Brama Brama Research Articles

Occurrence of parasites in fish marketed in the Inezgane wholesale market and the fishing port of Agadir, Morocco

Based on importance of animal products safety, the purpose of this work was to assess the extent of parasitism at the wholesale market level of Inezgane and the fishing port of Agadir in Morocco. For this purpose, fieldwork aimed at direct investigation of parasites involved 366 fish pieces. This study was conducted in the period between March and June 2021. The prevalence of parasitism was 20.76%. The total number of parasites collected is 2385 including 1959 nematodes, 318 xenomas, 92 cestodes, and 16 isopods. An abundance of 6.51 and an overall intensity of 31.38. These infestation parameters varied by species and location of origin. For the qualitative analysis of the parasites, the study revealed a predominance of L3 larvae of the Anisakis nematode with a percentage of 82.14%. Xenomas had a percentage of 13.33%. As for the cestodes of Gymnorhynchus gigas, the larvae were collected from the Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama) with a percentage of 3.86%. As a result of this study, a significant positive correlation of r=0.81 was shown between the total length of the fish and the number of anisakids. The results of this study revealed that the extent of parasitism seems to be less pronounced in some species, but there is still a presence of concern.

Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Molicola uncinatus and Gymnorhynchus gigas (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) Coinfection in the Atlantic Pomfret Brama brama From the Mediterranean Sea, With Notes on the Phylogenetic Position of G. gigas Within the Family Gymnorhynchidae.

The cestode family Gymnorhynchidae Dollfus, 1935 (Trypanorhyncha) comprises three genera and six valid species that are typically intestinal parasites of large pelagic sharks. Members of Gymnorhynchidae show a wide geographic distribution and represent a global sanitary concern because as larvae they infect the edible flesh of several commercially important fishes with some species having allergenic potential. Larval Gymnorhynchidae collected from the muscles of the Atlantic pomfret Brama brama from various localities in the Mediterranean Sea were identified and characterized by combining traditional morphology, scanning electronic microscopy, and molecular analyses using newly generated nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA sequences. Overall, 98 larvae were collected from 20 (100%) Atlantic pomfrets (intensity of infection: 4.9; range: 1–12). High-quality sequences were obtained for 54 larvae. Of these, 11 and 43 larvae were identified as Molicola uncinatus and Gymnorhynchus gigas, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of three main clades within Gymnorhynchidae. The first included species of G. gigas and M. uncinatus from the Mediterranean and Atlantic; the second and third major clades included an unidentified species of Molicola from the Indian Ocean and specimens of Gymnorhynchus isuri from the Mediterranean and Atlantic, respectively. Finally, Chimaerarhynchus rougetae was the basal and most diverging taxon. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that G. gigas is more closely related to the members of Molicola. We demonstrated the coinfection of M. uncinatus and G. gigas from all localities studied and extended the intermediate hosts and geographical range of M. uncinatus by including the Atlantic pomfret and the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, respectively. The present results supported the previous proposal that G. gigas and Molicola species should be included in the same genus. Our study demonstrated the usefulness of the integrative taxonomy for the unequivocal recognition of larval trypanorhynch species, resolving the current difficulties in the taxonomy, and elucidating the poorly known ecological and biological aspects of members of Gymnorhynchidae.

OCCURRENCE OF THE ATLANTIC POMFRET, Brama brama (BONNATERRE 1788) (PERCIFORMES: BRAMIDAE) IN THE AEGEAN SEA (SIĞACIK BAY, TURKEY)

Two specimens of the Atlantic pomfret, Brama brama was caught by a driftnet off southern coast of Izmir, Sigacik Bay at a depth of 147 m on 20 June 2018. Moreover, one of the individuals had the maximum size with 710 mm TL and 5696 g throughout the Mediterranean. This short note presents a new official record of B. brama on the ichthyofaunal richness of the Turkish Aegean Sea.

Employing molecular taxonomy for understanding ichthyoplankton diversity in the upper water layers of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Event Abstract Back to Event Employing molecular taxonomy for understanding ichthyoplankton diversity in the upper water layers of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Nir Stern1* 1 Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Israel The marine ichthyoplankton are mainly found throughout the photic layer of the water column, albeit constitutes a crucial component in the ecological cycle of the entire marine ecosystem. In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, our general knowledge on the ichthyoplankton community and biodiversity is remarkably scarce, especially considering the ongoing influx of understudied thermophilic invasive species. This study aims to identify and characterize the species diversity of fish eggs and larvae in the neuston layer of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in a search for new insights of temporal and spatial dispersal patterns in multi-species communities. Ichthyoplankton samplings have been conducted above and beyond the continental shelf of the Israeli Mediterranean coast, using horizontal hauls of 300 µl mesh size Manta net, filtering the very top surface layer of the water. In order to identify the different species, common molecular taxonomy techniques were used. After imaging the specimens, DNA was extracted from the fish eggs and larvae, then the mtDNA COI gene was amplified, commonly referred to as the 'Barcoding gene'. Finally, contiguous sequences were compared with taxonomically confirmed genetic vouchers for specific identification. The present preliminary results of this study can be separated to three main findings: (1) the obtainment of novel information regarding the invasive ichthyoplankton. Throughout the examined material, high diversity of invasive fish eggs and larvae was found. Some of the invasive larvae have been found beyond the continental shelf, far from their permanent habitat (10-30 km), thus demonstrating efficient dispersal abilities. Moreover, such findings enabled fine-tuning of the present temporal knowledge of the reproduction seasonality. (2) Detecting the existence of reproduction products of uncommon species. Genetically identified eggs of the bullet tuna Auxis rochei and Atlantic pomfret Brama brama confirmed the existence of these two highly infrequent species. This finding exemplified the lack of knowledge regarding temporal and spatial reproduction of pelagic species around the Israeli coast. (3) First documentation of the grey mullet Mugil cephalus reproduction cycle. Although well known in the western Mediterranean, the finding of M. cephalus larvae in the upper water above the continental slope (more than 30 km from the coast) provided the first evidence of its reproduction cycle in the Eastern Mediterranean. These somewhat random findings emphasized the hidden, though informative, knowledge that is stored within the marine ichthyoplankton. Moreover, by employing molecular taxonomy on the hardly discernable fish eggs and larvae, maximum certainty can be obtained that will improve our understanding the population dynamics within the early life history of fishes. Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge Gal Lipson, Hadeel Hamdan, Marwa Nemer and Jessica Guerchon for incorporating their preliminary results for this study. Keywords: DNA barcoding, fish larvae, Integrative taxonomy, Marine invasion, Levant (eastern Mediterranean) Conference: XVI European Congress of Ichthyology, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2 Sep - 6 Sep, 2019. Presentation Type: Oral Topic: TAXONOMY, PHYLOGENY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY Citation: Stern N (2019). Employing molecular taxonomy for understanding ichthyoplankton diversity in the upper water layers of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XVI European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2019.07.00106 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 May 2019; Published Online: 14 Aug 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Nir Stern, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel, nirstern@ocean.org.il Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Nir Stern Google Nir Stern Google Scholar Nir Stern PubMed Nir Stern Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Unveiling the influence of the environment on the migration pattern of the Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama) in North‐eastern Atlantic waters

AbstractHydroclimatic variability is one of the main factors that drives inter‐annual changes in fish migration patterns. This study analyses the relationship between climate‐oceanographic factors and migration of the Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama) in NE Atlantic waters. Geo‐referenced catch data from logbooks of longliners operating in European Atlantic waters from 2002 to 2013 were linked to environmental indices at different temporal and spatial scales. Our results point to a strong influence of temperature at 200 m depth as the key factor along with the upwelling in the Galician (NW Iberian) waters. However, sea surface temperature (SST) indirectly affects the geographical display of Atlantic pomfret migration, and large migrations are observed in scenarios of high SSTs in the migratory area (c. above 14.7°C). Migrations are constrained during years when temperatures are below this threshold. A longer time‐series of annual landings (1950–2013) supports this evidence and highlights the significant influence of temperature at 200‐m depth along with the landings of the previous year. Length frequency distributions suggest an increase in size between consecutive seasons supporting the hypothesis that migration is a feeding strategy and a return to tropical waters of origin for spawning. Our study shows that the temperature of intermediate waters is a key variable in determining the northward migration of the Atlantic pomfret whereas density‐dependence and surface climatic conditions trigger secondary effects on the migration pattern of this species.

Inspective investigation on Atlantic pomfret (Brama raji)

The present study was carried out on 21 specimens of Brama raji collected at fish markets of Sicily and Calabria between april 2011 and march 2012. The detection of total Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrio spp. and Specific Spoilage Bacteria from gills, intestine, skin and muscle during storage (336h) was carried out. 34 Vibrio spp. (rpoA+) strains were isolated from gills and skin. The subsequent identification of species by multiplex PCR (gene collagenase) allowed to establish that 33 strains were V. alginolyticus and one was V. parahaemolyticus. The anatomopathological examination of muscle tissue showed that 15 specimens (71.x4%) were positive for the presence of larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas. The determination of TVB-N and TMA-N was made on muscle portions around the parasite, on larvae of G. gigas and on muscle portions parasite-free. The TVB-N and TMA-N contents of each sample were measured using the Conway microdiffusion method. The higher values of TVB-N (31.6 mg/100g) and TMA-N (8.5 mg/100g) were observed at 336 hours of storage. No statistically significant differences between muscle parasite-free and muscle around the parasite for TVB-N and TMA-N were observed during storage. Parasites of genus Koellikeria filicollis, Sphiriocephalus tergestinus and Anisakis spp. were also observed.

Inspective investigation on Atlantic pomfret (Brama raji)

Inspective investigation on Atlantic pomfret (Brama raji)

Identification of métiers of the Spanish set-longline fleet operating in non-Spanish European waters

The Spanish set-longline fleet operating in ICES Subareas VI, VII and Divisions VIIIabd is composed of two fleet segments distinguished according to tonnage: vessels larger and shorter than 100 grt. Spanish regulations allow Spanish-registered longliners fishing in European waters to prosecute three different types of fisheries, namely targeting hake, targeting non-TAC species and targeting deepwater species. Due to the fact that the type of license is not registered in logbooks, together with the recent changes in the regulation of fishing on some non-TAC and deepwater species, conducting multivariate analyses of landing profiles at species level becomes the most appropriate way to identify fisheries and métiers. A 3-step approach was used, consisting of clustering of landings profiles (2004–2006), interviews with skippers by group, and an exploration of the spatial–temporal patterns in both sources of information. The results obtained allowed us to identify eight fisheries. Of these, four fisheries were common to both fleet segment giving eight métiers: directed at hake, forkbeards, lings, and conger. Of the remaining four métiers, the mixed métier developed by vessels shorter than 100 grt occurred throughout the period studied, while the remaining three métiers showed discontinuous patterns and were directed at bluemouth, Atlantic pomfret, and deepwater sharks, respectively. The two first métiers appeared in 2006, while the last one was found to occur during 2004–2005 but disappeared in 2006. The obtained results allow us to match the Spanish fishing license system with the métiers classification used by the Common DCF (data collection framework) taking into account the current categorization of species in regulations.

Morphometric relations for body size and mouth dimensions for four fish species in the Strait of Gibraltar

Background. The deep-water longline fishery of the blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo, is an economically important fishery in the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a very complex transition ecosystem between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean with an extreme spatial and temporal variability. This paper presents a series of morphometric relations for the four most important species in this fishery. Some ecological considerations about the results are also discussed. Materials and methods. The data were collected during a gear selectivity study, using different sizes of hooks baited with sardine. Relations for weight–length, length–length, and mouth dimensions for blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768); Atlantic pomfret, Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788); blackbelly rosefish, Helicolenus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809); and Mediterranean horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) were estimated and compared with the ones reported for the same species from other areas. Results. The sample size varied from 89 for T. mediterraneus to 2180 for P. bogaraveo. The fitted L–W relations explained more than 81% of the variance. For P. bogaraveo and T. mediterraneus, the estimated allometric coefficient was higher than those reported for other areas, showing a faster increase in weight, in contrast to H. dactylopterus and B. brama that showed a slower increase in weight. Moreover, linear and highly significant relations between mouth size and fish length were found for P. bogaraveo, H. dactylopterus, and T. mediterraneus. Conclusion. In this study, the first record for total length–standard length relation for H. dactylopterus is reported based on real measurements. There has been no previous studies on the relation between the different mouth size dimensions for the studied species as well as for mouth size and body length relations for P. bogaraveo and H. dactylopterus. The difference between estimated and reported coefficients might be attributed to different environmental adaptations and to the size ranges used due to the gear-size selectivity.

Food and feeding ecology of Northeast Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) off the Bay of Biscay

Abstract As part of a larger project on the feeding ecology of large pelagic predators off the Bay of Biscay, this study analyses the diet of the swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Stomachs were collected from 86 swordfish. The diet was analysed in terms of prey occurrence, relative abundance, reconstituted mass, and size distribution. It consisted mainly of fish, 40.5% by mass (%M) and cephalopods, 59.3%M; crustaceans, 0.2%M, were considered secondary prey. When considering only the fresh fraction to allow for differential digestion rates, these figures were 77.3%M, 22.7%M, and trace amounts, respectively. Lanternfish, including Notoscopelus kroeyeri and Symbolophorus veranyi, were abundant, but paralepidids, Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama), and the squid Todarodes sagittatus, Ommastrephes bartramii, and Gonatus steenstrupi, dominated the diet by mass. The overall prey size range was 11–1420 mm, but sizes of 60–360 mm accounted for 80% of the distribution by number and of 140–760 mm for 80% of the distribution by mass. Intraspecifically, larger swordfish ate larger prey as a result of a change in species composition of the diet. The swordfish appears to show feeding plasticity both between different areas and between animals in the same area.

Shelf life extension of Atlantic pomfret ( Brama brama ) fillets by packaging under a vacuum-skin system

The present study was aimed at improving the commercialisation strategies of Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama), a medium-size fish commonly consumed as fresh fish. With this purpose, an innovative vacuum-skin packaging system including a surface thermal treatment was tested on Atlantic pomfret fillets stored at 4 °C for up to 19 days. The results were compared with traditional vacuum packaging carried out in parallel. The investigation of three sensory features (flesh appearance, flesh odour and flesh colour), five biochemical parameters (pH, free fatty acids, conjugated dienes, fluorescent compounds and total volatile bases) and three microbiological parameters (aerobic mesophiles, anaerobes and coliforms) was carried out in both batches. The vacuum-skin packaging system showed an interesting preservative effect leading to a significantly higher quality retention and longer shelf life (12 days) with respect to both traditional vacuum packaging (7 days) and a control batch kept in air (5 days). From the results obtained, it is concluded that the vacuum-skin system allows an extended shelf life and a better maintenance of the sensory, biochemical and microbiological quality of Atlantic pomfret fillets. This innovative packaging system might be applied to other kinds of fish species to stimulate the marketing opportunities.

Lipid deterioration during chilled storage of Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama)

AbstractLipid damage produced during Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama) chilled storage (up to 19 d) was studied. The formation of various lipid parameters, such as free fatty acid and conjugated dienes (CD), peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and fluorescent compounds was measured in 2 different white muscle zones (dorsal and ventral). The results were compared with the formation of volatile amines (total volatile base‐nitrogen, TVB‐N, trimethylamine‐nitrogen, TMA‐N). A gradual lipid hydrolysis was observed in both zones during the entire experiment. CD and peroxides formation was prominent during the experiment, whereas peroxides showed the highest value at day 15 in both zones followed by a peroxide breakdown at day 19. Interaction of oxidized lipids with nucleophilic compounds present in the fish muscle led to a gradual development of fluorescent material during storage in both zones. The mean value of the lipid content tended to be higher in the ventral zone than in the dorsal one, although significant differences could not be detected (p >0.05). Concerning the lipid damage, very small differences (p <0.05) could be assessed between both zones. TVB‐N content showed no variation till day 15. At day 19, a sharp increase was observed for both muscle zones. In the case of TMA, a gradual increase was observed in both muscles during the 19‐day storage. Higher mean values of TVB‐N and TMA‐N indices were obtained for the ventral than for the dorsal zone. This might be due to the fact that the ventral zone is close to the viscera, where microorganisms are known to concentrate. Of all the different indices tested for quality assessment, TMA‐N and the formation of fluorescent compounds were strongest related to the duration of storage (r2≥0.87). These might therefore be the most accurate parameters to follow quality loss of chilled Atlantic pomfret.

Occupational asthma caused by fish inhalation

Occupational asthma (OA) due to fish inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchial challenge (SBC), has not been described as yet in medical literature, as far as we know. We describe two patients whose asthma was induced by occupational exposure to fish and confirmed by serial measurements of PEFR and SBC. Two fish-processing workers reported asthma symptoms related to their workplace. They were skin tested with fish extracts and their sera assayed for IgE antibodies to various fish species. Nonspecific bronchial reactivity was assessed by methacholine challenge. The occupational relationship was confirmed by PEFR monitoring in working and off-work periods. SBC with fish extracts was carried out to confirm the diagnosis of OA. Skin tests with raw and cooked plaice, salmon, hake, and tuna in patient 1 and anchovy, sardine, trout, salmon, Atlantic pomfret, and sole in patient 2 were positive. Specific IgE serum antibodies were found to salmon in patient 1 and to trout, anchovy, and salmon in patient 2. PEFR measurements differed significantly (P < 0.001) between work and off-work periods for both patients. A bronchial challenge with methacholine was positive in patient 1. SBC with raw hake, salmon, plaice, and tuna extracts in patient 1 and raw salmon extract in patient 2 were all positive with an immediate response. SBC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was entirely negative in both patients. In three asthmatic, non-fish-allergic controls, SBC with tuna, hake, salmon, and plaice were all negative. These results suggest that fish inhalation can elicit IgE-mediated occupational asthma.

Net damage injuries to New Zealand hoki,Macruronus novaezelandiae

Abstract The occurrence of trauma, consistent with healing net damage, was observed in 1988 from the New Zealand west coast hoki fishery, where hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae), hake (Merluccius australis), silver warehou (Seriolella punctata), rays bream (Brama brama), and frostfish (Lepidopus caudatus) were affected. In 1989 and 1990 similar trauma was observed on hoki from the New Zealand Southern Plateau. Data on prevalence of cuts, scrapes, and scars are provided for the Southern Plateau. In some of the tows recorded from the Southern Plateau, over 5% of the fish caught had previous encounters with nets.