Liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme involved in the oxidation of aldehydes such as acetaldehyde derived from ethanol, exists in multiple forms in most mammals. Up to five separable forms ...have been identified from the cytosolic fraction of Wistar rat liver. We investigated genetic basis of a particular set of three enzyme forms by selective breeding and analysis of electrophoretic patterns of liver ALDH by isoelectric focusing. The forms of liver ALDH investigated were at pI 5.8 or 6.2 or a triple form with enzymes at pI 5.8, 6.0, and 6.2. There are two alleles found at the ALDH locus which encode in homozygotes for one of two electrophoretically separable ALDH forms. A rat heterozygous at the locus forms both ALDH types plus a hybrid. The alleles are expressed codominantly, found at an autosomal locus, and remain constant postpartum. The activities associated with the triplet enzyme form were statistically indistinguishable from a 1:2:1 ratio. This suggests that the enzymes hybridize to form a set of dimers or tetramers of the form A2, AB, B2, or A4, A2B2, B4, respectively.
Micropogon undulatus and Leiostomus xanthurus larvae less than 4.5 mm SL were distinguishable only by pigmentation. The principle distinguishing feature was the presence of pigment on the anterior ...surface of the visceral mass in L. xanthurus. Fins in both species developed in the sequence: caudal, dorsal and anal, pectoral, pelvic. By 4.5 mm SL, eye diameter was greater in L. xanthurus; by 8.5 mm, preanal length was greater in M. undulatus. Anal fin ray count was a reliable character for distinguishing larvae 7.0 mm and larger.
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