Flying fish has specialized pectoral fins. When they are activated, they will rush out of the water, expand their pectoral fins and flap their caudal fin to glide. The pectoral fins are controlled by two groups of muscles in which the external appearance is pink. No histological investigations have been made on their muscles to verify whether they are red muscles. The purposes of this study were to compare the pectoral fin muscle, trunk white muscle and trunk red muscle by histological and proteome methods so as to understand if the pectoral fin muscles is red muscles and to infer their function. Cyselurus poecilopteins was used for this study, Result show that the sizes for the cross section of the pectoral-fin-muscle-fibers were between the white and red muscles, and a large amount of connective tissue and fat tissues are present in the space among the muscle cells. It is interpreted the pectoral fin muscles of flying fish might not belong to white muscle and red muscle, and they probably utilize lipid metabolism to provide enough energy for the gliding activates. The proteomic pages for the three muscle types were compared and differences were found in the muscle proteins: actin, myosin regulatory light chain, myosin light polypeptide; enzymes: isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate synthase, queuosine biosynthesis protein¡Fstress proteins: heat shock protein (HSP70 and HSP60). Expressions of these proteins were high in the pectoral-fin muscles than in the white and red muscles. These results suggest that the flying fish¡¦ pectoral-fin muscles may involve in the oxidative and glycolysis pathways, and the muscle fibers type maybe belong to an intermediate type of muscle fiber.

¡@Bony flyingfish (Hirundichthys oxycephalus) is the primary component of flyingfish-egg fishery captures in the northeastern waters of Taiwan, and is also one of the dominant species of flyingfish in eastern waters of Taiwan. In recent years, people are conscious of overfishing in negarding to the continuously decreasing flyingfish resources. For rational management and sustainability of the fishery, there is an urgent need to study age and growth of the fish. Based on the laboratory-reared fish from the fertilized eggs collected in the wild, the daily periodicity of growth increments in three pairs of otoliths (lapillus, sagitta and asteriscus) was validated. First growth increment formed in the first day after hatching for sagitta and lupillus, and was in the eleven day after hatching for Asteriscus. ¡@¡@Ages of the wild flyingfish sample of 5.4~229.1 mm FL collected by drifted gillnets in Hualian, Taitung, Lyudao and Lanyu waters during April 2009 to March 2010, were determined by daily growth increment (DGI) counting in asteriscus, as adjusted by an addition of 11 DGIs. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters of the fish were estimated to be 253.9 mm in asymptotic length and 0.00753 mm d-1 in growth coefficient. Use DGIs estimation hatch date from otolith ringing, and estimated spawning date by deduct from 3 day hatch requisition. we found 2 recruitment group in eastern Taiwan within a year, most fish hatched either in summer or winter. In this study showing that bony flyingfish was an grew fast and had long longevity sp., therefore, on fishery management, we should decrease the fishing pressure and give them enough surplus biomass, so the biomass could recover rapidly. And we found two recruitment group, one could behalf of stock from east taiwan, and maybe it could behalf of two stocks ,on the other hand the method of fishery management should be a quite different .We suggest to confirm by the further reproductive biology research.

The flyingfishes (Teleostei: Exocoetidae) are a family of 53 epipelagic marine species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical surface waters. They form a key mid-trophic link between zooplankton and predators, and have evolved special adaptations to survive in the open ocean. However, little is known about their basic evolutionary history and ecology. Here, I apply a multidisciplinary approach to better understand the evolution and ecology of flyingfishes. I propose the first species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, based on nuclear and mtDNA sequences, and show that the most speciose genus (Cheilopogon) is paraphyletic. Gliding evolved progressively from two- to four-wing strategies, and habitat preference is correlated with species range size. I also analyzed patterns of genetic diversity within the most abundant genus, Exocoetus, and found no evidence of cryptic species. Instead, I found that this genus likely consists of three genetically distinct species (in contrast to the five currently recognized) and two indistinct species that diverged very recently. Population genetic analysis of Exocoetus volitans (266 samples from 97 localities) indicates a single, circum-tropical population that is well connected; yet the Isthmus of Panama and an Equatorial barrier limit gene flow. Finally, I investigated species abundance, richness, diversity, and distributions within the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (11,125 specimens). My results provide critical updates on species distributions and habitat preferences. Predictive modeling indicates that sea surface temperature is important for defining flyingfish habitat. This thesis addresses central issues concerning both evolution and ecology in the epipelagic zone, and highlights the need for better understanding remote marine regions and organisms.

The flyingfishes (Teleostei: Exocoetidae) are a family of 53 epipelagic marine species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical surface waters. They form a key mid-trophic link between zooplankton and predators, and have evolved special adaptations to survive in the open ocean. However, little is known about their basic evolutionary history and ecology. Here, I apply a multidisciplinary approach to better understand the evolution and ecology of flyingfishes. I propose the first species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, based on nuclear and mtDNA sequences, and show that the most speciose genus (Cheilopogon) is paraphyletic. Gliding evolved progressively from two- to four-wing strategies, and habitat preference is correlated with species range size. I also analyzed patterns of genetic diversity within the most abundant genus, Exocoetus, and found no evidence of cryptic species. Instead, I found that this genus likely consists of three genetically distinct species (in contrast to the five currently recognized) and two indistinct species that diverged very recently. Population genetic analysis of Exocoetus volitans (266 samples from 97 localities) indicates a single, circum-tropical population that is well connected; yet the Isthmus of Panama and an Equatorial barrier limit gene flow. Finally, I investigated species abundance, richness, diversity, and distributions within the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (11,125 specimens). My results provide critical updates on species distributions and habitat preferences. Predictive modeling indicates that sea surface temperature is important for defining flyingfish habitat. This thesis addresses central issues concerning both evolution and ecology in the epipelagic zone, and highlights the need for better understanding remote marine regions and organisms.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T14:47:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Railma Maria Vilanova Rocha Queiroz.pdf: 1804552 bytes, checksum: 810d765910ae3d9737fe6905ecc4a3b8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T14:47:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Railma Maria Vilanova Rocha Queiroz.pdf: 1804552 bytes, checksum: 810d765910ae3d9737fe6905ecc4a3b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The aim of this work was to study age, growth and reproduction of the margined flyingfish Cheilopogon cyanopterus in the area of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA, Brazil), where this species has a relevant ecological role, acting as an important link in the epipelagic food chain. During the years 1995 to 2009, were captured mainly by light attraction 4094 specimens. To estimate age and growth was analyzed lapilli otoliths microstructure of 277 individuals, where the number of microstructures ranged from 14 and 383 to individuals with 4.6 to 36.1 cm FL. The “known-age” method was employed for validation of microstructures deposition periodicity, demonstrating a daily formation starting from hatching (Student’s t-test, df = 1 tsa = 0.7973; tsb = 0.9729; p = 12,7). Pairs of age-length data were fitted to four growth models: von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Logistics and Richards. Based on Akaike’s information criterion and Akaike weight, the Gompertz model best described C. cyanopterus growth, explaining 91.5% of growth for the species. The following parameters were derived for that model: L∞ = 30.4; k = 0.014 e a = 2.53. The reproductive aspects were described using macro and microscopic analysis of the gonads. The analysis of gonadal indices indicated that the spawning season occurs between October and May, with peak March. The total fecundity and Batch fecundity ranged from 24670 to 77409 and 2618 to 66961, respectively, with average of 2.2 lots eliminated during the reproductive period. The maturation occurs in individuals of 22.05 cm CZ with 90 days of age. Histological analysis of gonads showed that 28% of females were mature/hydrated and 72% spawning. The concomitant presence of different stages of oocyte development in histological sections of the gonads which allowed the development of oocytes classified as synchronous in more than two groups, and as batch spawning. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a idade, o crescimento e a reprodução do peixe-voador-holandês Cheilopogon cyanopterus na região oceânica do Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo onde essa espécie desempenha relevante papel ecológico, atuando como importante elo da cadeia trófica epipelágica. Durante os anos de 1995 a 2009, foram capturados principalmente por atração luminosa 4094 espécimens. Para estimativas de idade e crescimento foi analisada a microestrutura do otólito lápilo de 277 indivíduos, onde o número de microincrementos variou de 14 a 383 para indivíduos com comprimento zoológico (CZ) compreendido entre 4,6 e 36,1 cm. O método “validação com idade conhecida” foi utilizado para validar a periodicidade de formação dos microincrementos o que revelou deposição diária desde a fase embrionária (t-test, df = 1 tsa = 0,7973; tsb = 0,9729; p = 12,7). Os dados de idade e comprimento foram ajustados a quatro modelos de crescimento, von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Logístico e Richards. Segundo critério de informação Akaike e peso Akaike, o modelo de Gompertz é o que melhor descreve o crescimento C. cyanopterus, explicando 91,5% do crescimento desta espécie. Obteve-se para esse modelo os parâmetros: L∞ = 30,4 cm CZ; k = 0,014 e a = 2,53. A análise dos índices gonadais indicou que o período de desova ocorre entre outubro e maio, com pico em março. A fecundidade total e por lote variou respectivamente de 24670 a 77409 e 2618 a 66961, com média de 2,2 lotes eliminados durante o período reprodutivo. A maturação gonadal começa a ocorrer em indivíduos de 22,05 cm CZ, com 90 dias de idade. A análise histológica das gônadas mostrou que 28% das fêmeas encontravam-se maduras/hidratadas e as demais desovadas. A presença concomitante de diferentes fases de desenvolvimento ovocitário nos cortes histológico das gônadas permitiu classificar o desenvolvimento dos ovócitos como sincrônico em mais de dois grupos, e a desova como parcelada.