Phylogenetic relationships in grey mullets (Mugilidae) in a Tunisian lagoon

The Mugilidae family is an important fish group representing a major source for fisheries and aquaculture. In the south Mediterranean bank, no data are available on this fauna, except for some morphological studies on Tunisian samples. In this study, 16 allozymic loci were used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within Tunisian mugilids. The results obtained from Hergla lagoon samples highlight five operational taxonomic unit corresponding to the well‐known species (Liza aurata, Liza ramada, Liza saliens, Chelon labrosus, Mugil cephalus). Several loci appeared to be diagnostic of these species, but in contrast to Greek mugilid samples, we did not find any diagnostic locus fixed differently for the five species. These results can help aquaculture units to identify accurately the mullet species they subsequently use for stocking aquaculture ponds and inland waters. However, species identity represents very important information, as each species has a different growth rate and salinity tolerance. On the other hand, when compared with North Mediterranean Mugilidae analysed until now, Tunisian samples show a genetic differentiation that could be related to different physicochemical conditions between the North and South banks, similar to those recorded in the eastern and western two Mediterranean basins separated by the Siculo‐Tunisian strait. In addition, this study confirms the morphological taxonomy, except for the subdivision of the Liza genus into two sub‐genera. The phylogenetic tree is in agreement with that on Languedoc Mugilidae samples (France), indicating that the subdivision of the Liza genus into two sub‐genera appears to be without any genetic base.     

The identification of grey mullet species by disc electrophoresis

Electrophoresis was carried out on the water-soluble muscle protein (myogen) of six grey mullets (Mugilidae), caught off the Mediterranean coast of Israel. With the obtained electropherograms it was possible to identify the adults and juveniles of five species of grey mullet. A tentative key for species determination based on the myogen electrophoretic pattern of five species (Liza ramada (Risso, 1826), L. aurata (Risso, 1810), L. provensalis (Risso, 1826), L. saliens (Risso, 1810) and Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)) is given. Of the sixth species, Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829), only one small adult and six juvenile specimens were obtained.A fast moving band occurred in the pattern of all juveniles of the investigated species. This fraction decreased during growth of all species, it became faint in adults of L. saliens, L. provensalis and L. ramada and was not observed in adult L. aurata and M. cephalus.     

Ultrastructural studies in piscine epitheliocystis: evidence for a pleomorphic developmental cycle

Abstract. The existence of a pleomorphic development cycle is demonstrated in epitheliocystis organisms obtained from fish of the following families: Sparidae, Sparus aurata L.; Mugilidae, Liza ramada (Risso), Liza aurata (Risso) and Mugil cephalus L.; Cichlidae, Tilapia mossambica (Peters) and Tilapia aurea × nilotica; and Serranidae, Dicentrarchus labrax L. Ultrastructure of the successive developmental stages, primary long cells, intermediate long cells and small cells are described as well as the division process between stages. An additional stage, the round cell, was found in infected chloride cells. The affinities between epitheliocystis organisms and known chlamydial organisms of vertebrates and invertebrates are discussed.     

我国鲻、梭鱼类资源开发及其生态养殖前景的探讨

鲻科鱼类(Mugilidae)是知名的世界性分布的经济鱼类,广泛栖息于淡水、河口和海水中。鲻鱼Mugil cephalus和梭鱼Liza haematocheila是亚洲地区鲻科鱼类中最主要的经济代表种。鲻、梭鱼属于植食性或腐屑食性,主要摄食环境中的有机碎屑。在养殖生产中,亦可起到净化养殖水域的作用,对维持养殖水域生态平衡和优化环境可起到重要作用。因此,从生态养殖角度考虑,广泛开展鲻、梭鱼类养殖,对调整我国当前渔业产业结构,降低养殖水域的自身污染,保障水产养殖业的持续、健康、稳定发展有着十分重要意义。     

Distribution of juvenile mugilids in the hypersaline Bardawil Lagoon January 1973–January 1974

As part of a wider over-all investigation of the fishery dynamics, a study was made of the seasonal distribution of three size groups (≤30.00 mm, 30.1–60.0 mm and ≥ 60.1 mm total length) of juvenile mugilids at seven sampling stations in Bardawil Lagoon. For the whole period, all stations combined, 88 Mugil cephalus, 1 737 Liza ramada, 2 564 Liza aurata, 1 433 Liza saliens, 821 Chelon labrosus, 10 Liza carinata and one Oedalechilus labeo were taken by the sampling beach-seine. The results of this first year's collections of a two-year study are discussed.     

Polymerase chain reaction banding patterns of the 5S rDNA gene as a diagnostic tool for the discrimination of South American mullets of the genus Mugil

The mullets of the family Mugilidae, and in particular the species of the genus Mugil, are characterized by highly conserved morphological features, which hinder taxonomic classification considerably. Given this, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the 5S rDNA gene – a rapid and low cost genotyping marker – for the discrimination of Mugil species. Variations in the banding pattern permitted the reliable differentiation of four species –Mugil curema, Mugil incilis, Mugil sp. and Mugil hospes– although those of three others (Mugil liza, Mugil platanus and Mugil cephalus) were identical. This suggests that these three forms have diverged very recently, on a time scale that has limited changes in the length of the fragments of the 5S rDNA gene. The results of the study confirm the efficiency of this marker as a diagnostic tool for the identification of Mugil species, and its usefulness for population management and pisciculture, an important economic activity involving this group.     

Body composition of Mugil cephalus,Liza dumerili,Liza richardsoni and Liza tricuspidens (Teleostei: Mugilidae) caught in the Swartkops Estuary

Body composition (protein, fat, ash and moisture) and energy content of four mullet species Mugil cephalus, Liza dumerili, Liza richardsoni and Liza tricuspidens were determined monthly for 13 months in specimens taken from the Swartkops Estuary. Six size classes (<2.5, 2.6–6.0, 6.1–10.0, 10.1–15.0, 15.1–23.0 and > 23 cm SL) were analysed separately. Statistical analyses of results could only be performed on three size classes of M. cephalus, L. dumerili and L. richardsoni due to inavailability of fish during certain months. Regression equations were calculated for those body components that were significantly correlated, viz.: energy and moisture, fat and moisture, protein and moisture and energy and fat. The influence of species, size as well as seasonal effects and reproductive cycle on body composition were investigated. It was found that in general Liza dumerili had the lowest mean body energy and fat values and Liza tricuspidens the highest. Smaller size fish were lower in energy and fat and larger size fish lower in moisture. Overall mean values showed that body energy reserves were the highest during the winter. Sexually mature specimens of Liza dumerili showed a build-up of energy before the commencement of the spawning season.     

Histopathological and ultrastructural assessment of two mugilid species infected with myxozoans and helminths

The histopathology and ultrastructure of the intestine of mullets, Liza ramada and Liza saliens, from Comacchio lagoons (northern Italy) naturally infected with myxozoans and helminths were investigated and described. Sixty‐two (80.5%) of 77 mullets harboured one or more of the following parasites species: Myxobolus mugchelo (Myxozoa), Neoechinorhynchus agilis (Acanthocephala), Haplosplanchnus pachysomus and Dicrogaster contractus (Digenea). Co‐occurrence of helminths with myxozoans was common. The main damage caused by digeneans was destruction of the mucosal epithelium of the villi, necrosis and degeneration of intestinal epithelial cells. More severe intestinal damage was caused by acanthocephalans which reach the submucosa layer with their proboscis. At the site of helminths infection, several mast cells (MCs), rodlet cells (RCs), mucous cells and few neutrophils and macrophages were observed in the epithelium. RCs and mucous cells exhibited discharge activity in close vicinity to the worm's tegument. M. mugchelo conspicuous plasmodia were encysted mainly in muscle and submucosa layers of the intestine. Indeed, spores of M. mugchelo were documented within the epithelial cells of host intestine and in proximity to MCs. Degranulation of the MCs near the myxozoans was very frequent.     

鲻梭鱼营养与环境因子方面的研究现状及展望

介绍了国内外有关鲻梭鱼营养(包括蛋白质、脂类、碳水化合物、矿物质与维生素、摄食水平与投喂频率)与环境(包括温度、盐度、光照及环境污染物)因子方面的研究现状,并对未来鲻梭鱼就营养与环境因子方面的研究工作进行了展望。     

Colonisation tactics of three temperate catadromous species,eel Anguilla anguilla,mullet Liza ramada and flounder Plathychtys flesus,revealed by Bayesian multielemental otolith microchemistry approach

Daverat F, Martin J, Fablet R, Pécheyran C. Colonisation tactics of three temperate catadromous species, eel Anguilla anguilla, mullet Liza ramada and flounder Plathychtys flesus, revealed by Bayesian multielemental otolith microchemistry approach.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 42–51. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – The colonisation of Gironde (SW France) river catchment by juvenile, eel, Anguilla anguilla, flounder Platychtys flesus and thinlipp mullet Liza ramada was investigated comparatively using Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca composition of otolith. The relation between Sr, Ba and habitat was investigated based on Sr and Ba water composition sampled each month along the estuary‐river gradient. A total of 50 mullets, 30 eels and 47 flounders were collected in the Gironde river catchment. Analysis was performed with a Femtosecond LA‐ICPMS along a trajectory from the core to the edge. Sr and Ba water concentrations discriminated three habitats within the Gironde system, the lower estuary, the upper estuary and the freshwater sites. A signal processing method based on Gaussian hidden Markov models was applied to the multielemental life‐history data. The linear model used to allocate a Gironde habitat to coupled Sr, Ca values was parameterised with seasonal patterns and magnitude of Sr and Ba water values in the different habitats. The results showed that the three species used three different habitats and they had a large diversity of habitat use patterns with resident and nomadic tactics. Resident tactics were less frequent than nomadic tactics that suggested individual fish used two or more habitats. Mullet used a wider range of habitats in the lower part of the estuary than eel and flounder and switched habitats more frequently. Flounders tended to colonise initially freshwater, and then estuarine habitats later in life while mullets used the entire range of available catchment habitats throughout their life.     

广东鱼塭纳苗种类组成和纳苗量的季节变化

鱼塭即北方所谓“港”,是一种人工围海筑成的咸水和海水水塘,面积大小不一,广东沿海及河口地带,利用这种水体进行角、虾养殖极普遍。鱼塭养殖方法在我国已有300多年历史,到解放以后有了很大的发展。这种养殖所用的鱼、虾种苗,是依靠在适当时间开放闸门,利用涨潮时塭内外水位差,将塭外海水灌入塭内时引进去的。     

中国近海棱梭拉丁名的更正

为解决我国棱梭(原定名为Liza carinata)命名的问题,本研究采集了中国近海7个地理群体的棱梭样品,并进行形态特征分析和DNA条形码研究。形态学研究结果显示,中国近海棱梭样品的胸鳍长度/体长、头长/体长的比值分别为15.0%~18.3%、22.5%~25.1%,与前人记录的Liza affinis的胸鳍长度/体长(14.5%~18.4%)、头长/体长比值(22.1%~26.9%)相吻合,而与Liza carinata胸鳍长度/体长(19.8%~23.9%)、头长/体长比值(27.0%~31.3%)范围不相符。DNA条形码分析结果表明,Gen Bank中Liza carinata和Liza affinis的COI基因同源序列遗传距离为13.11%,而本研究所采集样品种内差异为0.08%。NJ邻接关系树显示,本研究所使用样品与Liza affinis聚为一支,遗传距离为0.08%,而与Liza carinata的遗传距离为13.06%,已达到种以上水平。综上,本研究认为中国近海棱梭的拉丁名应为Liza affinis,我国近海是否存在真正的Liza carinata尚需进一步研究。     

Effects of tank colour and feed colour on growth and feed utilization of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae

The effects of aquarium background colour and feed colour on survival, growth rates and feed utilization efficiency of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae (0.035 g) were investigated in two experiments. In the aquarium background colour trial, 50 larvae were stocked in duplicates in 120 L glass aquaria filled with dechlorinated tap water. The outside walls and bottoms of each pair of the aquaria were covered with coloured paper sheets to achieve one of six colours (white, black, red, green, yellow and blue), while noncoloured aquaria served as a control. The fish were fed an experimental diet (35% crude protein) at a daily rate of 5% of their body weight (BW), twice a day for 8 weeks. The best growth rates, feed efficiency and survival were achieved in larvae reared in light‐coloured aquaria (white, noncoloured and yellow). Fish performance was significantly retarded in larvae reared in dark‐coloured aquaria (red, green, black and blue). Body composition was not significantly affected by aquarium colour. In a feed colour trial, duplicate groups of larvae (0.035 g) were stocked at 50 fish per 120 L aquarium and fed a test diet (35% crude protein) with six different colours [dark blue, red, yellow, light brown (control), light green and dark brown] at a daily rate of 5% BW, twice a day for 8 weeks. The best performance and survival were achieved in fish fed on dark‐coloured diets (red, dark blue and dark brown). Light‐coloured diets (yellow, light green and light brown) resulted in inferior performance. Body composition was not significantly affected by feed colour. These results suggest that light‐coloured tanks should be used for rearing thinlip mullet, L. ramada larvae, while dark‐coloured diets are more preferable to light‐coloured diets.     

Cytogenetic studies of Atlantic mojarras (Perciformes – Gerreidae): chromosomal mapping of 5S and 18S ribosomal genes using double FISH

Fish of the family Gerreidae, mainly species of the genera Diapterus and Eugerres, have high potential for cultivation, because of their saline tolerance. A detailed cytogenetic analysis of Diapterus auratus, Diapterus rhombeus and Eugerres brasilianus was conducted using conventional staining, C‐banding, Ag‐NOR, AT/GC‐specific fluorochrome staining and mapping of ribosomal sequences with 5S and 18S rDNA probes. All the species exhibited symmetrical karyotype, 2n = 48 acrocentric chromosomes. Ag‐NORs and 18S rDNA are present in the interstitial position on pair 1 (genus Diapterus) and pair 6 in Eugerres brasilianus. The 5S rDNA sites, located in the interstitial position (pair 11), are conserved in the three species. Heterochromatic regions are similar in the Diapterus species, showing a pattern of reduced and centromeric bands, differing from E. brasilianus, where, in addition to these, more prominent interstitial bands were observed. GC‐rich regions are located at ribosomal sites. Karyotypic comparison between Diapterus and Eugerres reveals similarity in chromosomal macrostructure, differing in C‐positive heterochromatin distribution and position of 18S sites, indicating the occurrence of structural microrearrangements. Although complementary analyses are needed, the similarities observed for these and other species suggest the possibility of breaking postzygotic barriers and their potential use, through induced interspecific or intergeneric hybridizations.     

Chemical composition of alimentary canal contents of mullet (Teleostei: Mugilidae) caught in the Swartkops Estuary near Port Elizabeth,South Africa

Composition of alimentary canal contents (protein, ash, moisture and carbohydrate by difference) of four mullet species from the Swartkops Estuary, were determined monthly over a 13-month period. It was found that Liza tricuspidens consumed the most nutritious (highest protein and carbohydrate and lowest ash) material followed by Mugil cephalus, Liza richardsoni and lastly Liza dumerili, the most abundant mullet species in the estuary. It was also found that smaller specimens, irrespective of species, consumed the most nutritious food material. An attempt was made to relate chemical composition to the particular food and substrate preference of each species. Correlation coefficients between moisture and protein (positive), moisture and ash (negative) and ash and protein (negative) enabled the calculation of regression equations by which protein and ash can be determined from a relatively simple moisture determination.     

Stocking of Mugil capito and Mugil cephalus and their commercial catch in Lake Kinneret

As early as 1962, two mugil species were introduced into Lake Kinneret, in annual quantities of about 1.5·10⁶ fry, taken from rivulets flowing into the Mediterranean. These were collected by means of specially devised beach seines. Stocking activity of mugil reached its peak in 1967, when 5.6·10⁶ fry were introduced into the Lake.The total number of mugil fry introduced in these 11 years, was 19·10⁶ specimen.The result was a yield of nearly 1 800 tons of mugil during this time, consisting of only two species: Mugil capito and Mugil cephalus. The fish reached a weight of 1–4 kg. Costs incurred in the stocking activity were less than 10% of the revenue of the yield.Up to the present, each million of small mugil fry, produced 100 tons of mugil catch, and large schools of mugil are as yet living and growing in the lake, so that additional large yields of mugil in the catch can be expected.Pollution of rivulets and great competition over the remaining fry, concentrating in the few rivulets left unpolluted, decrease the expectation for large quantities of fry for restocking. The main solution to this problem is induced spawning.     

福建莆田近海鲻鱼渔业现状及秋冬季产卵群体特点

本文主要根据2010年11月—2011年2月福建莆田近海流刺网作业鲻鱼生产调查资料,分析秋冬季渔获鲻鱼产卵群体组成、性腺成熟度分布等生物学特点及鲻鱼生产基本情况。结果表明:秋冬季(11月至翌年1月)是鲻鱼产卵盛期,也是鲻鱼渔业生产旺季;鲻鱼产卵群体主要为流刺网作业所利用,渔获群体优势叉长450～550 mm;近岸众多的流刺网作业过度捕捞亲鱼是造成鲻鱼资源量不断减少的主要原因之一。为更好地保护和利用莆田近海鲻鱼资源,建议进一步开展流刺网及张网作业对鲻鱼资源合理开发利用的专项调查研究。     

Cloning and characterization of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and the effects of dietary lipid levels on the expression of LPL in the redlip mullet (Liza haematocheila)

The genetic improvement of redlip mullet Liza haematocheila through breeding programmes is of interest for this important aquaculture species. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in lipid deposition and metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional regulation of LPL in redlip mullet. We cloned and identified the LPL gene, determined LPL gene expression in various tissues, and examined the effect of dietary lipid level on hepatic LPL gene expression. The LPL gene of redlip mullet Liza haematocheila (L.hLPL) was 2,395 bp in length and encoded 516 amino acids. Sequence analysis showed that L.hLPL shared 61%–90.3% identity with LPLs in other species. Expression patterns of hepatic L.hLPL were studied in redlip mullet fed diets containing 2.0, 4.8, 7.5, 9.8, 12.0 or 14.6 g/kg, crude fat for 60 days by real‐time quantitative PCR. The abundance of LPL mRNA in hepatic tissue increased with the increase in dietary fat. The expression L.hLPL mRNA was significantly higher in the groups fed diets with 14.6 and 12.0 g/kg fat than in the other groups (p < .05). Gene expression was significantly higher in the abdominal fat of redlip mullet (p < .05) compared with other tissues. In conclusion, a high fat diet (9.79–14.59 g/kg) induces L.hLPL expression in abdominal fat.