First description of larvae of Radulinopsis derzhavini Soldatov et Lindberg, 1930 (Scorpaeniformes: Psychrolutidae) with remarks on melanin colouration and relationships with related species.

The Derzhavin's sculpin (Radulinopsis derzhavini Soldatov et Lindberg, 1930) is a psychrolutids species that leads a cryptic life in coastal waters of the Japan Sea and the southern Okhotsk Sea. To date, larvae of this species have remained unknown; therefore, their biology is poorly understood. In the present study, the early developmental stages of R. derzhavini are described for the first time. In Peter the Great Bay, Japan Sea, this species is characterized by a spring spawning season (May) and a short pelagic period of larval development, usually from mid-May to the last 10 days of June. Species identification of the described larvae was confirmed by incubation, rearing of larvae in captivity, and genotyping of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. In addition, the development of pigmentation in larvae of this and related species was compared. Morphological analysis of both adults and larvae, together with complementary molecular genetics, confirms the previously obtained conclusions that the species of the genera Radulinopsis, Radulinus, Asemichthys, and Astrocottus form a natural group with monophyly by all types of data.

The first description of larvae and comments on the taxonomy of Stichaeus ochriamkini Taranetz, 1935 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae).

Stichaeus ochriamkini (Stichaeidae) is common in the northern Japan Sea and the southern Okhotsk Sea. Among the five known representatives of the genus Stichaeus, early ontogenesis is the least studied in S. ochriamkini. In this study, the authors provide the first description of all larval stages of this species. In the north-western Japan Sea, larvae are found in plankton from early April to early June. S. ochriamkini larvae can be identified using the following characters: postanal-lateral pigment (PLP) lines present on the sides of the caudal part of the body and run along the anterior edge of hypaxial myomeres; 14-15 abdominal vertebrae; 32-34 rays in the anal fin; larvae disappear from plankton at a body length of LT > 25.0 mm (LS > 20 mm). Larvae of S. ochriamkini are very similar to larvae of Stichaeus punctatus. The melanin pigmentation in larvae of both species shows similar patterns of development. In the genus Stichaeus Reinhardt, 1836, two groups of species are distinguished by the presence/absence of PLP lines in larvae, and by significant divergence (clearly exceeding the species level) in the COI mtDNA gene. It is suggested the differences between these species groups is recognized at the generic level. Thus, the genus Stichaeus Reinhardt, 1836 should include S. punctatus and S. ochriamkini, whereas the other three species should be placed in the genus Dinogunellus Herzenstein, 1890: Dinogunellus fuscus, Dinogunellus nozawae and Dinogunellus grigorjewi.

Non-invasive monitoring of red beet development.

Agricultural monitoring is required to enhance crop production, control plant stress, and predict pests and crop infection. Apart from monitoring the external influences, the state of the plant itself must be tracked. However, the modern methods for plant analysis are expensive and require plants processing often in a destructive way. Optical spectroscopy can be used for the non-invasive monitoring requiring no consumables, and little to none sample preparation. In this context, we found that the red beet growth can be monitored by Raman spectroscopy. Our analysis shows that, as plants age, the rate of betalain content increases. This increase makes betalain dominate the whole Raman spectra over other plant components. The dominance of betalain facilitates its use as a molecular marker for plant growth. This finding has implications in the understanding of plant physiology, particularly important for greenhouse growth and the optimization of external conditions such as artificial illumination.