The cerato-mandibular ligament: a key functional trait for grazing in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)

Introduction: The success of a taxonomic group can be promoted by a key character that allows the group to interact with its environment in a different way and to potentially occupy new niches. The Pomacentridae possess a synapomorphic trait, the cerato-mandibular (c-md) ligament, which joins the hyoid bar to the inner part of the lower jaw. It has previously been shown that this ligament is a key trait in communication in damselfishes because it enables them to slam the oral jaws shut causing teeth collision and sound production. This specific behavior of mouth closing could, however, also be used for other tasks, such as feeding. Many territorial damselfishes are referred to as farmers, due to their ability to manage algal crops on which they feed. This study hypothesizes that the c-md ligament provides an advantage for grazing filamentous algae, and should thus be considered a key trait for farming behavior. Results: The kinematic patterns associated with sound production and biting filamentous algae or attached animal prey are all based on the same mechanism and are associated with a slam of the oral jaws. We observed that transection of the c-md ligaments makes the fish unable to perform such actions. We also counted biting rates on filamentous algae in fish with and without the c-md ligament and observed a drop of more than 80% in the latter. Conclusion: This study shows that the c-md ligament is a key trait both for sound production and for grazing activities in damselfishes. The buccal jaw slam enables the fish to perform accurate strikes on small filamentous algae. This kind of bite probably plays a major role in farming activity and allows grazing damselfishes to occupy distinct niches, possibly increasing their competitive evolutionary success

The cerato-mandibular ligament: an innovation for sound production and feeding in damselfishes (Pomacentridae).

The success of a taxonomic group can be promoted by a key character that allows the group to interact with its environment in a different way and to potentially occupy new niches. The Pomacentridae possess a synapomorphic trait, the cerato-mandibular (c-md) ligament, which joins the hyoid bar to the inner part of the lower jaw. It has previously been shown that this ligament is a key trait in communication in damselfishes because it enables them to slam the oral jaws shut causing teeth collision and sound production. This specific behavior of mouth closing could, however, also be used for other tasks, such as feeding. Many territorial damselfishes are referred to as farmers, due to their ability to manage algal crops on which they feed. This study hypothesizes that the c-md ligament provides an advantage for grazing filamentous algae, and should thus be considered a key trait for farming behavior. The kinematic patterns associated with sound production and biting filamentous algae or attached animal prey are all based on the same mechanism and are associated with a slam of the oral jaws. We observed that transection of the c-md ligaments makes the fish unable to perform such actions. This study shows that the c-md ligament is a key trait both for sound production and for grazing activities in damselfishes. The buccal jaw slam enables the fish to perform accurate strikes on small filamentous algae. This kind of bite probably plays a major role in farming activity and allows grazing damselfishes to occupy distinct niches, possibly increasing their competitive evolutionary success

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on the biochemical composition in wild broodstock of sardine cabrilla, mycteroperca rosacea (streets, 1877) | Efecto del fotoperiodo y la temperatura sobre la composición bioquímica en reproductores silvestres de cabrilla sardinera, mycteroperca rosacea (streets, 1877)

Condition factor (K), gonadosomatic index, (IGS), hepatosomatic index (IHS) and fat visceral index (IGV) were estimated and the biochemical composition in different tissues of wild leopard grouper broodstock was determinate too, in order to evaluate them along a reproductive cycle and see the relationship of these changes with respect to the water temperature and photoperiod in the sampling area. 187 brooders were caught, 146 females and 41 males in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Significant differences (P < 0.005) in the IGS, IHS and IGV but not for K were observed. Significant changes (P < 0.05) were also observed in most of the biochemical parameters, being the highest value during the spawning stage, whereas the lowest occurred during the resting stage. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) between all estimated indices and biochemical parameters were observed, while only significant correlations (P < 0.05) between the IGS and IGV with respect to water temperature.Peer Reviewe

Efecto del fotoperiodo y la temperatura sobre la composición bioquímica en reproductores silvestres de cabrilla sardinera, Mycteroperca rosacea (Streets, 1877)

Se estimó el factor de condición (K), el índice gonadosomático (IGS), hepatosomático (IHS) y de grasa visceral (IGV), así como la composición bioquímica en diferentes tejidos de reproductores silvestres de cabrilla sardinera, Mycteroperca rosacea, para evaluarlos a lo largo de un ciclo reproductivo y ver la relación que presentan los cambios con respecto a la temperatura del agua y fotoperiodo de la zona de muestreo. Se capturaron 187 reproductores, 146 hembras y 41 machos en el golfo de California, México. Se observaron diferencias significativas (P < 0,005) en los IGS, IHS e IGV; en el caso de K no se encontraron diferencias. También, se observaron variaciones significativas (P < 0,05) en la mayoría de los parámetros bioquímicos, encontrándose los valores más altos durante la etapa de desove, mientras que los más bajos durante la etapa de reposo. Todos los índices estimados y los parámetros bioquímicos determinados, se correlacionaron significativamente (P < 0,05) con el fotoperiodo, mientras que solo se encontraron correlaciones significativas (P < 0,05) entre el IGS e IGV con respecto a la temperatura del agua

Functional Additives as a Boost to Reproductive Performance in Marine Fish: A Review

This contribution brings together current knowledge on the use of functional food additives affecting marine fish reproductive performance. This article reviews published studies by several authors who have worked with specialized diets and focused on the dietary needs of brood fish, with the objective of identifying the relevant functional additives with potential to improve reproductive performance. The use of commercial and experimental diets that may have an effect on egg viability, quantity, and quality are discussed, with reference to hatching rates, larval survival, and compositions of fatty acids and amino acids after feed supplementation with various nutritional compounds. The intention of this review is to highlight the benefits of the use of vitamins, carotenes, fatty acids, and proteins of animal origin in broodstock nutrition, all of which have been shown to improve the quality of progeny under captive conditions. Finally, consideration is given to future perspectives on the use of additives in marine fish nutrition

First sexual maturity evaluation of the Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru) born in captivity

[ES] El huachinango del Pacífico, Lutjanus peru, es una especie atractiva para la acuicultura. Sin embargo, su reproducción en cautiverio en condiciones controladas no había sido factible, debido a la falta de conocimiento sobre las condiciones de manejo y el proceso reproductivo. En este estudio se evaluó la primera madurez sexual en cautiverio del huachinango del Pacífico, nacidos en el 2009 en el CIBNOR. La primera madurez sexual se determinó a los cuatro años de edad, con un peso promedio de 2.829 ± 80,9 g y longitud promedio de 540,3 ± 4,6 mm. Los primeros desoves ocurrieron en junio 2013, con la sincronización reproductiva entre machos y hembras en cautiverio, que coincidió cuando el fotoperiodo fue de 13 h luz y 11 h de obscuridad, con un aumento de temperatura del agua del estanque de 24,81 ± 1,4°C. El desove terminó en diciembre, con una disminución de temperatura 21,2 ± 1,5°C y 10 h luz. Se determinó la proporción sexual de 1:3,2 (hembra: macho). El tamaño de los huevos y la gota lipídica, disminuyeron conforme avanzó la temporada reproductiva..Se evaluó el nivel hormonal (estradiol, testosterona y 11-keto-testosterona) durante tres años. En cautiverio se determinó un ciclo reproductivo definido, en dos periodos; un periodo de reposo de diciembre a mayo, y un periodo reproductivo de junio a noviembre.[EN] The Pacific red snapper Lutjanus peru, is an attractive species for aquaculture. Its reproduction in captivity under controlled conditions has not been feasible, due to the lack of knowledge on its basic reproductive biology and management conditions. For the first time, we evaluated the first sexual maturity stage of captive Pacific red snapper, born in 2009 at CIBNOR. The first sexual maturity was reached in four years with an average weight of 2,829 ± 80.9 g and average size of 540.3 ± 4.6 mm. Spawning occurred in June 2013, with a reproductive synchronization between males and females, which coincides with a photoperiod of 13 h of light and 11 h of darkness, an increase in the water ponds temperature to 24.81 ± 1.4°C. The final spawning occurred in December with a decrement of the water ponds temperature to 21.2 ± 1.5°C and 10 h light. The sex ratio was determined as 1:3.2 (female: male). The size of eggs and lipid drop decreased as the spawning season progressed. Hormone levels (estradiol, testosterone and 11-keto-testosterone), was evaluated for three years. We determined a defined reproductive cycle for the species in captivity in two periods: 1) a rest period, from December to May, and 2) a reproductive period from June to November.Peer reviewe