Although ex situ target strength (TS) measurements using dual- and split-beam systems have become the primary approach of estimating fish abundance, theoretical model estimation is a powerful tool for verifying the measurements, as well as for providing values when making direct measurements is difficult. TS values for 20 samples of live bambooleaf wrasse (Pseudolabrus japonicus) whose target length (TL) ranged between 13.7 and 21.3 cm were estimated theoretically using the Kirchhoff-ray mode model, and the TS values for 18 live fish samples were additionally measured at ~0° tilt angle to the swimming aspect using a tethered method at a frequency of 120 kHz to verify the theoretical values. The digitizing intervals used to extract the fish body and swim bladder morphology in the X-ray photographs significantly affected the calculated TS patterns, but variations based on the speed of sound and density ratio values for the general range of fish flesh were relatively small (within 1 dB). Close agreement was observed between the measured and theoretical TS values, and the correlation between the average TS and body length of the fish could be calculated accurately as <TS120kHz>= 20logTL (cm) –71.6 using the theoretical method.

Eleven wrasse species inhabit the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea. They are the target of leisure fishing and are considered good eating. We investigated the distribution of standard length (SL) by sex of wrasse in Jeju coastal waters for Halichores poecilopterus, H. tenuispinis, Pseudolabrus japonicus, and Pteragogus flagellifera. A cross-section of the ovary showed the ovarian cavity and ovarian lamellae containing oocytes. A cross-section of the testis showed many lobules containing spermatogonia and spermatocytes. A cross-section of a gonad undergoing sex reversal showed the regression or reduction of oocytes and some spermatocytes located in the ovarian lamellae. A cross-section of a sex-reversed testis showed the primary structure of the ovary, with spermatocytes distributed in the epithelium of the lamellae, and reformed seminiferous ducts in the basement lamellae. (중략)

The sex differentiation of fishes occurs under the control of genetic and various environmental factors. DM-domain containing genes are novel zinc finger transcription factors and play key roles in sex determination. In order to isolate the wrasse DMRT (wDMRT) cDNA from the protogynous wrasse (Halichoeres tenuispinnis), the wrasse testis cDNA library was screened using the P-labeled PCR products, which were amplified with the degenerate primers from conserved DM-domain regions of several DMRT genes. Among a few positives obtained through screening, the full length wDMRT cDNA of 2.9kb size encoding a predicted 300 amino acid residues was isolated. The sequence analysis exhibited 60%, 43% sequence identity with rainbow trout and tilapia DMRT1, respectively. RT-PCR assay showed that wDMRT was expressed specifically in male testis. Also, wDMRT gene was strongly expressed in May during reproductive season, when the reproductivity of wrasse is most active. This results suggested that wDMRT gene function in testis differentiation The conserved DM-domain regions were amplified using PCR from DMRT genes of several species among Labridae, and their sequences were determined. The sequence of DM-domain region of Halichoeres. tenuispinis was identical to those of Pseudolabrus japonicus, Pteragogus flagellifera, and showed 94% identity with that of Halichoeres poecioptrerus.