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Honey gouramis (Trichogaster chuna) received chemical alarm cues derived from conspecific epidermal tissue and, simultaneously, the vocalization produced by a heterospecific gourami species, the sparkling pygmy gourami (Trichopsis pumila). Control trials paired water with the vocalization. In trials that received alarm cues, honey gouramis significantly increased activity relative to control trials that received water, suggesting an attempt to flee and search for refuge. When the recording of the vocalization was later replayed to test fish without any additional chemical cue, fish that had previously experienced alarm cue froze while those that had received water with the vocalization did not change their behaviour. These data indicate that honey gouramis recognize and respond to chemical alarm cues, making this report the second anabantoid species to be recorded with this response. Second, these data indicate that honey gouramis can associate risk of predation with a novel auditory stimulus, including vocalizations from other species. These data suggest the potential for vocalizations to evolve into alarm signals in this group of fishes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Betta sp. is a freshwater ornamental fish which also known as a fighting fish. One of the fundamental organs to support fishes life is respiratory organ. Fighting fish is belongs to the suborder Anabantoidei which means labyrinth fishes group. The aim of the study was to know histology of the respiratory organs of Betta sp. Histological preparations were done using paraffin method, stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE). The result showed that Betta sp. has a respiratory organ common fish i.e gills and additional respiratory organ structure namely labyrinth and pseudobranch that makes Betta sp can survive in a low volume of water. The gill is consists of gill arch, gill raker, gill fillament and gill lamellae. The labyrinth is consist of connective tissue and folded ephitelium. Pseudobranch according to some literature function as an additional respiratory. Functions attributed to the pseudobranch include; regulation of oxygen to the eyes, enzyme production for use in the gas bladder, osmoregulation, and many others.

Accessory respiratory organs (AROs) are a group of anatomical structures found in fish, which support the gills and skin in the process of oxygen uptake. AROs are found in many fish taxa and differ significantly, but in the suborder Anabantoidei, which has a labyrinth organ (LO), and the family Clariidae, which has a dendritic organ (DO), these structures are found in the suprabranchial cavity (SBC). In this study, the SBC walls, AROs, and gills were studied in anabantoid (Betta splendens, Ctenopoma acutirostre, Helostoma temminckii) and clariid (Clarias angolensis, Clarias batrachus) fishes. The histological structure of the investigated organs was partially similar, especially in relation to their connective tissue core, however, there were noticeable differences in the epithelial layer. There were no significant species-specific differences in the structure of the AROs within the two taxa, but the SBC walls had diversified structures, depending on the observed location. The observed differences between species suggest that the remarkable physiological and morphological plasticity of the five investigated species can be associated with structural variety within their AROs. Furthermore, based on the observed histology of the SBC walls, it is reasonable to conclude that this structure participates in the process of gas exchange, not only in clariid fish but also in anabantoids.

Simple Summary This review is a summary of recent studies of genes, many of them involved in growth and reproduction, which can be used for distinguishing between species of the Anabantoidei suborder of fish, focusing on the Blue Gourami as a model species. This is important in both basic science and aquaculture applications. Abstract Markers of genetic variation between species are important for both applied and basic research. Here, various genes of the blue gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus, suborder Anabantoidei, a model labyrinth fish), many of them involved in growth and reproduction, are reviewed as markers of genetic variation. The genes encoding the following hormones are described: kisspeptins 1 and 2, gonadotropin-releasing hormones 1, 2, and 3, growth hormone, somatolactin, prolactin, follicle- stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, as well as mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome b and 12S rRNA. Genetic markers in blue gourami, representing the suborder Anabantoidei, differ from those in other bony fishes. The sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene of blue gourami is often used to study the Anabantoidei suborder. Among the genes involved in controlling growth and reproduction, the most suitable genetic markers for distinguishing between species of the Anabantoidei have functions in the hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic axis: pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and growth hormone, and the 12S rRNA gene.

Blue gourami belongs to the Labyrinithici fish and the Anabantiform order. It is characterized by a specific organ located above its gills for the respiration of atmospheric oxygen. This specific adaptation to low oxygen levels affects reproduction that is controlled by the brain, which integrates different effects on reproduction mainly through two axes—the gonadotropic brain pituitary gonad axis (BPG) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic axis (HPS axis), including the interactions between them. This brain control reproduction of the Anabantoidei suborder summarizes information that has been published on the hormones involved in controlling the reproduction system of a model female blue gourami fish (Trichogaster trichopterus), including unpublished data. In the whole-brain transcriptome of blue gourami, 17 transcription genes change during vitellogenesis in the brain. The hormones involved in reproduction in blue gourami described in the present paper include: Kisspeptin 2 (Kiss 2) and its receptors 1 and 2 (KissR 1 and 2); gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1, 2 and 3 (GnRH1, 2 and 3); GnRH receptor; pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its related peptide (PRP); somatolactin (SL); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); luteinizing hormone (LH); growth hormone (GH); prolactin (PRL), 17β-estradiol (E2); testosterone (T); vitellogenesis (VTL); and 17α,20β- dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P). A proposed quality model is presented regarding the brain control oogenesis in blue gourami that has a Labyrinth organ about which relatively little information has been published. This paper summarizes the complex various factors involved in the interactions between external and internal elements affecting the brain of fish reproduction in the Anabantiform order. It is suggested to study in the future the involvement of receptors of hormones, pheromones, and genome changes in various organs belonging to the reproduction system during the reproduction cycles about which little is known.

Croaking gouramis (genus Trichopsis, Anabantoidei) generate series of two-pulsed bursts (croaks) during agonistic interactions. Sex-specific differences are minor in T. vittata which raises the question whether sexes differ in the other two species. The current study analyses sounds recorded in female T. schalleri, compares the sound characteristics to those of males investigated earlier and correlates these characteristics to female body size. Sex-specific differences were found in three out of six sound characteristics. In females, sounds were lower in burst number, burst period and SPL. Pulse period, dominant frequency and peak-to-peak amplitude ratios of pulses did not differ between sexes. Burst period and SPL increased significantly with female body weight, whereas dominant frequency decreased. The present acoustic data indicate the sex-specific differences are more pronounced in T. schalleri than T. vittata. The results also demonstrate that both sexes are vocal, which remains to be shown for females of the third species, T. pumila, which have poorly developed sonic organs. The evolution of the pectoral sound-producing mechanism in Trichopsis is most likely based on an exaptation process during which acoustic signals are generated by fin tendons initially related to other functions as is evident in closely related genera lacking this organ.

Teleostean fish brains are useful models to study cellular and functional specializations along the phylogenesis. The Betta splendens Regan 1910 (Siamese fighting fish; Perciformes:Anabantoidei) is known for its aggressive display, courtship behavior, nest building, and offspring care. Here, we present novel and detailed data about the cytoarchitecture of the olfactory bulb and the telencephalic hemispheres of this fish. The hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl techniques served to identify brain nuclei (n = 19 males and n = 21 females) and for the stereological evaluation of the numerical density of cells and the proportion of neurons and glial cells in the ventral telencephalon supracommissural (Vs) and postcommissural (Vp) nuclei of adult males and females. These nuclei are putative homologs of the sexually dimorphic medial amygdala in mammals. The olfactory bulb of Betta splendens consists of 5 concentrically arranged layers plus ganglion cells of the terminal nerves. The dorsal telencephalon consists of 16 different cell groups. The ventral telencephalon has 8 nuclei, plus the lateral septal organ and the nuclei of the preoptic area forming an anatomical continuum. The rostrocaudal extent of the Vs and Vp is not different between sexes. In both nuclei, the proportion of neurons to glial cells is approximately 2:1 and the density of neurons and glial cells is not different between sexes. These morphological findings can subserve future research on the brain function of the Betta splendens and the search for neural sex differences in other central areas of this same species, in other teleost species, or yet in other related vertebrate group. Anat Rec, 00:000–000, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:88–110, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clado- and semogenetic approaches, when used in concert, make it possible to resolve questions concerning the phylogenetic relationships between group representatives, as well as the phylogenesis of those representatives’ characters. Parental care patterns and other forms of reproductive behavior, along with the reproductive strategy as a whole, can be the subject of semogenetic analysis to no less an extent than morphological structures sensu stricto. One highly specialized form of parental care in fish, including representatives of the suborder of labyrinth fishes and their sister groups, appears to be parental food provisioning. In our view, the evolutionary origin of postembryonic brood provisioning in bony fishes is characterized by three main features: (1) in fish, different forms of postembryonic food provisioning are convergent in their origin; (2) any kind of brood provisioning is realized through exploitation of the already existing character and is maintained by selection due to an enhancement of offspring fitness; (3) the main evolutionary path of the emergence and development of this phenomenon consists in function expansion and replacement. The hypothesis does have heuristic power, since it enables prediction of the presence of the reproductive strategy component in question through the identification of adequate basic adaptations. Although parental care occurs in the majority of anabantoid fishes, there are still several species for which such care is not known. On the cladogram, these species by no means take the basal position but are surrounded by fishes that provide care for their eggs, or even their hatchlings. The parsimony principle leads to the suggestion that parental care is a plesiomorphic character in the suborder Anabantoidei (or in the order Anabantiformes). It seems that the ancestors of present day noncarrying species that take various positions within this phylogenetic group were fishes showing parental care. Their reproductive strategy later changed as a result of r selection. If this hypothesis is correct, the absence of parental care should be considered a case of reproductive strategy degradation. It is quite probable that parental food provisioning was a component of the ancestral reproductive strategies. It is also possible that the reproductive strategy of present-day anabantoids that supposedly do not care for their offspring actually includes some optional forms of parental care.

Sasmita R, Mabrur, Rahmy USA, Badruzsaufari. 2019. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship among Anabantoidei fish (Anabantiformes) in South Kalimantan, Indonesia based on SDS-PAGE analysis. Biodiversitas 20: 2519-2527. Protein profile is a molecular marker for diversity and phylogenetic analysis of germplasm, including Anabantoidei fish which is abundant in freshwater ecosystem of South Kalimantan. The aim of this research was to analyze genetic diversity and construct phylogenetic relationship among Anabantoidei fish based on SDS PAGE analysis. Protein was extracted from muscle tissue of six species of Anabantoidei fish and precipitated using Ammonium sulfate salt. Soluble protein content was determined using Bradford assay and then separated based on SDS-PAGE method. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship were constructed using PAST software based on UPGMA method. The results showed that the soluble protein of fish muscle can be precipitated optimally in different ammonium sulfate concentration. Based on SDS-PAGE analysis, 59 different protein bands have been separated from gels with molecular weight ranging from 28.15 to 181.61 kDa. On the protein level, the Anabantoidei fish showed high genetic polymorphism (greater than 90%) with 3, 2 and 5 monomorphic bands on non-precipitated, AS-precipitated and combination between non- and AS-precipitated proteins, respectively. The phylogenetic reconstruction also exhibited that the Anabantoidei fish has the unique phylogenetic trees, especially for the combined protein datasets. This information would be useful for freshwater fish conservation and breeding programs.

Major morphological transformations, such as the evolution of elongate body shape in vertebrates, punctuate evolutionary history. A fundamental step in understanding the processes that give rise to such transformations is identification of the underlying anatomical changes. But as we demonstrate in this study, important insights can also be gained by comparing these changes to those that occur in ancestral and closely related lineages. In labyrinth fishes (Anabantoidei), rapid evolution of a highly derived torpedo-shaped body in the common ancestor of the pikehead (Luciocephalus aura and L. pulcher) occurred primarily through exceptional elongation of the head, with secondary contributions involving reduction in body depth and lengthening of the precaudal vertebral region. This combination of changes aligns closely with the primary axis of anatomical diversification in other anabantoids, revealing that pikehead evolution involved extraordinarily rapid change in structures that were ancestrally labile. Finer-scale examination of the anatomical components that determine head elongation also shows alignment between the pikehead evolutionary trajectory and the primary axis of cranial diversification in anabantoids, with much higher evolutionary rates leading to the pikehead. Altogether, our results show major morphological transformation stemming from extreme change along a shared morphological axis in labyrinth fishes.

Ten novel microsatellite markers were developed and characterized from Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Nine of ten markers were polymorphic, exhibiting an allelic number (NA) from 2 to 6 alleles per locus. The effective number of alleles (NE) ranged from 1.60 to 3.08 (average of 2.30). The observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosities ranged from 0.13 to 0.67 (average of 0.39) and 0.29 to 0.63 (average of 0.50), respectively. Linkage disequilibrium was not significantly detected for any pair of loci, and only two loci (BettaMS23 and BettaMS28) showed significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Of these, six loci could be amplified in genomic DNA of the closely related species B. imbellis and three loci in B. smaragdina. These microsatellite markers could be used as a tool to investigate genetic diversity and population structure, as well as breeding programs in hatcheries.

Air-breathing fish of the Anabantoidei group meet their metabolic requirements for oxygen through both aerial and aquatic gas exchange. Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens are anabantoids that frequently engage in aggressive male-male interactions which cause significant increases in metabolic rate and oxygen requirements. These interactions involve opercular flaring behaviour that is thought to limit aquatic oxygen uptake, and combines with the increase in metabolic rate to cause an increase in air-breathing behaviour. Air-breathing events interrupt display behaviour and increase risk of predation, raising the question of how Siamese fighting fish manage their oxygen requirements during agonistic encounters. Using open-flow respirometry, we measured rate of oxygen consumption in displaying fish to determine if males increase oxygen uptake per breath to minimise visits to the surface, or increase their reliance on aquatic oxygen uptake. We found that the increased oxygen requirements of Siamese fighting fish during display behaviour were met by increased oxygen uptake from the air with no significant changes in aquatic oxygen uptake. The increased aerial oxygen uptake was achieved almost entirely by an increase in air-breathing frequency. We conclude that limitations imposed by the reduced gill surface area of air-breathing fish restrict the ability of Siamese fighting fish to increase aquatic uptake, and limitations of the air-breathing organ of anabantoids largely restrict their capacity to increase oxygen uptake per breath. The resulting need to increase surfacing frequency during metabolically demanding agonistic encounters has presumably contributed to the evolution of the stereotyped surfacing behaviour seen during male-male interactions, during which one of the fish will lead the other to the surface, and each will take a breath of air.

One new and three previously described species of Trianchoratus Price et Berry, 1966 were collected from the gills of Channa lucius (Cuvier) and Channa striata (Bloch) from the Bukit Merah Reservoir, Perak and Endau-Rompin, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. They are Trianchoratus longianchoratus sp. n., T. malayensis Lim, 1986 and T. pahangensis Lim, 1986 from C. lucius, and T. ophicephali Lim, 1986 from C. striata. The new species differs from the Trianchoratus species hitherto described from channids and anabantoids in having two ventral anchors with a long curved inner root and one dorsal anchor with a curved inner root and lacking an outer root. A table summarizing the known species of heteronchocleidins (Trianchoratus, Eutrianchoratus and Heteronchocleidus) and Sundanonchus reported from fish hosts of different families (Channidae, Helostomatidae, Anabantidae and Osphronemidae) is provided.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trichogaster microlepis was determined in this study. It is 16,435 bp in size and consists of 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the heavy strand of the T. microlepis mitochondrial genome is A: 29.50%, T: 28.38%, C: 26.62%, and G: 15.49%. The total length of the 13 protein-coding genes was 11,427 bp. This study provides an important data set for the phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses of the Trichogaster species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trichogaster leeri is determined in this study. It is 16,454 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the heavy-strand (H-strand) of the T. trichopterus mitochondrial genome is A: 29.18%, T: 28.07%, C: 27.20% and G: 15.55%. The total length of the 13 protein-coding genes was 11,435 bp. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the species of Trichogaster (T. trichopterus, T. lalius and T. leeri) formed a monophyletic group and represented close relationship with the species of Anabantoidei. This study provides an important data set for phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses of the species of genus Trichogaster.

The kissing gourami (Helostoma temminkii) belongs to the Labyrinth fishes (Perciformes: Anabantoidei), which exhibits a wide variety of behavioral traits. In this study the complete mitogenome of H. temminkii was determined to be 16,740 bp in length. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. The sequence structure of non-coding control region was also analyzed. Comparing the mitochondrial genome of H. temminkii with its closely related species Colisa lalia showed the similarity of 78%. The complete mitochondrial genome of H. temminkii provides resource for phylogenetic analysis on Anabantoidei.

Sandelia bainsii is an endangered freshwater fish species which only occurs in short sections of several Eastern Cape river systems in South Africa. The spawning behaviour of S. bainsii is described for the first time. Female S. bainsii remained a light grey colour. Males exhibited distinctive nuptial coloration consisting of an intense black with a white bar on their caudal fin and white windows on the posterior areas of their dorsal and anal fins. There was a darkened post orbital contact organ of ctenoid scales on the reproductively active males. The spawning behaviour was recorded on a video recorder and analyzed during frame by frame replay. Sandelia bainsii are uniparental substrate breeders. The male prepared a spawning area by clearing the substrate with rapid body movements (sweeps). There were a number of preliminary courtship movements, several trial embraces by the male before the actual final embrace. The male underwent a U bend around the female, anchored himself with the contact organ, squeezed the abdominal area of the female with a quick head movement. Courtship and spawning all took place near the substratum. Twenty one separate mating bouts were filmed and analyzed. The duration varied from 1.44 to 5.11 seconds with an average embrace of 3.39 seconds. During the mating clench the female was not normally turned over, as in some anabantoids, but remained upright. The male then guarded the spawning area. Eggs were light yellow, adhesive, demersal and 1.28 mm in diameter with 0.61 mm oil globules. The breeding behaviour of S. bainsii has some similarities with both breeding behaviourial groups, the bubble nesters and the free spawners, within the other African anabantid genus, Ctenopoma. Sandelia bainsii have acquired some temperate specializations with regard to their reproductive style. Free spawning and the release of buoyant eggs is the plesiomorphic anabantid reproductive style. The demersal eggs and male substratum nest sites of S. bainsii are considered apomorphic.

Agonistic encounters of all three species of the vocalizing genus Trichopsis were observed in order to compare species-specific fighting strategies and the specific investment in acoustics. Additionally, these encounters were compared to agonistic encounters of Macropodus opercularis which was considered to be mute. The aim of this comparison was to investigate if mute fishes stress visual or tactile displays. Within the genus Trichopsis, significant differences among the three species were found in qualitative and quantitative analysis of displays. Frontal display occurred only in Trichopsis vittata, whereas a strong tail-beating while vocalizing was only observed in Trichopsis pumila. Fight duration and the number of sounds and circlings were highest in Trichopsis schalleri. The largest relative distances between circling opponents occurred in T. pumila, the smallest species. Also, the number of attacks was lowest in T. pumila. Fighting assessment seemed to be different in each species. For the first time, sound production has been reported for Macropodus opercularis (infrequently and with extreme low sound pressure levels), but much more investment in visual and tactile displays has been demonstrated. Lowering the branchiostegal membrane and spreading the opercula occurred only in M. opercularis and was never observed in any of the Trichopsis species. The number of attacks was higher in Macropodus than in any Trichopsis species. The relative distance between Macropodus opponents while circling was closest compared to the three Trichopsis species. Visual and contact displays are reduced in extensively vocalizing fish species, like Trichopsis sp., compared to mute or seldom vocalizing species, like Macropodus. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The anatomy of the anabantoid fish Luciocephalus is reinvestigated and the ontogeny of certain character complexes is described for the first time. Luciocephalus possesses the following previously unrecognized or equivocally interpreted anatomical characters: a clearly separate ectopterygoid bone, pharyngeal processes of the basioccipital, a toothless pharyngeal process of the parasphenoid, an infrapharyngobranchial I and an endoskeletal mental ossification. In addition, aspects of the ontogeny of the hyopalatine arch in the belontiids Belontia, Trichogaster and Ctenops are described. Species of these three genera all possess an ectopterygoid bone previously thought to be lacking in the family Belontiidae. The significance of the results for reconstructing interrelationships of the anabantoid families and the phylogenetic position of Luciocephalus is discussed. A revised hypothesis of anabantoid intrarelationships is presented. Four synapomorphic characters indicate that Luciocephalus is more closely related to the Beontiidae (including Osphronemus ) rather than forming the sister group of all other anabantoids.

Histopathological study was made on an epizootic of systemic mycosis due to Aphanomyces sp. in an ornamental fish species, dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia), imported from Singapore in 1991 and 1992. In almost all cases, the external clinical signs in infected fish included erosions and/or ulcers on the body surface, and swelling of the abdomen. Histopathological examination of the fish revealed that the disease was characterized by systemic granulomatous lesions associated with Aphanomyces sp.In this paper, we describe detailed histopathological features of the mycotic lesions and compared the features with those of other mycoses, such as mycotic granulomatosis, ulcerative mycosis, red spot disease and epizootic ulcerative syndorome. The present case shared similar histopathological features including mycotic granulomatous lesions, with those of earlier reported mycoses.

Critical Catalogue of the Types of the Fish Collection of the Zoological Museum Berlin. Part 6: Anabantoidei The sixth part of the type catalogue of the Agnatha and Fishes stored at the Zoological Museum of the Humboldt-University in Berlin includes the types of the suborder Anabantoidei. Some aspects about the types of this group are already published by the author (concerning Chaetodon chinensis BLOCH 1790, Trichogaster fasciatus BLOCH & SCHNEIDER 1801, Macropodus concolor AHL 1937), other are still at work (concerning Ctenopoma multispinis PETERS 1844, Ctenopoma nigropannosum REICHENOW 1875).

A disease due to lower fungus was found in pet fish, dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia). In almost all cases, swelling of the abdomen due to swollen internal organs without accumulation of ascitic fluid was characteristic external sign of infected fish. Histopathological examination showed fungal hyphae and many granulomas present in the internal organs and musculature. Fungi were isolated from the lesions and were identified as a member of the genus Aphanomyces. The fungus had high pathogenicity to goldfish (Carassius auratus). No oogonia were produced in hemp seed cultures. This fungal infection closely resembled in pathology the mycotic granulomatosis which is known in cultured ayu in Japan.

All fish species in the Anabantoidei suborder are aquatic air-breathing fish. These species have an accessory air-breathing organ, called the labyrinth organ, in the branchial cavity and can engulf air at the surface of the water to assist in gas exchange. It is therefore necessary to examine the extent of gill modification among anabantoid fish species and the potential trade-offs in their function. The experimental hypothesis that we aimed to test is whether anabantoid fishes have both morphological and functional variations in the gills among different species. We examined the gills of 12 species from three families and nine genera of Anabantoidei. Though the sizes of the fourth gill arch in three species of Trichogaster were reduced significantly, not all anabantoid species had morphological and functional variations in the gills. In these three species, the specific enzyme activity and relative protein abundance of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase were significantly higher in the anterior gills as compared with the posterior gills and the labyrinth organ. The relative abundance of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase, an indicator of gas exchange, was found to be highest in the labyrinth organ. The phylogenetic distribution of the fourth gill's morphological differentiation suggests that these variations are lineage specific, which may imply a phylogenetic influence on gill morphology in anabantoid species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trichogaster trichopterus was determined in this study. It is 16,452 bp in size and consists of 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 non-coding control regions (D-loop). The overall base composition of the heavy strand of the T. trichopterus mitochondrial genome is A: 29.50%, T: 28.36%, C: 26.62% and G: 15.49%. The total length of the 13 protein-coding genes was 11,427 bp. Analysis of the genes indicated the high genetic variability among Osphronemidae species.

—Fossil fishes were first collected from deposits of the Sangkarewang Formation of the Ombilin Basin in Sumatra, Indonesia, in the 1870s, but a comprehensive study of these fishes was not published until almost 50 years later. New material from these deposits was collected in 2009, which included a small anabantoid fish. This fish is not conspecific with any of the material described previously and is here named as a new genus and species. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new anabantoid is closely related to Osphronemus among the taxa studied, and we place it in the family Osphronemidae. However, the new fish does not appear to belong to any of the named modern subfamilies, so we leave it incertae sedis in the family. Additionally, the osphronemid subfamilies are not recovered as a monophyletic group. The anabantoid named here and another previously described from the same locality are the only fossil anabantoids known. However, the age of the Sangkarewang Formation is not confirmed and ...

The development of agonistic behaviour in the blue gourami, Trichogaster trichopterus , was studied from hatching to four months of age. Larval motor patterns appear first as simple, uncoordinated, and irregular movements and gradually become regular and well coordinated, forming integrated complex patterns, such as swimming, surfacing, and feeding. Most motor patterns used in agonistic interactions are first exhibited in non-social contexts. Initial interactions between young fish consist of Approach and investigation in a feeding context, in some cases followed by nibbling, Biting, and Chasing by one fish. Later, initial Approaches are separated from Biting and Chasing by Lateral Displays, circling, Tail Beating, and Fin Tugging, and by Appeasement behaviour that inhibits Chasing and Biting by the opponent. Agonistic behaviour of socially isolated fish, when paired in dyadic encounters as adults, indicates that the role of social experience as an integrator and regulator of social behaviour may change progressively during development and become more important as ontogeny proceeds.

Socially isolated Macropodus opercularis showed a distinct approach response to water taken from the tank of a conspecific individual or a nonconspecific, Trichogaster trichopterus, but not to water from a tank without fish. It is proposed that these species produce chemical stimuli which are attractive to M. opercularis. Approach frequency and the total duration of approach during a 10-rain period of stimulation varied with the species and the sex of the stimulus fish but not with the sex of the subject. Subjects responded most frequently to the conspecific male and nonconspecific female stimuli and, least to the nonconspecific male stimuli. Rossi (1969) reported that solitary male Macropodus opercularis (family, Belontiidae; subfamily, Macropodinae) show increased nest building and aggressivity in response to female chemical stimuli. Observations in this laboratory during various experiments on social behavior (Davis, Harris, and Shelby, 1974) confirm that mature 34. opercularis respond to chemical cues from species mates. Water that has contained a female for a period of days can elicit immediate arousal consisting of erection of the medial fins and striking changes in skin color in an isolated male. These are elements of the species-typical responses which are seen in courtship and nest defense (Forselius, 1957; Ward, 1967). In addition, in a situation in which female stimulus water is" added slowly through a tube at the water surface, fish approach the incurrent tube and investigate the opening. The approach response occurs even when the behavioral arousal response does not, as when the stimulus is diluted with fresh water prior to entering the tank. 1We thank Jessie Shelby for her valuable technical assistance. 2Liem's classification of the order Anabantoidei into four families is preferred because it presents a more convincing hypothesis of the natural relationships between the divergent species in this group than does the older classification of Regan (1906).

The chromosomes of two Nandid fishes, viz., Nandus nandus and Badis badis from India have been studied. N. nandus has a diploid count of 48 chromosomes with NF=84, while B. badis possesses 2n=46 with NF=52. The haploid chromosome formula worked out for N. nandus is n=2m+9sm+7st+6t, while for B. bodis, it is n=3m+20t. Certain mitotic and meiotic polyploid cells from testicular material have been recorded in both the species. The sex chromosomes could not be distinguished in either of the species. The cytotaxonomical relationship between family Nandidae and suborder Anabantoidei (order: Perciformes) has been discussed.

Description d’un nouveau Camallanidae ; Camallanus ctenopomae n. sp. parasite de Ctenopoma kingsleyae Poisson Anabantidae du Senegal. Cette espece differe des autres Camallanus par les caracteres de sa capsule buccale, de ses spicules et de ses extremites caudales mâle et femelle.

Testicular tissues of Betta picta, Betta smaragdina , and the short-finned variety of Betta splendens were incubated with [ 14 C]testosterone at 27° for 120 min and the metabolites were isolated and characterized by paper and thin-layer chromatography and eventually by crystallization to constant specific activity. The metabolic profiles of the species were totally different. The short-finned B. splendens formed mainly 11-ketotestosterone (51.4%) as does the veiltail variety. B. smaragdina was the only species which formed considerable amounts of conjugates (24.3%), whereas in B. picta almost exclusively reduced (β-) compounds (66.2%) were metabolites of testosterone. The results are discussed to be attributable to differences in testicular steroid metabolism. The significance of this observation remains unclear.

Testicular tissues of the Siamese fighting fish were incubated with [14C]pregnenolone for 10, 20, 30, 50, 80, and 120 min, and with [14C]progesterone, [14C]11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione, [14C]11 beta-hydroxytestosterone, and [14C]androstenetrione for 120 min. 11-Ketotestosterone was the main metabolite in all 120-min incubations. No 11-oxygenated C21 steroids were found as metabolites of either pregnenolone or progesterone. The biosynthesis of 11-ketotestosterone proceeded through both the delta 5- and the delta 4- pathways as judged from the shape of the yield-time curves of the metabolites of pregnenolone. 11-Ketotestosterone formation from 11-oxygenated precursors increased in the order 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone less than 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione less than androstenetrione.

Different developmental stages, fertilized eggs through hatchlings, of the climbing perch,Anabas testudineus, have been studied by scanning electron microscopy. The surface specialization of eggs and hatchlings reveals that while the egg surface is reticulate in appearance, the hatchlings are covered with microridges. Vitelline arteries are seen at the pharyngeal and abdominal regions. They supply nutrients directly from the yolk sac to the developing embryo. Three pairs of such arteries are distinctly seen in the pharyngeal region. Mucous glands are discernible at places over the entire body surface of the embryo before the formation of scales. The skin seems to be helpful in gaseous exchange till the gills and accessory respiratory organs develop and become functional.

Minced testes of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens were incubated with [14C]androstenedione at 27 degrees C for 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. The metabolic products were characterized by paper and thin-layer chromatography, derivative formation, and eventually by crystallization to constant specific activity. After 2 hr of incubation 80.5% of total radioactivity was converted to 11-oxygenated androgens. 11-Ketotestosterone was the main metabolite (56.2%). Our data suggest the existence of two biosynthetic pathways for the formation of 11-ketotestosterone from androstenedione. The sequence androstenedione----testosterone----11 beta-hydroxytestosterone----11-ketotestosterone predominates. To a lesser extent 11 beta-hydroxylation takes place as the first step--followed by formation of 11 beta-hydroxytestosterone and its subsequent oxidation to 11-ketotestosterone.

The decline of ornamental fish populations in their native habitats due to over-fishing has brought about the development of ornamental fish aquaculture, to which fish of the Anabantoidei suborder are important contributors. The genetic variations among species of this suborder were examined by mitochondrial gene sequencing analysis using the cytochrome b and 12S genes. According to the cytochrome b gene, the most similar strains were Trichogaster trichopterus (gold) and Trichogaster trichopterus (blue) (100%). Trichogaster leerii was less similar to them (86.0%), and an even lower similarity was found between the species T. trichopterus and Trichogaster labiosus (85.6%). The least similarity was observed between Betta betta and the genera Colisa (50.2%) and Trichogaster (60.1%). The phylogenetic trees of 12S and cytochrome b were very similar. According to 12S, the similarity between Trichogaster species was high (91.4% - 100%), and between species of this genus and Colisa lalia, it was lower (88.4%). In conclusion, sequence analyses, based on cytochrome b and 12S can provide a useful tool for the study of the systematic relationships between species belonging to the Anabantoidei suborder. Moreover, it may support other parameters used in systematics. Thus, these genes may be applied as genetic markers in aquaculture.

Complete cDNA encoding for the growth hormone (GH) of the Belontiidae fish family (Anabantoidei suborder) was cloned by RACE PCR using several sets of degenerate oligonu- cleotides. GH cDNA of the pearl gourami (Trichogaster leeri; pgGH), cloned from the pituitary, included the 5’ and 3’ noncoding sequences of 44 bp and 181 bp, respectively, and consisted of 840 bp that encoded for a prehormone of 204 amino acid (aa) residues. GH cDNA of the blue gourami (T. trichopterus; bgGH) and its deduced aa sequence had the same lengths as those of the pgGH, with nucleotide and aa identities of 97% and 99%, respectively. GH cDNA cloned from the dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia; dgGH) differed from both pgGH and bgGH. The identity of the dgGH cDNA nucleotides was 88%, compared to pgGH and bgGH. However, the identity of the deduced dgGH aa sequence was 97% when compared to bgGH and 96% when compared to pgGH. Nucleotides of GH cDNA of the fighting fish (Betta splendens; ffGH) had an identity of 82% to those of pgGH and bgGH, and 81% to the dwarf gourami. Higher identity was found among the aa sequences than among the nucleotide sequences. The identity of the cloned aa ffGH compared to bgGH, pgGH, and dgGH was 93%, 92%, and 91%, respectively. Higher levels of GH mRNA were found in females in immature, vitellogenic, and mature stages than in males in various stages of gonadal development. No significant differences in the GH transcription level were found between immature and mature females and males. However, the mRNA level decreased significantly during sexual behavior in males. GH sequence and expression may be used as systematic markers for Belontiidae fish and possibly other fish.

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