Chionodraco rastrospinosus

Last updated

Chionodraco rastrospinosus
Chionodraco rastrospinosus.jpg
A specimen caught off the South Shetland Islands. Photo Valerie Loeb of the NOAA
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Channichthyidae
Genus: Chionodraco
Species:
C. rastrospinosus
Binomial name
Chionodraco rastrospinosus
DeWitt & Hureau, 1979 [1] [2]

The ocellated icefish (Chionodraco rastrospinosus) is a fish of the family Channichthyidae. [3] [4] It lives in the cold waters off Antarctica and is known for having transparent haemoglobin-free blood. [5] [6]

Contents

C. rastrospinosus live in the Southern Ocean up to a depth of 1 km. They are most commonly found on the seabed at 200–400 m. They range from the South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula . They grow up to 52 centimetres (20 in) and average 30 centimetres (12 in). The adults feed on krill and other fish. [3] Larvae are 17 mm long when they hatch, and grow by about 2 mm a week. The larval stage lasts for up to 18 months during which they feed mainly on krill. They become sexually mature at four years, and normally live up to about eight years, but sometimes as long as twelve. [4] [7] In the Antarctic autumn, adult C. rastrospinosus migrate to shallow waters to spawn at a depth of 200–300 m. The eggs are scattered and hatch six months later around April. [8]

Blood colour

Haemoglobin gives oxygenated blood its red colour. Unlike other vertebrates, fish of the Antarctic icefish family (Channichthyidae) do not use haemoglobin to transport oxygen around their bodies; instead, the small amount of oxygen that simply dissolves in blood plasma is utilized. [9] [10] In 2011 Tokyo Sea Life Park claimed that C. rastrospinosus has totally transparent blood "like clear water", after dissecting a specimen. [5] [10] In 1954, Ruud noted that Chaenocephalus aceratus , another member of this family, had almost transparent blood, in contrast to the yellowish blood of other members. [11] C. aceratus and C. rastrospinosus both fail to express the major adult α-globin, α1, due to the same 5' truncation of the gene, and have lost the β-globin gene entirely. Zhao et al. propose that an ancestral channichthyid fish lost expression of both genes through a single mutation. [12] Antarctic icefish also have very few erythrocytes. It is believed they benefit from loss of reliance on haemoglobin-containing erythrocytes for oxygen transport by having less viscous, more easily pumped blood. [12] They compensate for this loss by having lower metabolic rates, larger gills, scaleless skin that can contribute more to gas exchange, wider capillaries and significantly increased blood volume and cardiac output. [12]

Captive specimens

Tokyo Sea Life Park holds the only captive fish. A male and female pair were donated along with other species by fishermen of the Fukuei-maru krill trawler as part of a programme to collect bycatch for the park. [13] In January 2013 the female spawned, [10] and by 7 May the first egg hatched with about 20 more larva in the following two weeks. [14] Previously, live specimens have been held for scientific research elsewhere. [12]

Original Description

DeWitt, H. H. & Jean-Claude Hureau. 1979. Fishes collected during "Hero" cruise 72-2 in the Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica, with the description of two new genera and three new species. Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Section A, Zoologie Biologie et Ecologie d’Animal, 4 1(3): 775–820.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemoglobin</span> Oxygen-transport metalloprotein in red blood cells of most vertebrates

Hemoglobin, is the iron-containing oxygen-transport protein present in red blood cells (erythrocytes) of almost all vertebrates as well as the tissues of some invertebrate animals. Hemoglobin in blood carries oxygen from the respiratory organs to the other tissues of the body, where it releases the oxygen to enable aerobic respiration which powers the animal's metabolism. A healthy human has 12 to 20 grams of hemoglobin in every 100 mL of blood. Hemoglobin is a metalloprotein and chromoprotein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nototheniidae</span> Family of fishes

Nototheniidae, the notothens or cod icefishes, is a family of ray-finned fishes, part of the suborder Notothenioidei which is traditionally placed within the order Perciformes. They are largely found in the Southern Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Channichthyidae</span> Family of fishes

The crocodile icefish or white-blooded fish comprise a family (Channichthyidae) of notothenioid fish found in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. They are the only known vertebrates to lack hemoglobin in their blood as adults. Icefish populations are known to reside in the Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean, as well as the continental shelf waters surrounding Antarctica. Water temperatures in these regions remain relatively stable, generally ranging from −1.8 to 2 °C. One icefish, Champsocephalus esox, is distributed north of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone. At least 16 species of crocodile icefish are currently recognized, although eight additional species have been proposed for the icefish genus Channichthys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Notothenioidei</span> Suborder of fishes

Notothenioidei is one of 19 suborders of the order Perciformes. The group is found mainly in Antarctic and Subantarctic waters, with some species ranging north to southern Australia and southern South America. Notothenioids constitute approximately 90% of the fish biomass in the continental shelf waters surrounding Antarctica.

Hemoglobin Barts, abbreviated Hb Barts, is an abnormal type of hemoglobin that consists of four gamma globins. It is moderately insoluble, and therefore accumulates in the red blood cells. Hb Barts has an extremely high affinity for oxygen, so it cannot release oxygen to the tissue. Therefore, this makes it an inefficient oxygen carrier. As an embryo develops, it begins to produce alpha-globins at weeks 5–6 of development. When both of the HBA1 and HBA2 genes which code for alpha globins becomes dysfunctional, the affected fetuses will have difficulty in synthesizing a functional hemoglobin. As a result, gamma chains will accumulate and form four gamma globins. These gamma globins bind to form hemoglobin Barts. It is produced in the disease alpha-thalassemia and in the most severe of cases, it is the only form of hemoglobin in circulation. In this situation, a fetus will develop hydrops fetalis and normally die before or shortly after birth, unless intrauterine blood transfusion is performed.

The bald notothen, also known as the bald rockcod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Nototheniidae, the notothens or cod icefishes. It is native to the Southern Ocean.

Champsocephalus esox, the pike icefish or northern icefish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes.

<i>Chionodraco hamatus</i> Species of fish

Chionodraco hamatus is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It is found in the Southern Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackfin icefish</span> Species of fish

The blackfin icefish, also known as the Scotia Sea icefish, is a species of crocodile icefish belonging to the family Channichthyidae. The blackfin icefish belongs to Notothenioidei, a suborder of fishes that accounts for 90% of the fish fauna on the Antarctic continental shelf. Icefishes, also called white-blooded fishes, are a unique family in that they are the only known vertebrates to lack haemoglobin, making their blood oxygen carrying capacity just 10% that of other teleosts. Icefishes have translucent blood and creamy white gills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiny icefish</span> Species of fish

Chaenodraco wilsoni, the spiny icefish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It is native to the Southern Ocean. This species is the only known member of its genus. It is of minor interest to commercial fisheries.

<i>Channichthys</i> Genus of fishes

Channichthys is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. They are native to the Southern Ocean.

<i>Chionodraco</i> Genus of fishes

Chionodraco is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. They are found in the Southern Ocean.

<i>Cryodraco</i> Genus of fishes

Cryodraco is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. They are found in the Southern Ocean. While C. antarcticus has minor commercial importance, C. atkinsoni and C. pappenheimi are of no interest to commercial fisheries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonah's icefish</span> Species of fish

Jonah's icefish is a benthopelagic species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Neopagetopsis. It is found in the Southern Ocean at depths of from 20 to 900 metres. It has a circum-Antarctic distribution on the continental slope and continental shelf, with the northernmost records from the South Shetland and the South Orkney Islands.

<i>Pseudochaenichthys</i> Species of fish

Pseudochaenichthys is a monotypic genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. Its only member is Pseudochaenichthys georgianus, the South Georgia icefish, which is found in the Southern Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Antarctica</span> Antarctic wildlife

The wildlife of Antarctica are extremophiles, having adapted to the dryness, low temperatures, and high exposure common in Antarctica. The extreme weather of the interior contrasts to the relatively mild conditions on the Antarctic Peninsula and the subantarctic islands, which have warmer temperatures and more liquid water. Much of the ocean around the mainland is covered by sea ice. The oceans themselves are a more stable environment for life, both in the water column and on the seabed.

Antarctic fish is a common name for a variety of fish that inhabit the Southern Ocean. There are relatively few families in this region, the most species-rich being the Liparidae (snailfishes), followed by Nototheniidae. The latter is one of eight different families that belong to the suborder Notothenioidei of the order Perciformes. They are also called notothenioids, but this name is also used to describe the other three, non-Antarctic families and some of the non-Antarctic genera in the mainly Antarctic families belonging to the suborder.

<i>Cryodraco antarcticus</i> Species of fish

Cryodraco antarcticus, the long-fingered icefish, is a demersal species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It occurs only in deep waters of the Southern Ocean.

<i>Chionodraco myersi</i> Species of fish

Chionodraco myersi, the Myers's icefish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It is found in the Southern Ocean.

<i>Cryodraco atkinsoni</i> Species of crocodile icefish

Cryodraco atkinsoni is a bathydemersal species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Channichthyidae, the crocodile icefishes. It is endemic to the waters of the eastern part of the Southern Ocean.

References

  1. ↑ "Chionodraco rastrospinosus". World register of marine species. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "Chionodraco rastrospinosus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 8 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Chionodraco rastrospinosus" in FishBase . February 2013 version.
  4. 1 2 Mesa, M. & Ashford, J. (2008). "Age and growth of ocellated icefish, Chionodraco rastrospinosus DeWitt and Hureau, 1979, from the South Shetland Islands". Polar Biology. 31 (11): 1333. doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0471-7. S2CID   43155348.
  5. 1 2 "World's First Exhibit of Icefish: Antarctic Fish with Colorless Blood─Tokyo Sea Life Park 2011/08/25" . Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Warnes, Sophie (5 April 2013). "Japanese aquarium shows off mysterious fish with clear blood". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  7. ↑ La Mesa, M.; Catalano, B. & Jones, C. D. (2013). "Early life history of the ocellated icefish, Chionodraco rastrospinosus, off the Antarctic Peninsula". Antarctic Science. 25 (3): 373–380. Bibcode:2013AntSc..25..373L. doi: 10.1017/S0954102012001095 . S2CID   129139215.
  8. ↑ Damerau, Malte; Matschiner, Michael; Salzburger, Walter & Hanel, Reinhold (2012). "Comparative population genetics of seven notothenioid fish species reveals high levels of gene flow along ocean currents in the southern Scotia Arc, Antarctica" (PDF). Polar Biology. 35 (7): 1073. doi:10.1007/s00300-012-1155-x. S2CID   13126339.
  9. ↑ Sidell, B. D. & Kristin M. O'Brien (2006). "When bad things happen to good fish: The loss of hemoglobin and myoglobin expression in Antarctic icefishes". Journal of Experimental Biology. 209 (10): 1791–802. doi: 10.1242/jeb.02091 . PMID   16651546.
  10. 1 2 3 "Japan aquarium shows mysterious clear-blood fish". France24.com. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  11. ↑ Ruud, Johan T. (1954). "Vertebrates without erythrocytes and blood pigment". Nature. 173 (4410): 848–50. Bibcode:1954Natur.173..848R. doi:10.1038/173848a0. PMID   13165664. S2CID   3261779.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Zhao, Y.; Ratnayake-Lecamwasam, M; Parker, SK; Cocca, E; Camardella, L; Di Prisco, G & Detrich, HW 3rd (1998). "The major adult α-globin gene of Antarctic teleosts and its remnants in the hemoglobinless icefishes. Calibration of the mutational clock for nuclear genes". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 273 (24): 14745–52. doi: 10.1074/jbc.273.24.14745 . PMID   9614073.
  13. ↑ Nakamura, Satoshi; Tada. "Collecting and exhibition of Antarctic organisms at Tokyo Sea Life Park" (PDF). Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  14. ↑ Kameda, Masaaki (25 May 2013). "Tokyo Sea Life exhibits rare larvae". The Japan Times. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.