A single specimen of paper bubble shell, Hydatina zonata was collected in trawl catches at a depth of 30 m off Koyyam, Bay of Bengal. A literature review on the distribution of this species revealed that this is the first report of H. zonata from the north-east coast of India. A note on the morphological features of this specimen is detailed in this paper.

Potential host species were searched for decapod crustaceans along the coasts of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. On five species of sea anemones checked, nine species of decapods were encountered. On three species of black coral checked, two decapod species were encountered. On six species of gorgonians checked, three species of decapods were encountered. In nine species of bivalves and one species of gastropod checked, one decapod species was encountered. On three sea urchin species checked, three decapod species were encountered. A further seven potential host species investigated did not have macroscopically visible symbiotic decapods. Four of these 18 symbiotic decapod species represent new records for the State of Espírito Santo, five species represent new records for Brazil, and at least one species (probably three) were new for science. The sea anemone Condylactis gigantea harboured the largest number of symbionts (eight species) and the shrimp Neopontonides sp. occurred on the largest number of hosts (four different species of gorgonians).

The present paper reports the first record of one antennarid species from the Gulf of Oman and the second record of another frogfish from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman. The record of Antennarius coccineus is a north-eastern extension of its distribution in Omani waters. Antennarius indicus was recorded for the second time from the Arabian Sea coasts of Oman.

Two specimens of Solenogastres belonging to the family Pruvotinidae recorded from the western Irish Sea are presented. Despite their immature state, they are described due to the poor knowledge of the Solenogastres fauna in that biogeographical area. One specimen can be defined as a new species tentatively classified within the genus Gephyroherpia Salvini-Plawen: G.(?) triangulata sp. nov. The second specimen probably represents a juvenile of Eleutheromenia sp.

This study examined epibionts on three species of sea turtles (loggerhead, green and hawksbill) obtained in Japanese waters as bycatch, strandings, or landings for breeding. Species diversity of barnacle epibionts on sea turtles appears to be affected by the behaviour and foraging habitat of the turtles. Green and hawksbill turtles are found in neritic areas all year round, while loggerhead turtles are found in inshore areas only during the breeding season in Japan. The turtle barnacle Cylindrolepas sinica is found on green and hawksbill turtles frequently, but occurrence on the loggerhead turtle is quite rare (1/190: a new host record). The present study recorded a single individual of loggerhead turtle (a large male) with C. sinica attached. This turtle was captured in August and December at the site of tagging on Okinawa. The recaptured records indicate that the loggerhead turtle wintered around Okinawa rather than migrating to the open sea as most Japanese loggerheads do and resulted in the attachment of C. sinica. Satellite tracking has been an important tool in investigating the sea turtles’ life histories; however, this method is costly and can elucidate migration routes only after the attachment of a transmitter. In contrast, studying the diversity of the epibionts can provide information on the foraging habitat (infection site) and behaviour of the turtles. Such a method can have benefits in getting large sample sizes at nesting beaches, from fishery bycatch and strandings.

One of the most extensively documented marine bioinvasion phenomena is the invasion of Red Sea species to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. The present study reports the occurrence of seven non-indigenous ascidian species along the Mediterranean coast of Israel: Ecteinascidia thurstoni, Ascidia cannelata, Phallusia nigra, Rhodosoma turcicum, Symplegma brakenhielmi, Microcosmus exasperatus and Herdmania momus. Five of these species (excluding P. nigra, and R. turcicum) probably reached the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, since they have an extra-tropical Indo-Pacific distribution and a restricted distribution in the eastern Mediterranean. This is the first record of E. thurstoni in the Mediterranean. The accumulating evidence for the negative impact of non-indigenous ascidians on local species and habitats raises the necessity for long-term studies and monitoring of this group.

Abnormal test development in foraminifers is observed and environmental factors are suggested to be the main cause. Most of the abnormalities are aberrant test morphologies. In some cases twin, triplet and quadruplet formations are observed. The twins may sometimes be formed by two different species. In the framework of this study, foraminifer fauna of a submarine spring (Pamucak Cove, north-western Kuşadası, Aydın) was determined. A rich population of Amphistegina lobifera Larsen was found. Individuals with abnormal morphologies were also observed, but the most striking abnormality was the togetherness observed between two different families, Vertebralina striata d'Orbigny (Ficherinidae: Nodobacularinellinae) and Coscinospira hemprichii Ehrenberg (Peneroplidae).

Four decapod species, Plesionika narval, Processa elegantula, Macropipus tuberculatus and Parthenope expansa are recorded for the first time from Cyprus. The crab, P. expansa is also recorded for the first time from the Levantine Basin. The geographical distribution of each species is given. The discovery of these four species raises the known decapod species number from Cyprus to 151.

The stranding of a harp seal on the beach in the municipality of Motril (southern Spain) represents the first record of this species in the Mediterranean Sea and the southernmost known report. It was a male which reached the beach very tired and sick, dying after two hours on the sand. The specimen presented three species of epibionts. This is the second species of Arctic seal recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.

The present paper reports the first record of Neoharriotta pinnata and a second record of Satyrichthys adeni from the Gulf of Aden, Republic of Yemen. The record of N. pinnata is a northward extension of its distribution. Satyrichthys adeni was recorded for the second time from the Arabian Sea coast of Republic of Yemen.