The Indo-West Pacific gobiid genus Odontamblyopus Bleeker is defined and revised. Odontamblyopus is unique within the Amblyopinae in having free and silklike pectoral-fin rays. Odontamblyopus comprises four species: O. lacepedii, distributed from southern China to Taiwan, Korea, and Japan; O. roseus, distributed along the west coast of India; O. rubicundus, ranging from the east coast of India to Myanmar; and O. tenuis, known only from Pakistan and Myanmar. A key to species is provided. Figures and descriptions of each species are also given. Odontamblyopus has often been confused with Taenioides; the two genera are compared and characters to distinguish them are provided. The phylogeny and biogeography of Odontamblyopus are discussed.

This study aimed to investigate how the trunk muscularity is related to sprint running performance. In 23 youth soccer players, the cross-sectional images at the mid level of each of L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging to determine the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of rectus abdominis, oblique, psoas major, quadratus lumborum and erector spinae muscles. The times taken to sprint over 20 m were measured, and the mean velocity of running was calculated for each of the 2 distances (V (10 m) and V (20 m)) and for the distance from 10 m to 20 m (V (10-20 m)). The CSA values of the 5 slice levels for all muscles except for the quadratus lumborum and those of the 3 slice levels (L1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4) for the quadratus lumborum were averaged and expressed relative to the two-third power of body mass (CSA/BM (2/3)). The CSA/BM (2/3) values of the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum were selected as significant contributors to predict V (10 m) ( R(2)=0.450), V (20 m) ( R(2)=0.504) and V (10-20 m) ( R(2)=0.420). The current results indicate that the muscularity of the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum contributes to achieving a high performance in sprint running over distances of less than 20 m.

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Both hydropower dams and global warming pose threats to freshwater fish diversity. While the extent of global warming may be reduced by a shift towards energy generation by large dams in order to reduce fossil-fuel use, such dams profoundly modify riverine habitats. Furthermore, the threats posed by dams and global warming will interact: for example, dams constrain range adjustments by fishes that might compensate for warming temperatures. Evaluation of their combined or synergistic effects is thus essential for adequate assessment of the consequences of planned water-resource developments. We made projections of the responses of 363 fish species within the Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot to the separate and joint impacts of dams and global warming. The hotspot encompasses the Lower Mekong Basin, which is the world’s largest freshwater capture fishery. Projections for 81 dam-building scenarios revealed progressive impacts upon projected species richness, habitable area, and the proportion of threatened species as generating capacity increased. Projections from 126 global-warming scenarios included a rise in species richness, a reduction in habitable area, and an increase in the proportion of threatened species; however, there was substantial variation in the extent of these changes among warming projections. Projections from scenarios that combined the effects of dams and global warming were derived either by simply adding the two threats, or by combining them in a synergistic manner that took account of the likelihood that habitat shifts under global warming would be constrained by river fragmentation. Impacts on fish diversity under the synergistic projections were 10–20% higher than those attributable to additive scenarios, and were exacerbated as generating capacity increased—particularly if CO2 emissions remained high. The impacts of dams, especially those on river mainstreams, are likely to be greater, more predictable and more immediately pressing for fishes than the consequences of global warming. Limits upon dam construction should therefore be a priority action for conserving fish biodiversity in the Indo-Burma hotspot. This would minimize synergistic impacts attributable to dams plus global warming, and help ensure the continued provision of ecosystem services represented by the Lower Mekong fishery.

Rhinogobius similis Gill 1859, type species of the genus, is redescribed (with neotype designation) based on seven specimens collected from the putative type locality (Shimoda, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). The species, previously known as R. giurinus (Rutter 1897) (a junior synonym), can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: I, 8 second dorsal-fin rays; 18-19 pectoral-fin rays; 8-12 predorsal scales; 29-31 longitudinal scales; 11 ? 15 = 26 vertebrae; predorsal squamation comprising large ctenoid scales, reaching anteriorly to near posterior margin of eye; 5-6 short transverse rows of sensory papillae ventral to eye; several short transverse rows of sensory papillae between two longitudinal rows of sensory papillae on cheek; a dark brownish gray reticulation or reddish oblique lines on head but not on its ventral surface; a black spot, as large as pupil, dorsoposteriorly on pectoral-fin base; a longitudinal series of alternating large and small black blotches on midlateral body; two to four irregular longitudinal rows of small sky-blue spots on midlateral body when alive.