Amphipoda Gammaridea from coral rubble in the Gulf of Aqaba,Red Sea: Families Acanthonotozomatidae,Ampeliscidae, Ampithoidae,Anamixidae, Aoridae and Colomastigidae

Fourteen species of gammaridean amphipod in the families Acanthonotozomatidae, Ampeliscidae, Ampithoidae, Anamixidae, Aoridae and Colomastigidae are recorded from coral rubble at Aqaba in the Red Sea. Nine species are recorded from the Red Sea for the first time, of which two are new to science.     

Three species of the genus Diastylis (Crustacea: Cumacea) from the Yellow Sea

One new species and two new records of diastylid cumaceans (Crustacea: Cumacea) are described from the Yellow Sea, North West Pacific. The new species Diastylis inplicata sp. nov. resembles D. nitens Gamo, 1968, but it is characterized by a smooth antero-lateral margin of the carapace without ridges or spines. It is widely distributed either in the intertidal mud flats of the Korean West coast or in shallow waters of the eastern Yellow Sea. The other two diastylids are newly recorded in the faunal inventory of the Yellow Sea: Diastylis loricata Lomakina, 1955 and Diastylis paratricincta Kang and Lee, 1996.     

Deep-water crisiids (Bryozoa: Cyclostomata) from the northeast Atlantic Ocean

Eight Crisia and two Bicrisia species are recorded from the Celtic Sea (330–1175 m, Thalassa, 1973) and from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar (110–903 m, Cryos, Balgim). Two new species are described: Crisia pyrula n. sp., and Bicrisia gibraltarensis n. sp. Systematics and morphology of five other species are detailed. A southern morphotype of C. aculeata is distinguished. Except for the boreal species B. abyssicola, all species occur both in Atlantic and Mediterranean localities. The upper bathyal crisiid fauna (>200 m) is richer in the Celtic Sea than in the Gibraltar area (6 spp. vs. 3 spp). Only three crisiids seem to be true deep-water species. The crisiid stock from stations located in the Gulf of Cadiz in Atlantic water is twice as rich as (1) that from stations of the same area washed by the Mediterranean water outflow; (2) that from the Alboran Sea.     

Aspects of mangal ecology along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia

Surveys of the mangal along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia form the basis of this study. Both soft-bottomed mangals and the less well known hard-bottomed mangals are represented. The distribution of Avicennia marina, the dominant mangrove species, is discontinuous in the northern part of the Red Sea. Its development increases southwards, and mean height is inversely correlated both with latitude (P<0·05) and salinity (P<0·05). Another species, Rhizophora mucronata, was recorded in only five areas. Molluscs and crabs represent the principal faunal elements within the mangal. The density of Cerithidea cingulata, the dominant mollusc species, shows significant correlation (P<0·01) with the abundance of blue-green algae. Four species of fiddler crab (Uca) are included among the crab fauna of the mangal, one of which (U. urvillei) is here newly recorded for the Red Sea. Evidence is given for suggesting that the mangal biota in the region sampled may not be distinctive. Rather, it consists of many species found not only within the mangal but also in other habitats such as seagrass beds and even rock beaches. It is suggested that the mangal of the Red Sea represents a composite habitat, containing both hard and soft substrates and inhabited by species typical of each. This contrasts with the situation in most other mangals studied.     

Pelagic tunicates in the China Seas

The biogeography of pelagic tunicates belonging to the two taxonomic classes Larvacea and Thaliacea was analysed using seven sampling stations along the coastal regions of Taiwan which contribute to all the China Seas surrounding Taiwan. The collected data were then compared with the information in the available literature about pelagic tunicate species diversity in the China Seas (Bohai Sea, North Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea) and previous studies on these organisms in Taiwan waters to get a better understanding of their biodiversity, abundance and distribution. A total of 19 species of pelagic tunicates were observed and identified to the speciel level: five species belonging to the class Larvacea, in the two families Oikopleuriidae and Fritillariidae; 14 species belonging to the class Thaliacea, in the families Salpidae and Doliolidae. We summarised morphological characteristics of the recorded species which were found to be useful for identification, and we provided further information about their global distribution and ecological preferences. Our results revealed that pelagic tunicates occurred in the China Seas with high species richness throughout the year. This is the first account on the class Larvacea from Taiwan. Comparing our results with available records from all China Seas, Taiwan proved to be a species diversity hotspot for pelagic tunicates, especially for the family Salpidae. The waters of southern Taiwan showed a higher species richness compared to the northern counterpart. The doliolid Doliolum denticulatum can be designated as an indicator of the low-temperature China Coastal Current species.     

New records of rare deep-water fish species in the Eastern Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

We report new species records and information related to meristic, morphometric, bathymetric and biological characteristics that increase our knowledge of the deep ichthyofauna of the Ionian Sea (E. Mediterranean). The material was collected with long lines from 300 to 800 m deep in the Eastern Ionian Sea in June and October 2010. The fish species Schedophilus ovalis (Cuvier, 1833) (Osteichthyes: Centrolophidae), Sudis hyalina Rafinesque, 1810 (Osteicthyes: Paralepididae), Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Osteichthyes: Bramidae) and Trachipterus trachypterus (Gmelin, 1789) (Osteichthyes: Trachipteridae) were recorded for the first time in the Eastern Ionian Sea. The absence of these new or rare species from the ichthyofauna of the study area to date is probably related to the absence of adequate sampling and catching techniques, although environmental factors could also be involved.     

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.     

Sipuncula from the Alboran Sea and Ibero-Moroccan Bay

Sipunculans collected during the operations of ‘Balgim’ Survey of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (PIROCEAN), are recorded and data concerning them noted. The specimens come from the Alboran Sea, Straits of Gibraltar and Ibero-Moroccan Bay and from depths ranging from 115 to 2110m. Twenty-four species (plus four additional species identified incompletely) in eight genera are recognized; five of them, Nephasoma confusum, N. lilljeborgi, N. rimicola, Phascolion caupo and Aspidosiphon zinni, were not recorded hitherto from the investigated area. Not included in the identification list are several small, immature or problematical specimens, which were not assigned to any of the known species. Classification and ordination techniques indicate a close funal relationship between vertically similar stations, showing three major groups. The first one with Aspidosiphon muelleri as characteristic species, is common of shallower bottoms; the second one, with N. constrictum as characteristic species, of deeper bottoms. Both show preferences for bottoms with shell and coral fragments. Apionsoma murinae represents the core species of the remaining group correlating with bottoms of finer sediments.     

Sponges from bathyal depths (1000–1750 m) in the Western Mediterranean Sea

This note deals with a study of sponge fauna at seven deep stations (1000–1750 m) in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The species found exhibit a broad geographical distribution, mainly centred in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Trichostemma sarsi and Hyalonema thomsoni are recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, and the known bathymetric distribution of Polymastia tissieri has been considerably enlarged. Some taxonomic problems involving the genera Trichostemma, Radiella and Polymastia and the species Hyalonema thomsoni and H. infundibulum are discussed, and arguments supporting the reclassification of the species Radiella tissieri under the genus Polymastia are put forward.     

Alien vs. Predator: interactions between the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni)

Data collected onboard two South Korean longliners in 2011–2014 targeting Antarctic toothfish provided insights into trophic interactions between two Antarctic top predators: the colossal squid Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni and the Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni. Adults of each species opportunistically prey upon weakened representatives of the other species: squid will feed on longline-caught toothfish, and toothfish on dying and dead squid. The highest occurrence of squid attacks was recorded in the Davis Sea and Commonwealth Sea, and the lowest in the Ross Sea. Squid depredation rates were around 1% on average, though regionally they might rise to 2–3%, which is of a similar magnitude to rates caused by sperm whales and killer whales in some areas.     

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.     

Lepeophtheirus pectoralis (O. F. Müller, 1776); a description,a review and some comparisons with the genus Caligus Müller, 1785

Summary

The parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus pectoralis (Müller, 1776) is described. A review of the hosts indicates that this species is primarily a parasite of members of the family Pleuronectidae although it has been recorded from representatives of ten other families of fishes. The geographical range of L. pectoralis includes the North Eastern Atlantic Ocean, the western part of the Baltic Sea and the White Sea. The similarities between Lepeophtheirus Nordmann, 1832 and Caligus Müller, 1785 are discussed and it is concluded that the only constant morphological discriminant between these two genera is the presence or absence of lunules.     

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.     

On the taxonomic status of the highly endangered Ponto-Caspian gastropod genus Caspia (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae: Caspiinae)

Caspia is an endemic Ponto-Caspian Basin genus of hydrobiid gastropods. Around a dozen nominal species of Caspia have been described to inhabit the Caspian Sea while four species occupy a restricted zone in the lower part of the rivers flowing into the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Scanning electron microscopic study of the protoconch and radula morphology of two Caspia species from the Azov–Black Sea Basin allows re-evaluation of the taxonomic rank and attribution of the genus. The adult shell geometry and characters of ornamentation do not enable clear demarcation of these species of Caspia but the protoconch parameters do allow their differentiation. Available morphological data on Caspia and the related genus Caspiohydrobia are interpreted here as confirmation of the subfamilial rank of Caspiinae in the family Hydrobiidae, in contrast to the previous affiliation of this group with Pyrgulidae.     

Bathyal cumaceans of the Catalan Sea (North-western Mediterranean): faunistic composition,diversity and near-bottom distribution along the slope (between 389 and 1859 m)

Deep-water epibenthic/suprabenthic species of Cumacea were studied in the Catalan Sea (Western Mediterranean). Samples (21) were taken at depths from 389 to 1859m, using a Macer-GIROQ type sledge, 32 cumacean species were collected. Diastyloides serratus and Leucon longirostris were the commonest species on the upper slope and middle slope, respectively. On the lower slope (1250–1859 m) dominance by any single species was not apparent and Cyclaspis longicaudata, Procampylaspis bonnieri and Platysympus typicus were the most abundant species. Two leuconids (Leucon cf. serratus, and Leucon (Crymoleucon) sp. A) were recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. The highest total abundance of cumaceans was encountered over the middle slope. Highest values of species richness and diversity (H') were registered at intermediate depths on the lower slope (1250–1355 m). The low H' value on the middle slope was attributable to the dominance of L. longirostris. Swimming coefficients calculated from near-bottom samples revealed intraspecific differences in the most abundant species. Thus, while mancas, juveniles, immature males and females, and adult females were captured almost exclusively in the lower level of the sledge, adult males of L. longirostris swam in the water column indistinctly between 10 and 140cm above the bottom. Similar trends, although less evident, have been established for other deep-sea cumaceans.     

A redescription of the genus Cyrebion Fairmaire, 1891, with notes on related taxa and distribution (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

Eight new species and one new record of Elasmopus Costa, 1853 are described from Australian waters including the extended offshore territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean), Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), Ashmore Reef (Timor Sea), Norfolk Island (Tasman Sea) and Lord Howe Island (Tasman Sea). Range extensions are reported for seven described Australian species. Twenty-three species are now known from Australian waters. Elasmopus arafura sp. nov., E. carteri sp. nov., E. hyperopia sp. nov., E. leveque sp. nov., E. mcluerensis sp. nov., E. otus sp. nov., E. shepherdi sp. nov. and E. woodjonesi sp. nov. are described herein.     

Classical Biological Control of Bemisia tabaci in the United States. By Juli Gould,Kim Hoelmer & John Goolsby

ABSTRACT

The present study describes two new genera, six new species and three new records from the Sea of Marmara. The new genus Marmara gen. nov. belonging to the family Sagartiidae is mainly characterized by having conspicuous muscular belts along the column and the absence of suckers and tenaculi on the body wall. The genus Charisactis gen. nov. belonging to the family Condylanthidae is mainly characterized by having an atypical mesentery arrangement, single siphonoglyph and homotrichs in tentacles. The other species newly described from the Sea of Marmara belong to the families Diadumenidae (one species from deep waters), Halcampoididae (one species from shallow waters), Edwardsiidae (one species from shallow waters) and Epizoanthidae (one species from deep waters). Three species, namely Epizoanthus arenaceus (family Epizoanthidae), Rolandia coralloides (family Clavulariidae) and Virgularia sp. (family Virgulariidae) are reported for the first time from the Sea of Marmara. The external and internal anatomical features as well as cnidom structures of the species are presented and discussed with the closely related species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:51DA9869-D786-4A8A-8C1F-62DC1BB67923