Parupeneus Barberinus Research Articles

The first report of DNA barcoding of commercially important fish in Nias Islands, Indonesia

Abstract. Ramadhaniaty M, Manurung VR, Khairunnisa, Lubis F, Susetya IE. 2024. The first report of DNA barcoding of commercially important fish in Nias Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 742-753. The Nias Islands are an archipelago in the western part of North Sumatera, encompassed by the Indian Ocean, and have become a hotspot for demersal and pelagic fishes. These geographical conditions endow the waters around Nias with large fishery resources, leading to their frequent utilization as fishing grounds for Sumatera Island and its surrounding areas. This research aimed to identify the commercially important fish species with the highest catch frequency in the waters of Nias, and this identification marked the initial stage of the sustainable utilization of fish resources. The method used was DNA Barcoding using genes targeting the COI Mitochondrial locus. Therefore, 43 samples were collected from several North and South Nias fish landing sites. The obtained species were classified into 3 groups based on the commodity type: demersal fish, pelagic fish, and Choncricthyes. There were 8 species of demersal fish (Caesio caerulaurea, Halichoeres scapularis, Lethrinus ornatus, Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, Parupeneus barberinus, Scarus prasiognathos, Plectropomus leopardus, and Variola albimarginata), displaying genetic distances ranging from 0.002-0.275. Pelagic fish consisted of 5 species, namely Amblygaster clupoides, Caranx ignobilis, Caranx sexfasciatus, Ferdauia ferdau, and Scomberomorus commerson, displaying genetic distances ranging from 0.002-0.267. The next commodities were Chondrichthyes with 9 species (Carcharhinus sealei, Himantura leoparda, Neotrygon kuhlii, Paragaleus randalli, Pateobatis jenkinsii, Rhynchobatus cf laevis, Spyrna lewini, Taeniura meyeni, and Urogymnus granulatus), displaying genetic distance ranging from 0-0.271. This value indicates that migratory species such as chondrichthyes have quite extensive movements so that the genetic distance between species and between populations tends to be low.

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF EIGHT SPECIES OF FISH CAUGHT BY TRADITIONAL PAPUAN FISHERS IN YOUTEFA BAY, INDONESIA

In this study, data on length and weight of fish were used to determine the length-weight relationship and condition factors of eight fish species that are targeted by traditional Papuan fishers and have high economic value (Lutjanus fulvus, Gerres oyena, Parupeneus barberinus, Siganus spinus, Siganus canaliculatus, Pelates quadrilineatus. Mugil cephalus, and Hemiramphus far) in Youtefa Bay, Papua Province, Indonesia. A total of 245 fish specimens were collected from Papuan fishermen during the period January to March 2020. The total length and body-weight of the fish specimens studied ranged from 15.2 to 32.1 cm (average 20.26±3.73 cm) and 42.72 to 371.86 g (average 124.10±52.45 g), respectively. The b value ​​for all fish species studied ranged from 2.6919 to 3.0791, with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.9022 to 0.9947. The growth patterns of the eight fish species were allometric (b ≠ 3; t-test < t-tab), where L. fulvus (2.824), P. barberinus (2.9136), S. canaliculatus (2.989), P. quadrilineatus (2.9577), M. cephalus (2.9096), and H. far (2.6919) were negative allometric (b < 3), while G. oyena (3.0596) and S. spinus (3.0791) are positive allometric (b > 3). Meanwhile, the relative condition factor and Fulton condition factor values ​​ranged from 0.874 to 1.201 (average 0.999±0.321) and 0.204 to 2.726 (average 1.612±0.515). M. cephalus had a higher relative condition factor, while L. fulvus had a higher Fulton condition factor than other fish species

Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factors of Some Commercial Fish from Youtefa Bay, Jayapura City, Indonesia

In this study, we used data on the length and weight of fish to determine the length-weight relationship and condition factors of eight commercial fish targeted by traditional Papuan fishers in Youtefa Bay, Papua Province, Indonesia. The fish species were Lutjanus fulvus, Gerres oyena, Parupeneus barberinus, Siganus spinus, Siganus canaliculatus, Pelates quadrilineatus. Mugil cephalus, and Hemiramphus far. A total of 245 fish specimens were collected from Papuan fishermen from January to March 2020. The total body length and weight ranged from 15.2 to 32.1 cm (average 20.26±3.73 cm) and 42.72 to 371.86 gr (average 124.10±52.45 gr), respectively. The b value ranged from 2.692 to 3.079, with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.902 to 0.995. The growth patterns of the eight fish species were allometric (b≠3; t-test<t-tab), where L. fulvus (2.824), P. barberinus (2.914), S. canaliculatus (2.989), P. quadrilineatus (2.958), M. cephalus (2.910), and H. far (2.692) have negative allometric growth (b<3). In contrast, G. oyena (3.060) and S. spinus (3.079) have positive allometric growth (b>3). The relative condition factor and Fulton condition factor values ranged from 0.874 to 1.201 (average 0.999±0.321) and 0.204 to 2.726 (average 1.612±0.515). M. cephalus had a higher relative condition factor, while L. fulvus had a higher Fulton condition factor compared to other fish species.

Co-occurrence of seagrass vegetation and coral colonies supports unique fish assemblages: a microhabitat-scale perspective.

Numerous studies have suggested that seagrass beds provide nursery habitats for juvenile fish in both tropical and subtropical regions. Most of these previous studies applied a landscape-scale perspective, in which seagrass beds and coral reefs are treated as independent, homogenous habitats. However, this perspective might overlook the microhabitat-scale perspective within the habitats, for example, the possibility that small-sized hard substrates (e.g., coral colonies) within seagrass beds might serve as fish nurseries. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the presence of microhabitats (small-sized coral colonies) within seagrass beds on the structure of fish assemblages. Fieldwork was conducted at Urasoko Bay, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan. Four habitat zones were selected: (1) seagrass bed with presence of massive coral colonies (SGCO), (2) seagrass bed without coral colonies (SG), (3) sandy bottom (without seagrass vegetation) with massive coral colonies (CO), and (4) sandy bottom without seagrass vegetation or coral colonies (SA). Six 20 m × 2 m line transects were established and monthly underwater observations were conducted between June and October in 2018 and 2019. A cluster analysis, analysis of similarity, and principal component analysis revealed that the fish assemblage at SGCO was significantly different from the other three habitat zones. This was because some fish species (e.g., Ostorhinchusishigakiensis and Lutjanus gibbus) were almost exclusively present at SGCO and rarely seen at CO, SG, and SA. Most individual fish belonging to these species were found on coral colonies at SGCO, suggesting that the co-occurrence of seagrass vegetation and coral colonies is essential for the habitats of these fish species. Although other fish species present at SGCO were also found at SG, three species, Parupeneus barberinus, Stethojulis strigiventer, and Lethrinus atkinsoni, were more abundant at SGCO with some found on coral colonies in this habitat zone. Several fish species that occurred at both SGCO and CO (e.g., Ostorhinchus properuptus, Cheilodispterus quinquelineatus, Chrysiptera cyanea, and Pomacentrus chrysurus) were more abundant or showed a greater size range at SGCO, suggesting greater survival rates in this habitat zone because of the co-occurrence of seagrass vegetation and coral colonies. This study demonstrated the existence of a unique fish assemblage structure at SGCO. Although the adoption of a landscape-scale perspective (three-dimensional structure of the vegetation) is necessary, a microhabitat-scale perspective that includes the presence of small hard substrates should also be considered to accurately evaluate the nursery function of seagrass beds.

Composition and behavior of mixed-species foraging groups of reef fish in the Lakshadweep islands, India

Mixed-species foraging groups of reef fishes, although relatively common in occurrence, have historically received little attention. Most studies on this topic have been descriptive accounts of specific associations. In this study, we collected data on mixed-species foraging groups seen in the Lakshadweep islands, resulting in a dataset of 1289 groups. Data was collected from both reefs and lagoons of three islands (Kadmat, Kavaratti, and Agatti) within the Lakshadweep Archipelago over a period of three years. Cluster analysis revealed nine categories based on species composition in groups: parrotfish, juveniles, surgeonfish (small), surgeonfish (large), Anampses spp., wrasses, Parupeneus macronema , Parupeneus barberinus, and other goatfish groups. The clusters are named based on the nuclear species or most frequently seen species within the groups. These groups are distinct not only in terms of composition but also other parameters such as behavior (shoaling or attendant groups), habitat affinity, and group cohesion. Groups comprising herbivorous species such as parrotfish and surgeonfish were almost entirely shoaling in nature (large groups without nuclear individuals), whereas goatfish and wrasses tended to form smaller attendant associations. Groups also occupied different habitat types; for example, parrotfish and P. barberinus groups were seen mostly in lagoons while surgeonfish, wrasses, and P. macronema groups were more abundant on reefs. Our findings suggest that mixed-species foraging groups in fishes are comprised of distinct compositional categories that vary in behavior, cohesion, and habitat affinity.

Tropical intertidal seagrass beds as fish habitat: Similarities between fish assemblages of intertidal and subtidal seagrass beds in the Philippines

Tropical intertidal seagrass beds have recently been identified as foraging grounds for multiple fish species, although the possible drivers of fish migration to such beds remain unknown. Investigations of fishes occurring in intertidal and subtidal seagrass beds, and comparison of food resources of the dominant trophic groups in the intertidal and subtidal beds, and surrounding bare-sand areas, were conducted at two sites in northern Mindanao, Philippines. Fish species collected in the intertidal and subtidal seagrass beds overlapped by 65%, with species richness and abundance of both residents and visitors between the two habitats not differing substantially (although significantly higher than in intertidal and subtidal bare-sand areas), as many site-attached residents appeared to remain in the intertidal beds during low tide. Benthic-invertebrate feeders, including juveniles of commercially important species, dominated intertidal seagrass beds, comprising >70% of species richness and abundance. Four of them (Halichoeres argus, H. papilionaceous, Lethrinus harak, and Parupeneus barberinus) fed primarily on small crustaceans, such as harpacticoid copepods and amphipods, the densities of such food resources being significantly higher in the intertidal and subtidal seagrass beds than in the surrounding bare-sand areas. The results demonstrated that intertidal seagrass beds function as foraging grounds for many visiting fishes, in addition to providing a permanent habitat for resident species. Recognition of the importance of tropical intertidal seagrass beds as fish habitat has significant implications for the management and protection of coastal fish biodiversity and fishery resources.

Life history of two data-poor but commercially valuable tropical reef fishes, Parupeneus barberinus and Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, from the Saipan fishery, Northern Mariana Islands

We provide a detailed characterisation of the life histories of two commercially important tropical goatfish species, Parupeneus barberinus and Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). Two years of continuous fishery-dependent data were used to assess age, growth, mortality and reproduction. Both species are short-lived, with a maximum age of 5 years and maturation within the first year of life. Female and male P. barberinus reach 50% maturity at 15.4- and 20.2-cm fork length (FL) respectively. The M. flavolineatus females and males reach 50% maturity at 15.8- and 16.1-cm FL. Temporal variation in the reproductive cycle of M. flavolineatus indicated that average monthly gonadosomatic index had a clear reproductive period of May–June and an anomalously high peak in November. The reproductive seasonality of P. barberinus was less clear, owing to the abnormally high proportion of inactive physiologically mature females found throughout the year in the fishery across a wide size range. Migrations of P. barberinus into and out of the main fishing area (Saipan lagoon) may explain why the fishery does not encompass the actively spawning population.

Evaluation of traditional traps: towards ecosystem-based fisheries management

In Maluku, Indonesia, trap fishing is one of the traditional fisheries that plays an important role in supplying reef fish to sea food restaurants and to the trade of live fish. To support the implementation of ecosystem-based fishery management, it is important to analyse the catch of trap through a multi-species approach rather than a single-species (selectivity) approach. In this study, multi-species catch analyses estimated species diversity, trophic levels and spatial distribution based on catch data, and sustainability of catch based on biological and ecological information. Traps were fished from February 2018 to January 2019 in waters 5 to 40m deep in Ambon Bay, Waai Bay and at Babar Island. The most abundant fishes caught were the family Mullidae, Parupeneus barberinus (n = 102) and P. indicus (n = 126). Spatial distribution of species analysed with Multivariate Principle Component Analysis showed each trap has significant co-varying species. The mean trophic level of the traps was 3.37 (SE: 0.175), indicating that the trap catches were dominated by low to moderate levels of carnivorous secondary consumers. From 42 species captured by traps, the least likely to be sustainable was Heniochus cuminatus and the most likely to be sustainable were, Selar boops. It is proposed that traditional trapping is a suitable practice in coral reef areas, with low impacts on the community of reef fish that eventually supporting balance fishery.

Using ecosystem approach indicators for assessing the ecological status of reef fisheries management in a marine protected area

Abstract. Yuliana E, Boer M, Fahrudin A, Kamal MM, Pardede ST. 2019. Using ecosystem approach indicators for assessing the ecological status of reef fisheries management in a marine protected area. Biodiversitas 20: 1802-1810. The purpose of this study was to assess the status of reef fisheries management in a marine protected area base on ecosystem approach indicators and to determine the tactical decisions required to improve management. The study site was in Karimunjawa National Park (KNP) Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using survey and observation methods and included both primary and secondary data. Coral fish, which were the object of the study was Caesio cuning, Caesio caerulaurea, Plectropomus oligacanthus, and Parupeneus barberinus. Determination of the status of each ecosystem approach indicator was conducted using the flag model. Tactical decisions were necessary to improve the status of management indicators. The results indicated that the ecological status of reef fisheries management of KNP is at a moderate level with an achievement value of 62.75% Tactical decisions are necessary to push the ten indicators to achieve a better level. Three indicators still received a poor status, and the remaining (seven indicators) were within the moderate status. Therefore, the three indicators that need to be improved quickly are fish abundance, fishing gear modification, and fishing capacity.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Parupeneus barberinus (Perciformes, Mullidae): mitogenome characterization and phylogenetic analysis

Parupeneus barberinus is a tropical/subtropical reef-dwelling marine fish belonging to the family Mullidae. Herein, we report the first sequencing and assembly of the complete mitochondrial genome of P. barberinus. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,560 bp long and has the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 18 species showed that P. barberinus is clustered with P. multifasciatus and P. chrysopleuron and rooted with other Mullidae species. This mitochondrial genome provides potentially important resources for addressing taxonomic issues and studying molecular evolution.

Rapid reproductive analysis and length–weight relations for five species of coral-reef fishes (Actinopterygii) from Papua New Guinea: Nemipterus isacanthus, Parupeneus barberinus, Kyphosus cinerascens, Ctenochaetus striatus (Perciformes), and Balistapus undulatus (Tetraodontiformes)

Rapid reproductive analysis and length–weight relations for five species of coral-reef fishes (Actinopterygii) from Papua New Guinea: Nemipterus isacanthus, Parupeneus barberinus, Kyphosus cinerascens, Ctenochaetus striatus (Perciformes), and Balistapus undulatus (Tetraodontiformes)

Hermaphroditism in the dash-and-dot goatfish Parupeneus barberinus.

Presence of bisexual individuals and a sex-specific bimodal size distribution are suggestive of protogyny in the dash-and-dot goatfish Parupeneus barberinus, but the most parsimonious interpretation of histological analysis is juvenile hermaphroditism. This is the first report of hermaphroditism in the Mullidae.

Diet, growth, and abundance of two seagrass bed fishes along a pollution gradient caused by milkfish farming in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines

The present study clarified the impacts of aquaculture pollution on the surrounding seagrass bed fishes by comparing the diet, growth, and abundance of Parupeneus barberinus and Acreichthys tomentosus along a pollution gradient caused by intensive milkfish Chanos chanos farming in Bolinao, northwestern Philippines. The two fish species and potential food items exhibited increasingly enriched δ13C values with greater distance from the milkfish farming area, thereby indicating that stable carbon isotopes facilitated good discrimination between fishes from polluted and unpolluted areas. P. barberinus fed on epi-/benthic crustaceans, whereas A. tomentosus consumed a wide range of food, including invertebrates and plant materials in the unpolluted areas, but zooplankton were the most commonly predated food items in the polluted areas for both species. The growth rate of P. barberinus was marginally lower in the polluted area than in the unpolluted area, whereas that of A. tomentosus did not differ between the two areas. The abundance of both species did not differ significantly between the polluted and unpolluted areas, but the growth patterns of the two species suggest that A. tomentosus has greater physiological tolerance of the polluted environment than P. barberinus.

Habitat Use by Fishes in Coral Reefs, Seagrass Beds and Mangrove Habitats in the Philippines

Understanding the interconnectivity of organisms among different habitats is a key requirement for generating effective management plans in coastal ecosystems, particularly when determining component habitat structures in marine protected areas. To elucidate the patterns of habitat use by fishes among coral, seagrass, and mangrove habitats, and between natural and transplanted mangroves, visual censuses were conducted semiannually at two sites in the Philippines during September and March 2010–2012. In total, 265 species and 15,930 individuals were recorded. Species richness and abundance of fishes were significantly higher in coral reefs (234 species, 12,306 individuals) than in seagrass (38 species, 1,198 individuals) and mangrove (47 species, 2,426 individuals) habitats. Similarity tests revealed a highly significant difference among the three habitats. Fishes exhibited two different strategies for habitat use, inhabiting either a single (85.6% of recorded species) or several habitats (14.4%). Some fish that utilized multiple habitats, such as Lutjanus monostigma and Parupeneus barberinus, showed possible ontogenetic habitat shifts from mangroves and/or seagrass habitats to coral reefs. Moreover, over 20% of commercial fish species used multiple habitats, highlighting the importance of including different habitat types within marine protected areas to achieve efficient and effective resource management. Neither species richness nor abundance of fishes significantly differed between natural and transplanted mangroves. In addition, 14 fish species were recorded in a 20-year-old transplanted mangrove area, and over 90% of these species used multiple habitats, further demonstrating the key role of transplanted mangroves as a reef fish habitat in this region.

ACUTE TOXICITIES OF CRUDE OILS AND OIL-DISPERSANT MIXTURES TO RED SEA FISHES AND INVERTEBRATES

ABSTRACT Crude oil from fields in the Persian Gulf and in the Sinai plus a chemical oil dispersant were tested, using static bioassay procedures, for toxicity to adults or juveniles of ten marine species: Heteroxenia fuscescens, a soft coral; Nerita forskali and Drupa granulata, gastropod molluscs; Mytilus variabilis, a mussel; Acanthopleura haddoni, a chiton (mollusc); Echinometra mathaei, sea urchin; Calcinus latens, a hermit crab; Palaemon pacificus, a shrimp; Parupeneus barberinus, goatfish; and Siganus rivulatus, rabbitfish. Concentrations fatal to 50% of individual test species in 168 hours, LC-50 (168 h), ranged from 0.74 to more than 30.0 ml/liter for Persian Gulf crude, from 14.5 to more than 30.0 ml/liter for Sinai crude, and from 0.006 to 0.064 ml/liter for the dispersant. In general, fishes and crustaceans were the most sensitive groups assayed and molluscs the most resistant LC-50 (168 h) values for oil-dispersant mixtures of 10 parts oil to 1 part dispersant (v/v) for selected species ranged...

Opecoelidae (Digenea) in northern Great Barrier Reef goatfishes (Perciformes: Mullidae)

The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of eight species of goatfishes (Perciformes: Mullidae) were studied off Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Host species included Mulloidichthys flavolineatus (Lacépède), M. vanicolensis (Valenciennes), Parupeneus barberinus (Lacépède), P. ciliatus (Lacépède), P. cyclostomus (Lacépède), P. indicus (Shaw), P. multifasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard), P. spilurus (Bleeker) and P. trifasciatus (Lacépède). Seven opecoelid species were found, of which Paropecoelus corneliae n. sp., Pa. leonae n. sp. and Pseudopecoeloides engeleri n. sp. are described as new. Paropecoelus elongatus (Ozaki, 1928), Pa. sogandaresi Pritchard, 1966 and Podocotyloides parupenei (Manter, 1963) are recorded and a description is provided for each. A second species of Pseudopecoeloides remains unnamed for want of sufficient morphological material. The seven species were distinguished on the basis of morphology and molecular analysis of 56 ITS2 rDNA sequences. Sequences differed by nine to 68 base pairs between species combinations recognised by morphology; no intraspecific variation was detected. Each opecoelid species infected between two and five mullid species, but none of the species has been found in non-mullid hosts. Every mullid species was infected with at least one species of opecoelid and Parupeneus ciliatus had all seven species. The Opecoelidae of GBR goatfishes are consistent with the typical pattern of stenoxenicity seen for trematodes of GBR fishes.

Parasite acquisition by larval coral-reef fishes

Of 164 fish larvae belonging to 11 species sampled from the island of Moorea, French Polynesia, 30% had at least one parasite individual and parasite prevalence ranged between 0 for Chaetodon citrinellus and 80% for Parupeneus barberinus. Parasites were present only in larvae that had fed and were present in the gut but absent from gills, body cavity and muscle. Parasites appeared to be acquired by ingestion of intermediate hosts when the larvae fed on the outer slope, prior to reef colonization.

A complex of Transversotrematidae (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) associated with mullid fishes of the Indo-West Pacific Region, including the descriptions of four new species of Transversotrema

Phylogenetic analysis based on ribosomal DNA markers indicates that there is a discrete clade of species of Transverso-trema Witenberg, 1944 associated with mullid fishes of the Indo-West Pacific, although there is only one previous recordof transversotrematids from these fishes. Each of the species in this clade bears broad morphological similarity to previousconcepts of either Transversotrema haasi Witenberg, 1944 or Transversotrema licinum Manter, 1970, yet none of them isattributed here to either of these species. Four new species of Transversotrema are described from mullid fishes of thetropical and sub-tropical Indo-West Pacific using a combination of morphology, morphometric analysis and DNA se-quencing. Transversotrema cabrarum n. sp. is described from Parupeneus spilurus (Bleeker) from Ningaloo Reef (Aus-tralia), and recorded from Parupeneus cyclostomus (Lacepède), Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett) and Parupeneustrifasciatus (Lacepède) from the same location. Transversotrema chevrarum n. sp. is described from Lizard Island (GreatBarrier Reef, Australia) from Parupeneus ciliatus (Lacepède), and further recorded from Parupeneus barberinus(Lacepède), P. cyclostomus, Parupeneus indicus (Shaw), Parupeneus multifasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard) and P. trifasciatusat the same location. Transversotrema cutmorei n. sp. is described from Upeneus tragula Richardson from Moreton Bay,Australia. Transversotrema tragorum n. sp. is described from Parupeneus indicus from Lizard Island and recorded fromP. barberinus, P. ciliatus P. cyclostomus, P. multifasciatus and P. trifasciatus from the same location. An additional spe-cies, also from mullids from Lizard Island, is delineated on the basis of molecular data, but not formally described. Like many other transversotrematids, the species described here appear to have limited geographical distributions.

A complex of Transversotrematidae (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) associated with mullid fishes of the Indo-West Pacific Region, including the descriptions of four new species of Transversotrema

Phylogenetic analysis based on ribosomal DNA markers indicates that there is a discrete clade of species of Transverso- trema Witenberg, 1944 associated with mullid fishes of the Indo-West Pacific, although there is only one previous recordof transversotrematids from these fishes. Each of the species in this clade bears broad morphological similarity to previousconcepts of either Transversotrema haasi Witenberg, 1944 or Transversotrema licinum Manter, 1970, yet none of them isattributed here to either of these species. Four new species of Transversotrema are described from mullid fishes of thetropical and sub-tropical Indo-West Pacific using a combination of morphology, morphometric analysis and DNA se-quencing. Transversotrema cabrarum n. sp. is described from Parupeneus spilurus (Bleeker) from Ningaloo Reef (Aus-tralia), and recorded from Parupeneus cyclostomus (Lacepede), Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett) and Parupeneus trifasciatus (Lacepede) from the same location. Transversotrema chevrarum n. sp. is described from Lizard Island (GreatBarrier Reef, Australia) from Parupeneus ciliatus (Lacepede), and further recorded from Parupeneus barberinus (Lacepede), P. cyclostomus, Parupeneus indicus (Shaw), Parupeneus multifasciatus (Quoy & Gaimard) and P. trifasciatus at the same location. Transversotrema cutmorei n. sp. is described from Upeneus tragula Richardson from Moreton Bay,Australia. Transversotrema tragorum n. sp. is described from Parupeneus indicus from Lizard Island and recorded from P. barberinus, P. ciliatus P. cyclostomus, P. multifasciatus and P. trifasciatus from the same location. An additional spe-cies, also from mullids from Lizard Island, is delineated on the basis of molecular data, but not formally described. Like many other transversotrematids, the species described here appear to have limited geographical distributions.

Habitat use patterns of fishes across the mangrove-seagrass-coral reef seascape at Ishigaki Island, southern Japan

To clarify seascape-scale habitat use patterns of fishes in the Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan), visual censuses were conducted in the mangrove estuary, sand area, seagrass bed, coral rubble area, branching coral area on the reef flat, and tabular coral area on the outer reef slope at Ishigaki Island in August and November 2004, and May, August and November 2005. During the study period a total of 319 species were observed. Species richness and abundance were highest in the branching and tabular coral areas, followed in order by the seagrass bed and mangrove estuary, and coral rubble and sand areas, in each month. Cluster analysis resulted in a clear grouping of assemblage structures by habitat type rather than by census month. SIMPER analysis showed that fish assemblages in the tabular coral area were mainly characterized by Acanthurus nigrofuscus, Pomacentrus lepidogenys, P. philippinus and P. vaiuli, the branching coral area by Chromis viridis and Pomacentrus moluccensis, the coral rubble area by Amblyeleotris steinitzi and Ctenogobiops pomastictus, the seagrass bed by Cheilio inermis, Lethrinus atkinsoni and Stethojulis strigiventer, the sand area by Valenciennea longipinnis, and the mangrove estuary by Gerres oyena, Lutjanus fulvus and Yongeichthys criniger. Moreover, fishes exhibited two habitat use strategies, inhabiting either a single or several specific habitats throughout their benthic life history stages, or having a possible ontogenetic habitat shift from the mangrove estuary or seagrass bed to coral-dominated habitats (e.g., Lethrinus atkinsoni, Lethrinus obsoletus, Lutjanus fulviflamma, Lutjanus fulvus, Lutjanus gibbus, Lutjanus monostigma and Parupeneus barberinus), suggesting that the mangrove estuary and seagrass bed have a nursery function.