International Journal of Marine Science, 2017, Vol.7, No.28, 275-283
280
hatcheries are sheltered and the predation factor is nil. Therefore, aberrant individuals may have a higher survival
rate there and hence a higher frequency among hatchery-reared adults (Cobcroft et al., 2001). Other researchers
suggested that such deformities are more frequent due to overcrowding (Shariff et al., 1986), xenobiotics (Haga et
al., 2003), nutrition (Cobcroft et al., 2001), inbreeding (Sadler and King, 2001) and dietary deficiencies (Takeuchi
et al., 1998).
The causes of the observed pugheadness anomaly in the specimen of
N. randalli
are unknown, but they probably
arise during early development (Cobcroft et al., 2001). Genetic and epigenetic factors could cause pugheadness
deformity (Dahlberg, 1970; Sloof, 1982). Exposure to contaminants such as cadmium, zinc, lead, mercury, or
other contaminants, where the specimen caught (Davies and Everhart, 1973; Nakamura, 1974; Valentine, 1975)
may affect the skeletal development. As a result, the concentration of the mobilized calcium will be reduced
within the body and inhibit enzymes necessary for bone metabolism (Valentine, 1975; Yamashita and Hayashi,
1985; Ludwig et al., 1995).
Pelvic fins have a certain important role in fish movement; therefore it must be constructed so as to cope with
hydrodynamic stresses with the least possible expenditure of energy (Boglione et al., 1993). Any anomaly in the
pelvic fins will impair fish flexibility so hinder the performance of the fish.
The combination of genetic and environmental factors could cause a complete absence of the pelvic fins (Scheiner,
1993). It is clear that diversities in the genetic pool can determine variations in the developmental pattern.
Skeletal abnormalities observed in the present study can be induced during embryonic and postembryonic periods
of life through a complicated mechanism (Koumoundouros et al., 1995; Cataudella et al., 1996). Establishment of
both nutritional and abiotic parameters involved in the mechanisms leading to the appearance of these deformities
must be determined in order to prevent a high incidence of malformations.
Authors’ contributions
All authors have contributed equally toward the publication of this paper.
Acknowledgments
Our sincere thanks are due to the
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for funding this study
(project number 213O263) and to Göksel Bayramli for the help in the x-ray.
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