Rhodeus Sinensis Research Articles

Description of three new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) on bitterling fishes (Acheilognathinae) from China

Three new species of Gyrodactylus are described from three species of bitterling in Donghu Lake, China: Gyrodactylus ocellorhodei n. sp. from Rhodeus ocellatus; G. sinenorhodei n. sp. from Rhodeus sinensis; and G. acheilorhodei n. sp. from Acheilognathus macropterus. All the three new species showed similar opisthaptor morphology, especially the marginal hooks: all had a slender and perpendicular sickle shaft, and flat sickle base with distinct heel and inner arch which was different from the G. rhodei-group species parasitic on bitterling. Multivariate analyses based on hamulus and marginal hooks suggested that these three new species cannot be completely distinguished, despite some morphology divergence observed in certain less reliable morphometric features, such as hamulus root length, ventral bar total length and process shape. These three new species shared an identical 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence, while the variation in the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS1-ITS2) sequence among them (8.4–11.2%, K2P) far exceeded the 1% ITS sequence difference that had been suggested as a threshold for species delimitation of Gyrodactylus. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1-ITS2 showed that all these sequenced Gyrodactylus spp. parasitic on the subfamily Acheilognathinae host formed a monophyletic group. However, a clear differentiation (18.9–20.9%, K2P of ITS1-ITS2) could be found between the subgroup from China (G. ocellorhodei n. sp., G. sinenorhodei n. sp. and G. acheilorhodei n. sp.) and that from Europe (G. rhodei).

Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Fish Diversity in Dianchi Lake and the Influencing Factors

The survey of fish diversity is an important part of the protection of the ecological health of rivers and lakes. Environmental DNA technology is a new tool to improve the accuracy of traditional morphological surveys of biodiversity and to monitor the amount of diversity. At present, there are few studies on monitoring fish diversity in lake inlets using eDNA technology. In this study, we used various types of estuaries in the Dianchi basin as the research object, used environmental DNA technology to monitor the fish diversity in typical estuaries, and analyzed the temporal and spatial changes and the relationship between environmental factors and fish diversity. In the Dianchi basin, we identified a total of 63 fish species belonging to 8 different orders, 21 families, and 51 genera across two seasons. The Carpidae family had the highest number of species, with Carassius auratus being the most prevalent species. The Shannon index analysis yielded a p-value of 0.0018 (<0.05), suggesting significant seasonal variations in the fish community structure within the typical estuaries of the Dianchi basin. Furthermore, the β-diversity accounted for 59.6% and 57% of the variations in fish communities among the various estuary types in March and July, respectively. Fish species varied considerably between estuaries, with Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Rhodeus sinensis, Acheilognathus chankaensis, and Coilia nasus all occurring at various points. The agricultural estuary differed substantially from the urban, suburban, and lake areas. Redundancy analysis revealed that the fish community structure during the dry period was primarily influenced by total phosphorus, pH, total nitrogen (TN), and chlorophyll. Conversely, during the rich period, the fish community structure was mainly influenced by dissolved oxygen and TN. This study demonstrated the utilization of environmental DNA technology in assessing the ecological health of rivers and lakes, specifically highlighting its effectiveness in exposing the ecological condition of a representative Dianchi estuary.

Genetic structure of Rhodeus sinensis reflects historical imprints of East Asian paleo-drainages

ABSTRACT A complete reconstruction of the history regarding the distribution of a species requires a separate analysis of the events before and after colonizing the current distribution. In a freshwater species, the historical pattern of linkages between water systems, as an event before colonization, can be determined by examining the phylogenetic relationship between the populations from different drainages. Given the insular nature of freshwater systems, on the other hand, intra-population genetic diversity is largely related to the effective sizes of the first colonizing populations and the habitat capacities. This study analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of Rhodeus sinensis, a freshwater acheilognathid inhabiting the southern and western parts of the Korean Peninsula using two mitochondrial and twenty microsatellite loci. Korean R. sinensis appears to have originated from mainland China along the paleo-Yellow river across the vast continental shelf of the Yellow Sea and first colonized the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, based on phylogenetic data obtained from mitochondrial loci. These west coast populations have remained relatively small, and populations that migrated south appear to have thrived in the southwestern part of the peninsula, where the populations thereby displayed relatively high genetic diversity. Southern populations appear to have been formed by the movement of relatively small numbers following geological fluctuations, which likely have left traces of genetic drift throughout history, as also reflected in our results. The population of this species on the southeast coast of the peninsula appears to have been established by anthropogenic translocation.

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Small-Sized Fish (Rhodeus sinensis, Ctenogobius giurinus) and Mussel (Cristaria plicata) from a River Reservoir, Southwest China.

In order to assess the bioaccumulation and health risk of metals in a river reservoir, concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in the water, sediments, two small-sized fish, and a freshwater mussel from the Zhoubai reservoir were examined. The results indicated that all of these metals conform with class one of environmental quality standards for surface water (State Environmental Protection Administration of China, GB 3838-2002). There were no significant differences for total metal concentrations in sediment between the three sampling sites (p > 0.05), but the bioavailable concentrations in S3 were the lowest. The Cd was dominated with exchangeable fraction and showed considerable risk. All metal concentrations except for Pb in Rhodeus sinensis were significantly higher than those in Ctenogobius giurinus (p < 0.05). The metal concentrations in Cristaria plicata showed a similar pattern of bioavailable metals in sediment, indicating that the metal concentrations in aquatic organisms were determined by the bioavailable forms of metals. Negative correlations were observed between the size of fish and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As. However, significant positive correlations were found between the size of mussel and concentrations of Cd (p < 0.01), As (p < 0.05), and Hg (p < 0.01). Zn had the highest BCF values in fish and mussel. The aquatic organisms showed lower ability of metal bioaccumulation from the sediment. Low values of target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) indicated that these metals do not pose a health risk to public through fish and mussel consumption in this study area.

Length-to-weight and length-to-length relations of 15 freshwater fish species (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) from the Oujiang River, China

Length-to-weight and length-to-length relations were estimated for 15 freshwater fishes belonging to the order Cypriniformes from Yuxi power station to Kaitan reservoir dam trunk stream of the Oujiang River, Zhejiang Province, China. The following species were studied: Distoechodon tumirostris Peters, 1881, Xenocypris davidi Bleeker, 1871, Plagiognathops microlepis (Bleeker, 1871), Hemibarbus labeo (Pallas, 1776), Hemibarbus maculatus Bleeker, 1871, Chanodichthys erythropterus (Basilewsky, 1855), Culter alburnus Basilewsky, 1855, Chanodichthys dabryi (Bleeker, 1871), Opsariichthys bidens Günther, 1873, Zacco platypus (Temminck et Schlegel, 1846), Sinibrama macrops (Günther, 1868), Hemiculter leucisculus (Basilewsky, 1855), Pseudohemiculter hainanensis (Boulenger, 1900), Rhodeus sinensis Günther, 1868, and Squalidus argentatus (Sauvage et Dabry de Thiersant, 1874). The determination coefficients r2 of LWRs were all over 0.96, and the 15 values of parameter b were consistent with the predicted range of 2.5–3.5. The total length-to-standard length relations were also calculated with r2 ≥ 0.97. Our study provides new information on LWR for 1 species and LLRs for 8 species, as well as new maximum total length recorded for 4 species (i.e., Distoechodon tumirostris, Opsariichthys bidens, Pseudohemiculter hainanensis, and Rhodeus sinensis) in FishBase. This study is expected to provide a useful baseline for further studies of population parameters to improve management decisions on the Oujiang River.

Hatchery technology restores the spawning ground of phytophilic fish in the urban river of Yangtze Estuary, China

Due to the concrete slope protection projects conducted around urban rivers in many megalopolises, increased attention has been paid to fish biodiversity losses accompanying urban development. Hatchery technology is a promising method for restoring fisheries where spawning substrates are degraded and/or lacking. In the current study, a Phragmites australis stereo artificial floating wetland (SAFW) was constructed in an urban river (Tuanwang River, Shanghai), and palm sheets were laid under the SAFW frame to imitate the spawning grounds for phytophilous fish. Fish species with five spawning types were distinguished from nineteen fish species in the study area. After viscid eggs were found to be attached to the palm sheets, the eggs were distinguished by the subunit of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene. All of the eggs belonged to six fish species: Culter ilishaeformis, Cyprinus carpio, Cyprinus auratus, Cultrichthys erythropterus, Rhodeus sinensis, and Hemiculter leucisculus. Cyprinus auratus and Cyprinus carpio accounted for the vast majority, and the number of these species was significantly greater than that of the other species. Dissolved oxygen and light intensity at the water surface were significantly higher than those at the deep water sites (p < 0.05), and all viscid eggs were inclined to be distributed at water depths of -0.5 and − 1.5 m. The results of redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that both water depth and dissolved oxygen were the main environmental variables in all spawning periods. The current study suggested that the relatively inexpensive P. australis SAFW was a useful hatchery technology for creating spawning grounds for phytophilous fish in urban rivers.

Polymorphism of MHC class IIB in an acheilognathid species, Rhodeus sinensis shaped by historical selection and recombination

BackgroundRhodeus sinensis is a bitterling species occurring throughout the numerous freshwater systems on the East Asia. Here, we analyzed the diversity of the MHC class IIB (DAB) genes from this species, which may offer meaningful insights into evolutionary processes in this species as well as other bitterlings.ResultsUsing cDNA and gDNA samples from 50 individuals, we discovered classical 140 allelic sequences that could be allocated into either DAB1 (Rhsi-DAB1) or DAB3 (Rhsi-DAB3). DAB sequences completely lacking the intron, but identical or similar to Rhsi-DAB1, were also discovered from our gDNA samples, and this intron loss likely originated from the retrotransposition events of processed mDNA. The β1 domain was the most polymorphic in both Rhsi-DAB1 and -DAB3. Putative peptide biding residues (PBRs) in Rhsi-DAB1, but not in Rhsi-DAB3, exhibited a significant dN/dS, presumably indicating that different selection pressures have acted on those two DABs. Recombination between different alleles seemed to have contributed to the increase of diversity in Rhsi-DABs. Upon phylogenetic analysis, Rhsi-DAB1 and -DAB3 formed independent clusters. Several alleles from other species of Cypriniformes were embedded in the clade of Rhsi-DAB1, whereas Rhsi-DAB3 clustered with alleles from the wider range of taxa (Cyprinodontiformes), indicating that these two Rhsi-DABs have taken different historical paths.ConclusionsA great deal of MHC class IIB allelic diversity was found in R. sinensis, and gene duplication, selection and recombination may have contributed to this diversity. Based on our data, it is presumed that such historical processes have commonly or differently acted on the polymorphism of Rhsi-DAB1 and -DAB3.

Longitudinal and seasonal patterns of fish assemblage structure in the Zhougong River, Sichuan Province, southwest China

Abstract The Zhougong River is one of the most important tributaries of the Qingyi River in upper Yangtze River drainage, Sichuan Province, southwest China. The river has been dammed in several places by hydroelectric stations and thus, we aimed to characterize the longitudinal and seasonal patterns of fish assemblage structure in it and whether anthropogenic perturbations have impacted fish assemblages. An extensive survey of fish was conducted in spring (April), summer (August) and autumn (November) of 2015, and winter (February) of 2016 at a total of 18 sampling locations across the river’s watershed. It was found that fish abundance, richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity all increased from upstream to downstream. Fish assemblage showed significant spatial differences between the upstream, midstream and downstream, while there were no differences between seasons as was expected. The spatial variation in the abundance of Rhodeus sinensis, Schizothorax prenanti, Pseudorasbora parva, Zacco platypus and Abbottina obtusirostris were considered to contribute most to the spatial pattern in fish assemblage. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results revealed that spatial variations of fish community in the Zhougonng River were significantly correlated with water velocity, total phosphorus and water depth. Our findings indicate that spatial differences and no seasonal change in fish assemblage were partially attributed to the physicochemical changes caused by cascade hydroelectric dams (e.g., channel blocking, hydrological alterations) and water pollution (e.g., phosphorus) and it is also likely that overfishing has exacerbated impacts. We recommend that pollution prevention, dam removal, modifying dam ecological operations and fishery control may effectively lessen the impacts on fish biodiversity in the Zhougong River.

Length-weight relationships of nine fish species from the Qingjiang River, Yangtze River basin, China

This study presents the first report of length-weight relationships (LWRs) for five fish species (Parabotia fasciata, Megalobrama mantschuricus, Plagiognathops microlepis, Rhodeus sinensis, Rhodeus fangi) and maximum total lengths for four species from the Qingjiang River, Yangtze River basin, China. Specimens were sampled in six sections along the Qingjiang River over a period of 1 year between April 2016 and March 2017 with gill nets (150 × 10 m; mesh size: 1–14 cm), benthic fyke nets (mouth opening: 12 × 12 cm; 10 m; mesh size: 1 cm) and stationary lift nets (10 × 10 m; mesh size: 0.8 cm).

Length-weight relationships for three freshwater fish species from the Pengxi River (a tributary of the Yangtze River, China)

This study determined the length–weight relationships of three freshwater fish species [Culter oxycephaloides (Kreyenberg & Pappenheim, 1908), Squalidus argentatus (Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant, 1874), Rhodeus sinensis (Günther, 1868)] from Pengxi River, a tributariy of Yangtze River of China. Fish were collected during 2016 using drift gill nets (mesh size 1, 2 and 3 cm) and cage net (0.5 cm mesh size). For Culter oxycephaloides had no previous length–weight estimates were reported in the science literature. For Squalidus argentatus the present estimate includes a new maximum total length while for Rhodeus sinensis our study confirms the only existing LWR estimate quite well.

Can increased structural complexity decrease the predation of an alien crayfish on a native fish?

Interactions between predators and their prey are influenced by the habitats they occupy. In freshwater ecosystems, submerged vegetation provides protection for prey compared to unvegetated substrata. Using submerged plants (Hydrilla verticillata) as a refuge for Chinese bitterling (Rhodeus sinensis), a native fish, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments to test the impact of structural complexity and prey density on predation rate. We found that the number of Chinese bitterling eaten by alien crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) decreased with the increasing structural complexity and increased with prey density. Similar reductions in predation rate with increased habitat complexity occurred at all three different prey densities. Our study indicates that structural complexity can decrease the crayfish predation on freshwater fishes.

Low-head-dam fish culture effects on spatial-temporal patterns of local habitat and fish assemblages in the upstream and downstream of rivers

Fish assemblage will change along with the river habitat environment. In order to find the response degree of fish assemblage to fish culture within low-head-dam water,two low-head dams( including the upstream and downstream dams) of the Wulong River( a tributary of the lower reach of the Yangtze River,China) were selected as sampling sites,where the habitat variables,the fish diversity and fish assemblage structure were surveyed for 6 times from 2013 to 2014 in these wadeable reaches of the sampling sites. A total of 24 fish species which belong to 5 orders,21 genera and 24 species were caught,with dominant Cyprinidae accounting for 58. 3% of the total. After an analysis on the influences of temporal changes and local habitat conditions upon the fish assemblage,seasonal factors were found to have no apparent effect on the fish assemblage structure. The spatial location( the upstream dam or the downstream dam) affected the assemblage's structural differences significantly,which were determined by the abundance of Hemiculter leucisculus,Abbottina rivularis,Rhodeus sinensis,Acheilognathus macropterus in the upstream site,and the abundance of Gambusia affinis in downstream site. Besides,all the three habitat variables including dissolved oxygen,conductivity and current velocity exerted a great impact on the fish assemblage. The differences in habitat environment bring about some great influences on the fish assemblage,showing in the dramatic decrease of capture weight,quantity,density and diversity of fish in the sampling sites of the downstream dam,which are probably caused by the fish culture within the low-head dam.

Biological Characteristics and Propagative Technologies of &lt;em&gt;Rhodeus sinensis&lt;/em&gt;

Aim of study on biological characteristics and propagative technologies of <em>Rhodeus sinensis</em> is of great significance to rationally utilizing its resource, protecting the species, improving the benefit of aquaculture. Research contents comprise biological characteristics, living habits, propagative habits, the source of its parent fish, rearing of parent fish and spawning via artificial estrus and incubation. It is discovered that the main point for propagating <em>Rhodeus sinensis</em> lies in identification of the parent fish of <em>Rhodeus sinensis</em>, appropriate proportion among males and females, employment of odinagogue, appropriate selection of categories and specifications of freshwater mussels.

Mitochondrial genome of Paracheilognathus imberbis (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Paracheilognathus imberbis (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) was determined by long PCR and primer-walking methods. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,819 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes as well as a displacement loop (D-loop). The overall base composition of the genome is A(29.73%), T(27.25%), C(26.63%) and G(17.40%), respectively. The mitogenome of P. imberbis displayed novel gene order arrangement compared with published Rhodeus sinensis to date. The mitogenome would contribute to resolving phylogenetic position and interrelationships of Acheilognathinae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Rhodeus lighti (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Rhodeus lighti (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) was determined by long PCR and primer walking methods. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,677 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes as well as a displacement loop (D-loop). The overall base composition of the genome is A (28.87%), T (27.22%), C (26.53%) and G (17.38%). The mitogenome of R. lighti displayed novel gene order arrangement compared with published Rhodeus sinensis to date. The mitogenome would contribute to resolving phylogenetic position and interrelationships of Acheilognathinae.

Variation in male reproductive traits among three bitterling fishes (Acheilognathinae: Cyprinidae) in relation to the mating system

Male traits that correlate with fertilization success include testis size and structure, ejaculate size, ejaculation frequency, and sperm motility. Two hypotheses potentially explain interspecific differences in these traits: sperm competition and sperm limitation. We examined variation in six traits associated with fertilization success in three closely-related species of bitterling fish; the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), the Chinese rose bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus), and the Chinese bitterling (Rhodeus sinensis). Interspecific differences indicated that the three study species have evolved different sperm allocation strategies. Rhodeus amarus displayed the most developed reproductive apparatus with a number of traits associated with both high levels of sperm production and fertilization efficiency. Rhodeus ocellatus and R. sinensis appear to have more comparable sperm allocation strategies, although relative testis size and spermatozoa head : tail ratio were greater in R. sinensis, suggesting that sperm competition risk may be higher in this species. All three species possessed an unusually well developed sperm duct with evidence of mucin production, which greatly extends the longevity of sperm and, consequently, the period over which fertilization can occur. We discuss these findings in the context of differences in the mating systems of the species examined, and relate the results obtained to differences in the temporal and spatial clustering of fertilizations. (C) 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 103, 622-632.

Crystalline-like structure in sperm membrane of Chinese Rhodeus sinensis, Acheilognathinae

It is well know that the spermatozoa are highly polarized cells. The membrane of mammals sperm have been studied in detail. The results have shown are markable diversity of structure with in an otherwise common place unit membrane. However, very few papers were dealt with teleost sperm membrane. Our privious report shows that Carassius auratus (Cyprinidae) sperm membrane have differentiated with regional specificity just like those in mammals. In general, intramembrane protein particles are highly organized at certain are as in the head plasma membrane forming crystalline-like structure, in contrast, rest areas of plasma membrane contain many random dispersed particles. The present study has shown the existence as well as the characteristics of crystalline-like structure in sperm membrane of Chinese Rhodeus sinensis, Acheilognathinae, Cyprinidae.In spawing season the male fish are killed, apart of test is were took out and put into 2.5% glutaraldehyde buffered to pH 7.2 with 0.1mol/L sodium cacodylate.

Site selection and attachment duration of Anodonta woodiana (Bivalvia: Unionacea) glochidia on fish hosts

The relationship between parasitic glochidia of Anodonia woodiana (Unionidae: Anodonti‐nae) and potential fish hosts was investigated in the laboratory. Intensity of parasitism was highest on the exotic fish Gambusia affinis, lower on the native species Puntius semijascio‐latus and Metzia takakii, and least on Rhodeus sinensis. Glochidia generally attached at fin margins, particularly the pectorals and caudal. In Gambusia affinis, the incidence of glochidia on the pectorals was higher than would be expected on the basis of ratios between fin margin lengths. Apparently, the role of the pectoral fins in locomotion makes them more liable to glochidial contact, thereby increasing their susceptibility to attachment.The duration of glochidial attachment was shortened as temperatures increased. Mean values ranged from 14‐4 days at 15°C to 6 days at 27°C. At 33°C glochidia rapidly detached and metamorphosis was unsuccessful. Significantly, water temperatures in A. woodiana habitats in Hong Kong rarely exceed 30°C.