Gonadal characterization of the Amazonian fish Serrapinnus kriegi (Characidae: Cheirodontinae)

The knowledge of the testicular and ovarian morphology of a particular fish species is of paramount importance. Such analyze enables the development of studies and techniques aiming the improvement of their reproduction, management, commercialization and even their conservation. This study performed the ovarian and testicular characterization of the ornamental Amazon fish Serrapinnus kriegi. A total of three males and three females had their gonads analyzed by optical microscopy. Females present ovaries filled with oocytes in asynchronous development, indicating partial spawning in the species. Moreover, the micropyle and micropilar cell formation was observed in primary growing oocytes, representing a precocious oocyte development; and the zona radiata in the final vitellogenic oocytes is thicker than other related species, evidencing the development of a better protection to the embryos in function of the waters’ turbulence that characterize it spawning sites in the Amazonian streams. The male specimens’ present anastomosed tubular testes with unrestricted spermatogonia spread along the entire seminiferous tubules. The present data elucidate the dynamic of spermatogenesis and oogenesis of an ornamental Amazonian species, through the description of the male and female germ cells development.

Observations on the early development of the kelpfish Myxodes viridis (Clinidae) with the first description of their spawning habitat in subtidal kelp forests (Lessonia trabeculata)

The spawning sites, embryonic development, and initial larval stages were described for the Chilean kelpfish, Myxodes viridis. Six different egg clutches were found attached by an elastic filament to the fronds of the subtidal kelp, Lessonia trabeculata, at shallow depths (0-7 m). All egg clutches were cared by one large (>15 cm TL) male, and egg color varied depending on the developmental stage. Embryonic development until hatching was categorized into 7 stages, which were completed within about 18 days in the laboratory. Recently hatched larvae presented fully pigmented eyes, a well-developed mouth with major shape changes in the head during the first week suggesting their ability to feed on plankton early in their larval development.

Adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spawning migration and behaviour in the lower Skienselva

<p>Atlantic salmon swim upstream from the North sea through Frierfjorden to spawn in the Skien watershed, the third largest in Norway. There are two hydroelectric power plants in the lower reaches of the Skienselva: Klosterfoss and Skotfoss. Salmon caught swimming up the fish ladder at the downstream power plant (Klosterfoss) were tagged, released, and at the downstream power plant tracked from the beginning of the upstream migration to the end of the spawning period in the entire anadromous watershed. Salmon spent unequal amounts of time at the four spawning areas in the main river and a tributary between Klosterfoss and Skotfoss. Salmon spent less time at the larger spawning site, Vadrette, compared to the smaller Fossum and Grøtsund spawning sites. 26% of tagged salmon which swam upstream to the Skotfoss hydroelectric power plant ascended the fish ladder. Further, 16% of all salmon ascended the fish ladder at Skotfoss and continued to upstream spawning sites, indicating that they were homing to sites in the upper watershed. This is much smaller than the what is expected based on the fry populations in the rivers of the Skien watershed, which are augmented by yearly stocking in some of the rivers. Salmon which ascended the Klosterfoss ladder relatively early, swam upstream to Skotfoss more quickly than salmon that arrived relatively late at the Klosterfoss ladder. Short and repeated movements upstream to Skotfoss, and downstream to areas in the Farelva, and back again to Skotfoss were observed in the majority of tagged salmon that approached Skotfoss. The “yo-yo” migration of salmon in the Farelva is for the most part unexplained, but the movement costs the salmon valuable energy before and during the spawning season and may have negative consequences. Overall, these results indicate that salmon find the entrance to the fish ladder and do not remain stuck at the tunnel outlet, but most do not successfully ascend it. This could be the result of poor ladder construction, too low flow from the ladder, low survival of fry from upstream of Skotfoss reducing the number of salmon that are homing to upstream spawning areas, or that not all salmon which approach Skotfoss are homing to areas above the ladder. The possibility exists that salmon which will eventually spawn in areas downstream of the ladder engage in searching behavior near the fish ladder. If efforts to restore the populations in the upper watershed are to continue, issues salmon have with ascending the Skotfoss fish ladder must be addressed first.</p>

Variation in Population Structures of Tropical Freshwater Eels, Anguilla Marmorata, A. Bicolor Bicolor and A. Bengalensis Bengalensis, in the Indo-Pacific

Freshwater eels, genus Anguilla, have a distinctive catadromous life history, which could be associated with certain oceanic current systems and offshore spawning sites. Thus, migration and dispersion patterns are believed to be important factors influencing the population structures of each species. Temperate eel species are well studied, while little research has been conducted on the tropical counterparts that comprise two-thirds of all eel species. The population structures of three tropical species, A. marmorata, A. bicolor bicolor and A. bengalensis bengalensis, which are distributed widely in the Indo-Pacific region, were explored by means of DNA sequence analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). This study found that A. bicolor bicolor had two genetically distinct populations, and these different populations co-occur geographically in the Indo-Pacific region, while A. marmorata and A. bengalensis bengalensis showed a panmictic-population structure in this region. The populations of A. bicolor bicolor were also found to have lower genetic variability than the populations of A. marmorata and A. bengalensis bengalensis. This study is the first to explore the population genetic structure of A. bengalensis bengalensis. The present results also suggest plausible dispersion and migration of these tropical species into their continental habitats.