The ecology and reproductive biology of Cherbonniera utriculus and Molpadia blakei from the N.E. Atlantic

Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
D. S. M. Billett ◽  
J. D. Gage

The Molpadiida is an order of sea cucumbers identified by their stout body, the posterior region narrowing to simulate a tail and the absence of tubefeet. Typically they inhabit muddy environments from shallow water to abyssal depths. In the past the great variability in the taxonomic characters of this order has led to the formation of many genera and species (Heding, 1931, 1935), but more recently it has become apparent that many diagnostic characters change markedly during the life history of these holothurians and as a result fewer species are now recognised (Deichmann, 1940; Pawson, 1977). In a revision of the Atlantic molpadiids Deichmann (1940) recorded just three species from the north-east Atlantic (Molpadia blakei, M. musculus and Hedingia albicans) with a further three species from the Arctic Ocean and Norwegian Sea (M. arctica, M. borealis and Eupyrgus scaber). To these Sibuet (1974) added the new genus and species Cherbonniera utriculus found in the Bay of Biscay.

Author(s):  
Florencio Aguirrezabalaga ◽  
Argiloa Ceberio ◽  
Dieter Fiege

Octomagelona bizkaiensis (Annelida: Polychaeta), a new genus and species of the family Magelonidae is described from the north-eastern Atlantic. The specimens were collected from the Capbreton Canyon, Bay of Biscay, at a depth of 1000–1040 m. The new genus and species differs from all known genera and species of the family Magelonidae by the presence of eight instead of nine thoracic chaetigers.


Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1203 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
ALISON M. MCCARTHY ◽  
SARAH GERKEN ◽  
DAVID MCGRATH ◽  
GRACE P. MCCORMACK

The validity of Pseudocuma gilsoni B|cescu 1950 has been questioned in the past. The recent discovery of material in Irish waters, and in the North Sea, confirms the presence of the species in the North East Atlantic and provides the opportunity to present a full redescription. A new genus, Monopseudocuma, is erected to accommodate the species. A neotype is designated from the West coast of Ireland.


Author(s):  
P. A. Tyler ◽  
D. S. M. Billett ◽  
J. D. Gage

Examination of the reproductive biology of the abyssal seastar Dytaster grandis taken at different times of the year in the NE Atlantic suggests seasonal reproduction that is related to the seasonal pulse of phytodetritus to the deep-sea floor. Although this seastar is an omnivore, the availability of this labile organic material may fuel vitellogenesis during the summer and autumn months. The egg size suggests planktotrophic larval development. Spawning occurs in the early part of each year to allow the zygote to develop into a feeding larva to coincide with the downward flux of phytodetritus. Thus the flux of detritus may constitute an environmental forcing pressure at least at two points in the life history of D. grandis.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-479
Author(s):  
D. W. Newson

This paper deals with the work of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) during the last ten years towards the standardization of nautical charts. The work began with the devising of a regional scheme of medium- and large-scale sheets of the north-east Atlantic area, to be co-produced by member nations as contributions to an International (INT) set of charts. It subsequently became clear that, as well as the scheme, a detailed set of specifications would be necessary to secure uniformity of choice of symbols and abbreviations throughout the International series, and also in the various national chart series of which it would form a part.The history of nautical chart standardization has recently been traced by Ritchie – gradual at first after the beginning of the International Hydrographic Bureau in 1921, and later speeding up when the International Hydrographic Conference of 1967 established a study which led to two series of INT charts on very small scales. After this the process gathered further speed with the successful establishment of the two bodies with whose work this paper is primarily concerned: the North Sea International Chart Commission (NSICC) in 1972 and the Chart Specifications (later Standardization) Committee (CSC) in 1977. The ten-nation NSICC, in drawing up the network of INT sheet-lines for its area, established the principles on which such schemes would be extended worldwide and also did extensive groundwork for the Chart Specifications of the IHO. These were completed for worldwide application by the seventeen-nation CSC.


Author(s):  
John Moyse

A new ascothoracid, Isidascus bassindalei gen.nov., sp.nov., has been discovered in the north-east Atlantic Ocean at a depth of over 2000 m. It forms permanent galls on the branches of Acanella arbuscula, a gorgonian of the Family Isidae (Octocorallia, Coelenterata). The new genus is related to Gorgonolaureus, species of which form galls on paramuriceid gorgonians. The gall of the present form unlike that of Gorgonolaureus incorporates a cup of host calcite. Twenty-three adult female specimens and one male were examined in this study. The adult parasite is characterized by elevated humps in a median dorsal position on each of thoracomeres 2,3 and 4. A further feature is a tapering filamentary appendage arising near the base of first thoracopod. The parasite apparently feeds on its host's coenosarc. The likely function of the first and second antennae and each of the three pairs of stylet-form mouth parts is suggested. A case is made for interpretting the species as a protandrous sequential hermaphrodite. Whilst still immature, protanders apparently seek out and settle alongside an adult female. Later, following growth and sexual maturation they again become mobile and after copulation with the nearby female depart to prepare for sex change on a separate branch of the host.


ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1039 ◽  
pp. 139-176
Author(s):  
Maël Grosse ◽  
María Capa ◽  
Torkild Bakken

Using molecular markers and species delimitation analyses, a high diversity of bi-tentaculate Cirratulidae was discovered from the North-East Atlantic. Five new species are described: Chaetozone pseudosetosasp. nov., Chaetozone quintasp. nov., Chaetozone barentsensissp. nov., Chaetozone monteverdiisp. nov., and Chaetozone chambersaesp. nov. Several morphogroups are also described, even though the presence of cryptic diversity prevented naming of individual species. For each species presented, a molecular diagnostic is given from the universal barcode COI and, when available, the D1–D2 domains of the 28S rRNA. This increases the number of species in Chaetozone in northern European waters from ten to at least 17 species, the exact number of species remaining uncertain as taxonomic issues with older names remain unresolved.


Author(s):  
Per-Otto Johansen ◽  
Wim Vader

New species of Lepechinella, L. norvegica sp. nov. and L. victoriae sp. nov., from the North East Atlantic are described together with the new, closely related genus and species Lepesubchela christinae gen. et sp. nov. Lepechinella arctica Schellenberg, 1926 from north of Spitsbergen and Lepechinella schellenbergi Stephensen, 1944 from Greenland are redescribed. A key to the species of Atlantic and Arctic Lepechinella is provided. Descriptions of taxonomic characters from related species in the Atlantic and Arctic are discussed.


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