Soft Rays Research Articles

Review of the Ostichthys japonicus complex (Beryciformes: Holocentridae: Myripristinae) in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with description of a new species

A taxonomic review of the northwestern Pacific Ocean members of the Ostichthys japonicus complex (Holocentridae: Myripristinae), defined by 3.5 scale rows between the lateral line and spinous dorsal-fin base, recognized three valid species: Ostichthys alamai sp. nov., Ostichthys hypsipterygion Randall, Shimizu and Yamakawa 1982 and Ostichthys japonicus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes 1829). Ostichthys alamai, based on 10 specimens (118–179 mm SL) from Panay Island, the Philippines and Sulawesi, Indonesia, is similar to O. hypsipterygion in having longitudinal rows of white spots laterally on the body, but has 17 or 18 (modally 17) pectoral-fin rays [vs. 15 or 16 (15) in the latter], the last dorsal-fin spine fused to the first dorsal-fin soft ray (vs. spine and ray separated), and no white blotch on the pectoral-fin base (vs. white blotch present). It differs from O. japonicus, also occurring in the Philippines, in having relatively longer dorsal- and anal-fin spines, a greater number of well-developed long spinules on the body scales, and rows of white spots laterally on the body (vs. generally absent). Detailed comparisons of O. alamai with other members of the complex are made, and revised diagnoses given for O. hypsipterygion and O. japonicus. Ostichthys sheni Chen, Shao and Mok 1990 and Holotrachys major Whitley 1950 are both regarded as junior synonyms of O. japonicus.

Locality of Permian Terrestrial Vertebrates in the Vicinity of the Town of Vyazniki

The manuscript was written in the mid-1950s, providing the results of survey of an unusual tetrapod burial in the Upper Permian beds of the town of Vyazniki (Vladimir Region). The bone-bearing sand strata form here the top of the Permian beds, which are underlain by clays with conchostracans tentatively dated Early Tatarian. Abundant tetrapod remains obtained in the course of excavations are dominated by isolated bones; these are associated with scales and cranial bones of palaeoniscids, fin spines of hybodontid sharks and coprolites. The tetrapod assemblage includes the kotlassiomorph Bystrowiana permira Vjuschkov, the stegocephalian Dvinosaurus sp. (new species prevailing in number in the assemblage), the dicynodont Dicynodon sp., gorgonopians, therocephalians, and presumably cynodonts, along with procolophonoids (or other small reptiles, such as eosuchians or protorosaurians). The presence of one more stegocephalian is also probable. It is assumed that the Vyazniki assemblage represents an early developmental stage of the Severodvinian pareiasaurian fauna corresponding to the uppermost Lower Tatarian.

A review of the deepwater cardinalfish genus Epigonus (Perciformes: Epigonidae) of the Western Indian Ocean, with description of two new species.

The fishes of the genus Epigonus Rafinesque, 1810 in the Western Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden) are reviewed. Twelve species of the genus are recognized: Epigonus angustifrons Abramov Manilo, 1987; E. denticulatus Dieuzeide, 1950; E. elongatus Parin Abramov, 1986; E. exodon Okamoto Motomura, 2012; E. lenimen (Whitley, 1935); E. macrops (Brauer, 1906); E. marimonticolus Parin Abramov, 1986; E. marisrubri Krupp, Zajonz Khalaf, 2009; E. pectinifer Mayer, 1974; E. robustus (Barnard, 1927); E. telescopus (Risso, 1810); E. waltersensis Parin Abramov, 1986, and two new species, E. bispinosus n. sp. and E. idai n. sp. Epigonus bispinosus and E. idai belong to the E. constanciae group, defined as having a pungent opercular spine, more than 45 pored lateral-line scales, and lacking an isolated dorsal fin spine between the first- and second dorsal fins. Epigonus bispinosus differs from other members of the group in having two small spines on the symphysis of lower jaw, a pair of ribs on the last abdominal vertebra, 10 + 15 vertebrae, 31-33 gill rakers and lacking a maxillary mustache-like process. Epigonus idai differs from other members of the group in having a pair of ribs on the last abdominal vertebra, 4-5 tiny projections present on symphysis of lower jaw, 10 + 15 vertebrae, strongly ctenoid scales, and 28-29 gill rakers, and in lacking a maxillary mustache-like process. A key to the species, photographs, diagnoses, and distributions in the Western Indian Ocean are given.

Redescriptions of two western Pacific triplefins (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), Enneapterygius fuscoventer and E. howensis

Two western Pacific triplefins, Enneapterygius fuscoventer Fricke 1997 and E. howensis Fricke 1997 (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae), are similar to each other in sharing 15–19 (usually 17) notched lateral-line scales and the mandibular pore formula 3–5 + 1 + 3–5 (usually 4 + 1 + 4), in addition to similar coloration, viz. body with four vertical bands, the first and second forked ventrally, dorsal-fin membrane semi-transparent, anal fin entirely blackish, and caudal fin blackish with a semi-transparent margin. These species have previously been known only from preserved specimens. Examination of additional specimens plus color photographs of males and females of both species when fresh, and comparisons with type specimens resulted in several features, including coloration and counts of second dorsal-fin spines, anal-fin soft rays, pored lateral-line scales and longitudinal scale rows, being regarded as new diagnostic characters. Enneapterygius fuscoventer and E. howensis have been newly recorded from southern Japan and coastal eastern Australia, respectively.

Precision of Three Structures for Saugeye Age Estimation

AbstractWe evaluated the precision of age estimates obtained from sagittal otoliths, scales, and dorsal fin spines from 341 saugeyes (Walleye Sander vitreus × Sauger S. canadensis) collected from six Kansas reservoirs. Between‐reader agreement was greatest for otoliths, followed by dorsal spines and then scales. Coefficient of variation (CV) values for between‐reader comparisons were 1.3–3.1% for otoliths and 13.8–18.2% for dorsal spines. Between‐reader comparisons for scales were the most variable, with CV estimates between 19.9% and 23.1%. Age estimates from otoliths aligned with age estimates from scales more often than with estimates from dorsal spines, although age estimate comparisons between structures were generally variable. Between‐reader agreement for scales and dorsal spines decreased with increasing estimated age; however, agreement for otoliths generally remained high (i.e., >80%) through age 10. Given greater precision relative to other structures, we recommend the use of sectioned otoliths to estimate ages of saugeyes, especially when sacrificing the fish is not a concern.

Rediscovery and elaborate description of Platycephalus cultellatus Richardson, 1846 collected from the coastal waters of South China Sea

Platycephalus cultellatus Richardson, 1846 was originally found and named in its type locality, Canton, Guangdong Province, China. However, this species was very rare in the coastal waters of China. Except that Qin et al. simply mentioned the original literature records of this species in 2013, no Chinese taxonomy books or publications have ever recorded or described local P. cultellatus. We collected P. cultellatus individuals from the coastal waters of South China Sea and gave valid identification and detailed descriptions of this species. The diacritically meristic counts were listed as follows: first dorsal fin usually with two small isolated spine anteriorly; second dorsal-fin and anal-fin usually with 13 soft rays; pectoral fin usually with 17–19 soft rays and without very small dark spots; caudal fin with 3–6 horizontal blackish bands, but without yellow marking on the middle when fresh; gill rakers 7–10 and pored lateral line scales 65–76. These conclusive characters were consistent with typical P. cultellatus individuals and could thoroughly separate them from other Platycephalus species. The fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA was also sequenced for the classification of specimens. The mean genetic distance within P. cultellatus was 0.25%, net genetic distance between P. cultellatus and other 14 species of the genus Platycephalus ranged from 11.59 to 25.48%. The phylogenetic analysis supported the validity of P. cultellatus existed in the coastal waters of South China Sea. This study will contribute to species identification within this genus distributed in Chinese seas.

Occurrence of Two Grunt Fish (Haemulidae: Pomadasys) from the Iraqi Marine Waters

The new record of Pomadasys commersonnii (Lacepede, 1801) and second appearance of Pomadasys aheneus McKay & Randall, 1995 are reported from the Iraqi marine waters, northwest of the Arabian Gulf. Total length of P. aheneus was 200 mm, while the total length of P. commersonnii was 240 mm. The Yellowback grunt ( P. aheneus ) could be distinguished by the brassy color on nape, anterior part of back, and upper sides, dorsal fin with 13 spines and 14 soft rays and pectoral fin with 13 rays. Whilst The Smallspotted grunter ( P. Commersonnii ) characterized by the body is relatively elongate, the color is silvery with small black spots on upper of body and Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 13 soft rays.

Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) longevity estimates confirmed with bomb radiocarbon dating

The longevity of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) remains unresolved. The use of fin spines and sagittal otoliths for age reading has led to unconfirmed longevity estimates near 20–30 years. Age validation has been elusive because large individuals are uncommonly caught, and a technique that can be applied to structures that provide estimates of age was absent. The use of otolith chemical signatures has been limited by sagittal otoliths that are very small — whole otolith mass of adult blue marlin rarely exceeds 10 mg for the largest fish. Recent advances in the detection limits of radiocarbon (14C) with accelerator mass spectrometry — coupled with recently acquired knowledge of marine bomb 14C signals spanning the tropical Pacific Ocean — have led to an opportunity to age blue marlin from small amounts of otolith material. In this study, otoliths from a recently collected 1245 lb (565 kg) female blue marlin at a measured 146-inch (371 cm) lower jaw fork length were analyzed for 14C. Estimated longevity was either 12–21 or 32–44 years on the basis of bomb 14C dating. Using multiple lines of evidence, it was determined that the young age scenario was most likely, with evidence for an age close to 20 years using a series of deductions in the bomb 14C dating method.

Vascularization and odontode structure of a dorsal ridge spine of Romundina stellina Ørvig 1975.

There are two types of dermal skeletons in jawed vertebrates: placoderms and osteichthyans carry large bony plates (macromery), whereas chondrichthyans and acanthodians are covered by small scales (micromery). Fin spines are one of the last large dermal structures found on micromeric taxa and offer a potential source of histology and morphology that can be compared to those found on macromeric groups. Dermal fin spines offer a variety of morphology but aspects of their growth modes and homology are unclear. Here, we provide detailed descriptions of the microstructure and growth of a dorsal ridge spine from the acanthothoracid placoderm, Romundina stellina, using virtual three-dimensional paleohistological datasets. From these data we identify several layers of dentine ornamentation covering the lateral surfaces of the spine and reconstructed their growth pattern. We show that this spine likely grew posteriorly and proximally from a narrow portion of bone located along the leading edge of the spine. The spine is similarly constructed to the scales with a few exceptions, including the absence of polarized fibers distributed throughout the bone and the presence of a thin layer of perichondral bone. The composition of the spine (semidentine odontodes, dermal bone, perichondral bone) is identical to that of the Romundina dermal plates. These results illustrate the similarities and differences between the dermal tissues in Romundina and indicate that the spine grew differently from the dentinous fin spines from extant and fossil chondrichthyans. The morphology and histology of Romundina is most similar to the fin spine of the probable stem osteichthyan Lophosteus, with a well-developed inner cellular bony base and star-shaped odontodes on the surface. Results from these studies will undoubtedly have impact on our understanding of fossil fin spine histology and evolution, contributing to the on-going revision of early gnathostome phylogeny.

A New Record of the Pseudolaguvia nubila (Siluriformes: Erethistidae) from Baandhkhola (Stream) in Central Nepal

In this study, we describe a miniature sisorid catfish of the family Erethistidae, as a new distributional record of Pseudolaguvia nubila from the Baandhkhola (stream), a tributary of Narayani River inCentral Nepal. Pseudolaguvia nubila shows its distribution to Nepal is distinguished from its congeners by combination of characters, such as- two broad and distinct yellowish vertical bands at the origin of dorsal fin and anal fin, smooth outer edge of the dorsal fin spine, dorsal fin spine length 13.23-17.60 % SL, pectoral fin length 24.89-26.27 % SL, pectoral fin spine length 18.39-19.48 % SL and body depth at anus 17.22-18.69 % SL.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(4): 434-441

Review of the fish genus Epinnula Poey (Perciformes: Gempylidae), with description of a new species from the Pacific Ocean.

The gempylid fish genus Epinnula is reviewed and two species are recognized. The type species E. magistralis is considered restricted to the western Atlantic Ocean and a new species from the Pacific Ocean is described. The new species, Epinnula pacifica sp. nov., can be distinguished from E. magistralis by 17 or 18 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 15 or 16 in E. magistralis), 15 or 16 anal-fin rays (vs. 13 or 14), 247-268 total scales on lower lateral line (vs. 285-330), a deeper body, relatively high dorsal fin as reflected by the relatively long fin spines and rays, longer dorsal-fin and anal-fin bases, longer pectoral fin, and longer pelvic fin and pelvic spine.

Spines of the stem chondrichthyanDoliodus latispinosus(Whiteaves) comb. nov. from the Lower Devonian of eastern Canada

The higher taxonomic affinities of fin spines from the Lower Devonian (Emsian) Atholville beds, Campbellton Formation, near Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada, originally identified as Ctenacanthus latispinosus, have been uncertain since they were first described by Whiteaves in the late 19th century. Woodward subsequently referred the species to Climatius, because the isolated Canadian fin spines were similar to those preserved in articulated specimens of Climatius reticulatus from the Lower Old Red Sandstone (Lochkovian) of Scotland. Spines of the same form as the Atholville beds specimens are also found in Emsian mudstones on the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec. One of the fin spine forms appears identical to the pectoral fin spines on an articulated specimen from the Campbellton Formation that has been assigned to the stem chondrichthyan Doliodus problematicus, a taxon erected for isolated diplodont teeth. By comparison with median and paired fin spine morphology on the climatiiform Climatius reticulatus from the Scottish Lower Old Red Sandstone and the spines preserved on the articulated Doliodus, isolated fin spines from Campbellton and several localities on the Gaspé Peninsula are now identified as belonging to Doliodus latispinosus comb. nov. The variety of spine morphotypes recognized—pectoral, prepelvic, prepectoral, and median—support a phylogenetic position within the “acanthodians” rather than “conventionally defined chondrichthyans”.

Ontogeny of the Early Carboniferous acanthodian Acanthodes lopatini Rohon

The sequence of ossification of skeletal elements in the growth series of the acanthodian Acanthodes lopatini Rohon from the Lower Tournaisian of the Minusa Trough (Siberia) is described. Four formal ontogenetic stages are recognized. It is shown that even 20‒30-mm-long juveniles have well-developed fin spines, scapulocoracoids, mandibular bones, branchiostegal rays, and incipient gill rakers. At this stage, scales cover the posterior part of the body and the orbits are marked by dark “eye stains” of uncertain nature. Further ontogenetic changes are connected with the development of sclerotic ring elements, sensory line system, squamation of the head region and fin webs, perichondral ossifications of the Meckel’s, quadrate, and palatine cartilages, and, finally, mineralization of the hyoid and gill arches. Ontogenetic features of A. lopatini are compared with those in other members of the genus and other acanthodiforms. Some developmental features shared by A. lopatini and Lodeacanthus gaujicus Upeniece suggest that acanthodids could have evolved from mesacanthids.

Chelidoperca tosaensis, a new species of perchlet (Serranidae) from Japan and the Philippines, with geographic range extension of C. stella to the northwestern Pacific Ocean

Chelidoperca tosaensis is described as a new species based on 84 specimens from Japan and the Philippines taken from depths of 60–302 m. The species can be distinguished from all known congeners by having the following combination of characters: scale rows between lateral line and base of spinous dorsal fin 3; pored lateral-line scales 37–42 (modally 39); scale rows in longitudinal series 39–43 (modally 40); no longitudinal dark stripe or row of dark blotches on body side. The new species is additionally characterized by having a combination of numerous, scattered, yellow spots on dorsal and anal fins with red streak or cluster of reddish spots over bases of about 4–6th dorsal-fin spines; large ocellated red spot with pinkish white border present on membrane between opercular spines; pelvic fin with middle area yellow with whitish spine, and whitish first, second and fifth soft rays; caudal fin with about three transverse rows of yellow spots centrally and posteriorly, two fan-shaped rows of red blotches on basal third, and a pair of white blotches with a pair of yellow blotches between white blotches on the base. Diagnostic characters of Chelidoperca stella, previously known only from its type locality in the Andaman Sea, are updated based on 12 specimens from Taiwan, the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam and the Philippines. These specimens represent the first records of the species from the Pacific Ocean.

The contribution of Henry Charles Williamson (1871–1949) to Scottish and Canadian fisheries research

The Scottish zoologist Henry Charles Williamson was one of a group of young men who initiated fisheries science in the late Victorian age, schooled under Professor William Carmichael McIntosh at St Andrews University. Initially working for the Fishery Board of Scotland, Williamson contributed original studies on fish anatomy, morphology, systematics and life cycles; decapod Crustacea life-history stages; fish diseases and parasites. He was at the forefront of attempts to transport herring ova to Australia and New Zealand to introduce this European food fish to antipodean waters. That involved him researching how to retard development of ova using low temperatures and developing glass settlement-plate techniques for their transportation. He left Scotland in 1925 to spend five years in the Canadian Pacific, studying salmon migration by tagging and latterly becoming responsible for pilchard and herring work there too. Returning to his home town of Dundee in retirement, he lived a quiet life, giving talks to local groups, supporting his church's administration and contributing articles to the fishermen's press. Sadly he died before he could complete the two volumes on fishes that he was in the course of writing.

Occurrence of Middle Miocene Fossil Cyprinid Fish in the Northern Qaidam Basin and its Paleoenvironmental Implications

AbstractWith a thick sequence of early Eocene to Pleistocene terrestrial records, the Qaidam Basin on the northern Tibetan Plateau provides an important sedimentary archive for understanding the paleoenvironmental evolution of the northeast Tibetan Plateau. In this study, specimens of fossil fish remains are collected from the late Middle Miocene (Serravallian, ∼12Ma) of the middle member of the Shang Youshashan Formation, Dahonggou (DHG) section, in the northern Qaidam Basin. Based on a systematic study of these materials, the remains have assigned to Cyprinidae, with typical pharyngeal teeth and dorsal fin spines with serrations on the posterior edge. Our discovery improves understanding of the cyprinid fish distribution characteristics in the Qaidam Basin during the Cenozoic. Cooccurrences of terrestrial brackish ostracod species Cyprideis and long chain alkenonesin the layer indicate that the studied cyprinid fish lived in a generally large brackish to saline water body during the late middle Miocene (Serravallian), when the climate of Qaidam Basin was still not sufficiently dry to form an extreme saline water lake.

Genetic and morphological discrimination of three species of ninespined stickleback Pungitius spp. (Teleostei, Gasterosteidae) in France with the revalidation of Pungitius vulgaris (Mauduyt, 1848)

The taxonomy of French ninespined sticklebacks (Pungitius spp.) has long been controver- sial. To clarify the taxonomy in this group, we use mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (RNF213) sequence markers, as well as morphological data. In France, both genetic mark- ers discriminate three evolutionary lineages. Morphological analysis on fresh and type specimens supports the different lineages and the existence of three species in France. Pungitius pungitius, occurring in the North of France and Rhone basin, is characterized by specimens longer than 35 mm SL, by a flat head with a straight or slightly concave snout, typically 9–10 dorsal spines, 10–11 dorsal soft rays, 9–10 anal soft rays, 0–12 scutes on the caudal peduncle with a keel reaching the last anal-fin ray, longer pelvic fin, post-dor- sal and caudal peduncle lengths, and a slim caudal peduncle (caudal peduncle depth/ length 11.8%–21.9%). Pungitius laevis, occurring in France, in the English Channel basins and Loire drainage, differs from the other species by a head rounded with concave snout in specimens longer than 35 mm SL, accentuating the impression of fleshy lips, 0–4 scutes on the caudal peduncle and a higher caudal peduncle depth/length ratio (15.7%– 34.5%). Finally, Pungitius vulgaris, endemic to the Vienne River and rivers of south-wes- tern France as far north as the Garonne estuary, is differentiated by a rounded head with a straight or slightly convex snout, the absence of scutes on the caudal peduncle and by having 11 pectoral-fin rays. Our data confirm the existence of a hybridization zone in the North of France between P. pungitius and P. laevis. As a result, Pungitius lotharingus is invalid, as it was described based on hybrid specimens. A lectotype for P. laevis was des- ignated because the syntypes included hybrids. This revision provides new perspectives for evolutionary biology studies and will have consequences for Pungitius conservation in France.

First record of elasmobranchs from the Lower Cretaceous of Argentina (Neuquén Basin)

The material reported herein comes from the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation (Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina). These fishes dwelled in a Pacific Ocean embayment in southwestern Gondwana before the establishment of the Andean Cordillera. The material consists of an incomplete dorsal fin spine of the widespread Hybodontoidea clade (from upper Valanginian beds) and a partial tooth of one of the earliest known lamniforms (from upper Hauterivian beds).

Are Pacific spiny dogfish lying about their age? A comparison of ageing structures for Squalus suckleyi

Historically, Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) have been aged using dorsal fin spines, a method that was validated through bomb radiocarbon analysis and oxytetracycline tagging. However, ages generated using this method generally have poor precision and require estimation of missing growth bands in eroded spines, prompting a search for improved age determination methods. In the present study, spiny dogfish were aged using the historical spine method and a new method involving stained thin sections of vertebral centra. Results of an inter-laboratory exchange demonstrated the need for readers to calibrate ageing criteria with a reference collection before reading structures, a practice that yielded significant improvements in between-reader precision of spine band pair counts. After calibration, the primary readers examined the full sample set. The two structures yielded similar age estimates for younger animals, but centrum estimates were consistently younger than spine estimates after age-10. Although further work is necessary to fully explore potential reasons for the observed bias, such as centrum size and location within the vertebral column, at the present time centra are not a suitable alternative to dorsal fin spines for age determination of Pacific spiny dogfish >10 years of age.

Two new species of the genus Atractoscion, and resurrection of the species Atractoscion atelodus (Günther 1867) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

A taxonomic re-evaluation of the cosmopolitan fish species Atractoscion aequidens (Cuvier 1830) revealed that it comprises several distinct species occurring in different oceans. Here we describe two new species, Atractoscion macrolepis sp. nov. and Atractoscion microlepis sp. nov., based on specimens collected from Angola and Oman, respectively, and we resurrect the species Atractoscion atelodus (Günther 1867), from Australia. Morphological comparison of A. aequidens from South Africa (type locality) with species from geographically distant localities showed that they differed in the mode number of lateral line pored scales (76 for A. aequidens; 73 for A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 78 for A. microlepis sp. nov.) and the number of dorsal-fin soft rays (26–29 for A. aequidens; 31–33 or 34 for A. atelodus; 24–28 for A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 25–26 for A. microlepis sp. nov.). Comparison of 506 bp sequences in mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I showed that the Kimura 2-parameter distance for A. aequidens differs substantially from that for the other species (5.1–5.3% different from A. atelodus; 3.7–4.4 from A. macrolepis sp. nov.; 4.8–5.0 from A. microlepis sp. nov.). The study highlights that DNA barcoding can contribute to confirming the taxonomic status of geographic variations.