Reproductive biology of white mullet,Mugil curema (Valenciennes) in the Southern Caribbean

Gonadal development and spawning of white mullet, Mugil curema in the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad, West Indies, was investigated using both macroscopic and histological techniques. M. curema is a multiple batch spawner with a protracted spawning season from November to July. Gonadal development is annual and each female appears to spawn at least twice per year. The prolonged spawning season may thus be an indication of the lack of population synchrony rather than prolonged spawning by a single individual. Peak-spawning activity occurs in June/July and it is hypothesized that it is in response to the start of the rainy season. Oocyte development is group synchronous and development of oocytes in the leading clutch is isochronal.     

Unravelling the complex habitat use of the white mullet,Mugil curema,in several coastal environments from Neotropical Pacific and Atlantic waters

1. The white mullet, Mugil curema, is a widely distributed euryhaline species, the migratory behaviour of which is poorly understood. The objective of this work was to study the large-scale habitat use of this species for the first time. Several environments were considered, such as euryhaline and hypersaline lagoons, the sea, and a river, distributed in the Central Pacific (Mexico) and Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea-Venezuela, and north-eastern Brazil).
2. Otolith core-to-edge Sr/Ca ratios of 163 fish, determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, were used to study the salinity-habitat migration history of the fish. Fish from Mexico (Tamiahua Lagoon, n = 4; Alvarado Lagoon, n = 2), Venezuela (n = 1), and Brazil (n = 12) (11.1% of the total) showed high Sr/Ca values at early life stages and were classified as marine estuarine opportunists. Two specimens (from Alvarado Lagoon and Balsas River, Mexico) showed Sr/Ca values consistently below the high salinity guide value (salinity < 33.5). For the rest of the fish (87.1%), the Sr/Ca ratio suggested a displacement from the estuary towards the sea or hypersaline environments, and so these fish were classified as estuarine migrants.
3. A change-point analysis identified six individuals with a single stable otolith Sr/Ca signature through ontogeny (three from Brazil, one from Venezuela, and two from Tamiahua Lagoon, Mexico), suggesting limited displacement between environments with different salinities. The rest of the individuals showed between two and 10 changes in stable Sr/Ca signatures (mean = 4.07 ± 1.85). The highest number of changes in Sr/Ca ratio (4.87 ± 1.1) was found in fish from Laguna Madre (Mexico) and the lowest was found in fish from Brazil (3.27 ± 1.70) (H = 19.8, p = 0.002).
4. Otolith Sr/Ca time series suggest that the migratory estuarine pattern is the most common throughout the study area. This work highlights that the sustainable use of M. curema depends on the conservation of estuaries and the corridors between them and other environments such as lagoons, rivers, mangroves and the sea.

     

Histopathological and behaviour effects of formaldehyde treatment in juvenile mullet,Mugil liza (Valenciennes)

Considerable losses may be related to diseases caused by parasites in aquaculture. Formaldehyde (37% gas dissolved in water) is an effective chemotherapeutic, widely used to control ectoparasites in fish. However, for many species of fish used in aquaculture, the control of external parasites and the deleterious effects of formaldehyde in short‐term baths are still uncertain. In order to clarify some gaps, 1 h‐prophylactic baths (67.5, 135, 270, 405 and 540 mg L^?1 formaldehyde in triplicate) were performed in juvenile mullet, Mugil liza (Valenciennes). Results showed that prophylactic baths of 135 mg L^?1 formaldehyde by 1 h did not cause death in tested mullets. At this concentration, histopathologies were mild and fish survival was high. However, fish exposed to increasing concentrations of formaldehyde presented severe histopathologies in the gills besides behavioural and morphological alterations. The histopathological and behavioural implications of formaldehyde use in aquaculture are discussed.     

Operational procedures for rearing larvae of the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.)

Larvae of the grey mullet Mugil cephalus L. can be reared successfully using careful procedures following induced spawning of the adults with purified salmon gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotropin.Preliminary incubation of the eggs to the gastrula stage at high density for 12 h at 22°C is preferred, using stirred irradiated seawater (32‰ salinity) and the antibiotics penicillin (80 IU/ml) and streptomycin (0.05 mg/ml). The eggs are transferred before hatching to circular rearing tanks at a density of 250 eggs/l.The mouths of the larvae are open and ossified and the eyes are sufficiently pigmented for the larvae to begin feeding on the third day. The larvae are fed cultured phytoplankton and rotifers supplemented with available natural plankton. Nauplii of Artemia are provided on the seventh day.The migratory behavior of the larvae during early development and their physiology are discussed, being relevant to the procedures and the techniques applied.Mass propagation in large (over 12-ft diameter) circular tanks with total light control is recommended.     

Protein requirements of young grey mullet,Mugil capito

The protein requirements of young grey mullet, Mugil capito, were studied by using five semi-purified diets with a casein, defatted fish meal and corn starch base, containing 12 to 60% protein, in increments of 12%, and fed for 97 days to young Mugil capito of average initial weight 2.5 g. The food conversion factor decreased with increasing dietary protein level, although not significantly above the level of 24%. Specific growth rates were proportional to the protein content of the diet up to an incorporation rate of about 24%; beyond this level specific growth rates decreased. Protein efficiency ratio and protein retention (%) decreased with increasing dietary protein level, while carcass composition was little affected. High levels of carbohydrate in the diet caused a high glycogen content in the liver, resulting in its enlargement. Mugil capito seems to require about 24% of protein for maximum growth at 23°C. These results are discussed in relation to those reported for other species of fish.     

Morphological aspects and histological effects of the attachment organ of Parabrachiella sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) on the grey mullet,Mugil liza Valenciennes

The genus Parabrachiella Wilson, 1915 (Lernaeopodidae) is represented by copepods that are highly adapted to a parasitic way of life. In Argentina, only P. insidiosa var. lageniformis Heller, 1865, P. chevreuxii Van Beneden, 1891 and P. spinicephala Ringuelet, 1945 have been cited, but none of these have been reported on mugilids. Recently, other species of this genus were found attached to the nasal cavities of juvenile grey mullets, Mugil liza Valenciennes, from Samborombón bay, Buenos Aires province. In this study, the prevalence and mean intensity of the Parabrachiella sp. on grey mullet is investigated. In addition, the damage the parasite imposes on its hosts is examined through evaluation of histological sections and immunostaining for proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The morphology of the parasite's bulla is described from light and scanning electron micrographs.     

Polyculture of western white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 with Grey mullet,Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 controls external parasites of western white shrimp

The main aim of this study was to examine the effects of a polyculture system on the control of the external parasites of western white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. To this end, the western white shrimp postlarvae (PLs) were stocked in nine earthen ponds (600 m²) at a density of 20 PLs m^?2 and reared for 4 months. After 40 days of shrimp stocking, Mullets, Mugil cephalus, were stocked at various densities including: control (0 fish/100 m² pond), treatment 1 (T₁: 2 fish/100 m² pond) and treatment 2 (T₂: 4 fish/100 m² pond). Over the course of the experiment, the external parasites of shrimps were investigated by the preparation of a wet mount from the gill tissue. Based on the obtained results, totally two genera of protozoan parasites, i.e. Zoothamnium sp. and Epistylis sp., were identified over the course of the experiment. In all experimental groups, the incidence and abundance of Zoothamnium sp. was significantly higher than Epistylis sp. (P < 0.05). Also, mean incidence per cent and mean abundance of Zoothamnium sp. and Epistylis sp. were significantly lower in the polyculture treatments (T₁ and T₂) compared to the monoculture group (control) (P < 0.05). Throughout this experiment, the total organic matter (TOM %) content of the bottom sediments and biological oxygen demand (BOD₅ mg L^?1) of water samples in the polyculture ponds were significantly lower than the monoculture group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the polyculture ponds had a higher concentration of water dissolved oxygen (O₂ mg L^?1) compared to the monoculture (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results show that mullet as a secondary farmed species can reduce indirectly the parasitic pollution of western white shrimp probably through reducing the total organic matters in water and sediments and improving the water quality parameters.     

野生和养殖鲻消化酶活性的比较研究

对野生鲻(Mugil cephalus)和养殖鲻的消化道指数及淀粉酶和蛋白酶活性分布进行了比较研究,并探讨了不同温度和pH对离体状态下消化道淀粉酶和蛋白酶的影响.结果表明,野生鲻和养殖鲻的比内脏重、比肝重、比胃重、比肠长分别为0.043±0.001和0.0480±0.004,0.009±0.001和0.007±0.000,0.008±0.002和0.007±0.000,2.886±0.301和3.158±0.141.野生鲻的蛋白酶和淀粉酶活力在各消化器官中的分布与养殖鲻间存在差异.野生鲻和养殖鲻比较,野生鲻各消化器官中淀粉酶活力均极显著高于养殖鲻(P<0.01);蛋白酶活力在肝胰脏和胃中差异不显著(P>0.05),在中肠差异显著(P<0.05),在前肠和后肠差异极显著(P<0.01).在肝胰脏、胃、前肠、中肠、后肠和幽门盲囊6部位,野生鲻淀粉酶的最适温度分别是40℃、45℃、45℃、45℃、40℃、45℃;养殖鲻淀粉酶的最适温度分别是40℃、40℃、40℃、45℃、40℃、40℃.野生鲻淀粉酶最适pH在肝胰脏为6.2,在其余各部分均是7.2;养殖鲻淀粉酶最适pH在胃和前肠为2.2和8.0,在其余各部分均为7.2.野生鲻蛋白酶最适温度在肝胰脏、胃、前肠和后肠均为45℃,在中肠为50℃;养殖鲻蛋白酶最适温度在肝胰脏、胃和中肠为40℃,前肠和后肠为45℃.野生和养殖鲻蛋白酶的最适pH胃部为3.2,其余各部分的最适pH均是7.2.     

Stock enhancement in a commercial mullet,Mugil cephalus L., fishery in Hawaii

Abstract This study showed that cultured striped mullet, Mugil cephalus L., released as juveniles can make a significant contribution to landings in an island commercial fishery. Following pilot hatchery releases from 1990 to 1993, striped mullet fisheries in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, USA, were sampled to recover cultured fish from the bay-wide catch. Direct sampling of 181 fishing trips resulted in recovery of 211 cultured striped mullet. By autumn 1994, cultured fish comprised 13.0% (2.8%) of the commercial mullet catch in Kaneohe Bay, and the percentage was increasing logarithmically. This study corroborated predictions from previous studies of juveniles about effects of release strategies on survival of cultured mullet. Following summer releases, recapture rates were strongly affected by fish size-at-release, with a critical release size of 60 mm total length (the smallest size released that was subsequently detected in the fishery). Over 30 000 juveniles stocked in 1990 (but not in a nursery habitat preferred by striped mullet) apparently suffered complete mortality.     

长江口崇明水域鲻鱼耳石元素微化学分析

利用电子显微探针元素分析技术,对长江口崇明水域鲻鱼(Mugil cephalus)的耳石进行了锶和钙沉积特征的初步研究.元素定量线分析和面分布分析结果均直观而明显地表明,长江口鲻鱼存在着多样化的洄游活动.其孵化和早期发育需要盐度适中的生境,而在随后的继续生长和发育阶段,鲻鱼可以灵活地利用长江口淡水、河口半咸水和海水环境,个体之间洄游的"履历"差异很大,反映出了鲻鱼生活史过程中较为复杂的生存策略.本研究旨在探讨鲻鱼的生存环境背景,为今后开展人工养殖提供基础生物学资料.     

Pathology of red spot disease in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., from eastern Australia

Abstract. Lesions present on sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., during the first 3 weeks of red spot disease outbreaks are described. Necrotizing dermatitis is a severe, locally extensive, granulomatous lesion associated with invasion of dermis and underlying skeletal muscle by numerous, non-septate, fungal hyphae 12–18 μm in diameter. Erythematous dermatitis is a mild to severe, focal, chronic active dermatitis without fungal involvement. Lesions intermediate between these two forms, with small to moderate numbers of fungal hyphae in dermis and skeletal muscle also occur. Findings indicate that erythematous dermatitis lesions and intermediate-type lesions subsequently resolve, while necrotizing dermatitis lesions consistently develop into dermal ulcers, with associated severe necrotizing granulomatous myositis. Generally, dermal ulcers occur significantly more often on posterior and dorsal areas of the body surface than on anterior and ventral areas. Lesions heal by combinations of epidermal and dermal repair, fibroplasia, destruction of fungi, removal of necrotic skeletal muscle and regeneration of myofibres. Atrophy of exocrine pancreas occurs in both diseased and clinically normal fish, but is generally more severe in diseased fish. The possible roles of suspected disease determinants, including falls in dissolved oxygen concentrations to sub-lethal levels prior to red spot disease outbreaks, are discussed.     

野生鲻鱼和养殖鲻鱼消化系统的组织学观察

野生与养殖鲻鱼(Mugil cephalus)的消化系统在形态和组织结构上存在一定差异.(1)形态方面:食道粗而短,胃呈球形,包括贲门部、盲囊部、胃体部和幽门部4个区域,胃与肠相接处有2个指状幽门盲囊,肠道在腹腔内盘旋5圈.肝脏黄褐色,右叶较左叶大,未发现独立的胰脏.养殖鲻鱼消化道周围包裹更多脂肪,胃较小但胃腔更大,肠...     

The relevance of mitochondrial lineages of Taiwanese cultured grey mullet,Mugil cephalus,to commercial products of Roe

Mugil cephalus is an important aquaculture species in Taiwan with highly valuable roe. In order to obtain its roe, mullet fry from various Taiwan estuaries are raised in aquaculture ponds until maturity. However, not all female mullets have developed ovaries. Therefore, we have attempted to use DNA profiling to aid selection of mullet fry for aquaculture. A large proportion of North coast mullet and some West coast mullet were identified as cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial lineage 1. COI mitochondrial lineage 2 was dominant in the west and east coast estuaries, whereas COI mitochondrial lineage 3 was fewest and only was present in Chang‐hua county (middle west of Taiwan). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of lineage 1 individuals ranged from 0 to 5, no matter where the mullet fry were captured. The GSI of both the west and east coast lineage 2 individuals ranged from 0 to over 15, but the GSI of lineage 2 of the I‐lan (north east of Taiwan) population was generally lower than that of western populations. These findings suggest that a genetic difference whereby west coast lineage 2 mullet yield heavier roe although the body size of lineage 1 individual is larger than that of lineage 2. Thus, lineage 2 individuals with their normal GSI distribution are the most economically viable. The application of the rapid screening of mitochondrial lineages is expected to help aquaculture farmers cultivate lineage 2 fry for roe production rather than lineage 1.     

Effect of synthetic GnRH analogues and dopamine antagonists on the maturation of Pacific mullet, Mugil so-iuy Bas.

Abstract. The effect of two GnRH-As – des Gly¹⁰ (D-Ala)⁶ LHRH and des Gly¹⁰ (D-Tle)⁶ GnRH in total doses 10–249mu;g/kg – and four neuroleptics – pimozide, sulpiride, metoclopramide and isofloxythepin in total doses 1–50mg/kg - and environmental temperatures on the development of final stages of Pacific mullet oogenesis was investigated. The best technique of those used by us for spawning stimulation of Pacific mullet, Mugil so-iuy Bas., females is shown to be administration of neuroleptics in doses of l-8mg/kg with posterior injections on GnRH-A in doses of 25 and 50mu; g/kg applied 4 and 28h respectively after the neuroleptic injection. At water temperatures below 17°C, ovulation does not occur unless the optimal stimulation is applied.     

The effects of two fish species mullet,Mugil cephalus,and tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,in polyculture with white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,on system performances: A comparative study

A comparative study was carried out to compare the effect of caging mullet and tilapia in a shrimp polyculture system. In six shrimp tanks (three tanks for each fish species), either mullet, Mugil cephalus (CCT‐SM), or tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (CCT‐ST), was stocked in cages. In three other tanks, mullets were allowed to roam freely in shrimp tanks (D‐SM). White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (0.50 g), was cultured as the predominant species were distributed randomly into nine fibreglass tanks (5 m³) at a density of 300 shrimp/tank, while fish (1.50 g) were stocked at the same density of 10% of the initial total shrimp biomass. The results showed that water quality parameters were not significantly different among treatments (p > .05), except for total suspended solids (TSSs). System performances based on parameters such as total weight gain (2,808.15 g/tank) and nutrient recovery were higher in D‐SM treatment (39.80% for nitrogen and 27.40% for phosphorus) than in CCT‐SM and CCT‐ST treatments (p < .05). These system performance parameters were significantly affected by the mullet‐holding strategy; however, they were not affected by fish species. The addition of mullet or tilapia in shrimp tanks did not affect shrimp growth differentially. Fish growth performances based on parameters such as final weight (98.43 g/fish) and DGR (1.29 g/day) were significantly higher in D‐SM treatment and were significantly different among D‐SM, CCT‐SM and CCT‐ST treatments (p < .05). It is concluded that in shrimp–fish polyculture with a stocking density of fish at 10% of the initial total shrimp biomass, tilapia is more effective than mullet, when caged. However, under free‐roaming conditions, the use of mullet is more effective in terms of system performances relative to a system holding caged tilapia.     

Bacteriology and parasitology of red spot disease in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., from eastern Australia

Abstract. Bacteria and cutaneous ectoparasites associated with red spot disease (RSD) in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., from the Clarence and Richmond Rivers in north-east New South Wales were identified. Various bacteria, including Aeromonas spp., Alcaligenes spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Vibrio spp. were recovered from lesions designated erythematous dermatitis, necrotizing dermatitis and dermal ulcer, but no genus was consistently dominant in cultures from any of the lesion types. Vibrio anguillarum , previously proposed as the cause of RSD, was recovered from four of 37 lesions of erythematous dermatitis, none of 46 lesions of necrotizing dermatitis and eight of 36 dermal ulcers. Bacteria were recovered only rarely from liver and posterior kidney of diseased fish. These results suggest that none of the bacteria isolated is the primary cause of RSD. There was no evidence that cutaneous ectoparasites, including the digencan Prototransversotrema steeri , are significant in the pathogenesis of RSD in sea mullet. None were found on eight normal fish collected in the month preceding a major RSD outbreak. In the first 2 months of the outbreak, none were found on 18 fish with erythematous dermatitis, eight with dermal ulcers or 11 of 12 normal fish. A single digenean, morphologically consistent with P. steeri , was recovered from a normal fish collected during this latter period.     

Molecular tools for studying puberty in the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus: cloning of cDNAs that regulate reproductive function

The cDNAs coding for the brain GnRHs (AY373449-51), pituitary GH, SL and PRL, and liver IGFs (AY427954-5) were isolated. Partial cDNA sequences of the brain (Cyp19b) and gonadal (Cyp19a) aromatases have also been obtained. These tools would be utilized to study the endocrine regulation of puberty in the grey mullet.     

Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on zootechnical performance,haematological parameters and sperm quality of lebranche mullet Mugil liza

The feed provided to breeding fish is one of the main factors influencing the quality of fish gametes. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of ascorbic acid on growth, haematological parameters and sperm quality of Lebranche mullet males (Mugil liza). Six diets with different levels of ascorbic acid (0; 53; 107; 216; 482 and 708 mg/kg) were tested in triplicate for 75 days. During spermiation (first gonadal maturation), 144 individuals (205.7 ± 11.5 g and 25.7 ± 0.4 cm) were randomly distributed in 18 experimental tanks. Growth parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fish blood was collected to analyse glucose, total protein and erythrocyte count (EC) (n = 9). Fish (n = 12) from each treatment were euthanized to determine hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Semen was collected to evaluate spermatic density, cell membrane integrity and sperm motility. No difference (p > .05) was found on growth parameters, GSI, HSI and total protein. However, EC was lower in fish fed without ascorbic acid (the control group). Ascorbic acid supplementation provided positive effects on sperm characteristics. Fish from treatments with 53 and 107 mg/kg presented the best results for motility time (133.30 ± 4.25 and 135.00 ± 2.77 respectively). Treatments with 107, 216 and 708 mg/kg provided the best results for motility rate (92.0 ± 2.9%, 93.0 ± 5.8% and 93.0 ± 5.8% respectively). Supplementation with 107 and 216 mg/kg provided the best results for plasma membrane integrity (70.12 ± 9.10% and 76.3 ± 3.1% respectively). Lower spermatic density was observed in fish without ascorbic acid supplementation, although no difference was found in sperm density among the treatments with ascorbic acid (p < .05). Considering these results, supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid between 107 and 216 mg/kg optimizes the spermatic quality in males of lebranche mullet.