Description of a new deep-water species of Heteroclinus (Pisces: Teleostei: Clinidae), from southern Australia

Heteroclinus argyrospilos, n. sp. is described as a new species from specimens sampled by sled and dredge in 55–100 m off South Australia and Western Australia. The species has a strongly compressed body and spatulate orbital tentacle similar to some shallow water species, particularly those of the Heteroclinus heptaeolus complex, which is characterized by having three segmented dorsal-fin rays, with the last two rays widely separate from the first ray. It is distinct from other Australian clinids in having two segmented dorsal-fin rays, well separated from the last dorsal-fin spine and a reduced lateral line on the body. It is known from a greater depth than other members of the genus.

Mesophotic Gorgonian Corals Evolved Multiple Times and Faster Than Deep and Shallow Lineages

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) develop on a unique environment, where abrupt environmental changes take place. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny (mtDNA: mtMutS), we examined the lineage membership of mesophotic gorgonian corals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria) in comparison to shallow and deep-sea lineages of the wider Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Our results show mesophotic gorgonians originating multiple times from old deep-sea octocoral lineages, whereas shallow-water species comprise younger lineages. The mesophotic gorgonian fauna in the studied areas is related to their zooxanthellate shallow-water counterparts in only two clades (Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae), where the bathymetrical gradient could serve as a driver of diversification. Interestingly, mesophotic clades have diversified faster than either shallow or deep clades. One of this groups with fast diversification is the family Ellisellidae, a major component of the mesophotic gorgonian coral assemblage worldwide.

New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae)

Seven Ircinia morphospecies were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework (genome-wide SNP sampling and microbiome profiling) to delimit species boundaries among these Ircinia. Here, we present morphological descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowi sp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensis sp. nov., Ircinia radix sp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosa sp. nov., Ircinia vansoesti sp. nov., Ircinia ruetzleri sp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).

Environmental matching reveals non-uniform range-shift patterns in benthic marine Crustacea

Empirical and theoretical studies suggest that marine species respond to ocean warming by shifting ranges poleward and/or into deeper depths. However, future distributional patterns of deep-sea organisms, which comprise the largest ecosystem of Earth, remain poorly known. We explore potential horizontal range shifts of benthic shallow-water and deep-sea Crustacea due to climatic changes within the remainder of the century, and discuss the results in light of species-specific traits related to invasiveness. Using a maximum entropy approach, we estimated the direction and magnitude of distributional shifts for 94 species belonging to 12 orders of benthic marine crustaceans, projected to the years 2050 and 2100. Distance, direction, and species richness shifts between climate zones were estimated conservatively, by considering only areas suitable, non-extrapolative, and adjacent to the currently known distributions. Our hypothesis is that species will present poleward range-shifts, based on results of previous studies. Results reveal idiosyncratic and species-specific responses, with prevailing poleward shifts and a decline of species richness at mid-latitudes, while more frequent shifts between temperate to polar regions were recovered. Shallow-water species are expected to shift longer distances than deep-sea species. Net gain of suitability is slightly higher than the net loss for shallow-water species, while for deep-sea species, the net loss is higher than the gain in all scenarios. Our estimates can be viewed as a set of hypotheses for future analytical and empirical studies, and will be useful in planning and executing strategic interventions and developing conservation strategies.

Morphological convergence and adaptation in cave and pelagic scale worms (Polynoidae, Annelida)

Across Annelida, accessing the water column drives morphological and lifestyle modifications—yet in the primarily “benthic” scale worms, the ecological significance of swimming has largely been ignored. We investigated genetic, morphological and behavioural adaptations associated with swimming across Polynoidae, using mitogenomics and comparative methods. Mitochondrial genomes from cave and pelagic polynoids were highly similar, with non-significant rearrangements only present in cave Gesiella. Gene orders of the new mitogenomes were highly similar to shallow water species, suggestive of an underlying polynoid ground pattern. Being the first phylogenetic analyses to include the holopelagic Drieschia, we recovered this species nested among shallow water terminals, suggesting a shallow water ancestry. Based on these results, our phylogenetic reconstructions showed that swimming evolved independently three times in Polynoidae, involving convergent adaptations in morphology and motility patterns across the deep sea (Branchipolynoe), midwater (Drieschia) and anchialine caves (Pelagomacellicephala and Gesiella). Phylogenetic generalized least-squares (PGLS) analyses showed that holopelagic and anchialine cave species exhibit hypertrophy of the dorsal cirri, yet, these morphological modifications are achieved along different evolutionary pathways, i.e., elongation of the cirrophore versus style. Together, these findings suggest that a water column lifestyle elicits similar morphological adaptations, favouring bodies designed for drifting and sensing.

THE HALACARID GENUS LOHMANNELLA (HALACARIDAE, ACARI): LIST OF SPECIES, NOTES ON CHARACTERS, DISTRIBUTION, ECOLOGY AND A TABULAR KEY

Presently, 39 Lohmannella species are accepted as valid, but future examinations may prove some of them to be junior synonyms of others. This article lists the most important descriptive papers, as well as the former names for each of the 39 species. The characters of another five species, known by their adults, are outlined but not given a name. Based on the published data, short diagnoses as well as notes on the distribution and habitats are added. In addition, the poorly known female of Lohmannella bihamata is described and illustrated. This article provides a table of morphological characters that are meant to facilitate the identification of Lohmannella species. The genus Lohmannella is spread worldwide, inhabiting all water depths and all climatic zones; its representatives live in marine and fresh water. Although the majority of Lohmannella species have been found at sea, five species have been recovered from fresh or slightly brackish water. In the following sentences, the number of unnamed species is given in square brackets. Records of 33 [plus two] marine species are exclusively from the littoral and/or bathyal zone (0–1,000 m deep); records of three [plus three] species are from the deep sea (deeper than 1,000 m); and one record is from the littoral / deep sea depth range. Most species have been found in the temperate and polar areas: namely, 12 [plus two] have been recorded north of 23°N and 20 south of 23°S. The data from the tropics include a single shallow water (0–200 m deep) record, one unnamed species from the 400–520 m depth and one [plus two] species from the depth of more than 1,000 m. Most southern hemisphere shallow water species are morphologically distinct from the bathyal and abyssal species, as well as from the northern hemisphere species.

Mesophotic gorgonian corals evolve multiple times and faster than deep and shallow lineages

1.SummaryMesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) promise hope for the shallow-water biota enduring rising temperatures and multiple environmental stressors. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny (mtDNA: mtMutS), we examined the lineage membership of mesophotic gorgonian corals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria) in comparison to shallow and deep-sea lineages of the wider Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Our results show mesophotic gorgonians originating multiple times from old deep-sea octocoral lineages, whereas shallow-water species comprise younger lineages. The mesophotic gorgonian fauna in the studied areas are related to their zooxanthellate shallow-water counterparts in only two clades (Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae), where the shallow-deep gradient could serve as a driver of diversification. Interestingly, mesophotic clades have diversified faster than either shallow or deep clades. One of this groups with fast diversification is the family Ellisellidae, a major component of the mesophotic gorgonian coral assemblage worldwide.

A new genus and species from Brazil of the resurrected family Macromaxillocarididae Alvarez, Iliffe & Villalobos, 2006 and a worldwide list of Stenopodidea (Decapoda)

A new genus and species, Chicosciencea pernambucensisgen. nov., sp. nov., is described from two localities along the coast of Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. Considering the unresolved situation of the families of Stenopodidea in previous studies, the position of this new genus is discussed based on morphological, molecular (16S mtDNA), and ecological data. The morphological analysis revealed that Chicoscienceagen. nov. differs from all stenopodidean genera by a combination of characters. The inferred molecular phylogeny recovered a monophyletic group including Chicoscienceagen. nov., MacromaxillocarisAlvarez, Iliffe & Villalobos, 2006, and MicroprosthemaStimpson, 1860, which comprise free-living (i.e., not-sponge associated), shallow-water species. Based on this monophyletic group and on their morphological and ecological similarities, we herein formally propose the resurrection of Macromaxillocarididae Alvarez, Iliffe & Villalobos, 2006 to include those genera. We also provide an updated world list of Stenopodidea. With the description of Chicoscienceagen. nov., the infraorder Stenopodidea now comprises 13 genera and 92 species.

New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae)

Seven Ircinia growth forms were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework to delimit species boundaries among these growth forms. Here, we present descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowisp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensissp. nov., Ircinia radixsp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosasp. nov., Ircinia vansoestisp. nov., Ircinia rutzlerisp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).