On the biology of rockfishes Sebastes minor and S. taczanowskii (Sebastidae) from the coastal waters of northern Primorye

Based on the materials from 1998–2004, the distribution, size and weight composition, growth, dates of reproduction, and the quantitative composition of the food of rockfishes Sebastes minor and S. taczanowskii from the coastal waters of northern Proimorye are considered. It is shown that in the coastal biotopes Sebastes minor prefer sites at the boundaries between sand and reefs with algal vegetation, while S. taczanowskii prefers a rather deep part of the reefs. S. minor reaches the length of 18 cm, weight of 85 g, and the age of 10 years; S. taczanowskii reaches 21 cm, 160 g, and 8+, respectively. The rate of growth in both perches is at its maximum in the first three years of life. S. minor is a zooplanktophage (it feeds mainly on copepods and amphipods); S. taczanowskii is a polyphage (it more often eats amphipods, decapods, and juvenile fish).     

Biological features of the sea raven Hemitripterus villosus (Hemitripteridae) in Pacific waters off the northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka

Data on the spatial-bathymetric distribution and the size-weight composition of the sea raven Hemitripterus villosus in Pacific waters off the northern Kuril Islands and southeastern Kamchatka are provided. This representative of the family Hemitripteridae is a comparatively scarce, large fish species (maximum length 75 cm, body weight 11.8 kg), which in the study period (1992–2002) was found practically everywhere at the site from 48°00′ to 52°00′ N in the depth interval of 83–496 m at near-bottom temperatures from ?1.2 to 3.5°C. However, during the year, the overwhelming majority of its individuals were recorded in two depth ranges—101–150 and 251–400 m, which is accounted for by seasonal changes in the habitation depths. With an increase in depth, the sizes of H. villosus increase in catches due to the fact that individuals with a body weight smaller than 1.7–1.9 kg reside mainly at depths of up to 300 m, and those with a body weight greater than 2.2–3.0 kg reside at larger depths. It is demonstrated that the occurrence and the amount of catches of H. villosus are subjected to some interannual, seasonal, and diurnal dynamics.     

The distribution and some biological features of Stichaeus grigorjewi (Stichaeidae) in the waters of northern Primorye (The Sea of Japan)

Stichaeus grigorjewi is a common species, but in the waters of northern Primorye it is comparatively rare. It occurs at depths down to 465 m for the greater part of the year, except for the spawning period, staying in deep-water masses with relatively stable temperature conditions. The widest bathymetric distribution of S. grigorjewi is observed from spring-early summer. After the completition of spawning, it shifts to depths larger than 100 m and winters in the upper section of the continental slope. During each season maximum concentrations of S. grigorjewi along the coasts of Primorye are observed in water from Povorotnyi Cape to the Olga Gulf. Males and females of this species have close rates of growth and reach an age of not less than 12+ years. Most individuals of S. grigorjewi in catches had a length of 37 to 44 cm and fed mainly on fish.     

The first capture of the flying fish Cypselurus hiraii Abe, 1953 (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae) in waters of northern Primorye (Sea of Japan)

The first capture of the flying fish Cypselurus hiraii Abe, 1953 in waters of northern Primorye (Serebryanka Bay, 45°02′ N, 136°39′ E) is recorded, demonstrating the penetration of this warmth-loving species beyond its main range. The morphological features and coloration of a young specimen of 103 mm in TL are described.     

Fine structure of Pyramimonas nansenii (Prasinophyceae) from Danish coastal waters

A prasinophycean flagellate blooming underneath the ice of a Danish brackish water fjord has been examined with the light and electron microscope. The dominant species Pyramimonas nansenii is unique in possessing two different types of large square scales as part of the cell periplast. Internal cell characteristics include the presence of trichocysts and a paracrystalline pyrenoid matrix. Pyramimonas nansenii is a typical representative of the subgenus Trichocystis .     

Vibrio cholerae (non-O1) isolated from California coastal waters.

Nineteen strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 were isolated from five separate marine sites along the Santa Cruz County coast. This environmental study was initiated after a human case of non-O1 cholera-like diarrhea was acquired endemically.     

Environmental influences on Vibrio populations in northern temperate and boreal coastal waters (Baltic and Skagerrak Seas)

Even if many Vibrio spp. are endemic to coastal waters, their distribution in northern temperate and boreal waters is poorly studied. To identify environmental factors regulating Vibrio populations in a salinity gradient along the Swedish coastline, we combined Vibrio-specific quantitative competitive PCR with denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis-based genotyping. The total Vibrio abundance ranged from 4 x 10(3) to 9.6 x 10(4) cells liter(-1), with the highest abundances in the more saline waters of the Skagerrak Sea. Several Vibrio populations were present throughout the salinity gradient, with abundances of single populations ranging from 5 x 10(2) to 7 x 10(4) cells liter(-1). Clear differences were observed along the salinity gradient, where three populations dominated the more saline waters of the Skagerrak Sea and two populations containing mainly representatives of V. anguillarum and V. aestuarianus genotypes were abundant in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. Our results suggest that this apparent niche separation within the genus Vibrio may also be influenced by alternate factors such as nutrient levels and high abundances of dinoflagellates. A V. cholerae/V. mimicus population was detected in more than 50% of the samples, with abundances exceeding 10(3) cells liter(-1), even in the cold (annual average water temperature of around 5 degrees C) and low-salinity (2 to 4 per thousand) samples from the Bothnian Bay (latitude, 65 degrees N). The unsuspected and widespread occurrence of this population in temperate and boreal coastal waters suggests that potential Vibrio pathogens may also be endemic to cold and brackish waters and hence may represent a previously overlooked health hazard.     

Chrysochromulina brachycylindra sp. nov. (Prymnesiophyceae) from Finnish coastal waters

Chrysochromulina brachycylindra sp. nov. is described by means of transmission electron microscopy of shadowcast whole mounts prepared from wild material collected from Finnish coastal waters. The suhspherical cell carries plate-scales and cylinder-scales. The scales are large enough to render possible a light microscopical identification of this species from dry preparations. Based on scale morphology it is evident that C. brachycylindra is closely related to C. pachycylindra Manton, Oates & Course. In addition to the findings from the Baltic Sea the new species is also reported from the Andaman Sea, SW Thailand.     

Distribution and biology of marine cladocerans in the coastal waters of southern China

Geographical and seasonal distributions of marine cladocerans in the coastal waters of southern China were studied. Penilia avirostris was the most common species, followed by Evadne tergestina and Podon schmackeri. P. avirostris and E. tergestina were most common during summer. P. schmackeri, found only in a small bay northeast of Hong Kong, showed no clear seasonal pattern of occurrence. P. avirostris and E. tergestina were found at temperatures ranging from 16–32°C and salinity ranging from 7.3–37.2. P. schmackeri was restricted to a temperature range of 17–29°C and a salinity range of 31.0–37.2. No significant relationships between marine cladoceran abundance and chlorophyll a concentration were found in samples taken from Tolo Harbour. Parthenogenetic brood size of P. avirostris and E. tergestina ranged from 1 to 14, while P. schmackeri was found to carry up to 19 embryos per brood. No geographical trend in fecundity patterns was observed. No correlation was found between body length and brood size. The occurrence of females with resting eggs was rare.     

New Kinorhyncha from Florida coastal waters

Four new species of Kinorhynchs are described from the West Atlantic coast off Fort Pierce, Florida, USA. They are the following: Antygomonas gwenae n. sp., Echinoderes riceae n. sp., Echinoderes adrianovi n. sp. and Pycnophyes norenburgi n. sp. All species were collected at the same locality called “20 miles station.” Samples were processed for standard granulometric data, yielding an estimated average particle diameter of 250 μm. The diagnostic characters and the general morphology of the new species are discussed in depth as well as the diversity and distribution of Kinorhyncha in the area.     

A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia,Brazil

Irwin, Howard S. (Clark Garden, 193 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507) and Rupert C. Barneby (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-9980). A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia, Brazil. Brittonia 37: 192–194. 1985. - Senna (sect. Chamaefistula ser. Laxiflorae) phlebadenia, closely akin to S. australis, but the only known species of the genus with secondary veins of leaflets excurrent into a marginal nectary, is described and illustrated from two collections from the coastal plain of Bahia northeast of Salvador.     

Three new species of nematodes (Nematoda: Enoplida) from coastal waters of Vietnam

Three new species of free-living nematodes of the order Enoplida from coastal shallow waters of northern Vietnam are described and illustrated. Paramesacanthion vietnamicum sp. n. is morphologically close to P. oxycephalum (Ditlevsen, 1926), P. truncum Vitiello, 1971, and P. hirsutum Warwick, 1970; however, it differs in lacking subcephalic setae and in having articulate cephalic setae in the males. Viscosia pygmaea sp. n. is morphologically similar to V. parva Kreis, 1929 but differs in having a shorter body and a shorter and thicker tail in the females. V. pygmaea is distinguished from V. megalaima (Ditlevsen, 1928) by its shorter body, longer cephalic setae, more slender tail, and the position of the vulva. Viscosia longicaudatoides sp. n. can be distinguished from V. parva and V. timmi Gagarin, Nguyen Vu Thanh, 2007 by its thinner body, longer and more slender tail, and shorter and narrower stoma. In contrast to V. timmi, it has short spicules and lacks vesicle-like cells between the gut and the longitudinal chords.     

Freshwater sponge fauna (Porifera) of coastal waters of India

Wetlands Ecology and Management - India has a long coastal line, measuring over seven thousand kilometers, along eight States and some Union Territories. In addition to marine ecosystems along this...     

Long-term dynamics of species composition and abundance of flatfish in waters off Primorye (the Sea of Japan)

Based on the data of trawl surveys, changes in the structure of species composition and flatfish abundance (Pleuronectidae) in waters off Primorye are shown in the period embracing over 20 years (1983 to 2004). In waters off Primorye, 14 flatfish species were recorded in catches. At the present time, the structure of the flatfish part of the fish community in waters off Primorye has undergone considerable changes in comparison with the 1980s: the proportion of deepwater flatfish has considerably increased against the background of a decrease in the abundance of coastal species. A general decrease in the numbers and biomass of flatfish in waters off Primorye is recorded, which is caused by natural reasons against the background of an inconsiderable fishery intensity.     

Habitat partitioning by whiting species (Sillaginidae) in coastal waters

Synopsis The ways in which the distributions of six species of whiting (Sillaginidae) in the coastal marine waters of south-western Australia are related to the type of substrate (bare sand vs. seagrass), degree of exposure of habitat, water depth and body size have been investigated. Whiting in near shore waters (< 1.5 m) were sampled using a fine-meshed seine net, while those in shallow (5–15 m) and deep (20–35 m) waters of the inner continental shelf were sampled with a trawl net. Shallow nearshore waters are shown to provide nursery habitats for five of the six whiting species. In these waters, Sillaginodes punctata, Sillago burrus, Sillago schomburgkii and Sillago vittata mainly occur in protected areas, while Sillago bassensis predominantly occupies areas that are more exposed to wave and swell activity. The first three of these species also use estuaries as nursery areas. In nearshore waters, whiting were captured almost exclusively over bare sand, rather than in interpersed beds of the seagrass Posidonia spp., presumably reflecting the fact that the dense canopies produced by the wide blades of Posidonia spp. must inhibit penetration by the benthic whiting species. As 0 + S. punctata increase in size, they tend to move offshore during the day and inshore at night. Many mature representatives of S. schomburgkii are present in nearshore areas, whereas the other four species move offshore into inner-shelf waters as they increase in length. Sillago burrus and S. vittata remain in shallow inner-shelf waters, whereas the larger S. bassensis subsequently migrate into deeper inner-shelf waters. Large Sillago bassensis thus co-occurs with Sillago robusta, which is mainly found in those deeper waters, but does not reach as large a size. The larger S. punctata occupy areas near reefs which could not be sampled by trawl netting. There are thus interspecific differences in (i) the times of recruitment of the 0 + age class into nearshore areas, (ii) the types of habitat occupied during juvenile and adult life, and (iii) the degree to which fish move into more offshore waters as they increase in length, and one species is restricted to deeper waters. The resultant partial segregation among habitats of the coastal waters of south-western Australia by different size groups of these relatively abundant whiting species presumably reduces the potential for intra- and interspecific competition amongst these species.     

Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium from marine environments in coastal waters of Galicia (Spain)

Twenty-three Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates from marine environments were characterized by phage typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, plasmid analysis, and antibiotic resistance, and the distribution of the different types in the coastal waters were subsequently analyzed. Five phage types were identified among the isolates (PT41, PT135, PT99, DT104, and DT193). PT135 isolates were exclusively detected during the winter months from 1998 to 2000, whereas DT104 and PT41 isolates were detected exclusively in the summer months from 2000 to 2002. XbaI PFGE analysis revealed 9 PFGE types, and plasmid profiling identified 8 plasmid types (with 1 to 6 plasmids) among the isolates. Only three isolates presented multidrug resistance to antibiotics. Two DT104 isolates were resistant to 8 and 7 antibiotics (profiles ACCeFNaSSuT and ACeFNeSSuT), whereas a PT193 isolate presented resistance to 6 antibiotics (profile ACFSSu). In addition, four PT41 isolates were resistant to a single antibiotic. The detection of multidrug-resistant phage types DT104 and DT193 in shellfish emphasizes the importance of monitoring the presence of Salmonella in routine surveillance of live bivalve molluscs.