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Интеллектуальная Система Тематического Исследования НАукометрических данных |
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Goatfishes from the family Mullidae are regarded as key species in the coastal biotopes due to their special feeding behavior: sediments are mixed by means of a pair of barbels located on the chin of the fish that attracts other fishes to form foraging aggregations. These fishes have a commercial value for fishery and can be used as the indicators of changes registered in biotopes under the influence of different factors including anthropogenic pressure. In fishes, the reproductive system is sensitive to environmental changes. Anomalies in ovarian structure were studied in three widely distributed goatfish species (Parupeneus multifasciatus, Upeneus tragula, and U. margarethae) from Nha Trang Bay (southern Central Vietnam). The fishes were collected in the buffer zone of the Marine Protected Area. Based on histological analysis, abnormal oocyte structure in the majority of cells of ovarian fragments was observed in 20 (n = 44), 15 (n = 80), and 20% (n = 20) of females, respectively. A probable reason of the destructive changes is the pollution of the bay mainly due to runoff from the Cai and Be rivers. Possible destructive agents are heavy metals distributed in sediments. A sequence of their action can be as follows: accumulation in invertebrates (food objects for goatfishes), dissolving in blood of the fish, and accumulation in the liver and then in vitellogenins and oocytes. Metal ions can interrupt cellular metabolism and enter the nucleus inducing DNA damage. Despite an important role of goatfishes in ecosystems, their life histories are poor studied. We investigated the main biological features and population structure of three species along the coastal zone of Vietnam. These data can be used for sustainable management and conservation of the stocks.