The 230 km long coast of Alagoas State, in north-eastern Brazil, has diverse reef ecosystems, made from corals and of sandstone, that harbour a wide range of marine invertebrate fauna. Little is known about turbellarians of the order Polycladida in most parts of the Brazilian coast, with no record from Alagoas up to date. To fill this gap expeditions were conducted on the reefs from the central coast of Alagoas, where 11 Polycladida species were found: Pericelis cata, Enchiridium evelinae, Pseudoceros bicolor and a possible new colour variation of this species, Pseudoceros rawlinsonae, Pseudobiceros pardalis, Thysanozoon brocchii, Thysanozoon alagoensis sp. nov., Armatoplana leptalea, Adenoplana evelinae, Latocestus brasiliensis, Phaenocelis medvedica. The species are described in detail through photos of live specimens and histological sections. The present work adds six species to the north-eastern Brazilian coast, one of them a new species, and all 11 species are for the first time reported from Alagoas State. Also, it is the first time that Phaenocelis medvedica, Adenoplana evelinae, Latocestus brasiliensis and Armatoplana leptalea are illustrated by full colour photos of live specimens and histological sections.

The reproduction of the plaice has been studied in the North Sea (Wimpenny, 1949; Barr, 1963), in the eastern and western English Channel (Houghton & Harding, 1976) as well as in the bay of Douarnenez (Deniel, 1981). In 1972, Lahaye described the sexual cycle of the plaice caught in the Portsall area.

After the wreck of the ‘Amoco Cadiz’ off Brittany in March 1978, more diversified studies of this species were made to assess the effects of the oil spill on the plaice stocks in the contaminated area. In Lannion and Morlaix Bays, these fishes exhibited a clear decrease of growth, fin necrosis and an absence of recruitment in the population in 1978 (Desaunay, 1981; Maurin, 1984). In the Abers Wrac'h and Benoit, estuaries of the north-west coast of Brittany (Fig. 1) which were gravely affected by the oil spill, Haensly & Neff (1979) and Miossec (1981, 1984) noted a big change in reproduction. Conan & Friha (1981) observed abnormally low growth for plaice in Aber Benoit.

Two species of the genus of large gastropods Cymbium were observed on the tidal flats of the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania: C. pepo and C. tritonis. Average densities on a flat studied in detail were 0·0009 and 0·0014 individuals per m2, respectively. Both species leave the tidal flats in April and are absent until at least September. Their density on the tidal flats was maximal on sandy sediments. Probably the distribution of their prey species determines the distribution of Cymbium. Prey species observed were the bivalves Anadara senilis (97%), and an occasional Solen vagina and Venerupis sp. The annual predation pressure of Cymbium on intertidal Anadara was estimated to be <1%.

We examined the density and reproductive characteristics of the Israeli population of the cryptic species complex Dendropoma petraeum—a Mediterranean endemic reef-building gastropod. The population is gonochoristic, with a peak of gonad activity from October–November to May–June. We present here for the first time histological evidence of its reproductive cycles, hermaphroditism and gonadal parasitic infestation. The characteristics studied (gonad activity period, number of egg capsules per female, capsule size and number of eggs/embryos per capsule) were markedly different from those reported for the D. petraeum-complex population in south-east Spain. Our findings on the population's reproductive characteristics provide new information on the differences between the Mediterranean populations of D. petraeum-complex.

Niche differentiation is the process by which species evolve different forms of resource use, and is used to explain the co-occurrence in a variety of habitats. The Bayesian framework of isotopic niche through quantitative niche metrics was applied to estimate and compare the niche breadth of two sympatric coastal dolphins Pontoporia blainvillei and Sotalia guianensis in a tropical marine area. The standard ellipse areas (SEAs) based on species were quite similar, but the SEAs based on age class showed that the matures’ niche space is larger than the immatures’ for both dolphins. A probabilistic comparison of SEAs indicated that specific differences are negligible compared with age class differences. Trophic level measures (δ15N range) indicated that the dolphins are comparable as top predators, and that immature specimens have a lower range of trophic levels than mature ones. In terms of variability of food sources (δ13C range), S. guianensis showed a larger value than P. blainvillei and mature specimens had larger δ13C range than immatures for both species. In general, P. blainvillei and S. guianensis were similar in the niche metrics, with SEAs overlap of 52.1 and 39.7%. The immature specimens showed reduced isotopic niche overlap between species (<3%). In conclusion, Pontoporia blainvillei and S. guianensis specimens have similar isotopic niches, but pronounced differences between immature and mature specimens, both intraspecific and interspecific. Isotopic niche and quantitative metrics along with previous data on stomach contents provide a strong representation of species niche and their relationships.

In September 1992 a blue runner (Caranx crysos) (37 cm) was caught off Portland Harbour, Dorset, by an angler. Initially the specimen was not recognized as a rarity and it was damaged while being prepared as bait for a lobster pot. Fortunately it was retrieved and sent to the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) laboratory at Lowestoft where it was identified. In August 1993, a second blue runner (29 cm), (see Figure 1) was hand-lined in St Ives Bay, Cornwall by Mr Astrinsky, of Penzance. It was also taken to a MAFF office, at Newlyn, for identification where one of the authors made a provisional identification before sending it to the British Marine Fishes Database at the Marine Biological Association for final verification. These two fishes are the first records of the blue runner C. crysos from British waters, and represent a northerly extension to its range.

The reproductive organs of Teleosteans have been studied by many writers. All observations, however, appear to be either on the organ as seen at only one season of the year, or on the early maturation of the ovum and development of the embryo. I do not in this paper concern myself with the primitive development of the ovary, or the subsequent growth of the permanent ova from the primitive ova or sexual cells of the embryo (1). My attention is rather centred on the adult and mature organ in its various conditions of sexual activity or repose.

A modified volumetric respirometer was constructed for an extended series of precise determinations of the respiration of small aquatic animals. Food could be introduced and all operations could be carried out without disturbance to the animal. Provisions were made for the introduction of filtered, bacteria-free sea water between experimental runs. The advantages of the volumetric technique were combined with those of a running-water system to allow the continuous measurement of oxygen consumption under controlled conditions.

It has been shown (Arnold, 1957) that when exposed to air the common British limpet, Patella vulgata L., reacts to splashing with normal or moderately diluted sea water by raising the front edge of the shell, and that the amount of this movement can be correlated with the degree of dilution and with the tide level from which the animals are obtained. A basically similar result was obtained by the use of solutions of sodium chloride. The precise factors influencing the limpets were not identified. Additional data can now be presented on these and other reactions of P. vulgata as a contribution towards further definition of these factors.

In a previous paper (Lebour, 1930) the general characters of the larvæ of Galathea were described and the various stages of Galathea strigosa and Galathea dispersa identified. The present paper deals with the larvæ of Galathea squamifera and Galathea intermedia which have also been followed through their life histories. This completes the larvæ of the Galatheidæ from Plymouth with the exception of Galathea nexa, the larvæ of which have not been seen. As is noted in the previous paper this Galathea is regarded as a separate species from G. dispersa.

In an earlier paper (Boney, 1973) the skeletal variations, and their quantitative significance, were described for autumn collections of Dictyocha speculum obtained with a 600 m.p.i. tow-net from surface waters in the Fairlie Channel, Firth of Clyde, in 1970. It was shown that skeletal abnormalities constituted a very small number (1·78%) of the 6025 skeletons examined. In these same samples numerous double skeletons were observed. These are regarded as pre-division stages (Gemeinhardt, 1930; Hovasse, 1932; Marshall, 1934), in which the replica of the first skeleton usually has thinner tubular skeletal rods (Marshall, 1934). A detailed examination of these double skeletons was undertaken to determine whether true mirror-imaging occurred, and the extent to which a ‘normal’ skeleton was joined to a partner of aberrant form. The methods used to obtain slide preparations in glycerine jelly were described in the previous paper (Boney, 1973) and the terminology of the components of the skeletal unit are also the same (Fig. 1A–C).

To evaluate the effects of different anthropogenic activities on zooplankton and the pelagic ecosystem, we conducted seasonal cruises in 2010 to assess spatial heterogeneity among the mesozooplankton communities of Xiangshan Bay, a subtropical semi-enclosed bay in China. The evaluation included five different areas: a kelp farm, an oyster farm, a fish farm, the thermal discharge area of a power plant, and an artificial reef, and we aimed to identify whether anthropogenic activities dominated spatial variation in the mesozooplankton communities. The results demonstrated clear spatial heterogeneity among the mesozooplankton communities of the studied areas, dominantly driven by natural hydrographic properties, except in the area near the thermal discharge outlet of the power station. In the outlet area, thermal shock caused by the discharge influenced the mesozooplankton community by decreasing abundance and biomass throughout the four seasons, even causing a shift in the dominant species near the outlet during summer from Acartia pacifica to eurythermal and warm water taxa. Unique features of the mesozooplankton community in the oyster farm may be due to the combined effects of oyster culture and the natural environment in the branch harbour. However, kelp and fish culture, and the construction of an artificial reef did not exert any obvious influence on the mesozooplankton communities up to 2010, probably because of the small scale of the aquaculture and a time lag in the rehabilitation effects of the artificial reef. Thus, our results suggested that the dominant factors influencing spatial variations of mesozooplankton communities in Xiangshan Bay were still the natural hydrographic properties, but the thermal discharge was an anthropogenic activity that changed the pelagic ecosystem, and should be supervised.

The amphinomid fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a potentially invasive species reported throughout the subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, which is known as a generalist predator and opportunistic feeder. The ongoing climate changes and seawater warming may favour fireworm poleward range expansions and density increases. Our results provide the first investigation into a population which has purportedly been spreading widely in the Salento Peninsula (Apulia, Italy). The specimens were analysed using allometric variables and molecular markers. The best morphometric parameters to estimate individual size were determined as key information for future studies on fireworm population dynamics. To phylogeographically characterize the Apulian population, sequences of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA regions were obtained from a pool of individuals and treated together with those of Atlantic specimens retrieved from GenBank. The estimates of genetic variability for Apulian population were consistent with those recently reported in the literature. Inferences on demographic history analysis confirmed a recent expansion event in Apulia, as has been recounted by fishermen and scuba divers during recent years. Overall, these results constitute a crucial step in the characterization of present-day H. carunculata populations, and provide greater insight into fireworm population ecology.

The aim of this work was to describe and compare the main fatty acids and biodiesel indices of some green and brown macroalgae (seaweeds) collected from the Persian Gulf, as an alternative raw material for renewable biodiesel production. The macroalgae showed low lipid content (< 10% DW) but marine macroalgae with total lipid content > 5% DW are a good source for biodiesel production. The total lipid content and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) of green algae were higher than that of brown algae, while higher accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs) was observed in brown seaweeds. Further, the main fatty acid in all studied seaweeds was palmitic acid (C16:0), which was followed by oleic acid (C18:1). The results of this work showed that three of the green algae, especially C. sertularioides, could be a potential source of fatty acids for biodiesel production owing to their high total lipid content, high cold flow indices (long chain saturated factor, cold filter plugging point and cloud point) and a fatty acid profile rich in SFAs with a high amount of C18:1, which is suitable for oil-based bio products. In contrast, the brown seaweeds Sargassum boveanum and Sirophysalis trinodis lipid content had a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which makes them suitable for replacing fish oil.

Gases from the chambers of the cuttlebone have been analysed. Their partial pressures were never higher than those expected in the tissues of the animals.

In the older chambers the gas was about 97 % N2. The pressure of the gas in these chambers is always close to 0.8 atm.

These results are in accord with the theory that the gases play an unimportant role in the mechanism of the cuttlebone and merely diffuse into spaces created by forces other than gas pressure.

Observations have been made which can be used in studies of the life history and the rates of growth of cuttlefish in the Channel.

Ecological information on the polychaete community may improve habitat descriptions and distribution models of commercially important species that are polychaete-feeders. This study reports on the first new observations in nearly three decades on the polychaete assemblages in the south-eastern Bering Sea. This information was used in an exploratory assessment of the association between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables that define the benthic habitat. The spatial association between polychaete assemblages and groundfish predators was also explored for insight into whether prey assemblages influence predator distribution. Canonical correspondence analysis indicates that surficial sediment is the most important factor in organizing polychaete assemblages, over other common environmental variables such as depth and temperature. Co-correspondence analysis of the distributions of groundfish species and polychaete families does not indicate that predators are associated with specific prey families. Families that are most frequent in stomach contents of some of the fish in the analysis, mainly Maldanidae and Nephtyidae, are widely distributed across the Bering Sea shelf in diverse sediment types, as are the principal polychaete-feeders in the eastern Bering Sea such as Alaska plaice (Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus) and northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra).

The gastropod Buccinanops globulosus is commonly used as a bioindicator of tributyltin (TBT) contamination due to its high imposex incidence in maritime traffic areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate both oxidative stress in B. globulosus at three sites with different maritime activity, and imposex incidence in Nuevo Gulf, Argentina. Oxidative stress parameters in digestive glands, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, reduced glutathione levels (GSH), and oxidative damage to lipids, estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) as well as imposex parameters (% imposex and female penis length (FPL)) were measured in females. Gastropods from the harbour area showed 100% imposex, the highest FPL and TBARs content, as well as GSH levels and SOD activity.

The different oxidative stress responses and high imposex incidence at the harbour site may indicate a negative effect on the organism's physiological state due to environmental pollution.

Marked genetic differentiation in the intertidal isopod, Jaera albifrons (Crustacea: Isopoda) has been shown to occur on a scale of just a few metres on British shores. Allozyme electrophoresis at 21 enzyme-coding loci has been employed to examine genetic structure in other UK members of the complex (Jaera forsmani, J. ischiosetosa, J. praehirsuta), and explore the relationship between genetic diversity and perceived niche-width. Comparisons were made with the nonsibling species J. nordmanni. Three subpopulations of each species taken from each of two shores on Anglesey, UK (subpopulations N=30) were assayed for electrophoretic variability. Data from 11 polymorphic loci (P0·95) demonstrated marked genetic differentiation in all populations of J. albifrons and J. praehirsuta, and on one shore for each of J. ischiosetosa and J. nordmanni, with J. praehirsuta (GST=0·207) and J. albifrons (GST=0·121) showing the highest genetic differentiation. In contrast, J. forsmani exhibited population homogeneity on both shores studied. Genetic diversity ranged markedly across species (H0=0·165—0·040), with the two most widely distributed species, J. albifrons (H0=0·135) and J. ischiosetosa (Ho=0·165) exhibiting the highest genetic variability, providing support for the niche-width variation hypothesis. Data indicate that although habitat fragmentation and direct development is associated with microgeographic differentiation in Jaera spp., localized factors such as habitat continuity and exposure to water movements determines the magnitude of such effects.

The structure of the retina and tapetum lucidum of the teleost Howella is described. The tapetum is a diffuse reflector composed of lipid spheres. The photoreceptor layer of the retina contains only rods; in section the rods appear segmented, perhaps arranged in stacks but their precise arrangement remains to be determined.

The edible cockle Cerastoderma edule is one of the most common soft sediment bivalves in Europe and of commercial relevance in some areas of its range. Information on the parasite fauna of cockles is available from several North Sea and Atlantic shore locations. However, little is known from the British Isles in this context. This study provides an inventory of the macroparasites of C. edule sampled from fourteen localities along the south coast of Ireland. Altogether, we identified ten taxa of macroparasites belonging to three major groups. The majority of them were digenean trematodes using cockles as second intermediate host. Infection rates and levels were comparatively low, with the exception of the gymnophallid Meiogymnophallus minutus, which was found to be prevalent at all sampling sites and often very abundant. Whilst parasite species composition in Irish cockles was similar to the one found in conspecifics from northern Europe, it showed distinct differences from the macroparasite fauna reported from C. edule collected in southern Europe and northern Africa.