Reproductive biology of little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810) in the southwest Gulf of Mexico.

The aim of this study was to describe the reproductive dynamic of Euthynnus alletteratus in the southwest Gulf of Mexico. The annual variation of the volume fraction occupied by gametes and tissues in gonads were related with main body indexes, such as the gonadosomatic index (IG ), the hepatosomatic index (IH ), and the nutrition index (IN ), and compared with the sea surface temperature. A total of 951 E. alletteratus individuals were sampled, where a sex ratio of 1:1 and a size interval strongly skewed towards organisms with a fork length (LF ) of 36-40 cm were observed. The IG showed an increase from March to September with maximum values in April and July. Two clearly defined peaks were observed, and they were consistent with the histological analysis, where the percentage of ripe gametes predominated from April to September. The optimum thermal window for reproductive activity was from 24 to 28 °C. The size of first sex maturity was 34.35 cm of LF for males and 34.60 (LF ) for females, without significant difference between sexes.

An integrative taxonomic approach reveals Octopus insularis as the dominant species in the Veracruz Reef System (southwestern Gulf of Mexico).

The common octopus of the Veracruz Reef System (VRS, southwestern Gulf of Mexico) has historically been considered as Octopus vulgaris, and yet, to date, no study including both morphological and genetic data has tested that assumption. To assess this matter, 52 octopuses were sampled in different reefs within the VRS to determine the taxonomic identity of this commercially valuable species using an integrative taxonomic approach through both morphological and genetic analyses. Morphological and genetic data confirmed that the common octopus of the VRS is not O. vulgaris and determined that it is, in fact, the recently described O. insularis. Morphological measurements, counts, indices, and other characteristics such as specific colour patterns, closely matched what had been reported for O. insularis in Brazil. In addition, sequences from cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (r16S) mitochondrial genes confirmed that the common octopus from the VRS is in the same highly supported clade as O. insularis from Brazil. Genetic distances of both mitochondrial genes as well as of cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COIII) and novel nuclear rhodopsin sequences for the species, also confirmed this finding (0-0.8%). We discuss our findings in the light of the recent reports of octopus species misidentifications involving the members of the 'O. vulgaris species complex' and underscore the need for more morphological studies regarding this group to properly address the management of these commercially valuable and similar taxa.

Helminth parasites of the red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) from the reef Santiaguillo, Veracruz, Mexico.

A total of 21 helminth species were recovered from 52 specimens of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus , captured in the reef Santiaguillo, Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, State of Veracruz, in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. These helminths included 9 trematodes (7 adults and 2 metacercariae), 4 nematodes (3 adults and 1 larva), 4 acanthocephalans (1 adult and 3 juvenile), 2 cestodes (both larvae), and 2 monogeneans. Sixteen of the 21 species are new host records; 7 are common species with a prevalence >40% and mean intensity >4.1. The monogenean Euryhaliotrema tubocirrus was the most-prevalent parasite with a prevalence of 78.8%, followed by the intestinal plerocercoids of Tetraphyllidea with a prevalence of 59.6%. The richness (S = 21), and diversity (Shannon index H = 2.17) in the component community, as well as in the infracommunity level (S = 5.1 ± 2.2, H = 0.92 ± 0.4), was similar to those found in other marine fish of temperate and tropical latitudes. The present study suggests that the composition of the parasite community is associated with the host feeding habits because 18/21 of the recorded species are trophically transmitted.

Age-growth models for tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes, Cichlidae) of the Infiernillo reservoir, Mexico and reproductive behaviour

In presence of a decrease in the catch from Infiernillo reservoir, Michoacán-Guerrero, Mexico, age and growth of tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner 1864) were estimated, as indispensable attributes for fishery management. Evaluations included scales and opercular bones readings and length frequency analysis. The population structure was determined too. Due to the great variation of tilapia individual growth and with the objective to have reliable growth estimations, linearized, non-parametric and non-linear methods were used and their applicability discussed. Comparison of ages determined from these methods revealed that opercular bones readings had advantages over scales. Reproduction and competition for space and food were considered as responsible factors for ring-formation on tilapia hard structures. The non-linear method was considered the best for modelling populations highly variable, which is characteristic of tilapia and tropical fish with multiple spawns. The growth parameters estimated were Linfinity = 479 mm, K = 0.46/yr, t0 = -0.055 yr. The tilapia population in Infiernillo reservoir is dominated by juveniles less than 1.5 years old. The fishery activity is affecting the tilapia population growth because are caught when they have not yet spawned. Therefore, this fishery is in urgent need of regulation. Increasing the mesh size of the gill nets might contribute to protect the reproductive potential of the stock.

Ante el continuo decremento en las capturas de tilapia de la presa Infiernillo, Michoacán-Guerrero, México, se estimó la edad y crecimiento de Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner 1864) que son atributos indispensables que deben conocerse para realizar el manejo de la pesquería. La evaluación incluyó la lectura de marcas de crecimiento en escamas y opérculos, y el análisis de frecuencia de tallas. También se estimó la estructura de edad de la población. Debido a la alta variabilidad individual en el crecimiento que presentan las tilapias y a fin de obtener estimaciones fidedignas de crecimiento, diferentes métodos lineales, noparamétricos y no-lineales fueron usados y su aplicación discutida. Los opérculos presentaron ventajas sobre las escamas en la determinación de edad. La reproducción y la competencia por espacio y alimento fueron consideradas factores responsables de la formación de marcas en las estructuras duras de tilapia. El modelo no-lineal fue considerado el mejor para modelar el crecimiento de poblaciones altamente variables como la de tilapia y otros peces tropicales que presentan múltiples desoves. Los parámetros de crecimiento estimados fueron: L∞ = 479 mm, K = 0.46/yr, to = -0.055 yr. La población de tilapia en la presa Infiernillo está dominada por juveniles menores de año y medio de edad. La actividad pesquera está afectando el crecimiento de la población de tilapia, puesto que éstas son capturadas antes de que desoven. La pesquería requiere urgentemente una regulación. Un incremento en la abertura de malla de las redes agalleras con que es capturada, podría contribuir a proteger el potencial reproductivo del stock.

Age-growth models for tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Perciformes, Cichlidae) of the Infiernillo reservoir, Mexico and reproductive behaviour.

In presence of a decrease in the catch from Infiernillo reservoir, Michoacán-Guerrero, Mexico, age and growth of tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner 1864) were estimated, as indispensable attributes for fishery management. Evaluations included scales and opercular bones readings and length frequency analysis. The population structure was determined too. Due to the great variation of tilapia individual growth and with the objective to have reliable growth estimations, linearized, non-parametric and non-linear methods were used and their applicability discussed. Comparison of ages determined from these methods revealed that opercular bones readings had advantages over scales. Reproduction and competition for space and food were considered as responsible factors for ring-formation on tilapia hard structures. The non-linear method was considered the best for modelling populations highly variable, which is characteristic of tilapia and tropical fish with multiple spawns. The growth parameters estimated were Linfinity = 479 mm, K = 0.46/yr, t0 = -0.055 yr. The tilapia population in Infiernillo reservoir is dominated by juveniles less than 1.5 years old. The fishery activity is affecting the tilapia population growth because are caught when they have not yet spawned. Therefore, this fishery is in urgent need of regulation. Increasing the mesh size of the gill nets might contribute to protect the reproductive potential of the stock.