The marine red algae of Rodrigues (Mauritius,Indian Ocean)

This paper reports on the red algae of Rodrigues, collected in the framework of the Shoals of Capricorn Programme (10 September to 5 October 2001). In total 68 species are reported, of which 65 represent new records for the island. Although most taxa represent rather common species, which are generally widespread in the Indian and western Pacific Ocean, some are of special interest to algal systematists and biogeographers. Renouxia antillana is reported for the first time for the Indian Ocean. The presence of Renouxia also constitutes the first record of the order Rhodogorgonales for the entire Indian Ocean. A few species have interesting distribution patterns. Halydictyon sp. is restricted in its distribution to South Africa, Mauritius and Australia. Despite these interesting records, the red algal flora of Rodrigues is most remarkable by the absence of several ‘ubiquitous' species.     

A preliminary account of the shallow-water echinoderms of Rodrigues,Mauritius, western Indian Ocean

Collections of echinoderms were made from the intertidal, lagoon and reef slopes of Rodrigues over a period of 3 weeks in September to October, 2001. A total of 74 species are reported here, including three species of Crinoidea, 10 species of Asteroidea, 17 species of Ophiuroidea, 15 species of Echinoidea and 29 species of Holothurioidea. These findings include 10 new records for the Mascarene Islands (Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues), four species (two in the asteroid genus ‘Asterina’, one in the ophiuroid genus Amphioplus and one species in the holothurioid genus Actinopyga) that remain unnamed due to the need to clarify unresolved taxonomic issues, and one species of crinoid which could not be identified because only the distal parts of four arms were collected. In the dendrochirotid holothurioid family Psolidae, the little-known species Psolus appendiculatus (de Blainville) 1821 Blainville, H. M. de. 1821. Holothuries. Dictionaire des Sciences Naturelles, 21: 310–319.  [Google Scholar], P. boholensis Semper, 1868 and P. complanatus Semper, 1868 are referred to the genus Psolidium Ludwig, 1887. Despite its seniority, P. appendiculatus is treated as a (senior) synonym of the better known and described species Psolidium ornatum (Perrier, 1893). In the dendrochirotid holothurioid family Phyllophoridae, Thyonidiella cherbonnieri nom. nov. is proposed for misidentified specimens of Semperiella tenera (Ludwig, 1875) in the western Indian Ocean, and Semperiella Heding and Panning, 1954 Heding, S. G and Panning, A. 1954. Phyllophoridae. Eine bearbeitung der polytentaculaten dendrochiroten Holothurien des zoologischen Museums in Kopenhagen. Spolia Zoologica Musei Hauniensis, 13: 7–209, 102 figures [Google Scholar] is reduced to the synonymy of Thyonidiella Heding and Panning, 1954 Heding, S. G and Panning, A. 1954. Phyllophoridae. Eine bearbeitung der polytentaculaten dendrochiroten Holothurien des zoologischen Museums in Kopenhagen. Spolia Zoologica Musei Hauniensis, 13: 7–209, 102 figures [Google Scholar]. In the apodid holothurioid family Chiridotidae the species Chiridota eximia Haacke, 1880 Haacke W 1880 Holothurien in K. A. Möbius and F. Richter (eds) Beitrage zur Meeresfauna der Insel Mauritius und des Seychelles (Berlin: Gustav Fischer), pp.?46–48  [Google Scholar] is reduced to the synonymy of C. rigida Semper, 1868.

Given the small size of the area of shallow water around Rodrigues that has been sampled, the relatively small range of marine habitats present and the geographic isolation, this is an impressive diversity. The biogeography of the 69 identified species of Rodrigues is discussed.     

A checklist of the corals of the island state of Rodrigues,Mauritius

The aim of this study was to create an inventory of the coral species which occur in the shallow waters around Rodrigues island. The stony corals of Rodrigues island have received limited study. Corals were recorded, photographed and collected from reef slopes and lagoons by scuba diving and snorkelling during October 2001. A collection of previously collected corals in Rodrigues was also studied. A total of 130 named species in 40 genera of hard corals (125 species in 37 genera of zooxanthellate Scleractinia) were found during the present survey, together with eight unidentified species; 47 species of coral were new records for Rodrigues, 37 of which were new reports for the southern Mascarene archipelago; 23 species represented extensions of their known ranges, including two species that were previously considered endemic to other areas. The number of species found is similar to that previously reported from Mauritius (134), and significantly more than reported in earlier studies of Rodriguan corals (up to 89 species). This also complements recent reports for Rodrigues (132 species) and Mauritius (163 species).     

The Polyplacophora (Mollusca) collected during the First International Marine Biodiversity Workshop for Rodrigues (western Indian Ocean), with the description of a new species

A total of seven species of Polyplacophora, namely Parachiton hylkiae mauricejayi Schwabe, 2002 Schwabe E 2002 A new subspecies of the genus Parachiton Thiele, 1909 Thiele J 1909 Revision des Systems der Chitonen. I. Teil Zoologica Stuttgart 22, 1–70, pls?1–6  <!--${googleScholarLinkReplacer: %00empty%00 book +Zoologica+Stuttgart+ author%3DJ+Thiele 1909 ++%0AThiele+++J+++++1909++++Revision+des+Systems+der+Chitonen.+I.+Teil++++Zoologica+Stuttgart+++++++22%2C+1%E2%80%9370%2C+pls%E2%80%891%E2%80%936+ %00empty%00 %00null%00}--> from the Indian Ocean Of Sea and Shore 24(4), 220–223  [Google Scholar], Callochiton deshayesi Thiele, 1909 Thiele J 1909 Revision des Systems der Chitonen. I. Teil Zoologica Stuttgart 22, 1–70, pls?1–6  [Google Scholar], Callistochiton barnardi Leloup, 1981, Lucilina indica (Leloup, 1981), Onithochiton maillardi (Deshayes, 1863 Deshayes G. P 1863 Catalogue des mollusques de l'Ile de la Réunion (Bourbon) in L. Maillard (ed.) Notes sur l'Ile de la Réunion (Paris: Dentu), pp.?1–144, pls?28–41  [Google Scholar]), Choneplax indica Odhner, 1919 Odhner N. H. J 1919 Contribution à la faune malacologique de Madagascar Arkiv för Zoologi 12(6), 1–52, pls?1–4  [Google Scholar] and Cryptoconchus oliveri n. sp., were collected during a survey of marine biodiversity at Rodrigues. For all the species taxonomically relevant characters are described, and for the first time are illustrated in detail using SEM photography. The taxonomic status of Lucilina indica (Leloup, 1981) is clarified, and it is rejected from the synonymy of Lucilina carnosa (Kaas, 1979 Kaas P 1979 The chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) of Mozambique Annales of the Natal Museum 23(3), 855–879  [Google Scholar]).     

A new species of amphipod of the genus Neomegamphopus (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Neomegamphopidae) from Rodrigues,Indian Ocean

A new species of Neomegamphopus Shoemaker is described from Rodrigues, Indian Ocean. The systematics of the Neomegamphopidae from the Indian Ocean is discussed and a key to the species from that ocean is provided.     

Annotated checklist of the marine Bivalvia of Rodrigues

This checklist illustrates and comments on the 109 species of marine bivalve currently known from Rodrigues. The fauna appears impoverished when compared to those of Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles. Low habitat diversity is postulated as the cause of impoverishment rather than the relatively young geological age of Rodrigues.     

The extent of coral bleaching in Rodrigues, 2002

The reefs of Rodrigues were some of the few reef areas in the Indian Ocean to escape the mass coral bleaching event of 1997–1998. However, during the last 2 weeks of February 2002 Rodrigues experienced sea-water temperatures over 30°C, clear skies and calm seas. Rapid assessments of the degree of coral bleaching and coral mortality were carried out at 22 sites around the coast of Rodrigues during March 2002. The surveys showed that the bleaching event in Rodrigues was not widespread, occurring at less than one-third of the sites surveyed and that coral mortality was restricted to sites in the north and west of the island. Where mortality did occur, it was severe, affecting up to 75% of corals at some sites. Coral species most vulnerable were Acropora cytherea and Acropora abrotanoides, which suffered up to 100% mortality. These colonies were still standing and had been very recently overgrown with turf algae. At present the reefs around Rodrigues are in good health, however, they are being impacted by over-fishing and sedimentation, and proposed developments have the potential to cause further damage to the reefs. It is likely that stressed corals will recover from bleaching events more slowly. It is therefore important that the coral reefs in Rodrigues are adequately protected from human impacts in order to increase their chances of surviving future bleaching events.     

Cryptic bivalves with descriptions of new species from the Rodrigues lagoon

This paper describes a number of new taxa in the Arcidae, Philobryidae, Mytilidae, Galeommatidae, Kelliidae, Cyamiidae, Carditidae, Thraciidae and Clavagellidae. A further 17 species are included as new to the malacofauna of Rodrigues. Most of the species included came from cryptic habitats, of which the most interesting are apparently cavernicolous and similar to those described from southern Japan. Other species were described from crevice or algal turf communities. The most understudied group is the Galeommatoidea with four species described as new and a further five with as yet unresolved taxonomy.     

Supplementary description of Funchalia taaningi Burkenroad, 1940 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Penaeidae) from the Central Pacific Ocean and a new record of F. villosa (Bouvier, 1905) from the Eastern Indian Ocean

The pelagic penaeid shrimp Funchalia taaningi Burkenroad, 1940 is redescribed based on specimens collected mainly in the central Pacific Ocean. The petasma of the male is illustrated for the first time. The distribution of the species is extended into the eastern Indian Ocean based on a female collected in 1964 during the International Indian Ocean Expedition. Two males of Funchalia villosa (Bouvier, 1905), also collected during the International Indian Ocean Expedition, are recorded from the eastern Indian Ocean, extending the known distribution of this species.     

New species and records of Asellota from the Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Peracarida: Isopoda)

In this study of asellote Isopoda from the Indian Ocean, 29 species in 11 genera and seven families are recorded. Twenty-one species are described as new: family Gnathostenetroididae, Maresiella aldabrana ; family Janiridae, Carpias mossambica ; family Joeropsidae, Joeropsis algensis, J. arpedes, J. dimorpha, J. hamatilis, J. lentigo, J. pentagona, J. pleurion ; family Pleurocopidae, Pleurocope wilsoni ; family Pseudojaniridae, Pseudojanira meganesus ; family Santiidae, Santia spicata, S. urospinosa ; family Stenetriidae, Hansenium aldabrae, H. expansa, H. remocarpus ; Mizothenar serratum, Stenetrium assumentum, S. quinquedens, S. zanzibarica, Stenobermuda brucei. The first record of the family Pleurocopidae (Pleurocope wilsoni) and the genus Mizothenar (family Stenetriidae) from the Indian Ocean are included. Diagnoses of the genera and species are provided, and keys to the Indian Ocean species of most of the genera. The material comes primarily from Aldabra Atoll, the granitic Seychelles islands, Zanzibar Island, the Comoro Islands, and Phuket in Thailand. A few samples are from material of the International Indian Ocean Expedition carried out in the mid-1960s.     

New species and records of Flabellifera from the Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Peracarida: Isopoda)

In this study of flabelliferan Isopoda from the Indian Ocean, 19 species are described as new, in 11 genera and two families: family Cirolanidae, Baharilana koloura, B. lira, Cirolana aldabrensis, C. mimulus, C. somalia, C. undata, Eurydice paxilli, and Metacirolana chemola; family Sphaeromatidae, Cassidinidea clarkae, Cymodoce fuscina, C. lirella, Dynamenella alveolata, D. remex, Heterodina (new genus), H. mccaini, Oxinasphaera brucei, O. furcata, O. tetrodon, Paracilicaea stauros, and Sphaeromopsis sulcifera. Diagnoses of the genera and species are provided, and keys to the Indian Ocean species of most of the genera are provided. The material comes primarily from Aldabra Atoll, the granitic Seychelles islands, Zanzibar Island, and Phuket in Thailand. A few miscellaneous samples from the South African Museum collections, and from the International Indian Ocean Expedition carried out in the mid‐1960s are included.     

Some helminth parasites of marine fishes of south Africa: family Opecoelidae (Digenea)

The following digeneans are described, recorded or figured from South African waters: Pseudopecoelus ablennesi sp. nov. from Ablennes hians; Coitocaecum capensis sp. nov. from Clinus superciliosus, C. cottoides, Gynutoclinus rotundifrons, Xenopoclinus kochi and X. leprosus; Dactylostomun griffithsi sp. nov. from Cheilodactylus fasciatus; Margolisia vidalensis gen. nov., sp. nov. from Trachinocephalus myops; Pachycreadium obovatum from Sparodon durbanensis, Diplodus cervinus and Cheilodactylus fasciatus; Allopodocotyle recifensis sp. nov. from Pterogymnus laniar; Helicometra fasciata in Arius feliceps, Chirodactylus brachydactylus, Clinus capensis, C. cottoides, C. superciliosus, Gynutoclinus rotundifrons, Pachymetopon blochii, Pomadasys olivaceus, Pomatomus saltator, Xenopoclinus kochi and X. leprosus; Helicometrina nimia from Rhonciscus anus. The other taxa discussed are the genera Pseudopecoelus, Coitocaecum (synonyms Ozakia, Pseudocoitocaecum, Paradactylostomum), Dactylostomum, Pachycreadium and Allopodocotyle. In discussion the following new combinations are made: Coitocaecum (formerly Pseudocoitocaecum) bombayensis (Ahmad, 1983); C. (formerly P.) thrissoclesis (Bilqees, 1972); Dactylostomum (formerly Ozakia) iniistii (Yamaguti, 1970); D. (formerly O.) pfluegeri (Yamaguti, 1970); D. (formerly Coitocaecum) xesuri (Yamaguti, 1940); Allopodocotyle (formerly Podocotyle (Pedunculotrema) israelense (Fischthal, 1980); Allopodocotyle (formerly Podocotyle) jaffensis (Fischthal, 1980).     

A new genus and two new species of cirolanid isopod Crustacea from the northern Indian Ocean

A new genus of cirolanid isopod Atarbolana, and two new species, Atarbolana exoconta and Cirolana manorae, are described. Atarbolana is distinguished from related cirolanid genera by having a projecting clypeus, pleon with three free tergites, and cylindrical uropod exopod.

Cirolana manorae is most similar to Cirolana bovina Barnard, and new figures are given for that species.     

Two new species of the commensal shrimp genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, 1915, (Decapoda,Palaemonidae) from the Maldive Islands

Two new species of the commensal shrimp genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, found in the waters of the Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, are described and illustrated. P. tchesunovi sp. nov. is related to P. rastrifer Bruce. The former may be distinguished by its deeper rostrum, with dentition 6/1, the presence of supraorbital tubercles, and broad, spatulate fingers on the first pereiopods. P. zarenkovi sp. nov. closely resembles P. diplosomatis Bruce in the presence of minute denticulations on the dactylar cutting edge of the major second pereiopod, but differs from it by a deeper rostrum with 5 dorsal teeth, more robust chelae of the second pereiopods, and small dorsal telson spines.     

A record of Randiella from New Caledonia,the first known occurrence of the marine interstitial family Randiellidae (Annelida; Oligochaeta) in the South Pacific Ocean

Five specimens morphologically indistinguishable from Randiella caribaea Erséus and Strehlow, 1986, previously known only from the Caribbean in the Atlantic Ocean, are reported from a sandy beach at Touhou, New Caledonia. The new material reveals that R. caribaea and probably also the closely related R. minuta Erséus and Strehlow, 1986 have dorsal spermathecae, an assumedly apomorphic condition vis-à-vis the lateral spermathecae of the other species of Randiellidae. The number and position of the gonads in this family are unclear, but the new material of R. caribaea appears to have at least one testis in segment X and one ovary in segment XII.