Morphological and molecular characterization of Udonella brasiliensis n. sp. (Monogenoidea), an epibiont on Caligus sp. parasite of Ariidae from the southeastern coast of Brazil.

The present study describes Udonella brasiliensis n. sp., an epibiont found on Caligus sp., a parasite the ariids Genidens barbus (Lacepède) and Aspistor luniscutis (Valenciennes), caught on the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Morphological and molecular analyses (partial 18S rDNA) were carried out. The morphological data showed that U. brasiliensis n. sp. can be distinguished from current valid species by its morphometric attributes (e.g., body, pharynx, ovary and testis), while the molecular information supports the proposal of a new species. The 18S rDNA phylogenetic analysis shows a close relationship between the new species and Udonella australis Carvajal & Sepulveda, in a subclade formed of species that parasitize South American fish. Finally, this study also discusses a scenario of initial irradiation for udonellids.

Carbon primary sources and estuarine habitat use by two congeneric ariid catfishes in a subtropical coastal lagoon

Although ariid catfishe species are known to use coastal systems during some stages of their life cycles, the energetic contribution of estuarine resources and habitat use by many species in this family are still unclear. We used stable isotope analyses to estimate the assimilation of primary carbon sources and to infer the use of estuarine and freshwater habitats by two ariid catfishes Genidens barbus (Lacepède, 1803) and Genidens genidens (Cuvier, 1829). An isotopic mixing model revealed that juveniles of both catfish species consume considerable amounts of estuarine-produced carbon sources (G. barbus: 54-87% and G. genidens: 36-84%). However, G. genidens adults rely more on freshwater-derived carbon sources (31-77%) than on estuarine sources (23-69%). These results support the hypothesis that both species occupy the estuary and assimilate organic carbon produced in this region during their early stages, but G. genidens adults consume carbon sources associated with the freshwater portion of the lagoon.(AU)

Carbon primary sources and estuarine habitat use by two congeneric ariid catfishes in a subtropical coastal lagoon

Although ariid catfishe species are known to use coastal systems during some stages of their life cycles, the energetic contribution of estuarine resources and habitat use by many species in this family are still unclear. We used stable isotope analyses to estimate the assimilation of primary carbon sources and to infer the use of estuarine and freshwater habitats by two ariid catfishes Genidens barbus (Lacepède, 1803) and Genidens genidens (Cuvier, 1829). An isotopic mixing model revealed that juveniles of both catfish species consume considerable amounts of estuarine-produced carbon sources (G. barbus: 54-87% and G. genidens: 36-84%). However, G. genidens adults rely more on freshwater-derived carbon sources (31-77%) than on estuarine sources (23-69%). These results support the hypothesis that both species occupy the estuary and assimilate organic carbon produced in this region during their early stages, but G. genidens adults consume carbon sources associated with the freshwater portion of the lagoon.

First record of partial albinism in two catfish species of Genidens (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in an estuary of Southern Brazil

This study reports the first occurrence of partial albinism in two species of Ariidae: Genidens barbus and Genidens planifrons from an estuary of Southern Brazil. Possible causes of the simultaneous occurrence of three specimens with partial albinism are discussed, including random genetic alterations, chronic contamination effects and small effective population size, which may favor the expression of the recessive albino gene.

Life history of three catfish species (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from southeastern Brazil / Ciclo de vida de três espécies de bagres (Siluriformes: Ariidae) do sudeste do Brasil

This study evaluated the spatio-temporal distribution, reproduction and diet of the catfishes Genidens genidens, G. barbus and Aspistor luniscutis in Caraguatatuba Bay. Their sizes were recorded and the sex and reproductive stage identified. The abundance was compared between areas (South and North) and among months (August 2003 - October 2004). The species had different spatial distributions, allowing them to coexist. The temporal distribution reflected their tendencies to migrate in the reproductive period, as evidenced by the dominance of small immature individuals in the bay. G. genidens tended to reproduce in winter, and A. luniscutis in spring. The diet of G. genidens consisted of crustaceans, mollusks (shells), fish scales, ostracods, and bivalve siphons. G. barbus consumed a high proportion of mysids, followed by fish (bones and scales). For A. luniscutis, the diet was based on fish scales and crustaceans. High quantities of particulate organic matter were observed in the diet of all three species, as previously known for estuarine catfishes. The consumption of fish scales may reflect a lepidophagic habit. A small overlap was observed among the diets, reflecting differences in their environments as well as in the proportions of each item ingested.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a distribuição espaço-temporal, reprodução e dieta dos bagres Genidens genidens, G. barbus e Aspistor luniscutis na Enseada de Caraguatatuba. Seus tamanhos foram registrados e o sexo e o estágio reprodutivo identificados. A abundância foi comparada entre areas (sul e norte) e entre meses (agosto/2003 a outubro/2004). As espécies tiveram distribuições espaciais distintas, permitindo sua coexistência. A distribuição temporal reflete sua tendência por migrar no períoo reprodutivo, evidenciado pela dominância de indivíduos pequenos e imaturos na enseada. Houve uma tendência de G. genidens reproduzir no inverno e A. luniscutis na primavera. G. genidens teve sua dieta constituida de crustáceos, moluscos (conchas), escamas de peixes, ostrácodes e sifões de bivalves. G. barbus revelou uma grande dominância por misidáceos, seguido por peixes (ossos e escamas). Para A. luniscutis, a dieta foi baseada em escamas de peixes e crustáceos. Grande quantidade de material orgânico particulado foi observado na dieta das espécies, como já conhecido para bagres estuarinos. O consumo de escamas de peixes pode refletir um hábito lepdofágico. Pequena sobreposição na dieta foi observada entre as espécies, refletindo distinções no ambiente como também nas proporções ingeridas de cada item.

Redescrição de Genidens barbus (Lacépède, 1803) e Genidens machadoi (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1918), Bagres Marinhos (Siluriformes, Ariidae) do Atlântico Sul Ocidental

Variation in the pattern of the vomero-palatine tooth patches of Genidens barbus and Genidens machadoi is reviewed and the species redescribed based on the analysis of 46 morphological characters. Genidens machadoi can be distinguished from Genidens barbus by: the notched lateral margin of the sphenotic (vs. lateral margin of the sphenotic straight); the cephalic shield narrowest in the sphenotic (vs. cephalic shield narrowest in the frontal); distance between the lateral margin of the cephalic shield, at narrowest portion, and the posterior margin of the orbit 0.681.0 of the smallest width of the cephalic shield (vs. 1.21.7); width of the posterior extremity of the supra-occipital process 2.03.4 of the length of the supra-occipital process (vs. 3.34.7); one or two groups of tooth patches on roof of mouth, anterior patch small and round, posterior patch oval, sometimes confluent or fused with the front group (vs. patches a with horseshoe shape, patches totally fused or divided in confluent groups, always with a posterior projection); longest length of the tooth patches 3.24.9 of the height of the head (vs. 1.93.4); granulation on cephalic shield coarse and irregularly distributed (vs. smooth and distributed in regular series).

A variação no padrão das placas de dentes vômero-palatinas de Genidens barbus e Genidens machadoi é revista e as espécies redescritas com base na análise de 46 caracteres morfológicos. Genidens machadoi pode ser diferenciada de Genidens barbus pela: margem lateral do esfenótico recortada (vs. margem lateral do esfenótico retilínea); escudo cefálico mais estreito na região dos esfenóticos (vs. escudo cefálico mais estreito na região dos frontais); distância entre a margem lateral do escudo cefálico, na porção mais estreita, e a margem posterior da órbita cabendo 0,681,0 na menor largura do escudo cefálico (vs. 1,21,7); menor largura do processo occipital, na porção posterior, cabendo 2,03,4 no comprimento do processo occipital (vs. 3,34,7); um ou dois pares de placas de dentes na região do palato, par anterior arredondado e pequeno, par posterior ovalado às vezes confluente ou fusionado com o par anterior (vs. placas de dentes na região do palato formando um conjunto com aspecto de uma ferradura, as placas totalmente fusionadas ou confluentes e distintas, mas sempre com uma projeção posterior); maior comprimento das placas de dentes cabendo 3,24,9 na altura da cabeça (vs. 1,93,4); granulação no escudo cefálico espessa e irregularmente distribuída (vs. fina e distribuída em série regulares).

Redescrição de Genidens barbus (Lacépède, 1803) e Genidens machadoi (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1918), Bagres Marinhos (Siluriformes, Ariidae) do Atlântico Sul Ocidental

Variation in the pattern of the vomero-palatine tooth patches of Genidens barbus and Genidens machadoi is reviewed and the species redescribed based on the analysis of 46 morphological characters. Genidens machadoi can be distinguished from Genidens barbus by: the notched lateral margin of the sphenotic (vs. lateral margin of the sphenotic straight); the cephalic shield narrowest in the sphenotic (vs. cephalic shield narrowest in the frontal); distance between the lateral margin of the cephalic shield, at narrowest portion, and the posterior margin of the orbit 0.681.0 of the smallest width of the cephalic shield (vs. 1.21.7); width of the posterior extremity of the supra-occipital process 2.03.4 of the length of the supra-occipital process (vs. 3.34.7); one or two groups of tooth patches on roof of mouth, anterior patch small and round, posterior patch oval, sometimes confluent or fused with the front group (vs. patches a with horseshoe shape, patches totally fused or divided in confluent groups, always with a posterior projection); longest length of the tooth patches 3.24.9 of the height of the head (vs. 1.93.4); granulation on cephalic shield coarse and irregularly distributed (vs. smooth and distributed in regular series).

A variação no padrão das placas de dentes vômero-palatinas de Genidens barbus e Genidens machadoi é revista e as espécies redescritas com base na análise de 46 caracteres morfológicos. Genidens machadoi pode ser diferenciada de Genidens barbus pela: margem lateral do esfenótico recortada (vs. margem lateral do esfenótico retilínea); escudo cefálico mais estreito na região dos esfenóticos (vs. escudo cefálico mais estreito na região dos frontais); distância entre a margem lateral do escudo cefálico, na porção mais estreita, e a margem posterior da órbita cabendo 0,681,0 na menor largura do escudo cefálico (vs. 1,21,7); menor largura do processo occipital, na porção posterior, cabendo 2,03,4 no comprimento do processo occipital (vs. 3,34,7); um ou dois pares de placas de dentes na região do palato, par anterior arredondado e pequeno, par posterior ovalado às vezes confluente ou fusionado com o par anterior (vs. placas de dentes na região do palato formando um conjunto com aspecto de uma ferradura, as placas totalmente fusionadas ou confluentes e distintas, mas sempre com uma projeção posterior); maior comprimento das placas de dentes cabendo 3,24,9 na altura da cabeça (vs. 1,93,4); granulação no escudo cefálico espessa e irregularmente distribuída (vs. fina e distribuída em série regulares).