Halobates collected during the circumnavigational expedition 'Operation Drake'

Samples of marine pleuston were collected from the sea-surface along considerable sections of the track of Eye of the Wind during its 2-year circumnavigational expedition 'Operation Drake' from November 1978 to October 1980. One hundred and eleven of the tow samples contained insects of the genus Halobates . They were assigned to four oceanic species: H. micans, H. sericeus, H. germanus and H. splendens; two coastal species: H. maculatus, H. princeps, and one undescribed species. Various development stages of the oceanic species were found. The locations, time of collection and surface temperatures where sea-skaters were collected are tabulated. Distributional boundaries and population densities of the oceanic species collected are discussed.     

Description,morphometric characterization and distribution pattern of Paradiopatra multibranchiata,a new onuphid (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the tropical eastern Pacific

Paradiopatra multibranchiata, an onuphid found commonly in shelf sediments of the tropical eastern Pacific, is described here. It belongs to the group of Paradiopatra species characterized by the presence of branchiae on the most anterior parapodia (chaetigers 2–3), with at least seven filaments when fully developed. The new species closely resembles P. parva, also distributed in the eastern Pacific but in temperate habitats. It can be distinguished from the latter by the presence rather than the absence of eyes, and because it bears the highest number of branchial filaments (up to 37) observed in any Paradiopatra species known so far (14–18 filaments at most). The taxonomic status of the new species is supported by comparative morphometric and multivariate analyses, which also allowed us to verify its differences with P. parva. The branchial development was the most useful character to determine the relationships between the specimens of P. multibranchiata sp. nov., while its separation from P. parva (Wilks’ lambda?=?0.060, P?<?0.0001) was weighted most heavily by the number of filaments at chaetigers 2 and 10, and the length of the median antenna. An anatomical examination with methylene blue stain and with scanning electron microscopy was carried out to illustrate the ventral glandular pad staining pattern and the features of their cuticular pores.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:194636C6-A032-4B1F-B0B8-1D494C344623     

A new sharpnose pufferfish,Canthigaster flavoreticulata,collected from the South Pacific

A new sharpnose pufferfish,Canthigaster flavoreticulata, is described on the basis of two specimens collected from the Tonga Submarine Ridge in the South Pacific. This species is distinguished from other congeners by having many wavy yellow lines on the dorsal half of the body.     

Recent brachiopods collected during the “SEAMOUNT 1” CRUISE off Portugal and the Ibero-Moroccan Gulf (Northeastern Atlantic) in 1987

The Seamount 1 expedition, on board R.V. Noroit in 1987, explored the Lusitanian seamounts off Portugal and the Ibero-Moroccan Gulf of the Northeast Atlantic. A rich brachiopod fauna of about 15 species has been identified in 52 of the 117 stations sampled. The species living around these seamounts are examined, observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to complete their micro-morphological characteristics, and classified in accordance with the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (Brachiopoda Revised, Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Geological Society of America Inc. and University of Kansas, Boulder, Colorado and Lawrence vol. 1 (1997), vols. 2, 3 (2000) and forthcoming volumes). The location of these seamounts, between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas, allows some faunal comparisons to be made. Comparisons are also made with the brachiopod fauna from Seamount 2, which allows taxonomic assessment of the status of one species, Stenosarina crosnieri (COOPER), found in both cruises. Apart from the species characteristics, and the occurrence of early diagenetic transformations of the shells, this paper describes the depth-ranges, the substrate relationships, and highlights the wide colonisation of these seamounts due to the free larval stage of these benthic species.     

China,Vietnam, and the South China Sea: Disputes and Dispute Management

This article examines recent developments in the South China Sea; in particular, the China-Vietnam relationship. The developments are presented in the broader context of the Sino-Vietnamese approach to managing border disputes since full normalization of relations in late 1991. The challenges for China and Vietnam in managing their disputes and related tension in the South China Sea are also discussed.     

Biostratigraphy and histories of upper Miocene - Pliocene Globorotalia, South Atlantic and South West Pacific

The upper Miocene-Pliocene histories of the Globorotalia miozea Plexus and G. crassaformis from the S.W. Pacific and a S. Atlantic site are assessed for their biostratigraphic utility in the mid latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. As in the S.W. Pacific, Pliocene descendants of G. conoidea (G. pliozea, G. mons) appear in the S. Atlantic near the level at which the G. inflata lineage diverges (as G. puncticulata sphericomiozea). But there is an incomplete history of the latter at the Atlantic site examined, probably due to its northern position. Unlike S.W. Pacific sequences, S. Atlantic strata record a phyletic connection between G. juanai (= G. cibaoensis of authors) and G. crassaformis. The alignment of events in the plexus between the two regions is poor as judged by other foraminiferal datums (extinction of Globoquadrina dehiscens, entries of Globorotalia margaritae and G. crassaformis. As with the G. miozea plexus the records of these taxa probably vary according to latitudinal position.     

Universalizing the Law of the Sea in the South China Sea Dispute

This article argues that a resolution of the maritime disputes in the South China Sea must be based upon a universalist framework where the maritime interests of the world are upheld. The article discusses the universalist framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the universalist approach taken by the Tribunal on 12 July 2016 in the South China Sea Arbitration regarding the extinguishment of a state's “exceptionalist” maritime claims and the adoption of strict criteria for the characterization of features at sea.     

Improved culturability of SAR11 strains in dilution-to-extinction culturing from the East Sea, West Pacific Ocean

Although the SAR11 clade of the Alphaproteobacteria represents the most abundant and ubiquitous bacterioplankton in the ocean, very few laboratories have successfully cultured SAR11 cells. All of the SAR11 strains isolated thus far have been retrieved from the Oregon coast and the Sargasso Sea. In this study, a modified dilution-to-extinction culturing with prolonged incubation at low temperature was applied in an effort to cultivate major bacterioplankton lineages in the East Sea, Western Pacific Ocean. Five to 10 cells were inoculated into each well of 48-well plates, followed by the incubation of the plates at 10 °C for 4, 8, 20, and 24 weeks. Among a total of 35 isolated strains, 18 strains assigned to the SAR11 clade were isolated after 8, 20, and 24 weeks of incubation, whereas no SAR11 cells were detected in the samples after 4 weeks of incubation. The SAR11 isolates, noticeably, comprised 64–82% of the total isolates from the plates incubated for 20 and 24 weeks. Extinction cultures belonging to the Roseobacter , OM43, and SAR92 clades were also cultivated. The results of this study suggest that long-term incubation at low temperatures might prove an alternative for the efficient cultivation of new variants of the members of the SAR11 clade.     

Molecular approach to the identification of fish in the South China Sea

Background

DNA barcoding is one means of establishing a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective system for the identification of species. It involves the use of short, standard gene targets to create sequence profiles of known species against sequences of unknowns that can be matched and subsequently identified. The Fish Barcode of Life (FISH-BOL) campaign has the primary goal of gathering DNA barcode records for all the world''s fish species. As a contribution to FISH-BOL, we examined the degree to which DNA barcoding can discriminate marine fishes from the South China Sea.

Methodology/Principal Findings

DNA barcodes of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were characterized using 1336 specimens that belong to 242 species fishes from the South China Sea. All specimen provenance data (including digital specimen images and geospatial coordinates of collection localities) and collateral sequence information were assembled using Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD; www.barcodinglife.org). Small intraspecific and large interspecific differences create distinct genetic boundaries among most species. In addition, the efficiency of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA (16S) and cytochrome b (cytb), and one nuclear ribosomal gene, 18S rRNA (18S), was also evaluated for a few select groups of species.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study provides evidence for the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool for monitoring marine biodiversity. Open access data of fishes from the South China Sea can benefit relative applications in ecology and taxonomy.     

夏季南海北部纤毛虫群落组成及其水平分布

在2007年中国科学院南海海洋研究所南海北部开放航次期间,设计了两条纤毛虫采样断面(X断面、Y断面),共13个站位,涵盖了珠江冲淡水区、粤东上升流区和陆坡开阔海区,旨在对纤毛虫的种类组成和空间分布及其影响因素进行探讨。共检出4纲8目22属38种纤毛虫,其中种类数最多的属是砂壳目拟铃虫属(9种),其次是急游目急游属(5种)。本航次中纤毛虫主要是砂壳目纤毛虫(27种),共鉴定出砂壳虫15属27种。纤毛虫优势种为蚤状中缢虫Mesodinium pulex(18.1%),其次是丁丁急游虫Strombidium tintinnodes(9.7%),盾形拟铃虫Tintinnopsis urula(5.8%)。纤毛虫种类数和丰度从近岸向外海逐渐减少,纤毛虫种类数与温度(R2=0.53,P0.05)和盐度(R2=0.43,P0.05)呈负相关,随着温度的升高,纤毛虫种类数逐渐降低。纤毛虫丰度与温度和盐度相关性并不明显,这可能由于受上升流的影响,近岸上升流高盐区存在着纤毛虫丰度较为丰富的情况。叶绿素a浓度与纤毛虫种类数(R2=0.36,P0.05)和纤毛虫丰度(R2=0.36,P0.05)呈正相关,近岸浮游植物生物量高,纤毛虫种类丰富,丰度大,叶绿素a沿纵断面降低,纤毛虫种类数和丰度也降低。     

Lopingian (Late Permian) brachiopods around the Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian boundary at the Meishan Sections C and D, Changxing, South China

The strata below the defined Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian boundary GSSP are mostly covered and obscured by faulting at the Meishan Section D. Therefore, it is very difficult to collect fossils there. After an intensive excavation at Meishan Section C, a diverse fauna based on high-resolution biostratigraphy comprising brachiopods, ammonoids, conodonts, fusulinids and small foraminifers were found. Among these fossils, brachiopods are the most dominant. Eleven species of 10 genera based on more than 1300 specimens are identified. This brachiopod fauna is of late Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian of Lopingian (Late Permian) in age as well constrained by the associated ammonoid Pseudogastrioceras sp., Jinjiangoceras and Konglingites sp., the fusulinid Palaeofusulina and the conodont lineage from C. longicuspidata to C. wangi. In terms of the changes of brachiopod fauna composition around Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian boundary, it clearly indicates a continuous transgression from the upper part of the Lungtan Formation to the lower part of the Changhsing Formation. A new species, Neochonetes (Huangichonetes) meishanensis, is described and some other species are discussed based on the new collection from Meishan Sections C and D.     

Diversity, biomass and distribution pattern of Sargassum beds in the South West lagoon of New Caledonia (South Pacific)

Sargassum (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) is a genus of worldwide distribution recently recognised to proliferate in several regions of the South Pacific. In New Caledonia, species of this genus naturally structure one of the major lagoon habitats but their extent, composition and biomass remain largely unknown. To fill these gaps in our knowledge over large areas, we applied a combination of remote sensing and in situ methods applied to the Neo Caledonian South West Lagoon. Space borne high resolution Landsat (30-m resolution) and Quickbird (2.4-m resolution) images of the Neo Caledonian South West lagoon were used to estimate the spatial extent of the different beds of interest. Species composition was determined for 11 Sargassum beds and seasonal variations were investigated for four representative beds over an 18 month period using quadrats and transects. Relationships between surface cover and biomass were estimated from seasonal field data sets. Finally, four methods requiring variable levels of sampling effort were designed to estimate the total biomass at the scale of each bed, considering (or not) the specific composition, and spatial and temporal variations. Seven Sargassaceae species were identified. Mean surface cover (24.4–51.6%) and total biomass [3.4–1,461.9 t dry matter (DM)] varied widely between beds. Overall, biomass temporal variations were not significantly different, but species-level variations seemed to be bed-specific. The extent of the 11 beds was 9 km²; their total biomass was estimated and compared using each of the four methods, and the most precise method provided an estimate of 2,900 t DM. This study demonstrates a way of characterising Sargassum beds, efficiently and on a large scale, using a combination of remotely sensed and in situ data. These methods should be useful for possible future biomonitoring of Sargassum beds in New Caledonia, and in other areas worldwide.     

大亚湾大型底栖动物的群落结构

利用2004年3月、5月、9月和12月的大型底栖动物定量采样数据,对大亚湾大型底栖动物的群落结构进行研究.结果表明,大亚湾大型底栖动物大致可分为3个群落,分别分布于湾顶及湾中大部分海域、湾中部和湾口海域,湾中部海域群落的变化较为显著.大型底栖动物整体群落结构的季节变化总体较小,但雨季对大型底栖动物群落的影响较大,存在较明显的干湿季差异.大亚湾海域生态环境受到明显的扰动,处于扰动状态中的大型底栖动物群落稳定性较差;湾顶和湾中大部分海域内的群落Ⅰ,为大亚湾的主体群落,以软体动物为主,种类组成单一、季节变化小,以小鳞帘蛤Veremolpa micra和粗帝汶蛤Timoclea scabra 为特征种.该群落的稳定性最差,处于较强烈的扰动之中;稳定分布于湾口的群落Ⅲ稳定性最好,未受到扰动,以多毛类为主,种类组成较为复杂、变化较大;湾中部海域大型底栖动物群落结构变化较为复杂,主要变化区域为马鞭州附近海域.该群落系经强烈的人为扰动后,经次生演替而形成的新群落,其种类组成的季节变化非常显著,各季的种类几乎完全不同,群落的独立性和抗干扰能力均较弱;与1980's相比,大亚湾大部分区域内大型底栖动物基本保持了原有的群落,但群落稳定性大幅下降,群落的分布范围和种类组成发生较大程度的改变,主体群落组成呈明显的简单化趋势.在人类活动影响下,湾内同一区域内群落完全演替、湾中部海域出现新的群落.     

An Inventory and Seasonal Changes in the Recent Benthic Flora of Coral Reefs of Wuzhizhou Island,Haitang Bay,South China Sea (China)

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - Intensive algal sampling was conducted from 2017 to 2019 in coastal waters of Wuzhizhou Island (South China Sea, China). In total, 183 species of marine...     

南海硇洲岛潮汐带栉江珧可培养细菌的系统发育多样性

【目的】研究南海硇洲岛潮汐带栉江珧(Atrina pectinata)样品相关可培养细菌的多样性。【方法】采用纯培养法和基于16S r RNA基因序列的系统发育分析,法对样品中可培养细菌(含放线菌)的类群多样性、物种多样性和遗传多样性进行研究。【结果】用补充0–25%(质量体积比)Na Cl的MA、MH和NA培养基从栉江珧样品中分离到125株细菌。在形态观察和部分生理生化实验结果的基础上去冗余,选取90个代表性菌株进行基于16S r RNA基因序列的系统发育多样性分析。结果表明,这90个分离菌株分属于3个大的系统发育类群(Gamma-proteobacteria、Firmicutes、Actinobacteria)、6个科、10个属,可分为33个物种。优势类群为厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)(56株,62.2%)和γ-变形杆菌亚门(Gamma-proteobacteria)(31株,34.5%)。大多数菌株与其系统发育关系最密切的已知物种的典型菌株之间存在一定的遗传差异(16S r RNA基因序列相似性为95.7%–99.9%),其中有5株可能代表新的分类单元(Potential new taxa)。分析表明,菌株JSM 112024可能代表了盐单胞菌科(Halomonadaceae)的一个属一级新分类单元;菌株JSM 112019、JSM 114045、JSM 114058和JSM 114083可能分别代表盐弧菌属(Salinivibrio)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)和枝芽孢菌属(Virgibacillus)的新物种。【结论】湛江硇洲岛潮汐带栉江珧中存在较为丰富的可培养细菌物种多样性和系统发育多样性,并潜藏着较多的新微生物类群(物种)。     

Middle Cambrian lingulate brachiopods from the Murrawong Creek Formation,northeastern New South Wales

Fourteen species of lingulate brachiopods are documented from allochthonous limestone blocks of the Murrawong Creek Formation in the southern New England Fold Belt, northeastern New South Wales, Australia. The fauna includes Treptotreta jucunda Henderson and MacKinnon 1981, Treptotreta sp. cf. T. sp. nov. Henderson 1992, Amictocracens teres Henderson and MacKinnon 1981, Stilpnotreta magna Henderson and MacKinnon 1981, Anabolotreta tegula Rowell and Henderson 1978, Neotreta orbiculata Koneva 1990, Linnarssonia sp., Linnarssonia sp. cf. L. ophirensis (Walcott 1912), Pegmatreta clavigera sp. nov., Acrothele subsidua (White 1874), Micromitra sp. cf. M. modesta (Lochman 1940), Micromitra sp. Henderson 1992, Lingulella sp. A Henderson 1992, and Kyrshabaktella certa Koneva 1986.

The associated trilobite assemblages indicate a medial Middle Cambrian age for the blocks, and the stratigraphic ranges of several of the lingulate species have been extended. The fauna displays biogeographic links at the specific level with northeastern and southeastern Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, North America, Kazakhstan, Siberia, and Britain; the strongest links (four species in common) are with the Georgina Basin in northeastern Australia and the Tasman Formation in New Zealand.