The genus Trachytedania Ridley, 1881 (Porifera: Poecilosclerida), includes those tedaniidae sponges characterized by the presence of acanthostyles. To date, only five species of the genus Trachytedania have been described of which only three actually belong to this genus. Other species described as Tedania could be considered as Trachytedania because of the presence of acanthostyles in their skeletons. Some authors propose retaining Trachytedania as a subgenus of Tedania because of its skeletal structure. In this work, a taxonomic revision and consideration of the validity of the genus is provided. The morphology and anatomy of Trachytedania ferrolensis sp. nov. from the Ría de Ferrol (Spain, north-east Atlantic) are described in detail, and the types of the three valid species described as Trachytedania to date: Trachytedania spinata, Trachytedania patagonica and Trachytedania biraphidora are studied. A key to this genus is provided.

In the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia), a fleet of bottom longliners operates in summer and in the beginning of autumn targeting groupers. This fleet interacts with loggerhead turtles. During twenty trips in which 48,020 hooks were deployed, a total of 16 loggerheads were captured, most of them were juveniles, and direct mortality was estimated to be 43.75%. During the fishing operation, the hauling of the gear started one to three hours after and sometimes occurred immediately after setting. Results obtained show that the soak time did not affect the capture of turtles and target species, whereas it influenced the mortality rate of turtles. Bottom longline should be studied more in depth throughout the Mediterranean Sea, as well as parameters related to the interaction with sea turtles. However, mitigation measures to reduce turtle by-catch are urgently needed. In this way, we propose: (i) reducing the fishing soak time; (ii) experimenting with gear modification such as the use of circle hooks; and (iii) conducting an awareness campaign aimed at fishermen to show them how to deal with turtle by-catch.

Early life traits (ELT) of the sand-burrowing cryptic marine fish Sindoscopus australis (family Dactyloscopidae) were compared between cohorts hatched during winter and spring 2013, in nearshore rocky reefs off central Chile. Pelagic larvae were similarly abundant during both periods, but larger larvae were collected during austral spring. The sagittal otolith microstructure and size analyses also indicated that size-at-hatch was larger (4.7 mm) for the winter cohort, but winter larvae experienced slower growth rates (0.145 mm day−1 ± 0.008). Conversely, larvae from the spring cohort hatched at smaller sizes (2.9 mm), but they grew faster (0.182 mm day−1 ± 0.008). Hatching periods were coupled with the lunar cycle; in winter, hatching events were related to neap tides (first and third quarter moon), increasing chances of self-recruitment. Meanwhile, during spring, hatching occurred during spring tides, particularly over the new moon, decreasing chances of larval mortality by predation. Otolith traits used to test asymmetry among cohorts showed inconsistent results. Only sagittal perimeter presented fluctuating asymmetry, showing higher variance for the winter cohort. We conclude that this burrowing species displays different reproductive tactics at a seasonal scale.

The stomach of Decapod crustaceans is a complex structure with great interspecific variation. Several studies suggest that the anatomy of the gastric mill varies according to the diet of species in different groups. An alternative view suggests the gastric mill's structure is related to phylogenetic aspects rather than to the diet of a species. The morphology of the gastric mill of Ovalipes trimaculatus, a portunid crab target of fisheries in Argentina and Chile, was studied through stereo-microscope and scanning electron microscope images. Ovalipes trimaculatus has a stomach that corresponds to a macrophagous and predatory diet. The gastric mill is similar to that of other portunids, especially those with predominant animal component in their diet. Our results support the idea that this structure has a basic pattern, given by shape and elements forming the gastric mill; and upon that pattern, trophic habits adaptively shape certain traits.

This brief review discusses the different ways in which the study of gelatinous plankton has contributed to an understanding of the physiology and evolutionary relationships of other animals.

The accurate taxonomic identity for the worldwide-distributed invasive ascidian Botryllus schlosseri has not been resolved. Employing molecular tools, primarily mtDNA, previous studies unveiled five divergent clades (A–E), suggesting a complex of five cryptic species. A recent study allocated clades A and E to different species. Here, worldwide B. schlosseri's COI distribution map has been drawn, based on 2927 specimens, elucidating 160 haplotypes (100 singletons). Clade A emerged as the most abundant and globally widespread, while other clades had more limited distributions (primarily B, C). Inter-clade and intra-clade divergences were similar, with no clear barcoding gaps between the clades, illuminating no more than two putative OTUs. Network analyses for the genetic similarities among the clades' haplotypes identified different groups, depending on threshold values and away from the suggested clades' boundaries. Three additional genetic markers (H3, 18S, 28S) disclosed clade A, segregating from other clades and clades D and E strongly integrating. Allorecognition assays between clades resulted in indifference and rejection outcomes, characteristics of the within-species allorecognition repertoire. The question as to whether Botryllus schlosseri is a single species or a species complex is further discussed, leading to the assertion that while it is a widely variable species, there is not enough evidence for its designation as a species complex.

The biology and ecology of calcarean sponges are not as well understood as they are for demosponges. Here, in order to gain new insights, particularly about symbiotic relationships, the calcarean sponge Leucetta prolifera was sampled from south-western Australia and examined for its assumed photosymbionts. Pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry and extraction of photopigments established that the sponge was photosynthetic. Molecular analysis of the bacterial symbionts via sequencing of the V1–V3 region of the 16S rDNA gene confirmed that between 5 and 22% of all sequences belonged to the phylum Cyanobacteria, depending on the individual sample, with the most dominant strain aligning with Hormoscilla spongeliae, a widely distributed sponge symbiont. Analysis of fatty acids suggested that the sponge obtains nutrition through photosynthates from its symbionts. The relationship is assumed to be mutualistic, with the sponge receiving dietary support and the cyanobacteria sheltering in the sponge tissues. We list all Calcarea presently known to harbour photosymbionts.

An expanded description of a little-known arctic species Montacuta spitzbergensis from the Sea of Okhotsk with new data on its morphology, ecology and geographical distribution is given. This is the first record of M. spitzbergensis from the north-western Pacific. It differs from other species of Montacuta in its large (to 8.4 mm), elongate–ovate, thick shell with wide, slightly curved hinge plate, wide, short, and shallow resilifer, and weakly developed external ligament. This species occurs in the Arctic Ocean (Spitsbergen, Barents, Kara, Laptev and Chukchi Seas) and the Pacific Ocean (Sea of Okhotsk) at depths from 9 to 232 m at a bottom temperature from −1.62°C to +2.50°C. The hinge structure of the type species of the genera Montacuta and Tellimya is also discussed.

Circumstantial evidence of mobility by the lepadomorph barnacle genus Pollicipes in the literature is supported by observations at Menai Bridge which indicate that the phenomenon is real. Although slow, movement may be in response to gravity, as a positive taxis, or light, as a negative taxis.

Blood films from a marine fish, the Cape Dory (Zeus capensis), trawled at depths between 149 and 389 m off the south and west coasts of South Africa, contained a new species of haemogregarine, Desseria zei sp. nov. The apicomplexan, found in 25/97 fish from the two regions, was generally intra-erythrocytic. Parasitaemia was usually low, but attained infection levels of 1/10 erythrocytes in one fish. The parasite stages were all gamonts and monomorphic, but likely varied in maturity; they were 3.3–4.5 μm wide by 14.7–18.3 μm long, curved with bluntly pointed ends, and existed singly within erythrocytes, or in pairs in the heavy infection. Their cytoplasm was deep blue, granular, and stained deeply at the anterior and sometimes, posterior extremities. Two or three vacuoles occurred in the cytoplasm between the anterior cap and the gamont nucleus, which was positioned in the posterior third of the parasite body. Gamonts lay close to the host cell nucleus, often curved around it. Distortion of host cells and host nucleus displacement occurred when single gamonts curved away from the host nucleus, or if they were paired. A few extracellular gamonts were observed, occasionally associated with the remnants of the erythrocyte nucleus.

The notes collected in this paper are a continuation of earlier observations on British and Norwegian hydroids and their medusae. The observations were made at the Biological Stations of Herdla (Bergen), Millport and Plymouth.

Overall incidence of metacercariae of Maritrema arenaria differed substantially at each of the three sites investigated. In each case, however, numbers were higher than those previously observed in the British Isles. Results indicate that gulls rather than waders are the more important final hosts of this parasite in the areas investigated. At one site where a more detailed survey was carried out metacercariae were more abundant on the upper half of the shore and they displayed a marked preference for barnacles on living Littorina littorea shells as compared to barnacles on rocks. Evidence would suggest that the two most likely molluscan hosts of this trematode are Littorina saxatilis and Nucella lapillus.

Density and size of Chromis fumea (Pisces: Pomacentridae) were regularly monitored during 13 months (from August 1996 to August 1997), on two artificial reefs in New Caledonia (south-west Pacific ocean): a ship-wreck (CT2) just after scuttling, and an assemblage of iron boxes (Caissons) sunk more than 50 years ago. The settlement of C. fumea was first observed 20 August 1996 and lasted 20 days. At the beginning the recruits were 1 cm size-class fish and at the end 2 cm size-class. This major settlement phase was again observed one year later (September 1997). A second minor settlement phase occurred in December 1996 on CT2. Significant immigration of adults was also observed between November 1996 (6 cm) and April 1997 (7 cm), indicating that this species is capable of medium range migration (>50 m). Population size decreased by 87·8% between the settlement of juveniles and the first immigration phase of adults. The final density of the 1996 cohort was 10·5% of the initial input of recruits on CT2 and 19·3% on Caissons. Initial density of recruits was 3·4 times higher on CT2 than on Caissons, whereas density of juveniles was similar at the end of the survey, indicating that post-settlement mortality was greater on CT2. Chromis fumea von Bertalanffy growth models were similar on CT2 and Caissons. This short-lived species is characterized by an initial rapid growth phase (K>3·36 y−1), with the fish reaching 68·5% of L∞ in three months, and a second slower growth phase (1 cm in ten months).

The pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata is a poorly understood species that occurs in tropical and warm sub-tropical waters worldwide. The true range of these animals is not well established and there have been reports of them in temperate waters of the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At 1746 h on 24 April 1997 at 45°15′76″N 30°56′54″W the first of two groups of small robust cetaceans were observed by experienced cetacean observers during a survey carried out aboard the P&O Portsmouth cruise ferry ‘Pride of Bilbao’. At 1820 at position 45°25′96″N 40°00′94″W on the same day a second group of animals of this species was encountered. In both cases the cetaceans were in close proximity to cetaceans with new born or first year calves. Identification information was recorded by the observers and the animals were identified as pygmy killer whales. These records represent the first in the Bay of Biscay and the most northerly records for this species.

Hypermastus tokunagai is a eulimid gastropod infecting the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis. The eulimid is easily detached from the host and thus regarded as a temporary parasite. In this study, the growth and reproductive cycle of H. tokunagai were investigated using specimens collected from S. mirabilis in the western Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Newly recruited individuals of H. tokunagai appeared in early autumn and grew rapidly, while growth was retarded from mid-autumn to winter months. A second rapid growth occurred the following summer. Based on the growth pattern, the life span of H. tokunagai was estimated to be more than 20 months. This longer life span compared to other eulimids could be due to the accessibility and population stability of its host S. mirabilis. Maturation of H. tokunagai occurred within a short period in the summer, and was synchronized with the second growth phase. Hypermastus tokunagai showed size dimorphism between sexes and an investigation on change in shell shape with growth revealed that this characteristic can be attributed to the female's acquisition of a larger shell within a short time during its maturation period.

The genus Philbertia, belonging to the family Turridæ, is well known to have the larval shell beautifully sculptured and, as it is retained as the apex of the adult shell instead of being knocked off or concealed as is the case with many gastropods, it is easy to identify as belonging to this group, the veligers also reaching a large size and being conspicuous in the plankton.

The allometric growth of two groups of Nassarius vibex on beds of the bivalve Mytella charruana on the northern coast of the State of São Paulo, was evaluated between September 2006 and February 2007 in the bed on Camaroeiro Beach, and from March 2007 to June 2007 at Cidade Beach. The shells from Camaroeiro were longer and wider and had a smaller shell aperture than those from Cidade; a principal components analysis also confirmed different morphometric patterns between the areas. The allometric growth of the two groups showed great variation in the development of individuals. The increase of shell width and height in relation to shell length did not differ between the two areas. Shell aperture showed a contrasting growth pattern, with individuals from Camaroeiro having smaller apertures. The methodology based on Kullback–Leibler information theory and the multi-model inference showed, for N. vibex, that the classic linear allometric growth was not the most suitable explanation for the observed morphometric relationships. The patterns of relative growth observed in the two groups of N. vibex may be a consequence of different growth and variation rates, which modifies the development of the individuals. Other factors such as food resource availability and environmental parameters, which might also differ between the two areas, should also be considered.

The common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer), is a small and abundant brackish water fish, which becomes sexually mature after the first winter of life and usually survives for only a single breeding season (Miller, 1975). During a protracted breeding season from approximately mid-April to August or September, the goby can produce up to 9 or 10 separate batches of eggs. It is therefore considered to be an iteroparous species, but because of the short adult life-span during which spawning occurs, this species has been termed an abbreviate iteropare (Miller, 1984). The nest-building activities of the male fish, courtship behaviour and subsequent brood-care are well documented (Vestergaard, 1976).

A further series of North Sea demersal fish surveys was carried out during the summers of 1981 and 1982. The remote headline camera was used and the benthos trawled was recorded. At stations of special biological interest the camera was adjusted to take from one to three frames per minute throughout the 1 h duration of the trawl. A successful series of underwater photographs were obtained at 95 stations throughout the North Sea.

Detailed sampling of the bottom water of Christchurch Harbour, England, was undertaken in conjunction with a study of the living and dead foraminiferids (to be described later). The Harbour is a shallow estuary with an unusual tidal regime of four high tides daily. During the winter the flow of fresh water from the rivers prevents sea water from entering much of the estuary. During the spring, summer and autumn, when drier conditions prevail on land, the sea enters the estuary as a salt wedge and there is pronounced salinity stratification. In addition to determinations of chlorinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature, analyses of calcium were made during the spring, and of calcium and magnesium in the summer. It was found that calcium was preferentially removed from the bottom water, thus upsetting the calcium-chlorinity ratio. The cause of the calcium removal is thought to be biological activity. Magnesium was not affected by this process. A discussion of the results is presented and it is suggested that biological removal of calcium from the bottom water is particularly well developed in Christchurch Harbour owing to the extensive areas of shoal water favouring biological activity. Estuaries of this type may not be very common.