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Seasonal variations of proximate and fatty acid compositions of the muscle tissue of sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) harvested in Cekerek (Sureyyabey) Dam were investigated. Seasonal nutritional composition of sand smelt muscle in October, March and July were found as 17.00%; 16.72%; 15.64% for protein, 1.95%; 2.00%; 2.86% for lipid, 79.25%; 79.17%; 78.06% for moisture and 1.80%; 2.10%; 2.49% ash, respectively. Sand smelt showed the lowest protein values in summer, while the highest protein values were observed in autumn and spring. The highest lipid content of sand smelt was found in summer (P < 0.05). The moisture content of sand smelt in summer was significantly (p, Çekerek (Süreyyabey) Barajı'nda avlanan gümüş balığının (Atherina boyeri) besinsel ve yağ asidi kompozisyonunun mevsimsel değişimleri araştırılmıştır. Gümüş balığının mevsimsel besin kompozisyonu Ekim, Mart ve Temmuz aylarında sırasıyla protein için %17,00; %16,72; %15,64, lipid için %1,95; %2,00; %2,86, nem için %79,25; %79,17; %78,06 ve kül için %1,80; %2,10; %2,49 olarak bulunmuştur. Gümüş balığında en yüksek protein değerleri sonbahar ve ilkbaharda gözlenirken, en düşük protein değeri yazın gözlenmiştir. Gümüş balığının en yüksek yağ oranı yaz mevsiminde gözlenmiştir (p

Fishing with light is an old and common practice yielding a substantial catch volume globally. Despite the popularity of the method and the efforts to improve it, there is a lack of field studies on the effects of light on the feeding preferences of the attracted fishes. A previous report suggested that purse seine fishing lights can differentiate the feeding preferences of the approaching fishes, such as Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Lake Trichonis (Greece). The presently reported study aims to verify these findings by investigating the diet of the endemic Scardinius acarnanicus Economidis, 1991. The feeding behavior of S. acarnanicus was studied from 2016 to 2019 through gut content analysis, in specimens from Lake Trichonis that came from purse seining with light and specimens caught without light. The same investigation was carried out comparatively in specimens taken by gillnets from two nearby lakes (lakes Ozeros and Amvrakia), where S. acarnanicus is present, but no fishing with light is exercised. The stomach content analysis conducted on 699 S. acarnanicus specimens revealed the intense effect of light on its diet resulting in the alteration of its feeding habits towards fish predation and especially Atherina boyeri. On the contrary, the specimens taken with the use of gillnets, from the three lakes, showed a typical omnivorous feeding behavior. The findings of the presently reported study support the assumption that the elevated concentration of fish close to fishing lights alters the feeding behavior of certain species making them predators. Considering that fishing with light is practiced worldwide, this could be of great ecological significance to the ichthyofauna not only of inland waters but also of marine areas, affecting perhaps several commercial species.

We studied feeding behavior and prey selection of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) and pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) in Lake Egirdir, the second largest freshwater lake in Turkey. Fish specimens were collected between January and August in 2010 and 2011 using gill-nets and purse seines. A total of 941 specimens were analyzed for stomach contents analysis. We expressed the importance of the food items present in their guts with the relative importance index (IRI) and estimated their diet selectivity indices with Pearre’s index. Pseudorasbora parva had a diverse diet comprising mainly Nitokra hibernica (copepod), Chydorus sphaericus, and Bosmina longirostris (cladoceran) (each, at p 0.05). Big-scale sand smelt often preferred B. longirostris, N. hibernica, and Alona quadrangularis (each at p 0.05), Carassius gibelio was not preferred by pike-perch as food item (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that invasive species altered the food chain in Lake Egirdir. Thus, because these fish species constitute a major threat for native fish species for food and breeding grounds, extensive care should be taken to prevent invasive fish species entering lakes in Turkey.

Sand smelt (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810), which is an exotic species with invasive character, is the third most caught species in the small-scale fisheries among the inland fisheries in Turkey. The fact that it has become an important source of income for the fishermen with low income due to its export potential has led to the maintenance of its stock recently. In this study, the selectivity of coastal beach seine used in the fishing of the species was investigated. A specially designed coastal beach seine with 10 m codend consisting of 4 different compartments was used in the study. Among the compartments of the codend, which was surrounded by a 6 mm mesh cover, in the codend panels mesh with 9, 12 and 14 mm were used. Field studies were carried out on a monthly basis in 4 different stations of İznik Lake in 2014. Selectivity data were collected by the covered codend method and analyzed by means of a logistic equation with the maximum likelihood method. A totally 3053 individuals were caught length ranged from 2.6-11.2 cm and weight ranged from 0.11-11.02 g. The mean L50 values of 14, 12-and 9-mm panels were determined as 6.71, 5.62 and 4.51 cm total length, respectively. It is concluded that 12 mm mesh size panel is suitable for sustainable A. boyeri fishery by beach seine net when considered given by length at first maturity size. © 2020, Central Fisheries Research Inst. All rights reserved., D/2015/A11/P-02/1, This study was supported by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies [grant number: TAGEM ??A?SÜD ???? ?-02?/1A] ?an? d ?w? hich was presented in 1stInternational Symposium on Limnology and Freshwater Fisheries., This study was supported by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies [grant number: TAGEM/HAYS?D/2015/A11/P-02/1] and which was presented in 1stInternational Symposium on Limnology and Freshwater Fisheries.

The size and age structure and growth of Atherina boyeri from southwestern Crimea were studied. The ratio of males and females was 1.00 : 1.38, the proportion of males decreases in older age groups, and the age limit for both sexes is 4 years. The specific growth rate naturally decreases from 2.29 in the first year of life to 0.25 in the second and to 0.10 in the fourth. Maximum length and weight there are greater in females than males (12.3 cm and 9.25 g vs. 10.8 cm and 7.65 g). It has been established that the growth rate of atherina from southwestern Crimea is higher than that of estuarine and lagoon forms living in labile salinity but lower than that of marine and oceanic ones.

Fishing ensures necessary food for humans and is inextricably linked with the environment because coastal communities developed special fishing procedures to achieve better exploitation of the aquatic resources. Lake Trichonis, Greece’s largest natural lake, is a freshwater ecosystem in which a marine species (Atherina boyeri) has entered and dominate the ichthyofauna. This species is exploited by purse seine fishing with the use of light, and previous studies revealed that the fishing lights create a particular food chain reaction, which promotes predation among the attracted fish species, one of which is Scardinius acarnanicus that preys upon A. boyeri. The purse seine fishers typically return to the lake alive S. acarnanicus, due to its low market demand, although it is the main predator of their catch. This custom, apart from causing income losses, promotes instability in the fish populations, while eventually altered the foraging behaviour of S. acarnanicus and made it a fish-predator instead of a typical omnivorous species. Based on data from official fish landing recordings, interviews with local fishers, and responses to questionnaires completed by residents of villages around Lake Trichonis, the present study investigates how changes in the dietary habits of the lakeside communities over time have led to the low market demand for S. acarnanicus. The present findings revealed an interesting relation between the dietary preferences of the local population and their ecological consequences for the fish community of this lake. This will eventually lead to the increase in the top predator (S. acarnanicus) and an inevitable decrease in the main catch (A. boyeri), affecting not only the ecological status of the lake, but also the socioeconomic characteristics of the human populations in this area. From another perspective, the results demonstrate a paradigm of adapted evolution by a wild fish under the pressure of human activities.

In this study growth of Atherina boyeri, collected from Süreyyabey Dam Lake, was determination by Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) along with study of length weight relationships (LWRs). A total of 394 individuals including 32.5% female and 67.5% male specimens were studied collected during the fishing season between May 2015 and May 2016 from the local fisherman. The total length and weight of the specimens were 32–90 mm and 0.225–4.062 g respectively. The relationships were W = 0.01285708 L2.67 (R2 = 0.983) for females, W = 0.00678019 L2.95 (R2 = 0.969) for males and W = 0.00641527 L2.87 (R2 = 0.970) for pooled individuals. Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of ANNs (0.182) for all specimens was lower than MAPE value of LWR (1.763). The results of study show that ANNs are superior tool to LWRs for fishes of Süreyyabey Dam Lake.

We describe a new species, Gyrodactylus ginestrae n. sp., a parasite of the big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) from the Black Sea. This is the third monogenean species known from this fish host, found at 70% prevalence, but at relatively low abundance (1.9), on fish gills and fins. The new species is, both morphologically and genetically, most similar to G. salinae, which parasitizes the killifish Aphanius fasciatus (Cyprinodontidae) in the Mediterranean region. These species differ in the size of the haptoral hard parts and the number of small spines of the male copulatory organ. For molecular characterization, the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S rRNA gene, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were sequenced, completed by a fragment of the COII gene, thereby representing the first molecularly characterized gyrodactylid species from the Black Sea. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence data indicated the position of G. ginestrae n. sp. in the marine "rugiensis" group of G. (Paranephrotus) and G. (Neonephrotus) subgenera which is part of the monophyletic "long ITS1" group. Taking into account the similarity of G. ginestrae n. sp. to several monogeneans from the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, we suggest the Boreal-Atlantic origin of this species.

The northern section of the Caspian Sea and lower reaches of the Zhaiyk (Ural) River is an important fishery for Kazakhstan. In the present study, a total of 1597 individuals of ten fish species were analysed. The fish were caught over three years, from 2018 to 2020. For each species studied – Abramis brama, Alosa saposchnikowii, Atherina boyeri caspia, Carassius gibelio, Chelon auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Leuciscus aspius, Rutilus caspius, Sander marinus and Sander volgensis – between 100 and 200 individuals were examined. A series of generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to examine the association between individual parasite intensity of infection and the Fulton index, age, year the fish was captured, where the fish was captured (northern Caspian or Zhaiyk River) and sex. For each GLM, the best-fitting probability distribution was used –either Poisson, zero-inflated Poisson, negative binomial or zero-inflated negative binomial. For some fish/parasite species, an increased Fulton index was associated with higher intensities of parasite infection, whilst, for others, the Fulton index decreased with the intensity of parasite infection. This was also true of age-related intensity of infection, with some parasites having an increased intensity of infection with age whilst others had a decreased intensity of infection with age. There was also some evidence of variation in intensity of parasite infection between different years when the fish were caught. For some species of fish that are endemic to both the fresh waters of the Zhaiyk River and the low-saline waters of the northern Caspian, there were variations in intensity of parasite infection between the two environments. The best-fitting probability distribution also gave some information about the dynamics of infection. No fish species had a Poisson distribution of parasites, which is consistent with an entirely random infection process, with all fish being potentially exposed. For some parasites, the distribution was a zero-inflated Poisson, which is consistent with either the fish being exposed to parasite infection or not; and, if exposed, infection was a random process. Other parasites had a negative binomial distribution, consistent with the entire fish population being exposed, but the infection process was clumped or there were variations in the susceptibility of infection between fish. Finally, some of the parasites had a zero-inflated negative binomial distribution, which can be interpreted as part of the fish population not being exposed and the remainder of the population being exposed to a clumped or aggregated infection process and/or a variation in individual susceptibility to infection.

In connection to the intensive development of the oil shelves of the Caspian Sea by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the search for indicator species used to determine the impact of oil hydrocarbons, including sublethal concentrations, is relevant. Besides, other organisms involved in the system of biocenological relationships, which are known to consist of different taxonomic groups of marine biota, can be judged by the state of biomarkers. The present study substantiates the use of Atherina boyeri caspia in the biomonitoring of pollution of the Caspian Sea and aims to the forecasting of commercial species. The heart serves as an indicator of oil pollution.

Loma acerinae is a xenoma-forming fish microsporidium described from common ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua (Perciformes: Percidae) and also found in Ponto-Caspian gobies (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae). This casts doubt on the strict host specificity of this parasite. The largest subunit RNA polymerase II (rpb1) was used as a genetic marker of the parasite isolated from six host species of Perciformes (G. cernua from the Baltic Sea), Atheriniformes (Atherina boyeri from the Azov Sea) and Gobiiformes (Neogobius spp. and Zosterisessor ophiocephalus from the Black Sea and Ponticola kessleri from the Caspian Sea basin). Two major rpb1 haplogroups were found with 98.5% identity between the groups. Notably, Haplogroup I was associated with Neogobius spp. samples (n = 6) only, whereas Haplogroup II included the samples from other host species (n = 7). These findings confirm the broad distribution and host range of L. acerinae, but also indicate that certain patterns of host-driven intraspecific polymorphism may exist. Furthermore, the study revealed low similarity between the ribosomal RNA gene sequences of L. acerinae and the type species, Loma morhua (as well as other species of the genus). This suggests loose genetic association within the genus, and may raise the need for the taxonomic revision of L. acerinae.

Atherina boyeri Risso 1810 ���Big-scale sand smelt Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Atherina mochon Cuvier 1829 by George et al. (1964: 16); subsequently recorded as Atherina boyeri Risso by Mouneimn�� (1977: 65); as Atherina boyeri Risso 1810 by Mouneimn�� (2002: 106); recently recorded as Atherina boyeri by Bariche et al. (2009: 3). Material in collection: AMNH, AUBM and USNM. Distribution. Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Sea of Azov, eastern Atlantic: southern North Sea to Mauritania including Canary Islands; introduced into lakes in Turkey. Conservation. IUCN: Global (LC: 1 January 2008); Med. (LC: 16 November 2007). Capture and threats: FIT, FIB, NIS, unknown. Occurrence: Common. Low priority for conservation action. Aulopiformes, Published as part of Bariche, Michel & Fricke, Ronald, 2020, The marine ichthyofauna of Lebanon: an annotated checklist, history, biogeography, and conservation status, pp. 1-157 in Zootaxa 4775 (1) on pages 37-38, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4775.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3983887, {"references":["George, C. J., Athanassiou, V. A. & Boulos, I. (1964) The fishes of the coastal waters of Lebanon. Miscellaneous Papers in the Natural Sciences. The American University of Beirut, 4, 1 - 24.","Mouneimne, N. (1977) Liste des poissons de la cote du Liban (Mediterranee orientale). Cybium, 3 (1), 37 - 66.","Mouneimne, N. (2002) Poissons marins du Liban et de la Mediterranee orientale. INCAM-EU / CNRS Lebanon, Beyrouth, 271 pp."]}

In the last years, increasing interest has been dedicated to the quality assessment of brackish-water systems. Traditionally, fish community is an important biological element used to assess the quality status of transitional water bodies. In this study, we analysed the effect of anthropogenic pressures on the population of a small teleost, the sand smelt Atherina boyeri, in a Mediterranean lagoon by means of body condition. Fish were sampled once a year during the period 2010–2012, in 32 sampling sites, and for each specimen individual body condition factor was estimated. A negative significant correlation was found between condition factor and pressures related to alteration of the hydrographic regime, while a significant positive correlation was found with trophic status indicators and fishery activities. Therefore, morphological and hydrological alteration of coastal lagoons, modifying the quality and the availability of resources, seems to influence the health of resident populations.

Enhanced visual counting technique coupled with combustion analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied to assess microplastics (MPs) contamination in fish digestive tracts from Eastern Harbor, Egypt, to provide a simple and economic method for MPs assessment. This was the first study in Egypt to quantify MPs in fish. Plastic particles were detected in all fish samples, represented by seven thermoplastic polymers. The average number of MPs was at its highest level in Siganus rivulatus, Diplodus sargus, and Sardinella aurita (7527, 3593, and 1450MPs fish-1, resp.) and the lowest in Sphyraena viridensis and Atherina boyeri (46 and 28MPs fish-1, respectively). The average weight of MPs as measured by combustion ranged from 302mg kg-1 in S. rivulatus to 2mg kg-1 in Terapon puta.

YOGURTCUOGLU, Baran/0000-0001-8144-6191 WOS: 000444145200005 We studied the feeding ecology of an endemic cyprinodontid fish, Aphanius marassantensis (KA +/- zA +/- lA +/- rmak Toothcarp), with special emphasis on seasonal and ontogenetic diet shift. The dietary composition revealed an omnivorous diet with great seasonal and ontogenetic variation. Cladocera and Calanoid Copepods (Diaptomus sp.) dominated the diet in Spring and Summer, whereas the food items of plant origin e.g. filamentous algae and diatoms were the most important components in Autumn and Winter. An ontogenetic diet shift was also demonstrated. While the feeding of juveniles was based mostly on planktonic organisms, adult individuals preferred larger prey taxa, such as Gammarus sp. and Gastropods. There was no significant sex-related variation in feeding with the exception for the volume of gut content. The investigation on the feeding strategy of A. marassantensis suggested a generalised feeding pattern with some specialised individuals. This generalist feeding habits may account for the well-established population of this species in a big reservoir under coexistence of two non-native fish species, Pseudorasbora parva and Atherina boyeri. Turkish Scientific and Technical Researches InstitutionTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TUBITAK-107O718] The fish examined in this study were collected during samplings for a project on the life history and population dynamics of Pseudorasbora parva in the Hirfanli Reservoir, financed by the Turkish Scientific and Technical Researches Institution (Code: TUBITAK-107O718). We would also like to thank to anonymous reviewers for their corrections and recommendation that improved the manuscript.

The aim is evaluation of landing freshwater fish, economics, and some assessment on future situation. By using with fishery statistics, economic values of the captured based freshwater fishes were investigated covering period 2008-2017. 21 commercial species were indicated such as; chub ( Leuciscus cephalus ), trout ( Salmo spp.), bream ( Abramis brama ), Beysehir bleak ( Alburnus akili ), sand smelt ( Atherina boyeri ), tarek ( Chalcalburnus tarichi ), tench ( Tinca tinca ), catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ), bighand goby ( Neogobius spp.), mullet ( Mugil spp.), rudd ( Scardinius erythrophthalmus ), frog ( Rana spp.), pike perch ( Perca fluviatilis ), snail ( Helix sp.), common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), transcaucasian carp, wels ( Silurus glanis ), eel ( Anguilla anguilla ), pike ( Esox lucius ), crayfish ( Astacus leptodactylus ) gibel carp ( Carrasius sp.). They are generally captured with gill nets, trammel nets, pots and cast nets. Total production amount was 31768 tonnes in 2017 and tarek was the leading species with 9830 tonnes and followed by gibel carp (7035 tonnes) and sand smelt (4892 tonnes). Total economic value of captured freshwater species was 95.2 million TL representing 4% of the Turkish fisheries economy. Results showed a gradual decline in the last decade. The decrease in the yearly catch amounts are attributable to some reasons such as pollution, hydro-electric power plant construction, mis-management of freshwaters.

In this study, length-weight relationship andcondition of big-scale sand smelt from two different localities with freshwaterand saltwater characteristics were analysed and compared. Fish samples werecollected by using trawl net from both Marmara Lake and Homa Lagoon in April 2015. A total of 357 big-scalesand smelt were sampled of which 185 from Marmara Lake and 172 from Homa Lagoonwere examined without regarding of sexes. Total length and weight distribution of thespecimens were found to vary from 5.6 cm to 8.2 cm and 1.30 g to 3.99 g for Marmara Lake,from 3.7 cmto 9.9 cmand 0.32 gto 6.30 gfor Homa Lagoon, respectively. The length–weight relationship equations wereestimated as W=0.0059L3.118 (sh(b)=0.068), r=0.920 for Marmara Lakeand as W=0.0077L2.925 (sh(b)=0.062), r=0.929 for Homa Lagoon. Thesamples from Marmara Lake showed positive allometric growth, while the samples fromHoma Lagoon showed isometric growth. The condition factor value varied between0.62 and 0.90 for Marmara Lake and varied between 0.38 and 0.94 for HomaLagoon., Bu çalışmada, tatlısu ve tuzlusu karakterindeki ikifarklı ortamdan yakalanan Gümüş balığının boy-ağırlık ilişkisi ve kondisyonunun belirlenmesi vekarşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Balık örnekleri, Nisan 2015 döneminde, MarmaraGölü ve Homa Lagünü’nden tül ığrıp ile yakalanmıştır. Marmara Gölü’nden 185 adet ve Homa Lagünü’nden172 adet olmak üzere toplam 357 Gümüş balığı, cinsiyet farkı gözetilmeksizinincelenmiştir. Totalboy ve ağırlık dağılımı Marmara Gölü’nde 5.6-8.2 cm ve 1.30-3.99 g, Homa Lagünü’nde ise 3.7-9.9 cm ve 0.32-6.30 g olarak belirlenmiştir.Boy-ağırlık ilişkisi eşitlikleri Marmara Gölü için; W=0.0059L3.118 (sh(b)=0.068),r=0.920, Homa Lagünü için; W=0.0077L2.925 (sh(b)=0.062), r=0.929olarak hesaplanmıştır. Marmara Gölü örneklerinde pozitif allometrik, HomaLagünü örneklerinde ise izometrik büyüme modeli gözlenmiştir. Kondisyon faktörüdeğerleri, Marmara Gölü örnekleri için 0.62-0.90, Homa Lagünü örnekleri içinse0.38-0.94 aralığında değişim göstermiştir.

During a survey on helminth parasites infecting marine fishes captured from water locations at Abu-Qalawa and Saad reef regions along Hurghada coasts of the Red Sea in Egypt during the period from June to December 2017, two different species of nematode parasites were isolated as a new host and locality records. These were Neocamallanus singhi (L3, f: Camallanidae) and Buckleynema buckleyi (L3, Quimperiidae) isolated from Cheilinus undulatus (Family: labridae, no. 34) and Atherina boyeri (Family: Atherinidae, no. 18) respectively. The parasites were described morphologically by light microscopy. They were compared with similar species isolated previously from different hosts worldwide. The study concluded that marine fishes species of the Red Sea should receive much attention for parasitic species infecting fishes in order to collect a lot of data concerning parasitic worms which could be transferred to humans causing dangerous diseases.

Bu çalışmada, tatlısu ve tuzlusu karakterindeki iki farklı ortamdan yakalanan Gümüş balığının boy-ağırlık ilişkisi ve kondisyonunun belirlenmesi ve karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Balık örnekleri, Nisan 2015 döneminde, Marmara Gölü ve Homa Lagünü’nden tül ığrıp ile yakalanmıştır. Marmara Gölü’nden 185 adet ve Homa Lagünü’nden 172 adet olmak üzere toplam 357 Gümüş balığı, cinsiyet farkı gözetilmeksizin incelenmiştir. Total boy ve ağırlık dağılımı Marmara Gölü’nde 5.6-8.2 cm ve 1.30-3.99 g, Homa Lagünü’nde ise 3.7-9.9 cm ve 0.32-6.30 g olarak belirlenmiştir. Boy-ağırlık ilişkisi eşitlikleri Marmara Gölü için; W=0.0059L3.118 (sh(b)=0.068), r=0.920, Homa Lagünü için; W=0.0077L2.925 (sh(b)=0.062), r=0.929 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Marmara Gölü örneklerinde pozitif allometrik, Homa Lagünü örneklerinde ise izometrik büyüme modeli gözlenmiştir. Kondisyon faktörü değerleri, Marmara Gölü örnekleri için 0.62-0.90, Homa Lagünü örnekleri içinse 0.38-0.94 aralığında değişim göstermiştir.

Fifteen specimens of the big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri were caught by a single trawl haul with a net mesh size of 3 mm on February 2017 from the Seyhan Dam Reservoir (South Anatolia, Adana/Turkey). In this study the big-scale sand smelt, A. boyeri, was recorded for the first time in the Seyhan Dam Reservoir. In addition, some morphometric and meristic measurements of A. boyeri were given and these values were compared to populations in two different lakes. Furthermore, the possible ecological effects of A. boyeri on Seyhan Dam Reservoir were briefly discussed.

Feeding ecology and prey selection of sand smelt (Atherina boyeri, Risso, 1810) were investigated by taking monthly samples (January to December 2010) at four stations of Lake Egirdir, (Turkey) using gill nets (mesh sizes 10–100 mm) and purse‐seines (mesh size 6 mm). A total of 49 out of 612 analysed stomachs were empty (8.01%); stomach contents included eight major prey categories: zooplankton, phytoplankton, Arachnida, Arthropoda, Insecta, fishes as well as unidentified organisms and remains. Dominant prey items included cladocerans (Bosmina longirostris [% N = 67.92], Alona quadrangularis [% N = 5.06]), copepods (Nitokra hibernica [% N = 9.30], Mesocyclops leuckarti [% N = 3.35]), and arthropoda (Corophium curvispinum [% N = 3.46]). The importance of Insecta, Arthropoda, fishes, and unidentified eggs increased in the diet with increasing size of the sand smelt, whereas the contribution of Cladocera and Copepoda decreased. Sand smelt strongly preferred B. longirostris (selectivity index V = 0.639, χ² = 81.689, p

Morphological studies of the big-scale sand smelt from the group Atherina boyeri sensu lato were carried out using the materials of the museum collections from the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. It has been shown that low-raker sand smelt belonging to the species A. boyeri sensu stricto, and multi-raker sand smelt, referred to the A. mochon species, are differentiated by a complex of morphological features: the number of gill rakers, the shape of scales, the length of the ascending process of praemaxillare, and the shape of the lower margin of maxillare. The key for their identification is presented. It is assumed that A. mochon is not a native Black Sea species but belongs to the invasive species originating from the Mediterranean Sea. The isolation of two cryptic species is discussed. The neotype of A. pontica is designated.

Parasitological examination of Black Sea aterina (Atherina boyeri) has been held in two districts of the Black Sea, Crimean seashore. Fish liver infected by larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii l. has been studied with classical histology and microscopy, the comparative analysis of the obtained data has been carried out with materials of invasion free individuals. It has been observed that pathomorphological changes occur in the aterine liver under C. rudolphii l. parasitizing. Particularly, the parenchyma destruction, tissue dystrophy, microcirculation disorders have been registered. It has been found that the most pronounced changes are recorded in the liver because of severe infestation of nematodes from the aterina (A. boyeri): the organ is significantly increased, the edges are rounded, tuberous surface, coloring is light, uneven; the cut liver obtains visible mosaic pattern due to moves done by the larvae of the nematode C. rudolphii l. in the liver parenchyma. Microscopy of histological sections in cases of invasions in the liver parenchyma shows signs of acute congestive hyperemia: central veins and capillaries lobules located closer to them are full of blood and expanded. Hepatocytes in the center of the lobules because of compression of dilated capillaries are subjected to atrophy. In bile ducts acute catarrh accompanied by focal hyperplasia of the epithelial cells is observed; in the aperture of the bile ducts accumulation of mucus with a mixture of desquamated epithelial cells and macrophages is seen.

The incidence of severe consecutive repetition of lordosis-kyphosis involving three flexions was reported in a specimen of the atherinid fish Atherina boyeri Risso. The values for the angles lay between the lines passing through the sides of the vertebral column and enclosing the curvatures, and the depth of the curvatures of the angles was obtained. Also, the ratio of the vertebral column to the fish total length of deformed and normal specimens of this species was calculated. Possible causes for these anomalies are discussed.

Contracaecum rudolphii (s. l.) is a complex of sibling species of anisakid nematodes having the fish-eating birds belonging to the Family Phalacrocoracidae as final hosts. The great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis is parasitized by C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B. Adults and L4 specimens of C. rudolphii (s. l.) (N = 3282) were collected in cormorants from brackish and freshwater ecosystems of Central Italy. Third-stage larvae of Contracaecum (N = 882) were obtained from the fish species Dicentrarchus labrax, Anguilla anguilla, Aphanius fasciatus, Atherina boyeri, Leuciscus cephalus, Barbus barbus, and Carassius carassius captured in the same geographical areas of cormorants’ standings. Contracaecum rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B were identified by a multilocus genetic approach: allozymes, sequences analysis of the mtDNA cox2, and ITS region of rDNA gene loci. Differential distribution of the two parasite species was observed in different aquatic environments. Contracaecum rudolphii B outnumbered C. rudolphii A in wintering cormorants from freshwater ecosystems; the opposite trend was found in cormorants from brackish water. Analogously, C. rudolphii A larvae were more prevalent in brackish water fish, while C. rudolphii B larvae were found infecting only freshwater fish. The findings seem to confirm that C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B would have a life-cycle adapted to brackish and freshwater environments, respectively. A differential feeding behavior of wintering cormorants, the ecology of the infected fish species, and abiotic factors related to early stages of the parasites are supposed to maintain the distinctiveness of the two parasite species’ life cycles in the two different aquatic ecosystems.

This study sought to determine seasonal variations in wild fish assemblage events associated with fish farms with respect to fish biodiversity, abundance and biomass along the Turkish Aegean Sea. Assemblages of wild fish were determined bimonthly with six rapid visual counts (RVCs) at six fish farms in both the Izmir (Northern Aegean Sea, NAS) and Mugla (Southern Aegean Sea, SAS) regions. Data were pooled based on each season. Thirty-nine total fish species representing 21 families were identified, with three particularly abundant families: Sparidae (seven species), Carangidae (six species) and Mugilidae (four species). The greatest fish diversity was recorded in the summer, followed by spring, autumn and winter. Regionally, the greatest fish diversity was observed in the southern Aegean Sea. Significant differences across seasons and regions were observed. Boops boops was very abundant at all stations, except for the first station in the NAS. Approximately 80.5 % of farm-associated fish were B. boops, followed by Atherina boyeri (4.14 %), Scomber colias (2.82 %), Sardinella aurita (2.78 %) and Oblada melanura (2.73 %). A total of 105,041 individual fish and 3637 kg.11,250 m?3 fish were identified in the NAS; 448,331 individual fish and 47,070 kg.11,250 m?3 fish were identified in the SAS. These results indicate that the diversity of wild fish communities is relatively high, and vary between regions. Boops boops represents the predominant species, although the Sparids, Carangids, Mugilids, Scombrids, Clupeids and Pomatomids are also highly represented throughout the Mediterranean. © 2020, 114Y584 Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu, TÜBITAK, This study was financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [Project number: 114Y584]. Additionally, the authors are thankful to the owners and managers of the companies Agromey, Abalıoglu, Hatko and Iskandil for their logistical support.

Population structure, growth, age, mortality and exploitation status of Atherina boyeri, caught in the period from June 2013 to May 2014 in the Lesina lagoon (Apulia region, southern Adriatic) was studied. Samples were taken each month by using beach seines . The length–weight relationship of all sand smell specimens was described by the equation W=0.012*TL 3.10; (R2= 0.84). Population parameters including the asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were assessed to evaluate the stock status. The recruitment pattern was modeled with a FiSAT routine. The asymptotic length (L∞) was 111.0 mm, while the growth coefficient (K) was 0.68 year−1. The growth performance index ((φ’) reached 3.92. The total mortality coefficient “Z”, the natural mortality coefficient “M” and the fishing mortality coefficient “F” were estimated as 2.24, 1.48 and 0.76 year-1, respectively. Exploitation rate for the population of A. boyeri in the Lesina lagoon estimated as 0.34 was resulted still lower than the predicted maximum value of Emax 0.59. The probability of capture indicated that L50 was of 55.57 mm, indicating that the stock of sand smelt in Lesina lagoon is not being over-fished., Istraživana je struktura populacije, rast, starost, smrtnost i status eksploatacije olige Atherinaboyeri, ulovljene u razdoblju od lipnja 2013. do svibnja 2014. u laguni Lesina (regija Apulija, južni Jadran). Uzorci su uzimani svaki mjesec pomoću mreže potegače.Dužinsko-maseni odnos opisan je jednadžbom W = 0,012 * TL 3,10; (R2 = 0,84). Utvrđeni su parametri populacije, uključujući asimptotsku duljinu (L∞) i koeficijent rasta (K), kako bi se procijenilo stanje zaliha. Obrazac novačenja modeliran je FiSAT rutinom. Asimptotska duljina (L∞) iznosila je 111,0 mm, dok je koeficijent rasta (K) iznosio 0,68 godina − 1. Indeks učinka rasta (φ’) dosegnuo je 3,92. Ukupni koeficijent smrtnosti „Z“, koeficijent prirodne smrtnosti „M“ i koeficijent mortaliteta ribolova „F“ procijenjeni su na 2,24, 1,48 i 0,76 godina-1.Stopa eksploatacije populacije olige u Lesinskoj laguni procijenjena na 0,34 rezultirala je i dalje nižom od predviđene maksimalne vrijednosti Emax 0,59.

DOI : 10.5152/actavet.2019.19015 The Bandirma district of Balikesir province has an important place in terms of production and export of aquatic and frozen fish products. Silverfish (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810) has high protein quality (protein content >70%) and low price. It constitutes an important alternative source of raw material for economic fish meal production. Fresh silverfish exported to the European countries in recent years is demanded in two different product forms: Frozen and breaded frozen. In this study, the production of frozen silverfish was carried out in a business that produced aquaculture products for a considerable level of export in Bandirma. The production flow diagram, in accordance with TS EN ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System and British Retail Consortium Standard, was defined to obtain a safe product in accordance with customer expectations and needs. Hazard analysis was carried out by analyzing each step using decision tree. In this way, potential hazards and the precautions to be taken to prevent them, critical control points, and critical limits belonging to these points have been set forth. Cite this article as : Gunsen, U., Eseceli, H., Atan, R.M., 2019. Determination of Critical Control Points and Potential Hazard Analysis in the Production of Frozen Silverfish (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810). Acta Vet Eurasia 45, 80-90.

This study reports the first recorded instance of Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) in the Bayramiç Reservoir, located on the Karamenderes Stream. Since 2005, ichthyological researches have been carried out in the Bayramiç Reservoir by various researchers, but none of them have noted the existence of A. boyeri in this reservoir. In the field studies conducted between May 2016 and July 2017, a total of 98 A. boyeri specimens was caught. In these samplings, a 70 m long and 2 m wide beach seine net with 10 mm a mesh size was used. Although a small number of A. boyeri was caught during the first observation in October 2016, more individuals were observed in July 2017. The fork length of the A. boyeri observed was between 2.7-8.8 cm and the weight ranged between 0.06-4.31 g. The bimodal length distribution of the specimens indicates that there have been multiple incidents of adult specimens entering the reservoir and that these individuals have given birth to new offspring. The translocation of A. boyeri into the Bayramiç Reservoir might have been due to unauthorized introduction by fishermen or through illegal release by anglers as fish bait. However, the distribution map of A. boyeri in inland waters in Turkey shows significant overlap with the migration routes of big waterfowl. The waterfowl might partially be responsible for the spread of the adult specimens across short distances.

This study focuses on the relationships between otolith measurements and total length; otolith shape indices and the total length; among otolith measurements for three Atherina boyeri populations (Lake Eğirdir, Lake Iznik, and Hirfanlı Dam Lake) to determine regional variations of these populations in Turkey. 356 specimens with 41.0 - 103.6 mm total length of three A. boyeri populations were examined and their otoliths were extracted and measured. Otolith width is the strongest indicator for the three A. boyeri populations although the otolith length, width, and weight are good indicators for the fish length in the different populations. The linear relationship was determined between A. boyeri total length and sagittal otolith sizes in the three populations. However, the best model for the relationships among otolith sizes can be change depends on populations differentiation. Exponential model is the best model for Lake Eğirdir population while the linear model is the best model for Lake Iznik and Hirfanlı Dam Lake populations.

This study analyses fish data to understand how the gradual increase of salinity registered in a coastal lagoon and consequently, anthropogenic disturbance, affected the fish communities. For that, fish assemblages of the Ria de Aveiro were sampled monthly in 3 years from different decades (1988, 1997 and 2012). Dominant species were Atherina boyeri, A. presbyter, Sardina pilchardus, Dicentrarchus labrax, Liza aurata and L. ramada. Significant differences in fish communities were detected among years in both terms of density and biomass. Results pointed out to a taxonomic and functional homogenization of fish assemblages in 2012, when salinity was higher and its range of variation across the whole lagoon more uniform. Marine species were clearly associated with 2012, while some freshwater species only appeared in 1988, reflecting the gradual salinity increase in the lagoon. Overall, both the structure and function of fish assemblages of Ria de Aveiro have changed over the time, which was attributed to human activities to maintain the lagoon operational.

Taxonomic and functional properties and spatial-temporal variations of the small-sized fish assemblage were investigated in the micro-tidal Lesina Lagoon. Sampling was carried out monthly for a year in 9 stations, by means of a 2-mm mesh beach seine. According to the findings, the fish assemblage of Lesina Lagoon showed a low species richness. Marine migrants were the most represented in terms of number of species, with Mugilidae as dominant family. Nevertheless, residents were numerically prevalent, with the two species Atherina boyeri and Aphanius fasciatus showing the highest abundances. No marine stragglers were found. In addition, the temporal and spatial analysis of the fish assemblage showed weak temporal and spatial patterns of variation. In Lesina Lagoon, the taxonomic and functional structures of the fish assemblage seem to be strongly affected by the high degree of confinement of the lagoon from the open sea, which makes the fish assemblage very susceptible to changes in hydrological and local climatic conditions. The information achieved from this study may be useful for a better management of the natural aquatic resources in Lesina Lagoon and in Mediterranean lagoons. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Summary The big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, is recorded from the Devegecidi Dam Lake in 2016, the first record of this invasive species in the Tigris River basin, with potential to extend to all countries in the Middle East. The smelts were caught with a trawl net mesh size of 6 mm. The captured specimens are described and compared. Records of A. boyeri from Turkish inland waters are summarised from the literature.

This paper describes the construction of a novel lamp raft for the purse seine fishery and its evaluation in real conditions for 14 days during a six-month period in a freshwater ecosystem (Lake Trichonis, Greece). A simple, but durable and inexpensive design was constructed comprising a LED lamp producing green light, powered by a 12 V battery which is charged by a photovoltaic panel to make the device autonomous concerning its electric power needs. The new lamp raft showed very good technical performance in the field and was found to be more effective at attracting fish than traditional lamp rafts, resulting in higher catch rates for the target fish species ( Atherina boyeri ). The increase in catch varied between 33.3% and 157.1%, with an overall increase of 67.3%. This excellent performance, along with simplicity, durability, and the zero operational cost, makes this raft an interesting candidate to replace the traditional lamp rafts used in purse seine fishery not only in the particular lake for which it was designed, but also in other freshwater and marine ecosystems around the world.

Eustrongylides spp. are cosmopolitan parasitic nematodes with several freshwater fish species as intermediate or paratenic hosts, rarely reported as zoonotic agents. This work aims to report, for the first time, the occurrence of this parasite in specimens of big scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) caught in the lake Massaciuccoli (Northwest Tuscany, Italy). Totally 3317 specimens of A. boyeri were collected in three different samplings (August–October 2019). Fish were visually examined and then submitted to artificial digestion. Visible parasites were collected and counted after both procedures, then they were identified to genus level by microscopic examination and to species level by molecular analysis of the ITS gene region. Overall, 75 nematodes identified as larval stages of Eustrongylides excisus were found (P: 2.3% 95% CI 1.8–2.8; MA: 0.02; MI: 1), in the viscera and in the muscle. A. boyeri is a highly appreciated fish species in several Italian areas as well as in various Mediterranean countries. Beside an epidemiological interest due to its role in the parasite cycle, the report of E. excisus in the study area arises possible quality and public health issues. Therefore, also considering the method of preparation of A. boyeri and that lately the increasing consumption of raw fish has also targeted freshwater fish species, it is essential to communicate the presence of this hazard and the need of applying appropriate sanitary measures to all FBOs along the supply chain and to consumers.

Mediterranean coastal lagoons are increasingly affected by several threats, all concurrently leading to habitat degradation and loss. Methods based on fish for the assessment of the ecological status are under implementation for the Water Framework Directive requirements, to assess the overall quality of coastal lagoons. Complementary tools based on the use of single fish species as biological indicators could be useful as early detection methods of anthropogenic impacts. The analysis of skeletal anomalies in the big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, from nine Mediterranean coastal lagoons in Italy was carried out. Along with the morphological examination of fish, the environmental status of the nine lagoons was evaluated using a method based on expert judgement, by selecting and quantifying several environmental descriptors of direct and indirect human pressures acting on lagoon ecosystems. The average individual anomaly load and the frequency of individuals with severe anomalies allow to discriminate big-scale sand smelt samples on the basis of the site and of its quality status. Furthermore, a relationship between skeletal anomalies and the environmental quality of specific lagoons, driven by the anthropogenic pressures acting on them, was found. These findings support the potentiality of skeletal anomalies monitoring in big-scale sand smelt as a tool for early detection of anthropogenic impacts in coastal lagoons of the Mediterranean region.

Thi s s tud y was carr i e d out b e t wee n January a n d December 2 00 9 in ord e r to di sc o ve r t h e f i s h s p e ci es fo und in Sarikum Lake of S inop Provi n ce . S a m p lin g ac ti v iti es were d o n e b y u si n g mult i - f il a m e n t trammel n e t s, s c oop n e t s a n d cas t n e t s. As a r es ult of th e sa mpling , 9 s p ec ies ( Atherina boyeri, Liza aurata , Mugil cephalus , Mugil soiuy , Neogobius melanostomus , Aphanius chantrei , Gasterosteus aculeatus , Cyprinus carpio and Platichthys flesus ) we r e d e t e rmin e d . Results were discussed with other studies.

Seasonal fishery closures, are an input control measure to reduce fishing pressure on spawning stocks in fisheries management. Despite the huge foregone economic losses from such closures, the efficacy of them has yet to be examined in Turkey. This study compares the monthly landed catch distribution for commercial marine species averaged for 12 years (2006–2017) from Istanbul fish market, to catch rates of those species during the spawning seasons. Our results revealed that at first glance, most commercially important fish species examined here have their spawning seasons protected under the Turkish industrial seasonal closure period, especially for small and medium pelagics, as well as some demersals. On the other hand, taxa with winter spawning seasons such as Merlangius merlangus, John dory Zeus faber, brown meagre Sciaena umbra, big-scale sand smelt Atherina boyeri, and bogue Boops boops do not benefit from the commercial fisheries summer closure (>50% of their catch total). Also, some species are still heavily fished (>35% of their catch total) during the closure implying they are mainly targeted by small-scale fisheries (SSF). To help rebuild the commercial fisheries, we recommend the accompaniment of the industrial closure with the use of ‘Real Time Closures’ (RTCs) applied to all fishing sectors for species highly fished during their spawning periods and spawning habitats.

In this study the presence of sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810, an invasive and translocated species has been reported in the Hirfanlı Dam Lake, Turkey. The fish samples were collected from the fishermen operating in the area in April 2016. Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of A. boyeri, were taken, including standard length (SL), fork length (FL), total length (TL), preorbital distance, eye diameter, interorbital distance, head length, head width, dorsal fin I nose point distance, dorsal fin II nose point distance, preanal distance, prepectoral distance, preventral distance, dorsal fin I base length, dorsal fin II base length, anal fin base length, pectoral fin base length, ventral fin base length, maximum body height, caudal peduncle height, body width, caudal peduncle width, body weight (W). The SL varied between 62 to 75 mm and weight 2.324 to 4.133 g in females. Whereas in males the SL varied between 56 to78 mm and weight 1.533 to 4.011 g. The sex ratio was slightly in favour of females being 54.4%. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan

In this study was investigated some biometric properties of the sand smelt with ANN’s, Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810, population in Yamula Dam Lake. Twenty-three morphometric characters of samples were measured. The total length of individuals which were caught between 6.40 and 10.20 cm, and their weight (W) were ranged between 1.50 and 7.31 g. The effect of Artificial Neural Networks was investigated in predicting the statistical of fishery industry. The present study provides the first information on the biometric properties of Atherina boyeri in Yamula Dam Lake by Artificial Neural Networks. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan

Transitional water ecosystems, like brackish coastal lagoons, provide important services but are subjected to several anthropogenic impacts that can initially lead to biodiversity modifications and then to critical alterations of ecosystem processes. Assessment and monitoring of the health status of these ecosystems is extremely important. This study reports the case study of “Capo Peloro” lakes (southern Italy), where ecotoxicological biomarkers in the key fish species Atherina boyeri have been used to reveal potential contamination in a transitional water ecosystem. The goal was to detect changes that occurred after the summer season, when the surrounding human population significantly increases, with the consequent enhancement of anthropic pressures. Lake Trasimeno, a reference protected site, was also selected. This study is the follow-up of a previous one carried out in the same environment reporting biomarkers employed on the copepod species Paracartia latisetosa, on which Atherina boyeri feeds. The main aim of the present study was to test the responses given by the same type of contamination in a planktivorous fish species, which occupies a higher trophic level. Several biochemical and genotoxic biomarkers were evaluated: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Benzo(a)pyrene-monooxygenase (BPMO), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) metabolites in bile, Erythrocytic Nuclear Abnormalities (ENA) assay. This study confirms the contamination already shown in P. latisetosa from pesticides and carbamates, and/or polycyclic and polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, surfactants in both “Capo Peloro” lakes. A higher concentration of contaminants was demonstrated in early autumn with respect to the summer season, due to enhanced anthropogenic activities around and on the lakes. This study highlights that, although “Capo Peloro” lakes and Lake Trasimeno are protected areas, they are affected by environmental degradation. This study also confirms the benefits gained with a biomarker approach in monitoring transitional water ecosystems.

Objective: To determine the shallow water fish species richness of Çanakkale and to analyse the spatiotemporal variations of these fish assemblages. Methods: Samplings were carried out monthly with a beach seine between January and December 2007. Samples were collected from 6 stations (No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Stations 1 and 4 located in the Çanakkale Strait, 2 and 5 in North Aegean Sea, 3 and 6 in Sea of Marmara. Results: A total of 112 fish species were sampled and the two most common species were Atherina boyeri and Pomatoschistus marmoratus. A total of 93 species were sampled in the Çanakkale Strait, 85 in the Aegean Sea, and 77 in the Sea of Marmara. Shannon diversity index was the highest in the Aegean Sea. Dominant species were caused significant differences of both regional and seasonal fish assemblage fluctuations. Species richness and abundances decreased significantly in winter. Although more species were caught at night and a greater abundance of fishes was obtained during the day, no significant differences were found between day and night in terms of species richness and abundance. Conclusions: The results supported the biogeographical differences between the Aegean Sea, the Çanakkale Strait and the Sea of Marmara in terms of the shallow water fish community. The inventory in the current study can serve as baseline data prior to management strategies to ensure sustainable conservation of the area.

Mothocya epimerica Costa, 1851 (Flabellifera: Cymothoidae) is a cymothoid parasite of fishes belonging to Atherinidae (Atherina hepsetus, Atherina boyeri) from Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Öktener and Sezgin (2000) recorded this parasite for the first time in Turkey. The mentioned authors presented some morphological characters, although, some characters are not explained in the publication. Some morphological characters seen on the mandible, maxilliped, maxilla, maxillue and the spines on pleopods of the female of M. epimerica are shown. The characters presented in our study are based on the drawings made from collected specimens.

Concentrations of organochlorine compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorobutadiene (HBDE) were determined in three fish species: goby (Neogobius melanostomus), golden grey mullet (Mugil auratus) and silverside (Atherina boyeri). Samples were collected from the Lake Varna and the Lake Beloslav in 2014. The edible fish tissues were analyzed in order to investigate the presence of pollutants in species from the lakes near Varna City, Bulgaria and compared the results to the levels in other aquatic ecosystems. The fifteen congeners of PCBs, HCB, HCBD, DDT and its two main metabolites DDE and DDD were determined by capillary gas chromatography system with mass spectrometry detection. The OCPs levels in the wild fish were found in the order DDTs > PCBs. The other contaminants HCB and HCBD were not detected or were below the analytical detection limit. Among the pesticides, essentially only the metabolites p, p’- DDE and p, p’- DDD were found. The concentrations of DDTs were determined from 2.66 to 17.97 ng/g wet weight and PCBs concentrations were found from 0.43 to 8.05 ng/g ww (in goby and golden grey mullet, respectively). The sum of the six Indicator PCBs did not exceed the European maximum limit 75 ng/g wet weight. The concentrations of DDTs and PCBs were found lower compared to those in similar fish species from other aquatic ecosystems.

Seven species of acanthocephalans were identified for the first time in teleost fish from the Bizerte lagoon, Tunisia, includingNeoechinorhynchus(Hebesoma)agilis(Rudolphi, 1819) Van Cleave, 1916;N.(Neoechinorhynchus)rutiliMüller, 1780 (Neoechinorhynchidae);Acanthocephaloide propinquus(Dujardin, 1845) Meyer, 1932;A. incrassatus(Molin, 1858) Meyer, 1932 (Arhythmacanthidae);Longicollum pagrosomiYamaguti, 1935 (Pomphorhynchidae);Rhadinorhynchus cadenati(Golvan et Houin, 1964) Golvan, 1969 (Rhadinorhynchidae); andTelosentis exiguus(von Linstow, 1901) Van Cleave, 1923 (Illiosentidae).Acanthocephaloide propinquus,N.(N.)rutili,L. pagrosomiandR. cadenatiwere restricted to the rectum and the posterior intestine, whereas the other species (A. incrassatus,T. exiguusandN.(H.)agilis) colonized two or three parts of the intestine. The most diverse acanthocephalan fauna was recorded inLithognathus mormyrus, with three species; two species were reported fromTrachurus trachurus; and a single species was recorded inLiza aurataand inAtherina boyeri.Neoechinorhynchus(N.)rutili,L. pagrosomiandR. cadenatiattained the lowest prevalences of less than 6% and were considered as to be rare species.Acanthocephaloide incrassatus,A. propinquus,T. exiguusandN.(H.)agiliswere satellite species. The diversity of the acanthocephalan fauna in the fish from the Bizerte lagoon is compared with previous studies from other localities. The report ofA. incrassatus,A. propinquusandN.(N.)rutiliinL. mormyruspresents new host records in Mediterranean waters.