Endemic Cyprinid Fish Research Articles

Predicting climate change impacts on the distribution of endemic fish Cyprinion muscatense in the Arabian Peninsula.

Freshwater fishes are facing considerable threats in the Arabian Peninsula which is considered as a highly stressed region in the Middle East. It is predicted that northern Oman is likely to face decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature in coming decades. In this study, we focused on an endemic cyprinid fish Cyprinion muscatense, as a model to investigate impacts of climate change on the mountain fishes inhibiting in this arid region. This species is expected to be strongly affected by climate change because of its limited distribution range in a montane area surrounded by lowlands and sea, limiting the species in shift to other areas. We used an ensemble approach by considering two regressions-based species distribution modeling (SDM) algorithms: generalized linear models (GLM), and generalized additive models (GAM) to model the species habitat suitability and predict the impacts of climate change on the species habitat suitability. Based on the distribution models, the montane area located in northeastern Oman was identified as the most suitable habitat for this species. Our results indicate that, even under the minimum greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 2.6), climate change will produce a high reduction in its potential future habitats. According to the results of percent contribution, elevation and annual minimum temperature were the most important variables in predicting the species suitable habitats. Results also showed that only a small percentage of suitable habitats for the species within boundaries of protected areas. Therefore, the impact of climate change on the species appears particularly alarming. Although our study was restricted to a single cyprinid freshwater species, decreases in potential habitats are likely predicted for other cyprinid fish species restricted to the mountains of this region, suggesting severe consideration is needed for aquatic systems in future conservation planning, especially for endemic freshwater fishes.

Social buffering of oxidative stress and cortisol in an endemic cyprinid fish

Fish exhibit complex social behaviours that can influence their stress levels and well-being. However, little is known about the link between social interactions and stress in wild fish, especially in running water environments. While many studies have explored the stress axis in fish, most have focused on specific social contexts, leaving gaps in understanding stress responses to social changes. Our study investigated collective behaviour and stress in wild Italian riffle dace (Telestes muticellus) in a controlled experimental setup simulating a natural river system. Results reveal that group-living fish have lower cortisol and oxidative stress levels in muscle tissue compared to solitary counterparts, suggesting a calming effect of conspecific presence. Additionally, we observed upregulated expression of antioxidant enzymes in group-living fish, indicating potential benefits to antioxidant defence systems. These insights shed light on the dynamic relationship between group behaviour and stress in wild fish within running water habitats and emphasise the use of multidisciplinary approaches.

Population genetic diversity and structure of the Taiwan endemic cyprinid fish Candidia barbata (Cyprinidae): human intervention

Population genetic diversity and structure of the Taiwan endemic cyprinid fish Candidia barbata (Cyprinidae): human intervention

The Impact of Weir Construction in Korea's Nakdong River on the Population Genetic Variability of the Endangered Fish Species, Rapid Small Gudgeon (Microphysogobio rapidus).

Microphysogobio rapidus, an endemic cyprinid fish species found exclusively in Korea, has been identified in only two tributaries of the Nakdong River. The species predominantly occupies the near-gravel bottom waters within shallow sections of the middle and lower reaches of the river, characterized by swift currents. M. rapidus is currently recognized as a critically endangered species due to its distinct habitat preference, as well as the negative impacts of stream dam development and water environment pollution. In this study, we used 10 microsatellite markers to examine the genetic diversity of M. rapidus in the upper Nam (UN), lower Nam (LN), and Deokcheon Rivers (DC) in Korea, with a specific focus on assessment of the impact of dam development. Fish sampled from the UN and LN showed a greater average number of alleles and allelic richness (A = 18.3-18.4, AR = 13.8) compared to those from DC (A = 11.8, AR = 11.5). The observed heterozygosity among the fish examined ranged from HO = 0.748 (LN) to 0.766 (DC). All three fish groups exhibited a significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (p < 0.05). Despite having the largest effective population size (Ne = 175 and 157, respectively), the fish sampled from UN and LN showed the highest inbreeding coefficients (FIS = 0.056-0.053, respectively), which were highly significant (p < 0.01). In contrast, the fish sampled from DC exhibited the smallest effective population size (Ne = 61) and showed an inbreeding coefficient close to zero (p > 0.05). BOTTLENECK analysis and estimated M-ratio values (0.341-0.372) revealed indications of past population size reduction in all fish groups examined. No significant genetic differentiation (FST < 0.05) was detected using the DAPC, STRUCTURE, and AMOVA among the fish studied. However, pairwise comparisons of FST between fish sampled from the Nam and Deokcheon Rivers revealed significant values (p < 0.001) ranging from 0.013 to 0.014. In addition, the closest genetic distance (0.026) was observed between UN and LN, while the greatest distance (0.087) was found between UN and DC. Analysis of gene flow rates among the fish examined indicated asymmetrical gene exchange within the Nam River, which was 31.51% in the downstream direction (from UN to LN), with a minimal gene flow rate (0.41%) in the upstream (from LN to UN) direction. The opposite trend was recorded between DC and LN, with a higher gene flow rate (29.74%) in the upstream direction compared to the downstream direction (0.12%). Our study highlighted the importance of implementing long-term conservation efforts focused on maintaining river integrity by removing water barriers such as weirs that impede fish migration and implementing active protection measures, such as aquaculture breeding and reasonable stocking practices, to preserve M. rapidus in the study area.

Length frequency distribution, growth, and condition factor of the endemic cyprinid fish Poropuntius tawarensis, in Lake Laut Tawar, Central Aceh, Indonesia

The Poropuntius tawarensis fish is an endemic fish of the family Cyprinidae found in Laut Tawar Lake, and has been listed on the Red List. This study aims to reveal the frequency of length distribution, growth patterns and condition factors of the fish in the lake as basic information for conservation. The study was conducted from January to May 2022 in the Laut Tawar Lake of Central Aceh. Sampling was conducted at four sampling sites based on representative activities on the lake. The location of the study was determined based on differences in environmental characteristics, namely Station 1 (Teluk One-One), Station 2 (Bewang), Station 3 (Gegarang) and Station 4 (Kebayakan). The results showed that the fish at Bewang Station was relatively higher in terms of the frequency of the length distribution. The growth pattern of male and female fish was negative allometric (b<3).The condition factor of the three stations was relatively the same ranging from 0.94 to 1.39, but it was different from the one-one station with a condition factor of 0.01.The value of the condition factor that can be obtained had insignificant differences every month, namely 1.12±0.38 (January), 1.00±0.49 (February), 0.93±0.55 (March), 0.85±0.59 (April), and 1.17±0.32 (May).

Imaging scale surface topography of an endemic cyprinid fish, Garra sharq from the Arabian Peninsula: An integrated optical light and scanning electron microscopy approach

AbstractThe optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques have proven to play a key and noteworthy role in the advancement of morphological studies in general, and in investigating fish scale morphology in particular. These techniques have illustrated several hidden architectural structures in scales that contribute effectively to fish identification and classification. The scale morphological and topological characters such as type, size, shape, lateral surface, focus position, circuli appearance, radii type, lepidonts, and posterior and anterior margin shapes were obtained using macro‐ and microscopic analysis in six body regions for three size classes of Garra sharq, a cyprinid endemic fish of the Arabian Peninsula. The general scale type in the studied G. sharq species was a basal elasmoid cycloid and a sectioned type. As a protective structure, the scales display several specific characteristics including firm attachment to the fish body, overlapping, and thin structure with a high surface area and high strength. These characteristics improve scale resistance to penetration, increase protection against mechanical injury and microbial infection, enhance scale flexibility, reduce fish weight (reduce friction drag), and increase scale transparency. The scales demonstrate plasticity in focus shape, size, and position in the six fish body parts and fish size groups. The examined scales displayed narrow or wide grooves (radii) in three types including primary, secondary, and tertiary present in all four scale fields (anterior, posterior, and laterals), thus a tetra‐sectioned type that is almost specific to the genus Garra. This characteristic also increases scale flexibility. The rostral margin of scales was characterized by the presence of waved and striate types. The lepidont shape and size varied being blunt, flat, pointed, tiny, sharp, short, and long. Some of these scale characters and their morphologies could be used as an alternative tool for identification, classification, and phylogenetic interpretation among the different freshwater fish species and genera.

The first complete mitogenome of Onychostoma ovale (Pellegrin & Chevey, 1936) with phylogenetic analyses

Onychostoma ovale (Pellegrin & Chevey, 1936) is an endemic cyprinid fish that is widely inhabited in southern China, Vietnam, and Laos. In the present study, we first reported the complete mitochondrial genome of O. ovale. The mitogenome contained 16,600 bp with AT content of 56.2% and comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region (D-loop). Phylogenetic analyses suggested that Onychostoma species formed two major clades and the subspecies of O. ovale had close relationship with O. rarum. The mitochondrial genome of O. ovale provided a key aid for population genetics and phylogenetic inferences of Onychostoma in future research.

Fish morphology and passage through velocity barriers. Experience with northern straight-mouth nase (Pseudochondrostoma duriense Coelho, 1985) in an open channel flume

Knowing the relationship between size, morphological traits and swimming performance of fish is essential to understand the swimming capacity to successfully surpass these obstacles and the selective pressure that barriers in rivers and streams could exert on fish. Northern straight-mouth nase, an endemic potamodromous cyprinid fish species from the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, was selected to carry out volitionally swimming performance experiments in an open channel against three different flow velocities, using telemetry and video cameras. The use of thin-plate spline, on 10 landmarks, evidenced unknown patterns linked to velocity barriers. At lower flow velocity, size is the main factor explaining the swimming performance; thus, large individuals swim up more efficiently. In contrast, at high flow velocities, shape becomes the essential explanatory variable; thereby, streamlined body shapes with a higher relative position of the tail and a narrower caudal peduncle are more efficient. The obtained results show the existence of a relationship between fish morphology and swimming performance, with potential consequences due to selection pressures associated with velocity barriers and their implications on behavioural and dispersal processes. To sum up, velocity barriers could exert a selection pressure on nase populations, so the fishway design and removal should be (re)considered.

Successful breeding of the endemic cyprinid fish Dawkinsia rohani in controlled condition—First report

The present experiment was conducted to breed a vulnerable cyprinid fish, Dawkinsia rohani (Rohan's barb), in captivity through hormonal inducement using one of the reproductive synthetic hormones WOVA-FH, since these fish did not breed spontaneously in captivity. The experiment was conducted in 500-L capacity fibre-reinforced plastic tanks with breeding hapa. The male (length 8.5 ± 1.5 cm and weight of 12 ± 2 g) and female (length 9.5 ± 2 cm and weight of 15 ± 1.5 g) brooders were injected intramuscularly with variable dose of WOVA-FH and released into the breeding hapa at 2:1 (male:female) ratio. Varied doses of WOVA-FH used for fish in the present study refer to 0.3 ml/kg (T1), 0.5 ml/kg (T2), 0.7 ml/kg (T3), 1.0 ml/kg (T4) and 0.0 ml/kg T0 (control). General courtship behaviour was observed in hormone-induced fish after 6–9 h after injection. Breeding was observed in all the treatment group fish except T0 (control groups). Success of spawning, fertilization and hatching rate varied depending on the dose of hormone. Significantly higher fecundity (1142.3 ± 40.20 eggs/female), fertilization rate (90.2 ± 0.67%) and hatching rate (88.92 ± 0.25%) were achieved in fish injected with 0.7 ml/kg for female and 0.3 ml/kg for male per kg body weight compared to other hormone treatment groups. Dosage levels influence the percentage of spawning, egg stripping, fertilization and hatching rate. The present study successfully standardized the dose for induced breeding of D. rohani. The standardized breeding technology will be helpful in breeding, conservation and propagation of the endemic indigenous ornamental fish, D. rohani.

Food and feeding habits of the endemic fish, Hypselobarbus thomassi (Day, 1874) in the Kallada River, Kerala, India

The feeding habits of the endemic cyprinid fish, Hypselobarbus thomassi (Day, 1874) was studied based on the monthly sampling in the Kallada River, Kerala, India from April 2010 to March 2011. Gut contents of 183 fish specimens were analysed and quantified using occurrence and volumetric methods. Analysis of the gut contents showed that semi-digested plant matter (22.11%) was the most preferred food item of the fish followed by Bacillariophyceae (19.80%), Chlorophyceae (19.38%), semi-digested animal matter (11.21%), soil particles (9.20%), seeds of plants (6.70%), Cyanophyceae (5.51%) and miscellaneous items (6.08%). The results indicated that H. thomassi is an omnivorous-stenophagic-column feeder. The gastrosomatic index (GaSI) ranged from 3.28-7.33 with an increment from August to November coincides with the spawning season and energy preservation for gonadal development. The information on feeding ecology of H. thomassi , a critically endangered fresh water fish from Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot would be useful towards formulating proper conservation plan for the species in its natural range.

Population dynamics of Hypselobarbus thomassi (Day 1874), an endemic cyprinid fish from a tropical reservoir of Southern Western Ghats, India

AbstractThe Western Ghats of peninsular India is a highly sensitive and threatened ecoregion of exceptional freshwater ichthyodiversity. The present study investigated the growth, mortality and stock characteristics of Hypselobarbus thomassi, an endemic cyprinid fish from the Parappar Reservoir of Western Ghats, on the basis of the length‐frequency data collected during the period from 2009 to 2011. The growth parameters of this species were estimated using the FiSAT program, and the asymptotic length (L∞) and growth constant (K) being 476.79 mm and 0.39 year−1, respectively. The age at zero length (t0) was calculated as −0.0485 year−1. The longevity (tmax) and growth performance index (ϕ) were reported as 7.69 years and 2.95. The estimated total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were 1.65, 0.38 and 1.27 year−1, respectively. The relative yield per recruit (Y/R) analysis revealed the exploitation rate (E) at different levels as E0.1 = 0.36, E0.5 = 0.28 and Emax = 0.42. The current exploration level (0.77) is higher than the optimum exploitation rate (Emax = 0.42), indicating an overexploitation of the H. thomassi population. Accordingly, needed management measures should include restrictions on fishing gear mesh sizes, reduced fishing effort and declaration of closed seasons and sanctuaries to protect this threatened species.

Reproductive biology of the endemic cyprinid fishHypselobarbus thomassi(Day, 1874) from Kallada River in the Western Ghats, India

Reproductive biology of the endemic cyprinid fish<i>Hypselobarbus thomassi</i>(Day, 1874) from Kallada River in the Western Ghats, India

Anesthetic Activity of Clove Oil (Eugenol) on the Lake Van Fish (Chalcalburnus tarichi Pallas, 1811)

The use of clove oil (eugenol) as an anesthetic for Lake Van fish(Chalcalburnus tarichi), an endemic cyprinid fish species ofLake Van basin, was examined. Induction times were determined to be ≥35, &amp;lt;4, &amp;lt;3, &amp;lt;2, &amp;lt; 2 and ≥1 min at 20, 40,50, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L clove oil concentrations, respectively. Recovery times upon 10 min of exposure to eugenol were determined respectively to be &amp;gt;3, &amp;gt;4,&amp;gt;3, &amp;gt;4,&amp;gt;6 and &amp;gt;8 min clove oil can be considered as a suitable anesthetic for Chalcalburnus tarichi and an optimum anesthetic concentration of 50 mg/L is recommended.

Myxobolus himalayaensis sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) parasiting Schizothorax richardsonii (Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) from River Poonch in North West Himalaya, India

This study provides morphological and molecular data of a new myxozoan species belonging to genus Myxobolus from the gill filaments of an endemic cyprinid fish from River Poonch in North West Himalaya, India. Parasitological observations under stereozoom binocular microscope revealed single large type of plasmodia 2–10 mm in diameter residing on the gill filament, while clinical signs revealed mucous laden gills. Infection was found in the 21 of 80 examined Schizothorax richardsonii with a prevelance of (26.25%). Mature spores appeared oval to spherical in frontal view, and broadly rounded posterior end measuring 8.56–10.02 (9.64) x 6.07–8.10 (7.06) μm. Two equal polar capsules were pyriform measuring 4.89 x 2.70 μm, and polar filaments coiled 5–6 turns. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the obtained 18S rDNA sequence of M. himalayaensis sp. nov. (MK087655) did not match any available myxozoan sequence and was sister species to Henneguya doneci infecting gills of gibel carp Carassius gibelio from China and showing less than 95% sequence similarity with Myxobolus linzhiensis using BLAST search. Histological observations of infected gills revealed plasmodia of type FV2 intrafilamental vascular type causing hypertrophy, hyperplasia, uplifting of epithelial cells and necrosis.

Genetic diversity and temporal changes of an endemic cyprinid fish species, Ancherythroculter nigrocauda, from the upper reaches of Yangtze River.

Small populations with low genetic diversity are prone to extinction. Knowledge on the genetic diversity and structure of small populations and their genetic response to anthropogenic effects are of critical importance for conservation management. In this study, samples of Ancherythroculter nigrocauda, an endemic cyprinid fish from the upper reaches of Yangtze River, were collected from five sites to analyze their genetic diversity and population structure using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 14 microsatellite loci. Haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity, and expected heterozygosity indicated that the A. nigrocauda populations had low genetic diversity, and decreased heavily from 2001 to 2016. Significant genetic differentiation was found among different populations in the cyt b gene and SSR markers based on the genetic differentiation index (F ST), whereas no differentiation was found in 2001. Haplotype genealogy showed that eight out of 15 haplotypes were private to one population. The SSR STRUCTURE analysis showed that there were four genetic clusters in the A. nigrocauda samples, with each population forming a single cluster, except for the Chishui River (CSR) and Mudong River (MDR) populations, which formed a common cluster. Therefore, loss of genetic diversity and increased genetic differentiation were found in the A. nigrocauda populations, which could be attributed to dam construction, overfishing, and water pollution in the upper Yangtze River. It is therefore recommended that the government should ban fishing, control water pollution, increase river connectivity, and establish artificial breeding and stocking.

Guidelines for conservation of critically endangered cyprinids - Revised protocol for ex-situ reproduction.

Event Abstract Back to Event Guidelines for conservation of critically endangered cyprinids - Revised protocol for ex-situ reproduction. Rui P. Calado1*, Fátima Gil2, Carla S. Santos3 and Teresa M. Baptista1 1 Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Politécnico de Leiria, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Portugal 2 Aquário Vasco da Gama, Aquariologia, Portugal 3 Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, Portugal The implications for freshwater ichthyofauna after a summer drought in Western Portugal gave rise to the implementation of an ex-situ conservation project, led by Aquário Vasco da Gama, ISPA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária and Quercus, in order to protect several species of endemic Cyprinid fish. Simple and inexpensive techniques were used, to reproduce Iberochondrostoma almacai, Iberochondorostoma lusitanicum and Achondrostoma occidentale species, focusing on maintaining a realistic environment and wild behaviours. The work was built upon 10 years of research and tried to improve upon the existing conditions. Here we describe the daily maintenance protocols and the methodologies adopted to improve fish maintenance conditions and animal welfare. Fish were fed three times per week, and daily observations in fish mortality and organic build-up were performed to act accordingly. Feeding was adjusted according to weekly ammonia readings and daily measurements of dissolved oxygen, temperature and water flow. It was also observed that below 11ºC±1ºC, a complete cessation of feeding occurred in the A. occidentale stock from the Sizandro river, something particular to this population and not the species itself. The maintenance of genetically distinct populations of the same species in contiguous captive breeding tanks requires extra care, so we discuss the importance of physical barriers (due to the jumping behaviour of some species) and movement of plants/objects along with fish, to prevent the mixing of captive stocks, as well as the important role that vegetation plays as a species-specific spawning substrate, larvae refugee and protection from the elements and renewal of each population every three consecutive generations to minimize the risk of consanguinity, as key-factors for the success of the captive breeding program. Keywords: techniques, freshwater, biodiversity conservation, Captive breeding, Wildlike environment Conference: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018, Peniche, Portugal, 5 Jul - 6 Jul, 2018. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Biodiversity, Conservation and Coastal Management Citation: Calado RP, Gil F, Santos CS and Baptista TM (2019). Guidelines for conservation of critically endangered cyprinids - Revised protocol for ex-situ reproduction.. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2018.06.00136 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: 26 Apr 2018; Published Online: 07 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Mr. Rui P Calado, Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Politécnico de Leiria, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Peniche, Portugal, destdest123@gmail.com 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 Rui P Calado Fátima Gil Carla S Santos Teresa M Baptista Google Rui P Calado Fátima Gil Carla S Santos Teresa M Baptista Google Scholar Rui P Calado Fátima Gil Carla S Santos Teresa M Baptista PubMed Rui P Calado Fátima Gil Carla S Santos Teresa M Baptista 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.

Life history traits and gonad histology of an endemic cyprinid fish, Mond spotted barb, Capoeta mandica from Southern Iran

The life history traits and gonad development of an endemic cyprinid fish, the spotted barb, Capoeta mandica (Bianco & Banarescu 1982), from southern Iran was investigated by regular monthly collections from February 2006 through January 2007 and on the basis of microscopic and macroscopic analyses. No information on the spawning characteristics of the fish are available to date. A total of 335 specimens were captured using electrofishing including 253 males and 102 females, resulting in 2.5:1 (male: female) sex ratio, which is significantly different from the expected ratio. The commonly known five standard maturation stages were determined based on the size, shape and weight of the gonads, degree of occupation of the body cavity, presence or absence of ripe oocytes, or milt, diameter of the oocytes in the ovary, and histological observations. These stages were correlated to the reproductive indices. The ovum diameters ranged from 0.04 to 1.31 mm, with the highest mean value in May. The condition factor of male and female specimens was the highest in April. The female GSI increased from March to May, peaking in the middle of spring and decreased significantly in June. Based on the gonad maturation stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), modified GSI, mean egg diamete­r, condition factor (K) and Dobriyal index (DI), it was concluded that the spotted barbspawns during May and June. The provided data, contribute baseline data towards management ecology and conservation of this endemic fish species.

First report of monogenean flatworms from Lake Tana, Ethiopia: gill parasites of the commercially important Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei: Clariidae) and Oreochromis niloticus tana (Teleostei: Cichlidae).

BackgroundLake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. The lake harbours unique endemic cyprinid fish species, as well as the commercially important endemic Nile tilapia subspecies Oreochromis niloticus tana and the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Its endemicity, especially within the Labeobarbus radiation, its conservation importance and its economic indispensability attract scientific interest to the lake’s ichthyofauna. Fish parasites of Lake Tana, however, are hitherto poorly known, and no formal report exists on its monogenean flatworms. For sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development, it is essential to study monogenean fish parasites in these economically most important fish species. Moreover, it remains to be verified whether this unique ecosystem and its endemicity gave rise to a distinct parasite fauna as well.ResultsNile tilapia and North African catfish hosts were collected from Lake Tana in 2013. Nine species of monogenean parasites of two orders, Gyrodactylidea Bychowsky, 1937 and Dactylogyridea Bychowsky, 1937, were recovered. Gyrodactylus gelnari Přikrylová, Blažek & Vanhove, 2012, Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961, Quadriacanthus aegypticus El-Naggar & Serag, 1986 and two undescribed Quadriacanthus species were recovered from C. gariepinus. Oreochromis niloticus tana hosted Cichlidogyrus cirratus Paperna, 1964, C. halli (Price & Kirk, 1967), C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981 and Scutogyrus longicornis (Paperna & Thurston, 1969).ConclusionsExcept for M. clarii, all species represent new records for Ethiopia. This first study on the monogenean fauna of Lake Tana revealed that the lake’s North African catfish, as well as its endemic Nile tilapia subspecies, harbour parasites that are known from these host species elsewhere in Africa.

Phylogeography and genetic structure of the endemic cyprinid fish Microphysogobio brevirostris in northern Taiwan

This study used the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences to examine the population genetic structure of Microphysogobio brevirostris, an endemic cyprinid species in northern Taiwan. In total, 90 specimens were collected from six populations belonging to four major rivers. All haplotypes were identified as two major clades (Clades N and S), exhibiting a southern and a northern distribution. The results of statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) revealed that two vicariance events and one dispersal event shaped the phylogeographic pattern of M. brevirostris. These results suggest that the ancestral populations of M. brevirostris are widely distributed throughout northern Taiwan, north of the Miaoli Plateau. The ancestral populations then diverged into two clades (N and S) by the raising of the Taoyuan Plateau. Finally, two major rivers of the S clade diverged and dispersed into adjacent rivers. Besides, our results revealed that Microphysogobio alticorpus and M. brevirostris colonized Taiwan during the same ice age through different colonization routes.

Occurrence of Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea: Copepoda) in an endemic cyprinid fish, Chondrostoma orientale Bianco & Banarescu, 1982 from the Kor River Basin, southwestern Iran

Occurrence of Lernaea parasite in a narrow distributed endemic fish, Chondrostoma orientale (Oriental nase) restricted to the Kor river basin, Southwestern Iran is reported. Based on the obtained results, all three collected specimens (TL= 174-192mm, SL= 148-169mm) were infested with Lernaea parasites which were attached to the base of dorsal, pectoral, caudal and pelvic fins and also body muscles. The prevalence and intensity of parasite was 100% and 10.3, respectively. Due to effects of Lernaea , a long term monitoring of the parasites and fishes in the Kor River basin is highly recommended.