bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The drift of Modified Atlantic Water from the Alboran Sea to the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Font J. , Millot C. , Salas J. , Juliá A. , Chic O.
Published: October 2008

The Algerian basin is a region of the western Mediterranean with a highly variable circulation structure, including the eastward transport of Modified Atlantic Water (MAW) in its surface layer. An experiment with satellite tracked Lagrangian drifters was performed in 1996-97 to analyse the mesoscale circulation of the Algerian current. The complete trajectories of 18 drifters indicate that, at basin scale, all the surface flow occured along the coast from the Alboran Sea to the strait of Sicily. At that time, no portion of the inflowing MAW was driven to the central or northern regions.
Chemical composition of phytoplankton and Particulate Organic Matter in the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)
Authors: Ríos A. F. , Fraga F. , Pérez F. F. , Figueiras F. G.
Published: October 2008

Elemental (C, H, O, N, Si, P) and biochemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phosphorus compounds, chlorophyll and opal) in particulate organic matter, diatoms, other autotrophs, heterotrophs and detritus from natural plankton were established simultaneously by measuring relatively few components. Using standard techniques in marine chemistry on board ship, it is possible to infer a great deal about the composition and condition of the plankton. In addition, the organic matter content in terms of cell volume was determined for each group of plankton. Variation of chemical composition with depth was also considered. The ratio carbohydrates/lipids (Cbh/Lip) was used as an indicator of the chemical quality of the plankton.
Growth, reproduction and feeding of the tropical squid Ornithoteuthis antillarum (Cephalopoda, Ommastrephidae) from the central-east Atlantic
Authors: Arkhipkin A. I. , Laptikhovsky V. V. , Nigmatullin Ch. M. , Bespyatykh A. V. , Murzov S. A.
Published: October 2008

Length composition, age, growth, reproductive biology, feeding and parasites were studied using 432 individuals of the squid Ornithoteuthis antillarum (1.8-138 mm ML) collected in the open waters of the tropical central-east Atlantic. In the region studied, only a small-sized and early-maturing population of O. antillarum occur. Statolith shape, development and microstructure have several peculiar features setting O. antillarum apart of other ommastrephids. Assuming growth increments within statoliths to be daily, maximum age of squids does not exceed 182 days. Growth rates of juveniles and immature squids are high and similar to another fast-growing ommastrephid Sthenoteuthis pteropus, but they decrease considerably with the onset of maturation. Potential fecundity varies from 50,000 to 220,000 oocytes. It is suggested that the squid is a multiple spawner with frequent releases of small-sized (
The Cumacea community of the southeastern Brazilian Continental Shelf: structure and dynamics
Authors: L. Dos Santos Maria Fernanda , S. Pires-Vanin Ana María
Published: October 2008

Specific composition, abundance, diversity and dynamics of the Cumacea community from the southeastern Brazilian continental shelf were studied. The area is characterized by the intrusion of a cold and highly saline water mass in summer, the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW), from the slope towards the coast, changing the hydrographic structure of the shelf and the species distribution. During the other seasons the inner shelf, area shallower than 50 m, is filled with warm and low saline water, the Coastal Water (CW). The presence of the SACW seems to favor the abundance and diversity of Cumacea due to its higher primary production and stability. Three groups of species were related to the water masses. Depth and fine sand fraction were shown to be the main factors structuring the Cumacea community. The role of the SACW in maintaining the Cumacea populations in the area through the passive transport of pre-ovigerous and ovigerous females is discussed.
Distribution of microreticulate dinoflagellate cysts from the Galician and Portuguese coast
Authors: Bravo I. , Ramilo I.
Published: October 2008

In May 1993, surface sediment samples from the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula were collected with the aim of studying the geographic distribution of G. catenatum resting cysts. The sampling area ranged from 40º 39´ N (Portugal) to 42º 38´ N (Galicia, Spain). Cysts with exactly the same morphology as G. catenatum were found in a maximum concentration of 504 cysts.cm-3 of sediment. Similar cysts but smaller (24-36 µm) were found in a maximum concentration of 4488 cysts.cm-3 of sediment. A bimodal size distribution of microreticulate cysts from the sediment indicates the probable existence of two cyst species. Differences in the microreticulation of the paracingulum were also observed. We compared the cysts from the sediment with G. catenatum cysts produced in cultures. The study on the distribution of cysts in the sediment also showed significant differences in the vertical profile concentrations of both cyst types. Differences in both the size and microreticulation morphology of the cysts found in the sediment of the continental shelf of Galicia and Portugal are also observed in the literature concerning other countries. The cysts of this species cited for the coasts of Northern Europe present characteristics similar to the cysts referred to in this communication as G. catenatum-like or small microreticulate cysts. The need to clarify the identity of cysts with microreticulation in the wall is discussed in order to identify the geographical distribution of the G. catenatum cyst.
Population biology of Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863 (Decapoda, Portunidae) from Ubatuba (SP), Brazil
Authors: Negreiros-Fransozo M. L. , Mantelatto F. L.M. , Fransozo A.
Published: October 2008

Population structure and reproductive season of the portunid crab Callinectes ornatus were studied in animals collected from the Ubatuba bays, São Paulo, Brazil (23° 20´ to 23º 35´ S and 44º 50´to 45º 14´ W). The samples were taken in three trawls performed every other month from January 1991 to May 1993. A total of 3,829 specimens of C. ornatus were obtained. Their size ranged from 9.3 to 84.6 mm (carapace width). Their median size based on their cephalothoracic width and their size frequency were determined as well. Their reproduction was continuous, with variable proportions of ovigerous females. The highest incidence of ovigerous females occurred in January 1991, 1992 and 1993 and March and November 1992. The oscillations of the environmental factors between the seasons are not so intense in subtropical regions, therefore allowing the continuity of the physiological process of growth and reproduction throughout the year.
An experimental method to investigate the role of low frequency phenomena in the generation of tidal residues
Authors: Bruno Miguel , Mañanes Rafael , Alonso José Juan , Izquierdo Alfredo , Álvarez Oscar
Published: October 2008

In this work a method to estimate the contribution to tidal residues originated by non-linear interaction between tides and low frequency phenomena is presented. In order to perform the validation, the method is applied on current data series taken from the Strait of Gibraltar which allows us to find a clear relationship between current tidal residues and low frequency fluctuations in the flow, which may be explained in terms of the non-linear interaction between tidal and sub-inertial signals in the current velocity.
First record of Neocyttus helgae (Pisces: Oreosomatidae) on the slope off Galicia (Northwest Spain)
Authors: Fariña A. C. , Pérez A. , Morlán R.
Published: October 2008

The capture of a specimen of Neocyttus helgae (Oreosomatidae) on the Galician slope (Northwest Spain) is recorded. It is the first time this species has been recorded in the waters off the Iberian Peninsula. Representatives of the family Oreosomatidae are scarce in the temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere and N. helgae is known to be present only in the Northeast Atlantic from a small number of individuals. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the specimen examined are given
Automated identification and characterisation of microbial populations using flow cytometry: the AIMS project
Authors: Jonker Richard , Groben René , Tarran Glen , Medlin Linda , Wilkins Malcolm , García Laura , Zabala Laura , Boddy Lynne
Published: October 2008

The AIMS (Automatic Identification and characterisation of Microbial populationS) project is developing and integrating flow cytometric technology for the identification of microbial cell populations and the determination of their cellular characteristics. This involves applying neural network approaches and molecular probes to the identification of cell populations, and deriving and verifying algorithms for assessing the chemical, optical and morphometric characteristics of these populations. The products of AIMS will be calibrated data, protocols, algorithms and software designed to turn flow cytometric observations into a data matrix of the abundance and cellular characteristics of identifiable populations. This paper describes the general approach of the AIMS project, with details on the application of artificial neural nets and rRNA oligonucleotide probes.
Changes in the ichthyofauna of an artificial reef in the southeastern Mediterranean in one decade
Authors: Spanier E.
Published: October 2008

Species composition and numbers of bony fish were studied in a small artificial reef complex off the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel. On this site visual censuses of fish carried out by SCUBA divers once a month over a twelve month period in 1985-6 and again in 1995 showed that only one species of fish and one species of macro-invertebrate were added in 1995 to a total of 36 species of fish and four macro-invertebrates counted ten years earlier. Of the fish species recorded on the artificial reef 18.7% were Lessepsian migrants from the Red Sea, passing to the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez canal; 75.7% were of Atlanto-Mediterranean origin. The contribution of Red Sea species to the overall fish biomass in the artificial reef complex however, increased from 64% in 1985-6 to 94% in 1995. The change was due mainly to a significant increase (244%) in the population of the Red Squirrelfish Sargocentron rubrum and a decrease in the population of sparids (41-90%) and Dusky Grouper, Epinephelus marginatus(44.8%). Similar increases in Red Sea immigrants were reported by coastal fisheries and observed in other artificial and natural outcrops. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the competitive exclusion of autochtonous species by a successful Lessepsian migrant, taking over spatial and perhaps food resources. Over-fishing of the commercially important groupers and sparids may provide an alternative explanation for this biomass change in the ichthyofauna. In view of these findings, artificial reefs are suggested as representative sites for observations on long-term ecological changes in bony fish populations.
Distribution and structure of the southernmost Caribbean coral reefs: golfo de Urabá, Colombia
Authors: Díaz J. M. , Díaz-Pulido G. , Sánchez J. A.
Published: October 2008

The Gulf of Urabá represents the southernmost portion of the Caribbean Sea. Due to the large amounts of sediment and freshwater discharged by the Atrato river and several minor streams, water conditions in the area are far from being optimal for coral settlement and growth. However, fringing and patch reefs are developed along the rocky shores of the northwest margin of the Gulf. Based on field observations performed at 44 sites (12 of them assessed quantitatively), interpretation of air photography of the area and depth profiles, the distribution, structure and zonation of the reefs are described. Classification analysis of the 12 sample sites yielded four coral assemblages: Diploria strigosa, crustose algae, Siderastrea siderea, Agaricia spp., and mixed massive corals. Other two assemblages, dominated respectively by Millepora complanata and thickets of Acropora palmata were noticed during reconnaissance dives. The distribution of these zones within the reef seems likely to be mainly controlled by wave exposure, bottom topography, sedimentation, and light penetration. Reef development, coral diversity and live coral cover increase along the coast in a SE-NW direction, with an evident maximum near to the cove of Sapzurro, suggesting an overall improvement of conditions for coral growth and settlement in that direction. A total of 33 species of hard corals were recorded during the survey. It is apparent that the live coral cover, particularly of foliose and branching species, has notably declined recently.
The macrofauna associated with the bryozoan Schizoporella unicornis in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Morgado Eloísa H. , Tanaka Marcel O.
Published: October 2008

The invertebrate fauna associated with colonies of the bryozoan Schizoporella errata was studied at two sites differing in hydrodynamism in southeastern Brazil. Patterns of species distribution, abundance, and diversity were similar at both sites. Polychaetes dominated the assemblages, both in number of individuals and species, with 70 species distributed in 20 families. Decapod crustaceans were also abundant, mainly anomuran crabs and caridean shrimps. Cluster analysis separated the samples from each site, and further analysis indicated that an interaction between water movement and trophic structure could explain these differences. At the site with low water movement, more muddy sediments were found inside the colonies, and a greater proportion of deposit-feeders was found. At the other site, higher hydrodynamism resulted in less sediments within the colonies, and favoured the occurrence of more filter-feeders. The trophic structure of faunal assemblages can help understand the structure of assemblages associated with biogenic substrata, as already demonstrated for benthic communities.
Comparative gonadogenesis and hormonal induction of spawning of cultured and wild mediterranean amberjack (Seriola dumerili, Risso 1810)
Authors: Kozul V. , Skaramuca B. , Glamuzina B. , Glavic N. , Tutman P.
Published: October 2008

The histological characteristics of wild and cultured Mediterranean amberjack gonads were studied during the first four years of their life cycle. No differences were found in the gonad development of both wild and captive males and females during the first and second year. In the third year, wild females showed more advanced oocyte development than captive females. In the fourth year, vitellogenic oocytes were noted for captive females. Fertilised eggs were obtained after a HCG hormone treatment of four- to nine-year old wild specimens. A smaller quantity of mature and fertilised eggs was also obtained through the spawning of hormone-treated four-year old captive broodstock specimens. Eggs in the stage of gastrulation died within eight hours following fertilisation.
Seasonal patterns of wind-induced upwelling/downwelling in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Bakun Andrew , Agostini Vera Natalie
Published: October 2008

The historical file of wind observations from maritime weather reports is summarized to identify the characteristic seasonal distributions of wind-induced Ekman upwelling and downwelling in the Mediterranean Sea. Both coastal upwelling/downwelling and wind-stress curl-driven open ocean upwelling/downwelling are treated in a unified description. Vigorous upwelling zones are found in the eastern Aegean Sea, off the west coast of Greece, and in the Gulf of Lyons. The southern coast of the Mediterranean is found to be primarily a downwelling area, although significant coastal upwelling does appear in the Gulf of Sidra during the spring and summer seasons, and along the Algerian coast during summer.
Diel feeding rhythm of copepod size-fractions from Coliumo Bay, Central Chile
Authors: Calliari Danilo , Antezana Tarsicio
Published: October 2008

The feeding behaviour of the size fractionated copepod assemblage was studied over a diel cycle in Coliumo Bay. In this shallow environment the photic layer reached the bottom and salinity, temperature, and food availability were fairly homogeneous throughout the water column. All four size-fractions (250-500 ?m, 500-1000 ?m, 1000-2000 ?m, >2000 ?m) showed a period of high feeding activity during the night and low feeding activity during the day. The persistence of nocturnal feeding in the presence of high food concentration over the 24-h cycle is interpreted as a predator avoidance strategy: empty guts by day make copepods less conspicuous to their visual daytime predators.
Algal cover and sea urchin spatial distribution at Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)
Authors: Alves Filipe M. A. , Chícharo Luís M. , Serrao Ester , Abreu Antonio D.
Published: October 2008

This study describes sea urchin spatial distribution in relation to environmental factors, and the relationship between Diadema antillarum density and algal abundance. Twenty-three transects around Madeira Island were surveyed by scuba divers, and sea urchin density and algal cover were determined in situ. Sampling sites along these transects were characterised in terms of distance from the tide line, water depth, substratum type, bottom declivity and water turbulence. Diadema antillarum was the dominant sea urchin species. Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula occurred at shallower depths (2-6 m), contrasting with the distribution of Sphaerechinus granularis, which occurs among D. antillarum (4-20 m). Surveys found two alternative types of communities on rocky shores: 1) a community with high algal cover and low numbers of sea urchins, along the north and south-west coasts and; 2) a community with little algal cover and high densities of sea urchins, along the south-east coast. Macroalgal cover and D. antillarum densities were inversely correlated (adjusted R2=75.6%; n = 429; p< 0.05). The results showed that water turbulence was the most important factor limiting the distribution of D. antillarum on rocky substrates. We propose a multiple non-linear regression model (using backward stepwise analysis) to explain D. antillarum abundance on the rocky shores: D. antillarum/m2 (??)= 0.121 - 0.209 distance from shore (in m) (??) + 2.052 water depth (in m) (??) - 1.778 water turbulence level (??) - 0.007 water turbulence level4 (??); where ?? indicates data are square-root transformed (adjusted R2 = 60.99%; n = 454; p< 0.05).
Evolution of longshore beach contour lines determined by E.O.F. method
Authors: Muñoz-Pérez Juan J. , Medina Raúl , Tejedor Begoña
Published: October 2008

Detailed topo-bathymetric levellings were performed biannually for four years at Victoria Beach (Cadiz, Spain) after a beach renourishment carried out in Spring 1991. The subsequent time series were analysed using the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) method. The evolution of some characteristic longshore contour lines, such as the Highest High Water Level and the Lowest Low Water Level, is studied. The mean coastal line is related to the first spatial EOF mode. Furthermore, an objective criterion for distinguishing between a generalised recession and cyclic accretion-erosion processes due to seasonal sea-swell changes is described, and a uniformly clockwise turn of the shoreline to minimise longshore transport is identified.
Krill of the Ross Sea: distribution, abundance and demography of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias during the Italian Antarctic Expedition (January-February 2000)
Authors: Sala Antonello , Azzali Massimo , Russo Aniello
Published: October 2008

Net samples data from the 15th Italian Antarctic Oceanographic Cruise (Jan-Feb 2000) were analysed to obtain a general picture of the summer distribution pattern, abundance and demography of krill in the western Ross Sea (Antarctica). A midwater sampler-trawl (Hamburg Plankton Net) was used to collect zooplankton and fish larvae. Mean relative biomass of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba, in the area north of Continental Shelf, was 9.3 g/1000 m3 of filtered water with a mean density of 10.9 ind./1000 m3. Ice krill Euphausia crystallorophias replaced the Antarctic krill in dominance in the High Antarctic Zone (south of 74°), with a mean relative biomass of 3.0 g/1000 m3 and a mean density of 19.1 ind./1000 m3. The present data have demonstrated that in the Ross Sea the two species of euphausiid inhabited different areas during the summer period. Oceanographic data indicate that both euphausiid species were found in surface waters, Euphausia crystallorophias in proper Ross Sea water, and Euphausia superba in Antarctic Surface Water. The catch data of Euphausia superba were characterised by the complete absence of larval stages, scarce occurrence of juveniles and composed primarily of large adult stages, whereas the overall length frequency distribution of Euphausia crystallorophias was characterised by a first mode of juvenile individuals and a second mode consisting of sub-adults and adults.
Hermaphroditism in Ruditapes decussatus (L.) (Bivalvia) from the Galician coast (Spain)
Authors: Delgado Marina , Pérez Camacho Alejandro
Published: October 2008

Inmature individuals of Ruditapes decussatus, collected from the Galician coast (Spain), were maintained in a laboratory open-flow seawater system over a 76-day period at a temperature of 18-20ºC and fed with Isochrysis galbana clone T-ISO. A histological study of gonad development was performed in subsamples of clams collected every 15 days. Although this species is considered strictly gonochoristic, two individuals displayed hermaphroditism in which both male and female gametes were present. It is suggested that these are cases of consecutive hermaphroditism.
Long-chain wax esterns and diphenylamine in fire coral Millepora dichotoma and Millepora platyphylla from Saudi Red Sea Coast
Authors: Al-Lihaibi Sultan S. , Al-Sofyani Abdulmohsin , Niaz G. R. , Uddin Ahmad Viqar , Noorwala Mushtaq , Vali Mohammad Faryal
Published: October 2008

The characterization of the non-protein constituents of two species of fire corals Millepora dichotoma and Millepora platyphylla, exhibits very interesting results. The compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The solvent extracts of the two species revealed four wax esters. The compounds were identified as C30H60O2, C32H64O2, C34H68O2 and C36H72O2 respectively. The presence of these compounds has been reported previously in different marine organisms as well as in marine samples. It is interesting that there were some variations in the number and nature of isomers of similar wax esters reported earlier. Long-chain wax esters are normally waxy in nature and their presence in fire coral plays a vital role in the nutrient transfer to the coral mass. They may also act as a protective coating of the nematocyst of dactylozooid. The coral species were also subjected to mild acidic hydrolysis, followed by neutralization and partitioning between water and ether. The organic phase was dried and purified by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Diphenylamine was revealed as the main product in one of the fractions. It is worth noting that diphenylamine is reported for the first time as a marine natural product. Diphenylamine is known to be toxic and causes allergic reactions to the skin, so it can be considered as responsible for the stinging property of fire coral.
Mesozooplankton features in a frontal area off northern Patagonia (Argentina) during spring 1995 and 1998
Authors: Sabatini Marina , Martos Patricia
Published: October 2008

Hydrography and spatial patterns of mesozooplankton communities in a frontal area off northern Patagonian were investigated in spring 1995 and 1998. Differential wind/tidal relative forcing appeared to drive along-shelf variations in the physical structure of the front and hence, planktonic patterns. Approaching the northern border of the system, the conspicuous presence of Oithona helgolandica, cladocerans and appendicularians, and the low fecundities of calanoid copepods suggest that a high proportion of the primary production may be channelled through microheterotrophic processes. Towards the southern area, calanoids dominated over cyclopoids, `large´ species (Drepanopus forcipatus, Calanoides cf. carinatus) were abundant, and copepod fecundities were high and steady, suggesting that there may be a more classical-like herbivorous food web. Paracalanus parvus and Ctenocalanus vanus occurred over the whole system but seemed to be key species in mixed and weakly stratified waters. Copepods peaked in stratified waters away from the front itself, while the abundance of eggs and nauplii was highest in weakly stratified waters next to the front. Apparently, the general heating occurring over the region in spring 1998 strongly affected both the physical and biological structure of the system. Unlike in 1995, a massive bloom of gelatinous zooplankton took place in 1998 and a bloom of the phagotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca sp. occurred in the northern area. Co-occurring copepod populations were depressed and their reproductive patterns seemed to be highly disrupted. Present observations stress the significance of variable external forcing in driving satisfactory habitat conditions for juvenile fish in the area.
Differences in diet between the two largest breeding colonies of Audouin's gulls: the effects of fishery activities
Authors: Pedrocchi Vittorio , Oro Daniel , González-Solís Jacob , Ruiz Xavier , Jover Lluís
Published: October 2008

We analysed and compared the diet of Audouin´s gulls Larus audouinii between their two largest breeding sites in the world: the Ebro Delta and the Chafarinas Islands (western Mediterranean). These two localities showed marked differences in the features of the commercial fishing fleet: in the Ebro Delta area a large fishing fleet produced large amounts of discards, while in the Chafarinas the fleet discarded smaller amounts of fish and marine invertebrates, due to the smaller number of vessels. It is also likely that the percentage of discards from total catches is also lower around the Chafarinas than at the Ebro Delta. We distinguished two types of fishing to compare diet compositions: diurnal (only trawling activity) and diurnal and nocturnal (trawling and purse-seine activity, respectively). We also differentiated regurgitates from young nestlings (up to 20 days old) and from older nestlings or adult birds. At the two localities, fish was the main food of Audouin´s gulls, with epipelagic prey (mainly clupeoids) being more important when both diurnal and nocturnal fisheries were operating. This confirms that epipelagic prey either caught actively by the gulls or linked to fisheries was particularly important in the feeding habits of Audouin´s gulls. Nevertheless, differences between the two colonies appear mainly when only trawlers operated: while at the Ebro Delta gulls showed higher consumption of benthic-mesopelagic prey (probably linked to a higher trawler discard availability), gulls from the Chafarinas Islands consumed higher biomass of epipelagic prey probably caught actively at night. When both fleets operated around the two colonies, the average biomass of prey in a regurgitate of younger chicks was significantly higher at the Ebro Delta than at Chafarinas, and the opposite trend was recorded for older nestlings and adults. Niche width was broader in Chafarinas than in the Ebro Delta for both age classes and for any fishing fleet schedule, suggesting again that the exploitation of discards was higher at the Ebro Delta than at the Chafarinas, where gulls showed a more varied diet. Despite the fact that availability of discards was probably higher at the Ebro Delta than at Chafarinas, the per capita availability was not so different at both localities due to the increasing seabird community population at the Ebro Delta, which ca. doubled that at Chafarinas in the last decade.
An equilibrium profile model for tidal environments
Authors: Bernabeu A. M. , Medina R. , Vidal C.
Published: October 2008

During a full tidal cycle, the beach profile is exposed to continuously changing hydrodynamical conditions. Consequently, the profile evolves constantly to adapt to these changes. The equilibrium condition on tidal beaches is defined in terms of the relative occurrence of swash, surf zone and shoaling processes. We have assumed that the tidal beach profile is in equilibrium when the net sediment transport along a tidal cycle is zero. In this model the contribution of swash is considered negligible. A simple and easy-to-apply equilibrium profile formulation is proposed. This model is based on the assumption that surf zone processes dominate the profile morphology wherever wave breaking occurs during the tidal cycle. The obtained equilibrium profile is valid from the high tide level to the breaker point at low tide level. The tidal influence on the profile morphology is the lengthening of the surf profile. The higher the tidal range, the longer the surf profile. The model was tested against field and laboratory data, showing reasonable predictions of measured beach profiles.
A new primnoid genus (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the Southern Ocean
Authors: López-González Pablo J. , Gili Josep María , Orejas Covadonga
Published: October 2008

A new primnoid genus is here proposed based on the study of the type material of Primnoella gracilis Molander, 1929 and the abundant material collected during some recent Antarctic and Subantarctic cruises. The new genus, Arntzia, is compared with its closest primnoid genera, mainly Ainigmaptilon Dean and Primnoella Gray. Arntzia differs from other unbranched primnoids by a set of features such as its colonies of fleshy consistence, relatively low spicule density, polyps in whorls, fused basally, forming a common brood-chamber along the axial coenenchyme where oocytes develop, eight distalmost opercular scales larger than marginal or submarginal scales, two adaxial opercular scales smaller than the others, marginal scales in equal number to opercular, vertically aligned with opercular scales, not well-differentiated from the body scales below, and polyp body completely covered by scales, except for the proximal portion and basal part of the adaxial side. With the description of Arntzia, a total of 17 primnoid genera have been reported from the Southern Ocean (Antarctic and Subantarctic waters); moreover, 15 of them -50% of the total in the family- have been recorded exclusively in this area. Thus, the generic diversity of this family in the Southern Ocean should be considered remarkably high.
Drifting plastic debris as a potential vector for dispersing Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) species
Authors: Masó Mercedes , Garcés Esther , Pagès Francesc , Camp Jordi
Published: October 2008

Macroscopic observations of floating plastic debris collected at several places along the Catalan coast (northwestern Mediterranean) showed conspicuous green-yellow patches adhered to them. The microscopic examination of these patches showed that they were constituted mainly of benthic diatoms and small flagellates (
Histopathological changes induced by lindane (?-HCH) in various organs of fishes
Authors: Ortiz Juan B. , González de Canales M. Luisa , Sarasquete Carmen
Published: October 2008

This paper reports the histological analysis of various organs of Mugil sp., Cyprinus carpio and Barbus sp. after an accidental discharge of lindane (?-Hexachloro-cyclohexane - ?-HCH-) into the Barbate River (Cádiz, SW Spain). Histopathological alterations of gills, liver and kidney were detected. Fusion of the secondary lamella, increased raising of the branchial epithelium and intraepithelial edema in gills, reduction of the diameter of the hepatocytes and, in advanced cases, cellular vacuolisation with hypertrophy of the hepatocytes in liver, as well as tubular necrosis, desquamation and vacuolisation of tubular epithelial cells in kidney, were observed. Quantification of lindane in water and whole fish samples was performed using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. The results of this histological analysis of various fish tissues indicate a direct correlation between pesticide exposure and the histopathological disorders observed. Chemical analysis of the lindane in the water and fish tissues confirmed a causal relationship between exposure to this pesticide and the fish damage found.
Metabolic changes and compositional shifts in nutrient-enriched tropical reef sediment communities
Authors: Dizon Romeo M. , Yap Helen T.
Published: October 2008

Four sets of nutrient enrichment experiments were carried out in 1994 and 1995 using sieved sand from a coral reef flat in the northwestern Philippines. The samples, prepared by packing the sediment in glass petri dishes, were maintained for 7 days in outdoor microcosms with varying nitrogen:phosphorus (N:P) ratios in the overlying water. The objective of the study was to detect changes in the composition and metabolism of sediment communities over short-term nutrient exposures. Net primary production and respiration rates of the microalgae increased within a few days in treatments having elevated levels of N, P and N+P. The addition of N and N+P significantly stimulated microalgal proliferation, even within a few days, while the addition of P alone did not elicit a significant response. Diatoms and cyanobacteria were the major taxonomic groups in the sediment samples, with the latter accounting for much of the community growth. The associated infaunal community in the sediment plates, dominated by crustaceans, nematodes and foraminiferans, showed a high degree of variability between experiments, but this did not confound the effects of nutrient addition as there was no distinct trend with respect to either time or nutrient treatment. This study demonstrates that, in tropical shallow-water benthic systems, the direct effects of an episodic nutrient loading event can be observed within short time scales using microcosms derived from natural communities.
Vertical distribution and abundance of juvenile cephalopods in Aegean Sea
Authors: Salman Alp , Katagan Tuncer , Avni Benli H.
Published: October 2008

This study was carried out in northern (Saros Bay) and southern (Gökova Bay) parts of the Aegean Sea. In pelagic samplings, Hamburg Plankton Net (HPN) was used. Samplings were done out at four different periods of a 24 hour day; sunrise, noon, sunset and midnight. Horizontal hauls were carried out at depths of 100, 350 and 650 m. As the result of 24 hauls in both parts of the Aegean Sea, one hundred juvenile specimens were sampled and 14 species were determined. Juvenile cephalopods were mostly frequent at 350 m. Among the determined species, Chtenopteryx sicula (Verany, 1851), Brachioteuthis riisei (Steenstrup, 1882), Illex coindetii (Verany, 1839), Thysanoteuthis rhombus Trochel, 1857 and Argonauta argo Linnaeus, 1798 juveniles are being reported for the first time in the Aegean Sea. 28% of the catches were from the northern Aegean and the remaining 72% were from the southern Aegean. Heteroteuthis dispar (Rüppell, 1844) was the most common species.
Postembryonic development of Pyromaia tuberculata (Lockington, 1877): a review of larval and postlarval morphology
Authors: Luppi Tomás A. , Spivak Eduardo D.
Published: October 2008

The spider crab Pyromaia tuberculata (Lockington, 1877) (Decapoda, Majidae) has been recorded from eastern Pacific coasts (México to Colombia), the western Pacific (Japan and New Zealand) and the western Atlantic (southern Brazil, near Rio de la Plata estuary and Argentine). Larvae of P. tuberculata from one female collected on beds of oysters and mussels at 50 m depth on the Argentine continental shelf (38°21´S; 57°38´W) hatched in the laboratory and were successfully reared until the first crab stage. This paper redescribes the zoea and megalopa phases and describes the juvenil crab morphology.
A morphometric and meristic investigation of Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801): evidence of population fragmentation on Portuguese coast
Authors: Lino Costa José , Raposo de Almeida Pedro , Costa María José
Published: October 2008

A total of 207 specimens of Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus from six different localities were analysed in terms of morphometric and meristic characters in order to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation on the Portuguese coast. This study confirmed the relative isolation between the Algarve populations and those from the western estuaries, which also showed a high degree of discrimination among them. Morphometric characteristics were much more adequate than meristic characters for a good separation of these populations. The most relevant morphometric characteristics for separation between H. didactylus populations were head width, interorbital width and pelvic fin length. These three variables were very useful for separation between western populations and seem to play an important role in species feeding activity. The caudal peduncle development is mainly related to the specimen´ swimming ability and was particularly relevant for discrimination between northern and southern populations and between estuarine and adjacent marine populations, apparently due to differences in hydrodynamic conditions. Meristic variation is mostly of a latitudinal nature (mainly nasal tentacles and pores on the lower jaw) but some differences between estuarine and marine populations (principally fin rays counts) related to water temperature were also observed.
Population estimates, extraction, and translocation of the pectinid Argopecten purpuratus within Mejillones Bay, Chile
Authors: Avendaño D Miguel , Cantillánez S. Marcela
Published: October 2008

The population of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus in Mejillones Bay, Chile (23°S) was estimated using diving-quadrat techniques between July and August 1999. The population, distributed over an area of 255 ha, was estimated at about 18 * 106 individuals, having a mean length of about 68 mm. Of this number, about 16 * 106 individuals were aggregated into a core area of 51 ha. A subsequent controlled harvest carried out in 33.5 ha of this area in November 2000 produced only 2 * 105 individuals, strongly suggesting that large scale clandestine (illegal) harvesting had occurred since the original population survey. Reseeding of collected scallops was carried out in an interior area of the bay which had low densities of scallops but highly similar physical and chemical seawater characteristics. Post-seeding mortality of the translocated scallops, determined two weeks after the transfer, was 12.5%, with a mean of 2.5 indiv./m2 in an 8.2 ha area. The low initial mortality, compared with values in the literature, suggested that the methods of retrieval, transport, and restocking the scallops could serve as a viable repopulation strategy in other areas in the future.
Description of a new species of hake: Merluccius patagonicus sp. nov. (Gadiformes, Merlucciidae) from the waters of Argentina
Authors: Lloris Domingo , Matallanas Jesús
Published: October 2008

A new species of the family Merlucciidae is presented, Merluccius patagonicus sp. nov., from the waters of the Argentine Sea. Besides the description of the new species, a brief diagnosis and a key to identification are added, with the purpose of easily separating the species from its similar relatives among the genus Merluccius Rafinesque, 1810 reported in the region: M. hubbsi and M. australis.
Trends of anchovy (Engraulis encrasilocus, L.) biomass in the northern and central Adriatic Sea
Authors: Santojanni Alberto , Arneri Enrico , Barry Catherine , Belardinelli Andrea , Cingolani Nando , Giannetti Gianfranco , Kirkwood Geoff
Published: October 2008

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, L.) is one of the most important commercial species of the northern and central Adriatic Sea. The mean annual catch of anchovy estimated by IRPEM for these areas, in the time interval 1975-1996, is equal to 25,000 tonnes. Estimates of anchovy stock biomass at sea in the time interval 1975-1996 were obtained using two population dynamics methods based on different data inputs: Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) and the DeLury model with recruitment index. VPA was carried out tuning the estimated fishing mortality rate at age by fitting on corresponding Catch Per Unit of fishing Effort (CPUE). Both VPA and the DeLury model yielded sensible results. The effect on the assessments due to the use of a different birth date and thus of split-year data was investigated. Biomass values as well as patterns over time so estimated were similar on the basis of both assessment methods and calendar year versus split-year data. In particular, the biomass in more recent years (around 100,000 tonnes) was lower than in the second half of the 1970s and first half of the 1980s (over 200,000 tonnes). The minimum value (lower than 50,000 tonnes) was always estimated in 1987, when a strong drop in the catch and crisis of the anchovy fishery took place. Though high values of both fishing effort and fishing mortality/exploitation rate were obtained for some years before 1987, very low levels of recruitment in 1986 and 1987 seem to be mainly responsible for the collapse of the stock.
Seasonal variability in voluntary dive duration of the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta
Authors: Bentivegna Flegra , Hochscheid Sandra , Minucci Carmen
Published: October 2008

We characterised the effect of seasonal fluctuations in water temperature (Tw) on the nonventilatory period (NVP) of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta. Ten captive turtles, that were subject to the natural variations in Tw found in the Gulf of Naples, dived significantly longer when Tw decreased. More than 50% of summer and winter dives lasted between 2 and 10 min; the maximum dive duration (120 min) occurred in winter at a Tw of 13°C. The longest NVP coincided with a low level of activity and a lower food consumption. This, and a reduced metabolic rate consequent to acclimatisation to a low Tw were likely to have influenced NVP.
Modelling of the Ebro River plume. Validation with field observations
Authors: Mestres Marc , Sierra Joan Pau , Sánchez-Arcilla Agustín , González del Río Julio , Wolf Thomas , Rodríguez Andres , Ouillon Sylvain
Published: October 2008

The spreading of the plume induced by the freshwater discharge from the Ebro River into northwestern Mediterranean coastal waters was modelled using two numerical codes. The coastal current field was obtained with a finite difference hydrodynamic model based on a steady-state version of the shallow-water equations, whereas the freshwater dispersion was calculated with a Lagrangian code that solves the 3D convection-diffusion equation and reproduces turbulent diffusion using a random-walk algorithm. The agreement obtained between numerical results, satellite observations and field measurements allows an analysis of the more relevant physical mechanisms and the corresponding tuning of the two models. The results show that local hydrodynamics near the river mouth, and consequently the spreading of the river plume, are highly dependent on the driving river discharge and wind field characteristics.
Composition, structure and zonation of intertidal macrofauna in relation to physical factors in microtidal sandy beaches at Río de Janeiro State, Brazil
Authors: Gomes Veloso Valéria , Soares Caetano Carlos Henrique , Silva Cardoso Ricardo
Published: October 2008

The intertidal macroinfauna of fiftheen exposed sandy beaches located in Rio de Janeiro State was studied to determine species richness, density, biomass and zonation. Morphodynamic influence on biological parameters is also evaluated in this paper. Dean´s morphodynamic index (?) ranged from reflective to intermediate values and mean grain size ranged from fine to coarse sands. A total of 17 species were identified, with the crustaceans Emerita brasiliensis, Excirolana braziliensis and Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis being the most abundant species. Species richness had a significant positive linear relationship with W values, swash period and slope, and a negative relationship with grain size. Significant positive relationships were also observed for total density with the swash period and slope, total biomass with slope, density of Emerita brasiliensis with swash period and slope and biomass of Emerita brasiliensis>/i> with slope. Zonation analysis showed that two or three biological zones could be recognised, with the two-zone pattern being observed in most of the beaches. This pattern consisted of a lower zone characterised by Emerita brasiliensis, Donax haleyanus and Hemipodus oliveri; and an upper zone characterised by Excirolana braziliensis, Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis and Phaleria testacea. The three-zone pattern as a disruption of the general two-zone pattern and its formation was attributable to the variation in the distributions of P. brasilensis and E. braziliensis. Our results suggest that beach morphodynamics is the best predictor for the variability of macroinfaunal community composition.
Conventional karyotype and nucleolar organizer regions of the toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus (Schneider, 1801) (Pisces: Batrachoididae)
Authors: Palazón J. L. , Nirchio M. , Sarasquete C.
Published: October 2008

For this report, we studied the conventional karyotype and the NOR-bearing chromosomes in the toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus. We found a karyotype of 46 chromosomes made up of 8 metacentric, 12 submetacentric, and 26 acrocentric elements (FN = 66). No heteromorphic sex chromosomes were observed in the species. Metacentric chromosomes were easily classified as homologous pairs according to their morphology and L/S ratio. The rest of the chromosomes could not be accurately classified as homologous pairs because differences in chromosome size and L/S ratio were too slight between adjacent pairs within a size-ranged series. A single pair of NOR-bearing chromosomes was found. Active NORs were terminally located in a submetacentric pair of chromosomes.
Female reproductive cycle of the Southwestern Atlantic estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura, Grapsoidea, Varunidae)
Authors: Ituarte Romina B. , Spivak Eduardo D. , Luppi Tomás A.
Published: October 2008

The female reproductive biology of a Chasmagnathus granulatus population inhabiting the area near the mouth of Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina, was studied. An increase in air temperature during the spring is related to the start of the breeding period, when well defined egg-laying and hatching pulses were observed. Hatching is synchronic during the whole summer but the egg production was not, probably due to the gradual incorporation of young females to the reproductive population. Neither egg-laying nor larval release showed a clear relation to moon phase or tidal cycles, suggesting that reproduction is not rigidly programmed in this unpredictable habitat. Females moult at the beginning of autumn, after releasing the last larvae. However, a new cohort of ovocytes, which was in primary vitellogenesis before moulting, completed the secondary ovogenesis after moulting. Consequently, ovaries remained fully developed throughout the winter.