The littoral fish community of the Lebanese rocky coast (eastern Mediterranean Sea) with emphasis on Red Sea immigrants

The organisation of the coastal rocky fish community of Lebanon was investigated for the first time, using visual censuses. A total of 62 fish species were recorded between the surface and 32 m depth, 8 species being Red Sea migrants. Species richness and fish abundance were positively correlated first with substrate complexity and second with depth. The trophic structure of the community was dominated by diurnal zooplanktivores (Chromis chromis, Oblada melanura and Spicara smaris) and mesocarnivores 1 (Coris julis and Thalassoma pavo), and did not vary significantly with depth. The Lessepsian migrants represented 13% of the species richness and 19% of the total abundance of individuals. They dominated among herbivores, nocturnal zooplanktivores and macrocarnivores. The Lessepsian Siganus luridus and S. rivulatus (Siganidae), Pempheris vanicolensis (Pempheridae) and Sargocentron rubrum (Holocentridae) were now among the most common fish species on the Lebanese rocky coast. Lessepsian fish species displayed either similar ecological niches in the Red Sea and in the Levantine basin (P. vanicolensis, S. rubrum) or an enlargement of their depth distribution towards deeper waters in their new environment (S. luridus, S. rivulatus). This study will serve as a baseline for future studies as eastern Mediterranean communities are subjected to a steady increase in Red Sea migrant species.     

Fauna of Calcareous Sponges (Calcarea) in Russian Waters of the Sea of Japan

Based on the collection of the Zoological Institute (Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg) and the data available in the literature, a list of calcareous sponges (Calcarea) of the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan was compiled. It comprises 15 species belonging to ten genera and seven families. Among these sponges, five species were found in the Sea of Japan for the first time: Leucetta poculiformis (Hozawa), Sycon protectum Lambe, Grantia uchidai Hozawa et Tanita, Heteropia medioarticulata Hozawa, and Leucopsila stilifera (Schmidt). Data on the distribution and ecology of the calcareous sponges in the area of study are reported.     

New records of deep-sea decapod crustaceans in the Turkish Mediterranean Sea (North Levant Sea)

A survey of the bathyal trawling grounds in the Gulf of Antalya (Turkish Mediterranean Sea) yielded 34 species of decapod crustaceans. Four species (Funchalia villosa, Plesionika acanthonotus, P. gigliolii, Monodaeus couchii) are recorded for the first time from the Levant Sea. The number of marine decapod species reported for Turkey rises to 265 and the number reported from the Turkish Mediterranean Sea to 211.     

Bryozoa from northern Red Sea,Egypt: 1 Crisia (Cyclostomata)

Seventy-five bryozoan species were picked from shallow bottom sediments (0–33 m depths) at five sites in the northern Red Sea: El Fanader, Hurghada Harbour, Makkadi Bay, Al Qweh Lagoon and El-Humrawen. Crisia specimens (Cyclostomata) are common and exhibit different variations. Six species were recognised among the specimens collected: Crisia eburnea (Linnaeus), Crisia elongata (Milne-Edwards), Crisia hornesi Reuss, Crisia sertularoides (Audouin), Crisia tenuis MacGillivray and Crisia hurghadaensis n. sp. The present paper deals with these Crisia species; other bryozoan taxa recovered will be published later. Biogeographic study reveals that three of these species are cosmopolitan, and represented by common to abundant occurrences (C. elongata, C. eburnea and C. hornesi). Two species are local endemics, and represented by only rare occurrences (C. sertularoides and C. hurghadaensis n. sp.). One species (C. tenuis) is Indo-Pacific, and is recorded here for the first time in equatorial waters.     

Planktonic larval stages of Brachyura in the Gulf of Tigullio (Ligurian Sea,Italy)

Summary

Horizontal planktonic catches made in the Gulf of Tigullio (Genoa, Ligurian Sea) have been analyzed with the aim of identifying the zoeae of Brachyura, whose knowledge is poor in all the northern Mediterranean Sea. Forty-four taxa (42 species plus Liocarcinus spp. and Brachynotus spp.) have been identified, 12 of which were present with all the larval stages. The seasonal distribution of the taxa has been analyzed, and it was possible to recognize species present throughout the year as well as spring/summer, summer/autumn, and winter/summer species. Problems regarding zoeae of dubious identification are discussed.     

The genetic variability of the red king crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralithodes camtschatica</Emphasis> (Tilesius, 1815) (Anomura,Lithodidae) introduced into the Barents Sea compared with samples from the Bering Sea and Kamchatka region using eleven microsatellite loci

The intentional introduction of red king crab, Paralithodes camtschatica (Tilesius, 1815) in the Barents Sea represent one of a few successful cases and one that now supports a commercial fishery. Introductions of alien species into new environments are often associated with genetic bottlenecks, which cause a reduction in the genetic variation, and this could be important for the spreading potential of the species in the Atlantic Ocean. Red king crab samples collected in the Varangerfjord located on the Barents Sea (northern Norway) were compared with reference crab samples collected from the Bering Sea and Kamchatka regions in the Pacific Ocean. All samples were screened for eleven microsatellite loci, based on the development of species-specific primers. The observed number of alleles per locus was similar, and no reduction in genetic variation, including gene diversity and allelic richness, was detected between the Varangerfjord sample and the reference sample from Okhotsk Sea near Kamchatka, indicating no genetic bottlenecking at least for the microsatellite loci investigated. The same results were found in comparison with the sample from Bering Sea. The level of genetic differentiation among the samples, measured as overall F _ST across all loci, was relatively low (0.0238) with a range of 0.0035–0.1000 for the various loci investigated. The largest pairwise F _ST values were found between the Bering Sea and Varangerfjord/Barents Sea samples, with a value of 0.0194 across all loci tested. The lowest value (0.0101) was found between the Varangerfjord and Kamchatka samples. Genetic differentiation based on exact tests on allele frequencies revealed highly significant differences between all pairwise comparisons. The high level of genetic variation found in the Varangerfjord/Barents Sea sample could be of significance with respect to further spreading of the species to other regions in the North Atlantic Ocean.     

Spatial, seasonal and species variations of harmful algal blooms in the South Yellow Sea and East China Sea

The occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs), in terms of frequency and area in the Chinese coastal waters, have been increasing since 1980s and caused considerable economic losses. In the present study, we have analyzed spatial and seasonal characteristics of HAB events in the southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea along Chinese coast from 1933 to 2004. With a total 435 HAB records, the most frequent HAB occurrence area (FHA) is off the Yangtze River mouth and another two FHA areas are located south of the Yangtze River estuary along about isobaths of 30–60 m coastal water in the East China Sea. The time of HAB occurrence shifted during our study period: from autumn (August–October) before 1980s to July–August in 1980s, during May–July in 1990s, and May–June for the period of 2000–2004. Causative species were found to be different: Noctiluca scintillans and Skeletonema costatum were dominant causative species prior to 2000; and Prorocentrum donghaiense Lu was dominant from 2000 to 2004 and also caused large blooms in May. Trichodesmium sp. caused many HABs in autumn (August–October) prior to 1980s with only one HAB between 1980 and 2004. The changes of the dominant HAB species may have affected the timings of HAB occurrence, as well as the increasing HAB-affected areas in recent years.     

Synopsis of a new collection of sea spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) from the Ross Sea,Antarctica

The biodiversity research expedition TAN0204 with RS Tangaroa to the Ross Sea in 2004 yielded a new collection of 2,687 specimens of pycnogonids. As much as 25 different species encompassing 14 genera and eight families were identified and their records are discussed herein. The collection is archived in the Marine Invertebrate Collection of the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). The majority (69%) of specimens are from the Nymphon australe group (Nymphonidae), although species richness and abundance varied among the stations sampled. The collection includes several specimens from polymerous taxa; Pentanymphon antarcticum (Nymphonidae), Decolopoda australis (Colossendeidae) and Pentapycnon bouvieri (Pycnogonidae). All species were classified based on morphological characters, and DNA sequences (from the 18S, 12S, 16S and COI regions) for 21 of the representative morphotypes are given. The DNA sequences confirmed the species-level distinctiveness of these morphotypes. No species new to science were identified, although further detailed morphometric and/or molecular analyses may reveal cryptic or sibling species, especially in species such as the highly abundant Nymphon australe group. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Verosphacela silvae sp. nov. (Onslowiaceae, Phaeophyceae) from the Mediterranean Sea

We describe Verosphacela silvae sp. nov., from the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of horizontal filaments living on the lower face of the red alga Peyssonnelia rubra (Greville) J. Agardh, from which erect filaments up to 1.5 mm high rise and grow upright after passing through the thallus of the supporting species. There are both horizontal and erect filaments growing by apical cells. In the subapical cells, 1–2 longitudinal divisions occur (more frequently in the erect filaments) but no secondary transverse divisions occur. Erect filaments bear lateral propagules on a stalk of one to three (rarely more) cells. Propagules, with neither apical cells nor arms, consist of seven cells. Zoidangia are borne at the apex of erect laterals. The new species differs from V. ebrachia Henry mainly in habit, propagules and zoidangia. In addition, distinct from V. ebrachia, filaments of V. silvae never penetrate between the cuticle and the cell wall of the supporting alga. Moreover, propagules of V. silvae consist of seven cells, whereas those of V. ebrachia consist of 9–13 cells, and zoidangia are terminal on laterals in V. silvae, whereas in V. ebrachia they are sessile on both axes and laterals.     

Bionomy of Macrobenthic Molluscs in Evros Delta (North Aegean Sea)

The composition and distribution of the macrobenthic molluscs in Evros Delta (North Aegean Sea) were investigated by quantitative sampling. The molluscan distribution shows a zonation mainly related to the degree of “confinement”. Based on similarity in distribution among stations, 2 groups of species were distinguished. One group includes marine species (Tellina tenuis, Bittium reticulatum) found only in coastal stations and the second group is typical of estuarine species (Hydrobia acuta, Abra ovata and Cerastoderma glaucum) distributed in almost all stations. Spatial fluctuations of the 3 estuarine species reflect their preferences in the various parameters (“confinement”, salinity, grain size and organic matter of sediment). The most isolated stations support the highest values of total mollusc abundance and biomass.     

Polysiphonia perforans sp. nova (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT

A new species of the genus Polysiphonia from the Mediterranean Sea is described. It is an ecorticate species, with 4 pericentral cells, showing prostrate axes from which erect axes arise. Rhizoids are formed by pericentral cells in a median position remaining in open connection with them. Erect axes are straight, simple throughout or pseudodichotomous at the base then simple or with one (rarely two-three) orders of branching; trichoblasts and scar cells not observed. Only tetrasporangial plants were found. They show ellipsoid tetrasporangia borne in short straight series, often interrupted by sterile segments. The new species is also characterized by a peculiar habit consisting of prostrate axes, adhering to lower faces of Peyssonnelia spp. by means of rhizoids growing upward, from which erect upright axes perforating thalli of the supporting species arise. A comparison with the related species of Polysiphonia was also carried out.     

Non-native Species and Rates of Spread: Lessons from the Brackish Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed brackish water region, has been inoculated by non-indigenous species for centuries. Today, much of its biological diversity is of foreign origin (i.e. xenodiversity), intentionally or unintentionally moved by humans over ecological and geographical barriers. As many as 98 introduced species have been recorded in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat. The role and abundance of much of the unique native brackish water fauna of the Baltic Sea are threatened by these non-indigenous species. The rate of primary introductions into the Baltic has increased since the 1950s; the secondary rate of spread of non-indigenous species within the basin varies from 30–480 km/year. We review here the invasion histories of the brown alga Sargassum muticum (introduced in the early 1990s), the mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (1887), the barnacle Balanus improvisus (1844), the polychaetes Marenzelleria viridis (1985) and Polydora redeki (1963), the cladoceran Cercopagis pengoi (1992) and the mysid shrimp Hemimysis anomala (1962). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bionomy of Macrobenthic Polychaetes in the Evros Delta (North Aegean Sea)

The composition and distribution of the macrobenthic polychaete fauna in the Evros Delta (North Aegean Sea) have been investigated by means of 4 replicate quantitative samples collected at 35 sites. 10 species were found and, in additional qualitative samples, the sedentary species Ficopomatus enigmaticus was collected. On the basis of the similarity in distribution among stations, 3 groups of species have been distinguished. One of these groups includes the species Spio decoratus and Hediste diversicolor which were both dominant and present at almost all stations. The distribution of species in the study area seems to depend on factors such as salinity, granulometric composition and organic matter of the sediment and interspecific competition, but mainly on the degree of “confinement”, namely the degree of exchange with the open sea. At the most isolated stations, the lowest number of species and the highest values of abundance and biomass were recorded.     

A recovery of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the southern North Sea? A case study off Eastern Frisia, Germany

Detailed information on year-round distribution, seasonal abundance and inter-annual trends of a given species is essential for any conservation effort. However, for most odontocetes this knowledge is rather limited. Therefore, area-specific management or conservation plans are often difficult to argue for. This is also true for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), although it is the most common cetacean species in the North Sea. Knowledge of the current status of local stocks as well as fine scale information on the temporal use of certain areas by the species is incomplete. One area of concern is the southern North Sea where the abundance of harbour porpoises has declined in the twentieth century. Recent studies using stranding data and observations from seabird surveys indicate a comeback of the species along the Dutch and Belgian coast. However, data on other regions of the southern North Sea is sparse. Between 2002 and 2004, we undertook 25 aerial line transect surveys (11,000 km on effort; altitude = 250 and 600 ft) in a 2,500 km² coastal area off Eastern Frisia, Germany including a small portion of Dutch coastal waters. The data were g(0) corrected using a double platform approach and analysed with distance sampling software. A total of 426 harbour porpoises were sighted, including eight calves. Densities ranged between <0.1 and 1.62 individuals/km² with peaks in February and July 2003 as well as February and May 2004. The results of our study show that harbour porpoises are present in the coastal part of the southern North Sea even during their reproductive period. However, they seem to appear in lower numbers and much more irregular than in other areas, for example off Northern Frisia. The results of this study support the recent findings that despite a decline in the mid-twentieth century, harbour porpoises are now at times quite abundant in the southern North Sea. The underlying factors of this ‘return’ should be investigated using a combination of surveys and satellite telemetry.     

A new species of Hormathia (Actiniaria, Hormathiidae) from the eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica

A new species of sea anemone in the genus Hormathia, is described and illustrated based on forty-two specimens collected during the Polarstern cruises ANT XV/3 and ANT XVII/3 in the Weddell Sea. The main features of the new taxon are the crown of flattened and hooked tubercles at the distal end of the scapus, the regular arrangement of pointed tubercles along the column and the cnidom. The new species shares the pointed tubercles, at least in the upper part of the scapus, with two other species of Hormathia in the southern hemisphere: Hormathia spinosa Hertwig 1882 and H. pectinata Hertwig 1882 Received in revised form: 27 December 2000 Electronic Publication     

Benthic isopods (Crustacea,Malacostraca) from the Ross Sea,Antarctica: species checklist and their zoogeography in the Southern Ocean

In this study isopod species of the Ross Sea were investigated. Literature until May 2008 was checked to provide an overview of all known and described species in the Ross Sea. This species checklist was then enlarged through material of the 19th Italica expedition in 2004. During this expedition for the first time a small mesh net (500 μm) was used. Nine thousand four hundred and eighty one isopod specimens were collected during this expedition. Through this material the number of isopod species in the Ross Sea increased from 42 to 117 species, which belong to 20 families and 49 genera. Fifty-six percentage of the isopods species collected during the Italica expedition are new to science. The zoogeography of the 117 species was investigated. A non-transformed binary presence-absence data matrix was constructed using the Bray–Curtis coefficient. The results were displayed in a cluster analysis and by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS). This paper gives a first insight into the occurrence and distribution of the isopod species of the Ross Sea.     

The benthic algal flora on rocky substrata of the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea)

ABSTRACT

The results of a floristic study of benthic marine macroalgae on rocky substrata from the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea) are presented. The list of taxa at specific and infraspecific level consists of 226 Rhodophyceae, 59 Fucophyceae and 36 Chlorophyceae. Of these 321 taxa, 147 are newly reported from the Tremiti Islands. Data on the reproductive phenology of each species, and comments on some species of particular interest are also given.