TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................3
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS..............................................................................................3
3. RESULTS............................................................................................................................... 4
3.1. External morphology...........................................................................................................4
3.1.1. Specimen measures.......................................................................................................... 4
3.1.2. Coloration.........................................................................................................................4
3.1.3. Teeth................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2. Internal morphology............................................................................................................ 5
3.2.1. Digestive system.............................................................................................................. 6
3.2.2. Gills.................................................................................................................................. 6
3.2.3. Swim bladder....................................................................................................................6
3.2.4. Reproductive system........................................................................................................ 6
3.2.5. Musculature...................................................................................................................... 6
4. DISCUSSION........................................................................................................................ 6
5. REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................8
 1. INTRODUCTION

The ecomorphological approach is grounded in the idea that an animal's morphology can
provide insights into its biology and ecology, facilitating our comprehension of a species' way
of life and its relationship with the surrounding environment. Within the domain of marine
ecology, Phycis phycis (Linnaeus, 1766, Syst.Nat.), a gadiform benthopelagic fish with a
wide distribution across the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea, has emerged as a
captivating subject of ecomorphological exploration. This species resides on hard and
sandy–muddy substrates adjacent to rocky formations at depths of up to 600 meters (Cohen et
al., 1990). During the day, it seeks refuge in crevices, transitioning into an active predator
during the nocturnal hours (Papaconstantinou & Caragitsou, 1989).

Its distinctive attributes, including body shape and size, mouth morphology, body coloration,
and feeding behaviors, among others, offer a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted
interplay between morphology and environmental factors within the context of underwater
ecosystems. In practical terms, the aim of this report is to analyze the morphology of Phycis
phycis and establish its correlations with its biological and ecological aspects.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

The species used for our investigation was sourced from the local market in Ponta Delgada
and obtained through local fishing practices. To ensure a comprehensive assessment of the
species, each group received a different specimen for the evaluation of both external and
internal morphological characteristics.

An ichthyometer and a precise weighing scale were first used for length and weight
determinations, in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the fish's attributes, while
making detailed observations of its overall physical characteristics. These included insights
into body coloration patterns, gill features, shape and quantity of fins, tooth characteristics,
etc.

Following the external characterizations, we conducted a methodical dissection of the fish.

Initially, an incision along the ventral line from the anus towards the ventral section close to
the gills was made. Subsequently, a perpendicular cut was made to expose the dorsal portion,
enabling us to document observations of the fish's internal structures.
For a thorough examination of the upward-facing side, incisions were made parallel to the
dorsal spine, which allowed the extraction and measurement of various internal organs like
the swim bladder, gonads, intestines and stomach. Additionally, the otoliths were carefully
extracted to allow the determination of the fish's age through the counting of annual rings
present on these structures.

3. RESULTS

Classification: Actinopterygii > Teleostei > Gadiforms > Phycidae > Phycis ˃ Phycis Phycis

3.1. External morphology

3.1.1. Specimen measures

The total length measured of our specimen was 46.00 cm, with a weight of
972.2 g.
Referring to the fins, they do not have any thorn in the fins, but show
elongated pelvic-fin rays reduced to bifid filaments, with 2 soft rays. The
pelvic fins are composed of a membrane supported with rays and the dorsal fin
is double (with a small part situated in the anterior parte of the animal) and
rounded.

Figure 1: External morphology and Coloration of Phycis phycis

3.1.2. Coloration

The specimen has a dark brown coloration. The ventral part has a slightly
paler coloration, whereas the fins present a darker color. Phycis phycis does
 not show any sexual dimorphism in growth. So coloration does not give us
any clue about the sex (Abecasis et al., 2009).

3.1.3. Teeth

This species has many small teeth, sharp,

serrated and laying inwards.

Figure 2: Teeth view of the specimen

3.1.4. General characteristics

Phycis phycis has an elongated body. The fins are without any spines. The
dorsal fin, which is divided into two parts, and the pelvic fin are elongated and
reach the caudal fin base. The pectoral fins are small and placed right behind
the operculum and a barbel is present on the chin. The caudal fin is rounded
(Cohen et al., 1990).

3.2. Internal morphology

Figure 3: Internal anatomy of digestive system, gonads and swim bladder

 3.2.1. Digestive system

The stomach is big and muscular. The intestine is short but has long pyloric
extensions. The weight of the liver was 35.94 g.

3.2.2. Gills

Gill rakers are extraordinarily short.

Figure 4: Details of gills

3.2.3. Swim bladder

Despite the swim bladder being very thick and robust, it was broken due to the
abrupt change in pressure while catching and lifting to the surface.

3.2.4. Reproductive system

The gonads were found and weighed, with a result of 9.52 g. However, we
were unable to identify the sex of the specimen. We suggest that the fish was
sexually mature, because the median size at which individuals of the species
are mature is 36.00 cm (fishbase).

3.2.5. Musculature

Phycis phycis has mostly white layers of muscles and some red musculature at
the vertical column.

4. DISCUSSION

According to fishbase, Phycis phycis is usually at hard and sandy-muddy bottoms near rocks
at depths of 100 - 645 m underwater. It is a nocturnal animal, hiding in holes during the day
and coming out for hunting at night. Therefore he has a dark skin color to remain
inconspicuous in depth.

Its diet is mainly based on fish and decapods. A shift in the feeding behavior has also been
observed through the lifespan of the animal, with young adults mainly feeding on Crustacea
and adults having a more fish-based diet (Silva et al., 2017). The teeth are specialized for
holding and swallowing the prey directly, without chewing or chopping up. This means that
the fish doesn’t have to be afraid of small fragments of food passing through the gills, as
reflected in the short gill-rakers. Because it is a carnivore, the intestine is short and has
pyloric sections for easier nutrient-absorption.

As we see in the pictures, Phycis phycis has two barbels in the chin that act like sensorial
structures, so it can orient while swimming near the sea bottom or to detect small fishes and
invertebrates. Additionally they have a lateral-line system on the head for sensing.

Phycis phycis is an iteroparous (reproduces more than once during a lifetime) and
gonochoristic (sexes are separated) species that does not show sexual dimorphism.
Fertilization is internal and there is no parental care. The fish reaches maturity at an average
length of 35.90 cm for females and 28.8 cm for males. The reproductive season ranges from
September to January in Portuguese continental waters (Silva Vieira, 2015). In the Azores,
the reproductive season might be slightly different as suggested from the empty ovaries of
our specimen, caught on September 27th.

Skin cells are rich in the pigmen melanin, which produces the different shades of brown that
characterize the color of the fish (Luo et al.). This pattern has probably been evolved with the
purpose of hiding the animal from natural predators like Trachurus mediterraneus (Šantić et
al., 2003), Conger conger (Gomes et al., 1998), and Galeorhinus galeus (Morato et al.,
2003).

The swimming type is called caudal fin (fishbas e), thrust is generated by bending the body
into a backward-moving propulsive wave that propagates to its caudal fin. The propulsive
wave traverses the fish body in a direction opposite to the overall movement and at a speed
greater than the overall swimming speed. The swimming mode is subcarangiform, consisting
in large-amplitude oscillations of the body. Differently from the anguilliform mode of
swimming, here the amplitude of the undulations is limited anteriorly, and increases only in
the posterior half of the body (Sfakiotakis et al., 1999).
In Phycis phycis, the bulk of the myotomes are composed of white muscles. Since this type of
muscles produce energy by anaerobic glycolysis, they are mainly implicated in vigorous
short-duration movements. Few red muscle fibers are aligned along the vertebral column of
the fish and are involved in sustained swimming (HUDSON, R. C., 1973). Phycis phycis is
not a very active fish, it does not swim constantly. For this reason, it has white muscles, and
some red muscles only near the vertical column.

5. REFERENCES

Abecasis, A. R. C., Canha, A., Reis, D., Pinho, M. R., & Gil-Pereira, J. (2009). Age and
growth of the forkbeard Phycis phycis (Gadidae) from the Azorean archipelago, North
Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 89(3),
629-633.
Cohen, D. M., Inada, T., Iwamoto, T., & Scialabba, N. (1990). FAO species catalogue. Vol.
10. Gadiform fishes of the word (Order Gadiformes). Annotated and illustrated catalogue of
cods, hakes, grenadiers and other gadiform fishes know to date.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, version (06/2023).

Gomes, T.M., E. Sola, M.P. Grós, G. Menezes and M.R. Pinho (1998). Trophic relationships
and feeding habits of demersal fishes from the Azores: importance to multispecies
assessment.

HUDSON, R. C. (1973). On the function of the white muscles in teleosts at intermediate

swimming speeds. Journal of Experimental Biology, 58(2), 509-522.

Morato, T., E. Solà, M.P. Grós and G. Menezes (2003). Diets of thornback ray (Raja clavata)
and tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) in the bottom longline fishery of the Azores,
Northeastern Atlantic.

Papaconstantinou, C., & Caragitsou, E. (1989). Feeding interaction between two sympatric
species Pagrus pagrus and Phycis phycis around Kastellorizo Island (Dodecanese, Greece).
Fisheries Research, 7(4), 329-342.

Šantić, Mate, et al. (2003). Feeding Habits of Mediterranean Horse Mackerel, Trachurus

Mediterraneus (Carangidae), in the Central Adriatic Sea.

Sfakiotakis, M., et al. (1999). “Review of Fish Swimming Modes for Aquatic Locomotion.”

IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 237–252.

Silva Vieira, A. R. (2015). Biology and stock structure of the forkbeard, Phycis phycis

(Linnaeus, 1766), in the southern Northeast Atlantic.

Silva Vieira, A. R., A. R., Sequeira, V., Paiva, R. B., Gordo, L. S., & Neves, A. (2017). Diet

and feeding strategy of the forkbeard Phycis phycis (Pisces: Phycidae) from the Portuguese

continental coast. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom,

98(7), 1757–1765.