Variation in the adhesive protein gene sequences of Mytilus edulis, M. galloprovincialis, and M. trossulus collected in Delaware, Kamaishi (Japan), and Alaska, respectively, was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two sets of oligonucleotide primers. The first set, Me 13 and Me 14, was designed to amplify the repetitive region. The length of the amplified fragments was highly variable, even among samples of the same species. Another set, Me 15 and Me 16, was designed to amplify a part of the nonrepetitive region. The length of the amplified fragments was uniform in each species and differed interspecifically; 180, 168, and 126 bp for M. edulis, M. trossulus, and M. galloprovincialis, respectively. The amplified sequence of M. trossulus resembled that of M. edulis. Mussels from other sites were also examined by PCR using Me 15 and Me 16. Wild mussels from Tromsö (Norway) and cultured mussels from Brittany (France) were identified as M. edulis. Cultured mussels from the Mediterranean coast of France and wild mussels from Shimizu (Japan) were identified as M. galloprovincialis. Some wild mussels from Hiura (Japan) were identified as a hybrid between M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus. Thus, the length of this part (variable region) of the sequence is proposed as a diagnostic marker for these three morphologically similar species and their hybrids.

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The developmental processes of the olfactory organ, taste buds, lateral line system, and inner ear in the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus were examined in reared and wild specimens. Both the ciliated and microvillous receptor cells in the olfactory organ were found shortly after hatching. Formation of the olfactory nostrils and lamellae began at about 20 mm standard length (SL). The calculated inflection points in the relationship between the number of olfactory lamellae and standard length were at 30.3 and 62.7 mm SL. Taste buds first appeared in a 16.1‐day‐old larva of 11.2 mm notochord length. Newly hatched larvae were equipped with 12 pairs of neuromasts on the head and trunk. The formation of the lateral line canal commenced at about 20 mm SL and the four canals had ossified by 32.5 mm SL. At hatching, the inner ear was an oval‐shaped auditory vesicle with two otoliths. Three semicircular canals formed by the first‐feeding stage, and larvae assumed an upright position. The pro‐otic bulla was gas‐filled and formation of the lagena pocket began at about 20 mm SL. The saccular sac was entirely formed by about 32 mm SL. From the present results, the basic structure of the sense organs was almost completed by 32 mm SL, and the adult condition might be attained at 60–70 mm SL, as suggested by the second inflection point in the relationship between the number of olfactory lamellae and SL.

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To obtain basic information for the production of healthy and vigorous larvae and juveniles, a comparative study on meristic variations and bone abnormalities between wild and laboratory-reared red sea bream, Pagrus major, was undertaken. Although 95% of the specimens of wild juveniles had a definite number of dorsal fin rays, reared juveniles exhibited extensive variations, and the latter had fewer pectoral fin rays than the former. Bone abnormalities included the transformation of spines to soft rays, shrinkage of lower jaw, pug-headness, shrinkage of anterior centra, fusion of vertebrae, abnormal pterygiophores, etc. Detailed observations of cleared and double-stained specimens revealed that wild juveniles had an average of 0.2 abnormal bones per specimen, whereas, the reared ones had an average of 2.04-21.4 abnormal bones per specimen, depending on the groups. Therefore, reared fishes showed many abnormalities, although they appeared to be normal based on external observation. The causes of these abnormalities have not been elucidated, except for the lordosis. Abnormalities of reared fishes seemed to affect bones and cartilage as well as other tissues, such as the deformity of the inter-nostril epidermis in one case. It is likely that various defects associated with rearing conditions induce a variety of abnormalities. Aquaculturists should attempt to produce larvae and juveniles which are similar in morphological, behavioral, physiological and biochemical characteristcs to wild ones.Discipline: Aquaculture Additional key words: Pagrus major, fin ray JARQ 37(1), 21 -30 (2003) http://www.jircas.affrc

Histological characteristics and the distribution pattern of the visual cells, single cones, twin cones, and rods in the retina of the eye of wild adult Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus were investigat ed. The developmental process of the visual cells was also examined in the reared and wild larvae. In the specialized part (area temporalis) of the adult retina, slender twin cones were regularly distributed in a square mosaic pattern with central single cones. In the unspecialized part, twin cones with stout ellip soids were regularly distributed and many rods were recognizable. A newly-hatched larva had develop ing lens and undifferentiated retinal cells. The retinal differentiation proceeded rapidly, with the pig ment epithelial cells and visual cells already formed in a 31.5 hour-old larva. In a 79.5 hour-old larva at the first-feeding stage, the visual cell layer consisted of only single cones. A so-called pure-cone retina was still recognized in a larva of 18.6 mm standard length (SL). In a 20.9 mm. SL larva, rod-like cells with thin ellipsoids and outer segments appeared and twin cones also observed. In larvae greater than about 20 mm SL, the rods and twin cones rapidly increased in number. The retina of a 35.6 mm SL juvenile basically did not differ from the adult one.