Apocryptes Research Articles

Impact of anthropogenic activities and the associated heavy metal pollution in Sundarbans waterways: threats to commercial fish and human health.

The exposure of fish to heavy metals is a significant concern for human health and natural ecosystems. Despite being a critical issue, the extent of contamination in tropical fish from developing countries like Bangladesh remains somewhat unexplored. In this study, ten economically vital fish species (Osteogeneiosus militaris, Arius gagora, Harpadon nehereus, Mugil ephalus, Pseudapocryptes elongates, Apocryptes bato, Labeo bata, Tenualosa toil, Notopterus notopterus, and Pampus chinensis) from the Pasur River, Bangladesh, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer for the concentrations of four concerned heavy metals, viz., As, Cr, Cd, and Pb, and the associated human health risks. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) followed the order of As (3.30 ± 1.43) > Pb (2.32 ± 0.73) > Cr (0.63 ± 0.29) > Cd (0.37 ± 0.24). Additionally, the bioaccumulation factor of the metals in the investigated fish species followed a decreasing trend of As (824.75) > Cr (781.25) > Cd (744) > Pb (385.83). While most species fell below the minimum bioaccumulation line, a few exceptions were noted for some species specific to metals. Health risk assessments indicated no significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for both children and adults, although children exhibited greater vulnerability to both types of health effects. Multivariate analysis and local perceptions supported the conclusion that heavy metals primarily originated from anthropogenic sources related to development activities adjacent to the riverine areas.

Nutritional compositions of native mudskipper (Apocryptes bato) fish influenced by sex: A first report on nutritional profiling of mudskipper in Bangladesh

Native mudskipper (Apocryptes bato) is a freshwater fish species found in the riverine coastal area of Bangladesh. However, nutritional compositions of this fish are still unknown. Thus, as pioneer report, the study aims to determine the chemical compositions, minerals content, amino acids and fatty acids profiles of male and female native mudskipper collected from the Payra River in Bangladesh. The results revealed that female mudskipper had significantly (p < 0.05) higher protein, lipid, ash and energy content in comparison to male mudskipper. The total essential amino acid (EAA) ratio in male (299.59 ± 3.90 mg/g) was observed to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in contrast to female (250.86 2.04 mg/g) that maintains the FAO/WHO minimum guidance about 40 % for both sexes. With respect to fatty acids content, female were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 8.54 %) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 4.89 %) than in male of EPA (6.31 %) and DHA (3.60 %), respectively. However, male had significantly (p < 0.05) higher atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) index in comparison to female. The lipid indices (p <0.05) HH, HPI, FLQ and ω-3/ω-6 ratio showed higher 1.14, 1.40, 15.04 and 3.76 for female that was little lower for the male 1.05, 1.21, 11.11 and 3.41, respectively. Female had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mineral levels than male. The study summarize that both male and female species are nutrient enriched including higher minerals, essential amino acids and lipid quality indices. Thus, it could be concluded that nutritionally both male and female mudskipper could be benefited for the human health.

Dry Fish Market Condition and Socio-economic Status of Dry Fish Retailer: A Survey Study in Noakhali, Bangladesh

Background: Fish drying is very common in the entire coastal areas of Bangladesh and these dried fishes have demand both in domestic and international market though the people involved early in the production chain (fishing and drying) add relatively more value and make little profit. Present investigation gives an idea about the scenario of the dried fish market and livelihood pattern of dry fish seller in the Noakhali region, an important coastal region in southern part of Bangladesh.&#x0D; Methodology: Twenty five retails shops from 12 markets under five upazilla of Noakhali district were surveyed for the study.&#x0D; Results: Nineteen species of dried fish and 7 types of semi-fermented and salted fish were found in the dried fish market of study area. Most demanded species of dried fish were Harpadon nehereus (Hamilton, 1822), Trichiurus lepturus, Coilia dussumieri,and Apocryptes bato. Peak marketing season of dried fish was rainy season. The market share of freshwater fishes was found 79% and marine water fishes 21%. Average 40% of the retailer completed only the primary level of education. Forty eight percent retailer earn 200-500BDT, 44% earn 500-1000BDT and 8% earn more than 1000BDT daily. Only 4 dried fish retailers have alternative sources of income and 21 have no alternative sources of income. Three types of marketing channels were found in the dried fish market of Noakhali.&#x0D; Conclusion: Several constraints were found in the dried fish market of Noakhali such as rapid damage of dry fishes, high transaction costs, lack of marketing infrastructure, transportation and storage facilities, etc.

Accumulation of trace elements in selected fish and shellfish species from the largest natural carp fish breeding basin in Asia: a probabilistic human health risk implication.

Intake of fish contaminated with non-essential hazardous trace elements poses a significant risk to human health. In this study, trace elements (As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) were measured in edible tissues of seven commercially important fish and shellfish species (Otolithoides pama, Pseudapocryptes elongatus, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Liza parse, Notropis atherinoides, Apocryptes bato, and Rhinomugil corsula) from a natural carp breeding basin, Halda river, Bangladesh. The elements were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the hierarchy of elemental levels (mg/kg) was Zn (61.56) > Pb (30.45) > Ni (26.81) > Cu (21.09) > As (1.49) > Cd (0.24). Among the analyzed elements, Pb, Ni, and Zn for some fish species exceeded the permissible dietary limit, suggested by national and international agencies. In addition, results of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) indicated that most of the studied species were bioaccumulative in nature (BAFs > 1000), and the mean BAF of elements were found in the following order: Zn (3156.74) > Ni (1629.30) > Cu (1566.77) > As (997.14) > Pb (259.98) > Cd (216.52). However, the species, L. parse being omnivorous represented the highest BAF (stored higher concentrations of metals) as compared to other species. The growth pattern of all the species was negatively allometric, and the health condition of the species varied from poor to good state revealed from the estimated Fulton's condition factor (FC). For the evaluation of health hazards, estimated weekly (EWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) were calculated for both adults and children. Results of EWI showed As, Pb, and Ni surpassed provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI)-recommended guidelines. The non-carcinogenic health effect (TTHQ) might not appear for both types of consumers (as TTHQ < 1), and CRs of all consumers were also in acceptable range (10-6 to 10-4). However, the probabilistic distribution through Monte Carlo simulation revealed that children were more vulnerable to non-carcinogenic (67.3%) and carcinogenic risk effect (47.3%) for Pb. Meanwhile, adults obtained the probability of 0.7% and 36% for THQ and CR effect, respectively, interpreting less vulnerable.

Osteology of the posterior vertebral column and caudal skeleton of marine amphibious gobies (mudskippers) (Teleostei: Gobioidei)

Mudskippers are amphibious gobies (Teleostei: Gobioidei, Oxudercinae) that have served as models for the specialised physiology and behaviour of fishes out of water. In this study, a comparative analysis of the posterior vertebral column and the caudal skeleton of ten mudskipper species was conducted on the basis of X-ray imaging. The species considered were Apocryptes bato, Apocryptodon madurensis, Boleophthalmus dussumieri, Oxuderces dentatus, Periophthalmodon freycineti, Pn. schlosseri, Periophthalmus novemradiatus, Ps. waltoni, Pseudapocryptes borneensis, and Scartelaos tenuis. For the osteological description the new term 'modified caudal vertebra' is used for all those vertebrae that display visibly modified neural and/or haemal spines compared to the spines of a 'usual' caudal vertebra, but are not involved in the support of caudal rays. The results reveal that the most terrestrial forms (Pn. freycineti, Pn. schlosseri, Ps. novemradiatus, Ps. waltoni) possess distinct traits that are seldom found in the other species. Among these features are (a) the existence of at least two modified caudal vertebrae (also present in S. tenuis), (b) a particularly close, dovetailing association between the neural spines of the preural vertebrae two and three (restricted to Ps. novemradiatus and Ps. waltoni), and (c) thickening and shortening of the ventralmost principal caudal rays (also present in B. dussumieri and S. tenuis). These findings support the idea that the posterior caudal vertebrae and caudal skeleton of the mentioned species are modified to enhance locomotion on land. Moreover, a relationship between character development and degree of terrestrial adaptation is probable, as all three traits are most pronounced in Ps. waltoni, which correlates with its strikingly high level of adaptation to amphibious life. A further aspect of this study is that the newly recognized skeletal structures have good fossilization potential and could therefore facilitate recognition of fossil species of mudskippers, which are currently unknown.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some commercially important fishes from a tropical river estuary suggests higher potential health risk in children than adults.

The Karnaphuli River estuary, located in southeast coast of Bangladesh, is largely exposed to heavy metal contamination as it receives a huge amount of untreated industrial effluents from the Chottagram City. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of five heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu) and their bioaccumulation status in six commercially important fishes, and also to evaluate the potential human health risk for local consumers. The hierarchy of the measured concentration level (mg/kg) of the metals was as follows: Pb (13.88) > Cu (12.10) > As (4.89) > Cr (3.36) > Cd (0.39). The Fulton’s condition factor denoted that fishes were in better ‘condition’ and most of the species were in positive allometric growth. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of the contaminants observed in the species were in the following orders: Cu (1971.42) > As (1042.93) > Pb (913.66) > Cr (864.99) > Cd (252.03), and among the specimens, demersal fish, Apocryptes bato appeared to be the most bioaccumulative organism. Estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) assessed for potential human health risk implications suggest that the values were within the acceptable threshold for both adults and children. However, calculated CR values indicated that both age groups were not far from the risk, and HI values demonstrated that children were nearly 6 times more susceptible to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects than adults.

Reproductive biology ofApocryptes bato(Gobiidae) in the Payra River, southern Bangladesh

The gobioid fish Apocryptes bato (Hamilton, 1822) is a species of mudskipper found in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. The reproductive biology of A. bato including sex ratio, size at sexual maturity, breeding season, fecundity, and condition factor was studied in the Payra River, southern Bangladesh during May 2016 to April 2017. A total of 1,028 specimens (303 males and 725 females) were collected. The overall sex ratio was significantly different from the expected value of 1:1 (male: female = 1:2.39, χ2 = 173.23, p < 0.05). Size at sexual maturity was estimated as 4.9 cm standard length. Monthly variations in gonadosomatic index indicate that the main breeding season is from May to December. There was a significant positive correlation of body length and body weight with fecundity. Fulton's condition factor varied in both sexes and was attributed to variations in GSI with maturity. Breeding season was significantly associated with rainfall, but not air temperature. Our findings should improve management and conservation of this fish in the Payra River and surrounding ecosystems.

Some Aspects of Reproductive Biology of the Mudskipper Apocryptes Bato From the Coast of Chitagong

Some aspects of reproductive biology of the mudskipper Apocryptes bato (Hamilton 1822) from the coastal waters of Chittagong, Bangladesh was conducted. Disproportionate occurrence of male and female (1.20 : 1) was observed in the number of two sexes. A prolonged spawning season was found from June to early October with a single peak. The aspects in the ovary indicate one complete spawning of females in a single spawning season. The fecundity was found to vary from 7453 - 31195 with an average of 17590 ± 6867. Significant coefficient of correlation between the diameters of the eggs of corresponding anterior, middle and posterior regions of the right and left ovaries indicated the simultaneous release of eggs from both the ovaries. A much closer relationship of fecundity and the significant ‘t’ values indicated fecundity increases with the increase of total length, standard length, body weight and gonad weight.&#x0D; Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 44(1): 91-99, June 2018

Length-weight relationships of four fish species from a coastal artisanal fishery, southern Bangladesh

This study presents the first report of length–weight relationships (LWRs) for Apocryptes bato (Hamilton, 1822), Salmophasia phulo (Hamilton, 1822), and Silonia silondia (Hamilton, 1822), excluding Anodontostoma chacunda (Hamilton, 1822), from fishermen's catches landed in a coastal artisanal fishery at Patuakhali, Southern Bangladesh. Specimens were sampled occasionally over a period of 1 year between August 2014 and September 2015. Fishes were collected from coastal fishermen using cast nets (mesh size <0.5 cm) for A. bato, set bag nets (mesh size 0.5 cm) for A. chacunda and S. silondia, and lift nets (mesh size <0.5 cm) for S. phulo. The LWRs obtained were W = 0.006L2.99, (r2) = 0.976, W = 0.011L3.04, (r2) = 0.971, W = 0.006L3.00, (r2) = 0.945 and W = 0.007L2.99, (r2) = 0.988 for A. bato, A. chacunda, S. phulo, and S. silondia, respectively.

Length-weight relationships of three Gobiidae species from the Rupsha River in southwestern Bangladesh

Summary This study reports the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of three Gobiidae fish species (Acentrogobius viridipunctatus, Apocryptes bato, and Odontamblyopus rubicundus) from the Rupsha River, southwestern Bangladesh. A total of 388 individuals were sampled using cast nets (mesh size ranges from 1.5 to 3.0 cm), gill nets (mesh size ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 cm) and square lift nets (mesh size ~1.5 cm) from December 2014 to November 2015. Allometric coefficient (b) values were 3.23 for A. viridipunctatus, 2.70 for A. bato, and 2.67 for O. rubicundus, respectively. The first LWRs records for these three Gobiidae species, they can be used online for FishBase as well as in future studies.

Feeding Habit and Length-weight Relationship of a Mudskipper Apocryptes Bato (Hamilton, 1822) from the Coast of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Diet analysis revealed that Apocryptes bato is a carnivorous fish. It depends on shrimps and non-shrimp crustaceans mainly. Shrimps include Acetes, penaeid and metapenaeid juveniles, whereas non-shrimp crustaceans include copepods, crab larvae, mysids and amphipods predominantly. The total body lengths (TL) varied between 11.20 and 22.20 cm and weight 16.70 to 43.50 g in male fish. The form of the equation for TL and weight relationship was W = 0.44TL2.57 and for standard length (SL) it was W = 1.009SL2.66. Condition factor (K) ranged from 0.87 to 1.23. The TL was 15.00 to 26.00 cm and weight as 25.1 to 38.50 g in female. The equation was W = 1.001TL2.52 for TL and W = 1.003SL2.63 for SL and K value ranged from 0.95 to 1.106. The coefficient of correlation was tested with t test and found highly significant at the 5% level of significance for TL and SL both in the case of male and female.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 40, No. 1, 57-64, 2016

Cytochrome P4501A responses in two tropical fish species, riverine catfish ( Rita rita) and marine mudfish ( Apocryptes bato)

The present study focuses on the establishment of methods for biomarker studies in freshwater and marine fish species as a basis for monitoring the extent of contamination of fisheries resources in tropical waters. Riverine catfish ( Rita rita) and marine mudfish ( Apocryptes bato) were given a single intraperitoneal injection with two selected inducing compounds; β-naphthoflavone (BNF, 50 mg/kg) and a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture (Clophen A50, 20 mg/kg), and the heavy metal compound cadmium chloride (CdCl 2, 1 mg/kg). Effects on cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) were determined in post-mitochondrial supernatants (PMS) of liver at days 3 and 10 after treatment. EROD (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) activity and CYP1A protein level by indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting using a monoclonal antibody against fish CYP1A, were measured. BNF and Clophen A50 resulted in induction upto 9.5- and 5-fold, respectively, of CYP1A protein compared to control, while CdCl 2 showed significant inhibition in these species. The present study examined the phase-I cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity and response in these two tropical fish species for the first time.

Species characteristics of hepatic biotransformation enzymes in two tropical fish of Bangladesh, one riverine catfish ( Rita rita) and one marine mudskipper ( Apocryptes bato)

Species characteristics of hepatic biotransformation enzymes in two tropical fish of Bangladesh, one riverine catfish ( Rita rita) and one marine mudskipper ( Apocryptes bato)

Observations on Two Myxosporidan Parasites (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) from the Gall Bladder of Fresh Water Fishes

Summary The paper deals with the descriptions of the spores of Myxobolus punctatus Ray Chaudhuri and Chakravarty 1970 from Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch and Myxidium apocryptae n. sp. from Apocryptes bato ( Hamilton ), collected at Kalyani, West Bengal, India. Both the parasites have been obtained from the gall bladder of the infected fishes.

Synonymization of the family Oxudercidae, with comments on the identity of Apocryptes cantoris Day (Pisces, Gobiidae)

Synonymization of the family Oxudercidae, with comments on the identity of Apocryptes cantoris Day (Pisces, Gobiidae)