Vertical Distribution and Feeding Ecology of the Mirror Dory Zenopsis nebulosa in the Southern Sea of Korea

Abstract

We observed the vertical distribution and feeding ecology of the Mirror dory, Zenopsis nebulosa, in the Southern Sea of Korea from 2009 to 2013 using an otter trawl. The total length of captured individuals ranged from 11 to 48 cm. Individuals captured at greater depths were significantly larger than those from shallower sites. Fish abundance was significantly related to depth and temperature. We found that 89% of the total catch was obtained at depths between 80 and 140 meters. Prey organisms, including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, were found in Z. nebulosa stomachs. Fishes were the main prey items for all size groups. Cephalopods were consumed by individuals > 25 cm in length. Our findings suggested that the vertical distribution of Z. nebulosa varied with depth and temperature, and that the fish are carnivores.

Reproductive and feeding biology of unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros from the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean

“…Teleosts in diet were represented chiefly by demersal species, and together with considerable proportions of cephalopods and crustaceans as prey, indicate A. monoceros to be a bottom-feeder. Globally, most monacanthids are observed to be benthic grazers, consuming predominantly crustaceans and molluscs attached or associated with the plant material (Bell et al, 1978;Peristiwady & Geistdoerfer, 1991;Zouari-Ktari et al, 2008;El-Ganainy & Sabrah, 2013;Kim et al, 2013;Mancera-Rodríguez & Castro-Hernández, 2015b). A possible reason for the observed variety in prey composition is that all monacanthids examined to date are small species, whereas A. monoceros is relatively large with greater body and mouth sizes, and thus able to capture a broader range of prey.…”

“…Globally, studies on reproduction and diet of monacanthids indicate enormous inter-species variability (Kawase & Nakazono, 1996). Research on their biology, worldwide, is limited to studies on a few species, mostly small, including Cantherhines pardalis (Rüppell, 1837) (Kawase & Nakazono, 1994), Monacanthus tomentosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Peristiwady & Geistdoerfer, 1991), Stephanolepis hispidus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Mancera-Rodríguez & Castro-Hernández, 2015a, 2015b, Stephanolepis diaspros (Fraser-Brunner, 1940) (Zouari-Ktari et al, 2008El-Ganainy & Sabrah, 2013), Thamnaconus modestus (Günther, 1877) (Kim et al, 2013), Nelusetta ayraudi (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Miller & Stewart, 2013) and Meuschenia scaber (Forster, 1801) (Visconti et al, 2018a(Visconti et al, , 2018b.…”

Infections of <i>Kudoa septempunctata</i> (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida) in Wild Grass Puffer <i>Takifugu alboplumbeus</i> and Japanese Whiting <i>Sillago japonica</i>

“…P. olivaceus and S. japonica are benthic fish which inhabit in the sandy zone, and T. alboplumbeus commonly feed on the sandy area and often burrow in the sand substrate (Katayama et al, 1966;Yamahira et al, 1996). While T. modestus is not benthic fish nor shows burrowing behavior, they often occur near the bottom, feed and spawn at the sandy sea bed (Kim et al, 2013;Mizuno et al, 2012). In the survey conducted during 2012-2013 for 5 fishes (Lateolabrax japonicus, Pagrus major, Seriola quinqueradiata, Seriola dumerili, and Takifugu rubripes) cultured in sea cages at and near the endemic area of K. septempunctata found no infection by PCR and microscopy (Dr. Azumi Yamashita, personal communication).…”

Re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of four nominal, western Pacific species of tongue soles (Pleuronectoidei: Cynoglossidae: Cynoglossus), with redescription of C. joyneri Günther, 1878

“…The second method of counting MLL scales begins with counting the first scale at the crossover point of the supraorbital commissure and the middle lateral line and ends at the same point as that described in the first method (Yokogawa et al 2008). A third method is where the MLL count begins at the same point as that described in the second method and ends at the scale equal with the vertical at the ends of the dorsal and ventral lateral lines (Kim & Choi 1994).…”

“…Distribution: Cynoglossus joyneri is widely distributed in coastal marine waters of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, including the southern Sea of Japan, the Yellow and Bohai seas, East China Sea and South China Sea (Günther 1878;Norman 1925;Wu 1932;Chabanaud 1951;Kamohara 1953;Ochiai 1963;Cheng & Weng 1965;Ochiai 1984;Kim & Choi 1994;Kim et al 2005;Li & Wang 1995;Munroe 2000;Choi et al 2002;Shen 2011;Yamada & Yagishita 2013;Munroe 2021).…”