pearlescent-white body with a large black spot midlaterally behind the pectoral fin, a black saddle of similar size on the dorsal edge of the caudal peduncle, and a black recurved band from the orbit to origin of dorsal fin. Aside from details in live coloration, the new species is readily diagnosed from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XIV, 13–14; anal-fin rays II, 14; pectoral-fin rays 18–19; tubed lateral scales 19–20; gill rakers 5–6þ17–18 ¼ 22–24; infraorbitals naked; teeth on lower jaw partly biserial; no distinct notch between infraorbitals 1 and 2; and a crescent opening of the supraorbital canal above the eye. The new species appears to be most closely related to Pomacentrus atriaxillaris on the basis of meristic data, though comparative molecular sequences for P. atriaxillaris are lacking. Assignment of the new species to the genus Pomacentrus is accompanied with a brief discussion of the systematic contention within the Pomacentridae
PDF available until July 31 at:- bit.ly/2wuwE3t.
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Benjamin W. Frable1 and Yi-Kai Tea2 Pomacentrus vatosoa, new species, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Nosy Faho, Madagascar. The new species is distinctive in having a pearlescent-white body with a large black spot midlaterally behind the pectoral fin, a black saddle of similar size on the dorsal edge of the caudal peduncle, and a black recurved band from the orbit to origin of dorsal fin. Aside from details in live coloration, the new species is readily diagnosed from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XIV, 13–14; anal-fin rays II, 14; pectoral-fin rays 18–19; tubed lateral scales 19–20; gill rakers 5–6þ17–18 ¼ 22–24; infraorbitals naked; teeth on lower jaw partly biserial; no distinct notch between infraorbitals 1 and 2; and a crescent opening of the supraorbital canal above the eye. The new species appears to be most closely related to Pomacentrus atriaxillaris on the basis of meristic data, though comparative molecular sequences for P. atriaxillaris are lacking. Assignment of the new species to the genus Pomacentrus is accompanied with a brief discussion of the systematic contention within the Pomacentridae
PDF available until July 31 at:- bit.ly/2wuwE3t.
==========================
Bryconops rheorubrum (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae), new species from the Rio Xingu Rapids, Brazil
Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Mark Henry Sabaj, Rafaela Priscila Ota, Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel
Author Affiliations +
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 166(1):1-21 (2019).https://doi.org/10.1635/053.166.0115
AbstractA new species of Bryconops is described from the rio Xingu Basin, Brazil, that differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: predorsal scales 8–9, perforated scales in the lateral line 43–45, and pigmentation pattern composed of wide silvery midlateral band on body, hyaline dorsal and anal fins (in alcohol), and dark blotch on distal half of dorsal caudal-fin lobe. The new species shares with members of the subgenus Bryconops maxillary relatively short, edentulous or with one conical tooth, and gill rakers without ossified denticles. The middle and lower Xingu support a remarkable diversity of Bryconopscomposed of at least nine species-level taxa; comments on their local distributions and habitats are provided, as well as a key to their identification.
Bryconops rheorubrum n. sp. A) INPA 57879 (52.8 mm SL, holotype); B) INPA 40413 (50.3 mm SL, paratype), rio Xingu (upper Volta Grande), rapids in narrow bedrock channel; C) INPA 47456 (51.2 mm SL, paratype), rio Xingu, rapids and pools just upstream of cachoeira do Jericoá. Photos by C. Silva-Oliveira.
Citation Download Citation
Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Mark Henry Sabaj, Rafaela Priscila Ota, and Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel"Bryconops rheorubrum (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae), new species from the Rio Xingu Rapids, Brazil," Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 166(1), 1-21, (6 June 2019).https://doi.org/10.1635/053.166.0115
==========================
Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Mark Henry Sabaj, Rafaela Priscila Ota, Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel
Author Affiliations +
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 166(1):1-21 (2019).https://doi.org/10.1635/053.166.0115
AbstractA new species of Bryconops is described from the rio Xingu Basin, Brazil, that differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: predorsal scales 8–9, perforated scales in the lateral line 43–45, and pigmentation pattern composed of wide silvery midlateral band on body, hyaline dorsal and anal fins (in alcohol), and dark blotch on distal half of dorsal caudal-fin lobe. The new species shares with members of the subgenus Bryconops maxillary relatively short, edentulous or with one conical tooth, and gill rakers without ossified denticles. The middle and lower Xingu support a remarkable diversity of Bryconopscomposed of at least nine species-level taxa; comments on their local distributions and habitats are provided, as well as a key to their identification.
Bryconops rheorubrum n. sp. A) INPA 57879 (52.8 mm SL, holotype); B) INPA 40413 (50.3 mm SL, paratype), rio Xingu (upper Volta Grande), rapids in narrow bedrock channel; C) INPA 47456 (51.2 mm SL, paratype), rio Xingu, rapids and pools just upstream of cachoeira do Jericoá. Photos by C. Silva-Oliveira.
Citation Download Citation
Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Mark Henry Sabaj, Rafaela Priscila Ota, and Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel"Bryconops rheorubrum (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae), new species from the Rio Xingu Rapids, Brazil," Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 166(1), 1-21, (6 June 2019).https://doi.org/10.1635/053.166.0115
==========================
Bali Aquarich Persistence Pays Off: Regal Angelfish, BRED!31 May, 2019
One less captive-breeding species first is out there to chase – Bali Aquarich lays claim to producing the world’s first captive-bred Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus.
Wen-Ping Su of Bali Aquarich (Bali, Indonesia) saw fit to close out May 2019 by revealing yet another in a seemingly endless stream of groundbreaking marine fish aquaculture firsts. Shared as a bit of a guessing game for his friends and followers, Su’s clues included much of their history working with an iconic and often humbling marine angelfish.
Via translation and edited for clarity, Su asked, “Who am I? This is a very hard-to-do fish. It eats some pretty special food. Most people find it difficult to keep this fish; it’s often difficult just to get the fish to feed. We spawned this species before, years ago, but it was difficult to produce larvae….and the price of this fish, when harvested from the wild, is super-cheap. So we temporarily gave up attempting to breed this species. This time I tried it in our new system.”
Clearly, the “new system” at Bali Aquarich has borne fruit, in the form of the world’s first captive-bred Regal Angelfishes, Pygoplites diacanthus! Su privately noted that parents of these amazing babies represent the local Indonesian form of the species.
Why This Matters
Phrases like “game-changing” tend to lose their meaning over time, striking people as simple hyperbole. But truly, if you ever aspired to keep a Regal Angelfish in your home aquarium, this accomplishment could be a sea change for the species, and could make all the difference between your success or failure.
The more commonly seen gray-breasted form of the Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, typically imported from Indonesia, the Philippines, as well as short supply-chain origins such as Fiji. Image credit: Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, is highly prized but also widely regarded as a shy and very difficult angelfish to keep. Historically, specimens from the Red Sea, with their yellow breasts and more vibrant coloration, cost considerably more than their gray-breasted counterparts (which are most often available from Indonesian supply chain). This price disparity is, in part, due to simple logistics, but it’s also generally believed that Red Sea specimens are superior and offer a better chance at successful husbandry in captivity. Whether this “success factor” is somehow inherent to the fish themselves or due to disparities in capture and care methods depending on where they are sourced, it is certainly open for debate and should be investigated. That said, Kevin Kohen of LiveAquaria notes that in addition to Red Sea specimens, individuals collected from the “Maldives, Coral Sea, Fiji, and Tahiti are good shippers and are harvested and handled with care, and normally will adapt more easily than their Indo-Pacific counterparts.”
A subadult Red Sea Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, photographed at Marsa Alam, Egypt, by Flickr user zsispeo; CC BY-SA 2.0
But beyond their general rumored “sensitive” nature, the number-one cited difficulty with keeping Regal Angels is their diet, which is widely regarded as comprised mainly of sponges and tunicates, and a general difficulty in getting them to eat anything at all in captivity. As a result of these husbandry issues, it’s common practice to suggest seeking out fishes that aren’t too large (and too set in their ways) or those that are tiny juveniles (which lack the reserves that might be required to successfully transition onto a captive diet). Of course, as the decades have passed, aquarium fish food manufacturers have provided angelfish keepers with many commercially-prepared diets that include sponge material as a component of the offering in an effort to entice and properly maintain these challenging fishes in captivity. It is certainly possible to have success with a Regal Angelfish in captivity, but the conventional wisdom suggests they are difficult, or even expert-only fishes, which means “stay away” for the vast majority of aquarists.
Captive-Bred Fish Are Fundamentally Different
If there’s one thing we can typically say about captive breeding, it’s that offspring hatched and reared in captive conditions are nearly always superior to their wild-caught counterparts in terms of husbandry requirements. Now, being captive-bred won’t suddenly make, for example, a Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) suddenly willing to snatch flake food floating in the water column—it’s still going to be a slow, methodical bottom picker. But being captive-bred will, perhaps suddenly, mean that small juvenile Regal Angelfish might be available with bold personalities and aggressive appetites and willing to consume easy-to-feed aquarium diets (like pellet foods).
It’s at this point that the reader needs to once again “do the math.” A “quality” wild-caught Regal Angelfish may easily retail for $300-500 depending on the source and size, while tiny juveniles from less reliable sources are sometimes offered for as little as $100 as wild-caught specimens. It’s entirely premature to speculate where retail prices could wind up for a captive-bred Regal Angelfish; they are in part going to be determined by whether the fish can be reared in quantity, and what it actually costs to make one. But how many wild-caught fish should an aquarist be willing to gamble on, and how many are acceptable to lose along the way if a more expensive “sure thing” is being offered via aquaculture?
It’s undeniable that historically, being “price competitive” with a wild-caught version is a very important aspect of predicting the commercial success of a captive-bred marine fish species. However, this reality must be based, in part, on a lack of information (and, frankly, shopping more on price than quality). It’s largely up to aquarists like yourself to understand that a captive-bred Regal Angelfish is likely going to be a completely different proposition than a wild one. I could say it’s “apples to oranges,” but in reality, it’s more like getting organic, grass-fed beef raised by artisanal ranchers vs. feed-lot-grown, discolored ground beef that’s “reduced for quick sale” with less than 24 hours left on the sell-by date!
Now We Wait
Aquarists are now forced to sit and wait to see if this initial success leads to a good supply of captive-bred Regal Angelfishes. Given the almost inevitable likelihood that captive-bred Regal Angelfish will be significantly easier to care for, this is one of those fish where responsible aquarists should, in our opinion, be willing to pay a reasonable premium for the captive-bred option, should it materialize.
found on Reef to Rain Forest Media
==========================
One less captive-breeding species first is out there to chase – Bali Aquarich lays claim to producing the world’s first captive-bred Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus.
Wen-Ping Su of Bali Aquarich (Bali, Indonesia) saw fit to close out May 2019 by revealing yet another in a seemingly endless stream of groundbreaking marine fish aquaculture firsts. Shared as a bit of a guessing game for his friends and followers, Su’s clues included much of their history working with an iconic and often humbling marine angelfish.
Via translation and edited for clarity, Su asked, “Who am I? This is a very hard-to-do fish. It eats some pretty special food. Most people find it difficult to keep this fish; it’s often difficult just to get the fish to feed. We spawned this species before, years ago, but it was difficult to produce larvae….and the price of this fish, when harvested from the wild, is super-cheap. So we temporarily gave up attempting to breed this species. This time I tried it in our new system.”
Clearly, the “new system” at Bali Aquarich has borne fruit, in the form of the world’s first captive-bred Regal Angelfishes, Pygoplites diacanthus! Su privately noted that parents of these amazing babies represent the local Indonesian form of the species.
Why This Matters
Phrases like “game-changing” tend to lose their meaning over time, striking people as simple hyperbole. But truly, if you ever aspired to keep a Regal Angelfish in your home aquarium, this accomplishment could be a sea change for the species, and could make all the difference between your success or failure.
The more commonly seen gray-breasted form of the Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, typically imported from Indonesia, the Philippines, as well as short supply-chain origins such as Fiji. Image credit: Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, is highly prized but also widely regarded as a shy and very difficult angelfish to keep. Historically, specimens from the Red Sea, with their yellow breasts and more vibrant coloration, cost considerably more than their gray-breasted counterparts (which are most often available from Indonesian supply chain). This price disparity is, in part, due to simple logistics, but it’s also generally believed that Red Sea specimens are superior and offer a better chance at successful husbandry in captivity. Whether this “success factor” is somehow inherent to the fish themselves or due to disparities in capture and care methods depending on where they are sourced, it is certainly open for debate and should be investigated. That said, Kevin Kohen of LiveAquaria notes that in addition to Red Sea specimens, individuals collected from the “Maldives, Coral Sea, Fiji, and Tahiti are good shippers and are harvested and handled with care, and normally will adapt more easily than their Indo-Pacific counterparts.”
A subadult Red Sea Regal Angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, photographed at Marsa Alam, Egypt, by Flickr user zsispeo; CC BY-SA 2.0
But beyond their general rumored “sensitive” nature, the number-one cited difficulty with keeping Regal Angels is their diet, which is widely regarded as comprised mainly of sponges and tunicates, and a general difficulty in getting them to eat anything at all in captivity. As a result of these husbandry issues, it’s common practice to suggest seeking out fishes that aren’t too large (and too set in their ways) or those that are tiny juveniles (which lack the reserves that might be required to successfully transition onto a captive diet). Of course, as the decades have passed, aquarium fish food manufacturers have provided angelfish keepers with many commercially-prepared diets that include sponge material as a component of the offering in an effort to entice and properly maintain these challenging fishes in captivity. It is certainly possible to have success with a Regal Angelfish in captivity, but the conventional wisdom suggests they are difficult, or even expert-only fishes, which means “stay away” for the vast majority of aquarists.
Captive-Bred Fish Are Fundamentally Different
If there’s one thing we can typically say about captive breeding, it’s that offspring hatched and reared in captive conditions are nearly always superior to their wild-caught counterparts in terms of husbandry requirements. Now, being captive-bred won’t suddenly make, for example, a Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) suddenly willing to snatch flake food floating in the water column—it’s still going to be a slow, methodical bottom picker. But being captive-bred will, perhaps suddenly, mean that small juvenile Regal Angelfish might be available with bold personalities and aggressive appetites and willing to consume easy-to-feed aquarium diets (like pellet foods).
It’s at this point that the reader needs to once again “do the math.” A “quality” wild-caught Regal Angelfish may easily retail for $300-500 depending on the source and size, while tiny juveniles from less reliable sources are sometimes offered for as little as $100 as wild-caught specimens. It’s entirely premature to speculate where retail prices could wind up for a captive-bred Regal Angelfish; they are in part going to be determined by whether the fish can be reared in quantity, and what it actually costs to make one. But how many wild-caught fish should an aquarist be willing to gamble on, and how many are acceptable to lose along the way if a more expensive “sure thing” is being offered via aquaculture?
It’s undeniable that historically, being “price competitive” with a wild-caught version is a very important aspect of predicting the commercial success of a captive-bred marine fish species. However, this reality must be based, in part, on a lack of information (and, frankly, shopping more on price than quality). It’s largely up to aquarists like yourself to understand that a captive-bred Regal Angelfish is likely going to be a completely different proposition than a wild one. I could say it’s “apples to oranges,” but in reality, it’s more like getting organic, grass-fed beef raised by artisanal ranchers vs. feed-lot-grown, discolored ground beef that’s “reduced for quick sale” with less than 24 hours left on the sell-by date!
Now We Wait
Aquarists are now forced to sit and wait to see if this initial success leads to a good supply of captive-bred Regal Angelfishes. Given the almost inevitable likelihood that captive-bred Regal Angelfish will be significantly easier to care for, this is one of those fish where responsible aquarists should, in our opinion, be willing to pay a reasonable premium for the captive-bred option, should it materialize.
found on Reef to Rain Forest Media
==========================
Allis Shad
It Took Seven years for fish enthusiast Jack Perks to complete filming every native species of fish in the UK
Jack Perks filmed all 53 species of freshwater fish in Britain.
Eccentric and obsessive as trainspotters and twitchers may be, at least they are likely to find themselves in the company of like-minded folk.
Jack Perks’s mission to see and film every freshwater fish in Britain meant weeks spent diving and snorkelling underwater in total solitude.
Mr Perks, 28, a wildlife photographer based in Nottingham, is the only person to have had an up-close encounter with all 53 species of freshwater fish.
His final shots were of the Allis Shad (Alosa alosa )which is now quite rare in Britain. In the 19th Century, Shad fish were as valuable as salmon and in the estuary of the River Severn, Shad fish made up about one-third of all catches.
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A new species Creagrutus cacique from the upper rio Xingu basin, Brazil (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae).
Flausino, N., & Lima, F.C.T. (2019)
Creagrutus cacique Flausino & Lima, 2019
https://bioone.org/journals/Proceedings-of-the-Academy-of-Natural-Sciences-of-Philadelphia/volume-166/issue-1/053.166.0114/A-new-iCreagrutus-i-from-the-upper-rio-Xingu-basin/10.1635/053.166.0114.short
Fig. 1. Creagrutus cacique, new species: A. holotype, ZUEC 15770, 55.5 mm SL; B. paratype, ANSP 205849, 43.8 mm SL; C. paratype, ZUEC 15803, 38.5 mm SL. All from Brazil, Mato Grosso, Campinápolis, rio Culuene, fish ladder at Paranatinga II hydroelectric dam.
AbstractA new species of Creagrutus is described from the upper rio Xingu basin, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that includes dorsal fin mostly black, a dark oblique blotch on middle and upper-inferior caudal-fin rays, and presence of only two rows of premaxillary teeth. Creagrutus mucipu, formerly known only from the upper rio Tocantins basin in Brazil, is recorded herein as occurring syntopically with the new species in the upper rio Xingu basin.
==========================
Flausino, N., & Lima, F.C.T. (2019)
Creagrutus cacique Flausino & Lima, 2019
https://bioone.org/journals/Proceedings-of-the-Academy-of-Natural-Sciences-of-Philadelphia/volume-166/issue-1/053.166.0114/A-new-iCreagrutus-i-from-the-upper-rio-Xingu-basin/10.1635/053.166.0114.short
Fig. 1. Creagrutus cacique, new species: A. holotype, ZUEC 15770, 55.5 mm SL; B. paratype, ANSP 205849, 43.8 mm SL; C. paratype, ZUEC 15803, 38.5 mm SL. All from Brazil, Mato Grosso, Campinápolis, rio Culuene, fish ladder at Paranatinga II hydroelectric dam.
AbstractA new species of Creagrutus is described from the upper rio Xingu basin, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that includes dorsal fin mostly black, a dark oblique blotch on middle and upper-inferior caudal-fin rays, and presence of only two rows of premaxillary teeth. Creagrutus mucipu, formerly known only from the upper rio Tocantins basin in Brazil, is recorded herein as occurring syntopically with the new species in the upper rio Xingu basin.
==========================
A new species of Poptella (Characiformes: Characidae: Stethaprioninae) from the Rio Juma, Rio Madeira basin, Brazil.
Garcia-Ayala, J.R. & Benine, R.C. (2019)
Poptella actenolepis Garcia-Ayala & Benine, 2019
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200202&lng=en&tlng=en
Fig. 1 a. Poptella actenolepis, holotype, MZUSP 124423, 71.9 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Apuí, Rio Juma, Rio Madeira basin.
Fig. 4 Poptella actenolepis, MZUSP 122982, paratype, 55.1 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Apuí, Rio Juma, Rio Madeira basin. Photo by W. Ohara.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Poptella is described from the Rio Juma, a tributary of the lower Rio Aripuanã, Rio Madeira basin, Amazonas, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except P. brevispina, by having a lower number of scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (7 vs. 8-10). The new species can be readily distinguished from P. brevispina by the lower number of branched dorsal-fin rays (9 vs. 10). This is the first description of a new species of Poptella since the revisionary study of the Stethaprioninae, published 30 years ag
==========================
Garcia-Ayala, J.R. & Benine, R.C. (2019)
Poptella actenolepis Garcia-Ayala & Benine, 2019
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252019000200202&lng=en&tlng=en
Fig. 1 a. Poptella actenolepis, holotype, MZUSP 124423, 71.9 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Apuí, Rio Juma, Rio Madeira basin.
Fig. 4 Poptella actenolepis, MZUSP 122982, paratype, 55.1 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, Apuí, Rio Juma, Rio Madeira basin. Photo by W. Ohara.
ABSTRACT
A new species of Poptella is described from the Rio Juma, a tributary of the lower Rio Aripuanã, Rio Madeira basin, Amazonas, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except P. brevispina, by having a lower number of scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (7 vs. 8-10). The new species can be readily distinguished from P. brevispina by the lower number of branched dorsal-fin rays (9 vs. 10). This is the first description of a new species of Poptella since the revisionary study of the Stethaprioninae, published 30 years ag
==========================
Review of the Oxynoemacheilus tigris group with the description of two new species from the Euphrates drainage (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
JÖRG FREYHOF, CÜNEYT KAYA, DAVUT TURAN, MATTHIAS GEIGER
FIGURE LEFT. Oxynoemacheilus arsaniasus, from top: FFR 15530, holotype, 57 mm SL; FFR 15531, paratype, 54 mm SL; Turkey: stream Kaynarca; FSJF 4019, 90 mm SL; Turkey: stream Karasu.
FIGURE RIGHT. Oxynoemacheilus muefiti, from top: FFR 15532, paratype, 69 mm SL; IUSHM 2019-1411, 52 mm SL; Turkey: Murat at Balıbostan; IUSHM 2019-1410, 68 mm SL, dorsal fin malformed, Turkey: stream near Sarıköy; FSJF 2556, 47 mm SL; Turkey: stream Eğri.
Abstract
The Oxynoemacheilus tigris species group is reviewed, resulting in the recognition of six species, of which two are described herein as new. Oxynoemacheilus tigris is known from the endorheic Qweik River and the Merziman River, which is a tributary of the western Euphrates. Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus is endemic to the endorheic Lake Van basin and O. hazarensis is endemic to Lake Hazar basin in the upper Tigris drainage. Oxynoemacheilus kaynaki is widespread in the Euphrates drainage. The two undescribed species occur in the Euphrates drainage. Oxynoemacheilus arsaniasus, new species, from the Murat River and the upper Karasu (Muş) River drainage, is distinguished from other species of the O. tigris group by having a bold, black, irregularly-shaped bar at the caudal-fin base, an incomplete lateral line and a scaleless body. Oxynoemacheilus muefiti, new species, from the upper Murat River drainage and a tributary to the Atatürk reservoir, is most similar to O. ercisianus, from which it is distinguished by a more slender body and a shallower dorsal adipose crest. According to our molecular data, the Qweik population of O. tigris is suspected to be introgressed by O. namiri from the Orontes drainage. Oxynoemacheilus erdali is identified as a synonym of O. bergianus as we were unable to find differences between the two species.
dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4612.1.2
==========================
Rhyacoschistura larreci, a new genus and species of loach from Laos and redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).
Kottelat, M. (2019)
Rhyacoschistura n. gen. Kottelat, 2019
Type species: Rhyacoschistura larreci Kottelat
the published link was incorrect
FIGURE UPPER. Rhyacoschistura larreci, CMK 28037, paratype, 57.8 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed; immediately after fixation.
FIGURE LOWER. Rhyacoschistura larreci, MHNG 2727.011, holotype, 57.1 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed.
==========================
Kottelat, M. (2019)
Rhyacoschistura n. gen. Kottelat, 2019
Type species: Rhyacoschistura larreci Kottelat
the published link was incorrect
FIGURE UPPER. Rhyacoschistura larreci, CMK 28037, paratype, 57.8 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed; immediately after fixation.
FIGURE LOWER. Rhyacoschistura larreci, MHNG 2727.011, holotype, 57.1 mm SL; Laos: Xayaburi: Nam Houng watershed.
==========================
Luzonichthys kiomeamea • A New Species (Serranidae: Anthiadinae) from A Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Luzonichthys kiomeamea
Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Perez-Matus & Rocha, 2019
OceanScienceFoundation.org
twitter.com/CoralReefFish
Abstract
A new species in the anthiadine genus Luzonichthys Herre, 1936 is described from a specimen collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Luzonichthys kiomeamea n. sp. can be distinguished from the 7 other valid Luzonichthys species by anal-fin and pectoral-fin counts, the number of lateral-line scales, the number and arrangement of gill rakers, and coloration pattern. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing shows that the new species is more than 11% divergent in the COI sequence (and about equally distant) from Luzonichthys waitei, L. seaver, L. earlei (Hawai’i), and L. aff. earlei (Coral Sea). Given the isolation of the island, and the uniqueness of its fish fauna, we suspect that the new species is endemic to the mesophotic reefs of Rapa Nui.
Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, endemism, South Pacific, Splitfin Anthias, Chile
Figure 1. Luzonichthys kiomeamea, sp. n., holotype, CAS 244640, 45.7 mm SL, shortly after death (L.A. Rocha).
Luzonichthys kiomeamea, n. sp.
Rapa Nui Splitfin
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements X,16; anal-fin elements III,7; pectoral-fin rays 22; lateral-line scales 64; gill rakers 12+26; body moderately elongate, depth 4.8 in SL; head length 3.6 in SL; snout 4.1 in HL; caudal fin forked and without filaments, length 4.3 in SL; caudal-fin concavity 6.3 in SL; pectoral-fin length 4.0 in SL; pelvic-fin length 5.0 in SL; color in life: body orange-red dorsally, silver-magenta ventrally, with alternating magenta, red, and orange lines along sides of body; dorsal fin yellow-orange with red-orange spots (Fig. 1).
Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Rapa Nui name; the phrase kio-meamea means “red fish that takes refuge in a cave”. Treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from Rapa Nui. The holotype was collected at a depth of 83 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area (Fig. 4). It was caught by hand using hand nets and transported alive to the surface in a perforated-plastic collecting jar.
Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler Phelps, Alejandro Perez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2019. Luzonichthys kiomeamea (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), A New Species from A Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 33; 17-27. OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf33c.html
twitter.com/CoralReefFish/status/1136015501723807744
==========================
Luzonichthys kiomeamea
Shepherd, Pinheiro, Phelps, Perez-Matus & Rocha, 2019
OceanScienceFoundation.org
twitter.com/CoralReefFish
Abstract
A new species in the anthiadine genus Luzonichthys Herre, 1936 is described from a specimen collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Luzonichthys kiomeamea n. sp. can be distinguished from the 7 other valid Luzonichthys species by anal-fin and pectoral-fin counts, the number of lateral-line scales, the number and arrangement of gill rakers, and coloration pattern. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing shows that the new species is more than 11% divergent in the COI sequence (and about equally distant) from Luzonichthys waitei, L. seaver, L. earlei (Hawai’i), and L. aff. earlei (Coral Sea). Given the isolation of the island, and the uniqueness of its fish fauna, we suspect that the new species is endemic to the mesophotic reefs of Rapa Nui.
Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, endemism, South Pacific, Splitfin Anthias, Chile
Figure 1. Luzonichthys kiomeamea, sp. n., holotype, CAS 244640, 45.7 mm SL, shortly after death (L.A. Rocha).
Luzonichthys kiomeamea, n. sp.
Rapa Nui Splitfin
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements X,16; anal-fin elements III,7; pectoral-fin rays 22; lateral-line scales 64; gill rakers 12+26; body moderately elongate, depth 4.8 in SL; head length 3.6 in SL; snout 4.1 in HL; caudal fin forked and without filaments, length 4.3 in SL; caudal-fin concavity 6.3 in SL; pectoral-fin length 4.0 in SL; pelvic-fin length 5.0 in SL; color in life: body orange-red dorsally, silver-magenta ventrally, with alternating magenta, red, and orange lines along sides of body; dorsal fin yellow-orange with red-orange spots (Fig. 1).
Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Rapa Nui name; the phrase kio-meamea means “red fish that takes refuge in a cave”. Treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from Rapa Nui. The holotype was collected at a depth of 83 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area (Fig. 4). It was caught by hand using hand nets and transported alive to the surface in a perforated-plastic collecting jar.
Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Tyler Phelps, Alejandro Perez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2019. Luzonichthys kiomeamea (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiadinae), A New Species from A Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 33; 17-27. OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf33c.html
twitter.com/CoralReefFish/status/1136015501723807744
==========================
Siphamia arnazae, a new species of cardinalfish (Teleostei: Apogonidae) from Papua New Guinea.
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. (2019)
Siphamia arnazae Allen & Erdmann, 2019
https://zenodo.org/record/3012186#.XPNcxIhKi00
Figure 1. Siphamia arnazae, freshly collected female holotype, 21.4 mm SL, Nuakata Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua
New Guinea (M.V. Erdmann).
Figure 3. Siphamia arnazae, preserved female holotype, 21.4 mm SL, Nuakata Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New
Guinea (M.V. Erdmann).
A new species of cardinalfish, Siphamia arnazae, is described from 18 specimens, 15.6–21.4 mm SL, collected in 8–12 m depth at Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. The new species belongs to the Siphamia tubulata species group, characterized by light-organ pigmentation consisting of dark dots. It is most similar to S. cyanophthalma of the Philippines, eastern Indonesia, Palau, and offshore reefs of northwestern Australia, but differs from all congeners by having a distinctive “cat’s eye” black bar through the eye, covering more than the pupil at center, and flanked by white crescents covering the remaining iris. In life, the new species is translucent pale pink to reddish orange with a dense covering of variable-sized orange spots on the head and anterior body.
==========================
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. (2019)
Siphamia arnazae Allen & Erdmann, 2019
https://zenodo.org/record/3012186#.XPNcxIhKi00
Figure 1. Siphamia arnazae, freshly collected female holotype, 21.4 mm SL, Nuakata Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua
New Guinea (M.V. Erdmann).
Figure 3. Siphamia arnazae, preserved female holotype, 21.4 mm SL, Nuakata Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New
Guinea (M.V. Erdmann).
A new species of cardinalfish, Siphamia arnazae, is described from 18 specimens, 15.6–21.4 mm SL, collected in 8–12 m depth at Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. The new species belongs to the Siphamia tubulata species group, characterized by light-organ pigmentation consisting of dark dots. It is most similar to S. cyanophthalma of the Philippines, eastern Indonesia, Palau, and offshore reefs of northwestern Australia, but differs from all congeners by having a distinctive “cat’s eye” black bar through the eye, covering more than the pupil at center, and flanked by white crescents covering the remaining iris. In life, the new species is translucent pale pink to reddish orange with a dense covering of variable-sized orange spots on the head and anterior body.
==========================
Two new species of Hetereleotris (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea.
Kovačić, M., Bogorodsky, S.V. & Mal, A.O. (2019)
Hetereleotris aurantiaca Kovačić et al., 2019
Hetereleotris semisquamata Kovačić et al., 2019
https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4608.3.5
FIGURE: A). Hetereleotris aurantiaca sp. nov. SMF 35966, holotype, female, 14.51+3.40 mm, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, Jeddah, Obhur creek (Sharm Obhur). A: freshly collected specimen, Photos by S.V. Bogorodsky (A). B) Hetereleotris semisquamata sp. nov. PMR VP3053, holotype, female, 12.58 mm, caudal fin damaged, Red Sea, Southern Egypt, Shams Alam. B: freshly collected specimen; Photos by S.V. Bogorodsky (B).
Abstract
Two new species of the gobiid genus Hetereleotris, H. aurantiaca sp. nov.and H. semisquamata sp. nov., are described from the Red Sea, the former from Saudi Arabia at Jeddah from the cave at depth of 14–16 m, and the latter from the southern Egypt from reef flat. Hetereleotris aurantiaca sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by having dorsal-fin rays VI + I,10; anal-fin rays I,9; pectoral-fin rays 14, all rays branched; pelvic-fin rays I,5, the fin separated and without frenum, 5th ray unbranched; anterior nostril with a long tube without process from the rim, posterior nostril a pore with erected rim; no tentacle above eye; posterior angle of jaws extending posteriorly to below posterior edge of pupil; no opercular spine; no mental frenum; pelvic fins longer than pectoral fins; squamation reduced to a few scales on caudal peduncle at caudal-fin base; no head canals; by presence, size and pattern of suborbital rows of sensory papillae; and orange head and yellowish orange body with five faint brown bars. Hetereleotrissemisquamata sp. nov. is distinctive among its congeners by unique scale pattern (scales cycloid, the squamation reduced, tapering from caudal-fin base along lateral midline towards pectoral fin where nearly reaching its base) and by coloration (head and body whitish, with brown line from eye to end of upper lip, dark brown band across interorbital area and continuing obliquely from eye to corner of opercle, broad dark brown band below first dorsal fin continuing into fin, and moderately broad dark brown bar on caudal-fin base). Furthermore, it is characterized in having dorsal-fin rays VI + I,11, anal-fin rays I,10, pectoral-fin rays 16, and absence of head canals. In addition to descriptions of two species, a key to all species of Hetereleotris is provided. Hetereleotris psammophila is reported outside the Gulf of Aqaba for the first time.
=======================
Catfish Study Group Convention March 13th 2020
- clock13 Mar 2020 at 12:00 – 15 Mar 2020 at 15:00
- pinMacdonald Kilhey Court
Chorley Road, WN1 2XN Standish, Wigan, United Kingdom
Parmaturus angelae• A New Species of Parmaturus (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic
Parmaturus angelae
Soares, Carvalho, Schwingel & Gadig, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-152
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new Southwestern Atlantic species of Parmaturus, P. angelae, new species, is described from two specimens captured off Brazil. It is distinguished from congeners by the following characters: origin of the first dorsal fin anterior to pelvic-fin origin, presence of well-developed upper and lower caudal crests of denticles, dorsal fins subequal, lateral denticles teardrop-shaped and lacking lateral cusplets, denticles evenly spaced, proportional dimensions, and vertebral counts. Parmaturus angelae, new species, is the second species of the genus reported from the Atlantic Ocean and only the third species outside of the Indo-West Pacific region. Parmaturus remains rather poorly defined as only two species have been studied anatomically in any detail.
ins rather poorly defined as only two species have been studied anatomically in any detail.
Fig. . Parmaturus angelae, new species, holotype, MZUSP 124000, female, 398 mm TL. Dorsal and lateral view.
Parmaturus angelae, new species
Proposed common names: Brazilian Filetail Catshark,
Ângela’s Catshark (Portuguese)
Etymology.— The specific name angelae is dedicated to the last author’s granddaughter, Angela
Karla Diamantina De Araújo Soares, Marcelo Rodrigues De Carvalho, Paulo Ricardo Schwingel and Otto Bismarck Fazzano Gadig. 2019. A New Species of Parmaturus (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic. Copeia. 107(2); 314-322. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-152
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1134481991645237249
==========================
Parmaturus angelae
Soares, Carvalho, Schwingel & Gadig, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-152
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new Southwestern Atlantic species of Parmaturus, P. angelae, new species, is described from two specimens captured off Brazil. It is distinguished from congeners by the following characters: origin of the first dorsal fin anterior to pelvic-fin origin, presence of well-developed upper and lower caudal crests of denticles, dorsal fins subequal, lateral denticles teardrop-shaped and lacking lateral cusplets, denticles evenly spaced, proportional dimensions, and vertebral counts. Parmaturus angelae, new species, is the second species of the genus reported from the Atlantic Ocean and only the third species outside of the Indo-West Pacific region. Parmaturus remains rather poorly defined as only two species have been studied anatomically in any detail.
ins rather poorly defined as only two species have been studied anatomically in any detail.
Fig. . Parmaturus angelae, new species, holotype, MZUSP 124000, female, 398 mm TL. Dorsal and lateral view.
Parmaturus angelae, new species
Proposed common names: Brazilian Filetail Catshark,
Ângela’s Catshark (Portuguese)
Etymology.— The specific name angelae is dedicated to the last author’s granddaughter, Angela
Karla Diamantina De Araújo Soares, Marcelo Rodrigues De Carvalho, Paulo Ricardo Schwingel and Otto Bismarck Fazzano Gadig. 2019. A New Species of Parmaturus (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae) from Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic. Copeia. 107(2); 314-322. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-152
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1134481991645237249
==========================
Marcusenius wamuinii • A New Elephantfish (Teleostei: Mormyridae) from the Mangroves National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Marcusenius wamuinii Decru, Sullivan & Vreven, 2019
twitter.com/halooie1
Abstract
Marcusenius wamuinii, a new large-scaled Marcusenius species, is described from the Mangroves National Park (MNP), a protected area situated at the mouth of the Lower Congo basin and its surroundings in the DR Congo. It can be distinguished from all its congeners based on the following unique combination of characteristics: 8 circumpeduncular scales, 27-31 anal-fin rays, 22-25 dorsal-fin rays, 19-22 scales between dorsal and anal fin, 46-53 lateral line scales, and a slender caudal peduncle (depth 4.4-5.9 % SL). Its status as a distinct species is additionally confirmed by genetic data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. This is the first new fish species discovered in the MNP, highlighting the importance of freshwater conservation in this area in which the fish fauna is still poorly known.
Eva Decru, John P. Sullivan and Emmanuel Vreven. 2019. Marcusenius wamuinii (Teleostei: Mormyridae), A New Elephantfish from the Mangroves National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. online first (1090); 1-15. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1090
researchgate.net/publication/333293882_Marcusenius_wamuinii_a_new_elephantfish_from_the_Mangroves_National_Park_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
twitter.com/halooie1/status/1131247592149540865
Marcusenius wamuinii, une nouvelle espèce de Marcusenius à grandes écailles est décrite du Parc Marin des Mangroves (PMM), une zone protégée située dans l'embouchure du Bas Congo et ses environs en RD Congo. Elle se distingue de tous ses congénères sur la base de la combinaison unique des caractères suivants : 8 écailles circumpédonculaires, 27-31 rayons à la nageoire anale, 22-25 rayons à la nageoire dorsale, 19-22 écailles entre les nageoires dorsale et anale, 46-53 écailles en ligne latérale et un pédoncule caudal mince (hauteur 4.4-5.9 % SL). Son statut d'espèce distincte est également confirmé à base de résultats génétiques sur le gène mitochondrial cytochrome b. Ceci est la première nouvelle espèce de poisson découverte dans le PMM, soulignant l'importance de la conservation des eaux douces dans cette Zone, dont la faune de poissons est encore largement méconnue.
==========================
Marcusenius wamuinii Decru, Sullivan & Vreven, 2019
twitter.com/halooie1
Abstract
Marcusenius wamuinii, a new large-scaled Marcusenius species, is described from the Mangroves National Park (MNP), a protected area situated at the mouth of the Lower Congo basin and its surroundings in the DR Congo. It can be distinguished from all its congeners based on the following unique combination of characteristics: 8 circumpeduncular scales, 27-31 anal-fin rays, 22-25 dorsal-fin rays, 19-22 scales between dorsal and anal fin, 46-53 lateral line scales, and a slender caudal peduncle (depth 4.4-5.9 % SL). Its status as a distinct species is additionally confirmed by genetic data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. This is the first new fish species discovered in the MNP, highlighting the importance of freshwater conservation in this area in which the fish fauna is still poorly known.
Eva Decru, John P. Sullivan and Emmanuel Vreven. 2019. Marcusenius wamuinii (Teleostei: Mormyridae), A New Elephantfish from the Mangroves National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. online first (1090); 1-15. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1090
researchgate.net/publication/333293882_Marcusenius_wamuinii_a_new_elephantfish_from_the_Mangroves_National_Park_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
twitter.com/halooie1/status/1131247592149540865
Marcusenius wamuinii, une nouvelle espèce de Marcusenius à grandes écailles est décrite du Parc Marin des Mangroves (PMM), une zone protégée située dans l'embouchure du Bas Congo et ses environs en RD Congo. Elle se distingue de tous ses congénères sur la base de la combinaison unique des caractères suivants : 8 écailles circumpédonculaires, 27-31 rayons à la nageoire anale, 22-25 rayons à la nageoire dorsale, 19-22 écailles entre les nageoires dorsale et anale, 46-53 écailles en ligne latérale et un pédoncule caudal mince (hauteur 4.4-5.9 % SL). Son statut d'espèce distincte est également confirmé à base de résultats génétiques sur le gène mitochondrial cytochrome b. Ceci est la première nouvelle espèce de poisson découverte dans le PMM, soulignant l'importance de la conservation des eaux douces dans cette Zone, dont la faune de poissons est encore largement méconnue.
==========================
Rhyacoschistura larreci • A New Genus and Species of Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Laosand Redescription of R. suber
Rhyacoschistura larreci
Kottelat, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1
phakhaolao.la
Abstract
Rhyacoschistura, new genus, belongs to a group of genera (Physoschistura, Mustura, Pteronemacheilus, Petruichthys) characterised by the modified branched pectoral-fin rays of males, with a very thick first ray, usually without membranes between some of the branches and/or rays, and anterior rays and/or membranes covered by small tubercles at maturity. Rhyacoschistura is distinguished from them by the combination of: presence of a suborbital flap; emarginate caudal fin; lower lip with a wide median interruption and connected to isthmus by a frenum; body depth about equal from behind head to caudal-fin base.Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species, is described from the Mekong drainage in Xayaburi Province, Laos. It is distinguished by details of the morphology of the pelvic fin, and its colour pattern (flank with numerous narrow slanted bars, very irregularly organised and shaped, more or less connected, or sometimes covering the whole flank). Schistura suber, from Nam Ngum watershed, is redescribed on the basis of adults and placed in Rhyacoschistura.
Keywords: Pisces, Schistura, Mustura, Physoschistura
Rhyacoschistura, new genus
Type species. Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species.
Etymology. Rhyacoschistura is derived from the Greek word ῥύαξ, -κος (rhyax, meaning a rushing stream, a torrent) and the genus name Schistura (itself based on σχιστός [schistos; divided] and οὐρά [oura; tail]). In reference to the torrent and hill stream habitat of the species placed in the genus. Gender feminine.
Included species. Rhyacoschistura larreci and Rhyacoschistura suber (Kottelat, 2000).
Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species
Etymology. Named for LARReC, Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, Vientiane, for its 20th anniversary, and appreciation to several of its staff for 20 years of collaboration in the field. Treated as a masculine noun in genitive, indeclinable.
Maurice Kottelat. 2019. Rhyacoschistura larreci, A New Genus and Species of Loach from Laos and Redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4612(2); 151–170. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1
Rhyacoschistura larreci, a new genus and species of loach from Laos and redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) phakhaolao.la/en/publications/rhyacoschistura-larreci-new-genus-and-species-loach-laos-and-redescription-r-suber
==========================
Rhyacoschistura larreci
Kottelat, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1
phakhaolao.la
Abstract
Rhyacoschistura, new genus, belongs to a group of genera (Physoschistura, Mustura, Pteronemacheilus, Petruichthys) characterised by the modified branched pectoral-fin rays of males, with a very thick first ray, usually without membranes between some of the branches and/or rays, and anterior rays and/or membranes covered by small tubercles at maturity. Rhyacoschistura is distinguished from them by the combination of: presence of a suborbital flap; emarginate caudal fin; lower lip with a wide median interruption and connected to isthmus by a frenum; body depth about equal from behind head to caudal-fin base.Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species, is described from the Mekong drainage in Xayaburi Province, Laos. It is distinguished by details of the morphology of the pelvic fin, and its colour pattern (flank with numerous narrow slanted bars, very irregularly organised and shaped, more or less connected, or sometimes covering the whole flank). Schistura suber, from Nam Ngum watershed, is redescribed on the basis of adults and placed in Rhyacoschistura.
Keywords: Pisces, Schistura, Mustura, Physoschistura
Rhyacoschistura, new genus
Type species. Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species.
Etymology. Rhyacoschistura is derived from the Greek word ῥύαξ, -κος (rhyax, meaning a rushing stream, a torrent) and the genus name Schistura (itself based on σχιστός [schistos; divided] and οὐρά [oura; tail]). In reference to the torrent and hill stream habitat of the species placed in the genus. Gender feminine.
Included species. Rhyacoschistura larreci and Rhyacoschistura suber (Kottelat, 2000).
Rhyacoschistura larreci, new species
Etymology. Named for LARReC, Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, Vientiane, for its 20th anniversary, and appreciation to several of its staff for 20 years of collaboration in the field. Treated as a masculine noun in genitive, indeclinable.
Maurice Kottelat. 2019. Rhyacoschistura larreci, A New Genus and Species of Loach from Laos and Redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4612(2); 151–170. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4612.2.1
Rhyacoschistura larreci, a new genus and species of loach from Laos and redescription of R. suber (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) phakhaolao.la/en/publications/rhyacoschistura-larreci-new-genus-and-species-loach-laos-and-redescription-r-suber
==========================
CT SCAN OF A FANGBLENNY HEAD. (COURTESY OF ANTHONY ROMILIO)
A Tiny Fish With Terrifying Fangs and Opioid Venom
The fangblenny doesn’t care about your pain.
ED YONG
Petroscirtes breviceps, one of the non-venomous fangblenny species.ALEX RIBEIROThink about a venomous fang, and you’ll probably conjure up an image of a snake or spider. But perhaps you should also spare a thought for group of unassuming reef fish that are appropriately called fangblennies. They are finger-sized, colorful, and rather cute—that is, until they open their mouths. Their lower jaws bear two upsettingly large canine teeth, capable of delivering a deep bite. And the evolution of those teeth, according to a new study by Nicholas Casewell at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, took the fangblennies down a path of subterfuge, double-crossing, and chemical warfare.
Of the 33,000 or so species of fish, some 2,500 are venomous—far more than the number of venomous snakes. A surprising number of deep-sea sharks (including many that glow-in-the dark) have venomous spines at the base on their fins. Stingrays deliver venom with their ostentatious tail spikes, stonefish inject toxins with spines on their backs, lionfish use their flamboyant fins, and tangs deploy scalpel-like spines at the base of their tails. (So, yes, Dory is venomous.) But among this toxic underwater menagerie, only two groups have venomous bites—an obscure group of deep-sea eels, and the fangblennies.
Unlike snakes, spiders, and scorpions, the venomous blennies don’t use their poisons to hunt. “They’re mostly plankton-feeders,” says Casewell. Instead, their toxins are defensive. George Losey from the University of Hawaii demonstrated this in the 1970s by offering captive fangblennies to groupers. If the large predators swallowed the tiny fish, they would soon re-open their mouths and allow the morsels to swim out unharmed. But if Losey defanged the blennies first, the groupers readily devoured them.
But there are many kinds of fangblenny and not all of them are venomous. Casewell and his colleagues, including Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland, confirmed this by dissecting their way through several species. They showed that all of them share the disarmingly large canines, but only one group--Meiacanthus—has venom glands.
Casewell’s team extracted those glands from one species, and worked out which genes were being switched on. They found that the gland produces at least three types of toxin, none of which have been seen before in fish. The first—phospholipases—are common in the venoms of snakes, bees, and scorpions; they cause inflammation, and can damage nerves. The second—neuropeptide Y—is used by the lethal cone snail, and causes blood pressure to tank.
The third group—enkephalins—are opioid hormones. They’re similar to the natural endorphins that give you feel-good effects during exercise or laughter, and they work by targeting the same molecules as synthetic opioid painkillers like fentanyl or oxycodone. “But these substances have to be released in the brain to have that type of activity,” says Irina Vetter from the University of Queensland, who was involved in analyzing the blenny venom and is an expert on pain. “It’s unlikely that they would relieve pain when we’re bitten by a fish because they can’t get into the brain that way.” So contrary to a press release that was issued about this study, it’s unlikely that the enkephalins “act like heroin or morphine, inhibiting pain rather than causing it.”
But even if blenny venom isn’t a painkiller, it’s also not a pain-causer. Luiz Rocha from the California Academy of Sciences was once tagged by a Meiacanthus in the Red Sea, and even though he says the bite was “surprisingly deep and drew blood immediately,” it wasn’t painful.
That’s really weird. Fish venoms are known for being extraordinarily painful, inflicting agony out of all proportion to the wounds that they seep through. (Fry says that the time he was stung by a stingray was the most painful experience of his life, second only to breaking his back.) And pain is such a powerful deterrent that it’s surprising the blennies don’t evoke it.
Instead, Casewell thinks that they, like neuropeptide Y, are responsible for crashing a victim’s blood pressure. That should be enough to make a predator feel faint or uncoordinated, which may is why Losey’s groupers became slack-jawed upon ingesting a blenny.
The non-venomous fangblennies like Aspidontus defend themselves by mimicking other reef fish. Some take the guise of cleaner wrasse, which are tolerated by predators because they remove parasites. The blennies, however, exploit this tolerance to feed on their “clients”—the close in, and use their fangs to nip off bits of skin and scale. These sneak attacks may be why they evolved fangs in the first place.
But wait, there’s more! The venomous fangblennies are themselves mimicked by a wide variety of reef fish, and their impersonators include other non-venomous fangblennies. These harmless species, like Plagiotremus, take the colors, patterns, and swimming behavior of their more well-armed cousins to deter predators with the false threat of venom. They also become bolder. “In some places, Plagiotremus is very cryptic, hiding in holes and waiting for its prey to swim by, at which point it darts and takes a bite,” says Rocha. “But when Plagiotremus mimics the venomous Meiacanthus, it doesn’t hide.” It simply swims up to other fish and takes a nibble. And this convoluted web of deception was probably triggered “by the evolution of venom,” Casewell says.
“This is a monumental amount of work and it’s remarkable that the team pulled it all together,” says Leo Smith from the University of Kansas. “My main hope with this exciting study is that it will encourage researchers to explore the other 2,500 venomous fishes,” which have been neglected in favour of more infamous groups like snakes and spiders.
That’s possible because of new technologies that allow researchers to study venomous animals by looking at the genes they switch on. “It allows us to go beyond the traditional snakes and scorpions and investigate species with hard-to-dissect venom ducts or small quantities of venom,” says Mandë Holford from Hunter College. “It’s really an exciting time to be a venom researcher.”
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
A Tiny Fish With Terrifying Fangs and Opioid Venom
The fangblenny doesn’t care about your pain.
ED YONG
Petroscirtes breviceps, one of the non-venomous fangblenny species.ALEX RIBEIROThink about a venomous fang, and you’ll probably conjure up an image of a snake or spider. But perhaps you should also spare a thought for group of unassuming reef fish that are appropriately called fangblennies. They are finger-sized, colorful, and rather cute—that is, until they open their mouths. Their lower jaws bear two upsettingly large canine teeth, capable of delivering a deep bite. And the evolution of those teeth, according to a new study by Nicholas Casewell at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, took the fangblennies down a path of subterfuge, double-crossing, and chemical warfare.
Of the 33,000 or so species of fish, some 2,500 are venomous—far more than the number of venomous snakes. A surprising number of deep-sea sharks (including many that glow-in-the dark) have venomous spines at the base on their fins. Stingrays deliver venom with their ostentatious tail spikes, stonefish inject toxins with spines on their backs, lionfish use their flamboyant fins, and tangs deploy scalpel-like spines at the base of their tails. (So, yes, Dory is venomous.) But among this toxic underwater menagerie, only two groups have venomous bites—an obscure group of deep-sea eels, and the fangblennies.
Unlike snakes, spiders, and scorpions, the venomous blennies don’t use their poisons to hunt. “They’re mostly plankton-feeders,” says Casewell. Instead, their toxins are defensive. George Losey from the University of Hawaii demonstrated this in the 1970s by offering captive fangblennies to groupers. If the large predators swallowed the tiny fish, they would soon re-open their mouths and allow the morsels to swim out unharmed. But if Losey defanged the blennies first, the groupers readily devoured them.
But there are many kinds of fangblenny and not all of them are venomous. Casewell and his colleagues, including Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland, confirmed this by dissecting their way through several species. They showed that all of them share the disarmingly large canines, but only one group--Meiacanthus—has venom glands.
Casewell’s team extracted those glands from one species, and worked out which genes were being switched on. They found that the gland produces at least three types of toxin, none of which have been seen before in fish. The first—phospholipases—are common in the venoms of snakes, bees, and scorpions; they cause inflammation, and can damage nerves. The second—neuropeptide Y—is used by the lethal cone snail, and causes blood pressure to tank.
The third group—enkephalins—are opioid hormones. They’re similar to the natural endorphins that give you feel-good effects during exercise or laughter, and they work by targeting the same molecules as synthetic opioid painkillers like fentanyl or oxycodone. “But these substances have to be released in the brain to have that type of activity,” says Irina Vetter from the University of Queensland, who was involved in analyzing the blenny venom and is an expert on pain. “It’s unlikely that they would relieve pain when we’re bitten by a fish because they can’t get into the brain that way.” So contrary to a press release that was issued about this study, it’s unlikely that the enkephalins “act like heroin or morphine, inhibiting pain rather than causing it.”
But even if blenny venom isn’t a painkiller, it’s also not a pain-causer. Luiz Rocha from the California Academy of Sciences was once tagged by a Meiacanthus in the Red Sea, and even though he says the bite was “surprisingly deep and drew blood immediately,” it wasn’t painful.
That’s really weird. Fish venoms are known for being extraordinarily painful, inflicting agony out of all proportion to the wounds that they seep through. (Fry says that the time he was stung by a stingray was the most painful experience of his life, second only to breaking his back.) And pain is such a powerful deterrent that it’s surprising the blennies don’t evoke it.
Instead, Casewell thinks that they, like neuropeptide Y, are responsible for crashing a victim’s blood pressure. That should be enough to make a predator feel faint or uncoordinated, which may is why Losey’s groupers became slack-jawed upon ingesting a blenny.
The non-venomous fangblennies like Aspidontus defend themselves by mimicking other reef fish. Some take the guise of cleaner wrasse, which are tolerated by predators because they remove parasites. The blennies, however, exploit this tolerance to feed on their “clients”—the close in, and use their fangs to nip off bits of skin and scale. These sneak attacks may be why they evolved fangs in the first place.
But wait, there’s more! The venomous fangblennies are themselves mimicked by a wide variety of reef fish, and their impersonators include other non-venomous fangblennies. These harmless species, like Plagiotremus, take the colors, patterns, and swimming behavior of their more well-armed cousins to deter predators with the false threat of venom. They also become bolder. “In some places, Plagiotremus is very cryptic, hiding in holes and waiting for its prey to swim by, at which point it darts and takes a bite,” says Rocha. “But when Plagiotremus mimics the venomous Meiacanthus, it doesn’t hide.” It simply swims up to other fish and takes a nibble. And this convoluted web of deception was probably triggered “by the evolution of venom,” Casewell says.
“This is a monumental amount of work and it’s remarkable that the team pulled it all together,” says Leo Smith from the University of Kansas. “My main hope with this exciting study is that it will encourage researchers to explore the other 2,500 venomous fishes,” which have been neglected in favour of more infamous groups like snakes and spiders.
That’s possible because of new technologies that allow researchers to study venomous animals by looking at the genes they switch on. “It allows us to go beyond the traditional snakes and scorpions and investigate species with hard-to-dissect venom ducts or small quantities of venom,” says Mandë Holford from Hunter College. “It’s really an exciting time to be a venom researcher.”
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
Barrier Reef Blenny
Cryptobenthic fish include the Roughhead blenny, Belize sponge goby, Matador triplefin, Warteye stargazer, and Saddled blenny. (Credit: Jordan Casey)
The Tiny Fish That Break a Fundamental Rule of Vertebrate Life
By living fast and getting eaten in extreme numbers, these overlooked critters fuel the food webs that allow vast communities to flourish in coral reefs.
ED YONG
MAY 23, 2019
Although coral reefs are home to bustling communities of gaudy marine life, half the fishes that live there are hardly ever seen. Aptly known as cryptobenthics—literally “hidden bottom-dwellers”—these species are mostly shorter than two inches and usually hidden in crevices. If you snorkel past, they’ll scurry away. But Simon Brandl of Simon Fraser University has made a career of studying them. And he and his team have now shown that cryptobenthics are a crucial component of healthy reefs because they, more so than other fish, are extremely good at dying.
Pretty much every predator on the reef eats cryptobenthics, and a full 70 percent of these tiny morsels are devoured every week. But since they also reproduce, hatch, and grow at equally phenomenal rates, new individuals are constantly replenishing the ones that are consumed. Entire generations can turn over in a matter of weeks. And this extreme life cycle, Brandl found, is the secret engine of the world’s coral reefs, fueling the food webs that allow their inhabitants to flourish in otherwise nutrient-poor waters.
Large, colorful fish such as groupers, wrasses, and parrotfish “are what people focus on because they’re the ones you see when you’re diving,” says Julia Baum, a coral researcher at the University of Victoria. “But I love it when a study like this comes out of the blue and says that maybe these tiny fish might be the ones that are fueling everything else on the reef. That’s very cool.”
Seventeen families of fish count as cryptobenthics, but aside from seahorses (and perhaps gobies), most are obscure. Blennies, dottybacks, clingfishes, and dragonets—they’d be household names if only they were a little bigger, Brandl thinks. “I suspect that if we were to blow them up to 20 times their size, we’d consider some of them to be the most beautiful fish on the reef,” he says.
Cryptobenthic fish include the Roughhead blenny, Belize sponge goby, Matador triplefin, Warteye stargazer, and Saddled blenny. (Credit: Jordan Casey)The small size of these fish also limits how many eggs they can produce, “which means they have to be extremely religious about making sure those actually hatch,” Brandl says. Some incubate their eggs in their mouths, forgoing meals until the larvae break out. Seahorse males lug around their eggs in breeding pouches. Sandgazers carry around a ball of eggs under their pectoral fins—a behavior called “armpit breeding.” These tactics mean that cryptobenthics are far better than other fish at converting eggs into larvae. When researchers count the baby fish in the waters near a reef, about 70 percent will be cryptobenthics.
For most of these larvae, life will be brief—even if they escape the jaws of predators. The pygmy goby, for example, crams its entire existence into just two months—the shortest life span of any backboned animal. Much of that time is spent as a larva, which quickly quintuples in size into an inch-long adult that lasts for just a few weeks. Living fast and dying young: That’s the cryptobenthic way. “They’ve broken with the fundamental rule of being a vertebrate, which is that you spend most of your time as an adult,” says Brandl. “They’re almost getting into mayfly territory.”
Read: A tiny fish with terrifying fangs and opioid venom
All of this explains why standard surveys fail to capture how important these fish are. Ecologists typically study reef animals by measuring their “standing biomass”—that is, they grab all the adults in an area and weigh them. By this measure, cryptobenthics seem unimportant: Though there are plenty of them, they barely shift the scales, even together. But that metric is profoundly misleading, because it ignores just how many cryptobenthics are eaten, and how often they’re eaten.
By simulating the lives of these fishes, Brandl found that their generations tick by so quickly, and they’re so frequently preyed upon, that every individual is replaced seven times a year. That’s a huge mass of fish that we rarely ever notice, because it’s eaten almost as quickly as it is generated. Weigh the survivors at any one moment, and you’ll be unimpressed. But estimate the total mass of the dead, as Brandl and his team did, and you’ll find that cryptobenthics account for 60 percent of the fish flesh that is eaten on a reef. Abundant, calorific, and rapidly produced, “they’re the fast food of coral reefs,” says Gabby Ahmadia, who has studied cryptobenthics and is now a director of marine-conservation science at the WWF.
The hidden influence of cryptobenthics might explain a long-standing puzzle called Darwin’s paradox. Simply put, “corals need clear, tropical waters to survive, but those waters are usually poor in nutrients,” explains Luiz Rocha of the California Academy of Sciences. So how can such watery deserts support such heaving communities?
One possibility: Seabirds could import nutrients by feeding in faraway waters and then dropping guano on the reefs. (A recent study supported this idea by showing that when invasive rats kill island seabirds, the surrounding reefs also suffer.) Cryptobenthics could fulfill a similar role. As larvae, they feed in richer offshore waters before moving back to the reefs once they mature. All the energy locked in their bodies “gets transferred to the reef when they die as adults or are eaten,” says Rocha. They’re like a massive, invisible conveyor belt, channeling nutrients into the shallows.
For this conveyor belt to work, cryptobenthics have had to break yet another rule of marine life. The larvae of most reef fish spread over long distances by riding ocean currents, but those of cryptobenthics “don’t really go anywhere,” Brandl says. They stay within a few hundred meters of the reefs where they were born, and eventually swim home to fill the empty spots that the former generation has vacated.
This lack of wanderlust has shaped their evolution. Populations can become easily isolated from one another, so existing species are quick to split into new ones. But since those species are typically confined to a narrow geographical range, they’re also prone to extinction. What will happen to them in the future, as coral reefs are pummeled by heat waves, acidifying water, and increasing tropical storms? Ahmadia says that based on previous studies, they’re actually pretty resilient. “Cryptobenthic fish are more likely to withstand reef degradation and may play a role in the recovery of coral-reef systems,” she says.
Read: Since 2016, half of all coral in the Great Barrier Reef has died
Repeatedly, we see that the limits of our senses limit our understanding of nature. We neglect what we cannot see, whether cryptobenthic fish or the microbes that grow on corals. “I work on cryptic invertebrates, which have been ignored for the same reasons,” says Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “If you go to a reef and break off a head of dead coral, it’ll be full of little hiding crabs, shrimps, and snails. But unless you really make an effort to find these things, they’re hard to study.”
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
By living fast and getting eaten in extreme numbers, these overlooked critters fuel the food webs that allow vast communities to flourish in coral reefs.
ED YONG
MAY 23, 2019
Although coral reefs are home to bustling communities of gaudy marine life, half the fishes that live there are hardly ever seen. Aptly known as cryptobenthics—literally “hidden bottom-dwellers”—these species are mostly shorter than two inches and usually hidden in crevices. If you snorkel past, they’ll scurry away. But Simon Brandl of Simon Fraser University has made a career of studying them. And he and his team have now shown that cryptobenthics are a crucial component of healthy reefs because they, more so than other fish, are extremely good at dying.
Pretty much every predator on the reef eats cryptobenthics, and a full 70 percent of these tiny morsels are devoured every week. But since they also reproduce, hatch, and grow at equally phenomenal rates, new individuals are constantly replenishing the ones that are consumed. Entire generations can turn over in a matter of weeks. And this extreme life cycle, Brandl found, is the secret engine of the world’s coral reefs, fueling the food webs that allow their inhabitants to flourish in otherwise nutrient-poor waters.
Large, colorful fish such as groupers, wrasses, and parrotfish “are what people focus on because they’re the ones you see when you’re diving,” says Julia Baum, a coral researcher at the University of Victoria. “But I love it when a study like this comes out of the blue and says that maybe these tiny fish might be the ones that are fueling everything else on the reef. That’s very cool.”
Seventeen families of fish count as cryptobenthics, but aside from seahorses (and perhaps gobies), most are obscure. Blennies, dottybacks, clingfishes, and dragonets—they’d be household names if only they were a little bigger, Brandl thinks. “I suspect that if we were to blow them up to 20 times their size, we’d consider some of them to be the most beautiful fish on the reef,” he says.
Cryptobenthic fish include the Roughhead blenny, Belize sponge goby, Matador triplefin, Warteye stargazer, and Saddled blenny. (Credit: Jordan Casey)The small size of these fish also limits how many eggs they can produce, “which means they have to be extremely religious about making sure those actually hatch,” Brandl says. Some incubate their eggs in their mouths, forgoing meals until the larvae break out. Seahorse males lug around their eggs in breeding pouches. Sandgazers carry around a ball of eggs under their pectoral fins—a behavior called “armpit breeding.” These tactics mean that cryptobenthics are far better than other fish at converting eggs into larvae. When researchers count the baby fish in the waters near a reef, about 70 percent will be cryptobenthics.
For most of these larvae, life will be brief—even if they escape the jaws of predators. The pygmy goby, for example, crams its entire existence into just two months—the shortest life span of any backboned animal. Much of that time is spent as a larva, which quickly quintuples in size into an inch-long adult that lasts for just a few weeks. Living fast and dying young: That’s the cryptobenthic way. “They’ve broken with the fundamental rule of being a vertebrate, which is that you spend most of your time as an adult,” says Brandl. “They’re almost getting into mayfly territory.”
Read: A tiny fish with terrifying fangs and opioid venom
All of this explains why standard surveys fail to capture how important these fish are. Ecologists typically study reef animals by measuring their “standing biomass”—that is, they grab all the adults in an area and weigh them. By this measure, cryptobenthics seem unimportant: Though there are plenty of them, they barely shift the scales, even together. But that metric is profoundly misleading, because it ignores just how many cryptobenthics are eaten, and how often they’re eaten.
By simulating the lives of these fishes, Brandl found that their generations tick by so quickly, and they’re so frequently preyed upon, that every individual is replaced seven times a year. That’s a huge mass of fish that we rarely ever notice, because it’s eaten almost as quickly as it is generated. Weigh the survivors at any one moment, and you’ll be unimpressed. But estimate the total mass of the dead, as Brandl and his team did, and you’ll find that cryptobenthics account for 60 percent of the fish flesh that is eaten on a reef. Abundant, calorific, and rapidly produced, “they’re the fast food of coral reefs,” says Gabby Ahmadia, who has studied cryptobenthics and is now a director of marine-conservation science at the WWF.
The hidden influence of cryptobenthics might explain a long-standing puzzle called Darwin’s paradox. Simply put, “corals need clear, tropical waters to survive, but those waters are usually poor in nutrients,” explains Luiz Rocha of the California Academy of Sciences. So how can such watery deserts support such heaving communities?
One possibility: Seabirds could import nutrients by feeding in faraway waters and then dropping guano on the reefs. (A recent study supported this idea by showing that when invasive rats kill island seabirds, the surrounding reefs also suffer.) Cryptobenthics could fulfill a similar role. As larvae, they feed in richer offshore waters before moving back to the reefs once they mature. All the energy locked in their bodies “gets transferred to the reef when they die as adults or are eaten,” says Rocha. They’re like a massive, invisible conveyor belt, channeling nutrients into the shallows.
For this conveyor belt to work, cryptobenthics have had to break yet another rule of marine life. The larvae of most reef fish spread over long distances by riding ocean currents, but those of cryptobenthics “don’t really go anywhere,” Brandl says. They stay within a few hundred meters of the reefs where they were born, and eventually swim home to fill the empty spots that the former generation has vacated.
This lack of wanderlust has shaped their evolution. Populations can become easily isolated from one another, so existing species are quick to split into new ones. But since those species are typically confined to a narrow geographical range, they’re also prone to extinction. What will happen to them in the future, as coral reefs are pummeled by heat waves, acidifying water, and increasing tropical storms? Ahmadia says that based on previous studies, they’re actually pretty resilient. “Cryptobenthic fish are more likely to withstand reef degradation and may play a role in the recovery of coral-reef systems,” she says.
Read: Since 2016, half of all coral in the Great Barrier Reef has died
Repeatedly, we see that the limits of our senses limit our understanding of nature. We neglect what we cannot see, whether cryptobenthic fish or the microbes that grow on corals. “I work on cryptic invertebrates, which have been ignored for the same reasons,” says Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “If you go to a reef and break off a head of dead coral, it’ll be full of little hiding crabs, shrimps, and snails. But unless you really make an effort to find these things, they’re hard to study.”
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
Hemiancistrus subviridis, the Green Phantom Pleco.
Hemiancistrus to be Further Studied
May, 2019
Hemiancistrus subviridis, the Green Phantom Pleco. Image Credit: 5snake5, CC0 1.0.
The Catfish Study Group (CSG) Research Study Fund has been helping further the study of catfishes and they are at it again! Funding has been provided to Vanessa Meza-Vargas for her dissertation revising and classifying of Hemiancistrus catfish. This genus of armored catfish requires diligent work towards furthering the understanding of the genus and the relationships between species.
A bit about Vanessa: she worked on the taxonomy of Chaetostoma genera and species, has worked at the Royal Ontario Museum, and is currently working with Roberto Reis at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil in studying loricariid systematics. Thank you, Vanessa, for taking on this project and we hope to read your results soon!
How to Help
Interested in furthering research on catfish? The research outlined above is funded by the Catfish Study Group. Any size contribution is accepted through their website at https://www.catfishstudygroup.org/.
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
May, 2019
Hemiancistrus subviridis, the Green Phantom Pleco. Image Credit: 5snake5, CC0 1.0.
The Catfish Study Group (CSG) Research Study Fund has been helping further the study of catfishes and they are at it again! Funding has been provided to Vanessa Meza-Vargas for her dissertation revising and classifying of Hemiancistrus catfish. This genus of armored catfish requires diligent work towards furthering the understanding of the genus and the relationships between species.
A bit about Vanessa: she worked on the taxonomy of Chaetostoma genera and species, has worked at the Royal Ontario Museum, and is currently working with Roberto Reis at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil in studying loricariid systematics. Thank you, Vanessa, for taking on this project and we hope to read your results soon!
How to Help
Interested in furthering research on catfish? The research outlined above is funded by the Catfish Study Group. Any size contribution is accepted through their website at https://www.catfishstudygroup.org/.
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
New Populations of the Rare Subterranean Blind Cave Eel Ophisternon candidum (Synbranchidae)reveal Recent Historical Connections throughout north-western Australia
Ophisternon candidum (Mees, 1962)
in Moore, Humphreys & Foster, 2018.
DOI: 10.1071/MF18006
twitter.com/DrKMAbrams FishesofAustralia.net.au
Abstract
The enigmatic blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum is one of Australia’s least known fishes and is one of only three vertebrates in Australia with an entirely subterranean existence. For more than half a century, O. candidum was thought to be restricted to some 100 km of coastal cave systems in north-western Australia. Herein we report on two new populations, each separated by hundreds of kilometres, and provide the first complete list of all known records of subterranean Ophisternon in Western Australia. Using morphological and molecular data, we show that these populations are conspecific, with one population showing evidence of genetic differentiation. Geological and biogeographic explanations are explored, along with conservation considerations. All populations face actual and potential threats, especially from mining activities, and there is a need for management and conservation strategies specific to each population.
Keywords: anchialine, Barrow Island, biogeography, Cape Range, conservation, genetics, Pilbara.
Glenn I. Moore, William F. Humphreys and Ralph Foster. 2018. New Populations of the Rare Subterranean Blind Cave Eel Ophisternon candidum (Synbranchidae) reveal Recent Historical Connections throughout north-western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research. DOI: 10.1071/MF18006
researchgate.net/publication/326173234_New_populations_of_Ophisternon_candidum
twitter.com/BiolSci_UWA/status/1015541639241084929
twitter.com/DrKMAbrams/status/1019469227948851200
FishesofAustralia.net.au/home/species/3203
Abstract: The rare blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum is restricted to a few populations and was originally described on the basis of only two specimens. The holotype and paratype were re-examined to provide revised and additional morphometrics. Nine more recently collected specimens, across a range of sizes, were also examined to provide an updated and expanded description of morphometrics for the species. Sensory head pores were identified and described for the first time in this species and a series of fresh colour photographs of both juvenile and adult specimens are provided suggesting ontogenetic ocular degeneration and vascularisation that may have evolved in response to a life in darkness.
Keywords: Anchialine, Pilbara, X-ray, Head pores, Anommatophasma
Glenn I. Moore. 2018. New morphological data and live photographs of the rare subterranean blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum (Synbranchidae) from north-western Australia. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0647-2
==========================
Ophisternon candidum (Mees, 1962)
in Moore, Humphreys & Foster, 2018.
DOI: 10.1071/MF18006
twitter.com/DrKMAbrams FishesofAustralia.net.au
Abstract
The enigmatic blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum is one of Australia’s least known fishes and is one of only three vertebrates in Australia with an entirely subterranean existence. For more than half a century, O. candidum was thought to be restricted to some 100 km of coastal cave systems in north-western Australia. Herein we report on two new populations, each separated by hundreds of kilometres, and provide the first complete list of all known records of subterranean Ophisternon in Western Australia. Using morphological and molecular data, we show that these populations are conspecific, with one population showing evidence of genetic differentiation. Geological and biogeographic explanations are explored, along with conservation considerations. All populations face actual and potential threats, especially from mining activities, and there is a need for management and conservation strategies specific to each population.
Keywords: anchialine, Barrow Island, biogeography, Cape Range, conservation, genetics, Pilbara.
Glenn I. Moore, William F. Humphreys and Ralph Foster. 2018. New Populations of the Rare Subterranean Blind Cave Eel Ophisternon candidum (Synbranchidae) reveal Recent Historical Connections throughout north-western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research. DOI: 10.1071/MF18006
researchgate.net/publication/326173234_New_populations_of_Ophisternon_candidum
twitter.com/BiolSci_UWA/status/1015541639241084929
twitter.com/DrKMAbrams/status/1019469227948851200
FishesofAustralia.net.au/home/species/3203
Abstract: The rare blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum is restricted to a few populations and was originally described on the basis of only two specimens. The holotype and paratype were re-examined to provide revised and additional morphometrics. Nine more recently collected specimens, across a range of sizes, were also examined to provide an updated and expanded description of morphometrics for the species. Sensory head pores were identified and described for the first time in this species and a series of fresh colour photographs of both juvenile and adult specimens are provided suggesting ontogenetic ocular degeneration and vascularisation that may have evolved in response to a life in darkness.
Keywords: Anchialine, Pilbara, X-ray, Head pores, Anommatophasma
Glenn I. Moore. 2018. New morphological data and live photographs of the rare subterranean blind cave eel Ophisternon candidum (Synbranchidae) from north-western Australia. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0647-2
==========================
Aenigmachanna gollum • A New Genus and Species of Subterranean Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Kerala, South India
Aenigmachanna gollum
Britz, Anoop, Dahanukar & Raghavan, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
Abstract
Aenigmachanna gollum, new genus and species, is described from Kerala, South India. It is the first subterranean species of the family Channidae. It has numerous derived and unique characters, separating it from both the Asian Channa Scopoli and the African Parachanna Teugels & Daget. Uniquely among channids, A. gollum has a very slender (maximum body depth only 11.1–11.3% SL), eel-like body (head length 20.8–21.6% SL), large mouth (jaw length 60.4–61.1 % HL), 43–44 anal-fin rays, 83–85 scales in a lateral series, an unusual colour pattern and it lacks pored lateral-line scales on the body and body buoyancy. In addition, it is distinguished by its DNA barcode sequence, which is 15.8–24.2% divergent from other species of the family Channidae. Morphological modifications usually associated with a subterranean life, such as reduction of eyes and enhancement of non-visual senses (taste, smell, mechanosensory systems) are absent in A. gollum. However, it shares with subterranean fishes a slight reduction of its pigmentation in comparison to epigean channids.
Keywords: Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, relict lineages, laterite, aquifer, Pisces
Ralf Britz, V.K. Anoop, Neelesh Dahanukar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2019. The Subterranean Aenigmachanna gollum, A New Genus and Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Kerala, South India. Zootaxa. 4603(2); 377–388. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155844075950938
=========================
Aenigmachanna gollum
Britz, Anoop, Dahanukar & Raghavan, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10
facebook.com/RajeevRaghavan98
Abstract
Aenigmachanna gollum, new genus and species, is described from Kerala, South India. It is the first subterranean species of the family Channidae. It has numerous derived and unique characters, separating it from both the Asian Channa Scopoli and the African Parachanna Teugels & Daget. Uniquely among channids, A. gollum has a very slender (maximum body depth only 11.1–11.3% SL), eel-like body (head length 20.8–21.6% SL), large mouth (jaw length 60.4–61.1 % HL), 43–44 anal-fin rays, 83–85 scales in a lateral series, an unusual colour pattern and it lacks pored lateral-line scales on the body and body buoyancy. In addition, it is distinguished by its DNA barcode sequence, which is 15.8–24.2% divergent from other species of the family Channidae. Morphological modifications usually associated with a subterranean life, such as reduction of eyes and enhancement of non-visual senses (taste, smell, mechanosensory systems) are absent in A. gollum. However, it shares with subterranean fishes a slight reduction of its pigmentation in comparison to epigean channids.
Keywords: Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, relict lineages, laterite, aquifer, Pisces
Ralf Britz, V.K. Anoop, Neelesh Dahanukar and Rajeev Raghavan. 2019. The Subterranean Aenigmachanna gollum, A New Genus and Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Kerala, South India. Zootaxa. 4603(2); 377–388. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4603.2.10
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155844075950938
=========================
Enteromius pinnimaculatus
Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from southern Gabon
H. K. Mipounga J. Cutler J. H. Mve Beh
B. Adam B. L. Sidlauskas
First published: 01 May 2019
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13995
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.13995.
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ABSTRACT
We present and describe a new species of Enteromius, adding to the 16 species of Enteromius currently recorded from Gabon, West Africa. This new species is distinguished from all other Gabonese Enteromius by the presence of several distinct spots on the dorsal fin in combination with three or four round spots on the flanks. In Africa, it is superficially similar to Enteromius walkeri and with which it shares an unusual allometry in that the proportional length of the barbels decreases as the fish grows. Nevertheless, one can distinguish these species by vertebral number, maximum standard length, the length of the anterior barbels, the length of the caudal peduncle and in most specimens, the number of lateral‐line and circumpeduncular scales. These two species also inhabit widely separated drainages, with E. walkeri occurring in coastal drainages of Ghana including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers and the new species occurring in tributaries of the Louetsi and Bibaka Rivers of Gabon, which are part of the Ogowe and Nyanga drainages, respectively. Despite extensive collections in those drainages the new species is known from only two localities, suggesting the importance of conservation of its known habitat.
==========================
H. K. Mipounga J. Cutler J. H. Mve Beh
B. Adam B. L. Sidlauskas
First published: 01 May 2019
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13995
This article has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Fish Biology and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/jfb.13995.
TOOLS
ABSTRACT
We present and describe a new species of Enteromius, adding to the 16 species of Enteromius currently recorded from Gabon, West Africa. This new species is distinguished from all other Gabonese Enteromius by the presence of several distinct spots on the dorsal fin in combination with three or four round spots on the flanks. In Africa, it is superficially similar to Enteromius walkeri and with which it shares an unusual allometry in that the proportional length of the barbels decreases as the fish grows. Nevertheless, one can distinguish these species by vertebral number, maximum standard length, the length of the anterior barbels, the length of the caudal peduncle and in most specimens, the number of lateral‐line and circumpeduncular scales. These two species also inhabit widely separated drainages, with E. walkeri occurring in coastal drainages of Ghana including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers and the new species occurring in tributaries of the Louetsi and Bibaka Rivers of Gabon, which are part of the Ogowe and Nyanga drainages, respectively. Despite extensive collections in those drainages the new species is known from only two localities, suggesting the importance of conservation of its known habitat.
==========================
Description of a New Species of Killifish of the Genus Profundulus parentiae(Atherinomorpha: Profundulidae) from the Mexican State of Oaxaca
Wilfredo A. Matamoros, Sara E. Domínguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan
Author Affiliations +
Copeia, 106(2):239-246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1643/CI-17-677
AbstractThe Middle American killifish genus Profundulus occurs in most Pacific and Atlantic drainages from the Mexican state of Guerrero to the Chamelecón River in Honduras, with highest species diversity in southern Mexico. In this study, we describe a new member of the genus, Profundulus parentiae, new species, from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is distinguished from P. guatemalensis and P. kreiseri by having rows of dots on the sides of the body. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be distinguished from P. oaxacae by having 33 lateral scales, versus 29–31 in P. oaxacae. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be distinguished from P. balsanus, P. oaxacae, and P. mixtlanensis by the presence of long epiotic processes that extend beyond the epipleural ribs of the first vertebra, versus short epiotic processes not reaching the epipleural ribs of the first vertebra. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be differentiated from P. punctatus by the presence of a dorso-ventrally compressed Meckel's cartilage with a relatively straight medial process and a narrow and strongly concave sesamoid articular, versus a dorso-ventrally expanded Meckel's cartilage with concave medial process and a wide and moderately concave sesamoid articular. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of molecular sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister taxon to P. balsanus. The discovery and description of this new species in southeastern Mexico, raises the number of species from this region to five and suggests that this area has been an important center for diversification within this lineage of killifishes.
==========================
Wilfredo A. Matamoros, Sara E. Domínguez-Cisneros, Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez, Caleb D. McMahan
Author Affiliations +
Copeia, 106(2):239-246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1643/CI-17-677
AbstractThe Middle American killifish genus Profundulus occurs in most Pacific and Atlantic drainages from the Mexican state of Guerrero to the Chamelecón River in Honduras, with highest species diversity in southern Mexico. In this study, we describe a new member of the genus, Profundulus parentiae, new species, from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is distinguished from P. guatemalensis and P. kreiseri by having rows of dots on the sides of the body. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be distinguished from P. oaxacae by having 33 lateral scales, versus 29–31 in P. oaxacae. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be distinguished from P. balsanus, P. oaxacae, and P. mixtlanensis by the presence of long epiotic processes that extend beyond the epipleural ribs of the first vertebra, versus short epiotic processes not reaching the epipleural ribs of the first vertebra. Profundulus parentiae, new species, can be differentiated from P. punctatus by the presence of a dorso-ventrally compressed Meckel's cartilage with a relatively straight medial process and a narrow and strongly concave sesamoid articular, versus a dorso-ventrally expanded Meckel's cartilage with concave medial process and a wide and moderately concave sesamoid articular. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of molecular sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister taxon to P. balsanus. The discovery and description of this new species in southeastern Mexico, raises the number of species from this region to five and suggests that this area has been an important center for diversification within this lineage of killifishes.
==========================
Redescription and Recognition of Etheostoma cyanorum from Blue River, Oklahoma
William J. Matthews1 and Thomas F. Turner
Etheostoma cyanorum, endemic to the Blue River drainage of southern Oklahoma, is redescribed and recognized as a
distinct species within the Etheostoma whipplei–Etheostoma radiosum complex, separating it from E. radiosum. Originally
described as Poecilichthys radiosus cyanorum, it was one of three putative subspecies of E. radiosum (with E. r. radiosum and
E. r. paludosum) considered valid until now, defined in part by drainage-specific allopatry. Two separate mtDNA gene
trees show that E. cyanorum forms a distinct and strongly supported lineage. Ten meristic and 16 morphometric traits
are reexamined and new information included, confirming traits separating E. cyanorum from E. radiosum, and clarifying
ambiguities about ‘‘bluntness of the snout’’ as diagnostic for P. r. cyanorum. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E.
radiosum by lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and greater
interorbital width. Large adult E. cyanorum have a deep body and blunt snout per earlier studies, but those traits are not
diagnostic due to allometry. Head depth and head width can separate E. cyanorum from most populations of E. radiosum,
but they overlap with some populations of E. radiosum in southwest Arkansas. All evidence supports recognition of E.
cyanorum as a valid species. A broad geographic, molecular assessment to supplement existing morphological
information is needed to assess validity of the two remaining subspecies of E. radiosum.
WE redescribe and recognize Etheostoma cyanorum
as a valid species, separate from Etheostoma
radiosum (Orangebelly Darter; Moore and Rigney,
1952; Collette, 1965; Matthews and Gelwick, 1988), within
the larger Etheostoma whipplei (Redfin Darter) species complex,
or clade (Retzer et al., 1986; Lang and Mayden, 2006;
Near et al., 2011).We review its taxonomic history and recent
treatments, supplement and reevaluate previous morphological
data, and add molecular genetic data supporting specific
recognition. Etheostoma cyanorum is known only from the
Blue River drainage in southcentral Oklahoma, USA, a
tributary of Red River. The range of E. radiosum, minus E.
cyanorum, includes tributaries of the Washita River west of
Blue River, and all south-flowing drainages in Oklahoma or
Arkansas east of Blue River from the Clear-Muddy Boggy
drainage to the upper Ouachita River basin in Arkansas (Fig.
1). In the Saline River of the Ouachita River basin (note there
are two ‘‘Saline’’ rivers in Arkansas) Etheostoma artesiae
(Redspot Darter) represents the clade. Etheostoma whipplei
occurs north of E. cyanorum and E. radiosum, limited in the
region to the Arkansas River basin (Retzer et al., 1986; Piller et
al., 2001; Robison and Buchanan, 1988, in press). Thus, the
four species (including E. cyanorum) of the E. whipplei clade
exhibit near complete allopatry, with a narrow zone of
sympatry between E. radiosum and E. artesiae above the Fall
Line in the Red and Ouachita river drainages (Piller et al.,
2001). But in hundreds of samples from southwest Arkansas
or southeast Oklahoma by WJM since 1976, no two of the
species have been found together.
The Redfin Darter complex, and Etheostoma radiosum
cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952) in particular, have a
complicated taxonomic history (details in Supplemental Text
A; see Data Accessibility). The first species described in the
group was Boleichthys whipplii (now ¼ E. whipplei) from Coal
Creek, Indian Territory (now Pittsburg County, Oklahoma;
Girard, 1859). Jordan and Gilbert (1886) collected specimens
within the range of the future E. radiosum in the upper
Ouachita River basin in Arkansas, reporting them as
Etheostoma whipplei (amended spelling) but noting a ‘‘lack
of red spots’’ (unlike E. whipplei). The first collections of E. r.
paludosum, as ‘‘E. whipplei,’’ later described as Poecilichthys
radiosus paludosus (Moore and Rigney, 1952), were in the
Kiamichi River drainage by Seth E. Meek in 1894 (Meek,
1896), and by H. A. Pilsbry in 1903 in the Muddy Boggy
drainage (Fowler, 1904). Thus by 1904, Etheostoma whipplei
(or whipplii) was viewed as one species in Oklahoma (then
Indian Territory), Arkansas, and extreme north Texas, but
with considerable variation noted. Ortenburger and Hubbs
(1926) reported Poecilichthys whipplii (spelled with two ‘‘ii’’s)
from a collection on 19 June 1925 in Yanubbe Creek,
McCurtain County, Oklahoma, comprising the first collection
of E. radiosum from the Little River basin. The Blue River
drainage was not sampled by ichthyologists until the 1940s,
thus P. r. cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952), now E.
cyanorum, remained undetected.
Hubbs and Black (1941) recognized Poecilichthys whipplei
radiosus, from the Caddo River, Arkansas, as a new subspecies.
However, Hubbs and Black (their map, p. 3) included
specimens from the (eastern) Saline River in Arkansas and
rivers in Texas, now known to have Etheostoma artesiae (Piller
et al., 2001) instead of E. radiosum. Moore and Rigney (1952)
elevated Poecilichthys radiosus to species and provided
diagnoses for three new subspecies: P. r. cyanorum from Blue
River, P. r. paludosus from the Clear Boggy and Kiamichi
systems, and P. r. radiosus throughout the rest of the range to
the east. Moore and Rigney (1952) and Scalet (1971)
diagnosed the Blue River subspecies as having a blunter
and more ‘‘decurved’’ snout, deeper head, a ‘‘larger, heavier
body’’ (but see Results about validity of these traits), fewer
unpored scales, and more pored scales than other subspecies.
Bailey et al. (1954) placed all darters in three genera, moving
Poecilichthys into the genus Etheostoma.
Echelle et al. (1975) assessed lactate dehydrogenase LDH-1
and esterase ES-3 enzymes at multiple sites within each
drainage in the range of E. radiosum as then known. For both
LDH-1 and ES-1 Blue River fish differed substantially from
1 Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, Oklahoma 73019; Email: wmatthews@ou.edu. Send reprint
requests to this address.
2 Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131; Email: turnert@
unm.edu.
Submitted: 25 April 2018. Accepted: 30 January 2019. Associate Editor: M. T. Craig.
2019 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054 Published online: 11 April 2019
==========================
William J. Matthews1 and Thomas F. Turner
Etheostoma cyanorum, endemic to the Blue River drainage of southern Oklahoma, is redescribed and recognized as a
distinct species within the Etheostoma whipplei–Etheostoma radiosum complex, separating it from E. radiosum. Originally
described as Poecilichthys radiosus cyanorum, it was one of three putative subspecies of E. radiosum (with E. r. radiosum and
E. r. paludosum) considered valid until now, defined in part by drainage-specific allopatry. Two separate mtDNA gene
trees show that E. cyanorum forms a distinct and strongly supported lineage. Ten meristic and 16 morphometric traits
are reexamined and new information included, confirming traits separating E. cyanorum from E. radiosum, and clarifying
ambiguities about ‘‘bluntness of the snout’’ as diagnostic for P. r. cyanorum. Etheostoma cyanorum differs from E.
radiosum by lower counts of unpored lateral line scales, higher counts of pored lateral line scales, and greater
interorbital width. Large adult E. cyanorum have a deep body and blunt snout per earlier studies, but those traits are not
diagnostic due to allometry. Head depth and head width can separate E. cyanorum from most populations of E. radiosum,
but they overlap with some populations of E. radiosum in southwest Arkansas. All evidence supports recognition of E.
cyanorum as a valid species. A broad geographic, molecular assessment to supplement existing morphological
information is needed to assess validity of the two remaining subspecies of E. radiosum.
WE redescribe and recognize Etheostoma cyanorum
as a valid species, separate from Etheostoma
radiosum (Orangebelly Darter; Moore and Rigney,
1952; Collette, 1965; Matthews and Gelwick, 1988), within
the larger Etheostoma whipplei (Redfin Darter) species complex,
or clade (Retzer et al., 1986; Lang and Mayden, 2006;
Near et al., 2011).We review its taxonomic history and recent
treatments, supplement and reevaluate previous morphological
data, and add molecular genetic data supporting specific
recognition. Etheostoma cyanorum is known only from the
Blue River drainage in southcentral Oklahoma, USA, a
tributary of Red River. The range of E. radiosum, minus E.
cyanorum, includes tributaries of the Washita River west of
Blue River, and all south-flowing drainages in Oklahoma or
Arkansas east of Blue River from the Clear-Muddy Boggy
drainage to the upper Ouachita River basin in Arkansas (Fig.
1). In the Saline River of the Ouachita River basin (note there
are two ‘‘Saline’’ rivers in Arkansas) Etheostoma artesiae
(Redspot Darter) represents the clade. Etheostoma whipplei
occurs north of E. cyanorum and E. radiosum, limited in the
region to the Arkansas River basin (Retzer et al., 1986; Piller et
al., 2001; Robison and Buchanan, 1988, in press). Thus, the
four species (including E. cyanorum) of the E. whipplei clade
exhibit near complete allopatry, with a narrow zone of
sympatry between E. radiosum and E. artesiae above the Fall
Line in the Red and Ouachita river drainages (Piller et al.,
2001). But in hundreds of samples from southwest Arkansas
or southeast Oklahoma by WJM since 1976, no two of the
species have been found together.
The Redfin Darter complex, and Etheostoma radiosum
cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952) in particular, have a
complicated taxonomic history (details in Supplemental Text
A; see Data Accessibility). The first species described in the
group was Boleichthys whipplii (now ¼ E. whipplei) from Coal
Creek, Indian Territory (now Pittsburg County, Oklahoma;
Girard, 1859). Jordan and Gilbert (1886) collected specimens
within the range of the future E. radiosum in the upper
Ouachita River basin in Arkansas, reporting them as
Etheostoma whipplei (amended spelling) but noting a ‘‘lack
of red spots’’ (unlike E. whipplei). The first collections of E. r.
paludosum, as ‘‘E. whipplei,’’ later described as Poecilichthys
radiosus paludosus (Moore and Rigney, 1952), were in the
Kiamichi River drainage by Seth E. Meek in 1894 (Meek,
1896), and by H. A. Pilsbry in 1903 in the Muddy Boggy
drainage (Fowler, 1904). Thus by 1904, Etheostoma whipplei
(or whipplii) was viewed as one species in Oklahoma (then
Indian Territory), Arkansas, and extreme north Texas, but
with considerable variation noted. Ortenburger and Hubbs
(1926) reported Poecilichthys whipplii (spelled with two ‘‘ii’’s)
from a collection on 19 June 1925 in Yanubbe Creek,
McCurtain County, Oklahoma, comprising the first collection
of E. radiosum from the Little River basin. The Blue River
drainage was not sampled by ichthyologists until the 1940s,
thus P. r. cyanorum (Moore and Rigney, 1952), now E.
cyanorum, remained undetected.
Hubbs and Black (1941) recognized Poecilichthys whipplei
radiosus, from the Caddo River, Arkansas, as a new subspecies.
However, Hubbs and Black (their map, p. 3) included
specimens from the (eastern) Saline River in Arkansas and
rivers in Texas, now known to have Etheostoma artesiae (Piller
et al., 2001) instead of E. radiosum. Moore and Rigney (1952)
elevated Poecilichthys radiosus to species and provided
diagnoses for three new subspecies: P. r. cyanorum from Blue
River, P. r. paludosus from the Clear Boggy and Kiamichi
systems, and P. r. radiosus throughout the rest of the range to
the east. Moore and Rigney (1952) and Scalet (1971)
diagnosed the Blue River subspecies as having a blunter
and more ‘‘decurved’’ snout, deeper head, a ‘‘larger, heavier
body’’ (but see Results about validity of these traits), fewer
unpored scales, and more pored scales than other subspecies.
Bailey et al. (1954) placed all darters in three genera, moving
Poecilichthys into the genus Etheostoma.
Echelle et al. (1975) assessed lactate dehydrogenase LDH-1
and esterase ES-3 enzymes at multiple sites within each
drainage in the range of E. radiosum as then known. For both
LDH-1 and ES-1 Blue River fish differed substantially from
1 Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, Oklahoma 73019; Email: wmatthews@ou.edu. Send reprint
requests to this address.
2 Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131; Email: turnert@
unm.edu.
Submitted: 25 April 2018. Accepted: 30 January 2019. Associate Editor: M. T. Craig.
2019 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-054 Published online: 11 April 2019
==========================
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa • A New Species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann, 1903 (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Upper Rio Negro Basin, Brazil
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa
Soares, Lima, Bastos & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-149
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausia is described from Rio Curicuriari and Rio Tiquié, both right-bank tributaries of the upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas State, Brazil. The new taxon differs from all congeners, except M. agnesae and M. beninei, by the combination of a sinuous humeral blotch, similar to a compressed letter Z, and distinct dark longitudinal stripes along the body sides. The new species can be distinguished from M. agnesae and M. beninei by the presence of a single humeral blotch and of longitudinal stripes running through the center of the scales, more conspicuous dorsally.
Fig. . Moenkhausia bellasomniosa.
(A) INPA 49753, holotype, male, 54.1 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari;
(B) MZUSP 92566, paratype, female, 41.5 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Tiquie;
(C) INPA 49722, paratype, female, 57.2 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari; color in life.
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa. (C) INPA 49722, paratype, female, 57.2 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari; color in life.
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa, new species
Distribution.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa is known from tributaries of the Rio Curicuriari and Rio Tiquié, both right-bank tributaries of the upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil (Fig. 3).
Ecological notes.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa was collected in the Rio Tiquié in small ‘‘terra firme’’ forest streams (i.e., non-floodable) with dark water. Specimens were collected in small pools. At the Rio Curicuriari, specimens of the new species were collected in a small, fast-water tea-like colored forest stream, with rocky bottom.
Common name.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa is called ‘‘batiawu’’ by the Tukano Indians, a name employed for the species in the middle Rio Tiquié basin. However, in the upper Rio Tiquié the same name is employed for a congener, M. comma (Lima et al., 2005).
Etymology.— The specific epithet bellasomniosa comes from the Latin, meaning sleeping beauty (bella, pretty; somniosa, sleepy). It is an allusion to the Serra do Curicuriari, a granitic massif situated immediately to the south of the eponymous Rio Curicuriari, composed by three peaks, ranging from 800– 1000 meters a.s.l. The Serra do Curicuriari provides majestic scenery when viewed from the city of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, situated upstream in the Rio Negro, where it is dubbed ‘‘Bela adormecida’’ (sleeping beauty) due to its perceived rough resemblance to a lying young woman. An adjective
Isabel M. Soares, Flávio C. T. Lima, Douglas A. Bastos and Lucia H. Rapp Py-Daniel. 2019. A New Species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann, 1903 (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Upper Rio Negro Basin, Brazil. Copeia. 107(2); 232-238. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-149
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1123619528603242496
==========================
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa
Soares, Lima, Bastos & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-149
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausia is described from Rio Curicuriari and Rio Tiquié, both right-bank tributaries of the upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas State, Brazil. The new taxon differs from all congeners, except M. agnesae and M. beninei, by the combination of a sinuous humeral blotch, similar to a compressed letter Z, and distinct dark longitudinal stripes along the body sides. The new species can be distinguished from M. agnesae and M. beninei by the presence of a single humeral blotch and of longitudinal stripes running through the center of the scales, more conspicuous dorsally.
Fig. . Moenkhausia bellasomniosa.
(A) INPA 49753, holotype, male, 54.1 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari;
(B) MZUSP 92566, paratype, female, 41.5 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Tiquie;
(C) INPA 49722, paratype, female, 57.2 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari; color in life.
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa. (C) INPA 49722, paratype, female, 57.2 mm SL, Brazil, Amazonas, tributary of Rio Curicuriari; color in life.
Moenkhausia bellasomniosa, new species
Distribution.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa is known from tributaries of the Rio Curicuriari and Rio Tiquié, both right-bank tributaries of the upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil (Fig. 3).
Ecological notes.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa was collected in the Rio Tiquié in small ‘‘terra firme’’ forest streams (i.e., non-floodable) with dark water. Specimens were collected in small pools. At the Rio Curicuriari, specimens of the new species were collected in a small, fast-water tea-like colored forest stream, with rocky bottom.
Common name.— Moenkhausia bellasomniosa is called ‘‘batiawu’’ by the Tukano Indians, a name employed for the species in the middle Rio Tiquié basin. However, in the upper Rio Tiquié the same name is employed for a congener, M. comma (Lima et al., 2005).
Etymology.— The specific epithet bellasomniosa comes from the Latin, meaning sleeping beauty (bella, pretty; somniosa, sleepy). It is an allusion to the Serra do Curicuriari, a granitic massif situated immediately to the south of the eponymous Rio Curicuriari, composed by three peaks, ranging from 800– 1000 meters a.s.l. The Serra do Curicuriari provides majestic scenery when viewed from the city of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, situated upstream in the Rio Negro, where it is dubbed ‘‘Bela adormecida’’ (sleeping beauty) due to its perceived rough resemblance to a lying young woman. An adjective
Isabel M. Soares, Flávio C. T. Lima, Douglas A. Bastos and Lucia H. Rapp Py-Daniel. 2019. A New Species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann, 1903 (Characiformes, Characidae) from the Upper Rio Negro Basin, Brazil. Copeia. 107(2); 232-238. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-149
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1123619528603242496
==========================
Cypselurus (Zonocypselurus) hexazona
Revision of the Subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 [A Review of the Flying Fish Genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1]
in Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2019.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1
Abstract
The first part of the review of the four-winged flying fishes of the genus Cypselurus is presented, and shows that seven species belonging to two genera were mixed under the name Cypselurus (Zonocypselurus) hexazona, none of which is identical to Exocoetus hexazona Bleeker. A new subgenus of flying fish (Amustotrogon subgen. nov.) and four new species (Cheilopogon marisrubri, Cheilopogon katherinae, Cypselurus bosha, Cypselurus olpar) are described. The validity of Cypselurus formosus Kotthaus, 1969 is reinstated (as Cheilopogon (Amustotrogon) formosus). Three subspecies of Cheilopogon formosus are recognized: Ch. formosus formosus, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov. and Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov. Morphology of species and subspecies at different stages of ontogeny is described. Maps of their geographical distribution are presented. A key for identification of flying fish taxa described in the work is included.
Keywords: Pisces, Systematics, morphology, distribution, Cypselurus hexazona, C. bosha sp. nov., C. olpar sp. nov., Amustotrogon subgen. nov., Cheilopogon formosus new combination, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov., Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov., Ch. marisrubri sp. nov., Ch. katherinae sp. nov., Red Sea endemics
Ilia B. Shakhovskoy and Nikolay V. Parin. 2019. A Review of the Flying Fish Genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1. Revision of the Subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 with Descriptions of One New Subgenus, Four New Species and Two New Subspecies and Reinstatement of One Species as Valid. Zootaxa. 4589(1); 1–71. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1
Parin, N.V. and Bogorodsky, S.V. 2011. Distribution and morphology of flying fish Cypselurus hexazona placed into a separate subgenus Zonocypselurus subgen. nov. Voprosy Ikhtiologii, Vol. 51 (5), 683–686. [In Russian, English translation in Journal of Ichthyology, 51 (8), 658–661 (second author misspelled as Bogorodskiy)]
researchgate.net/publication/257843717_Distribution_and_morphology_of_flying_fish_Cypselurus_hexazona_placed_into_a_separate_subgenus_Zonocypselurus_subgen_nov
==========================
in Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2019.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1
Abstract
The first part of the review of the four-winged flying fishes of the genus Cypselurus is presented, and shows that seven species belonging to two genera were mixed under the name Cypselurus (Zonocypselurus) hexazona, none of which is identical to Exocoetus hexazona Bleeker. A new subgenus of flying fish (Amustotrogon subgen. nov.) and four new species (Cheilopogon marisrubri, Cheilopogon katherinae, Cypselurus bosha, Cypselurus olpar) are described. The validity of Cypselurus formosus Kotthaus, 1969 is reinstated (as Cheilopogon (Amustotrogon) formosus). Three subspecies of Cheilopogon formosus are recognized: Ch. formosus formosus, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov. and Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov. Morphology of species and subspecies at different stages of ontogeny is described. Maps of their geographical distribution are presented. A key for identification of flying fish taxa described in the work is included.
Keywords: Pisces, Systematics, morphology, distribution, Cypselurus hexazona, C. bosha sp. nov., C. olpar sp. nov., Amustotrogon subgen. nov., Cheilopogon formosus new combination, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov., Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov., Ch. marisrubri sp. nov., Ch. katherinae sp. nov., Red Sea endemics
Ilia B. Shakhovskoy and Nikolay V. Parin. 2019. A Review of the Flying Fish Genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1. Revision of the Subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 with Descriptions of One New Subgenus, Four New Species and Two New Subspecies and Reinstatement of One Species as Valid. Zootaxa. 4589(1); 1–71. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1
Parin, N.V. and Bogorodsky, S.V. 2011. Distribution and morphology of flying fish Cypselurus hexazona placed into a separate subgenus Zonocypselurus subgen. nov. Voprosy Ikhtiologii, Vol. 51 (5), 683–686. [In Russian, English translation in Journal of Ichthyology, 51 (8), 658–661 (second author misspelled as Bogorodskiy)]
researchgate.net/publication/257843717_Distribution_and_morphology_of_flying_fish_Cypselurus_hexazona_placed_into_a_separate_subgenus_Zonocypselurus_subgen_nov
==========================
Propherallodus longipterus, an Adorable New Clingfish from the PhilippinesJAKE ADAMS
00Clingfish are a very unique group of marine fish who are so absent from the reef aquarium hobby that we can’t even name one by heart. That’s too bad because new species like Propherallodus longipterus are being discovered and described on a regular basis.
The new clingfish is closely related to Propherallodus briggsi from Japan pictured above, and was found on a shallow reef in the Philippines in less than 15 feet of water. While the new ‘longfin’ clingfish is found in very accessible water, you’ll have to have a keen eye to spot this tiny fish that grows less to an inch long, and likes to curl up even smaller.
With their sucker shaped mouths and rasping teeth, you wouldn’t be far off in describing clingfish as the plecostomus or suckermouth catfish of the ocean. The new longfin clingfish is described by Fujiwara & Motomura in the latest issue of Ichthyological Research.
From ReefBuilders
==========================
00Clingfish are a very unique group of marine fish who are so absent from the reef aquarium hobby that we can’t even name one by heart. That’s too bad because new species like Propherallodus longipterus are being discovered and described on a regular basis.
The new clingfish is closely related to Propherallodus briggsi from Japan pictured above, and was found on a shallow reef in the Philippines in less than 15 feet of water. While the new ‘longfin’ clingfish is found in very accessible water, you’ll have to have a keen eye to spot this tiny fish that grows less to an inch long, and likes to curl up even smaller.
With their sucker shaped mouths and rasping teeth, you wouldn’t be far off in describing clingfish as the plecostomus or suckermouth catfish of the ocean. The new longfin clingfish is described by Fujiwara & Motomura in the latest issue of Ichthyological Research.
From ReefBuilders
==========================
Rising Tide Success – Breeding the Banded Butterflyfish!
25 Apr, 2019
Photo credit: Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OER
via Rising Tide Conservation
The UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, with Rising Tide Conservation, is pleased to announce the successful aquaculture of the Banded Butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus!
This success was achieved by the hard work of Dr. Cortney Ohs, Benjamin Lovewell, Paul Schlict, and Fred Shopnitz.
Biological and Ecological Information
Banded Butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus, are also known as Banded Mariposa, Portuguese Butterfly, and School Mistress. They are native to the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic Ocean, and their range extends from Florida in the United States to Santa Catarina in Brazil, and includes the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and Bermuda. (Seasonally, juveniles are sometimes carried north to New England by the Gulf Stream, but they are unable to survive the winters there.)
Banded Butterflyfish coloring is silvery with a slender black bar passing through its eye, two wide black bars in mid-body, and a third wide bar that starts on the rear of the dorsal fin and continues to the caudal peduncle. The pelvic fins and the caudal fin are black.
The Banded Butterflyfish is usually seen on reefs either singly or in pairs, but is occasionally observed in groups up to twenty individuals. The diet is mainly small invertebrates, crustaceans, coral polyps, polychaete worms, and various eggs. Banded Butterflyfish can act as a cleaning fish and remove the external parasites from larger fish.
Banded Butterflyfish do not reproduce in groups but form monogamous pairs before this spawning behavior. They are multi-batch spawners: they broadcast eggs and sperm into the water column.
Photo credit: NOAA
Aquaculture History
The Banded Butterflyfish has never been successfully aquacultured before, and there are no reports of spawning in captivity.
Successful Aquaculture
In 2015, a pair of Banded Butterflyfish were collected by Dynasty Marine in the Florida Keys and were transported to the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce, FL. The pair was stocked into a 1500-L circular tank with a recirculating aquaculture system with an external egg collector. The fish were provided large PVC pieces for habitat. Lighting was controlled to 13:11 light-dark cycle with an additional hour of building light simulating a sunrise and sunset. After three years, only a few spawns with no fertilization had occurred, so the Banded Butterflyfish were stocked into a 2700-L circular tank with a recirculating aquaculture system and external egg collector. They were combined with a pair of Spotfish Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus) and several Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor). After several months, spawning was observed, with 63 spawns (1000-28000 eggs/spawn) occurring. Of these, 54 spawns were unfertilized eggs, while nine had partially fertilized eggs (0.1-86.4% fertilization). It was unknown which species of butterflyfish was spawning, but all of the eggs appeared to be of the same species.
Broodstock tank at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center
On February 4, 2019, about 20,000 eggs were collected with 86.4% fertilization with a water temperature of 26°C. Fertilized eggs were stocked into a 104-L fiberglass tank with black walls and bottoms, equipped with a screen to retain eggs and larvae and allow uneaten copepods and rotifers to flush out of the tank. This tank was part of a larger recirculating aquaculture system used for the entire larval culture room. The recirculating aquaculture system was equipped with an 80-watt UV sterilizer, two bag filters with 50 and 10 μm felt bags, a protein skimmer, and a trickle filter. Water exchange within the larval tank was turned off during the day and increased to approximately five tank turnovers per night. This was done to maintain live food densities during the day and flush out uneaten food at night. Lighting was provided by fluorescent lights with a 16:8 light:dark cycle.
Hatching occurred within 24 hours with water temperatures of 26-27°C. Mouthparts were present by 3 dph. Swim bladder inflation occurred on 12-16 dph, and flexion occurred from 17-18 dph. Faint coloration to the bands was visible 50 dph, and there were dark, obvious tail spots present 57 dph. They were settled and more benthically oriented by 52 dph, so PVC structure was added to the tank at that time.
Video Player
00:00
00:46Aquaculture Process and Larval Development
The feeding protocols used to successfully culture the Banded Butterflyfish included greening water with live Tisochrysis lutea algae, feeding enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), copepod (Parvocalanus crassirostris) nauplii, enriched Artemia nauplii, and Otohime dry diets. Rotifers and Artemia nauplii were enriched with N-Rich High Pro (Reed Mariculture).
Daily Feeding Protocol
Live T-iso algae was used to green the water to approximately 200,000 cells/mL from 1-40 dph.
First feeding was 3 dph and larvae received 19 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL twice daily.
Feeding from 4-13 dph larvae received 10 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL twice daily.
Feeding from 14-29 dph larvae received 15 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL in the AM and 12 parvo/mL in the PM.
Feeding from 30-35 dph larvae received 13-25 rotifers/mL once daily and 1-3 parvo/mL twice daily.
Unenriched newly hatched Artemia nauplii were provided at 0.02/mL once daily from 23-28 dph to introduce larvae to Artemia. From 29 dph onwards, enriched Artemia was fed ad libitum 3x/day.
Otohime dry diet was fed ad libitum from 25 dph onwards, starting with A1 and increasing to C1 in particle size.
###
Editor’s Note: This latest accomplishment brings the total number of Chaetodontids that have been successfully aquacultured to six. It is the second butterflyfish accomplishment for the team of researchers at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center.
found on "Reef to Rain Forest Media"
video at:- https://www.risingtideconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GOPR4943-1.mp4?_=1
==========================
25 Apr, 2019
Photo credit: Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OER
via Rising Tide Conservation
The UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, with Rising Tide Conservation, is pleased to announce the successful aquaculture of the Banded Butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus!
This success was achieved by the hard work of Dr. Cortney Ohs, Benjamin Lovewell, Paul Schlict, and Fred Shopnitz.
Biological and Ecological Information
Banded Butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus, are also known as Banded Mariposa, Portuguese Butterfly, and School Mistress. They are native to the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic Ocean, and their range extends from Florida in the United States to Santa Catarina in Brazil, and includes the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and Bermuda. (Seasonally, juveniles are sometimes carried north to New England by the Gulf Stream, but they are unable to survive the winters there.)
Banded Butterflyfish coloring is silvery with a slender black bar passing through its eye, two wide black bars in mid-body, and a third wide bar that starts on the rear of the dorsal fin and continues to the caudal peduncle. The pelvic fins and the caudal fin are black.
The Banded Butterflyfish is usually seen on reefs either singly or in pairs, but is occasionally observed in groups up to twenty individuals. The diet is mainly small invertebrates, crustaceans, coral polyps, polychaete worms, and various eggs. Banded Butterflyfish can act as a cleaning fish and remove the external parasites from larger fish.
Banded Butterflyfish do not reproduce in groups but form monogamous pairs before this spawning behavior. They are multi-batch spawners: they broadcast eggs and sperm into the water column.
Photo credit: NOAA
Aquaculture History
The Banded Butterflyfish has never been successfully aquacultured before, and there are no reports of spawning in captivity.
Successful Aquaculture
In 2015, a pair of Banded Butterflyfish were collected by Dynasty Marine in the Florida Keys and were transported to the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce, FL. The pair was stocked into a 1500-L circular tank with a recirculating aquaculture system with an external egg collector. The fish were provided large PVC pieces for habitat. Lighting was controlled to 13:11 light-dark cycle with an additional hour of building light simulating a sunrise and sunset. After three years, only a few spawns with no fertilization had occurred, so the Banded Butterflyfish were stocked into a 2700-L circular tank with a recirculating aquaculture system and external egg collector. They were combined with a pair of Spotfish Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus) and several Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor). After several months, spawning was observed, with 63 spawns (1000-28000 eggs/spawn) occurring. Of these, 54 spawns were unfertilized eggs, while nine had partially fertilized eggs (0.1-86.4% fertilization). It was unknown which species of butterflyfish was spawning, but all of the eggs appeared to be of the same species.
Broodstock tank at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center
On February 4, 2019, about 20,000 eggs were collected with 86.4% fertilization with a water temperature of 26°C. Fertilized eggs were stocked into a 104-L fiberglass tank with black walls and bottoms, equipped with a screen to retain eggs and larvae and allow uneaten copepods and rotifers to flush out of the tank. This tank was part of a larger recirculating aquaculture system used for the entire larval culture room. The recirculating aquaculture system was equipped with an 80-watt UV sterilizer, two bag filters with 50 and 10 μm felt bags, a protein skimmer, and a trickle filter. Water exchange within the larval tank was turned off during the day and increased to approximately five tank turnovers per night. This was done to maintain live food densities during the day and flush out uneaten food at night. Lighting was provided by fluorescent lights with a 16:8 light:dark cycle.
Hatching occurred within 24 hours with water temperatures of 26-27°C. Mouthparts were present by 3 dph. Swim bladder inflation occurred on 12-16 dph, and flexion occurred from 17-18 dph. Faint coloration to the bands was visible 50 dph, and there were dark, obvious tail spots present 57 dph. They were settled and more benthically oriented by 52 dph, so PVC structure was added to the tank at that time.
Video Player
00:00
00:46Aquaculture Process and Larval Development
The feeding protocols used to successfully culture the Banded Butterflyfish included greening water with live Tisochrysis lutea algae, feeding enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), copepod (Parvocalanus crassirostris) nauplii, enriched Artemia nauplii, and Otohime dry diets. Rotifers and Artemia nauplii were enriched with N-Rich High Pro (Reed Mariculture).
Daily Feeding Protocol
Live T-iso algae was used to green the water to approximately 200,000 cells/mL from 1-40 dph.
First feeding was 3 dph and larvae received 19 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL twice daily.
Feeding from 4-13 dph larvae received 10 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL twice daily.
Feeding from 14-29 dph larvae received 15 rotifers/mL once daily and 8 parvo/mL in the AM and 12 parvo/mL in the PM.
Feeding from 30-35 dph larvae received 13-25 rotifers/mL once daily and 1-3 parvo/mL twice daily.
Unenriched newly hatched Artemia nauplii were provided at 0.02/mL once daily from 23-28 dph to introduce larvae to Artemia. From 29 dph onwards, enriched Artemia was fed ad libitum 3x/day.
Otohime dry diet was fed ad libitum from 25 dph onwards, starting with A1 and increasing to C1 in particle size.
###
Editor’s Note: This latest accomplishment brings the total number of Chaetodontids that have been successfully aquacultured to six. It is the second butterflyfish accomplishment for the team of researchers at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center.
found on "Reef to Rain Forest Media"
video at:- https://www.risingtideconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GOPR4943-1.mp4?_=1
==========================
==========================
Two foot Barrel Jelly fish invade Torquay and Chesil Beech.
==========================
Aquarist & Pondkeeper Volume XIII No 6 September 1948 is now online for a FREE download at:- http://aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
many other issues of A&P are dating back to 1938 available together the very last issue in June/July 2005 also included are archive issues of Ten years of PetFish Monthly
==========================
many other issues of A&P are dating back to 1938 available together the very last issue in June/July 2005 also included are archive issues of Ten years of PetFish Monthly
==========================
Purple Tang Captive Bred by Bali AquarichJAKE ADAMS
00The Purple tang has been captive bred and it comes to fruition from a familiar player in the world of reef fish aquaculture, Bali Aquarich. It’s only been a couple years since the breakthroughs in breeding the closely related yellow tang by the Oceanic Institute and the purple tang is only the third species of surgeonfish to be fully captive bred.
The purple tang, Zebrasoma xanthurum is an endemic of the Red Sea characterized by a nearly solid purple color with a bright yellow tail, and a variable pattern of dark spots on the head and stripes along the body. The purple tang is highly conservative in its appearance, almost always with normal coloration, with very rare instances of solid purple specimens like ACI’s Purple-Purple Tang, and even more rare is the piebald variation so far only documented once.
For several years a Sri Lankan company has been collecting post larval purple tangs and rearing them to sellable size in captivity but Bali Aquarich’s recent milestone is the first complete closure of the larval cycle of Zebrasom xanthurum. This is very exciting for a number of reasons, especially since Bali Aquarich has a long track record of breeding and raising angelfish hybrids, so it would be a remarkable achievement if we ever saw hybrids of the purple tang with any number of Zebrasoma congeners.
READ ACI's Purple-Tail Purple Tang was the Star of Reefapalooza Orlando!The yield for this first successful clutch of captive bred purple tangs doesn’t appear to be very high but hopefully Bali Aquarich has success in refining the protocols and we see many more of these fish available to the reef aquarium hobby in the future.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
00The Purple tang has been captive bred and it comes to fruition from a familiar player in the world of reef fish aquaculture, Bali Aquarich. It’s only been a couple years since the breakthroughs in breeding the closely related yellow tang by the Oceanic Institute and the purple tang is only the third species of surgeonfish to be fully captive bred.
The purple tang, Zebrasoma xanthurum is an endemic of the Red Sea characterized by a nearly solid purple color with a bright yellow tail, and a variable pattern of dark spots on the head and stripes along the body. The purple tang is highly conservative in its appearance, almost always with normal coloration, with very rare instances of solid purple specimens like ACI’s Purple-Purple Tang, and even more rare is the piebald variation so far only documented once.
For several years a Sri Lankan company has been collecting post larval purple tangs and rearing them to sellable size in captivity but Bali Aquarich’s recent milestone is the first complete closure of the larval cycle of Zebrasom xanthurum. This is very exciting for a number of reasons, especially since Bali Aquarich has a long track record of breeding and raising angelfish hybrids, so it would be a remarkable achievement if we ever saw hybrids of the purple tang with any number of Zebrasoma congeners.
READ ACI's Purple-Tail Purple Tang was the Star of Reefapalooza Orlando!The yield for this first successful clutch of captive bred purple tangs doesn’t appear to be very high but hopefully Bali Aquarich has success in refining the protocols and we see many more of these fish available to the reef aquarium hobby in the future.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Devil rays may have unknown birthing zone Discovery is good news for conservation, but action is needed to limit fishing during birthing.
April 23, 2019
Source:
Duke University
Summary:
The discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays tangled in fishing nets in a village along Mexico's Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has a previously unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, a study suggests. If more research confirms the possibility, the zone should be protected and placed off limits to fishing during times each spring when pregnant rays migrate there.
Share:
FULL STORY
The discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays tangled in fishing nets in Mexico's Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has an unknown birthing zone there, a Duke study suggests.
Credit: Leo Chan Gaskins, Duke UniversityThe discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays accidentally caught in fishing nets in a village along Mexico's northern Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has a previously unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, a new Duke University study suggests.
If further research confirms the possibility, authorities and local fishers should work together to devise a plan that minimizes the risk of negative interactions when pregnant rays migrate there each year in and around April, said study author Leo Chan Gaskins, a doctoral student in marine science and conservation at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment.
"These animals reach sexual maturity very slowly and they have only one pup per litter, so losing even a small number of pregnant females to by-catch can have dire effects on a local population's birth potential and long-term survival," Gaskins said.
The largest of the ray species, giant devil rays (Mobula mobular) can grow to 17 feet long and are known for their acrobatic leaps and deep dives. Large numbers of them are caught and killed as accidental by-catch each year when they become entangled in fishing nets while foraging for krill and other prey in shallow tropical and subtropical waters.
"We still know very little about their global population size, annual movement patterns and reproductive zones, so the discovery and protection of a previously unknown pupping ground would be good news for conservation," Gaskins said.
He published his peer-reviewed paper April 23 in the journal Ecology.
While taking a field course on community-based marine conservation in the Gulf of California as a Duke undergraduate in April 2014, Gaskins observed dozens of dead giant devil rays tangled in gillnets on the beach of a small-scale fishing community in northern Sonora. Because of the animals' immense size and weight, the fishers were unable to return them to the sea and had been forced to land them.
"Every female ray being cut open was pregnant with one pup. I determined the pups were full-term since I was able to revive one that had just been born into a net. We set it free and it swam away over the breaking waves," Gaskins recalled.
Measurements of the wing spans of two of the dead adult females and one of the dead pups confirmed his belief that the pups were full-term. Scientists estimate the average wing-to-wing width of female giant devil rays when they reach sexual maturity is 2.18 meters; the two Gaskins measured were 1.97 meters and 2.17 meters. The average measurement of a newborn pup is 1 meter; the one he measured was .91 meters.
"These measurements, along with the fact that each boat landed multiple pregnant rays, suggested that the fishers had unknowingly set their nets in a pupping zone," he said.
Past studies have shown that giant devil rays use the Gulf of California as a mating and feeding zone in spring and early summer, but the presence of a birthing zone there was unknown.
"It makes sense that a pupping zone would be in an area where food is plentiful," Gaskins said. "The highest density of these rays' preferred prey, the krill Nyctiphanes simplex, occurs in the northern and central gulf in April, which coincides with my observation."
Knowing the locations and timing of the rays' movements in the gulf as they head to and from the pupping grounds would help local fishers, fishery managers and conservation groups reduce the risk of by-catch, he said.
"This would benefit the fishers and well as the fish," Gaskins stressed. "Aside from the obvious humane reasons the fishers have for not wanting to harm endangered animals, entangled rays can damage their nets, drive away the desired catch and greatly decrease their earnings. Ray meat is not valuable in the Gulf of California and only brings in about three pesos per kilo."
In other parts of the world, especially East Asia, giant devil rays are increasingly being targeted and harvested for their gill plates, which are used to brew a pseudo-medicinal tonic called Peng Yu Sai. No market for gill plates exists yet in the Gulf of California fisheries, Gaskins noted, but the prices they can command are extremely high, so putting protection in place now is vital.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Duke University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Duke University. "Devil rays may have unknown birthing zone: Discovery is good news for conservation, but action is needed to limit fishing during birthing months." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190423133439.htm>.
==========================
April 23, 2019
Source:
Duke University
Summary:
The discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays tangled in fishing nets in a village along Mexico's Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has a previously unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, a study suggests. If more research confirms the possibility, the zone should be protected and placed off limits to fishing during times each spring when pregnant rays migrate there.
Share:
FULL STORY
The discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays tangled in fishing nets in Mexico's Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has an unknown birthing zone there, a Duke study suggests.
Credit: Leo Chan Gaskins, Duke UniversityThe discovery of dozens of pregnant giant devil rays accidentally caught in fishing nets in a village along Mexico's northern Gulf of California could mean the endangered species has a previously unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, a new Duke University study suggests.
If further research confirms the possibility, authorities and local fishers should work together to devise a plan that minimizes the risk of negative interactions when pregnant rays migrate there each year in and around April, said study author Leo Chan Gaskins, a doctoral student in marine science and conservation at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment.
"These animals reach sexual maturity very slowly and they have only one pup per litter, so losing even a small number of pregnant females to by-catch can have dire effects on a local population's birth potential and long-term survival," Gaskins said.
The largest of the ray species, giant devil rays (Mobula mobular) can grow to 17 feet long and are known for their acrobatic leaps and deep dives. Large numbers of them are caught and killed as accidental by-catch each year when they become entangled in fishing nets while foraging for krill and other prey in shallow tropical and subtropical waters.
"We still know very little about their global population size, annual movement patterns and reproductive zones, so the discovery and protection of a previously unknown pupping ground would be good news for conservation," Gaskins said.
He published his peer-reviewed paper April 23 in the journal Ecology.
While taking a field course on community-based marine conservation in the Gulf of California as a Duke undergraduate in April 2014, Gaskins observed dozens of dead giant devil rays tangled in gillnets on the beach of a small-scale fishing community in northern Sonora. Because of the animals' immense size and weight, the fishers were unable to return them to the sea and had been forced to land them.
"Every female ray being cut open was pregnant with one pup. I determined the pups were full-term since I was able to revive one that had just been born into a net. We set it free and it swam away over the breaking waves," Gaskins recalled.
Measurements of the wing spans of two of the dead adult females and one of the dead pups confirmed his belief that the pups were full-term. Scientists estimate the average wing-to-wing width of female giant devil rays when they reach sexual maturity is 2.18 meters; the two Gaskins measured were 1.97 meters and 2.17 meters. The average measurement of a newborn pup is 1 meter; the one he measured was .91 meters.
"These measurements, along with the fact that each boat landed multiple pregnant rays, suggested that the fishers had unknowingly set their nets in a pupping zone," he said.
Past studies have shown that giant devil rays use the Gulf of California as a mating and feeding zone in spring and early summer, but the presence of a birthing zone there was unknown.
"It makes sense that a pupping zone would be in an area where food is plentiful," Gaskins said. "The highest density of these rays' preferred prey, the krill Nyctiphanes simplex, occurs in the northern and central gulf in April, which coincides with my observation."
Knowing the locations and timing of the rays' movements in the gulf as they head to and from the pupping grounds would help local fishers, fishery managers and conservation groups reduce the risk of by-catch, he said.
"This would benefit the fishers and well as the fish," Gaskins stressed. "Aside from the obvious humane reasons the fishers have for not wanting to harm endangered animals, entangled rays can damage their nets, drive away the desired catch and greatly decrease their earnings. Ray meat is not valuable in the Gulf of California and only brings in about three pesos per kilo."
In other parts of the world, especially East Asia, giant devil rays are increasingly being targeted and harvested for their gill plates, which are used to brew a pseudo-medicinal tonic called Peng Yu Sai. No market for gill plates exists yet in the Gulf of California fisheries, Gaskins noted, but the prices they can command are extremely high, so putting protection in place now is vital.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Duke University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Leo C. Gaskins. Pregnant giant devil ray ( Mobula mobular ) bycatch reveals potential Northern Gulf of California pupping ground. Ecology, 2019; e02689 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2689
Duke University. "Devil rays may have unknown birthing zone: Discovery is good news for conservation, but action is needed to limit fishing during birthing months." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190423133439.htm>.
==========================
Pimephales promelas
Fathead Minnow
Fish warn each other about danger by releasing chemicals into the water as a signal, research by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has found.
The USask researchers discovered that wild fish release chemicals called 'disturbance cues' to signal to other fish about nearby dangers, such as predators.
The findings may have implications for fish conservation efforts across the globe.
"Disturbance cues may help to explain why some fish populations crash after they decline past a certain point," said Kevin Bairos-Novak, a graduate student member of the research team.
While researchers have been aware that fish release chemicals into the water for 30 years, this is the first time their use has been studied.
The findings, involving researchers from the USask biology department and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, are published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
Fish signaled most when in the presence of familiar fish, but signaled far less or not at all when in the presence of strangers, or when on their own.
The signals provoked a 'fright response' in fish they knew, including freezing, dashing about and then shoaling tightly together. Fish use this behavior to defend themselves against predators.
"When minnows were present alongside familiar minnows, they were much more likely to produce signals that initiated close grouping of nearby fish, a strategy used to avoid being eaten by predators," said Bairos-Novak, who is now at James Cook University, Australia.
Disturbance cues are voluntarily released by prey after being chased, startled or stressed by predators.
One of the main constituents of the signal is urea, found in fish urine.
Fathead minnows, caught at a lake, were placed in groups with familiar fish, unfamiliar fish or as isolated individuals. The research team then simulated a predator chase. The fish responded by shoaling, freezing and dashing when they received a signal from a group they knew. But they did not take significant defensive action when receiving cues from unfamiliar fish or isolated minnows.
Disturbance cues are voluntarily released by prey after being chased, startled or stressed by predators.
"It is exciting to discover a new signaling pathway in animals," said Maud Ferrari, Bairos-Novak's supervisor and a behavioural ecologist in the veterinary college's Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. "We found that fish are able to manipulate the behaviour of other individuals nearby by issuing a signal."
The research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Saskatchewan. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
University of Saskatchewan. "Fish under threat release chemicals to warn others of danger." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190418141739.htm>.
==========================
The USask researchers discovered that wild fish release chemicals called 'disturbance cues' to signal to other fish about nearby dangers, such as predators.
The findings may have implications for fish conservation efforts across the globe.
"Disturbance cues may help to explain why some fish populations crash after they decline past a certain point," said Kevin Bairos-Novak, a graduate student member of the research team.
While researchers have been aware that fish release chemicals into the water for 30 years, this is the first time their use has been studied.
The findings, involving researchers from the USask biology department and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, are published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
Fish signaled most when in the presence of familiar fish, but signaled far less or not at all when in the presence of strangers, or when on their own.
The signals provoked a 'fright response' in fish they knew, including freezing, dashing about and then shoaling tightly together. Fish use this behavior to defend themselves against predators.
"When minnows were present alongside familiar minnows, they were much more likely to produce signals that initiated close grouping of nearby fish, a strategy used to avoid being eaten by predators," said Bairos-Novak, who is now at James Cook University, Australia.
Disturbance cues are voluntarily released by prey after being chased, startled or stressed by predators.
One of the main constituents of the signal is urea, found in fish urine.
Fathead minnows, caught at a lake, were placed in groups with familiar fish, unfamiliar fish or as isolated individuals. The research team then simulated a predator chase. The fish responded by shoaling, freezing and dashing when they received a signal from a group they knew. But they did not take significant defensive action when receiving cues from unfamiliar fish or isolated minnows.
Disturbance cues are voluntarily released by prey after being chased, startled or stressed by predators.
"It is exciting to discover a new signaling pathway in animals," said Maud Ferrari, Bairos-Novak's supervisor and a behavioural ecologist in the veterinary college's Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. "We found that fish are able to manipulate the behaviour of other individuals nearby by issuing a signal."
The research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Saskatchewan. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Kevin R. Bairos‐Novak, Maud C. O. Ferrari, Douglas P. Chivers. A novel alarm signal in aquatic prey: Familiar minnows coordinate group defences against predators through chemical disturbance cues. Journal of Animal Ecology, 2019; DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12986
University of Saskatchewan. "Fish under threat release chemicals to warn others of danger." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190418141739.htm>.
==========================
Chromis tingting • A New Species of Damselfish (Teleostei: Pomacentridae) from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of southern Japan
Chromis tingting
Tea, Gill & Senou, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4586.2.2
facebook.com/LemonTYK
Abstract
Chromis tingting sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Sagami Bay, Japan. The new species likely belongs to a complex consisting of C. mirationis, C. okamurai and C. struhsakeri, with which it shares the following character combination: dorsal rays XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–17; two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally in the caudal fin; and a generally silvery white adult coloration. The new species differs from the other members of its complex in coloration details (particularly in juvenile coloration), and in having fewer gill rakers (5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26), and a larger eye -(13.7–19.4 % SL). The new species has previously been confused with Chromis mirationis, and the contention is herewith briefly discussed.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, ichthyology, Ryukyu Archipelago, Sagami Bay, deep-water
Chromis tingting sp. nov.
New standard Japanese name: Gekko-suzumedai
English common name: Moonstone Chromis
Chromis mirationis [non Tanaka 1917]; Song et al. 2014: 2, figs 1a–c and 2, table 1 (larval description and identification).
Holotype. KPM-NI 30479, 53.6 mm SL, Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, west side of Sagami Bay, ....
Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. tingting from all congeners: dorsal rays XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–17; gill rakers 5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26; caudal fin with two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally. Chromis tingting can be further distinguished from congeners based on color patterns, and in having a large black spot on the pectoral fin base that reaches the lower limits of the axil.
....
Etymology. Named in honor of the first author’s mother, in recognition of her unconditional love, support and encouragement. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
The common name Moonstone Chromis refers to the pearlescent, silvery-blue coloration of the juveniles and adults of this species. “Gekko”, of the new standard Japanese name, means moonlight in Japanese.
A1: Chromis tingting sp. nov., juvenile, Hachijo-Jima, Japan (Photo by Kiss2Sea); A2: Chromis tingting sp. nov., adult, Izu Oceanic Park, Japan (Photo by W. Takase);
Yi-Kai Tea, Anthony C. Gill amd Hiroshi Senou. 2019. Chromis tingting, A New Species of Damselfish from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of southern Japan, with Notes on C. mirationis Tanaka (Teleostei: Pomacentridae). Zootaxa. 4586(2); 249–260. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4586.2.2
researchgate.net/publication/332448979_Chromis_tingting_a_new_species_of_damselfish_from_mesophotic_coral_ecosystems_of_southern_Japan
facebook.com/LemonTYK/posts/10155838512242434
==========================
Chromis tingting
Tea, Gill & Senou, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4586.2.2
facebook.com/LemonTYK
Abstract
Chromis tingting sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Sagami Bay, Japan. The new species likely belongs to a complex consisting of C. mirationis, C. okamurai and C. struhsakeri, with which it shares the following character combination: dorsal rays XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–17; two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally in the caudal fin; and a generally silvery white adult coloration. The new species differs from the other members of its complex in coloration details (particularly in juvenile coloration), and in having fewer gill rakers (5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26), and a larger eye -(13.7–19.4 % SL). The new species has previously been confused with Chromis mirationis, and the contention is herewith briefly discussed.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, ichthyology, Ryukyu Archipelago, Sagami Bay, deep-water
Chromis tingting sp. nov.
New standard Japanese name: Gekko-suzumedai
English common name: Moonstone Chromis
Chromis mirationis [non Tanaka 1917]; Song et al. 2014: 2, figs 1a–c and 2, table 1 (larval description and identification).
Holotype. KPM-NI 30479, 53.6 mm SL, Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, west side of Sagami Bay, ....
Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. tingting from all congeners: dorsal rays XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–17; gill rakers 5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26; caudal fin with two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally. Chromis tingting can be further distinguished from congeners based on color patterns, and in having a large black spot on the pectoral fin base that reaches the lower limits of the axil.
....
Etymology. Named in honor of the first author’s mother, in recognition of her unconditional love, support and encouragement. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
The common name Moonstone Chromis refers to the pearlescent, silvery-blue coloration of the juveniles and adults of this species. “Gekko”, of the new standard Japanese name, means moonlight in Japanese.
A1: Chromis tingting sp. nov., juvenile, Hachijo-Jima, Japan (Photo by Kiss2Sea); A2: Chromis tingting sp. nov., adult, Izu Oceanic Park, Japan (Photo by W. Takase);
Yi-Kai Tea, Anthony C. Gill amd Hiroshi Senou. 2019. Chromis tingting, A New Species of Damselfish from Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of southern Japan, with Notes on C. mirationis Tanaka (Teleostei: Pomacentridae). Zootaxa. 4586(2); 249–260. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4586.2.2
researchgate.net/publication/332448979_Chromis_tingting_a_new_species_of_damselfish_from_mesophotic_coral_ecosystems_of_southern_Japan
facebook.com/LemonTYK/posts/10155838512242434
==========================
Ecsenius springeri, a New Blenny Species from West Papua
jAKE ADAMS
SHARE
Ecsenius springeri, the new blenny species from Fak Fak in West PapuaWhat’s interesting about the new Springer’s blenny is that it comes from such a small range that it is described as being a micro-endemic reef fish. Ecsenius springeri was found living at Fak Fak Peninsula just below the Bird’s Head Seascape in Raja Ampat where there is a huge diversity of both reef fish and corals.
Springer’s blenny above compared to the similar looking striped form of the bicolor blenny below.The common and widespread bicolor blenny has a varied appearance which ranges from half purple & orange but there’s also a striped form with a bright white belly. Springer’s blenny is an ‘interpretation’ of this striped form with a very reduced thin white stripe that stretches from the eye to the base of the tail.
There’s actually a remarkable handful of microendemic reef fish from Fak Fak, perhaps due to the unique environment which has lots of freshwater input and very large tidal influence. Ecsenius is one of the most attractive and bold groups of colorful reef fish, both in the wild and in the aquarium so it’s really exciting to see the genus admit one new member. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Ecsenius springeri, a New Blenny Species from West Papua
jAKE ADAMS
SHARE
Ecsenius springeri, the new blenny species from Fak Fak in West PapuaWhat’s interesting about the new Springer’s blenny is that it comes from such a small range that it is described as being a micro-endemic reef fish. Ecsenius springeri was found living at Fak Fak Peninsula just below the Bird’s Head Seascape in Raja Ampat where there is a huge diversity of both reef fish and corals.
Springer’s blenny above compared to the similar looking striped form of the bicolor blenny below.The common and widespread bicolor blenny has a varied appearance which ranges from half purple & orange but there’s also a striped form with a bright white belly. Springer’s blenny is an ‘interpretation’ of this striped form with a very reduced thin white stripe that stretches from the eye to the base of the tail.
There’s actually a remarkable handful of microendemic reef fish from Fak Fak, perhaps due to the unique environment which has lots of freshwater input and very large tidal influence. Ecsenius is one of the most attractive and bold groups of colorful reef fish, both in the wild and in the aquarium so it’s really exciting to see the genus admit one new member. [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
A new species of Bryconops Kner (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae) from the Rio Maicuru, lower Amazon basin, Brazil
CÁRLISON SILVA-OLIVEIRA, FLÁVIO C. T. LIMA, JUAN D. BOGOTÁ-GREGORY
Abstract
A new species of Bryconops is described from the rio Maicuru, a tributary of the left margin of the lower Amazon River, Pará, Brazil. Bryconops chernoffi new species, differs from all its congeners by the presence of an elongated dark patch of pigmentation immediately after the posterodorsal margin of the opercle, running vertically from the supracleithrum to the distal margin of the cleithrum (vs. absence of a similar blotch), and by a dark dorsal fin with a narrow hyaline band at middle portion of dorsal-fin rays (vs. dorsal fin hyaline or with few scattered chromatophores). It differs further from all its congeners, except B. colanegra, by the presence of a blurred black stripe at the anal fin base. It differs from B. colanegra by possessing fewer predorsal scales (8–9 vs. 10–11) and in that the third infraorbital contacts the preopercle ventrally (vs. third infraorbital not contacting preopercle ventrally). The new species is assigned to the subgenus Creatochanes by the number of maxillary teeth, and ossification and denticulation of the gill rakers.
==========================
Farewell to Fish Bags
Shipment preparation at Eye Catching Corals. Flat coral frag discs are a near perfect match for the bottom of the specimen containers, reducing movement during transit.
Fighting to Replace Single-Use Plastics
By Matt Pedersen with images by Klynt Maston
Excerpt from CORAL, March/April 2019
Our planet’s addiction to single-use plastic products that spawn seemingly immortal pollution is now becoming a trending socialmedia meme and gaining in widespread public awareness. By some estimates, oceanic plastic is projected to outweigh all the fish in the seas by the year 2050. Eliminating plastic shopping bags, ending our reliance on throwaway water bottles, and giving up plastic straws are all steps people and communities are taking in an effort to eliminate this scourge. What about the aquarium trade?
In our own backyard, single-use plastic bags are generally utilized at every stage of the marine aquarium livestock trade supply chain. Fish and coral are often individually double- or tripled-bagged, utilizing bags generally made from clear, low-density polyethylene (LDPE, recycling #4). While these bags are considered a “safe” and recyclable form of plastic, most often they are destined for the trash. Each fish or coral arriving to the end consumer could possibly represent the use of 10 or more bags as it changes hands from collector to exporter to distributor to fish shop to your tank. Is there a better way?
Mitch Schumm getting frags ready to ship to ECC Frag Subscription (wholesale) members.
Eye Catching Coral (ECC), an importer, wholesaler, and coral farm based in Vienna, Ohio, believes plastic bags aren’t always the best solution. Founded in 2007, the company grew to occupy a 4,000-square-foot aquaculture facility by 2016. One of the company’s mainstay offerings is a subscription-based shipment of coral frags which is prepared monthly for aquarium retailers around the U.S. Thousands of aquacultured corals, some of which are first-generation cuttings of wild imports and others that are from multi-generational parent stock grown in landlocked Ohio, all need to be packed safely and efficiently for their journeys.
ECC’s CEO, Jim Gintner, explained how they’ve saved money and dramatically reduced their plastic waste by shipping their aquacultured products in reusable screw-top plastic containers. “We have been using specimen containers and bags on and off throughout our company’s 12 years in business. Two years ago we made the commitment to only ship frags in these containers, and we have not looked back since. I have seen others do this, but not on a large commercial level. We were not the first to ship a frag in a specimen container, but I feel we are the first to do it at this volume.”
Ryan Marlin closes up coral frag containers for an outgoing shipment.
ECC suggests there are sufficient cost savings and other benefits with their use of these polypropylene containers (PP, recycling #5). “Shipping our coral frags in specimen containers instead of bags has saved us a substantial amount of time and money,” says Gintner.
For the layperson reviewing publicly available pricing online, bulk purchases of traditional fish bags may make them appear cheaper initially; retail price points suggest that double-bagging a coral frag might cost $0.10 for bags and rubber bands, whereas the specimen containers might cost closer to $0.15 each. However, Gintner reports that, by purchasing at scale, their cost in specimen containers is approximately 8 cents. “Conversely,” he says, “bag costs, including labor to double-bag them or add liners, ranges from $0.08 to $0.35 per ship-ready bag.” An even larger savings comes from vastly improved pack-out times: Eye Catching Coral’s round, flat-bottom frag disks are a near-perfect size match for the bottom of the cup; team members can simply place the frag into the cup and screw the lid on tightly.
The uniform dimensions of specimen containers fit well into standard packing boxes and making forecasts of dimensions and shipping weights extremely easy.
Packing shipping boxes is a breeze, given the uniform size of each coral frag disk and its container, which results in easily calculated, uniform shipments. “The consistent size allows us to forecast space and weight for each shipment,” notes Gintner. ECC also knows that their corals move around less during transit and they aren’t able to puncture their shipping container, eliminating transit losses that could otherwise occur with traditional fish bags. “Our custom frag bases fit almost perfectly into the bottom of the cups, so there is very little (if any) movement. The frag disk base keeps the coral secure and keeps it from moving around to hit the sides; we see very little coral breakage. When putting corals in bags, it is rarely a perfect fit; there is much more movement and potential for damage.
Jose Filomeno Rivera preparing hundreds of corals for shipment to ECC Frag Subscription members.
“More importantly, using specimen cups helps to cut down on waste,” concludes Gintner. “Our retailers are also able to reuse the containers when selling these frags to the hobbyist. We also have seen hobbyists reuse the containers for many useful things, such as coral transportation to frag swaps or club meetings, thawing food for fish or corals, acclimating, dipping, storage, and more.”
ECC still utilizes traditional fish bags for larger corals and fish shipments, but they’re always on the lookout for a better solution. “When we do use bags, we employ a local, community-based facility that gives jobs to people with disabilities or special needs. We give them the raw bags and they charge us a small fee to double- and triple-bag them and add liners. It is another rare win-win as we help the local community.”
“Daily improvements are very important to us as a company,” Gintner says. “If we don’t look back and laugh at how much better things are today than they were a year ago, then I do not think we are improving fast enough.”
Read more:
Eye Catching Coral (wholesale only):
https://eyecatchingcoral.com/
Online: Nat Geo/Ocean Plastic
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/ocean-plastic/
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to subscribe to CORAL Magazine to never miss an issue!
==========================
Shipment preparation at Eye Catching Corals. Flat coral frag discs are a near perfect match for the bottom of the specimen containers, reducing movement during transit.
Fighting to Replace Single-Use Plastics
By Matt Pedersen with images by Klynt Maston
Excerpt from CORAL, March/April 2019
Our planet’s addiction to single-use plastic products that spawn seemingly immortal pollution is now becoming a trending socialmedia meme and gaining in widespread public awareness. By some estimates, oceanic plastic is projected to outweigh all the fish in the seas by the year 2050. Eliminating plastic shopping bags, ending our reliance on throwaway water bottles, and giving up plastic straws are all steps people and communities are taking in an effort to eliminate this scourge. What about the aquarium trade?
In our own backyard, single-use plastic bags are generally utilized at every stage of the marine aquarium livestock trade supply chain. Fish and coral are often individually double- or tripled-bagged, utilizing bags generally made from clear, low-density polyethylene (LDPE, recycling #4). While these bags are considered a “safe” and recyclable form of plastic, most often they are destined for the trash. Each fish or coral arriving to the end consumer could possibly represent the use of 10 or more bags as it changes hands from collector to exporter to distributor to fish shop to your tank. Is there a better way?
Mitch Schumm getting frags ready to ship to ECC Frag Subscription (wholesale) members.
Eye Catching Coral (ECC), an importer, wholesaler, and coral farm based in Vienna, Ohio, believes plastic bags aren’t always the best solution. Founded in 2007, the company grew to occupy a 4,000-square-foot aquaculture facility by 2016. One of the company’s mainstay offerings is a subscription-based shipment of coral frags which is prepared monthly for aquarium retailers around the U.S. Thousands of aquacultured corals, some of which are first-generation cuttings of wild imports and others that are from multi-generational parent stock grown in landlocked Ohio, all need to be packed safely and efficiently for their journeys.
ECC’s CEO, Jim Gintner, explained how they’ve saved money and dramatically reduced their plastic waste by shipping their aquacultured products in reusable screw-top plastic containers. “We have been using specimen containers and bags on and off throughout our company’s 12 years in business. Two years ago we made the commitment to only ship frags in these containers, and we have not looked back since. I have seen others do this, but not on a large commercial level. We were not the first to ship a frag in a specimen container, but I feel we are the first to do it at this volume.”
Ryan Marlin closes up coral frag containers for an outgoing shipment.
ECC suggests there are sufficient cost savings and other benefits with their use of these polypropylene containers (PP, recycling #5). “Shipping our coral frags in specimen containers instead of bags has saved us a substantial amount of time and money,” says Gintner.
For the layperson reviewing publicly available pricing online, bulk purchases of traditional fish bags may make them appear cheaper initially; retail price points suggest that double-bagging a coral frag might cost $0.10 for bags and rubber bands, whereas the specimen containers might cost closer to $0.15 each. However, Gintner reports that, by purchasing at scale, their cost in specimen containers is approximately 8 cents. “Conversely,” he says, “bag costs, including labor to double-bag them or add liners, ranges from $0.08 to $0.35 per ship-ready bag.” An even larger savings comes from vastly improved pack-out times: Eye Catching Coral’s round, flat-bottom frag disks are a near-perfect size match for the bottom of the cup; team members can simply place the frag into the cup and screw the lid on tightly.
The uniform dimensions of specimen containers fit well into standard packing boxes and making forecasts of dimensions and shipping weights extremely easy.
Packing shipping boxes is a breeze, given the uniform size of each coral frag disk and its container, which results in easily calculated, uniform shipments. “The consistent size allows us to forecast space and weight for each shipment,” notes Gintner. ECC also knows that their corals move around less during transit and they aren’t able to puncture their shipping container, eliminating transit losses that could otherwise occur with traditional fish bags. “Our custom frag bases fit almost perfectly into the bottom of the cups, so there is very little (if any) movement. The frag disk base keeps the coral secure and keeps it from moving around to hit the sides; we see very little coral breakage. When putting corals in bags, it is rarely a perfect fit; there is much more movement and potential for damage.
Jose Filomeno Rivera preparing hundreds of corals for shipment to ECC Frag Subscription members.
“More importantly, using specimen cups helps to cut down on waste,” concludes Gintner. “Our retailers are also able to reuse the containers when selling these frags to the hobbyist. We also have seen hobbyists reuse the containers for many useful things, such as coral transportation to frag swaps or club meetings, thawing food for fish or corals, acclimating, dipping, storage, and more.”
ECC still utilizes traditional fish bags for larger corals and fish shipments, but they’re always on the lookout for a better solution. “When we do use bags, we employ a local, community-based facility that gives jobs to people with disabilities or special needs. We give them the raw bags and they charge us a small fee to double- and triple-bag them and add liners. It is another rare win-win as we help the local community.”
“Daily improvements are very important to us as a company,” Gintner says. “If we don’t look back and laugh at how much better things are today than they were a year ago, then I do not think we are improving fast enough.”
Read more:
Eye Catching Coral (wholesale only):
https://eyecatchingcoral.com/
Online: Nat Geo/Ocean Plastic
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/ocean-plastic/
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to subscribe to CORAL Magazine to never miss an issue!
==========================
Florida Looking at Ban on Reef-Harming Sunscreens01 Mar, 2019
An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen products enter the ocean each year, most with ingredients now known to kill corals. Image: NadyaEugene/Shutterstock.
Florida considers a call for a state-wide ban on reef-harming chemicals in sunscreens
Following the example that Hawaii, Palau, and parts of Mexico made last year, the state of Florida is considering proposed legislation to outlaw two chemicals found in many sunscreens that are known to kill corals. The chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, wash off our bodies when we swim, snorkel, or dive in the ocean. But even those of us who don’t swim can spread the chemicals into the ocean by lying on the sand with sunscreen on (the sand can wash into the ocean). Oxybenzone and octinoxate also get into the ocean when we rinse off in the shower after a day at the beach. The effect can be disastrous: corals bleach and are unable to reproduce when they are exposed to high levels of these chemicals and coral larvae can be killed. Every year worldwide, approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean.
Protecting the Florida Reef Tract
Florida is home to the largest reef system in the United States and the third largest in the world; it is the only living barrier reef in the continental U.S. The Florida Reef runs from about Port St. Lucie at the northern end south to Key West, hooking west to the Dry Tortugas. It measures up to four miles wide, is 170 miles 92765 km) long and includes Biscayne National Park and the renowned John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park off Key Largo. It is comprised of around 6,000 individual reefs, which range in age from 5,000 to 7,000 years old. It is home to 40 species of stony corals and around 500 species of fish; this diversity is comparable to diversity found on coral reefs in the Caribbean.
Like other reefs around the world, the Florida Reef has experienced dramatic deterioration in recent decades, with some areas experiencing near-total die-off of Elkhorn, Staghorn and other important reefbuilding corals. Bleaching was first recorded on the Florida Reef in 1973, and incidents have increased in recent years with the rise in sea temperatures and rise in sea level (which increases turbidity and decreases salinity on the reef). Scientists continue to look for causes of ongoing coral disease outbreaks, looking at a range of suspects, including traces of drugs, endocrine disruptors, and other chemicals from human populations along the coast. Tourism contributes its share of the troubles, but it is one of Florida’s vital flock of golden geece.
Billions of Tourism Dollars at Stake
A Hawaiian company is promoting its new Kōkua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50.
In light of all this, some lawmakers are moving to protect the reef in a tangible way. A bill to ban harmful sunscreens, introduced in the Florida senate by Sen. Linda Stewart, a Democrat from Orlando, would ban all sunscreen containing oxybenzone and/or octinoxate from the state unless the user has a prescription. The law would take effect in 2021. The first infraction would be penalized with a fine; the second with something harsher that is yet to be determined. Key West has already passed a law banning the offending sunscreens, effective in 2021. The mayor of Key West, Teri Johnson, called the decision an “obligation” that the city council has to protect the coral reef. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said.
The Florida Reef is a huge boon to the tourism industry of Florida, with reef-related activities netting the state many billions of dollars every year. The state has a vested interest in protecting the reef from further bleaching and die-off, and state lawmakers believe that banning sunscreen with reef-damaging chemicals is the easiest way to make an impact here. They hope that when sunbathers, swimmers, snorkelers, and divers make the switch to zinc-based sunscreens, the reefs will be protected into the future. Reef-safe sunscreens are relatively easy to find now, and they will become even more abundant as more reefside vacation spots ban their harmful counterparts. The economy is shifting towards safer sunscreens, and consumers should have no problem finding and using these effective and environmentally-friendly sunscreens.
New Brands Appearing Now
With a tideswell of legislation looming, manufacturers are not waiting until 2021 to get reef-safe products on the shelves.Look for sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Many brands are already available, including Alba Botanica, Badger, Well at Walgreens, Sun Bum, White Pelican, ThinkSport, and many others. They are readily available online or at your local pharmacy or dive shop.
-Bayley Freeman
==========================
An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen products enter the ocean each year, most with ingredients now known to kill corals. Image: NadyaEugene/Shutterstock.
Florida considers a call for a state-wide ban on reef-harming chemicals in sunscreens
Following the example that Hawaii, Palau, and parts of Mexico made last year, the state of Florida is considering proposed legislation to outlaw two chemicals found in many sunscreens that are known to kill corals. The chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, wash off our bodies when we swim, snorkel, or dive in the ocean. But even those of us who don’t swim can spread the chemicals into the ocean by lying on the sand with sunscreen on (the sand can wash into the ocean). Oxybenzone and octinoxate also get into the ocean when we rinse off in the shower after a day at the beach. The effect can be disastrous: corals bleach and are unable to reproduce when they are exposed to high levels of these chemicals and coral larvae can be killed. Every year worldwide, approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean.
Protecting the Florida Reef Tract
Florida is home to the largest reef system in the United States and the third largest in the world; it is the only living barrier reef in the continental U.S. The Florida Reef runs from about Port St. Lucie at the northern end south to Key West, hooking west to the Dry Tortugas. It measures up to four miles wide, is 170 miles 92765 km) long and includes Biscayne National Park and the renowned John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park off Key Largo. It is comprised of around 6,000 individual reefs, which range in age from 5,000 to 7,000 years old. It is home to 40 species of stony corals and around 500 species of fish; this diversity is comparable to diversity found on coral reefs in the Caribbean.
Like other reefs around the world, the Florida Reef has experienced dramatic deterioration in recent decades, with some areas experiencing near-total die-off of Elkhorn, Staghorn and other important reefbuilding corals. Bleaching was first recorded on the Florida Reef in 1973, and incidents have increased in recent years with the rise in sea temperatures and rise in sea level (which increases turbidity and decreases salinity on the reef). Scientists continue to look for causes of ongoing coral disease outbreaks, looking at a range of suspects, including traces of drugs, endocrine disruptors, and other chemicals from human populations along the coast. Tourism contributes its share of the troubles, but it is one of Florida’s vital flock of golden geece.
Billions of Tourism Dollars at Stake
A Hawaiian company is promoting its new Kōkua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50.
In light of all this, some lawmakers are moving to protect the reef in a tangible way. A bill to ban harmful sunscreens, introduced in the Florida senate by Sen. Linda Stewart, a Democrat from Orlando, would ban all sunscreen containing oxybenzone and/or octinoxate from the state unless the user has a prescription. The law would take effect in 2021. The first infraction would be penalized with a fine; the second with something harsher that is yet to be determined. Key West has already passed a law banning the offending sunscreens, effective in 2021. The mayor of Key West, Teri Johnson, called the decision an “obligation” that the city council has to protect the coral reef. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said.
The Florida Reef is a huge boon to the tourism industry of Florida, with reef-related activities netting the state many billions of dollars every year. The state has a vested interest in protecting the reef from further bleaching and die-off, and state lawmakers believe that banning sunscreen with reef-damaging chemicals is the easiest way to make an impact here. They hope that when sunbathers, swimmers, snorkelers, and divers make the switch to zinc-based sunscreens, the reefs will be protected into the future. Reef-safe sunscreens are relatively easy to find now, and they will become even more abundant as more reefside vacation spots ban their harmful counterparts. The economy is shifting towards safer sunscreens, and consumers should have no problem finding and using these effective and environmentally-friendly sunscreens.
New Brands Appearing Now
With a tideswell of legislation looming, manufacturers are not waiting until 2021 to get reef-safe products on the shelves.Look for sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Many brands are already available, including Alba Botanica, Badger, Well at Walgreens, Sun Bum, White Pelican, ThinkSport, and many others. They are readily available online or at your local pharmacy or dive shop.
-Bayley Freeman
==========================
OFI Issues Indonesian Coral Export Update29 Mar, 2019
A coral export facility sits idle in Bali, Indonesia. Image via OFI.
via Ornamental Fish International (OFI)
Indonesian Coral Export Suspension Update
The coral export suspension continues in Indonesia despite ongoing lobbying by industry. The industry has been devastated by this ongoing suspension with over 10,000 jobs lost in the Indonesian industry, as well as revenue losses of more than USD$12 million. More importantly, all the coral reef restoration work that the farmers carried out has now stopped—10% of their production is used to directly restore coral reef but without an income this work has now stopped.
There is hope that a case before the ombudsman could put an end to the suspension and there was a meeting scheduled this week for the ombudsmen case, however, key participants (namely the relevant Ministers) were not available resulting in the decision being delayed again. While the industry is confident the export suspension will finish, it is increasingly looking like this will not happen until after the elections to be held in April this year.
We hope that the suspension ends soon so collectors, farmers, and exporters can get back to work—it is so sad to see empty facilities like this one in Bali!
###
Editor’s Note: The stoppage of coral exportation from Indonesia came as a surprise on May 4th, 2018, and has continued for 330 days as of March 29th, 2019.
==========================
A coral export facility sits idle in Bali, Indonesia. Image via OFI.
via Ornamental Fish International (OFI)
Indonesian Coral Export Suspension Update
The coral export suspension continues in Indonesia despite ongoing lobbying by industry. The industry has been devastated by this ongoing suspension with over 10,000 jobs lost in the Indonesian industry, as well as revenue losses of more than USD$12 million. More importantly, all the coral reef restoration work that the farmers carried out has now stopped—10% of their production is used to directly restore coral reef but without an income this work has now stopped.
There is hope that a case before the ombudsman could put an end to the suspension and there was a meeting scheduled this week for the ombudsmen case, however, key participants (namely the relevant Ministers) were not available resulting in the decision being delayed again. While the industry is confident the export suspension will finish, it is increasingly looking like this will not happen until after the elections to be held in April this year.
We hope that the suspension ends soon so collectors, farmers, and exporters can get back to work—it is so sad to see empty facilities like this one in Bali!
###
Editor’s Note: The stoppage of coral exportation from Indonesia came as a surprise on May 4th, 2018, and has continued for 330 days as of March 29th, 2019.
==========================
Tanichthys kuehnei
Tanichthys kuehnei • A New Species (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Central Vietnam
Tanichthys kuehnei
Bohlen, Dvorák, Thang & Šlechtová, 2019
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1081
Tanichthys kuehnei, new species, is described from a stream in the Bach Ma Mountains in Hue Province in Central Vietnam. The new species differs from its congeners by having more branched rays in anal fin (9 1/2 vs. 7-8 1/2 in T. micagemmae and 8 1/2 in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Morphological and genetic characters suggest it to be closer related to T. micagemmae, the only other species of Tanichthys known from Central Vietnam. Tanichthys kuehnei differs from T. micagemmae by having a white anal-fin margin (vs. red).
Jörg Bohlen, Tomáš Dvorák, Ha Nam Thang and Vendula Šlechtová. 2019. Tanichthys kuehnei, New Species, from Central Vietnam (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1081
facebook.com/IchthyologyoftheWorld/photos/2342677662419684
==========================
Tanichthys kuehnei
Bohlen, Dvorák, Thang & Šlechtová, 2019
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1081
Tanichthys kuehnei, new species, is described from a stream in the Bach Ma Mountains in Hue Province in Central Vietnam. The new species differs from its congeners by having more branched rays in anal fin (9 1/2 vs. 7-8 1/2 in T. micagemmae and 8 1/2 in T. albonubes and T. thacbaensis). Morphological and genetic characters suggest it to be closer related to T. micagemmae, the only other species of Tanichthys known from Central Vietnam. Tanichthys kuehnei differs from T. micagemmae by having a white anal-fin margin (vs. red).
Jörg Bohlen, Tomáš Dvorák, Ha Nam Thang and Vendula Šlechtová. 2019. Tanichthys kuehnei, New Species, from Central Vietnam (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1081
facebook.com/IchthyologyoftheWorld/photos/2342677662419684
==========================
Unraveling the mechanism for seasonal adaptation in animalsDate:
April 8, 2019
Source:
National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Summary:
Biologists have discovered that long non-coding RNA regulates seasonal changes in stress response in medaka fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
Medaka, a small fish inhabiting rice fields and streams.
Credit: Tomoya Nakayama & Takashi YoshimuraBiologists at the National Institute for Basic Biology and the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM) at Nagoya University have discovered that long non-coding RNA regulates seasonal changes in stress response in medaka fish. The results of this study were reported in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
In temperate zones, the environment fluctuates greatly depending on the season, and animals living in these areas adapt to these changing environments. A research group from the National Institute for Basic Biology and Nagoya University in Japan uncovered the underlying mechanism of seasonal changes in stress response.
Although the Greek philosopher Aristotle described seasonal changes in animal behavior in his 'Historia Animalium (History of Animals)', their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. During breeding seasons, animals show stress responses, such as self-protective and escape behaviors when confronted with potentially dangerous situations such as predation, interspecific competition, and harsh weather. These behaviors are critical for animals to survive in changing environments. In order to investigate seasonal changes in stress responses, the research group examined medaka, a small fish inhabiting rice fields and streams. Tomoya Nakayama, a Ph.D. student said, "we examined genome-wide gene expression analysis during the transition from short day to long day conditions, and identified photoperiodically regulated genes."
Among the photoperiodically regulated genes, researchers focused on a novel, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), LDAIR (long day-induced antisense intronic RNA), whose robust rhythmic expression was induced only under long day conditions. lncRNA are defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that are not translated into protein. Although recent studies found that there are as many lncRNA as protein-coding genes in our genome, the functional significance of most lncRNA remains unknown.
Using genome-editing technique, the research group generated LDAIR knockout medaka to understand its function. As a result, it became clear that LDAIR regulates a gene neighborhood including corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2). Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptors, CRHR1 and CRHR2 are known to be involved in stress responses. Furthermore, upon conducting behavioral analysis, it was confirmed that LDAIR affects stress-associated self-protective behaviors.
Professor Yoshimura, the leader of this research group, said, "to cope with seasonal changes in the environment, animals often adapt their behavior. We found the involvement of lncRNA LDAIR in this adaptive behavior." Recent studies concerning plants have also reported that photoperiodically-regulated lncRNAs regulate photomorphogenesis, cotyledon greening, and flowering. Although the sequences of lncRNAs are not conserved, lncRNA appear to play an important role across species in the adaptation mechanism to seasonal changes in the environment.
Story Source:
Materials provided by National Institutes of Natural Sciences. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
April 8, 2019
Source:
National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Summary:
Biologists have discovered that long non-coding RNA regulates seasonal changes in stress response in medaka fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
Medaka, a small fish inhabiting rice fields and streams.
Credit: Tomoya Nakayama & Takashi YoshimuraBiologists at the National Institute for Basic Biology and the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM) at Nagoya University have discovered that long non-coding RNA regulates seasonal changes in stress response in medaka fish. The results of this study were reported in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
In temperate zones, the environment fluctuates greatly depending on the season, and animals living in these areas adapt to these changing environments. A research group from the National Institute for Basic Biology and Nagoya University in Japan uncovered the underlying mechanism of seasonal changes in stress response.
Although the Greek philosopher Aristotle described seasonal changes in animal behavior in his 'Historia Animalium (History of Animals)', their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. During breeding seasons, animals show stress responses, such as self-protective and escape behaviors when confronted with potentially dangerous situations such as predation, interspecific competition, and harsh weather. These behaviors are critical for animals to survive in changing environments. In order to investigate seasonal changes in stress responses, the research group examined medaka, a small fish inhabiting rice fields and streams. Tomoya Nakayama, a Ph.D. student said, "we examined genome-wide gene expression analysis during the transition from short day to long day conditions, and identified photoperiodically regulated genes."
Among the photoperiodically regulated genes, researchers focused on a novel, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), LDAIR (long day-induced antisense intronic RNA), whose robust rhythmic expression was induced only under long day conditions. lncRNA are defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that are not translated into protein. Although recent studies found that there are as many lncRNA as protein-coding genes in our genome, the functional significance of most lncRNA remains unknown.
Using genome-editing technique, the research group generated LDAIR knockout medaka to understand its function. As a result, it became clear that LDAIR regulates a gene neighborhood including corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2). Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptors, CRHR1 and CRHR2 are known to be involved in stress responses. Furthermore, upon conducting behavioral analysis, it was confirmed that LDAIR affects stress-associated self-protective behaviors.
Professor Yoshimura, the leader of this research group, said, "to cope with seasonal changes in the environment, animals often adapt their behavior. We found the involvement of lncRNA LDAIR in this adaptive behavior." Recent studies concerning plants have also reported that photoperiodically-regulated lncRNAs regulate photomorphogenesis, cotyledon greening, and flowering. Although the sequences of lncRNAs are not conserved, lncRNA appear to play an important role across species in the adaptation mechanism to seasonal changes in the environment.
Story Source:
Materials provided by National Institutes of Natural Sciences. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Tomoya Nakayama, Tsuyoshi Shimmura, Ai Shinomiya, Kousuke Okimura, Yusuke Takehana, Yuko Furukawa, Takayuki Shimo, Takumi Senga, Mana Nakatsukasa, Toshiya Nishimura, Minoru Tanaka, Kataaki Okubo, Yasuhiro Kamei, Kiyoshi Naruse, Takashi Yoshimura. Seasonal regulation of the lncRNA LDAIR modulates self-protective behaviors during the breeding season. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2019 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-0866-6
==========================
RWU Researchers Take Important First Step Towards Developing a Test to Detect Cyanide Fishing in the Marine Aquarium Trade
New research establishes a timeline over which cyanide testing in marine fish would be viable, helping to combat cyanide fishing before fish enter the aquarium trade
via Roger Williams University
April 2, 2019 – By Jill Rodrigues
BRISTOL, R.I. – As a critical step in developing the first test to help reduce the destructive and illegal trade of cyanide-caught marine fish, Roger Williams University professors and undergraduate student researchers have measured the residence time of an important metabolite in the blood of marine fish after cyanide exposure.
Cyanide fishing is a widespread problem in the Indo-Pacific region, where fishermen spray cyanide solutions onto coral reefs to stun reef fish and make them easier to capture for the marine aquarium and live fish food trades. In the process, all the organisms that live on the reef, even the reef itself, may be compromised, contributing to the decimation of some of the world’s most productive reefs.
For decades, the scientific community has been seeking a solution to identify fish caught by cyanide. The most recent focus had been on trying to detect a metabolite in the water of the captured fish. But two years ago, RWU researchers Andrew Rhyne and Nancy Breen proved that method to be erroneous. That’s when Rhyne and Breen realized that they needed to go to the source, and look within the fish.
“We went back the beginning and thought, if you expose fish to cyanide, where would an indicator of that exposure be? And it would clearly be in the blood plasma, just like most drug metabolites,” said Rhyne, an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at RWU. “So we developed a method that’s like a blood test you would give an athlete. It uses some of the same technology used for looking for performance-enhancing drugs or other banned substances in humans.”
On April 2, PeerJ published the RWU researchers’ report, “On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection,” co-authored by Rhyne, RWU Associate Professor of Chemistry Nancy Breen, John Alex Bonnano ’17, senior biology and chemistry double major Sara Hunt, sophomore marine biology major Julia Grossman, Jordan Brown ’18, and Hannah Nolte ’18.
Their study gives a timeline over which post-exposure testing of marine fish exposed to cyanide could be viable. This research provides a first step in developing a comprehensive test and is only for a single species, but they are continuing to use their method on other species of marine fish under lab conditions and eventually hope to use the method out in the field.
Clownfish feed inside a tank in the RWU Wet Lab.
Inside the RWU Wet Lab, carrot-orange, black-striped clownfish swirl among each other in tanks of saltwater drawn straight from the bay. RWU researchers have aquacultured clownfish for many years, making it the obvious species with which to start their research.
The clownfish in their experiments were exposed to cyanide in baths for different lengths of time. Not enough to kill the fish, but to stun them as if drugged by a fisherman using cyanide in the wild. Once exposed, cyanide is quickly metabolized into thiocyanate, which, like other detoxification byproducts, can be found in the bloodstream.
The rapid metabolism of cyanide prevents researchers from looking for it directly. Instead, they search for its metabolite, thiocyanate – the same chemical that is found in the blood and saliva of smokers who are exposed to cyanide from smoking cigarettes, Rhyne said.
In the RWU Chemistry Lab, Breen led the student researchers in analyzing the blood of the exposed fish. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), they measured the concentration of thiocyanate to model how long it remains in the bloodstream after cyanide exposure.
“This gave us the timeline for how long after exposure that thiocyanate can be tested for and its concentration range – information that’s critical to detect cyanide fishing. Despite decades of concern about cyanide fishing, this timeline has never been developed,” Rhyne said.
It was the necessary first step in developing a field-deployable test to detect fish caught by cyanide – something that environmental organizations, law enforcement, and aquarium trade importers and retailers have been advocating for years.
Drawing plasma from a blood sample, Sara Hunt prepares a slide to examine the specimen under a microscope.
From sample preparation to analyzing the data, an army of undergraduate student researchers were involved at every step of the project. It was a collaborative intersection of marine biology and chemistry, enabling a robust team of students to work as both biologists and chemists on cutting-edge research. Over several years, nearly a dozen students have contributed to and are continuing the research, some as early as their freshman year.
Sara Hunt, a senior biology and chemistry double major and an honors student, will incorporate this work into her thesis and Honors Program capstone project. As one of the lead authors on the report, she already has a prestigious research publication under her belt as an undergraduate, making her application stand out among her peers when she applies to physician assistant programs at medical schools this spring.
“Working on the cyanide project has taught me a great deal about the importance of careful planning, attention to detail, problem solving, and collaboration in a marine biology and chemistry setting. So far, these skills have helped me tremendously in job interviews and in off-campus clinical positions, and will continue to benefit me in clinical- or laboratory-based roles and in physician assistant school in the future,” said Hunt, who also works part-time as a medical scribe at a hospital.
John Alex Bonanno ’17 draws a blood sample from a sedated clownfish, while undergraduate student researchers observe and learn the process.
John Alex Bonanno, an author of the report who graduated from RWU with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology in 2017, had worked with Rhyne on research in the Wet Lab during his time at RWU and decided to return to work with the RWU team for his master’s thesis. Now a graduate student at UMass-Boston, Bonanno said that his research experiences at Roger Williams have prepared him for graduate school and beyond.
“This project has exposed me to many aspects of chemical analysis, broadening my skill set. I can put that on my résumé, which will make me very marketable for any job in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries around Boston,” said Bonnano, who hopes to complete his master’s degree in marine science and technology in December.
Back in the RWU Wet Lab and Chemistry Lab, the work hasn’t stopped a day. The research team exposes, dissects, and analyzes.
As they continue to refine their method and work on other marine fish species, they are moving closer to a solution. Their ultimate goal is to develop a simple test that governments and importers can use to check whether fish have been exposed to cyanide. Once a test is available, combating and even eradicating this destructive fishing method could finally became a realistic possibility.
###
Read the open access article, “On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection,” available online now via PeerJ.
Reference:
Breen NE, Bonanno JA, Hunt S, Grossman J, Brown J, Nolte H, Rhyne AL. 2019. On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of the marine fish Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection. PeerJ 7:e6644 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6644
==========================
New research establishes a timeline over which cyanide testing in marine fish would be viable, helping to combat cyanide fishing before fish enter the aquarium trade
via Roger Williams University
April 2, 2019 – By Jill Rodrigues
BRISTOL, R.I. – As a critical step in developing the first test to help reduce the destructive and illegal trade of cyanide-caught marine fish, Roger Williams University professors and undergraduate student researchers have measured the residence time of an important metabolite in the blood of marine fish after cyanide exposure.
Cyanide fishing is a widespread problem in the Indo-Pacific region, where fishermen spray cyanide solutions onto coral reefs to stun reef fish and make them easier to capture for the marine aquarium and live fish food trades. In the process, all the organisms that live on the reef, even the reef itself, may be compromised, contributing to the decimation of some of the world’s most productive reefs.
For decades, the scientific community has been seeking a solution to identify fish caught by cyanide. The most recent focus had been on trying to detect a metabolite in the water of the captured fish. But two years ago, RWU researchers Andrew Rhyne and Nancy Breen proved that method to be erroneous. That’s when Rhyne and Breen realized that they needed to go to the source, and look within the fish.
“We went back the beginning and thought, if you expose fish to cyanide, where would an indicator of that exposure be? And it would clearly be in the blood plasma, just like most drug metabolites,” said Rhyne, an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at RWU. “So we developed a method that’s like a blood test you would give an athlete. It uses some of the same technology used for looking for performance-enhancing drugs or other banned substances in humans.”
On April 2, PeerJ published the RWU researchers’ report, “On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection,” co-authored by Rhyne, RWU Associate Professor of Chemistry Nancy Breen, John Alex Bonnano ’17, senior biology and chemistry double major Sara Hunt, sophomore marine biology major Julia Grossman, Jordan Brown ’18, and Hannah Nolte ’18.
Their study gives a timeline over which post-exposure testing of marine fish exposed to cyanide could be viable. This research provides a first step in developing a comprehensive test and is only for a single species, but they are continuing to use their method on other species of marine fish under lab conditions and eventually hope to use the method out in the field.
Clownfish feed inside a tank in the RWU Wet Lab.
Inside the RWU Wet Lab, carrot-orange, black-striped clownfish swirl among each other in tanks of saltwater drawn straight from the bay. RWU researchers have aquacultured clownfish for many years, making it the obvious species with which to start their research.
The clownfish in their experiments were exposed to cyanide in baths for different lengths of time. Not enough to kill the fish, but to stun them as if drugged by a fisherman using cyanide in the wild. Once exposed, cyanide is quickly metabolized into thiocyanate, which, like other detoxification byproducts, can be found in the bloodstream.
The rapid metabolism of cyanide prevents researchers from looking for it directly. Instead, they search for its metabolite, thiocyanate – the same chemical that is found in the blood and saliva of smokers who are exposed to cyanide from smoking cigarettes, Rhyne said.
In the RWU Chemistry Lab, Breen led the student researchers in analyzing the blood of the exposed fish. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), they measured the concentration of thiocyanate to model how long it remains in the bloodstream after cyanide exposure.
“This gave us the timeline for how long after exposure that thiocyanate can be tested for and its concentration range – information that’s critical to detect cyanide fishing. Despite decades of concern about cyanide fishing, this timeline has never been developed,” Rhyne said.
It was the necessary first step in developing a field-deployable test to detect fish caught by cyanide – something that environmental organizations, law enforcement, and aquarium trade importers and retailers have been advocating for years.
Drawing plasma from a blood sample, Sara Hunt prepares a slide to examine the specimen under a microscope.
From sample preparation to analyzing the data, an army of undergraduate student researchers were involved at every step of the project. It was a collaborative intersection of marine biology and chemistry, enabling a robust team of students to work as both biologists and chemists on cutting-edge research. Over several years, nearly a dozen students have contributed to and are continuing the research, some as early as their freshman year.
Sara Hunt, a senior biology and chemistry double major and an honors student, will incorporate this work into her thesis and Honors Program capstone project. As one of the lead authors on the report, she already has a prestigious research publication under her belt as an undergraduate, making her application stand out among her peers when she applies to physician assistant programs at medical schools this spring.
“Working on the cyanide project has taught me a great deal about the importance of careful planning, attention to detail, problem solving, and collaboration in a marine biology and chemistry setting. So far, these skills have helped me tremendously in job interviews and in off-campus clinical positions, and will continue to benefit me in clinical- or laboratory-based roles and in physician assistant school in the future,” said Hunt, who also works part-time as a medical scribe at a hospital.
John Alex Bonanno ’17 draws a blood sample from a sedated clownfish, while undergraduate student researchers observe and learn the process.
John Alex Bonanno, an author of the report who graduated from RWU with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology in 2017, had worked with Rhyne on research in the Wet Lab during his time at RWU and decided to return to work with the RWU team for his master’s thesis. Now a graduate student at UMass-Boston, Bonanno said that his research experiences at Roger Williams have prepared him for graduate school and beyond.
“This project has exposed me to many aspects of chemical analysis, broadening my skill set. I can put that on my résumé, which will make me very marketable for any job in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries around Boston,” said Bonnano, who hopes to complete his master’s degree in marine science and technology in December.
Back in the RWU Wet Lab and Chemistry Lab, the work hasn’t stopped a day. The research team exposes, dissects, and analyzes.
As they continue to refine their method and work on other marine fish species, they are moving closer to a solution. Their ultimate goal is to develop a simple test that governments and importers can use to check whether fish have been exposed to cyanide. Once a test is available, combating and even eradicating this destructive fishing method could finally became a realistic possibility.
###
Read the open access article, “On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection,” available online now via PeerJ.
Reference:
Breen NE, Bonanno JA, Hunt S, Grossman J, Brown J, Nolte H, Rhyne AL. 2019. On the half-life of thiocyanate in the plasma of the marine fish Amphiprion ocellaris: implications for cyanide detection. PeerJ 7:e6644 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6644
==========================
Cryptocentrus altipinna, a New Species of Highfin ShrimpgobyJAKE ADAMSJAN 24, 20190
0SHARES
00Cryptocentrus altipinna is a fresh new species of small watchman goby from the eastern Indian Ocean around Thailand and Sri Lanka. This smaller species of watchman has a beautiful rosy pink spotted face very similar to the pink spotted watchman, Cryptocentrus leptocephalus, but C. altipinna is actually quite different from the fish we’re used to.
Besides a completely different natural distribution, Cryptocentrus altipinna has more even distribution of pink coloration which is quite spotted in the dorsal fins, but becomes irregular in the body and striped in the tail and anal fin. There is a varying degree of small metallic blue spots along the body not unlike the closely related speckled shrimpgoby, Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus.
Also, as the latin name implies this species was given the common name of ‘highfin shrimpgoby’ goby due to a significantly tall first dorsal fin in mature specimens of both males and females. This is a rather small, but not quite nano, species of Cryptocentrus goby which grows to only 60mm long, or just a touch over two inches in total length. [JOSF]
==========================
0SHARES
00Cryptocentrus altipinna is a fresh new species of small watchman goby from the eastern Indian Ocean around Thailand and Sri Lanka. This smaller species of watchman has a beautiful rosy pink spotted face very similar to the pink spotted watchman, Cryptocentrus leptocephalus, but C. altipinna is actually quite different from the fish we’re used to.
Besides a completely different natural distribution, Cryptocentrus altipinna has more even distribution of pink coloration which is quite spotted in the dorsal fins, but becomes irregular in the body and striped in the tail and anal fin. There is a varying degree of small metallic blue spots along the body not unlike the closely related speckled shrimpgoby, Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus.
Also, as the latin name implies this species was given the common name of ‘highfin shrimpgoby’ goby due to a significantly tall first dorsal fin in mature specimens of both males and females. This is a rather small, but not quite nano, species of Cryptocentrus goby which grows to only 60mm long, or just a touch over two inches in total length. [JOSF]
==========================
Prognathodes geminus, a new species of butterflyfish (Teleostei, Chaetodontidae) from Palau
Joshua M. Copus, Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene, John E. RandallAbstractA new species of the butterflyfish genus Prognathodes (Chaetodontidae) is described from two specimens collected at a depth of 116 m off Ngemelis Island, Palau. Prognathodes geminus sp. n. is similar to P.basabei Pyle & Kosaki, 2016 from the Hawaiian archipelago, and P. guezei(Maugé & Bauchot, 1976) from the western Indian Ocean, but differs from these species in the number of soft dorsal-fin rays, size of head, body width, and body depth. There are also subtle differences in life color, and substantial differences in the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I sequence (d ≈ 0.08). Although genetic comparisons with P. guezei are unavailable, it is expected that the genetic divergence between P. guezei and P. geminuswill be even greater than that between P. geminus and P. basabei. It is named for the strikingly similar color pattern it shares with P. basabei.
KeywordsClosed-circuit rebreather, Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem, Micronesia, systematic ichthyology
IntroductionThe butterflyfish genus Prognathodes Gill, 1862 (type species Chelmopelta Günther, 1860 = Chaetodon aculeatus Poey, 1860) currently includes twelve valid species: seven from the Atlantic [P. aculeatus (Poey, 1860), P.aya (Jordan, 1886), P. brasiliensis Burgess, 2001, P. dichrous (Günther, 1869), P. guyanensis (Durand, 1960), P. marcellae (Poll, 1950), and P.obliquus (Lubbock & Edwards, 1980)], two from the tropical eastern Pacific [P. falcifer (Hubbs & Rechnitzer, 1958), P. carlhubbsi Nalbant, 1995], one from the Hawaiian Islands [P. basabei Pyle & Kosaki, 2016], one from the central Indian Ocean and western Pacific [P. guyotensis (Yamamoto & Tameka, 1982)], and one from the western Indian Ocean [P. guezei (Maugé & Bauchot, 1976)], most of which are associated with deep coral-reef environments known as Mesophotic Coral Reef ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m; Hinderstein et al. 2010).
Several individuals of a butterflyfish with dark bars resembling both P.guezei from the Western Indian Ocean and a species from the Hawaiian Islands that was later described as P. basabei were recorded on video at depths in excess of 110 m during a series of submersible dives in Palau conducted by Patrick L Colin and Lori Bell Colin in 2001. In April 2007, while conducting a series of deep exploratory dives off Ngemelis Island, Palau (Republic of Belau) in the Caroline Islands, authors Pyle and Greene collected two specimens of this unidentified Prognathodes at a depth of 116 m. The fish were encountered among a patch of limestone rubble at the base of a prominent limestone outcropping.
Based on an examination of a combination of morphological and genetic characters of the Palauan specimens, in comparison to six specimens of P.basabei and two specimens of P. guezei (the two species that most closely resemble the Palauan specimens), we herein describe the new species as Prognathodes geminus.
Materials and methodsTwo unknown fish of the genus Prognathodes were collected with hand nets during deep dives using mixed-gas, closed-circuit rebreathers off of Ngemelis Island (7.13791N, 134.22181E), at a depth of 116 m. In order to capture the live coloration, the specimens were brought to the surface alive, euthanized, and immediately photographed. A tissue sample was taken from each specimen prior to being placed in formalin. Methods of counts and measurements follow Pyle and Kosaki (2016).
Head length, depth of body, width of body, snout length, predorsal length, preanal length, length of dorsal-fin and anal-fin bases, orbit diameter, interorbital width, caudal peduncle depth, and lengths of fin spines and rays are expressed as percent of standard length (as SL). Counts and measurements for the paratype, if different from the holotype, are presented in parentheses after the value for the holotype.
The holotype has been deposited in the fish collection at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu (BPBM), and the paratype has been deposited at the US National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (USNM).
Total genomic DNA was extracted using the ‘HotSHOT’ protocol (Meeker et al. 2007). A 533-base pair fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) region was amplified using primers from Baldwin et al. (2009). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in a 15 μl reaction containing 7.5 μl BioMix Red (Biolone Inc, Springfield, NJ, USA), 0.2 μM of each primer, 5–50 ng template DNA, and nanopure water (Thermo Scientific Barnstead, Dubuque, IA, USA) to volume. PCR cycling parameters were as follows: initial 95 °C denaturation for 10 min followed by 35 cycles of 94 °C for 30 sec, 55 °C for 30 sec, and 72 °C for 30 sec, followed by a final extension of 72 °C for 10 min. PCR products were visualized using a 1.5% agarose gel with GelStar (Cambrex Bio Science Rockland, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA) and then cleaned by incubating with 0.75 units of Exonuclease and 0.5 units of Shrimp Akaline Phosphate (ExoSAP; USB, Cleveland, OH, USA) per 7.5 μl of PCR product for 30 min. at 37 °C followed by 85 °C for 15 min. Sequencing was conducted in the forward and reverse direction using a genetic analyzer (ABI 3730XL, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California) at the ASGPB Genomics Sequencing Facility at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The sequences were aligned, edited and trimmed to a common length using Geneious Pro v.6.1.6 DNA analysis software (Biomatters. http://www.geneious.com/). CO1 haplotypes were deposited in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database
==========================
Joshua M. Copus, Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene, John E. RandallAbstractA new species of the butterflyfish genus Prognathodes (Chaetodontidae) is described from two specimens collected at a depth of 116 m off Ngemelis Island, Palau. Prognathodes geminus sp. n. is similar to P.basabei Pyle & Kosaki, 2016 from the Hawaiian archipelago, and P. guezei(Maugé & Bauchot, 1976) from the western Indian Ocean, but differs from these species in the number of soft dorsal-fin rays, size of head, body width, and body depth. There are also subtle differences in life color, and substantial differences in the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I sequence (d ≈ 0.08). Although genetic comparisons with P. guezei are unavailable, it is expected that the genetic divergence between P. guezei and P. geminuswill be even greater than that between P. geminus and P. basabei. It is named for the strikingly similar color pattern it shares with P. basabei.
KeywordsClosed-circuit rebreather, Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem, Micronesia, systematic ichthyology
IntroductionThe butterflyfish genus Prognathodes Gill, 1862 (type species Chelmopelta Günther, 1860 = Chaetodon aculeatus Poey, 1860) currently includes twelve valid species: seven from the Atlantic [P. aculeatus (Poey, 1860), P.aya (Jordan, 1886), P. brasiliensis Burgess, 2001, P. dichrous (Günther, 1869), P. guyanensis (Durand, 1960), P. marcellae (Poll, 1950), and P.obliquus (Lubbock & Edwards, 1980)], two from the tropical eastern Pacific [P. falcifer (Hubbs & Rechnitzer, 1958), P. carlhubbsi Nalbant, 1995], one from the Hawaiian Islands [P. basabei Pyle & Kosaki, 2016], one from the central Indian Ocean and western Pacific [P. guyotensis (Yamamoto & Tameka, 1982)], and one from the western Indian Ocean [P. guezei (Maugé & Bauchot, 1976)], most of which are associated with deep coral-reef environments known as Mesophotic Coral Reef ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m; Hinderstein et al. 2010).
Several individuals of a butterflyfish with dark bars resembling both P.guezei from the Western Indian Ocean and a species from the Hawaiian Islands that was later described as P. basabei were recorded on video at depths in excess of 110 m during a series of submersible dives in Palau conducted by Patrick L Colin and Lori Bell Colin in 2001. In April 2007, while conducting a series of deep exploratory dives off Ngemelis Island, Palau (Republic of Belau) in the Caroline Islands, authors Pyle and Greene collected two specimens of this unidentified Prognathodes at a depth of 116 m. The fish were encountered among a patch of limestone rubble at the base of a prominent limestone outcropping.
Based on an examination of a combination of morphological and genetic characters of the Palauan specimens, in comparison to six specimens of P.basabei and two specimens of P. guezei (the two species that most closely resemble the Palauan specimens), we herein describe the new species as Prognathodes geminus.
Materials and methodsTwo unknown fish of the genus Prognathodes were collected with hand nets during deep dives using mixed-gas, closed-circuit rebreathers off of Ngemelis Island (7.13791N, 134.22181E), at a depth of 116 m. In order to capture the live coloration, the specimens were brought to the surface alive, euthanized, and immediately photographed. A tissue sample was taken from each specimen prior to being placed in formalin. Methods of counts and measurements follow Pyle and Kosaki (2016).
Head length, depth of body, width of body, snout length, predorsal length, preanal length, length of dorsal-fin and anal-fin bases, orbit diameter, interorbital width, caudal peduncle depth, and lengths of fin spines and rays are expressed as percent of standard length (as SL). Counts and measurements for the paratype, if different from the holotype, are presented in parentheses after the value for the holotype.
The holotype has been deposited in the fish collection at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu (BPBM), and the paratype has been deposited at the US National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (USNM).
Total genomic DNA was extracted using the ‘HotSHOT’ protocol (Meeker et al. 2007). A 533-base pair fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) region was amplified using primers from Baldwin et al. (2009). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in a 15 μl reaction containing 7.5 μl BioMix Red (Biolone Inc, Springfield, NJ, USA), 0.2 μM of each primer, 5–50 ng template DNA, and nanopure water (Thermo Scientific Barnstead, Dubuque, IA, USA) to volume. PCR cycling parameters were as follows: initial 95 °C denaturation for 10 min followed by 35 cycles of 94 °C for 30 sec, 55 °C for 30 sec, and 72 °C for 30 sec, followed by a final extension of 72 °C for 10 min. PCR products were visualized using a 1.5% agarose gel with GelStar (Cambrex Bio Science Rockland, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA) and then cleaned by incubating with 0.75 units of Exonuclease and 0.5 units of Shrimp Akaline Phosphate (ExoSAP; USB, Cleveland, OH, USA) per 7.5 μl of PCR product for 30 min. at 37 °C followed by 85 °C for 15 min. Sequencing was conducted in the forward and reverse direction using a genetic analyzer (ABI 3730XL, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California) at the ASGPB Genomics Sequencing Facility at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The sequences were aligned, edited and trimmed to a common length using Geneious Pro v.6.1.6 DNA analysis software (Biomatters. http://www.geneious.com/). CO1 haplotypes were deposited in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database
==========================
Eviota gunawanae • A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia
Eviota gunawanae Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann
in Greenfield, Tornabene, Erdmann & Pada, 2019.
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.26167 twitter.com/FishEvoLuke
Abstract
A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota gunawanae, with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT and NA pores and with the AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly, is described from the Fakfak Peninsula in the Bird’s Head Seascape of western New Guinea, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It has a dorsal/anal-fin-ray formula of 8/7, 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray present, very long anterior tubular nares, a distinctive double black spot at the caudal-fin base, and no narrow horizontal line of melanophores crossing the pectoral-fin base. In life, it has a maroon stripe down the midline of the body, with elongate white spots above it posteriorly and two white lines over the abdomen. E. gunawanae is most closely related to E. tetha. The new species appears to represent the eighth known microendemic fish species from this remote reef location in West Papua, highlighting the biodiversity conservation importance of the Fakfak Peninsula’s reefs.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, endemism, microendemism, phylogenetics, Bird’s Head Seascape, conservation, Eviota tetha
Eviota gunawanae n. sp.
underwater photograph, Fakfak, West Papua Province, Indonesia
(photos: M.V. Erdmann).
Eviota gunawanae, n. sp. Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann
Tiene’s Dwarfgoby
Diagnosis. A species of Eviota with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only IT and NA pores and with AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly; very long anterior tubular nares; dorsal/anal-finray formula 8/7; 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays; fifth pelvic-fin ray about 10% length of the fourth pelvic-fin ray; a black spot at caudal-fin base in two joined parts extending anteriorly past end of hypural plate; top of head with scattered melanophores, sometimes arranged in lines, but not as a single line of melanophores extending posteriorly from PITO pore back onto nape. In life, a maroon stripe down midline of body with elongate white spots above stripe posteriorly and two white lines over abdomen.
Etymology. The species is named in honor of Dr. Tiene Gunawan, one of Indonesia’s foremost marine conservationists who has dedicated the past two decades to expanding the marine protected area network of West Papua and formulating policies to protect the biodiverse marine ecosystems contained therein. Dr. Gunawan also helped plan and launch the marine biodiversity survey of the Fakfak coastline that led to the discovery of this species.
Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from Karas Island in the Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It is presumably more widespread along the poorly-explored Fakfak coastline, but unlikely to be found in the very well-surveyed Raja Ampat Islands to the north. The species was found in a relatively unusual deepwater-reef environment consisting of large foliose and plating corals on a gentle slope from 35–55m depth, exposed to moderate currents but otherwise protected from wave energy.
David W. Greenfield, Luke Tornabene, Mark V. Erdmann and Defy N. Pada. 2019. Eviota gunawanae, A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32; 57–67. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.26167
twitter.com/FishEvoLuke/status/1112830189908549632
==========================
Eviota gunawanae Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann
in Greenfield, Tornabene, Erdmann & Pada, 2019.
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.26167 twitter.com/FishEvoLuke
Abstract
A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota gunawanae, with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT and NA pores and with the AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly, is described from the Fakfak Peninsula in the Bird’s Head Seascape of western New Guinea, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It has a dorsal/anal-fin-ray formula of 8/7, 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray present, very long anterior tubular nares, a distinctive double black spot at the caudal-fin base, and no narrow horizontal line of melanophores crossing the pectoral-fin base. In life, it has a maroon stripe down the midline of the body, with elongate white spots above it posteriorly and two white lines over the abdomen. E. gunawanae is most closely related to E. tetha. The new species appears to represent the eighth known microendemic fish species from this remote reef location in West Papua, highlighting the biodiversity conservation importance of the Fakfak Peninsula’s reefs.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, endemism, microendemism, phylogenetics, Bird’s Head Seascape, conservation, Eviota tetha
Eviota gunawanae n. sp.
underwater photograph, Fakfak, West Papua Province, Indonesia
(photos: M.V. Erdmann).
Eviota gunawanae, n. sp. Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann
Tiene’s Dwarfgoby
Diagnosis. A species of Eviota with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only IT and NA pores and with AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly; very long anterior tubular nares; dorsal/anal-finray formula 8/7; 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays; fifth pelvic-fin ray about 10% length of the fourth pelvic-fin ray; a black spot at caudal-fin base in two joined parts extending anteriorly past end of hypural plate; top of head with scattered melanophores, sometimes arranged in lines, but not as a single line of melanophores extending posteriorly from PITO pore back onto nape. In life, a maroon stripe down midline of body with elongate white spots above stripe posteriorly and two white lines over abdomen.
Etymology. The species is named in honor of Dr. Tiene Gunawan, one of Indonesia’s foremost marine conservationists who has dedicated the past two decades to expanding the marine protected area network of West Papua and formulating policies to protect the biodiverse marine ecosystems contained therein. Dr. Gunawan also helped plan and launch the marine biodiversity survey of the Fakfak coastline that led to the discovery of this species.
Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from Karas Island in the Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It is presumably more widespread along the poorly-explored Fakfak coastline, but unlikely to be found in the very well-surveyed Raja Ampat Islands to the north. The species was found in a relatively unusual deepwater-reef environment consisting of large foliose and plating corals on a gentle slope from 35–55m depth, exposed to moderate currents but otherwise protected from wave energy.
David W. Greenfield, Luke Tornabene, Mark V. Erdmann and Defy N. Pada. 2019. Eviota gunawanae, A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32; 57–67. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.26167
twitter.com/FishEvoLuke/status/1112830189908549632
==========================
Sardinella pacifica • A New Species of Sardine (Clupeiformes, Clupeidae) from the Philippines
Sardinella pacifica
Hata & Motomura, 2019
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688
Abstract
A new sardine, Sardinella pacifica sp. n., is described on the basis of 21 specimens collected from the Philippines. The new species closely resembles Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847), both species having lateral scales with centrally discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, more than 70 lower gill rakers on the first gill arch, the pelvic fin with eight rays, and 17 or 18 prepelvic and 12 or 13 postpelvic scutes. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by lower counts of lateral scales, pseudobranchial filaments, and postpelvic scutes (38–41, 14–19 and 12–13, respectively vs. 44–46, 19–22 and 13–14), and a shorter lower jaw (10.4–11.6% of standard length vs. 11.1–12.2%). Sardinella pacifica sp. n. is known only from the Philippines, whereas S. fimbriata is restricted to the Indian Ocean, although previously considered to be an Indo-West Pacific species, distributed from India to the Philippines.
Keywords: morphology, Sardinella fimbriata, Southeast Asia, taxonomy
Figure 1. Holotype of Sardinella pacifica sp. n., BMNH 1985.4.12.1, 105.1 mm SL, Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines.
Sardinella pacifica sp. n.
Diagnosis: A species of Sardinella with the following combination of characters: caudal fin with black posterior margin; lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, and few perforations and pores posteriorly; 38–41 (modally 38) lateral scales in longitudinal series; body scales deciduous; black spot on dorsal-fin origin; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; gill rakers 40–53 (43) in upper series on 1st gill arch, 71–84 (72) in lower series, 112–137 (118) in total; gill rakers 40–56 (42) in upper series on 2nd gill arch, 70–94 (79) in lower series, 112–148 (115) in total; gill rakers 37–52 (42) in upper series on 3rd gill arch, 57–75 (60) in lower series, 95–127 (99) in total; gill rakers 31–43 (35) in upper series on 4th gill arch, 44–63 (48) in lower, 78–106 (80) in total; gill rakers 30–43 (34) on hind face of 3rd gill arch; 17 or 18 (18) + 12 or 13 (13) = 29–31 (30) scutes on ventral edge of body; anal fin with 18–21 (20) rays; lower jaw rather short, 10.4–11.6% of SL.
...
Distribution: Currently known only from the Philippines.
Etymology: The specific name pacifica (in reference to the Pacific Ocean) is given to distinguish the species from S. fimbriata, with which it had been confused, and which is now considered to be restricted to the Indian Ocean.
Harutaka Hata and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2019. A New Species of Sardine, Sardinella pacifica from the Philippines (Teleostei, Clupeiformes, Clupeidae). ZooKeys. 829: 75-83. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688
==========================
Sardinella pacifica
Hata & Motomura, 2019
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688
Abstract
A new sardine, Sardinella pacifica sp. n., is described on the basis of 21 specimens collected from the Philippines. The new species closely resembles Sardinella fimbriata (Valenciennes, 1847), both species having lateral scales with centrally discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, more than 70 lower gill rakers on the first gill arch, the pelvic fin with eight rays, and 17 or 18 prepelvic and 12 or 13 postpelvic scutes. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by lower counts of lateral scales, pseudobranchial filaments, and postpelvic scutes (38–41, 14–19 and 12–13, respectively vs. 44–46, 19–22 and 13–14), and a shorter lower jaw (10.4–11.6% of standard length vs. 11.1–12.2%). Sardinella pacifica sp. n. is known only from the Philippines, whereas S. fimbriata is restricted to the Indian Ocean, although previously considered to be an Indo-West Pacific species, distributed from India to the Philippines.
Keywords: morphology, Sardinella fimbriata, Southeast Asia, taxonomy
Figure 1. Holotype of Sardinella pacifica sp. n., BMNH 1985.4.12.1, 105.1 mm SL, Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines.
Sardinella pacifica sp. n.
Diagnosis: A species of Sardinella with the following combination of characters: caudal fin with black posterior margin; lateral body scales with centrally discontinuous vertical striae, and few perforations and pores posteriorly; 38–41 (modally 38) lateral scales in longitudinal series; body scales deciduous; black spot on dorsal-fin origin; pelvic fin with one unbranched and seven branched rays; gill rakers 40–53 (43) in upper series on 1st gill arch, 71–84 (72) in lower series, 112–137 (118) in total; gill rakers 40–56 (42) in upper series on 2nd gill arch, 70–94 (79) in lower series, 112–148 (115) in total; gill rakers 37–52 (42) in upper series on 3rd gill arch, 57–75 (60) in lower series, 95–127 (99) in total; gill rakers 31–43 (35) in upper series on 4th gill arch, 44–63 (48) in lower, 78–106 (80) in total; gill rakers 30–43 (34) on hind face of 3rd gill arch; 17 or 18 (18) + 12 or 13 (13) = 29–31 (30) scutes on ventral edge of body; anal fin with 18–21 (20) rays; lower jaw rather short, 10.4–11.6% of SL.
...
Distribution: Currently known only from the Philippines.
Etymology: The specific name pacifica (in reference to the Pacific Ocean) is given to distinguish the species from S. fimbriata, with which it had been confused, and which is now considered to be restricted to the Indian Ocean.
Harutaka Hata and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2019. A New Species of Sardine, Sardinella pacifica from the Philippines (Teleostei, Clupeiformes, Clupeidae). ZooKeys. 829: 75-83. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.30688
==========================
| 2019_festival_info_form.pdf |
A New Species of the Electric Knifefish Gymnotus Linnaeus (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) from Northeastern Brazil
Ricardo Campos-da-Paz1 and Carlos David de Santana2 A new species of Gymnotus is described from coastal river systems in the Pernambuco State, Brazil. It is phylogenetically referred to the ‘‘Gymnotus carapo group clade’’ for presenting a clear patch posteriorly at anal fin, two independent pores at dorsoposterior corner of preopercle, a single row of well-developed teeth (most arrowhead-shaped) anteriorly on premaxilla, cleithrum with anterior notch, and by the relative anus to anal-fin distance, pectoral-fin length, and maxilla length. The new species is distinguished from all congeners in the ‘‘Gymnotus carapo group clade’’ by a unique set of characters of uncertain polarity, including the number of dark bands along the body, dark bands along body three to four times wider than pale interbands, with nearly straight margins (never broken anteriorly into irregular dark spots), and bands nearly uniform in color, number of scales above lateral line, number of lateral-line perforated scales to first ventral ramus, number of total pored lateral-line scales, head length, snout length, body depth, number of anal-fin rays, number of pectoral-fin rays, number of precaudal vertebrae, number of teeth on anterior row of premaxilla, and number of teeth along outer row of dentary. The new taxon represents the first species of Gymnotus described from localities in northeastern Brazil, north of the mouth of the rio Sa˜o Francisco. Uma nova especie de ´ Gymnotus e descrita de sistemas de rios costeiros no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. ´ E referida ´ filogeneticamente ao clado ‘‘grupo Gymnotus carapo’’ por apresentar uma a´rea clara posteriormente na nadadeira anal, dois poros independentes no canto dorsoposterior do pre-op ´ erculo, uma ´ unica fileira de dentes bem desenvolvidos (em ´ sua maioria com formato de seta distalmente) anteriormente no pre-maxilar, cleitro com um chanfro anterior, e pela ´ distaˆncia relativa entre o aˆnus e a nadadeira anal, e comprimentos da nadadeira peitoral e osso maxilar. A nova especie ´ e distinta de todas as suas cong ´ eneres no clado ‘‘grupo ˆ Gymnotus carapo’’ por uma combina¸ca˜o unica de caracteres de ´ polaridade incerta, incluindo o numero de faixas escuras ao longo do corpo, faixas escuras largas, tr ´ es a quatro vezes ˆ mais largas do que as interbandas claras, com margens quase retas (nunca fragmentadas anteriormente formando manchas escuras irregulares), com colorido uniforme, numero de escamas acima da linha lateral, n ´ umero de escamas ´ perfuradas da linha lateral ate o primeiro ramo ventral, n ´ umero total de escamas com poros na linha lateral, ´ comprimento da cabe¸ca, comprimento do focinho, altura do corpo, numero de raios da nadadeira anal, n ´ umero de raios ´ da nadadeira peitoral, numero de v ´ ertebras pr ´ e-caudais, n ´ umero de dentes na fileira anterior do pr ´ e-maxilar, e n ´ umero ´ de dentes na fileira externa do denta´rio. O novo ta´xon representa a primeira especie de ´ Gymnotus descrita de localidades no nordeste do Brasil, ao norte da foz do rio Sa˜o Francisco.
full pdf on :- https://static1.squarespace.com/static/570d1ea37da24f381ca53c95/t/5c8a824beb393117ca599562/1552
==========================
Ricardo Campos-da-Paz1 and Carlos David de Santana2 A new species of Gymnotus is described from coastal river systems in the Pernambuco State, Brazil. It is phylogenetically referred to the ‘‘Gymnotus carapo group clade’’ for presenting a clear patch posteriorly at anal fin, two independent pores at dorsoposterior corner of preopercle, a single row of well-developed teeth (most arrowhead-shaped) anteriorly on premaxilla, cleithrum with anterior notch, and by the relative anus to anal-fin distance, pectoral-fin length, and maxilla length. The new species is distinguished from all congeners in the ‘‘Gymnotus carapo group clade’’ by a unique set of characters of uncertain polarity, including the number of dark bands along the body, dark bands along body three to four times wider than pale interbands, with nearly straight margins (never broken anteriorly into irregular dark spots), and bands nearly uniform in color, number of scales above lateral line, number of lateral-line perforated scales to first ventral ramus, number of total pored lateral-line scales, head length, snout length, body depth, number of anal-fin rays, number of pectoral-fin rays, number of precaudal vertebrae, number of teeth on anterior row of premaxilla, and number of teeth along outer row of dentary. The new taxon represents the first species of Gymnotus described from localities in northeastern Brazil, north of the mouth of the rio Sa˜o Francisco. Uma nova especie de ´ Gymnotus e descrita de sistemas de rios costeiros no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. ´ E referida ´ filogeneticamente ao clado ‘‘grupo Gymnotus carapo’’ por apresentar uma a´rea clara posteriormente na nadadeira anal, dois poros independentes no canto dorsoposterior do pre-op ´ erculo, uma ´ unica fileira de dentes bem desenvolvidos (em ´ sua maioria com formato de seta distalmente) anteriormente no pre-maxilar, cleitro com um chanfro anterior, e pela ´ distaˆncia relativa entre o aˆnus e a nadadeira anal, e comprimentos da nadadeira peitoral e osso maxilar. A nova especie ´ e distinta de todas as suas cong ´ eneres no clado ‘‘grupo ˆ Gymnotus carapo’’ por uma combina¸ca˜o unica de caracteres de ´ polaridade incerta, incluindo o numero de faixas escuras ao longo do corpo, faixas escuras largas, tr ´ es a quatro vezes ˆ mais largas do que as interbandas claras, com margens quase retas (nunca fragmentadas anteriormente formando manchas escuras irregulares), com colorido uniforme, numero de escamas acima da linha lateral, n ´ umero de escamas ´ perfuradas da linha lateral ate o primeiro ramo ventral, n ´ umero total de escamas com poros na linha lateral, ´ comprimento da cabe¸ca, comprimento do focinho, altura do corpo, numero de raios da nadadeira anal, n ´ umero de raios ´ da nadadeira peitoral, numero de v ´ ertebras pr ´ e-caudais, n ´ umero de dentes na fileira anterior do pr ´ e-maxilar, e n ´ umero ´ de dentes na fileira externa do denta´rio. O novo ta´xon representa a primeira especie de ´ Gymnotus descrita de localidades no nordeste do Brasil, ao norte da foz do rio Sa˜o Francisco.
full pdf on :- https://static1.squarespace.com/static/570d1ea37da24f381ca53c95/t/5c8a824beb393117ca599562/1552
==========================
A new species of sea urchin associating clingfish of the genus Dellichthys from New Zealand (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae)
Kevin W. Conway, Andrew L. Stewart, Adam P. SummersAbstractA new species of clingfish, Dellichthys trnskii sp. n. is described on the basis of 27 specimens, 11.9–46.0 mm SL, collected from intertidal and shallow coastal waters of New Zealand. It is distinguished from its only congener, D. morelandi Briggs, 1955 by characters of the cephalic sensory system and oral jaws, snout shape, and colouration in life. A rediagnosis is provided for D. morelandi, which is shown to exhibit sexual dimorphism in snout shape.
KeywordsTaxonomy, marine fishes, Acanthomorpha, sexual dimorphism
IntroductionThe family Gobiesocidae contains over 160 species within 50 genera of predominately small-bodied marine fishes found in coastal areas of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans (Briggs 1955; Conway et al. 2015), from the intertidal zone to ~500 meters (Hastings and Conway 2017). Seven species also are known to inhabit freshwater streams in the Neotropics (Briggs and Miller 1960; Conway et al. 2017a). Commonly referred to as clingfishes, members of this family generally exhibit a well-developed ventral adhesive disc (formed by elements of the paired-fin girdles (Guitel 1888)), with which they can attach to smooth or even heavily structured substrates with great tenacity (Wainwright et al. 2013; Ditsche et al. 2014).
Many species of clingfishes are reported to live in close association with echinoderms (Pfaff 1942; Teytaud 1971). This relationship may be obligate, as in the association between clingfishes of the genus Discotrema and certain crinoids (Briggs 1976; Fishelson 1966, 1974), or more facultative and dependent on life stage (Sakashita 1992; Goncçalves et al. 2002). For example, juveniles of the New Zealand urchin clingfish Dellichthys morelandi live directly underneath or in close proximity to the echinoid Evechinus chloroticus (Dix 1969, 1970). This association provides juveniles of D. morelandi with both protection from predators and also food, as confirmed by the presence of tube feet and/or pedicellaria in the stomachs of individuals dissected for diet analyses (Dix 1969; Russell 1983). Individuals of D. morelandi that have become too large to seek refuge beneath the spines of E. chloroticus instead occupy crevices between or under rocks or among shell debris (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Francis 2012).
Recent ichthyological surveys targeting clingfishes in intertidal and shallow sub-tidal areas along the coast of Northland (New Zealand) produced multiple individuals of Dellichthys from directly beneath or in close proximity to the sea urchin E. chloroticus. Subsequent investigation revealed that these specimens represent two species; one D. morelandi and the other an undescribed species, which is described herein.
Materials and methodsSpecimens used in this study were obtained from the following museum collections: Australian Museum, Sydney (AMS); Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland (AIM); Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (NMNZ); and the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections, Texas A&M University, College Station (TCWC).
Head and body measurements reported follow Conway et al. (2014)and are expressed as percent of standard length (SL) or head length (HL). Adhesive disc papillae terminology follows Briggs (1955). Cephalic superficial neuromast row terminology follows Conway et al. (2017b) and cephalic lateral line pore terminology follows Shiogaki and Dotsu (1983), except that we also use numbers to refer to individual pores following Conway et al. (2017b).
Select specimens were cleared and double stained (C&S) for bone and cartilage investigation using the protocol of Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). Select specimens were reversibly stained using cyanine blue following Saruwatari et al. (1997) to aid examination of adhesive disc papillae. Specimens or parts thereof were observed and photographed using a ZEISS SteREO Discovery V20 stereomicroscope equipped with a ZEISS Axiocam MRc5 digital camera. Digital images taken with this set up were typically stacked using the ZEISS Axiovision software. Computed tomography (CT) scans of select specimens were also obtained at the Karel F. Liem BioImaging Center (Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington) using a Bruker (Billerica, MA) SkyScan 1173 scanner with a 1 mm aluminum filter at 60 kV and 110 μA on a 2048 × 2048 pixel CCD at a resolution of 8.8 μm. Specimens were scanned simultaneously while inside a 50 ml plastic Falcon tube (Corning, NY), in which they were wrapped with cheesecloth moistened with ethanol (70 %) to prevent movement during scanning. The resulting CT data were visualized, segmented, and rendered in Horos (http://www.horosproject.org) and Amira (FEI). All digital images were processed using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Genomic DNA was extracted from muscle tissue or fin clips (stored in 95% ETOH) using a DNeasy Blood and Tissue Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Inc.) in accordance with the manufacturer’s protocols. A segment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 12s ribosomal RNA (12S) was amplified using the primers LCO1490/ HC02198 (Folmer et al. 1994) and L1091/H1478 (Kocher et al. 1989), respectively. Parameters for PCR amplification followed Conway et al. (2017a). Genetic distances (uncorrected p-distances) were calculated based on COI and 12S sequences using PAUP v.4.0b10 (Swofford 2000).
SystematicsDellichthys trnskii sp. n.http://zoobank.org/1D5D5875-116E-4F15-9E65-322BE259F2DA
Figs 1, 2A, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7A–B, 8A–C
New English Name: Trnski’s Clingfish
==========================
Kevin W. Conway, Andrew L. Stewart, Adam P. SummersAbstractA new species of clingfish, Dellichthys trnskii sp. n. is described on the basis of 27 specimens, 11.9–46.0 mm SL, collected from intertidal and shallow coastal waters of New Zealand. It is distinguished from its only congener, D. morelandi Briggs, 1955 by characters of the cephalic sensory system and oral jaws, snout shape, and colouration in life. A rediagnosis is provided for D. morelandi, which is shown to exhibit sexual dimorphism in snout shape.
KeywordsTaxonomy, marine fishes, Acanthomorpha, sexual dimorphism
IntroductionThe family Gobiesocidae contains over 160 species within 50 genera of predominately small-bodied marine fishes found in coastal areas of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans (Briggs 1955; Conway et al. 2015), from the intertidal zone to ~500 meters (Hastings and Conway 2017). Seven species also are known to inhabit freshwater streams in the Neotropics (Briggs and Miller 1960; Conway et al. 2017a). Commonly referred to as clingfishes, members of this family generally exhibit a well-developed ventral adhesive disc (formed by elements of the paired-fin girdles (Guitel 1888)), with which they can attach to smooth or even heavily structured substrates with great tenacity (Wainwright et al. 2013; Ditsche et al. 2014).
Many species of clingfishes are reported to live in close association with echinoderms (Pfaff 1942; Teytaud 1971). This relationship may be obligate, as in the association between clingfishes of the genus Discotrema and certain crinoids (Briggs 1976; Fishelson 1966, 1974), or more facultative and dependent on life stage (Sakashita 1992; Goncçalves et al. 2002). For example, juveniles of the New Zealand urchin clingfish Dellichthys morelandi live directly underneath or in close proximity to the echinoid Evechinus chloroticus (Dix 1969, 1970). This association provides juveniles of D. morelandi with both protection from predators and also food, as confirmed by the presence of tube feet and/or pedicellaria in the stomachs of individuals dissected for diet analyses (Dix 1969; Russell 1983). Individuals of D. morelandi that have become too large to seek refuge beneath the spines of E. chloroticus instead occupy crevices between or under rocks or among shell debris (Paulin and Roberts 1992; Francis 2012).
Recent ichthyological surveys targeting clingfishes in intertidal and shallow sub-tidal areas along the coast of Northland (New Zealand) produced multiple individuals of Dellichthys from directly beneath or in close proximity to the sea urchin E. chloroticus. Subsequent investigation revealed that these specimens represent two species; one D. morelandi and the other an undescribed species, which is described herein.
Materials and methodsSpecimens used in this study were obtained from the following museum collections: Australian Museum, Sydney (AMS); Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland (AIM); Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (NMNZ); and the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections, Texas A&M University, College Station (TCWC).
Head and body measurements reported follow Conway et al. (2014)and are expressed as percent of standard length (SL) or head length (HL). Adhesive disc papillae terminology follows Briggs (1955). Cephalic superficial neuromast row terminology follows Conway et al. (2017b) and cephalic lateral line pore terminology follows Shiogaki and Dotsu (1983), except that we also use numbers to refer to individual pores following Conway et al. (2017b).
Select specimens were cleared and double stained (C&S) for bone and cartilage investigation using the protocol of Taylor and Van Dyke (1985). Select specimens were reversibly stained using cyanine blue following Saruwatari et al. (1997) to aid examination of adhesive disc papillae. Specimens or parts thereof were observed and photographed using a ZEISS SteREO Discovery V20 stereomicroscope equipped with a ZEISS Axiocam MRc5 digital camera. Digital images taken with this set up were typically stacked using the ZEISS Axiovision software. Computed tomography (CT) scans of select specimens were also obtained at the Karel F. Liem BioImaging Center (Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington) using a Bruker (Billerica, MA) SkyScan 1173 scanner with a 1 mm aluminum filter at 60 kV and 110 μA on a 2048 × 2048 pixel CCD at a resolution of 8.8 μm. Specimens were scanned simultaneously while inside a 50 ml plastic Falcon tube (Corning, NY), in which they were wrapped with cheesecloth moistened with ethanol (70 %) to prevent movement during scanning. The resulting CT data were visualized, segmented, and rendered in Horos (http://www.horosproject.org) and Amira (FEI). All digital images were processed using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Genomic DNA was extracted from muscle tissue or fin clips (stored in 95% ETOH) using a DNeasy Blood and Tissue Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Inc.) in accordance with the manufacturer’s protocols. A segment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 12s ribosomal RNA (12S) was amplified using the primers LCO1490/ HC02198 (Folmer et al. 1994) and L1091/H1478 (Kocher et al. 1989), respectively. Parameters for PCR amplification followed Conway et al. (2017a). Genetic distances (uncorrected p-distances) were calculated based on COI and 12S sequences using PAUP v.4.0b10 (Swofford 2000).
SystematicsDellichthys trnskii sp. n.http://zoobank.org/1D5D5875-116E-4F15-9E65-322BE259F2DA
Figs 1, 2A, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7A–B, 8A–C
New English Name: Trnski’s Clingfish
==========================
Aponogeton natans
Morphometrics and Taxonomic Update to the Sri Lankan Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae)
Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause
Manawaduge & Yakandawala, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.3.1
Abstract
The recent studies on Sri Lankan Aponogeton underline the necessity of a taxonomic revision for the genus; especially with the recent discovery of two new endemic taxa and their described morphological affinities, revealing some misconceptions in the key morphological features used in identification and the overlapping morphology of the species within the genus. Accordingly, a morphometric analysis was carried out with 78 field collected specimens representing all six Sri Lankan Aponogeton species. The results indicate that A. kannangarae, a recently described endemic species which has been stated as closely resembling A. rigidifolius, is more similar to A. jacobsenii, with shared morphological characters, raising doubts if it is a distinct species. Further, the endemic A. jacobsenii, previously described and illustrated as a species with rarely occurring floating leaves, has been now described as with no floating leaves. Based on the results, a taxonomic update is presented with a key, full synonymy, descriptions and photographs.
Keywords: Monocots, Aponogeton jacobsenii, Aponogeton kannangarae, Aquatic plants, Cluster analysis, Morphology, Phenetics
Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause
in Krause & Engler (1906)
Aponogetonaceae Planchon (1856: tab. 4894)
(as ‘Aponogetaceae’), nom. cons.
Type:— Aponogeton (Linnaeus 1781: 32).
Aponogeton Linnaeus (1781: 32)
Type:— Aponogeton natans (Linnaeus 1771: 226) Engler & Krause
in Krause & Engler (1906: 11).
1. Aponogeton dassanayakei Manawaduge et al. (2016a: 251)
2. Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause in Krause & Engler (1906: 11)
3. Aponogeton crispus Thunberg (1784: 73) (as ‘A. crispum’)
4. Aponogeton rigidifolius Bruggen (1962: 91)
5. Aponogeton jacobsenii Bruggen (1983: 120)
6. Aponogeton kannangarae De Silva et al. (2016: 220)
Chapa Manawaduge and Deepthi Yakandawala. 2018. Morphometrics and Taxonomic Update to the Sri Lankan Aponogetonaceae. Phytotaxa. 365(3); 201–224. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.3.1
==========================
Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause
Manawaduge & Yakandawala, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.3.1
Abstract
The recent studies on Sri Lankan Aponogeton underline the necessity of a taxonomic revision for the genus; especially with the recent discovery of two new endemic taxa and their described morphological affinities, revealing some misconceptions in the key morphological features used in identification and the overlapping morphology of the species within the genus. Accordingly, a morphometric analysis was carried out with 78 field collected specimens representing all six Sri Lankan Aponogeton species. The results indicate that A. kannangarae, a recently described endemic species which has been stated as closely resembling A. rigidifolius, is more similar to A. jacobsenii, with shared morphological characters, raising doubts if it is a distinct species. Further, the endemic A. jacobsenii, previously described and illustrated as a species with rarely occurring floating leaves, has been now described as with no floating leaves. Based on the results, a taxonomic update is presented with a key, full synonymy, descriptions and photographs.
Keywords: Monocots, Aponogeton jacobsenii, Aponogeton kannangarae, Aquatic plants, Cluster analysis, Morphology, Phenetics
Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause
in Krause & Engler (1906)
Aponogetonaceae Planchon (1856: tab. 4894)
(as ‘Aponogetaceae’), nom. cons.
Type:— Aponogeton (Linnaeus 1781: 32).
Aponogeton Linnaeus (1781: 32)
Type:— Aponogeton natans (Linnaeus 1771: 226) Engler & Krause
in Krause & Engler (1906: 11).
1. Aponogeton dassanayakei Manawaduge et al. (2016a: 251)
2. Aponogeton natans (L.) Engler & Krause in Krause & Engler (1906: 11)
3. Aponogeton crispus Thunberg (1784: 73) (as ‘A. crispum’)
4. Aponogeton rigidifolius Bruggen (1962: 91)
5. Aponogeton jacobsenii Bruggen (1983: 120)
6. Aponogeton kannangarae De Silva et al. (2016: 220)
Chapa Manawaduge and Deepthi Yakandawala. 2018. Morphometrics and Taxonomic Update to the Sri Lankan Aponogetonaceae. Phytotaxa. 365(3); 201–224. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.3.1
==========================
Blue-ringed octopus bite hospitalises fourth person in three weeks
A fourth person is suspected to have been bitten by a deadly blue-ringed octopus off the WA coast within three weeks.
A fourth person is believed to have been bitten by a blue-ringed octopus off the WA coast this month.
The male was pulling up cray pots on Saturday morning off a northern Perth beach when he was bitten by what’s believed to be the tiny and venomous creature.
His father Richard told 6PR that his son had been collecting his cray pots about five to 10 minutes off Ocean Reef when he was bitten.
“You don’t know they’re there I guess, you put your hand in and then that’s when it happened I guess,” he said.
“You can’t see them, they’re so small.”
Richard said they had never come across a blue-ringed before but had occasionally seen Wobbegong sharks or harmless octopus.
The pair caught no crayfish and Richard's son was bitten as he pulled the first pot before they called the ambulance. He was taken to Joondalup Hospital.
Richard said his son had told him the bite was painful and that he was now doing well after getting treatment.
“He’s feeling better, he’s still a bit sore where it bit him though,” he said.
“It was very painful but he’s blood pressure and his heart rate has come down a bit, it’s calming down quite well.
“He’s fine now thank goodness.”
A Joondalup Hospital spokeswoman said it was suspected the male was bitten by the blue-ringed but that it couldn’t be confirmed.
The incident comes just two days after another man was taken to hospital after supposedly being bitten by the same species of octopus off Perth’s south.
Two other men were also suspected to have been bitten by a blue ring this month, one off Point Peron and the other off Garden Island.
==========================
A fourth person is suspected to have been bitten by a deadly blue-ringed octopus off the WA coast within three weeks.
A fourth person is believed to have been bitten by a blue-ringed octopus off the WA coast this month.
The male was pulling up cray pots on Saturday morning off a northern Perth beach when he was bitten by what’s believed to be the tiny and venomous creature.
His father Richard told 6PR that his son had been collecting his cray pots about five to 10 minutes off Ocean Reef when he was bitten.
“You don’t know they’re there I guess, you put your hand in and then that’s when it happened I guess,” he said.
“You can’t see them, they’re so small.”
Richard said they had never come across a blue-ringed before but had occasionally seen Wobbegong sharks or harmless octopus.
The pair caught no crayfish and Richard's son was bitten as he pulled the first pot before they called the ambulance. He was taken to Joondalup Hospital.
Richard said his son had told him the bite was painful and that he was now doing well after getting treatment.
“He’s feeling better, he’s still a bit sore where it bit him though,” he said.
“It was very painful but he’s blood pressure and his heart rate has come down a bit, it’s calming down quite well.
“He’s fine now thank goodness.”
A Joondalup Hospital spokeswoman said it was suspected the male was bitten by the blue-ringed but that it couldn’t be confirmed.
The incident comes just two days after another man was taken to hospital after supposedly being bitten by the same species of octopus off Perth’s south.
Two other men were also suspected to have been bitten by a blue ring this month, one off Point Peron and the other off Garden Island.
==========================
Practical Fishkeeping magazine sold to Warner Group Publications Ltd
Monday the 18th of February 2019 saw an announcement that Britain’s biggest fishkeeping magazine, and its B2B sister title, Pet Product Marketing, had been sold.
“I would like to inform you, we have today finalised the sale of Practical Fishkeeping and Pet Product Marketing magazines, and their companion websites, to Warners Group Publications Ltd.” Said Rob Munro-Hall, Group Managing Director of Bauer Media.
“Both titles are a good fit for Warners, who already publish Your Cat and Your Dog, along with other specialist interest magazines. The acquisition of these titles will give Warners a strong position in the pets market.”
PFK is known for instruction, education and informationPractical Fishkeeping, or PFK as it’s known by its regular readers, celebrated its 50th birthday in 2016, and had seen off much competition over the years, to survive as the only freshwater tropical fish magazine on sale on British news stands.
PFK was sold previously as part of the Emap portfolio to Bauer Media, and managed to out last much larger Emap/Bauer titles such as More, FHM and Max Power, which all closed their print publications due to a shift in audience and advertiser behaviour.
A new beginning
Several industry sources told FKN that the sale of PFK and PPM to Warner was a good thing, and that really specialist titles were Warner’s thing, so the future could be bright for PFK, and it may gets the attention that it deserves.
“Bauer is confident that both brands will prosper at Warners, and the titles will transfer on March 1. Issues on-sale from the 1st March will fall under Warners ownership.” Closed Munro-Hall.
Here’s to the next 50 years!
==========================
Monday the 18th of February 2019 saw an announcement that Britain’s biggest fishkeeping magazine, and its B2B sister title, Pet Product Marketing, had been sold.
“I would like to inform you, we have today finalised the sale of Practical Fishkeeping and Pet Product Marketing magazines, and their companion websites, to Warners Group Publications Ltd.” Said Rob Munro-Hall, Group Managing Director of Bauer Media.
“Both titles are a good fit for Warners, who already publish Your Cat and Your Dog, along with other specialist interest magazines. The acquisition of these titles will give Warners a strong position in the pets market.”
PFK is known for instruction, education and informationPractical Fishkeeping, or PFK as it’s known by its regular readers, celebrated its 50th birthday in 2016, and had seen off much competition over the years, to survive as the only freshwater tropical fish magazine on sale on British news stands.
PFK was sold previously as part of the Emap portfolio to Bauer Media, and managed to out last much larger Emap/Bauer titles such as More, FHM and Max Power, which all closed their print publications due to a shift in audience and advertiser behaviour.
A new beginning
Several industry sources told FKN that the sale of PFK and PPM to Warner was a good thing, and that really specialist titles were Warner’s thing, so the future could be bright for PFK, and it may gets the attention that it deserves.
“Bauer is confident that both brands will prosper at Warners, and the titles will transfer on March 1. Issues on-sale from the 1st March will fall under Warners ownership.” Closed Munro-Hall.
Here’s to the next 50 years!
==========================
Hirondellea gigas which lives in Mariana Trench
A Troubling Discovery in the Deepest Ocean Trenches
In the Mariana Trench, the lowest point in any ocean, every tiny animal tested had plastic pollution hiding in its gut.
ED YONG
FEB 27, 2019
Hirondellea gigas, an amphipod collected from the Mariana TrenchALAN JAMIESON / NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITYUpdated at 1:45 p.m. ET on March 2, 2019.
Alan Jamieson remembers seeing it for the first time: a small, black fiber floating in a tube of liquid. It resembled a hair, but when Jamieson examined it under a microscope, he realized that the fiber was clearly synthetic—a piece of plastic. And worryingly, his student Lauren Brooks had pulled it from the gut of a small crustacean living in one of the deepest parts of the ocean.
For the past decade, Jamieson, a marine biologist at Newcastle University, has been sending vehicles to the bottom of marine trenches, which can be as deep as the Himalayas are tall. Once there, these landers have collected amphipods—scavenger relatives of crabs and shrimp that thrive in the abyss. Jamieson originally wanted to know how these animals differ from one distant trench to another. But a few years ago, almost on a whim, he decided to analyze their body for toxic, human-made pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which have been banned for decades but which persist in nature for much longer.
The team found PCBs galore. Some amphipods were carrying levels 50 times higher than those seen in crabs from one of China’s most polluted rivers. When the news broke, Jamieson was inundated with calls from journalists and concerned citizens. And in every discussion, one question kept coming up: What about plastics?
The world produces an estimated 10 tons of plastic a second, and between 5 million and 14 million tons sweep into the oceans every year. Some of that debris washes up on beaches, even on the world’s most isolated islands. About 5 trillion pieces currently float in surface waters, mostly in the form of tiny, easy-to-swallow fragments that have ended up in the gut of albatrosses, sea turtles, plankton, fish, and whales. But those pieces also sink, snowing into the deep sea and upon the amphipods that live there.
Read: How the disposable straw explains modern capitalism
Brooks eventually found plastic fibers and fragments in 72 percent of the amphipods that the team collected, from all six trenches that they had surveyed. In the least polluted of these sites, half of the amphipods had swallowed at least one piece of plastic. In the 6.8-mile-deep Mariana Trench, the lowest point in any ocean, all of the specimens had plastic in their gut.
Examples of fibers from trench amphipods (Lauren Brooks / Newcastle University)Does a single fiber really matter amid all the sediment and detritus that amphipods regularly swallow? Jamieson thinks so. For a start, PCBs and other toxins can stick to plastic, turning fibers into sinks for other contaminants. Also, many of the pieces that his team found were relatively huge. “The worst example I saw was a purple fiber, a few millimeters long, tied in a figure-of-eight in an animal no longer than a centimeter,” Jamieson says. “Imagine if you swallowed a meter of polypropylene rope.”
If trenches from places as distant as Japan, Peru, and New Zealand can be contaminated, it’s likely that humanity’s plastic fingers have stretched into every part of the ocean, including habitats we have barely begun to understand. No marine ecosystem is untouched. “It builds upon a growing body of evidence suggesting that the deep sea, by far the largest habitat on the planet, may very well be the largest reservoir of plastic waste on the planet,” says Anela Choyfrom the University of California at San Diego.
“It’s not a good result,” Jamieson adds. “I don’t like doing this type of work.”
When he submitted his findings to a scientific journal, the researchers who reviewed the paper reasonably asked how he could tell that the fibers were actually plastic. “Our response was, ‘Some of it’s purple!’ ” Jamieson says. “There’s bits of pink in there. This doesn’t come from animals.” To satisfy the critics, his team chemically analyzed a subset of the fibers and found that all of it was synthetic.
They also took steps to ensure that they hadn’t inadvertently introduced plastic into the trenches. The landers that they used to collect the amphipods have some plastic parts, but they are all bright green and yellow, and no such colors were found in the specimens. Even if the amphipods had eaten plastic from the landers (or from the bait used to attract them), the team only dissected the last of the creatures’ several stomachs to avoid sampling their most recent meals. And they performed those dissections within a special chamber, where continuously rising air stops fibers from their equipment or clothes from settling in the samples. Given these precautions, Jamieson is confident that the fibers he found had sunk into the abyss on their own.
Read: How plastic cleanup threatens the ocean’s living islands
Other scientists have also found plastic litter in the deep; just last year, one team documented a plastic bag at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Until now, no one had shown that abyssal animals were actually eating those fragments, but in retrospect, it seems obvious that amphipods would. They are exceptional scavengers that excel at finding food. By deliberately pumping water over their body, they can detect the faintest plumes of odor, and with taste buds on their legs, they can forage with every footstep. When a morsel hits the ocean floor, amphipods turn up in droves. “We can catch 10,000 in one day with just a pipe, some bait, and a funnel,” Jamieson says.
Food is scarce in the deep, so amphipods can’t afford to be fussy. They’ll eat pretty much anything, which makes them particularly vulnerable to plastics. And since they sit at the bottom of the trench food webs, their catholic appetite can doom entire ecosystems. “They’re like bags of peanuts,” Jamieson says. “Everything else eats amphipods—shrimp, fish—and they’ll end up consuming plastics, too. And when the fish die, they get consumed by amphipods, and it goes round and round in circles.”
“What you put in the trench stays in the trench,” he adds. Which means that the plastic problem “is only going to get worse. Anything going in there isn’t coming back.”
That’s a hypothesis the team can test in later studies. If Jamieson is right, then amphipods from deeper parts of the same trench should have higher levels of plastics than those from higher up. But Choy says, “We certainly don’t need decades of further scientific study to necessitate more responsible behavior and policies now.”
“I imagine pollution in the Mariana Trench is an abstract concept for most people, but for those of us living in the Mariana Islands this has consequences for what ends up on our dinner plates,” says Angelo Villagomez, an indigenous Chamorro from the Mariana Islands who works for the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project. “So what can we do? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recommends we protect 30 percent of every marine habitat to address human impacts, but that will only help if we’re also sustainably managing the remaining 70 percent, reducing carbon emissions, and limiting the pollution being dumped in the ocean in the first place.”
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
In the Mariana Trench, the lowest point in any ocean, every tiny animal tested had plastic pollution hiding in its gut.
ED YONG
FEB 27, 2019
Hirondellea gigas, an amphipod collected from the Mariana TrenchALAN JAMIESON / NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITYUpdated at 1:45 p.m. ET on March 2, 2019.
Alan Jamieson remembers seeing it for the first time: a small, black fiber floating in a tube of liquid. It resembled a hair, but when Jamieson examined it under a microscope, he realized that the fiber was clearly synthetic—a piece of plastic. And worryingly, his student Lauren Brooks had pulled it from the gut of a small crustacean living in one of the deepest parts of the ocean.
For the past decade, Jamieson, a marine biologist at Newcastle University, has been sending vehicles to the bottom of marine trenches, which can be as deep as the Himalayas are tall. Once there, these landers have collected amphipods—scavenger relatives of crabs and shrimp that thrive in the abyss. Jamieson originally wanted to know how these animals differ from one distant trench to another. But a few years ago, almost on a whim, he decided to analyze their body for toxic, human-made pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which have been banned for decades but which persist in nature for much longer.
The team found PCBs galore. Some amphipods were carrying levels 50 times higher than those seen in crabs from one of China’s most polluted rivers. When the news broke, Jamieson was inundated with calls from journalists and concerned citizens. And in every discussion, one question kept coming up: What about plastics?
The world produces an estimated 10 tons of plastic a second, and between 5 million and 14 million tons sweep into the oceans every year. Some of that debris washes up on beaches, even on the world’s most isolated islands. About 5 trillion pieces currently float in surface waters, mostly in the form of tiny, easy-to-swallow fragments that have ended up in the gut of albatrosses, sea turtles, plankton, fish, and whales. But those pieces also sink, snowing into the deep sea and upon the amphipods that live there.
Read: How the disposable straw explains modern capitalism
Brooks eventually found plastic fibers and fragments in 72 percent of the amphipods that the team collected, from all six trenches that they had surveyed. In the least polluted of these sites, half of the amphipods had swallowed at least one piece of plastic. In the 6.8-mile-deep Mariana Trench, the lowest point in any ocean, all of the specimens had plastic in their gut.
Examples of fibers from trench amphipods (Lauren Brooks / Newcastle University)Does a single fiber really matter amid all the sediment and detritus that amphipods regularly swallow? Jamieson thinks so. For a start, PCBs and other toxins can stick to plastic, turning fibers into sinks for other contaminants. Also, many of the pieces that his team found were relatively huge. “The worst example I saw was a purple fiber, a few millimeters long, tied in a figure-of-eight in an animal no longer than a centimeter,” Jamieson says. “Imagine if you swallowed a meter of polypropylene rope.”
If trenches from places as distant as Japan, Peru, and New Zealand can be contaminated, it’s likely that humanity’s plastic fingers have stretched into every part of the ocean, including habitats we have barely begun to understand. No marine ecosystem is untouched. “It builds upon a growing body of evidence suggesting that the deep sea, by far the largest habitat on the planet, may very well be the largest reservoir of plastic waste on the planet,” says Anela Choyfrom the University of California at San Diego.
“It’s not a good result,” Jamieson adds. “I don’t like doing this type of work.”
When he submitted his findings to a scientific journal, the researchers who reviewed the paper reasonably asked how he could tell that the fibers were actually plastic. “Our response was, ‘Some of it’s purple!’ ” Jamieson says. “There’s bits of pink in there. This doesn’t come from animals.” To satisfy the critics, his team chemically analyzed a subset of the fibers and found that all of it was synthetic.
They also took steps to ensure that they hadn’t inadvertently introduced plastic into the trenches. The landers that they used to collect the amphipods have some plastic parts, but they are all bright green and yellow, and no such colors were found in the specimens. Even if the amphipods had eaten plastic from the landers (or from the bait used to attract them), the team only dissected the last of the creatures’ several stomachs to avoid sampling their most recent meals. And they performed those dissections within a special chamber, where continuously rising air stops fibers from their equipment or clothes from settling in the samples. Given these precautions, Jamieson is confident that the fibers he found had sunk into the abyss on their own.
Read: How plastic cleanup threatens the ocean’s living islands
Other scientists have also found plastic litter in the deep; just last year, one team documented a plastic bag at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Until now, no one had shown that abyssal animals were actually eating those fragments, but in retrospect, it seems obvious that amphipods would. They are exceptional scavengers that excel at finding food. By deliberately pumping water over their body, they can detect the faintest plumes of odor, and with taste buds on their legs, they can forage with every footstep. When a morsel hits the ocean floor, amphipods turn up in droves. “We can catch 10,000 in one day with just a pipe, some bait, and a funnel,” Jamieson says.
Food is scarce in the deep, so amphipods can’t afford to be fussy. They’ll eat pretty much anything, which makes them particularly vulnerable to plastics. And since they sit at the bottom of the trench food webs, their catholic appetite can doom entire ecosystems. “They’re like bags of peanuts,” Jamieson says. “Everything else eats amphipods—shrimp, fish—and they’ll end up consuming plastics, too. And when the fish die, they get consumed by amphipods, and it goes round and round in circles.”
“What you put in the trench stays in the trench,” he adds. Which means that the plastic problem “is only going to get worse. Anything going in there isn’t coming back.”
That’s a hypothesis the team can test in later studies. If Jamieson is right, then amphipods from deeper parts of the same trench should have higher levels of plastics than those from higher up. But Choy says, “We certainly don’t need decades of further scientific study to necessitate more responsible behavior and policies now.”
“I imagine pollution in the Mariana Trench is an abstract concept for most people, but for those of us living in the Mariana Islands this has consequences for what ends up on our dinner plates,” says Angelo Villagomez, an indigenous Chamorro from the Mariana Islands who works for the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project. “So what can we do? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recommends we protect 30 percent of every marine habitat to address human impacts, but that will only help if we’re also sustainably managing the remaining 70 percent, reducing carbon emissions, and limiting the pollution being dumped in the ocean in the first place.”
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.
from "The Atlantic"
==========================
OATA supports new freshwater fish conservation programmeThe trade association and its business members will support a number of projects with Shoal including saving Telestes and the Humpback Mahseer by Shekina Tuahene
The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has announced it has become a strategic partner of Shoal, a new conservation programme for freshwater fish that launched on Friday 1 March.
Shoal is a new initiative which aims to engage a diverse range of organisations to “accelerate and escalate action to save the most threatened fish and other freshwater species”.
OATA, and several of its member businesses, have been involved in the creation of the new initiative which has already identified a number of projects it is looking to support, from saving threatened Telestes fishes in Croatia and the Humpback Mahseer in southern India to creating a conservation action plan for the Sulawesi’s Ancient Lakes.
==========================
The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has announced it has become a strategic partner of Shoal, a new conservation programme for freshwater fish that launched on Friday 1 March.
Shoal is a new initiative which aims to engage a diverse range of organisations to “accelerate and escalate action to save the most threatened fish and other freshwater species”.
OATA, and several of its member businesses, have been involved in the creation of the new initiative which has already identified a number of projects it is looking to support, from saving threatened Telestes fishes in Croatia and the Humpback Mahseer in southern India to creating a conservation action plan for the Sulawesi’s Ancient Lakes.
==========================
Chaenocephalus aceratus
Icefish Genome Reveals Adaptations to Extreme Antarctic Environments
Mar 4, 2019 by News Staff / Source
« Previous
| A multinational team of researchers has successfully sequenced the genome of the Antarctic blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus), opening a genetic window on fish that evolved over the last 77 million years to survive in extreme Antarctic temperatures.
The Antarctic blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus). Image credit: Thomas Desvignes.
Antarctic icefishes are members of the family Channichthyidae.
These ‘white blooded’ creatures inhabit the Earth’s coldest marine environment and are the only vertebrates that lack functional red blood cells and functional hemoglobin genes.
Icefish blood carries oxygen solely in physical solution, resulting in an oxygen-carrying capacity per unit of blood volume of less than 10% of that in closely related red-blooded Antarctic notothenioid fishes.
The blackfin icefish, along with 5 other species among the 16 recognized species of icefishes, also lack oxygen-binding proteins called myoglobins.
Icefishes evolved mechanisms that appear to compensate for loss of these oxygen-binding proteins, including enormous hearts with increased stroke volume relative to body size, enhanced vascular systems, and changes in mitochondrial density and morphology.
“In a human, such traits would normally signal disease. These adaptations, however, help the fish survive,” said University of Oregon’s Professor John Postlethwait, co-lead author of the study.
“The icefishes are examples of what Charles Darwin called the ‘wrecks of ancient life.’ They diverged from the ancestors of stickleback, losing many of the features common to their ancestral forms as they evolved. Among genes that disappeared amid the months of night and months of sunlight in the polar region were those tied to circadian rhythms.”
“Ice fish populations first appeared at the end of the Pliocene after Antarctica’s surface temperatures dropped by 2.5 degrees Celsius. About 77 million years ago, they had diverged from the line of their common ancestors with the stickleback — and then developed phenotypes that were better adapted to the cold,” said co-author Professor Manfred Schartl, a researcher at the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg and Texas A&M University.
To help investigate the genomic basis for these extreme evolutionary adaptations, Professor Postlethwait, Professor Schartl and their colleagues sequenced the genome of the blackfin icefish.
They collected blackfin icefish, which average about 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length, from various depths near King Sejong Station and the Western Bransfield Strait along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Along with genomic DNA taken from the female, RNA was extracted from 12 tissues — brain, eye, gill, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, muscle, ovary, skin, spleen and stomach — to help understand what genes each organ uses.
The scientists mapped 30,773 protein-coding genes and how they localize along chromosomes.
“Icefish and other notothenioid fishes experienced gene changes that produced antifreeze proteins to help them survive — an adaptation discovered in the 1970s. The completed mapping helps place this discovery into a genomic context,” they said.
The genome assembly and linkage map reveal remarkable stability of contents of the 24 chromosomes among bony fish, including medaka (Japanese rice fish), European sea bass and blackfin icefish spanning 110 million years, especially when compared with chromosome changes in mammals over the same time period.
The biggest divergence involved the genes of icefish and sea bass, suggesting changes in the cold.
“Our results show that the number of genes involved in the protection against ice damage, including the genes coding for anti-freeze glycoproteins, is strongly expanded in the icefish genome,” Professor Schartl said.
“Icefish evolved from fish that lived on the bottom and had no swim bladder, an organ that develops like our lungs but then loses the attachment to the pharynx and fills with gas. Most fish, except for bottom feeders, have one and it helps them maintain position in the water column,” Professor Postlethwait said.
“When most fish species became extinct around Antarctica as the waters cooled, icefishes evolved to occupy the Southern Ocean water column. One of the biggest challenges they faced was getting off the bottom without a swim bladder.”
“They likely limited the mineralization of their bones, the most dense part of our bodies, and accumulated lipids, which are lighter than water — think of olive oil that floats on the top of the water in a pan about to cook spaghetti.”
The results appear in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
_____
Bo-Mi Kim et al. 2019. Antarctic blackfin icefish genome reveals adaptations to extreme environments. Nature Ecology & Evolution 3: 469-478; doi: 10.1038/s41559-019-0812-7
==========================
Mar 4, 2019 by News Staff / Source
« Previous
| A multinational team of researchers has successfully sequenced the genome of the Antarctic blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus), opening a genetic window on fish that evolved over the last 77 million years to survive in extreme Antarctic temperatures.
The Antarctic blackfin icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus). Image credit: Thomas Desvignes.
Antarctic icefishes are members of the family Channichthyidae.
These ‘white blooded’ creatures inhabit the Earth’s coldest marine environment and are the only vertebrates that lack functional red blood cells and functional hemoglobin genes.
Icefish blood carries oxygen solely in physical solution, resulting in an oxygen-carrying capacity per unit of blood volume of less than 10% of that in closely related red-blooded Antarctic notothenioid fishes.
The blackfin icefish, along with 5 other species among the 16 recognized species of icefishes, also lack oxygen-binding proteins called myoglobins.
Icefishes evolved mechanisms that appear to compensate for loss of these oxygen-binding proteins, including enormous hearts with increased stroke volume relative to body size, enhanced vascular systems, and changes in mitochondrial density and morphology.
“In a human, such traits would normally signal disease. These adaptations, however, help the fish survive,” said University of Oregon’s Professor John Postlethwait, co-lead author of the study.
“The icefishes are examples of what Charles Darwin called the ‘wrecks of ancient life.’ They diverged from the ancestors of stickleback, losing many of the features common to their ancestral forms as they evolved. Among genes that disappeared amid the months of night and months of sunlight in the polar region were those tied to circadian rhythms.”
“Ice fish populations first appeared at the end of the Pliocene after Antarctica’s surface temperatures dropped by 2.5 degrees Celsius. About 77 million years ago, they had diverged from the line of their common ancestors with the stickleback — and then developed phenotypes that were better adapted to the cold,” said co-author Professor Manfred Schartl, a researcher at the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg and Texas A&M University.
To help investigate the genomic basis for these extreme evolutionary adaptations, Professor Postlethwait, Professor Schartl and their colleagues sequenced the genome of the blackfin icefish.
They collected blackfin icefish, which average about 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length, from various depths near King Sejong Station and the Western Bransfield Strait along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Along with genomic DNA taken from the female, RNA was extracted from 12 tissues — brain, eye, gill, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, muscle, ovary, skin, spleen and stomach — to help understand what genes each organ uses.
The scientists mapped 30,773 protein-coding genes and how they localize along chromosomes.
“Icefish and other notothenioid fishes experienced gene changes that produced antifreeze proteins to help them survive — an adaptation discovered in the 1970s. The completed mapping helps place this discovery into a genomic context,” they said.
The genome assembly and linkage map reveal remarkable stability of contents of the 24 chromosomes among bony fish, including medaka (Japanese rice fish), European sea bass and blackfin icefish spanning 110 million years, especially when compared with chromosome changes in mammals over the same time period.
The biggest divergence involved the genes of icefish and sea bass, suggesting changes in the cold.
“Our results show that the number of genes involved in the protection against ice damage, including the genes coding for anti-freeze glycoproteins, is strongly expanded in the icefish genome,” Professor Schartl said.
“Icefish evolved from fish that lived on the bottom and had no swim bladder, an organ that develops like our lungs but then loses the attachment to the pharynx and fills with gas. Most fish, except for bottom feeders, have one and it helps them maintain position in the water column,” Professor Postlethwait said.
“When most fish species became extinct around Antarctica as the waters cooled, icefishes evolved to occupy the Southern Ocean water column. One of the biggest challenges they faced was getting off the bottom without a swim bladder.”
“They likely limited the mineralization of their bones, the most dense part of our bodies, and accumulated lipids, which are lighter than water — think of olive oil that floats on the top of the water in a pan about to cook spaghetti.”
The results appear in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
_____
Bo-Mi Kim et al. 2019. Antarctic blackfin icefish genome reveals adaptations to extreme environments. Nature Ecology & Evolution 3: 469-478; doi: 10.1038/s41559-019-0812-7
==========================
This Rare Fish Has No Eyes, Needle Teeth, And Looks Like It May Burst From Your Chest
CARLY CASSELLA
1 MAR 2019If there's one place in the world you would expect to find an Alien-esque monster of the deep, it's Australia.
Earlier this month, a group of anglers were fishing in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory when they snagged something unexpected.
Stopping the boat, the anglers pulled up a 15-centimetre-long (5.9 inches) worm-like fish, a species that has rarely, if ever, been seen.
With no eyes and a pointy smile, the creature looks like something straight out of the 1979 classic horror film Alien.
"It's like purpley-brown," Angler Tee Hokin told ABC News, "it had a really weird head, but the body was like an eel and it didn't even move or wriggle; it was like stunned, like stealth mode."
The fish was so firmly latched onto the lure, the anglers had to use pliers to pry its suction cup free.
"It was the only way to get it off, you couldn't shake it, you couldn't anything," added Hokin.
"It was cool. Never in my life have I seen it before, none of us had ever seen it before."
(Outback Boat Hire)
The ABC took the mystery to Michael Hammer, a curator of fishes at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
He identified the bizarre creature as a worm goby, and while he wasn't able to identify the species from the pictures alone, he said it was probably from the genus Taenioides.
We know that other species in this genus feed on crustaceans and small fish, but as far as reproduction, habitat, sexuality and behaviour goes, we still know very little.
Because worm gobies tend to live their entire lives under the mud, humans rarely come across them. Hammer says there's even a chance that the most recent discovery is an entirely new species.
(Outback Boat Hire)
There's so much about these elusive fish that we still don't know, so Hammer is calling on the public to get in touch if they ever find one. Despite their cruel appearance, he says the worst the creature can do is give you a little bite.
"They still have very glass-like, small little teeth so a few people have said when they've caught them [that] they get a bite from them, but it's not dangerous," he explained to ABC News.
"Although they do grow up to 50 cm in length, so once they are that big they could give you a bit of a bite."
==========================
CARLY CASSELLA
1 MAR 2019If there's one place in the world you would expect to find an Alien-esque monster of the deep, it's Australia.
Earlier this month, a group of anglers were fishing in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory when they snagged something unexpected.
Stopping the boat, the anglers pulled up a 15-centimetre-long (5.9 inches) worm-like fish, a species that has rarely, if ever, been seen.
With no eyes and a pointy smile, the creature looks like something straight out of the 1979 classic horror film Alien.
"It's like purpley-brown," Angler Tee Hokin told ABC News, "it had a really weird head, but the body was like an eel and it didn't even move or wriggle; it was like stunned, like stealth mode."
The fish was so firmly latched onto the lure, the anglers had to use pliers to pry its suction cup free.
"It was the only way to get it off, you couldn't shake it, you couldn't anything," added Hokin.
"It was cool. Never in my life have I seen it before, none of us had ever seen it before."
(Outback Boat Hire)
The ABC took the mystery to Michael Hammer, a curator of fishes at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
He identified the bizarre creature as a worm goby, and while he wasn't able to identify the species from the pictures alone, he said it was probably from the genus Taenioides.
We know that other species in this genus feed on crustaceans and small fish, but as far as reproduction, habitat, sexuality and behaviour goes, we still know very little.
Because worm gobies tend to live their entire lives under the mud, humans rarely come across them. Hammer says there's even a chance that the most recent discovery is an entirely new species.
(Outback Boat Hire)
There's so much about these elusive fish that we still don't know, so Hammer is calling on the public to get in touch if they ever find one. Despite their cruel appearance, he says the worst the creature can do is give you a little bite.
"They still have very glass-like, small little teeth so a few people have said when they've caught them [that] they get a bite from them, but it's not dangerous," he explained to ABC News.
"Although they do grow up to 50 cm in length, so once they are that big they could give you a bit of a bite."
==========================
Despite export bans global seahorse trade continues
National legislation as well as bans under the international CITES agreement not slowing the trade in seahorse productsDate:
February 28, 2019
Source:
University of British Columbia
Summary:
Many countries are engaged in a vast illegal and unrecorded international trade in seahorses, one that circumvents global regulations, according to new study that has implications for many other animal species.
Share:
FULL STORY
Many countries are engaged in a vast illegal and unrecorded international trade in seahorses, one that circumvents global regulations, according to new UBC study that has implications for many other animal species.
advertisement
The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) restricts exports of seahorses to those that have been sourced sustainably and legally. Seahorses were the first marine fishes subject to such regulation, largely because of work by the Project Seahorse team at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.
The goal of this CITES regulation was sustainable use but most countries that exported large numbers of seahorses have subsequently either chosen to ban exports or had bans imposed on them by CITES. Approximately 98 per cent of seahorses previously found in global trade came from countries that have now imposed bans, so both exports and imports should more or less have ended.
However, the new research from UBC indicates that many nations with bans apparently continued to export dried seahorses, thus neither meeting their obligations under CITES nor enforcing the trade bans.
"The 183 Parties to CITES are required to limit export of species that have been placed on Appendix II, including seahorses, to levels that are safe for wild populations. Many are struggling to meet this obligation," explains Dr. Amanda Vincent, senior author on the paper, professor in UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and co-founder and Director of Project Seahorse.
"We found that 95 per cent of dried seahorses in Hong Kong's large market were reported as being imported from source countries that had export bans being in place, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Viet Nam," noted Dr. Ting-Chun Kuo, co-author and, during the study, a PhD candidate in Project Seahorse.
"This is a remarkable discovery given the high proportion of global seahorse trade that goes through Hong Kong," commented Dr. Sarah Foster, lead author and Research Associate with Project Seahorse. "Such illegal shipments lacked the required CITES records and permits. This means that many seahorse populations continue to be under heavy pressure without CITES oversight of sources and sustainability of trade."
Dr. Vincent, who also Chairs the global expert group on seahorses, points to problematic fishing methods as a driver of the trade. "The great majority of seahorses are obtained as bycatch in bottom trawls and other non-selective fishing methods. Such indiscriminate fishing obtains at least 37 million seahorses each year, a vast number that can easily enter trade. It is vital that such fisheries be constrained, even as trade is regulated."
"It is going to take all actors and agencies to curb the substantial illegal trade in seahorses and other marine wildlife," noted Dr. Foster, also Global Trade Officer for the expert group on seahorses. "CITES needs to work more closely with the nations involved to ensure strict enforcement so that traders reject seahorses from source countries with trade bans, and authorities impose penalties such as confiscation and stiff fines."
That said, it would be far better for CITES members to manage their trade sustainably than to declare bans that are not implemented. At present, most seahorse trade occurs in a black market, neither tracked nor regulated.
"The current high level of illegal activity may have significant consequences for conservation of wild populations. Getting this right is vital for seahorses and for the other marine fishes subject to CITES regulation, such as sharks, rays, Napoleon wrasse and European eels," concluded Dr. Vincent.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of British Columbia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Cite This Page: University of British Columbia. "Despite export bans global seahorse trade continues: National legislation as well as bans under the international CITES agreement not slowing the trade in seahorse products." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 February 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228134233.htm>.
==========================
National legislation as well as bans under the international CITES agreement not slowing the trade in seahorse productsDate:
February 28, 2019
Source:
University of British Columbia
Summary:
Many countries are engaged in a vast illegal and unrecorded international trade in seahorses, one that circumvents global regulations, according to new study that has implications for many other animal species.
Share:
FULL STORY
Many countries are engaged in a vast illegal and unrecorded international trade in seahorses, one that circumvents global regulations, according to new UBC study that has implications for many other animal species.
advertisement
The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) restricts exports of seahorses to those that have been sourced sustainably and legally. Seahorses were the first marine fishes subject to such regulation, largely because of work by the Project Seahorse team at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.
The goal of this CITES regulation was sustainable use but most countries that exported large numbers of seahorses have subsequently either chosen to ban exports or had bans imposed on them by CITES. Approximately 98 per cent of seahorses previously found in global trade came from countries that have now imposed bans, so both exports and imports should more or less have ended.
However, the new research from UBC indicates that many nations with bans apparently continued to export dried seahorses, thus neither meeting their obligations under CITES nor enforcing the trade bans.
"The 183 Parties to CITES are required to limit export of species that have been placed on Appendix II, including seahorses, to levels that are safe for wild populations. Many are struggling to meet this obligation," explains Dr. Amanda Vincent, senior author on the paper, professor in UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and co-founder and Director of Project Seahorse.
"We found that 95 per cent of dried seahorses in Hong Kong's large market were reported as being imported from source countries that had export bans being in place, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Viet Nam," noted Dr. Ting-Chun Kuo, co-author and, during the study, a PhD candidate in Project Seahorse.
"This is a remarkable discovery given the high proportion of global seahorse trade that goes through Hong Kong," commented Dr. Sarah Foster, lead author and Research Associate with Project Seahorse. "Such illegal shipments lacked the required CITES records and permits. This means that many seahorse populations continue to be under heavy pressure without CITES oversight of sources and sustainability of trade."
Dr. Vincent, who also Chairs the global expert group on seahorses, points to problematic fishing methods as a driver of the trade. "The great majority of seahorses are obtained as bycatch in bottom trawls and other non-selective fishing methods. Such indiscriminate fishing obtains at least 37 million seahorses each year, a vast number that can easily enter trade. It is vital that such fisheries be constrained, even as trade is regulated."
"It is going to take all actors and agencies to curb the substantial illegal trade in seahorses and other marine wildlife," noted Dr. Foster, also Global Trade Officer for the expert group on seahorses. "CITES needs to work more closely with the nations involved to ensure strict enforcement so that traders reject seahorses from source countries with trade bans, and authorities impose penalties such as confiscation and stiff fines."
That said, it would be far better for CITES members to manage their trade sustainably than to declare bans that are not implemented. At present, most seahorse trade occurs in a black market, neither tracked nor regulated.
"The current high level of illegal activity may have significant consequences for conservation of wild populations. Getting this right is vital for seahorses and for the other marine fishes subject to CITES regulation, such as sharks, rays, Napoleon wrasse and European eels," concluded Dr. Vincent.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of British Columbia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Sarah J. Foster, Ting-Chun Kuo, Anita Kar Yan Wan, Amanda C.J. Vincent. Global seahorse trade defies export bans under CITES action and national legislation. Marine Policy, 2019; 103: 33 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2019.01.014
Cite This Page: University of British Columbia. "Despite export bans global seahorse trade continues: National legislation as well as bans under the international CITES agreement not slowing the trade in seahorse products." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 February 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228134233.htm>.
==========================
New Dwarf Lionfish Species26 Feb, 2019
Fresh holotype of Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov., NSMT-P 114734, 45.0 mm SL, Japan (photos: NSMT). Collected at 143m (470 ft) and the only specimen known so far.
Within a much larger review of the Zebra Dwarf Lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra, authors Mizuki Matsunuma and Hiroyuki Motomura included the new scientific description of a new species of red and white Dwarf Lionfish, which was discovered in Japanese waters back in 2013.
Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov., given the English name of Ogasawara Dwarf Lionfish, was described from a single specimen collected at 143m depth off Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. It was discovered by researchers operating the Reserve Vessel RV Kōyo-maru, which was performing a biological dredge on July 16th, 2013. Because it measured only 45.0 mm SL (1.75 inches), we have no way of knowing whether this is a juvenile or adult specimen of this new, possibly endemic, and probably deepwater lionfish.
It’s worth noting that some scientists and taxonomists are skeptical of species descriptions based on only a single known specimen, particularly when the new species does not differ significantly from a known species. As such, the Ogasawara Dwarf Lionfish’s validity as a species certainly could benefit from further exploration and scientific collection where it was discovered.
From the Paper:
Distribution
Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov. has currently been recorded only from the type locality at a depth of 143 m, off Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The species is known only from the holotype, despite comprehensive surveys of specimens of Dendrochirus in collections worldwide during this study. It is most likely to be endemic to the Ogasawara Islands seamount, although the distributional range may extend southeastward to the Mariana Islands.
Etymology
The name of the new species refers to the RV Kōyo-maru, the research vessel of the Tokyo Metropolitan Islands Area Research and Development Center of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The holotype was collected during a Kōyo-maru cruise to the Ogasawara Island, jointly operated by the agency and NSMT. The name is used as a noun in apposition.
The English name of the species refers to the type locality, whereas the Japanese name [Shiro (white)-himeyamanokami (Japanese common name for Dendrochirus)] refers to the uniformly whitish body coloration of the preserved (and only known) specimen.
Read more
Read the full article, Redescription of Dendrochirus zebra (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) with a new species of Dendrochirus from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, online at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-019-00681-1
Reference
Matsunuma, M. & Motomura. Redescription of Dendrochirus zebra (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) with a new species of Dendrochirus from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. H. Ichthyol Res (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-019-00681-1
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
Fresh holotype of Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov., NSMT-P 114734, 45.0 mm SL, Japan (photos: NSMT). Collected at 143m (470 ft) and the only specimen known so far.
Within a much larger review of the Zebra Dwarf Lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra, authors Mizuki Matsunuma and Hiroyuki Motomura included the new scientific description of a new species of red and white Dwarf Lionfish, which was discovered in Japanese waters back in 2013.
Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov., given the English name of Ogasawara Dwarf Lionfish, was described from a single specimen collected at 143m depth off Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. It was discovered by researchers operating the Reserve Vessel RV Kōyo-maru, which was performing a biological dredge on July 16th, 2013. Because it measured only 45.0 mm SL (1.75 inches), we have no way of knowing whether this is a juvenile or adult specimen of this new, possibly endemic, and probably deepwater lionfish.
It’s worth noting that some scientists and taxonomists are skeptical of species descriptions based on only a single known specimen, particularly when the new species does not differ significantly from a known species. As such, the Ogasawara Dwarf Lionfish’s validity as a species certainly could benefit from further exploration and scientific collection where it was discovered.
From the Paper:
Distribution
Dendrochirus koyo sp. nov. has currently been recorded only from the type locality at a depth of 143 m, off Chichi-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The species is known only from the holotype, despite comprehensive surveys of specimens of Dendrochirus in collections worldwide during this study. It is most likely to be endemic to the Ogasawara Islands seamount, although the distributional range may extend southeastward to the Mariana Islands.
Etymology
The name of the new species refers to the RV Kōyo-maru, the research vessel of the Tokyo Metropolitan Islands Area Research and Development Center of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The holotype was collected during a Kōyo-maru cruise to the Ogasawara Island, jointly operated by the agency and NSMT. The name is used as a noun in apposition.
The English name of the species refers to the type locality, whereas the Japanese name [Shiro (white)-himeyamanokami (Japanese common name for Dendrochirus)] refers to the uniformly whitish body coloration of the preserved (and only known) specimen.
Read more
Read the full article, Redescription of Dendrochirus zebra (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) with a new species of Dendrochirus from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, online at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-019-00681-1
Reference
Matsunuma, M. & Motomura. Redescription of Dendrochirus zebra (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae) with a new species of Dendrochirus from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. H. Ichthyol Res (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-019-00681-1
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
Channa lipor • A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India
Channa lipor
Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Singh, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079
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Abstract
Channa lipor, a new species of snakehead of the C. gachua species-group, is described based on 11 specimens from Meghalaya, Northeast India. It is distinguished from its congeners by possessing an orange, bronze-brown dorsum and fins, 9–12 black spots or blotches on the dorsal-fin sub-margin appearing parallel along the length of the dorsal-fin base, six oblique brown bars on the upper half on the flank, presence of seven gray to brown zigzag bands on the caudal fin, and fewer anal-fin rays. Channa lipor, new species, morphologically resembles C. aurantipectoralis, but the partial cox1 gene sequences reveal a genetic distance of 12.6–13.1% between them, and Channa lipor, new species, also possesses deep sequence divergence from any known populations of C. gachua. It differs from the topotypic C. gachua by having fewer anal-fin rays (20 vs. 22–24), fewer dorsal-fin rays (29–32 vs. 34–36), and fewer pectoral-fin rays (12–14 vs. 15–17), and in tooth pattern, by having the fifth ceratobranchial curved with four rows of teeth, outer row with 11 thick teeth; palatine with three rows of curved teeth, inner row with 14 large inwardly curved teeth; and dentary with long canine-like teeth in the posterior end.
Channa lipor, holotype, ZSI FF 7660, 89.5 mm SL, prior to preservation.
Channa lipor, paratype, CIARI/FF-44, 71.7 mm SL, Umraling River, Umraling village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, India.
Channa lipor, new species
Etymology.--The specific epithet lipor indicates the local vernacular name for the species in Khasi language, a dialect spoken by the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. It is used as a noun in apposition.
Remarks.-- Channa lipor is well known in the aquarium trade as ‘‘Channa sp. lipor’’.
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan, and Sadokpam Gojendro Singh. 2019. A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Copeia. 107(1); 61–70. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079
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==========================
Channa lipor
Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Singh, 2019
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121
Abstract
Channa lipor, a new species of snakehead of the C. gachua species-group, is described based on 11 specimens from Meghalaya, Northeast India. It is distinguished from its congeners by possessing an orange, bronze-brown dorsum and fins, 9–12 black spots or blotches on the dorsal-fin sub-margin appearing parallel along the length of the dorsal-fin base, six oblique brown bars on the upper half on the flank, presence of seven gray to brown zigzag bands on the caudal fin, and fewer anal-fin rays. Channa lipor, new species, morphologically resembles C. aurantipectoralis, but the partial cox1 gene sequences reveal a genetic distance of 12.6–13.1% between them, and Channa lipor, new species, also possesses deep sequence divergence from any known populations of C. gachua. It differs from the topotypic C. gachua by having fewer anal-fin rays (20 vs. 22–24), fewer dorsal-fin rays (29–32 vs. 34–36), and fewer pectoral-fin rays (12–14 vs. 15–17), and in tooth pattern, by having the fifth ceratobranchial curved with four rows of teeth, outer row with 11 thick teeth; palatine with three rows of curved teeth, inner row with 14 large inwardly curved teeth; and dentary with long canine-like teeth in the posterior end.
Channa lipor, holotype, ZSI FF 7660, 89.5 mm SL, prior to preservation.
Channa lipor, paratype, CIARI/FF-44, 71.7 mm SL, Umraling River, Umraling village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, India.
Channa lipor, new species
Etymology.--The specific epithet lipor indicates the local vernacular name for the species in Khasi language, a dialect spoken by the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. It is used as a noun in apposition.
Remarks.-- Channa lipor is well known in the aquarium trade as ‘‘Channa sp. lipor’’.
Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan, and Sadokpam Gojendro Singh. 2019. A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Copeia. 107(1); 61–70. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079
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twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1092454923445456897
==========================
Review of Ancistrus(Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the northwestern Guiana Shield, Orinoco Andes, and Adjacent Basins with Description of Six New Species
Ancistrus patronus
De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1
Abstract
The Orinoco Andes and northwestern Guiana Shield (Essequibo, Orinoco, Branco, and upper Negro) were found to contain 11 species of Ancistrus, six of which are new. We additionally examine A. brevifilis from the Río Tuy of Venezuela and A. trinitatis from the island of Trinidad. The species in the region can be broken up into dorsoventrally flattened species (Ancistrus leoni new species, A. lithurgicus, and A. macropthalmus), white to yellow-dotted species (Ancistrus kellerae new species, A. nudiceps, and A. patronus new species), wide-jawed species (Ancistrus amaris new species and Ancistrus yutajae new species), and white-spotted species (A. brevifilis, A. leucostictus, A. trinitatis, A. saudades new species, and A. triradiatus). Distributions of Ancistrus support the Proto-Berbice hypothesis as A. saudades is found in the upper reaches of the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni rivers, which were thought to have once flowed into the Proto-Berbice. In addition, although A. nudiceps does not appear to have split once the Takutu River was captured by the Branco, the progenitor of A. leucostictus and A. saudades did speciate with the populations on either side of the Rupununi Portal differing by 7% sequence divergence of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene. Besides the descriptions of the new species, we redescribe the others occurring in the area, and adjacent watersheds. We provide a key for their identification, and a preliminary hypothesis of relationships based on DNA sequences of the few species for which tissue samples are available.
Keywords: Pisces, Ancistrini, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Taxonomy
Ancistrus patronus De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
Ancistrus patronus De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
Ancistrus patronus, named for the genus's paternal care of offspring.
photos: Jonathan W. Armbruster.
Lesley S De Souza, Donald C. Taphorn and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2019. Review of Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the northwestern Guiana Shield, Orinoco Andes, and Adjacent Basins with Description of Six New Species. Zootaxa. 4552(1); 1-67. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1
Six new species of hideously adorable tentacle-nosed catfish discovered in Amazon phys.org/news/2019-02-species-hideously-adorable-tentacle-nosed-catfish.html via @physorg_com
==========================
Ancistrus patronus
De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1
Abstract
The Orinoco Andes and northwestern Guiana Shield (Essequibo, Orinoco, Branco, and upper Negro) were found to contain 11 species of Ancistrus, six of which are new. We additionally examine A. brevifilis from the Río Tuy of Venezuela and A. trinitatis from the island of Trinidad. The species in the region can be broken up into dorsoventrally flattened species (Ancistrus leoni new species, A. lithurgicus, and A. macropthalmus), white to yellow-dotted species (Ancistrus kellerae new species, A. nudiceps, and A. patronus new species), wide-jawed species (Ancistrus amaris new species and Ancistrus yutajae new species), and white-spotted species (A. brevifilis, A. leucostictus, A. trinitatis, A. saudades new species, and A. triradiatus). Distributions of Ancistrus support the Proto-Berbice hypothesis as A. saudades is found in the upper reaches of the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni rivers, which were thought to have once flowed into the Proto-Berbice. In addition, although A. nudiceps does not appear to have split once the Takutu River was captured by the Branco, the progenitor of A. leucostictus and A. saudades did speciate with the populations on either side of the Rupununi Portal differing by 7% sequence divergence of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene. Besides the descriptions of the new species, we redescribe the others occurring in the area, and adjacent watersheds. We provide a key for their identification, and a preliminary hypothesis of relationships based on DNA sequences of the few species for which tissue samples are available.
Keywords: Pisces, Ancistrini, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Taxonomy
Ancistrus patronus De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
Ancistrus patronus De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019
Ancistrus patronus, named for the genus's paternal care of offspring.
photos: Jonathan W. Armbruster.
Lesley S De Souza, Donald C. Taphorn and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2019. Review of Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the northwestern Guiana Shield, Orinoco Andes, and Adjacent Basins with Description of Six New Species. Zootaxa. 4552(1); 1-67. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1
Six new species of hideously adorable tentacle-nosed catfish discovered in Amazon phys.org/news/2019-02-species-hideously-adorable-tentacle-nosed-catfish.html via @physorg_com
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(A) Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)
(C, D) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai
(C, D) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai
Chinchaysuyoa gen. nov. • A New Genus of the Fish Family Ariidae (Siluriformes), with A Redescription ofChinchaysuyoa labiata from Ecuador and A New Species Description from Peru
(A) Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)
(C, D) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai
Marceniuk, Marchena, Oliveira & Betancur-R, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5
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Abstract
In recent years, morphological and molecular studies have improved our understanding about the relationships and classification schemes of the marine catfishes of the family Ariidae. A taxonomic issue that is still contentious concerns the limits and status of the freshwater Neotropical ariid diversity, in particular the species in the genus Potamarius. The delimitation of Potamarius is currently uncertain given the disjunct distribution of the species in Mesoamerica (Potamarius izabalensis, P. nelsoni and P. usumacintae, from Lake Izabal and Usumacinta River basins in Mexico to Guatemala) and Brazil (P. grandoculis, from coastal lakes in southeastern Brazil). The freshwater Arius labiatus and Hexanematichthys henni from the Peripa and Daule rivers in Ecuador that drain to the Eastern Pacific (EP), have also at times been listed as species inquirenda in Potamarius. Here, we redescribe Arius labiatus, redefine the taxonomic status of Hexanematichthys henni, as junior synonym of Arius labiatus, and describe a new species from Peru that is closely related to Arius labiatus. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence, we also describe a new genus (Chinchaysuyoa) for the two South American species.
Keywords: Pisces, morphological, molecular, relationships and classification, freshwater species
(C) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai, holotype 256 mm SL (MUSM 63800), and (D) fresh non type specimen, not cataloged, 315 mm SL.
Chinchaysuyoa new genus
Type species. Chinchaysuyoa labiata.
Etymology. Chinchaysuyoa name of the Inca Empire territory that comprised the Ecuador and Peru, gender feminine.
Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)
Arius labiatus Boulenger 1898:6 (original description; Río Peripa, Ecuador). ...
Hexanematichthys henni Fisher & Eigenmann 1922:30 (original description; Río Daule, Colimes). ...
Chinchaysuyoa ortegai new species
Hexanematichthys henni (non Fisher & Eigenmann). ...
Alexandre Pires Marceniuk, Jose Marchena, Claudio Oliveira and Ricardo Betancur-R. 2019. Chinchaysuyoa, A New Genus of the Fish Family Ariidae (Siluriformes), with A Redescription of Chinchaysuyoa labiata from Ecuador and A New Species Description from Peru. Zootaxa. 4551(3); 361–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5
researchgate.net/publication/330774784_Chinchaysuyoa_a_new_genus_of_the_family_Ariidae_from_Ecuador_and_Peru
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==========================
(A) Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)
(C, D) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai
Marceniuk, Marchena, Oliveira & Betancur-R, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5
facebook.com/CentinelasdelMarPeruano
Abstract
In recent years, morphological and molecular studies have improved our understanding about the relationships and classification schemes of the marine catfishes of the family Ariidae. A taxonomic issue that is still contentious concerns the limits and status of the freshwater Neotropical ariid diversity, in particular the species in the genus Potamarius. The delimitation of Potamarius is currently uncertain given the disjunct distribution of the species in Mesoamerica (Potamarius izabalensis, P. nelsoni and P. usumacintae, from Lake Izabal and Usumacinta River basins in Mexico to Guatemala) and Brazil (P. grandoculis, from coastal lakes in southeastern Brazil). The freshwater Arius labiatus and Hexanematichthys henni from the Peripa and Daule rivers in Ecuador that drain to the Eastern Pacific (EP), have also at times been listed as species inquirenda in Potamarius. Here, we redescribe Arius labiatus, redefine the taxonomic status of Hexanematichthys henni, as junior synonym of Arius labiatus, and describe a new species from Peru that is closely related to Arius labiatus. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence, we also describe a new genus (Chinchaysuyoa) for the two South American species.
Keywords: Pisces, morphological, molecular, relationships and classification, freshwater species
(C) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai, holotype 256 mm SL (MUSM 63800), and (D) fresh non type specimen, not cataloged, 315 mm SL.
Chinchaysuyoa new genus
Type species. Chinchaysuyoa labiata.
Etymology. Chinchaysuyoa name of the Inca Empire territory that comprised the Ecuador and Peru, gender feminine.
Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)
Arius labiatus Boulenger 1898:6 (original description; Río Peripa, Ecuador). ...
Hexanematichthys henni Fisher & Eigenmann 1922:30 (original description; Río Daule, Colimes). ...
Chinchaysuyoa ortegai new species
Hexanematichthys henni (non Fisher & Eigenmann). ...
Alexandre Pires Marceniuk, Jose Marchena, Claudio Oliveira and Ricardo Betancur-R. 2019. Chinchaysuyoa, A New Genus of the Fish Family Ariidae (Siluriformes), with A Redescription of Chinchaysuyoa labiata from Ecuador and A New Species Description from Peru. Zootaxa. 4551(3); 361–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5
researchgate.net/publication/330774784_Chinchaysuyoa_a_new_genus_of_the_family_Ariidae_from_Ecuador_and_Peru
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==========================
Channa torsaensis • A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India
Channa torsaensis
Dey, Nur, Raychowdhury, Sarkar, Singh & Barat, 2018
DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
ABSTRACT
A new Channa species described from River Torsa of Brahmaputra river basin, West Bengal, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. a new species of Channa, is distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters namely a dorsal, anal and caudal fins being bluish with a broad dark blue border having a tinge of orange border covering the dark blue border; dorsal fin with numerous back spots; caudal fin with 9-10 black bands; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body; lateral line pored scales 46 in number; dorsal fin rays 36-38; anal fin rays 22 - 25; total vertebrae 44- 45 (16+28).
Key words: Taxonomy, Endemic, Brahmaputra basin, new species of Channa.
Channa torsaensis sp. nov.
New English name: Cobalt Blue Channa
Local name (Bengali): Neel Chang
Diagnosis. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Channaexcept C. pomanensis and C. quinquefasciata by an unique broad dark blue border on the dorsal, anal and caudal fin and having a tinge of orange border covering; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body. ....
DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
Distribution and Habitat At present, known to be distributed from tributary of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India (Fig.4). The running river water was transparent, cool, low depth and having various substrata like gravel, pebbles, sand, soil and medium to large boulders.
Etymology. The new species is named after the River Torsa, from where the fish was collected.
CONCLUSION:
Based on the diagnosis, Channa species have been classified into 15 groups from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. brings the number of Channa species to 16 from in Brahmaputra drainage, North East India. Channa torsaensis is male mouth-brooder and more aggressive in nature than other native Channa species.
Arpita Dey, Ruksa Nur, Basudhara Raychowdhury, Debapriya Sarkar,
Laishram Kosygin Singh and Sudip Barat. 2018. A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India. International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. - IJPAB). 6(6); 497-503. DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
==========================
Channa torsaensis
Dey, Nur, Raychowdhury, Sarkar, Singh & Barat, 2018
DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
ABSTRACT
A new Channa species described from River Torsa of Brahmaputra river basin, West Bengal, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. a new species of Channa, is distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters namely a dorsal, anal and caudal fins being bluish with a broad dark blue border having a tinge of orange border covering the dark blue border; dorsal fin with numerous back spots; caudal fin with 9-10 black bands; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body; lateral line pored scales 46 in number; dorsal fin rays 36-38; anal fin rays 22 - 25; total vertebrae 44- 45 (16+28).
Key words: Taxonomy, Endemic, Brahmaputra basin, new species of Channa.
Channa torsaensis sp. nov.
New English name: Cobalt Blue Channa
Local name (Bengali): Neel Chang
Diagnosis. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Channaexcept C. pomanensis and C. quinquefasciata by an unique broad dark blue border on the dorsal, anal and caudal fin and having a tinge of orange border covering; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body. ....
DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
Distribution and Habitat At present, known to be distributed from tributary of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India (Fig.4). The running river water was transparent, cool, low depth and having various substrata like gravel, pebbles, sand, soil and medium to large boulders.
Etymology. The new species is named after the River Torsa, from where the fish was collected.
CONCLUSION:
Based on the diagnosis, Channa species have been classified into 15 groups from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. brings the number of Channa species to 16 from in Brahmaputra drainage, North East India. Channa torsaensis is male mouth-brooder and more aggressive in nature than other native Channa species.
Arpita Dey, Ruksa Nur, Basudhara Raychowdhury, Debapriya Sarkar,
Laishram Kosygin Singh and Sudip Barat. 2018. A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India. International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. - IJPAB). 6(6); 497-503. DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131
==========================
Gymnogeophagus jaryi • A New Species of the Neotropical Cichlid Genus Gymnogeophagus (Teleostei: Cichliformes) from the Middle Paraná Basin, Misiones, Argentina
Gymnogeophagus jaryi
Alonso, Terán, Aguilera, Říčan, Casciotta, Serra, Almirón, Benítez, García & Mirande, 2019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210166
Abstract
Gymnogeophagus jaryi, new species, is described from Southern tributaries of the Middle Paraná basin in Misiones. It can be distinguished from all other members of the genus, except from G. australis and G. caaguazuensis, by the presence of a hyaline to grey anterior portion of the dorsal fin. Gymnogeophagus jaryi differs from G. caaguazuensis by a longer caudal peduncle, caudal fin not lyrate, central portion of scales on dorsal portion of trunk light iridescent blue and by white spots in soft portion of dorsal fin in adult males, and from G. australis by the light iridescent blue coloration of central portion of scales on the dorsal portion of trunk and tail, and by the lack of scales on the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Additionally, it can be diagnosed by the following unique combination of characters: 10–11 dorsal-fin branched rays, 27–30 E1 scales, absence of lips thickening, and, in males, by the possession of a hump in adults, caudal fin not lyrate, presence of large white spots forming transversal stripes distally and in anterior area of the dorsal fin’s soft portion, central area of scales on the dorsal portion of the trunk light iridescent blue, lack of scales on the base of the dorsal fin’s soft portion, absence of a conspicuous and oblique dark band from the eye to the anterior border of the head, anterior portion of dorsal fin hyaline to grey, scales of the midlateral spot each bearing a semicircular light blue blotch, head hump starting at the horizontal through the eyes, concave anterior profile in lateral view, base of unpaired fins yellow, and whitish hyaline spots on caudal fin. The new species, based on mtDNA phylogeny, is the sister species of G. caaguazuensis from the Paraguay basin and is closely related to G. australis.
Gymnogeophagus jaryi, new species
Diagnosis: The number of E1 scales, 27–30 (vs. 23–25), and the possession of a cephalic hump in adult males, distinguishes the new species from all species of the G. rhabdotusspecies group (G. rhabdotus, G. meridionalis, G. setequedas, G. che, G. terrapurpura and G. taroba). It is distinguished from all species of the G. gymnogenys group, except G. caaguazuensis and G. australis, by having the anterior portion of the dorsal fin grey to hyaline, in few specimens grey slightly reddish, with no markings (vs. red to yellow with hyaline spots or elongated transversal blotches). It differs from G. caaguazuensis by a longer caudal peduncle (18.5–22.0 vs. 13.9–17.4, % SL), caudal fin not lyrate (vs. lyrate), central portion of scales on dorsal portion of trunk light iridescent blue (vs. golden to greenish) and, in adult males, white spots in the soft portion of the dorsal fin, sometimes elongated in the distal portion forming lines (vs. with spaced small silvery to bright blue dots in G. caaguazuensis). It differs from G. australis by the light iridescent blue coloration of the central portion of scales on the dorsal portion of trunk and tail (vs. with golden central portion of scales) and by the lack of scales on dorsal-fin soft portion (vs. present). It is distinguished from G. balzanii by a lower body depth and less branched dorsal-fin rays (10–11 vs. 12–15). It can be further distinguished from G. peliochelynion, G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus by the absence of thickening in the lips (vs. present); from G. gymnogenys and G. mekinos by the absence of a conspicuous and oblique dark band from the anterior margin of eye to the anterior border of head; from G. gymnogenys also by presence of elongated spots distally in the soft portion of the dorsal fin (vs. large round spots); from G. mekinos also by dorsal fin coloration (vs. spiny portion without markings, soft portion with only few dots, distally immaculate). Additionally, the new species differs from G. constellatusby a semicircular light blue spot on each scale of the midlateral spot (vs. large white spot) and by spiny posterior portion with short narrow stripes or spots (vs. long wide stripes) and soft portion with dots and lines distally (vs. long wide stripes); from G. tiraparae by lacking the over-developed head hump (hump starting only at the horizontal plane through the eyes, forming a concave profile of the snout in lateral view vs. hump starting already from the upper lip, forming a convex profile at eyes height) and by a different coloration pattern of the dorsal fin (spiny posterior portion with short narrow stripes or spots and soft portion with dots and lines distally vs. dorsal fin hyaline with two horizontal series of moderately elongated light blue dots between dorsal-fin spines, and a series of light blue stripes between soft rays, and a red ground color between the two series of dots); from G. lipokarenos by presenting a red distal margin on posterior half of dorsal fin (vs. red distal margin along the entire fin), by lower peduncle length 18.5–22.0% of SL (vs. 14.1–17.9% of SL in G. lipokarenos); from G. missioneiro by having the base of unpaired fins yellow (vs. red) and by the presence of separated dots in both the spiny and soft portions of dorsal fin (vs. long wide stripes in G. missioneiro); and from G. lacustris by having lips, branchiostegal membrane and isthmus grey (vs. orange), unpaired fin-bases yellowish (vs. light olivaceous to reddish), by hyaline or white spots on caudal fin (vs. longitudinal stripes), and by absence of a dark vertical stripe through the eyes (vs. present in G. lacustris) (Figs 1–3).
....
Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Guaraní word “jarýi”, meaning grandmother. It is dedicated to the Non-Governmental Organization of “Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo”, created in 1977 whose objective is to locate and restore to their legitimate families all the children disappeared by the last Argentine dictatorship. A noun in apposition.
Habitats of Gymnogeophagus jaryi. at Middle Paraná River basin, Misiones, Argentina.
(A, B, C) Type Locality at Cuñá Pirú stream;(B) rocks and driftwood in the margins; (C) rapids with marginal vegetation; D) Ñacanguazú stream. All photos show localities after rains in turbid conditions.
Distribution: Gymnogeophagus jaryi is known from several tributaries of the Southern Middle Paraná: the Cuña Pirú basin, the Garuhapé basin, and the Ñacanguazú basin in Argentina, Misiones and, based on photographs and mtDNA sequences it is also present in the Manduviyú, Pirapó and Ype Curú basins in Paraguay.
Phylogenetic relationships of Gymnogeophagus jaryi based on cytb marker. Analysis by parsimony under extended implied weighting. Numbers above branches denote GC values. Image of G. caaguazuensis and G. constellatus were taken and modified from their original description
Felipe Alonso, Guillermo E. Terán, Gastón Aguilera, Oldřich Říčan, Jorge Casciotta, Wilson Sebastián Serra, Adriana Almirón, Mauricio F. Benítez, Ignacio García and Juan Marcos Mirande. 2019. Description of A New Species of the Neotropical Cichlid Genus Gymnogeophagus Miranda Ribeiro, 1918 (Teleostei: Cichliformes) from the Middle Paraná Basin, Misiones, Argentina. PLoS ONE. 14(2): e0210166. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210166ere to edit.
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Austrolebias ephemerus • A New Annual Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the upper Rio Paraguai basin, Brazilian Chaco
Austrolebias ephemerus
Volcan & Severo-Neto, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.3.6
Abstract
A new species of Austrolebias belonging to the A. bellottii species group is herein described from the Brazilian Chaco, Mato Grosso do Sul state, constituting the northernmost record of the genus in Brazil, as well as the first record of this genus on the left bank of the Rio Paraguai. The new species is distinguished from all other species of the A. bellottii group by the following combination of characters: pectoral fin posterior margin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 7th anal fin rays in females, a high number of gill rakers in the first branchial arch, a lower head width in both sexes, and a small number of neuromasts in the preopercular series. Additionally, we provide information on ecology and the conservation status of the new species.
Keywords: Pisces, Austrolebias bellottii species group, seasonal pool, conservation, killifish
Matheus Vieira Volcan and Francisco Severo-Neto. 2019. Austrolebias ephemerus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), A New Annual Fish from the upper Rio Paraguai basin, Brazilian Chaco. Zootaxa. 4560(3); 541–553. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.3.6
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Austrolebias ephemerus
Volcan & Severo-Neto, 2019
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.3.6
Abstract
A new species of Austrolebias belonging to the A. bellottii species group is herein described from the Brazilian Chaco, Mato Grosso do Sul state, constituting the northernmost record of the genus in Brazil, as well as the first record of this genus on the left bank of the Rio Paraguai. The new species is distinguished from all other species of the A. bellottii group by the following combination of characters: pectoral fin posterior margin reaching vertical between base of 4th and 7th anal fin rays in females, a high number of gill rakers in the first branchial arch, a lower head width in both sexes, and a small number of neuromasts in the preopercular series. Additionally, we provide information on ecology and the conservation status of the new species.
Keywords: Pisces, Austrolebias bellottii species group, seasonal pool, conservation, killifish
Matheus Vieira Volcan and Francisco Severo-Neto. 2019. Austrolebias ephemerus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), A New Annual Fish from the upper Rio Paraguai basin, Brazilian Chaco. Zootaxa. 4560(3); 541–553. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.3.6
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Tosanoides bennetti, a new species of anthiadiine fish (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Coral Sea, Australia
by Gerald R. Allen and Fenton Walsh – aqua 25 (1) – pp. 25-34
Abstract
Tosanoides bennetti is described from six specimens, 25.0-49.2 mm SL, collected from 141-150 m depth range at the Holmes Reefs, Coral Sea, which are situated approximately 220 km east of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Diagnostic features include: dorsal rays X,17; anal rays III,8; pectoral rays 12-14; pored lateral line scales 29-33, either in continuous series or separated by gap of 1-3 transverse scale rows; gill rakers on the first branchial arch 7-10 + 23-26; body depth 2.7-2.8 in SL; male when freshly collected mainly lavender pink with four downward-slanting, yellow bands on head and body, middle two forming series of large irregularly-shaped spots; dorsal fin mainly yellow with narrow lavender outer margin and lavender basal portion, curling around posteriormost part of fin to join lavender outer margin; anal fin yellow except basal one-third and posteriormost rays lavender; caudal fin lavender with large yellow spot covering most of central portion of lower lobe; maximum known size to about 5 cm SL. The new taxon is most similar to T. annepatrice from Melanesia (Palau and Pohnpei), but differs with regards to male and female colour patterns and generally has shorter dorsal and anal-fin spines, a slightly more slender body, shorter snout, smaller eye, and shorter maxilla.
Full Text | PDF (375 KB)
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by Gerald R. Allen and Fenton Walsh – aqua 25 (1) – pp. 25-34
Abstract
Tosanoides bennetti is described from six specimens, 25.0-49.2 mm SL, collected from 141-150 m depth range at the Holmes Reefs, Coral Sea, which are situated approximately 220 km east of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Diagnostic features include: dorsal rays X,17; anal rays III,8; pectoral rays 12-14; pored lateral line scales 29-33, either in continuous series or separated by gap of 1-3 transverse scale rows; gill rakers on the first branchial arch 7-10 + 23-26; body depth 2.7-2.8 in SL; male when freshly collected mainly lavender pink with four downward-slanting, yellow bands on head and body, middle two forming series of large irregularly-shaped spots; dorsal fin mainly yellow with narrow lavender outer margin and lavender basal portion, curling around posteriormost part of fin to join lavender outer margin; anal fin yellow except basal one-third and posteriormost rays lavender; caudal fin lavender with large yellow spot covering most of central portion of lower lobe; maximum known size to about 5 cm SL. The new taxon is most similar to T. annepatrice from Melanesia (Palau and Pohnpei), but differs with regards to male and female colour patterns and generally has shorter dorsal and anal-fin spines, a slightly more slender body, shorter snout, smaller eye, and shorter maxilla.
Full Text | PDF (375 KB)
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Hoplolatilus andamanensis, a new species of sand tilefish (Pisces: Malacanthidae) from the Andaman Islands and confirmation of H. luteusas a junior synonym of H. fourmanoiri, pp. 1-12
Abstract
Hoplolatilus andamanensis is described on the basis of four specimens, 99.2-110.4 mm SL, collected at the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. The species was previously misidentified as H. luteus, a species that was originally described from a single specimen from Flores, Indonesia. Previous authors have debated the issue of whether H. luteus is a valid species or a junior synonym of H. fourmanoiri. Additional evidence in the form of underwater observations and collected specimens support the contention of Dooley & Jimenez that the two species are synonymous. The new species is closely related to H. fourmanoiri, but differs in scale morphology and coloration. It also usually has 11 dorsal spines versus a usual count of 10 spines in H. fourmanoiri. There is also a 1.5% divergence between the two species based on 16s ribosomal RNA sequence data.
Full Text | PDF (806 KB)
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Abstract
Hoplolatilus andamanensis is described on the basis of four specimens, 99.2-110.4 mm SL, collected at the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. The species was previously misidentified as H. luteus, a species that was originally described from a single specimen from Flores, Indonesia. Previous authors have debated the issue of whether H. luteus is a valid species or a junior synonym of H. fourmanoiri. Additional evidence in the form of underwater observations and collected specimens support the contention of Dooley & Jimenez that the two species are synonymous. The new species is closely related to H. fourmanoiri, but differs in scale morphology and coloration. It also usually has 11 dorsal spines versus a usual count of 10 spines in H. fourmanoiri. There is also a 1.5% divergence between the two species based on 16s ribosomal RNA sequence data.
Full Text | PDF (806 KB)
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Melanorivulus aithogrammus, a new miniature species (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from lower Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil, with a key for the species of the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group
ROSSELLA · FEBRUARY 5, 2019
0 335 5
by Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen and Ricardo Britzke – aqua 25 (1) pp. 35-43
A new species of Melanorivulus, belonging to the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group, is described from the lower Rio Tapajós basin, Pará state, Brazil. Melanorivulus aithogrammus,new species, was recorded from a small tributary in the left bank of Rio Tapajós, Amazon basin. It differs from the other species of the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group by its color pattern in males, presenting sides of body light gray, with irregular oblique red bars, some in the shape of an inverted “Y”, caudal fin hyaline with 5-6 brownish-red vertical bars, and pointed anal fin. A key to the species belonging to the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group is presented.
Full Text | PDF (564 KB)
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ROSSELLA · FEBRUARY 5, 2019
0 335 5
by Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen and Ricardo Britzke – aqua 25 (1) pp. 35-43
A new species of Melanorivulus, belonging to the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group, is described from the lower Rio Tapajós basin, Pará state, Brazil. Melanorivulus aithogrammus,new species, was recorded from a small tributary in the left bank of Rio Tapajós, Amazon basin. It differs from the other species of the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group by its color pattern in males, presenting sides of body light gray, with irregular oblique red bars, some in the shape of an inverted “Y”, caudal fin hyaline with 5-6 brownish-red vertical bars, and pointed anal fin. A key to the species belonging to the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group is presented.
Full Text | PDF (564 KB)
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