Videos of the 2018 & back to 2001 Fish Show at Southend are at vimeo.com/southendaquarist
==========================
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)
==========================
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)
==========================
Creteuchiloglanis tawangensis n. sp., RGUMF: 449, 152.0 mm SL, holotype, lateral view.
Gerald R. Allen and Fenton Walsh: Tosanoides bennetti, a new species of anthiadiine fish (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Coral Sea, Australia, 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)
==========================
Gerald R. Allen and Fenton Walsh: Tosanoides bennetti, a new species of anthiadiine fish (Pisces: Serranidae) from the Coral Sea, Australia, 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)
==========================
The Didogobius schlieweni individual from Lavrio, western Aegean Sea and its microhabitat.Photo by P. Triantafillis.
Achom Darshan, Santoshkumar Abujam, Leki Wangchu, Ram Kumar, Debangshu Narayan Das and Raj Kumar Imotomba: A new species of glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Tawangchu River of Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India, pp. 17-14
Abstract
Creteuchiloglanis tawangensis, a new glyptosternine catfish, is described from the Tawangchu River at Tawang district, a headwater of the Manas River, Brahmaputra basin in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all congeners in having an unique combination of the following characters: presence of pinnate-like rays on the anterior margin of the first branched ray of anal fin, pectoral fin not extending to the origin of pelvic fin, predorsal length 31.3-32.5% SL, body depth at anus 10.7-11.1% SL, caudal peduncle depth 6.4-6.8% SL, adipose-fin base length 33.2-33.8 % SL, pelvic fin length 19.5-20.5% SL, 2+8=10 gill rakers on the first branchial arch, head depth 9.1-10.0% SL, and eye diameter 5.8-6.9% HL. This is the fifth species of Creteuchiloglanis described from the Brahmaputra River basin.
Full Text | PDF (595 KB)
Achom Darshan, Santoshkumar Abujam, Leki Wangchu, Ram Kumar, Debangshu Narayan Das and Raj Kumar Imotomba: A new species of glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Tawangchu River of Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India, pp. 17-14
Abstract
Creteuchiloglanis tawangensis, a new glyptosternine catfish, is described from the Tawangchu River at Tawang district, a headwater of the Manas River, Brahmaputra basin in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species differs from all congeners in having an unique combination of the following characters: presence of pinnate-like rays on the anterior margin of the first branched ray of anal fin, pectoral fin not extending to the origin of pelvic fin, predorsal length 31.3-32.5% SL, body depth at anus 10.7-11.1% SL, caudal peduncle depth 6.4-6.8% SL, adipose-fin base length 33.2-33.8 % SL, pelvic fin length 19.5-20.5% SL, 2+8=10 gill rakers on the first branchial arch, head depth 9.1-10.0% SL, and eye diameter 5.8-6.9% HL. This is the fifth species of Creteuchiloglanis described from the Brahmaputra River basin.
Full Text | PDF (595 KB)
Hoplolatilus andamanensis n. sp.
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)
==========================
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)
==========================
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)
==========================
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)
==========================
Ancistrus patronus
Ancistrus kellerae
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
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
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
==========================
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
==========================
Chinchaysuyoa gen. nov. • A New Genus of the Fish Family Ariidae (Siluriformes), with A Redescription of Chinchaysuyoa 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
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
facebook.com/CentinelasdelMarPeruano/posts/319025175395330
facebook.com/IctioPeruana/posts/2479996342029347
==========================
(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
facebook.com/CentinelasdelMarPeruano/posts/319025175395330
facebook.com/IctioPeruana/posts/2479996342029347
==========================
OBITUARY
It is with sadness that we have to report the loss of Derek Durrant on the 1st of February after a long illness. Derek is probably best known to most as a long standing respected F.B.A.S. Judge.
Derek was first introduced to fishkeeping after breaking his neck as a teenager when his father bought him an aquarium. Southend club first became aware of Derek as a member of Thurrock Society with a prize winning strain of red Bettas in the mid 1960`s. He even wrote an article onBettas which was published in PetFish Monthly. Derek left Thurrock club when British Telecom offered him a move to the Southend area and joined Southend Society. In the 1970`s he was our Open Show Secretary for several shows at a time when entries were three or even four times what are expected today.
All in the fishkeeping world will join in offering our condolences to Elizabeth their four daughters and grand children.
==========================
Enteromius walshae• A New Small Barb (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin)rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa
Enteromius walshae
Mamonekene, Zamba & Stiassny, 2018
DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org
ABSTRACT
A new species of smiliogastrin cyprinid is described from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa. The new species is readily distinguished from congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified and smooth bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays. A combination of morphological features and pigmentation patterning that appears to be unique among Enteromius. The new species is widespread throughout the Louesse-Djoulou region, and the fact that such a seemingly common species has gone undetected until now serves to underscore how poorly known this region of the Republic of Congo remains.
Enteromius walshae, new species
Differential diagnosis: While no unambiguous morphological autapomorphies have been located to diagnose Enteromius walshae the species is nonetheless readily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified, and smooth-bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays.
....
Distribution: Found in forested streams and rivers throughout the surveyed region (fig. 4A). Commonly encountered in tributaries and subtributaries of the Louesse River in the Niari basin, and in the Djoulou River, a tributary of the upper Ogowe. The species is not found in tributaries of the lower Kouilou-Niari or in coastal basin systems in the Republic of Congo (Walsh et al., 2014). Although no data are currently available, we anticipate that further collecting in the upper Ogowe basin will extend the species’ distributional range into adjacent forested regions of that basin in Gabon.
Etymology: We name this new smiliogastrin cyprinid for our colleague Gina Walsh(University of Witwatersrand, South Africa), whose ongoing research continues to enhance conservation efforts throughout the region.
Victor Mamonekene, Armel Ibala Zamba and Melanie L. J. Stiassny. 2018. A New Small Barb (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa. American Museum Novitates. 3917. DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org/handle/2246/6921
facebook.com/IchthyologyoftheWorld/photos/2250658288288289
==========================
Enteromius walshae
Mamonekene, Zamba & Stiassny, 2018
DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org
ABSTRACT
A new species of smiliogastrin cyprinid is described from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa. The new species is readily distinguished from congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified and smooth bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays. A combination of morphological features and pigmentation patterning that appears to be unique among Enteromius. The new species is widespread throughout the Louesse-Djoulou region, and the fact that such a seemingly common species has gone undetected until now serves to underscore how poorly known this region of the Republic of Congo remains.
Enteromius walshae, new species
Differential diagnosis: While no unambiguous morphological autapomorphies have been located to diagnose Enteromius walshae the species is nonetheless readily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified, and smooth-bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays.
....
Distribution: Found in forested streams and rivers throughout the surveyed region (fig. 4A). Commonly encountered in tributaries and subtributaries of the Louesse River in the Niari basin, and in the Djoulou River, a tributary of the upper Ogowe. The species is not found in tributaries of the lower Kouilou-Niari or in coastal basin systems in the Republic of Congo (Walsh et al., 2014). Although no data are currently available, we anticipate that further collecting in the upper Ogowe basin will extend the species’ distributional range into adjacent forested regions of that basin in Gabon.
Etymology: We name this new smiliogastrin cyprinid for our colleague Gina Walsh(University of Witwatersrand, South Africa), whose ongoing research continues to enhance conservation efforts throughout the region.
Victor Mamonekene, Armel Ibala Zamba and Melanie L. J. Stiassny. 2018. A New Small Barb (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa. American Museum Novitates. 3917. DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org/handle/2246/6921
facebook.com/IchthyologyoftheWorld/photos/2250658288288289
==========================
Cryptocentrus altipinna, a New Species of Highfin Shrimp goby JAKE ADAMS
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.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
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.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Gerald Jennings of Calypso.org is having to sell and dispose of his vast library.
A COMPLETE fish and ichthyology library containing well over 200 books on fishes, fish identification and tropical fish keeping in addition to all types of charts, guides and encyclopaedias and dictionaries of fishes –most are hardback.
A range of sought-after FAO species guides and iD works .Dozens of Aquarist and Pondkeeper and PetFish monthly journals form 1960’s and 70’s
In total this collection occupies over 15 large plastic storage crates and is very heavy – so prospective purchasers will need transportation to collect
Illness has caused this sale – so no timewasters – the whole library has to go.
Serious enquiries will be answered. Will consider splitting the consignment for a good offer. Happy to inform on the odd title but don’task for a list.Original value well over £1,400.00
All titles and descriptions can be viewed on www.calypso.org.uk/Bookshop
(Shipping in the UK would cost about £75.00)
Gerald has just given me permission to publish his `phone number in the UK it is:- 0207 281 4948
and his email is :- gerald@calypso.org
==========================
A COMPLETE fish and ichthyology library containing well over 200 books on fishes, fish identification and tropical fish keeping in addition to all types of charts, guides and encyclopaedias and dictionaries of fishes –most are hardback.
A range of sought-after FAO species guides and iD works .Dozens of Aquarist and Pondkeeper and PetFish monthly journals form 1960’s and 70’s
In total this collection occupies over 15 large plastic storage crates and is very heavy – so prospective purchasers will need transportation to collect
Illness has caused this sale – so no timewasters – the whole library has to go.
Serious enquiries will be answered. Will consider splitting the consignment for a good offer. Happy to inform on the odd title but don’task for a list.Original value well over £1,400.00
All titles and descriptions can be viewed on www.calypso.org.uk/Bookshop
(Shipping in the UK would cost about £75.00)
Gerald has just given me permission to publish his `phone number in the UK it is:- 0207 281 4948
and his email is :- gerald@calypso.org
==========================
To female molly and Limia fish, nothing is hotter than a male with a large dorsal fin. But these fins aren't just decorations to attract females.
Males also use them to fight or intimidate rivals.
For scientists who study evolution, the fins present a chicken-and-egg dilemma. Which came first -- ornamental fins for courtship displays, or fighting fins only later used in displays?
In a new paper, biologists from the University of California, Riverside, studied the evolution of 40 molly and Limia species, and concluded dorsal fin displays arose first for males to compete with other males, only later being used in courtship displays to females. These changes in fin function went hand in hand with enlargement of the male dorsal fin. The fins reached extreme sizes in a few species and appear to be associated with rapid evolution, especially in mollies.
When Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution, he noted that some features arise not from natural selection by outside pressures like predators and food sources, but from competition within a species to find mates and reproduce. He called this "sexual selection," and scientists have used it to explain why males from many species have elaborate ornamentation and are larger than females.
Simply put, the ornament can evolve either because females prefer to mate with ornamented males, or because the ornament helps males defeat rivals. The male peacock's tail, for example, probably evolved through female choice. Deer antlers, on the other hand, probably evolved to compete with other males.
But whether male ornamentation arises through female choice or male-male aggression also has implications for how a group of animals diverges from an ancestral population and evolves into a separate species. In existing species, male-male aggression and covert or "forced" mating occurs much more often than courtship displays and female choice, leading some biologists to predict that, in general, male ornamentation probably evolved first for aggression.
"This is something that biologists have argued about for over a century, whether it's all in male-male competition for females or how important is female choice of a male," said Daniel Goldberg, the paper's first author, who conducted the research for his master's thesis. "The problem is, even though it was predicted in the 1990s that male ornamentation first evolved for aggression in many species of animals, studies that have been able to prove this for a particular group of animals have been few and far between."
Senior author David Reznick, a professor of biology at UC Riverside, has been working to unravel this problem in guppies. Guppies, like mollies and Limia, give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. The physiology of live birth comes in two main forms for these fish. In some species, the female produces a fully yolked egg, which is simply retained within her body, with no further nourishment after fertilization. In other species, the females have something like a placenta that nourishes eggs throughout development.
"The first step, which came before Goldberg's work, was to show that the male traits were tied to the type of female reproduction. You only get this kind of ornament in the ones that don't have placentas," explained Reznick. In live-bearing nonplacental fish, the female makes all her investment before the egg is fertilized, and the only thing left to ensure a quality offspring is to choose a high-quality male to fertilize it. The ornamentation could signal male quality.
Mollies are found along the Gulf Coast of North America and throughout Central America, while Limia are native to islands of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Both are popular aquarium pets. Goldberg took comprehensive measurements of various body dimensions of male and female molly and Limia species, along with detailed observational notes, to develop an ornamentation index that measures dorsal fin size relative to body size. He then used this information from the living species to follow the evolutionary tree back through time to figure out what the original ancestors would have looked like.
"If you look outside and you see a tree, where we have two branches that emanate from a single branch, that corresponds on an evolutionary tree to a speciation event," explained co-author Mark Springer, a professor of biology at UC Riverside who worked on the evolutionary sequence. "We're interested in trying to reconstruct what the ancestral state was like at each one of those branching points in the tree."
"We know what the branch tips are like, we know what each species is, and so we use that information to go back through time and envision their common ancestor," added Reznick.
As predicted, the researchers found that in both mollies and Limia, males evolved larger dorsal fins first for fighting other males, only later using them in courtship displays. At that point, it was only a matter of time until they reached huge sizes in a few exceptionally ornamented modern species: three species of aptly-named sailfin mollies, and one species of Limia: the humpback Limia.
The evolution of ornamentation really took off with the evolution of courtship.
"Mollies and Limia have a lot of different species, and the evolution of elaborate courtship displays seems to go hand in hand with rapid speciation," said Goldberg, who is now pursuing a doctorate in biology at Illinois State University. Reznick and Springer are studying the speciation rate in a separate project.
The findings may be broadly applicable to other species and may help biologists solve the chicken-and-egg riddle of male ornamentation.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of California - Riverside. Original written by Holly Ober. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Males also use them to fight or intimidate rivals.
For scientists who study evolution, the fins present a chicken-and-egg dilemma. Which came first -- ornamental fins for courtship displays, or fighting fins only later used in displays?
In a new paper, biologists from the University of California, Riverside, studied the evolution of 40 molly and Limia species, and concluded dorsal fin displays arose first for males to compete with other males, only later being used in courtship displays to females. These changes in fin function went hand in hand with enlargement of the male dorsal fin. The fins reached extreme sizes in a few species and appear to be associated with rapid evolution, especially in mollies.
When Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution, he noted that some features arise not from natural selection by outside pressures like predators and food sources, but from competition within a species to find mates and reproduce. He called this "sexual selection," and scientists have used it to explain why males from many species have elaborate ornamentation and are larger than females.
Simply put, the ornament can evolve either because females prefer to mate with ornamented males, or because the ornament helps males defeat rivals. The male peacock's tail, for example, probably evolved through female choice. Deer antlers, on the other hand, probably evolved to compete with other males.
But whether male ornamentation arises through female choice or male-male aggression also has implications for how a group of animals diverges from an ancestral population and evolves into a separate species. In existing species, male-male aggression and covert or "forced" mating occurs much more often than courtship displays and female choice, leading some biologists to predict that, in general, male ornamentation probably evolved first for aggression.
"This is something that biologists have argued about for over a century, whether it's all in male-male competition for females or how important is female choice of a male," said Daniel Goldberg, the paper's first author, who conducted the research for his master's thesis. "The problem is, even though it was predicted in the 1990s that male ornamentation first evolved for aggression in many species of animals, studies that have been able to prove this for a particular group of animals have been few and far between."
Senior author David Reznick, a professor of biology at UC Riverside, has been working to unravel this problem in guppies. Guppies, like mollies and Limia, give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. The physiology of live birth comes in two main forms for these fish. In some species, the female produces a fully yolked egg, which is simply retained within her body, with no further nourishment after fertilization. In other species, the females have something like a placenta that nourishes eggs throughout development.
"The first step, which came before Goldberg's work, was to show that the male traits were tied to the type of female reproduction. You only get this kind of ornament in the ones that don't have placentas," explained Reznick. In live-bearing nonplacental fish, the female makes all her investment before the egg is fertilized, and the only thing left to ensure a quality offspring is to choose a high-quality male to fertilize it. The ornamentation could signal male quality.
Mollies are found along the Gulf Coast of North America and throughout Central America, while Limia are native to islands of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Both are popular aquarium pets. Goldberg took comprehensive measurements of various body dimensions of male and female molly and Limia species, along with detailed observational notes, to develop an ornamentation index that measures dorsal fin size relative to body size. He then used this information from the living species to follow the evolutionary tree back through time to figure out what the original ancestors would have looked like.
"If you look outside and you see a tree, where we have two branches that emanate from a single branch, that corresponds on an evolutionary tree to a speciation event," explained co-author Mark Springer, a professor of biology at UC Riverside who worked on the evolutionary sequence. "We're interested in trying to reconstruct what the ancestral state was like at each one of those branching points in the tree."
"We know what the branch tips are like, we know what each species is, and so we use that information to go back through time and envision their common ancestor," added Reznick.
As predicted, the researchers found that in both mollies and Limia, males evolved larger dorsal fins first for fighting other males, only later using them in courtship displays. At that point, it was only a matter of time until they reached huge sizes in a few exceptionally ornamented modern species: three species of aptly-named sailfin mollies, and one species of Limia: the humpback Limia.
The evolution of ornamentation really took off with the evolution of courtship.
"Mollies and Limia have a lot of different species, and the evolution of elaborate courtship displays seems to go hand in hand with rapid speciation," said Goldberg, who is now pursuing a doctorate in biology at Illinois State University. Reznick and Springer are studying the speciation rate in a separate project.
The findings may be broadly applicable to other species and may help biologists solve the chicken-and-egg riddle of male ornamentation.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of California - Riverside. Original written by Holly Ober. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Daniel L. Goldberg, Joseph A. Landy, Joseph Travis, Mark S. Springer, David N. Reznick. In love and war: The morphometric and phylogenetic basis of ornamentation, and the evolution of male display behavior, in the livebearer genus Poecilia. Evolution, 2019; DOI: 10.1111/evo.13671
==========================
The Story of the new Coelacanth found in Indonesian waters
| a_living_reef_fossil__new_population_of_coelacanth_discovered_-_reefs.com.html |
==========================
First of three N.e.t.s. Aquatic auctions (NOT ONLINE)
(all different) this year.
3rd of March fish and plants only.
Biggest aquatics auction in the northeast
Around 30 private sellers and breeders together for one day resulting in a better selection then most shops
NOT ONLINE SO ONLY PEOPLE ON THE DAY WILL GRAB THESE FANTASTIC BARGAINS
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK
https://www.facebook.com/events/2027684773977148/
==========================
MID-SUSSEX AQUARISTS
SOCIETY
Open Show
Sunday 17th March 2019
At
Patcham Community Centre.
Ladies Mile Road Patcham.
Brighton BN18TA
We look forward to seeing you all.
Any information or Help required
please feel free to contact the
Club
==========================
Cryptic species diversity in the Hypsolebias magnificus complex, a clade of endangered seasonal killifishes from the São Francisco River basin, Brazilian Caatinga (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae)
ZooKeys, Jul 2018
Wilson J. E. M. CostaPedro F. AmorimJosé Leonardo O. Mattos
A great diversity of animal species adapted to life in the semi-arid Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, including seasonal killifishes, has been reported in the last three decades. More recently, field and molecular data have shown a high occurrence of cryptic species. The killifish group herein analysed, the Hypsolebias magnificus species complex, is endemic to the middle and southern portion of the Caatinga, occupying about 120 km along the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and some adjacent tributaries. Species of this complex are rare and presently considered threatened with extinction, being uniquely found in pools protected by trees and bushes. Single-locus delimitation methods were used to test species limits of populations displaying different colour patterns along the whole distribution of the complex. All analyses consistently supported the three nominal species and two new, herein described: H. gardneri Costa, sp. n., from the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and H. hamadryades Costa, sp. n., from the Gorotuba River floodplains. The phylogenetic analysis highly supports H. hamadryades as sister to a clade comprising H. gardneri and H. harmonicus. Our field observations suggest that H. hamadryades is a miniature species. This study indicates that the H. magnificus complex comprises cryptic species apparently endemic to small areas and extremely vulnerable to environmental changes, deserving high concern.
==========================
ZooKeys, Jul 2018
Wilson J. E. M. CostaPedro F. AmorimJosé Leonardo O. Mattos
A great diversity of animal species adapted to life in the semi-arid Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, including seasonal killifishes, has been reported in the last three decades. More recently, field and molecular data have shown a high occurrence of cryptic species. The killifish group herein analysed, the Hypsolebias magnificus species complex, is endemic to the middle and southern portion of the Caatinga, occupying about 120 km along the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and some adjacent tributaries. Species of this complex are rare and presently considered threatened with extinction, being uniquely found in pools protected by trees and bushes. Single-locus delimitation methods were used to test species limits of populations displaying different colour patterns along the whole distribution of the complex. All analyses consistently supported the three nominal species and two new, herein described: H. gardneri Costa, sp. n., from the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and H. hamadryades Costa, sp. n., from the Gorotuba River floodplains. The phylogenetic analysis highly supports H. hamadryades as sister to a clade comprising H. gardneri and H. harmonicus. Our field observations suggest that H. hamadryades is a miniature species. This study indicates that the H. magnificus complex comprises cryptic species apparently endemic to small areas and extremely vulnerable to environmental changes, deserving high concern.
==========================
Carcharhinus obsolerus • Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records
Carcharhinus obsolerus
White, Kyne & Harris, 2019
Lost Shark || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387
Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au)
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks
Abstract
Carcharhinus obsolerus is described based on three specimens from Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam in the Western Central Pacific. It belongs to the porosus subgroup which is characterised by having the second dorsal-fin insertion opposite the anal-fin midbase. It most closely resembles C. borneensis but differs in tooth morphology and counts and a number of morphological characters, including lack of enlarged hyomandibular pores which are diagnostic of C. borneensis. The historic range of C. obsolerus sp. nov. is under intense fishing pressure and this species has not been recorded anywhere in over 80 years. There is an urgent need to assess its extinction risk status for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With so few known records, there is a possibility that Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. has been lost from the marine environment before any understanding could be gained of its full historic distribution, biology, ecosystem role, and importance in local fisheries.
Synonymy: Carcharhinus sp.: [Compagno, 1979]: 517, 520, 523, 536 (Borneo); [Compagno, 1988]: 319, 321, 327 (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand); [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1359, fig (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus porosus: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 71 (Borneo, Saigon, and Bangkok)
Carcharhinus undescribed small species: [Compagno, 1984]: 497 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus sp. (= ‘Carcharhinus porosus’): [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1322.
Carcharhinus sp. A: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 307, fig, pl. 62 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand); [Voigt et al., 2011]: 103, fig 50
Holotype: NMW 61463, female 433 mm TL, Bangkok, Thailand, no date or collector recorded.
Paratypes: ANSP 76859, female late-term embryo 339 mm TL, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dec. 1934, coll. H. Rutherfurd; ANSP 77121 (paratype of Carcharhinus tephrodes Fowler), female 370 mm TL, Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 1897, coll. A.C. Harrison Jr. & H.M. Hiller.
Diagnosis.: A small species of Carcharhinus with: a slender body and tail; no interdorsal ridge; head parabolic in dorsal view, relatively wide, interorbital space 11.2–12.0% TL; eyes relatively large, length 2.4–2.9% TL, 10.0–15.1 times in head length; no row of enlarged hyomandibular pores alongside each mouth corner; upper anterior teeth broadly triangular and serrated, with large and coarse (non-lobate) serrations basally; lower anterior teeth with narrower, mostly straight cusps; cusps of upper and lower anterolateral teeth with apical margin slightly recurved; no lateral cusplets; total tooth row counts 27–31/26–29; posterior edge of the mandibular plate with an elongate and crescentic indentation; second dorsal-fin origin well posterior of anal-fin origin, about opposite anal-fin midbase, second dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 1.3–2.5% TL, 0.3–0.6 times second dorsal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular, not falcate, origin about opposite first third of pectoral-fin inner margin length, free rear tip just anterior to pelvic-fin origins, length 1.7–1.9 times height, inner margin 1.9–2.5 in base; second dorsal fin much smaller than first, slightly smaller than anal fin; base 1.4–2.0 times height; height 22–31% of first dorsal-fin height; anal fin height 1.2–1.5 times second dorsal height, base 1.1–1.2 times second dorsal-fin base; total vertebral counts 114–120, monospondylous precaudal counts 36–40, diplospondylous precaudal counts 18–19, diplospondylous caudal counts 56–66, precaudal counts 54–58; no distinct black markings on fins.
....
Distribution: Uncertain; collection records indicate southern South China Sea (Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysian Borneo).
The distribution of Carcharhinus obsolerus is uncertain. Given that this species has not been seen in many decades, a better understanding of the distribution of this species is unlikely unless archaeological or paleontological records are found. While Baram in Sarawak is likely an accurate collection locality, both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City specimens may have been caught in other South-east Asian locations and brought into these cities where bigger markets exist. Thus, there is a possibility it had a much more restricted distribution than the three known specimens allude to, but it cannot be ruled out that it had a wider distribution in the South-east Asian region.
Etymology: The specific name is Latin for ‘extinct’ (obsolerus) in allusion to the fact that the species has not been recorded in many decades. Proposed English vernacular name: Lost Shark.
William T. White, Peter M. Kyne and Mark Harris. 2019. Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark Carcharhinus obsolerus from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records. PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0209387. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/1080544017845112832
===========================
Carcharhinus obsolerus
White, Kyne & Harris, 2019
Lost Shark || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387
Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au)
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks
Abstract
Carcharhinus obsolerus is described based on three specimens from Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam in the Western Central Pacific. It belongs to the porosus subgroup which is characterised by having the second dorsal-fin insertion opposite the anal-fin midbase. It most closely resembles C. borneensis but differs in tooth morphology and counts and a number of morphological characters, including lack of enlarged hyomandibular pores which are diagnostic of C. borneensis. The historic range of C. obsolerus sp. nov. is under intense fishing pressure and this species has not been recorded anywhere in over 80 years. There is an urgent need to assess its extinction risk status for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With so few known records, there is a possibility that Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. has been lost from the marine environment before any understanding could be gained of its full historic distribution, biology, ecosystem role, and importance in local fisheries.
Synonymy: Carcharhinus sp.: [Compagno, 1979]: 517, 520, 523, 536 (Borneo); [Compagno, 1988]: 319, 321, 327 (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand); [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1359, fig (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus porosus: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 71 (Borneo, Saigon, and Bangkok)
Carcharhinus undescribed small species: [Compagno, 1984]: 497 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus sp. (= ‘Carcharhinus porosus’): [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1322.
Carcharhinus sp. A: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 307, fig, pl. 62 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand); [Voigt et al., 2011]: 103, fig 50
Holotype: NMW 61463, female 433 mm TL, Bangkok, Thailand, no date or collector recorded.
Paratypes: ANSP 76859, female late-term embryo 339 mm TL, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dec. 1934, coll. H. Rutherfurd; ANSP 77121 (paratype of Carcharhinus tephrodes Fowler), female 370 mm TL, Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 1897, coll. A.C. Harrison Jr. & H.M. Hiller.
Diagnosis.: A small species of Carcharhinus with: a slender body and tail; no interdorsal ridge; head parabolic in dorsal view, relatively wide, interorbital space 11.2–12.0% TL; eyes relatively large, length 2.4–2.9% TL, 10.0–15.1 times in head length; no row of enlarged hyomandibular pores alongside each mouth corner; upper anterior teeth broadly triangular and serrated, with large and coarse (non-lobate) serrations basally; lower anterior teeth with narrower, mostly straight cusps; cusps of upper and lower anterolateral teeth with apical margin slightly recurved; no lateral cusplets; total tooth row counts 27–31/26–29; posterior edge of the mandibular plate with an elongate and crescentic indentation; second dorsal-fin origin well posterior of anal-fin origin, about opposite anal-fin midbase, second dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 1.3–2.5% TL, 0.3–0.6 times second dorsal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular, not falcate, origin about opposite first third of pectoral-fin inner margin length, free rear tip just anterior to pelvic-fin origins, length 1.7–1.9 times height, inner margin 1.9–2.5 in base; second dorsal fin much smaller than first, slightly smaller than anal fin; base 1.4–2.0 times height; height 22–31% of first dorsal-fin height; anal fin height 1.2–1.5 times second dorsal height, base 1.1–1.2 times second dorsal-fin base; total vertebral counts 114–120, monospondylous precaudal counts 36–40, diplospondylous precaudal counts 18–19, diplospondylous caudal counts 56–66, precaudal counts 54–58; no distinct black markings on fins.
....
Distribution: Uncertain; collection records indicate southern South China Sea (Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysian Borneo).
The distribution of Carcharhinus obsolerus is uncertain. Given that this species has not been seen in many decades, a better understanding of the distribution of this species is unlikely unless archaeological or paleontological records are found. While Baram in Sarawak is likely an accurate collection locality, both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City specimens may have been caught in other South-east Asian locations and brought into these cities where bigger markets exist. Thus, there is a possibility it had a much more restricted distribution than the three known specimens allude to, but it cannot be ruled out that it had a wider distribution in the South-east Asian region.
Etymology: The specific name is Latin for ‘extinct’ (obsolerus) in allusion to the fact that the species has not been recorded in many decades. Proposed English vernacular name: Lost Shark.
William T. White, Peter M. Kyne and Mark Harris. 2019. Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark Carcharhinus obsolerus from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records. PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0209387. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387
twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/1080544017845112832
===========================
Channa royi • A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Andaman Islands, India Andaman Islands, India
Channa royi Praveenraj & Knight
in Praveenraj, Knight, Kiruba-Sankar, et al., 2018.
Andaman Emerald Snakehead || DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121
ABSTRACT
A new species of snakehead fish Channa royi sp. nov., has been described based on 21 specimens collected from the South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India. It is distinguished from all its congeners by a greenish-grey dorsum, pale brown to black pectoral fin with 2-3 inconspicuous semicircular bands, a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background on upper half of the body, 42-45 pored lateral-line scales, 12-13 branched caudal rays, 6-7 pre-dorsal scales, 43 vertebrae, two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, an outer row of numerous minute slender, pointed teeth and single inner row of large uniform sized teeth without any large canine like teeth on the anterior fourth of the lower jaw. Phylogenetically C. royi sp. nov. is closely related to C. harcourtbutleri, with a genetic distance (K2-P) of 2.4-2.8%, but morphologically differs in having greater inter-orbital width, fewer pelvic-fin rays (5 vs. 5-7, mode 6); fewer caudal-fin rays (ii- i, 10-12, i-ii vs. ii, 15, ii); more pre-dorsal scales (6-7 vs. 4) and fewer mid row lateral-line scales (9-13 vs. 15-16). Though Channa royi sp. nov. is a part of C. gachua species-group, it differs from the topotypic C. gachua from Bengal with higher pair-wise sequence distance of 19.5-20.9%.
Keywords: Andaman Islands, Channa gachua, Channa limbata, Channa royi sp. nov., Channidae, Snakeheads
Channa royi sp. nov. (a) Adult, 190.5 mm SL, showing black pectoral fin, uncatalogued,
(b) Adult, 165.1 mm, showing pale grey pectoral fin, uncatalogued.
(both maintained in aquarium) (Photos: J. Praveenraj)
Channa royi sp. nov. (a). holotype prior to preservation (ZSI/ANRC-12467),
(b). Juvenile specimen, uncatalogued, 44.6 mm SL.
(Photos: J. D. M. Knight)
Channa royi, sp. nov. Praveenraj & Knight
Common name: Andaman Emerald Snakehead
Diagnosis: Channa royi sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus Channa belonging to the Channa gachua species-group by a combination of following characters: unique greenish-grey dorsum; upper half of body with a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background; throat with marbled pattern; 34-38 dorsal-fin rays; 22-25 anal-fin rays; 42-45 pored scales on body; 1-3 scales on caudal fin base; 3½ scales above lateral line and 6½ scales below lateral line; 6-7 pre-dorsal scales; 43 vertebrae; two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, single outer row of numerous minute slender pointed teeth and single inner row of enlarged uniform teeth without any large canine like teeth on anterior-fourth of the lower jaw; two rows of teeth on palatine; outer row with numerous minute sharp slender teeth and inner row with 4 to 6 large canine like teeth and pectoral fins pale brown to black in adults with 2-3 pale grey to black inconspicuous semicircular bands.
....
Etymology: The species is named after Dr. S. Dam Roy, in appreciation for his immense encouragement and support for the exploration of the freshwater fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species name is formed as a noun in the masculine genitive singular. The common name ‘Andaman emerald snakehead’ is given considering its unique greenish dorsum.
Distribution: Channa royi sp. nov. is currently known only from South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India and is abundant in ditches, ponds and hill streams of the sampled locations. The holotype was collected from clear, slow flowing water with cobble substrate without much aquatic vegetation.
J. Praveenraj, J. D. M. Knight, R. Kiruba-Sankar, Beni Halalludin, J. J. A. Raymond and V. R. Thakur. 2018. Channa royi (Teleostei: Channidae): A New Species of Snakehead from Andaman Islands, India. Indian J. Fish. 65(4); 1-14. DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121/posts/2145263872178618
==========================
Channa royi Praveenraj & Knight
in Praveenraj, Knight, Kiruba-Sankar, et al., 2018.
Andaman Emerald Snakehead || DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121
ABSTRACT
A new species of snakehead fish Channa royi sp. nov., has been described based on 21 specimens collected from the South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India. It is distinguished from all its congeners by a greenish-grey dorsum, pale brown to black pectoral fin with 2-3 inconspicuous semicircular bands, a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background on upper half of the body, 42-45 pored lateral-line scales, 12-13 branched caudal rays, 6-7 pre-dorsal scales, 43 vertebrae, two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, an outer row of numerous minute slender, pointed teeth and single inner row of large uniform sized teeth without any large canine like teeth on the anterior fourth of the lower jaw. Phylogenetically C. royi sp. nov. is closely related to C. harcourtbutleri, with a genetic distance (K2-P) of 2.4-2.8%, but morphologically differs in having greater inter-orbital width, fewer pelvic-fin rays (5 vs. 5-7, mode 6); fewer caudal-fin rays (ii- i, 10-12, i-ii vs. ii, 15, ii); more pre-dorsal scales (6-7 vs. 4) and fewer mid row lateral-line scales (9-13 vs. 15-16). Though Channa royi sp. nov. is a part of C. gachua species-group, it differs from the topotypic C. gachua from Bengal with higher pair-wise sequence distance of 19.5-20.9%.
Keywords: Andaman Islands, Channa gachua, Channa limbata, Channa royi sp. nov., Channidae, Snakeheads
Channa royi sp. nov. (a) Adult, 190.5 mm SL, showing black pectoral fin, uncatalogued,
(b) Adult, 165.1 mm, showing pale grey pectoral fin, uncatalogued.
(both maintained in aquarium) (Photos: J. Praveenraj)
Channa royi sp. nov. (a). holotype prior to preservation (ZSI/ANRC-12467),
(b). Juvenile specimen, uncatalogued, 44.6 mm SL.
(Photos: J. D. M. Knight)
Channa royi, sp. nov. Praveenraj & Knight
Common name: Andaman Emerald Snakehead
Diagnosis: Channa royi sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus Channa belonging to the Channa gachua species-group by a combination of following characters: unique greenish-grey dorsum; upper half of body with a series of 7-9 obliquely-arranged, saddle-like, dark olive to grey oblique streaks on green background; throat with marbled pattern; 34-38 dorsal-fin rays; 22-25 anal-fin rays; 42-45 pored scales on body; 1-3 scales on caudal fin base; 3½ scales above lateral line and 6½ scales below lateral line; 6-7 pre-dorsal scales; 43 vertebrae; two rows of teeth on the lower jaw, single outer row of numerous minute slender pointed teeth and single inner row of enlarged uniform teeth without any large canine like teeth on anterior-fourth of the lower jaw; two rows of teeth on palatine; outer row with numerous minute sharp slender teeth and inner row with 4 to 6 large canine like teeth and pectoral fins pale brown to black in adults with 2-3 pale grey to black inconspicuous semicircular bands.
....
Etymology: The species is named after Dr. S. Dam Roy, in appreciation for his immense encouragement and support for the exploration of the freshwater fishes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species name is formed as a noun in the masculine genitive singular. The common name ‘Andaman emerald snakehead’ is given considering its unique greenish dorsum.
Distribution: Channa royi sp. nov. is currently known only from South, Middle and North Andaman Islands, India and is abundant in ditches, ponds and hill streams of the sampled locations. The holotype was collected from clear, slow flowing water with cobble substrate without much aquatic vegetation.
J. Praveenraj, J. D. M. Knight, R. Kiruba-Sankar, Beni Halalludin, J. J. A. Raymond and V. R. Thakur. 2018. Channa royi (Teleostei: Channidae): A New Species of Snakehead from Andaman Islands, India. Indian J. Fish. 65(4); 1-14. DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.72827-01
facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121/posts/2145263872178618
==========================
Rasboroides vaterifloris & P. pallidus • Undocumented Translocations Spawn Taxonomic Inflation in Sri Lankan Fire Rasboras (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)
(A–D) Rasboroides vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930
(E–J) Rasboroides pallidus Deraniyagala, 1958
in Sudasinghe, Herath, Pethiyagoda & Meegaskumbura, 2018.
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6084
Abstract
A recent (2013) taxonomic review of the freshwater-fish genus Rasboroides, which is endemic to Sri Lanka, showed it to comprise four species: R. vaterifloris, R. nigromarginatus, R. pallidus and R. rohani. Here, using an integrative-taxonomic analysis of morphometry, meristics and mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (coi), we show that R. nigromarginatus is a synonym of R. vaterifloris, and that R. rohani is a synonym of R. pallidus. The creation and recognition of unnecessary taxa (‘taxonomic inflation’) was in this case a result of selective sampling confounded by a disregard of allometry. The population referred to R. rohani in the Walawe river basin represents an undocumented trans-basin translocation of R. pallidus, and a translocation into the Mahaweli river of R. vaterifloris, documented to have occurred ca 1980, in fact involves R. pallidus. A shared haplotype suggests the latter introduction was likely made from the Bentara river basin and not from the Kelani, as claimed. To stabilize the taxonomy of these fishes, the two valid species, R. vaterifloris and R. pallidus, are diagnosed and redescribed, and their distributions delineated. We draw attention to the wasteful diversion of conservation resources to populations resulting from undocumented translocations and to taxa resulting from taxonomic inflation. We argue against translocations except where mandated by a conservation emergency, and even then, only when supported by accurate documentation.
Figure 4: Live color pattern variation in A–D, Rasboroides vaterifloris; E–J, R. pallidus.
(A) topotypes of R. vaterifloris, Kalu basin, Gilimale; (B–D) topotypes of population identified as R. nigromarginatus by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Kalu basin, Athwelthota; (E) Bentara basin, Pitigala; (F) topotypes of population identified as R. rohani by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Walawe basin, Suriyakanda; (G) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (H) Gin basin, Udugama; (I) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (J) Bentara basin, Pitigala. (A, B, D, E, F, G, H) males; (C, I, J) females. Specimens not collected.
Live color pattern variation in Rasboroides vaterifloris.
(A) topotypes of R. vaterifloris, Kalu basin, Gilimale; (B–D) topotypes of population identified as R. nigromarginatus by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Kalu basin, Athwelthota.
(A, B, D) males; (C) females. Specimens not collected.
Rasboroides vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930
Rasbora vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930: 129
Rasbora nigromarginata Meinken, 1957: 65–68
Rasbora vaterifloris var. nigromarginatus Deraniyagala, 1958: 137
Rasboroides nigromarginatus (Meinken, 1957): Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe, 2013
Diagnosis. Males of Rasboroides vaterifloris can be distinguished from males of R. pallidus by having the unbranched rays of dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fins black along their entire length, more distinctly evident in the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin (vs. the mentioned rays being the same color as other rays; in preserved specimens, interradial membranes of dorsal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins with distinct, scattered melanophores (vs. absent or vaguely present only around the beginning). Females of R. vaterifloris have a lesser body depth (27.2–31.9% SL vs. 31.7–35.5) than those of R. pallidus.
Live color pattern variation in Rasboroides pallidus. (E) Bentara basin, Pitigala; (F) topotypes of population identified as R. rohani by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Walawe basin, Suriyakanda; (G) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (H) Gin basin, Udugama; (I) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (J) Bentara basin, Pitigala.
(E, F, G, H) males; (I, J) females. Specimens not collected.
Rasboroides pallidus Deraniyagala, 1958
Rasbora vaterifloris pallida Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasbora vaterifloris ruber Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasbora vaterifloris rubioculis Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasboroides rohani Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe, 2013
Diagnosis. The males of Rasboroides pallidus can be distinguished from the males of R. vaterifloris by having the unbranched rays of dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fins the same color as other branched rays (vs. black along their entire length); in preserved specimens, interradial membranes of dorsal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins without distinct scattered melanophores throughout or with only minute, vague melanophores only around the beginning (vs. melanophores distinctly present). The females of R. pallidus have greater body depth (31.7–35.5% SL vs. 27.2–31.9) than females of R. vaterifloris.
Conclusion:
As a freshwater-fish genus endemic to Sri Lanka and restricted largely to streams draining the island’s dwindling rainforest estate, Rasboroides attracts considerable conservation attention. The National Red List (MOE, 2012) treats ‘R. nigromarginatus’ as Critically Endangered and R. vaterifloris as Endangered. The synonymy of these two nominal species demonstrated here allows their ranges to be combined, widening their extent of occurrence and area of occupancy and hence potentially lowering the threat-status of R. vaterifloris. Although ‘R. rohani’ has not as yet been assessed for conservation purposes, its restriction to a small population at a single locality would almost certainly have caused it to be ranked as Critically Endangered. Given that we show here that it represents only an undocumented translocation of R. pallidus, its population is now only of marginal conservation concern. Indeed, of the two valid species of Rasboroides, R. pallidus enjoys the wider range and hence warrants less conservation concern, especially given its successful translocation to two river basins (Mahaweli and Walawe) in which it did not previously occur.
In describing ‘R. rohani’ as a new species, Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013) were misled by apparently collecting only the largest specimens for their sample while neglecting to account for allometric growth. It is additionally regrettable that the type series of ‘R. rohani’ designated by these authors cannot be identified in the collection of the National Museum of Sri Lanka, in which it was stated to be deposited.
Both translocations referred to in this paper were made by well-meaning citizens but without the safeguards that should apply in such cases. Perhaps most egregiously, no records were published of the rationale for translocation or the precise identity and origin of the source population. We urge that any future attempts to introduce species to novel habitats be guided by IUCN/SSC (2013) and that the intentional release or introduction of species without legal sanction be prohibited in Sri Lanka.
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Jayampathi Herath, Rohan Pethiyagoda and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2018. Undocumented Translocations Spawn Taxonomic Inflation in Sri Lankan Fire Rasboras (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae). PeerJ. 6:e6084. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6084
==========================
(A–D) Rasboroides vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930
(E–J) Rasboroides pallidus Deraniyagala, 1958
in Sudasinghe, Herath, Pethiyagoda & Meegaskumbura, 2018.
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6084
Abstract
A recent (2013) taxonomic review of the freshwater-fish genus Rasboroides, which is endemic to Sri Lanka, showed it to comprise four species: R. vaterifloris, R. nigromarginatus, R. pallidus and R. rohani. Here, using an integrative-taxonomic analysis of morphometry, meristics and mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (coi), we show that R. nigromarginatus is a synonym of R. vaterifloris, and that R. rohani is a synonym of R. pallidus. The creation and recognition of unnecessary taxa (‘taxonomic inflation’) was in this case a result of selective sampling confounded by a disregard of allometry. The population referred to R. rohani in the Walawe river basin represents an undocumented trans-basin translocation of R. pallidus, and a translocation into the Mahaweli river of R. vaterifloris, documented to have occurred ca 1980, in fact involves R. pallidus. A shared haplotype suggests the latter introduction was likely made from the Bentara river basin and not from the Kelani, as claimed. To stabilize the taxonomy of these fishes, the two valid species, R. vaterifloris and R. pallidus, are diagnosed and redescribed, and their distributions delineated. We draw attention to the wasteful diversion of conservation resources to populations resulting from undocumented translocations and to taxa resulting from taxonomic inflation. We argue against translocations except where mandated by a conservation emergency, and even then, only when supported by accurate documentation.
Figure 4: Live color pattern variation in A–D, Rasboroides vaterifloris; E–J, R. pallidus.
(A) topotypes of R. vaterifloris, Kalu basin, Gilimale; (B–D) topotypes of population identified as R. nigromarginatus by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Kalu basin, Athwelthota; (E) Bentara basin, Pitigala; (F) topotypes of population identified as R. rohani by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Walawe basin, Suriyakanda; (G) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (H) Gin basin, Udugama; (I) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (J) Bentara basin, Pitigala. (A, B, D, E, F, G, H) males; (C, I, J) females. Specimens not collected.
Live color pattern variation in Rasboroides vaterifloris.
(A) topotypes of R. vaterifloris, Kalu basin, Gilimale; (B–D) topotypes of population identified as R. nigromarginatus by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Kalu basin, Athwelthota.
(A, B, D) males; (C) females. Specimens not collected.
Rasboroides vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930
Rasbora vaterifloris Deraniyagala, 1930: 129
Rasbora nigromarginata Meinken, 1957: 65–68
Rasbora vaterifloris var. nigromarginatus Deraniyagala, 1958: 137
Rasboroides nigromarginatus (Meinken, 1957): Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe, 2013
Diagnosis. Males of Rasboroides vaterifloris can be distinguished from males of R. pallidus by having the unbranched rays of dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fins black along their entire length, more distinctly evident in the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin (vs. the mentioned rays being the same color as other rays; in preserved specimens, interradial membranes of dorsal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins with distinct, scattered melanophores (vs. absent or vaguely present only around the beginning). Females of R. vaterifloris have a lesser body depth (27.2–31.9% SL vs. 31.7–35.5) than those of R. pallidus.
Live color pattern variation in Rasboroides pallidus. (E) Bentara basin, Pitigala; (F) topotypes of population identified as R. rohani by Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013), Walawe basin, Suriyakanda; (G) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (H) Gin basin, Udugama; (I) Bentara basin, Yagirala; (J) Bentara basin, Pitigala.
(E, F, G, H) males; (I, J) females. Specimens not collected.
Rasboroides pallidus Deraniyagala, 1958
Rasbora vaterifloris pallida Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasbora vaterifloris ruber Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasbora vaterifloris rubioculis Deraniyagala, 1958: 136.
Rasboroides rohani Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe, 2013
Diagnosis. The males of Rasboroides pallidus can be distinguished from the males of R. vaterifloris by having the unbranched rays of dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fins the same color as other branched rays (vs. black along their entire length); in preserved specimens, interradial membranes of dorsal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins without distinct scattered melanophores throughout or with only minute, vague melanophores only around the beginning (vs. melanophores distinctly present). The females of R. pallidus have greater body depth (31.7–35.5% SL vs. 27.2–31.9) than females of R. vaterifloris.
Conclusion:
As a freshwater-fish genus endemic to Sri Lanka and restricted largely to streams draining the island’s dwindling rainforest estate, Rasboroides attracts considerable conservation attention. The National Red List (MOE, 2012) treats ‘R. nigromarginatus’ as Critically Endangered and R. vaterifloris as Endangered. The synonymy of these two nominal species demonstrated here allows their ranges to be combined, widening their extent of occurrence and area of occupancy and hence potentially lowering the threat-status of R. vaterifloris. Although ‘R. rohani’ has not as yet been assessed for conservation purposes, its restriction to a small population at a single locality would almost certainly have caused it to be ranked as Critically Endangered. Given that we show here that it represents only an undocumented translocation of R. pallidus, its population is now only of marginal conservation concern. Indeed, of the two valid species of Rasboroides, R. pallidus enjoys the wider range and hence warrants less conservation concern, especially given its successful translocation to two river basins (Mahaweli and Walawe) in which it did not previously occur.
In describing ‘R. rohani’ as a new species, Batuwita, De Silva & Edirisinghe (2013) were misled by apparently collecting only the largest specimens for their sample while neglecting to account for allometric growth. It is additionally regrettable that the type series of ‘R. rohani’ designated by these authors cannot be identified in the collection of the National Museum of Sri Lanka, in which it was stated to be deposited.
Both translocations referred to in this paper were made by well-meaning citizens but without the safeguards that should apply in such cases. Perhaps most egregiously, no records were published of the rationale for translocation or the precise identity and origin of the source population. We urge that any future attempts to introduce species to novel habitats be guided by IUCN/SSC (2013) and that the intentional release or introduction of species without legal sanction be prohibited in Sri Lanka.
Hiranya Sudasinghe, Jayampathi Herath, Rohan Pethiyagoda and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2018. Undocumented Translocations Spawn Taxonomic Inflation in Sri Lankan Fire Rasboras (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae). PeerJ. 6:e6084. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6084
==========================
This is an invitation for everyone if you love plecos and other rare fish you will love this.
https://m.facebook.com/events/678179022578153/?ref=bookmarks
==========================
https://m.facebook.com/events/678179022578153/?ref=bookmarks
==========================
Trispot Darter Fish ( Etheostoma trisella) Gains Endangered Species Act Protection in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee
181 River Miles Proposed as Critical Habitat for Endangered Fish
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— In response to a petition and litigation from conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized protection for the trispot darter fish under the Endangered Species Act. More than 180 miles of river were also proposed for protection as critical habitat for this fish.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Alabama Rivers Alliance and allies petitioned for trispot darter protection in 2010.
“Protecting the trispot darter under the Endangered Species Act will safeguard this colorful little fish for future generations and help protect water quality for nearby communities,” said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center.
The trispot darter has been lost from 80 percent of its range. It was thought to be extinct in Alabama for more than 50 years until it was found in Little Canoe Creek in 2008.
The fish is found in the Coosa River watershed in northern Alabama, northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. It also survives in the Conasauga River watershed, above the confluence with the Coosawattee River in Georgia and Tennessee.
The trispot darter is unique from other darters because it acts like a tiny salmon, migrating upstream annually from the larger river habitat where it spends most of its life to small tributaries and seeps to spawn. Culverts, dams and other modifications can block its passage.
The trispot darter is threatened by urban sprawl, since stormwater runoff from development degrades the water quality it needs to survive. It is also threatened by runoff from logging and agriculture, and by dams and drought. The fish’s habitat becomes unsuitable when silt and sediment fills in the spaces between rocks, burying the spaces they need for shelter and egg-laying.
Of the four waterways where it survives — Little Canoe Creek Basin, Ballplay Creek Basin, Conasauga River Basin and Coosawattee River Basin — only the Little Canoe Creek is considered to be moderately healthy. The other three populations are in poor condition.
The proposed critical habitat is in Big Canoe, Ballplay, Mill and Coahulla creeks, and in the Conasauga and Coosawattae rivers in Etowah, Cherokee, Calhoun, St. Clair, Whitfield, Murray, Polk, Bradley and Murray counties. Critical habitat designation requires managers of any federal project to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to make sure the darter’s habitat is not harmed.
Background
The trispot darter was first identified as needing federal protection in 1982. The Center sued the Service in 2015 to get a legally binding date for a decision on its protection.
The trispot darter grows to about 1.5 inches long and eats midge-fly larvae. It is eaten, in turn, by black bass and other large fish prized by anglers.
Freshwater species are being lost to extinction at 1,000 times the natural background extinction rate because of dams, pollution, climate change and the ever-increasing use of water to meet the demands of human population growth.
The Southeast is home to more kinds of freshwater animals than anywhere else in the country, but the region has recently lost more than 50 freshwater animals to extinction.
==========================
181 River Miles Proposed as Critical Habitat for Endangered Fish
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— In response to a petition and litigation from conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today finalized protection for the trispot darter fish under the Endangered Species Act. More than 180 miles of river were also proposed for protection as critical habitat for this fish.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Alabama Rivers Alliance and allies petitioned for trispot darter protection in 2010.
“Protecting the trispot darter under the Endangered Species Act will safeguard this colorful little fish for future generations and help protect water quality for nearby communities,” said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center.
The trispot darter has been lost from 80 percent of its range. It was thought to be extinct in Alabama for more than 50 years until it was found in Little Canoe Creek in 2008.
The fish is found in the Coosa River watershed in northern Alabama, northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. It also survives in the Conasauga River watershed, above the confluence with the Coosawattee River in Georgia and Tennessee.
The trispot darter is unique from other darters because it acts like a tiny salmon, migrating upstream annually from the larger river habitat where it spends most of its life to small tributaries and seeps to spawn. Culverts, dams and other modifications can block its passage.
The trispot darter is threatened by urban sprawl, since stormwater runoff from development degrades the water quality it needs to survive. It is also threatened by runoff from logging and agriculture, and by dams and drought. The fish’s habitat becomes unsuitable when silt and sediment fills in the spaces between rocks, burying the spaces they need for shelter and egg-laying.
Of the four waterways where it survives — Little Canoe Creek Basin, Ballplay Creek Basin, Conasauga River Basin and Coosawattee River Basin — only the Little Canoe Creek is considered to be moderately healthy. The other three populations are in poor condition.
The proposed critical habitat is in Big Canoe, Ballplay, Mill and Coahulla creeks, and in the Conasauga and Coosawattae rivers in Etowah, Cherokee, Calhoun, St. Clair, Whitfield, Murray, Polk, Bradley and Murray counties. Critical habitat designation requires managers of any federal project to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to make sure the darter’s habitat is not harmed.
Background
The trispot darter was first identified as needing federal protection in 1982. The Center sued the Service in 2015 to get a legally binding date for a decision on its protection.
The trispot darter grows to about 1.5 inches long and eats midge-fly larvae. It is eaten, in turn, by black bass and other large fish prized by anglers.
Freshwater species are being lost to extinction at 1,000 times the natural background extinction rate because of dams, pollution, climate change and the ever-increasing use of water to meet the demands of human population growth.
The Southeast is home to more kinds of freshwater animals than anywhere else in the country, but the region has recently lost more than 50 freshwater animals to extinction.
==========================
Lipogramma idabeli, a Gorgeous New Species of Deepwater Basslet
00Lipogramma idabeli is a gorgeous and unexpected new species of basslet recently described from Honduras. Like similar species of Lipogramma, L. idabelli was collected at the abyssal depths of 125 to 150 meters, or between 410 to 492 feet deep.
Lipogramma idabeli is quite a small fish growing to just barely an inch long at 26 mm total length but what it lacks in size it makes up for in color. The Lipogramma basslets have interesting sometimes muted coloration but Lipogramma idabeli is blessed with beautiful blue and gold coloration.
The body of the Idabel basslet is mostly yellow with translucent fins and a bright patch of irridescent blue on the head and nape. The eyes are bright blue and there is a well defined black ocellus in the middle of the blue patch, with a more subtle smaller one at the base of the posterior dorsal fin.
The newly discovered Lipogramma idabeli is described by Tornabene, Robertson & Baldwin and brings the total number of described species in the genus to 13 following a few inductees to Lipogramma earlier this year.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
00Lipogramma idabeli is a gorgeous and unexpected new species of basslet recently described from Honduras. Like similar species of Lipogramma, L. idabelli was collected at the abyssal depths of 125 to 150 meters, or between 410 to 492 feet deep.
Lipogramma idabeli is quite a small fish growing to just barely an inch long at 26 mm total length but what it lacks in size it makes up for in color. The Lipogramma basslets have interesting sometimes muted coloration but Lipogramma idabeli is blessed with beautiful blue and gold coloration.
The body of the Idabel basslet is mostly yellow with translucent fins and a bright patch of irridescent blue on the head and nape. The eyes are bright blue and there is a well defined black ocellus in the middle of the blue patch, with a more subtle smaller one at the base of the posterior dorsal fin.
The newly discovered Lipogramma idabeli is described by Tornabene, Robertson & Baldwin and brings the total number of described species in the genus to 13 following a few inductees to Lipogramma earlier this year.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Using Morphology to Test DNA-Based Phylogenetic Relationships within the Guiana Shield Catfish Tribe Lithoxini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)
Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL).
in Armbruster, Greene & Lujan, 2018.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121
Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster. facebook.com/JonArmbruster56
As DNA-based phylogenetic analyses have exploded, historically phenotype-based evolutionary hypotheses throughout the tree of life have been rewritten. However, rarely are DNA-based phylogenetic hypotheses tested via the reanalysis of phenotypic data. Skeletons representing all four recognized genera of the Guiana Shield endemic suckermouth armored catfish clade Lithoxini were examined to test a recently published DNA-based phylogenetic hypothesis using morphological evidence. Phylogenetic analysis of 54 mostly osteological characters yielded a single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps that was congruent with the molecular hypothesis: (Avalithoxus, ((Exastilithoxus), (Lithoxus, Paralithoxus))). Lithoxini was a well-supported clade with 20 synapomorphies, as was each of the genera within this clade. Avalithoxus jantjae, which was originally described in Lithoxus, was found to be missing the unique synapomorphies of Lithoxus + Paralithoxus: a spoon-shaped, ventrally oriented process on the metapterygoid and a process on the preoperculo-hyomandibular ridge.
. Single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps, CI ¼ 0.722, numbers above branches are bootstrap values/Bremer decay indices. Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL).
Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster.
Jonathan W. Armbruster, Lauren Greene and Nathan K. Lujan. 2018. Using Morphology to Test DNA-Based Phylogenetic Relationships within the Guiana Shield Catfish Tribe Lithoxini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copeia. 106(4); 671-680. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121
facebook.com/JonArmbruster56/posts/10156933381357138
==========================
Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL).
in Armbruster, Greene & Lujan, 2018.
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121
Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster. facebook.com/JonArmbruster56
As DNA-based phylogenetic analyses have exploded, historically phenotype-based evolutionary hypotheses throughout the tree of life have been rewritten. However, rarely are DNA-based phylogenetic hypotheses tested via the reanalysis of phenotypic data. Skeletons representing all four recognized genera of the Guiana Shield endemic suckermouth armored catfish clade Lithoxini were examined to test a recently published DNA-based phylogenetic hypothesis using morphological evidence. Phylogenetic analysis of 54 mostly osteological characters yielded a single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps that was congruent with the molecular hypothesis: (Avalithoxus, ((Exastilithoxus), (Lithoxus, Paralithoxus))). Lithoxini was a well-supported clade with 20 synapomorphies, as was each of the genera within this clade. Avalithoxus jantjae, which was originally described in Lithoxus, was found to be missing the unique synapomorphies of Lithoxus + Paralithoxus: a spoon-shaped, ventrally oriented process on the metapterygoid and a process on the preoperculo-hyomandibular ridge.
. Single most parsimonious tree of 90 steps, CI ¼ 0.722, numbers above branches are bootstrap values/Bremer decay indices. Avalithoxus jantjae AUM 39478 (31.9 mm SL), Exastilithoxus fimbriatus AUM 36668 (23.6 mm SL), Lithoxus lithoides AUM 39040 (43.0 mm SL), Paralithoxus bovallii AUM 67127 (51.7 mm SL), P. sp. nov. aff. bovallii (Konawaruk) AUM 35549 (42.6 mm SL), P. planquettei AUM 50395 (47.0 mm SL), and P. surinamensis AUM 51737 (34.7 mm SL).
Photos by Jonathan W. Armbruster.
Jonathan W. Armbruster, Lauren Greene and Nathan K. Lujan. 2018. Using Morphology to Test DNA-Based Phylogenetic Relationships within the Guiana Shield Catfish Tribe Lithoxini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copeia. 106(4); 671-680. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-121
facebook.com/JonArmbruster56/posts/10156933381357138
==========================
Bythaelurus stewarti • A New Microendemic Species of the Deep-water Catshark Genus Bythaelurus (Carcharhiniformes, Pentanchidae) from the northwestern Indian Ocean, with Investigations of Its Feeding Ecology, Generic Review and Identification Key
Bythaelurus stewarti
Weigmann, Kaschner & Thiel, 2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207887
Abstract
A new deep-water catshark, Bythaelurus stewarti, is described based on 121 examined specimens caught on the Error Seamount (Mount Error Guyot) in the northwestern Indian Ocean. The new species differs from all congeners in the restricted distribution, a higher spiral valve turn count and in the morphology of the dermal denticles. It is distinguished from its morphologically and geographically closest congener, B. hispidus (Alcock), by the larger size (maximum size 44 vs. 39 cm TL, maturity size of males 35–39 vs. 21–28 cm TL), darker fresh coloration and dark grayish-brown mottling of the ventral head (vs. ventral head typically uniformly yellowish or whitish). Furthermore, it has a strongly different morphology of dermal denticles, in particular smaller and less elongate branchial, trunk and lateral caudal denticles that are set much less densely and have a surface that is very strongly and fully structured by reticulations (vs. structured by reticulations only in basal fourth). In addition, the new species differs from B. hispidus in having more slender claspers that are gradually narrowing to the bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex (vs. claspers broader and with distinct knob-like apex), more spiral valve turns (11–12 vs. 8–10) and numerous statistical differences in morphometrics. A review of and a key to the species of Bythaelurus are given.
Fig Bythaelurus stewarti n. sp., holotype, ZMH 26251, adult male, 425 mm TL, in (A) lateral, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views. Scale bar: 5 cm.
Diagnosis: A medium-sized Bythaelurus species with the following characteristics: body firm and slender; snout long (preorbital length 4.9–7.4% TL) and broad, bell-shaped in dorsoventral view with distinct lateral indention; pre-outer nostril length 0.6–1.4 times internarial space; preorbital snout length 0.7–1.1 times interorbital space; preoral snout length 0.8–1.7 times in mouth width; eye length 10.2–15.5 times in predorsal distance, 4.9–7.7 times in head length and 1.2–2.3 times eye height; head length 2.2–2.6 times width at level of maximum outer extent of anterior nostrils; head width at level of maximum outer extent of anterior nostrils 1.1–1.3 times width at level of lateral indention of head, 1.2–1.6 times preorbital length, and 8.1–10.1% TL; tongue and roof of mouth densely set with knob-like oral papillae; pelvic-fin anterior margin 1.6–3.5 times in pectoral-fin anterior margin; first dorsal-fin base 1.3–2.3 times in interdorsal space; length of second dorsal-fin inner margin 0.8–2.3 times in second dorsal-fin height; second dorsal-fin base length 5.1–8.9% TL; anal-fin base 0.7–1.9 times interdorsal space. Coloration: dorsally dark grayish-brown with rather indistinct dark blotches at nape, on flank, below both dorsal fins, and across caudal fin; ventral side grayish-white, usually with dark grayish-brown mottling on head. Upper jaw with 64–85 and lower jaw with 64–88 rows of small tricuspidate teeth with outer surface of crown furrowed by strong longitudinal ridges and strongly structured by reticulations; monospondylous trunk vertebrae centra 37–42, diplospondylous precaudal centra 37–45, total centra 125–140. Branchial, trunk and lateral caudal-fin dermal denticles loosely set, their surface very strongly and fully structured by reticulations. Claspers rather long and very slender, gradually narrowing to bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex, inner margin length 10.1–11.3% TL, base width 1.4–1.5% TL; clasper hooks present along inner edge of large exorhipidion, large envelope overlapping part of clasper groove, inner lobe with rhipidion, cover rhipidion, pseudopera and pseudosiphon. The reproductive mode is yolk-sac viviparous. Bythaelurus stewarti n. sp. differs from all congeners in the distribution, which is apparently restricted to the Error Seamount. It further differs from all congeners in a higher spiral valve turn count (11–12 vs. 6–10) and in the morphology of branchial, trunk and lateral caudal-fin dermal denticles, which are loosely-spaced and not overlapping even in adult specimens of the new species, whereas they are closely-set and overlapping in all other Bythaelurus species. Compared to its morphologically and geographically closest congener, the new species further differs in a larger size, a ventral head with dark mottling, claspers that gradually narrow to the bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex, and a surface of dermal denticles that is very strongly and fully structured by reticulations.
Distribution: The new species is known only from the Error Seamount (Mount Error Guyot) in 380–420 m depth (see map in the Discussion section). It is apparently a microendemic species restricted to this isolated Seamount.
Etymology: The new species is named after the late filmmaker and shark conservationistRob Stewart, who inspired the second author and stimulated her interest in sharks.
Simon Weigmann, Carina Julia Kaschner and Ralf Thiel. 2018. A New Microendemic Species of the Deep-water Catshark Genus Bythaelurus (Carcharhiniformes, Pentanchidae) from the northwestern Indian Ocean, with Investigations of Its Feeding Ecology, Generic Review and Identification Key. PLoS ONE. 13(12): e0207887. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207887
==========================
Bythaelurus stewarti
Weigmann, Kaschner & Thiel, 2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207887
Abstract
A new deep-water catshark, Bythaelurus stewarti, is described based on 121 examined specimens caught on the Error Seamount (Mount Error Guyot) in the northwestern Indian Ocean. The new species differs from all congeners in the restricted distribution, a higher spiral valve turn count and in the morphology of the dermal denticles. It is distinguished from its morphologically and geographically closest congener, B. hispidus (Alcock), by the larger size (maximum size 44 vs. 39 cm TL, maturity size of males 35–39 vs. 21–28 cm TL), darker fresh coloration and dark grayish-brown mottling of the ventral head (vs. ventral head typically uniformly yellowish or whitish). Furthermore, it has a strongly different morphology of dermal denticles, in particular smaller and less elongate branchial, trunk and lateral caudal denticles that are set much less densely and have a surface that is very strongly and fully structured by reticulations (vs. structured by reticulations only in basal fourth). In addition, the new species differs from B. hispidus in having more slender claspers that are gradually narrowing to the bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex (vs. claspers broader and with distinct knob-like apex), more spiral valve turns (11–12 vs. 8–10) and numerous statistical differences in morphometrics. A review of and a key to the species of Bythaelurus are given.
Fig Bythaelurus stewarti n. sp., holotype, ZMH 26251, adult male, 425 mm TL, in (A) lateral, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views. Scale bar: 5 cm.
Diagnosis: A medium-sized Bythaelurus species with the following characteristics: body firm and slender; snout long (preorbital length 4.9–7.4% TL) and broad, bell-shaped in dorsoventral view with distinct lateral indention; pre-outer nostril length 0.6–1.4 times internarial space; preorbital snout length 0.7–1.1 times interorbital space; preoral snout length 0.8–1.7 times in mouth width; eye length 10.2–15.5 times in predorsal distance, 4.9–7.7 times in head length and 1.2–2.3 times eye height; head length 2.2–2.6 times width at level of maximum outer extent of anterior nostrils; head width at level of maximum outer extent of anterior nostrils 1.1–1.3 times width at level of lateral indention of head, 1.2–1.6 times preorbital length, and 8.1–10.1% TL; tongue and roof of mouth densely set with knob-like oral papillae; pelvic-fin anterior margin 1.6–3.5 times in pectoral-fin anterior margin; first dorsal-fin base 1.3–2.3 times in interdorsal space; length of second dorsal-fin inner margin 0.8–2.3 times in second dorsal-fin height; second dorsal-fin base length 5.1–8.9% TL; anal-fin base 0.7–1.9 times interdorsal space. Coloration: dorsally dark grayish-brown with rather indistinct dark blotches at nape, on flank, below both dorsal fins, and across caudal fin; ventral side grayish-white, usually with dark grayish-brown mottling on head. Upper jaw with 64–85 and lower jaw with 64–88 rows of small tricuspidate teeth with outer surface of crown furrowed by strong longitudinal ridges and strongly structured by reticulations; monospondylous trunk vertebrae centra 37–42, diplospondylous precaudal centra 37–45, total centra 125–140. Branchial, trunk and lateral caudal-fin dermal denticles loosely set, their surface very strongly and fully structured by reticulations. Claspers rather long and very slender, gradually narrowing to bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex, inner margin length 10.1–11.3% TL, base width 1.4–1.5% TL; clasper hooks present along inner edge of large exorhipidion, large envelope overlapping part of clasper groove, inner lobe with rhipidion, cover rhipidion, pseudopera and pseudosiphon. The reproductive mode is yolk-sac viviparous. Bythaelurus stewarti n. sp. differs from all congeners in the distribution, which is apparently restricted to the Error Seamount. It further differs from all congeners in a higher spiral valve turn count (11–12 vs. 6–10) and in the morphology of branchial, trunk and lateral caudal-fin dermal denticles, which are loosely-spaced and not overlapping even in adult specimens of the new species, whereas they are closely-set and overlapping in all other Bythaelurus species. Compared to its morphologically and geographically closest congener, the new species further differs in a larger size, a ventral head with dark mottling, claspers that gradually narrow to the bluntly pointed tip without knob-like apex, and a surface of dermal denticles that is very strongly and fully structured by reticulations.
Distribution: The new species is known only from the Error Seamount (Mount Error Guyot) in 380–420 m depth (see map in the Discussion section). It is apparently a microendemic species restricted to this isolated Seamount.
Etymology: The new species is named after the late filmmaker and shark conservationistRob Stewart, who inspired the second author and stimulated her interest in sharks.
Simon Weigmann, Carina Julia Kaschner and Ralf Thiel. 2018. A New Microendemic Species of the Deep-water Catshark Genus Bythaelurus (Carcharhiniformes, Pentanchidae) from the northwestern Indian Ocean, with Investigations of Its Feeding Ecology, Generic Review and Identification Key. PLoS ONE. 13(12): e0207887. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207887
==========================
Navigobius asayake, The Newest Angelic Dartfish Species from Japan
Navigobius asayake is the newest species of dartfish discovered to get an official species description. Once known only from pictures taken by SCUBA divers, the Navigobius genus was erected only in 2009 and has expanded rapidly to include four very distinct and attractive species.
So far all the species of Navigobius have been found in the West Pacific or Southeast Asia with Navigobius asayake being collected in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Some species of Navigobius are only encountered at significant depth but N. ayasake is odd – the holotype was collected at 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) while the paratypes were caught at the reasonable depth of just 20 meters (65 feet) at one location.
Like other dartfish and especially its congeners, the ‘Sunrise Dartfish’ as it is also called, only grows to just 54 mm or barely two inches long. What it lacks in size it makes up in exquisite coloration that ranges from pink in the head to silver in the body, with purple and yellow stripes on the face and markings in the fins and a reddish purple tail. [ZooTaxa]
Navigobius asayake is the newest species of dartfish discovered to get an official species description. Once known only from pictures taken by SCUBA divers, the Navigobius genus was erected only in 2009 and has expanded rapidly to include four very distinct and attractive species.
So far all the species of Navigobius have been found in the West Pacific or Southeast Asia with Navigobius asayake being collected in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Some species of Navigobius are only encountered at significant depth but N. ayasake is odd – the holotype was collected at 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) while the paratypes were caught at the reasonable depth of just 20 meters (65 feet) at one location.
Like other dartfish and especially its congeners, the ‘Sunrise Dartfish’ as it is also called, only grows to just 54 mm or barely two inches long. What it lacks in size it makes up in exquisite coloration that ranges from pink in the head to silver in the body, with purple and yellow stripes on the face and markings in the fins and a reddish purple tail. [ZooTaxa]
- from ReefBuilders
- =========================
Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion • A New Mouth Brooder Species of Gymnogeophagus with Hypertrophied Lips (Cichliformes: Cichlidae)from A Tributary of the río Uruguay
Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion
Turcati, Serra-Alanis & Malabarba, 2018
DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118
ABSTRACT
A new mouth breeder species of Gymnogeophagus is described from a tributary of the río Uruguay. It is distinguished from most species of the genus by the presence of hypertrophied lips, and from G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus by the color pattern. The presence of successive allopatric species of the Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade inhabiting the tributaries of the río Uruguay is discussed.
Keywords: Distribution; Endemism; Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade; New species; Río Uruguay
Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion, new species
Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from the species of the Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus group and from G. balzanii by the shape of the caudal peduncle longer than deep (vs. deeper than long). It is distinguished from all congeners, except G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus, by the possession of thick lips. It differs from G. labiatus and G. lacustris by the lack of an oblique bar from the eye to the dorsal-fin origin (vs. oblique bar present), and by the color pattern of the caudal, dorsal and anal fins with dots (vs. caudal fin and posterior portion of anal fin with longitudinal hyaline stripes). It differs from G. pseudolabiatus and G. mekinos by the hump entirely black in males (Fig. 2; vs. yellow with black margin), and upper lip not folded dorsally over anterior margin of snout (vs. upper lip folded dorsally, usually with a well-developed medial lobe dorsally projected in G. pseudolabiatus).
....
Ecological notes. The new species was collected in rivers with clear water, usually with rocky or muddy bottom and little vegetation.
Etymology. The name peliochelynion is from the Greek pelios, meaning black and blue, and chelyne, meaning lip, in reference to the color of the lips of the new species. A name in apposition.
Andréia Turcati, Wilson Sebastián Serra-Alanis and Luiz R. Malabarba. 2018. A New Mouth Brooder Species of Gymnogeophagus with Hypertrophied Lips (Cichliformes: Cichlidae). Neotrop. ichthyol. 16(4). DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118
twitter.com/MJBernt/status/1072211391392727041
==========================
Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion
Turcati, Serra-Alanis & Malabarba, 2018
DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118
ABSTRACT
A new mouth breeder species of Gymnogeophagus is described from a tributary of the río Uruguay. It is distinguished from most species of the genus by the presence of hypertrophied lips, and from G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus by the color pattern. The presence of successive allopatric species of the Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade inhabiting the tributaries of the río Uruguay is discussed.
Keywords: Distribution; Endemism; Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade; New species; Río Uruguay
Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion, new species
Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from the species of the Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus group and from G. balzanii by the shape of the caudal peduncle longer than deep (vs. deeper than long). It is distinguished from all congeners, except G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus, by the possession of thick lips. It differs from G. labiatus and G. lacustris by the lack of an oblique bar from the eye to the dorsal-fin origin (vs. oblique bar present), and by the color pattern of the caudal, dorsal and anal fins with dots (vs. caudal fin and posterior portion of anal fin with longitudinal hyaline stripes). It differs from G. pseudolabiatus and G. mekinos by the hump entirely black in males (Fig. 2; vs. yellow with black margin), and upper lip not folded dorsally over anterior margin of snout (vs. upper lip folded dorsally, usually with a well-developed medial lobe dorsally projected in G. pseudolabiatus).
....
Ecological notes. The new species was collected in rivers with clear water, usually with rocky or muddy bottom and little vegetation.
Etymology. The name peliochelynion is from the Greek pelios, meaning black and blue, and chelyne, meaning lip, in reference to the color of the lips of the new species. A name in apposition.
Andréia Turcati, Wilson Sebastián Serra-Alanis and Luiz R. Malabarba. 2018. A New Mouth Brooder Species of Gymnogeophagus with Hypertrophied Lips (Cichliformes: Cichlidae). Neotrop. ichthyol. 16(4). DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118
twitter.com/MJBernt/status/1072211391392727041
==========================
Set your teeth on EDGE: World's weirdest sharks and rays on the brink of extinction
From guitarfish to angel sharks, the EDGE of Existence highlights the most ancient fish sinking into extinction:
Source:
Zoological Society of London
Summary:
Sharks that use a whip-like tail to stun their prey, rays with saws on their faces, and river rays half the length of a bus are among the most unique species at risk of extinction, according to the latest ranking from international conservation charity ZSL's (Zoological Society of London) pioneering EDGE of Existence program.
Share:
FULL STORY
Sharks that use a whip-like tail to stun their prey, rays with saws on their faces, and river rays half the length of a bus are among the most unique species at risk of extinction according to the latest ranking from international conservation charity ZSL's (Zoological Society of London) pioneering EDGE of Existence programme.
The new list revealed today (4 December) ranks the world's 50 most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) sharks, rays and chimeras -- known collectively as Chondrichthyes.
These mythical-sounding (but very real) creatures have no bones in their bodies, only cartilage and appeared more than 400 million years ago, roaming the seas when dinosaurs lived. Each species on this list has few or no remaining close relatives, effectively representing distinct branches of the tree of life and making each of them truly irreplaceable. If they go extinct, we will have nothing like them left on the planet.
Topping the new list, at number one is the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis), which also holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking EDGE species in the world. Using an elongated snout (rostrum) lined with teeth on each side to slash at its prey, the large-tooth sawfish is facing threats from unsustainable fishing activities as it's often caught as by-catch in nets.
Despite the fearsome reputation of the great white shark and the well-recognised appearance of the hammerhead, sharks are one of the least-studied groups of animals -- some so elusive they've never been captured on camera. Many of these species are threatened by targeted fishing, driven by a desire for shark fins or other body parts, as well as being unintentionally caught (bycatch).
Habitat degradation, due to coastal development, mangrove deforestation, water pollution and trawling, is also to blame for the steep decline in many of these populations. However, the new EDGE List gives conservationists another tool to identify and prioritise species where there is a most pressing need for action.
EDGE Sharks co-ordinator and marine biologist, Fran Cabada said: "Sharks, rays and chimeras -- making up the cartilaginous fish, have been around since the age of the dinosaurs, but due to human activities, their modern relatives are facing threats all over the world. They're found in almost every aquatic environment and as many are apex predators, i.e., at the top of the food chain -- they're crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
"Unfortunately, sharks have a bad image. This means people often can't see beyond the negative, and usually exaggerated stories, and don't understand just how threatened and important they are.
"The new EDGE Sharks and Rays list gives us the opportunity to highlight the most unique sharks and rays on our planet which are also the most endangered, so that we can target conservation efforts where it's needed most. Many are overlooked and poorly known, so conservation actions targeted at these survivors of ancient lineages should be prioritised."
ZSL's Marine and Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager, Dr. Matthew Gollock added: "The EDGE Sharks and Rays list comprises some of the most interesting and unique fish we have on this planet. The modern extinction of a single species from this list would cause the loss of millions of years of evolutionary history.
"Since 2013, we have been working in collaboration with partner organisations in the Canary Islands for the conservation of the angel shark (Squatina squatina), #5 in the EDGE list, increasing our knowledge of this species and working with divers, fishers and policymakers to improve management and policy.
"Our successes from this project have allowed us to expand our work to Wales, UK, where we have taken a similar stakeholder-lead approach to collect sightings and community memories of the angel shark in order to better understand and conserve this Critically Endangered species across its range."
First established in 2007, the EDGE of Existence programme has previously published lists for amphibians, birds, corals, mammals and reptiles. The EDGE lists provide conservationists worldwide with a scientifically rigorous method of focusing their conservation efforts on animals and plants that represent a significant amount of threatened evolutionary history.
ZSL's EDGE of Existence programme works with partners including the National Geographic Photo Ark and Fondation Segré to fund early-career conservationists striving to secure the future of EDGE species all around the world, through the EDGE Fellowship initiative. The first ever EDGE Fellowships on Sharks and Rays will begin in early 2019, implementing conservation actions for the largetooth sawfish and the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) in Asia.
Find the full ranking of EDGE Sharks and Rays here: http://www.edgeofexistence.org/sharks-and-rays
Story Source:
Materials provided by Zoological Society of London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Zoological Society of London. "Set your teeth on EDGE: World's weirdest sharks and rays on the brink of extinction: From guitarfish to angel sharks, the EDGE of Existence highlights the most ancient fish sinking into extinction." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181204090319.htm>.
==========================
From guitarfish to angel sharks, the EDGE of Existence highlights the most ancient fish sinking into extinction:
Source:
Zoological Society of London
Summary:
Sharks that use a whip-like tail to stun their prey, rays with saws on their faces, and river rays half the length of a bus are among the most unique species at risk of extinction, according to the latest ranking from international conservation charity ZSL's (Zoological Society of London) pioneering EDGE of Existence program.
Share:
FULL STORY
Sharks that use a whip-like tail to stun their prey, rays with saws on their faces, and river rays half the length of a bus are among the most unique species at risk of extinction according to the latest ranking from international conservation charity ZSL's (Zoological Society of London) pioneering EDGE of Existence programme.
The new list revealed today (4 December) ranks the world's 50 most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) sharks, rays and chimeras -- known collectively as Chondrichthyes.
These mythical-sounding (but very real) creatures have no bones in their bodies, only cartilage and appeared more than 400 million years ago, roaming the seas when dinosaurs lived. Each species on this list has few or no remaining close relatives, effectively representing distinct branches of the tree of life and making each of them truly irreplaceable. If they go extinct, we will have nothing like them left on the planet.
Topping the new list, at number one is the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis), which also holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking EDGE species in the world. Using an elongated snout (rostrum) lined with teeth on each side to slash at its prey, the large-tooth sawfish is facing threats from unsustainable fishing activities as it's often caught as by-catch in nets.
Despite the fearsome reputation of the great white shark and the well-recognised appearance of the hammerhead, sharks are one of the least-studied groups of animals -- some so elusive they've never been captured on camera. Many of these species are threatened by targeted fishing, driven by a desire for shark fins or other body parts, as well as being unintentionally caught (bycatch).
Habitat degradation, due to coastal development, mangrove deforestation, water pollution and trawling, is also to blame for the steep decline in many of these populations. However, the new EDGE List gives conservationists another tool to identify and prioritise species where there is a most pressing need for action.
EDGE Sharks co-ordinator and marine biologist, Fran Cabada said: "Sharks, rays and chimeras -- making up the cartilaginous fish, have been around since the age of the dinosaurs, but due to human activities, their modern relatives are facing threats all over the world. They're found in almost every aquatic environment and as many are apex predators, i.e., at the top of the food chain -- they're crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
"Unfortunately, sharks have a bad image. This means people often can't see beyond the negative, and usually exaggerated stories, and don't understand just how threatened and important they are.
"The new EDGE Sharks and Rays list gives us the opportunity to highlight the most unique sharks and rays on our planet which are also the most endangered, so that we can target conservation efforts where it's needed most. Many are overlooked and poorly known, so conservation actions targeted at these survivors of ancient lineages should be prioritised."
ZSL's Marine and Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager, Dr. Matthew Gollock added: "The EDGE Sharks and Rays list comprises some of the most interesting and unique fish we have on this planet. The modern extinction of a single species from this list would cause the loss of millions of years of evolutionary history.
"Since 2013, we have been working in collaboration with partner organisations in the Canary Islands for the conservation of the angel shark (Squatina squatina), #5 in the EDGE list, increasing our knowledge of this species and working with divers, fishers and policymakers to improve management and policy.
"Our successes from this project have allowed us to expand our work to Wales, UK, where we have taken a similar stakeholder-lead approach to collect sightings and community memories of the angel shark in order to better understand and conserve this Critically Endangered species across its range."
First established in 2007, the EDGE of Existence programme has previously published lists for amphibians, birds, corals, mammals and reptiles. The EDGE lists provide conservationists worldwide with a scientifically rigorous method of focusing their conservation efforts on animals and plants that represent a significant amount of threatened evolutionary history.
ZSL's EDGE of Existence programme works with partners including the National Geographic Photo Ark and Fondation Segré to fund early-career conservationists striving to secure the future of EDGE species all around the world, through the EDGE Fellowship initiative. The first ever EDGE Fellowships on Sharks and Rays will begin in early 2019, implementing conservation actions for the largetooth sawfish and the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) in Asia.
Find the full ranking of EDGE Sharks and Rays here: http://www.edgeofexistence.org/sharks-and-rays
Story Source:
Materials provided by Zoological Society of London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Zoological Society of London. "Set your teeth on EDGE: World's weirdest sharks and rays on the brink of extinction: From guitarfish to angel sharks, the EDGE of Existence highlights the most ancient fish sinking into extinction." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181204090319.htm>.
==========================
Xiphophorus maculatus X helleri
30 years of experimental evolution results in a new sex chromosome
Source:
University of Konstanz
Summary:
Researchers report new findings of an experimental evolutionary project that ran for 30 years on the genomic mechanisms of sex determination in swordtail fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This is Xiphophorus maculatus hellerii.
Credit: Manfred Schartl/Paolo FranchiniThe laboratory of Professor Axel Meyer, University of Konstanz has published new findings of an experimental evolutionary project that ran for 30 years on the genomic mechanisms of sex determination in swordtail fish in the journal Nature Communications. Dr Paolo Franchini, evolutionary biologist and Junior Research Group Leader at the University of Konstanz is the lead author of this collaboration with the laboratory of Professor Manfred Schartl of the University of Würzburg.
The diversity of sex determination systems is remarkably diverse among fishes compared to mammals that all have a stereotypic XX, XY sex-chromosomal mechanism to determine sex. Why and how the genomic mechanisms and the evolutionary causes behind such diversity in sex determination in fish are so variable remained unknown. Evolutionary biologist Dr Paolo Franchini with his collaborators has now been able to describe such a mechanism and its exact function in this study entitled "Long-term experimental hybridisation results in the evolution of a new sex chromosome in swordtail fish."
Professor Manfred Schartl, Head of the Department for Physiological Chemistry at the Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, initiated this experiment that included hybridisation with backcrossing by two Xiphophorus fish species with different sex chromosome systems three decades ago. Hybrid origins of species, the result of the crossing of two genetically different species, are found frequently in fish populations.
"What we know from the study of these systems in natural habitats is that hybridisation is a crucial mechanism for the evolution of new species," explains Paolo Franchini.
In the experiment the researchers could study the effects of hybridisation on the genomic mechanism of sex-determination. Determining the sex of these fish is easy: as its name suggests, the male swordtail fish has a sword-like elongated caudal fin; the female, on the other hand, is rounder and fuller and does not have a swordtail. In this long-term laboratory study the effects of hybridisation that is thought to have resulted in at least two swordtail species in nature on the genome and the mechanisms that determine sex could be studied in detail.
In an experimental design that makes it possible to track crossings of more than 100 generations over more than 30 years, a female Xiphophorus maculatus was crossed repeatedly with a male Xiphophorus hellerii. These two species have different sex chromosome systems. In further steps, the new hybrid fish originating from the cross was backcrossed again with the male species, and this design was repeated for more than 100 generations.
Paolo Franchini explains further: "We found out that introgression -- the movement of genetic material from one species to another -- and the selection of pigmentation phenotypes results in the retention of an unexpectedly large maternally derived genomic region." During the hybridisation process, the sex-determining region on the X chromosome of one parent was transferred to an autosome of the hybrid fish. This transfer led to the evolution of a completely new sex chromosome. "Our results show above all the complexity of factors that contribute to patterns observed in hybrid genomes including such fundamental issues such as sex determination," summarises Paolo Franchini. The work proves that hybridisation can catalyse the rapid evolution of a new sex chromosome and thus makes an essential contribution to an experiment launched more than 30 years ago.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Konstanz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
University of Konstanz. "30 years of experimental evolution results in a new sex chromosome." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 December 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181205134047.htm>.
==========================
Source:
University of Konstanz
Summary:
Researchers report new findings of an experimental evolutionary project that ran for 30 years on the genomic mechanisms of sex determination in swordtail fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This is Xiphophorus maculatus hellerii.
Credit: Manfred Schartl/Paolo FranchiniThe laboratory of Professor Axel Meyer, University of Konstanz has published new findings of an experimental evolutionary project that ran for 30 years on the genomic mechanisms of sex determination in swordtail fish in the journal Nature Communications. Dr Paolo Franchini, evolutionary biologist and Junior Research Group Leader at the University of Konstanz is the lead author of this collaboration with the laboratory of Professor Manfred Schartl of the University of Würzburg.
The diversity of sex determination systems is remarkably diverse among fishes compared to mammals that all have a stereotypic XX, XY sex-chromosomal mechanism to determine sex. Why and how the genomic mechanisms and the evolutionary causes behind such diversity in sex determination in fish are so variable remained unknown. Evolutionary biologist Dr Paolo Franchini with his collaborators has now been able to describe such a mechanism and its exact function in this study entitled "Long-term experimental hybridisation results in the evolution of a new sex chromosome in swordtail fish."
Professor Manfred Schartl, Head of the Department for Physiological Chemistry at the Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, initiated this experiment that included hybridisation with backcrossing by two Xiphophorus fish species with different sex chromosome systems three decades ago. Hybrid origins of species, the result of the crossing of two genetically different species, are found frequently in fish populations.
"What we know from the study of these systems in natural habitats is that hybridisation is a crucial mechanism for the evolution of new species," explains Paolo Franchini.
In the experiment the researchers could study the effects of hybridisation on the genomic mechanism of sex-determination. Determining the sex of these fish is easy: as its name suggests, the male swordtail fish has a sword-like elongated caudal fin; the female, on the other hand, is rounder and fuller and does not have a swordtail. In this long-term laboratory study the effects of hybridisation that is thought to have resulted in at least two swordtail species in nature on the genome and the mechanisms that determine sex could be studied in detail.
In an experimental design that makes it possible to track crossings of more than 100 generations over more than 30 years, a female Xiphophorus maculatus was crossed repeatedly with a male Xiphophorus hellerii. These two species have different sex chromosome systems. In further steps, the new hybrid fish originating from the cross was backcrossed again with the male species, and this design was repeated for more than 100 generations.
Paolo Franchini explains further: "We found out that introgression -- the movement of genetic material from one species to another -- and the selection of pigmentation phenotypes results in the retention of an unexpectedly large maternally derived genomic region." During the hybridisation process, the sex-determining region on the X chromosome of one parent was transferred to an autosome of the hybrid fish. This transfer led to the evolution of a completely new sex chromosome. "Our results show above all the complexity of factors that contribute to patterns observed in hybrid genomes including such fundamental issues such as sex determination," summarises Paolo Franchini. The work proves that hybridisation can catalyse the rapid evolution of a new sex chromosome and thus makes an essential contribution to an experiment launched more than 30 years ago.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Konstanz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Paolo Franchini, Julia C. Jones, Peiwen Xiong, Susanne Kneitz, Zachariah Gompert, Wesley C. Warren, Ronald B. Walter, Axel Meyer, Manfred Schartl. Long-term experimental hybridisation results in the evolution of a new sex chromosome in swordtail fish. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07648-2
University of Konstanz. "30 years of experimental evolution results in a new sex chromosome." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 December 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181205134047.htm>.
==========================
Ancistrus shuar • Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the Description of A New from the Amazon River Basin Species
Ancistrus shuar
Provenzano R. & Barriga-Salazar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4ption
Abstract
To elucidate the species of the genus Ancistrus that inhabit freshwater systems of Ecuador, cataloged lots of the Fish Collection, Museo de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (MEPN), in Quito, were analyzed. Four species were identified: Ancistrus alga (Cope, 1872), A. malacops(Cope, 1872), A. clementinae Rendahl, 1937, and a new species that herein is described. Ancistrus clementinae inhabits aquatic systems of the Pacific slope, mostly in the Guayas River drainage. The other three species live in freshwater systems that drain to the Amazon River Basin. Ancistrus alga inhabit the northern and central portions of eastern Ecuador. Ancistrus malacops has a broad distribution from north to south, but is absent from the Santiago River. Both species occasionally live in sympatry. The new species is restricted to the Santiago River, in Morona-Santiago province. Each species has unique external morphological features and/or a coloration pattern that allow unambiguous identification, at least of males. This paper provides a description of the new species, and a re-description and images of the other three.
Keywords: Pisces, catfishes, Neotropical freshwater Fishes, taxonomy, systematics, South America
FIGURE . Ancistrus shuar, MECN-DP-1637, 96.5 mm SL, male, paratype when alive.
Photo: Jorge Brito
Ancistrus shuar new species
Etymology. Dedicated to ancient and brave Shuar, indigenous group that live in the Morona-Santiago province. It is considered a noun in apposition.
Francisco Provenzano R. and Ramiro Barriga-Salazar. 2018. Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the Description of A New Species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa. 4527(2); 211–238. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
==========================
Ancistrus shuar
Provenzano R. & Barriga-Salazar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4ption
Abstract
To elucidate the species of the genus Ancistrus that inhabit freshwater systems of Ecuador, cataloged lots of the Fish Collection, Museo de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (MEPN), in Quito, were analyzed. Four species were identified: Ancistrus alga (Cope, 1872), A. malacops(Cope, 1872), A. clementinae Rendahl, 1937, and a new species that herein is described. Ancistrus clementinae inhabits aquatic systems of the Pacific slope, mostly in the Guayas River drainage. The other three species live in freshwater systems that drain to the Amazon River Basin. Ancistrus alga inhabit the northern and central portions of eastern Ecuador. Ancistrus malacops has a broad distribution from north to south, but is absent from the Santiago River. Both species occasionally live in sympatry. The new species is restricted to the Santiago River, in Morona-Santiago province. Each species has unique external morphological features and/or a coloration pattern that allow unambiguous identification, at least of males. This paper provides a description of the new species, and a re-description and images of the other three.
Keywords: Pisces, catfishes, Neotropical freshwater Fishes, taxonomy, systematics, South America
FIGURE . Ancistrus shuar, MECN-DP-1637, 96.5 mm SL, male, paratype when alive.
Photo: Jorge Brito
Ancistrus shuar new species
Etymology. Dedicated to ancient and brave Shuar, indigenous group that live in the Morona-Santiago province. It is considered a noun in apposition.
Francisco Provenzano R. and Ramiro Barriga-Salazar. 2018. Species of Ancistrus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Ecuador, with the Description of A New Species from the Amazon River Basin. Zootaxa. 4527(2); 211–238. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.4
==========================
Parotocinclus yaka • A New Species of Armored Catfish(Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the Amazon Basin in Brazil
Parotocinclus yaka
Lehmann A., Lima & Reis, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.7
Abstract
Parotocinclus yaka is described as a new species of hypoptopomatine cascudinho from tributaries of the Rio Tiquié, tributary to the Rio Uaupés, upper Rio Negro drainage, Amazon basin, Amazonas State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in northeastern and southeastern Brazil by having the cheek canal plate elongated posteriorly on the ventral surface of the head and in contact with the cleithrum. Parotocinclus yaka is diagnosed from the Parotocinclus species of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas watersheds by having a conspicuous dark spots smaller than the pupil diameter distributed dorsally and laterally on the head; it is also differentiated from P. polyochrus (Casiquiare, Venezuela), P. longirostris (Rio Amazonas, Brazil), and P. eppleyi (Río Orinoco) by the absence of a Y-shaped light mark dorsally on the head. In addition, the absence of premaxillary and dentary accessory teeth and the presence of a Y-shaped spot on the snout distinguish the new species from P. collinsae (Essequibo River, Guyana), P. halbothi (Rio Trombetas, Brazil and Marowijne River, Suriname) and P. variola (Río Amazonas, Colombia). Parotocinclus yaka also differs from P. amazonensis (lower Amazon basin), P. aripuanensis (lower Amazon basin), P. britskii (Guyana, Suriname, eastern Venezuela, and Amapá State, Brazil), and P. dani (Rio Tapajós basin), by having more numerous oral teeth. The new species described herein is part of the group of small cascudinhos usually associated with marginal or submerged vegetation and submerged logs, of moderate current and clear transparency, found in conserved habitats in streams of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas rivers.
Keywords: Pisces, Neotropical, biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, upper Amazon
FIGURE 1. Holotype of Parotocinclus yaka, female, 30.1 mm SL, MZUSP 123655. Brazil, Amazonas, Rio Tiquié basin, Igarapé Açaí near São Pedro Village.
Parotocinclus yaka, new species
Etymology. Parotocinclus yaka in named after yaka, the common name for non-loricariine loricariids in both languages of the Tukano and the Tuyuka ethnic groups of the upper Rio Tiquié (Lima et al., 2005).
Pablo Lehmann A., Flávio C. T. Lima and Roberto E. Reis. 2018. Parotocinclus yaka, A New Species of Armored Catfish (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Zootaxa. 4521(4); 584–592. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.7
Researchgate.net/publication/328992826_Parotocinclus_yaka_a_new_species_of_armored_catfish_from_the_Amazon_basin_in_Brazil
==========================
Parotocinclus yaka
Lehmann A., Lima & Reis, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.7
Abstract
Parotocinclus yaka is described as a new species of hypoptopomatine cascudinho from tributaries of the Rio Tiquié, tributary to the Rio Uaupés, upper Rio Negro drainage, Amazon basin, Amazonas State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in northeastern and southeastern Brazil by having the cheek canal plate elongated posteriorly on the ventral surface of the head and in contact with the cleithrum. Parotocinclus yaka is diagnosed from the Parotocinclus species of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas watersheds by having a conspicuous dark spots smaller than the pupil diameter distributed dorsally and laterally on the head; it is also differentiated from P. polyochrus (Casiquiare, Venezuela), P. longirostris (Rio Amazonas, Brazil), and P. eppleyi (Río Orinoco) by the absence of a Y-shaped light mark dorsally on the head. In addition, the absence of premaxillary and dentary accessory teeth and the presence of a Y-shaped spot on the snout distinguish the new species from P. collinsae (Essequibo River, Guyana), P. halbothi (Rio Trombetas, Brazil and Marowijne River, Suriname) and P. variola (Río Amazonas, Colombia). Parotocinclus yaka also differs from P. amazonensis (lower Amazon basin), P. aripuanensis (lower Amazon basin), P. britskii (Guyana, Suriname, eastern Venezuela, and Amapá State, Brazil), and P. dani (Rio Tapajós basin), by having more numerous oral teeth. The new species described herein is part of the group of small cascudinhos usually associated with marginal or submerged vegetation and submerged logs, of moderate current and clear transparency, found in conserved habitats in streams of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas rivers.
Keywords: Pisces, Neotropical, biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, upper Amazon
FIGURE 1. Holotype of Parotocinclus yaka, female, 30.1 mm SL, MZUSP 123655. Brazil, Amazonas, Rio Tiquié basin, Igarapé Açaí near São Pedro Village.
Parotocinclus yaka, new species
Etymology. Parotocinclus yaka in named after yaka, the common name for non-loricariine loricariids in both languages of the Tukano and the Tuyuka ethnic groups of the upper Rio Tiquié (Lima et al., 2005).
Pablo Lehmann A., Flávio C. T. Lima and Roberto E. Reis. 2018. Parotocinclus yaka, A New Species of Armored Catfish (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Zootaxa. 4521(4); 584–592. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.7
Researchgate.net/publication/328992826_Parotocinclus_yaka_a_new_species_of_armored_catfish_from_the_Amazon_basin_in_Brazil
==========================
.According to ANTARA News - Indonesia will hold the largest ornamental fish exhibition and contest in the world, called Nusatic 2018, in South Tangerang, Banten.
"When it comes to ornamental fish, we are the best in the world," Deputy Coordination of Natural Resources and Services at the Maritime Coordinating Ministry, Agung Kuswandono, stated at a press conference here on Wednesday (28th November). The value of Indonesian ornamental fish exports to the world in 2016 came to US$24.64 million, whilst Singapore`s ornamental fish exports in the same period were estimated at $42.97 million.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Koi Fish Lovers Association, Sugiharto Budiono, stated that Nusatic 2018 is the largest ornamental fish exhibition in the world.
"In terms of quantity, this exhibition is the biggest in the world," Budiono stated..
Thirty thousand visitors are expected or twice those in Nusatic 2017
Unforneately although the location is mentioned the exact date is nowhere to be found on the website and there is little time to discover the method and who can enter or just visit.
found on en.antaranews.com/news/120883/indonesia-to-hold-worlds-biggest-ornamental-fish-exhibition
==========================
"When it comes to ornamental fish, we are the best in the world," Deputy Coordination of Natural Resources and Services at the Maritime Coordinating Ministry, Agung Kuswandono, stated at a press conference here on Wednesday (28th November). The value of Indonesian ornamental fish exports to the world in 2016 came to US$24.64 million, whilst Singapore`s ornamental fish exports in the same period were estimated at $42.97 million.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Koi Fish Lovers Association, Sugiharto Budiono, stated that Nusatic 2018 is the largest ornamental fish exhibition in the world.
"In terms of quantity, this exhibition is the biggest in the world," Budiono stated..
Thirty thousand visitors are expected or twice those in Nusatic 2017
Unforneately although the location is mentioned the exact date is nowhere to be found on the website and there is little time to discover the method and who can enter or just visit.
found on en.antaranews.com/news/120883/indonesia-to-hold-worlds-biggest-ornamental-fish-exhibition
==========================
Coral Smuggler Busted in the Philippines with over 250 Chalice Corals & Shrooms
Chalice corals can be some of the most valuable strains of aquarium corals, and the Philippines has tons of murky reefs where chalice corals thrive. However, the Philippines doesn’t allow any coral exports which has led some criminals to smuggle corals to a number of different wholesalers across the world.
Recently however the Bureau of Customs intercepted a passenger traveling to Taiwan with two suitcases filled with more than 250 corals including chalice corals and corallimorphs. Colorful multicolor and rainbow strains of Echinophyllia and Oxypora are usually the target species as these colonies can fetch between $500 to $2000, and especially nice strains can fetch nearly the same price for fragments.
It is unfortunate to see this kind of illegal smuggling of protected corals in the Philippines, especially as efforts are underway to kickstart mariculture operations in the country. Law enforcement is one way to deal with the trafficking of illegal corals but like the “War on Drugs”, one sure fire way to combat the problem is to legalize coral mariculture.
This would both reduce the inflated price of ‘unobtainable’ coral strains and help reproduce more corals to use in outplanting and reef restoration efforts. By providing a framework for legal coral trade in the Philippines the regional and local governments would eliminate the incentive for smugglers to traffick in corals while also providing a new sustainable source of income for coastal communities, while also helping to restore coral reefs. [PH News]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Chalice corals can be some of the most valuable strains of aquarium corals, and the Philippines has tons of murky reefs where chalice corals thrive. However, the Philippines doesn’t allow any coral exports which has led some criminals to smuggle corals to a number of different wholesalers across the world.
Recently however the Bureau of Customs intercepted a passenger traveling to Taiwan with two suitcases filled with more than 250 corals including chalice corals and corallimorphs. Colorful multicolor and rainbow strains of Echinophyllia and Oxypora are usually the target species as these colonies can fetch between $500 to $2000, and especially nice strains can fetch nearly the same price for fragments.
It is unfortunate to see this kind of illegal smuggling of protected corals in the Philippines, especially as efforts are underway to kickstart mariculture operations in the country. Law enforcement is one way to deal with the trafficking of illegal corals but like the “War on Drugs”, one sure fire way to combat the problem is to legalize coral mariculture.
This would both reduce the inflated price of ‘unobtainable’ coral strains and help reproduce more corals to use in outplanting and reef restoration efforts. By providing a framework for legal coral trade in the Philippines the regional and local governments would eliminate the incentive for smugglers to traffick in corals while also providing a new sustainable source of income for coastal communities, while also helping to restore coral reefs. [PH News]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
· The Winter 2018 Issue of the FBAS Bulletin is now available to download FREE of charge to anybody who wants to.
You do not have to be an FBAS member. This issue contains interesting articles, a look at a Maltese fish house and all the news and results from the Festival of Fishkeeping. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY AT:
http://www.fbas.co.uk/2018%20d%20Dec.pdf
==========================
You do not have to be an FBAS member. This issue contains interesting articles, a look at a Maltese fish house and all the news and results from the Festival of Fishkeeping. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY AT:
http://www.fbas.co.uk/2018%20d%20Dec.pdf
==========================
The Aquarist & Pondkeeper Volume XXV (25) from April 1960 to March 1961 is now available for FREE download at:-
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
==========================
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
==========================
Swapping bacteria may help 'Nemo' fish cohabitate with fish-killing anemones
Source:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Summary:
The fish killer and the fish live in harmony: But how the clownfish thrive in the poisonous tentacles of the anemone remains a mystery. A new study tackles the iconic conundrum from the microbial side.
FULL STORY
A group of clownfish happily wriggles from anemone to anemone without danger of being stung and eaten.
Credit: Georgia Tech / Ben BrumfieldNemo, the adorable clownfish in the movie Finding Nemo, rubs himself all over the anemone he lives in to keep it from stinging and eating him like it does most fish. That rubbing leads the makeup of microbes covering the clownfish to change, according to a new study.
Having bacterial cooties in common with anemones may help the clownfish cozily nest in anemones' venomous tentacles, a weird symbiosis that life scientists -- including now a team from the Georgia Institute of Technology -- have tried for decades to figure out. The marine researchers studied microbes on clownfish who mixed and mingled with fish-killing anemones.
"It's the iconic mutualism between a host and a partner, and we knew that microbes are on every surface of each animal," said Frank Stewart, an associate professor in Georgia Tech's School of Biological Sciences. "In this particular mutualism, these surfaces are covered with stuff that microbes love to eat: mucus."
Swabbing mucus
Clownfish and anemones swap lots of mucus when they rub. So, the researchers brought clownfish and anemones together and analyzed the microbes in the mucus covering the fish when they were hosted by anemones and when they weren't.
"Their microbiome changed," said Zoe Pratte, a postdoctoral researcher in Stewart's lab and first author of the new study. "Two bacteria that we tracked in particular multiplied with contact with anemones."
"On top of that, there were sweeping changes," said Stewart, the study's principal investigator. "If you looked at the total assemblages of microbes, they looked quite different on a clownfish that was hosted by an anemone and on one that was not."
The researchers chased 12 clownfish in six fish tanks for eight weeks to swab their mucus and identify microbes through gene sequencing. They published their results in the journal Coral Reefs. The research was funded by the Simons Foundation.
Questions and Answers
Here are some questions and answers about the experiment, which produced some amusing anecdotes, along with fascinating facts about anemones and clownfish. For example: Fish peeing on anemones makes the latter stronger. Clownfish change genders. And it was especially hard to catch one fish the researchers named "Houdini."
Does this solve the mystery about this strange symbiosis?
No, but it's a new approach to the clownfish-anemone conundrum.
"It's a first step that's asking the question, 'Is there part of the microbial relationship that changes?'" Stewart said. The study delivered the answer on the clownfish side, which was "yes."
An earlier hypothesis on the conundrum held that clownfish mucus was too thick to sting through. Current ideas consider that mucus swapping also covers the clownfish with anemone antigens, i.e. its own immune proteins, or that fish and fish killer may be exchanging chemical messages.
"The anemone may recognize some chemical on the clownfish that keeps it from stinging," Stewart said. "And that could involve microbes. Microbes are great chemists."
Going forward, the researchers want to analyze mucus chemistry. They also don't yet know to what extent the microbes on the fish change because of bacteria the fish gleans from the anemone. It's possible the fish mucus microbiome just develops differently on the fish due to the contact.
What do anemones normally do to fish?
Kill them and eat them.
"The anemone evolved to kill fish. It shoots little poison darts into the skin of a fish to kill it then pull it into its mouth," Stewart said. "The clown fish gets away with living right in that."
By the way, the tentacles are not harmful to people.
"If you touch an anemone, it feels like they're sucking on your finger," Pratte said. "Their little harpoons feel like they're sticking to you. It doesn't hurt."
What do the anemones and clownfish get out of the relationship?
For starters, they protect each other from potential prey. But there's lots more. Some clownfish even change genders by living in an anemone.
"When they start being hosted, the fish make a big developmental switch," Stewart said. "The first fish in a group that establishes itself in an anemone in the wild transitions from male to female, grows much bigger and becomes the dominant member of the group."
She is then the sole female in a school of smaller male mates.
Anemones appear to grow larger and healthier, partly because the clownfish urinate on them.
"When the fish pee, algae in the anemone take up the nitrogen then secrete sugars that feed the anemone and make it grow," Pratte said. "Sometimes the fish drop their food, and it falls into the anemone which eats it."
Any fun anecdotes from this experiment?
Plenty: It was scientifically straightforward but laborious to carry out, partly because the researchers were taking meticulous care of the fish at the same time.
"You have to get fish and anemones to pair up, and the fish can host in other places, like nooks in the rock," Pratte said.
"Clownfish are smarter than other fish, so they're harder to catch, especially when we want to minimize stress on the animals," said Alicia Caughman, an undergraduate research assistant in the School of Biological Science's Fast Track to Research program. "We named one fish 'Houdini.' He could wiggle between nets and tight spaces and usually outsmart whoever was trying to catch him."
"We also had 'Bubbles,' who blew a lot of bubbles, 'Biggie' and 'Smalls,' 'Broad,' 'Sheila,' 'Earl,' and 'Flounder,' who liked to flounder (flop around)," Pratte said. Clownfish have differing sizes and details in their stripes, which allow people to tell them apart.
The anemone side of the microbial question may prove harder to answer because for all Houdini's wiles, anemones, which are squishy non-vertebrates, are even more trying. They can squeeze into uncomfortable niches or plug up the aquarium drainage, and they also have temperamental microbiomes.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Georgia Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Source:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Summary:
The fish killer and the fish live in harmony: But how the clownfish thrive in the poisonous tentacles of the anemone remains a mystery. A new study tackles the iconic conundrum from the microbial side.
FULL STORY
A group of clownfish happily wriggles from anemone to anemone without danger of being stung and eaten.
Credit: Georgia Tech / Ben BrumfieldNemo, the adorable clownfish in the movie Finding Nemo, rubs himself all over the anemone he lives in to keep it from stinging and eating him like it does most fish. That rubbing leads the makeup of microbes covering the clownfish to change, according to a new study.
Having bacterial cooties in common with anemones may help the clownfish cozily nest in anemones' venomous tentacles, a weird symbiosis that life scientists -- including now a team from the Georgia Institute of Technology -- have tried for decades to figure out. The marine researchers studied microbes on clownfish who mixed and mingled with fish-killing anemones.
"It's the iconic mutualism between a host and a partner, and we knew that microbes are on every surface of each animal," said Frank Stewart, an associate professor in Georgia Tech's School of Biological Sciences. "In this particular mutualism, these surfaces are covered with stuff that microbes love to eat: mucus."
Swabbing mucus
Clownfish and anemones swap lots of mucus when they rub. So, the researchers brought clownfish and anemones together and analyzed the microbes in the mucus covering the fish when they were hosted by anemones and when they weren't.
"Their microbiome changed," said Zoe Pratte, a postdoctoral researcher in Stewart's lab and first author of the new study. "Two bacteria that we tracked in particular multiplied with contact with anemones."
"On top of that, there were sweeping changes," said Stewart, the study's principal investigator. "If you looked at the total assemblages of microbes, they looked quite different on a clownfish that was hosted by an anemone and on one that was not."
The researchers chased 12 clownfish in six fish tanks for eight weeks to swab their mucus and identify microbes through gene sequencing. They published their results in the journal Coral Reefs. The research was funded by the Simons Foundation.
Questions and Answers
Here are some questions and answers about the experiment, which produced some amusing anecdotes, along with fascinating facts about anemones and clownfish. For example: Fish peeing on anemones makes the latter stronger. Clownfish change genders. And it was especially hard to catch one fish the researchers named "Houdini."
Does this solve the mystery about this strange symbiosis?
No, but it's a new approach to the clownfish-anemone conundrum.
"It's a first step that's asking the question, 'Is there part of the microbial relationship that changes?'" Stewart said. The study delivered the answer on the clownfish side, which was "yes."
An earlier hypothesis on the conundrum held that clownfish mucus was too thick to sting through. Current ideas consider that mucus swapping also covers the clownfish with anemone antigens, i.e. its own immune proteins, or that fish and fish killer may be exchanging chemical messages.
"The anemone may recognize some chemical on the clownfish that keeps it from stinging," Stewart said. "And that could involve microbes. Microbes are great chemists."
Going forward, the researchers want to analyze mucus chemistry. They also don't yet know to what extent the microbes on the fish change because of bacteria the fish gleans from the anemone. It's possible the fish mucus microbiome just develops differently on the fish due to the contact.
What do anemones normally do to fish?
Kill them and eat them.
"The anemone evolved to kill fish. It shoots little poison darts into the skin of a fish to kill it then pull it into its mouth," Stewart said. "The clown fish gets away with living right in that."
By the way, the tentacles are not harmful to people.
"If you touch an anemone, it feels like they're sucking on your finger," Pratte said. "Their little harpoons feel like they're sticking to you. It doesn't hurt."
What do the anemones and clownfish get out of the relationship?
For starters, they protect each other from potential prey. But there's lots more. Some clownfish even change genders by living in an anemone.
"When they start being hosted, the fish make a big developmental switch," Stewart said. "The first fish in a group that establishes itself in an anemone in the wild transitions from male to female, grows much bigger and becomes the dominant member of the group."
She is then the sole female in a school of smaller male mates.
Anemones appear to grow larger and healthier, partly because the clownfish urinate on them.
"When the fish pee, algae in the anemone take up the nitrogen then secrete sugars that feed the anemone and make it grow," Pratte said. "Sometimes the fish drop their food, and it falls into the anemone which eats it."
Any fun anecdotes from this experiment?
Plenty: It was scientifically straightforward but laborious to carry out, partly because the researchers were taking meticulous care of the fish at the same time.
"You have to get fish and anemones to pair up, and the fish can host in other places, like nooks in the rock," Pratte said.
"Clownfish are smarter than other fish, so they're harder to catch, especially when we want to minimize stress on the animals," said Alicia Caughman, an undergraduate research assistant in the School of Biological Science's Fast Track to Research program. "We named one fish 'Houdini.' He could wiggle between nets and tight spaces and usually outsmart whoever was trying to catch him."
"We also had 'Bubbles,' who blew a lot of bubbles, 'Biggie' and 'Smalls,' 'Broad,' 'Sheila,' 'Earl,' and 'Flounder,' who liked to flounder (flop around)," Pratte said. Clownfish have differing sizes and details in their stripes, which allow people to tell them apart.
The anemone side of the microbial question may prove harder to answer because for all Houdini's wiles, anemones, which are squishy non-vertebrates, are even more trying. They can squeeze into uncomfortable niches or plug up the aquarium drainage, and they also have temperamental microbiomes.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Georgia Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Zoe A. Pratte, Nastassia V. Patin, Mary E. McWhirt, Alicia M. Caughman, Darren J. Parris, Frank J. Stewart. Association with a sea anemone alters the skin microbiome of clownfish. Coral Reefs, 2018; 37 (4): 1119 DOI: 10.1007/s00338-018-01750-z
==========================
How tiny fish ear bones can reveal criminal activityBiologists in Montana have used forensic geochemistry to determine where illegally introduced carnivorous fish originally came from.
FISH CARRY A trove of information about their life history and habitats inside their heads—more specifically, inside their ear bones. Now, Montana state biologists have used these flat, oval structures to suss out the source of an illegally introduced fish. It’s the broadest-scale forensics case to date using fish ear bones.
State biologists discovered two illegally introduced walleyes, a carnivorous species that grows to about two feet long, in Swan Lake, in northwestern Montana. The scientists had been netting for lake trout, another invasive species, when they serendipitously caught the walleyes and took them back to the lab for analysis.
The presence of walleyes in Swan Lake came as a surprise, because the closest body of water known to contain this species is roughly 160 miles away by road.
Fish ear bones, or otoliths, can serve as useful forensic tools because the water fish live in leaves a chemical marker on them. The geology surrounding a lakebed, in particular, leaves a distinct chemical signature in the water that gets absorbed into the otoliths, and analyzing the bones can indicate where a fish has spent its time.
To determine where the Swan Lake walleyes had come from, the scientists worked with colleagues around the state to collect otoliths from walleyes living in 12 other lakes that anglers tend to frequent. They found a matching signature in Lake Helena, located 192 road miles south of Swan Lake.
According to Sam Bourret, a fisheries biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in Kalispell who led the study and published a paper in August documenting the findings, that distance between the two bodies of water is likely what enticed someone to bring the fish to Swan Lake. “There’s probably an angler who wants to fish for walleyes closer to home,” he says, noting that walleyes are a popular sport fish in the region and make for “really good table fare.”
This is one of the two walleyes Montana biologists found in Swan Lake in 2015. Because the chemistry of a fish’s ear bone directly reflects the water the fish lives in, the bones are a useful tool in determining the origin of illegally introduced fish.
The ear bone sleuthing by the Montana team is “a pretty interesting use of that approach,” says Rachel Johnson, a fisheries biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Santa Cruz, California, who uses otoliths to study migration patterns of salmon. The technique worked well in this case, she says, because each lake has such distinct geochemistry. But, she says, over broader geographic regions where the water chemistry isn’t as varied from lake to lake, finding as clear a match may prove harder.
Another factor working in the Montana researchers’ favor was the fortuitous and improbable fact that they seemed to have found the very individuals that had been introduced, rather than their offspring, says Jake Vander Zanden, an ecologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies aquatic invasive species.
“Typically when you discover a new population of what might be considered an invasive species, you’re not going to capture the individuals that were themselves transported,” Vander Zanden says. He calls the otolith findings “pretty striking.”
Bull trout are listed as a threatened species. An invasive walleye population could prey on native bull trout juveniles and compete for food and habitat.
Bourret says they haven’t found any additional walleyes since they caught those first two in 2015, indicating that the biologists may have nipped the invasive population in the bud. That’s a good thing for sensitive native fish living in Swan Lake, including bull trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. If left to reproduce, a walleye population could severely stress native fish by preying on juveniles and competing for food and habitat, Vander Zanden says. The introduction of nonnative fish is a widespread problem for native fish elsewhere in the country, he adds.
Bourret says they hope now to identify the person or people responsible for introducing the invasive species to Swan Lake—a felony punishable by up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website.
Successfully pinpointing the source of the illegal fish is heartening and helpful, he says, but it can get you only so far in identifying the perpetrators of the crime. “It’s obviously not a panacea—just another tool managers can use, and a step in the right direction for illegal fish introductions.”
Yet another tool is a reward, in this instance up to $35,250 offered for information leading to conviction—$15,250 contributed by the state and $20,000 by Montana Trout Unlimited, a regional conservation organization.
“We think that if we can get a conviction, it would send a message to the public that we aren’t going to stand for this,” Bourret says.
==========================
FISH CARRY A trove of information about their life history and habitats inside their heads—more specifically, inside their ear bones. Now, Montana state biologists have used these flat, oval structures to suss out the source of an illegally introduced fish. It’s the broadest-scale forensics case to date using fish ear bones.
State biologists discovered two illegally introduced walleyes, a carnivorous species that grows to about two feet long, in Swan Lake, in northwestern Montana. The scientists had been netting for lake trout, another invasive species, when they serendipitously caught the walleyes and took them back to the lab for analysis.
The presence of walleyes in Swan Lake came as a surprise, because the closest body of water known to contain this species is roughly 160 miles away by road.
Fish ear bones, or otoliths, can serve as useful forensic tools because the water fish live in leaves a chemical marker on them. The geology surrounding a lakebed, in particular, leaves a distinct chemical signature in the water that gets absorbed into the otoliths, and analyzing the bones can indicate where a fish has spent its time.
To determine where the Swan Lake walleyes had come from, the scientists worked with colleagues around the state to collect otoliths from walleyes living in 12 other lakes that anglers tend to frequent. They found a matching signature in Lake Helena, located 192 road miles south of Swan Lake.
According to Sam Bourret, a fisheries biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in Kalispell who led the study and published a paper in August documenting the findings, that distance between the two bodies of water is likely what enticed someone to bring the fish to Swan Lake. “There’s probably an angler who wants to fish for walleyes closer to home,” he says, noting that walleyes are a popular sport fish in the region and make for “really good table fare.”
This is one of the two walleyes Montana biologists found in Swan Lake in 2015. Because the chemistry of a fish’s ear bone directly reflects the water the fish lives in, the bones are a useful tool in determining the origin of illegally introduced fish.
The ear bone sleuthing by the Montana team is “a pretty interesting use of that approach,” says Rachel Johnson, a fisheries biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Santa Cruz, California, who uses otoliths to study migration patterns of salmon. The technique worked well in this case, she says, because each lake has such distinct geochemistry. But, she says, over broader geographic regions where the water chemistry isn’t as varied from lake to lake, finding as clear a match may prove harder.
Another factor working in the Montana researchers’ favor was the fortuitous and improbable fact that they seemed to have found the very individuals that had been introduced, rather than their offspring, says Jake Vander Zanden, an ecologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies aquatic invasive species.
“Typically when you discover a new population of what might be considered an invasive species, you’re not going to capture the individuals that were themselves transported,” Vander Zanden says. He calls the otolith findings “pretty striking.”
Bull trout are listed as a threatened species. An invasive walleye population could prey on native bull trout juveniles and compete for food and habitat.
Bourret says they haven’t found any additional walleyes since they caught those first two in 2015, indicating that the biologists may have nipped the invasive population in the bud. That’s a good thing for sensitive native fish living in Swan Lake, including bull trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. If left to reproduce, a walleye population could severely stress native fish by preying on juveniles and competing for food and habitat, Vander Zanden says. The introduction of nonnative fish is a widespread problem for native fish elsewhere in the country, he adds.
Bourret says they hope now to identify the person or people responsible for introducing the invasive species to Swan Lake—a felony punishable by up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website.
Successfully pinpointing the source of the illegal fish is heartening and helpful, he says, but it can get you only so far in identifying the perpetrators of the crime. “It’s obviously not a panacea—just another tool managers can use, and a step in the right direction for illegal fish introductions.”
Yet another tool is a reward, in this instance up to $35,250 offered for information leading to conviction—$15,250 contributed by the state and $20,000 by Montana Trout Unlimited, a regional conservation organization.
“We think that if we can get a conviction, it would send a message to the public that we aren’t going to stand for this,” Bourret says.
==========================
How electric fish got their big brains
Source:
Washington University in St. Louis
Summary:
Researchers have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail. The new measurements can help illuminate longstanding questions in neuroanatomy. As brains get bigger, do all regions of the brain scale up in a predictable way? Or does natural selection act independently on separate regions of the brain -- such that certain parts of the brain become enlarged in animals that have extra reasons to use them?
Share:
FULL STORY
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail.
Credit: Courtesy Carlson laboratory, Washington University in St. LouisHelmet-heads of the freshwater fish world, African mormyrid fishes are known for having a brain-to-body size ratio that is similar to humans.
But there's actually a great deal of variation in the size of mormyrid brains. These differences provide an opportunity to look at what's behind the bulk.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail. In a new study published in the Nov. 15 issue of Current Biology, they report that the part of the brain called the cerebellum is bigger in members of this fish family compared to related fish -- and this may be associated with their use of weak electric discharges to locate prey and to communicate with one another.
The size finding in itself is not particularly surprising for those who follow this fish, said Bruce Carlson, professor of biology in Arts & Sciences. "It had almost become a truism," he said. In mormyrids, at least, the thinking went, "big brains mean big cerebellums."
Instead, the researchers are charged up about how their new measurements can help illuminate longstanding questions in neuroanatomy.
As brains get bigger, do all regions of the brain scale up in a predictable way? Or does natural selection act independently on separate regions of the brain -- such that certain parts of the brain become enlarged in animals that have extra reasons to use them?
"When you look at human brains, the cerebral cortex has become this giant part that has engulfed the other regions of the brain," said Kimberley V. Sukhum, first author of the new study, who recently completed her PhD in biology at Washington University. She works as a postdoctoral researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
"We see something similar with the cerebellum in the mormyrids," Sukhum said. "But it wasn't known how this region had gotten so big -- or even if all of the species had a very big cerebellum."
There are more than 200 species of mormyrids. Some have been studied extensively because of their special electrosensory systems. Researchers long sought answers as to how these fish use electrical pulses for communication and way-finding. Other species in the mormyrid family have been largely ignored.
For this analysis, Carlson and Sukhum chose to compare individuals from six mormyrid species, one species that was considered a close relative, and three other distantly related fish species.
Sukhum and Carlson used micro-CT technology to collect full scans of the soft tissue of the fishes' brains, then painstakingly identified the landmarks that delineated distinct regions within them. The 3D maps they created allowed them to measure and compare the volume of individual regions of the brain with great precision.
Across all of the fish that they compared, they found that as total brain size increased, the sizes of individual regions within the brain also increased in a predictable fashion. However, with the mormyrids, they found that the size of the cerebellum could not be fully predicted by total brain size.
In other words, electric fish had significantly bigger cerebellums than fish with no zip. Electric fish also had bigger hindbrains than their related, non-electric cousins.
If one part of the brain can be shown to size up or size down independent of other parts of the brain, then neuroanatomists said this is an example of something called mosaic evolution. Mosaic shifts are thought to be relatively rare, and much of the current research on this topic is focused on identifying the kinds of situations in nature where such shifts occur.
"Here, we see the mosaic increases only in the mormyrids, and not in the outgroups," Sukhum said. "And one of the things that we see in the mormyrids and not the outgroups is the electrosensory system. There is a potential relationship between these two things."
Some of the mormyrids that they measured had extremely large brains -- up to three times bigger than the smallest-brained mormyrids in the study. Despite this difference in total size, there was no evidence of mosaic changes in the cerebellum within the group. This is evidence that mosaic shifts are not just the result of evolving a big brain. Instead, the shifts are likely related to the evolution of novel traits, such as the electrosensory system.
This study cannot say for sure why mormyrids have such big cerebellums -- only that they do.
But Carlson has a hunch. He thinks this part of the brain might be doing the lion's share of the mormyrid's work with motor planning, and also with how the fish anticipates the sensory feedback it will receive as it moves about and sends out electrical pulses.
"There's a lot more planning and consequences to deal with than for your average fish," Carlson said.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Washington University in St. Louis. Original written by Talia Ogliore. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Source:
Washington University in St. Louis
Summary:
Researchers have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail. The new measurements can help illuminate longstanding questions in neuroanatomy. As brains get bigger, do all regions of the brain scale up in a predictable way? Or does natural selection act independently on separate regions of the brain -- such that certain parts of the brain become enlarged in animals that have extra reasons to use them?
Share:
FULL STORY
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail.
Credit: Courtesy Carlson laboratory, Washington University in St. LouisHelmet-heads of the freshwater fish world, African mormyrid fishes are known for having a brain-to-body size ratio that is similar to humans.
But there's actually a great deal of variation in the size of mormyrid brains. These differences provide an opportunity to look at what's behind the bulk.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have mapped the regions of the brain in mormyrid fish in extremely high detail. In a new study published in the Nov. 15 issue of Current Biology, they report that the part of the brain called the cerebellum is bigger in members of this fish family compared to related fish -- and this may be associated with their use of weak electric discharges to locate prey and to communicate with one another.
The size finding in itself is not particularly surprising for those who follow this fish, said Bruce Carlson, professor of biology in Arts & Sciences. "It had almost become a truism," he said. In mormyrids, at least, the thinking went, "big brains mean big cerebellums."
Instead, the researchers are charged up about how their new measurements can help illuminate longstanding questions in neuroanatomy.
As brains get bigger, do all regions of the brain scale up in a predictable way? Or does natural selection act independently on separate regions of the brain -- such that certain parts of the brain become enlarged in animals that have extra reasons to use them?
"When you look at human brains, the cerebral cortex has become this giant part that has engulfed the other regions of the brain," said Kimberley V. Sukhum, first author of the new study, who recently completed her PhD in biology at Washington University. She works as a postdoctoral researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
"We see something similar with the cerebellum in the mormyrids," Sukhum said. "But it wasn't known how this region had gotten so big -- or even if all of the species had a very big cerebellum."
There are more than 200 species of mormyrids. Some have been studied extensively because of their special electrosensory systems. Researchers long sought answers as to how these fish use electrical pulses for communication and way-finding. Other species in the mormyrid family have been largely ignored.
For this analysis, Carlson and Sukhum chose to compare individuals from six mormyrid species, one species that was considered a close relative, and three other distantly related fish species.
Sukhum and Carlson used micro-CT technology to collect full scans of the soft tissue of the fishes' brains, then painstakingly identified the landmarks that delineated distinct regions within them. The 3D maps they created allowed them to measure and compare the volume of individual regions of the brain with great precision.
Across all of the fish that they compared, they found that as total brain size increased, the sizes of individual regions within the brain also increased in a predictable fashion. However, with the mormyrids, they found that the size of the cerebellum could not be fully predicted by total brain size.
In other words, electric fish had significantly bigger cerebellums than fish with no zip. Electric fish also had bigger hindbrains than their related, non-electric cousins.
If one part of the brain can be shown to size up or size down independent of other parts of the brain, then neuroanatomists said this is an example of something called mosaic evolution. Mosaic shifts are thought to be relatively rare, and much of the current research on this topic is focused on identifying the kinds of situations in nature where such shifts occur.
"Here, we see the mosaic increases only in the mormyrids, and not in the outgroups," Sukhum said. "And one of the things that we see in the mormyrids and not the outgroups is the electrosensory system. There is a potential relationship between these two things."
Some of the mormyrids that they measured had extremely large brains -- up to three times bigger than the smallest-brained mormyrids in the study. Despite this difference in total size, there was no evidence of mosaic changes in the cerebellum within the group. This is evidence that mosaic shifts are not just the result of evolving a big brain. Instead, the shifts are likely related to the evolution of novel traits, such as the electrosensory system.
This study cannot say for sure why mormyrids have such big cerebellums -- only that they do.
But Carlson has a hunch. He thinks this part of the brain might be doing the lion's share of the mormyrid's work with motor planning, and also with how the fish anticipates the sensory feedback it will receive as it moves about and sends out electrical pulses.
"There's a lot more planning and consequences to deal with than for your average fish," Carlson said.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Washington University in St. Louis. Original written by Talia Ogliore. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Kimberley V. Sukhum, Jerry Shen, Bruce A. Carlson. Extreme Enlargement of the Cerebellum in a Clade of Teleost Fishes that Evolved a Novel Active Sensory System. Current Biology, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.038
==========================
Austrolebias queguay • A New Species of Annual Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae)Endemic to the lower Uruguay River Basin
Austrolebias queguay
Serra & Loureiro, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.29115
Abstract
In this article we describe a new species of the annual fish genus Austrolebias from the lower Uruguay river basin. The fusion of the urogenital papilla to the first anal fin ray in males and the pigmentation pattern, indicates a close relationship with the clade formed by A. bellottii, A. melanoorus, and A. univentripinnis. The new species can be differentiated from those by the following combination of characters: presence of well-defined light bands contrasting with the sides of the body, the distal portion of the anal fin dark gray, pelvic fins dark bluish green and bases united at about 50–80% on their medial margins, pectoral fins with iridescent blue sub-marginal band, and general coloration of body bluish green. The new species can only be found in wetlands of the Queguay river, an area included in the Uruguayan protected areas system and represents so far the only annual fish species endemic to the lower Uruguay river basin.
Key Words: Austrolebias bellottii species group, Systematics, La Plata basin
Austrolebias queguay sp. n.
Austrolebias sp. in Loureiro et al. (2018)
Diagnosis: The new species differs from all the other species of the genus except Austrolebias bellottii, A. univentripinnis and A. melanoorus, by the presence of the urogenital papilla attached to the anal fin in males (vs. free from the anal fin). It differs from A. bellottii and A. univentripinnis by the presence of well-defined light blue bands contrasting with the sides of the body in adult males (vs. vertical rows of light blue dots) (Fig. 2); from A. melanoorus, by the presence of dark gray coloration of the distal portion of the anal fin in males (vs. distal portion of anal-fin black), pelvic-fins dark bluish green (observed in ventral view) and bases united at about 50–80% on their medial margins (vs. dark gray and united about 50% or less), pectoral-fins with iridescent blue sub-marginal band (vs. sub-marginal band absent), and general coloration of the body bluish green (vs. grayish sky blue).
Etymology: The specific name, queguay, is in reference to Queguay river basin, the type locality of the new species, treated as a noun in apposition to the generic name.
Distribution: Austrolebias queguay is endemic to the wetlands of middle Queguay river basin (30 meters above sea level), Paysandú Department, Uruguay, which flows to the lower Uruguay river (Fig. 6).
Ecology: As many species of the family Rivulidae, A. queguay presents an annual life cycle which includes drought resistant eggs and diapausing embryos. All species of Austrolebias are obligate annuals (Berois et al. 2016). In the Pampa biome there is not a defined dry season, so dried environments can be found between mid spring to early fall (depending on the year), when evaporation is higher than precipitations (Williams 2006; García et al. 2017). Austrolebias species can be found in small grassland ponds and seasonal floodplain wetlands; however the new species has been found so far only in the latter environments (Fig. 7).
Wilson S. Serra and Marcelo Loureiro. 2018. Austrolebias queguay (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), A New Species of Annual Killifish Endemic to the lower Uruguay River Basin. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(2): 547-556. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.29115
==========================
=
Austrolebias queguay
Serra & Loureiro, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.29115
Abstract
In this article we describe a new species of the annual fish genus Austrolebias from the lower Uruguay river basin. The fusion of the urogenital papilla to the first anal fin ray in males and the pigmentation pattern, indicates a close relationship with the clade formed by A. bellottii, A. melanoorus, and A. univentripinnis. The new species can be differentiated from those by the following combination of characters: presence of well-defined light bands contrasting with the sides of the body, the distal portion of the anal fin dark gray, pelvic fins dark bluish green and bases united at about 50–80% on their medial margins, pectoral fins with iridescent blue sub-marginal band, and general coloration of body bluish green. The new species can only be found in wetlands of the Queguay river, an area included in the Uruguayan protected areas system and represents so far the only annual fish species endemic to the lower Uruguay river basin.
Key Words: Austrolebias bellottii species group, Systematics, La Plata basin
Austrolebias queguay sp. n.
Austrolebias sp. in Loureiro et al. (2018)
Diagnosis: The new species differs from all the other species of the genus except Austrolebias bellottii, A. univentripinnis and A. melanoorus, by the presence of the urogenital papilla attached to the anal fin in males (vs. free from the anal fin). It differs from A. bellottii and A. univentripinnis by the presence of well-defined light blue bands contrasting with the sides of the body in adult males (vs. vertical rows of light blue dots) (Fig. 2); from A. melanoorus, by the presence of dark gray coloration of the distal portion of the anal fin in males (vs. distal portion of anal-fin black), pelvic-fins dark bluish green (observed in ventral view) and bases united at about 50–80% on their medial margins (vs. dark gray and united about 50% or less), pectoral-fins with iridescent blue sub-marginal band (vs. sub-marginal band absent), and general coloration of the body bluish green (vs. grayish sky blue).
Etymology: The specific name, queguay, is in reference to Queguay river basin, the type locality of the new species, treated as a noun in apposition to the generic name.
Distribution: Austrolebias queguay is endemic to the wetlands of middle Queguay river basin (30 meters above sea level), Paysandú Department, Uruguay, which flows to the lower Uruguay river (Fig. 6).
Ecology: As many species of the family Rivulidae, A. queguay presents an annual life cycle which includes drought resistant eggs and diapausing embryos. All species of Austrolebias are obligate annuals (Berois et al. 2016). In the Pampa biome there is not a defined dry season, so dried environments can be found between mid spring to early fall (depending on the year), when evaporation is higher than precipitations (Williams 2006; García et al. 2017). Austrolebias species can be found in small grassland ponds and seasonal floodplain wetlands; however the new species has been found so far only in the latter environments (Fig. 7).
Wilson S. Serra and Marcelo Loureiro. 2018. Austrolebias queguay (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), A New Species of Annual Killifish Endemic to the lower Uruguay River Basin. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(2): 547-556. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.29115
==========================
=
Female fish seen performing rocking dance to attract males. Anableps anableps were recorded engaging in the strange behaviour at Living Coasts zoo in Devon.
Fish at Living Coasts in Torquay have been observed performing a mating behaviour that zookeepers think has never before been recorded. Animal experts filmed female four-eyed fish (Anableps anableps) rocking from side-to-side; this appeared to attract the male to come and mate.
Sharp-eyed aquarists Tom Fielding and Sam Worthington noted and eventually videoed the curious behaviour. Clare Rugg, curator of the Devon coastal zoo, has a theory: “One possibility is that the movement of the female fish is releasing pheromones into the water to signal that she is ready for mating. She maximises the spread of the pheromones by swaying her body from side to side so that the chemical signal is carried further on the ripples of water. We see her doing the rocking and after a while the males start to approach – perhaps once they have sensed the pheromones in the water.”
The behaviour has been observed several times by staff, who now hope that research can be carried out into the phenomenon. Living Coasts is home to some 38 four-eyed fish; the coastal zoo, part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, is one of just a handful of zoos across Europe to keep them.
Even before these tales of unusual mating behaviour, this South American fish had laid claim to being arguably the most unusual species in the world. While they don’t have four eyes, they do have eyes that are partially divided, so they can see above and below the water.
In addition, they mate side-by-side – and, strangely, both the male sex organ (gonopodium) and the female's genital opening (foricula) turn only to the left or the right, meaning a left-leaning male can only mate successfully with a right-sided female. No one knows why, or frankly can see an evolutionary advantage, as it appears to halve the chances of finding a compatible mate.
video is at
youtu.be/qX8cuiFVS9M
==========================
Fish at Living Coasts in Torquay have been observed performing a mating behaviour that zookeepers think has never before been recorded. Animal experts filmed female four-eyed fish (Anableps anableps) rocking from side-to-side; this appeared to attract the male to come and mate.
Sharp-eyed aquarists Tom Fielding and Sam Worthington noted and eventually videoed the curious behaviour. Clare Rugg, curator of the Devon coastal zoo, has a theory: “One possibility is that the movement of the female fish is releasing pheromones into the water to signal that she is ready for mating. She maximises the spread of the pheromones by swaying her body from side to side so that the chemical signal is carried further on the ripples of water. We see her doing the rocking and after a while the males start to approach – perhaps once they have sensed the pheromones in the water.”
The behaviour has been observed several times by staff, who now hope that research can be carried out into the phenomenon. Living Coasts is home to some 38 four-eyed fish; the coastal zoo, part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, is one of just a handful of zoos across Europe to keep them.
Even before these tales of unusual mating behaviour, this South American fish had laid claim to being arguably the most unusual species in the world. While they don’t have four eyes, they do have eyes that are partially divided, so they can see above and below the water.
In addition, they mate side-by-side – and, strangely, both the male sex organ (gonopodium) and the female's genital opening (foricula) turn only to the left or the right, meaning a left-leaning male can only mate successfully with a right-sided female. No one knows why, or frankly can see an evolutionary advantage, as it appears to halve the chances of finding a compatible mate.
video is at
youtu.be/qX8cuiFVS9M
==========================
Spatuloricaria terracanticum • A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia
Spatuloricaria terracanticum
Londoño-Burbano, Urbano-Bonilla, Rojas-Molina, Ramírez-Gil, & Prada-Pedreros, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
A new species of Spatuloricaria is described from the Orinoco River basin, Colombia. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a broad, dark brown stripe on the first pre-dorsal plate, which occupies the entire plate, reaching the preopercle, and sometimes reaching the second pre-dorsal plate; the possession of a small group of plates posterior to the urogenital pore; the abdominal surface with scattered, very small plates leaving naked areas; the possession of five transverse dark brown bands on the dorsal region; and four to five premaxillary teeth. The new species is the first valid species of Spatuloricaria distributed in the Orinoco River basin. Ecological notes of the species and comments regarding the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are offered.
Fig. . Spatuloricaria terracanticum, coloration in life; MPUJ 13401, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, Guayuriba River, tributary to the upper Meta River, Orinoco basin.
Photograph by A. Ortega-Lara.
Spatuloricaria terracanticum, new species
Spatuloricaria sp.—Urbano-Bonilla et al., 2018:74 [listed; included in identification key for Loricariidae genera and species of the Cusiana River, Orinoco River basin].
Etymology.--The specific epithet is from the latin terra [earth] and canticum [song]. It is dedicated to the Llanos work songs (cantos de vaquería). Its origin dates back to the 16th century and has been transferred from generation to generation in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Sung a cappella, melodies reflect the feeling and the close relationship of the llanero with their myths, beliefs, nature, climate, and animals. Although these songs have been gradually lost within modern society due to economic, political, and social causes, UNESCO has declared them as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Alexander Urbano-Bonilla, Yecid Rojas-Molina, Hernando Ramírez-Gil, and Saúl Prada-Pedreros. 2018. A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Copeia. 106(4); 611-621. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057388597773516800
==========================
Spatuloricaria terracanticum
Londoño-Burbano, Urbano-Bonilla, Rojas-Molina, Ramírez-Gil, & Prada-Pedreros, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
A new species of Spatuloricaria is described from the Orinoco River basin, Colombia. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a broad, dark brown stripe on the first pre-dorsal plate, which occupies the entire plate, reaching the preopercle, and sometimes reaching the second pre-dorsal plate; the possession of a small group of plates posterior to the urogenital pore; the abdominal surface with scattered, very small plates leaving naked areas; the possession of five transverse dark brown bands on the dorsal region; and four to five premaxillary teeth. The new species is the first valid species of Spatuloricaria distributed in the Orinoco River basin. Ecological notes of the species and comments regarding the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are offered.
Fig. . Spatuloricaria terracanticum, coloration in life; MPUJ 13401, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, Guayuriba River, tributary to the upper Meta River, Orinoco basin.
Photograph by A. Ortega-Lara.
Spatuloricaria terracanticum, new species
Spatuloricaria sp.—Urbano-Bonilla et al., 2018:74 [listed; included in identification key for Loricariidae genera and species of the Cusiana River, Orinoco River basin].
Etymology.--The specific epithet is from the latin terra [earth] and canticum [song]. It is dedicated to the Llanos work songs (cantos de vaquería). Its origin dates back to the 16th century and has been transferred from generation to generation in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Sung a cappella, melodies reflect the feeling and the close relationship of the llanero with their myths, beliefs, nature, climate, and animals. Although these songs have been gradually lost within modern society due to economic, political, and social causes, UNESCO has declared them as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Alexander Urbano-Bonilla, Yecid Rojas-Molina, Hernando Ramírez-Gil, and Saúl Prada-Pedreros. 2018. A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Copeia. 106(4); 611-621. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057388597773516800
==========================
Melanotaenia etnaensis a new Rainbow confined to streams mainly flowing into Etna Bay, West Papua
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty, 2016
Etna Bay Rainbowfish
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia etnaensis are bluish grey dorsally on the head and back, ventral half of body with large bluish patch above the pelvic fins and yellowish patch with blue-black scale margins on the middle portion of the lower side (above anterior half of anal fin), grading to tapering bluish area above posterior half of anal fin; conspicuous blackish mid-lateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, widest portion on posterior caudal peduncle where it covers about two horizontal scale rows; narrow orange stripe between each scale row on side of body (most conspicuous on upper side); longitudinal yellowish zone on side immediately below blackish mid-lateral stripe, most vivid on lower caudal peduncle; upper part of opercle (below black stripe) silvery, punctuated posteriorly with small red spot; first dorsal fin bluish; second dorsal and fins yellowish on basal half, translucent to reddish on outer half; caudal fin pale grey; pelvic fins pale yellowish; pectoral fins translucent. Large males in particular exhibit a strong, well-contrasted dark mid-lateral stripe, yellow scales on the middle of the lower side, and yellowish to reddish dorsal and anal fins, the latter usually with a yellow basal stripe. Colour pattern of female similar to that of male except generally less vivid.
Melanotaenia etnaensis is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. Specimens collected from the Pama River by H. Bleher in 2013 have a notably different colour pattern and appear to mature at a much smaller size than other Etna Bay populations. However, on the basis of genetic analysis, they are essentially identical to the population from the Amabalanga type locality. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases.
Melanotaenia etnaensis (male) - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia etnaensis is apparently confined to streams mainly flowing into Etna Bay, West Papua or in its immediate vicinity. The bay is situated on the southern coast of New Guinea, approximately 100 km southeast of the town of Kaimana. This large bay extends for approximately 55 km inland, progressively narrowing from the 15 km-wide mouth to the inner sections, which average only 1-2 km in width. The bay is spectacularly scenic with rainforest-covered mountains rising to over 1,000 m around much of the periphery with the exception of the southwestern section, which is low-lying swampland. Numerous creeks and small rivers flow into the bay throughout its length. Melanotaenia etnaensis have been collected or observed in the Ambalanga River, a small river situated at the mouth of the bay, and also from several small creeks flowing into the extreme inner portion. The habitat generally consists of rainforest (both primary and second growth) streams and the fish is generally found in deeper pools littered with fallen logs and branches. Temperature and pH recorded by Heiko Bleher during February 2013 at the Ambalanga River and Pama River ranged from 25.3-27.8°C and 7.4-8.8, respectively.
Remarks
Melanotaenia etnaensis was named "etnaensis" with reference to the Etna Bay type locality.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty, 2016
Etna Bay Rainbowfish
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia etnaensis are bluish grey dorsally on the head and back, ventral half of body with large bluish patch above the pelvic fins and yellowish patch with blue-black scale margins on the middle portion of the lower side (above anterior half of anal fin), grading to tapering bluish area above posterior half of anal fin; conspicuous blackish mid-lateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, widest portion on posterior caudal peduncle where it covers about two horizontal scale rows; narrow orange stripe between each scale row on side of body (most conspicuous on upper side); longitudinal yellowish zone on side immediately below blackish mid-lateral stripe, most vivid on lower caudal peduncle; upper part of opercle (below black stripe) silvery, punctuated posteriorly with small red spot; first dorsal fin bluish; second dorsal and fins yellowish on basal half, translucent to reddish on outer half; caudal fin pale grey; pelvic fins pale yellowish; pectoral fins translucent. Large males in particular exhibit a strong, well-contrasted dark mid-lateral stripe, yellow scales on the middle of the lower side, and yellowish to reddish dorsal and anal fins, the latter usually with a yellow basal stripe. Colour pattern of female similar to that of male except generally less vivid.
Melanotaenia etnaensis is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. Specimens collected from the Pama River by H. Bleher in 2013 have a notably different colour pattern and appear to mature at a much smaller size than other Etna Bay populations. However, on the basis of genetic analysis, they are essentially identical to the population from the Amabalanga type locality. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases.
Melanotaenia etnaensis (male) - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia etnaensis is apparently confined to streams mainly flowing into Etna Bay, West Papua or in its immediate vicinity. The bay is situated on the southern coast of New Guinea, approximately 100 km southeast of the town of Kaimana. This large bay extends for approximately 55 km inland, progressively narrowing from the 15 km-wide mouth to the inner sections, which average only 1-2 km in width. The bay is spectacularly scenic with rainforest-covered mountains rising to over 1,000 m around much of the periphery with the exception of the southwestern section, which is low-lying swampland. Numerous creeks and small rivers flow into the bay throughout its length. Melanotaenia etnaensis have been collected or observed in the Ambalanga River, a small river situated at the mouth of the bay, and also from several small creeks flowing into the extreme inner portion. The habitat generally consists of rainforest (both primary and second growth) streams and the fish is generally found in deeper pools littered with fallen logs and branches. Temperature and pH recorded by Heiko Bleher during February 2013 at the Ambalanga River and Pama River ranged from 25.3-27.8°C and 7.4-8.8, respectively.
Remarks
Melanotaenia etnaensis was named "etnaensis" with reference to the Etna Bay type locality.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Melanotaenia mamahensis a new species of Rainbow from the Mamah River close to Cenderawasih Bay West Papua
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia mamahensis are brown dorsally on head and predorsal midline, bluish grey on side of nape and most of upper back; blue midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, usually darkest and widest on caudal peduncle where it covers 1.5-2 horizontal scale rows; narrow orange stripe between each scale row on upper half of side; relatively broad yellow zone immediately above and parallel to dark midlateral blue stripe, occupying 1-2 scale rows; lower side pale bluish to light grey with whitish spot on centre of each scale; opercle and lower half of head whitish or pale greyish, usually with silvery reflections and red spot (about one-half pupil size) on upper rear corner of opercle; first dorsal fin reddish anteriorly, grading to bluish posteriorly; second dorsal fin reddish to yellowish; anal fin red basally and mainly translucent bluish on outer half; caudal fin dusky greyish; pelvic fins white; pectoral fins mainly translucent.
Melanotaenia mamahensis (female) - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Melanotaenia mamahensis is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases. Adult males of M. mamahensis are distinguished by a broad yellow zone above the mid-lateral stripe and yellowish scale margins on the back, which exhibit variable intensity.
Mamah River Habitat - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia mamahensis is currently known only from the Mamah River, a small stream situated about 50 km west of Nabire, near the edge of Cenderawasih Bay. The habitat consists of a clear, slow-flowing rainforest stream. The species was reported as abundant, swimming in large groups, especially in the deeper, shaded sections. Temperature and pH values of 26.3°C and 7.9 respectively were recorded at the time of collection (January 2015).
Mamah River Habitat - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Remarks
Live specimens were collected by Hans-Georg Evers, Jeffrey Christian and Andreas Wagnitz from the Mamah River in 2015, and distributed in the aquarium hobby.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqau
ld.org.
==========================
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia mamahensis are brown dorsally on head and predorsal midline, bluish grey on side of nape and most of upper back; blue midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, usually darkest and widest on caudal peduncle where it covers 1.5-2 horizontal scale rows; narrow orange stripe between each scale row on upper half of side; relatively broad yellow zone immediately above and parallel to dark midlateral blue stripe, occupying 1-2 scale rows; lower side pale bluish to light grey with whitish spot on centre of each scale; opercle and lower half of head whitish or pale greyish, usually with silvery reflections and red spot (about one-half pupil size) on upper rear corner of opercle; first dorsal fin reddish anteriorly, grading to bluish posteriorly; second dorsal fin reddish to yellowish; anal fin red basally and mainly translucent bluish on outer half; caudal fin dusky greyish; pelvic fins white; pectoral fins mainly translucent.
Melanotaenia mamahensis (female) - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Melanotaenia mamahensis is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases. Adult males of M. mamahensis are distinguished by a broad yellow zone above the mid-lateral stripe and yellowish scale margins on the back, which exhibit variable intensity.
Mamah River Habitat - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia mamahensis is currently known only from the Mamah River, a small stream situated about 50 km west of Nabire, near the edge of Cenderawasih Bay. The habitat consists of a clear, slow-flowing rainforest stream. The species was reported as abundant, swimming in large groups, especially in the deeper, shaded sections. Temperature and pH values of 26.3°C and 7.9 respectively were recorded at the time of collection (January 2015).
Mamah River Habitat - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Remarks
Live specimens were collected by Hans-Georg Evers, Jeffrey Christian and Andreas Wagnitz from the Mamah River in 2015, and distributed in the aquarium hobby.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqau
ld.org.
==========================
A new rainbow Melanotaenia grunwaldi from upper Wami River system West Papua
Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2016
Grunwald's Rainbowfish
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia grunwaldi are yellow-brown dorsally on head and greenish brown on upper back, grading to whitish ventrally; blue midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, widest portion on caudal peduncle where it covers about two horizontal scale rows; narrow brass-coloured stripe between each scale row on upper two-thirds of side; longitudinal yellowish zone on side immediately above blue mid-lateral stripe, extending onto upper caudal peduncle, also yellow ventrally on caudal peduncle below blue midlateral stripe; diffuse bluish zone anteriorly on lower side beginning at level of lower pectoral-fin base, extending posteriorly to level of about tenth soft anal ray; yellowish stripe (with metallic reflections) behind eye extending across upper cheek and middle of operculum where punctuated posteriorly with small red spot; dorsal, anal, pelvic and caudal fins yellow, except broadly translucent whitish on base of second dorsal and distal margin of anal and caudal fins; pectoral fins translucent yellowish. Colour pattern of female similar to that of male except lacking yellow areas on body and fins.
Melanotaenia grunwaldi is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia grunwaldi is currently known only from three sites in the upper, which rises in hills within about 15-20 km southeast of the coastal town of Nabire, in West Papua. These sites are located along the Nabire-Enarotali road, one at the Topo River, another in a nearby tributary, and the third at the Lebki River. The first two locations are about 10 km south of Nabire and lie at an elevation of about 193 m above sea level. The third is about 6 km farther inland at an elevation 116 m. Specimens were captured in moderately fast-flowing conditions over a rock and gravel bottom. Temperature and pH values of 25.0-26.3°C and 7.5-8.2 respectively were recorded.
Melanotaenia grunwaldi [Lebki River] - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Remarks
Melanotaenia grunwaldi was named "grunwaldi" in honour of Norbert Grunwald, a well-known German aquarist who devoted much of his life to keeping rainbowfishes and for his many years of service in connection with the Internationale Gesellschaft für Regenbogenfische (IRG) and its journal Regenbogenfisch.
The very first specimens of Melanotaenia grunwaldi were collected in the Wami River system by G. R. Allen and H. Bleher in 1982. M. grunwaldi (Topo River) were first collected for the aquarium hobby in 2012 by Gary Lange and Johannes Graf. Further collections from the Pepaya River (tributary of the Topo River) and Lebki River were collected in 2015 by Hans-Georg Evers, Jeffrey Christian and Andreas Wagnitz.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish u.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2016
Grunwald's Rainbowfish
Species Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia grunwaldi are yellow-brown dorsally on head and greenish brown on upper back, grading to whitish ventrally; blue midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, widest portion on caudal peduncle where it covers about two horizontal scale rows; narrow brass-coloured stripe between each scale row on upper two-thirds of side; longitudinal yellowish zone on side immediately above blue mid-lateral stripe, extending onto upper caudal peduncle, also yellow ventrally on caudal peduncle below blue midlateral stripe; diffuse bluish zone anteriorly on lower side beginning at level of lower pectoral-fin base, extending posteriorly to level of about tenth soft anal ray; yellowish stripe (with metallic reflections) behind eye extending across upper cheek and middle of operculum where punctuated posteriorly with small red spot; dorsal, anal, pelvic and caudal fins yellow, except broadly translucent whitish on base of second dorsal and distal margin of anal and caudal fins; pectoral fins translucent yellowish. Colour pattern of female similar to that of male except lacking yellow areas on body and fins.
Melanotaenia grunwaldi is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia grunwaldi is currently known only from three sites in the upper, which rises in hills within about 15-20 km southeast of the coastal town of Nabire, in West Papua. These sites are located along the Nabire-Enarotali road, one at the Topo River, another in a nearby tributary, and the third at the Lebki River. The first two locations are about 10 km south of Nabire and lie at an elevation of about 193 m above sea level. The third is about 6 km farther inland at an elevation 116 m. Specimens were captured in moderately fast-flowing conditions over a rock and gravel bottom. Temperature and pH values of 25.0-26.3°C and 7.5-8.2 respectively were recorded.
Melanotaenia grunwaldi [Lebki River] - photo© Andreas Wagnitz
Remarks
Melanotaenia grunwaldi was named "grunwaldi" in honour of Norbert Grunwald, a well-known German aquarist who devoted much of his life to keeping rainbowfishes and for his many years of service in connection with the Internationale Gesellschaft für Regenbogenfische (IRG) and its journal Regenbogenfisch.
The very first specimens of Melanotaenia grunwaldi were collected in the Wami River system by G. R. Allen and H. Bleher in 1982. M. grunwaldi (Topo River) were first collected for the aquarium hobby in 2012 by Gary Lange and Johannes Graf. Further collections from the Pepaya River (tributary of the Topo River) and Lebki River were collected in 2015 by Hans-Georg Evers, Jeffrey Christian and Andreas Wagnitz.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish u.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Melanotaenia bowmani a new Rainbow from the Siriwo River system in West Papua
Bowman's RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia bowmani are golden brown dorsally on head and body, whitish on ventral portions; blackish midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, usually faint on anterior and middle section of body, but prominent posteriorly, widest portion on caudal peduncle where it covers 1.5-2 horizontal scale rows; narrow bronze coloured stripe between each scale row on upper half of side; 1-2 scale rows above dark midlateral stripe and row below it mainly pale grey or whitish, except row below with broad yellow-orange scale margins on posterior third of body; bluish zone anteriorly on lower side beginning at level of lower pectoral-fin base, extending posteriorly to above anterior part of anal fin, merging with diffuse greyish area that extends nearly to beginning of lower caudal peduncle, also numerous pepper-like melanophores overlying lowermost 2-3 scales rows on side; upper portion of opercle silvery with red spot (about one-half pupil size); diffuse brownish stripe from anterior edge of eye to upper jaw; first dorsal fin bluish anteriorly, grading to dusky yellow posteriorly; second dorsal and anal fins yellow basally and mainly translucent on outer half, except middle part of anterior half of second dorsal turquoise; caudal fin semi-translucent greyish; pelvic fins white; pectoral fins mainly translucent.
Melanotaenia bowmani is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia bowmani is currently known from at least two locations from the Siriwo River system in West Papua. It was encountered at two bridge crossings along the Nabire-Enarotali road. In both cases the fish occurred in moderately fast-flowing conditions over rocky bottoms. Temperature and pH values of 22°C and 6.5 respectively were recorded at the time of collection (August 2012).
Remarks
This species was named in honour of Australian aquarist Ron Bowman who devoted much of his life to keeping and breeding rainbowfishes, and in recognition of his many years of service in connection with the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA) and its journal Fishes of Sahul.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Bowman's RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Adult male Melanotaenia bowmani are golden brown dorsally on head and body, whitish on ventral portions; blackish midlateral stripe from eye to caudal-fin base, usually faint on anterior and middle section of body, but prominent posteriorly, widest portion on caudal peduncle where it covers 1.5-2 horizontal scale rows; narrow bronze coloured stripe between each scale row on upper half of side; 1-2 scale rows above dark midlateral stripe and row below it mainly pale grey or whitish, except row below with broad yellow-orange scale margins on posterior third of body; bluish zone anteriorly on lower side beginning at level of lower pectoral-fin base, extending posteriorly to above anterior part of anal fin, merging with diffuse greyish area that extends nearly to beginning of lower caudal peduncle, also numerous pepper-like melanophores overlying lowermost 2-3 scales rows on side; upper portion of opercle silvery with red spot (about one-half pupil size); diffuse brownish stripe from anterior edge of eye to upper jaw; first dorsal fin bluish anteriorly, grading to dusky yellow posteriorly; second dorsal and anal fins yellow basally and mainly translucent on outer half, except middle part of anterior half of second dorsal turquoise; caudal fin semi-translucent greyish; pelvic fins white; pectoral fins mainly translucent.
Melanotaenia bowmani is a member of the "Goldiei" rainbowfish group that share a wide range of morphological and meristic features and lack notable differences, as would be expected for closely related species. Due to their great similarity, the species belonging to the "Goldiei" group are most reliably distinguished on the basis of genetic differences, colouration, and their geographically isolated distribution. The challenge with the "Goldiei" species group is that while they all have strong genetic differences and some clear colouration differences, morphological and meristic differences are minimal in most cases.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia bowmani is currently known from at least two locations from the Siriwo River system in West Papua. It was encountered at two bridge crossings along the Nabire-Enarotali road. In both cases the fish occurred in moderately fast-flowing conditions over rocky bottoms. Temperature and pH values of 22°C and 6.5 respectively were recorded at the time of collection (August 2012).
Remarks
This species was named in honour of Australian aquarist Ron Bowman who devoted much of his life to keeping and breeding rainbowfishes, and in recognition of his many years of service in connection with the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA) and its journal Fishes of Sahul.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2016) The Goldiei group of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Neck Region of New Guinea (Papua and West Papua Provinces, Indonesia) with descriptions of five new species and recognition of Melanotaenia dumasi Weber. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 22(1): 1-32.
www.rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au
==========================
Melanotaenia flavipinnis, a new species of Rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Misool Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia
Gerald R. Allen, Renny K. Hadiaty and Peter J. Unmack
aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology, pp. 35-52, Volume 20, Issue 1 – 15 January 2014
Abstract
A new species of melanotaeniid rainbowfish, Melanotaenia flavipinnis, is described from Misool Island in the Birds Head region of western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). The new taxon is described from 20 specimens, 38.5-77.2 mm SL, collected from two creeks on southeastern Misool. It is the second rainbowfish known from this island, which lies about 67 km south of the New Guinea mainland. It is distinguished from congeners, and especially from M. misoolensis, by a combination of features that include a distinctive colour pattern with yellow dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, usually 18-19 rakers on the first gill arch, 11-16 cheek scales, 12-13 circumpeduncular scales, first dorsal fin situated well behind anal fin origin, presence of both vomerine and palatine teeth, conspicuously rounded anal fin with relatively elongate rays on the anterior half, and relatively slender body in both sexes (greatest depth usually less than 35% SL).
Full Text | PDF (920 KB)
REFERENCES
ALLEN, G. R. 1982. A new species of freshwater rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Misool Island, Indonesia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 10 (2): 105- 109.
ALLEN, G. R. 1985. Three new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 12 (2): 53-62.
ALLEN, G. R. 1990. Les poissons arc-en-ciel (Melanotaeniidae) de la Péninsule de Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, avec description de trois nouvelles espèces. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 16 (4) (1989): 101-112.
ALLEN, G. R. 1995. Rainbowfishes in Nature and in the Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany, 180 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. 1998. A new genus and species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh waters of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 25 (1-2): 11-16.
ALLEN, G. R. & CROSS, N. J. 1980. Descriptions of five new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from New Guinea. Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 (3): 377-396.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2011. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). Fishes of Sahul 25 (1): 602-607.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1996. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Triton Lakes, Irian Jaya, New Guinea. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 2 (2): 13-24.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1998. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 3 (2): 69-80.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2008. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae: Melanotaenia) from Batanta Island, western New Guinea. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 13 (3-4): 109-120.
ALLEN, G. R., UNMACK, P. J. & HADIATY, R. K. 2008. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (Papua, Barat Province, Indonesia). aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 14 (4): 209-224.
BALLARD, J. W. O. & WHITLOCK, M. C. 2004. The incomplete natural history of mitochondria. Molecular Ecology 13 (4): 729-744.
DE BEAUFORT, L. F. 1910. Weitere Bestätigung einer zoogeographischen Prophezeiung. Zoologischer Anzeiger 36 (12/13): 249-252.
FOWLER, H. W. 1939. Zoological results of the Denison- Crockett South Pacific Expedition for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1937-1938. Part III. — The fishes. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 91: 77-96.
FROIDEVAUX, C. M. 1974. Geology of Misool Island (Irian Jaya). Proceedings Indonesian Petroleum Association. Third Annual Convention 1974: 189-196.
GILL, T. N. 1862. Notice of a collection of the fishes of California presented to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Samuel Hubbard. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 14: 274-282.
KADARUSMAN, HADIATY, R. K., SEGURA, G., SETIAWIBAWA, G., CARUSO, D. & POUYAUD, L. 2012. Four new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Arguni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 36 (2): 369-382.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, PARADIS, E. & POUYAUD, L. 2010. Description of Melanotaenia fasinensis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from West Papua, Indonesia with comments on the rediscovery of M. ajamaruensis and the endangered status of M. parva. Cybium 34 (2): 207-215.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, SLEMBROUCK, J. & POUYAUD, L. 2011. Description of Melanotaenia salawati, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Salawati Island, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 35 (3): 223-230.
MEINKEN, H. 1974. Mitteilung der Fischbestimmungsstelle des VDA, Nr. 77. Aus Neu-Guinea kommt eine neue Gattung und Art der Ährenfische (Pisces, Atherinidae). Aquarium Aqua Terra 8 (55): 9-11.
PIGRAM, C. J. & DAVIES, H. L. 1987. Terranes and the accretion history of the New Guinea orogen. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics 10: 193-211.
POLHEMUS, D. A. 2007. Tectonic geology of Papua. In: The Ecology of Papua. (Eds. A. J. Marshall & B. M. Beehler): 137-164. Periplus Editions, Singapore.
POSADA, D. & CRANDALL, K. A. 1998. ModelTest: testing the model of DNA substitution. Bioinformatics 14: 817-818.
REGAN, C. T. 1914. Report on the freshwater fishes collected by the British Ornithologists’ Union expedition and the Wollaston expedition in Dutch New Guinea. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 20 (6:1): 275-286.
SIMBOLON, B. MARTODJOJO, S. & GUNAWAN, R. 1984. Geology and hydrocarbon prospects of the Pre-Tertiary system of Misool area. Proceedings Indonesian Petroleum Association (Volume 1). Thirteenth Annual Convention 1984: 317-340.
TAMURA, K., PETERSON, D., PETERSON, N., STECHER, G., NEI, M. & KUMAR, S. 2011. MEGA5: molecular evolutionary genetics analysis using maximum likelihood, evolutionary distance, and maximum parsimony methods. Molecular Biology and Evolution 28: 2731-2739.
TUSKIN, D. P. S. 2010. Searching for the Ifaupan River. Fishes of Sahul 24 (3): 582-592.
UNMACK, P. J., ALLEN, G. R. & JOHNSON, J. B. 2013. Phylogeny and biogeography of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Australia and New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 67: 15-27.
WEBER, M. 1907. Süsswasserfische von Neu-Guinea. Ein Beitrag zur Frage nach dem früheren Zusammenhang von Neu-Guinea und Australien. In: Nova Guinea. Résultats de l’expédition scientifique Néerlandaise à la Nouvelle- Guinée en 1903. (Ed. A. Wichmann): Volume 5 (Zoology) part 2: 201-267. E. J. Brill, Leiden.
ZWICKL, D. J. 2006. Genetic algorithm approaches for the phylogenetic analysis of large biological sequence data sets under the maximum likelihood criterion. Ph.D. dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin.
==========================
Gerald R. Allen, Renny K. Hadiaty and Peter J. Unmack
aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology, pp. 35-52, Volume 20, Issue 1 – 15 January 2014
Abstract
A new species of melanotaeniid rainbowfish, Melanotaenia flavipinnis, is described from Misool Island in the Birds Head region of western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). The new taxon is described from 20 specimens, 38.5-77.2 mm SL, collected from two creeks on southeastern Misool. It is the second rainbowfish known from this island, which lies about 67 km south of the New Guinea mainland. It is distinguished from congeners, and especially from M. misoolensis, by a combination of features that include a distinctive colour pattern with yellow dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, usually 18-19 rakers on the first gill arch, 11-16 cheek scales, 12-13 circumpeduncular scales, first dorsal fin situated well behind anal fin origin, presence of both vomerine and palatine teeth, conspicuously rounded anal fin with relatively elongate rays on the anterior half, and relatively slender body in both sexes (greatest depth usually less than 35% SL).
Full Text | PDF (920 KB)
REFERENCES
ALLEN, G. R. 1982. A new species of freshwater rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Misool Island, Indonesia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 10 (2): 105- 109.
ALLEN, G. R. 1985. Three new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 12 (2): 53-62.
ALLEN, G. R. 1990. Les poissons arc-en-ciel (Melanotaeniidae) de la Péninsule de Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, avec description de trois nouvelles espèces. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 16 (4) (1989): 101-112.
ALLEN, G. R. 1995. Rainbowfishes in Nature and in the Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany, 180 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. 1998. A new genus and species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh waters of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 25 (1-2): 11-16.
ALLEN, G. R. & CROSS, N. J. 1980. Descriptions of five new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from New Guinea. Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 (3): 377-396.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2011. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). Fishes of Sahul 25 (1): 602-607.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1996. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Triton Lakes, Irian Jaya, New Guinea. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 2 (2): 13-24.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1998. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 3 (2): 69-80.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2008. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae: Melanotaenia) from Batanta Island, western New Guinea. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 13 (3-4): 109-120.
ALLEN, G. R., UNMACK, P. J. & HADIATY, R. K. 2008. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (Papua, Barat Province, Indonesia). aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 14 (4): 209-224.
BALLARD, J. W. O. & WHITLOCK, M. C. 2004. The incomplete natural history of mitochondria. Molecular Ecology 13 (4): 729-744.
DE BEAUFORT, L. F. 1910. Weitere Bestätigung einer zoogeographischen Prophezeiung. Zoologischer Anzeiger 36 (12/13): 249-252.
FOWLER, H. W. 1939. Zoological results of the Denison- Crockett South Pacific Expedition for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1937-1938. Part III. — The fishes. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 91: 77-96.
FROIDEVAUX, C. M. 1974. Geology of Misool Island (Irian Jaya). Proceedings Indonesian Petroleum Association. Third Annual Convention 1974: 189-196.
GILL, T. N. 1862. Notice of a collection of the fishes of California presented to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Samuel Hubbard. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 14: 274-282.
KADARUSMAN, HADIATY, R. K., SEGURA, G., SETIAWIBAWA, G., CARUSO, D. & POUYAUD, L. 2012. Four new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Arguni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 36 (2): 369-382.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, PARADIS, E. & POUYAUD, L. 2010. Description of Melanotaenia fasinensis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from West Papua, Indonesia with comments on the rediscovery of M. ajamaruensis and the endangered status of M. parva. Cybium 34 (2): 207-215.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, SLEMBROUCK, J. & POUYAUD, L. 2011. Description of Melanotaenia salawati, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Salawati Island, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 35 (3): 223-230.
MEINKEN, H. 1974. Mitteilung der Fischbestimmungsstelle des VDA, Nr. 77. Aus Neu-Guinea kommt eine neue Gattung und Art der Ährenfische (Pisces, Atherinidae). Aquarium Aqua Terra 8 (55): 9-11.
PIGRAM, C. J. & DAVIES, H. L. 1987. Terranes and the accretion history of the New Guinea orogen. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics 10: 193-211.
POLHEMUS, D. A. 2007. Tectonic geology of Papua. In: The Ecology of Papua. (Eds. A. J. Marshall & B. M. Beehler): 137-164. Periplus Editions, Singapore.
POSADA, D. & CRANDALL, K. A. 1998. ModelTest: testing the model of DNA substitution. Bioinformatics 14: 817-818.
REGAN, C. T. 1914. Report on the freshwater fishes collected by the British Ornithologists’ Union expedition and the Wollaston expedition in Dutch New Guinea. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 20 (6:1): 275-286.
SIMBOLON, B. MARTODJOJO, S. & GUNAWAN, R. 1984. Geology and hydrocarbon prospects of the Pre-Tertiary system of Misool area. Proceedings Indonesian Petroleum Association (Volume 1). Thirteenth Annual Convention 1984: 317-340.
TAMURA, K., PETERSON, D., PETERSON, N., STECHER, G., NEI, M. & KUMAR, S. 2011. MEGA5: molecular evolutionary genetics analysis using maximum likelihood, evolutionary distance, and maximum parsimony methods. Molecular Biology and Evolution 28: 2731-2739.
TUSKIN, D. P. S. 2010. Searching for the Ifaupan River. Fishes of Sahul 24 (3): 582-592.
UNMACK, P. J., ALLEN, G. R. & JOHNSON, J. B. 2013. Phylogeny and biogeography of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Australia and New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 67: 15-27.
WEBER, M. 1907. Süsswasserfische von Neu-Guinea. Ein Beitrag zur Frage nach dem früheren Zusammenhang von Neu-Guinea und Australien. In: Nova Guinea. Résultats de l’expédition scientifique Néerlandaise à la Nouvelle- Guinée en 1903. (Ed. A. Wichmann): Volume 5 (Zoology) part 2: 201-267. E. J. Brill, Leiden.
ZWICKL, D. J. 2006. Genetic algorithm approaches for the phylogenetic analysis of large biological sequence data sets under the maximum likelihood criterion. Ph.D. dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin.
==========================
A new Rainbow from West Paoua Melanotaenia laticlavia
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty 2014
Aifuf RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Colour generally olive-green to bronzy-yellow, often darker dorsally, with darker scale margins imparting a network appearance; narrow orange stripe between each horizontal scale row on side of body; frequently with dark blue to blackish mid-lateral stripe on side of body, often interrupted and usually narrower on anterior half and much broader (up to 3 scales wide) posteriorly; breast yellow orange in adult male, whitish in female; both sexes usually with broad blue-grey zone, tapering nearly to a point posteriorly, on lower side from below pectoral-fin base to above middle of anal fin; dorsal and anal fins pale orange to vivid orange in adult males, pale yellow to bluish in females; second dorsal and anal fins with dark brown to blackish submarginal stripe and pale blue outer margin; caudal fin translucent with dusky greyish rays and narrow blackish dorsal and ventral margins; pelvic fins orange in adult males and whitish in females; pectoral fins translucent; iris mainly golden yellow; broad blackish stripe across uppermost part of operculum and vivid red spot (about half pupil size) immediately below.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia laticlavia is currently known only from Aifuf Creek in the Birds Head region of West Papua. The type locality consists of a narrow (about 1-2 m wide), relatively shallow (to about 0.5-1.0 m depth) stream with very gradual gradients flowing through second growth forest. The type specimens were mainly collected over sand and gravel bottoms. The stream is located in the upper reaches of the Kamundan River system, one of several large rivers that flow into the mouth of Berau Bay at the southernmost portion of the Birds Head Peninsula. The type locality, at 154 m elevation, is situated about 108 km north of the river mouth or following the meandering path of the river it is approximately 220 km upstream from the sea.
Remarks
Melanotaenia laticlavia is named laticlavia (Latin: for having a broad stripe) with reference to the broad bluish-grey stripe along the lower side of the body.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2014) Three new species of Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Head Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20(3): 139-158.
==========================
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty 2014
Aifuf RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Colour generally olive-green to bronzy-yellow, often darker dorsally, with darker scale margins imparting a network appearance; narrow orange stripe between each horizontal scale row on side of body; frequently with dark blue to blackish mid-lateral stripe on side of body, often interrupted and usually narrower on anterior half and much broader (up to 3 scales wide) posteriorly; breast yellow orange in adult male, whitish in female; both sexes usually with broad blue-grey zone, tapering nearly to a point posteriorly, on lower side from below pectoral-fin base to above middle of anal fin; dorsal and anal fins pale orange to vivid orange in adult males, pale yellow to bluish in females; second dorsal and anal fins with dark brown to blackish submarginal stripe and pale blue outer margin; caudal fin translucent with dusky greyish rays and narrow blackish dorsal and ventral margins; pelvic fins orange in adult males and whitish in females; pectoral fins translucent; iris mainly golden yellow; broad blackish stripe across uppermost part of operculum and vivid red spot (about half pupil size) immediately below.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia laticlavia is currently known only from Aifuf Creek in the Birds Head region of West Papua. The type locality consists of a narrow (about 1-2 m wide), relatively shallow (to about 0.5-1.0 m depth) stream with very gradual gradients flowing through second growth forest. The type specimens were mainly collected over sand and gravel bottoms. The stream is located in the upper reaches of the Kamundan River system, one of several large rivers that flow into the mouth of Berau Bay at the southernmost portion of the Birds Head Peninsula. The type locality, at 154 m elevation, is situated about 108 km north of the river mouth or following the meandering path of the river it is approximately 220 km upstream from the sea.
Remarks
Melanotaenia laticlavia is named laticlavia (Latin: for having a broad stripe) with reference to the broad bluish-grey stripe along the lower side of the body.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2014) Three new species of Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Head Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20(3): 139-158.
==========================
Melanotaenia ericrobertsi a new Raiunbow fish from West Papua
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty 2014
Suswa RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Adult males of Melanotaenia ericrobertsi have the upper part of the head and predorsal region greenish-brown; body generally mauve to yellowish, usually with narrow orange stripe between each horizontal scale row; body scales with narrow brown margins, imparting overall network appearance; blackish patch, mainly covering first 3-4 mid-lateral scales behind pectoral-fin base; prominent blackish zone occupying lower two-thirds of caudal peduncle and adjacent body above last few anal rays; head with broad black stripe behind eye, extending to upper rear margin of operculum, usually with silvery yellow or reddish spot immediately below; remainder of operculum and adjacent cheek dusky greyish; pelvic and median fins reddish with narrow white margin on dorsal fins; submarginal blackish stripe present on second dorsal fin of adults, but often poorly developed; pectoral fins translucent. Young specimens, approximately 5 cm total length, are similar, but generally pinkish overall rather than yellowish. Typical Melanotaenia sexual differences consist of a deeper body, taller first dorsal fin, and longer soft dorsal and anal rays. Males generally have the longest anal rays at the beginning of the fin compared to the middle of the fin in females.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia ericrobertsi is currently known only from the vicinity of Suswa Village, which is situated in the foothills of the Tamrau Mountains at an elevation of about 176 m, approximately 120 km east of the city of Sorong. The type locality is part of the extensive Kladuk River system and is approximately 215 km upstream from the Karabra Estuary on the south coast of the Birds Head Peninsula. The stream, which ranged from about 15 to 30 m in width at the type locality, was flowing through primary and secondary rainforest habitat over gravel and sand substrate with minimal aquatic vegetation. Temperature and pH values of 27-28°C and 7.5 were recorded at the time of collection.
Remarks
Melanotaenia ericrobertsi is named ericrobertsi in honour of Eric Roberts, a pilot with Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), Papua Province, Indonesia. Eric is an aquarium fish enthusiast who collected live specimens and is responsible for the introduction of this species to the aquarium hobby.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2014) Three new species of Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Head Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20(3): 139-158.
Graf J. (2009) Two new rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia affinis "Bonggo" and Melanotaenia sp. "Suswa Village". Fishes of Sahul 23(1): 478-481.
ALLEN, G. R. 1985. Three new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 12 (2): 53-62.
ALLEN, G. R. 1990. Les poissons arc-en-ciel (Melanotaeniidae) de la Péninsule de Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, avec description de trois nouvelles espèces. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 16 (4) (1989): 101-112.
ALLEN, G. R. 1995. Rainbowfishes in Nature and in the Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany,180 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. 1996. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from the Kikori River system, Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 23 (1-2): 9-16.
ALLEN, G. R. 1997. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 24 (1-2): 37-42.
ALLEN, G. R. 1998. A new genus and species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh waters of Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 25 (1-2): 11-16.
ALLEN, G. R. 2001. A new species of rainbowfish (Glossolepis: Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Journal of the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association 15 (3): 766-775.
ALLEN, G. R. & CROSS, N. J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. 141 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2011. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). Fishes of Sahul 25 (1): 602-607.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2013. Melanotaenia sneideri, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 19 (3): 137-146.
ALLEN, G. R., HADIATY, R. K. & UNMACK, P. J. 2014. Melanotaenia flavipinnis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Misool Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20 (1): 35-52.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1996. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Triton Lakes, Irian Jaya, New Guinea. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 2 (2): 13-24.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1998. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 3 (2): 69-80.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2008. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae: Melanotaenia) from Batanta Island, western New Guinea. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 13 (3-4): 109-120.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2012. A new species of rainbowfish (Chilatherina: Melanotaeniidae), from the Sepik River System of Papua New Guinea. aqua, InternationalJournal of Ichthyology 18 (4): 227-237.
ALLEN, G. R., UNMACK, P. J. & HADIATY, R. K. 2008. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (Papua, Barat Province, Indonesia). aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 14 (4): 209-224.
ESCHMEYER, W.N. 2014. Catalog of fishes: genera, species, references. (http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp). Electronic version accessed 10 June 2014.
KADARUSMAN, HADIATY, R. K., SEGURA, G., SETIAWIBAWA, G., CARUSO, D. & POUYAUD, L. 2012. Four new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Arguni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 36 (2): 369-382.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, PARADIS, E. & POUYAUD, L. 2010. Description of Melanotaenia fasinensis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from West Papua, Indonesia with comments on the rediscovery of M. ajamaruensis and the endangered status of M. parva. Cybium 34 (2): 207-215.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, SLEMBROUCK, J. & POUYAUD, L. 2011. Description of Melanotaenia salawati, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Salawati Island, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 35 (3): 223-230.
MCGUIGAN, K. L. 2001. An addition to the rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) fauna of north Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46 (2): 647-655.
POSADA, D. & CRANDALL, K. A. 1998. ModelTest: testing the model of DNA substitution. Bioinformatics 14: 817-818.
UNMACK, P. J., ALLEN, G. R. & JOHNSON, J. B. 2013. Phylogeny and biogeography of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Australia and New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 67: 15-27.
==========================
Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty 2014
Suswa RainbowfishSpecies Summary
Adult males of Melanotaenia ericrobertsi have the upper part of the head and predorsal region greenish-brown; body generally mauve to yellowish, usually with narrow orange stripe between each horizontal scale row; body scales with narrow brown margins, imparting overall network appearance; blackish patch, mainly covering first 3-4 mid-lateral scales behind pectoral-fin base; prominent blackish zone occupying lower two-thirds of caudal peduncle and adjacent body above last few anal rays; head with broad black stripe behind eye, extending to upper rear margin of operculum, usually with silvery yellow or reddish spot immediately below; remainder of operculum and adjacent cheek dusky greyish; pelvic and median fins reddish with narrow white margin on dorsal fins; submarginal blackish stripe present on second dorsal fin of adults, but often poorly developed; pectoral fins translucent. Young specimens, approximately 5 cm total length, are similar, but generally pinkish overall rather than yellowish. Typical Melanotaenia sexual differences consist of a deeper body, taller first dorsal fin, and longer soft dorsal and anal rays. Males generally have the longest anal rays at the beginning of the fin compared to the middle of the fin in females.
Distribution & Habitat
Melanotaenia ericrobertsi is currently known only from the vicinity of Suswa Village, which is situated in the foothills of the Tamrau Mountains at an elevation of about 176 m, approximately 120 km east of the city of Sorong. The type locality is part of the extensive Kladuk River system and is approximately 215 km upstream from the Karabra Estuary on the south coast of the Birds Head Peninsula. The stream, which ranged from about 15 to 30 m in width at the type locality, was flowing through primary and secondary rainforest habitat over gravel and sand substrate with minimal aquatic vegetation. Temperature and pH values of 27-28°C and 7.5 were recorded at the time of collection.
Remarks
Melanotaenia ericrobertsi is named ericrobertsi in honour of Eric Roberts, a pilot with Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), Papua Province, Indonesia. Eric is an aquarium fish enthusiast who collected live specimens and is responsible for the introduction of this species to the aquarium hobby.
Literature
Allen G.R., P.J. Unmack and R.K. Hadiaty (2014) Three new species of Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Birds Head Peninsula, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20(3): 139-158.
Graf J. (2009) Two new rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia affinis "Bonggo" and Melanotaenia sp. "Suswa Village". Fishes of Sahul 23(1): 478-481.
ALLEN, G. R. 1985. Three new rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 12 (2): 53-62.
ALLEN, G. R. 1990. Les poissons arc-en-ciel (Melanotaeniidae) de la Péninsule de Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, avec description de trois nouvelles espèces. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 16 (4) (1989): 101-112.
ALLEN, G. R. 1995. Rainbowfishes in Nature and in the Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany,180 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. 1996. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from the Kikori River system, Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 23 (1-2): 9-16.
ALLEN, G. R. 1997. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 24 (1-2): 37-42.
ALLEN, G. R. 1998. A new genus and species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh waters of Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Revue française d’Aquariologie Herpétologie 25 (1-2): 11-16.
ALLEN, G. R. 2001. A new species of rainbowfish (Glossolepis: Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Journal of the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association 15 (3): 766-775.
ALLEN, G. R. & CROSS, N. J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. 141 pp.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2011. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia). Fishes of Sahul 25 (1): 602-607.
ALLEN, G. R. & HADIATY, R. K. 2013. Melanotaenia sneideri, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae), from West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 19 (3): 137-146.
ALLEN, G. R., HADIATY, R. K. & UNMACK, P. J. 2014. Melanotaenia flavipinnis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Misool Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 20 (1): 35-52.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1996. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from the Triton Lakes, Irian Jaya, New Guinea. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 2 (2): 13-24.
ALLEN, G. R. & RENYAAN, S. J. 1998. Three new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology 3 (2): 69-80.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2008. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae: Melanotaenia) from Batanta Island, western New Guinea. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 13 (3-4): 109-120.
ALLEN, G. R. & UNMACK, P. J. 2012. A new species of rainbowfish (Chilatherina: Melanotaeniidae), from the Sepik River System of Papua New Guinea. aqua, InternationalJournal of Ichthyology 18 (4): 227-237.
ALLEN, G. R., UNMACK, P. J. & HADIATY, R. K. 2008. Two new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from western New Guinea (Papua, Barat Province, Indonesia). aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 14 (4): 209-224.
ESCHMEYER, W.N. 2014. Catalog of fishes: genera, species, references. (http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp). Electronic version accessed 10 June 2014.
KADARUSMAN, HADIATY, R. K., SEGURA, G., SETIAWIBAWA, G., CARUSO, D. & POUYAUD, L. 2012. Four new species of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Arguni Bay, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 36 (2): 369-382.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, PARADIS, E. & POUYAUD, L. 2010. Description of Melanotaenia fasinensis, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from West Papua, Indonesia with comments on the rediscovery of M. ajamaruensis and the endangered status of M. parva. Cybium 34 (2): 207-215.
KADARUSMAN, SUDARTO, SLEMBROUCK, J. & POUYAUD, L. 2011. Description of Melanotaenia salawati, a new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from Salawati Island, West Papua, Indonesia. Cybium 35 (3): 223-230.
MCGUIGAN, K. L. 2001. An addition to the rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) fauna of north Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46 (2): 647-655.
POSADA, D. & CRANDALL, K. A. 1998. ModelTest: testing the model of DNA substitution. Bioinformatics 14: 817-818.
UNMACK, P. J., ALLEN, G. R. & JOHNSON, J. B. 2013. Phylogeny and biogeography of rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae) from Australia and New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 67: 15-27.
==========================
Chrysiptera uswanasi
Chrysiptera uswanasi, the Newest Species of Damselfish from Papua
00Chrysiptera 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
from ReefBuilders
==========================
00Chrysiptera 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
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Cryptocentrus nanus
Cryptocentrus nanus from Fiji is the first Nano Watchman Goby
Cryptocentrus nanus is a new species of watchman goby recently described from Fiji. Clocking in at a whopping two inches long when full grown, the nano watchman goby is the smallest species of what we tend to think of when someone mentions a shrimp-associated, sand dwelling aquarium goby.
Being all-black Cryptocentrus nanus is not patterned in any way and easily confused with dark specimens of common watchman gobies like C. cryptocentrus. The only reason the taxonomists recognized their tiny 49mm samples as being full grown was from the presence of mature gametes in the type specimens.
What makes C. nanus unique is the presence of special teeth on the roof of its mouth called vomerine teeth which had previously been used to single out the attractive and colorful Stonogobiops gobies like S. yasha. While not much of a looker, the all black C. nanus is interesting for showing us that watchman gobies can get nano too! [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Cryptocentrus nanus is a new species of watchman goby recently described from Fiji. Clocking in at a whopping two inches long when full grown, the nano watchman goby is the smallest species of what we tend to think of when someone mentions a shrimp-associated, sand dwelling aquarium goby.
Being all-black Cryptocentrus nanus is not patterned in any way and easily confused with dark specimens of common watchman gobies like C. cryptocentrus. The only reason the taxonomists recognized their tiny 49mm samples as being full grown was from the presence of mature gametes in the type specimens.
What makes C. nanus unique is the presence of special teeth on the roof of its mouth called vomerine teeth which had previously been used to single out the attractive and colorful Stonogobiops gobies like S. yasha. While not much of a looker, the all black C. nanus is interesting for showing us that watchman gobies can get nano too! [JOSF]
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Hamed Mousavi-Sabet, Saber Vatandoust and Heiko Bleher: An updated checklist of fishes from the Iranian portion of the of Harirud/Tedzhen River basin, pp. 167-184
Abstract
The Harirud or Tedzhen River basin is an international endorheic basin at the border of Afghanistan, Iran and
Turkmenistan. The present article provides an updated checklist on fish fauna in the Iranian portion of the basin. The confirmed fish fauna comprises 27 species in 22 genera, 7 families, 5 orders, and one class. The most diverse family is the Cyprinidae with 19 species, followed by Nemacheilidae, with 3 species. Five families are represented by a single species. Sixteen species recorded from the Harirud River basin are exotic. Luciobarbus cf. capito is reported for the first time from the basin in Iran.
Full Text | PDF (721 KB)
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Abstract
The Harirud or Tedzhen River basin is an international endorheic basin at the border of Afghanistan, Iran and
Turkmenistan. The present article provides an updated checklist on fish fauna in the Iranian portion of the basin. The confirmed fish fauna comprises 27 species in 22 genera, 7 families, 5 orders, and one class. The most diverse family is the Cyprinidae with 19 species, followed by Nemacheilidae, with 3 species. Five families are represented by a single species. Sixteen species recorded from the Harirud River basin are exotic. Luciobarbus cf. capito is reported for the first time from the basin in Iran.
Full Text | PDF (721 KB)
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Channa bipuli, a new species of snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Assam, north east India
by J. Praveenraj, A. Uma, N. Moulitharan and H. Bleher
aqua 24(4) – Accepted: 24 October 2018
Abstract
Channa bipuli, a new species of colorful snakehead from Assam, Northeast India, is distinguished from all its congeners by possessing a unique bluish dorsum, 25-32 minute, well defined black spots on post-orbital region, inter-orbital region with fewer, dull black spots, lower jaw under-surface with minute black to brown spots, and numerous black spots on dorsum. Channa bipuli morphologically resembles C. pardalis described from West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, however differs from the latter species by presenting caudal-fin rays devoid of transverse bands (vs. caudal-fin rays with brown transverse bands). It further differs in some osteological features, i.e., by presenting the fifth ceratobranchial slender with erect, canine-like teeth (vs. large inwardly, curved, conical teeth), and palatine elongated with five rows of teeth (vs. two rows of teeth). The genetic distance based on cox1 gene sequences between C. bipuliand C. pardalis is 4.2%, supporting the conclusion that both are distinct species.
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
by J. Praveenraj, A. Uma, N. Moulitharan and H. Bleher
aqua 24(4) – Accepted: 24 October 2018
Abstract
Channa bipuli, a new species of colorful snakehead from Assam, Northeast India, is distinguished from all its congeners by possessing a unique bluish dorsum, 25-32 minute, well defined black spots on post-orbital region, inter-orbital region with fewer, dull black spots, lower jaw under-surface with minute black to brown spots, and numerous black spots on dorsum. Channa bipuli morphologically resembles C. pardalis described from West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, however differs from the latter species by presenting caudal-fin rays devoid of transverse bands (vs. caudal-fin rays with brown transverse bands). It further differs in some osteological features, i.e., by presenting the fifth ceratobranchial slender with erect, canine-like teeth (vs. large inwardly, curved, conical teeth), and palatine elongated with five rows of teeth (vs. two rows of teeth). The genetic distance based on cox1 gene sequences between C. bipuliand C. pardalis is 4.2%, supporting the conclusion that both are distinct species.
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Channa quinquefasciata, a new species of snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Torsa
River, North Bengal, India
by J. Praveenraj, A. Uma, J. Daniel, M. Knight, N. Moulitharan, S. Balasubramanian, K. Bineesh and H. Bleher
aqua 24 (4) – Accepted: 09 October 2018
Abstract
Channa quinquefasciata, a new species of snakehead from Torsa River, West Bengal, differs from all congeners by possessing a unique greyish to chrome-yellow body colour, with five black oblique bands horizontally along the upper half of the lateral body, dorsal-fin membrane with three rows of multiple black to brown oblong spots running horizontally along the whole fin length, and caudal-fin membrane alternating with <-shaped black spots arranged transversely. Genetically, the closest congener of C. quinquefasciata is C. stewartii from which it differs by K2-P sequence distance of 6.8-7.0%, and morphologically by the absence of numerous black spots on the flanks vs. presence, fewer dorsal-fin rays (33-35 vs. 38-40), fewer caudal-fin rays (12 vs. 13), and fewer mid-row lateral-line scales (10-13 vs. 14-16).
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
River, North Bengal, India
by J. Praveenraj, A. Uma, J. Daniel, M. Knight, N. Moulitharan, S. Balasubramanian, K. Bineesh and H. Bleher
aqua 24 (4) – Accepted: 09 October 2018
Abstract
Channa quinquefasciata, a new species of snakehead from Torsa River, West Bengal, differs from all congeners by possessing a unique greyish to chrome-yellow body colour, with five black oblique bands horizontally along the upper half of the lateral body, dorsal-fin membrane with three rows of multiple black to brown oblong spots running horizontally along the whole fin length, and caudal-fin membrane alternating with <-shaped black spots arranged transversely. Genetically, the closest congener of C. quinquefasciata is C. stewartii from which it differs by K2-P sequence distance of 6.8-7.0%, and morphologically by the absence of numerous black spots on the flanks vs. presence, fewer dorsal-fin rays (33-35 vs. 38-40), fewer caudal-fin rays (12 vs. 13), and fewer mid-row lateral-line scales (10-13 vs. 14-16).
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Checklist of the fishes of the newly discovered coral reef in Iraq, north-west Arabian Gulf, with 10 new records to the Arabian Gulf,
Abstract
An account of the fishes of a newly discovered coral reef area in Iraq is presented. During ichthyological surveys in the area in 2012 and 2013, a total of 93 species in 48 families were recorded from the region. The most speciose families containing 8 species are Haemulidae and Sparidae. There is one family with 6 species (Carangidae) and there are 31 monospecific families. A total of 33 and 10 new species are recorded from the newly discovered coral reef area for Iraq and the Arabian Gulf area, respectively. In addition, 8 species are confirmed for Iraqi waters, and 6 more are confirmed for the Arabian Gulf. The reef area contains several species with estuarine habits, as well as a number of typical coral reef-associated species. Species with small bodies or cryptic behaviour seem to be missing from the record as a consequence of sampling methodology. Hence, the present list is likely to be extended along with future sampling efforts. Anthropogenic impacts in the form of climate change and pollutants from the Shatt al-Arab River, as well as environmental factors, such as strong tidal currents and high turbidity caused by sediments discharge by Shatt al-Arab River, are considered sources for threats to the newly discovered coral reef area.
PDF (1,7 MB)
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Abstract
An account of the fishes of a newly discovered coral reef area in Iraq is presented. During ichthyological surveys in the area in 2012 and 2013, a total of 93 species in 48 families were recorded from the region. The most speciose families containing 8 species are Haemulidae and Sparidae. There is one family with 6 species (Carangidae) and there are 31 monospecific families. A total of 33 and 10 new species are recorded from the newly discovered coral reef area for Iraq and the Arabian Gulf area, respectively. In addition, 8 species are confirmed for Iraqi waters, and 6 more are confirmed for the Arabian Gulf. The reef area contains several species with estuarine habits, as well as a number of typical coral reef-associated species. Species with small bodies or cryptic behaviour seem to be missing from the record as a consequence of sampling methodology. Hence, the present list is likely to be extended along with future sampling efforts. Anthropogenic impacts in the form of climate change and pollutants from the Shatt al-Arab River, as well as environmental factors, such as strong tidal currents and high turbidity caused by sediments discharge by Shatt al-Arab River, are considered sources for threats to the newly discovered coral reef area.
PDF (1,7 MB)
from Aqua International journal of Ichthyology
==========================
Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and William M. Brooks: Pentapodus berryae, a new species of Whiptail (Pisces: Nemipteridae) from Papua New Guinea, pp. 81-88
Abstract
Pentapodus berryae is described from 4 specimens, 121.2-133.4 mm SL, collected from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Diagnostic features include an emarginate caudal fin without filamentous lobes, scaled suborbital, no enlarged caniniform teeth in the lower jaw, second anal spine shorter but slightly more robust than third anal spine, eye diameter greater than snout length, 2.9–3.1 in head length, lower limb of preopercle with three rows of scales, lateral-line scales 45-49, pectoral-fin rays 17, pelvic fins relatively short, not reaching level of anus, and mainly blue colour with broad yellow stripe on head and anterior two-thirds of body. It is most similar to the sympatric P. aureofasciatus and P. trivittatus, but differs in lacking enlarged canines in the lower jaw and in having a larger eye. The habitat consists of steep outer reef slopes below about 60 m depth.
PDF (135 KB)
from Aquapress
==========================
William D. Anderson, Jr., G. David Johnson and Ai Nonaka: Review of the Groppos, Grammatonotus (Percoidei: Callanthiidae), pp. 47-80
Abstract
The family Callanthiidae contains two genera, Grammatonotus (with ten nominal and a few putative species) and Callanthias (the Splendid Perches, with seven species). We provide characters that distinguish callanthiids from other percoids and that distinguish Grammatonotus from Callanthias. Also provided are descriptions of Grammatonotus and its species, a key to the species of Grammatonotus, and comments on other aspects of the biology of Grammatonotus.
PDF (2,9 MB)
from Aquapress
==========================
Abstract
The family Callanthiidae contains two genera, Grammatonotus (with ten nominal and a few putative species) and Callanthias (the Splendid Perches, with seven species). We provide characters that distinguish callanthiids from other percoids and that distinguish Grammatonotus from Callanthias. Also provided are descriptions of Grammatonotus and its species, a key to the species of Grammatonotus, and comments on other aspects of the biology of Grammatonotus.
PDF (2,9 MB)
from Aquapress
==========================
Aquarist & Pondkeeper for March 1995 is now available for FREE download at:- aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
Also available on the same site are copies of the first ten years of PetFish Monthly which later became the still published Practical Fishkeeping. The Aquarist & Pondkeeper magazine was first published in 1934 as The Amateur Aquarist and had it`s last issue in June/July 2005. It was for many years the only magazine for fishkeepers published in the UK. The archiving of the Aquarist & Pondkeeper is an ongoing project.
==========================
Also available on the same site are copies of the first ten years of PetFish Monthly which later became the still published Practical Fishkeeping. The Aquarist & Pondkeeper magazine was first published in 1934 as The Amateur Aquarist and had it`s last issue in June/July 2005. It was for many years the only magazine for fishkeepers published in the UK. The archiving of the Aquarist & Pondkeeper is an ongoing project.
==========================
Extracted from FBAS site for more up to date Show Dates check www.fbas.co.uk
==========================
==========================
Histiophryne narungga • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them:A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners
Histiophryne narungga
Arnold & Pietsch, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-112
Photo: Scott W. Michael twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
An undescribed species of the frogfish genus Histiophryne, of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, is described on the basis of 60 specimens collected from shallow inshore waters of Western and South Australia. Previously confused with its morphologically similar congener H. cryptacanthus, it differs from the latter and from all other members of the genus in having the following combination of features: illicium tiny but easily discernible without aid of a microscope; esca present, a small tuft of filaments, easily distinguished from illicium; skin covered with tiny dermal spinules, especially on head, cutaneous filaments and appendages absent; dorsal-fin rays 15–16; pectoral-fin rays 9 (rarely 8); vertebrae 22–23; head, body, and fins typically off white, sometimes peppered with numerous small, close-set ocelli. Genetic divergence from its congeners in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2) and cytochrome oxidase-I (COI) genes is at least 8.9%. The new species is diagnosed, described, and compared with its congeners. A revised key to the species of the genus is also provided.
Fig. . Histiophryne narungga, new species, uncollected specimen, Edithburgh, South Australia.
Photo: Scott W. Michael
Histiophryne narungga, new species
New Nharangga name: Nharangga Warrga Guuya
New English name: Narungga Frogfish
Etymology.— The specific epithet narungga honours a tribe of Indigenous Australians, the Narungga (otherwise known as the Narangga), whose traditional lands are located throughout Yorke Peninsula, from near Port Wakefield in the east to Port Broughton in the west, and all the way down to the southern tip of the Peninsula (Sutton, 1899; Tindale, 1936).
Rachel J. Arnold and Theodore W. Pietsch. 2018. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners. Copeia. 106(4); 622-631. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-112 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057667167439802369
==========================
Histiophryne narungga
Arnold & Pietsch, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-112
Photo: Scott W. Michael twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
An undescribed species of the frogfish genus Histiophryne, of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, is described on the basis of 60 specimens collected from shallow inshore waters of Western and South Australia. Previously confused with its morphologically similar congener H. cryptacanthus, it differs from the latter and from all other members of the genus in having the following combination of features: illicium tiny but easily discernible without aid of a microscope; esca present, a small tuft of filaments, easily distinguished from illicium; skin covered with tiny dermal spinules, especially on head, cutaneous filaments and appendages absent; dorsal-fin rays 15–16; pectoral-fin rays 9 (rarely 8); vertebrae 22–23; head, body, and fins typically off white, sometimes peppered with numerous small, close-set ocelli. Genetic divergence from its congeners in the nuclear recombination activation gene-2 (RAG2) and cytochrome oxidase-I (COI) genes is at least 8.9%. The new species is diagnosed, described, and compared with its congeners. A revised key to the species of the genus is also provided.
Fig. . Histiophryne narungga, new species, uncollected specimen, Edithburgh, South Australia.
Photo: Scott W. Michael
Histiophryne narungga, new species
New Nharangga name: Nharangga Warrga Guuya
New English name: Narungga Frogfish
Etymology.— The specific epithet narungga honours a tribe of Indigenous Australians, the Narungga (otherwise known as the Narangga), whose traditional lands are located throughout Yorke Peninsula, from near Port Wakefield in the east to Port Broughton in the west, and all the way down to the southern tip of the Peninsula (Sutton, 1899; Tindale, 1936).
Rachel J. Arnold and Theodore W. Pietsch. 2018. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A New Species of the Frogfish Genus Histiophryne Gill (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from Western and South Australia, with A Revised Key to Congeners. Copeia. 106(4); 622-631. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-112 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057667167439802369
==========================
Epinephelus craigi • A New Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the South China Sea
Epinephelus craigi
Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9
Illustration by Emilie Stump. twitter.com/Frable
Abstract
A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.
Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I
Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.
Illustration by Emilie Stump.
Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.
(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper;
Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan)
....
Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.
Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9
twitter.com/Frable/status/1061002418102489088
==========================
Epinephelus craigi
Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018
DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9
Illustration by Emilie Stump. twitter.com/Frable
Abstract
A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.
Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I
Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.
Illustration by Emilie Stump.
Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.
(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper;
Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan)
....
Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.
Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9
twitter.com/Frable/status/1061002418102489088
==========================
Scientist describes first known use of coloured rocks in fish nest decorationNovember 9, 2018, University of Minnesota
Credit: Brian HickeyCutlip minnows, (Exoglossum maxillingua ) a species of small fish that inhabit streams, could be described as the master interior decorators of the fish world.
Working with collaborators in eastern Ontario, Canada, Andy Bramburger, a research associate at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute, found that male cutlip minnows carefully select pebbles that are darker and more color-saturated than the streambed background to construct their conspicuous mound-shaped nests. The researchers noticed the nests while conducting regular surveys of the stream and wondered if the fish responsible for building them were indeed choosing nesting materials based on color.
Their findings were published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Along with several students, Bramburger and Brian Hickey from the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences located recently-constructed cutlip minnow nests during the nesting season in April. Once the eggs had hatched and male cutlip minnows—who build and defend the nests—and juveniles had left the stream, the researchers collected pebbles from nest sites as well as from background areas of the stream bed. They used a digital camera system and image analysis software to measure the wavelength, color saturation, and brightness of similarly-sized nest and background pebbles.
The researchers found that:
Bramburger adds that it is likely that all cutlip minnows, both male and female, evolved an ability to see really well in this part of the color spectrum, likely in order to find food items (e.g., crustaceans) with orange pigmentation. In other species of minnows, males have evolved orange or red body coloration that they display during mating season to take advantage of this sensitivity and make themselves more attractive to females. Cutlip minnows do not display special mating colors; but, over time, male cutlip minnows who built nests that incorporated this coloration were more successful at mating and passing their genes to future generations.
"It is especially impressive that the wavelengths of multiple nests are so similar," said Bramburger. "It would be like trying to match the color of your living room wall by making a mosaic from pebbles you found in your yard."
So far, the research team has not been able to evaluate whether specific nest colorations are more attractive to females or if males who build nests of a specific coloration father more offspring, but those are future projects that are being considered.
Before this study, the use of colored materials in nest building had not been described in fishes. Among birds, however, there are many examples. Most notably, Satin Bower Bird males typically decorate their nests with bright blue items, capitalizing on a heightened sensitivity to blue pigments in the female's visual spectrum.
In fish who use color cues in mating, such as body coloration or nest decoration, it is an important consideration for the female in selecting a mate. Males who display the best color or build the most attractive nest are generally the healthiest, a sign of favorable genes to pass on to offspring.
As stream habitats are increasingly threatened by runoff and sedimentation, the lack of clear water could impair the ability of the female to choose the best mate and threaten genetic health of fish populations.
Bramburger says studies such as this are important in order to provide guidance for the management and conservation of habitats of species that use color in mating.
Explore further: Dinosaurs put all colored birds' eggs in one basket, evolutionarily speaking
More information: Andrew J. Bramburger et al. Preferential incorporation of dark, coloured materials into nests by a mound-nesting stream cyprinid, Journal of Fish Biology (2018). DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13741
Journal reference: Journal of Fish Biology
Provided by: University of Minnesota
==========================
Credit: Brian HickeyCutlip minnows, (Exoglossum maxillingua ) a species of small fish that inhabit streams, could be described as the master interior decorators of the fish world.
Working with collaborators in eastern Ontario, Canada, Andy Bramburger, a research associate at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute, found that male cutlip minnows carefully select pebbles that are darker and more color-saturated than the streambed background to construct their conspicuous mound-shaped nests. The researchers noticed the nests while conducting regular surveys of the stream and wondered if the fish responsible for building them were indeed choosing nesting materials based on color.
Their findings were published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Along with several students, Bramburger and Brian Hickey from the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences located recently-constructed cutlip minnow nests during the nesting season in April. Once the eggs had hatched and male cutlip minnows—who build and defend the nests—and juveniles had left the stream, the researchers collected pebbles from nest sites as well as from background areas of the stream bed. They used a digital camera system and image analysis software to measure the wavelength, color saturation, and brightness of similarly-sized nest and background pebbles.
The researchers found that:
- male cutlip minnows choose rocks that are darker and more color-saturated than other rocks in the stream, leading to nests that contrast sharply with the relatively drab background;
- nest rocks are remarkable similar in wavelength—with a range of less than 4 nanometers—meaning there is a severe pressure for male cutlip minnows to build their nests using rocks of a specific color, specifically an orange hue in this case.
Bramburger adds that it is likely that all cutlip minnows, both male and female, evolved an ability to see really well in this part of the color spectrum, likely in order to find food items (e.g., crustaceans) with orange pigmentation. In other species of minnows, males have evolved orange or red body coloration that they display during mating season to take advantage of this sensitivity and make themselves more attractive to females. Cutlip minnows do not display special mating colors; but, over time, male cutlip minnows who built nests that incorporated this coloration were more successful at mating and passing their genes to future generations.
"It is especially impressive that the wavelengths of multiple nests are so similar," said Bramburger. "It would be like trying to match the color of your living room wall by making a mosaic from pebbles you found in your yard."
So far, the research team has not been able to evaluate whether specific nest colorations are more attractive to females or if males who build nests of a specific coloration father more offspring, but those are future projects that are being considered.
Before this study, the use of colored materials in nest building had not been described in fishes. Among birds, however, there are many examples. Most notably, Satin Bower Bird males typically decorate their nests with bright blue items, capitalizing on a heightened sensitivity to blue pigments in the female's visual spectrum.
In fish who use color cues in mating, such as body coloration or nest decoration, it is an important consideration for the female in selecting a mate. Males who display the best color or build the most attractive nest are generally the healthiest, a sign of favorable genes to pass on to offspring.
As stream habitats are increasingly threatened by runoff and sedimentation, the lack of clear water could impair the ability of the female to choose the best mate and threaten genetic health of fish populations.
Bramburger says studies such as this are important in order to provide guidance for the management and conservation of habitats of species that use color in mating.
Explore further: Dinosaurs put all colored birds' eggs in one basket, evolutionarily speaking
More information: Andrew J. Bramburger et al. Preferential incorporation of dark, coloured materials into nests by a mound-nesting stream cyprinid, Journal of Fish Biology (2018). DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13741
Journal reference: Journal of Fish Biology
Provided by: University of Minnesota
==========================
Moenkhausia goya • A New Species (Characiformes: Characidae)from the upper rio Tocantins Basin, Central Brazil
Moenkhausia goya
Carvalho Deprá, Azevedo-Santos, Vitorino, Dagosta, Marinho & Benine, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.7
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausia is described from the upper rio Tocantins basin, States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil. Moenkhausia goya, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the shape of the humeral blotch in combination with a uniform dark pigmentation covering the interradial membranes of the dorsal and anal fins. Among congeners, the new species is most similar to M. britskii Azevedo-Santos & Benine, M. grandisquamis (Müller & Troschel) and M. xinguensis Steindachner by presenting a deep body, a large, round humeral blotch and fins without discrete patches of dark pigmentation (i.e., without well-defined blotches or stripes). With the description of M. goya, the number of species endemic to the upper rio Tocantins basin (considered upstream from the mouth of the rio Paranã) is raised to 51. Of these, some are widespread in the upper rio Tocantins basin, while others seem to be restricted to one of its sub-basins.
Keywords: Pisces, Cerrado, Moenkhausia xinguensis, State of Goiás, Taxonomy
FIGURE Live coloration of Moenkhausia goya, LBP 23679, 47.8 mm SL,
Brazil, Goiás, Pirenópolis, rio das Almas basin.
Moenkhausia goya, new species
Etymology. Moenkhausia goya is named after the Goyá, a South American ethnic group that lived in the central region of Brazil, which resisted to the encroachment of their territories until the 19th century. They also originated the name of the state of Goiás, where most of the distribution of the new species lies.
Gabriel de Carvalho Deprá, Valter M. Azevedo-Santos, Oscar Barroso Júnior Vitorino, Fernando Cesar Paiva Dagosta, Manoela Maria Ferreira Marinho and Ricardo C. Benine. 2018. Moenkhausia goya (Characiformes: Characidae): A New Species from the upper rio Tocantins Basin, Central Brazil. Zootaxa. 4514(1); 87–96. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.7Moenkhausia goya • A New Species (Characiformes: Characidae)from the upper rio Tocantins Basin, Central Brazil
==========================
Moenkhausia goya
Carvalho Deprá, Azevedo-Santos, Vitorino, Dagosta, Marinho & Benine, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.7
Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausia is described from the upper rio Tocantins basin, States of Goiás and Tocantins, Brazil. Moenkhausia goya, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the shape of the humeral blotch in combination with a uniform dark pigmentation covering the interradial membranes of the dorsal and anal fins. Among congeners, the new species is most similar to M. britskii Azevedo-Santos & Benine, M. grandisquamis (Müller & Troschel) and M. xinguensis Steindachner by presenting a deep body, a large, round humeral blotch and fins without discrete patches of dark pigmentation (i.e., without well-defined blotches or stripes). With the description of M. goya, the number of species endemic to the upper rio Tocantins basin (considered upstream from the mouth of the rio Paranã) is raised to 51. Of these, some are widespread in the upper rio Tocantins basin, while others seem to be restricted to one of its sub-basins.
Keywords: Pisces, Cerrado, Moenkhausia xinguensis, State of Goiás, Taxonomy
FIGURE Live coloration of Moenkhausia goya, LBP 23679, 47.8 mm SL,
Brazil, Goiás, Pirenópolis, rio das Almas basin.
Moenkhausia goya, new species
Etymology. Moenkhausia goya is named after the Goyá, a South American ethnic group that lived in the central region of Brazil, which resisted to the encroachment of their territories until the 19th century. They also originated the name of the state of Goiás, where most of the distribution of the new species lies.
Gabriel de Carvalho Deprá, Valter M. Azevedo-Santos, Oscar Barroso Júnior Vitorino, Fernando Cesar Paiva Dagosta, Manoela Maria Ferreira Marinho and Ricardo C. Benine. 2018. Moenkhausia goya (Characiformes: Characidae): A New Species from the upper rio Tocantins Basin, Central Brazil. Zootaxa. 4514(1); 87–96. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.7Moenkhausia goya • A New Species (Characiformes: Characidae)from the upper rio Tocantins Basin, Central Brazil
==========================
Open Show and Auction- November 11thBradford & District Aquarist Society
- Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 11 AM
- City of Bradford
Spatuloricaria terracanticum • A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia
Spatuloricaria terracanticum
Londoño-Burbano, Urbano-Bonilla, Rojas-Molina, Ramírez-Gil, & Prada-Pedreros, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
A new species of Spatuloricaria is described from the Orinoco River basin, Colombia. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a broad, dark brown stripe on the first pre-dorsal plate, which occupies the entire plate, reaching the preopercle, and sometimes reaching the second pre-dorsal plate; the possession of a small group of plates posterior to the urogenital pore; the abdominal surface with scattered, very small plates leaving naked areas; the possession of five transverse dark brown bands on the dorsal region; and four to five premaxillary teeth. The new species is the first valid species of Spatuloricaria distributed in the Orinoco River basin. Ecological notes of the species and comments regarding the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are offered.
Fig. Spatuloricaria terracanticum, coloration in life; MPUJ 13401, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, Guayuriba River, tributary to the upper Meta River, Orinoco basin.
Photograph by A. Ortega-Lara.
Spatuloricaria terracanticum, new species
Spatuloricaria sp.—Urbano-Bonilla et al., 2018:74 [listed; included in identification key for Loricariidae genera and species of the Cusiana River, Orinoco River basin].
Etymology.--The specific epithet is from the latin terra [earth] and canticum [song]. It is dedicated to the Llanos work songs (cantos de vaquería). Its origin dates back to the 16th century and has been transferred from generation to generation in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Sung a cappella, melodies reflect the feeling and the close relationship of the llanero with their myths, beliefs, nature, climate, and animals. Although these songs have been gradually lost within modern society due to economic, political, and social causes, UNESCO has declared them as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Alexander Urbano-Bonilla, Yecid Rojas-Molina, Hernando Ramírez-Gil, and Saúl Prada-Pedreros. 2018. A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Copeia. 106(4); 611-621. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057388597773516800
==========================
Spatuloricaria terracanticum
Londoño-Burbano, Urbano-Bonilla, Rojas-Molina, Ramírez-Gil, & Prada-Pedreros, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
A new species of Spatuloricaria is described from the Orinoco River basin, Colombia. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a broad, dark brown stripe on the first pre-dorsal plate, which occupies the entire plate, reaching the preopercle, and sometimes reaching the second pre-dorsal plate; the possession of a small group of plates posterior to the urogenital pore; the abdominal surface with scattered, very small plates leaving naked areas; the possession of five transverse dark brown bands on the dorsal region; and four to five premaxillary teeth. The new species is the first valid species of Spatuloricaria distributed in the Orinoco River basin. Ecological notes of the species and comments regarding the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are offered.
Fig. Spatuloricaria terracanticum, coloration in life; MPUJ 13401, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, Guayuriba River, tributary to the upper Meta River, Orinoco basin.
Photograph by A. Ortega-Lara.
Spatuloricaria terracanticum, new species
Spatuloricaria sp.—Urbano-Bonilla et al., 2018:74 [listed; included in identification key for Loricariidae genera and species of the Cusiana River, Orinoco River basin].
Etymology.--The specific epithet is from the latin terra [earth] and canticum [song]. It is dedicated to the Llanos work songs (cantos de vaquería). Its origin dates back to the 16th century and has been transferred from generation to generation in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Sung a cappella, melodies reflect the feeling and the close relationship of the llanero with their myths, beliefs, nature, climate, and animals. Although these songs have been gradually lost within modern society due to economic, political, and social causes, UNESCO has declared them as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Alexander Urbano-Bonilla, Yecid Rojas-Molina, Hernando Ramírez-Gil, and Saúl Prada-Pedreros. 2018. A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Copeia. 106(4); 611-621. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1057388597773516800
==========================
Starksia splendens, a New Blenny Species from the Cayman Islands
00Blennies 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.
from Reef Builders
==========================
00Blennies 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.
from Reef Builders
==========================
Yangtze dams put endangered sturgeon's future in doubt
Date:
November 1, 2018
Source:
Cell Press
Summary:
Before the damming of the Yangtze River in 1981, Chinese sturgeon swam freely each summer one after another into the river's mouth, continuing upriver while fasting all along the way. They bred in the upper spawning ground the following fall before returning quickly back to the sea. Now, researchers offer new insight into the threat the dams have since posed to the critically endangered fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This map of the Yangtze River basin shows the major dams and the spawning grounds of the Chinese sturgeon.
Credit: Huang & Wang / Current BiologyBefore the damming of the Yangtze River in 1981, Chinese sturgeon swam freely each summer one after another into the river's mouth, continuing upriver while fasting all along the way. They bred in the upper spawning ground the following fall before returning quickly back to the sea. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on November 1 offer new insight into the threat the dams have since posed to the critically endangered fish.
"We have established a novel theoretical framework to study the relationship between dams and the fish and to reveal the quantitative mechanism by which dams impact anadromous fish," says Zhenli Huang of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. "We have found that the loss of effective breeding and environmental capacity are two crucial factors resulting in an ongoing decline in adult abundances of Chinese sturgeon in the Yangtze River."
The findings likely aren't unique to the Yangtze River, the researchers note. Most of the world's rivers have been dammed. Those dams have long been considered a serious threat to migratory fish around the world. But, scientists hadn't documented all of the ways in which dams affect fish.
To explore in the new study, Huang and study co-author Luhai Wang combined field observations with theoretical analysis of historical data. They wanted to understand something that had already become clear: why the spawning activity of Chinese sturgeon had become more and more difficult to observe in recent years.
The study shows that since 1981, the Gezhouba Dam has reduced the distance of the Chinese sturgeon's migration by 1,175 kilometers. As a result, the fish reach reproductive maturity more than a month (37 days) later. That's because the flow of water as fish swim upstream during migration is an important factor influencing sexual maturity.
That delayed maturity has in turn reduced the effective population size, as there are fewer breeding individuals. The environmental capacity of the new spawning ground has also been reduced, perhaps by almost a quarter. The building of subsequent dams in the last 10 years has also led to an increase in water temperature, which is known to discourage spawning.
Overall, the researchers report that the cascade dams have led to an ongoing decline in the number of adult sturgeon in the Yangtze River and the sea from more than 32,000 before 1981, to 6,000 in 2010, and about 2,500 in 2015. At this rate, they predict, the natural population of Chinese sturgeon will go extinct, perhaps as soon as the next decade.
"The protection of the wild Chinese sturgeon requires effective measures taken immediately," the researchers write. "Artificial restocking, which China has been doing without maintaining breeding activity, is inadequate and unsustainable."
Despite a poor outlook for Chinese sturgeon, the researchers reserve hope that their findings will lead to targeted measures in order to maintain the wild population of endangered species of fish at an appropriate level. They say that lowering the water temperature to a suitable range of 18°C-20°C during the breeding season is undoubtedly the top priority. They're now working on a follow-up study to explore the dams' effects on the more complex migration of young sturgeon.
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Date:
November 1, 2018
Source:
Cell Press
Summary:
Before the damming of the Yangtze River in 1981, Chinese sturgeon swam freely each summer one after another into the river's mouth, continuing upriver while fasting all along the way. They bred in the upper spawning ground the following fall before returning quickly back to the sea. Now, researchers offer new insight into the threat the dams have since posed to the critically endangered fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This map of the Yangtze River basin shows the major dams and the spawning grounds of the Chinese sturgeon.
Credit: Huang & Wang / Current BiologyBefore the damming of the Yangtze River in 1981, Chinese sturgeon swam freely each summer one after another into the river's mouth, continuing upriver while fasting all along the way. They bred in the upper spawning ground the following fall before returning quickly back to the sea. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on November 1 offer new insight into the threat the dams have since posed to the critically endangered fish.
"We have established a novel theoretical framework to study the relationship between dams and the fish and to reveal the quantitative mechanism by which dams impact anadromous fish," says Zhenli Huang of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. "We have found that the loss of effective breeding and environmental capacity are two crucial factors resulting in an ongoing decline in adult abundances of Chinese sturgeon in the Yangtze River."
The findings likely aren't unique to the Yangtze River, the researchers note. Most of the world's rivers have been dammed. Those dams have long been considered a serious threat to migratory fish around the world. But, scientists hadn't documented all of the ways in which dams affect fish.
To explore in the new study, Huang and study co-author Luhai Wang combined field observations with theoretical analysis of historical data. They wanted to understand something that had already become clear: why the spawning activity of Chinese sturgeon had become more and more difficult to observe in recent years.
The study shows that since 1981, the Gezhouba Dam has reduced the distance of the Chinese sturgeon's migration by 1,175 kilometers. As a result, the fish reach reproductive maturity more than a month (37 days) later. That's because the flow of water as fish swim upstream during migration is an important factor influencing sexual maturity.
That delayed maturity has in turn reduced the effective population size, as there are fewer breeding individuals. The environmental capacity of the new spawning ground has also been reduced, perhaps by almost a quarter. The building of subsequent dams in the last 10 years has also led to an increase in water temperature, which is known to discourage spawning.
Overall, the researchers report that the cascade dams have led to an ongoing decline in the number of adult sturgeon in the Yangtze River and the sea from more than 32,000 before 1981, to 6,000 in 2010, and about 2,500 in 2015. At this rate, they predict, the natural population of Chinese sturgeon will go extinct, perhaps as soon as the next decade.
"The protection of the wild Chinese sturgeon requires effective measures taken immediately," the researchers write. "Artificial restocking, which China has been doing without maintaining breeding activity, is inadequate and unsustainable."
Despite a poor outlook for Chinese sturgeon, the researchers reserve hope that their findings will lead to targeted measures in order to maintain the wild population of endangered species of fish at an appropriate level. They say that lowering the water temperature to a suitable range of 18°C-20°C during the breeding season is undoubtedly the top priority. They're now working on a follow-up study to explore the dams' effects on the more complex migration of young sturgeon.
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Zhenli Huang, Luhai Wang. Yangtze Dams Increasingly Threaten the Survival of the Chinese Sturgeon. Current Biology, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.09.032
- =========================
Gene means fish can recover lost stripes
Cichlid markings and dog coat colours have much in common. Nick Carne reports.
Several species of cichlid, revealing stripe variation.
CLAUDIUS KRATOCHWILGerman evolutionary biologists have found a way to add and remove stripes on East African fish called cichlids, providing new clues to the genetic processes behind repeated or convergent evolution.
The scientists, led by Claudius Kratochwil from the University of Konstanz, say a single gene explains both why similar stripes can be found on different types of cichlid that are only distantly related and live in different places, and why stripes have occasionally come and gone during the evolutionary process.
And they found similarities to a single gene responsible for the different coat colours of cats, dogs and horses.
More than 1200 types of cichlid, among the most colourful of fish, are found in Africa’s three largest lakes – Malawi, Victoria and Tanganjika. They are extremely diverse in terms of behaviour, shape, colour and other biological aspects, but certain features have repeatedly evolved independently in each lake.
RECOMMENDED
One of those is a horizontal stripe, but from an evolutionary point of view it is rather unstable. Over the course of a few million years, stripes have been lost and re-emerged in the lakes many times over.
Using a combination of genome analyses and breeding experiments, Kratochwil and his colleagues discovered that all the cichlid species carry what they have dubbed “the stripe gene” – officially called agrp2 – but that the regulatory elements for it differ.
The gene is, in fact, a “stripes inhibitor”: if gene production is high, stripes will be suppressed, if production is low, they will remain. The team was able to demonstrate this using “gene scissors”.
“If we use CRISPR-Cas to remove the gene from the genome of a species without stripes, then even a stripeless fish will suddenly develop stripes,” says first author Claudius Kratochwil. “This proves that the stripes gene is the decisive genetic factor."
The agrp2 gene is a copy of the agouti gene, which is responsible for different coat colours in mammals.
Most importantly, the researchers say, its existence in cichlids makes repeated evolution possible within the briefest of times (relatively speaking) and in a simple way. Stripes lost are not lost forever, and that means that “palaeontological rules and evolutionary rules have to be questioned once again”.
The paper is published in the journal Science.
==========================
Cichlid markings and dog coat colours have much in common. Nick Carne reports.
Several species of cichlid, revealing stripe variation.
CLAUDIUS KRATOCHWILGerman evolutionary biologists have found a way to add and remove stripes on East African fish called cichlids, providing new clues to the genetic processes behind repeated or convergent evolution.
The scientists, led by Claudius Kratochwil from the University of Konstanz, say a single gene explains both why similar stripes can be found on different types of cichlid that are only distantly related and live in different places, and why stripes have occasionally come and gone during the evolutionary process.
And they found similarities to a single gene responsible for the different coat colours of cats, dogs and horses.
More than 1200 types of cichlid, among the most colourful of fish, are found in Africa’s three largest lakes – Malawi, Victoria and Tanganjika. They are extremely diverse in terms of behaviour, shape, colour and other biological aspects, but certain features have repeatedly evolved independently in each lake.
RECOMMENDED
One of those is a horizontal stripe, but from an evolutionary point of view it is rather unstable. Over the course of a few million years, stripes have been lost and re-emerged in the lakes many times over.
Using a combination of genome analyses and breeding experiments, Kratochwil and his colleagues discovered that all the cichlid species carry what they have dubbed “the stripe gene” – officially called agrp2 – but that the regulatory elements for it differ.
The gene is, in fact, a “stripes inhibitor”: if gene production is high, stripes will be suppressed, if production is low, they will remain. The team was able to demonstrate this using “gene scissors”.
“If we use CRISPR-Cas to remove the gene from the genome of a species without stripes, then even a stripeless fish will suddenly develop stripes,” says first author Claudius Kratochwil. “This proves that the stripes gene is the decisive genetic factor."
The agrp2 gene is a copy of the agouti gene, which is responsible for different coat colours in mammals.
Most importantly, the researchers say, its existence in cichlids makes repeated evolution possible within the briefest of times (relatively speaking) and in a simple way. Stripes lost are not lost forever, and that means that “palaeontological rules and evolutionary rules have to be questioned once again”.
The paper is published in the journal Science.
==========================
New fish species found in Turkey's Lake VanA new fish species has been found in Lake Van, one of the world’s largest saline soda ponds.
Lake Van, in the eastern provinces of Van, was previously thought to be home to only one kind of fish: Pearl mullets.
The new species, discovered by a local gendarmerie underwater squad during their diving training in the lake, is some five to six-centimeters long and this particular species inhabit the 13-meters tall microbialite formation in the lake.
The underwater team spotted the new species inside the microbialite.
A microbialite is a sedimentary body formed on the bed of a lake from the remains of algae and cyanobacteria.
“We can now say two fish species live in Lake Van. This new species appear to live in a confined area around a microbialite. They are grayish with black spots on them. We are yet to determine what type fish they are,” said Professor Mustafa Sarı, the dean of the Maritime Studies Department at the Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University.
Sarı, an academic from the department of aquaculture and an underwater photographer, has launched an expedition to take photos of the newly found fish.
The professor, who has collected samples from the microbialite and the fish, has hailed it as an “important discovery.”
He noted Lake Van has a different ecological system and the biodiversity in the lake is limited.
“Lake Van is home to the largest microbialites in the world and studies on those formations always reveal new findings” Sarı said.
“During our previous studies, we had not encountered new species but we have found 103 types of phytoplankton, 36 kinds of zooplankton and pearl mullets. However, now, we can say there are two fish species living in Lake Van,” he added.
“The newly found species is a very tiny fish. The microbialite they inhabit was formed on a fresh water fracture. It still disposes a fairly large amount of calcium freshwater into the lake. Thus, a freshwater habitat has developed around the microbialite. It seems the pearl mullets have not been alone all along. The mullets now have a sibling,” Sarı said.
Lake Van was formed 800,000 years ago, he said.
“This fish have been living in this very lake for 800,000 years, but no one noticed them. Boats are cruising above them, fishers are navigating along the lake. We are the human beings who have encountered this species for the first time in 800,000 years of the lake’s history,” said the professor.
Sarı said their first studies showed this was a rather small population but “they keep reproducing.”
==========================
Lake Van, in the eastern provinces of Van, was previously thought to be home to only one kind of fish: Pearl mullets.
The new species, discovered by a local gendarmerie underwater squad during their diving training in the lake, is some five to six-centimeters long and this particular species inhabit the 13-meters tall microbialite formation in the lake.
The underwater team spotted the new species inside the microbialite.
A microbialite is a sedimentary body formed on the bed of a lake from the remains of algae and cyanobacteria.
“We can now say two fish species live in Lake Van. This new species appear to live in a confined area around a microbialite. They are grayish with black spots on them. We are yet to determine what type fish they are,” said Professor Mustafa Sarı, the dean of the Maritime Studies Department at the Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University.
Sarı, an academic from the department of aquaculture and an underwater photographer, has launched an expedition to take photos of the newly found fish.
The professor, who has collected samples from the microbialite and the fish, has hailed it as an “important discovery.”
He noted Lake Van has a different ecological system and the biodiversity in the lake is limited.
“Lake Van is home to the largest microbialites in the world and studies on those formations always reveal new findings” Sarı said.
“During our previous studies, we had not encountered new species but we have found 103 types of phytoplankton, 36 kinds of zooplankton and pearl mullets. However, now, we can say there are two fish species living in Lake Van,” he added.
“The newly found species is a very tiny fish. The microbialite they inhabit was formed on a fresh water fracture. It still disposes a fairly large amount of calcium freshwater into the lake. Thus, a freshwater habitat has developed around the microbialite. It seems the pearl mullets have not been alone all along. The mullets now have a sibling,” Sarı said.
Lake Van was formed 800,000 years ago, he said.
“This fish have been living in this very lake for 800,000 years, but no one noticed them. Boats are cruising above them, fishers are navigating along the lake. We are the human beings who have encountered this species for the first time in 800,000 years of the lake’s history,” said the professor.
Sarı said their first studies showed this was a rather small population but “they keep reproducing.”
==========================
Fish undisturbed by flash photography
Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB)
The Ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi): colourful and anything but camera-shy. Credit: shutterstockFish experience stress, as do mammals and humans. When under stress, fish release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. A team of scientists spearheaded by IGB has investigated whether flash photography induces an increase in cortisol levels of fish in aquariums. The good news: you need not worry about taking snapshots of the ram cichlid.
It may be possible to read "Flash photography permitted!" on some display aquarium tanks in future. After all, the dazzling light of a camera flash does not induce stress in some fish species. IGB researcher Klaus Knopf teamed up with colleagues from the University of Girona in Spain and from SEA LIFE Berlin to investigate the response of the ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) to repeated camera flashlight over 14 days.
Among other things, the researchers determined levels of the stress hormone cortisol in fish. "The stress response triggered in fish is very similar to that in mammals and humans. Stress situations initially induce a surge of adrenaline in the blood stream within seconds. After a few minutes, cortisol is then released," stated Klaus Knopf. Both hormones initially help the body to adapt to the stress situation in a number of ways: the heart rate rises, and blood flow to muscles and essential organs increases. If the stressor continues to be present, the organism is persistently on alert, which may have a negative impact on reproduction, growth and immune functions, for instance. "Our research group at IGB explores how stress can be avoided in fish farming and fish keeping – an important component of disease prevention," explained Knopf.
Directors of display aquariums and indeed some visitors are often anxious that flash lights may disturb and stress the fish. The results generated by the team of researchers, however, show the exact opposite in the case of the ram cichlid: the values determined for cortisol and glucose (another stress parameter) were actually lower in fish exposed to flashes than their unexposed counterparts in the control group. The researchers also observed the behaviour of the fish for the duration of the study. The fish exposed to flashlight exhibited less aggressive behaviour in the form of lateral attacks and mouth-to-mouth contact than the unexposed fish. "It appears that camera flashes merely distract the fish somewhat, rather than having a negative impact on them. But this result cannot necessarily be transferred to all fish species," stated Knopf. This is because different fish species populate habitats that have completely different light conditions.
Other species may have different responses to bright flashlights than the ram cichlid. Several aquatic animals such as the octopus, for example, exhibit a startled response to flashlight. For the time being, there will be no changes to the photography restrictions at SEA LIFE Berlin. "In the past, we have asked our visitors to avoid using flash photography to take pictures of fish in the aquariums. But still, it happens time and again, so it is reassuring to know that it does not necessarily cause the creatures stress," said Martin Hansel from SEA LIFE Berlin.
More information: K. Knopf et al. Flash photography does not induce stress in the Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Myers & Harry, 1948) in aquaria, Journal of Applied Ichthyology (2018). DOI: 10.1111/jai.13673
Provided by: Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB)
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-fish-undisturbed-photography.html#jCp
==========================
Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB)
The Ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi): colourful and anything but camera-shy. Credit: shutterstockFish experience stress, as do mammals and humans. When under stress, fish release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. A team of scientists spearheaded by IGB has investigated whether flash photography induces an increase in cortisol levels of fish in aquariums. The good news: you need not worry about taking snapshots of the ram cichlid.
It may be possible to read "Flash photography permitted!" on some display aquarium tanks in future. After all, the dazzling light of a camera flash does not induce stress in some fish species. IGB researcher Klaus Knopf teamed up with colleagues from the University of Girona in Spain and from SEA LIFE Berlin to investigate the response of the ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) to repeated camera flashlight over 14 days.
Among other things, the researchers determined levels of the stress hormone cortisol in fish. "The stress response triggered in fish is very similar to that in mammals and humans. Stress situations initially induce a surge of adrenaline in the blood stream within seconds. After a few minutes, cortisol is then released," stated Klaus Knopf. Both hormones initially help the body to adapt to the stress situation in a number of ways: the heart rate rises, and blood flow to muscles and essential organs increases. If the stressor continues to be present, the organism is persistently on alert, which may have a negative impact on reproduction, growth and immune functions, for instance. "Our research group at IGB explores how stress can be avoided in fish farming and fish keeping – an important component of disease prevention," explained Knopf.
Directors of display aquariums and indeed some visitors are often anxious that flash lights may disturb and stress the fish. The results generated by the team of researchers, however, show the exact opposite in the case of the ram cichlid: the values determined for cortisol and glucose (another stress parameter) were actually lower in fish exposed to flashes than their unexposed counterparts in the control group. The researchers also observed the behaviour of the fish for the duration of the study. The fish exposed to flashlight exhibited less aggressive behaviour in the form of lateral attacks and mouth-to-mouth contact than the unexposed fish. "It appears that camera flashes merely distract the fish somewhat, rather than having a negative impact on them. But this result cannot necessarily be transferred to all fish species," stated Knopf. This is because different fish species populate habitats that have completely different light conditions.
Other species may have different responses to bright flashlights than the ram cichlid. Several aquatic animals such as the octopus, for example, exhibit a startled response to flashlight. For the time being, there will be no changes to the photography restrictions at SEA LIFE Berlin. "In the past, we have asked our visitors to avoid using flash photography to take pictures of fish in the aquariums. But still, it happens time and again, so it is reassuring to know that it does not necessarily cause the creatures stress," said Martin Hansel from SEA LIFE Berlin.
More information: K. Knopf et al. Flash photography does not induce stress in the Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Myers & Harry, 1948) in aquaria, Journal of Applied Ichthyology (2018). DOI: 10.1111/jai.13673
Provided by: Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB)
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-fish-undisturbed-photography.html#jCp
==========================
Hoplolatilus oreni, First Live Picture of this Gorgeous Tilefish
00Hoplolatilus oreni is a gorgeous, incredibly rare tilefish that was just photographed alive for the first time. Thanks to a tip from our South African friend Keith Baxter we were treated to a fish we’ve never heard of, but desperately would love to see more of.
Do you know how rare a fish has to be that we’ve never even heard of it? This is the case with beautiful Hoplolatilus oreni, a fish so rare there’s not even a common name for it. But due to it’s gorgeous shiny blue stripe it’d be easy to call this blue stripe tilefish.
Previously this was the only illustration of Hoplolatilus oreniThe first of its kind photo was taken by Michele Mandy Robertson while diving with ReefTeach at a depth of 47 meters in Sodwana bay. Previously the blue stripe tilefish was only known from the Red Sea, so its natural range just got extended by nearly the entire east coast of Africa! Big kudos to ReefTeach and Mrs. Robertson for shining a light on this little known tilefish and bringing us the first live picture of Hoplolatilus oreni.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
00Hoplolatilus oreni is a gorgeous, incredibly rare tilefish that was just photographed alive for the first time. Thanks to a tip from our South African friend Keith Baxter we were treated to a fish we’ve never heard of, but desperately would love to see more of.
Do you know how rare a fish has to be that we’ve never even heard of it? This is the case with beautiful Hoplolatilus oreni, a fish so rare there’s not even a common name for it. But due to it’s gorgeous shiny blue stripe it’d be easy to call this blue stripe tilefish.
Previously this was the only illustration of Hoplolatilus oreniThe first of its kind photo was taken by Michele Mandy Robertson while diving with ReefTeach at a depth of 47 meters in Sodwana bay. Previously the blue stripe tilefish was only known from the Red Sea, so its natural range just got extended by nearly the entire east coast of Africa! Big kudos to ReefTeach and Mrs. Robertson for shining a light on this little known tilefish and bringing us the first live picture of Hoplolatilus oreni.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
150-million-year old, piranha-like specimen is earliest known flesh-eating fish
Source:
Cell Press
Summary:
Researchers have described a remarkable new species of fish that lived in the sea about 150 million years ago in the time of the dinosaurs. The new species of bony fish had teeth like a piranha, which the researchers suggest they used as piranhas do: to bite off chunks of flesh from other fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This image shows a new piranha-like fish from Jurassic seas with sharp, pointed teeth that probably fed on the fins of other fishes. From the time of dinosaurs and from the same deposits that contained Archaeopteryx, scientists recovered both this flesh-tearing fish and its scarred prey.
Credit: M. Ebert and T. NohlResearchers reporting in Current Biology on October 18 have described a remarkable new species of fish that lived in the sea about 150 million years ago in the time of the dinosaurs. The new species of bony fish had teeth like a piranha, which the researchers suggest they used as piranhas do: to bite off chunks of flesh from other fish.
As further support for that notion, the researchers also found the victims: other fish that had apparently been nibbled on in the same limestone deposits in South Germany (the quarry of Ettling in the Solnhofen region) where this piranha-like fish was found.
"We have other fish from the same locality with chunks missing from their fins," says David Bellwood of James Cook University, Australia. "This is an amazing parallel with modern piranhas, which feed predominantly not on flesh but the fins of other fishes. It's a remarkably smart move as fins regrow, a neat renewable resource. Feed on a fish and it is dead; nibble its fins and you have food for the future."
The newly described fish is part of the world famous collections in the Jura-Museum in Eichstätt. It comes from the same limestone deposits that contained Archaeopteryx.
Careful study of the fossilized specimen's well-preserved jaws revealed long, pointed teeth on the exterior of the vomer, a bone forming the roof of the mouth, and at the front of both upper and lower jaws. Additionally, there are triangular teeth with serrated cutting edges on the prearticular bones that lie along the side of the lower jaw.
The tooth pattern and shape, jaw morphology, and mechanics suggest a mouth equipped to slice flesh or fins, the international team of researchers report. The evidence points to the possibility that the early piranha-like fish may have exploited aggressive mimicry in a striking parallel to the feeding patterns of modern piranha.
"We were stunned that this fish had piranha-like teeth," says Martina Kölbl-Ebert of Jura-Museum Eichstätt (JME-SNSB). "It comes from a group of fishes (the pycnodontids) that are famous for their crushing teeth. It is like finding a sheep with a snarl like a wolf. But what was even more remarkable is that it was from the Jurassic. Fish as we know them, bony fishes, just did not bite flesh of other fishes at that time. Sharks have been able to bite out chunks of flesh but throughout history bony fishes have either fed on invertebrates or largely swallowed their prey whole. Biting chunks of flesh or fins was something that came much later."
Or, so it had seemed.
"The new finding represents the earliest record of a bony fish that bit bits off other fishes, and what's more it was doing it in the sea," Bellwood says, noting that today's piranhas all live in freshwater. "So when dinosaurs were walking the earth and small dinosaurs were trying to fly with the pterosaurs, fish were swimming around their feet tearing the fins or flesh off each other."
The researchers call the new find a "staggering example of evolutionary versatility and opportunism." With one of the world's best known and studied fossil deposits continuing to throw up such surprises, they intend to keep up the search for even more fascinating finds.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Source:
Cell Press
Summary:
Researchers have described a remarkable new species of fish that lived in the sea about 150 million years ago in the time of the dinosaurs. The new species of bony fish had teeth like a piranha, which the researchers suggest they used as piranhas do: to bite off chunks of flesh from other fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
This image shows a new piranha-like fish from Jurassic seas with sharp, pointed teeth that probably fed on the fins of other fishes. From the time of dinosaurs and from the same deposits that contained Archaeopteryx, scientists recovered both this flesh-tearing fish and its scarred prey.
Credit: M. Ebert and T. NohlResearchers reporting in Current Biology on October 18 have described a remarkable new species of fish that lived in the sea about 150 million years ago in the time of the dinosaurs. The new species of bony fish had teeth like a piranha, which the researchers suggest they used as piranhas do: to bite off chunks of flesh from other fish.
As further support for that notion, the researchers also found the victims: other fish that had apparently been nibbled on in the same limestone deposits in South Germany (the quarry of Ettling in the Solnhofen region) where this piranha-like fish was found.
"We have other fish from the same locality with chunks missing from their fins," says David Bellwood of James Cook University, Australia. "This is an amazing parallel with modern piranhas, which feed predominantly not on flesh but the fins of other fishes. It's a remarkably smart move as fins regrow, a neat renewable resource. Feed on a fish and it is dead; nibble its fins and you have food for the future."
The newly described fish is part of the world famous collections in the Jura-Museum in Eichstätt. It comes from the same limestone deposits that contained Archaeopteryx.
Careful study of the fossilized specimen's well-preserved jaws revealed long, pointed teeth on the exterior of the vomer, a bone forming the roof of the mouth, and at the front of both upper and lower jaws. Additionally, there are triangular teeth with serrated cutting edges on the prearticular bones that lie along the side of the lower jaw.
The tooth pattern and shape, jaw morphology, and mechanics suggest a mouth equipped to slice flesh or fins, the international team of researchers report. The evidence points to the possibility that the early piranha-like fish may have exploited aggressive mimicry in a striking parallel to the feeding patterns of modern piranha.
"We were stunned that this fish had piranha-like teeth," says Martina Kölbl-Ebert of Jura-Museum Eichstätt (JME-SNSB). "It comes from a group of fishes (the pycnodontids) that are famous for their crushing teeth. It is like finding a sheep with a snarl like a wolf. But what was even more remarkable is that it was from the Jurassic. Fish as we know them, bony fishes, just did not bite flesh of other fishes at that time. Sharks have been able to bite out chunks of flesh but throughout history bony fishes have either fed on invertebrates or largely swallowed their prey whole. Biting chunks of flesh or fins was something that came much later."
Or, so it had seemed.
"The new finding represents the earliest record of a bony fish that bit bits off other fishes, and what's more it was doing it in the sea," Bellwood says, noting that today's piranhas all live in freshwater. "So when dinosaurs were walking the earth and small dinosaurs were trying to fly with the pterosaurs, fish were swimming around their feet tearing the fins or flesh off each other."
The researchers call the new find a "staggering example of evolutionary versatility and opportunism." With one of the world's best known and studied fossil deposits continuing to throw up such surprises, they intend to keep up the search for even more fascinating finds.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Martina Kölbl-Ebert, Martin Ebert, David R. Bellwood, Christian Schulbert. A Piranha-like Pycnodontiform Fish from the Late Jurassic. Current Biology, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.09.013
The Silver Jubilee issue of The Aquarist Volume XIV Number 2 is now online for FREE download at:- aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
Enjoy
==========================
Enjoy
==========================
Sex-crazed fish becoming super horny because of huge levels of antidepressants in water supply
Scientists noticed fish that were exposed to Prozac, which our treatment centres can't remove from the water supply, tried to mate more often
Antidepressants are having an unexpected effect on fish
Fish are becoming increasingly HORNY because of massive quantities of unnatural chemicals in the water, according to a study.
Prozac, used as an antidepressant in humans, is making fish hellbent on reproduction, researchers from Monash University found.
Animals that were given the drug in a tank in a lab spent more time chasing females than those that weren't.
Scientist Michael Bertram dosed male mosquitofish in an aquarium with high and low quantities of fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac.
The fish given higher doses showed "more frequent copulatory behaviour" and spent more time pursuing females, he described.
Mr Bertram wrote in Science Trends : "In one-on-one mating trials, males in the high-fluoxetine treatment performed more frequent copulatory behaviour towards females than did males in the unexposed treatment."
Scientists gave fish high and low doses of antidepressant to observe the consequences
The study adds: "A significant positive correlation was detected in control fish between activity levels in the maze and time spent pursuing females in the reproductive assay."
Fluoxetine makes its way into the ecosystem because our water treatment systems cannot filter it out, along with many other pharmaceutical drugs making their way into the environment.
Mr Bertram said: "Fluoxetine can cause a wide range of adverse effects in aquatic species, including disrupting development and reproduction and altering morphological and physiological traits."
Increasing quantities of medical drugs are making their way into our waterways
He added it can also influence behaviour in animals, just like it can when administered as an antidepressant to humans.
It was previously reported how cocaine contamination in rivers was making wildlife behave in an hyperactive manner.
Two years ago scientists were racing to discover how fish in Seattle, US had tested positive for 81 different drugs, including coke .
And a study in 2014 found drugs, including insulin, were entering the water supply and causing fish to become intersex.
A piece of research for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry said: "It has been suggested that the prevalence of intersex fish in certain watersheds may be the result of... a cocktail of potential and known endocrine disruptors."
from the Mirror
==========================
Scientists noticed fish that were exposed to Prozac, which our treatment centres can't remove from the water supply, tried to mate more often
Antidepressants are having an unexpected effect on fish
Fish are becoming increasingly HORNY because of massive quantities of unnatural chemicals in the water, according to a study.
Prozac, used as an antidepressant in humans, is making fish hellbent on reproduction, researchers from Monash University found.
Animals that were given the drug in a tank in a lab spent more time chasing females than those that weren't.
Scientist Michael Bertram dosed male mosquitofish in an aquarium with high and low quantities of fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac.
The fish given higher doses showed "more frequent copulatory behaviour" and spent more time pursuing females, he described.
Mr Bertram wrote in Science Trends : "In one-on-one mating trials, males in the high-fluoxetine treatment performed more frequent copulatory behaviour towards females than did males in the unexposed treatment."
Scientists gave fish high and low doses of antidepressant to observe the consequences
The study adds: "A significant positive correlation was detected in control fish between activity levels in the maze and time spent pursuing females in the reproductive assay."
Fluoxetine makes its way into the ecosystem because our water treatment systems cannot filter it out, along with many other pharmaceutical drugs making their way into the environment.
Mr Bertram said: "Fluoxetine can cause a wide range of adverse effects in aquatic species, including disrupting development and reproduction and altering morphological and physiological traits."
Increasing quantities of medical drugs are making their way into our waterways
He added it can also influence behaviour in animals, just like it can when administered as an antidepressant to humans.
It was previously reported how cocaine contamination in rivers was making wildlife behave in an hyperactive manner.
Two years ago scientists were racing to discover how fish in Seattle, US had tested positive for 81 different drugs, including coke .
And a study in 2014 found drugs, including insulin, were entering the water supply and causing fish to become intersex.
A piece of research for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry said: "It has been suggested that the prevalence of intersex fish in certain watersheds may be the result of... a cocktail of potential and known endocrine disruptors."
from the Mirror
==========================
Scolopsis meridiana• A New Species of Monocle Bream(Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from northern Australia
Scolopsis meridiana
Nakamura, Russell, Moore & Motomura, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.2.4
Abstract
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp., described from 30 specimens collected from northern Australia, is closely related to S. taenioptera, both species having a dorsal scaled area on the head extending anteriorly to between the anterior margin of the eye and anterior nostril, the upper part of the pectoral-fin base with a reddish blotch when fresh, and lacking a small antrorse spine below the eye. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by having two bands across the snout dorsum (vs. one band in S. taenioptera), 18–20 diagonal lines on the lateral body surface below the lateral line (diagonal lines absent), the posterior nostril horizontally elongated (vertically elongated), a deep caudal-peduncle and short pre-dorsal-fin length. Scolopsis meridiana is distributed in northern Australia, whereas S. taenioptera occurs in Southeast Asia. Two geographic populations of S. taenioptera (Philippines and remaining Southeast Asian region) are recognized following morphological and genetic analyses.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, morphology, Teleostei, Scolopsis taenioptera, Sundaland, Sahul Shelf
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp.
CSIRO H 4029–01, holotype, 194.8 mm SL, north of Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia, Australia.
fresh condition photo by CSIRO.
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp.
[New English name: Sahul Monocle Bream]
Etymology. The specific name “meridiana” is derived from Latin meaning “south”, in reference to the southern distribution of the species, relative to that of S. taenioptera, with which it has been confused.
Jumpei Nakamura, Barry C. Russell, Glenn I. Moore and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2018. Scolopsis meridiana, A New Species of Monocle Bream (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from northern Australia. Zootaxa. 4500(2); 222–234. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.2.4
==========================
Scolopsis meridiana
Nakamura, Russell, Moore & Motomura, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.2.4
Abstract
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp., described from 30 specimens collected from northern Australia, is closely related to S. taenioptera, both species having a dorsal scaled area on the head extending anteriorly to between the anterior margin of the eye and anterior nostril, the upper part of the pectoral-fin base with a reddish blotch when fresh, and lacking a small antrorse spine below the eye. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter by having two bands across the snout dorsum (vs. one band in S. taenioptera), 18–20 diagonal lines on the lateral body surface below the lateral line (diagonal lines absent), the posterior nostril horizontally elongated (vertically elongated), a deep caudal-peduncle and short pre-dorsal-fin length. Scolopsis meridiana is distributed in northern Australia, whereas S. taenioptera occurs in Southeast Asia. Two geographic populations of S. taenioptera (Philippines and remaining Southeast Asian region) are recognized following morphological and genetic analyses.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, morphology, Teleostei, Scolopsis taenioptera, Sundaland, Sahul Shelf
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp.
CSIRO H 4029–01, holotype, 194.8 mm SL, north of Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia, Australia.
fresh condition photo by CSIRO.
Scolopsis meridiana n. sp.
[New English name: Sahul Monocle Bream]
Etymology. The specific name “meridiana” is derived from Latin meaning “south”, in reference to the southern distribution of the species, relative to that of S. taenioptera, with which it has been confused.
Jumpei Nakamura, Barry C. Russell, Glenn I. Moore and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2018. Scolopsis meridiana, A New Species of Monocle Bream (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from northern Australia. Zootaxa. 4500(2); 222–234. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.2.4
==========================
Open Show and Auction
Sun 11 AM City of Bradford
City of Bradford, England, United Kingdom
Sun 11:30 AM Bradford Academy
City of Bradford, England, United Kingdom
www.facebook.com/pg/BradfordDistrictAquaristsSociety/events/
https://bradfordaquarists.wordpress.com/==========================
Sun 11 AM City of Bradford
City of Bradford, England, United Kingdom
Sun 11:30 AM Bradford Academy
City of Bradford, England, United Kingdom
www.facebook.com/pg/BradfordDistrictAquaristsSociety/events/
https://bradfordaquarists.wordpress.com/==========================
Birmingham Charity Fish Auction
· Hosted by TA Aquaculture
ISunday, December 2, 2018 at 10:30 AM
211 WORLDS END LANE, QUINTON, B32 2RX Birmingham, United Kingdom
Charity fish auction to raise money for the poppy appeal. Everyone welcome to attend and br2
==========================
Hypoplectrus liberte, a New Species of Hamlet from Haiti
00Hypoplectrus liberte is a new species of hamlet which was discovered living in a Caribbean Island not usually in the spotlight for its marine life, Haiti. Found in them large but isolated Bay of Fort Liberté, the liberty hamlet represents one of the most regionally isolated marine fish species in the Caribbean.
The newly described Hypoplectrus liberte is distinguished based on a unique pattern of dark half bars and spots on the dorsal region of its light colored body. It’s overall coloration is mostly tan with faint blue stripes and small spots on the face like many other hamlet species.
The liberty hamlet is most closely related to other well-patterned species of hamlets such as H. floridae and H. ecosur. H. liberte grows to an average size of three to four inches long, right in line with other hamlet species and is not particularly hard to find since it prefers shallow inshore habitats such as seagrass beds, muddy bottoms and marginal reef environments. [JOSF]
found on ReefBuilders
==========================
00Hypoplectrus liberte is a new species of hamlet which was discovered living in a Caribbean Island not usually in the spotlight for its marine life, Haiti. Found in them large but isolated Bay of Fort Liberté, the liberty hamlet represents one of the most regionally isolated marine fish species in the Caribbean.
The newly described Hypoplectrus liberte is distinguished based on a unique pattern of dark half bars and spots on the dorsal region of its light colored body. It’s overall coloration is mostly tan with faint blue stripes and small spots on the face like many other hamlet species.
The liberty hamlet is most closely related to other well-patterned species of hamlets such as H. floridae and H. ecosur. H. liberte grows to an average size of three to four inches long, right in line with other hamlet species and is not particularly hard to find since it prefers shallow inshore habitats such as seagrass beds, muddy bottoms and marginal reef environments. [JOSF]
found on ReefBuilders
==========================
Over a quarter of fish found in the Thames Estuary have ingested plastics, new research reveals
New research into the extent of plastic pollution in the UK, carried out by a team including scientists from The Natural History Museum, has found that 28% of fish living in the Thames Estuary have ingested microplastics.
The study also revealed that 39% of fish in the Firth of Clyde estuary in Scotland were similarly affected. Whilst much attention has been focused on oceanic plastic pollution, this new study explores the impact microplastic waste, which consists of small pieces of plastic no larger than 5mm in size, is having on fish populations of the Clyde and Thames estuaries
The research of London NERC DTP PhD student Alexandra McGoran, along with others including Dr Paul Clark from the Natural History Museum, examined bottom dwelling and mid-water fish species at both sites.
The results of this study concluded that, out of the 876 fish and shrimp examined from both estuaries, around a third had ingested microplastics, and the average number of plastic pieces that had been consumed was equal across the Thames and Clyde.
Alex said: “People have started to really take note of the severity of plastic pollution and our research further demonstrates why this is such pressing issue. Both rivers are extremely diverse ecosystems, home to hundreds of different species. To see this large number of species that our plastic waste is putting in danger is actually rather shocking.
Our results show the need for more research into freshwater and estuarine ecosystems to be carried out so we can better understand the effects microplastics are having on their inhabitants.”
Dr Paul Clark said: “Assuming current trends continue then the total amount of plastic produced by 2050 will be 33bn tonnes. Therefore the amount of plastic litter polluting our beautiful blue planet will dramatically escalate over the coming years. Plastic pollution is on the same calamitous magnitude as climate change and deforestation. We are in need of a monumental behavioural change in human attitudes.
What I find most depressing about plastic pollution of our aquatic environment is that it is now irreversible and its presence will persist for many generations.”
This research was carried out in collaboration with Royal Holloway, University of London and University of the West of Scotland.
The project, Ingestion of plastic by fish: a comparison of Thames Estuary and Firth of Clyde populations, was partly supported by the University of London Sheina Marshall Memorial Fund and is published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin.
==========================
New research into the extent of plastic pollution in the UK, carried out by a team including scientists from The Natural History Museum, has found that 28% of fish living in the Thames Estuary have ingested microplastics.
The study also revealed that 39% of fish in the Firth of Clyde estuary in Scotland were similarly affected. Whilst much attention has been focused on oceanic plastic pollution, this new study explores the impact microplastic waste, which consists of small pieces of plastic no larger than 5mm in size, is having on fish populations of the Clyde and Thames estuaries
The research of London NERC DTP PhD student Alexandra McGoran, along with others including Dr Paul Clark from the Natural History Museum, examined bottom dwelling and mid-water fish species at both sites.
The results of this study concluded that, out of the 876 fish and shrimp examined from both estuaries, around a third had ingested microplastics, and the average number of plastic pieces that had been consumed was equal across the Thames and Clyde.
Alex said: “People have started to really take note of the severity of plastic pollution and our research further demonstrates why this is such pressing issue. Both rivers are extremely diverse ecosystems, home to hundreds of different species. To see this large number of species that our plastic waste is putting in danger is actually rather shocking.
Our results show the need for more research into freshwater and estuarine ecosystems to be carried out so we can better understand the effects microplastics are having on their inhabitants.”
Dr Paul Clark said: “Assuming current trends continue then the total amount of plastic produced by 2050 will be 33bn tonnes. Therefore the amount of plastic litter polluting our beautiful blue planet will dramatically escalate over the coming years. Plastic pollution is on the same calamitous magnitude as climate change and deforestation. We are in need of a monumental behavioural change in human attitudes.
What I find most depressing about plastic pollution of our aquatic environment is that it is now irreversible and its presence will persist for many generations.”
This research was carried out in collaboration with Royal Holloway, University of London and University of the West of Scotland.
The project, Ingestion of plastic by fish: a comparison of Thames Estuary and Firth of Clyde populations, was partly supported by the University of London Sheina Marshall Memorial Fund and is published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin.
==========================
The Goodeidae Group
NAGWG – North American
Goodeid Working Group
Latest Update on the GWG Convention in Guadalajara!Preliminary AGENDA – as of 14 August 2018
Workshop: Conservation of Goodeids and Co-Occurring Fishes in Central Mexico
7-11 November 2018, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Sponsors: American Livebearers Association; Goodeid Working Group; Museo de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Guadalajara; Universidad de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia
Wednesday, 7 Nov.: Participants arrive in Guadalajara and check-in to Country Plaza Hotel, located in the Zapopan area of the city (https://www.countryplaza.com.mx/english). Taxis from the airport to the hotel are on your own, but guidance will be provided. All hotel reservations must be made through the Workshop via John Lyons (jdlyons@wisc.edu) to receive the special reduced room rate.
Thursday, 8 Nov.: Conservation presentations at the Biblioteca Pública (Public Library) Juan José Arreola, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan (http://www.bpej.udg.mx/).
0745-0845: Participants travel by carpool or cab from hotel to the biblioteca, as arranged by the Worskhop.
0845-0900: Welcome – Michael Koeck, Haus de Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo, Vienna, Austria, and John Lyons, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, Goodeid Working Group Co-Chairs
0900-0945: KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Diversification of the Goodeids – Kyle Piller, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, USA
0945-1025: The Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (MCA: Environmental Science Museum): Developing a new type of natural history museum for the conservation of the freshwater fishes of western Mexico – Eduardo Santana C., Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (The MCA site is under construction and visible from the biblioteca; scale models of the finished structure can also be seen in the biblioteca.)
1025-1055: Thermal tolerances of the Goodeids – Arcadio Valdés G., Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
1055-1135: Conservation of Xenoophorus captivus (Goodeidae) – Juan Miguel Artigas A., San Luis Potosí, Mexico
1135-1205: BREAK
1205-1245: A personal history of Goodeid captive maintenance in the United States – Pat Hartman, Vicksburg, Michigan, USA
1245-1315: Trophic ecology of native Goodeids and introduced livebearers at the Teuchitlán Springs – Arely Ramírez G., Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás Hidalgo, Morelia, Mexico
1315-1345: Citizen participation in the conservation of the fishes of Zacapu Lake, Michoacán – Martina Medina N., Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás Hidalgo, Morelia, Mexico
1345-1600: LUNCH
1600-1630: Development of a “red list” of rare Goodeids for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the relation with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – Michael Koeck, Haus de Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo, Vienna, Austria
1630-1700: The 2016 GWG Goodeid survey of the state of Jalisco – Guenther Schleussner, Germany
1700-1730: The 2016-2017 survey of the livebearers of the state of Morelos – Norman Mercado S., Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
1730-180: Conservation status of the native fishes that co-occur with Goodeids in central Mexico – John Lyons, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
1800-1900: ADJOURN. Return to the hotel by carpool or cabs, as arranged by the Workshop.
DINNER: on your own, although we will organize a group outing to a restaurant near the hotel.
Friday, 9 November: Visit to Teuchitlán Springs via chartered bus.
0830-1000: Leave the hotel and journey to the Teuchitlán Springs by bus as arranged by Workshop. Provided as part of registration.
1000-1030: Presentation on the re-introduction of the extinct-in-the-wild Goodeid Zoogoneticus tequila into the Teuchitlán Springs by Omar Domínguez D. and other Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás Hidalgo, Morelia, faculty and students. Held at the Guachimontones Auditorium, located just outside of the town of Teuchitlán and about 2 km from the springs.
1030-1230: Tour of the spectacular pre-Columbian (500-1000 AD) ruins of Guachimontones (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guachimontones; http://www.guachimontonesoficial.com/blank).
1230-1530: Travel to the Teuchitlán Springs and outlet river at the Balneario El Rincón (bathing and recreational facility at the springs with drinks and snacks for purchase on your own). Time to explore the springs, relax on the grounds, snorkel among the fish (water clear and warm), or collect fish specimens (by nets [provided by Workshop] or microfishing [bring your own gear]) for closer examination.
Fishes reported from the Teuchitlán Springs and River:
Cyprinidae: Ameca Chub Algansea amecae (extirpated; none seen since 1960s)
Cyprindae: Ameca Shiner Notropis amecae (extirpated; re-introduced in 2016)
Cyprinidae: Amatlan Chub Yuriria amatlana (extirpated; none seen since 1960s)
Catostomidae: Mascota Jumprock Moxostoma mascotae (extirpated; none seen since 1970s)
Goodeidae: Butterfly Goodeid Ameca splendens
Goodeidae: Blackfin Goodeid Goodea atripinnis
Goodeidae: Golden Skiffia Skiffia francesae (extinct in the wild; none seen since 1970s)
Goodeidae: Black Splitfin Xenotoca melanosoma (extirpated; none seen since 1970s)
Goodeidae: Tarascan Splitfin Zoogoneticus purepechus
Goodeidae: Tequila Splitfin Zoogoneticus tequila (extinct in the wild; re-introduced in 2016)
Poeciliidae: Guppy Poecilia reticulata (non-native; rare)
Poeciliidae: Mexican Molly Poecilia sphenops (non-native)
Poeciliidae: Lerma Livebearer Poeciliopsis infans (rare)
Poeciliidae: Spottail Killifish Pseudoxiphophorus (Heterandria) bimaclatus (non-native)
Poeciliidae: Green Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri (non-native)
Poeciliidae: Northern Platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus (non-native; rare)
Cichlidae: Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus (non-native)
1530-1830: Dinner at the Montecarlo Restaurant (seafood and beef) along Presa (Reservoir) La Vega in Teuchitlán (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1602186-d4788774-Reviews-Restaurante_Montecarlo-Teuchitlan.html). Order and pay on your own. Living trees and a spring full of Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and Butterfly Goodeids (Ameca splendens) are built into this beautiful restaurant. Fishing in the spring is encouraged!
1830-2000: Return by bus to the hotel in Guadalajara.
Saturday, 10 November: Visit to La Luz (aka Presa Verduzco) in Jacona, Michoacán, and then Lake Chapala in the town of Chapala, Jalisco, via chartered bus.
0830-1100: Leave hotel and journey to La Luz by bus as arranged by Workshop. Provided as part of registration.
1100-1115: Brief presentation on the fish fauna of La Luz – John Lyons, University of Wisconsin-Madison USA. Photos: (https://www.google.com/search?q=jacona+la+luz+mexico&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS730US730&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja9Ij7rfDcAhWq24MKHab9DTEQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1271&bih=584)
1115-1330: Free time to explore the La Luz area, including relaxing along the water, snorkeling (water clear but a bit cool), netting, and microfishing, and to enjoy a snack or light lunch at the food stalls near the beach area. Order and pay on your own.
Fishes likely to be encountered:
Catostomidae: Mexican Redhorse Moxostoma austrinum
Goodeidae: Bulldog Goodeid Alloophorus robustus
Goodeidae: Barred Splitfin: Chapalichthys encaustus
Goodeidae: Blackfin Goodeid Goodea atripinnis
Goodeidae: Splotched Skiffia Skiffia multipunctata
Goodeidae: Tarascan Splitfin Zoogoneticus purepechus
Poeciliidae: Lerma Livebearer Poeciliopsis infans
Poeciliidae: Green Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri (non-native)
Poeciliidae: Spottail Killifish Pseudoxiphophorus (Heterandria) bimaclatus (non-native)
1330-1530: Journey by bus from La Luz to the town of Chapala on the shores of Lake Chapala.
1530-1545: Brief presentation on the fish fauna of Lake Chapala – John Lyons, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Chapala).
1545-1730: Netting of fish along the beach at Chapala (too turbid for snorkeling and challenging for microfishing) and exploration of the waterfront and town.
Fishes likely to be encountered in beach area:
Atherinopsidae: Mesa Silverside Chirostoma (Menidia) jordani
Goodeidae: Barred Splitfin: Chapalichthys encaustus
Poeciliidae: Lerma Livebearer Poeciliopsis infans
Poeciliidae: Yucatan Gambusia Gambusia yucatana (non-native)
Poeciliidae: Mexican Molly Poecilia sphenops (non-native)
Cichlidae: Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus (non-native)
1730-1900: Dinner in Chapala at restaurant to be determined. Order and pay on your own.
1900-2000: Return by bus to the hotel in Guadalajara. Optional group festivities in the Tlaquepaque District, famous for fine quality crafts and souvenirs, food and drink, and entertainment (https://www.featherandthewind.com/blog/tlaquepaque-jalisco-guide).
Sunday, 11 November: Workshop completed. Participants depart for home.
==========================
Rhinogobius maculagenys • A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Hunan, China
Rhinogobius maculagenys
Wu, Deng, Wang & Liu, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11
Abstract
A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov., was collected from Hunan Province in Southern China. This species can be distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: first dorsal fin with 6 spines; second dorsal fin with a single spine and 7–9 segmented rays; anal fin with a single spine and 6–8 segmented rays; pectoral fin with 16 segmented rays; 32–34 longitudinal scales; 9–13 transverse scales; 11+16=27 vertebrae; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; and belly pale white.
Key words: Xiangjiang, fish taxonomy, valid species, color pattern
Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Rhinogobius maculagenys is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: second dorsal-fin rays I/7–9; anal-fin rays I/6–8; pectoral-fin rays 16; longitudinal scale series 32–34; transverse scale series 9–13; predorsal scale series 0; vertebral count 11+16=27; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; belly pale white.
....
Distribution and habitat. The species is only known from Zhong Water, in the upper reaches of the Xiangjiang River on Lanshan County, Hunan Province. This species may be endemic within this basin.
Etymology. The specific name, maculagenys, from the Latin macula meaning spot and genys meaning cheek, in reference to the diagnostic feature of round orange spots on cheek. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Qianqian Wu, Xuejian Deng, Yanjie Wang and Yong Liu. 2018. Rhinogobius maculagenys, A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Hunan, China. Zootaxa. 4476(1); 118–129. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11
==========================
Rhinogobius maculagenys
Wu, Deng, Wang & Liu, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11
Abstract
A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov., was collected from Hunan Province in Southern China. This species can be distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: first dorsal fin with 6 spines; second dorsal fin with a single spine and 7–9 segmented rays; anal fin with a single spine and 6–8 segmented rays; pectoral fin with 16 segmented rays; 32–34 longitudinal scales; 9–13 transverse scales; 11+16=27 vertebrae; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; and belly pale white.
Key words: Xiangjiang, fish taxonomy, valid species, color pattern
Rhinogobius maculagenys sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Rhinogobius maculagenys is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following features: second dorsal-fin rays I/7–9; anal-fin rays I/6–8; pectoral-fin rays 16; longitudinal scale series 32–34; transverse scale series 9–13; predorsal scale series 0; vertebral count 11+16=27; pore ω1 missing; head and body yellowish brown; cheek and opercle yellowish brown with over 30 small orange spots, branchiostegal membrane yellow with over 10 small orange spots in males and white and spotless in females; first dorsal fin trapezoidal in males and nearly semicircular in females, with large bright blue blotch in front of second spine; spines 4 and 5 longest, rear tip extending to base of second branched ray of second dorsal fin in males when adpressed, but just reaching or not reaching anterior margin of second dorsal fin in females; caudal fin with 5–6 vertical rows of brown spots; flank with several longitudinal rows of blackish-brown spots; belly pale white.
....
Distribution and habitat. The species is only known from Zhong Water, in the upper reaches of the Xiangjiang River on Lanshan County, Hunan Province. This species may be endemic within this basin.
Etymology. The specific name, maculagenys, from the Latin macula meaning spot and genys meaning cheek, in reference to the diagnostic feature of round orange spots on cheek. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Qianqian Wu, Xuejian Deng, Yanjie Wang and Yong Liu. 2018. Rhinogobius maculagenys, A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Hunan, China. Zootaxa. 4476(1); 118–129. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.11
==========================
Jack Wattley passed away last night (3rd October) with his family.
Our condolences to the entire Wattley family and all his friends and followers around the world.
. But about the tremendous dedication and devotion to the Discus fish which he had.
He shall be missed and now he is free to explore without the physical limitations which his 95 year old body gave him. He missed his 96th birthday by 7 days.
Safe travels Jack
Jack Wattley was originally from Cleveland, Ohio. As a small child, he began keeping tropical fish. His first fish weren’t anything unique, just what was common in the hobby at that time.
Similar to many of us, Jack's first exposure to discus came from pictures in fish books. He purchased his first discus from the N.Y. Aquarium Stock Company. These discus were wild common browns from Brazil. Unfortunately, they did not last very long. Moving to Miami, he decided to pursue work owning three clothing stores and just keep discus as a hobby.
In 1963, he traveled to the Amazon. Jack had heard from Harald Schultz, an anthropologist from Sao Paulo, Brazil, that green discus were in Lake Jurity. The blue discus, Symphysodon aequifasciata haraldi, is named for Harold Schultz. While in Manaus, Brazil, Jack met several pilots for a petroleum company. The men were trying to learn English. The pilots were willing to fly Jack over Lake Jurity while they were out surveying for their petroleum company in exchange for help in learning English. The lake turned out to be muddy, and Jack couldn't find discus in it.
Jack ended up meeting a French pilot who flew people over the Amazon in a six-seat plane. The pilot told Jack that he knew where the discus were and would fly him for free the next time he didn't have a full group. The plane could land on both land and water. He took Jack to Tefe and Fonte Boa. Since Jack was able to go out on his own in this area, he could go up and down the streams around Tefe looking for discus. This is where he found the green discus. Two years later, Jack planned his next trip to the Amazon. Once again he set out on his own. This time he went to Lake Manacupura where he collected blue discus.
Jack Wattley created the turquoise discus by crossing the blue and the green discus. At first he bred only for color, but later on he bred to increase size and vigor. There was a trade magazine published In the Tampa area that was used to promote fish from the Florida Tropical Fish Farm Association. Jack's turquoise discus became well known in the magazine. As word spread, so did the demand for his discus.
==========================
Our condolences to the entire Wattley family and all his friends and followers around the world.
. But about the tremendous dedication and devotion to the Discus fish which he had.
He shall be missed and now he is free to explore without the physical limitations which his 95 year old body gave him. He missed his 96th birthday by 7 days.
Safe travels Jack
Jack Wattley was originally from Cleveland, Ohio. As a small child, he began keeping tropical fish. His first fish weren’t anything unique, just what was common in the hobby at that time.
Similar to many of us, Jack's first exposure to discus came from pictures in fish books. He purchased his first discus from the N.Y. Aquarium Stock Company. These discus were wild common browns from Brazil. Unfortunately, they did not last very long. Moving to Miami, he decided to pursue work owning three clothing stores and just keep discus as a hobby.
In 1963, he traveled to the Amazon. Jack had heard from Harald Schultz, an anthropologist from Sao Paulo, Brazil, that green discus were in Lake Jurity. The blue discus, Symphysodon aequifasciata haraldi, is named for Harold Schultz. While in Manaus, Brazil, Jack met several pilots for a petroleum company. The men were trying to learn English. The pilots were willing to fly Jack over Lake Jurity while they were out surveying for their petroleum company in exchange for help in learning English. The lake turned out to be muddy, and Jack couldn't find discus in it.
Jack ended up meeting a French pilot who flew people over the Amazon in a six-seat plane. The pilot told Jack that he knew where the discus were and would fly him for free the next time he didn't have a full group. The plane could land on both land and water. He took Jack to Tefe and Fonte Boa. Since Jack was able to go out on his own in this area, he could go up and down the streams around Tefe looking for discus. This is where he found the green discus. Two years later, Jack planned his next trip to the Amazon. Once again he set out on his own. This time he went to Lake Manacupura where he collected blue discus.
Jack Wattley created the turquoise discus by crossing the blue and the green discus. At first he bred only for color, but later on he bred to increase size and vigor. There was a trade magazine published In the Tampa area that was used to promote fish from the Florida Tropical Fish Farm Association. Jack's turquoise discus became well known in the magazine. As word spread, so did the demand for his discus.
==========================
Tosanoides annepatrice • A New Basslet (Perciformes, Serranidae) from Deep Coral Reefs in Micronesia
Tosanoides annepatrice
Pyle, Greene, Copus & Randall, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28421
Abstract
The new species Tosanoides annepatrice sp. n. is described from four specimens collected at depths of 115–148 m near Palau and Pohnpei in Micronesia. It differs from the other three species of this genus in life color and in certain morphological characters, such as body depth, snout length, anterior three dorsal-fin spine lengths, caudal-fin length, and other characters. There are also genetic differences from the other four species of Tosanoides (d ≈ 0.04–0.12 in mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I). This species is presently known only from Palau and Pohnpei within Micronesia, but it likely occurs elsewhere throughout the tropical western Pacific.
Keywords: closed-circuit rebreather, coral-reef twilight zone, mesophotic coral ecosystems, Micronesia
Figure Holotype of Tosanoides annepatrice (BPBM 40848), 80.9 mm TL, collected at a depth of 115 m off Ngaruangl Atoll, Kayangel State, Republic of Palau. Photograph by RL Pyle.
Tosanoides annepatrice sp. n.
Diagnosis: A species of Tosanoides (sensu Katayama and Masuda 1980) distinguished by the following combination of characters: fourth or fifth dorsal spine the longest; dorsal-fin soft rays 16–17; anal-fin soft rays 8; pored lateral-line scales 33–34; head 2.3–2.9 in SL; body depth 2.6 in SL; color in life of males: head and body rose-pink, crossed by four bright yellow stripes, the third continuing as a bright red stripe with magenta edges along the middle of the body, becoming yellow centered on base of caudal fin; dorsal fin with a very broad middle yellow stripe with magenta margin; base of anal fin colored like body anteriorly, grading broadly to magenta posteriorly; pelvic fins yellow, except for magenta last two rays; eye magenta with an uneven ring of yellow around pupil; color of immature and presumed female yellow with irregular, near-vertical, wavy red lines following scale margins; anal fin magenta anteriorly, grading posteriorly to purple, with a greenish yellow streak; pelvic fins bright magenta.
....
Distribution: Tosanoides annepatrice is known on the basis of four specimens, one (the holotype) collected at a depth of 115 m in Palau, and three paratypes collected at a depth of 148 m near Pohnpei. Additional individuals have been observed at depths of ~120–150 m at Pohnpei. The species likely occurs at similar depths throughout much of Micronesia, and perhaps more broadly within the tropical western Pacific; but more exploration of habitat at appropriate depths throughout this region is necessary to determine its complete geographic range.
Habitat and Ecology: Tosanoides annepatrice has been observed and collected along steep limestone coral-reef drop-offs at depths from 115–150 m. The paratypes were collected along a small rocky crevice near the entrance to a cave, but other individuals have been seen in similar habitats not in association with caves. Most individuals of this species have been observed in groups consisting of one apparent male and several apparent females and juveniles.
Etymology: We name this species annepatrice (a noun in apposition) in honor of Anne Patrice Greene, mother of Brian D. Greene who collected all known specimens of this new species, in recognition of the support and encouragement she has consistently provided to Brian’s exploration of the deep coral reefs of Micronesia.
Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene, Joshua M. Copus and John E. Randall. 2018. Tosanoides annepatrice, A New Basslet from Deep Coral Reefs in Micronesia (Perciformes, Percoidei, Serranidae). ZooKeys. 786: 139-153. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28421
==========================
Tosanoides annepatrice
Pyle, Greene, Copus & Randall, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28421
Abstract
The new species Tosanoides annepatrice sp. n. is described from four specimens collected at depths of 115–148 m near Palau and Pohnpei in Micronesia. It differs from the other three species of this genus in life color and in certain morphological characters, such as body depth, snout length, anterior three dorsal-fin spine lengths, caudal-fin length, and other characters. There are also genetic differences from the other four species of Tosanoides (d ≈ 0.04–0.12 in mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I). This species is presently known only from Palau and Pohnpei within Micronesia, but it likely occurs elsewhere throughout the tropical western Pacific.
Keywords: closed-circuit rebreather, coral-reef twilight zone, mesophotic coral ecosystems, Micronesia
Figure Holotype of Tosanoides annepatrice (BPBM 40848), 80.9 mm TL, collected at a depth of 115 m off Ngaruangl Atoll, Kayangel State, Republic of Palau. Photograph by RL Pyle.
Tosanoides annepatrice sp. n.
Diagnosis: A species of Tosanoides (sensu Katayama and Masuda 1980) distinguished by the following combination of characters: fourth or fifth dorsal spine the longest; dorsal-fin soft rays 16–17; anal-fin soft rays 8; pored lateral-line scales 33–34; head 2.3–2.9 in SL; body depth 2.6 in SL; color in life of males: head and body rose-pink, crossed by four bright yellow stripes, the third continuing as a bright red stripe with magenta edges along the middle of the body, becoming yellow centered on base of caudal fin; dorsal fin with a very broad middle yellow stripe with magenta margin; base of anal fin colored like body anteriorly, grading broadly to magenta posteriorly; pelvic fins yellow, except for magenta last two rays; eye magenta with an uneven ring of yellow around pupil; color of immature and presumed female yellow with irregular, near-vertical, wavy red lines following scale margins; anal fin magenta anteriorly, grading posteriorly to purple, with a greenish yellow streak; pelvic fins bright magenta.
....
Distribution: Tosanoides annepatrice is known on the basis of four specimens, one (the holotype) collected at a depth of 115 m in Palau, and three paratypes collected at a depth of 148 m near Pohnpei. Additional individuals have been observed at depths of ~120–150 m at Pohnpei. The species likely occurs at similar depths throughout much of Micronesia, and perhaps more broadly within the tropical western Pacific; but more exploration of habitat at appropriate depths throughout this region is necessary to determine its complete geographic range.
Habitat and Ecology: Tosanoides annepatrice has been observed and collected along steep limestone coral-reef drop-offs at depths from 115–150 m. The paratypes were collected along a small rocky crevice near the entrance to a cave, but other individuals have been seen in similar habitats not in association with caves. Most individuals of this species have been observed in groups consisting of one apparent male and several apparent females and juveniles.
Etymology: We name this species annepatrice (a noun in apposition) in honor of Anne Patrice Greene, mother of Brian D. Greene who collected all known specimens of this new species, in recognition of the support and encouragement she has consistently provided to Brian’s exploration of the deep coral reefs of Micronesia.
Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene, Joshua M. Copus and John E. Randall. 2018. Tosanoides annepatrice, A New Basslet from Deep Coral Reefs in Micronesia (Perciformes, Percoidei, Serranidae). ZooKeys. 786: 139-153. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28421
==========================
Result from the Festival of Fishkeeping held on the 29th & 30th of September 2018 National show league winner Roy Chapman (Southend, Leigh & District Aquarist Society)
==========================
==========================
39eme Congrès AFC October 5th 2018
- Oct 5 at 12 PM – Oct 7 at 7 PM
- Le Havre, France
4th Annual Charity Auction November 12th 2018 · Hosted by Kirkcaldy Aquarist Society
- Monday, November 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- The Gunners Kirkcaldy
KY1 3HQ Kirkcaldy, Fife
Flexor incus • A New Genus and Species of Clingfish (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae) from the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands of New Zealand
Flexor incus
Conway, Stewart & Summers, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28539
Abstract
Flexor incus, new genus and species, is described from 15 specimens (14.0–27.2 mm SL) collected from shallow (0–9 meters) intertidal and sub-tidal waters of the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands, New Zealand. The new taxon is distinguished from all other members of the Gobiesocidae by a combination of characters, including a heterodont dentition comprising both conical and distinct incisiviform teeth that are laterally compressed with a strongly recurved cusp, an oval-shaped opening between premaxillae, a double adhesive disc with a well-developed articulation between basipterygia and ventral postcleithra, and many reductions in the cephalic lateral line canal system. The new taxon is tentatively placed within the subfamily Diplocrepinae but shares a number of characteristics of the oral jaws and the adhesive disc skeleton with certain members of the Aspasminae and Diademichthyinae.
Keywords: Acanthomorpha, Aspasminae, Diademichthyinae, Diplocrepinae, taxonomy
Figure 1. Flexor incus, NMNZ P.060717, holotype, 20.8 mm SL;
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands, Raoul Island.
Figure 2. Flexor incus, Te konui Point, Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, 28 meters depth, photographed by R. Robinson (www.depth.co.nz) during the 2011 Kermadec Islands Biodiscovery Expedition, a project led by the Auckland Museum. Specimen not retained.
Systematics
Flexor gen. n.
Diagnosis: A genus of the Gobiesocidae differing from all other genera by a combination of characters, including: head and anteriormost part of body similar in width; a relatively elongate body with a small, double adhesive disc located beneath anteriormost part of body; an oval-shaped gap between premaxillae formed by a semicircular indentation along medial edge of premaxilla; premaxilla with a single row of teeth, comprising 2–3 peg-like, conical teeth anteriorly at, and adjacent to, symphysis and 10–12 strongly laterally compressed, incisiviform teeth with strongly recurved cusp, along outer margin of bone; lower jaw with a single row of 14–16 small, conical teeth with sharply pointed and slightly recurved tip; posterior tip of basipterygium expanded and articulating with anteromedial edge of ventral postcleithrum via a shallow concave facet; mandibular portion of preoperculo-mandibular lateral line canal absent; lachrymal canal with two pores; upper and lower lip simple, uniform in thickness along jaw margin.
Etymology: New Latin, anatomical term for muscles, from the Latin flexus, past participle of flectere, to bend. In reference to the great flexibility of clingfishes, many of which have the ability to bend the body so that the tail end comes to lie close to the head. Masculine.
Type species: Flexor incus, new species
Aspasmogaster sp.: Stewart 2015: 1539, 1544;
Trnski et al. 2015: 473, 476, Table 1.
Etymology. Incus is the Latin word for anvil, in reference to the anvil-like outline of Raoul Island, the largest island in the Kermadec archipelago and type locality of the new species. A noun in apposition.
Figure . Distribution of Flexor incus. Type locality in red.
Distribution and habitat. Known to date only from intertidal and subtidal waters of the Kermadec Islands (Figure 11), including Raoul Island (type locality) and L’Esperance Rock. The majority of available specimens were collected from rock pools and from shallower subtidal areas (down to 9 meters) over rock and coral rubble substrates using ichthyocides (Stewart 2015). However, a single specimen of the new species has been observed (and photographed) at 28 meters in depth (Figure 2).
Kevin W. Conway, Andrew L. Stewart and Adam P. Summers. 2018. A New Genus and Species of Clingfish from the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands of New Zealand (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae). ZooKeys. 786: 75-104. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28539
==========================
Flexor incus
Conway, Stewart & Summers, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28539
Abstract
Flexor incus, new genus and species, is described from 15 specimens (14.0–27.2 mm SL) collected from shallow (0–9 meters) intertidal and sub-tidal waters of the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands, New Zealand. The new taxon is distinguished from all other members of the Gobiesocidae by a combination of characters, including a heterodont dentition comprising both conical and distinct incisiviform teeth that are laterally compressed with a strongly recurved cusp, an oval-shaped opening between premaxillae, a double adhesive disc with a well-developed articulation between basipterygia and ventral postcleithra, and many reductions in the cephalic lateral line canal system. The new taxon is tentatively placed within the subfamily Diplocrepinae but shares a number of characteristics of the oral jaws and the adhesive disc skeleton with certain members of the Aspasminae and Diademichthyinae.
Keywords: Acanthomorpha, Aspasminae, Diademichthyinae, Diplocrepinae, taxonomy
Figure 1. Flexor incus, NMNZ P.060717, holotype, 20.8 mm SL;
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands, Raoul Island.
Figure 2. Flexor incus, Te konui Point, Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, 28 meters depth, photographed by R. Robinson (www.depth.co.nz) during the 2011 Kermadec Islands Biodiscovery Expedition, a project led by the Auckland Museum. Specimen not retained.
Systematics
Flexor gen. n.
Diagnosis: A genus of the Gobiesocidae differing from all other genera by a combination of characters, including: head and anteriormost part of body similar in width; a relatively elongate body with a small, double adhesive disc located beneath anteriormost part of body; an oval-shaped gap between premaxillae formed by a semicircular indentation along medial edge of premaxilla; premaxilla with a single row of teeth, comprising 2–3 peg-like, conical teeth anteriorly at, and adjacent to, symphysis and 10–12 strongly laterally compressed, incisiviform teeth with strongly recurved cusp, along outer margin of bone; lower jaw with a single row of 14–16 small, conical teeth with sharply pointed and slightly recurved tip; posterior tip of basipterygium expanded and articulating with anteromedial edge of ventral postcleithrum via a shallow concave facet; mandibular portion of preoperculo-mandibular lateral line canal absent; lachrymal canal with two pores; upper and lower lip simple, uniform in thickness along jaw margin.
Etymology: New Latin, anatomical term for muscles, from the Latin flexus, past participle of flectere, to bend. In reference to the great flexibility of clingfishes, many of which have the ability to bend the body so that the tail end comes to lie close to the head. Masculine.
Type species: Flexor incus, new species
Aspasmogaster sp.: Stewart 2015: 1539, 1544;
Trnski et al. 2015: 473, 476, Table 1.
Etymology. Incus is the Latin word for anvil, in reference to the anvil-like outline of Raoul Island, the largest island in the Kermadec archipelago and type locality of the new species. A noun in apposition.
Figure . Distribution of Flexor incus. Type locality in red.
Distribution and habitat. Known to date only from intertidal and subtidal waters of the Kermadec Islands (Figure 11), including Raoul Island (type locality) and L’Esperance Rock. The majority of available specimens were collected from rock pools and from shallower subtidal areas (down to 9 meters) over rock and coral rubble substrates using ichthyocides (Stewart 2015). However, a single specimen of the new species has been observed (and photographed) at 28 meters in depth (Figure 2).
Kevin W. Conway, Andrew L. Stewart and Adam P. Summers. 2018. A New Genus and Species of Clingfish from the Rangitāhua Kermadec Islands of New Zealand (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae). ZooKeys. 786: 75-104. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.786.28539
==========================
Flashy fish species Tosanoides Aphrodite discovered in remote Brazilian archipelago
A new species of fish — a trippy yellow and pink creature that looks like it belongs at a Grateful Dead show — was discovered near the remote Brazilian island chain Saint Paul Archipelago, scientists said Tuesday.
The psychedelic swimmer, named Tosanoides Aphrodite after the Greek goddess of beauty, was found at a depth of 400 feet by researchers from the California Academy of Sciences, according to Phys.org.
Divers were so entranced by its neon tie-dyed look that they didn’t notice the 10-foot shark hovering above them, video footage shows.
As for the reef fish, which is about the size of a car key, it went unnoticed for centuries because it swims in deep waters.
“Red light doesn’t penetrate to these dark depths, rendering the fishes invisible unless illuminated by a light like the one we carry while diving,” said post-doctoral fellow Hudson Pinheiro, who is studying the fish.
The males of the species have highlighter-hued pink and yellow stripes, while females are a solid, blood-orange color. Scientists measured the creature’s spine and tested its DNA to determine that it hadn’t yet been discovered.
“This is one of the most beautiful fishes I’ve ever seen,” said Luiz Rocha, the co-leader of the Hope for Reefs initiative. “It was so enchanting it made us ignore everything around it.”
A description of the new fish was first published Monday in the biology journal ZooKeys.
==========================
EU Fisheries failures jeopardise sustainability of small fishing communities, researchers argue
Source:
University of Kent
Summary:
Traditional artisanal fishing has been harmed by EU fishing policies that favor big businesses and ignores other more sustainable approaches to conserving fish stocks, according to new research.
FULL STORY
Traditional fishing boats in a Marsaxlokk fishing village.
Photo`Credit: Alicia SaidTraditional artisanal fishing has been harmed by EU fishing policies that favour big businesses and ignores other more sustainable approaches to conserving fish stocks, according to new research from the University of Kent.
This is the main finding of research by Dr Alicia Said, Professor Douglas MacMillan, and Dr Joseph Tzanopoulos of the School of Anthropology and Conservation (SAC) published in the world-leading open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Sciences.
To uncover the impact these actions have on local fishing fleets the researchers conducted in-depth interviews with fishing communities, fishers, and policy people, combined with detailed economic and policy analysis. The report found that traditional fishermen were being driven from the sea by specific policies that favour larger boats and richer owners.
Furthermore, inadequate safeguards around informal recreational fishing meant that the pressures on vulnerable fish stocks such as scorpionfish, red seabream, mullets, and other prestigious fisheries has actually intensified.
The study examined the highly controversial and complex subject of 'blue-grabbing' -- the legitimate use of appropriating marine resources from traditional users, through policies and governance systems that favour large-scale fisheries, and other activities such as marine conservation for ecotourism.
Professor MacMillan says that EU policy focuses too much on fish stock conservation and has no meaningful policy regulations to ensure that quotas for over-fished stock such as tuna are equitably shared amongst fishermen. He said: 'This allows individual nations to implement their own policies, which more often than not are captured by local elites to enhance their wealth and power through, for example, capturing all the quota. Furthermore, additional conservation measures such as no fishing zones are crude and tend to curtail all fishing activity over large segments of coastal waters, regardless of whether the fishing undertaken there is sustainable or not.'
Dr Said, who is from a traditional Maltese fishing community, said: 'In Malta, the small traditional fishermen have essentially been pushed out of the water and their livelihood by government and EU policies that were actually intended to conserve fish stocks. At the end of the day the small guy ends up with nothing but a meagre retirement package, fishing communities fall into a spiral of decay, and profits for the large boat owners soar as they can capture all the quota and use cheap, often illegal labour to catch the fish.'
Working closely with the local fishing community, the research, has been discussed among key government officers, reaching as high as the Prime Minister of Malta and a major reallocation of quotas for tuna and other commercially important species to the traditional fishing fleet has been promised.
In the forthcoming days, the research will be presented to the Ministers of the Mediterranean who will meet in Malta for a High-level Ministerial Conference on 25th and 26th September to discuss the issues of small-scale fisheries sustainability, and one hopes that this article will bring positive change in the governance of fisheries in the Mediterranean region.
The contested commons: The failure of EU fisheries policy and governance in the Mediterranean and the crisis enveloping the small-scale fisheries of Malta by Alicia Said, Douglas MacMillan, Joseph Tzanopoulos, is published in Frontiers in Marine Science, section Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture and Living Resources.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Kent. Original written by Sandy Fleming. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
University of Kent. "EU Fisheries failures jeopardise sustainability of small fishing communities, researchers argue." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180920102110.htm>.
==========================
Source:
University of Kent
Summary:
Traditional artisanal fishing has been harmed by EU fishing policies that favor big businesses and ignores other more sustainable approaches to conserving fish stocks, according to new research.
FULL STORY
Traditional fishing boats in a Marsaxlokk fishing village.
Photo`Credit: Alicia SaidTraditional artisanal fishing has been harmed by EU fishing policies that favour big businesses and ignores other more sustainable approaches to conserving fish stocks, according to new research from the University of Kent.
This is the main finding of research by Dr Alicia Said, Professor Douglas MacMillan, and Dr Joseph Tzanopoulos of the School of Anthropology and Conservation (SAC) published in the world-leading open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Sciences.
To uncover the impact these actions have on local fishing fleets the researchers conducted in-depth interviews with fishing communities, fishers, and policy people, combined with detailed economic and policy analysis. The report found that traditional fishermen were being driven from the sea by specific policies that favour larger boats and richer owners.
Furthermore, inadequate safeguards around informal recreational fishing meant that the pressures on vulnerable fish stocks such as scorpionfish, red seabream, mullets, and other prestigious fisheries has actually intensified.
The study examined the highly controversial and complex subject of 'blue-grabbing' -- the legitimate use of appropriating marine resources from traditional users, through policies and governance systems that favour large-scale fisheries, and other activities such as marine conservation for ecotourism.
Professor MacMillan says that EU policy focuses too much on fish stock conservation and has no meaningful policy regulations to ensure that quotas for over-fished stock such as tuna are equitably shared amongst fishermen. He said: 'This allows individual nations to implement their own policies, which more often than not are captured by local elites to enhance their wealth and power through, for example, capturing all the quota. Furthermore, additional conservation measures such as no fishing zones are crude and tend to curtail all fishing activity over large segments of coastal waters, regardless of whether the fishing undertaken there is sustainable or not.'
Dr Said, who is from a traditional Maltese fishing community, said: 'In Malta, the small traditional fishermen have essentially been pushed out of the water and their livelihood by government and EU policies that were actually intended to conserve fish stocks. At the end of the day the small guy ends up with nothing but a meagre retirement package, fishing communities fall into a spiral of decay, and profits for the large boat owners soar as they can capture all the quota and use cheap, often illegal labour to catch the fish.'
Working closely with the local fishing community, the research, has been discussed among key government officers, reaching as high as the Prime Minister of Malta and a major reallocation of quotas for tuna and other commercially important species to the traditional fishing fleet has been promised.
In the forthcoming days, the research will be presented to the Ministers of the Mediterranean who will meet in Malta for a High-level Ministerial Conference on 25th and 26th September to discuss the issues of small-scale fisheries sustainability, and one hopes that this article will bring positive change in the governance of fisheries in the Mediterranean region.
The contested commons: The failure of EU fisheries policy and governance in the Mediterranean and the crisis enveloping the small-scale fisheries of Malta by Alicia Said, Douglas MacMillan, Joseph Tzanopoulos, is published in Frontiers in Marine Science, section Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture and Living Resources.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Kent. Original written by Sandy Fleming. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Alicia Said, Joseph Tzanopoulos, Douglas MacMillan. The Contested Commons: The Failure of EU Fisheries Policy and Governance in the Mediterranean and the Crisis Enveloping the Small-Scale Fisheries of Malta. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2018; 5 DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00300
University of Kent. "EU Fisheries failures jeopardise sustainability of small fishing communities, researchers argue." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180920102110.htm>.
==========================
Light pollution makes fish s more courageous
Source:
Forschungsverbund Berlin
Summary:
Artificial light at night also makes guppies more courageous during the day, according to a new behavioral study.
Share:
FULL STORY
Light pollution makes guppys more courageous during the day.
Photo`Credit: David Bierbach, IGBArtificial light at night also makes guppies more courageous during the day, according to a behavioural study led by researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Exposing fish to artificial light at night, not only made fish more active during the night, but also made them emerge quicker from hiding places during the day, which could increase their exposure to predators. Nocturnal lighting, however, did not affect their swimming speed or social behaviour during the day.
Light pollution can have many influences on ecological processes. Previous research has shown that artificial light at night can have several direct consequences on night-time activity and movement patterns of animals. Many animal species, for example birds and insects, are attracted by artificial light sources at night and can, as a result, loose their orientation. But how artificial light at night impacts the behaviour of individuals during the day, when the source of light pollution is absent, is largely unknown.
In this study, a team led by Ralf Kurvers of the MPI for Human Development in collaboration with the IGB, tested how exposure to artificial light at night affected the behaviour of fish during the day. As study species, they used guppies, a tropical freshwater fish and one of the model organisms of animal behavioural science. The scientists studied three groups of animals. Each group was exposed to the same bright light conditions during the day, but to different illuminations during the night. The first group experienced complete darkness at night; the second group was kept at a low light level at night, comparable to nocturnal illuminance under a street lamp; and the third group experienced bright light at night. After ten weeks of exposure, the scientists conducted behavioural tests to study the consequences of nightly light exposure on daytime behaviours.
The results: Fish left their hiding places faster during the day and swam more often in the riskier, open areas of the aquarium when exposed to strong, but also weak, artificial light at night. The light exposed fish thus increased their willingness to take risks. "The consequences of this increased risk taking behaviour are difficult to predict, but it is possible that they could be more at risk of predation by birds or other fish" says IGB researcher David Bierbach, co-author of the study. The light exposed fish did not differ in swimming speed and sociality, as compared to the control fish. "We suspect that the nocturnal light causes a stress response in the fish, and fish generally increase their risk taking when experiencing stress," explains Ralf Kurvers, lead author of the study. Also in humans, a disruption of the night can cause a stress response. For example, firefighters who slept fewer hours during the night had elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Forschungsverbund Berlin. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Forschungsverbund Berlin. "Light pollution makes fish more courageous." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180921113456.htm>.
==========================
Source:
Forschungsverbund Berlin
Summary:
Artificial light at night also makes guppies more courageous during the day, according to a new behavioral study.
Share:
FULL STORY
Light pollution makes guppys more courageous during the day.
Photo`Credit: David Bierbach, IGBArtificial light at night also makes guppies more courageous during the day, according to a behavioural study led by researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Exposing fish to artificial light at night, not only made fish more active during the night, but also made them emerge quicker from hiding places during the day, which could increase their exposure to predators. Nocturnal lighting, however, did not affect their swimming speed or social behaviour during the day.
Light pollution can have many influences on ecological processes. Previous research has shown that artificial light at night can have several direct consequences on night-time activity and movement patterns of animals. Many animal species, for example birds and insects, are attracted by artificial light sources at night and can, as a result, loose their orientation. But how artificial light at night impacts the behaviour of individuals during the day, when the source of light pollution is absent, is largely unknown.
In this study, a team led by Ralf Kurvers of the MPI for Human Development in collaboration with the IGB, tested how exposure to artificial light at night affected the behaviour of fish during the day. As study species, they used guppies, a tropical freshwater fish and one of the model organisms of animal behavioural science. The scientists studied three groups of animals. Each group was exposed to the same bright light conditions during the day, but to different illuminations during the night. The first group experienced complete darkness at night; the second group was kept at a low light level at night, comparable to nocturnal illuminance under a street lamp; and the third group experienced bright light at night. After ten weeks of exposure, the scientists conducted behavioural tests to study the consequences of nightly light exposure on daytime behaviours.
The results: Fish left their hiding places faster during the day and swam more often in the riskier, open areas of the aquarium when exposed to strong, but also weak, artificial light at night. The light exposed fish thus increased their willingness to take risks. "The consequences of this increased risk taking behaviour are difficult to predict, but it is possible that they could be more at risk of predation by birds or other fish" says IGB researcher David Bierbach, co-author of the study. The light exposed fish did not differ in swimming speed and sociality, as compared to the control fish. "We suspect that the nocturnal light causes a stress response in the fish, and fish generally increase their risk taking when experiencing stress," explains Ralf Kurvers, lead author of the study. Also in humans, a disruption of the night can cause a stress response. For example, firefighters who slept fewer hours during the night had elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Forschungsverbund Berlin. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- R. H. J. M. Kurvers, J. Drägestein, F. Hölker, A. Jechow, J. Krause, D. Bierbach. Artificial Light at Night Affects Emergence from a Refuge and Space Use in Guppies. Scientific Reports, 2018; 8 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32466-3
Forschungsverbund Berlin. "Light pollution makes fish more courageous." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180921113456.htm>.
==========================
Speolabeo hokhanhi • A New Cavefish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Central Vietnam
Speolabeo hokhanhi
Tao, Cao, Deng & Zhang, 2018
Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10
Abstract
Speolabeo hokhanhi, new species, is here described from Hang Va Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Son River basin) in Central Vietnam. It can be distinguished from S. musaei by having no papillae on the lower lip, no hump immediately behind the head, a duckbilled snout, a shorter caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL), and the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base.
Keywords: Pisces, Speolabeo, new species, cavefish, Central Vietnam
FIGURE Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov., fresh individual immediately after capture. Lateral view.
Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Speolabeo hokhanhi can be easily distinguished from S. musaei by having a lower lip without papillae (vs. with a band of papillae along its anterior margin), no hump immediately behind the head (vs. present), a duckbilled (vs. pyramidal) snout, the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base (vs. midway between the snout tip and caudal-fin base) and a shorter (vs. longer) caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL vs. 19.6–22.7). All data here used for S. musaei are from Kottelat and Steiner (2011).
....
Etymology. The specific epithet is named in honor of Mr. Ho Khanh who discovered many caves in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park. He was a local guide of the cavefish survey conducted by the first author during 2014 into the cave where the type specimens were collected and provided detailed information about the collection site.
As common names, we suggest Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish (English)
and cá mù hang va hồ-khanh (Vietnamese).
FIGURE Distribution of Speolabeo hokhanhi (▲).
Distribution and habitat. Speolabeo hokhanhi is known only from the type locality (Fig. 4). Hang Va Cave is roughly 35 km south of Phong Nha village, rather close to Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave that is 5 km long, 200 m high and 150 m wide. A 24 km southward drive along the West Ho–Chi–Minh highway starting from the tourism center of the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park leads to the point closest to the cave site of the Hang Son Doong. From there, roughly 1.5 hours’ northward walk following a narrow stony track through thick forest arrives at Hang Va Cave. Its entrance is about 30 meters above the ground. A descent of 15 m from the entrance reaches a cave passage containing a subterraneous stream. Downstream for approximately 200 meters, there is a shallow water pool with many stalagmites, usually 2–3 m tall (Fig. 5), where the type specimens of the new species were collected during the dry season. At this time, the pool had a muddy substrate and was 0.5–1.5 m in depth, 10 m wide, and 25 m long. More than 30 individuals of about the same size were observed in the pool; only six were captured using a hand-net. The fishes were swimming slowly and haphazardly, rather close to the water surface; when disturbed, they swam deeper, but did not seek shelter. A new shrimp species was found to sympatrically occur with the cavefish (Do & Nguyen 2014).
Nguyen Dinh Tao, Liang Cao, Shuqing Deng and E Zhang. 2018. Speolabeo hokhanhi, A New Cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4476(1); 109–117. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10
Researchgate.net/publication/327632977_Speolabeo_hokhanhi_a_new_cavefish_from_Central_Vietnam
==========================
Speolabeo hokhanhi
Tao, Cao, Deng & Zhang, 2018
Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10
Abstract
Speolabeo hokhanhi, new species, is here described from Hang Va Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Son River basin) in Central Vietnam. It can be distinguished from S. musaei by having no papillae on the lower lip, no hump immediately behind the head, a duckbilled snout, a shorter caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL), and the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base.
Keywords: Pisces, Speolabeo, new species, cavefish, Central Vietnam
FIGURE Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov., fresh individual immediately after capture. Lateral view.
Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Speolabeo hokhanhi can be easily distinguished from S. musaei by having a lower lip without papillae (vs. with a band of papillae along its anterior margin), no hump immediately behind the head (vs. present), a duckbilled (vs. pyramidal) snout, the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base (vs. midway between the snout tip and caudal-fin base) and a shorter (vs. longer) caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL vs. 19.6–22.7). All data here used for S. musaei are from Kottelat and Steiner (2011).
....
Etymology. The specific epithet is named in honor of Mr. Ho Khanh who discovered many caves in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park. He was a local guide of the cavefish survey conducted by the first author during 2014 into the cave where the type specimens were collected and provided detailed information about the collection site.
As common names, we suggest Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish (English)
and cá mù hang va hồ-khanh (Vietnamese).
FIGURE Distribution of Speolabeo hokhanhi (▲).
Distribution and habitat. Speolabeo hokhanhi is known only from the type locality (Fig. 4). Hang Va Cave is roughly 35 km south of Phong Nha village, rather close to Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave that is 5 km long, 200 m high and 150 m wide. A 24 km southward drive along the West Ho–Chi–Minh highway starting from the tourism center of the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park leads to the point closest to the cave site of the Hang Son Doong. From there, roughly 1.5 hours’ northward walk following a narrow stony track through thick forest arrives at Hang Va Cave. Its entrance is about 30 meters above the ground. A descent of 15 m from the entrance reaches a cave passage containing a subterraneous stream. Downstream for approximately 200 meters, there is a shallow water pool with many stalagmites, usually 2–3 m tall (Fig. 5), where the type specimens of the new species were collected during the dry season. At this time, the pool had a muddy substrate and was 0.5–1.5 m in depth, 10 m wide, and 25 m long. More than 30 individuals of about the same size were observed in the pool; only six were captured using a hand-net. The fishes were swimming slowly and haphazardly, rather close to the water surface; when disturbed, they swam deeper, but did not seek shelter. A new shrimp species was found to sympatrically occur with the cavefish (Do & Nguyen 2014).
Nguyen Dinh Tao, Liang Cao, Shuqing Deng and E Zhang. 2018. Speolabeo hokhanhi, A New Cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4476(1); 109–117. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10
Researchgate.net/publication/327632977_Speolabeo_hokhanhi_a_new_cavefish_from_Central_Vietnam
==========================
The British Livebearer Association
in association with Fancy Guppy UK Autumn convention
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September
IBM Warwick, on the A46 at CV34 5AH
Saturday:
Fancy guppy show – Many stunning examples of the breeder’s art on view.
Trade Stands
Exhibition of wild-type livebearers
We are delighted to welcome Fred Poeser who will present two talks. The first talk will focus on Guppy genetics whilst the second talk will concentrate on Central American species of Poecilia.
Fred is a lifelong livebearer enthusiast who has been on many expeditions exploring the wild habitats of livebearers. He is also the man who scientifically described the Endler guppy, Poecilia wingii (as well as other Poecilia sp)
Sunday:
Auction of wild-type livebearers on Sunday. Bring your surplus stock to sell or buy those hard-to-find species that you are unlikely to ever see in an aquarium shop.
Auction of guppies. All the guppies in the show are auctioned after prizes have been decided. Some show winners go for high prices but plenty of great-looking guppies sell for just £3 a pair – great value!
The British Livebearer Association
in association with Fancy Guppy UK Autumn convention
==========================
in association with Fancy Guppy UK Autumn convention
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September
IBM Warwick, on the A46 at CV34 5AH
Saturday:
Fancy guppy show – Many stunning examples of the breeder’s art on view.
Trade Stands
Exhibition of wild-type livebearers
We are delighted to welcome Fred Poeser who will present two talks. The first talk will focus on Guppy genetics whilst the second talk will concentrate on Central American species of Poecilia.
Fred is a lifelong livebearer enthusiast who has been on many expeditions exploring the wild habitats of livebearers. He is also the man who scientifically described the Endler guppy, Poecilia wingii (as well as other Poecilia sp)
Sunday:
Auction of wild-type livebearers on Sunday. Bring your surplus stock to sell or buy those hard-to-find species that you are unlikely to ever see in an aquarium shop.
Auction of guppies. All the guppies in the show are auctioned after prizes have been decided. Some show winners go for high prices but plenty of great-looking guppies sell for just £3 a pair – great value!
The British Livebearer Association
in association with Fancy Guppy UK Autumn convention
==========================
Monopterus rongsaw • A New Species of Hypogean Swamp Eel (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae)from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India
Monopterus rongsaw
Britz, Sykes, Gower & Kamei, 2018
pfeil-verlag.de nhm.ac.uk
A new species of hypogean swamp eel, Monopterus rongsaw, is described from the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India. It was discovered while digging rock-strewn and moist soil close to a small stream during attempts to find caecilians. The new species differs from other synbranchids by the combination of absence of skin pigmentation, the eyes being tiny and covered by skin, and a count of 92 precaudal and 69 caudal vertebrae.
Ralf Britz, Dan Sykes, David J. Gower and Rachunliu G. Kamei. 2018. Monopterus rongsaw, A New Species of Hypogean Swamp Eel from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1086:1-12
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1086 pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/monopterus-rongsaw-a-new-species-of-hypogean-swamp-eel-from-the-khasi-hills-in-northeast-india-teleostei-synbranchiformes-synbranchidae/
New species of blind eel that burrows through the soil discovered
nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2018/september/new-species-of-blind-eel-that-burrows-through-the-soil-discovere.html
==========================
Monopterus rongsaw
Britz, Sykes, Gower & Kamei, 2018
pfeil-verlag.de nhm.ac.uk
A new species of hypogean swamp eel, Monopterus rongsaw, is described from the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India. It was discovered while digging rock-strewn and moist soil close to a small stream during attempts to find caecilians. The new species differs from other synbranchids by the combination of absence of skin pigmentation, the eyes being tiny and covered by skin, and a count of 92 precaudal and 69 caudal vertebrae.
Ralf Britz, Dan Sykes, David J. Gower and Rachunliu G. Kamei. 2018. Monopterus rongsaw, A New Species of Hypogean Swamp Eel from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. IEF-1086:1-12
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1086 pfeil-verlag.de/publikationen/monopterus-rongsaw-a-new-species-of-hypogean-swamp-eel-from-the-khasi-hills-in-northeast-india-teleostei-synbranchiformes-synbranchidae/
New species of blind eel that burrows through the soil discovered
nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2018/september/new-species-of-blind-eel-that-burrows-through-the-soil-discovere.html
==========================
A colourful new tetra, Hyphessobrycon piorskii, which could one day capture our hearts.
An introduction to the new species was recently released in an open-access description published in ZooKeys and is available online for free. To read the full article by authors Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Pâmella Silva De Brito, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Luís Fernando Carvalho-Costa, Felipe Polivanov Ottoni, click on A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin from northeastern Brazil: evidence from morphological data and DNA barcoding (Characiformes, Characidae).
Why It’s a New Species
This new species represents another chapter in our understanding of a group which taxonomists and ichthyologists refer to as Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto (perhaps suggesting that this currently large genus of 150 or so species may one day be broken up). H. piorskii was discovered in the Munim and Preguiças river basins, two coastal river basins of the Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil, and is currently only known from these locations.
The description of this new species is well supported by current genetic methodologies. The data suggests there is possibly a close relationship to a sister group of tetra species, specifically H. bentosi (Ornate Tetra), H. socolofi (Lesser Bleeding Heart Tetra), H. megalopterus (Black Phantom Tetra), H. erythrostigma (Bleeding Heart Tetra), and H. pyrrhonotus (Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra), however the authors caution that this proposed relationship is, at this time, speculative at best.
According to the paper, H. piorskii exhibits some telltale characteristics that may aid in identification. “The new species Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n., promptly differs from most congeners except by species of Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin (vs. absence), no midlateral stripe on the body (vs. presence) and Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum (vs. downward).” Furthermore, with the exception of exception to H. bentosi and H. hasemani, H. piorskii can be distinguished from Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto “by possessing an inconspicuous vertically elongated humeral spot,” compared to other configurations. If you’re still stuck in making an identification, the authors conclude that “The new species differs from H. bentosi by the absence of extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips (Figures 1, 2) [vs. extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips]; and from H. hasemani by the dorsal-fin black spot shape, which is located approximately at the middle of the fin’s depth, not reaching its tip [vs. extended along all the fin, reaching its tip in adults] and by presenting tri to unicuspid teeth in the inner row of premaxillary and dentary [vs. pentacuspid teeth].”
Hyphessobrycon piorskii In The Wild
Collecting sites of Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. A. stream at the Anapurus municipality B. stream at Mata de Itamacaoca C. stream at Mata de Itamacaoca D. stream at Mata Fome, Barreirinhas municipality (photographed by Felipe Ottoni). CC BY 4.0
Perhaps of most interest to aquarists, should they ever find themselves lucky enough to care for this species, are the author’s ecological notes:
“Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp.n. lives in shallow well-oxygenated streams with transparent waters flowing over different types of substrates. The streams where H. piorskii sp. n. specimens were collected varied from 0.90 to 10 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 1.60 meters. They possessed moderate water currents (0.1–0.7 m/s), with clear, sandy substrates with pebbles, mud, leaf litter, and submerged logs, often also presenting aquatic macrophytes. Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. was found near shore among aquatic vegetation, tree roots and fallen logs. Other species found at both sites were Anablepsoides vieirai Nielsen, 2016, Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980, Astyanax sp., Cichlasoma cf. zarskei, Copella arnoldi(Regan, 1912), Crenicichla brasiliensis (Bloch, 1792), Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), Megalechis thoracata (Valenciennes, 1840), Nannostomus beckfordi Günther, 1872, andSynbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795. Gut contents of C&S specimens contained algae and disarticulated arthropod remains.”
Reference:
Guimarães EC, De Brito PS, Feitosa LM, Carvalho-Costa LF, Ottoni FP (2018) A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin from northeastern Brazil: evidence from morphological data and DNAbarcoding (Characiformes, Characidae). ZooKeys 765: 79-101. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
from Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
An introduction to the new species was recently released in an open-access description published in ZooKeys and is available online for free. To read the full article by authors Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Pâmella Silva De Brito, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Luís Fernando Carvalho-Costa, Felipe Polivanov Ottoni, click on A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin from northeastern Brazil: evidence from morphological data and DNA barcoding (Characiformes, Characidae).
Why It’s a New Species
This new species represents another chapter in our understanding of a group which taxonomists and ichthyologists refer to as Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto (perhaps suggesting that this currently large genus of 150 or so species may one day be broken up). H. piorskii was discovered in the Munim and Preguiças river basins, two coastal river basins of the Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil, and is currently only known from these locations.
The description of this new species is well supported by current genetic methodologies. The data suggests there is possibly a close relationship to a sister group of tetra species, specifically H. bentosi (Ornate Tetra), H. socolofi (Lesser Bleeding Heart Tetra), H. megalopterus (Black Phantom Tetra), H. erythrostigma (Bleeding Heart Tetra), and H. pyrrhonotus (Flameback Bleeding Heart Tetra), however the authors caution that this proposed relationship is, at this time, speculative at best.
According to the paper, H. piorskii exhibits some telltale characteristics that may aid in identification. “The new species Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n., promptly differs from most congeners except by species of Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin (vs. absence), no midlateral stripe on the body (vs. presence) and Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum (vs. downward).” Furthermore, with the exception of exception to H. bentosi and H. hasemani, H. piorskii can be distinguished from Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto “by possessing an inconspicuous vertically elongated humeral spot,” compared to other configurations. If you’re still stuck in making an identification, the authors conclude that “The new species differs from H. bentosi by the absence of extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips (Figures 1, 2) [vs. extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips]; and from H. hasemani by the dorsal-fin black spot shape, which is located approximately at the middle of the fin’s depth, not reaching its tip [vs. extended along all the fin, reaching its tip in adults] and by presenting tri to unicuspid teeth in the inner row of premaxillary and dentary [vs. pentacuspid teeth].”
Hyphessobrycon piorskii In The Wild
Collecting sites of Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. A. stream at the Anapurus municipality B. stream at Mata de Itamacaoca C. stream at Mata de Itamacaoca D. stream at Mata Fome, Barreirinhas municipality (photographed by Felipe Ottoni). CC BY 4.0
Perhaps of most interest to aquarists, should they ever find themselves lucky enough to care for this species, are the author’s ecological notes:
“Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp.n. lives in shallow well-oxygenated streams with transparent waters flowing over different types of substrates. The streams where H. piorskii sp. n. specimens were collected varied from 0.90 to 10 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 1.60 meters. They possessed moderate water currents (0.1–0.7 m/s), with clear, sandy substrates with pebbles, mud, leaf litter, and submerged logs, often also presenting aquatic macrophytes. Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. was found near shore among aquatic vegetation, tree roots and fallen logs. Other species found at both sites were Anablepsoides vieirai Nielsen, 2016, Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980, Astyanax sp., Cichlasoma cf. zarskei, Copella arnoldi(Regan, 1912), Crenicichla brasiliensis (Bloch, 1792), Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), Megalechis thoracata (Valenciennes, 1840), Nannostomus beckfordi Günther, 1872, andSynbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795. Gut contents of C&S specimens contained algae and disarticulated arthropod remains.”
Reference:
Guimarães EC, De Brito PS, Feitosa LM, Carvalho-Costa LF, Ottoni FP (2018) A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin from northeastern Brazil: evidence from morphological data and DNAbarcoding (Characiformes, Characidae). ZooKeys 765: 79-101. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
from Reef to Rainforest Media
==========================
Mexico arrests 'hitman' for trafficking endangered fish
View of dried swim bladders of totoaba fish, which despite an international ban on trade could still be found for sale in Guangzhou, capital of China's southern Guangdoing province, in March 2018Mexico has arrested an alleged drug cartel hitman on charges of trafficking the critically endangered totoaba fish, a species whose swim bladder can fetch up to $20,000 on the black market in China.
The suspect, identified as Oscar N, alias "El Parra," was arrested Thursday on charges of leading a top totoaba trafficking gang, said the government of the northern state of Baja California.
The gang is believed to have ties to the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, the state authorities said in a statement.
El Parra is a "dangerous hitman and drug trafficker" who was also wanted on a homicide charge, it said.
The state sits on the Gulf of California, the native habitat for the totoaba.
Known as the "cocaine of the sea" for its lucrative price, the species has been in steep decline since the 1940s, largely because of its reputed healing powers in Chinese medicine.
In China, the totoaba's swim bladder is believed to have beautifying properties and cure a host of ailments, from arthritis pain to discomfort during pregnancy.
In fact, they are so prized that some Chinese simply display them in fancy cases in their homes.
The illegal fishing trade has turned increasingly violent in recent years, and has also claimed a collateral victim: the nearly extinct vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise, which can end up caught in the nets used to fish for totoaba.
Researchers estimate there are less than 30 vaquitas left today.
To save the species, Mexico has banned fishing in a giant 1,800-square kilometer (700-square mile) area.
The move was backed by the likes of Hollywood heartthrob and conservationist Leonardo DiCaprio and Carlos Slim, the Mexican telecoms billionaire who is one of the world's richest people.
The government also tried to catch vaquitas with the aid of US Navy-trained dolphins and breed them in a protected reserve. But the program was aborted last year after a vaquita died in captivity.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-09-mexico-hitman-trafficking-endangered-fish.html#jCp
==========================
View of dried swim bladders of totoaba fish, which despite an international ban on trade could still be found for sale in Guangzhou, capital of China's southern Guangdoing province, in March 2018Mexico has arrested an alleged drug cartel hitman on charges of trafficking the critically endangered totoaba fish, a species whose swim bladder can fetch up to $20,000 on the black market in China.
The suspect, identified as Oscar N, alias "El Parra," was arrested Thursday on charges of leading a top totoaba trafficking gang, said the government of the northern state of Baja California.
The gang is believed to have ties to the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, the state authorities said in a statement.
El Parra is a "dangerous hitman and drug trafficker" who was also wanted on a homicide charge, it said.
The state sits on the Gulf of California, the native habitat for the totoaba.
Known as the "cocaine of the sea" for its lucrative price, the species has been in steep decline since the 1940s, largely because of its reputed healing powers in Chinese medicine.
In China, the totoaba's swim bladder is believed to have beautifying properties and cure a host of ailments, from arthritis pain to discomfort during pregnancy.
In fact, they are so prized that some Chinese simply display them in fancy cases in their homes.
The illegal fishing trade has turned increasingly violent in recent years, and has also claimed a collateral victim: the nearly extinct vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise, which can end up caught in the nets used to fish for totoaba.
Researchers estimate there are less than 30 vaquitas left today.
To save the species, Mexico has banned fishing in a giant 1,800-square kilometer (700-square mile) area.
The move was backed by the likes of Hollywood heartthrob and conservationist Leonardo DiCaprio and Carlos Slim, the Mexican telecoms billionaire who is one of the world's richest people.
The government also tried to catch vaquitas with the aid of US Navy-trained dolphins and breed them in a protected reserve. But the program was aborted last year after a vaquita died in captivity.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-09-mexico-hitman-trafficking-endangered-fish.html#jCp
==========================
2018 AUTUMN AUCTION Sunday 16th September (Fish, Plants, Equipment)
Share
Sunday, September 16 at 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM UTC+01
Highbank Community Centre
Farnborough Road, Clifton, NG11 8 Nottingham, United Kingdom
Show Map
==========================
Schistura alboguttata • A New Loach Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the Pearl River basin in Guangxi, South China
Schistura alboguttata
Cao & Zhang, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.1.5
Abstract
Schistura alboguttata, a new species of nemacheilid loach, is herein described from the Leli-He, a tributary flowing to the You-Jiang of the Pearl River basin (Zhu-Jiang in Chinese) at Tianlin County, Guangxi, South China. This new species can be readily distinguished from all other Chinese species of Schistura by its striking body coloration consisting of irregular white spots scattered over the dorsal and lateral regions of the body, with occasional irregular bars with narrow interspaces on the predorsal region.
Keywords: Pisces, nemacheilid, new species, Zhu-Jiang
FIGURE 5. Distribution of Schistura alboguttata. Symbol indicates type locality.
FIGURE 4. Live specimen of Schistura alboguttata, IHB2008050101, 71.4 mm SL, same collection data as holotype.
Schistura alboguttata, sp. nov.
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin albus (white) and guttata (spotted), in reference to the irregular white spots scattered over the dorsal and lateral regions of the body.
Liang Cao and E. Zhang. 2018. Schistura alboguttata, A New Loach Species of the Family Nemacheilidae (Pisces: Cypriniformes) from the Pearl River basin in Guangxi, South China. Zootaxa. 4471(1); 125–136. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.1.5
.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=922878641242017&id=100005596687444
==========================
Schistura alboguttata
Cao & Zhang, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.1.5
Abstract
Schistura alboguttata, a new species of nemacheilid loach, is herein described from the Leli-He, a tributary flowing to the You-Jiang of the Pearl River basin (Zhu-Jiang in Chinese) at Tianlin County, Guangxi, South China. This new species can be readily distinguished from all other Chinese species of Schistura by its striking body coloration consisting of irregular white spots scattered over the dorsal and lateral regions of the body, with occasional irregular bars with narrow interspaces on the predorsal region.
Keywords: Pisces, nemacheilid, new species, Zhu-Jiang
FIGURE 5. Distribution of Schistura alboguttata. Symbol indicates type locality.
FIGURE 4. Live specimen of Schistura alboguttata, IHB2008050101, 71.4 mm SL, same collection data as holotype.
Schistura alboguttata, sp. nov.
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin albus (white) and guttata (spotted), in reference to the irregular white spots scattered over the dorsal and lateral regions of the body.
Liang Cao and E. Zhang. 2018. Schistura alboguttata, A New Loach Species of the Family Nemacheilidae (Pisces: Cypriniformes) from the Pearl River basin in Guangxi, South China. Zootaxa. 4471(1); 125–136. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.1.5
.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=922878641242017&id=100005596687444
==========================
Longfin Eels
Three out of four New Zealand freshwater fish 'staring extinction in the face'
Decline rates among the New Zealand longfin eel were highest in areas dominated by pasture. Photo / File
By: Jamie Morton
Science Reporter, NZ Herald
jamie.morton@nzherald.co.nz@JamienzheraldNew Zealand's freshwater fish species are in peril - and especially in our pastoral countryside, researchers say.
In a study published today, Victoria University's Dr Mike Joy and colleagues compared land use changes and more than 20,000 freshwater fish records since 1970.
The data, which covered fish distribution and abundance trends, along with a key measure of water pollution called the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), showed more than three quarters of 25 analysed species were in decline.
About the same rate of decline was found in 20 native fish species - and in two thirds of cases, the drop was a significant one.
Further, the study found more species were in decline around land dominated by pasture compared with areas covered with natural vegetation - a trend also shown among the IBI data.
That declines were worse in pasture catchments than those characterised by scrub or forest wasn't surprising, Joy said, although the rate of decline was nonetheless "scary".
In pastoral areas particularly, some of the most striking falls were observed among longfin eel and common bully.
Across all land types, the biggest drops were also recorded among redfin and bluegill bully, lamprey, brown trout, shortjaw and giant kokopu, black flounder and torrentfish.
Joy pointed out that it wasn't until the early 1990s that New Zealand assessed the threat status of its native freshwater fish, finding that one in five were either threatened or at risk.
It was an "appalling figure", he said, but also now old news - the current proportion was 74 per cent.
==========================
Decline rates among the New Zealand longfin eel were highest in areas dominated by pasture. Photo / File
By: Jamie Morton
Science Reporter, NZ Herald
jamie.morton@nzherald.co.nz@JamienzheraldNew Zealand's freshwater fish species are in peril - and especially in our pastoral countryside, researchers say.
In a study published today, Victoria University's Dr Mike Joy and colleagues compared land use changes and more than 20,000 freshwater fish records since 1970.
The data, which covered fish distribution and abundance trends, along with a key measure of water pollution called the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), showed more than three quarters of 25 analysed species were in decline.
About the same rate of decline was found in 20 native fish species - and in two thirds of cases, the drop was a significant one.
Further, the study found more species were in decline around land dominated by pasture compared with areas covered with natural vegetation - a trend also shown among the IBI data.
That declines were worse in pasture catchments than those characterised by scrub or forest wasn't surprising, Joy said, although the rate of decline was nonetheless "scary".
In pastoral areas particularly, some of the most striking falls were observed among longfin eel and common bully.
Across all land types, the biggest drops were also recorded among redfin and bluegill bully, lamprey, brown trout, shortjaw and giant kokopu, black flounder and torrentfish.
Joy pointed out that it wasn't until the early 1990s that New Zealand assessed the threat status of its native freshwater fish, finding that one in five were either threatened or at risk.
It was an "appalling figure", he said, but also now old news - the current proportion was 74 per cent.
==========================
Fish shop owner takes first plunge into novel writing
A FISH shop owner has taken his first plunge into the realm of novel writing.
Mark Edmondson, of Canterbury Close, Atherton, has released a murder whodunnit book called The Beast of Bodmin.
It is set at the scene of the Cornwall moor in Bodmin, which has been surrounded by the myth of a wild cat living there for decades.
Mark, 41, who owns Amazon Aquatics on Welch Hill Street, in Leigh, said: “I have always been interested in the world of fiction.
“I used to enjoy reading books by writers like Agatha Christie and the first adult book I read was Jaws.
“I actually went to Bodmin on holiday about 20 years ago and it was only later that I checked that there has not been a fiction book written about it.
“I started writing this book four years ago but I wasn’t sure about sending a draft of it off to anyone.
“When I was at a family party I told my niece Kadie about it and she shouted at me.
“The next night I sent it off to an agent and he got back to me within a day.
“I kept the release of my book a secret from a lot of my friends and family so it was a surprise to them when I told them about it.
“There has been a good response to the book so far which has been nice.”
Mark has worked in the aquarium industry since the age of 16 before owning his own business when he was 21 and then taking control of Amazon Aquatics 13 years ago.
His love of writing has always been in the forefront of his mind throughout his career though.
Mark, who has two grandchildren, added: “In my writing, I like concentrating on developing the characters first and then seeing where the story goes.
“I am now working on another couple of books.”
The Beast of Bodmin is available to purchase over the counter at Amazon Aquatics.
Customers can also order the book from Waterstones by clicking here.
It is set to be available online at Amazon in the coming weeks.
=========== ==============0 comment
A FISH shop owner has taken his first plunge into the realm of novel writing.
Mark Edmondson, of Canterbury Close, Atherton, has released a murder whodunnit book called The Beast of Bodmin.
It is set at the scene of the Cornwall moor in Bodmin, which has been surrounded by the myth of a wild cat living there for decades.
Mark, 41, who owns Amazon Aquatics on Welch Hill Street, in Leigh, said: “I have always been interested in the world of fiction.
“I used to enjoy reading books by writers like Agatha Christie and the first adult book I read was Jaws.
“I actually went to Bodmin on holiday about 20 years ago and it was only later that I checked that there has not been a fiction book written about it.
“I started writing this book four years ago but I wasn’t sure about sending a draft of it off to anyone.
“When I was at a family party I told my niece Kadie about it and she shouted at me.
“The next night I sent it off to an agent and he got back to me within a day.
“I kept the release of my book a secret from a lot of my friends and family so it was a surprise to them when I told them about it.
“There has been a good response to the book so far which has been nice.”
Mark has worked in the aquarium industry since the age of 16 before owning his own business when he was 21 and then taking control of Amazon Aquatics 13 years ago.
His love of writing has always been in the forefront of his mind throughout his career though.
Mark, who has two grandchildren, added: “In my writing, I like concentrating on developing the characters first and then seeing where the story goes.
“I am now working on another couple of books.”
The Beast of Bodmin is available to purchase over the counter at Amazon Aquatics.
Customers can also order the book from Waterstones by clicking here.
It is set to be available online at Amazon in the coming weeks.
=========== ==============0 comment
Eilat coral reef defies expectations and regenerates after fish farming damageThe resilience of Red Sea coral fascinates scientists, who try to understand why the marine life fares well in heat and seems immune to the bleaching which plagues other reefsBy TOI STAFF and AFPToday, 6:59 pm 0 While coral reefs around the world are getting sicker as a result of global warming, the reef in the southern Israeli port city of Eilat is thriving despite years of damage caused by intensive fish farming in the waters and global warming.
According to a Hadashot TV news report on Friday, the healthy coral marks a victory against the damage caused by humans to underwater marine life.
From 1995-2008, waste from multiple “cages” for fish farming caused massive damage to the Red Sea coral, but after environmental and diving groups petitioned the government and appropriate authorities, the cages were removed and the coral has now bounced back.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top storiesFREE SIGN UP
“The government thinks that we and the other ecological groups are against progress and development, but it’s not true — we just want it to be done with supervision for the sustainability of the environment,” Maya Yakbis of the Zalul environmental NGO told Hadashot.
The fish farming cages in the Red Sea. (Screenshot from Hadashot via Zalul)But fighting back after the pollution from the fish farming is not the only remarkable victory for the coral. Global warming has in recent years caused colorful coral reefs to bleach and die around the world — but not in the Gulf of Eilat, or Aqaba, part of the northern Red Sea.
At the forefront of research into why the Red Sea coral seems to be so resilient, is Maoz Fine of the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, whose laboratory of water tanks and robots simulate the effects of climate change on temperature and oxygen levels in the water.
Fine’s team also grows coral on tables some eight meters (26 feet) underwater in the Red Sea, in an area closed to public and dubbed “the nursery.”
Researchers from the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in the southern Israeli resort city of Eilat monitor coral growth while scuba diving on June 12, 2017 in the Red Sea off Eilat. (AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA)According to Fine, the Gulf of Eilat corals fare well in heat thanks to their slow journey from the Indian Ocean through the Bab al-Mandab strait, between Djibouti and Yemen, where water temperatures are much higher.
Oceans also absorb about one-third of the carbon dioxide released by human activities, resulting in increasing acidification that is harmful to corals.
Coral reefs, most famously Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, are experiencing in recent years unabated mass bleaching and die-offs.
Losing coral reefs is not only bad news for tourists diving to see their beauty and marine life swimming among them.
Corals are important to “the whole balance of the ecosystem,” offering structure, food, and protection to a variety of marine animals, Jessica Bellworthy, a PhD student under Fine’s supervision taking part in the Eilat research said last year.
Their rich chemical interactions have provided components for medications, including those for cancer and HIV patients.
But while the coral reefs off Eilat and Aqaba may be able to survive global warming for now, they also face other risks.
Fertilizers, pesticides, and oil pollution “harm the corals and lower their resilience to high temperatures,” Fine told the AFP last year.
From The Times of Israel
==========================
According to a Hadashot TV news report on Friday, the healthy coral marks a victory against the damage caused by humans to underwater marine life.
From 1995-2008, waste from multiple “cages” for fish farming caused massive damage to the Red Sea coral, but after environmental and diving groups petitioned the government and appropriate authorities, the cages were removed and the coral has now bounced back.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top storiesFREE SIGN UP
“The government thinks that we and the other ecological groups are against progress and development, but it’s not true — we just want it to be done with supervision for the sustainability of the environment,” Maya Yakbis of the Zalul environmental NGO told Hadashot.
The fish farming cages in the Red Sea. (Screenshot from Hadashot via Zalul)But fighting back after the pollution from the fish farming is not the only remarkable victory for the coral. Global warming has in recent years caused colorful coral reefs to bleach and die around the world — but not in the Gulf of Eilat, or Aqaba, part of the northern Red Sea.
At the forefront of research into why the Red Sea coral seems to be so resilient, is Maoz Fine of the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, whose laboratory of water tanks and robots simulate the effects of climate change on temperature and oxygen levels in the water.
Fine’s team also grows coral on tables some eight meters (26 feet) underwater in the Red Sea, in an area closed to public and dubbed “the nursery.”
Researchers from the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in the southern Israeli resort city of Eilat monitor coral growth while scuba diving on June 12, 2017 in the Red Sea off Eilat. (AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA)According to Fine, the Gulf of Eilat corals fare well in heat thanks to their slow journey from the Indian Ocean through the Bab al-Mandab strait, between Djibouti and Yemen, where water temperatures are much higher.
Oceans also absorb about one-third of the carbon dioxide released by human activities, resulting in increasing acidification that is harmful to corals.
Coral reefs, most famously Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, are experiencing in recent years unabated mass bleaching and die-offs.
Losing coral reefs is not only bad news for tourists diving to see their beauty and marine life swimming among them.
Corals are important to “the whole balance of the ecosystem,” offering structure, food, and protection to a variety of marine animals, Jessica Bellworthy, a PhD student under Fine’s supervision taking part in the Eilat research said last year.
Their rich chemical interactions have provided components for medications, including those for cancer and HIV patients.
But while the coral reefs off Eilat and Aqaba may be able to survive global warming for now, they also face other risks.
Fertilizers, pesticides, and oil pollution “harm the corals and lower their resilience to high temperatures,” Fine told the AFP last year.
From The Times of Israel
==========================
Protein in zebrafish found to keep out sperm of other fish
by Bob Yirka, Phys.org report
A small team of researchers with the Vienna Biocenter has discovered that a protein that exists on the exterior of zebrafish eggs acts as a sentry—allowing only sperm from zebrafish to enter. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes discovering the protein and the way they tested its purpose. Ruth Lehmann with the NYU School of Medicine writes a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.
For fish like the zebrafish, it is important to protect eggs from fertilization by other fish species—this is because they lay their eggs in the water. The eggs are subsequently fertilized by sperm that males eject into the water. The researchers in this new effort have found the mechanism involved—the fish produce a protein that serves as a gatekeeper, allowing only zebrafish sperm to enter.
The researchers discovered the protein as they were conducting a study of the zebrafish genome—they found a gene responsible for producing a previously unknown 80 amino acid protein. Because of its location in the genome, the researchers suspected it was involved in reproduction. The discovery led them to design and carry out experiments to determine its purpose.
The researchers used CRISPR to engineer test zebrafish that produce a homolog of a protein from another fish species—medaka. This allowed medaka sperm to fertilize eggs from the test zebrafish, but blocked the zebrafish sperm. This established that the purpose of the protein was to serve a gatekeeper, which is why they named it Bouncer.
The results are important, Lehmann notes, because they bring scientists closer to understanding species-specific fertilization. She further notes that despite efforts by researchers over the years, the mechanism by which an egg and sperm produce a zygote is still not very well understood. Therefore, any new piece of information is important. The researchers plan to continue their study of Bouncer, with a specific goal of determining the bonding factors that come into play between egg and sperm.
Explore further: Infertility mechanism in males identified
More information: Sarah Herberg et al. The Ly6/uPAR protein Bouncer is necessary and sufficient for species-specific fertilization, Science (2018). DOI: 10.1126/science.aat7113
Abstract
Fertilization is fundamental for sexual reproduction, yet its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We found that an oocyte-expressed Ly6/uPAR protein, which we call Bouncer, is a crucial fertilization factor in zebrafish. Membrane-bound Bouncer mediates sperm-egg binding and is thus essential for sperm entry into the egg. Remarkably, Bouncer not only is required for sperm-egg interaction but is also sufficient to allow cross-species fertilization between zebrafish and medaka, two fish species that diverged more than 200 million years ago. Our study thus identifies Bouncer as a key determinant of species-specific fertilization in fish. Bouncer's closest homolog in tetrapods, SPACA4, is restricted to the male germline in internally fertilizing vertebrates, which suggests that our findings in fish have relevance to human biology.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-09-protein-zebrafish-sperm-fish.html#jCp
==========================
by Bob Yirka, Phys.org report
A small team of researchers with the Vienna Biocenter has discovered that a protein that exists on the exterior of zebrafish eggs acts as a sentry—allowing only sperm from zebrafish to enter. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes discovering the protein and the way they tested its purpose. Ruth Lehmann with the NYU School of Medicine writes a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.
For fish like the zebrafish, it is important to protect eggs from fertilization by other fish species—this is because they lay their eggs in the water. The eggs are subsequently fertilized by sperm that males eject into the water. The researchers in this new effort have found the mechanism involved—the fish produce a protein that serves as a gatekeeper, allowing only zebrafish sperm to enter.
The researchers discovered the protein as they were conducting a study of the zebrafish genome—they found a gene responsible for producing a previously unknown 80 amino acid protein. Because of its location in the genome, the researchers suspected it was involved in reproduction. The discovery led them to design and carry out experiments to determine its purpose.
The researchers used CRISPR to engineer test zebrafish that produce a homolog of a protein from another fish species—medaka. This allowed medaka sperm to fertilize eggs from the test zebrafish, but blocked the zebrafish sperm. This established that the purpose of the protein was to serve a gatekeeper, which is why they named it Bouncer.
The results are important, Lehmann notes, because they bring scientists closer to understanding species-specific fertilization. She further notes that despite efforts by researchers over the years, the mechanism by which an egg and sperm produce a zygote is still not very well understood. Therefore, any new piece of information is important. The researchers plan to continue their study of Bouncer, with a specific goal of determining the bonding factors that come into play between egg and sperm.
Explore further: Infertility mechanism in males identified
More information: Sarah Herberg et al. The Ly6/uPAR protein Bouncer is necessary and sufficient for species-specific fertilization, Science (2018). DOI: 10.1126/science.aat7113
Abstract
Fertilization is fundamental for sexual reproduction, yet its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We found that an oocyte-expressed Ly6/uPAR protein, which we call Bouncer, is a crucial fertilization factor in zebrafish. Membrane-bound Bouncer mediates sperm-egg binding and is thus essential for sperm entry into the egg. Remarkably, Bouncer not only is required for sperm-egg interaction but is also sufficient to allow cross-species fertilization between zebrafish and medaka, two fish species that diverged more than 200 million years ago. Our study thus identifies Bouncer as a key determinant of species-specific fertilization in fish. Bouncer's closest homolog in tetrapods, SPACA4, is restricted to the male germline in internally fertilizing vertebrates, which suggests that our findings in fish have relevance to human biology.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-09-protein-zebrafish-sperm-fish.html#jCp
==========================
Lanlabeo duanensis • A New Genus and Species of Labeonin Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from southern China
Lanlabeo duanensis
Yao, He & Peng, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.7
Abstract
Lanlabeo, a new genus of fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, is described from the Pearl River drainage basin in Guangxi Province, southern China. This new genus is distinguished from all other genera of the cyprinid tribe Labeonini by a combination of morphological and phylogenetic characters. It differs morphologically from all other Asian labeonins in its uniquely modified oromandibular morphology. For example, this genus has a frenum connecting the upper jaw and lower lip at the corner of the mouth, regularly arranged papillae densely scattered over the ventral margin of the rostral cap, a vestigial upper lip, a rostral cap overlying the upper jaw and with a fimbriate posterior margin, and a lower lip divided into two lateral fleshy lobes and one central plate. These two lateral fleshy lobes are small and translucent, and the median lobe of the lower lip is large and has papillae regularly arranged in many transverse rows. In the lower jaw, the dentary is transversely L-shaped in ventral view because its anterior part forms a right-angle turn and its transverse branch is anterioposteriorly expanded. In addition, analyses of four nuclear gene datasets indicate that this new genus forms a highly divergent lineage within the Labeonini, and that Lanlabeo is closely related to the genus Ptychidio. Therefore, based on morphometric differences and phylogenetic relationships, we describe this new genus herein as Lanlabeo, containing the new species Lanlabeo duanensis.
Keywords: Pisces, Taxonomy, Cypriniformes, Pearl River drainage basin, Guangxi Province
Min Yao, You He and Zuo-Gang Peng. 2018. Lanlabeo duanensis, A New Genus and Species of Labeonin Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from southern China. Zootaxa. 4471(3); 556–568. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.7
==========================
Lanlabeo duanensis
Yao, He & Peng, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.7
Abstract
Lanlabeo, a new genus of fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, is described from the Pearl River drainage basin in Guangxi Province, southern China. This new genus is distinguished from all other genera of the cyprinid tribe Labeonini by a combination of morphological and phylogenetic characters. It differs morphologically from all other Asian labeonins in its uniquely modified oromandibular morphology. For example, this genus has a frenum connecting the upper jaw and lower lip at the corner of the mouth, regularly arranged papillae densely scattered over the ventral margin of the rostral cap, a vestigial upper lip, a rostral cap overlying the upper jaw and with a fimbriate posterior margin, and a lower lip divided into two lateral fleshy lobes and one central plate. These two lateral fleshy lobes are small and translucent, and the median lobe of the lower lip is large and has papillae regularly arranged in many transverse rows. In the lower jaw, the dentary is transversely L-shaped in ventral view because its anterior part forms a right-angle turn and its transverse branch is anterioposteriorly expanded. In addition, analyses of four nuclear gene datasets indicate that this new genus forms a highly divergent lineage within the Labeonini, and that Lanlabeo is closely related to the genus Ptychidio. Therefore, based on morphometric differences and phylogenetic relationships, we describe this new genus herein as Lanlabeo, containing the new species Lanlabeo duanensis.
Keywords: Pisces, Taxonomy, Cypriniformes, Pearl River drainage basin, Guangxi Province
Min Yao, You He and Zuo-Gang Peng. 2018. Lanlabeo duanensis, A New Genus and Species of Labeonin Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from southern China. Zootaxa. 4471(3); 556–568. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.3.7
==========================
Myersina balteata is the Newest Species of Shrimp Goby from the Solomon Islands
JAKE ADAMS
0SHARES
0Myersina balteata is a new species of shrimp-associated tropical goby that was just described from specimens collected in the Solomon Islands. This new species has a very distinctive color pattern which is divided by a very pronounced black vertical line, leading to its common name of Belted Shrimp goby.
The Belted Shrimp goby belongs to a genus that we don’t usually see as much in the aquarium hobby. Most shrimp gobies that we’re familiar with are from the genus Cryptocentrus whose members are generally larger and more slender than Myersina gobies.
By contrast Myersina balteata is shorter and stockier, but what it lacks in overall size it makes up for with an elaborately adorned dorsal fin. The overall body coloration is a light gray overall, with a light cream colored belly, a single blue facial stripe, and of course that black midbody line. [JOSF]
==========================
JAKE ADAMS
0SHARES
0Myersina balteata is a new species of shrimp-associated tropical goby that was just described from specimens collected in the Solomon Islands. This new species has a very distinctive color pattern which is divided by a very pronounced black vertical line, leading to its common name of Belted Shrimp goby.
The Belted Shrimp goby belongs to a genus that we don’t usually see as much in the aquarium hobby. Most shrimp gobies that we’re familiar with are from the genus Cryptocentrus whose members are generally larger and more slender than Myersina gobies.
By contrast Myersina balteata is shorter and stockier, but what it lacks in overall size it makes up for with an elaborately adorned dorsal fin. The overall body coloration is a light gray overall, with a light cream colored belly, a single blue facial stripe, and of course that black midbody line. [JOSF]
==========================
Clown fish: Whence the white stripes?
Source:CNRS
Summary:
Scientists have been training their attention on the developmental and evolutionary determinants of white stripes in clown fish. They now detail why, when, and how these bands arose and help elucidate their role in clown fish social organization.Share:
FULL STORY
The full spectrum of clown fish colors is not limited to orange or red but ranges from yellow to black. Species differ in the number of white stripes they display: zero, one (head), two (head and trunk), or three (head, trunk, and tail). Four species of clown fish (genus Amphiprion), clockwise from top left: A. ephippium, A. frenatus, A. ocellaris, and A. bicinctus.
Credit: © John E. Randall
Coral reef fish are known for the wide range of colors and patterns they display, but the mechanisms governing the acquisition of these characteristics are still poorly understood. These researchers focused on clown fish, a group including thirty-some species distinguished by numbers of white stripes (zero to three) and by their colors, including yellow, orange, red, and black.
The team first demonstrated that stripes are essential for individual fish to recognize others of their species. Such recognition is critical to the social organization of clown fish living among sea anemones where several species may be simultaneously present and young fish seek to establish permanent homes.
The researchers then deciphered the sequences of stripe appearance and disappearance during the life of a clown fish. Stripes appear one at a time, starting near the head and progressing towards the tail, during the transition from the larval to the juvenile stage. The team further observed that some stripes are occasionally lost between the juvenile and adult stages, this time beginning at the tail end.
In an attempt to understand the origin of these patterns, the scientists delved into the evolutionary history of clown fish. They discovered that their common ancestor sported three stripes. Just like today's clown fish, these ancestral stripes were made up of pigmented cells called iridophores containing reflective crystals. Over the course of evolutionary history, some species of clown fish gradually lost stripes, resulting in today's range of color patterns.
The research team would like to follow up by identifying the genes that control the acquisition of white stripes for a greater understanding of how they evolved. This should clue them in to the processes behind color diversification and the role color plays in the social organization of reef fish.
Story Source:
Materials provided by CNRS. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Cite This Page: CNRS. "Clown fish: Whence the white stripes?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180904232259.htm>.
==========================
Source:CNRS
Summary:
Scientists have been training their attention on the developmental and evolutionary determinants of white stripes in clown fish. They now detail why, when, and how these bands arose and help elucidate their role in clown fish social organization.Share:
FULL STORY
The full spectrum of clown fish colors is not limited to orange or red but ranges from yellow to black. Species differ in the number of white stripes they display: zero, one (head), two (head and trunk), or three (head, trunk, and tail). Four species of clown fish (genus Amphiprion), clockwise from top left: A. ephippium, A. frenatus, A. ocellaris, and A. bicinctus.
Credit: © John E. Randall
Coral reef fish are known for the wide range of colors and patterns they display, but the mechanisms governing the acquisition of these characteristics are still poorly understood. These researchers focused on clown fish, a group including thirty-some species distinguished by numbers of white stripes (zero to three) and by their colors, including yellow, orange, red, and black.
The team first demonstrated that stripes are essential for individual fish to recognize others of their species. Such recognition is critical to the social organization of clown fish living among sea anemones where several species may be simultaneously present and young fish seek to establish permanent homes.
The researchers then deciphered the sequences of stripe appearance and disappearance during the life of a clown fish. Stripes appear one at a time, starting near the head and progressing towards the tail, during the transition from the larval to the juvenile stage. The team further observed that some stripes are occasionally lost between the juvenile and adult stages, this time beginning at the tail end.
In an attempt to understand the origin of these patterns, the scientists delved into the evolutionary history of clown fish. They discovered that their common ancestor sported three stripes. Just like today's clown fish, these ancestral stripes were made up of pigmented cells called iridophores containing reflective crystals. Over the course of evolutionary history, some species of clown fish gradually lost stripes, resulting in today's range of color patterns.
The research team would like to follow up by identifying the genes that control the acquisition of white stripes for a greater understanding of how they evolved. This should clue them in to the processes behind color diversification and the role color plays in the social organization of reef fish.
Story Source:
Materials provided by CNRS. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Pauline Salis, Natacha Roux, Olivier Soulat, David Lecchini, Vincent Laudet, Bruno Frédérich. Ontogenetic and phylogenetic simplification during white stripe evolution in clownfishes. BMC Biology, 2018; 16 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0559-7
Cite This Page: CNRS. "Clown fish: Whence the white stripes?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180904232259.htm>.
==========================
The BCA Proudly Present A Family Friendly Event
Date: Sunday 21st October
Venue : The Oak Hotel, 8640 Stratford Road, Solihull, B94 5NW
Speakers
Dr Julia Day & George Famer
Lectures
George Farmer : The modern approach to planted aquariums followed by a workshop on how to create the perfect aquascape on your aquarium
Dr Julia Day : The soda lake cichlids of Tanzania/Kenya
Please support the BCA This event is for beginner to expert everyone welcome to this family friendly day with children’s competition taking place throughout the day so if your into fish and are worried about bringing the family then don't we welcome you all.
Disabled access is available and there is a vast menu of food and drinks from the bar at this new venue which seems to be our best one yet in terms of layout and services provided.
Overnight room are available for over night stays if you are traveling from afar and want to get there the day before see pictures for prices.
Tickets are available online with fast track entry please follow this link below to purchase yours today http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/shop/
You can pay on the day but we are encouraging you to book your ticket in advance with the above link.
We will also be trailing a new format, no auction but Tropical fish and dry goods inc foods etc will be on sale from our usual sellers at unbelievable prices - see the fish and buy directly with the seller which can be done throughout the day while the talks are one so feel free to wounder about and talk to the other aquarists and sellers.
If you are a seller please contact Darren Evans
vicechairman@british-Cichlid.org.uk to book your table
Seller conditions
Table rental = £15.00
Up to 2 people may share a table and both must be registered when booking.
Only fish and related aquarium items may be offered
All transactions are between buyers & sellers only
The BCA will not be responsible for any sales disputes.
Buyers
Door entry – £5.00 for BCA members and £10.00 Non members (this will include 12 months membership to the BCA valued at £5 per person. You will receive a free goodie bag on entry with products from our supporters and also a tub of vitalis food - which will more than cover the entry fee
BCA Raffle with a large selection of prizes worth over £300.00
Doors Open at 9.00am for setting up and first lecture begins 10:00 am
Note to sellers
Once you have booked your table, you are free to advertise your items on the BCA web site forum, on the BCA face book group page, and any other pages where you have permission.
The BCA will not be responsible for advertising any sales items.
All fish being offered for sale must be adequately packages
Please feel free to share this post on other groups
Thank you
The BCA Committee
Alternatively you can join the British cichlid association on the day at the door for ONLY £5 For 1 YEAR.
Which entitles you to discounted entry to all Bca events for 1 year aswel as digital pdf copy's of ciclidae magazine which is only available at the British cichlid association
How The Day Plays Out ???
The days schedule will look something like this. but please be aware some parts may go on longer or shorter the times are just a guideline
9:00 to 10am - booking in of lots for sellers
10:00am first talk & second talk (if available)
12:00 Break for lunch - food available
13:00 third talk (if one is available)
16:00 to 16:30 end of day
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/phpBB3/index.php…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BritishCichlidAssociation/?ref=group_header
==========================
Date: Sunday 21st October
Venue : The Oak Hotel, 8640 Stratford Road, Solihull, B94 5NW
Speakers
Dr Julia Day & George Famer
Lectures
George Farmer : The modern approach to planted aquariums followed by a workshop on how to create the perfect aquascape on your aquarium
Dr Julia Day : The soda lake cichlids of Tanzania/Kenya
Please support the BCA This event is for beginner to expert everyone welcome to this family friendly day with children’s competition taking place throughout the day so if your into fish and are worried about bringing the family then don't we welcome you all.
Disabled access is available and there is a vast menu of food and drinks from the bar at this new venue which seems to be our best one yet in terms of layout and services provided.
Overnight room are available for over night stays if you are traveling from afar and want to get there the day before see pictures for prices.
Tickets are available online with fast track entry please follow this link below to purchase yours today http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/shop/
You can pay on the day but we are encouraging you to book your ticket in advance with the above link.
We will also be trailing a new format, no auction but Tropical fish and dry goods inc foods etc will be on sale from our usual sellers at unbelievable prices - see the fish and buy directly with the seller which can be done throughout the day while the talks are one so feel free to wounder about and talk to the other aquarists and sellers.
If you are a seller please contact Darren Evans
vicechairman@british-Cichlid.org.uk to book your table
Seller conditions
Table rental = £15.00
Up to 2 people may share a table and both must be registered when booking.
Only fish and related aquarium items may be offered
All transactions are between buyers & sellers only
The BCA will not be responsible for any sales disputes.
Buyers
Door entry – £5.00 for BCA members and £10.00 Non members (this will include 12 months membership to the BCA valued at £5 per person. You will receive a free goodie bag on entry with products from our supporters and also a tub of vitalis food - which will more than cover the entry fee
BCA Raffle with a large selection of prizes worth over £300.00
Doors Open at 9.00am for setting up and first lecture begins 10:00 am
Note to sellers
Once you have booked your table, you are free to advertise your items on the BCA web site forum, on the BCA face book group page, and any other pages where you have permission.
The BCA will not be responsible for advertising any sales items.
All fish being offered for sale must be adequately packages
Please feel free to share this post on other groups
Thank you
The BCA Committee
Alternatively you can join the British cichlid association on the day at the door for ONLY £5 For 1 YEAR.
Which entitles you to discounted entry to all Bca events for 1 year aswel as digital pdf copy's of ciclidae magazine which is only available at the British cichlid association
How The Day Plays Out ???
The days schedule will look something like this. but please be aware some parts may go on longer or shorter the times are just a guideline
9:00 to 10am - booking in of lots for sellers
10:00am first talk & second talk (if available)
12:00 Break for lunch - food available
13:00 third talk (if one is available)
16:00 to 16:30 end of day
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/phpBB3/index.php…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BritishCichlidAssociation/?ref=group_header
==========================
2018 AUTUMN AUCTION September 16th (Fish, Plants, Equipment)
- kSunday, September 16 at 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Highbank Community Centre
NG11 8 Nottingham, United Kingdom
Divers Find Enormous, Creepy Squid on New Zealand BeachDivers visiting New Zealand's south coast of Wellington were looking for a nice spot to go spearfishing Saturday morning (Aug. 25) when they spotted one of the ocean's most impressive creatures of the deep: a dead, but fully intact, giant squid.
"After we went for a dive we went back to [the squid] and got a tape measure out, and it measured 4.2 meters [13 feet] long," one of the divers, Daniel Aplin, told the New Zealand Herald.
A representative from the New Zealand Department of Conservation told the Herald that the divers most likely found a giant squid (Architeuthis dux) and not a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni). [Photos of the Stunning Deep-Sea Squid Feeding]
Both species of squid are formidable sea creatures, with giant squid typically reaching 16 feet (5 m) long, according to the Smithsonian, and the colossal squid reaching over 30 feet (10 m) long, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Scientists know very little about these deep-sea-dwelling species, because the animals are so rarely seen. Most observations come from the occasional specimen washing ashore, as in this case, or getting accidently captured by fishers.
The enormous tentacled creature's cause of death is unknown. Aplin told the Herald that the squid appeared unscathed except for a scratch that was so tiny that the diver "wouldn't think that's what killed it." When the divers checked the squid out again after their dive, they thought it had shrunk a little, but no animals had decided to make a meal out of the dead beast, Aplin said.
He called a friend from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) who arranged for the squid to be collected, the Herald reported.
Aplin is an employee of Ocean Hunter Spearfishing & Freediving Specialists, and posted his photos of the giant squid on the company's Facebook page, which elicited a wealth of commentary. "Imagine that swimming past!" wrote one commenter. "Who's up for calamari?" wrote another.
Original article on Live Science.
==========================
"After we went for a dive we went back to [the squid] and got a tape measure out, and it measured 4.2 meters [13 feet] long," one of the divers, Daniel Aplin, told the New Zealand Herald.
A representative from the New Zealand Department of Conservation told the Herald that the divers most likely found a giant squid (Architeuthis dux) and not a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni). [Photos of the Stunning Deep-Sea Squid Feeding]
Both species of squid are formidable sea creatures, with giant squid typically reaching 16 feet (5 m) long, according to the Smithsonian, and the colossal squid reaching over 30 feet (10 m) long, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Scientists know very little about these deep-sea-dwelling species, because the animals are so rarely seen. Most observations come from the occasional specimen washing ashore, as in this case, or getting accidently captured by fishers.
The enormous tentacled creature's cause of death is unknown. Aplin told the Herald that the squid appeared unscathed except for a scratch that was so tiny that the diver "wouldn't think that's what killed it." When the divers checked the squid out again after their dive, they thought it had shrunk a little, but no animals had decided to make a meal out of the dead beast, Aplin said.
He called a friend from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) who arranged for the squid to be collected, the Herald reported.
Aplin is an employee of Ocean Hunter Spearfishing & Freediving Specialists, and posted his photos of the giant squid on the company's Facebook page, which elicited a wealth of commentary. "Imagine that swimming past!" wrote one commenter. "Who's up for calamari?" wrote another.
Original article on Live Science.
==========================
Glorious Freshwater Eels!
A writhing mass of uniquely-patterned eel-like fishes in a net seemed to jump out of the email inbox, demanding attention. But what are they? Image credit: Nautilus Tropical Fish Wholesale
Every once in a while the weekly flow of in-stock announcements from aquatic wholesalers highlights something that catches the attention of even well-seasoned aquarists. This week, Joe Hiduke of Nautilus Marine Wholesale, Inc., based in Plant City, FL, sent out a Friday reminder with some highly-patterned eels, the likes of which didn’t register as something I was familiar with.
From Nautilus: “Great week for incoming with a ton of cool Indo fish. Got in more of the Tiger morays and they’re way bigger than the last batch. Awesome fish with a great pattern. The bigger size is probably worth the higher price, they get more impressive as they get bigger. These are Gymnothorax polyuranodon, a true freshwater species that is regularly documented way further up-river than tidal areas. I also got in white-cheek morays, which are definitely not a true freshwater species. We have them in a system that’s about 5ppm salt and they seem to do OK at that level (at least temporarily).”
Here’s another, better look at this beautiful eel species. The color and pattern rival most any of the marine moray species. The Tiger Freshwater Moray Eel is definitely something of interest for those who like oddball aquarium inhabitants.
Something you don’t see every day; the Tiger or Spotted “Freshwater” Moray Eel, Gymnothorax polyuranodon. Image credit: Goh Yong Teng, CC BY 3.0
Gymnothorax polyuradon is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, and yes, it can get large as Hiduke suggests, reaching up to 150 cm in length (nearly 5 feet). According to FishBase data, it is “usually found within 20-30 km [12.5 to 18.5 miles] of the sea at a maximum elevation of about 30-40 m [90-131 feet].”
Given that the species is closely related to all the other marine morays, and that this species is also found in brackish and fully-marine environments, it is probably safe to presume that this species may have a reproductive phase tied to the ocean in some manner. It could make for a fascinating and challenging breeding project for some intrepid aquarist to unlock.
To the LFS managers reading this, you can order them from Nautilus Tropical Fish Wholesale, while supplies last of course.
References:
Gymnothorax polyuradon on Fishbase
Reef to Rainforest.
==========================
A writhing mass of uniquely-patterned eel-like fishes in a net seemed to jump out of the email inbox, demanding attention. But what are they? Image credit: Nautilus Tropical Fish Wholesale
Every once in a while the weekly flow of in-stock announcements from aquatic wholesalers highlights something that catches the attention of even well-seasoned aquarists. This week, Joe Hiduke of Nautilus Marine Wholesale, Inc., based in Plant City, FL, sent out a Friday reminder with some highly-patterned eels, the likes of which didn’t register as something I was familiar with.
From Nautilus: “Great week for incoming with a ton of cool Indo fish. Got in more of the Tiger morays and they’re way bigger than the last batch. Awesome fish with a great pattern. The bigger size is probably worth the higher price, they get more impressive as they get bigger. These are Gymnothorax polyuranodon, a true freshwater species that is regularly documented way further up-river than tidal areas. I also got in white-cheek morays, which are definitely not a true freshwater species. We have them in a system that’s about 5ppm salt and they seem to do OK at that level (at least temporarily).”
Here’s another, better look at this beautiful eel species. The color and pattern rival most any of the marine moray species. The Tiger Freshwater Moray Eel is definitely something of interest for those who like oddball aquarium inhabitants.
Something you don’t see every day; the Tiger or Spotted “Freshwater” Moray Eel, Gymnothorax polyuranodon. Image credit: Goh Yong Teng, CC BY 3.0
Gymnothorax polyuradon is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, and yes, it can get large as Hiduke suggests, reaching up to 150 cm in length (nearly 5 feet). According to FishBase data, it is “usually found within 20-30 km [12.5 to 18.5 miles] of the sea at a maximum elevation of about 30-40 m [90-131 feet].”
Given that the species is closely related to all the other marine morays, and that this species is also found in brackish and fully-marine environments, it is probably safe to presume that this species may have a reproductive phase tied to the ocean in some manner. It could make for a fascinating and challenging breeding project for some intrepid aquarist to unlock.
To the LFS managers reading this, you can order them from Nautilus Tropical Fish Wholesale, while supplies last of course.
References:
Gymnothorax polyuradon on Fishbase
Reef to Rainforest.
==========================
One Fish, Two Fish, Fish Can Count(ish?)New research shows—again—that fish “count” like humans do. Are our cognitive evolutionary roots fishier than we thought?
New research shows that fish can tell the differences between quantities. What does that mean for our special human brains? (istock/Gregory_DUBUS)
By Sam Schipani
SMITHSONIAN.COM
1018010142Most of us don’t think about the importance of counting beyond our Sesame Street days. Little did we know, that purple puppet was teaching us an essential cognitive survival technique. In the wild, counting allows individuals to join larger social groups, determine the number of mates available, and choose more plentiful food. But counting has long been considered the purview of smarter species with higher levels of perceived consciousness, the Clever Hans horses and celebrity lab chimps of the animal kingdom. Increasingly, though, scientists have shown that fish—often considered near the bottom of the spined-species hierarchy—are able to discern between discrete quantities much like their more cognitively complex counterparts. Moreover, the evidence shows that the way piscine brains “count” is similar to way our own brains process numerical quantities, suggesting deeper evolutionary origins for one of our most essential cognitive skills.
Building on the findings of a 2015 study conducted with guppies, recently published research in Animal Behavior shows that freshwater angelfish presented with two small quantities of food reliably chose the larger stack of snacks. The preference for larger quantities supports the idea that fish are able to process quantitative information in order to be more successful foragers in the wild. This isn’t “counting” in the “one, two, three” sense—fish likely have little use for The Count’s prescribed methods—but it shows that fish do know the difference between these quantities.
The idea that fish can “count” isn’t new—fish have been shown to be able to discriminate between different sized groups (or “shoals”) of their own species, which is especially beneficial for smaller fish that rely on large groups for protection—but calorie count is more immediately important to a fish’s individual survival than choosing a slightly larger group of friends.
“Whether a fish chooses the very large shoal or the somewhat smaller shoal makes [little] difference from a survival perspective,” says Robert Gerlai, a biologist at the University of Toronto and one of the authors of the paper. “But whether it eats more or eats less is very important.”
The new research demonstrated more than just fish’s ability to count for their lives. As the food quantities grew larger than four items, the angelfish in the study were less picky with their choice. Other vertebrates behave the same way when presented with large quantities. Vertebrates—including humans—and even some exceptional invertebrates like bees are thought to have separate systems of counting for small and large quantities, in which small numbers are perceived as exact quantities and larger numbers are more roughly estimated. And humans, just like the angelfish in the study, seem to switch from the exact system to the approximate one around the magic number four.
The connection between fish and humans may come in handy as scientists continue to explore the intricacy of human cognition. “Fish are easier to study than complex humans,” says Gerlai. “In the long run, ideally, we would like to know what the [human] brain can do, and you can study much better with fish.”
But the findings beget more evolutionary existentialism. Humans and fish diverged evolutionary over 400 million years ago (humans and apes, by comparison, are thought to have parted evolutionary ways between 4 and 13 million years ago). “If you find some numerical abilities in fish, then those abilities are more ancient than previously thought,” says Christian Agrillo, a biologist at the University of Padova, who was not involved in the current research, but published one of the earliest studies on fish counting in 2008. If such skills can be traced back to our fishy ancestors, it may change how we understand our own cognitive magnificence.
The scientific jury is still out on whether fish actually have two systems of numerical cognition. Agrillo points out that while fish represent half of the world’s vertebrates, most lab studies are conducted only on guppies, angelfish, and zebrafish. “To better understand the issue, we need to focus on a larger range of fish,” he concedes. But the research has already come a long way since Agrillo began studying fish cognition in 2004. “Until some years ago, nobody thought that fish could have numerical estimation,” he says. “When we started, we were the only one. It seemed like a very silly curiosity of science.”
But for some scientists and activists, our cognitive connection to fish is especially important considering the way fish are treated in our global economic system. Humans use—and often abuse—fish, recklessly mass-harvesting wild stocks for food, raising them in intensive aquaculture conditions, ripping them from reefs to keep as pets, and even conducting unfettered testing on them for scientific research. Yet fish receive fewer legal protections than their charismatic vertebrate counterparts. Depending on local laws, fish are often exempted from animal welfare protections entirely.
“Humans tend to give more empathy to animals they think are smart,” Culum Brown, a biologist at Macquarie University who studies the behavioral ecology of fish. “Because of that, people have had very little consideration for fishes because most people underestimate them.” Brown argues that emerging research supporting fish intelligence should qualify them for more ethical treatment than is afforded by current policies. Rather than take fish off the menu entirely, Brown at least hopes to see more consumers advocating for humane treatment of tuna, salmon, and their finned brethren, much like the way the free-range movement has taken off for chickens. After all, sharing cognitive roots with other vertebrates not only helps fish count, but also gives them the capacity to feel pain.
“What is striking about vertebrates is how conserved they really are—just about every aspect of human cognition has been observed in other animals,” Brown says. “The reason that humans suffer the way that they do is we inherited it from our fishy ancestors.”
Counting aside, studies show that fish’s cognitive abilities rival other vertebrates in many ways. Sharks’ sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than humans’. Thanks to an extra cone in their eyes, some fish see colors more vividly than we do. Fish can recognize family members, inherit social traditions in the form of migration patterns, and use primitive tools. Contrary to beliefs popularized by Finding Nemo, many fish have fantastic memories, avoiding hooks for as long as a year after being caught once and building mental maps of their surroundings that they retain for weeks after being moved.
Brown, for his part, has “mixed feelings” about Finding Nemo. On the one hand, the movie led to a massive overharvesting of the starring species, and the ditzy Dory character feeds into the debunked (but prevailing) mythology that fish have two-second memory spans. But he also sees the positive impact it has had on public perception. “People like and can warm to fishy characters,” he says, “If you can have empathy for Dory and Nemo and everyone else, that’s got to be a positive thing.”
The recent findings on fish cognition may not immediately change human hearts and minds with respect to their intelligence, but every new study can be counted as a step in the right direction.
Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/one-fish-two-fish-fish-can-count-ish-180970122/#aJTO6OTsztjrfaCf.99
========================
New research shows that fish can tell the differences between quantities. What does that mean for our special human brains? (istock/Gregory_DUBUS)
By Sam Schipani
SMITHSONIAN.COM
1018010142Most of us don’t think about the importance of counting beyond our Sesame Street days. Little did we know, that purple puppet was teaching us an essential cognitive survival technique. In the wild, counting allows individuals to join larger social groups, determine the number of mates available, and choose more plentiful food. But counting has long been considered the purview of smarter species with higher levels of perceived consciousness, the Clever Hans horses and celebrity lab chimps of the animal kingdom. Increasingly, though, scientists have shown that fish—often considered near the bottom of the spined-species hierarchy—are able to discern between discrete quantities much like their more cognitively complex counterparts. Moreover, the evidence shows that the way piscine brains “count” is similar to way our own brains process numerical quantities, suggesting deeper evolutionary origins for one of our most essential cognitive skills.
Building on the findings of a 2015 study conducted with guppies, recently published research in Animal Behavior shows that freshwater angelfish presented with two small quantities of food reliably chose the larger stack of snacks. The preference for larger quantities supports the idea that fish are able to process quantitative information in order to be more successful foragers in the wild. This isn’t “counting” in the “one, two, three” sense—fish likely have little use for The Count’s prescribed methods—but it shows that fish do know the difference between these quantities.
The idea that fish can “count” isn’t new—fish have been shown to be able to discriminate between different sized groups (or “shoals”) of their own species, which is especially beneficial for smaller fish that rely on large groups for protection—but calorie count is more immediately important to a fish’s individual survival than choosing a slightly larger group of friends.
“Whether a fish chooses the very large shoal or the somewhat smaller shoal makes [little] difference from a survival perspective,” says Robert Gerlai, a biologist at the University of Toronto and one of the authors of the paper. “But whether it eats more or eats less is very important.”
The new research demonstrated more than just fish’s ability to count for their lives. As the food quantities grew larger than four items, the angelfish in the study were less picky with their choice. Other vertebrates behave the same way when presented with large quantities. Vertebrates—including humans—and even some exceptional invertebrates like bees are thought to have separate systems of counting for small and large quantities, in which small numbers are perceived as exact quantities and larger numbers are more roughly estimated. And humans, just like the angelfish in the study, seem to switch from the exact system to the approximate one around the magic number four.
The connection between fish and humans may come in handy as scientists continue to explore the intricacy of human cognition. “Fish are easier to study than complex humans,” says Gerlai. “In the long run, ideally, we would like to know what the [human] brain can do, and you can study much better with fish.”
But the findings beget more evolutionary existentialism. Humans and fish diverged evolutionary over 400 million years ago (humans and apes, by comparison, are thought to have parted evolutionary ways between 4 and 13 million years ago). “If you find some numerical abilities in fish, then those abilities are more ancient than previously thought,” says Christian Agrillo, a biologist at the University of Padova, who was not involved in the current research, but published one of the earliest studies on fish counting in 2008. If such skills can be traced back to our fishy ancestors, it may change how we understand our own cognitive magnificence.
The scientific jury is still out on whether fish actually have two systems of numerical cognition. Agrillo points out that while fish represent half of the world’s vertebrates, most lab studies are conducted only on guppies, angelfish, and zebrafish. “To better understand the issue, we need to focus on a larger range of fish,” he concedes. But the research has already come a long way since Agrillo began studying fish cognition in 2004. “Until some years ago, nobody thought that fish could have numerical estimation,” he says. “When we started, we were the only one. It seemed like a very silly curiosity of science.”
But for some scientists and activists, our cognitive connection to fish is especially important considering the way fish are treated in our global economic system. Humans use—and often abuse—fish, recklessly mass-harvesting wild stocks for food, raising them in intensive aquaculture conditions, ripping them from reefs to keep as pets, and even conducting unfettered testing on them for scientific research. Yet fish receive fewer legal protections than their charismatic vertebrate counterparts. Depending on local laws, fish are often exempted from animal welfare protections entirely.
“Humans tend to give more empathy to animals they think are smart,” Culum Brown, a biologist at Macquarie University who studies the behavioral ecology of fish. “Because of that, people have had very little consideration for fishes because most people underestimate them.” Brown argues that emerging research supporting fish intelligence should qualify them for more ethical treatment than is afforded by current policies. Rather than take fish off the menu entirely, Brown at least hopes to see more consumers advocating for humane treatment of tuna, salmon, and their finned brethren, much like the way the free-range movement has taken off for chickens. After all, sharing cognitive roots with other vertebrates not only helps fish count, but also gives them the capacity to feel pain.
“What is striking about vertebrates is how conserved they really are—just about every aspect of human cognition has been observed in other animals,” Brown says. “The reason that humans suffer the way that they do is we inherited it from our fishy ancestors.”
Counting aside, studies show that fish’s cognitive abilities rival other vertebrates in many ways. Sharks’ sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than humans’. Thanks to an extra cone in their eyes, some fish see colors more vividly than we do. Fish can recognize family members, inherit social traditions in the form of migration patterns, and use primitive tools. Contrary to beliefs popularized by Finding Nemo, many fish have fantastic memories, avoiding hooks for as long as a year after being caught once and building mental maps of their surroundings that they retain for weeks after being moved.
Brown, for his part, has “mixed feelings” about Finding Nemo. On the one hand, the movie led to a massive overharvesting of the starring species, and the ditzy Dory character feeds into the debunked (but prevailing) mythology that fish have two-second memory spans. But he also sees the positive impact it has had on public perception. “People like and can warm to fishy characters,” he says, “If you can have empathy for Dory and Nemo and everyone else, that’s got to be a positive thing.”
The recent findings on fish cognition may not immediately change human hearts and minds with respect to their intelligence, but every new study can be counted as a step in the right direction.
Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/one-fish-two-fish-fish-can-count-ish-180970122/#aJTO6OTsztjrfaCf.99
========================
Barbus anatolicus • A New Barbel (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River Drainages in northern Anatolia
Barbus anatolicus
Turan, Kaya, Geiger & Freyhof, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5
Abstract
Barbus anatolicus, new species, is described from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River drainages in the southern Black Sea basin. It is distinguished from other Barbus species in the Middle East by having 58–71 total lateral line scales, a moderately ossified last simple dorsal-fin ray, serrated along about 70–80% of its posterior margin, many small irregular shaped black or brown spots, smaller or as large as scales, often forming large, dark-brown blotches on the head, back and flank in adults and juveniles, and a concave posterior dorsal-fin margin. In addition, DNA barcode data reject the hypothesis that it belongs to one of the other species of the B. barbus species group. Barbus bergi from Bulgaria and adjacent Turkey is treated as synonym of B. tauricus. Barbus tauricus was previously believed to be restricted to the Crimean Peninsula but is found to be widespread in the Black Sea basin.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, Middle East, taxonomy, morphology, cytochrome oxidase I
Barbus anatolicus, new species
Etymology. The name of the species is derived from Anatolia. An adjective.
Davut Turan, Cüneyt Kaya, Matthias Geiger and Jörg Freyhof. 2018. Barbus anatolicus, A New Barbel from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River Drainages in northern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4461(4); 539–557. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5
==========================
Barbus anatolicus
Turan, Kaya, Geiger & Freyhof, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5
Abstract
Barbus anatolicus, new species, is described from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River drainages in the southern Black Sea basin. It is distinguished from other Barbus species in the Middle East by having 58–71 total lateral line scales, a moderately ossified last simple dorsal-fin ray, serrated along about 70–80% of its posterior margin, many small irregular shaped black or brown spots, smaller or as large as scales, often forming large, dark-brown blotches on the head, back and flank in adults and juveniles, and a concave posterior dorsal-fin margin. In addition, DNA barcode data reject the hypothesis that it belongs to one of the other species of the B. barbus species group. Barbus bergi from Bulgaria and adjacent Turkey is treated as synonym of B. tauricus. Barbus tauricus was previously believed to be restricted to the Crimean Peninsula but is found to be widespread in the Black Sea basin.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, Middle East, taxonomy, morphology, cytochrome oxidase I
Barbus anatolicus, new species
Etymology. The name of the species is derived from Anatolia. An adjective.
Davut Turan, Cüneyt Kaya, Matthias Geiger and Jörg Freyhof. 2018. Barbus anatolicus, A New Barbel from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River Drainages in northern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4461(4); 539–557. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5
==========================
Shrimp heal injured fish
August 23, 2018
Source:
James Cook University
Summary:
Scientists have discovered that shrimp help heal injured fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
Cleaner shrimp.
Credit: Image courtesy of James Cook UniversityJames Cook University scientists in Australia have discovered that shrimp help heal injured fish.
PhD student David Vaughan is working on a project led by Dr Kate Hutson at JCU's Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture.
He said it was important to know how the shrimp interact with fish, as the team is in the process of identifying the best shrimp species to use to clean parasites from farmed and ornamental fish.
"Between 30 -- 50% of farmed fish in Southeast Asia, the largest fish producing region in the world, are lost to parasites.
"We know that shrimp clean parasites from fish and if we can identify a species that does it efficiently, and does no harm, it offers a 'greener' alternative to chemicals," he said.
Mr Vaughan said scientists knew injured fish visited shrimp 'cleaning stations' to have parasites removed -- but the question was whether shrimp then took advantage of the injured fish and fed on their wounds. He said the relationship between cleaner shrimp and their client fish was complicated, with the shrimp known to eat the mucus of the fish and the fish occasionally eating the shrimp.
The scientists used high-definition cameras to record the details of the interaction between the species. "We found that shrimp did not aggravate existing injuries or further injure the fish," said Mr Vaughan.
He said image analyses showed the cleaner shrimp actually reduced the redness of the injury. "Injuries in fishes are susceptible to invasion by secondary pathogens like viruses and bacteria, and the reduction in redness by shrimp indicates that cleaner shrimp could reduce infections."
Mr Vaughan said cleaner shrimp are also known to indirectly influence the health of client fishes by reducing stress levels as a function of cleaning -- which also increased the ability of the fish to heal.
Story Source:
Materials provided by James Cook University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
James Cook University. "Shrimp heal injured fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 August 2018. <www.scienm/releases/2018/08/180823092057.htm>.
==========================
August 23, 2018
Source:
James Cook University
Summary:
Scientists have discovered that shrimp help heal injured fish.
Share:
FULL STORY
Cleaner shrimp.
Credit: Image courtesy of James Cook UniversityJames Cook University scientists in Australia have discovered that shrimp help heal injured fish.
PhD student David Vaughan is working on a project led by Dr Kate Hutson at JCU's Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture.
He said it was important to know how the shrimp interact with fish, as the team is in the process of identifying the best shrimp species to use to clean parasites from farmed and ornamental fish.
"Between 30 -- 50% of farmed fish in Southeast Asia, the largest fish producing region in the world, are lost to parasites.
"We know that shrimp clean parasites from fish and if we can identify a species that does it efficiently, and does no harm, it offers a 'greener' alternative to chemicals," he said.
Mr Vaughan said scientists knew injured fish visited shrimp 'cleaning stations' to have parasites removed -- but the question was whether shrimp then took advantage of the injured fish and fed on their wounds. He said the relationship between cleaner shrimp and their client fish was complicated, with the shrimp known to eat the mucus of the fish and the fish occasionally eating the shrimp.
The scientists used high-definition cameras to record the details of the interaction between the species. "We found that shrimp did not aggravate existing injuries or further injure the fish," said Mr Vaughan.
He said image analyses showed the cleaner shrimp actually reduced the redness of the injury. "Injuries in fishes are susceptible to invasion by secondary pathogens like viruses and bacteria, and the reduction in redness by shrimp indicates that cleaner shrimp could reduce infections."
Mr Vaughan said cleaner shrimp are also known to indirectly influence the health of client fishes by reducing stress levels as a function of cleaning -- which also increased the ability of the fish to heal.
Story Source:
Materials provided by James Cook University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- David B. Vaughan, Alexandra S. Grutter, Hugh W. Ferguson, Rhondda Jones, Kate S. Hutson. Cleaner shrimp are true cleaners of injured fish. Marine Biology, 2018; 165 (7) DOI: 10.1007/s00227-018-3379-y
James Cook University. "Shrimp heal injured fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 August 2018. <www.scienm/releases/2018/08/180823092057.htm>.
==========================
Apocyclops Poised to Revolutionize Marine Fish Aquaculture
Photo--A very young Flame Angelfish, Centropyge loricula, with a belly full of Apocyclops panamensis copepod nauplii. Image credit: Avier J. Montalvo.
Attendees of the 2018 MBI Marine Breeder’s Workshop in July first heard the news that first-feeding Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) will consume the nauplii of Apocyclops panamensis (often humorously dubbed Apocalypse pods).
The revelation came via Tamara Marshall, Director of Live Feeds at the Dallas World Aquarium, who showed the amazing photograph taken by the now highly-regarded breeding researcher Avier J. Montalvo. With further research, this revelation could prove to be a game-changer for hobbyist-scale marine fish breeding. (Dwarf marine angelfishes have long presented a challenge with tiny, nearly impossible to feed larvae.)
Parvo Is the Reigning Champion
To date, the nauplii of Parvocalanus crassirostris (Parvo) has taken the spotlight as the go-to tiny copepod fueling progress in the pursuit of pelagic spawning marine fish species with their tiny, rotifer-refusing larvae. Parvo is certainly here to stay for the foreseeable future, but it is relatively difficult to culture compared to more familiar feeds (rotifers, Artemia, and benthiccopepods), requiring live phytoplankton and accepting no substitutes.
Without highly intensive culture methodologies, a larval rearing run of a pelagic spawning fish like a Centropyge spp. angelfish may require as much as 450 gallons of Parvo copepod culture simply to provide the copepod nauplii needed to meet the food demands of a single 20-gallon vessel containing a few hundred eggs from a small angelfish species (as estimated by Matthew Carberry of Sustainable Aquatics during a Q&A session at the same Workshop). This calculation doesn’t even take into account the amount of phytoplankton production required to maintain that volume of copepod cultures. Parvo, while effective, may simply not be economically viable, at least not at this time.
Meanwhile, the ability to culture Apocyclops panamensis on prepared algae pastes (including those used to rear rotifers) eliminates one of the more labor-intensive aspects of live food production and could save valuable space in a small-scale hatchery or fishroom (I once calculated that it took approximately eight hours per month just to produce a couple gallons of phytoplankton per week; what’s your time worth?). The consistency of prepared algal products can also eliminate an important nutritional variable in the overall live feed equation.
Is Apocyclops the Panacea?
Avier J. Montalvo showing off dozens of captive bred Lemon Butterflyfish in 2016.
According to Montalvo, A. panamensis has some interesting challenges and benefits. While it can be grown on prepared algae pastes, “It’s just really hard to scale up density on [algae] paste. However, it could eliminate rotifers if you just replace them in a feeding regime with larger nauplii.”
A. panamensis also offers a bit of flexibility to the aquaculturist. “It does allow for somewhat of a cool/cold storage,” shared Montalvo. “We were able to harvest nauplii the day before and use it the next day, without it molting much, if at all.”
If A. panamensis proves to be a more forgiving organism in culture than Parvo, and particularly if higher nauplii production levels can be achieved, it will be an ideal first-food candidate for marine fish larviculture research.
Then, if experimentation proves A. panamensis as a viable first-food, particularly with species that before now had only been reared with Parvo, we could see A. panamensis eclipse Parvocalanus crassirostris as the go-to first feed for pelagic-spawning marine ornamental fish larvae.
Apocyclops May Be a Better Fit
The bottom line is this: many hobbyist marine fish breeders really don’t enjoy culturing phytoplankton, and they’re not very good at it (when compared to professionals who do that, and that alone). Phytoplankton culture is time-consuming with no economic savings to be had at a hobbyist scale (especially once you factor in the value of your time).
The ability to culture A. panamensis using prepared feeds makes it an easy-to-add food organism alongside rotifers, brine shrimp, and commercially-prepared larval rearing diets like Otohime and derivative products. Hobbyists won’t have to return to culturing live algae like they would if they selected to culture Parvocalanus crassirostris.
Seeing conclusive evidence that a difficult-to-rear marine fish larvae will accept A. panamensisnauplii as a first-feed is exciting news for small-scale breeders. Whether it will perform as a viable first and/or exclusive larval food remains to be seen, but research is already conclusive that even occasional feedings of copepod nauplii are highly beneficial to a wide range of marine fish larvae. Even in routinely bred marine fish species like clownfish or dottybacks, the use of this copepod in conjunction with or in replacement of rotifers could vastly improve the survivability and quality of marine fish being produced.
Further Reading
Visit the recent announcement from Reed Mariculture debuting their Apex-Pods for more information on Apocyclops panamensis.
Found on Reef to Rainforest
==========================
Photo--A very young Flame Angelfish, Centropyge loricula, with a belly full of Apocyclops panamensis copepod nauplii. Image credit: Avier J. Montalvo.
Attendees of the 2018 MBI Marine Breeder’s Workshop in July first heard the news that first-feeding Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) will consume the nauplii of Apocyclops panamensis (often humorously dubbed Apocalypse pods).
The revelation came via Tamara Marshall, Director of Live Feeds at the Dallas World Aquarium, who showed the amazing photograph taken by the now highly-regarded breeding researcher Avier J. Montalvo. With further research, this revelation could prove to be a game-changer for hobbyist-scale marine fish breeding. (Dwarf marine angelfishes have long presented a challenge with tiny, nearly impossible to feed larvae.)
Parvo Is the Reigning Champion
To date, the nauplii of Parvocalanus crassirostris (Parvo) has taken the spotlight as the go-to tiny copepod fueling progress in the pursuit of pelagic spawning marine fish species with their tiny, rotifer-refusing larvae. Parvo is certainly here to stay for the foreseeable future, but it is relatively difficult to culture compared to more familiar feeds (rotifers, Artemia, and benthiccopepods), requiring live phytoplankton and accepting no substitutes.
Without highly intensive culture methodologies, a larval rearing run of a pelagic spawning fish like a Centropyge spp. angelfish may require as much as 450 gallons of Parvo copepod culture simply to provide the copepod nauplii needed to meet the food demands of a single 20-gallon vessel containing a few hundred eggs from a small angelfish species (as estimated by Matthew Carberry of Sustainable Aquatics during a Q&A session at the same Workshop). This calculation doesn’t even take into account the amount of phytoplankton production required to maintain that volume of copepod cultures. Parvo, while effective, may simply not be economically viable, at least not at this time.
Meanwhile, the ability to culture Apocyclops panamensis on prepared algae pastes (including those used to rear rotifers) eliminates one of the more labor-intensive aspects of live food production and could save valuable space in a small-scale hatchery or fishroom (I once calculated that it took approximately eight hours per month just to produce a couple gallons of phytoplankton per week; what’s your time worth?). The consistency of prepared algal products can also eliminate an important nutritional variable in the overall live feed equation.
Is Apocyclops the Panacea?
Avier J. Montalvo showing off dozens of captive bred Lemon Butterflyfish in 2016.
According to Montalvo, A. panamensis has some interesting challenges and benefits. While it can be grown on prepared algae pastes, “It’s just really hard to scale up density on [algae] paste. However, it could eliminate rotifers if you just replace them in a feeding regime with larger nauplii.”
A. panamensis also offers a bit of flexibility to the aquaculturist. “It does allow for somewhat of a cool/cold storage,” shared Montalvo. “We were able to harvest nauplii the day before and use it the next day, without it molting much, if at all.”
If A. panamensis proves to be a more forgiving organism in culture than Parvo, and particularly if higher nauplii production levels can be achieved, it will be an ideal first-food candidate for marine fish larviculture research.
Then, if experimentation proves A. panamensis as a viable first-food, particularly with species that before now had only been reared with Parvo, we could see A. panamensis eclipse Parvocalanus crassirostris as the go-to first feed for pelagic-spawning marine ornamental fish larvae.
Apocyclops May Be a Better Fit
The bottom line is this: many hobbyist marine fish breeders really don’t enjoy culturing phytoplankton, and they’re not very good at it (when compared to professionals who do that, and that alone). Phytoplankton culture is time-consuming with no economic savings to be had at a hobbyist scale (especially once you factor in the value of your time).
The ability to culture A. panamensis using prepared feeds makes it an easy-to-add food organism alongside rotifers, brine shrimp, and commercially-prepared larval rearing diets like Otohime and derivative products. Hobbyists won’t have to return to culturing live algae like they would if they selected to culture Parvocalanus crassirostris.
Seeing conclusive evidence that a difficult-to-rear marine fish larvae will accept A. panamensisnauplii as a first-feed is exciting news for small-scale breeders. Whether it will perform as a viable first and/or exclusive larval food remains to be seen, but research is already conclusive that even occasional feedings of copepod nauplii are highly beneficial to a wide range of marine fish larvae. Even in routinely bred marine fish species like clownfish or dottybacks, the use of this copepod in conjunction with or in replacement of rotifers could vastly improve the survivability and quality of marine fish being produced.
Further Reading
Visit the recent announcement from Reed Mariculture debuting their Apex-Pods for more information on Apocyclops panamensis.
Found on Reef to Rainforest
==========================
This completes the TEN years of PetFish Monthly under the Editorship of Anthony Evans.
All available issues can be downloaded for FREE at:- aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
==========================
Large fish making return to the North Sea
Cod and flounders are up in numbers (photo: DTU)
A new study by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has shown that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of large fish in the North Sea in recent years.
The research revealed that the biomass of 25 species of large fish in the North Sea has doubled since 2000. In some cases, as with the cod, flounder and hake, the increase has even tripled and quadrupled.
“The populations of large fish such as the cod have been struggling for a long time. But now we can finally see a tendency that indicates they are being restored,” said the lead author of the research, Rob van Gemert, who contends it could have a big impact in the food chain.
“We call it an opposite trophic cascade. When there are more predatory fish, their prey will be consumed in higher numbers and that will impact the prey’s breeding ability. Ultimately, it could impact the fishermen who live on catching smaller fish like sandeel and sprat.”
Based on data from 2016, the research has been published in the scientific journal, ICES Journal of Marine Science.
==========================
Cod and flounders are up in numbers (photo: DTU)
A new study by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has shown that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of large fish in the North Sea in recent years.
The research revealed that the biomass of 25 species of large fish in the North Sea has doubled since 2000. In some cases, as with the cod, flounder and hake, the increase has even tripled and quadrupled.
“The populations of large fish such as the cod have been struggling for a long time. But now we can finally see a tendency that indicates they are being restored,” said the lead author of the research, Rob van Gemert, who contends it could have a big impact in the food chain.
“We call it an opposite trophic cascade. When there are more predatory fish, their prey will be consumed in higher numbers and that will impact the prey’s breeding ability. Ultimately, it could impact the fishermen who live on catching smaller fish like sandeel and sprat.”
Based on data from 2016, the research has been published in the scientific journal, ICES Journal of Marine Science.
==========================
These endangered eel larvae are mysteriously declining. DNA in fish guts show where some of them end up.
Endangered eel larvae make a tasty treat for fish in an ocean desert
European eels, besides being delicious, have mystified biologists for more than a century. They spend their adult lives in estuaries and rivers, and head to the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda to reproduce. Their tiny transparent larvae then hitch a ride back to Europe on the Gulf Stream. But eel populations have been mysteriously dropping, prompting desperate measures to replenish their numbers.
Now, researchers have a clue about one peril young eels face during their journey: hungry fish. The larvae were once considered too difficult for most predators to spot and catch, but a new study that looks at DNA traces in the guts of fish near eel-breeding waters suggests at least six marine species can make quick work of baby eels.
“The study shows that although eel larvae are likely difficult for predators to see, they do contribute to ocean food webs as prey for other species,” says Michael Miller, an eel expert at Nihon University in Fujisawa, Japan, who was not involved with the work.
The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) was once quite common, but its numbers have declined precipitously in the past 4years. Moreover, the number of larvae that finally make it to Europe as “glass eels” has dropped by 90%, leaving some to wonder what might be happening to the larvae. Was something eating them up?
That didn’t seem likely. Eel larvae—which are about the size of a small willow leaf—had been detected only once, in the late 1800s, in the guts of other fish. It could also be that, once swallowed, they decayed so quickly that they disappeared without a trace. Intact, the eels are still difficult to find, “even in a tray of water,” says study co-author Mads Reinholdt Jensen, now a graduate student at Aarhus University in Denmark. As a result, researchers studying eel declines have looked at everything—everything, says Jensen, except who eats the eel larvae.
Instead of searching for the larvae themselves, Jensen and his colleagues at the University of Copenhagen looked for their DNA in 62 fish collected and quickly frozen in 2014 by a Danish team that had searched in vain for spawning adult eels in the Sargasso Sea. Jensen’s team had to develop special eel-specific molecular tags that would latch on to any eel DNA in a fish’s gut. Ultimately, the researchers verified European eel DNA in six of the fish, each of them a different species, they report in the August issue of Marine Biology.
That was a surprise to Tracey Sutton, a marine ecologist at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who was not involved with the study. “It goes against the dogma that these fishes prey primarily on crustaceans,” he explains. “It shows a new [food web] pathway we didn’t have before.”
The discovery is a “novel preliminary finding” that could help reveal the “true diets” of these predatory fish, and their role within the oceanic food web, says Ryan Saunders, a marine ecologist with the British Antarctic Survey, in Cambridge, who was not involved in the study. The Sargasso Sea is notoriously low in nutrients, he notes, and not much is known about the few fish that live there.
The DNA techniques used in the new study could “revolutionize the way we study fish diets and food webs,” Saunders says. But Jensen notes they still won’t help the researchers estimate how many larvae the fish were eating or what proportion of the predators’ diet the eels represented. Calculating those numbers will be important to concluding anything about the role the fish are playing in the eel’s decline, Miller says. And Sutton is skeptical: “Predation on larvae is a normal thing,” he says. “The dramatic decline is almost surely human-induced.”
==========================
Cryptocoryne joshanii(Araceae) • A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in Sulu archipelago, Philippines
Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva
in Naive & Villanueva, 2018.
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248
Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.
ABSTRACT
A new species, Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, from the island of Basilan, Philippines, is herein described and illustrated. It is comparable to C. usteriana, but differs significantly in having lanceolate leaves, acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect spathe limb. Information on the geographical distribution, ecological data, phenology and conservation status as well as an identification key to the Philippine Crytocoryne species are provided.
KEY WORDS: Aroids, Basilan, Cryptocoryne, Mindanao, New species, Sulu archipelago, Philippines.
Fig. 1. Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva
A. Habit B. Spathe C. Leaf D. Cataphyll E. Kettle F. Tube, limb G. Spadix showing the male and female flowers.
Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.
Scale bar: C, D = 5 cm; E, F = 2 cm; G = 1 cm.
Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, sp. nov.
Type: PHILIPPINES, Mindanao Region, Sulu Archipelago, Basilan Island, elev. 850 m, May 2013. R.J. Villanueva 001/2017 (holo HNUL, iso USTH) - Full locality data withheld owing to the risk of potential exploitation of wild populations for commercial purposes.
Diagnosis: Somewhat similar to C. usteriana in the spathe, but it differs significantly in having an acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect smooth limb. The leaves are clearly different by being smooth, light green with markings.
Distribution: This Philippine endemic species has only been observed and documented in Sulu archipelago, particularly on the island of Basilan, Philippines. It is very local and despite of extensive survey along the stream and in other areas, it occurs only on the site where the sample was collected.
Ecology: The population of this species was found growing in a slow flowing montane forest stream in the interior of Basilan Island. The forest is relatively dense with only 40% sunlight reaching the stream bed. The population grows on volcanic rock in the stream several meters from the waterfall at elevations of about 800– 1000 m a.s.l. The roots and rhizomes were noted to penetrate deep into the pebble/sandy substrate rich with decaying leaves. The entire clump was submerged or partly submerged with leaves exposed.
Eponomy: Named after Joshan Vlad A. Villanueva, son of the discoverer/second author.
Notes: Based on overall morphology, Cryptocoryne usteriana, appears to be the closest ally of C. joshanii. However, C. joshanii differs significantly in having these following characters: lanceolate leaves, an erect apex of the limb and in having acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas.
Mark Arcebal K. Naive and Reagan Joseph T. Villanueva. 2018. Cryptocoryne joshanii (Araceae), A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in Sulu archipelago, Philippines. Taiwania. 63(3); 248-250. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248
==========================
Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva
in Naive & Villanueva, 2018.
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248
Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.
ABSTRACT
A new species, Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, from the island of Basilan, Philippines, is herein described and illustrated. It is comparable to C. usteriana, but differs significantly in having lanceolate leaves, acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect spathe limb. Information on the geographical distribution, ecological data, phenology and conservation status as well as an identification key to the Philippine Crytocoryne species are provided.
KEY WORDS: Aroids, Basilan, Cryptocoryne, Mindanao, New species, Sulu archipelago, Philippines.
Fig. 1. Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva
A. Habit B. Spathe C. Leaf D. Cataphyll E. Kettle F. Tube, limb G. Spadix showing the male and female flowers.
Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.
Scale bar: C, D = 5 cm; E, F = 2 cm; G = 1 cm.
Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, sp. nov.
Type: PHILIPPINES, Mindanao Region, Sulu Archipelago, Basilan Island, elev. 850 m, May 2013. R.J. Villanueva 001/2017 (holo HNUL, iso USTH) - Full locality data withheld owing to the risk of potential exploitation of wild populations for commercial purposes.
Diagnosis: Somewhat similar to C. usteriana in the spathe, but it differs significantly in having an acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect smooth limb. The leaves are clearly different by being smooth, light green with markings.
Distribution: This Philippine endemic species has only been observed and documented in Sulu archipelago, particularly on the island of Basilan, Philippines. It is very local and despite of extensive survey along the stream and in other areas, it occurs only on the site where the sample was collected.
Ecology: The population of this species was found growing in a slow flowing montane forest stream in the interior of Basilan Island. The forest is relatively dense with only 40% sunlight reaching the stream bed. The population grows on volcanic rock in the stream several meters from the waterfall at elevations of about 800– 1000 m a.s.l. The roots and rhizomes were noted to penetrate deep into the pebble/sandy substrate rich with decaying leaves. The entire clump was submerged or partly submerged with leaves exposed.
Eponomy: Named after Joshan Vlad A. Villanueva, son of the discoverer/second author.
Notes: Based on overall morphology, Cryptocoryne usteriana, appears to be the closest ally of C. joshanii. However, C. joshanii differs significantly in having these following characters: lanceolate leaves, an erect apex of the limb and in having acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas.
Mark Arcebal K. Naive and Reagan Joseph T. Villanueva. 2018. Cryptocoryne joshanii (Araceae), A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in Sulu archipelago, Philippines. Taiwania. 63(3); 248-250. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248
==========================
Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes
Mathematical model helps explain key role of one pigment cell
Source:
Ohio State University
Summary:
A mathematical model helps explain the key role that one pigment cells plays in making sure that each stripe on a zebrafish ends up exactly where it belongs.
Share:
FULL STORY
These images show how the researchers simulated two months of pattern development in zebrafish in their model.
Credit: Alexandria Volkening/Bjorn SandstedeOne of the most remarkable things about the iconic yellow and blue stripes of zebrafish is that they reliably appear at all.
Zebrafish begin life as transparent embryos, with three types of pigment cells on their skin. As they develop, the pigment cells somehow manage to organize themselves almost without fail into the stripes we all know.
Now researchers have developed a mathematical model that may explain the key role that one of those pigment cells plays in making sure each stripe ends up exactly where it belongs on the fish.
"It's amazing that you have these individual cells that can sort themselves into these reliable patterns," said Alexandria Volkening, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at Ohio State University's Mathematical Biosciences Institute.
"The cells move around on the skin to create stripes. It's like individual birds that know how to flock together and fly in formation."
This new model suggests that one of the pigment cell types -- called iridophores -- leads the process of cell organization. These cells provide redundancies in the cell interaction process that ensures that if one interaction fails, another one can take over.
The result is that zebrafish get their stripes, even when some of the cellular processes go wrong, she said.
Volkening conducted the research with Bjorn Sandstede, professor of applied mathematics at Brown University. Their study was published today in the journal Nature Communications.
Until recently, almost all research on zebrafish stripes focused on the other two pigment cells: the black cells (called melanophores) and the yellow cells (called xanthophores). It wasn't until 2013 that biologists discovered that iridophores also played a role.
The role of iridophores is definitely vital: Some mutations of zebrafish that don't have iridophores develop spots instead of stripes.
"In our mathematical model, we use what we know about the interactions of the other two cell types to explain what drives iridophore behavior. We found that we could predict what iridophores would do in a way that matches up well with what biologists have observed in zebrafish," she said.
Researchers have known that iridophores change their shape in carefully orchestrated patterns on the skin of zebrafish, and the changes in shape instruct the other two types of cells on where to go in ways that result in stripes.
The model explains what drives these shape changes.
The model showed, not surprisingly, that the process is extremely complex, Volkening said. But the complexity is necessary to build redundancy into the process. The researchers found that they could reduce the complexity in the model in some ways, and the zebrafish would still develop stripes.
"We think that is because iridophores are getting their signals from multiple places. If one interaction fails, there is another that can take its place," she said.
"Because of the redundancies, you can remove some interactions, and still get stripes. They're not perfect stripes, but they are similar."
However, there are cases when the process breaks down so much that stripes no longer form. That occurs in some mutations of zebrafish. Volkening said the model can account for these mutations, which adds to the likelihood that the model is correct.
"The biological discovery of the role of iridophores was a real paradigm shift in how we thought zebrafish stripes were created. This led to a lot of open questions, and our mathematical model provides an explanation for how iridophores behave on the fish skin," she said.
"We show that the complex interactions of these cells may be important for reliable stripe formation, but also key to why zebrafish have stripes but related fish have different patterns."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Jeff Grabmeier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Ohio State University. "Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes: Mathematical model helps explain key role of one pigment cell." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 August 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180813133349.htm>.
==========================
Mathematical model helps explain key role of one pigment cell
Source:
Ohio State University
Summary:
A mathematical model helps explain the key role that one pigment cells plays in making sure that each stripe on a zebrafish ends up exactly where it belongs.
Share:
FULL STORY
These images show how the researchers simulated two months of pattern development in zebrafish in their model.
Credit: Alexandria Volkening/Bjorn SandstedeOne of the most remarkable things about the iconic yellow and blue stripes of zebrafish is that they reliably appear at all.
Zebrafish begin life as transparent embryos, with three types of pigment cells on their skin. As they develop, the pigment cells somehow manage to organize themselves almost without fail into the stripes we all know.
Now researchers have developed a mathematical model that may explain the key role that one of those pigment cells plays in making sure each stripe ends up exactly where it belongs on the fish.
"It's amazing that you have these individual cells that can sort themselves into these reliable patterns," said Alexandria Volkening, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at Ohio State University's Mathematical Biosciences Institute.
"The cells move around on the skin to create stripes. It's like individual birds that know how to flock together and fly in formation."
This new model suggests that one of the pigment cell types -- called iridophores -- leads the process of cell organization. These cells provide redundancies in the cell interaction process that ensures that if one interaction fails, another one can take over.
The result is that zebrafish get their stripes, even when some of the cellular processes go wrong, she said.
Volkening conducted the research with Bjorn Sandstede, professor of applied mathematics at Brown University. Their study was published today in the journal Nature Communications.
Until recently, almost all research on zebrafish stripes focused on the other two pigment cells: the black cells (called melanophores) and the yellow cells (called xanthophores). It wasn't until 2013 that biologists discovered that iridophores also played a role.
The role of iridophores is definitely vital: Some mutations of zebrafish that don't have iridophores develop spots instead of stripes.
"In our mathematical model, we use what we know about the interactions of the other two cell types to explain what drives iridophore behavior. We found that we could predict what iridophores would do in a way that matches up well with what biologists have observed in zebrafish," she said.
Researchers have known that iridophores change their shape in carefully orchestrated patterns on the skin of zebrafish, and the changes in shape instruct the other two types of cells on where to go in ways that result in stripes.
The model explains what drives these shape changes.
The model showed, not surprisingly, that the process is extremely complex, Volkening said. But the complexity is necessary to build redundancy into the process. The researchers found that they could reduce the complexity in the model in some ways, and the zebrafish would still develop stripes.
"We think that is because iridophores are getting their signals from multiple places. If one interaction fails, there is another that can take its place," she said.
"Because of the redundancies, you can remove some interactions, and still get stripes. They're not perfect stripes, but they are similar."
However, there are cases when the process breaks down so much that stripes no longer form. That occurs in some mutations of zebrafish. Volkening said the model can account for these mutations, which adds to the likelihood that the model is correct.
"The biological discovery of the role of iridophores was a real paradigm shift in how we thought zebrafish stripes were created. This led to a lot of open questions, and our mathematical model provides an explanation for how iridophores behave on the fish skin," she said.
"We show that the complex interactions of these cells may be important for reliable stripe formation, but also key to why zebrafish have stripes but related fish have different patterns."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Jeff Grabmeier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Alexandria Volkening, Björn Sandstede. Iridophores as a source of robustness in zebrafish stripes and variability in Danio patterns. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05629-z
Ohio State University. "Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes: Mathematical model helps explain key role of one pigment cell." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 August 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180813133349.htm>.
==========================
Family evacuated due to California`s Carr Fire returns home to find pet fish alive
REDDING (KRON) - A family who had to evacuate from their home due to the Carr Fire got quite the happy surprise upon their arrival.
According to Cal Fire, firefighters with Cal Fire Engine 1489 and officers with the Corning Police Department fed "Grant" the fish while the family was away.
"Thank you Cal Fire Engine 1489 and Corning Police Department for ensuring Grant the fish got a snack while his owner was evacuated due to the #CarrFire Remember to have a plan for all your pets," Cal Fire said on Facebook.
This isn't the only time first responders are helping local residents and their pets/wildlife.
According to Lance Richards, firefighters also helped feed his chicken "even after my house burned."
Thank you firefighters and police officers!
==========================
REDDING (KRON) - A family who had to evacuate from their home due to the Carr Fire got quite the happy surprise upon their arrival.
According to Cal Fire, firefighters with Cal Fire Engine 1489 and officers with the Corning Police Department fed "Grant" the fish while the family was away.
"Thank you Cal Fire Engine 1489 and Corning Police Department for ensuring Grant the fish got a snack while his owner was evacuated due to the #CarrFire Remember to have a plan for all your pets," Cal Fire said on Facebook.
This isn't the only time first responders are helping local residents and their pets/wildlife.
According to Lance Richards, firefighters also helped feed his chicken "even after my house burned."
Thank you firefighters and police officers!
==========================
BKA West London Group Auction September 9th 2018
Sunday, September 9 at 9 AM - 4 PM
The Scout Hall, next to St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Road, West Molesey, Surrey, KT8 2QE (Approx. 11/2 miles west of Hampton Court Station)
ALL WELCOME
Never kept killifish ? these are rarely seen in the shops.
Doesn't matter, very colourful and most easily kept
PLEASE JOIN US
3 Auctions
2 Killifish (Red and Blue) starting at 12 noon, followed by an auction of any other fish.
Booking in from 10:45 am.
Only 10% commission.
Raffle and free refreshments.
Entrance Fee: £2 on the door
==========================
Fishing banned at town's lake after fish catch herpesBy Matthew CritchellCanvey Lake, Denham Road, Canvey, Essex.UK
A LAKE has been closed to the public following an outbreak of a disease which killed 100 fish.
Canvey Town Council has banned fishing at Canvey Lake after the spread of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV).
CEFAS took fish for testing after the deaths.
Concerns were raised about oxygen levels, inexperienced fisherman and also the KHV disease.
A spokesman for the town council said: "Following the notice of confirmed designation placed on Canvey Lake on August 8 and issued by the Fish Health Inspector of the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) acting as the competent authority for the purposes of the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009, the Town Council can now confirm that examinations of samples taken by CEFAS from the dead common carp found evidence for the presence of koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease and that their diagnostic testing for these samples is now complete.
"The Town Council’s Community Warden continues to attend the site daily, walking banks and observing the fish stock where possible.
"There are no implications for human and animal health.
"For more information please contact the fish inspector on 01305 206700 or fhi@cefas.co.uk."
==========================
A LAKE has been closed to the public following an outbreak of a disease which killed 100 fish.
Canvey Town Council has banned fishing at Canvey Lake after the spread of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV).
CEFAS took fish for testing after the deaths.
Concerns were raised about oxygen levels, inexperienced fisherman and also the KHV disease.
A spokesman for the town council said: "Following the notice of confirmed designation placed on Canvey Lake on August 8 and issued by the Fish Health Inspector of the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) acting as the competent authority for the purposes of the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009, the Town Council can now confirm that examinations of samples taken by CEFAS from the dead common carp found evidence for the presence of koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease and that their diagnostic testing for these samples is now complete.
"The Town Council’s Community Warden continues to attend the site daily, walking banks and observing the fish stock where possible.
"There are no implications for human and animal health.
"For more information please contact the fish inspector on 01305 206700 or fhi@cefas.co.uk."
==========================
Ancient hookups between different species may explain Lake Victoria’s stunning diversity of fishBy Elizabeth PennisiAug. 9, 2018 , 12:35 PM
WAIMEA, HAWAII--In the shallow waters of Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake, swim some 500 species of cichlid fish with a dizzying variety of appearances, habitats, and behaviors. Genomic studies have shown they arose from a few ancestral species in just 15,000 years, a pace that has left researchers baffled about how so much genetic variation could have evolved so quickly. Now, extensive sequencing of cichlids from around Lake Victoria suggests much of it was there at the start, in the cichlids' ancestors. Ancient and more recent dallying between cichlid species from multiple watersheds apparently led to genetically diverse hybrids that could quickly adapt to life in the lake's many niches.
Reported last week at the Origins of Adaptive Radiation meeting here, the work is "a tour de force, with many lines of evidence," says Marguerite Butler, a functional morphologist at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. It joins other research suggesting that hybridization is a powerful force in evolution. "What hybridization is doing is allowing the good stuff to be packed together," Butler says.
Some of Lake Victoria's cichlids nibble plants; others feed on invertebrates; big ones feast on other fish; lake bottom lovers consume detritus. Species vary in length from a few centimeters to about 30 centimeters; come in an array of shapes, colors, and patterns; and dwell in different parts of the lake. Mutations don't usually happen fast enough to produce such variety so quickly. "It's been really hard to figure out what's going on," says Rosemary Gillespie, an evolutionary biologist at the University of California, Berkeley.
e Seehausen, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Bern who has studied cichlids for more than 25 years, wondered whether hybridization could have generated the genetic raw material. In earlier research, his team collected cichlids from the rivers and lakes surrounding Lake Victoria and partly sequenced each species's DNA to build a family tree. Its branching pattern indicated that Lake Victoria's cichlids are closely related to a species from the Congo River and one from the Upper Nile River watershed, the group reported last year in Nature Communications.A close look at all their genomes suggested the two river species hybridized with each other long ago. Seehausen proposed that during a warm spell about 130,000 years ago, water from tributaries of the Malagarasi River, itself a tributary of the Congo, temporarily flowed into Lake Victoria, bringing Congo fish into contact with Upper Nile fish.
To explore the cichlids' genetic history in more detail, Seehausen and postdocs Matt McGee, Joana Meier, and David Marques have now sequenced 450 whole cichlid genomes, representing many varieties of 150 species from the area's lakes, and from the Congo, Upper Nile, and other nearby watersheds. Clues in the genomes suggest multiple episodes of mixing took place. Periods of drying have repeatedly caused Lake Victoria to disappear, and Seehausen and his team propose that fish in the remaining waterways evolved independently until wetter periods reunited them. This "fission-fusion-fission" process restored genetic diversity each time.
About 15,000 years ago, three groups of fish, themselves products of the ancient hybridizations, came together in Lake Victoria as it filled again. Their ancestry provided the "standing variation" that natural selection could pick from to help the fish adapt to a vast range of niches, producing the cichlid bounty seen today. "Hybridization may turn out to be the most powerful engine of new species and new adaptations," Seehausen says.
"It's mind-blowing," says Dolph Schluter, an evolutionary biologist at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. "All the variation required for speciation is already there" in the hybrids.
Studies of other species also suggest standing variation can speed evolution. Biologists trying to understand how marine stickle-backs adapted so quickly to living in freshwater have discovered that a crucial gene variant was already present—in low percentages—in the fishes' marine ancestors. At the meeting, researchers offered similar stories of standing variation jump-starting diversification, for example enabling long-winged beetles to evolve into short-winged ones on the Galápagos Islands. "I've never seen so many talks where you have evidence that genes are borrowed from old variation and further evolution is somehow facilitated by that," Schluter says.
Andrew Hendry, an evolutionary biologist at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, cautions colleagues not to completely dismiss new mutations in rapid species diversification: "What's not clear to me is whether [the role of ancient hybridization] is a general phenomenon," he says.
Regardless, "The implications for conservation are blaring," says Oliver Ryder, who heads conservation genetics efforts at the San Diego Zoo in California. Endangered species are currently managed as reproductively isolated units, and conservationists are reluctant to bolster populations by breeding the threatened animal with related species or populations. Eight years ago, however, a controversial program that mated Florida panthers with Texas cougars helped rescue the former from extinction. Studies such as Seehausen's, says Ryder, suggest that in the long run, hybridization is important to preserving a species's evolutionary potential.
Posted in: doi:10.1126/science.aav0560
==========================
WAIMEA, HAWAII--In the shallow waters of Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake, swim some 500 species of cichlid fish with a dizzying variety of appearances, habitats, and behaviors. Genomic studies have shown they arose from a few ancestral species in just 15,000 years, a pace that has left researchers baffled about how so much genetic variation could have evolved so quickly. Now, extensive sequencing of cichlids from around Lake Victoria suggests much of it was there at the start, in the cichlids' ancestors. Ancient and more recent dallying between cichlid species from multiple watersheds apparently led to genetically diverse hybrids that could quickly adapt to life in the lake's many niches.
Reported last week at the Origins of Adaptive Radiation meeting here, the work is "a tour de force, with many lines of evidence," says Marguerite Butler, a functional morphologist at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. It joins other research suggesting that hybridization is a powerful force in evolution. "What hybridization is doing is allowing the good stuff to be packed together," Butler says.
Some of Lake Victoria's cichlids nibble plants; others feed on invertebrates; big ones feast on other fish; lake bottom lovers consume detritus. Species vary in length from a few centimeters to about 30 centimeters; come in an array of shapes, colors, and patterns; and dwell in different parts of the lake. Mutations don't usually happen fast enough to produce such variety so quickly. "It's been really hard to figure out what's going on," says Rosemary Gillespie, an evolutionary biologist at the University of California, Berkeley.
e Seehausen, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Bern who has studied cichlids for more than 25 years, wondered whether hybridization could have generated the genetic raw material. In earlier research, his team collected cichlids from the rivers and lakes surrounding Lake Victoria and partly sequenced each species's DNA to build a family tree. Its branching pattern indicated that Lake Victoria's cichlids are closely related to a species from the Congo River and one from the Upper Nile River watershed, the group reported last year in Nature Communications.A close look at all their genomes suggested the two river species hybridized with each other long ago. Seehausen proposed that during a warm spell about 130,000 years ago, water from tributaries of the Malagarasi River, itself a tributary of the Congo, temporarily flowed into Lake Victoria, bringing Congo fish into contact with Upper Nile fish.
To explore the cichlids' genetic history in more detail, Seehausen and postdocs Matt McGee, Joana Meier, and David Marques have now sequenced 450 whole cichlid genomes, representing many varieties of 150 species from the area's lakes, and from the Congo, Upper Nile, and other nearby watersheds. Clues in the genomes suggest multiple episodes of mixing took place. Periods of drying have repeatedly caused Lake Victoria to disappear, and Seehausen and his team propose that fish in the remaining waterways evolved independently until wetter periods reunited them. This "fission-fusion-fission" process restored genetic diversity each time.
About 15,000 years ago, three groups of fish, themselves products of the ancient hybridizations, came together in Lake Victoria as it filled again. Their ancestry provided the "standing variation" that natural selection could pick from to help the fish adapt to a vast range of niches, producing the cichlid bounty seen today. "Hybridization may turn out to be the most powerful engine of new species and new adaptations," Seehausen says.
"It's mind-blowing," says Dolph Schluter, an evolutionary biologist at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. "All the variation required for speciation is already there" in the hybrids.
Studies of other species also suggest standing variation can speed evolution. Biologists trying to understand how marine stickle-backs adapted so quickly to living in freshwater have discovered that a crucial gene variant was already present—in low percentages—in the fishes' marine ancestors. At the meeting, researchers offered similar stories of standing variation jump-starting diversification, for example enabling long-winged beetles to evolve into short-winged ones on the Galápagos Islands. "I've never seen so many talks where you have evidence that genes are borrowed from old variation and further evolution is somehow facilitated by that," Schluter says.
Andrew Hendry, an evolutionary biologist at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, cautions colleagues not to completely dismiss new mutations in rapid species diversification: "What's not clear to me is whether [the role of ancient hybridization] is a general phenomenon," he says.
Regardless, "The implications for conservation are blaring," says Oliver Ryder, who heads conservation genetics efforts at the San Diego Zoo in California. Endangered species are currently managed as reproductively isolated units, and conservationists are reluctant to bolster populations by breeding the threatened animal with related species or populations. Eight years ago, however, a controversial program that mated Florida panthers with Texas cougars helped rescue the former from extinction. Studies such as Seehausen's, says Ryder, suggest that in the long run, hybridization is important to preserving a species's evolutionary potential.
Posted in: doi:10.1126/science.aav0560
==========================
Valuable Koi culled due to outbreak of fish herpes
By Kirsty Hough Echo Newspaper
HUNDREDS of fish at a pet shop have had to be killed after contracting herpes.
The Koi at Swallow Aquatics, in London Road, Rayleigh, were found to have Koi herpesvirus (KHV).
KHV is a viral disease which can quickly spread between Koi and can wipe out whole schools of fish.There is no cure and all those affected have to be killed.
A similar outbreak has occurred at Canvey Lake, but it is not thought the two incidents are linked.
KHV poses no risk to human health.
A Fish Health Inspectorate spokesperson said: "Following the detection and confirmation of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease at a retail premises in Essex, and in order to prevent the spread of the disease, the infected fish were humanely destroyed, and the holding facilities disinfected.
"The business has worked in close cooperation with the Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate in ensuring the effective control of this disease outbreak."
Gavin Marlow, operations manager at Swallow Aquatics, said: "On the 16th of July we were diagnosed with KHV (Koi Herpes Virus) in an isolated area of our premises by CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science).
"We were fully cooperative with the authorities in culling the necessary fish, sterilising and disinfecting the appropriate system.
"We believe the virus to of entered our premises on a shipment we received on the 14th of June 2018.
"We are urging any customers who have purchased Koi from us between this date and the 6th of July to contact us on koicarp@swallowaquatics.co.uk if they have any concerns.
"If you do suspect you have KHV in your pond, then you will also be required by law to contact CEFAS
"We can assure you that we are now back up and running and have been fortunate enough to find a new supplier of stunning Japanese Koi."
For more information on KHV and symptoms, please visit www.gov.uk/government/news/outbreaks-of-koi-herpes-viru
==========================
By Kirsty Hough Echo Newspaper
HUNDREDS of fish at a pet shop have had to be killed after contracting herpes.
The Koi at Swallow Aquatics, in London Road, Rayleigh, were found to have Koi herpesvirus (KHV).
KHV is a viral disease which can quickly spread between Koi and can wipe out whole schools of fish.There is no cure and all those affected have to be killed.
A similar outbreak has occurred at Canvey Lake, but it is not thought the two incidents are linked.
KHV poses no risk to human health.
A Fish Health Inspectorate spokesperson said: "Following the detection and confirmation of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease at a retail premises in Essex, and in order to prevent the spread of the disease, the infected fish were humanely destroyed, and the holding facilities disinfected.
"The business has worked in close cooperation with the Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate in ensuring the effective control of this disease outbreak."
Gavin Marlow, operations manager at Swallow Aquatics, said: "On the 16th of July we were diagnosed with KHV (Koi Herpes Virus) in an isolated area of our premises by CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science).
"We were fully cooperative with the authorities in culling the necessary fish, sterilising and disinfecting the appropriate system.
"We believe the virus to of entered our premises on a shipment we received on the 14th of June 2018.
"We are urging any customers who have purchased Koi from us between this date and the 6th of July to contact us on koicarp@swallowaquatics.co.uk if they have any concerns.
"If you do suspect you have KHV in your pond, then you will also be required by law to contact CEFAS
"We can assure you that we are now back up and running and have been fortunate enough to find a new supplier of stunning Japanese Koi."
For more information on KHV and symptoms, please visit www.gov.uk/government/news/outbreaks-of-koi-herpes-viru
==========================
This new licence law comes in England inOctober 1st re commercial sales of Animals including Fish.
It`ll take until October to read it!
ANIMAL ACTIVITIES LICENSING ENGLAND
THE ANIMAL WELFARE (LICENSING OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVING ANIMALS) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2018
Part L –
Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels.
==========================
It`ll take until October to read it!
ANIMAL ACTIVITIES LICENSING ENGLAND
THE ANIMAL WELFARE (LICENSING OF ACTIVITIES INVOLVING ANIMALS) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2018
Part L –
Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels. Part L – Fish “Coldwater” refers to freshwater ornamental fish species including, but not limited to: Goldfish (all varieties), common carp (including Koi), Tench, Orfe, Rudd and sturgeon species, which are kept in unheated aquaria/vats/ponds; “Tropical freshwater” refers to all those freshwater ornamental fish species which require to be kept in heated aquaria; “Tropical Marine” refers to all those ornamental fish species which require to be kept in sea water and heated aquaria; “Temperate” refers to those species that are suitable for unheated aquaria kept in centrally heated rooms only; “Centralised systems” refers to multiple aquaria or vats which are connected via pipework to a central sump tank and filter. Water is circulated through the system such that no water travels directly from one aquaria/vat to another but always via a biological filter and (possibly) other devices such as UV, ozone etc. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of the whole system. “Standalone system” refers to aquaria or vats which do not share water with others. Filtration (and heating) is provided individually to each aquarium/vat. Water quality in such systems is wholly dependent on the management of each individual aquarium/vat; 3.0 Use, Number and Type of Animal There are in excess of 4000 species of fish in trade whose welfare 76 Temperature must be maintained within the optimal range for the fish species housed and kept as stable as possible (see Table L-01 for temperature ranges). Changes in temperature must take place gradually. For centralised systems, the water temperature must be appropriate to meet the husbandry requirements and temperature range for that fish category i.e. coldwater, tropical freshwater, tropical marine, and will usually be set at the mid-range between different species within a category Water temperature for temperate fish must never fall below 17oC. Temperate fish are defined as those sold as being suitable for unheated aquariums, kept in centrally heated rooms only. Consideration must be given to the few fish species to which this is considered to be suitable and purchasers must be advised accordingly as to appropriate conditions to meet the welfare needs of the fish. In the case of doubt, licence holders must adopt a cautious attitude (i.e. unless the species is a recognised coldwater species, it must be kept in a heated aquaria i.e. in an aquarium with a thermostatically controlled heater). Temperatures must be monitored daily and checked weekly with any deviations from the expected range being recorded. At high temperatures it may be necessary to provide supplementary aeration or oxygenation of enclosure water TABLE L-01: TEMPERATURE RANGES OF ORNAMENTAL FISH Category Fish group(s) – by common name Temperature range Coldwater Goldfish (kept in aquariums) 4 to 25°C Fancy goldfish (all varieties) 4 to 25°C Pond fish (including goldfish, Koi carp, Orfe, Rudd & Tench 4 to 24°C Hillstream Loach, White Cloud Mountain, Minnows & Weather Loaches 17 to 23°C Tetras, Rasboras & Danios 18 to 27°C Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies & Platies 18 to 28°C Barbs 20 to 27°C Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise fish Majority will tolerate a range of 22 to 28°C. Paradise fish can tolerate cooler temperatures of 17°C Rainbowfish 21 to 28°C Freshwater sharks (not related to true sharks) 22 to 26°C 77 Tropical Freshwater Dwarf Cichlids Mid range of 23 to 28°C Discus 26 to 30°C American Cichlids e.g. Angelfish, Oscar, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Firemouth Cichlid, Convict Cichlid & Jack Dempsey 22 to 28°C African Malawi Cichlids 23 to 28°C Freshwater stingrays, Knifefish & Elephant noses 20 to 26°C Piranhas, Snakeheads & Wolf fish 22 to 27°C Catfish e.g. Corydoras, Suckermouth catfish 21 to 28°C Tropical algae eaters e.g. Plecs (Plecostomus) 20 to 28°C Killifish 20 to 26°C Loches (family Cobitidae) 20 to 26°C Large fish e.g. Giraffe catfish, Pacu, Giant Gourami 22 to 28°C Monos, Scats, Archers & Puffers (brackish water) 22 to 30°C Marine Clownfish, Damsels, Chromis & Basslets 23 to 28°C Blennies, Gobies, Jawfish, Dwarf Wrasse & Dartfish 23 to 28°C Butterflyfish, Tangs 23 to 28°C Dwarf angelfish 23 to 28°C Angelfish 23 to 28°C Seahorses & Pipefish 23 to 28°C Morays, Groupers & Triggerfish 23 to 26°C Poisonous & venomous fish e.g. lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, frogfish, rabbitfish & pufferfish 23 to 26°C 78 Higher standard A suitable temperature range for the fish must be displayed on each tank. 5.2 Water quality Minimum water standards must comply with those outlined in table L-02 Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of all tests. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks. Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. On aquaria or vats in which visual inspection indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, and any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and their accumulation must be avoided. Fish must not be subject to sudden fluctuation in chemical composition of their water, other than for the controlled treatment of disease or as part of a controlled breeding programme. In case of doubt expert advice must be sought. Higher standards Water quality must be assessed 3 times weekly and documented. There must be evidence that UV systems are maintained regularly. Light Fish must be maintained on an appropriate photoperiod (i.e. day/night cycle) as far as possible. For fish kept in outdoor ponds, vats and stock tanks shade from direct sunlight must be provided, for example, by the provision of plants or other shade Higher standard For premises with no natural light there must be automated systems and/or procedures to ensure gradual change in light levels.
==========================
African killifish becomes fastest maturing vertebrate on record ((Nothobranchius furzeri )
Summary:
For most of the year, annual killifish persist as diapausing embryos buried in sediments across the African savannah. When rainwater fills small depressions across the landscape, the fish must hatch, grow, mature, and produce the next generation before the pool dries up. Researchers have found that these small fish condense their life cycle even more in the wild than expected based on studies in the lab.
Share:
FULL STORY
This figure shows the studied habitat and corresponding fish at the age of 1, 2, and 3 weeks after its filling with water.
Credit: Milan Vrtílek, Jakub Žák, Martin Reichard.Annual killifish are known to live their lives at one of two speeds: "pause" or "fast-forward." For most of the year, the tiny freshwater fish persist as diapausing embryos buried in sediments across the African savannah, much like plant seeds. When rainwater fills small depressions across the landscape, the fish must hatch, grow, mature, and produce the next generation before the pool dries up.
Now, researchers reporting on August 6 in Current Biology have found that these small fish in the wild persist by condensing their life cycle even more than expected based on studies in the lab. The new studies show that, after hatching from a tiny egg just one millimeter in size, the fish grow to their full body size (four or five centimeters) and begin reproducing in just two weeks. The researchers report that this is, to their knowledge, "the fastest rate of sexual maturation recorded for a vertebrate."
"We guessed that some populations of this species could achieve very rapid growth and sexual maturation under particular conditions," says Martin Reichard of the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences. "But we have found that this rapid maturation is the norm rather than a rare exception."
The findings also show that the fishes' lifespan is quite flexible. Reichard says that the typical rate in the lab is three or four weeks under optimal conditions. However, some studies have reported that the fish reach sexual maturity in up to 10 weeks -- five times longer than what the researchers have now observed in the wild.
Reichard's lab is primarily interested in the aging process in wild populations. In most vertebrates, aging happens gradually, taking years to achieve. By studying the killifish, they're able to capture the whole process, following several populations over the course of their whole life in a matter of months. In that short time, the fish show all the signs expected with normal aging, including marked functional declines.
Reichard's team made their discoveries by surveying natural populations of the killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) across its range in southern Mozambique between January and May 2016. They collected the fish from eight separate pools within a period of three weeks after the pools first filled with rainwater. By comparing the timing of the pools' filling and the estimated age of the fish, they determined that the fish hatched within three days of rain. Careful analysis of male and female gonads found that individuals of both sexes were fully mature within 14 or 15 days.
The findings are yet another reminder of how little we know about the diversity of life histories in the wild, Reichard says. His team will continue to analyze the aging patterns in these ephemeral populations. They also hope to explore differences seen within populations, including the reasons why killifish males tend to die sooner than females.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Summary:
For most of the year, annual killifish persist as diapausing embryos buried in sediments across the African savannah. When rainwater fills small depressions across the landscape, the fish must hatch, grow, mature, and produce the next generation before the pool dries up. Researchers have found that these small fish condense their life cycle even more in the wild than expected based on studies in the lab.
Share:
FULL STORY
This figure shows the studied habitat and corresponding fish at the age of 1, 2, and 3 weeks after its filling with water.
Credit: Milan Vrtílek, Jakub Žák, Martin Reichard.Annual killifish are known to live their lives at one of two speeds: "pause" or "fast-forward." For most of the year, the tiny freshwater fish persist as diapausing embryos buried in sediments across the African savannah, much like plant seeds. When rainwater fills small depressions across the landscape, the fish must hatch, grow, mature, and produce the next generation before the pool dries up.
Now, researchers reporting on August 6 in Current Biology have found that these small fish in the wild persist by condensing their life cycle even more than expected based on studies in the lab. The new studies show that, after hatching from a tiny egg just one millimeter in size, the fish grow to their full body size (four or five centimeters) and begin reproducing in just two weeks. The researchers report that this is, to their knowledge, "the fastest rate of sexual maturation recorded for a vertebrate."
"We guessed that some populations of this species could achieve very rapid growth and sexual maturation under particular conditions," says Martin Reichard of the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences. "But we have found that this rapid maturation is the norm rather than a rare exception."
The findings also show that the fishes' lifespan is quite flexible. Reichard says that the typical rate in the lab is three or four weeks under optimal conditions. However, some studies have reported that the fish reach sexual maturity in up to 10 weeks -- five times longer than what the researchers have now observed in the wild.
Reichard's lab is primarily interested in the aging process in wild populations. In most vertebrates, aging happens gradually, taking years to achieve. By studying the killifish, they're able to capture the whole process, following several populations over the course of their whole life in a matter of months. In that short time, the fish show all the signs expected with normal aging, including marked functional declines.
Reichard's team made their discoveries by surveying natural populations of the killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) across its range in southern Mozambique between January and May 2016. They collected the fish from eight separate pools within a period of three weeks after the pools first filled with rainwater. By comparing the timing of the pools' filling and the estimated age of the fish, they determined that the fish hatched within three days of rain. Careful analysis of male and female gonads found that individuals of both sexes were fully mature within 14 or 15 days.
The findings are yet another reminder of how little we know about the diversity of life histories in the wild, Reichard says. His team will continue to analyze the aging patterns in these ephemeral populations. They also hope to explore differences seen within populations, including the reasons why killifish males tend to die sooner than females.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Milan Vrtílek, Jakub Žák, Martin Pšenička, Martin Reichard. Extremely rapid maturation of a wild African annual fish. Current Biology, 2018; 28 (15): R822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.031
==========================
This native New Zealand fish (Neochanna burrowsius) may soon be extinct, scientists warn
This mudfish is small, but staunch: It favours slow-moving, swampy creeks and can live outside of water for months on end, entering a kind of semi-hibernation beneath damp logs or burrowed in the dirt.
But scientists say the Canterbury mudfish is at risk of becoming the second native fish known to have become extinct in New Zealand.
A review of the conservation status of freshwater fish, released on Thursday by the Department of Conservation (DOC), concluded three-quarters of New Zealand's 51 known native fish species were threatened.
But the panel of scientists who authored the report made special mention of the Canterbury mudfish, which is on life support as a species.
"Little has changed to benefit the Canterbury mudfish since it was first classified as nationally critical [in 2009] and its persistence is now tenuous," the report said.
"Urgent action to protect Canterbury mudfish habitat is needed to avert its extinction."
The species, which is a taonga to Ngāi Tahu, is nationally critical with the qualifier "conservation dependent", meaning it would likely move up a threat ranking if current management stopped.
The next threat ranking is extinct.
Only one fish species is known to have become extinct in New Zealand - the Grayling, which was last seen in 1923. The grayling, ironically, is our only freshwater fish specifically protected by law, a status it received several decades after its extinction.
Protecting the Canterbury mudfish has been a losing battle for authorities, in part because much of the species' habitat is on private land. Around 5 per cent of its known habitat is in DOC reserves.
Its total habitat has been estimated at 24ha, in small fragments spread across the entire Canterbury region. The species likely prospered before human settlement, when large parts of the plains were covered in wetlands. Around 90 per cent of those wetlands were drained, primarily for farming.
The scientists said drought conditions were also a threat to the species, exacerbated by water abstraction for irrigation.
The report's corresponding author, DOC freshwater science advisor Dr Nicholas Dunn, said that when the Canterbury mudfish was first listed as nationally critical, its population had been expected to fall by 70 percent within a decade.
"From the information we have, we're fairly confident it is above that 70 per cent decline rate," he said.
"The habitats it occurs in are very small, on average a third of a hectare and often in ephemeral wetlands, which themselves are an endangered ecosystem type."
Unlike migratory species, such as whitebait, if a population goes locally extinct it is unlikely to return naturally. Dunn said the greatest threat to the mudfish was the removal of habitat, which largely happened through agricultural development.
"These habitats have very little protection under either the district plans or the regional plans, and because they're ephemeral they can dry in prolonged droughts," he said.
"With very little restrictions on activities, predominantly agricultural activities, they're quite prone to development."
There were few changes to the conservation status of other species. The five whitebait species remained threatened, as did the longfin eel.
The panel noted that longfin eel populations appeared to be stable or increasing in commercial fisheries, which was promising. It remained concerned, however, about ongoing degradation of the eels' habitat in lowland areas, particularly declining water quality and issues with fish passages.
It was revealed earlier this year that longfin eels are likely being routinely maimed and killed by pump systems that are supposed to allow safe fish passage.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the plight of the Canterbury mudfish was a sad consequence of changes made to the landscape.
“Much of the Canterbury mudfish habitat is on private land and is severely impacted by agriculture," she said.
"[I]t’s sad but not surprising that the loss of aquatic and other wetland habitat has had a major impact on Canterbury mudfish and other wetland-dependent indigenous freshwater fish.”
She said although the longfin eel's status was unchanged, it should not be an excuse for complacency, as commercial fisheries were only a small part of its habitat.
"The degradation and loss of longfin eel habitat outside these fishing sites is concerning, especially in lowland areas, and the obstruction of fish passage continues to be a problem."
Five species had their conservation status changed. The lowland longjaw galaxias (Waitaki River) moved down a threat ranking due to conservation management, and two other species - Pomahaka galaxias and redfin bully - moved down due to better knowledge of their habitat.
Two species, the giant bully and southern flathead galaxias, moved up a threat status due to better knowledge of their habitat.
==========================
This mudfish is small, but staunch: It favours slow-moving, swampy creeks and can live outside of water for months on end, entering a kind of semi-hibernation beneath damp logs or burrowed in the dirt.
But scientists say the Canterbury mudfish is at risk of becoming the second native fish known to have become extinct in New Zealand.
A review of the conservation status of freshwater fish, released on Thursday by the Department of Conservation (DOC), concluded three-quarters of New Zealand's 51 known native fish species were threatened.
But the panel of scientists who authored the report made special mention of the Canterbury mudfish, which is on life support as a species.
"Little has changed to benefit the Canterbury mudfish since it was first classified as nationally critical [in 2009] and its persistence is now tenuous," the report said.
"Urgent action to protect Canterbury mudfish habitat is needed to avert its extinction."
The species, which is a taonga to Ngāi Tahu, is nationally critical with the qualifier "conservation dependent", meaning it would likely move up a threat ranking if current management stopped.
The next threat ranking is extinct.
Only one fish species is known to have become extinct in New Zealand - the Grayling, which was last seen in 1923. The grayling, ironically, is our only freshwater fish specifically protected by law, a status it received several decades after its extinction.
Protecting the Canterbury mudfish has been a losing battle for authorities, in part because much of the species' habitat is on private land. Around 5 per cent of its known habitat is in DOC reserves.
Its total habitat has been estimated at 24ha, in small fragments spread across the entire Canterbury region. The species likely prospered before human settlement, when large parts of the plains were covered in wetlands. Around 90 per cent of those wetlands were drained, primarily for farming.
The scientists said drought conditions were also a threat to the species, exacerbated by water abstraction for irrigation.
The report's corresponding author, DOC freshwater science advisor Dr Nicholas Dunn, said that when the Canterbury mudfish was first listed as nationally critical, its population had been expected to fall by 70 percent within a decade.
"From the information we have, we're fairly confident it is above that 70 per cent decline rate," he said.
"The habitats it occurs in are very small, on average a third of a hectare and often in ephemeral wetlands, which themselves are an endangered ecosystem type."
Unlike migratory species, such as whitebait, if a population goes locally extinct it is unlikely to return naturally. Dunn said the greatest threat to the mudfish was the removal of habitat, which largely happened through agricultural development.
"These habitats have very little protection under either the district plans or the regional plans, and because they're ephemeral they can dry in prolonged droughts," he said.
"With very little restrictions on activities, predominantly agricultural activities, they're quite prone to development."
There were few changes to the conservation status of other species. The five whitebait species remained threatened, as did the longfin eel.
The panel noted that longfin eel populations appeared to be stable or increasing in commercial fisheries, which was promising. It remained concerned, however, about ongoing degradation of the eels' habitat in lowland areas, particularly declining water quality and issues with fish passages.
It was revealed earlier this year that longfin eels are likely being routinely maimed and killed by pump systems that are supposed to allow safe fish passage.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the plight of the Canterbury mudfish was a sad consequence of changes made to the landscape.
“Much of the Canterbury mudfish habitat is on private land and is severely impacted by agriculture," she said.
"[I]t’s sad but not surprising that the loss of aquatic and other wetland habitat has had a major impact on Canterbury mudfish and other wetland-dependent indigenous freshwater fish.”
She said although the longfin eel's status was unchanged, it should not be an excuse for complacency, as commercial fisheries were only a small part of its habitat.
"The degradation and loss of longfin eel habitat outside these fishing sites is concerning, especially in lowland areas, and the obstruction of fish passage continues to be a problem."
Five species had their conservation status changed. The lowland longjaw galaxias (Waitaki River) moved down a threat ranking due to conservation management, and two other species - Pomahaka galaxias and redfin bully - moved down due to better knowledge of their habitat.
Two species, the giant bully and southern flathead galaxias, moved up a threat status due to better knowledge of their habitat.
==========================
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!! Potato chips wrapper found inside a COELACANTH. Please properly dispose of your trash! via @Seasaver
Retweeted @ Dr Solomon David
The Coelocanths have survived for several million years for Crisp packet to kill them off!
==========================
Retweeted @ Dr Solomon David
The Coelocanths have survived for several million years for Crisp packet to kill them off!
==========================
There’s a Swarm of Raffle Prizes Headed to ReefStock Conference AustraliaRES
0If you know whats good, then surely by now you know that we’re taking our ten year old ReefStock conference to Sydney next week for Australia’s first full-on, modern reef aquarium conference. Australia is well known in the aquarium world for being a source of some of the best and most exotic corals, and their reefers and reef aquarium scene is overdue to have a community event like ReefStock.
We’ve already told you about the veteran speakers that will be presenting at ReefStock, as well as the incredible corals that Australian dealers, collectors and propagators will be bringing to Sydney for ReefStock. What the Aussie reefers aren’t prepared for is a mountain of great aquarium raffle prizes.
We’ve collected high performance and valuable aquarium gear from all over the world to make sure as many ReefStock attendees get the hook up on the gear they need for their reef tank. For lights we’ve got the Illumagic Style, Ecotech Radion G4 Pro, AquaIllumination Hydra 52 & Prime, and the Aquatic Life Hybrid T5/LED fixture.
There’ll be Vortech and Vectra pumps, Nyos skimmers, water purifiers from Aquatic Life, more reactors than you can shake a stick at, as well as a sump from My Reef Creations, and a Cade Mini Pro complete aquarium. Especially designed for ReefStock are Australian-made glass frag tanks which many of the vendors will be using to display livestock and one of these tanks will also be in the raffle, complete with skimmer, lights pumps etc.
READ A Rare Presentation by World Wide Corals at ReefStock 2018 [VIDEO]
Tickets will cost just one dollar each, with deals on bundles and this isn’t even ALL of the prizes that will be in the ReefStock raffles August 11th & 12th, happening twice on both days of the show. We can’t overstate how thrilled we are to make the reef aquarium community a little closer by bringing ReefStock to Australia and we’re sincerely excited to see everyone in Sydney very soon.
extracted from ReefBuilders
==========================
0If you know whats good, then surely by now you know that we’re taking our ten year old ReefStock conference to Sydney next week for Australia’s first full-on, modern reef aquarium conference. Australia is well known in the aquarium world for being a source of some of the best and most exotic corals, and their reefers and reef aquarium scene is overdue to have a community event like ReefStock.
We’ve already told you about the veteran speakers that will be presenting at ReefStock, as well as the incredible corals that Australian dealers, collectors and propagators will be bringing to Sydney for ReefStock. What the Aussie reefers aren’t prepared for is a mountain of great aquarium raffle prizes.
We’ve collected high performance and valuable aquarium gear from all over the world to make sure as many ReefStock attendees get the hook up on the gear they need for their reef tank. For lights we’ve got the Illumagic Style, Ecotech Radion G4 Pro, AquaIllumination Hydra 52 & Prime, and the Aquatic Life Hybrid T5/LED fixture.
There’ll be Vortech and Vectra pumps, Nyos skimmers, water purifiers from Aquatic Life, more reactors than you can shake a stick at, as well as a sump from My Reef Creations, and a Cade Mini Pro complete aquarium. Especially designed for ReefStock are Australian-made glass frag tanks which many of the vendors will be using to display livestock and one of these tanks will also be in the raffle, complete with skimmer, lights pumps etc.
READ A Rare Presentation by World Wide Corals at ReefStock 2018 [VIDEO]
Tickets will cost just one dollar each, with deals on bundles and this isn’t even ALL of the prizes that will be in the ReefStock raffles August 11th & 12th, happening twice on both days of the show. We can’t overstate how thrilled we are to make the reef aquarium community a little closer by bringing ReefStock to Australia and we’re sincerely excited to see everyone in Sydney very soon.
extracted from ReefBuilders
==========================
Reef-A-Palooza Is Coming To Chicago!ARES
0Industry Breaking News: Reef-A-Palooza America’s Largest Saltwater Aquarium Show has recently announced they are expanding to the mid-west part of the country. Reefapalooza is part of a small group of reef shows that have become an annual – cultural phenomenon. With Reef-A-Palooza originally starting over 15 years ago, has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in the back yard of the Southern California Marnie Society President/event founder Marc Trible.
The event certainly has grown over the years and now takes place annually in Florida, New York, California. With a high concentration of aquarium hobbyist and a demand for a saltwater trade show in the Midwest the Chicagoland Area has been chosen as the 4th location for the event. The Inaugural Reef-A-Palooza Chicago will take place at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in October 2019.
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel:
Stay at the venue where the event is taking place. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. The venue is located just 13 miles from O’Hare International Airport and 26 miles from downtown Chicago, with easy access to I-355 and I-90 expressways.
The four-star hotel boasts 500 intuitively designed rooms and suites with deluxe amenities. Enjoy a fine dining experience at Sam & Harry’s Steak House, a relaxing meal at Gather Bar or Starbucks® coffee in the cafe. Maintain your workout routine in the complimentary fitness center with an indoor pool. Take the complimentary shuttle to Woodfield Mall where 300 stores and restaurants await you. Use the NAVIGATOR by Renaissance® program to find the perfect entertainment, shopping and dining near the enlightened, sophisticated hotel in Schaumburg, IL.
READ Reef-A-Palooza Orlando April 7 & 8, 2018, Caribe Royale All-SuitesVenue Info: Location
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 N. Thoreau Dr. · Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 USA
(847) 303-4100 [MAP]
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel features:
The Renaissance Schaumburg is pleased to offer the following discount group rates for Reef-A-Palooza Vendors & Attendees- Double/Double Standard/King Standard/Run of House of $129.00 per night
Event Info: Show Dates & Times
Saturday, October 19, 2019 11am-6pm
Sunday, October 20, 2019 11am-6pm
Single day tickets are $20.00 per person. Kids 10 and under are free.
Tickets will be available to pre-purchased on the Reef-A-Palooza Website. Cash tickets only at the door.
Self-parking is free at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel for vendors & attendees!
What to expect:
You can expect to see some of your favorite local fish stores exhibiting along with some of the industry’s top dry good manufactures. Also exhibiting will be some best of the best coral farmers, online vendors and captive fish breeders in North America. Many will have products for sale at their booth such as Live Corals, Fish, Inverts and dry goods.
Educational Speakers:
Feed your brain with valuable reef knowledge. Both days (included in your admission price) educational seminars will be taking place from some of the industry leading experts.
Welcome Bags
There will be 500 Welcome Bags passed out to the first 500 people in line (each day) If you interested in a Welcome Bag you’re going to want to make plans to get there early before the doors open.
Some of the items that have been in the Welcome Bags in past shows include: pens, t-shirts, flash drives, food samples, touch screen cleaning cloths, paper pads, car stickers, key chains, bracelets, flashlights, and coupons.
Reef-A-Palooza New York Pre Show Lineup 2018
extracted from ReefBuilders
==========================
0Industry Breaking News: Reef-A-Palooza America’s Largest Saltwater Aquarium Show has recently announced they are expanding to the mid-west part of the country. Reefapalooza is part of a small group of reef shows that have become an annual – cultural phenomenon. With Reef-A-Palooza originally starting over 15 years ago, has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in the back yard of the Southern California Marnie Society President/event founder Marc Trible.
The event certainly has grown over the years and now takes place annually in Florida, New York, California. With a high concentration of aquarium hobbyist and a demand for a saltwater trade show in the Midwest the Chicagoland Area has been chosen as the 4th location for the event. The Inaugural Reef-A-Palooza Chicago will take place at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in October 2019.
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel:
Stay at the venue where the event is taking place. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. The venue is located just 13 miles from O’Hare International Airport and 26 miles from downtown Chicago, with easy access to I-355 and I-90 expressways.
The four-star hotel boasts 500 intuitively designed rooms and suites with deluxe amenities. Enjoy a fine dining experience at Sam & Harry’s Steak House, a relaxing meal at Gather Bar or Starbucks® coffee in the cafe. Maintain your workout routine in the complimentary fitness center with an indoor pool. Take the complimentary shuttle to Woodfield Mall where 300 stores and restaurants await you. Use the NAVIGATOR by Renaissance® program to find the perfect entertainment, shopping and dining near the enlightened, sophisticated hotel in Schaumburg, IL.
READ Reef-A-Palooza Orlando April 7 & 8, 2018, Caribe Royale All-SuitesVenue Info: Location
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 N. Thoreau Dr. · Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 USA
(847) 303-4100 [MAP]
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel features:
- 100,000 square feet exhibitor-friendly convention center plus an additional 48,000 square feet of attached meeting space.
- 500 luxuriously styled guest rooms.
- Sam & Harry’s Steakhouse.
- RENdezvous Café featuring Starbucks® coffee.
- Gather Bar featuring great meals and delicious cocktails.
- 24-hour hotel fitness center and indoor pool.
- 24-hour full-service business center.
- Wired and wireless internet in guest rooms, and wireless internet access in public spaces.
The Renaissance Schaumburg is pleased to offer the following discount group rates for Reef-A-Palooza Vendors & Attendees- Double/Double Standard/King Standard/Run of House of $129.00 per night
Event Info: Show Dates & Times
Saturday, October 19, 2019 11am-6pm
Sunday, October 20, 2019 11am-6pm
Single day tickets are $20.00 per person. Kids 10 and under are free.
Tickets will be available to pre-purchased on the Reef-A-Palooza Website. Cash tickets only at the door.
Self-parking is free at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel for vendors & attendees!
What to expect:
You can expect to see some of your favorite local fish stores exhibiting along with some of the industry’s top dry good manufactures. Also exhibiting will be some best of the best coral farmers, online vendors and captive fish breeders in North America. Many will have products for sale at their booth such as Live Corals, Fish, Inverts and dry goods.
Educational Speakers:
Feed your brain with valuable reef knowledge. Both days (included in your admission price) educational seminars will be taking place from some of the industry leading experts.
Welcome Bags
There will be 500 Welcome Bags passed out to the first 500 people in line (each day) If you interested in a Welcome Bag you’re going to want to make plans to get there early before the doors open.
Some of the items that have been in the Welcome Bags in past shows include: pens, t-shirts, flash drives, food samples, touch screen cleaning cloths, paper pads, car stickers, key chains, bracelets, flashlights, and coupons.
Reef-A-Palooza New York Pre Show Lineup 2018
extracted from ReefBuilders
==========================
This issue of PetFish Monthly is now available for free download at:-
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
==========================
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
==========================
Hippocampus japapigu, the Japanese Pygmy Seahorse officially Described
JAKE ADAMS
0Hippocampus japapigu is a precious new species of seahorse that was recently described from Japan. Despite its recent description, this very tiny seahorse has been documented for over a decade in the waters of Japan and was previously believed to be a variant of Pontohi’s seahorse, Hippocampus pontohi.
What this really tiny, barely half-inch pygmy seahorse lacks in size it more than make up for with an exquisite color and pattern, if your vision is good enough to see it. The Japanese pygmy seahorse clocks in at barely 16 mm but it displays a very attractive honeycomb pattern which is punctuated with a series of red spots on the tail and the occasional colored branched filaments on its back.
Hippocampus japapigu above with the related H. pontohi below.While you might not be able to tell the difference in the wild, in close up images the japanese pygmy seahorse is differentiated from Pontohi’s pygmy seahorse by the fine reticulated pattern over a good part of the body and face. Like other pygmy seahorses, Hippocampus japapigu only has a single gill opening which is a very unique trait and very different from the much more numerous large seahorse species. [ZooKeys]
From ReefBuilders
==========================
JAKE ADAMS
0Hippocampus japapigu is a precious new species of seahorse that was recently described from Japan. Despite its recent description, this very tiny seahorse has been documented for over a decade in the waters of Japan and was previously believed to be a variant of Pontohi’s seahorse, Hippocampus pontohi.
What this really tiny, barely half-inch pygmy seahorse lacks in size it more than make up for with an exquisite color and pattern, if your vision is good enough to see it. The Japanese pygmy seahorse clocks in at barely 16 mm but it displays a very attractive honeycomb pattern which is punctuated with a series of red spots on the tail and the occasional colored branched filaments on its back.
Hippocampus japapigu above with the related H. pontohi below.While you might not be able to tell the difference in the wild, in close up images the japanese pygmy seahorse is differentiated from Pontohi’s pygmy seahorse by the fine reticulated pattern over a good part of the body and face. Like other pygmy seahorses, Hippocampus japapigu only has a single gill opening which is a very unique trait and very different from the much more numerous large seahorse species. [ZooKeys]
From ReefBuilders
==========================
Channa stiktos • Integrative Taxonomy Reveals A New Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from Mizoram, North Eastern India
Channa stiktos
Lalramliana, Knight, Lalhlimpuia & Singh, 2018
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. 68(2).
Abstract
Channa stiktos, a new species of snakehead fish, is described from the River Kaladan and its tributaries, Mizoram, North Eastern India based on comparison of morphological and molecular features with closely related species. Channa stiktos is morphologically similar to C. ornatipinnis described from the Rakhine State of Myanmar, however, differs from it in having black spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head (vs. no spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head, but rather spots restricted to the post-orbital lateral region of the head), and lacking dark spot on the anal fin of juveniles (vs. presence of series of upto 10 dark spots). The molecular analysis, based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, shows that C. stiktos is distinct from other close Channa species, except clade 3 of C. ornatipinnis, available in the GenBank (interspecies distance ranges from 8.24–25.33%). Channa stiktos clustered cohesively with clade 3 of C. ornatipinnis (only 1.43% genetic distance) indicating that they are conspecific. The genetic distance between Channa stiktos and C. ornatipinnis (from the type locality and another locality in the Ayeyarwaddy basin) are 8.24–8.59%, and between C. stiktos and C. pulchra is 12.92%, supporting the conclusion that they are different species.
Key words Channa ornatipinnis, C. pulchra, COI, Taxonomy, Freshwater fish, River Kaladan, Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot.
Fig. Channa stiktos sp. nov. live specimens from Tiau River, Mizoram, India. A: ca. 35 mm SL; B: ca. 90 mm SL; C: ca. 110 mm SL; D: ca. 120 mm SL.
Channa stiktos sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Channa stiktos is distinguished from all other species of Channa, except C. ornatipinnis, C. pulchra, C. pardalis, C. melanostigma and C. stewartii, by a unique colour pattern consisting of numerous large, black spots on the head and the body. Channa stiktos is distinguished from C. ornatipinnis in having black spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head (vs. no spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head, but rather spots restricted to the post-orbital lateral region of the head), and absence of dark spot on the anal fin of juveniles (vs. presence of series of up to 10 dark spots).
It can be distinguished from Channa pulchra in having black spots on the body well distributed above and below the lateral line (vs. sparsely distributed or absent on the body below the lateral line); from C. pardalis in having black spots all over the head (vs. spots restricted to post-orbital region of the head); and from both C. stewartii and C. melanostigma in having well defined black spots on the head (vs. spots on the head absent, and restricted to the body).
Etymology. The specific epithet ‘stiktos’ meaning ‘spotted’ in Greek, referring to the numerous conspicuous spots present on the body. It is use as an adjective.
Distribution and habitat. Channa stiktos was collected from the Ianava, Niawh and Tiau Rivers of the Kaladan River drainage, Mizoram, North Eastern India (Fig. 3). The streams were clear, slow flowing with cobble substrate and no aquatic vegetation (Fig. 4).
Lalramliana, John Daniel Marcus Knight, Denis Van Lalhlimpuia and Mahender Singh. 2018. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals A New Species of Snakehead Fish, Channa stiktos (Teleostei: Channidae), from Mizoram, North Eastern India. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. 68(2).
senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz68-2/05_vertebrate_zoology_68_2_lalramliana_et_al_165-175.pdf
==========================
Channa stiktos
Lalramliana, Knight, Lalhlimpuia & Singh, 2018
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. 68(2).
Abstract
Channa stiktos, a new species of snakehead fish, is described from the River Kaladan and its tributaries, Mizoram, North Eastern India based on comparison of morphological and molecular features with closely related species. Channa stiktos is morphologically similar to C. ornatipinnis described from the Rakhine State of Myanmar, however, differs from it in having black spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head (vs. no spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head, but rather spots restricted to the post-orbital lateral region of the head), and lacking dark spot on the anal fin of juveniles (vs. presence of series of upto 10 dark spots). The molecular analysis, based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, shows that C. stiktos is distinct from other close Channa species, except clade 3 of C. ornatipinnis, available in the GenBank (interspecies distance ranges from 8.24–25.33%). Channa stiktos clustered cohesively with clade 3 of C. ornatipinnis (only 1.43% genetic distance) indicating that they are conspecific. The genetic distance between Channa stiktos and C. ornatipinnis (from the type locality and another locality in the Ayeyarwaddy basin) are 8.24–8.59%, and between C. stiktos and C. pulchra is 12.92%, supporting the conclusion that they are different species.
Key words Channa ornatipinnis, C. pulchra, COI, Taxonomy, Freshwater fish, River Kaladan, Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot.
Fig. Channa stiktos sp. nov. live specimens from Tiau River, Mizoram, India. A: ca. 35 mm SL; B: ca. 90 mm SL; C: ca. 110 mm SL; D: ca. 120 mm SL.
Channa stiktos sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Channa stiktos is distinguished from all other species of Channa, except C. ornatipinnis, C. pulchra, C. pardalis, C. melanostigma and C. stewartii, by a unique colour pattern consisting of numerous large, black spots on the head and the body. Channa stiktos is distinguished from C. ornatipinnis in having black spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head (vs. no spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head, but rather spots restricted to the post-orbital lateral region of the head), and absence of dark spot on the anal fin of juveniles (vs. presence of series of up to 10 dark spots).
It can be distinguished from Channa pulchra in having black spots on the body well distributed above and below the lateral line (vs. sparsely distributed or absent on the body below the lateral line); from C. pardalis in having black spots all over the head (vs. spots restricted to post-orbital region of the head); and from both C. stewartii and C. melanostigma in having well defined black spots on the head (vs. spots on the head absent, and restricted to the body).
Etymology. The specific epithet ‘stiktos’ meaning ‘spotted’ in Greek, referring to the numerous conspicuous spots present on the body. It is use as an adjective.
Distribution and habitat. Channa stiktos was collected from the Ianava, Niawh and Tiau Rivers of the Kaladan River drainage, Mizoram, North Eastern India (Fig. 3). The streams were clear, slow flowing with cobble substrate and no aquatic vegetation (Fig. 4).
Lalramliana, John Daniel Marcus Knight, Denis Van Lalhlimpuia and Mahender Singh. 2018. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals A New Species of Snakehead Fish, Channa stiktos (Teleostei: Channidae), from Mizoram, North Eastern India. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. 68(2).
senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz68-2/05_vertebrate_zoology_68_2_lalramliana_et_al_165-175.pdf
==========================
Rhinogobius immaculatus • A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Qiantang River, China
Rhinogobius immaculatus
Li, Li & Chen, 2018
DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.065
Abstract
A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov., is described here from the Qiantang River in China. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 7–9; anal-fin rays I, 6–8; pectoral-fin rays 14–15; longitudinal scales 29–31; transverse scales 7–9; predorsal scales 2–5; vertebrae 27 (rarely 28); preopercular canal absent or with two pores; a red oblique stripe below eye in males; branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with 3–6 irregular discrete or connected red blotches on posterior branchiostegal membrane and lower operculum in males; caudal-fin base with a median black spot; and no black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males.
Keywords: Gobiidae, Rhinogobius, New species, Qiantang River, China
Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Most similar to Rhinogobius wuyanlingensis in number of vertebrae (27) and preopercular canal pores (2 or 0 vs. 2), but differing by fewer pectoral-fin rays (14–15 vs. 17–18), fewer anal-fin rays (I, 6–7 vs. I, 8), fewer transverse scales (7–9, modally 8 vs. 9–10), absence of a black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males (vs. present), and branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with irregular blotches posteriorly in males (vs. with red stripes).
....
Distribution and ecology: Known only from streams of the Qiantang River basin in Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces, China (Figure 6). Most often found in shallow (10–50 cm deep) low-gradient streams, with sand and gravel mixed substrate.
Adult Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov. are small in size. The smallest female with mature oocytes was 22.4 mm SL. The largest specimen collected in the field was 26.3 mm SL. The largest captive specimen kept in an aquarium for 29 months was 32.8 mm SL.
Etymology: The specific name, immaculatus, is derived from Latin in (without) and maculatus (spotted), an adjective, alluding to the absence of a black blotch on the anterior part of the dorsal fin in adult males.
Fan Li, Shan Li and Jia-Kuan Chen. 2018. Rhinogobius immaculatus, A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Qiantang River, China. Zoological Research. 39(6); 396-405. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.065
==========================
Rhinogobius immaculatus
Li, Li & Chen, 2018
DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.065
Abstract
A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov., is described here from the Qiantang River in China. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 7–9; anal-fin rays I, 6–8; pectoral-fin rays 14–15; longitudinal scales 29–31; transverse scales 7–9; predorsal scales 2–5; vertebrae 27 (rarely 28); preopercular canal absent or with two pores; a red oblique stripe below eye in males; branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with 3–6 irregular discrete or connected red blotches on posterior branchiostegal membrane and lower operculum in males; caudal-fin base with a median black spot; and no black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males.
Keywords: Gobiidae, Rhinogobius, New species, Qiantang River, China
Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Most similar to Rhinogobius wuyanlingensis in number of vertebrae (27) and preopercular canal pores (2 or 0 vs. 2), but differing by fewer pectoral-fin rays (14–15 vs. 17–18), fewer anal-fin rays (I, 6–7 vs. I, 8), fewer transverse scales (7–9, modally 8 vs. 9–10), absence of a black blotch on anterior part of first dorsal fin in males (vs. present), and branchiostegal membrane mostly reddish-orange, with irregular blotches posteriorly in males (vs. with red stripes).
....
Distribution and ecology: Known only from streams of the Qiantang River basin in Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces, China (Figure 6). Most often found in shallow (10–50 cm deep) low-gradient streams, with sand and gravel mixed substrate.
Adult Rhinogobius immaculatus sp. nov. are small in size. The smallest female with mature oocytes was 22.4 mm SL. The largest specimen collected in the field was 26.3 mm SL. The largest captive specimen kept in an aquarium for 29 months was 32.8 mm SL.
Etymology: The specific name, immaculatus, is derived from Latin in (without) and maculatus (spotted), an adjective, alluding to the absence of a black blotch on the anterior part of the dorsal fin in adult males.
Fan Li, Shan Li and Jia-Kuan Chen. 2018. Rhinogobius immaculatus, A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Qiantang River, China. Zoological Research. 39(6); 396-405. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.065
==========================
More information at:-
www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/news/fishkeeping-news/articles/2017/8/10/discover-a-festival-of-first-class-fish-this-october
==========================
www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/news/fishkeeping-news/articles/2017/8/10/discover-a-festival-of-first-class-fish-this-october
==========================
Dysommina orientalis • A New Species of the Genus Dysommina (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae) from the Western Pacific
Dysommina orientalis
Tighe, Ho & Hatooka, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.6
Abstract
Dysommina orientalis, a new species of Ilyophine eel from off Taiwan and Japan is described and illustrated. The species had long been recognized as Dysommina rugosa in the western Pacific and is distinguished from D. rugosa by a lower number of predorsal vertebrae, a higher number of total vertebrae, shorter head length, smaller eye size, reduced vomerine dentition, and an increased number of both mandibular and maxillary teeth, as well as significant differences in DNA sequence in COI and 16S.
Keywords: Pisces, Teleostei, taxonomy, Dysommina orientalis sp. nov., distribution
Kenneth A Tighe, Hsuan-Ching Ho and Kiyotaka Hatooka. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Dysommina (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae) from the Western Pacific. Zootaxa. 4454(1); 43–51. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.6
==========================
Dysommina orientalis
Tighe, Ho & Hatooka, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.6
Abstract
Dysommina orientalis, a new species of Ilyophine eel from off Taiwan and Japan is described and illustrated. The species had long been recognized as Dysommina rugosa in the western Pacific and is distinguished from D. rugosa by a lower number of predorsal vertebrae, a higher number of total vertebrae, shorter head length, smaller eye size, reduced vomerine dentition, and an increased number of both mandibular and maxillary teeth, as well as significant differences in DNA sequence in COI and 16S.
Keywords: Pisces, Teleostei, taxonomy, Dysommina orientalis sp. nov., distribution
Kenneth A Tighe, Hsuan-Ching Ho and Kiyotaka Hatooka. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Dysommina (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae) from the Western Pacific. Zootaxa. 4454(1); 43–51. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.6
==========================
PetFish Monthly which became Practical Fishkeeping for December 1975 is now free to download at:-
aqua-worlduk.weebly .com
==========================
aqua-worlduk.weebly .com
==========================
Trichomycterus rosablanca (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) a new species of hipogean catfish from the Colombian Andes
DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09
Article (PDF Available) ·
DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09
Abstract
Trichomycterus rosablanca is described as a new troglobitic catfish species from caves in southeastern Santander, Colombia. These caves are drained by the Carare River of the Magdalena River basin. The new species is characterized by the advanced condition in the typical troglomorphisms found in other congeneric cave-dwelling species, such as absence of eyes and pigmentation. Trichomycterus rosablanca is diagnosed by the following putative autapomorphies: 1) presence of a circular foramen in the main body of the interopercle, dorsal to the interopercular plate supporting the odontodes, and 2) presence of a single sensory pore in the posteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. Trichomycterus rosablanca can be distinguished from all known Trichomycterus species from Colombia by having the supraorbital canal interrupted in the nasal section, resulting in the pattern of s1, s2, s3, and s6 sensory pores, and the lachrimal/antorbital bone not enclosing the anteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. The genetic distinctiveness of Trichomycterus rosablanca is confirmed by GMYC and genetic distance method analyses of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene sequence. The description of this species places Colombia as the second most diverse country in the continent in terms of number of cave fish species and calls the attention on the conservation efforts needed to guarantee the permanence of this remarkable diversity of hypogean fishes.
==========================
DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09
Article (PDF Available) ·
DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09
Abstract
Trichomycterus rosablanca is described as a new troglobitic catfish species from caves in southeastern Santander, Colombia. These caves are drained by the Carare River of the Magdalena River basin. The new species is characterized by the advanced condition in the typical troglomorphisms found in other congeneric cave-dwelling species, such as absence of eyes and pigmentation. Trichomycterus rosablanca is diagnosed by the following putative autapomorphies: 1) presence of a circular foramen in the main body of the interopercle, dorsal to the interopercular plate supporting the odontodes, and 2) presence of a single sensory pore in the posteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. Trichomycterus rosablanca can be distinguished from all known Trichomycterus species from Colombia by having the supraorbital canal interrupted in the nasal section, resulting in the pattern of s1, s2, s3, and s6 sensory pores, and the lachrimal/antorbital bone not enclosing the anteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. The genetic distinctiveness of Trichomycterus rosablanca is confirmed by GMYC and genetic distance method analyses of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene sequence. The description of this species places Colombia as the second most diverse country in the continent in terms of number of cave fish species and calls the attention on the conservation efforts needed to guarantee the permanence of this remarkable diversity of hypogean fishes.
==========================
Last-ditch effort by volunteers to save more than 1,000 goldfish after their pond dries out in the heatwaveVolunteers made a last minute effort to save more than 1,000 goldfish after their pond started to dry out in the heatwave.
The pond at Wild Park in Brighton was home to thousands of goldfish before soaring temperatures saw the water evaporate. The volunteers were faced with dead fish floating in the rancid smelling pond and baking in the summer sun.
Some were gasping for air as they were plucked from the pond. Much of the water had evaporated and only a small area was still covered with around one or two inches of water.
Volunteers made a last minute effort to save more than a thousand goldfish after their pond started to dry out in the summer heatwave
The pond at Wild Park in Brighton was home to thousands of goldfish before soaring temperatures saw the water evaporate
Steven Liddle, of Lancing, West Sussex said: 'I came down straight away to see what was happening.It's so sad seeing the fish floating on top the water and there's so many dead ones in here that no doubt some bird has had these for breakfast.'
Locals visited the pond throughout the afternoon, scooping out the ailing fish into buckets from the bank of the pond. The dozen volunteers navigated the cloudy pond - each one sifting through clay trying to save as much wildlife as they could.
Barefoot volunteers brave enough to venture further into the water faced an variety of unknown sharp objects lurking beneath the water, which scratched their feet.
Mr Liddle said: 'It's very hard trying to get them out of the pond. It feels as if you're standing on rocks and bits of branches, sharp bits. And it absolutely stinks.'
Some volunteers, who have been working for three days, planned their last-minute push after the 27 degree weather began to evaporate the pond's remaining water - leaving more than a thousand fish trapped and facing death.
Locals visited the pond throughout the afternoon, scooping out the ailing fish into buckets from the bank of the pond
The volunteers were faced with dead fish floating in the rancid smelling pond and baking in the summer sun
They developed a relay system to get the fish out of the rapidly drying pond. The goldfish were put into tubs ready for transport to new homes across the city.
Kim Harris travelled from Lancing to help save and rehome the fish in peril. She said: 'We've got a pond in our garden and thought we would come and help them rescue the fish.
'Hopefully we'll be able to save a lot of them and give them some new homes. We're going to take as many as we can. We can maybe rehome around 200 of them.'
The group were led by Sue Davis from Hollingdean. A regular frequenter of the Wild Park area and animal lover, she felt compelled to help rescue the wildlife by bringing people together, lobbying the council, and lobbying the environment agency to do something about it.
She said: 'We thought we were going to have to save a couple of hundred fish. But after looking it's more like a couple of thousand fish in there. We're looking for people with ponds and pond water because I just can't take any more fish.'
Ms David said her volunteers have already saved and rehomed more than a thousand goldfish.
The goldfish were put into tubs ready for transport to new homes across the city after being rescued from the pond
The dozen volunteers navigated the cloudy pond - each one sifting through clay trying to save as much wildlife as they could
Her daughter, 19-year-old Miya Davis, has been helping in the rescue effort. She said: 'It's not nice. I love animals as much as my mum and we've always had fish. I've been helping to transport fish from the pond up to where we have the van.'
Independent councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer, Michael Inkpin-Leissner, was among the rescue team and was not afraid to get his hands dirty.
He said: 'I was told about this by my mother-in-law who has been involved in helping the wildlife. As soon as I heard I came straight away to help the fishes.'
He said: 'I'm a little bit disappointed in the council to be honest that they didn't have an eye on this. They have to get the basic things right and this is a basic thing because we don't want animals to suffer.
'Something needs to be done quickly and so councillor Daniel Yates, you are the leader of the council, please do something about it.'
An RSPCA representative visited the pond earlier in the day and was lobbying to get the pond filled back up with water.
from the Mail
==========================
The pond at Wild Park in Brighton was home to thousands of goldfish before soaring temperatures saw the water evaporate. The volunteers were faced with dead fish floating in the rancid smelling pond and baking in the summer sun.
Some were gasping for air as they were plucked from the pond. Much of the water had evaporated and only a small area was still covered with around one or two inches of water.
Volunteers made a last minute effort to save more than a thousand goldfish after their pond started to dry out in the summer heatwave
The pond at Wild Park in Brighton was home to thousands of goldfish before soaring temperatures saw the water evaporate
Steven Liddle, of Lancing, West Sussex said: 'I came down straight away to see what was happening.It's so sad seeing the fish floating on top the water and there's so many dead ones in here that no doubt some bird has had these for breakfast.'
Locals visited the pond throughout the afternoon, scooping out the ailing fish into buckets from the bank of the pond. The dozen volunteers navigated the cloudy pond - each one sifting through clay trying to save as much wildlife as they could.
Barefoot volunteers brave enough to venture further into the water faced an variety of unknown sharp objects lurking beneath the water, which scratched their feet.
Mr Liddle said: 'It's very hard trying to get them out of the pond. It feels as if you're standing on rocks and bits of branches, sharp bits. And it absolutely stinks.'
Some volunteers, who have been working for three days, planned their last-minute push after the 27 degree weather began to evaporate the pond's remaining water - leaving more than a thousand fish trapped and facing death.
Locals visited the pond throughout the afternoon, scooping out the ailing fish into buckets from the bank of the pond
The volunteers were faced with dead fish floating in the rancid smelling pond and baking in the summer sun
They developed a relay system to get the fish out of the rapidly drying pond. The goldfish were put into tubs ready for transport to new homes across the city.
Kim Harris travelled from Lancing to help save and rehome the fish in peril. She said: 'We've got a pond in our garden and thought we would come and help them rescue the fish.
'Hopefully we'll be able to save a lot of them and give them some new homes. We're going to take as many as we can. We can maybe rehome around 200 of them.'
The group were led by Sue Davis from Hollingdean. A regular frequenter of the Wild Park area and animal lover, she felt compelled to help rescue the wildlife by bringing people together, lobbying the council, and lobbying the environment agency to do something about it.
She said: 'We thought we were going to have to save a couple of hundred fish. But after looking it's more like a couple of thousand fish in there. We're looking for people with ponds and pond water because I just can't take any more fish.'
Ms David said her volunteers have already saved and rehomed more than a thousand goldfish.
The goldfish were put into tubs ready for transport to new homes across the city after being rescued from the pond
The dozen volunteers navigated the cloudy pond - each one sifting through clay trying to save as much wildlife as they could
Her daughter, 19-year-old Miya Davis, has been helping in the rescue effort. She said: 'It's not nice. I love animals as much as my mum and we've always had fish. I've been helping to transport fish from the pond up to where we have the van.'
Independent councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer, Michael Inkpin-Leissner, was among the rescue team and was not afraid to get his hands dirty.
He said: 'I was told about this by my mother-in-law who has been involved in helping the wildlife. As soon as I heard I came straight away to help the fishes.'
He said: 'I'm a little bit disappointed in the council to be honest that they didn't have an eye on this. They have to get the basic things right and this is a basic thing because we don't want animals to suffer.
'Something needs to be done quickly and so councillor Daniel Yates, you are the leader of the council, please do something about it.'
An RSPCA representative visited the pond earlier in the day and was lobbying to get the pond filled back up with water.
from the Mail
==========================
PetFish Monthly for October 1975 which is Number 6 of Volume 10 is now online at:-
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
This is an ongoing project to conserve old magazines so that all aquarists can enjoy the efforts of past aquarists and Societies in the formation of our hobby
========================================
aqua-worlduk.weebly.com
This is an ongoing project to conserve old magazines so that all aquarists can enjoy the efforts of past aquarists and Societies in the formation of our hobby
========================================
Bigger eyes but reduced brain power in nocturnal fishes
Source:
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University
Summary:
How does living life in darkness influence the way nocturnal fishes see? A new study finds out.
Share:
FULL STORY
Nocturnal fish have large eyes as an adaptation to light-deficient environments.
Credit: Alex DornburgCoral reefs buzz with activity around the clock. As the day-active fishes retreat at dusk, the night-active or nocturnal fishes venture out to forage and hunt. Equipped with special traits, these fishes are adapted to lead a life in darkness. So how do the dark surroundings influence the way they see?
An international team of scientists led by Dr. Teresa Iglesias and Prof. Evan Economo from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) set out to investigate this question. They examined how the brains of nocturnal fishes adapt to the low-light conditions they live in. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
The retina of the eye has on its surface two types of specialized nerve cells: cones and rods. While cones are activated in bright light, rods work better in dim light. The information captured by these cells is transported by nerves to the visual processing centers in the brain and pieced together into coherent images. In most vertebrates, a brain region called the optic tectum processes visual information, explains Prof. Economo. However, "it is unclear how it should change to maximize effectiveness of low-light vision," he adds.
To find out, the research team compared the sizes of optic tecta within the brains of fishes that are active during the day and those active at night. More than a hundred fishes from nearly 66 different species were caught from reefs around Hawaii and North Carolina, USA. This catch comprising 44 day-active species and 16 nocturnal species with a wide range of food habits: some ate other fish, others fed on microscopic plankton, and still others were bottom dwelling scavengers. Once caught, the fishes were photographed and their heads preserved in formalin. Later in the lab, the researchers measured the size of each fish's eye and lens, then scanned the animals' preserved brains using micro CT scanners.
Bright environments are rich in visual information such as colors, patterns and textures, and deciphering them requires more complex processing than deciphering poorly-lit environments. Take photographs, for example: the latest camera can capture rich colors and minute details of a person or an object. On the other hand, the black and white photographs from an old family album do not reveal as much. Likewise, optic tectum in the brain must be able to process color, pattern and brightness.
The eyes of squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus), a common nocturnal inhabitant of coral reefs, are almost three times larger than the eyes of day-active fishes of similar body size. Other nocturnal fishes also follow this design pattern. The optic tecta in nocturnal fishes might adapt to darkness by expanding, in order to process the larger volume of information that larger eyes might take in, or it could shrink if the information from low light environments is reduced. Initially, the researchers speculated that retina in such fishes would be loaded with more rods and cones than the day-active fishes, and thus require larger optic tecta to process it.
To their surprise, however, they found that the optic tecta of squirrelfish and other nocturnal fishes were smaller than those of day hunters, suggesting that their brains have sacrificed capabilities that are not as useful at night. Since color is not visible in light-deficient environments, these fishes have limited color acuity and limited depth of vision, but instead, they are adept at detecting movement.
The study also suggests that behavioral traits like the ability of some fishes to camouflage can influence the size of the optic tecta. Among the 66 species of fishes that the scientists sampled, the peacock flounder (Bothus mancus) was found to have the largest optic tectum amongst all. Peacock flounders dwell on sandy floors of reefs and are active during the day, though they prefer to hunt at night. Like chameleons, they are masters of camouflage, and can mimic their surroundings to blend in. This trait, according to the scientists, may explain why peacock flounders possess such highly-developed optic tecta. "Their visual centers may be important for adopting the correct camouflage, but they are also important for detecting predator movements in both bright and dim light," says Dr. Iglesias.
We still have much to learn about how the environment and behavior of a species can shape the evolution of its brain, the scientists say. However, they believe these findings may help understand how changes in habitat due to human activities, such as light pollution, can interfere with the neuro-sensory capabilities of fishes and other organisms.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University. Original written by Ipsita Herlekar. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Source:
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University
Summary:
How does living life in darkness influence the way nocturnal fishes see? A new study finds out.
Share:
FULL STORY
Nocturnal fish have large eyes as an adaptation to light-deficient environments.
Credit: Alex DornburgCoral reefs buzz with activity around the clock. As the day-active fishes retreat at dusk, the night-active or nocturnal fishes venture out to forage and hunt. Equipped with special traits, these fishes are adapted to lead a life in darkness. So how do the dark surroundings influence the way they see?
An international team of scientists led by Dr. Teresa Iglesias and Prof. Evan Economo from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) set out to investigate this question. They examined how the brains of nocturnal fishes adapt to the low-light conditions they live in. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
The retina of the eye has on its surface two types of specialized nerve cells: cones and rods. While cones are activated in bright light, rods work better in dim light. The information captured by these cells is transported by nerves to the visual processing centers in the brain and pieced together into coherent images. In most vertebrates, a brain region called the optic tectum processes visual information, explains Prof. Economo. However, "it is unclear how it should change to maximize effectiveness of low-light vision," he adds.
To find out, the research team compared the sizes of optic tecta within the brains of fishes that are active during the day and those active at night. More than a hundred fishes from nearly 66 different species were caught from reefs around Hawaii and North Carolina, USA. This catch comprising 44 day-active species and 16 nocturnal species with a wide range of food habits: some ate other fish, others fed on microscopic plankton, and still others were bottom dwelling scavengers. Once caught, the fishes were photographed and their heads preserved in formalin. Later in the lab, the researchers measured the size of each fish's eye and lens, then scanned the animals' preserved brains using micro CT scanners.
Bright environments are rich in visual information such as colors, patterns and textures, and deciphering them requires more complex processing than deciphering poorly-lit environments. Take photographs, for example: the latest camera can capture rich colors and minute details of a person or an object. On the other hand, the black and white photographs from an old family album do not reveal as much. Likewise, optic tectum in the brain must be able to process color, pattern and brightness.
The eyes of squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus), a common nocturnal inhabitant of coral reefs, are almost three times larger than the eyes of day-active fishes of similar body size. Other nocturnal fishes also follow this design pattern. The optic tecta in nocturnal fishes might adapt to darkness by expanding, in order to process the larger volume of information that larger eyes might take in, or it could shrink if the information from low light environments is reduced. Initially, the researchers speculated that retina in such fishes would be loaded with more rods and cones than the day-active fishes, and thus require larger optic tecta to process it.
To their surprise, however, they found that the optic tecta of squirrelfish and other nocturnal fishes were smaller than those of day hunters, suggesting that their brains have sacrificed capabilities that are not as useful at night. Since color is not visible in light-deficient environments, these fishes have limited color acuity and limited depth of vision, but instead, they are adept at detecting movement.
The study also suggests that behavioral traits like the ability of some fishes to camouflage can influence the size of the optic tecta. Among the 66 species of fishes that the scientists sampled, the peacock flounder (Bothus mancus) was found to have the largest optic tectum amongst all. Peacock flounders dwell on sandy floors of reefs and are active during the day, though they prefer to hunt at night. Like chameleons, they are masters of camouflage, and can mimic their surroundings to blend in. This trait, according to the scientists, may explain why peacock flounders possess such highly-developed optic tecta. "Their visual centers may be important for adopting the correct camouflage, but they are also important for detecting predator movements in both bright and dim light," says Dr. Iglesias.
We still have much to learn about how the environment and behavior of a species can shape the evolution of its brain, the scientists say. However, they believe these findings may help understand how changes in habitat due to human activities, such as light pollution, can interfere with the neuro-sensory capabilities of fishes and other organisms.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University. Original written by Ipsita Herlekar. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Teresa L. Iglesias, Alex Dornburg, Dan L. Warren, Peter C. Wainwright, Lars Schmitz, Evan P. Economo. Eyes Wide Shut: the impact of dim-light vision on neural investment in marine teleosts. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2018; DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13299
==========================
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Catfish Species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: Taxonomic Iimplications.
Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840)
in Okwiri, Cao, Nyi & Zhang, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.8
Abstract
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of two specimens here recognized as Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana in the Ethiopian section were determined. A COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis was performed for these along with sequences of African catfish species from the family Clarotidae available in GenBank. Based on results of this analysis, it is concluded that (1) the currently identified A. occidentalis is a species complex that includes several distinct species; (2) the Niger River basin harbors two distinct species of Auchenoglanis, one of which occurs in Lake Turkana, as well as A. biscutatus; and (3) A. sacchii is likely a valid species, but it is not the endemic species of Lake Turkana. It is suggested here that species diversity of Auchenoglanis requires further study based on molecular and morphological evidence.
Keywords: Pisces, Lake Turkana, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, COI, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomic implication
Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840)
Brian Okwiri, Liang Cao, Dorothy Wanja Nyingi and E. Zhang. 2018. Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Catfish Species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: Taxonomic Iimplications. Zootaxa. 4450(1); 115–124. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.8
==========================
Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840)
in Okwiri, Cao, Nyi & Zhang, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.8
Abstract
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of two specimens here recognized as Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana in the Ethiopian section were determined. A COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis was performed for these along with sequences of African catfish species from the family Clarotidae available in GenBank. Based on results of this analysis, it is concluded that (1) the currently identified A. occidentalis is a species complex that includes several distinct species; (2) the Niger River basin harbors two distinct species of Auchenoglanis, one of which occurs in Lake Turkana, as well as A. biscutatus; and (3) A. sacchii is likely a valid species, but it is not the endemic species of Lake Turkana. It is suggested here that species diversity of Auchenoglanis requires further study based on molecular and morphological evidence.
Keywords: Pisces, Lake Turkana, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, COI, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomic implication
Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840)
Brian Okwiri, Liang Cao, Dorothy Wanja Nyingi and E. Zhang. 2018. Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Catfish Species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: Taxonomic Iimplications. Zootaxa. 4450(1); 115–124. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.8
==========================
Elastic slingshot powers snipefish (Macroramphosus scolopax) feeding
Source:
University of California - Davis
Summary:
The snipefish, an ocean-dwelling relative of the seahorse, has a very long, skinny snout ending in a tiny mouth. A recent study shows that snipefish feed with an elastic-boosted head flick at almost unprecedented speed.
Share:
FULL STORY
The snipefish, an ocean-dwelling relative of the seahorse, has a very long, skinny snout ending in a tiny mouth. A recent study by UC Davis graduate student Sarah Longo shows that snipefish feed with an elastic-boosted head flick at almost unprecedented speed.
"At as little as two milliseconds, it's among the fastest feeding events ever recorded for fish," said Longo, now a postdoctoral researcher at Duke University.
Snipefish, seahorses and pipefish all have long, skinny snouts and use "pivot feeding" to capture food, Longo said, meaning that they pivot their head rapidly to bring their mouth up close to the prey and suck it in.
"Not only do they pivot, but they pivot faster than their muscles should allow," she said.
Seahorses and pipefish have recently been shown to get around this problem by storing energy in an elastic recoil mechanism. Longo wanted to know if snipefish were up to the same thing.
She first used high-speed video cameras to record snipefish feeding in the lab. Based on those videos, Longo was able to measure how fast the fish pivoted their heads and estimate the amount of energy involved.
Elastic recoil rapidly releases stored energy
The snipefish feeding strike took from two to 7.5 milliseconds from start to prey capture, with an instantaneous power requirement averaging 2800 Watts per kilogram of body weight. The power estimates ranged as high as 5500 Watts per kilogram.
Longo used micro computed tomography and digital X-ray imaging to examine the bones and tendons inside the snipefish's head. She found that the fish use a latched elastic recoil mechanism -- like a slingshot, or a compressed spring -- to power their feeding strike.
"This mechanism behaves analogous to a slingshot, but instead of a rubber band, the fish stores energy in tendons," Longo said. The mechanism involves a set of bones in the snipefish head and is latched in place by the specific arrangement of a small pair of hyoid bones located below the eye in the "cheek" region of the fish. With the hyoid latched, muscles behind the head put the tendon under tension. A small movement of the hyoid by a muscle releases the latch and unleashes the stored energy.
The discovery has implications for the evolution of this order of fishes, she said. Elastic recoil mechanisms are now known in three types of fish in two families in this group: Seahorses, pipefish and now snipefish. That means that the mechanism may have evolved either very early in the history of the group, or evolved separately in the snipefish and the more closely related pipefish and seahorses.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=BVhRrppZ0to
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of California - Davis. Original written by Andy Fell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Source:
University of California - Davis
Summary:
The snipefish, an ocean-dwelling relative of the seahorse, has a very long, skinny snout ending in a tiny mouth. A recent study shows that snipefish feed with an elastic-boosted head flick at almost unprecedented speed.
Share:
FULL STORY
The snipefish, an ocean-dwelling relative of the seahorse, has a very long, skinny snout ending in a tiny mouth. A recent study by UC Davis graduate student Sarah Longo shows that snipefish feed with an elastic-boosted head flick at almost unprecedented speed.
"At as little as two milliseconds, it's among the fastest feeding events ever recorded for fish," said Longo, now a postdoctoral researcher at Duke University.
Snipefish, seahorses and pipefish all have long, skinny snouts and use "pivot feeding" to capture food, Longo said, meaning that they pivot their head rapidly to bring their mouth up close to the prey and suck it in.
"Not only do they pivot, but they pivot faster than their muscles should allow," she said.
Seahorses and pipefish have recently been shown to get around this problem by storing energy in an elastic recoil mechanism. Longo wanted to know if snipefish were up to the same thing.
She first used high-speed video cameras to record snipefish feeding in the lab. Based on those videos, Longo was able to measure how fast the fish pivoted their heads and estimate the amount of energy involved.
Elastic recoil rapidly releases stored energy
The snipefish feeding strike took from two to 7.5 milliseconds from start to prey capture, with an instantaneous power requirement averaging 2800 Watts per kilogram of body weight. The power estimates ranged as high as 5500 Watts per kilogram.
Longo used micro computed tomography and digital X-ray imaging to examine the bones and tendons inside the snipefish's head. She found that the fish use a latched elastic recoil mechanism -- like a slingshot, or a compressed spring -- to power their feeding strike.
"This mechanism behaves analogous to a slingshot, but instead of a rubber band, the fish stores energy in tendons," Longo said. The mechanism involves a set of bones in the snipefish head and is latched in place by the specific arrangement of a small pair of hyoid bones located below the eye in the "cheek" region of the fish. With the hyoid latched, muscles behind the head put the tendon under tension. A small movement of the hyoid by a muscle releases the latch and unleashes the stored energy.
The discovery has implications for the evolution of this order of fishes, she said. Elastic recoil mechanisms are now known in three types of fish in two families in this group: Seahorses, pipefish and now snipefish. That means that the mechanism may have evolved either very early in the history of the group, or evolved separately in the snipefish and the more closely related pipefish and seahorses.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=BVhRrppZ0to
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of California - Davis. Original written by Andy Fell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Sarah J. Longo, Tyler Goodearly, Peter C. Wainwright. Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2018; 285 (1882): 20181078 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1078
==========================
For further details contact FancyGuppiesUK@outlook.com.
==========================
==========================
STAMPS Open Show & Auction AUGUST 5TH 2018
· Hosted by Anthony King
Share
- lSunday, August 5 at 10 AM - 4:30 PM
- Young Charles Centre
NE34 0 - South Shields
Details
The best show in the North East and a cracking auction alongside it. Why not try your hand at showing fish, whether you're a novice or experienced fish keeper. Any information required please message the page or leave a comment here and we'll get back to you. Also anyone looking to book an auction lot please leave a comment. AT:- http://www.facebook.com/events/162575987744500/?active_tab=discussion
==========================
20,000 litres of water from River Severn pumped into Shrewsbury's Dingle to save fish
By Aimee Jones | Shrewsbury
One of Shrewsbury's most famous features had to be filled with 20,000 litres of water from the River Severn to save fish from the heat.
Water being pumped from the River Severn in Shrewsbury to The Dingle. Photo: @SFRS_ShrewsThe water levels in the pool at The Dingle became critically low, which meant the hundreds of fish were at risk of dying.
Areas of the Dingle had completely dried up because of the recent heatwave and a lack of rainfall.
20,000 litres of water has been pumped into the pool at The DingleIt meant oxygen levels fell dramatically, putting the fish in peril.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service stepped in to save the hundreds of fish including carp, some of which are believed to be about 50 years old.
Watch manager Ross Donnelly said the firefighters treated it as a practice session for when water needs to be pumped from the Severn to fight a fire.
"We've lifted 20,000 litres of fresh open water from the River Severn and pumped it about 200 metres into the Dingle," he said.
"It's is not something we routinely do but it was a last resort to save the fish.
"It took about 40 minutes, so not very long. Our pump is fairly large and can move 500 litres of water a minute."
Mr Donnelly said it was a good opportunity to practice water pumping at a busy time of year.
"The number of calls were getting in the area at the moment is huge," he added.
"In another situation, we could be needed to pump this water to put out a serious fire.
==========================
By Aimee Jones | Shrewsbury
One of Shrewsbury's most famous features had to be filled with 20,000 litres of water from the River Severn to save fish from the heat.
Water being pumped from the River Severn in Shrewsbury to The Dingle. Photo: @SFRS_ShrewsThe water levels in the pool at The Dingle became critically low, which meant the hundreds of fish were at risk of dying.
Areas of the Dingle had completely dried up because of the recent heatwave and a lack of rainfall.
20,000 litres of water has been pumped into the pool at The DingleIt meant oxygen levels fell dramatically, putting the fish in peril.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service stepped in to save the hundreds of fish including carp, some of which are believed to be about 50 years old.
Watch manager Ross Donnelly said the firefighters treated it as a practice session for when water needs to be pumped from the Severn to fight a fire.
"We've lifted 20,000 litres of fresh open water from the River Severn and pumped it about 200 metres into the Dingle," he said.
"It's is not something we routinely do but it was a last resort to save the fish.
"It took about 40 minutes, so not very long. Our pump is fairly large and can move 500 litres of water a minute."
Mr Donnelly said it was a good opportunity to practice water pumping at a busy time of year.
"The number of calls were getting in the area at the moment is huge," he added.
"In another situation, we could be needed to pump this water to put out a serious fire.
==========================
Glowing bacteria on deep-sea fish shed light on evolution, 'third type of symbiosis
Source:
Cornell University
Summary:
For the first time, scientists have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria that live in anglerfish bulbs. The bacteria were taken from fish specimens collected in the Gulf of Mexico.
FULL STORY
Female deep-sea anglerfish captured in the Gulf of Mexico. A humpback blackdevil, Melanocetus johnsonii (top), and a triplewart seadevil, Cryptopsaras couesii (bottom).
Credit: Danté FenolioYou may recognize the anglerfish from its dramatic appearance in the hit animated film Finding Nemo, as it was very nearly the demise of clownfish Marlin and blue-tang fish Dory. It lives most of its life in total darkness more than 1,000 meters below the ocean surface. Female anglerfish sport a glowing lure on top of their foreheads, basically a pole with a light bulb on its end, where bioluminescent bacteria live. The light-emitting lure attracts both prey and potential mates to the fish.
Despite its recent fame, little is known about anglerfish and their symbiotic relationship with these brilliant bacteria, because the fish are difficult to acquire and study.
For the first time, scientists have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria that live in anglerfish bulbs. The bacteria were taken from fish specimens collected in the Gulf of Mexico.
The researchers report their findings in a new study, published in the journal mBio. The analysis revealed that the bacteria have lost some of the genes that are needed to live freely in the water. That's because the fish and bacteria developed a tight, mutually beneficial relationship, where the bacteria generate light while the fish supplies nutrients to the microbe.
"What's particularly interesting about this specific example is that we see evidence that this evolution is still underway, even though the fish themselves evolved about 100 million years ago," said Tory Hendry, assistant professor of microbiology at Cornell University and the paper's lead author. "The bacteria are still losing genes, and it's unclear why."
Most of the known symbiotic relationships between organisms and bacteria are between either a host and free-living bacteria that don't evolve to maintain a symbiosis, or a host and intracellular bacteria that live inside the host's cells and undergo huge reductions in their genomes through evolution.
The bacteria inside the bulb in anglerfish represents a third type of symbiosis, where preliminary data suggest these bacteria may move from the anglerfish bulb to the water. "It's a new paradigm in our understanding of symbiosis in general; this is a third type of situation where the bacteria are not actually stuck with their host but they are undergoing evolution," Hendry said.
Genetic sequencing showed that the genomes of these anglerfish bioluminescent bacteria are 50 percent reduced compared with their free-swimming relatives. The bacteria have lost most of the genes associated with making amino acids and breaking down nutrients other than glucose, suggesting the fish may be supplying the bacteria with nutrients and amino acids.
At the same time, the bacteria have retained some genes that are useful in water outside the host. They have full pathways to make a flagellum, a corkscrew tail for moving in water. The bacteria had lost most of the genes involved in sensing chemical cues in the environment that may lead to food or other useful compounds, though a few remained, leaving a subset of chemicals they still respond to. "They were pared down to something they cared about," Hendry said.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cornell University. Original written by Krishna Ramanujan. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Cornell University. "Glowing bacteria on deep-sea fish shed light on evolution, 'third type' of symbiosis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 July 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180718143050.htm>.
==========================
Source:
Cornell University
Summary:
For the first time, scientists have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria that live in anglerfish bulbs. The bacteria were taken from fish specimens collected in the Gulf of Mexico.
FULL STORY
Female deep-sea anglerfish captured in the Gulf of Mexico. A humpback blackdevil, Melanocetus johnsonii (top), and a triplewart seadevil, Cryptopsaras couesii (bottom).
Credit: Danté FenolioYou may recognize the anglerfish from its dramatic appearance in the hit animated film Finding Nemo, as it was very nearly the demise of clownfish Marlin and blue-tang fish Dory. It lives most of its life in total darkness more than 1,000 meters below the ocean surface. Female anglerfish sport a glowing lure on top of their foreheads, basically a pole with a light bulb on its end, where bioluminescent bacteria live. The light-emitting lure attracts both prey and potential mates to the fish.
Despite its recent fame, little is known about anglerfish and their symbiotic relationship with these brilliant bacteria, because the fish are difficult to acquire and study.
For the first time, scientists have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria that live in anglerfish bulbs. The bacteria were taken from fish specimens collected in the Gulf of Mexico.
The researchers report their findings in a new study, published in the journal mBio. The analysis revealed that the bacteria have lost some of the genes that are needed to live freely in the water. That's because the fish and bacteria developed a tight, mutually beneficial relationship, where the bacteria generate light while the fish supplies nutrients to the microbe.
"What's particularly interesting about this specific example is that we see evidence that this evolution is still underway, even though the fish themselves evolved about 100 million years ago," said Tory Hendry, assistant professor of microbiology at Cornell University and the paper's lead author. "The bacteria are still losing genes, and it's unclear why."
Most of the known symbiotic relationships between organisms and bacteria are between either a host and free-living bacteria that don't evolve to maintain a symbiosis, or a host and intracellular bacteria that live inside the host's cells and undergo huge reductions in their genomes through evolution.
The bacteria inside the bulb in anglerfish represents a third type of symbiosis, where preliminary data suggest these bacteria may move from the anglerfish bulb to the water. "It's a new paradigm in our understanding of symbiosis in general; this is a third type of situation where the bacteria are not actually stuck with their host but they are undergoing evolution," Hendry said.
Genetic sequencing showed that the genomes of these anglerfish bioluminescent bacteria are 50 percent reduced compared with their free-swimming relatives. The bacteria have lost most of the genes associated with making amino acids and breaking down nutrients other than glucose, suggesting the fish may be supplying the bacteria with nutrients and amino acids.
At the same time, the bacteria have retained some genes that are useful in water outside the host. They have full pathways to make a flagellum, a corkscrew tail for moving in water. The bacteria had lost most of the genes involved in sensing chemical cues in the environment that may lead to food or other useful compounds, though a few remained, leaving a subset of chemicals they still respond to. "They were pared down to something they cared about," Hendry said.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Cornell University. Original written by Krishna Ramanujan. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Tory A. Hendry, Lindsay L. Freed, Dana Fader, Danté Fenolio, Tracey T. Sutton, Jose V. Lopez. Ongoing Transposon-Mediated Genome Reduction in the Luminous Bacterial Symbionts of Deep-Sea Ceratioid Anglerfishes. mBio, 2018; 9 (3): e01033-18 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01033-18
Cornell University. "Glowing bacteria on deep-sea fish shed light on evolution, 'third type' of symbiosis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 July 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180718143050.htm>.
==========================
Spectrolebias gracilis • A New Miniature Cryptic Species of the Seasonal Killifish Genus Spectrolebias (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae) from the Tocantins River basin, central Brazil
Spectrolebias gracilis Costa & Amorim, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.28085
Abstract
The miniature seasonal killifish Spectrolebias costae, first described for the middle Araguaia River basin, has been also recorded from two areas in the middle Tocantins River basin, from where male specimens exhibit some differences in their colour pattern. Analyses directed to species delineation (GMYC and bPTP), using a fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI, strongly support two species, S. costae from the Araguaia River basin and a new species from the Tocantins River basin. Spectrolebias gracilis sp. n. is described on the basis of specimens collected from two localities separated by about 530 km, Canabrava River floodplains near Alvorada do Tocantins and Tocantins River floodplains near Palmeirante. Field inventories were unsuccessful in finding additional populations in the region, which is attributed to the high environmental degradation, including several large dams that have permanently inundated typical killifish habitats. Spectrolebias gracilis is member of a clade also including S. costae, S. inaequipinnatus, and S. semiocellatus, diagnosed by having the dorsal and anal fins in males with iridescent dots restricted to their basal portion, caudal fin in males hyaline, and caudal-fin base with two pairs of neuromasts. Within this clade, a single miniaturisation event is supported for the most recent common ancestor of the subclade comprising S. costae and S. gracilis, which differ from other congeners by reaching only about 20 mm standard length as maximum adult size.
Key Words: Amazon, Biodiversity conservation, Integrative taxonomy, Miniaturization, Molecular taxonomy, Species delimitation
Taxonomic accounts
Spectrolebias gracilis sp. n.
Diagnosis: Spectrolebias gracilis is member of a clade endemic to the Araguaia-Tocantins River System, also including S. costae, S. semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, 1997 and S. inaequipinnatus Costa & Brasil, 2008, and morphologically diagnosed by: dorsal and anal fins in males with iridescent dots restricted to the basal portion of fins (vs. scattered over the whole fin), caudal fin in males hyaline (vs. variably coloured, usually dark red or grey), caudal-fin base with two pairs of neuromasts (vs. one). Spectrolebias gracilis is similar to S. costae and distinguished from S. semiocellatus and S. inaequipinnatus by having dorsal fin rounded in males (vs. pointed), dark brown to black pigmentation on the flank in males (vs. light brownish grey), and a subdistal bright blue stripe on the dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. subdistal bright blue absent). Spectrolebias gracilis differs from S. costae by the iridescent light blue colour pattern in males, comprising the presence of 10–12 small blue spots irregularly arranged on opercle, surrounded by diffuse blue iridescence (Fig. 4; vs. 6–8 small blue spots, usually arranged in three vertical series, contrasting with dark brown colour ground, Fig. 3) and one or two series of dots irregularly arranged on the basal portion of the dorsal fin (Fig. 4; vs. blue dots arranged in single longitudinal row close to fin base, Fig. 3).
....
Etymology: From the Latin gracilis, meaning thin, referring to the thin body of the small-sized new species.
Distribution and habitat: Spectrolebias gracilis is known from temporary pools of two localities of the middle Tocantins River basin, central Brazil (Fig. 6). In both localities pools were shallow, about 80 cm in deeper places, and densely occupied by aquatic vegetation.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa and Pedro F. Amorim. 2018. A New Miniature Cryptic Species of the Seasonal Killifish Genus Spectrolebias from the Tocantins River basin, central Brazil (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(2): 359-368. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.28085
==========================
Spectrolebias gracilis Costa & Amorim, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.28085
Abstract
The miniature seasonal killifish Spectrolebias costae, first described for the middle Araguaia River basin, has been also recorded from two areas in the middle Tocantins River basin, from where male specimens exhibit some differences in their colour pattern. Analyses directed to species delineation (GMYC and bPTP), using a fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI, strongly support two species, S. costae from the Araguaia River basin and a new species from the Tocantins River basin. Spectrolebias gracilis sp. n. is described on the basis of specimens collected from two localities separated by about 530 km, Canabrava River floodplains near Alvorada do Tocantins and Tocantins River floodplains near Palmeirante. Field inventories were unsuccessful in finding additional populations in the region, which is attributed to the high environmental degradation, including several large dams that have permanently inundated typical killifish habitats. Spectrolebias gracilis is member of a clade also including S. costae, S. inaequipinnatus, and S. semiocellatus, diagnosed by having the dorsal and anal fins in males with iridescent dots restricted to their basal portion, caudal fin in males hyaline, and caudal-fin base with two pairs of neuromasts. Within this clade, a single miniaturisation event is supported for the most recent common ancestor of the subclade comprising S. costae and S. gracilis, which differ from other congeners by reaching only about 20 mm standard length as maximum adult size.
Key Words: Amazon, Biodiversity conservation, Integrative taxonomy, Miniaturization, Molecular taxonomy, Species delimitation
Taxonomic accounts
Spectrolebias gracilis sp. n.
Diagnosis: Spectrolebias gracilis is member of a clade endemic to the Araguaia-Tocantins River System, also including S. costae, S. semiocellatus Costa & Nielsen, 1997 and S. inaequipinnatus Costa & Brasil, 2008, and morphologically diagnosed by: dorsal and anal fins in males with iridescent dots restricted to the basal portion of fins (vs. scattered over the whole fin), caudal fin in males hyaline (vs. variably coloured, usually dark red or grey), caudal-fin base with two pairs of neuromasts (vs. one). Spectrolebias gracilis is similar to S. costae and distinguished from S. semiocellatus and S. inaequipinnatus by having dorsal fin rounded in males (vs. pointed), dark brown to black pigmentation on the flank in males (vs. light brownish grey), and a subdistal bright blue stripe on the dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. subdistal bright blue absent). Spectrolebias gracilis differs from S. costae by the iridescent light blue colour pattern in males, comprising the presence of 10–12 small blue spots irregularly arranged on opercle, surrounded by diffuse blue iridescence (Fig. 4; vs. 6–8 small blue spots, usually arranged in three vertical series, contrasting with dark brown colour ground, Fig. 3) and one or two series of dots irregularly arranged on the basal portion of the dorsal fin (Fig. 4; vs. blue dots arranged in single longitudinal row close to fin base, Fig. 3).
....
Etymology: From the Latin gracilis, meaning thin, referring to the thin body of the small-sized new species.
Distribution and habitat: Spectrolebias gracilis is known from temporary pools of two localities of the middle Tocantins River basin, central Brazil (Fig. 6). In both localities pools were shallow, about 80 cm in deeper places, and densely occupied by aquatic vegetation.
Wilson J. E. M. Costa and Pedro F. Amorim. 2018. A New Miniature Cryptic Species of the Seasonal Killifish Genus Spectrolebias from the Tocantins River basin, central Brazil (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(2): 359-368. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.28085
==========================
Newly discovered shark species honors female pioneerSqualus clarkae named for Eugenie Clark
Source:
Florida Institute of Technology
Summary:
The 'Shark Lady,' has received the ultimate ichthyologist honor: having a new species of shark, Squalus clarkae, named after her.
Share:
FULL STORY
Eugenie Clark was a pioneer in shark biology, known around the world for her illuminating research on shark behavior. But she was a pioneer in another critical way, as one of the first women of prominence in the male-dominated field of marine biology.
Fondly labeled the "Shark Lady," Clark, who founded Mote Marine Laboratory and continued studying fishes until she passed away in 2015 at age 92, will now be recognized with another distinction: namesake of a newly discovered species of dogfish shark.
The species, named Squalus clarkae, also known as Genie's Dogfish, was identified from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean. The confirmation of this new species was reported this month in the journal Zootaxa.
Florida Institute of Technology assistant professor and shark biologist Toby Daly-Engel was among the paper's four author's, along with marine scientists Mariah Pfleger of Oceana, the lead author and Daly-Engel's former graduate student, and Florida State University's Dean Grubbs and Chip Cotton.
Before their findings, researchers labeled this species of dogfish shark Squalus mitsukurii. However, using new genetic testing and morphology, the study of an organism through physical appearance, they discovered and classified Genie's Dogfish as a new species.
"Deep-sea sharks are all shaped by similar evolutionary pressure, so they end up looking a lot alike," Daly-Engel said. "So we rely on DNA to tell us how long a species has been on its own, evolutionarily, and how different it is."
"This type of research is essential to the conservation and management of sharks, which currently face a multitude of threats, from overfishing and bycatch, to the global shark fin trade," added Pfleger, marine scientist for the responsible fishing and sharks campaigns at Oceana. "Many fisheries around the world are starting to fish in deeper and deeper waters and unfortunately, much less is known about many of the creatures that live in the deep. The first step to successfully conserving these species that live in deeper waters, like Genie's Dogfish, is finding out what is down there in the first place."
For Daly-Engel, the discovery goes beyond science.
At an early age, she was drawn to Clark and her books. As Daly-Engel advanced in her career, she saw Clark's impact as one of the early members of the American Elasmobranch Society, a group Daly-Engel later joined and through which she met Clark.
"She is the mother of us all," Daly-Engel said. "She was not just the first female shark biologist, she was one of the first people to study sharks."
The feeling rings true for Pfleger, as well. "Dr. Clark was a trailblazer for women in shark biology. Her work showed me that it was possible to make my mark in a male-dominated field. This paper is a perfect example of how her career has influenced multiple generations of women in science: the first author is a woman who graduated from a woman-led lab."
"Genie was aptly nicknamed the 'Shark Lady' because her shark research was so innovative and she was dedicated to teaching the truth about sharks," said Robert Hueter, Ph.D., director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote. "Not only was she responsible for establishing Mote's legacy of more than 60 years in shark research, but also, her discoveries inspired people around the world to develop a sense of eagerness and passion for understanding and ultimately protecting these fascinating animals."
As founding director of Mote Marine Laboratory, Clark was very familiar with the Gulf of Mexico. For a trailblazer in the world of shark biology, it is fitting that the new species of shark would be named after her, Daly-Engel said.
"Genie established Mote and she lived on the Gulf of Mexico coast," she said. "She did a lot to advance our understanding of marine biodiversity there. So naming the dogfish shark from the Gulf of Mexico after her is the most appropriate thing in the world."
About Eugenie Clark
Eugenie Clark, an ichthyologist, was a world authority on fishes -- particularly sharks and tropical sand fishes. A courageous diver and explorer, Clark conducted 72 submersible dives as deep as 12,000 feet and led over 200 field research expeditions to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Caribbean, Mexico, Japan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Indonesia and Borneo to study sand fishes, whale sharks, deep sea sharks and spotted oceanic triggerfish. In 1955, Clark started the one-room Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida, Fla., with her fisherman assistant and with philanthropic support and encouragement from the Vanderbilt family. That lab became Mote Marine Laboratory in 1967 to honor major benefactor William R. Mote. Today, Mote is based on City Island, Sarasota, and it hosts more than 20 diverse research and conservation programs along with extensive informal science education programs.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Florida Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Source:
Florida Institute of Technology
Summary:
The 'Shark Lady,' has received the ultimate ichthyologist honor: having a new species of shark, Squalus clarkae, named after her.
Share:
FULL STORY
Eugenie Clark was a pioneer in shark biology, known around the world for her illuminating research on shark behavior. But she was a pioneer in another critical way, as one of the first women of prominence in the male-dominated field of marine biology.
Fondly labeled the "Shark Lady," Clark, who founded Mote Marine Laboratory and continued studying fishes until she passed away in 2015 at age 92, will now be recognized with another distinction: namesake of a newly discovered species of dogfish shark.
The species, named Squalus clarkae, also known as Genie's Dogfish, was identified from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean. The confirmation of this new species was reported this month in the journal Zootaxa.
Florida Institute of Technology assistant professor and shark biologist Toby Daly-Engel was among the paper's four author's, along with marine scientists Mariah Pfleger of Oceana, the lead author and Daly-Engel's former graduate student, and Florida State University's Dean Grubbs and Chip Cotton.
Before their findings, researchers labeled this species of dogfish shark Squalus mitsukurii. However, using new genetic testing and morphology, the study of an organism through physical appearance, they discovered and classified Genie's Dogfish as a new species.
"Deep-sea sharks are all shaped by similar evolutionary pressure, so they end up looking a lot alike," Daly-Engel said. "So we rely on DNA to tell us how long a species has been on its own, evolutionarily, and how different it is."
"This type of research is essential to the conservation and management of sharks, which currently face a multitude of threats, from overfishing and bycatch, to the global shark fin trade," added Pfleger, marine scientist for the responsible fishing and sharks campaigns at Oceana. "Many fisheries around the world are starting to fish in deeper and deeper waters and unfortunately, much less is known about many of the creatures that live in the deep. The first step to successfully conserving these species that live in deeper waters, like Genie's Dogfish, is finding out what is down there in the first place."
For Daly-Engel, the discovery goes beyond science.
At an early age, she was drawn to Clark and her books. As Daly-Engel advanced in her career, she saw Clark's impact as one of the early members of the American Elasmobranch Society, a group Daly-Engel later joined and through which she met Clark.
"She is the mother of us all," Daly-Engel said. "She was not just the first female shark biologist, she was one of the first people to study sharks."
The feeling rings true for Pfleger, as well. "Dr. Clark was a trailblazer for women in shark biology. Her work showed me that it was possible to make my mark in a male-dominated field. This paper is a perfect example of how her career has influenced multiple generations of women in science: the first author is a woman who graduated from a woman-led lab."
"Genie was aptly nicknamed the 'Shark Lady' because her shark research was so innovative and she was dedicated to teaching the truth about sharks," said Robert Hueter, Ph.D., director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote. "Not only was she responsible for establishing Mote's legacy of more than 60 years in shark research, but also, her discoveries inspired people around the world to develop a sense of eagerness and passion for understanding and ultimately protecting these fascinating animals."
As founding director of Mote Marine Laboratory, Clark was very familiar with the Gulf of Mexico. For a trailblazer in the world of shark biology, it is fitting that the new species of shark would be named after her, Daly-Engel said.
"Genie established Mote and she lived on the Gulf of Mexico coast," she said. "She did a lot to advance our understanding of marine biodiversity there. So naming the dogfish shark from the Gulf of Mexico after her is the most appropriate thing in the world."
About Eugenie Clark
Eugenie Clark, an ichthyologist, was a world authority on fishes -- particularly sharks and tropical sand fishes. A courageous diver and explorer, Clark conducted 72 submersible dives as deep as 12,000 feet and led over 200 field research expeditions to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Caribbean, Mexico, Japan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Indonesia and Borneo to study sand fishes, whale sharks, deep sea sharks and spotted oceanic triggerfish. In 1955, Clark started the one-room Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida, Fla., with her fisherman assistant and with philanthropic support and encouragement from the Vanderbilt family. That lab became Mote Marine Laboratory in 1967 to honor major benefactor William R. Mote. Today, Mote is based on City Island, Sarasota, and it hosts more than 20 diverse research and conservation programs along with extensive informal science education programs.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Florida Institute of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Mariah O. Pfleger, R. Dean Grubbs, Charles F. Cotton, Toby S. Daly-Engel. Squalus clarkae sp. nov., a new dogfish shark from the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, with comments on the Squalus mitsukurii species complex. Zootaxa, 2018; 4444 (2): 101 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.2.1
==========================
N.E.T.S. TROPICAL FISH AND PLANTS AUCTION
7th of October 2018
N.E.TS. Auctions just keep getting bigger and better every year. and the society wants to give something back. So we've decided to hire the hall and have a 100% charity auction.
So all money raised from
commission for sellers (15%)
dry goods tables (£10 each)
donations
door entry fee
and the sale of raffle tickets
Will be halved and given to our two chosen charity's MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT AND THE BRITISH HEARTH FOUNDATION
So come along along and buy or sell. DOORS OPEN AT 10am auction starts 11am
https://www.facebook.com/events/150637292310551/
NETS Charity auction (Fish + Plants only)
October 7 at 10 AM
Teams social club in Gateshead
==========================
Despite fish concerns, Mazda Toyota can resume project
The spring pygmy sunfish. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service photo)
By Paul Gattis
pgattis@al.com
A day after Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA announced a suspension of site preparation for its $1.6 billion plant in west Huntsville due to concerns over a rare fish species that live near the site, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said the auto plant can move forward whenever it wants.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said work on the plant may resume as soon as next week.
The unexpected shutdown of work on the state's largest economic development project in the rural Limestone County site was announced Thursday by Toyota officials as well as the city of Huntsville.
Endangered fish holds up Mazda Toyota plant
A groundbreaking for the plant is expected later this year and production is planned to begin in 2021.
At issue was protecting the habitat of the spring pygmy sunfish, a one-inch long fish deemed a "threatened species" by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service found only in a spring near the site of the plant.
Denise Rowell, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, said in an interview Friday with AL.com that the temporary work stoppage came as a surprise.
"Our office has provided technical assistance on best management practices, strategies and conservation practices aimed at avoiding impacts to the federally-listed species, such as the spring pygmy sunfish," Rowell said. "We've been working with (Mazda Toyota) closely. They want to do the right thing and we want them to do the right thing."
In Thursday's statement, Toyota said construction had stopped temporarily "to allow for additional technical surveys to be completed and confirm that the sunfish will be protected."
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit last month against the federal government to protect the spring pygmy sunfish habitat near the plant.
"We are aware of the Center for Biological Diversity's concerns regarding the sunfish," Toyota's statement on Thursday said. "Throughout the planning and design of this project we continue to work closely with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the city of Huntsville and our joint venture partner, Mazda, to ensure that the necessary protections are in place. Mazda and Toyota continue to make environmental preservation a priority and we are committed to developing the property sustainability."
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle updated the city council at Thursday's meeting about the work stoppage and said afterward that Mazda Toyota had brought in an independent consultant to confirm the construction project would not harm the sunfish home.
"Toyota, to their credit, said let's make sure one last time," Battle said. "We have studies that show we're in great shape there, that we're protecting the habitat - probably protecting it better than when it was farmland. Toyota said let's look at it one more time."
Toyota described the work stoppage as a "short-term suspension."
"We're looking forward to getting back to operation and getting back to construction next week," Battle said.
n email statement to AL.com, Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the Mazda Toyota project should continue as planned.
"There is no concern with regard to this delay," Canfield said. "This decision was made and communicated in advance by the Mazda Toyota (joint venture) to give all parties the opportunity to address and resolve the Spring Pygmy Sunfish issue.
"It is expected to be a brief delay as everyone addresses this one issue in good faith."
Rowell said U.S. Fish & Wildlife has worked with Mazda Toyota before site work began earlier this year. USFW officials first met with representatives from the city of Huntsville on Feb. 6. And on April 18, Toyota officials spent most of the day at the USFW facility in Daphne.
"They are not building on spring pygmy sunfish habitat," Rowell said. "They are building adjacent to it. But they have reached out to us and they want to do the right thing. We are guiding them in best management practices. We're going to guide them throughout the process."
==========================
The spring pygmy sunfish. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service photo)
By Paul Gattis
pgattis@al.com
A day after Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA announced a suspension of site preparation for its $1.6 billion plant in west Huntsville due to concerns over a rare fish species that live near the site, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said the auto plant can move forward whenever it wants.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said work on the plant may resume as soon as next week.
The unexpected shutdown of work on the state's largest economic development project in the rural Limestone County site was announced Thursday by Toyota officials as well as the city of Huntsville.
Endangered fish holds up Mazda Toyota plant
A groundbreaking for the plant is expected later this year and production is planned to begin in 2021.
At issue was protecting the habitat of the spring pygmy sunfish, a one-inch long fish deemed a "threatened species" by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service found only in a spring near the site of the plant.
Denise Rowell, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, said in an interview Friday with AL.com that the temporary work stoppage came as a surprise.
"Our office has provided technical assistance on best management practices, strategies and conservation practices aimed at avoiding impacts to the federally-listed species, such as the spring pygmy sunfish," Rowell said. "We've been working with (Mazda Toyota) closely. They want to do the right thing and we want them to do the right thing."
In Thursday's statement, Toyota said construction had stopped temporarily "to allow for additional technical surveys to be completed and confirm that the sunfish will be protected."
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit last month against the federal government to protect the spring pygmy sunfish habitat near the plant.
"We are aware of the Center for Biological Diversity's concerns regarding the sunfish," Toyota's statement on Thursday said. "Throughout the planning and design of this project we continue to work closely with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the city of Huntsville and our joint venture partner, Mazda, to ensure that the necessary protections are in place. Mazda and Toyota continue to make environmental preservation a priority and we are committed to developing the property sustainability."
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle updated the city council at Thursday's meeting about the work stoppage and said afterward that Mazda Toyota had brought in an independent consultant to confirm the construction project would not harm the sunfish home.
"Toyota, to their credit, said let's make sure one last time," Battle said. "We have studies that show we're in great shape there, that we're protecting the habitat - probably protecting it better than when it was farmland. Toyota said let's look at it one more time."
Toyota described the work stoppage as a "short-term suspension."
"We're looking forward to getting back to operation and getting back to construction next week," Battle said.
n email statement to AL.com, Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the Mazda Toyota project should continue as planned.
"There is no concern with regard to this delay," Canfield said. "This decision was made and communicated in advance by the Mazda Toyota (joint venture) to give all parties the opportunity to address and resolve the Spring Pygmy Sunfish issue.
"It is expected to be a brief delay as everyone addresses this one issue in good faith."
Rowell said U.S. Fish & Wildlife has worked with Mazda Toyota before site work began earlier this year. USFW officials first met with representatives from the city of Huntsville on Feb. 6. And on April 18, Toyota officials spent most of the day at the USFW facility in Daphne.
"They are not building on spring pygmy sunfish habitat," Rowell said. "They are building adjacent to it. But they have reached out to us and they want to do the right thing. We are guiding them in best management practices. We're going to guide them throughout the process."
==========================
Platichthys solemdali • A New Flounder Species(Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes) From the Baltic Sea
Platichthys solemdali
Momigliano, Denys, Jokinen & Merilä, 2018
DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00225
photo: Mats Westerbom
The European flounder Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758) displays two contrasting reproductive behaviors in the Baltic Sea: offshore spawning of pelagic eggs and coastal spawning of demersal eggs, a behavior observed exclusively in the Baltic Sea. Previous studies showed marked differences in behavioral, physiological, and life-history traits of flounders with pelagic and demersal eggs. Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that flounders with pelagic and demersal eggs represent two reproductively isolated, parapatric species arising from two distinct colonization events from the same ancestral population. Using morphological data we first established that the syntypes on which the original description ofP. flesus was based belong to the pelagic-spawning lineage. We then used a combination of morphological and physiological characters as well as genome-wide genetic data to describe flounders with demersal eggs as a new species: Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. The new species can be clearly distinguished from P. flesus based on egg morphology, egg and sperm physiology as well as via population genetic and phylogenetic analyses. While the two species do show some minor morphological differences in the number of anal and dorsal fin rays, no external morphological feature can be used to unambiguously identify individuals to species. Therefore, we developed a simple molecular diagnostic test able to unambiguously distinguish P. solemdali from P. flesus with a single PCR reaction, a tool that should be useful to fishery scientists and managers, as well as to ecologists studying these species.
Family Pleuronectidae Rafinesque 1815
Genus Platichthys Girard 1854
Platichthys solemdali sp. nov.
Baltic flounder
Diagnosis: Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. is diagnosable from P. stellatus by the absence of stripes on the dorsal and anal fin rays [Figures 6A, 2B; vs. presence of stripes for P. stellatus (Morrow, 1980)]. It can be distinguished with more than 99.999% certainty from P. flesus using genotypes of at least three of the outlier loci which were genotyped in this study (Loci 886, 3599, and 1822) by comparison with publically available reference data deposited in the Dryad digital repository (Momigliano et al., 2017a). P. solemdali sp. nov. (N = 50) has 46–59 dorsal fin rays vs. 51–66 for P. flesus recorded in this study, in Voronina (1999) and in Galleguillos and Ward (1982), and 35–41 anal fin rays vs. 35–45 in P. flesus from this study, Voronina (1999) and Galleguillos and Ward (1982). Hence, none of these meristic characters provide unambiguous species diagnosis. However, reproductive traits (viz. egg morphology and buoyancy, as well as sperm physiology) are unambiguous diagnostic characters. Eggs of P. solemdali sp. nov. become neutrally buoyant at salinities between 16 and 21.5 psu and are 0.99 ± 0.05 mm in diameter (Table 6; Figure 7), whereas the eggs of P. flesus in the Baltic Sea are larger (1.3–1.5 mm) and reach neutral buoyancy between 11 and 18 psu (Table 6; Nissling et al., 2002). Spermatozoa of P. solemdali sp. nov. activate at minimum salinities between 2 and 4 psu, in contrast to a required salinity above 10 psu for P. flesus (Table 7).
Geographic distribution: P. solemdali sp. nov. is endemic to the Baltic Sea, where it has a wide distribution in coastal and bank areas across the region up to the Gulf of Finland and the southern Bothnian Sea. Confirmed individuals of P. solemdali sp. nov. have been sampled as far south as Öland (SD 27) (species identity confirmed via genetic analyses, Figure 1) and Hanö Bay (SD 25) (based on egg morphology, see Wallin, 2016; Nissling et al., 2017). In a recent paper Orio et al. (2017) suggested that environmental conditions in the entire southern Baltic Sea are suitable for demersal spawning flounders, and already Mielck and Künne (1935) reported ripe female flounders with small eggs from shallow low-saline (6–7‰) areas in the southern Baltic Sea (Oder Bank, SD 24). However, the current occurrence of P. solemdali sp. nov. in the southern regions is poorly known and, hence, it is still unclear whether the species is found throughout the coastal Baltic Sea area.
Habitat: P. solemdali sp. nov. lives in brackish water of varying salinities in the coastal zone at 0.5–50 m depth on soft and hard bottoms.
Etymology: This species is dedicated to Per Solemdal (1941–2016) who was the first researcher to study the Baltic Sea flounder's eggs and sperm in connection to salinity and discovered that “the specific gravity of the eggs is a fixed population characteristic which is almost unchangeable” (Solemdal, 1973) laying the foundations on which many subsequent studies on local adaptation and speciation of Baltic Sea marine fishes were built.
Paolo Momigliano, Gaël P. J. Denys, Henri Jokinen and Juha Merilä. 2018. Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. (Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes): A New Flounder Species From the Baltic Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00225
twitter.com/PaoloMomigliano/status/1006097960264982528
twitter.com/jokinen_henri/status/1017186831773904902
twitter.com/FrontMarineSci/status/1017165904897982466
The first endemic Baltic Sea fish species received its name phys.org/news/2018-07-endemic-baltic-sea-fish-species.html via @physorg_com
==========================
Platichthys solemdali
Momigliano, Denys, Jokinen & Merilä, 2018
DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00225
photo: Mats Westerbom
The European flounder Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758) displays two contrasting reproductive behaviors in the Baltic Sea: offshore spawning of pelagic eggs and coastal spawning of demersal eggs, a behavior observed exclusively in the Baltic Sea. Previous studies showed marked differences in behavioral, physiological, and life-history traits of flounders with pelagic and demersal eggs. Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that flounders with pelagic and demersal eggs represent two reproductively isolated, parapatric species arising from two distinct colonization events from the same ancestral population. Using morphological data we first established that the syntypes on which the original description ofP. flesus was based belong to the pelagic-spawning lineage. We then used a combination of morphological and physiological characters as well as genome-wide genetic data to describe flounders with demersal eggs as a new species: Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. The new species can be clearly distinguished from P. flesus based on egg morphology, egg and sperm physiology as well as via population genetic and phylogenetic analyses. While the two species do show some minor morphological differences in the number of anal and dorsal fin rays, no external morphological feature can be used to unambiguously identify individuals to species. Therefore, we developed a simple molecular diagnostic test able to unambiguously distinguish P. solemdali from P. flesus with a single PCR reaction, a tool that should be useful to fishery scientists and managers, as well as to ecologists studying these species.
Family Pleuronectidae Rafinesque 1815
Genus Platichthys Girard 1854
Platichthys solemdali sp. nov.
Baltic flounder
Diagnosis: Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. is diagnosable from P. stellatus by the absence of stripes on the dorsal and anal fin rays [Figures 6A, 2B; vs. presence of stripes for P. stellatus (Morrow, 1980)]. It can be distinguished with more than 99.999% certainty from P. flesus using genotypes of at least three of the outlier loci which were genotyped in this study (Loci 886, 3599, and 1822) by comparison with publically available reference data deposited in the Dryad digital repository (Momigliano et al., 2017a). P. solemdali sp. nov. (N = 50) has 46–59 dorsal fin rays vs. 51–66 for P. flesus recorded in this study, in Voronina (1999) and in Galleguillos and Ward (1982), and 35–41 anal fin rays vs. 35–45 in P. flesus from this study, Voronina (1999) and Galleguillos and Ward (1982). Hence, none of these meristic characters provide unambiguous species diagnosis. However, reproductive traits (viz. egg morphology and buoyancy, as well as sperm physiology) are unambiguous diagnostic characters. Eggs of P. solemdali sp. nov. become neutrally buoyant at salinities between 16 and 21.5 psu and are 0.99 ± 0.05 mm in diameter (Table 6; Figure 7), whereas the eggs of P. flesus in the Baltic Sea are larger (1.3–1.5 mm) and reach neutral buoyancy between 11 and 18 psu (Table 6; Nissling et al., 2002). Spermatozoa of P. solemdali sp. nov. activate at minimum salinities between 2 and 4 psu, in contrast to a required salinity above 10 psu for P. flesus (Table 7).
Geographic distribution: P. solemdali sp. nov. is endemic to the Baltic Sea, where it has a wide distribution in coastal and bank areas across the region up to the Gulf of Finland and the southern Bothnian Sea. Confirmed individuals of P. solemdali sp. nov. have been sampled as far south as Öland (SD 27) (species identity confirmed via genetic analyses, Figure 1) and Hanö Bay (SD 25) (based on egg morphology, see Wallin, 2016; Nissling et al., 2017). In a recent paper Orio et al. (2017) suggested that environmental conditions in the entire southern Baltic Sea are suitable for demersal spawning flounders, and already Mielck and Künne (1935) reported ripe female flounders with small eggs from shallow low-saline (6–7‰) areas in the southern Baltic Sea (Oder Bank, SD 24). However, the current occurrence of P. solemdali sp. nov. in the southern regions is poorly known and, hence, it is still unclear whether the species is found throughout the coastal Baltic Sea area.
Habitat: P. solemdali sp. nov. lives in brackish water of varying salinities in the coastal zone at 0.5–50 m depth on soft and hard bottoms.
Etymology: This species is dedicated to Per Solemdal (1941–2016) who was the first researcher to study the Baltic Sea flounder's eggs and sperm in connection to salinity and discovered that “the specific gravity of the eggs is a fixed population characteristic which is almost unchangeable” (Solemdal, 1973) laying the foundations on which many subsequent studies on local adaptation and speciation of Baltic Sea marine fishes were built.
Paolo Momigliano, Gaël P. J. Denys, Henri Jokinen and Juha Merilä. 2018. Platichthys solemdali sp. nov. (Actinopterygii, Pleuronectiformes): A New Flounder Species From the Baltic Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00225
twitter.com/PaoloMomigliano/status/1006097960264982528
twitter.com/jokinen_henri/status/1017186831773904902
twitter.com/FrontMarineSci/status/1017165904897982466
The first endemic Baltic Sea fish species received its name phys.org/news/2018-07-endemic-baltic-sea-fish-species.html via @physorg_com
==========================
Trimma blematium & T. meityae • Two New Species of Blue-eyed Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from New Guinea
Trimma blematium
Winterbottom & Erdmann, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.4.7
Abstract
Two new species of Trimma are described from New Guinea, one at the southeastern end at Normanby Island (Milne Bay Province), the other from Cendrawasih Bay, West Papua, on the north-east coast. The dorsal surface of the eye of both species is blue in life, a characteristic not reported elsewhere in the genus. Although the two species look very similar in life, and both occupy similar mesophotic rubble habitats in the 50-70 m depth range, they are separated both genetically (7.7% pairwise genetic distance in COI) and morphologically. Trimma blematium has 16 pectoral fin rays, a branched 5th pelvic fin ray, and 7 papillae in row p, whereas T. meityae has 17–18 pectoral fin rays, an unbranched 5th pelvic fin ray, and 8 papillae in row p. In live specimens, the blue colour over the top of the eyes is much darker in T. blematium than in T. meityae. The type localities are separated by almost 2,000 km (straight-line distance).
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Western Pacific, coral reef gobies, COI gene
Richard Winterbottom and Mark V. Erdmann. 2018. Two New Species of Blue-eyed Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa. 4444(4); 471–483. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.4.7
==========================
Trimma blematium
Winterbottom & Erdmann, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.4.7
Abstract
Two new species of Trimma are described from New Guinea, one at the southeastern end at Normanby Island (Milne Bay Province), the other from Cendrawasih Bay, West Papua, on the north-east coast. The dorsal surface of the eye of both species is blue in life, a characteristic not reported elsewhere in the genus. Although the two species look very similar in life, and both occupy similar mesophotic rubble habitats in the 50-70 m depth range, they are separated both genetically (7.7% pairwise genetic distance in COI) and morphologically. Trimma blematium has 16 pectoral fin rays, a branched 5th pelvic fin ray, and 7 papillae in row p, whereas T. meityae has 17–18 pectoral fin rays, an unbranched 5th pelvic fin ray, and 8 papillae in row p. In live specimens, the blue colour over the top of the eyes is much darker in T. blematium than in T. meityae. The type localities are separated by almost 2,000 km (straight-line distance).
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Western Pacific, coral reef gobies, COI gene
Richard Winterbottom and Mark V. Erdmann. 2018. Two New Species of Blue-eyed Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from New Guinea. Zootaxa. 4444(4); 471–483. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.4.7
==========================
For Show Schedule & details follow:
http://www.fbas.co.uk/2018%20ASAS%20Schedule.pdf
==========================
http://www.fbas.co.uk/2018%20ASAS%20Schedule.pdf
==========================
Tropical fish: Farming’s alternative diversification
Indoor fish-farming is growing in appeal as producers look to find low-cost enterprises that use existing farm buildings and infrastructure.
Researchers at the University of Stirling have been developing small-scale, warm-water production systems for growing tilapia, a tropical fish with a firm white meat, as a diversification for UK farmers.
Tilapia, which is proving popular in the USA, has recently been introduced to the UK and is being promoted as sustainable substitute for other white fish such as cod.
Tilapia are already noted as a highly suitable species for low cost aquaculture as they can thrive on a low protein diet.
Being a tropical species, tilapia require a temperature of around 27C to grow, and under optimum conditions can reach a market size of 500g in six to eight months, compared to 18-24 months for rainbow trout currently grown in the UK.
Despite the prevailing British climate, appropriate use of insulation can keep energy costs low. There is significant potential for UK farmers to produce tilapia by insulating underused farm buildings, according to researchers at Stirling.
Market research suggests niche markets across the country are growing as awareness and acceptance increase. Three tilapia target groups in the UK have been identified: ethnic green and the gastro-pub set (a growing component of the wider foodservice market). Recent developments in the USA were also noted where consumption of this white fleshed fish has moved well beyond niche markets to become more mainstream (in 2006 it is estimated that the US market imported over 400,000t of tilapia, more than four times that of 2001).
The research team is now looking to develop and test a prototype recirculation system on farm and therefore would be interested in hearing from willing farmers.
Indoor fish-farming is growing in appeal as producers look to find low-cost enterprises that use existing farm buildings and infrastructure.
Researchers at the University of Stirling have been developing small-scale, warm-water production systems for growing tilapia, a tropical fish with a firm white meat, as a diversification for UK farmers.
Tilapia, which is proving popular in the USA, has recently been introduced to the UK and is being promoted as sustainable substitute for other white fish such as cod.
Tilapia are already noted as a highly suitable species for low cost aquaculture as they can thrive on a low protein diet.
Being a tropical species, tilapia require a temperature of around 27C to grow, and under optimum conditions can reach a market size of 500g in six to eight months, compared to 18-24 months for rainbow trout currently grown in the UK.
Despite the prevailing British climate, appropriate use of insulation can keep energy costs low. There is significant potential for UK farmers to produce tilapia by insulating underused farm buildings, according to researchers at Stirling.
Market research suggests niche markets across the country are growing as awareness and acceptance increase. Three tilapia target groups in the UK have been identified: ethnic green and the gastro-pub set (a growing component of the wider foodservice market). Recent developments in the USA were also noted where consumption of this white fleshed fish has moved well beyond niche markets to become more mainstream (in 2006 it is estimated that the US market imported over 400,000t of tilapia, more than four times that of 2001).
The research team is now looking to develop and test a prototype recirculation system on farm and therefore would be interested in hearing from willing farmers.
- Interested farmers should contact William Leschen (01786 467 899, wl2@stir.ac.uk) or Francis Murray (01786 467 926, fjm3@stir.ac.uk) at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling for details.
Chromis katoi, a new species of damselfish from the Izu Islands, Japan, with a key to species in the Chromis notata species complex (Perciforms: Pomacentridae).
Abstract
Chromis katoi n. sp., a new damselfish (Pomacentridae) belonging to the Chromis notataspecies complex, is described on the basis of 11 specimens collected at a depth of 18 m off Hachijo Island, Izu Islands, Japan. The new species is similar to C. notata in having an indistinct white blotch at the end of the dorsal-fin base, and 4 or 5 and 11 or 12 scale rows above and below the lateral line, respectively, but differs in having the spinous portion of the dorsal fin yellowish in adults (vs. entire dorsal fin brownish in the latter), the caudal fin dusky yellow in adults (vs. each caudal-fin lobe with a broad horizontal dark band), the body entirely yellow in juveniles (vs. grayish to brownish throughout life), fewer dorsal-fin soft rays, more tubed lateral-line scales, pectoral-fin rays and gill rakers, and greater body depth and pre-anal-fin length. A key to species in the C. notata species complex is provided.
PDF (253 KB)
==========================
Abstract
Chromis katoi n. sp., a new damselfish (Pomacentridae) belonging to the Chromis notataspecies complex, is described on the basis of 11 specimens collected at a depth of 18 m off Hachijo Island, Izu Islands, Japan. The new species is similar to C. notata in having an indistinct white blotch at the end of the dorsal-fin base, and 4 or 5 and 11 or 12 scale rows above and below the lateral line, respectively, but differs in having the spinous portion of the dorsal fin yellowish in adults (vs. entire dorsal fin brownish in the latter), the caudal fin dusky yellow in adults (vs. each caudal-fin lobe with a broad horizontal dark band), the body entirely yellow in juveniles (vs. grayish to brownish throughout life), fewer dorsal-fin soft rays, more tubed lateral-line scales, pectoral-fin rays and gill rakers, and greater body depth and pre-anal-fin length. A key to species in the C. notata species complex is provided.
PDF (253 KB)
==========================
First record of Laimosemion xiphidius (Huber 1979) (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) in Brazil.
Abstract
The first record for the rivulid killifish Laimosemion xiphidius (Huber) for Brazil is presented. The species was recorded in a small tributary of the Oyapock River (Rio Oiapoque in Brazil), Amapá state, at the border with French Guyana. The potential occuurence of the species in other sites in Brazil is remarked.
PDF (554 KB)
==========================
Abstract
The first record for the rivulid killifish Laimosemion xiphidius (Huber) for Brazil is presented. The species was recorded in a small tributary of the Oyapock River (Rio Oiapoque in Brazil), Amapá state, at the border with French Guyana. The potential occuurence of the species in other sites in Brazil is remarked.
PDF (554 KB)
==========================
Chromis torquata The New Damselfish Species from Mauritius and Réunion
Chromis torquata, the new Chromis/Damselfish species from Mauritus and Réunion. Image credit: Gerald R. Allen/aqua
Dr. Gerald R. Allen’s latest species description brings a new Chromis to our attention. His discovery is chronicled in the journal article, Chromis torquata, a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) from Mauritius and Réunion, which was published in the latest edition of aqua, the journal of ichthyology (Volume 24, issue 1). The paper’s abstract is below.
Abstract
A new species of pomacentrid fish, Chromis torquata, is described from six specimens, 22.0-91.9 mm SL collected in 30 m at Mauritius in the southwestern Indian Ocean. It also occurs at nearby Réunion, based on photographic evidence. The new species belongs to the C. xanthura complex, which also contains C. anadema (Japan and Micronesia to Marquesas and Pitcairn Island), C. opercularis (East Africa to Christmas Island, Indian Ocean), and C. xanthura (Indonesia to Japan, eastward to Fiji and Tonga).
Diagnostic features for the new species include usual counts of XIII, 11 dorsal rays, II, 11 anal rays, 19 pectoral rays, 3 spiniform caudal rays, 17-19 tubed lateral-line scales, and a distinctive colour pattern that includes a broad dark band immediately behind the head, extending downward to the body side of the pectoral-fin axil. The maximum width of the dark band is equal to or greater than the horizontal eye diameter in C. torquata, but the similarly-positioned band of the other species in the complex is clearly less than the eye diameter.
The new species also differs in having the entire iris orange-yellow, compared with a narrow rim of yellow around the pupil in the other three species.
Find the Paper
The full species description is available for purchase at https://aqua-aquapress.com/product/241_chromis-torquata/
==========================
Chromis torquata, the new Chromis/Damselfish species from Mauritus and Réunion. Image credit: Gerald R. Allen/aqua
Dr. Gerald R. Allen’s latest species description brings a new Chromis to our attention. His discovery is chronicled in the journal article, Chromis torquata, a new species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) from Mauritius and Réunion, which was published in the latest edition of aqua, the journal of ichthyology (Volume 24, issue 1). The paper’s abstract is below.
Abstract
A new species of pomacentrid fish, Chromis torquata, is described from six specimens, 22.0-91.9 mm SL collected in 30 m at Mauritius in the southwestern Indian Ocean. It also occurs at nearby Réunion, based on photographic evidence. The new species belongs to the C. xanthura complex, which also contains C. anadema (Japan and Micronesia to Marquesas and Pitcairn Island), C. opercularis (East Africa to Christmas Island, Indian Ocean), and C. xanthura (Indonesia to Japan, eastward to Fiji and Tonga).
Diagnostic features for the new species include usual counts of XIII, 11 dorsal rays, II, 11 anal rays, 19 pectoral rays, 3 spiniform caudal rays, 17-19 tubed lateral-line scales, and a distinctive colour pattern that includes a broad dark band immediately behind the head, extending downward to the body side of the pectoral-fin axil. The maximum width of the dark band is equal to or greater than the horizontal eye diameter in C. torquata, but the similarly-positioned band of the other species in the complex is clearly less than the eye diameter.
The new species also differs in having the entire iris orange-yellow, compared with a narrow rim of yellow around the pupil in the other three species.
Find the Paper
The full species description is available for purchase at https://aqua-aquapress.com/product/241_chromis-torquata/
==========================
Cynolebias akroa, a new species of annual fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio Preto, São Francisco basin, northeastern Brazil,.
Abstract
A new species of Cynolebias is described from temporary pools from the Rio Preto drainage, São Francisco basin, Bahia, Brazil, within the Caatinga domain. The type-locality is an altered aquatic environment, with the presence of exotic fish species and in contact with a permanent watercourse. Cynolebias akroa sp. n., along with Hypsolebias faouri, that inhabits the same annual pool, are in great danger of extinction. Cynolebias akroa sp. n., appears to be more closely related to Cynolebias parnaibensis, with which it shares several features, than to the remaining species of Cynolebias from the middle Rio São Francisco basin. Cynolebias akroa sp. n. differs from other species of Cynolebias by the male color pattern, relative position of dorsal fin to the anal fin, pelvic-fin rays counts, shape of the urogenital papilla, and cephalic neuromast pattern.
PDF (616 KB)
==========================
Abstract
A new species of Cynolebias is described from temporary pools from the Rio Preto drainage, São Francisco basin, Bahia, Brazil, within the Caatinga domain. The type-locality is an altered aquatic environment, with the presence of exotic fish species and in contact with a permanent watercourse. Cynolebias akroa sp. n., along with Hypsolebias faouri, that inhabits the same annual pool, are in great danger of extinction. Cynolebias akroa sp. n., appears to be more closely related to Cynolebias parnaibensis, with which it shares several features, than to the remaining species of Cynolebias from the middle Rio São Francisco basin. Cynolebias akroa sp. n. differs from other species of Cynolebias by the male color pattern, relative position of dorsal fin to the anal fin, pelvic-fin rays counts, shape of the urogenital papilla, and cephalic neuromast pattern.
PDF (616 KB)
==========================
Evolution in caves: selection from darkness causes spinal deformities in teleost fishes
Julián Torres-Dowdall, Nidal Karagic, Martin Plath, Rüdiger Riesch
Published 6 June 2018.DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0197AbstractOnly few fish species have successfully colonized subterranean habitats, but the underlying biological constraints associated with this are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the influence of permanent darkness on spinal-column development in one species (Midas cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus) with no known cave form, and one (Atlantic molly, Poecilia mexicana) with two phylogenetically young cave forms. Specifically, fish were reared under a normal light : dark cycle or in permanent darkness (both species). We also surveyed wild-caught cave and surface ecotypes of P. mexicana. In both species, permanent darkness was associated with significantly higher rates of spinal deformities (especially in A. citrinellus). This suggests strong developmental (intrinsic) constraints on the successful colonization of subterranean environments in teleost fishes and might help explain the relative paucity of cave-adapted lineages. Our results add depth to our understanding of the aspects of selection driving trait divergence and maintaining reproductive isolation in cave faunas.
Footnotes
==========================
Julián Torres-Dowdall, Nidal Karagic, Martin Plath, Rüdiger Riesch
Published 6 June 2018.DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0197AbstractOnly few fish species have successfully colonized subterranean habitats, but the underlying biological constraints associated with this are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the influence of permanent darkness on spinal-column development in one species (Midas cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus) with no known cave form, and one (Atlantic molly, Poecilia mexicana) with two phylogenetically young cave forms. Specifically, fish were reared under a normal light : dark cycle or in permanent darkness (both species). We also surveyed wild-caught cave and surface ecotypes of P. mexicana. In both species, permanent darkness was associated with significantly higher rates of spinal deformities (especially in A. citrinellus). This suggests strong developmental (intrinsic) constraints on the successful colonization of subterranean environments in teleost fishes and might help explain the relative paucity of cave-adapted lineages. Our results add depth to our understanding of the aspects of selection driving trait divergence and maintaining reproductive isolation in cave faunas.
Footnotes
- Electronic supplementary material is available online at https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4106915.
- Received March 21, 2018.
- Accepted May 8, 2018.
- © 2018 The Author(s)
==========================
We would like to draw attention to this exhibition, which we also participate in. Besides exhibition bulls from us, there is a small book table from Kaos-Aquaristic on site. You will get a small but fine selection of rare and desired guppy literature, which you can also purchase for sale. Special highlights will be titles from Japan, Taiwan and "Reprints" old English standards. We are looking forward to your visit!
==========================
==========================
Schistura larketensis• A New Cavernicolous Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India
Schistura larketensis
Choudhury, Mukhim, Basumatary, Warbah & Sarma, 2017
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5
mongabay.com
Abstract
Schistura larketensis, a new species of cavernicolous loach, is described from Khung, a limestone cave in Meghalaya, India. The species differs from Schistura papulifera, its only troglomorphic congener from northeast India, in having a smooth ventral surface of the head, the presence of a small cylindrical axillary pelvic lobe, and the presence of three pores in the supratemporal canal of the cephalic lateral-line system. Apart from these differences, the species can be immediately distinguished from all other species of Schistura from the Brahmaputra River and neighboring basins by the complete absence (or only vestigial presence) of eyes.
Keywords: Pisces, cavefish, new species, Krem Khung, Krem Synrang Pamiang
FIGURE Live colouration of Schistura larketensis, GUMF uncat, about 52 mm SL; India: Meghalaya: Krem Khung.
Schistura larketensis, new species
Etymology. The species name is derived from the ‘Larket’ village, the locality of Krem Khung. This name is proposed so as to encourage the village to take up biodiversity conservation as it is already in the process of constituting a Biodiversity Management Committee under the Indian Biodiversity Act.
Habitat. The new species was collected from a small stagnant pool a few square meters in area and about 1 m in depth, located in a wet passage some 500 m from the main entrance of Krem Khung. The pool bed is mostly sandy with scattered pebbles (Fig. 5). The water was clear, pH 8.6, and a very low D.O. of 1.1 ppm when analyzed in the month of April 2015. No other macrofauna were recorded inside the cave except weakly-pigmented crabs and crayfish, crickets, cockroaches and millipedes.
Distribution. ...., East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India.
Hrishikesh Choudhury, D. Khlur B. Mukhim, Sudem Basumatary, Deisakee P Warbah and Dandadhar Sarma. 2017. Schistura larketensis, A New Cavernicolous Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Zootaxa. 4353(1); 89-100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5
==========================
Schistura larketensis
Choudhury, Mukhim, Basumatary, Warbah & Sarma, 2017
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5
mongabay.com
Abstract
Schistura larketensis, a new species of cavernicolous loach, is described from Khung, a limestone cave in Meghalaya, India. The species differs from Schistura papulifera, its only troglomorphic congener from northeast India, in having a smooth ventral surface of the head, the presence of a small cylindrical axillary pelvic lobe, and the presence of three pores in the supratemporal canal of the cephalic lateral-line system. Apart from these differences, the species can be immediately distinguished from all other species of Schistura from the Brahmaputra River and neighboring basins by the complete absence (or only vestigial presence) of eyes.
Keywords: Pisces, cavefish, new species, Krem Khung, Krem Synrang Pamiang
FIGURE Live colouration of Schistura larketensis, GUMF uncat, about 52 mm SL; India: Meghalaya: Krem Khung.
Schistura larketensis, new species
Etymology. The species name is derived from the ‘Larket’ village, the locality of Krem Khung. This name is proposed so as to encourage the village to take up biodiversity conservation as it is already in the process of constituting a Biodiversity Management Committee under the Indian Biodiversity Act.
Habitat. The new species was collected from a small stagnant pool a few square meters in area and about 1 m in depth, located in a wet passage some 500 m from the main entrance of Krem Khung. The pool bed is mostly sandy with scattered pebbles (Fig. 5). The water was clear, pH 8.6, and a very low D.O. of 1.1 ppm when analyzed in the month of April 2015. No other macrofauna were recorded inside the cave except weakly-pigmented crabs and crayfish, crickets, cockroaches and millipedes.
Distribution. ...., East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India.
Hrishikesh Choudhury, D. Khlur B. Mukhim, Sudem Basumatary, Deisakee P Warbah and Dandadhar Sarma. 2017. Schistura larketensis, A New Cavernicolous Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Zootaxa. 4353(1); 89-100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5
==========================
Pethia sahit • A New Syntopic Species of Small Barb (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Western Ghats of India
Pethia sahit
Katwate, Kumkar, Raghavan & Dahanukar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.8
Abstract
A new species of the cyprinid genus Pethia is described from the Hiranyakeshi, a tributary of the Krishna River system in the Western Ghats mountain ranges of peninsular India. The new species, Pethia sahit, is syntopic—and shoals together—with Pethia longicauda, a species described recently from the same river. Pethia sahit is distinguished from P. longicauda and its congeners by a combination of characters like, incomplete lateral line with 3–6 pored scales; 19–22 scales in lateral series; 4½ scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral-line row and 2½ scales between lateral line row and pelvic-fin origin; intercalated scale row originates above and after the 6th scale of the lateral-line scale row; dorsal fin originating behind the pelvic-fin origin; 4+13 abdominal and 12 caudal vertebrae; dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins without any bands or spots, deep yellow-orange in color or deep red with a pale tint of orange in mature males; a dark-black vertically elongate humeral spot, overlapping the 4th lateral-line scale, extending over the base of one scale above and below the 4th scale; caudal peduncle spot dark, covering 14th–16th scales in lateral-line scale row. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicates that P. sahit and P. longicauda are not sister taxa. Further, P. sahit has no genetically proximate congener in the Western Ghats region, and differs from known congeners from south and southeast Asia, for which genetic data are available, with genetic distance ranging from 11.8–16.4%.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish; integrative taxonomy; Pethia; sympatry
Unmesh Katwate, Pradeep Kumkar, Rajeev Raghavan and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2018. A New Syntopic Species of Small Barb from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4434(3); 529–546. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.8
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155227186285938
facebook.com/theUnmesh/posts/10209258035647119
==========================
Pethia sahit
Katwate, Kumkar, Raghavan & Dahanukar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.8
Abstract
A new species of the cyprinid genus Pethia is described from the Hiranyakeshi, a tributary of the Krishna River system in the Western Ghats mountain ranges of peninsular India. The new species, Pethia sahit, is syntopic—and shoals together—with Pethia longicauda, a species described recently from the same river. Pethia sahit is distinguished from P. longicauda and its congeners by a combination of characters like, incomplete lateral line with 3–6 pored scales; 19–22 scales in lateral series; 4½ scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral-line row and 2½ scales between lateral line row and pelvic-fin origin; intercalated scale row originates above and after the 6th scale of the lateral-line scale row; dorsal fin originating behind the pelvic-fin origin; 4+13 abdominal and 12 caudal vertebrae; dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins without any bands or spots, deep yellow-orange in color or deep red with a pale tint of orange in mature males; a dark-black vertically elongate humeral spot, overlapping the 4th lateral-line scale, extending over the base of one scale above and below the 4th scale; caudal peduncle spot dark, covering 14th–16th scales in lateral-line scale row. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicates that P. sahit and P. longicauda are not sister taxa. Further, P. sahit has no genetically proximate congener in the Western Ghats region, and differs from known congeners from south and southeast Asia, for which genetic data are available, with genetic distance ranging from 11.8–16.4%.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish; integrative taxonomy; Pethia; sympatry
Unmesh Katwate, Pradeep Kumkar, Rajeev Raghavan and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2018. A New Syntopic Species of Small Barb from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4434(3); 529–546. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.8
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155227186285938
facebook.com/theUnmesh/posts/10209258035647119
==========================
Pimephales promelas
Assessing the efficacy of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) for mosquito control
Abstract
Mosquitoes function as important vectors for many diseases globally and can have substantial negative economic, environmental, and health impacts. Specifically, West Nile virus (WNv) is a significant and increasing threat to wildlife populations and human health throughout North America. Mosquito control is an important means of controlling the spread of WNv, as the virus is primarily spread between avian and mosquito vectors. This is of particular concern for avian host species such as the Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), in which WNv negatively impacts fitness parameters. Most mosquito control methods focus on the larval stages. In North America, control efforts are largely limited to larvicides, which require repeated application and have potentially negative ecological impacts. There are multiple potential advantages to using indigenous fish species as an alternative for larval control including lowered environmental impact, decreased costs in terms of time and financial inputs, and the potential for the establishment of self-sustaining fish populations. We tested the efficacy of using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) as biological control for mosquito populations in livestock reservoirs of semiarid rangelands. We introduced minnows into 10 treatment reservoirs and monitored an additional 6 non-treated reservoirs as controls over 3 years. Adult mosquitoes of species known to transmit WNv (e.g., Culex tarsalis) were captured at each site and mosquito larvae were also present at all sites. Stable isotope analysis confirmed that introduced fathead minnows were feeding at the mosquito larvae trophic level in all but one treatment pond. Treatment ponds demonstrated suppressed levels of mosquito larva over each season compared to controls with a model-predicted 114% decrease in larva density within treatment ponds. Minnows established self-sustaining populations throughout the study in all reservoirs that maintained sufficient water levels. Minnow survival was not influenced by water quality. Though minnows did not completely eradicate mosquito larvae, minnows are a promising alternative to controlling mosquito larvae density within reservoirs. We caution that careful site selection is critical to avoid potential negative impacts, but suggest the introduction of fathead minnows in reservoirs can dramatically reduce mosquito larva abundance and potentially help mitigate vector-borne disease transmission.
More at ;_ PLOS ONE, 2018; 13 (4): e0194304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194304
========================
- Ryan T. Watchorn,
- Thomas Maechtle,
- Bradley C. Fedy
Abstract
Mosquitoes function as important vectors for many diseases globally and can have substantial negative economic, environmental, and health impacts. Specifically, West Nile virus (WNv) is a significant and increasing threat to wildlife populations and human health throughout North America. Mosquito control is an important means of controlling the spread of WNv, as the virus is primarily spread between avian and mosquito vectors. This is of particular concern for avian host species such as the Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), in which WNv negatively impacts fitness parameters. Most mosquito control methods focus on the larval stages. In North America, control efforts are largely limited to larvicides, which require repeated application and have potentially negative ecological impacts. There are multiple potential advantages to using indigenous fish species as an alternative for larval control including lowered environmental impact, decreased costs in terms of time and financial inputs, and the potential for the establishment of self-sustaining fish populations. We tested the efficacy of using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) as biological control for mosquito populations in livestock reservoirs of semiarid rangelands. We introduced minnows into 10 treatment reservoirs and monitored an additional 6 non-treated reservoirs as controls over 3 years. Adult mosquitoes of species known to transmit WNv (e.g., Culex tarsalis) were captured at each site and mosquito larvae were also present at all sites. Stable isotope analysis confirmed that introduced fathead minnows were feeding at the mosquito larvae trophic level in all but one treatment pond. Treatment ponds demonstrated suppressed levels of mosquito larva over each season compared to controls with a model-predicted 114% decrease in larva density within treatment ponds. Minnows established self-sustaining populations throughout the study in all reservoirs that maintained sufficient water levels. Minnow survival was not influenced by water quality. Though minnows did not completely eradicate mosquito larvae, minnows are a promising alternative to controlling mosquito larvae density within reservoirs. We caution that careful site selection is critical to avoid potential negative impacts, but suggest the introduction of fathead minnows in reservoirs can dramatically reduce mosquito larva abundance and potentially help mitigate vector-borne disease transmission.
More at ;_ PLOS ONE, 2018; 13 (4): e0194304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194304
========================
Fish suffer stage fright?
June 15, 2018, University of St Andrews
Credit: University of St AndrewsArcherfish, famed for their ability to hunt prey by shooting them down with jets of water, seem to suffer social inhibition, according to new research led by the University of St Andrews.
The new study, published in Animal Behaviour (Friday 15 June), has discovered that archerfish take longer to make a shot when they are observed by another fish.
When shooting, archerfish need to 'aim', lining up their body with and focusing on their target, but sometimes they will aim without shooting. On those occasions the fish will reposition before aiming again and making a shot from a different position or angle.
The research, led by scientists from the Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution at St Andrews, in collaboration with Bayreuth University, Germany, found that when archerfish are observed by fish in a neighbouring tank, the shooting fish more frequently aim and reposition before making a shot. This change in behaviour may be a tactic to reduce competition from other archerfish.
Archerfish are capable of rapidly determining where and when a shot prey item will land; any archerfish that can see a shot being made can work out where the prey will land – as a result they may be able to get the prey item before the fish that made the effort to shoot. By hesitating before shooting archerfish may be able to find the time and position that allows them to reach their prey before a non-shooting thief.
Archerfish are renowned for behaviours and abilities that are considered cognitively sophisticated, for example being capable of compensating for the effects of light refraction while shooting and even learning to shoot rapidly moving targets. However, until recently little research has been conducted on the social factors that may affect them and their performance of their behaviour. This is the first study to be completed as part of a programme of research into social aspects of archerfish behaviour.
Lead researcher Nick Jones said: "Archerfish may be famous for their shooting ability, but they may be even more remarkable for their capacity for making rapid decisions with high accuracy. Our study suggests that archers are affected by social context and may sacrifice speed to better ensure success when foraging."
Explore further: Archerfish tune their shots to universal properties of prey adhesion
More information: Nick A.R. Jones et al. Presence of an audience and consistent interindividual differences affect archerfish shooting behaviour, Animal Behaviour(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.04.024
Journal reference: Animal Behaviour
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-06-fish-stage-fright.html#jCp
found on phys.org
==========================
June 15, 2018, University of St Andrews
Credit: University of St AndrewsArcherfish, famed for their ability to hunt prey by shooting them down with jets of water, seem to suffer social inhibition, according to new research led by the University of St Andrews.
The new study, published in Animal Behaviour (Friday 15 June), has discovered that archerfish take longer to make a shot when they are observed by another fish.
When shooting, archerfish need to 'aim', lining up their body with and focusing on their target, but sometimes they will aim without shooting. On those occasions the fish will reposition before aiming again and making a shot from a different position or angle.
The research, led by scientists from the Centre for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution at St Andrews, in collaboration with Bayreuth University, Germany, found that when archerfish are observed by fish in a neighbouring tank, the shooting fish more frequently aim and reposition before making a shot. This change in behaviour may be a tactic to reduce competition from other archerfish.
Archerfish are capable of rapidly determining where and when a shot prey item will land; any archerfish that can see a shot being made can work out where the prey will land – as a result they may be able to get the prey item before the fish that made the effort to shoot. By hesitating before shooting archerfish may be able to find the time and position that allows them to reach their prey before a non-shooting thief.
Archerfish are renowned for behaviours and abilities that are considered cognitively sophisticated, for example being capable of compensating for the effects of light refraction while shooting and even learning to shoot rapidly moving targets. However, until recently little research has been conducted on the social factors that may affect them and their performance of their behaviour. This is the first study to be completed as part of a programme of research into social aspects of archerfish behaviour.
Lead researcher Nick Jones said: "Archerfish may be famous for their shooting ability, but they may be even more remarkable for their capacity for making rapid decisions with high accuracy. Our study suggests that archers are affected by social context and may sacrifice speed to better ensure success when foraging."
Explore further: Archerfish tune their shots to universal properties of prey adhesion
More information: Nick A.R. Jones et al. Presence of an audience and consistent interindividual differences affect archerfish shooting behaviour, Animal Behaviour(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.04.024
Journal reference: Animal Behaviour
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-06-fish-stage-fright.html#jCp
found on phys.org
==========================
==========================
3rd show in Basingstoke, Hampshire on July the 1st.
CLASSES
FA1 Furnished Aquaria
1a+b Barbs
2a Characins other than 2b or 2c
2b+c Characins.
3a+d Cichlids – A. O. V. & Angelfish
3b Cichlids – Rift Valley
3c Cichlids – Dwarf
4a+c Anabantoids
4b Betta Splendens
5 Egglaying Toothcarps - Killies
6 Catfish
7 Corydoras, Aspidoras & Brochis
8 Rasboras
9 Danios & White Cloud Mountain Minnows
10a+b Loaches & Botias
11a+b A. O. V. Egglayers & Labeo
11d Rainbows
12as Guppies – short-tail & endlers
12al Guppies – long-tail
12b Guppies - female
13c Swordtails – cultivated
13w Swordtails - wild
14c Platies – cultivated
14w Platies - wild
15c Mollies – cultivated
15w Mollies - wild
16a+b Livebearers excl goodeid
16g Livebearers - goodeid
17a Pairs of Tropical Egglayers
17b Pairs of AOV Tropical Livebearers excl goodeid
17cs Pairs of Guppies – short-tail & endlers
17cl Pairs of Guppies – long-tail
17g Pairs of Goodeid
17m Pairs of Mollies
17p Pairs of Platies
17s Pairs of Swordtails
18a Breeders Egglayers – teams of 4
18b Breeders AOV Livebearers excl goodeid – teams of 4
18cs Breeders Guppies – short-tail & endlers – teams of 4
18cl Breeders Guppies – long-tail – teams of 4
18g Breeders Goodeid – teams of 4
18m Breeders Mollies – teams of 4
18p Breeders Platies – teams of 4
18s Breeders Swordtails – teams of 4
19 Goldfish – Singletail
20 Goldfish – Twintail
21 AOV Coldwater
==========================
CLASSES
FA1 Furnished Aquaria
1a+b Barbs
2a Characins other than 2b or 2c
2b+c Characins.
3a+d Cichlids – A. O. V. & Angelfish
3b Cichlids – Rift Valley
3c Cichlids – Dwarf
4a+c Anabantoids
4b Betta Splendens
5 Egglaying Toothcarps - Killies
6 Catfish
7 Corydoras, Aspidoras & Brochis
8 Rasboras
9 Danios & White Cloud Mountain Minnows
10a+b Loaches & Botias
11a+b A. O. V. Egglayers & Labeo
11d Rainbows
12as Guppies – short-tail & endlers
12al Guppies – long-tail
12b Guppies - female
13c Swordtails – cultivated
13w Swordtails - wild
14c Platies – cultivated
14w Platies - wild
15c Mollies – cultivated
15w Mollies - wild
16a+b Livebearers excl goodeid
16g Livebearers - goodeid
17a Pairs of Tropical Egglayers
17b Pairs of AOV Tropical Livebearers excl goodeid
17cs Pairs of Guppies – short-tail & endlers
17cl Pairs of Guppies – long-tail
17g Pairs of Goodeid
17m Pairs of Mollies
17p Pairs of Platies
17s Pairs of Swordtails
18a Breeders Egglayers – teams of 4
18b Breeders AOV Livebearers excl goodeid – teams of 4
18cs Breeders Guppies – short-tail & endlers – teams of 4
18cl Breeders Guppies – long-tail – teams of 4
18g Breeders Goodeid – teams of 4
18m Breeders Mollies – teams of 4
18p Breeders Platies – teams of 4
18s Breeders Swordtails – teams of 4
19 Goldfish – Singletail
20 Goldfish – Twintail
21 AOV Coldwater
- Sunday, July 1 at 10 AM - 5 PM
- Kempshott Village Hall
Stratton Park. Pack Lane., RG22 5HN Basingstoke
==========================
Oryzias dopingdopingensis
A New Riverine Ricefish of the Genus Oryzias (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae) from Malili, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Oryzias dopingdopingensis
Mandagi, Mokodongan, Tanaka & Yamahira, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-704
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
We describe Oryzias dopingdopingensis, a new species of ricefish, from Doping-doping River, a river in Malili in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new riverine species is distinguished from lacustrine congeners in Malili Lakes by a combination of 33–36 scales along the lateral midline and body depths of 20.3–25.5% standard length (SL). Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species, is also distinguished from all other Sulawesi Oryzias by a combination of 8–9 dorsal-fin rays, caudal peduncle depths of 10.2–11.4% SL, eye diameters of 8.5–9.9% SL, and maximum SL up to 35.8 mm. In breeding males, 5–8 black blotches or bars appear along the lateral midline. Analyses of mitochondrial ND2 sequences revealed that O. dopingdopingensis, new species, carry distinct haplotypes from those of the Malili lacustrine species, suggesting no hybridization between them, although Doping-doping River shares an estuarine region with the Malili Lake system. Instead, O. dopingdopingensis, new species, is in a monophyletic group with O. sarasinorum and O. eversi in western Sulawesi. However, unlike these two pelvic brooders, we observed that females of O. dopingdopingensis, new species, deposit eggs soon after spawning and exhibit no maternal care.
Fig. . Live adult male (Top) and female (Bottom) of Oryzias dopingdopingensis in the laboratory.
(Photographs by N. Hashimoto).
Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species
Doping-doping Ricefish
New Japanese name: Dopindopin-medaka
...
Etymology.— The specific name, dopingdopingensis, denotes the occurrence of this species in the Doping-doping River, the type locality.
Ixchel F. Mandagi, Daniel F. Mokodongan, Rieko Tanaka and Kazunori Yamahira. 2018.A New Riverine Ricefish of the Genus Oryzias (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae) from Malili, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Copeia. 106(2):297-304. DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-704
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1006937303657435136
==========================
Oryzias dopingdopingensis
Mandagi, Mokodongan, Tanaka & Yamahira, 2018
DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-704
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia
We describe Oryzias dopingdopingensis, a new species of ricefish, from Doping-doping River, a river in Malili in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new riverine species is distinguished from lacustrine congeners in Malili Lakes by a combination of 33–36 scales along the lateral midline and body depths of 20.3–25.5% standard length (SL). Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species, is also distinguished from all other Sulawesi Oryzias by a combination of 8–9 dorsal-fin rays, caudal peduncle depths of 10.2–11.4% SL, eye diameters of 8.5–9.9% SL, and maximum SL up to 35.8 mm. In breeding males, 5–8 black blotches or bars appear along the lateral midline. Analyses of mitochondrial ND2 sequences revealed that O. dopingdopingensis, new species, carry distinct haplotypes from those of the Malili lacustrine species, suggesting no hybridization between them, although Doping-doping River shares an estuarine region with the Malili Lake system. Instead, O. dopingdopingensis, new species, is in a monophyletic group with O. sarasinorum and O. eversi in western Sulawesi. However, unlike these two pelvic brooders, we observed that females of O. dopingdopingensis, new species, deposit eggs soon after spawning and exhibit no maternal care.
Fig. . Live adult male (Top) and female (Bottom) of Oryzias dopingdopingensis in the laboratory.
(Photographs by N. Hashimoto).
Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species
Doping-doping Ricefish
New Japanese name: Dopindopin-medaka
...
Etymology.— The specific name, dopingdopingensis, denotes the occurrence of this species in the Doping-doping River, the type locality.
Ixchel F. Mandagi, Daniel F. Mokodongan, Rieko Tanaka and Kazunori Yamahira. 2018.A New Riverine Ricefish of the Genus Oryzias (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae) from Malili, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Copeia. 106(2):297-304. DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-704
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1006937303657435136
==========================
Hyphessobrycon piorskii • A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes, Characidae) from northeastern Brazil: Evidence from Morphological Data and DNA Barcoding
Hyphessobrycon piorskii
Guimarães, De Brito, Feitosa, Carvalho-Costa & Ottoni, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
Abstract
A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described for the upper Munim and Preguiças river basins, northeastern Brazil, supported by morphological and molecular species delimitation methods. This new species belongs to the Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto group, as it has the three main diagnostic character states of this assemblage: presence of a dark brown or black blotch on the dorsal fin, absence of a black midlateral stripe on its flank and the position of Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum. Our phylogenetic analysis also supported the allocation of the new species in this group; however, it was not possible to recover the species sister-group. Pristella maxillaris and Moenkhausia hemigrammoides were recovered as the sister-clade of the Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto group.
Keywords: Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto, integrative taxonomy, Pristellinae, rosy tetra clade
Figure . Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. A CICCAA 00698, paratype, 26.9 mm SL, Brazil: Maranhão State: Munim River basin; living specimen photographed immediately after collection
B CICCAA 00089, paratype, 25.2 mm SL, Brazil: Maranhão State: Munim River basin; living specimen photographed immediately after collection (photographed by Felipe Ottoni).
Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n.
Diagnosis:
(PAA). The new species Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n., promptly differs from most congeners except by species of Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin (vs. absence), no midlateral stripe on the body (vs. presence) and Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum (vs. downward).
The new species herein described differs from all of its congeners from Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto, with exception to H. bentosi and H. hasemani, by possessing an inconspicuous vertically elongated humeral spot [vs. approximately rounded humeral spot in H. copelandi, H. erythrostigma, H. jackrobertsi, H. minor, H. pando, H. paepkei, H. pyrrhonotus, H. roseus, H. socolofi, and H. sweglesi; humeral spot horizontally or posteriorly elongated in H. epicharis, H. khardinae, and H. werneri; conspicuous humeral spot in H. eques, H. haraldschultzi Travassos, 1960, H. micropterus, H. megalopterus, H. simulatus and H. takasei; and absence of humeral spot in H. compresus, H. dorsalis Zarske, 2014, H. georgettae, H. pulchripinnis, and H. rosaceus].
The new species differs from H. bentosi by the absence of an extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips (Figures 1, 2) [vs. extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips]; and from H. hasemani by the dorsal-fin black spot shape, which is located approximately at the middle of the fin’s depth, not reaching its tip [vs. extended along all the fin, reaching its tip in adults] and by presenting tri to unicuspid teeth in the inner row of premaxillary and dentary [vs. pentacuspid teeth].
....
Geographical distribution: Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. is presently known only from the upper Munim and Preguiças river basins, Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil (Figure 7).
Ecological notes: Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp.n. lives in shallow well-oxygenated streams with transparent waters flowing over different types of substrates (Figure 8). The streams where H. piorskii sp. n. specimens were collected varied from 0.90 to 10 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 1.60 meters. They possessed moderate water currents (0.1–0.7 m/s), with clear, sandy substrates with pebbles, mud, leaf litter, and submerged logs, often also presenting aquatic macrophytes. Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. was found near shore among aquatic vegetation, tree roots and fallen logs. Other species found at both sites were Anablepsoides vieirai Nielsen, 2016, Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980, Astyanax sp., Cichlasoma cf. zarskei, Copella arnoldi (Regan, 1912), Crenicichla brasiliensis (Bloch, 1792), Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), Megalechis thoracata (Valenciennes, 1840), Nannostomus beckfordi Günther, 1872, and Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795. Gut contents of C&S specimens contained algae and disarticulated arthropod remains.
Etymology: The name piorskii honors the ichthyologist Nivaldo Magalhães Piorski for his contributions to the ichthyologic knowledge of the Maranhão State.
Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Pâmella Silva De Brito, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Luís Fernando Carvalho-Costa and Felipe Polivanov Ottoni. 2018. A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbinfrom northeastern Brazil: Evidence from Morphological Data and DNA Barcoding (Characiformes, Characidae). ZooKeys. 765: 79-101. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
==========================
Hyphessobrycon piorskii
Guimarães, De Brito, Feitosa, Carvalho-Costa & Ottoni, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
Abstract
A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described for the upper Munim and Preguiças river basins, northeastern Brazil, supported by morphological and molecular species delimitation methods. This new species belongs to the Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto group, as it has the three main diagnostic character states of this assemblage: presence of a dark brown or black blotch on the dorsal fin, absence of a black midlateral stripe on its flank and the position of Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum. Our phylogenetic analysis also supported the allocation of the new species in this group; however, it was not possible to recover the species sister-group. Pristella maxillaris and Moenkhausia hemigrammoides were recovered as the sister-clade of the Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto group.
Keywords: Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto, integrative taxonomy, Pristellinae, rosy tetra clade
Figure . Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. A CICCAA 00698, paratype, 26.9 mm SL, Brazil: Maranhão State: Munim River basin; living specimen photographed immediately after collection
B CICCAA 00089, paratype, 25.2 mm SL, Brazil: Maranhão State: Munim River basin; living specimen photographed immediately after collection (photographed by Felipe Ottoni).
Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n.
Diagnosis:
(PAA). The new species Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n., promptly differs from most congeners except by species of Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on dorsal fin (vs. absence), no midlateral stripe on the body (vs. presence) and Weberian apparatus upward horizontal through dorsal margin of operculum (vs. downward).
The new species herein described differs from all of its congeners from Hyphessobrycon sensu stricto, with exception to H. bentosi and H. hasemani, by possessing an inconspicuous vertically elongated humeral spot [vs. approximately rounded humeral spot in H. copelandi, H. erythrostigma, H. jackrobertsi, H. minor, H. pando, H. paepkei, H. pyrrhonotus, H. roseus, H. socolofi, and H. sweglesi; humeral spot horizontally or posteriorly elongated in H. epicharis, H. khardinae, and H. werneri; conspicuous humeral spot in H. eques, H. haraldschultzi Travassos, 1960, H. micropterus, H. megalopterus, H. simulatus and H. takasei; and absence of humeral spot in H. compresus, H. dorsalis Zarske, 2014, H. georgettae, H. pulchripinnis, and H. rosaceus].
The new species differs from H. bentosi by the absence of an extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips (Figures 1, 2) [vs. extended and pointed dorsal and anal-fin tips]; and from H. hasemani by the dorsal-fin black spot shape, which is located approximately at the middle of the fin’s depth, not reaching its tip [vs. extended along all the fin, reaching its tip in adults] and by presenting tri to unicuspid teeth in the inner row of premaxillary and dentary [vs. pentacuspid teeth].
....
Geographical distribution: Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. is presently known only from the upper Munim and Preguiças river basins, Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil (Figure 7).
Ecological notes: Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp.n. lives in shallow well-oxygenated streams with transparent waters flowing over different types of substrates (Figure 8). The streams where H. piorskii sp. n. specimens were collected varied from 0.90 to 10 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 1.60 meters. They possessed moderate water currents (0.1–0.7 m/s), with clear, sandy substrates with pebbles, mud, leaf litter, and submerged logs, often also presenting aquatic macrophytes. Hyphessobrycon piorskii sp. n. was found near shore among aquatic vegetation, tree roots and fallen logs. Other species found at both sites were Anablepsoides vieirai Nielsen, 2016, Apistogramma piauiensis Kullander, 1980, Astyanax sp., Cichlasoma cf. zarskei, Copella arnoldi (Regan, 1912), Crenicichla brasiliensis (Bloch, 1792), Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), Megalechis thoracata (Valenciennes, 1840), Nannostomus beckfordi Günther, 1872, and Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1795. Gut contents of C&S specimens contained algae and disarticulated arthropod remains.
Etymology: The name piorskii honors the ichthyologist Nivaldo Magalhães Piorski for his contributions to the ichthyologic knowledge of the Maranhão State.
Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Pâmella Silva De Brito, Leonardo Manir Feitosa, Luís Fernando Carvalho-Costa and Felipe Polivanov Ottoni. 2018. A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbinfrom northeastern Brazil: Evidence from Morphological Data and DNA Barcoding (Characiformes, Characidae). ZooKeys. 765: 79-101. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.765.23157
==========================
Schistura scripta • A New Species of Schistura (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka
Schistura scripta Sudasinghe, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.4.2
Abstract
Schistura scripta, new species, is described from Nakiyadeniya in the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka. It can be distinguished from all other congeners from Sri Lankan and peninsular India by the combination of the following characters: an incomplete lateral line with 53–76 pores, ending beneath the dorsal-fin base or slightly beyond; 7–13 post-dorsal bars; 7½ branched dorsal-fin rays; absence of an axillary pelvic lobe; and absence of a suborbital flap.
Keywords: Pisces, Schistura notostigma, Schistura madhavai, biodiversity hotspot, microendemism
FIGURE . Variability of coloration in Schistura scripta in its natural habitat, not collected. Sri Lanka, Seethala Dola, Nakiyadeniya, Gin River basin.
A–C, adults, over 35 mm SL; D, adult male.
Schistura scripta, sp. nov.
Etymology. The species-name is a reference to the pattern of bars on the side of the body of this species resembling alphabetical characters; scripta, Latin, ‘written words’.
Hiranya Sudasinghe. 2018. A New Species of Schistura (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa. 4422(4); 89–100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.4.2
researchgate.net/publication/325358770_A_new_species_of_Schistura_Teleostei_Nemacheilidae_from_the_south-western_lowlands_of_Sri_Lanka
facebook.com/HiranyaSudasinghe/posts/10214457130794967
facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=832667503596465&id=100005596687444
==========================
Schistura scripta Sudasinghe, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.4.2
Abstract
Schistura scripta, new species, is described from Nakiyadeniya in the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka. It can be distinguished from all other congeners from Sri Lankan and peninsular India by the combination of the following characters: an incomplete lateral line with 53–76 pores, ending beneath the dorsal-fin base or slightly beyond; 7–13 post-dorsal bars; 7½ branched dorsal-fin rays; absence of an axillary pelvic lobe; and absence of a suborbital flap.
Keywords: Pisces, Schistura notostigma, Schistura madhavai, biodiversity hotspot, microendemism
FIGURE . Variability of coloration in Schistura scripta in its natural habitat, not collected. Sri Lanka, Seethala Dola, Nakiyadeniya, Gin River basin.
A–C, adults, over 35 mm SL; D, adult male.
Schistura scripta, sp. nov.
Etymology. The species-name is a reference to the pattern of bars on the side of the body of this species resembling alphabetical characters; scripta, Latin, ‘written words’.
Hiranya Sudasinghe. 2018. A New Species of Schistura (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from the south-western lowlands of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa. 4422(4); 89–100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.4.2
researchgate.net/publication/325358770_A_new_species_of_Schistura_Teleostei_Nemacheilidae_from_the_south-western_lowlands_of_Sri_Lanka
facebook.com/HiranyaSudasinghe/posts/10214457130794967
facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=832667503596465&id=100005596687444
==========================
Effluent discharge kills over a thousand fish in Co Mayo
Brown trout and other species killed in prime spawning tributary of Robe River
Inland Fisheries officers assess the death toll in Claremorris
More than a thousand brown trout along with other species of fish have been killed following an effluent discharge into a river in Claremorris, Co Mayo.
The dead fish were found floating on the Ballygowan River on Wednesday evening in what is one of the prime spawning tributaries of the Robe River which falls into Lough Mask.
The fish kill was so substantial that it may take years for stocks in the river to recover because so many of the spawning fish have been killed.
Inland Fisheries head of operations Greg Forde said the pollution spill “wiped everything before it” and did a lot of long-term damage.
“Time is the only thing that will cure this. These are wild fish. We don’t believe in stocking where it is the native genetic stock. There is no substitute for nature,” he said.
The dead also included stone loachs and a protected species of crayfish.
The brown fish were found in an agitated state in the river on Tuesday evening. Inland Fisheries were alerted on Wednesday evening to the fish kill.
The fish were found lying dead on the surface of the water upside down.
There was no trace of the effluent left and fisheries officials believe that it had passed through the river at that stage.
Mr Forde said farmers have to exercise extreme care in spreading slurry because of the dry weather of late.
Water levels in some rivers are at an all time low, he explained, and a small amount of effluent can have “devastating results”.
He added: “Inland Fisheries Ireland is calling on all farmers and silage contractors, in particular, to be extremely careful in the current conditions to ensure that no effluent is released near drains, streams and rivers, and silage clamps are properly bunded.
“Extreme care should be taken when spreading slurry to avoid all water courses in order to protect our valuable natural rivers and streams.”
from the Irish Times
==========================
Brown trout and other species killed in prime spawning tributary of Robe River
Inland Fisheries officers assess the death toll in Claremorris
More than a thousand brown trout along with other species of fish have been killed following an effluent discharge into a river in Claremorris, Co Mayo.
The dead fish were found floating on the Ballygowan River on Wednesday evening in what is one of the prime spawning tributaries of the Robe River which falls into Lough Mask.
The fish kill was so substantial that it may take years for stocks in the river to recover because so many of the spawning fish have been killed.
Inland Fisheries head of operations Greg Forde said the pollution spill “wiped everything before it” and did a lot of long-term damage.
“Time is the only thing that will cure this. These are wild fish. We don’t believe in stocking where it is the native genetic stock. There is no substitute for nature,” he said.
The dead also included stone loachs and a protected species of crayfish.
The brown fish were found in an agitated state in the river on Tuesday evening. Inland Fisheries were alerted on Wednesday evening to the fish kill.
The fish were found lying dead on the surface of the water upside down.
There was no trace of the effluent left and fisheries officials believe that it had passed through the river at that stage.
Mr Forde said farmers have to exercise extreme care in spreading slurry because of the dry weather of late.
Water levels in some rivers are at an all time low, he explained, and a small amount of effluent can have “devastating results”.
He added: “Inland Fisheries Ireland is calling on all farmers and silage contractors, in particular, to be extremely careful in the current conditions to ensure that no effluent is released near drains, streams and rivers, and silage clamps are properly bunded.
“Extreme care should be taken when spreading slurry to avoid all water courses in order to protect our valuable natural rivers and streams.”
from the Irish Times
==========================
Pomacentrus pavo
Biota Introduces Captive-Bred Sapphire Damsels
30 May, 2018
A cute little juvenile Sapphire Damselfish, Pomacentrus pavo, now entering the marine aquarium trade as captive-bred.
The Sapphire Damselfish, Pomacentrus pavo, is also known as the Peacock Damsel or simply the Pavo Damsel. This species has been on CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred ornamental marine fish species list since we started keeping track in 2013, but it was never commercially available as captive-bred. That changed this week when Florida-based distributor Biota Aquariums announced the availability of captive-bred Sapphire Damsels, reared at the Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau (Biota Palau).
While naturally widespread, this damselfish isn’t a routine offering in the aquarium trade. With a reputation for being among the more peaceful and social species (for a damselfish), it’s surprising that the species is not more commonly available. Similar, slightly smaller species, collectively known as Neon Damsels, are far more likely to be found in your local fish shop.
Biota Builds a Diverse Offering
Biota Aquariums continues to grow the diversity of fish and corals offered to the trade, having recently added other first-time offerings, including the White Spotted Dwarfgoby (Trimmacf. caesiura, also known as the Grooved Dwarfgoby) and the Pygmy White Spotted Filefish (Rudarius ercodes). Sales Manager Jake Phillips announced the new damsel in the company’s weekly newsletter, writing, “I’m also excited to announce the 3rd new species of fish this month. The Peacock Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo). This bright blue damsel shows off a light yellow lyretail. They can grow to a size of about 3.5″. They are sparsely available in the hobby wild-caught, but this is a first captive-bred fish for Biota.”
Fishbase reports that the maximum size of this fish is 8.5 cm (3.3 inches), although show-sized specimens well over 4 inches have been encountered. With a gorgeous shade of blue on the body and yellow highlights on the fins in juveniles, combined with a beautiful lyretail, this damselfish stands out from the more commonly seen relatives. Mature fish have a graceful body shape with long flowing fins, including extensions on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. As adults, Peacock Damselfish are generally a solid blue-green color, although some will retain yellow caudal fins and some also show yellow pectoral fins.
Sapphire Damsels an Instant Success
In further discussion, Phillips shared more details about these adorable little damsels. “We are keeping them with the Striped Blennies (Meiacanthus grammistes) and they don’t seem to be too aggressive so far. ”
Just as quickly as they listed the fish, they were sold out. Said Phillips, “We weren’t expecting these to be such a hit. I had a few orders come in basically cleaning them all out. We should have another batch ready soon, but we’re still working on getting better yields, so quantities will be limited.”
Links
Learn more about the Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau at http://biotapalau.com/
See more from Biota Aquariums at https://biotaaquariums.com/
from Reef to Rain forest media
==========================
30 May, 2018
A cute little juvenile Sapphire Damselfish, Pomacentrus pavo, now entering the marine aquarium trade as captive-bred.
The Sapphire Damselfish, Pomacentrus pavo, is also known as the Peacock Damsel or simply the Pavo Damsel. This species has been on CORAL Magazine’s captive-bred ornamental marine fish species list since we started keeping track in 2013, but it was never commercially available as captive-bred. That changed this week when Florida-based distributor Biota Aquariums announced the availability of captive-bred Sapphire Damsels, reared at the Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau (Biota Palau).
While naturally widespread, this damselfish isn’t a routine offering in the aquarium trade. With a reputation for being among the more peaceful and social species (for a damselfish), it’s surprising that the species is not more commonly available. Similar, slightly smaller species, collectively known as Neon Damsels, are far more likely to be found in your local fish shop.
Biota Builds a Diverse Offering
Biota Aquariums continues to grow the diversity of fish and corals offered to the trade, having recently added other first-time offerings, including the White Spotted Dwarfgoby (Trimmacf. caesiura, also known as the Grooved Dwarfgoby) and the Pygmy White Spotted Filefish (Rudarius ercodes). Sales Manager Jake Phillips announced the new damsel in the company’s weekly newsletter, writing, “I’m also excited to announce the 3rd new species of fish this month. The Peacock Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo). This bright blue damsel shows off a light yellow lyretail. They can grow to a size of about 3.5″. They are sparsely available in the hobby wild-caught, but this is a first captive-bred fish for Biota.”
Fishbase reports that the maximum size of this fish is 8.5 cm (3.3 inches), although show-sized specimens well over 4 inches have been encountered. With a gorgeous shade of blue on the body and yellow highlights on the fins in juveniles, combined with a beautiful lyretail, this damselfish stands out from the more commonly seen relatives. Mature fish have a graceful body shape with long flowing fins, including extensions on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. As adults, Peacock Damselfish are generally a solid blue-green color, although some will retain yellow caudal fins and some also show yellow pectoral fins.
Sapphire Damsels an Instant Success
In further discussion, Phillips shared more details about these adorable little damsels. “We are keeping them with the Striped Blennies (Meiacanthus grammistes) and they don’t seem to be too aggressive so far. ”
Just as quickly as they listed the fish, they were sold out. Said Phillips, “We weren’t expecting these to be such a hit. I had a few orders come in basically cleaning them all out. We should have another batch ready soon, but we’re still working on getting better yields, so quantities will be limited.”
Links
Learn more about the Biota Marine Life Nursery in Palau at http://biotapalau.com/
See more from Biota Aquariums at https://biotaaquariums.com/
from Reef to Rain forest media
==========================
Scots Assembly proposes new Pet Licence Bill
www.parliament.scot/gettinginvolved/108075.aspx this will definitely include Tropical & Marine fish outlets
==========================
ReefStock Australia Tickets now On Sale!HARES
0We are very excited to be putting on our very first aquarium event outside of America, with ReefStock Australia. Australia has a lot to offer the world of reef aquariums and this is exactly why ReefStock Australia will be an awesome international spotlight for the Aussie reef scene
It was incredible how quickly we sold out all the sponsor and vendor booths and now we’re ready to start signing up attendees. We’re working very hard to kick off the very first conference of it’s kind in Australia and we are pleased to announce that Early Bird Tickets are now ON SALE!
Early bird pricing is going to be $30 per day or $50 for the weekend for at least 30 days. Get your tickets now so we can anticipate how much shwag and prizes and Tshirts we’re going to need and we can’t wait to see you all in couple months!
For more information about ReefStock Australia check out the official website as well as the facebook event page, and you can use this link to get your discounted tickets today.
==========================
0We are very excited to be putting on our very first aquarium event outside of America, with ReefStock Australia. Australia has a lot to offer the world of reef aquariums and this is exactly why ReefStock Australia will be an awesome international spotlight for the Aussie reef scene
It was incredible how quickly we sold out all the sponsor and vendor booths and now we’re ready to start signing up attendees. We’re working very hard to kick off the very first conference of it’s kind in Australia and we are pleased to announce that Early Bird Tickets are now ON SALE!
Early bird pricing is going to be $30 per day or $50 for the weekend for at least 30 days. Get your tickets now so we can anticipate how much shwag and prizes and Tshirts we’re going to need and we can’t wait to see you all in couple months!
For more information about ReefStock Australia check out the official website as well as the facebook event page, and you can use this link to get your discounted tickets today.
==========================
Plectranthias ahiahiata • A New Species of Perchlet (Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from A Mesophotic Ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Plectranthias ahiahiata
Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.762.24618
Abstract
A new species of the perchlet genus Plectranthias is herein described from a single specimen found at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific. Plectranthias ahiahiatasp. n. was collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui. The main difference between Plectranthias ahiahiata and other members of the genus is higher fin-ray counts (X, 18 dorsal; 18 pectoral) and its distinctive coloration. Compared to the three other known eastern South Pacific species, P. ahiahiata has more dorsal-fin rays, more pectoral-fin rays, fewer tubed lateral-line scales, fewer gill rakers, a longer head relative to SL, a very short first dorsal spine relative to SL, and a short third anal spine relative to SL.Plectranthias ahiahiata is distinguished from western Pacific species, by having more dorsal- and pectoral-fin rays. The closest relative based on genetic divergence (with 12.3% uncorrected divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene) is Plectranthias winniensis, a widely distributed species, suggesting important links between Rapa Nui and western Pacific islands. This new species adds to the high endemism of the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, and is further evidence of the importance of mesophotic reefs as unique communities.
Keywords: endemism, ichthyology, reef fish, South Pacific, taxonomy
Figure . Plectranthias ahiahiata sp. n., holotype shortly after death, 39.95 mm SL
(photograph: Luiz A. Rocha).
Plectranthias ahiahiata sp. n.
Sunset perchlet
Type locality: Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.
Diagnosis: Plectranthias ahiahiata differs from all of its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X, 18; pectoral rays 18; longest dorsal spine the fourth; LL continuous and complete with 31 tubed scales; circumpeduncular scales 16; head length 43.3% SL; first dorsal spine 4.5% SL; third anal spine 13.7% SL; gill rakers 6+11; and in coloration: overall orange-red in color, with predominantly yellow snout, dorsal, pelvic and anal fins, a brilliant red spot outlined in white on the caudal peduncle, and four white spots on each side, following the contour of the lateral line.
Etymology: Plectranthias ahiahiata is given a Rapa Nui name; the phrase ahiahi-ata means “the last moments of light before nightfall.” The species was given this name because the colors of the fish remind us of the beautiful Rapa Nui sunsets. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat: Plectranthias ahiahiata is currently only known to occur at Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This fish was collected with hand nets at a depth of 83 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area, and transported to the surface alive in a perforated plastic jar.
Bart Shepherd, Tyler Phelps, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Alejandro Pérez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2018. Plectranthias ahiahiata, A New Species of Perchlet from A Mesophotic Ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae). ZooKeys. 762: 105-116. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.762.24618
==========================
Plectranthias ahiahiata
Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Pérez-Matus & Rocha, 2018
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.762.24618
Abstract
A new species of the perchlet genus Plectranthias is herein described from a single specimen found at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific. Plectranthias ahiahiatasp. n. was collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui. The main difference between Plectranthias ahiahiata and other members of the genus is higher fin-ray counts (X, 18 dorsal; 18 pectoral) and its distinctive coloration. Compared to the three other known eastern South Pacific species, P. ahiahiata has more dorsal-fin rays, more pectoral-fin rays, fewer tubed lateral-line scales, fewer gill rakers, a longer head relative to SL, a very short first dorsal spine relative to SL, and a short third anal spine relative to SL.Plectranthias ahiahiata is distinguished from western Pacific species, by having more dorsal- and pectoral-fin rays. The closest relative based on genetic divergence (with 12.3% uncorrected divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene) is Plectranthias winniensis, a widely distributed species, suggesting important links between Rapa Nui and western Pacific islands. This new species adds to the high endemism of the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, and is further evidence of the importance of mesophotic reefs as unique communities.
Keywords: endemism, ichthyology, reef fish, South Pacific, taxonomy
Figure . Plectranthias ahiahiata sp. n., holotype shortly after death, 39.95 mm SL
(photograph: Luiz A. Rocha).
Plectranthias ahiahiata sp. n.
Sunset perchlet
Type locality: Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.
Diagnosis: Plectranthias ahiahiata differs from all of its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal rays X, 18; pectoral rays 18; longest dorsal spine the fourth; LL continuous and complete with 31 tubed scales; circumpeduncular scales 16; head length 43.3% SL; first dorsal spine 4.5% SL; third anal spine 13.7% SL; gill rakers 6+11; and in coloration: overall orange-red in color, with predominantly yellow snout, dorsal, pelvic and anal fins, a brilliant red spot outlined in white on the caudal peduncle, and four white spots on each side, following the contour of the lateral line.
Etymology: Plectranthias ahiahiata is given a Rapa Nui name; the phrase ahiahi-ata means “the last moments of light before nightfall.” The species was given this name because the colors of the fish remind us of the beautiful Rapa Nui sunsets. To be treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat: Plectranthias ahiahiata is currently only known to occur at Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This fish was collected with hand nets at a depth of 83 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area, and transported to the surface alive in a perforated plastic jar.
Bart Shepherd, Tyler Phelps, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Alejandro Pérez-Matus and Luiz A. Rocha. 2018. Plectranthias ahiahiata, A New Species of Perchlet from A Mesophotic Ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae). ZooKeys. 762: 105-116. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.762.24618
==========================
Cryptocentrus nanus • A New Species of Dwarf Shrimpgoby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Fiji
Cryptocentrus nanus Greenfield & Allen, 2018
Black Dwarf Shrimpgoby || OceanScienceFoundation.org
photo: Hiroshi Nagano
Abstract
A new species of alpheid-shrimp-associated goby is described from Fiji based on 9 specimens, 17.2-23.4 mm SL. Diagnostic features include an exceptionally small size at maturity, a uniform black color, possession of vomerine teeth, a rounded caudal fin, 65-81 scales in the longitudinal series, 0-15 predorsal scales, body depth at pelvic-fin origin 4.4-5.2 in SL, snout length 4.4-8.4 in HL, and caudal-peduncle depth 3.3-3.8 in HL.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, alpheid shrimp, symbiosis, Pacific Ocean, biogeography
Figure upper. Underwater photograph of small black shrimpgoby, possibly Cryptocentrus nanus, from Palau, Micronesia (photo: Hiroshi Nagano)
Figure lower. Cryptocentrus nanus, live holotype, CAS 244342, 23.4 mm SL female, Yadua Island, Fiji, aquarium photograph (photo: D.W. Greenfield).
Cryptocentrus nanus, n. sp.
Black Dwarf Shrimpgoby
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements IV-I,10; anal-fin elements I,8–I,9; pectoral-fin rays 16; scales in longitudinal series 65–81; predorsal scales 0–15; anterior scales cycloid, posterior scales ctenoid; anterior part of breast, prepelvic region, and pectoral-fin base naked; head naked except on side of nape and predorsal region, where scales extend anteriorly to about level of middle of operculum; body depth at pelvic-fin origin 4.4–5.2, mean 4.8; vomerine teeth present; gill opening extending forward to a vertical at posterior edge of preoperculum or slightly anterior; dorsal-fin spines progressively longer to fourth, longest 1.6–2.7 in HL; caudal fin rounded, 2.7–3.1 in HL; pectoral fins reaching level of anus or just beyond (3.7–4.7 in SL); pelvic fins reaching posteriorly to anus (3.6–4.3 in SL); live individuals black, fins black with clear distal margins; adults mature at 23.4 mm SL or less.
Underwater photograph of small black shrimpgoby, possibly Cryptocentrus nanus, from Palau, Micronesia.
photo: Hiroshi Nagano
Etymology: The specific epithet is from both the Latin and Greek noun nanus (dwarf), referring to the new species’ particularly small size compared to other species in the genus. It is treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from Fiji, but possibly occurs also at Palau based on a photograph by Hiroshi Nagano of a similarly colored goby (Fig. 5), illustrated as Cryptocentrus D in Myers (1999: 240, Plate 152J). The habitat consists of sand bottoms in 8.2–10.7 m depth. The alpheid-shrimp partner remains unidentified, but a specimen is deposited in the fish collection of CAS as CAS 244
David W. Greenfield and Gerald R. Allen. 2018. Cryptocentrus nanus, A New Species of Dwarf Shrimpgoby from Fiji (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 30; 28-38. OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf30c.html
==========================
Cryptocentrus nanus Greenfield & Allen, 2018
Black Dwarf Shrimpgoby || OceanScienceFoundation.org
photo: Hiroshi Nagano
Abstract
A new species of alpheid-shrimp-associated goby is described from Fiji based on 9 specimens, 17.2-23.4 mm SL. Diagnostic features include an exceptionally small size at maturity, a uniform black color, possession of vomerine teeth, a rounded caudal fin, 65-81 scales in the longitudinal series, 0-15 predorsal scales, body depth at pelvic-fin origin 4.4-5.2 in SL, snout length 4.4-8.4 in HL, and caudal-peduncle depth 3.3-3.8 in HL.
Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, alpheid shrimp, symbiosis, Pacific Ocean, biogeography
Figure upper. Underwater photograph of small black shrimpgoby, possibly Cryptocentrus nanus, from Palau, Micronesia (photo: Hiroshi Nagano)
Figure lower. Cryptocentrus nanus, live holotype, CAS 244342, 23.4 mm SL female, Yadua Island, Fiji, aquarium photograph (photo: D.W. Greenfield).
Cryptocentrus nanus, n. sp.
Black Dwarf Shrimpgoby
Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements IV-I,10; anal-fin elements I,8–I,9; pectoral-fin rays 16; scales in longitudinal series 65–81; predorsal scales 0–15; anterior scales cycloid, posterior scales ctenoid; anterior part of breast, prepelvic region, and pectoral-fin base naked; head naked except on side of nape and predorsal region, where scales extend anteriorly to about level of middle of operculum; body depth at pelvic-fin origin 4.4–5.2, mean 4.8; vomerine teeth present; gill opening extending forward to a vertical at posterior edge of preoperculum or slightly anterior; dorsal-fin spines progressively longer to fourth, longest 1.6–2.7 in HL; caudal fin rounded, 2.7–3.1 in HL; pectoral fins reaching level of anus or just beyond (3.7–4.7 in SL); pelvic fins reaching posteriorly to anus (3.6–4.3 in SL); live individuals black, fins black with clear distal margins; adults mature at 23.4 mm SL or less.
Underwater photograph of small black shrimpgoby, possibly Cryptocentrus nanus, from Palau, Micronesia.
photo: Hiroshi Nagano
Etymology: The specific epithet is from both the Latin and Greek noun nanus (dwarf), referring to the new species’ particularly small size compared to other species in the genus. It is treated as a noun in apposition.
Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from Fiji, but possibly occurs also at Palau based on a photograph by Hiroshi Nagano of a similarly colored goby (Fig. 5), illustrated as Cryptocentrus D in Myers (1999: 240, Plate 152J). The habitat consists of sand bottoms in 8.2–10.7 m depth. The alpheid-shrimp partner remains unidentified, but a specimen is deposited in the fish collection of CAS as CAS 244
David W. Greenfield and Gerald R. Allen. 2018. Cryptocentrus nanus, A New Species of Dwarf Shrimpgoby from Fiji (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 30; 28-38. OceanScienceFoundation.org/josf30c.html
==========================
Dario neela • A New Species of Badid Fish (Percomorpha: Badidae) from the Western Ghats of India
Dario neela • A New Species of Badid Fish (Percomorpha: Badidae) from the Western Ghats of India
Dario neela
Britz, Anoop & Dahanukar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6
facebook.com/CEPFATREE
Abstract
Dario neela, is described from a small tributary stream of the Kabini River in northern Kerala, India. It can be distinguished from congeners by the male colouration in life, which shows wide rims of iridescent blue in all median fins and the pelvic fin. It is further distinguished from all species of Dario, except D. urops by the number of abdominal vertebrae (14 vs. 11–13), and from all Dario species except D. urops and D. huli by the presence of a conspicuous black blotch on the caudal-fin base. Dario neela is distinguished from D. urops by the absence of the horizontal suborbital stripe and presence of a series of up to eight black bars on the body; and from D. huli by 27–28 vertebrae and 27 scales in a lateral row and the absence of teeth from hypobranchial 3. Dario neela is genetically divergent from both Western Ghats congeners in the mitochondrial CO1 gene, showing an uncorrected p-distance of 5.9% with D. urops and 13.1% to D. huli.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, freshwater fishes, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot
FIGURE Dario neela; India: Kerala; holotype, male [BNHS FWF 612], 31.2 mm SL, slightly oblique lateral view.
Dario neela, new species
Etymology. The species name neela is derived from the Malayalam word mnoe, ‘Nīla’, for blue and alludes to the striking iridescent blue colour of males. A noun in apposition.
....
Ralf Britz, V. K. Anoop and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2018. Dario neela, A New Species of Badid Fish from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae). Zootaxa. 4429(1); 141–148. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1649950258452779
==========================
Dario neela
Britz, Anoop & Dahanukar, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6
facebook.com/CEPFATREE
Abstract
Dario neela, is described from a small tributary stream of the Kabini River in northern Kerala, India. It can be distinguished from congeners by the male colouration in life, which shows wide rims of iridescent blue in all median fins and the pelvic fin. It is further distinguished from all species of Dario, except D. urops by the number of abdominal vertebrae (14 vs. 11–13), and from all Dario species except D. urops and D. huli by the presence of a conspicuous black blotch on the caudal-fin base. Dario neela is distinguished from D. urops by the absence of the horizontal suborbital stripe and presence of a series of up to eight black bars on the body; and from D. huli by 27–28 vertebrae and 27 scales in a lateral row and the absence of teeth from hypobranchial 3. Dario neela is genetically divergent from both Western Ghats congeners in the mitochondrial CO1 gene, showing an uncorrected p-distance of 5.9% with D. urops and 13.1% to D. huli.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, freshwater fishes, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot
FIGURE Dario neela; India: Kerala; holotype, male [BNHS FWF 612], 31.2 mm SL, slightly oblique lateral view.
Dario neela, new species
Etymology. The species name neela is derived from the Malayalam word mnoe, ‘Nīla’, for blue and alludes to the striking iridescent blue colour of males. A noun in apposition.
....
Ralf Britz, V. K. Anoop and Neelesh Dahanukar. 2018. Dario neela, A New Species of Badid Fish from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Percomorpha: Badidae). Zootaxa. 4429(1); 141–148. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4429.1.6
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1649950258452779
==========================
Guppies change their eye colour to deter rivals
Date:
June 4, 2018
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies turn their eyes black to warn other fish when they are feeling aggressive, new research shows.
Share:
FULL STORY
These are black and silver iris guppies feeding.
Credit:photo` Robert Heathcote, University of Exeter
Tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies turn their eyes black to warn other fish when they are feeling aggressive, new research shows.
A study led by the University of Exeter, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, found that when facing a rival, guppies rapidly turn their irises from silver to black before attacking their adversary.
This makes their eyes more conspicuous and is an "honest" signal of aggression -- larger guppies do it to smaller ones whom they can beat in a fight, but smaller ones do not return the gesture.
As part of the study, the researchers made visually realistic robotic guppies to see what would happen if smaller fish displayed their aggressive motivation -- and larger fish flocked in to compete with the small imposters for food.
Dr Robert Heathcote, lead author of the study and from the University of Exeter, said: "Trinidadian guppies can change their iris colour within a few seconds, and our research shows they do this to honestly communicate their aggressive motivation to other guppies.
"Experimentally showing that animals use their eye colouration to communicate with each other can be very difficult, so we made realistic-looking robotic fish with differing eye colours and observed the reaction of real fish."
Professor Darren Croft, also from the University of Exeter and an author of the study, added: "Eyes are one of the most easily recognised structures in the natural world and many species go to great lengths to conceal and camouflage their eyes to avoid unwanted attention from predators or rivals.
"However, some species have noticeable or prominent eyes and, for the most part, it has remained a mystery as to why this would be. This research gives a new insight into the reasons behind why some animals have such 'conspicuous' eyes."
Professor Indar Ramnarine, from the University of the West Indies and co-author of this study, indicated his amazement that guppies could have evolved this behaviour of changing their iris colour to warn guppies and other fish of their willingness to engage in aggressive behaviour.
To carry out the research, scientists developed the robotic guppies to help determine what would happen if smaller guppies tried to "cheat" by displaying aggression towards larger rivals.
They found that food patches defended by black-eyed robots attracted disproportionate competition from larger real guppies -- and in particular those which displayed blacker-coloured eyes.
The research team believe that this behaviour explains why the guppies are "honest" and only display how angry they are if they can actually be dominant against rivals.
Dr Jolyon Troscianko, also from University of Exeter and who helped invent the guppy robots, said: "Scientists used to spend hours laboriously painting model fish, eggs and other objects to see how their appearance affected how other animals interacted with the models.
"Here, we used carefully calibrated photography and printing techniques to create robotic models, and guppies responded to them as though they were real fish."
Dr Safi Darden, co-author on the study, added: "It is well known that in humans the white sclera of the eye is used to signal gaze direction -- it provides others with information on what we are looking at. Our work shows that just like humans these little fish pay attention to the eyes of their group members and that the eyes provide important information to other rival fish."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
University of Exeter. "Guppies change their eye color to deter rivals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 June 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180604112548.htm>.
==========================
Date:
June 4, 2018
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies turn their eyes black to warn other fish when they are feeling aggressive, new research shows.
Share:
FULL STORY
These are black and silver iris guppies feeding.
Credit:photo` Robert Heathcote, University of Exeter
Tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies turn their eyes black to warn other fish when they are feeling aggressive, new research shows.
A study led by the University of Exeter, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, found that when facing a rival, guppies rapidly turn their irises from silver to black before attacking their adversary.
This makes their eyes more conspicuous and is an "honest" signal of aggression -- larger guppies do it to smaller ones whom they can beat in a fight, but smaller ones do not return the gesture.
As part of the study, the researchers made visually realistic robotic guppies to see what would happen if smaller fish displayed their aggressive motivation -- and larger fish flocked in to compete with the small imposters for food.
Dr Robert Heathcote, lead author of the study and from the University of Exeter, said: "Trinidadian guppies can change their iris colour within a few seconds, and our research shows they do this to honestly communicate their aggressive motivation to other guppies.
"Experimentally showing that animals use their eye colouration to communicate with each other can be very difficult, so we made realistic-looking robotic fish with differing eye colours and observed the reaction of real fish."
Professor Darren Croft, also from the University of Exeter and an author of the study, added: "Eyes are one of the most easily recognised structures in the natural world and many species go to great lengths to conceal and camouflage their eyes to avoid unwanted attention from predators or rivals.
"However, some species have noticeable or prominent eyes and, for the most part, it has remained a mystery as to why this would be. This research gives a new insight into the reasons behind why some animals have such 'conspicuous' eyes."
Professor Indar Ramnarine, from the University of the West Indies and co-author of this study, indicated his amazement that guppies could have evolved this behaviour of changing their iris colour to warn guppies and other fish of their willingness to engage in aggressive behaviour.
To carry out the research, scientists developed the robotic guppies to help determine what would happen if smaller guppies tried to "cheat" by displaying aggression towards larger rivals.
They found that food patches defended by black-eyed robots attracted disproportionate competition from larger real guppies -- and in particular those which displayed blacker-coloured eyes.
The research team believe that this behaviour explains why the guppies are "honest" and only display how angry they are if they can actually be dominant against rivals.
Dr Jolyon Troscianko, also from University of Exeter and who helped invent the guppy robots, said: "Scientists used to spend hours laboriously painting model fish, eggs and other objects to see how their appearance affected how other animals interacted with the models.
"Here, we used carefully calibrated photography and printing techniques to create robotic models, and guppies responded to them as though they were real fish."
Dr Safi Darden, co-author on the study, added: "It is well known that in humans the white sclera of the eye is used to signal gaze direction -- it provides others with information on what we are looking at. Our work shows that just like humans these little fish pay attention to the eyes of their group members and that the eyes provide important information to other rival fish."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Robert J.P. Heathcote, Safi K. Darden, Jolyon Troscianko, Michael R.M. Lawson, Antony M. Brown, Philippa R. Laker, Lewis C. Naisbett-Jones, Hannah E.A. MacGregor, Indar Ramnarine, Darren P. Croft. Dynamic eye colour as an honest signal of aggression. Current Biology, 2018; 28 (11): R652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.078
University of Exeter. "Guppies change their eye color to deter rivals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 June 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180604112548.htm>.
==========================
SLAG 2018 UK
- Sunday, July 1 at 10 AM - 5 PM
- Kempshott Village Hall
Stratton Park. Pack Lane., RG22 5HN Basingstoke - Here is our 3rd event from the Southern Livebearer Aquatic Group since it reformed in 2016
We will be hosting an Open Show with livebearer specialist section, Guest speakers and a Livebearer only auction.
Day guest are very welcome.
World’s largest fish factory ship arrested the Chimbote - Agents from the Peruvian Environmental Prosecutor’s Office have detained the “Damanzaihao” as part of an federal criminal investigation based on presumed acts of illegal fishing.
Peruvian authorities have also accused the “Damanzaihao”of polluting the marine environment through the illegal discharge
Chimbote - Agents from the Peruvian Environmental Prosecutor’s Officehave detained the “Damanzaihao” as part of an federal criminal investigation based on presumed acts of illegal fishing.
Peruvian authorities have also accused the “Damanzaihao” of polluting the marine environment through the illegal discharge of fluids and effluents while anchored in Chimbote. The “Damanzaihao” is the largest fish factory vessel in the world, capable of processing 547,000 tons of fish per year. As a result of the “Damanzaihao” ’s past illicit fishing activities, the government of Peru issued a multi-million dollar fine against the vessel in 2014. That debt reportedly remains outstanding. According to UnderCurrentNews, the “Damanzaihao” was built in 1980 by Japanese ship builder for a Norwegian tanker company as a 67,000dwt oil tanker. She was converted to fisheries operation in 2008 at a Chinese shipyard. Sea Shepherd has applauded Peru’s detention of the vessel.
She Shepherd vessel “John Paul DeJoria” was recently in Peruvian waters investigating and gathering intelligence to assist the Peruvian Government in its fight against illegal fishing.
==========================
Peckoltia pankimpuju
Peruvian Lyre-tail Peckoltia, or L350
The depths of the Rio Marañon, the major headwater of the Amazon River in the Peruvian Andes, remain largely unexplored and threatened.
Nathan K. Lujan, PhD.
Associate Editor, Journal of Fish Biology
As mega-dams loom and the clock ticks, University of Toronto evolutionary biologist and AMAZONAS Magazine contributor Nathan Lujan, Ph.D., describes evidence of new Marañon fish species, ecology unique to this river basin, and the likelihood of many more discoveries awaiting future fieldwork in one of the last great free-flowing rivers in the world.
Lujan explains, “…by damming [the Rio Marañon] you’re essentially decapitating the Amazon. Of the 18 scientific expeditions that I have conducted to South America, my 2006 expedition to the Marañon was one of the most productive because of the many new species we discovered and the fascinating ecology of wood-eating catfishes that we documented…I distinctly remember the moment my net was lifted, and there inside were two individuals of this new species with translucent white skin and long fin filaments. I knew immediately that these beautiful white fishes were new to science.”
The transluscent wood-eating catfish described by Lujan was subsequently described, and is now recognized as a deepwater form of Peckoltia pankimpuju, Lujan & Chamon, 2008. In the aquarium trade it may be encountered as the Coal Pleco (the normal form is dark gray/black, see below), the Peruvian Lyre-tail Peckoltia, or simply L350. What else could Lujan discover if he were to return? Image Credit: Nathan Lujan.
“If we were to go back and survey more, there’d be a high likelihood of more discoveries, more new species yet to be found,” says Lujan. “There’s so much of the drainage that we just haven’t studied yet, that we know hardly anything about.”
The normal color form of Peckoltia pankimpuju, a species native to the Rio Marañon, and only discovered during Lujan’s 2006 survey. Image by Michael J. Tuccinardi.
Reports suggest than the currently free-flowing Rio Marañon is subject to as many as 20 proposed hydroelectric damming projects. Lujan is certainly feeling a time crunch as these projects continue to move forward in South America. “A lot of conservation research, a lot of biodiversity research, has been focused on terrestrial ecosystems and focused on saving the rainforest. But while that conservation work is very important, in the past decade, hydroelectric dam construction has really accelerated, and these impacts are devastating river systems, and the conservation community in many cases hasn’t caught up. So, we’re racing to build an infrastructure to understand and conserve aquatic biodiversity in South America.”
To help fund this research: Text GIVE to 1 (833) 567-4229 and select #3.
Learn more about Dr. Lujan at https://www.loricariidae.org/
Watch Undiscovered Amazon: The Unexplored and Threatened Andean Headwater www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrd1sEZwfs
Related Terms:
found on Amazonas site
==========================
Nathan K. Lujan, PhD.
Associate Editor, Journal of Fish Biology
As mega-dams loom and the clock ticks, University of Toronto evolutionary biologist and AMAZONAS Magazine contributor Nathan Lujan, Ph.D., describes evidence of new Marañon fish species, ecology unique to this river basin, and the likelihood of many more discoveries awaiting future fieldwork in one of the last great free-flowing rivers in the world.
Lujan explains, “…by damming [the Rio Marañon] you’re essentially decapitating the Amazon. Of the 18 scientific expeditions that I have conducted to South America, my 2006 expedition to the Marañon was one of the most productive because of the many new species we discovered and the fascinating ecology of wood-eating catfishes that we documented…I distinctly remember the moment my net was lifted, and there inside were two individuals of this new species with translucent white skin and long fin filaments. I knew immediately that these beautiful white fishes were new to science.”
The transluscent wood-eating catfish described by Lujan was subsequently described, and is now recognized as a deepwater form of Peckoltia pankimpuju, Lujan & Chamon, 2008. In the aquarium trade it may be encountered as the Coal Pleco (the normal form is dark gray/black, see below), the Peruvian Lyre-tail Peckoltia, or simply L350. What else could Lujan discover if he were to return? Image Credit: Nathan Lujan.
“If we were to go back and survey more, there’d be a high likelihood of more discoveries, more new species yet to be found,” says Lujan. “There’s so much of the drainage that we just haven’t studied yet, that we know hardly anything about.”
The normal color form of Peckoltia pankimpuju, a species native to the Rio Marañon, and only discovered during Lujan’s 2006 survey. Image by Michael J. Tuccinardi.
Reports suggest than the currently free-flowing Rio Marañon is subject to as many as 20 proposed hydroelectric damming projects. Lujan is certainly feeling a time crunch as these projects continue to move forward in South America. “A lot of conservation research, a lot of biodiversity research, has been focused on terrestrial ecosystems and focused on saving the rainforest. But while that conservation work is very important, in the past decade, hydroelectric dam construction has really accelerated, and these impacts are devastating river systems, and the conservation community in many cases hasn’t caught up. So, we’re racing to build an infrastructure to understand and conserve aquatic biodiversity in South America.”
To help fund this research: Text GIVE to 1 (833) 567-4229 and select #3.
Learn more about Dr. Lujan at https://www.loricariidae.org/
Watch Undiscovered Amazon: The Unexplored and Threatened Andean Headwater www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrd1sEZwfs
Related Terms:
found on Amazonas site
==========================
To be or not to be… removed | International seminar on dam removal Sweden, 24 – 26 September 2018
Karlstad University (KAU), Hudiksvall municipality, County Board Gävleborg and Dam Removal Europe (DRE) partners invite you to join the third DRE seminar from 24 to 26 September 2018 at the Kulturhuset Glada Hudik, Hudiksvall (Sweden).
To be or not to be… removed. A question that depends on many factors. Factors we will discuss during this amazing 3 day seminar. The three days will be filled with talks by international speakers who will be talking about Dam Removals, Hydropower, Cultural Values, Policies, “Dam Removal for Dummies” and much more. It is an unique opportunity, for those of you dealing with dam removal issues, now or in the near future, to learn from real cases throughout Europe and USA.
The first day of the seminar different aspects from the dam removal world will be discussed, such as social issues, hydro-industry perspective, existing policies in Europe and the Water Framework Directive.
The second day will focus on real case studies, already carried out or to be done in different EU countries and US. There will be a special guest from France, describing the studies and preparations being carried out in the upcoming biggest dam removal in Europe, the Vézin Dam (36 m). The last and third day we will enjoy a field visit to dam removal sites around Hudiksvall, both already removed dams and dams to be removed in the near future. There are still some open slots available for experts that would like to present their dam removal cases and experiences. Feel free to contact Pao Fernandez Garrido (pao@fishmigration.org). The complete program will be published at the end of June 2018.
Confirmed keynote speakers are:
To register to the seminar follow this link (open from 29 May)
Travel and lodging information:
Hudiksvall is located North of Stockholm on the Baltic coastline. The high speed train takes you from Stockholm to Hudiksvall in around two and a half hours. Follow this link to book a train ticket. We advice you to use booking.com or a similar booking system to book a room in Hudiksvall.
==========================
Karlstad University (KAU), Hudiksvall municipality, County Board Gävleborg and Dam Removal Europe (DRE) partners invite you to join the third DRE seminar from 24 to 26 September 2018 at the Kulturhuset Glada Hudik, Hudiksvall (Sweden).
To be or not to be… removed. A question that depends on many factors. Factors we will discuss during this amazing 3 day seminar. The three days will be filled with talks by international speakers who will be talking about Dam Removals, Hydropower, Cultural Values, Policies, “Dam Removal for Dummies” and much more. It is an unique opportunity, for those of you dealing with dam removal issues, now or in the near future, to learn from real cases throughout Europe and USA.
The first day of the seminar different aspects from the dam removal world will be discussed, such as social issues, hydro-industry perspective, existing policies in Europe and the Water Framework Directive.
The second day will focus on real case studies, already carried out or to be done in different EU countries and US. There will be a special guest from France, describing the studies and preparations being carried out in the upcoming biggest dam removal in Europe, the Vézin Dam (36 m). The last and third day we will enjoy a field visit to dam removal sites around Hudiksvall, both already removed dams and dams to be removed in the near future. There are still some open slots available for experts that would like to present their dam removal cases and experiences. Feel free to contact Pao Fernandez Garrido (pao@fishmigration.org). The complete program will be published at the end of June 2018.
Confirmed keynote speakers are:
- Jaakko Erkinaro – Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE). The impact of dams on migratory fish;
- Anne Shaffer – Coastal Watershed Institute (USA). Nearshore effects of the Elwha dam removal;
- Pao Fernandez Garrido – World Fish Migration Foundation. Dam removal 101 and From Sea To Source Book;
- Stephane Fraisse – French National Institute for Agricultural Research. Pre- and post-removal study of the Verzin and La Roche dam.
To register to the seminar follow this link (open from 29 May)
Travel and lodging information:
Hudiksvall is located North of Stockholm on the Baltic coastline. The high speed train takes you from Stockholm to Hudiksvall in around two and a half hours. Follow this link to book a train ticket. We advice you to use booking.com or a similar booking system to book a room in Hudiksvall.
==========================
Bracknell Aquarists Open Show June 9th 2018 ·
Hosted by Bracknell Aquarist Society
Saturday, June 9 at 10 AM - 5 PM
Next Week
Details
Birch Hill, Leppington, Bracknell RG12 7WW
==========================
Hisonotus devidei
Hisonotus devidei, a new species from the São Francisco basin, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)
F. F. Roxo
G. S. C. Silva
B. F. Melo
First published: 19 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13599urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CDDA9ED‐D157‐4 EB7‐ 8 AC0‐AB8984C3048F
AbstractA recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left‐bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotusfrom that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.
==========================
F. F. Roxo
G. S. C. Silva
B. F. Melo
First published: 19 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13599urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CDDA9ED‐D157‐4 EB7‐ 8 AC0‐AB8984C3048F
AbstractA recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left‐bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotusfrom that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.
==========================
Astynax mexicanus
How eye loss occurs in blind cavefish
Study yields potential clues to understanding eye disease and blindness in people
Source:
NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Summary:
Loss of eye tissue in blind cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus), which occurs within a few days of their development, happens through epigenetic silencing of eye-related genes, according to a new study. Epigenetic regulation is a process where genes are turned off or on, typically in a reversible or temporary manner. This mechanism differs from genetic mutations, which are permanent changes in the DNA code.
Share:
FULL STORY
Photograph of Astyanax mexicanus, surface form with eyes (top) and cave form without eyes (bottom) swimming together.
Credit: Daniel Castranova, NICHD/NIHLoss of eye tissue in blind cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus), which occurs within a few days of their development, happens through epigenetic silencing of eye-related genes, according to a study led by the National Institutes of Health. Epigenetic regulation is a process where genes are turned off or on, typically in a reversible or temporary manner. This mechanism differs from genetic mutations, which are permanent changes in the DNA code. The study appears in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
"Subterranean animals provide a unique opportunity to study how animals thrive in extreme environments, some of which can mimic human disease conditions," said Brant M. Weinstein, Ph.D., senior investigator at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and one of the study authors. "Many of the cavefish genes identified in our study are also linked to human eye disorders, suggesting these genes are conserved across evolution and may be similarly regulated in people."
A. mexicanus is a tropical freshwater fish native to Mexico. A few million years ago, some of these fish presumably got trapped in dark caves and gave rise to completely different varieties, or "morphs," that lack eyes and have several other unique physical, behavioral and physiological changes. Despite their dramatic differences, surface and cave morphs share similar genomes and can interbreed. Cave morphs begin eye development early but fail to maintain this program, undergoing eye degeneration within a few days of development. Previous research has not revealed any obvious mutations in genes important for their eye development.
The new study, conducted by researchers at NICHD and the University of Maryland, College Park, shows that epigenetic-based silencing of a large set of genes limits the eye development of cave-dwelling A. mexicanus fish. Twenty-six of these genes are also expressed in human eyes, and nineteen are linked to human eye disorders.
The study team found more DNA methylation of eye development genes and subsequently, less activity of these genes in cavefish. DNA methylation is an epigenetic process in which DNA is modified with tags called methyl groups. These tags, which are added by proteins called DNA methyltransferases, silence genes by making the DNA inaccessible.
The authors found that cavefish have higher levels of a DNA methyltransferase, called DNMT3B, in their developing eyes. When the study team mutated DNMT3B in another type of fish with eyes, zebrafish, they discovered that the mutant zebrafish have more active eye genes and larger eyes. The results suggest that a genetic change resulting in elevated DNMT3B levels occurred during the evolution of cavefish, leading to epigenetic suppression of eye development genes.
"Our study indicates that small genetic changes that alter epigenetic regulation can play an important role in evolution by triggering dramatic changes in the expression of large sets of genes," said Aniket V. Gore, Ph.D., the study's lead author.
Story Source:
Materials provided by NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Study yields potential clues to understanding eye disease and blindness in people
Source:
NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Summary:
Loss of eye tissue in blind cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus), which occurs within a few days of their development, happens through epigenetic silencing of eye-related genes, according to a new study. Epigenetic regulation is a process where genes are turned off or on, typically in a reversible or temporary manner. This mechanism differs from genetic mutations, which are permanent changes in the DNA code.
Share:
FULL STORY
Photograph of Astyanax mexicanus, surface form with eyes (top) and cave form without eyes (bottom) swimming together.
Credit: Daniel Castranova, NICHD/NIHLoss of eye tissue in blind cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus), which occurs within a few days of their development, happens through epigenetic silencing of eye-related genes, according to a study led by the National Institutes of Health. Epigenetic regulation is a process where genes are turned off or on, typically in a reversible or temporary manner. This mechanism differs from genetic mutations, which are permanent changes in the DNA code. The study appears in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
"Subterranean animals provide a unique opportunity to study how animals thrive in extreme environments, some of which can mimic human disease conditions," said Brant M. Weinstein, Ph.D., senior investigator at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and one of the study authors. "Many of the cavefish genes identified in our study are also linked to human eye disorders, suggesting these genes are conserved across evolution and may be similarly regulated in people."
A. mexicanus is a tropical freshwater fish native to Mexico. A few million years ago, some of these fish presumably got trapped in dark caves and gave rise to completely different varieties, or "morphs," that lack eyes and have several other unique physical, behavioral and physiological changes. Despite their dramatic differences, surface and cave morphs share similar genomes and can interbreed. Cave morphs begin eye development early but fail to maintain this program, undergoing eye degeneration within a few days of development. Previous research has not revealed any obvious mutations in genes important for their eye development.
The new study, conducted by researchers at NICHD and the University of Maryland, College Park, shows that epigenetic-based silencing of a large set of genes limits the eye development of cave-dwelling A. mexicanus fish. Twenty-six of these genes are also expressed in human eyes, and nineteen are linked to human eye disorders.
The study team found more DNA methylation of eye development genes and subsequently, less activity of these genes in cavefish. DNA methylation is an epigenetic process in which DNA is modified with tags called methyl groups. These tags, which are added by proteins called DNA methyltransferases, silence genes by making the DNA inaccessible.
The authors found that cavefish have higher levels of a DNA methyltransferase, called DNMT3B, in their developing eyes. When the study team mutated DNMT3B in another type of fish with eyes, zebrafish, they discovered that the mutant zebrafish have more active eye genes and larger eyes. The results suggest that a genetic change resulting in elevated DNMT3B levels occurred during the evolution of cavefish, leading to epigenetic suppression of eye development genes.
"Our study indicates that small genetic changes that alter epigenetic regulation can play an important role in evolution by triggering dramatic changes in the expression of large sets of genes," said Aniket V. Gore, Ph.D., the study's lead author.
Story Source:
Materials provided by NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Aniket V. Gore, Kelly A. Tomins, James Iben, Li Ma, Daniel Castranova, Andrew E. Davis, Amy Parkhurst, William R. Jeffery, Brant M. Weinstein. An epigenetic mechanism for cavefish eye degeneration. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2018; DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0569-4
==========================
Merthyr weir to be altered to boost fish numbers in River Taff
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will demolish part the Merthyr Vale weir on Monday which will allow fish to migrate upstream to produce juvenile fish.
A channel will be cut through the weir to allow salmon and sea trout to swim and spawn beyond the village
Anglers have welcomed the work, which will take 12 weeks to finish.
Salmon stocks were said to be in "a very bad condition" in Wales last yearMichael Clyde, Sustainable Fisheries Project Manager for NRW, said: "This weir is the final remaining significant barrier to fish migration on the Taff and its removal is an important step in helping to secure the future sustainability of migratory fish stocks."
Tony Rees, treasurer of Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association, said: "We welcome the proposal to remove the weir as this will greatly improve fish passage.
"This comes together with improvements the South East Wales Rivers Trust has made in making the Taf Fechan and Taff Fawr more accessible above Merthyr."
During construction, some of the riverside paths near the site will be closed and diversions will be put in place.
from BBC Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will demolish part the Merthyr Vale weir on Monday which will allow fish to migrate upstream to produce juvenile fish.
A channel will be cut through the weir to allow salmon and sea trout to swim and spawn beyond the village
Anglers have welcomed the work, which will take 12 weeks to finish.
Salmon stocks were said to be in "a very bad condition" in Wales last yearMichael Clyde, Sustainable Fisheries Project Manager for NRW, said: "This weir is the final remaining significant barrier to fish migration on the Taff and its removal is an important step in helping to secure the future sustainability of migratory fish stocks."
Tony Rees, treasurer of Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association, said: "We welcome the proposal to remove the weir as this will greatly improve fish passage.
"This comes together with improvements the South East Wales Rivers Trust has made in making the Taf Fechan and Taff Fawr more accessible above Merthyr."
During construction, some of the riverside paths near the site will be closed and diversions will be put in place.
from BBC Wales
Epinephelus lanceolatus -
Queensland Grouper
'Very rare' tropical fish spotted in Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Warmer oceans have brought tropical fish further south than normal. Credits: Image - Ben Brodie/Paihia Dive, Video - Newshub.
A huge tropical fish has been spotted in the Bay of Islands after an unusually warm season.
The giant grouper, also known as the Queensland grouper, is one of the biggest bony fish in the ocean. It's only been sighted five or six times in New Zealand.
Paihia Dive skipper Ben Brodie snapped some photos of a member of the protected species swimming in the wreck of the HMNZ Canterbury in Deep Water Cove on Sunday morning.
Photo credit: Ben Brodie/Paihia DiveFully-grown groupers can reach three or four metres in length and weigh up to 200kg. The fish spotted in the wreck of the Canterbury was a juvenile and almost one metre long.
Craig Johnston, owner of Paihia Dive, says he's never seen a Queensland grouper in more than 20 years of diving in New Zealand waters.
"It is very, very rare to see them."
He regrets that he wasn't diving when the fish was spotted, but went out to Deep Water Cove himself on Monday hoping to catch a glimpse for himself.
"They like caves and dark places, so we're hoping it hangs around."
Photo credit: Ben Brodie/Paihia DiveMr Johnston says the Bay of Islands has had a highly unusual season, with sea temperatures up to 4degC warmer than normal. In August 2017 the temperature reached 20degC, up from 17degC which is typical for early spring.
"I've never seen a season like this," he says.
The "marine heatwave" has brought more tropical fish into New Zealand waters, and Paihia Dive has had sightings of rarely-seen species such as the sergeant major damselfish.
Mr Johnston says he's not sure whether the warm season is the result of climate change, as the previous summer was slightly colder than average.
"It's hard to say, I'm not a scientist."
In March several species of rare tropical fish were sighted at the Kermadec Islands 1000km north of New Zealand, which experts said was due to warming oceans.
==========================
Warmer oceans have brought tropical fish further south than normal. Credits: Image - Ben Brodie/Paihia Dive, Video - Newshub.
A huge tropical fish has been spotted in the Bay of Islands after an unusually warm season.
The giant grouper, also known as the Queensland grouper, is one of the biggest bony fish in the ocean. It's only been sighted five or six times in New Zealand.
Paihia Dive skipper Ben Brodie snapped some photos of a member of the protected species swimming in the wreck of the HMNZ Canterbury in Deep Water Cove on Sunday morning.
Photo credit: Ben Brodie/Paihia DiveFully-grown groupers can reach three or four metres in length and weigh up to 200kg. The fish spotted in the wreck of the Canterbury was a juvenile and almost one metre long.
Craig Johnston, owner of Paihia Dive, says he's never seen a Queensland grouper in more than 20 years of diving in New Zealand waters.
"It is very, very rare to see them."
He regrets that he wasn't diving when the fish was spotted, but went out to Deep Water Cove himself on Monday hoping to catch a glimpse for himself.
"They like caves and dark places, so we're hoping it hangs around."
Photo credit: Ben Brodie/Paihia DiveMr Johnston says the Bay of Islands has had a highly unusual season, with sea temperatures up to 4degC warmer than normal. In August 2017 the temperature reached 20degC, up from 17degC which is typical for early spring.
"I've never seen a season like this," he says.
The "marine heatwave" has brought more tropical fish into New Zealand waters, and Paihia Dive has had sightings of rarely-seen species such as the sergeant major damselfish.
Mr Johnston says he's not sure whether the warm season is the result of climate change, as the previous summer was slightly colder than average.
"It's hard to say, I'm not a scientist."
In March several species of rare tropical fish were sighted at the Kermadec Islands 1000km north of New Zealand, which experts said was due to warming oceans.
==========================
Exostoma ericinum• A New Glyptosternine Catfish(Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from southwestern China
Exostoma ericinum Ng, 2018
photo: Hang Zhou
Abstract
A new species of glyptosternine catfish in the genus Exostoma is described in this study. The new species, Exostoma ericinum, is known from the upper Dayingjiang (=Taping River) drainage in southwestern China and is distinguished from congeners in having an unique combination of the following characters: 42–44 vertebrae; parallel striae on anterolateral surfaces of lips and lower surface of maxillary barbel; interorbital distance 26–31% HL; preanal length 67.7–70.5% SL; body depth at anus 10.4–12.0% SL (1.4–1.9 times in caudal peduncle depth); length of adipose-fin base 39.5–43.0% SL; lacking an incision at posterior extremity of adipose-fin base; caudal peduncle length 23.2–26.2% SL; caudal peduncle depth 5.7–7.9% SL; and caudal-fin lobes with slightly concave posterior margin.
Heok Hee Ng. 2018. Exostoma ericinum, A New Glyptosternine Catfish from southwestern China (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Zootaxa. 4420(3); 405-414. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4420.3.6
researchgate.net/publication/325181783_Exostoma_ericinum_a_new_glyptosternine_catfish_from_southwestern_China
==========================
Exostoma ericinum Ng, 2018
photo: Hang Zhou
Abstract
A new species of glyptosternine catfish in the genus Exostoma is described in this study. The new species, Exostoma ericinum, is known from the upper Dayingjiang (=Taping River) drainage in southwestern China and is distinguished from congeners in having an unique combination of the following characters: 42–44 vertebrae; parallel striae on anterolateral surfaces of lips and lower surface of maxillary barbel; interorbital distance 26–31% HL; preanal length 67.7–70.5% SL; body depth at anus 10.4–12.0% SL (1.4–1.9 times in caudal peduncle depth); length of adipose-fin base 39.5–43.0% SL; lacking an incision at posterior extremity of adipose-fin base; caudal peduncle length 23.2–26.2% SL; caudal peduncle depth 5.7–7.9% SL; and caudal-fin lobes with slightly concave posterior margin.
Heok Hee Ng. 2018. Exostoma ericinum, A New Glyptosternine Catfish from southwestern China (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Zootaxa. 4420(3); 405-414. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4420.3.6
researchgate.net/publication/325181783_Exostoma_ericinum_a_new_glyptosternine_catfish_from_southwestern_China
==========================
Birmingham Charity Fish Auction June 3rd 2018
Sunday, June 3 at 10:30 AM
Quinton Legion
211 WORLDS END LANE, QUINTON, B32 2RX Birmingham, United Kingdom
Show Map
==========================
Pseudolithoxus kinja• Biogeography and Species Delimitation of the Rheophilic Suckermouth Catfish Genus Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Brazilian Amazon
Pseudolithoxus kinja
Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins, 2018
in Collins, Bifi, de Oliveira, Ribeiro, Lujan, Rapp Py-Daniel & Hrbek, 2018
DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362
Abstract
The rapids-dwelling suckermouth catfish genus Pseudolithoxus was previously only known from the Guiana-Shield-draining Orinoco and Casiquiare river systems of Colombia and Venezuela, but new records have expanded this range considerably further into the Amazon basin of Brazil, and include occurrences from rivers draining the northern Brazilian Shield. These highly disjunct records are now placed in an evolutionary and phylogeographic context using a dated species tree constructed from mitochondrial (Cytb) and nuclear (RAG1) gene sequence data. Due to mito-nuclear discordance, we also delimit the putative species using statistical coalescent models and a range of additional metrics. We infer that at least two species of Pseudolithoxus are present in the Amazon basin: P. nicoi, previously only recorded from the río Casiquiare, but now also reported from the upper rio Negro, and a new species, which we describe herein from south-draining Guiana Shield and north-draining Brazilian Shield. Our data reject a simple model of Miocene vicariance in the group following uplift of the Uaupés Arch separating the Orinoco and Amazon systems, and instead suggest more complex dispersal scenarios through palaeo-connections in the Pliocene and also via the contemporary rio Negro and rio Madeira in the late Pleistocene.
Key words: aquatic, biodiversity, ichthyology, Neotropics, phylogeny, rio Negro, taxonomy
Figure 1. Pseudolithoxus kinja, holotype, 148.0 mm SL, INPA 3220; adult male in alcohol, rio Uatum~a, Amazonas, Brazil.
Pseudolithoxus kinja sp. nov.
Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins
....
ETYMOLOGY: ‘Kinja’, meaning the ‘true people’, is how the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous people refer to themselves. The Kinja people inhabit areas surrounding the rio Uatum~a and part of the rio Negro in the states of Amazonas and Roraima, Brazil. The ethnic term ‘Waimiri-Atroari’ was adopted in the beginning of the 20th century. The epithet ‘kinja’ pays homage to this brave people who survived three attempts of genocide in the last century, and survive and thrive today in their protected area. Treated as a noun in apposition.
Rupert A. Collins, Alessandro G. Bifi, Renildo R. de Oliveira, Emanuell D. Ribeiro, Nathan K. Lujan, Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel and Tomas Hrbek. 2018. Biogeography and Species Delimitation of the Rheophilic Suckermouth Catfish Genus Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Brazilian Amazon. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362
twitter.com/boopsboops/status/999286995758272512
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/999355846839726080
==========================
Pseudolithoxus kinja
Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins, 2018
in Collins, Bifi, de Oliveira, Ribeiro, Lujan, Rapp Py-Daniel & Hrbek, 2018
DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362
Abstract
The rapids-dwelling suckermouth catfish genus Pseudolithoxus was previously only known from the Guiana-Shield-draining Orinoco and Casiquiare river systems of Colombia and Venezuela, but new records have expanded this range considerably further into the Amazon basin of Brazil, and include occurrences from rivers draining the northern Brazilian Shield. These highly disjunct records are now placed in an evolutionary and phylogeographic context using a dated species tree constructed from mitochondrial (Cytb) and nuclear (RAG1) gene sequence data. Due to mito-nuclear discordance, we also delimit the putative species using statistical coalescent models and a range of additional metrics. We infer that at least two species of Pseudolithoxus are present in the Amazon basin: P. nicoi, previously only recorded from the río Casiquiare, but now also reported from the upper rio Negro, and a new species, which we describe herein from south-draining Guiana Shield and north-draining Brazilian Shield. Our data reject a simple model of Miocene vicariance in the group following uplift of the Uaupés Arch separating the Orinoco and Amazon systems, and instead suggest more complex dispersal scenarios through palaeo-connections in the Pliocene and also via the contemporary rio Negro and rio Madeira in the late Pleistocene.
Key words: aquatic, biodiversity, ichthyology, Neotropics, phylogeny, rio Negro, taxonomy
Figure 1. Pseudolithoxus kinja, holotype, 148.0 mm SL, INPA 3220; adult male in alcohol, rio Uatum~a, Amazonas, Brazil.
Pseudolithoxus kinja sp. nov.
Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins
....
ETYMOLOGY: ‘Kinja’, meaning the ‘true people’, is how the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous people refer to themselves. The Kinja people inhabit areas surrounding the rio Uatum~a and part of the rio Negro in the states of Amazonas and Roraima, Brazil. The ethnic term ‘Waimiri-Atroari’ was adopted in the beginning of the 20th century. The epithet ‘kinja’ pays homage to this brave people who survived three attempts of genocide in the last century, and survive and thrive today in their protected area. Treated as a noun in apposition.
Rupert A. Collins, Alessandro G. Bifi, Renildo R. de Oliveira, Emanuell D. Ribeiro, Nathan K. Lujan, Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel and Tomas Hrbek. 2018. Biogeography and Species Delimitation of the Rheophilic Suckermouth Catfish Genus Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Brazilian Amazon. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362
twitter.com/boopsboops/status/999286995758272512
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/999355846839726080
==========================
STAMPS Open Show & Auction August 5th 2018
- Sunday, August 5 at 10 AM - 4:30 PM UTC+01
- Young Charles Centre
NE34 0QJ South Shields
Show Map
The best show in the North East and a cracking auction alongside it. Why not try your hand at showing fish, whether you're a novice or experienced fish keeper. Any information required please message the page or leave a comment here and we'll get back to you. Also anyone looking to book an auction lot please leave a comment. www.facebook.com/groups/144422325751052/
==========================
SAT, JUN 2 AT 10 AM
Hounslow Open Show
YOUTH CENTRE, KINGSLEY ROAD, HOUNSLOW
| 2018_hounslow.pdf |
==========================
Austrolebias wichi • An Endangered New Species of Seasonal Killifish of the Genus Austrolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei) from the Bermejo River Basin in the Western Chacoan Region, northwestern Argentina
Austrolebias wichi
Alonso, Terán, Calviño, García, Cardoso & García, 2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196261
Abstract
Austrolebias wichi, new species, is herein described from seasonal ponds of the Bermejo river basin in the Western Chacoan district in northwestern Argentina. This species was found in a single pond, a paleochannel of the Bermejo River, which is seriously disturbed by soybean plantations surrounding it. Despite intensive sampling in the area, this species was only registered in this pond where it was relatively scarce. Therefore, we consider this species as critically endangered. This species is the sister species of A. patriciae in our phylogenetic analyses and is similar, in a general external aspect, to A. varzeae and A. carvalhoi. It can be distinguished among the species of Austrolebias by its unique color pattern in males. Additionally, from A. varzeae by presenting a supraorbital band equal or longer than the infraorbital band (vs. shorter) and from A. patriciae by the convex dorsal profile of head (vs. concave). Further diagnostic characters and additional comments on its ecology and reproduction are provided.
Fig 1. Live picture of male in left lateral view.
Austrolebias wichi sp. nov. (C) Austrolebias varzeae, picture by Matheus Volcan;
Fig 2. Live picture of female in left lateral view.
Austrolebias wichi sp. nov. (B) Austrolebias varzeae, picture by Matheus Volcan;
Austrolebias wichi, new species
Diagnosis: Distinguished from all other congeners except from Austrolebias patriciae by a supraorbital bar longer or equal than infraorbital bar (vs. always shorter than infraorbital bar). Austrolebias wichi can be distinguished from Austrolebias patriciae by head dorsal profile on lateral view concave (vs. convex), the absence of filamentous rays markedly overpassing the interradial membrane distal margin of dorsal and anal fin in adult males (vs. present), by presenting small numerous whitish dots on unpaired fins in males (vs. fewer and bigger), infraorbital and supraorbital bands thinner than pupil and pointed distal portion (vs. equal or wider than pupil and rounded distal portion), dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal fin origin in females (vs. anterior) (Fig 1).
Female colour pattern similar to A. patriciae, with grey pinkish background having irregular grey blotches and some dark blue blotches over the caudal peduncle and body flank and differing from A. varzeae, which presents an orange background with minute black and grey relatively rounded, irregular blotches (Fig 2), and from A. araucarianus which presents a yellowish brown pale flank, with vertically elongated dark grey to black spots, often forming short narrow bars [Costa, 2014].
Etymology: The name wichi is a reference to the occurrence of the new species in the Western Chacoan region where the Wichí indigenous people inhabits in several settlements very close to the type locality.
Ecology: The ponds in the region have marked dry and wet seasons; the rains are concentrated during the summer, with about 75% of the total rains concentrated from December to March, and almost no rains from May to September [Arias, 1996] (Table 2). This determines that the seasonal ponds present water approximately from December to April, depending on the pond and the variability among years, (pers. obs.) (Fig 6).
The seasonal aquatic environment where the new species was collected is part of a long paleochannel which is interrupted by a road. Despite intensive sampling efforts in this area and in the Western Chacoan region we were only able to collect this species in the portion of the paleochannel immediately next to the road. Physicochemical parameters measured on January 2006 where pH 6,9 and a conductivity of 70 μsiemens/cm. This environment generally presents abundant aquatic vegetation. Other syntopic killifish species are: Papiliolebias bitteri (Costa 1989) and Trigonectes aplocheiloides Huber, 1995, which are the most abundant species, followed in abundance by Austrolebias vandenbergi (Huber, 1995) and A. wichi, which is very scarce in this environment, and some years we could not even collect a single specimen of this species while there were other annual fishes in the pond. Also, very few Neofundulus paraguayensis (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) were collected in this pond. Nearby, a couple of hundred of metres from this environment there is another pond where we collected Austrolebias monstrosus (Huber, 1995) but this species was not found syntopically with A. wichi. There are many seasonal ponds in this area where annual fish are very abundant; nevertheless, the only place where we found A. wichi is the type locality. The only noticeable difference between this environment and other seasonal ponds in the area may be that this is a very profound (about 1 meter depth) and big environment.
From mid autumn, winter, and spring the pond is completely dry and the top layer of substrate, which consist of slime with some vegetal rests, is very dry (Fig 7). The presence of domestic cattle in this area is evident in the bottom of the dry pond and the impact of this alteration in the bottom structure over the killifish populations is unknown.
Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Pablo Calviño, Ignacio García, Yamila Cardoso and Graciela García. 2018. An Endangered New Species of Seasonal Killifish of the Genus Austrolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei) from the Bermejo River Basin in the Western Chacoan Region. PLoS ONE. 13(5): e0196261. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196261
==========================
Austrolebias wichi
Alonso, Terán, Calviño, García, Cardoso & García, 2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196261
Abstract
Austrolebias wichi, new species, is herein described from seasonal ponds of the Bermejo river basin in the Western Chacoan district in northwestern Argentina. This species was found in a single pond, a paleochannel of the Bermejo River, which is seriously disturbed by soybean plantations surrounding it. Despite intensive sampling in the area, this species was only registered in this pond where it was relatively scarce. Therefore, we consider this species as critically endangered. This species is the sister species of A. patriciae in our phylogenetic analyses and is similar, in a general external aspect, to A. varzeae and A. carvalhoi. It can be distinguished among the species of Austrolebias by its unique color pattern in males. Additionally, from A. varzeae by presenting a supraorbital band equal or longer than the infraorbital band (vs. shorter) and from A. patriciae by the convex dorsal profile of head (vs. concave). Further diagnostic characters and additional comments on its ecology and reproduction are provided.
Fig 1. Live picture of male in left lateral view.
Austrolebias wichi sp. nov. (C) Austrolebias varzeae, picture by Matheus Volcan;
Fig 2. Live picture of female in left lateral view.
Austrolebias wichi sp. nov. (B) Austrolebias varzeae, picture by Matheus Volcan;
Austrolebias wichi, new species
Diagnosis: Distinguished from all other congeners except from Austrolebias patriciae by a supraorbital bar longer or equal than infraorbital bar (vs. always shorter than infraorbital bar). Austrolebias wichi can be distinguished from Austrolebias patriciae by head dorsal profile on lateral view concave (vs. convex), the absence of filamentous rays markedly overpassing the interradial membrane distal margin of dorsal and anal fin in adult males (vs. present), by presenting small numerous whitish dots on unpaired fins in males (vs. fewer and bigger), infraorbital and supraorbital bands thinner than pupil and pointed distal portion (vs. equal or wider than pupil and rounded distal portion), dorsal-fin origin posterior to anal fin origin in females (vs. anterior) (Fig 1).
Female colour pattern similar to A. patriciae, with grey pinkish background having irregular grey blotches and some dark blue blotches over the caudal peduncle and body flank and differing from A. varzeae, which presents an orange background with minute black and grey relatively rounded, irregular blotches (Fig 2), and from A. araucarianus which presents a yellowish brown pale flank, with vertically elongated dark grey to black spots, often forming short narrow bars [Costa, 2014].
Etymology: The name wichi is a reference to the occurrence of the new species in the Western Chacoan region where the Wichí indigenous people inhabits in several settlements very close to the type locality.
Ecology: The ponds in the region have marked dry and wet seasons; the rains are concentrated during the summer, with about 75% of the total rains concentrated from December to March, and almost no rains from May to September [Arias, 1996] (Table 2). This determines that the seasonal ponds present water approximately from December to April, depending on the pond and the variability among years, (pers. obs.) (Fig 6).
The seasonal aquatic environment where the new species was collected is part of a long paleochannel which is interrupted by a road. Despite intensive sampling efforts in this area and in the Western Chacoan region we were only able to collect this species in the portion of the paleochannel immediately next to the road. Physicochemical parameters measured on January 2006 where pH 6,9 and a conductivity of 70 μsiemens/cm. This environment generally presents abundant aquatic vegetation. Other syntopic killifish species are: Papiliolebias bitteri (Costa 1989) and Trigonectes aplocheiloides Huber, 1995, which are the most abundant species, followed in abundance by Austrolebias vandenbergi (Huber, 1995) and A. wichi, which is very scarce in this environment, and some years we could not even collect a single specimen of this species while there were other annual fishes in the pond. Also, very few Neofundulus paraguayensis (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) were collected in this pond. Nearby, a couple of hundred of metres from this environment there is another pond where we collected Austrolebias monstrosus (Huber, 1995) but this species was not found syntopically with A. wichi. There are many seasonal ponds in this area where annual fish are very abundant; nevertheless, the only place where we found A. wichi is the type locality. The only noticeable difference between this environment and other seasonal ponds in the area may be that this is a very profound (about 1 meter depth) and big environment.
From mid autumn, winter, and spring the pond is completely dry and the top layer of substrate, which consist of slime with some vegetal rests, is very dry (Fig 7). The presence of domestic cattle in this area is evident in the bottom of the dry pond and the impact of this alteration in the bottom structure over the killifish populations is unknown.
Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Pablo Calviño, Ignacio García, Yamila Cardoso and Graciela García. 2018. An Endangered New Species of Seasonal Killifish of the Genus Austrolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei) from the Bermejo River Basin in the Western Chacoan Region. PLoS ONE. 13(5): e0196261. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196261
==========================
Hypostomus renestoi • Redescription of Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904) with the Recognition of A New Species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraguay Basin, Brazil
Fig.. Hypostomus renestoi, MCP 49767, holotype, 121.8 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Diamantino, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.
Fig. Hypostomus latirostris, NUP 3975, 127.0 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Jangada, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.
Hypostomus renestoi Zawadzki, da Silva & Troy, 2018
Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079
Hypostomus latirostris was originally described by Regan (1904) from “River Jungada [= rio Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz”; however, the species is rarely mentioned in taxonomic works on Hypostomus from Paraguay. Herein, the two syntypes of Plecostomus latirostris were examined showing critical differences between them. After the analysis of a large sample of recently collected specimens from the upper rio Paraguay basin we concluded that the two syntypes from the rio Jangada indeed belong to different species. Hypostomus latirostris is redescribed and a lectotype is designated herein. The other syntype (now a paralectotype of H. latirostris) is designated as paratype of Hypostomus renestoi, new species. Hypostomus renestoi can be differentiated from H. latirostris by having robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on the premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on the dentary (vs. 79-109); by having small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking hypertrophied odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.
Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)
Plecostomus pantherinus (not Kner, 1854): Boulenger, 1892: 9.
Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213, Pl. 11, Fig. 1. Type locality: Rio Jungada [= Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2); Gosline, 1947: 115 (brief comments).
Hypostomus latirostris – Burgess, 1989: 431 (checklist); Isbrücker, 1980: 25 (checklist); Montoya-Burgos et al., 2002: 374 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Montoya-Burgos, 2003: 1859, Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Weber, 2003: 359 (checklist); Ferraris, 2007: 255 (checklist); Cardoso et al., 2012: 74 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny).
Hypostomus sp. – Werner et al., 2005: 197 (L224, photo 3; neighborhood rio Cuiabá) and 302 (L388, photo 1; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).
Hypostomus sp. 2 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).
Hypostomus cf. latirostris - Renesto et al., 2007: 870 (allozymes).
Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus latirostris is known from several localities along the rio Cuiabá basin (Fig. 4). Regan (1904) pointed out the rio Jangada as the type locality. Records of H. latirostris were made in all the extension of the rio Manso and also in the rio Cuiabá basin. The rio Manso and the rio Cuiabazinho are the formers to rio Cuiabá. The rio Cuiabá basin is mainly located upstream the Brazilian Pantanal. Most specimens were collected before and after the construction of the Manso Reservoir. The rio Cuiabá basin has clear water, with rocky and sandy substrate, and variable remnant riparian vegetation. The individuals were collected whether in rapids or in lentic environments. Juveniles were usually collected in oxbow lakes in the rio Cuiabá basin and streams. Specimens of H. latirostris were collected co-occurring with H. boulengeri, H. cochliodon, H. khimaera, H. latifrons, H. piratatu, H. regani, H. ternetzi, H. peckoltoides, and H. mutucae.
Hypostomus renestoi, new species
Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213 (partim). Type locality: Rio Jungada, Matto Grosso [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2).
Hypostomus sp.: Werner et al., 2005: 302 (L389, photo 2; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).
Hypostomus sp. 3 – Renesto et al., 2007: 870 [allozymes].
Hypostomus sp. 4 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).
Diagnosis. Hypostomus renestoi is distinguished from the species of the H. cochliodon group (sensu Zawadzki & Hollanda Carvalho, 2015) by having viliform teeth and angle between dentaries usually larger than 80° (vs. spoon- or shovel-shaped teeth and angle between dentaries about 80°); from H. affinis, H. ancistroides, H. arecuta, H. argus, H. aspilogaster, H. borellii, H. boulengeri, H. carinatus, H. careopinnatus, H. carvalhoi, H. commersoni, H. crassicauda, H. delimai, H. derbyi, H. dlouhyi, H. faveolus, H. formosae, H. hemiurus, H. interruptus, H. itacua, H. laplatae, H. niceforoi, H. nigrolineatus, H. nigropunctatus, H. paucimaculatus, H. piratatu, H. plecostomus, H. pantherinus, H. punctatus, H. pusarum, H. scabryceps, H. seminudus, H. subcarinatus, H. tapijara, H. variostictus, H. velhochico, and H. watwata by lacking keels on median lateral series of plates (vs. having moderate or strong keels along lateral series of plates); from H. alatus, H. albopunctatus, H. chrysostiktos, H. fluviatilis, H. francisci, H. margaritifer, H. luteomaculatus, H. lexi, H. luteus, H. margaritifer, H. meleagris, H. microstomus, H. multidens, H. myersi, H. niger, H. regani, H. roseopunctatus, H. scaphyceps, H. sertanejo, H. strigaticeps, H. tietensis, and H. variipictus by having dark spots on a clearer background (vs. pale spots or vermiculations on a darker background); from H. asperatus, H. brevicauda, H. goyazensis, H. heraldoi, H. hermanni, H. iheringii, H. kuarup, H. lima, H. luetkeni, H. macrops, H. mutucae, H. nigromaculatus, H. paulinus, H. topavae, H. unae, and H. wuchereri by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); from H. angipinnatus, H. agna, H. isbrueckeri, H. laplatae, H. latifrons, H. nigropunctatus, H. uruguayensis, and H. vaillanti by having one plate bordering supraoccipital (vs. three to seven); from H. bolivianus, H. fonchii, and H. perdido by having bicuspid teeth (vs. unicuspid teeth); from H. peckoltoides by having dark large spots on body and fins (vs. wide dark transverse bars on body and bands on fins); from H. ternetzi by having ventral unbranched caudal-fin ray length smaller to equal to predorsal length (vs. unbranched caudal-fin ray length clearly larger than predorsal length); from H. latirostris by having: robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on dentary (vs. 79-109); small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.
Ecological notes. Sometimes very small black dots due to encysted metacercariae on trunk, belly and fins (Figs. 5, 7).
Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus renestoi was mainly collected in the rio Cuiabá and its tributaries (Fig. 8). As a small- to medium-sized species, the specimens were collected in small- and medium-sized streams, with ranges from 1.5 to 6 m wide, as well as records were also from the margins or shallow stretches of the larger Cuiabá and Manso rivers. The area sampled presented varied vegetation of degraded areas by mining practices, recreation, pasture, agriculture, and often a small riparian vegetation. The streams usually had as substrate sand, clay, gravel and rocks. Several specimens were collected in rapids on mouth of the tributaries to the rio Manso. With the construction of Manso Reservoir the lower stretches of some tributaries of the rio Manso are nowadays flooded by the lake reservoir.
Etymology. The specific epithet renestoi is in honor of the professor Erasmo Renesto, Brazilian ichthyologist, due to his contributions to the genetic field of the Neotropical fishes.
Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki, Hugmar Pains da Silva and Waldo Pinheiro Troy. 2018. Redescription of Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904) with the Recognition of A New Species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraguay Basin, Brazil. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079
==========================
Fig.. Hypostomus renestoi, MCP 49767, holotype, 121.8 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Diamantino, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.
Fig. Hypostomus latirostris, NUP 3975, 127.0 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Jangada, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.
Hypostomus renestoi Zawadzki, da Silva & Troy, 2018
Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)
DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079
Hypostomus latirostris was originally described by Regan (1904) from “River Jungada [= rio Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz”; however, the species is rarely mentioned in taxonomic works on Hypostomus from Paraguay. Herein, the two syntypes of Plecostomus latirostris were examined showing critical differences between them. After the analysis of a large sample of recently collected specimens from the upper rio Paraguay basin we concluded that the two syntypes from the rio Jangada indeed belong to different species. Hypostomus latirostris is redescribed and a lectotype is designated herein. The other syntype (now a paralectotype of H. latirostris) is designated as paratype of Hypostomus renestoi, new species. Hypostomus renestoi can be differentiated from H. latirostris by having robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on the premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on the dentary (vs. 79-109); by having small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking hypertrophied odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.
Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)
Plecostomus pantherinus (not Kner, 1854): Boulenger, 1892: 9.
Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213, Pl. 11, Fig. 1. Type locality: Rio Jungada [= Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2); Gosline, 1947: 115 (brief comments).
Hypostomus latirostris – Burgess, 1989: 431 (checklist); Isbrücker, 1980: 25 (checklist); Montoya-Burgos et al., 2002: 374 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Montoya-Burgos, 2003: 1859, Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Weber, 2003: 359 (checklist); Ferraris, 2007: 255 (checklist); Cardoso et al., 2012: 74 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny).
Hypostomus sp. – Werner et al., 2005: 197 (L224, photo 3; neighborhood rio Cuiabá) and 302 (L388, photo 1; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).
Hypostomus sp. 2 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).
Hypostomus cf. latirostris - Renesto et al., 2007: 870 (allozymes).
Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus latirostris is known from several localities along the rio Cuiabá basin (Fig. 4). Regan (1904) pointed out the rio Jangada as the type locality. Records of H. latirostris were made in all the extension of the rio Manso and also in the rio Cuiabá basin. The rio Manso and the rio Cuiabazinho are the formers to rio Cuiabá. The rio Cuiabá basin is mainly located upstream the Brazilian Pantanal. Most specimens were collected before and after the construction of the Manso Reservoir. The rio Cuiabá basin has clear water, with rocky and sandy substrate, and variable remnant riparian vegetation. The individuals were collected whether in rapids or in lentic environments. Juveniles were usually collected in oxbow lakes in the rio Cuiabá basin and streams. Specimens of H. latirostris were collected co-occurring with H. boulengeri, H. cochliodon, H. khimaera, H. latifrons, H. piratatu, H. regani, H. ternetzi, H. peckoltoides, and H. mutucae.
Hypostomus renestoi, new species
Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213 (partim). Type locality: Rio Jungada, Matto Grosso [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2).
Hypostomus sp.: Werner et al., 2005: 302 (L389, photo 2; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).
Hypostomus sp. 3 – Renesto et al., 2007: 870 [allozymes].
Hypostomus sp. 4 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).
Diagnosis. Hypostomus renestoi is distinguished from the species of the H. cochliodon group (sensu Zawadzki & Hollanda Carvalho, 2015) by having viliform teeth and angle between dentaries usually larger than 80° (vs. spoon- or shovel-shaped teeth and angle between dentaries about 80°); from H. affinis, H. ancistroides, H. arecuta, H. argus, H. aspilogaster, H. borellii, H. boulengeri, H. carinatus, H. careopinnatus, H. carvalhoi, H. commersoni, H. crassicauda, H. delimai, H. derbyi, H. dlouhyi, H. faveolus, H. formosae, H. hemiurus, H. interruptus, H. itacua, H. laplatae, H. niceforoi, H. nigrolineatus, H. nigropunctatus, H. paucimaculatus, H. piratatu, H. plecostomus, H. pantherinus, H. punctatus, H. pusarum, H. scabryceps, H. seminudus, H. subcarinatus, H. tapijara, H. variostictus, H. velhochico, and H. watwata by lacking keels on median lateral series of plates (vs. having moderate or strong keels along lateral series of plates); from H. alatus, H. albopunctatus, H. chrysostiktos, H. fluviatilis, H. francisci, H. margaritifer, H. luteomaculatus, H. lexi, H. luteus, H. margaritifer, H. meleagris, H. microstomus, H. multidens, H. myersi, H. niger, H. regani, H. roseopunctatus, H. scaphyceps, H. sertanejo, H. strigaticeps, H. tietensis, and H. variipictus by having dark spots on a clearer background (vs. pale spots or vermiculations on a darker background); from H. asperatus, H. brevicauda, H. goyazensis, H. heraldoi, H. hermanni, H. iheringii, H. kuarup, H. lima, H. luetkeni, H. macrops, H. mutucae, H. nigromaculatus, H. paulinus, H. topavae, H. unae, and H. wuchereri by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); from H. angipinnatus, H. agna, H. isbrueckeri, H. laplatae, H. latifrons, H. nigropunctatus, H. uruguayensis, and H. vaillanti by having one plate bordering supraoccipital (vs. three to seven); from H. bolivianus, H. fonchii, and H. perdido by having bicuspid teeth (vs. unicuspid teeth); from H. peckoltoides by having dark large spots on body and fins (vs. wide dark transverse bars on body and bands on fins); from H. ternetzi by having ventral unbranched caudal-fin ray length smaller to equal to predorsal length (vs. unbranched caudal-fin ray length clearly larger than predorsal length); from H. latirostris by having: robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on dentary (vs. 79-109); small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.
Ecological notes. Sometimes very small black dots due to encysted metacercariae on trunk, belly and fins (Figs. 5, 7).
Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus renestoi was mainly collected in the rio Cuiabá and its tributaries (Fig. 8). As a small- to medium-sized species, the specimens were collected in small- and medium-sized streams, with ranges from 1.5 to 6 m wide, as well as records were also from the margins or shallow stretches of the larger Cuiabá and Manso rivers. The area sampled presented varied vegetation of degraded areas by mining practices, recreation, pasture, agriculture, and often a small riparian vegetation. The streams usually had as substrate sand, clay, gravel and rocks. Several specimens were collected in rapids on mouth of the tributaries to the rio Manso. With the construction of Manso Reservoir the lower stretches of some tributaries of the rio Manso are nowadays flooded by the lake reservoir.
Etymology. The specific epithet renestoi is in honor of the professor Erasmo Renesto, Brazilian ichthyologist, due to his contributions to the genetic field of the Neotropical fishes.
Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki, Hugmar Pains da Silva and Waldo Pinheiro Troy. 2018. Redescription of Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904) with the Recognition of A New Species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraguay Basin, Brazil. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079
==========================
Corydoras benattii • From the Inside Out: A New Species of Armoured Catfish Corydoras (Siluriformes, Callichthyidae) with the Description of Poorly‐explored Character Sources
Corydoras benattii Espindola, Tencatt, Pupo, Villa-Verde & Britto, 2018
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602
Photo by Hans Evers
Abstract
A new species of the armoured catfish genus Corydoras is described from the Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion, Brazilian Amazon. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of features: short mesethmoid, with anterior tip poorly developed, smaller than 50% of bone length; posterior margin of pectoral spine with serrations directed towards spine tip or perpendicularly oriented; infraorbital 2 only in contact with sphenotic; ventral laminar expansion of infraorbital 1 poorly or moderately developed; flank midline covered by small dark brown or black saddles with similar size to remaining markings on body; relatively larger, scarcer and more sparsely distributed dark brown or black spots on body; absence of stripe on flank midline; caudal fin with conspicuous dark brown or black spots along its entire surface; slender body; and strongly narrow frontals. A more comprehensive description of poorly‐explored internal character sources, such as the gross morphology of the brain, Weberian apparatus and swimbladder capsule elements is presented.
Keywords: Brazilian Amazon, Corydoradinae, Corydoras sp. C22, gross brain morphology, taxonomy, Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion
Figure 1: Corydoras benattii sp. nov. in an aquarium , uncatalogued specimens, both near Altamira, lower Rio Xingu Basin.
Figure 2: Corydoras benattii sp. nov., MZUSP 121671, holotype, 25·4 mm standard length, Brazil, Mato Grosso, Canarana–Gaúcha do Norte, Rio Culuene, tributary to Rio Xingu Basin.
Corydoras benattii, sp. nov.
Corydoras sp. 4. Castilhos & Buckup, 2011: 241 (species list).
Corydoras sp. C22. Evers, 1994: 755, Fig. 2 (species catalogue). Glaser et al., 1996: 92 (photos, species catalogue). Evers & Schäfer, 2004: 11, 12 (photos, species catalogue). Füller & Evers, 2005: 281, 285, 294 (species catalogue).
Corydoras sp. aff. C22. Glaser et al., 1996: 90 (photos, species catalogue).
Geographical distribution: Corydoras benattii occurs in both the Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazilian Amazon (Fig. 10). In the Rio Xingu basin, it is known in Mato Grosso State from tributaries to the Rio Culuene, a clearwater tributary of the upper Rio Xingu (type locality) and in Pará State from the Rio Fresco sub drainage (Rio Trairão and Igarapé Manguari), middle Rio Xingu and from the lower Rio Xingu basin near Altamira. In the Rio Tapajós basin, it occurs in the Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, a tributary to the Rio Teles Pires, Mato Grosso and from Rio Cururu, a tributary to the Rio São Manuel, Pará.
Habitat notes: Specimens of Corydoras benattii were found in lotic habitats in the Rio Culuene, Rio Xingu basin and Rio Braço Norte, tributary to Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, Rio Tapajós basin (Fig. 11). Both localities have muddy‐brown water with clay and sandy substrata. Most specimens were captured in the small forest streams of black or clearwater, or in marginal ponds.
Etymology: The specific name, benattii, honours the late Laert Benatti for his humanitarian work, providing fresh water from artesian wells to poor communities in Brazil. Case is genitive.
V. C. Espíndola, L. F. C. Tencatt, F. M. Pupo, L. Villa‐Verde and M. R. Britto. 2018. From the Inside Out: A New Species of Armoured Catfish Corydoras with the Description of Poorly‐explored Character Sources (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602
Researchgate.net/publication/324606214_a_new_species_of_armoured_catfish_Corydoras
facebook.com/LuizTencatt/posts/10213690737920159
==========================
Corydoras benattii Espindola, Tencatt, Pupo, Villa-Verde & Britto, 2018
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602
Photo by Hans Evers
Abstract
A new species of the armoured catfish genus Corydoras is described from the Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion, Brazilian Amazon. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of features: short mesethmoid, with anterior tip poorly developed, smaller than 50% of bone length; posterior margin of pectoral spine with serrations directed towards spine tip or perpendicularly oriented; infraorbital 2 only in contact with sphenotic; ventral laminar expansion of infraorbital 1 poorly or moderately developed; flank midline covered by small dark brown or black saddles with similar size to remaining markings on body; relatively larger, scarcer and more sparsely distributed dark brown or black spots on body; absence of stripe on flank midline; caudal fin with conspicuous dark brown or black spots along its entire surface; slender body; and strongly narrow frontals. A more comprehensive description of poorly‐explored internal character sources, such as the gross morphology of the brain, Weberian apparatus and swimbladder capsule elements is presented.
Keywords: Brazilian Amazon, Corydoradinae, Corydoras sp. C22, gross brain morphology, taxonomy, Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion
Figure 1: Corydoras benattii sp. nov. in an aquarium , uncatalogued specimens, both near Altamira, lower Rio Xingu Basin.
Figure 2: Corydoras benattii sp. nov., MZUSP 121671, holotype, 25·4 mm standard length, Brazil, Mato Grosso, Canarana–Gaúcha do Norte, Rio Culuene, tributary to Rio Xingu Basin.
Corydoras benattii, sp. nov.
Corydoras sp. 4. Castilhos & Buckup, 2011: 241 (species list).
Corydoras sp. C22. Evers, 1994: 755, Fig. 2 (species catalogue). Glaser et al., 1996: 92 (photos, species catalogue). Evers & Schäfer, 2004: 11, 12 (photos, species catalogue). Füller & Evers, 2005: 281, 285, 294 (species catalogue).
Corydoras sp. aff. C22. Glaser et al., 1996: 90 (photos, species catalogue).
Geographical distribution: Corydoras benattii occurs in both the Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazilian Amazon (Fig. 10). In the Rio Xingu basin, it is known in Mato Grosso State from tributaries to the Rio Culuene, a clearwater tributary of the upper Rio Xingu (type locality) and in Pará State from the Rio Fresco sub drainage (Rio Trairão and Igarapé Manguari), middle Rio Xingu and from the lower Rio Xingu basin near Altamira. In the Rio Tapajós basin, it occurs in the Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, a tributary to the Rio Teles Pires, Mato Grosso and from Rio Cururu, a tributary to the Rio São Manuel, Pará.
Habitat notes: Specimens of Corydoras benattii were found in lotic habitats in the Rio Culuene, Rio Xingu basin and Rio Braço Norte, tributary to Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, Rio Tapajós basin (Fig. 11). Both localities have muddy‐brown water with clay and sandy substrata. Most specimens were captured in the small forest streams of black or clearwater, or in marginal ponds.
Etymology: The specific name, benattii, honours the late Laert Benatti for his humanitarian work, providing fresh water from artesian wells to poor communities in Brazil. Case is genitive.
V. C. Espíndola, L. F. C. Tencatt, F. M. Pupo, L. Villa‐Verde and M. R. Britto. 2018. From the Inside Out: A New Species of Armoured Catfish Corydoras with the Description of Poorly‐explored Character Sources (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602
Researchgate.net/publication/324606214_a_new_species_of_armoured_catfish_Corydoras
facebook.com/LuizTencatt/posts/10213690737920159
==========================
An eco-friendly cure for a global fish-killing disease- White Spot
Scientists have discovered a molecule that can save freshwater fish from a widespread deadly parasite.
By: Kurt Buchmann, Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Parasites are as a rule very picky about who they infect. But there are always exceptions.
The so-called ‘fish killer’ is a single-celled parasitic ciliate that causes problems for almost all species of freshwater fish. It affects both wild and farmed fish.
It infects the fish host and causes “White spot disease”, which becomes fatal within a matter of days.
Currently, fish farms use large amounts of harmful chemicals to keep the parasite, known as Ichthyophthirius, at bay.
But the environmental damage of these chemicals could be reduced in future thanks to a new discovery, which my colleagues and I have just made at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in collaboration with colleagues in the Netherlands.
A devastating parasite. It’s not only fish farmers and freshwater biologists that are familiar with the disease.
And they are not the only ones affected when fish become infected: White spot disease can wipe out an aquarium within a matter of days.
Ichthyophthirius is a true survivor. It has four life stages, and fortunately for the parasite, current chemical treatments do not work evenly throughout all of these stages.
These four stages are:
Degradable molecule kills the parasite in minutesOur new research shows that a molecule from the bacterium Pseudomonas H6 can kill the parasite at each stage of its life cycle outside the host.
Within seconds to minutes of application of the surfactant molecule, the membrane of the parasite becomes leaky and the cell content will flow out of the cell.
After it has done its job, the molecule quickly breaks down in the environment, whether that is a lake, a fish farm, or an aquarium, so it doesn’t build up over time.
This breakdown typically occurs within a few hours, but we need to study this further to find out precisely how long it takes.
The new discovery offers hope of developing a more effective and environmentally friendly way of controlling this deadly parasite.
Scientists have discovered a molecule that can save freshwater fish from a widespread deadly parasite.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.12810
==========================
Scientists have discovered a molecule that can save freshwater fish from a widespread deadly parasite.
By: Kurt Buchmann, Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Parasites are as a rule very picky about who they infect. But there are always exceptions.
The so-called ‘fish killer’ is a single-celled parasitic ciliate that causes problems for almost all species of freshwater fish. It affects both wild and farmed fish.
It infects the fish host and causes “White spot disease”, which becomes fatal within a matter of days.
Currently, fish farms use large amounts of harmful chemicals to keep the parasite, known as Ichthyophthirius, at bay.
But the environmental damage of these chemicals could be reduced in future thanks to a new discovery, which my colleagues and I have just made at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in collaboration with colleagues in the Netherlands.
A devastating parasite. It’s not only fish farmers and freshwater biologists that are familiar with the disease.
And they are not the only ones affected when fish become infected: White spot disease can wipe out an aquarium within a matter of days.
Ichthyophthirius is a true survivor. It has four life stages, and fortunately for the parasite, current chemical treatments do not work evenly throughout all of these stages.
These four stages are:
- The trophont: The parasite living in skin and gills.
- The Tomont: Following escape from the skin it swims freely in the water.
- Tomocyst: The tomont secretes a cyst wall and produces numerous daughter cells (theronts).
- Theront: These theronts escape the cyst and will infect fish within a few hours.
Degradable molecule kills the parasite in minutesOur new research shows that a molecule from the bacterium Pseudomonas H6 can kill the parasite at each stage of its life cycle outside the host.
Within seconds to minutes of application of the surfactant molecule, the membrane of the parasite becomes leaky and the cell content will flow out of the cell.
After it has done its job, the molecule quickly breaks down in the environment, whether that is a lake, a fish farm, or an aquarium, so it doesn’t build up over time.
This breakdown typically occurs within a few hours, but we need to study this further to find out precisely how long it takes.
The new discovery offers hope of developing a more effective and environmentally friendly way of controlling this deadly parasite.
Scientists have discovered a molecule that can save freshwater fish from a widespread deadly parasite.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.12810
==========================
World's biggest fisheries supported by seagrass meadowsSeagrass meadows help to support world fisheries productivity
Date:
May 21, 2018
Source:
Swansea University
Summary:
Scientific research has provided the first quantitative global evidence of the significant role that seagrass meadows play in supporting world fisheries productivity.
FULL STORY
Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production.
Credit: Swansea UniversityScientific research has provided the first quantitative global evidence of the significant role that seagrass meadows play in supporting world fisheries productivity. The study entitled 'Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production' published in Conservation Letters, provides evidence that a fifth of the world's biggest fisheries, such as Atlantic Cod and Walleye Pollock are reliant on healthy seagrass meadows. The study also demonstrates the prevalence of seagrass associated fishing globally.
The study, carried out in partnership with Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth at Cardiff University and Dr Lina Mtwana Nordlund at Stockholm University, demonstrates for the first time that seagrasses should be recognised and managed to maintain and maximise their role in global fisheries production.
Dr Cullen-Unsworth said: "The chasm that exists between coastal habitat conservation and fisheries management needs to be filled to maximise the chances of seagrass meadows supporting fisheries, so that they can continue to support human wellbeing."
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that form extensive meadows in shallow seas on all continents except Antarctica. The distribution of seagrass, from the intertidal to about 60m depth in clear waters, makes seagrass meadows an easily exploitable fishing habitat.
Dr Unsworth said: "Seagrass meadows support global fisheries productivity by providing nursery habitat for commercial fish stocks such as tiger prawns, conch, Atlantic cod and white spotted spinefoot."
The authors also explain how seagrasses support fisheries in adjacent and deep water habitats, by creating expansive fishery habitat rich in fauna, and by providing trophic support to adjacent fisheries. Seagrasses are also described to support fisheries by promoting the health of connected habitats (e.g. Coral reefs).
The research article examined the links between seagrass and fisheries and the need for an integrated approach to their management governed at local, regional and international levels. The research presents a series of policy-relevant observations and recommendations that recognise the role of seagrass in global fisheries.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Swansea University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Date:
May 21, 2018
Source:
Swansea University
Summary:
Scientific research has provided the first quantitative global evidence of the significant role that seagrass meadows play in supporting world fisheries productivity.
FULL STORY
Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production.
Credit: Swansea UniversityScientific research has provided the first quantitative global evidence of the significant role that seagrass meadows play in supporting world fisheries productivity. The study entitled 'Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production' published in Conservation Letters, provides evidence that a fifth of the world's biggest fisheries, such as Atlantic Cod and Walleye Pollock are reliant on healthy seagrass meadows. The study also demonstrates the prevalence of seagrass associated fishing globally.
The study, carried out in partnership with Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth at Cardiff University and Dr Lina Mtwana Nordlund at Stockholm University, demonstrates for the first time that seagrasses should be recognised and managed to maintain and maximise their role in global fisheries production.
Dr Cullen-Unsworth said: "The chasm that exists between coastal habitat conservation and fisheries management needs to be filled to maximise the chances of seagrass meadows supporting fisheries, so that they can continue to support human wellbeing."
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that form extensive meadows in shallow seas on all continents except Antarctica. The distribution of seagrass, from the intertidal to about 60m depth in clear waters, makes seagrass meadows an easily exploitable fishing habitat.
Dr Unsworth said: "Seagrass meadows support global fisheries productivity by providing nursery habitat for commercial fish stocks such as tiger prawns, conch, Atlantic cod and white spotted spinefoot."
The authors also explain how seagrasses support fisheries in adjacent and deep water habitats, by creating expansive fishery habitat rich in fauna, and by providing trophic support to adjacent fisheries. Seagrasses are also described to support fisheries by promoting the health of connected habitats (e.g. Coral reefs).
The research article examined the links between seagrass and fisheries and the need for an integrated approach to their management governed at local, regional and international levels. The research presents a series of policy-relevant observations and recommendations that recognise the role of seagrass in global fisheries.
- Seagrass nursery habitats for fish stocks. This research highlights the need to expand research into nursery habitat links to mature exploited fish stocks. Large-scale international strategies such as the European Union Fisheries Policy need to formally acknowledge the significance of seagrass meadows (and other habitats) as nursery grounds from which off-shore fisheries are stocked, says Dr Unsworth.
- Seagrass as key fishing grounds. Seagrass meadows provide a fishery resource that is directly exploited by small scale subsistence and artisanal fisheries as well as large scale commercial enterprises but in many parts of the world, seagrass situated fisheries are often unreported and unregulated and more needs to be done to record this vital resource, says co-author Dr Nordlund.
- Seagrass provides shallow water habitat for harvesting invertebrates. Gleaning, fishing in water shallow enough to walk in, occurs around the globe. Seagrass invertebrate fisheries provide a source of essential protein for some of the most vulnerable people in tropical coastal communities., says Dr Nordlund. Invertebrate gleaning activity is expanding globally and although it's a significant global activity, often conducted by women and children, it is not usually included in fishery statistics and rarely considered in resource management strategies are commonly unreported, unregulated or poorly enforced. This substantial and widespread fishery needs to be considered with regional and local management planning.
- Seagrass trophic support for fisheries. Seagrass meadows export vast quantities of living material, organic matter and associated animal biomass. This can benefit a range of near and far shore fisheries. Seagrass can also subsidise whole food webs in the deep sea benefiting larger fisheries productivity.
- The potential value of seagrass meadows for food security. The potential value of seagrass meadows in supporting food security remains largely underappreciated, says co-author Dr Cullen-Unsworth. In particular there is disparity between the significant economic benefits supplied by the seagrass nurseries and the poor levels of funding and management afforded to prevent seagrass degradation. Fisheries modelling and management approaches tend not to consider the functional role of shallow coastal seagrass in supporting fish stocks.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Swansea University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Richard K.F. Unsworth, Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth. Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production. Conservation Letters, 2018; e12566 DOI: 10.1111/conl.12566
==========================
Insect meal to the mix: Effect on fish feed pellets
As of last year, adding insect meal to fish diets is allowed. But what is the effect of adding this new type of protein on the physical-chemical properties of hot-extruded fish feed pellets?Fish feed is made by using the extrusion method, as this is an efficient, durable and versatile method of producing both floating and sinking pellets. In addition, extrusion enhances digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients, improves safety of the final product and is also an environmentally-friendly process. At the same time time, feed ingredients for fish feed are changing and this can have an effect on further feed processing. The use of alternative protein sources such as insect meal is increasing. But can we still make a high quality feed pellet when insect derived ingredients are added to the feed mash?
Fish feed is made by using the extrusion method, as this is an efficient, durable and versatile method of producing both floating and sinking pellets. Photo: DreamstimeDifferent inclusion rates testedA collaborative research team delved into this and further studied the effects of substituting freshwater shrimp meal (FWSM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) or adult cricket meal (ACM). The FWSM protein in a 26 g/100 g protein fish feed formulation was substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75%, and moisture content of the formulated blends adjusted to 10, 20 or 30 g/100 g prior to extrusion. Floatability, expansion rate, bulk density, durability index, water absorption index, water solubility index, and water stability of extruded pellets were determined. Sinking velocity and the total suspended and dissolved solids in water were determined for the optimal pellets.
The top 3 articles on insect meal in fish diets:First insect-fed salmon launched
Heading towards 100% fishmeal replacement
Canadian approval for insects in salmon feed
No major influences of insect mealIt was shown that the pellet floatability was not influenced by the type of insect meal, but the interaction between level of inclusion and moisture content of the feed at extrusion. Pellets with high floatability >90% were produced from all feed blends at 30 g/100 g moisture content. Expansion ratio, was not influenced by type of insect meal or the level of inclusion but by the moisture content whereby feed blends extruded at 30 g/100 g moisture gave pellets with high expansion ratio ~60%. Bulk density was influenced by the interaction of the 3 factors. Pellet durability and water absorption indices were not influenced by the investigated factors or their interactions. Processed pellets were generally highly durable (99%) out of water, but the stability in water was significantly influenced by the interaction of type of insect meal level of inclusion and moisture content at extrusion. Water solubility increased with increasing extrusion moisture.
Want to buy insect meal or insect oil? Take a look at this comprehensive list of the major commercial producers around the world.
An effective substituteFrom this trial, the researchers conclude that overall, nutritional contents of BSFM and ACM blends were within that of the control indicating that the insect meals can effectively substitute FWSM as key protein source. Best results were seen with 75% BSFM or 75% ACM at 30 g/100 g feed moisture. Further work should investigate nutrient availability and digestibility as well as performance of the pellets in feeding trials.
Source: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed
==========================
As of last year, adding insect meal to fish diets is allowed. But what is the effect of adding this new type of protein on the physical-chemical properties of hot-extruded fish feed pellets?Fish feed is made by using the extrusion method, as this is an efficient, durable and versatile method of producing both floating and sinking pellets. In addition, extrusion enhances digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients, improves safety of the final product and is also an environmentally-friendly process. At the same time time, feed ingredients for fish feed are changing and this can have an effect on further feed processing. The use of alternative protein sources such as insect meal is increasing. But can we still make a high quality feed pellet when insect derived ingredients are added to the feed mash?
Fish feed is made by using the extrusion method, as this is an efficient, durable and versatile method of producing both floating and sinking pellets. Photo: DreamstimeDifferent inclusion rates testedA collaborative research team delved into this and further studied the effects of substituting freshwater shrimp meal (FWSM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) or adult cricket meal (ACM). The FWSM protein in a 26 g/100 g protein fish feed formulation was substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75%, and moisture content of the formulated blends adjusted to 10, 20 or 30 g/100 g prior to extrusion. Floatability, expansion rate, bulk density, durability index, water absorption index, water solubility index, and water stability of extruded pellets were determined. Sinking velocity and the total suspended and dissolved solids in water were determined for the optimal pellets.
The top 3 articles on insect meal in fish diets:First insect-fed salmon launched
Heading towards 100% fishmeal replacement
Canadian approval for insects in salmon feed
No major influences of insect mealIt was shown that the pellet floatability was not influenced by the type of insect meal, but the interaction between level of inclusion and moisture content of the feed at extrusion. Pellets with high floatability >90% were produced from all feed blends at 30 g/100 g moisture content. Expansion ratio, was not influenced by type of insect meal or the level of inclusion but by the moisture content whereby feed blends extruded at 30 g/100 g moisture gave pellets with high expansion ratio ~60%. Bulk density was influenced by the interaction of the 3 factors. Pellet durability and water absorption indices were not influenced by the investigated factors or their interactions. Processed pellets were generally highly durable (99%) out of water, but the stability in water was significantly influenced by the interaction of type of insect meal level of inclusion and moisture content at extrusion. Water solubility increased with increasing extrusion moisture.
Want to buy insect meal or insect oil? Take a look at this comprehensive list of the major commercial producers around the world.
An effective substituteFrom this trial, the researchers conclude that overall, nutritional contents of BSFM and ACM blends were within that of the control indicating that the insect meals can effectively substitute FWSM as key protein source. Best results were seen with 75% BSFM or 75% ACM at 30 g/100 g feed moisture. Further work should investigate nutrient availability and digestibility as well as performance of the pellets in feeding trials.
Source: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed
==========================
(Oncorhynchus clarki lewisii
Environmentalists concerned about fragile fish habitat in creek west of Calgary
Concerns over silt in sensitive trout habitat
Environmentalists are concerned about a Westslope Cutthroat Trout habitat after mud from a nearby road washed into the water.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ((Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) populations continue to decline in Alberta and some environmental groups are sounding the alarm over an incident in Silvester Creek, west of Calgary.
The groups say mud from a road used to haul logs was swept into critical Westslope Cutthroat Trout habitat earlier this month.
Silvester Creek runs through the McLean Creek Public Land Use Zone and is home to one of just 13 genetically pure populations of the native trout.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout are listed as threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and the Federal Species at Risk Act, because of their small distribution, fragmented population and the continuing decline of habitat.
Logging companies and trail users are required to use only specially designated crossing points that should be designed to limit runoff into the creek.
Part of Silvester Creek has been designated as critical habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout and the species is listed as threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.
Excessive mud can smother the eggs of the threatened fish, which will soon start spawning.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society says the latest incident highlights a problem with the way the province protects threatened species.
"More broadly, we'd really like to see a forestry policy reevaluated so that this is prevented, it's not just caught and repaired. Fragile species like cutthroat trout can't handle events like this and they should be prevented in their entirety," said Becky Best-Bertwistle, from CPAWS.
Dave Klepacki is a passionate fisherman and when he saw the water he was concerned.
“The silt will clog up the oxygenation of those eggs and those eggs are at risk of dying of course,” said Klepacki. “I was surprised at how silty it was that far downstream from the actual problem with the bridge where the silt was running off of the road.”
Klepacki set out to find the source of the silt and says he came across a bridge along a logging road that had given way, dumping loads of dirt into the creek system.
“As soon as we got above those bridges upstream, water was crystal clear,” he said.
A representative from Spray Lakes Sawmills says the company is aware and took action as soon as the weather improved to stop mud and dirt from getting washed into the creek system.
The company adds that they believe that there was no environmental impact from the event.
In 2005, there were an estimated 330 adult cutthroat trout in the creek system and that number fell to just 81 fish by 2016.
The province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are looking into the incident.
==========================
Concerns over silt in sensitive trout habitat
Environmentalists are concerned about a Westslope Cutthroat Trout habitat after mud from a nearby road washed into the water.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ((Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) populations continue to decline in Alberta and some environmental groups are sounding the alarm over an incident in Silvester Creek, west of Calgary.
The groups say mud from a road used to haul logs was swept into critical Westslope Cutthroat Trout habitat earlier this month.
Silvester Creek runs through the McLean Creek Public Land Use Zone and is home to one of just 13 genetically pure populations of the native trout.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout are listed as threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and the Federal Species at Risk Act, because of their small distribution, fragmented population and the continuing decline of habitat.
Logging companies and trail users are required to use only specially designated crossing points that should be designed to limit runoff into the creek.
Part of Silvester Creek has been designated as critical habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout and the species is listed as threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.
Excessive mud can smother the eggs of the threatened fish, which will soon start spawning.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society says the latest incident highlights a problem with the way the province protects threatened species.
"More broadly, we'd really like to see a forestry policy reevaluated so that this is prevented, it's not just caught and repaired. Fragile species like cutthroat trout can't handle events like this and they should be prevented in their entirety," said Becky Best-Bertwistle, from CPAWS.
Dave Klepacki is a passionate fisherman and when he saw the water he was concerned.
“The silt will clog up the oxygenation of those eggs and those eggs are at risk of dying of course,” said Klepacki. “I was surprised at how silty it was that far downstream from the actual problem with the bridge where the silt was running off of the road.”
Klepacki set out to find the source of the silt and says he came across a bridge along a logging road that had given way, dumping loads of dirt into the creek system.
“As soon as we got above those bridges upstream, water was crystal clear,” he said.
A representative from Spray Lakes Sawmills says the company is aware and took action as soon as the weather improved to stop mud and dirt from getting washed into the creek system.
The company adds that they believe that there was no environmental impact from the event.
In 2005, there were an estimated 330 adult cutthroat trout in the creek system and that number fell to just 81 fish by 2016.
The province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are looking into the incident.
==========================
Embryonic, larval and juvenile development of the longfin batfish, Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775) under controlled conditions with special regard to mitigate cannibalism for larviculture
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.05.006
Highlights
•We report the embryonic, larval and juvenile development of Platax teira for the first time.
•The optimal incubation temperature for Platax teira recommended is at 27 °C.
•The usage of aeration provides an eazy and effective approach to suppress cannibalism problems in batfish larviculture.
•Batfish larvae reared in aeration rate of 300 mL min-1 attained the highest survival rate and remained lower in cannibalism.
AbstractLongfin batfish Platax teira is one of the most important finfish species in Asian aquaculture. However, knowledge on early ontogeny and reproduction of this species in captivity are scarce and incomplete. In this study, the embryonic, larval and juvenile development of P. teira are described and illustrated for the first time. The effect of temperature (27, 30 and 33 °C) on hatching rate, yolk-sac volume and oil globule volume was demonstrated. Cannibalism control via aeration adjustment for the enhancement of larval survival was also examined. Fertilized eggs were spherical, buoyant and had a diameter of 1.29 ± 0.05 mm (mean ± SD). Embryonic development lasted 16 h at 26.2 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 2.81 ± 0.24 mm in total length (LT) with 24 myomeres and had an oil globule in the ventroposterior area of the yolk sac. Early larvae had xanthophores appeared all over the body, except for the tip of the notochord. Larvae completed yolk absorption within 3 days post hatching (dph) at 3.41 ± 0.11 mm LT. Larvae were fed initially on rotifers Brachionus ibericus, followed by Artemia nauplii and finally weaned onto an artificial diet. From 8 dph, the larger larvae (over 4 mm LT) began to exhibit cannibalistic behaviour. Transformation of larvae to the juvenile stage was completed at 23.80 ± 1.98 mm LT, all fins had the adult complement of rays and spines. A statistical model: Y = 2.4968e0.0786x, where Y is mean LT (mm) and X represents dph, explained 96.45% of variation in growth (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.9645). The hatching rate, yolk-sac volume and oil globule volume of newly hatched larvae were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased when the incubation temperature increased. Only 2–6% of embryos hatched at 33 °C, while the hatching rate was 63 ± 6% at 27 °C. Larvae reared in aeration rate of 300 mL min−1 attained the highest survival rate at 70.00 ± 7.20%, but remained significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cannibalism: 24.44 ± 4.16% compared with 66.67 ± 5.44% in 20 mL min−1. These results indicate that the optimal incubation temperature recommended is approximately at 27 °C, and aeration at 300 mL min −1could enhance larval survival by reducing cannibalism.
==========================
- Ming-Yih Leua, b, , 1, ,
- Ko-Yuan Taic,
- Pei-Jie Menga, b,
- Cheng-Hao Tanga, d,
- Pin-Han Wanga,
- Kwee Siong Tewa, b, 1
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.05.006
Highlights
•We report the embryonic, larval and juvenile development of Platax teira for the first time.
•The optimal incubation temperature for Platax teira recommended is at 27 °C.
•The usage of aeration provides an eazy and effective approach to suppress cannibalism problems in batfish larviculture.
•Batfish larvae reared in aeration rate of 300 mL min-1 attained the highest survival rate and remained lower in cannibalism.
AbstractLongfin batfish Platax teira is one of the most important finfish species in Asian aquaculture. However, knowledge on early ontogeny and reproduction of this species in captivity are scarce and incomplete. In this study, the embryonic, larval and juvenile development of P. teira are described and illustrated for the first time. The effect of temperature (27, 30 and 33 °C) on hatching rate, yolk-sac volume and oil globule volume was demonstrated. Cannibalism control via aeration adjustment for the enhancement of larval survival was also examined. Fertilized eggs were spherical, buoyant and had a diameter of 1.29 ± 0.05 mm (mean ± SD). Embryonic development lasted 16 h at 26.2 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 2.81 ± 0.24 mm in total length (LT) with 24 myomeres and had an oil globule in the ventroposterior area of the yolk sac. Early larvae had xanthophores appeared all over the body, except for the tip of the notochord. Larvae completed yolk absorption within 3 days post hatching (dph) at 3.41 ± 0.11 mm LT. Larvae were fed initially on rotifers Brachionus ibericus, followed by Artemia nauplii and finally weaned onto an artificial diet. From 8 dph, the larger larvae (over 4 mm LT) began to exhibit cannibalistic behaviour. Transformation of larvae to the juvenile stage was completed at 23.80 ± 1.98 mm LT, all fins had the adult complement of rays and spines. A statistical model: Y = 2.4968e0.0786x, where Y is mean LT (mm) and X represents dph, explained 96.45% of variation in growth (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.9645). The hatching rate, yolk-sac volume and oil globule volume of newly hatched larvae were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased when the incubation temperature increased. Only 2–6% of embryos hatched at 33 °C, while the hatching rate was 63 ± 6% at 27 °C. Larvae reared in aeration rate of 300 mL min−1 attained the highest survival rate at 70.00 ± 7.20%, but remained significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cannibalism: 24.44 ± 4.16% compared with 66.67 ± 5.44% in 20 mL min−1. These results indicate that the optimal incubation temperature recommended is approximately at 27 °C, and aeration at 300 mL min −1could enhance larval survival by reducing cannibalism.
==========================
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis • A New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae) from the Philippines and Indonesia
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis
Tea, Frable & Gill, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.5
Abstract
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines, and a paratype from Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new species belongs to a complex consisting of C. filamentosus (Klausewitz), C. rubripinnis Randall & Carpenter, and C. tonozukai Allen & Kuiter. Aside from similar nuptial male coloration, the four species share the following character combination: a single row of cheek scales; dorsal-fin spines taller than dorsal-fin rays (slightly incised between spinuous and soft dorsal fin in C. rubripinnis and C. cyanogularis; last three dorsal-fin spines converging to form a single filament in C. tonozukai and C. filamentosus); relatively long pelvic fins (reaching past anal-fin origin); and isthmus and breast blue. The new species differs from the other members of the complex in lacking a dorsal filament, as well as possessing six predorsal scales, more extensive blue coloration on the isthmus, lower head and breast, and a soft dorsal fin with narrow black, medial stripe. The status of Klausewitz’s Cirrhilabrichthys is briefly discussed.
Keywords: taxonomy, ichthyology, Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, coloration, Pisces
FIGURE Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, aquarium specimen from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Specimen not retained. Photo by K. Endoh.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis n. sp.
Blue-throated Fairy-wrasse
Diagnosis. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis differs from congeners in having the following combination of characters: single row of cheek scales; six predorsal scales; dorsal-fin spines taller than segmented rays; no filament on middle of dorsal fin; pelvic fins long, reaching past anal-fin origin; males in life with broad blue area covering isthmus, lower part of head and breast to at least pelvic origin, and soft dorsal fin with narrow black, medial stripe.
....
Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek kyanos, blue, and Latin, gularis, throated, alluding to the extensive blue throat coloration of males of the species. Gender is masculine.
Distribution and habitat. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis is known from the type locality from Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines and from an unknown locality in Sulawesi, Indonesia (Figure 8). ....
Yi-Kai Tea, Benjamin Frable and Anthony C. Gill. 2018. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, A New Species of Fairy Wrasse from the Philippines and Indonesia (Teleostei: Labridae). Zootaxa. 4418(6); 577–587. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.5
==========================
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis
Tea, Frable & Gill, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.5
Abstract
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines, and a paratype from Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new species belongs to a complex consisting of C. filamentosus (Klausewitz), C. rubripinnis Randall & Carpenter, and C. tonozukai Allen & Kuiter. Aside from similar nuptial male coloration, the four species share the following character combination: a single row of cheek scales; dorsal-fin spines taller than dorsal-fin rays (slightly incised between spinuous and soft dorsal fin in C. rubripinnis and C. cyanogularis; last three dorsal-fin spines converging to form a single filament in C. tonozukai and C. filamentosus); relatively long pelvic fins (reaching past anal-fin origin); and isthmus and breast blue. The new species differs from the other members of the complex in lacking a dorsal filament, as well as possessing six predorsal scales, more extensive blue coloration on the isthmus, lower head and breast, and a soft dorsal fin with narrow black, medial stripe. The status of Klausewitz’s Cirrhilabrichthys is briefly discussed.
Keywords: taxonomy, ichthyology, Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, coloration, Pisces
FIGURE Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, aquarium specimen from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Specimen not retained. Photo by K. Endoh.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis n. sp.
Blue-throated Fairy-wrasse
Diagnosis. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis differs from congeners in having the following combination of characters: single row of cheek scales; six predorsal scales; dorsal-fin spines taller than segmented rays; no filament on middle of dorsal fin; pelvic fins long, reaching past anal-fin origin; males in life with broad blue area covering isthmus, lower part of head and breast to at least pelvic origin, and soft dorsal fin with narrow black, medial stripe.
....
Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek kyanos, blue, and Latin, gularis, throated, alluding to the extensive blue throat coloration of males of the species. Gender is masculine.
Distribution and habitat. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis is known from the type locality from Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines and from an unknown locality in Sulawesi, Indonesia (Figure 8). ....
Yi-Kai Tea, Benjamin Frable and Anthony C. Gill. 2018. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, A New Species of Fairy Wrasse from the Philippines and Indonesia (Teleostei: Labridae). Zootaxa. 4418(6); 577–587. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.5
==========================
Mystery disease threatening to wipe out fish in famous Irish lakes believed to be deadly 'koi sleepy' virus
Fish have been mysteriously dying at The Lough in CorkMarine biologists now believe a mystery disease which has threatened to wipe out fish stocks in several famous Cork lakes is a rare virus deadly to carp.
Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed that scientists at the Fish Health Unit at the Irish Marine Institute have advised that the sample carp taken from The Lough and Belvelly Lake in Cork have all tested positive for Carp Edema Virus (CEV).
CEV is a poxvirus which causes a disease known as ‘koi sleepy disease’ in both koi and common carp.
However, experts warned that their investigation remains ongoing."While tests are ongoing and further tests are carried out on the CEV detected, this is being treated as a ‘suspect positive’ and is not confirmed as the causative agent of the mortalities until all tests have been completed," an IFI spokesman said.
IFI have now advised that strict bio-security protocols including non-fishing orders and careful equipment contamination be adhered to so as to prevent any further outbreaks.
All dead fish are being carefully removed from the two Cork lakes and are being disposed of in a secure manner.
Angling remains suspended at both locations as well as Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid Reservoirs.
The investigation was accelerated after reports that fish were dying in a lake outside Cobh - just days after fish mysteriously started dying in the famous Lough in Cork city.
Fears had mounted that the mystery infection could spread to other valuable waterways.
IFI are liaising with Cork City Council, Cork Co Council and expert marine biologists at University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) in a bid to confirm and contain the infection.
Fish first appeared sick and dying at The Lough last week.
A total of almost 400 carp have since been found dead or dying.
However, fish similarly sick and dying have been found at Belvelly Lake outside Cobh.
Those fish appear to have the same type of illness at the dead carp in The Lough.
IFI official Sean Long said the matter was being taken very seriously.
"There is a white fungal growth appearing on the scales on the side of the fish," he said.
"That could be a secondary issue or it could be part of the problem."
Angling groups expressed alarm at the implications of the mystery illness spreading to other waterways used by recreational fishermen.
Anglers have now been asked to carefully clean and disinfect any equipment used in either The Lough or Belvelly Lake.
All fishing on The Lough has now been suspended.
Both Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid Reservoirs are off-limits to fishermen to prevent contamination spread.
Nine years ago, birds began mysteriously dying at The Lough.
The deaths began in July 2009 and involved dozens of swans and ducks.
Those deaths were later blamed on a form of botulism linked to toxins being stirred up from the mud at the bottom of the lake and connected to the large quantities of bread being thrown into the water for wildlife to feed on.
from Independant.ie
==========================
Fish have been mysteriously dying at The Lough in CorkMarine biologists now believe a mystery disease which has threatened to wipe out fish stocks in several famous Cork lakes is a rare virus deadly to carp.
Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed that scientists at the Fish Health Unit at the Irish Marine Institute have advised that the sample carp taken from The Lough and Belvelly Lake in Cork have all tested positive for Carp Edema Virus (CEV).
CEV is a poxvirus which causes a disease known as ‘koi sleepy disease’ in both koi and common carp.
However, experts warned that their investigation remains ongoing."While tests are ongoing and further tests are carried out on the CEV detected, this is being treated as a ‘suspect positive’ and is not confirmed as the causative agent of the mortalities until all tests have been completed," an IFI spokesman said.
IFI have now advised that strict bio-security protocols including non-fishing orders and careful equipment contamination be adhered to so as to prevent any further outbreaks.
All dead fish are being carefully removed from the two Cork lakes and are being disposed of in a secure manner.
Angling remains suspended at both locations as well as Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid Reservoirs.
The investigation was accelerated after reports that fish were dying in a lake outside Cobh - just days after fish mysteriously started dying in the famous Lough in Cork city.
Fears had mounted that the mystery infection could spread to other valuable waterways.
IFI are liaising with Cork City Council, Cork Co Council and expert marine biologists at University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) in a bid to confirm and contain the infection.
Fish first appeared sick and dying at The Lough last week.
A total of almost 400 carp have since been found dead or dying.
However, fish similarly sick and dying have been found at Belvelly Lake outside Cobh.
Those fish appear to have the same type of illness at the dead carp in The Lough.
IFI official Sean Long said the matter was being taken very seriously.
"There is a white fungal growth appearing on the scales on the side of the fish," he said.
"That could be a secondary issue or it could be part of the problem."
Angling groups expressed alarm at the implications of the mystery illness spreading to other waterways used by recreational fishermen.
Anglers have now been asked to carefully clean and disinfect any equipment used in either The Lough or Belvelly Lake.
All fishing on The Lough has now been suspended.
Both Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid Reservoirs are off-limits to fishermen to prevent contamination spread.
Nine years ago, birds began mysteriously dying at The Lough.
The deaths began in July 2009 and involved dozens of swans and ducks.
Those deaths were later blamed on a form of botulism linked to toxins being stirred up from the mud at the bottom of the lake and connected to the large quantities of bread being thrown into the water for wildlife to feed on.
from Independant.ie
==========================
An aggressive aquarium fish gets plucked from the ocean — and is heading to a new home
Volunteers with the Reef Environmental and Education Foundation captured the lagoon triggerfish, which is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, with divers from the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami and the U.S. Geological Survey.
The fish was the ninth non-native removed from South Florida waters since REEF and USGS started a program known as "Early Detection/Rapid Response" in 2008. It was spotted by a person snorkeling near Sunrise Boulevard, who reported it to REEF.
Like most invasive fish found off South Florida, such as the destructive lionfish, the lagoon triggerfish was likely someone's pet in a saltwater aquarium and later let go in the ocean.
"There have been 37 non-native marine fish species discovered in Florida's coastal waters, with most thought to be aquarium fish released into the ocean by humans," Amy Lee, REEF spokeswoman, said in a statement.
Lionfish adapted very well to South Florida's waters and bred rapidly. They are voracious predators. Although they have venomous spines, they are a sought-after food fish that wildlife officials and environmentalists encourage people to capture and kill. Groups like REEF are working to avoid letting other non-native fish gain a similar foothold in Florida coastal waters.
Andy Dehart, vice president of Animal Husbandry at the Frost museum, said lagoon triggerfish are popular aquarium fish, but not necessarily great tank mates with other fish.
"Lagoon triggerfish, also known as Picasso triggerfish in the pet industry, are very popular aquarium fish," Dehart said. "Their beautiful coloration makes them highly desired, but unfortunately, they can be aggressive to their fellow aquarium residents. This can lead to the pet owner releasing the fish, not realizing how bad this can be for the environment."
Over a two-day period, six divers from REEF and the Frost museum spent five hours tracking down the fish and were able to capture it using a combination of hand and barrier nets, Lee said. Lagoon triggerfish are harder to catch than other fish due to their ability to move their eyes independently of one another. They are on a constant lookout for predators.
The fish will be put into quarantine and eventually be added to an aquarium at the Frost museum, 1101 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami, featuring other non-native fish captured by the Early Detection/Rapid Response program, including an orangespine unicornfish caught near Molasses Reef off Key Largo last month.
If you spot a fish you think might be non-native to South Florida, you can report it by going to www.REEF.org/programs/exotic/report, or to the U.S. Geological Survey's Non-Indigenous Aquarium Species Database at https://nas.er.usgs.gov/default.aspx.
==========================
Volunteers with the Reef Environmental and Education Foundation captured the lagoon triggerfish, which is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, with divers from the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami and the U.S. Geological Survey.
The fish was the ninth non-native removed from South Florida waters since REEF and USGS started a program known as "Early Detection/Rapid Response" in 2008. It was spotted by a person snorkeling near Sunrise Boulevard, who reported it to REEF.
Like most invasive fish found off South Florida, such as the destructive lionfish, the lagoon triggerfish was likely someone's pet in a saltwater aquarium and later let go in the ocean.
"There have been 37 non-native marine fish species discovered in Florida's coastal waters, with most thought to be aquarium fish released into the ocean by humans," Amy Lee, REEF spokeswoman, said in a statement.
Lionfish adapted very well to South Florida's waters and bred rapidly. They are voracious predators. Although they have venomous spines, they are a sought-after food fish that wildlife officials and environmentalists encourage people to capture and kill. Groups like REEF are working to avoid letting other non-native fish gain a similar foothold in Florida coastal waters.
Andy Dehart, vice president of Animal Husbandry at the Frost museum, said lagoon triggerfish are popular aquarium fish, but not necessarily great tank mates with other fish.
"Lagoon triggerfish, also known as Picasso triggerfish in the pet industry, are very popular aquarium fish," Dehart said. "Their beautiful coloration makes them highly desired, but unfortunately, they can be aggressive to their fellow aquarium residents. This can lead to the pet owner releasing the fish, not realizing how bad this can be for the environment."
Over a two-day period, six divers from REEF and the Frost museum spent five hours tracking down the fish and were able to capture it using a combination of hand and barrier nets, Lee said. Lagoon triggerfish are harder to catch than other fish due to their ability to move their eyes independently of one another. They are on a constant lookout for predators.
The fish will be put into quarantine and eventually be added to an aquarium at the Frost museum, 1101 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami, featuring other non-native fish captured by the Early Detection/Rapid Response program, including an orangespine unicornfish caught near Molasses Reef off Key Largo last month.
If you spot a fish you think might be non-native to South Florida, you can report it by going to www.REEF.org/programs/exotic/report, or to the U.S. Geological Survey's Non-Indigenous Aquarium Species Database at https://nas.er.usgs.gov/default.aspx.
==========================
Brood parasitism in fish
Source:
University of Konstanz
Summary:
Biologists have demonstrated that 'evolutionary experience' as well as learning protects cichlid fish from the brood parasitism practiced by the African cuckoo catfish.
FULL STORY
There are other animals besides the cuckoo who smuggle their offspring into another animal's nest. The synodontis multipunctatus, which occurs in Lake Tanganyika in Africa and is better known as cuckoo catfish, is just as cunning as the cuckoo is. Just like the bird, this savvy parasite manages to place its eggs among those of cichlids. To protect their eggs, cichlids carry them in their mouths. This can be fatal for the cichlids' own offspring if cuckoo catfish eggs are among them. Professor Axel Meyer, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Konstanz, and a team of researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Biology in Brno (Czech Republic) have carried out research into the evolutionary strategies employed by cuckoo catfish and various types of cichlids that occur in Lake Tanganyika and several other African lakes. Their study paints a fascinating picture of evolutionarily shaped and individually learned defence behaviour as well as the deception efforts employed by both species of fish -- and the high price that cichlids pay for keeping the illegitimate offspring of the cuckoo catfish away from their own eggs. The research findings were published in the Science Advancesissue published on 2 May 2018.
Lake Tanganyika in Africa is famous for its biodiversity. Many of its 250 endemic species of cichlids are mouthbreeders: To protect their offspring and prevent other fish from devouring it, cichlids carry and breed their eggs in their mouths. For several weeks after hatching and swimming by themselves, the young fish return to their mother's mouth for protection.
It is this very particular brood care behaviour that the cuckoo catfish, also endemic to Lake Tanganyika, has learned to exploit: When the cichlids spawn, it simply places its own eggs among a cichlid's clutch of eggs. If this goes unnoticed by the cichlid and if it cannot tell its own eggs apart from those of the catfish, it will carry and breed both its own and the catfish eggs in its mouth. However, the larvae of the cuckoo catfish hatch sooner, devouring the cichlid's own offspring which the deceived mother cichlid believes to be safe. Often, the cichlid will believe the illegitimate offspring of the catfish to be her own even then, continuing to protect it.
But the cichlids are not entirely defenceless: They have learned to defend themselves against the cunning of the cuckoo catfish. When gathering their eggs into their mouth, they try to identify and exclude the smuggled eggs. Often, however, overcaution will lead them to reject some of their own eggs as well. A high price that the cichlids pay in return for their own "evolutionary fitness," a price, however, they cannot avoid paying if their offspring is to survive.
"Evolutionary experience"
"Both species of fish have co-evolved for millions of years," says Axel Meyer about their well-matched relationship of deception and defence. The behaviour of these two species is evidence of what the biologist calls "evolutionary experience," which he was able to document in his joint study with his colleagues from Brno.
The scientists obtained eggs both from the cuckoo catfish and from the mouthbreeding cichlids that live in Lake Tanganyika and raised them in an aquarium. Then, they compared the captive cichlids' capacity for distinguishing between their own eggs and those of the cuckoo catfish with that of other types of cichlid from other bodies of water where cuckoo catfish do not occur. The result: The deceptive strategy employed by the cuckoo catfish worked between three and eleven times better on the "evolutionarily naive" cichlids (from other bodies of water). Due to their "evolutionary experience," the cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, who share an evolutionary history with the cuckoo catfish, were much more successful in identifying and rejecting the parasite's eggs. By the term "evolutionary experience" the scientists mean natural selection in favour of the ability to discriminate smuggled eggs.
Individual learning works in co-evolved fish, but on "evolutionarily naïve" species
The study also revealed that cichlids lacking "evolutionary experience" are unable to learn to reject the eggs of the cuckoo catfish -- in contrast to coevolved cichlids that increase their chances to see through the cuckoo catfish trick. This ability to adapt made the cichlids from Lake Tanganyika much more successful when coping with brood parasites. These findings suggest that is not the combination of "evolutionary experience" with individual experience and the ability to learn that help cichlids discriminate between their own and foreign eggs.
Unique among fish
Several bird species are known to practice brood parasitism, i.e. the smuggling of eggs into another bird's nest. Among fish, the cuckoo catfish is the only known obligate brood parasite. None of the other 40 catfish species endemic to Lake Tanganyika are known to behave like this.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Konstanz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Cite This Page:
University of Konstanz. "Brood parasitism in fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 May 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180509104951.htm>.
==========================
Source:
University of Konstanz
Summary:
Biologists have demonstrated that 'evolutionary experience' as well as learning protects cichlid fish from the brood parasitism practiced by the African cuckoo catfish.
FULL STORY
There are other animals besides the cuckoo who smuggle their offspring into another animal's nest. The synodontis multipunctatus, which occurs in Lake Tanganyika in Africa and is better known as cuckoo catfish, is just as cunning as the cuckoo is. Just like the bird, this savvy parasite manages to place its eggs among those of cichlids. To protect their eggs, cichlids carry them in their mouths. This can be fatal for the cichlids' own offspring if cuckoo catfish eggs are among them. Professor Axel Meyer, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Konstanz, and a team of researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Biology in Brno (Czech Republic) have carried out research into the evolutionary strategies employed by cuckoo catfish and various types of cichlids that occur in Lake Tanganyika and several other African lakes. Their study paints a fascinating picture of evolutionarily shaped and individually learned defence behaviour as well as the deception efforts employed by both species of fish -- and the high price that cichlids pay for keeping the illegitimate offspring of the cuckoo catfish away from their own eggs. The research findings were published in the Science Advancesissue published on 2 May 2018.
Lake Tanganyika in Africa is famous for its biodiversity. Many of its 250 endemic species of cichlids are mouthbreeders: To protect their offspring and prevent other fish from devouring it, cichlids carry and breed their eggs in their mouths. For several weeks after hatching and swimming by themselves, the young fish return to their mother's mouth for protection.
It is this very particular brood care behaviour that the cuckoo catfish, also endemic to Lake Tanganyika, has learned to exploit: When the cichlids spawn, it simply places its own eggs among a cichlid's clutch of eggs. If this goes unnoticed by the cichlid and if it cannot tell its own eggs apart from those of the catfish, it will carry and breed both its own and the catfish eggs in its mouth. However, the larvae of the cuckoo catfish hatch sooner, devouring the cichlid's own offspring which the deceived mother cichlid believes to be safe. Often, the cichlid will believe the illegitimate offspring of the catfish to be her own even then, continuing to protect it.
But the cichlids are not entirely defenceless: They have learned to defend themselves against the cunning of the cuckoo catfish. When gathering their eggs into their mouth, they try to identify and exclude the smuggled eggs. Often, however, overcaution will lead them to reject some of their own eggs as well. A high price that the cichlids pay in return for their own "evolutionary fitness," a price, however, they cannot avoid paying if their offspring is to survive.
"Evolutionary experience"
"Both species of fish have co-evolved for millions of years," says Axel Meyer about their well-matched relationship of deception and defence. The behaviour of these two species is evidence of what the biologist calls "evolutionary experience," which he was able to document in his joint study with his colleagues from Brno.
The scientists obtained eggs both from the cuckoo catfish and from the mouthbreeding cichlids that live in Lake Tanganyika and raised them in an aquarium. Then, they compared the captive cichlids' capacity for distinguishing between their own eggs and those of the cuckoo catfish with that of other types of cichlid from other bodies of water where cuckoo catfish do not occur. The result: The deceptive strategy employed by the cuckoo catfish worked between three and eleven times better on the "evolutionarily naive" cichlids (from other bodies of water). Due to their "evolutionary experience," the cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, who share an evolutionary history with the cuckoo catfish, were much more successful in identifying and rejecting the parasite's eggs. By the term "evolutionary experience" the scientists mean natural selection in favour of the ability to discriminate smuggled eggs.
Individual learning works in co-evolved fish, but on "evolutionarily naïve" species
The study also revealed that cichlids lacking "evolutionary experience" are unable to learn to reject the eggs of the cuckoo catfish -- in contrast to coevolved cichlids that increase their chances to see through the cuckoo catfish trick. This ability to adapt made the cichlids from Lake Tanganyika much more successful when coping with brood parasites. These findings suggest that is not the combination of "evolutionary experience" with individual experience and the ability to learn that help cichlids discriminate between their own and foreign eggs.
Unique among fish
Several bird species are known to practice brood parasitism, i.e. the smuggling of eggs into another bird's nest. Among fish, the cuckoo catfish is the only known obligate brood parasite. None of the other 40 catfish species endemic to Lake Tanganyika are known to behave like this.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Konstanz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Cite This Page:
University of Konstanz. "Brood parasitism in fish." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 May 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180509104951.htm>.
==========================
Exotic fish native to China, Russia found in Virginia reservoir
A northern snakehead fish was found in a reservoir in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) confirmed Friday.
The fish, which is native to countries such as China, Russia and Korea, was found in Lakeview Reservoir in Colonial Heights.
Northern snakeheads were first discovered in the state nearly 15 years ago and have since been found in “nine additional bodies of water including Lake Anna, the Rappahannock River, and Lake Burke,” according to the DGIF.
Snakeheads can harm aquatic systems, according to the DGIF, which added that species “may have significant impacts by feeding on and competing with native and/or naturalized fishes. In addition, they may transmit parasites and diseases to native wildlife in those systems.”
Because the fish is not capable of moving across land, “most new occurrences are caused by people intentionally introducing (stocking) them into new bodies of water,” according to the department.
Introducing the fish to a body of water constitutes as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the department said. Violators can face up to a year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.
While anglers who catch snakeheads can keep the fish, it must be killed after capture and reported to the department.
from Fox News
==========================
A northern snakehead fish was found in a reservoir in Virginia, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) confirmed Friday.
The fish, which is native to countries such as China, Russia and Korea, was found in Lakeview Reservoir in Colonial Heights.
Northern snakeheads were first discovered in the state nearly 15 years ago and have since been found in “nine additional bodies of water including Lake Anna, the Rappahannock River, and Lake Burke,” according to the DGIF.
Snakeheads can harm aquatic systems, according to the DGIF, which added that species “may have significant impacts by feeding on and competing with native and/or naturalized fishes. In addition, they may transmit parasites and diseases to native wildlife in those systems.”
Because the fish is not capable of moving across land, “most new occurrences are caused by people intentionally introducing (stocking) them into new bodies of water,” according to the department.
Introducing the fish to a body of water constitutes as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the department said. Violators can face up to a year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.
While anglers who catch snakeheads can keep the fish, it must be killed after capture and reported to the department.
from Fox News
==========================
There is NO Ban on Indonesian CoralsJAKE ADAMS
HARES
74The reef aquarium industry has been understandably on edge these past few months, with tangible uncertainties about the future of marine life exports from Hawaii and Fiji as of late. Today, an ambiguously worded, and poorly translated, message from the Indonesia Ministry of Fisheries really got the aquarium industry worked up but this whole situation has been blown out of proportion.
This is not the first time there will be a confusion regarding international memos about marinelife trading, dealing, and exporting, but let’s go ahead and get this out of the way – there is NO ban on coral exports from Indonesia. This whole situation is the result of administrative friction between two different regulatory agencies within the Indonesian government.
Indonesia is the world leader in the harvest and culture of aquarium coralsThere has been a misunderstanding between the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry – the ministry of Fisheries is responsible for issuing health certificates, necessary for domestic and international transportation of marine life products, while Forestry is responsible for the management of CITES permits. Fisheries is waiting clarification from the ministry of Forestry in order to issue the obligatory health certificates.
This is just a technical issue between two government agencies and again, there is NO BAN on the export of Indonesian corals, fish, or marinelife. AKKII, the association of coral, seashell & ornamental fish exporter association of Indonesia is working diligently with both agencies to resolve the matter as soon as possible and we expect a positive outcome in a matter of several days or at most a couple of weeks.
From ReefBuilders
==========================
HARES
74The reef aquarium industry has been understandably on edge these past few months, with tangible uncertainties about the future of marine life exports from Hawaii and Fiji as of late. Today, an ambiguously worded, and poorly translated, message from the Indonesia Ministry of Fisheries really got the aquarium industry worked up but this whole situation has been blown out of proportion.
This is not the first time there will be a confusion regarding international memos about marinelife trading, dealing, and exporting, but let’s go ahead and get this out of the way – there is NO ban on coral exports from Indonesia. This whole situation is the result of administrative friction between two different regulatory agencies within the Indonesian government.
Indonesia is the world leader in the harvest and culture of aquarium coralsThere has been a misunderstanding between the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry – the ministry of Fisheries is responsible for issuing health certificates, necessary for domestic and international transportation of marine life products, while Forestry is responsible for the management of CITES permits. Fisheries is waiting clarification from the ministry of Forestry in order to issue the obligatory health certificates.
This is just a technical issue between two government agencies and again, there is NO BAN on the export of Indonesian corals, fish, or marinelife. AKKII, the association of coral, seashell & ornamental fish exporter association of Indonesia is working diligently with both agencies to resolve the matter as soon as possible and we expect a positive outcome in a matter of several days or at most a couple of weeks.
From ReefBuilders
==========================
Tilapia lake virus threatens tilapiines farming and food security: Socio-economic challenges and preventive measures in Sub-Saharan Africa
Show more
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.05.0
Highlights
•TiLV risk in SSA as it occurs in Lake Victoria with many countries exporting infected products from Thailand
•Suggested solutions by OIE and FAO may be hardly applicable in small-scale farms in SSA
•Proactive awareness creation and capacity building required for SSA countries.
•Community-Based Fish Health Insurance system for outbreak prevention and control is suggested in SSA
AbstractTilapia is a traditional dish in most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A deadly disease caused by a virus named Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) currently threatens tilapia production and fisheries. The objective of this study was to describe TiLV disease, discuss its related socio-economic impacts in SSA, and envisage preventive measures applicable in SSA countries. The methodology was based on an exhaustive search on TiLV in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. Results revealed that TiLV is an RNA virus causing the disease of up to 90% mortalities in tilapia. It affects all developmental stages, however, tilapia fingerlings and juveniles seem to be more vulnerable. TiLV is transmitted horizontally between infected and naïve fish in the aquatic environment and is a potential trade-influencing transboundary animal disease. The disease is currently confirmed in eight countries such as Ecuador, Israel, Colombia, Egypt, Thailand and Taiwan, India and Malaysia. However, subclinical infections have been detected in the Tanzanian and Ugandan basins of Lake Victoria. Reports show that at least 10 SSA countries have likely imported TiLV infected tilapia fries and fingerlings from hatcheries in Thailand whereby Burundi, Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda are now suspected infected with TiLV with the two latter recently confirmed. SSA is a newly reported region of TiLV circulation and all tilapia farming countries in the region may have theoretical risk of infection. It poses a major threat to fish supplies and the nutritional status in populations that eat tilapia on a regular basis and likely constitutes a food security issue. Over 150,000 tons of tilapia from tilapia farming and more from the tilapia fisheries with their associated costs could be threatened in SSA due to TiLV. Some control measures recommended by OIE and FAO may not be practical for countries in SSA region, and farmers can hardly comply with biosecurity measures or afford vaccination unless vaccines are thermostable, require no sophisticated technology for administration and are cost-effective to small-scale rural farmers. There is a crucial need for capacity building among farmers and technical personnel on diagnostic procedures and effective remedial action, creation of awareness among farmers on TiLV management and establishment of diagnostic and outbreak response systems. We encourage the creation of a Community-Based Fish Health Insurance funds (CBFHI) among small-scale fish farmers for outbreak prevention and control at local levels.
==========================
Show more
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.05.0
Highlights
•TiLV risk in SSA as it occurs in Lake Victoria with many countries exporting infected products from Thailand
•Suggested solutions by OIE and FAO may be hardly applicable in small-scale farms in SSA
•Proactive awareness creation and capacity building required for SSA countries.
•Community-Based Fish Health Insurance system for outbreak prevention and control is suggested in SSA
AbstractTilapia is a traditional dish in most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A deadly disease caused by a virus named Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) currently threatens tilapia production and fisheries. The objective of this study was to describe TiLV disease, discuss its related socio-economic impacts in SSA, and envisage preventive measures applicable in SSA countries. The methodology was based on an exhaustive search on TiLV in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. Results revealed that TiLV is an RNA virus causing the disease of up to 90% mortalities in tilapia. It affects all developmental stages, however, tilapia fingerlings and juveniles seem to be more vulnerable. TiLV is transmitted horizontally between infected and naïve fish in the aquatic environment and is a potential trade-influencing transboundary animal disease. The disease is currently confirmed in eight countries such as Ecuador, Israel, Colombia, Egypt, Thailand and Taiwan, India and Malaysia. However, subclinical infections have been detected in the Tanzanian and Ugandan basins of Lake Victoria. Reports show that at least 10 SSA countries have likely imported TiLV infected tilapia fries and fingerlings from hatcheries in Thailand whereby Burundi, Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda are now suspected infected with TiLV with the two latter recently confirmed. SSA is a newly reported region of TiLV circulation and all tilapia farming countries in the region may have theoretical risk of infection. It poses a major threat to fish supplies and the nutritional status in populations that eat tilapia on a regular basis and likely constitutes a food security issue. Over 150,000 tons of tilapia from tilapia farming and more from the tilapia fisheries with their associated costs could be threatened in SSA due to TiLV. Some control measures recommended by OIE and FAO may not be practical for countries in SSA region, and farmers can hardly comply with biosecurity measures or afford vaccination unless vaccines are thermostable, require no sophisticated technology for administration and are cost-effective to small-scale rural farmers. There is a crucial need for capacity building among farmers and technical personnel on diagnostic procedures and effective remedial action, creation of awareness among farmers on TiLV management and establishment of diagnostic and outbreak response systems. We encourage the creation of a Community-Based Fish Health Insurance funds (CBFHI) among small-scale fish farmers for outbreak prevention and control at local levels.
==========================
Update from Indonesian Coral Trade Insider
04 May, 2018
Indonesia is the world’s leading sources of corals for the marine aquarium trade, exporting both wild-collected and maricultured specimens, such as the Acropora frag. Shutterstock Image.
We have received an update from a source closely involved in the Indonesian coral trade in response to this morning’s news that Indonesian coral exports have been halted.
“I want to be clear, there is no Indonesian coral ban. CITES permits are being issued as normal.
“This story is just a technical problem between two ministries in Indonesia. The fishery/quarantine people don’t want to issue the health certificate that has to accompany any live coral shipment, locally and internationally. There are ongoing negotiations between these two ministries to solve this technical issue. Indonesians are progressive people and will look for a quick positive outcome. It will be solved within a couple weeks.
“There won’t be any local or overseas transportation of coral and anemones until health certificates are released again. Shipments will only be postponed, but I anticipate the resumption of coral exports in short order.”
From Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
04 May, 2018
Indonesia is the world’s leading sources of corals for the marine aquarium trade, exporting both wild-collected and maricultured specimens, such as the Acropora frag. Shutterstock Image.
We have received an update from a source closely involved in the Indonesian coral trade in response to this morning’s news that Indonesian coral exports have been halted.
“I want to be clear, there is no Indonesian coral ban. CITES permits are being issued as normal.
“This story is just a technical problem between two ministries in Indonesia. The fishery/quarantine people don’t want to issue the health certificate that has to accompany any live coral shipment, locally and internationally. There are ongoing negotiations between these two ministries to solve this technical issue. Indonesians are progressive people and will look for a quick positive outcome. It will be solved within a couple weeks.
“There won’t be any local or overseas transportation of coral and anemones until health certificates are released again. Shipments will only be postponed, but I anticipate the resumption of coral exports in short order.”
From Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
California man admits illegally importing protected fish
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegally importing protected aquarium fish from Indonesia.
Shawn Naolu Lee and a co-defendant overseas were indicted last year after authorities found a package containing eight Asian arowana.
The colorful freshwater fish can sell on the black market for $1,000 each and are thought in some cultures to bring good luck.
Lee entered his plea Wednesday in Los Angeles. Prosecutors are recommending the Garden Grove resident get six months' house arrest when he's sentenced in July.
==========================
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegally importing protected aquarium fish from Indonesia.
Shawn Naolu Lee and a co-defendant overseas were indicted last year after authorities found a package containing eight Asian arowana.
The colorful freshwater fish can sell on the black market for $1,000 each and are thought in some cultures to bring good luck.
Lee entered his plea Wednesday in Los Angeles. Prosecutors are recommending the Garden Grove resident get six months' house arrest when he's sentenced in July.
==========================
Interzoo – the international pet industry’s leading exhibitionGathering of the global pet supplies market in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, 8 - 11 May 2018
At the world’s biggest trade fair for the international pet industry, manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers from over 60 countries present products for pets and innovative pet supplies. This makes the world-leading Interzoo a key source of inspiration for the international pet industry. Trade visitors to Nuremberg get a global market overview of the latest pet food products, grooming aids and accessories for four-legged pets, birds, ornamental fish and terrarium animals.
==========================
At the world’s biggest trade fair for the international pet industry, manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers from over 60 countries present products for pets and innovative pet supplies. This makes the world-leading Interzoo a key source of inspiration for the international pet industry. Trade visitors to Nuremberg get a global market overview of the latest pet food products, grooming aids and accessories for four-legged pets, birds, ornamental fish and terrarium animals.
==========================
Molecular phylogeny of Banjo Catfishes (Ostaryophisi: Siluriformes: Aspredinidae): a continental radiation in South American freshwaters
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.039
Get rights and content
Highlights
•First species-comprehensive hypothesis on phylogenetic relationships.
•Multi-locus phylogeny based on five gene fragments (16S, COI, RAG1, MYH6, and SH3PX3)
•Comprehensive sampling with 114 individuals representing 31 (70% of total) species in 12 genera (of 13) of aspredinids.
•Results support the monophyly of most genera (Bunocephalus excepted) and several higher-level relationships previously proposed by morphological studies.
•A new suprageneric classification for Aspredinidae is proposed including the new monotypic subfamily.
Abstract
The family Aspredinidae is a moderately diverse and broadly distributed group of freshwater fishes endemic to South America. Commonly known as Banjo Catfishes, Aspredinidae currently includes 44 valid species divided among 13 genera. The first species-comprehensive hypothesis on phylogenetic relationships among aspredinids is presented. The phylogeny is based on DNA sequence data for five gene fragments (mitochondrial 16S and COI; nuclear RAG1, MYH6 and SH3PX3) from 114 individuals representing 31 species in 12 aspredinid genera. Analyses of molecular data support the monophyly of most genera (Bunocephalus excepted) and several higher-level relationships previously proposed by morphological studies. Based on the molecular phylogeny, a new suprageneric classification for Aspredinidae is proposed with the new monotypic subfamily Pseudobunocephalinae as the sister taxon to all other aspredinids.
==========================
- Tiago P. Carvalhoa, b, , ,
- H Mariangeles Arceb, ,
- Roberto E. Reisc, ,
- Mark H. Sabajb,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.04.039
Get rights and content
Highlights
•First species-comprehensive hypothesis on phylogenetic relationships.
•Multi-locus phylogeny based on five gene fragments (16S, COI, RAG1, MYH6, and SH3PX3)
•Comprehensive sampling with 114 individuals representing 31 (70% of total) species in 12 genera (of 13) of aspredinids.
•Results support the monophyly of most genera (Bunocephalus excepted) and several higher-level relationships previously proposed by morphological studies.
•A new suprageneric classification for Aspredinidae is proposed including the new monotypic subfamily.
Abstract
The family Aspredinidae is a moderately diverse and broadly distributed group of freshwater fishes endemic to South America. Commonly known as Banjo Catfishes, Aspredinidae currently includes 44 valid species divided among 13 genera. The first species-comprehensive hypothesis on phylogenetic relationships among aspredinids is presented. The phylogeny is based on DNA sequence data for five gene fragments (mitochondrial 16S and COI; nuclear RAG1, MYH6 and SH3PX3) from 114 individuals representing 31 species in 12 aspredinid genera. Analyses of molecular data support the monophyly of most genera (Bunocephalus excepted) and several higher-level relationships previously proposed by morphological studies. Based on the molecular phylogeny, a new suprageneric classification for Aspredinidae is proposed with the new monotypic subfamily Pseudobunocephalinae as the sister taxon to all other aspredinids.
==========================
Brazil’s lawmakers renew push to weaken environmental rules
Legislation includes proposals to open up the Amazon rainforest to agriculture.
Trees taken in illegal logging operations in the Brazilian Amazon lay in piles at a sawmill.Credit: Nacho Doce/Reuters
The conservative coalition that dominates Brazil’s Congress is girding itself for one final push to roll back environmental regulations before campaigns for the country’s October presidential election ramp up.
The legislation under consideration includes proposals to open up the Amazon rainforest to sugarcane farming — which was banned in 2009 owing to concerns about deforestation. Another proposal would weaken licensing requirements for infrastructure such as dams, roads and agricultural projects. But the rural-agricultural coalition behind the proposals are running up against public opposition that has thwarted previous efforts to loosen environmental rules.
This fight has been further complicated by an ongoing political corruption scandal that has engulfed the country and landed former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — who would have probably won the October election, according to a March poll — in jail.
“There’s this very delicate balance,” says Mercedes Bustamante, an ecologist at the University of Brasilia. The conservatives have support from Brazilian president Michel Temer as well as the votes they need to move legislation through Congress, she says. Although lawmakers are trying to push forward, Bustamante says, they're also wary about sparking a public backlash before the coming election.
Long-running resistance
Previous efforts to scale back protected areas and indigenous rights in the Amazon rainforest floundered as activist groups and celebrities such as supermodel Gisele Bündchen mobilized public opposition. And long-simmering resistance has kept the environmental licensing proposal for infrastructure on the backburner for the past two years.
The conservatives have had only one major success on the environmental-regulation front thus far. In 2012, they successfully overhauled the Brazilian law governing forests, which included eliminating penalties for any illegal deforestation that took place in the Amazon before July 2008. Environmental groups challenged the constitutionality of the revised law, but in February Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld those changes.
“It was the worst thing that could have happened,” says Carlos Nobre, a climate scientist in São José dos Campos and former secretary for research and development at Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. But he thinks the conservative coalition's broader environmental agenda has stalled and is unlikely to advance in the coming months.
Uncertain future
Brazil was once seen as a global leader on environmental issues, in large part due to its success in curbing deforestation. Between 2004 and 2012, the annual amount of rainforest that was cleared for agriculture fell by nearly 84% to 4,571 square kilometres. Those numbers subsequently crept back up, peaking at 7,893 square kilometres cleared in 2016. However, deforestation dropped 16% to 6,624 square kilometres in 2017, partly because of lower demand for beef and the restoration of funding for law enforcement, which had been cut during a prolonged financial crisis.
Environmental policies enjoyed much more support during the Lula administration between 2003 and 2011. But now, says Bustamante, environmentalists are on the defensive. The only good news, she says, is that Lula’s first environment minister, Marina Silva, has announced she will attempt another run for president. (Silva won nearly 20% of the vote when she ran for president in 2010.) “That will put the environment on the presidential agenda for the election,” Bustamante says.
This year, former president Lula was the clear frontrunner, but his sudden departure has opened up the election, which could feature up to a dozen candidates. A March poll examined election scenarios with and without Lula, and found Silva in a statistical dead heat with a leading conservative candidate, Jair Bolsonaro.
Regardless of the outcome, the political dynamic in Brazil's Congress is unlikely to change, says Paulo Barreto, a senior researcher with the activist group Amazon Institute of People and the Environment in Belém. The conservative coalition is strong, and Barreto thinks that they will stay in power.
Nature 557, 17 (2018)
==========================
Legislation includes proposals to open up the Amazon rainforest to agriculture.
Trees taken in illegal logging operations in the Brazilian Amazon lay in piles at a sawmill.Credit: Nacho Doce/Reuters
The conservative coalition that dominates Brazil’s Congress is girding itself for one final push to roll back environmental regulations before campaigns for the country’s October presidential election ramp up.
The legislation under consideration includes proposals to open up the Amazon rainforest to sugarcane farming — which was banned in 2009 owing to concerns about deforestation. Another proposal would weaken licensing requirements for infrastructure such as dams, roads and agricultural projects. But the rural-agricultural coalition behind the proposals are running up against public opposition that has thwarted previous efforts to loosen environmental rules.
This fight has been further complicated by an ongoing political corruption scandal that has engulfed the country and landed former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — who would have probably won the October election, according to a March poll — in jail.
“There’s this very delicate balance,” says Mercedes Bustamante, an ecologist at the University of Brasilia. The conservatives have support from Brazilian president Michel Temer as well as the votes they need to move legislation through Congress, she says. Although lawmakers are trying to push forward, Bustamante says, they're also wary about sparking a public backlash before the coming election.
Long-running resistance
Previous efforts to scale back protected areas and indigenous rights in the Amazon rainforest floundered as activist groups and celebrities such as supermodel Gisele Bündchen mobilized public opposition. And long-simmering resistance has kept the environmental licensing proposal for infrastructure on the backburner for the past two years.
The conservatives have had only one major success on the environmental-regulation front thus far. In 2012, they successfully overhauled the Brazilian law governing forests, which included eliminating penalties for any illegal deforestation that took place in the Amazon before July 2008. Environmental groups challenged the constitutionality of the revised law, but in February Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld those changes.
“It was the worst thing that could have happened,” says Carlos Nobre, a climate scientist in São José dos Campos and former secretary for research and development at Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. But he thinks the conservative coalition's broader environmental agenda has stalled and is unlikely to advance in the coming months.
Uncertain future
Brazil was once seen as a global leader on environmental issues, in large part due to its success in curbing deforestation. Between 2004 and 2012, the annual amount of rainforest that was cleared for agriculture fell by nearly 84% to 4,571 square kilometres. Those numbers subsequently crept back up, peaking at 7,893 square kilometres cleared in 2016. However, deforestation dropped 16% to 6,624 square kilometres in 2017, partly because of lower demand for beef and the restoration of funding for law enforcement, which had been cut during a prolonged financial crisis.
Environmental policies enjoyed much more support during the Lula administration between 2003 and 2011. But now, says Bustamante, environmentalists are on the defensive. The only good news, she says, is that Lula’s first environment minister, Marina Silva, has announced she will attempt another run for president. (Silva won nearly 20% of the vote when she ran for president in 2010.) “That will put the environment on the presidential agenda for the election,” Bustamante says.
This year, former president Lula was the clear frontrunner, but his sudden departure has opened up the election, which could feature up to a dozen candidates. A March poll examined election scenarios with and without Lula, and found Silva in a statistical dead heat with a leading conservative candidate, Jair Bolsonaro.
Regardless of the outcome, the political dynamic in Brazil's Congress is unlikely to change, says Paulo Barreto, a senior researcher with the activist group Amazon Institute of People and the Environment in Belém. The conservative coalition is strong, and Barreto thinks that they will stay in power.
Nature 557, 17 (2018)
==========================
WARNING: Bloodworm Allergies Are Real for Some Fishkeepers03 May, 2018
Bloodworms, the larval forms of chironomid midges, are incredibly useful aquarium fish feeds, generally available in both frozen and freeze dried forms. But their use could carry a price for unsuspecting aquarists. Image credit: Vova Shevchuk/Shutterstock
*If you are experiencing symptoms an allergic reaction, contact the appropriate medical personnel*
AMAZONAS Magazine is conducting a simple survey of our readers to get an idea of how many tropical-fish keepers have had allergic reactions to bloodworm exposure. Click to take the quick survey.
by Matt Pedersen
Move over, palytoxin, Mycobacterium, and a host of other zoonotic diseases; you’re not the only potential health risks in the aquarium hobby! Time to dive into a surprisingly prevalent health problem associated with bloodworms.
You may not have paid much attention to your fish-food labels, but let this be a reminder to read them thoroughly. Bloodworms, the bright-red mature larval stages of chironomid flies, are true powerhouses as a fish feed. Whether frozen or freeze-dried, they can be used to lure many reluctant feeders to “take the bait.” But if you haven’t been paying attention, you might not have noticed the note on the label that reveals that bloodworms also offer up the potential for strong allergic reactions for some aquarists who use them.
What the Science Says
The science behind bloodworm allergies points to the hemoglobins that give bloodworms their trademark bright-red coloration. These hemoglobins, which are powerful oxygen scavengers, are what allow bloodworms to thrive in the oxygen-deprived bodies of water they call home, but they are also what triggers an allergic reaction in some people.
One journal report suggests that hypersensitivity to bloodworm allergens exists in about 20% of people who are routinely exposed to them. Other studies reveal repeated connections between chironomid larvae and asthmatic reactions. These reports are often tied to environmental factors outside of the aquarium world among people who are in proximity to large natural populations of these midges, including: studies in Japan and Spain finding significant rates of allergic reactions in asthmatic patients, or the case of the delayed onset of hypersensitivity in an environmental surveyor after 10 years of exposure.
One report, covering the case of a 37-year-old fish-biology researcher, concluded, “With the increasing popularity of aquariums, allergy to chironomids may become less of a novelty and become something clinicians should be aware of when searching for the cause of a patient’s atopic symptoms.”
Preparation of bloodworms at a factory in China; note the skin protection on the worker at right.
Jason Oneppo, San Francisco Bay Brand
A View From the Aquarium Industry
Jason Oneppo, salesman and head of research and development for San Francisco Bay Brand (a distributor of frozen and freeze-dried fish bloodworms) for the past 17 years, noted that his company is actively working on a revised bloodworm allergy document, to be published in the near future.
From a draft of the report shared with Reef to Rainforest editors: “If you find yourself allergic to frozen bloodworms, freeze-dried bloodworms will cause similar reactions. As moisture is removed from bloodworms in the freeze-drying process, these worms become brittle and can easily turn into a fine powder. Such powdered, lightweight bloodworm particles can become airborne, and inhalation of these particles can cause an allergic reaction similar or greater than touching frozen bloodworms.”
Oneppo also added some personal insights: “We’ve had allergy warnings on our frozen and freeze-dried bloodworm labels for as long as I’ve worked here. We’ve also had allergy warnings on our other freeze-dried labels for at least 10 years. Now, all our freeze-dried products have allergy warnings, even items that don’t require it when frozen.”
A cautionary thought from Oneppo: “[Once you’re allergic to bloodworms, I believe] each reaction gets worse; best to get them out of your house.”
Freeze-dried bloodworms are a popular and highly effective aquarium fish food. Inhaled dust-sized particles from these products could cause a hypersensitive reaction. Image courtesy San Francisco Bay Brand.
What to Watch for
Multiple reports suggest that cross sensitivity could occur; in short, if you’re allergic to things like mites or cockroaches (which have similar allergens), you could have an increased risk of hypersensitivity to bloodworms.
San Francisco Bay Brand’s draft report includes the following possible symptoms of allergic reactions: sneezing, skin rashes, runny nose, or itchy eyes. Additionally, more pronounced asthmatic reactions could occur.
In all cases, should you experience any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you discontinue feeding bloodworms.
Your Stories
The idea of a bloodworm allergy may seem far-fetched; many aquarists have never even heard of it. But when I reached out to contacts and their friends, it quickly became apparent that this allergy is not rare, not by a long shot. Here is just one of many stories I received.
One tiny misstep, and Derek Wheaton’s eye is in tremendous discomfort.
Derek Wheaton, a professional fish photographer at Enchanting Ectotherms, and Senior Field Biologist & Hatchery Technician at Conservation Fisheries in Knoxville, TN, shared that he has a strong allergic reaction to bloodworms. “I was feeding a tank on the top row at work and got the business end of a tiny, unfortunate splash when I squirted the baster into the tank. I avert my eyes when feeding any tank above my head now. But skin contact [with bloodworms] gives me raised welts, itching and burning, and within 3-5 minutes of skin exposure, I’m sneezing my brains out and my eyes will swell shut if I don’t smash some Benadryl. I always wear nitrile gloves whenever I’m working with the stuff. A full hazmat suit would probably be ideal though.”
It bears repeating: *If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact the appropriate medical personnel*
Bloodworm allergies are a bit more prevalent than one might have thought, and they can range from a mild nuisance to rather scary, debilitating reactions. While we’re unaware of any deaths resulting from bloodworm exposure, anaphylactic shock is one of those things you perhaps don’t want to risk.
We’d Like to Hear from You
Wheaton’s story is just one of several we received, but we’d like to hear from you as well!
AMAZONAS Magazine is conducting a simple survey of our readers to get a larger sampling of data, which we will share in a future update. Whether you have a bloodworm allergy or not, your responses are very valuable. We invite you to participate in this 3-to-12–question survey. It will only take a minute or two of your time.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!
Online References:
Fishing for Allergens: Bloodworm-Induced Asthma – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877067/
Chironomid midge allergy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1567285
Nationwide intradermal test with chironomid midge extract in asthmatic children in Japan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2241583
Studies of bronchial asthma induced by chironomid midges (Diptera) around a hypereutrophic lake in Japan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9105523
Hypersensitivity to chironomid larvae [Spain]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9777536
Reef to Rainforest Media
NOTE- Second `Photo`show Chinese worker wearing Gloves
==========================
Bloodworms, the larval forms of chironomid midges, are incredibly useful aquarium fish feeds, generally available in both frozen and freeze dried forms. But their use could carry a price for unsuspecting aquarists. Image credit: Vova Shevchuk/Shutterstock
*If you are experiencing symptoms an allergic reaction, contact the appropriate medical personnel*
AMAZONAS Magazine is conducting a simple survey of our readers to get an idea of how many tropical-fish keepers have had allergic reactions to bloodworm exposure. Click to take the quick survey.
by Matt Pedersen
Move over, palytoxin, Mycobacterium, and a host of other zoonotic diseases; you’re not the only potential health risks in the aquarium hobby! Time to dive into a surprisingly prevalent health problem associated with bloodworms.
You may not have paid much attention to your fish-food labels, but let this be a reminder to read them thoroughly. Bloodworms, the bright-red mature larval stages of chironomid flies, are true powerhouses as a fish feed. Whether frozen or freeze-dried, they can be used to lure many reluctant feeders to “take the bait.” But if you haven’t been paying attention, you might not have noticed the note on the label that reveals that bloodworms also offer up the potential for strong allergic reactions for some aquarists who use them.
What the Science Says
The science behind bloodworm allergies points to the hemoglobins that give bloodworms their trademark bright-red coloration. These hemoglobins, which are powerful oxygen scavengers, are what allow bloodworms to thrive in the oxygen-deprived bodies of water they call home, but they are also what triggers an allergic reaction in some people.
One journal report suggests that hypersensitivity to bloodworm allergens exists in about 20% of people who are routinely exposed to them. Other studies reveal repeated connections between chironomid larvae and asthmatic reactions. These reports are often tied to environmental factors outside of the aquarium world among people who are in proximity to large natural populations of these midges, including: studies in Japan and Spain finding significant rates of allergic reactions in asthmatic patients, or the case of the delayed onset of hypersensitivity in an environmental surveyor after 10 years of exposure.
One report, covering the case of a 37-year-old fish-biology researcher, concluded, “With the increasing popularity of aquariums, allergy to chironomids may become less of a novelty and become something clinicians should be aware of when searching for the cause of a patient’s atopic symptoms.”
Preparation of bloodworms at a factory in China; note the skin protection on the worker at right.
Jason Oneppo, San Francisco Bay Brand
A View From the Aquarium Industry
Jason Oneppo, salesman and head of research and development for San Francisco Bay Brand (a distributor of frozen and freeze-dried fish bloodworms) for the past 17 years, noted that his company is actively working on a revised bloodworm allergy document, to be published in the near future.
From a draft of the report shared with Reef to Rainforest editors: “If you find yourself allergic to frozen bloodworms, freeze-dried bloodworms will cause similar reactions. As moisture is removed from bloodworms in the freeze-drying process, these worms become brittle and can easily turn into a fine powder. Such powdered, lightweight bloodworm particles can become airborne, and inhalation of these particles can cause an allergic reaction similar or greater than touching frozen bloodworms.”
Oneppo also added some personal insights: “We’ve had allergy warnings on our frozen and freeze-dried bloodworm labels for as long as I’ve worked here. We’ve also had allergy warnings on our other freeze-dried labels for at least 10 years. Now, all our freeze-dried products have allergy warnings, even items that don’t require it when frozen.”
A cautionary thought from Oneppo: “[Once you’re allergic to bloodworms, I believe] each reaction gets worse; best to get them out of your house.”
Freeze-dried bloodworms are a popular and highly effective aquarium fish food. Inhaled dust-sized particles from these products could cause a hypersensitive reaction. Image courtesy San Francisco Bay Brand.
What to Watch for
Multiple reports suggest that cross sensitivity could occur; in short, if you’re allergic to things like mites or cockroaches (which have similar allergens), you could have an increased risk of hypersensitivity to bloodworms.
San Francisco Bay Brand’s draft report includes the following possible symptoms of allergic reactions: sneezing, skin rashes, runny nose, or itchy eyes. Additionally, more pronounced asthmatic reactions could occur.
In all cases, should you experience any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you discontinue feeding bloodworms.
Your Stories
The idea of a bloodworm allergy may seem far-fetched; many aquarists have never even heard of it. But when I reached out to contacts and their friends, it quickly became apparent that this allergy is not rare, not by a long shot. Here is just one of many stories I received.
One tiny misstep, and Derek Wheaton’s eye is in tremendous discomfort.
Derek Wheaton, a professional fish photographer at Enchanting Ectotherms, and Senior Field Biologist & Hatchery Technician at Conservation Fisheries in Knoxville, TN, shared that he has a strong allergic reaction to bloodworms. “I was feeding a tank on the top row at work and got the business end of a tiny, unfortunate splash when I squirted the baster into the tank. I avert my eyes when feeding any tank above my head now. But skin contact [with bloodworms] gives me raised welts, itching and burning, and within 3-5 minutes of skin exposure, I’m sneezing my brains out and my eyes will swell shut if I don’t smash some Benadryl. I always wear nitrile gloves whenever I’m working with the stuff. A full hazmat suit would probably be ideal though.”
It bears repeating: *If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact the appropriate medical personnel*
Bloodworm allergies are a bit more prevalent than one might have thought, and they can range from a mild nuisance to rather scary, debilitating reactions. While we’re unaware of any deaths resulting from bloodworm exposure, anaphylactic shock is one of those things you perhaps don’t want to risk.
We’d Like to Hear from You
Wheaton’s story is just one of several we received, but we’d like to hear from you as well!
AMAZONAS Magazine is conducting a simple survey of our readers to get a larger sampling of data, which we will share in a future update. Whether you have a bloodworm allergy or not, your responses are very valuable. We invite you to participate in this 3-to-12–question survey. It will only take a minute or two of your time.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!
Online References:
Fishing for Allergens: Bloodworm-Induced Asthma – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877067/
Chironomid midge allergy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1567285
Nationwide intradermal test with chironomid midge extract in asthmatic children in Japan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2241583
Studies of bronchial asthma induced by chironomid midges (Diptera) around a hypereutrophic lake in Japan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9105523
Hypersensitivity to chironomid larvae [Spain]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9777536
Reef to Rainforest Media
NOTE- Second `Photo`show Chinese worker wearing Gloves
==========================
A Taxonomic Review of Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)(Lampridiformes; Lampridae) with Descriptions of Three New Species;Lampris australensis, L. incognitus & L. megalopsis
Lampris immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905), Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Lampris australensis n. sp., Lampris lauta (Lowe 1838)
Lampris megalopsis n. sp., & Lampris incognitus n. sp.
Underkoffler, Luers, Hyde & Craig, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.3.9
Abstract
The genus Lampris (Lampridae) currently comprises two species, Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788) and L. immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905) commonly known as Opah and Southern Opah, respectively. Hyde et al. (2014) presented DNA sequence data which revealed the presence of five distinct, monophyletic lineages within L. guttatus. In this paper, we present morphological and meristic data supporting the presence of five species previously subsumed within L. guttatus (Brünnich 1788). We restrict Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788), resurrect L. lauta (Lowe 1838), and describe three new species of Lampris. A key to the species of Lampris is provided.
Keywords: Pisces, Opah, moonfish, taxonomy
FIGURE Species of the genus Lampris.
A) Lampris immaculatus*, B) Lampris guttatus, uncatalogued, 118 cm TL †,
C) AM I.24492-001, holotype, Lampris australensis n. sp. 67.3 cm SL, D) MMF 42253, Lampris lauta, 90.5 cm SL,
E) USNM 402733, holotype, Lampris megalopsis n. sp., 85.3 cm SL, F) USNM 402731, holotype, Lampris incognitus n. sp., 82.8 cm SL.
(*Photograph by Dianne J. Bray, Lampris immaculatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 17 Feb 2018, fishesofaustralia.net.au) († Photograph courtesy of Patrice Francour).
Lampris immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905)
Common name: Southern Opah
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Common Name: North Atlantic Opah
Lampris lauta Lowe 1860
Common name: East Atlantic Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet lauta was taken from the Latin lautus meaning “elegant”.
Lampris australensis, n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 4. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common name: Southern Spotted Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet is taken from the Latin australis meaning “southern” in reference to the known range of the species in the southern hemisphere.
Lampris incognitus n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1778)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 5. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common name: Smalleye Pacific Opah
Etymology. From the Latin incognitus, meaning, “unknown, strange.”
Lampris megalopsis, n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1778)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 3. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common Name: Bigeye Pacific Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet is taken from the Greek mega, meaning, “big or large”, and ops meaning “eye” in reference to its comparatively large eye.
Karen E. Underkoffler, Meagan A. Luers, John R Hyde and Matthew T. Craig. 2018. A Taxonomic Review of Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788) (Lampridiformes; Lampridae) with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa. 4413(3); 551-565. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.3.9
twitter.com/Friedman_Lab/status/988819684710641666
twitter.com/PREAUX_FISH/status/988609696952090625
==========================
Lampris immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905), Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Lampris australensis n. sp., Lampris lauta (Lowe 1838)
Lampris megalopsis n. sp., & Lampris incognitus n. sp.
Underkoffler, Luers, Hyde & Craig, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.3.9
Abstract
The genus Lampris (Lampridae) currently comprises two species, Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788) and L. immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905) commonly known as Opah and Southern Opah, respectively. Hyde et al. (2014) presented DNA sequence data which revealed the presence of five distinct, monophyletic lineages within L. guttatus. In this paper, we present morphological and meristic data supporting the presence of five species previously subsumed within L. guttatus (Brünnich 1788). We restrict Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788), resurrect L. lauta (Lowe 1838), and describe three new species of Lampris. A key to the species of Lampris is provided.
Keywords: Pisces, Opah, moonfish, taxonomy
FIGURE Species of the genus Lampris.
A) Lampris immaculatus*, B) Lampris guttatus, uncatalogued, 118 cm TL †,
C) AM I.24492-001, holotype, Lampris australensis n. sp. 67.3 cm SL, D) MMF 42253, Lampris lauta, 90.5 cm SL,
E) USNM 402733, holotype, Lampris megalopsis n. sp., 85.3 cm SL, F) USNM 402731, holotype, Lampris incognitus n. sp., 82.8 cm SL.
(*Photograph by Dianne J. Bray, Lampris immaculatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 17 Feb 2018, fishesofaustralia.net.au) († Photograph courtesy of Patrice Francour).
Lampris immaculatus (Gilchrist 1905)
Common name: Southern Opah
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Common Name: North Atlantic Opah
Lampris lauta Lowe 1860
Common name: East Atlantic Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet lauta was taken from the Latin lautus meaning “elegant”.
Lampris australensis, n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 4. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common name: Southern Spotted Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet is taken from the Latin australis meaning “southern” in reference to the known range of the species in the southern hemisphere.
Lampris incognitus n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1778)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 5. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common name: Smalleye Pacific Opah
Etymology. From the Latin incognitus, meaning, “unknown, strange.”
Lampris megalopsis, n. sp.
Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1778)
Lampris guttatus Lineage 3. Hyde et al. 2014.
Common Name: Bigeye Pacific Opah
Etymology. The specific epithet is taken from the Greek mega, meaning, “big or large”, and ops meaning “eye” in reference to its comparatively large eye.
Karen E. Underkoffler, Meagan A. Luers, John R Hyde and Matthew T. Craig. 2018. A Taxonomic Review of Lampris guttatus (Brünnich 1788) (Lampridiformes; Lampridae) with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa. 4413(3); 551-565. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.3.9
twitter.com/Friedman_Lab/status/988819684710641666
twitter.com/PREAUX_FISH/status/988609696952090625
==========================
Revision of the Australian Wet Tropics Endemic Rainbowfish Genus Cairnsichthys (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae), with Description of A New Species, Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus
Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus
Hammer, Allen, Martin, Adams, Ebner, Raadik & Unmack, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.2.3
Abstract
The freshwater melanotaeniid genus Cairnsichthys is endemic to a relatively small area of specialised habitat within the Wet Tropics bioregion of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It was previously considered as monotypic, including only a single species, C. rhombosomoides (Nichols & Raven, 1928). The recent discovery of an apparently-isolated population in the Daintree rainforest, approximately 120 km north of the known range extent, prompted a detailed investigation of its taxonomic status using a combined lines of evidence approach. We provide compelling evidence from multiple nuclear genetic markers (52 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters) that supports north-south splitting of C. rhombosomoides. Accordingly, we describe the northern population as a distinct species, Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus sp. nov., on the basis of 25 specimens, 34.7–65.6 mm SL. The new species differs morphologically primarily by having a more slender and narrow shape, featuring a flatter, straighter predorsal profile and shorter second dorsal fin base; possession of slightly smaller scales, reflected in higher counts of lateral scales and predorsal scales; typically more vertebrae; and colour differences including a more robust, short black stripe across the upper operculum, a pronounced yellow patch on the anteroventral body and usually a more conspicuous second dark stripe on the lower body, with adult males generally having yellowish compared to reddish fins. We also provide a generic diagnosis for Cairnsichthys and a redescription of C. rhombosomoides. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of species in the genus is summarised, the new species being of particular concern as a narrow range endemic with specific environmental requirements.
Keywords: Pisces, fishes, freshwater biodiversity, conservation, taxonomy, molecular systematics, northern Australia
Michael P. Hammer, Gerald R. Allen, KeithC. Martin, Mark Adams, Brendan C. Ebner, Tarmo A. Raadik and Peter J. Unmack. 2018. Revision of the Australian Wet Tropics Endemic Rainbowfish Genus Cairnsichthys (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae), with Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4413(2); 271–294. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.2.3
==========================
Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus
Hammer, Allen, Martin, Adams, Ebner, Raadik & Unmack, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.2.3
Abstract
The freshwater melanotaeniid genus Cairnsichthys is endemic to a relatively small area of specialised habitat within the Wet Tropics bioregion of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It was previously considered as monotypic, including only a single species, C. rhombosomoides (Nichols & Raven, 1928). The recent discovery of an apparently-isolated population in the Daintree rainforest, approximately 120 km north of the known range extent, prompted a detailed investigation of its taxonomic status using a combined lines of evidence approach. We provide compelling evidence from multiple nuclear genetic markers (52 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters) that supports north-south splitting of C. rhombosomoides. Accordingly, we describe the northern population as a distinct species, Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus sp. nov., on the basis of 25 specimens, 34.7–65.6 mm SL. The new species differs morphologically primarily by having a more slender and narrow shape, featuring a flatter, straighter predorsal profile and shorter second dorsal fin base; possession of slightly smaller scales, reflected in higher counts of lateral scales and predorsal scales; typically more vertebrae; and colour differences including a more robust, short black stripe across the upper operculum, a pronounced yellow patch on the anteroventral body and usually a more conspicuous second dark stripe on the lower body, with adult males generally having yellowish compared to reddish fins. We also provide a generic diagnosis for Cairnsichthys and a redescription of C. rhombosomoides. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of species in the genus is summarised, the new species being of particular concern as a narrow range endemic with specific environmental requirements.
Keywords: Pisces, fishes, freshwater biodiversity, conservation, taxonomy, molecular systematics, northern Australia
Michael P. Hammer, Gerald R. Allen, KeithC. Martin, Mark Adams, Brendan C. Ebner, Tarmo A. Raadik and Peter J. Unmack. 2018. Revision of the Australian Wet Tropics Endemic Rainbowfish Genus Cairnsichthys (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae), with Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4413(2); 271–294. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4413.2.3
==========================
New species of glass knifefish Eigenmannialoretana (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the Western Amazon
BRANDON T. WALTZ, JAMES S. ALBERT
Abstract
A new species of the Eigenmannia trilineata species group is described from the Loreto, Peru region of the western Amazon basin. The new species is similar in external appearance to members of the E. trilineataspecies group, but has a distinct phenotype, being diagnosed from congeners by the following unique combination of characters: four longitudinal dark pigment stipes on the lateral surfaces (over the lateral line, hypaxial muscles, proximal and distal pterygiophore margins); short, relatively round head (head depth 86.8–96.7% head length) with a terminal mouth; intermediate posterodorsal expansion of infraorbital bones 1+2 (60–75% length of infraorbitals 1+2); 11–15 teeth in three rows on the premaxilla; six to seven teeth in a single row on the endopterygoid; eye high on head (suborbital depth 28–36% head length); ii, 13–14 pectoral-fin rays; 183–219 anal-fin rays; and a uniformly dark brown head and pectoral fins on freshly-preserved specimens. The new species extends the geographic range of described species of the E. trilineata species group to the Western Amazon. This new species elevates the current number of valid species within the E. trilineata species group to 15, and the number of species within Eigenmannia to 20.
==========================
A new species of Anchoviella (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from the western Amazon River in Peru, with comments on congeners in the Peruvian Amazon RiverM. V. Loeb
H. R. Varella
N. A. Menezes
First published: 6 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13601urn:lsid: zoobank.org:pub:E47A5671‐6FBB‐4C15‐B738‐FC9D7132B6C8.
AbstractAnchoviella hernanni sp. nov. is described from the upper Amazon River basin, in tributaries of the Marañon, Ucayali and Madre de Dios river drainages that drain the Peruvian Andes. The new taxon can be distinguished from all congeners except Anchoviella jamesi, Anchoviella manamensis and Anchoviella perezi, by having 12–15 gill rakers in the lower branch of the first gill arch (v·16–35) and from those species by the distance between verticals through the posterior margin of the orbit to the posterior margin of the upper jaw 9·5–14·8% head length; LH (v. up to 6·0% LH). An updated identification key of all freshwater species of Anchoviella and morphological comparisons between all species of the genus occurring in Peru are provided.
==========================
H. R. Varella
N. A. Menezes
First published: 6 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13601urn:lsid: zoobank.org:pub:E47A5671‐6FBB‐4C15‐B738‐FC9D7132B6C8.
AbstractAnchoviella hernanni sp. nov. is described from the upper Amazon River basin, in tributaries of the Marañon, Ucayali and Madre de Dios river drainages that drain the Peruvian Andes. The new taxon can be distinguished from all congeners except Anchoviella jamesi, Anchoviella manamensis and Anchoviella perezi, by having 12–15 gill rakers in the lower branch of the first gill arch (v·16–35) and from those species by the distance between verticals through the posterior margin of the orbit to the posterior margin of the upper jaw 9·5–14·8% head length; LH (v. up to 6·0% LH). An updated identification key of all freshwater species of Anchoviella and morphological comparisons between all species of the genus occurring in Peru are provided.
==========================
Hisonotus devidei, a new species from the São Francisco basin, Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)F. F. Roxo
G. S. C. Silva
B. F. Melo
First published: 19 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13599urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CDDA9ED‐D157‐4 EB7‐ 8 AC0‐AB8984C3048F
Abstract A recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left‐bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotusfrom that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.
from Wiley Online libary
==========================
G. S. C. Silva
B. F. Melo
First published: 19 April 2018
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13599urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CDDA9ED‐D157‐4 EB7‐ 8 AC0‐AB8984C3048F
Abstract A recent expedition to headwaters of the Rio Pandeiros, a left‐bank tributary of the Rio São Francisco revealed the presence of a fourth species of Hisonotusfrom that basin. Hisonotus devidei sp. nov. differs from congeners by the presence of conspicuous dark blotches of distinct shapes irregularly arranged along lateral and dorsal surfaces of the body and scattered throughout all fins, by possessing small plates in lateral portions of the abdomen and adjacent areas between pelvic fins without development of dermal plates and by morphometric ratios. The putative phylogenetic placement of the new species is discussed based on morphological comparisons with species of related Hypoptopomatinae genera and the Hisonotus species diversity within the Rio São Francisco Basin is compared with that of adjacent basins.
from Wiley Online libary
==========================
The World’s Rivers Are All Blocked Up, Leaving Fish With No Place To Go
Imagine you’re heading out for a dinner date. You’re hungry and left enough time to get there and not be late, but when you step outside you find that conditions aren’t quite what you expected — you run into a 30-foot wall every few steps. What would you do? If you’re anything like me, you would probably just give up — stymied, hungry, un-romanced.
This is what’s happening for fish and aquatic wildlife in Europe: according to new research, there is a dam or other manmade obstruction blocking the continent’s rivers and streams every kilometer. The researchers figured this out by scraping whatever information they could find online, then went out and confirmed it for a total 1,000 kilometers. And, notably, the number of barriers they found was about thirty times larger than the number reported in existing (and outdated) databases.
Those researchers are launching an app that will allow people update the status of river and stream barriers as they come across them.
But, ultimately, a better database doesn’t help the trapped fish (that is, unless someone does something about it). What’s more, that project would create a database that is far from comprehensive, since this problem goes beyond Europe.
Look at the Amazon River, for example. As of February, there were 142 hydroelectric dams that were at least partially constructed and another 160 proposed across the mighty river; as a result, migratory fish like the migratory dorado catfish have already begun to disappear. And in the Pacific Northwest, salmon are being blocked by dams and need to be transported upstream so they can spawn.
This is not a new problem. Back in 2001, computer models already showed how river fragmentation directly lead to extinction. And yet the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s best solution is — no seriously — a literal goddamn Salmon Cannon.
Yes, interventions like this can help some fish survive, as long as people are there to place them on their personal waterslide. But it doesn’t address the other problems caused by river fragmentation, like the changes to the Amazon’s floodplains and other areas around dams. And even when people build dams that have bypass channels specifically intended to help fish get through, large populations of fish simply don’t go into them.
An obvious solution: stop building so many dams. But the hydroelectric power the structures generate can be a crucial source of emission-free energy for industrializing nations that were left with very little room to industrialize under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
The better answer seems to be to drain the dams we no longer need. That research into European river barriers also found that a number of the dams and other blocks out there are totally obsolete. These, like many other dams around the world, are still physically in place. Local governments have slowly made efforts to do this, but those are isolated cases.
So if you’re hiking a river trail and documenting barriers for that new app, we’re not saying you should knock over a barrier or two, but we’ll understand why you did it.
==========================
Imagine you’re heading out for a dinner date. You’re hungry and left enough time to get there and not be late, but when you step outside you find that conditions aren’t quite what you expected — you run into a 30-foot wall every few steps. What would you do? If you’re anything like me, you would probably just give up — stymied, hungry, un-romanced.
This is what’s happening for fish and aquatic wildlife in Europe: according to new research, there is a dam or other manmade obstruction blocking the continent’s rivers and streams every kilometer. The researchers figured this out by scraping whatever information they could find online, then went out and confirmed it for a total 1,000 kilometers. And, notably, the number of barriers they found was about thirty times larger than the number reported in existing (and outdated) databases.
Those researchers are launching an app that will allow people update the status of river and stream barriers as they come across them.
But, ultimately, a better database doesn’t help the trapped fish (that is, unless someone does something about it). What’s more, that project would create a database that is far from comprehensive, since this problem goes beyond Europe.
Look at the Amazon River, for example. As of February, there were 142 hydroelectric dams that were at least partially constructed and another 160 proposed across the mighty river; as a result, migratory fish like the migratory dorado catfish have already begun to disappear. And in the Pacific Northwest, salmon are being blocked by dams and need to be transported upstream so they can spawn.
This is not a new problem. Back in 2001, computer models already showed how river fragmentation directly lead to extinction. And yet the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s best solution is — no seriously — a literal goddamn Salmon Cannon.
Yes, interventions like this can help some fish survive, as long as people are there to place them on their personal waterslide. But it doesn’t address the other problems caused by river fragmentation, like the changes to the Amazon’s floodplains and other areas around dams. And even when people build dams that have bypass channels specifically intended to help fish get through, large populations of fish simply don’t go into them.
An obvious solution: stop building so many dams. But the hydroelectric power the structures generate can be a crucial source of emission-free energy for industrializing nations that were left with very little room to industrialize under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
The better answer seems to be to drain the dams we no longer need. That research into European river barriers also found that a number of the dams and other blocks out there are totally obsolete. These, like many other dams around the world, are still physically in place. Local governments have slowly made efforts to do this, but those are isolated cases.
So if you’re hiking a river trail and documenting barriers for that new app, we’re not saying you should knock over a barrier or two, but we’ll understand why you did it.
==========================
Fishkeeping in Southend for over 83 years
==================
There’s koi fish loose near the Cornwallis River, Nova Scotia and it concerns one professor
Goldfish can be seen in the Cornwallis River in this Facebook photo.An Acadia University biologist says reports of koi fish — or carp — in or along the Cornwallis River in Kings County are “interesting,” but that assessment could change depending on whether the fish flourish and establish themselves in the river.
Trevor Avery, an associate professor in the biology department who studies aquatic systems and introduced species, hadn’t heard of the reports before being contacted.
“That wouldn’t suprise me,” he said. He said the fish could be cast off or escaped from ornamental ponds, or have been moved by people.
“At this point I think I would call it interesting, but I think it could turn into something that’s concerning,” he said.
Photos posted on Facebook earlier this month show a school of the fish in what was described as a “pothole” or isolated pool in the wetland along the south side of the river in the bird sanctuary between Kentville and Coldbrook. But the river is notorious for flooding and some worry the fish could be washed into the river, if they haven’t been already.
At least two other people have commented online about seeing the fish over the past two years, with one mentioning an area of the river in Kentville.
Avery said the fish wouldn’t be in parts of the river where the salt content is higher. The river is tidal and flows into the Minas Basin near Port Williams but has less salinity in its western reaches.
Koi can grow up to a metre in length if food supply and conditions allow.
Avery said there is a definite danger of the fish being moved into the river by floodwaters.
He said they aren’t a predator fish so they won’t likely feed on much more than algae, and if they ate young fish it would be an opportunistic thing because the fish are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But they could still be problematic, he said.
“If there’s a lot of them, then they’re taking nutrients and resources out of the system that the larvae of other fish might be feeding on as well,” he said. “And space, too. . . . If they’re occupying all the space, then other fish can’t occupy it.”
The river is home to brook trout and brown trout.
“This looks like it needs to be looked into much more,” Avery said.
He said he will likely try to get out to the river to look for the fish, and also to see if they are spawning.
Avery said that it’s more difficult for invasive species to become established if there is a variety of species of fish already in an area, “but if there’s nothing, it’s very easy to make a footprint. That would be one of the concerns I would have here: Are these koi in the system because there’s not much there, and are they going to thrive in that system?”
He said he’s not aware of koi being well established anywhere in the province.
The provincial Fisheries Department said in an emailed statement that large populations of the species may disturb sport fish habitats, and Nova Scotians shouldn’t dispose of goldfish or similar fish in any water source.
==========================
Goldfish can be seen in the Cornwallis River in this Facebook photo.An Acadia University biologist says reports of koi fish — or carp — in or along the Cornwallis River in Kings County are “interesting,” but that assessment could change depending on whether the fish flourish and establish themselves in the river.
Trevor Avery, an associate professor in the biology department who studies aquatic systems and introduced species, hadn’t heard of the reports before being contacted.
“That wouldn’t suprise me,” he said. He said the fish could be cast off or escaped from ornamental ponds, or have been moved by people.
“At this point I think I would call it interesting, but I think it could turn into something that’s concerning,” he said.
Photos posted on Facebook earlier this month show a school of the fish in what was described as a “pothole” or isolated pool in the wetland along the south side of the river in the bird sanctuary between Kentville and Coldbrook. But the river is notorious for flooding and some worry the fish could be washed into the river, if they haven’t been already.
At least two other people have commented online about seeing the fish over the past two years, with one mentioning an area of the river in Kentville.
Avery said the fish wouldn’t be in parts of the river where the salt content is higher. The river is tidal and flows into the Minas Basin near Port Williams but has less salinity in its western reaches.
Koi can grow up to a metre in length if food supply and conditions allow.
Avery said there is a definite danger of the fish being moved into the river by floodwaters.
He said they aren’t a predator fish so they won’t likely feed on much more than algae, and if they ate young fish it would be an opportunistic thing because the fish are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But they could still be problematic, he said.
“If there’s a lot of them, then they’re taking nutrients and resources out of the system that the larvae of other fish might be feeding on as well,” he said. “And space, too. . . . If they’re occupying all the space, then other fish can’t occupy it.”
The river is home to brook trout and brown trout.
“This looks like it needs to be looked into much more,” Avery said.
He said he will likely try to get out to the river to look for the fish, and also to see if they are spawning.
Avery said that it’s more difficult for invasive species to become established if there is a variety of species of fish already in an area, “but if there’s nothing, it’s very easy to make a footprint. That would be one of the concerns I would have here: Are these koi in the system because there’s not much there, and are they going to thrive in that system?”
He said he’s not aware of koi being well established anywhere in the province.
The provincial Fisheries Department said in an emailed statement that large populations of the species may disturb sport fish habitats, and Nova Scotians shouldn’t dispose of goldfish or similar fish in any water source.
==========================
Small changes in rainforests cause big damage to fish ecosystemsDate:
April 19, 2018
Source:
Imperial College London
Summary:
Using lasers, researchers have connected, arranged and merged artificial cells, paving the way for networks of artificial cells acting as tissues.
Share:
FULL STORY
Sampling at the Brantian River, Sabah, Borneo.
Credit: Clare WilkinsonFreshwater fish diversity is harmed as much by selective logging in rainforests as they are by complete deforestation, according to a new study.
Researchers had expected the level of damage would rise depending on the amount of logging and were surprised to discover the impact of removing relatively few trees.
There are many types of logging that occur in rainforests, from 'selective logging' -- only taking certain species -- to complete logging and the transformation of the rainforest to oil-palm plantations.
Different types of animals react to these changes in often complex ways. However, a new study published today in Biological Conservation shows that for freshwater fish, any logging is too much. The team, led by Imperial College London, found a drop in fish biodiversity -- the number of different species -- across all logging types.
The authors of the paper say the result suggests a rethink in how freshwater ecosystems are protected in these forests.
Lead author Clare Wilkinson, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "That such a small change can impact fish biodiversity is shocking and worrying. We expected to see a gradient from least affected in the selectively logged areas, to heavily impacted for the streams in oil palm plantations. Instead, we saw almost the same level of fish biodiversity loss in all altered environments."
The team sampled 23 streams in Borneo as part of the SAFE (Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems) Project, which investigates environmental changes across a gradient from primary forest to oil palm plantation.
They found that fish diversity was decreased in all logged areas compared to within virgin forest, and that the time since logging did not affect the level of change. All logged regions suffered similar levels of losses irrespective of whether only select trees were taken or all of them, or whether the logging was recent or further in the past.
Researchers believe the reasons for these dramatic changes are likely to be down to a range of factors that affect stream habitats when trees are lost. Trees provide shade, creating cooler patches of stream that many fish need to spawn. Older, taller trees provide more of this shade, but they are the ones usually removed in selective logging. Leaf litter from these trees also helps to keep the streams cool and to concentrate food sources.
The loss of trees also increases soil erosion, meaning banks are more susceptible to collapse and more sediment ends up in the stream. This had the effect of making streams shallower and wider, limiting the types of species that can use the habitat.
For oil palm plantations to be labelled 'sustainable, they must include a riparian zone -- a buffer of forest land immediately bordering streams -- of at least 30 metres. However, in none the streams sampled in oil palm areas in this study, did the presence of a 30 metre riparian zone reduce the damage to fish biodiversity.
Wilkinson said: "The freshwater fish in these streams are a food source for local people, so maintaining biodiversity is important. Our study suggests that current protections are not good enough in that they do not prioritise conserving intact forest, and are not sufficient to protect fish in more altered environments."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Imperial College London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Imperial College London. "Small changes in rainforests cause big damage to fish ecosystems." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 April 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180419130945.htm>.
==========================
April 19, 2018
Source:
Imperial College London
Summary:
Using lasers, researchers have connected, arranged and merged artificial cells, paving the way for networks of artificial cells acting as tissues.
Share:
FULL STORY
Sampling at the Brantian River, Sabah, Borneo.
Credit: Clare WilkinsonFreshwater fish diversity is harmed as much by selective logging in rainforests as they are by complete deforestation, according to a new study.
Researchers had expected the level of damage would rise depending on the amount of logging and were surprised to discover the impact of removing relatively few trees.
There are many types of logging that occur in rainforests, from 'selective logging' -- only taking certain species -- to complete logging and the transformation of the rainforest to oil-palm plantations.
Different types of animals react to these changes in often complex ways. However, a new study published today in Biological Conservation shows that for freshwater fish, any logging is too much. The team, led by Imperial College London, found a drop in fish biodiversity -- the number of different species -- across all logging types.
The authors of the paper say the result suggests a rethink in how freshwater ecosystems are protected in these forests.
Lead author Clare Wilkinson, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, said: "That such a small change can impact fish biodiversity is shocking and worrying. We expected to see a gradient from least affected in the selectively logged areas, to heavily impacted for the streams in oil palm plantations. Instead, we saw almost the same level of fish biodiversity loss in all altered environments."
The team sampled 23 streams in Borneo as part of the SAFE (Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems) Project, which investigates environmental changes across a gradient from primary forest to oil palm plantation.
They found that fish diversity was decreased in all logged areas compared to within virgin forest, and that the time since logging did not affect the level of change. All logged regions suffered similar levels of losses irrespective of whether only select trees were taken or all of them, or whether the logging was recent or further in the past.
Researchers believe the reasons for these dramatic changes are likely to be down to a range of factors that affect stream habitats when trees are lost. Trees provide shade, creating cooler patches of stream that many fish need to spawn. Older, taller trees provide more of this shade, but they are the ones usually removed in selective logging. Leaf litter from these trees also helps to keep the streams cool and to concentrate food sources.
The loss of trees also increases soil erosion, meaning banks are more susceptible to collapse and more sediment ends up in the stream. This had the effect of making streams shallower and wider, limiting the types of species that can use the habitat.
For oil palm plantations to be labelled 'sustainable, they must include a riparian zone -- a buffer of forest land immediately bordering streams -- of at least 30 metres. However, in none the streams sampled in oil palm areas in this study, did the presence of a 30 metre riparian zone reduce the damage to fish biodiversity.
Wilkinson said: "The freshwater fish in these streams are a food source for local people, so maintaining biodiversity is important. Our study suggests that current protections are not good enough in that they do not prioritise conserving intact forest, and are not sufficient to protect fish in more altered environments."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Imperial College London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Clare L. Wilkinson, Darren C.J. Yeo, Heok Hui Tan, Arman Hadi Fikri, Robert M. Ewers. Land-use change is associated with a significant loss of freshwater fish species and functional richness in Sabah, Malaysia. Biological Conservation, 2018; 222: 164 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.004
Imperial College London. "Small changes in rainforests cause big damage to fish ecosystems." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 April 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180419130945.htm>.
==========================
Hawai’i Bans Amateur Collection of Live Marine Fishes
20 Apr, 2018
“This is legal; catching them alive for an aquarium is not. No permit needed to kill them.” Paku Ikui (Achilles Tangs) on ice for sale at $4.99 a pound in a Hawaiian fish market. Image: Hiloliving.com
CORAL Staff Report
“Now kids can’t catch fish for their aquariums….”
Writing from his home in Honolulu, this was how Dr. Bruce Carlson, marine biologist and former director of the Waikiki Aquarium, first reacted to news that a court in Hawai’i had just expanded the ban on collecting live marine fishes to recreational marine life enthusiasts. The ruling effectively put a complete to halt the state’s collection of live fishes for aquariums. (See background articles.)
First, the courts invalidated the state’s commercial aquarium fine-mesh net fishing permits, which led to a virtual shutdown of the industry in Hawai’i. Then, Hawaii’s DLNR closed the main fishery for aquarium fish in Hawai’i, putting the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area off limits.
Recreational Fishing Banned In Hawaii
Now, in addition to effectively ending the commercial collection of reef fish pending environmental review, Hawai’i’s First Circuit Court has issued a new ruling which invalidates recreational aquarium fishing permits. These permits allowed private individuals to collect marine fish for personal use in home aquariums. Reports state that the issuance of the current recreational permits, which authorized the collection of up to 5 fish per day, failed to comply with the environmental impact assessment requirements of the Hawai’i Environmental Policy Act.
Sport and recreational fishing with poles and hooks, and spearfishing which kills reef fishes, are both still allowed.
Other than the newly invalidated recreational aquarium fishing permits, there are no license requirements for recreational fishing in the ocean in the state of Hawai’i. (“There is no marine recreational fishing license in Hawai‘i for either residents or visitors, so you don’t need to worry about that as long as you don’t sell your catch.” – Hawai’i DLNR Fishing FAQ)
Dr. Bruce Carlson
Dr. Carlson also forwarded a copy of the image shown above to the CORAL editorial offices above with the comment: “This is legal; catching them alive for an aquarium is not. No permit needed to kill them.”
A check on the current price for a single Achilles Tang in the retail US aquarium trade is $299 and upward, although many suppliers are out of stock as Hawai’i’s collection bans have severely hampered the trade in many species.
Victory for Anti-Aquarium Coalition
According to an article by Timothy Hurley in the Honolulu Star Advertiser: “Thursday’s decision by First Circuit Judge Jeffrey Crabtree means no such fishing is legally permitted in the islands until the appropriate level of environmental review is developed and approved.
“The ruling is the latest legal victory for plaintiffs Rene Umberger, Mike Nakachi, Ka‘imi Kaupiko, Willie Kaupiko, the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, the Humane Society of the United States and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“Represented by the Earthjustice environmental law firm, the group sued the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in 2012 for failing to comply with Hawaii’s Environmental Policy Act, which requires the government to consider environmental impacts in its actions.” (Link to full article below.)
Aquarium Trade Responses
Members of the Aquarium Fishery community and the aquarium trade are counting on responses from the DLNR and Environmental Assessments that use scientific data to support a reopening of the issuance of aquarium collection permits. All such current published data indicates that the aquarium trade in Hawai’i is sustainable and causing no significant harm to the state’s reefs and marine resources. (See “Pulse Check,” Sources, below.)
The Pet Industry Joint Action Council (PIJAC), based in Washington, DC, is supporting work on Environmental Assessments that they hope will support a return to legal commercial collection of aquarium fishes. Presumably, kids with nets would also be able to return to the states inshore waters and beaches.
SOURCES
Honolulu Star Advertiser:
“Recreational aquarium fishing is blocked,” by Timothy Hurley, April 17, 2018
Additional Information:
Hawai’i’s DAR Fishing License and Permit Information
Hawai’i DAR Fishing FAQs
Humane Society of the United States: “Hawai‘i Court Voids All Existing Recreational Aquarium Collection Permits,”
The Maui News: “Oahu court invalidates state-issued permits to collect tropical fish in wild,” by Melisa Tanji, April 17, 2018
West Hawai’i Today: “Recreational aquarium collection permits voided,” by Gita Howard, April 17, 2018
Reef to Rainforest:
“A Pulse Check on Hawai’i’s Aquarium Fishing Ban: Draft Assessments Published“, by Matt Pedersen, April 13, 2018
“Hawai’i’s Contentious Inshore Fisheries, By the Numbers,” by Dr. Bruce Carlson, April 13, 2018
Image: Hilo Living Blog
From Amazonas Magazine
==========================
20 Apr, 2018
“This is legal; catching them alive for an aquarium is not. No permit needed to kill them.” Paku Ikui (Achilles Tangs) on ice for sale at $4.99 a pound in a Hawaiian fish market. Image: Hiloliving.com
CORAL Staff Report
“Now kids can’t catch fish for their aquariums….”
Writing from his home in Honolulu, this was how Dr. Bruce Carlson, marine biologist and former director of the Waikiki Aquarium, first reacted to news that a court in Hawai’i had just expanded the ban on collecting live marine fishes to recreational marine life enthusiasts. The ruling effectively put a complete to halt the state’s collection of live fishes for aquariums. (See background articles.)
First, the courts invalidated the state’s commercial aquarium fine-mesh net fishing permits, which led to a virtual shutdown of the industry in Hawai’i. Then, Hawaii’s DLNR closed the main fishery for aquarium fish in Hawai’i, putting the West Hawai’i Regional Fishery Management Area off limits.
Recreational Fishing Banned In Hawaii
Now, in addition to effectively ending the commercial collection of reef fish pending environmental review, Hawai’i’s First Circuit Court has issued a new ruling which invalidates recreational aquarium fishing permits. These permits allowed private individuals to collect marine fish for personal use in home aquariums. Reports state that the issuance of the current recreational permits, which authorized the collection of up to 5 fish per day, failed to comply with the environmental impact assessment requirements of the Hawai’i Environmental Policy Act.
Sport and recreational fishing with poles and hooks, and spearfishing which kills reef fishes, are both still allowed.
Other than the newly invalidated recreational aquarium fishing permits, there are no license requirements for recreational fishing in the ocean in the state of Hawai’i. (“There is no marine recreational fishing license in Hawai‘i for either residents or visitors, so you don’t need to worry about that as long as you don’t sell your catch.” – Hawai’i DLNR Fishing FAQ)
Dr. Bruce Carlson
Dr. Carlson also forwarded a copy of the image shown above to the CORAL editorial offices above with the comment: “This is legal; catching them alive for an aquarium is not. No permit needed to kill them.”
A check on the current price for a single Achilles Tang in the retail US aquarium trade is $299 and upward, although many suppliers are out of stock as Hawai’i’s collection bans have severely hampered the trade in many species.
Victory for Anti-Aquarium Coalition
According to an article by Timothy Hurley in the Honolulu Star Advertiser: “Thursday’s decision by First Circuit Judge Jeffrey Crabtree means no such fishing is legally permitted in the islands until the appropriate level of environmental review is developed and approved.
“The ruling is the latest legal victory for plaintiffs Rene Umberger, Mike Nakachi, Ka‘imi Kaupiko, Willie Kaupiko, the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, the Humane Society of the United States and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“Represented by the Earthjustice environmental law firm, the group sued the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in 2012 for failing to comply with Hawaii’s Environmental Policy Act, which requires the government to consider environmental impacts in its actions.” (Link to full article below.)
Aquarium Trade Responses
Members of the Aquarium Fishery community and the aquarium trade are counting on responses from the DLNR and Environmental Assessments that use scientific data to support a reopening of the issuance of aquarium collection permits. All such current published data indicates that the aquarium trade in Hawai’i is sustainable and causing no significant harm to the state’s reefs and marine resources. (See “Pulse Check,” Sources, below.)
The Pet Industry Joint Action Council (PIJAC), based in Washington, DC, is supporting work on Environmental Assessments that they hope will support a return to legal commercial collection of aquarium fishes. Presumably, kids with nets would also be able to return to the states inshore waters and beaches.
SOURCES
Honolulu Star Advertiser:
“Recreational aquarium fishing is blocked,” by Timothy Hurley, April 17, 2018
Additional Information:
Hawai’i’s DAR Fishing License and Permit Information
Hawai’i DAR Fishing FAQs
Humane Society of the United States: “Hawai‘i Court Voids All Existing Recreational Aquarium Collection Permits,”
The Maui News: “Oahu court invalidates state-issued permits to collect tropical fish in wild,” by Melisa Tanji, April 17, 2018
West Hawai’i Today: “Recreational aquarium collection permits voided,” by Gita Howard, April 17, 2018
Reef to Rainforest:
“A Pulse Check on Hawai’i’s Aquarium Fishing Ban: Draft Assessments Published“, by Matt Pedersen, April 13, 2018
“Hawai’i’s Contentious Inshore Fisheries, By the Numbers,” by Dr. Bruce Carlson, April 13, 2018
Image: Hilo Living Blog
From Amazonas Magazine
==========================
Hemibrycon iqueima • A New Species of Hemibrycon (Characiformes, Characidae, Stevardiinae) from the upper Magdalena River Basin in Colombia
Hemibrycon iqueima
García‐Melo, Albornoz‐Garzón, García‐Melo, Villa‐Navarro & Maldonado‐Ocampo, 2018
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13634
Abstract
Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov., is described from small streams in the Magdalena drainage at the foothills of the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, Suarez municipality, Tolima Department, Colombia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in the Magdalena–Cauca River basin by a combination of characters related to snout–anal‐fin origin length, head length, dorsal–pectoral fin distance, dorsal‐fin–hypural distance, postorbital distance, orbital diameter, snout length, number of total vertebrae, pre‐dorsal scales, scale rows between anal‐fin origin and lateral line, number of branched rays of the anal fin, maxillary teeth number and number and arrangement of hooks on the branched rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins. In addition, the validity of this species is supported by previous molecular analyses that included specimens of the new species that had been erroneously identified. Phylogenetic relationships between the new species and congeners from Pacific coast basins are discussed.
Key words: biodiversity; ichthyology; morphological visualization; Neotropical fishes; Stevardiinae; taxonomy
FIG. 1. Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov., Quebrada Bacallá, upper Magdalena River basin, Suárez Municipality, Tolima Department, Colombia. Holotype CZTU-IC 16418, 57.3 mm standard length, preserved coloration.
(a) Lateral view, (b) dorsal view, (c) ventral view. Scale bar 10 mm.
FIG. Lateral view of cleared and stained skeleton of Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov. CZUT-IC 11920, 40.9 mm standard length. Scale bar 10 mm.
Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov.
Distribution and habitat: Hemibrycon iqueima is known from three small tributaries (Batatas, Yeguas, Bacallá) in the upper Magdalena River basin, draining the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera (Figs 5 and 6).
Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to Cacique Iqueima, a name belonging to the indigenous Los Panches and Tolimas tribes that inhabited the type locality region. The tribes inhabited land near to the Magdalena River south-west of Cundinamarca and north-east of Tolima.
J. E. García‐Melo, J. G. Albornoz‐Garzón, L. J. García‐Melo, F. A. Villa‐Navarro and J. A. Maldonado‐Ocampo. 2018. A New Species of Hemibrycon (Characiformes, Characidae, Stevardiinae) from the upper Magdalena River Basin in Colombia. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13634
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10105941738185911
twitter.com/TimDrawsFish/status/986702843989184517
==========================
Hemibrycon iqueima
García‐Melo, Albornoz‐Garzón, García‐Melo, Villa‐Navarro & Maldonado‐Ocampo, 2018
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13634
Abstract
Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov., is described from small streams in the Magdalena drainage at the foothills of the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, Suarez municipality, Tolima Department, Colombia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in the Magdalena–Cauca River basin by a combination of characters related to snout–anal‐fin origin length, head length, dorsal–pectoral fin distance, dorsal‐fin–hypural distance, postorbital distance, orbital diameter, snout length, number of total vertebrae, pre‐dorsal scales, scale rows between anal‐fin origin and lateral line, number of branched rays of the anal fin, maxillary teeth number and number and arrangement of hooks on the branched rays of the pectoral and dorsal fins. In addition, the validity of this species is supported by previous molecular analyses that included specimens of the new species that had been erroneously identified. Phylogenetic relationships between the new species and congeners from Pacific coast basins are discussed.
Key words: biodiversity; ichthyology; morphological visualization; Neotropical fishes; Stevardiinae; taxonomy
FIG. 1. Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov., Quebrada Bacallá, upper Magdalena River basin, Suárez Municipality, Tolima Department, Colombia. Holotype CZTU-IC 16418, 57.3 mm standard length, preserved coloration.
(a) Lateral view, (b) dorsal view, (c) ventral view. Scale bar 10 mm.
FIG. Lateral view of cleared and stained skeleton of Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov. CZUT-IC 11920, 40.9 mm standard length. Scale bar 10 mm.
Hemibrycon iqueima sp. nov.
Distribution and habitat: Hemibrycon iqueima is known from three small tributaries (Batatas, Yeguas, Bacallá) in the upper Magdalena River basin, draining the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera (Figs 5 and 6).
Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to Cacique Iqueima, a name belonging to the indigenous Los Panches and Tolimas tribes that inhabited the type locality region. The tribes inhabited land near to the Magdalena River south-west of Cundinamarca and north-east of Tolima.
J. E. García‐Melo, J. G. Albornoz‐Garzón, L. J. García‐Melo, F. A. Villa‐Navarro and J. A. Maldonado‐Ocampo. 2018. A New Species of Hemibrycon (Characiformes, Characidae, Stevardiinae) from the upper Magdalena River Basin in Colombia. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13634
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10105941738185911
twitter.com/TimDrawsFish/status/986702843989184517
==========================
Ryedale A.S. Open Show will be held on Sunday 29th April. Venue will be the Kirby Misperton Village Hall, Malton, N. Yorks. YO17 6XN. 41 Classes covering the full range of tropical freshwater and coldwater fishes plus a fish craft class. YAAS rules and standards apply. Auction of fishkeeping items . Doors open at 10.00a.m.
==========================
==========================
Dysomma alticorpus • A New Species of Cutthroat Eel (Teleostei: Synaphobranchidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea
Dysomma alticorpus
Fricke, Golani, Appelbaum-Golani & Zajonz, 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.005
Abstract
The cutthroat eel Dysomma alticorpus n. sp. is described based on a single specimen collected in a trammel net at a depth of 350 m off Eilat, Israel, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. The new species belongs to the Dysomma anguillare species complex, which comprises species possessing a well-developed pectoral fin, intermaxillary teeth, a uniserial row of 7–15 large compound teeth in the lower jaw (which may be followed by a few smaller teeth), and an anteriorly situated anus with the trunk shorter than the head length. It is characterised by a combination of the following characters: origin of the dorsal fin well anterior to the base of the pectoral fin, predorsal length 13.8% TL; preanal length 22.8% TL; three compound teeth on the vomer; head pores: IO 4, SO 3; M 6; POP 0; AD 1, F 0, ST 0; lateral-line pores: predorsal 4, prepectoral 8, preanal 14, total 57–58, the last at the posterior two-thirds of the total length; MVF 7–16–115; total vertebrae 115. Dysomma alticorpus n. sp. is compared with other species of the genus. A revised key to the species of the genera Dysomma and Dysommina is provided.
Keywords: Synaphobranchidae; Ichthyology; Systematics; Gulf of Aqaba; Red Sea; Cutthroat eel; New species
Fig. Dysomma alticorpus new species, HUJ 17054 (holotype, 323.4 mm TL), Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Israel, off Eilat; A lateral view, B lateral view, detail of head, C trunk, ventral view; colouration in preservative.
Dysomma alticorpus new species
Pale cutthroat eel
Etymology: Altus (Latin) = high; corpus (Latin) = body. The name of the new species refers to the relatively high body of this new species. It is used as a noun in apposition.
Ronald Fricke, Daniel Golani, Brenda Appelbaum-Golani, Uwe Zajonz. 2018. Dysomma alticorpus, A New Species of Cutthroat Eel from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea (Teleostei: Synaphobranchidae) [Dysomma alticorpus, une nouvelle espèce d’anguille égorgée du golfe d’Aqaba, mer Rouge (Teleostei: Synaphobranchidae)] Comptes Rendus Biologies. 341(2); 111-119. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.005
==========================
Dysomma alticorpus
Fricke, Golani, Appelbaum-Golani & Zajonz, 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.005
Abstract
The cutthroat eel Dysomma alticorpus n. sp. is described based on a single specimen collected in a trammel net at a depth of 350 m off Eilat, Israel, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. The new species belongs to the Dysomma anguillare species complex, which comprises species possessing a well-developed pectoral fin, intermaxillary teeth, a uniserial row of 7–15 large compound teeth in the lower jaw (which may be followed by a few smaller teeth), and an anteriorly situated anus with the trunk shorter than the head length. It is characterised by a combination of the following characters: origin of the dorsal fin well anterior to the base of the pectoral fin, predorsal length 13.8% TL; preanal length 22.8% TL; three compound teeth on the vomer; head pores: IO 4, SO 3; M 6; POP 0; AD 1, F 0, ST 0; lateral-line pores: predorsal 4, prepectoral 8, preanal 14, total 57–58, the last at the posterior two-thirds of the total length; MVF 7–16–115; total vertebrae 115. Dysomma alticorpus n. sp. is compared with other species of the genus. A revised key to the species of the genera Dysomma and Dysommina is provided.
Keywords: Synaphobranchidae; Ichthyology; Systematics; Gulf of Aqaba; Red Sea; Cutthroat eel; New species
Fig. Dysomma alticorpus new species, HUJ 17054 (holotype, 323.4 mm TL), Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Israel, off Eilat; A lateral view, B lateral view, detail of head, C trunk, ventral view; colouration in preservative.
Dysomma alticorpus new species
Pale cutthroat eel
Etymology: Altus (Latin) = high; corpus (Latin) = body. The name of the new species refers to the relatively high body of this new species. It is used as a noun in apposition.
Ronald Fricke, Daniel Golani, Brenda Appelbaum-Golani, Uwe Zajonz. 2018. Dysomma alticorpus, A New Species of Cutthroat Eel from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea (Teleostei: Synaphobranchidae) [Dysomma alticorpus, une nouvelle espèce d’anguille égorgée du golfe d’Aqaba, mer Rouge (Teleostei: Synaphobranchidae)] Comptes Rendus Biologies. 341(2); 111-119. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.005
==========================
Save a North Sea fish from becoming museum exhibit
Jon C. Svendsen,Aage K. O. Alstrup &Lasse F. Jensen
The habitats needed by this fish for spawning and juvenile development are still unclear, so it is not possible to protect or restore them. This basic knowledge is essential for future restoration projects. We urgently need to understand why the population is still in decline and to put effective conservation measures in place. The North Sea houting must not end up next to the great auk (Pinguinus impennis) on museum shelves.
Nature 556, 174 (2018)
doi: 10.1038/d41586-018-04170-9
==========================
Jon C. Svendsen,Aage K. O. Alstrup &Lasse F. Jensen
The North Sea houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus) is a whitefish that is endemic to the Wadden Sea, an area including the North Sea coasts of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. A critically small population in Denmark’s Vidaa River, estimated at 3,500 adult individuals in 2014, is the last remaining worldwide. We call on the Danish authorities to prevent further decline of this fish through informed conservation planning and management before it is too late.
The habitats needed by this fish for spawning and juvenile development are still unclear, so it is not possible to protect or restore them. This basic knowledge is essential for future restoration projects. We urgently need to understand why the population is still in decline and to put effective conservation measures in place. The North Sea houting must not end up next to the great auk (Pinguinus impennis) on museum shelves.
Nature 556, 174 (2018)
doi: 10.1038/d41586-018-04170-9
==========================
Stonefish Have Switchblade-Like Defensive System, Researchers Say
A team of marine biologists from the University of Kansas and the Field Museum, Chicago has discovered a remarkable defensive system — ‘lachrymal saber’ — in a group of fish called stonefish. Their work is published in the journal Copeia.
Stonefish are packing switchblades in their faces. Image credit: Frank am Main / CC BY-SA 2.0.
“I don’t why this hasn’t been discovered before. It’s probably because there are just one or two people that ever worked on this group,” said Professor William Leo Smith, from the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas.
“We took five or six families and were able to resolve the problems in their classifications. To have this really strong anatomical feature visible from the outside is really helpful.”
All specimens Professor Smith and co-authors examined feature a mechanism they dub a ‘lachrymal saber’ located on each cheek below the eye.
Moreover, genetic analysis of 113 morphological and 5,280 molecular characters for 63 species reveals stonefish possessing the lachrymal saber are closely related, producing a revised taxonomy of flatheads, scorpionfish, sea robins and stonefish.
The researchers found the switchblade-like devices in the cheeks of stonefish involve specialized modifications to several bones and muscles: the circumorbitals, maxilla and adductor mandibulae.
“To help the stonefish deploy the switchblade, an unusually large number of muscles and ligaments attach to bones comprising the lachrymal saber system compared with species outside the stonefish family,” they said.
Top: cleared and stained specimen of the warty prowfish (Aetapcus maculatus). Bottom: the whiskered prowfish (Neopataecus waterhousii). Image credit: Leo Smith, University of Kansas.
“The switchblade only added to an already impressive array of defensive features that rank stonefish among the deadliest fishes in the ocean, including spikes, camouflages and some of the world’s most powerful venoms, which even could be fatal to an adult human being,” Professor Smith said.
“Of all the fishes I’ve studied, I haven’t yet been stung by any of these stonefish.”
“I’m just super paranoid. In some places they catch them for food — the big ones, they’re delicious — there is an aquaculture for larger ones in Indonesia. That’s mind-boggling to me. The venom breaks down in our digestive system. But people eat lots of venomous species all over the world, even in the U.S.”
According to the team, the lachrymal saber is most likely an additional defensive system in stonefish, to avoid predation.
“If you find pictures of these stonefish in the mouths of other things, the lachrymal saber is always locked out,” Professor Smith said.
“The main thing people know about these fishes is they’re venomous. Some people know them because they have these fingerlike appendages and drag themselves around like they’re playing the piano; the appendages actually taste food as they go.”
These stonefish can mimic leaves floating in the water — they’re super camouflaged.
“A lot of them have really bright pectoral fins on sides of their body, and when they’re scared they flash them — this drab fish will suddenly flash bright yellows and oranges,” the scientist said.
“I always assume all of these features are defensive, but recent studies by other fish scientists suggest these could all be displays like a peacock.”
_____
W. Leo Smith et al. 2018. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Flatheads, Scorpionfishes, Sea Robins, and Stonefishes (Percomorpha: Scorpaeniformes) and the Evolution of the Lachrymal Saber. Copeia 106 (1): 94-119; doi: 10.1643/CG-17-669
==========================
A team of marine biologists from the University of Kansas and the Field Museum, Chicago has discovered a remarkable defensive system — ‘lachrymal saber’ — in a group of fish called stonefish. Their work is published in the journal Copeia.
Stonefish are packing switchblades in their faces. Image credit: Frank am Main / CC BY-SA 2.0.
“I don’t why this hasn’t been discovered before. It’s probably because there are just one or two people that ever worked on this group,” said Professor William Leo Smith, from the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas.
“We took five or six families and were able to resolve the problems in their classifications. To have this really strong anatomical feature visible from the outside is really helpful.”
All specimens Professor Smith and co-authors examined feature a mechanism they dub a ‘lachrymal saber’ located on each cheek below the eye.
Moreover, genetic analysis of 113 morphological and 5,280 molecular characters for 63 species reveals stonefish possessing the lachrymal saber are closely related, producing a revised taxonomy of flatheads, scorpionfish, sea robins and stonefish.
The researchers found the switchblade-like devices in the cheeks of stonefish involve specialized modifications to several bones and muscles: the circumorbitals, maxilla and adductor mandibulae.
“To help the stonefish deploy the switchblade, an unusually large number of muscles and ligaments attach to bones comprising the lachrymal saber system compared with species outside the stonefish family,” they said.
Top: cleared and stained specimen of the warty prowfish (Aetapcus maculatus). Bottom: the whiskered prowfish (Neopataecus waterhousii). Image credit: Leo Smith, University of Kansas.
“The switchblade only added to an already impressive array of defensive features that rank stonefish among the deadliest fishes in the ocean, including spikes, camouflages and some of the world’s most powerful venoms, which even could be fatal to an adult human being,” Professor Smith said.
“Of all the fishes I’ve studied, I haven’t yet been stung by any of these stonefish.”
“I’m just super paranoid. In some places they catch them for food — the big ones, they’re delicious — there is an aquaculture for larger ones in Indonesia. That’s mind-boggling to me. The venom breaks down in our digestive system. But people eat lots of venomous species all over the world, even in the U.S.”
According to the team, the lachrymal saber is most likely an additional defensive system in stonefish, to avoid predation.
“If you find pictures of these stonefish in the mouths of other things, the lachrymal saber is always locked out,” Professor Smith said.
“The main thing people know about these fishes is they’re venomous. Some people know them because they have these fingerlike appendages and drag themselves around like they’re playing the piano; the appendages actually taste food as they go.”
These stonefish can mimic leaves floating in the water — they’re super camouflaged.
“A lot of them have really bright pectoral fins on sides of their body, and when they’re scared they flash them — this drab fish will suddenly flash bright yellows and oranges,” the scientist said.
“I always assume all of these features are defensive, but recent studies by other fish scientists suggest these could all be displays like a peacock.”
_____
W. Leo Smith et al. 2018. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Flatheads, Scorpionfishes, Sea Robins, and Stonefishes (Percomorpha: Scorpaeniformes) and the Evolution of the Lachrymal Saber. Copeia 106 (1): 94-119; doi: 10.1643/CG-17-669
==========================
==========================
Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus • A New Species of Rhinogobius (Pisces: Gobiidae) from Eastern China, with Analyses of its DNA Barcode
Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus Xia, Wu & Li, 2018
in Xia, Wu, Li, Wu & Liu, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4407.4.7
Abstract
The genus Rhinogobius Gill 1859 is widely distributed in fresh waters along the Western Pacific coast of tropical and temperate Asia. A new species, Rhinogobiusmaxillivirgatus, is described from Anhui Province in Eastern China. This species can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: up to 6 longitudinal brown to black stripes along the side of the body; pectoral-fin rays modally 14; predorsal scale series 5–9; lateral scale series 28–30; transverse scale series 6–7; branchiostegal membrane with about 20 red round spots in males; and 2 black oblique stripes parallel along the upper jaw on the anterior portion of the cheek. Analyzing sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I revealed that the new species is closely related to, but distinct, from Rhinogobius wuyanlingensis.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater goby, Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus, Eastern China, COI gene
FIGURE Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus [upper] Male adult at type locality; [lower] Female adult at type locality.
Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus Xia, Wu, and Li, sp. n.
Diagnosis. Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus is distinguishable from the other species in the same genus by the unique combination of the following features: D2 rays modally I/8 (rarely I/9); A rays modally I/7; P rays 13–15; LL 28–30; TR 6–7; predorsal scales 5–9; vertebral count 10+17=27; lateral side with 5–6 longitudinal serrated stripes, ventral ones dark; a whitish band across from snout to dorsal portion of operculum, interrupted by orbit; a black stripe along lower half of upper jaw, followed by a longer parallel stripe across anterior portion of cheek; rear edge of orbit with a black blotch; cheek and operculum spotless, branchiostegal membrane grayish with up to 20 red spots in male; D1 with 3–4 horizontal rows of spots and D2 with 5–6 rows; P base with an arched reddish brown band, membrane with several vertical rows of spots and a bold mark near the origin; and C base with a large dark spot, with vertical rows of spots in membrane and the anterior row enlarged.
Distribution. Currently Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus is only known from a particular tributary of the Changjiang Basin in Qimen County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China.
Etymology. The name maxillivirgatus is a noun in apposition and derived from the Latin maxilla meaning “upper jaw” and virgas meaning “stripes,” referring to 2 distinctive stripes behind the upper jaw of both sexes.
Jian-Hong Xia, Han-Lin Wu, Chen-Hong Li, Yuan-Qi Wu and Su-Han Liu. 2018. A New Species of Rhinogobius (Pisces: Gobiidae), with Analyses of its DNA Barcode. Zootaxa. 4407(4); 553–562. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4407.4.7
==========================
Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus Xia, Wu & Li, 2018
in Xia, Wu, Li, Wu & Liu, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4407.4.7
Abstract
The genus Rhinogobius Gill 1859 is widely distributed in fresh waters along the Western Pacific coast of tropical and temperate Asia. A new species, Rhinogobiusmaxillivirgatus, is described from Anhui Province in Eastern China. This species can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: up to 6 longitudinal brown to black stripes along the side of the body; pectoral-fin rays modally 14; predorsal scale series 5–9; lateral scale series 28–30; transverse scale series 6–7; branchiostegal membrane with about 20 red round spots in males; and 2 black oblique stripes parallel along the upper jaw on the anterior portion of the cheek. Analyzing sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I revealed that the new species is closely related to, but distinct, from Rhinogobius wuyanlingensis.
Keywords: Pisces, freshwater goby, Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus, Eastern China, COI gene
FIGURE Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus [upper] Male adult at type locality; [lower] Female adult at type locality.
Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus Xia, Wu, and Li, sp. n.
Diagnosis. Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus is distinguishable from the other species in the same genus by the unique combination of the following features: D2 rays modally I/8 (rarely I/9); A rays modally I/7; P rays 13–15; LL 28–30; TR 6–7; predorsal scales 5–9; vertebral count 10+17=27; lateral side with 5–6 longitudinal serrated stripes, ventral ones dark; a whitish band across from snout to dorsal portion of operculum, interrupted by orbit; a black stripe along lower half of upper jaw, followed by a longer parallel stripe across anterior portion of cheek; rear edge of orbit with a black blotch; cheek and operculum spotless, branchiostegal membrane grayish with up to 20 red spots in male; D1 with 3–4 horizontal rows of spots and D2 with 5–6 rows; P base with an arched reddish brown band, membrane with several vertical rows of spots and a bold mark near the origin; and C base with a large dark spot, with vertical rows of spots in membrane and the anterior row enlarged.
Distribution. Currently Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus is only known from a particular tributary of the Changjiang Basin in Qimen County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China.
Etymology. The name maxillivirgatus is a noun in apposition and derived from the Latin maxilla meaning “upper jaw” and virgas meaning “stripes,” referring to 2 distinctive stripes behind the upper jaw of both sexes.
Jian-Hong Xia, Han-Lin Wu, Chen-Hong Li, Yuan-Qi Wu and Su-Han Liu. 2018. A New Species of Rhinogobius (Pisces: Gobiidae), with Analyses of its DNA Barcode. Zootaxa. 4407(4); 553–562. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4407.4.7
==========================
Mike Liggins devastated after theft of £6k from Creation Aquatics, Wickford, Essex, UK.
Creation Aquatics
A BUSINESS owner has described his devastation after a trio of thugs raided his specialist aquatics shop and made off with thousands of pounds worth of gear.
Mike Liggins, 61, has run Creation Aquatics in Wickford for 31 years and went to open the shop as usual on Tuesday morning when he realised the shop, in London Road, had been targeted by thieves.
Mr Liggins said: “I went to open up at 8am and noticed they had forced the back door open.
“The shop was a mess. I wouldn’t say it was ransacked but it was pretty bad.”
Creation Aquatics, which forms part of the Alpha Garden Centre, is a specialist shop which sells a wide range of equipment connected to aquatics, fish and pond supplies, including aquariums, specialist food and live fish.
Mr Liggins added: “They have taken all the expensive equipment.
“The flow pumps are gone. They’ve taken the power filters and the LED lights.
“All in all, the equipment they’ve taken is worth about £6,000. I’m covered by insurance but the premium is just too dear - it’s not worth it.
“I was absolutely devastated when I saw the state of the shop. They had pulled out all the glass cases to get to the stock.”
Mr Liggins believes the three suspects came in the day before to case the shop before carrying out the late-night raid.
He added: “They came in the day before on those dirt bike type motorbikes to case the place.
“One of the registration’s read PA55 YOU. You remember these kinds of things.
“I’m glad that they didn’t take any of the fish or my stingrays. They also left behind my giant fibreglass Nemo and dinosaur.
“It must have been too big for them to take.
“You can see them on the CCTV footage putting all the equipment into a fibreglass pond they found outside and hauled it to a van.
“Ideally it would be great to get my stock back. My business will survive but it’s a big hit to take.”
Forensic officers have since been to the shop to examine the scene and collect evidence.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Essex Police on 101.
Alternatively you can share information with charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Found in the Echo.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/…/16152898.Owner_devastated_af…/…
==========================
Creation Aquatics
A BUSINESS owner has described his devastation after a trio of thugs raided his specialist aquatics shop and made off with thousands of pounds worth of gear.
Mike Liggins, 61, has run Creation Aquatics in Wickford for 31 years and went to open the shop as usual on Tuesday morning when he realised the shop, in London Road, had been targeted by thieves.
Mr Liggins said: “I went to open up at 8am and noticed they had forced the back door open.
“The shop was a mess. I wouldn’t say it was ransacked but it was pretty bad.”
Creation Aquatics, which forms part of the Alpha Garden Centre, is a specialist shop which sells a wide range of equipment connected to aquatics, fish and pond supplies, including aquariums, specialist food and live fish.
Mr Liggins added: “They have taken all the expensive equipment.
“The flow pumps are gone. They’ve taken the power filters and the LED lights.
“All in all, the equipment they’ve taken is worth about £6,000. I’m covered by insurance but the premium is just too dear - it’s not worth it.
“I was absolutely devastated when I saw the state of the shop. They had pulled out all the glass cases to get to the stock.”
Mr Liggins believes the three suspects came in the day before to case the shop before carrying out the late-night raid.
He added: “They came in the day before on those dirt bike type motorbikes to case the place.
“One of the registration’s read PA55 YOU. You remember these kinds of things.
“I’m glad that they didn’t take any of the fish or my stingrays. They also left behind my giant fibreglass Nemo and dinosaur.
“It must have been too big for them to take.
“You can see them on the CCTV footage putting all the equipment into a fibreglass pond they found outside and hauled it to a van.
“Ideally it would be great to get my stock back. My business will survive but it’s a big hit to take.”
Forensic officers have since been to the shop to examine the scene and collect evidence.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Essex Police on 101.
Alternatively you can share information with charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Found in the Echo.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/…/16152898.Owner_devastated_af…/…
==========================
Fig. 1. Examples of the habitat and fishes (C) characteristic of the Middle Xingu River.
Species shown are: a) Leporinus maculatus (Anostomidae), b) Baryancistrus xanthellus (Loricariidae), c) Ossubtus xinguense (Serrasalmidae), d) Crenicichla sp. (Cichlidae), e) Ancistrus ranunculus (Loricariidae), f) Cichla melaniae (Cichlidae), g) Tometes kranponhah (Serrasalmidae), h) Hypancistrus sp. (Loricariidae), i) Leporinus fasciatus (Anostomidae), j) Rhinodoras sp. (Doradidae) and k) Hypancistrus zebra (Loricariidae).
in Fitzgerald, Sabaj Perez, Sousa, et al. 2018.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.002
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan
Species shown are: a) Leporinus maculatus (Anostomidae), b) Baryancistrus xanthellus (Loricariidae), c) Ossubtus xinguense (Serrasalmidae), d) Crenicichla sp. (Cichlidae), e) Ancistrus ranunculus (Loricariidae), f) Cichla melaniae (Cichlidae), g) Tometes kranponhah (Serrasalmidae), h) Hypancistrus sp. (Loricariidae), i) Leporinus fasciatus (Anostomidae), j) Rhinodoras sp. (Doradidae) and k) Hypancistrus zebra (Loricariidae).
in Fitzgerald, Sabaj Perez, Sousa, et al. 2018.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.002
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan
Diversity and Community Structure of Rapids-dwelling Fishes of the Xingu River: Implications for Conservation Amid Large-scale Hydroelectric Development
Highlights
• 193 rapids-dwelling fish species were sampled prior to flow alteration.
• Fish community structure differed significantly between river segments.
• Rapids specialists and threatened species were concentrated in the Volta Grande.
• The Volta Grande rapids are now flooded and dewatered due to a hydropower facility.
• Maintaining rapids in the dewatered section will be critical for aquatic diversity.
Abstract
A recent boom in hydroelectric development in the world's most diverse tropical river basins is currently threatening aquatic biodiversity on an unprecedented scale. Among the most controversial of these projects is the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex (BMHC) on the Xingu River, the Amazon's largest clear-water tributary. The design of the BMHC creates three distinctly altered segments: a flooded section upstream of the main dam, a middle section between the dam and the main powerhouse that will be dewatered, and a downstream section subject to flow alteration from powerhouse discharge. This region of the Xingu is notable for an extensive series of rapids known as the Volta Grande that hosts exceptional levels of endemic aquatic biodiversity; yet, patterns of temporal and spatial variation in community composition within this highly threatened habitat are not well documented. We surveyed fish assemblages within rapids in the three segments impacted by the BMHC prior to hydrologic alteration, and tested for differences in assemblage structure between segments and seasons. Fish species richness varied only slightly between segments, but there were significant differences in assemblage structure between segments and seasons. Most of the species thought to be highly dependent on rapids habitat, including several species listed as threatened in Brazil, were either restricted to or much more abundant within the upstream and middle segments. Our analysis identified the middle section of the Volta Grande as critically important for the conservation of this diverse, endemic fish fauna. Additional research is urgently needed to determine dam operations that may optimize energy production with an environmental flow regime that conserves the river's unique habitat and biodiversity.
Keywords: Anostomidae; Assemblage structure; Belo Monte; Brazil; Cichlidae; Hydrologic connectivity; Loricariidae; Rheophilic
Daniel B. Fitzgerald, Mark H. Sabaj Perez, Leandro M. Sousa, Alany P. Gonçalves, Lucia Rapp Py-Daniel, Nathan K. Lujan, Jansen Zuanon, Kirk O. Winemiller and John G. Lundberg. 2018. Diversity and Community Structure of Rapids-dwelling Fishes of the Xingu River: Implications for Conservation Amid Large-scale Hydroelectric Development. Biological Conservation. 222; 104–112. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.002
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/983403538305961988
==========================
Highlights
• 193 rapids-dwelling fish species were sampled prior to flow alteration.
• Fish community structure differed significantly between river segments.
• Rapids specialists and threatened species were concentrated in the Volta Grande.
• The Volta Grande rapids are now flooded and dewatered due to a hydropower facility.
• Maintaining rapids in the dewatered section will be critical for aquatic diversity.
Abstract
A recent boom in hydroelectric development in the world's most diverse tropical river basins is currently threatening aquatic biodiversity on an unprecedented scale. Among the most controversial of these projects is the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex (BMHC) on the Xingu River, the Amazon's largest clear-water tributary. The design of the BMHC creates three distinctly altered segments: a flooded section upstream of the main dam, a middle section between the dam and the main powerhouse that will be dewatered, and a downstream section subject to flow alteration from powerhouse discharge. This region of the Xingu is notable for an extensive series of rapids known as the Volta Grande that hosts exceptional levels of endemic aquatic biodiversity; yet, patterns of temporal and spatial variation in community composition within this highly threatened habitat are not well documented. We surveyed fish assemblages within rapids in the three segments impacted by the BMHC prior to hydrologic alteration, and tested for differences in assemblage structure between segments and seasons. Fish species richness varied only slightly between segments, but there were significant differences in assemblage structure between segments and seasons. Most of the species thought to be highly dependent on rapids habitat, including several species listed as threatened in Brazil, were either restricted to or much more abundant within the upstream and middle segments. Our analysis identified the middle section of the Volta Grande as critically important for the conservation of this diverse, endemic fish fauna. Additional research is urgently needed to determine dam operations that may optimize energy production with an environmental flow regime that conserves the river's unique habitat and biodiversity.
Keywords: Anostomidae; Assemblage structure; Belo Monte; Brazil; Cichlidae; Hydrologic connectivity; Loricariidae; Rheophilic
Daniel B. Fitzgerald, Mark H. Sabaj Perez, Leandro M. Sousa, Alany P. Gonçalves, Lucia Rapp Py-Daniel, Nathan K. Lujan, Jansen Zuanon, Kirk O. Winemiller and John G. Lundberg. 2018. Diversity and Community Structure of Rapids-dwelling Fishes of the Xingu River: Implications for Conservation Amid Large-scale Hydroelectric Development. Biological Conservation. 222; 104–112. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.002
twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/983403538305961988
==========================
Romanogobio skywalkeri • A New Gudgeon (Teleostei: Gobionidae) from the upper Mur River, Austria
Romanogobio skywalkeri
Friedrich, Wiesner, Zangl, Daill, Freyhof & Koblmüller, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.2.6
museum-joanneum.at
Abstract
Romanogobio skywalkeri, new species, is described from the upper Mur River in the Austrian Danube drainage. It is related to R. banarescui from the Mediterranean basin. Romanogobio skywalkeri is distinguished from R. banarescui by lacking epithelial crests on the predorsal back, having 12–14 total pectoral-fin rays (vs. 10–11) and usually 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 7½). It is distinguished from other Romanogobio species in the Danube drainage by having a very slender body; a moderately long barbel, extending slightly beyond the posterior eye margin; and no epithelial crests on the predorsal back. Romanogobio skywalkeri is distinguished by a minimum net divergence of 6.3% (uncorrected p-distance against R. banarescui) in the COI barcoding region from other European Romanogobio species. A key to the Romanogobio species of the Danube drainage is provided. Romanogobio banarescui from the Vardar drainage and R. carpathorossicus from the Danube drainage are treated as valid species.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Cytochrome oxidase I, Europe, hydropower
Smaragdgressling Romanogobio skywalkeri
photos: Wolfgang Gessl, www.pisces.at
museum-joanneum.at
Romanogobio skywalkeri, new species
Etymology. Named for Luke Skywalker, the hero of the movie “Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope” (Lucasfilms, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977). As common name emerald gudgeon fits the line with common names of other Romanogobio species and reflects the green hue of the fish when observed in his natural habitat or freshly caught.
Smaragdgressling Romanogobio skywalkeri,
photos: Wolfgang Gessl, www.pisces.at
Thomas Friedrich, Christian Wiesner, Lukas Zangl, Daniel Daill, Jörg Freyhof and Stephan Koblmüller. 2018. Romanogobio skywalkeri, A New Gudgeon (Teleostei: Gobionidae) from the upper Mur River, Austria. Zootaxa. 4403(2); 336–350. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.2.6
www.museum-joanneum.at/presse/aktuelle-projekte/events/event/6908/hotspot-mur-1
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156304529357138
treatment.plazi.org/id/56314416-8525-FF95-90A9-A1DEFEB2FEAA
twitter.com/plazi_ch/status/981468539445006336
==========================
Romanogobio skywalkeri
Friedrich, Wiesner, Zangl, Daill, Freyhof & Koblmüller, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.2.6
museum-joanneum.at
Abstract
Romanogobio skywalkeri, new species, is described from the upper Mur River in the Austrian Danube drainage. It is related to R. banarescui from the Mediterranean basin. Romanogobio skywalkeri is distinguished from R. banarescui by lacking epithelial crests on the predorsal back, having 12–14 total pectoral-fin rays (vs. 10–11) and usually 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 7½). It is distinguished from other Romanogobio species in the Danube drainage by having a very slender body; a moderately long barbel, extending slightly beyond the posterior eye margin; and no epithelial crests on the predorsal back. Romanogobio skywalkeri is distinguished by a minimum net divergence of 6.3% (uncorrected p-distance against R. banarescui) in the COI barcoding region from other European Romanogobio species. A key to the Romanogobio species of the Danube drainage is provided. Romanogobio banarescui from the Vardar drainage and R. carpathorossicus from the Danube drainage are treated as valid species.
Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, taxonomy, Cytochrome oxidase I, Europe, hydropower
Smaragdgressling Romanogobio skywalkeri
photos: Wolfgang Gessl, www.pisces.at
museum-joanneum.at
Romanogobio skywalkeri, new species
Etymology. Named for Luke Skywalker, the hero of the movie “Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope” (Lucasfilms, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977). As common name emerald gudgeon fits the line with common names of other Romanogobio species and reflects the green hue of the fish when observed in his natural habitat or freshly caught.
Smaragdgressling Romanogobio skywalkeri,
photos: Wolfgang Gessl, www.pisces.at
Thomas Friedrich, Christian Wiesner, Lukas Zangl, Daniel Daill, Jörg Freyhof and Stephan Koblmüller. 2018. Romanogobio skywalkeri, A New Gudgeon (Teleostei: Gobionidae) from the upper Mur River, Austria. Zootaxa. 4403(2); 336–350. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.2.6
www.museum-joanneum.at/presse/aktuelle-projekte/events/event/6908/hotspot-mur-1
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156304529357138
treatment.plazi.org/id/56314416-8525-FF95-90A9-A1DEFEB2FEAA
twitter.com/plazi_ch/status/981468539445006336
==========================
Pictorial fish book with entry by Japanese Emperor the hit of the season
An illustrated encyclopedia of native fish species of Japan that includes a lengthy entry by Emperor Akihito on his study of goby is the unexpected hit of the season.
Priced at 6,900 yen ($64.50), the weighty tome published by Shogakukan Inc. has sold like hotcakes since it was released March 20, and a second printing run is already in the works.
The encyclopedia runs to 544 pages, and Akihito wrote four of them.
“The Natural History of the Fishes of Japan” contains detailed descriptions, along with photographs, of 1,400 or so fish native to Japan. It is aimed at amateur enthusiasts and academics.
A first edition of a specialized illustrated encyclopedia to be considered for a reprint after 5,000 sales in a year after publication is generally regarded as a success in Japan's publishing world.
According to the publisher, the title at one point ranked fifth in overall book sales on Amazon.co.jp. With the initial run of 6,000 copies expected to sell out soon, it was decided that a reprinting was in order.
The editorial team ran an online promotional campaign over two years on Twitter and Facebook, and gained a fan base prior to the book's publication.
==========================
An illustrated encyclopedia of native fish species of Japan that includes a lengthy entry by Emperor Akihito on his study of goby is the unexpected hit of the season.
Priced at 6,900 yen ($64.50), the weighty tome published by Shogakukan Inc. has sold like hotcakes since it was released March 20, and a second printing run is already in the works.
The encyclopedia runs to 544 pages, and Akihito wrote four of them.
“The Natural History of the Fishes of Japan” contains detailed descriptions, along with photographs, of 1,400 or so fish native to Japan. It is aimed at amateur enthusiasts and academics.
A first edition of a specialized illustrated encyclopedia to be considered for a reprint after 5,000 sales in a year after publication is generally regarded as a success in Japan's publishing world.
According to the publisher, the title at one point ranked fifth in overall book sales on Amazon.co.jp. With the initial run of 6,000 copies expected to sell out soon, it was decided that a reprinting was in order.
The editorial team ran an online promotional campaign over two years on Twitter and Facebook, and gained a fan base prior to the book's publication.
==========================
Elassoma alabammae
Lawsuit Launched to Speed Habitat Protection for Threatened Alabama Fish (Elassoma alabammae)
Spring Pygmy Sunfish's Freshwater Habitat Imminently Threatened by Planned Auto Plants
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— The Center for Biological Diversity today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat for the spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act.
The fish is under imminent threat from a massive automobile manufacturing plant planned adjacent to the Beaverdam Spring Complex, home to the only native population of the species.
The new mega-development will come with equally enormous amounts of new roads, buildings and parking lots. They will impact water quality and disrupt water flow to the springs, risking the destruction of everything living there — including the spring pygmy sunfish.
“We won’t let this rare fish wait any longer for the habitat protections it’s guaranteed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Elise Bennett, an attorney at the Center. “Reckless development has already sent this little fish diving toward the brink of extinction. The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to protect the sunfish’s habitat immediately before this massive manufacturing plant destroys what’s left of it.”
The spring pygmy sunfish is a small freshwater fish known from only one spring complex in the Tennessee River watershed. It is so rare that it was twice thought to be extinct. Development, river channelization and pollution have degraded its clear spring habitat.
Then, in January, Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. announced plans to build a massive automobile manufacturing plant in Huntsville, adjacent to the Beaverdam Spring Complex. Beginning as soon as 2021, the 2,400-acre mega-development will house a plant with two manufacturing lines that will produce up to 300,000 cars annually.
The plant would also bring a good number of jobs to Alabama, which the state needs. But for the beautiful springs and unique little fish to be saved, either another site needs to be found, or serious mitigation measures need to be put in place. If the pygmy sunfish is lost, it will be the second species Huntsville has driven to extinction. The whiteline topminnow was a species of fish described in the late 1800s in Big Spring, which is now largely paved over in downtown Huntsville; the fish is extinct.
“Clean, clear springs are important for all living things, including people,” said Bennett. “There’s just no way to protect species like the spring pygmy sunfish without protecting the places they live. Protecting critical habitat will ensure a healthy future for wildlife and the people of Alabama.”
The Center petitioned to protect the spring pygmy sunfish under the Endangered Species Act in 2009. In 2013 the Fish and Wildlife Service protected the sunfish as a threatened species and proposed protections for eight stream miles and 1,617 acres of spring pool and spring-influenced critical habitat in Limestone County, Ala.
The agency was required to designate critical habitat at the same time it listed the species as threatened in October 2013. More than four years later, the Service has not finalized its critical habitat proposal, leaving the sunfish’s dwindling habitat at risk.
Critical habitat includes areas that with geographic and biological features 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 may “adversely modify” — that is, damage — it, enabling the agencies to avoid or minimize harm.
Contact: Elise Bennett, (727) 755-6950, ebennett@biologicaldiversity.org
==========================
Trimma hamartium• A New Species of Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from the South-West Islands of Palau, western Pacific Ocean
Trimma hamartium
Winterbottom, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.2.2
Abstract
A new species of Trimma is described from South-West Islands of Palau. Trimma hamartium n. sp. lacks scales on the cheeks and opercle, has 8–9 scales in the predorsal midline, 17–19 pectoral-fin rays with 5–10 branched rays in the middle of the fin, an unbranched 5th pelvic-fin ray that is 51–64% the length of the 4th ray, 17–19 gill rakers on the outer surface of the first gill arch, an U-shaped interorbital trench with a narrow, slit-like postorbital trench ending at the last papilla in row p, and has 6 papillae in row c beneath the eye. When freshly collected, the species is very similar in appearance to T. preclarum, with which it is syntopic at three of the more northern islands of the South-West Islands.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Western Pacific, coral reef gobies, COI gene
Richard Winterbottom. 2018. A New Species of Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from the South-West Islands of Palau, western Pacific Ocean. Zootaxa. 4370(2); 123–136. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.2.2
==========================
Trimma hamartium
Winterbottom, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.2.2
Abstract
A new species of Trimma is described from South-West Islands of Palau. Trimma hamartium n. sp. lacks scales on the cheeks and opercle, has 8–9 scales in the predorsal midline, 17–19 pectoral-fin rays with 5–10 branched rays in the middle of the fin, an unbranched 5th pelvic-fin ray that is 51–64% the length of the 4th ray, 17–19 gill rakers on the outer surface of the first gill arch, an U-shaped interorbital trench with a narrow, slit-like postorbital trench ending at the last papilla in row p, and has 6 papillae in row c beneath the eye. When freshly collected, the species is very similar in appearance to T. preclarum, with which it is syntopic at three of the more northern islands of the South-West Islands.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Western Pacific, coral reef gobies, COI gene
Richard Winterbottom. 2018. A New Species of Trimma (Pisces; Gobiidae) from the South-West Islands of Palau, western Pacific Ocean. Zootaxa. 4370(2); 123–136. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4370.2.2
==========================
Laubuka tenella, a Shimmering New Danio Species
Laubuka tenella, paratype from the type locality, photographed alive immediately upon capture, displaying a neon blue-green stripe and faint blue vertical bars.
A sleek, small, and glimmeringly-hued new species in the danio clan has just been described and may offer potential for breeders serving the aquarium trade. Reaching a maximum size of just 6 cm (2.36 inches), the shimmering Laubuka tenella represents the newest addition to the ever-popular Danioninae subfamily. Discovered in the Cox’s Bazar District of southeastern coastal Bangladesh, it has also been reported further to the south in the Thandwe River drainage in neighboring western Myanmar.
Domdomia stream, the type locality of Laubuka tenella, May 9th, 2015.
The open-access ZooKeys paper, Laubuka tenella, a new species of cyprinid fish from southeastern Bangladesh and southwestern Myanmar (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Danioninae), by authors Sven Kullander, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Michael Norén, and Abdur Rob Mollah, provides a great deal of insight into the genus Laubuka, clarifying earlier work. The paper’s authors note that Laubuka spp. are similar in many respects to the more familiar Devario genus, but Laubuka lack barbels and tend to have more muted, indistinct markings, when compared to Devario.
The “tenella” name etymology is stated by the authors this way: “The specific name is a Latin adjective in diminutive form, tenellus, here in the meaning of delicate, referring to the small size and the soft, delicate consistency of fresh specimens.”
Map of collecting sites of Laubuka laubuca and the newly described L. tenella. (Map: Kullander et al using Natural Earth Data.)
Readers willing to dive into the species description will be rewarded with insights into the habitat of the new species; thorough descriptions of the stream composition could be quite useful in recreating the biotope of this species. The authors further provide detailed accountings of species found in situ with Laubuka tenella at each location surveyed. Depending on the specific location, one might find a range of aquarium-suitable danios, Devario species, rasboras, and assorted barbs, along with the Burmese Loach (Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei) and at times multiple gobies, owing to the coastal proximity of this species’ habitat.
Humanely euthanized with MS 222 and preserved specimens of Laubuka tenella. A: holotype, DU 9004, 42.1 mm SL. Bangladesh: Chittagong Division: Domdomia stream, 10 km north of Teknaf. B: Laubuka tenella, paratype, NRM 40813, 39.8 mm SL. Myanmar: Rakhine State: Thandwe River drainage, Nan Chaung, near Thandwe. C: Laubuka tenella, paratype, NRM 67380, 46.8 mm SL, preserved in 95% ethanol. Bangladesh: Chittagong Division, Majerchora stream, 10 km south of Cox’s Bazar.
You can read the paper online at https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=22510
Abstract
Laubuka tenella is a new species characterized by the colour pattern, consisting of short dark vertical bars anteriorly on the side, and a dark lateral band posteriorly on the side, combined with a relatively short pelvic fin and 29–30 lateral-line scales. It is separated from other Laubuka analysed by minimum 9% uncorrected p-distance in the mitochondrial COI gene. The type series is composed of specimens from small streams in the Cox’s Bazar District in Bangladesh (the type locality), and the Thandwe River drainage in western Myanmar. Laubuka brahmaputraensis is strongly indicated to be a junior synonym of L. laubuca, the second known species of Laubuka in Bangladesh. Eustira ceylonensis, currently in the synonymy of Devariomalabaricus, is a valid species of Laubuka.
Sources
Natural Earth Data: http://www.naturalearthdata.com/
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
Laubuka tenella, paratype from the type locality, photographed alive immediately upon capture, displaying a neon blue-green stripe and faint blue vertical bars.
A sleek, small, and glimmeringly-hued new species in the danio clan has just been described and may offer potential for breeders serving the aquarium trade. Reaching a maximum size of just 6 cm (2.36 inches), the shimmering Laubuka tenella represents the newest addition to the ever-popular Danioninae subfamily. Discovered in the Cox’s Bazar District of southeastern coastal Bangladesh, it has also been reported further to the south in the Thandwe River drainage in neighboring western Myanmar.
Domdomia stream, the type locality of Laubuka tenella, May 9th, 2015.
The open-access ZooKeys paper, Laubuka tenella, a new species of cyprinid fish from southeastern Bangladesh and southwestern Myanmar (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Danioninae), by authors Sven Kullander, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Michael Norén, and Abdur Rob Mollah, provides a great deal of insight into the genus Laubuka, clarifying earlier work. The paper’s authors note that Laubuka spp. are similar in many respects to the more familiar Devario genus, but Laubuka lack barbels and tend to have more muted, indistinct markings, when compared to Devario.
The “tenella” name etymology is stated by the authors this way: “The specific name is a Latin adjective in diminutive form, tenellus, here in the meaning of delicate, referring to the small size and the soft, delicate consistency of fresh specimens.”
Map of collecting sites of Laubuka laubuca and the newly described L. tenella. (Map: Kullander et al using Natural Earth Data.)
Readers willing to dive into the species description will be rewarded with insights into the habitat of the new species; thorough descriptions of the stream composition could be quite useful in recreating the biotope of this species. The authors further provide detailed accountings of species found in situ with Laubuka tenella at each location surveyed. Depending on the specific location, one might find a range of aquarium-suitable danios, Devario species, rasboras, and assorted barbs, along with the Burmese Loach (Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei) and at times multiple gobies, owing to the coastal proximity of this species’ habitat.
Humanely euthanized with MS 222 and preserved specimens of Laubuka tenella. A: holotype, DU 9004, 42.1 mm SL. Bangladesh: Chittagong Division: Domdomia stream, 10 km north of Teknaf. B: Laubuka tenella, paratype, NRM 40813, 39.8 mm SL. Myanmar: Rakhine State: Thandwe River drainage, Nan Chaung, near Thandwe. C: Laubuka tenella, paratype, NRM 67380, 46.8 mm SL, preserved in 95% ethanol. Bangladesh: Chittagong Division, Majerchora stream, 10 km south of Cox’s Bazar.
You can read the paper online at https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=22510
Abstract
Laubuka tenella is a new species characterized by the colour pattern, consisting of short dark vertical bars anteriorly on the side, and a dark lateral band posteriorly on the side, combined with a relatively short pelvic fin and 29–30 lateral-line scales. It is separated from other Laubuka analysed by minimum 9% uncorrected p-distance in the mitochondrial COI gene. The type series is composed of specimens from small streams in the Cox’s Bazar District in Bangladesh (the type locality), and the Thandwe River drainage in western Myanmar. Laubuka brahmaputraensis is strongly indicated to be a junior synonym of L. laubuca, the second known species of Laubuka in Bangladesh. Eustira ceylonensis, currently in the synonymy of Devariomalabaricus, is a valid species of Laubuka.
Sources
Natural Earth Data: http://www.naturalearthdata.com/
from Reef to Rainforest media
==========================
Robin Hood Aquarists Club
Spring Auction 2018
Sunday 8th April 2018
We will be holding an auction of fish, plants and equipment at the
Highbank Community Centre, Farnborough Road, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 9DG.
Doors open 10.30am and Auction starts 11am.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day and a licensed bar has been applied for.
Admission to the auction is free. We look forward to seeing you there.
PLEASE NOTE: Smoking is strictly prohibited within the building and this includes E-cigarettes. Also it is now council policy that no dogs are permitted in the building.
For further details, including booking an auction lot,
please contact
e-mail: rhaqua@hotmail.co.uk
Please Note : Auction Lots can only be booked from 12 midnight on 8th March 2018.
We're also on Facebook, go to https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/524581947558898/
Click HERE for the auction rules and buying at auction guide.
We have been notified by sellers of the items below that will hopefully be at the auction.
***PLEASE NOTE*** There are no guarantees that these items will definitely be available as unforeseen circumstances before the day cannot be accounted for.
Also, this is certainly not a full list of what will be available, it's only what we know of so far and many sellers do not notify us what they intend to bring along. It's not just a fish and plant auction, there will also be various items of second hand equipment available along with live food cultures. If you are coming for anything specific on the list, let us know and we will try to ascertain from the seller if the item is at risk of not being there and let them know that someone is interested in that item.
The items listed below have only been declared by only 8 sellers, we currently have lots from 18 individual sellers in total booked in for the auction. So there will be much, much more at the auction than what is on this list.
Fish
Black Bar Endlers
Peacock Endlers
Snakeskin guppies
Brown Bristlenose Ancistrus
Albino Bristlenose
Super Red Bristlenose
Long fin albino Ancistrus
Yellow Congo Tetras
Hi fin red swords
Pair Golden Mollys
Clown Loach 6"
Ancistrus temminckii
Peacock goby
Blue guppies
Tiger guppies
Platies
Mollies
Montezuma swords
Green swords
Pygmaeus swords
Pearl gourami
Dwarf gourami
Cherry shrimp
Harlequins
Black Phantom Tetras
Silver Tipped tetras
Glowlight Tetras
Splash tetras
Black Neon Tetras
Peppered Cory
Albino Cory
Schulzei Cory
Xl pair Black Corys (Have bred)
Pearl danios
Cherry barbs
Black Ruby barbs
Madagascar rainbows
Hoplo cats
Albino Hoplo cats
Silver dollars (small)
Glowlight tetras
Glowlight danios
Zebra danios
Mouthbrooders
Mixed African cichlids
Congo tetras
Scissor tails
Guppies male and females
Black neons
Neons
Platys
Cherry shrimp
Rosey barbs
Black kuhli loaches
Giant danios
Lemon goldfish
Sarasa Comet gold fish
Assorted Oranda
Assorted Grade A koi
Cherry Barb
Clown Loach
German blue ram
Gold ram
Harlequin rasbora
Indian Dwarf gourami
Long fin black angel fish
Long fin koi angel fish
Neon Tetra
Odessa Barb
Pink Kissing gourami
Whip tail catfish (Rineloricaria lanceolata)
Blue angels
Long fin angels
Gold barbs
Red line torpedo barb
Tinfoil barbs
Albino corydoras
Albino sterbai Corydoras
Brown bristle nose
Corydoras sterbai
Featherfin Catfish Large
L177 WILD CAUGHT Gold seam Gold nugget plec 2-3 inch
Long fin peppered corydoras
Peppered corydoras
Shultzei corydoras
Blood Red Parrot Fish
Cobalt Blue Male Dwarf Gourami
Cobalt blue dwarf gourami Pairs
Sunset Red Male Dwarf gourami
Sunset Red gourami Pairs
Dwarf gourami
Male fighter fish
Pearl gourami
Assorted Guppy
Assorted Platy
Assorted swordtails
Balloon molly
Jumbo sailfin molly
Molly
Kuhli Loach
Boesmani rainbow
Rainbow shark
Metallic pink male guppy
Red tail black shark
Black neon tetra
Cardinal tetra
Columbian red-blue tetra
Lemon tetra
Neon tetra
Moscow snow white guppy
Yellow Shrimp (Neocaridina sp.)
Endlers 'Red Laser'
Blonde Endlers
Blond Endlers 'Red Laser'
3 large male bristlenose
4 Assorted corydoras
Red Swordtails
Green Swordtails
Montezuma Swordtails
Blue Endlers
Heterandria Formosa
Girardinus metallicus Black Chin
Xiphophorus milleri
Black Molly (Freshwater reared)
L144 Lemon Bristlenose
Calico Bristlenose
Longfin Albino Bristlenose
Characodon audax pair
Aquarium Grown Plants
Ludwigia dark orange
Sumatra Fern
Blyxa Japonica
Small leaf Java Fern
Thin leaf Java Fern
Trident Leaf Java Fern
Yellow leaf Anubias Nana
Cryptocoryne 'moi ora'
Anubias barteri
Hornwort
Hygrophila rosae australis
Pistia stratiotes - Water Lettuce
Vallisneria asiatica
Vallisneria spiralis
Cryptocoryne wendtii green
Microsorum pteropus - Java Fern
Bolbitis heudelotii
Vesicularia montagnei – Christmas Moss
Bucephalandra ‘Green Wavy’
Anubias barteri nana
Hygrophila polysperma
Amazon Frogbit
Giant Vallis
Java Fern
Bacopa
Java Moss
Other Items
Microworm cultures
Walterworm cultures
Bananaworm cultures
Small aquarium stand (H69W49D26cm)
Two sets of two clay Apisto caves
Set of clay Shrimp caves (1x6, 3x3, 1x1 tubes)
Kordon Amquel Plus 473ml
10+ pond plant baskets (to be sold as 1 item)
Seachem Fluorite 3.5kg Premium Natural Substrate for Planted Aquaria
Seachem Fluorite Red 3.5kg Premium Natural Substrate for Planted Aquaria
NewJet 3500 L/h Adjustable Multiuse Pump FW/Marine (used only a couple of times for moving water)
Crystal Clear 1L Biological Filtermedia (including filter media bag)
BioBalls 3L
3x5pck of Hessian Squares
3 bags of 30 Almond Leaves
Jewel Rio 180 fish tank stand
1 box jewel filters
Rocks
Tank cleaning accessories - pipe, magnetic tank cleaner
Various ornaments
Small show tanks
Multibreeder
Imitation plants
Bogwood
Set of fishkeeper magazines
Pond specialist book
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Get to the Auction (SATNAV settings (Post Code) NG11 9DG)
Highbank Community Centre is at the junction of Farnborough Road & Southchurch Drive Clifton.
From The South: - Leave M1 at junction 24 (Nott'm south) along the A435 to Nott'm past power station on left until at a traffic island at the Crusader public house. Turn right towards Gotham travel along for approximately 400 to 500 mtrs. Where road widens turn left, into Farnborough Road. The centre is on the right.
From The North and West: - Leave M1 at Junction 25, A52 to Nott'm. Follow A52 towards Grantham past the Queens Medical Centre on your left over a flyover. Follow signs A453 Birmingham & M1 south over a complex of bridges to traffic lights with a left filter lane in bus stop, turn left into Farnborough Road and follow the road. The centre is on the left.
From The East:- Take A52 Towards Nott'm (from the A46 Fosse Way) heading towards Trent Bridge. At the traffic lights at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground turn left onto A60 (Loughborough). Follow signs A453, M1 south, under the complex of bridges to traffic lights with a left filter lane in a bus stop, turn left into Farnborough Road, follow the road along. The centre is on the left.
==========================
Spring Auction 2018
Sunday 8th April 2018
We will be holding an auction of fish, plants and equipment at the
Highbank Community Centre, Farnborough Road, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 9DG.
Doors open 10.30am and Auction starts 11am.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day and a licensed bar has been applied for.
Admission to the auction is free. We look forward to seeing you there.
PLEASE NOTE: Smoking is strictly prohibited within the building and this includes E-cigarettes. Also it is now council policy that no dogs are permitted in the building.
For further details, including booking an auction lot,
please contact
e-mail: rhaqua@hotmail.co.uk
Please Note : Auction Lots can only be booked from 12 midnight on 8th March 2018.
We're also on Facebook, go to https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/524581947558898/
Click HERE for the auction rules and buying at auction guide.
We have been notified by sellers of the items below that will hopefully be at the auction.
***PLEASE NOTE*** There are no guarantees that these items will definitely be available as unforeseen circumstances before the day cannot be accounted for.
Also, this is certainly not a full list of what will be available, it's only what we know of so far and many sellers do not notify us what they intend to bring along. It's not just a fish and plant auction, there will also be various items of second hand equipment available along with live food cultures. If you are coming for anything specific on the list, let us know and we will try to ascertain from the seller if the item is at risk of not being there and let them know that someone is interested in that item.
The items listed below have only been declared by only 8 sellers, we currently have lots from 18 individual sellers in total booked in for the auction. So there will be much, much more at the auction than what is on this list.
Fish
Black Bar Endlers
Peacock Endlers
Snakeskin guppies
Brown Bristlenose Ancistrus
Albino Bristlenose
Super Red Bristlenose
Long fin albino Ancistrus
Yellow Congo Tetras
Hi fin red swords
Pair Golden Mollys
Clown Loach 6"
Ancistrus temminckii
Peacock goby
Blue guppies
Tiger guppies
Platies
Mollies
Montezuma swords
Green swords
Pygmaeus swords
Pearl gourami
Dwarf gourami
Cherry shrimp
Harlequins
Black Phantom Tetras
Silver Tipped tetras
Glowlight Tetras
Splash tetras
Black Neon Tetras
Peppered Cory
Albino Cory
Schulzei Cory
Xl pair Black Corys (Have bred)
Pearl danios
Cherry barbs
Black Ruby barbs
Madagascar rainbows
Hoplo cats
Albino Hoplo cats
Silver dollars (small)
Glowlight tetras
Glowlight danios
Zebra danios
Mouthbrooders
Mixed African cichlids
Congo tetras
Scissor tails
Guppies male and females
Black neons
Neons
Platys
Cherry shrimp
Rosey barbs
Black kuhli loaches
Giant danios
Lemon goldfish
Sarasa Comet gold fish
Assorted Oranda
Assorted Grade A koi
Cherry Barb
Clown Loach
German blue ram
Gold ram
Harlequin rasbora
Indian Dwarf gourami
Long fin black angel fish
Long fin koi angel fish
Neon Tetra
Odessa Barb
Pink Kissing gourami
Whip tail catfish (Rineloricaria lanceolata)
Blue angels
Long fin angels
Gold barbs
Red line torpedo barb
Tinfoil barbs
Albino corydoras
Albino sterbai Corydoras
Brown bristle nose
Corydoras sterbai
Featherfin Catfish Large
L177 WILD CAUGHT Gold seam Gold nugget plec 2-3 inch
Long fin peppered corydoras
Peppered corydoras
Shultzei corydoras
Blood Red Parrot Fish
Cobalt Blue Male Dwarf Gourami
Cobalt blue dwarf gourami Pairs
Sunset Red Male Dwarf gourami
Sunset Red gourami Pairs
Dwarf gourami
Male fighter fish
Pearl gourami
Assorted Guppy
Assorted Platy
Assorted swordtails
Balloon molly
Jumbo sailfin molly
Molly
Kuhli Loach
Boesmani rainbow
Rainbow shark
Metallic pink male guppy
Red tail black shark
Black neon tetra
Cardinal tetra
Columbian red-blue tetra
Lemon tetra
Neon tetra
Moscow snow white guppy
Yellow Shrimp (Neocaridina sp.)
Endlers 'Red Laser'
Blonde Endlers
Blond Endlers 'Red Laser'
3 large male bristlenose
4 Assorted corydoras
Red Swordtails
Green Swordtails
Montezuma Swordtails
Blue Endlers
Heterandria Formosa
Girardinus metallicus Black Chin
Xiphophorus milleri
Black Molly (Freshwater reared)
L144 Lemon Bristlenose
Calico Bristlenose
Longfin Albino Bristlenose
Characodon audax pair
Aquarium Grown Plants
Ludwigia dark orange
Sumatra Fern
Blyxa Japonica
Small leaf Java Fern
Thin leaf Java Fern
Trident Leaf Java Fern
Yellow leaf Anubias Nana
Cryptocoryne 'moi ora'
Anubias barteri
Hornwort
Hygrophila rosae australis
Pistia stratiotes - Water Lettuce
Vallisneria asiatica
Vallisneria spiralis
Cryptocoryne wendtii green
Microsorum pteropus - Java Fern
Bolbitis heudelotii
Vesicularia montagnei – Christmas Moss
Bucephalandra ‘Green Wavy’
Anubias barteri nana
Hygrophila polysperma
Amazon Frogbit
Giant Vallis
Java Fern
Bacopa
Java Moss
Other Items
Microworm cultures
Walterworm cultures
Bananaworm cultures
Small aquarium stand (H69W49D26cm)
Two sets of two clay Apisto caves
Set of clay Shrimp caves (1x6, 3x3, 1x1 tubes)
Kordon Amquel Plus 473ml
10+ pond plant baskets (to be sold as 1 item)
Seachem Fluorite 3.5kg Premium Natural Substrate for Planted Aquaria
Seachem Fluorite Red 3.5kg Premium Natural Substrate for Planted Aquaria
NewJet 3500 L/h Adjustable Multiuse Pump FW/Marine (used only a couple of times for moving water)
Crystal Clear 1L Biological Filtermedia (including filter media bag)
BioBalls 3L
3x5pck of Hessian Squares
3 bags of 30 Almond Leaves
Jewel Rio 180 fish tank stand
1 box jewel filters
Rocks
Tank cleaning accessories - pipe, magnetic tank cleaner
Various ornaments
Small show tanks
Multibreeder
Imitation plants
Bogwood
Set of fishkeeper magazines
Pond specialist book
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Get to the Auction (SATNAV settings (Post Code) NG11 9DG)
Highbank Community Centre is at the junction of Farnborough Road & Southchurch Drive Clifton.
From The South: - Leave M1 at junction 24 (Nott'm south) along the A435 to Nott'm past power station on left until at a traffic island at the Crusader public house. Turn right towards Gotham travel along for approximately 400 to 500 mtrs. Where road widens turn left, into Farnborough Road. The centre is on the right.
From The North and West: - Leave M1 at Junction 25, A52 to Nott'm. Follow A52 towards Grantham past the Queens Medical Centre on your left over a flyover. Follow signs A453 Birmingham & M1 south over a complex of bridges to traffic lights with a left filter lane in bus stop, turn left into Farnborough Road and follow the road. The centre is on the left.
From The East:- Take A52 Towards Nott'm (from the A46 Fosse Way) heading towards Trent Bridge. At the traffic lights at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground turn left onto A60 (Loughborough). Follow signs A453, M1 south, under the complex of bridges to traffic lights with a left filter lane in a bus stop, turn left into Farnborough Road, follow the road along. The centre is on the left.
==========================
Update: Teamwork is Helping Hawaii’s Aquarium Trade
#LittleClubBigImpact: An open letter on how teamwork is helping the aquarium trade survive in Hawaiian update from PIJAC‘s Vice President of Government Affairs, Robert Likins
Robert Likins III, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC)
Since early last year, Hawaii’s aquarium fishing trade has faced significant threats to its survival. Thanks to the hard work of a number of organizations, however, things are looking up for the hobbyists and professionals across the islands.
SB 1240, SB 2003, and Hawaii’s Supreme Court
The news was mostly bad in 2017. Senate Bill 1240 would have phased out aquarium fishing permits – thus possibly ending the trade and certainly endangering the safety of divers. Governor David Ige wisely vetoed the bill, in large part due to the concerted efforts of fishers and scientists, as well as direct engagement by PIJAC, fishers, and others. Governor Ige acknowledged the clear scientific evidence that aquarium fishing is environmentally sustainable.
Senate Bill 1240 was vetoed on July 17. Fifty-one days later, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) must comply with the Hawaii Environmental Protection Act (HEPA) prior to the issuance of aquarium fishing licenses – in this case, an environmental review. A lower court subsequently ruled that use of mesh nets for catching aquarium fish is illegal, and DLNR declared all licenses for their use void.
PIJAC immediately joined the court fight to protect fishers while simultaneously helping to fund and organize the environmental review process. This has cost tens of thousands of dollars to PIJAC and local fishers, and will likely cost far more.
The blows kept coming in early 2018. Senate Bill 2003 was introduced by the lead sponsor of the failed SB1240. It would have resulted in closure of the aquarium fishery over time – risking jobs, safety, and a significant portion of Hawaii’s tourist industry.
Thankfully, an alliance of fisher advocates and – surprisingly – environmental activists stood against SB 2003. It did not advance to the floor of either legislative chamber, allowing fishers to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Environmental Analysis
As court decisions and bills seemed to come out of the woodwork, PIJAC and fishers were moving forward with DLNR to develop Environmental Assessments (EAs) evaluating the impacts of aquarium fishing. PIJAC is pleased to announce that draft EAs were submitted by DLNR to the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) on March 27, 2018. These draft EAs will be published for public review and comment; comments may be submitted for 30 days after publication.
The draft EAs were developed with input from State and Federal fishery scientists and were peer-reviewed by two world-renowned scientists who determined the documents to be “excellent.” The DEAs conclude that aquarium fishing in Hawaii will not have a significant impact on targeted fish populations or Hawaii’s coral reefs.
The analysis contained in the draft EAs is tremendous for jobs and for science. We encourage everyone to review the DEAs, and submit comments in support of the documents. The documents may be obtained from OEQC in the near future*. We suspect activists will attempt to shut down its scientifically supported findings.
Winning Takes Everyone: #LittleClubBigImpact
It’s been a long year for everyone in Hawaii; hopefully, we are in the home stretch. This is thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to protect aquarium fishing.
Unlike other industries, the responsible pet trade is mostly small businesses and – especially in the aquatics trade – hobbyists. We encourage everyone who can to become a PIJAC memberand/or to donate to our Aquatic Defense Fund. After all, the larger the PIJAC membership, the louder our voice. We were only able to demonstrate standing in court last year because of our many members in Hawaii. And there is no way we could have afforded to engage in court or on the environmental assessment without the donations from those inside and outside Hawaii at and after last year’s Aquatic Experience.
Raising awareness is also important. We are exceedingly grateful for multiple aquarium publications that provide us direct access to hobbyists and professionals through advertisements and coverage. They were critical in creating the groundswell of support necessary to win in Hawaii.
We would also love to work with you to promote what you’re doing for the trade and to help PIJAC. For example, the Green Bay Aquarium Society (GBAS) donated a record $700 to PIJAC after a March 11 fundraiser as part of our #LittleClubBigImpact campaign. Social media was a major part of the awareness operation pre-fundraiser as well as afterward.
The Green Bay Aquarium Society’s 2018 Spring Benefit Auction raised significant capital, which contributed to PIJAC’s efforts. Image credit: John Moyles, GBAS Event Coordinator
The goal of #LittleClubBigImpact is to ensure that national groups like PIJAC and smaller organizations like GBAS show the importance of working hand-in-hand. Only with the expertise and support of everyone can PIJAC continue to defend the trade – and we often provide important strategic insights on matters such as legislation, media outreach, and legal challenges.
Again, it looks like the Hawaii fishing trade may have reason to be cautiously optimistic after a very tough year. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen – and please be sure to contact us at info@pijac.org if you would like to work more closely with PIJAC.
Robert Likins is Vice President of Government Affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). PIJAC is the advocacy and legislative voice for the responsible pet industry, including the aquatic trade.
==========================
#LittleClubBigImpact: An open letter on how teamwork is helping the aquarium trade survive in Hawaiian update from PIJAC‘s Vice President of Government Affairs, Robert Likins
Robert Likins III, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC)
Since early last year, Hawaii’s aquarium fishing trade has faced significant threats to its survival. Thanks to the hard work of a number of organizations, however, things are looking up for the hobbyists and professionals across the islands.
SB 1240, SB 2003, and Hawaii’s Supreme Court
The news was mostly bad in 2017. Senate Bill 1240 would have phased out aquarium fishing permits – thus possibly ending the trade and certainly endangering the safety of divers. Governor David Ige wisely vetoed the bill, in large part due to the concerted efforts of fishers and scientists, as well as direct engagement by PIJAC, fishers, and others. Governor Ige acknowledged the clear scientific evidence that aquarium fishing is environmentally sustainable.
Senate Bill 1240 was vetoed on July 17. Fifty-one days later, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) must comply with the Hawaii Environmental Protection Act (HEPA) prior to the issuance of aquarium fishing licenses – in this case, an environmental review. A lower court subsequently ruled that use of mesh nets for catching aquarium fish is illegal, and DLNR declared all licenses for their use void.
PIJAC immediately joined the court fight to protect fishers while simultaneously helping to fund and organize the environmental review process. This has cost tens of thousands of dollars to PIJAC and local fishers, and will likely cost far more.
The blows kept coming in early 2018. Senate Bill 2003 was introduced by the lead sponsor of the failed SB1240. It would have resulted in closure of the aquarium fishery over time – risking jobs, safety, and a significant portion of Hawaii’s tourist industry.
Thankfully, an alliance of fisher advocates and – surprisingly – environmental activists stood against SB 2003. It did not advance to the floor of either legislative chamber, allowing fishers to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Environmental Analysis
As court decisions and bills seemed to come out of the woodwork, PIJAC and fishers were moving forward with DLNR to develop Environmental Assessments (EAs) evaluating the impacts of aquarium fishing. PIJAC is pleased to announce that draft EAs were submitted by DLNR to the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) on March 27, 2018. These draft EAs will be published for public review and comment; comments may be submitted for 30 days after publication.
The draft EAs were developed with input from State and Federal fishery scientists and were peer-reviewed by two world-renowned scientists who determined the documents to be “excellent.” The DEAs conclude that aquarium fishing in Hawaii will not have a significant impact on targeted fish populations or Hawaii’s coral reefs.
The analysis contained in the draft EAs is tremendous for jobs and for science. We encourage everyone to review the DEAs, and submit comments in support of the documents. The documents may be obtained from OEQC in the near future*. We suspect activists will attempt to shut down its scientifically supported findings.
Winning Takes Everyone: #LittleClubBigImpact
It’s been a long year for everyone in Hawaii; hopefully, we are in the home stretch. This is thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to protect aquarium fishing.
Unlike other industries, the responsible pet trade is mostly small businesses and – especially in the aquatics trade – hobbyists. We encourage everyone who can to become a PIJAC memberand/or to donate to our Aquatic Defense Fund. After all, the larger the PIJAC membership, the louder our voice. We were only able to demonstrate standing in court last year because of our many members in Hawaii. And there is no way we could have afforded to engage in court or on the environmental assessment without the donations from those inside and outside Hawaii at and after last year’s Aquatic Experience.
Raising awareness is also important. We are exceedingly grateful for multiple aquarium publications that provide us direct access to hobbyists and professionals through advertisements and coverage. They were critical in creating the groundswell of support necessary to win in Hawaii.
We would also love to work with you to promote what you’re doing for the trade and to help PIJAC. For example, the Green Bay Aquarium Society (GBAS) donated a record $700 to PIJAC after a March 11 fundraiser as part of our #LittleClubBigImpact campaign. Social media was a major part of the awareness operation pre-fundraiser as well as afterward.
The Green Bay Aquarium Society’s 2018 Spring Benefit Auction raised significant capital, which contributed to PIJAC’s efforts. Image credit: John Moyles, GBAS Event Coordinator
The goal of #LittleClubBigImpact is to ensure that national groups like PIJAC and smaller organizations like GBAS show the importance of working hand-in-hand. Only with the expertise and support of everyone can PIJAC continue to defend the trade – and we often provide important strategic insights on matters such as legislation, media outreach, and legal challenges.
Again, it looks like the Hawaii fishing trade may have reason to be cautiously optimistic after a very tough year. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen – and please be sure to contact us at info@pijac.org if you would like to work more closely with PIJAC.
Robert Likins is Vice President of Government Affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). PIJAC is the advocacy and legislative voice for the responsible pet industry, including the aquatic trade.
==========================
Myloplus tumukumak • A New Species of MyloplusGill (Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) from the Tumucumaque Mountain Range, Brazil and French Guiana, with Comments on M. rubripinnis
Myloplus tumukumak
Andrade, Jégu & Gama, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.1.6
Abstract
A new species of Myloplus Gill is described from Eastern Tumucumaque Mountain Range, drainages of the Oyapock and Araguari rivers between Brazil and French Guiana. The new species is diagnosed by having comparatively large scales on the flanks, resulting in lower counts when compared with congeners, i.e., 59 to 70 total perforated scales on lateral line, 31 to 35 longitudinal scales above lateral line, 24 to 29 longitudinal scales below lateral line, and 22 to 26 circumpeduncular scale rows. The new species most closely resembles Myloplus rubripinnis by sharing with this species a general rounded shape, a similar color pattern, and a high number of rays, i.e., 23 to 25 branched dorsal-fin rays and 35 to 38 branched anal-fin rays in the new species (vs. 24 to 25 and 32 to 40, respectively, in M. rubripinnis). After reviewing the available type-specimens of all Myloplus species, M. rubripinnis is re-diagnosed as having higher counts of branched dorsal-fin rays and anal-fin rays combined to tiny scales on flanks, i.e., 85 to 89 total perforated scales on lateral line, 38 to 45 longitudinal scales above lateral line, 33 to 42 longitudinal scales below lateral line, and 30 to 39 circumpeduncular scale rows.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Oiapoque, Araguari, Amapá, Guiana Shield, Ostariophysi
Marcelo C. Andrade, Michel Jégu and Cecile S. Gama. 2018. A New Species of Myloplus Gill(Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) from the Tumucumaque Mountain Range, Brazil and French Guiana, with Comments on M. rubripinnis. Zootaxa. 4403(1); 111–122. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.1.6
==========================
Myloplus tumukumak
Andrade, Jégu & Gama, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.1.6
Abstract
A new species of Myloplus Gill is described from Eastern Tumucumaque Mountain Range, drainages of the Oyapock and Araguari rivers between Brazil and French Guiana. The new species is diagnosed by having comparatively large scales on the flanks, resulting in lower counts when compared with congeners, i.e., 59 to 70 total perforated scales on lateral line, 31 to 35 longitudinal scales above lateral line, 24 to 29 longitudinal scales below lateral line, and 22 to 26 circumpeduncular scale rows. The new species most closely resembles Myloplus rubripinnis by sharing with this species a general rounded shape, a similar color pattern, and a high number of rays, i.e., 23 to 25 branched dorsal-fin rays and 35 to 38 branched anal-fin rays in the new species (vs. 24 to 25 and 32 to 40, respectively, in M. rubripinnis). After reviewing the available type-specimens of all Myloplus species, M. rubripinnis is re-diagnosed as having higher counts of branched dorsal-fin rays and anal-fin rays combined to tiny scales on flanks, i.e., 85 to 89 total perforated scales on lateral line, 38 to 45 longitudinal scales above lateral line, 33 to 42 longitudinal scales below lateral line, and 30 to 39 circumpeduncular scale rows.
Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, Oiapoque, Araguari, Amapá, Guiana Shield, Ostariophysi
Marcelo C. Andrade, Michel Jégu and Cecile S. Gama. 2018. A New Species of Myloplus Gill(Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) from the Tumucumaque Mountain Range, Brazil and French Guiana, with Comments on M. rubripinnis. Zootaxa. 4403(1); 111–122. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4403.1.6
==========================
Piranha fish found in Chichester sewer as water company pleads 'only flush poo, paper and pee'
29 MARCH 2018 • 6:45PMAwater company has pleaded with householders not to flush exotic animals down the toilet after a piranha fish was discovered in a sewer in Chichester.
The flesh-eating creature was found by a startled member of staff at Southern Water who was carrying out checks at the West Sussex treatment works.
The South-American river predator, which normally hunt in packs, can rip flesh to shreds in a matter of seconds.
Although the newly discovered piranha was dead and posed no threat, having most likely been flushed away after dying naturally in its tank, water bosses said that only ‘p’s that should go down the toilet were ‘pee, poo and paper.’
Southern Water spokeswoman Nicola Crichton said: "Obviously someone who owns exotic animals must have flushed it down the toilet, I don't think it managed to migrate all this way.
"People will flush anything down their toilets, we once found a bed sheet at the waterworks, and find all sorts of strange things."
Alligators have been reported in the New York sewers
Indigenous to the Amazonian basin, the piranha is a freshwater fish which can range in size from 5in to 20in depending on the species.
They have been characterised in films and the media as extremely predatory due to their powerful jaws and feeding frenzies but in fact are omnivorous and pose a relatively low threat to humans.
Strange animals living in the sewers have been a part of urban legends since modern drainage began. There have been tales and anecdotes about alligators living the sewers of New York since the New York Times ran a story in 1935 claiming youngsters shovelling snow had found a creature writhing in a storm drain and dragged it out.
New Yorkers are now so proud of legend that on February 9th they celebrate ‘Alligators in Sewers Day’.
In 2008, the Eastbourne Herald reported that sewer workers at Southern Water’s treatment plant in Eastbourne, East Sussex, claimed to have seen a strange humanoid shadow in the underground passages, which would follow staff.
They also reported muffled conversations emanating from behind the tunnel walls.
And in the 1800s, a strange story circulated around London that the sewers of Hampstead were home to a population of black pigs. It was claimed that a pregnant sow had fallen into a drain and been unable to find its way out.
On the 10th October 1889, The Daily Telegraph reported that ‘the Hampstead sewers shelter a monstrous breed of black swine, which have propagated and run wild among the slimy feculence, and whose ferocious snouts will one day up-root Highgate archway, while they make Holloway intolerable with their grunting.”
Speaking of the latest sewer dweller, Southern Water communications officer Simon Fluendy said: "Our campaigns normally focus on stopping people flushing plastic-based materials such as wet wipes, sanitary products, condoms and nappies down the toilet.
"There's only the three Ps which should go down the loo - pee, poo and paper. Piranhas are not one of them.
"We like to make it clear, we do not believe that there is any risk of shoals of piranhas swimming around our sewers - this would be highly unusual.
"We would like to reassure our 4.6 million customers that it is safe to use their toilets as normal."
from The Telegraph
==========================
The piranha found in the sewage works CREDIT: SOLENT NEWS & PHOTO AGENCY- Sarah Knapton, science editor
29 MARCH 2018 • 6:45PMAwater company has pleaded with householders not to flush exotic animals down the toilet after a piranha fish was discovered in a sewer in Chichester.
The flesh-eating creature was found by a startled member of staff at Southern Water who was carrying out checks at the West Sussex treatment works.
The South-American river predator, which normally hunt in packs, can rip flesh to shreds in a matter of seconds.
Although the newly discovered piranha was dead and posed no threat, having most likely been flushed away after dying naturally in its tank, water bosses said that only ‘p’s that should go down the toilet were ‘pee, poo and paper.’
Southern Water spokeswoman Nicola Crichton said: "Obviously someone who owns exotic animals must have flushed it down the toilet, I don't think it managed to migrate all this way.
"People will flush anything down their toilets, we once found a bed sheet at the waterworks, and find all sorts of strange things."
Alligators have been reported in the New York sewers
Indigenous to the Amazonian basin, the piranha is a freshwater fish which can range in size from 5in to 20in depending on the species.
They have been characterised in films and the media as extremely predatory due to their powerful jaws and feeding frenzies but in fact are omnivorous and pose a relatively low threat to humans.
Strange animals living in the sewers have been a part of urban legends since modern drainage began. There have been tales and anecdotes about alligators living the sewers of New York since the New York Times ran a story in 1935 claiming youngsters shovelling snow had found a creature writhing in a storm drain and dragged it out.
New Yorkers are now so proud of legend that on February 9th they celebrate ‘Alligators in Sewers Day’.
In 2008, the Eastbourne Herald reported that sewer workers at Southern Water’s treatment plant in Eastbourne, East Sussex, claimed to have seen a strange humanoid shadow in the underground passages, which would follow staff.
They also reported muffled conversations emanating from behind the tunnel walls.
And in the 1800s, a strange story circulated around London that the sewers of Hampstead were home to a population of black pigs. It was claimed that a pregnant sow had fallen into a drain and been unable to find its way out.
On the 10th October 1889, The Daily Telegraph reported that ‘the Hampstead sewers shelter a monstrous breed of black swine, which have propagated and run wild among the slimy feculence, and whose ferocious snouts will one day up-root Highgate archway, while they make Holloway intolerable with their grunting.”
Speaking of the latest sewer dweller, Southern Water communications officer Simon Fluendy said: "Our campaigns normally focus on stopping people flushing plastic-based materials such as wet wipes, sanitary products, condoms and nappies down the toilet.
"There's only the three Ps which should go down the loo - pee, poo and paper. Piranhas are not one of them.
"We like to make it clear, we do not believe that there is any risk of shoals of piranhas swimming around our sewers - this would be highly unusual.
"We would like to reassure our 4.6 million customers that it is safe to use their toilets as normal."
from The Telegraph
==========================
Poecilia vivipara
How did Poecilia vivipara cross the ocean?: An unexpected fish appears on a volcanic archipelago
Summary:
To the surprise of the scientists, populations of a South American guppy were spotted at the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Even if being easily adaptable fishes, it was unclear how a small freshwater species had managed to cross the ocean and populate the archipelago. Researchers suggest that the US military in WWII may be behind the phenomenon.
Share:
FULL STORY
Credit: Image courtesy of Pensoft PublishersWhile people tend to describe tropical oceanic islands as 'paradises on Earth' and associate them with calm beaches, transparent warm waters and marvellous landscapes, archipelagos are often the product of a fierce natural force -- volcanoes which erupt at the bottom of the sea.
Because of their origin, these islands have never been connected to the mainland, thereby it is extremely difficult for species to cross the ocean and populate them.
One such species -- the South American guppy (Poecilia vivipara) -- is a small freshwater fish which looks nowhere equipped to cross the distance between the mainland and the Fernando de Noronha oceanic archipelago in Northeast Brazil.
Nevertheless, the research team of PhD student Waldir M. Berbel-Filho and his professor Dr. Sergio Lima from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte recorded the species from a local mangrove on the island. The question that immediately sprang to the minds of the scientists was: 'Where did the guppies come from and how did they get to Fernando de Noronha?'
To answer these questions, the scientists sequenced a gene of the guppies' DNA to analyze potential signatures of the island colonization left in the fish DNA. As a result, they concluded that the isolated population was in fact closely related to the fish inhabiting the closest continental drainages.
However, this evidence was not enough to explain how the species turned up on the island in the first place. Was it natural colonization, or rather human introduction?
The most likely scenario, according to the team, leads back to about 60 years ago when the American military had their WWII bases positioned at both Fernando de Noronha and Natal -- the closest continental city. Indeed, the soldiers suggested to bring guppies to the island in an attempt to control mosquito population (in this region, guppies are commonly placed in water reservoirs to eat mosquito larvae).
On the other hand, natural dispersion cannot be completely excluded. The biologists remind that, apart for their exuberant colours and shapes, the guppies are well known for their capacity to resist to a wide range of environmental conditions. It could be that a set of circumstances occurring together, such as a favourable sea current, physiological adaptation and a bit of luck, might have brought the guppies to the archipelago.
"Regardless of their means of transportation," argue the authors, "this guppy population represents a valuable lesson on how small populations manage to colonize and thrive in isolated environments."
"Despite being visited by thousands of people every year, some of the most intriguing secrets of tropical islands may still be hidden in the DNA of their inhabitants," they conclude. "These 'paradises on Earth' are capable of simultaneously filling our hearts with beauty and our minds -- with knowledge."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
==========================
Summary:
To the surprise of the scientists, populations of a South American guppy were spotted at the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Even if being easily adaptable fishes, it was unclear how a small freshwater species had managed to cross the ocean and populate the archipelago. Researchers suggest that the US military in WWII may be behind the phenomenon.
Share:
FULL STORY
Credit: Image courtesy of Pensoft PublishersWhile people tend to describe tropical oceanic islands as 'paradises on Earth' and associate them with calm beaches, transparent warm waters and marvellous landscapes, archipelagos are often the product of a fierce natural force -- volcanoes which erupt at the bottom of the sea.
Because of their origin, these islands have never been connected to the mainland, thereby it is extremely difficult for species to cross the ocean and populate them.
One such species -- the South American guppy (Poecilia vivipara) -- is a small freshwater fish which looks nowhere equipped to cross the distance between the mainland and the Fernando de Noronha oceanic archipelago in Northeast Brazil.
Nevertheless, the research team of PhD student Waldir M. Berbel-Filho and his professor Dr. Sergio Lima from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte recorded the species from a local mangrove on the island. The question that immediately sprang to the minds of the scientists was: 'Where did the guppies come from and how did they get to Fernando de Noronha?'
To answer these questions, the scientists sequenced a gene of the guppies' DNA to analyze potential signatures of the island colonization left in the fish DNA. As a result, they concluded that the isolated population was in fact closely related to the fish inhabiting the closest continental drainages.
However, this evidence was not enough to explain how the species turned up on the island in the first place. Was it natural colonization, or rather human introduction?
The most likely scenario, according to the team, leads back to about 60 years ago when the American military had their WWII bases positioned at both Fernando de Noronha and Natal -- the closest continental city. Indeed, the soldiers suggested to bring guppies to the island in an attempt to control mosquito population (in this region, guppies are commonly placed in water reservoirs to eat mosquito larvae).
On the other hand, natural dispersion cannot be completely excluded. The biologists remind that, apart for their exuberant colours and shapes, the guppies are well known for their capacity to resist to a wide range of environmental conditions. It could be that a set of circumstances occurring together, such as a favourable sea current, physiological adaptation and a bit of luck, might have brought the guppies to the archipelago.
"Regardless of their means of transportation," argue the authors, "this guppy population represents a valuable lesson on how small populations manage to colonize and thrive in isolated environments."
"Despite being visited by thousands of people every year, some of the most intriguing secrets of tropical islands may still be hidden in the DNA of their inhabitants," they conclude. "These 'paradises on Earth' are capable of simultaneously filling our hearts with beauty and our minds -- with knowledge."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Waldir Miron Berbel-Filho, Luciano Freitas Barros-Neto, Ricardo Marques Dias, Liana Figueiredo Mendes, Carlos Augusto Assumpção Figueiredo, Rodrigo Augusto Torres, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima. Poecilia vivipara Bloch & Schneider, 1801 (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), a guppy in an oceanic archipelago: from where did it come?ZooKeys, 2018; 746: 91 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.746.20960
==========================
Cosmetic Surgery for a Pet Fish? In Asia, This One Is King of the Tank
SINGAPORE — Eugene Ng jabbed a pudgy finger against the side of the glass tank, like a predator singling out his unlucky target.
“That fish’s eye is looking a little droopy,” said Mr. Ng, pointing to a fish with large metallic gold scales swimming happily among its companions.
Minutes later, the fish was knocked out and getting an eyelift, a procedure that has become standard practice in Mr. Ng’s job as one of the premier cosmetic surgeons for Asian arowana fish here in Singapore. Using a pair of forceps, Mr. Ng — known to his clients as Dr. Ark, after the pet fish store that he also runs — worked quickly, loosening the tissue behind the fish’s eye and pushing the eyeball up into the socket.
“I know some people think it’s cruel to the fish,” said Mr. Ng, lifting his sedated patient with one hand to show off its newly straightened eye. “But really I’m doing it a favor. Because now the fish looks better and its owner will love it even more.”
The idea of cosmetic surgery for a fish may sound extreme. But the Asian arowana is not your average pet store fish. Known as the long yu, or “dragon fish” in Chinese, it reigns as one of the world’s most expensive aquarium fish, selling for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Photo“In Singapore, if you have an arowana, that means you have status,” said Kenny Lim, a local hobbyist.CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesOne fish was even rumored to have been bought by a Chinese Communist Party official for $300,000. So for most owners, the cost of an eyelift ($90) or a chin job ($60) for their pet fish is pocket change.
While prices of the fish saw a boom and a bit of a bust earlier this decade, the arowana remains a popular luxury accessory across Asia. Wealthy Chinese businessmen in particular prize the fish — with its large glimmering scales, sage-like whiskers and aggressive personality — for its resemblance to the mythical Chinese dragon.
Adding to the allure are the often-repeated tales of arowana that sacrifice their lives by jumping out of tanks to warn owners about a bad business investment or other potential dangers.
For those reasons, aficionados call the arowana the king of the fish, emperor of the tank, a dragon among mere mortals.
PhotoBreeders used DNA technology to hone the traits of a “perfect” fish, and neon pink tanning lights are a common feature in tanks to enhance the fish’s reddish hue. CreditOre Huiying for The New York Times“For Chinese, keeping fish is about bringing good luck and wealth, and the Asian arowana are especially lucky,” said Kenny Yap, the executive chairman of Qian Hu Fish, one of the top arowana breeders in Singapore.
“In the West, dragons are evil monsters,” added Mr. Yap, or Kenny the Fish, as he prefers to be called. “But in Chinese culture, dragons are divine.”
Perhaps nowhere is the obsession more apparent than here in this tropical city-state, a hub of the global ornamental fish trade and home to a thriving network of breeders and hobbyists dedicated to the Asian arowana (not to be confused with the silver arowana, its South American cousin).
The fish has become so deeply ingrained as a status symbol that it was even featured in the latest installment of Kevin Kwan’s “Crazy Rich Asians,” a popular series of novels about the lives of Singapore’s elite, in the form of a $250,000 super red arowana named Valentino.
“Singaporeans are crazy about the fish,” said Emily Voigt, the author of “The Dragon Behind the Glass,” a rollicking account of her transcontinental journey into the murky world of the arowana.
Photo“For Chinese, keeping fish is about bringing good luck and wealth, and the Asian arowana are especially lucky,” said Kenny Yap, the executive chairman of Qian Hu Fish, a top arowana breeder in Singapore.CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesAt one point, Ms. Voigt said, the global craze for the fish reached such a frenzy that even in Singapore, where the crime rate is so low that a stolen delivery parcel makes headlines, there were four arowana heists in one week. During one of the robberies, the thief punched an elderly woman as he ran away with her fish in a sloshing bucket.
In a separate episode, a Singaporean man was sentenced to three years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for trying to steal arowana from a shop.
“You think of pet fish as being an innocent thing,” Ms. Voigt said. “But I didn’t expect to find myself confronting this dark underbelly.”
The prominence of the Asian arowana is a sharp reversal in fortune for a fish that half a century ago was considered by locals in its natural swamp habitat of Borneo and Indonesia to be a common food fish — and a rather bony and tasteless one at that.
Experts say the turning point came in 1975, when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed by 183 countries, banned the fish from international trade. By classifying it as a rare species, some say, the treaty elevated its status as a luxury item.
PhotoThe price of arowana crashed around 2012 as breeding farms flooded the market, but despite the sharp dip, the fish remains an aspirational luxury good. CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesAfter the ban, a booming black market for arowana emerged. Smuggled arowana were turning up in countries around Asia and later in the United States, where it is still banned. The overwhelming demand had a devastating effect on the wild population of arowana. So starting in the late 1980s, restrictions were loosened to allow trade of farm-bred arowana whose parents were also born in captivity.
While the wild arowana never recovered, trade in captive-bred arowana flourished, reaching a peak in the 2000s as buyers in mainland China jumped into the game.
Breeders used DNA technology to pinpoint characteristics in a bid to create a “perfect” fish: straight feelers, bright eyes, large and round fins and tails and shimmering red scales. Neon pink tanning lights became a common feature in tanks to enhance the fish’s reddish hue.
“It’s like a beauty pageant,” said Alex Chang, the head of research and development at Qian Hu Fish, who was caught several years ago attempting to smuggle two suitcases full of endangered fish worth over $180,000 into Australia. “The fish cannot be fat. It must look strong and have personality. It must swim confidently and be firm, stern and fierce. It cannot be timid.”
But around 2012, the price of arowana crashed as breeding farms flooded the market. While prices have somewhat bounced back in recent years, big farms like Qian Hu have begun breeding other species.
Despite the sharp dip in prices, the arowana remains an aspirational luxury good and a point of obsession for many Singaporeans.
As a young boy growing up in Singapore, Nicholas Chia always dreamed about having an arowana. Then, last year, he finally bit the bullet and bought his first one. Since then, he has acquired five more. Now, he keeps his prized fish in six large tanks that take up a third of his living room.
“Sometimes my wife complains that I neglect the children because of the fish,” said Mr. Chia, a 30-year-old software entrepreneur. “To a certain extent, yes, I guess that’s true.”
from the Singapore Journal
==========================
SINGAPORE — Eugene Ng jabbed a pudgy finger against the side of the glass tank, like a predator singling out his unlucky target.
“That fish’s eye is looking a little droopy,” said Mr. Ng, pointing to a fish with large metallic gold scales swimming happily among its companions.
Minutes later, the fish was knocked out and getting an eyelift, a procedure that has become standard practice in Mr. Ng’s job as one of the premier cosmetic surgeons for Asian arowana fish here in Singapore. Using a pair of forceps, Mr. Ng — known to his clients as Dr. Ark, after the pet fish store that he also runs — worked quickly, loosening the tissue behind the fish’s eye and pushing the eyeball up into the socket.
“I know some people think it’s cruel to the fish,” said Mr. Ng, lifting his sedated patient with one hand to show off its newly straightened eye. “But really I’m doing it a favor. Because now the fish looks better and its owner will love it even more.”
The idea of cosmetic surgery for a fish may sound extreme. But the Asian arowana is not your average pet store fish. Known as the long yu, or “dragon fish” in Chinese, it reigns as one of the world’s most expensive aquarium fish, selling for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Photo“In Singapore, if you have an arowana, that means you have status,” said Kenny Lim, a local hobbyist.CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesOne fish was even rumored to have been bought by a Chinese Communist Party official for $300,000. So for most owners, the cost of an eyelift ($90) or a chin job ($60) for their pet fish is pocket change.
While prices of the fish saw a boom and a bit of a bust earlier this decade, the arowana remains a popular luxury accessory across Asia. Wealthy Chinese businessmen in particular prize the fish — with its large glimmering scales, sage-like whiskers and aggressive personality — for its resemblance to the mythical Chinese dragon.
Adding to the allure are the often-repeated tales of arowana that sacrifice their lives by jumping out of tanks to warn owners about a bad business investment or other potential dangers.
For those reasons, aficionados call the arowana the king of the fish, emperor of the tank, a dragon among mere mortals.
PhotoBreeders used DNA technology to hone the traits of a “perfect” fish, and neon pink tanning lights are a common feature in tanks to enhance the fish’s reddish hue. CreditOre Huiying for The New York Times“For Chinese, keeping fish is about bringing good luck and wealth, and the Asian arowana are especially lucky,” said Kenny Yap, the executive chairman of Qian Hu Fish, one of the top arowana breeders in Singapore.
“In the West, dragons are evil monsters,” added Mr. Yap, or Kenny the Fish, as he prefers to be called. “But in Chinese culture, dragons are divine.”
Perhaps nowhere is the obsession more apparent than here in this tropical city-state, a hub of the global ornamental fish trade and home to a thriving network of breeders and hobbyists dedicated to the Asian arowana (not to be confused with the silver arowana, its South American cousin).
The fish has become so deeply ingrained as a status symbol that it was even featured in the latest installment of Kevin Kwan’s “Crazy Rich Asians,” a popular series of novels about the lives of Singapore’s elite, in the form of a $250,000 super red arowana named Valentino.
“Singaporeans are crazy about the fish,” said Emily Voigt, the author of “The Dragon Behind the Glass,” a rollicking account of her transcontinental journey into the murky world of the arowana.
Photo“For Chinese, keeping fish is about bringing good luck and wealth, and the Asian arowana are especially lucky,” said Kenny Yap, the executive chairman of Qian Hu Fish, a top arowana breeder in Singapore.CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesAt one point, Ms. Voigt said, the global craze for the fish reached such a frenzy that even in Singapore, where the crime rate is so low that a stolen delivery parcel makes headlines, there were four arowana heists in one week. During one of the robberies, the thief punched an elderly woman as he ran away with her fish in a sloshing bucket.
In a separate episode, a Singaporean man was sentenced to three years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for trying to steal arowana from a shop.
“You think of pet fish as being an innocent thing,” Ms. Voigt said. “But I didn’t expect to find myself confronting this dark underbelly.”
The prominence of the Asian arowana is a sharp reversal in fortune for a fish that half a century ago was considered by locals in its natural swamp habitat of Borneo and Indonesia to be a common food fish — and a rather bony and tasteless one at that.
Experts say the turning point came in 1975, when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed by 183 countries, banned the fish from international trade. By classifying it as a rare species, some say, the treaty elevated its status as a luxury item.
PhotoThe price of arowana crashed around 2012 as breeding farms flooded the market, but despite the sharp dip, the fish remains an aspirational luxury good. CreditOre Huiying for The New York TimesAfter the ban, a booming black market for arowana emerged. Smuggled arowana were turning up in countries around Asia and later in the United States, where it is still banned. The overwhelming demand had a devastating effect on the wild population of arowana. So starting in the late 1980s, restrictions were loosened to allow trade of farm-bred arowana whose parents were also born in captivity.
While the wild arowana never recovered, trade in captive-bred arowana flourished, reaching a peak in the 2000s as buyers in mainland China jumped into the game.
Breeders used DNA technology to pinpoint characteristics in a bid to create a “perfect” fish: straight feelers, bright eyes, large and round fins and tails and shimmering red scales. Neon pink tanning lights became a common feature in tanks to enhance the fish’s reddish hue.
“It’s like a beauty pageant,” said Alex Chang, the head of research and development at Qian Hu Fish, who was caught several years ago attempting to smuggle two suitcases full of endangered fish worth over $180,000 into Australia. “The fish cannot be fat. It must look strong and have personality. It must swim confidently and be firm, stern and fierce. It cannot be timid.”
But around 2012, the price of arowana crashed as breeding farms flooded the market. While prices have somewhat bounced back in recent years, big farms like Qian Hu have begun breeding other species.
Despite the sharp dip in prices, the arowana remains an aspirational luxury good and a point of obsession for many Singaporeans.
As a young boy growing up in Singapore, Nicholas Chia always dreamed about having an arowana. Then, last year, he finally bit the bullet and bought his first one. Since then, he has acquired five more. Now, he keeps his prized fish in six large tanks that take up a third of his living room.
“Sometimes my wife complains that I neglect the children because of the fish,” said Mr. Chia, a 30-year-old software entrepreneur. “To a certain extent, yes, I guess that’s true.”
from the Singapore Journal
==========================
Gila cypha
Humpback chub
Ptychocheilus lucius Colorado pike minnow
Gila elegans boneytail chubb
Xyrauchen texanus Razorbacked sucker
One of four endangered Colorado River fish species rebounding
One of the four endangered fish of the Colorado River appears to be ready to be upgraded, to threatened status, a federal agency said.
That means that a recovery program devised to allow development of Colorado River water while meeting the needs of fish is working, said Chris Treese, spokesman for the Colorado River Water Conservancy District.
The humpback chub (Gila cypha) now has a stable population of about 12,000 adults in the Colorado River and Little Colorado in the Grand Canyon.
Four smaller populations of the chub in the Green and Colorado rivers persist and appear to be in no immediate danger of extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.
A five-year status review of the fish concluded that the risk of extinction is low and that the service should consider reclassifying the fish to threatened in the next year.
There is no need to stock fish to boost the size of the existing five populations, the service said.
It also means there will be little if any change in the amount of water dedicated to the endangered fish, Treese said.
Delisting or downlisting the chub must be accompanied by actions necessary to continue "self-sustaining populations," Treese said.
"In the case of fish, that invariably means sufficient river flows and other protective measures."
The fish is benefitting from managing the flows on the river to mimic natural fluctuations, as well as efforts to control invasive predators, the service said.
The humpback chub was identified as a separate species in the 1940s and was placed on the original list of endangered species in 1967.
The fish, which gets its name from a fleshy hump behind its head, prefers canyon-bound reaches of river where it lives in swift, turbulent currents.
The other four endangered fish are the Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail chub and razorback sucker.
==========================
One of the four endangered fish of the Colorado River appears to be ready to be upgraded, to threatened status, a federal agency said.
That means that a recovery program devised to allow development of Colorado River water while meeting the needs of fish is working, said Chris Treese, spokesman for the Colorado River Water Conservancy District.
The humpback chub (Gila cypha) now has a stable population of about 12,000 adults in the Colorado River and Little Colorado in the Grand Canyon.
Four smaller populations of the chub in the Green and Colorado rivers persist and appear to be in no immediate danger of extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.
A five-year status review of the fish concluded that the risk of extinction is low and that the service should consider reclassifying the fish to threatened in the next year.
There is no need to stock fish to boost the size of the existing five populations, the service said.
It also means there will be little if any change in the amount of water dedicated to the endangered fish, Treese said.
Delisting or downlisting the chub must be accompanied by actions necessary to continue "self-sustaining populations," Treese said.
"In the case of fish, that invariably means sufficient river flows and other protective measures."
The fish is benefitting from managing the flows on the river to mimic natural fluctuations, as well as efforts to control invasive predators, the service said.
The humpback chub was identified as a separate species in the 1940s and was placed on the original list of endangered species in 1967.
The fish, which gets its name from a fleshy hump behind its head, prefers canyon-bound reaches of river where it lives in swift, turbulent currents.
The other four endangered fish are the Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail chub and razorback sucker.
==========================
Eigenmannia loretana • A New Species of Glass Knifefish (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae)from the Western Amazon
Eigenmannia loretana Waltz & Albert, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4399.3.9
Abstract
A new species of the Eigenmannia trilineata species group is described from the Loreto, Peru region of the western Amazon basin. The new species is similar in external appearance to members of the E. trilineata species group, but has a distinct phenotype, being diagnosed from congeners by the following unique combination of characters: four longitudinal dark pigment stipes on the lateral surfaces (over the lateral line, hypaxial muscles, proximal and distal pterygiophore margins); short, relatively round head (head depth 86.8–96.7% head length) with a terminal mouth; intermediate posterodorsal expansion of infraorbital bones 1+2 (60–75% length of infraorbitals 1+2); 11–15 teeth in three rows on the premaxilla; six to seven teeth in a single row on the endopterygoid; eye high on head (suborbital depth 28–36% head length); ii, 13–14 pectoral-fin rays; 183–219 anal-fin rays; and a uniformly dark brown head and pectoral fins on freshly-preserved specimens. The new species extends the geographic range of described species of the E. trilineata species group to the Western Amazon. This new species elevates the current number of valid species within the E. trilineata species group to 15, and the number of species within Eigenmannia to 20.
Keywords: Pisces, cryptic species, electric fish, freshwater fish, taxonomy, tropical diversity
Brandon T. Waltz and James S. Albert. 2018. New Species of Glass Knifefish Eigenmannia loretana (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the Western Amazon. Zootaxa. 4399(3); 399–411. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4399.3.9
twitter.com/Eigenmanniac/status/976865897364250625
twitter.com/MJBernt/status/976845664922595328
==========================
Eigenmannia loretana Waltz & Albert, 2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4399.3.9
Abstract
A new species of the Eigenmannia trilineata species group is described from the Loreto, Peru region of the western Amazon basin. The new species is similar in external appearance to members of the E. trilineata species group, but has a distinct phenotype, being diagnosed from congeners by the following unique combination of characters: four longitudinal dark pigment stipes on the lateral surfaces (over the lateral line, hypaxial muscles, proximal and distal pterygiophore margins); short, relatively round head (head depth 86.8–96.7% head length) with a terminal mouth; intermediate posterodorsal expansion of infraorbital bones 1+2 (60–75% length of infraorbitals 1+2); 11–15 teeth in three rows on the premaxilla; six to seven teeth in a single row on the endopterygoid; eye high on head (suborbital depth 28–36% head length); ii, 13–14 pectoral-fin rays; 183–219 anal-fin rays; and a uniformly dark brown head and pectoral fins on freshly-preserved specimens. The new species extends the geographic range of described species of the E. trilineata species group to the Western Amazon. This new species elevates the current number of valid species within the E. trilineata species group to 15, and the number of species within Eigenmannia to 20.
Keywords: Pisces, cryptic species, electric fish, freshwater fish, taxonomy, tropical diversity
Brandon T. Waltz and James S. Albert. 2018. New Species of Glass Knifefish Eigenmannia loretana (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the Western Amazon. Zootaxa. 4399(3); 399–411. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4399.3.9
twitter.com/Eigenmanniac/status/976865897364250625
twitter.com/MJBernt/status/976845664922595328
==========================
Insulin resistance in cavefish as an adaptation to a nutrient-limited environment
Abstract
Periodic food shortages are a major challenge faced by organisms in natural habitats. Cave-dwelling animals must withstand long periods of nutrient deprivation, as—in the absence of photosynthesis—caves depend on external energy sources such as seasonal floods1. Here we show that cave-adapted populations of the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, have dysregulated blood glucose homeostasis and are insulin-resistant compared to river-adapted populations. We found that multiple cave populations carry a mutation in the insulin receptor that leads to decreased insulin binding in vitro and contributes to hyperglycaemia. Hybrid fish from surface–cave crosses carrying this mutation weigh more than non-carriers, and zebrafish genetically engineered to carry the mutation have increased body weight and insulin resistance. Higher body weight may be advantageous in caves as a strategy to cope with an infrequent food supply. In humans, the identical mutation in the insulin receptor leads to a severe form of insulin resistance and reduced lifespan. However, cavefish have a similar lifespan to surface fish and do not accumulate the advanced glycation end-products in the blood that are typically associated with the progression of diabetes-associated pathologies. Our findings suggest that diminished insulin signalling is beneficial in a nutrient-limited environment and that cavefish may have acquired compensatory mechanisms that enable them to circumvent the typical negative effects associated with failure to regulate blood glucose levels.
Abstract
Periodic food shortages are a major challenge faced by organisms in natural habitats. Cave-dwelling animals must withstand long periods of nutrient deprivation, as—in the absence of photosynthesis—caves depend on external energy sources such as seasonal floods1. Here we show that cave-adapted populations of the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, have dysregulated blood glucose homeostasis and are insulin-resistant compared to river-adapted populations. We found that multiple cave populations carry a mutation in the insulin receptor that leads to decreased insulin binding in vitro and contributes to hyperglycaemia. Hybrid fish from surface–cave crosses carrying this mutation weigh more than non-carriers, and zebrafish genetically engineered to carry the mutation have increased body weight and insulin resistance. Higher body weight may be advantageous in caves as a strategy to cope with an infrequent food supply. In humans, the identical mutation in the insulin receptor leads to a severe form of insulin resistance and reduced lifespan. However, cavefish have a similar lifespan to surface fish and do not accumulate the advanced glycation end-products in the blood that are typically associated with the progression of diabetes-associated pathologies. Our findings suggest that diminished insulin signalling is beneficial in a nutrient-limited environment and that cavefish may have acquired compensatory mechanisms that enable them to circumvent the typical negative effects associated with failure to regulate blood glucose levels.
- Subscribe to Nature for full access:
- ========================
The next Britsh Livebearers Association event is an auction during the Mid-Sussex AS show, on the 22nd April. The venue is :-
Patcham Community Centre,
Ladies Mile Road,
Patcham,
Brighton,
BN1 8TA
and is very near the junction of the A23 and the A27. The doors open at 9.00am and it is hoped to start the BLA auction at about 1.00 pm.
The UK Fancy Guppy Society are holding a leg of their guppy league at the same time. It would be good if lots of BLA members could get there.
==========================
Patcham Community Centre,
Ladies Mile Road,
Patcham,
Brighton,
BN1 8TA
and is very near the junction of the A23 and the A27. The doors open at 9.00am and it is hoped to start the BLA auction at about 1.00 pm.
The UK Fancy Guppy Society are holding a leg of their guppy league at the same time. It would be good if lots of BLA members could get there.
==========================
Indian calls for plan to manage import of exotic fish
Shiv Sahay Singh Kolkata
Urges quarantine facilities at major seaports, airports Expressing concern over the increase in the import of ornamental fishes to the country, which is posing a threat to India’s native fish populations, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has urged the government to come up with quarantine facilities at major seaports and airports.
“The government of India has only approved the import of 92 species of ornamental fish but the number of ornamental fish species being imported and in trade is somewhere between 200-300,” Dr. B. Meenakumari, Chairperson, NBA, told The Hindu.
Dr. Meenakumari pointed out that the quarantine facility at the Chennai airport is mainly used for prawns meant for aquaculture and not for ornamental fish. She was in Kolkata to attend a workshop on the Economic and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Alien Species organised by Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) from February 21-23.
Huge market
Dr. Meenakumari said the huge market for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is turning out to be major threat to India’s aquatic biodiversity.
She also stressed on the need for educating and creating awareness among Customs officials at airports and seaports. Most of the fish are imported from southeast Asian countries, she said, adding that, sometimes, the cost of only a pair of fish can go up to lakhs of rupees.
S. Sandilyan, a Fellow on invasive alien species, who is associated with the NBA, said that both Kolkata and Chennai have emerged as a major hub for the trade of ornamental fish in the country and that an assessment of the online market for ornamental fish and aquariums will establish the presence of over 1,000 exotic fish species being traded in India.
In a research paper titled ‘Occurrence of ornamental fishes: A looming danger for inland fish diversity of India’ published in the science journal Current Science, the researcher has pointed out that export of such species has increased at an average annual rate of 14%.
The paper states that several studies have disclosed the occurrence of exotic ornamental fish in many inland aquatic systems, including biodiversity-sensitive areas such as the Western Ghats.
Dr. Sandilyan gave the example of suckermouth catfish, an ornamental species known as a ‘tank cleaner’ of aquariums, has spread to almost all freshwater ecosystems and outnumbers other native fish by feeding on their larvae and competing with them for food resources.
“Under the Centre for Biodiversity and Policy and Law (CEBPOL), the NBA is trying to bring out a national list of IAS. So far, no attempt has been made by any scientific organisation to have a national IAS list across different categories like terrestrial plants, aquatic plants, inland fisheries, marine organisms, insects and microbes,” Dr. Meenakumari said.
The list will be put made available on a public platform and will be communicated to different Ministries and stakeholders. The announcement by NBA assumes significance as scientists and experts in the country are still divided over the number of IAS and their economic and ecological impact.
Biodiversity policy
CEBPOL is a bilateral collaboration between the Indian and Norwegian governments, and focuses on biodiversity policies and laws.
While the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have come up with some tentative lists for animal and plant IAS, there remains a debate on how to standardise the invasiveness of specific species.
T.V. Sajeev, Coordinator, APFISN, said that while the number of publications on IAS has increased over the past few years, there has been no coordinated effort for the management of IAS. He added that statisticians and biologists need to come together for distribution mapping and the application of statistical approaches in the management of IAS.
from the Hindu
==========================
Shiv Sahay Singh Kolkata
Urges quarantine facilities at major seaports, airports Expressing concern over the increase in the import of ornamental fishes to the country, which is posing a threat to India’s native fish populations, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has urged the government to come up with quarantine facilities at major seaports and airports.
“The government of India has only approved the import of 92 species of ornamental fish but the number of ornamental fish species being imported and in trade is somewhere between 200-300,” Dr. B. Meenakumari, Chairperson, NBA, told The Hindu.
Dr. Meenakumari pointed out that the quarantine facility at the Chennai airport is mainly used for prawns meant for aquaculture and not for ornamental fish. She was in Kolkata to attend a workshop on the Economic and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Alien Species organised by Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) from February 21-23.
Huge market
Dr. Meenakumari said the huge market for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is turning out to be major threat to India’s aquatic biodiversity.
She also stressed on the need for educating and creating awareness among Customs officials at airports and seaports. Most of the fish are imported from southeast Asian countries, she said, adding that, sometimes, the cost of only a pair of fish can go up to lakhs of rupees.
S. Sandilyan, a Fellow on invasive alien species, who is associated with the NBA, said that both Kolkata and Chennai have emerged as a major hub for the trade of ornamental fish in the country and that an assessment of the online market for ornamental fish and aquariums will establish the presence of over 1,000 exotic fish species being traded in India.
In a research paper titled ‘Occurrence of ornamental fishes: A looming danger for inland fish diversity of India’ published in the science journal Current Science, the researcher has pointed out that export of such species has increased at an average annual rate of 14%.
The paper states that several studies have disclosed the occurrence of exotic ornamental fish in many inland aquatic systems, including biodiversity-sensitive areas such as the Western Ghats.
Dr. Sandilyan gave the example of suckermouth catfish, an ornamental species known as a ‘tank cleaner’ of aquariums, has spread to almost all freshwater ecosystems and outnumbers other native fish by feeding on their larvae and competing with them for food resources.
“Under the Centre for Biodiversity and Policy and Law (CEBPOL), the NBA is trying to bring out a national list of IAS. So far, no attempt has been made by any scientific organisation to have a national IAS list across different categories like terrestrial plants, aquatic plants, inland fisheries, marine organisms, insects and microbes,” Dr. Meenakumari said.
The list will be put made available on a public platform and will be communicated to different Ministries and stakeholders. The announcement by NBA assumes significance as scientists and experts in the country are still divided over the number of IAS and their economic and ecological impact.
Biodiversity policy
CEBPOL is a bilateral collaboration between the Indian and Norwegian governments, and focuses on biodiversity policies and laws.
While the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have come up with some tentative lists for animal and plant IAS, there remains a debate on how to standardise the invasiveness of specific species.
T.V. Sajeev, Coordinator, APFISN, said that while the number of publications on IAS has increased over the past few years, there has been no coordinated effort for the management of IAS. He added that statisticians and biologists need to come together for distribution mapping and the application of statistical approaches in the management of IAS.
from the Hindu
==========================
Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) season kicks off: A fish that spawns on the beach!
12 tips for watching the little fish run along Southern California beaches
“It’s a cool California thing,” said Jim Serpa, who for 20 years ran a grunion night at Doheny State Beach while he was supervising rangers, before retiring a few years ago.
The grunion season officially kicked off early March, and the next run is expected Saturday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 20.
So grab your flashlights, beach chairs and, if you don’t mind staying up late, get ready to watch them run.
Serpa offered tips on why they run, the best times to go, and interesting tidbits about the fascinating fish:
1. Why do grunions wash up on shore?They are mating. They have to mate at night, when the tide is at its highest around a full moon. They want to be on the sand so the eggs have a long time to incubate, Serpa said. They live off shore when they are not running — they just don’t come to shore unless it’s spring or summer.
Each female lays 2,000 to 3,000 eggs. They have a short life — only about five years max — and get to be about six inches long. The females bury themselves up to the fins, deposit their eggs and the males deposit the milt right there. When the wave comes by, the sand closes it up. The eggs stay buried in the sand for 10 to 14 days. The wave and surge jostling helps them hatch.
2. Find a beach they likeSome beaches, they don’t run on. It all depends on what’s underneath, if it’s good sand, Serpa said. They don’t like gravelly beaches. You might not see them in one spot, but a mile farther, they might be going like gangbusters. At Doheny, it’s rocky underneath but once you get on the beach, it’s sand. It’s perfect for them.
“When I was growing up, we always went to La Jolla. Any beach like that — Huntington, Crystal Cove and there’s a great beach up by the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro. Malibu would be a great beach for it,” he said. “You want a beach that is a real gradual, you don’t want a shore break beach where the waves drop and dump.” Serpa said they seem to like Doheny, perhaps because the jetty acts as a shelter. Cabrillo offers something similar.
3. Go early in the seasonThey always run really good in the early part of the season, in April and May, Serpa said. As we get further into the year, it’s more hit or miss.
April and May, however, is the closed part of the season — so it’s just for watching, no catching.
4. Don’t spook the scoutsTry and let them come up and start their full run before you start annoying them and shining bright lights on them. “I don’t know that there’s been any real scientific data on it, but what we noticed, they always run better if you start letting them run for a while,” Serpa said.
5. Know the tidesYou always want to go right before the peak of the high tide. They don’t run until that peak happens, Serpa said. If they do run before that, they have a chance of their eggs washing out.
“A lot of people, they see the run at midnight and say ‘let’s go at 10,'” Serpa said. “Kids are waiting and two hours later they haven’t run and they say, ‘let’s get out of here.'” The good time is the peak and the people just came too early. Timing is critical.
6. Watch the birds“We would go out an hour or two before the peak of the high tide,” Serpa said. “If the birds were lined on the beach waiting, that means the grunions were in the shallows and they are ready to run and (the birds) know it.”
7. Tips for takingYou’ll need a fishing license if you are 16 or older. And don’t take anything you won’t use. You can only take with your hands — no scooping devices. That allows for more grunion to go back and helps the resources to stay healthy, Serpa said.
8. Don’t get soakedKeep your eyes on the waves, Serpa warned. People get so absorbed with picking up the grunions, and then the wave comes and they get soaked.
9. Are they tasty?If you ask me, I’d say no, Serba said. “But plenty of people like them,” he said. “A lot of people fry them up, the whole thing. Other people gut them.”
10. Fishing is good during grunion runsLocal fishermen know that. There’s halibut during that time, Serpa said. He’s seen huge halibut taken off the beach during grunion run nights.
11. Are the waters sharkier during grunion runs?Nobody has done a study on that, Serpa said, but putting two and two together, it might be a good guess. “Juvenile sharks love grunion,” he said. “So offshore might be a place to see (sharks).”
12. What should we bring to a grunion run?A flashlight, chair so you can sit while you’re waiting, a bucket to put your grunion in and a fishing license if you are planning to take them. A jacket to stay warm is always a good idea.
For a full schedule of grunion runs, go to: wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/grunion
==========================
12 tips for watching the little fish run along Southern California beaches
- They flop and slip and make sweet love on the sand under the full moon’s light.
“It’s a cool California thing,” said Jim Serpa, who for 20 years ran a grunion night at Doheny State Beach while he was supervising rangers, before retiring a few years ago.
The grunion season officially kicked off early March, and the next run is expected Saturday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 20.
So grab your flashlights, beach chairs and, if you don’t mind staying up late, get ready to watch them run.
Serpa offered tips on why they run, the best times to go, and interesting tidbits about the fascinating fish:
1. Why do grunions wash up on shore?They are mating. They have to mate at night, when the tide is at its highest around a full moon. They want to be on the sand so the eggs have a long time to incubate, Serpa said. They live off shore when they are not running — they just don’t come to shore unless it’s spring or summer.
Each female lays 2,000 to 3,000 eggs. They have a short life — only about five years max — and get to be about six inches long. The females bury themselves up to the fins, deposit their eggs and the males deposit the milt right there. When the wave comes by, the sand closes it up. The eggs stay buried in the sand for 10 to 14 days. The wave and surge jostling helps them hatch.
2. Find a beach they likeSome beaches, they don’t run on. It all depends on what’s underneath, if it’s good sand, Serpa said. They don’t like gravelly beaches. You might not see them in one spot, but a mile farther, they might be going like gangbusters. At Doheny, it’s rocky underneath but once you get on the beach, it’s sand. It’s perfect for them.
“When I was growing up, we always went to La Jolla. Any beach like that — Huntington, Crystal Cove and there’s a great beach up by the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro. Malibu would be a great beach for it,” he said. “You want a beach that is a real gradual, you don’t want a shore break beach where the waves drop and dump.” Serpa said they seem to like Doheny, perhaps because the jetty acts as a shelter. Cabrillo offers something similar.
3. Go early in the seasonThey always run really good in the early part of the season, in April and May, Serpa said. As we get further into the year, it’s more hit or miss.
April and May, however, is the closed part of the season — so it’s just for watching, no catching.
4. Don’t spook the scoutsTry and let them come up and start their full run before you start annoying them and shining bright lights on them. “I don’t know that there’s been any real scientific data on it, but what we noticed, they always run better if you start letting them run for a while,” Serpa said.
5. Know the tidesYou always want to go right before the peak of the high tide. They don’t run until that peak happens, Serpa said. If they do run before that, they have a chance of their eggs washing out.
“A lot of people, they see the run at midnight and say ‘let’s go at 10,'” Serpa said. “Kids are waiting and two hours later they haven’t run and they say, ‘let’s get out of here.'” The good time is the peak and the people just came too early. Timing is critical.
6. Watch the birds“We would go out an hour or two before the peak of the high tide,” Serpa said. “If the birds were lined on the beach waiting, that means the grunions were in the shallows and they are ready to run and (the birds) know it.”
7. Tips for takingYou’ll need a fishing license if you are 16 or older. And don’t take anything you won’t use. You can only take with your hands — no scooping devices. That allows for more grunion to go back and helps the resources to stay healthy, Serpa said.
8. Don’t get soakedKeep your eyes on the waves, Serpa warned. People get so absorbed with picking up the grunions, and then the wave comes and they get soaked.
9. Are they tasty?If you ask me, I’d say no, Serba said. “But plenty of people like them,” he said. “A lot of people fry them up, the whole thing. Other people gut them.”
10. Fishing is good during grunion runsLocal fishermen know that. There’s halibut during that time, Serpa said. He’s seen huge halibut taken off the beach during grunion run nights.
11. Are the waters sharkier during grunion runs?Nobody has done a study on that, Serpa said, but putting two and two together, it might be a good guess. “Juvenile sharks love grunion,” he said. “So offshore might be a place to see (sharks).”
12. What should we bring to a grunion run?A flashlight, chair so you can sit while you’re waiting, a bucket to put your grunion in and a fishing license if you are planning to take them. A jacket to stay warm is always a good idea.
For a full schedule of grunion runs, go to: wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/grunion
==========================
The BCA Proudly Present
Our Spring Convention
Date: 6th May
Speakers
Adrian Indermaur
David Pool
Please support the BCA This event is for beginner to expert everyone welcome. Discounted rooms are available at the Oak Hotel, 8640, Stratford Road, Hockley Heath, Solihull, West Midlands , B94 5NW. £50 for a double or twin please mention you are attending the fish event on 6th may.
Tickets are available online with fast track entry please follow this link below to purchase yours today http://www.british-Cichlid.org.uk/…/product-…/event-tickets/
You can pay on the day but we are encouraging you to book your ticket in advance with the above link.
We will also be trailing a new format, no auction but Tropical fish and dry goods inc foods etc will be on sale from our usual sellers at unbelievable prices - see the fish and buy directly with the seller
If you are a seller please contact Darren Evans - treasurer@british-Cichlid.org.uk to book your table
Seller conditions
Table rental = £15.00 (Each vendor will receive 1 draw ticket for seller draw (3 none aquatic items).
Up to 2 people may share a table and both must be registered when booking.
Only fish and related aquarium items may be offered
All transactions are between buyers & sellers only
The BCA will not be responsible for any sales disputes.
Buyers
Door entry – £5.00 for BCA members and £10.00 Non members (this will include 12 months membership to the BCA valued at £5 per person. You will receive a free goodie bag on entry with products from our supporters and also a tub of vitalis food - which will more than cover your entry fee !
All delegates and vendors will be given a raffle ticket for the Door prize.
Door prize – (3 Main prizes).
Main Raffle prize – (12 items min)
Lectures
Lectures take place at – TBA -
Doors Open at 9.00am for setting up and sales start at 11.00 first lecture begins 10:00 am
Note to sellers
Once you have booked your table, you are free to advertise your items on the BCA web site forum, on the BCA face book group page, and any other pages where you have permission.
The BCA will not be responsible for advertising any sales items.
All fish being offered for sale must be adequately packages
Please feel free to share this post on other groups
Thank you
The BCA Committee
Alternatively you can join the British cichlid association on the day at the door for ONLY £5 For 1 YEAR.
Which entitles you to discounted entry to all Bca events for 1 year aswel as digital pdf copy's of ciclidae magazine which is only available at the British cichlid association
How The Day Plays Out ???
The days schedule will look something like this. but please be aware some parts may go on longer or shorter the times are just a guideline
9:00 to 10am - booking in of lots for sellers
10:00am first talk
12:00 Break for lunch - food available
13:00 Raffle and famous BCA Auction - rare cichlids from around the world
16:00 to 16:30 end of day
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/
==========================
Our Spring Convention
Date: 6th May
Speakers
Adrian Indermaur
David Pool
Please support the BCA This event is for beginner to expert everyone welcome. Discounted rooms are available at the Oak Hotel, 8640, Stratford Road, Hockley Heath, Solihull, West Midlands , B94 5NW. £50 for a double or twin please mention you are attending the fish event on 6th may.
Tickets are available online with fast track entry please follow this link below to purchase yours today http://www.british-Cichlid.org.uk/…/product-…/event-tickets/
You can pay on the day but we are encouraging you to book your ticket in advance with the above link.
We will also be trailing a new format, no auction but Tropical fish and dry goods inc foods etc will be on sale from our usual sellers at unbelievable prices - see the fish and buy directly with the seller
If you are a seller please contact Darren Evans - treasurer@british-Cichlid.org.uk to book your table
Seller conditions
Table rental = £15.00 (Each vendor will receive 1 draw ticket for seller draw (3 none aquatic items).
Up to 2 people may share a table and both must be registered when booking.
Only fish and related aquarium items may be offered
All transactions are between buyers & sellers only
The BCA will not be responsible for any sales disputes.
Buyers
Door entry – £5.00 for BCA members and £10.00 Non members (this will include 12 months membership to the BCA valued at £5 per person. You will receive a free goodie bag on entry with products from our supporters and also a tub of vitalis food - which will more than cover your entry fee !
All delegates and vendors will be given a raffle ticket for the Door prize.
Door prize – (3 Main prizes).
Main Raffle prize – (12 items min)
Lectures
Lectures take place at – TBA -
Doors Open at 9.00am for setting up and sales start at 11.00 first lecture begins 10:00 am
Note to sellers
Once you have booked your table, you are free to advertise your items on the BCA web site forum, on the BCA face book group page, and any other pages where you have permission.
The BCA will not be responsible for advertising any sales items.
All fish being offered for sale must be adequately packages
Please feel free to share this post on other groups
Thank you
The BCA Committee
Alternatively you can join the British cichlid association on the day at the door for ONLY £5 For 1 YEAR.
Which entitles you to discounted entry to all Bca events for 1 year aswel as digital pdf copy's of ciclidae magazine which is only available at the British cichlid association
How The Day Plays Out ???
The days schedule will look something like this. but please be aware some parts may go on longer or shorter the times are just a guideline
9:00 to 10am - booking in of lots for sellers
10:00am first talk
12:00 Break for lunch - food available
13:00 Raffle and famous BCA Auction - rare cichlids from around the world
16:00 to 16:30 end of day
http://www.british-cichlid.org.uk/wordpress/
==========================
Moapa coriacea
Moapa dace (Moapa coriacea ) population steady in new count of endangered fish
Nevada Deparment of Wildlife Hatchery Biologist Eric Laux opens a tank containing Moapa Dace fish at the Lake Mead Fish Hatchery in Las Vegas on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bleblancphoto
An August count placed the population of Moapa dace at 2,248, almost double the population from August 2012. The count suggests the endangered fish that lives in springs and streams 60 miles north of Las Vegas is on its way to recovery. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, File)
The latest count is in for Clark County’s most endangered fish, and the results are mixed.
While researchers were relieved to see the Moapa dace population holding steady at 1,138 adult fish, they would prefer some real improvement for a species that’s been under federal protection for just over 50 years.
“We’re not in a crisis mode where the species is declining,” said Michael Schwemm, senior fish biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Southern Nevada. “But we’re not happy with the status quo. We want to see things improve.”
He said researchers plan to step up efforts to restore habitat and eliminate nonnative predators in the warm springs and streams that form the headwaters of the Muddy River, 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
To arrive at the most recent population estimate, Schwemm and company put on snorkels and swim masks and crawled through several miles of shallow, warm-water streams, counting the fish one at a time. The survey was conducted over three days in late February by a team from the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which owns most of the fish’s natural habitat in northern Clark County.
This year’s number was close to the February 2017 count of 1,165, but the population remains well below the roughly 1,900 fish spotted during the February surveys in 2015 and 2016.
Even so, the dace is better off now than it was a decade ago, when its numbers suddenly plunged from 1,172 in 2007 to just 459 in 2008.
The sharp decline prompted the protectors of the endangered fish to add a second population survey each August and launch an aggressive campaign to rid the upper Muddy River of tilapia, a predatory, nonnative game fish.
With the tilapia now gone, Schwemm said the recovery team has turned its attention to other, smaller exotics such as mollies and mosquito fish that compete with — and in some cases feed on — Moapa dace.
In light of last month’s count, he said more traps will be deployed to thin the dace’s remaining competition.
The team also will continue working with the Mormon Church to improve fish habitat at a church-owned recreational retreat in the area, Schwemm said.
The finger-length fish with a black spot on its tail was added to the endangered species list in 1967. Its entire habitat is confined to the 116-acre Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge; some adjacent private land, including the LDS retreat; and the 1,218-acre tract the water authority bought for $69 million in 2007 and now maintains as the Warm Springs Natural Area.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nevada Department of Wildlife also maintain a back-up population in carefully maintained tanks at the state fish hatchery near Lake Mead.
The current recovery plan for the Moapa dace calls for the species to remain under federal protection until at least 75 percent of its habitat has been secured and its population in the wild reaches 6,000.
Contact Henry Brean at hbrean @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350. Follow @RefriedBrean on Twitter.
Nevada Deparment of Wildlife Hatchery Biologist Eric Laux opens a tank containing Moapa Dace fish at the Lake Mead Fish Hatchery in Las Vegas on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bleblancphoto
An August count placed the population of Moapa dace at 2,248, almost double the population from August 2012. The count suggests the endangered fish that lives in springs and streams 60 miles north of Las Vegas is on its way to recovery. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, File)
The latest count is in for Clark County’s most endangered fish, and the results are mixed.
While researchers were relieved to see the Moapa dace population holding steady at 1,138 adult fish, they would prefer some real improvement for a species that’s been under federal protection for just over 50 years.
“We’re not in a crisis mode where the species is declining,” said Michael Schwemm, senior fish biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Southern Nevada. “But we’re not happy with the status quo. We want to see things improve.”
He said researchers plan to step up efforts to restore habitat and eliminate nonnative predators in the warm springs and streams that form the headwaters of the Muddy River, 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
To arrive at the most recent population estimate, Schwemm and company put on snorkels and swim masks and crawled through several miles of shallow, warm-water streams, counting the fish one at a time. The survey was conducted over three days in late February by a team from the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which owns most of the fish’s natural habitat in northern Clark County.
This year’s number was close to the February 2017 count of 1,165, but the population remains well below the roughly 1,900 fish spotted during the February surveys in 2015 and 2016.
Even so, the dace is better off now than it was a decade ago, when its numbers suddenly plunged from 1,172 in 2007 to just 459 in 2008.
The sharp decline prompted the protectors of the endangered fish to add a second population survey each August and launch an aggressive campaign to rid the upper Muddy River of tilapia, a predatory, nonnative game fish.
With the tilapia now gone, Schwemm said the recovery team has turned its attention to other, smaller exotics such as mollies and mosquito fish that compete with — and in some cases feed on — Moapa dace.
In light of last month’s count, he said more traps will be deployed to thin the dace’s remaining competition.
The team also will continue working with the Mormon Church to improve fish habitat at a church-owned recreational retreat in the area, Schwemm said.
The finger-length fish with a black spot on its tail was added to the endangered species list in 1967. Its entire habitat is confined to the 116-acre Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge; some adjacent private land, including the LDS retreat; and the 1,218-acre tract the water authority bought for $69 million in 2007 and now maintains as the Warm Springs Natural Area.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nevada Department of Wildlife also maintain a back-up population in carefully maintained tanks at the state fish hatchery near Lake Mead.
The current recovery plan for the Moapa dace calls for the species to remain under federal protection until at least 75 percent of its habitat has been secured and its population in the wild reaches 6,000.
Contact Henry Brean at hbrean @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350. Follow @RefriedBrean on Twitter.
==========================
Hybognathus amarus
Rio Grande
An Endangered Fish Out of WaterBY BUD RUSSO – MARCH 13, 2018
A unique hatchery program is keeping the Rio Grande’s silvery minnow alive. But the long-term fate of this tiny fish is uncertain.When irrigation was introduced to New Mexico, principally by the Spanish four centuries ago, the Rio Grande began its long decline from a wild, free-flowing river to a channeled ditch delivering water from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico nearly 1,900 miles away. Dam and water diversion projects built by conservation district personnel, the US Army Corp of Engineers, and the Bureau of Land Management, which manage the river, have inadvertently endangered a number of species—among them, the diminutive Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus).
The minnow survives only in about 5 percent of its historic range, in a 174-mile stretch of the middle Rio Grande (pictured above), often called the Albuquerque stretch, which also happens to be the most densely populated region of New Mexico.
The two-inch silvery minnow once occupied 2,400 miles of the Rio Grande and the Peco River, one of its major tributaries. Now the minnow survives only in about 5 percent of its historic range, between the Cochiti Dam in the north and the headwaters of Elephant Butte Reservoir — a 174-mile stretch of the middle Rio Grande, often called the Albuquerque stretch, which also happens to be the most densely populated region of New Mexico where more than half of its citizens live.
The silvery minnow was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1994, around the time when this stretch of the river began to regularly dry each summer when farmers diverted the water for irrigation into canals and ditches and onto alfalfa fields and pecan orchards, leaving the fish out of water. The plight of the minnow set off a legal battle between irrigators represented by the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District and environmental groups attempting to preserve habitat for the fish.
There is a growing understanding that like the proverbial canary in the coal mine,the silvery minnow
in the Rio Grande is not only a bellwether of the health of the river and its ecosystem, its fate
is also a harbinger of what people might face as as our freshwater sources become more scarce.
Nine years later, in 2003 the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued its biological opinion, which basically stated that water mangers would have to keep a small amount of water moving in the Albuquerque stretch of the Rio Grande so that it doesn’t dry in the summer heat.
Farmers and ranchers once considered themselves the principal stakeholders of the Rio Grande. But attitudes evolved, especially with the growth of urban centers inhabited by educated professionals who consider the river to have intrinsic value beyond its so-called beneficial uses for humans. There is a growing understanding that like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, the silvery minnow in the Rio Grande is not only a bellwether of the health of the river and its ecosystem, its fate is also a harbinger of what people might face in the future as our freshwater sources become more and more scarce.
Like many Western rivers, the Rio Grande's natural flow is highly variable, sometimes flooding, other times leaving a dry riverbed. “While species have adapted and even prospered in highly variable streams, human water supply demand lacks this flexibility,” writes attorney Charles DuMars in his essay, "The Middle Rio Grande Minnow Wars" in the 2012 book One Hundred Years of Water Wars in New Mexico. “Water flowing past a city or farm in April is of no value to that entity in July. Balancing flows may make for reliable human supply, but it directly affects the viability of species relying on historic variation.”
Environmental groups, such as Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, and Southwest Environmental Center argued, the silvery minnow's survival would require a more natural state of water flow. As DuMars put it, however, every drop taken for the minnow meant a reduction in water for irrigators and consumers because the Middle Rio Grande is a fully appropriated stream.
The outcome of the contentious litigation was favorable not only to the fish but to the river itself — and did not appreciably impact farmers and consumers. In summary, a certain amount of water was allowed to flow year around. Meanwhile, the Middle Grande River Conservation District adopted stricter conservation measures and municipal water utilities repaired city water pipes (therefore lessening waste). Both stakeholders pumped aquifers that didn't affect river volume to make up for losses. Moreover, levies were moved farther back from the riverbed, allowing the river to form braided streams. Cottonwoods and other riparian plants were allowed to grow more densely, providing shade and food for fish.
These measures helped somewhat, and the silvery minnow has survived thus far, but its population has not appreciably prospered; the remaining Rio Grande habitat is just too small for the fish to flourish on their own. Enter, the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium, established by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission at Los Lunas, 25 miles south of Albuquerque.
Photo by Bud RussoSerpentine flow through the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium mimics the natural flow of the Rio Grandé. Overhead cables prevent predation by herons, hawks, and other birds.
“The refugium is a fish hatchery,” says Dr. Alison Hutson,environmental scientist and assistant manager, “but unlike any hatchery you’ve ever seen.”
In its park-like setting, the refugium features a 458-foot-long serpentine concrete channel, ponds, shelves, backwaters, and a floodplain that, taken together, simulate the flow of the Rio Grande. Landscaped with native plants growing on the river’s banks, the project was designed and constructed at a cost of $1.7 million to spawn and propagate the endangered silvery minnow.
“The refugium was required by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2003 Biological Opinion,” manager Douglas Tave explains, but “the term 'refugium' was not defined. It was kind of an invented word, and no one knew what it entailed.”
Traditional hatcheries coddle brood stock in aquaria and tanks until females lay eggs and maintain the environment until eggs hatch. Fry are then raised until they reach a prescribed length and weight before being released into lakes and streams. In most cases, fry are not there very long before commercial and recreational fishermen and fisherwomen pull them out of the water.
“What we’re doing is conservation aquaculture,” Tave continues, noting that preserving an endangered species requires a different tack. Hutson adds, “We’re trying to put a farmed animal into the wild, and we asked if there’s a better way of doing this. The refugium allows us to produce fish that are more wild so when they’re stocked in the river, the species has a better chance of recovering.”
Because the Rio Grande is fully appropriated for beneficial use, scientists had to apply to the Office of the State Engineer to acquire rights for the nearly 161,000 gallons of river water that flows through and is recycled at the refugium. The only “new” water added is that which replaces river water lost to evaporation.
But the refugium is much more than just water modeling the Rio Grande. As Hutson emphasized, the goal of the project is to raise wild fish. In this replication of the silvery minnow's natural habitat, the minnows are allowed to fend for themselves. Staff members add fertilizer to water at the exit sump, where it can blend in thoroughly as the water is recirculated back to the inlet. The fertilizer facilitates growth of freshwater algae, diatoms, zooplankton, and animals that cling to plants. These life forms constitute the primary food source for the minnows, which are left to their own devices to forage.
Fry are introduced to the refugium in May. The exact number of fry varies, as does their age and size — all factors which contribute to their survivability. The older and larger the fry, the more likely fish will survive until the harvest in October.
“Hopefully, the refugium will enable the fish to develop wild-type behaviors and will also prevent the development of maladaptive hatchery-induced behaviors,” Tave and Hutson wrote in a paper for World Aquaculture.
At the end of the season, sand bags and other obstacles are removed and the refugium is seined. Staff members capture and tag every minnow with a unique tattoo, and measure and weigh a subsample to determine average length and weight. The fish are held temporarily in tanks until Fish and Wildlife staff transport them to stock the Middle Rio Grande and an experimental stretch of the river near Big Bend, Texas.
Photo by Bud RussoDr. Alison Hutson explains the conservation aquaculture principles used at the facility. Tanks of fry are allowed to grow to preferred size and weight before being introduced to the refugium.
The refugium is, however, a stopgap measure to keep this short-lived fish from becoming extinct. Without it and the relocation program, the minnow would have probably vanished by now. And even now, its fate hangs on balance. As USFWS biologist Thomas Archdeacon told Water Deeplylast year: "Basically two bad years in a row will essentially wipe it out, and we'll be relying almost entirely on that hatchery safety net."
Yet, in 2016, after 15 years of requiring water managers to keep at least 100 cubic feet per second of water in the Albuquerque stretch of the river, USFWS issued another biological opinion that basically said that water management operations on the Rio Grande were no longer jeopardizing the silvery minnow and stopped requiring flow minimums.
According to David Campbell, the USFWS branch chief who oversees the river recovery project, “Now there are no flow requirements at all.” Instead the new biological opinion calls for water managers — the US Bureau of Reclamation and its partners — to manage the river in other ways, such a building fish passages around dams. Campbell also explains, if the river dries, surviving silvery minnows can be rescued from puddles and, if fish densities are too low, they will continue to be supplemented with fish raised in the refugium, without which this rare fish inevitably will become extinct.
Only by managing the Rio Grande as the complex, integrated ecosystem that it is, and not viewing it simply as a water-delivery ditch; only by considering the river as a legal entity — just like the farmer, industrialist, and consumer — will the silvery minnow, and other wildlife that depend on it, like the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, the yellow-billed cuckoo, and even the iconic cottonwoods, have a chance survive.
Comment
The Monteray Platy (Xiphophorus couchianus) was once reported from the Rio Grande but now is on the red list as endagered
==========================
A unique hatchery program is keeping the Rio Grande’s silvery minnow alive. But the long-term fate of this tiny fish is uncertain.When irrigation was introduced to New Mexico, principally by the Spanish four centuries ago, the Rio Grande began its long decline from a wild, free-flowing river to a channeled ditch delivering water from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico nearly 1,900 miles away. Dam and water diversion projects built by conservation district personnel, the US Army Corp of Engineers, and the Bureau of Land Management, which manage the river, have inadvertently endangered a number of species—among them, the diminutive Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus).
The minnow survives only in about 5 percent of its historic range, in a 174-mile stretch of the middle Rio Grande (pictured above), often called the Albuquerque stretch, which also happens to be the most densely populated region of New Mexico.
The two-inch silvery minnow once occupied 2,400 miles of the Rio Grande and the Peco River, one of its major tributaries. Now the minnow survives only in about 5 percent of its historic range, between the Cochiti Dam in the north and the headwaters of Elephant Butte Reservoir — a 174-mile stretch of the middle Rio Grande, often called the Albuquerque stretch, which also happens to be the most densely populated region of New Mexico where more than half of its citizens live.
The silvery minnow was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1994, around the time when this stretch of the river began to regularly dry each summer when farmers diverted the water for irrigation into canals and ditches and onto alfalfa fields and pecan orchards, leaving the fish out of water. The plight of the minnow set off a legal battle between irrigators represented by the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District and environmental groups attempting to preserve habitat for the fish.
There is a growing understanding that like the proverbial canary in the coal mine,the silvery minnow
in the Rio Grande is not only a bellwether of the health of the river and its ecosystem, its fate
is also a harbinger of what people might face as as our freshwater sources become more scarce.
Nine years later, in 2003 the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued its biological opinion, which basically stated that water mangers would have to keep a small amount of water moving in the Albuquerque stretch of the Rio Grande so that it doesn’t dry in the summer heat.
Farmers and ranchers once considered themselves the principal stakeholders of the Rio Grande. But attitudes evolved, especially with the growth of urban centers inhabited by educated professionals who consider the river to have intrinsic value beyond its so-called beneficial uses for humans. There is a growing understanding that like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, the silvery minnow in the Rio Grande is not only a bellwether of the health of the river and its ecosystem, its fate is also a harbinger of what people might face in the future as our freshwater sources become more and more scarce.
Like many Western rivers, the Rio Grande's natural flow is highly variable, sometimes flooding, other times leaving a dry riverbed. “While species have adapted and even prospered in highly variable streams, human water supply demand lacks this flexibility,” writes attorney Charles DuMars in his essay, "The Middle Rio Grande Minnow Wars" in the 2012 book One Hundred Years of Water Wars in New Mexico. “Water flowing past a city or farm in April is of no value to that entity in July. Balancing flows may make for reliable human supply, but it directly affects the viability of species relying on historic variation.”
Environmental groups, such as Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, and Southwest Environmental Center argued, the silvery minnow's survival would require a more natural state of water flow. As DuMars put it, however, every drop taken for the minnow meant a reduction in water for irrigators and consumers because the Middle Rio Grande is a fully appropriated stream.
The outcome of the contentious litigation was favorable not only to the fish but to the river itself — and did not appreciably impact farmers and consumers. In summary, a certain amount of water was allowed to flow year around. Meanwhile, the Middle Grande River Conservation District adopted stricter conservation measures and municipal water utilities repaired city water pipes (therefore lessening waste). Both stakeholders pumped aquifers that didn't affect river volume to make up for losses. Moreover, levies were moved farther back from the riverbed, allowing the river to form braided streams. Cottonwoods and other riparian plants were allowed to grow more densely, providing shade and food for fish.
These measures helped somewhat, and the silvery minnow has survived thus far, but its population has not appreciably prospered; the remaining Rio Grande habitat is just too small for the fish to flourish on their own. Enter, the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium, established by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission at Los Lunas, 25 miles south of Albuquerque.
Photo by Bud RussoSerpentine flow through the Los Lunas Silvery Minnow Refugium mimics the natural flow of the Rio Grandé. Overhead cables prevent predation by herons, hawks, and other birds.
“The refugium is a fish hatchery,” says Dr. Alison Hutson,environmental scientist and assistant manager, “but unlike any hatchery you’ve ever seen.”
In its park-like setting, the refugium features a 458-foot-long serpentine concrete channel, ponds, shelves, backwaters, and a floodplain that, taken together, simulate the flow of the Rio Grande. Landscaped with native plants growing on the river’s banks, the project was designed and constructed at a cost of $1.7 million to spawn and propagate the endangered silvery minnow.
“The refugium was required by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2003 Biological Opinion,” manager Douglas Tave explains, but “the term 'refugium' was not defined. It was kind of an invented word, and no one knew what it entailed.”
Traditional hatcheries coddle brood stock in aquaria and tanks until females lay eggs and maintain the environment until eggs hatch. Fry are then raised until they reach a prescribed length and weight before being released into lakes and streams. In most cases, fry are not there very long before commercial and recreational fishermen and fisherwomen pull them out of the water.
“What we’re doing is conservation aquaculture,” Tave continues, noting that preserving an endangered species requires a different tack. Hutson adds, “We’re trying to put a farmed animal into the wild, and we asked if there’s a better way of doing this. The refugium allows us to produce fish that are more wild so when they’re stocked in the river, the species has a better chance of recovering.”
Because the Rio Grande is fully appropriated for beneficial use, scientists had to apply to the Office of the State Engineer to acquire rights for the nearly 161,000 gallons of river water that flows through and is recycled at the refugium. The only “new” water added is that which replaces river water lost to evaporation.
But the refugium is much more than just water modeling the Rio Grande. As Hutson emphasized, the goal of the project is to raise wild fish. In this replication of the silvery minnow's natural habitat, the minnows are allowed to fend for themselves. Staff members add fertilizer to water at the exit sump, where it can blend in thoroughly as the water is recirculated back to the inlet. The fertilizer facilitates growth of freshwater algae, diatoms, zooplankton, and animals that cling to plants. These life forms constitute the primary food source for the minnows, which are left to their own devices to forage.
Fry are introduced to the refugium in May. The exact number of fry varies, as does their age and size — all factors which contribute to their survivability. The older and larger the fry, the more likely fish will survive until the harvest in October.
“Hopefully, the refugium will enable the fish to develop wild-type behaviors and will also prevent the development of maladaptive hatchery-induced behaviors,” Tave and Hutson wrote in a paper for World Aquaculture.
At the end of the season, sand bags and other obstacles are removed and the refugium is seined. Staff members capture and tag every minnow with a unique tattoo, and measure and weigh a subsample to determine average length and weight. The fish are held temporarily in tanks until Fish and Wildlife staff transport them to stock the Middle Rio Grande and an experimental stretch of the river near Big Bend, Texas.
Photo by Bud RussoDr. Alison Hutson explains the conservation aquaculture principles used at the facility. Tanks of fry are allowed to grow to preferred size and weight before being introduced to the refugium.
The refugium is, however, a stopgap measure to keep this short-lived fish from becoming extinct. Without it and the relocation program, the minnow would have probably vanished by now. And even now, its fate hangs on balance. As USFWS biologist Thomas Archdeacon told Water Deeplylast year: "Basically two bad years in a row will essentially wipe it out, and we'll be relying almost entirely on that hatchery safety net."
Yet, in 2016, after 15 years of requiring water managers to keep at least 100 cubic feet per second of water in the Albuquerque stretch of the river, USFWS issued another biological opinion that basically said that water management operations on the Rio Grande were no longer jeopardizing the silvery minnow and stopped requiring flow minimums.
According to David Campbell, the USFWS branch chief who oversees the river recovery project, “Now there are no flow requirements at all.” Instead the new biological opinion calls for water managers — the US Bureau of Reclamation and its partners — to manage the river in other ways, such a building fish passages around dams. Campbell also explains, if the river dries, surviving silvery minnows can be rescued from puddles and, if fish densities are too low, they will continue to be supplemented with fish raised in the refugium, without which this rare fish inevitably will become extinct.
Only by managing the Rio Grande as the complex, integrated ecosystem that it is, and not viewing it simply as a water-delivery ditch; only by considering the river as a legal entity — just like the farmer, industrialist, and consumer — will the silvery minnow, and other wildlife that depend on it, like the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, the yellow-billed cuckoo, and even the iconic cottonwoods, have a chance survive.
Comment
The Monteray Platy (Xiphophorus couchianus) was once reported from the Rio Grande but now is on the red list as endagered
==========================
Palytoxin Nearly Killed my Family and Pets!
GUEST WRITER
32A traumatic event happened at my house this week. My family and pets became very sick and in the dogs case, near death. A chain of events lead to my house being filled with aerosolized Palytoxin.
This week’s event in our house changed my life. In one way I am thankful that my family and dogs are still alive, but the event has left a permanent mark psychologically. The guilt I have been feeling is a heavy weight on my shoulders. As I am writing this I listen to every breath my family takes, and am watching my dogs like hawks.
The anxiety of it all is very consuming even though I have done everything I can to make sure our house is safe (Bleach, Ozone, Hepa, UV treatments) I am writing this in hopes that what happened to me and my family doesn’t ever happen again.
Here is the chain of events and a bit of background. For a year I have been gathering parts here and there when I had the money to build a softy reef tank for my 9 Year old daughter who loves everything reef. One of the items I bought is some “Dried” rock from a guy that had broken down his tank several years ago.
He was not a serious reefer, but had a bunch of items he was getting rid of. The rock was in sealed containers, but I believe he had some zoas or palys on the rocks when he pulled it out of his tank, and the coral died leaving toxins. With that being said we started plumbing the tank and getting the ‘scaping done on Monday.
READ Reefing hobby makes it to Washington Post with warning of coral toxinsThe tank looked great! Tuesday morning I started filling the tank with RODI, and tested the plumbing. All was looking good by mid afternoon, so I started dumping salt into the tank. Most of the salt was an anhydrous salt mix (no, I am not going to name a manufacture). As you may or may not know anhydrous salt reacts with water
and gets very hot.
The salt was covering the rock as I spread it out all over the place. I truly believe this was when the Palytoxin got literally cooked off the rock. With the tank running, I
went about my day. Later that day I started getting a scratchy throat. Figured I had a cold coming on, but I tend to ignore and push through when there is work to be done.
That same afternoon my wife, who is an asthmatic, had a pretty severe attack. Neither of us could figure out why, because there was no normal “triggers” present in the house. She medicated herself and a few hours later was feeling much better. We were out of the house most of Wednesday and besides a cough here and there, we were not having any issues.
Wednesday night my son started coughing pretty heavily, and again I am just thinking “great the whole family is getting a cold” Here is when things took a turn for the worse in a hurry. Thursday morning I get my kids into their schoolwork (we home school), and I look at the tank and it looks slightly yellow, so I decide to start the protein skimmer to see if I can get out some of the organics.
READ Minimix Of Aquatic Art's Zoanthid Collection!Within several hours of starting the protein skimmer, my kids and I coughs were getting progressively worse. To the point I told them to stop schoolwork. I go up stairs and my wife is starting yet another massive asthma attack (or at least I thought it was). At this point I am shaking my head wondering what’s going on, and then I see that my older labrador is struggling to breath.
I immediately tossed the red flag and evacuated everyone to the back yard. It was at this time my 7 month old lab puppy came up to us drooling and shivering. It was time for 911. The emergency crews came to my house, and examined all of us. My kids and I were treated and released, but my wife was taken to a local ER due to her pain and labored breathing.
I rushed my dogs to the local vet where they were put in oxygen chambers and given fluids. Everyone including the dogs had blood draws and toxin screens. All came back clear of normal toxins. Mind you they do not understand nor do they test for Palytoxins!
My house was heavily scrutinized by emergency services with ZERO detectable toxins. Again this is just not a normal thing you can scan for. Everyone is just shaking their heads trying to figure out what just happened to this family. After some brain storming with some friends, a little Google, and some calls to people I know in the field, we finally figured out what happened.
Microbubbles in the tank or from a protein skimmer can ‘aerosolize’ toxins from an aquarium, making them airborne.My family is not the first to fall victim to this as you can do a Google search and read other stories like mine where families and pets nearly died, and in some cases the pets did die. What lessons did I learn from this? Never ever trust any rock you get. Always sanitize rock before use!
Bleach and then cook Sanitize the rock outside your home (or buy clean dry rock to start with). ALWAYS wear protective gear when handling rock or corals. Even dry rock! Will this stop me from reefing? No way! I love it too much to let a freak accident stop me from a hobby I love.
The danger and potency of toxins from Palythoa can NOT be overstated!With that being said however, I do sincerely hope that this story is shared everywhere so this doesn’t happen again to anyone. Right now I need to get back to building our life back up. We all still have some left over affects of the toxins, but are improving every day. My first project is to cheer my daughter up who is really sad.
While she knows that there was little choice at the time to break down her tank (she has been very sweet to cheer me up from my guilt), she knows she will have to wait a long time to get her tank running again because after the ER bill, $1000 vet bill, and clean up costs, buying rock and sand just isn’t in the cards.
READ Reefing hobby makes it to Washington Post with warning of coral toxins(We threw out everything and bleached the tank in the haste of getting our house back).
Happy and Safe Reefing!
The following true story is an account of how one reefer, Mark Strachan, learned the hard way that Paythoa ain’t nothing to mess with! Please use caution and protection when handling used rock and living or dead zoanthids of any kind.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
GUEST WRITER
32A traumatic event happened at my house this week. My family and pets became very sick and in the dogs case, near death. A chain of events lead to my house being filled with aerosolized Palytoxin.
This week’s event in our house changed my life. In one way I am thankful that my family and dogs are still alive, but the event has left a permanent mark psychologically. The guilt I have been feeling is a heavy weight on my shoulders. As I am writing this I listen to every breath my family takes, and am watching my dogs like hawks.
The anxiety of it all is very consuming even though I have done everything I can to make sure our house is safe (Bleach, Ozone, Hepa, UV treatments) I am writing this in hopes that what happened to me and my family doesn’t ever happen again.
Here is the chain of events and a bit of background. For a year I have been gathering parts here and there when I had the money to build a softy reef tank for my 9 Year old daughter who loves everything reef. One of the items I bought is some “Dried” rock from a guy that had broken down his tank several years ago.
He was not a serious reefer, but had a bunch of items he was getting rid of. The rock was in sealed containers, but I believe he had some zoas or palys on the rocks when he pulled it out of his tank, and the coral died leaving toxins. With that being said we started plumbing the tank and getting the ‘scaping done on Monday.
READ Reefing hobby makes it to Washington Post with warning of coral toxinsThe tank looked great! Tuesday morning I started filling the tank with RODI, and tested the plumbing. All was looking good by mid afternoon, so I started dumping salt into the tank. Most of the salt was an anhydrous salt mix (no, I am not going to name a manufacture). As you may or may not know anhydrous salt reacts with water
and gets very hot.
The salt was covering the rock as I spread it out all over the place. I truly believe this was when the Palytoxin got literally cooked off the rock. With the tank running, I
went about my day. Later that day I started getting a scratchy throat. Figured I had a cold coming on, but I tend to ignore and push through when there is work to be done.
That same afternoon my wife, who is an asthmatic, had a pretty severe attack. Neither of us could figure out why, because there was no normal “triggers” present in the house. She medicated herself and a few hours later was feeling much better. We were out of the house most of Wednesday and besides a cough here and there, we were not having any issues.
Wednesday night my son started coughing pretty heavily, and again I am just thinking “great the whole family is getting a cold” Here is when things took a turn for the worse in a hurry. Thursday morning I get my kids into their schoolwork (we home school), and I look at the tank and it looks slightly yellow, so I decide to start the protein skimmer to see if I can get out some of the organics.
READ Minimix Of Aquatic Art's Zoanthid Collection!Within several hours of starting the protein skimmer, my kids and I coughs were getting progressively worse. To the point I told them to stop schoolwork. I go up stairs and my wife is starting yet another massive asthma attack (or at least I thought it was). At this point I am shaking my head wondering what’s going on, and then I see that my older labrador is struggling to breath.
I immediately tossed the red flag and evacuated everyone to the back yard. It was at this time my 7 month old lab puppy came up to us drooling and shivering. It was time for 911. The emergency crews came to my house, and examined all of us. My kids and I were treated and released, but my wife was taken to a local ER due to her pain and labored breathing.
I rushed my dogs to the local vet where they were put in oxygen chambers and given fluids. Everyone including the dogs had blood draws and toxin screens. All came back clear of normal toxins. Mind you they do not understand nor do they test for Palytoxins!
My house was heavily scrutinized by emergency services with ZERO detectable toxins. Again this is just not a normal thing you can scan for. Everyone is just shaking their heads trying to figure out what just happened to this family. After some brain storming with some friends, a little Google, and some calls to people I know in the field, we finally figured out what happened.
- Palytoxins were present on the rocks that I installed in the tank.
- Rehydration and heat from anhydrous salt likely activated the toxin.
- Protein skimmer emitting large amounts of micro bubbles into the tank aerosolized the Palytoxins into the air.
Microbubbles in the tank or from a protein skimmer can ‘aerosolize’ toxins from an aquarium, making them airborne.My family is not the first to fall victim to this as you can do a Google search and read other stories like mine where families and pets nearly died, and in some cases the pets did die. What lessons did I learn from this? Never ever trust any rock you get. Always sanitize rock before use!
Bleach and then cook Sanitize the rock outside your home (or buy clean dry rock to start with). ALWAYS wear protective gear when handling rock or corals. Even dry rock! Will this stop me from reefing? No way! I love it too much to let a freak accident stop me from a hobby I love.
The danger and potency of toxins from Palythoa can NOT be overstated!With that being said however, I do sincerely hope that this story is shared everywhere so this doesn’t happen again to anyone. Right now I need to get back to building our life back up. We all still have some left over affects of the toxins, but are improving every day. My first project is to cheer my daughter up who is really sad.
While she knows that there was little choice at the time to break down her tank (she has been very sweet to cheer me up from my guilt), she knows she will have to wait a long time to get her tank running again because after the ER bill, $1000 vet bill, and clean up costs, buying rock and sand just isn’t in the cards.
READ Reefing hobby makes it to Washington Post with warning of coral toxins(We threw out everything and bleached the tank in the haste of getting our house back).
Happy and Safe Reefing!
The following true story is an account of how one reefer, Mark Strachan, learned the hard way that Paythoa ain’t nothing to mess with! Please use caution and protection when handling used rock and living or dead zoanthids of any kind.
from ReefBuilders
==========================
Incredible Xanthic Eibl’s Angelfish Appears in Hong Kong
Pygmy angelfish are very popular marine aquarium fish because they pack a lot of personality and color into a very manageable size. But another thing that we can sometimes enjoy in the dwarf Centropyge genus is some really wildly aberrant specimens such as th
Pygmy angelfish are very popular marine aquarium fish because they pack a lot of personality and color into a very manageable size. But another thing that we can sometimes enjoy in the dwarf Centropyge genus is some really wildly aberrant specimens such as th