ALBERT

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.

Beschreibung: 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.