Digenean species diversity in teleost fish from a nature reserve off Corsica,France (Western Mediterranean), and a comparison with other Mediterranean regions

Data on the digenean parasites of 2238 teleosts from the Scandola Nature Reserve off Corsica are presented. These represent the largest general survey of digenean parasites attempted in the Mediterranean region and is the result of major collections and systematic reports published over the past 20 years. The number of different digenean species recorded from 63 fish species was 102. Full parasite-host and host-parasite lists are presented, with information on the geographical distribution of the parasites, their site within the host and the prevalence, adundance and intensity of the infections. The digenean fauna of teleosts off Corsica is compared with that in other regions of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. A more detailed analysis of the diversity of these parasites in sparid fishes indicates that the digenean diversity off Corsica is far greater than that in other parts of the Mediterranean.     

Studies on the cheilostome bryozoan fauna of the Aegean island of Chios

Summary

Collections of cheilostome Bryozoans from shallow water communities around Chios yielded 101 species. Of these, 15 are rare or little known species and eight are reported from the Mediterranean for the first time. Four new species are described.

The Bryozoan benthos of the eastern Mediterranean differs in several ways from that of the western basin. In particular, a high proportion of endemic species was noted, some of which are restricted to the eastern Mediterranean. Decreased proportions of Atlantic species may be explained either by the recent immigration of such species into the Mediterranean as a whole or by the existence of barriers to migration between the east and west basins of the sea. No firm evidence of the existence of Tethyan relics is found, but the occurrence of a number of species on the West African coast, in the Mediterranean and throughout the Indo-West-Pacific suggests very ancient distribution patterns.

Notes on relative abundance, and utilization of different substrata are included.     

Taxonomic revision of Ascidiacea (Tunicata) from the upper continental slope off north-western Australia

A collection of ascidians from 100–1000 m deep off the north-western coast of Australia has yielded 19 species, including one new, two possibly endemic to the north-western coast of Australia, four well-known Indo-west Pacific tropical species and 12 species known from the deeper waters of the western Pacific, of which 11 had not previously been recorded from off the western Australian coast or from other parts of the Indian Ocean. A third of these 12 species displays adaptations for a reduction in filter-feeding capacity, as do other known species from deeper slope and abyssal habitats. Nevertheless a connection with fauna of deep ocean basins of the Indian Ocean is not apparent at this stage. The full range of characters associated with species, genera and families are discussed, and those contributing to the identification of immature or mutilated specimens, as well as those relevant to an assessment of phylogenetic relationships, are emphasized.     

On the new goby,Ctenogobius veliensis (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the South-West coast of India

Summary

Ctenogobius veliensis, a new species of gobiid fish is described from the South-West coast of India. The characters of the fish conform to those of the genus Ctenogobius Gill but differ markedly from those of other recorded species of the genus. Apart from the usual, external morphological, morphometric and metistic characters, several other features such as the cephalic-lateralis system, skeletal features and morphology of the alimentary canal are also studied and have been found to be of significance for identifying the species. The fish shows distinct sexual dimorphism in many features.     

Spatial distribution of ichthyofauna in the northern Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean)

This study describes the four main demersal fish assemblages identified along the continental shelf and slope (30–800 m depth) of the northern Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean), based on the analysis of the MEDITS (International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean) 12-year data series. We collected 186 fish species belonging to three classes, 24 orders and 69 families. Taxonomically, the order Perciformes was the most diverse, represented by 18 families and 58 species. Each assemblage had particular characteristics of abundance, biomass, mean fish weight and species richness. The geographical differences associated with the distribution of some species occurred within shelf assemblages. The middle slope was characterised by the highest similarity between samples, probably due to its lower environmental variability compared to that of the other assemblages.     

Deep-living demersal fishes in the Catalan Sea (western Mediterranean) below a depth of 1000 m

An extensive survey of the deep-living fishes of the Catalan Sea (western Mediterranean) recorded 31 species in 19 families and 29 genera from 100 samples at depths between 960 and 2251 m. Chlorophthalmidae, Moridae and Macrouridae accounted for nearly 85% of all specimens taken. In biomass terms, Hexanchidae, Moridae, Alepocephalidae and Chlorophthalmidae were the most important families. A quantitative model of the bathymetric distribution of the species is presented. The ‘centre of gravity’ of species’ distribution and the habitat width, a measure of the distribution heterogeneity, are also given. Out of the 31 demersal species caught, the distributions of only 13 are centered below 1000 m. The Mediterranean deep-sea ichthyofauna is very impoverished in comparison with the adjacent Atlantic Basin fauna.     

Factors linked to temporal and spatial variation in the metazoan parasite communities of green jack Caranx caballus (Günther 1868) (Pisces: Carangidae) from the Pacific coast of Mexico

ABSTRACT

Biotic or abiotic factors responsible for temporal or spatial variation in metazoan parasite communities of the green jack Caranx caballus were studied over a nine-year period using samples collected at locations along the south-central Pacific coast of Mexico. A total of 708 fish were collected from six locations between December 2009 and October 2017. Thirty-two parasite species were identified: three Monogenea, nine Digenea, two Cestoda, five Nematoda, eight Copepoda, and three Isopoda. At the component community level, parasite species richness varied significantly from seven (Zihuatanejo 2016) to 18 (Acapulco Bay 2011). The component communities and infracommunities of C. caballus exhibited a similar pattern: low species numbers, low diversity, and dominance by a single species (mainly the monogenean Pseudomazocraes selene or the digenean Bucephalus varicus). Parasite community structure and species composition varied between locations and/or sampling years. The main factors responsible for these variations were host traits such as feeding behaviour and body size, the occurrence of a set of distinctive parasite species, and possible variations in the availability of infected prey between locations.     

Cribrilinidae (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) from the Ría de Ferrol (NW Spain)

Eleven species of cribrimorph Bryozoa are recorded from the Ria de Ferrol (NW Spain). One of these species is new to science (Puellina parva sp.nov.). Distansescharella seguenzai is reported for the first time outside the Mediterranean, and three species (Puellina modica, Puellina directa and Puellina bifida) are new to the Iberian coast. Study of museum specimens confirms the presence of Puellina radiata in the Atlantic Ocean.     

The shore fishes of Trindade Island,western South Atlantic

Trindade Island (20°30'S, 29°20'W) is located approximately 620 nautical miles (1160km) off the eastern Brazilian coast. Due to its geographical isolation, its ichthyofauna arouses great biogeographic interest. This work intends to provide the first comprehensive checklist for the shore fishes of Trindade Island. Six expeditions were undertaken (1995, 1997, two in 1998, 1999 and 2000—in total 86 days of fieldwork) to survey the ichthyofauna from tidal pools to reefs 30 m deep. A checklist of 97 species belonging to 44 families is presented, with information on the ecology and geographical distribution of each species. The most representative families were the Carangidae (nine species), Serranidae (nine), Labridae (seven), Pomacentridae (five) and Muraenidae (five). Trindade is zoogeographically related to the western Atlantic, since 32% of its species are also found in the continental margin and 12.3% are shared with the western and central Atlantic. Nearly thirty-five percent of the shore fish fauna of Trindade are widespread pan-Atlantic warm-water species. Another 14.6% are restricted to the Brazilian Province. At least six endemic species (6.2%) were found: Malacoctenus sp. (Labrisomidae), Scartella sp., Entomacrodus sp. (Blenniidae), Arcos sp. (Gobiesocidae), Elacatinus sp. and Lythrypinus sp. (Gobiidae). This endemism level is lower than that found on the tropical mid-Atlantic Ridge islands of St. Helena (13.9%), Ascension (15.7%) and St. Paul's Rocks (12.1%).     

Champsodontidae (Pisces: Trachinoidei) in the Eastern Mediterranean: how many species are there?

ABSTRACT

Three marine fish species of the Indo-Pacific genus Champsodon were reported as invasive species in the Eastern Mediterranean between 2009 and 2012; Champsodon nudivittis, C. vorax, and C. capensis. These are presumed to invade through the Suez Canal, but only C. nudivittis is known from the Red Sea, so the presence of C. vorax and C. capensis is surprising. To test the validity of the taxonomic identification of these two species, this study combined traditional morphology, genetic barcoding, and photography investigation. Our results demonstrate that only one species, C. nudivittis, has migrated into the Eastern Mediterranean.     

Alien polychaete species (Annelida: Polychaeta) on the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea,eastern Mediterranean), with 13 new records for the Mediterranean Sea

The examination of benthic material collected from different depths and habitats along the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) in September and October 2005 revealed 30 alien polychaete species belonging to 15 families. Thirteen species (Pisione guanche, Linopherus canariensis, Onuphis eremita oculata, Lumbrineris perkinsi, Dorvillea similis, Timarete caribous, Pherusa parmata, Pherusa saldanha, Streblosoma comatus, Polycirrus twisti, Laonome triangularis, Branchiomma bairdi and Janua steueri) are new to the Mediterranean fauna, 24 species are new to the Turkish fauna and 27 species are new to the Levantine coast of Turkey. The specimens collected from the Levantine coast of Turkey and northern Cyprus that were previously identified as Linopherus acarunculata and Branchiomma boholense are reidentified as L. canariensis and B. bairdi, respectively. In the light of present knowledge, the previous reports of Lumbrineris inflata and Streblosoma hesslei from the Mediterranean (Italian coast) could refer to the species L. perkinsi and S. comatus, respectively. The species new to the Mediterranean Sea are redescribed and discussed.     

Filth inhabiting flies of Dacca city

Summary

Information obtained about the association of various flies with different types of filth in Dacca city, their life histories, food preference of the larvae, and the seasonal changes of their population has been recorded.

The filth of Dacca city has been classified into the following eight categories for the present work. (1) Human excrement, (2) cow dung, (3) manure heaps, (4) garbage and kitchen refuse, (5) decaying fruits and vegetables, (6) carrion, (7) rotten fish and meat, and (8) municipal sewage and other liquid waste.

In total nine fixed areas in different parts of the city were visited regularly to collect adult flies, or their eggs or larvae.

The association of various flies with the above eight types of filth has been discussed.

The duration of the life cycle from oviposition to emergence of the adults was recorded for five species of Psychoda, seven species of Musca, one species of Calliphora, two species of Chrysomyia, two species of Lucilia, and three species of Sarcophaga, during summer and winter.

Food preferences of the larvae of two common species of Musca, two species of Sarcophaga, one species of Lucilia, one species of Calliphora, and two species of Chrysomyia have been recorded.

The trend of the seasonal variation of the various fly populations have been discussed.     

Diets of nesting Northern Goshawks in the Warner Mountains, California

Diets of Northern Goshawks ( Accipiter gentilis ) in western and eastern North America show regional differences. This variation may be explained by the opportunistic feeding behavior of Northern Goshawks and the greater number of potential prey species in western North America. We predicted that a population of Northern Goshawks in the Warner Mountains of California would take significantly more mammals than birds as prey. Goshawk diet in the Warner Mountains was determined by pellet analysis and prey remains. A total of 33 samples from 23 nest sites was collected and analyzed. Diets were quantified by determining the minimum number of individuals per sample at each nest site. As predicted, Warner Mountain Goshawks preyed more heavily on mammalian than avian prey species. Of the 221 individuals identified, 126 (57%) were mammals, while 95 (43%) were birds. These results are in accord with the suggestion that there are potentially more mammalian prey species in western North America than in eastern North America.     

Distribution of vertebrates of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

During a survey of the vertebrates in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, 46 mammal, 210 bird, 9 reptile, 5 amphibian, and 28 fish species were found. Habitat structure and moisture were two environmental variables associated with species numbers across this 1,820-ha area. Eight distinct habitats were evaluated. In coniferous forests, 27% of the birds and 54% of the mammals were observed. Sagebrush/grasslands and upland shrublands were very arid and had relatively few vertebrates. Five introduced game birds occurred in sagebrush habitat. Riparian and wetland habitats had the largest number of unique vertebrates, 38 and 77 respectively. The establishment of Bighorn Lake in 1968 influenced the fisheries in streams and rivers as 10 introduced fish species are now there.     

Marine biodiversity on the Algerian Continental Shelf (Mediterranean Sea)

The Mediterranean Sea is known as a biodiversity hot spot, with 16,848 species reported. Biodiversity is higher in coastal areas and decreases with depth. However, knowledge about the southwestern sector remains scarce. For the last three decades, sampling of soft-bottom communities along the 1180 km of the shallow Algerian coast (0–136 m) has recorded 1642 macrobenthic species. There is a decreasing west–east species-richness gradient, especially for the total species richness and the amphipods. In addition, quantitative sampling in Bou Ismail Bay in summer 1988 (98 sampling sites for a total of 841 species) shows that diversity indices (i.e. species richness, >100 species for 0.2 m^?2; Shannon diversity, >6.0; and ES₅₀, >34) are among the highest for similar sand and muddy-fine sand communities in the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Bou Ismail Bay appears to have the highest species richness among Algerian bays, probably because of its variety of benthic habitats and the absence of significant pollution in this area. Monitoring must be undertaken to survey this high biodiversity, and a national strategy should be proposed to preserve high diversity zones.     

Summary atlas of deep-living demersal fishes in the North Atlantic Basin

Data from 9 major trawling surveys made around the North Atlantic Basin at slope, rise and abyssal depths provide directly comparable information on deep demersal fish distribution and faunal composition. 338 species in 57 families and 189 genera are recorded, and semi-diagrammatic maps showing relative abundance both horizontally and vertically for 67 of these are presented. Alepocephalidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Moridae and Ophidiidae comprise nearly 2/3 of all species taken. 296 species were taken at slope depths (200–2250 m), 99 at rise depths (2250–4500 m), and 32 at abyssal depths (>4500 m). Diversity and the rate of endemism were highest on the slope. The Norwegian, Caribbean and Mediterranean Basins appear to harbor impoverished versions of the adjacent Atlantic Basin fauna. Each species distribution appeared to be rather exceptional and no repeatable pattern could be found amongst the maps.     

Description of a new species of Asymmetrione (Isopoda: Bopyridae: Pseudioninae) infesting the hermit crab Paguristes tomentosus (Anomura: Diogenidae) from Peru,with a key to species and a review of southeastern Pacific bopyrids

A new species of bopyrid isopod is described from a host hermit crab Paguristes tomentosus collected from Pisco, Peru and assigned to the pseudionine isopod genus Asymmetrione Codreanu, Codreanu and Pike, 1965. This is the second species in the genus with less than 20° asymmetry in females, but agrees with all other species in the genus in having the characteristic “socket” on the propodus of the female's pereopods, and in all characters of the males. A key is provided to the 10 species now in Asymmetrione. New records of an Anathelges sp. from Pagurus villosus collected in central Chile are given but additional material is required to determine whether these specimens represent the eastern Pacific A. thompsoni or the western Atlantic A. hyptius. A review of all the bopyrid species known from the western South American coast, with remarks on their taxonomy and biology, is provided.     

The taxonomy and biology of a new species Pontonema (Nematoda,Oncholaimidae) dominant in organically polluted sublittoral sediments around Scotland,with a review of the genus

A new species of free living marine nematode, Pontonema alaeospicula sp. nov., is a dominant member of the fauna in three organically polluted sublittoral habitats off the Scottish coast. The species is described and the genus reviewed. A schematic pictorial key to the genus is provided. Some notes on the biology of P. alaeospicula sp. nov. are given, based on initial studies of the population in situ and in laboratory culture.     

Taxonomy and ecology of two endemic freshwater crabs from western Jamaica with the description of a new Sesarma species (Brachyura: Grapsidae: Sesarminae)

The type series of the Jamaican grapsid crab Sesarma windsor Türkay and Diesel, 1994, was re-examined and found to consist of two distinct forms. The holotype represented a form so far only recorded from a freshwater cave in western Jamaica. The other form inhabits burrows in the banks of mountain creeks in western Jamaica and is assigned to a new species, Sesarma fossarum sp. n. Both species are fully described and morphological differences partly interpreted as adaptations to the habitats where they occur. The new species and S. bidentatum Benedict, 1892, both from mountain creeks, closely resemble the cavernicolous S. windsor which suggests a fairly recent invasion of the cave habitat by the latter.