A comparison of different fuzzy inference systems for prediction of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of fish

60-69Present work was aimed to design Mamdani- Fuzzy Inference System (FIS), Sugeno -FIS and Sugeno-Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model for the prediction of CPUE of fish. The system was implemented using MATLAB fuzzy toolbox. A prediction of CPUE was made using the models trained. The accuracy of fuzzy inference system models was compared using mean square error (MSE) and average error percentage. Comparative study of all the three systems provided that the results of Sugeno-ANFIS model (MSE =0.05 & Average error percentage=11.02%) are better than the two other Fuzzy Inference Systems. This ANFIS was tested with independent 28 dataset points. The results obtained were closer to training data (MSE=0.08 and Average error percentage=13.45%)

Validation of chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature concentration and their relationship with the parameters—diffuse attenuation coefficient and photosynthetically active radiation using MODIS data: A case study of Gujarat coastal region

1370-1376In-situ data of chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a) and sea surface temperature (SST) of the Gujarat region for the period, 2002-2009 were obtained from Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad. Out of nearly 100 sampling points, 22 and 67 points qualified for comparison with the satellite measurements of Chl-a and SST, respectively. Chl-a concentrations were estimated from the MODIS satellite data (4 km resolution) with the existing global ocean color algorithms, namely, OC2V4, OC4V4, and OC3M. The SST was calculated with the help of bands 31 and 32 using MODIS-Aqua sensor long wave SST algorithm and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) assimilation SST retrieval model (split window method). The satellite images were processed using global Sea WiFS Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) software v.7.3.1. Chl-a retrieved from OC3M algorithm had high coefficient of determination (R2=0.74) and less root mean square error (RMSE=1.24) as compared to OC2V4 and OC4V4 (R2=0.541 & 0.542 and RMSE=1.94 and 1.84, respectively) with in-situ data. The SST retrieved from MODIS-Aqua sensor long wave SST algorithm had a high coefficient of correlation as compared to ECMWF assimilation model (0.798 & 0.32 respectively) with in-situ data and RMSE were 0.80 and 2.65, respectively. SST and Chl-a showed an inverse correlation, with a coefficient of correlation (R) =0.530. Daily retrieval of Chl-a and SST value had very high degree of correlation with remote sensed eight days composite and monthly composite value (0.958 & 0.876, respectively). Retrieval of the value of diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm wavelength (Kd or Kd_490), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vertical attenuation coefficient of PAR (Kd(PAR)) were done and found that Kd and Kd(PAR) had very high degree of positive correlation (R=0.994). In addition, it was found that PAR had a positive correlation with SST(R=0.512) and negative correlation with Chl-a (R=-0.446). The range of this parameter values supports the case-I water and fish assemblage area

Computational Modelling of Tetraodon nigroviridis Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) Protein and Identification of Natural Compounds as Putative Modulators

705-708In ornamental fisheries, body ornamentation, including the body colour, is of great economic importance. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene is primarily responsible for pigmentation in the majority of the vertebrates, and its modulation will help to understand the pigmentation and external body coloration. The present study was aimed to predict the MC1R tertiary protein structure of Tetraodon nigroviridis through homology modelling and to identify putative modulators. The tertiary protein structure of the MC1R protein of T. nigroviridis was homology modelled and validated. BLAHtetrone with binding efficiency of -9.7 kcal/mol was identified as a putative modulator of the MC1R protein

Morphometric and meristic variation of congeneric sciaenid fishes Otolithes cuvieri Trewavas, 1974 and Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801) from Maharashtra, west coast of India

80-86Two closely related species Otolithes cuvieri, Trewavas, 1974 and Otolithes ruber, (Schneider, 1801) have been differentiated based on morphometric and meristic traits. A simple yet useful criterion based on a pair of canine teeth present on the upper and lower jaw as well as position of the mouth is currently used to differentiate two congeneric sciaenid fish species the O. cuvieri and O. ruber. Findings of the present study indicated that simply two morphometric and meristic characters are sufficient to differentiate these two species. MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance) and stepwise discriminant function were used to decide the morphometric traits, significant for differentiation of the species of family Sciaenidae. Discriminant function analysis revealed that 98 % of the species were correctly classified based on five morphometric characters namely Pre-pectoral fin length (PPFL), Pre-anal fin length (PAL), Post orbital head length (POHL), Post anal fin length (POAL) and Body depth (BD). The m-transformed morphometric traits were found to be useful tools in generating canonical variables in differentiating the species. The first canonical variables showed altogether 98 % variance. The scatter plots by first three canonical variables have well differentiated the species. Two meristic characters such as the number of gillrakers present on lower limb of first gill arch and figure of arborescent appendages on the swim bladder are important in differentiation of these species

Morphometric and meristic variation of congeneric sciaenid fishes Otolithes cuvieri Trewavas, 1974 and Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801) from Maharashtra, west coast of India

Two closely related species Otolithes cuvieri, Trewavas, 1974 and Otolithes ruber, (Schneider, 1801) have been differentiated based on morphometric and meristic traits. A simple yet useful criterion based on a pair of canine teeth present on the upper and lower jaw as well as position of the mouth is currently used to differentiate two congeneric sciaenid fish species the O. cuvieri and O. ruber. Findings of the present study indicated that simply two morphometric and meristic characters are sufficient to differentiate these two species. MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance) and stepwise discriminant function were used to decide the morphometric traits, significant for differentiation of the species of family Sciaenidae. Discriminant function analysis revealed that 98 % of the species were correctly classified based on five morphometric characters namely Pre-pectoral fin length (PPFL), Pre-anal fin length (PAL), Post orbital head length (POHL), Post anal fin length (POAL) and Body depth (BD). The m-transformed morphometric traits were found to be useful tools in generating canonical variables in differentiating the species. The first canonical variables showed altogether 98 % variance. The scatter plots by first three canonical variables have well differentiated the species. Two meristic characters such as the number of gillrakers present on lower limb of first gill arch and figure of arborescent appendages on the swim bladder are important in differentiation of these species

Chitosan- hypothalamic hormonal analogue nanoconjugates enhanced the reproductive performance in Indian major carp, Labeo rohita

The current study reports the potential of chitosan nanoparticles for the efficient delivery of hypothalamic hormonal analogue in Labeo rohita, aiming to improve reproductive performance. Here salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRH-a) was conjugated with chitosan nanoparticles (ChN-sGnRH-a) to evaluate its efficiency in enhancing the reproductive gene expression, hormones as well as the overall reproductive output in L. rohita. A total of 54 pairs of brooders were selected and divided into six treatments viz; C0: Negative Control (fish injected with bare chitosan nanoparticles), C: Positive Control (fish injected with Gonopro-FH®, a commercially available inducing hormone, at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg body weight of fish), T1: fish injected with ChN-sGnRH-a at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg, T2: T1 + 10 mg/ml domperidone, T3: fish injected with ChN-sGnRH-a at a dose of 0.1 ml/kg, T4: T3 + 10 mg/ml domperidone. In T2 and T4 treatments, serum hormones, Testosterone (T); Estradiol (E2); Vitellogenin (Vtg); and 17α, 20β-dihydroxyprogesterone (17α, 20β-DHP) showed the sustained elevation. The means of reproductive traits like fecundity, fertilization rate, pseudo-gonadosomatic index and spawning rate were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 treatment, while no significant difference was found between C and T4 treatment. The mRNA expression level of follicle-stimulating hormone (fshβ), luteinizing hormone (lhβ) and their cognate receptors was significantly better in T2 treatment, while no significant difference was found between T4 and C treatments. Further, the histological analysis of ovaries showed increased post-ovulatory follicles in C, T2 and T4 treatments. The results indicate that ChN-sGnRH-a could help in reducing the recommended dose of sGnRH-a without affecting the reproductive performance in L. rohita females. The sustained releasing mechanism of this formulation may be used as an induced breeding strategy in female L. rohita broodstock

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Not AvailableIn ornamental fisheries, body ornamentation, including the body colour, is of great economic importance. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene is primarily responsible for pigmentation in the majority of the vertebrates, and its modulation will help to understand the pigmentation and external body coloration. The present study was aimed to predict the MC1R tertiary protein structure of Tetraodon nigroviridis through homology modelling and to identify putative modulators. The tertiary protein structure of the MC1R protein of T. nigroviridis was homology modelled and validated. BLAHtetrone with binding efficiency of -9.7 kcal/mol was identified as a putative modulator of the MC1R proteinNot Availabl

A new species of Stolephorus (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from the Bay of Bengal India

Pavan-Kumar, Annam, Jahageerdar, Shrinivas, Jaiswar, A. K. (2020): A new species of Stolephorus (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from the Bay of Bengal India. Zootaxa 4743 (4): 561-574, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4743.4.

Stolephorus tamilensis Pavan-Kumar & Jahageerdar & Jaiswar 2020, sp. nov.

Stolephorus tamilensis sp. nov. Proposed common name: Tamil anchovy (Fig. 2) Holotype: ZSI F12077 /2 (50.85 mm SL), Thoothukudi fish landing centre, Tamil Nadu, India (8.7642° N, 78.1348° E), 18 February 2015. Paratypes: All paratypes from Thoothukudi fish landing centre, Tamil Nadu, India, (8.7642° N, 78.1348° E), (Fig. 1) 18 February 2015: BNHS MF 10-12 (3 specimens, 48.48–51.16 mm SL), CIFE-FRM 945–971 (27 specimens, 47.37–53.64 mm SL) collected by Shardul S. Gangan on 18 February 2015. Diagnosis. A species of Stolephorus with the following combination of characters: relatively deep-bodied fish, 19.87–23.37% SL (mean 21.2%); eye relatively large, eye diameter 29.28–35.85% HL (mean 32.09%); posterior margin of preopercle indented; gill rakers 15–19 in upper series on first gill arch, 25–28 on in lower series, 40–47 in total; posterior tip of longest pectoral-fin ray not reaching pelvic-fin origin, pelvic-fin relatively short, 5.81–8.15% SL (mean 7.39%); no pre-dorsal spines and post-pelvic scutes, pre-pelvic scutes 5–6; dorsal-fin base length 13.85– 15.54% in SL (mean 14.57%); dorsal-fin origin is closer to base of caudal fin than to tip of snout; length from dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 20.91–22.57 % in SL (mean 21.87%); anal-fin rays 17–19; numerous melanophores on dorsum and suborbital area. Description. Body cylindrical, laterally compressed. Dorsal profile of head and body slightly convex from snout tip to dorsal fin origin, somewhat straight from the last point to caudal peduncle. Ventral profile of head and body is convex from anterior lower jaw tip to base of pelvic-fin, slightly concave from post pelvic fin to anal-fin origin. Posterior margin of pre- opercule concave, indented. Numerous melanophores on dorsum and suborbital area. Somewhat straight from posterior end of anal-fin to origin of lower caudal-fin lobe. Caudal peduncle slightly deep than longer. Vertebrae 39–40 (two specimens examined). Belly covered with 5–6 sharp needle-like scutes anterior to pelvic-fin insertion. Pelvic-fin without spine. Pre-dorsal and post-pelvic scutes absent. Snout long, rounded, its length less than eye diameter. Mouth sub-terminal, extending backward beyond posterior margin of eye. Posterior end of the upper jaw rounded reaching to border of operculum. Lower jaw slender, extending beyond vertical through posterior margin of eye. Teeth pointed, small, slender, arranged in a single row in the pre maxilla, maxilla and lower jaw. Eye large, round, covered with adipose eye lid, positioned laterally on head dorsal to horizontal through pectoral-fin insertion, visible in dorsal view. Orbit elliptical. Nostrils close to each other, anterior to orbit. Inter orbital width less than eye diameter. Dorsal-fin rays ii–iii + 15, origin closer to base of caudal-fin than to tip of snout. Pair of pigment line in front of dorsal-fin as well as between caudal-fin and dorsal-fin is absent. Anal-fin rays iii + 17–19, its origin at vertical through middle of the dorsal-fin. Pectoral-fin rays I + 13, posterior tip of longest pectoral-fin ray not reaching pelvic-fin origin, pectoral-fin axillary scale found in some specimens but in the remained it was absent, may be lost during collection. Pelvic-fin rays i–ii + 7, longest pectoral-fin rays not reaching vertical through to base of dorsal-fin. Caudal-fin forked, upper and lower lobes of caudal-fin well-developed. Gill rakers long and thin on first branchial arch, 15 –19 on the upper arch, 25–28 on lower arch (Table 4). Colour. Colour of thirty specimens of Stolephorus tamilensis sp. nov. in fresh condition silvery whitish, very faint silvery stripe running along the lateral side; small dark pigment line running along upper border of anal fin. Distribution. Based on the collection of voucher specimens from present study, the type locality of Stolephorus tamilensis sp. nov. is Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu State of India 8.7642° N, 78.1348° E. Probably this species is distributed in Gulf of Mannar and along the Tamil Nadu State coast. Etymology. The species is named as “ tamilensis ” with reference to the Tamil Nadu, a state of India, the type locality of the species. Comparisons. Stolephorus tamilensis differs from congeners except S. dubiosus, S. baganensis, S. bengalensis, S. carpenteriae, S. tri, S. ronquilloi, S. holodon, and S. andhraensis by the hind boarder of the pre-operculm concave (vs. rounded in S. indicus, S. commersonnii, S. waitei, S. chinensis, S. multibranchus, S. brachycephalus, S. advenus, S. nelsoni, S. apiensis, S. pacificus, S. continentalis, S. insignus and S. oceanicus). The new species also distinguishes from S. dubiosus, S. tri and S. baganensis by the absence of pre-dorsal spine (vs. presence). Furthermore, S. tamilensis can be distinguished from S. andhraensis by the absence of scattered pigments between dorsal-fin and caudal peduncle (vs. presence). In addition, Stolephorus tamilensis is also distinct from S. andhraensis, S. ronquilloi, S. tri, S. multibranchus, S. brachycephalus, S. apiensis, S. pacificus, S. insignus, S. continentalis, S. teguhi, S. baganensis, S. waitei, S. chinensis, S. bataviensis, S. baweanensis, S. bengalensis and S. oceanicus by 25–28 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch (vs. 20–21 in S. andhraensis, 28–30 in S. ronquilloi, 18–22 in S. tri, 32–35 in S. multibranchus, 20–22 in S. brachycephalus, 30–31 in S. apiensis, 35–38 in S. pacificus, 26–28 in S. insignus & S. continentalis, 41–46 in S. teguhi, 20–23 in S. baganensis, 23–25 in S. waitei, 20–25 in S. chinensis, 19–22 in S. bataviensis & S. baweanensis, 22–27 in S. bengalensis and 24–28 in S. oceanicus). The new species also differs from S. commersonnii, S. multibranchus, S. brachycephalus, S. advenus, S. pacificus, S. teguhi, S. chinensis, S. insignus, S. bataviensis and S. bengalensis by 5–6 needle like pre-pelvic scutes (vs. 1–4 in S. commersonnii, 2–4 in S. multibranchus, 4–5 in S. brachycephalus, 7 in S. advenus, 1–4 in S. pacificus, 2–5 in S. teguhi, 4–7 in S. chinensis, S. insignus & S. bataviensis, and 5–8 in S. bengalensis). Stolephorus tamilensis is distinguishable from S. multibranchus, S. brachycephalus, S. carpentariae, S. advenus, S. teguhi, S. chinensis, S. bengalensis and S. insignus by 17–19 anal fin rays (vs. 18–20 in S. multibranchus, 19–22 in S. brachycephalus, 19–20 in S. carpenteriae, 16 in S. advenus, 19–21 in S. teguhi, 18–20 in S. chinensis, 16–19 in S. bengalensis and 18–19 in S. insignus). Furthermore, S. tamilensis differs from S. commersonnii, S. indicus, S. waitei (S. baweanensis sensu Hata et al. 2019), S. insularis (S. bengalensis sensu Hata et al. 2019), S. baganensis, S. dubiosus in eye diameter, dorsal fin base length, pelvic fin length, length between dorsal and anal-fin origins and maximum body depth (Table 3). ...Continued next page * S. waitei (Stolephorus baweanensis sensu Hata et al. 2019), * S. insularis (S. bengalensis sensu Hata et al. 2019) Note: standard length or SL, snout length SNL (1), head length HL (2), postorbital head length POHL (3), interorbital width IOW (4), eye diameter ED (5), upper jaw length UJL (6), lower jaw length LJL (7), dorsal-fin base length DFBL (8), anal-fin base length AFBL (9), pelvic-fin base length PFBL (10), pelvic-fin length PLFL (11), pectoral-fin base length PTBL (12), pectoral fin long filament length PTFL (13), length from tip of snout to origin of dorsal fin TSDF (14), length from tip of snout to origin of anal fin TSAF (15), length from tip of snout to origin of pelvic fin TSPF (16), length from tip of snout to origin of pectoral fin TSPTF (17), length from origin of dorsal fin to origin of anal fin AFDL (18), maximum body depth MBD (19), length from base of pectoral fin to origin of pelvic fin BPTFPL (20), length from base of pectoral fin to origin of anal fin BPTFAL (21), length from base of pelvic fin to origin of anal fin BPLFAF (22) Statistical analysis of morphometric variables. Higher F-ratio of more than 200 for ED/HL, DFBL/SL, PLFL/SL, AFDL/SL and MBD/SL reveal their better discrimination power than the other characters (Table 3). Herein, a higher F-value of 3309.651 and 2471.632 for ED/HL and MBD/SL, respectively, showed the importance of insertion point in species differentiation. However, comparative analysis showed overlapping meristic characters between S. insularis (S. bengalensis sensu Hata et al. 2019) and S. tamilensis (Table 4).Published as part of Pavan-Kumar, Annam, Jahageerdar, Shrinivas & Jaiswar, A. K., 2020, A new species of Stolephorus (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae) from the Bay of Bengal India, pp. 561-574 in Zootaxa 4743 (4) on pages 563-568, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4743.4.6, http://zenodo.org/record/369063

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Not AvailableTwo closely related species Otolithes cuvieri, Trewavas, 1974 and Otolithes ruber, (Schneider, 1801) have been differentiated based on morphometric and meristic traits. A simple yet useful criterion based on a pair of canine teeth present on the upper and lower jaw as well as position of the mouth is currently used to differentiate two congeneric sciaenid fish species the O. cuvieri and O. ruber. Findings of the present study indicated that simply two morphometric and meristic characters are sufficient to differentiate these two species. MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance) and stepwise discriminant function were used to decide the morphometric traits, significant for differentiation of the species of family Sciaenidae. Discriminant function analysis revealed that 98 % of the species were correctly classified based on five morphometric characters namely Pre-pectoral fin length (PPFL), Pre-anal fin length (PAL), Post orbital head length (POHL), Post anal fin length (POAL) and Body depth (BD). The m-transformed morphometric traits were found to be useful tools in generating canonical variables in differentiating the species. The first canonical variables showed altogether 98 % variance. The scatter plots by first three canonical variables have well differentiated the species. Two meristic characters such as the number of gillrakers present on lower limb of first gill arch and figure of arborescent appendages on the swim bladder are important in differentiation of these species.Not Availabl