Patagonema iubatum gen. nov. sp. nov. is described from asandy beach at Playa Pozo, Golfo Nuevo, Argentina. It resemblesOncholaimidae (Nematoda: Enoplida) and it is characterized by a buccalcavity comprising a combination of three teeth and three mandibular ridgeswith small teeth. The new genus is also characterized by the presence ofpapillose pre-cloacal supplements, cephalated spicula and a gubernaculumwith dorsal apophysis and lateral piece, and a new demanian systemconfiguration. Patagonema iubatum sp. nov. has 9–11papillae-like pre-cloacal supplements, short and cephalated spicula and agubernaculum with dorsal apophysis and pointed lateral piece. Its positioninside Oncholaimidae is discussed.

The veined rapa whelk is one of the most important invasive species in theBlack Sea ecosystem since the 1940s. Following its introduction to the BlackSea, it destroyed most of the bivalve populations, mainly the Mediterraneanmussel and oysters. However, the veined rapa whelk has commercial importancefor the Black Sea fisheries as an alternative product. In this study, weaimed to determine some population parameters of the veined rapa whelk basedon indirect ageing through length–frequency data by using the Bhattacharyamethod. We collected 1704 specimens by dredging along the coasts of SamsunProvince in the Central Black Sea in 2011 from June to November. The age ofthe population varied from 0 to 6. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters wereestimated as L ∞ = 112.35 mm, k = 0.310, t 0 = −0.486 and W ∞ = 243.94 g. Mean length and weight, length–weight relationship,mortality and exploitation rates were derived asL = 56.80 ± 0.36 mm, W = 45.67 ± 0.89 g, W = 0.0006 L2.719, Z = 0.96, M = 0.57, F = 0.39 and E = 0.40, respectively.

The shallow water sea anemone Phymanthus crucifer exhibitsthree distinct morphotypes, characterized by the presence or absence ofprotuberances on the marginal tentacles, as well as intermediate forms. Thetaxonomic status of the different morphotypes and the diagnostic value ofprotuberances on the tentacles have been debated for this species and thefamily Phymanthidae. We analysed the external and internal anatomy, cnidaeand three mitochondrial molecular markers for representatives of each of thethree morphotypes. In addition, we address the putative monophyly of thefamily Phymanthidae based on molecular data. With the exception of theprotuberances, our morphological and molecular results show no differencesamong the three morphotypes; thus, we consider this feature to beintraspecific variability within P. crucifer. Furthermore,molecular data reveal that the family Phymanthidae is not monophyletic. Inaddition, we discuss several diagnostic morphological features of the familyPhymanthidae.

The increasing market demand for Glyptocidaris crenularisshapes its great potential for aquaculture. Temperature is an importantfactor affecting gonad production and quality of sea urchins. Therefore, itis essential and valuable to carry out an evaluation of the temperatureeffects on gonad production and quality in G. crenularisbefore potential aquaculture. Here, we investigated the long-term effects oftemperature on gonad production, colour and flavour in G. crenularis. There was no significant difference of testdiameter, height and body weight between the sea urchins in high (16–23°C)and low (12–16°C) temperatures (P > 0.05). Glyptocidaris crenularis showed significantly highergonad production and index in high temperature and in low temperature (P < 0.05). L*, a*, b* readings were slightly higher in the low temperaturegroups, although no significant difference was found(P > 0.05). Subjective colour and flavour ratings foundthat G. crenularis in the low temperature group showedsignificantly better colour (P = 0.003) and flavour (P < 0.001) than those in the high temperature group.The present study provides valuable and insightful information into theestablishing G. crenularis aquaculture.

Temporal variations in the taxonomic relatedness of periphytic ciliatemicrofauna during colonization periods were studied in coastal waters of theYellow Sea, northern China, from May to June 2010. Samples were collected attwo depths of 1 and 3 m, using glass slides as artificial substrates. Thecolonization dynamics of ciliate microfauna on the slides revealed similarpatterns in species composition at both depths. In the immature communities(1–7 days), the taxonomic patterns showed high variability compared to thosein the mature ones (10 days and more). However, taxonomic relatednessparameters at the two depths differed during early stages of colonization(e.g. 1–3 days). Taxonomic diversity (Δ) was subject to high variability(coefficients of variation >10%) in both immature and mature communities,whereas taxonomic distinctness (Δ*), average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+)showed high stability (coefficients of variation <10%) during thecolonization times of 3–21 days. These findings suggest that 3–21-dayexposure times are sufficient to detect the taxonomic distinctness ofperiphytic ciliate microfauna at water depths of 1–3 m for the purposes ofecological research and monitoring of marine ecosystems.

Surface properties affect the attachment of micro- and macroscopic marine organisms. The current study examined the settlement response of the mussel Mytilus coruscus plantigrades to natural biofilms formed on surfaces of different wettability. The percentages of plantigrade settlement were not influenced by the biofilms formed on variously wettable surfaces in the short term, but after 10 days, the plantigrade settlement rates decreased on biofilms formed on lower wettability surfaces. In general, lower wettability of the surfaces resulted in the decrease of the dry weight, bacterial and diatom density and the thickness of natural biofilms when compared to high wettability surfaces. In contrast, chlorophyll-a concentration in biofilms was independent of the initial wettability of the surfaces. Comparative cluster analysis of bacterial denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis patterns revealed that high variability existed between the bacterial community on high wettability surfaces and that on low wettability surfaces. Thus, surface wettability affects the formation of natural biofilms, and this variation in biofilms developed on different wettability surfaces may explain the discrepancy in their corresponding inducing activities on M. coruscus plantigrade settlement. This finding provides new insight into interactions between mussel settlement, biofilm characteristics and surface properties.

An updated checklist of manta and devil rays (family Mobulidae) occurring in waters of the Azores archipelago is given based on new data from underwater images and on the re-evaluation of previous citations for the region. There are, at least, three species of mobulids occurring in the region, possibly four: giant manta Manta birostris; Chilean devil ray Mobula tarapacana; and one or both of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular/spinetail devil ray Mobula japanica species complex. These findings have direct implications for the known ranges of all these species and for the conservation of their North Atlantic populations.