ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the biodiversity of caridean shrimps inhabiting the consolidated sublittoral of two Brazilian biodiversity locals Laje de Santos and Vitória Island. We provide data about species composition, cumulative species curves and ecological indexes. Additionally, we compared different sampling techniques used for cryptic fauna studies. The samples were carried out quarterly

ABSTRACT Understanding the environmental influence on the demographic structure of a shark population within a specific ecosystem has direct implications for developing effective management and conservation measures. We studied the physical environment influence on the inter-annual demographic variation of the narrownose smooth-hound shark (Mustelus schmitti) in a key coastal ecosystem. The analyses

ABSTRACT Marine fish stocks are increasingly being exploited to unsustainable levels. Yet, knowledge of basic biological and ecological traits of species, required to sustain fisheries management at a local scale, remains scarce. We investigated the reproductive biology and growth of two marine catfishes: rough-head sea catfish (Arius latiscutatus) and Guinean sea catfish (Carlarius parkii). Both species

ABSTRACT Brucethoa bharata gen. et sp. nov. is described from the host fish Glossanodon macrocephalus Bineesh and Endo, 2019 (Argentinidae), at depths of 300–600 metres from the south-west coast of India. This monotypic genus is characterised by a head weakly immersed in pereonite 1, dorsum strongly vaulted, pereonites 6 and 7 with posterolateral margin expanded and coxae not visible in dorsal view

ABSTRACT Boarfish, Capros aper (Linnaeus, 1758), is a demersal species with a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Boarfish is a common by-catch species of the bottom-trawl fisheries and, over the last two decades, its landings have been increasing in the Atlantic. In the Mediterranean Sea, its landings are not being recorded by any country and the data on its

ABSTRACT The Northern Indian Ocean hosts two Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ), one in the Arabian Sea and the other in the Bay of Bengal. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to understand the total bacterial diversity in, the surface sediment off Goa within the OMZ of the Arabian Sea, and off Paradeep within the OMZ of the Bay of Bengal. Functional profiling was carried out to pinpoint the occurrence

ABSTRACT The bulk of marine fish production in Morocco comprises small pelagic with a large predominance of the European sardine Sardina pilchardus. Information on feeding intensity and diet composition of small pelagic fish are of great importance for understanding species ecology and life-history traits and fisheries management. In the present study, we compared body condition, sexual maturation

ABSTRACT There has been a recent interest in exploring the possibility of oil and gas production in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area along the Norwegian coast. Since this is an important drift area for offspring of several important commercial fish species, such an activity could potentially have adverse effects on fish early life survival. A potential surface oil spill could coincide in time with swimbladder

ABSTRACT From the perspective of phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC), closely related species must share more aspects of a niche than randomly expected. However, considering the competitive exclusion principle, PNC is questionable for related species in sympatry. This research aimed to test PNC in Riorajini, a tribe of four skates endemic to the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean: Atlantoraja castelnaui

ABSTRACT We analysed the genetic structure with respect to geographic distribution of the flat needlefish, Ablennes hians, previously considered as having a circumtropical distribution. Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) barcode region sequences were constructed for a specimen from the Mediterranean, and a specimen from Japan. The sequences of the studied specimens were compared with 18 barcodes of this species

ABSTRACT Species of Nicippe are recorded almost worldwide and four species have been previously recorded. Descriptions of taxonomic characters of Nicippe isaki sp. nov. from Svalbard are given and compared with morphologically similar species. Nicippe isaki has previously been considered as Nicippe tumida, which actually may be a complex of several local species. Nicippe isaki is characterized by a

ABSTRACT Phragmope discrepans (Lithothamnion discrepans) is recognized as a new monotypic genus endemic to South Africa on account of several active modes of growth, including apical meristem replacement, production of cell bars in canals of multiporate conceptacles, and development of a second compact, imperforate roof over multiporate conceptacles. Meristem replacement involves up to three layers

ABSTRACT During 2014, 21 patches of Cymodocea nodosa were found in intertidal pools in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands). Pool substratum was mixed sand and rock, but mostly dominated by stone bottoms. Most plants were established with fully exposed rhizomes, filling small fissures without sediment. During subsequent sampling surveys between 2016 and 2019, the presence of these patches was consistent

ABSTRACT Horseshoe crabs have survived for a long period due to their myriad defence mechanism. Thorough studies were conducted on their adaptive defence mechanisms but few highlighted their primary innate defence. This study aimed to determine the antifouling properties of the methanolic crude extracts and fractions obtained from the book gills and carapace of the Tachypleus gigas and to characterize

ABSTRACT Global warming is causing changes in the food web structure and seasonal plankton dynamics. The Baltic Sea is one of the fastest-warming sea areas and warming consequently affects the timing and magnitude of phytoplankton blooms. Based on available Chlorophyll a data from nine years between 1979 and 2018, from the entrance to the Gulf of Finland, we studied the timing of the phytoplankton

ABSTRACT Marine isopod Ligia cinerascens (♂1:1♀) was collected to determine the distribution and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in their bodies or tissues and its consequent effect on the ultrastructure of the hepatopancreas. Field investigation and Cd exposure experiments indicated that male and female animals consistently bioaccumulated Cd. The hepatopancreas possessed the highest level of Cd, followed

A listing of the ceratioid anglerfishes occurring in and around The Gully, a submarine canyon and Marine Protected Area (‘MPA’) off the coast of Nova Scotia that has been reserved to protect its biodiversity, is provided. The compilation was based on 138 specimens, including members of at least 24 species, collected during four midwater-trawl surveys at meso- and bathypelagic depths, supplemented by

ABSTRACT The species composition and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Eastern Black Sea were determined seasonally, between May 2013 and February 2014. Sediment was collected using a Van Veen grab, at different depths: 5–15 m, 15–25 m, 25–35 m and >35 m. A total of 320 hauls were undertaken at 80 stations, and 90 species were identified, from seven phyla and 47 families. Overall, Mollusca

ABSTRACT We describe a new pycnogonid species, Pantopipetta lenis sp. nov., collected from 141–152 m depth in southern Japan, North Pacific Ocean. Pantopipetta lenis closely resembles Pantopipetta auxiliata and Pantopipetta oculata in having auxiliary claws on the legs, but differs from them in lacking dorsodistal tubercles on the lateral processes, having the first short distal article of palp shorter

Five species of Recent brachiopods (Terebratulida), i.e. Xenobrochus parvus (Cooper, 1977 CooperGA. 1977. Brachiopods from the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters. Studies in Tropical Oceanography. 14:1–211. [Google Scholar]), Chlidonophora incerta (Davidson, 1878 DavidsonT. 1878. Extract from a report to Professor Wyville Thomson, F.R.S., Director of the civilian scientific staff, on the Brachiopoda

ABSTRACT Five species of Recent brachiopods (Terebratulida), i.e. Xenobrochus parvus (Cooper, 1977), Chlidonophora incerta (Davidson, 1878), Eucalathis ergastica Fischer & Œhlert, 1890, Nanacalathis atlantica Zezina 1991, and Leptothyrella incerta (Davidson, 1880) have been identified in the material collected during the 39th cruise of the RV Professor Logachev in the Russian Exploration Area in the

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to compare the richness and the population traits of exotic and native peracarid species in two ports of the Southwestern Atlantic (Mar del Plata: MDP, Puerto Madryn: PMY), in order to discuss the vulnerability of these environments to biological invasions, to explore the current status of these assemblages and to study the life history traits that could favour

ABSTRACT Recent studies have increased the known diversity and distribution of kinorhynchs in the Gulf of Mexico. For this study, sediment was sampled from Alabama coastal waters at shallow depths ranging from 11 to 26 metres. The 13 stations were positioned to the west and east of the mouth of Mobile Bay as well as at central locations. A total of 320 animals were collected. Animal densities ranged

ABSTRACT Species within the genus Helicosalpa are pelagic tunicates with keg-shaped solitary zooids and aggregate zooids in chains (not whorls). They are also among the most rarely collected salps, with most observations from subtropical and tropical regions. Pictures and videos of live, aggregate helicosalp species in situ are rare. As a pilot study, we present material (images and videos) showing

ABSTRACT We describe Zeuxo ezoensis sp. nov. from Hokkaido, Japan. This species closely resembles Z. phytalensis, Z. shitipingensis and Z. turkensis in having the pleopodal endopod with one inner plumose seta, maxillipedal palp article 4 with one outer simple seta, the left mandible with a wide, denticulate lacinia mobilis and one bifurcate accessory seta, and the right mandible with a peg-like lacinia

ABSTRACT Lolliguncula diomedeae is captured incidentally in the by-catch of the shrimp trawl fishery, however, there is little information about its life history. Therefore, data on reproductive indicators were collected in this study to evaluate the reproductive biology of L. diomedeae in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. A total of 1525 specimens, 1354 females with dorsal mantle length (ML) ranging from 18

ABSTRACT The sessile barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis was observed on multiple cetacean species during field surveys off the northern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil. However, the occurrence of X. globicipitis in cetaceans in Brazilian waters has been, up to now, scarce. In the present study, this epibiont is reported for the first time in orcas (Orcinus orca), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis)

ABSTRACT Renocila bijui sp. nov., parasitizing the coral reef fish Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Andaman Island, India is described and illustrated. Renocila bijui sp. nov., the first definitive record of the genus from India, is characterized by: rectangular body; truncate frons without a ventral posteriorly directed rostrum; antenna longer and narrower than antennula; pereonite 7 posterolateral

ABSTRACT The reproduction of the sea urchin Pseudechinus magellanicus and the influence of environmental factors were studied during a 27-month period in central Patagonia, Argentina, where this species is among the dominant grazers in kelp forests and tide pools. The monthly variation in the gonad dry weights, gonadal stages and other quantitative reproductive variables (oocyte diameter, density and

ABSTRACT The first phylogenetic reconstruction of the Lepocreadiidae that include Opechona olssoni, Prodistomum alaskense and Prodistomum orientale is presented. These trematode species were collected during a parasitological survey of marine fish caught in the North-western Pacific. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparisons of 28S rRNA gene partial sequences supports the monophyly of the genus Opechona

ABSTRACT The red sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus is considered a potentially valuable fishing resource and a candidate for aquaculture in Norway. The aim of this study was to advance the information about the reproductive cycle of P. tremulus in Norway. Specimens were obtained monthly from by-catch in a coastal commercial crustacean fishery from the fjord system around Ålesund, Møre and Romsdal

This investigation aims at assessing patterns of spatial genetic structure of the teleost fish Sardina pilchardus across the Siculo-Tunisian Strait (a well-known discontinuous biogeographic area) and delineating putative genetic stocks within the species. For this purpose, a total of 180 specimens, collected from 11 locations stretching across the western and eastern Mediterranean coasts of Tunisia

To explore ecosystem dynamics and functions it is vital to obtain knowledge on predator–prey relations. Harbour seals are piscivorous predators that can come into conflict with fisheries. Recently, as the Skagerrak and Kattegat population of harbour seals has increased, claims have emerged that seals are depleting coastal cod populations. The diet of harbour seals in Norwegian Skagerrak was investigated

ABSTRACT To explore ecosystem dynamics and functions it is vital to obtain knowledge on predator–prey relations. Harbour seals are piscivorous predators that can come into conflict with fisheries. Recently, as the Skagerrak and Kattegat population of harbour seals has increased, claims have emerged that seals are depleting coastal cod populations. The diet of harbour seals in Norwegian Skagerrak was

Here, we review the taxonomy of the Apodida species from the Brazilian coast and oceanic islands. Eleven species are reported, four Chiridotidae (including Chantalia conandae gen. et sp. nov.) and seven Synaptidae (including Yemoja gen. nov.). Chantalia conandae gen. et sp. nov. is a shallow-water species diagnosed by having 12 tentacles, 4–6 Polian vesicles and vase-shaped ciliated funnels along the

We describe Paradoxapseudes shimojiensis sp. nov. from a submarine limestone cave at Shimoji-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. This species resembles five species (P. basibidens, P. bassoprofundo, P. bermudeus, P. edgari, and P. heroae, among 17 congeners) that bear a long pleotelson, but differs from them in having (i) a naked antennal article 1, (ii) the maxillipedal basis with one

The annual reproductive cycle comprises steady gametogenic activities that synchronize gonadal maturation and spawning rhythms, which are important for aquatic organisms including marine echinoderms (Echinodermata, Echinoidea). In this study, we report the annual reproductive cycle, gonadal development, and changes in nutritive phagocytes (NPs, which accumulate nutrients in germ cells) in relation

This paper provides the first descriptions of embryonic and larval development of the sea urchin Diadema savignyi (Audouin, 1809) (Diadematoida: Diadematidae). Diadema savignyi developed from relatively small eggs, 79.24 ± 6.37 µm. At 26–27°C, the embryonic development of D. savignyi took about 7 h until hatching from the fertilization envelope at the blastula stage and beginning of the larval life

Predation is potentially an influential source of early post-settlement mortality of benthic marine invertebrates, but previous studies demonstrate conflicting results. We investigated the effect of large predators on developing subtidal invertebrate communities in cobble-filled collectors in the southwest Bay of Fundy, Canada. Two predation treatments (exclusion of predators ≥ 7 mm body width or full

The preference for coastal habitats makes the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, vulnerable to fisheries conflicts and hence prone to die due to entangling in fishing nets. An opportunistic sampling of such casualties (134 individuals) in Norwegian waters was used to assess the genetic population structure of the species by SNP-genotyping at 78 loci. The results of genetic clustering obtained for

In this study, we investigated the global population genetic structure of the polychaete, Harmothoe imbricata, to determine connectivity patterns within the species. We sequenced the mtDNA marker, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) from 29 specimens sampled across three sites from the New England coast of the United States. These were supplemented with 145 archived sequences from GenBank and the Barcode

Homolodromia rajeevani, a new species of deep-water homolodromiid sponge crab, is described from the northern Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, depth 957 m, and Bay of Bengal, 645 m), and is the first record of the genus from the area. This species resembles the western Indian Ocean species, namely, Homolodromia bouvieri Doflein, 1904, in having 2 terminal spines on the propodi of the last two pereopods,

Safeguarding the services provided by marine forests inherently depends on an accurate understanding of macroalgal species diversity. Here, we provide the first DNA barcode survey of marine macroalgae from Norway, with a focus on the Bergen area, and compared our findings to morphological listings for the corresponding location. Specimens were sampled 14–20 April and 3–13 June 2016, and variously sequenced

The manner of maternal care of the hyperiid amphipod, Oxycephalus clausi, was investigated at Senzaki, Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. In situ observation underwater over a period of seven years as well as in vitro observation under laboratory conditions were conducted. Most of the amphipods (90.1%) were associated with gelatinous zooplankton. At least 13 species, including cnidarians, ctenophores

Multi-oscula sponges are organisms composed of aquiferous modules, each of which draws water through its canal system by means of pumping units (choanocytes, Cs, in choanocyte chambers, CCs) such that the filtered water leaves the module as an exhalant jet through the osculum of the module. Here we compare relations between the characteristic parameters of sponge volume (V), osculum cross-sectional

The smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena is known to display a high degree of site fidelity to specific areas along the South African coastline. This species is vulnerable to overfishing and steep declines have been noted globally. In this study, a dual marker approach was used to investigate the spatial and temporal genetic variation of juvenile S. zygaena across the south and east coast of South

The commensal crab genus Tumidotheres is reportedly represented along the western Atlantic coast by Tumidotheres maculatus, with populations distributed from temperate to tropical waters in North and South America. Western Atlantic populations of the related genus Zaops have been alternatively separated into the northern species Zaops ostreus and southern Zaops geddesi. We hypothesized that populations

Pitfalls can trap mobile fauna during their peak surface activity, whereas sediment corer efficiently capture individuals buried in the substrate. Corer sampling is the most used method to capture the sandhopper Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis, because of the assumption that bias related to surface activity during daylight can be controlled by a careful sampling. The objective of the present study

The tub gurnard, Chelidonichthys lucerna, is considered the most important commercial fish species of the family Triglidae captured by the Portuguese traditional fisheries. However, the data available about its population structure, movement patterns and habitat connectivity is, at present, scarce. In this study, otolith chemistry and shape analyses of 90 individuals captured, between March and June

We analysed the carbon stable isotope (δ13C) of various organic carbon sources, including particulate organic matter (POM), sediment organic matter (SOM), seagrass and its epiphytes, and compared these results with that of 36 fishes, including 27 types of demersal fishes, 6 types of midwater fishes, and 3 types of surface fishes. Our results indicated that there were significant differences in the

The benthic communities dominated by the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (d’ Orbigny, 1846) are distributed in most of the rocky intertidal shores of temperate coastal areas of the SW Atlantic. The objective of this study was to review the changes that have placed in the intertidal zone of the mussel community over the past 50 years in Mar del Plata city (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). From the

Coral reef restoration is not the same as forest restoration as its success is not always guaranteed because of insufficient knowledge of coral biology. The technology of active restoration has a history of only 40 years or less. In spite of many devices and efforts, restoration is often hampered by low survivorship of colonies, fragments or sexual propagules. In order to enhance coral resilience and

Presently, 28 species of pycnogonids are known from the northeastern region of Brazil. This is the largest coastal section of Brazil, with an extent of 3400 km, but the least explored from a scientific point of view. Organic reefs follow the coastal line, becoming concentrated in the section known as the Reef Coast. This section has 17 pycnogonid species recorded. The aim of this paper is to increase

Hermit crabs are known to use empty gastropod shells, which allows them to grow and avoid predation and desiccation stress. However, shell benefits lessen with crab growth and natural damages so that hermit crabs are always in search for new and better-quality shells. This makes these organisms dependent on the input of newer shells, presenting adaptations to locate new released shells, as perception

The sand lances (also known as sand-eels) are small fish belonging to family Ammodytidae that consists of 31 species belonging to 7 genera. Despite world-wide distribution, key role in the ecosystems and significant commercial importance, sand lances have rarely been objects of the cytogenetic studies. The chromosomes of small sand-eel (Ammodytes tobianus) and great sand-eel (Hyperoplus lanceolatus)

Random sampling of shallow-water black corals colonies of Cirrhipathes anguina was carried out over a period of 13 months near the Great Reef of Toliara in southwest Madagascar. Small pieces of tissue were collected monthly from the base and apex of each colony. A total of 114 sets of upper and lower sections were observed. There were 37 males and 39 females for a sex ratio of 0.95, which was not significantly

In this paper, data about ontogenetic variation of dermal ossicles in Pseudothyone belli, a species widely distributed in the western Atlantic are provided. These data are important since juveniles often lack many of the characters used to identify adult specimens and in some cases, they have been described as separate species. The main differences between juveniles and adults are related to the form

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important component of nutrient cycling, but the role of different organisms controlling the processing of autochthonous DOM remains poorly understood. Aiming to characterize phytoplankton-derived DOM and the effects of complex pelagic communities on its dynamics, we incubated natural plankton communities from a temperate mesohaline estuary under controlled conditions

Ovaries of bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, from organisms measuring 247.62 ± 3.54 cm fork length collected within the Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico, were examined. The highest gonadosomatic index was recorded in April (1.6 ± 0.28), coinciding with the presence of oocytes with a migratory nucleus (oocyte diameter 439 ± 32.84 µm); fully developed gonads were also observed in two