Scomber Japonicus Research Articles

Relative sarcolipin (SLN) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA1) transcripts levels in closely related endothermic and ectothermic scombrid fishes: Implications for molecular basis of futile calcium cycle non-shivering thermogenesis (NST)

Regional endothermy is the ability of an animal to elevate the temperature of specific regions of the body above that of the surrounding environment and has evolved independently among several fish lineages. Sarcolipin (SLN) is a small transmembrane protein that uncouples the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase pump (SERCA1b) resulting in futile Ca2+ cycling and is thought to play a role in non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) in cold-challenged mammals and possibly some fishes. This study investigated the relative expression of sln and serca1 transcripts in three regionally-endothermic fishes (the skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis, and yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, both of which elevate the temperatures of their slow-twitch red skeletal muscle (RM) and extraocular muscles (EM), as well as the cranial endothermic swordfish, Xiphias gladius), and closely related ectothermic scombrids (the Eastern Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis, and Pacific chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus). Using Reverse Transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and species-specific primers, relative sln expression trended higher in both the RM and EM for all four scombrid species compared to white muscle. In addition, relative serca1 expression was found to be higher in RM of skipjack and yellowfin tuna in comparison to white muscle. However, neither sln nor serca1 transcripts were higher in swordfish RM, EM or cranial heater tissue in comparison to white muscle. A key phosphorylation site in sarcolipin, threonine 5, is conserved in the swordfish, but is mutated to alanine or valine in tunas and the endothermic smalleye Pacific opah, Lampris incognitus, which should result in increased uncoupling of the SERCA pump. Our results support the role of potential SLN-NST in endothermic tunas and the lack thereof for swordfish.

Interspecific and intraspecific difference in egg size of two mackerel (Scomber spp.) species in relation to sea surface temperature in the western North Pacific: A new approach to species identification

AbstractChub mackerel (Scomber japonicus, Scombridae) and blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) are two important fishery resources in the western North Pacific that spawn eggs during the same season. Although estimating the total egg production (TEP) is important for evaluating the spawning stock biomass of mackerel species, it is difficult to accurately identify formalin‐preserved eggs collected during ichthyoplankton surveys. Hence, a new identification criterion that incorporates the effects of water temperature on egg size was developed in this study. The diameter of 37,304 mackerel eggs collected over 16 years (2006–2021) was measured, and frequency distributions of egg size across sea surface temperature (SST) ranges at 1°C interval were constructed. The frequency distributions were classified into two groups using a Gaussian mixture model; based on the results of DNA analysis, the small group was chub mackerel, while the large group was blue mackerel. The SST at the sampling stations and the mean egg size of both groups were negatively correlated. The new identification criterion, incorporating the relationship between SST and egg size, provided reasonable estimates of the TEP of the two mackerel species compared with the conventional criterion. The new species identification approach is applicable to other fish taxa in the western North Pacific.

Anti-osteoporotic effects of enzymatic hydrolysates of mackerel Scomber japonicus byproduct in MC3T3-E1 cells and ovariectomized rat model

Anti-osteoporotic effects of enzymatic hydrolysates of mackerel Scomber japonicus byproduct in MC3T3-E1 cells and ovariectomized rat model

Mackerel and Seaweed Burger as a Functional Product for Brain and Cognitive Aging Prevention.

Most world countries are experiencing a remarkable aging process. Meanwhile, 50 million people are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia and there is an increasing trend in the incidence of these major health problems. In order to address these, the increasing evidence suggesting the protective effect of dietary interventions against cognitive decline during aging may suggest a response to this challenge. There are nutrients with a neuroprotective effect. However, Western diets are poor in healthy n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), iodine (I), and other nutrients that may protect against cognitive aging. Given DHA richness in chub mackerel (Scomber colias), high vitamin B9 levels in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and I abundance in the seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides, a functional hamburger rich in these nutrients by using these ingredients was developed and its formulation was optimized in preliminary testing. The effects of culinary treatment (steaming, roasting, and grilling vs. raw) and digestion on bioaccessibility were evaluated. The hamburgers had high levels of n-3 PUFAs in the range of 42.0-46.4% and low levels of n-6 PUFAs (6.6-6.9%), resulting in high n-3/n-6 ratios (>6). Bioaccessibility studies showed that the hamburgers could provide the daily requirements of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + DHA with 19.6 g raw, 18.6 g steamed, 18.9 g roasted, or 15.1 g grilled hamburgers. Polyphenol enrichment by the seaweed and antioxidant activity were limited. The hamburgers contained high levels of Se and I at 48-61 μg/100 g ww and 221-255 μg/100 g ww, respectively. Selenium (Se) and I bioaccessibility levels were 70-85% and 57-70%, respectively, which can be considered high levels. Nonetheless, for reaching dietary requirements, considering the influence of culinary treatment and bioaccessibility, 152.2-184.2 g would be necessary to ensure daily Se requirements and 92.0-118.1 g for I needs.

Nondestructive freshness evaluation of mackerel fish using Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging and multivariate analysis

Nondestructive freshness evaluation models for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fillets were developed using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) hyperspectral imaging and multivariate regression analysis. Total 96 mackerel samples were investigated during 6 days of storage under five different conditions for measurement of pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and K values along with acquisition of hyperspectral images. With partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector regression (SVR) along with wavelength selection method using Variables Importance in Projection (VIP) scores, performances of PLSR, VIP-PLSR, SVR, and VIP-SVR models were evaluated and compared. The VIP-PLSR models showed the best performance for predicting the freshness indicators, with R2 values of 0.86, 0.86, and 0.91 for pH, TVB-N, and K values, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that the identification and removal of noise pixels from the hyperspectral data based on correlation analysis was effective in improving the regression results.

Spatial information extraction of fishing grounds for light purse seine vessels in the Northwest Pacific Ocean based on AIS data

Ecological fishery management requires high-precision fishery information to support resource management and marine spatial planning. In this paper, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) was adopted to extract the spatial information on the fishing grounds of light purse seine vessels in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The spatial distributions of fishing grounds mapped by the data mining, kernel density analysis and hotspot analysis methods were compared. The spatial similarity index was applied to determine the spatial consistency between the computed spatial information and fisheries resource information. Finally, the spatial information derived by the best method was used to investigate the characteristics of fishing activity. The results showed that: the speed of light purse seine vessels related to operations was lower than 1.6 knots. The spatial information extracted by the three methods was consistent with the catch data distribution, and the spatial similarity between the fishing effort and catch data was the highest. The spatial variation in fishing activity was similar to that in the chub mackerel migration route. AIS data could be used to provide high-resolution fishery information. Light purse seine fishing vessels typically operate and travel along the exclusive economic zone boundary, and increased attention must be given to fishing vessel operation supervision. A comprehensive supervision system can be employed to monitor the operations of fishing vessels more effectively. The results of this study can provide technical support for the management of fishing activities and conservation of marine resources in this region using AIS data.

Trophic level, niche width, and site fidelity of Moroccan forage fish in two contrasting upwelling systems

Forage fish from two distinct upwelling systems (700 km apart) off the southern Moroccan Atlantic coast were investigated using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes to estimate their trophic position, niche width and site fidelity. Zooplankton (150 μm - 1 mm), considered as a baseline, showed similar δ15N values but significantly different δ13C values between areas. Sardine (Sardina pilchardus), chub mackerel (Scomber colias), horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) showed variable differences in trophic position and niche width within and between areas. Sardine had the lowest trophic position and horse mackerel the highest one. Differences between areas suggested an adaptive trophic behaviour. The δ13C pattern was clearly different between areas for sardine, anchovy and horse mackerel, indicating a high fidelity of these species to their feeding grounds. Chub mackerel, which had a similar trophic position between areas, appeared to be a highly mobile species. In this study, we provide an unprecedented insight into the trophic and migratory behaviour of forage fish in Moroccan waters by comparing four species using stable isotope analysis.

Patterns of variability of species composition of catches from the russian fishing vessels in the south-eastern Pacific ocean for 2015–2022

The work provides information on the patterns of species composition of catches from the Russian fishing vessels conducted fishing of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi Nichols 1920), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn 1782) and redbait (Emmelichthys spp.) in the South-Eastern Pacific Ocean outside the economic zones of the coastal States. According to scientific observations, an analysis of the composition of species caught by the Russian fishing vessels is given. When fishing in the pelagic zone over ocean depths, jack mackerel was the main target species, chub mackerel formed the bycatch. At the same time, the proportion of chub mackerel in catches in the northern parts was higher than in the southern ones. When fishing on seamounts of the Nazca Ridge, catches were dominated by redbait with jack mackerel and alfonsino (Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834) as bycatch. According to the similarity of the species composition of catches, three areas – 1) all the Southern and Central subareas and part of the Northern subarea; 2) seamounts of Nazca ridge; 3) part of the Northern subarea near the border of the EEZ of Peru between 17–20°S, were singled out using the cluster analysis method.

The novel angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from Scomber japonicus muscle protein hydrolysates: QSAR-based screening, molecular docking, kinetic and stability studies

Food-derived angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory (ACE-I) peptides have attracted extensive attention. Herein, the ACE-I peptides from Scomber japonicus muscle hydrolysates were screened, and their mechanisms of action and inhibition stability were explored. The quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model based on 5z-scale metrics was developed to rapidly screen for ACE-I peptides. Two novel potential ACE-I peptides (LTPFT, PLITT) were predicted through this model coupled with in silico screening, of which PLITT had the highest activity (IC50: 48.73 ± 7.59 μM). PLITT inhibited ACE activity with a mixture of non-competitive and competitive mechanisms, and this inhibition mainly contributed to the hydrogen bonding based on molecular docking study. PLITT is stable under high temperatures, pH, glucose, and NaCl. The zinc ions (Zn2+) and copper ions (Cu2+) enhanced ACE-I activity. The study suggests that the QSAR model is effective in rapidly screening for ACE-I inhibitors, and PLITT can be supplemented in foods to lower blood pressure.

Influence of cooking methods and storage time on colour, texture, and fatty acid profile of a novel fish burger for the prevention of cognitive decline

Western diets are poor in healthy n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), namely eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), iodine (I), and other nutrients that may protect against cognitive ageing. Given DHA richness in chub mackerel (Scomber colias), high vitamin B9 levels in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and I abundance in the seaweed Saccorhiza polyschides, a functional hamburger rich in these nutrients by using these ingredients was developed. This research focused on the factors affecting its quality by examining the impact of cooking (steaming at 100 °C, roasting at 180 °C, grilling at 180 °C) and storage time (after 4 and 6 months at −20 °C) upon the product's properties.Cooking treatments were found to influence the burger's colour and texture, whereas storage duration impacted FA levels and the polyene index. Cooked burgers presented lighter (L*, 45.1–55.0 vs 36.9 ± 2.4) and more yellow colouration (b*, 15.8–17.8 vs 13.6 ± 1.0) than raw burgers. Cooked burgers also exhibited higher textural values across various parameters than their raw versions. Grilled burgers (excluding initial time) were firmer (50.0 ± 5.1 N) than those cooked otherwise (37.0–39.9 N). Regarding FA levels, a decrease in DHA was recorded after four months (21.8–23.0% vs 26.4–30.6%). The polyene index followed a similar trajectory, declining from 2.6 to 3.6 initially to 1.8–1.9 in the fourth month. Hence, the studied mackerel burger could be a promising source of EPA, DHA, and other n-3 PUFAs in human diets, optimally with a frozen storage duration of fewer than four months to preserve nutritional integrity.

Use of the raw material base of marine fish in Russian waters of the Far Eastern seas and adjacent areas of the open part of the Pacific Ocean in 2000–2020

The purpose of the work: characteristics of the raw material base of marine fish in the Far Eastern fishery basin and an assessment of the effectiveness of its use by domestic fisheries at the present stage (2000–2020).Methods used: to achieve this goal, data on biomass, catch and development of the main commercial marine fish were analyzed. Fish catches were reviewed based on operational information about the fishery based on daily ship reports from the industry monitoring system.Novelty: elements of novelty are generalized modern materials on biomass, catch and development of marine fish resources in the Far Eastern seas and adjacent waters of the Pacific Ocean. The current state of commercial fish stocks (walleye pollock, Pacific cod, saffron cod, Pacific herring, Righteye flounders, greenlings, Japanese pilchard, Chub mackerel, Pacific saury) in the Far Eastern fishing basin can be characterized as stable, and the distribution of the catch of these objects among individual fishing areas due to their significant volumes is practically determines the distribution of catch of both quota and non-quota species of marine fish. Scientific information support for the above-m entioned fish is at a high level, their biological condition is generally favorable, and the dynamics of their numbers is regulated mainly by habitat variability.Practical significance: the results of this study can be used in forecasting the dynamics of aquatic biological resources, and the results obtained on marine fish stocks and fisheries will improve the efficiency of using their raw material base.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the silver pomfret Pampus argenteus

Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen, 1788) is one of the major fishery species in coastal China. Pampus argenteus has a highly specialized morphology, and its declining fishery resources have encouraged massive research efforts on its aquacultural biology. In this study, we reported the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of P. argenteus obtained by integrating Illumina, PacBio HiFi, and Hi-C sequencing techniques. The final size of the genome was 518.06 Mb, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 20.47 and 22.86 Mb, respectively. The sequences were anchored and oriented onto 24 pseudochromosomes based on Hi-C data corresponding to the 24-chromatid karyotype of P. argenteus. A colinear relationship was observed between the P. argenteus genome and that of a closely related species (Scomber japonicus). A total of 24,696 protein-coding genes were identified from the genome, 98.9% of which were complete BUSCOs. This report represents the first case of high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for P. argenteus and can provide valuable information for future evolutionary, conservation, and aquacultural research.

Fish weight reduction in response to intra‐ and interspecies competition under climate change

AbstractAs described by the temperature–size rule paradigm, fish living in warmer temperatures grow faster but have a smaller mature body size. However, the changes in the body size of fish communities in the western North Pacific, which is one of the most active fishing grounds, remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate changes in the body size of fish assemblages in the western North Pacific and whether fish sizes were potentially driven by the temperature–size rule, bottom‐up effects and intra‐ and interspecies competition at a community scale. We evaluated the fish weight data of 6 stocks of 4 species from 1978 to 2018 and 17 stocks of 13 species from 1995/1997 to 2018. Weight reduction in the fish assemblage was observed in the 1980s and was associated with the biomass peak of the Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), indicating the effect of intra‐ and interspecies competition. Another weight reduction was observed in the 2010s, which was associated with a moderate increase in the biomass of the Japanese sardine and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus). Our analyses indicate that stronger stratifications in the surface layers during the 2010s potentially reduced the nutrient supply from the subsurface to the surface layers. This limitation in food availability forced intra‐ and interspecies competition under a moderate increase in fish biomass. Our findings underscore the critical significance of integrating the impacts of species competition and climate change on fish sizes to improve fishery management at a community level.

Enhancing Chub Mackerel Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) Standardization through High-Resolution Analysis of Korean Large Purse Seine Catch and Effort Using AIS Data

Accurate determination of fishing effort from Automatic Identification System (AIS) data improves catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimation and precise spatial management. By combining AIS data with catch information, a weighted distribution method is applied to allocate catches across various fishing trajectories, accounting for temporal dynamics. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and Generalized Additive Model (GAM) were used to examine the influence of spatial–temporal and environmental variables (year, month, Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea Surface Salinity (SSS), current velocity, depth, longitude, and latitude) and assess the quality of model fit for these effects on chub mackerel CPUE. Month, SST, and year exhibited the strongest relationship with CPUE in the GLM model, while the GAM model emphasizes the importance of month and year. CPUE peaked within specific temperature and salinity ranges and increased with longitude and specific latitudinal bands. Month emerged as the most influential variable, explaining 38% of the CPUE variance, emphasizing the impact of regulatory measures on fishery performance. The GAM model performed better, explaining 69.9% of the nominal CPUE variance. The time series of nominal and standardized indices indicated strong seasonal cycles, and the application of fine-scale fishing effort improved nominal and standardized CPUE estimates and model performance.

Estimates of the Fecundity of the Atlantic chub Mackerel Scomber colias (Gmelin, 1789) in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Moroccan Coasts

Estimates of the Fecundity of the Atlantic chub Mackerel Scomber colias (Gmelin, 1789) in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Moroccan Coasts

Environmental Factors Changes and Its Association with the Catches Fluctuations of Atlantic Chub Mackerel (Scomber colias, Gmelin, 1789) in the South Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Environmental Factors Changes and Its Association with the Catches Fluctuations of Atlantic Chub Mackerel (Scomber colias, Gmelin, 1789) in the South Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Genetic investigation of population structure in Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 along the West African coast.

Sustainable management of transboundary fish stocks hinges on accurate delineation of population structure. Genetic analysis offers a powerful tool to identify potential subpopulations within a seemingly homogenous stock, facilitating the development of effective, coordinated management strategies across international borders. Along the West African coast, the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) is a commercially important and ecologically significant species, yet little is known about its genetic population structure and connectivity. Currently, the stock is managed as a single unit in West African waters despite new research suggesting morphological and adaptive differences. Here, eight microsatellite loci were genotyped on 1,169 individuals distributed across 33 sampling sites from Morocco (27.39°N) to Namibia (22.21°S). Bayesian clustering analysis depicts one homogeneous population across the studied area with null overall differentiation (F ST = 0.0001ns), which suggests panmixia and aligns with the migratory potential of this species. This finding has significant implications for the effective conservation and management of S. colias within a wide scope of its distribution across West African waters from the South of Morocco to the North-Centre of Namibia and underscores the need for increased regional cooperation in fisheries management and conservation.

Spatio-Seasonal Habitat Suitability Model of Anisakis spp. in Chub Mackerel (Scomber Japonicus) as a Scientific-Based Approach to Provide Safety Assessment Policy of Fisheries Product in Indonesia

The infestation of Anisakis spp. in Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) may have significant health and socioeconomic implications. Understanding the spatio-seasonal occurrence of Anisakis spp. in its host, S. japonicus, is crucial ecologically and for effective management. This research aimed to develop a predictive map (spatial-seasonal patterns) for Anisakis’s infestation in S. japonicus using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm. Anisakis spp. and S. japonicus occurrences were obtained through a comprehensive Bibliographic analysis of the Scopus database (2017-2022) and the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) database to collect the necessary data. Environmental predictors were sourced from the Global Marine Environment Data. The resulting model demonstrated a reliable performance, as indicated by an Area Under Curve (AUC) value on the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) chart exceeding 0.8. The findings of this study revealed that the infestation of Anisakis spp. in S. japonicus is projected to be more prevalent during the fourth quarter of each year. Furthermore, the environmental factors influencing the infestation were identified as diffuse attenuation, water depth, and distance from the coast. These research outcomes can be a foundational reference for developing an effective control system for inspecting fresh or frozen fish within the quarantine department. By utilizing the spatial-seasonal patterns and environmental predictors identified in this study, authorities can implement targeted measures to prevent and mitigate the infestation of Anisakis spp. in S. japonicus, safeguarding public health and maintaining the quality of fish products.

Stages of Sexual Maturation in Scomber japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782) on The Libyan Western Coast: A Histological Study

About 142 fish specimens of Scomber japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782) were collected between the coast of Tripoli (east) and Zuwara (west), from May 2018 to April 2019, to study the stages of oogenetic and spermatogenetic development, by analyzing their histological sections. The results showed that the developmental status of these gonads is Asynchronous development type; It was found that both the ovaries and testes mature gradually so that these fish can lay eggs and sperm in the form of batches during the breeding season (June - October).

Post-mortem ‘soft flesh’ in three commercial fish species from off Atlantic Morocco associated with the myxosporean parasites Kudoa thyrsites and K. encrasicoli (Myxozoa)

Small pelagic fishes represent one of the most important food resources off the Northwest coast of Africa. Despite their economic significance, little is known about the infections with flesh invading myxosporean parasites of genus Kudoa (Cnidaria, Myxozoa). Heavy infections in the flesh may be associated with post-mortem myoliquefaction, commonly known as ‘soft flesh’. This condition may reduce the quality and marketability of the fish fillet, resulting in both economic losses to the fishing industry and loss of consumer confidence. In this study, we investigated Kudoa-induced ‘soft flesh’ occurrence in European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, European pilchard Sardina pilchardus, and Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias caught in 2019 off the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Five hundred specimens of each fish species were examined for ‘soft flesh’ by texture testing and visual inspection 48 h post-catch. ‘Soft flesh’ occurred in 0.2 % of the European anchovies, 1.4 % of the European pilchard, and in 4.4 % of the Atlantic chub mackerel. Microscopic examination of muscle samples revealed that ‘soft flesh’-affected fish were infected with myxospores of K. thyrsites-like morphotype. Analysis of the kudoid SSU rDNA sequence obtained from European pilchard and the Atlantic chub mackerel identified these as K. thyrsites (100 % identity), whereas analysis of the sequence from European anchovy identified the presence of K. encrasicoli (100 % identity). Even if there are no known human health consequences associated with the ingestion of these Kudoa species, the unsightly appearance of some infected fillets is a food quality issue, that can eventually lead to reduced marketability and value.