• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2014

An olfactory organ in Scartelaos gigas, so-called mudskipper known as adaptation to an amphibious lifestyle, was investigated anatomically and histologically. S. gigas possessed the paired olfactory organ comprising respectively the one elongated canal and two nasal sacs, lacrimal and ethmoidal nasal sac. The sensory epithelium developed partly in the canal contained four distinct types of cells: (1) receptor cell with 3 to 4 cilia in number, (2) supporting, (3) basal, (4) mucus cell. The sensory epithelium was also of transitional layer as multi cellularity structure. The non-sensory epithelium had no sensory elements. The two nasal sacs possessed typically a lot of mucin droplets. These results might be considered that anatomical structure and histological characters of the olfactory organ showing in S. gigas is adapted to semi-aquatic life associated with its ecological habit and habitat.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.403-410
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• 2011

Scartelaos gigas is an amphibious mudskipper species that inhabits mud flats in Korea, China, and Taiwan. This fish is at risk of extinction because of its very restricted habitat and overexploitation. Information about this fish's reproductive characteristics is needed for species conservation. The sexual maturity and early life history of S. gigas were investigated through histological methods and direct observation of eggs in the wild, respectively. In total, 560 individuals of S. gigas were collected with the aid of fishermen from March 2003 to October 2003 at Jung-do Island, southwest Korea. Through microscopic observations of gonadal development, it was determined that S. gigas of both sexes were immature in April, but began to reach maturity in May, and were then fully mature by June, which was maintained until July. In August, some female fish developed early oocytes, but by September oocytes were observed to have degenerated and had been absorbed. Spawned eggs were elliptical and had an average size of 1.37 mm (long axis) by 0.69 mm (short axis). The newly hatched larvae (3.03 mm total length, TL) had an open mouth and anus, two melanophores near the anus, and one large melanophore between the 18th and 19th myomeres. The larvae (3.18 mm TL) showed absorption of the yolk and oil globule within 5 days after hatching and became prelarvae. This species should be considered vulnerable or conservation-dependent, and thus parental fish need to be protected from fishermen during the main spawning season (June).

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2008

Age and growth of the mudskipper, Scartelaos gigas were investigated using the second actinost bone of the pectoral girdle, based on an analysis of 560 individuals collected from the mud flats in south west Korea. Specimens were collected semimonthly from March to September of 2003. Actinost and ring radii of each ring group showed a direct one-to-one relationship, with ring radius increasing in tandem with actinost radius. Monthly change in the marginal indices showed that ring formation occurred between May and July(mainly June), being supported by the monthly change in the gonadosomatic(highest in June) and hepatosomatic(lowest in July) indices. Because the species has not been found since November, when air temperature was less than about $10^{\circ}C$, it is thought to enter to hibernation. Therefore, it was suggested that the two new actinost rings may appear a year: one during the spawning season(May-July) and another during hibernation(since November). Although the growth of S. gigas must be limited to short periods each year from March to April and from August to October, its growth rate was considerably fast. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters of S. gigas were $TL_{\infty}$=179.36 mm, K=0.78 $year^{-1}$, $t_0$=-0.7762, and age-length key were $TL_1$=134.3 mm, $TL_2$=158.6 mm, $TL_3$=169.1 mm, $TL_4$=175.0 mm.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

Phylogenetic relationships and DNA polymorphism among local populations of two Korean gobiidae species: Boleophthalmus pectinirostris and Scartelaos gigas were investigated based on 12S and 16S mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences. DNA polymorphisms of B. pectinirostris between Suncheon and Gunsan populations were 100% identity from 434 bp segment of 12S rRNA gene and from 444 bp segment of mitochondrial cytochrome b genes, and 99.6% (2 bp different) identity from 484 bp segments of 16S rRNA genes. These results indicated the long period of geographic isolation between two populations of B. pectinirostris in Korea caused such high degrees of DNA polymorphisms. Based on the phylogenetic tree constructed from the two gobiid species in Korea, two genetically distinct groups of B. pectinirostris and S. gigas groups were recognized.