New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (April 2015)

The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records’ of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native fish species include: the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis and the scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus in Calabria; the Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti in Calabria and Sicily; the agujon needlefish Tylosu¬rus acus imperialis in the Northern Aegean; and the amphibious behaviour of Gouania willdenowi in Southern Turkey. As regards molluscs, the interesting findings include Ischnochiton usticensis in Calabria and Thordisa filix in the bay of Piran (Slovenia). The stomatopod Parasquilla ferussaci was collected from Lesvos island (Greece); the isopod Anilocra frontalis was observed parasit¬izing the alien Pteragogus trispilus in the Rhodes area. The asteroid Tethyaster subinermis and the butterfly ray Gymnura altavela were reported from several localities in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Seas.The new records of alien species include: the antenna codlet Bregmaceros atlanticus in Saronikos Gulf; three new fish records and two decapods from Egypt; the establishment of the two spot cardinal fish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus and the first record of the marble shrimp Saron marmoratus in semi-dark caves along the Lebanese coastline; the finding of Lagocephalus sceleratus, Sargocentron rubrum, Fistularia commersonii and Stephanolepis diaspros around Lipsi island (Aegean Sea, Greece); the decapod Penaeus Hathor in Aegean waters; the decapod Penaeus aztecus and the nudibranch Melibe viridis in the Dodecanese islands; the finding of Pinctada imbricata radiate in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy) and the Maliakos Gulf (Greece)

Use of morphological differences for the identification of two picarel species Spicara flexuosa and Spicara maena (Pisces: Centracanthidae)

The recognition and identification of the two species of Spicara genus (Spicara flexuosa, picarel and Spicara maena, blotched picarel) is difficult, due to a systematic confusion until now. In the present work a number of external morphometric features (ten body ratios) are evaluated for their diagnostic possibilities. According to Principal Component Analysis results, the body ratios head length to standard length, head height to head length and the ratios of two body heights, indicated that these characters were not related to the maturity stage of the species. The discriminant analysis based on the above body ratios, indicated rather high level of discrimination (83.2%) of the examined samples in two species. The results are discussed, and possibilities of improvement in the identification methodology for the two species are proposed

Comparison of european sardine (Sardina pilchardus, walbaum 1792) greek haplotypes with those found in the global distribution of the species

The identification of fish stocks is the first step in management and conservation processes. The European Commission has established among others the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) protection label in order to identify an agricultural product, raw or processed, for which quality, reputation or other characteristics are linked to its geographical origin. In the present study, the Greek Sardina pilchardus haplotypes found with three mitochondrial segments (COI, cytb, D-loop), were compared with the ones previously submitted in the databases, to test the uniqueness of the discovered Greek haplotypes for a future PGI definition. For all the three mtDNA markers, the discovered Greek haplotypes were found to be common with species' haplotypes all over the world. These results reinforce the aspect that a single sardine individual cannot be classified as coming from a certain population (Mediterranean or Atlantic), as most of the data (present and former) support a single evolutionary unit for sardines. © 2021, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary

Computer Notes. Web Database of Molecular Genetic Data from Fish Stocks.0

Abstract not availableJRC.H-Institute for environment and sustainability (Ispra

High levels of mislabeling in shark meat – Investigating patterns of species utilization with DNA barcoding in Greek retailers

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.Food authenticity has received an increasing focus due to high profile cases of substitution/mislabeling, with many investigations identifying sales of endangered or prohibited species. At the same time, the European Union (EU) has introduced one of the most progressive sets of legislation in order to promote traceability and protect consumers. This study aims to identify shark species that are sold under the commercial term “Galeos” in Greece (which officially designates Mustelus mustelus, M. punctulatus and M. asterias), using DNA barcoding. A total of 87 samples were collected from fishmongers and markets across four cities. A combination of two mitochondrial genes, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), were used to analyze samples, and species were identified by reference to genetic databases. The results revealed significant differences in patterns of species utilization between cities and retailers. Across the study an extremely high level of mislabeling was identified (56%). This probably relates to some degree of unintentional misidentification and confusion surrounding the designation in Greece, but highlights how consumers are unprotected from incorrect/misleading labels. Over half of products originated from species that are locally listed as threatened by the ICUN red list, and of the mislabeled products, 23% originated from species with prohibitions on landings or CITES listings. This includes large growing sharks with little resemblance to Mustelus spp. and likely demonstrates deliberate substitution. It shows how mislabeled products are providing a route for prohibited/protected sharks to enter the supply chain and be sold to consumers

Covariation of trophic and habitat-related traits in chondrostoms (Cyprinidae): implications for repeated and diversifying evolutionary processes

International audienceThe tenet that ecological adaptation can lead to recurrent ecomorphological trends resulting from repetitive processes has long been a primary topic of investigation in evolutionary ecology. To explore this aspect further, this study provides an analysis of the morphological diversity in chondrostoms (Cyprinidae). This freshwater fish group shows a tendency towards bottom-feeding specialization, which has led to evolutionary innovations in body and mouth shape traits, which are currently used for the classification of genera. Body, lower lip (LL) and corner ray shape were analysed for nine species in total. Allometric relationships among the three morphometric traits were considered to be responsible for LL shape variability and there was significant covariation between LL and body shape, which reflected habitat use. Smaller and opportunistic-feeding species inhabiting stream or small-sized rivers were characterized by a deeper body (increased feeding maneuverability), an arched LL and a terminal mouth position. Conversely, larger and diet-specialized species were characterized by a fusiform body (increased swimming performance), a straight LL and an inframouth position on an elongated snout (optimized bottom feeding). The results suggest that interspecific mouth shape variability may have originated from two types of deformation' processes, both leading to a straight mouth shape and acting either jointly or independently. Also, given the plesiomorphic state of several of the species under study, the specialization towards a benthic lifestyle in chondrostoms from different phylogenetic lineages is thought to have occurred repeatedly to overcome a number of functional constraints, including foraging efficiency and swimming performance

Flying under the radar: DNA barcoding ray wings in Greece detects protected species and umbrella labelling terms

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordMislabeling of seafood products and marketing of protected species remains a worldwide issue despite the labeling regulations set at a local, European and International level. DNA barcoding has proven to be the most popular and accurate method of detection of fraudulent seafood products. This study investigated the batoid meat market of Greece, the mislabeling rates and the protected species occurrence. A total of 114 ray products were collected from fishmongers, open markets, supermarkets, and restaurants across eight Greek cities. The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used to analyze samples, and the sequences were compared against genetic databases for species identification. At least 13 species across nine genera were identified. The results did not indicate significant differences in species utilization among cities, retailers, and labels. However, in the pairwise comparisons, Athens differed from all other locations and a similar trend was followed by the label “salachi”. Moderate mislabeling levels were recorded (13.5%), while 3.5% of the identified samples belonged to species with prohibitions on landings, confirming an ongoing market for protected species. Overall, 19.8% of the samples originated from species that are locally listed in threatened categories of the IUCN Red List of species.Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF

New mediterranean biodiversity records (April 2015)

The Collective Article 'New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native fish species include: the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis and the scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus in Calabria; the Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti in Calabria and Sicily; the agujon needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis in the Northern Aegean; and the amphibious behaviour of Gouania willdenowi in Southern Turkey. As regards molluscs, the interesting findings include Ischnochiton usticensis in Calabria and Thordisa filix in the bay of Piran (Slovenia). The stomatopod Parasquilla ferussaci was collected from Lesvos island (Greece); the isopod Anilocra frontalis was observed parasitizing the alien Pteragogus trispilus in the Rhodes area. The asteroid Tethyaster subinermis and the butterfly ray Gymnura altavela were reported from several localities in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Seas. The new records of alien species include: the antenna codlet Bregmaceros atlanticus in Saronikos Gulf; three new fish records and two decapods from Egypt; the establishment of the two spot cardinal fish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus and the first record of the marble shrimp Saron marmoratus in semi-dark caves along the Lebanese coastline; the finding of Lagocephalus sceleratus, Sargocentron rubrum, Fistularia commersonii and Stephanolepis diaspros around Lipsi island (Aegean Sea, Greece); the decapod Penaeus hathor in Aegean waters; the decapod Penaeus aztecus and the nudibranch Melibe viridis in the Dodecanese islands; the finding of Pinctada imbricata radiata in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy) and the Maliakos Gulf (Greece)