Dorsal Rays Research Articles

A new subterranean species of Phreatobius Goeldi, 1905 (Siluriformes, Incertae sedis) from the Southwestern Amazon basin

A new species of the previously monotypic catfish genus Phreatobius is described from an artificial well in the village of Rio Pardo, located 90 km south of the city of Porto Velho, State of Rondônia, Brazil, in the drainage area of the Rio Branco (Rio Madeira system, Amazon basin). Phreatobius dracunculus n. sp. differs from its only congener, P. cisternarum, by the absence of eyes (vs. present), the lack of dark integumentary pigmentation (vs. faint dark pigment always present), the presence of five pectoral-fin rays (vs. four), ventral procurrent rays 11-13 (vs. 22 to 26), dorsal procurrent rays 29-31 (vs. 42 to 50), fewer vertebrae (52 or 53 vs. 59 to 64) and the larger pseudotympanus. The new species shows all diagnostic characters so far proposed for Phreatobius, including an unusual red coloration in life. The localities of the two species of Phreatobius are approximately 1900 km apart. That, in association with their peculiar and mostly inaccessible habitats, indicates that the genus may be widely distributed in the Amazon basin.

The influence of temperature during early life on phenotypic expression at later ontogenetic stages in sea bass

To exam whether the temperature experienced by fishes at early developmental stages can influence their phenotype at subsequent stages, the model species used, European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax was subjected to water temperatures of 15 or 20° C during the half‐epiboly stage until the metamorphosis. Meristic and morphometric characters at three different stages, well after the end of the thermal treatments, were explored. Body shape and most of the meristic characters were significantly affected by the environmental temperature during their early life stages. Fish body shape at 15° C tended to be more slender than at 20° C. The dorsal spines and soft rays, the pectoral lepidotrichia and caudal dermatotrichia were significantly affected. Phenotypic differences due to the two thermal regimes are discussed in terms of their functional meaning during the transition from the planktonic to the littoral niche.

Aspectos taxonómicos de Cetopsorhamdia boquillae y C. nasus (Pisces, Heptapteridae), con anotaciones sobre su ecología en la cuenca alta de los ríos Magdalena y Cauca, Colombia

Taxonomic aspects of Cetopsorhamdia boquillae and C. nasus (Pisces, Heptapteridae), with annotations on their ecology from Magdalena and Cauca rivers upper basin, Colombia Ataxonomic analysis of Cetopsorhamdia boquillae and Cetopsorhamdia nasus from the Magdalena and Cauca river basin in Colombia is reported here based on fresh topotypical materials. Cetopsorhamdia boquillae can be differentiated from its congener by the color pattern, mainly concerning three dark lines: one on the supraoccipital bone, another at the dorsal fin base and a third at the caudal fin base. The pterygiophore of the dorsal fin first ray is inserted anterior to the ninth vertebra. C. nasus is readily distinguished from its congener by its lack of supraneural spines, fewer than 60 premaxilla teeth, the posterior edge of mesethmoid, and orbitonasal lamina joined by a cartilage band, and the shape of the frontal canal. Cetopsorhamdia boquillae can be distinguished from C. nasus by the length of the adipose-dorsal fin base (statistically significant) (F = 21, P = 0.05), the number of principal unbranched anal rays (5-6 in C. boquillae, 4 in C. nasus), and fewer vertebrae (36 in C. boquillae, 39 in C. nasus). Chemical, physical and ecological data are included to characterize the species habitats.

Taxonomic reviews of two Indo-Pacific sea chubs, Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskål, 1775) and Kyphosus sydneyanus (Günther, 1886)

The closely related Indo-Pacific kyphosid fishes, Kyphosus cinerascens (Forsskal, 1775) and K. sydneyanus (Gunther, 1886), are taxonomically reviewed and redescribed. The two species differed from other Kyphosus in having 12 dorsal fin and 11 anal fin soft rays and 50–58 scales in a longitudinal row along the midbody. Synonymic reviews and redescriptions of K. cinerascens and K. sydneyanus were based on examination of types and many non-type specimens, including consideration of ontogenetic morphological changes. The anterior part of the soft-rayed portions of the dorsal fin and anal fin become elevated with growth in K. cinerascens, the longest dorsal fin soft ray being clearly longer than the longest dorsal fin spine, in addition to 26–31 (mode 28) gill rakers on the first gill arch and 17–19 (mode 18) pectoral fin rays. Such elevation is absent in K. sydneyanus, in which the longest dorsal fin soft ray is clearly shorter than the longest dorsal fin spine, in addition to 19–21 (mode 21) gill rakers on the first gill arch and 16–18 (mode 17) pectoral fin rays. Cantharus maculates Valenciennes, 1830, Pimelepterus indicus Cuvier, 1831, Pim. altipinnis Cuvier, 1831, Pim. dussumieri Cuvier, 1831, Pim. raynaldi Cuvier, 1831, Pim. altipinnoides Guichenot, 1863, Pachymetopon squamosum Alleyne and Macleay, 1877, and Scorpis vinosa Alleyne and Macleay, 1877 are all recognized as junior synonyms of K. cinerascens. Pimelepterus tahmel (Forsskal, 1775) sensu Ruppell (1835) is applicable to K. cinerascens but is not a valid scientific name for the species. Pimelepterus meridionalis Ogilby, 1887 and Segutium klunzingeri Whitley, 1931 are junior synonyms of K. sydneyanus. A neotype of K. cinerascens is designated here. Kyphosus cinerascens is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, except for the southern coast of Australia, whereas K. sydneyanus is distributed only in the southern half of Australia (between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland), including northern Tasmania, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, and in northern New Zealand.

NEW SPECIES OF SCHULZIA (NEMATODA: MOLINEIDAE) IN PTYCHOGLOSSUS FESTAE (SQUAMATA: GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE) FROM PANAMA

Schulzia ptychoglossi n. sp. (Strongylida: Molineidae) from the intestines of Ptychoglossus festae (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) is described and illustrated. Schulzia ptychoglossi n. sp. represents the fourth species assigned to the genus and is most similar to the Venezuelan species S. usu by possessing a cervical inflation that begins a short distance from the anterior end of the body. Schulzia ptychoglossi differs from S. usu in that ray 8 separates midway between the root and tip of the dorsal ray in S. ptychoglossi, but separates close to the root of the dorsal ray in S. usu.

The Influence of First Ray Mobility on Forefoot Plantar Pressure and Hindfoot Kinematics During Walking

Hypomobility and hypermobility of the first ray have been implicated in the literature as a primary cause of mechanical foot problems because of proposed obligatory and compensatory movements. Despite these theoretical links, research is sparse regarding the effect on kinematic and plantar pressure patterns as a result of altered first ray mobility. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hypomobility or hypermobility of the first ray alters hindfoot kinematics or the distribution of plantar pressures during walking. The magnitude of dorsal first ray mobility in 82 individuals was measured and then classified as being hypomobile, normal, or hypermobile. The plantar pressure under the first and second metatarsal heads, as well as hindfoot kinematics during walking, were then compared between the three categories of first ray mobility. The results of this study indicate that those feet with a hypomobile first ray had significantly decreased plantar force and pressure values under the first metatarsal compared to the second metatarsal. In addition, feet with a hypomobile first ray showed significantly more hindfoot eversion compared to those with either normal or hypermobile first rays. The results of this study do not support the common theoretical implications of altered mobility of the first ray related to plantar pressure and hindfoot kinematics.

Meristic character counts and incidence of skeletal anomalies in the wild Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti, 1777) of an area of the south-eastern Mediterranean Sea

The sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo, Cetti 1777) is a species rarely found in coastal areas of Sicily, but is important in Mediterranean aquaculture. In order to detect the number of meristic characters and the main types of body deformation, 588 specimens of sharpsnout seabream were collected from a coastal zone of south-east Sicily (Licata, AG—Italy). Different sized classes were examined and the relationship between size and the number of meristic characters (number of fin rays) was found. The number of vertebrae, anal fin hard rays and dorsal fin hard rays was constant and did not vary with size. Seventeen types of skeletal and fin anomalies were observed, but no grave anomalies were found, such as the absence of a swimbladder, lordosis, kyphosis and calculi in the terminal tract of the urinary duct. The most prevalent anomalies were associated with the fins, especially E7 (pectoral fin rays), F7 (anal fin rays) and I7 (dorsal fin soft rays). There was no correlation between frequency of anomaly and size class. The malformation index was 4.54.

A NEW SPECIES OF VEXILLATA (NEMATODA: ORNITHOSTRONGYLIDAE) IN ATTWATER'S POCKET GOPHER FROM TEXAS

Vexillata geomyos n. sp. is described as a parasite of Attwater's pocket gopher, Geomys attwateri (Geomyidae), from Welder Wildlife Refuge, Texas. The new species possesses 12 cuticular ridges; based on this character, it can be distinguished from 7 of the 13 species in the genus. From the 6 remaining species, V. geomyos can be differentiated because the dorsal ray in 3 of them (V. armandae, V. dessetae, and V. vexillata) has 2 short branches arising from main trunk, whereas dorsal ray of the new species lacks these branches. In addition, V. geomyos can be distinguished from V. brooksi because its spicules are divided at the tip (whereas in the new species, spicules are whole). The new species differs from V. legallae and V. convoluta in the number and arrangement of cuticular ridges at the posterior region of the body.

A New Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Aguarague National Park of the Bolivian Preandean Region, with Comments on Relationships within of the Genus

The Andean and preandean regions are characterized by the presence of several endorheic drainage basins, each of which has evolved a characteristic fish fauna, some of which are poorly known or hitherto inaccessible. We describe here a new species of Trichomycterus from Aguarague National Park, Bolivia. Trichomycterus aguarague is considered to belong to a species assemblage comprised of T. alterus, T. boylei, T. ramosus, and T. belensis, a group diagnosed by three putative apomorphic conditions: (1) base of the maxillary barbel wide and engrossed like a skin flap or fold, (2) premaxillary bone smaller than maxilla, and (3) odontodes embedded in thick integument that covers interopercle. Alternatively, T. aguarague and T. alterus share an unusual number of five or fewer abdominal vertebrae, which is a synapomorphy for the group composed of Scleronema, Ituglanis, and the Stegophilinae+Tridentinae+Vandelliinae+Glanapteryginae+Sarcoglanidinae clade. The new species differs from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: caudal peduncle depth 13.5 – 16.0% SL, 15 or 16 pairs of ribs, 15 dorsal procurrent rays, 12 ventral procurrent rays, 8 pectoral fin rays; 9 anal fin rays; barbels and skin of trunk with numerous, minute thread-like papillae.

Rutilus panosi, a new roach from Western Greece (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Rutilus panosi sp. n. is described from Acheloos River drainage, Western Greece. It is distinguished from the other species of Rutilus by the following combination of characters: (40)41-44(45) lateral line scales; (11)12-14(15) gill rakers; pharyngeal teeth formula 6-5; commonly 9Ѕ branched anal rays and 9Ѕ branched dorsal rays; snout pointed, triangular; maximum body depth 25-27% SL; dorsal fin depth 19-22% SL; anal fin depth 12-14% SL; snout length 26-32% head length; eye diameter 20-24% head length; 40-41 total vertebrae (common formulae 23+17, 23+18 and 22+18), absence of any lateral stripe. A comparison with species of Rutilus s. str. from the Balkan Peninsula is given.

Two new species of Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from north-eastern Australia, and rediscovery of Parapercis colemani Randall & Francis, 1993

Johnson, J.W. 2006. Two new species of Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from north-eastern Australia, and rediscovery of Parapercis colemani Randall & Francis, 1993. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63(1): 47–56. Two new species of pinguipedid fi shes, Parapercis fl avolabiata and P. sexlorata, are described. The former is known from 20 specimens collected by epibenthic sled and demersal trawl from within the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, between Anzac Reefs and Lady Musgrave Island, in depths from 45 to 79 m. It is most similar to Parapercis multiplicata Randall, 1984 and P. colemani Randall & Francis, 1993 in appearance, but is unique among the genus in having a combination of dorsal rays V, 21, anal rays I, 17–18, lateral-line scales 51–55, palatines edentate, angle of subopercle produced and with small spinules, 9–10 abdominal and 20 caudal vertebrae, and colouration including six broad red saddles across the back, a purplish-red line from the anterior edge of each orbit around the snout, and a series of yellow-edged red spots on the postorbital part of the head and nape. Parapercis sexlorata is described from seven specimens trawled off central eastern Australia between Cape Moreton, Queensland and North Solitary Island, New South Wales in 86 to 137 m. It is easily distinguished from its closest congeners with palatine teeth and dark transverse bars, P. macrophthalma Pietschmann, 1911 and P. muronis Tanaka, 1918, by having four rather than fi ve dorsal-fi n spines and six rather than fi ve transverse bars. Parapercis colemani Randall & Francis, 1993 was previously known only from the holotype, collected in 1.5 m depth in the lagoon of Norfolk Island. Additional specimens collected on the NORFANZ survey in the Tasman Sea indicate that the species usually inhabits much deeper habitats and occurs over a wider geographic area. New localities and meristic data are reported for the additional material.

New Host Records, Redescriptions and New Species of Labiostrongylinea (Nematoda: Chabertiidae) from Macropodid Marsupials, with a Revised Host-Parasite Checklist

SummaryNew host records: from Macropus rufogriseus for Labiosimplex clelandi, M. robustus for Ls. aridus, Thylogale stigmatica for Ls. thetidis, and M. parma for Ls. bancrofti are reported. On re-examination of all material, Labiosimplex quasibancrofti was found to be morphologically indistinguishable from Ls. australis and is therefore a synonym of Ls. australis. A new species of Labiomultiplex, described from a single female from M. parma, is differentiated by the shape of the lateral lips and Lm. kimberleyensis is redescribed from additional material collected from the type-host, Onychogalea fraenata, from Queensland. Two new species of Labiosimplex are described from macropodid marsupials from central Australia. Labiosimplex centralis sp. nov. from the stomach of Petrogale lateralis differs from the most similar of its congenors, Ls. thomasae (both lacking a gubernaculum), in having shorter spicules, a shorter dorsal lobe of the bursa, and in the form of the dorsal ray. Labiosimplex territoriensis sp. nov. from the stomach of M. antilopinus differs from all its congenors in having large multi-lobed oesophago-intestinal diverticula. A new species, Labiostrongylus arnhemensis sp. nov. from the stomach of M. bernardus from the Northern Territory, differs from its congenors in a suite of characters including the position of the deirids, the shape of the oesophago-intestinal diverticula, the length of the dorsal lobe of the bursa, the morphology of the genital cone and gubernaculum and the length of the female tail. A revised host-parasite checklist, including Labiostrongylinea from the island of New Guinea together with those occurring in Potoroidae, is given.

A new species of Trichostrongylus (Nematoda, Trichostronglyoidea) parasitizing the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia, Octodontidae) from Mar de Cobo, Argentina

AbstractA new nematode species, Trichostrongylus duretteae sp. nov., found in the small intestine of Ctenomys talarum from Argentina is described. The new species more closely resembles T. suis lwanitsky, 1930 a parasite of Sus scrofa in the USSR. However, the new species can be distinguished by the morphology of male genital bursa: Rays 6 distant from rays 8 and a larger dorsal ray in relation to the length of rays 2 to 8. The present finding is the first record of the genus Trichostronglyus in rodents of the family Octodontidae.

A Comparison of Device Measures of Dorsal First Ray Mobility

Devices built by Glasoe and Klaue have been used in several studies to measure first ray mobility. Both devices measure sagittal motion of the first ray in a dorsal direction. The primary difference in the devices is the method of the load imposed. This study investigates whether first ray mobility measured with the Glasoe device is similar to the amount of mobility measured with the Klaue device. Using the devices described by Glasoe and Klaue, dorsal first ray mobility was measured in 39 patients who had foot and ankle problems. Paired t-tests were computed to assess for differences between device measures of dorsal mobility. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and absolute difference values were computed to further assess the agreement in measures. Dorsal mobility measured with the Glasoe device averaged 4.9 mm (1.8 to 9.3 mm). Dorsal mobility measured with the Klaue device averaged 5.2 mm (2.5 to 8.5 mm). Paired t-tests (p = 0.12) revealed no significant difference in measures. An ICC of 0.70 and a mean absolute difference of 0.9 mm (SD 0.8) were found between the two clinical measures further suggesting agreement. Results indicated that the two devices possess similar diagnostic accuracy in the measurement of dorsal first ray mobility.

Additions to the ichthyofauna of the Tristan da Cunha Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Specimens of two, possibly three, rare species of fishes were collected at the Tristan da Cunha Group toward the end of a 2004 South Atlantic cruise (ICEFISH). The dragonet Synchiropus valdiviae (Trunov, 1981), was previously known from only two adult males taken on Walvis Ridge. We collected two adult females and three juveniles, which are described here. The pearlfish Echiodon atopus Anderson, 2005, was recently described from a specimen collected north of Inaccessible Island. It differs from congeners in its high precaudal vertebral count, equivalent dorsal and anal rays anterior to vertebra 31 and other features of the axial skeleton and fins. Lastly, an unusual specimen of the rockfish genus Sebastes taken in a commercial lobster pot represents either a previously unreported variant of S. capensis or an undescribed species. It differs from the typical South Atlantic S. capensis in its coloration and lack of supraocular spines.

Criterion-Related Validity of a Clinical Measure of Dorsal First Ray Mobility

Test-retest methodological design using a sample of convenience. To determine the criterion-related validity and the reliability of measuring first ray mobility with a ruler. Studies have questioned the accuracy of assessing first ray mobility by manual examination. Use of a ruler and adherence to strict guidelines in positioning of the patient may improve the measure. This study investigates the validity, and the intrarater and interrater reliability of measuring dorsal first ray mobility with a ruler while following recent recommendations to standardize the position of measurement. A valid and reliable mechanical device designed to measure first ray mobility was used as the validation criterion of measurement. Three clinicians performed ruler measurement of dorsal mobility on 14 subjects. A separate examiner measured dorsal mobility with the mechanical device. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurements (SEMs) were computed to quantify the intrarater reliability of both testing procedures and the interrater reliability of the ruler measurement. ICCs of agreement were also computed to determine the concurrent validity of the ruler measurement for each clinician. Mechanical device intrarater reliability ICC was 0.98 (SEM = 0.15 mm). Ruler intrarater ICCs were equal or less than -0.06 (SEMs = 1.1 mm); ruler interrater ICC was 0.05 (SEM = 1.2 mm). The ICCs of agreement between the mechanical device and ruler method ranged from -0.44 to 0.06. The ruler method of testing demonstrates poor reliability and validity as a clinical measure.

Criterion-Related Validity of a Clinical Measure of Dorsal First Ray Mobility

Criterion-Related Validity of a Clinical Measure of Dorsal First Ray Mobility

Ontogeny of the shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture

The ontogeny of shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture, was studied throughout the entire larval phase. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed two clear inflection points (7.0 and 12.7 mm total length, TL) in the shape ontogeny of this species, separating the studied period into three phases of different allometric priorities. Spline graphs demonstrated that the major non-uniform shape ontogeny correlated with the development of the fins, the anterior dorsal area of the body, the caudal peduncle, the eye and the mouth. Concerning the morphological features, shi drum larvae are characterized by an upward anterior bending of the notochord. The ontogeny of the fins began with the formation of the pectoral buds (2.9 mm TL), continued with the notochord flexion (4.3 mm TL, associated with the caudal fin development), the appearance of the pelvic buds, the first anal rays (4.5 mm TL) and the first dorsal rays (4.8 mm TL). Shi drum juveniles presented 25 vertebrae and the following dominant fin types: D XI,23, AII,6, VI,5, P17 and C17.

SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF SOME NEARCTIC HELIGMOSOMOIDEA (NEMATODA: TRICHOSTRONGYLINA) FROM THE U.S. NATIONAL PARASITE COLLECTION AND THEIR DESCRIPTION

The systematic position of some heligmosomoid nematodes from rodents, deposited in the U.S. National Parasite Collection (USNPC), is revised, mainly through the study of their synlophe, which in all cases was unknown or insufficiently described. The material was registered as different species of Longistriata Schulz, 1926, a genus whose representatives are only parasitic in Holarctic insectivores. Longistriata norvegica Dikmans, 1935, parasitic in Rattus sp. becomes a synonym of Hassalstrongylus aduncus (Chandler, 1932). Specimens registered as Longistriata dalrymplei Dikmans, 1935, from Ondatra zibethicus, are confirmed to belong to Carolinensis (Travassos, 1937). Specimens registered as Longistriata noviberiae Dikmans, 1935, parasitic in Sylvilagus floridanus alacer, were found to belong to Vexillata, and Vexillata noviberiae n. comb. is here proposed. This is the first record of a species of Vexillata in a lagomorph. Other specimens registered as Longistriata norvegica, parasitic in Geomys floridanus austrinus, were also found to be an undescribed species of Vexillata (Hall, 1916), which is named Vexillata chitwoodi n. sp. This is similar to Vexillata chabaudi Yoyotte-Vado, 1972, Vexillata petteri Durette-Desset, 1970, Vexillata scorzai Guerrero, 1984 and Vexillata tejerai Guerrero, 1984, all having the same number of cuticular ridges (4 dorsal, 5 ventral) and the division of the dorsal ray at its apex. The most related species is V. chabaudi, which is differentiated from the new species by rays 4 not curved distally, by thick rays 8, and by a dorsal ray enlarged at the level of the arising of rays 8.

Larval development of Symphurus atramentatus (Cynoglossidae: Pleuronectiformes) from the Gulf of California

Symphurus atramentatus is described from larval to juvenile stages based on 30 specimens from the Gulf of California. Eleven larvae (preflexion, flexion, and postflexion) and three juveniles were cleared and stained to obtain the number of proximal dorsal-fin pterygiophores in each of the anterior first five interneural spaces and the number of hypural elements. Meristic features were nine precaudal vertebrae, 49–51 total vertebrae, 91–97 dorsal rays, 75–79 anal rays, 12 caudal rays, and four hypural elements. All specimens had a 1-3-3-2-2 ID pattern. The combination of these characterstics confirm that the specimens belong to Symphurus atramentatus. Pigmentation pattern of S. atramentatus from preflexion to postflexion stage consists of one dashed line of pigments on the base of the anal fin pterigiophores. In posflexion larvae, a dashed line of pigments appears on the base of the anal rays, on the dorsal margin of the body, on the lateral midline of the body, in the base of the first 15 dorsal rays, and on the base of the last 25 dorsal rays. In preflexion larvae, the ventral margin of the intestine had three or four blotches, which coalesce to form a continuous dotted line in postflexion larvae. Five elongated dorsal fin rays are present from preflexion to postflexion stages, which in the juvenile stage had a similar size with the rest of the adjacent rays.