Search

The ocean sunfish, Mola mola (Tetraodontiformes: Molidae), is among the world's heaviest bony fish. Despite its worldwide distribution and conspicuous appearance, its presence in certain oceanic regions remains underreported. This note documents the occurrence of a deceased Mola mola specimen on Utila, Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea of Honduras. We present data on the morphology and osteological characteristics of the partially recovered specimen, as well as a photographic voucher from a previous encounter with a live individual in this region. Our contribution adds to a better understanding of the distribution of this species in the Western Atlantic and Mesoamerican Caribbean by confirming their occasional presence in the Bay Islands National Marine Park of Honduras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal by a cleaning organism of ecto-parasites, diseased or wounded tissue, or other particles of another organism is termed cleaning symbiosis. In oceanic environments, an example of such symbiosis can be found between the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and pelagic seabirds. To date, these observations have been restricted to the North Pacific, with an important asymmetry of what is known for other regions like southern South America. Here, we report observational and photographic records of pelagic seabirds (albatrosses and petrels) associated and interacting with ocean sunfishes opportunistically obtained in waters of the Argentinean Continental Shelf (< 200 m depth) in the South West Atlantic. Records of Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) and Black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) were performed in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Seabirds might have been involved in cleaning symbiosis activities, possibly feeding on ecto-parasites attached to the body or fins of ocean sunfish given their spatial co-occurrence. The present study is the first photo-documented report regarding the association between the ocean sunfish and pelagic seabirds and possible symbiotic relationship between them in the open ocean of the southern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2018, a single female specimen of the Ocean sunfish, Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758) (122 cm in total length and 80 kg in weight) was caught by a commercial trammel net at a depth of 393 m in Mersin Bay (Bozyazı coast), Turkey. This paper presents the first substantiated occurrence and hence, the confirmation of M. mola in the Northeastern Mediterranean, Turkey. Morphological and meristic measurements of the specimen were made and recorded with the catalog number MEUFC-18-11-101 in the Museum of the Systematic in, Mersin University’s Faculty of Fisheries. Morphometric and mer-istic data matched other recordings of this species from parts of the Mediterranean, and the histor-ical captured record of the species in the Mediterranean was documented.

In the autumn and winter of 2021/22, three uncommon species were recorded at the East Frisian North Sea coast: the driftfish Cubiceps gracilis, the Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus and the ocean sunfish Mola mola. These species have, in parts, considerably more southerly distribution areas. This is the first record of C. gracilis for the North Sea, T. thynnus and M. mola are the first records for the East Frisian coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work expands the existing knowledge on M. mola ecology by assessing, for the first time, its abundance (and body size distribution) in the southern waters of Portugal and relating the associated temporal variations with environmental variables. There were significant seasonal differences in abundance, with peaks in spring and autumn and lower values throughout the summer. Ocean sunfish abundance was positively correlated with sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a, indicating that a combination of both temperature and productivity dictates spatial use. Complementarily, the absence of a relationship between abundance and water transparency may reveal a strategy in spatial use favouring a medium-term steady food supply over short-term improved feeding opportunities. Specimens ranged between 31.8 and 230.0 cm (total length), with 98% of all individuals measuring between 31.8 and 59.9 cm. As the vast majority of specimens analysed were immature, seasonal differences in abundance should not be related to spawning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effects of body size and season on the elemental composition of ocean sunfish Mola mola were assessed for the first time. A total of 57 by-caught juvenile specimens measuring between 31.8 and 120.3 cm were sampled in spring and autumn. Concentrations of trace elements (three essential - Co, Cu, Zn, and three non-essential - As, Cd, Pb) were determined in five body tissues [gills, gelatin (subcutaneous white gelatinous layer), liver, white muscle and red muscle]. Elemental composition of M. mola tissues was found to vary with both body size and season. When an effect of size was verified, the most common trend was a decrease in elemental levels with increasing fish size, most likely deriving from the fast growth rate of this fish (i.e. dilution effect) and the occurrence of an ontogenetic shift in dietary preferences. Differently, Zn levels increased with fish size in both gills and red muscle, potentially deriving from a greater physiological need in those tissues as fish grow. Seasonal differences in trace element levels were observed for approximately half of the studied cases (tissue/trace element) with greater elemental concentrations being mostly found in autumn. Such pattern was most obvious in liver tissue, presumably resulting from a greater dietary elemental uptake in the end of summer/autumn. A general absence of seasonal differences was observed in the gills, white muscle and red muscle. Interestingly, a trend of enhanced concentrations in spring was observed for gelatin, potentially deriving from past long-term differences in exposure to trace elements. Highlights • Elemental composition of Mola mola tissues was found to vary with both body size and season. • Most common size effect was trace element concentration decreasing with fish growth. • Zn levels increased with fish size in both gills and red muscle. • Greater elemental concentrations were mostly found in Autumn, especially in the liver. • A general absence of seasonal differences was observed in the gills, white muscle and red muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part of the western Atlantic population of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761)) forage in Canadian waters, where high-use areas have been identified using satellite telemetry and opportunistic sightings. Here, we use sightings of leatherback turtles and ocean sunfish (Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758)) obtained during a systematic large-scale aerial survey, along with opportunistic turtle sightings, to examine the seasonal occurrence and distribution of leatherback turtles in eastern Canada. Using environmental correlates, we predict the spatial and seasonal development of potentially suitable habitats. All data sets confirmed the presence of leatherback turtles off Nova Scotia during summer. They also highlighted turtle occurrence off southern Newfoundland. Opportunistic sightings suggest a seasonal shift in main turtle concentrations from southwest to northeast, with use of southern Newfoundland waters extending into September. A generalized additive model linking environmental characteristics and turtle observations suggests adding the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and waters east of Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the potentially important habitat for leatherback turtles. Direct observations helped delineate habitat currently used by leatherback turtles. In the context of climate change, this modelling approach may improve our ability to forecast changes in turtle habitat suitability and the risks of entrapment or collision associated with potentially changing usage patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of Mola alexandrini (Ranzani, 1839) was captured in the waters off Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan in January 2018, representing three records for this species (first record of a male from Japan, third record from the Sea of Japan and first record from Yamaguchi Prefecture). The specimen (120.2 cm total length, 95.5 kg body weight) is the smallest M. alexandrini recorded in Japan to date. The morphology of this specimen appeared to be in the process of transformation to large body form. In sizes similar to this specimen, two body dimensions (body depth and total body depth) were clearly larger than both those of M. mola and M. tecta, and the number of ossicles and the shape of the body scales in these three species also differed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adult ocean sunfish are the heaviest living teleosts. They have no axial musculature or caudal fin. Propulsion is by unpaired dorsal and anal fins; a pseudocaudal fin (‘clavus’) acts as a rudder. Despite common perception, young sunfish are active predators that swim quickly, beating their vertical fins in unison to generate lift‐based propulsion and attain cruising speeds similar to salmon and marlin. Here we show that the thick subcutaneous layer (or ‘capsule’), already known to provide positive buoyancy, is also crucial to locomotion. It provides two compartments, one for dorsal fin musculature and one for anal fin muscles, separated by a thick, fibrous, elastic horizontal septum that is bound to the capsule itself, the roof of the skull and the dorsal surface of the short vertebral column. The compartments are braced sagittally by bony haemal and neural spines. Both fins are powered by white muscles distributed laterally and red muscles located medially. The anal fin muscles are mostly aligned dorso‐ventrally and have origins on the septum and haemal spines. Dorsal fin muscles vary in orientation; many have origins on the capsule above the skull and run near‐horizontally and some bipennate muscles have origins on both capsule and septum. Such bipennate muscle arrangements have not been described previously in fishes. Fin muscles have hinged tendons that pass through capsular channels and radial cartilages to insertions on fin rays. The capsule is gelatinous (89.8% water) with a collagen and elastin meshwork. Greasy in texture, calculations indicate capsular buoyancy is partly provided by lipid. Capsule, septum and tendons provide elastic structures likely to enhance muscle action and support fast cruising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the ocean sunfishes (Molidae) has a complicated history. Currently, three genera and four species are recognized, including two in the genus Mola (M. mola and M. ramsayi). In 2009, a genetic study revealed a potential third species, Mola species C, in Southeast Australian waters. Concentrating on this region, we obtained samples and morphological data from 27 Mola sp. C specimens, genetically confirmed the existence of this species (mtDNA D-loop and cytochrome c oxidase 1), and established its morphology across a size spectrum of 50-242 cm total length. Mola sp. C is diagnosed by clavus meristics [15-17 fin rays (13-15 principal, 2 minor), 5-7 ossicles, paraxial ossicles separate], clavus morphology (prominent smooth band back-fold, rounded clavus edge with an indent), and body scale morphology (raised conical midpoints, non-branching). This species does not develop a protruding snout, or swollen dorso- or ventrolateral ridges. Body proportions remain similar with growth. A review of the historic literature revealed that Mola sp. C is a new, hitherto undescribed species, M. tecta, which we describe and diagnose, and that it is the first proposed addition to the genus Mola in 125 years. Its core distribution is likely in the temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mola mola is the largest teleost inhabiting our ocean and the presence of microplastics (MP) in this flagship species was, before this study, never described. Thus, this investigation focused on analysing MP ingestion in 53 ocean giant sunfish in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. A total of 116 MP were found in 79% of the specimens, with a median of 1 MP.ind−1, ranging from 0 to 11 MP.ind−1. Seasonal differences were observed, with more fibers registered in specimens caught in autumn. Among the different size classes observed, the smallest category (<300 μm) was the most frequent (43%). Blue (43%) was the most prevalent color, followed by green (29%) and black (10%). The majority of fragments were styrene acrylic copolymer (53%), while most fibers were rayon (78%). These findings emphasize that the ocean sunfish population crossing the southern waters of Portugal is exposed to microplastic pollution and highlight the need for effective management policies to address plastic pollution in marine ecosystems. [Display omitted] • MP were present in 79% of the studied specimens, with a median of 1 MP.ind−1. • Seasonal differences in the number of fibers found. • MP with the smallest size class (<300 μm) were the most representative (43%). • The majority of fragments (53%) was identified as styrene acrylic copolymer. • Most of the fibers were identified as rayon (78%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Mola of ocean sunfishes (family Molidae) is currently composed of three species: Mola mola (Linnaeus 1758), Mola ramsayi (Giglioli 1883), and Mola tecta Nyegaard et al. 2017. For a comprehensive revision of the genus, both literature survey and morphological investigations of Molidae were conducted. We found Mola alexandrini (Ranzani 1839) to be synonymous with M. ramsayi and we herein redescribe M. alexandrini based on the rediscovered dried holotype and 21 other fresh and preserved specimens. Mola alexandrini can be distinguished from other species of Mola by the following combination of characters in adults: head profile with bump; chin with bump; body scales rectangular; clavus rounded, supported by 14-24 (mode 17) clavus fin rays and 8-15 (12) ossicles on the rear margin. A neotype of M. mola is designated for comparison with M. alexandrini, as these two species have long been confused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Records of the ocean sunfish Mola mola along the Norwegian coast were compiled from all possible sources: literature, media, databases and museums. A total of 216 records were found between 1801 and 2015. They were distributed along the whole coast, except for the most north-eastern part. Nearly all years with more than five records were after 2000, with 1985 as the only exception and with a maximum of 23 records in 2014. Most, 92·4%, were from July to December. Records from before 1979 were more incidental and random and no sunfish were recorded in 54 separate years between 1879 and 2015. The northernmost record was from 70° 44′ N in December 1881. No relationship between year and latitude was found. Forty-four per cent of the records were of sunfish caught in fishing gear, 27% were found stranded and 30% were observed alive at sea. A trend of a decrease in numbers of observations of living individuals and an increase in numbers of strandings as dead individuals as autumn progressed was found. Geographical differences in the three categories of observation were also found. Among the specimens whose size was recorded, most were small, <30 kg and 70 cm in total length. Only 10 were heavier than 100 kg, all these were from before 1960. Annual numbers correlated weakly with sea temperatures. This was supported by a weak negative correlation with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, because the majority of years since 2000 had a negative NAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of incidental capture of non-target species in a fishery (bycatch) is a key objective of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and critical to the conservation of many marine species. Predicting bycatch events can inform targeted ecosystem-based management approaches to reduce risk. Here, the probability of ocean sunfish ( Mola mola ) and bluefin tuna ( Thunnus orientalis ) bycatch in the California large-mesh drift gillnet fishery is predicted using a suite of remotely-sensed environmental variables. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to model bycatch probability for these species in 8045 observed sets from 1990 to 2011, and predictive capabilities were assessed using k -fold cross validation. Bycatch probabilities for both species were elevated in regions of cool sea surface temperatures (<17 °C), likely related to seasonal upwelling dynamics in the California Current, a major eastern boundary upwelling ecosystem. Mola bycatch occurred primarily in late fall, at moderate eddy kinetic energy values (0.006–0.008 m 2 /s 2 ) and in areas of high seafloor rugosity. Bluefin tuna bycatch rates were higher west of the Southern California Bight, also in late fall, and appear to be associated with the seasonal upwelling frontal zone. These models can be used with near-real time satellite data by both fishers and managers for bycatch avoidance, providing a tool for more dynamic ocean management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean sunfish Mola mola is considered to be globally distributed in both temperate and tropical waters, but there are many gaps in the knowledge of this species' distribution. A total of 31 records of M. mola from Icelandic waters, dating from 1845 to 2014, are presented and georeferenced. An increase in the number of records at the beginning of this century and particularly in 2012, is suggested to be a consequence of both an increase in ocean temperature on the Icelandic shelf and changes in large scale temperature variations in the North Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent molecular and morphological studies suggest the existence of at least three species of Mola ( Mola spp. A, B and C). Currently, only Mola mola and Mola ramsayi are formally accepted and species A, B or C have not been assigned to these thus far. In this study, a large ocean sunfish in the western Mediterranean Sea was analysed molecularly and morphologically, identified as Mola sp. A and a detailed account of the specimen's parasite load is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ocean sunfish (Mola mola), which can grow up to a length of 2.7 m and weigh 2.3 tons, is the world's largest bony fish. It has an extremely fast growth rate and its endoskeleton is mainly composed of cartilage. Another unique feature of the sunfish is its lack of a caudal fin, which is replaced by a broad and stiff lobe that results in the characteristic truncated appearance of the fish. Results: To gain insights into the genomic basis of these phenotypic traits, we sequenced the sunfish genome and performed a comparative analysis with other teleost genomes. Several sunfish genes involved in the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/IGF1) axis signalling pathway were found to be under positive selection or accelerated evolution, which might explain its fast growth rate and large body size. A number of genes associated with the extracellular matrix, some of which are involved in the regulation of bone and cartilage development, have also undergone positive selection or accelerated evolution. A comparison of the sunfish genome with that of the pufferfish (fugu), which has a caudal fin, revealed that the sunfish contains more homeobox (Hox) genes although both genomes contain seven Hox clusters. Thus, caudal fin loss in sunfish is not associated with the loss of a specific Hox gene. Conclusions: Our analyses provide insights into the molecular basis of the fast growth rate and large size of the ocean sunfish. The high-quality genome assembly generated in this study should facilitate further studies of this 'natural mutant'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the gut contents of ocean sunfish, Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758), are rare, and those for sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus (Lienard, 1840), are almost nonexistent. Here, we report new diet data obtained during opportune sampling of a small number of stranded specimens of both species, and discuss our data in the context of hypotheses on feeding behavior of M. mola. One specimen of only two M. mola had a gut full primarily of filamentous algae, and the guts of two specimens of M. lanceolatus collectively contained remains of small fish and various invertebrates, indicative of both benthic and pelagic foraging. Our limited data suggest that the diet of M. lanceolatus overlaps that reported for M. mola. At high taxonomic resolution, observed prey items suggest some particulars of our specimens' behavior just before death. We emphasize the importance of meticulous presentation of methods, data, and literature citations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ocean sunfish (Mola mola), which can grow up to a length of 2.7 m and weigh 2.3 tons, is the world's largest bony fish. It has an extremely fast growth rate and its endoskeleton is mainly composed of cartilage. Another unique feature of the sunfish is its lack of a caudal fin, which is replaced by a broad and stiff lobe that results in the characteristic truncated appearance of the fish. Results: To gain insights into the genomic basis of these phenotypic traits, we sequenced the sunfish genome and performed a comparative analysis with other teleost genomes. Several sunfish genes involved in the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/IGF1) axis signalling pathway were found to be under positive selection or accelerated evolution, which might explain its fast growth rate and large body size. A number of genes associated with the extracellular matrix, some of which are involved in the regulation of bone and cartilage development, have also undergone positive selection or accelerated evolution. A comparison of the sunfish genome with that of the pufferfish (fugu), which has a caudal fin, revealed that the sunfish contains more homeobox (Hox) genes although both genomes contain seven Hox clusters. Thus, caudal fin loss in sunfish is not associated with the loss of a specific Hox gene. Conclusions: Our analyses provide insights into the molecular basis of the fast growth rate and large size of the ocean sunfish. The high-quality genome assembly generated in this study should facilitate further studies of this 'natural mutant'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, ocean sunfish movements have been monitored worldwide using various satellite tracking methods. This study reports the near-real time monitoring of fine-scale (< 10 m) behaviour of sunfish. The study was conducted in southern Portugal in May 2014 and involved satellite tags and underwater and surface robotic vehicles to measure both the movements and the contextual environment of the fish. A total of four individuals were tracked using custom-made GPS satellite tags providing geolocation estimates of fine-scale resolution. These accurate positions further informed sunfish areas of restricted search (ARS), which were directly correlated to steep thermal frontal zones. Simultaneously, and for two different occasions, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) video-recorded the path of the tracked fish and detected buoyant particles in the water column. Importantly, the densities of these particles were also directly correlated to steep thermal gradients. Thus, both sunfish foraging behaviour (ARS) and possibly prey densities, were found to be influenced by analogous environmental conditions. In addition, the dynamic structure of the water transited by the tracked individuals was described by a Lagrangian modelling approach. The model informed the distribution of zooplankton in the region, both horizontally and in the water column, and the resultant simulated densities positively correlated with sunfish ARS behaviour estimator (rs = 0.184, p<0.001). The model also revealed that tracked fish opportunistically displace with respect to subsurface current flow. Thus, we show how physical forcing and current structure provide a rationale for a predator’s fine-scale behaviour observed over a two weeks in May 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean sunfish, Mola mola (Linnaeus 1758), is considered as a cosmopolitan species which is naturally found in almost all of the oceans as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. A specimen of M. mola was observed by a fisherman in the surface water off the coast of Rize, Turkey, in March 2016. The fish most probably entered the Black Sea from the Aegean Sea through the Turkish Straits System. This is the first record of M. mola in the Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Determining the habitat use of mobile marine species is important for understanding responses to climate change and aids the implementation of management and conservation measures. Inference of preferred habitat use has been greatly improved by combining satellite-based oceanographic data with animal tracking techniques. Although there have been several satellite-tracking studies on ocean sunfish Mola mola, limited information is available about either horizontal or vertical environmental preferences. In this study, both geographical movements and diving behaviour of ocean sunfish were explored together with the environmental factors influencing this species' space use in the north-east Atlantic. Results: Habitat selection of electronic-tagged sunfish (n = 22 individuals; 0.6-1.4 m total length, TL) was investigated using geolocations from Argos-linked and pop-up satellite archival transmitters. Satellite tracking (up to 171 days, mean 66 days) revealed seasonal movements: northward in spring-summer and southward in cooler months. Sunfish spent extended periods in three focal areas, the Gulf of Cadiz, north-east Iberia and the Alboran gyre, which are characterised by the presence of frontal features with elevated primary production. Habitat modelling revealed that sea surface temperature and thermal gradients significantly influenced sunfish distribution. Diving profiles, extending from the surface to a maximum depth of 704 m, revealed different depth-use patterns not linked to geographical region or water column stratification. Overall, a size-related movement pattern was detected with larger individuals (>0.92 m TL) travelling further, exploiting greater depth ranges and spending more time at depth than smaller fish. Conclusions: Ocean sunfish in the north-east Atlantic displayed seasonal movements, primarily driven by thermal preferences, extending into higher latitudes in summer. Moreover, fish also occupied productive frontal areas for long periods, presumably for improved foraging opportunities. Lastly, sunfish showed considerable variability in diving patterns which likely reflect the tracking of planktonic prey distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accacoelium contortum (Rudolphi, 1819) Monticelli, 1893 is a frequent but poorly known trematode found on gills, pharynx and digestive tract of the ocean sunfish Mola mola (L.). Although the morphology of A. contortum agrees with that of a typical endoparasitic trematode, with two relatively small suckers and no large holdfasts, this parasite is normally ectoparasitic. The main objective of this paper is to explore this peculiar host-parasite relationship. Methods: A total of 106 ocean sunfish were examined for the presence of A. contortum. The oropharyngeal chamber (gills and pharynx) and the digestive tract were analysed. As the previous descriptions of this species seem to be based on contracted specimens, for the morphological study the parasites were killed using two methods: with hot 70% ethanol (with relaxed bodies) and with 70% ethanol at room temperature (with contracted bodies). For histological studies, samples from fresh fish with parasitised left gills, pharynx and digestive tract were fixed in buffered 10% formalin. For molecular studies the 18S, 28S and ITS-2 sequences were provided and compared with the available data in GenBank®. Results: New information on the morphology of A. contortum and on the parasite-related response and pathological alterations in the host are given. New diagnostic traits for some structures are provided: e.g. tegumental papillae of the forebody with apical digitiform swellings and mouth surrounded by a circum-oral crown of simple papillae. The length of the ventral sucker peduncle and the position of the vitellarium were found to be associated with the contraction degree of the specimen. Immature individuals of this species are described for the first time. An intense proliferative inflammatory response of host gill and pharynx epithelium at the host-parasite interface was detected and parasites became partially covered by overgrowths of host tissues. Conclusions: The induction of prominent histological alterations associated with A. contortum seems to be an adaptation to the external environment, an unusual location for trematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is presented from publicly available remotely operated vehicle ( ROV) footage that suggests deep-water ranging in ocean sunfishes (family Molidae) is more common than typically thought, including a new maximum depth recorded for the southern sunfish Mola ramsayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common ocean sunfish, Mola mola , occupies a unique position in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) as the world's heaviest, most fecund bony fish, and one of the most abundant gelativores. M. mola frequently occur as bycatch in fisheries worldwide and comprise the greatest portion of the bycatch in California's large-mesh drift gillnet fishery. In this first long-term tagging study of any ocean sunfish species in the eastern Pacific, 15 M. mola (99 cm to 200 cm total length) were tagged in the southern California Bight (SCB) between 2003 and 2010 using 14 satellite pop-off archival tags (PATs) and one Fastloc Mk10 GPS tag. Ten tags provided positional data for a cumulative dataset of 349 tracking days during the months of July through March. Thirteen tags provided temperature and depth data. All M. mola remained within ~ 300 km of the coast, and nearly all exhibited seasonal movement between the SCB and adjacent waters off northern and central Baja California, Mexico. No tagged individuals were tracked north of the SCB. Tag depth data showed diel vertical migration and occasional deep (> 500 m) dives. Data from the Fastloc GPS tag allowed close examination of the relationship between the movements of the largest tagged ocean sunfish (2 m TL) and fine-scale oceanographic features. Near-instantaneous satellite sea surface temperature images showed this individual associated with upwelling fronts along its migration path, which exceeded 800 km and ranged from 6 to 128 km from the coast. Tag depth data showed active use of the water column within the frontal zones. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images demonstrated that surface slicks, which often indicate convergent circulation, coincided with this type of front. Zooplankton tows in the southern region of tracking off central Baja California, Mexico revealed dense populations of salps toward the warm side of these fronts. Satellite tag and ecosystem data suggest that bio-physical interactions in coastal upwelling fronts create favorable foraging habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean sunfish ( Mola mola) were believed to be inactive jellyfish feeders because they are often observed lying motionless at the sea surface. Recent tracking studies revealed that they are actually deep divers, but there has been no evidence of foraging in deep water. Furthermore, the surfacing behaviour of ocean sunfish was thought to be related to behavioural thermoregulation, but there was no record of sunfish body temperature., Evidence of ocean sunfish feeding in deep water was obtained using a combination of an animal-borne accelerometer and camera with a light source. Siphonophores were the most abundant prey items captured by ocean sunfish and were typically located at a depth of 50-200 m where the water temperature was <12 °C. Ocean sunfish were diurnally active, made frequently deep excursions and foraged mainly at 100-200 m depths during the day., Ocean sunfish body temperatures were measured under natural conditions. The body temperatures decreased during deep excursions and recovered during subsequent surfacing periods. Heat-budget models indicated that the whole-body heat-transfer coefficient between sunfish and the surrounding water during warming was 3-7 times greater than that during cooling. These results suggest that the main function of surfacing is the recovery of body temperature, and the fish might be able to increase heat gain from the warm surface water by physiological regulation., The thermal environment of ocean sunfish foraging depths was lower than their thermal preference ( c. 16-17 °C). The behavioural and physiological thermoregulation enables the fish to increase foraging time in deep, cold water., Feeding rate during deep excursions was not related to duration or depth of the deep excursions. Cycles of deep foraging and surface warming were explained by a foraging strategy, to maximize foraging time with maintaining body temperature by vertical temperature environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study of 106 sunfish, Mola mola (L.), from Mediterranean waters, 2,731 worms, belonging to 2 congeneric species of accacoeliids, Accacladocoelium macrocotyle (Diesing, 1858) Robinson, 1934 and Accacladocoelium nigroflavum (Rudolphi, 1819) Robinson, 1934, were collected from the digestive system. It is often difficult to differentiate between these 2 species as they are sympatric and very similar; in fact, according to previous descriptions, the extent of the vitellarium is the only interspecific difference, described as extending posteriorly to the ovary in A. macrocotyle and as anterior to the anterior testis in A. nigroflavum. However, this diagnostic trait is not always valid; moreover, it is often indistinguishable because it is masked by the uterine eggs. Here, the morphology of new specimens of both species has been studied in detail and combined with molecular analysis. This study shows that the extension of the vitellarium is very similar in both species, but the degree of ramification differs. Furthermore, although the morphological differences are very slight, both species seemed genetically different: intraspecific differences ranged between 0.8 and 1.5% in internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-2 rRNA gene (ITS2) and between 0.5 and 1.6% in cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and interspecific differences ranged between 2 and 3.2% in ITS2 and between 9.6 and 10.6% in COI. In addition, we observed previously undescribed morphological differences, which help to differentiate these 2 species: the oral sucker is relatively smaller in A. nigroflavum than in A. macrocotyle and the ovary is usually relatively longer in A. nigroflavum than in A. macrocotyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the sightings of the Cetaceans and big fish around the Farne Islands in England in 2014. Topcis disucssed include reduction in sighting as compared to 2013 due to fewer records of Harbour Porpoise that represents the bulk of sightings, unusual visit of Ocean Sunfish to cold North Sea as they prefers warmer seas, and numerous sightings for species such as dolphins during October.

Highlights: [•] Documented concentrations of 21 elements in the liver of an ocean sunfish. [•] Toxic element concentrations were generally low compared to essential elements. [•] Ca and Fe concentrations were elevated and suggestive of Ca and Fe toxicity. [•] Cd was the highest of the toxic elements and ranked 8th among all elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study revealed that the total viable bacterial count, staphylococcal count, coliform count, faecal coliform count, Aeromonas count and total fungal counts varied from 8.8 × 107 to 1.27 × 108, 2.7 × 106 to 4.2 × 106, 9.0 × 104 to 1.03 × 105, 4.8 105 to 7.3 × 105, 2.7 × 105 to 5.0 × 105 and 1.6 × 103 to 3.5 × 103 cfu/gm, respectively. Seventy six bacterial strains were isolated and identified, where Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus varians, Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella ozaenae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus megaterium, Klebsiella edwardsii, Pseudomonas aerugenosa and Micrococcus radiodurans were 16 (21.06%), 11 (14.47%), 9 (11.82%), 6 (7.89%), 6 (7.89%), 8 (10.53%), 6 (7.89%), 4 (5.26%), 7 (9.21%) and 3 ( 3.95% ), respectively. Total coliform, faecal coliform, Aeromonas bacteria and total fungi were found to be totally inactivated by the irradiation dose of 2.5 kGy onwards and total viable bacteria and staphylococcal bacteria were eliminated completely at the irradiation dose of 7.5 kGy. The bacterial counts were shown to be gradually decreased in all the samples from initial to final storage. The combined treatments were found more effective than that of the single treatment for reducing or eliminating the associated bacteria. The moisture contents of the studied fish were found nearly similar during initial and final storage periods and also at different radiation doses but the total protein contents decreased during final storage period and also at different radiation doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]