Growth of two species of flounders in the hauraki gulf,New Zealand

Growth of the sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), and the yellow‐belly flounder, Rhombosolea leporina Günther, in the Hauraki Gulf is described. In both species females grow more quickly than males. At 2 years of age male and female sand flounders reach mean total lengths of 17 cm and 23 cm respectively, and male and female yellow‐belly flounders reach mean total lengths of 24 cm and 29 cm respectively.     

Spawning and fecundity of two flounder species in the Hauraki gulf,New Zealand

Spawning grounds and spawning times of the sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), and the yellow‐belly flounder, Rhombosolea leporina Gunther, in the Hauraki Gulf are described. The occurrence of female fish at different stages of ovarian development at different stations during the year, the distribution of eggs in the plankton, and changes in ovary weight during the year were used as indicators of spawning grounds and spawning times.

The sand flounder was found to spawn in the waters to the east of Waiheke and Ponui Islands, at the northern end of the Firth of Thames, from June to November.

Yellow‐belly flounders spawned during September, October, and November, slightly to the south of the sand flounder spawning grounds in a belt extending from Tapu, on the eastern side of the Firth of Thames, north‐westwards towards Ponui Island.

Fecundity of both species was approximately proportional to the weight of the fish, or to the length cubed, and less than proportional to the ovary weight. The mean fecundity of sand flounders in the Hauraki Gulf varied from approximately 100,000 eggs in a fish of 18 cm to 500,000 in a 30 cm fish. That of yellow‐belly flounders varied from approximately 250,000 eggs in a fish of 30 cm to 1.25 million in a 45 cm fish.     

Fish populations of the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary

Breeding seasons and sizes at first maturity for nine species of fish in the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand, were: sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia, mid‐winter to spring at 200 mm+; yellow‐bellied flounder, Rhombosolea leporina, winter and spring at 260 mm+; common sole, Peltorhamphus novaeieelandiae, did not breed in the estuary but reached first maturity at 220 mm +; yellow‐eyed mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri, spawned twice a year, winter and summer, at 220 mm +; kahawai, Arripis trutta, bred outside the estuary at 520–540 mm +; spotty, Pseudolabrus celidotus, spring to autumn at 200 mm for males and 160 mm for females; cockabully, Tripterygion nigripenne, spring and early summer at 52–57 mm +; common bully, Gobiomorphus basalis, spring and early summer at 45–50 mm+; and globefish, Speroides richei, spring to autumn at 147 mm + for males and 120 mm + for females. The successive stages in gonad development are described for these species.

In pelagic species, e.g., flatfish and kahawai, x² analyses showed that for most months females are more numerous than males, and that migration is of major importance. In (littoral species, e.g., common bully and cockabully, there is a 1 : 1 sex ratio in the breeding season, but this ratio subsequently breaks down.

The Avon‐Heathcote estuary was used mainly as a nursery area by juvenile fish, although some species, such as sand flounder, yellow‐bellied flounder, yellow‐eyed mullet, and cockabully spawned in the estuary.     

Mesh selection studies on flatfish in relation to the Otago trawl fishery

Cod‐end mesh selection experiments were conducted on three species of flatfish (common or English sole Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae, lemon sole Pelotretis flavilatus, and sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia) trawled off the Otago coast. It is suggested that better yields would be obtained from stocks of these fish if the minimum cod‐end mesh size was increased from 10.2 cm (4 in.) to 11.4 cm (4.5 in.).     

Fish populations of the Avon‐heathcote estuary

Details are given of gut‐content analyses for nine fish species from the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand: sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson); yellow‐bellied flounder, R. leporina (Hutton); common sole, Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae (Gunther); yellow‐eyed mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri (Cuvier & Valenciennes); kahawai, Arripis trutta (Bloch & Schneider); spotty, Pseudolabrus celidotus (Bloch and Schneider); cockabully, Tripterygion nigripenne (Cuvier & Valenciennes); common bully, Gobiomorphus basalis (Gray); and globefish, Spheroides richei (Freminville). The percent occurrences of each food type recorded over Ihe sampling period (April 1965‐April 1966) for each species are compared. Monthly food tables are given for those species of which suitably large samples were obtained (sand flounder, yellow‐bellied flounder, common sole, yellow‐eyed mullet, and globefish). Where possible, the dietary occurrence of different food types is related to environmental and other factors observed or considered likely to influence food selection.     

Egg and yolk sac stages of the sand flounder (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae)

The developmental stages of the eggs and yolk‐sac larvae of the common sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), are described and illustrated.     

Fish populations of the Avon‐Heathcote estuary

Characteristic organisms are tabulated, and the substrate conditions briefly described for seven habitats in the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand. Temperatures and water movements within the estuary are outlined.

From April 1965 to April 1966, samples were collected by short otter‐trawl shots, gill netting, beach seine hauls, and dip netting; the limitations of the gear are noted. The distributions and movements are recorded for nine fish species : sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson) ; yellow‐bellied flounder, Rhombosolea leporina (Hutton) ; common sole, Peltorhamphus novae‐zeelandiae (Gunther) ; ye'llow‐eyed mullet Aldrichetta forsteri (Cuvier and Valenciennes); kahawai, Arripis trutta (Bloch and Schneider); spotty, Pseudolabrus celidotus (Bloch and Schneider); cockabully, Tripterygion nigripenne (Cuvier and Valenciennes) ; common bully, Gobiomorphus basalis (Gray); and globe fish, Spheroides richei (Freminville).

Length‐frequency distributions showed that most of the nine species of fish used the estuary as a feeding area for adults and as a nursery area. Only two species did not migrate to and from the sea.

Length‐weight relationships for eight species showed that weight was a function of length approximately cubed, and that the exponential equation could be used to predict weight from length.

Regressions of caudal fin length on standard length for four species gave a positive correlation (r = +0.95). Relative proportions of body length to caudal fin length were related to habitat; fish of benthic habits had proportionally shorter caudal fins than pelagic fish.     

Abnormal pigmentation in the sand flounder (note)

Two abnormally pigmented sand flounders, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), are described; one exhibits complete ambicolouration and the other almost total albinism. Causes of ambicolouration and albinism are discussed.     

Habitat selection of stone and starry flounders in an estuary in relation to feeding and survival

Juveniles of both stone flounder Platichthys bicoloratus and starry flounder Platichthys stellatus utilize estuaries as nursery grounds. To understand their habitat selection and the functions of habitats such as food supply, we defined the seasonal distribution of recently settled fish of these species in shallow nursery areas and investigated their feeding habits in the Natori River estuary, Japan. Distribution of stone flounder was limited to the lower estuary (<3 km upriver from the mouth) and stone flounder were most abundant near the mouth. Recently settled starry flounder were first detected further upstream in areas characterized by low salinity <10 and by the absence of the predatory sand shrimp Crangon uritai. Early juvenile stone and starry flounders consumed mainly siphons of the bivalve Nuttallia olivacea and the mysid Neomysis awatschensis, respectively; however, 1- and 2-yr-old fish of both stone and starry flounders fed mainly on the bivalve siphons. These results indicate that habitat selections of juvenile stone and starry flounders enable utilization of preferred prey and predator avoidance, respectively, and that non-overlap of these species' habitats results in avoidance of inter-specific competition for food between these two species.     

Size at first maturity in females of the spiny lobster jasus verreauxi (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae)

The carapace length and total length size at first maturity in females of Jasus verreauxi (H. Milne Edwards, 1851) has been investigated by a detailed study of (a) the detection of the smallest size class with external eggs, and (b) the incidence of egg‐carrying females per size‐class interval. For the study 834 females were measured and examined at Spirits Bay, New Zealand, during mid October and late December 1966. The specimens ranged in carapace length from 12.0 cm to 23.9 cm, and in total length from 29.0 cm to 56.9 cm.

The results of the study show clearly that the females reach first maturity at a carapace length or a total length larger than the present minimum legal size, i.e. a carapace length of 10.2 cm (4.02 in.), or a total length of 25.4 cm (10.0 in.). No mature females were found less than 13.5 cm carapace length, or 32.0 cm total length. First maturity was attained by the majority (50% or more) of the J verreauxi females at a carapace length of 15.3 cm or larger, or at a total length of 38.0 cm or larger.

No undersized (smaller than the minimum legal size) females were present in the collections—yet 10.3% of the specimens were found to be immature. Immature females ranged in carapace length from 12.0 cm to 16.9 cm, or in total length from 29.0 cm to 41.9 cm. Being larger than the minimum legal size, all of the immature specimens examined were “harvested"—without having reached first maturity. It appears therefore that the stocks of small, immature female J. verreauxi are not protected by the present New Zealand minimum size regulation.     

Plasma steroid levels in female flounder (Platichthys flesus) after chronic dietary exposure to single polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The chronic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on ovary development, total hepatic lipids and plasma sex- and corticosteroid levels in female flounder (Platichthys flesus) were examined. Sexually mature feral female flounder were exposed via the diet to phenanthrene (0.5, 2.5 or 12.5 nmol/g food) or chrysene (0.4 nmol/g food) for 12 weeks, during the previtellogenic phase of the annual reproductive cycle. PAH exposure did not directly affect germ cell development since no structural and/or developmental differences were observed between control and exposed fish. On the contrary, all treatments resulted in altered plasma steroid levels. The most pronounced effect was the significant decrease in plasma 17β-estradiol to 19±11%, 27±7%, 63±20% and 61±12% in relation to control fish, respectively, in flounders exposed to 12.5, 2.5 or 0.5 nmol phenanthrene/g food and 0.4 nmol chrysene/g food. Impaired ovarian growth was not observed, most likely because experiments were ended before the period of vitellogenesis, even though a non-significant general decline in total hepatic lipids could be observed. Moreover, all exposed flounders, except fish fed with the highest amount of phenanthrene, showed a negative correlation between plasma 17β-estradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels (r=−0.46). One possible explanation is that PAH action may be mediated by a specific inhibition of steroidogenic enzymes. These findings provide evidence that selected PAHs are antiestrogenic xenobiotics with the capability to impair female teleost reproductive function.     

Etropus crossotus, an annual flatfish species; age and growth of the fringed flounder in South Carolina

Fringed flounder, Etropus crossotus, a small flatfish common along the southeastern coast of the US, were collected along the South Carolina coast in the fall of 1992, and in the North Inlet estuary from August 1992 until July 1994. Standard length was 82% of total length and the relationship between standard length and wet weight showed near-isometric growth with no significant differences between males and females. Dry weight was 21% of wet weight and ash-free dry weight 14% of wet weight with no significant differences between sexes. Daily increments in the sagittal otoliths were used for age determination. No annual structures could be identified. The maximum age was about 14.5 months. Age-at-length was not different between the sexes. The relationship between age and length was exponential, with age (in days) equalling an e power of 4.242 + 0.135 × standard length (in cm). Back-calculated hatch dates and catches of early juveniles indicated a spawning season that lasted from March to October. Females started to be sexually mature at 7 to 7.5 cm standard length, but 50% maturity was reached at 8 to 8.5 cm. Females could grow to that size within one spawning season. Individuals hatched early in the spawning season could produce eggs in the latter portion of that season's spawning period.     

Reproductive biology of Mustelus lenticulatus from Kaikoura and Nelson

Mustelus lenticulatus is a non‐placental ovoviviparous shark with a gestation period of about 11 months. Young are born at a total length of 30–32 cm from September to December. Copulation, and ovulation of a further set of eggs, rapidly follows parturition. Fecundity increases with the length of the female; the most eggs found in one female was 24; the mean for all females was 10.73.

Males mature at about 85 cm total length and females at 95 cm at Kaikoura. Nelson males probably mature at a smaller size than do Kaikoura males. Nelson females mature at about 85 cm. Maximum observed lengths were 137 cm for females and 115 cm for males.     

Plasma steroid levels in female flounder (Platichthys flesus) after chronic dietary exposure to single polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The chronic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on ovary development, total hepatic lipids and plasma sex- and corticosteroid levels in female flounder (Platichthys flesus) were examined. Sexually mature feral female flounder were exposed via the diet to phenanthrene (0.5, 2.5 or 12.5 nmol/g food) or chrysene (0.4 nmol/g food) for 12 weeks, during the previtellogenic phase of the annual reproductive cycle. PAH exposure did not directly affect germ cell development since no structural and/or developmental differences were observed between control and exposed fish. On the contrary, all treatments resulted in altered plasma steroid levels. The most pronounced effect was the significant decrease in plasma 17 beta-estradiol to 19 +/- 11%, 27 +/- 7%, 63 +/- 20% and 61 +/- 12% in relation to control fish, respectively, in flounders exposed to 12.5, 2.5 or 0.5 nmol phenanthrene/g food and 0.4 nmol chrysene/g food. Impaired ovarian growth was not observed, most likely because experiments were ended before the period of vitellogenesis, even though a non-significant general decline in total hepatic lipids could be observed. Moreover, all exposed flounders, except fish fed with the highest amount of phenanthrene, showed a negative correlation between plasma 17 beta-estradiol and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels (r = -0.46). One possible explanation is that PAH action may be mediated by a specific inhibition of steroidogenic enzymes. These findings provide evidence that selected PAHs are antiestrogenic xenobiotics with the capability to impair female teleost reproductive function.     

Geographical variation in fin ray numbers in the New Zealand sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia (richardson)

The numbers of dorsal and anal fin rays were compared in samples of sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson) collected from different localities around the coasts of New Zealand. Fin ray numbers were highest on the west coast of the North Island, particularly in the South Taranaki Bight, and were lowest on the east and south coasts of the South Island. Within the areas studied five regions were recognised within which the mean numbers of fin rays were relatively constant, but between which the mean numbers of fin rays differed considerably. The significance of these differences is discussed.     

牙鲆芳香化酶Cyp19a多克隆抗体制备及其应用

芳香化酶Cyp19a在鱼类性别决定和性别分化中起关键作用,通过调控体内雌、雄激素的转化来影响鱼类性别表型形成。为深入研究Cyp19a在牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)性腺分化和发育过程中的表达规律及作用机制,本文从牙鲆cDNA中克隆获得1557bp的cyp19a基因编码序列,并成功构建了原核重组表达质粒。经体外重组与纯化获得较高纯度的重组Cyp19a蛋白;以此作为抗原免疫兔子,制备多克隆抗体。用间接酶联免疫吸附剂测定(ELISA)技术检测抗血清效价,评估其免疫原性。结果表明免疫结束后得到的抗体血清效价超过了1∶50000,且纯化后抗体具有较好活性。Western Blot(WB)检测结果表明Cyp19a兔多抗可以特异性识别牙鲆重组Cyp19a蛋白和内源性Cyp19a蛋白。蛋白水平的雌雄性腺差异表达分析显示,牙鲆Cyp19a蛋白在卵巢中高表达,在精巢中微量表达。利用Foxl2和Dmrt1重组蛋白处理牙鲆性腺分化期幼鱼可分别显著上调和下调Cyp19a的表达(P<0.05)。综上所述,本研究成功制备了牙鲆Cyp19a多克隆抗体并进行了应用,为深入研究牙鲆等鱼类性别分化机制提供有力工具。     

Summer spatial patterns of the fish community in a large,shallow, turbid coastal lake

Several water quality parameters, marginal vegetation, and the fish community in Lake Ellesmere, a large, shallow, turbid lake situated on the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand, were sampled along selected transects in late summer to determine species spatial patterns. Thirteen species offish were caught, with seven of them comprising major populations, although only four of these were adequately sampled by the method used—they included inanga (Galaxias maculatus), common smelt {Retropinna retropinna), shortfinned eel (Anguilla australis), and common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus). Inanga were almost exclusively confined to areas on the western side of the lake which has a convoluted shoreline with a variety of small embayments with scattered vegetation along the margins. Common smelt occupied both marginal and offshore areas, but they too were more abundant along the margins particularly on the western side. Both the common bully and shortfinned eel were widespread and abundant in the lake, although their abundance and biomass were higher within the vicinity of the lake outlet, major inflowing tributaries, and other marginal habitats. All three species of flounders of the genus Rhombosolea were poorly represented in our samples. However, in commercial catches they were reasonably abundant, with the sand flounder (R. plebeia) and yellowbelly (R. leporina) being more common in offshore than inshore catches, whereas the black flounder (R. retiaria) showed no difference in the catches between areas. Our overall findings are consistent with the hypothesis that bottom‐dwelling species (eels, bullies, flounders) are more widely distributed than free‐swimming forms (inanga, common smelt), which were largely confined to areas sheltered from prevailing winds. The highly turbid nature of the lake, primarily because of re‐suspension of fine bottom sediments by frequent winds, is considered an important factor in the distribution of the fish fauna.     

The migration patterns of the European flounder Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pleuronectidae,Pisces) at the southern limit of its distribution range: Ecological implications and fishery management

This study aims to determine the diversity of migration patterns of the European flounder (Platichthys flesus (Linnaeus, 1758)) present in the Minho estuary and in the adjacent coastal area (NW-Iberian Peninsula). Assessing the diversity of flounder migration patterns at the southern limit of its distribution allows the determination of characteristics of the species' ecology and provides useful information for fishery managers, since it is a regionally important estuarine fishery. An unexpected result of our study was that flounder appears to spawn in both estuarine and coastal areas and not just in coastal areas as was previously widely accepted. Our interpretation of otolith strontium distribution patterns from flounder specimens collected in the freshwater tidal area of the Minho estuary and in the lower estuary suggested that the flounders hatched in the estuary, while only 6.7% of those captured in the coastal area hatched in the coastal area. Ultimately, studies aimed at collecting larval stages and adult flounders must be made to confirm that flounders spawn in the estuary and to define new and better scientifically supported fishing policies, or simply to confirm the existing ones regarding temporal and spatial closures for each gear used in the Minho estuary.     

Food and feeding habits of juvenile flounder Platichthys flesus (L.), abd turbot Scophthalmus maximus L. in the åland archipelago, northern Baltic Sea

The food choice of juvenile flounder (Platichthys flesus) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) was studied in the northern Baltic Sea during the years 1988, 1989, 1994 and 1995. The diet included organisms from 30 species/taxa in flounder (n = 306) and 10 species/taxa in turbot (n = 41). Flounder 45 mm mainly consumed meiofauna (dominating taxon: Harpacticoida, Copepoda) and larger fish (46–101 mm) consumed macrofauna (dominating taxa: Oligochaeta, Amphipoda and Chironomidae). In terms of biomass, macrofauna dominated for all sizes of flounders, and meiofauna was important only for the smallest fish. A strong seasonal variation could be detected in the diet. In spring, macrofauna dominated for all size classes of fish (only fish > 30 mm were caught in spring), while in summer and autumn meiofauna dominated the diets for fish 45 mm in size. Juvenile turbot (22–88 mm) consumed macrofauna and small fish. Turbot 30 mm consumed mainly amphipods, while > 30 mm turbot consumed mysid shrimps, amphipods and fish.The ontogenetic shift from meio- to macrofauna-sized prey in flounders occurs at a larger fish size in the northern Baltic Sea than reported in other areas, possibly depending on the increased relative importance of meiofauna in the northern Baltic. The seasonal variation in the diet could be due to seasonally changing abundances in the zoobenthos, or for the small fish (1-group, spring), to switching from meio- to macrofauna in order to optimize their energy gain. The 0-group flounders consumed meiofauna for a long period, possibly due to a learning-process or simply due to easy availability of meiofauna. Turbot has a much larger mouth gap than flounders, thus allowing them to consume macrofauna from the beginning of their benthic life.     

Reproductive cycle,size at first maturation and fecundity in the golden ling,Genypterus blacodes,in Chile

Reproductive aspects of the golden ling, Genypterus blacodes, from the southern Chilean fishery are presented. Gonad samples were obtained from commercially caught fish between September 1999 and October 2000. Stage of sexual maturity, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and size of females at 50% maturation determined by logistic methods and by plotting the mean GSI by total length, are presented for both years. Batch fecundity was calculated from subsampling mature ovaries containing oocytes in advanced stages of maturity. Changes in GSI and monthly diameters of oocytes showed that ling had a spawning season which extended between August and November. The sizes at first maturity in 1999 and 2000 were 86.6 and 84.8 cm total length (TL), respectively, using the logistic model, and 84 cm for both years using the mean GSI‐size plotting method. The mean batch fecundity was 333 330 oocytes per individual for fish sized 85–120 cm TL. Fecundity increased with increasing weight and total length.