BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
16 October 2023 Histological Observations of the Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthigaster rostrata (Bloch, 1786), Collected Along the Caribbean Coast Affected by Mass Mortality Episodes
Lourdes Vásquez-Yeomans, Rebeca Vásquez-Yeomans, Eloy Sosa-Cordero, Yanet Guerrero Rentería, Jorge Cáceres-Martínez
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The sharpnose pufferfish Canthigaster rostrata is one of the members of the coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean, however, there are no studies on its histology. The pufferfish has been affected periodically by episodes of mortality in the Caribbean since 2008. Histological studies provide information on system conditions, and indicate parasite presence or other alterations such as diseases that may cause the fish to perish. On September 2017, 102 sharpnose pufferfish were collected from four localities, three in the Mexican Caribbean: Punta Herrero (PH), Xcalak (XC), and Santuario Manati (SM). The forth locality is from Belize, in Bacalar Chico (BC). During the monitoring, mortality occurred at XC. No external signs of disease were detected in any fish. The histology analysis showed no males, only female and undifferentiated organisms in the sampled localities. Furthermore, trematodes were observed in pufferfish from XC, SM, and BC. In one fish from XC, an epitheliocystis-like inclusion was detected. In fishes from XC, degraded arthropods were found in the stomach lumen. Gill and kidney tissue alterations were observed in specimens from all localities, possibly related to the tissue fixation process. Abundant lipids in the liver seem to be a normal characteristic. No histological or parasitic differences between fishes where mortality was observed and fishes from the other localities were detected that allow us to find an association with massive mortalities in the area. This is the first histology study of C. rostrata on the Caribbean coast showing data on reproduction, parasites, and other tissue alterations.

El pez globo de nariz afilada Canthigaster rostrata es uno de los integrantes de los ecosistemas de arrecifes coralinos del Caribe; sin embargo, no existen estudios sobre su histología. El pez globo se ha visto afectado periódicamente por episodios de mortalidad en el Caribe desde 2008. Los estudios histológi-cos brindan información sobre las condiciones del sistema, e indican presencia de parásitos u otras alteraciones como enfermedades que pueden provocar la muerte del pez. En septiembre de 2017 se recolectaron 102 peces globo de nariz afilada en cuatro localidades, tres del Caribe mexicano: Punta Herrero (PH), Xcalak (XC) y Santuario Manatí (SM). El cuarto es de Belice, en Bacalar Chico (BC). Durante el seguimiento se presentó un evento de mortalidad en XC. No se detectaron signos externos de enfermedad en ningún pez. El análisis histológico no mostró la presencia de machos, sólo de hembras y organismos indiferenciados en las localidades muestreadas. Además, se observaron trematodos en peces globo de XC, SM y BC. En un pez de XC se detectó una inclusión similar a epiteliocistis. En peces de XC se encontraron artrópodos degradados en la luz del estómago. Se observaron alteraciones del tejido branquial y renal en ejemplares de todas las localidades, posiblemente relacionadas con el proceso de fijación del tejido. La abundancia de lípidos en el hígado parece ser una característica normal. No se detectaron diferencias histológicas ni parasitarias entre los peces donde se observó mortalidad y los peces de las otras localidades que permitan encontrar una asociación con mortalidades masivas en la zona. Este es el primer estudio histológico de C. rostrata en la costa Caribeña que muestra datos sobre reproducción, parásitos y otras alteraciones tisulares.

Lourdes Vásquez-Yeomans, Rebeca Vásquez-Yeomans, Eloy Sosa-Cordero, Yanet Guerrero Rentería, and Jorge Cáceres-Martínez "Histological Observations of the Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthigaster rostrata (Bloch, 1786), Collected Along the Caribbean Coast Affected by Mass Mortality Episodes," Caribbean Journal of Science 53(2), 243-257, (16 October 2023). https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v53i2.a8
Published: 16 October 2023
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top