DOCSLIB.ORG

<I>Moringua Edwardsi</I>

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 29(1): 1-18, 1979 EARLY LIFE-HISTORY OF THE EEL MORINGUA EDWARDSI (PISCES, MORINGUIDAE) IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC P. H. J. Castle ABSTRACT The eel Morillgua edwardsi (Jordan and Bollman, 1889) is known principally from immature specimens in the western North Atlantic from Bermuda southwards to Atlantic Panama and Colombia. Its distinctive larva, earlier recognized as Leptocephalus diptychus Eigenmann, 1900, has about seven alternating, midlateral melanophores and also one in front of the anus. Larvae have 110-124 myomeres, hatch at about 5 mm TL and reach full growth at 50 mm TL, a process which takes 3-5 months, before metamorphosis begins. They live in the upper 35 ill and occur over a broad area of the western North Atlantic encompassing 1O°-40oN and 40o_88°W but those of about 10 mm TL occur only near the Caribbean Islands. Spawning is suggested to occur in the Caribbean the year round but principally at monthly intervals from November to April. Some larvae are dispersed out into the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream. This pattern of distribution and dispersal is similar to that of the only other Atlantic moringuid Neoconger mucronatus Girard, 1859. At a time when the classification of the 1968) to clarify the nomenclature of the eels is undergoing critical scrutiny, major Moringuidae pointed out that at least one difficulties are still being presented by the character (number of vertebrae) would family Moringuidae. Moringuid eels are need to be considered in any re-appraisal readily captured with piscicides in many of moringuid classification. However, it be- shallow areas of the tropical Indo-Pacific came clear from the previous study that and western Atlantic Oceans and are con- vertebral numbers were, alone, insufficient sequently abundant in museum collections to distinguish the species. around the world. However, it is still not While it is now reasonably certain that possible confidently to identify the Indo- the Moringuidae contains but two genera: Pacific species. Furthermore, little is known Moringua Gray, 1831 and Neoconger about the life-history and biology of these Girard, 1858 (Smith and Castle, 1972) eels, including the complex changes which this was not always considered to be so. they appear to undergo prior to maturation Species of Moringua have at times been (Gosline and Strasburg, 1956). described in six families, the Ratabouridae, The most substantial key to members of Ptyobranchidae, Moringuidae, Stilbiscidae, the family, based essentially on body pro- Echelidae, and Anguillichthyidae and under portions and other external characters ten other generic names: Rataboura Gray, (Schultz, et aI., 1953) was seriously ques- 1831, Pterurus Swainson, 1839; Pachyurus, tioned by Gosline and Strasburg (1956) Swainson, 1839; Ptyobranchus McClelland, who demonstrated marked sexual dimorph- 1844; Aphthalmichthys Kaup, 1856; Pseu- ism in Hawaiian moringuids which they domoringua Bleeker, 1865; Stilbiscus Jor- referred to Moringua macrochir Bleeker, dan and Bollman, 1889; Mayerina Silvester, 1855. This observation was foreshadowed 1915; A nguillichthys Mowbray, 1927 and by the brief studies of Parr (1930) and Merinthichthys Howell Rivero, 1935. The Gordon (1954) on Moringua edwardsi distinctions between these nominal genera (Jordan and Bollman, 1889) in the tropical were drawn essentially on the basis of what West Atlantic. My own attempt (Castle, most probably are morphological changes 2 BULLET]N OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 21, NO. ], ]979 during maturation of males and females, i.e., distinctive for them to have been readily those shown for Hawaiian moringuids and separated 'rom leptocephali of Neoconger known also to occur in other species. These mucronatu;', the only other moringuid spe- changes are indeed as marked as any seen cies in the western North Atlantic. More- in fishes as a group and are certainly more over, the .arvae of M. edwardsi are very than occur in any other genus of eels. It is well represented in the DANA Oceano- now widely accepted that immature morin- graphical Collections as some 1200 speci- guids pass through an "Aphthalmichthys" mens frorr. various Danish expeditions in phase with reduced eyes and fins and that the Atlantc, but mainly from the DANA the "Stilbiscus-Anguillichthys" form with cruises 1920-22. The material included larger eyes and fins is not adopted until specimens of 7.5 mm to 49 mm total maturity of both males and females. How- lengths, as well as metamorphic larvae. From ever, the precise relationship between stage such a L1rge number, wide size and of gonad development, as established geographic 11 range, it is now possible to histologically, and body form has yet to be describe tl e larval life of M. edwardsi as fully studied and described. has already been done for Neoconger It has recently been shown (Castle and mucronatu.: in the western Atlantic (Smith Bohlke, 1976) that the very considerable and Castlt:, 1972) and also to compare variation in body form and particularly these two moringuid species. body size attained at maturity in M. A furth~r 280 moringuid larvae were edwardsi is correlated with sex: mature also collected by the DANA in the Indo- males are only 115-155 mm in length while Pacific OCf an during the Round-the-World females with clearly recognizable ova attain Expedition 1928-30. Some 34 species of 245-360 mm. Furthermore, males have Moringua have been described from this 109-117 vertebrae and females 116-125, ocean (Ca,tle, 1968) but there are almost there being a significant difference in the certainly many fewer valid species. Schultz mean vertebral number in the sexes (112.6 et al. (19.53) recognize 14. My previous and 119.4 in males and females respec- review (Clstle, 1968) suggests that there tively). This discovery at last resolves the are probably about 10 species with a major long-standing problem of the wide variation group ha\ ing vertebral numbers in the in morphology of M. edwardsi and also range 105-130, but with others at about anticipates similar findings in the Indo- 150 and 160. The Indo-Pacific larvae Pacific complex of species. collected JY the DANA have myomeres The present contribution to knowledge ranging fom 98-180 with most between of these eels does not seek to describe or 105-130 arid other groupings at 150, 160, explain these changes in body form, nor and 170. The larval counts therefore to determine the significance of this poly- broadly conform with vertebral numbers of morphism in their life. A clarification of adults. However, adults of Indo-Pacific these phenomena and of specific distinctions moringuidE have not been studied on a and nomenclature in the Indo-Pacific spe- comprehensive basis and as yet it is difficult cies must await a comprehensive systematic to assign most of the larvae from this study including a familiarity with morin- ocean to their adult species. guids in the field. The sekction of Moringua edwardsi en- The purpose of this report is simply to ables a stujy to be made of larval variation, described that part of the life-history prior growth, d.spersal, and distribution in a to metamorphosis of the leptocephalus of single mo 'inguid species without encum- the single Atlantic species Moringua ed- brance of the problems of specific distinc- wardsi. This species lends itself well to tion and :lomenclature that would be in- such a study since the larvae are sufficiently volved in H similar study of the Indo-Pacific CASTLE: LIFE-HISTORY OF EEL MOR/NGVA EDWARDSI 3 species. Knowledge of these aspects of lar- moringuid AphthalmichtllYs caribbeus, a name that val biology of a single, well-characterized was to be later overlooked. In the same year Eigenmann (1900) described Leptocephalus dip- species will perhaps serve as a basis for tye/IIIS, a larval form which was not identified dealing with the Indo-Pacific complex in until many years later. Other families, genera, and due course. species were from time to time admitted to this The larval form of M. edwardsi has been group with the description of Mayerina mayeri known for many years but it has only Silvester, A ngllillichtllYs bahamellsis Mowbray (Anguillichthyidae), Moringlla boekei Metzelaar recently been recognized as such (Eldred, and the Stilbiscidae (Parr). 1968; Castle, 1968; 1969). Eigenmann As more information became available on these (1900) described Leptocephalus diptychus forms the taxa were progressively reduced in num- from two western Atlantic specimens but ber. It became generally accepted, though not definitely proven, that there is but the single spe- Castle ( 1965) showed that leptocephali cies present in the western North Atlantic which with the characters of this species were necessarily must take the name Morillglla edwardsi referable to Moringua. Eldred (1968) de- (Jordan and Bollman, 1889). Castle and Bohlke scribed a further four leptocephali. Thus, (1976), in a study of mainly U.S. material, includ- ing several hundred immature and 40 mature speci- M. edwardsi larval has hitherto been re- mens, as well as some of the DANAlarvae described ported from only six specimens and nothing in this report, finally confirmed this suggestion. further has been known of the early life history of this species. Moringua edwardsi (Jordan and Bollman) Figures 1-13 MATERIAL Stilbiscils edwardsi Jordan and Bollman, 1889: The material for this study came from the fol- 549 (original description, holotype USNM lowing sources, with abbreviations used for them 41735, 337 mm, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas). in the synonymy and the station list appended: Jordan and Davis, 1892: 645 (description). Jor- ZMUC-DANA Oceanographical Collections, Zoo- dan and Evermann, 1896: 363 (description, based logical Museum, University of Copenhagen, Cop- on original). Jordan, Evermann and Clark, 1930: 89 (listed). Parr, 1930: 15 (description, 1 speci- enhagen; UMML-Rosenstiel School of Marine men BOC 2562, Crooked Island, Bahamas). and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami; Gordon, 1954: 11 (7 specimens, AMNH, 137- URI-University of Rhode Island; FSBC-Florida 368 mOl, Bimini, Bahamas).
Recommended publications
  • Fao/Government Cooperative Programme Scientific Basis

    Fao/Government Cooperative Programme Scientific Basis

    FI:GCP/RLA/140/JPN TECHNICAL DOCUMENT No. 4 FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT IN THE LESSER ANTILLES INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER TOP PREDATORS CRUISE REPORT FOR THE LAPE ECOSYSTEM SURVEY ON RV CELTIC EXPLORER (CE0607) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Barbados, 2006 FI:GCP/RLA/140/JPN TECHNICAL DOCUMENT No. 4 FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT IN THE LESSER ANTILLES INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER TOP PREDATORS CRUISE REPORT FOR THE LAPE ECOSYSTEM SURVEY ON RV CELTIC EXPLORER (CE0607) Lesser Antilles Pelagic Ecosystem Project (GCP/RLA/140/JPN) Bridgetown, Barbados FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Barbados, 2006 This technical report is one of a series of reports prepared during the course of the project identified on the title page. The conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged.
  • Hotspots, Extinction Risk and Conservation Priorities of Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Marine Bony Shorefishes

    Hotspots, Extinction Risk and Conservation Priorities of Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Marine Bony Shorefishes

    Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations Biological Sciences Summer 2016 Hotspots, Extinction Risk and Conservation Priorities of Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Marine Bony Shorefishes Christi Linardich Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_etds Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, and the Marine Biology Commons Recommended Citation Linardich, Christi. "Hotspots, Extinction Risk and Conservation Priorities of Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Marine Bony Shorefishes" (2016). Master of Science (MS), Thesis, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/hydh-jp82 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_etds/13 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Biological Sciences at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOTSPOTS, EXTINCTION RISK AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES OF GREATER CARIBBEAN AND GULF OF MEXICO MARINE BONY SHOREFISHES by Christi Linardich B.A. December 2006, Florida Gulf Coast University A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE BIOLOGY OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY August 2016 Approved by: Kent E. Carpenter (Advisor) Beth Polidoro (Member) Holly Gaff (Member) ABSTRACT HOTSPOTS, EXTINCTION RISK AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES OF GREATER CARIBBEAN AND GULF OF MEXICO MARINE BONY SHOREFISHES Christi Linardich Old Dominion University, 2016 Advisor: Dr. Kent E. Carpenter Understanding the status of species is important for allocation of resources to redress biodiversity loss.
  • FISHES (C) Val Kells–November, 2019

    FISHES (C) Val Kells–November, 2019

    VAL KELLS Marine Science Illustration 4257 Ballards Mill Road - Free Union - VA - 22940 www.valkellsillustration.com [email protected] STOCK ILLUSTRATION LIST FRESHWATER and SALTWATER FISHES (c) Val Kells–November, 2019 Eastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico: brackish and saltwater fishes Subject to change. New illustrations added weekly. Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa Sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus Deepwater chimaera, Hydrolagus affinis Atlantic spearnose chimaera, Rhinochimaera atlantica Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum Whale shark, Rhincodon typus Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus Ragged-tooth shark, Odontaspis ferox Crocodile Shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai Thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus Basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus White shark, Carcharodon carcharias Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus Longfin mako, Isurus paucus Porbeagle, Lamna nasus Freckled Shark, Scyliorhinus haeckelii Marbled catshark, Galeus arae Chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis Smalleye Smoothhound, Mustelus higmani Dwarf Smoothhound, Mustelus minicanis Florida smoothhound, Mustelus norrisi Gulf Smoothhound, Mustelus sinusmexicanus Blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus Bignose shark, Carcharhinus altimus Narrowtooth Shark, Carcharhinus brachyurus Spinner shark, Carcharhinus brevipinna Silky shark, Carcharhinus faiformis Finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon Galapagos Shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis Bull shark, Carcharinus leucus Blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus Oceanic whitetip shark,
  • Species Assemblages of Leptocephali in the Sargasso Sea and Florida Current

    Species Assemblages of Leptocephali in the Sargasso Sea and Florida Current

    MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published May 25 Mar Ecol Prog Ser l Species assemblages of leptocephali in the Sargasso Sea and Florida Current M. J. Miller * Department of Zoology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469-5751, USA ABSTRACT: Regional assemblages of leptocephali of 5 families of shelf eels (Chlopsidae, Congridae, Moringuldae, Muraenidae and Ophichthidae) from the Sargasso Sea and Florida Current were com- pared with hydrographic features and adult distributions. There were 2 major patterns in the distribu- tions of the >37 species of leptocephali that were collected. First, more species and greater abundances were found at or south of fronts in the Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) of the Sargasso Sea, with the most diverse assemblages at stations closest to fronts in the west. Second, the smallest leptocephali of all species were located close to the Bahama Banks, in the Florida Current and in stations close to southerly fronts in the western STCZ. The most distinct discontinuities in numbers of species occurred at fronts at the boundary between southern Sargasso Sea surface water and mixed convergence zone water Impoverished assemblages were found north of these fronts and in the eastern STCZ. Species richness was highest in the Florida Current and at the westernmost frontal station in the STCZ. Anticyclonic circulation northeast of the northern Bahamas may facilitate entrainment of leptocephali from the Bahamas and Florida Current into fronts in the STCZ, which appear to transport leptocephali eastward. The circulation patterns of the region are hypothesized to influence both the regional assem- blage structure and the diversity of life history strategies that may be used by eels inhabiting the region.
  • Inventory and Atlas of Corals and Coral Reefs, with Emphasis on Deep-Water Coral Reefs from the U

    Inventory and Atlas of Corals and Coral Reefs, with Emphasis on Deep-Water Coral Reefs from the U

    Inventory and Atlas of Corals and Coral Reefs, with Emphasis on Deep-Water Coral Reefs from the U. S. Caribbean EEZ Jorge R. García Sais SEDAR26-RD-02 FINAL REPORT Inventory and Atlas of Corals and Coral Reefs, with Emphasis on Deep-Water Coral Reefs from the U. S. Caribbean EEZ Submitted to the: Caribbean Fishery Management Council San Juan, Puerto Rico By: Dr. Jorge R. García Sais dba Reef Surveys P. O. Box 3015;Lajas, P. R. 00667 [email protected] December, 2005 i Table of Contents Page I. Executive Summary 1 II. Introduction 4 III. Study Objectives 7 IV. Methods 8 A. Recuperation of Historical Data 8 B. Atlas map of deep reefs of PR and the USVI 11 C. Field Study at Isla Desecheo, PR 12 1. Sessile-Benthic Communities 12 2. Fishes and Motile Megabenthic Invertebrates 13 3. Statistical Analyses 15 V. Results and Discussion 15 A. Literature Review 15 1. Historical Overview 15 2. Recent Investigations 22 B. Geographical Distribution and Physical Characteristics 36 of Deep Reef Systems of Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands C. Taxonomic Characterization of Sessile-Benthic 49 Communities Associated With Deep Sea Habitats of Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands 1. Benthic Algae 49 2. Sponges (Phylum Porifera) 53 3. Corals (Phylum Cnidaria: Scleractinia 57 and Antipatharia) 4. Gorgonians (Sub-Class Octocorallia 65 D. Taxonomic Characterization of Sessile-Benthic Communities 68 Associated with Deep Sea Habitats of Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands 1. Echinoderms 68 2. Decapod Crustaceans 72 3. Mollusks 78 E.
  • Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes

    Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes

    Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes Selected meristic characters in species belonging to the orders Anguilliformes or Saccopharyngiformes whose adults or larvae have been collected in the study area. Classification sequence follows Böhlke, 1989. Characters pertain to leptocephali, unless otherwise indicated. Sources: Smith, 1989a; 1989b (and all chapters therein); vert = vertebrae. Last Vertical No. of Gut Family Total Preanal Predorsal Blood Vessel Loops or Species Myomers Myomeres Myomers @ Myomere # Swellings Anguilliformes – Anguillidae Anguilla anguilla 111–119 – – – 0 Anguilla rostrata 103–111 68–73 61–66 44–47 0 Moringuidae Neoconger mucronatus 93–109 49–61 39–56 50–59 1 Moringua edwardsi 109–123 72–82 79–87 70–79 1 Muraenidae Anarchias similis 105–114 52–59 96–104 53–57 0 Gymnothorax funebris (adult) 137–142 – – – – Gymnothorax miliaris 120–125 69–74 68–73 64–69 0 Gymnothorax moringa 137–143 66–74 52–61 60–72 0 Gymnothorax ocellatus 136–150 85–101 22–32 77–87 0 Gymnothorax vicinus 131–142 60–68 53–63 60–67 0 Monopenchelys acuta 128–134 54–57 78–82 60–62 0 Uropterygius macularius 118–123 71–77 107–114 65–67 0 Synaphobranchidae Dysomma anguillare 118–128 57–62 45–48 60–64 6 Ilyophis brunneus (adult) 145–151 vert – – – – Leptocephalus dolichorhynchus 128–136 61–71 – – 1 Leptocephalus proboscoideus 128–134 72–79 69 59–62 0 Simenchelys parasiticus (adult) 115–117 vert – – – – Synaphobranchus affinis 128–139 vert – – – – Synaphobranchus bathybius (adult) 126–140 vert – – – – Synaphobranchus capensis (adult) 164–173 vert – – – – Synaphobranchus kaupi 143–154 98–107 (see species) 68–73 0 Synaphobranchus sp.
  • Luizjunior Osmarjose M.Pdf

    Luizjunior Osmarjose M.Pdf

    “COMPOSIÇÃO E ESTRUTURA DA COMUNIDADE DE PEIXES RECIFAIS EM RELAÇÃO A QUATRO VARIÁVEIS AMBIENTAIS NO PARQUE ESTADUAL MARINHO DA LAJE DE SANTOS, ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO” 1 Dedico este trabalho ao meu filho, Pedro Henrique Sanches Luiz e a minha esposa, Alessandra Sanches Luiz. Um amor maior que o mar. 2 “To be a naturalist is better than to be a king” William Beebe, 1893 3 AGRADECIMENTOS A minha família, Alessandra e Pedro Henrique, pelo apoio e amor incondicional e por terem suportado os momentos em que estive ausente em decorrência deste trabalho. Sergio Ricardo Floeter, Carlos Eduardo Leite Ferreira e João Luiz Gasparini por serem ao mesmo tempo amigos, professores, irmãos, mestres, companheiros e por serem os principais responsáveis por hoje eu seguir esta carreira, sou eternamente grato. Ao Professor Ivan Sazima pela confiança, orientação e imenso apoio durante todas as etapas deste trabalho e de outros trabalhos realizados. João Paulo Krajewski, Angela Correa da Silva e Roberta Martini Bonaldo pela imensa amizade e por me acolherem como um membro da família quando precisei de abrigo em Campinas. Aos companheiros do Instituto Laje Viva: Guilherme Kodja, Ana Paula Balboni Pinto, Ricardo Coelho, Paula Romano, Cristiane Morgado, Vilma Lira, José Eduardo Guariglia Filho, Andreia Gondim, Luis Fernando Waib, Big Paul, Lucia Silva e Rogério Brito pela amizade, ajuda no campo e apoio logístico. Ao amigo Clóvis B. de Carvalho, por ter me ensinado a amar a “Grande Pedra Mágica”. Carlo Leopoldo B. Francini, Luis Fernando Cassino, Maurício Andrade, Augusto Valente, Ivan Cavas, Armando de Luca Jr., Alfredo Carvalho-Filho, Renata Linger, Lara Cheidde e Rafael Leite pelas inúmeras fotografias cedidas para a utilização neste trabalho.
  • A Checklist of Marine Plants and Animals of the South Coast of the Dominican Republic

    A Checklist of Marine Plants and Animals of the South Coast of the Dominican Republic

    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266864274 A checklist of marine plants and animals of the south coast of the Dominican Republic. Article in Caribbean Journal of Science CITATIONS READS 12 48 15 authors, including: Ernest H. Williams, Jr Ana Teresa Bardales University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo University of Miami 153 PUBLICATIONS 2,733 CITATIONS 11 PUBLICATIONS 278 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Roy A. Armstrong University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez 96 PUBLICATIONS 1,340 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Education and Training View project Life cycle and life history strategies of parasitic Crustacea View project All content following this page was uploaded by Ernest H. Williams, Jr on 26 January 2016. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. A CHECKLIST OF MARINE PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF THE SOUTH COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC E RNEST H. WILLIAMS , JR ., ILEANA C LAVIJO, JOSEPH J. KIMMEL, P ATRICK L. COLIN, CECILIO DIAZ CARELA, ANA T. BARDALES, R OY A. ARMSTRONG, LUCY B UNKLEY W ILLIAMS, R ALF H. BOULON, AND J ORGE R. GARCIA Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00708 INTRODUCTION study areas were selected (Fig. 1): (1) La Cale- ta, 18°26.2’N, 69°41.3’W, (2) Isla Saona, RESEARCH cruise on the R/V Crawford to 18°06’N, 68°40W (3) Isla Catalina, 18°21.4’W , A the South Coast of the Dominican Rep- 69°01‘W.
  • Coral Cap Species of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

    Coral Cap Species of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

    CORAL CAP SPECIES OF FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Classification Common name Scientific Name Bacteria Schizothrix calcicola CORAL CAP SPECIES OF FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Classification Common name Scientific Name Algae Brown Algae Dictyopteris justii Forded Sea Tumbleweeds Dictyota bartayresii Dictyota cervicornis Dictyota dichotoma Dictyota friabilis (pfaffii) Dictyota humifusa Dictyota menstrualis Dictyota pulchella Ectocarpus elachistaeformis Leathery Lobeweeds, Encrusting Lobophora variegata Fan-leaf Alga Peacock's Tail Padina jamaicensis Padina profunda Padina sanctae-crucis Rosenvingea intricata Gulf Weed, Sargassum Weed Sargassum fluitans White-vein Sargassum Sargassum hystrix Sargasso Weed Sargassum natans Spatoglossum schroederi Sphacelaria tribuloides Sphacelaria Rigidula Leafy Flat-blade Alga Stypopodium zonale Green Algae Papyrus Print Alga Anadyomene stellata Boodelopsis pusilla Bryopsis plumosa Bryopsis pennata Caulerpa microphysa Caulerpa peltata Green Grape Alga Caulerpa racemosa v. macrophysa Cladophora cf. repens Cladophoropsis membranacea Codium decorticatum Dead Man’s Fingers Codium isthmocladum Codium taylori Hair Algae Derbesia cf. marina Entocladia viridis Large Leaf Watercress Alga Halimeda discoidea Halimeda gracilis Green Net Alga Microdictyon boergesenii Spindleweed, Fuzzy Tip Alga Neomeris annulata Struvea sp. CORAL CAP SPECIES OF FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Classification Common name Scientific Name Udotea flabellum Ulva lactuca Ulvella lens Elongated
  • Anguilliformes, Saccopharyngiformes, and Notacanthiformes (Teleostei: Elopomorpha)

    Anguilliformes, Saccopharyngiformes, and Notacanthiformes (Teleostei: Elopomorpha)

    * Catalog of Type Specimens of Recent Fishes in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 6: Anguilliformes, Saccopharyngiformes, and Notacanthiformes (Teleostei: Elopomorpha) DAVID G. SMITH I SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY • NUMBER 566 SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Emphasis upon publication as a means of "diffusing knowledge" was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry outlined a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge." This theme of basic research has been adhered to through the years by thousands of titles issued in series publications under the Smithsonian imprint, commencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology Smithsonian Folklife Studies Smithsonian Studies in Air and Space Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology In these series, the Institution publishes small papers and full-scale monographs that report the research and collections of its various museums and bureaux or of professional colleagues in the world of science and scholarship. The publications are distributed by mailing lists to libraries, universities, and similar institutions throughout the world. Papers or monographs'submitted for series publication are received by the Smithsonian Institution Press, subject to its own review for format and style, only through departments of the various Smithsonian museums or bureaux, where the manuscripts are given substantive review.
  • Early Life-History of the Eel &lt;I&gt;Moringua Edwardsi&lt;/I&gt; (Pisces, Moringuidae) in the Western North Atlantic

    Early Life-History of the Eel <I>Moringua Edwardsi</I> (Pisces, Moringuidae) in the Western North Atlantic

    BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 29(1): 1-18, 1979 EARLY LIFE-HISTORY OF THE EEL MORINGUA EDWARDSI (PISCES, MORINGUIDAE) IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC P. H. J. Castle ABSTRACT The eel Morillgua edwardsi (Jordan and Bollman, 1889) is known principally from immature specimens in the western North Atlantic from Bermuda southwards to Atlantic Panama and Colombia. Its distinctive larva, earlier recognized as Leptocephalus diptychus Eigenmann, 1900, has about seven alternating, midlateral melanophores and also one in front of the anus. Larvae have 110-124 myomeres, hatch at about 5 mm TL and reach full growth at 50 mm TL, a process which takes 3-5 months, before metamorphosis begins. They live in the upper 35 ill and occur over a broad area of the western North Atlantic encompassing 1O°-40oN and 40o_88°W but those of about 10 mm TL occur only near the Caribbean Islands. Spawning is suggested to occur in the Caribbean the year round but principally at monthly intervals from November to April. Some larvae are dispersed out into the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream. This pattern of distribution and dispersal is similar to that of the only other Atlantic moringuid Neoconger mucronatus Girard, 1859. At a time when the classification of the 1968) to clarify the nomenclature of the eels is undergoing critical scrutiny, major Moringuidae pointed out that at least one difficulties are still being presented by the character (number of vertebrae) would family Moringuidae. Moringuid eels are need to be considered in any re-appraisal readily captured with piscicides in many of moringuid classification.
  • Global Biogeographical Data Bases on Marine Fishes: Caveat Emptor

    Global Biogeographical Data Bases on Marine Fishes: Caveat Emptor

    Diversity and Distributions, (Diversity Distrib.) (2008) 14, 891–892 Blackwell Publishing Ltd BIODIVERSITY Global biogeographical data bases on LETTER marine fishes: caveat emptor D. Ross Robertson Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, ABSTRACT Republic of Panamá A review of georeferenced collection-site records for Caribbean shore-fishes served by major online distributors of aggregated biodiversity data found large-scale errors in over a third of the species and genera, in nearly two-thirds of the families. To avoid compromising the value of their services to the global science community online providers must actively address the question of data quality. Correspondence: D. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Keywords Republic of Panamá. E-mail: [email protected] Marine fishes, global data bases, erroneous GIS data, faulty biogeographical analyses. An interlinked group of major online services supplies the global the boundaries of the adult range, data on larvae collected well science community with various types of data bases on the outside that range are inappropriate for inclusion in analyses of biodiversity of terrestrial and marine organisms. Those data the geographical distributions of adults. bases should be extremely useful for biogeographical analyses, I found that large-scale errors in OBIS GIS data are taxonomi- provided that the data are accurate. Unfortunately, major errors cally widespread, with 36.8% of the species and genera in 64.7% are rife among georeferenced collection-site data (GIS data) on of the families of sharks, rays and bony fishes having such adult marine fishes served by the oldest such service, FishBase (http:// and/or larval data errors (see Appendix S1 in Supporting Infor- www.fishbase.org), and by newer systems that serve data from mation).