Parablennius Sanguinolentus Research Articles

Site fidelity of fish on a rocky intertidal in the south of Portugal

The short-term site fidelity of intertidal fish species was studied in a rocky intertidal zone in southern Portugal using visible implant elastomer tagging. Eleven fish species were caught, tagged and released, seven of which were recaptured. The larger tide pool with the highest complexity level and located at a lower position in the shore level did not have recaptures, while in others the individual fish species recaptured rate ranged from 11.1 to 38.9%, suggesting that the shore height is a dominant factor influencing site fidelity. Although the breeding season seems not to be the only explanation for the recapture rate, the higher mean recapture rates of Parablennius sanguinolentus, Lipophrys pholis and Gobius cobitis may be related to the parental behaviour of these species during that period. Site fidelity of juveniles of Scorpaena porcus in tidepools is reported for the first time, showing the importance of this habitat as a nursery ground.

Morphological features of three species of Phyllodistomum (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae) from some marine fishes in the southern Black Sea

Three species of the genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 are identified infecting marine teleost fishes from Sinop coast (southern Black Sea, Turkey). Those are Phyllodistomum acceptum from Parablennius sanguinolentus; Phyllodistomum crenilabri from Symphodus tinca and Symphodus ocellatus; and Phyllodistomum sp. from Gobius cruentatus. Standard parasitological investigation methods were implemented, and morphological diagnostic features of these species were studied in detail under both light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The measurement data of all morphological diagnostics are provided; photomicrographs of each part of the parasites are presented. Infection prevalence and intensity values are given, as well as morphometric data for each parasite species. This research is the first on Phyllodistomum sp. presence in Gobius cruentatus. Moreover, this study is the first one, in which the tegumental surface of P. acceptum and P. crenilabri was examined by scanning electron microscopy.

Trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) from gills of some marine fishes of Sinop Coasts of the Black Sea, with the first report of Trichodina rectuncinata

Four species of marine fishes, turbot Scophthalmus maeoticus, common sole Solea solea, shore rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, and rusty blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea were examined for ectoparasitic trichodinids. A total of four trichodinid species, Trichodina rectuncinata, T. ovonucleata, T. jadranica, and T. domerguei were described using the silver nitrate impregnation technique and morphologically studied. All morphometric data and photomicrographs of these trichodinids were presented along with details of their host preferences, prevalence and intensity of infestation. This study is the first report on the trichodinid ectoparasites on Scophthalmus maeoticus, Solea solea, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, and Parablennius sanguinolentus in Türkiye. Moreover Trichodina rectuncinata is as a new record for Turkish fish parasite fauna.

Karadeniz'in Sinop kıyılarından yakalanan bazı deniz balıklarında parazitik isopodlar

Marine fish species such as grey wrasse Symphodus cinereus, common sole Solea solea, knout goby Mesogobius batrachocephalus and rusty blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus were studied for their parasitic isopods on the Sinop coast of the Black Sea. Two cymothoid species (Nerocila bivittata and Nerocila orbignyi) were identified. Nerocila bivittata was found on the body surface and fins of grey wrasse, common sole, knout goby, and N. orbignyi on the dorsal fin of rusty blenny. The prevalence and mean intensity values of each parasite species on fishes were calculated. Fish species mentioned above were all new hosts for N. bivittata and N. orbignyi in the Turkish coast of the Black sea.

Toxic effects of mazut on early developmental stages of blenny <em>Parablennius sanguinolentus</em>

Coastal marine waters are known as spawning sites of fish and invertebrate, which are highly sensitive to crude oil and its derivates in their early developmental stages. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mazut at concentrations of 0.00001, 0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 ml/l on antioxidant enzyme activities in developmental embryos (stage V) of the Black Sea blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus. The biomarkers of oxidative stress — namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (PER) and glutathione reductase (GR) — were investigated. This revealed a non-uniform impact of mazut concentration on fish embryos. The correlations between enzyme activities and mazut concentrations were non-linear, and tested antioxidants fluctuated independently from one another. The obtained results can be applied to the development of oil toxicity tests for assessment of water quality and in conservation biology.

Length-weight relationships for the fifty littoral and coastal marine fish species from the Eastern Adriatic Sea

The length–weight relationship parameters are reported for the fifty littoral and coastal marine fish species from the Eastern Adriatic. Captures were made between the years 2004 and 2017 during sport fishing competitions. The parameters a and b of the equation W = aLb were estimated. The b values ranged from 2.1972 for Spicara smaris (Linnaeus, 1758) to 3.7044 for Salaria pavo (Risso, 1810). The L-W relation for Scyliorhinus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758), Gobius bucchichi Steindachner 1870, Gobius geniporus Valenciennes 1837 and Lipophrys trigloides (Valenciennes, 1836) are not available in FishBase and presents new data for these species. For some other species, such as Labrus mixtus Linnaeus 1758, there are only two relationships, but none from the Mediterranean, for Gobius paganellus Linnaeus 1758 only four relationships and none from Central and Eastern Mediterranean, while for Labrus merula Linnaeus 1758, Symphodus mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758), Symphodus roissali (Risso, 1810), Gobius cobitis Pallas 1814, Gobius cruentatus Gmelin 1789, Gobius niger Linnaeus 1758, Parablennius gatorugine (Linnaeus, 1758), Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814), Salaria pavo (Risso, 1810), and Bothus podas (Delaroche, 1809) very low number of relationships are presented and none from the Adriatic Sea.

A context analysis of bobbing and fin-flicking in a small marine benthic fish.

Most antipredator strategies increase survival of individuals by signaling to predators, by reducing the chances of being recognized as prey, or by bewildering a predator's perception. In fish, bobbing and fin‐flicking are commonly considered as pursuit‐deterrent behaviors that signal a predator that it has been detected and thus lost its surprise‐attack advantage. Yet, very few studies assessed whether such behavioral traits are restricted to the visual presence of a predator. In this study, we used the yellow black‐headed triplefin Tripterygion delaisi to investigate the association between these behaviors and the visual exposure to (a) a black scorpionfish predator (Scorpaena porcus), (b) a stone of a size similar to that of S. porcus, (c) a conspecific, and (d) a harmless heterospecific combtooth blenny (Parablennius sanguinolentus). We used a laboratory‐controlled experiment with freshly caught fish designed to test for differences in visual cues only. Distance kept by the focal fish to each stimulus and frequency of bobbing and fin‐flicking were recorded. Triplefins kept greater distance from the stimulus compartment when a scorpionfish predator was visible. Bobbing was more frequent in the visual presence of a scorpionfish, but also shown toward the other stimuli. However, fin flicks were equally abundant across all stimuli. Both behaviors decreased in frequency over time suggesting that triplefin become gradually comfortable in a nonchanging new environment. We discuss why bobbing and fin‐flicking are not exclusive pursuit‐deterrent behaviors in this species, and propose additional nonexclusive functions such as enhancing depth perception by parallax motion (bobbing) or signaling vigilance (fin‐flicking).

Morphological and molecular descriptions of Sphaeromyxa sevastopoli (Cnidaria) from host fishes from Sinop on the Black Sea coast.

Members of the genus Sphaeromyxa Thélohan, 1892 have been reported from a wide variety of fish species worldwide. In the present study, specimens of rusty blenny, Parablennius sanguinolentus, collected from Sinop on the Turkish Black Sea coast were investigated for myxosporean parasites by using both conventional and molecular methods. Sphaeromyxa sevastopoli Naidenova 1970 was the only myxosporean parasite found in the gall bladder of host fishes. The morphology peculiarities of obtained S. sevastopoli spores are in good agreement with those of original description and the morphometric data overlapped in spore length and width but differed in polar capsule length and width; however, they were within the ranges previously reported from 18 host fish species. Moreover, in the present study, molecular analysis of the 18S rDNA gene of S. sevastopoli isolate in our P. sanguinolentus as well as isolates from shore rockling Gaidropsarus mediterraneus and knout goby Mesogobius batrachocephalus which were previously morphologically identified and reported by Okkay and Özer (Acta Zool Bulg 72(1):123-130, 2020) was done for the first time and our three S. sevastopoli genotypes were allocated to the "balbianii" group which is characterized by straight or slightly curved and fusiform or ovoid spores with ovoid polar capsules.

Environmental assessment of the pesticides in Parablennius sanguinolentus along the Western Calabrian coast (Italy)

The accumulation and persistence of chemical pesticides in aquatic ecosystems represent serious threats to both fish and humans. Useful tools for ecotoxicological studies of marine ecosystems are based on biomarker application to key fish species. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of pesticides in a coastal marine environment, as the tourist port of Bagnara Calabra on the western Calabrian coast of Italy. This was based on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymatic activities as biomarkers in the key fish species Parablennius sanguinolentus. The reference site of Jancuia Cove was also investigated. There was significant inhibition of these acetylcholinesterase (23.5%) and butyrylcholinesterase (72.0%) activities for Bagnara Calabra Port compared to Jancuia Cove. The esterase inhibition was primarily due to carbamate and organophosphorus insecticides, which showed higher concentrations for Bagnara Calabra Port (means, 1.0 μg L−1, 0.14 μg L−1, respectively) with respect to the reference quality standard set by Italian Law. These data indicate the presence of insecticides in the waters of Bagnara Calabra Port that might represent considerable hazard to humans, as the surrounding areas include bathing and recreational fishing activities throughout the year. This study also confirms the benefits that can be gained from such a biomarker-based approach when applied to a fish species for the monitoring of water ecosystems, to define the ecotoxicological, and the consequent ecological, alterations.

Spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of pelagic fish eggs and larvae off Giresun, south-eastern Black Sea, Turkey

Background. Giresun Bay is an important spawning ground of many migratory fish species and hence it has been a major fishing area of pelagic fishes in the Turkish territorial waters of the Black Sea. However, this area has not been evaluated thoroughly for the abundance and distribution of pelagic fish eggs and larvae, which are prerequisite for understanding the dynamics of fluctuating fish populations. The presently-reported study aimed to fill this gap in the existing knowledge of spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton in the south-eastern Black Sea. Materials and methods. Bimonthly surveys were carried out from January through November 2009 at inshore and offshore sites (>38°E, >40°N). The samples were collected by horizontal tows with Manta nets. The mouth of the net was equipped with flowmeters to measure the amount of water passing through the net during each tow. Results. The horizontal tows returned a total of 13 556 eggs and 1304 larvae representing 26 species (from 22 families): Engraulis encrasicolus, Sprattus sprattus, Merlangius merlangus, Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, Atherina boyeri, Scorpaena porcus, Chelidonichthys lucerna, Dicentrarchus labrax, Trachurus mediterraneus, Diplodus annularis, Sciaena umbra, Mullus barbatus, Gymnammodytes cicerelus, Ctenolabrus rupestris, Symphodus ocellatus, Trachinus draco, Uranoscopus scaber, Parablennius sanguinolentus, Parablennius tentacularis, Blennius sp., Ophidion rochei, Callionymus pusillus, Gobius sp., Arnoglossus kessleri, Buglossidium luteum, Pegusa lascaris. Overall, the dominant species were E. encrasicolus with 89.8% of all collected eggs, followed by G. mediterraneus (7.0%). Similarly, 47.4% of the total larvae were represented by E. encrasicolus, followed by P. sanguinolentus (22.8%) and S. sprattus (13.2%). The colder months (January, March, and November) presented a total of four species: S. sprattus, B. luteum, Gymnammodytes cicerelus, and Gaidropsarus mediterraneus. The warmer months had a greater variety of different species than colder months. Of these, E. encrasicolus was the most dominant species, providing the maximum abundance of fish eggs and larvae in September. The abundance of E. encrasicolus eggs and larvae decreased from offshore toward inshore sites highlighting the preference of this species to deeper waters for spawning as well as for nursery purposes in Giresun Bay. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that the length of the closed fishing season in the Black Sea should be reconsidered. We suggest that it should be extended to include also the last week of September in order to provide more time for pelagic fish (e.g., E. encrasicolus) to complete their spawning period. This could result in a healthier and more sustainable stock of E. encrasicolus in the Black Sea.

Reproduction and recruitment of sympatric fish species on an intertidal rocky shore.

The reproductive cycle of seven common species (Gobius paganellus, Gobius bucchichi, Gobius cobitis, Parablennius sanguinolentus, Salaria pavo, Tripterygion tartessicum and Symphodus roissali) on rocky shores in the Gulf of Cadiz and their relationship with the sea surface temperature (SST) is analysed. Partial data on Scorpaena porcus are also given. Fecundity of these short lifespan species shows a positive linear correlation between the number of oocytes and an increase in female size. Spawnings are concentrated in the first 7 months of the year. An analysis of reproductive growth with respect to SST shows that water temperature in the winter months affects the timing of the onset of reproduction in most species. Recruitment is takes place throughout the year, but a temporal segregation within different families occurs in their spawning as well as recruitment.

Bioaccumulation of metals and biomarkers of environmental stress in Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814) sampled along the Italian coast

Heavy metal pollution is one of the greatest threats to the ecosystems because it degrades the habitat and is potentially toxic to wildlife and human populations. In the last few decades, bioaccumulation studies performed with a multimarker approach have been a valuable tool for the investigation of environmental and animal safety.We perform an analysis of a benthic teleost fish species – Parablennius sanguinolentus – sampled at several Italian coastal sites with different degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Our integrative analysis encompasses bioaccumulation of 10 metals, biomarkers of environmental stress (micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities) and neutral genetic variation (using sequences of the mtDNA control region).We find a clear and significant correlation of metal bioaccumulation with micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities, especially with undisputed genotoxic metals, such as Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb. Furthermore, the molecular genetic analysis revealed a decrease of genetic variability in the populations more subjected to anthropic pressure.

Mitochondrial and nuclear intraspecific variation in the rusty blenny (Parablennius sanguinolentus, Blenniidae)

The genetic structure of Parablennius sanguinolentus from the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean was assessed using sequences from the mitochondrial control region (CR) and the first intron of the nuclear S7 ribosomal protein gene (S7). Our data show high genetic diversity for the central Mediterranean populations, contrasting with very low diversity in the Atlantic populations and in the westernmost Mediterranean population of Cabo de Gata. Both CR mismatch analysis and neutrality tests provide evidence of demographic and spatial expansion for the Atlantic and central Mediterranean populations. The significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances supported isolation-by-distance for the S7, but not for the CR, suggesting a complex scenario for the history of the rusty blenny in the Mediterranean Sea. The pattern of genetic structure displayed by P. sanguinolentus could be explained as the result of a post-glacial colonization of the Atlantic coast of Europe from the Mediterranean Sea.

Habitat preference of combtooth blennies (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Blenniidae) in very shallow waters of the Ionian Sea, south-eastern Sicily, Italy

Background. In the Mediterranean Sea, habitat preferences of small benthic fishes of shallow waters have been poorly investigated. Although combtooth blennies are not of interest for fisheries, they are often the dominant fish community on rocky bottoms within the first meter of depth and in tidal pool environments, playing so an important role in the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. This study represents the first detailed investigation concerning habitat preference and depth distribution of combtooth blennies in the Ionian Sea. Materials and methods. Occurrence and abundance of species were investigated by a non-destructive visual census method using snorkelling or SCUBA diving. We investigated 5 habitat types (bathymetric intervals between 0 and 3 m of depth) to find difference in species richness and abundance in each one and between. Studies were conducted from June to October 2014 in the south-eastern coast of Sicily. Statistical method of the electivity index (EI) and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized for the evaluation of the habitat preference of 11 species of combtooth blennies. Depth distribution for each species was box-plotted. For each habitat and depth, the Shannon–Wiener Index (H’) and the Simpson Index (D) were calculated. Diversity profiles were performed in order to give a better understanding of the correlation between diversity and both habitat types and depth. Results. During a total of 2485 observations of combtooth blennies a total of 11 species were recorded: Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes, 1836); Coryphoblennius galerita (Linnaeus, 1758); Lipophrys trigloides (Valenciennes, 1836); Microlipophrys canevae (Vinciguerra, 1880); Parablennius gattorugine (Linnaeus, 1758); Parablennius incognitus (Bath, 1968); Parablennius pilicornis (Cuvier, 1829); Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814); Parablennius zvonimiri (Kolombatović, 1892); Salaria pavo (Risso, 1810); Scartella cristata (Linnaeus, 1758). The maximum Shannon–Wiener Index (H’= 2.335) and Simpson Index (D = 0.898) values were recorded on “rocks with algal cover”; while, concerning the depth, the maximum values of both indices were recorded within the first meter. The diversity indices showed the highest values in the most heterogeneous habitat types. There was a negative correlation between depth and diversity indices. Results showed a clear habitat preference for the following species: A. sphynx, P. gattorugine, P. sanguinolentus, S. pavo and S. cristata. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of depth and habitat heterogeneity in biological diversity, species richness and population abundances of combtooth blennies in the Mediterranean Sea.

Trophic relationships, feeding habits and seasonal dietary changes in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic)

This paper describes the use of resources and diet of nine resident fish species in the rocky intertidal zone of the Gulf of Cadiz and examines whether their populations are affected by trophic competition. A stomach content analysis of the nine species revealed that only one was herbivorous (Parablennius sanguinolentus), while the rest were mainly carnivorous (Gobius bucchichi, Gobius cobitis, Gobius paganellus, Zebrus zebrus, Salaria pavo, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, Scorpaena porcus and Tripterygion tripteronotum). The most frequently consumed prey were amphipods, isopods, polychaetes, decapods, chironomids, tanaidaceans, gastropods, copepods, cumaceans and ostracods. In most species, the occurrence of polychaetes and molluscs was higher in the cold season, whereas that of isopods, decapods, chironomids and fish increased in the warm season. In general, larger specimens consumed larger prey, with an increase in the occurrence of isopods, decapods and fish. An analysis of trophic niche breadth defined G. cobitis as generalist, G. bucchichi as opportunist and S. porcus as specialist, whereas the values obtained for the other species did not indicate a clearly defined strategy. Low diet overlap values and the segregation observed in several analyses indicated an adequate distribution of resources.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Parablennius sanguinolentus and related biomarkers of exposure.

Event Abstract Back to Event Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Parablennius sanguinolentus and related biomarkers of exposure. Giuseppina Camiolo1, Fabrizio Puglisi1, Roberta Pecoraro1*, Giusi D'Amante1, Angeliki Droutsa2, Antonio Salvaggio3, Margherita Ferrante4, Maria V. Brundo1, Daniele Tibullo1 and Francesco Tiralongo5 1 University of Catania (Italy), Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Italy 2 Agricultural University of Athens, Greece 3 Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute Sicily “A.Mirri”, Italy 4 University of Catania, Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, Italy 5 University of Tuscia, Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Italy In the last years, water contamination has been evaluated using fishes as bioindicators. In environmental biomonitoring the main approach to assess marine ecosystem status, is the analysis of pollutants concentration in fish tissues and the utilization of exposure biomarkers. The aim of the present study, is to analyze the level of contaminants, such as Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As) and the expression of their exposure biomarkers, on gills and muscle tissues of Parablennius sanguinolentus, which has been recognized as a useful bioindicator of environmental pollution. In particular, 30 samples of P. sanguinolentus were collected from the east coasts of Sicily and analyzed by histological examination. Biomarkers of metal exposure, such as metallothioneins (MTs) of low molecular weight and Heat Shock Proteins 70 (HSP70), were detected using Western Blotting assay and immunoistochemical techniques. Moreover, Inductively coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis has been performed in order to quantify metal concentration. Gill and muscle epithelium sections, showed a strong HSPs70 immunopositivity. A clear positive response to MTs has been observed only in gill chloride cells. Moreover, the positivity to MTs and HSPs70, was confirmed by Western Blotting analysis. ICP-MS analysis showed an increase of the mean concentrations of As (14,103mg/Kg), Pb (0,145mg/Kg), Hg (0,035mg/Kg) and Cd (0,014mg/Kg). Histological examination showed no morpho-functional alterations on gills and muscle tissues. The detected concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg are in accordance to the values established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, that sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. However, Arsenic levels are significantly higher than those reported in literature. For Arsenic no maximum concentration is yet established by European Union. The diet is the main source of human exposure to Arsenic and therefore is extremely important to focus on wider studies based on heavy metals pollution and Arsenic in particular. Keywords: heavy metals, metallothioneins, HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins, western blot, Immunohistochemistry, ICP-MS Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Physiology, Behavior and Toxicology Citation: Camiolo G, Puglisi F, Pecoraro R, D'Amante G, Droutsa A, Salvaggio A, Ferrante M, Brundo MV, Tibullo D and Tiralongo F (2015). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Parablennius sanguinolentus and related biomarkers of exposure. . Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2015.03.00140 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Nov 2015; Published Online: 27 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Roberta Pecoraro, University of Catania (Italy), Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Catania, I-95124, Italy, pecoraro_roberta@libero.it Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Giuseppina Camiolo Fabrizio Puglisi Roberta Pecoraro Giusi D'Amante Angeliki Droutsa Antonio Salvaggio Margherita Ferrante Maria V Brundo Daniele Tibullo Francesco Tiralongo Google Giuseppina Camiolo Fabrizio Puglisi Roberta Pecoraro Giusi D'Amante Angeliki Droutsa Antonio Salvaggio Margherita Ferrante Maria V Brundo Daniele Tibullo Francesco Tiralongo Google Scholar Giuseppina Camiolo Fabrizio Puglisi Roberta Pecoraro Giusi D'Amante Angeliki Droutsa Antonio Salvaggio Margherita Ferrante Maria V Brundo Daniele Tibullo Francesco Tiralongo PubMed Giuseppina Camiolo Fabrizio Puglisi Roberta Pecoraro Giusi D'Amante Angeliki Droutsa Antonio Salvaggio Margherita Ferrante Maria V Brundo Daniele Tibullo Francesco Tiralongo Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Intensity and prevalence of some crustacean fish parasites inTurkey and their molecular identification

In the present study, intensity, prevalence, and some pathologic effects of Caligus minimus, Nerocila spp., and Livoneca punctata on fishes extending from the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey were determined. In addition, besides morphological characters of parasites, diagnosis of the species was carried out by using a molecular method (polymerase chain reaction) in characterization. Caligus minimus was isolated for the first time from wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. Seasonal distribution of Nerocila spp. Was determined. The highest prevalence rates of Nerocila were determined on snouted sole (Pegusa nasuta, syn. Solea nasuta) at 26.94%, wrasse or corkwing (Symphodus spp.) at 16.77%, rusty blenny (Parablennius sanguinolentus) at 11.76%, goby fishes (Gobius niger and Neogobius melanostomus) at 5.21%, and pipefish (Syngnathus sp.) at 3.44%. Conversely, Nerocila spp. Were not isolated from whiting (Merlangius merlangus), horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), Black Sea herring (Alosa immaculata), or picarel (Spicara smaris). Livoneca punctata was only isolated from Black Sea herring (Alosa immaculata). The most common pathological symptoms were mechanical injury on the skin and fins of the infested fish.

Trophic relationships in an intertidal rockpool fish assemblage in the gulf of Cádiz (NE Atlantic)

Many species of littoral fish that live in rocky substrates are syntopic, sharing the same coastal habitat. They have similar feeding behaviours and use small hollows as places to hide and spawn. In the present study, we identified a total of 16 resident fish species in a rockpool assemblage in the Gulf of Cádiz and studied their patterns of co-occurrence. The dietary analysis performed showed the occurrence of 2 mainly herbivorous species ( Lipophrys canevae and Parablennius sanguinolentus), 8 mainly carnivorous species with a percentage occurrence of algae in the diet below 10% ( Gobius paganellus, Gobius cobitis, Gobius bucchichi, Clinitrachus argentatus, Tripterygion delaisi, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, Lepadogaster purpurea and Lepadogaster candolii), and 6 species that are carnivorous in the earlier phases of their lives and gradually increase the proportion of algae in their diet ( Lipophrys pholis, Paralipophrys trigloides, Parablennius incognitus, Salaria pavo, Coryphoblennius galerita and Symphodus roissali). The dietary overlap among the different species does not explain the different patterns of abundance found among co-occurring species. In the present study, the common use of abundant resources coupled with specialized use of other types of resources was observed, and this allows the different species to minimise the effects of possible trophic competition.

Assessment of environmental stress in Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas, 1814) of the Sicilian Ionian coast

The blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus was selected as a useful bioindicator of environmental pollution. Chemical parameters in water and sediments from three different sampling sites along the Sicilian Ionian coast were determined and metal concentrations in fish muscle were measured. DNA fragmentation and oxidation in erythrocytes and hepatocytes was determined by the Comet assay and HSP70 expression levels were evaluated in the liver. The results show an increased level of chromium in sediments and high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in water at one site. The bioaccumulation of metals in muscle tissue shows high concentrations of lead in some samples. A high percentage of DNA damage in blood and liver cells, as well as high hepatic levels of HSP70, were found in all the sites. The results demonstrate the usefulness of an integrated chemical and biological approach for the determination of environmental stress.

Patterns of spatial distribution and behaviour of fish on a rocky intertidal platform at high tide

We describe the patterns of spatial distribution and behaviour of an intertidal fish assemblage on a rocky intertidal platform in the south of Portugal during high tide. Data were col- lected by surveying a number of predefined transects and focal observations of individual fish. Sev- eral interspecific differences, in both zonation and substratum, were found at high tide that were not apparent in observations of pools at low tide. Parablennius sanguinolentus occurred mainly on boul- ders at the high intertidal, Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita were especially abundant in the upper intertidal. L. canevae and L. trigloides were most abundant in the low intertidal, with L. canevae being restricted to that level. Gobius cobitis used all shore levels, including a significant presence in the subtidal. Species typically considered subtidal, like P. pilicornis and P. gattorugine, were found also in the intertidal at high tide. In the case of P. gattorugine both juveniles and even large adults moved up with the tide, reaching the highest shore levels. C. galerita seemed to be restricted to the vicinity of its low-tide shelters, around crevices and pools, while large specimens of L. pholis and G. cobitis were subject to larger displacements, up and down with the tide. Apart from the benthic component, the fish assemblage is enriched at high tide by a large number of fish, mainly juveniles of pelagic and bentho-pelagic species, meaning that the rocky intertidal may play a nurs- ery role for several non-resident fish species.