ALBERT

Description: Oogenesis in four commercial Caribbean sponge species, Hippospongia lachne, Spongia barbara, S. cheiris and S. graminea, was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. Eggs and embryos develop asynchronously in localized endosomal nurseries of these viviparous and gonochoristic species. Statistical analyses of specific morphological characteristics of reproductive elements have unequivocally identified four specific stages in the process of oogenesis. Oogonia undergo mitotic division to produce primary oocytes. Meiotic division occurs producing secondary oocytes which are fertilized before zygotes undergo major growth by phagocytosis and the transfer of nutrients through cytoplasmic bridges. During cleavage of the zygote, umbilici form between embryos and nurse cell layers and these function in the transfer of symbiotic bacteria and other mesohyl substances from the maternal parent to the embryo. These symbionts were observed dispersed between blastomeres of all young and maturing embryos and between internal cells of cytodifferentiated parenchymella larvae. Extracellular transfer of symbiotic bacteria from maternal tissues to developing embryos has not been reported in any other viviparous invertebrate.

Description: Before 1985, Martialia hyadesi (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the Pacific Ocean was known only from the Eltanin Fracture Zone and Macquarie Island. A joint Japan‐New Zealand squid survey around New Zealand captured many immature ommastrephid squids. Gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of immature M. hyadesi. Aspects of the external morphology are described. The distinctive tentacle club was evident in the smallest specimen examined, 19 mm dorsal mantle length (ML). Arm trabeculae were first evident in specimens of 40–50 mm ML. Immature squid were distributed around and southward of the Subtropical Convergence Zone. The presence of very small squid (〈 10 mm ML) indicated spawning on or near the Auckland Island Shelf.

Description: Intraspecific growth and structure of the squid, Illex argentinus (Ommastrephidae) in winter and spring in the southwestern Atlantic. — The intraspecific structure and growth of seasonal cohorts of Illex argentinus were studied on the basis of statoliths of 900 specimens of Illex argentinus (Ommastrephidae, Teuthida) with mantle length 1.2-39 cm caught in three fishery regions of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Argentina (EEZA): on the shelf (depths 130-140 m) and Continental slope (depths 400-700 m) in 41-42°S and 45-47°S, as well as in the open waters of Argentina Basin between July and October. Squids of all four seasonal groups at different ontogenetic stages occurred within the regions investigated. Adults of the spring cohort (mantle length 27-37 cm) caught on the slope in 42 and 45-46°S, were characterized by almost maximum growth rates for the species, being approximately the same as in winter adults hatched in August. Two forms were distinguished within summer-hatched squids: a fast growing form occurred on the Continental slope in 41-42°S (ML 23-29 cm) and a slow-growing form on the shelf in 45-47°S (ML 16-19 cm). Juveniles of autumn-hatched squids (ML 8-15 cm) predominated on the shelf in 45-47°S in September. Growth rates of juveniles of winter-hatched squids caught on the shelf in 45-47°S in September-October (shelf form with ML 4-8 cm) were higher than those of winter hatched juveniles in the open waters of the Argentine Basin at the same time (oceanic form with ML 2-4 cm). Possible reasons for growth rate variations of I. argentinus at individual, intra- and intergroup levels are discussed. An attempt was made to describe probable life cycle variations in each seasonal group of squid.

Description: Records of 158 observations of cephalopods from submersibles, primarily the Johnson Sea-Link, have been compiled through collaboration with several investigators. These observations include 118 videotape sequences, 58 collected specimens, and numerous shipboard photographs of live animals. At least 33 species have been observed to date; a few species have been observed repeatedly and could be good subjects for directed studies. The methods developed for in situ observation and subsequent collection of specimens with little or no damage allow descriptions of behavior, morphology, physiology, and distribution that are not possible with other methods of collecting.

Description: Eleven species of paralarvae belonging to the Chiroteuthidae and related families are described from Hawaiian waters. The doratopsis stage is shown to be a diagnostic feature of the family Chiroteuthidae. This family, as now defined, includes the genera Chiroteuthis, Asperoteuthis, Grimalditeuthis and Planktoteuthis. Doratopsis sagitta, Valbyteuthis, Tankaia, Echinoteuthis and Enoptroteuthis spinicauda are placed as junior synonyms of Grimalditeuthis bonplandi, Planktoteuthis, Chiroteuthis, Mastigoteuthis and Lepidoteuthis grimaldii respectively. An unknown type of paralarva referred to as “big-fin” is described. Members of the “chiroteuthid lineage” which apparently includes the Chiroteuthidae, Mastigoteuthidae, Joubiniteuthidae, Batoteuthidae, Promachoteuthidae and “big-fin” may all have secondarily derived tentacular clubs.

Description: Gastric contents o f Merluccius australis polylepis Ginsburg y Macruronus magellanicus Lönnberg were examined in Order to know the cephalopods incidence. The samples were obtained from multiespecific fishing (whith bottom trawls) off chilean coast (45°-56°30’Sy 68°-76°W)between may and november 1986. Both species offish analized have low percentage of squids (5,6% and 4,8% respectively). The following species of cephalopods were identified: Loligo gahi Orbigny, Histioteuthis atlantica ? (Hoyle), Brachioteuthis picta Chun, Gonatus antarciicus Lönnberg Todarodes filippovae Adam y Kondakovia longimana Filippovae. L. gahi being the most abundant. Records of their geographic and batimetric distribution and a list of chilean cephalopods of Teuthoidea are given.

Description: Three specimens of the rare giant squid (genus Architeuthis, 18 nominal species) are described from the waters around southern Africa. Consideration of their internal and external morphology, including beaks, radula, statocyst and statolith give no reason to suppose that the three specimens do not pertain to the same species. A standardized data collection form and a summary of existing morphometric data are presented for the first time and the morphology and systematics of the genus are discussed. The value of various systematic characters is examined and certain guidelines are proposed, with an appeal for a more scientific approach to Architeuthis studies. Features of the internal anatomy, including the female reproductive tract, are described and illustrated and the beak dimensions are used to evaluate existing regression formulae for beak and body parameters. The statocyst and statolith are described and illustrated in full, the statolith for the first time, and are compared with those of other squids. The value of recent data from trawl-caught specimens, as well as indirect evidence, is cited to replace speculation in discussions on distribution and habitat. Our specimens suggest that the waters off the south-western coast of Africa may be one of the natural habitats of Architeurhis, during both feeding and spawning periods of the life cycle.

Description: Migration, stock size and ecology of chokka squid Loligo vulgaris reynaudii off the West Coast of South Africa were studied and their relationship to other regions compared by analysis of distributional, biomass, and size composition, and biological data collected from biannual research cruises from 1983-1987. Biomass was lower than on the South Coast, higher in summer than in winter and declined over the duration of the study. The distribution of squid was generally continuous from the east up to between Cape Point and Cape Columbine. North of Cape Columbine it was more sporadic and occurred only occasionally in the far north (north of 31°S). Depth distribution, at up to 350 m, was much greater than on the S. Coast where an insignificant percentage of the biomass occurs over 200 m. The size composition was unimodal compared to a polymodal distribution on the S. Coast, and mean and modal sizes were smaller. Maturity rates and gonado-somatic indices were also much lower. The percentage of feeding squid was, however, considerably higher. These findings, together with distributional and commercial catch data, showed that cyclic immigration and emigration occurs between the two areas, probably to enable subadult squid to exploit the good foraging opportunities on the W. Coast. A multiple correlation analysis and regression model showed that catches were correlated with a combination of bottom depth, bottom temperatures and bottom oxygen levels. Bottom temperatures of below 8°C and bottom oxygen levels of below 3,5 ml.1-1 appeared to represent important limiting factors in the distribution. Trekgewoontes, stapelgrootte en die ekologie van die tjokka Loligo vulgaris reynaudii aan die Weskus van Suid-Afrika is bestudeer en verwantskappe met ander gebiede vergelyk aan die hand van ontleding van verspreidings-, biomassa-, grootteverspreidings-en biolog ¡ese data wat twee maal jaarliks tussen 1983 en 1987 versamei is. Biomassa was laer as aan die Suidkus, hoër in die somer as gedurende die winter en biomassaskattings het tydens die studie gedaal. Die verspreiding van tjokka was oor die algemeen aaneenlopend vanaf die ooste tot tussen Kaappunt en Kaap Columbine. Noord van Kaap Columbine was dit meer sporadies, en het slegs af en toe in die verre noorde (noord van 31 °S) voorgekom. Diepteverspreiding was tot 350 m, heel wat dieper as aan die Suidkus waar 'n onbeduidende persentasie van die biomassa dieper as 200 m voorkom. Die grootteverspreiding was unimodaal vergeleke met 'n polimodale verspreiding aan die Suidkus, en gemiddelde en modale groottes was kleiner. Die mate van geslagsrypheid en gonado-somatiese indekse was ook baie laer. Voedingstempos was egter heelwat hoër. Hierdie bevindings, tesarne met verspreidings-en vangsdata, het daarop gedui dat daar 'n sikliese immigrasie en emigrasie tussen die twee gebiede plaasvind, waarskynlik sodat voorvolwasse pylinkvis die goeie voedingspotensiaal aan die Weskus kan benut, 'n Meerveranderlike korrelasie-analise en regressiemodel het bewys dat vangste gekorreleerd was met 'n kombinasie van bodemdiepte, bodemtemperatuur en bodemsuurstofvlakke. Bodemtemperatuur onder 8°C en bodemsuurstofvlakke onder 3,5 ml.l-1 is blykbaar belangrike fakore wat beperkend inwerk op verspreiding.

Description: We noted whether Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), when travelling over snow, walked or tobogganed according to gradient, snow friction, or snow penetrability. Both walking and tobogganing penguins reduced stride length and stride frequency, and thus speed, with increasing uphill gradient although tobogganing birds travelled faster and with fewer leg movements. The incidence of tobogganing increased with decreasing friction between penguin and snow. The percentage of penguins tobogganing was also highly positively correlated with increasing snow penetrability. Penguins walking on soft snow must expend additional energy to pull their feet through the snow, whereas tobogganing birds do not sink. It is to be expected that Adélie penguins would utilize the most energetically favourable form of travel which, under almost all conditions, appeared to be tobogganing. Although tobogganing appears to be energetically more efficient than walking, rubbing the feathers over snow increases the coefficient of friction in unpreeened plumage. We propose that a high incidence of tobogganing necessitates increased feather care and that the decision whether to walk or toboggan probably represents a balance between immediate energy expenditure and subsequent energy and time expended maintaining plumage condition.

Description: Work on the life histories of common antarctic benthic marine invertebrates over the past several decades demands a revision of several widely held paradigms. First, contrary to expectations derived from work on temperate species, there is little or no evidence for temperature adaptation with respect to reproduction (gametogenesis), devel? opment, and growth. It remains to be determined whether the slow rates of these processes reflect some inherent inability to adapt to low temperatures, or are a response to features of the antarctic marine environment not directly related to low temperature, such as low food resources. Secondly, contrary to the widely accepted opinion designated as "Thor- son's rule," pelagic development is common in many groups of shallow-water marine invertebrates. In fact in some groups, such as asteroids, pelagic development is as prevalent in McMurdo Sound, the southern-most open-water marine environment in the world, as in central California. In other taxonomic groups, especially gastropods, there does seem to be a genuine trend toward non-pelagic development from tropical to antarctic latitudes. Although this trend has been predicted by theoretical models, its underlying causes appear to be group specific rather than general. Thirdly, pelagic lecithotrophic development, often considered to be of negligible importance, occurs in many shallow-water antarctic marine macroinvertebrates. Pelagic lecithotrophy may be an adaptation to a combination of poor food conditions in antarctic waters most ofthe year and slow rates of development. Nevertheless, some of the most abundant and widespread antarctic marine invertebrates have pelagic planktotrophic larvae that take very long times to complete development to metamorphosis. These species are particularly prevalent in productive regions of shallow water (〈 30 m), which are frequently disturbed by anchor ice formation, and the production of numerous pelagic planktotrophic larvae may represent a strategy for colonization. Although planktotrophic larvae tend to be seasonal in occurrence, their production is not linked particularly closely to the mid-summer pulse of phytoplankton production. These larvae show no evidence of starvation, even during times when phytoplankton abundance is very low, and they may depend on unusual sources of food, such as bacteria. How they escape the selective conditions that apparently led to a predominance of non-feeding modes of development in antarctic marine invertebrates remains as a major challenge for antarctic marine biology.

Description: The presence of Stoloteuthis leucoptera in the Mediterranean is recorded on the basis of three specimens, including an adult male, caught by IKMT and by commercial otter-trawl in the Ligurian Sea. The hypothesis of a recent immigration is discussed. The list of Mediterranean cephalopods (Mangold Wirz, 1963; Torchio, 1968; Bello, 1986; Mangold & Boletzsky, 1987) includes the Sepiolidae of the subfamily Heteroteuthinae, whose members are supposed to be pelagic throughout their life cycle. Mangold Wirz (1963) recognizes in the Mediterranean fauna the unique species Heteroteuthis dispar, the other authors include H. atlantis Voss, which Voss himself (1955) reported at Messina. To this group may now be added Stoloteuthis leucoptera (Verrill, 1878) a species until now recorded in limited Atlantic areas. Verrill (1881) wrote “This species is an exceedingly beautiful one, when living, owing to the elegance and brilliancy of its colours and the gracefulness of its movements. In swimming it moves its fins in a manner analogous to the motion of the wings of a butterfly.”

Description: The microstructure of a statolith taken from a juvenile, female specimen of giant squid Architeuthis sp. (42.2 cm ML) trawled off Southern Australia was examined. The statolith was mounted in thermoplastic cement and ground and polished on both the anterior and posterior surfaces to reveal the growth rings from the nuclear region to the edge. The growth rings were similar in appearance to daily growth rings observed in other oegopsid and myopsid squids. Based on replicate ring counts, the Architeuthis specimen was 153 days old and had an average daily growth rate of 2.76 mm per day. The presence of growth rings within the statoliths of the giant squid indicates that growth rings exist across the spectrum of cephalopod size from the smallest species, Idiosepius, to the largest of all cephalopods, Architeuthis.

Description: The biological variability of the northwestern Arabian Sea during the 1979 southwest monsoon has been investigated by the synthesis of satellite ocean color remote sensing with analysis of in situ hydrographic and meteorological data sets and the results of wind-driven modeling of upper ocean circulation. The phytoplankton bloom in the northwestern Arabian Sea peaked during August-September, extended from the Oman coast to about 65°E, and lagged the development of open-sea upwelling by at least 1 month. In total, the pigment distributions, hydrographic data, and model results all suggest that the bloom was driven by spatially distinct upward nutrient fluxes to the euphotic zone forced by the physical processes of coastal upwelling and offshore Ekman pumping. Coastal upwelling was evident from May through September, yielded the most extreme concentrations of phytoplankton biomass, and along the Arabian coast was limited to the continental shelf in the promotion of high concentrations of phytoplankton. Upward Ekman pumping to the northwest of the Somali Jet axis stimulated the development of a broad open-sea phytoplankton bloom oceanward of the Oman shelf. Vertical mixing during the 1979 southwest monsoon was apparently not a primary cause of the regional-scale phytoplankton bloom.

Description: Classification and distribution of cephalopod paralarvae in the western Japan Sea and northern sector of the East China Sea were studied. The materials were collected by the R/V Mizuho-Maru and T/V Mizunagi during mid-October to late November, 1987 and 1988. A total of 1128 paralarvae, excluding those of the Ommastrephidae, were examined and classified into 13 species of eight families except for the unclassified Octopodidae. The distribution charts of each species were prepared

Description: Sexual reproductive cycles of a Florida, U.S.A., population of four Caribbean commercial sponge species, Hippospongia lachne, Spongia barbara, S. cheiris and S. graminea, were determined by analysis of tissue samples collected over a three-year period. Spermatogenesis in these species was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. The production of male gametes occurs in cysts within the endosomal tissue of mature specimens. Reproductive elements within an individual cyst develop synchronously while development between cysts is asynchronous. All available evidence suggests that these species are dioecious. Spermatogonia differentiate directly from choanocytes in situ. All cells of the chamber lose their collars and flagella and undergo mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes, each possessing a single flagellum. The ratio of nucleus to cell diameter in these cells is almost double that of choanocytes. Circumstantial evidence suggests that primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis to produce four spermatids, but confirmational chromatid linkage figures are still lacking. The mature spermatozoa lack both intermediate segments and acrosomes. Male gametes displayed a bright yellow-white autofluorescence when excited with blue light (460–485 nm).

Description: Jet propulsion concentrates muscle power on a small volume of high-velocity fluid to give high thrust with low Froude efficiency. Proponents are typically escape artists with high maintenance costs. Nonetheless, oceanic squids depend primarily on jets to forage over large volumes of relatively unproductive ocean low power density, W m−3). A survey of locomotor performance among phyla and along an ‘evolutionary continuum’ of cephalopods (Nautilus, Sepia, Loligo and Illex) suggests that increasing speed and animal power density are required if animals are to compete effectively in environments of decreasing power density. Neutral buoyancy and blood oxygen reserves require unproductive volume, keeping drag high. Undulatory fins increase efficiency, but dependence on muscular hydrostats without rigid skeletal elements limits speed. Migratory oceanic squids show a remarkable range of anatomical, physiological and biochemical adaptations to sustain high speeds by maximizing power density. Muscle mitochondrial density increases 10-fold, but metabolic regulation is realigned to optimize both aerobic and anaerobic capacity. The origins of these adaptations are examined (as far as possible, and perhaps further) along the continuum leading to the most powerful invertebrates.

Description: Earlier work by the second author on the growth of oceanic squids, based on sizefrequency distributions of beaks sampled from sperm whale stomachs and on structural marks on those beaks, showed that these squids apparently had growth rates far in excess of those reported for the fastest-growing fishes, e.g. bluefin tuna. The application of recently developed methods for analysis of length-frequency distributions to some of these earlier data, and new approaches for assessing and comparing the growth performance offish and aquatic invertebrates, suggest the need for a downward revision of these high growth estimates. This is illustrated here with data on Kondakovia longimana (Cephalopoda, Onychoteuthidae) sampled off Durban and Donkergat, South Africa, in the early to mid-1960s.

Description: Squid on their spawning grounds feed mainly at night when they are more dispersed. In all, 28,5 per cent of squid sampled at night had food in their stomachs, whereas only 6,7 per cent of those collected by day had food. Most stomachs contained only a single prey species (90,8% of those analysed). Teleosts dominated the prey of squid collected at night (58%M), followed by crustaceans (25%), polychaetes (9%) and cephalopods (3%). By day the prey was dominated by cephalopods (61%), followed by teleosts (20%), crustaceans (14%) and polychaetes (2%). Bregmaceros sp. was the most frequently identified teleost, Loligo vulgaris reynaudii (cannibalism) the dominant cephalopod, ?Betaeus sp. (Alpheidae; pieces of coral were also found) the commonest crustacean and Nereis sp. the commonest polychaete. There were seasonal differences in the diet too: squid caught during summer seemed to have similar proportions of the four main prey components. Also, the incidence of feeding was higher than in winter. There were, however, no significant differences in stomach mass expressed as a percentage of body mass between day and night nor between season nor between sexes. The average stomach mass of all samples was 0,6 per cent of body mass, less than on the feeding grounds, where it is generally about 2 per cent.

Description: In the coastal waters between Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro State (Lat. 23°S) and Chui, Rio Grande do Sui State (Lat. 34°S), more than 30 species of cephalopods occur in the different marine environments. Temperate benthic octopuses of low fecundity, bearing large eggs, are restricted to the cold bottom waters of the outer shelf and the slope, in contrast to species of tropical origin, which occupy the more diverse shallow water habitats, principally along the Rio de Janeiro coast. Cosmopolitan warm-water octupuses with high fecundity, like Scaeurgus unicirrhus and Octopus vulgaris, are found along the entire area because the transport of pelagic juveniles is favored by the warm, southward flowing superficial Brazil Current. All three families of epipelagic octopuses are represented. The neritic squid fauna includes only five myopsid squids, four of them of tropical origin. At the upper slope Illex argentinus is dominant and several mesopelagic and bathipelagic oegopsids, widely distributed in tropical and temperate Atlantic Ocean waters, also occur. The absence of endemic species indicates the transitional character of the fauna between the Caribbean and the Patagonian regions.

Description: In this paper, a stomach content analysis of frilled shark Chlamydoselaclrus anguineus is presented based on 139 specimens caught incidentally by sergestid shrimp midwater trawlins or bottom gill-net fishing conducted in Suruga Bay from 1984 to 1988. The food items of this shark were mostly decapodao cephalopods and fishes, which were found at the frequencies of 60.5% and 10.5 %. respectively among the stomachs containing food. Food items found in the stomach, except for two cases of common squid Todarades paciftcus were digested to such an extent that it was not possible to identify the original shape. Thcrefore, species identification of decapodan cephalopods was performed by their beaks. These includcd bathypelagic species as weil as epipelagic species. The empty stomach rate of specimens examined was 73.4% showing an extremely high Ievel as compared with other deep-water sharks.

Description: Based on sequential growth stages of Moroteuthis robusta, M. japonica and M. pacifica are synonymous with M. robusta, and smaller stages are bridged to the Onykia “carribaea” species complex. Within the family Onychoteuthidae, the genus Onykia has in common with the genus Moroteuthis the absence of both visceral photophores and dorsal nuchal folds. Young Moroteuthis have a smooth mantle surface with a distinct iridescence, a small number of marginal suckers on the tentacular club and an indistinct cartilageous cap on the endocone. While, large Onykia develop rhomboidal fins, an inverted Y-shaped cartilageous ridge in the funnel groove, and a reduced number of marginal suckers on the club, all of which characterize Moroteuthis. Close examination of a series of O. “carribaea” specimens reveals that the species is not monospecific, but contains more than one species. It is thus suggested that the genus Onykia, therefore, appears to represent juvenile stages of the genus Moroteuthis.

Description: The stomach contents of 13 specimens of Loligo gahi, captured off the Falkland Islands, were examined. The squids had all fed upon one species of crustacean belonging to the genus Euphausia. The weight of the stomach contents was between 4.5 and 8.0% of the total wet body weight. Several stomachs contained eyes from as many 96 to 244 individuals of this crustacean. The results shows that this species has a type and food intake similar to other loliginids and ommastrephids from temperate and boreal waters. Loligo gahi is fished in considerable quantity from these waters and its feeding habits indicate that it has an important influence on the krill, playing an important role in the trophic web of the ecosystem in these waters.

Description: The moult fast in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) chicks was studied during January 1990 at Drescher Inlet, eastern Weddell Sea. In early January feeding of the chicks had stopped and about 4,000–5,000 chicks were in the inlet. The number of starving chicks decreased rapidly until 26 January when all chicks had either left the inlet or died. Mean body mass loss of starving chicks was 257 g/day and the evaluated specific daily mass loss was 25 g/kg body mass. The critical body mass, i.e. the mass below which chicks die, during moulting starvation was estimated to be 4 kg. Mean body mass was higher and mass loss lower in chicks at more advanced moult stages. Chicks left the inlet before moult was completed, although the sea-ice was still stable.

Description: Squid (Illex illecebrosus, Loligo pealei) were cannulated in the vena cava and swum in a Beamish-type respirometer. Gas tensions and acid-base variables as well as octopine levels were estimated in samples of the mantle and of venous blood collected from quiescent, exercised, and recovered animals. When exhausted, both species exhibited a decrease in vena cava oxygen tensions and a slight alkalosis. With high swimming speeds prior to exhaustion in Illex a slight acidosis developed in the blood, which was linked to a severe intracellular acidosis. Generally, the drop in intracellular pH was linearly correlated with octopine accumulation in this species. Metabolic proton (and end-product) release from the mantle, however, was minimal, thus protecting arterial oxygen binding. High PCO2 values in the mantle of both species lead to the conclusion that the vena cava values analyzed in this and all literature studies on unrestrained cephalopods may not reflect the scope of respiratory acid-base changes in venous blood. Although metabolic changes in blood acid-base status are negligible, the respiratory acidification of venous mantle blood may allow for a classical function of Bohr and Haldane effects in these animals.

Description: Benthoctopus piscatorum appears to be a multiple spawner. In the ovary of one specimen about 50 eggs were found at various stages of development.

Description: Seafloor topography is neither spatially homogeneous, nor does it obey Gaussian statistics; deviations from both of these assumptions are important from a geological and acoustic point of view. It has been found that the distribution of topographic slopes can be used as a primary tool for understanding the sources and extent of spatial heterogeneities and patterns on the seafloor. The covariance function has been widely used to characterize seafloor topography, but requires the assumption of Gaussian joint probability statistics to be valid. For heterogeneous topography characterized by large transient signals such as steep scarps and volcanoes, the covariance becomes dominated by the transients; in contrast the family slope distributions can still be used to derive stable descriptors for regions with large transient signals, as well as regions containing asymmetric features, and regions with only limited sampling. Knowledge of slopes is useful because a direct relation exists between the covariance and the slope distributions at different spatial scales. Studies of the slope distribution provide a means of identifying the presence of the non‐Gaussian elements in the topography, and flagging their spatial locations. The methods used here are demonstrated by applying them to three small patches of topography located within 20 km of each other in the Eastern Pacific. It is found that dominant azimuthal directions and dip angles differ widely between the patches. In addition, asymmetries in the cross‐sectional shapes of faulted abyssal hills are documented. [Work supported by ONR.]

Description: The inner Scotian Shelf off the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia forms an irregular surface that extends some 25–30 km seaward of the present coastline to water depths of about 100 m where it drops off into Emerald Basin. The distribution of Late Quaternary deposits is highly variable both along and across the shelf. These sediments preserve a record of Late Wisconsinan glaciation, ice recession, and late- and post-glacial changes of relative sea level. Glaciomarine deposits occur in a valley complex extending seaward from Halifax Harbour. East of Halifax, we observe a three-part zonation across the inner shelf. The innermost zone extends to water depths of about 50 m. It is characterized by acoustic basement (Meguma Group metasediments), either outcropping or overlain by acoustically unstratified deposits, interpreted as glacial diamict, and by a unit interpreted as stratified outwash. These units are overlain by stratified valleyfill deposits representing Holocene lacustrine and estuarine facies, which have been sampled in a number of cores. Much of the inner shelf is covered by a thin veneer of sand and gravel, generally less than 1 m thick. Further seaward, the sea floor is an erosional unconformity that truncates acoustic units interpreted as glacial diamict and stratified drift. The stratified estuarine deposits found in the inner zone appear to be absent here, but thin patches of transgressive lag deposits occur throughout the area. The outer part of the inner shelf is dominated by outcrop of acoustic basement, with very limited surficial sediment cover. This zone of rugged outcrop occupies half or more of the inner shelf width over much of the study area. The extensive outcrop is attributed to a combination of glacial and/or glaciofluvial erosion, limited recessional deposition, and reworking of any remaining sediment cover by energetic long-period surface gravity waves under lower postglacial sea levels. Seaward of the outcrop zone, there is a transitional area between the inner shelf and Emerald Basin. This zone is characterized by high relief, with exposures of acoustic basement rising up to 60 m above intervening depressions. The depressions are partially filled by stratified glaciomarine and marine deposits up to 55 m thick. Lateral transitions between stratified and unstratified facies along a morainal ridge in northern Emerald Basin suggest the presence of a partially grounded floating ice margin in this area. Late-glacial relative sea level changes remain poorly defined. Several lines of evidence suggest high relative sea level early in the process of glacial recession from the inner shelf, followed by a rapid drop resulting from glacio-isostatic rebound. Samples of estuarine and salt-marsh deposits collected in cores from the inner part of the inner shelf provide evidence of Holocene marine transgression from below −40 m at 11,000 years BP, continuing to the present.

Description: Helium (RA = 3.0 to 5.6) and carbon (δ13C from −7.2 to −3.4‰) isotopic compositions, and relative CO2, CH4, N2, He and Ar contents of CO2-rich gases from Lakes Nyos and Monoun, Cameroon; Laacher See, Germany; Dieng Volcanic Plateau, Indonesia, and a well at Mt. Gambier, Australia, point to a common, essentially magmatic origin. Absorption of the original magmatic gases into deeply circulating groundwater and equilibration of the resulting solutions with crustal rock at temperatures of about 300°C fix CO2 and CH4 contents. On further rise, the solutions start to boil separating gas-rich vapors which, on encountering an impermeable barrier, may accumulate to form gas pockets with steadily increasing pressures. In the case of sufficiently high gas contents, the pressures may exceed lithostatic pressures leading to a blow-out or a “pneumatic” eruption (Dieng). Otherwise, gas may accumulate to form a stable pocket (Mt. Gambier). Minor leakage from such pockets may lead to surface discharges of CO2-rich gases as at Laacher See, re-absorption into shallow groundwater to the formation of the low-salinity, CO2-charged waters encountered at Lakes Nyos and Monoun. The occurrence of these high-CO2, low-temperature systems is likely to be favored in tectonically active regions, allowing deep, possibly mantle gases to rise, but with sufficiently low regional heat flows to prevent the establishment of large-scale geothermal activity.

Description: Cephalopods are a common but not abundant element of the micronekton of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area hydrographically and biologically similar to low latitude oligotrophic oceans throughout the world. Forty seven species were identified from Tucker trawl collections in the vicinity of 27°N, 86°W, with seven new records for the Gulf. All species have been recorded from the Atlantic and 69% are pan-oceanic at low latitudes. The Teuthoidea were the largest fraction of the catch, particularly species of the families Enoploteuthidae and Cranchiidae. All but three species occurred in the epipelagic zone at night and diel vertical migration is suggested for many of the population. Closing trawl data indicate that most of the cephalopod population occurs shallower than 200 m at night and centers at 100 to 400 m during the day. Populations of several of the abundant, smaller species were greatest in July but this could not be linked, on the basis of size measurements, to recruitment of juveniles to the population. Diet analysis indicates that micronektonic cephalopods are crustacean feeders as juveniles, but rely more on fish as they mature (〉4 cm mantle length). Some cannibalism is apparent. Cranchiids contained relatively little food which might result from a relatively inactive life strategy. The latter is suggested by rather flaccid musculature in comparison to other teuthoids. The copepod genus Pleuromamma is highly selected for by a number of species, perhaps a function of the strong bioluminescent signal produced by members of this genus. Cluster analysis revealed several feeding guilds among the abundant species, though intracluster diets usually exhibited strong overlap. Given the relatively low abundance levels of cephalopods (50–70·103km−2; 0–1,000 m), trophic competition may stem primarily from more abundant (〉10×) micronektonic groups such as midwater fishes and shrimps than from other cephalopods.

Description: The areas of marine pollen deposition are related to the pollen source areas by aeolian and fluvial transport regimes, whereas wind transport is much more important than river transport. Pollen distribution patterns ofPinus, Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, and Asteraceae Tubuliflorae trace atmospheric transport by the northeast trades. Pollen transport by the African Easterly Jet is reflected in the pollen distribution patterns of Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae Tubuliflorae, andMitracarpus. Grass pollen distribution registers the latitudinal extension of Sahel, savannas and dry open forests. Marine pollen distribution patterns of Combretaceae-Melastomataceae,Alchornea, andElaeis reflect the extension of wooded grasslands and transitional forests. Pollen from the Guinean-Congolian/Zambezian forest and from the Sudanian/Guinean vegetation zones mark the northernmost extension of the tropical rain forest.Rhizophora pollen in marine sediments traces the distribution of mangrove swamps. Only near the continent, pollen ofRhizophora, Mitracarpus, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, and pollen from the Sudanian and Guinean vegetation zones are transported by the Upwelling Under Current and the Equatorial Under Current, where those currents act as bottom currents. The distribution of pollen in marine sediments, reflecting the position of major climatic zones (desert, dry tropics, humid tropics), can be used in tracing climatic changes in the past.

Description: The enoploteuthid cephalopod Abraliopsis lineata is re-described and its generic position discussed. Specimens for the present study were captured during the Indian Ocean Expedition of RV Meteor in 1987, where the species occurred in considerable numbers. The geographical distribution of A. lineata is described and discussed. The detailed analysis of the photophore pattern of the present specimens differs from the original description. The diagnostic features in the male, especially the structure of the hectocotylus which separates A. lineata easily from the members of the subgenus Pfefferiteuthis, are outlined. The morphological differences which separate A. lineata from A. gilchristi, the only other member of the subgenus Micrabralia, are summarized.

Description: In order to validate daily growth increments in statoliths of Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus, squid were reared for 67 days and fed twice with saury fillets which were immersed in tetracycline HCl (TC) solution. The interval between the first and second oral administrations of TC was 35 days. Two fluorescent marks with TC were observed in the ground and polished statoliths under UV light. The mean number of growth increments between two marks with TC was 34.9(n=17, SD=1.2). This number corresponded with the number of days elapsed (35 days) between two TC administrations. It was concluded from this result that growth increments in the statoliths of T. pacificus were formed daily.

Description: World-wide catches of cephalopods peaked in 1987 at 2.3 million metric tons, of which about 1.84 million tons (80*) were squids. Annual catches can vary widely depending on a variety of environmental, biological and fishery-induced factors, all poorly understood. Estimates for potential production of cephalods exceed 4 million tons. Cephalopods are captured by a variety of gears, primarily jigging machines, trawls and drift nets. While jigging, trolling, pelagic seining, potting, etc. are less destructive techniques that target specific sizes and species, trawling and drift netting tend to be non-discriminatory, therefore threatening juveniles of target species, non- target species and habitats. Fishermen, industry representatives, fishery scientists and resource managers, and national and international fishery administrators must collaborate to develop research and statistics programs, "resource-friendly" capture techniques and seasons, and rational management schemes to ensure continued, or even increased, sustained production.

Description: Development of female reproductive organs during sexual maturation was studied for Japanese common squid caught from feeding and spawning grounds. The female maturity was divided into six stages based on the histological observation of ovary. The maturity was compared with the ovary somatic index (OSI: ovary weight as a percentage of body weight), oviduct somatic index (ODSI: oviduct weight as a percentage of body weight), gonad somatic index (ovary and oviduct weight as a percentage of body weight) and nidamental gland index (m: a ratio of nidamental gland length to mantle length). Results showed that the female maturational process consists of two phases and ovary and oviducts development are correlative with the nidamental gland development. In the first phase, ripe eggs are produced in the ovary with the rapid development of the nidamental gland and in the next phase, ripe eggs are transferred into the oviducts and stored there until spawning. The nidamental gland development is slower in the next phase, wich suggests that the production of jelly material is started in this organ. It is possible to express the female maturity condition by GSI and m. These numerical values are GSI〉1.0 and m〉0.208 in yolk formation stage; GSI〉2.6and m〉0.290 in the mature stage.

Description: Bait Squid, Illex illecebrosus, occur sporadically in Newfoundland waters, although in great number in some years, as much as 80,000 tons in 1979, in other years there are very few. Dispersal from a spawning site associated with the Gulf Stream to reach as far north as Newfoundland may depend upon differential growth rates of larvae causing some to grow faster and migrate to areas further south in some years. With great spawning success larvae may grow more slowly so reaching further north in other years.

Description: Development of male reproductive organs during sexual maturation was studied for Japanese common squid caught from feeding and spawning grounds. The male maturity was divided into five stages based on the histological observation of the testis. The maturity was compared with testis somatic index (TSI: testis weight as a percentage of body weight) and accessory gland somatic index (AGSI: accessory gland weight as a percentage of body weight). Results showed that sperm have already been produced in the testis even when the testis is a relatively small size, and that the male maturational process consists of two phases. In the first phase, sperm are produced in the testis and in the next phase sperm are transferred into the accessory gland, stored there in the form of spermatophore until copulation with the female. In the maturation stage, sperm are still produced, which means that copulating behavior is repeated by same male during this final sexual stage. It is possible to express the male maturity condition by TSI and AGSI. These numerical values are TSI〉0.5 and AGSI〉0.1 in the maturing stage; TSI〉2.0 and AGSI〉l.0 in the mature stage.

Description: In den 1980er Jahren wurden umfangreiche Bestandsaufnahmen zur Formenvielfalt der Fischkrankheiten sowie der saisonalen und regionalen Fluktuation ihrer Befallsraten in deutschen Küstengewässern angestellt. Sowohl Formenvielfalt als auch viele der Befallsraten scheinen im Wattenmeer und insbesondere in den dortigen Flußmündungen größer zu sein als in Vergleichsgewässern. Drei “neue” Krankheitsformen werden vorgestellt: die nahrungsinduzierte Maulgranulomatose des Stints, die vermutlich durch Flexibacter-Bakterien verursachte Gelbe Pest des Kabeljaus und eine Fibrom des Steinpickers, in dem lentivirusähnliche Partikel nachgewiesen wurden. Das Schwergewicht der bisherigen Forschungsvorhaben lag auf dem Sammeln von Felddaten. Mangels experimenteller Arbeitsansätze müssen viele wichtige Fragen zur Bedeutung dieser Krankheiten daher heute noch unbeantwortet bleiben. So bleibt die Vermutung unbewiesen, daß ein Reihe von parasitenbedingten Krankheiten einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur natürlichen Sterblichkeit vor allem von jungen Nutzfischen im Wattenmeer liefert. Auch das komplizierte Wirkungsgefüge anthropogener und natürlicher Faktoren bei der Entstehung von Fischkrankheiten im Gebiet wird ohne gezielte experimentelle Arbeiten nicht aufzudecken sein. Das Auftreten von Gelber Pest, Ichthyophonus-Krankheit und lentivirusähnlichen Partikeln in Fischtumoren stellt ein beträchtliches Gefährungspotential für die deutsche Fischwirtschaft dar. Allgemein ist festzustellen, daß in Deutschland eine große Empfänglichkeit gegenüber Umweltproblemen auf dem Gebiet der Marinen Pathologie besteht. Die nationalen Forschungskapazitäten sind aufgrund anderer, meist kurzfristig angelegter Arbeitsschwerpunkte jedoch nicht ausreichend darauf vorbereitet, diese Probleme auch erfolgreich zu analysieren und zu bewerten. Als Konsequenz wird gefordert, der bislang vernachlässigten Grundlagenforschung auf dem Gebiet der Marinen Pathologie neben der reinen Datenerhebung auf See künftig eine größere Bedeutung zuzumessen. Das gilt insbesondere für experimentelle und für biochemisch- und mikroskopisch-diagnostische Arbeiten. Künftig auftretende Probleme werden nur dann rechzeitig zu bewerten und zu lösen sein, wenn sich ein ausreichend breit angelegtes und fundiertes Wissenspotential kontinuierlich weiterentwickeln kann.

Description: Samples of Loligo gahi (D'Orbigny) were collected from commercial fishing vessels in the Falkland Islands Interim Conservation and Management Zone (FICZ) between March and October 1987, and from the R/V Wieczno during a survey in August 1988. Samples were divided according to the two fishing seasons (February to July; August to October) and the samples from the scientific survey were pooled with those of the second commercial fishing season. L. gahi were aged using putative daily growth increments within the statoliths. There was indirect evidence that growth increments in the statolith were laid down at the rate of one per day. The maximum life span of the males was a little over 1 year and was approximately 1 year in females. Back-calculation ofthe month of hatching reveals the presence of two spawning groups within the FICZ population which give rise to the two fishing seasons. Growth rates were calculated for both sexes from both seasons. There was considerable individual variation in growth rate in squid from both seasons and there was more scatter in the data from first season samples taken from the commercial fishery alone. Log-linear growth models give the best fit to the data combining the fishery and scientific survey samples from the second season. Very low or apparent negative growth exhibited by squid sampled during the first season may be due to bias because the commercial fishery samples a narrow depth range. Migration of schools of squid of similar size through the narrow depth range in which the fishery operates probably yields samples that are size selected. Care should be taken in modelling squid growth where migratory effects may bias the data.

Description: Regional terrane analysis has been combined with a global evaluation of plate kinematics to produce a new tectonic model for the Mesozoic evolution of western North America and its associated marginal seas. The model employs a two-tiered data reliability ranking system to resolve conflicts within data sets. The lower tier of the ranking system involves the assignment of a numerical rank to paleomagnetic and/or paleobiogeographic data based on each data set's reliability. The upper tier of the ranking system places the paleomagnetic and paleobiogeographic data in perspective by assigning a relative order of importance to different types of data. The most reliable data are considered to be “departure” (rift) and “arrival” (collision) times that are tightly constrained by independent data sets. Evidence of subduction and/or strike-slip motion also ranks high in the master ranking system. Paleomagnetic and vertebrate paleobiogeographic data come next in the hierarchy, followed by invertebrate and floral paleobiogeographic data. Application of this approach to a case study, the “Baja British Columbia” controversy, has resulted in a coherent model for the entire region.

Description: Gross buoyancy adjustment in Sepia is achieved during growth by the combined effect of 1) the addition o f gas-ßlled spaces to the «chambered» inner shell (cuttlebone), and 2) the addition o f tissues heavier than sea water. Healthy animals always show slightly negative to near-neutral buoyancy. Although the cuttlebone is surrounded by tissue, it can be damaged by would-bepredators (including man), by compressionfailure at the criticalhydrostaticpressure (maximum tolerable depth), and by other factors. Various observations show that a partly broken shell may be more or less completely repaired, essentially by extensive secretion of organic material "pasting" the fragments to one another and to intact parts o f the shell. Buoyancy control is maintained or restored in surviving animals. Thus the extern of shellfracture and repair is recognizable only post mortem. Clearly the cuttlebone System can cope with severe injury in a way comparable to shell repair in Nautilus.

Description: Larval behaviour, settlement, and metamorphosis were investigated in four Caribbean commercial sponges, Hippospongia lachne, Spongia barbara, S. cheiris and S. graminea, using light and transmission electron microscopy. The parenchymella larvae of these viviparous and gonochoristic species have an average size of 350 μm by 420 μm when released. Symbiotic bacteria occur intercellularly in both larvae and post-larvae. Laboratory behavioural studies demonstrate that free-swimming larvae display directional swimming with constant lateral rotation and negative phototaxis. Larval settlement occurs 26–56 hours after release from the parent and involves the formation of a basal lamella between the post-larva and substrate. There is no evidence of larval substrate selection by type or orientation. The canal system begins to form six days after settlement and oscules are apparent eleven days post-settlement. Available evidence suggests that larval ciliated epithelial cells are terminally differentiated and do not appear to contribute to formation of post larva or adult in this group of Porifera.

Description: The present study demonstrates that a distinct land-associated community of mesopelagic micronekton exists around the Hawaiian Islands. This “mesopelagic-boundary community” replaces the oceanic mesopelagic community over bottom depths of approx 400 to 700 m and includes about 14 species of fishes, 5 of shrimps and 4 of squids. Similar species of the mesopelagic micronekton have been reported in association with other landmasses at the boundary between the oceanic mesopelagic realm and upper continental or island slopes. These species may form a cosmopolitan “mesopelagic-boundary community” which shows regional differences in taxonomic composition, abundance and diversity. Boundary communities, with populations which are both tightly constrained geographically and relatively accessible to shore-based research programs, offer unique opportunities for studying biological processes of the mesopelagic realm and the interactions between neritic and oceanic populations. Data is presented from three midwater and two neuston sampling projects undertaken around the main Hawaiian Islands between 1987 and 1989; additional evidence from the literature is also discussed.

Description: To evaluate the feasibility of feeding Sepia officinalis on artificial food, a food pellet consisting of Palaemon serratus powder and alginate as binding agent was developed and tested. Six of seven cuttlefish clearly ingested the artificial food during the ten days it was supplied.

Description: The structure of the reproductive systems of mature males and females of the nektonic, oceanic squid Thysanoteuthis rhombus are described. The main peculiarities of the female system are relatively low capacity oviducts, set in a tight spiral, and hypertrophically developed oviducal glands with a very large second section. The male reproductive system is characterized by a long, narrow Needham's sac containing 10–15 large spermatophores 80–100 mm in length. The mesentery supporting the gonad, and protruding into it dorsally, is a characteristic feature in both sexes. The hectocotylus structure differs markedly from that in other squids and resembles that of sepiids. The reproductive system of T. rhombus possesses primitive features (pattern of gonad attachment and hectocotylus) but mostly secondary characters (small oviducts, very large oviducal glands and ovary). The complex morpho-ecological adaptations of T. rhombus are reflected in the distinctive features of the reproductive system.

Description: Idiosepius thailandicus n. sp. is characterized in having' two rows of tentacle suckers and only 3-4 suckers on the hectocotylized arm (Arms IV of the male). It is a common neritic cephalopod along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

Description: Geographical variation in the morphological characters of Australian Rossiinae were examined using principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), discriminant function analysis (DFA), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and latitudinal and longitudinal regression analyses. The results show that morphological differences occur between populations of Rossia from the North West Shelf (W.A.) and populations from eastern and southern Australia. Evidence from these analyses suggest that these two populations are genetically distinct, the North West Shelf specimens belonging to a possible new species, described as R. sp. 1, the eastern and southern Australian specimens identified as R. australis Berry, 1918 and redescribed on the basis of new material. That all the latter specimens belong to a single species is further supported by electrophoretic evidence. A new species of Neorossia, N. leptodons, is identified and described, differing from the only described representative of this genus, N. caroli (Joubin, 1902), in the shape of the radular teeth. The two species were also shown to differ using multivariate statistical techniques. N. caroli is redescribed from the holotype and additional material. In addition, specimens of Neorossia from southeastern Australia are compared electrophoretically with R. australis. It was found that members of these two genera differed for 66% of loci.

Description: Seasonal variation in the diet of common seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Moray Firth, north-east Scotland, was determined from analysis of faecal samples collected at haul-out sites during each month of 1988. Data on diet of common seals in 1987 are also presented. Limitations of the methods available for quantification of diet are discussed. Although some of the observed variation in diet from month to month may reflect changes in the sampling regime, a clear seasonal pattern was apparent, with clupeids predominating in the winter and sandeels in the summer. The trends observed are consistent with opportunistic feeding on the most abundant Prey.

Description: Knowledge concerning biology of two loliginids and three sepiids which are found in the Japanese waters was reviewed including unpublished information of the authors. The swordtip squid, Photololigo edulis, is one of the most important resources for the coastal fisheries of Kyushu and the prefectures facing the southwest Japan Sea. This species is the only species of genus Photololigo found along the Japanese mainland coast and is easily distinguished from other loliginids, by the light organs on the ink sac. The species is distributed from southern Japan to the Red Sea. The spawning season extends throughout the year. Egg cases are laid in clusters on the sandy bottom. The life span is about one year. In the juvenile stage they feed on Crustacea and after reaching pre‐maturity they prey mainly on fish, but many have empty stomachs. Most catches are made by jigging and trawler. The fishing season extends throughout the year. The fishing grounds are widely spread over the continental shelf. Annual catches are around 25 000 metric tonnes. Although this level varies from year to year, it is fairly stable. Fishing has probably little effect on the stocks. The spear squid, Heterololigo bleekeri, can be easily distinguished from other loliginids by its shorter tentacles. The species is endemic in the Far East waters. The stocks are larger in the north. The spawning season is winter in south Japan, and from spring to early summer in north Japan. Egg cases are laid beneath the undersurfaces of firm substances. The life span is about one year. Its feeding behaviour is similar to that of the swordtip squid. Catches are made mainly with bottom trawler and fixed nets from autumn to spring. Annual landings fluctuate widely from year to year. Several prefectures along the northern Japan Sea coast are promoting the large scale development of artificial spawning beds of the species to increase the stocks. The three sepiids, golden cuttlefish. Sepia esculenta, kisslip cuttlefish. Sepia lycidas, and spineless cuttlefish, Sepiella japonica are important in mainland Japan. Those three spawn from spring to early summer in the innermost waters of semi‐enclosed inlets. Eggs are laid in batches of 50–300 every day for 3–4 days followed by a rest period of 1–2 days. This pattern is repeated until several thousands of eggs have been laid. The life span of Sepia esculenta and Sepiella japonica is one year. They feed mainly on decapod crustaceans and fish but as growth proceeds the proportion of fish increases. They are fished mainly by cuttlefish trap and beam trawler. In the early 1960s annual landings were 20 000 metric tonnes but since 1980 catches have decreased below 10 000 metric tonnes. Of the three species, the stock of Sepiella japonica is the most fluctuable. Judging from the result of the stock assessment studies on Sepiella japonica in the western Inland Sea, their stocks have been over‐exploited.

Description: A seabird and mammal census was carried out in the north-eastern Weddell Sea during the austral winter of 1986. The German research icebreaker Polarstern operated in heavy pack ice along the Greenwich Meridian between the northern sea ice boundary and the Antarctic coast. Crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica) and snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea) were found to be more abundant in the vicinity of the submarine Maud Rise, about 700 km north of the continental margin, than in other areas of substantial ice cover traversed during that cruise. The aggregations of birds and mammals are expected to reflect aggregations of their principal food, krill (Euphausia superba) wintering underneath the ice cover. The distribution pattern of krill predators coincides with the course of a warm water belt upwelling near Maud Rise. This upwelling could induce local ice melting which in turn may result in an increased release of sea ice algae.

Description: The holotype of Octopus schultzei (Hoyle, 1910) was examined, to verify its taxonomic status. The holotype, a male and the only specimen known, possesses unusual characters not referred to in the original description nor in subsequent reports. Most striking are the arm tips, all of which, except the hectocotylus (right third arm), have a mass of long, closely packed finger-like processes instead of suckers. The hectocotylized portion of right arm III is very small, uniform and spongy in structure; the end organ lacks a longitudinal depression and cross-striations; a calamus is absent. These and other characters confirm the specific validity of O. schultzei and readily distinguish it from all other known species of Octopus. The systematic significance of these and other unusual characters supports the establishment of a new genus, Aphrodoctopus.

Description: Cephalopods, including octopus, cuttlefish, and squid, are a major component in the marine biomass. Due to high behavioral diversity among species, uncertainty exists concerning the general applicability of sampling and capture techniques. This factor impacts on understanding of the overall abundance and status of stocks. In addition to accelerated exploitation of cephalopods by international fisheries countries, cephalopods represent a major prey component in the diets of other marine species. In the Southern Ocean alone, it is estimated that the consumption of cephalopods by seabirds, whales and seals may reach 34 million tons annually. On a worldwide basis, the total natural predation on cephalopods probably exceeds 100 million tons, more than the total annual harvest of aquatic species by humans. Scientists and fisheries managers are not able to accurately measure cephalopod stocks under direct exploitation. Yet the relatively few species being exploited comprise only a fraction of available worldwide resources. Some of the traditional capture techniques are discussed with an indication of their effectiveness; possible options and access to new or latent methods also are noted.

Description: Professor Gilbert L. Voss served the leading role in American cephalopod research for nearly 40 years. He drew attention to the importance of cephalopods in marine ecosystems and as fisheries resources. Through his research and that of his students he significantly advanced the knowledge of cephalopod systematics, distribution and biology. An insight into Gil Voss' ideas and attitudes concerning cephalopod research and teaching is given. Voss's broad interests are indicated in his bibliography of over 210 diverse published items, including 73 book reviews, 16 editorials, and 124 research papers on cephalopods, fishes, crustaceans, botany, zoogeography, history of oceanography, anthropology, fisheries, and marine and deepsea biology. He authored or co-authored descriptions of two new families or subfamilies, 6 new genera and more than 65 new species or subspecies.

Description: Loligo sanpaulensis is the most abundant Coastal squid in Southern Brazil. This paper analyzes its distribution and abundance in the Continental shelf off Rio Grande do Sul state. Samples were taken during four groundfish cruises of the RV Atläntico Sul in 1982 and 1983, one in each season, and covered latitudes from 30° 40' to 34° 30' S at depths ranging from 10 to 120 m, using a bottom trawl with 52.9-m footrope and a 50-mm cod-end mesh size. Loligo sanpaulensis was present in all seasons over the whole shelf. Highest catches were taken in spring, averaging 7.8 kg/h +/— 44 %; total abundance was estimated to be 3,554 metric tons. Significantly higher densities were found betwee 40 and 80 m in the Southern part of the survey area, at bottom temperatures less than 18 °C. Larger specimens, up to 190 mm dorsal mantle length in the case of males, were taken at intermediate depths in winter and spring, when length distributions showed two modes. Bottom water temperature was an important distribution factor. Loligo sanpaulensis was associated with colder, more productive areas of water masses fronts, namely the Subtropical Water and the northern influence limit of the Subantarctic Water of the Malvinas Current. The species has some potential as a fishing resource off south Brazilian coast.

Description: The diet of Opisthoteuthis agassizi and O. vossi in the southeast Atlantic was studied from 171 and 121 individuals respectively. Small epibenthic and suprabenthic crustaceans and polychaetes are the most frequent prey items in both species, suggesting that they feed on suprabenthic and epibenthic material. Diel analysis of feeding by O. agassizi at 490 m and O. vossi at 836 m depth demonstrated a pattern of continuous feeding. Relationships of total body length and beak measurements to total weight were also studied. The ultrastructure of sucker and cirri are described for both species and their relationship with prey detection mechanisms is discussed.

Description: A new species of octopod, Octopus magnificus, is described based on a total of 131 specimens from the southeastern Atlantic. The species has been collected from 26°03′S, 13°43′E to 34°29′S, 25°36′E between 2–560 m of depth, mainly on fine sandy bottom. The species is characterized by its large overall size, long ligula, the anatomy of the male reproductive tract, the shape of the funnel organ, skin loose and elongate folds present in live animals. O. magnificus is compared to three large octopuses, namely O. dofleini, O. maorum and Enteroctopus megalocyathus.

Description: The loliginid squid Loligo gahi (d’Orbigny, 1835) is one of the two major squid species exploited by the fishery in the Falkland Islands Interim Conservation and Management Zone (FICZ). The commercial fishery is regulated by the Fishery Department of the Falkland Islands Government. There are two fishmg seasons in each year, fom February to June and August to October. The two seasons arise as a result of the presence of two, or possibly more, spawning groups within the population. The species is annual and appears to conform to the general loliginid life history pattem. The young squid hatch in shallow water then migrate away from the spawning grounds, moving down the Continental shelf and slope as they feed and mature. The mature adults then move back up the Continental shelf to spawn in shallow water after which they die. Growth data for L. gahi are restricted to the time when the species is available to the commercial fishery. Squid from each spawning group recruit into the fishery at an age of about 6 months and are fished during the second half of their life cycle. The eggs and major spawning grounds have yet to be found.