Mugilidae Family Research Articles

Biological characteristics of Moolgarda cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam

Moolgarda cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) is a species of the Mugilidae family, commonly known as a delicious fish with high nutritional and economic value, making it very promising. Zoological research methods and DNA barcoding are used to study this fish. Morphological Characteristics: The Leaf mullet has 62 to 75 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch. The upper jaw is slightly curved downward, and the anterior margin of the anterior alveolar is slightly concave. The body has 37 to 43 scales. The first dorsal fin has 4 spines, while the second dorsal fin is smaller and starts behind the anal fin. Pectoral Fins: These fins are 2/3 of the head length. Anal and Pelvic Fins: These fins are small. The second dorsal and anal fins have few scales, with scales only on the anterior and basal parts. The dorsal surface is green, the flanks and abdomen are iridescent silver, and the fins are slightly dull. There is a difference in the measurement criteria between the study areas, but there is no difference between male and female groups. Mahalanobis distance analysis showed no conformational difference between male and female groups of M. cunnesius and no similarity between sexes. Nutritional biological characteristics: The food composition includes a variety of zooplankton phytoplankton benthic animals, and organic detritus. Organic humus has the highest occurrence, followed by dinoflagellates, blue-green algae, diatoms, and the lowest is arthropods. This diverse food composition illustrates that M. cunnesius is an omnivorous species. Genetic Characteristics: COI gene DNA barcoding was used to study the genetic diversity of M. cunnesius in two regions of the North and the South of Tam Giang lagoon. Amplified and sequenced 10 samples of the COI gene of M. cunnesius in Tam Giang lagoon recorded a size of 650 bp. The rate of difference in COI sequences of the 2 samples is low compared to previous studies. The similarity coefficient of M. cunnesius in the two areas of Tam Giang lagoon is very high (0.9953).

Barcoding Mullets (Mugilidae): Genetic Characterization of Exploited Species in Southern Peninsular India

Fishes of the Mugilidae family are poorly known from a taxonomic perspective, largely because of their conservative morphology. In this paper, we aim to fill the knowledge gap and data deficiency regarding the genetic diversity of mullets occurring in southern peninsular India. A comprehensive mitochondrial phylogeny based on 238 COI sequences (78 newly generated) and three species delimitation methods (ASAP, RESL, and ABGD) confirmed the presence of 21 species of mullets within eight genera in southern peninsular India. These include one species each under the genera Rhinomugil Gill 1863, Minimugil Durand, Chen, Shen, Fu, and Borsa, 2012, Plicomugil Schultz 1953, and Ellochelon Whitley 1930; seven species of Planiliza Whitley 1945; four species of Crenimugil Schultz 1946; four species of Osteomugil Luther 1982; and two species of the “Mugil cephalus Linnaeus 1758” complex—though with uncertainty regarding the exact geographic origin of one of the two species of the “Mugil cephalus” complex and one species phylogenetically close to Planiliza subviridis (Valenciennes 1836). We provide an overview of the specific geographical regions in southern peninsular India, and “species groups”, which require future research using an integrative approach, so as to unravel the true extent of mullet diversity and their distribution in the region.

On the validity and distribution of Myxobolus curemae Vieira, Agostinho, Negrelli, Silva, Azevedo and Abdallah, 2022 (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida) from a new record on the coast of southeastern Brazil

Myxobolus spp. are parasites of wide diversity and distribution in fish, both in the natural environment and in freshwater or marine farming systems around the world and are sometimes associated with severe disease in their hosts (Schmahl et al. 1989; Lom and Dyková, 1995; Eiras et al. 2021). The white mullet Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 is a pelagic fish of the Mugilidae family widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean (Froese & Pauly 2022). Recently, Myxobolus curemae Vieira, Agostinho, Negrelli, Silva, Azevedo and Abdallah, 2022 was described from white mullets Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 in Brazil (Vieira et al. 2022). In the current work, Myxobolus sp. was identified with the same biological and morphological characteristic features of M. curemae from white mullets from the Jacarepaguá Lagoon Complex in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in addition to being 100% identical for a genic region of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA. However, this Myxobolus sp. was also similar to Myxobolus hani Faye, Kpatcha, Diebakate, Fall and Toguebaye, 1999, which was described from white mullets in Senegal, Africa, without molecular identification (Faye et al. 1999). Therefore, this current work makes observations on these Myxobolus spp. which are morphologically and biologically similar, and that could establish M. curemae as a junior synonymy of M. hani.

Identification of pelagic fish landed by “Lampu satu” fishermen in Merauke Regency

This study aims to see the types of pelagic fish caught by fishermen and to see the abundance of pelagic fish species in Lampu Satu beach, Merauke Regency. This research was conducted in June-July 2020. The methods used in this study were observation and interview methods. The data analysis used was relative abundance (Kr) and Diversity Index (H’). The results of the study were 7 species of pelagic fish from 4 families. The relative abundance value in June and July was obtained, In June the most results were the Mugil dussumieri species from the Mugilidae family with a percentage value of 64% and the lowest were the Mugil cepalus and Terapon species with a percentage value of 3%. Whereas in July, the most catch was obtained from the species of Rhinomugil corsula from the Mugilidae family with a percentage value of 30% and the lowest was the Mugil strongylura species with a percentage value of 4%.

Spawning induction and larval rearing in the thinlip gray mullet (Chelon ramada): The use of the slow release gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) preparation, leuprorelin acetate

The thinlip gray mullet (Chelon ramada) belongs to the Mugilidae family, it is a low-trophic, euryhaline species adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. As such, it represent a candidate to diversify aquaculture production toward more sustainable species. Nonetheless, several bottlenecks have to be overcome before production is undertaken at commercial scale. Indeed, C. ramada mature females do not spawn without hormonal treatments in captivity. This report describes the use of the gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), leuprorelin acetate as an effective single-dose inducer of spawning in this species. Wild mature females (n = 10; 29 ± 1 cm total length, TL and 199 ± 20 g body weight, BW) exhibiting protruded papilla and bulging abdomen, presenting vitellogenic oocytes (diameters higher than 657 µm) and fluent males (n = 21; 28 ± 1 cm TL and 181 ± 80 g BW) were treated with a single injection of leuprorelin acetate. Breeders spawned more than 500,000 eggs with a mean fertilization and hatching rate of 92 ± 3 and 91.4 ± 0.4 %, respectively. Larvae grew according to the equation y = 2.6841e0.044x, mean survival rate at 19 dph was 13.8 ± 1.5 %. Mean SGR% day−1 slightly decreased concomitantly with tail flexion, probably for a greater investment on ontogenic development rather than growth. Present results suggest that mature C. ramada presents easily recognizable reproductive traits, adapts without difficulty to captive conditions, and can be easily induced to spawn administrating a single dose of leuprorelin acetate. The protocol used in our study resulted in high fertilization and hatching rates, as well as promising larval survival minimizing broodstock stress.

Ichthyofauna diversity in Pematang Matik Coastal Waters, Serdang Bedagai District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Wahyuningsih H, Sinaga SMS, Hartanto A. 2022. Ichthyofauna diversity in Pematang Matik Coastal Waters, Serdang Bedagai District, North Sumatra. Biodiversitas 23: 4992-5000. Pematang Matik Coastal waters are coastal areas that have a major role in the life of various fish species. Research on fish diversity in coastal waters is very important in order to gain a better understanding on the fish diversity in coastal areas such as North Sumatra, including Indonesia. The objective of this study was to initiate an inventory of fish species, their abundance and assessment of its biodiversity based on Shannon's diversity index (H'), and evenness index (E) in Pematang Matik coastal waters. The research was conducted from September to October 2021 at four stations with different human activities by the coastal community. Fish samples were taken using fishing nets that were installed for 12 hr with two replications. In this study, 21 species of fish from 19 families were identified. The highest abundance of fish was obtained from the Mugilidae family, namely Crenimugil crenilabis and Liza macrolepis. The fish diversity index obtained was 2.19-2.95, while the uniformity index obtained was 0.719-0.968. The values ??of H' and E at Station 4 (absent from any human interferences) have higher values ??than the other three stations. The diversity, as expressed in H' value in four research stations, indicates that the coastline has a high diversity of fish species.

Environmental, Biological, and Fishing Factors Influencing Fish Mortality and Development of the Cachirra event, Navío Quebrao Lagoon

Objetive: The present study analyzes environmental, biological and fishing factors incidence in the formation and mortality of the Cachirra event.
 Methodology: We collected samples from fishing nets used by the fishermen of "arranchaderos" community located in Navio Quebrao Lagoon (NQL). IDEAM provided 2017 climatologic data. Physicochemical variables were measured with Spectroquant SQ 118 and other direct measurement electronic devices. SPSS statistical software version 24.0 was used to analyze data and their relationships.
 Results: 12 species intervene in the formation of the Cachirra event, predominantly the Mugilidae family. Salinity was the physicochemical variable that most affected the mortality of the species -October (6.0 PSU) and March (67.4 PSU)-. Conclusions: Fishes die according to their susceptibility to salinity changes, being the most susceptible species Cathrorops spixii and Eugerres plumieri, and the most resistant Elops saurus and Mugil liza. The species present in NQL have sizes well below commercial significance and different condition factor values and repletion index values before and after the Cachirra event.

Metazoan parasites of white mullet Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) and new records of occurrence in the western Atlantic, Brazil.

Mugil curema is a pelagic fish species and it is considered the most common species of the Mugilidae family on the Brazilian coast. The objective of this study was to compile the existing information on the metazoan parasites of this host, as well as including new records from specimens captured in the Cabedelo city, state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the present study, we listed 81 taxa belonging to ten groups previously recorded for the host M. curema, and included 16 species recorded in the Cabedelo region. Eight out of 16 parasite taxa found in the Cabedelo region are first host records for M. curema: Ligophorus brasiliensis, Ligophorus sp.1, Ligophorus sp.2 (Monogenea), Fellodistomidae gen. sp., Bucephalidae gen. sp. (Digenea), Pharyngodonidae gen. sp. (Nematoda), Piscicolidae gen. sp. (Hirudinea) and Lernaeopodidae gen. sp. (Copepoda). Monogenea was the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by Copepoda. Despite the number of existing parasitological studies on this host species, new records of occurrence were made for the Cabedelo region and for the host, indicating that the knowledge about the parasites associated with this fish species is still under construction, especially because of its wide geographic distribution.

Bakırçay Nehri (Kuzey Ege, Türkiye) balık faunası

This study was carried out to determine the current fish fauna of Bakırçay River in seasonal periods between 2017 and 2018. Sampling was carried out in 15 different locations, 11 lotic and 4 lentic location from the small streams of source of the river to the downstream region. The sampling was performed with “Samus 725 G” model electroshock in lotic habitats; with standard fishing-nets which was “TS EN 14757 Water Quality” in lentic habitats. As a result of the study, the presence of 17 taxa from 7 families including Anguillidae, Atherinidae, Cobitidae, Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Poecilidae and Gobiidae were determined. Mugilidae family members and Salaria pavo species, which were previously reported within the stream, were not obtained in our study. However, the presence of 6 species, namely Atherina boyeri, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius gibelio, Oxynemacheilus teophili, Gambusia holbrooki and Knipowitschia caucasica species were found in this study for the first time. Cyprinidae family with 11 taxa was the biggest family in terms of species diversity in the river basin. Anguillidae, Atherinidae, Cobitidae, Nemacheilidae, Poecilidae and Gobiidae families are represented by one taxon. In order to protect the river's biodiversity and to maintain fishing activities effectively, the pollution sources should be overcomed firstly. In order to protect the biodiversity of the river and to maintain fishing activities effectively, first of all, pollution sources and exotic fish species that may have negative effects on the natural fish fauna of the basin should be bring under control. In addition, it will also be useful to organize events to inform local governments and community about the importance and protection of aquatic environments.

Species composition and diversity of cast net fisheries in New Calabar River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

A study on the catch composition and diversity of cast net fisheries was conducted between May and August, 2017 in the New Calabar River, Rivers state, using cast net of varying mesh sizes (1.5mm and 2.5mm). Fish samples were collected from three sampling stations, viz. Station1- Aluu, Station 2- Choba and Station 3- Iwofe. The fish species recorded comprised of 26 species under 11 families, and one decapod crustacean. The three most abundant species were; Coptodon guineensis (25.11%), Coptodon zilli (18.56%) both from the Cichlidae family, and Penaeus nitialis (10.90%) from the Penaeidae family, while the least abundant species was Liza grandisquamis (0.13%) from the Mugilidae family. The diversity indices showed that station 2 recorded the highest number of species (21) while station 1 recorded the lowest with (12) species. Simpson’s indexes of diversity, Simpson’s reciprocal index, Shannon- weiner index, and Pielou’s evenness index, were estimated. This study serves as a base line data which will assist relevant bodies in the management and conservation of fisheries resources in the New Calabar River. It is therefore recommended that for an improved and sustainable exploitation and management of fisheries resources of the New Calabar River, proper monitoring and management for fish stock must be done.J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2018, 4(1): 19-26

First occurrence of thinlip grey mullet, Liza ramada (Risso, 1827) in the Odra River estuary (NW Poland): genetic identification

Summary The presence of exotic fish species in the Baltic Sea and its tributaries poses a serious threat for native ichthyofauna, mainly due to the spread of new pathogens. As the accurate identification of species is essential for an effective assessment of changes related to the appearance of non-native species in an aquatic environment, in this paper we tested the usefulness of biometrics and molecular markers in identifying a specimen from the Mugilidae family found in the Odra estuary. The results demonstrated that unambiguous identification of the specimen using biometric features was impossible due to high morphological similarities shared by grey mullets. Unambiguous identification was possible only due to molecular markers, e.g. rhodopsin gene, which helped to identify the collected fish specimen as Liza ramada (Risso, 1827), the first specimen of this species found in the Odra River estuary. The presence of an L. ramada specimen in the Odra River – which could signal the expansion of non-native species into wider ranges – may be linked to climate change or human activity.

KARYOLOGY OF MUGIL LIZA AND M. CUREMA FROM VENEZUELA

Karyotypes of Mugil liza and M. curema from Venezuela were studied. M. liza karyotype is 2n=48 acrocentric chromosomes, but M. curema is 2n=24, containing one submetacentric and 11 metacentric pairs. The chromosomic complement described for M. liza constitutes the first report for the speciesand coincides with the modal karyotype (2n=48) in the Mugilidae family. Venezuelan M. curema karyotype differs in number and shape from M. curema from Louisiana (USA), which has been reported to have a complement 2n=28 (10 metacentric pairs, two subtelocentric pairs and two acrocentric pairs).

Spatio-temporal isotopic signatures (δ13 C and δ15 N) reveal that two sympatric West African mullet species do not feed on the same basal production sources.

Potential trophic competition between two sympatric mullet species, Mugil cephalus and Mugil curema, was explored in the hypersaline estuary of the Saloum Delta (Senegal) using δ(13) C and δ(15) N composition of muscle tissues. Between species, δ(15) N compositions were similar, suggesting a similar trophic level, while the difference in δ(13) C compositions indicated that these species did not feed from exactly the same basal production sources or at least not in the same proportions. This result provides the first evidence of isotopic niche segregation between two limno-benthophageous species belonging to the geographically widespread, and often locally abundant, Mugilidae family.

SPAWNING IN CONDITION OF THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE MIDDLE CASPIAN OF BLACK SEA ACCLIMATIZED FAMILY MUGILIDAE. TWO SPECIES OF THE GENUS LIZA (L. AURATUS) AND (L. SALIENS)

Due to the number of migration changes, adaptive and plastic peculiarities of Mugilidae family two species of grey mullet from Liza family the acclimatization of which in the Caspian Sea formed the shoal of quite valuable marketable fish. Grey mullet sexual puberty in the Caspian Sea happens at the age of 3 or 4. The length and the rate of growth increases. The weight of the Caspian-sea grey mullet is bigger than that of the Black-sea grey mullet.

The morphology of saccular otoliths as a tool to identify different mugilid species from the Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea

In the Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea there are 8 species of the Mugilidae family: Mugil cephalus, Liza aurata, Liza ramada, Oedalechilus labeo, Chelon labrosus, Liza saliens, Liza carinata and Liza haematocheila. The identification of mugilids is very important for local fisheries management and regulations, but it is difficult using gross morphological characters. This work aims to contribute to the identification of mullets present in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea using saccular otolith features of each species. Specimens of C. labrosus, L. aurata, L. ramada, L. saliens and M. cephalus were obtained from Delta del Ebro (40°38’N–0°44’E) in artisanal catches. For L. carinata and O. labeo photographs extracted from AFORO online database were used. L. haematocheila was not studied for lack of otolith samples. A general pattern of the saccular otoliths for this family was identified: the shape of the otoliths are rectangular to oblong with irregular margins; they present a heterosulcoid, ostial sulcus acusticus, with an open funnel-like ostium to the anterior margin and a closed, tubular cauda, ending towards the posterior ventral corner, always larger than the ostium. In the present study, the mugilid species could be recognized using their saccular otolith morphology. Here we give the first key to identify Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean mullets. The distinctive features between the species were the position and centrality of the sulcus, the curvature of the cauda, the presence of areal depositions and plateaus, and the type of anterior and posterior regions. These features could be used not only to reinforce the identification keys through morphological and meristic characters of the species, but also to identify the species consumed by piscivores, being the otoliths the only identifiable remains of the individuals.

Two New Records of Juvenile Oedalechilus labiosus and Ellochelon vaigiensis (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) from Jeju Island, Korea, as Revealed by Molecular Analysis

Eighteen specimens of juvenile Mugilidae were collected in October 2012 from the southern coastal waters of Jeju Island, and identified based on analysis of their mitochondrial DNA16S rRNA sequences. Seventeen specimens of Oedalechilus labiosus and a single specimen of Ellochelon vaigiensis were found, constituting a new record for these species among Korean ichthyofauna. O. labiosus is identified by the angle at the posterior end of its mouth, which contains a round notch, a darkish dorsal margin of the pectoral fin, the presence of 33-36 lateral line scales, and 23-24 vertebrae. E. vaigiensis is identified by dark dorsal and pectoral fins, the presence of 26 lateral line scales, and 25 vertebrae. The proposed Korean name for Oedalechilus is 'Sol-ip-sung-eo-sok' and that for Ellochelon is 'Nup-jeok-ggo-ri-sung-eo-sok'. The proposed Korean names for the species are 'Sol-ip-sung-eo' and 'Nup-jeok-ggo-ri-sung-eo' for O. labiosus and E. vaigiensis, respectively. We present a key for identification of the Mugilidae family of species from Korea, and include these two newly recorded species.

English

In this study, we identified novel family- and genus-specific DNA markers in Mugilidae fish. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood of fish of 15 families and eighty (80) random primers were used for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting. When the primer OPAV04 was employed, a novel specific PCR product was observed in the Mugilidae family. In addition, another novel specific PCR product was also observed in the Liza genus while using primer OPAV10. Sequencing analysis revealed that the novel family- and genus-specific DNA fragments were 857 and 419 bp, respectively, and no similar sequences were found in GenBank. Two primers sets were designed based on the family- and genus-specific sequences to confirm the RAPD results and the 571 and 187 bp predicted bands were successfully amplified by PCR. Intriguingly, these two novel specific DNA markers were also effectively used for terrestrial and aquatic animal discrimination. Therefore, the novel family- and genus-specific DNA markers identified in this study can be used as an effective tool for rapid and accurate determination of the Mugilidae family and Liza genus, and even for cross-species identification.   Key words: Mugilidae, family- and genus-specific sequences, DNA markers.

Efficiency of Universal Barcode Gene (Coxi) on Morphologically Cryptic Mugilidae Fishes Delineation

An effort was made to assess the utility of 650 bp partial Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (DNA barcode) gene in delineating the members of taxonomically ambiguous marine fin fishes (Family: Mugilidae). To address the issue we used all the 95 barcode sequences of Mugilidae family available at NCBI (National Centre for Biotechnological Information) along with the barcode data generated from Mugilidae fishes of Parangipettai coastal waters. The average GC content of Mugilidae was found to be 46.46%. Crenimugil crenilabis showed less GC content (44.55%) whereas Liza macrolepis showed high GC content (48.53%) among the mullet species studied. The phylogenetic and genetic distance data showed that Mugil platanus and M. liza represent the continuum of same species. Among the members of family Mugilidae, the genus Mugil might possibly contains more haplotype diversity as revealed by intra-species genetic distance data. Species within genera of Mugilidae family invariably clustered in single clade with high bootstrap value. We conclude that partial COI sequencing (barcoding) in identifying the members of the family and that way has resolved the taxonomic ambiguity among the members of the family Mugilidae.

Systematic Status of Nine Mullet Species (Mugilidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Systematic relationships among four genera and nine species (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758, Mugil soiuy Basilewsky, 1855, Liza ramada (Risso, 1827), Liza aurata (Risso, 1810), Liza abu (Heckel, 1843), Liza saliens (Risso, 1810), Liza carinata (Valenciennes, 1836), Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1827), Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829)) of the Mugilidae family living in the Mediterranean Sea were investigated using morphological characters. Moreover the systematic relationship of M. soiuy and L. abu among other mullet species was investigated in the present study for the first time. Hierarchical cluster analyses of morphometric data were not concordant with the meristic data. Meristic characters in the present study were more discriminative than morphometric characters in terms of taxonomic classification of the mullets. According to meristic data in UPGMA tree, all nine species were grouped in two main branching. In the first branch, C. labrosus and O. labeo were clustered as closest taxa, and being the sister group to the L. aurata. The other four Liza species produced two sub-branching in this group; L. carinata was branched with L. saliens, which is neighbour to L. ramada. In the second branch two species, M. soiuy and L. abu were clustered together and highly isolated from others. M cephalus was clustered as a most differentiated species from all other Mugil species.

Fish fauna recovery in a newly re-flooded Mediterranean coastal lagoon

Drana Lagoon, located at the NW site of Evros River Delta, was drained in 1987 and re-flooded in 2004 within the framework of an integrated wetland restoration project. This study presents the results of a monitoring program of the lagoon's oceanographic, water quality and fish fauna characteristics, during the pre- and post-restoration period. Results depict the presence of high salinity water (up to 41) due to seawater intrusion, strong evaporation in its interior and inadequate freshwater inflows. Overall, nutrient levels were low depicting local changes. Tidal variability at the mouth was approximately 0.2 m, producing high velocity tidal currents (up to 0.75 m/s). Eleven fish fauna species were collected; seven species were caught in both the inlet channel and the lagoon during the pre-restoration period and nine species in the post-restoration period. Atherina boyeri (37.6%) and Pomatoschistus marmoratus (31.7%) dominated the lagoon during the post-restoration period. Most of the A. boyeri specimens (88.5%) were caught inside the lagoon, while P. marmoratus had an almost equal distribution in the inlet channel and the lagoon (56.3% and 43.7% respectively). The presence of species of the Mugilidae family (5.2% total average catches after lagoon re-flooding) was mainly in the inlet channel (12.6% of the average catches) and not inside the lagoon (only 1.3% of the average catches). The small number of fish species inhabiting the lagoon might be the result of the recent restoration or it could be related with the increased water flow observed at the lagoon mouth during the flood and ebb tidal phases, and also in the presence of a smooth bank in the concrete waterspout that connects the entrance channel with the lagoon. The limited presence of the Mugilidae juveniles inside the lagoon could be related to the prevailing tidal inlet dynamics (i.e. strong ebb flow at lagoon inlet), thus preventing the species to enter the lagoon. In order to restore the lagoon environment, careful and gradual steps should be undertaken under the basis of continuous monitoring of hydrologic, environmental and fisheries system's status.