A new species of Scolelepis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from sandy beaches in China, with a review of Chinese Scolelepis species

A new species of Spionidae, Scolelepis (Scolelepis) daphoinos sp. nov., is described and illustrated from northern China seas. The species was frequently encountered and highly abundant on sand beaches, but rarely found in subtidal areas. It was formerly misidentified as S. (S.) squamata (Muller, 1806) in China but differed from the latter species in several details in morphology, including the presence of obvious reddish pigmentation patches and the absence of unidentate hooded hooks. Another two Scolelepis species, S. (S.) lingulata Imajima, 1992 and S. (S.) variegata Imajima, 1992, are reported for the first time from Chinese waters. Two species of Scolelepis, S. (S.) globosa Wu & Chen, 1964 and S. (S.) lefebvrei (Gravier, 1905), were reported previously; therefore, five species in this genus are known from China in total. A key to all Scolelepis species from Chinese waters is provided.

Report of Prionospio complex (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae) from China's waters, with description of a new species

Nine species of Prionospio complex are recorded front China's waters, including one new species and six newly recorded species. Prionospio (Prionospio) pacifica sp. nov., is characterized by having first and forth pairs of branchiae pinnate, second and third pairs of apinnate, ventral crest on Setiger 9 and dorsal crests on Setigers 10-25. Apoprionospio kirrae (Wilson, 1990), Prionospio (Aquilaspio) convexa Imajima, 1990, Prionospio (Minuspio) multibranchiata Berkeley, 1927, Prionospio (Prionospio) bocki Soderstrom, 1920, Prionospio (Prionospio) dubia Maciolek, 1985 and Prionospio (Prionospio) paradisea Imajima, 1990 are recorded for the first time from China's waters.

New records of Paraprionospio (Annelida: Spionidae) from Chinese waters, with the description of a new species

Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901), a poorly known and potentially cosmopolitan polychaete, was examined from museum specimens and from collections in Jiaozhou Bay, the Yellow Sea. New observations indicate that previous Chinese records of P. pinnata are doubtful, and that Chinese waters contain at least three valid species of Paraprionospio, two are known and one is new. Paraprionospio inaequibranchia (Caullery, 1914) and Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990, previously misidentified as P. pinnata, are reported from Chinese waters for the first time. Paraprionospio crist'ata. new species, is characterized by having brown pigment patches on the prostomium, ventral crests on chaetigers 9 and 10, dorsal crests on the middle part of the body (from chaetigers 21-23, not beyond chaetiger 29). thin filaments on chaetiger 3, and bifoliate branchial lamellae.

The Effects of Salinity, Temperature, and Food on the Growth and Reproductive Output of Polydora nuchalis Woodick, 1953

Polydora nuchalis Woodwick, 1953 (Polychaeta: Spionidae) is a protandric hermaphrodite commonly inhabiting intertidal mud flats in southern California. The species exhibits lecithotrophic larval development and adelphophagia. Reproduction of P. nuchalis was monitored for a year at four sites: Catalina Harbor, San Gabriel River, Huntington Harbour, and Malibu Lagoon. Females deposited from 11 to 31 egg capsules in their tubes, with up to 230 eggs per capsule. An average of 3% of the eggs developed into larvae: the remaining were nurse eggs serving as food for the developing larvae. Reproductive output was quantified by determining the number and size of larvae and nurse eggs for individual capsules. Significant differences among the four populations were found for all the quantified variables. In addition, two size classes of nurse eggs were found to exist in capsules from all of the sites. Egg capsules were found throughout the year at San Gabriel River, but none were found during the winter months at the remaining three sites. Size/frequency data for juveniles and adults of the Catalina Harbor population indicate an annual cycle of recruitment. The laboratory experiment consisted of a 3 x 3 x 2 £actor1al design with replication testing the effects of temperature, salinity, and food supply on growth and reproduction of P. nuchalis. Increasing temperature resulted in significantly increased survivorship, growth rates, and percentage reproduction. It also produced a significant decrease in the size of the nurse eggs and the volume of food per larva. The number of egg capsules was maximum at the intermediate temperature. Increasing the salinity resulted in significant increases in survivorship and Class I nurse egg size. Increaaing food availability produced a significant increase in the percentage of worms reproducing. The interactive effect of salinity and £ood level produced significant changes in the number of larvae per capsule and the number of nurse eggs per capsule. However, the number of nurse eggs per larva did not differ significantly among the experimental treatment groups. (PDF contains 129 pages)

中国海异毛虫科和海稚虫科分类学和地理分布研究

异毛虫科（Paraonidae）和海稚虫科（Spionidae）是环节动物门（Annelida），多毛纲（Polychaeta）中两个常见的科，其成体在海洋生态系统尤其是海洋底栖动物群落中占有重要地位。中国近海异毛虫科和海稚虫科种类极为常见，在潮间带和潮下带均有分布。但由于此两科种类个体小，采集和鉴定困难，在中国一直没有系统的分类学研究。 本论文选择异毛虫科和海稚虫科为研究对象，以中国科学院海洋研究所海洋生物标本馆馆藏的3000余号成体标本为主要研究材料，结合攻读博士学位期间对全国各海域的补充采集标本和从其它单位借用的标本，在认真阅读相关文献和比对某些种类模式标本的基础上，首次对此两科的中国种类进行了全面系统的分类学和地理分布研究。结果如下： 1. 本文记述了中国海域异毛虫科4属18种，其中包括3新纪录种；海稚虫科16属39种，包括7新种，10新纪录种。各鉴定种类均进行了详细的分类学特征描述，并附有形态学结构图。对罕见种类的标本和保存状况较差、光学显微镜无法获得可靠分类学信息的标本进行了扫描电镜观察，并拍摄有电镜照片。 2. 对中国海域有关异毛虫科和海稚虫科种类记录进行了系统的分类学修订，澄清了部分种类特别是一些常见种类分类学研究中存在的错误和混淆。（1）通过大量阅读文献和反复比较检查标本，认为以前我国文献记录的海稚虫科奇异稚齿虫属的奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901)实际包括3种，即扭鳃奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio inaequibranchia (Caullery, 1914)、枫香树奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990和冠奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio cristata sp. nov.，其中扭鳃奇异稚齿虫和枫香树奇异稚齿虫在中国海属首次记录，冠奇异稚齿虫为一新种。枫香树奇异稚齿虫主要分布于黄海，其分布南界为121°30′ E, 34°30′ N, 扭鳃奇异稚齿虫分布于南海，其分布北界为114°00′ E, 21°45′ N，冠奇异稚齿虫分布区域较广，从长江口到南海的沿岸水域均有分布。奇异稚齿虫是分布在智利、南加利福尼亚、西墨西哥（可能还有安哥拉）的种，在我国海域未见分布。（2）将在我国北方沿海非常常见但长期被记录为鳞腹钩虫Scolelepis (Scolelepis) squamata (Müller, 1806)(海稚虫科)的标本重新鉴定为一个新种，即红纹腹钩虫Scolelepis (Scolelepis) daphoinos sp. nov.；鳞腹钩虫分布于北大西洋和地中海沿岸水域，在我国海域未见分布。（3）明确了中国海Prionospio steenstrupi复合体种类。此复合体所包含的种类在形态上十分相似，分类学研究时极易混淆。在已有的文献记录中，该复合体中国种类包括两种，玛氏稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) malmgreni Claparède, 1870和西沙稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) sishaensis Wu & Chen, 1964。本文将该复合体中国种类修正为5种，分别是包氏稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) bocki Söderström, 1920、开普敦稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) dubia Maciolek, 1985、太平洋稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) pacifica sp. nov.、欢乐稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) paradisea Imajima, 1990和西沙稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) sishaensis Wu & Chen, 1964。现在大多数分类学者认为玛氏稚齿虫是一个不可鉴定种，该种的原始描述可能包括数种，且模式标本已丢失。（4）将中国海记录的矮小离稚齿虫Apoprionospio pygmaea (Hartman, 1961)更正为卡米拉离稚齿虫Apoprionospio kirrae Wilson, 1990；将中国海记录的科氏光稚虫Spiophane kroyeri Grube, 1860更正为深蓝光稚虫Spiophanes fuscatus sp. nov.。 3. 比较研究了中国海域异毛虫科和海稚虫科的区系特点，详细分析了两科中国海种类的组成。认为中国种类在区系组成上属于印度-马来区系，异毛虫科中国海特有种较少，仅2种，占该科中国种数的11%；而海稚虫科中国海特有种较多，共9种，占该科中国种数的23%。中国海异毛虫科种类组成和日本、俄罗斯附近水域的组成较为相似，中国海海稚虫科种类组成和日本、澳大利亚附近水域的组成较为相似。

Biodiversidad marina en la isla Lobos de Tierra, Perú. 2011

Entre el 29 de setiembre y 3 de octubre 2011, se determinó la estructura de las comunidades, en términos de abundancia relativa, riqueza y diversidad y relación con el medio ambiente de la isla Lobos de Tierra (noreste de isla Rata, El Ñopo y La Grama). En los cálculos de diversidad específi ca se usó métodos uni y multivariados para hacer comparaciones en los lugares estudiados. En la zona mesolitoral se registró alta riqueza específi ca asociada a comunidades de fondos duros destacando el noreste de isla Rata con 58 especies. El grupo dominante fue moluscos en todas las zonas de estudio, sobresaliendo Tegula corvus y Acanthopleura echinata con mayores niveles de abundancia (296 a 412 ind.m-2). El índice de diversidad (H’) promedio por estación mostró valores >1,5 bits/ind en todas las zonas, con valores de dominancia y equitatividad <1,0. En el submareal, la riqueza fue de 124 especies. Los crustáceos y poliquetos tuvieron la mayor riqueza de especies y densidad. Los principales representantes fueron Gammarus sp. (26.607 ind.m-2), Spionidae (2.227 ind.m-2) y Diopatra rhizoicola (2.073 ind.m-2). El índice de diversidad promedio fue 2,2 bits, valor considerado de alta diversidad. La fauna íctica submareal estuvo conformada por 16 especies, destacando los géneros Auchenionchus y Labrisomus y en el intermareal se registraron 7 especies destacando Tomicodon chilensis. Se detectaron 24 especies de macroalgas: Rhodophyta (16 especies), Chlorophyta (5 especies) y Phaeophyta (3 especies), predominó Caulerpa fi liformis (submareal) y Gymnogongrus furcellatus (intermareal).

Biotic interaction between spionid polychaetes and bouchardiid brachiopods: Paleoecological, taphonomic and evolutionary implications

Shells of Bouchardia rosea (Brachiopoda, Rhynchonelliformea) are abundant in Late Holocene death assemblages of the Ubatuba Bight, Brazil, SW Atlantic. This genus is also known from multiple localities in the Cenozoic fossil record of South America. A total of 1211 valves of B. rosea, 2086 shells of sympatric bivalve mollusks (14 nearshore localities ranging in depth from 0 to 30 m), 80 shells of Bouchardia zitteli, San Julián Formation, Paleogene, Argentina, and 135 shells of Bouchardia transplatina, Camacho Formation, Neogene, Uruguay were examined for bioerosion traces. All examined bouchardiid shells represent shallow-water, subtropical marine settings. Out of 1211 brachiopod shells of B. rosea, 1201 represent dead individuals. A total of 149 dead specimens displayed polychaete traces (Caulostrepsis). Live polychaetes were found inside Caulostrepsis borings in 10 life-collected brachiopods, indicating a syn-vivo interaction (Caulostrepsis traces in dead shells of B. rosea were always empty). The long and coiled peristomial palps, large chaetae on both sides of the 5th segment, and flanged pygidium found in the polychaetes are characteristic of the polychaete genus Polydora (Spionidae). The fact that 100% of the Caulostrepsis found in living brachiopods were still inhabited by the trace-making spionids, whereas none was found in dead hosts, implies active biotic interaction between the two living organisms rather than colonization of dead brachiopod shells. The absence of blisters, the lack of valve/site stereotypy, and the fact that tubes open only externally are all suggestive of a commensal relationship. These data document a new host group (bouchardiid rhynchonelliform brachiopods) with which spionids can interact (interestingly, spionid-infested sympatric bivalves have not been found in the study area despite extensive sampling). The syn-vivo interaction indicates that substantial bioerosion may occur when the host is alive. Thus, the presence of such bioerosion traces on fossil shells need not imply a prolonged post-mortem exposure of shells on the sea floor. Also, none of the Paleogene and Neogene Bouchardia species included any ichnological evidence for spionid infestation. This indicates that the Spionidae/ Bouchardia association may be geologically young, although the lack of older records may also reflect limited sampling and/or taphonomic biases.

Allometry and population structure of Nicolea uspiana (Polychaeta: Terebellidae)

The relative growth and population structure of the terebellid Nicolea uspiana were investigated in the intertidal zone of a rocky shore on the south-east coast of Brazil, from May 2006 to May 2007. Eight hundred and forty-seven individuals of N. uspiana were analysed: 391 males, 163 females, and 293 immatures. Although significant differences in some morphometric parameters were found, there was no sexual dimorphism between males and females. There were differences in total length, width of segments, and length of the notopodial region between matures and immatures. The negative allometry of the total length in relation to five other parameters showed that this feature is a good measure for estimating the individual size, which was then used in the analysis of population structure. This population of N. uspiana showed a bimodal size frequency distribution, with immature and mature individuals found during the entire year. This pattern indicates continuous reproduction, with each cohort growing for at least three to four months and being responsible for two consecutive settlement peaks.

Fauna associated with Bathymodiolus azoricus mussel beds within hydrothermal fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Structure of assemblages associated with mussel aggregations of Bathymodiolus azoricus was investigated. Mussel beds were found on hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, and Rainbow) at depths 850-2400 m. The community structure of the mussel bed assemblages varied between studied areas. Large number of species was unique to mussel beds of the Menez Gwen field; the most observed taxa were not specialized hydrothermal species. All other nonunique species were found within the Lucky Strike region. The lowest mussel assemblage structure evenness was observed in the shallowest Menez Gwen area (850 m depth). We assume that two types of mussel assemblages (nematode-dominated and copepod-dominated) exist within the Lucky Strike field. The assemblages of B. azoricus differ significantly from assemblages of B. thermophilus inhabiting Pacific hydrothermal vents.

Polychaete taxocenes in the Pevek Strait (Chaun Bay) and the Long Strait, Chukci Sea

In spite of similar abiotic conditions in the Long Strait and Chaun Bay, the polychaete taxocenes differ markedly. In some cases biomass, production, and assimilation of polychaetes in the Long Strait are lower, while rate of metabolism is higher than in the Chaun Bay. This may be related to appearance of an intermediate layer in the Long Strait during some years. The latter is characterized by positive temperatures in winter and by low content of oxygen; these conditions are unfavorable for Arctic polychaetes.

Macrobenthos from the Novaya Zemlya Trough, Kara Sea

During Cruise 54 of R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh macrobenthos of the Novaya Zemlya Trough was studied with use of a Sigsby trawl along a submeridional transect near 75°30'N at depth range from 68 to 362 m. In total 140 species of bottom animals were found. Relative role of taxons was assessed using three parameters: abundance, biomass, and energy flow. Similarity of the parameters was used for comparison of samples. New material greatly contributes to data on composition of fauna and structure of communities of the studied region. It was revealed that small scyphozoid polyps and sipunculoids play an important role in the trough's community. Presence of a community dominated by Ophiocten sericeum (with important role of small bivalves) was revealed for the first time not only at the eastern by also at the western slope of the Novaya Zemlya Trough. The sharpest changes in composition and structure of the bottom community were confined to a zone of transition from the trough floor to the slope. These changes are determined by specificity of the macrorelief (of the floor and slope), composition of ground (soft brown silts abound in rhizopods and dense gray silts with admixture of pebbles), and possibly by hydrodynamic processes near the bottom.