The specimen which forms the subject of this note was sent to Dr. Allen by Miss Olivia L. Fox, of Falmouth, at the beginning of December, 1906, preserved in formalin. Dr. Allen sent it to me in London, and requested me to study and describe it. The specimen is 4·4 cm. in length, and presents a condition which has never previously been described in any species of flat-fish. I have examined it with great interest, and would express here my thanks to Dr. Allen for sending it to me.

Acute phase response (APR) in developing embryos/larvae remains poorly studied in fish, and information regarding the expression and role of acute phase proteins (APPs) in developing embryos/larvae is rather limited in teleosts. In this study we investigated the APR in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae challenged with LPS by examining the expression of APP genes encoding CRP, SAA, LECT2, HAMP and HP and APP inducer genes encoding IL-1β and TNF-α. Expression of all the seven genes was up-regulated in embryos/larvae after challenge with LPS as revealed by q-RT-PCR. Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) showed that all the genes displayed strong maternal expression in the cleavage and blastula stages, and ubiquitous expression in the gastrula and segmentation stage embryos, and then they were expressed differently in specific tissues in later developmental stages. Interestingly, challenge with LPS resulted in de novo expression of the SAA gene in the yolk sac and intestine, the LECT2 gene in the yolk sac, and the IL-1β gene in the yolk sac and the dispersed neutrophils of caudal vein, and visible enhanced expression of the LECT2 gene in the yolk sac. These are the first such data reported in teleosts, showing that LPS challenge is able to modify the expression patterns of APP and APP inducer genes. Altogether, these data suggest that zebrafish embryos/larvae are able to respond to acute infection though their immune system remains in a developing and immature state.

The recruitment of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea in the Chafarinas Islands (SW Mediterranean) was studied over a 17-year period (1999‒2015). A total of 8115 recruits <20 mm in maximum diameter were counted in 95 transect censuses sampled during the study period. The presence of recruits began at the end of winter or beginning of spring (March‒April), when they reached a maximum shell diameter (MD) of at least 4 mm, with a peak in abundance occurring in spring. Smaller recruits were found on the lower midlittoral on the fringe of the vermetid gastropod Dendropoma lebeche and the crustose coralline algae Neogoniolithon brassica-florida, which suggests that settlement occurs at this shore level. Recruits reach 12‒27 mm at the end of their first year of life. A regular recruitment was detected for all studied years, with an average of 11.71 recruits m−1 across the study period. However, recruitment exhibited high interannual variability and did not occur evenly along the coastline of the islands. Higher recruitment was observed in 2001, 2011 and 2012, with a maximum density of 69.07 recruits m−1 in one transect in 2012. The density of recruits decreased in summer. No significant correlation was found between the density of recruits and adults. Between 1999‒2010, 29.29% of recruits were ‘phoretic’ on the shell of adults (1.81 recruits per host on average). Recruits climbed on to adults sometime after settlement, thus we suggest that ‘phoresy’ could favour the survival of young limpets instead of being due to selective settlement on adults. To improve and standardize recruitment monitoring in future studies, we propose that recruits are considered as those specimens <20 mm in MD and that recruitment censuses are carried out in spring, with additional censuses after summer to detect juvenile mortality. Additionally, we propose that 1 mm interval size classes are used for growth studies based on size‒frequency analyses.

Investigation of the fecundity in Abralia veranyi from the Mauritanian slope showed that potential fecundity of this species is 10,000–26,000 including 1200–2400 (mean 1900) yolk oocytes and ripe eggs. Up to 1000 ripe eggs of 0.7–0.8×0.8–0.9 mm (mean weight 0.30 mg) were found in oviducts. In mated females there were found 13–226 (mean 71) spermatangia. Spawning is intermittent.

The global distribution of the 12 described, deep-living megacalanid species is presented in a report on collections made in the Southern Ocean during the United States Antarctic Research Program. Included are four species and one subspecies described in 1967 from samples obtained early in the program. In the material lent to the author by the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center, only six of the described species were found. Bathycalanus bradyi, common in those samples and elsewhere, is made a synonym of B. richardi. The predominant forms are, in order, B. richardi, Megacalanus princeps, and B. princeps, with Bradycalanus sarsi, B. typicus and B. gigas also present. Knowledge of their distribution and ecology is discussed.

A new species of the caridean genus Alvinocaris, A. marimonte sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of specimens collected from hydrothermal vents at three locations in Izu-Bonin and Mariana Arcs of the north-western Pacific Ocean, Myojin Knoll (1224 m depth), NW Eifuku (1574–1582 m depth) and NW Rota seamounts (525 m depth). It is the 17th species assigned to Alvinocaris, and differs from all other congeneric species in several morphological characteristics derived from the rostrum length and armature, the carapace armature, the shape of the posterior margin of the telson and the armature of the third and fourth pereopods. Results of molecular phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS-I genes compared between specimens of A. marimonte sp. nov. and other known species of Alvinocaris supported our recognition of the new species, although available data are still limited. Alvinocaris marimonte sp. nov. is represented by two morphotypes, distinguished by the armature of the posterior margin of the telson (spines vs plumose setae), which were not detected as separate species by the molecular analysis. Our discovery of the intraspecific variation in the armature of the posterior margin of the telson led us to reassess diagnostic characters used to distinguish species within the genus Alvinocaris.

The taxonomy of Mediterranean populations of Diodora is assessed based on new molecular (COI and 28S) data. The recently described Diodora demartiniorum Buzzurro & Russo, 2005, is found to be a valid species restricted to the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) but possibly occurring also on the coast of Libya. However, specimens from the Aegean Sea previously identified as D. demartiniorum are molecularly (and morphologically pseudocryptically) distinct and represent a previously unrecognized species here described as D. giannispadai n. sp. It is hypothesized that the current distribution of these two species corresponds to glacial refuges during Pleistocene climate changes.

To investigate the response of the fish community structure to a natural disturbance in their habitat, fish abundance, biomass and species composition were analysed in relation to temporal variability of environmental conditions in a seagrass Zostera marina bed. A total of 3024 fishes belonging to 46 taxa (22 families) were collected by quantitative sampling for 10 years from 2007 to 2016 in the Seto Inland Sea, south-western Japan. Seagrass shoot density decreased to less than 1/20 of its original density after disappearance of vegetation caused by heavy rain in the autumn of 2011 and the area did not recover for the next five years. In order to analyse temporal changes of fish community, the fishes were divided into three groups depending on their habitats or lifestyles: pelagic or migratory species (PM), sand or mud bottom-associated species (SM) and seagrass (Z. marina) – or substrate (rocky bottom including macrophytes) – associated species (ZS). Multiple regression analysis showed seagrass shoot density had the most significant effect on biomass of ZS among the three groups, with higher fish biomass under higher seagrass shoot density. Fish community composition changed after the disappearance of the seagrass vegetation coverage with an increase in abundance of SM during the five years of the post-disturbance period. Seagrass vegetation was concluded to affect temporal change of fish community structure through a stronger influence on fish species that are more dependent on seagrass beds as habitat.

The four charts produced in this number, showing as nearly as possible the positions of the various fishing boats in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, are a continuation of the series of charts already introduced in Nos. 3 and 4 of vol. ii. They represent the conditions found during last September, October, November, and December, and complete the year's observations.

It is only occasionally that pelagic tunicates of the genera Doliolum and Salpa are recorded in numbers in the waters off Plymouth. In view of their possible use as indicators of the presence of Atlantic water (see Bowman, 1923; and Schmidt, 1909, p. 159), it is of value that their occurrence should be put on record. Regular weekly catches of plankton have been made since 1930 with half-hour oblique hauls with the two-metre stramin ring-trawl. During this period species of both genera have appeared in such numbers that it has seemed desirable to make a careful examination of the species occurring.

Sponges are important components of intertidal marine communities. There is a lack of information about intertidal marine sponge diversity in the western coast of Portugal (North-east Atlantic). In the present work we identified the most common intertidal sponges of the western coast of Portugal, and made a comprehensive list of the intertidal species described so far for this region. Sponges belonging to the Classes Calcarea and Demospongiae were identified, the former class for the first time at these locations. Demospongiae are the most common intertidal sponges, present in all sampling locations. We used an integrative approach for Demospongiae identification, using both morphological and molecular characters. Molecular identification, using a CO1 marker proved to be helpful in the identification to the genus level, despite some limitations, such as difficulty in amplification experienced for sponges as well as non-target organisms. A total of 170 specimens were collected. Seven specimens (five species) belonged to the Class Calcarea and 163 specimens (23 species) to the Class Demospongiae. The demosponge Hymeniacidon perlevis was present at all sample locations. Calcarean species were primarily found in samples taken along the south-western coast.

The ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata is reported from Maltese waters for the first time. Mature colonies were recorded on artificial substrata at two different sites (and on natural substrata at one of these), 4 km apart, during the summer months. The appearance of this ascidian is expected to be seasonal as the winter temperature in Malta may fall below that required for the maintenance of zooid growth. A second species, E. moorei, which was described in 1890 is here confirmed to be the same as E. turbinata, meaning that the species has existed in the Mediterranean since at least ~1880. The possibility that the Mediterranean population is a relic one from warmer periods cannot yet be excluded, so it is best described as being cryptogenic. The species appears to be spreading slowly, perhaps as a result of the rise in surface sea temperature. The Maltese sites offer an opportunity to monitor the species as they are accessible dive sites. This will allow assessment of whether this species remains restricted to these sites, or if it spreads perhaps to impact other species.

In previous papers (Broertjes, de Waard & Voogt, 1984a, b) we reported on the presence of vitellogenic substances in the starfish Asterias rubens and described their separation into three fractions, called 2, 3 and 4, which were isolated and purified. The interrelationship between these fractions was discussed and evidence was given that fractions 3 and 4 may be derived from fraction 2.

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes Paramarylynnia filicaudata sp. nov. and Paramarylynnia stenocervica sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Paramarylynnia filicaudata sp. nov. is characterized by a homogeneous cuticle with transverse rows of even dots; spicules boat-shaped, swollen in the middle and gradually tapering towards both ends; tail conical with a long filiform terminal portion and without subventral setae on the conical part. Paramarylynnia stenocervica sp. nov. is characterized by the marked narrower anterior part of the neck region; heterogeneous cuticle with transverse rows of punctations and the punctations of anterior contracted portion larger and more widely spaced than the remaining portion; spicules curved and cephalate proximally; gubernaculum boat-shaped, swollen in the middle and gradually tapering towards both ends, five small tubular precloacal supplements.

The seastar Ophidiaster ophidianus is a vulnerable and protected species in the Mediterranean Sea but is common on North Atlantic islands such as the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. This work presents new insights into the phylogeography and genetic diversity of O. ophidianus from the Azores, based on 67 sequences of the 16S mitochondrial gene and 46 sequences of the nuclear ATP intron 5 gene. Twenty-six samples from the Mediterranean and seven samples from Madeira were used as out-groups. The results revealed that there is a lack of genetic differentiation between O. ophidianus from the Azores and the out-groups. All, therefore, belong to the same lineage and argue for a fast and recent range expansion of this species into the Azores. Our results also suggest the existence of distinctive periods of strong gene flow followed by periods of either low or non-existent gene flow between the Mediterranean Sea and this archipelago, which could explain the presence of private haplotypes in all studied areas.

A review of the shallow-water species of the genus Tryphosella from the British Isles is presented and a new species, Tryphosella lowryi, is described. In addition, Tryphosella minima is recorded from this region for the first time. This brings to five the total number of species of this genus now known from the British Isles. All taxa are fully described and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided.

Investigations of the water movements off the southern Northumberland coast have until now been confined to the surface region. While important for navigational and similar purposes such investigations can give us no more than an indication of the total water flow along the coast nor can they elucidate the effects of currents on planktonic organisms which spend part or all of their existence away from the surface. It is for the latter reason that the series of investigations of sea surface currents made aboard the R.V. ‘Alexander Meek’ in 1956–7 (Evans, 1957) has now been supplemented by further series at two deeper levels.

The occurrence in British coastal waters of the swimming crab Liocarcinus vernalis is confirmed for the first time. Features are given to enable this species to be distinguished from the closely related L. holsatus and L. marmoreus. The zoogeographical distribution and bionomics of L. vernalis are briefly discussed.

A SCUBA-based fast repetition rate fluorometer (FRRF) was used to study differences in the functional absorption cross-section of Photosystem II (σPSII) between areas of a coral colony of Astreoporamyriophthalma that were infested with spionid polychaetes vs areas lacking worms. The mean value of σPSII in infested areas (mean±SD=347.62±30.67 Å2) was significantly higher than in the areas that were not infested (316.32±17.49 Å2; P<0.0001). Several physiological mechanisms are discussed that may contribute to the observed differences.