Otolith microstructure analysis was used to reveal daily growth patterns of young-of-the year (YOY) of six species of perciform fishes, Bovichtus chilensis (Bovichtidae), Girella laevifrons and Graus nigra (Kyphosidae), Helcogrammoides chilensis (Tripterygiidae) and Hypsoblennius sordidus and Scartichthys viridis (Blenniidae). YOY collected in intertidal pools from June to December 2008 in Central Chile, ranged from 24 to 76 mm total length and from 25 to 390 days of age. In the six species, sagittal otoliths showed a slightly oval shape, symmetrical and laterally compressed and showed micro-increments distinguishable after a two-side polishing. Increment width of sagittae showed two patterns irrespective of hatch month and species: (i) a parabolic growth with wider increment widths (during the first 150 of YOY life, e.g. B. chilensis, G. nigra and G. laevifrons); and (ii) a more irregular pattern with lower increment widths during most of the seasons in H. chilensis and H. sordidus. Further results were: (i) a unique central primordium enclosed by two checks after which distinctive increments were deposited; (ii) low instantaneous growth rates estimated through the slope of the length-at-age relationship (range 0.1–0.21 mm d−1); and (iii) a linear fish size–otolith size relationship.

During a recent cruise to investigate the cold-water coral habitats in the eastern Gulf of Mexico seven scale worm species (Polychaeta: Aphroditiformia) were found, with four of them new to science: Laetmonice tunicata sp. nov. (Aphroditidae); Eunoe purpurea Treadwell, 1936, Gorgoniapolynoe caeciliae (Fauvel, 1913), Harmothoe dannyi sp. nov., Harmothoe cedrici sp. nov. and Subadyte campechensis sp. nov. (Polynoidae); and Leanira robusta Verrill, 1885 (Sigalionidae). An extended taxonomic account is given for all species, with detailed descriptions and figures for the new species. Three of the five polynoid species were found associated with a coral host: E. purpurea with Bathypathes cf. alternata Brook, 1898 (Antipatharia); G. caeciliae with Acanthogorgia armata Verrill, 1878 and Candidella imbricata (Johnson, 1862) (Octocorallia) and H. dannyi sp. nov. with Stylaster erubescens Pourtalès, 1868 (Hydrozoa). These associations are characterized in detail and documented by in situ ROV pictures and microscopic images and videos of the live animals, together with their respective host.

Euphausiids are an important component of the northern North Atlantic ecosystem and several species are found in the Irminger Sea. However, data on euphausiids in this region are few, particularly for Thysanopoda acutifrons, Thysanoessa inermis and Nematobranchion boöpis. In this paper, we present the first data since the 1930s on the seasonal distribution and population dynamics of these species from net haul data collected in the Irminger Sea during winter, spring and summer 2001–2002. Thysanoessa inermis was the most numerically abundant (0.63–26.62 ind. 1000 m−3) of the three species in the region and comprised a biomass of 3.92–41.74 mg 1000 m−3. The species was largely found in the upper regions of the water column (0–400 m) and was distributed in the more on-shelf/shelf-break regions around East Greenland and Iceland. Growth rates were around 0.03 mm d−1for T. inermis and there was some evidence that either the timing of spawning was delayed, or larval development was prolonged in the region. Thysanopoda acutifrons was predominantly distributed below 400 m in more oceanic regions and had a low abundance (1.23–1.64 ind. 1000 m−3) throughout the Irminger Sea. However, the species comprised a relatively high proportion of biomass (19.39–31.33 mg 1000 m−3) due to its large body size. Our data showed that the species had low rates of growth (0.04 mm d−1) and development throughout the year, and that the reproductive season occurred during the overwintering period (November/December) once individuals had reached two years of age. Nematobranchion boöpis mainly occurred below 400 m at low abundance (0.06–0.18 ind.1000 m−3) levels throughout the region. The species was largely found where Atlantic waters prevailed in the Irminger Current and its growth rates were variable (0.02–0.06 mm d−1). Nematobranchion boöpis was a year-round spawner and the species had fairly rapid rates of post-larval development, with the newly spawned 0-group reaching sexual maturity within the first 6 months. Data presented in this paper provide useful baselines for understanding the possible impacts of long-term, broad-scale environmental change on the ecology of euphausiid communities in the Irminger Sea.

The objective of this study was to analyse the differences in shape of the cephalothorax in four fishery stocks of sea-bob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri that are distributed on the east coast of Brazil, applying geometric morphometry as the analytical tool. Samples were collected at the fishing ports of Caravelas (17°43′S 39°15′W), Vitória (20°15′S 40°14′W), Atafona (21°35′S 41°01′W) and Farol de São Tomé (22°02′S 41°02′W), and variations in shape of the cephalothorax of the shrimps were evaluated by univariate and multivariate techniques. Analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test indicated that shrimps collected at the port of Farol de São Tomé were significantly smaller than the others, and size of individuals was inversely related to latitude. Discriminant analysis revealed the formation of two morphologically different groups between the areas of collection. Individuals collected in Caravelas, Vitória and Atafona, suffering permanent influence of freshwater discharge, associated with sandy–muddy substrate, constituted a different group compared to individuals collected in Farol de São Tomé, area without this kind of influence and with sandy substrate, where the average water temperature is lower and salinity is higher. Considering the commercial importance of the target species, the technique could be applied to its fisheries management. It allows the recognition of stocks and inference about the processes of fishing area occupation.

Examination of sampled material and review of the relevant literature revealed the presence of 299 benthic and 46 pelagic amphipod species from the Aegean Sea. Two of the species identified, Caprella hirsuta Mayer, 1890 and Apohyale crassipes (Heller, 1866), are recorded for the first time in the Aegean Sea and the Levantine Basin respectively. A checklist of the Mediterranean amphipods is given, as well as their distribution in the Mediterranean territorial areas and the Black Sea. The faunal comparison of the Mediterranean areas showed that the number of species decreases from west to east. In terms of zoogeographical categories the Atlanto-Mediterranean species dominate in all Mediterranean areas followed by the endemic species concerning the benthic amphipods while in pelagic amphipods cosmopolitan species dominate and are then followed by Atlanto-Mediterranean. Three species, Bemlos leptocheirus (Walker, 1909) and Linguimarea caesaris Krapp-Schickel, 2003, Photis lamellifera Schellenberg, 1928, are lessepsian migrants and are reported in the Levantine and Central Mediterranean Seas.

The population biology of Epialtus bituberculatus was compared between two different intertidal localities with differing levels of wave exposure. Sampling was conducted monthly between January and December, 2001 on seaweed banks of Sargassum cymosum in the intertidal zone of the rocky shores Grande (GR) (23°23′S–45°03′W) and Domingas Dias (DD) (23°29′S–45°08′W). Four hundred and twenty-eight crabs were captured at the GR site: 111 juvenile males, 106 adult males, 57 juvenile females, 17 adult females and 137 ovigerous females; while 455 specimens were obtained at the DD site: 76 juvenile males, 113 adult males, 37 juvenile females, 40 adult females and 189 ovigerous females. The population from GR showed a non-normal distribution and from DD a normal distribution. The sex-ratio (female/male) was 1:0.97 at GR (χ2 = 0.77, P = 0.084), whereas it was 1:1.41 at DD (χ2 = 13.03, P < 0.001). The largest individuals occurred at DD (U = 78249.0, P < 0.001). The estimated size at sexual maturity was 6.3 and 5.0 mm carapace width (CW) for males, and 5.4 and 5.2 mm CW for females, from GR and DD, respectively. The observed differences in E. bituberculatus between the studied localities might be explained by the different degrees of wave exposure between sites. However, other factors that might also explain the observed differences (e.g. temperature, salinity and food availability) cannot be discarded as relevant in influencing the population structure between sites herein studied.

The validity of the turtle barnacle genus Chelolepas has been challenged on the grounds that the publication in which the genus was formally described does not meet the requirements of a published work under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The present note informs that Chelolepas is a valid name that satisfies the provisions of the Code and that Tubicinella cheloniae is a synonym of Chelolepas cheloniae.

Alternative oxidase (AOX), a ubiquinol oxidase, introduces a branch pathway to the respiratory electron transport chain (ETC), bypassing complexes III and IV and catalysing the cyanide-resistant reduction of oxygen to water without translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Thus, it functions as a non-energy-conserving member of respiratory ETC. Previous studies of AOX focused on plants and some fungi, whereas data on animals are limited. In this study, full-length AOX cDNA was cloned from the Echiuran worm, Urechis unicinctus, a marine benthic invertebrate. In addition, mRNA expression pattern of combined activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) in the body wall and hindgut of the worm exposed in sulphide (50 µM and 150 µM) was measured. The results revealed that AOX mRNA expression increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in both tissues, was significantly increased at 48 h, and continuously increased with time. In contrast, the activity of CCO decreased significantly at 24 h and was inhibited at 48 h during exposure to 150 µM sulphide. The present data indicate the expression of AOX mRNA depended on the sulphide concentration present as well as being influenced by the physical condition of the worm, especially the CCO activity.

Individuals of the sand stargazer Dactyloscopus tridigitatus were collected monthly over a period of one year in an urban-sandy beach in south-eastern Brazil. We sampled 57 males, 64 females, and 6 juveniles, indicating a sex-ratio of approximately 1:1. Total length and weight did not differ significantly between sexes, showing no sexual dimorphism in size. The growth of D. tridigitatus was highly positive allometric and the correlation coefficient was significant for both sexes. Males were observed carrying two egg clumps under each enlarged pectoral fin during most of the year. In contrast, females showed a more restricted reproductive period, concentrated during the austral rainy season. The number of eggs in each clump carried by males did not differ significantly from the number of vitellogenic oocytes of mature females. The number of eggs carried by males was weakly correlated to male total length; however, female fecundity was strongly correlated to female total length. Dactyloscopus tridigitatus consumed a high variety of prey items, including crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, teleosts, insects and eggs. Isopods were the most important component of the diet followed by polychaetes and amphipods. We concluded that promiscuous breeding, paternal care behaviour and invertivorous feeding habits seem to be important traits for the species' success in the studied habitat.

Rocky shore intertidal communities along the cold- and warm-temperate coasts of the south-western Atlantic are dominated by small mussels of the genus Brachidontes s.l. (Mytilidae), yet the status of species occurring in the region remains unresolved. Taxonomic studies have been based on shell morphology, but high phenotypic variability has led to much confusion. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes (COI, 28S rDNA and ITS1) from nine localities in Uruguay and Argentina we confirmed the occurrence of three species in the south-western Atlantic: Brachidontes darwinianus and B. rodriguezii in the warm-temperate and B. purpuratus in the cold-temperate sector. The latter two species coexist in the same beds along the transition zone (41–43°S). The phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, indicate an early divergence of B. purpuratus. At the intra-specific level, low genetic differentiation and absence of fossil record for B. purpuratus from the earlier Quaternary marine terraces of Patagonia likely result from a relatively recent (post-LGM) colonization originated from populations in the south-eastern Pacific. In the case of B. rodriguezii, by contrast, genetic intraspecific differentiation, a fossil record of phenotypically-related forms going back to the Late Miocene, and phylogenetic position in the COI-based phylogeny, prompts the hypothesis that this species is derived from a local stock with a long history of occurrence in the warm-temperate region of the south-western Atlantic. While intertidal mussel beds from the south-western Atlantic are ecologically similar in appearance, their assembly involves components clearly differentiated in terms of historical biogeography and phylogeny.

Barnacles of the superfamily Coronuloidea are obligate commensals of motile marine animals (Newman & Ross, 1976). Excepting the coronuloid genus Chelonibia Leach, the species included in this superfamily occur strictly upon marine vertebrates, particularly sea turtles and whales (Frick et al., 2011). Chelonophilic (turtle-associated) and cetophilic (whale-associated) coronuloids produce highly-ornamented shells with elaborations that enable these barnacles to grasp the skin of the host (Frick et al., 2010a). These same ornamentations are also useful characters for elucidating taxonomic affinities within the Coronuloidea (Darwin, 1854; Pilsbry, 1916; Ross & Frick, 2007).

Several studies have been conducted to explain patterns of the abundance, richness and diversity of sandy-beach macrofauna; however, such analyses have ignored the overall functional structure of macrofauna communities. Few studies have examined polychaete feeding guilds on sandy beach environments. To examine the effects of environmental factors on polychaete feeding guilds on sandy beaches, 12 sandy beaches from five islands in Sepetiba Bay were sampled. A total of 24 polychaete morphospecies, grouped among 21 families, were identified in these sandy beaches. The polychaete species were classified into 10 feeding guilds, and the SDT guild (suspended-deposit feeders, discretely motile, with tentacles) was the most abundant feeding guild, with 34.2% of total number of organisms. The highest trophic importance index and index of trophic diversity values were recorded on the sheltered beaches. A canonical correspondence analysis showed that the exposure rate, beach length, and grain size of the beach sediment significantly affected the polychaete feeding guild distribution and abundance. We can conclude that sheltered beaches have a higher diversity of feeding guilds than exposed beaches and that the biological descriptors of the feeding guilds are directly associated with the grain size of the sediment.

The land crab, Discoplax celeste (Gecarcinidae) is endemic to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Due to a freshwater-dependant life history, in which the megalopae migrate from the ocean up freshwater streams to their adult terrestrial/freshwater habitat, D. celeste inhabits only a few isolated locations on the island. This restricted distribution is one of a number of factors which has previously highlighted the vulnerability of this species to outside threats. A number of anthropogenic factors including the introduction of multiple invasive species and habitat destruction have led to drastic ecosystem change on Christmas Island. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the restricted geographical distributions of D. celeste populations contribute to significant genetic structuring across Christmas Island, with an objective to inform future conservation strategies for this species on Christmas Island. Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene and the control region were sequenced from 95 individuals collected from all five locations on Christmas Island known to be inhabited by D. celeste. Analyses using analysis of molecular variance revealed no evidence of population sub-structuring, indicating that despite any geographical isolation, there is a single population of D. celeste on Christmas Island. This lack of population differentiation is probably explained by the oceanic dispersal of larvae, rather than terrestrial migration of D. celeste. Therefore, based on these results, for conservation purposes, D. celeste on Christmas Island can be considered a single management unit.

The relative growths of Persephona lichtensteinii, P. mediterranea, and P. punctata were investigated on the south-eastern Brazilian coast, focusing on differences in the growth rates between immature and mature phases, the onset of morphological sexual maturity, and the breeding seasons of these species. Crabs were collected every two months from January 1991 through to November 1992, from a shrimp fishing boat equipped with two otter-trawl nets. Significant differences in the patterns of body growth were observed between immature and mature phases of all three species. Changes in the growth rates of the chelipeds (males) and abdomen (females) observed for P. lichtensteinii, P. mediterranea, and P. punctata, seem to be related to the puberty moult for both sexes. Males of P. mediterranea and P. punctata reached larger mean sizes of carapace width than females, whereas no difference was recorded for P. lichtensteinii. The body size at which 50% of males attained sexual maturity was also larger in P. mediterranea and P. punctata, and smaller in P. lichtensteinii. The absence of a pronounced sexual dimorphism and the size at the onset of sexual maturity observed only for P. lichtensteinii might be explained by distinct reproductive strategies of males. The presence of ovigerous females during the entire sampling period suggests that all three species have a continuous reproduction pattern at the Ubatuba region. Future studies on the population structure, functional maturity, and mating system should improve the understanding of factors driving the biology and ecology of these species at a subtropical region.

A new species of eurysquilloid stomatopod, Eurysquilla petronioi sp. nov., is described from the tropical western Atlantic. Eurysquilla petronioi sp. nov. is the fourteenth species of the genus to be recognized worldwide, the fifth species from the western Atlantic and the second from Brazilian waters. It is most closely related to E. maiaguesensis from Puerto Rico, but differs chiefly in having an unarmed versus apically spinous rostral plate and 6 or 7 rather than 8–10 teeth on dactylus of raptorial claw. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

The duration of brood development in the introduced crab, Hemigrapsus takanoi in the Oosterschelde, The Netherlands, was compared at three different water temperatures. At 12, 18 and 24°C the females took an average of 32, 11 and 8 days respectively to lay eggs, which took 86, 28 and 18 days respectively to complete development. Five stages of development were identified, with each brood stage comprising a similar proportion of the duration time at different temperatures. The duration of each brood stage was also somewhat proportional to the number of females found carrying each brood stage in the field at the beginning of the breeding season. There appears to be a trigger for the breeding season in H. takanoi in the field at around 15°C above which ovary development begins. The results suggest that an increase in water temperature as a result of climate change may result in an increased net reproductive rate in H. takanoi due to earlier onset of the breeding season and increased number of broods per inter-moult period resulting in population growth. Increased temperatures may therefore lead to increased invasiveness of H. takanoi where it is already present, and range extension into locations where its establishment is currently excluded by unsuitable temperature.

The Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus is a demersal teleost and the only species of the family Batrachoididae that occurs along the continental Portuguese coast. It is a subtropical species that is more abundant in the south of Portugal, whereas along the western coast it is concentrated in discrete populations, located in estuaries and coastal recesses. The distinct features of these estuaries have revealed important changes in the respective Lusitanian toadfish populations, namely particularities in their distribution and population structure, and also in the morphology and breeding behaviour of the specimens. A survey covering 31 stations in the Tagus estuary, Portugal, and adjacent coastal waters sampled these stations over an 18 month period. This study characterized the distribution, abundance, population structure and activity of H. didactylus in this coastal zone. Toadfish showed a preferential distribution in the intermediate and lower estuarine stretches, and was more abundant in the Montijo Bay, a small bay within the Tagus estuary. Three length-groups were identified, with larger specimens more abundant in deeper areas. The specimens also revealed a preference for areas of higher water temperature, low water current and muddy substrates. Female specimens were slightly more abundant than males and type II males had a very low frequency of occurrence (3.2%). Captures of toadfish were high in spring and late summer and very low in winter.

Phytoplankton primary production and copepod production, and the size composition of the phytoplankton community in Tolo Harbour, a semi-enclosed bay in north-eastern Hong Kong, were studied from February 2008 to March 2009. Chlorophyll-a (Chl a) concentrations decreased from an average of 9.07 µg l−1 in the inner part of the bay to 3.07 µg l−1 at the mouth of the bay. In terms of contribution to total Chl a biomass, the >20 µm size fraction dominated the phytoplankton community. The zooplankton community in Tolo Harbour was dominated by small copepods, with cephalothorax length ranging from ~0.3 to 0.4 mm, and the density of copepods decreased from ~15,000 ind.m−3 in the inner part of the bay to ~9,700 ind.m−3 at the mouth of the bay. Depth-integrated net primary production in Tolo Harbour was high, ranging from 0.34 to 10.40 g C m−2 day−1, with an overall mean of 2.64 g C m−2 day−1. In contrast, copepod production was low, ranging from 0.19 to 16.64 mg C m−3 day−1, with an overall mean of 2.73 mg C m−3 day−1. The low transfer efficiency of 1.4% between phytoplankton primary production and copepod secondary production suggests that the large phytoplankton was inefficiently grazed by the small copepods in Tolo Harbour.

Mooreonuphis bidentata, a new species of onuphid polychaete, is newly described from the Mexican Caribbean. It was found in dead coral rocks at depths of 2.2 m and can be distinguished from its congeners by having simple filaments branchiae from chaetigers 19–24, as well as bi- and tridentate pseudocompound falcigers and large median simple tridentate hooded hooks in the first four chaetigers. Including M. bidentata sp. nov., the genus Mooreonuphis includes 19 species, which have been exclusively collected on the American coasts, mainly in tropical and temperate waters. From the Caribbean Sea, six species have been recorded. Of these, M. bidentata sp. nov, M. cirrata, M. dangrigae and M. intermedia are the only species having their locus typicus in this tropical region. A taxonomic key is presented for all the species of Mooreonuphis recorded from both sides of the American seas.

Phylogeographic inferences concerning marine species are largely based on intertidal species. In high latitudes, intertidal species have been affected by ice coverage and ice scour, and therefore show northern range limitations during glaciations. In this study, we use the subtidal horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) to investigate whether generalizations about genetic structure of high latititude intertidal species, specifically in the North Atlantic, are representative of other near shore taxa. We analysed genetic diversity, molecular variance, and geographical patterns of genetic relatedness using data from the mtDNA CO1 gene. Although we do find little to no haplotype structure in the North Atlantic, our results show that north-eastern Pacific individuals represent a different haplotype network with no haplotypes in common with Atlantic individuals. Thus, M. modiolus in the Pacific may represent an unrecognized species. Genetic diversity and population expansion times suggest a Pacific origin is most likely, with subsequent dispersal to the Atlantic. The lack of genetic structure in the Atlantic suggests that a rapid range expansion occurred less than 50 KYA, rather than a stepping stone mode of dispersal.