Yun-Chih Liao

The complete mitochondrial genome of the big-eye thresher shark, Alopias superciliosus (Chondrichthyes, Alopiidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the big-eye thresher shark was sequenced using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. The total length of mitochondrial DNA is 16,719 bp and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 replication origin region and 1 control region. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of the big-eye thresher shark is the same as the one observed in the most vertebrates. Base composition of the genome is A (31.8%), T (28.9%), C (25.8%) and G (13.5%).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the three-spot seahorse, Hippocampus trimaculatus (Teleostei, Syngnathidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the three-spot seahorse was sequenced using a polymerase chain reaction-based method. The total length of mitochondrial DNA is 16,535 bp and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The mitochondrial gene order of the three-spot seahorse also conforms to the distinctive vertebrate mitochondrial gene order. The base composition of the genome is A (32.7%), T (29.3%), C (23.4%), and G (14.6%) with an A+T-rich hallmark as that of other vertebrate mitochondrial genomes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the salmon shark, Lamna ditropis (Chondrichthyes, Lamnidae).

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the salmon shark consists of 16,699 bp and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 replication origin region and 1 control region. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of the salmon shark is the same as that of most vertebrates. Base composition of the genome is A (29.6%), T (28.6%), C (27.1%), and G (14.8%).

Composition of fish species in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and their responses to changes in the ecological environment

Based on trawl surveys in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea during the 2010 Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition, fish biodiversity characteristics, such as fish composition, dominant species, biodiversity, and faunal characteristics were conducted. We also discussed the responses of fishes to the quick changes in Arctic climate. The results showed that a total of 41 species in 14 families were recorded in these waters. The dominant species were Hippoglossoides robustus, Boreogadus saida, Myoxocephalus scorpius, Lumpenus fabricii, and Artediellus scaber. There were 35 coldwater species, accounting for 85.37%, and six cold temperate species, occupying 14.63%. The habitat types of fish could be grouped as follows: 35 species of demersal fishes, five benthopelagic fishes, and one pelagic fish. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) (range between 0 and 2.18, 1.21 on average) was not high, and descended from south to north. Climate change has caused some fishes to shift along their latitudinal and longitudinal distribution around the Arctic and Subarctic areas, and this could lead to the decline of Arctic fishery resources.

A molecular forensic method for identifying species composition of processed marine mammal meats

We used universal primers designed for the cytochrome oxidase I (CO I) sequence of the order Cetacea and the family Phocidae to prove that meat fritters sold in Taiwan contained meat from two seal, six cetacean, and one pig species. The sequence information for CO I obtained in this study was limited and population genetics data for the eight sampled marine mammalian species was insufficient to deduce where these marine mammals were hunted. Regardless of the geographic origins of the marine mammal flesh, sale and consumption of marine mammals in Taiwan violates the Wildlife Conservation Act. This study provides PCR primers that could enable government testing of suspect meats to curtail the illegal trade in marine mammal products.

Twenty New Records of Stomiiformes Fishes (Pisces: Stomiiformes) from Taiwanese Waters

Twenty newly recorded species and eight newly recorded genera of the mesopelagic or bathypelagic deep-sea fishes, Stomiiformes, around Taiwanese waters were collected in this report. Among them, Diplophos orientalis Matsubara, 1940 in Diplophidae; Pollichthys mauli (Poll, 1953), and Polymetme elongata (Matsubara,1938) in Phosichthyidae; Argyripnus pharos Harold & Lancaster, 2003, Argyropelecus affinis Garman, 1899, Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930, Polyipnus dana Harold, 1990, Polyipnus fraseri Fowler, 1934, Polyipnus spinifer Borodulina, 1979, Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781, Sternoptyx obscura Garman, 1899, Sternoptyx pseudobscura Baird, 1971, Maurolicus japonicus Ishikawa, 1915, and Valenciennellus tripunctulatus (Esmark, 1871) in Sternoptychidae; Bathophilus kingi Giglioli, 1882, Chauliodus macouni Bean, 1890, Echiostoma barbatum (Lowe, 1843), Malacosteus niger Ayres, 1848, Melanostomias valdiviae Brauer, 1902, and Leptostomias multifilis Imai, 1941 in Stomiidae are new record species. Pollichthys, Polymetme, Argyripnus, Sternoptyx, Maurolicus, Valenciennellus, Echiostoma, and Malacosteus are newly recorded genera. There are totally now 55 species in 33 genera of 5 families in Taiwan. Diagnostic characters, specimen records, distribution, color photographs, and sampling information are provided for newly recorded species. A key to species of Taiwan is given.

Composition and distribution of fish species collected during the fourth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in 2010: Composition and distribution of fish species collected during the fourth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in 2010

There are awareness and concerns caused by the decreasing sea ice coverage around the Arctic and Antarctic due to effects of climate change. Emphasis in this study was on rapid changes in Arctic sea ice coverage and its impacts on the marine ecology during the fourth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in 2010. Our purpose was to establish a baseline of Arctic fish compositions, and consequent effects of climate change on the fish community and biogeography. Fish specimens were collected using a multinet middle-water trawl, French-type beam trawl, otter trawl, and triangular bottom trawl. In total, 36 tows were carried out along the shelf of the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean. In total, 41 fish species belonging to 14 families in 7 orders were collected during the expedition. Among them, the Scorpaeniformes, including 17 species, accounted for almost one third of the total number (34.8%), followed by 14 species of the Perciformes (27.0%), 5 species of the Pleuronectiformes (22.3%), and 2 species of the Gadiformes (15.4%). The top 6 most abundant species were Hippoglossoides robustus, Boregadus saida, Myoxocephalus scorpius, Lumpenus fabricii, Artediellus scaber, and Gymnocanthus tricuspis. Abundant species varied according to the different fishing methods; numbers of families and species recorded did not differ with the various fishing methods; species and abundances decreased with depth and latitude; and species extending over their known geographic ranges were observed during the expedition. Station information, species list, and color photographs of all fishes are provided.