Opercular Bones Research Articles

First Neogene Proto-Caribbean pufferfish: new evidence for Tetraodontidae radiation

This study reports a three-dimensional fossil skull of a Tetraodontidae that dates to the middle Miocene (Serravallian), which was recovered from a rock matrix from the Valiente Peninsula Formation in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Caribbean coast of Panama. The new species, †Lagocephalus striatus n. sp., is the first fossil species of Tetraodontidae described from the Proto-Caribbean/Central Western Atlantic. We used high-resolution micro-CT scans of fossil and extant species to identify morphological characters on the skull, including the neurocranium, oromandibular and opercular bones, hyoid arch, and pectoral girdle. Specimens of both extant and extinct species of similar size were compared for accurate identification. We assess the paleogeographic distribution of the pufferfish group in the Neogene of Tropical America after the complete formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

Precision of age estimations from otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone of Gymnocypris firmispinatus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Anning River, China

Background. Gymnocypris firmispinatus Wu et Wu, 1988 is a small fish with the maximum total length of 242 mm, which occurs only in the Jinsha River and its tributaries (China), at altitudes above 2000 m. Nowadays, G. firmispinatus had been placed in a dangerous situation, due to hydropower station and excessive fishing. However, attempts to develop an effective population management strategy have been obstructed by lack of basic biological information, especially for age estimation. As we known, sectioned otoliths provide the most precise age estimates of many Schizothoracinae fishes, vertebrae and opercular bones were also used for age determination of some fish species. This work aimed to assess the suitability of three calcified structures (otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone) for age estimation of G. firmispinatus. Materials and methods. The annulus characteristics of otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone were described. Annual periodicity was verified by marginal increment ratio (MIR) analysis in otoliths and edge analysis in vertebrae and opercular bones. Otoliths, vertebrae, and opercular bones were examined to determine which structure produced the most precise and accurate age estimates in G. firmispinatus, mainly by scoring for readability on a five-point scale and calculating the index of the mean percentage error (IMPE). Results. Microscopically, otoliths and vertebrae showed a typical pattern of opaque-and translucent-zones, attributed to slow and fast growth periods. Annuli formed between March and May once a year in otoliths and vertebrae. Forty-four percent of the opercular bones were scored as unreadable. The value of IMPE between the two counts was lowest for otoliths (4.25%), followed by vertebrae (6.21%) and opercular bones (11.58%). The IMPE value of vertebra vs. otolith was 11.05%, while that of opercular bone vs. otolith was 23.03%. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely only for the first 4 years of life, while opercular bones appeared to underestimate the age of G. firmispinatus. Conclusion. Annuli in the otoliths and vertebrae both formed once a year up to age 8, and otoliths would be the most precise structure for age determination in G. firmispinatus. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely up to age 4, while opercular bones could not be used for age estimation for the species.

Position of enigmatic miniature trichomycterid catfishes inferred from molecular data (Siluriformes)

Trichomycteridae is a well‐corroborated catfish family that comprises about 300 valid species distributed in eight subfamilies. The phyletic status of the Trichomycterinae is uncertain, with different hypothesis regarding the position of the miniaturized Trichomycterus hasemani group. This group comprises four valid species, and neither its monophyly nor its positioning among the Trichomycteridae was tested in a phylogenetic framework. Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses of a molecular data set comprising the mitochondrial genes 12S and 16S and the nuclear genes H3, MYH6 and RAG2 (2983 bp) for 26 taxa highly supported the miniature catfish T. hasemani group as monophyletic and sister to the Tridentinae, consequently recognized as a new genus of this subfamily. Potamoglanis gen. nov. is diagnosed by seven character states: an angle of 35–40° between the main longitudinal axis of the head and the main axis of the autopalatine; thin tubular shape of the second ceratobranchial; presence of six or seven anal‐fin rays; eyes dorsally placed on head; opercular and interopercular odontodes patches not juxtaposed; absence of a distal process on the hyomandibula and presence of a long process on the anterior region of the hyomandibula. Potamoglanis gen. nov is similar to the Tridentinae genera by the presence of a wide cranial fontanelle; presence of a short ventral process in the opercular bone and by the origin of the dorsal fin placed in a vertical through the anal‐fin origin.

Parallel phenotypic evolution of skull-bone structures and head measurements of Arctic charr morphs in two subarctic lakes

Interspecific morph variations in trophic morphology related to skull-bones and head traits is associated to ecological segregation of Arctic charr morphs (genus Salvelinus) in two sub-arctic lakes (Fjellfrosvatn and Skogsfjordvatn, Norway). The replicated morph pair, the profundal spawning benthivorous PB-morph and the littoral spawning omnivorous LO-morph of Arctic charr, diverge along the shallow-deep-water resource axis. In Skogsfjordvatn there is also a profundal spawning piscivorous PP-morph. The PB-morphs from both lakes have similar skull-bone traits and head morphology such as elongated jaw-bones, small opercular bones and relatively longer heads. The PP-morph also has an elongated head, relatively small opercular bones as well as larger jaw-bones. In contrast, the LO-morphs in both lakes have shorter jaw-bones, larger opercular bones in addition to relatively small heads. However, some small non-parallel differences exist among the morphs from the two lakes. Overall, all profundal morphs (PB and PP) have relatively similar skull-bone structures, suggesting adaptations to the deep-water environment but also to their separated dietary niches. There is strong evidence for parallel evolution with some local adaptations in skull-bones and head morphology of the PB-morph and the LO-morph from separate lakes.

Is skipjack tuna the fastest-growing teleost fish on earth?

Using a genetic marker mitochondrial DNA control region, Nikolic et al. (Environ Biol Fish 99:171-178, 2016) recently reported the identification of two juveniles of tuna as skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) recovered from the mouth of dolphinfish in the vicinity of Reunion Island, western Indian Ocean. Based on the age estimates of the two specimens from opercular bones at about 16–20 days and the increased occurrence of skipjack in the catch of Japanese longliners during October–January, the authors indicate that their results suggest a specific seasonal spawning area of skipjack around Reunion Island. We challenge the validity of age estimates and the interpretation of the results published by Nikolic et al. (Environ Biol Fish 99:171-178, 2016). Current knowledge of skipjack tuna biology indicates that the paper of Nikolic et al. (Environ Biol Fish 99:171-178, 2016) contains misinterpretation of field observations that led the authors to misunderstandings on skipjack tuna ecology.

Precision of age estimations from scales, otoliths, vertebrae, opercular bones and cleithra of two loaches,Misgurnus anguillicaudatusandParamisgurnus dabryanus

Characteristics of annual rings on scales, otoliths, vertebrae, opercular bones and cleithra of two loaches, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Paramisgurnus dabryanus collected from Zhengzhou city, Henan Province, China, and the precision of age estimations from the five different structures of these two loaches were investigated in this study. Results obtained here showed that: the scale and otolith were suitable for age estimation in M. anguillicaudatus and P. dabryanus; percent agreements of age estimations based on these two different structures for M. anguillicaudatus and P. dabryanus were respectively 81.5 % and 79.5 %; M. anguillicaudatus and P. dabryanus had similar age compositions including five age groups; while the vertebra, opercular bone and cleithrum were not suitable for age estimation of M. anguillicaudatus and P. dabryanus because of their unclear annual rings.

Review of “Clupea humilis” from the Sarmatian of Moldova and description of Moldavichthys switshenskae gen. et sp. nov.

Moldavichthys switshenskae is established as a new fossil genus and species of the family Clupeidae, subfamily Alosinae, to encompass the specimens from the Sarmatian of Moldova, which hitherto have been recorded as Clupeonella humilis (v.Meyer, 1851). Specimens from the type area and strata (Ottnangian of the Western Paratethys) differ from the Moldovan ones in a greater number of vertebrae, the more posterior position of dorsal fin and a greater number of postventral scutes. Their generic allocation requires review. Moldavichthys resembles the recent genus Alosa, known from the northern Atlantic, NE Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Ponto-Caspian Sea. Moldavichthys differs from Alosa in the shape of the jaw and the opercular bones and the otolith morphology and is thought to represent an extinct Paratethyan endemic lineage. Otolith in situ was found in three skeletons of Moldavichthys switshenskae. They are unusually compact and compressed when compared to Recent Alosa otoliths, with the caveat however, that very little is known of otoliths from the extant Ponto-Caspian Alosa species. There are no isolated fossil otoliths known, which would correspond to M. switshenskae, although recently Alosa paulicrenata Bratishko, Schwarzhans & Reichenbacher 2015 has been described from the Konkian of Kazakhstan. A review of Sarmatian otoliths from Bulgaria has revealed a species, which we tentatively assign as Moldavichthys? gomotartziensis (Strashimirov, 1985).

Testing the endurance of prehistoric adornments: Raw materials from the aquatic environment

Raw materials deriving from the aquatic environment were systematically used for personal ornamentation by modern humans throughout their entire history. In this study we analyse three types of raw materials: Lithoglyphus sp. shells, Unio sp. valves and Cyprinus carpio opercular bones. The central purpose of this paper is to initiate a database of the way in which wear develops according to the system of attachment and the longevity of use. In order to identify the costs invested in the manufacturing of these types of items, both from the point of view of time and effort, an experimental programme has been developed, which permits the recording of all the variables (means of gathering the raw material, technological stages, time recorded for each operation, and tools used). Furthermore, it was set the task of wearing the beads experimentally processed, as adornments, for two years, and of periodically evaluating the perforation and the surface of the pieces under a microscope. Moreover, observations made on archaeological specimens were compared to experimental replicas. The archaeological assemblages from the Romanian Neolithic were used as a case study to illustrate the relevance of the results.

Effect of gge on the recruitment of oocytes in the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Effect of age on the recruitment of oocytes in Anabas testudineus has been studied. For age determination opercular bones, otoliths and scales were collected from 210 adult females weight ranging between 18.0 g and 135.0 g and length between 8.5 cm and 20.5 cm. The scatter points of opercular bone length, scale length, and otolith length against the fish length showed linear relationships. The high values of coefficient of correlation (r) indicated that all hard parts grew proportionately with the corresponding growth of the fish. The marginal open zone in all hard parts had minimum width during the months of June and July indicating that the age ring might have been formed in the season immediately preceding these months due to spawning. The age rings were annulus in nature since the fish was found to spawn once in a year. Recruitment of oocytes were not affected by the age of the fish. No statistical significant difference was observed between the number of oocytes contained in the ovary of fishes falling into two different groups of the same body length.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(1): 27-36, 2015

The First Appearance of Hucho (Salmonidae) in the Fossil Record of Eastern Europe

Until now, fossil remains of Hucho Gunther, 1866 are known only from the Oligocene - middle Miocene strata of Baikal Russia, and from the late Pleistocene of Germany. New specimens, now identified as Hucho sp., come from the late Miocene of southern Ukraine. Numerous fragments of opercular bones and jaw teeth, morphologically similar to those in the extant genus Hucho, were found in Kubanka 2, Cherevychnoe 3, Tretya Krucha localities and dated by the late Sarmatian - early Maeotian (10-8 Ma). Th ese remains document the first appearance of huchen in geological past of Europe, filling in gap in distribution of this genus during the late Neogene, and throw light upon its biogeographical history.

An assessment of age determination in fossil fish: the case of the opercula in the Mesozoic actinopterygian Saurichthys

Analyzing and interpreting life history data (e.g., aging and longevity, age at sexual maturity) are fundamental in many paleontological studies. In the case of extant and fossil fishes, otoliths, and to a lesser degree other incrementally growing hard tissue structures such as scales and bones, have been utilized to reveal these data. We investigated the microanatomy and internal microstructure of opercula of Saurichthys, one of the most easily recognized and globally distributed fishes in the Triassic, to elucidate whether these prominent skull bones provide reliable age estimates. Opercula, and where the subopercula is present, of several outgroup taxa were sectioned to provide a phylogenetic framework for the study. The external protrusions and ridges or internal concentric bands or wrinkles are not related to internal age-related bone tissue structures such as annuli and growth zones, but are instead purely ornamental in the case of the former and probably structural/taphonomic in case of the latter. Opercular morphogenesis of Saurichthys opercula differs from that of the extant outgroups examined in that they show rostro-medial to caudo-lateral extending growth increments instead of ones that extend sub-parallel to the opercular bone surfaces. Individual age data could thus not be reliably extracted from those opercula. Furthermore, an odontode-like complex was not encountered in Saurichthys opercula, but a few specimens show a peculiar, weakly birefringent thin tissue layer of unknown origin filling the valleys between the external ornamental ridges. Although all Saurichthys opercula showed growth marks, these could not be counted to produce reliable individual age data, whereas bones with a more concentric cross section, such as the ceratohyal, appear better suited for this purpose.

Isolated charrs of the genus Salvelinus (Salmonidae) from lakes of the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka: 1. Charr of Lake Dal’nee

Charrs of the genus Salvelinus from the ultraoligotrophic Lake Dal’nee Maar differ from anadromous Dolly Varden S. malma in larger head with elongated jaws, larger gill cover, lower body with a deep caudal peduncle and short pelvic fins displaced anteriorly, larger number of scales in the lateral line, and larger number of rays in the unpaired fins. The lacustrine charrs also differ from the maternal Dolly Varden population in longer free part of the maxilla, lower widths of the opercular bones, and narrower suspensorium. Polymorphism of mtDNA is low, and unique haplotypes of the D-loop control region are not revealed. The life span of the lacustrine charrs reaches 11 years; and their maximum length and weight are 47 cm and 820 g. The spawning is registered in the fall at the slope of the bottom near the mouth of the single stream flowing into the lake. The abundance of the spawning group slightly exceeds 1000 individuals. This group is recruited from offspring migrating during their early life to the stream with limited food resources, and more numerous progeny remaining in the lake do not reach sexual maturity. The main food sources of adult charrs during summer are planktonic crustaceans, imago of insects, and own juveniles.

Normal and histopathological organization of the opercular bone and vertebrae in gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata

AB Aquatic Biology Contact the journal Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections AB 21:67-84 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00568 Normal and histopathological organization of the opercular bone and vertebrae in gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata Juan B. Ortiz-Delgado1,*, Ignacio Fernández2,3, Carmen Sarasquete1, Enric Gisbert2 1Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía-ICMAN/CSIC, Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, Apdo. Oficial, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain 2IRTA, Centre de Sant Carles de la Ràpita (IRTA-SCR), Unitat de Cultius Experimentals, Crta. del Poble Nou s/n, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain 3Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal *Corresponding author: juanbosco.ortiz@icman.csic.es ABSTRACT: This study provides a comprehensive description of the tissue organization of non-deformed and deformed opercula and vertebrae from gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata juveniles by means of histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical approaches. Two types of opercular anomalies are described: the folding of the opercle and subopercle into the gill chamber, starting at the upper corner of the branchial cleft and extending down to its lower third; and the partial lack of the operculum (opercle, subopercle, interopercle and preopercle underdeveloped) with a regression of the loose edge extending down to its lower third. Histological observations revealed a rare type of bone remodelling process in the opercular structure, which consisted of the coalescence of contacting bone tissues (presumably from the preopercle and opercle), resulting in skeletal tissue with a trabecular aspect filled by a single-cell epithelium of cubic osteoblastic-like cells. Differences in collagen fiber thickness and its 3-dimensional arrangement between normal and deformed opercula were also found. Lordotic vertebrae were characterized by the formation of fibrous cartilage in the haemal and/or neural sides, indicating that a metaplastic shift occurred during the process of lordosis. Another major histomorphological change found in lordotic vertebrae was the complete loss of notochordal sheath integrity. Histological alterations were coupled with an imbalance of cell death and cell proliferation processes in lordotic vertebrae as well as that of bone formation/resorption, and extracellular matrix deposition activity differences which might have resulted from the remodelling process occurring in lordotic vertebrae. Altogether, these results provide an increase in our basic knowledge of bone disorders that contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms by which these skeletal anomalies appear in this fish species and which hamper its production efficiency. KEY WORDS: Bone · Extracellular matrix · Histology · Histochemistry · Immunohistochemistry · Skeletal deformities Full text in pdf format PreviousCite this article as: Ortiz-Delgado JB, Fernández I, Sarasquete C, Gisbert E (2014) Normal and histopathological organization of the opercular bone and vertebrae in gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata. Aquat Biol 21:67-84. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00568 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AB Vol. 21, No. 1. Online publication date: June 18, 2014 Print ISSN: 1864-7782; Online ISSN: 1864-7790 Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.

From operculum to bead: Production of pearls from opercular bones of Cyprinus carpio in the Romanian Eneolithic

Significant amounts of opercular bones from Cyprinus carpio, used to manufacture circular pearls for adornments, were found from the Romanian Eneolithic, associated with the Gumelnita culture. The origins of this raw material are local: the carp was an important food resource for the communities located close to the River Danube. An experimental program was undertaken to obtain replicas of pearls of C. carpio, to compare with the archaeological pieces, in order to identify an a chain of manufacture resulting in the finished pieces. The study of the adornments represents an inexhaustible source of reflection because, through them we can identify aspects of the human groups' symbolical behaviour, and socio-economical aspects of these communities' evolution. In this case they suggest that the aquatic world, with its resources, had an important position in the spiritual life of these communities.

Age-growth models for tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes, Cichlidae) of the Infiernillo reservoir, Mexico and reproductive behaviour

In presence of a decrease in the catch from Infiernillo reservoir, Michoacán-Guerrero, Mexico, age and growth of tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner 1864) were estimated, as indispensable attributes for fishery management. Evaluations included scales and opercular bones readings and length frequency analysis. The population structure was determined too. Due to the great variation of tilapia individual growth and with the objective to have reliable growth estimations, linearized, non-parametric and non-linear methods were used and their applicability discussed. Comparison of ages determined from these methods revealed that opercular bones readings had advantages over scales. Reproduction and competition for space and food were considered as responsible factors for ring-formation on tilapia hard structures. The non-linear method was considered the best for modelling populations highly variable, which is characteristic of tilapia and tropical fish with multiple spawns. The growth parameters estimated were Linfinity = 479 mm, K = 0.46/yr, t0 = -0.055 yr. The tilapia population in Infiernillo reservoir is dominated by juveniles less than 1.5 years old. The fishery activity is affecting the tilapia population growth because are caught when they have not yet spawned. Therefore, this fishery is in urgent need of regulation. Increasing the mesh size of the gill nets might contribute to protect the reproductive potential of the stock.

Precise age estimation and growth of three Schizothoracinae fishes from Kashmir valley

Studies on the precision of age estimates from different structures/readers and growth assessment were undertaken in selected Schizothoracinae fishes. Ageing structures were prepared and read following standard protocols. The maximum ages of the observed Schizopyge curvifrons and Schizopyge niger specimens were 6 years and 5 years of Schizothorax esocinus specimens. Based on the highest percentage of agreement (PA) and the lowest average percentage of error as well as on the values of coefficient of variation between readers, otoliths provided a precise age estimate of S. curvifrons and S. niger individuals, while vertebrae showed a precise age estimate of those of S. esocinus. Among structures, the highest PA was found between otoliths and opercular bones in S. curvifrons, between otoliths and scales in S. niger, and between vertebrae and opercular bones in S. esocinus. Comparable values of mean age estimates were obtained from different structures in specimens of the following species: from otoliths, op...

A Comparison of Different Age Estimation Methods for the Northern Snakehead

AbstractWe used otoliths, scales, pectoral fins, dorsal fins, basioccipital bones, opercular bones, interopercular bones, vertebrae, teeth, and cleithra sampled from 221 known‐age Northern Snakeheads Channa argus argus representing five age‐groups to determine and compare age estimation methods for this species. Results showed that accuracy of age estimation methods varied among structures: 85.68% of otoliths, 68.91% of scales, 49.25% of pectoral fin rays, and 27.67% of opercular bones yielded age estimates that were consistent with the actual fish ages. Ages determined from other structures, such as interopercular bones, dorsal fins, basioccipital bones, and vertebrae, had lower rates of agreement (<20%) with actual ages. The current results suggest that age estimation with otoliths, especially sagittal otoliths, is the most accurate method for use with Northern Snakeheads. Furthermore, analysis of scales can be used as a supplementary approach, especially for younger (age < 3) Northern Snakeheads.Received March 14, 2013; accepted June 27, 2013

Ecomorphological disparity in an adaptive radiation: opercular bone shape and stable isotopes inAntarctic icefishes

To assess how ecological and morphological disparity is interrelated in the adaptive radiation of Antarctic notothenioid fish we used patterns of opercle bone evolution as a model to quantify shape disparity, phylogenetic patterns of shape evolution, and ecological correlates in the form of stable isotope values. Using a sample of 25 species including representatives from four major notothenioid clades, we show that opercle shape disparity is higher in the modern fauna than would be expected under the neutral evolution Brownian motion model. Phylogenetic comparative methods indicate that opercle shape data best fit a model of directional selection (Ornstein–Uhlenbeck) and are least supported by the “early burst” model of adaptive radiation. The main evolutionary axis of opercle shape change reflects movement from a broad and more symmetrically tapered opercle to one that narrows along the distal margin, but with only slight shape change on the proximal margin. We find a trend in opercle shape change along the benthic–pelagic axis, underlining the importance of this axis for diversification in the notothenioid radiation. A major impetus for the study of adaptive radiations is to uncover generalized patterns among different groups, and the evolutionary patterns in opercle shape among notothenioids are similar to those found among other adaptive radiations (three-spined sticklebacks) promoting the utility of this approach for assessing ecomorphological interactions on a broad scale.

Precision of age determination from otoliths, opercular bones, scales and vertebrae in the threatened freshwater snakehead, Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793)

Summary Ages were estimated from otoliths, opercular bones, scales, and vertebrae of 514 specimens of Channa punctata from three Indian rivers – the Ganga, Gomti, and Yamuna – to evaluate the potential bias of age estimates between readers and between pairs of aging structures. Standard procedures were followed to prepare and study the age structures. Among all structures, otoliths showed highest (97.4%) values of agreement between readers' age estimates followed by the opercular bones (89.5%), scales (84.2%) and vertebrae (78.9%). Because of the highest percentage of agreement and lowest average percentage of error (0.05%) and coefficient of variation (0.76%) values between readers, otoliths were considered the most suitable aging structure for C. punctata. When otoliths ages were compared with those of the other structures viz., opercular bones, scales and vertebrae, percentage of agreement was found highest between estimates (90.8%) of otoliths and opercular bones.

COMPARISON OF SCALES, OPERCULAR BONES, AND VERTEBRAE TO DETERMINE AGE AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN TENCH, TINCA TINCA (L. 1758) (PISCES, TELEOSTEI)

ABSTRACT Samples of tench. Tinca tinca (L., 1758), were taken from Lake Vegoritis, northern Greece (40°45′N, 21°47′). Fish age was determined by comparing different skeletal elements (i.e., scales, opercular bones, and vertebrae). Determination of age from the scales resulted in an overestimation of 1 year in 1.9% and an underestimation of 1 year in 3.2% of the cases when compared to age as determined from opercular bones. In the opercular bones of older specimens, the first and some of the second annuli were not easily discernible. A comparison of readings derived from vertebrae and opercular bones revealed that age determined from vertebrae was both overestimated and underestimated by the same percentage (2.5%). Consequently, using scales to determine age in tench is not recommended for inexperienced researchers, unless the annual rings for ages ≥3 years, are compared with those of the opercular bones and vertebrae.