Ariidae Research Articles

Variation in lifetime movements of an Ariidae species in an eastern Australian river revealed by otolith microchemistry

Ariids, or sea catfishes, inhabit marine, estuarine, and occasionally freshwater habitats circumtropically. They are most often locally abundant and are important in artisanal and commercial fisheries, particularly in developing countries. Detailed information on the ecology and habitat preferences of many of the genera within the family is lacking. We analysed the otolith of 57 blue catfish, Neoarius graeffei, collected from the lower reaches of the Clarence River, NSW, Australia with the aim of better understanding the species movement ecology, including its ability to respond to environmental change. Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to quantify Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca and 87Sr:86Sr ratios in otoliths and infer lifetime movement patterns. Otolith microchemistry revealed inter-individual variation in the movement patterns of N. graeffei. A strong affinity for estuarine waters was evident among most individuals, with movement into upstream freshwater habitats for extended periods discernible in some individuals. Variation in movement patterns was identified by changes in Ba:Ca, Sr:Ca and 87Sr:86Sr otolith profiles, although Sr:Ca lacked clear patterns. Furthermore, both Ba:Ca and 87Sr:86Sr otolith transects revealed estuarine residence by juveniles, as well as multiple movements among chemically distinct areas throughout the lifetime of some individuals. Otolith microchemistry enabled elucidation of long-term movement patterns of N. graeffei in our study. Uncovering the variable movement patterns of a single species identifies the potential adaptable nature of other species within the Ariidae family and indicates N. graeffei is resilient to environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts.

Description of Boylea inflata sp. nov. (Cyclopoida: Bomolochidae), a new parasitic copepod from sea catfishes (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in the Brazilian Amazon Coast, with amended diagnosis of this rare genus

Description of Boylea inflata sp. nov. (Cyclopoida: Bomolochidae), a new parasitic copepod from sea catfishes (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in the Brazilian Amazon Coast, with amended diagnosis of this rare genus

Ovarian Development by Visual and Histological Investigation of <i>Arius subrostratus</i> (Shovelnose Sea Catfish) from Cochin Estuary, India

Ovarian Development by Visual and Histological Investigation of <i>Arius subrostratus</i> (Shovelnose Sea Catfish) from Cochin Estuary, India

Temporal dynamics of parasite populations and communities of blue sea catfish Ariopsis guatemalensis (Günther, 1864), in a eutrophic coastal lagoon from Mexican Pacific

ABSTRACT The temporal dynamics of parasite populations and communities of blue sea catfish Ariopsis guatemalensis from a tropical eutrophic coastal lagoon was studied during an annual cycle. A total of 620 adult fishes were collected between January and December 2019. Eleven taxa of parasites were identified, three of monoxenous (single-host life cycle), and eight of heteroxenous (multi-host life cycle) parasites. The infection levels of two monoxenous (Neotetraonchus vegrandis and Ergasilus sp.) and five heteroxenous (Austrodiplostomum sp. Pseudoacanthostomum panamense, Pseudoleptorhynchoides lamothei, Contracaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium perezi) parasite species varied between sampling months and/or climatic seasons. The infection dynamics of these group of parasites were influenced by environmental changes generated by the dry/rainy cycle, which can affect the availability of intermediate host populations, and the feeding and reproductive behaviour of the host. Although the species composition of the parasite communities remains quite stable over time, its structure registers important changes mainly during the rainy season. Some host traits such as the feeding and reproductive behaviour, body size, physical condition, and sex of the host, as well as the temporal replacement of numerically dominant parasite species, were the main factors responsible for variations in the parasite community structure.

Inter-annual and seasonal variations of the metazoan parasite communities of the blue sea catfish Ariopsis guatemalensis (Siluriformes: Ariidae), in a tropical coastal lagoon

Parasitological studies of long-term inter-annual variations provide more precise and reliable information about the biological structure of fish parasite communities, and constitute a reference data base for future studies. A total of 1103 blue sea catfish Ariopsis guatemalensis from a tropical eutrophic coastal lagoon were examined for parasites over a 22-year period (from May 2000 to October 2022), to test the hypothesis that parasite communities of this host, should exhibit greater variations in their structure and species composition mainly over long-term periods. Three species of monoxenous (single-host life cycle), and nine of heteroxenous (multi-host life cycle) parasites were identified. The results indicated that parasite species composition of this catfish has remained stable over a 22-years period. However, the community structure has registered notable changes over periods of several years, mainly due to the replacement of the numerically dominant species. Temporal variations in the infection dynamics of component parasite species, were possibly caused by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors, influenced by the seasonal dry/rainy cycle, which can affect the availability of intermediate host populations, as well as the feeding and reproductive behavior of the host.

Complex patterns of genetic population structure in the mouthbrooding marine catfish, Bagre marinus, in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Atlantic.

Patterns of genetic variation reflect interactions among microevolutionary forces that vary in strength with changing demography. Here, patterns of variation within and among samples of the mouthbrooding gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus, Family Ariidae) captured in the U.S. Atlantic and throughout the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed using genomics to generate neutral and non-neutral SNP data sets. Because genomic resources are lacking for ariids, linkage disequilibrium network analysis was used to examine patterns of putatively adaptive variation. Finally, historical demographic parameters were estimated from site frequency spectra. The results show four differentiated groups, corresponding to the (1) U.S. Atlantic, and the (2) northeastern, (3) northwestern, and (4) southern Gulf of Mexico. The non-neutral data presented two contrasting signals of structure, one due to increases in diversity moving west to east and north to south, and another to increased heterozygosity in the Atlantic. Demographic analysis suggested that recently reduced long-term effective population size in the Atlantic is likely an important driver of patterns of genetic variation and is consistent with a known reduction in population size potentially due to an epizootic. Overall, patterns of genetic variation resemble that of other fishes that use the same estuarine habitats as nurseries, regardless of the presence/absence of a larval phase, supporting the idea that adult/juvenile behavior and habitat are important predictors of contemporary patterns of genetic structure.

Comparative Osteology Study of Ariid Catfishes along the Coast of Gulf of Mannar and Wadge Bank, Tamil Nadu

Background: Taxonomic ambiguity still exists in ariid catfish species identification. Morphological similarities occur in ariid catfishes which lead to misidentification of the species. To overcome this taxonomic ambiguity osteology is one of the effective integrated taxonomic tools for species discrimination. From this study, we provide an osteotaxonomic key for the field identification of ariid catfish species. Methods: The fish samples were cleaned and washed with the freshwater put into the sample for 1% potassium hydroxide solution (KOH). Then fish samples were allowed for alkali digestion of muscle in the solution for 24-48 hours depending on the condition of the specimen. After the completion of the muscle digestion process, Alizarin S dye was used for staining the fish bones. Result: The present paper deals with a comparative study of the five Ariidae family species discussed, they are Arius arius (Hamilton,1822), Plicofollis layardi (Gunther,1866), Netuma thalassina (Ruppell, 1837), Nemapteryx caelata (Valenciennes, 1840) and Osteogeneiosus militaris (Linnaeus, 1758). The osteological portions used for this study like premaxillary, dentary, neurocranium, otolith, vertebral and caudal bone. The aforementioned osteological portions made the important primitive characters that will be used to differentiate the species.

‛Trophic switch' by catfish community from predation to scavenging modulated by human food discard in an estuarine bay.

Benthic predatory catfishes are voracious and opportunistic predators and can easily shift their diet according to the availability of prey. In this study, feeding ecology of catfishes from two adjacent habitats of an estuarine bay is compared. The lower bay was relatively pristine as compared to the upper bay and was represented by two families of catfishes-Plotosidae and Ariidae, while the upper bay represented only ariid catfishes. Gut content analysis revealed that catfish predators from lower bay consumed conventional prey like teleosts and benthic invertebrates with a linear pattern of ontogenetic dietary shift. Plicofollis dussumieri and Plotosus canius occupied the position of top predators in the lower bay and were specialized feeders. Other predators like Plotosus lineatus, Arius arius, Arius jella, and Arius maculatus were generalist feeders occupying the position of mesopredators. However, in the upper bay, the catfish predators represented by Arius maculatus, Arius jella, and Arius arius predominantly fed on human discarded food. The easily available human food in the form of chicken, corn, and rice as noted from the investigated guts shows altered trophic guilds of ariid catfishes wherein only mid to large-sized catfish community was noted in this bay. A distinct "trophic switch" altered the trophic function from predation to scavenging which was observed in their feeding behavior. The anthropogenic impact in the form of unmanaged organic waste alters the role of predatory catfishes thereby restructuring the food web that may lead to unknown changes in the estuarine benthic ecosystems resulting in reduced ecosystem services.

Two new Neotetraonchus species (Dactylogyridea, Dactylogyridae) parasitising the Peruvian sea catfish Galeichthys peruvianus (Siluriformes, Ariidae), including molecular data.

As part of a parasitological survey, several specimens of two new monopisthocotylean species, Neotetraonchus celsomanueli sp. nov. and N.peruvianus sp. nov. (Dactylogyridea, Dactylogyridae), were collected from the gill filaments of the Peruvian sea catfish Galeichthys peruvianus (Siluriformes, Ariidae) off Puerto Pizarro, Tumbes region, Peru. Neotetraonchus celsomanueli sp. nov. is characterised by an MCO with a T-shaped distal end and an accessory piece that is ribbed and expanded proximally with a worm-shaped termination. Neotetraonchus peruvianus sp. nov. is typified by its MCO, which has a sledgehammer-shaped distal end and an accessory piece with a claw-shaped distal end. Additionally, N.peruvianus sp. nov. is characterised by its jellyfish-shaped onchium. A partial 28S rDNA sequence was obtained from N.celsomanueli sp. nov., and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed the phylogenetic position of Neotetraonchus celsomanueli sp. nov. within a clade comprising monopisthocotylean parasites of diadromous and marine ariid catfishes, including Hamatopeduncularia spp., Chauhanellus spp., Thysanotohaptor Kritsky, Shameem, Kumari & Krishnaveni, , and Neocalceostomoides spinivaginalis Lim, 1995. This finding brings the number of known Neotetraonchus species to seven and represents the first described Neotetraonchus species infecting marine catfishes from Peru.

Description of eight new mitochondrial genomes for the genus Neoarius and phylogenetic considerations for the family Ariidae (Siluriformes).

The genus Neoarius, known as marine catfish, is a group of the family Ariidae, composed of 10 species found in Oceania. None of the species in this genus have their mitochondrial genome described, which is highly valuable in phylogenetic and molecular evolution studies. For the present work, eight species from the Neoarius genus were selected: Neoarius utarus, Neoarius midgleyi, Neoarius graeffei, Neoarius leptaspis, Neoarius berenyi, Neoarius paucus, Neoarius pectoralis, and Neoarius aff. graeffei. DNA sequences of the eight species were obtained through the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database, and the mitochondrial genomes were assembled using the NOVOplasty tool on the Galaxy platform, subsequently annotated with the MitoAnnotator tool. We then utilized the protein-coding genes from the mitogenomes to estimate the phylogenetic relationships within the group, including seven additional mitogenomes available in the NCBI. In all species, the mitochondrial genomes presented 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 D-loop.

Morphology and phylogeny of Coccomyxa bragantinensis n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) found parasitising the Coco Sea catfish, Bagre bagre (Siluriformes: Ariidae), captured off the coast of Northern Brazil

The present study describes Coccomyxa bragantinensis n. sp., which was found parasitising the gallbladder of the Coco Sea catfish, Bagre bagre, captured off Ajuruteua beach, in the region of Bragança in Pará state, northern Brazil. Most (77.5%) of the 40 fish specimens examined (31/40) had myxospores floating in the bile liquid. These spores are partially ellipsoid, with a tapering anterior extremity and a rounded, elongated posterior extremity with a single piriform polar capsule containing a helicoidal polar filament, with 5–6 coils. A partial sequence of 957 bp of the SSU rDNA gene was obtained from the specimens and deposited in GenBank (xxx). The new species described here – Coccomyxa bragantinensis n. sp. – is phylogenetically similar to Coccomyxa morovi, although it differs from all the other Coccomyxa species and is the first species of this genus to be described from Brazil on the basis of molecular evidence.

A new species of Ellipsomyxa Køie, 2003 (Bivalvulida) infecting the gall bladder of Pangasius macronema Bleeker (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae) from the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam.

During a parasitological survey of freshwater fishes in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam, disporic plasmodia containing myxospores morphologically consistent with Ellipsomyxa Køie, 2003 (Bivalvulida) were observed infecting the gall bladder of Pangasius macronema Bleeker (Siluriformes: Pangasiidae). Herein, we use morphology and small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA, 18S) sequence data to describe Ellipsomyxa intravesica Ksepka & Bullard n. sp. and relate it to other myxozoans. The new species resembles Ellipsomyxa adlardi Whipps & Font, 2013, which infects the naked goby, Gobiosoma bosc (Lacepede) (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, but differs from it by having a longer myxospore (mean = 13.3; range = 12.0-15.0 vs. 12.4; 11.3-14.4) and shorter polar capsules (3.7; 3.0-4.0 vs. 4.3; 3.9-4.9). The 18S phylogenetic analysis recovered the sequence of the new species sister to those ascribed to Ellipsomyxa ariusi Chandran, Zacharia, Sathianandan & Sanil, 2020 and Ellipsomyxa sp. (MK561979); both of which infect the gall bladder of the threadfin sea catfish, Arius arius (Hamilton) (Siluriformes: Ariidiae) from the southwest coast of India. Consistent with previous phylogenetic analyses of Ellipsomyxa spp., Ellipsomyxa was recovered as monophyletic. The new species is the first species of Ellipsomyxa reported from a freshwater fish in Asia and the first myxozoan reported from P. macronema.

A multiplex PCR forensic protocol for the molecular certification of sea catfishes (Ariidae – Siluriformes) from coastal Amazon, Brazil

The marine catfishes (family Ariidae) are important fisheries resources, particularly along the Amazon coast in northern Brazil. Whole fresh specimens and fish fillets are commercialized in both national and international markets, including several records of species substitution and frauds in the trade of processed products. In addition, the life traits of marine catfish species make them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. Therefore, we developed a molecular certification system for the authentication of these species based on DNA markers. Specific and universal primers were used for the amplification of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cytb) gene and combined with primers for the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (control marker) to provide the first forensic molecular protocol based on multiplex PCR for marine catfishes from Brazilian Amazon coast. Accordingly, distinct band profiles were obtained for each of the most exploited species along this region: Bagre bagre, Notarius grandicassis, Sciades couma, Sciades herzbergii, Sciades parkeri, Sciades passany, and Sciades proops. To amplify the band pattern required for species identification, a concentration of 20 ng/ul was required. In the cross-amplification assay, other fish species were discriminated from the Ariidae bands. The multiplex PCR was about 35x cheaper and saved 13 h of labor to identify the seven species of Ariidae when compared to DNA sequencing. Thus, this protocol represents a viable and efficient tool to the certification of processed products by inspection agencies and to assure the consumer’s rights, eventually leading to an improved management in fisheries. The fishing industry might benefit from the multiplex protocol for the authentication of commercial products, adding market value to them based on DNA certification labels.

A new classification of the family Ariidae (Osteichthyes: Ostariophysi: Siluriformes) based on combined analyses of morphological and molecular data

AbstractWe present a new classification of the catfish family Ariidae based on a total-evidence hypothesis, which incorporates data from the examination of 249 morphological and 5603 molecular characters from 131 species. The named taxa in the proposed classification represent groups of species found in the Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference analyses or, in some cases, two of the three methods. Each named taxon is provided with a diagnosis derived from a comprehensive summary of the morphological characters and their character-state transformations, as interpreted from the most parsimonious version of the total-evidence tree. Taxa newly named herein are: Cathoropsini, new tribe; Genidentini, new tribe; Sciadeini, new tribe; Aceroichthys, new genus (type species Arius dioctes Kailola, 2000); Bleekeriella, new genus (type species Arius leptaspis Bleeker, 1862); Betancurichthys, new genus (type species Arius madagascariensis Vaillant, 1894); Jayaramichthys, new genus (type species Arius leptonotacanthus Bleeker, 1849); Kyataphisa, new genus (type species Pimelodus nenga Hamilton, 1822); Megalosciades, new genus (type species Arius augustus Roberts, 1978); Paracinetodus, new genus (type species Arius carinatus Weber, 1913); Papuarius, new genus (type species Arius latirostris Macleay, 1883); and Pseudosciades, new genus (type species Arius sona Hamilton, 1822). A key to the genera of Ariidae is presented.

Effect of Chitosan on Physical Characteristic of Tapioca Edible Film with Ariid Catfish Bone Gelatin (Arius thalassinus)

Ariid catfish is a demersal fish species with a high production rate. Fishbone is a by-product with protein content converted into gelatin. Gelatin can be utilized as an edible film due to its low water resistance and low tensile strength so that a suitable polymer is needed to form a good film, namely chitosan and tapioca starch. This study aimed to determine the effect of chitosan on the characteristics and the best formulation of tapioca edible film with ariid catfish bone gelatin. The method of making the edible film is by extracting gelatin, then gelatin is mixed with tapioca starch, chitosan and glycerol, then molded and dried. This research was a laboratory experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) of 4 treatments, namely different concentrations of gelatin:chitosan (20:0%, 15:5%, 10:10%, and 5:15%) with 3 repetitions. The testing parameters observed were tensile strength, elongation, thickness, solubility, water vapor transmission rate and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The best edible film was produced from the treatment of 10% gelatin and 10% chitosan with a tensile strength value of 2.62 Mpa; elongation of 17.4%; water vapor transmission rate of 5.96 g/m2/hour; solubility of 35.22% and thickness of 0.17 mm and SEM observations showed that the edible film morphology was smoother, compact and not hollow.

PEMANFAATAN KOLAGEN DARI HEWAN

The use of animals is not only used as a raw material for food, but on the other hand it turns out that animals can be used as important biomaterials for medical applications such as collagen. This review article discusses the utilization of collagen from various types of animals according to the relevant parameters. Article reviews are expected to provide scientific information about the various types of collagen in animals. The method used is literature study by looking for several different journal sources. The inclusion data used in this review are journals for the last 10 years (2012-2022). Collagen is usually found in the skin of cows and pigs, but these two animals are still a problem in Indonesia. Apart from these two, collagen can also be found in mammals such as buffalo and chickens, but they need to be slaughtered to get the halal aspect. Collagen can also be found in marine life such as sea urchins, tuna, catfish, skipjack tuna, sea catfish, milkfish, tilapia, machete fish, cod, green mussels, blood clams, and gamma sea cucumbers.

Size estimation based on Genidens barbus and Micropogonias furnieri otoliths. Exploring Late Holocene euryhaline fish capture techniques in the eastern Pampa–Patagonia transition, Argentina

Sea catfish (Genidens barbus) and whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) were the most marine euryhaline species exploited by hunter-gatherers during the final Late Holocene along the coastal fringe of the eastern Pampa–Patagonia transition (Argentina). In the lower basin of the Colorado River, zooarchaeological evidence recovered from the San Antonio archaeological locality indicates prevalent fish consumption. However, no specific technology related to fishing has been recovered as part of the archaeological assemblages, hence strategies and techniques of fish capture remain unknown. The aim of this paper is to estimate the size of both species through archaeological otolith measurements to evaluate possible fish capture techniques. The analyzed sample is made up of 117 otoliths of whitemouth croaker and 863 of sea catfish. The estimated size of G. barbus individuals is between ca. 240 and 730 mm, which indicates the presence of juveniles and adults. In the case of M. furnieri, the estimated size range of individuals is ca. 350–750 mm, which indicates the representation of adult specimens. Based on the diversity of sizes represented in both species, their ethology, and the geomorphological characteristics of the study area, it is proposed that the fish could have been caught with either nets or bare hands through nonselective mass trapping strategies during the spring–summer season.

Fish diversity of the Bengawan Solo River estuary, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Hasan V, Andraini NE, Isroni W, Sari LA, Nafisyah AL, Dewi NN, Putri DNA, Prasasti TAB, Ramadhani AA, Daniel K, South J, Vieira LO, Ottoni FP, Maftuch, Faqih AR, Wirabuana PYAP, Tamam MB, Valen FS. 2023. Fish diversity of the Bengawan Solo River estuary, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2207-2216. Bengawan Solo River is the longest river in Java which flows from Mount Lawu and empties into the North Coast of Java. The watershed is a hot spot for fish species diversity, especially in the estuary area. The purpose of this study was to initiate an inventory of fish species, their abundance, and biodiversity assessment based on the Shannon diversity index (H'), evenness index (E), and dominance index (C) in the Bengawan Solo River estuary. The research was conducted from September to November 2022 at three stations with different ecological types and environmental conditions. Fish sampling was carried out using a gill net attached to a boat. In this study, 44 fish species from 22 families were identified. The highest abundance of fish was obtained from the Ariidae family, namely the Spotted sea catfish Arius maculatus (Thunberg, 1792) and Sagor catfish Hexanematichthys sagor (Hamilton, 1822). The fish diversity index obtained was 1.2-3.01, the uniformity index obtained was 0.7-0.92, and the dominance index obtained was 0.07-0.33. The H', E, and C at Station 2 have higher values ??than the other stations. The diversity expressed in H' values ??at the three research stations indicates that the mangrove in the Bengawan Solo River estuary area has a high diversity of fish species.

Records of malformed sea catfishes (Ariopsis seemanni and Ariopsis guatemalensis) (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Ariidae) off San Blas (Mexican Pacific)

Fish malformations can be an important hint for assessing the well-being of their populations and the quality of their habitats. Malformations have been observed in species of the order Siluriformes, including the family Ariidae. In this study, we report malformations in the blue sea catfish, Ariopsis guatemalensis (Günther, 1864), and the tete sea catfish, Ariopsis seemanni (Günther, 1864), collected in San Blas, Mexico. The malformations include missing eye, cleft lip, and malformed barbels. Such malformations could be blamed on substantial levels of pesticides in the environment, genetic factors, and/or a pathogenic effect of some parasites specific to the studied fish species.

Taxonomic and Otolith Shape Parameters of Nine Sympatric Catfishes Commercially Harvested in Pakistan

Abstract Accurate reorganization of harvested species is essential for appropriate fisheries monitoring but often unnoticed. In this study, an attempt was made to provide an accurate species description based on fish taxonomy and otolith shape parameters of nine sea catfishes living in Pakistan. The lapillus, the largest otolith of catfishes, includes the position of the umbo, the structure of the anterior mesial projection (amp), the incisura linea basalis (ilb) and sulcus lapilli marks (slm) in nine ariid catfishes were evaluated. Discriminant function analysis was performed using twenty-two morphometric parameters showed significant variations between the length of the maxillary barbel, adipose length and preorbital length, which were highlighted as basic discriminating characters. Species without barbells, such as Batrachocephalus mino and Osteogeneiosus militaris, were found to be distant. The taxonomic characters of the genera Netuma and Plicofollis overlapped due to a short adipose fin length. Nevertheless, species Arius arius, Sciades sona and Nemapterxy caelatus differed in a moderate adipose fin length. The preorbital length of Netuma bilineata has a short and rounded snout, while N. thalassina has a long and pointed snout, which is a distinguishing characteristic of both species. The coincident use of fish taxonomy and otolith shape parameters is an effective tool for catfish identification could be helpful in appropriate fisheries sampling programs and management in Pakistan whenever implemented.