Epibiotic interactions between macroalgae and crustaceans have rarely been described. We examined the interaction between the mole crab, Emerita analoga and the opportunistic algae Enteromopha spp. in a sandy beach of the central coast of Peru. Enteromorpha spp. was found fouling the carapace of the mole crab that provides the only stable substrate to spore settlement in the beach environment. Epibiosis prevalence was up to 2.1%, and affected mainly larger, ovigerous females. Prevalence presented a seasonal pattern, with peaks during summer. Mole crab body condition was higher when fouled, whereas fecundity was not affected. Fouled mole crabs burrowed at lower speed, which was reversible by the removal of epibiotic algae. The burrowing depth was not affected by epibiosis. Contrary to the expected, the effects of algal epibiosis on demographic and life history parameters of mole crabs, with the exception of body condition, were mainly neutral but important on behavioural traits.

Mar Chiquita, an irregularly shaped brackish-water coastal lagoon, is located in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina and considered since 1996 by the Coordination Council of the Man and Biosphere Program of UNESCO as a World Reserve of Biosphere. The present paper aims to study both the spatial and temporal variation of fish composition in this coastal lagoon and the influence of some environmental variables on the relative abundance of the main fish species. Monthly sampling surveys over a two-year period in three different areas were conducted, using a beach-seine net and three monofilament-gill nets with different mesh size. Twenty-eight species belonging to four bio-ecological categories were identified, five of them are new records for Mar Chiquita fish community. The correspondence analysis showed strong relationships between high salinity range and the abundance of Brevoortia aurea, Cynoscion guatucupa and Pomatomus saltatrix. Conversely, low salinity range corresponded to high abundance of Mugil platanus and Odontesthes argentinensis. High temperatures were corresponded with abundance of Micropogonias furnieri and Brevoortia aurea. In contrast, high abundance of both Odontesthes argentinensis and Oligosarcus jenynsii were corresponded to low temperatures. Brevoortia aurea, Mugil platanus and Odontesthes argentinensis were the most abundant species, representing more than 80% of the total capture. The group of estuarine-nondependent-marine fish presented the highest species richness. Estuarine-dependent-marine species presented for both juveniles and adults specimens the highest abundance values.

Sixteen coral sites in the coastal waters of Hong Kong were examined for the corallivorous muricid gastropods Drupella rugosa and Cronia margariticola. These were recorded from all sites where there was significant hard coral cover and observed feeding upon species of Platygyra, Leptastrea, Stylocoeniella, Porites, Favites, Cyphastrea, Goniastrea, Favia, Acropora, Montipora, Pavona, Lithophyllon, Hydnophora, Echinophyllia and Plesiastrea. One large aggregation (~2000 individuals) of, mainly, D. rugosa was observed but much smaller groups (<20 individuals) were more typical. Five sites were chosen for more detailed study and surveyed during winter and summer. Despite being characterized by different coral communities, inter-site densities of D. rugosa were not significantly different and, usually, ~2 individuals · m2 were recorded. Seasonal differences were, however, significant with numbers greater during the summer, possibly related to reproduction. Feeding activity followed a similar pattern and was also largely confined to summer.

Prey selection by Drupella rugosa was complex in the field and changed according to the relative abundance of each coral taxon. Acropora was strongly selected for at all sites where it was present and Montipora, Platygyra and Pavona were usually fed upon in greater proportions than their abundances. Leptastrea, Cyphastrea, Favites, Favia and Goniastrea were fed upon but in proportions lower than suggested by their abundances. Goniopora was never fed upon despite being relatively common. The seasonality of feeding, low density, rarity of large feeding aggregations, prey selection and aspects of the feeding behaviour, that is, generally only consuming the coral's coenenchyme (the polyps surviving), suggest that while D. rugosa is widespread in Hong Kong, and contrary to other views, it poses little, if any, threat to local coral communities. Thus, reported feeding clusters of D. rugosa are probably not ‘plague’ outbreaks but examples of seasonally fostered ‘aggregations’ of feeding (and probably reproducing) individuals. Indeed, no ‘plague-like’ outbreak of any species of Drupella has been reported upon in the literature since 1999.

Three new species of Iberian cheilostomate bryozoans are described from material held in our own collection as well as in the bryozoan collection in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. Chaperiopsis hirsuta sp. nov., from the Mediterranean, is the second species of this genus in European waters. Metroperiella gay sp. nov. and Schizoporella artabra sp. nov. are described from material collected in Galicia (north-western Spain).

The cetacean fauna at the Tristan da Cunha archipelago has been assessed from ship-based, aerial and land-based observations from 1983–2000, from strandings on Tristan da Cunha and Inaccessible Island between 1983 and 1995, and from whaling catch data from 1934–1967. Five species (Eubalaena australis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Tasmacetus shepherdi, Globicephala melas and Orcinus orca) have been sighted within the territorial waters of the archipelago, eight species (Balaenoptera physalus, B. borealis, B. acutorostrata/bonaerensis, Physeter macrocephalus, Mesoplodon mirus, M. bowdoini, Delphinus sp. and Lissodelphis peronii) have been seen or taken within 200 nautical miles (360 km) of the group or have been found stranded on its shores, while another two species (Caperea marginata and Lagenorhynchus obscurus) have been recorded close enough to be considered likely to occur within 200 nautical miles. The records of Mesoplodon mirus and M. bowdoini represent significant extensions to their known distribution. Apart from its possible importance as a mid-oceanic nursery area for southern right whales, the waters of the Tristan Archipelago seem to be a concentration area for T. shepherdi, one of the least-known of the world's cetaceans.

The sponge genus Strongylodesma is reviewed and redefined, and now accommodates eight closely related species. The type species of Strongylodesma Lévi is redescribed and an additional two new species are described from the Indo-Pacific: S. novaecaledoniae sp. nov. and S. tongaensis sp. nov. Several specimens previously identified as species of Batzella (Poecilosclerida: Chondropsidae) have been re-assigned to Strongylodesma, as the new species S. purpureus sp. nov. and S. nigra sp. nov. With the description here of new species from the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Atlantic, the biogeographical distribution of Strongylodesma now appears to be generally tropical with a subtropical South African component, whereas previously it was only known from South Africa. Although species of Strongylodesma have not previously been recorded from the intermediate locations (Western Indian Ocean, South-east Asia, central west Pacific, and New Zealand), re-evaluation here will facilitate more readily the recognition of taxa in these intermediate regions, if they exist, in the future. The species are not widespread, except perhaps along the south-east coast of South Africa, and where they occur they are not abundant. Species occur over a wide depth range, from the intertidal in Tsitsikamma, South Africa, to 140 m in the Caribbean.

Calyptogena gallardoi is a vesicomyid bivalve inhabiting a methane seep area located at a depth of 740–870 m off the Bay of Concepción, Chile. Vesicomyids host chemoautotrophic sulphide-oxidizing endosymbiont bacteria and are always found associated to reducing environments. In this study, the gonadal structure and the gametes produced by C. gallardoi are described. Light microscopy is used to examine serial histological sections of the gonads, and scanning electron microscopy is used to visualize the external morphology of gametes. The gonads of both males and females are organized in ramified tubular acini. In males, mature sperm are stored near genital openings in acini lined with a secretor epithelium that resembles a seminal receptacle. Spermatozoids have bullet-like heads with an average length of 30.3±2.6 μm (mean±1 SD). In females, the mature oocytes are driven toward the genital opening through evacuator conduits lined by ‘paddle’ cilia. The average diameter of oogonias is 11.6±2.5 μm and that of mature oocytes is 273.8±23.1 μm, making the size of the mature oocyte among the largest reported for bivalves. In addition, C. gallardoi is shown to have external sexual dimorphism. Shells of males are significantly smaller and more elongated with sloping postero-dorsal margin compared with shells of females. The data are discussed in the context of available information on reproductive biology of vesicomyids.

A new genus and two new species of Mollusca Solenogastres belonging to the family Simrothiellidae are described here: Spiomenia pusilla sp. nov. and Adoryherpia serrata gen. et sp. nov., collected from muddy sediment during the expedition DIVA 1 Me48/1 carried out in the Abyssal Angola Basin, at depths from 5100 to 5500 m.

Little is known about the early development stages of Parablennius ruber. In this paper the following stages are described, and illustrations provided for the first time: middle stage egg, late stage egg, yolk-sac larva and preflexion larva. Recently laid eggs were spherical and orange, attached to the substratum in rock crevices. Eggs measured 1.02 mm in diameter. Newly hatched larva measured 4.65 mm total length and had the mouth closed and the anus open, fully pigmented eyes and a big yolk sac. Pectoral fins were present, rounded and not radially pigmented. Yolk was absorbed in 2–3 days at room temperature. Preflexion larvae had pointed pectoral fins, bigger eyes, well developed lips and strong jaws. Operculae were open. Orange chromatophores began to be noticeable between the eyes.

Dasyatis chrysonota is perhaps the most common of the 14 whiptail stingray (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) species known to frequent the temperate coastal waters of southern Africa and like other stingrays they possess life history characteristics that make them vulnerable to over-exploitation. First and 50% maturity (Dw50) were determined for 153 males and 204 females from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Disc width (Dw) for first and Dw50 maturity was estimated at 392 mm and 395 mm Dw, respectively for males and at 500 mm and 505 mm Dw, respectively for females. The reproductive cycle of males, based on gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomoatic (HSI) indices indicates that they are most active during the spring. Females appear to have an annual reproductive cycle with a maximum HSI occurring during the summer and autumn, but it declines steadily through the birthing season reaching a low in the late spring. Fecundity, following a nine month gestation period, averages 2.8 with a range of 1–7. Embryos at six different development stages are described. Dasyatis chrysonota, like other dasyatids, exhibit life history characteristics that make them vulnerable to overexploitation, therefore a precautionary management strategy is advised for this species.

In this study, four species of fiddler crabs (Uca) at Inhaca Island, Mozambique, were studied: their fecundity determined and egg loss between the first and last embryonic development stage evaluated. Ovigerous female crabs were collected throughout February to March (wet season) of 2006, during day-time at low tide, in Ponta Rasa (U. annulipes and U. inversa) and Saco (U. chlorophthalmus and U. vocans) mangroves. Average brood size increased significantly with female and species size, ranging from 932 (CW = 8.51 mm) in U. annulipes, to 18,057 (CW = 23.5 mm) in U. vocans. The number of embryos decreased significantly over the incubation period for each species. Brood loss from embryonic stage I to stage IV for U. annulipes, U. inversa, U. chlorophthalmus and U. vocans was 12.3%, 14%, 43.2% and 23.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). Positive allometry was recorded for all species in the early development stage, however, due to the higher relative brood loss in larger females (U. vocans), when comparing the number of embryos in late developmental stage, a negative allometry was possible to observe. The average volume of embryos at the same stage differed among species although significant differences were found between embryonic stages for all species. Embryo volume increased 96.1%, 93.3%, 92.9% and 96.3% in, respectively, U. annulipes, U. inversa, U. chlorophthalmus and U. vocans (P < 0.05). Differences in brood loss were attributed to habitat substrate and structure, stress factors and behavioural aspects.

This study aimed to assess the influence of growth and reproductive cycle on the meat yield and proximate composition of the banded murex (Hexaplex trunculus) from the Ria Formosa lagoon (Algarve coast, southern Portugal). Samples of the edible portion (all soft-body tissues) were analysed monthly during one year. The average meat yield was 37.9±4.6%, with females containing more edible content (39.1±4.7%) than males (36.8±4.2%). The proximate composition comprised 70.7±1.4% moisture, 20.1±1.2% protein, 1.6±0.3% fat, 3.0±0.3% ash, and 4.6±1.2% carbohydrate, corresponding to an energetic value of 119.2±7.5 kcal/100 g wet weight. The meat yield was influenced by specimen size, increasing significantly during growth. Both meat yield and proximate composition presented seasonal fluctuations related to the reproductive cycle, which coincided mainly with the periods of maturation and spawning of this species in the Ria Formosa. Finally, H. trunculus meat yield and proximate composition were compared with similar information available for other marine gastropods.

A total of 870 blue sharks ranging from 70 to 349 cm in total length (LT) were sampled from the swordfish longline fishery in the Mediterranean Sea during the period 1998–2003. Males predominated and the sex-ratio (1:1.8) showed an increase in the proportion of males as size of fish increased. Gonad observation revealed that females smaller than 120 cm LT had immature ovaries with no mature oocytes, while mature ovaries with visible yolky oocytes were present in specimens larger than 203 cm LT. Ovary weight varied from 4–137 g and maximum oocyte diameter was 21.1 mm in mature females. All males smaller than 125 cm LT were immature while males larger than 187 cm LT were mature, as indicated by the presence of heavily calcified claspers, which extended beyond the posterior end of the pelvic fins. Length at 50% maturity (L50) was estimated to be 202.9 cm LT for males and 214.7 cm LT for females. Age estimates using caudal vertebrae ranged from 1 to 12 years, while age at 50% maturity was estimated at 4.9 years for males and 5.5 year for females.

Despite being an exploited and economically important species, little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Loligo forbesi. During a captive trial performed in a closed seawater system in the Azores, three spawning events were directly witnessed. An account of their main behavioural aspects is given. A number of behavioural components are described for the first time in this species: ‘pair formation’, ‘mate guarding’, ‘egg holding’, ‘egg touching’, ‘white arms’, ‘red accessory nidamental glands’, ‘accentuated testis’, and ‘jockeying and parrying’. The chromatic, locomotor and postural components were very similar to other coastal loliginids observed on spawning grounds. From egg masses recovered on octopus traps, we show that in the Azores spawning activity occurs at least between 25 and 144 m, but greater depths might be expected. We suggest that this squid preferentially deposits egg masses on hard structures probably hiding them in cracks and crevices of volcanic substrata. The existence of spawning aggregations is supported by several factors: (i) these spawning grounds may coincide with the fishing spots, where the exploitation seasonally takes place, given that most individuals caught by fishermen are usually mature (more than 80%); and (ii) mate guarding and jockeying/parrying by males was observed, which is a common feature of spawning aggregation areas, where sperm competition occurs. Furthermore, our results, combined with available published and non-published data further confirm L. forbesi as an intermittent spawner. We estimate that throughout their short life cycle, females of L. forbesi are able to perform up to six spawning events, each composed of an average of ≈2300 eggs.

A dichotomous identification key for brachyuran zoeal stages from Peter the Great Bay (Russian waters of the Sea of Japan) is provided for the first time. The key covers 16 taxa identified to species level and uses only the most conspicuous external characters of larvae that are easy to observe under a stereomicroscope without specimens dissection. The key is based on the accounts by various authors and new original descriptions of larvae obtained both from plankton samples and from laboratory culture. Brief descriptions of larvae of 16 brachyuran species are also included.

The aim of this study was to characterize new microsatellite loci in the razor clam Ensis arcuatus (Bivalvia: Pharidae) and examine the temporal genetic variability of a natural bed in Cies Islands (Galicia, north-western Spain) exploited by apnoea divers and affected by the ‘Prestige’ oil tanker spill in November 2002. In this work, we characterized four polymorphic microsatellites using an alternative approach that relies on the amplification and sequencing of ISSR markers. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.1053–0.6800 and number of alleles from 4–19. Linkage equilibrium was observed in all loci and two of them showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Estimators of FST between samples were low (<0.05) and not different from zero with a confidence level of 5%. We did not detect a clear decreasing tendency in genetic diversity although we found a significant change in allelic frequencies among samples (P = 0.0024) after the ‘Prestige’ oil spill. We propose that both phenomena could be related to a high variance in genetic success and/or a movement of adults or larvae from different source populations.

This study assesses the effects of bottom trawling on the feeding ecology of the scaldfish Arnoglossus laterna, by contrasting diets in an untrawled area and in two trawled areas off northern Sicily (western Mediterranean): the Gulf of Castellammare (which hosts a 200 km2 no-trawl area) and the gulfs of Termini Imerese and Sant'Agata. Scaldfish were collected in May–June 2005 using a commercial otter trawler between 40 and 80 m on muddy bottoms. Our data show that scaldfish is a selective feeder and consumes similar prey items in the three gulfs, although between-site differences in the relative prey abundance in the stomachs were detected. In the three gulfs scaldfish fed mainly on the crab Goneplax rhomboides and on the fish Lesueurigobius suerii, but there was an increase in the consumption of L. suerii and the shrimp Alpheus glaber in the trawled areas. Ontogenetic changes were evident in the diet of scaldfish, with juveniles preying mainly upon suprabenthic species, e.g. mysids and small decapods. While significant differences occurred in the diet of juveniles among all areas due to natural spatial variability, variations in the diet of adults, which feed on benthic prey, occurred between untrawled and trawled areas. These variations were clearly due to trawling disturbance, and no significant difference was detected in the diet of adults between the two trawled areas. On the contrary, the trophic level (δ15N values) of scaldfish did not vary between trawled and untrawled areas and between juveniles and adults. Changes in the source of carbon, as detected by δ13C values, were evident between juveniles and adults, evidencing a shift from a suprabenthic (juveniles) to a benthic (adults) diet.

Reef fish community structures at three sites in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Pedra Vermelha (PV), Cabo Frio Island—Arraial do Cabo; Mãe Island (MI), Itaipu—Niterói; Comprida Island (CI), Cagarras Archipelago—Rio de Janeiro) were investigated to assess differences in fish species composition, density and distribution of trophic groups, between sites, correlating the observed patterns of fish distribution with environmental factors. Thirty-six visual strip-transects yielded 67 species of 34 families. Studied locations shared at least 40% of all species, mostly of western Atlantic distribution. The three sites presented significant differences on diversity, density and species dominance. CI presented the highest values, except for total density, which was higher at PV, probably due to its partial degree of protection. MI showed the lowest values, suggesting possible impacts from the proximity to the shore. The main trophic categories were omnivores followed by mobile invertebrate feeders, in similarity to what was previously observed for south-eastern Brazil. Inherent habitat features of each location regarding depth, declivity, visibility and rugosity resulted in different species distribution and dominance patterns.

From 1994–2007 Ceredigion County Council and a network of shore-based, volunteer observers monitored levels of boat traffic and the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus at seven sites on the coast of Cardigan Bay, Wales. We report high rates of site use and site occupancy by this species during the summer: at Mwnt for example, dolphins were recorded in >80% of 2 hours' observation periods; and at New Quay Harbour dolphins were present in >30% of all 15-minute intervals. At Mwnt and Aberporth there was a significant annual trend for increasing sighting rates; at Ynys Lochtyn a positive trend was only marginally non-significant; at New Quay Bird's Rock the trend was ambiguous but appeared stable over the seven most recent years. Although trends in site use may not reflect population trends in the wider region, these data were consistent with recent abundance estimates that indicate that the number of bottlenose dolphins using Cardigan Bay is stable or slightly increasing. Average group size at our study sites was small (<3 animals), which contrasts with observations of larger schools of the same population elsewhere in their range. The predominant behaviour in coastal Cardigan Bay is demersal foraging, often by solitary animals in shallow near-shore habitats. There was evidence that boat traffic suppressed site use by dolphins at New Quay Harbour, the busiest monitoring site: sighting rates fell when high numbers of boats were present and sighting rates were higher in 2007 than in previous years, when boat use was reduced due to poor weather during the main tourist season. This study demonstrates that networks of volunteer observers can provide a cost-effective, non-invasive means of gathering data on marine mammals for the purposes of coastal zone management.

Descriptions of hexactinellid sponges collected by the RV ‘Marion Dufresne’ MD55 expedition on the Vitória–Trindade seamounts chain (off Espírito Santo State, south-eastern Brazil) in 1987 and stored in the MNHN (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris) are presented. Hyalonema (Cyliconema) conqueror sp. nov. (the first finding of this subgenus in the Atlantic Ocean) and H. (Prionema) dufresnei sp. nov. (the second record of this subgenus for the Atlantic Ocean) are described as new species. The holotype of H. (C.) conqueror sp. nov. was collected with a ROV at Campos Basin (off Rio de Janeiro State, south-eastern Brazil), while the paratypes originated from Vitória–Trindade seamounts chain and off Bahía State (eastern Brazil). Other hexactinellids reported here, Farrea sp., Sarostegia aff. oculata, Aphrocallistes aff. beatrix, Dactylocalyx aff. subglobosus and Euplectella suberea were known before to be widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean. The total number of hexactinellid sponges known from Brazil has risen to 15 and from the south-western Atlantic to 23.