Hemigrammocypris Research Articles

Developmental potential of somatic and germ cells of hybrids betweenCarassius auratusfemales andHemigrammocypris rasborellamales

The cause of hybrid sterility and inviability has not been analyzed in the fin-fish hybrid, although large numbers of hybridizations have been carried out. In this study, we produced allo-diploid hybrids by cross-fertilization between female goldfish (Carassius auratus) and male golden venus chub (Hemigrammocypris rasborella). Inviability of these hybrids was due to breakage of the enveloping layer during epiboly or due to malformation with serious cardiac oedema around the hatching stage. Spontaneous allo-triploid hybrids with two sets of the goldfish genome and one set of the golden venus chub genome developed normally and survived beyond the feeding stage. This improved survival was confirmed by generating heat-shock-induced allo-triploid hybrids that possessed an extra goldfish genome. When inviable allo-diploid hybrid cells were transplanted into goldfish host embryos at the blastula stage, these embryos hatched normally, incorporating the allo-diploid cells. These allo-diploid hybrid cells persisted, and were genetically detected in a 6-month-old fish. In contrast, primordial germ cells taken from allo-diploid hybrids and transplanted into goldfish hosts at the blastula stage had disappeared by 10 days post-fertilization, even under chimeric conditions. In allo-triploid hybrid embryos, germ cells proliferated in the gonad, but had disappeared by 10 weeks post-fertilization. These results showed that while hybrid germ cells are inviable even in chimeric conditions, hybrid somatic cells remain viable.

Multiplex real-time PCR enables the simultaneous detection of environmental DNA from freshwater fishes: a case study of three exotic and three threatened native fishes in Japan

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has been used as a cost-efficient and non-invasive tool for monitoring invasive and threatened species. Previous studies typically involve two approaches; species-specific detection via PCR and multiple species detection via metabarcoding. However, the former could be costly when several species are targeted, and the latter could sometimes be insufficient to distinguish closely related species. Here, the simultaneous eDNA detection from multiple species via multiplex real-time PCR was applied to 99 ponds to evaluate the distribution of three exotic and three threatened native fish species over different seasons. We detected bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) eDNA at 31 sites, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) eDNA at 22 sites, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) eDNA at one site, golden venus chub (Hemigrammocypris rasborella) eDNA at 11 sites, Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) eDNA at 26 sites, and weather loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) eDNA at 41 sites. We found that eDNA detection rates were higher in early summer for all fish species. Moreover, exotic fish eDNA was detected more frequently in ponds which were easier to access by car and which have a larger surface area and higher pH. Furthermore, the detection rates of native fish eDNA were generally lower in the ponds where exotic fish eDNA was detected more frequently. Multiplex real-time PCR can help detect the distribution of exotic and threatened native species for conservation and ecosystem management. This method is expected to substantially contribute to the early detection of invasive species and the efficient protection of threatened species’ habitat.

Molecular Phylogeny of the Opsariichthys Group (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) Based On Complete Mitochondrial Genomes.

Shih-Pin Huang, Feng-Yu Wang, and Tzi-Yuan Wang (2017) The complete mitochondrial genomes of 76 species from 43 genera under Cyprinidae sensu lato were collected to reassess the molecular phylogeny of Opsariichthyinae sensu Liao et al. 2011. The mitogenomes of three species, Candidia barbata, Opsariichthys evolans, and Opsariichthys pachycephalus, were newly sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on 13 concatenated multiple protein-coding genes with two ribosomal RNA genes. The concatenated dataset provided a new perspective on systematics and relationships. Tree topologies show that a monophyletic group containing Parazacco, Candidia, Nipponocypris, Zacco, and Opsariichthys should belong to the Opsariichthys group. In addition, the present results also strongly support that Candidia and Nipponocypris should be regarded as distinct genera within the Opsariichthys group. Aphyocypris, Yaoshanicus, Nicholsicypris, and Pararasbora form a monophyletic group within Xenocyprididae, distinct from the Opsariichthys group. Furthermore, Hemigrammocypris is nested with four species of Metzia, a genus of ex-Cultrinae in Xenocyprididae. In addition, two major types of distinct stripes - longitudinal and vertical - were observed among species of the Opsariichthys group and were highly correlated with molecular phylogenetic relationships. Such types of vertical and longitudinal stripes presented in the Opsariichthys group might have originated in an ancestor species, after which distinct vertical stripes might have been lost among these cyprinids but retained in the Opsariichthys group.

Establishment of detection system for native rare species, Hemigrammocypris rasborella, using environmental DNA

Establishment of detection system for native rare species, <i>Hemigrammocypris rasborella</i>, using environmental DNA

Environmental and biotic characteristics to discriminate farm ponds with and without exotic largemouth bass and bluegill in western Japan

We compared the environmental and biotic characteristics of farm ponds with and without the invasive fish, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), with varying degrees of aquatic vegetation cover in western Japan. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that aquatic vegetation cover and pond area were significant environmental variables in explaining the variance in aquatic organisms. Aquatic vegetation cover predominantly affected Odonata and Hemiptera larvae, and the native cyprinid, Hemigrammocypris rasborella, while the pond area mainly affected the two exotic fishes (largemouth bass and bluegill), Viviparidae, Oligocheata, Ephemeroptera, and chironomid larvae. In the RDA biplot for aquatic organisms, the RDA1 axis appeared to separate the exotic fish group (bluegill, largemouth bass, Gammaridae, Oligochaeta, Viviparidae, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and chironomid larvae) from the native fish group (H. rasborella, Oryzias latipes, Rhinogobius sp., Odonata, shrimps, and Hemiptera larvae). The best path model results indicated that the presence of piscivorous largemouth bass had a significantly negative effect on native fish numbers; largemouth bass also had a positive indirect effect on benthic organism numbers. Our data suggest that the depletion of native fishes via top-down effects by exotic largemouth bass may indirectly increase the number of benthic organisms as a result of trophic-cascading effects.

Genetic population structure of Hemigrammocypris rasborella (Cyprinidae) inferred from mtDNA sequences

The genetic population structure of the small cyprinid Hemigrammocypris rasborella, distributed widely in lowlands of western Japan, was examined using partial sequence data of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the populations of the western Kyushu region were markedly differentiated from all eastern populations, such that the groups would be comparable to different species; their divergence was inferred to have occurred in the Late Miocene–Pliocene. Also, a largely divergent mtDNA group (with divergence in the early Pleistocene) was found in the Sanyo and northeastern Shikoku regions, forming a secondary contact zone in the western Kinki with the eastern mtDNA group. To date, these aspects of the population structure of H. rasborella appear to be unique among lowland fishes in western Japan. Deeper understanding of the formation processes of freshwater faunas in western Japan will require further comparisons of the phylogeographic patterns and ecological traits of constituent species.

Barilius neglectus STIELER, 1907 ein Seniorsynonym von Hemigrammocypris rasborella FOWLER, 1910 (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

The taxon Barilius neglectus Stieler, 1907 was founded on specimens who were imported as aquarium fishes by pet trade from Japan. The fish was hold and breed in captivity by German hobbyists at the beginning of the last century and died off in captivity because of the later imported more coloured species. Nevertheless, there are a lot of quotations of this species in the benchmarks of the hobbyists. But the species name is not to find in the ichthyological literature, especially also in the Japanese literature. During a re-investigation of the syntypes of this species hold in the Museum of Natural History Berlin, it was shown that Barilius neglectus Stieler, 1907 is a senior synonym of Hemigrammocypris rasborella Fowler, 1910. According to these investigations the correct name of this fish is Hemigrammocypris neglectus (Stieler, 1907).

Cephalic lateral line canal system of the golden venus chub, Hemigrammocypris rasborella (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

We investigated the cephalic lateral line canal system of the golden venus chub, Hemigrammocypris rasborella. The cephalic lateral line canal system consists of the infraorbital canal (IOC), the preopercular canal (POC), the mandibular canal (MC), the supraorbital canal (SOC), the temporal canal (TC), and the supratemporal canal (STC), and is characterized by the following pedomorphic features: disjunction of IOC and SOC, of TC and POC, and of POC and MC. We also discuss the phylogenetic significance of the cephalic lateral line canal system of H. rasborella.

Geographical and between-habitat variations in the body shape of Hemigrammocypris rasborella.

Geographical and between-habitat variations in the body shape of Hemigrammocypris rasborella.

Maturation and Growth in the Wild Population of Hemigrammocypris rasborella

Maturation and Growth in the Wild Population of Hemigrammocypris rasborella

Settlement process of aquatic animal community including endangered cyprinid fish, Hemigrammocypris rasborella (CYPRINIDAE), at the Refuge Bio-tope of Kirin Brew Park Kobe, Kobe, Japan.

Settlement process of aquatic animal community including endangered cyprinid fish, Hemigrammocypris rasborella (CYPRINIDAE), at the Refuge Bio-tope of Kirin Brew Park Kobe, Kobe, Japan.

Habitat Use in Irrigation Channels by the Golden Venus Chub (Hemigrammocypris rasborella) at Different Growth Stages

Ecological information on the golden venus chub (Hemigrammocypris rasborella Fowler, 1910) was collected during field surveys and used to analyze habitat use by this species at each growth stage. Surveys were conducted every month for approximately 2 years In an irrigation ditch near the Ushizu River, Kyushu Island, Japan. Based on the characteristic nuptial coloration of males, it was estimated that H. rasborella spawns between spring and summer. Size measurements of 2697 individuals indicated two size classes. The population of age class 1 decreased rapidly after the spawning period. On the basis of growth patterns, the life cycle of H. rasborella was classified into three stages: the growth stage (GS) of age class 0 fish from August to November, the no-growth stage (NGS) of age class 0 fish from December to March, and the growing and spawning stage (GSS) of age class 0 and 1 fish from April to August. Habitat use by GS, NGS, and GSS fish was analyzed with a stepwise multiple linear regression. The average number of fish was negatively correlated with the presence of a concrete revetment in the GS; positively and negatively correlated with minimum water depth and submerged plants, respectively, in the NGS; and positively correlated with maximum water temperature in the GSS. These results suggest that maintenance of the water level in the fallow season and not using concrete revetments are essential for the conservation of this species under the present conditions in Japanese rice fields.

Genetic diversity and conservation units in wild and captive populations of endangered freshwater fishes: a case of Hemigrammocypris rasborella in Shizuoka, Japan

Population structure and genetic diversity were examined using partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences of four wild, one reintroduced, and five captive populations of the endangered cyprinid Hemigrammocypris rasborella from three river systems in the easternmost region of the species’ range in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. We detected loss of genetic diversity from portions of the wild and captive populations, as well as suspected nonindigenous haplotypes in some captive, reintroduced, and even wild populations. Given the population structure revealed, we suggest that the populations should be managed with consideration for both the endemism and viability (avoidance of inbreeding depression) of the local populations.

Comparison of genetic population structure between two cyprinids, Hemigrammocypris rasborella and Pseudorasbora pumila subsp., in the Ise Bay basin, central Honshu, Japan

Two small cyprinid fishes, Hemigrammocypris rasborella and Pseudorasbora pumila subsp. (sensu Nakamura 1963), inhabit similar habitats and often occur sympatrically in the Ise Bay basin, central Honshu Island, Japan. Their genetic population structures were revealed, using sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and then compared. Hemigrammocypris rasborella populations in the Ise Bay area formed a monophyletic group that has been isolated from eastern (Tenryu River) and western (Lake Biwa–Yodo River) populations at least for several hundred thousand years. Pseudorasbora pumila subsp., endemic to the Ise Bay area, was estimated to have become isolated from its sister subspecies, P. p. pumila, about 5 million years ago. Both H. rasborella and P. pumila subsp. had centers of genetic diversity around the Okazaki Plain in the eastern part of the basin and showed trans-bay distribution of haplotypes or haplotype groups. Their common population structure was explained by geological features in the Ise Bay area, in which a large paleo-river system developed in regression periods, suggesting gene flow among populations of each species in the mid to lower reaches of the paleo-river. Based on the estimated expansion or divergence time, however, not all populations experienced gene flow during the Last Glacial. In contrast to the maintenance of high genetic diversity in H. rasborella, almost all populations of P. pumila subsp. have lost mitochondrial DNA genetic diversity. This implies that effective population size of P. pumila subsp. tended to be smaller, probably because of differences in reproductive ecology, even though the two species have been exposed to similar environmental changes. For conservation of the two species, genetic and adaptive differentiation among local populations should be considered, and attention should be paid to inbreeding depression, especially in P. pumila subsp.

Comparison of genetic population structure between two cyprinids, Hemigrammocypris rasborella and Pseudorasbora pumila subsp., in the Ise Bay basin, central Honshu, Japan

Comparison of genetic population structure between two cyprinids, Hemigrammocypris rasborella and Pseudorasbora pumila subsp., in the Ise Bay basin, central Honshu, Japan

有明海沿岸域のクリークにおける淡水魚類の生息の有無・生息密度とクリークの護岸形状との関係

The presence and populations of freshwater fishes and the revetment conditions in creeks were investigated at 48 sampling sites around the Sea of Ariake in northwestern Kyushu, Japan. Each creek studied in this survey was classified into one of the three following types in terms of revetment conditions: Type-1, the creeks have earthen revetments except when crossing roads; Type-2, although there are concrete revetments in the creeks, these revetments are short, and agricultural water flows over the revetments and reaches bank vegetations or earthen banks except during the agricultural off-season; Type-3, there are high concrete revetments around the creeks, and agricultural water does not flow over the revetments during any season. The amount of Hemigrammocypris rasborella present was affected by the revetment conditions, and the amount present in Type-3 was significantly lower than those in Type-1 and Type-2. The populations of H. rasborella, Rhodeus ocellatus kurumeus, and Pseudorasbora parva were affected by the revetment conditions. For H. rasborella and R. ocellatus kurumeus, the populations in Type-3 were significantly lower than those in Type-1 and Type-2. For P. parva, the population in Type-3 was significantly lower than that in Type-1.

Developmental morphology of the cyprinid fish Tanichthys albonubes

Embryonic, larval, and juvenile development of a small cyprinid species, Tanichthys albonubes, is described from laboratory-reared specimens. The eggs, measuring 1.0–1.2 mm in diameter, were demersal, almost spherical in shape, transparent and unpigmented, with a pale yolk without oil globules. Hatching occurred 45–53 h after fertilization at 25.5°–26.9°C. The newly hatched larvae, measuring 2.2–2.6 mm in body length (BL), had melanophores on the head and body. In particular, a dark vertical streak occurring posterior to the otic capsule and melanophores above the eyes were distinctive. The yolk was completely absorbed at 3.4 mm BL. Notochord flexion was initiated at 5.0 mm BL and finished at 6.0 mm BL. Aggregate numbers of all fin rays were completed at 11 mm BL. Squamation was initiated at 8.4 mm BL and completed at 13 mm BL. Although the eggs of T. albonubes resembled those of other small danionin species, including Aphyocypris chinensis, Chela dadiburjori, Danio rerio, Devario malabaricus, Gobiocypris rarus, Hemigrammocypris rasborella, and Horadandia atukorali, they differed from those of A. chinensis, C. dadiburjori, G. rarus, and Horadandia atukorali in having a wider perivitelline space. The larvae and juveniles of T. albonubes were similar to those of the aforementioned seven species plus Danio albolineatus, Danio kerri, and Devario sp. (cf. D. aequipinnatus) in general morphology. However, the early life stage morphology of T. albonubes differed from them in having a dark vertical streak posterior to the otic capsule and melanophores above the eyes in the yolk sac larval stage, and a dark lateral streak with an unpigmented area just above the former on the body, a dark blotch on the caudal fin, and reddish dorsal, anal, and caudal fins during the postflexion larval and juvenile stages.

Developmental morphology of the cyprinid fish Horadandia atukorali

Embryonic, larval, and juvenile development of a small Indian cyprinid, Horadandia atukorali, is described from laboratory-reared specimens. The eggs, measuring 0.7–0.8 mm in diameter, were demersal, almost spherical in shape, transparent and unpigmented, with a pale yellow yolk without oil globules. Hatching occurred 47–54 h after fertilization at 26.3–27.5°C. The newly hatched larvae, measuring 2.3–2.6 mm in body length (BL) with 16 + 13 = 29 myomeres, had no melanophores, except on the eye, a single melanophore occurring on the lower margin, and xanthophores surrounding the pupil. The yolk was completely absorbed at 3.0 mm BL. Notochord flexion was initiated at 4.0 mm BL and finished at 4.4 mm BL. Aggregate numbers of all fin rays were completed at 8.0 mm BL. Squamation was initiated at 6.4 mm BL and completed at 9.5 mm BL. Although the eggs of Horadandia atukorali resembled those of other small danionin species, including Aphyocypris chinensis, Chela dadiburjori, Danio rerio, Devario malabaricus, and Hemigrammocypris rasborella, they differed from those of Danio rerio and Devario malabaricus in having a narrower perivitelline space. The larvae and juveniles of Horadandia atukorali were also similar to those of the latter five species in general morphology, especially in the presence of a melanophore on the lower margin of the eye at hatching, as in C. dadiburjori. However, the early life stage morphology of Horadandia atukorali differed from the other danionin species in having a conical yolk sac at hatching, no cement organ on the forehead in the yolk-sac larval stage, a divided gas bladder in the flexion larval stage, two dark lateral streaks on the head and chevron-like melanophores on the ventral body surface from the preflexion to postflexion larval stages, and xanthophores on the eyes at hatching.