Four microsatellite loci in the razor clam Solen marginatus are described. Loci were isolated from the sequences of intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and an enriched library. Detailed analysis of these sequences led to the design of eight primer pairs. Allelic variation was assessed in 20 individuals from Redondela, Spain. The genetic variation observed in the markers presented here will be useful for future studies on the population structure of Solen marginatus in the wild and for aquaculture of this species.

Depredation by cetaceans and sharks on longline fisheries is a global issue that can have negative impacts on both animals and fisheries and has concerned researchers, managers and the fishing industry. Nevertheless, detailed information on depredation is only available for a few regions where the problem exists. With the purpose of evaluating killer whale depredation on longline-caught tuna (Thunnus spp.) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the waters off southern and south-eastern Brazil and comparing it to shark depredation, data sheets were distributed to the captains of tuna vessels in Santos, south-eastern Brazil, between 1993 and 1995. Data on the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of tuna and swordfish and some records of interactions were also obtained from fishing vessel logbooks. Dockside interviews with fishermen and with researchers on board tuna vessels provided additional information. Killer whale and shark interactions were analysed per longline set and per trip. Killer whale interactions occurred from June to February, mainly between June and October, while shark interactions occurred year round. The number of sets and trips involving shark interactions was significantly higher than the number of sets and trips involving killer whale interactions. However, when depredation occurred, the proportion of fish damaged by killer whales was significantly higher than by sharks. Furthermore, killer whales removed or damaged significantly more hooked swordfish than hooked tuna, whereas sharks damaged significantly more hooked tuna than swordfish. This study also shows that cetacean by-catch is experienced by the tuna and swordfish longline fishery in Brazilian waters.

Seasonality of the reproductive cycle for Cancer pagurus was determined using three biological indicators: extruding sperm plugs (mating period), extrusion of eggs (spawning period) and presence of empty egg capsules (hatching period). Sperm plugs were found only in recently moulted females, indicating that mating coincides with moulting periods. Cancer pagurus mating indicators were observed during the summer months and into autumn; spawning occurred in winter, and broods were hatching throughout the summer into early autumn. Size at maturity, was assessed using a variety of reproductive and morphometric criteria; estimates from reproductive criteria are generally larger than those from morphometric criteria and these differences are often indicative of ‘functional’ vs ‘behavioural’ maturity. In C. pagurus, size at maturity estimates ranged from 101.6–125.0 mm carapace width (CW) in males and 110.7–147.3 mm CW in females; the sizes at functional maturity proposed are larger than those from morphometric indicators.

Recent molecular studies have shown that the sponge order Haploslcerida is polyphyletic as the freshwater sponges appear to be more closely related to other demosponges than they are to the marine haplosclerids. Within the marine haplosclerid clade relationships viewed via 18S and 28S rRNA gene phylogenies suggest that the suborders and many families and genera are also polyphyletic. However, both of these genes are on the same locus and do not evolve completely independently. We have analysed mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase 1 gene fragments from 44 species of marine Haplosclerida and show conclusively that the classification of this group needs complete revision. Molecular data show a very complicated phylogeny supporting very few morphological hypotheses and little geographical pattern. However, the molecular data contain a great deal of phylogenetic signal at many taxonomic levels and support phylogenies drawn from the other genes.

Fish landing site surveys in eastern Indonesia, conducted between April 2001 and March 2006, recorded seven species of lamnoid sharks (order Lamniformes) belonging to four families. Of these, Alopiidae were most abundant in the landings, with Alopias pelagicus contributing ~13% to the total biomass of all sharks recorded. Single specimens of both Carcharias taurus and Odontaspis ferox represent the first confirmed records of these two odontaspid species from Indonesian waters. The length at first maturity (L50) of females and males of Alopias pelagicus were 2853 and 2468 mm total length (TL), respectively, and size at birth was 1300–1440 mm TL. Pregnant females of both A. pelagicus and A. superciliosus had litters of only two embryos (one per uterus) that were confirmed to be oophagous, but not adelphophagous. Females and males of Pseudocarcharias kamoharai matured at 870–1030 and ~725 mm TL, respectively, and size at birth was 360–450 mm TL. Pregnant females contained four embryos (two per uterus) which were oophagous, but unlikely to be adelphophagous. Males of Isurus oxyrinchus and I. paucus matured at ~1860 and 2050– 2281 mm TL, respectively. These are the first biological data reported on lamnoid sharks in Indonesian waters.

We report here the first observation of intersexuality in a land hermit crab (Coenobitidae). Three species of land hermit crabs from Okinawa were investigated. In the population of the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita rugosus two per cent of males were found to be intersex. Besides the true male gonopores on the coxae of the 5th pair of pereopods, they had additional openings on the coxae of the 3rd pair of pereopods. Both specimens examined had a normally developed male reproductive system. In the populations of two other species studied, C. brevimanus and C. purpureus, however, no intersex individuals have been found. Examples of intersexuality in decapod crustaceans are discussed and putative explanations of this phenomenon in land hermit crabs are proposed.

Presence and habitat preference of two pelagic fish species—Mola mola and Ranzania laevis—are investigated from all available records obtained in the Adriatic from 1781 up to today. Absence of systematic investigations is overcome by relating their occurrences to the long-term meteorological and oceanographic data sets representing local conditions and processes. Seasonal and interannual distributions of these two species are significantly different and point to a possible different causes of their appearance. On the seasonal scale almost all findings of M. mola, with only a few exceptions, are from the warm part of the year, whereas R. laevis is appearing throughout the year with the highest number of individuals in December. Analysis of the interannual meteorological and oceanographic conditions indicates that occurrence of M. mola coincides with the sea warming, whereas the oceanographic conditions favourable for appearance of R. laevis are more complex and could be related to the abrupt change in the large scale atmospheric conditions. Changeable atmospheric conditions coincided with increased productivity in the Adriatic and increased number of zooplankton and small pelagic fish, which are the main food for R. laevis.

Since the rate of global climate change began to accelerate in the 1980s, the coastal seas of Britain have warmed by up to 1°C. Locations close to the northern range edges of a southern trochid gastropod Osilinus lineatus in Britain previously surveyed in the 1950s and 1980s were resurveyed during 2002–2004 to determine whether changes in the success of near-limit populations had occurred during the period of climate warming. Between the 1980s and the 2000s, the range limits had extended by up to 55 km. Populations sampled over a latitudinal extent of 4 degrees from northern limits towards the centre of the range showed synchronous increases in abundance throughout the years sampled, suggesting a large-scale factor such as climate was driving the observed changes. These increases in abundance and changes in range limits are likely to have occurred via increased recruitment success in recent years.

Recent phylogenetic analyses of demosponges have suggested that the order Poecilosclerida is monophyletic and nested within the paraphyletic ‘order’ Hadromerida. Until now, this result has rested upon very limited taxon sampling of SSU sequences and partial LSU sequences. We collected and analysed additional full-length SSU and LSU sequences to test the validity and position of the poecilosclerid/hadromerid clade within demosponges, and we sampled a short segment of the LSU from diverse hadromerids to explore the internal relationships of Hadromerida. Our data strongly support the existence of a hadromerid/poecilosclerid clade that is sister to a poorly characterized group of halichondrid and agelasid species (‘Clade C’). We find support for the monophyly of the hadromerid families Polymastiidae, Placospongiidae and Timeidae, and conditional support for the family Suberitidae. Furthermore, both LSU and SSU data support a clade that includes a mixture of species assigned to the families Tethyidae and Hemiasterellidae (TETH/HEM) and a mixed clade including members of the families Clionaidae and Spirastrellidae (CLIO/SPIR). The family Placospongiidae is reconstructed as sister to the clade CLIO/SPIR and the family Timeidae is supported as sister to the clade TETH/HEM. The order Poecilosclerida is most closely allied with the Placospongiidae/CLIO/SPIR clade.

Material collected during surveys of the Atlantic Frontier Margin (north-east Atlantic) in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002 includes ten species of the cumacean family Lampropidae belonging to three genera. A new species of the genus Hemilamprops, H. pterini, is described. Hemilamprops cristatus is partially re-illustrated from specimens sent to A.M. Norman by G.O. Sars. A key to the North Atlantic species of Hemilamprops is provided. A new species of the genus Mesolamprops, M. hartleyi, is described from the Atlantic Frontier Margin and the North Sea. The first record of Mesolamprops denticulatus from the Atlantic is reported. A key to the species of Mesolamprops is provided. Two species of the genus Platysympus were also found. A list of other lampropid species found in the Atlantic Frontier Margin is given.

Local dive shop operators and fishermen report that rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) are frequently encountered off the coast of Utila, Honduras, (16°05'46.5"N 86°55'47.8"W). Our observations suggest that at least some of these animals may constitute a resident population, although the extent of the resident group's home range has not been determined. Twenty-eight rough-toothed dolphins were identified using photo-identification techniques, 15 of which were re-sighted on two or more occasions. The 12 animals that were re-sighted four or more times were typically seen together, suggesting that they constitute a stable social group. At least one of these dolphins is an adult male, and his continued presence in this social group may reflect a social structure for rough-toothed dolphins that differs from that described for other dolphin species. Social interactions often involved tactile behaviours such as pectoral fin rubbing and side rubbing. The observed dolphins sometimes expressed interest in the research vessel and other boats by approaching, and on separate occasions examined a hydrophone and slow moving propeller visually and echoically. Overall, our behavioural observations suggest: (1) synchronous behaviours and ‘tight’ groupings are common while rough-toothed dolphins are travelling; (2) tactile contact is an important aspect of social interactions for rough-toothed dolphins; (3) cooperative behaviour occurs during play; and (4) rough-toothed dolphins are curious.

The seasonality of sexual reproduction was studied in three photosymbiotic Trididemnum species, T. miniatum, T. clinides and T. nubilum, inhabiting the same site. In all species, the colonies lacked gonads and/or embryos during the cold season, while gonads were found in most colonies for several months in the warm season. There were some interspecific differences in the duration of the breeding season. Although water temperature is thought to be the principal factor confining sexual reproduction in these photosymbiotic ascidians, other factors, e.g. precipitation, potentially affect fecundity.

A total of 245 individuals from a population of the endemic Bermuda killifish Fundulus bermudae in an isolated anchialine pond (Mangrove Lake) were trapped between November 2004 and November 2005. Laboratory analysis of gonad development allowed determination of the seasonal reproductive cycles of both females and males. A distinctive annual pattern was evident, with female and male gonadal cycles synchronous throughout the study period. The results indicate that the F. bermudae males and females began their spawning season in February, but reached primary peaks in May and June respectively. Gonadal indices abruptly fell after June and continued to fall at a steady rate until September, marking the end of the spawning season. Gonad recrudescence, as indicated by basal gonad indices, occurred in September and lasted throughout the autumn and early winter months.

We collected data on the distribution of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Bay of Fundy, Canada from a whale-watching vessel during commercial tours between July and September 2002. A single observer recorded the positions, species, numbers and surface activity of whales encountered during boat tours. We controlled for biased search effort by calculating sightings rates for both species in cells measuring 2′ latitude by 2′ longitude throughout the study area. Sightings rates were calculated by dividing the number of sightings of fin and minke whales in each cell by the number of visits by the tour boat to that cell. We used generalized additive models and generalized linear models to examine the influence of benthic topography on whale distribution patterns. Models showed a non-linear relationship for minke whale sighting rates with increasing benthic slopes and a linear relationship for minke and fin whale sightings rates with increasing water depth. Sightings of minkes were concentrated in areas subject to tidal wakes near the northern tips of Grand Manan and Campobello Island. Fin whales were also found off the northern tip of Grand Manan but sighting rates for this species were highest in areas with less benthic sloping topography adjacent to the relatively deep Owen Basin. Foraging was recorded during 87% of all whale encounters and our results indicate that whale distribution in this area is likely to be influenced by depth, bottom topography and fine scale oceanographic features that facilitate foraging.

We show in this paper that amphioxus (Branchiostoma lanceolatum) is capable of collecting sub-micron particles on its mucous filter. This is made by an endostyle in some respects simpler than those of tunicates, and that unlike the filters in tunicates, the strands of the amphioxus filter are sticky. It therefore does not act simply as a sieve.

Three species of sponges, Axinella aruensis, Phakellia sp. and Acanthella cavernosa, were selected to investigate the extent of intragenomic variation (IGV) in the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of the ribosomal DNA within the order Halichondrida. The IGV was detected in both the spacers and in the three species. At least three non-identical sequences were found in any single individual with the number of polymorphic sites within species ranging from 6 to 77. Uncorrected distance values up to 29% were observed in the ITS-2 of Axinella aruensis. The levels of polymorphism found in this species are the highest reported for Porifera and comparable to those observed in hybrid species of scleractinean corals. Analyses of ITS sequences from multiple clones from individuals of Halichondrida are strongly recommended if these genetic markers are to be used to depict phylogenetic and/or phylogeographic relationships of closely related species and their populations. Data from other nuclear and mitochondrial markers should be used to complement conclusions derived from studies based on ITS sequences.

The growth and the reproductive cycle of Littorina littorea were investigated in the Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, a country cited as the southern limit of the species distribution in Europe. Littorina littorea growth is well represented by the von Bertalanffy equation SH=24.6[1-e-0.69(t-0.70)] where SH is the shell height (distance from shell apex to the basis of the aperture measured in mm) and t is the number of winters: after periwinkles have reached a mean SH of 4.6 mm in their first winter they grow progressively to about 14.6 mm, 19.6 mm, 22.1 mm and 23.4 mm in the following four years and they attain the asymptotic mean maximum SH of 24.6 mm at the tenth year if they survive. Ripening of the gonads occurred from October to May but was more intense from December to February, whereas spawning extended from January to May in females and November to May in males. There was a seasonal shedding of the male penis at the end of the breeding season (summer) accompanying regression of the testis.

Light microscopy and extracellular electrophysiology were used to investigate eye structure and visual physiology of the hyperiid amphipod Scina crassicornis, a mesopelagic species that emits unusually short-wavelength luminescence (λmax=435–444 nm). The overall eye morphology is most similar to some previously described deep-dwelling amphipods, though not other hyperiids. Electroretinograms suggest that S. crassicornis possesses a relatively sensitive eye with slow temporal dynamics, and a monochromatic visual system (λmax=472 nm). Vision in S. crassicornis is well-suited for life in mesopelagic waters, and its short-wavelength luminescence does not play a role in intraspecific sexual signalling.

This study used classification and regression trees (CART) to investigate and compare the habitat preferences of marine mammals in this area. Data were collected in early summer (June/July) in 2004 and 2005 and the distribution of marine mammal species was compared to 10 ecogeographic variables (EGVs). Of 13 species of marine mammals sighted during the study, there were sufficient sightings to examine the habitat preferences of seven. For all species a measure of ‘shelf tendency’ (distance to coast or water depth) was an important variable and the species could be separated into two groups, the deep-water species and the shelf species, with little overlap between them. The occurrence of both deep-water species (long-finned pilot whales and Atlantic white-sided dolphins) was also related to dynamic variables such as sea surface temperature (SST) or primary productivity. Two of the shelf species (northern minke whales and grey seals) were only linked to topographic variables and were limited to quite specific habitats. A third species (harbour porpoise) was primarily related to topographic variables, but in the shallowest waters was also related to local variation in SST. The occurrence of the final two species (common and white-beaked dolphins) was linked to SST and local primary productivity. However, while both species preferentially occurred in areas with higher productivity, the two species differed in their preference for SST, with common dolphins preferentially occurring in warmer waters and white-beaked dolphins in colder waters.

The amphipod fauna from habitats in hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Escabana Trough, and Gorda Ridge and from experimental wood deployments is examined. The material revealed one new species of Melitidae, Bathyceradocus wuzzae, and one of Eusiridae, Leptamphopus fragilis.