Taxonomy Of Fishes Research Articles

Taxonomy of Small-sized Cichlid Fishes in the Shell-bed Area of Lake Tanganyika

The taxonomy of the Indo-Pacific fish, Kyphosus vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard) is reviewed and the species redescribed on the basis of 129 specimens, including the lectotype which is newly designated. Kyphosus vaigiensis is characterized by 14 (rarely 13 or 15) dorsal and 13 (rarely 12) anal fin soft-rays, 21-24 (usually 22 or 23) gill-rakers on the lower limb of the first gill-arch, 56-64 longitudinal scale rows and 11-14 (usually 12 or 13) scales above the lateral line. Kyphosus lembus (Cuvier), Kyphosus bleekeri Fowler, Kyphosus gibsoni Ogilby, Pimelepterus ternatensis Bleeker and Pimelepterus marciac Cuvier are recognized as junior synonyms of K. vaigiensis.

The Antarctic fish Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps were selected as target organisms for studies of biomarker responses of environmental monitoring research of Admiralty Bay, King George Island. In this case, molecular taxonomy analysis of the referred population became an important study subject in order to increase the knowledge of especies diversity. The taxonomy of Antarctic fish has been predominantly based on morphological characteristics rather than on genetic criteria. A typical example is the Notothenia group, which consists of N. coriiceps, N. neglecta and N. rossii. The Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to determine whether N. neglecta and N. coriiceps are different or whether they are the same species with morphological, physiological and behavioural variability. N. rossii was used as control. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from muscle specimens of N. neglecta, N. coriiceps and N. rossii, which were collected in Admiralty Bay, King George Island. The DNA was used to amplify a fragment (690 base pairs) of the coding region of the mitochondrial gene for NADH subunit 2. Further, the amplicon was digested with following restriction enzymes: DdeI, HindIII and RsaI. The results showed a variation of the digestion pattern of the fragment amplified between N. rossii and N. coriiceps or N. neglecta species. No differences were found between N. coriiceps and N. neglecta specimens.

Check of the taxonomy of freshwater fishes of Iraq

Abstract We argue that the sustainable management of fisheries resources depends on an understanding of the taxonomy and systematics of fish. Toward this end, it is necessary for fisheries managers to understand and apply the various species concepts that have been developed by taxonomists and evolutionary biologists and to decide, based on a philosophical position, what is necessary and sufficient for a taxon to be recognized as a distinct species. If species are viewed as ontological individuals and as such exist in nature, then it makes sense for managers to develop strategies to sustain and manipulate given populations to achieve management goals. In this series of papers, the authors explore species concepts with respect to fish and demonstrate the value of understanding species concepts, systematics, and taxonomy in addressing modern fisheries management problems.

Conservation biologists rely heavily on taxonomy to set the scope for biological monitoring and recovery planning of rare or threatened species. Yet, taxonomic boundaries are seldom evaluated as falsifiable hypotheses that can be statistically tested. Here, we examine species boundaries in leatherside chub (Teleostei, Cyprinidae), an imperiled desert fish native to the Bonneville Basin and upper Snake River drainages of western North America. Recent molecular data hint that this fish could be composed of two distinct taxa that are geographically separated into northern and southern species. To formally test this hypothesis, we evaluated leatherside chub using several different categories of species concepts, including criteria dependent on phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological data. We found that leatherside chub is composed of two reciprocally monophyletic clades (candidate species) characterized by numerous fixed genetic differences for both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers; mtDNA sequence divergence between the two clades approached 8%. The candidate species also showed significant differences in cranial shape, revealed by morphometric analysis. Finally, controlled growth and foraging experiments using representative populations from each clade show that candidate species appear to be locally adapted to the thermal environments where they now occur. Combined, these three lines of evidence support the hypothesis that leatherside chub is composed of two species. Moreover, all lines of evidence place these two species within the genusLepidomeda, a group consisting of three additional species of endangered spinedace fishes, and one extinct species, all native to the Colorado River system. Hence, we elevate the two clades of leatherside chub to distinct species status (Lepidomeda copeiin the north andL. aliciaein the south), and argue that each warrants independent conservation and recovery action.

Based on reexamination of original descriptions, type materials, comparative material, and a wide literature the present data on nomenclature and taxonomy of several taxa of freshwater fishes important because of a big deal of uncertainty connected with their identification and/or status are critically analysed. Discussed are Macropodus ocellatus, Acanthorhodeus, A. asmussii, A. macropterus, Rhodeus amurensis, Cyprinus rubrofuscus, Parabotia mantchurica, Lefua, L. costata, L. pleskei, Pelteobagrus, P. mica, P. argentivittatus, Pseudobagrus, P. ussuriensis, P. herzensteini.

Damselfishes (Pomacentridae, Perciformes) occur in all major oceans of the world and, with approximately 320 species, represent one of the most diverse families of marine Teleostei. The taxonomy of these reef fishes is problematic because of the large number of complex species and the range of color patterns they display, which vary among individuals and populations of the same species. In this study, we examined the cytogenetic composition of four species of Stegastes (S. pictus, S. fuscus, S. variabilis and S. leucostictus) found along the coast of Brazil. Stegastes pictus had a chromosomal number of 2n = 48 (14m+28sm+2st+4a, fundamental number (FN) = 92), S. fuscus had 2n = 48 (20m+22sm+6a, FN = 90), S. variabilis had 2n = 48 (18m+22sm+8a, FN = 88), and S. leucostictus had 2n = 48, (18m+22sm+8a, FN = 88). The nucleolar organizing regions were single and homologous in all of the species, and were located in the interstitial region on the short arm of the first submetacentric pair. The heterochromatin segments were reduced in size and were distributed conservatively over the centromeric and pericentromeric regions of most of the chromosomes. The marked divergence in the number of chromosomal arms, compared to other perciformes (2n = 48, FN = 48), indicated that varying degrees of multiple pericentric inversions had occurred during the karyotypic evolution of the Pomacentridae. Subtle karyotypic differences between S. variabilis and S. leucostictus suggested a recent divergence or that their karyotypes were less susceptible to changes. These results indicate that cytogenetic analyses could provide important complementary data for the characterization of populations and species of Stegastes and damselfishes in general.

In 1990–1992, the United States Forest Service sampled six hydrologically variable streams paired in three different drainage basins in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, U.S.A. Fishes, macroinvertebrates, and stream environmental variables were quantified for each stream. We used these data to examine the relationship between regional faunas (based on taxonomy and trophic affiliation of fishes and macroinvertebrates) and measured environmental variables. Because fishes are constrained to their historically defined drainage basins and many insect taxa are able to cross basin barriers, we anticipated that both groups would respond differently to environmental variability. Fishes were influenced more by environmental variability that was unique to their historical drainage basins, but macroinvertebrates were associated more strongly with environmental variability that was independent of drainage basins. Thus, the individual drainage basins represented a historical constraint on regional patterns of fish assembly. For both fishes and macroinvertebrates, groupings based on taxonomy and trophic affiliation showed a similar response to environmental variability and there was a high degree of association between taxonomic and trophic correlation matrices. Thus, trophic group structure was highly dependent on the taxonomic make-up of a given assemblage. At the basin-level, fish and macroinvertebrate taxa were associated more strongly with environmental variability than the trophic groups, and these results have implications for basin-level studies that use trophic groupings as a metric to assess ecological patterns. Trophic categories may not be a useful ecological measure for studies at large spatial scales.

This report aims to give a contribution to cultural sustainability by emphasizing the traditional knowledge of artisanal fishermen from Siribinha, a fishing community located in the county of Conde, in the northern region of Bahia State, north-eastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out from March 1996 to March 1998 and included open and semi-structured interviews, tours guided by the fishermen, direct observations and collection of fish specimens. The study focused especially on the folk taxonomy of fish and their spatiotemporal distribution and behaviour. The folk perception about the diminishing abundance of fishing resources has also been investigated. The consistence of traditional knowledge was observed through comparative cognitive tables. This research has shown that Siribinha fishermen's knowledge is a valuable resource, which is sufficient to be considered in the developmental processes and in studies of fish species management. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Abstract Monogenean richness of marine fish is highly variable among host families and species. On the basis of 160 fish species selected because their parasite fauna was considered as ‘adequately’ investigated, an attempt was made to find associations between parasite richness and various characters of the hosts. No clear correlation was found with maximal size, although the smallest species (less than 10cm) seem to never harbour monogeneans. Correlations were found with nectonic, migrating and gregarious behaviours. However, taxonomy of fish appears to be extremely important as a determinant of monogenean richness. In the absence of a satisfactory phylogeny of hosts, no attempt was made to control the analysis for phylogeny. However, removing some families characterized by a high parasite richness (sparids, sciaenids, mugilids) shows that the association with gregariousness holds, whereas the others tend to disappear.

By the time Charles Eric Dawson died on February 11, 1993, he had produced a total of 150 published papers. His contributions represent an important chapter in the ichthyological investigations of marine fishes. His work on fishes of the Americas and on the taxonomy of pipe fishes will long be remembered as two of his most significant and outstanding achievements. Although tribute to this Canadian-American Ichthyologist and longtime Senior Ichthyologist and curator of the ichthyological research collection at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is presented elsewhere (Overstreet and Poss, Copeia 1993(3):921-925), it is appropriate that the extensive bibliography of one of GCRL's most productive scientists is compiled and made available to other researchers who will follow in his footsteps. These publications are listed chronologically.

A review of the anatomy, taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the African neoboline cyprinid fishes

Taxonomy and distribution of the stomioid fish genus Eustomias (Melanostomiidae), I: subgenus Nominostomias

Cottunculus granulosus, previously known only from the holotype, is now known to be relatively common and to occur from Uruguay to southernmost Argentina at depths of 150–1250 m as a result of trawling expeditions by the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and United States. Two forms exist, a plain-colored, short-spined form and a banded, long-spined form. It is possible that Bunocottus apus represents the same species as C. granulosus. Of the six or so species of Cottunculus, C. granulosus appears to be most closely related to C. microps, C. sadko, and C. thompsoni of the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

The taxonomy of fishes of the family Retropinnidae (Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand) is examined. It is concluded that diadromous and lacustrine populations of Retropinna in New Zealand are Ret...

The haplochromine Cichlidae endemic to Lake Victoria are recently estimated to comprise approximately 200 species. Morphologically these species vary within narrow limits but ecologically they demonstrate a wide and continuous spectrum of adaptations. Except for the papyrus swamps, the fish-fauna of each habitat is dominated by a particular community of haplochromine species. Besides restrictions to certain habitats most species have limited food-regimes. Together these diets comprise all food categories available (possibly with exception of zooplankton). Morphologically similar species realizing such a wide scala of adaptations are ideal objects for comparative biological research. For this reason haplochromine cichlids have been recently introduced into ethology, ontogeny, physiology, functional morphology and-naturally-ecology. Another recent interest in these fishes concerns their potential economic importance: the overwhelming quantity with which haplochromine cichlids (still) occur, together with an improved fishing gear, make these relatively small fishes a source for fishmeal and human consumption. Regrettably no ecological survey preceded the planning for these extensive fisheries. A major cause for this omission are the difficulties experienced in identifying haplochromine species. These difficulties result partly from the overall morphological similarity and partly from the fact that only half the estimated number of species has been described so far. The importance of identification for both fishery-biology, ecology and other biological research has been the main reason for writing this paper which introduces the techniques applied in the taxonomy of the haplochromine Cichlidae from Lake Victoria. As this taxonomy is mainly based on morphological characters, the paper consequently provides basic information on the anatomy and external aspects of these cichlids. The subtitle refers to the fact that all currently valid species have been described (or revised) by GREENWOOD in a long series of papers mainly intended for the use of taxonomists. The present introduction has been explicitly written for students unfamiliar with the morphology and taxonomy of haplochromine fishes. After a short review of the problems related to haplochromine taxonomy, there

Abstract THE species problem in freshwater fishes, in which allopatry is the norm, is discussed. Biological species criteria break down because of the general occurrence of allopatry, and the implications for the taxonomy of freshwater fishes are explored. Essentially morphological criteria must be used, but their use must be subject to careful scrutiny, and patterns of variation must be studied. Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns) is shown to occur in Australia, New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Chile, Tierra del Fuego, and Falkland Islands in the typical diadromous form. Subspecies are not recognised. Landlocked or freshwater-limited populations occur through much of the range of the species, and in these populations vertebral number is reduced to about 55, from about 62 in diadromous stocks. These populations are not given separate taxonomic recognition, variation in vertebral number being regarded as related to the transition from a diadromous to a wholly freshwater life history; G. usitatus McDowall and G. parri...

Taxonomy of Fishes of the Genus Schizothorax Heckel with the Description of a New Species from Kumaon Himalayas

IN tracing the development of a knowledge of fish life in Canada in the following pages, reference to actual knowledge of fishes is confined largely to their taxonomy and distribution. It should be realized, however, that so far as history is concerned, this account applies equally well to other branches of knowledge of fish life. Actually, as pointed out elsewhere, much of our knowledge of the taxonomy and distribution of fishes in Canada resulted as a sort of