Mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium marinum in reared mullets: first evidence from Sardinia (Italy)

Mycobacterium marinum is a slow‐growing non‐tuberculous mycobacterium, and it is considered the most common aetiologic agent of mycobacteriosis in wild and cultured fish. The diagnosis is principally made by histology when positive Ziehl–Neelsen stain granulomas are detected. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mycobacteriosis in extensively cultured Mugilidae of two lagoons (Cabras and San Teodoro) from Sardinia by the use of histology, microbiology, PCR and DNA sequencing. Nine of 106 mullets examined were affected by mycobacteriosis, and the spleen was the most affected organ. The histology detected higher rate (100%) of infection in spleen than the culture and PCR (75% and 62.5%, respectively). The sequencing of hsp65 gene identified M. marinum as the primary cause of mycobacteriosis in the mullets examined. Mullets affected by mycobacteriosis were mainly fished in the San Teodoro lagoon characterized by critical environmental conditions. Histology remains the most common method in detecting fish affected by mycobacteriosis, and PCR‐based methods are essential for species identification. Our finding are worthy of attention because mycobacteriosis caused by M. marinum in reared mullets was evidenced for the first time in Sardinia, suggesting that this disease may be underestimated also in other cultured fish species.     

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.     

Genetic identification and phylogenetic inferences in different Mugilidae species using 5S rDNA markers

A DNA methodology was developed to discriminate fry of six Mugilidae species found in the Mediterranean, namely Mugil cephalus, Mugil so‐iuy, Chelon labrosus, Liza aurata, Liza ramada and Liza saliens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 5S rDNA gene was used for the identification of the above six species. PCR products of two species showed different patterns on EtBr‐stained agarose gels; M. so‐iuy gave a pattern of three bands, while L. saliens gave a pattern of one band. Mugil cephalus, C. labrosus, L. aurata and L. ramada gave a pattern of two bands. Subsequent sequencing analyses revealed unique haplotypes for each of the remaining four species. This is a genetic technique that could be applied in hatcheries, for identification of fry mullet's species. Furthermore, 5S rDNA sequences of each of five of the studied species (i.e. M. cephalus, C. labrosus, L. aurata, L. ramada and L. saliens), as well as a sequence of Oedalechilus labeo that belongs to the Mugilidae family, were aligned and used for the examination of the phylogenetic relationships among them. Phylogenetic trees produced in our study are in general agreement with those presented in the literature. This is the first study to use a nuclear marker to elucidate the phylogeny of Mugilidae species.     

First record of predation by the alien invasive freshwater fish Micropterus salmoides L. (Centrarchidae) on migrating estuarine fishes in South Africa

This study presents results from stomach content analysis of 123 largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, sampled at the mouth of the fishway leading into a 3 m high weir at the tidal limit of the Kowie River, Eastern Cape Province (33°32‘39“S, 26°46‘ 52.3“E). Stomach contents from small (120–240 mm fork length, FL) and large (250–440mm FL) fish were analysed separately. Fish were the dominant prey item in small bass, followed by terrestrial insects and Potamonautes sp. In large bass, Potamonautes sp. dominated the stomach contents, while fish were less dominant and other prey items were considered incidental. Estuarine fish species, Monodactylus falciformis, and two species of the family Mugilidae, Mugil cephalus and Myxus capensis, were the most common fish prey in both size classes of M. salmoides. These results are the first evidence of the alien M. salmoides preying on these three indigenous estuarine species during their migration into fresh water.