Mustelus schmitti (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) studied in the present work were caught incidentally in the shrimp fishery of the south of Bahía Engaño (Patagonia, Argentina). This bay is a shallow water, high productivity coastal area where shrimps and small fish are abundant throughout the warmer months. Young of M. schmitti are found in the bay from late spring to mid autumn. The analysis of stomach contents showed that the young feed mainly on crustaceans; the shrimp Artemesia longinaris being the main prey item. The bay serves as a nursery area for M. schmitti, and the length range and umbilical scars present in all the specimens studied revealed that the individuals were newborns.At Bahía Engaño, fishing trawls in the intertidal and surf zone are common, and ∼80% of the total number of species caught is considered as by-catch. The newborns and juvenile M. schmitti are an important element of this by-catch. Since the reproductive potential of the smoothhound shark is low, the protection of these newborns and juveniles from fishing pressure is of great importance.

This paper reports on the distribution of epifaunal hydroids associated with deep-sea corals collected from the boreal north-west Atlantic. Thirteen hydroid species were collected from only four coral specimens, suggesting that northern corals support highly diverse epifaunal communities.

Sixty-eight tides were sampled consecutively to study the retention of fish larvae transported into estuaries. The experiment was conducted at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, USA, in March 1996. The inlet is primarily tide-driven and meteorological forcing has a minor influence. Four species of winter-spawning fish were abundant in the samples: Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus; Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus; spot, Leiostomus xanthurus; and pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. Across-shore winds significantly affected flow and physico-chemical characteristics of the water. Across-shore winds also positively influenced the larval retention provided larvae did not present a clear tidal rhythm of vertical migration within the water column and that winds pushed in the water during flood tides. The retention of larvae migrating vertically in respect to the direction of the flow was independent of meteorological forcing of the water.

The biological characteristics of Elysia subornata (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) were studied in an aquarium to assess its risks and chance of success as a potential biological control agent against the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea. This species feeds only on Caulerpa and has benthic larval development. Dietary switching is possible on some Mediterranean Caulerpales but feeding on other algae and sea grass is unlikely. The main limiting factor for the success of studied Caribbean strain of E. subornata are the Mediterranean winter temperatures which are lethal for that species. For the five months of the year which are favourable for feeding, growth and reproduction, the tested strain of E. subornata cannot reach a population density capable of controlling C. taxifolia.

The main prey species in the summer (July–September) diets of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) on the Island of Mousa (Shetland, UK), 1994–1997, were whiting (Merlangius merlangus), herring (Clupea harengus), sandeel (Ammodytidae) and garfish (Belone belone). Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) was numerically important but comprised no more than 11% of prey weight in any year. There were marked between-year fluctuations in the relative importance of these prey, with whiting comprising 16–34% (by weight) of the diet, herring 12–28%, sandeels 7–18% and garfish 7–22%. Additional data on spring (April–June) diet were available for 1995–1997: sandeels were the most important prey (% weight) in all three years (51–60% of the diet), while herring (8–48%) and gadids (2–22%) varied in importance. The average size of fish eaten was larger than that reported in comparable studies from other areas. Harbour seals appear to have selected larger sandeels, whiting and Norway pout than the average size available in the area, as indicated by survey trawls, although between-year changes in the size of Norway pout in the diet did to some extent reflect availability. Interannual variation in the importance of Norway pout in the diet appeared to track trends in abundance, although the short time series precluded detection of a statistically significant correlation. Thus, some of our results are consistent with harbour seals feeding opportunistically while others point to selectivity, particularly for prey size. Estimated consumption of fish by the 500 harbour seals on Mousa during summer ranged from 152–195 tonnes.

The metazoan parasites of 101 lesser-spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula from locations off the coast of England (Plymouth and the eastern Solent) and Wales (Cardigan Bay) were surveyed and assessed for their potential as stock discrimination tools.  A total of ten parasite species was found using a relatively rapid host examination technique suitable for non-parasitologists. On the basis of established criteria, larval anisakid nematodes and the copepod Lernaeopoda galei were selected as being potentially useful as stock discrimination tools. The monogeneans Leptocotyle minor and Hexabothrium appendiculatum may be suitable as markers following further investigation of their response to handling stress.

In 1999 divers discovered a population of the burrowing mantis shrimp Rissoides (Meiosquilla) desmaresti (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) east of the St Tudwal's Islands, North Wales. This species has only sporadically been recorded in UK waters and commonly occurs in the Mediterranean. In summer 2000 the burrow morphology and distribution of these shrimps in the area east of the St Tudwal's Islands was investigated. Burrows were found at ten of the 15 sites investigated in a survey area measuring ∼18 km2. Burrow density varied from one to 11 burrows per 100 m2. The burrows were always recorded in sediments consisting of a mixture of mud, sand and gravel but were not present at sites with a high proportion of mud (>70%) or sandy sediments with very little mud ([les ]2%). Resin casts of six burrows revealed that these have a simple elongated U-shape, with an average length of ∼450 mm and depth of ∼160 mm. The average diameter of the burrow entrance was 19±2 mm and the diameter of the burrow along the horizontal section varied between 18 and 38 mm with a distinct constriction part way along.

Six hundred and seventy nine specimens of Platichthys flesus (L.) were caught in summer (July–September) 1998 and 1999 from three regions of the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea: the Gulf of Gdańsk, the Pomeranian Bay and the open sea off Łeba. The biometric measurements (length, weight, age) and sex of the specimens were recorded. The specimens were examined for occurrence of parasites. The intensity, relative density and prevalence of infection were calculated.

Since the degree of syphonal opening can be an index of the pumping activity, the shape and the surface of syphon openings in Mya arenaria were filmed with an underwater camera at two stations in the middle of the intertidal zone. The individuals were perpendicularly oriented to the main current direction or parallel with the inhalant syphon upstream during flood tide, causing refiltration risks during ebb tide. The surface of the inhalant opening (SI) was strongly reduced with increasing current speeds. Its shape (XI) varied with the individual's orientation and had a tendency to become more circular with time. The surface of the exhalant opening (SE) decreased and its shape (XE) flattened with increasing current velocity and with time. However, variations of XI and XE were weak. Current direction had no significant effect on SI, SE, and XE, but did cause a strong decrease of the SE/SI ratio during ebb in individuals exposed to important refiltration risks during ebb tide. Significant negative correlations between stomach content in phaeopigments and SI and SE suggest that a syphonal constriction could contribute to more efficient feeding. For parallel oriented individuals, the decreases of SE, SE/SI, and XE during ebb can then be interpreted as an attempt to deviate or increase the excurrent velocity relative to the incurrent so as to limit refiltration. We suggest that decreases in opening surface and shape may serve, above all, to increase syphon current jet velocity in syphonate bivalves.

With this note we contribute to the discussion on the appropriate level of taxonomic resolution required in benthic monitoring studies. In a set of multivariate analyses using data from different taxonomic levels and various data transformations we show that similar results are obtained on the levels of species to families, almost irrespective of the transformation used. For taxonomic levels above that of orders, transformation results in different plots and especially presence/absence transformation reduces the discrimination of sites. We recommend guiding the choice of transformation by biological considerations and adjusting the taxonomic sufficiency to the objective of each study.

The effect of aerial drying of biofilmed surfaces to simulate a tidal emersion upon the settlement preferences of spirorbid and bryozoan larvae was investigated using choice experiments with still water conditions carried out in the laboratory. Aerial drying of biofilmed slates and pieces of Fucus serratus for 1 h at 20°C negated their usual settlement-inducing properties to larvae of Spirorbis spirorbis, S. tridentatus and Flustrellidra hispida. Such larval settlement preference may contribute to observed variations in the natural distribution of these species in the intertidal.

Depth patterns of size and abundance in a pelagic bristlemouth fish Cyclothone pallida (Stomiformes: Gonostomatidae) are reported. Sampling was conducted during the day and night at two sites in the Bahamas using a Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Electronic Sensing System (MOCNESS). All samples show peak abundance in the 500–700 m depth range irrespective of time or sampling location. The mean and variance of body length increased with depth, and size–depth patterns do not significantly differ among samples. Results suggest that these populations of C. pallida do not exhibit diel vertical migration.

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias and narrowmouth catshark Schroederichthys bivius are the only two shark species commonly inhabiting the Falkland Islands shelf. The present study was undertaken to investigate their feeding habits and possible dietary overlap between the species. The diet of the spiny dogfish was dominated by Falkland herring Sprattus fuegensis and squid Loligo gahi, though it also preyed on a wide range of other fish and invertebrates. Catsharks showed a preference for invertebrates. The diet of both species showed marked variations with season, and ontogenic shifts were also evident. Dietary overlap was minimal in winter (15·4%) and maximal in spring (61·1%), the latter being due to both species preying upon spawning aggregations of S. fuegensis.

There are sporadic records of Thia scutellata from Carmarthen Bay, Cardigan Bay and off the north coast of Wales. Relative scarcity of this small burrowing crab is probably due to habitat specialization. It lives in loose very well sorted medium sand, as typically found in parts of sand waves.

The morphology of the cells during spermatogenesis in Amiantis umbonella (Mollusca: Bivalvia) was investigated from collections made between November 1997 and January 1999. Each stage is described and prominent features noted. The mature spermatozoan is primitive, lacking an apical rod, having a cylindrical-curved nucleus and a cone-like acrosomal complex bearing distally two swollen bulb-like terminals connected by thin, curved threads. Spermatozoa have a single flagellum and five (rarely six) mitochondria at the base of the nucleus.

A new version of a technique, based on telemetric devices, to monitor temporal aspects of the activity of homing species of limpets and the parallel recording of sea level oscillations is described. The home/away status of individual limpets was continually assessed by means of a magnetic reed switch. Signals from the reed sensors were transmitted to a distant automatic scanner/receiver, located away from the shoreline. The system can be easily replicated and employed for extensive long-lasting monitoring in the field, even in those cases where previous versions, based on cable connections, were unsuitable.

To evaluate the potential for sediment reworking of two deposit-feeder polychaetes, daily sediment expelled per single worm has been estimated in laboratory experiments on 20 specimens of Nainerislaevigata and 20 of Notomastus latericeus. Both species showed very low values of daily sediment expelled especially when compared to literature data concerning other polychaetes. In both species reworking response was correlated to the dry weight of the worms and appeared higher in Nainerislaevigata, displaying the largest biomass. This species also revealed a greater mobility in situ than Notomastus latericeus which could be considered more as a tube dweller than a burrower.

This study deals with the associated fauna of Sabellaria alveolata (Annelida: Polychaeta) colonies on the central coast of Portugal. Samples were collected on two shores, Magoito and Avencas and a total of 137 taxa were found on both shores. In qualitative terms, χ2-test shows significant differences between shores. In Magoito crustaceans are the most abundant associated fauna while in Avencas polychaetes are the most abundant. Relative biomass and abundance per kg of sediment is much higher in eroded colonies than in developed ones and diversity seems to increase with reduced wave action.

Aspects of the reproductive biology of two exploited deep water sharks, Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centrophorus squamosus were investigated, based on trawl and longline surveys of the continental slopes and commercial samples from fishing vessels. Gravid Centrophorus squamosus were totally absent from this area, but analysis of uterine width data showed that small numbers of post-natal females were present. Mature males and pre-ovulatory females predominated in the middle of the bathymetric range for both species, indicating that mating occurs at these depths. Gravid Centroscymnus coelolpeis occurred only in waters shallower than 1200 m, though peak abundance of the species was between 1300 and 1400 m. There was no obvious bathymetric segregation of male Centrophorus squamosus, contrary to Centroscymnus coelolepis, where immature males occurred deeper than 1100 m, and the proportion of mature males increased up-slope. Centroscymnus coelolepis apportions twice the resources to gonadal tissue as Centrophorus squamosus. Hepatosomatic index declined during vitellogenesis in Centroscymnus coelolepis. Both species have low reproductive outputs and commercial exploitation should proceed with caution.

Data on stomach contents of ten bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded and by-caught around Scotland (UK) between 1990 and 1999 are presented. Although the species is resident in the Moray Firth (north-east Scotland), little previous information exists on the feeding habits of the species in Scottish waters. Cod (Gadus morhua), saithe (Pollachius virens) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) were found to be the main prey eaten although several other fish species were also found, including salmon (Salmo salar) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), and also cephalopods.