Redescriptions of Ligophorus cephali Rubtsova, Balbuena, Sarabeev, Blasco-Costa & Euzet, 2006 and L. chabaudi Euzet & Suriano, 1977 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae), with notes on the functional morphology of the copulatory organ

Redescriptions of Ligophorus cephali Rubtsova, Balbuena, Sarabeev, Blasco-Costa & Euzet, 2006 and L. chabaudi Euzet & Suriano, 1977 based on original material from the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Japan are presented. A comparison of samples of these two species from different regions was carried out with the aid of principal components analysis. The occurrence of L. chabaudi on Mugil cephalus in the Sea of Japan was confirmed. The functional morphology of the male copulatory organ was examined, and the use of the shape of this structure in the taxonomy of Ligophorus Euzet & Suriano, 1977 is discussed

Redescription of Ligophorus mediterraneus Sarabeev, Balbuena & Euzet, 2005 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) with some methodological notes

A redescription of Ligophorus mediterraneus Sarabeev, Balbuena & Euzet, 2005, based on original material from the Black and Mediterranean Seas, is presented and new diagnostic characters for its recognition are proposed. The unlikely wide range of variation in the angle between the shaft and point of the anchors, reported for this species and for some others in the genus, is analysed, and the structure of the ventral bar in Ligophorus spp. is described and its taxonomic significance discussed

Effect of rhTSH on Lipids

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with increased blood lipid levels. However, the exact role of thyrotropin (TSH) alone is not clear. In order to clarify this point, we analysed the acute effect of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) administration on lipid levels. Methods: Sera of 27 premenopausal women with well-differentiated thyroid cancer were analysed. Patients that underwent a total thyroidectomy, ablation with I-131 (Iodine 131) and rhTSH administration as a part of routine follow-up American Thyroid Association guidelines were included. The protocol consists of 2 intramuscular injections of 0.9 mg of rhTSH, performed on day 1 day and day 2, with blood collection on day 1 (before rhTSH administration), and day 5. TSH, free thyroxine, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and triglycerides were assessed in all the samples, before and four days after the first administration of rhTSH. Results: Total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly increased after stimulation of rhTSH (respectively, 192 +/- 33 vs. 207 +/- 26, p = 0.036 and 72 +/- 23 vs. 85 +/- 23, p = 0.016). LDLc and HDLc showed comparable concentrations before and after the test (respectively, 115 +/- 27 vs. 126 +/- 22, p = 0.066, and 62 +/- 15 vs. 64 +/- 15, p = 0.339), while non-HDLc increased after stimulation (130 +/- 30 vs. 143 +/- 25, p = 0.045). Conclusion: TSH has a direct effect on total cholesterol, triglycerides, and nonHDLc. Explanation of these phenomena will require additional studies

Length-weight relationship of fishes and cephalopods from the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean)

Length-weight relationship (LWR) parameters of 72 species of fishes and 15 species of cephalopods caught in the Balearic Islands demersal fishery are reported. This is the first compilation of LWR for these groups in the Balearic Islands

FIRST RESULTS ON THE PRESENCE AND THE MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ANISAKID NEMATODES IN MARINE FISH CAUGHT OFF NORTHERN SARDINIA

Anisakidosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by nematodes of the family Anisakidae, belonging to the genera Anisakis, Contracaecum and Pseudoterranova. Molecular studies have shown that Anisakis larvae comprise a number of sibling species, which have different genetic structures, hosts and geographical distribution. A great variety of fish species can harbour infectious third stage larvae of this nematode. The preliminary results of a study carried out to evaluate the occurrence of this parasite in commercial fish caught off northern Sardinia are herein reported. From October 2008 to November 2009, 599 specimens of 8 commercial fish species were examined for anisakid larvae through visual inspection of body cavity and peptic digestion of the muscle. Isolated Anisakis sp. larvae were observed at light microscope and identified as Type I or Type II (sensu Berland, 1961). Out of 599 fish examined, 239 (40%) were infected by 1187 anisakid larvae, belonging to the genera Anisakis (1169 Type I and 18 Type II) and Hysterothylacium (692). The molecular identification of Anisakis spp. was carried out on a subsample of 30% of Type I larvae and all Type II larvae. Specimens were firstly examined using a species-specific PCR, with primers designed for Anisakis pegreffii (APEF) and Anisakis physeteris (APHF), and ITS-2 of nuclear rDNA. The results were confirmed by the analysis of the ITS region of nuclear rDNA (ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) using the restriction enzymes HinfI and HhaI in PCR-RFLP. Type I larvae examined were all identified as A. pegreffii, and Type II were all A. physeteris. This is the first contribution to the epidemiology and molecular characterization of Anisakis spp. in commercial fish caught off Sardinia

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ANISAKID NEMATODES IN FISHES OF NORTHERN SARDINIAN SEA

The authors report results of analysis carried out during 2008-2010 for identification and molecular characterization of larval Anisakis nematodes isolated from fishes of the northern Sardinian sea

Omanicotyle heterospina n. gen. et n. comb. (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) from the gills of Argyrops spinifer (Forsskal) (Teleostei: Sparidae) from the Sea of Oman

Background: The Sultanate of Oman's aquaculture industry is expanding with an on-going assessment of potential new fish species for culture. The king soldier bream, Argyrops spinifer (Forsskål) (Sparidae), is one such species that is under consideration. During a routine health assessment of specimens caught in the Sea of Oman throughout the period November 2009 to March 2011, a number of gill polyopisthocotylean monogeneans were recovered. Methods: A subsequent study of the monogeneans using a range of morphology-based approaches indicated that these were Bivagina heterospina Mamaev et Parukhin, 1974. In the absence of pre-existing molecular data, an expanded description of this species is provided, including a differential diagnosis with other species and genera belonging to the subfamily Microcotylinae Monticelli, 1892 with the subsequent movement of this species to a new genus to accommodate it. Results: The polyopisthocotyleans collected from the gills of A. spinifer appear to be unique within the family Microcotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 in that, morphologically, they possess a pair of large, muscular vaginae each armed with a full crown of 16-18 robust spines and a unique dorsal region of folded tegument, which permits their discrimination from species of Bivagina Yamaguti, 1963. Sequencing of the SSU rDNA (complete 1968 bp) and LSU rDNA (partial 949 bp) places the specimens collected during this study within the subfamily Microcotylinae, but the LSU rDNA sequence differs from Bivagina and also from other microcotylid genera. Morphological features of B. heterospina sensu Mamaev et Parukhin, 1974 and the specimens collected from the current study are consistent with one another and represent a single species. The vaginal armature of these worms is unique and differs from all other genera within the Microcotylinae, including Bivagina, and its movement to Omanicotyle n. gen. to accommodate this species is proposed. Conclusions: A new genus, Omanicotyle n. gen., is erected to accommodate Omanicotyle [Bivagina] heterospina n. comb. which represents the first monogenean to be described from Omani marine waters. Given the pathogenic potential of microcotylids on captive held fish stocks, a full assessment of Omanicotyle heterospina n. gen. et n. comb. is now required before large-scale production commences

Fish communities associated with FADs

Publicación online disponible en: http://www.icm.csic.es/scimar/index.phpTwo groups of six fish aggregating devices (FADs) were deployed at two locations off the eastern coast of Majorca (Western Mediterranean). Samples were obtained fortnightly throughout a two-year period by means of hauls performed with an experimental purse seine. Two control areas were established to check the aggregation efficiency of the FADs. A total of 16 families and 26 species of fishes were recorded beneath FADs. Pelagic fishes, largely Trachurus picturatus, T. mediterraneus, T. trachurus, Naucrates ductor, Seriola dumerili and Coryphaena hippurus, dominated the fauna. The total fish abundance, number of species and length range of the species confirmed that the FAD community was significantly related to season (recruitment period), resulting in a sequential fish colonisation of the FADs during the study period. Some of the species were present only during a particular period, such as Trachurus spp. in spring and summer. Other species, although evident for a longer period, were more occasional in catches (Schedophilus ovalis, Balistes carolinensis and Polyprion americanus), and some others were also present in small quantities. Diversity and equitability of the fish community associated with FADs were higher in summer than in winter. Many species were more abundant around FADs than in open water controls. The species that showed the most distinct recruitment phase beneath the FADs were N. ductor, S. ovalis, Trachurus spp., P. americanus, S. dumerili, C. hippurus and B. carolinensis. FADs can be considered nursery structures for many pelagic and demersal species, thus having an effect on the redistribution of juveniles. In the deployment of artificial structures as aggregators for fishing purposes one should consider the patchiness and seasonal characteristics of these communities as well as the redistribution aspect for fishery management.This work has been financed by the Directorate General for Fisheries (Project UE 94/031 and 95/73) and was supported by grants from I.M.E.D.E.A. to the first author.Peer reviewe

NORTH-EASTERN RANGE EXTENSION OF THE ATLANTIC MIGRANT HALOSAURUS OVENII (HALOSAURIDAE) IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

A single adult female specimen of Halosaurus ovenii Johnson, 1864 was captured by trammel nets at a depth of about 200 m off the coast of Arbatax (Sardinia, Italy) in early April 2007. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the gonad showed a postspawning ovary. This is the fourth documented capture of this fish in the Mediterranean Sea, representing the north-easternmost record for this species in this geographic area. Furthermore, the present specimen was fished at the shallowest depth ever recorded befor