The distribution and feeding ecology of two puffer fish, Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Colomesus psittacus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), were investigated in a tropical estuary (north-eastern Brazil). The hypothesis tested was that these two species partition available resources spatially, and that the effects of interspecific competition can be reduced by changes in the feeding strategy and using alternative resources. This study was carried out between February 2011 and January 2012, on a beach and three tidal creeks of the Mamanguape River estuary. Data on the distribution and relative abundance of the two species were collected using beach seine, with data on temperature, salinity and turbidity also recorded. The diets of the species (S. testudineus N = 399; C. psittacus N = 108) were analysed by the Index of Relative Importance (IRI). Sphoeroides testudineus was found in the entire area, but was particularly abundant in the upper estuary, while C. psittacus was captured exclusively in the upper estuary, with all individuals assumed to be juveniles. In regard to feeding, juvenile S. testudineus predated on Bivalves, Ceratopogonidae larvae, calanoids and gastropods; whilst C. psittacus showed a diet more specialized in Brachyura and Cirripedia. These results suggest that there are differences in both habitat utilization and feeding habits of these two puffer fish species in this estuary.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are abundant in many coastal ecosystems, including the coastal Everglades. Understanding spatial and temporal variation in their abundance and group sizes is important for estimating their potential ecological importance and predicting how environmental changes (e.g. ecosystem restoration) might impact their populations. From August 2010 to June 2012, we completed a total of 67 belt transects covering a total of 2650 linear km and an area of 1232 km2. Dolphin densities varied spatially and temporally. The highest densities of dolphins were found in coastal oceans and inland bays and were lowest in rivers. Use of rivers, however, increased during the dry season while densities in other habitats remained similar across seasons. Dolphins appeared to prefer portions of bays close to mangrove-covered islands over open waters. A resighting rate of 63.6% of individuals across the 2-year study suggests that at least a portion of the population is probably resident within study regions over long time periods. The largest groups (mean 6.28, range 1–31) were found in open waters and bays despite apparently low predation pressure. Indeed, shark bite scars – likely the result of unsuccessful predation attempts – were conclusively observed on only 1% of individuals. Although further studies are warranted, the high densities of dolphins suggest that they are an important upper trophic level predator in the coastal Everglades, but their ecological importance probably varies in space and time.

Molluscs are subjected to intense harvesting in many areas around the world. Conservation measures have been developed to preserve populations of an overexploited gastropod species, the abalone Haliotis tuberculata coccinea. This species was surveyed in subtidal localities throughout coastal Tenerife, Canary Islands over the last two decades (1994–2014). A clear indicator of non-recovery was observed in the decrease of mean size throughout the last two decades, even after the inclusion of this species in the Regional Catalogue of Endangered Species. The mean size of abalones decreased from 33.5 mm (1994) to 28–29 mm (2002 and 2014), corresponding to sub-adult individuals. The structure of size classes was typical of an overexploited species, with reduced occurrence of large individuals (>50 mm). Several factors might explain this pattern such as illegal harvesting, proliferation of featureless benthos and a decrease of suitable habitats for colonization and settlement. Complementary conservation actions are urgently needed to preserve this species in the area studied.

A collection of more than 1500 specimens of Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from sub-Arctic and Boreal regions along the coast of Norway has been studied. We report 32 species, two of them new to science, belonging to the genera Sphaerosyllis Claparède, 1863 and Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, and 16 new to Norway. Sphaerosyllis tarquei sp. nov. is characterized by having long blades on its compound chaetae and the presence of glands inside the dorsal cirri. Syllis kas sp. nov. was reported, figured and described by Uschakov (1955) as Syllis oerstedi (Malmgren, 1867); however, revision of the types of Chaetosyllis oerstedi reveals that they are sexual stolons of Syllis cornuta Rathke, 1843; this species is characterized by the shape of the spiniger-like chaetae, which are relatively short, distally blunt, with a thin distal spine, and unidentate falcigers some of which have similar spines. We also include descriptions and figures of Parexogone longicirris (Webster & Benedict, 1887) and Syllides longocirrata Ørsted, 1845. Finally we include a key of all reported species in the area.

New Zealand rattail fish are of great interest both to biologists who study their phylogenetics and in fisheries. In contrast, their morphological evolution is little studied and poorly understood. Geometric morphometric methods based on scale shape were applied in this study to determine differences among species and genera. Scale shapes were described using seven landmarks, the coordinates of which were subjected to a generalized Procrustes analysis, followed by a principal components analysis. A cross-validated discriminant analysis was applied to assess and compare the size-shape (centroid size plus shape variables) efficacy in the species and the discrimination of the genera. Two main phenetic groups were identified: cluster no. 1 with eight species and cluster no. 2 with six species. Coelorhinchus aspercephalus and Mesovagus antipodum were more separated from the other species in the first cluster. The cross-validated canonical discriminant analysis correctly classified 74% at the genus level, with most misclassifications occurring between Coelorhinchus and Coryphaenoides, whereas the best classified genera were Mesovagus and Trachyrincus. The discrimination of correctly classified species ranged from 41.2 to 100%. The highest correct classification rates were recorded for Coryphaenoides armatus, Coelorhinchus innotabilis, Trachyrincus longirostris and Mesovagus antipodum.

Very little information is available on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the South-western Atlantic. It is, however, essential in understanding their ecology and to improve conservation management. In this study, habitat use of bottlenose dolphins was examined in Bahía San Antonio, an area frequented by the species. Given the large tidal amplitude and extended intertidal zone in this bay, special focus was given to the intertidal vs subtidal habitat use patterns. Bottlenose dolphins were observed in only half of the surveyed area, with on average 1 dolphin group encountered per 100 km surveyed. All dolphin groups were seen in shallow waters <10 m deep. GLM analyses showed that especially during high tide, depth had an important effect on the dolphin encounter rate, with most dolphin groups encountered in the intertidal zone. While in the intertidal zone, most dolphin groups were observed to be engaged in surface feeding activities. The presented data indicate dolphins remained in shallow waters, and moved to the intertidal zone during high tide where they appear to find feeding opportunities. This information is believed to be of high value in understanding this population's ecological needs, and essential when aiming to improve marine conservation efforts at times of increased anthropogenic pressures in the area.

Saline lagoons are priority habitats in the United Kingdom supporting several protected specialist species. One specialist, the amphipod Gammarus insensibilis, is infected with behaviour-altering microphallid trematodes such as Microphallus papillorobustus. In saline lagoons around the coast of England (Gilkicker and Lymington–Keyhaven on the Hampshire coast and Moulton Marsh in Lincolnshire) there is variation in the prevalence of this parasite in the gammarid populations (0 at Salterns in the Lymington–Keyhaven lagoon system to 98% at Gilkicker). Infection intensity ranged from 0 to 20 metacercariae in individual amphipods. Higher infection intensity can alter the shape of the amphipod's head. Under experimental conditions respiration rate is significantly reduced in infected animals and reproductive output (expressed as early stage embryos mg g dry weight−1) is significantly lower in infected females. It is important to consider the role of host–parasite interactions in order to understand the ecology of specialist lagoon species such as G. insensibilis and their lagoon habitats.

The shanny/common blenny (Lipophrys pholis) and long-spined scorpionfish/bullhead (Taurulus bubalis) are commonly encountered, sympatric species within much of Great Britain's rocky intertidal zones. Despite being prey items of the cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) respectively, and both contributors to the diet of the near-threatened European otter (Lutra lutra), little is known on the population dynamics of the temperate specimens of Great Britain. It is further less known of the degrees of sympatricity between the two fish species and to what extent they are able to coexist. The current study examines spatio-temporal distributions and abundances at various resolutions: monthly population dynamics of both species along England's Yorkshire coast and seasonal population dynamics along the Yorkshire coast and around the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Studies of their abundances, sizes, degrees of rock pool co-occurrence and diel activities are further examined, which indicate coexistence is maintained when interspecific co-occurrence takes place only between specimens of similar sizes, thus demoting size-related dominance hierarchies.

Four species of Pinnotheridae inhabit European marine waters, Afropinnotheres monodi, Nepinnotheres pinnotheres, Pinnotheres pectunculi and Pinnotheres pisum. For these four species there are data available on the morphology of their larval stages as well as DNA markers. This information has allowed us to detect some larvae in plankton samples from the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) that do not belong to any of these European pinnotherid species and to be confirmed by DNA barcoding. In this study these findings are shown as a case of early detection of a newly introduced and unknown species in European marine waters.

Three new species, Hyalopecten vityazi sp. nov., H. abyssalis sp. nov. and H. kurilensis sp. nov., are described from the abyssal and hadal zones of the North-western Pacific. Hyalopecten vityazi was found in the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian trenches at 6090–8100 m depth. It is the most deep-water species of the order Pectinida. Hyalopecten abyssalis and H. kurilensis were found at the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian trenches at 4550–5045 m depth. To date, 13 species of the genus Hyalopecten are known from different regions of the World Ocean. A table with the main differences among all known species in the genus is provided.

The Indian Western continental shelf (IWCS) is amongst the most productive regions of the world, being noteworthy for upwelling (south-west monsoon) and downwelling (north-east monsoon) that tunes the water biogeochemistry. The present study provides baseline information on temporal variation of in situ copepod gut pigments from IWCS. The copepods were collected between November 2011 and October 2013 and gut pigment contents and composition were estimated using the gut fluorescence method. Results revealed that copepods procured high gut pigment content in monsoon that coincided with ambient water pigment credited to discrete upwelling. Fluorometric analyses of copepod orders revealed presence of gut chlorophyll a (Chl a) throughout the study with highest gut Chl a (0.31 ± 0.25 ng copepod−1; N = 21) and total gut pigments (2.01 ± 2.15 ng copepod−1; N = 21) recorded in Calanoida. Consecutively, Calanoida and Poecilostomatoida chiefly consumed autotrophic biomass that was evident from presence of canthaxanthin and astaxanthin as dominant gut pigments. Interestingly, the marker pigment of Cryptophyceae was present only in Calanoida during monsoon and post-monsoon. Collectively these results conclude that copepods predominantly showed omnivory with discrete temporal variability by grazing upon autotrophic biomass that in turn probably supports the fishery.

Genetic diversity and population distribution are influenced by environmental factors, yet information is scarce on the interrelations that define dispersal of populations. Transitional water ecosystems are hosting habitats with temporally and spatially variable conditions, which make them very useful in understanding the mechanisms affecting population establishment. For the study, seasonal samples were collected from four lagoons in the lagoonal complex of Amvrakikos Gulf (W Greece). The mitochondrial DNA (COI gene) was analysed from polychaetes of Nephtys hombergii, as it is considered an important component of these assemblages and shows great dispersal ability. The results of the genetic analysis showed intraspecific variability in all the lagoons, with genetic structuring tending to follow a seasonal pattern rather than a spatial one. The results of BIOENV analysis indicated correlation of the observed pattern with the water pH levels, the redox potential and the concentration of phosphate in the sediment. The complexity of the network suggested the enhancement of the local population with more recently established haplotypes. The findings of the study support the necessity of designing management strategies by taking into account genetic diversity and population demography approaches in addition to those based on species and habitats.

Two new species of Clausidium copepods were collected on the bodies of ghost shrimps from the Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman. Clausidium makranensis sp. nov. and Clausidium sarii sp. nov. are described from the large chelipeds of Neocallichirus natalensis and Corallianassa martensi, respectively. Clausidium makranensis sp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners by the unique anal somite that is armed with sclerotized hooks on each side. Clausidium sarii sp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the armature and shape of leg 5.

In this paper we describe a new genus and a new species of Chiridotidae based on specimens collected in shallow water off the South-eastern Brazilian coast. Gymnopipina ikamiaba gen. nov. et sp. nov. is characterized by the complete absence of dermal ossicles in the body, and it differs from the other ossicleless apodids in the number of tentacles and of Polian vesicles, and in the morphology of the calcareous ring. Although not formally tested with a phylogenetic framework, apodids have apparently lost their dermal ossicles multiple times. If these reversions hold true, Gymnopipina gen. nov. represents the fourth independent loss of dermal ossicles in the class Holothuroidea. An identification key to the Brazilian apodid species is also provided.

Pseudapocryptes elongatus is one of the oxudercine gobies, which show varying degrees of amphibious behaviour and capacities to breathe air. There is little information on the early life history of P. elongatus, particularly of their morphology and larval habitat and duration. This study focused on the life history of larval and juvenile stages of P. elongatus investigated by genetic species identification, morphological observation and otolith analyses using specimens collected in June and October 2012 from estuaries in Bac Liêu Province, southern Vietnam (09°14′N 105°43′E). Genetically identified juvenile P. elongatus were characterized by (1) a slender body form, (2) the anterior edges of both the anal and second dorsal fins located at the midpoint along the body axis, (3) scarce chromatophores over the body surface, (4) melanophores in the parietal region between the eyes, and (5) a single row of melanophores along the base of the anal fin. Mean age at recruitment to estuaries was 38.0 ± 4.1 days, and otolith Sr/Ca ratios ranged from 8.9 to 9.9 mmol mol−1, suggesting that larval migration from their spawning sites requires more than 1 month in saline environments.

Mytilaster minimus is widely distributed along the rocky intertidal of much of the Mediterranean's coastline and the Adriatic Sea. Populations are, however, threatened by the Lessepsian invader Brachidontes pharaonis that occupies the same habitat and is more tolerant of environmental extremes. This is the first study of the anatomy of M. minimus in relation to its evolution and adaptations towards an intertidal life on the karsted limestone shores that characterize much of the Mediterranean. In most anatomical respects M. minimus is a typical mytilid but is small (<16 mm shell length) and, post-juvenile, greatly deformed concomitant with its niche of colonizing pits in the karsted rocks. It is thus generally squatter, that is, dorso-ventrally flattened, laterally expanded and antero-posteriorly foreshortened in comparison with M. galloprovincialis. A pair of statocysts has been identified in the visceral mass. Most interest, however, resides in the fact the posterior byssal retractor muscles, like the shell, are foreshortened to comprise one paired block and the posterior pedal retractor muscles are situated beneath these not anterior to them as in other mytilids. These adaptations equip M. minimus for a compressed, squat, life in the intertidal karst. In addition to competition from the introduced B. pharaonis in the Mediterranean, M. minimus is facing competitive exclusion from the native Mytilus galloprovincialis that, as a result of intensive and increasing mariculture, is coming to dominate Croatian shorelines. This study is, therefore, prescient in laying the foundations for future research on what is becoming a threatened native Mediterranean species.

Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus spp.) are prominent sessile organisms inhabiting hermatypic corals in tropical and sub-tropical reefs. Until recently, most of the larger Spirobranchus species were considered to be in obligatory associations with live hermatypic corals. However, recent studies indicate that some Spirobranchus species can build tubes on artificial substrate as well and that others may show preferences for using specific species of corals and hydrozoans as substrates. In the present study, we conducted a survey of Spirobranchus spp. substrate preference in the Gulf of Eilat. We found seven morphotaxa of Spirobranchus, of which two may be a single new species. We show that Spirobranchus taxa differ not only in their morphology, but also in their substrate use. Our results demonstrate that the ecological niche of Spirobranchus is species-specific, and a putative innate preference exists for some substrates.

Reproductive cycles were studied in seven natural populations of the intertidal bivalve Perumytilus purpuratus, distributed in a latitudinal gradient of ~2400 km along the Chilean Pacific coast (20–40°S). The results, both qualitative (gametogenic stages) and quantitative (GSI and GVF), over a period of 24 months, showed that these populations presented asynchrony in the reproductive cycle. Semi-annual cycles in Iquique (20°S), Antofagasta (23°S) and Montemar (32°S), and annual cycles in Caleta Bolfin (23°S), Taltal (25°S), Tumbes (36°S) and Pucatrihue (40°S) (2010–2012) were found. The results indicate that latitude does not have an effect on the development stage, but it does on the spawning date. However, there is a relationship between the reproductive cycles and temperature fluctuations. In addition, there was a significant negative linear correlation between gonadosomatic index and sea surface temperature in the populations studied. The decrease in temperature reduces the rate of development stages and, therefore, increases the reproductive cycles from semi-annual to annual, as evidenced in bivalve samples from Taltal, along a semi-decadal period (2007–2012). From these results, we discuss the likely biological and ecosystem consequences in connection to the effects of climate change in the South Pacific.

The Arabian Gulf is one of the most heavily impacted water bodies raising serious concerns about the conservation status of many marine species. A limited coastal range and near-shore distribution make Indian Ocean humpback dolphins particularly vulnerable to mortality and traumatic injuries from heavy maritime traffic and gill-netting practices. Prior to the present study, no research had focused on the ecology of this species in the Arabian Gulf, despite the potential for human impacts. The mark–recapture method of photo-identification, undertaken during 55 boat-based surveys conducted between 2014 and 2015, was used to assess the occurrence, abundance and use of habitat of this endangered species along the coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE). In all, 368 h and 6703 km of observation were carried out over a period of 5 months, and 54 encounters were made with humpback dolphins. The group size ranged from 1 to 24 individuals and group composition showed that 79% of the observed dolphins were adults. Abundance estimates were calculated and fitted with open population models. A review of all available data indicates that the studied population is the largest reported in the world with 701 (95% CI = 473–845) individuals. While their occurrence within Abu Dhabi near-shore waters is frequent, the survey area appears to be only a part of a much larger home range for this humpback dolphin population. The observation of multiple threats derived from anthropogenic activities increases our concerns regarding the conservation of this important dolphin population.

This is the first study of the metabolic enzyme activity and energy state of the dwarf oyster Ostrea stentina (Payraudeau, 1826) in Tunisia and in the Mediterranean region. The main purpose of this study was to examine the modulation of the physiological status of the oyster O. stentina depending on the season and the presence of parasite Marteilia refringens. The prevalence of bonamiosis and marteiliosis were established by PCR. Bonamia exitiosa was detected only in 2.91% of oysters while the prevalence of M. refringens was 100% (30 Ind./30) in February and 93.93% (28 Ind./30) in March. A 42–87% mortality rate was reported during the study period. Biochemical analyses were carried out to evaluate the management of the energy resources in regard to the biochemical changes of lipids and carbohydrates. The enzyme activity of pyruvate kinase (PK), citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) were measured and the mean level of enzyme activity was respectively 20.31 mU mg−1 protein; 12.06 mU mg−1 protein and 3.59 mU mg−1 protein. Carbohydrate contents of O. stentina were very low all year round with an average of 15.18% in dry weight, and lipid contents remain similar (11.77% in dry weight) compared with the values reported for most other temperate bivalves. Enzyme activity significantly decreased over time (P < 0.001). The energy resources of the oyster O. stentina wherein much of the energy was devoted to reproduction seem to affect the defence system.