Acta Zoologica

doi: 10.1111/azo.70017pmid: N/A

Koca, Habil Uğur; Koca, Seval Bahadir; Jawad, Laith A.

doi: 10.1111/azo.12532pmid: N/A

Otoliths from four species of scorpaenids–Helicolenus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809), Scorpaena elongata Cadenat, 1943, Scorpaena notata Rafinesque, 1810, and Scorpaena scrofa Linnaeus, 1758–were collected from Antalya Bay along the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye. The fish were captured using a commercial bottom trawl net with a mesh size of 44 mm (22 mm in the cod end). The fishing grounds varied in depth from 40 to 160 meters. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were utilized to analyse the otoliths’ characteristics. Twenty‐one distinct features were defined to describe their shapes. Among these, 8 characteristics were consistent across both juvenile and adult otoliths, while 13 features exhibited developmental variation. The results reveal four types of variations: ontogenetic, interspecific, intraspecific, and sexual dimorphism. A comparison with previously documented otoliths of these species from different regions indicates a uniformity intraspecifically across extensive geographic ranges, suggesting that these characteristics are valuable for identification purposes. The diagnostic features of the otoliths can aid in confirming species identity. Additionally, a SEM‐based iconography of the otoliths for all studied species is provided.

Mantelatto, F. L.; Faganello, G. S.; Geremias, H.; Robles, R.; Magalhães, C.

doi: 10.1111/azo.12533pmid: N/A

Sylviocarcinus pictus is a freshwater crab widely distributed across the Amazon basin and coastal basins of northern South America. In the Xingu River basin, Pará, Brazil, the species is found from its middle portion up to the confluence with the Amazon River. This extensive distribution led to questions about the influence of the Volta Grande do Xingu rapids on genetic diversification between populations above and below this area. To explore this hypothesis, 39 mitochondrial gene sequences (COI and 16S rRNA) from 22 samples collected from both areas were analysed in a phylogeographic context. Bayesian Inference and haplotype networks revealed at least two genetically distinct lineages of S. pictus in the Xingu River. The resulting genetic structure found within these populations raised questions about the taxonomic cohesion of the taxon and the potential existence of cryptic species that warrant further investigation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular study on the genetic structure of a Sylviocarcinus species from the Amazon basin. Given the novelty and the underestimated diversity in this region, we advocate for additional studies on morphological and taxonomic approaches about this taxon to contribute to a future understanding of the evolutionary history of the genus.

Mario‐Da‐Rosa, Conrado; Brum, Amanda J. C.; Loebens, Luiza; Santos, Tiago G.; Cechin, Sonia Z.

doi: 10.1111/azo.12535pmid: N/A

Epictia munoai is a small scolecophidian snake from the subtropical region of South America. It inhabits under rocks of preserved environments. Since basic information concerning the biology of this snake remains unknown, we aimed at presenting information on age, reproductive cycle, and daily and annual activity patterns of E. munoai from Southernmost Brazil. Males and females of E. munoai becomes sexually mature from 3 to 4 years of age, and presents a life expectancy of up to 9 or 10 years. The breeding cycle at the individual level is cyclical and discontinuous, and seasonal at the population level, with breed season from late winter to late spring. Epictia munoai is a diurnal snake, active under rocks during the hottest periods of the day, especially during the spring in southern latitudes. Our results provide new and unprecedented information about the natural history of a small species of South American fossorial snake. Information like this is extremely important as it helps to understand the life history of a species, in addition to serving as a basis for studies in areas such as population ecology, historical demography, phylogeography and conservation biology.

Güçlü, Salim Serkan; Jawad, Laith A.; Koca, Habil Uğur; Cilbiz, Mehmet; Aydın, Celalettin

doi: 10.1111/azo.12538pmid: N/A

The first record of the abnormalities ankylosis (fusion of vertebrae), lordosis (V‐shaped curvature of the vertebral column), kyphosis (Λ‐shaped curvature), and kypholordosis (the presence of both conditions) have been reported in two specimens of Sparus aurata collected from Bafa Lake and Bodrum‐Kıyıkışlacık Coast, Türkiye and used in this study. Both specimens displayed a severe level of deformity. All cases were non‐fatal as they occurred in subadult individuals. Assessment of abnormality in the studied specimen was carried out by the morphological diagnosis and using mammography. Externally, the two specimens have a deeper body than the normal specimen. There was significant osteological damage has been revealed by the mammography of these deformed specimens. The saddleback anomaly is in the anterior part of the spinous part of the dorsal fin that showed no missing spines. In addition, the lateral line was deformed in both specimens examined. In addition, there were several minor skeletal abnormalities. These anomalies have been considered an important indicator of environmentally induced stress on the wild fishes. Hence, the present finding highlights the need for closer monitoring of the marine environment and for the identification of the specific factor that causes these abnormalities.

Alia, Zeid; Khechekhouche, El Amine; Ghemam Amara, Djilani; Messaoudi, Mohammed; Cherrada, Nezar; Sekour, Makhlouf; Ahmad, Sheikh F.; Attia, Sabry M.; Sawicka, Barbara; Messaoudi, Mohammed

doi: 10.1111/azo.12539pmid: N/A

The following subject provides an in‐depth look into the significance of rodents in the Souf region concerning agriculture and ecology. The article points out that rodents, as mammals, play a critical role in various ecosystems, with many mammalian species being rodents. They contribute to agriculture, sanitation, food, medicine, ecology and religion. Rodents play a vital role in vegetation dynamics by spreading plant seeds and influencing predator distribution. However, preying on crops can also cause losses in different ways, depending on the plant type and biotope. The study focuses on eight research stations in the Souf region, describing their characteristics and vegetation. The methods used for rodent inventory include fingerprinting, burrow counting and random trapping using different techniques. Statistical methods are then applied to analyse the collected data. The study identifies ten rodent species in the Souf region, belonging to two families, three subfamilies and five genera. The sex distribution varies among species. The study results reveal variations in rodent abundance across different stations and months, with Rattus rattus and Mus musculus being the most common species in certain stations. The diversity and equitability values indicate a relatively balanced distribution among recorded species in the sample period. The study provides comprehensive insights into rodent ecology, behaviour and distribution in the Souf region, emphasizing their importance and potential impacts on agriculture and ecosystems.

Khan, Salman; Jawad, Laith A.; Khan, Mohammad Afzal; Park, Joo Myun; Ankita, ; Bano, Farah; Miyan, Kaish

doi: 10.1111/azo.12540pmid: N/A

The relationship between the total length of fish and the morphometric characteristics of their otoliths (length, width, and weight) was examined in striped snakehead (Channa striata, Bloch, 1793) specimens collected from the River Ganga and its two tributaries in India. Channa striata, a commercially valuable species in India, was the focus of this study, which aimed to analyse the statistical correlations between the fish's total and standard lengths and their corresponding otolith measurements, with the expectation that the data will contribute to future research on the species' biology, particularly its age, and growth patterns. Both linear and non‐linear regression models were applied, and the regression equations varied significantly between the three collection sites. These findings represent the first investigation into the relationship between otolith morphology and total fish length for striped snakehead from the River Ganga and its tributaries in India.

Jawad, Laith A.; Sayyadzadeh, Golnaz; Esmaeili, Hamid Reza

doi: 10.1111/azo.12541pmid: N/A

This study examines eight skeletal features to distinguish species within the Cobitidae and Nemacheilidae families, focusing on the vertebral column, fin structure and caudal fin rays. The study analyses the construction and regionalization of the vertebral column, the interdigitation of pterygiophores with neural and haemal spines in the dorsal and anal fins, and the distribution of procurrent rays in the caudal fin. These characteristics are used to identify taxonomically relevant traits and separate species within these two families. The study also proposes a new method for defining vertebral column regions and presents new anatomical data for cobitoid species in Iran, including the division of the vertebral column into five regions: postcranial, abdominal (anterior and posterior) and caudal (anterior and posterior).