Peritoneal Pigmentation Research Articles

Description of the first larva of the blenny Parablennius marmoreus (Osteichthyes: Blenniidae) obtained in captivity under controlled conditions

The characteristics of newly hatched Parablennius marmoreus larvae obtained in captivity under controlled laboratory conditions are described. Adults were collected on the island of Cubagua (10º 49.40' 99'' N and 64º 11.59' 37'' W) Venezuela, and they were transferred to the breeding room of the ECAM UDO-NE where they were kept in circular fiberglass tanks with 20 liters of filtered seawater. The larvae hatch between 5 and 6 days (25.6-31.6 ºC) after spawning, have a total length of 2.91 ± 0.34 mm, 97 beats per minute, the mouth and anus are open, developed and pigmented eyes, small and rounded pectoral fins, peritoneal pigmentation and chromatophores in the ventral part, the larva presents active swimming.

Evolutionary origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae

Historically, an understanding of viviparity and its evolution in Old World chameleons (Chamaeleonidae) has lagged behind that of other squamate families. Not only is reproductive information scarce or entirely absent for most chameleon species, but the literature reveals no consensus as to the frequency and ecological circumstances under which chameleon viviparity evolved. We integrated information on reproductive modes for nearly all chameleon species with recently published family-scale phylogenetic and ecological analyses to clarify aspects of reproductive evolution in chameleons. Ancestral-trait reconstructions, after accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty, indicated that viviparity has arisen a minimum of three times in Chamaeleonidae, with each origin of live birth in closed-canopy forests. Our maximum-likelihood optimization therefore did not support the previous hypotheses of one, two or four origins of viviparity in the family. Past claims that arboreality would not allow for evolution of viviparity were also not supported, nor was a recent suggestion that viviparity has reverted to oviparity. However, cold climates of high latitudes and elevations may have selected for viviparity in arboreal chameleons. While peritoneal pigmentation may facilitate viviparity, its role as an exaptation rather than an adaptation remains equivocal without data from a wider range of chameleon species. Based on a comprehensive review of reproductive modes throughout the family, our study has resolved the number of origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae and provided evidence that live birth evolved under arboreal conditions on three separate occasions in this enigmatic squamate group. This study also reveals the value of using phylogenetic analysis in a manner that is robust to uncertainty (rather than simple correlational approaches) when the goal is to reconstruct evolutionary sequences and selective pressures.

Peritoneal Pigmentation in Purebred and Hybrid River Herring

AbstractRiver herring (Alewives Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis [bluebacks]) are congeneric, anadromous clupeid fishes that hybridize in areas of sympatry. Peritoneal pigmentation is the most diagnostic characteristic used to distinguish the species, but pigmentation has not been examined in hybrids. We developed a molecular‐based assay to distinguish purebred river herring species from F1 hybrids and compared the peritoneal pigmentation among captive‐raised purebred and hybrid individuals. Both wild‐caught Alewife and blueback females tank‐spawned with conspecific and congeneric males, but Alewives required exogenous hormone administration. Larvae of both species and hybrids were raised for ∼290 d posthatch, and peritoneal pigmentation was quantified. A nuclear gene (rag2) restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used for species and hybrid identification. The peritoneal pigmentation was significantly darker in hatchery‐spawned bluebacks than in Alewives, and hybrids exhibited consistent, intermediate expression. Adult individuals collected from the wild, however, exhibited darker (Alewives) or more variable (bluebacks) peritoneal coloration than their respective, captive‐reared juveniles. These results indicated that peritoneal pigmentation alone is insufficient for diagnostic river herring species identification and should be coupled with genetic assays.

Revision of the characters of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura), with comments on its taxonomy and the description of new taxa of glassfrogs

Anurans of the family Centrolenidae are a diverse clade of arboreal frogs distributed across tropical America. Knowledge of their taxonomy, systematics, ecology, behavior, morphology, and other evolutionary aspects of their biology is deficient. Relationships among centrolenid species remain largely unresolved, with no satisfactory phylogenetic hypothesis, and none of the current genera has compelling evidence of monophyly. Further, understanding the phylogeny of glassfrogs is constrained by species-level taxonomic problems, including incorrect description of characters, incomplete analyses of intraspecific variation, and lack of appreciation of species diversity. Herein, we define and analyze the 23 characters that are useful, in combination, in diagnosing centrolenid species, and thereby provide a reference for the use of future workers. We propose revised classifications for the parietal and visceral peritoneal pigmentation, liver form and coloration of its associated hepatic peritoneum, nuptial excrescences, and hand ornamentation. We comment on the generic and species-level taxonomy of Centrolenidae, proposing the recognition of a new genus and describing a new species from Ecuador. We treat Hyla ocellifera Boulenger as a synonym of Centrolene prosoblepon (Boettger), Hyalinobatrachium cardiacalyptum McCranie & Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi (Taylor), and Hyalinobatrachium crybetes McCranie and Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum (Taylor). We also present an annotated list of the species of glassfrogs from the Republic of Ecuador with some distributional remarks.

Larval and juvenile development of Lestidiops sphyraenopsis Hubbs, 1916 (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) in the western North Pacific, with a reexamination of the holotype of Stemonosudis molesta (Marshall, 1955)

The early life stages of Lestidiops sphyraenopsis (Paralepididae) are described on the basis of 14 specimens [7.8 mm in notochord length (NL)–88.6 mm in standard length (SL)] collected from the western North Pacific, and the holotype of Stemonosudis molesta is reexamined. Larval L. sphyraenopsis occurred in the Kuroshio waters, and juveniles were taken in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition waters. Diagnostic characters of larval and juvenile L. sphyraenopsis are 96–101 myomeres; 27–31 anal fin rays; 4–9 peritoneal pigment sections in larvae (7.8 mm NL–27.3 mm SL); dorsal and anal pigment patches present; and anus located anterior to a vertical through dorsal fin origin. Stemonosudis molesta, known only from the holotype from the South Pacific, is similar to immature specimens of L. sphyraenopsis, but can be clearly distinguished from the latter by having higher vertebral counts (105 vs. 96–101) and by morphometric and pigment differences. Consequently, S. molesta is a valid species, and the distribution of L. sphyraenopsis is restricted to the North Pacific.

Development and distribution of the early life stages of the longfin pearleye Benthalbella linguidens (Aulopiformes: Scopelarchidae) in the western North Pacific

The early life history and development of the scopelarchid Benthalbella linguidens was studied, based on 203 specimens (from 5.3 to 89.7 mm in body length: BL) collected from Kuroshio, Oyashio waters and transition waters of the western North Pacific. The early life stages of B. linguidens are distinguished from those of other species of Benthalbella that inhabit the North Pacific by the characters of 62–64 myomeres in the larval stage and 26–28 anal fin rays in juvenile and transforming specimen. Larvae are elongate; notochord flexion begins at ca. 12 mm BL and is completed at ca. 15 mm BL. The fin ray complements are established at ca. 40 mm BL. The single transforming specimen (89.7 mm BL) that has peritoneal pigment was collected from transition waters. All larvae were collected from Kuroshio and transition waters from winter to early summer; however, the size of larvae in Kuroshio waters was apparently smaller than that in transition waters, with ranges of 5.3–32.4 mm BL (mean 17.1) and 15.3–35.3 mm BL (mean 27.5), respectively. Juveniles were distributed in transition and Oyashio waters and were absent in Kuroshio waters, where adults are commonly distributed. These occurrences of larvae and juveniles in the western North Pacific indicate that B. linguidens spawns in Kuroshio waters in winter and uses transition waters as nursery grounds.

Uncisudis posteropelvis, a new species of barracudina (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) from the western North Pacific Ocean

Six specimens (2 flexion larvae: 9.5–10.4 mm in notochord length; 4 postflexion larvae: 12.3–18.2 mm in standard length) collected from the western North Pacific are tentatively ascribed to the genus Uncisudis of the tribe Lestidiini of the subfamily Paralepidinae (Paralepididae) in sharing remarkably elongate and filamentous pelvic fin rays, their tips reaching the origin of the anal fin. They are described as Uncisudis posteropelvis sp. nov. in uniquely having the insertion of pelvic fins closer to the origin of anal fin than to the posterior end of dorsal fin base among lestidiine species. Addition to this character, the new species has remarkably elongate and filamentous dorsal fin rays, the short distance between anus and origin of anal fin (4.2–6.1% of standard length, SL), the posteriorly located pelvic fins (prepelvic length 69.4–71.5% SL), dorsal fin rays 10, anal fin rays 28–29, myomeres 41–42 + 38–40 = 80–81 (vertebrae 38 + 41 = 79), and peritoneal pigment spots 11–12. The occurrence of larvae differing in pigment pattern from the present new species suggests another undescribed species of Uncisudis in the western South Pacific.

Peritoneal pigmentation and generic allocation in the Chamaeleonidae

BAUER A.M. 1997. Peritoneal pigmentation and generic allocation in the Chamaeleonidae. Afr. J. Herpetol. 46(2): 117–123. Parietal peritoneal pigmentation is present in some members of the Chamaeleo (Trioceros) bitaeniatus group. in all southern African Bradypodion, and in Rhampholeon marshalli and R. gorongosae. The absence of such pigment in B. fischeri and similar small Afromontane chameleons is consistent with published morphological and molecular evidence and suggests that these lizards may have been incorrectly assigned to genus by Klaver & Böhme (1986). The occurrence of peritoneal pigment in the R. marshalli group highlights the heterogeneity of the genus as presently construed and may lend credence to the interpretation of Rhampholeon as a metataxon (Crumly & Rieppel 1993). Although both ultraviolet protection and infrared absorption may be accomplished by the peritoneal pigmentation, the latter function appears to be paramount as chameleons lacking internal pigment are generally protected from ultraviolet radiation by a deep dermal layer of melanocytes.

Osteology and relationships ofPseudotrichonotus altivelis (Teleostei: Aulopiformes: Pseudotrichonotidae)

The osteology of the rate Japanese fishPseudotrichonotus altivelis is described based on several specimens collected off the Izu Peninsula. Relationships ofPseudotrichonotus are discussed based on osteological comparisons with other neoteleosts. The placement ofPseudotrichonotus among iniomous fishes has been questioned because of its lower numbers of caudal-fin, pelvic-fin, and branchiostegal rays. Our investigation supports an iniomous affinity forPseudotrichonotus, specifically as a member of the Aulopiformes. Within that group,Pseudotrichonotus belongs in a new suborder diagnosed herein, the Synodontoidei, which also includes the Aulopidae (Aulopus), Synodontidae (Synodus andTrachinocephalus), and Harpadontidae (Harpadon andSaurida). A synodontoid affinity forAulopus has never been suggested, but numerous osteological features support the monophyly of this clade. Synodontoids have a peculiar proximal segmentation of most principal caudal-fin rays, expanded neural and haemal spines on posterior vertebrae, cartilage extending along the ventral margin of the anterior ceratohyal, ventral displacement of the first one to three epineurals, supraneurals with large laminar expansions and six or more branchiostegals on the posterior ceratohyal. They lack median caudal cartilages. Among synodontoids,Pseudotrichonotus is the sister group of the Synodontidae plus Harpadontidae, with which it shares paired peritoneal pigment spots, an abrupt transition between the epipleurals in and beneath the horizontal septum, and absence of the fourth pharyngobranchial toothplate. Our study does not support a previously proposed relationship betweenBathysaurus and synodontids.

Two New, Abyssal Barathronus spp. from the North Atlantic (Pisces: Aphyonidae)

Two new, abyssal species of the genus Barathronus are described from the North Atlantic. B. unicolor, based on 18 specimens, all from the Northwest Atlantic, is characterized by its almost complete lack of peritoneal pigmentation, by a ventral flexure of the anterior end of the vertebral column, and by the presence of a pair of lobes at the basis of the penis. B. multidens, based on 2 specimens, one from the western and one from the eastern Atlantic, has a higher number of fangs on vomer (11) and on palatines (8-11 on each) than any other Barathronus sp. and lacks the lobes at the basis of the penis.

Five New Species and a New Genus of Alepisauroid Fishes of the Scopelarchidae (Pisces: Myctophiformes)

THE alepisauroid family Scopelarchidae, or pearl-eyed fishes, consists of 17 species in four genera. All genera occur in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, and the combined distribution of all the species is essentially cosmopolitan in oceanic midwater habitats extending from subarctic through temperate and tropical to Antarctic waters. Scopelarchids are not known from the Arctic Ocean and do not occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Scopelarchids are distinguished from other alepisauroid myctophiforms (Marshall 1955) by the following combination of characters: lingual teeth strongly developed, usually hooked, present on the basihyal, present or absent on the basibranchials; squamation complete on the body and postorbital regions of the head; parietal bones present (in some), widely sep.. arated by the frontals and supraoccipital; two postcleithra, widely separated in the vertical dimension; large tubular eyes directed straight upward (except three species where directed dorsoanteriad); larvae with 0-3 peritoneal pigment sections. A world-wide revision of the Scopelarchidae including diagnoses, illustrations and descriptions of species and genera, relationships between scopelarchid species and an account of the zoogeography of the family has recently been completed (Johnson, 1971) and will be published elsewhere. However, as the expected lapse of time before publication of this monograph is considerable, the new names are being made available at this time. I have included keys to all known scopelarchid species and genera for use of students of the deep-sea fauna. The taxonomic judgements represented by names recognized in these keys are documented and defended in the forthcoming monograph and in Johnson (1971). MATERIALS AND METHODS