1
|
Distribution of the Order Lampriformes in the Mediterranean Sea with Notes on Their Biology, Morphology, and Taxonomy. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101534. [PMID: 36290437 PMCID: PMC9598601 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lampriformes are circumglobally distributed and contain several families of strictly marine bony fishes that have a peculiar morphology. Lampriformes systematics is affected by limitations in biometric, meristic, and molecular data; for this reason, it underwent several rearrangements in the past. This review aimed to describe the biological and ecological characteristics of the order Lampriformes, summarizing the current taxonomy of the group. The main aim was to clarify what is known about the distribution of the order Lampriformes in the Mediterranean Sea, collecting all the scarce and fragmented reports and notes on their occurrence. Knowledge scarcity is due to their solitary nature, in addition to their low to absent economic value. Despite this, the order Lampriformes represents a taxon of high biological and ecological importance. The high depth range of distribution characterizes their lifestyle. In the Mediterranean Sea, four families are present-Lampridae, Lophotidae, Regalecidae, and Trachipteridae-with the following species respectively, Lampris guttatus (Brünnich, 1788), Lophotus lacepede (Giorna, 1809), Regalecus glesne (Ascanius, 1772), Trachipterus arcticus (Brünnich, 1788), T. trachypterus (Gmelin, 1789), and Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1819). Data deficiencies affect information on this taxon; the present review, which collected all the reports of the Mediterranean Sea, creates a baseline for depicting the biogeography of these rare and important species.
Collapse
|
2
|
Hoving HJT, Freitas R. Pelagic observations of the midwater scorpionfish Ectreposebastes imus (Setarchidae) suggests a role in trophic coupling between deep-sea habitats. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:586-589. [PMID: 34751439 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
During pelagic video transects off Santo Antão, Cabo Verde, we encountered the midwater scorpionfish Ectreposebastes imus in midwater between 300 and 800 m over a bottom depth of about 1000 m. The fish were typically positioned vertically with their heads pointing upwards. These first midwater observations of E. imus suggest migratory (potentially feeding) behaviour into the pelagic realm and hence a possible role of this species in the trophic coupling between the pelagic and benthic habitats in the deep seas of Cabo Verde and elsewhere in its global distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui Freitas
- Institute of Engineering and Marine Sciences, Atlantic Technical University, Mindelo, Cabo Verde
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lozano-Cobo H, Gómez Del Prado-Rosas MDC, Silva-Segundo CA, Oceguera-Figueroa A, Gómez-Gutiérrez J. Molecular Identification of Plerocercoids of Clistobothrium montaukensis (Cestoda: Phyllobothriidea) Parasitizing the King of Herrings Regalecus glesne. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1586-1592. [PMID: 34033067 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00400-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endo-parasites of the bathypelagic king of herrings Regalecus glesne and oarfish Regalecus russelii are only known from few specimens opportunistically examined. As a consequence, there are few records of parasites from either Regalecus species. We report plerocercoid larvae of phyllobothriidean cestodes parasitizing an adult R. glesne stranded in Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. METHODS Sixty-three plerocercoids were obtained from the intestine of R. glesne and characterized using morphological and molecular methods (nuclear 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequences). RESULTS Following the morphological diagnostic criteria of scolex and muscle bands in the strobila, plerocercoids specimens were preliminary assigned to the genus Clistobothrium. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences indicate these plerocercoids correspond to Clistobothrium montaukensis Ruhnke, 1993. CONCLUSION Regalecus glesne is a new host known for C. montaukensis and this report is a new geographical record of C. montaukensis parasitizing species of the genus Regalecus previously known only from California and Florida, USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Horacio Lozano-Cobo
- Departamento de Plancton y Ecología Marina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN s/n, 23096, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico
- Departamento de Hidrobiología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa. Av. San Rafael Atlixco No. 186, Col. Vicentina, 09340, Mexico, Mexico
| | - María Del Carmen Gómez Del Prado-Rosas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, km 5.5 Carretera al Sur, 23080, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico
| | - Claudia A Silva-Segundo
- Departamento Académico de Ingeniería en Pesquerías, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Km 5.5 Carretera al Sur, 23080, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa
- Laboratorio de Helmintología, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer circuito s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Plancton y Ecología Marina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN s/n, 23096, La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Maile AJ, May ZA, DeArmon ES, Martin RP, Davis MP. Marine Habitat Transitions and Body-Shape Evolution in Lizardfishes and Their Allies (Aulopiformes). COPEIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1643/cg-19-300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Maile
- Department of Biological Sciences, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301; (AJM) . Send reprint requests to AJM
| | - Zachary A. May
- Department of Biological Sciences, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301; (AJM) . Send reprint requests to AJM
| | - Emily S. DeArmon
- Department of Biological Sciences, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301; (AJM) . Send reprint requests to AJM
| | - Rene P. Martin
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
| | - Matthew P. Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301; (AJM) . Send reprint requests to AJM
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oka SI, Nakamura M, Nozu R, Miyamoto K. First observation of larval oarfish, Regalecus russelii, from fertilized eggs through hatching, following artificial insemination in captivity. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 32292594 PMCID: PMC7140580 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-020-00156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the life history of oarfish of the genus Regalecus, although it is a famous deep-sea fish and an apparent origin of sea serpent legends. We successfully performed artificial insemination using a recently dead pair of sexually mature individuals. We report for the first time development from fertilized eggs to early larvae in the Lampridiformes. RESULTS Eggs required 18 days of development from fertilization to hatching under 20.5-22.5 °C conditions. Oarfish larvae had similar morphological features as other lampridiform larvae hatched in the ocean. Larvae typically faced downward and swam using pectoral fins; they frequently opened their mouths. This mouth-opening behavior and swimming ability were both consistent with osteological development. The larvae did not eat and died four days after hatching. CONCLUSIONS This is the first successful instance of artificial insemination and hatching in the oarfish, as well as the first reliable morphological and behavioral description of lampridiform larvae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ichiro Oka
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206 Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206 Japan
| | - Ryo Nozu
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206 Japan
| | - Kei Miyamoto
- Okinawa Churashima Foundation, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Okinawa, 905-0206 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fish FE, Holzman R. Swimming Turned on Its Head: Stability and Maneuverability of the Shrimpfish ( Aeoliscus punctulatus). Integr Org Biol 2019; 1:obz025. [PMID: 33791539 PMCID: PMC7671158 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obz025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The typical orientation of a neutrally buoyant fish is with the venter down and the head pointed anteriorly with a horizontally oriented body. However, various advanced teleosts will reorient the body vertically for feeding, concealment, or prehension. The shrimpfish (Aeoliscus punctulatus) maintains a vertical orientation with the head pointed downward. This posture is maintained by use of the beating fins as the position of the center of buoyancy nearly corresponds to the center of mass. The shrimpfish swims with dorsum of the body moving anteriorly. The cross-sections of the body have a fusiform design with a rounded leading edge at the dorsum and tapering trailing edge at the venter. The median fins (dorsal, caudal, anal) are positioned along the venter of the body and are beat or used as a passive rudder to effect movement of the body in concert with active movements of pectoral fins. Burst swimming and turning maneuvers by yawing were recorded at 500 frames/s. The maximum burst speed was 2.3 body lengths/s, but when measured with respect to the body orientation, the maximum speed was 14.1 body depths/s. The maximum turning rate by yawing about the longitudinal axis was 957.5 degrees/s. Such swimming performance is in line with fishes with a typical orientation. Modification of the design of the body and position of the fins allows the shrimpfish to effectively swim in the head-down orientation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F E Fish
- Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | - R Holzman
- School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University and the Inter-University for Marine Sciences in Eliat, Eliat 88103, P.O. Box 469, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Macreadie PI, McLean DL, Thomson PG, Partridge JC, Jones DOB, Gates AR, Benfield MC, Collin SP, Booth DJ, Smith LL, Techera E, Skropeta D, Horton T, Pattiaratchi C, Bond T, Fowler AM. Eyes in the sea: Unlocking the mysteries of the ocean using industrial, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 634:1077-1091. [PMID: 29660864 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
For thousands of years humankind has sought to explore our oceans. Evidence of this early intrigue dates back to 130,000BCE, but the advent of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the 1950s introduced technology that has had significant impact on ocean exploration. Today, ROVs play a critical role in both military (e.g. retrieving torpedoes and mines) and salvage operations (e.g. locating historic shipwrecks such as the RMS Titanic), and are crucial for oil and gas (O&G) exploration and operations. Industrial ROVs collect millions of observations of our oceans each year, fueling scientific discoveries. Herein, we assembled a group of international ROV experts from both academia and industry to reflect on these discoveries and, more importantly, to identify key questions relating to our oceans that can be supported using industry ROVs. From a long list, we narrowed down to the 10 most important questions in ocean science that we feel can be supported (whole or in part) by increasing access to industry ROVs, and collaborations with the companies that use them. The questions covered opportunity (e.g. what is the resource value of the oceans?) to the impacts of global change (e.g. which marine ecosystems are most sensitive to anthropogenic impact?). Looking ahead, we provide recommendations for how data collected by ROVs can be maximised by higher levels of collaboration between academia and industry, resulting in win-win outcomes. What is clear from this work is that the potential of industrial ROV technology in unravelling the mysteries of our oceans is only just beginning to be realised. This is particularly important as the oceans are subject to increasing impacts from global change and industrial exploitation. The coming decades will represent an important time for scientists to partner with industry that use ROVs in order to make the most of these 'eyes in the sea'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter I Macreadie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Victoria 3216, Australia.
| | - Dianne L McLean
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Paul G Thomson
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Julian C Partridge
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Daniel O B Jones
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Andrew R Gates
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Mark C Benfield
- Louisiana State University, Collegee of the Coast and Environment, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Shaun P Collin
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - David J Booth
- Fish Ecology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2007, Australia
| | - Luke L Smith
- Woodside Energy, 240 Georges Terace, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia
| | - Erika Techera
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Danielle Skropeta
- School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2500, Australia
| | - Tammy Horton
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Charitha Pattiaratchi
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Todd Bond
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Ashley M Fowler
- Fish Ecology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, 2007, Australia; New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Forsgren KL, Jamal H, Barrios A, Paig-Tran EWM. Reproductive Morphology of Oarfish (Regalecus russellii). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 300:1695-1704. [PMID: 28390152 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is a critical aspect of understanding the biology of fishes. Relatively little is known about oarfish (Regalecus russellii) reproduction; however, strandings of dead animals have provided a rare opportunity to investigate the gonadal morphology of four fish: two females and two males. A female collected in June 2015 (4.32 m TL) had bifurcated ovaries 2.14 m in length and 2.14 kg. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was 11.8% and the fish was determined to be spawning capable/spawning reproductive phase. A female that stranded in Sept. 2015 (5.20 m TL) had bifurcated ovaries 1.43 m in length and 1.28 kg with a GSI of 1.55%. The Sept. female was in a regressing phase of reproduction. A male collected in Aug. 2015 (4.30 m TL) had 64.7-cm-long testes that weighed 40.1 g. The GSI was 0.05% representing a regressing phase of reproduction. A male collected in Nov. 2015 (4.10 m TL) had testes 104.0 cm in length and 467.0 g with a GSI of 0.59%. The Nov. male was in a spawning/spawning capable phase of reproduction. We described ovarian follicles and sperm cells based on size classes and cytological characteristics. We concluded that oarfish are likely batch spawners that undergo periods of regression after a spawning event or season. While this study is not complete with respect to the annual reproductive cycle of oarfish, it markedly contributes to our overall understanding of this rare, mesopelagic fish. Anat Rec, 300:1695-1704, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Homam Jamal
- California State University, Fullerton, California
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Durden JM, Schoening T, Althaus F, Friedman A, Garcia R, Glover AG, Greinert J, Stout NJ, Jones D, Jordt A, Kaeli J, Köser K, Kuhnz L, Lindsay D, Morris K, Nattkemper T, Osterloff J, Ruhl H, Singh H, Tran M, Bett B. Perspectives In Visual Imaging for Marine Biology and Ecology: From Acquisition to Understanding. OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE BIOLOGY - AN ANNUAL REVIEW 2016. [DOI: 10.1201/9781315368597-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
10
|
Phillips ND, Harrod C, Gates AR, Thys TM, Houghton JDR. Seeking the sun in deep, dark places: mesopelagic sightings of ocean sunfishes (Molidae). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2015; 87:1118-1126. [PMID: 26377954 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is presented from publicly available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) footage that suggests deep-water ranging in ocean sunfishes (family Molidae) is more common than typically thought, including a new maximum depth recorded for the southern sunfish Mola ramsayi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N D Phillips
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, MBC Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, U.K
| | - C Harrod
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - A R Gates
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - T M Thys
- California Academy of Science, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, 94118, U.S.A
| | - J D R Houghton
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, MBC Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, U.K
- Institute of Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, 123 Stranmillis Road, County Antrim, Belfast, BT9 5AG, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bale R, Neveln ID, Bhalla APS, MacIver MA, Patankar NA. Convergent evolution of mechanically optimal locomotion in aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates. PLoS Biol 2015; 13:e1002123. [PMID: 25919026 PMCID: PMC4412495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Examples of animals evolving similar traits despite the absence of that trait in the last common ancestor, such as the wing and camera-type lens eye in vertebrates and invertebrates, are called cases of convergent evolution. Instances of convergent evolution of locomotory patterns that quantitatively agree with the mechanically optimal solution are very rare. Here, we show that, with respect to a very diverse group of aquatic animals, a mechanically optimal method of swimming with elongated fins has evolved independently at least eight times in both vertebrate and invertebrate swimmers across three different phyla. Specifically, if we take the length of an undulation along an animal's fin during swimming and divide it by the mean amplitude of undulations along the fin length, the result is consistently around twenty. We call this value the optimal specific wavelength (OSW). We show that the OSW maximizes the force generated by the body, which also maximizes swimming speed. We hypothesize a mechanical basis for this optimality and suggest reasons for its repeated emergence through evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Bale
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Izaak D. Neveln
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Amneet Pal Singh Bhalla
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Malcolm A. MacIver
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NAP); (MAM)
| | - Neelesh A. Patankar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NAP); (MAM)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
McClain CR, Balk MA, Benfield MC, Branch TA, Chen C, Cosgrove J, Dove ADM, Gaskins L, Helm RR, Hochberg FG, Lee FB, Marshall A, McMurray SE, Schanche C, Stone SN, Thaler AD. Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna. PeerJ 2015; 3:e715. [PMID: 25649000 PMCID: PMC4304853 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
What are the greatest sizes that the largest marine megafauna obtain? This is a simple question with a difficult and complex answer. Many of the largest-sized species occur in the world’s oceans. For many of these, rarity, remoteness, and quite simply the logistics of measuring these giants has made obtaining accurate size measurements difficult. Inaccurate reports of maximum sizes run rampant through the scientific literature and popular media. Moreover, how intraspecific variation in the body sizes of these animals relates to sex, population structure, the environment, and interactions with humans remains underappreciated. Here, we review and analyze body size for 25 ocean giants ranging across the animal kingdom. For each taxon we document body size for the largest known marine species of several clades. We also analyze intraspecific variation and identify the largest known individuals for each species. Where data allows, we analyze spatial and temporal intraspecific size variation. We also provide allometric scaling equations between different size measurements as resources to other researchers. In some cases, the lack of data prevents us from fully examining these topics and instead we specifically highlight these deficiencies and the barriers that exist for data collection. Overall, we found considerable variability in intraspecific size distributions from strongly left- to strongly right-skewed. We provide several allometric equations that allow for estimation of total lengths and weights from more easily obtained measurements. In several cases, we also quantify considerable geographic variation and decreases in size likely attributed to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Craig R McClain
- National Evolutionary Synthesis Center , Durham, NC , USA ; Department of Biology, Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Meghan A Balk
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico , Albuquerque, NM , USA
| | - Mark C Benfield
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, LA , USA
| | - Trevor A Branch
- School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, WA , USA
| | - Catherine Chen
- Department of Biology, Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
| | - James Cosgrove
- Natural History Section, Royal British Columbia Museum , Victoria, BC , Canada
| | | | - Leo Gaskins
- Department of Biology, Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Rebecca R Helm
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University , Providence, RI , USA
| | - Frederick G Hochberg
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History , Santa Barbara, CA , USA
| | - Frank B Lee
- Department of Biology, Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
| | | | - Steven E McMurray
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington , Wilmington, NC , USA
| | | | - Shane N Stone
- Department of Biology, Duke University , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Andrew D Thaler
- Blackbeard Biologic: Science and Environmental Advisors , Vallejo, CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kuris AM, Jaramillo AG, McLaughlin JP, Weinstein SB, Garcia-Vedrenne AE, Poinar GO, Pickering M, Steinauer ML, Espinoza M, Ashford JE, Dunn GLP. Monsters of the sea serpent: parasites of an oarfish, Regalecus russellii. J Parasitol 2014; 101:41-4. [PMID: 25220829 DOI: 10.1645/14-581.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Examination of a small portion of the viscera of an oarfish ( Regalecus russellii ) recovered from Santa Catalina Island, southern California, revealed numerous tetraphyllidean tapeworm plerocercoids, Clistobothrium cf. montaukensis; 2 juvenile nematodes, Contracaecum sp.; and a fragment of an adult acanthocephalan, family Arhythmacanthidae. This suggests that the fish was relatively heavily parasitized. The presence of larval and juvenile worms suggests that oarfish are preyed upon by deep-swimming predators such as the shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus , known to be a definitive host for the adult tapeworm, and also by diving mammals such as sperm whales, Physeter catodon L., hosts of Contracaecum spp. nematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armand M Kuris
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|