The ctenostome bryozoan Alcyonidium diaphanum is widespread and abundant in the coastal waters of England and Wales. It was recorded in 77–90% of beam trawl catches in the eastern English Channel and southern North Sea, and in 53–73% of catches in the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea. The maximum catch rates in these two study areas were 1410 and 751 kg h−1 respectively. Alcyonidium diaphanum was most abundant in the greater Thames Estuary. Additional data from the North Sea indicated that A. diaphanum is widely distributed throughout the southern North Sea. Alcyonidium diaphanum was found intertidally in only seven of 99 locations sampled. Several different morphotypes were observed, ranging from cylindrical to lobate forms. The distribution patterns of various morphotypes are discussed.

A fragment of hedgehog was first isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA of Qingdao amphioxus using degenerate primers designed according to the conserved sequence in the second exon of hedgehog family. Then RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3′ and 5′ RACE) were carried out using the mRNA of 18-h neurulae as template. The PCR products were sequenced and constituted a 3540 bp-long hedgehog gene, containing a complete open reading frame. The predicted protein is 415-amino-acids long, showing a high level of identity to other hedgehog proteins. The results show that Qingdao amphioxus contains one and probably only one hedgehog gene. Whole mount in situ hybridization revealed that hedgehog expressed in the prospective notochord, the notochord, floor plate of neural tube and mouth, similarly to its vertebrate homologue Sonic-hedgehog gene. This suggested that amphioxus hedgehog gene might function in the notochord induction to neural tube cells and in the development of the mouth.

In his search for evidence illustrating the botanical/zoological affinities of the sponges (Porifera), James-Clark (1867) studied a number of colourless flagellates. The genus Salpingoeca (Craspedophyceae, Christensen, 1962; cf. Chadefaud, 1960) was thus erected to comprise certain solitary, lorica-dwelling organisms, characterized by a single anterior flagellum encircled by a ‘filmy, membranous, colourless collar’ (James-Clark, 1867).

About fifty species (approximately twenty marine) are at present allocated to this genus, provided it is defined as e.g. by Norris (1965) and Bourrelly (1968) (i.e. including Lagenoeca Kent and Pachysoeca Ellis).

Two ovigerous females of the processid shrimp Processa macrodactyla were caught in April 1997 at 13 m depth in coastal waters of Rota, Cádiz Bay, south-western Spain (36°36′N 6°18′W). Rearing was terminated after nine zoeal stages, when larvae moulted to the first juvenile instar. Descriptions of the appendages of every instar have been made so as to: (1) compare the larval morphology with that of other previous described known species in the genus Processa (P. canaliculata, P. edulis, P. elegantula, P. modica, P. nouveli); and (2) with those larvae not ascribed to a certain species in order to facilitate the specific identification of unknown collected planktonic larvae. When describing P. macrodactyla some characters remained, with few exceptions, invariable in their setation form ZI to ZIV or ZV, to then change and maintain until the last zoeal stage. This can be due to intermediate moults, with the result that some larvae unite the characters of Stages ZIV and ZV and others those of ZV and ZVI.

Porcelain crabs live in dense aggregations under boulders in the intertidal zone of northern Chile. A quantitative approach was performed to examine the distribution patterns of dominant species and to correlate it with emersion and temperature under the boulders. The study involved six tidal levels across the intertidal with six replicates each, totalling 36 samples of 0.09 m2. From the seven species found, Petrolisthes granulosus, P. violaceus and Allopetrolisthes angulosus took in 49.06%, 25.20% and 25.51% respectively, of the total number of individuals collected (N=10,631). The distribution patterns showed P. granulosus dominating in the upper levels (up to 73% of emersion and 22°C), P. granulosus and P. violaceus coexisting in the middle levels (48% of emersion and 21.6°C), and A. angulosus dominating in the lower levels (below 20% of emersion and 17.8°C). Size distribution for P. granulosus declined at its limit levels of distribution, the same tendency appeared at the upper limits of P. violaceus and A. angulosus. Temperature and emersion gradients strongly affected the species richness, abundance and mean size of the species across the intertidal, thus clearly influencing the occurrence and distribution patterns of the species studied. The ability of the upper-middle shore species to tolerate high levels of temperature and emersion is suggested to explain their distribution patterns. Size distribution differences might have been caused by biological interactions as intra and interspecific competition. A foregut content analysis revealed trophic differences among the dominant species, a result that could be related to the distribution.

This study aimed to describe the ethnoecology of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) using the traditional knowledge of artisanal fishermen in the villages of Peças Island (VPI) and Superagui Island (VSI) in the World Heritage listed Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, Brazil. Between March and September 2012, 90 fishermen were interviewed (VPI – 40; VSI – 50) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Using Fuzzy logic (MATLAB 7.6) it was verified the species is easily recognized by body size, colour and occurrence area (VPI – 87.5%; VSI – 38.0%). Fishermen most frequently identified adults and young franciscanas in groups of two to five individuals (VPI – 40.0%; VSI – 58.0%). Adults were sighted throughout the year, while the young were restricted to summer and winter. Five common behavioural ethno categories were described: ‘eat’ (VPI – N = 15; VSI – N = 1); ‘float/sink/dive’ (VPI – N = 34; VSI – N = 12); ‘breathe’ (VPI – N = 11; VSI – N = 5); ‘mothers surrounding the shoal, play caught up and the youth captures’ (suggesting care parental related with feeding of infant) (VPI – N = 1; VSI – N = 2); and ‘to play’ (VPI – N = 6; VSI – N = 1). The information from the fishermen highlights the use of the area by franciscana for feeding and reproduction and these data are comparable with the literature. These results extend the knowledge about the species in an area of ecological interest and the traditional knowledge, but also illustrate the benefits of engaging fishermen to promote collaboration in scientific and management processes.

Epibenthic macroalgae were observed to grow more abundantly on the upper surface of the Japanese scallops Patinopecten yessoensis (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) than on other available substrate. A field experiment to examine the hypothesis that colonization of live scallops protects macrophytes from grazing by sea urchins Strongylocentrotus nudus and S. intermedius was performed. Algal growth in the areas with urchins was compared with that in the enclosures without urchins. Each enclosure contained two live scallops, two empty shells, and one rock similar to scallops in size and shape. Twenty live scallops, 16 empty shells and ten rocks were marked and left outside the enclosures. After three months there was no difference in macrophyte mean percentage cover on live scallops inside and outside the enclosures. Percentage cover of macrophytes on dead scallop shells and rocks was significantly lower outside the protective enclosures as compared to unprotected areas. The results support the hypothesis that scallops serve as mobile refugia for macroalgae from urchin grazing.

Reproductive characteristics of poorly studied hyperiid amphipods, especially Phronimella elongata, are described. Among nine species of hand-collected phronimids, females of Phronimella elongata, Phronima dunbari and Phronima sedentaria cohabited with their young in a ‘barrel' derived from gelatinous zooplankton. Five growth stages of young were identified in Phronimella elongata: young of stages I–IV were found with the mother in the barrel, but stage-V young clinged to the mother retaining no barrel. The cohabiting young in Phronimella elongata and Phronima sedentaria always consisted of single growth stage. In a single female of Phronima dunbari, however, two different stages of young coexisted in a barrel. In Phronimella elongata, the mother size significantly correlated with the number of brooded eggs or cohabiting young regardless of growth stages of young. Considerable variation in the number of eggs or young per female among phronimid species may attribute to the differences in the volumes of the brood pouches.

As aids to the phyletic interpretation of the newly described Chrysochromulina pachycylindra Manton et al., some hitherto unrecorded gatherings of C. microcylindra Leadbeater and C. cyathophora Thomsen, from South Africa and South Alaska respectively, are introduced, thereby amplifying the type descriptions of both species, which were previously known only from Europe. Characters shared between C. pachycylindra and C. microcylindra are numerous, including a capacity for transverse fracture of their cylinders not previously noted in the latter. This suggests an exceptional degree of affinity between these two species in spite of gross differences in relative dimensions of different parts of their respective cylinder scales. On the other hand the general resemblance between C. microcylindra and C. megacylindra (Leadbeater, 1972), previously noted, is unaffected by these findings and it is concluded that all three species could be treated as a closely related subgroup within the genus Chrysochromulina. In contrast, C. cyathophora is shown to be so different as to be interpretable only in terms of parallel evolution from a separate prototype source, the plate-scales in particular being so far unique in the genus in being thin, rimless, peculiarly patterned and convex when seen in section. The mere presence of cylinder-scales is thus seen to be insufficient evidence of phyletic affinity unless confirmed by other characters, among which the details of the plate-scales are probably the most important.

Several divergent sympatry mtDNA lineages have been described in redlip mullet Liza haematocheilus, and this high inter-lineage divergence raises questions about the taxonomic status of L. haematocheilus lineages in the north-western Pacific. In this study, the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique was employed to examine genetic structure of L. haematocheilus and estimate the level of independence of the different mtDNA lineages in the north-western Pacific. A total of 186 bands were amplified from 91 individuals among 8 populations by 4 primer combinations and the percentage of polymorphic bands was 91.74%. The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean tree based on Nei genetic distance revealed two clusters (North Clade and South Clade). Molecular variance analysis and pairwise FST supported the separation of north and south populations of L. haematocheilus in the north-western Pacific. The incongruence between nuclear groups and mitochondrial lineages suggests the three distinct lineages do not represent cryptic species and the presence of divergent mitochondrial lineages in the same sample is a result of secondary contact after an extended period of isolation. The Pleistocene isolation and biological characteristics of species may be responsible for the genetic differentiation of L. haematocheilus.

In a field experiment, the accumulation of trematode (Echinostomatidae) metacercariae by the New Zealand cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi was compared among treatments with different seabed hydrodynamics and sedimentation rates. There was no significant difference among the treatments in the rate at which cockles accumulated metacercariae, suggesting that infection rates are not influenced by water flow conditions within the normal range experienced in natural habitats. There was, however, substantial spatial variation in infection rates among the experimental plots. This result indicates that metacercarial accumulation varies horizontally as well as vertically within the intertidal zone.

Young estuarine bass of the 1976 and 1977 year classes were examined for gill parasites between February 1978 and June 1979. 344 specimens of the copepod Lernanthropus kroyeri were recovered from 177 of 289 fish. The distribution of the copepods on the gills showed clear preferences for site of attachment. With 48 such sites delineated per fish, 143 of 183 female copepods favoured a single site – the internal face of the medial sector of the posterior hemibranch of the second gill arch. 57 of 161 male copepods chose attachment to the external face of the medial sector of the anterior hemibranch of the second gill arch. Only seven copepods in all were found attached at any of the twelve possible sites on the first gill arch, and none at all at the six possible sites on the posterior hemibranch of the fourth gill arch. Explanations for the observed distribution are discussed in terms of the strength of the branchial ventilation currents over the different gills coupled with observations on the special respiratory adaptations of these parasites.

A hitherto unreported association between the isaeid amphipod Photis longicaudata and the hexacorallian Cerianthus lloydii is described and illustrated from material collected near Millport, Clyde Sea area. By building their tubes around the outside rim of the anemones' tubes, this amphipod presumably gains proximity protection from predators.

Seven postlarvae and one juvenile of the golden mullet and two postlarvae of the thicklipped mullet, ranging from 60 to 27 mm and from 14-88 to 21-44 mm in length respectively, were found in plankton collections taken in the Plymouth area on 10 October and 14 November 1969. The morphological characters of these specimens are described and illustrated, and the presumptive spawning periods of the two species are briefly discussed in this paper.

The fauna of the continental shelf and slope between Ireland and Spain has been described by Le Danois (1948), but very little faunistic work has been carried out in the area recently. Since R.V. ‘Sarsia’ was brought into service at Plymouth there have been several opportunities of investigating that part of the slope lying to the south-west of the British Isles. It has been found that, in addition to beds of coral, quite extensive exposures of rocks, stones and gravel occur between 200 and 1000 fathoms. There is a rich epifauna in this area and barnacles are one of the dominant groups.

Whilt working at the life histories of the euphausiids occurring in the English Channel, and also having had opportunities of examining the larvae of several other species belonging to different genera from various localities, the writer noted certain features in the larvae which usually enabled the genus to be distinguished easily. The chief specimens were obtained from plankton collected by Mr. F. S. Russell within a radius of twelve miles from Alexandria, Egypt, whilst working for the Egyptian Fisheries Department. The larval euphausiid material from this collection is rich, and an account of it will soon be published. In the meantime the following general notes are offered, as at present little is known of the systematics of euphausiid larvæ. As several workers are occupied with this group, so important from the point of view of the Fisheries, it seemed advisable to bring all that is known together. In so doing it has been found possible to form a working scheme, from which, being given a series of larvæ of any species, one is enabled to determine the genus. For this scheme the order of development of the pleopods has been taken as the main factor, as it is found that the pleopods develop differently in several of the most important genera.

After the publication in this Journal in 1899 of the paper “On the Fauna and Bottom-Deposits near the Thirty-Fathom Line from the Eddystone Grounds to Start Point” (Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., vol. v. pp. 365–542), observations were undertaken for the purpose of preparing a similar account of the fauna of the inshore grounds in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. As the work proceeded, however, it was realised that, owing to the great damage which has been caused to the grounds within easy reach of the harbour by the constant discharge of mud and refuse from barges working in connection with the new dockyard extension at Devonport and other harbour works, any attempt to prepare a consecutive account of the fauna and bottom-deposits over the whole area, such as was given for the grounds from Eddystone to Start, would be a matter of extreme difficulty and of little use.

On each of two former occasions when specimens of Gammarus chevreuxi Sexton have been brought from the wild into an incubator and kept at 21° C. or more, red-eyed recessive types have been reared among the F2 progeny (4, pp. 190 and 194). In November, 1930, an opportunity occurred for making further tests on this point. Twenty-three wild pairs, taken in Chelson Meadows on November 19, were placed on the following day in the incubator, the temperature of which at first averaged between 21° and 22° C, but was raised after a few days to an average of between 22° and 24° C. The young which were extruded from eggs laid in the wild were discarded. Those of subsequent broods were reared with a view to obtaining as many F2 families in each stock as would give a reasonable opportunity for segregating recessive characters to appear. The F2 young were examined for recognisable variations that might indicate the presence of a recessive character.

Although the anthropogenic impact on Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea has been studied over the last few decades, the data about the status of this endemic magnoliophyte are scarcer from the Adriatic Sea. Samples of P. oceanica meadows were collected in June and July 2004 using SCUBA diving at 8 sites in the area of the Dugi Otok Island, all at depths of 10 m. The meadow's shoot density was measured, and shoots were collected to be examined and compared through number of leaves per shoot, leaf surface per shoot, leaf area index, number and biomass of taxa of epiphytic flora. Significant differences in P. oceanica meadow structure were found among investigated sites, especially between sites in the vicinity of the fish farm and the other sites. Meadow density decreased at sites in the Dugi Otok channel and the main impact factors seem to be the input of organic matter, originating from the fish cages and sewage input. These human activities are a source of nutrient pollution and stimulate blooms of phytoplankton and higher algae. The sea grass meadow vitality seems to be more negatively affected in the channel. The highest values of shoot density were recorded at investigated sites VR and ME at the outer part of the Dugi Otok Island. The shoot density was very low at site FU, situated in the channel. Biomass of the epiphytic algae exhibited the highest values at the site FU, while at the other investigated sites the values were significantly lower. Concerning the epiphytic macroflora, a total of 55 taxa of epiphytic macroalgae were identified and the class Rhodophyta dominated in all samples. The present study shows the high differences in morphological and structural characteristics of Posidonia oceanica meadows among various sites with and without anthropogenic influence.

In view of the serious mortality reported among Cardium edule in the summer of 1933 (Orton) the following account of British parasites of this species may be of interest.