Lagocephalus Lunaris Research Articles

Real-time qPCR for the detection of puffer fish components from Lagocephalus in food: L. inermis, L. lagocephalus, L. gloveri, L. lunaris, and L. spadiceus.

Puffer fish is a type of precious high-end aquatic product, is widely popular in Asia, especially in China and Japan, even though it naturally harbors a neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin (TTX) that is poisonous to humans and causes food poisoning. With the increasing trade demand, which frequently exceeds existing supply capacities, fostering fraudulent practices, such as adulteration of processed products with non-certified farmed wild puffer fish species. To determine the authenticity of puffer fish processed food, we developed a real-time qPCR method to detect five common puffer fish species in aquatic products: Lagocephalus inermis, Lagocephalus lagocephalus, Lagocephalus gloveri, Lagocephalus lunaris, and Lagocephalus spadiceus. The specificity, cross-reactivity, detection limit, efficiency, and robustness of the primers and probes created for five species of puffer fish using TaqMan technology have been determined. No cross-reactivity was detected in the DNA of non-target sample materials, and no false-positive signal was detected; the aquatic products containing 0.1% of a small amount of wild puffer fish materials without certification can be reliably tracked; the statistical p-value for each method's Ct value was greater than 0.05. The developed qPCR method was sensitive, highly specific, robust, and reproducibility, which could be used to validate the authenticity of wild puffer fish in aquatic products sold for commercial purposes.

Eight species of Lintonium Stunkard & Nigrelli, 1930 (Digenea: Fellodistomidae) in Australian tetraodontiform fishes.

We report eight species of Lintonium from tetraodontiform fishes from Australian waters and describe six of them as new. Two species are described from tetraodontids from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR): Lintonium kostadinovae n. sp. from Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider) and Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus); and Lintonium droneni n. sp. from A. nigropunctatus. Two species are described from temperate monacanthids: Lintonium crowcrofti n. sp. from Meuschenia hippocrepis (Quoy & Gaimard) and Meuschenia freycineti (Quoy & Gaimard) off Tasmania and from M. hippocrepis off Glenelg, South Australia and off Fremantle, Western Australia; and Lintonium blendi n. sp. from M. hippocrepis off Stanley, Tasmania. The final two new species are described from tropical monacanthids: Lintonium currani n. sp. from Cantherhines pardalis (Rüppell) from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia; and Lintonium madhaviae n. sp. from Amanses scopas (Cuvier) from the southern GBR. Two previously described species are reported from tetraodontids: Lintonium pulchrum (Johnston, 1913) Yamaguti, 1954 from Arothron stellatus (Anonymous), A. hispidus, A. manilensis (Marion de Procé) and Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider) from the GBR and southern Queensland; and Lintonium consors (Lühe, 1906) Crowcroft, 1950 from A. nigropunctatus from the southern GBR. Sequence data for three markers (ITS2 and 28S rDNA and cox1 mtDNA) for six of the eight species (L. crowcrofti n. sp., L. currani n. sp., L. droneni n. sp., L. kostadinovae n. sp., L. madhaviae n. sp. and L. pulchrum) are the first for the genus and distinguish each species unambiguously. Many records of species of Lintonium, especially widespread records of the type species, L. vibex (Linton, 1900) Stunkard & Nigrelli, 1930, remain to be clarified. A key finding of the present study is that three fish species (A. hispidus, A. nigropunctatus and M. hippocrepis) are identified as harbouring either two or three species of Lintonium at individual localities.

DNA Barcoding Application for Seafood Label Traceability of Various Commercial Surimi-Based Products

Surimi-based processed products are prone to mislabeling using raw materials that are not in accordance with food safety requirements. There were cases reporting use of toxic fish tissue in commercial seafood products. This study was aimed to identify and determine the raw materials used in various processed surimi products using cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene marker. The experiment consisted of DNA isolation, DNA amplification using several target primers namely full-length barcodes, mini-barcodes, as well as specific species primers against poisonous puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris and genetic analysis. The results of bioinformatics analysis revealed that S1 samples were Coryphaena hippurus or mahi-mahi fish, S2 and S3 samples were Nemipterus bathybius or curated fish and CS samples were Evynnis cardinalis or kuro fish. Detection of samples with species specific primers of puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris with annealing temperatures of 54°C, 57°C, and 60°C showed no DNA bands in the six samples analyzed.

Opistholobetines (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in Australian tetraodontiform fishes

Opistholebetine opecoelids are reported following examination of 1,041 individual tetraodontiform fishes, comprising 60 species and seven families, collected in Australian waters between 1986 and 2018. Nine species consistent with Opistholebes Nicoll, 1915, Heterolebes Ozaki, 1935 or Maculifer Nicoll, 1915 were recovered. However, phylogenetic analysis of sequence data, generated for some of these species, suggested that five genera, not three, are required to adequately accommodate these taxa. Thus, the concept and composition for each is revised, Pseudoheterolebes Yamaguti, 1959 nec Gupta, 1968 is resurrected and Parallelolebes n. g. is proposed. Of the nine species examined, five are new. Four new species are from fishes endemic to subtropical and temperate Australian waters for which no trematodes have previously been reported: Pa. australis n. sp. and Ps. corazonae n. sp. from the slender-spined porcupinefish Diodon nicthemerus Cuvier (Diodontidae) off Stanley, Tasmania; Pa. virilis n. sp. from the horse-shoe leatherjacket Meuschenia hippocrepis (Quoy & Gaimard) (Monacanthidae) off Stanley; and Ps. stellaglobulus n. sp. from the threebar pocupinefish Dicotylichthys punctulatus Kaup (Diodontidae) in Moreton Bay, south-east Queensland. The fifth new species is M. diodontis n. sp., collected from the spotted porcupinefish Diodon hystrix Linnaeus and the blackblotched porcupinefish D. liturosus Shaw, in tropical waters on the Great Barrier Reef. Species reported previously include the type-species of Opistholebes, O. amplicoelus Nicoll, 1915 from the rough golden puffer Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider) (Tetraodontidae) and the common toadfish Tetractenos hamiltoni (Richardson) (Tetraodontidae) in Moreton Bay, and three species reported for the first time from fishes in Australian waters: H. maculosus Ozaki, 1935, Pa. elongatus Ozaki, 1937 n. comb. and Ps. diodontis (Cable, 1956) n. comb., each from both D. hystrix and D. liturosus on the Great Barrier Reef. Following the revisions, Opistholebes is recognised for two species, Heterolebes for five, Maculifer for eight, Pseudoheterolebes for five and Parallelolebes for three.

Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905 and Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lepocreadioidea) of fishes from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, with the erection of a new family and genus

Digeneans of the lepocreadioid families Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905 and Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934 from Moreton Bay, off southern Queensland, Australia, are recorded, along with the erection of a new family, Gibsonivermidae. Molecular data were generated for all representatives of these families collected during this study and a phylogram for members of the superfamily was generated based on the partial 28S rDNA dataset, placing these species in context with those previously sequenced. This phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the monotypic Gibsonivermis Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997 is isolated from all other lepocreadioids and supports the erection of Gibsonivermidae n. fam., which is defined morphologically, based particularly on the uniquely elongated male terminal genitalia, the distribution of the uterus in the forebody and the presence of a uroproct. Mobahincia teirae n. g., n. sp. is reported from Platax teira (Forsskål) in Moreton Bay and off Heron Island and New Caledonia. Recognition of this new genus is based on molecular results and the combination of caeca abutting the posterior body wall and the lack of an anterior body scoop or flanges. The following lepocreadioid species are reported from Moreton Bay for the first time: Bianium arabicum Sey, 1996 in Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider), Diploproctodaeum cf. monstrosum Bray, Cribb & Justine, 2010 in Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus), Multitestis magnacetabulum Mamaev, 1970 and Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis Bray & Cribb, 2003 in Platax teira and Opechona austrobacillaris Bray & Cribb, 1998 in Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus). Bianium plicitum (Linton, 1928) is reported from Torquigener squamicauda (Ogilby) for the first time. Sequences of newly collected specimens of Austroholorchis sprenti (Gibson, 1987) indicate that the species forms a clade with other members of the Aephnidiogenidae, agreeing with its morphology. The phylogenetic status of all newly sequenced species is discussed.

Morphology and Stomach Content Analysis of Green Rough-backed Puffer Fish, Lagocephalus lunaris from Kuching, Sarawak

A total of 101 individuals of green rough-backed pufferfish, Lagocephalus lunaris were collected at two sampling sites and were assessed for their morphological characteristics and diet by stomach content analysis. The physical characteristics were observed and body weight (BW), total length (TL), standard length (SL) and number of fin rays were recorded. The results showed that the physical body measurement in all individuals were almost similar in their range of size (TL: 8.6 ± 0.3 cm; SL: 7.0 ± 0.2 cm; BW: 14.3 ± 1.5 g) and most individual had same distribution of spines at the dorsal part which extended to dorsal fin. The numbers of caudal, dorsal, pectoral and anal fin rays ranged from 5 to 12, 7 to 11, 9 to 12 and 7 to 17, respectively. Analysis of the diet composition showed that fish is carnivorous which prey on crabs, prawns, small fish and squids. Based on index of relative importance, crabs were identified as most important prey in Site 1 and Site 2, with value of (47.5, 55.6%), and followed by prawns (36.3, 38.2%), fish (5.6, 11.2%), squids (0.7, 2.9%) and bivalves (0.1, 1.7%). Our results suggest that L. lunaris had unique spines distribution shape which important for species identification and it consumed mainly on crustacean as diet composition. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to describe morphological characteristics and stomach content of L. lunaris which inhabit in Sarawak waters.

Ichthyofauna on a Tropical Mudflat: Implications of Spatial and Temporal Variability in Assemblage Structure and Abundance

Often seen as nonvegetated unutilized wastelands, mudflats pose the least resistance to land claim for coastal development. Here, we studied the large Klang mudflat (Straits of Malacca) from September 2011 to September 2014 to determine the fish species that utilize it and the abiotic factors that influence species composition and abundance, to evaluate the ecological role of the mudflat in support of coastal fisheries. The spatial and temporal assemblage of fish species and their abundance was examined at two sites, during two monsoon seasons, and under the effect of period (wet/dry), moon phase (full/new moon), and diel cycle (day/night). Fish were sampled during ebb tide by a stationary large barrier net that enclosed a calculable area of sampling. A total of 119 species belonging to 46 families of mainly small-sized and juvenile fish made regular ingressions into the mudflat throughout the year. Fish abundance varied spatially and temporally, suggesting site preference and variability in juvenile recruitment. Higher fish abundance due to recruitment occurred during the northeast monsoon season (NEM), as compared to the southwest monsoon. Fish composition but not total fish abundance during the NEM differed between wet/dry periods and diel cycles. Ariidae and Sciaenidae were dominant families during the wet period, whereas Engraulidae dominated during the dry period. Predatory fish species (e.g., Lagocephalus lunaris, Otolithes ruber, and Hexanematichthys sagor) were recorded during the daytime, whereas planktivorous and detrivorous species (e.g., Ambassis gymnocephalus and Liza subviridis) were more abundant during the night.

Present Status of Marine Puffer Fishes in Bangladesh

The study was conducted to create a checklist of available species of marine puffer fishes of Bangladesh. Cox’s Bazar was selected as the study area as common marine fish landing stations are situated there. The study was conducted for a period of one year form July 2011 to June 2012. Puffers were sampled form the fishing vessels on landing stations after return from the sea and also form the local fish markets in four seasons viz. winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon. Most of the fishes were much abundant in the winter season than that of other seasons. After the completion of the study, a total of nine marine puffer fish species were found as- Takifugu poecilonotus, Chelonodon laticeps, Takifugu oblongus, Arothron stellatus, Lagocephalus lunaris, Takifugu vermicularis, Arothron Leopardus, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Arothron immaculatus. The most abundant species was Takifugu vermicularis followed by Lagocephalus lunaris while the lowest abundance was observed for Takifugu poecilonotus.

Redescription and genetic characterization of Philometra lagocephali Moravec et Justine 2008 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch and Schneider) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetradontidae) in the South China Sea.

Philometra lagocephali Moravec et Justine, 2008 was redescribed using light and scanning electron microscopy based on the new material collected from the lunartail puffer Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch et Schneider) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetradontidae) in the South China Sea. Our specimens are identical with the original description in the body size of gravid female, the width of cephalic and caudal end, the number and arrangement of cephalic papillae, the relative length of the oesophagus to body length, the size of ventriculus, the morphology of oesophageal bulb and posterior end, and the body size of larvae. In addition, specimens of P. lagocephali were also characterized using molecular methods by sequencing and analysing the small ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c coxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions. Phylogenetic analyses of genus Philometra base on 18S rDNA sequences was made using Mega 5.2. The results confirmed P. lagocephali is a valid species. It's the first molecular study of this species. These new morphological and molecular data contributed to a more precise and rapid diagnosis of this hitherto poorly known philometrid nematode.

Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Analysis of Puffer Fish, <i>Lagocephalus inermis</i> (Temminck and Schlegel, 1850) and <i>Lagocephalus lunaris</i> (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Parangipettai, Southeast Coast of India

The nutritional effects of marine food have increased far and wide due to the beneficial effects of consuming marine food, fats and oils. In general, the proximate composition is well known as a proportion composition of basic elements such as protein, lipids, carbohydrate, minerals and water. The puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris and Lagocephalus inermis were collected at Mudasal odai fish landing centre and the skin and visceral organs like gonads and intestines were removed the edible portion only took for the analysis. Species of the fish sample was oven-dried in an electric oven at between 70 – 80 °C until the samples had constant weight. The protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and moisture content of green -rough-back puffer fish and smooth-backed blow fish were investigated. L. lunaris and L. inermis were has 9.22 %, 8.92 %, 1.96 %, 1.87 %, 11.25 %, 11.98 %, 80.32 %, 86.05 %, 0.96 %, 1.27 % respectively. Totally seven saturated fatty acids; ten Mono unsaturated fatty acids and two poly unsaturated fatty acids were found as the major components on the investigated puffer fish. Polyunsaturated fatty acid like n-3 has 31.17 %, 31.19 and n-6 7.26 %, 7.29 % of PUSFA found as the dominant composition on puffer fish. This study revealed that these species are having high saturated fatty acid and protein content and able to compete with more commercially utilize species in terms of nutritional value, and they can definitely also compete when it comes to taste. It can act as a good source of nutritional and economic value when it is carefully handled and properly cooked.

Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Analysis of Puffer Fish, <i>Lagocephalus inermis</i> (Temminck and Schlegel, 1850) and <i>Lagocephalus lunaris</i> (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Parangipettai, Southeast Coast of India

The nutritional effects of marine food have increased far and wide due to the beneficial effects of consuming marine food, fats and oils. In general, the proximate composition is well known as a proportion composition of basic elements such as protein, lipids, carbohydrate, minerals and water. The puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris and Lagocephalus inermis were collected at Mudasal odai fish landing centre and the skin and visceral organs like gonads and intestines were removed the edible portion only took for the analysis. Species of the fish sample was oven-dried in an electric oven at between 70 – 80 °C until the samples had constant weight. The protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and moisture content of green -rough-back puffer fish and smooth-backed blow fish were investigated. L. lunaris and L. inermis were has 9.22 %, 8.92 %, 1.96 %, 1.87 %, 11.25 %, 11.98 %, 80.32 %, 86.05 %, 0.96 %, 1.27 % respectively. Totally seven saturated fatty acids; ten Mono unsaturated fatty acids and two poly unsaturated fatty acids were found as the major components on the investigated puffer fish. Polyunsaturated fatty acid like n-3 has 31.17 %, 31.19 and n-6 7.26 %, 7.29 % of PUSFA found as the dominant composition on puffer fish. This study revealed that these species are having high saturated fatty acid and protein content and able to compete with more commercially utilize species in terms of nutritional value, and they can definitely also compete when it comes to taste. It can act as a good source of nutritional and economic value when it is carefully handled and properly cooked.

복어 분말 첨가가 어묵의 품질에 미치는 영향

This study analyzed fish paste containing Lagocephalus lunaris powder (LLP). The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, and crude lipid content of LLP were 6.21%, 1.03%, 74.50%, and 1.21% respectively. The tested concentrations of LLP were 0, 3, 5, and 7%. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.75 to 6.89, and moisture content ranged from 75.23% to 76.95%. The L values of the samples decreased as the concentrations of LLP decreased, and the a and b values increased. In addition, the folding test results in all test samples were "AA", indicating a good mean flexibility. In the texture meter test, the hardness, strength, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness increased according to increasing concentrations of LLP. In the sensory evaluation, the fish paste prepared with 5% LLP were preferred over other fish pastes. These results suggest that LLP can be applied to fish paste for substantially increasing its quality and functionality.

EFFICIENCY OF A RAPID TEST FOR DETECTION OF TETRODOTOXIN IN PUFFER FISH

The selling and importing of puffer fish species and their products was banned in Thailand in 2002, because of possible neurotoxic effects. However, the sale of their flesh is still happening in Thai markets. Standard methods for toxin quantification (HPLC and LC-MS) have significant limitations, therefore a lateral flow, immuno-chromatographic test (TTX-IC) was developed as a tool for rapid detection of toxin. A total of 750 puffer fishes (387 Lagocephalus lunaris(LL), and 363 Lagocephalus spadiceus (LS)) and 100 edible fishes were caught in Thailand from June 2011–February 2012. Screening of TTX from their flesh by TTX-IC revealed that 69 samples (17.8%) of LL possessed TTX at dangerous levels but LS and edible fishes did not. A selected 339 samples were quantified by LC-MS/MS, showing 50 LL possessed TTX at dangerous levels. Comparison of results with LC-MS/MS showed the TTX-IC to have 94.0% sensitivity and 92.4% specificity. The TTX-IC will be a useful tool for TTX screening of a large number of samples, reducing the testing required by LC-MS/MS, thus reducing costs. All positive cases found should be confirmed by standard methods.

복어 분말 첨가가 두부의 품질특성에 미치는 영향

초당대학교 조리과학부The principal objective of this study was to determine the quality characteristics of a tofu (soybean curd) with added Lagocephalus lunaris powder (LLP). The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, and crude lipid contents of the used LLP were 6.20%, 1.04%, 74.55%, and 1.20%, respectively. The yield and turbidity of tofu increased according to the increase in the quantity of LLP, whereas the pH decreased with the increase in LLP. The L value decreased as the amount of LLP in the formulation increased, whereas the a and b values of the tofu increased. Furthermore, the hardness, chewiness, and brittleness significantly increased as the level of LLP increased. In terms of overall acceptability, the preferred tofu samples contained 0.5% LLP. These results suggest that the LLP can be applied to tofu (soybean curd) in order to achieve high quality and functionality.Key wordsLagocephalus lunaris powder, tofu (soybean curd), quality characteristics

복어 분말을 첨가한 국수의 품질특성

This study investigated the quality of noodles containing different amounts of Lagocephalus lunaris powder (LLP). Noodles were prepared at ratios of 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7% LLP based on flour weight, after which cooking quality, mechanical texture properties, and viscosity were measured, and a sensory evaluation was performed. The gelatinization points of the composite LLP-wheat flours were shown to increase. Additionally, measurement of the viscosity at 95, viscosity at 95 after 15 minutes, and the maximum viscosity values decreased, as the LLP content increased. As increasing amounts of LLP were added, the L and a values decreased, whereas the b value increased and the color values, weight, and volume of cooked noodle increased, as did the turbidity of the soup. Finally the LLP additive increased hardness and decreased adhesiveness, cohesiveness and springiness. Sensory evaluation showed that high quality cooked noodle could be produced by inclusion of 5% LLP.

Shewanella putrefaciens, a major microbial species related to tetrodotoxin (TTX)-accumulation of puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris

To investigate the major micro-organisms, which were isolated from internal organs, related to tetrodotoxin (TTX)-accumulation of puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris. Puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris around Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand were collected to examine TTX-accumulation and microbial load in internal organs. The nine predominant micro-organisms isolated from the internal organs were determined TTX and studied in relation to the TTX-accumulation of the puffer fish. Shewanella putrefaciens, a predominant bacterium and related to the TTX-accumulation of the puffer fish, was examined growth and TTX-production after culture in modified Zobell medium. The results revealed that the average TTX-accumulation of the puffer fish directly varied to the bacterium load periodically, year-round. Furthermore, it coincided with the growth and the TTX-production of the bacterium, which grew slowly but produced high TTX at low temperature. Shewanella putrefaciens was a major bacterium relating to TTX-accumulation of puffer fish L.lunaris. It resulted in high TTX-accumulation of the puffer fish at low temperatures of seawater. Temperature affected growth and TTX-production of S.putrefaciens that resulted in TTX accumulated in puffer fish L.lunaris.

Metals in Fish along the Southeast Coast of India

Metal concentrations (cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, copper, manganese, zinc and mercury) in the muscle of five fish species (Epinephelus chlorostigma, Lutjanus russelli, Terapon jarbua, Cynoglossus arel and Lagocephalus lunaris) from the six fish landing centres along southeast coast of India were measured. In Cuddalore and Mudasalodai, the level of toxic metals cadmium, chromium and manganese were well above the permissible limits. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, manganese and mercury in C. arel were above the permissible limit and it is consistent with their habitat and diet. The results showed a relationship between metal concentrations and pollution status of the areas.

Toxic Marine Puffer Fish in Thailand Seas and Tetrodotoxin They Contained

A total of 155 puffers caught from two of Thailand’s seas, the Gulf of Siam and the Andaman seas, during April to July 2010 were included in this study. Among 125 puffers from the Gulf of Siam, 18 were Lagocephalus lunaris and 107 were L. spadiceus which were the same two species found previously in 2000-2001. Thirty puffers were collected from the Andaman seas, 28 Tetraodon nigroviridis and two juvenile Arothron reticularis; the two new species totally replaced the nine species found previously in 1992-1993. Conventional mouse bioassay was used to determine the toxicity in all fish tissue extracts, i.e., liver, reproductive tissue, digestive tissue and muscle. One of each of the species L. lunaris and L. spadiceus (5.56 and 0.93%, respectively) were toxic. All 28 T. nigroviridis and 2 A. reticularis (100%) from the Andaman seas were toxic. The toxicity scores in T. nigroviridis tissues were much higher than in the respective tissues of the other three fish species. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed that the main toxic principle was tetrodotoxin (TTX). This study is the first to report TTX in L. spadiceus. Our findings raised a concern for people, not only Thais but also inhabitants of other countries situated on the Andaman coast; consuming puffers of the Andaman seas is risky due to potential TTX intoxication.

Distribution of Tetraodontiformes (Family: Tetraodontidae) along the Parangipettai Coast, Southeast coast of India

The present study discusses the distribution and systematic position of puffer fishes from coastal waters of Parangipettai along the southeast coast of India. The puffer fishes collected from three different stations (Mudasal odai, Annankoil and Samiyarpettai) included nine different species from five different genera: Lagocephalus, Arothron, Torquigener, Chelonodon and Takifugu in the order Tetraodontiformes and family Tetraodontidae, viz., Lagocephalus lunaris, Lagocephalus inermis, Arothron reticularis, Arothron hispidus, Arothron stellatus, Arothron immaculatus, Torquigener brevipinnis, Chelonodon patoca and Takifugu oblongus. This study also summarized the distribution and taxonomic positions in terms of species availability and key characters.

Toxicity and Molecular Identification of Green ToadfishLagocephalus lunarisCollected from Kyushu Coast, Japan

Green toadfish Lagocephalus lunaris inhabits tropical and subtropical seas and contains high tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels in the muscle as well as liver and gonad. In 2008 to 2009, food poisoning due to ingesting L. lunais occurred in Western Japan. Five specimens of green toadfish caught in Kyushu coast, Japan, were analyzed for toxicity, toxins, and species identification. All five specimens were toxic by bioassay. Comparing the maximum toxicity in tissues, ovary contained the most toxin (1810 mouse unit [MU]/g), followed by liver (341 MU/g), muscle (135 MU/g), skin (79 MU/g), and intestine (72 MU/g). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that TTX was the major toxin. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of muscle mitochondrial DNA indicated that partial sequences of PCR products of four specimens were identical with that of L. lunaris. The sequence of one specimen was indistinguishable from that of the brown-backed toadfish Lagocephalus wheeleri, a nontoxic species.