Nothing is known of the life-history of Erato voluta (Montagu)=Erato lævis (Donovan) and in the following note the larvæ are described for the first time. Erato being very closely related to Trivia, it was to be expected that the larvæ would be somewhat similar, but, although there is here, as in Trivia, an Echinospira larva, the details of its life-history are quite different and the accessory shell when fully developed differs much from that of Trivia.

Recent investigations (Walker & Rees, 1980; Davis & Wilson, 1983b) have shown that the protobranch bivalve Nucula turgida (Leckenby and Marshall) occupies an important niche in the ecology of Dublin Bay, where it is the dominant organism over much of the southern part of the outer bay. This is an area of moderately sorted fine sand (Harris, 1980) with a pelite (silt and clay) fraction of less than 10% and a consequently low percentage of organic matter of around 1% (Davis & Wilson, 1983 b). Trevallion (1965) described the N. turgida habitat as one of firm muddy sand, adding that the animals avoided mud due to their inability to maintain position or feeding and respiratory currents and also avoided gravel due to their inability to burrow in coarse substrates.

A new species of physonect siphonophore, Halistemma transliratum sp. nov., is described from two specimens collected at mesopelagic depths in Bahamian waters by the submersibles ‘Johnson-Sea-Link’ I and II, and comparisons are made with the established species of that genus.

Jourdan was the first to describe Eloactis mazeli. In 1880 he published Recherches zoologiques et histologiques sur les Zoanthaires du golfe de Marseilles (1), and in this paper E. mazeli is described under the name of Ilyanthus mazelii. Jourdan obtained his specimen from the muddy sand of the north-eastern part of the Gulf from a depth of 60-80 metres. He compares its external characters with those of Peachia, Ilyanthus, and Halcampa; the following is a translation:–

The study of the digestive epithelium in Sagitta setosa, S. serratodentata, and S. pacifica revealed only a few morphological and cytological differences among the three species. The gut was divided in two main regions. The first is the cephalic region where the epithelium is composed of three distinct cell types (S1, S2, and S3), the ultrastructure of which is probably specialized either for the synthesis of mucosubstances (S1), or enzymes (S3), or both (S2). The second region of the gut extends to the trunk and is mainly composed of the intestine and a short vertical rectum. No intestinal diverticula were observed. The intestinal epithelium displayed two ciliated cell types, anteriorly, a secretory cell type (S4) containing large mucus-like granules, and a second cell type (A) predominated in the posterior part of the intestine. A-cells appear to have two main functions. Although they exhibit secretory granules, they also display typical endocytotic features in their upper half, i.e. coated vesicles, a well-developed tubulo–vesicular network and two distinct types of digestive vacuoles corresponding to an endosome–lysosome-like system. From the distribution and presumed function of the cells, the gut may be divided in two main functional units, i.e. the cephalic and trunk units.

The effect of temperature on growth of butterfish, Pholis gunnellus on the west coast of Iceland was studied from September 1995 to March 1997. Butterfish were collected monthly at two sites with different temperature regimes. According to otolith readings butterfish can reach 12 years. The fish in the area with higher sea temperature were larger at all ages but had similar growth rates. Higher temperature seems to result in a shorter incubation time of butterfish eggs and/or higher growth rate of the larvae, leading to larger larvae size at settlement.

Much valuable information on aquarium systems was assembled in the published papers of the 1960 1st International Congress of Aquarology held in Monaco. To date no further congress has been held but Clark & Clark (1964) have collected together a number of papers on sea-water systems and a number of institutes have published details of their aquarium designs, e.g. for the Marine Biological Association at Plymouth (Wilson, 1960), Biologische Anstalt on Helgoland (Anon, 1959), Fishery-Oceanography Center at La Jolla (Lasker & Vlymen, 1969), Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen (Hawkins, 1971) and Sea Research Institute on Texel (de Blok, 1975). A very ambitious aquarium at Dalhousie University, Halifax - the Aquatron Laboratory - has not been fully described although a pamphlet giving some information is available from the curator, Dr Carl Boyd.

Two new species of Munida (M. gordoni and M. grieveae) and one new species of Agononida (A. nielbrucei) are described from volcanic seamounts off northern New Zealand (RV ‘Tangaroa’, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research [NIWA], New Zealand). Description of new species and preliminary examination of NIWA collections reveal unusually high endemism of volcanic seamount populations of Galatheidae.

The effect of β-alanine on the concentration of taurine and other free amino acids (FAA) in different osmotic conditions in Mytilus galloprovincialis have been investigated. Significant variation of the concentration of FAA as a function of the salinity have been observed.

β-alanine incorporation decreases the level of cysteic acid and taurine as well as the level of other FAA.

We have found a new species of Autolytinae (Annelida, Syllidae), Proceraea janetae, feeding on the scleractinian coral Montastrea cavernosa in coral reefs surrounding the Grand Cayman Island (Cayman Islands, British West Indies). The new species has a characteristic combination of transversal brown markings on the segmental margins and diffuse white mid-dorsal transverse bars, together with a diffuse white mid-dorsal longitudinal band. Antennae are brown, tentacular cirri are pale, the first dorsal cirri are white with pale base; the second dorsal cirri are pale, and the remaining dorsal cirri are alternately long, bright yellow-orange with brownish tips and short, entirely brown. The trepan has 18 tricuspid teeth in one ring. There are 9 teeth with all cuspids equally long and 9 with a longer median cuspid, arranged in an alternating pattern. We describe and illustrate the feeding behaviour of the new species, which appears to be closer to parasitism rather than to specialized predation. Proceraea janetae sp. nov. is the second polychaete, and the first syllid, known to feed on scleractinian corals.

The genus Branchamphinome Hartman, 1967 is a moderately understood genus of Amphinomidae that differs morphologically from most other genera in the form of its chevron-shaped caruncle and the presence of branchiae from chaetiger 1. Branchamphinome is presently represented by two deep-water species: B. antarctica, described from the Southern Ocean and B. islandica, from Iceland. We describe a new species of Branchamphinome from shallow South-west Atlantic waters, coast of Brazil. The new taxon revealed the surprising presence of notopodial hooks in chaetiger 1, which was subsequently also found to be present in the lectotype of B. antarctica. Both the genus and Hartman's species are emended to include this morphological feature. Historically, the presence of notopodial hooks has long been considered a diagnostic character for the genus Paramphinome, particularly when distinguishing Paramphinome from Linopherus. Branchamphinome tropicalis sp. nov. was found inhabiting sand sediments at depths of 150 m and temperatures of 16–20°C. Branchamphinome tropicalis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by its characteristic and highly developed pigmentation pattern, shape of the caruncle, branchiae and disposition of prostomial eyes. This is the first report of this genus from shallow tropical waters.

This study was aimed at understanding the diet and the digestive function of the deep-living Lophogastrida species Lophogaster typicus (Mysidacea: Lophogastrida). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations have revealed that the mandibles exhibit typical features of a carnivorous diet, i.e. large and sharp incisor process and small molar one with only few scales. The analysis of gut contents confirms morphological data as crustacean remains have been recognized. However, the presence of a large quantity of unidentifiable soft particulate matter also indicates a saprophagous tendency. The external asymmetrical edge of the labrum consists of a small grinding area. The entire external face of the labrum exhibits numerous pores, which are related with glandular units. These units are organized into acini of two to four large cells. Two types of acini have been observed, i.e. with dark or clear cells. According to ultrastructural and cytochemical data, labral secretions are believed to be mucopolysaccharidic (for clear acini) and enzymatic components (for dark acini), and are therefore involved both in coating and in digesting the food. Moreover, presence of neuronal endings and endocrine cells, both associated with glandular units, and comparison between glandular units in starved and fed animals suggest a controlled release of the secretions. Therefore, the labrum plays a crucial role in the digestive function of the lophogastrid crustacean L. typicus, as it involves both mechanical and chemical breakdown of the food.

Ceramaster grenadensis is one of the most abundant bathyal seastars in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and also presents a wide geographic distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. As with other species in this genus, little information is available on the biology and reproductive strategy of C. grenadensis. In this context, we describe for the first time the reproductive cycle of this species from bathyal depths in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Specimens (N = 141) were collected seasonally from 194 benthic trawls (141 Otter Trawls and 53 Agassiz trawls) conducted during 10 cruises from October 2008 to April 2013. Open slope and canyon systems were sampled at depths between 900 and 2250 m. The population distribution of C. grenadensis showed a depth-related structure, with the smaller adult specimens and juveniles present at greater depths. Sex ratio was 2:1 females per male, constant among seasons and depths. Histological analyses of the gonads showed an asynchronous ovarian organization, with previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes throughout the year. These oogenesis patterns suggest a continuous reproduction. However, the Pyloric Caeca Index (PCI) decreased in summer while the Gonad Index (GI) increased in autumn in males, suggesting a higher spawning capacity in autumn. In both sexes, an increasing GI and PCI trend was observed with increasing depth.

The life history of the hydrozoan, Hybocodon prolifer, was observed. The polyp from the actinula larva forms the stolon soon after metamorphosis. The stolon is dormant during the warm seawater season. The polyp does not produce the medusa. In early winter the stolon starts to form the polyp, and the polyp produces the medusae. Subsequently the polyp forms the stolon. Experimentally the stolon can be induced to form the polyp at any time during aestivation by treatment with low temperature seawater. Neither the polyp from the actinula nor that from the aestivating stolon forms the next polyp. In this case the hydrozoan is solitary. When the polyp forms the stolon with branches, a polyp is formed from each branch after aestivation. In this case the hydrozoan is colonial. If the stolon piece is divided into several pieces, a polyp is formed from each piece. When the contents of the stolon are extruded, the extruded cells form a cellular mass in several hours, and undergo morphogenesis to form a polyp, as does an intact stolon. The stolon is covered by a thick perisarc, and the endodermal cells contain large quantities of yolk-like granules. A few nematoblasts are found dispersed among the endodermal cells.

Meiofauna assemblages were investigated at 15 stations on triplicated samples in the Uvea Atoll (Loyalty Islands) in relation to 9 selected environmental parameters. Spatial patterns and variability of meiofauna density were quantified according to location, macrofauna and nematode species assemblages. Meiofauna was dominated by ciliates and nematodes. Densities of total meiofauna and of most of the meiofauna taxa were significantly higher in the back reef North Pléiades stations than the leeward side of the Island. The highest correlation between biotic patterns and environmental parameters that best explains the pattern was with sediment thickness and to a lesser extent organic matter, C/N ratio and depth. One hundred and thirty-four nematode species were identified with four dominant species Chromadora macrolaimoides, an undescribed species of Bolbonema, Daptonema svalbardense and Prochromadorella septempapillata. Three significantly different nematode species assemblages were detected in two of the previously described macrofauna assemblages by cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling methods suggesting that nematodes are more sensible ecological indicators than macrofauna. Diversity indices based on dominance were not significantly different among the three nematode species assemblages but indices based on species richness and rarefaction were significantly higher leeward of Uvea Island. Estimates of total species richness showed no sign of stabilizing with sample size. However, rare species stabilized very quickly, whereas abundant species were added with increasing sampling coverage, indicating a high spatial variability of the local composition of nematodes.

Since the estimation of ammonia in sea water by existing methods either presents difficulties or requires much time, an alternative based on a different principle has been explored.

A brief account is given of the sessile animals and algae found by diving on the Lulworth Banks. The numbers of a sponge, a sabellid worm and bryozoari were counted over a total area of 650 m2.

1. In the course of three trips to the herring grounds in the vicinity of St. Ives five seals were sighted. Seven others were also seen at various other times and places in the course of five days spent in that locality.

2. During a single night at sea in Port Isaac Bay eight seals were sighted.

3. It was obvious from the movements of certain of the seals observed on the fishing grounds that they were attracted to the herring nets.

4. Direct evidence that the seals actually remove fish from the nets was not obtained.

5. Damage done to drift nets by seals is negligible.

6. Grey Seals (Halichœrus grypus) are present in considerable numbers, and are probably the commonest seals in Cornish waters.

7. Brown Seals (Phoca vitulina) appear to be few—they may even be rare—around Cornwall.

8. There is at least one seal colony of considerable size in certain caves near Boscastle. This appears to consist of Grey Seals. Probably other such colonies exist on the Cornish coast.

9. Clupeoid remains have been found in two out of the three Grey Seal stomachs which have been examined.

10. Further and more exact knowledge of the habits and relative abundance of Grey and Brown Seals around the Cornish coast is desirable.