Sillaginidae: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m →‎References: interwikis + ja, zh
uber expension
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| color = pink
| fossil_range = [[Eocene]] - Recent
| name = Smelt-whitings
| name = Smelt-whitings
| image = Sillago_01.jpg
| image = Sunday fishing in Tokyo bay.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''Sillago argentifasciata'' being sold in a Philippine supermarket.
| image_caption = A catch of [[Japanese whiting]], ''Sillago japonica''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
| classis = [[Actinopterygii]]
| ordo = [[Perciformes]]
| ordo = [[Perciformes]]
| subordo = [[Percoidei]]
| superfamilia = [[Percoidea]]
| familia = '''Sillaginidae'''
| familia = '''Sillaginidae'''
| familia_authority = [[John Richardson (naturalist)|Richardson]], 1846
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genera]]
| subdivision =
| subdivision =
''[[Sillaginodes]]''<br/>
''[[Sillaginodes]]''<br/>
''[[Sillaginopsis]]''<br/>
''[[Sillaginopsis]]''<br/>
''[[Sillago]]''<br/>
''[[Sillago]]''<br/>

See text for species.
See text for species.
}}
}}
The '''Sillaginidae''', commonly known as the '''smelt-whitings''', '''whitings''', '''sillaginids''', '''sand borers''' and '''sand-smelts''' are a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[benthic]] [[coastal]] [[Marine (ocean)|marine]] [[fish]]es in the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Perciformes]]. The smelt-whitings inhabit a wide region covering much of the [[Indo-Pacific]], from the west coast of [[Africa]] east to [[Japan]] and south to [[Australia]]. The family is comprised of only three [[genera]] and 31 [[species]], of which a number are doubius, with the last major revision of the family in 1992 unable to elucidate the validity of a number of species. They are elongate, slightly compressed fish often light brown to silver in colour with a variety of markings and patterns on their upper body. The Sillaginidae are not related to a number of fishes commonly called '[[whiting (fish)|whiting]]' in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], including the fish originally called whiting, ''[[Merlangius merlangus]]''.


The smelt-whitings are mostly [[inshore]] fishes that inhabit [[sand]]y, [[silt]]y and [[mud]]dy [[substrate (marine biology)|substrates]] on both low and high energy environments ranging from protected [[tidal flat]]s and [[estuaries]] to [[surf zone]]s. A few species predominantly live [[offshore]] on deep sand [[shoal]]s and [[reef]]s, although most need to return to inshore grounds to [[spawn]]. Smelt-whitings are benthic [[carnivores]] that [[prey]] predominantly on [[polychaete]]s, a variety of [[crustacean]]s, [[mollusc]]s and to a lesser extent [[echinoderm]]s and [[fish]], feeding by detecting vibrations emitted by their prey.
'''Sillaginidae''' is a family of bottom-dwelling marine fishes in the suborder [[Percoidea]] of the order [[Perciformes]]. The type species is ''[[Sillago sihama|Sillago acuta]]'', later discovered to be a previously-described species ''[[Sillago sihama]]''.

The family is highly important to [[fisheries]] throughout the Indo-Pacific, with species such as the [[Northern whiting]], [[Japanese whiting]] and [[King George whiting]] forming the basis of major fisheries throughout their range. Many species are also of major importance to small [[subsistence]] fisheries while others are little more than occasional [[bycatch]]. Smelt-whitings are caught by a number of methods including [[trawling]], [[seine net]]s and [[fishing net|cast net]]s. In Australia and Japan in particular, members of the family are often highly sought by [[angler|recreational fishermen]] who also seek the fish for their prized flesh.

==Taxonomy==
The first species of sillaginid to be [[scientific classification|scientifically described]] was ''[[Sillago sihama]]'', by [[Peter Forsskål]] in 1775.<ref name = "Zoocat" > {{cite book | last = Hosese | first = D.F. | coauthors = Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. and Alen, G.R. | title = Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 35 (2) Fishes | publisher = CSIRO | date = 2007 | location = Sydney | pages = 1126 | isbn =978-0-643-09334-8 }}</ref> It was not until 1817 that the [[type]] genus ''Sillago'' was created by [[Georges Cuvier]] based on his newly described species ''Sillago acuta'', which was later found to be a [[junior synonym]] of ''S. sihama'' and subsequently discarded. Cuvier continued to describe species of sillaginid with the publishing of his [[ichthyology|ichthyological]] work ''[[Histoire Naturelle des Poissons]]'' with [[Achille Valenciennes]] in 1829, also erecting the genus ''[[Sillaginodes]]'' in this work.<ref name = "Zoocat" /> The species ''Cheilodipterus panijus'' was named in 1822 by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and was subsequently reexamined by [[Theodore Gill]] in 1861, leading to the creation of the [[monotypic]] genus ''[[Sillaginopsis]]''. [[John Richardson (naturalist)|John Richardson]] was the first to group Cuvier's ''Sillago'', and Gill's ''Sillaginodes'' and ''Sillaginopsis'' into the taxonomic [[family (biology)|family]] "Sillaginidae",<ref>{{cite journal | last = Richardson | first = John | title = Report on the ichthyology of the seas of China and Japan | journal = Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science | volume = 15 | pages = 187-320 | date = 1846 | accessdate = }}</ref> although the leading naturalists of the day continually revised the position of the three genera, placing in them in a number of families. The first review of the sillaginid fishes was Gill's 1861 work "Synopsis of the sillaginoids", in which the name "Sillaginidae" was popularised,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Gill | first = Theodore N. | title = Synopsis of the Sillaginoids | journal = Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia | volume = 13 | pages = 501-505 | date = 1861 | accessdate = }}</ref> however the debate on the placement of the family remained controversial.<ref name = "McKay1985"/>

In the years after Gill's paper was published, over 30 'new' species of sillaginid were reported and scientifically described, many of which were [[synonym]]s of previously described species, with similarity between species as well as minor [[genetic diversity|geographical variation]] confounding [[taxonomist]]s.<ref name = "McKayFAO" > {{cite book | last = McKay | first = R.J. | coauthors = | title = FAO Species Catalogue: Vol. 14. Sillaginid Fishes Of The World | publisher = Food and Agricultural Organisation | date = 1992 | url = ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/t0538e/t0538e06.pdf | location = Rome | pages = 19-20 | isbn = 92-5-103123-1}} </ref> It wasn't until 1985 when Roland McKay of the [[Queensland Museum]] published a comprehensive review of the family that these relationships were formally resolved, although a number of species are still listed as doubtful, with McKay unable to locate the holotypes. Along with the review of previously described species, McKay described an additional seven species, a number of which he described as [[subspecies]].<ref name = "McKay1985">{{cite journal |last=McKay |first=R.J. |year=1985 |title=A Revision of the Fishes of the Family Silaginidae |journal=Memoirs of the Queensland Museum |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=1-73 |doi=}}</ref> After this 1985 paper, additional [[specimen]]s came to light, showing that all the subspecies he had identified were individual species. In 1992 McKay published a synopsis of the Sillaginidae for the [[FAO]], in which he elevated these subspecies to full species.<ref name = "McKayFAO" />

The name "Sillaginidae" was derived from Cuvier's ''Sillago'', which itself takes its name from a locality in [[Australia]],<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Sillago | year = 2007 | month = September}}</ref> possibly [[Sillago reef]] off the coast of Queensland.<ref>{{cite web | last = Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | title = Whitsunday Plan of Management Area | publisher = Australian Government | date = 2006-01-09 | url = http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1688/pipi_map_whit.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-01 }}</ref> The term ''Sillago'' is derived from the Greek term "syllego", which means "to meet".<ref name = "fishbase">{{FishBase family | family = Sillaginidae | year = 2007 | month = September}}</ref>

===Species===
The following is a comprehensive list of the 31 known [[extant]] species of sillaginids, with a number of the species still [[Nomen dubium|in doubt]] due to the loss of the [[holotype]] specimen. This classification follows [[Fishbase]], which itself is based on McKay's last revision of the family.<ref name = "fishbase"/>
<div style="float:right;width:315px;">
[[Image:Sillago aeolus.jpg|thumb|right|[[Oriental trumpeter whiting]], ''Sillago aeolus'']]
[[Image:Sillago bassensis.jpg|thumb|right|[[Southern school whiting]], ''Sillago bassensis'']]
[[Image:Sillago ciliata.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sand whiting]], ''Sillago ciliata'']]
[[Image:Sillago chondropus.jpg|thumb|right|[[Club-foot whiting]], ''Sillago chondropus'']]
[[Image:Sillago ingenuua.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bay whiting]], ''Sillago ingenuua'']]

</div>
*Genus '''''[[Sillaginodes]]'''''
** [[King George whiting]], ''Sillaginodes punctatus'' <small>([[Cuvier]], 1829)</small>.

*Genus '''''[[Sillaginopsis]]'''''
** [[Gangetic whiting]], ''Sillaginopsis panijus'' <small>([[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton|Hamilton]], 1822)</small>.

*Genus '''''[[Sillago]]'''''
** [[Oriental trumpeter whiting]], ''Sillago aeolus'' <small>([[David Starr Jordan|Jordan]] & [[Barton Warren Evermann|Evermann]], 1902)</small>
** [[Golden lined whiting]], ''Sillago analis'' <small>([[Gilbert Percy Whitley|Whitley]], 1943)</small>
** [[Shortnose whiting]], ''Sillago arabica'' <small>(McKay & McCarthy, 1989)</small>
** [[Silver-banded whiting]], ''Sillago argentifasciata'' <small>(Martin & Montalban, 1935)</small>
** [[Asian whiting]], ''Sillago asiatica'' <small>(McKay, 1982)</small>
** [[Slender whiting]], ''Sillago attenuata'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>
** [[Southern school whiting]], ''Sillago bassensis'' <small>(Cuvier, 1829)</small>
** [[Boutan's whiting]]'', Sillago boutani'' <small>([[Jacques Pellegrin|Pellegrin]], 1905)</small>
** [[Western trumpeter whiting]], ''Sillago burrus'' <small>(Richardson, 1842)</small>
** [[Club-foot whiting]], ''Sillago chondropus'' <small>(Bleeker, 1849)</small>
** [[Sand whiting]], ''Sillago ciliata'' <small>(Cuvier, 1829)</small>
** [[Eastern school whiting]], ''Sillago flindersi'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>
** [[Indian whiting]], ''Sillago indica'' <small>(McKay, Dutt & Sujatha, 1985)</small>
** [[Bay whiting]], ''Sillago ingenuua'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>
** [[Thai whiting]], ''Sillago intermedius'' <small>(Wongratana, 1977)</small>
** [[Japanese whiting]], ''Sillago japonica'' <small>(Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)</small>
** [[Mud whiting]], ''Sillago lutea'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>
** [[Large-scale whiting]], ''Sillago macrolepis'' <small>(Bleeker, 1859)</small>
** [[Trumpeter whiting]], ''Sillago maculata'' <small>(Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)</small>
** [[Large-headed whiting]], ''Sillago megacephalus'' <small>(Lin, 1933)</small>
** [[Small-eyed whiting]], ''Sillago microps'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>
** [[Rough whiting]]'', Sillago nierstraszi'' <small>(Hardenberg, 1941)</small>
** [[Small-scale whiting]], '' Sillago parvisquamis'' <small>(Gill, 1861)</small>
** [[Stout whiting]], ''Sillago robusta'' <small>(Stead, 1908)</small>
** [[Yellowfin whiting]], ''Sillago schomburgkii'' <small>(Peters, 1864)</small>
** [[Northern whiting]], ''Sillago sihama'' <small>(Forsskål, 1775)</small>
** [[Soringa whiting]], ''Sillago soringa'' <small>(Dutt and Sujatha, 1982)</small>
** [[Estuarine whiting]], ''Sillago vincenti'' <small>(McKay, 1980)</small>
** [[Western school whiting]], ''Sillago vittata'' <small>(McKay, 1985)</small>

==Evolution==
A number of sillaginids have been identified from the [[fossil record]], with the lower [[Eocene]] marking the first appearance of the family. The family is thought to have [[evolution|evolved]] in the [[Tethys Sea]] of central [[Australia]], before colonizing southern Australia during the upper Eocene after a seaway broke through south of Tasmania.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> During the Oligocene, the family spread to the north and south, occupying a much more extensive range than their current Indo-Pacific distribution. Fossils suggest the sillaginids ranged as far north as [[Poland]] and [[Germany]], and as far south as [[New Zealand]],<ref name = "recta">{{cite journal | last = Schwarzhans | first = Werner W | title = Die Tertiare Teleosteer-Fauna Neuseelands, rekonstruiert anhand von Otolithen | journal = Berliner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen Reihe A Geologie und Palaeontologie | volume = 26 | pages = 1-211 | date = 1980 | id = ISSN 0172-8784 | accessdate = }}</ref> found in shallow water [[sedimentary]] deposits along with other species of [[extant]] genera.<ref name = "hasso">{{cite journal | last = Smigielska | first = T. | title = Fish otoliths from the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland) | journal = Acta Geologica Polonica | volume = 29 | issue = 3 | pages = 295-337 | date = 1979 | id = ISSN 0001-5709 | accessdate = }}</ref>

There have been at least eight [[fossil]] sillaginid species found, all of which are believed to be of the genus ''Sillago'' based on the only remains found; [[otolith]]s. Only one species of extant sillaginid, ''Sillago maculata'', has been found in the fossil record, and this was in very recent [[Pleistocene]] [[sediment]]s.<ref name = "maculatafossil">{{cite journal | last = Grenfell | first = Hugh R. | coauthors = Werner W. Schwarzhans | title = The fish otolith fauna of the Te Piki Member | journal = Proceedings of the Taupaki Malacological Society | volume = 2 | pages = 12-14 | date = 1999 | doi = | id = ISSN 1174-2348 | accessdate = }}</ref>
*''Sillago campbellensis'' <small>(Schwarzhans, 1985)</small> Australia, Miocene<ref name = "campbellensis">{{cite journal | last = Schwarzhans | first = werner W. | title = Tertiare Otolithen aus South Australia und Victoria (Australien) | journal = Palaeo Ichthyologica | volume = 3 | pages = 1-60 | date = 1985 | doi = | id = ISSN 0724-6331 | accessdate = }}</ref>
*''Sillago hassovicus'' <small>(Koken, 1891)</small> Poland, Middle Miocene<ref name = "hasso"/>
*''Sillago maculata'' <small>(Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)</small> New Zealand, Middle Pleistocene<ref name = "maculatafossil"/>
*''Sillago mckayi'' <small>(Schwarzhans, 1985)</small> Australia, Oligocene<ref name = "campbellensis"/>
*''Sillago pliocaenica'' <small>(Stinton, 1952)</small> Australia, Pliocene<ref>{{cite journal | last = Stinton | first = F.C. | title = Fish otoliths from the tertiary strata of Victoria, Australia | journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria | volume = 70 | issue = 1 | pages = 81–93 | date = 1958 | accessdate = }}</ref>
*''Sillago recta'' <small>(Schwarzhans, 1980)</small> New Zealand, Upper Miocene<ref name = "recta"/>
*''Sillago schwarzhansi'' <small>(Steurbaut, 1984)</small> France, Lower Miocene<ref name = "Schven"> {{cite journal | last = Steurbaut | first = E. | title = Les otolithes de Teleosteens de l'oligo-miocene d'Aquitaine (sud ouest de la France) | journal = Palaeontographica Abteilung A Palaeozoologie-Stratigraphie | volume = 186 | issue = 1-6 | pages = 1-162 | date = 1984 | id = ISSN 0375-0442 | accessdate = }}</ref>
*''Sillago ventriosus'' <small>(Steurbaut, 1984)</small> France, Upper Oligocene<ref name = "Schven"/>

==Phylogeny==
The [[relationship]]s of the Sillaginidae are poorly known, with very similar [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] characteristics and a lack of [[genetic]] studies restricting the ability to perform [[cladistic]] analyses on the family. Being the fossil sillaginids are based on the comparison of fossil otoliths, with no other type of remains found thus far, this also prevents the reconstruction of the [[evolution]] of the family through fossil species. While the position of the Sillaginidae in the order [[Perciformes]] is firmly established due to a number of [[synapomorphies]] shared with other members of the [[order (biology)|order]], no [[sister group]] has been established for the family.<ref name="Nelson">{{cite book|title=[[Fishes of the World]]|last=Nelson|first=Joseph S.|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]], Inc|year=2006|pages=278&ndash;280|isbn=0-471-25031-7}}</ref> The current [[taxonomic]] status of the family is thought to represent a basic picture of the group's [[phylogeny]], with McKay further dividing the genus ''Sillago'' into three [[subgenera]] based on shared morphological characters. The genera ''Sillaginodes'' and ''Sillaginopsis'' have the most [[plesiomorphic]] characteristics; being monotypic, and distinct from ''Sillago''. ''Sillago'' is further divided into three subgenera based primarily on swim bladder morphology; ''Sillago'', ''Parasillago'' and ''Sillaginopodys'', which also represent evolutionary relationships.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> Whilst genetic studies have not been done on the family, they have been used to establish the relationship of what were thought to be various [[subspecies]] of school whiting, ''S. bassensis'' and ''S. flindersi''.<ref name = "dixon"> Dixon, P.I., R.H. Crozier, M. Black and A. Church. (1987) ''Stock identification and discrimination of commercially important whitings in Australian waters using genetic criteria (FIRTA 83/16)''. Centre for Marine Science, University of New South Wales. 69 p. Appendices 1-10. </ref> Furthermore, morphological data suggests a number of Australian species diverged very recently during the [[ice age|last glacial maximum]], which caused [[land bridge]]s to isolate [[population]]s of fish. The two aforementioned species of school whiting, ''S. maculata'' and ''S. burrus'', and ''S. ciliata'' and ''S. analis'' are all thought to be products of such a process, although only the school whiting have anything other than morphology as evidence of this process.<ref name = "McKay1985"/>


==Morphology==
==Morphology==
The Sillaginidae are medium sized fishes which grow to an average of around 20 cm and around 100 g,<ref name = "Kuiter" > {{cite book | last = Kuiter | first = R.H. | coauthors = | title = Coastal fishes of south-eastern Australia | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | date = 1993 | location = U.S.A | pages = | isbn =1 86333 067 4 }} </ref> although the largest member of the family, the [[King George whiting]] is known to reach 72 cm and 4.8 kg in [[weight]]. The body shape of the family is quite similar to most of the members of the order [[Perciformes]].<ref name = "Scott1980">{{cite book | last = Scott | first = T.D. | authorlink = | coauthors = C.J.M. Glover & R.V. Southcott | title = Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia 2nd Edition | publisher = Government Printer | date = 1980 | location = Adelaide }}</ref> Their bodies are elongate, slightly [[compressed]], with a head that tapers toward a terminal [[mouth]]. The mouth has a band of brush-like teeth with [[canine]] teeth present only in the upper [[jaw]] of ''Sillaginopsis''. The [[lateral line|cranial sensory system]] of the family is well developed above and laterally, with the lower jaw having a pair of small pores behind which is a median pit containing a pore on each side. On each side of the elongate head the [[operculum (fish)|operculum]] has a short sharp spine. They have two true [[dorsal fin]]s; the [[Anatomical_terms_of_location#Anterior_and_posterior|anterior]] one supported by 10 to 13 [[Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_Rays|spines]] while the long rear one is held up by a single leading spine followed by 16 to 27 [[Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_Rays|soft rays]]. The [[anal fin]] is similar to the second dorsal fin, having two small slender spines followed by 14 to 26 soft rays.<ref name = "Scott1980"/> Their bodies are covered in [[ctenoid]] [[scale (zoology)|scales]], with the exception of the [[cheek]] which may have cycloid or ctenoid scales. There is a wide variation in the amount of [[lateral line]] scales, ranging from 50 to 141.<ref name="Nelson"/> The [[swimbladder]] in the Sillaginidae is either absent, poorly developed, or highly complex with anterior and lateral extensions that project well into the [[caudal]] region. A unique [[duct]]-like process is present from the ventral surface of the swimbladder to just before the [[urogenital opening]] in most species. The presence and morphology of each species' swim bladder is often their major diagnostic feature, with McKay's three proposed subgenera based on swimbladder morphology alone.<ref name = "McKay1985"/> The sillaginids have only a small range of body [[colour]]ings and frequently the only colour characteristics to identify between species are the arrangements of spots and bars on their upper bodies. Most of the family are a pale brown - creamy white colour, while a few species are silver all over. The undersides of the fish are usually lighter than the upper side, and the fins range from yellow to [[transparent]], often marked by bars and spots.<ref name = "McKay1985"/>
They are medium-sized fishes, growing around 15 cm to 45 cm long. The largest is ''[[Sillaginodes punctatus]]'', with a maximum known length of 72 cm. As with most members of the order [[Perciformes]], they have two true dorsal fins; the anterior one supported by spines while the rear one is held up by thin rays. Sillaginids are well-adapted to their [[benthic]] lifestyle, having slightly dorso-ventrally depressed heads with the eyes located on the dorsal surface. [[Scale (zoology)#Leptoid scales|Ctenoid scales]] cover their silvery bodies.

==Distribution and habitat==
The Sillaginidae are distributed throughout the [[Indo-Pacific]] region, ranging from the west coast of [[Africa]] to [[Japan]] and [[Taiwan]] in the east, as well occupying as a number of small islands including [[New Caledonia]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="Nelson"/> While they have a fairly wide distribution, the highest species densities occur along the coasts of [[India]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], [[South East Asia]], the [[Indonesian Archipelago]] and [[northern Australia]].<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> One species of sillaginid, ''[[Sillago sihama]]'', has been declared an [[invasive species]] to the [[Mediterranean]], passing through the [[Suez Canal]] from the [[Red Sea]] since 1977 as part of the [[Lessepsian migration]], becoming widespread.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Golani | first = Daniel | title = Impact of Red Sea Fish Migrants through the Suez Canal on the Aquatic Environment of the Eastern Mediterranean | journal = Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin | volume = 103 | issue = Transformations of Middle Eastern Natural Environments | pages = 375-387 | date = 1998 | url = http://environment.yale.edu/documents/downloads/0-9/103golani.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-14 }}</ref>

Sillaginids are primarily [[inshore]] [[Marine (ocean)|marine]] fishes inhabiting stretches of [[coastal]] waters, although a few species move [[offshore]] in their adult stages to deep [[shoal|sand banks]] or [[reef]]s to a maximum known depth of 180 m.<ref name = "Hyndesetal">{{cite journal | last = Hyndes | first = G.A. |coauthors=I. C. Potter & S. A. Hesp |year=1996 |month=September |title=Relationships between the movements, growth, age structures, and reproductive biology of the teleosts ''Sillago burrus'' and ''S. vittata'' in temperate marine waters |journal= Marine Biology |volume=126 |issue=3 |pages=549-558 |doi=10.1007/BF00354637}}</ref> All species primarily occupy [[sand]]y, [[silt]]y or [[mud]]dy [[substrate (marine biology)|substrates]], often using [[seagrass]] or reef as cover. They commonly inhabit [[tidal flat]]s, [[beach]] zones, broken bottoms and large areas of uniform substrate. Although the family is marine, many species inhabit [[estuarine]] environments, with some such as ''[[Sillaginopsis panijus]]'' also found in the upper reaches of the estuary.<ref name = "ff">{{cite journal |last=Krishnayya |first=C.G. |year=1963 |month= |title=On the use of otoliths in the determination of age and growth of the Gangetic whiting, ''Sillago panijus'' (Ham.Buch.), with notes on its fishery in Hooghly estuary |journal=indian Joural of Fisheries |volume=10 |issue= |pages=391-412 |doi=}}</ref> Each species often occupies a specific [[Ecological niche |niche]] to avoid [[interspecific competition| competition]] with co-occurring sillaginids, often inhabiting a specific substrate type, depth, or making use of [[surf zone]]s and estuaries.<ref name = "hyndes97">{{cite journal | last = Hyndes | first = G.A. |coauthors=M. E. Platell, I. C. Potter |year=1997 |month= |title=Relationships between diet and body size, mouth morphology, habitat and movements of six sillaginid species in coastal waters: implications for resource partitioning |journal=Marine Biology |volume=128 |issue=4 |pages=585-598 |doi=10.1007/s002270050125}}</ref> The juveniles often show distinct changes in [[habitat]] preference as they mature, often moving to deeper waters.<ref name = "Hyndesetal"/> No members of the family are known to undergo migratory movements, and have been shown to be relatively weak swimmers, relying on currents to disperse juveniles.

==Biology==
===Diet and feeding===
The smelt-whitings are [[benthic]] [[carnivore]]s, with all of the species whose [[diet (nutrition)|diet]]s have been studied showing similar [[prey]] preferences. Studies from the waters of [[Thailand]], [[Phillipines]] and [[Australia]] have shown that [[polychaetes]], a variety of [[crustacean]]s, [[mollusc]]s and to a lesser extent [[echinoderm]]s and [[fish]] are the predominant prey items of the family.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Tongnunui | first = P. | coauthors = Sano, M. & Kurokura, H. | title = Feeding habits of two sillaginid fishes, Sillago sihama and S-aeolus, at Sikao Bay, Trang Province, Thailand | journal = Mer (Tokyo) | volume = 43 | issue = 1/2 | pages = 9-17 | date = 2005 | url = http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200601/000020060105A1017511.php | id = ISSN:0503-1540 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Mitsuhiro | first = Kato | coauthors = Hiroshi Kohno & Yasuhiko Taki | title = Juveniles of two sillaginids,Sillago aeolus andS. sihama, occurring in a surf zone in the Philippines | journal = Ichthyological Research | volume = 43 | issue = 4 | pages = 1341-8998 | publisher = Springer Japan | date = November 1996 | doi = 10.1007/BF02347640 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref><ref name = "HyndesGA">{{cite journal | last = Hyndes | first = G.A. | coauthors = M. E. Platell & I. C. Potter | title = Relationships between diet and body size, mouth morphology, habitat and movements of six sillaginid species in coastal waters: implications for resource partitioning | journal = Marine Biology | volume = 128 | issue = 4 | pages = 585-598 | publisher = Springer Berlin / Heidelberg | date = June 1997 | doi = 10.1007/s002270050125 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}</ref> Commonly taken crustaceans include [[caridae|carid]]s, [[decapod]]s, [[copepod]]s and [[isopod]]s, while the predominant molluscs taken are various species of [[bivalve]]s, especially the unprotected siphon filters that protrude from the shells. In all species studied, some form of diet shift occurs as the fishes mature, often associated with a movement to deeper waters and thus to new potential prey. The juveniles often prey on [[planktonic]] prey, with small copepods, isopods and other small crustaceans often taken.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Coull | first = Bruce C. | coauthors = Jack G. Greenwood, Donald R. Fielder & Brent A. Coull | title = Subtropical Australian juvenile fish eat meiofauna: experiments with winter whiting Sillago maculata and observations on other species | journal = Marine Ecology Progress Series | volume = 125 | pages = 13-19 | date = 1995 | doi = 10.3354/meps125013 | id = ISSN 0171-8630 | accessdate = }}</ref> Whilst many species have a change in [[Ecological niche|niche]] to reduce [[intraspecific competition]], there are often many species of sillaginid inhabiting a geographical area. Where this occurs, there is often definite diet differences between species, often associated with a niche specialisation.<ref name = "HyndesGA"/> The sillaginid's distinctive body shape and mouth placement is an adaptation to [[benthic|bottom feeding]], which is the predominant method of feeding for all whiting species. All larger whiting feed by using their protrusile [[jaw]]s and tube-like mouths to suck up various types of prey from in, on or above the ocean [[substrate (marine biology)|substrate]],<ref name = "hyndes97"/> as well as using their nose as a '[[plough]]' to dig through the substrate.<ref name = "McKayFAO" />
There is a large body of evidence that shows whiting do not rely on [[visual]] cues when feeding, instead using a system based on the vibrations emitted by their prey. <ref name = Gunn1985> {{Citation | last = Hadwen | first = W.L. | last2 = Russell | first2 = G.L. | last3 = Arthington | first3 = A.H. | title = The food, feeding habits and feeding structures of the whiting species ''Sillago sihama'' (ForsskaÊ l) and ''Sillago analis'' Whitley from Townsville, North Queensland, Australia. | journal = Journal of Fish Biology | volume = 26 | pages = 411-427 | url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1985.tb04281.x | year = 1985 }} </ref>


===Predators===
==Range and Distribution==
Smelt-whitings are a major link in the [[food chain]] of most systems, and frequently fall [[prey]] to a variety of [[aquatic]] and [[aves|aerial]] [[predator]]s. Their main aquatic predators are a wide variety of larger [[fish]], including both [[teleost]]s and a variety of [[shark]]s and [[stingray|ray]]s.<ref name = "Fishbase">{{FishBase species | genus = Sillaginodes | species = punctatus | year = 2007 | month = Oct }} </ref> [[Marine mammal]]s including [[seal]]s<ref>{{cite journal | last = Page | first = Brad | coauthors = Jane McKenzie & Simon D. Goldsworthy | title = Dietary resource partitioning among sympatric New Zealand and Australian fur seals | journal = Marine Ecology Progress Series | volume = 293 | issue = | pages = 283–302 | date = June, 2005 | url = http://www.zoo.latrobe.edu.au/third%20year%20enrolment/Diet%20paper_MEPS.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-16 }}</ref> and [[dolphin]]s<ref>{{cite journal | last = Long | first = M. | coauthors = Rob J. Reid | title = Cadmium accumulation and toxicity in the bottlenose dolphin ''Tursiops truncatus'', the common dolphin ''Delphinus delphis'', and some dolphin prey species in South Australia | journal = Australian Mammalogy | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 25-33 | date = 1997 | id = ISSN 0310-0049 | accessdate = 2007-10-17 }}</ref> have been reported to have taken sillaginids as a main food source. [[Seabird]]s are also another major predator of the family, with diving species such as [[Cormorant]]s taking older fish in deeper waters while juvenile fish in shallow water fall prey to [[wading bird]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Humphries | first = P. | coauthors = Hyndes, G.A & Potter, I.C. | title = Comparisons between the diets of distant taxa (Teleost and Cormorant) in an Australian estuary | journal = Estuaries | volume =15 | issue =3 | pages = 327-334 | date = 1992 | id = ISSN 0160-8347 | accessdate = 2007-10-17 }}</ref> Sillaginids are often called 'sandborers' due to their habit of burying themselves in the substrate to avoid predators, much in the same way as they forage, by ploughing their nose into the substrate. This defense is even used against [[human]] fishermen, who frequently wade barefoot to feel for buried fish.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> The Sillaginidae are also host to a variety of well studied ecto and endo[[parasite]]s, which are represented prominently by the groups [[Digenea]], [[Monogenea]] and [[Myxosporea]] , [[Copepoda]] and [[Nematoda]].<ref name = "parasites">{{cite journal | last = Hayward | first = Craig J. | title = Distribution of external parasites indicates boundaries to dispersal of sillaginid fishes in the Indo-West Pacific | journal = Marine and Freshwater Research | volume = 48 | issue = 5 | pages = 391-400 | publisher = CSIRO | date = 1997 | doi = 10.1071/MF96125 | accessdate = 2007-10-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Gibson | first = D.I. | title = Two new lepocreadiids (Digenea) from Sillago spp. (Pisces: Sillaginidae) in Australian waters | journal = Journal of Natural History | volume = 21 | issue = 1 | pages = 159-166 | publisher = Taylor & Francis | date = 1987 | id = ISSN 0022-2933 | accessdate =2007-10-17 }}</ref>
Sillaginids are native to the Indo-west Pacific region, stretching across the Indian and west-Pacific Oceans. Starting in 1977, they have been found in the Mediterranean as an [[invasive species]], passing from the [[Red Sea]] through the [[Suez Canal]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Sillago sihama <small>(Forsskal, 1775)</small> | work = Sillaginidae - silagos | publisher = CIESM: The Mediterranean Science Commission | date = March 2001 | url = http://www.ciesm.org/atlas/Sillagosihama.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref>


==Ecology==
===Reproduction===
The Sillaginidae are an [[oviparous]], non guarding family,<ref name = "fishbase"/> whose species tend to show similar reproductive patterns to one another. Each species reaches [[sexual maturity]] at a slightly different age, with each sex often showing a disparity in time of maturation.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Coulson | first = Peter G. | coauthors = S. Alex Hesp, Ian C. Potter & Norman G. Hall | title = Comparisons between the biology of two co-occurring species of whiting (Sillaginidae) in a large marine embayment | journal = Environmental Biology of Fishes | volume = 73 | issue = 2 | pages = 125-139 | publisher = Springer Netherlands | date = 2005 | doi = 10.1007/s10641-004-4568-8 | accessdate = 2007-11-08 }}</ref><ref name = "Hyndesetal">{{cite journal | last = Hyndes | first = G.A. |coauthors=I. C. Potter & S. A. Hesp |year=1996 |month=September |title=Relationships between the movements, growth, age structures, and reproductive biology of the teleosts ''Sillago burrus'' and ''S. vittata'' in temperate marine waters |journal= Marine Biology |volume=126 |issue=3 |pages=549-558 |doi=10.1007/BF00354637}}</ref> Each species also [[spawn]]s over a different season and the spawning season often differs within a species, usually as a function of [[latitude]]; a feature not unique to sillaginids.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Sheaves | first = Marcus | title = Is the timing of spawning in sparid fishes a response to sea temperature regimes? | journal = Coral Reefs | volume = 25 | issue = 4 | pages = 655-669 | publisher = Springer Berlin / Heidelberg | date = 2006 | doi = 10.1007/s00338-006-0150-5 | accessdate = 2007-11-08 }}</ref> The proximity to shore of spawning is also different between species, as each species usually does not [[migrate]] inshore to spawn, even if the [[juvenile (organism)|juvenile]]s require shallow water for protection, instead relying on currents.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Jenkins | first = G.P. | authorlink = | coauthors = D.C. Welsford | title = The swimming abilities of recently settled post-larvae of ''Sillaginodes punctata'' | journal = Journal of Fish Biology | volume = 60 | issue = 4 | pages = 1043–1050 | publisher = Blackwell Synergy | date = 2002 | doi = 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2002.tb02427.x | accessdate = 2007-11-08 }}</ref> The fecundity of sillaginids is variable, with a normal range between 50 000 - 100 000. The [[egg (biology)|eggs]] are small (0.6 to 0.8 mm), [[spherical]] and [[pelagic]], hatching around 20 days after [[fertilisation]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Leis | first = J.M. | coauthors = T. Trnski | title = The Larvae of Indo-Pacific Shorefishes | publisher = New South Wales University Press | date = 1989 | location = Kensington | pages = 372 p | isbn = 978-0824812652}}</ref> The [[larvae]] are quite similar, requiring a trained [[developmental biologist]] to identify between species.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Bruce | first = B.D. | title = Larval development of King George whiting, ''Sillaginodes punctata'', school whiting, ''Sillago bassensis'', and yellow fin whiting, ''Sillago schomburgkii'' (Percoidei: Sillaginidae), from South Australian waters | journal = US National Marine Fisheries Service Fishery Bulletin | volume = 93 | issue = 1 | pages = 27-43 | publisher = Elsevier Science | date = 1995 | doi = | accessdate = }}</ref> The larvae and juveniles are at the mercy of the [[ocean current]]s, being too weaker swimmers to actively seek out coastlines. Currents are thought to have been responsible for the distribution of [[mainland]] species to [[offshore]] [[island]]s as well as the current widespread distribution of ''Sillago sihama''.<ref name = "parasites"/> In all studied species, juveniles inhabit shallow waters in protected [[embayment]]s, [[estuaries]], [[creek (tidal)|tidal creek]]s and [[lagoon]]s as well as exposed [[surf zone]]s, usually over [[tidal flat]]s and [[seagrass]] beds. As the fish mature, they generally move to deeper waters, showing a change in diet.<ref name = "HyndesGA"/>
They are commonly found schooling in inshore, coastal waters such as bays and estuaries. Schools sometimes enter brackish water near river mouths for short periods of time. Sillaginids are known to feed on benthic organisms such as [[Crustacea|crustaceans]] and [[Polychaeta|polychaete worms]].


==Importance to Humans==
==Relationship to humans==
The sillaginids are some of the most important [[fishery|commercial fishes]] in the Indo-Pacific region, with a few species making up the bulk of whiting catches. Their high numbers, coupled with their highly regarded [[Fish (food)|flesh]] are the reason for this, and their inshore nature also has made them popular targets for [[angling|recreational fishermen]] in a number of countries.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> With [[overfishing]] rife in some areas, sustainable [[aquaculture]] has allowed the commercial farming of a number of sillaginid species, as well as the use of farmed fish to restock depleted estuaries. At least one species, the Gangetic whiting, has occasionally been used in [[brackish water]] aquaria.<ref name = "Schaefer">{{cite book | last = Schaefer |first = Frank | title = Brackish-water fishes : all about species, care and breeding | location=Rodgau| publisher = Aqualog | date = 2005 | isbn = 3-936027-82-X }}</ref>
Many of the mid-large species in the family are considered commercially-important and there is an active commercial fishing industry for them, especially in Japan.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Purbayanto | first = Ari | authorlink = Ari Purbayanto | coauthors = Seiji Akiyama, Tadashi Tokai and Takafumi Arimoto | title = Mesh selectivity of a sweeping trammel net for Japanese whiting ''Sillago japonica'' | journal = Fisheries Science | volume = 66 | issue = 1 | pages = 97-103 | publisher = Blackwell Synergy | date = February 2000 | url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1444-2906.2000.00014.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=fis | doi = 10.1046/j.1444-2906.2000.00014.x | id = | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref> In the Philippines, they are commonly caught and sold in markets as food fish where they are called "[[asuhos]]". Several members of the family are also viable target species for sport fishing enthusiasts. Hook-and-line rod fishing using fresh or live bait is one of the most common methods that they are caught with.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Beach Fishing | work = Fisheries | publisher = NSW Department of Primary Industries | date = [[2005-12-09]] | url = http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/recreational/saltwater/saltwater/beach_fishing | format = HTML | doi = | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref>


===Commercial fisheries===
==Etymology and Taxonomic History==
[[Image:Sillago_01.jpg|thumb|A species of sillaginid for sale as "asuhos" in the Phillipines]]
The name of the family, "Sillaginidae" is derived from the Greek term "syllego", which means "to meet".<ref name="FishBase">{{FishBase family | family = Sillaginidae | year = 2007 | month = January}}</ref>
A small number of sillaginids have large enough populations to allow an entire fishery to be based around them, with King George whiting,<ref name = "Scott1980">{{cite book | last = Scott | first = T.D. | authorlink = | coauthors = C.J.M. Glover & R.V. Southcott | title = Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia 2nd Edition | publisher = Government Printer | date = 1980 | location = Adelaide }}</ref> northern whiting, Japanese whiting,<ref>{{cite journal | last = Purbayanto | first = Ari | authorlink = Ari Purbayanto | coauthors = Seiji Akiyama, Tadashi Tokai and Takafumi Arimoto | title = Mesh selectivity of a sweeping trammel net for Japanese whiting ''Sillago japonica'' | journal = Fisheries Science | volume = 66 | issue = 1 | pages = 97-103 | publisher = Blackwell Synergy | date = February 2000 | url = http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1444-2906.2000.00014.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=fis | doi = 10.1046/j.1444-2906.2000.00014.x | id = | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref> sand whiting and school whiting the major species. There have been no reliable estimates of catches for the entire family, as catch [[statistics]] generally include only those species taken in large numbers, but there are some species which make up significant numbers of the bycatch. To add to this problem, many of the lesser known species are taken by [[subsistence]] fisheries and not reported. From estimates by the FAO, however, it is evident that the family is one of the most important in the Indo-Pacific region, having an estimated catch of 22 718 [[tonne]]s in 1990 alone.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> In this same report, it was shown that the greatest three utilizers of sillaginids were the Philippines, Western Australia and Thailand respectively. The records also suggested that the catch increased from 1983 when it was 17 570 t, up to the last estimate in 1990 of 22 718 t. No such estimates have been carried out since. Modern records for Australia show that this trend has reversed, with all catches from Australia totaling 4 372 t in 2006 compared with 1990's 6000 t haul.<ref>{{cite book | last = Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics | title = Australian Fisheries Statistics 2006 | publisher = ABARE | date = June, 2007 | location = Canberra | pages = 28 | url = http://www.abareconomics.com/publications_html/fisheries/fisheries_07/07_fishstats.pdf | id = ISSN 1037-6879 | isbn = }}</ref> Statistics from other countries are unavailable for such comparison.


Sillaginids are taken by a variety of fishing methods, with inshore catches predominantly taken using beach [[seine net]]s and cast nets. Due to the alert nature of sillaginids, skill is required on creeping up quietly enough to be able to net fish with a cast net, with experienced fishers often paddling into the sun toward a school and drifting slowly upon it before casting the net.<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> In deeper waters, [[trawler]]s and longliners take the most fish, with a number of sillaginids taken in prawn trawls as bycatch. The fish are normally marketed fresh locally under various names, with "Ashuos" commonly used in many countries for various sillaginids.<ref name = "fishbase"/> At least one export fishery exists in Australia whereby ''S. flindersi'' is exported to Thailand where the fish are repackaged and sent to Japan frozen.<ref name = "Kailola">{{Citebook | last = Kailola | first = P.J. | coauthors= M.J Williams, R.E. Stewart | title = Australian fisheries resources | location=Canberra| publisher= Bureau of Resource Sciences| year = 1993 | isbn = 0-642-18876-9 }} </ref>
==Species==
The family Sillaginidae has 31 species in 3 genera.<ref name="FishBase"/><ref name="FishBaseFamily">[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=307 Family Summary]. ''[[FishBase]]''. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007</ref>
* Genus ''[[Sillaginodes]]''
** ''[[Sillaginodes punctatus]]'' <small>Cuvier, 1829</small>.
* Genus ''[[Sillaginopsis]]''
** ''[[Sillaginopsis panijus]]'' <small>Hamilton, 1822</small>.
* Genus ''[[Sillago]]'' <small>Cuvier, 1816</small>. - Type genus.
** ''[[Sillago aeolus]]''
** ''[[Sillago analis]]''
** ''[[Sillago arabica]]''
** ''[[Sillago argentifasciata]]''
** ''[[Sillago asiatica]]''
** ''[[Sillago attenuata]]''
** ''[[Sillago bassensis]]''
** ''[[Sillago boutani]]''
** ''[[Sillago burrus]]''
** ''[[Sillago chondropus]]'' <small>Bleeker, 1849</small>.
** ''[[Sillago ciliata]]'' <small>Cuvier, 1829</small>.
** ''[[Sillago flindersi]]''
** ''[[Sillago indica]]''
** ''[[Sillago ingenuua]]''
** ''[[Sillago intermedius]]''
** ''[[Sillago japonica]]''
** ''[[Sillago lutea]]''
** ''[[Sillago macrolepis]]''
** ''[[Sillago maculata]]''
** ''[[Sillago megacephalus]]''
** ''[[Sillago microps]]''
** ''[[Sillago nierstraszi]]''
** ''[[Sillago parvisquamis]]''
** ''[[Sillago robusta]]''
** ''[[Sillago schomburgkii]]''
** ''[[Sillago sihama]]'' <small>Forsskal, 1775</small>. - Type species.
** ''[[Sillago soringa]]''
** ''[[Sillago vincenti]]''
** ''[[Sillago vittata]]''


===Recreational fisheries===
== Bibliography ==
In Australia and Japan, members of the family are highly sought after by anglers for their sporting and eating qualities, with anglers often take more than commercial fishermen in some areas.<ref name = "NSW" > {{cite book | last = Wilkinson | first = J. | coauthors = | title = NSW Fishing Industry: Changes and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century | publisher = NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service | date = 2004 | location = Sydney | pages = 174-178 | url = http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/07532F82AC6487FFCA256F16001BBE85 | isbn = 0 7313 1768 8}} </ref> The fishing techniques for all sillaginids are quite similar, with the shallow habitats often requiring light line and quiet movements. Whiting are popular in part due to their accessibility, with tidal flats around beaches, estuaries and [[jetty|jetties]] common habitats from where whiting are caught without need for a boat.<ref name = "starlo" > {{cite book | last = Starling | first = S. | title = The Australian Fishing Book | publisher = Bacragas Pty. Ltd. | date = 1988 | location = Hong Kong | pages = 490 | isbn = 073010141x }} </ref> For some species which inhabit deeper waters, a boat is often needed. [[tide|Tidal]] movements also affect catches, as do [[lunar phases]]. Tackle used is kept light to avoid spooking the fish, and often requires only a simple setup, with a [[fishing hook|hook]] and light [[sinker]] tied directly to the mainline usually effective. In deeper water or where currents are strong, more complex rigs are used, often with hooks tied to dropper loops on the trace.<ref name = "starlo" /> in Australia, some specialist whiting fishermen who target the fish in the surf or on shallow banks use red [[bead]]s or tubing to attract the fish, claiming the method produces more fish.<ref name = "favfish" > {{cite book | last = Horrobin | first = P. | title = Guide to Favourite Australian Fish | publisher = Universal Magazines | date = 1997 | location = Singapore | pages = 102-103 | isbn = }} </ref> The bait used is normally anything from the surrounding environment which the whiting naturally prey on, with polychaetes, bivalves, crustaceans such as prawns and crabs, cephalopods and small fish effective for most species. As with most species, live bait is known to produce better catches. Lure fishing for whiting is not normally practiced, but [[fly fishing|saltwater flies]] have been used to good effect, as have small soft plastic lures.<ref name = "favfish" /> In some areas, restrictions to the amount and size of fish are in place and enforced by fishery authorities.<ref>{{cite web | last = Department of Primary Industries | title = Recreational Fishing Guide | work = Limits and Closed Seasons | publisher = Government of Victoria | date = 2007 | url = http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfaq.nsf/LinkView/038067B67D8D0260CA2571F6007C592FB43DB2A1BECEB2A04A256812001DD817#bag | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-10 }}</ref>
* {{FishBase family | family = Sillaginidae | year = 2007 | month = January}}


== References ==
===Aquaculture===
A number of sillaginid species have been the subject of brackish water aquaculture in Asia and India,<ref name = "McKayFAO" /> with species including ''S. japonica'' commonly bred for consumption. In Australia, research has been undertaken in the breeding of sand whiting and King George whiting, and so far only sand whiting shows promise for commercial viability.<ref name = "commaqua22" > {{Citation | last = Burke | first = Michael | title = Marine fingerling production at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre intensive green-water culture: An historical perspective | url = http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/hatchery-feeds/pdf/chapter04.pdf }} </ref> King Geroge whiting have been found to take too long to develop to be sustainable, but the use of [[growth hormones]] is being investigated.<ref name = "Aquaculture" > {{cite book | last = Partridge | first = G. | coauthors = | title = Further development of techniques for the culture of King George whiting for commercial aquaculture or for enhancement of fish stocks in Western Australia - Final Report | publisher = Challenger TAFE | date = 2000 | location = Fremantle | pages = | isbn = }} </ref> In Australia, aquaculturally bred sand whiting have also been used to stock depleted estuaries.
{{reflist|2}}


==References==
[[Category:Fish of the Pacific]]
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Category:Sillaginidae| ]]


==External links==
[[de:Sillaginidae]]
[[fr:Sillaginidae]]
{{commonscat|Sillaginidae}}
{{wikispecies|Sillaginidae}}
[[ja:キス (魚)]]
*[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=307 Fishbase page for Sillaginidae]
[[lt:Šviesešerinės]]
*[http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/fishimage/search?START=1&JPN_FAMILY=&FAMILY=Sillaginidae&JPN_NAME=&SPECIES=&LOCALITY=&FISH_Y=&FISH_M=&FISH_D=&PERSON=&PHOTO_ID=&JPN_FAMILY_OPT=1&FAMILY_OPT=0&JPN_NAME_OPT=1&SPECIES_OPT=1&LOCALITY_OPT=1&PERSON_OPT=1&PHOTO_ID_OPT=2 Colour photographs of many Sillaginid species ]
[[nl:Witte baarzen]]
[[no:Sandabborer]]
[[pl:Sylagusowate]]
[[pt:Sillaginidae]]
[[zh:沙鮻]]

Revision as of 03:25, 9 November 2007

Smelt-whitings
Temporal range: Eocene - Recent
A catch of Japanese whiting, Sillago japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Superfamily:
Family:
Sillaginidae

Genera

Sillaginodes
Sillaginopsis
Sillago

See text for species.

The Sillaginidae, commonly known as the smelt-whitings, whitings, sillaginids, sand borers and sand-smelts are a family of benthic coastal marine fishes in the order Perciformes. The smelt-whitings inhabit a wide region covering much of the Indo-Pacific, from the west coast of Africa east to Japan and south to Australia. The family is comprised of only three genera and 31 species, of which a number are doubius, with the last major revision of the family in 1992 unable to elucidate the validity of a number of species. They are elongate, slightly compressed fish often light brown to silver in colour with a variety of markings and patterns on their upper body. The Sillaginidae are not related to a number of fishes commonly called 'whiting' in the Northern Hemisphere, including the fish originally called whiting, Merlangius merlangus.

The smelt-whitings are mostly inshore fishes that inhabit sandy, silty and muddy substrates on both low and high energy environments ranging from protected tidal flats and estuaries to surf zones. A few species predominantly live offshore on deep sand shoals and reefs, although most need to return to inshore grounds to spawn. Smelt-whitings are benthic carnivores that prey predominantly on polychaetes, a variety of crustaceans, molluscs and to a lesser extent echinoderms and fish, feeding by detecting vibrations emitted by their prey.

The family is highly important to fisheries throughout the Indo-Pacific, with species such as the Northern whiting, Japanese whiting and King George whiting forming the basis of major fisheries throughout their range. Many species are also of major importance to small subsistence fisheries while others are little more than occasional bycatch. Smelt-whitings are caught by a number of methods including trawling, seine nets and cast nets. In Australia and Japan in particular, members of the family are often highly sought by recreational fishermen who also seek the fish for their prized flesh.

Taxonomy

The first species of sillaginid to be scientifically described was Sillago sihama, by Peter Forsskål in 1775.[1] It was not until 1817 that the type genus Sillago was created by Georges Cuvier based on his newly described species Sillago acuta, which was later found to be a junior synonym of S. sihama and subsequently discarded. Cuvier continued to describe species of sillaginid with the publishing of his ichthyological work Histoire Naturelle des Poissons with Achille Valenciennes in 1829, also erecting the genus Sillaginodes in this work.[1] The species Cheilodipterus panijus was named in 1822 by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and was subsequently reexamined by Theodore Gill in 1861, leading to the creation of the monotypic genus Sillaginopsis. John Richardson was the first to group Cuvier's Sillago, and Gill's Sillaginodes and Sillaginopsis into the taxonomic family "Sillaginidae",[2] although the leading naturalists of the day continually revised the position of the three genera, placing in them in a number of families. The first review of the sillaginid fishes was Gill's 1861 work "Synopsis of the sillaginoids", in which the name "Sillaginidae" was popularised,[3] however the debate on the placement of the family remained controversial.[4]

In the years after Gill's paper was published, over 30 'new' species of sillaginid were reported and scientifically described, many of which were synonyms of previously described species, with similarity between species as well as minor geographical variation confounding taxonomists.[5] It wasn't until 1985 when Roland McKay of the Queensland Museum published a comprehensive review of the family that these relationships were formally resolved, although a number of species are still listed as doubtful, with McKay unable to locate the holotypes. Along with the review of previously described species, McKay described an additional seven species, a number of which he described as subspecies.[4] After this 1985 paper, additional specimens came to light, showing that all the subspecies he had identified were individual species. In 1992 McKay published a synopsis of the Sillaginidae for the FAO, in which he elevated these subspecies to full species.[5]

The name "Sillaginidae" was derived from Cuvier's Sillago, which itself takes its name from a locality in Australia,[6] possibly Sillago reef off the coast of Queensland.[7] The term Sillago is derived from the Greek term "syllego", which means "to meet".[8]

Species

The following is a comprehensive list of the 31 known extant species of sillaginids, with a number of the species still in doubt due to the loss of the holotype specimen. This classification follows Fishbase, which itself is based on McKay's last revision of the family.[8]

Oriental trumpeter whiting, Sillago aeolus
Southern school whiting, Sillago bassensis
Sand whiting, Sillago ciliata
Club-foot whiting, Sillago chondropus
Bay whiting, Sillago ingenuua

Evolution

A number of sillaginids have been identified from the fossil record, with the lower Eocene marking the first appearance of the family. The family is thought to have evolved in the Tethys Sea of central Australia, before colonizing southern Australia during the upper Eocene after a seaway broke through south of Tasmania.[5] During the Oligocene, the family spread to the north and south, occupying a much more extensive range than their current Indo-Pacific distribution. Fossils suggest the sillaginids ranged as far north as Poland and Germany, and as far south as New Zealand,[9] found in shallow water sedimentary deposits along with other species of extant genera.[10]

There have been at least eight fossil sillaginid species found, all of which are believed to be of the genus Sillago based on the only remains found; otoliths. Only one species of extant sillaginid, Sillago maculata, has been found in the fossil record, and this was in very recent Pleistocene sediments.[11]

  • Sillago campbellensis (Schwarzhans, 1985) Australia, Miocene[12]
  • Sillago hassovicus (Koken, 1891) Poland, Middle Miocene[10]
  • Sillago maculata (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) New Zealand, Middle Pleistocene[11]
  • Sillago mckayi (Schwarzhans, 1985) Australia, Oligocene[12]
  • Sillago pliocaenica (Stinton, 1952) Australia, Pliocene[13]
  • Sillago recta (Schwarzhans, 1980) New Zealand, Upper Miocene[9]
  • Sillago schwarzhansi (Steurbaut, 1984) France, Lower Miocene[14]
  • Sillago ventriosus (Steurbaut, 1984) France, Upper Oligocene[14]

Phylogeny

The relationships of the Sillaginidae are poorly known, with very similar morphological characteristics and a lack of genetic studies restricting the ability to perform cladistic analyses on the family. Being the fossil sillaginids are based on the comparison of fossil otoliths, with no other type of remains found thus far, this also prevents the reconstruction of the evolution of the family through fossil species. While the position of the Sillaginidae in the order Perciformes is firmly established due to a number of synapomorphies shared with other members of the order, no sister group has been established for the family.[15] The current taxonomic status of the family is thought to represent a basic picture of the group's phylogeny, with McKay further dividing the genus Sillago into three subgenera based on shared morphological characters. The genera Sillaginodes and Sillaginopsis have the most plesiomorphic characteristics; being monotypic, and distinct from Sillago. Sillago is further divided into three subgenera based primarily on swim bladder morphology; Sillago, Parasillago and Sillaginopodys, which also represent evolutionary relationships.[5] Whilst genetic studies have not been done on the family, they have been used to establish the relationship of what were thought to be various subspecies of school whiting, S. bassensis and S. flindersi.[16] Furthermore, morphological data suggests a number of Australian species diverged very recently during the last glacial maximum, which caused land bridges to isolate populations of fish. The two aforementioned species of school whiting, S. maculata and S. burrus, and S. ciliata and S. analis are all thought to be products of such a process, although only the school whiting have anything other than morphology as evidence of this process.[4]

Morphology

The Sillaginidae are medium sized fishes which grow to an average of around 20 cm and around 100 g,[17] although the largest member of the family, the King George whiting is known to reach 72 cm and 4.8 kg in weight. The body shape of the family is quite similar to most of the members of the order Perciformes.[18] Their bodies are elongate, slightly compressed, with a head that tapers toward a terminal mouth. The mouth has a band of brush-like teeth with canine teeth present only in the upper jaw of Sillaginopsis. The cranial sensory system of the family is well developed above and laterally, with the lower jaw having a pair of small pores behind which is a median pit containing a pore on each side. On each side of the elongate head the operculum has a short sharp spine. They have two true dorsal fins; the anterior one supported by 10 to 13 spines while the long rear one is held up by a single leading spine followed by 16 to 27 soft rays. The anal fin is similar to the second dorsal fin, having two small slender spines followed by 14 to 26 soft rays.[18] Their bodies are covered in ctenoid scales, with the exception of the cheek which may have cycloid or ctenoid scales. There is a wide variation in the amount of lateral line scales, ranging from 50 to 141.[15] The swimbladder in the Sillaginidae is either absent, poorly developed, or highly complex with anterior and lateral extensions that project well into the caudal region. A unique duct-like process is present from the ventral surface of the swimbladder to just before the urogenital opening in most species. The presence and morphology of each species' swim bladder is often their major diagnostic feature, with McKay's three proposed subgenera based on swimbladder morphology alone.[4] The sillaginids have only a small range of body colourings and frequently the only colour characteristics to identify between species are the arrangements of spots and bars on their upper bodies. Most of the family are a pale brown - creamy white colour, while a few species are silver all over. The undersides of the fish are usually lighter than the upper side, and the fins range from yellow to transparent, often marked by bars and spots.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The Sillaginidae are distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the west coast of Africa to Japan and Taiwan in the east, as well occupying as a number of small islands including New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.[15] While they have a fairly wide distribution, the highest species densities occur along the coasts of India, China, Taiwan, South East Asia, the Indonesian Archipelago and northern Australia.[5] One species of sillaginid, Sillago sihama, has been declared an invasive species to the Mediterranean, passing through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea since 1977 as part of the Lessepsian migration, becoming widespread.[19]

Sillaginids are primarily inshore marine fishes inhabiting stretches of coastal waters, although a few species move offshore in their adult stages to deep sand banks or reefs to a maximum known depth of 180 m.[20] All species primarily occupy sandy, silty or muddy substrates, often using seagrass or reef as cover. They commonly inhabit tidal flats, beach zones, broken bottoms and large areas of uniform substrate. Although the family is marine, many species inhabit estuarine environments, with some such as Sillaginopsis panijus also found in the upper reaches of the estuary.[21] Each species often occupies a specific niche to avoid competition with co-occurring sillaginids, often inhabiting a specific substrate type, depth, or making use of surf zones and estuaries.[22] The juveniles often show distinct changes in habitat preference as they mature, often moving to deeper waters.[20] No members of the family are known to undergo migratory movements, and have been shown to be relatively weak swimmers, relying on currents to disperse juveniles.

Biology

Diet and feeding

The smelt-whitings are benthic carnivores, with all of the species whose diets have been studied showing similar prey preferences. Studies from the waters of Thailand, Phillipines and Australia have shown that polychaetes, a variety of crustaceans, molluscs and to a lesser extent echinoderms and fish are the predominant prey items of the family.[23][24][25] Commonly taken crustaceans include carids, decapods, copepods and isopods, while the predominant molluscs taken are various species of bivalves, especially the unprotected siphon filters that protrude from the shells. In all species studied, some form of diet shift occurs as the fishes mature, often associated with a movement to deeper waters and thus to new potential prey. The juveniles often prey on planktonic prey, with small copepods, isopods and other small crustaceans often taken.[26] Whilst many species have a change in niche to reduce intraspecific competition, there are often many species of sillaginid inhabiting a geographical area. Where this occurs, there is often definite diet differences between species, often associated with a niche specialisation.[25] The sillaginid's distinctive body shape and mouth placement is an adaptation to bottom feeding, which is the predominant method of feeding for all whiting species. All larger whiting feed by using their protrusile jaws and tube-like mouths to suck up various types of prey from in, on or above the ocean substrate,[22] as well as using their nose as a 'plough' to dig through the substrate.[5] There is a large body of evidence that shows whiting do not rely on visual cues when feeding, instead using a system based on the vibrations emitted by their prey. [27]

Predators

Smelt-whitings are a major link in the food chain of most systems, and frequently fall prey to a variety of aquatic and aerial predators. Their main aquatic predators are a wide variety of larger fish, including both teleosts and a variety of sharks and rays.[28] Marine mammals including seals[29] and dolphins[30] have been reported to have taken sillaginids as a main food source. Seabirds are also another major predator of the family, with diving species such as Cormorants taking older fish in deeper waters while juvenile fish in shallow water fall prey to wading birds.[31] Sillaginids are often called 'sandborers' due to their habit of burying themselves in the substrate to avoid predators, much in the same way as they forage, by ploughing their nose into the substrate. This defense is even used against human fishermen, who frequently wade barefoot to feel for buried fish.[5] The Sillaginidae are also host to a variety of well studied ecto and endoparasites, which are represented prominently by the groups Digenea, Monogenea and Myxosporea , Copepoda and Nematoda.[32][33]

Reproduction

The Sillaginidae are an oviparous, non guarding family,[8] whose species tend to show similar reproductive patterns to one another. Each species reaches sexual maturity at a slightly different age, with each sex often showing a disparity in time of maturation.[34][20] Each species also spawns over a different season and the spawning season often differs within a species, usually as a function of latitude; a feature not unique to sillaginids.[35] The proximity to shore of spawning is also different between species, as each species usually does not migrate inshore to spawn, even if the juveniles require shallow water for protection, instead relying on currents.[36] The fecundity of sillaginids is variable, with a normal range between 50 000 - 100 000. The eggs are small (0.6 to 0.8 mm), spherical and pelagic, hatching around 20 days after fertilisation.[37] The larvae are quite similar, requiring a trained developmental biologist to identify between species.[38] The larvae and juveniles are at the mercy of the ocean currents, being too weaker swimmers to actively seek out coastlines. Currents are thought to have been responsible for the distribution of mainland species to offshore islands as well as the current widespread distribution of Sillago sihama.[32] In all studied species, juveniles inhabit shallow waters in protected embayments, estuaries, tidal creeks and lagoons as well as exposed surf zones, usually over tidal flats and seagrass beds. As the fish mature, they generally move to deeper waters, showing a change in diet.[25]

Relationship to humans

The sillaginids are some of the most important commercial fishes in the Indo-Pacific region, with a few species making up the bulk of whiting catches. Their high numbers, coupled with their highly regarded flesh are the reason for this, and their inshore nature also has made them popular targets for recreational fishermen in a number of countries.[5] With overfishing rife in some areas, sustainable aquaculture has allowed the commercial farming of a number of sillaginid species, as well as the use of farmed fish to restock depleted estuaries. At least one species, the Gangetic whiting, has occasionally been used in brackish water aquaria.[39]

Commercial fisheries

A species of sillaginid for sale as "asuhos" in the Phillipines

A small number of sillaginids have large enough populations to allow an entire fishery to be based around them, with King George whiting,[18] northern whiting, Japanese whiting,[40] sand whiting and school whiting the major species. There have been no reliable estimates of catches for the entire family, as catch statistics generally include only those species taken in large numbers, but there are some species which make up significant numbers of the bycatch. To add to this problem, many of the lesser known species are taken by subsistence fisheries and not reported. From estimates by the FAO, however, it is evident that the family is one of the most important in the Indo-Pacific region, having an estimated catch of 22 718 tonnes in 1990 alone.[5] In this same report, it was shown that the greatest three utilizers of sillaginids were the Philippines, Western Australia and Thailand respectively. The records also suggested that the catch increased from 1983 when it was 17 570 t, up to the last estimate in 1990 of 22 718 t. No such estimates have been carried out since. Modern records for Australia show that this trend has reversed, with all catches from Australia totaling 4 372 t in 2006 compared with 1990's 6000 t haul.[41] Statistics from other countries are unavailable for such comparison.

Sillaginids are taken by a variety of fishing methods, with inshore catches predominantly taken using beach seine nets and cast nets. Due to the alert nature of sillaginids, skill is required on creeping up quietly enough to be able to net fish with a cast net, with experienced fishers often paddling into the sun toward a school and drifting slowly upon it before casting the net.[5] In deeper waters, trawlers and longliners take the most fish, with a number of sillaginids taken in prawn trawls as bycatch. The fish are normally marketed fresh locally under various names, with "Ashuos" commonly used in many countries for various sillaginids.[8] At least one export fishery exists in Australia whereby S. flindersi is exported to Thailand where the fish are repackaged and sent to Japan frozen.[42]

Recreational fisheries

In Australia and Japan, members of the family are highly sought after by anglers for their sporting and eating qualities, with anglers often take more than commercial fishermen in some areas.[43] The fishing techniques for all sillaginids are quite similar, with the shallow habitats often requiring light line and quiet movements. Whiting are popular in part due to their accessibility, with tidal flats around beaches, estuaries and jetties common habitats from where whiting are caught without need for a boat.[44] For some species which inhabit deeper waters, a boat is often needed. Tidal movements also affect catches, as do lunar phases. Tackle used is kept light to avoid spooking the fish, and often requires only a simple setup, with a hook and light sinker tied directly to the mainline usually effective. In deeper water or where currents are strong, more complex rigs are used, often with hooks tied to dropper loops on the trace.[44] in Australia, some specialist whiting fishermen who target the fish in the surf or on shallow banks use red beads or tubing to attract the fish, claiming the method produces more fish.[45] The bait used is normally anything from the surrounding environment which the whiting naturally prey on, with polychaetes, bivalves, crustaceans such as prawns and crabs, cephalopods and small fish effective for most species. As with most species, live bait is known to produce better catches. Lure fishing for whiting is not normally practiced, but saltwater flies have been used to good effect, as have small soft plastic lures.[45] In some areas, restrictions to the amount and size of fish are in place and enforced by fishery authorities.[46]

Aquaculture

A number of sillaginid species have been the subject of brackish water aquaculture in Asia and India,[5] with species including S. japonica commonly bred for consumption. In Australia, research has been undertaken in the breeding of sand whiting and King George whiting, and so far only sand whiting shows promise for commercial viability.[47] King Geroge whiting have been found to take too long to develop to be sustainable, but the use of growth hormones is being investigated.[48] In Australia, aquaculturally bred sand whiting have also been used to stock depleted estuaries.

References

  1. ^ a b Hosese, D.F. (2007). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 35 (2) Fishes. Sydney: CSIRO. p. 1126. ISBN 978-0-643-09334-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Richardson, John (1846). "Report on the ichthyology of the seas of China and Japan". Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 15: 187–320.
  3. ^ Gill, Theodore N. (1861). "Synopsis of the Sillaginoids". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 13: 501–505.
  4. ^ a b c d e McKay, R.J. (1985). "A Revision of the Fishes of the Family Silaginidae". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 22 (1): 1–73.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McKay, R.J. (1992). FAO Species Catalogue: Vol. 14. Sillaginid Fishes Of The World (PDF). Rome: Food and Agricultural Organisation. pp. 19–20. ISBN 92-5-103123-1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2007). Species of Sillago in FishBase. September 2007 version.
  7. ^ Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2006-01-09). "Whitsunday Plan of Management Area" (pdf). Australian Government. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  8. ^ a b c d Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Sillaginidae" in FishBase. September 2007 version.
  9. ^ a b Schwarzhans, Werner W (1980). "Die Tertiare Teleosteer-Fauna Neuseelands, rekonstruiert anhand von Otolithen". Berliner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen Reihe A Geologie und Palaeontologie. 26: 1–211. ISSN 0172-8784.
  10. ^ a b Smigielska, T. (1979). "Fish otoliths from the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland)". Acta Geologica Polonica. 29 (3): 295–337. ISSN 0001-5709.
  11. ^ a b Grenfell, Hugh R. (1999). "The fish otolith fauna of the Te Piki Member". Proceedings of the Taupaki Malacological Society. 2: 12–14. ISSN 1174-2348. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b Schwarzhans, werner W. (1985). "Tertiare Otolithen aus South Australia und Victoria (Australien)". Palaeo Ichthyologica. 3: 1–60. ISSN 0724-6331.
  13. ^ Stinton, F.C. (1958). "Fish otoliths from the tertiary strata of Victoria, Australia". Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 70 (1): 81–93.
  14. ^ a b Steurbaut, E. (1984). "Les otolithes de Teleosteens de l'oligo-miocene d'Aquitaine (sud ouest de la France)". Palaeontographica Abteilung A Palaeozoologie-Stratigraphie. 186 (1–6): 1–162. ISSN 0375-0442.
  15. ^ a b c Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 278–280. ISBN 0-471-25031-7.
  16. ^ Dixon, P.I., R.H. Crozier, M. Black and A. Church. (1987) Stock identification and discrimination of commercially important whitings in Australian waters using genetic criteria (FIRTA 83/16). Centre for Marine Science, University of New South Wales. 69 p. Appendices 1-10.
  17. ^ Kuiter, R.H. (1993). Coastal fishes of south-eastern Australia. U.S.A: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 1 86333 067 4. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ a b c Scott, T.D. (1980). Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia 2nd Edition. Adelaide: Government Printer. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Golani, Daniel (1998). "Impact of Red Sea Fish Migrants through the Suez Canal on the Aquatic Environment of the Eastern Mediterranean" (PDF). Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Bulletin. 103 (Transformations of Middle Eastern Natural Environments): 375–387. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  20. ^ a b c Hyndes, G.A. (1996). "Relationships between the movements, growth, age structures, and reproductive biology of the teleosts Sillago burrus and S. vittata in temperate marine waters". Marine Biology. 126 (3): 549–558. doi:10.1007/BF00354637. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ Krishnayya, C.G. (1963). "On the use of otoliths in the determination of age and growth of the Gangetic whiting, Sillago panijus (Ham.Buch.), with notes on its fishery in Hooghly estuary". indian Joural of Fisheries. 10: 391–412. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  22. ^ a b Hyndes, G.A. (1997). "Relationships between diet and body size, mouth morphology, habitat and movements of six sillaginid species in coastal waters: implications for resource partitioning". Marine Biology. 128 (4): 585–598. doi:10.1007/s002270050125. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Tongnunui, P. (2005). "Feeding habits of two sillaginid fishes, Sillago sihama and S-aeolus, at Sikao Bay, Trang Province, Thailand". Mer (Tokyo). 43 (1/2): 9–17. ISSN:0503-1540. Retrieved 2007-10-15. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Mitsuhiro, Kato (November 1996). "Juveniles of two sillaginids,Sillago aeolus andS. sihama, occurring in a surf zone in the Philippines". Ichthyological Research. 43 (4). Springer Japan: 1341–8998. doi:10.1007/BF02347640. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b c Hyndes, G.A. (June 1997). "Relationships between diet and body size, mouth morphology, habitat and movements of six sillaginid species in coastal waters: implications for resource partitioning". Marine Biology. 128 (4). Springer Berlin / Heidelberg: 585–598. doi:10.1007/s002270050125. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Coull, Bruce C. (1995). "Subtropical Australian juvenile fish eat meiofauna: experiments with winter whiting Sillago maculata and observations on other species". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 125: 13–19. doi:10.3354/meps125013. ISSN 0171-8630. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Hadwen, W.L.; Russell, G.L.; Arthington, A.H. (1985), "The food, feeding habits and feeding structures of the whiting species Sillago sihama (ForsskaÊ l) and Sillago analis Whitley from Townsville, North Queensland, Australia.", Journal of Fish Biology, 26: 411–427
  28. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2007). "Sillaginodes punctatus" in FishBase. Oct 2007 version.
  29. ^ Page, Brad (June, 2005). "Dietary resource partitioning among sympatric New Zealand and Australian fur seals" (PDF). Marine Ecology Progress Series. 293: 283–302. Retrieved 2007-10-16. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Long, M. (1997). "Cadmium accumulation and toxicity in the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, the common dolphin Delphinus delphis, and some dolphin prey species in South Australia". Australian Mammalogy. 20 (1): 25–33. ISSN 0310-0049. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Humphries, P. (1992). "Comparisons between the diets of distant taxa (Teleost and Cormorant) in an Australian estuary". Estuaries. 15 (3): 327–334. ISSN 0160-8347. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ a b Hayward, Craig J. (1997). "Distribution of external parasites indicates boundaries to dispersal of sillaginid fishes in the Indo-West Pacific". Marine and Freshwater Research. 48 (5). CSIRO: 391–400. doi:10.1071/MF96125. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ Gibson, D.I. (1987). "Two new lepocreadiids (Digenea) from Sillago spp. (Pisces: Sillaginidae) in Australian waters". Journal of Natural History. 21 (1). Taylor & Francis: 159–166. ISSN 0022-2933. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  34. ^ Coulson, Peter G. (2005). "Comparisons between the biology of two co-occurring species of whiting (Sillaginidae) in a large marine embayment". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 73 (2). Springer Netherlands: 125–139. doi:10.1007/s10641-004-4568-8. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Sheaves, Marcus (2006). "Is the timing of spawning in sparid fishes a response to sea temperature regimes?". Coral Reefs. 25 (4). Springer Berlin / Heidelberg: 655–669. doi:10.1007/s00338-006-0150-5. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  36. ^ Jenkins, G.P. (2002). "The swimming abilities of recently settled post-larvae of Sillaginodes punctata". Journal of Fish Biology. 60 (4). Blackwell Synergy: 1043–1050. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2002.tb02427.x. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Leis, J.M. (1989). The Larvae of Indo-Pacific Shorefishes. Kensington: New South Wales University Press. pp. 372 p. ISBN 978-0824812652. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Bruce, B.D. (1995). "Larval development of King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata, school whiting, Sillago bassensis, and yellow fin whiting, Sillago schomburgkii (Percoidei: Sillaginidae), from South Australian waters". US National Marine Fisheries Service Fishery Bulletin. 93 (1). Elsevier Science: 27–43.
  39. ^ Schaefer, Frank (2005). Brackish-water fishes : all about species, care and breeding. Rodgau: Aqualog. ISBN 3-936027-82-X.
  40. ^ Purbayanto, Ari (February 2000). "Mesh selectivity of a sweeping trammel net for Japanese whiting Sillago japonica". Fisheries Science. 66 (1). Blackwell Synergy: 97–103. doi:10.1046/j.1444-2906.2000.00014.x. Retrieved 2007-01-27. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (June, 2007). Australian Fisheries Statistics 2006 (PDF). Canberra: ABARE. p. 28. ISSN 1037-6879. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Kailola, P.J. (1993). Australian fisheries resources. Canberra: Bureau of Resource Sciences. ISBN 0-642-18876-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ Wilkinson, J. (2004). NSW Fishing Industry: Changes and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century. Sydney: NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service. pp. 174–178. ISBN 0 7313 1768 8. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  44. ^ a b Starling, S. (1988). The Australian Fishing Book. Hong Kong: Bacragas Pty. Ltd. p. 490. ISBN 073010141x. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  45. ^ a b Horrobin, P. (1997). Guide to Favourite Australian Fish. Singapore: Universal Magazines. pp. 102–103.
  46. ^ Department of Primary Industries (2007). "Recreational Fishing Guide" (pdf). Limits and Closed Seasons. Government of Victoria. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  47. ^ Burke, Michael, Marine fingerling production at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre intensive green-water culture: An historical perspective (PDF)
  48. ^ Partridge, G. (2000). Further development of techniques for the culture of King George whiting for commercial aquaculture or for enhancement of fish stocks in Western Australia - Final Report. Fremantle: Challenger TAFE. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links