Izumi Kinoshita

Phylogenetic relationships of four species of floating gobies (Gymnogobius) as inferred from partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences

Abstract To clarify the intra- and interspecific relationships of four Gymnogobius species, G. urotaenia, G. isaza, Gymnogobius sp. 1 (sumiukigori), and Gymnogobius sp. 2 (shimaukigori), partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences of 639 bp were obtained for a total of 31 specimens from Japan and Korea, plus 2 outgroup specimens. Twenty-nine haplotypes were identified in the ingroup, with a total of 122 variable sites (19.1%). The individuals regarded as the same species morphologically were monophyletic genetically. Sequence differences between amphidromous individuals of three species distributed in both Japan and Korea were relatively small (0.16–1.25%). The largest intraspecific sequence difference was observed between individuals of G. urotaenia from Lake Biwa and those from other localities (1.25–2.19%). Interspecific sequence differences ranged from 4.07% to 13.46%; neighbor-joining, maximum-parsimony, and maximum-likelihood methods indicated that Gymnogobius sp. 2 diverged first, followed by G. isaza, with Gymnogobius sp. 1 and G. urotaenia being monophyletic. The estimated divergence time of each species, based on estimated divergence rates for mitochondrial protein-coding genes already reported (0.8–2.8%/my), suggested that speciation occurred mainly in the Pliocene (possibly Miocene), with G. isaza (a Lake Biwa endemic) diverging significantly earlier (probably Lake Kouga stage) than estimated in previous studies. In contrast, according to the previous hypothesis, the substitution rates were highly overestimated to about 12–20%/my.

The influence of environmental factors on early life history patterns of flounders

Abstract The near-shore migration and settlement phases of Japanese and American flounders of the genus Paralichthys are compared and discussed relative to differences in coastal environments. Field sampling was conducted in Wakasa Bay, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, where the shelf is narrow, estuarine habitat limited and tidal range slight, and in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA, where the shelf is broad, estuarine habitat extensive and tide relatively strong. Distribution of larvae and juveniles suggests Japanese flounder spawn in close proximity to nursery grounds relative to flounder in Onslow Bay. Sampling of planktonic and benthic flounder just seaward of nursery grounds resulted in capture of a wide range of developmental stages in Wakasa Bay (early planktonic to juvenile), but was limited to metamorphosing larvae in Onslow Bay. Vertical distribution of larvae during the night also differed between the Bays. At night most larvae in Wakasa Bay remained near the bottom regardless of tidal stage. In contrast, larvae in Onslow Bay exhibited selective tidal stream transport. Laboratory experiments conducted to examine the behaviour of recently captured wild and laboratory-reared larvae indicated that wild flounder from Onslow Bay had an endogenous rhythm of activity that corresponded to the tide at the time of capture. In contrast, wild flounder from Wakasa Bay and laboratory-reared larvae showed no distinct activity pattern. These results suggest that physical characteristics of the environment influence the early life history patterns of flounders by modifying behaviour of migrating larvae.

Postlarvae and juveniles of silver sea bream,Sparus sarba occurring in the surf zones of Tosa Bay, Japan

A total of 515 larval and juvenileSparus sarba (8.2–17.8 mm TL) was collected at semimonthly intervals with a small seine in surf zones of Tosa Bay during the period of May 1981 to May 1982. They had morphological characteristics common to the larvae and juvenile of Sparinae, but were distinguished from the others by 24 dorsal and 14 anal fin rays, the first soft ray of pelvic fin not elongated and small melanophores along the dorsal margin occurring first on the caudal peduncle. They occurred in surf zones of Tosa Bay in two separate seasons, from late March to late May, and from late November to late January, being most abundant in April and May. In past studies using traditional larval nets or minnow-nets in coastal or shallow waters of Tosa Bay, larval and juvenileS. sarba were not reported. It seems that their distribution is limited in extremely shallow waters such as surf zones.

Geographic Variations in Dorsal and Anal Ray Counts of Juvenile Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, in the Japan Sea

Meristic counts of early and late wild settled juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Paralichthyidae), in Wakasa Bay, Japan, were compared, with specimens collected from 26 sites spread along ca. 1700 km of coastline facing the Japan Sea. Mean dorsal and anal ray counts of the early settled group at Kyoto were significantly larger than those of the late settled group. A discontinuous geographic boundary in mean dorsal and anal ray counts was found around Wakasa Bay and the Noto Peninsula with both means significantly larger in the southern group than in the northern group. Mean ray counts of the early and late settlers at Kyoto were similar to those of the southern and northern groups, respectively. The effect of water temperature on meristic characters was tested on two groups of laboratory-reared juveniles. Mean dorsal and anal ray counts were larger in juveniles reared at higher water temperatures. The early and late settler groups were estimated to hatch in late February and late April, respectively, representing negative response of meristic characters to water temperatures if these two groups hatched out in Wakasa Bay. Differences in the dorsal and anal ray counts between the early and late settled groups at Kyoto can, therefore be attributed to genotypic, not phenotypic variation. This suggests the possibility of transport of larvae of the early group from areas further south to Wakasa Bay by the warm Tsushima Current, a branch of the Kuroshio, which flows northeastward along the coast of the Japan Sea, particularly when the temperature gradation between the south and north areas during these seasons is considered.

Seasonal occurrence and food habits of larvae and juveniles of two temperate basses in the Shimanto estuary, Japan

Larvae and juveniles ofLateolabrax japonicus andL. latus occurred from January to May 1986 in the shallow waters of the Shimanto estuary.L. japonicus markedly outnumberedL. latus. Distinct ecological differences were recognized in habitats and food habits between the two species:L. japonicus mainly inhabited eelgrass beds composed ofZostera nana, whileL. latus appeared evenly in both eelgrass beds and non-eelgrass habitats; the former fed on copepods and cladocerans, while the latter fed on copepods and fish larvae. From these habitat and food habit analyses, estuaries were considered to be important as a main habitat forL. japonicus, but not forL. latus. The fact that ecological differences have occurred during the early life stages was inferred to be one of the possible keys to speculate on the speciation of the two species.

Early life history of a catadromous sculpin in western Japan

To clarify the early life history of Cottus kazika (Cottidae), the ontogeny, osteology, distribution, migration and food habit were examined based on larvae and juveniles collected from coasts and estuaries in western Japan. The sequence of fin completion was pectoral (P1)-dorsal soft-ray part (D2)-anal (A)-dorsal spine part (D1)-pelvic (P2). However, that of calcification was P1-P2-D1-D2-A. Larvae and juveniles of C. kazika are distinguished from those of coastal sculpins of Japan by large preopercle spines, conspicuous parietal spines, the large and densely pigmented pectoral fin and the relatively deep body. C. kazika and Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus plus Enophrys bison share these four ontogenetic characters. From the relationship between the growth ring count on the sagittae and total length, the size of embryos at hatching is estimated at 5.2 mm. Larvae are estimated to reach 7 mm in 10 days, 9 mm in 20 days and 11 mm in 30 days after hatching. Hatching dates for larvae collected in the Shimanto estuary in 1987 peaked during the period around the new moon in January. Many free embryos ranging from 4.3 to 5.9 mm were collected using an aqualamp at a rocky shore outside the Yura River mouth, at high salinity (> 33 ppt), but none were collected in the estuary. From beach samples, seasonal changes in body size varied from year to year, and no consistent growth pattern was found, although juveniles were generally larger in late March and April than in January and February. Very few larvae were collected along shorelines where there were no adjacent rivers. Food habit of larvae and juveniles changed with growth. Polychaete larvae, cladocerans and copepods were found in preflexion larvae less than 6 mm. Gammarids were one of the important food items for larvae over 6 mm. Juveniles over 12 mm almost exclusively fed on gammarids. In the Shimanto estuary, larvae and juveniles stayed near the river mouth in January and February, within a stagnant layer where temperature and salinity remained about 12 °C and 20 ppt, respectively. Juveniles tended to move in March when the stagnant layer disappeared in the estuary.

Thyroid Gland Development in a Neotenic Goby (Ice Goby, Leucopsarion petersii ) and a Common Goby (Ukigori, Gymnogobius urotaenia ) during Early Life Stages

Abstract In order to study the characteristics of neoteny in teleosts, development of the thyroid system and digestive tract of a neotenic goby (ice goby, Leucopsarion petersii) and a non-neotenic goby (ukigori, Gymnogobius urotaenia) were compared. In juvenile ukigori, the intestine was found to be convoluted once in the antero-midpart, and gastric glands were present. In the ice goby, the alimentary canal was straight, and no gastric gland was observed even in adult, suggesting that the ice goby retains larval features, not only in appearance but also in internal organs. A marked difference was also found in the thyroid system. In ukigori, activity of the thyroid gland and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) cells increased between flexion and postflexion larval phases. However, in the ice goby, thyroid glands remained inactive, and no TSH cells were observed. A delayed development of the thyroid system was suggested as a major factor contributing to neoteny in the ice goby.

Larvae and Juveniles of Temperate Bass, Lateolabrax latus, Occurring in the Surf Zones of Tosa Bay, Japan

A total of 343 larval and juvenile Lateolabrax latus (9.2–27.0 mm TL) was collected with a small seine in surf zones of Tosa Bay. They are very similar in general morphology to those of the closely related L. japonicus, but can be distinguished from them by the distribution pattern of melanophores on the tail, head spination, proportion of head length to standard length and the 15 or 16 dorsal fin soft-rays. They occurred in surf zones of Tosa Bay from early January to middle May, being most abundant in middle April. Temperatures and salinities of waters where any number of them were collected ranged from 12.2 to 24.0°C and from 23.7 to 34.5%, respectively. Larval and juvenile L. latus have not been reported so far in coastal and shallow waters, and eelgrass beds of southern Japan. It may be possible that they have been confounded with those of L. japonicus. Their occurrence seems to be limited in extremely shallow waters such as surf zones.

Importance of the upper estuary as a nursery ground for fishes in Ariake Bay, Japan

To examine the importance of the upper estuarine areas of Ariake Bay as a nursery ground for fish, assemblages of larvae and juveniles were compared among various aquatic habitats. The upper estuaries of the bay (the Rokkaku and Hayatsue estuaries) are brackish, highly turbid waters with high tidal velocities, and differ substantially from the Isahaya area, which has been separated from the bay by a man-made dike, to the middle estuary (the Kikuchi estuary). Abundances of larvae and juveniles were higher in the estuaries than in the open bay and Isahaya areas. Abundant species in the upper estuaries were similar to each other, but differed from those of the middle estuary. This was primarily due to larvae and juveniles of fishes that occurred almost entirely in the upper estuaries, such as Acanthogobius hasta, Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, Coilia nasus, Cynoglossus abbreviatus, Nibea albiflora, Odontamblyopus lacepedii, Trachidermus fasciatus and Tridentiger barbatus. These results suggest that the upper estuaries play an important role as nursery grounds for fishes.

Response of a neotenic goby, ice goby (Leucopsarion petersii), to thyroid hormone and thiourea treatments.

Abstract In order to clarify the mechanisms of neoteny in the ice goby (Leucopsarion petersii), we examined effects of thyroid hormone and thiourea (TU) treatments on their neotenic characteristics and the pituitary-thyroid axis. Adult ice goby were exposed to 3, 5, 3′-triiodothyronine (T3, 0.1 ppm), TU (inhibitor of thyroid hormone synthesis, 30 ppm), or the combination of the two for 2 weeks. Observations of whole body T3 levels, thyroid follicles and TSH immunoreactive cells in the pituitary suggests the presence of a functioning thyroidal system. However, all of the neotenic features did not disappear in T3-treated fish, suggesting the absence of T3 responsiveness in peripheral tissues. These results indicate the similarity between neoteny of the ice goby and obligatory-type neoteny of urodeles.