Amblycipitidae Research Articles

Eggs and the Development of Larvae and Juveniles of the Torrent Catfish, Liobagrus reini, from the Koishiwara River, a Branch of the Chikugo River

Eggs and the Development of Larvae and Juveniles of the Torrent Catfish, Liobagrus reini, from the Koishiwara River, a Branch of the Chikugo River

Stomach Contents of the Torrent Catfish Liobagrus reini in the Urano River, Nagano Prefecture

Stomach Contents of the Torrent Catfish Liobagrus reini in the Urano River, Nagano Prefecture

Complete mitochondrial genome of the bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus (Siluriformes, Amblycipididae): Genome description and phylogenetic considerations inferred from the Cyt b and 16S rRNA genes

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the bullhead torrent catfish, Liobagrus obesus, was isolated by long-polymerase chain reaction (Long-PCR) with universal primers and was fully sequenced by primer working using flanking sequences. The complete mtDNA from L. obesus was 16,531 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region, demonstrating a structure very similar to that of other bony fish. An analysis of the protein-coding genes revealed a statistically substantiated bias in (T + C): (A + G) content, supporting earlier findings regarding this peculiarity. As indicated by a chi-square test, the observed scores for pyrimidine and purine content were different from those expected assuming a 50:50 ratio: χ 2 = 41.63, d.f. = 5, p < 0.000001 for three categories, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd codon positions. Further, there was a difference in nucleotide content between ND6 and the other 12 protein-coding genes in L. obesus. The values of p-distances, as summarized for different scales of evolutionary history at the Cyt b gene, revealed a clear pattern of increased nucleotide diversity at four levels: (1) intraspecies, (2) intragenus, (3) intrafamily, and (4) intraorder. Scores of average p-distances of the four categories in catfish were (1) 1.59 ± 0.54%, (2) 5.28 ± 1.72% (3) 16.37 ± 1.26%, and (4) 19.81 ± 0.14%, respectively. These data support the hypothesis that speciation in the order Siluriformes, in most cases, follows a geographic mode through the accumulation of a numerous small genetic changes over a long time period. A phylogenetic tree for the bullhead torrent catfish and several other fish species belonging to the order Siluriformes was developed on the basis of respective Cyt b sequences (1138 bp); the analysis revealed a monophyletic origin for the five examined families. A species-specific clustering of sequences from single species was obtained, supporting additionally basic phylogenetic information for the catfish and the barcoding suitability of Cyt b sequence data. Lastly, one of the well-supported properties of our phylogenetic tree (99% repetition level in our analysis) was the monophyletic placement of all catfish (order Siluriformes) among other ray-finned fish of the class Actinopterigii. Also discussed herein are the aspects of phylogeny based on the 16S rRNA gene.

한국산 퉁가리과 (Amblycipitidge) 어류 2종 수염의 조직 학적 구조

Histological observations of the barbels of torrent catfish (Amblycipitidae) in Korea are reported. The bullhead torrent catfish (Liobagrus andersoni) and Korean torrent catfish (L. obesus) have eight obvious barbels in two pairs each on the maxilla and mandible. Each barbel is composed of an epidermis, dermis, and central cartilagerod. The epidermis of the maxillary and mandibular barbels of the bullhead torrent catfish is thicker than that of the Korean torrent catfish (P<0.05) and is formed of stratified epithelium that contains many cutaneous taste buds and a few small club cells. There are many taste buds on the upper part of each barbel. The dermis consists of loose connective tissue fibers that enclose blood vessels and bundles of nerve fibers. The barbels of these fish can be categorized into stiff and flexible types and are accessory, feeding, and sensory structures. Our results validate the barbels as gustatory receptor organs for these fishes.

Summer daytime habitat and population density of the torrent catfish, Liobagrus reini, in the Urano River

The population density and summer daytime habitat characteristics of the endangered torrent catfish, Liobagrus reini, in the Urano River, a tributary of the Chikuma River in Nagano, central Japan, were investigated. A total of 105 individuals were captured in 2001–2003, and the estimated population density 100 m−2 in the whole study area ranged from 0.20 to 2.96. Liobagrus reini were captured from under cobbles and boulders, interstices in bedrock, and in clumps of roots of terrestrial vegetation along banks. Compared with the distribution of physical factors in the study area, the fish selected shallow habitats with the riverbed covered by cobbles and boulders. Boulders and larger cobbles were chosen by larger individuals as a habitat. Habitat selection was not correlated with current velocity, and some individuals were sampled near (<1 m) the riverbank with no current. For the conservation of L. reini, the preservation of natural riverbanks and areas with boulders and large cobbles in the riverbed is concluded to be important.

Structure and Histochemistry of the Skin of a Torrent Catfish, Liobagrus mediadiposalis

The epidermis of the torrent catfish, Liobagrus mediadiposalis, consists of three layers: the outermost layer, middle layer and stratum germinativum. The epidermis consists of two types of skin glands, small mucus cell and voluminous club cell. The unicellular mucus cell contains acid sulfomucins (some sialomucins) and the club cell, sometimes binucleate, is proteinaceous. Well-developed vascularization is one of the characteristics of epidermis of L. mediadiposalis. Well-developed lymphatic spaces contain lymphocytes in the epidermis. The dermis lacks scales and consists mostly of a thick, dense connective tissue; its superficial region just below the basal membrane is supplied with fine blood capillaries. These histological features of the skin in L. mediadiposalis are consistent with that required for cutaneous respiration.