INTRODUCTION

A common characteristic of alga-invertebrate symbioses is their specificity; in general, a given symbiotic invertebrate species forms a stable association with just one species or genus of alga. One approach to examine the basis and significance of the specificity is to compare the performance (i.e. survival, growth and reproduction) of invertebrates experimentally infected with a range of algae. To date, such investigations have been made almost exclusively with algae which do not naturally form an association with the host species (e.g. Schoenberg & Trench, 1980; Mews & Smith, 1982; Douglas, 1983), and the relevance of the conclusions to the natural situation is not always clear.

An account is given of the further changes in the bottom fauna of a fertilized sea loch (Loch Craiglin) from 1944 to 1947, and the results are compared with those obtained from 1942 to 1944.

The bottom fauna density fell markedly during 1944, despite the addition of very large quantities of fertilizers. Unfavourable hydrographic conditions, especially low oxygen tensions, are considered to be responsible for the decrease.

An apparatus is described which has been used at three sites in Southampton Water for the continuous collection of sedimenting detritus. The collected detritus was removed at monthly intervals for measurement, and for analysis of the organic carbon and nitrogen content.

The total quantities of dry detritus varied from 4 mg/cm2/month to 980 mg/cm2/month, and because of the variable collection of resuspended bottom material show no clear seasonal variation. The carbon content was 0.1–7.3% of the total and nitrogen varied from 0.02 to 0.62%. The organic content did show some seasonal variation which tended to follow changes in the abundance of phytoplankton.

The amounts of total detritus collected and the organic content are high compared with some other areas and this is thought to be due partly to the high primary productivity of the area and partly to the complex water movements in the estuary.

Introduction

The importance of detritus in suspension in the sea and as a superficial layer on the sediment is well recognized. The quantity of detritus in sea water has been measured (Armstrong & Atkins, 1950; Fox, Isaacs & Corcoran, 1952; Krey, 1950, 1961a, b, 1964; Krey, Banse & Hagmeier, 1957; Hagmeier, 1962) and usually exceeds the amount of living material in suspension by at least a factor of ten. Study of deposited detritus has mainly involved measurement of the amount of organic matter in bottom sediments (Waksman, 1933; Anderson, 1939; Southward, 1952; Morgans, 1956; Sanders, 1960).

In studies of marine productivity it is important to know not only the amount of detritus present in the water column, but also its composition and rate of sedimentation.

The population structure of the thornback ray, Raja clavata L., expressed in terms of length and sex, seems to be related to hydrological conditions prevailing on the sampling areas. In the exposed area (Cove of Bertheaume), females are more frequently captured than males, and indeed represent the entire catch in the summer. In contrast, in the relatively sheltered area (Bay of Douarnenez) a majority of adult males and immature females are caught.

After winter, only adults and juveniles of Raja clavata migrate into the Bay of Douarnenez. This bay may be a mating area for adults and also a nursery for juveniles particularly for immature females.

The ages of 1426 female, and 135 male Long Rough Dabs have been determined from otolith readings. The females were found to live into their seventh year and reach 30.5 cm, compared with males that live to their fifth year and reach 19.0 cm in length. However, the mean increase in length per year for a given length, has been found to be the same. The growth of the females has been shown to fit the equation lt=26.437 (I—0.574t) and of the males lt=17.754 (I —0.585t). In the case of the females the observed and calculated values agree quite closely, but with the males there is a greater difference, and it is believed that the discrepancy is due to net selection. The suggestion is made that the calculated mean lengths for each age group are better estimates of those of the population than are the observed sample means. The two standard deviations limits can be estimated about the population means and the sample values are found to be within these limits.

Comparison with previous studies shows that the Clyde fish are smaller and shorter-lived than more northern specimens, though broadly speaking the rate of growth for comparable ages is not so dissimilar.

This paper analyses the age and growth pattern of the four-spotted megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii), collected in the north Aegean Sea. The otoliths of the species exhibit bilateral asymmetry. Our data indicates that males have shorter lifespans (0–6 y) than females (0–8 y) and reach lower asymptotic lengths. A significant difference in growth rate exists between the two sexes after the first year of life. Growth in length is greater in females than males, whereas males appeared to be heavier than females of the same size. The latter was also corroborated by the higher accumulation of lipids in the muscle of males in relation to females. The growth rate of the species in the Atlantic was higher than in the Mediterranean. The oligotrophic character of the study area seemed to have a negative effect on the growth of megrims.

Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. However, very little is known about its cetaceans. In 2010 and 2011, a total of 19721 km (1686 h) boat-based surveys over nearshore transects resulted in 117 positively-identified sightings comprising eight species. New records are also added for one of three previously-documented species. Five additional species were documented from strandings or reports by others. This brings the total number of cetacean species identified in Aruban waters to 16, of which nine are authenticated here for the first time. Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis (N = 59) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (N = 33) were the most frequently observed species, with sightings of both year-round, followed by spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Additional species recorded are pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), striped dolphin (S. coeruleoalba), common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), killer whale (Orcinus orca), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Bryde's/Eden's whale (Balaenoptera brydei/edeni), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and an unidentified beaked whale (Mesoplodon sp.). All cetaceans were sighted within 22 km of the coast in relatively shallow waters. Sighting rate was low (0.69 cetacean sightings per 100 km). Sightings of calves and neonates indicate that Aruba may be a nursing or breeding area for some species. The presence of several species of cetaceans in Aruba's coastal waters year-round indicates that status and threat assessments are needed to protect them.

Post-larval specimens of Hirundichthys affinis are capable of jumping out of water, but the pectoral and pelvic fins are not extended when in air. Penetration through the air/ water interface demands a force to overcome surface tension which is similar in magnitude to the force required for the jump itself. However, post-larvae do not produce the single propulsive tail flick which powers the jump until most of the animal has passed through the interface. The post-larva emerges at an angle close to 45°, thus maximising the horizontal distance travelled before re-entry.

Whether swimming slowly (4 body lengths s-1), or at maximum speed (36 body lengths s-1), post-larvae swim with the pectoral and pelvic fins extended. Calculations show that fast swimming post-larvae operate at Reynolds’ numbers of about 4×103, where surface roughness and projections decrease rather than increase drag.

The fecundity of Clyde plaice, which has been studied from 1956 to 1961, has not been found to change as the breeding season approaches. However, there was a marked fecundity change from about 137 thousand eggs to around 161 thousand after 1957. The fecundity of all age groups increased and this appears to be associated with the fishing intensity and so the population density. Heavy fishing leads to fewer fish with the same food supply which in turn allows higher fecundity. The changes in fecundity therefore seem to be part of a density dependent population regulating mechanism.

Three species of salps (Pegea confoederata, Salpa maxima, and S.fusiformis) from the Western Mediterranean have been analysed for their general biochemical composition and their detailed sterol chemistry. In particular the distribution of saturated sterols in various tissues of the salps has been studied. The results suggests that dietary phytoplankton exerts a major influence on the tissue sterol composition of the salps, although the presence of occelesterol and saturated sterols in the salps cannot be explained on the basis of diet. Possible explanations for the occurrence and distribution of the saturated sterols are considered.

Species body size spectra have been constructed for macrofauna assemblages from four sites with contrasting sediment granulometry and heterogeneity in and around Plymouth Sound. The number of species and species turnover (β diversity) were higher on coarse sediment. While the fauna were distinct between sites, the median geometric size-class was conservative (class 14; 0.153–0.305 mg dry blotted weight). Only one site had significantly lower heterogeneity within the species size spectrum, yet this was the most heterogeneous sediment. As such, we were unable to reject the null hypothesis that species body size distribution patterns are conservative despite differences in sediment granulometry and heterogeneity.

Macoma carlottensis Whiteaves, 1880 is abundant (up to approximately 350 nr2) in subtidal infaunal communities on the continental shelf of western United States (Lie & Kelly, 1970; Word, 1979) and in British Columbia fjords (Ellis, 1969). Of thirteen different species of Macoma identified from the coastal waters of southern British Columbia, M. carlottensis is the most tolerant to variations in water depth, sediment particle size, current exposure, and salinity (Dunnill & Ellis, 1969). Observations of the species maintained in sediment trays in our laboratory suggest thatM. carlottensis is an infaunal, primarily sub-surface deposit feeder which generally lies at a depth of 1-4 cm with its left valve downwards. Filter feeding was observed in some instances as indicated by extension of the siphons from 0-5-3 cm above the substrate.

The scope for growth (SFG) calculated on measurements of physiological variables in juvenile of the predatory gastropod Chorus giganteus was compared with the actual growth under an energetic point of view. The continuous increase in the amount of food ingested and absorbed by C. giganteus was clearly related to the body size of the snails. The pronounced increase in the metabolic processes of respiration and excretion at the end of the study was related with the high rates of growth experienced by the snails under the experimental conditions. These results were supported by the correlation analysis where ingestion rate (r=0.99), oxygen consumption (r=0.88) and excretion rate (r=0.89) were significantly correlated with the actual growth (P≤0.05). Comparing the estimated growth curve (SFG) with that directly measured on juvenile individuals of C. giganteus, a high similarity in results was observed. The high sensitivity of the scope for growth argues for the use of this index as an adequate tool for estimating the growth of juvenile gastropod molluscs without interference from reproductive processes such as gametogenesis and spawning which may produce corresponding rises and falls in the biomass of individuals. Scope for growth is thus validated as a reliable measurement of the physiological/energetic condition of the organism, representing an effective index for indirect estimation of the growth of a species.

Two barnacle species (Semibalanus cariosus and Chthamalus challengeri) were studied during two years at Hokkaido, northern Japan, to find the interspecies boundary and to determine whether interspecific competition (interference and pre-emption) is important in maintaining the zonation in our study system. Both barnacle species showed tide level dependent distribution patterns in the boundary zone. Semibalanus cariosus was dominant at lower levels; this pattern was determined by post-recruitment mortality. This mortality pattern seemed to be set by physical stress because recruitment density and survival rate were not correlated with the cover of other species, and mortality was higher in higher zones where physical stress is more severe. Chthamalus challengeri was dominant at higher levels; this pattern was determined by recruitment. The recruitment density and survival rate of this species were not affected by the covers of other species, thus, neither interference nor pre-emption significantly affected the distribution pattern. Interspecific competition appears to be less important in organizing barnacle communities in our study area than in previously studied areas, however, the recruitment process is of major importance.

Elminius modestus Darwin 1854 is a small, estuarine barnacle, until 1940 found only in New Zealand and southern Australia but now well established in Europe. Using electrophoresis, 22 enzymes were compared between 10 populations of E. modestus from Europe and three populations from the Antipodes. Fourteen enzymes gave consistent, scorable results at 19 loci, of which 10 were monomorphic. Contingency comparisons of allele frequencies at the polymorphic loci showed no significant difference within the European samples, within the Antipodean samplesand between the European and Antipodean samples. These results were discussed in the context ofboth the history of the spread of the species and its planktonic larval phase. It seems likely that the species spread to Australia by remote dispersal from New Zealand before 1832, and thatthe initial settlement in U.K. waters in the 1930s must have been large enough to establish thespecies successfully with a genome representative of that of the mother population, at least atthe loci examined.

Both active and passive human interactions with reef fish communities are increasingly recognized to cause fish behavioural changes. However, few studies have considered how these behavioural adaptations impact standard reef survey techniques, particularly across natural gradients of interest to ecologists and reef managers. Here we measure fish abundance, biomass and minimum approach distance using stereo-video surveys to compare the effects of bubble-producing open-circuit scuba vs near-silent closed-circuit rebreathers. Surveys extended across a shallow to upper-mesophotic gradient on the fringing reefs of Utila, Honduras, to explore how the effects of diver gear choice vary with depth. For most fish families we recorded similar abundances and biomass with the two diving techniques, suggesting that open-circuit transects are generally appropriate for surveying western Atlantic reefs similar to Utila with regular tourist diving but no spearfishing. Despite no overall significant difference in fish abundance or biomass, we identified several fish families (Labridae, Pomacentridae, Scaridae) that allowed closed-circuit rebreather divers to approach more closely than open-circuit divers. In addition, smaller fish generally allowed divers to approach more closely than larger fish, and in most cases divers could approach fish more closely on mesophotic than shallow reefs. Despite these significant differences in approach distances, their magnitude suggest they are unlikely to affect reef fish detectability during normal fish surveys for most families. Our findings highlight the importance of considering variation in fish behavioural adaptations along natural gradients such as depth, which otherwise has the potential to cause biases when surveying by traditional monitoring programmes.

A model has been used to assess the relative importance of the various factors contributing to changes in the salinity of the eastern English Channel between 1948 and 1973. As part of the data input to the model, monthly means (1948–73) of total runoff into the eastern English Channel and monthly estimates of evaporation and precipitation for the same area (1961–73) were calculated. The results of this study have shown that river runoff is an important factor contributing to the variability of salinity in the eastern English Channel; rainfall over and evaporation from the Channel may also be important at certain times. The model can predict satisfactorily more than 80% of the variation of salinity from local data inputs. While Atlantic water movements and salinities may contribute to variability at the entrance to the English Channel, variations of flow through the Channel, caused by local wind forcing or originating further out in the Atlantic, have little effect on the fluctuations of salinity in the eastern English Channel. Furthermore, fluctuations in the salinity of the North Atlantic do not correspond to those observed at the entrance to the English Channel. River runoff and mixing due to the wind and tides appear to be the main factors responsible for the seasonal changes of salinity in the eastern English Channel.

The present study tests hypotheses about sexual dimorphism in body size and morphology versus differential mating behaviours of three male ontogenetic stages (typus, intermedius and robustus morphotypes) of the hingebeak shrimp Rhynchocinetes durbanensis Gordon using canonical discriminant analysis. There is strong sexual dimorphism in this species, in that robustus morphotypes are greater in size and with larger appendages (extended third maxillipeds and major [first] chelipeds) than females. As typus males grow bigger in size, their third maxillipeds and major chelipeds become proportionately larger than those of females, and the numbers of corneous spines on the terminal segment of the maxillipeds are reduced. Although there is no sexual dimorphism in body size between typus and intermedius males and females, the robustus males are often substantially larger than females. During mating and spermatophore transfer, all male morphotypes performed similar behaviours (touching, overlapping and holding), but only intermedius and robustus morphotypes appeared to fertilize the broods of the females successfully. Robustus males were faster in approaching as well as mating with receptive females than subordinate males. When mating with robustus males, females spawned more quickly than after mating with typus and intermedius males. Additionally, the time taken for spermatophore transfer by typus males was longer. Rejection by females during the initial approach by typus males often resulted in unsuccessful spermatophore attachment. Results of this study suggest a dominance hierarchy in R. durbanensis similar to certain other rhynchocinetid species in which females appear to prefer mating with the larger robustus males.

It has been shown that the early development of the monogenean Calicotyle kröyeri takes place in the rectal gland of its hosts (various species of Raja). Adult parasites were found in the rectal gland as well as in the cloaca. The invasion route followed to the rectal gland remains unknown, in spite of a search for post-larvae in scrapings from the cloacal lining, rectal lining and ventral skin near the cloacal opening and in blood vessels leading to and from the rectal gland. The growth of the hamuli is described.

The authors examined more than 900 thick-lipped grey mullet, Crenimugil labrosus (Risso), from 23 different localities on the Irish coast. The fish ranged in size from fry 1·5—2·0 cm long to adults of up to 58·5 cm long. The scales of mullet show annuli but, with growth, the innermost annuli on the scales become obscured.