In order to study the nutritive value and patterns of variation in biochemical composition of Mesopodopsis zeylanica, the protein, carbohydrate and lipid content of freshly caught mature males, immature males, spent females, brooding females, immature females and juveniles for two seasons were determined. The biochemical composition reveals high nutritional quality of mysid and it varies with different seasons and developmental stages. Among the biochemical composition, protein was the principal component. Significant differences were observed in protein, carbohydrate and lipid content between different developmental stages. Trophic conditions and reproductive strategy were the major factors that determine the seasonal patterns of variation in biochemical composition. Mature males and females showed higher protein content than other stages, while carbohydrate content was high in immature stages, and lipid content was high in brooding females.

The present paper reports the first record of occurrence of longfin escolar Scombrolabrax heterolepis in the Indian waters. A single specimen measuring 188.5 mm standard length was collected from a commercial deep-sea shrimp trawl by-catch operated at 220 to 350 m depths in the Arabian Sea off Trivandrum during October 2010. The specimen is described and figured.

The finding of a specimen of Eretmophorus kleinenbergi (Moridae) stranded on the shore on the Sicilian coast of the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) is reported. Morphometric and meristic characters are given, and the description of sagittal otoliths and a colour photograph of a fresh specimen are provided.

Our paper describes the first record of Neoharriotta pinnata from the Bay of Bengal region of the Indian Ocean. A single specimen of a male N. pinnata had a total length of 1040 mm, weighing 1750 g. We explain its extended distribution towards the north-eastern Indian Ocean.

Observations of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops spp. were made opportunistically between 1993 and 2009 in New Caledonian waters (eastern Coral Sea, south-western Pacific). Two morphotypes, defined from pigmentation patterns, were observed: morphotype-B individuals possessed a distinctive, extensive pale-grey blaze that indents the darker-grey dorsal cape towards the basis of the dorsal fin while morphotype-A individuals lacked it. Morphotype-A bottlenose dolphins occurred in pods of 2–10 individuals whereas pods of morphotype-B bottlenose dolphins comprised up to ~30 individuals. All morphotype-A bottlenose dolphin sightings were made in inshore waters, and all morphotype-B bottlenose dolphin sightings were made offshore. Wounds inflicted by large sharks, including the tiger shark, were documented for morphotype-A bottlenose dolphins. Leisure-boat traffic is likely to be the cause of additional injuries to bottlenose dolphins in the New Caledonian lagoon. Pigmentation patterns and correlated habitat preferences of morphotype-A and -B bottlenose dolphins were consistent with those of, respectively, T. aduncus and T. truncatus in the western Coral Sea and elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean.

From samples taken during the oceanographic cruises TALUD IV–X in the southern and central Gulf of California, Mexico, 291 specimens of Lucinoma heroica were obtained in a depth interval of 731 to 991 m. The species occurred under conditions of severe (<0.1 ml l−1O2) and moderate hypoxia (0.1–0.5 ml l−1O2). The correlation between height and length of the shell showed isometric growth with a trimodal size distribution, showing an average interval of 3.75 mm to 47.40 mm in height and 4.96 mm to 54.00 mm in length. Small individuals (≤20 mm) were distributed in a moderate hypoxic environment, while the larger (>35 mm) tolerated an almost anoxic habitat. Medium-sized specimens (21–35 mm) were found in concentration close to 0.2 ml l−1O2. Average density was 1.532 ind l−1 in infauna samples (dredge and core) and 0.002 ind m−2 in epifauna samples (benthic sledge).

The first known collections of marine algae from Santa Rosa Reef, a submerged seamount located 46 km south-south-west of Guam in the Mariana Islands, occurred at 10.0 to 13.7 m depths in 2003 and 2005. Dasycladus vermicularis, a green alga known predominantly from the Caribbean but also reported from the Philippines in 1976 and the Ryukyus in 1995, and Cutleria irregularis, a brown alga first described from the Hawaiian Islands in 2003, represent the first record of D. vermicularis in the Polynesia–Micronesia region, and the first record of C. irregularis in Micronesia. In total, 8 of the 32 algal species collected at Santa Rosa Reef represent new records for the Mariana Islands.

The Brazilian Northeastern coast includes diverse ecosystems, particularly mangroves, coral and sandstone reefs. Although apparently high, the biodiversity of marine invertebrates from the State of Alagoas is still poorly documented. This study presents 28 new records of opisthobranch molluscs from Alagoas, 11 of which are also new records from the Brazilian Northeastern coast. In addition to comprising an important addition to knowledge about Alagoas reef biodiversity, the new records are useful data for future investigations such as biogeographical studies. Therefore, a list of all opisthobranch species known to date from Alagoas, as well as colour photographs of 32 species is provided.

The occurrence of Marginaster capreensis in the Taranto seas (Ionian Sea, Italy) is reported. The specimens were mostly found in the Gulf of Taranto (N = 17) and only one specimen in the first inlet of the Mar Piccolo Lagoon. The sizes in the sampled population ranged from 6 to 16 mm.

A single specimen of latticed sandperch, Parapercis clathrata measuring 163 mm total lenth was caught in a trawler off Tuticorin, south-east coast of India in February 2010. Morphometric and meristic characters of the recorded specimen are described. This record constitutes the first occurrence of the species in Indian waters and a substantial westward extension of its known geographical distribution.

A male longfin mako shark Isurus paucus of 303 cm total length was found during the monitoring of small scale fishery in Nuevo Torno Largo, Tabasco. This is the first record of the species in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico. The specimen was caught by a small longline vessel at 18o49′45″N 94o08′14″W. Snout and ventral coloration, pectoral fin length and dorsal fin position were used to verify the identification.

We document the composition by sex and size of 105 long-beaked common dolphins (57 males and 48 females) from a die-off in January–February 1995 in the upper Gulf of California, Mexico. Total length of males ranged from 191.2–264.7 cm and those of females ranged from 170.0–252.4 cm. These are the largest Delphinus reported to date anywhere in the world.

Morphological differences in the otoliths of Macrodon atricauda from Rio Grande do Sul State (southern Brazil) and of M. ancylodon from Pará State (northern Brazil) were examined. Until recently, these were considered two populations of the same species. Although relatively similar in their general shape, those of large M. atricauda (>300 mm total length) were shorter and thinner and their outer surface was convex (those of the smallest specimens had a more lobullated antero-dorsal margin) whereas those of similarly sized M. ancylodon were larger, thicker and less lobullated. These features of the otoliths allow these morphologically similar species to be discriminated. The pattern of translucent and opaque bands in sectioned otoliths also differed. The otoliths of M. atricauda showed clear annual banding which allowed ageing, while those of M. ancylodon had no distinct alternate bands.

This paper reports the first well-documented specimen of the goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni in the south-western Atlantic, based on a mature male measuring 3152 mm total length, caught on 27 November 2008 off the Rio de Janeiro coast, south-east Brazil.

The occurrence of dolphins in the Belém area, northern Brazil, has been poorly surveyed. In addition, there has been much speculation on the identity of cetaceans inhabiting these brackish waters. Vantage point observations conducted from September 2008 to October 2010 resulted in the observation of 44 groups of dolphins and 79 individuals. Among these, 56 were Inia geoffrensis (71%) and 23 Sotalia. In addition, 21 boat transects were conducted and recorded 50 individuals in 19 sightings. Among sighted during transects 36 were Sotalia (72%) and 14 were Inia. In both observation methods, Tasco Offshore binoculars were used and size and group composition and behaviour (feeding, resting, socializing, travelling and not identified) were recorded. All the categories of behaviour were recorded for Inia and Sotalia, except resting. The Inia group size ranged from one to four individuals, the solitary ones prevailing (57% in vantage point and 67% in boat surveys). Groups ranging from one to seven Sotalia dolphins were registered, in both observation methods. Boto calves were observed in September 2008 and 2009, and February 2010. In April 2010 two botos were sighted in courtship behaviour. Sotalia calves were found in March, May and December 2009. Botos frequently came closer to the right river margin, often entering the Igarapé do Tucunduba, usually in feeding behaviour. On the other hand, Sotalia was sighted in the main channel, or closer to the left margin, opposite to the observation point. Sotalia were observed in the rainy season, except for three sightings in the dry season.

The swimming crab Charybdis japonica is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. A single adult male specimen was caught in 2006 with gill-net at the entrance of Ancona harbour, on the Adriatic coast of Italy. No other specimens have been found despite extensive surveys of the environs of the port. Unintentional transport by a merchant ship seems the most likely vector of introduction.

Qeshm Island is the largest island of the Persian Gulf. It is located in the north-eastern part, near the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Between 2007 and 2010 by support of the Persian Gulf Biotechnology Research Center a collection of the two most dominant macrobenthic fauna groups (Gastropoda and Crustacea) was gathered around the island. A total of 28 intertidal stations were investigated, including four basic habitat types (rocky, sandy, mud flats and mangrove forests), which resulted in a large diversity of species encountered. The present report provides a summary of the collected taxa. A total of 123 taxa belonging to Crustacea and Gastropoda are recorded in the present study. Identification of the species up to the lowest possible level was attempted; about 88% were identified up to species level. In total, 109 species have been identified. Rocky sites were the most diverse intertidal habitats in the island.

The stomach contents from a killer whale stranded in north-west Ireland were examined. Siphonostomatoid copepods Cecrops latreilli and bones consistent in shape and size with those from the ocean sunfish were found. While observations of free-ranging killer whales predating on sunfish exist from the Gulf of Guinea and the South Pacific, this is the first record for the North Atlantic and the first from stomach content analysis.

The scalloped ribbon fish Zu cristatus is a rarely recorded mesopelagic fish species. In this note we confirm its occurrence in the Tunisian waters of the southern Mediterranean. The capture of young Z. cristatus in Tunisia in October and December is in agreement with the proposed seasonal life cycle of the species in the Mediterranean Sea.

The occurrence of the invasive clam Mya arenaria is confirmed in the Ria de Aveiro (northern Portugal). Some live specimens were collected from the mid-upper intertidal zone. The population density was low (about 0.15 ind m−2) and the individuals were large, of mean shell length 82.22 ± 14.85 mm. Large empty shells of M. arenaria, of mean shell length 85.32 ± 11.31 mm, were found in a life-like position, which indicates an episode of mass mortality in the sampling area and suggests that invasion by the clam in the Ria de Aveiro is not a recent event. Differences in the size-classes of empty shells of the invasive clam indicate that the clam is able to reproduce in this habitat. Occurrence of established populations of M. arenaria at different locations on the Portuguese coast, such as the Tagus estuary, the Lima estuary and the Ria de Aveiro, may be due to intentional introduction of M. arenaria in at least some cases.