Sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) occurrence in Indian seas is uncommon and its taxonomy is still in controversy. The species was hooked in a sub-surface long-line during an exploratory survey for oceanic tuna and allied fish within the Indian exclusive economic zone in the Lakshadweep Sea along the west coast of India by survey ship MFV ‘Yellow Fin’ attached to the Fishery Survey of India, Mormugoa, Goa, India. It is reported to be the first Masturus species in the Lakshadweep Sea. The sample weighted 100 kg and had a total length of 147 cm. The morphometric and meristic measurements were made and results indicated; the species recorded was the third largest in total length and the heaviest in terms of mass compared to earlier reports in Indian seas.

Molidae are tropical marine teleosts that occur in all oceans. Among the species described, Masturus lanceolatus is considered rare on the Brazilian coast, with only four records found in scientific publications. The present study reports the first occurrence of this species for the coast of the State of Pernambuco (north-eastern Brazil) and discusses the possible causes of its being stranded. The specimen was found alive in the estuary of the Una River in the city of São José da Coroa Grande on the southern coast of the state. The fish was unknown to the local community of fishermen, who considered it a ‘bad omen’. The occurrence led to an environmental education project in the community carried out by members of the Tropical Marine Ichthyology Group, which carried out an inspection, documentation, analysis of external injuries and collection of viscera for the subsequent histological analysis. After undergoing taxidermy, the specimen was donated to the Una Museum. Analysis revealed that the fish suffered from an intense inflammatory process of the liver caused by polycystosis of nematodes and Trypanorhyncha, which resulted in malnutrition, as observed by the low body weight. Moreover, a likely stranding left the specimen more vulnerable to different species of shark, which mutilated it, hindering its locomotion. This fish appears to have drifted and was thrown against the reefs near the estuary before its stranding.

A young male of Mola mola, stranded along the coast of Taranto, Apulian, south Italy (17°14′9″E 40°25′33″N), was recovered on 11 November 2007, the first stranded specimen along the Ionian coasts. The specimen was subjected to necropsy. Some observations on the external dimensions, on the internal organs and their parasites are included.

Neural activity in the optic tectum was compared with activity in the nucleus isthmi (NI) of both goldfish and sunfish with the aim of understanding how the two brain structures interact to process visual information. The two species yielded very similar results. Superficial tectum responds reliably to visual stimulation with topographically organized receptive fields; deep tectum and NI respond to stimulation throughout the field of the contralateral eye and habituate rapidly. Bursts of large-amplitude spiking in NI occur spontaneously and in response to contralateral visual stimulation. These NI bursts correlate with activity bursts across the tectal lobe on the same side, especially in the deeper layers. NI bursts may also synchronize with spiking activity in deep tectum. Trains of small-amplitude spikes in NI can be elicited by both ipsilateral and contralateral stimulation, but are not reflected in tectal activity. Simultaneous recordings from two sites in one NI were almost identical, suggesting that NI operates as a functional unit, broadcasting the same message across the ipsilateral tectal lobe.