Epinephelus Chlorostigma Research Articles

Microsporidian parasites: a danger facing marine fishes of the Red Sea

Out of 600 marine fish from the Red Sea belonging to three different species that were collected and examined for microsporidian parasites, 87 (14.5%) fish were found to be infected. The infection was recorded as cysts or xenomas embedded in the gut epithelium and the peritoneal cavity of the three fish species. The highest percent of infection with microsporidian parasites was recorded in Saurida tumbil 19.5% (39/200) followed by Pagrus pagrus 15% (45/300) and the lowest percent of infection was recorded in Epinephelus chlorostigma 3% (three out of 100). After rupture of the cysts, the spores were released and examined by light microscopy. Each spore was elongated to ellipsoidal in shape and possessed a posterior vacuole which is characteristic to phylum Microspora. They measure 1.6 ± 0.5μm (1.5-2.4μm) × 1.3 ± 0.1μm (1.3-2.0μm) in Saurida tumbil and Pagrus pagrus, respectively. The spores of Pleistophora sp recorded from E. chlorostigma were ovoid to pyriform in shape and measure 1.9 ± 0.5μm (1.8-2.7μm) × 1.6 ± 0.4μm (1.5-2.4μm).

Monogeneans from Epinephelus chlorostigma (Val.) (Perciformes: Serranidae) off New Caledonia, with the description of three new species of diplectanids

Gill monogeneans from the brownspotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma (Val.) collected in deep water off the coral barrier reef of New Caledonia, South Pacific, comprise seven species. These include the ancyrocephalid Haliotrema sp., the capsalid Allobenedenia cf. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1968, and five diplectanids, namely Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938), reported in a previous paper, P. cyanopodus Sigura & Justine, 2008 and P. podocyanus Sigura & Justine, 2008, two species originally described from E. cyanopodus Richardson, P. stigmosus n. sp., P. exoticoides n. sp. and Diplectanum femineum n. sp. P. stigmosus is characterised by a sclerotised vagina with a straight primary canal, large ovoid primary chamber and spherical secondary chamber. P. exoticoides is a highly aberrant species, with a thick-walled male quadriloculate organ and a discoid sclerotised vagina with an exceptional structure. Interestingly, P. exoticoides resembles P. exoticus Sigura & Justine, 2008, a species from E. cyanopodus, and P. stigmosus resembles P. cyanopodus and P. podocyanus, also both from E. cyanopodus, suggesting close relationships between the diplectanid faunae of these two fish species. D. femineum belongs to a group of diplectanids, provisionally classified as 'Diplectanum' Diesing, 1858, which all share a small funnel-shaped male copulatory organ. In contrast to other members of this group which have no sclerotised vagina, D. femineum has a sclerotised vagina with the same organisation as those of species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958. This suggests that the species of 'Diplectanum' from groupers are closer to Pseudorhabdosynochus than suggested by the structure of the male organs.

Infestation of Some Marine Fish Species with Red Worm Philometra

Over a two-year period, November 2006 to October 2008, the distribution of philometra sp. among host tissues was investigated in 10 host species collected from some coastal waters areas of the Arabian Gulf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The examined fish species were: Epinephelus chlorostigma, Epinephelus tauvina, Johnius maculates, Lethrinus nebulosus, Lutjanus ehrenbergi, Psettodes erumei, Scomberomorus commerson, Siganus canaliculatus, Trichiurus lepturus and Tylosurus crocodiles. The overall percent of philometra sp. infestation among the examined fish species reached 9.5%. However, the infestation percentages in E. tauvina, L. nebulosus and E. chlorostigma, reached 24.13, 21.87 and 20 respectively, whereas in the rest of the examined fish species it was 0%. Generally, philometra sp. infestation rates showed seasonal variations, peaked in summer (25.92%), followed by the spring season (24.48%), winter season (21.21%) and autumn season (13.88%). The distribution of philometra sp. in tissues of infested fish species revealed its significant existence in the abdominal cavity and gonads. However, infestation rates in muscles and fin tissue were markedly and significantly low. Regarding histo-pathological alterations, infected ovaries appeared black, shrunken and changed to fibrous tissue. Degenerative changes and inflammatory cell proliferation wereobserved, however, in cases of chronic infestation, the dead parasite in the ovarian tissue initiated strong tissue response and proliferated connective tissue reaction as well as hyaline degeneration. Consequently, reduced in the volume of the affected ovaries and finally damage to the reproductive system were frequently seen.

Purification and Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Protein from Brown-spotted Grouper, <I>Epinephelus fario</I>

Purification and Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Protein from Brown-spotted Grouper, <I>Epinephelus fario</I>

A redescription of Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938), the type-species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958 (Monogenea: Diplectanidae), and the description of P. satyui n. sp. from Epinephelus akaara off Japan.

Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938) has been recorded from a variety of hosts, mainly groupers. All type-specimens of Diplectanum epinepheli Yamaguti, 1938, Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli Yamaguti, 1958 and Cycloplectanum hongkongensis Beverley-Burton & Suriano, 1981 are figured: it is concluded, as did Kritsky & Beverley-Burton (1986), that the three species are synonymous. In addition, numerous monogenean specimens from a deep-sea grouper, Epinephelus chlorostigma, collected off New Caledonia, South Pacific, were prepared using various methods and described. These specimens are also conspecific with P. epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938) and represent a new geographical record. This species has a sclerotised vagina with a very characteristic primary chamber. The simultaneous presence of P. lantauensis (Beverley-Burton & Suriano, 1981) and P. epinepheli was noted in both type-slides of D. epinepheli from Japan (host: E. akaara) and C. hongkongensis from Hong Kong (host: E. bruneus). Several causes are suspected for the alleged 'generalist' character of P. epinepheli, including the misidentification of either fish or monogeneans and the accidental exchanges of monogeneans between fishes of different species kept alive in the same tank. Finally, the confirmed list of hosts of P. epinepheli includes E. akaara, E. awoara and E. chlorostigma; it is suggested that the latter, a widespread deep-sea fish, serves as a reservoir for the infection of the other species, which are associated with shallow waters. P. satyui n. sp. is described from two specimens found on slides from E. akaara (from the Inland Sea of Japan) deposited by Yamaguti; the new species has a sclerotised vagina with characteristic spherical chambers.

노래미, 쑤기미, 구실우럭 및 홍감펭 장관 점액질에 대한 조직화학적 연구

농어목에 속하는 경골어류 4종(노래미, 쑤기미, 구실우럭 및 홍감펭)의 장관 점액질의 조직화학적 성상을 밝히기 위해 peridic acid Schiff (PAS) 반응, alcialn blue (AB) pH 1.0 및 pH 2.5, AB pH 2.5-PAS, aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH 1.7-AB pH 2.5 및 high iron diamine (HID)-AB pH 2.5 염색을 실시하였다. 장 점막에 있는 주름의 모양은 어종 및 부위에 따라 차이가 있었다. 장의 모든 부위에서 관찰되는 배상세포는 원주세포사이에 위치하고 있으며 그 모양은 구형이거나 타원형이었고 원위장에서 수가 가장 많았다. 구실우럭 중간장 및 원위장과 노래미, 쑤기미 및 홍감펭 장에는 산성점액질과 중성점액질이 나타났으며 산성점액질의 성상은 sialomucin이었다. 구실우럭의 근위장에는 중성점액질만 나타났다. 점액질 양과 성상은 장 부위에 따라 차이가 있었다. 쑤기미의 원위장은 산성점액질과 중성점액질 양이 비슷하였다. 노래미의 장관 모든 부위, 쑤기미의 근위장과 중간장, 구실우럭의 중간장과 원위장, 홍감펭의 원위장에는 산성점액질이 중성점액질보다 더 많았다. 홍감펭의 근위장과 중간장에는 중성점액질이 산성점액질보다 더 많았다. The conventional histochemical stains were used to study the properties of mucosubstances of the intestine in four teleostean species, i. e., Agramus agramus, Inimicus japonicus, Epinephelus chlorostigma, and Helicolenus dactylopterus, all belonging to the order Perciformes. The following methods were used; periodic acid Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB) pH at 2.5, AB pH at 1.0, AB pH at 2.5-PAS, and aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH at 1.7-AB pH at 2.5 stain. The mucosal folds of intestines show differences in species and regions. Widely distributed in all portions studied, goblet cells situated between cylinderical epithelial cells are round or ovoid in shape. They were most densely distributed in distal intestine. In the middle and. distal intestine of Epinephelus chlorostigma and all regions of intestines of Agramus agramus, Inimicus japonicus, and Helicolenus dactylopterus, the presence of both acidic and neutral mucin was confirmed. The property of acidic mucosubstance was sialomucin. Neutral mucin was only encountered in the proximal intestine of Epinephelus chlorostigma. The amount and property of mucin showed differences in species and regions. In the distal intestine of Inimicus japonicus, the amount of acidic mucin is similar to that of neutral mucin. In all regions of intestine of Agramus agramus, proximal and middle intestine of lnimicus japonicus, middle and distal intestine of Epinephelus chlorostigma, and distal intestine of Helicolenus dactylopterus, acidic mucin occured more frequently than neutral mucin. The proximal and middle intestine of Helicolenus dactylopterus have more neutral mucin than acidic mucin.

Microbiological and biochemical quality of grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) stored in dry ice and water ice

SummaryThe changes in the microbiological and biochemical quality of grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) stored in dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) were investigated. Fresh fish stored in dry ice at the ratio of 1:1 (wt/wt) were found to be organoleptically suitable for consumption when they were stored for 30 h without re‐icing. Fish stored in water ice (as control) at the ratio of 1:1 (wt/wt) and in a combination of dry ice and water ice at the ratio of 1:0.2:0.5 (wt/wt/wt) were acceptable up to 18 and 24 h, respectively. Total bacterial load ranged from 105 to 107 CFU g−1, while total psychrophiles from 103 to 106 CFU g−1. Total lactics were found in the levels of 102–104 CFU g−1. Total volatile basic nitrogen contents were within the limit of acceptability in all the three treatments, whereas trimethylamine nitrogen content exceeded the limit (15 mg%) and hypoxanthine content was 11.11 mg (100 g)−1 on the 30 h in grouper stored only in dry ice. Lowest temperature of −5.8 °C was recorded in grouper stored only in dry ice. Hundred percent CO2 environment within the package was found in grouper that were stored in dry ice and combination of dry ice and water ice.

Mucosubstance histochemistry of the epidermis in Yellowtail, Striped Beakperch, Brown Spotted Grouper, Sea Chub, and Multicolorfin Rainbowfish

Abstract To investigate the properties of mucosubstances of the epidermis in various teleostean species, conventional histochemical stainings were used on the skin in five species of order Perciformes, i. e., yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiat, striped beakperch, Oplegnathus fasciatus, brown spotted grouper, Epinephelus chlorostigma, sea chub, Ditrema temmincki and multicolorfin rainbowfish, Halichoeres poecilopterus. The following methods were used: periodic acid Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB) pH at 2.5, AB pH at 1.0, AB pH at 2.5‐PAS, AB pH at 1.0‐PAS, aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH at 1.7‐AB pH at 2.5 and high iron diamine (HID)‐AB pH at 2.5. The epidermis of all five species consisted of three layers: superficial, middle, and basal layer. The superficial layer was comprised of rather flattened cells. In particular, the outermost layer of striped beakperch and middle layer of sea chub consisted of mucus‐secreting cells. Mucous cells, the unicellular glands, were found in epidermis but varied in number in different body regions and species. Although there was a slight difference in the amount in various species and body regions, the secretory contents of the mucous cells in the five teleostean species contained acidic mucopolysaccharides. In yellowtail, striped beakperch, and multicolorfin rainbowfish, the property of mucosubstances was identified as sialomucin, while it was sulphomucin in brown spotted grouper and sea chub.

Seasonal distribution of bromophenols in selected Hong Kong seafood.

Selected seafood including rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus), brown-spotted grouper (Epinephelus areolatus), clam (Tapes philippinarum), oyster (Ostrea rivularis), shrimp (Penaeus japonicus), and crab (Charybdis feriatus), commonly found in the Hong Kong wet market, was monitored for their distribution and seasonal variations of their bromophenol contents. Specifically, 2-bromophenol (1). 4-bromophenol (2). 2,4-dibromophenol (3). 2,6-dibromophenol (4). and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (5). were monitored due to their flavor impact to seafood. All samples of marine origin contained bromophenols throughout a year. Crab had the highest concentration of total bromophenol content throughout the season. Concentrations of compounds 1, 4, and 5 in the local seafood were generally higher than that found in the literature values to provide characteristic flavor, but lower than that required to cause off-flavor. Variations of the flavor impact of bromophenols in seafood during a season could be better shown by their flavor values. Distribution and seasonal variations of bromophenol content in seafood coincided well with the seasonal growth cycle of the bromophenol synthesizing seaweeds, e.g. brown algae, in the region suggesting the abundant source of bromophenols in the environment might have a high impact on the quantity of bromophenols found in seafood.

Viral DNA sequences of genes encoding the ATPase and the major capsid protein of tropical iridovirus isolates which are pathogenic to fishes in Japan, South China Sea and Southeast Asian countries.

Tropical iridovirus infection causes severe epizootic resulting in mass mortalities and large economic losses in freshwater ornamental fishes cultured in Southeast Asian countries, in wild fish seedlings captured in South China Sea, and in marine fishes farmed in Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. All of tropical iridovirus-infected fishes histopathologically showed the systemic formation of inclusion body-bearing cells and necrosis of virus-infected splenocytes and hematopoietic cells. We designed primer sets for the ATPase gene and the major capsid protein (MCP) gene and sequenced the PCR products derived from 5 iridovirus isolates from sea bass in South China Sea, red sea bream in Japan, brown-spotted grouper with a grouper sleepy disease in Thailand, dwarf gourami from Malaysia and African lampeye from Sumatra Island, Indonesia. The ATPase gene and the MCP gene of these 5 viral isolates were highly homologous (> 95.8%, > 94.9% identity, respectively) and the deduced amino acid sequences of the ATPase and the MCP were also highly identical (> 98.1%, > 97.2% identity, respectively). Based on the high homology, these 5 isolates of tropical iridovirus from various fishes in geographically different regions were determined to have a single origin and to be native to Southeast Asian regions. However, these sequences were far different from those of members of the genera Ranavirus, Lymphocystivirus and Iridovirus in the Family Iridoviridae. We propose a new genus "Tropivirus" for tropical iridovirus in the Family Iridoviridae.

Demographic characteristics of a selection of exploited reef fish from the Seychelles: preliminary study

The population biology of six commonly caught species in the Seychelles reef fisheries was investigated by the study of otolith microstructures. Alternating translucent and opaque bands were observed in transverse sections of sagittal otoliths from Epinephelus chlorostigma, Lethrinus lentjan, Lethrinus mahsena, Scarus ghobban, Scarus rubroviolaceus and Siganus sutor. Evidence derived from two tagged fish injected with tetracycline and recaptured after 1 year in the wild tentatively suggests that opaque bands are formed on an annual basis in the otoliths of L. mahsena. Species with a protogynous reproductive mode had significantly female-biased sex ratios overall, but the bias was removed in the older age classes apparently as a result of sex change. The results demonstrate that for S. ghobban and S. rubroviolaceus secondary males had accelerated growth rates, but the phenomenon was not implicitly associated with a protogynous mode of sexual development.

Electron microscopic observations of a marine fish iridovirus isolated from brown-spotted grouper, Epinephelus tauvina

The morphogenesis and the ultrastructure of a marine fish iridovirus isolated from diseased grouper, Epinephelus tauvina were studied by electron microscopy. The virus was grown on a marine fish cell line (GP) at 25 °C. After appearance of advanced cytopathic effect (CPE), various morphogenetic stages of virus amplification, maturation and assembly were detected in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. The matured nucleocapsids were probably formed by insertion of electron-dense core material into a partly forming empty capsid just before completely sealed. The nucleocapsids were located at the assembly sites as pseudocrystalline arrays or scattered individually. In the late phase of infection, the nucleocapsids were enveloped and released by budding from the plasma membrane. The budding virus particles could directly enter neighbouring cells by endocytosis to start the next round infection. Ultrastructure of the grouper iridovirus was studied using the methods of enzymatic digestions and detergent degradations. The purified iridovirus particles showed a three-layered membrane including an external lipoprotein envelope, an inner periodic protein capsid and a lipid-containing membrane. The regular array of surface capsid subunits was observed after degradation with detergent.

Association of Vibrio harveyi with mortalities in cultured marine fish in Kuwait

A Vibrio sp. frequently associated with mortalities in cultured silvery black porgy Acanthopagrus cuvieri and brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus tauvina was studied. Silvery black porgy was susceptible to laboratory infection with this isolate only when administered intramuscularly (IM), but the isolate could infect brown-spotted grouper by both IM and intraperitoneal (IP) routes. The isolate was identified as Vibrio harveyi. The 5 d LD 50 for silvery black porgy was 4.9 ± 0.21 × 10 7 CFU; and for brown-spotted grouper, 1.56 ±0.19 X 10 9 CFU for IM and 1.59 ± 0.17 × 10 9 CFU for IP infection. In brown-spotted grouper the bacteria disseminated mostly to the spleen and kidney with IM infection, whereas IP infection favoured the spleen followed by the kidney and liver. Silvery black porgy accumulated appreciable numbers of bacteria in muscles at the site of injection but few in internal organs. Based on LD 50 and bacterial counts from tissues, silvery black porgy was more susceptible than brown-spotted grouper to this isolate when administered by the IM route. Based on the high values of LD 50 for both fish species, it appears that V. harveyi should be regarded as an opportunistic pathogen. The involvement of an extracellular product extracted from a broth culture of the bacterium in the pathogenesis of the infection was equivocal. Oxytetracycline added to food successfully halted mortality among brown-spotted grouper from which V. harveyi was isolated in abundant and virtually pure form.

Fatty-acid composition of three commercially important fish of the Arabian Gulf

The fatty-acid compositions of Hamour ( Epinephelus chlorostigma), Hamrah ( Lutjanus campechanus), and Shaour ( Lethrinus lentjan) were determined. Fish samples were obtained from the Arabian Gulf each month over a period of one year, and equal numbers of these fish were mixed to yield three pooled samples for analysis, representing a one-year cycle for each fish species. The same fatty acids were found in the muscle tissues (fillet) of the three fish species, with no major differences in the percentages of these acids. The fish species exhibited high degrees of unsaturation (63–68%). The polyunsaturated components constituted almost half of the total fatty acids, and the majority of these belonged to the nutritionally important linolenic and linoleic families. The monoenoic and saturated acids consisted of normal and branched chains and were dominated by C 18 and C 16 fatty acids.

A Comparative Study On the Levels of Trace Metals in Some Mediterranean and Red Sea Fishes

Abstract Samples of Mugil cephalus, Liza ramada, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Epinephelus alexandrinus, Epinephelus areolatus, Epinephelus fasciatus, Epinephelus chlorostigma, Cephalopholis argus and Cephalopholis sonnerati were collected from the Mediterranean and Red Seas and their muscle and bone analyzed by AAS for some trace metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb). the results showed that these metals accumulate in the bones to a greater extent than in the muscle. the highest accumulated element is cobalt (4.7-20.8 times), while the lowest is lead (1.1-2.5 times). the accumulation is more pronounced in Red Sea species than in Mediterranean species. the elevated levels of lead in Mugil cephalus (2.6-3.0 mg kg−1) and Epinephelus alexandrinus (3.0-3.9 mg kg−1) were attributed to the intake in food in the polluted environment of Alexandria coastal water. the relationship between body size and concentration of trace metals using a standard linear regression technique gives a significant positiv...

The food and feeding of tropical marine fishes in floating net cages: Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), and brown-spotted grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal)

. A 156-day cage feeding trial was conducted with fingerling seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), and grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal), so as to test six different dietary feeding regimes, namely no exogenous feeding (NF), frozen fish (FF), commercial shrimp finisher pellet (SP), in-house prepared dry pellet RDI (RDI) and RD2 (RD2), and an in-house prepared moist pellet (frozen fish: diet Rd1, 40:60 mixture w/w — code MP). Seabass fed FF and MP displayed the best growth response, with fish (30/m3) growing from an initial weight of 8·9g and 8·5g to a final weight of 285·5g and 257·5 g in 156 days, with a food conversion ratio of 3·77–5·10 (dry matter basis 1·15 – 1·95), and with a survival of 93·3 and 93·3% respectively. Similarly, grouper fed FF and MP also displayed the best growth response, with fish (30/m3) growing from an initial weight of 23·8 g and 25·8g to a final weight of 471·7g and 388·7g in 156 days, with a food conversion ratio of 3·53–4·16 (dry matter basis 0·89–1·06) and 1·73–2·96 (dry matter basis 1·06–1·80), and with a survival of 90 and 98·3% respectively. The results are analysed from an economical viewpoint and discussed on the basis of other published studies.

Diseases of Cultured Brown-Spotted GrouperEpinephelus tauvinaand Silvery Black PorgyAcanthopagrus cuvieriin Kuwait

Several diseases have been encountered in cultured brown-spotted grouper and silvery black porgy in the mariculture facilities of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. More than 50% of juvenile brown-spotted grouper cultured in concrete tanks died during an initial outbreak of the protozoan parasite Cryptocaryon irritans. Formalin treatment (35–50 mg/L, 5 h/d, twice a week) was used to control and prevent the disease. Formalin-treated fish experienced several reinfestations by this parasite, but no further deaths occurred. Brown-spotted grouper also suffered from severe eye lesions, including exophthalmia and opaqueness of the cornea. Only 35% of these fish cultured in fiberglass tanks did not have idiopathic lesions. Silvery black porgy cultured in floating cages in the open sea did not show any lesions from July to November 1985 apart from eroded fins, which increased in frequency with increasing stocking densities. However, a disease occurred during the winter of 1986, when the water temperature averaged 14.8°C, and 65% mortality resulted. Vibrio anguillarum, V. ordain, V. carchariae, V. damsela, and three other Vibrio spp. were isolated from diseased silvery black porgy. Deaths associated with broken isthmuses occurred among silvery black porgy cultured in floating cages in August 1987. There was no further incidence of this condition after the addition of vitamin C (500 mg/kg) of feed to the diet.