The lagoon of Boughrara is the largest lagoon in Tunisia. For several decades it has been subject to the impact of increasing anthropogenic activities, and also to environmental stressors due to climate change and the low renewal of its waters. The present work is a contribution to the study of the functional organization of the benthic macrofauna of the lagoon of Boughrara 3 years after the extension of the channel ‘El Kantra’ which connects this lagoon to the open sea. In total, 13 stations facing the main prospective sources of disturbance and in areas likely to be more polluted were seasonally sampled during 2009–2010. Seasonal monitoring of the abiotic parameters shows a spatial heterogeneity linked to environmental and anthropogenic factors, including hydrodynamics, sedimentary texture and anthropogenic activities. The community of benthic macrofauna is generally poorly diversified at lagoonal-marine stations undergoing influences of both the marine and lagoon environment. The extreme seasons in terms of temperature and salinity seem to have an important role in the reduction of biodiversity in the lagoon of Boughrara. The trophic structure of the macrobenthic community is generally dominated by selective deposit feeders, and seems to be linked more to the availability of trophic resources than to disturbance.

The study aimed to unravel the interaction between ocean acidification and solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in Chaetoceros curvisetus. Chaetoceros curvisetus cells were acclimated to high CO2 (HC, 1000 ppmv) and low CO2 concentration (control, LC, 380 ppmv) for 14 days. Cell density, specific growth rate and chlorophyll were measured. The acclimated cells were then exposed to PAB (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) + UV-A + UV-B), PA (PAR + UV-A) or P (PAR) for 60 min. Photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), relative electron transport rate (rETR) and the recovery of ΦPSII were determined. HC induced higher cell density and specific growth rate compared with LC. However, no difference was found in chlorophyll between HC and LC. Moreover, ΦPSII and rETRs were higher under HC than LC in response to solar UVR. P exposure led to faster recovery of ΦPSII, both under HC and LC, than PA and PAB exposure. It appeared that harmful effects of UVR on C. curvisetus could be counteracted by ocean acidification simulated by high CO2 when the effect of climate change is not beyond the tolerance of cells.

Kelps, fucoids and other large brown seaweeds are common and important features of temperate coastal zones. The British Isles is a centre for seaweed diversity in the NE Atlantic, but, despite numerous surveys, an incomplete picture of the distribution remains. Survey data and herbarium specimens were used to examine the environmental preference of 15 species of large brown seaweeds, covering the orders Laminariales (kelps), Fucales (wracks) and one species of Tilopteridales. Habitat suitability models were developed to estimate broad-scale distribution and area of habitat created by these species around the British Isles. Topographic parameters were important factors limiting distributions. Generally, temperature did not appear to be a limiting factor, probably because the British Isles lies in the centre of the NE Atlantic distribution for most species, and not at climatic tolerance limits. However, for the recent migrant Laminaria ochroleuca, temperature was found to be important for the model, thus range expansion could continue northwards provided dispersal is possible. In contrast, the widespread Alaria esculenta showed a negative association with warmer summer temperatures. The total potential habitat around the British and Irish coastline is more than 19,000 km2 for kelps and 11,000 km2 for wracks, which represents a significant habitat area similar in scale to British broadleaf forest. We conclude that large brown algal species need to be managed and conserved in a manner that reflects their scale and importance.

The colonization dynamics in trophic-functional structure of biofilm-dwelling ciliate fauna were studied using two methods based on an artificial substratum in Korean coastal waters of the Yellow Sea during April 2007. Polyurethane foam enveloped slide (PFES) and conventional slide (CS) systems were used to collect ciliate samples at a depth of 1 m. The ciliate fauna represented similar colonization dynamics in trophic-functional patterns that were driven mainly by the algivores, bacterivores and non-selectives in both systems. Simple trophic-functional patterns (e.g. algivores and non-selectives) occurred within the ciliate fauna at the initial stage (1–3 days), while complex patterns (e.g. algivores, non-selectives and bacterivores) were established at the transitional (5–7 days) and equilibrium (9–19 days) stages. However, the time in which ciliate fauna reached a stable trophic-functional pattern was shorter in the PFES than in the CS system. Among four trophic-functional types, the algivores and bacterivores significantly fitted the MacArthur-Wilson and logistic models in colonization and growth curves in both systems, respectively. Furthermore, the species richness and diversity of algivores and bacterivores were significantly higher in the PFES system than in the CS. These results suggest that the PFES system was more effective than the conventional slide method for a colonization survey on trophic-functional patterns of biofilm-dwelling ciliate fauna in marine ecosystems.

This study examined the reproductive ecology of eight Eastern Pacific deep-sea octocorals, collected from Washington to Southern California. The sexuality, reproductive mode, oocyte size, and fecundity of each species were identified using histological techniques. This research increases the knowledge of basic life histories of deep-sea corals. Swiftia simplex had the highest total fecundity of 42.53 (±9.82 SE) oocytes per polyp. Mean oocyte diameters in S. simplex and S. pacifica females differs among sample months. Swiftia pacifica and S. kofoidi had the lowest total fecundity: 4.6 (±2.06 SE) and 3 (±1.53 SE) oocytes per polyp, respectively.

Oersted in 1843 gave a brief description of Dodecaceria concharum collected from the Kattegat. This was inadequate for identifying the species. Caullery and Mesnil in 1898 described three forms of Dodecaceria (A, B and C) but they were uncertain which form Oersted described. Dehorne in 1933 described D caulleryi (now D. fimbriata), which reproduce asexually, and Form B of Caullery and Mesnil. By default Form B became D. concharum the parthenogenetic species Form A of Caullery and Mesnil. Gibson and Heppell in 1995 in an attempt to consolidate these names deposited new types for the two species at the Cambers Street Museum in Edinburgh.

We have found a new species of Autolytinae (Annelida, Syllidae), Proceraea janetae, feeding on the scleractinian coral Montastrea cavernosa in coral reefs surrounding the Grand Cayman Island (Cayman Islands, British West Indies). The new species has a characteristic combination of transversal brown markings on the segmental margins and diffuse white mid-dorsal transverse bars, together with a diffuse white mid-dorsal longitudinal band. Antennae are brown, tentacular cirri are pale, the first dorsal cirri are white with pale base; the second dorsal cirri are pale, and the remaining dorsal cirri are alternately long, bright yellow-orange with brownish tips and short, entirely brown. The trepan has 18 tricuspid teeth in one ring. There are 9 teeth with all cuspids equally long and 9 with a longer median cuspid, arranged in an alternating pattern. We describe and illustrate the feeding behaviour of the new species, which appears to be closer to parasitism rather than to specialized predation. Proceraea janetae sp. nov. is the second polychaete, and the first syllid, known to feed on scleractinian corals.

A new species of dorvilleid polychaete, Ophryotrocha cyclops, has been observed on the rocky seafloor underneath deep salmonid aquaculture sites on the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The distribution of these opportunistic worms is likely related to organic matter accumulation on the seafloor, and this species may have a role in remediation processes. To better understand the functional role of O. cyclops at aquaculture sites, it is important to know what they feed upon. Here, stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) and trace element analyses were performed on dorvilleids and their potential food sources at three aquaculture sites. Stable isotope analyses revealed spatial and temporal variation in the isotopic carbon signature of O. cyclops, highlighting possible differences in the food sources of individual dorvilleids within and between sites. The isotopic composition of dorvilleids was closest to that of fish pellets; the presence of abundant lipid droplets in gut epithelial cells of O. cyclops suggests the assimilation of fish pellet-derived lipids. Trace element analysis indicated that O. cyclops does not concentrate the aquaculture tracers Zn or Cu to a large extent. However, concentrations of sulphur were high in O. cyclops compared with other sources. Taken together, results show that O. cyclops most likely consume both fish pellets and flocculent matter-associated bacteria. As such, they are involved in sulphur cycling and fish pellet degradation at aquaculture sites.

Celleporina parvula, a species present in shallow waters along the NW African coast, is re-described from its original material. Celleporina fragilis, only known from the Canaries, and Celleporina derungsi, from south Portugal, are newly reported from the Gorringe Bank and NW Iberian Peninsula respectively. Two new species are described: Celleporina algarvensis n. sp., from south Portugal, and Celleporina mediterranea n. sp., from NW Mediterranean. The structure of the ooecium and its tabula, and the structure of the frontal wall in the genus Celleporina are discussed in the light of new observations.

The life history of the mud shrimp Axianassa australis, a common and widespread burrower inhabiting coastal mangroves and mud flats, is poorly known. This contribution presents the first information about the population structure, reproductive biology and fecundity of A. australis, based on individuals collected from September 2011 to December 2012 on Casa Caiada Beach, located in a densely urbanized area in north-eastern Brazil, using a yabby pump. The sex ratio did not depart significantly from the expected 1:1 proportion. A significant trend of left-handedness of the major cheliped was observed in the population. Females reached a larger maximum cephalothorax length (CL) than males. The differential growth between CL and the propodus of the major cheliped showed negative allometric growth for females and positive allometric growth for males, suggesting a trade-off between somatic growth and reproductive effort. Females bearing uneyed orange embryos predominated during all months in which ovigerous females were collected. Mean fecundity was 2379 eggs, ranging from 5 (7.55 mm CL) to 8300 (14.19 mm CL) eggs per female. About 71% of the variation in the number of eggs carried per female was explained by CL. The mean egg size correlated negatively with fecundity, indicating that large females of A. australis produce more and larger eggs than smaller females.

An oceanographic cruise conducted during June 2008 in the Gulf of Gabes revealed the existence of different water masses; the Modified Atlantic Waters (MAW) circulated in the upper 100 m in the offshore area, the Mixed Mediterranean Water (MMW) was confined to the inshore region and the Ionian Water (IW) was in deep offshore water. The thermal stratification was indicated by the vertical profiles of temperature generated from a coast-offshore section. Phosphorus limitation was induced by the thermal stratification as shown by the high N/P ratio. Heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates were the major contributors to total phytoplankton biomass. Ciliates were less abundant and dominated by tintinnids. Small planktonic copepods (≤1.45 mm) contributed to 93.64% of total copepod abundance in the inshore area as a result of the high density of Oithona similis, Oithona nana, Clausocalanus furcatus and Euterpina acutifrons in this area characterized by warm and salty MMW. In fact, small copepods were significantly correlated to both temperature and salinity. Small copepod fraction prevailed also in the MAW contributing to 71.05% of total copepod abundance as a result of the dominance of O. nana and C. furcatus. Nonetheless, the large copepod Nannocalanus minor was more adapted to the deep IW where it contributed to 44.05% of total copepod abundance. Invasive species were encountered in the offshore region intruded by the Atlantic waters. The Atlantic copepods were scarce and less abundant reflecting the weakening of the Atlantic flow in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean.

Size frequency distribution, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and biomass of blue swimming crab Portunus segnis were studied in the northern Persian Gulf. A total of 1689 male and 1824 female crabs were collected by swept area method on a monthly basis from May 2010 to September 2012. The populations of male and female crabs were dominated by adult crabs (carapace width >100 mm) from December to May. The juvenile crabs were dominant from June to October and the averages of CPUE did uptrend from June to October. The CPUE increased in full moon and the highest value was observed in shallow coastal areas below 10 m and significantly decreased as depth increased. The maximum CPUE was recorded at 415 and 450 engine powers and the vessel speeds of about 2.5 and 2.8 knots. The monthly biomass estimations showed an upward trend from June to October within the study period, so that the maximum biomass was 110 tonnes in October 2011. Given the CPUE trend and biomass estimation, the results of the present study suggest that October is the optimum time as open fishery season for blue swimming crab in the northern Persian Gulf and the highest CPUE is achievable in shallow coastal areas at less than 10 m depth.

Blooms of the harmful alga Dinophysis acuminata, which produces okadaic acid (OA), are becoming recurrent in Santa Catarina coast, where most of the shellfish marine farms in Brazil are located. We evaluated the impact of D. acuminata blooms on various haemato-immunological parameters and on tissue integrity of cultivated oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and mussels (Perna perna). Animals were sampled during two natural algal blooms, one at Praia Alegre (PA: 2950 cells l−1) and the other at Praia de Zimbros (PZ: 4150 cells l−1). Control animals were sampled at the same sites, 30 days after the end of the bloom. The assayed parameters were: total (THC) and differential (DHC) haemocyte counts, percentage of apoptotic haemocytes (AH), phenoloxidase activity (PO), agglutinating titre (AT) and total protein concentration in haemolymph (PC). Histological analyses were carried out in oysters from PZ. The results showed that some immune parameters were modulated during the toxic blooms, but not in a consistent manner, especially in mussels that accumulated more OA (10×) than oysters. For example, mussel THC decreased significantly (54%) during the bloom at PA, whereas it augmented markedly (64%) at PZ. PO activity was significantly altered by the algal blooms in both bivalve species, while PC increased significantly (66%) only in mussels from PZ bloom. The other parameters (DHC, AH and AT) did not vary in both bivalve species. Histological analyses showed an intense haemocytic infiltration throughout the oyster digestive epithelium, particularly into the stomach lumen during the algal bloom.

Shipworms (teredinids) are highly specialized marine bivalves that consume terrestrially derived wood. Changes in environmental variables may result in shipworms spreading into the Baltic Sea – which would have devastating consequences for maritime cultural heritage and submerged wooden structures. We investigated the distribution and abundance of the shipworms Teredo navalis and Psiloteredo megotara along the Swedish coast in 2006–2008, and compared our findings with data collected at partly the same locations in 1971–1973. Wooden test panels were submerged in near-surface waters at 18 harbours. The presence of shipworms was determined by X-ray radiography of each panel. Sea surface temperature and salinity data were analysed to investigate whether any changes in distribution were correlated to changes in environmental variables. We found that past and present distributions of T. navalis were similar – indicating that no range expansion of shipworms into the Baltic Sea has taken place the last 35 years. The abundance of T. navalis was similar between decades at all investigated sites except two (Arild and Barsebäckshamn), where abundances were higher in 2006–2008. The abundance of T. navalis varied along the coast and was positively correlated to mean sea surface salinity, but not to mean sea surface temperature (2006–2008 data). The distribution and abundance of P. megotara were similar during the two study periods with only single observations at a few sites. In conclusion, we found no evidence of range expansion of shipworms along the Swedish coast.

Newtoniellinae is a worldwide marine group of cold-water, deep-sea species, comprising the genera Cerithiella, Paramendax and Trituba. Prior to this study, the subfamily was represented in Brazil by four species of Cerithiella. The present contribution adds new Brazilian records of two of these species, Cerithiella amblytera and Cerithiella enode, in addition to new records of two species previously known only from Cuba and the south-eastern USA, respectively: Cerithiella sigsbeana comb. nov. and Cerithiella producta. Two new species of Cerithiella from Brazil are described: Cerithiella atali sp. nov. has a pointed protoconch identical to the species described in the previously synonymized genus Stilus; Cerithiella candela sp. nov. has the teleoconch very similar to Cerithiella pernambucoensis, but is differentiated by the protoconch morphology. Also, a new species of Trituba is described, Trituba anubis sp. nov., which is the second species of this genus recorded for the western Atlantic. Eumetula axicostulata comb. nov. and Eumetula vitrea comb. nov., both from the western Atlantic but not recorded from Brazil, are transferred from the genus Cerithiella. This study increases from four to nine the number of known species of Newtoniellinae from Brazil.

Ceramaster grenadensis is one of the most abundant bathyal seastars in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and also presents a wide geographic distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. As with other species in this genus, little information is available on the biology and reproductive strategy of C. grenadensis. In this context, we describe for the first time the reproductive cycle of this species from bathyal depths in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Specimens (N = 141) were collected seasonally from 194 benthic trawls (141 Otter Trawls and 53 Agassiz trawls) conducted during 10 cruises from October 2008 to April 2013. Open slope and canyon systems were sampled at depths between 900 and 2250 m. The population distribution of C. grenadensis showed a depth-related structure, with the smaller adult specimens and juveniles present at greater depths. Sex ratio was 2:1 females per male, constant among seasons and depths. Histological analyses of the gonads showed an asynchronous ovarian organization, with previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes throughout the year. These oogenesis patterns suggest a continuous reproduction. However, the Pyloric Caeca Index (PCI) decreased in summer while the Gonad Index (GI) increased in autumn in males, suggesting a higher spawning capacity in autumn. In both sexes, an increasing GI and PCI trend was observed with increasing depth.

Silver bellies, Leiognathus splendens were studied for their spatial (south-west and south-east coasts of India), annual (2008–2011) and seasonal (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) variations of protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The monthly mean Sea Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor data for the period from January 2008 to December 2011 were taken into account to indicate the distribution of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll-a to test the hypothesis that surface productivity might be related to nutritional biochemistry of this species. The four year average total protein content and chlorophyll-a showed good correlation during monsoon on the south-west coast and monsoon/post-monsoon on the south-east coast, suggesting that the protein content is prejudiced by the chlorophyll-a concentration. Amino acid scores observed monsoon maxima along the south-west and south-east coasts. Significant seasonal variations in vitamin content were observed at the study locations with high content of vitamins D3, E, K1 and C on the south-west coast. Na content was maximal during pre-monsoon on the south-west coast, while post-monsoon maxima of Ca and K content were observed. The Fe, Mn and Zn were abundant in the samples collected from the south-west coast. The concentration of Se exhibited maximum values post-monsoon along the south-west and south-east coasts. The present study demonstrated L. splendens as a valuable source of the protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins, showing that this low-value species is a good source of well balanced proteins with high biological value to be qualified as a preferred healthy food for human consumption.

Specimens of European hake were collected by a traditional demersal trawl between July 2004 and June 2007 from İzmir Bay, Central Aegean Sea. A total of 2108 individuals were sampled during the study and the female: male sex ratio of the stock was 1:0.89. The length–weight relationship was W = 0.00341L3.24 (R2 = 0.994) for all individuals. A high gonadosomatic index was evident over most of the year but it was minimal from August to October. The estimated age composition was 1–5 years; the length and weight at infinity were calculated as L∞ = 54.53 cm and W∞ = 1455.77 g respectively. In addition, growth coefficient was found to be k = 0.315 y−1 and to = −0.223 y (R2 = 0.99). Total mortality ratio of the stock was calculated as Z = 1.539 y−1, while natural and fishing based mortality ratio were estimated as M = 0.579 y−1 and F = 0.959 y−1 respectively, with the exploitation ratio (E) of the stock estimated to be 0.624.

This paper analyses the population dynamics, growth and feeding ecology of Dicentrarchus labrax in order to gain a better understanding of its present role in the western Dutch Wadden Sea ecosystem. Otolith analysis showed that the population is mostly comprised of individuals aged 3–5 years old and between 20 and 45 cm in length. In autumn, 0-group juveniles are also an important part of the population. Both juveniles and adults use the area as a feeding ground exhibiting an opportunistic feeding strategy that relies on available prey, especially the brown shrimp Crangon crangon. Stomach content analysis and nitrogen stable isotope analysis showed an ontogenetic shift towards piscivory and a general decrease in the dominance of invertebrates with increasing size. Over the last 50 years, large between-year fluctuations in D. labrax abundance have been observed with an underlying increasing trend from about 1990 until 2007 followed by a subsequent decline. Spring abundance showed significant relationships with temperature and salinity while autumn abundance was only related to temperature. Spring and autumn D. labrax abundance were also strongly related to abundance of brown shrimp C. crangon prey. Long-term trends in temperature and salinity in the area suggest that environmental conditions for juvenile growth have become optimal, resulting in increased abundance since the mid-1980s. Continued monitoring of the dynamics of this species in the Dutch Wadden Sea is important to understand and anticipate the effects of climate change on the D. labrax population and its role in the local food web.

This study reports for the first time on the whole epibiont fauna of loggerhead marine turtles, Caretta caretta, in the western Mediterranean, analysing the factors that account for the predictability and composition of the assemblage. A total of 104 loggerhead turtles stranded along the coasts of eastern Spain during 1995–2006 were surveyed for epibionts. A total of 39 epibiont taxa were identified, three of them being new records for loggerhead turtles: Bittium sp., Idotea metallica and Jassa sp. The assemblage was composed of a group of 27 facultative taxa that use turtles as any inanimate buoyant substrate, and 12 taxa that have developed more specific associations to marine turtles, including six species that occur in marine turtles exclusively, two that dwell also on other hosts, and four that can also survive as free-living forms but have developed a strong association with marine turtles. Hierarchical clustering and Similarity Profile Analysis based on the occurrence of 166 epibiont taxa from nine available surveys indicated that the epibiont assemblages from loggerhead turtles in the western Mediterranean (WM) are similar to those from Central Mediterranean (CM), but significantly different from turtles surveyed in the eastern Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The subset of epibionts occurring on WM and CM turtles is defined by a combination of geographic factors (exclusive Mediterranean epibiont taxa) and ecological factors (relative absence of littoral-benthic taxa). Loggerhead turtles from WM and CM apparently exploit both pelagic and benthic habitats in similar fashion, representing a homogeneous unit for epibiont recruitment.