Back in 1963, the proto-punk band The Trashmen released the single Surfin’ bird (written by Frazier, White, Harris & Wilson Jr. and released in November 1963 by Garrett label; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThquH5t0ow). Fifty years later and despite the obscure lyrics, the song remains iconic in western pop culture; e.g. through the recurrent appearance in the TV show Family Guy (e.g. I dream of Jesus episode, released on 5 October 2008; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184). It is thought that the line ‘everybody knows that the bird is the word’ was inspired by a highly successful and catchy radio jingle released/commissioned in post prohibitionist USA by the Gallo brothers to boost the sales of their inexpensive fortified Thunderbird wine: ‘What's the word? Thunderbird’ (http://www.absurdintellectual.com/2009/06/05/everybodys-heard-that-the-bird-is-the-word-but-its-not-what-they-think/). This illustrates how a simple and catchy message can have a profound and long-lasting influence on society.

Malcolm Roy Clarke, FRS (1930–2013) made lasting contributions to cephalopod biology through his productive research programme, his commitment to furthering cephalopod biology and his congenial spirit. His professional legacy includes many important contributions. He wrote over 150 scientific papers, book chapters and other scholarly works, including, the Discovery Report on the role of cephalopods in the diet of sperm whales in the Southern Hemisphere, he edited A handbook for the identification of cephalopod beaks, which made the study of trophic interactions more accessible, and with colleagues he developed and instituted the Cephalopod International Advisory Council to provide advice on cephalopods and a framework for international meetings. His impact on marine science was broad and longstanding.

The composition and structure of sublittoral faunal assemblages inhabiting soft bottoms (15–72 m depth) within the Marine Protected Area ‘Acantilados y Fondos Marinos de Calahonda-Castell de Ferro’ in southern Spain (North Alboran Sea, Mediterranean) have been studied in relation to sediment and water column variables. Three assemblages were identified and corresponded to mixed bottom, unstable bottom and coastal detritic bottom assemblages, based on Pérès & Picard's (1964) benthic classification. A total of 14,318 individuals were collected and 218 species identified, molluscs being the best represented group (141 species). Species richness displayed significant differences with depth and transect, with the highest values observed in the medium to very fine sand and muddy bottoms with bioclasts located at the shallowest sampling stations. The presence of some rare and poorly known invertebrates that are scarce in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea is remarkable, such as the crustacean decapods Bythocaris cosmetops and Pagurus mbizi, Atlantic species with no records in the Mediterranean Sea, and the bathyal molluscs Poromya granulata and Alvania testae, collected at shallow depths. The spatial distribution of faunal assemblages was mainly related to depth and percentage of gravel and clay according to the canonical correspondence analysis. The geographic location of the area, the heterogeneity of soft bottoms and the presence of upwellings in the area may favour the high biodiversity found in the studied soft bottoms. This study increases the scarce knowledge of the circalittoral fauna of sedimentary habitats of the Alboran Sea, providing a baseline for the management of this interesting SCI and for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The abundance and community composition of phytoplankton are influenced by a suite of interacting environmental factors. Hong Kong's marine environment features a hydrographic gradient from an estuarine zone in the west to a transition zone in the middle and an oceanic zone in the east. Size fractionation combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment analyses were used to investigate the phytoplankton communities in different hydrographic zones during summer (July–August 2009) and winter (December 2009–January 2010). Clear temporal and spatial variations in environmental parameters occurred among hydrographic zones. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the major deviating factors among hydrographic zones were turbidity and salinity in summer and nitrate and phosphate in winter. Phytoplankton abundance showed significant temporal variations, but no zonal variations. Phytoplankton communities in all hydrographic zones were dominated by cells >5 µm in both summer and winter. Chlorophyll a concentrations for most size fractions correlated significantly with temperature. The high concentration of fucoxanthin indicated that the phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms in both summer and winter, while dinoflagellates, cryptophytes, cyanobacteria and other minor groups occurred sporadically in low abundance. The spatial pattern of phytoplankton in Hong Kong's coastal seas did not reflect the hydrographic zonation, but the phytoplankton in the semi-enclosed Tolo Harbour and Deep Bay were different from those in the other zones.

The coastline of Tabasco State in the Gulf of Mexico represents a highly deteriorated ecosystem, where densely populated human settlements and large offshore petroleum developments are negatively affecting the marine biodiversity. Previous work on marine ascomycetes reported that in the Gulf of Mexico the diversity of these fungi might be threatened by anthropogenic activities. Therefore we evaluated the diversity of marine ascomycetes in this area, and registered 19 taxa. Ceriosporopsis capillacea was recorded for the first time for Mexico. The highest diversity was obtained in the beach of Sánchez Magallanes, which receives a great quantity and diversity of organic remains originating from El Carmen/Machona mangrove forests via the Santa Ana mouth, benefiting the proliferation of marine fungi. The lowest diversity was documented in the beach of Paraíso, which is close to the delta of one of the most polluted rivers in Mexico and to off-shore oil extraction platforms. We found a significant correlation between the community composition and abundance, implying that the overall abundance is defined by the community structure, perhaps as a result of competition. Additionally, our results indicated that there is no relationship between the grain size and the biodiversity observed.

Based on material collected during oceanographic campaigns in the western Atlantic from 1958 to 2011, two species of primnoid octocorals belonging to the genus Callogorgia were identified: Callogorgia americana and Callogorgia arawak sp. nov. These species are described and illustrated herein and their geographic and bathymetric are given. This is the first record of the genus in the south-western Atlantic. Additionally, the elevation of C. americana americana and C. a. delta to species level is proposed, keeping Callogorgia gilberti, C. delta and C. americana as separate species.

We resolve taxonomic confusion regarding brooding sea anemones in the genus Epiactis Verrill 1869a in the North Pacific Ocean based on newly collected material from Hokkaido (Japan), Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada), and Kodiak and Adak Islands (Alaska, USA), and museum specimens collected from the Kurile Islands (Russia), Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon (USA), and California (USA). We find that the internally brooding individuals identified by Hand & Dunn (1974) as Cnidopus ritteri (Torrey, 1902) and placed in the genus Epiactis by Fautin & Chia (1986) belong to a new species which we describe and name Epiactis handi sp. nov. Epiactis handi and E. ritteri can be differentiated by morphological and behavioural features including ornamentation and structure of the column and mode of brooding offspring. To highlight and clarify these differences, we redescribe E. ritteri based on specimens from Alaska. We provide the first account of external brooding in E. ritteri, which necessitates a clarification of the differences between E. ritteri and another externally brooding species from the North Pacific, E. japonica Verrill, 1869b. Epiactis ritteri and E. japonica differ in sex allocation, ornamentation of the column and details of external brooding: members of E. ritteri are gonochoric with a smooth column and brood groove which tightly closes, whereas those of E. japonica are hermaphroditic and have mid-column spherules.

In the third paper about Ampharetidae from Japan, we describe six species that belong to the ‘Amphicteis genus complex’. We divide this complex into the genera Amphicteis Grube, 1850, Paramphicteis Caullery, 1944, Phyllamphicteis Augener, 1918 and Watatsumi gen. nov. Paramphicteis is considered senior synonym of Pseudoamphicteis Hutchings, 1977 and is characterized by pinnate buccal tentacles. Watatsumi gen. nov. with its type species Watatsumi grubei sp. nov. is characterized by the lack of prostomial glandular ridges, the presence of pinnate buccal tentacles, and inconspicuous nuchal ridges. Two of the Amphicteis species are new to science, including A. spinosa sp. nov. and A. taurus sp. nov. Paramphicteis weberi (Caullery, 1944) comb. nov. was transferred from Amphicteis because we found pinnate buccal tentacles in addition to four pairs of foliose branchiae. Paramphicteis foliata (Haswell, 1883) comb. nov. was transferred from Phyllamphicteis because it has pinnate buccal tentacles. Amphicteis uncopalea Chamberlin, 1919 and Paramphicteis angustifolia (Grube, 1878) are newly recorded from Japanese waters. Amphicteis orphnius Chamberlin, 1919 is considered senior synonym of A. obscurior Chamberlin, 1919. A comprehensive table with diagnostic characters of all species of the Amphicteis complex with pinnate buccal tentacles is provided.

Polychaetes from the Mariana Islands of Guam and Saipan have been characterized in previous studies but a thorough taxonomic study of the cirratulids has only been possible recently. Here we report on two new records, Caulleriella pacifica and Chaetozone flagellifera, and a new species, Monticellina lueldredgei, sp. nov. The species C. pacifica is newly recorded for the western Pacific while C. flagellifera is reported for the first time since its original description. The new species M. lueldredgei is unique in the genus with respect to the ultrastructure and segmental origin of the modified capillaries as well as for the distinctive methyl green staining pattern.

Malmgrenia louiseae sp. nov. is described from both the western Mediterranean in the Gulf of Lions, and the north-east Atlantic from off Portugal and the Bay of Biscay. The species was found in muddy sediments in shallow water and is possibly associated with echiurids or synaptid holothurians. Malmgrenia louiseae sp. nov. can be clearly distinguished from all other known Malmgrenia species by the presence of an infra-acicular process in addition to the supra-acicular process on the acicular lobe of the neuropodia, the lack of microtubercules on the elytra, two kinds of notochaetae (stout with blunt tip and slender with fine pointed tip), and exclusively unidentate neurochaetae. An identification key to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean Malmgrenia species is provided.

Species definition is not an easy task, when considering the more than 27 known species concepts. Among them, the morphospecies concept has been one of the most applied since it is based on the use of observable morphological features. Morphometry has been used to delimitate morphospecies or similar taxa complementing the morphological observations and contributing to clarify taxonomic problems. Specimens from the sympatric species Perinereis anderssoni and Perinereis ponteni, collected from the north-eastern to southern coast of Brazil and considered synonymous by some authors, were compared through morphometric analyses for the evaluation of their taxonomic status. Morphometric analysis indicates that notopodial cirri lengths in the median and posterior regions on the body clearly allowed differentiation between the two species. Our results indicate that the number and arrangement of paragnaths demonstrate a pattern of variation that effectively differs and could be used to discriminate these two Perinereis species. This distinction was confirmed by the restricted among-population variability within each species, even when populations that are geographically very distant from each other were considered.

A new species of Ampharetidae, Anobothrus amourouxi sp. nov., has been identified from bathyal depths of the Capbreton Canyon, Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic Ocean). This new species is characterized by inner branchiae with transversal ciliated ridges, notochaetae from modified eighth thoracic unciniger with hirsute tips, uncini from thoracic unciniger with 6–7 teeth in lateral view arranged in two vertical rows in frontal view, fused segments II + III with paleae from SII and reduced notopodia without chaetae from SIII. An identification key for all hitherto described species of the genus Anobothrus is provided.

Studies of sea turtle epibiosis have focused on the diversity and ecology of facultative commensalisms and less attention has been given to parasitic associations, in which the epibiont species derives nutrients from the tissue of the host turtle. We present the first description and quantitative survey of the parasitic isopods Excorallana costata, Excorallana bicornis and Excorallana oculata on loggerhead (N = 79) and hawksbill turtles (N = 23), and E. costata on olive ridley turtles (N = 9), nesting on Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil during the 2009–2010 season. Excorallana costata was the most common isopod species (N = 651), followed by E. bicornis (N = 77) and E. oculata (N = 20). Patterns include: (1) E. costata exhibited a higher frequency and intensity of parasitism than E. bicornis and E. oculata and (2) loggerheads hosted parasitic isopods at a higher frequency and intensity than hawksbills and olive ridleys. We also detected temporal shifts in the occurrence and intensity of parasitism across the nesting season, which strongly suggests that turtles were parasitized by all three isopod species during their internesting periods. Because parasitic isopods were observed only rarely prior to the 2009–2010 turtle-nesting season and have continued to be common in subsequent seasons, it is important to gain a better understanding of the basic biology of these interactions, the reasons for their recent emergence, and the potential biological impacts on turtle, as well as isopod, populations.

Re-examination of the holotype male of Zehntneriana villosa (Zehntner, 1894) (from Ambon, Indonesia) shows that Japanese specimens previously referred to this species should be designated as a new species, Zehntneriana tadafumii sp. nov. The new species differs from Z. villosa in several characters, including the carapace, epistome, third maxilliped and thoracic sternum. Here, we redescribe and illustrate Z. villosa s. str. and the new species. In addition, the taxonomy of Zehntneriana Ng & Takeda, 2010, is also discussed.

Brachidontes rodriguezii and Brachidontes purpuratus have a wide geographic distribution along the Argentinean coast. Both species are abundant in the intertidal area of rocky shores. We used transmission electron microscopy to study the spermatogenesis of B. rodriguezii and the structure of mature spermatozoa from B. rodriguezii and B. purpuratus. Our results show that spermatogenesis in B. rodriguezii is very similar to that reported in other mytilids. The spermatozoa of both Brachidontes are of the primitive or ect-aquasperm type showing a spherical nucleus capped by a conical acrosome with an anterior extension. The chromatin was electron-dense, homogeneous and compact. The mid-piece region consisted of 5 spherical mitochondria grouped in a ring around a pair of short cylindrical centrioles. The flagellum exhibit the typical 9 + 2 microtubule structure. Studies of spermatozoa ultrastructure are considered a useful tool in bivalve phylogeny. Characters in the spermatozoa morphology of these two species were observed and a brief discussion about the sperm morphology along the distribution of both species is presented. We suggest that the acrosome complex presents the most significant differences between both species.

Cephalopods (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) play an important role as keystone invertebrates in various marine ecosystems, as well as being a valuable fisheries resource. At the World Malacological Congress, held 21–28 July 2013 in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, a number of cephalopod experts convened to honour the contribution of the late Malcolm R. Clarke, FRS (1930–2013) to cephalopod research. Endorsed by the Cephalopod International Advisory Council (CIAC), the meeting discussed some of the major challenges that cephalopod research will face in the future. These challenges were identified as follows: (1) to find new ways to ascertain the trophic role and food web links of cephalopods using hard tissues, stable isotopes and novel concepts in theoretical ecology; (2) to explore new approaches to the study of cephalopod morphology; (3) to further develop cephalopod aquaculture research; (4) to find new ways to ascertain cephalopod adaptation and response to environmental change; (5) to strengthen cephalopod genetics research; and (6) to develop new approaches for cephalopod fisheries and conservation. The present paper presents brief reviews on these topics, followed by a discussion of the general challenges that cephalopod research is bound to face in the near future. By contributing to initiatives both within CIAC and independent of CIAC, the principle aim of the paper is to stimulate future cephalopod research.

The mass mortality suffered by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum between 1983–1984 is considered one of the major causes of coral reef degradation in the Caribbean. Its near disappearance resulted in a disproportionate growth of macroalgae that has led to a ‘phase shift’ from coral-to-algal dominated reefs. The close relationship between this echinoid and the functioning of coral reef ecosystems makes it imperative to better understand the potential for recovery of its populations. From 2009 to 2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m−2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.

The salp Thalia rhomboides is distributed in the shallow depths during the day, and is thus at increased risk of predation by visual predators and from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation compared with species distributed in deeper layers in the daytime. The integument (tunic) of T. rhomboides may have adaptive optical properties, but the absorption spectra of the unfixed tunic demonstrate that the tunic transmits UV as well as visible light, indicating that the tunic is not an effective barrier against UV radiation. Ultrastructural observation revealed that the surface of the tunic cuticle is covered in a nipple array consisting of hemispherical protuberances approximately 40 and 30 nm in diameter in solitary and aggregate zooids, respectively. Simulation of light reflection of a nipple array using rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) indicated that the reflection is slightly lower for the nipple array than for a flat surface at high angles of incidence (θ > 80°). This result supports the idea that the nipple array serves to make the salp less visible. The simulation also indicated that the height and distribution of the salp nipple array do not have an optimal structure for causing an antireflection effect. A mechanical restriction might exist on the structures, and the nipple array could also serve another function. The size and distribution of nipples may be controlled by the need to meet the complex requirements of multiple essential functions.

Two seahorse species, Hippocampus spinosissimus and Hippocampus trimaculatus, sampled in east and west coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia, fed mostly on crustacean prey; small caridean shrimps and amphipods as adults (both species), and copepods and larval meroplankton as juveniles (for H. trimaculatus only). The similar short relative gut length (~0.4) of both species is consistent with a carnivorous diet. Both species are considered specialists in prey selection, focusing on slow-moving epibenthic, hyperbenthic and canopy-dwelling crustaceans that dwell on the mud-sand seabed, or are associated with seagrass or mangrove areas. In this light, seahorses with their juveniles in shallow waters are vulnerable to coastal reclamation and development.