Coral communities and reefs from Guerrero,Southern Mexican Pacific

Corals in the Eastern Pacific extend south from the Gulf of California to Ecuador and oceanic Chile, and west from Colombia to Clipperton Atoll. Nevertheless, large stretches of the Mexican Pacific remain fundamentally unstudied. Therefore, to assess the current conditions of coral communities, a coastal fringe ～300 km long (17°40′ N, 101°39′ W to 16°46′ N, 99°49′ W) was surveyed within the Southern Mexican Pacific, between 2005 and 2009. Fifteen stony coral species were identified at 13 coral communities and six Pocillopora‐dominated fringing reefs, with Pocillopora verrucosa and Pocillopora damicornis the primary contributing taxa. Reef development was identified in embayments or behind rocks or islands that offered shelter from northern and northwestern winds. Observations of Pocillopora effusus, Pocillopora inflata, Porites lobata, Pavona clavus, and Pavona varians expanded the species known geographic ranges by several degrees of latitude, suggesting reef building fauna comprised a mixture of widespread and relatively rare Eastern Pacific corals. Results indicated greater live coral cover in the Ixtapa‐Zihuatanejo area (15–73%) than in the Acapulco localities, which had high algal dominance; the reefs in the latter region exhibited high erosion. Regional differences are likely the result of long‐standing anthropogenic pressures around Acapulco since 1950, when it became an important tourist destination. This paper is the first detailed report of ecologically stressed corals and coral reefs from the state of Guerrero on the Mexican Southern Pacific coast.     

Marine Minerals in the Mexican Pacific: Toward Efficient Resource Management

Abstract

Vast reserves of marine minerals are known to occur within the Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone. These reserves include: (1) heavy mineral placers rich in titanium and iron along the coast of San Antonio del Mar, Baja California and the southern States of Oaxaca and Guerrero; (2) phosphorites, which represent the only source for superphosphate fertilizers along the Pacific coast off the Baja California peninsula and the Gulf of Tehuantepec; and (3) manganese oxide deposits in nodule and crusts located adjacent to the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and containing high concentrations of Cu + Ni + Co (up to 1.9%), which are essential for the steel and super-alloy industries. Few but important efforts toward surveying these deposits have been carried out by Mexican and international researchers. Relevant data generated by these investigations are reviewed here and put together in a single document. Adequate knowledge of Mexican mineral resources is essential for the development of management strategies when offshore mining starts during this century. Thus, the review discusses the economics inherent to ocean mining in Mexico, setting baselines for future exploration and development activities in the Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone.     

热带太平洋活性微生物菌株的筛选和鉴定

从热带太平洋的生物、海水、沉积物样品中分离到细菌、酵母和霉菌共475株．选择8个指示菌并采用圆形纸片法对分离菌株的发酵液进行抗菌和抗肿瘤活性筛选，获得20个具有抗菌和／或抗肿瘤活性的微生物菌株．细菌、酵母和霉菌活性菌株的筛选得率都比较低，分别为5．4％、2．2％和3．4％，其原因可能与纸片的发酵液的添加量较少和菌株发酵条件的控制有关．同时采用分子生物学方法鉴定了活性菌株，除4株未有结果外，其余菌株分归为9个属，其中芽孢杆菌属7株、占活性菌株的35％，盐单胞菌属2株、占10％，其它菌属各1株、占5％．抑菌谱分析表明，大多数活性菌株对革兰氏阳性细菌具有抑制作用，而来源于鱼体的菌株抑菌谱较广，对细菌、真菌均有拮抗作用，另外还发现一株酵母（Rhodosporidium toruloides）可抑制金黄色葡萄球菌．作者提出“活性指示（activity index）”参数，对活性菌株的抗菌谱和活性强度进行综合评估，也表明源于鱼体的菌株的活性指示值较高．这4株芽孢杆菌尤其是DY-Y-11A1A菌株，具有潜在的后续开发价值．     

Breeding cycle of the red squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda,Muninidae) from deepwater Pacific of Costa Rica

Reproduction and larval development of the red squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon is strongly linked to temperature changes provoked by upwelling along the Chilean coast. Here, we propose the hypothesis that both the breeding cycle and the spatial distribution of egg‐bearing females of P. monodon in Costa Rica are related to decreasing water temperatures during seasonal coastal upwelling. To describe the breeding cycle, squat lobsters were collected between February 2007 and January 2008 from the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The presence of egg‐bearing females in other areas of the Costa Rican coast was studied from samples collected during two latitudinal research cruises (August 2008: rainy season; May 2009: dry season). Our results revealed that P. monodon has a marked seasonal breeding period (from November to March), which is associated with decreasing water surface temperatures registered during coastal upwelling events. All females with embryos close to hatching were found in areas surrounding the Gulf of Nicoya, when upwelling events have been reported. The near absence of egg‐bearing females in zones where upwelling does not occur suggests the existence of a strong correlation between upwelling events and the breeding cycle of P. monodon. Our information should be considered when developing management measures for the sustainable use of this potential fishery resource in the Pacific coast of Central America.     

The coral communities of the Islas Marias archipelago,Mexico: structure and biogeographic relevance to the Eastern Pacific

Various authors have suggested that the Islas Marias archipelago, Mexico, may play a significant biogeographic role in the dispersal of Indo Pacific coral species into the Eastern Pacific; however, the coral communities of this archipelago have received scarce attention to date. Here, we first addressed coral community structure across the islands and, by employing ordination analysis, minimum spanning tree and particle‐tracking experiments, used this information to evaluate the relevance of the archipelago for coral dispersal. Twenty‐four coral communities were recorded in the archipelago. Coral cover varied significantly among islands: Maria Cleofas had large values (38.5%), intermediate values were observed for Maria Madre (26.5%) and Maria Magdalena (22.84%), and relatively low values were recorded for San Juanito (18.5%). Coral communities mainly consisted of Pocillopora (57.3%) and Porites (25.5%) species, while species of Pavona (16%) and Psammocora (0.6%) made relatively minor contributions. Thirteen stony coral species were identified in the archipelago; of these Psammocora profundacella and Pavona duerdeni represent new records. Ordination analysis, minimum spanning tree and particle‐tracking experiments suggested similar connecting paths in the studied area; in general, the Islas Marias stands as a route for coral dispersal of Indo Pacific species into the Northeastern Pacific. In a regional context, the Islas Marias has three major biogeographic implications to coral dispersal: (i) the archipelago stands as a major stepping stone for the transport of species and individuals among the Revillagigedo archipelago, the Gulf of California and the tropical Mexican Pacific; (ii) the Islas Marias may play a seminal role in maintaining the genetic connectivity between southern and northern coral populations along the Mexican Pacific and (iii) because of its relatively pristine status and low levels of human impact, the archipelago may potentially serve as a source of coral propagules for ecosystem recovery in the Gulf of California and along the Pacific coast of the Mexican mainland following natural and/or human induced perturbations.     

亚太海岸工程研究进展——第三届亚太海岸会议论文简介

简要介绍2005年9月在韩国举行的第三届亚太海岸会议(APAC2005)论文概貌。分析会议论文内容和特点,从而透视亚太海岸工程研究进展。会议论文特点可概括为:波浪理论研究与工程应用密切结合,海岸灾害和环境研究,海洋动力因素观测与预报关注恶劣海况、海况变化和预报精度,泥沙运动与河口海岸演变注重机理研究,海岸动力特性数值模拟新发展,波浪-结构-地基相互作用关注随机性和地基土特性研究,工程案例与其他。初步讨论了我国这一领域发展水平及主要差距。     

Sun and landscape orientation in adult and juvenile sandhoppers Orchestoidea tuberculata (Amphipoda, Talitridae) from two beaches in south central Chile

The behaviour of a talitrid amphipod, Orchestoidea tuberculata Nicolet 1849, was investigated for populations inhabiting two exposed sandy beaches in south central Chile to evaluate orientation capabilities with respect to sun azimuthal changes and landscape. The study beaches (Calfuco and La Misión) were backed by high cliffs but differed in shoreline orientation. Under test conditions of dry substrate, both populations oriented seawards using celestial cues when landscape vision was screened off and showed a higher concentration seawards when they could see the landscape suggesting additive effects of these cues. The absence of a phototactic response to the sun implies the involvement of an inner circadian clock, as the experiments were conducted at different times of the day. The distribution of juveniles was more concentrated than adults in the trials, a result in accordance with their tendency to occupy a zone located closer to the water than adults. Our results suggest that the Calfuco population was oriented to its shoreline, while animals at La Misión tended to deviate from the expected direction and their distribution was more scattered. This observed difference between the populations may be related to the higher human impact on the latter beach, which was more intensively used for recreation and periodically cleaned, removing the wrack. The comparison of results on orientation of O. tuberculata with those of different sandhopper species contributes new phylogenetic insight concerning this important adaptation. This study not only represents an extension of contemporary knowledge of behavioural adaptations of beach amphipods to coasts differing geographically and ecologically, but also analyses orientation in a southern Pacific species of talitrid amphipod for the first time.     

Proximate composition of albacore tuna,Thunnus alalunga,from the temperate South Pacific and Tasman Sea

The proximate composition was determined of the white muscle of albacore tuna, Thunnus alalunga, caught by surface trolling along the Subtropical Convergence Zone east of the South Island of New Zealand ("Area 1"), and to the north and west of the North Island ("Area 2"). Fish from Area 1 were 70 ± 10 cm (mean ± s.d.) in fork length, and higher in oil content (4.6 ± 2.9%), than Area 2 fish which measured 55 ± 10 cm and contained 2.8 ±1.7% oil. The ash content of the white muscle of all fish sampled was 1.2 ± 0.1%, and the soluble carbohydrate content 0.36 ± 0.04%. Crude protein contents were calculated at c. 25%. Statistical relationships between moisture and oil contents of both white and red muscle were determined; they can be used to predict oil content from a known moisture content. Oil content was positively correlated with fork length, and negatively correlated with the sea surface temperature at time of capture. Oil levels in the fillet were highest in the muscle layer immediately below the skin and decreased logarithmically with depth. In fish with low white‐muscle oil content (below 5%), the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was higher; above 6% white muscle oil content the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was lower. The proximate composition of whole fish, the head, frame, skin, and viscera is presented.     

Temporal partitioning of microhabitat use among four juvenile fish species of the genus Diplodus (Pisces: Perciformes,Sparidae)

Timing, microhabitat selection and behavior from the onset of settlement to recruitment to the adult population of juvenile fishes of the genus Diplodus (Pisces: Sparidae) were investigated along a rocky coastline in the Central Mediterranean Sea. The settlement periods in Diplodus sargus and Diplodus annularis were concentrated in spring, between late May and early June, and the recruits leave the nursery grounds in late September–October. Juvenile fishes of Diplodus puntazzo and Diplodus vulgaris showed a partial time overlapping, sharing the same zones in winter and early spring, from February to May. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that sea breams settle in well‐defined habitats. The smallest juveniles of D. sargus and D. puntazzo settled primarily in the shallowest sheltered pebbly areas, located in sciaphilous crannies covered by red algae. Diplodus vulgaris settlers were observed on a wider range of substrata: rock on sand, gravel and pebbles without algal cover or large boulders, generally in deeper waters. The intermediate‐size juveniles of D. sargus, D. puntazzo and D. vulgaris showed a preference for rocky substrata with substantial algal cover, with arborescent structures (Phaeophyceae). Diplodus annularis juveniles showed high fidelity to seagrass beds (Posidonia oceanica). The home range increased over time in all species, highlighting a loss of substrate specificity: larger juveniles were even observed in deeper and different microhabitats outside nursery grounds. This study suggests that shallow infra‐littoral rocky communities with photophilic algae play a key role in recruitment of sparid fishes, affecting the distribution and abundance of juvenile fishes and therefore determining the renewal of populations and the structure of adult assemblages.     

热带西太平洋潜流模拟:(Ⅰ)模式配置与模拟结果验证

利用高分辨率准全球海洋模式HYCOM(HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model),采用局部加密网格的方法,模式积分30年,模拟了热带西太平洋环流的年平均状态和季节变化.通过与实测的海表面高度、测流资料、温盐资料等对比分析,验证了模拟结果的有效性,认为模式结果可以用于研究热带西太平洋潜流及其季节变化.     

二倍体与三倍体太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的细胞学比较研究

研究比较了太平洋牡蛎 (Crassostrea gigas)二倍体与三倍体鳃上皮细胞核长轴、外套膜与唇瓣结缔组织中血淋巴核径、直肠上皮细胞高度的大小。结果显示 ,三倍体鳃上皮细胞核长轴、外套膜与唇瓣结缔组织中血淋巴核径显著大于二倍体 (P<0 .0 1) ,而二倍体和三倍体直肠上皮细胞高度没有明显差别。本研究结果支持了多倍体的巨态性假说 ,并揭示了倍性对细胞核大小的影响。     

Age and growth of Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (Pisces: Sparidae) in the Eastern Cape,South Africa

Rhabdosargus holubi is a small (maximum weight=2.4?kg) yet important fishery species in the estuaries of the south-east coast of South Africa. Little is known of its biology and specifically its growth rate, which is essential for sustainable management of the fishery. We examined and counted the opaque zones in the sectioned otoliths of 134 R. holubi to determine its age and growth parameters. The otoliths from two recaptured fish marked with oxytetracycline confirmed that one opaque zone was deposited annually. The species reached a maximum age of 18 years and growth was adequately described by a von Bertalanffy growth function of the form: L_t = 358.1 (1 – e^{?0.24(t+0.77)}) mm fork length. There were no significant differences between any of the male and female growth parameters (likelihood ratio test: p = 0.3). The growth was slow (omega index: ω = 86.56); however, despite this, the unique life history of R. holubi may provide a degree of resilience to heavy fishing pressure in estuaries.     

First records of Scorpaena onaria (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) from the southwestern Pacific Ocean,and comparisons with the Northern Hemisphere population

Scorpaena onaria Jordan & Snyder (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), previously known only from the northwestern Pacific Ocean, is reported from the southwestern Pacific Ocean for the first time on the basis of 19 specimens. The southwestern Pacific specimens are regarded as a southern population of S. onaria, characterised by a shorter supraocular tentacle and larger body size compared with the northwestern Pacific specimens. The southern population is described in detail including comparisons with all known Indo‐Pacific species of the genus Scorpaena. Analyses of 37 measurements of the southern population of S. onaria found that relative orbit diameter and second anal‐fin spine length became significantly smaller with growth. Initially cycloid, the scales enclosed by the posterior tips of the upper and lower opercular spines and opercular margin change to ctenoid with growth at c. 160–170 mm standard length. A mature female differed from an immature female and males in having a longer upper jaw, steeper dorsal profile of the snout, and shorter nasal spine. As a consequence, the species previously reported as S. neglecta from the Andaman Sea and northwestern Australia was re‐identified as S. onaria.     

中国近海荔枝螺属的研究(腹足纲:骨螺科)

荔枝螺属Thais,隶属于腹足纲（Gastropoda）、骨螺科（Muricidae）。本属动物主要生活在潮间带的岩石上或石砾间。过去对荔枝螺属虽有些零星报道,但缺乏系统研究。作者通过整理分类中国科学院海洋生物标本馆收藏的骨螺科标本,共鉴定出荔枝螺属20种,其中2种在中国沿海为首次报道。     

An in situ iron-enrichment experiment in the western subarctic Pacific (SEEDS): Introduction and summary

To test the iron hypothesis in the subarctic Pacific Ocean, an in situ iron-enrichment experiment (SEEDS) was performed in the western subarctic gyre in July–August 2001. About 350 kg of iron (as acidic iron sulfate) and 0.48 mol of the inert chemical tracer sulfur hexafluoride were introduced into a 10-m deep surface mixed layer over an 80 km² area. This single iron infusion raised dissolved iron levels to 2.9 nM initially. Dissolved iron concentrations rapidly decreased after the infusion, but levels remained close to 0.15 nM even at the end of the 14-day experimental period. During SEEDS there were iron-mediated increases in chlorophyll a concentrations (up to 20 μg l⁻¹), primary production rates, biomass and photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency relative to waters outside the iron-enriched patch. The rapid and very high accumulation of phytoplankton biomass in response to the iron addition appeared to be partly attributable to shallow mixed-layer depth and moderate water temperature in the western subarctic Pacific. However, the main reason was a floristic shift to fast-growing centric diatom Chaetoceros debilis, unlike the previous iron-enrichment experiments in the equatorial Pacific and the Southern Ocean, in both of which iron stimulated the growth of pennate diatoms. The iron-mediated blooming of diatoms resulted in a marked consumption of macronutrients and drawdown of pCO₂. Biological and physiological measurements indicate that phytoplankton growth in the patch became both light- and iron-limited, making phytoplankton biomass relatively constant after day 9. The increase in microzooplankton grazing rate after day 9 also influenced the net growth rate of phytoplankton. There was no significant increase in the export flux of carbon to depth during the 14-day occupation of the experimental site. The export flux between day 4 and day 13 was estimated to be only 13% of the integrated primary production in the iron-enriched patch. The major part of the carbon fixed by the diatom bloom remained in the surface mixed layer as biogenic particulate matter. Our findings support the hypothesis that iron limits phytoplankton growth and biomass in a ‘bottom up’ manner in this area, but the fate of algal carbon remains unknown.     

Population Structure of Blennius incognitos BATH 1968 (Pisces: Teleostei: Blen-niidae) during the Reproductive Period with Comments on Age and Growth of Small Benthic Littoral Fishes

Abstract. Length frequency distribution, condition factor and parasite infection of Blennius incog-nitus from three different areas near Rovinj, Yugoslavia have been investigated. Differences between considered parameters in three populations of B. incognitus have been found and discussed. Fishes were aged by otolith reading. Mean life span, growth rate, sex ratio and a sexual dimorphism in body size were noted in this littoral blenny. Our findings are discussed and compared with data on comparable littoral fishes.     

Eggs and larvae of the trevally caranx georgianus (Teleostei: Carangidae)

The development and distinctive features of the eggs and larvae of Caranx georgianus Cuvier, 1833 are described. Diameters of the egg and oil globule range between 0.76 mm and 0.86 mm, and 0.20 mm and 0.25 mm respectively. At 21 °c, the eggs hatched approximately 28 h after fertilisation.     

First record of Odontaster penicillatus populations (Philippi, 1870) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Atacama and Antofagasta regions,Chile (Southeast Pacific)

We report for the first time the presence of local populations of the starfish Odontaster penicillatus in the regions of Atacama and Antofagasta, Chile. This finding indicates an extension of the distribution limit of 500 km with respect to the last observation made in 2007 in Isla Grande de Atacama. A total of 121 specimens of O. penicillatus were recorded at depths of between 8 m and 24 m. They were associated with rocky substrate and with different species of barnacles, sponges and bryozoans. The presence of O. penicillatus expands the knowledge of the benthic biodiversity of the region, and the development of studies on its ecological importance will be promoted.     

中国近海刍秣螺亚科的研究（腹足纲，骨螺科）

为了摸清中国沿海分布的刍秣螺亚科(Ocenebrinae)的物种数量,以及分布状况和生活习性,完成刍秣螺亚科的系统分类研究.采用传统的形态分类学方法,对中国科学院海洋研究所历年来在中国沿海采集的刍秫螺亚科标本进行了整理分类,共鉴定出刍秣螺亚科4属,9种,其中1种在中国沿海为首次报道.文中对刍秣螺亚科动物的形态特征、习性及地理分布等进行了较详细的描述.