Academic literature on the topic 'Lizard fishes'

ABSTRACTA small fauna of vertebrates is recorded from the Insect Limestone, Bembridge Marls Member, Bouldnor Formation, late Priabonian, latest Eocene, of the Isle of Wight, UK. The taxa represented are unidentified teleost fishes, lizards including a scincoid, unidentified birds and the theridomyid rodent Isoptychus. The scincoid represents the youngest record of the group in the UK. Of particular note is the taphonomic interpretation based on the preservation of anatomical parts of land-based tetrapods that would have been most likely transported to the site of deposition by wind, namely bird feathers and pieces of shed lizard skin. These comprise the majority of the specimens and suggest that the dominant transport mechanism was wind.

Transversotrema licinum Manter, 1970 was described from two species of fishes from Moreton Bay, Queensland, and sub-sequently reported from 13 further species from six families in the Indo–West Pacific region. This study records specimensmorphologically similar to T. licinum from 48 fish species from 11 families. A combined analysis of the second internaltranscribed spacer region (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA and morphological data revealed a complex of at least 15 species andfrom these data ten new species of Transversotrema Witenberg, 1944 are described here. T. licinum sensu stricto is char-acterised in terms of morphology, distinct genotype, wide host distribution (Kyphosidae, Lutjanidae, Monodactylidae,Mugilidae, Pomacentridae and Sparidae) and, at present, is known only in Moreton Bay. The following new species areproposed: T. atkinsoni n. sp. from nemipterids from Heron Island (southern GBR) and Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia);T. borboleta n. sp. from chaetodontids and lutjanines (Lutjanidae) from Lizard Island and Heron Island; T. cardinalis n.sp. from lutjanines and a haemulid from Lizard Island; T. carmenae n. sp. from nemipterids from Lizard Island; T. dam-sella n. sp. from pomacentrids, a labrid and a mugilid from Lizard Island; T. espanola n. sp. from lutjanines from Heronand Lizard Islands; T. fusilieri n. sp. from caesionines (Lutjanidae) from Lizard Island; T. manteri n. sp. from caesioninesfrom Lizard Island and Ningaloo Reef; T. nova n. sp. from a nemipterid from New Caledonia; and T. witenbergi n. sp.from caesionines from Heron Island. Transversotrema borboleta n. sp. is itself probably a complex of at least three closelyrelated species but these are not yet sufficiently well delineated to allow separate descriptions. Four putative species re-ferred to as Species A–D recognised from molecular analysis have not been described because of insufficient data. Mostspecies are evidently strongly restricted to families or subfamilies of fishes. Only T. licinum appears to be genuinely eu-ryxenic. Transversotrema borboleta infects chaetodontids and lutjanids but the nature of the distribution may be an indi-cation that it represents a species complex. Most of the species appear to have restricted ranges, being absent from susceptible host species at some localities.

Larval fishes of 96 families were represented in plankton samples taken in four seasons in 1979-80 and three seasons in 1981-82 from 11 sites in the Lizard Island region of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Relatively few families dominated the catch: Apogonidae, Gobiidae and Pomacentridae constituted 53-76% of all larvae, depending on site. Several taxa including Labridae, Scaridae, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae and Synodontidae that were rare in previous larval fish studies were relatively abundant in open waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Lagoonal and downwind sites in shallow water around Lizard Island had low proportions of old larvae, but the windward site had relatively high values for several families. Sites in the deeper, more open waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon generally had higher proportions of old larvae of most taxa in 1981-82 than did the Lizard Island sites in 1979-80. Although there were seasonal differences in larval fish assemblages, within any season there were only two or three assemblages in the study area. An assemblage dominated by pomacentrids, mullids, tripterygiids, apogonids and blenniids occupied a relatively small area of shallow water near Lizard Island reefs: in Lizard Lagoon, always on the windward side, and often on the downwind side. Another assemblage dominated by apogonids, gobiids, pomacentrids, labrids and engraulids occupied a very large area between Lizard Island and the outer barrier reefs, and occasionally on the downwind side of Lizard Island. Occasionally, a third distinct assemblage, dominated by scorpaenids, gobiids, callionymids, apogonids and engraulids, occurred on the downwind side of Lizard Island. Variability in assemblages at the downwind site was probably due to currents less favourable for retention of larvae than those at the other Lizard Island sites.

Field work conducted in the northeastern Aral Sea Region, southwestern Kazakhstan has produced a large number of vertebrates from late Cretaceous and early Tertiary sediments. Included among these vertebrates are sharks, bony fishes, amphibians, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. This fauna comes from three formations, the Turonian-Coniacian Zhirkindek, the Santonian-Campanian Bostobe, and the early Tertiary Akzhar formations. In this paper we describe the microvertebrate fauna. The Akzhar fauna consists only of marine sharks, one hexanchiform species (Notidanodoncf.loozi) and four lamniform species (Carcharias teretidens, Striatolamia striata, Otodus obliquusvar.minor, andPalaeocarcharodon orientalis). These suggest a Paleocene age, most likely Selandian or earliest Thanetian. In addition to previously described components, the Bostobe fauna now includes a discoglossid frog and the lizardSlavoiacf.darevskii.This is the first Mesozoic record of each in Kazakhstan and the latest record anywhere of the latter. The Zhirkindek fauna is now known to include a varanid lizard.

We describe 2 new species of Affecauda from the intestine of acanthuroid fishes of the Indo-West Pacific. Affecauda rugosa n. sp. is described from 1 mature specimen in excellent condition and 1 immature fractured specimen from the intestine of the sailfin tang, Zebrasoma veliferum (Acanthuridae), from Noumea, New Caledonia. Affecauda salacia n. sp. is described from the intestine of the ocellated spinefoot, Siganus corallinus (Siganidae), from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Each of these species is made distinct from the type-species, Affecauda annulata Hall & Chambers, 1999, by combinations of the extent of tegumental annulations, conformation of the oesophagus and position of the ovary. The description of 2 new species of Affecauda necessitates a revision of the generic diagnosis, which is here amended to incorporate the additional species. A key to species is provided. The description of further species of Affecauda from waters external to the Great Barrier Reef and from siganid fishes expands the biogeographical range for species of Affecauda, from species of Naso on the Great Barrier Reef, to acanthuroid fishes of the western Pacific.

A survey was undertaken to characterise larval anisakid nematodes present in teleosts at Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. In total, 464 fish were examined from 32 families, 62 genera and 107 species. Anisakid nematodes were found in 46 (9.9%) of the fish examined. Infections in Atherinidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae and Serranidae were moderately prevalent, with the intensities of infection ranging from 1 to 80; whereas in the Sphyraenidae and Scombridae, the prevalence of infection was very high, with intensities ranging from 1 to >375 anisakids. A combined morphological and molecular-phylogenetic approach was employed to identify larval anisakid nematodes to species and/or genotypes. The nematodes examined were identified as Anisakis typica (three genotypes based on molecular characterisation), Terranova Types I (five genotypes) and II (five genotypes) and Hysterothylacium Types IV, V (four genotypes), VI and X. The findings of the present study provide some insights into the distribution of larval anisakid nematodes in coral-reef fishes and a basis for future investigations of anisakid populations in marine fishes.

Five species of the genus Multitestis are described, figured or discussed: Multitestis pyriformis from Platax orbicularis off Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia and Platax teira off New Caledonia; Multitestis coradioni n. sp. (syn. Multitestis pyriformis Machida, 1963 of Bray et al. (1994)) from Coradion chrysozonus off Heron Island, which differs from M. pyriformis in its oval body-shape, the more posteriorly situated testicular fields and larger eggs, Multitestis elongatus from Platax pinnatus off Lizard Island, Multitestis magnacetabulum from P. teira off Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and New Caledonia, Multitestis paramagnacetabulum n. sp. from P. orbicularis off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, which differs from M. magnacetabulum in the more posteriorly situated testicular fields.

Bathysaurus agassizii was found to be a junior synonym of Bathysaurus ferox. The two valid species of the genus Bathysaurus, B. ferox and B. mollis, are circumglobal except beneath polar waters. Bathysaurus ferox is known mostly from depths of 1000 to 2500 m and temperatures of 4 to 3 °C; B. mollis is known mostly from 2500 to 4500 m and from 3.0 to 2.0 °C. In the Middle Atlantic Bight, the numerical density of B. ferox from trawl samples was 0–8 fish/25 × 103 m2; biomass was 0–8000 g for the same unit area. No clear "bigger–deeper" trend was evident for either species. Both species have been shown to be synchronous hermaphrodites. Mature gonads in B. ferox have been found in samples off Virginia from November through January; the mean fecundity found was 32 000 ova. Both species are predominantly piscivorous. A large, lipid-rich liver, probably an energy store, constituted up to 20% of the total weight in B. ferox and up to 5% in B. mollis. New records of pelagic postlarvae of both species have been reported. Postlarval development is probably gradual and prolonged, prior to a rapid transformation to the benthic juvenile stage. Postlarval development may occur in midwater within a few hundred metres of the surface.

In a survey of 3457 amphibians and reptiles, collected in the Napo area of the Oriente region of Ecuador, 27 animals were found to be infected with acanthocephalans. Of 2359 Anura, 17 animals were infected with cystacanth stages of Oligacanthorhynchus spp., one frog with cystacanths of Acanthocephalus and one, Hyla fasciata, with a neoechinorhynchid, Pandosentis napoensis n. sp. Of 1098 Squamata, two colubrid snakes were infected with cystacanths of Oligacanthoryrchus sp., two with cystacanths of Centrorhynchus spp. and one with unidentifiable cystacanths; one lizard, a gekkonid, was infected with cystacanths of Centrorhynchus sp. and one lizard, an iguanid, with an Oligacanthoryhnchus sp. The new species, P. napoensis can be differentiated from its congenor Pandosentis iracundus in having a proboscis formula of 14 rows of 3 hooks as compared with 22 rows of 4 hooks and the lemnisci longer than the proboscis receptacle rather than the same length or shorter. Pandosentis napoensis may represent a host capture from fresh water fishes. Cystacanths of Centrorhynchus and Oligacanthorhynchus have been previously reported from South American amphibians and reptiles. Surprisingly, no adult Acanthocephalus were collected in this survey, although five species are known to occur in South American amphibians and reptiles.

Over the last decade there has been a vigorous debate among ecologists about the relative importance of pre- and post-settlement processes on the dynamics of benthic populations of coral reef fish. Advocates for the importance of pre-settlement processes claim that variabifity in the supply of new individuals from the plankton is a major determinant of the size and structure of benthic populations. This variability is thought to occur as a result of the mortality and dispersal of pelagic larvae. In contrast, those advocating the importance of post-settlement processes claim that competition (for space and/or food) and predation largely determines the distribution and abundance of benthic populations. One of the reasons that this debate remains unresolved is that there have been no complete demographic studies of reef fish. Rather, the proponents of one view or the other have tended to restrict their research to small parts of the problem. This study describes one of the first examinations of demographic processes occurring during both the pre-settlement and post-settlement life-history stages of reef fishes. In this study I documented the recruitment, larval abundance, spawning and post-settlement mortality of damselfishes in three reef habitats at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The recruitment patterns of three species, Pomacentrus amboinensis, P. nagasakiensis and Dischistodus perspicillatus were described by weekly collections of recruits from small, artificial patch reefs during the 1988/89 and 1989/90 summers. During the first summer, the majority of recruits of these species arrived in benthic habitats in a broad episode of settlement that encompassed a 4-week period at the beginning of the summer. This pattern was repeated only by D. perspicillatus during the following summer; P. amboinensis and P. nagasakiensis recruited during most weeks of sampling in 1989/90. Recruitment patterns were strongly correlated with the timing and magnitude of catches of these same species in light traps in the nearshore waters around Lizard Island. This suggested that recruitment patterns at this locality were largely determined by the distribution and abundance of older larval stages within the plankton. Catches of larvae by light traps often peaked over short periods of a few days. Peaks in catches occurred synchronously, but with variable magnitude among habitats. These patterns were consistent with the suggestion that physical and biological processes aggregate pre-settlement fish into large (up to km) patches within the plankton. Other evidence suggested that larval behaviour was also an important determinant of patterns in catches and recruitment. Few Pomacentrus nagasakiensis larvae were collected by light traps in the lagoon habitat during both summers. As catches of P. amboinensis and Dischistodus perspicÃœlatus did not vary in a similar fashion, differential behaviour is implied. P. nagasakiensis may either settle preferentially on the reef margins so that larval supply is exhausted by the time water enters the lagoon, or else larvae of this species may be able to detect and avoid the lagoon habitat. The relative influence of larval production and planktonic processes on recruitment patterns was examined by documenting the spawning patterns of Pomacentrus amboinensis. Males of this species guard clutches of demersally spawned eggs until hatching, and reproductive output can be estimated at daily intervals by mapping the area of eggs held within nests. Spawning occurred at lunar intervals during the 1988/89 summer, with peaks in output coinciding with the full moon. During the following season, spawning occurred in an asymmetrical semi-lunar pattern, with larger full moon peaks than new moon peaks. Significant correlations were found between temporal patterns of light trap catches, recruitment and spawning of Pomacentrus amboinensis when data sets were lagged by a period of lime equivalent to pre-settlement life (23 days). However, the magnitude of light trap catches and recruitment was only weakly correlated with the magnitude of reproduction. Peaks in recruitment were approximately three times more variable in size than peaks of spawning. This variability was attributed to the action of processes occurring within the plankton. The correlation between temporal patterns of spawning, larval abundance and recruitment contradicts prevailing views that recruitment patterns are largely determined by processes acting in the plankton. As Pomacentrus anthoinensis has a relatively short planktonic duration (19 days), this may allow little time for planktonic processes to decouple temporal patterns of spawning and recruitment. P. amboinensis larvae also have well-developed sensory and locomotory abilities at hatching, and may be more capable of influencing their fate within the plankton than the passively dispersed eggs of pelagic spawners. The cyclical pattern of reproduction of Pomacentrus amboinensis may have been determined by factors operating at both global (tidal cycles, moon phase) and local scales (predation, food availability). This combination of factors would account for the considerable variability in reproduction observed among habitats in this species. Spawning occurred in a lunar pattern in all habitats during the 1988/89 summer. However, in the 1989/90 summer, spawning occurred at semi-lunar intervals in the leeward habitat, while lunar patterns were recorded in the lagoon. Spawning occurred in an acyclic pattern in the windward habitat. During both summers, males in the lagoon produced fewer larvae than those in the windward or leeward habitats. The mortality of newly-settled reef fish was examined by comparing the numbers of recruits collected from artificial patch reefs at daily, weekly and monthly intervals. These comparisons showed that recruits experienced very high rates of mortality, probably as a result of predation, within the first week and month of settlement. Mortality varied inconsistently among species, times and habitats. Thus, patterns established at settlement may not determine the abundance of older juveniles and adults in any predictable fashion. These results suggest that predation may be an important determinant of the size and structure of benthic populations at Lizard Island. There was little evidence that the mortality of Pomacentrus amboinensis recruits was influenced by growth. Estimates of growth rates were obtained by plotting age of recruits (calculated from otolith analysis) against a measure of size (standard length). However, comparisons of growth and mortality were hampered by the migration of recruits from patch reefs and by errors in otolith analysis. There were no patterns in the growth or mortality of recruits that were consistent with any effect of density. This suggests that competition for benthic resources had little influence on patterns of abundance, at least within the first month of settlement. This study demonstrates that processes occurring during a variety of life-history stages may regulate the dynamics of populations of coral reef fish. These interactive effects must be described if predictive and general models of demographics are to be constructed. Given the increasing anthropogenic stresses being placed on stocks of reef fishes and on reef systems world-wide, the development of such models is now overdue.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Division of Australian Environmental Studies
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O presente estudo propõe uma metodologia para dissolução de tecidos biológicos em sistema de micro-ondas com radiação focalizada e posterior análise elementar por espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICPMS). Foram determinados os elementos arsênio (As), cádmio (Cd), cobre (Cu), chumbo (Pb), níquel (Ni), vanádio (V) e zinco (Zn). A matriz nitro-peroxo-sulfúrica foi comparada com outra sem o ácido sulfúrico e apresentou melhor padrão de recuperação (acima de 90%) na quantificação dos elementos certificados no material de referência TORT-2. As interferências causadas pela presença do ácido sulfúrico na matriz digestora foram contornadas com o uso da célula de reação/colisão com gás hélio (He) e adição deste ácido na composição da curva de quantificação. O ganho analítico proporcionado pelo método de digestão em matriz sulfúrica, em sistema não pressurizado, baseia-se no incremento da temperatura reacional e na degradação completa da matéria orgânica. As digestões tradicionalmente realizadas para quantificação por ICPMS, compostas unicamente de ácido nítrico (HNO3) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), não apresentam a mesma eficiência na degradação da matéria orgânica em sistemas abertos. Por fim, este método foi aplicado satisfatoriamente em amostras de tecido hepático de peixe Mugil liza (tainha), comprovando sua eficiência em monitorar a bioacumulação, utilizando-se da sensibilidade da técnica multielementar de ICPMS
This study proposes a methodology for dissolution of biological tissues in microwave system with focused radiation and subsequent elemental analysis by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICPMS). The elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were identified and quantified. The nitro-peroxo-sulfuric acid matrix was compared to another without sulfuric acid and showed better recovery (above 90%) in the quantification of elements in certified reference material TORT-2. The interferences caused by the presence of sulfuric acid in digesting matrix were bypassed by the use of ORS (octapole reaction system) with helium (He) gas and the addition of this acid in the composition of the quantification curve. The gain provided by the analytical method of digestion with sulfuric acid matrix in non-pressurized system, is based on increasing the reaction temperature and the complete degradation of organic matter. Digestions traditionally performed for quantification by ICPMS, composed only with nitric acid (HNO3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are not as efficient in the degradation of organic matter in open systems. Finally, this method was satisfactorily applied in samples of liver tissue of fish Mugil liza (mullet), proving its effectiveness in monitoring the bioaccumulation, using the sensitivity of multielemental ICPMS technique

Diante da importância que o pescado representa como fonte de alimento, e do potencial do Brasil na produção deste, faz-se importante a determinação de métodos de análise que possam fornecer informações seguras sobre seu grau de frescor e que sejam aplicáveis à rotina de inspeção desses produtos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar sensorialmente a tainha (Mugil liza) comercializada na CEAGESP de São Paulo, através da Análise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ) e teste de Aceitabilidade, além de determinar os parâmetros sensoriais que podem ser utilizados na avaliação de frescor deste pescado. Através da ADQ, os resultados mostraram que os principais atributos que correlacionam com a avaliação global do frescor foram \"pigmentação característica\", \"delineamento da pupila\" e \"odor característico\", o que indica que estas são características importantes a serem utilizadas para avaliação de frescor de tainha. Entretanto, para os consumidores, os atributos \"aparência\", \"aroma\" e \"firmeza\" são os mais importantes na caracterização de frescor desta espécie. Os dados da ADQ e do teste de aceitabilidade não se correlacionaram significativamente, desta forma, a análise sensorial pode ser uma ferramenta muito útil na avaliação de frescor, desde que utilizado uma equipe previamente treinada.
Because of the fish importance as a food source and Brazil\'s potential in producing this, it is important to determine methods of analysis of this product that can provide reliable information about its degree of freshness and applicable to routine Inspection. This study aimed to characterize mullet (Mugil liza) CEAGESP marketed in Sao Paulo by sensory analysis - Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and Acceptability, and to determine sensory parameters that can be used in the evaluation of fish freshness. Through the ADQ, the results showed that the main attributes that correlate with the overall assessment of freshness were \"characteristic pigmentation,\" \"outline of the pupil\" and \"odor\", which indicates that these are important characteristics to be used for assessment fresh mullet. However, for consumers, the attributes \"appearance\", \"aroma\" and \"firmness\" is the most important in characterizing this species freshness. Data from the ADQ and the acceptance test did not correlate significantly in this way, so sensory analysis can be a very useful tool in the evaluation of freshness, since used a previously trained staff.

Mestrado em Toxicologia e Ecotoxicologia
Every animal uses the eyes to monitor the surrounding environment and maintain homeostasis. Mercury (Hg) (including methylmercury - MeHg) is a pernicious and ubiquitous contaminant in natural waters but the assessment of its potential to interfere with fish eyes is an almost unexplored issue. This thesis will contribute to fill this knowledge gap by the evaluation of mercury accumulation in grey mullet eye wall (Liza aurata) together with the assessment of biochemical endpoints related with the oxidative stress status. This approach was complemented by the characterization of environmental contamination profiles (both in water and sediment). The study was performed at Aveiro lagoon (Portugal), where a well-established mercury historical contamination gradient provides a good background for the assessment of mercury accumulation and its toxic effects under realistic conditions. Sampling was conducted in two sites distancing around 10 km, namely: Largo do Laranjo (LAR) located in the most contaminated area, and São Jacinto (SJ) closer to the lagoon inlet and selected as reference site. Keeping in view that water temperature could affect Hg accumulated levels and biochemical responses, sampling was carried out both in winter (February 2013) and summer (June 2013). L.aurata specimens (n=20) were caught at each site/season and eye wall was removed and preserved in the field. Eye wall was analysed for total Hg and MeHg levels, as well as for antioxidant responses (catalase- CAT, SOD – superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase- GPx, glutathione reductase- GR, glutathione–S-transferase - GST) and peroxidative damage (LPO). Inorganic mercury levels were estimated from total mercury and methylmercury levels. Total mercury, inorganic mercury and methylmercury in eye wall were higher at LAR than SJ in winter and summer, reflecting environmental spatial differences of water column and surface sediments. Moreover, fish caught at LAR in winter showed a significant decrease of CAT and SOD, while GST and GR exhibited the same tendency but without statistical support. Peroxidative damage was also recorded as indicated by the LPO enhancement. A much more homogenous spatial pattern was recorded for those biological endpoints in summer, since only the increment of GR and GPx was noticed at LAR. Cause-effect relationships between accumulated mercury (inorganic and methylmercury) were searched by the principal component analysis (PCA). An association between both forms of mercury and GPx and LPO was discerned by PCA. Current data point out the vulnerability of fish eyes to water contaminants, namely mercury. This neurotoxicant can be accumulated in eye wall leading to alterations in the cellular protection against oxidative stress. Such repercussions could eventually compromise fish performance and survival.
Todos os animais usam os olhos para monitorizar o ambiente circundante e manter a homeostase. O Mercúrio (Hg) (incluindo o metilmercúrio - MeHg) é um contaminante pernicioso e omnipresente em águas naturais, mas a avaliação do seu potencial para interferir com olhos de peixe é um problema maioritariamente inexplorado. Esta tese irá contribuir para preencher a lacuna de conhecimento correspondente à avaliação da acumulação de mercúrio na parede do olho de tainha-garrento (Liza aurata), juntamente com a avaliação de parâmetros bioquímicos relacionados com o estado de stresse oxidativo. Esta abordagem foi complementada pela caracterização dos perfis de contaminação ambiental (tanto na água como no sedimento). O estudo foi realizado na Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), onde um gradiente bem estabelecido de contaminação histórica de mercúrio fornece um bom plano de fundo para o estudo de acumulação de mercúrio e os seus efeitos tóxicos sob condições realistas. A amostragem foi realizada em dois locais, distanciados em cerca de 10 km: Largo do Laranjo (LAR), a área mais contaminada, e São Jacinto (SJ), localizado mais perto da entrada da lagoa, tendo sido selecionado como o local de referência. Considerando que a temperatura da água pode afetar os níveis de Hg acumulado e as consequentes respostas bioquímicas, a amostragem foi realizada tanto no inverno (Fevereiro de 2013) e verão (Junho de 2013). Espécimes de L. aurata (n = 20) foram capturados em cada local/estação e o olho foi removido e preservado no campo. Estas amostras foram analisadas em relação a níveis totais de Hg e de MeHg e em relação à resposta antioxidante (catalase-CAT, SOD – superóxido dismutase, glutationa peroxidase-GPx, glutationa redutase-GR, glutationa-S-transferase - GST) e dano peroxidativo (LPO). Os níveis de mercúrio inorgânico foram estimados a partir dos níveis de mercúrio total e metilmercúrio. Mercúrio total, mercúrio inorgânico e metilmercúrio no olho foram superiores em LAR (em relação a SJ) tanto no inverno como no verão, refletindo diferenças espaciais ambientais na coluna de água e no sedimento superficial. Além disso, os peixes recolhidos em LAR no inverno demonstraram uma diminuição significativa na atividade da CAT e SOD, enquanto GST e GR exibiram a mesma tendência, mas sem suporte estatístico. A quantidade de LPO aumentou significativamente, e foram também registados danos peroxidativos indicados pelo aumento de LPO no olho de peixes recolhidos em LAR no inverno. No verão foi registado um padrão espacial muito mais homogéneo para esses parâmetros biológicos, uma vez que apenas o aumento da GR e da GPx foram registados em LAR. As relações de causa-efeito entre acumulação de mercúrio (inorgânico e metilmercúrio) foram pesquisadas através de uma análise de componentes principais (PCA). Uma associação entre as duas formas de mercúrio, GPx e LPO foi evidenciada pelo PCA. Dados atuais apontam para a aparente vulnerabilidade dos olhos de peixe a contaminantes da água, ou seja, mercúrio. Este neurotóxico pode acumular no olho, levando a alterações na proteção celular contra o stresse oxidativo. Tais repercussões eventualmente podem comprometer o desempenho do peixe e a sua sobrevivência.

Adult labrids showed distinctive patterns of distribution and abundance among habitat zones at Lizard Island, which were consistent in space (among sites) and time (annually and seasonally). Patterns of labrid abundance and diversity among habitats were not clearly influenced by substrate characteristics such as percent live cover, substrate diversity and complexity. However depth was an important factor influencing habitat use, with 7 abundant species present in higher densities in either shallow (Halichoeres spp., Stethojulis bandanensis, Thalassoma hardwicke and T. jansenii) or deep habitats (Cons schroederi, H. melanurus, T. lunare). Only one abundant species, Labroides dimidiatus was ubiquitous at all depths. Most species used the same habitat zones at different life history stages (adults and recruits), suggesting that patterns of distribution and abundance of adults were determined by recruitment patterns at this scale. In contrast, two species (Labroides dimidiatus and Thalassoma lunare) showed ontogenetic shifts in habitat use, indicating that their recruitment patterns were modified by post-settlement processes. Labroid recruits (labrids and scarids) also showed distinctive patterns of distribution and abundance among microhabitats within. 2 zones (Reef Base and Sand Flat). Three abundant taxa: 2 labrids (Coris schroederi and Halichoeres melanurus) and a group of scarids (Scares spp.), were present in significantly higher densities within stands of macroalgae in territories of two herbivorous damselfish (Dischistodus prosopotaenia and D. perspicillatus) than they were in adjacent microhabitats (reef matrix and rubble/sand patches). The territories provided excellent replicate units of habitat for studying the early life history of these species. Many rare species were also most abundant in the territories. Each damselfish species facilitated the growth of macroalgae within their territories by excluding trophic competitors and disruptive carnivores. The territories of D. prosopotaenia were established on the reef matrix/sand interface at the bottom of the slope, and were characterised by multispecific stands of green, red and brown algae. D. perspicillatus territories were established on sand on the sand flat, and were characterised by a monospecific stand of blue-green algae. In contrast to the territories, adjacent microhabitats were almost devoid of macroalgae. Both damselfish species were abundant and occurred in large aggregations ( >20 individuals), where territories covered > 20% of large areas ( > 250m²). The result was that recruitment of these labroids to large areas with damselfish aggregations, was significantly higher than to adjacent areas without aggregations. C. schroederi and Scarus spp. used both types of territories in high densities, while H. melanurus was only present in high densities in D. prosopotaenia territories. A manipulative experiment using artificial territories indicated that H. melanurus may have discriminated between the territories on the basis of their microhabitat characteristics, rather than their location on the reef profile. However further manipulative studies are required to test this hypothesis. Labrids which used the territories heavily as recruits did so at different times of the summer. Scarids used them most heavily in the early summer, C. schroederi used them in mid-summer and H. melanurus used them in late summer. These recruitment patterns were spatially (among sites) and temporally (between years) consistent, and probably decreased the possibility of inter-specific interactions between labroid recruits during, the first few weeks of benthic life. Scarid recruits used the territories for only a few weeks before they were evicted by the resident damselfish. This coincided with the size at which they became herbivores and trophic competitors to the damselfish. In contrast, the carnivorous labrids continued to use territories heavily throughout their lives, with adults of one species (C. schroederi) spending >50% of their time within territories. This behaviour appeared to be tolerated by the resident damselfish, which only attacked them on rare occasions. Living within territories had no negative effects on diet, growth or survivorship of C. schroederi and H. melanurus recruits during the first 2 months of benthic life, despite their high densities. This was probably because resources (food and shelter) were also much higher in territories than in other microhabitats. The result was that patterns of higher overall recruitment to areas with damselfish aggregations were either reinforced or unchanged by early post-settlement processes, which suggested that sizes of adult populations of these species should have been higher in the vicinity of territories than in adjacent areas without territories. However this was not the case, suggesting that processes operating after the first 2 months of benthic life modified spatial patterns of recruitment. One possibility was that some individuals may have moved out of areas with damselfish aggregations onto adjacent areas where aggregations were absent. These results suggest that damselfish aggregations act as focal sites for labroid recruitment, which may result in higher local abundances of some labroids, both in areas with damselfish aggregations and adjacent reefal areas.

This is the species account about the Fischers’ Hedgehog-Lizard (Echinosaura fischerorum), a chapter in the Reptiles of Ecuador book. This account summarizes novel as well as historical information (recognition, natural history, distribution, conservation, etymology, and relevant literature) about the species and provides maps and images to facilitate identification of this reptile in the field.

I have a Hardin cartoon on my office door. It shows a series of animals thinking about the meaning of life. In sequence, we see a lobe-finned fish, a salamander, a lizard, and a monkey, all thinking, “Eat, survive, reproduce; eat, survive, reproduce.” Then comes man: “What's it all about?” he wonders. Organisms live to reproduce. The ultimate selective pressure on any organism is to survive long enough and well enough to pass genetic material to a next generation that will also be successful in reproducing. In this sense, then, every morphological, physiological, biochemical, or behavioral adaptation contributes to reproductive success, making the field of life cycle evolution a very broad one indeed. Key components include mode of sexuality, age and size at first reproduction (Roff, this volume), number of reproductive episodes in a lifetime, offspring size (Messina and Fox, this volume), fecundity, the extent to which parents protect their offspring and how that protection is achieved, source of nutrition during development, survival to maturity, the consequences of shifts in any of these components, and the underlying mechanisms responsible for such shifts. Many of these issues are dealt with in other chapters. Here I focus exclusively on animals, and on a particularly widespread sort of life cycle that includes at least two ecologically distinct free-living stages. Such “complex life cycles” (Istock 1967) are especially common among amphibians and fishes (Hall and Wake 1999), and within most invertebrate groups, including insects (Gilbert and Frieden 1981), crustaceans, bivalves, gastropods, polychaete worms, echinoderms, bryozoans, and corals and other cnidarians (Thorson 1950). In such life cycles, the juvenile or adult stage is reached by metamorphosing from a preceding, free-living larval stage. In many species, metamorphosis involves a veritable revolution in morphology, ecology, behavior, and physiology, sometimes taking place in as little as a few minutes or a few hours. In addition to the issues already mentioned, key components of such complex life cycles include the timing of metamorphosis (i.e., when it occurs), the size at which larvae metamorphose, and the consequences of metamorphosing at particular times or at particular sizes. The potential advantages of including larval stages in the life history have been much discussed.

Abstract Explores the diversity of nature’s evolutionary outcomes to illustrate and inspire how future traits could be shaped by genetic welding. Shows the wonders of adaptation in nature, using themes of teeth, visual and odor sensation, body-size gigantism and dwarfism, and flight. Documents both living and extinct creatures with lessons from experiments and fossils, macroevolutionary patterns of diversification among species, microevolution within species, and molecular genetic mechanisms. Illustrates the constraints of physical laws and how animals skirt the boundaries of those laws. Highlights examples from sharks, baleen whales, narwhal, cichlid fish, dogs, beach mice, and birds, as well as the infrared vision of deep-sea fishes and the ribs-as-wings of lizards. Describes how the outcomes of evolution are works in progress, continuing to be subject to genetic change.

ABSTRACT The first trace fossils in Hungary, dinosaur footprints, were found in the coal mines of the Mecsek Mountains. The footprints belonged to small theropod dinosaurs. The first fossil bones of vertebrate animals from present-day Hungary were found in 2000 in the mountainous region of Bakony. Numerous taxa have been collected from the locality of Iharkút. These fossils represent a diverse fauna (including fishes, amphibians, turtles, lizards, crocodilians, dinosaurs, birds, and pterosaurs) that lived between 85.8 and 83.5 m.y. ago in the Santonian Age during the Late Cretaceous period. Paleoart can depict these fossil remains in an engaging way to help inform the public about the ancient creatures of Hungary. This chapter provides an overview of how the Mesozoic vertebrates from Hungary have been reconstructed for scientists and the public.

Abstract Considers what it means to be a species. Shows how natural selection and reproductive strategies influence the formation of reproductive isolation in the form of Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities. Explains how genetically distinct biological entities can be reproductively isolated and yet still have conduits to the exchange of DNA, and what this genetic introgression means for genome evolution, the evolution of organismal features, and extinction. Describes hybridization between species, the genetic origins of new species, adaptive radiation, and how we can detect these features of biodiversity. Illustrates speciation concepts with examples from lice, European mice, Iberian snails, Canadian stickleback fish, Caribbean lizards, South American Caenorhabditis nematode roundworms, and American sunflowers.

<em>Abstract</em>.-A total of 31 fish species belonging to 14 families were collected from the restored East Hammar marsh from October 2005 to September 2006 using seine net, electrofishing gear, fixed gill net, and dip net. Eleven marine diadromous species were caught, representing 35.5% of the total number of species, which is similar to the fish assemblage of the Shatt Al-Arab River during the 1970s and 1980s. Marine diadromous species in the East Hammar marsh were divided into a resident group, including only one species (greenback mullet <em>Liza subviridis</em>), a seasonal group represented by three species (hilsa <em>Tenualosa ilisha</em>, moustached thryssa <em>Thryssa mystax</em>, and dusky frillgoby <em>Bathygobius fuscus</em>), and an occasional group consisting of seven species (yellowfin seabream <em>Acanthopagrus latus</em>, spotted scat <em>Scatophagus argus</em>, sobaity seabream <em>Sparidentex hasta</em>, Klunzinger's mullet <em>L. klunzingeri</em>, mud skipper <em>Boleophthalmus dussumieri</em>, long billed half beak <em>Rhynchorhamphus georgii</em>, and ocellated sole <em>Brachirus orientalis</em>). These species were all derived from the Arabian Gulf. Marine fish comprised 15.8% of the total catch of which hilsa was the most abundant comprising 10.1%, followed by moustached thryssa (3.8%) and greenback mullet (1.6%), of the total catch. Water temperature showed positive correlations with both number and total catch of marine species. The marine assemblage in the East Hammar marsh consisted of small-sized (juvenile) individuals. Hilsa fed mostly on alga and diatoms; greenback mullet on diatoms, higher plants, and organic materials; Klunzinger's mullet on diatoms and organic materials; moustached thryssa on insects, shrimps, and fish; desky frillgoby on shrimps and fish; and yellowfin seabream on shrimps and insects. The presence of marine fish species has major effects on the seasonality and levels of ecological indices (richness, diversity, and evenness) of the fish assemblages in the East Hammar marsh. The restored East Hammar marsh has regained its original biological role as a nursery as well as a forage ground for marine diadromous fishes.

A 176 samples of freshwater fish Liza abu were fishing from Euphrates river in the AlDiwaniyah city – Iraq , to investigate of some intestinal parasite , identify the rate of infection with this parasites and then determining the relationship between temperature and prevalence of parasitic infection rates , for the period between October 2020 and March 2021. All fish examined by using laboratory methods to detected intestinal parasitic infection. The results revealed that the total infection rate of prevalence of intestinal parasites in Liza abu was 75.56%, and the results recorded presence of five different species of parasites were isolated from freshwater fish which are as follows: Three species belonging to two classes of protozoan : Sporozoa (Cryptosporidium sp. and Eimeria sp.) and one species belonged to Ciliata which is Tetrahymena sp. with an infection rate 55.68% , 35.79% and 17.61% respectively. Two species belong to parasitic helminthes : Eustrongylides sp.(Nematodes) with an infection rate 22.73%, and the other species is related to Neoechinorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephalans) with an infection rate of 44.88%. Also results showed a significant difference in infection rates during the months of the study, the highest percentage of infection was appeared during March and February which reached 93.94% and 91.67% respectively, while the infection rate decreased in January (45.0%)