The third record of the sharpnose seven-gill shark Heptranchias perlo (Selachii: Hexanchidae) north of the Bay of Biscay is reported. The 101 cm total length specimen, which was taken incidentally on a commercial bottom-set longline at a depth of 166 m, was an immature female. Beaks belonging to the short-finned squid Illex coindetii (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) were recovered from the stomach, and an unidentified species of nematode was found parasitizing the stomach mucosa.

A method is described for staining the musculature of preserved salps with Rose Bengale and reforming their natural shape by injecting the body cavity with molten agar. Compared with normal preserved material, specimens prepared in this way are easy to handle, more lifelike in appearance and the detailed arrangement of their musculature is clearly differentiated in three dimensions.

The aim of this paper is to describe the population structure and some reproductive aspects of Hippolyte zostericola during an annual cycle. Samples were taken bimonthly, from June 2009 to April 2010, with a Colman–Seagrove sledge net on seagrass meadows located in the internal margin of Isla del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico. The population structure of H. zostericola was similar throughout the cycle analysed. The males, significantly smaller than females (0.57–1.8 and 0.55–3.52 mm carapace length (CL), respectively), were more frequent between 0.8 and 1.54 mm CL, whereas in larger size-classes (1.8–3.52 mm CL) only females were registered, ovigerous principally. The sex-ratio was always in favour of males, mean of 1.3 males per female. Size at maturity (CL50) was 2.28 ± 0.1 mm CL. Based on the presence of ovigerous females throughout the year it is considered that the reproduction of H. zostericola is continuous. The main breeding season and recruitment occurs during the first third of the year. The mean fecundity of the species was 144 ± 69 eggs and varies with female size. The higher egg loss occurred in larger females (37.3%) and the relationship between fecundity and female size was estimated as negative allometric, which suggests that age influences the fecundity of the species.

On 13 November 1947 a specimen of the sea hare, Aplysia depilans L., which had been trawled in Babbacombe Bay, was sent to the Plymouth Laboratory. When it was realized that the animal was not the common A. punctata Cuv., collecting trips to likely places were undertaken in the hope of finding more. No others were found, but on one of the expeditions Dr D. P. Wilson picked up a specimen of A. limacina L.

Both A. depilans and A. limacina are found in the Mediterranean and on the west coast of Europe: A. depilans has been found in British seas before, but so far as is known A. limacina has not.

These occurrences provide the main reason for publishing this study. The paper also includes an account of the distribution of aplysiids in British waters and a review of the controversy over the identity of large specimens. As the animals are not usually described in natural history books, notes on the field characters are added.

I would like to thank the Director of the Plymouth Laboratory for affording me laboratory and collecting facilities and for his interest in the work. I am most grateful to Dr G. Bacci, who went to much trouble to send me specimens from Naples; to Dr W. J. Rees, who arranged for me to have access to the British Museum collection; to Dr D. P. Wilson, who has provided the photographs of A. punctata (Pl. I) and A. limacina (Pl. II); and to D. J. Slinn, who prepared the map.

The hydroid of the Anthomedusa Bougainvillia britannica Forbes has not been known with certainty, though its identity with B. flavida Hartlaub has appeared probable.

From colonies found on Aporrhais pespelecani in the Firth of Clyde medusae of B. britannica have been reared. A description and figures of the hydroid and the young stages of the medusa are given.

Bougainvillia flavida Hartlaub and B. linearis (Alder) are junior synonyms of B. britannica Forbes.

The systematic position of the hydroid Trichydra pudica has been uncertain because of lack of knowledge of its life-history. Medusae released from it have been reared to maturity and prove to be the species Pochella polynema. The stages of development of the medusa are described and figured. The systematic relationships of the medusa are discussed: it has the general characters of the Anthomedusae, to which the species is accordingly removed. The name Trichydra pudica has priority and should be used for both hydroid and medusa. The apparently related species Pochella oligonema should be known as Trichydra oligonema.

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.

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.

The size selectivity of traditional gillnets for whiting, (Merlangius merlangus euxinus) was investigated in the eastern Black Sea between June 2010 and June 2011. Experimental fishing operations were carried out by using gillnets of 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 mm mesh size. A total of 2038 specimens belonging to 16 different fish species were caught during the experiment. The Share Each Length's Catch Total method was used to fit gillnet selectivity curves. Gillnet selectivity was best described by a bi-modal selectivity curve. The modal catch sizes were estimated as 14.81, 15.74, 16.66, 18.51 and 20.37 cm for 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22 mm mesh sizes, respectively. Modal lengths and spread values increased with increasing mesh size. The majority of fish (71.8%) caught by 16 mm mesh size were less than the length at first sexual maturity.

The hypobranchial gland ofMorula gramilata (Duclos) has been morphologically and histochemically characterized. The marginal zones of the gland have mucocytes and eosinophil cells while the median region has in addition ciliated cells and gland cells. Neurosensory cells are also present. Two types of mucous cells have been identified. Type I secrete a diastase-resistant, neutral mucopolysaccharide, while type II secrete PAS unreactive, strongly acidic and highly sulphated mucins. Exposure to low temperatures, ultraviolet rays and irritants resulted in the production of a purple dye.

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.

The warm water Ophidiaster ophidianus has a protected status in the Mediterranean Sea and also occurs in the shallow subtidal of the Azorean Archipelago. From April 2007 to August 2009, the population structure and seasonal abundance of O. ophidianus was studied at different depths within a marine conservation area offshore from São Miguel (SAC: PTMIG0020, Natura 2000). Ophidiaster ophidianus showed a marked seasonal trend in abundance, with higher numbers being recorded from 5 m depth during spring and autumn, and higher numbers at 10 m depth in summer and winter. Densities ranged from 9 to 16 individuals per 100 m2 over the sampling period. The size–frequency distribution of O. ophidianus was uni-modal for each sampling month. Small individuals dominated at 5 m depth, intermediate-sized individuals at 10 m and larger individuals were more frequent at 15 m. The present study establishes population parameters for O. ophidianus and provides the necessary information for management purposes at the north-western periphery of its range in the Azores.

Pseudapocryptes elongatus is one of the oxudercine gobies, which show varying degrees of amphibious behaviour and capacities to breathe air. There is little information on the early life history of P. elongatus, particularly of their morphology and larval habitat and duration. This study focused on the life history of larval and juvenile stages of P. elongatus investigated by genetic species identification, morphological observation and otolith analyses using specimens collected in June and October 2012 from estuaries in Bac Liêu Province, southern Vietnam (09°14′N 105°43′E). Genetically identified juvenile P. elongatus were characterized by (1) a slender body form, (2) the anterior edges of both the anal and second dorsal fins located at the midpoint along the body axis, (3) scarce chromatophores over the body surface, (4) melanophores in the parietal region between the eyes, and (5) a single row of melanophores along the base of the anal fin. Mean age at recruitment to estuaries was 38.0 ± 4.1 days, and otolith Sr/Ca ratios ranged from 8.9 to 9.9 mmol mol−1, suggesting that larval migration from their spawning sites requires more than 1 month in saline environments.

This paper develops models of the initial impact of marine aggregate extraction on a benthic assemblage. We predict the effect of dredging on species numbers and abundance assuming spatial randomness of individuals. We extend the model to allow for spatial clustering of individuals using a Matern process. Data from a controlled field experiment are used to develop a framework for estimating species reduction. This involves modelling the spatial pattern of individuals before dredging using a Matern process, the impact of dredging at an individual level, and the probability that a species is not seen in a post-dredging survey. The framework was used to estimate that, of the 41 species that were seen in a pre-dredging survey but not in a post-dredging survey, between 0 and 14 were eliminated (with 95% likelihood) rather than escaped detection. The most likely number eliminated was 4.

Two species of the genus Schizotricha new to science (Schizotricha crassa sp. nov. and S. southgeorgiae sp. nov.) have been studied. Both species are described and figured and their systematic position amongst the remaining species of the genus is discussed. The material was collected during the United States Antarctic Research Programme (USARP) with RV ‘Eltanin’ and RV ‘Islas Orcadas’. A comparative table listing the main features and distribution of the known species of Schizotricha, together with an identification key, are presented.

This paper describes the hydrography and the larval fish assemblage of Guinea Bissau waters, and analyses the spatial distribution of the main families in relation to the oceanographic features of the area. Data were obtained during an oceanographic survey, undertaken between October and November 2008. In addition to 98 demersal fishing hauls, a total of 33 stations, located between 20 and 1000 m depth, were sampled for hydrography and ichthyoplankton. Data showed that Guinea-Bissauan surface waters are characterized by a strong thermohaline front that flows parallel to the bathymetry of the area. Warm surface waters (SST > 29°C) occupy the inner shelf, and colder (SST < 26°C), chlorophyll-a-rich waters take over the shelf break. Continental runoff seems responsible for the low salinity of the inner-shelf waters whereas the colder types bear thermohaline features typical of tropical Atlantic waters. These features define a scenario which favours the development of fish early life stages, reflected in the high abundance and diversity of fish larvae recorded. A total of 84 taxa of fish larvae were identified. Only the family Clupeidae accounted for 54.8% of the sampled larvae. Other important families were Carangidae (8.8%), Sparidae (8.4%) and Myctophidae (5.9%).

Loxosoma phascolosomatum was first described under that name by Vogt (6) in 1876 when he discovered it at Roscoff on the posterior extremity of Phascolosoma elongatum and P. margaritaceum, where it forms a small tuft. It had probably been observed previously by Norman (4), and described by him in 1861 (3) as tentacular appendages of “Strephenterus claviger”; he found it on gephyreans dredged in 1858 from Bantry Bay. Barrois (2, p. 8) mentions that he also saw this species in 1874–75, before the publication of Vogt's paper, at Roscoff, where it was abundant on sipunculids. Since then it has been recorded as occurring on Phascolion by Andersson (1) in East Greenland, and by Norman (5) in East Finmark.

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.

Nebalia dolsandoensis sp. nov. (Malacostraca: Phyllocarida: Leptostraca), is described from specimens taken from light traps in harbours with organic-rich muddy sand and seaweeds along the south coast of Korea. The new species is characterized based on the following unique combination of characteristics: an antennular flagellum with up to only nine articles in the mature female; the fourth article of the antennule has up to four distal spine-like setae; pleonites 3–7 have rounded denticles along the posterior dorsal margins; the protopod of pleopod 4 has an even posterior margin; the uropods are distinctly short, about 0.6 times as long as pleonite 7 and the anal somite combined; the anal plates have a noticeably broad lateral ‘shoulder’. In addition, a key to the species of the genus Nebalia Leach, 1814 and partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene from the new species are provided.