The barnacles Chirona (Striatobalanus) amaryllis (Darwin 1854) and Megabalanus coccopoma (Darwin 1854) (Crustacea,Cirripedia): two invasive species new to tropical West African waters

The collection of the barnacle Chirona (Striatobalanus) amaryllis (Darwin 1954) (Crustacea, Cirripedia) from the hull of a ship that had been operating for five months in the Gulf of Guinea and off Sierra Leone triggered a closer investigation of the cirriped fauna of the West African coast. Both C. amaryllis and Megabalanus coccopoma can now be added to the list of successful invasions in tropical West African waters. This discovery, as well as the circumstances of the findings, necessitates an update of the invertebrate faunal inventory of tropical West African marine waters.     

Culture and morphology of some New Zealand barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

The larval stages of the acorn barnacles Chamaesipho columna, Chamaesipho brunnea, Elminius plicatus, Elminius modestus, Balanus trigonus, and Tetraclita purpurascens are described from larvae reared in the laboratory. A key and a table are included for separating larval stages and species.

Skeletonema costatum appears to have a wide application as a food in the rearing of larvae of the Balanidae.

The two Chamaesipho species show typical chthamalid characters of hispid antennal setae and unilobed labrum. The similarity between the larvae of Elminius plicatus and Tetraclita purpurascens supports the classification of E. plicatus as a tetraclitid.     

Copper,chromium, and lead in Manukau Harbour sediments

A limited survey was undertaken to determine the concentrations of copper, lead, and chromium in sediments of the upper Manukau Harbour, New Zealand. The concentrations of copper and chromium (33–70 and 70–107 μg g^‐1 respectively) were of the same order of magnitude as those reported for other New Zealand harbours. However, lead concentrations (98–247 μg g^‐1) were higher than those found for the other harbours. This may be a consequence of higher traffic densities in the surrounding area.     

Distribution and Diversity of Ibla cumingi Darwin [Crustacea, Cirripedia) from the Gulf of Elat (Red Sea)

Abstract. The distribution of Ibla cumingi DARWIN on different types of hard substrata along 30 km of coast in the Gulf of Elat was studied. I. cumingi was found among and underneath Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta , in oyster beds, underneath slabs of beachrock, and in fissures in igneous rocks. In the Tetraclita belt, I. cumingi is most frequent in empty shells of dead Tetraclita while in the oyster bed it is common inside the meshwork made by the oysters. The distribution is regarded as clustered distribution. The density and size of the clusters of I. cumingi is determined by the available sheltered space within the midlittoral zone. The form of the habitat determines the shape of the animals. Those found in the oyster bed and fissures are usually longer than those found in the Tetraclita belt due to the depth of the fissures or to the bigger spaces within the oyster bed. I. cumingi is orientated so that the capitulum with the cirri is projecting towards the open water, and the water current. It is concluded that I. cumingi can withstand the physical stress encountered in a tropical intertidal zone, but that the distribution pattern is caused by predation.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of dissolved copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters

Heavy metal concentrations were measured in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters. Results from a systematic survey in April 2002 to March 2003 indicate that the ranges of the concentrations of dissolved copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the study waters are 1.01 - 6.86, 0. 10 - 0.39,3.17 - 9.12 and 0.011 - 0. 049 μg/dm^3 , respectively. Similar to zinc, the behavior of dissolved copper was essentially conservative, but high scatter has been observed for high salinity samples, which can be attributed to the decomposition or mineralization of organic matter by bacteria. Dissolved lead may have active behavior with an addition at high salinity. Overall concentrations of dissolved cadmium increase with salinity. The mean values of these dissolved metals calculated for the surface waters were higher than those for the middle and bottom ones. External inputs of dissolved heavy metals to the surface waters were the likely explanation for these higher values. The maximum seasonal average values of dissolved copper and zinc were found in summer, reflecting higher amounts of riverine input in this season. In contrast, the maximum seasonal average values of dissolved lead and copper were found in winter and the lowest ones in summer, respectively, which might be asso- ciated with a combination of low concentration with heterogeneous scavenging. Concentrations of these dissolved metals found for the Changjiang Estuary fall in the range observed for the other estuaries but are noticeably higher than those from uncontaminated rivers, except for cadmium. Compared with observations for the Changjiang Estuary in the last two decades, it is clear that the Changjiang estuarine waters has been contaminated with copper, lead, zinc and cadmium during China＇ s industrialization, but concentrations of them have decreased in the last few years.     

Cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in three species of planktonic crustaceans from the east coast of Corsica

Results of trace metal analyses performed on two species of Euphausiacea, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Stylocheiron longicorne, and one species of Decapoda, Sergestes arcticus, collected off the east coast of Corsica, are reported. Analyses were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry.S. arcticus contained lower concentrations of phosphorus (which was also analysed as a biological indicator), cadmium (0.33 μg g⁻¹), copper (17.7 μg g⁻¹), lead (2.13 μg g⁻¹) and zinc (51 μg g⁻¹) than the two Euphausiacea (0.50 μg Cd g⁻¹, 25.4 μg Cu g⁻¹, 4.03 μg Pb g⁻¹ and 59 μg Zn g⁻¹). Moreover, manganese concentrations were low in all the samples.When the results presented here are compared with previous results on phytoplankton and mesozooplankton, there appears to be no trend of trace metal enrichment from phytoplankton to the Decapoda.     

Recruitment to the macrobenthos of Macomona liliana (bivalvia: Tellinidae) in Manukau Harbour,New Zealand

The population biology of the wedge shell Macomona liliana (Iredale, 1915) was studied at six sites on intertidal sandflats in Manukau Harbour over 2 years. Differences were found in the densities of bivalves between sites, and at each site large seasonal fluctuations in densities were also observed. Within‐site density fluctuations were mainly the result of changes in the numbers of juveniles (< 5 mm long). Length‐frequency distributions were dominated by a single mode associated with new recruits. The only major inter‐site difference was the scarcity of large bivalves at one site. Recruitment to the macrobenthos occurred over an extended period (summer to late winter or spring), but with markedly different levels of recruitment in the two successive years. Length‐frequency plots indicated that growth in the first year was 2–3 mm. The possible involvement of hydrodynamics, inter‐ and intraspecific interactions, and pollution on recruitment, and the importance of mortality and migration to post‐settlement survival are discussed.     

Notobathynella longipes sp. n. and new records of other Bathynellacea (Crustacea,Syncarida) from New Zealand

This paper deals with Bathynellacea collected by Entomology Division, DSIR, in 1972–73 by pumping water from wells and bores in different parts of New Zealand. Notobathynella longipes sp. n. is described from wells in Motueka (South Island). The distribution of the New Zealand Parabathynellidae is discussed briefly.     

The concentration of copper,lead, zinc and cadmium in shallow marine sediments,Cardigan Bay (Wales)

The concentration of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the acid-soluble fraction is presented for 86 seabed, 15 beach and 10 river samples of sediments from the southern Cardigan Bay area. Comparative results are presented for 8 samples of the Pleistocene sediments and 6 samples from the Aberystwyth Grits (Silurian) which outcrop along the shore line. The sediments from the Rheidol and Ystwyth rivers are strongly enriched in lead and zinc. The Pleistocene sediments are enriched in cadmium by a factor of 10 with respect to the seabed sediments in this part of Cardigan Bay.     

Diel patterns of mysid drift (Crustacea: Mysidacea) in the Taieri River estuary,New Zealand

Drifting mysids were sampled to determine diel activity, and whether mysid numbers vary with respect to inflowing and outflowing tides. Samples of drifting mysids were collected at the mouth of the Taieri River, New Zealand, over one 24‐h cycle using five replicate conical drift nets in January 1999. One‐night and 1‐day ebb and flood tide were each sampled. Four species of mysid Tenagomysis macropsis, T. novae‐zealandiae, T. robusta, and an apparently undescribed species of Gastrosaccus sp., were collected over the sampling period. One species, T. robusta, has not previously been collected from estuarine or riverine systems. The undescribed Gastrosaccus sp. was the most abundant of the four species. All four species were more abundant at night, with T. robusta and Gastrosaccus sp. being considerably more abundant in the drift on outflowing tides. In contrast, roughly equal numbers of T. macropsis and T. novae‐zealandiae were observed drifting in and out of the estuary at night.     

Body and brood sizes of Tenagomysis spp. (Crustacea: Mysida) in southern estuaries in New Zealand

Mysids form a large biomass and mediate the benthic–pelagic coupling of numerous estuaries in southern New Zealand. An intra-annual (2011–2012) field survey in the breeding seasons (i.e. austral spring followed by summer) of mysids Tenagomysis chiltoni and Tenagomysis novaezealandiae, examining the body and brood sizes, was conducted. Samples were collected from six open and eight intermittently open/closed estuaries along the Otago coastline. Brood size of gravid females of T. chiltoni was not significantly related to their body size. Brood size of gravid females of T. novaezealandiae showed a significantly positive relationship with body size in spring but not in summer. It appears that brood size of gravid mysids do not always necessarily depend on body size, but may be influenced by breeding season (e.g. spring) and estuarine typology (e.g. intermittently open/closed).     

Distrubution of Dissolved and Particulate Iron, copper and Manganese in the Shelf waters of the Ross sea (Antarctica)

Abstract. During the austral summer 1997–98, within the framework of the activities of the Climatic Long-term Interaction for the Massbalance in Antarctica (CLIMA) Project of the Italian National Program for Antarctic Research (PNRA) in the Ross Sea, measurements were conducted to focus on the role of dissolved iron, copper and manganese as micronutrients, and on their distribution in suspended particulate matter in different water masses. Sampling was carried out in two selected shelf areas, both important for formation and mixing processes of the water bodies.
Metal data were evaluated together with physical measurements and classical chemical parameters such as oxygen and nutrients.
In both the studied areas, the distribution of dissolved metals along the waste column confirmed their micronutrient behaviour, showing depletion where phytoplanktonic activities occurred.
The trend of particulate metals underlined the scavenging phenomena along the water column and presented an interesting correlation at intermediate depths with the amount and origin of suspended matter.     

Phyllosoma larvae of Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae) and their distribution off the east coast of the North Island,New Zealand

The complete series of phyllosoma larval stages of spiny lobster lasus edwardsii are described. Eleven stages are recognised from specimens captured in plankton samples collected along a transect extending 185 km east of Castlepoint, North Island, New Zealand between July 1969 and December 1971. A table of distinguishing characteristics and a key for identification of stages are presented. First stage larvae occur between August and October and last stage larvae about 15 months later. Mortality through the phyllosoma stages is estimated to be 98%. Early stage larvae occur mainly inshore in Southland Current water in the upper 5 m, and later stage larvae occur more frequently offshore in East Cape Current water at 40–60 m depth.     

Changes in the tissue concentrations and contents of calcium, copper and zinc in the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) (Crustacea: Decapoda) during the moult cycle and following copper exposure during ecdysis

The tissue concentrations and contents of calcium, copper and zinc were determined at different stages in the moult cycle of the shore crab Carcinus maenas. The crabs were dissected into the following tissues: the midgut gland, the gill, the ‘rest tissue’ (the latter defined as the left over tissue, i.e. muscles and exoskeleton), and the haemolymph, and analysed as such. One group of crabs was maintained in clean seawater. In these crabs, calcium was lost from haemolymph during premoult and apparently stored in the midgut gland. At ecdysis approximately 90% of the whole body calcium content was lost with the exuviae while the haemolymph calcium content doubled. During early postmoult calcium stored in the midgut gland was used in combination with calcium absorbed from the surrounding seawater for a rapid calcification of the new exoskeleton. Both the copper and zinc concentrations declined in the ‘rest tissue’ compartment during premoult. At ecdysis the haemolymph copper and zinc contents increased 35 and 86%, respectively, from premoult to the newly moult stage. At the same time, however, the copper and zinc haemolymph concentrations decreased. During postmoult, copper (25%) and zinc (45%) were lost from haemolymph and mainly excreted but a minor fraction (5–10%) was stored in the midgut gland.A second group of crabs was maintained in copper-contaminated seawater (0.1 mgl⁻¹) during ecdysis and postmoult. Following exposure of the animals to raised ambient levels of copper, the calcium and zinc contents of the midgut gland were reduced while the copper contents of the midgut gland and most other tissues were increased in comparison to crabs held in clean seawater.     

Fecundity of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from the Waitaki and Rakaia Rivers,New Zealand

The fecundity of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was estimated from maturing fish captured by anglers in the lower Waitaki River in 1985 and 1987–89, and from mature fish spawned at the Glenariffe Research Station on the Rakaia River in 1992. Fecundity was positively correlated with fork length (FL); estimated fecundities at 750 mm FL were 5024 eggs for Waitaki and 4829 eggs for Glenariffe salmon. The slopes of the regressions of fecundity on FL differed between the populations but the Glenariffe data did not differ from Rakaia River samples from 1967, 1973, and 1976. Significant inter‐annual variation in the FL‐fecundity relationship was detected in Waitaki River samples. Egg weights, taken from the Glenariffe samples, were positively correlated with length and averaged 0.17 g. However, salmon with high fecundity for their FL tended to have small eggs, and vice versa.     

New species of Spongia (Porifera: Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida) from New Zealand,and a proposed subgeneric structure

This paper is the fifth in a series revising the taxonomy of New Zealand dictyoceratid sponges (phylum Porifera, subclass Ceractinomorpha, order Dictyoceratida). Six new species of the genus Spongia are added to New Zealand's known fauna. The use of subgenera within the genus Spongia is discussed, and two new subgenera are proposed. The genus Hippospongia is revised, and an emended generic diagnosis is proposed.     

Nyctiphanes australis (Euphausiacea) and an upwelling plume in western Cook Strait,New Zealand

Quantitative data are presented on the distribution of adult and larval stages of the euphausiid Nyctiphanes australis G. O. Sars, in western Cook Strait, New Zealand, an area influenced by an upwelling plume. The behaviour of N. australis in the Kahurangi Point region at different stages of its life history appears to ensure its maintenance, in general, over the continental shelf on an upwelling coast. Population structure at the source of the upwelling near Kahurangi Point differed from that in regions “down stream” from the plume. Nyctiphanes australis was most abundant at the “downstream” eastern end of the upwelling plume, and the evidence suggesting that the dense populations there may be resident is discussed. Possible reasons for low densities of furcilia II and III stages in the eastern plume region are considered.     

First record of Bonnemaisonia hamifera (Bonnemaisoniales,Rhodophyta) in the South Pacific,from the South Island of New Zealand

ABSTRACT

The tetrasporophytic ‘Trailliella’ stage of the red algal genus Bonnemaisonia is reported for the first time from the Southern Hemisphere. Here we describe a bloom of the tetrasporophyte of B. hamifera from the mouth of the Waikouaiti River, Karitāne, South Island, where it occurred as thousands of free-floating tufts up to 1?cm wide in shallow water, accumulated in windrows on sand banks and beaches, and in the water column at depths of 10–12?m on the adjacent open coast. Gametophytic stages have not yet been found in New Zealand. The material collected to date is strictly vegetative, and reproduction occurs via fragmentation. The identity of the New Zealand samples as B. hamifera was confirmed by both morphology and rbcL sequencing. The abundance and floating dispersal of B. hamifera suggests that it is invasive and will become widely distributed in New Zealand.