• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.626-632
• /
• 2014

The genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship were investigated in Korean red spotted grouper populations using the nucleotide sequence polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The COI gene was sequenced showed 99.1-99.8% identity with the EF607565 sequence previously reported. A total of twenty haplotypes were found, and the Korean population showed nineteen haplotypes. Among those, Hap_03 and Hap_08 showed Jeju-do and China-specific COI sequences, respectively. However, Hap_07 had twelve COI sequences from South Korea and records from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Neighbor-joining (NJ) trees constructed from the phylogenetic analyses based on the polymorphisms of the COI haplotypes showed a monophyletic branching pattern within the genus Epinephelus. This indicated that the red spotted grouper populations had evolved from common maternal ancestors. In addition, the Hap_08, which had the COI sequence recorded only from China Sea, was found in the middle of the NJ tree nearby Hap_07 and showed a close relationship with Hap_07. This indicates that Chinese red spotted grouper is also maternally related to other populations in East Asia. Consequently, East Asian red spotted grouper populations are maternally related, as well as sharing the same evolutionary history, and are still affected by the East Asian ocean current (Kuroshio). These findings help to explain the genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship of red spotted grouper and also contribute to research on artificial breeding and industrialization.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2003

The seasonal reproductive cycle of the female honeycomb grouper, Epinephelus merra, inhabiting Chuuk was examined by histological observations of the ovaries. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) began to increase in February and peaked in March. Histological observations revealed many oocytes laden with yolk in the ovaries from March to April. From June to January, the ovaries were occupied by immature oocytes. These results suggest that the reproductive season of E. merra in Chuuk is from March through April.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2010

We investigated the androgenic effects of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) on gonadal sex reversal and spermatogenesis in honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra by method of gonadal biopsy. 11-KT was injected intramuscularly at a concentration of 1 and $10{\mu}g$ body weight. The proportion of cross sectional area of the gonad occupied by each germ cell type was measured and compared pre- and post-injection group. During the sex change phase, the distribution ratio of oocytes was decreased in all fish of 11-KT treatment group while the distribution ratio of spermatocytes was increased than pre-injection group. In male phase, all fish of 11-KT treatment group shown the increased distribution ratio of spermatocytes, but the distribution ratio of spermatozoa was decreased than pre-injection group. The present results suggest that 11-KT can stimulate degeneration of oocytes, proliferation of spermatocytes and spermiation in honeycomb grouper.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.4.1-4.9
• /
• 2020

Growth of fish is controlled by various environmental factors, including water temperature (WT). WT is also a major factor that affects the eating behavior of fish. In this study, we studied the relationship between WT and expression profiles of factors involved in appetite regulation and digestion in red spotted grouper. Fish were divided into three groups with 30 fish per group and reared for 2 weeks in a recirculating system at three different WT (natural WT, 20 ℃, and 25 ℃). After 2 weeks, they were sacrificed immediately after food intake (+ 0 h), 3 h after (+ 3 h), 6 h after (+ 6 h), and 3 h before being fed the next day (- 3 h). Fish samples were obtained for analysis of mRNA expression levels of cholecystokinin (CCK), leptin A (LepA), leptin B (LepB), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the brain, liver, and intestine. Expression of CCK and NPY mRNA was significantly higher at 25 ℃ compared to that at natural WT and 20 ℃, but no difference was observed for leptin. This suggests that the red spotted grouper shows characteristics typical of subtropical fish and has higher levels of feeding and digestion when reared at 25 ℃ water temperature condition.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2020

This study reports the presence of mature and bi-sexual phase gonads in red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara after less than a year of cultivation in a commercial indoor tank and a net cage. In December 2018, juveniles were placed in an indoor tank and cultured for five months. In June 2019, the fish were transferred to a net cage and cultured until September. The rearing temperatures ranged from 19.86℃-24.65℃ in the indoor tank and 21.86℃-27.65℃ in the net cage. During the net cage culture period, specimens were randomly selected for histological gonad examination. The highest gonadosomatic index (GSI) value was measured in July (3.38±2.53), and dramatically decreased in August (0.44±0.21) and September (0.42±0.30). In July, some mature fish showed signs of vitellogenic stage oocyte development (vitellogenic and oil droplet stage oocytes), but immature fish were in an early developmental stage containing peri-nucleolus stage (PNS) oocytes. Bi-sexual phase gonads containing spermatocytes and spermatids were observed in the lumen and several PNS oocytes. By August and September, most specimens showed early-stage ovary development. However, mature testis (in August) and bi-sexual phase gonads (in September) were also observed. These results provide evidence for early puberty and hermaphroditism in the red spotted grouper.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 2021

The present study investigated the critical thermal maxima (CT_max) of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara under different acclimation temperatures (T_acc). Fish were acclimated at 24℃, 28℃, and 32℃ water temperature for 2 weeks. Water temperature was increased at a rate of 1℃/h and CT_max level was measured following the critical thermal methodology (Paladino et al., 1980). The results showed that CT_max values of E. akaara were 35.61℃, 36.83℃, and 37.65℃ for fish acclimated at 24℃, 28℃, and 32℃, respectively. The acclimation response ratio (ARR) was 0.26. The CT_max values were significantly correlated with body size. Collectively, it is said that the CT_max value of red-spotted grouper can be affected by different adaptation temperature (24℃, 28℃, and 32℃) and the fish acclimated to a higher temperature has a higher CT_max level. Besides, the CT_max value of 35.61℃-37.65℃ indicating the upper thermal tolerance limit for E. akaara under different T_acc (24℃, 28℃, and 32℃). Understanding the thermal tolerance of E. akaara is of ecological importance in the conservation of this species.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2022

This study aims to investigate egg quality changes and free amino acid composition. Factors that can affect egg quality about farming conditions were investigated through biochemical analysis of egg by red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara. As a result, the buoyant, fertilization embryonic survival and hatching rate were better when reared in sea cage than in tank. And the content of free amino acid in fertilized eggs reared in sea cage was higher then in tank. In conclusion, fertilized eggs with good egg quality can be produced when farming sea cage, and contained more free amino acid.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.28.1-28.8
• /
• 2019

Background: In the present study, we evaluated four commonly used housekeeping genes, viz., actin-β, elongation factor-1α (EF1α), acidic ribosomal protein (ARP), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as internal references for quantitative analysis of immune genes in nervous necrosis virus (NNV)-infected seven-band grouper, Hyporthodus septemfasciatus. Methods: Expression profiles of the four genes were estimated in 12 tissues of healthy and infected seven-band grouper. Expression stability of the genes was calculated using the delta Ct method, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm algorithms. Consensus ranking was performed using RefFinder, and statistical analysis was done using GraphpadPrism 5.0. Results: Tissue-specific variations were observed in the four tested housekeeping genes of healthy and NNV-infected seven-band grouper. Fold change calculation for interferon-1 and Mx expression using the four housekeeping genes as internal references presented varied profiles for each tissue. EF1α and actin-β was the most stable expressed gene in tissues of healthy and NNV-infected seven-band grouper, respectively. Consensus ranking using RefFinder suggested EF1α as the least variable and highly stable gene in the healthy and infected animals. Conclusions: These results suggest that EF1α can be a fairly better internal reference in comparison to other tested genes in this study during the NNV infection process. This forms the pilot study on the validation of reference genes in Hyporthodus septemfasciatus, in the context of NNV infection.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.612-619
• /
• 2016

In this study, we crossbred Epinephelus akaara and E. lanceolatus to produce a hybrid grouper with faster growth and adaptation to domestic aquaculture environments. The plasma cortisol and glucose levels and osmoregulation (stress response indicators) of the hybrid grouper, E. akaara ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂, were investigated under several salinity levels (32, 24, 16, and 8 psu). The body lengths and weights of E. akaara (8.2 ± 0.1 cm, 8.3 ± 0.4 g) and the hybrid (8.6 ± 0.1 cm, 10.0 ± 0.4 g) were similar at the start of the experiment, but were significantly different at the end of the experiment. Juveniles of both E. akaara and the hybrid showed greater weight gain, specific growth, and feed conversion rate (FCR) under low salinity of 16 psu. Under the 8 psu treatment, the juvenile E. akaara all died, while the hybrid juveniles survived. Plasma cortisol levels were not affected by lower salinity in both species. The above results indicate that the hybrid is more tolerant of low salinity than is E. akaara, although both species exhibited higher growth and FCR at 16 psu, lower than the salinity of natural seawater. Thus, juveniles of both E. akaara and the hybrid can be more effectively cultured in brackish areas or waters with salinity lower than that of seawater.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.506-514
• /
• 2020

We investigated seed management and feeding regime of larval red spotted grouper Epinephelus akaara using live food organisms. Fertilized eggs were produced in March 2020 by manipulating photoperiod and water temperature. Broodstock (F0) produced approximately 0.30×10⁶ eggs, of which 0.25×10⁶ were fertilized; first-generation broodstock (F1) produced 2.00×10⁶ eggs, of which 1.90×10⁶ were fertilized. Larvae were reared at temperatures of 21.0-24.5℃. The feeding regime consisted of rotifers Artemia, and commercial pellet feed. From 5-8 days after hatching (dah), rotifers collected from high-density incubation tanks were fed to grouper larvae at a density of 10-20 individuals/mL. From 9-30 dah, rotifers collected from low-density incubation tanks were fed to larvae at a density of 10-20 individuals/mL. Newly hatched Artemia were provided from 20-24 dah and enriched Artemia from 25-50 dah. Commercial pellet feed was given starting at 13 dah. The average mouth size in hatchlings was 263.4±3.7 ㎛ at 5 dah, 406.7±21.0 ㎛ at 11 dah, and 856.9±136.6 ㎛ at 21 dah. At 1 dah, larvae had a mean total length of 1.95±0.06 mm. At 66 dah, the mean TL was 4.0 cm. The final number of surviving red spotted grouper larvae was 218,380 fishes.