The species was first distinguished by Carmichael, as Ceramium acanthonotum, in his unpublished Algae Appinensis, the manuscript of which is now preserved at the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Harvey (in Hooker, 1833), in publishing Carmichael's description, regarded the species merely as a variety of C. ciliatum. Agardh (1844) raised the variety to specific status, and it is as C. acanthonotum that the species has been known generally. Kiitzing (1841), 1 in a revision of the genus Ceramium, had described the entity independently as Acanthoceras shuttleworthianum; the specific epithetshuttleworthianum has priority overacanthonotum [see Article 60 of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Lanjouw, 1956)]. The priority of the epithet shuttleworthianum was indicated, independently, by both Silva (1959) and Dixon (1959); of the two publications, that by Silva is the earlier.

Among the various small Malacostraca that have lately been found living interstitially in the Eddystone shell gravel (see Spooner, 1959 a,b), one of the moreremarkable is a new member of the genusIngolfiella. This genus of small colourless blind amphipods occupies a very isolated position, and is customarily given the rank of a separate suborder. The six species hitherto recognized are listed in Table i, and their geographic relationships shown in Fig. 5 (p. 328).

A new species of poecilosclerid sponge from methane seeps on the Louisiana Slope, Gulf of Mexico, USA is described. This thickly encrusting sponge grows around vestimentiferan tubes and has a very patchy distribution. The skeletal structure and the spicule set match those characterizing the genus Ectyomyxilla. The new species, Ectyomyxilla methanophila sp. nov., is distinguished from the remaining species in the genus by the structure of its ectosomal skeleton, where small acanthostyles are never present, and by its choanosomal skeleton, which is barely reticulate and has echinated main tracts. The small size of the choanocyte chambers suggests occurrence of nutritional benefits derived from association with chemoautotrophic symbiotic bacteria. However, the presence of oscules, ostioles, aquiferous canals and choanocyte chambers indicates that this sponge also relies partly on filtration for its nutrition. This is the first record of the genus Ectyomyxilla in the northern hemisphere, and the first non-carnivorous demosponge known to exploit methane-rich marine environments.

In many marine invertebrates the presence of an active transport system for the epithelial absorption of amino acids has been conclusively demonstrated (Stephens, 1968. 1972; West, de Burgh & Jeal, 1977). It has been observed by several authors that inhibition of uptake of a given amino acid can occur in the presence of other amino acids, in a manner analogous to that observed in vertebrate gut absorption systems. Some examples are the work of Chapman & Taylor (1969) on whole Nereis virens, Ferguson (1968) on the digestive glands of Echinaster spinulosus, Ferguson (1971) on whole asteroids, Bamford & Stewart (1973 a, b) on Arenicola marina gut, and Bamford & McCrea (1975) on the gill of Cerastoderma edule.

The material from which the present list of Parasitic Copepoda has been compiled was obtained in part by the examination of fish at the Marine Biological Association's Laboratory, but to a still greater extent by daily and diligent search at certain fishmongers' in the town. The following are the most important works consulted:—

The Talitridae are recognized as being difficult to identify (for example, Goodhart, 1941; Den Hartog, 1963) and it is thus not surprising that some species have been overlooked. Goodhart (1941) mentioned a new subspecies of Orchestia mediterranea Costa, 1853 which was not described, and the specimens are now lost (C. B. Goodhart, personal communication). During work on the biology of Orchestia in estuaries, two new taxa were discovered and tentatively given subspecific status (Wildish, 1969, 1970). Re-examination of the specimens in the British Museum (Natural History) and National Museum of Natural Sciences, Canada shows that both warrant specific status.

Inspection of fauna lists suggests that many authors have found difficulty in identifying the British species of Thracia, most being content to list them as Thracia spp. Examination of museum collections and even keys to identification (Ziegelmeier, 1957) shows many errors of identification. The problem was brought to notice when some specimens dredged off the Northumberland coast appeared to differ from the five species recognized as occurring in British waters. It was decided that a study of the specific differences similar to that of Holme (1951, 1959) for Ensis and Lutraria, and Allen (1954) for Nucula, would be useful.

Specimens, particularly undamaged ones, of the British species of Thracia are difficult to obtain because they are both fragile and rare, and I am greatly indebted to the many people who were so kind as to give material and information for this study. These included Mr J. H. Barrett, Dale Fort Field Centre; Dr C. Burdon-Jones, Marine Biology Station, Menai Bridge; Mr I. C. J. Galbraith, British Museum (Nat. Hist.); Prof. R. A. R. Gresson, Queen's University, Belfast; Prof. L. A. Harvey, The University, Exeter; Mr N. A. Holme, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth; Dr N. S. Jones, Marine Biological Station, Port Erin; Mr A. D. Mclntyre, Scottish Home Department, Aberdeen; Mr R. McLaughlin, The University, Aberdeen; Dr R. H. Millar and Dr R. B. Pike, Scottish Marine Biological Association, Millport; Mr A. M. Tynan, Hancock Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne. I also wish to thank Dr D. A. Edwards, King's College, Newcastle upon Tyne, for assistance in matters mathematical.

Analysis of grab samples from the shallow-water sand community (0—6 m) in the northern Irish Sea has shown that there is an increase in the diversity and in the abundance of amphipod species westwards. The most frequently occurring and the over-all dominant species is Bathyporeia elegans. Six indicator species (Ampelisca brevicornis, Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana, B. elegans, B. nana, Perioculodes longimanus and Pontocrates arenarius) with a high degree of association are present in varying proportions throughout the community.

Pseudocalanus elongatus(Boeck) from Plymouth Station Ex was kept in reproducing culture for 6 months and approximately four generations. Cultured adult females were at least as large as wild females of the same species which havematured at a comparable temperature (15 °C) in nature. At 15 °C hatching time was 2—3 days, time to first copepodite was 18—20 days, and the time from egg to development of an egg-carrying female averaged 37 days.

An account is given of the bottom-fauna of Great West Bay from samples taken in 1948 with a new sampler. Comparison is made with a similar survey made by Mr E. Ford with the Petersen grab in 1923.

The deposits contain a fair proportion of mud, and the ‘EcVg’ communities denned by Ford dominate the area. Within the Bay are found fairly dense beds of Turritella communis, Lutraria sp., Callianassa subterranea and Spisula solida.

No marked changes in the fauna seem to have occurred since the earner survey. The fauna is briefly compared with that of the Plymouth area.

INTRODUCTION

The problems of observing the behaviour of mid-water animals are considerable. The depths involved are generally too great to allow free diving, and because the population density is low, useful observations from submersibles and remote cameras are rare. Animals brought to the surface are often in too poor a condition to behave at all normally. The hyperiid amphipods are one of the best groups to work with in trying to overcome these difficulties. They are relatively common and frequently observed from submersibles, where they congregate round the lights. They are tough, survive capture and behave well in aquaria at the surface (Land, 1992a). Compared with other groups, a reasonable amount is known about their habits, especially their associations with gelatinous animals on which they prey or have commensal relationships (Harbison et al., 1977; Madin & Harbison, 1977; Diebel, 1988). It is also known that they sometimes form swarms (Lobel & Randall, 1986).

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.

Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.

Fifteen new genera of cheilostome Bryozoa are described from the New Zealand biogeographical region, centred on Zealandia, between 29° and 59°S latitude from shallow coastal waters to abyssal depths. The new genera are: Cavelliella, Mangana, Recapitulator (Calloporidae), Microblestrum, Stolomicropora (Pyrisinellidae), Otomicropora, Rosemariella (Microporidae), Bioptica, Caesiopora (Romancheinidae), Cheilonellopsis (Lacernidae), Xenogma (Buffonellodidae), Bountyella (incertae sedis), Taylorius (Escharinidae), Fovoporella (Schizoporellidae) and Ramicellepora (Celleporidae). Several new combinations are also recognized, i.e. Corbulella fossa, Fovoporella spectabilis, Kenaplousina canariensis, Taylorius incognitus, Taylorius masoni, Taylorius waiparaensis and Xenogma rhomboidale. Ten of the new genera are nominally endemic to the New Zealand exclusive economic zone. Recapitulator and Microblestrum (on seamounts near the southern part of the Hjort Trench) and Rosemariella (seamount in the Louisville Ridge) occur in extraterritorial waters, Xenogma extends to Australia and Taylorius extends to South Africa. Taylorius is also known from the Miocene and Fovoporella from the Pliocene. Recapitulator and Mangana have plesiomorphies that are novel among Recent Calloporidae (respectively a costate ooecium and ‘pelmatoporine’ elongate adventitious interzooidal kenozooids) but which are found in some Cretaceous calloporids or cribrilinids.

Samples of the large sublittoral sea anemone Urticina eques (Gosse) were collected from three localities in the northern North Sea and from one locality in the northern Irish Sea. Around the coast the total distance between sampling sites is approximately 1,200 km. The species has a large lecithotrophic larva which may not be planktonic. All samples were screened genetically for 13 loci coding for 11 different enzymes. Results overall indicated a high degree of genetic uniformity over the four populations sampled (FST = 0·025). The data are discussed in relation to current ideas of larval dispersal and results from other similar studies. It is concluded that the lack of genetic differentiation shown by Urticina eques is surprising given the apparently poor dispersive powers of the larva.

Ecological features of Syllidae inhabiting shallow-water benthic habitats of the Aegean Sea were analysed by utilizing some univariate and multivariate statistical methods. A total of 121 benthic materials collected in a variety of substrata and depths (0–76 m) contained 90 syllid species belonging to the four subfamilies Autolytinae, Exogoninae, Eusyllinae and Syllinae. Among the subfamilies, Syllinae were characterized by a high number of species and Exogoninae by a high number of individuals. Although dominant species varied according to substrata, the two species, Grubeosyllis clavata and Syllis prolifera, accounted for up to 51% of the total syllid populations in the area. Among the biotopes sampled, Posidonia oceanica seems to be particularly suitable for the settlement of syllid species, whereas bare sand and mud harbour only a few species, mainly Exogoninae. The cluster- and ordination analyses detected species associations on soft and hard substrata, and suggested that syllid assemblages are strongly affected by the habitat structure. Species compositions associated with algae appear to be related to complexity of the algae, so that the ones with relatively small thalli, such as Padina pavonica and Halopteris spp., constituted a group with a high similarity-index value. Samples of Posidonia oceanica collected at different stations showed a high consistency in terms of syllid assemblages.

The prevalence of scars and wounds of anthropogenic origin was assessed in seven different coastal bottlenose dolphin communities (Tursiops truncatus) on the south-western coast of Ecuador. Between 2011 and 2017 a total of 117 trips were conducted representing a total sampled distance of 6281 km. Twenty-five of the 189 (13.2%) free-ranging photo-identified dolphins were recorded with dorsal fin damage, V-shaped wounds, sawed edges and deformities in the caudal region. The scarring prevalence ranged from 0 to 44.4% and was associated with either fishing interactions or vessel strikes. Dolphin scarring increased five times in the last 25 years from 2.2 to 11.1% and was correlated with a decrease in population in the inner estuary of the Gulf of Guayaquil. Damaged dorsal fins are associated mainly with fishing gear. V-shaped wounds were recorded in three different communities, Posorja, Estero Salado and Salinas, and given their severity associated with either fishing gear or vessel strikes. During the study period three dolphins were found entangled in fishing gears, two in gillnets and one in a long-line, emphasizing the threats posed by current fishing practice to the species. More effective management measures are urgently needed to reverse the observed population decline. This may include reduction of fishing effort, implementation of area-based approaches to coastal planning (including Marine Protected Area designations) and support for further research to understand the problem. Given the difficulty in taking direct observations, scarring prevalence is proposed as a proxy for estimating boat traffic and fishing gear impacts upon cetaceans.

Monthly collections were made for one year (August 1995 to July 1996) in the intertidal zone of two beaches (Engenho d'Água and São Francisco) located in the São Sebastião Channel, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to establish the seasonal fluctuations of the species and the factors determining these fluctuations. On each beach, a 10 m wide sector of varying width was established, from which 15 samples/month were collected with a cylindrical corer (0·01 m2). The salinity of the interstitial water and the temperature of the sediment were measured monthly, while the granulometric parameters and calcium carbonate and organic matter concentrations were recorded seasonally. The temporal distribution of the species was more homogeneous at Engenho d'Água, where the highest diversity and evenness values were also found, although the number of individuals was lower. At São Francisco, the monthly abundance was higher, but the richness, diversity, and evenness values were lower, showing some heterogeneity in the temporal distribution patterns of the species. Most species at Engenho d'Água reached their peak of abundance in summer and autumn. The most abundant and frequent species at Engenho d'Água were Nematonereis hebes, Cirriformia filigera (summer), Scyphoproctus djiboutiensis (spring), Owenia fusiformis and Isolda pulchella (winter). At São Francisco, the capitellids Capitella capitata, Heteromastus filiformis, and Capitomastus minimus, and the tubificid oligochaetes dominated in the summer, and Laeonereis acuta and Scolelepis squamata in the winter. The log-normal distribution of the species was used to group those species that are sensitive to and those that are tolerant of organic enrichment, over the four seasons of the year.

The Istanbul Strait is an important cetacean habitat that is intensely used by humans. Yet little is known about their spatial-temporal distribution. To understand the encounter rates and residency patterns of bottlenose dolphins, photo-identification data were collected between 2011 and 2016 in the Istanbul Strait. The study showed that bottlenose dolphins are a regular, year-round component of the strait. The encounter rate was estimated to be four groups (22 individuals) per 10 km. The adjacent waters of Marmara Sea and Black Sea, that host relatively less marine traffic, had the highest number of encounters in the area. Conversely, the middle sections had the lowest number of encounters but the highest marine vessel density. Further, the encounter rates dropped to zero in the fishing zones, where the number of purse seines reached up to 100 per day. Additionally, dolphins showed varying degrees of residency patterns, with multi-year re-sightings. Maximum re-sighting distance was up to 35 km, which is more than the total length of the strait. This movement pattern should be investigated as it might reveal possible migration between local populations. This study finds that the Istanbul Strait serves as a critical habitat for the regional bottlenose dolphin populations and they are likely to be a part of a resident local population with a home range extending the length of the strait. Dedicated surveys with inter-regional collaborations are needed to evaluate the home range and population status of this endangered species for their effective conservation in one of the busiest waterways of the world.

The post-larval shell and hinge development of the bivalves Abra alba (Wood), Tellina fabula Gmelin and Donax vittatus (da Costa) from the recently metamorphosed size to a juvenile size of 1·2–1·4 mm shell length has been examined using scanning electron microscopy. Early post-larval development in the stages up to 1·0–1·2 mm size can involve considerable morphogenetic change and requires careful description with photographic developmental series. The form of the pediveliger larva is present in the early post-larval shell and confirms the identity of the larvae of A. alba and T. fabula. The veliger and pediveliger larvae of A. alba are described. The similar larval form of the tellinacean bivalves is modified by differential margin growth early in post-larval development. Comparison of these bivalves with allied species reveals that the post-larvae are distinguishable at even the smallest sizes by the shell and hinge form. The metamorphic size of A. alba ranges from 0·26 to 0·31 mm, of T. fabula from 0·25 to 0·28 mm and of D. vittatus from 0·25 to 0·35 mm. The bivalve post-larvae were collected from the shallow sublittoral of Oxwich Bay, Bristol Channel, U.K., and the larvae from the overlying waters, during the years 1980–2.

Catches of 11 juvenile specimens of Polyprion americanus (Osteichthyes: Polyprionidae) are reported under fish aggregation devices (FADs) in waters off Mallorca (western Mediterranean). Sampling was carried out fortnightly by surrounding artificial FADs with a purse seine from April 1995 till February 1997. Juveniles were present from June–August. Specimens were mostly solitary during the period of association to the FADs, with a length interval of 25.8 and 34.2 cm total length. The trophic spectrum was analysed to explain a possible food link with the FAD. The diet of Polyprion was mainly based on juvenile fish Trachurus and the eunestonic isopod Idotea metallica that were associated with the objects providing evidence for a trophic relation to the artificial structures.