I-Shiung Chen

Complete mitochondrial genome of Sicyopterus japonicus (Perciformes, Gobiidae).

In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Sicyopterus japonicus (Perciformes, Gobiidae). This mitochondrial genome consists of 16,514 base pairs (bp), with 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 non-coding control region (CR), also with the gene synteny identical to that of typical vertebrates. CR, of 843 bp in length, is located between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe. The overall base composition of the heavy strand shows T 26.1%, C 28.7%, A 28.3%, and G 16.91%, with a slight AT bias of 54.4%.

Taxonomy and mitochondrial sequence evolution in non-diadromous species of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) of Hainan Island, southern China

Collections of the West-Pacific freshwater gobiid genus, Rhinogobius Gill, 1859, from Hainan Island, southern China, were examined morphologically and their taxonomic status revised according to meristic criteria and colouration. As well as a confirmation of the presence of R. leavelli, a further four species with a non-diadromous life history are here described as new to science under the following names: Rhinogobius changjiangensis n. sp., R. linshuiensis n. sp., R. nandujiangensis n. sp., and R. wangchuangensis n. sp., inhabiting different river basins on the island. To compare taxonomic status and evolutionary history of these species with Chinese freshwater species of Rhinogobius, the complete mitochondrial control region was amplified and sequenced for three of the new species, a non-diadromous species from southern China (R. duospilus), and two amphidromous species, R. leavelli from southern China (including Hainan) and R. maculafasciatus from Taiwan. The resulting molecular data indicate a high level of genetic divergence between these putative morphological species, and the phylogenetic reconstructions from both distance and discrete methods suggest that the endemic non-diadromous species of Hainan evolved from a common non-diadromous ancestor, probably during more than one period of marine regression.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese sucker Myxocyprinus asiaticus (Cypriniformes, Catostomidae)

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of Chinese sucker Myxocyprinus asiaticus (Cypriniformes, Catostomidae) has been amplified and sequenced by employing long polymerase chain reaction method. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,636 base pairs (bp), had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes, and a noncoding control region (CR). CR of 944 bp length is located between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe. The overall base composition of M. asiaticus is 28.62% for A, 27.90% for C, 24.8% for T, and 18.70% for G, with a slight AT bias of 53.40%. The complete mitogenome may provide important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic analyses for higher taxa of teleost fishes especially for the members of Cypriniformes.

Androgens Increase lws Opsin Expression and Red Sensitivity in Male Three-Spined Sticklebacks

Optomotor studies have shown that three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) are more sensitive to red during summer than winter, which may be related to the need to detect the red breeding colour of males. This study aimed to determine whether this change of red light sensitivity is specifically related to reproductive physiology. The mRNA levels of opsin genes were examined in the retinae of sexually mature and immature fish, as well as in sham-operated males, castrated control males, or castrated males implanted with androgen 11-ketoandrostenedione (11 KA), maintained under stimulatory (L16:D8) or inhibitory (L8:D16) photoperiods. In both sexes, red-sensitive opsin gene (lws) mRNA levels were higher in sexually mature than in immature fish. Under L16:D8, lws mRNA levels were higher in intact than in castrated males, and were up-regulated by 11 KA treatment in castrated males. Moreover, electroretinogram data confirmed that sexual maturation resulted in higher relative red spectral sensitivity. Mature males under L16:D8 were more sensitive to red light than males under L8:D16. Red light sensitivity under L16:D8 was diminished by castration, but increased by 11 KA treatment. Thus, in sexually mature male sticklebacks, androgen is a key factor in enhancing sensitivity to red light via regulation of opsin gene expression. This is the first study to demonstrate that sex hormones can regulate spectral vision sensitivity.

The complete mitochondrial genome of half-spined barbel Acrossocheilus hemispinus (Nichols) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Barbinae).

Abstract In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of half-spined barbel Acrossocheilus hemispinus has been amplified and sequenced by employing long polymerase chain reaction method. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,590 base pairs (bp), had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes and a noncoding control region (CR). CR of 940 bp length is located between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe. The overall base composition of A. hemispinus is 31.2% for A, 28.2% for C, 24.4% for T and 15.9 % for G, with a slight AT bias of 55.6%. The complete mitogenome may provide rather essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic analysis for not only congeneric species but also higher different taxa of Cyprinid fishes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of rainbow barbel Acrossocheilus barbodon (Nichols and Pope) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Barbinae).

Abstract In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of rainbow barbel Acrossocheilus barbodon has been amplified and sequenced by employing long polymerase chain reaction method. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,596 base pairs (bp), had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes and a noncoding control region (CR). CR of 934 bp length is located between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe. The overall base composition of A. hemispinus is 31.5% for A, 28.2% for C, 24.4% for T and 15.9 % for G, with a higher AC content of 55.9%. The complete mitogenome may provide very essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic analysis for not only congeneric species but also higher different taxa of Cyprinid fishes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Abe’s mangrove goby Mugilogobius abei (Teleostei, Gobiidae)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Abe’s mangrove goby Mugilogobius abei has been amplified. Mugilogobius abei is widely contributed species in Northeast to East Asia. The complete mitogenome is 16,483 base pairs (bp) in total length, had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 1 control region (CR). The overall base composition of M. abei is 27.7% for A, 27.0% for T, 28.6% for C, 16.7% for G, with higher AT content of 54.7%. This study will contribute for understanding the phylogenetic approach in genus Mugilogobius and related gobiid genera.

A new species of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Hanjiang Basin in Guangdong Province, China

A new freshwater goby, Rhinogobius wangi, was collected from a small tributary of the Hanjiang Basin, Guangdong Province, southeastern China. The species can be distinguished from all congeneric species by the following unique combination of features: second dorsal fin rays I, 8; anal fin rays I, 7; pectoral fin rays 16; rather large scales as longitudinal scale series 26–27; predorsal scales 8–9; vertebral count 10 + 17 = 27; seven parallel, deep brown oblique stripes crossing on cheek in male; branchiostegal membrane with brownish-red spots in male; seven longitudinal deep brown lines on lateral side of body; pectoral fin base with a blackish-brown bar. A key to all nominal species with high vertebral counts from China (Hanjiang to Chiangtangjiang basins), Taiwan, and Japan is also provided.

The complete mitochondrial genome of variegated lizardfish Synodus variegatus (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of variegated lizardfish Synodus variegatus (Lacepède, 1803) (Perciformes, Synodontidae) has been amplified and sequenced employing the long polymerase chain reaction method. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,448 base pairs (bp), had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes and a noncoding control region (CR). The CR of 830 bp length is rather compact and located between tRNAPro and tRNAPhe. The overall base composition of Myxocyprinus asiaticus is 26.36% for A, 27.69% for C, 26.99% for T and 18.95% for G, with a slight AT bias of 53.36%. The complete mitogenome may provide important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic analyses for higher taxa of teleost fishes, especially for the fishes of order Aulopiformes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Java fat-nose goby Pseudogobius javanicus (Teleostei, Gobiidae)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the fat-nose goby Pseudogobius javanicus has been amplified. P. javanicus is widely contributed species in Southeast to East Asia. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,493 base pairs (bp) in total length, had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, 1 control region (CR) and 1 light-strand replication origin (OL). The overall base composition of P. javanicus is 27.1% for A, 27.3% for T, 28.6% for C, 17.0% for G, with higher AT content of 54.4%. This study will contribute for understanding the phylogenetic approach in genus Pseudogobius.