The occurrence of the dinoflagellates belonging to the ciguatera-related genus Gambierdiscus is reported for the first time from the north-western Arabian Gulf and northern Red Sea in the Indian Ocean basin. Gambierdiscus yasumotoi was recorded from two sampling sites on the southern Kuwait coast, and co-occurrence of G. cf. belizeanus and G. yasumotoi was found also in the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan. The morphology of cells is described on the basis of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examination.

This study is the first to characterize and provide an account of serum parameters in a wild population of female sobaity sea-bream Sparidentex hasta during the spawning season. The average concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenize (LDH) were: 220.2 ± 17.50, 9.4 ± 2.44 and 1745 ± 259.81 U/L respectively. The ALT concentration correlated positively with cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.01), and LDH correlated positively with ALT. Cholesterol and triglycerides had a positive correlation with liver enzymes (P < 0.01). Average glucose concentration was 130.8 ± 11.15 and ranged between 114 and 155 mg/dl. E2 ranged between 14.36 and 27.32 Pg/ml in the spawning season and was positively correlated with length and weight (P < 0.01).

A total of 101 denticled roundray Urotrygon cimar were caught in a large area of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Sizes ranged from 102 to 282 mm total length. Rays were caught at depths between 17 and 62 m. These records confirm the presence of the denticled roundray off the southern coast of the Mexican Pacific.

The family Eulimidae comprises minute gastropods best known for its parasitic habit on Echinodermata. Despite this, reports of association between eulimids and echinoderms are rather scarce. In this study, two new hosts, Parathyone suspecta and Holothuria grisea, were observed for the eulimid Melanella eburnea. This is the first record for the latter species in Brazilian waters. In addition we observed the association between the eulimid M. hypsela and the holuthurian Isostichopus badionotus, which is a new record for Brazilian waters.

A record body size, length of 1520 mm and weight of 12,600 g for the beach conger, Conger japonicus was recorded, which is approximately 120 mm and 2600 g larger than the previous international record. The specimen was female and obtained during an otter trawl survey on 4 April 2013 in the East China Sea (31°52.16′N 127°42.94′E) at a depth of approximately 140 m on the slope of the continental shelf. Morphometric measurements and meristic counts are reported in this paper. We also report profiles of water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a taken immediately prior to the trawl, and species composition of concurrent catch with the otter trawling as environmental and biological characteristics of the habitat.

Records of the anthiine fish genus Meganthias are rare and most species are only known from few specimens. On 17 February 2012 a specimen of Meganthias natalensis, ~400 mm standard length was caught in 150 m depth about 10 nautical miles off Watamu, Kenya. This is the first record of the species from Kenyan waters.

In February 2010, a specimen of Urotrygon microphthalmum (total length = 232.4 mm; disc width = 123.1 mm; total weight = 81.97 g) was caught having the external appearance of a male with an abnormality (atrophied left clasper and missing right clasper). Internally, the specimen had only female reproductive organs. The left ovary had yellow follicles (≤ 2.7 mm) and the left uterus had a yellow ovum (5.85 mm). These characteristics indicate that the individual captured was a case of abnormal hermaphroditism, classified as a pseudo-hermaphrodite.

A new species of chirodropid box jellyfish belonging to the genus Chiropsella (Cubozoa: Chirodropida: Chiropsalmidae) is described from Madagascar. In addition to being a new species from Madagascar, this represents the first record of the genus from Africa, and more generally the Indian Ocean. So far the genus Chiropsella is represented by two species, both of which are endemic to tropical Australian waters. The species described here most closely resembles Chiropsella bart from Arnhem Land, Australia. However, the species from Madagascar differs from C. bart in the shape of their rhopaliar niche ostium cover, the maximum number of tentacles, as well as their lack of pedalial keels. Furthermore, striking differences in the size of p-rhopaloids of the tentacular cnidomes were recorded between the two species. A tabular key distinguishing the genera of the Chiropsalmidae and the species of Chiropsella is provided.

Six new records of hydromedusae are reported as secondary hosts of Opechona sp. (Lepocreadiidae) for the Brazilian coast. Among the 392 hydromedusae sampled, 43 (~11%) were harbouring metacercaria. Prevalence (P) and intensity of infection (I) of Opechona sp. varied considerably among the different host species. Gossea brachymera (Limnomedusae) was highly parasitized (P = 30%; I = 1–7), while the other five hydromedusae species were not (P = 1.5–10; I = 1–2). The high parasitism in G. brachymera suggests the importance of this species in the transmission of Opechona sp. to fish, the definitive hosts, and highlights the hydromedusae as a probable noteworthy food item for zooplanktivorous fish in the area.

The first records of Caranx ignobilis and Naso annulatus in the Galapagos Archipelago are reported based on several sightings from its northernmost island, Darwin. For C. ignobilis this also represents its first record from the Tropical Eastern Pacific region, considerably expanding its geographical distribution. Vagrant status is proposed for both species in the Galapagos shore fish list.

Three specimens of the panopeid crab Acantholobulus pacificus are reported from the subtidal zone of the Port of Yokohama, Tokyo Bay, Japan. The discovery of the species in the bay is the first record of the species from the western North Pacific, as well as from Japan. Its presence there is treated as an introduced species. A description of the Japanese specimens is provided.

Acanthurus monroviae is reported for the first time in European Atlantic waters. One adult specimen of this species was observed and photographed in the Arrábida Marine Park (Portugal, 38.43°N9.07°W) in December 2007. Short term temperature changes associated with warmer winters may favour the occurrence of vagrant individuals of tropical species in this temperate biogeographic transition zone. This area is considered an important ‘barometer' for studying the effects of climate change with possibly permanent expansions of the geographical ranges of these species.

The first specimen of Sladenia shaefersi captured in waters of the Gulf of Mexico is reported. This record along with two other specimens reported between 2007 and 2009 extend the species range to the Gulf of Mexico, the western North Atlantic and into the Corner Rise Seamount. A comparison of the morphometric characters from the available data and an illustration of the esca are provided. The distribution of the species is discussed.

The schooling behaviour of the oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana was observed over 4 summers at 3 observation sites in the coastal waters of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. During this field study, 3 static appearances (belt, ball and sheet shape) and 2 transitional appearances (high and low density) were noted, recorded and described. In addition to formations, a member of S. lessoniana schools also displayed particular and repeated behavioural patterns such as vanguard and intimidating display. The 3 observation sites were tropical coral reefs near the coastline at a depth of 1 to 15 m on an average. All participating observers snorkelled and were equipped with various underwater digital video and photographic cameras. The schools observed consisted of 8 to over 100 members with a wide range of body sizes. Despite these biological and locational differences, both static and transitional appearances were consistently observed with equally consistent individual behavioural patterns. There have been studies on related species, Sepioteuthis sepioidea, at the San Blas Islands along the Caribbean coast of eastern Panama, and the same species, S. lessoniana, at a different geographical location, Casuarina Beach on Lizard Island, Australia. The findings of this study are consistent with those reported previously, with some notable differences.

The present paper reports two scyphozoan species for the coast of Pakistan: the semaeostome Pelagia cf. noctiluca and the rhizostome Catostylus perezi. Both species are described and systematic characters used for identification are discussed for both. We also questioned the previous record of C. mosaicus in Pakistan assuming it to be of C. perezi.

Seven taxa including three new species of Mallacoota are reported from the South Pacific locations of Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Kermadec Islands. Mallacoota mizegwaden sp. nov. was collected from Papua New Guinea, and M. lifou sp. nov. and M. xepenehe sp. nov. from New Caledonia including the Loyalty Islands. Additional material of M. nananui Myers, 1985 is identified from New Caledonia, supporting previous records by Ledoyer, 1984. Three species, Mallacoota capricornia Lowry & Hughes, 2009; M. chiltoni Kilgallen & Ahyong, 2011 and M. sirius Hughes, 2011 are reported from the Kermadec Islands. There are now 33 known species of Mallacoota, with 19 species occurring in tropical to subtropical waters.

The population of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea in the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, a small Spanish peninsula located on the North African coast (south-west Mediterranean) was evaluated by surveys carried out in June and October 2012. Overall, 567 specimens were recorded along the entire coastline (about 1320 m) of this enclave (169 individuals measured >30 mm in maximum diameter of the shell, likely adults, and 398 specimens were <30 mm, likely immature individuals). In this site an average 0.13 adults/m was registered, and the maximum density observed was 0.90 adults/m in some zones. This points out the importance of this enclave among the present known populations existing in Spanish territories of this highly endangered limpet, but particularly highlights the role of the adjacent North African coastal protected areas in the conservation of this species.

Two specimens of Xanthichthys lineopunctatus of total length 254 mm and 293 mm were collected from hook and line units operating off Kerala near Lakshadweep on the south-west coast of India in October 2004 and November 2005. The species is characterized by an oblong compressed body with a small mouth, yellowish brown body traversed horizontally by incomplete reddish brown lines from the operculum which become dotted lines on ventral area. This is the first report of the genus from Indian waters and an addition to the nine genera and thirteen species of balistids already reported from Indian waters. The descriptions of the specimens collected are provided with possible cause of range extension due to temperature changes in its natural habitat.

This paper describes a rare sighting of an anomalously white harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the coastal waters of the outer Moray Firth in north-east Scotland. The recording provides the first photographs of such an individual from the northern North Sea. At an estimated body length of 1.5 m, the present animal had evidently survived to adulthood, in spite of its condition, confirming the potential longevity of such hypo-pigmented individuals in the wild. Further recaptures of this naturally-marked animal may provide valuable information on the site fidelity and long-term spatial movements of these notoriously difficult to study cetaceans.