An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Phenotypic and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Studies of Proteus mirabilis Isolates from Fresh Water Fishes in FCT, Abuja-Nigeria

Our study was carried out to determine the phenotypic characterization antimicrobial susceptibility of Proteus mirabilis from fish in FCT, Abuja using isolation, selective plating, preliminary observation, complete biochemical method and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The biochemical tests conducted includes include Citrate Utilization test, Triple Sugar Iron test, Urea test, Methyl Red test, Indole test, and Voges Proskauer test. The isolates were confirmed by MicrobactTMGNB24E identification kit (Oxiod, UK). A total of 400 fish samples were bought in the market from three area council of the FCT. The result of the study showed overall prevalence rate of (13) 3.25% of Proteus mirabilis isolates. Distribution based on Area councils showed that AMAC had higher prevalence rate of 4.81%, while Bwari had 2.99% and Gwagwalada with 2.57% prevalence. All isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the modified single disc diffusion method. From the antimicrobial susceptibility testing done it was discovered that Proteus mirabilis are resistant to Amoxyclav (100%), Erythromycin (92.3%), Tetracycline (92.3%) and Ceftriaxone (23.1%). However, the isolates were susceptible to Ofloxacin (100%), Netillin (92.3%), Levofloxacin (92.3%), Ceftazidime (76.9%), Co-trimoxazole (69.2%) and Gentamicin (61.5%). Since Proteus mirabilis sources of zoonotic diseases and can potentially be dangerous to humans and other animals, our research was able to isolate it from fresh water fish sold in the Federal Capital Territory. This makes public health awareness of the risks associated with Proteus mirabilis in Nigeria necessary.

DNA barcoding of fishes from Zhoushan coastal waters using mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes

Accurate species identification is a key component of biodiversity research.DNA barcoding is an effective molecular method used for fish species identification.We aimed to study the DNA barcoding of fish in Zhoushan coastal waters,explore the differences and applicability of two gene fragments(12S rRNA and COI)of DNA barcoding in fish species identification,and established a comprehensive fish barcoding reference database.Two hundred and eighty-seven captured fish samples from Zhoushan coastal waters were identified using morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.A total of 26412S rRNA sequences(belonging to eight orders,31 families,55 genera,and 66 species)and 188 COI sequences(belonging to seven orders,30 families,48 genera,and 58 species)were obtained.The lengths of the 12S rRNA sequences ranged from 165 to 178 bp,and the guanine-cytosine(GC)content was 45.37%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.10%and 26.66%,respectively.The length of the COI sequence ranged 574–655 bp,and the content of GC was 45.97%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.16%and 27.45%,respectively.The minimum interspecific genetic distances of 12S rRNA and COI(1.23%and 1.86%)were both greater than their maximum intraspecific genetic distances(2.42%and 8.66%).Three molecular analyses(NJ tree,ABGD,and GMYC)were performed to accurately identify and delineate species.Clustering errors occurred when the 12S rRNA sequences were delimited using the NJ tree method,and the delimitation results of ABGD and GMYC are consistent with the final species identification results.Our results demonstrate that DNA barcoding based on 12S rRNA and COI can be used as an effective tool for fish species identification,and 12S rRNA has good application prospects in the environmental DNA(eDNA)metabarcoding of marine fish.

Double auspicious fishes in eye

According to an ancient belief from Turkish, Greek, Roman, and many Europe countries, an auspicious eye can bring fortunesto the people, protect them from evil.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE ROLE OF PLANKTIVOROUS FISHES IN THE ELIMINATION OF MICROCYSTIS BLOOM FROM DONGHU LAKE USING ENCLOSURE METHOD

The hypertrophic subtropic Donghu Lake’s dense water bloom(of mainly Microcystis Anaabaena andOscillatoria)that occurred annually from the beginning of the 1970s, has disappeared since 1985. The infiuenceof planktivorous fishes (silver and bighead carps) on the water bloom was studied for three years usingthe enclosure method. The enclosures stocked densely with bighead and/or silver carp were free of waterbloom during the experimental period. The water bloom that appeared in the fish-free enclosures was completelyeliminated in 10-20 days by introduction of silver and/or bighead carp(grass carp was not effectivein controlling water bloom).This study showed clearly that grazing pressure by planktivorous fishes is a keyfactor in eliminating water bloom from the lake.

Immunocytochemical identification and localization of APUD cells in the gut of seven stomachless teleost fishes

AIM To study the cell types,localization,distribution density and morphology of APUDcells in the intestinal mucosa of stomachlessteleost fishes.METHOD By using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex(PAP)immunocytochemical staining technique theidentification,localization and morphology ofimmunoreactive(IR)endocrine cells seattered inthe intestinal mucosa of grass carp(Cyenopharyngodon idellus),black carp(Mylopharyngodon piceus)and common carp(Cyprinus carpio)were investigated with 20kinds of antisera prepared against mammalianpeptide hormones of APUD cells,and likewise byusing avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex(ABC)method those of silver carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix),bighead(Aristichthys nobilis),silver crucian carp(Carassius gibelio)and bluntnose black bream(Megalobrama amblyocephala)were alsostudied with 5 different antisera.Thereplacement of the first antiserum by phosphatebuffered saline(PBS)was employed as a control.IR endocrine cells were counted with asquare-mesh ocular micrometer from 10 fieldsselected randomly in every section of each partof the intestine specimen.The average numberof IR endocrine cells per mm2 was counted toquantify their distribution density.RESULT Gastrin(GAS)-,Gastric inhibitorypeptide(GIP)-,glucagon(GLU)-,glucagon-likeimmunoreactants(GLI)-,bovine pancreaticpolypeptide(BPP)-,leucine-enkephalin(ENK)-and substance P(SP)-IR endocrine cells werefound in the gut of grass carp,black carp andcommon carp,and somatostatin(SOM)-IRendocrine cells were only seen in common carp.GAS-,GIP-and GLU-IR endocrine cells werefound in the intestinal mucosa of silver carp,bighead,silver crucian carp and bluntnose blackbream.Most of IR endocrine cells had the higherdistribution density in the foregut and midgut,and were longer in shape.They had a long apicalcytoplasmic process extended to the gut lumenand a basal process extended to adjacent cellsor basement membrane and touched with it.Sometimes,the basal cytoplasmic processformed an enlarged synapse-like structure in thecontiguous part with basement membrane.Thisphenomenon provided new morphologicalevidence for neuroendocrine and paracrinesecretory function of these enteroendocrinecells.CONCLUTION At least 8 kinds of IR endocrinecells were found in the gut of stomachlessteleost species for the first time in China.TheseIR endocrine cells scattering in the gut mucosabelong to the APUD system.Among them,thehormones secreted by SP-,ENK-,SOM-and GLU-IR endocrine cells belong to the peptides of dualdistribution in the brain and gut.This providednew evidence for the concept of brain-gutpeptide.According to the cell types,distribution density,morphologicalcharacteristics and variety in shape of APUDcells in the gut of stomachless teleost fishes,itis deemed that the digestive tract of fishes isalso an endocrine organ of great importance andcomplexity.

Levels of Heavy Metals in Fishes (Cheilinus trilobatus) from the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan

Heavy metal concentrations of Ni, Mg, Co, Cr, Cd and Cu were investigatedusing flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) in the liver, kidney, muscle, scale, gonad, gill and stomach of Cheilinus trilobatus fish species from the northern Gulf of Aqaba. Cheilinus trilobatus fish species were collected during the period May to August 2013. The results indicated significant differences between different organs of Cheilinus trilobatus for Ni (p = 0.0002), Fe (p = 0.0213), Co (p p Cheilinus trilobatus and its length. The levels of metal concentration of the present study were generally lower or within the ranges of those found in the fish of the Red Sea. After all, Cheilinus trilobatus fish species was found to be safe for consumption and do not pose a significant threat to the health of human consumers.

COMPARISON OF FOOD COMPOSITION OF CLUPEID FISHES IN THE BOHAI SEA

Analysis of stomach contents of samples of clupeid fiishes (Japanese anchovy, half-fin anchovy, zunas’ scaled sardine, rednosed glassnose and tapertail anchovy) collected from the catches of a 1982-1984 fishery resource survey showed they are zooplanktonivorous. Similar food groups, such as copepoda, Chaetognatha, Amphipoda and Mysidacea were found in the stomach. Dietary similarity coefficients were studied to evaluate the degree of similarity in the dietary species-pairs.Sea-sonal variation is discussed.

Spatio-temporal variability of small fishes related with environmental factors in a typical domestic tap water lake, Eastern China

The knowledge of prey small ?sh stock, distribution and abundance is necessary to guide stocking of piscivorous ?sh for the biomanipulation in domestic tap water lakes. This study describes the current status of small ?sh community in Kuilei Lake(China), and examines the spatial and seasonal variations of the community in relation to key environmental factors. Based on submerged macrophyte cover and water depth, the lake was divided into ?ve major habitats:(1) macrophyte covered shallow habitat of water depth< 2.00 m,(2) uncovered or less-covered shallow habitat(2.00 m–3.50 m),(3) uncovered medium shallow habitat(3.50 m–5.00 m),(4) uncovered medium deep habitat(5.00 m–6.50 m) and(5) uncovered deep habitat(6.50 m–8.50 m). The abundance and composition of small ?sh were monitored by benthic fykenet sampling from April 2013 to January 2014. A total of 2881 individuals belonging to 5 families and 21 species were collected. Based on their abundance(accounted for 88.96% of the total) and occurrence(more than 33.33%), Acheilognathus chankaensis, Acheilognathus macropterus, Microphysogobio microstomus,Pseudorasbora parva and Rhinogobius giurinus were recognized as dominant small ?sh species. The results of correlation analysis identi?ed that species richness( Sr), Shannon-Wiener diversity index( H′)and Margalef′s richness index( D) were signi?cantly negatively correlated with water depth, but positively correlated with biomass of submerged macrophytes.Redundancy analysis(RDA) revealed that the spatial distributions of most small ?shes were negatively associated with water depth. The details of these ?ndings are bene?cial to understanding the adaptation of the small ?shes in degraded environments, and to developing suitable biomanipulation strategies for the management of ?sh resources and water quality in the lakes along the lower reach of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River basin.

A fuzzy distinguishability on species composition similarities of pelagic fishes in different years in the southern Taiwan Strait

A fuzzy mathematical method is used to discriminate the similarities of pelagic fishes land- ed in the 9180 hauls by 10 light-seine information vessels in the southern Fujian waters from 1989 to 1998. The results indicate that the dominant species of the communities had an obvious alternation and the fuzzy adjacency of annual species composition varied between 0. 659 and 0. 923 with an average value of 0. 791. The fuzzy clustering analysis indicates that the annual fuzzy adjacency in general remains good although the species composition of the pelagic fishes has changed to a certain degree since 1992. This paper concludes that the community structure of pelagic fishes in the southern Taiwan Strait remains rel- atively stable and the state of fish stocks shows a good potentiality for a larger utilization.

Improved method for measuring the δ15N compound-specific amino acids: Application on mesopelagic fishes in the South China Sea

Compound-specific stable isotope analysis of individual amino acids(CSIA-AA)has been widely used in ecological and biogeochemical studies.It has been proven to be powerful in tracing the diet sources and trophic interactions.However,assessing the N sources of mesopelagic fishes has been inconclusive because the mesopelagic fishes’unique domain(water depth ranged from 0 to 1000 m)and unresolved nitrogen isotopes of various forms.This study proposes a new method for coupling instruments(ion chromatography and PreconIRMS)and chemical method of oxidation-reduction of amino acids,and also combinedδ15N of AAs withδ13C of fatty acids(FAs)to analyze the trophic interactions of mesopelagic fishes in the South China Sea(SCS).AAs were isolated by ion chromatography with high peak resolution and collected by an automated fraction collector.The chemical method then converted the AAs into N2 O with a robust oxidation yields and suitable molar ratio of NH2 OH to.Finally,theδ15N of AAs at 20 nmol were measured with a reasonable precision(<0.6‰).With this method,this study report the first batch high precisionδ15N of AAs andδ13C of FAs of mesopelagic fishes collected from SCS.Diaphus luetkeni,Chauliodus minimus and Bathygadus antrodes showed similarδ13C values of 20:4 n-6(~-28‰),while Argyropelecus affinis and Stomias had similar values(~-32‰).These results reflect that mesopelagic fishes had complex diet sources.An increase of 4‰inδ15N of glutamic acid(Glu)was found between piscivorous and planktivorous fishes,which might suggest a trophic discrimination factor of mesopelagic fishes in the SCS.This study usedδ13C of 20:4 n-6 to reveal the diet sources of mesopelagic fishes andδ15N of Glu to clarify trophic level between piscivorous and planktivorous fishes.Thus,this combinative method could therefore ultimately be applied in a variety of deep-sea ecosystem.

The Status Quo of Industrial Development of Cold Water Fishes in Henan Province

This article first analyzes the status quo of industrial development of cold water fishes in Henan Province. And then it points out the main problems in the process of cold water fish industrialization as follows: the parent fish rearing of cold water fishes and the supply of roe and fry are inadequate; the demand for feed nutrition,research and development of disease prevention and control technology lag behind. In order to provide scientific basis for promoting the industrial independent innovation and international competitiveness,finally the following ideas and recommendations for industrial development of cold water fishes are put forward: strengthening policy support for the enterprises,and striving to create the leading enterprises,to achieve dramatic development; implementing the strategy of developing fishery by relying on science and technology,promoting the industrial independent innovation and competitiveness; creating specialized cooperative organizations,actively improving the supporting system,and expanding the space for development of the industry.

Impacts of Invasive Fishes on Fishery Dynamics of the Yamuna River, India

Invasion, spread and predominance of alien invasive fishes were studied in 950-km-long stretch of the Yamuna River. The fish yield ranged between 32 t/km/yr to 240 t/km/yr and the catch of alien invasive fishes dominated over local fishes in the fishery, which was over 96% at Etawah. The calculated Invasion Coefficient Index (Ixi) of alien invasive fishes was in the range of 0.12 to 0.31 indicating a major loss to the local fish diversity. The calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient was found to have positive correlation of 0.757 and 0.710 for common carp and tilapia respectively with locally captured Indian major carps (IMC). The results of this study highlighted how unintentional spread of alien invasive fishes due to rapid aquaculture diversification and intensification has invaded into the Yamuna River causing severe loss to the local fishery. The invasion of alien fishes has been mapped for the Yamuna River at different locations using GIS tools. The results of this study invite attention on the management and sustainability of the local fishery and ecosystem health of the river.

Metazoan Parasites of Clariid Fishes, Lake Victoria: Reflection of the Original Fauna in the Lake?

A total of 32 parasite species were documented from 658 clariid fishes examined. Thirteen species were nematodes, eleven digeneans, three cestodes, two crustaceans, and the Monogenea, Acanthocephala and Hirudinea were each represented by one species. Of the parasites recovered 16 were identified to species level, 12 to genus and 4 parasites were not identified. Most of the parasites recorded in the present study have been reported in fish ofTanzaniaand elsewhere, however, there were a few first records, and these included Neogoezia sp., Comephoronema sp., Travnema sp., Quimperia sp. and Gendria tilapiae. It is stipulated that these parasites represent the original fauna of the lake prior to introduction of the alien species. The clariid fish species investigated were a good model for studying the parasites of fish in the lake because of having a variety of parasites some of which being specific to certain clariid fishes, for instance Diplostomum and Tylodelphys species infecting only C. gariepinus and the camallanids being typical of the clariid fishes.

The First Vertebrate Assemblage Dominated by Fishes and Turtles of the Jehol Biota in Jilin Province, NE China

Objective The Early Cretaceous sediments are well-exposed in southern Jilin Province,and yield abundant invertebrate and plant fossils,including the typical EosestheriaEphemeropsis trisetalis-Lycoptera（E-E-L）assemblage of the Jehol Biota（Shao Tiequan et al.,2017）.However,vertebrate fossils,especially tetrapods,are extremely rare and there is no formal documents on these fossils.Recently,a new fossil site dominated by fishes and turtles has been discovered in the middle part of the

Reduced Life Expectancy Model Analyses of Exposure Time Effects of Endocrine Disruptors to Teleost Fishes Based on Effect Concentration of Hepatic Biomarkers

In this current paper, the exposure time effects on four endocrine disruptors and teleost fishes were evaluated using the reduced life expectancy (RLE) model based on the effect concentration (EC50) of available literature published. The result on the regression analysis over different exposure times has demonstrated that the EC50 of hepatic biomarkers falls with increasing exposure times in a predictable manner. The slopes of the regression equations reflect the strength of the toxic effects on the various teleost fish. The EC50 reduction over time can be interpreted based on the bioconcentration process, which can be used to understand transfer routes of the compounds from water to fish body. RLE model also provides useful information in assessing the toxic effects on fish life expectancy as a result of the occurrence of compounds.

A survey of fishes distribution and reproduction in Beitang Estuary

As a summary of the finding from the investigation of fishes in Beitang Estuary,Tianjin,the paper deals with the young fishes 'biomass, composition and change, and studies the spawning habit, spawning time, fecundity, age structure and type of the spawning stocks in the estuary.

A Review on Molecular Physiology of Malate and Lactate Dehydrogenases in Fishes

The malate(EC 1.1.1.37)and lactate(EC 1.1.1.27)dehydrogenases are themetabolic enzymes directly or indirectly involved in energy production,gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis.Malate dehydrogenase(MDH)exists in twoisoenzymic forms,cytoplasmic(cMDH)and mitochondrial(mMDH),composed of Aand/or B subunits(dimeric molecule:MW 40,000-120,000).Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)has tetrameric(MW 35,000-110,000)structure made up of either A and/or B,orC(C,E,F)subunits.They catalyze an ordered bisubstrate(substrate and coenzyme)

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fishes from Taihu Lake,China

The Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb contents were determined in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, Carassius auratus Linnaeus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis, which were caught from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, a large, shallow and eutrophic lake of China. The results showed that： （1） the Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd contents in the edible parts of the four fish species were much lower than Chinese Food Health Criterion （1994）, but the Zn contents were higher than the Criterion; （2） Cd contents were the highest in the liver of fish, Pb contents were almost the same in all organs of fish, Cr contents mainly enriched in the skin and gonads, Zn contents were the highest in the gonad （♀）, and Cu contents were the highest in the liver; （3） the total metal accumulation was the greatest in the liver and the lowest in the muscle. The total metal accumulation was the highest in C. auratus L. This investigation indicated that fish products in Taihu Lake were still safe for human consumption, but the amount consumed should be controlled under the Chinese Food Health Criterion to avoid excessive intake of Zn.

Relationship Between the Spatiotemporal Distribution of Dominant Small Pelagic Fishes and Environmental Factors in Mauritanian Waters

The relationship between the spatiotemporal distribution of three dominant small pelagic fishes,including chub mackerel(Scomber japonicus),horse mackerel(Trachurus trecae)and round sardinella(Sardinella aurita),and the environmental factors in Mauritanian waters were analyzed by using 4 years of logbook data of commercial purse seine fisheries to improve the efficiency of fishery and management of sustainable exploitation.A Tweedie-generalized additive model(GAM)of 8-day average catches and the monthly geostatistical analysis of daily catches were used in this study to analyze the influence of environmental factors on catch per unit of effort(CPUEs)and to map the spatial distribution of three mixed dominant small pelagic fishes,respectively.A 10'×10' grid was used,and environmental factors were processed from remote sensing,including 8-day average sea surface temperature(SST),the nearest distance between SST fronts and CPUE position(Df),chlorophyll-a(Chl-a)concentration,salinity,and eddy kinetic energy.Results showed that 1)the distribution of three dominant small pelagic fishes might be related to the intensity of upwelling in Mauritanian waters;2)oceanic fronts might play a key role in the ecology of chub mackerel,horse mackerel,and round sardinella;3)Chl-a concentration might be associated with the feeding grounds of chub mackerel;4)the target species distribution appeared sensitive to gradient changes in the amount of salinity;5)three zones(northern,central,and southern)with variable abundances were delineated;and 6)a high concentration of the center of gravity in the central zone might be related to the strong upwelling of nutrient-rich waters.This study can provide new insights to enhance the fishery efficiency and sustainable exploitation management of purse seiners in certain area off Mauritania.