Numerous studies have focused on the soft bottom macrozoobenthos from Mediterranean transitional environments, pointing out a correlation between the variation in environmental parameters and changes occurring in benthic communities. Less attention has been paid to the study of hard bottom organisms settling on both natural and artificial substrates usually present within the basins and often constituting peculiar communities. The ecological role of such communities is remarkable, since they often reach high values of species richness and include bioconstructor organisms able to build true reefs. These reefs can strongly impact the environment, improving biodiversity through the increase of spatial heterogeneity. The present work aims to supplement new faunistic data on five lagoon systems of the south-eastern Italian coast, integrating the still fragmentary knowledge of their macrozoobenthos through the study of hard substrate communities. Sampling was performed on hard substrates colonized by complex benthic communities. The assemblages recorded were then compared in the light of the study sites’ main ecological traits. Our data highlighted the occurrence of a rich benthic macrofauna, with 100 taxa found. This markedly increases the value of species richness reported in the literature for the macrozoobenthos of the study sites. In particular, the species list provided for the Ugento Basins was the first ever compiled for this site. In spite of their geographical proximity, the investigated sites, according to their diverse environmental conditions, showed substantial differences as regards their respective macrozoobenthic communities.

The stomach contents of a male sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, stranded on Forte dei Marmi beach (Italy, Ligurian Sea) were examined. Food items consisted exclusively of cephalopod hard parts: 233 upper and 291 lower beaks and one fish eye lens. The majority of the identified cephalopod beaks belonged to Histioteuthis bonnellii, but a few beaks of Galiteuthis armata and Octopoteuthis sp. were also found. A new beak size–cephalopod size regression was created for H. bonnellii with specimens caught in the study area. Reconstructed prey weight for the species was much higher when applying this new regression instead of Clarke's, highlighting the need for area- and species-specific regressions for dietary studies. Our analysis represents the second report on the stomach contents of sperm whales from the Mediterranean and the first available information for the Western basin.

The spatial and temporal variations of planktonic cnidarians were studied across the inner continental shelf (≤40 m) off the State of Paraná in southern Brazil. Monthly zooplankton samples were taken between November 1997 and March 1999 at five stations. The holoplanktonic Liriope tetraphylla and Muggiaea kochi dominated during the entire period, comprising >80% of the specimens. The coast–ocean gradient became evident due to a near-coastal (≤20 m) assemblage formed by L. tetraphylla, Solmaris corona and meroplanktonic medusae, and a distinct outer (25–40 m) assemblage formed by the medusae Corymorpha gracilis and Aglaura hemistoma and siphonophores. The estuarine runoff during warm rainy periods lowered the salinity (~30) at the inner stations (1, 2 and 3), providing appropriate conditions for the estuarine/coastal species. Wind-driven onshore advection of outer-shelf species to the inner isobaths occurred from late autumn to winter, when the rainfall decreased and salinity increased (>35). Population peaks occurred in both summer and winter at the inner stations. For most species, the seasonal patterns were inconsistent with other studies conducted in the Southern Brazilian Bight, suggesting irregular and unpredictable seasonal distributions of abundance. Whereas in high-latitude ecosystems the dynamics of cnidarian populations follows the seasonal productivity cycle, here, complex hydrographic processes seem to be more important in determining the structure and seasonal dynamics of this community.

Fifteen new genera of cheilostome Bryozoa are described from the New Zealand biogeographical region, centred on Zealandia, between 29° and 59°S latitude from shallow coastal waters to abyssal depths. The new genera are: Cavelliella, Mangana, Recapitulator (Calloporidae), Microblestrum, Stolomicropora (Pyrisinellidae), Otomicropora, Rosemariella (Microporidae), Bioptica, Caesiopora (Romancheinidae), Cheilonellopsis (Lacernidae), Xenogma (Buffonellodidae), Bountyella (incertae sedis), Taylorius (Escharinidae), Fovoporella (Schizoporellidae) and Ramicellepora (Celleporidae). Several new combinations are also recognized, i.e. Corbulella fossa, Fovoporella spectabilis, Kenaplousina canariensis, Taylorius incognitus, Taylorius masoni, Taylorius waiparaensis and Xenogma rhomboidale. Ten of the new genera are nominally endemic to the New Zealand exclusive economic zone. Recapitulator and Microblestrum (on seamounts near the southern part of the Hjort Trench) and Rosemariella (seamount in the Louisville Ridge) occur in extraterritorial waters, Xenogma extends to Australia and Taylorius extends to South Africa. Taylorius is also known from the Miocene and Fovoporella from the Pliocene. Recapitulator and Mangana have plesiomorphies that are novel among Recent Calloporidae (respectively a costate ooecium and ‘pelmatoporine’ elongate adventitious interzooidal kenozooids) but which are found in some Cretaceous calloporids or cribrilinids.

Exploration of continental shelves may produce unexpected faunal records. In shelf waters of La Guajira peninsula, Colombia, in the northern tip of South America, southern Caribbean Sea, we found a new species of Rhaphidhistia (Demospongiae, Hadromerida, Trachycladidae) a genus previously thought to be restricted to the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Rhaphidhistia guajiraensis sp. nov. is thickly encrusting, agglutinating bottom debris; it possesses asymmetric oxea as megascleres (465–757 μm by 6.3–17.5 μm) and spiraster-like spinispirae (15–37 μm by 2–5 μm). It is closely similar to the type species of the genus, R. spectabilis Carter, 1879, both standing apart from a third species, R. mirabilis (Dendy, 1924), thus conforming a natural group whose taxonomic placement needs to be reassessed. There are numerous cases of sponge genera with sister species in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans, possibly split since the Tethys Sea breakup; owing to their restricted or deep distribution, they are just starting to be discovered.

Brazilian mangroves have ecological and economic importance, with molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes being diverse and common faunal groups. The present study characterizes the macrofauna associated with logs from two mangrove forests in Pará State, northern Brazil, sampled in September, January and April, between 2008 and 2010, at three different distances from a tidal channel (2, 10, 20 m). In each forest, five logs (diameter/length: 10/40 cm) were randomly selected at each distance, totalling 15 logs per sampling date. The macrofauna was removed, counted and identified. Three-way analysis of variance was used to compare mean numbers of individuals, numbers of taxa and Berger–Parker dominance per log, between forests and among sampling dates and distances from the tidal channel. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analyses of variance were used to investigate macrofaunal structure in relation to the three factors. A total of 5437 individuals from both estuarine and terrestrial faunas was found in both forests, with 85 taxa distributed among Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda and Nemertea. Abundance increased from September through January to April in both mangrove forests. The most dominant species was Neoteredo reynei, representing 48% of total abundance. No significant difference in any variable was found among the two forests and between the three distances. Logs may represent a stable microhabitat for the macrofauna, with little variation in humidity, salinity or temperature, despite different distances from the tidal channel. However, macrofaunal structure varied significantly between forests and among sampling dates, probably due to seasonal differences in precipitation and salinity between both locations.

Concern has been expressed over future biogeographical expansion and habitat capitalization by species of the phylum Cnidaria, as this may have negative implications on human activities and ecosystems. There is, however, a paucity of knowledge and understanding of jellyfish ecology, in particular species distribution and seasonality. Recent studies in the UK have principally focused on the Celtic, Irish and North Seas, but all in isolation. In this study we analyse data from a publicly-driven sightings scheme across UK coastal waters (2003–2011; 9 years), with the aim of increasing knowledge on spatial and temporal patterns and trends. We describe inter-annual variability, seasonality and patterns of spatial distribution, and compare these with existing historic literature. Although incidentally-collected data lack quantification of effort, we suggest that with appropriate data management and interpretation, publicly-driven, citizen-science-based, recording schemes can provide for large-scale (spatial and temporal) coverage that would otherwise be logistically and financially unattainable. These schemes may also contribute to baseline data from which future changes in patterns or trends might be identified. We further suggest that findings from such schemes may be strengthened by the inclusion of some element of effort-corrected data collection.

A population of the sipunculan worm Aspidosiphon muelleri, located in temperate waters of the western Mediterranean Sea, was monitored monthly for a year. Some aspects related to its ecology and reproductive biology are shown in the present work. The sex-ratio for this population was close to 1:1 (54% females vs 46% males), thus indicating a dioecious reproduction, although showing a lack of sexual dimorphism. Oocytes were detected in females from 4–5 mm; this size might be reached by A. muelleri in a few months. The population density increased notably during the summer (June–August). The spawning event date was indirectly estimated from the average size of the oocytes and the percentage of females with free oocytes in the coelom. Both variables were significantly correlated to shallow water temperature (Pearson correlation; P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). Oocyte size was also significantly correlated to average irradiance level (Pearson correlation; P = 0.044). Spawning took place between August and September (when the water temperature is getting close to its annual maximum) and may last only a few weeks in these temperate waters. The abundance of A. muelleri decreased drastically in September, likely as a consequence of the spawning event effort. Bivalves of the species Epilepton clarkiae were collected together with specimens of A. muelleri living inside the polychaete tubes used as shelters by the sipunculans, with a prevalence of 11.64%. To a lesser extent some Foraminifera were also reported attached to the body of the sipunculans.

Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi is one of the most poorly known cetaceans, whose diet has created some speculation given that its dentition differs greatly from that of most other beaked whales that are primarily teuthophagous. The few stomachs examined previously have given seemingly conflicting dietary information. In this paper the stomach contents of a freshly stranded adult female on Tristan da Cunha have been examined through identification of trace elements and genetic analysis of soft parts. At least 13 cephalopod and 8 fish species were identified from beaks and otoliths respectively, but only undigested fish remains were present in the stomach and identified genetically as Beryx splendens. Reconstituted masses totaled 8809 g for cephalopods and 17,554 g for fish, with four species (Histioteuthis atlantica, Taningia danae, Ommastrephes bartrami and Pholidoteuthis ‘A’) comprising 78.6% of the cephalopods and one species (B. splendens) comprising 87.4% of the fish eaten. It is concluded that Tasmacetus may alternately exploit fish and cephalopods, depending on the time of day and access to seamount or continental slope areas.

Due to the input of humic substances from freshwater run-off into the marine habitat, the influences of such substances on marine organisms should not be neglected. We here investigate the effect of a humic acid (HA) extract from the North Sea, characterized by spectroscopic techniques and carboxylic and phenolic group content, on the growth of different algae. Two benthic pennate diatoms isolated from the Baltic Sea, Navicula ramosissima (C. Agardh) Cleve, 1895 and Entomoneis paludosa (W. Smith) Reimer, 1975, as well as two tychopelagic centric diatoms isolated from the North Sea, Melosira nummuloides C. Agardh, 1824 and Paralia sulcata (Ehrenberg) Cleve, 1873, were employed. The concentrations of pigments (fucoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, chlorophyll-a and β-carotene) and nutrients were also measured. Adding low concentrations of naturally humic substances (5.5 mg of C l−1) to the algae cultures resulted in enhanced growth rates compared to the control experiments, possibly due to the increase in the bioavailability of trace metals or other nutrients.

Many reef-building corals photoacclimate by increasing levels of chlorophyll per microalgal cell with depth, but mechanisms of photoacclimation in coral reef sea anemones remain poorly understood. We determined variation in ambient irradiance and patterns of abundance, microhabitat use, chlorophyll and microalgal cell concentrations in clownfish sea anemones Entacmaea quadricolor from 0 to 43 m depth on a coral reef at Aqaba, Jordan, northern Red Sea. In shallow areas, anemones occupied shaded reef microhabitats exposed to significantly lower irradiance than in the adjacent open water, but on the deep reef slope they occupied unshaded habitats. Anemone abundances were the highest observed thus far in the Red Sea, and peaked at mid depth on the reef slope. Microalgal abundance in anemone tentacles increased four-fold from the shallow to deep reef, while chlorophyll-a concentrations per algal cell did not vary significantly with depth. We conclude that E. quadricolor photoacclimates using two major mechanisms: (1) occurrence in shaded microhabitats when shallow, thus reducing exposure to high irradiance, and (2) increasing microalgal abundance with depth, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency at low irradiance.

Renibacterium sp. QD1, a bacteria strain capable of hydrolysing chitosan, was isolated from the homogenate of small crabs. An extracellular chitosanase, Csn-A, was purified from the QD1 fermentation broth. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity, with a yield of eight-fold, 67% recovery and a specific activity of 1575 U/mg proteins. The molecular weight of Csn-A was estimated to be 26.1 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Unlike other chitosanases, the purified Csn-A displayed maximal activity at a pH range of 5.3–6.5, and it was stable in a broad pH range of 5.0–10.0. The optimum temperature for chitosanlytic activity was 55°C. The enzyme activity was strongly stimulated by Mn2+ but inhibited by Fe3+, Cu2+, Al3+, Zn2+ and SDS. TLC analysis demonstrated that Csn-A hydrolysed N-deacetylated polymeric glucosamines into chito-biose and -triose in an endo-type manner. The amino acid seuquence of Csn-A showed close identity with an uncharacterized chitosanase of strain ATCC33209.

The azooxanthellate sun corals Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis are invasive species which were introduced into Brazilian shallow-water tropical rocky reefs by oil and gas platforms. Both species are simultaneous hermaphrodites and brooders. Histological analysis shows a continuous reproduction with the presence of different stages of development of oocytes, spermatic cysts and larvae occurring together in the same polyps (overlapping). Gametogenesis, embryogenesis, planulation and settlement were observed. Although most of the colonies showed only oocytes, none had only testes. Spermatic cysts were observed in 8.3% of T. coccinea colonies and in 5.5% of colonies of T. tagusensis. The maximum diameter of oocyte of T. tagusensis (1252.5 µm) was greater than T. coccinea (901.8 µm) and mature spermaries 700 µm in diameter formed the typical arrangement of ‘bouquets’. Although all colonies showed oocytes throughout the year, two reproductive peaks of 3–4 months duration were observed. The larvae of T. coccinea and T. tagusensis had a competency period of 18 d in aquaria and settled near the parental colony. The investigation of gametogenesis, temporal patterns of reproduction, fecundity and sexual maturation helps to explain the rapid expansion in to new habitats and high population growth in these invasive sun corals.

Olindias spp. medusae are found worldwide in sublittoral tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions; their occurrence near shore can result in human envenomation events. While behaviour of medusae and human contact with medusae has been documented for the genus, the hydroid (polyp) phase of the Olindias life cycle has eluded investigators for over a century. Given the recent debate among public media and scientific communities that jellyfish blooms are increasing worldwide, there is a growing urgency to understand how and why jellyfish populations bloom. In order to understand jellyfish population dynamics, the asexual benthic phase must be studied to determine when, where, and how juvenile medusae are produced. In this study, husbandry management strategies, including the creation of artificial habitat for Olindias formosus medusae in aquaria were developed to encourage spawning and larval settlement. The resultant hydroid colony of Olindias formosus was discovered in November of 2012, utilizing the natural fluorescence of the medusa as a detection method. A description of the hydroid and early medusa stage is presented. These techniques provide a basis for locating in situ the benthic hydroid phases within this genus and other fluorescent medusae, the discovery of which may lead to a better understanding of the causative factors for jellyfish blooms.

Balanophyllia europaea is an endemic Mediterranean sublittoral zooxanthellate solitary coral. Given the broad distribution of the species throughout many areas of the Mediterranean surprisingly little is known of preferred habitat niches or susceptibility of the species to environmental change. In this study we investigated in the laboratory the net prey capture rates of the coral achievable under a range of flow velocities (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 15 cm s−1) and under exposure to different suspended particulate concentrations (0, 7.3 and 170 mg l−1). In recirculation flumes we simulated both commonly occurring and the occasionally high flow velocities and various suspended particulate concentrations reported from the Gulf of Lions (north-west Mediterranean). We then delivered ca 500 A. salina nauplii l−1 as food (Artemia salina nauplii) to the flumes and monitored net prey capture over time. We found net prey capture rates by the species to be highest under flow velocities of 5 cm s−1, with 230 µg C coral individual−1 h−1 achieved. The presence or absence of even environmentally high particulate concentrations (up to 170 mg l−1 resuspended seabed material) did not significantly affect the net prey capture rates achieved by the coral polyps. We found that net prey capture in Balanophyllia europaea is not inhibited during periods of heavy particle exposure, as has been observed in other temperate scleractinian corals. Also, flow velocities of ca ~5 s−1 appear to be optimal for maximum net prey capture by the species.

Diversity of hard corals is investigated on the reefs of two Iranian islands, Qeshm and Larak, located in the Persian Gulf. The corals were sampled and photographed and their percentage cover was estimated by diving in June 2008 and February 2009. Thirty-eight coral species belonging to 20 genera and nine families were identified, of which three species are new records from the Gulf. Coral diversity was higher in Larak Island, and in total, Acroporidae and Faviidae were the most diverse coral families. Acropora (83%) had the highest percentage cover in Larak Island, while the maximum percentage cover in Qeshm Island was for Porites (52.96%). Canonical correspondence analysis distinctly plotted the study sites against environmental variables. Salinity and pH were the most effective variables on the coral diversity, and had positive correlations with the frequency of several species including Pocillopora damicornis, Platygyra acuta and Acanthastrea maxima, while they had negative correlation with another group of other corals, including Plesiastrea devantieri, Acropora downingi and Psammocora digitata (P < 0.01). Water clarity had positive correlations with some coral species, including Cyphastrea serailia and Coscinaraeamonile, and negative correlations with other species such as Leptastrea transversa and Acropora arabensis. Diversity of a number of corals mainly Porites lutea and Cyphastrea chalcidicum had high affinity with the water temperature. The results of this study supported the existence of diversified coral communities in Iranian islands, while showing that their spatial and temporal distribution can be affected by environmental variables.

This study focuses on the comparative analysis of variables related to the trophic niche plasticity in the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki). There is great concern regarding the future of this species, so study of the diet and the way these animals obtain their food is useful to understand and predict their survival possibilities in the long term. The combined use of scat analysis and stable isotopes helps to determine foraging habits of this species in greater detail. The objective of the study was to assess the feeding habits of Z. wollebaeki and its space–time variation. The scat analysis (n = 200) gave as a result space–time changes in the foraging strategies of this species. The isotopic values (n = 80) showed differences in relation to foraging grounds (δ13C: P = 0.001), but also suggested an apparent stability in the trophic level of their diet (δ15N: P = 0.084). These results constitute a relevant finding in the evolutionary behaviour of the species, showing that Z. wollebaeki has developed a high degree of plasticity in its foraging habits that may improve its survival in a highly demanding ecosystem in terms of limited and fluctuating resources.

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.

A new species of Geodia is described from the North Pacific, collected in the summer of 2012 in the western Aleutian Islands. Geodia starki sp. nov. differs from all known species of Geodia by the possession of two categories of sterrasters and exceptionally large megascleres. The new species is compared with congeners of the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Arctic and the North Atlantic Oceans.

The concentrations of organophosphoric acid triesters (OPEs) in water samples from Maizuru Bay were in the range of 3.0–62 ng/l. In general, the concentrations of OPEs were found in the order of TBXP > TDCPP > TCEP > TBP > TCP > TPP > TEP. The organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) diazinon, fenitrothion, iprobenfos and chlorpyrifos were detected in water samples. The concentrations of OPEs in sediment from Maizuru Bay were in the range of <0.5–56 µg kg−1 dry weight (dw). Among OPPs, diazinon in sediment samples were in the range of 1.8–71 µg kg−1 dw. However, the detection frequencies of fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos in sediment were low. The concentrations of OPEs in mussels from Maizuru Bay were in the range of <1–34 µg kg−1 wet weight (ww). The concentrations of OPEs were found in the order of TBP > TDCPP > TCP > TBXP = TPP = TCEP. Pesticides were detected in mussels, but these concentrations were lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values. The partition coefficients between water and sediment (Kws) of diazinon and fenitrothion were 200–1300 and 200–300, respectively and the partition coefficients between water and biological samples (Kwb) of diazinon and fenitrothion were 700–3300 and 450–700, respectively, suggesting that these pesticides accumulate in biological samples at higher rates than in sediment.