Species of Oswaldella Stechow, 1919 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from recent antarctic expeditions with R. V. 'Polarstern', with the description of eight new species

Twelve species of the genus Oswaldella Stechow have been studied, eight of which are new to science [Oswaldella delicata sp. nov., O. encarnae sp. nov., O. garciacarrascosai sp. nov., O. gracilis sp. nov., O. grandis sp. nov., O. incognita sp. nov., O. obscura sp. nov. and O. rigida sp. nov.], originating from the Weddell Sea and collected by several antarctic expeditions with R.V. Polarstem. Each is described and figured, its systematic position is considered and current data concerning its autecology and geographical distribution are given. Finally, a comparative table is presented including the principal features of all known species of the genus.     

New and rare snailfishes (Liparidae,Scorpaeniformes) with the description of four new species from the Southern Hemisphere and tropical east Pacific

New and rare liparid fishes (Liparidae, Scorpaeniformes) are found and described. Careproctus armatus Andriashev, 1991 sampled off the South Sandwich Islands (at a depth 2281–2369 m); it is the second record of the species. Four species are collected in the vicinity of the South Shetland Islands: Careproctus parini Andriashev et Prirodina, 1990 (off King George Island, 573–861 m), Paraliparis meganchus Andriashev, 1982 (off Elephant Island, 559 m), P. monoporus Andriashev et Neyelov, 1979 (off Elephant Island, 559 m) and Paraliparis specimens, most similar to P. tompkinsae Andriashev, 1992 (off King George Island, 766–861 m). Paraliparis charcoti Duhamel, 1992 recorded at the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (475–633 m). Paraliparis, most similar to P. tetrapteryx Andriashev et Neelov, 1979, found in the Southwestern Atlantic (1200 m). Four new species are described. Paraliparis porcus sp. nov. based on one male SL 85 mm from off the South Shetland Islands (Elephant Island, 332–374 m). Paraliparis acutidens sp. nov. described from the juvenile SL 115 mm, sampled in the western part of the Scotia Sea (3721–3723 m). Paraliparis kocki sp. nov. known from 3 adults caught in the depression of the Bransfield Strait (1914–1920 m), isolated from the Weddell Sea by shallower waters. The only specimen of the Paraliparis mexicanus sp. nov. collected in the tropical Pacific off Mexico at depth not more than 900 m.     

Preliminary results on Digenea found in fishes in the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica

A list of fish parasites (Digenea) from the coastal waters of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) concerns 10 identified species, namely Macvicaria pennelli, Neolebouria terranovaensis, Helicometra pisanoae, Lepidapedon balgueriasi, L. garradi, Genolinea bowersi, Derogenes johnstoni, Gonocerca phycidis, Elytrophalloides oatesi, Lecithaster macrocotyle, 1 genus Aporocotyle sp. and one specimen undetermined. The total number of species known from the Ross Sea increased from 9 to 12. This number is smaller than those of other Antarctic areas, such as Western Antarctic and Weddell Sea where more extensive investigations were carried out to date.     

New Antarctic holothurians (Echinodermata) – I. Five new species with four new genera of the order Dendrochirotida

Five new Antarctic species and four new genera of dendrochirote holothurians are described: Caespitugo diversipes gen. et sp.n., Caespitugo citriformis gen. et sp.n., Microchoerus splendidus gen. et sp.n. (all Cucumariidae), Crucella hystirix gen. et sp.n. (Paracucumidae), and Echinopsolus acanthocola gen. et sp.n. (Psolidae). To include Crucella in the Paracucumidae a minor change of the family diagnosis was necessary. This change is discussed. The species were caught on the continental shelf of the southern and eastern Weddell Sea. mainly in depths between 200 and 650m. Their systematic status within their families as well as relationships to representatives of other familes are discussed.     

Six new Richtersia species (Nematoda, Selachinematidae) from the Mediterranean Sea

Six new species of the genus Richtersia Steiner, 1916 are described from the Mediterranean Sea: R. bathyalis sp.n., R. spinosa sp.n., R. heipi sp.n., R. mediterranea sp.n., R. staresensis sp.n. and R. coomansi sp.n. Some morphological adaptations of R. bathyalis, R. spinosa and R. heipi are discussed in relation to their small body size. The structure of the stomatal region, labial region and spicules is described in detail and probably holds for the entire genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraliparis adustus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraliparis bullacephalus</Emphasis>: two new snailfish species (Teleostei: Liparidae) from Alaska

Paraliparis adustus sp. nov., a snailfish species from the Bering Sea near the Aleutian Island Archipelago, Alaska, is described based on a single mesopelagic specimen. This new species is clearly distinguished by a combination of several morphological features and meristic counts, including long pointed gill rakers with 0–3 spinules at or near the tip, anus positioned forward near the pectoral symphysis, and color uniform brown. Paraliparis bullacephalus sp. nov. from Shelikof Strait, Gulf of Alaska, is also described. This new species is very similar in meristic characters and general body shape and size to P. holomelas Gilbert, but differs primarily in morphological features of the head, particularly in the shape of the dorsal contour of the head, snout, and opercular flap, mouth size, and eye position.     

Peltidiidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Weddell Sea (Antarctica)

Alteutha polarsternae sp.n. is described and Eupelte villosa (Brady, 1910) is redescribed in detail. The distribution of both these species in the Weddell Sea is recorded.     

New Antarctic holothurians (Echinodermata) – II. Four species of the orders Aspidochirotida, Elasipodida and Apodida

Four new species of antarctic holothurians are described: Bathyplotes rubipunctatus sp.n. Bathyplotes fuscivinculum sp.n. (both Aspidochirotida), Achlyonice violaecuspidata sp.n. (Elasi-podida) and Paradota weddellensis sp.n. (Apodida). The genus, Bathyplotes , is redefined. The material was mainly collected from the continental shelf of the southern and eastern Weddell Sea, at depths between 225 and 840 m. The systematic status of these new species within the genera, as well as relationships to other species and higher taxa are discussed.     

A new Antarctic association: the case of the hydroid Sarsia medelae (new sp.) associated with gorgonians

Sarsia medelae sp. nov. is described and illustrated from material collected in the Weddell Sea during the R/V Polarstern cruises ANT XVII/3 (April 2000) and in the Ross Sea during the R/V Italica cruise XIX (March 2004). The specimens have always been observed in association with several gorgonians of genera Thouarella sp., Primnoisis sp., and Notisis sp. The polyps of Sarsia medelae are considered as mesobiont of the gorgonian host with a non-parasitic relationship. It is the first time that this kind of association, which is so far only known from the Indian and Pacific Ocean, is reported in the Southern Ocean. This finding is discussed in the framework of the hypothesis that a part of Antarctic fauna has its origin in species dating back to before the Cretaceous period, because this kind of association between a hydroid and a gorgonian host being only known in the actual Antarctic shelf and in regions belonging to the previous Thethys areas.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Free-living marine Rhabdocoela (Platyhelminthes) from the N. American Pacific coast. With remarks on species from other areas

From the N. American Pacific coast the following taxa are described: Coronopharynx pusillus Luther, Pogaina bicornk sp.n., P. paranygulgus sp.n. (Provorticidae); Brinkmanniella palmata sp.n., Tvaerminnea karlingi pucifica subsp.n. (Promesostomidae); Trigonostomum setigerum O. Schmidt, Messoplana pacifica sp.n., Ceratopera axi (Riedl), C. ehlersi sp.n., C. pilifera sp.n. (Trigonostomidae); Polycystis ali Schockaert, P. hamata sp.n. (Polycystididae). From other areas: Brinkmanniella palmata from the Skagerrak, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea; Ceratopera axi from the Falkland Islands; Polycystis ali from Galapagos Islands; Ceratopera bermudensis sp.n. from Bermuda. Polycystis ali is considered to be a polytypic species with the forms 'Somali', 'California' and 'Galapagos'. Brinkmanniella augusti Marcus and B. falklandica Westblad are considered to be species incertae sedis. Problems in penetrating the world-wide marine turbellarian fauna are discussed.     

Energy balance and cold adaptation in the octopus Pareledone charcoti

A complete energy balance equation is calculated for the Antarctic octopus Pareledone charcoti at 0 degrees C. Energy used in respiration, growth, and excretion of nitrogenous and faecal waste, was recorded along with the total consumption of energy through food, for three specimens of P. charcoti (live weights: 73, 51 and 29 g). Growth rates were very slow for cephalopods, with a mean daily increase in body weight of only 0.11%. Assimilation efficiencies were high, between 95.4 and 97.0%, which is consistent with previous work on octopods. The respiration rate in P. charcoti was low, with a mean of 2.45 mg O(2) h(-1) for a standard animal of 150 g wet mass at 0 degrees C. In the North Sea octopus Eledone cirrhosa, respiration rates of 9.79 mg O(2) h(-1) at 11.5 degrees C and 4.47 mg O(2) h(-1) at 4.5 degrees C for a standard animal of 150 g wet mass were recorded. Respiration rates between P. charcoti and E. cirrhosa were compared using a combined Q(10) value between P. charcoti at 0 degrees C and E. cirrhosa at 4.5 degrees C. This suggests that P. charcoti are respiring at a level predicted by E. cirrhosa rates at 4.5 and 11.5 degrees C extrapolated to 0 degrees C along the curve Q(10)=3, with no evidence of metabolic compensation for low temperature.     

Unmasking Antarctic mollusc lineages: novel evidence from philinoid snails (Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea)

Since its introduction, the genus Philine has epitomized numerous mollusc snails with strong morphological convergence. Recently, a molecular analysis including a wide taxon sampling split this group into four non-sister families. Although they are especially diverse in cold and deep waters, no comprehensive studies are available for the Antarctic counterparts. Here, our morpho-anatomical and molecular data suggest major changes in the systematics of the group. From the eight known species, two are synonymized, Antarctophiline amoena with A. alata, and A. gouldi with A. gibba, and two are transferred to the genus Antarctophiline, namely A. apertissima comb.n. and A. falklandica comb.n. Two new species are described, A. easmithi sp.n. and A. amundseni sp.n. from different depths in the eastern Weddell Sea. The elusive P. antarctica from the Ross Sea was found in the Weddell Sea and Waegelea gen.n. is erected to place this species. Both phylogenetic and morphological data support the erection of Antarctophilinidae fam.n. to embrace most of the Philinoidea species described in the Southern Ocean. Only two species of Philinidae are found in Antarctic waters, Spiraphiline bathyalis gen. et sp.n. from bathyal depths in the Weddell Sea and S. kerguelensis comb.n. from the Kerguelen Islands. In light of the new data provided for all described species and the phylogenetic framework proposed herein, we briefly discuss the diversification and biogeographical patterns of Antarctic philinoid snails. Overall, antarctophilinid species seem to have restricted and grossly nonoverlapping distributions suggesting allopatric speciation connected possibly to geographical or bathymetric isolation.     

A Study of Choanoflagellates (Acanthoecidae) from the Weddell Sea,Including a Description of Diaphanoeca multiannulata n. sp.1

Eight species of loricate choanoflagellates (Acanthoecidae), Acanthoecopsis spiculifera Norris, Bicosta antennigera Moestrup, Bicosta spinifera Throndsen, Calliacantha multispina Manton & Oates, Calliacantha simplex Manton & Oates, Crinolina aperta Leadbeater, Diaphanoeca multiannulata n. sp., and Parvicorbicula socialis (Meunier) Deflandre, have been observed, by light and electron microscopy, in samples obtained from the Weddell Sea during the austral summer of 1977. Diaphanoeca multiannulata is described for the first time from these samples: the other organisms are discussed. The distribution of most species within the Weddell Sea was widespread. Habitats in which choanoflagellates were found included the water column, the edge of (or ponds on) ice floes, and the interior of ice floes. The distributional, environmental, habitat, and/or morphological range of all previously described species is expanded. Methods of variation of transverse costal diameters between genera may be potentially useful to the understanding of taxonomy and phylogeny of this family.     

Harpacticoiden (Crustacea, Copepoda) aus dem Küstengrundwasser der französischen Mittelmeerküste

Investigations of the ground water of the French Mediterranean coast gave 28 different species of harpacticoid copepods. Among them, six species are new to the French coast and three species and one form are described as new, viz. Ectinosoma mediterraneum sp.n., Sigmatidium rouchi sp.n., Ameira atlántica mediterránea forma n., and Taurocletodes gallicus sp.n. Comparison of the harpacticoid fauna of the French coast with other marine districts shows close relations to the fauna of the Black Sea, while the relations to the Atlantic coast (Portugal) and the Baltic Sea (Bay of Kiel) are only remote. A genus is established, Taurocletodes gen.n. Sigmatidium noodti sp.n. is described from the Sea of Marmara.     

Two New Species of Abyssal Pogonophores from the Antarctic Ocean

Two new species of the genus Polybrachia Ivanov, Polybrachia macrolamellosa sp. n. and P. romanovi sp. n., found at two stations in the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic Ocean on cruises 11 and 43 of the R/V Akademik Kurchatov (1971 and 1985–1986) are described. The material was collected in the Scotia Sea (off northern Elephant Isle, at a depth of 3110 m) and in the South Sandwich Trench (8004–8116 m). The main distinctive features of the new species are the extremely large cuticular plaque (up to 88 µm in maximum diameter) on the trunk metameric papillae in P. macrolamellosa sp. n. and the very long cephalic lobe (L_cl/D_f is about 2) in P. romanovi sp. n.Original Russian Text Copyright ¢ 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Smirnov.     

A New Family, Genus, and Seven New Species of Entodiniomorphida (Protozoa) from the Gut of African Rhinoceros

ABSTRACT. This report deals with a group of ciliated protozoa with short ciliary bands found mainly in the cecum of black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), and white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum (Burchell, 1817) from southern Africa. A new genus, Rhinozeta , based on the sum total of the characteristics of seven new related species is described. The species described are R. rhinozeta n. sp., R. triciliata n. sp., R. caecalis n. sp., R. addoensis n. sp., R. cristata n. sp., R. multiplatus n. sp., and R. unilaminatus n. sp. The specific features of the new genus make it incompatible with any of the known families of the Order Entodiniomorphida containing the ciliates present in the digestive tract of herbivorous mammals. This merits the creation of a new family, the Rhinozetidae.     

A new family, genus, and seven new species of Entodiniomorphida (Protozoa) from the gut of African rhinoceros

This report deals with a group of ciliated protozoa with short ciliary bands found mainly in the cecum of black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis (linnaeus, 1758), and white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum (Burchell, 1817) from southern Africa. A new genus, Rhinozeta, based on the sum total of the characteristics of seven new related species is described. The species described are R. rhinozeta n. sp., R. triciliata n. sp., R. caecalis n. sp., R. addoensis n. sp., R. cristata n. sp., R. multiplatus n. sp., and R. unilaminatus n. sp. The specific features of the new genus make it incompatible with any of the known families of the Order Entodiniomorphida containing the ciliates present in the digestive tract of herbivorous mammals. This merits the creation of a new family, the Rhinozetidae.     

Description of Ganymedes yurii sp. n. (Ganymedidae), a New Gregarine Species from the Antarctic Amphipod Gondogeneia sp. (Crustacea)

A novel species of aseptate eugregarine, Ganymedes yurii sp. n., is described using microscopic and molecular approaches. It inhabits the intestine of Gondogeneia sp., a benthic amphipod found along the shore of James Ross Island, Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The prevalence of the infection was very low and only a few caudo‐frontal syzygies were found. Morphologically, the new species is close to a previously described amphipod gregarine, Ganymedes themistos, albeit with several dissimilarities in the structure of the contact zone between syzygy partners, as well as other characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA from G. yurii supported a close relationship between these species. These two species were grouped with other gregarines isolated from crustaceans hosts (Cephaloidophoroidea); however, statistical support throughout the clade of Cephaloidophoroidea gregarines was minimal using the available dataset.