A short research cruise was planned to trace the movement of a discrete body of water in the subtropical eastern North Atlantic Ocean. A subtropical ring or deep eddy called STORM was found budding off the Subtropical Front (STF) south-west of the Azores. A physical, chemical and biological survey to depths of 3·5 km was made of this 400 km scale body of water which was spinning cyclonically (anticlockwise). The azimuthal transport or the amount of water swirling in the eddy was 45 Sv. Storm was ‘hooked’ with ten drogued Argos buoys and a further five subsurface Alace floats were deployed. Storm is moving westward at ~3 km a day and is expected to reach the Mid Atlantic Ridge in rather less than a year unless it is destroyed by typography or reabsorbed into the Azores Current. With current technology, Storm's evolution and westward progress can be observed and analysed remotely, at a distance of ~3000 km in the laboratory. Realtime position data means that future sea surveys can be planned.

Monthly samples retrieved from the previously unstudied Plym Estuary, from January 1994 to November 1994, were analysed for living and dead Foraminifera. An assemblage composed of three hyaline species; Haynesina germanica, Elphidium williamsoni and Ammonia beccarii var. batavus, was identified. Further samples were taken to assess depth distribution, microdistribution and lateral distribution, to compliment the original sample suite. A comparison of the dead assemblage to the live assemblage revealed similar species proportions in both assemblages, reduced test abundance in the dead assemblage, and the presence of rare estuarine and marine species in the dead assemblage. This study has revealed a complex interplay of species resulting in several foraminiferal blooms throughout the year; the largest occurring in May.

The lipid class and fatty acid composition of eight geographically disperse isolates of Emiliania huxleyi, grown under 12 h L:D cycles and harvested during logarithmic and stationary growth phases, were examined. Cell size and chlorophyll content tended to decrease from logarithmic to stationary growth phase, Methyl and ethyl ketones were the dominant lipid classes, although proportions exhibited no clear pattern either between strains or growth phases. Neutral lipid hardly accumulated over the course of the growth experiments, and triacylglycerol was either absent or only present at low levels. In all strains with the exception of a South African isolate, levels of total fatty acid per cell decreased markedly between logarithmic and stationary phases, primarily attributable to reductions in the levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Major fatty acids in all strains during both growth phases were 14:0,16:0,18:1 (n-9), 18:4 (n-3), 18:5 (n-3) and 22:6 (n-3). Although all strains were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (47–72% of total fatty acids) stationary phase cultures consistently contained the highest proportions. The polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (22:6, n-3) was the most abundant fatty acid in all strains, comprising a maximum of 38·4% of total fatty acids in strain M 181 during stationary phase. Multivariate analysis (PCA) allowed logarithmic and stationary phase cultures to be distinguished although no obvious intra-isolate variability was apparent. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of lipids for the ecophysiology of E. huxleyi and the role of this dominant coccolithophore in the marine food chain.

A biometrical study was conducted on two common cnidarians: Alcyonium digitatum (Octocorallia) and Urticina felina (Hexacorallia). The aim was to relate both the carbon and the nitrogen content of these species to a simple and rapid measurement. As the simplest measurement that can be done on A. digitatum is a measurement of size, relationships were determined between the height of a colony and its organic carbon (OC=0.0002 H2.0254, n=104, γ2=0·923) and nitrogen (N=0.00004 H2.0283, n=104, γ2=0.928) content. As no constant size could be determined on sea anemones, linear relationships were established between dry weight (DW) and organic carbon (OC=0.419 DW, n=65, r=0.995) and nitrogen (N=0.095 DW, n=65, r=0.997) content in U. felina. All these relationships were highly significant (P<0.1%) and appeared useful to express biomass of the two species in terms of carbon or nitrogen and then to consider dynamic processes such as respiration or excretion as fluxes of carbon and nitrogen.

This paper discusses a number of biological aspects, concerning a new sea anemone species (Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis Doumenc et al., 1987 ) (Actiniaria: Anthozoa), discovered in Lake Vouliagmeni, near Athens, Greece. The specialized environment of the lake, with elevated and stable temperatures throughout the year, brackish waters and large mineral content presents a very specialized biotope in which Paranemonia wuliagmeniensis is an important member. Certain aspects of its life cycle were investigated, especially population structure, feeding habits and life history. The population was found to be made up of two sub-populations; one established on algae in deeper parts of the lake, and an older one living on gravel in shallower habitats. Feeding preferences depended on the anemone's ability to catch prey, combined with the composition of the prey. The anemone was also found to be viviparous and demonstrated r-characteristics in its life history (short lifespan and large number of embryos).

Namanereids are an interesting group because of their success, remarkable amongst polychaetes, in colonizing freshwater habitats, particularly damp-terrestrial situations in tropical rainforests (see reviews by Feuerborn, 1932; Corrêa, 1948; Wesenberg-Lund, 1958; Hartman, 1959). Species assigned to the subfamily Namanereidinae Hartman, 1959 are now known from world-wide localities but there are few records from European waters.

The distribution of Dodecaceria in northern Europe was found for samples borrowed from museums and other collections. Dodecaceria fimbriata was present in the coastal waters of mainland Britain and the Continent from the English Channel northwards. Dodecaceria concharum was only found in British mainland coastal waters and on the French coast at the western end of the English Channel. It was absent where salinities were below ~34%0. The two species were sampled along the Lothian and Borders coasts and the numbers of D. concharum fell with decreasing salinity as the Firth of Forth was approached. Dodecaceria diceria was found for the first time in the North Sea at depths of 100–200 m. The benthic salinity here is ~35%0.

The occurrence of genetic differentiation among western Mediterranean Hediste diversicolor (Polychaeta: Nereididae) populations was assessed by allozyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. Seventeen loci were analysed in four populations. The level of the genetic variability was markedly low (mean HL range: 0.014–0.034), but comparable to that of other brackish water nereidids. The values of Nei genetic distance index (D) confirm the existence of genetic differentiation between the geographically isolated populations at Venice, Elba, Navicelli and Serchio D range: 0.128–0.356). However, the two samples from Serchio and Navicelli, ~15 km apart, were not genetically different (D=0·00005). The level of genetic differentiation in H. diversicolor populations followed the isolation-by-distance model. Reduced gene flow among H. diversicolor populations may be explained by its limited dispersal capacity and the eco-physiological barriers that occur between different brackish habitats.

The effects of pentoses, hexoses and uronic acids upon the temporary adhesion of cypris larvae of five barnacle species from four families has been studied. A common, concentration dependent, inhibitory effect of D-glucose was observed for the five species, with maximum inhibition (to 60% of control levels) occurring at 10−8M glucose. Using Balanus perforatus larvae, glucose was shown to be acting at the antennular surface, most probably by interacting with polar groups associated with the temporary adhesive. The pentose, D-arabinose, was less active than glucose, reducing temporary adhesion to only ∞80% of control levels. D-glucuronic acid was more active, decreasing adhesion to 60% at 10−9M, whilst two other hexoses, D-mannose and D-galactose, showed similar activity to glucose. We suggest that hexoses interact with the same polar groups in the adhesive, glucuronic acid with the higher activity because of its more polar nature. The pentose possibly interacts with a different, less common, group. Our results suggest that the chemical identity of bacterial exopolymers, particularly in respect of their pentose: hexose and neutral suganuronic acid ratios, may be an important factor in determining the strength of temporary adhesion shown by barnacle cyprids towards bacterial films.

Protellina ingolfi Stephensen, 1944 was first reported from the southern Norwegian Sea, collected during the Danish Ingolf Expedition in 1895–96. This species was described from what Stephensen presumed was a adult male specimen (Stephensen, 1944). Additional specimens collected during the joint Nordic BIOFAR (Biological Investigation of the Faroes) and BIOICE (Biological Investigation of Iceland) programmes differ from the original description by Stephensen. Male, female and juvenile males are described and illustrated, and any morphological difference between Stephensen's (1944) original description and current material are discussed.

The geographic and vertical distribution in the world oceans of species of Boreomysis has been summarized by Mauchline & Murano (1982). Various authors including Birstein & Tchindonova (1958) discussed the vertical distribution of abyssal Boreomysis species in the Pacific Ocean. Relatively little is known about Atlantic populations of Boreomysis at depths >2000 m, though there have been a few reports of occurrences in abyssopelagic zones (Nouvel, 1942, 1943; Tattersall & Tattersall, 1951; Lagardère & Nouvel, 1980; Lagardère, 1985; Hargreaves, 1985). The aim of this paper is to present distribution data on five lesser-known species of Boreomysis from depths >2000 m in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean at ~30° -42°30′N and to describe in more detail, aspects of their morphology.

Estimations of the brooding and larval developmental periods of the callianassid ghost shrimp, Callianassa japonicu Ortmann (Decapoda: Thalassinidea), under field conditions, were made on an intertidal sandflat in western Kyushu, Japan, during the breeding seasons (June-October) of 1992–1994. Females bearing eyed embryos were able to deposit a further batch of eggs 1–5 d after releasing larvae, and it is concluded that such egg deposition was preceded immediately by mating. Based on rearing experiments carried out in the field, the brooding period was found to occupy between 13 and 22 d during June to October, at pore water temperatures of 20.5-27.5°C and salinities of 33.0–34–5‰, a shorter period than those reported for seven other callianassid species. Based on temporal changes in the densities of larvae released by females and newly-settled juveniles on the sandflat, time-lags between the release and settlement events suggested the period of planktonic development with six zoeal stages and the 1st post-larval stage to range from 20 to 25 d during mid-June to mid-August, at water temperatures of 18.5-24.5°C and salinities of 32.0–35.0‰. This is the second shortest larval period among those reported for seven other callianassid species that have five or six zoeal stages.

A new behavioural bioassay system has been used to examine chemical communication in the crab Carcinus maenas (Crustacea: Brachyura) and has demonstrated the sexually and temporally specific nature of a putative sex pheromone. Mature premoult and postmoult females evoked sexual behavioural responses from receptive male crabs. No response was obtained when intermoult female and premoult and postmoult male crabs were tested. Postmoult females continued to be chemically attractive to male crabs with a similar intensity to that of late premoult females for >8 d following moulting, and then with a reduced intensity for >14 d. Male C. maenas successfully entered copula with females >13 d after the female moult.

Six mangrove forests in the urban region of Sydney, Australia, were examined to determine whether there were relationships between levels of human-induced damage and the structure of molluscan assemblages, the first stage in the validation of a technique for rapid assessment of the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance in urban mangroves. All six mangrove forests showed some damage but the amount varied considerably among and within each forest. Significant correlations between the levels of damage and abundance of different taxa, and changes in the structure of the molluscan assemblage along gradients of damage, suggest that indices based on measures of damage have the potential to provide a means for the rapid, wide scale evaluation of mangroves affected by impacts associated with human activities in urban areas.

The taxonomic relationship between the limpets Patella rustica (Mollusca: Archaeogastropoda) and P. piperata is unclear with controversy as to whether P. piperata should be given specific status. The problems stem from its similar morphology but different biogeographic range from P. rustica. Individuals from seven populations of P. rustica and three of P. piperata were analysed for a combination of morphological and genetical characters. Morphological analyses of shell shape and radular morphology revealed differences between species for radular length, higher in P. rustica than in P. piperata, and the shape of the pluricuspid teeth of the radula with a well-developed internal cusp in P. piperata but not in P. rustica. Electrophoretic results based on 11 allozyme loci, however, did not distinguish the two species clearly. The overall genetic identity value between the two was 0·861, a value which lies within the range for conspecific populations of other patellids. It is proposed that P. piperata on the basis of the genetic data obtained, may represent a subspecies of P. rustica that is in the process of diverging due to its geographic isolation.

The ecology of the sepiolid Sepiola atlantica in Firemore Bay, Loch Ewe, on the west coast of Scotland was investigated by beam trawling surveys. Low densities of this species were present in the shallow sublittoral zone of the sandy bay. A size range of 4–21 mm dorsal mantle length (DML) was obtained, with no significant differences detected between the mean sizes of males and females. Males reached gonadal maturity slightly earlier and at a slightly smaller size than females. Sepiola atlantica was present in the bay in each of the months in which sampling took place suggesting a resident population, the structure of which varied considerably. Juveniles were found over a prolonged period of the year but peak recruitment (animals of 4–10 mm DML) was in May and July. Animals <4 mm DML were not caught and no egg masses were found in the trawls. In aquarium conditions, S. atlantica fed on live crustaceans such as mysids, Crangon crangon and Palaemon serratus, although Corophium volutator, an estuarine crustacean not normally found in the marine sandy bay, was the most accepted food.

The astropectinid asteroid Plutonaster bifrons (Wyville Thomson) occurs on the continental slope of the north-east Atlantic between 1000 and 2500 m depths. As in most deepsea animals, the factors limiting bathymetric distribution of this species are unknown. Eggs were fertilized in vitro and incubated through the early embryonic cleavage stages at pressures that correspond to depths from 0 to 3000 m. The highest percentage of normal development occurred near the peak of the species distribution (2000 m), and virtually no normal development occurred at a pressure corresponding to 3000 m depth. Develop-mental rate was retarded at pressures higher and lower than those found near 2000 m. These experiments indicate that embryonic pressure tolerances could determine both the upper and lower bathymetric limits of distribution for this species.

The spatial and temporal patterns of variation of a tropical soft-bottom fish community sampled by a shrimp trawl and a fish trawl were compared at two sites, North and South Bay, of St Vincent Bay, New Caledonia. Results indicated that the species richness and particularly the species composition were related to the type of trawl. However, the overall density and biomass, species diversity, and evenness did not vary significantly as a function of gear type. The same species dominated the catches of the two trawl types, but differences appeared between density, biomass and mean weight of particular species, calculated from the shrimp and the fish trawl catches. The spatial variations of the community structure were comparable between the two gear types, though the composition of the species assemblages were not the same. Differences appeared for the temporal structures. These differences were insignificant in one of the sampled sites (North Bay), but more important in the other site (South Bay), where species diversity, size range of the individuals, and shape diversity of fishes were more important. However, the major differences between the community structures remained the same, independent of sampling gear type. These results validate studies comparing spatial and temporal patterns of variations in general characteristics (i.e. number of species per haul, density, biomass, species diversity and evenness) of tropical soft-bottom fish communities determined by shrimp and fish demersal otter trawls. This also validates the determination of species assemblages especially spatial assemblages. However, important problems may arise when more particular points are studied, such as species composition of the communities, determination of the characteristic species of the assemblages, or study of a particular species.

The dogfish eggcase protects the developing embryo for up to a year against predation and fouling. The mechanical protection is provided by the strength and resilience of the case. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying the case's antifouling proficiency. The eggcase is constructed of oxidatively cross-linked proteins, which are primarily collagen. Two main hypotheses were examined, firstly that the egg case scavenges heavy metals and these act as deterrents. Secondly, the tanning agents, particularly dihydroxyquinones, through reaction with Fe2+, produce hydroxy radicals that act as deterrents. This process is called the Fenton reaction. Using ten different species of marine bacteria, Semibalanus cyprids and Enteromorpha zoospores, a variety of experiments were conducted to examine the effect of surface chelation, iron loading, changing the surface roughness, different collagen types and quinones, and the presence of antioxidants. The results suggest that the photoactivated generation of free radicals is partially responsible for the antifouling mechanism of the eggcase. Collagen and quinone chemistry and surface integrity are also considered to be important in the antifouling process.

Mosshead sculpins, Clinocottus globiceps, of the North American Pacific coast commonly feed upon sea anemones and in doing so make frequent body contact with the anemone tentacles. An attempt was made to determine if some sort of acclimation process, as seen in certain pomacentrid anemone fishes, is necessary for C. globiceps to engage in such repeated contacts. The laboratory experiments with C. globiceps and three species of anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica, A. elegantissima, Urticina crassicornis) revealed no obvious and consistent acclimatory behaviours by the fish toward anemones following a period of enforced isolation from anemones. Actions by C. globiceps toward anemones included frequent bites to tentacles, touches to tentacles without biting (whether intentional or not), and bites to the anemone's base or column. Tentacle bites occurred, on average, significantly earlier than tentacle touches in trials with Anthopleura elegantissima. There was no evidence that either tentacle bites or tentacle touches occurred earlier than the other in trials with A xanthogrammica and U. crassicornis. In paired trials where individual

C. globiceps were tested first with A. xanthogrammica and then with U. crassicornis, the fish showed no significant difference in response to the two anemone species, either in the frequencies of different types of actions (bites or touches) or in the average order in which tentacle bites or tentacle touches occurred. Experiments were also conducted to compare the degree to which different sculpin species avoided contact with anemone (A. elegantissima) tentacles. Clinocottus globiceps seemed more tolerant of contact with tentacles than were the other sculpins, and only C. globiceps appeared intentionally to touch tentacles, sometimes leaning against or biting them.