New deep-sea Nannastacidae (Crustacea,Cumacea) from the Eastern Pacific collected by R.V. 'Vema'

Five new species of Procampylaspis Bonnier, 1896 (P. cornuta, P. jonesi, P. ledoyeri, P. muradianae and P. spinosa) and a new genus and species, Vemacumella heardi, are described from material collected by R.V. ‘Vema’ from the eastern Pacific coast of South America from 1958 to 1962. The new species of Procampylaspis are compared to congeners from the Atlantic. Vemacumella n. gen. is closely related to Styloptocuma Bacescu and Muradian, 1974, but also possesses a few characters in common with Cumella Sars, 1865; Bate, 1856.     

The fishes of Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic Ocean. II. The pelagic fishes

The pelagic fishes of St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean (15°58′S 5°43′W) are reviewed. A checklist of 53 taxa of pelagic fishes, with notes on fisheries significance, ecology and geographical distribution, is presented. Twelve of the taxa have not before been recorded at St Helena. Of particular interest are records of three primarily Indo-Pacific species: Decapterus muroadsi (Temminck and Schlegel), Uraspis helvola (Forster) and Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepède). Apart from U. helvola, which is known also from Ascension Island, these species are not otherwise recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

Of the 49 pelagic fishes whose identities are clear, 81·6% are wide-ranging species known from both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, 12·2% are pan-Atlantic warm-water species and 4·1% are eastern Atlantic species which reach their western limit in the central Atlantic. In addition, the subspecies Platybelone argalus trachura is found only at St Helena and Ascension.

The principal pelagic species caught by St Helena fisheries are Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, T. alalunga, Scomber japonicus, Acanthocybium solandri and Pseudocaranx dentex, which together accounted for almost 95% of fish landings in 1982–1983 fiscal year.     

Two new species of Rhizorhina (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) from leptostracan and tanaidacean hosts

Summary

Two new species of parasitic copepods from the North Atlantic, Rhizorhina leptostracae associated with Nebaliella caboti, and Rhizorhina tanaidaceae from Leviapseudes hanseni, are described. Leptostracans and tanaids are new host groups for this genus. The systematic position of Rhizorhina is discussed.     

Calanoides natalis Brady, 1914 (Copepoda: Calanoida: Calanidae): identity and distribution in relation to coastal oceanography of the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans

Until recently, Calanoides carinatus s.l. was assumed to be very widespread in the upwelling systems of the Atlantic, Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Molecular data, reported here, show that Calanoides from the eastern Atlantic and Arabian Sea are one species and distinct from C. carinatus s.s. The name Calanoides natalis Brady, 1914 is available for this species, which is fully re-described. The illustration by Brady of the male fifth leg and the currently reported genetic data lead us to conclude that C. natalis is distributed from the Bay of Biscay southwards along the eastern Atlantic, around the Cape of Good Hope, and northwards along the western boundary of the Indian Ocean as far as the Arabian Sea. A by-product of this study is the recognition that Calanoides macrocarinatus is a junior synonym of Calanoides brevicornis. Females of C. natalis are easy to distinguish morphologically from C. carinatus s.s. but are more similar to C. brevicornis, apart from size differences. From physical oceanographic evidence we conclude that the Indian Ocean is currently the upstream part of the distribution of C. natalis. Calanoides philippinensis is known to extend into the eastern Indian Ocean at tropical latitudes. It is not known if it is C. philippinensis that has been recorded along the western coast of Australia. An apparently undescribed species of Calanoides occurs on the eastern Australian coast.     

Diplecogaster tonstricula,a new species of cleaning clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from the Canary Islands and Senegal,eastern Atlantic Ocean,with a review of the Diplecogaster-ctenocrypta species-group

The Diplecogaster-ctenocrypta species-group is reviewed; it comprises two species. The clingfish Diplecogaster ctenocrypta from the Canary Islands is redescribed. The new species Diplecogaster tonstricula, a facultative cleaner of other teleosts, is described on the basis of eight specimens and colour photos from Senegal and the Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic Ocean. The species is small, apparently not exceeding 23 mm total length; it is characterised by having nine dorsal-fin rays, eight anal-fin rays, 24–25 pectoral-fin rays, 14–15 principal caudal-fin rays, 13–16 rakers on third gill arch, pelvic disc without lateral papillae in region A, disc region B with two rows of weak papillae, interorbital distance 4.1–4.6 in head length, distance between disc and anus 14–17% of SL, head and body with 10–13 narrow vertical brownish bars, cheek with a white ocellus surrounded by black, and with a small black spot in the middle. The new species is compared with other species of the genus; a key to the six known species of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea and South African genus Diplecogaster is presented. A checklist is provided for the species of Diplecogaster and their synonyms.     

Taxonomic revision and systematic notes on some Halecium species (Cnidaria,Hydrozoa)

Although the genus Halecium is easy to recognize, identifications at the species level are often difficult, this even for quite common and supposedly well‐known species of the north‐eastern Atlantic. This paper revises and re‐describes some Halecium species which resemble each other closely and which are not easy to distinguish. Additional information on a few rare species is also provided. The study is based on material collected from the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, South Africa, and New Zealand. Halecium scutum Clark, is recognized as a valid species and distinct from both H. beanii and H. halecinum; colony form and microscopic characters allow a distinction. The pinnate colony form of H. halecinum is a characteristic trait, but not all colonies show this growth form. Halecium beanii can occur in monosiphonic and polysiphonic colonies. Monosiphonic colonies of H. beanii have probably been misidentified by some authors as H. lankesterii. The differences of H. lankesteri to H. beanii and H. petrosum are discussed. The South African population of the reportedly cosmopolitan H. beanii has distinct gonothecae and could belong to a separate species. The Mediterranean Halecium mediterraneum is hardly distinguishable from the New Zealandic H. delicatulum, but it is kept separate mainly for biogeographic reasons. The rare Mediterranean Halecium banyulense is re‐described based on a second find from Naples. The male gonothecae of Halecium corrugatissimum are described for the first time.     

First record of the genus Atlantistylis Reyss, 1975 (Crustacea: Cumacea) from the North Atlantic,with the description of a new species

A new species of the genus Atlantistylis Reyss, (Diastylidae) is described from the Atlantic Frontier Margin (North‐East Atlantic). This is the first record of the genus Atlantistylis from the North Atlantic. The new species Atlantistylis borealis can be recognized by the presence of spines on the frontal and lateral lobes of the carapace combined with their absence on the pereon and pleon; the first pereopods are very long. The small telson with two small apical acuminate setae and the absence of pleopods in the male are characteristic of the genus.     

A new North‐East Atlantic species of Bacescomysis (Mysidacea,Crustacea) with original moth‐like antennules

A new Mysidacea, Bacescomysis papilio, with a unique, supernumerary complement of sensilla on the antennules, is described from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (4848?m) in the North‐East Atlantic. Comparisons are made with the species of Bacescomysis and of the related genus Hansenomysis. Biological and biogeographical remarks on these two genera are provided, i.e. role of antennule, adaptations to deep water, and correlations between depth range of species and latitude.     

Desmosomatidae and Nannoniscidae (Crustacea,Isopoda, Asellota) from bathyal and abyssal depths off North Carolina and their evolution

The deep-sea asellote isopod (Crustacea) species, belonging to the families Desmosomatidae and Nannoniscidae, were studied from R/V Eastward collections of Duke University from three study sites off North Carolina. The Desmosomatid isopod Eugerda svavarssonni n. sp. is described from Site Alpha at 620m. Eugerda latipes Hansen, previously known from boreal North Atlantic, is also reported from this upper slope site. Two new desmosomatid isopods, Mirabilicoxa hessleri n. sp. and M. alberti n. sp., and a new nannoniscid isopod Exiliniscus chandravoli n. sp. are also described from site Beta from 2700 to 3700 m. A nannoniscid isopod Leutziniscus jebamoni gen n., n. sp., and a desmosomatid isopod, Prochelator sarsi n. sp., are described from the deepest study site Omega in the Hatteras Abyssal Plain. A new genus, Nannoniscella is erected to accommodate Nannoniscoides bicustatus Siebenaller and Hessler, 1977. This paper also includes discussions on comparative morphology and sexual dimorphism in species of Mirabilicoxa, zoogeography of species of the genus Eugerda and phylogeny with emphasis on the genus Prochelator.     

Two zoogeographically remarkable mite species from Finland (Acari,Oribatida, Oribotritiidae)

Species of the genus Mesothuria (fam. Synallactidae) occurring in the Atlantic Ocean are revised. The genus includes 25 valid species, nine of them known from the Atlantic. The new species Mesothuria milleri sp. nov. is described from the north-east Atlantic. It is argued that the genus Zygothuria, established by Perrier in 1898 and recognized later only by Deichmann, should be maintained as a separate genus. Mesothuria and Zygothuria differ in body form, arrangement of ambulacral appendages, and structure of segments of calcareous ring and ossicles from the body wall. The six known species of Zygothuria are reviewed. Zygothuria oxysclera, a former variation of Zygothuria lactea, is proposed as a valid species. Identification keys to species of the genus Zygothuria and Atlantic species of the genus Mesothuria are provided. Data on the life history and reproductive biology of Mesothuria milleri and Zygothuria lactea are given. Both species are common in the north-east Atlantic.     

New data on bats from Dire Dawa region,eastern Ethiopia,with the first record of Rhinopoma microphyllum in the country

ABSTRACT

A small collection of bats composed of six species from Dire Dawa area, eastern Ethiopia, is presented. Besides three species previously known in the region, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Epomophorus minimus and Chaerephon pumilus, three bats were newly documented from the area, Rhinopoma microphyllum, R. cystops and Scotophilus leucogaster. R. microphyllum is here reported for the first time in Ethiopia. From molecular genetic comparisons Ethiopian R. cystops belongs to the Arabian subspecies lineage R. c. arabium, previously unknown from the African continent, raising interesting biogeographic questions.     

Deep‐water ascidians from the North Atlantic (RV Academic Keldysh,cruise 46 and 49)

Ascidians from two locations in the North Atlantic are discussed. Predominantly small specimens of five known species were taken by Sigsbi trawl in the vicinity of the wreck of the Titanic (the region referred to as the Titanic location), and two large specimens of a Corynascidia species were taken by manned submersible MIR‐2 on the mid‐Atlantic Ridge (the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone). Definitions of the species are reviewed and their relationships and intraspecific variations are discussed and revised.     

Gobiid fishes from the Cape Verde Islands,including two new species of Gobius (Teleostei: Gobioidei)

Ten species of gobiid fishes (Teleostei: Gobioidei) now listed from the Cape Verde islands fall into several zoogeographical categories, including tropical West African Bathygobius casamancus, Mauligobius nigri, Porogobius schlegelii (unconfirmed) and Vanneaugobius canariensis, tropical amphiatlantic B. soporator and Gnatholepis thompsoni, and Canarian Didogobius kochi. Two new species of the eastern Atlantic, predominantly temperate genus Gobius are described: G. ateriformis sp. nov. and G. tetrophthalmus sp. nov., known so far only from the Cape Verdes, but reported occurrence of the congeneric Atlantic-Mediterranean G. paganellus has not been confirmed. The pattern of free neuromast organs (sensory papillae) of the head lateral-line system in Mauligobius nigri and the habitat of this species are described for the first time and its distribution further discussed. Diversity of gobies and other inshore fishes at the Cape Verdes is briefly indicated.     

Two new species of Microprosthema from the Western Atlantic (Crustacea: Decapoda: Stenopodidea)

Two new species of shrimp in the genus Microprosthema are described and figured on the basis of materials collected recently from the tropical western Atlantic. Specimens of one, Microprosthema manningi, have been collected from Florida, Mexico, Belize and Old Providence Island. The other new species, Microprosthema looensis, was taken from a single site in the Florida Keys. Microprosthema manningi is closely related to the western Atlantic M. semilaeve, while M. looensis is closely related to the Indo-Pacific M. scabricaudatum. However, both new species can be distinguished by numerous morphological differences, as well as by coloration.     

Stenothoidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) of hydrothermal vents and surroundings on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge,Azores Triple Junction zone

Four new species of Stenothoidae were collected from the Azores Triple Junction zone during different French cruises on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. One of the species belongs to the genus Torometopa (T. saldanhae) and is the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean. The three other species belong to the genus Stenothoe (S. divae, S. marvela, and S. menezgweni). It is not possible to determine from morphological and ecological characters whether these amphipod species are endemic to hydrothermal systems or are bathyal species that may be found away from vent sites.     

A phylogenetic and biogeographic study of Euniphysa (Eunicidae,Polychaeta)

Fourteen species have either been described in, or referred to, the genus Euniphysa. Seven of these are here re-described based on type material and two new species, E. quadridentata and E. filibranchia, are described. Euniphysa oculata is found to be a subjective synonym of E. spinea, and E. unicusa is a subjective synonym of E. aculeata. Euniphysa taiwanensis and E. megalodus are correctly assigned to the genus, but cannot be described due to lack of material. Euniphysa misakiensis, E. tubicola and E. tubifex are transferred to Eunice. A key is given to the nine identifiable species retained in Euniphysa. Coding strategies for polymorphic and inapplicable characters, as well as problems associated with shared absences, are discussed. A phylogenetic analysis of Euniphysa based on 24 morphological characters yielded two most parsimonious trees (CI = 0.902, RI = 0.905). The tree topology separates Euniphysa into two distinct groups. Group I includes E. filibranchia n. sp., E. italica, E. jeffreysii, E. quadridentata n. sp. and E. spinea, it is supported by five equivocal similarities. Group II is supported by five unequivocal synapomorphies and two equivocal similarities, it includes E. aculeata, E. auriculata, E. falciseta and E. tridontesa. Based on the phylogenetic topology, Paraeuniphysa and Heterophysa are considered as junior synonyms of Euniphysa. The recognition of a separate family for Euniphysa is not warranted. All species of Euniphysa are fragile, shallow, warm water species. They have been collected mainly from sandy sediments of the Northern Hemisphere. The greatest diversity is from the South China Sea area; other species are found throughout the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the East Atlantic Ocean coasts suggesting the genus may have originated in the Tethys Sea. A few species have also been found in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Atlantic Ocean coast again suggesting a Tethyan origin associated with the westward drift of the North American continent.     

Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae)

The Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing, 1906 (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae) are reviewed, and three new species are described. The species Andaniexis abyssi (Boeck, 1871) which previously was considered a widely distributed species (from Baffin Bay to both Spitzbergen and the Skagerrak), is here divided into three species: Andaniexis abyssi s.str., Andaniexis gracilis n.sp. and Andaniexis lupus n.sp. These species, together with Andaniexis mimonectes Ruffo, 1975, all have allopatric distributions. This is especially evident in northern Norway, where A. abyssi has its northernmost limit: A. abyssi is found in Solbergfjorden (69°10′N), while Andaniexis lupus is found in the adjacent fjord Malangen (69°30′N, the southern limit of this species along the Norwegian coast). Andaniexis eilae n.sp. is described from Iceland. This species is not closely related to the other North Atlantic species of the same genus.     

On Anomalotrema Zhukov, 1957, Pellamyzon Montgomery, 1957, and Opecoelina Manter, 1934 (Digenea: Opecoelidae), with a description of Anomalotrema koiae sp. nov. from North Atlantic waters

In order to clarify the systematic position of some opecoeline digeneans parasitic in scorpaenid and gadid fishes from the northern North Atlantic, a study of the genera Anomalotrema Zhukov, 1957, Pellamyzon Montgomery, 1957, and Opecoelina Manter, 1934, was carried out. Anomalotrema is retained in the subfamily Opecoelinae and A. koiae sp. nov. is described for the worms from scorpaenids and gadids which prompted the investigation. This species is distinguished from the Pacific species, A. putjatini Zhukov, 1957, on morphological and biological grounds. Pellamyzon is transferred to the Plagioporinae. A new subfamily, the Opecoelininae subfam. nov., is erected for Opecoelina, which is considered to contain only two or three valid species, O. scorpaenae Manter, 1934, O. helicoleni Manter, 1934 (possibly a synonym of O. scorpaenae) and O. pacifica Manter, 1940. Both O. theragrae Lloyd, 1938, and O. radifistuli (Acena, 1941) are transferred to the genus Podocotyle Dujardin, 1845, as P. theragrae comb. nov. and P. radifistuli comb. nov. O. pharynmagna Annereaux, 1943, is judged to be a synonym of P. radifistuli, and both O. vixiintestina Oshmarin, 1965, and O. vixigastera Oshmarin, 1965, are considered unrecognizable. The possible evolutionary relationships of the subfamilies within the Opecoelidae are commented on.