Pione lampa,a bioeroding sponge in a worm reef

A bioeroding sponge was found in a sabellariid worm reef in Florida, USA. The sponge was investigated with standard techniques for species identification (tissue digestion, microscopy techniques, examination of spicules) and was identified as the clionid Pione lampa (De Laubenfels, 1950). This species is extremely similar to Pione vastifica (Hancock, 1849). Morphological and ecological similarities and possible dissimilarities are discussed. Arguments for conspecifity were found to be weaker than evidence of P. lampa and P. vastifica being separate species. The sampled sponge contained asexual reproductive elements: superficial buds and internal gemmules. Buds were very delicate, consisting mainly of a radially-oriented mesh of collageneous threads. They further comprised abundant granular material and acanthose microrhabds. Numerous choanosomal gemmules were found in the sponge body attached to erosion chamber walls. They were subspherical to lenticular and had an aspicular, unstructured, smooth and rigid coat. It enclosed dense cell material and various spicule types. Whereas buds are interpreted to function as dispersal elements, gemmules will primarily ensure survival under adverse conditions such as smothering, exposure to air and high temperatures. Gemmules from this site might occasionally be freed and scattered, since the Florida reef can suffer heavy damage during periods of increased wave activity such as that created during hurricane season. Bioerosion activity of the sponge increases the chance to free gemmules, as the sponge not only etches into calcareous particles cemented into the matrix produced by the worms, but also into the matrix itself. This ability enables the sponge to utilise the reef as substrate. Within the Clionidae, Cliona annulifera and three species of the genus Pione are the only species known to produce typical gemmules. Possible reasons are: (1) reproduction of bioeroding sponges is understudied and asexual bodies may have been overlooked in other species, and (2) clionid gemmules are an adaptation to survive life in risky environments. Sponges of the genus Pioneare comparatively successful in environments in which they are close to their physical limits or in potentially unstable or mobile substrates.     

Two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pione</Emphasis> species (Hadromerida,Clionaidae) from the Red Sea: a taxonomical challenge

Boring sponges of the genus Pione (Hadromerida, Clionaidae) are easily recognizable due to their spiculation. However, species identification is challenging, as the potentially diagnostic morphological character states of different species often overlap. For this reason, this group of species is frequently referred to as the ‘Pione vastifica complex’, after the most well-studied species of the genus. Boring-sponge samples were collected in the Red Sea and identified as P. cf. lampa and P. cf. vastifica, respectively. So far, these two species names have usually been considered as valid, although some authors suggested them to be synonymous. Morphological analyses were performed on spicules and micro-erosion patterns by means of both light and scanning electron microscopy. Two apparent morphotypes can be distinguished, mainly by the growth form, but statistical analysis does not support a clear separation in two species. In addition, a DNA barcoding approach using sequences of CO1 has not identified any nucleotide sequence differences. These data support the hypothesis that P. cf. lampa and P. cf. vastifica from the Red Sea are conspecific.     

Reproductive cycles of the sympatric excavating sponges Cliona celata and Cliona viridis in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract. Clionaids are excavating sponges, which live in and grow into calcareous substrates. We studied the sexual reproductive cycles of two clionaid sponges coexisting in a Mediterranean coastal basin (Porto Cesareo, Italy), Cliona viridis and Cliona celata, by analyzing monthly tissue samples of ten specimens of each species collected over a 2‐year period. From May to June of the second study year, supplementary samples were taken weekly. Up to 90% of the specimens of C. viridis and 70% of those of C. celata sampled were reproductive during the study. In both species, but particularly in C. viridis, reproductive investment, measured as the percentage of sponge tissue occupied by gametes, was high. Oocytes were present almost year‐round in both species, except for a 1–4‐month period after zygote release. In contrast, spermatogenesis occurred most frequently in May in both species, when (May–June) oocytes reached their greatest diameters. Cliona viridis and C. celata are hermaphrodites, with oocytes and spermatic cysts coexisting in 10% of the studied individuals in the first year of the study, and in 30% during the second. No developing embryos or larvae were incubated in the sponge tissues, and fertilization was not observed. Temperature may play a role in triggering some important phases of the reproduction of these Cliona, such as oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis, which occurred when water temperature increased from 17°C to 25°C between May and June.     

Phylogenetic Relationships within the Excavating Hadromerida (Porifera), with a Systematic Revision

This study was performed to ascertain the relationships among clionid and spirastrellid species from the Mediterranean Sea, based on phylogenetic criteria. A matrix of 34 taxa and 20 characters was analysed. Cladistic analysis using PAUP produced 12 equally parsimonious trees of 54 steps (CI=0.648, RI=0.865). Resolution was high in all parts of the strict consensus tree except in those which involved relationships among the most characteristic clionid species: those having only tylostyles as megascleres and, if microscleres are present, these being spirasters. Six monophyletic groups, three of them represented by monospecific clades, appear in the totally resolved part of the trees, which supports their separation into different genera. On the basis of the results obtained, the species at present within the genus Cliona have been allocated to five different genera: Scantilletta, Pione, Volzia, Bernatia and Cliona , while Dotona and Cliothosa are maintained as separate genera. Scantilletta and Pione are genera erected by de Laubenfels (1936 Pap. Tortugas Lab. 30 , 1–225) and Gray (1867 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. XXXII , 492–558) respectively, and whose diagnoses are amended here. Volzia and Bernatia are proposed as new genera to include Cliona albicans and Cliona rovignensis , and Cliona vermifera , respectively. Thus, the genus Cliona clearly appears in our analysis as a polyphyletic group. It is only maintained provisionally to harbour species whose position cannot be clearly ascertained from the information at hand. Skeletal characters such as spicule types and skeletal arrangement have proven to be useful in discriminating some genera and families but they do not completely resolve the phylogeny of this group of species. Biochemical, genetic, cytological or reproductive information, when available, may help in the resolution of the phylogenetic tree.     

Pyrosequencing reveals sponge specific bacterial communities in marine sponges of Red Sea,Saudi Arabia

Bacterial communities of marine sponges are believed to be an important partner for host survival but remain poorly studied. Sponges show difference in richness and abundance of microbial population inhabiting them. Three marine sponges belonging to the species of Pione vastifica, Siphonochalina siphonella and Suberea mollis were collected from Red sea in Jeddah and were investigated using high throughput sequencing. Highly diverse communities containing 105 OTUs were identified in S. mollis host. Only 61 and 43 OTUs were found in P. vastifica and S. siphonella respectively. We identified 10 different bacterial phyla and 31 genera using 27,356 sequences. Most of the OTUs belong to phylum Proteobacteria (29%–99%) comprising of Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria where later two were only detected in HMA sponge, S. mollis. A number of 16S rRNA sequences (25%) were not identified to phylum level and may be novel taxa. Richness of bacterial community and Shannon, Simpson diversity revealed that sponge S. mollis harbors high diversity compared to other two LMA sponges. Dominance of Proteobacteria in sponges may indicate an ecological significance of this phylum in the Red sea sponges. These differences in bacterial composition may be due to difference in location site or host responses to environmental conditions. To the best of our knowledge, the microbial communities of these sponges have never been studied before and this is first attempt to unravel bacterial diversity using PCR-based 454-pyrosequencing method.     

Taxonomic notes on fruit flies of tribes Schistopterini and Eutretini (Diptera: Tephritidae: Tephritinae) in India,with description of a new species of Rhabdochaeta de Meijere

Rhabdochaeta nigroapicalis David, Hancock and Sachin, sp. n., is described from Assam, NE India. A key to all species of Schistopterini and Eutretini recorded from India is provided and taxonomic notes on previously described species are included. DNA barcode sequences of Calloptera asteria (Schiner), Rhabdochaeta pulchella de Meijere, Rhabdochaeta nigroapicalis David, Hancock and Sachin, sp. n. and Rhochmopterum venustum (de Meijere) were obtained and reported. Phylogenetic analysis using 62 mtCOI sequences of Tephritinae revealed Schistopterini to be a monophyletic group and the new species closely related to Rhabdochaeta pulchella, justifying its placement in Rhabdochaeta de Meijere.http://zoobank.org/A97337B3-E2BD-460D-BA62-6D3D4A1A60A2     

A new species ofRoumegueriella

A new species ofRoumegueriella (Ascomycetes; Hypocreales),R. pulchella, is described and illustrated. This fungus is characterized by its rapid growth on Czapek-yeast extract and YpSs agars at 37°C, bright yellow non-ostiolate ascomata, translucent membranaceous peridium, broadly clavate asci, and hyaline one-celled subglobose-ovoid ascospores ornamented with prominent spines. The holotype was isolated from soil in a sugarcane field in Okinawa, Japan.     

Sponge biomass and bioerosion rates increase under ocean warming and acidification

The combination of ocean warming and acidification as a result of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is considered to be a significant threat to calcifying organisms and their activities on coral reefs. How these global changes impact the important roles of decalcifying organisms (bioeroders) in the regulation of carbonate budgets, however, is less understood. To address this important question, the effects of a range of past, present and future CO₂ emission scenarios (temperature + acidification) on the excavating sponge Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900 were explored over 12 weeks in early summer on the southern Great Barrier Reef. C. orientalis is a widely distributed bioeroder on many reefs, and hosts symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. Our results showed that biomass production and bioerosion rates of C. orientalis were similar under a pre‐industrial scenario and a present day (control) scenario. Symbiodinium population density in the sponge tissue was the highest under the pre‐industrial scenario, and decreased towards the two future scenarios with sponge replicates under the ‘business‐as‐usual’ CO₂ emission scenario exhibiting strong bleaching. Despite these changes, biomass production and the ability of the sponge to erode coral carbonate materials both increased under the future scenarios. Our study suggests that C. orientalis will likely grow faster and have higher bioerosion rates in a high CO₂ future than at present, even with significant bleaching. Assuming that our findings hold for excavating sponges in general, increased sponge biomass coupled with accelerated bioerosion may push coral reefs towards net erosion and negative carbonate budgets in the future.     

OXYGEN MICROSENSOR STUDIES ON ZOOXANTHELLATE CLIONAID SPONGES FROM THE COSTA BRAVA,MEDITERRANEAN SEA1

Photosynthetic properties of two symbiotic demosponges were compared using Clark‐type oxygen microsensors. The putatively distinct sponge species, Cliona viridis (Schmidt, 1862) and Cliona nigricans (Schmidt, 1862) were discriminated by their mean megasclere lengths of 296 and 387 μm, respectively. Photosynthetic behavior was used to generate additional taxonomic information. Sponge–dinoflagellate symbioses were well adapted to low light due to the hosts' endolithic lifestyle. Both sponges reached light compensation and saturation at similar light levels with means close to 10 and 30 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1, respectively. The gross photosynthetic activity was closely related to symbiont cell density in the sponge surface tissue. Mean symbiont densities, chl a content, and gross photosynthesis were about six times higher in C. viridis than in C. nigricans, with respective values of 3000 and 440 symbiont·mm^?2, 1.3 and 0.2 μg chl a·g^?1, and 5.4 and 1.0 μmol O₂·cm^?3·s^?1 gross photosynthesis. Net photosynthesis and respiration could not be calculated accurately from the oxygen gradients, because significant gas exchange occurs through the pumping activity. Thus, assumptions of diffusional oxygen exchange via the surface do not hold for sponges. Combined data of this study indicate that the metabolic activity of C. viridis depends on photosynthetic activity of its symbionts, whereas C. nigricans appears to have a higher pumping intensity and is more actively filter feeding. The difference in photosynthetic activities is not caused by different light adaptations but provides new evidence against the conspecifity of C. viridis and C. nigricans.     

New fungal genera, Tectonidula gen. nov. for Calosphaeria-like fungi with holoblastic-denticulate conidiogenesis and Natantiella gen. nov. for three species segregated from Ceratostomella

Two morphologically similar groups of ascomycetes with globose to subglobose perithecia, elongate necks, unitunicate asci floating freely at maturity, and hyaline ascospores currently placed in Calosphaeria s. lat. and Ceratostomella s. lat., respectively, are studied. The Calosphaeria-like fungi have groups of perithecia growing between cortex and wood, arranged in circular groups with converging necks and piercing the cortex in a common point; the asci with a shallow apical ring and U- to horseshoe-shaped hyaline ascospores are compared with Calosphaeria pulchella, the type species of the genus. Conidiogenesis of the investigated Calosphaeria-like fungi is holoblastic-denticulate; ramichloridium-like and sporothrix-like conidiophores and conidia were formed in vitro. Ascospore and ascus morphology, structure of the ascal apex, ascogenous system, mode of conidiogenesis and the large subunit rRNA sequences of this group differ considerably from C. pulchella and both groups are unrelated. Thus a new genus, Tectonidula, is described with two accepted species, T. hippocrepida and T. fagi; they are separated by ascospore and ascus morphology and holoblastic-denticulate conidiogenesis from the core species of Calosphaeria. The placement of Tectonidula among perithecial ascomycetes is discussed. The relationship of Tectonidula with Barbatosphaeria and two ramichloridium-like hyphomycetous genera Rhodoveronaea and Myrmecridium is investigated. Three species formerly attributed to Ceratostomella are studied. The revision of the herbarium type specimen and fresh material of Ceratostomella ligneola revealed that it is conspecific with Ceratostomella ampullasca and Ceratostomella similis. The LSU phylogeny clearly separated C. ligneola from Ceratostomella s. str. and morphologically similar Lentomitella. On the basis of molecular sequence data and detailed comparison of morphology of asci, ascospores and ascogenous system the genus Natantiella is described for C. ligneola with C. ampullasca and C. similis as its synonyms. Natantiella produced sterile mycelium in vitro.     

Macroarthropod species richness and conservation priorities in Stratiotes aloides (L.) lakes

Species with narrow ranges and specialised traits are most at risk, and the extinction wave is further enhanced by coextinctions. We studied the conservation value and indicator potential of Stratiotes aloides, an aquatic macrophyte that has declined considerably in Europe. Our purpose was to determine whether S. aloides could be used as an indicator of a valuable habitat in terms of macroarthropod diversity and species richness. The potential occurrence of an internationally endangered Stratiotes-habitat specialist, the dragonfly Aeshna viridis, can increase the conservation value of plant colonies. S. aloides beds harboured diverse macroarthropod fauna often containing species of conservation concern, including A. viridis. Stratiotes is a potential indicator of a valuable habitat, and its indicator value is enhanced by the easy identification of the species. However, its use as an indicator of a defined macroarthropod community is limited because no particular community type is connected to it. We suggest that protecting Stratiotes simultaneously conserves valuable arthropod fauna, including A. viridis.     

Phylogenetic relationships among the Caribbean members of the Cliona viridis complex (Porifera, Demospongiae, Hadromerida) using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences

Species complexes - groups of closely related species in which intraspecific and interspecific variability overlap - have generated considerable interest and study. Frequently, members of a species complex do not have complete reproductive isolation; therefore, the complex may go through extensive gene flow. In the Caribbean Sea, some encrusting and excavating sponges of the genus Cliona (Porifera, Hadromerida, Clionaidae) are grouped within the great "Cliona viridis" complex because of their morphological similarities. This study examined the evolutionary relationships of the Caribbean members of this complex (C. caribbaea, C. tenuis, C. aprica and C. varians) and related taxa based on nuclear (ITS1 and ITS2) and mitochondrial (3' end of ND6) DNA sequences. The intragenomic ITS variation and its secondary structures were evaluated using a mixed approach of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), DNA sequencing and secondary structure prediction. Considerable intragenomic variation was found in all the species, with apparently functional ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structures. Despite the subtle but clear morphological differentiation in these excavating sponges, the intragenomic copies of C. caribbaea, C. tenuis and C. aprica had a polyphyletic placement in the ITS1 and ITS2 genealogies and very low divergence. Therefore, it is clear that these species constitute a species complex (herein called Ct-complex). Genetic distances within the Ct-complex revealed that an important part of the interspecific variation overlapped with intraspecific variation, suggesting either incomplete lineage sorting or extensive gene flow. In contrast, C. varians and an unidentified "Pione" species emerged as monophyletic clades, being the closest sister groups to the Ct-complex. Additionally, our results support that C. laticavicola and C. delitrix conform a monophyletic group, but absence of reciprocal monophyly in these species suggests they may be life stages or ecophenotypes of a single species or they have diverged recently. Our work showed that the 3' end of the ND6 mitochondrial gene was highly conserved and not suitable for phylogenetic analysis at the interspecific level.     

A new species of Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. from the Late Miocene of the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan

New anthracotheriid remains, discovered by the H-GSP in well-dated localities from the Potwar plateau in the North of Pakistan, between 10.4 and 8.6 Ma, are described and attributed to Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. This new species displays an intermediate morphology between the older M. pusillus and the more recent M. dissimilis. These results permit to emend the Merycopotamus diagnosis. To cite this article: F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).

Résumé

Une nouvelle espèce d'Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. du Miocène récent du plateau du Potwar, Pakistan. Des restes d'Anthracotheriidae, découverts par le H-GSP dans des localités bien datées du plateau du Potwar, au Nord du Pakistan, entre 10,4 et 8,6 Ma, sont décrits et attribués à Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. Cette nouvelle espèce possède une morphologie intermédiaire entre M. pusillus, espèce plus ancienne, et M. dissimilis, plus récente. Ces résultats permettent en outre d'émender la diagnose du genre Merycopotamus. Pour citer cet article : F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

Leaf traits and photosynthetic parameters of saplings and adult trees of co-existing species in a temperate broad-leaved forest

In Central European forestry the establishment of broad-leaved mixed forests is attaining increasing importance, but little information exists about gas exchange characteristics of some of the tree species involved, which are less abundant today. In an old-growth forest in Central Germany (Hainich, Thuringia), (i) I compared morphological and chemical leaf traits that are indicative of leaf gas exchange characteristics among eight co-existing species, and (ii) analysed photosynthetic parameters of saplings and adult trees (lower and upper canopy level) in four of these species (Acer pseudoplatanus L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L. and Tilia platyphyllos Scop.).Leaves from the upper canopy in the eight species studied varied significantly in their specific leaf area (12.9–19.4 m² kg⁻¹), stomatal density (125–313 stomata mm⁻²), leaf nitrogen concentration (95–157 mmol N m⁻²) and δ¹³C content (–27.81 to –25.85‰). F. excelsior and C. betulus were largely contrasting species, which suggests that the species, which were studied in more detail, include the widest difference in leaf gas exchange among the co-existing species. The saplings of the four selected species exhibited shade acclimated leaves with net photosynthesis rates at saturating irradiance (A_max) between 5.0 and 6.4 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. In adult trees A_max of fully sunlit leaves was more variable and ranged from 10.5 (C. betulus) to 16.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (F. excelsior). However, less negative δ¹³C values in F. excelsior sun leaves point to a strong limitation in gas exchange. In the lower canopy of adult trees A_max of F. excelsior (12.0 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) was also greater than that of A. pseudoplatanus, C. betulus and T. platyphyllos (5.0–5.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). This can be explained by the small leaf area and the absence of shade leaves in mature F. excelsior trees. Thus, a considerable variation in leaf traits and gas exchange was found among the co-existing tree species. The results suggest that species-specific characteristics increase the spatial heterogeneity of canopy gas exchange and should be taken into account in the interpretation and prediction of gas flux from mixed stands.In der Forstwirtschaft Mitteleuropas gewinnt die Begründung von Laubmischwäldern zunehmend an Bedeutung, aber über Eigenschaften im Gasaustausch einiger beteiligter Baumarten, die heute nicht so häufig sind, ist wenig bekannt. In einem Altbestand in Mitteldeutschland (Hainich, Thüringen) habe ich (i) morphologische und chemische Eigenschaften von Sonnenblättern, die Hinweise auf Charakteristika im Blattgaswechsel geben, an acht koexistierenden Baumarten untersucht, und (ii) Photosyntheseparameter von juvenilen und adulten Bäumen (unteres und oberes Kronenniveau) von vier dieser Arten (Acer pseudoplatanus L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L. and Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) erhoben.Blätter aus dem oberen Kronenraum der acht untersuchten Arten variierten signifikant in der spezifischen Blattfläche (12.9–19.4 m² kg⁻¹), der Stomatadichte (125–313 Stomata mm⁻²), dem Blattstickstoffgehalt (95–157 mmol N m⁻²) und den δ¹³C-Werten (–27.81 bis –25.85‰). In diesem Kollektiv zeigten F. excelsior und C. betulus groβe Unterschiede, was darauf hindeutet, dass die Arten, die genauer untersucht wurden, die Spannweite an Gaswechseleigenschaften unter den koexistierenden Baumarten umfassen. Die Jungpflanzen der vier ausgewählten Arten besaßen Schattenblätter, deren Netto-Photosyntheserate bei hoher Lichtintensität (A_max) zwischen 5.0 and 6.4 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ variierte. An Sonnenblättern von Altbäumen war A_max variabler und lag zwischen 10.5 (C. betulus) und 16.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (F. excelsior). Allerdings weisen hohe δ¹³C-Werte in Sonnenblättern von F. excelsior auf eine starke Limitierung des Gasaustauschs hin. Auch in der unteren Krone der Altbäume war A_max von F. excelsior (12.0 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) höher als A_max von A. pseudoplatanus, C. betulus und T. platyphyllos (5.0–5.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Dies kann durch die geringe Blattfläche und die Abwesenheit von Schattenblättern in der Krone adulter Bäume von F. excelsior erklärt werden. Zwischen den koexistierenden Baumarten wurde somit in Bezug auf Blatteigenschaften und Photosyntheseparameter eine erhebliche Variation festgestellt. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass artspezifische Eigenschaften die räumliche Heterogenität des Gaswechsels im Kronenraum erhöhen und bei der Interpretation und Vorhersage von Gasflüssen über Mischbeständen berücksichtigt werden sollten.     

Systematic revision of the genus Petromica Topsent (Demospongiae: Halichondrida), with a new species from the southwestern Atlantic

The status, scope and classification of the sublithistid demosponge genus Petromica Topsent are revised through morphological analysis of museum specimens of all seven species (including proposed synonyms and varieties), two of which were collected and observed in situ along the Brazilian coast (P. ciocalyptoides (Van Soest & Zea) and P. citrina sp. n.). The synonymy of Petromica and Monanthus Kirkpatrick with priority to the former is justified due to the consistent presence of monocrepid rhizoclone desmas and oxeas in an halichondroid arrangement, and to the lack of co-variance in other morphological characters among the species studied (presence and shape of papillae, surface texture, ectosomal skeleton and desma shape). The proposed synonymy of P. grimaldii Topsent and P. massalis Dendy is refuted due to differences in habit and spicule shape between the two species. Three forms described as varieties of Monanthus plumosus Kirkpatrick are raised to species level: P. plumosa (Kirkpatrick), P. tubulata (Kirkpatrick) and P. digitata (Burton). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that two possibly monophyletic clades may be recognized within Petromica, although with low bootstrap support (35–59%): (P. ciocalyptoides, P. citrina) and (P. grimaldii, P. massalis) (P. plumosa) (P. tubulata) (P. digitata). The classification of Petromica within the Halichondriidae (order Halichondrida) is supported by the confused reticulation of long oxeote spicules with ascending spicule tracts, present in all species of the genus.     

Insect natural enemies of coffee green scales [Hemiptera: Coccidae] in Kenya and their potential for biological control ofCoccus celatus andC. viridis in Papua New Guinea

Coffee green scales,Coccus celatus De Lotto andC. viridis (Green), are major pests of coffee in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Surveys for insect natural enemies of coffee green scales were conducted in Kenya to find species suitable for introduction to PNG. Natural enemy communities in Kenya were found to be diverse, particularly those located in the central highlands where 3 primary parasitoids,Metaphycus stanleyi Compere,M. baruensis Noyes andDiversinervus stramineus Compere (Encyrtidae), were dominant onC. celatus andC. alpinus De Lotto. It is suggested that these 3 parasitoids may be potential biological control agents forC. celatus. Several insect predators were found associated withC. celatus in the central highlands but most were only common in ant-free scale populations. An aphelinid primary parasitoid,Coccophagus rusti Compere, was the only natural enemy ofC. viridis located. This species, however, could be of potential as a biological control agent, especially in view of its previous use in biological control against soft scales.      

Cableia balistidicola n. sp. (Digenea, Monorchiidae) from Pacific Ocean balistids (Tetraodontiformes) and new reports of Cableia pudica Bray, Cribb and Barker, 1996 in temperate Australian monacanthids

Cableia balistidicola n. sp. is described from Abalistes stellatus (type-host) off New Caledonia (type-locality) and the Great Barrier Reef and Pseudobalistes fuscus off New Caledonia and Rhinecanthus aculeatus off Moorea, French Polynesia. It is distinguishable by its large ventral sucker with a highly developed sphincter around the aperture. Cableia pudica is reported from Meuschenia freycineti off northern Tasmania, M. hippocrepis off south-western Western Australia and northern Tasmania and Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus off Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Measurements of C. pudica are given and the distinguishing features of the three known species of Cableia are discussed and summarised in a key. C. balistidicola is reported only in balistid fishes in the tropical Pacific Ocean and C. pudica is reported only in monacanthid fishes in Australian coastal waters.

Résumé

Cableia balistidicola n. sp. est décrit de Abalistes stellatus (hôte type) de Nouvelle-Calédonie (localité type) et de la Grande Barrière de Corail, de Pseudobalistes fuscus en Nouvelle-Calédonie et de Rhinecanthus aculeatus à Moorea, Polynésie Française. L'espèce se distingue par une grande ventouse ventrale avec un sphincter très développé autour de l'ouverture. Cableia pudica est signalé de Meuschenia freycineti du nord de la Tasmanie, M. hippocrepis de l'Australie du sud-ouest et du nord de la Tasmanie et de Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus de Kangaroo Island, au sud de l'Australie. Des mesures de C. pudica sont données et les caractères distinctifs des trois espèces connues de Cableia sont discutés et résumés dans une clé. C. balistidicola est signalé seulement de poissons Balistidae dans l'Océan Pacifique tropical et C. pudica est signalé seulement de poissons Monacanthidae des eaux côtières de l'Australie.     

Taxonomic and ecological remarks on boring sponges (Clionidae) from the Straits of Gibraltar (southern Spain): tentative bioindicators?

An important programme of biomonitoring along the coast of Algeciras Bay (Straits of Gibraltar) has allowed us tentatively to consider six species of boring sponges of the genus Cliona as biological indicators: Cliona celata, C. viridis, C. rhodensis, C. vermifera, C. schmidti and C. vastifica. The taxonomy and distribution of these species have been considered in this paper. Ecological observations have permitted us to identify some important characteristics of their habitat on the basis of local environmental parameters. Cliona viridis and C. celata withstand sedimentation higher than 7 gr/m² and a solid suspension of 38 mg/1. Cliona vermifera and C. schmidti did not tolerate sedimentation higher than 1 gr/m². One of these, C. vermifera Hancock, is recorded for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula.