Spirorchiids (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) infecting a Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus 1758) from Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Learedius learedi Price 1934 (Digenea, Spirorchiidae) in Chelonia mydas Linnaeus 1758 (Testudines, Chelonidae) in Brazil: case report

Relata-se a ocorrência de Learedius learedi Price 1934 (Digenea, Spirorchiidae) em Chelonia mydas Linnaeus 1758 (Testudines, Chelonidae) no Brasil. Onze animais foram examinados e destes, 54,6% estavam parasitados. Duzentos e cinqüenta e cinco exemplares de L. learedi foram recuperados de órgãos (coração, fígado, baço, pulmões, rins, mesentério) e do lavado corporal dos animais. Os resultados contribuem para o conhecimento da helmintofauna de quelônios marinhos e sua distribuição geográfica. Este é o primeiro registro da ocorrência de L. learedi na região do Atlântico Sul Ocidental.

Territorial hypothesis predicts the trade-off between reproductive opportunities and parental care in three species of damselfishes (Pomacentridae: Actinopterygii)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A simple protocol for a low invasive DNA accessing in Stenella longirostris (Cetacea: Delphinidae)

The most significant studies about the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean were conducted in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off Northeastern Brazil. The continuity of these studies depends upon the development of non-invasive methods. In this work, we present results from the skin swabbing sampling procedure for this species. We tested the performance of this method for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis, unknown for this population. A total of skin 161 samples were collected during two expeditions. After the contacts the most of the dolphins remained close to the boat. Microsatellites markers and cytochrome b region primers were evaluated and the respective fragments were successfully amplified. Thus, skin swabbing may be considered an efficient strategy to obtain tissue samples for spinner dolphin genetic analysis in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

Discopyge castelloi sp. nov. (Torpediniformes, Narcinidae), una nueva especie de raya eléctrica del Mar Argentino

A new species of electric ray of the family Narcinidae, Discopyge castelloi, is described from the southwestern Atlantic off Argentina. Distinctive characters of the new species are the form of the body, the posterior position of pelvic fins and the manner as pelvic fins join the caudal peduncle, the morphology of the nasal curtain and the presence of small but apparently functional eyes. Discopyge castelloi is the fourth torpediniform species reported from the area. It appears to be very rare on the shelf, though the type locality is separated from that of the paratypes by seven latitude degrees. As in the case of Torpedo puelcha, it is probable that the new species has a normal habitat deeper than that of the available specimens.

Ampliação da distribuição geográfica de três caranguejos majóideos (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) na costa do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study reports range extensions of three species of crabs to the northern coast of the state of São Paulo. The species obtained were Inachoides forceps, Microphrys antillensis and Mithraculus sculptus. Recent new records of marine species in Brazilian waters illustrate the importance of continuous investigations on the biodiversity of subtidal rocky bottoms.

Inferring population connectivity across the range of distribution of the stiletto shrimp Artemesia longinaris Spence Bate, 1888 (Decapoda, Penaeidae) from DNA barcoding: implications for fishery management

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Scyliorhinus ugoi, a new species of catshark from Brazil (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Description of two new species of Ischyroceridae (Crustacea : Amphipoda) from the coast of Southeastern Brazil

Taxonomic descriptions and figures are provided for 2 new species of Ischyroceridae (Cerapus jonsoni sp. nov. and Notopoma fluminense sp. nov.) from samples of Southwestern Atlantic, between the latitudes 22 and 24 S. Cerapus jonsoni sp. nov. is easily distinguished from others species of the genera recorded in Atlantic Ocean by dacyli of pereopods 6 and 7 with 1 accessory spine. Notopoma fluminense sp. nov. is characterized by 5 setal teeth on outer plate of maxilla 1, only 1 accessory spine on pereopod 7 dactylus and pleopod 3 absent.

Gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Ctenophora and Thaliacea) from Baia da Babitonga (southern Brazil)

The present study reports on a survey of the gelatinous zooplankton fauna (Cnidaria, Ctenophora and Thaliacea) from the proposed Baia da Babitonga marine protected area (southern Brazil; similar to 26 degrees S), based on collections from multiple sites over different seasons and from published literature. In order to sample both small and large gelatinous animals, plankton hauls (n = 255) and fishing trawls (n = 126) were employed. More than 20,000 organisms were studied, which, including literature data, totaled 48 species: one cubomedusa, three scyphomedusae, four siphonophores, 36 hydromedusae, two ctenophores, and two thaliaceans. Among these, the hydromedusae Cnidostoma fallax Vanhoffen and Helgicirrha sp. are recorded for the first time from the southwestern Atlantic coast and Paulinum sp. and Protiara sp. are recorded for the first time from the South Atlantic. A description of young stages of the hydromedusa Gossea brachymera Bigelow is presented and shows that Octobulbacea montehermosensis Zamponi is a junior synonym of the former. Although comprehensive local assessment of diverse taxonomic groups is still lacking, the high diversity observed herein underscores the importance of Ba a da Babitonga as a high priority site for conservation of regional marine biodiversity.

Lack of COI variation for Clavelina oblonga (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) in Brazil: Evidence for its human-mediated transportation?

Recent studies indicate that ascidians are efficiently dispersed by human transport. We have chosen the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) to address whether Clavelina oblonga is an introduced species in the Brazilian coast. Colonies of C. oblonga were sampled in different localities along Atlantic coasts of USA, Panama, and Brazil. The sequencing of 92 colonies resulted in three haplotypes for the species, two unique to Florida and the other shared by exemplars collected in Brazil and Panama; the latter haplotype is identical to the published sequence of Azores. Our evidence, including the absence of C. oblonga in the country's northern tropical waters, its association with artificial habitats and lack of COI variation suggest that the species has been introduced in the southeastern and southern Brazilian coasts. Previous records (85 years old) suggest that it could be a relatively long-term introduction.

Reproductive apparatus of the male giant hermit crab Petrochirus diogenes (Anomura, Diogenidae): morphology and phylogenetic implications

We describe the male reproductive apparatus of the giant hermit crab Petrochirus diogenes, with morphological and biometric analyses of the spermatophore, the gonopore and the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa. Specimens were collected from the southern coast of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Morphological analyses were done using stereoscopic, light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The reproductive system of this hermit crab is composed of elongate and lobular testes followed by vasa deferentia that connect to the exterior via gonopores. The gonopores are ovoid and surrounded by setae, and each gonopore is composed of a membranous operculum that forms a depression constituting the gonopore opening. The gonopore constitutes a unique structure among the Diogenidae due to its number of setae. The spermatophores are tripartite, composed of a sperm-containing ampulla, a peduncle and a proximal foot. The spermatozoon has 3 main regions (acrosomal vesicle, nucleus and cytoplasm). The structure of the spermatophore indicates that this species can be considered an exception within Diogenidae with regard to spermatophore morphology and can therefore be used for phylogenetic inferences.

Morphological and Biometric Study of the Infraorbital Foramen (E2-Sibai Point) in Adult Skulls

The objective of this work was to study the morphology and biometry of the infraorbital foramen (FIO), variations in its shape, size and number as well as to obtain measurements of its location. 60 dry skulls were analyzed. The test of Qui-quadrant and the T Test were used in measurements with a 5% significance. On the right side, the FIO was measured at a distance of 6.49(+/- 1.68) mm from the lower, 39.65(+/- 3) mm from the upper, 17.7(+/- 2.97) mm from the medial and 20.46(+/- 2.9) mm from the lateral margin of the orbit; its pear-shaped opening distance was 13.67(+/- 2.17) mm. On the left side, the distance of the FIO to the lower margin of the orbit was 6.52(+/- 1.82) mm; to the upper margin was 39.9(+/- 2.62) mm and to the lateral and medial margin were 17.93(+/- 2.58) mm and 21.12(+/- 3) mm, respectively; its distance to the pear-shaped opening was 14.26(+/- 1.83) mm. It was found predominately in an oval shape, in 39 (65%) of the skulls, on both sides. Accessory foramens were present in 11 samples on the right and in 15 samples on the left side. The FIO was most frequently found on the side of, or laterally to the sagittal plane that passes through the middle of the supraorbital foramen/incisures, in 38 skulls (63.3%) on the right side and in 45 skulls (75%) on the left and middle to the zigomatic-maxillary suture, in 41 skulls (68.3%) on right and in 42 skulls (70%) on the left side, besides being most frequently found in a region between the first and second premolars, in 22 skulls (36.7%) on the right side and in 17 skulls (28.3%) on the left.

Nine New Species of Bugula Oken (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) in Brazilian Shallow Waters

Background: Bugula is a speciose genus of marine bryozoans, represented by both endemic and cosmopolitan species distributed in tropical and temperate waters and important to marine biologists because of the occurrence of many species in harbor and fouling communities, therefore as potential invaders. The southeastern Brazilian coast in the southern Atlantic hosts the highest known diversity of the genus, a status intimately associated with the intensity of collecting efforts. Methodology: Morphological data based on the examination of living specimens, scanning electron and light microscopic images, and morphometric analyses were used to assess the diversity of Bugula along the coastal areas of southern, northeastern, and southeastern Brazil. In this study, morphological species boundaries were based mainly on avicularian characters. For two morphologically very similar species, boundaries are partially supported by 16 S rDNA molecular data. Results: Nine species are newly described from Brazil, as follows: Bugula bowiei n. sp. (= Bugula turrita sensu Marcus, 1937) from the southern, northeastern, and southeastern coasts; Bugula foliolata n. sp. (= Bugula flabellata sensu Marcus, 1938), Bugula guara n. sp., Bugula biota n. sp. and Bugula ingens n. sp from the southeastern coast; Bugula gnoma n. sp. and Bugula alba n. sp. from the northeastern coast; Bugula rochae n. sp. (= Bugula uniserialis sensu Marcus, 1937) from the southern coast; and Bugula migottoi n. sp., from the southeastern and southern coasts. Conclusion: The results contribute to the morphological characterization and the knowledge of the species richness of the genus in the southwestern Atlantic (i.e., Brazil), through the description of new species in poorly sampled areas and also on the southeastern coast of that country. Additionally, the taxonomic status of the Brazilian specimens attributed to B. flabellata, B. turrita and B. uniserialis are clarified by detailed studies on zooidal and avicularia morphology.

A review of the genus Speocarcinus Stimpson, 1859 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae), with a key to its species and the description of one new species

Speocarcinus dentatus n. sp. is described from the southwestern Atlantic. The new species can be easily separated from its congeners by a suite of carapace and appendage characters. Speocarcinus Stimpson, 1859, now includes eight extant species, all from the Atlantic or Pacific coasts of the Americas. Additional characters to further differentiate between S. carolinensis Stimpson, 1859, and S. lobatus Guinot, 1969, and between S. granulimanus Rathbun, 1894, and S. spinicarpus Guinot, 1969 are documented. The lectotype of S. granulimanus is first described and a key to the species of Speocarcinus is provided.