A surveillance strategy for invasive species of concern in deepwater habitats of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

This report describes a surveillance strategy to detect deepwater invasive species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. A need for this strategy was identified in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Management Plan and the Monument’s Draft Natural Resources Science Plan. This strategy focuses on detecting two species of concern, the octocoral Carijoa riisei and the red alga Hypnea musciformis. Most research on invasive species in the Hawaiian archipelago has focused on shallow water habitats within the limits of conventional SCUBA (0-30 m). Deeper habitats such as mesophotic reefs are much more difficult to access and consequently little is known about the distribution of deepwater invasive species or their impacts. Recent deepwater (>30 m) sightings of H. musciformis and C. riisei, in and near NWHI, respectively, have prompted a call for further research and surveillance of invasive species in deepwater habitats. This report compiles the most up to date information about these two species of concern in deepwater habitats. A literature search and conversations with subject matter experts was used to identify their current distribution, preferred habitat types, optimal detection methods and ways to efficiently sample the vast extent of NWHI. The proposed sampling strategy prioritizes survey effort where C. riisei and H. musciformis are most likely to be found. At coarse spatial scales (tens to hundreds of kilometers), opportunistic observations and distance from the Main Hawaiian Islands, a principal propagule source, are used to identify high-risk islands and banks. At fine spatial scales (meters to tens of kilometers) a habitat suitability model was developed to identify high-risk habitats. The habitat suitability model focused on habitat preferences of C. riisei, since the species is well studied and adequate data exists to map habitats. There was insufficient information to identify suitable habitat for H. muscifomis. Habitat preferences for the algae are poorly understood and there is a lack of data at relevant spatial scales to map those preferences which are known. The principal habitats identified by the habitat suitability model were ledges and the edges of rugose coral reefs, where the shade loving octocoral would likely be found. Habitat suitability maps were developed for seven atolls and banks to aid in survey site selection. The protocol relied on technical divers to conduct visual surveys of benthic habitats. It was developed to increase the efficiency of surveys, maximize the probability of detection, identify important information relevant to future surveys and standardize results. The strategy, model and protocol were tested during a field mission in 2009 at several atolls and islands in NWHI. The field mission did not detect any invasive species among deepwater habitats and much was learned to improve future surveys. Data gaps and improvements are discussed.

A remarkable new species of Psednos (Teleostei: Liparidae) from the western North Atlantic Ocean

Psednos rossi new species (Teleostei: Liparidae) is described from two specimens collected in the North Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, at depths of 500–674 m. Psednos rossi belongs to the P. christinae group, which includes six other species and is characterized by 46–47 vertebrae and the absence of a coronal pore. Psednos rossi differs from those six species by having characters unique within the genus: straight spine, body not humpbacked at the occiput, and a very large mouth with a vertical oral cleft. Other distinguishing characters include a notched pectoral fin with 15–16 rays, eye 17–19% SL, and color in life orange-rose. With P. rossi, the genus Psednos as currently known includes 26 described and five undescribed species of small meso- or bathypelagic liparids from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Electrophoretic and immunotaxonomic studies of three species of marine gastropods from Portonovo coast with reference to population management

Electrophoretic and serological studies of foot muscle protein of three species of Cerithiacea (Telescopium telescopium, Cerithidea fluviatilis and C. obtusum) were carried out to understand their relationships. Living specimens were collected from mud flats and mangrove swamps off Portonovo. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis of proteins from foot muscle extract of T. telescopium, C. fluviatilis and C. obtusum showed that the former had a different densitometric profile as well as more number of protein bands; but the later two species showed a closer related pattern as well as lesser number of protein bands. At the same time these two species are distinguished from each other in their total number of bands and Rf values. Immunological studies using micro-Ouchterlony double diffusion tests which absorbed antiserum indicated that C. fluviatilis and C. obtusum were more closely related as revealed by an identity reactions than T. telesopium as shown by non-identity reactions. Results are discussed in relation to ecological and morphological adaptations

Population studies of three species of ribbon fishes off the Bombay coast

Populations of three species of ribbonfishes (Trichiurus lepturus, Lepturacanthus savala, Euplerogrammus muticus) off the Bombay coast were studied for meristic and morphometric characters. All meristic characters except pectoral fin ray count, showed interspecific as well as intraspecific variations. Regression studies for various characters showed a linear relationship and high degree of correlation to the total and head lengths. Variations between the sexes were found insignificant. A comparison of the mean ratios of body parts of samples from Bombay and Mandapam showed significant variations for L. savala and E. muticus.

Length weight relationship and biometric study on three species of sciaenids from Bombay water

The length-weight relationship and biometric study of three species of sciaenids viz. Othlithes cuvieri, Johnieops vogleri and Johnius macrorhynus are reported. For all the three species the regression coefficient between the sexes was found to be not significant at 5% level. Biometric study indicates that correlation among the various characters compared was fairly good while the meristic data agree well with published data.

Fatty acid composition of three species of Hypnea (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from Karachi coast

Hypnea musciformis (Wulf.) Lamour., H. pannosa J. Ag. and H. valentiae (Turn.) Mont., collected from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan, have been investigated for their fatty acid compositions through GC-MS. Palmitic acid was present in largest quantity (55-57%) and oleic was the major (7.6-8.4%) unsaturated fatty acid. Pentacosanoic and hexacosenoic acids are being reported for the first time from any species of Hypnea. The three species differed remarkably due to their habitat ecology.

Two genera and species of Isopoda new to the fauna of the northern Arabian Sea

The paper is based on the new records of two genera - Lanocira Hansen and Paranthura Bate and Westwood and species L. gardineri Stebbing and P. latipes Barnard from the rocky intertidal zone of Karachi coast. Synonymes, diagnoses and geographical distribution of the genera are given. A list of known species of the genus Lanocira is provided. Both the species are described and illustrated in detail.

Two most abundant species of Ulva and Enteromorpha from coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The present paper reports mass occurrence of two algal species Ulva grandis Saifullah and Nizamuddin and Enteromorpha intestinalis (Linnaeus) Link in a protected coastal area in Jeddah, heavily polluted with domestic sewage. They seem to prefer low salinity eutrophic waters for their maximum growth.