A study of Conger conger diet was carried out with 213 specimens from Irish inshore waters (0–200 m) collected from winter 1998 to spring 1999 and 96 from offshore waters (200–600 m) from spring to summer 2000. The primary diet in both areas was fish, with a complete species shift in diet between areas. The dominant species inshore were Merlangius merlangus and offshore Micromesistius poutassou. Decapod crustaceans and cephalopods were observed in stomachs, but contributed little to the overall diet.

The function of intersex individuals in three intertidal hermit crab species (Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus) was investigated and a description of the morphology of the gonopores of laboratory-reared intersex individuals before and after moulting provided. Observations on the reproductive behaviour revealed that intersex individuals of these hermit crab species copulated successfully as males with normal females. Intersex individuals showed morphological alterations indicating closure of the female gonopores after moulting. These findings associated to information on behaviour and population biology of hermit crabs may suggest that hermit crab intersexuality may be part of a true hermaphroditism mechanism.

The diet of the seven star flying squid, Martialia hyadesi, from the South Georgia sector of the Scotia Sea was described from stomach contents collected in winter (June) 2001. Diet was dominated by the hyperiid amphipod, Themisto gaudichaudii, fish (nine species, mainly myctophids) and cephalopods (mainly cannibalism). The absence of krill, Euphausia superba, and the presence of larger myctophids in the diet are discussed in terms of seasonal and annual prey availability.

A 6·1-m long female basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) was tagged 73 km east of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts on 27 September 2001 with a pop-up archival transmitting tag. The tag detached prematurely on 6 December 2001 in an area approximately 800 km south-west of the tag site off the coast of North Carolina. The basking shark was vertically active for the 71-d tracking period, moving through depths and temperatures ranging from the surface to 320 m and 5·8 to 21·0°C, respectively. The shark displayed temporal variation in its residence depth and exhibited a marked temperature preference, with 72% of the temperature observations between 15·0 and 17·5°C. This track provides evidence that the basking shark associates with the continental shelf and shelf edge off the south-eastern United States during autumn. Moreover, it corroborates previous studies indicating that the basking shark remains active and does not hibernate during autumn.

The feeding intensity and the diet of Merluccius merluccius were studied along a 1000 km latitudinal scale on the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula (western Mediterranean) in spring 2000. Merluccius merluccius was distributed along two bathymetric bands corresponding to the deep continental shelf (between 36 to 148 m), and the upper slope (between 215 to 310 m). At the shelf small crustaceans (mainly euphausiids and mysids) were dominant in the diet while fish (mainly Myctophidae) were the preferred prey on the slope. Feeding intensity of hake was significantly higher in areas with higher hake density suggesting feeding aggregations. Also, feeding intensity was significantly correlated with phytoplankton pigment concentrations (ppc), though only with ppc recorded one month before on the hake sampling stations. This delay between ppc and feeding intensity of hake may be a response to higher prey availability, because most hake prey were pelagic in origin (euphausiids, Clupeiformes) and they may reach high densities after exploiting local phytoplankton blooms. This delayed response seems to have more a local or spotted pattern. During three 8-h sampling cycles food consumed by hake ranged between 1·01 to 5·51% body wet weight (BWW), on average within the range of food consumption rates of other benthopelagic, active swimmer, fish.

Feeding dynamics of Cancer polyodon was studied, by comparing the diets of three size-classes of the crab to environmental abundance of prey species in three habitats in Tongoy Bay, Chile (30°S). In the sea grass and sand–gravel habitats cannibalism was observed, the small C. polydon being actively selected as the main prey in spite of their lower abundance compared with other crustaceans. In the mud habitat the scallop Argopecten purpuratus was the most important prey, being actively selected although occurring at low relative abundance. Cancer polyodon showed plasticity in feeding habits, adapting to differential prey availability, but always selecting certain species independently of their abundance in each habitat. Accessibility, more than the abundance of the prey, seem to be the main factors influencing prey selection.

The muzzled blenny Omobanchus punctatus is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, collected among fouling organisms covering the frame of aquaculture cages at the entrance to the port of Ashdod, Israel. Its presence there is most likely due to accidental introduction attributed to ship-mediated transfer.

Heterosaccus lunatus parasitizes the portunid crab, Charybdis callianassa, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Larval broods, released during July and August (males only), were allowed to develop through to cyprids (lecithotrophic development). Speeds of all the developmental stages—nauplius I to nauplius IV and the cyprids were measured by timing continuously swimming larvae over 5 mm distances under a microscope. The absolute speeds of the naupliar stages were similar (3–4 mm s−1), but the cyprids were significantly faster at ≈10 mm s−1. These speeds were compared with published speeds of cirripede and copepod nauplii and other cirripede cyprids. Relative speeds (body lengths s−1) showed surprising parity, which for the cyprids probably reflects the similar efficiency of the fusiform shape and thoracopod propulsion for all sizes of this highly specialized larval form. The lecithotrophic H. lunatus nauplii have rather minimalistic appendages (compared with planktotrophic nauplii) which were examined at the light microscope and scanning electron microscope levels. The natatory setae were found to be plumo-denticulate.

To evaluate the consequences of the coexistence of the Senegal sea bream Diplodus bellottii with one other species of Diplodus, Diplodus vulgaris, in the Tagus estuary (Portugal), the distribution and feeding habits of juveniles and adults of both species were studied. Sampling took place between May 2001 and March 2002, in five zones, including the estuary and adjacent coastal area, using an otter trawl. Both species were abundant in the estuary and their distribution overlapped. The stomach contents analysis showed that the diet of both species was mainly composed of algae, bivalves and crustaceans. Diphodus bellottii and D. vulgaris showed a generalist feeding behaviour and were clearly omnivorous, being detected in a high trophic niche overlap between the two species. Competition for space and food may occur when densities are high and food became a limiting factor.

Twenty-three observations of 26 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus are documented for the northern Adriatic. Records were more common along the eastern coast and have increased over the last decades. The latter coincides with the increased presence of other planktivorous vertebrates (humpback whale, basking shark) and possibly follow changes in the zooplankton abundance.

There are few reports of non-cryogenic preservation methods for marine invertebrates, so potable alcohol and acetone-based nail varnish remover (NVR) are for the first time evaluated against absolute ethanol as short-term preservatives of whole barnacles. Performance of ethanol and NVR-preserved material was comparable, but potable alcohol was significantly worse. These results are of practical importance for fieldwork in remote areas where laboratory chemicals are unattainable but potable alcohol or NVR are locally available. Of these, acetone-based NVR would be the solvent of preference.

The structure and distribution of the sponge community in five sites and four habitats in Cagarras Archipelago, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are described. The archipelago has three major islands (Cagarra, Palmas, and Comprida), and four islets. Qualitative samples were taken by SCUBA diving in the three islands and in two islets, and quantitative samples were taken in Palmas Island only. Cluster analysis using Jaccard's coefficient on qualitative data grouped the two islets (Cagarra Bank and Cagarra Islet), which are more exposed to wave action, and the three islands formed a group of relatively sheltered sites. Cluster analysis using Bray–Curtis coefficient on quantitative data from different habitats in Palmas Island allowed distinction of three groups of samples: overhangs, shallow horizontal surfaces (6 m depth), and vertical walls plus deeper horizontal surfaces (17 m depth). Sponge abundance was greater in overhangs (61·2 ind m−2), which were dominated by Protosuberites sp. and Clathrina conifera. Abundance was reduced in vertical walls (31·1 ind m−2) and deep horizontal surfaces (16·8 ind m−2). Pachychalina sp. dominated the deep horizontal surfaces and Clathrina conifera was dominant in overhangs. Values of Shannon's diversity in overhangs, vertical walls (both with H′=2·1 bits ind−1) and deep horizontal surfaces (H′=1·7 bits ind−1) were moderate and similar, whereas in shallow horizontal surfaces the sponges were both less diverse (H′=0·37) and less abundant (8·5 ind m−2). Shallow horizontal surfaces were dominated by Hymeniacidon heliophila. The reduced species richness of the sponge community in Cagarras Archipelago when compared with other sites in Brazil and elsewhere is probably due in part to the pollution from the city of Rio de Janeiro. Wave action appears to reduce the number of sponge species at a local scale, whereas substrate inclination affects more strongly the species composition and abundance than the diversity of sponges.

Structural adaptations of the mouthparts and digestive tract of four talitrid amphipods were examined in relation to diet, habitat and phylogeny. The species differed in their habitat relative to the shoreline and also in their diet: a 5-dentate ‘sandrunner’, Talorchestia species II (a mid to low shore intertidal diatom feeder), a 5-dentate sandhopper, Talorchestia marmorata (a strandline kelp feeder); a 4-dentate sandhopper, Talorchestia species I (extreme high shore, feeding on spinifex grasses), and a 4-dentate landhopper, Keratroides vulgaris (forest leaf litter, litter feeding). Gross structural characteristics of the mouthparts were similar among all three Talorchestia species reflecting their phylogenetic relatedness. Increased setation and minor structural differences among the Talorchestia species could be attributed to dietary differences, reflecting the zones across the shoreline that they inhabit. Mouthparts of K. vulgaris were elongate, with markedly different setation to the Talorchestia species, reflecting its more distant phylogenetic position and its diet of decaying leaf litter. Digestive tract structure was more conserved among all species due to their phylogenetic relatedness. The gross digestive structure conformed to the general plan exhibited by most gammaridean amphipods. However, an additional pair of lateral pyloric caeca was evident in all species, the function of which is uncertain.

Information on Balaenoptera edeni strandings along the Brazilian south-east coast and feeding associations with other marine vertebrates are reported. A total of 19 strandings were observed from 1972 to 2003 along ≈1200 km of coast. Strandings were evenly distributed among seasons with no distinguishable peaks. Besides the stranding data, opportunistic observations on Bryde's whales engaged in feeding activities were reported from nine cruises along São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro State coasts (22–24°S). Bryde's whales were observed preying on Brazilian sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis) in at least three events, and possibly two others. Associations with other marine vertebrates were observed, and included dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), unidentified sharks, terns (Sterna hirundinacea, Sterna spp.), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius cf. parasiticus), albatrosses (Thalassarche spp.), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Stranding data and on-board observations support the hypothesis that Bryde's whales are common in coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil.

Adult female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Japan use different feeding habitats as a function of body size. The Argos location data of two females inhabiting either oceanic or neritic habitats were analysed to infer their foraging and diving behaviour. There were no significant differences in the number of transmissions received per satellite pass, the number of locations per day, and the frequency of location-accuracy classes between oceanic and neritic females, implying that there was little difference in the time these two turtles stayed at the sea surface. Two possible forage-diving behaviours are suggested for these turtles: (1) both dive duration and depth were not different between the two feeding habitats; or (2) although dive duration was not different between feeding habitats, dive depth was different.

A new genus and species of sabellid polychaete from an organically enriched beach in São Sebastião, State of São Paulo, is described. Kirkia heterobranchiata is unique among sabellids for brooding the embryos on the dorsalmost pair of radioles, which exhibits several modifications for this purpose, rather than on ventral radioles. Morphologically, K. heterobranchiata is most closely related to Perkinsiana riwo, here referred to as the new genus, as suggested by phylogenetic analysis. The new genus is characterized by the shape of the lips (dorsal lips roughly triangular, broader than long; ventral lips lower, ventrally fused and distally rounded), by the absence of both radiolar and pinnular appendages, by having uncini with very short handles in both the thorax and abdomen, and by the ability to brood embryos in cocoons attached to the branchial crown.

To characterize the ultraviolet (UV) light-absorbing function of the ascidian tunic, the light absorption spectrum was compared in 22 ascidian species collected from tropical and temperate waters. Non-photosymbiotic ascidians (17 species) had transparent tunics transmitting both visible and UV light, or pigmented or opaque tunics equally absorb both UV and visible light. However, a prominent absorption peak around 320 nm was exclusively found in the colonial ascidians hosting the algal symbiont Prochloron sp., and this absorption peak corresponded to absorption of UV-A (320–400 nm) and UV-B (280–320 nm). The UV-absorbing substances were extracted with methanol. They were mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs): mycosporine-glycine, palythine, shinorine, and porphyra-334. The MAAs are thought to be synthesized by the shikimic acid pathway that does not occur in animals. Since the isolated Prochloron cells contain MAAs, the symbionts are the most possible candidates as the source of the MAAs in the tunic. In Diplosoma virens, the composition of MAAs was different between isolated Prochloron cells and colony residue from which Prochloron cells were extracted.

The allometric growth of Uca leptodactyla from two distinct subtropical estuaries on the Brazilian coast was evaluated concerning its growth pattern and size at onset of sexual maturity. Females attained maturity at similar sizes in both sites (4·1 mm of carapace length in Indaiá and 4·2 mm in Ubatumirim), while males differed slightly. They reached the size at sexual maturity of 5·3 mm of carapace length in Indaiá and 4·6 mm in Ubatumirim. Growth pattern is usually similar among crabs from distinct sites while size at sexual maturity is frequently different. However, in the case of U. leptodactyla it did not occur, probably due to the strong habitat similarity and intrinsic features of this species.

Data on age and reproduction of the rabbitfish at the Portuguese continental slope are presented. Ages were estimated based on transverse sections of the dorsal spine. Differences in growth patterns were detected between sexes—males grow slower and are smaller than females. The results from histological analysis of different development stages of testes indicated that the macroscopic scale used is well adapted to rabbitfish sampled in Portuguese waters. In females and excluding macroscopic Stage 4, which according to the adopted scale corresponds to an active phase, all the remaining stages were identified in the samples. Ovarian fecundity was estimated as 6·46±2·32 oocytes (females range: 45·0 to 70·0 cm pre-supra caudal fin length [PSCFL]). Length of first maturity in males (40·7 cm PSCFL) is lower than in females (45·9 cm PSCFL).

The diet and functional biology of the digestive system of the cephalaspidean gastropod Haminoea orbygniana was investigated by gut content analysis of animals collected in the Ria Formosa, a coastal lagoon in southern Portugal. The results show that this species is herbivorous, stenophagic and probably non-selective, feeding mainly on diatoms (67·61%) and occasionally on vegetal detritus (4·16%) and Foraminifera (0·04%), but also including sand grains as an important part of the gut contents (28·34%). The role of the gizzard plates in the fragmentation of diatom frustules was demonstrated and is discussed. Data reveal that this process, although possibly important for the digestion and assimilation of food, seems not to be crucial. The role of sand as an additional food source and as an accessory tool complementary to the gizzard plates is discussed. A general review of the diet within the family Haminoeidae is presented, with all recent work indicating that they feed on diatoms and green algae.