ALBERT

Description: Stomach contents of Todarodes sagittatus caught by trawlers working from 100 to 800 m depth in the Balearic Sea (western Mediterranean) were studied. From the 348 stomachs examined (153 males and 195 females) 33.62% were empty (39.21% in males and 29.74% in females). The diet of the squid was composed of 58 different prey items belonging to four major groups: Osteichthya, Crustacea, Cephalopoda and Chondrichthya. Osteichthyes, crustaceans and cephalopods were the most common prey, with a frequency of occurrence value of 84.85, 48.92 and 29.87% respectively. A change in the diet as the squid grows was observed, since juveniles feed basically on fishes while adults prey more actively on crustaceans. Analysis of the diet by size-classes reflected an ontogenetic migration to deeper waters since, parallel to the increase of size, a raise in the percentage of prey species inhabiting deeper waters was detected. Cannibalism was quite frequent, since T. sagittatus was the second most common cephalopod prey. Females had higher fullness-weight index and lower emptiness index than males, which reflects their major energetic demand for egg production.

Description: The population structure of the European flying squid Todarodes sagittatus was studied using data of about 5000 squid caught in waters off the western Sahara between 1969 and 1997. The bulk of the population consisted of winter-spawned squid, which occurred as juveniles of 80–120 mm mantle length (ML) over the slope in spring, and as immature squid of 160–180 mm ML both on the shelf and slope in summer. In autumn, the squid attained 220–280 mm ML, matured, and shifted to the slope, where the spawning was supposed to occur in winter. Age and growth of T. sagittatus was studied using statolith ageing techniques. Assuming daily production of putative growth increments within statoliths, as well as sizes and proportions of immature and maturing females, the lifespan of the west Saharan populations of T. sagittatus lasts ∼1 y. Todarodes sagittatus is a fast growing squid at juvenile and immature ontogenetic phases. Early maturation (at ages 220–230 d in males and 250–260 d in females, respectively) and subsequent decrease of somatic growth rates caused rather small modal sizes of mature squid (250–300 mm ML) compared with those of their northern counterparts (350–420 mm ML). Both hatching dates and seasonality in occurrence of mature females shows that in waters off the western Sahara T. sagittatus spawns throughout the year with a well-pronounced winter peak.

Description: Size of ripe eggs and potential fecundity are described in the squid of the subfamilies Todaropsinae and Todarodinae (Oegopsida: Ommastrephidae)— Todaropsis eblanae from West Africa, Todarodes angolensis from Namibia, Todarodes sagittatus from north-west Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, Todarodes sp. from the south-east Pacific, Nototodarus hawaiiensis from the south-east Pacific and West Indian Ocean and Martialia hyadesi from the south-west Atlantic. Females of both subfamilies are characterized by a wide range of ripe egg size (0.7–2.4 mm) and low and medium values of potential fecundity (20,000–2,500,000).

Description: A total of 57 comparative hauls using a rectangular midwater trawl with a fishing mouth area of 50 m2 (RMT 50) were carried out along the sides of an imaginary triangle south of Madeira in 1986. A total of 1258 cephalopods were caught, giving a mean of 22 per haul with a range from 0 to 67. The nets were used with a diver's light on the top bar which was either switched off or was operated with a 20, 70 or 150 W bulb, powered by a car battery. A significantly greater number of individuals per haul was caught with lights on than without lights, increasing from a mean of 13·5–25·1, a factor of 1·8. Similarly, the number of species caught was increased from a mean of 7 to 10·4, a factor of 1·5 and the volume of cephalopods was increased from a mean of 41·1–162·3ml, a factor of 3·9. Similar comparisons made for catches during day or night separately and on the three courses separately also showed marked increases with the lights. Samples show that increase in power of the lights increased the total number of cephalopod individuals caught. In the 12 species with more than ten individuals, in 33 of the 36 comparisons (of number of individuals, species and volumes) there is an increase with the light. The most influenced species was Taonius pavo which increased in numbers by a mean factor of 3·9 times with 20W, 4·0 times with 70W and 6·1 times with 150W when compared with the numbers caught with no light.

Description: Octopuses ( Eledone cirrhosa (Octopoda: Cephalopoda)) held in an aquarium were subjected to varying conditions of feeding and starvation to evaluate putative indices of feeding and growth. Specific growth rate (%d −1 ) was linearly related to feeding rate (% of the body mass d −1 ) in animals with a mean body mass of 250 g at 15°C. Maximum growth rates varied between 〉 2% d −1 (body weights 〈 300 g) to 〈 1% d −1 (body weights ≤ 900 g) but specific growth rates were not related to body weight. Growth rates became negative (weight loss) after one week without food. The digestive gland index (DGI) was significantly correlated with short and long-term feeding and specific growth rates, and with body weight. Muscle RNA concentration was linearly correlated with growth rate during the previous 1–3 weeks but not with feeding rate. RNA:protein ratios were not different between mid-arm and mantle sample sites but arm tip values were significantly higher. RNA:protein ratio was related to body weight only in feeding animals. It is concluded that DGI is an index of feeding rate and that RNA:protein ratio can be used as an index of recent (~ 4 weeks) growth rate.

Description: Growth in Loliolus noctiluca (Myopsida: Loliginidae) in Western Port, Victoria, Australia was studied from statolith growth increments. Tetracycline staining experiments verified previous work on tropical forms of this species that showed growth increments to be deposited daily. A logistic growth function described the relationship between length and increment number. There appear to be major differences in the form of growth, longevity and life history pattern between tropical and temperate forms of this species. These are probably attributable to differences in environmental conditions.

Description: Two large (dorsal mantle length 42.5 and 47.5 cm), mated spent females of circum‐Antarctic bathypelagic cranchiid squid Galiteuthis glacialis were caught early in March 1992 at the surface of the ice hole in the western Weddell Sea over depths 1915‐1920 m by the team of the U.S.A.‐Russian Ice Station Weddell‐I. The structure of the reproductive system of adult females is described for the first time in detail. Both were gelatinous, devoid of tentacles, with empty or almost empty stomachs. The empty spermatangia (sperm reservoirs of spermatophores) 30‐35 mm in length were distributed in the mantle tissues parallel to the mantle surface and to each other in the dorso‐anterior part of the mantle: 13 in one female, parallel to the body axis, and 20 in the other, parallel (13) or perpendicular (7) to the body axis. In the latter case, they represented probably two mating events. The spermatangia lay nearer to the inner than the outer mantle side and opened by a round window on the inner side; the skin with chromatophores above them remained intact. The spermatozoa had one flagellum and rod‐like heads, length 5.0‐5.3 μm, width 1.2‐1.5 μm. The most characteristic features are: a very simple type of blood vessel branching making each micro‐gonad currant‐like, not grape‐like; a very compact disposition of oviducal, nidamental glands and gill, forming a united complex located on both sides of the mantle cavity; and an ovary connected by mesentery along all its length with the continuation of the stomach from the caecum to the end of the gastrogenital ligament. Only immature degenerating trophoplasmatic oocytes, length 0.9‐1.4, av. 1.0‐1.2 mm, were contained in ovaries; only one mature egg (length 3.3 mm, width 2.4‐2.5 mm) was found in each female. The absence of oocytes 〈0.9 mm and 1.5‐3.2 mm indicates that the maturation of oocytes proceeds rather synchronously, one large portion of eggs (some tens of thousands) matures in a short time while others degenerate. The residual fecundity is assessed to be approximately 20,000 eggs. It is hypothesized that mating occurs shortly before spawning and that mature males do not undergo gelatinous degeneration and do not lose tentacles. Spermatophores are placed on the inner side of the female's mantle with the aid of the male's tentacles and/or arms (less probably by the penis), but the exact mode of implantation is unclear. Spawning probably occurs at depths of adult habitat (approx. 500–2500m), may be multiportional but short; the exhausted female loses neutral buoyancy, rises to the surface and dies. Rising to the surface after spawning is a common feature of females of many meso‐ and bathypelagic squids undergoing gelatinous degeneration during maturation (Onychoteuthidae, Gonatidae, Histio‐teuthidae, Cranchiidae, etc.) and may explain the common occurrence of large deep‐water squids in the stomachs of seabirds, including those incapable of diving, and marine mammals.

Description: A total of 57 comparative hauls using a rectangular midwater trawl with a fishing mouth area of 50 m 2 (RMT 50) were carried out along the sides of an imaginary triangle south of Madeira in 1986. A total of 1258 cephalopods were caught, giving a mean of 22 per haul with a range from 0 to 67. The nets were used with a diver's light on the top bar which was either switched off or was operated with a 20, 70 or 150 W bulb, powered by a car battery. A significantly greater number of individuals per haul was caught with lights on than without lights, increasing from a mean of 13·5–25·1, a factor of 1·8. Similarly, the number of species caught was increased from a mean of 7 to 10·4, a factor of 1·5 and the volume of cephalopods was increased from a mean of 41·1–162·3ml, a factor of 3·9. Similar comparisons made for catches during day or night separately and on the three courses separately also showed marked increases with the lights. Samples show that increase in power of the lights increased the total number of cephalopod individuals caught. In the 12 species with more than ten individuals, in 33 of the 36 comparisons (of number of individuals, species and volumes) there is an increase with the light. The most influenced species was Taonius pavo which increased in numbers by a mean factor of 3·9 times with 20W, 4·0 times with 70W and 6·1 times with 150W when compared with the numbers caught with no light.

Description: A specimen of Chaunoteuthis mollis (Cephalopoda: Onychoteuthidae), a mature mated female, from the Straits of Messina was examined. Measurements and indices were compared with those of Onychoteuthis banksii reported by previous authors. The differences found were attributed to the degeneration of the C. mollis specimen, due to sexual maturation. Two subocular (one under each eye) and two visceral photophores, similar to those of O. banksii , were present in the C. mollis specimen. The size of the posterior visceral photophore of C. mollis fit the regression line correlating posterior photophore diameter to mantle length in O. banksii. These results corroborate the hypothesis, put forward by other authors, that C. mollis represents the mature female of O. banksii.

Description: Three specimens of the giant squid Architeuthis were by-caught in demersal trawls to the west of Ireland, between April and June 1995. All three specimens were mature males, of mantle length 975–1084 mm. Although some intraspecific variation in fin, beak and gill were noticed, all three specimens were tentatively assigned to the species A. dux. The three specimens had food remains in their stomachs and food items identified included Micromesistius poutassou, Trachurus trachurus, Nephrops norvegicus and Eledone cirrhosa . Age estimates were made by counting putative daily growth increments in ground statoliths, and ranged from 294–122 d, giving percentage daily growth rates of 2·96–4·25% indicating a short life cycle and extremely rapid growth.

Description: Deep-water trawling for fish species on the shelf slope off Scotland results in a by-catch of rare cephalopod species. The cirrate octopus Opisthoteuthis grimaldii is normally present below 800 m; at least one other species of cirrate and five species of incirrate octopus are found; significant extensions of range and depth are recorded. An incidental catch of the ommastrephid squid, Todarodes sagittatus , included a fully mature specimen and is indicative of its probable breeding locations. The results highlight the many taxonomic and systematic uncertainties surrounding the rarer cephalopod forms, and emphasize the utility of the fishing by-catch.

Description: Cephalopod prey of several cetacean species from Hawaiian waters were identified and quantified from the beaks in stomachs of stranded individuals. The different species of cetaceans all appear to target different species and sizes of cephalopods. Beaks from two sperm whales ( Physeter catodon ) included a total of 312 upper and 292 lower beaks (mandibles) of cephalopods. All of the cephalopods represented by lower beaks were oceanic squid belonging to 20 or more species in 14 families. The major constituents of the whale diet were Histioteuthis hoylei (45% by number and 10·9% by dry weight), Ommastrephes bartrami (7·6% by number, 30·6% by weight) and Architeuthis sp. (only 0·7% by number, but 26·5% by weight). In a Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus ) stomach, 1051 upper beaks and 1349 lower beaks were present. Eighteen or more genera of cephalopods in 15 families were present. The major constituents of the Grampus diet were Enoploteuthis spp. (36·1% by number and 30·1% by dry weight) and Abraliopsis spp. (23·6% by number, but only 4·9% by weight) and O. bartrami (1·3% and 32·1% respectively). The melon-headed whale ( Peponocephala electra ) eats fish as well as cephalopods which are represented by only six lower beaks belonging to five genera, Enoploteuthis, Teuthowenia, Abraliopsis, Abralia sp. and Bathyteuthis abyssicola . The beaked whale (unidentified) contained two lower beaks which were O. bartrami. Stenella attenuata also eats fish and the sample contained lower beaks, one of Enoploteuthis sp. and seven of an Abraliopsis sp.

Description: Observations on samples from Spanish trawlers between September and November of 1995 revealed the presence of mated females of Loligo gahi (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) from 164–285 m depth, in the Western area of the Falkland Islands Conservation Zone. 93.8% of the mature females, and 31.0% of the maturing ones, were mated. Deposition of spermatophores always took place in the oral membrane between the connectives of arms IV. The relationships between sexual maturation and copulation have been analysed, and the hypothesis of mating acting as a ‘trigger’ of the final sexual maturation in Loligo gahi females is proposed and discussed.

Description: This paper gives morphometric variations and dorsal mantle length–total weight (DML-TW) relationships for Illex coindetii in the eastern Central Atlantic area. Positive allometry was observed in males and negative in females of the species. The most variable body measurements between males and females were width and perimeter of the head. In the study area, divergence of morphometric measurement starts at 95 mm. The point of divergence, however, varies with latitude; fluctuating from 104 mm in the north (Morocco and Sahara) to 76 mm in the central area (Mauritania and north of Senegal) and 73 mm in the south (Gulf of Guinea). The relationships between DML and TW showed that sexual dimorphism due to differential growth between males and females starts to occur at 56 mm ML. The starting point of sexual dimorphism (56 mm) varies according to the zone; the higher the latitude, the later it occurs. Thus, sexual dimorphism occurs at 49 mm in the south (Gulf of Guinea), at 54 mm in the central area (Mauritania and north of Senegal) and at 74 mm in the north (Morocco and Sahara). Females grow larger than males, but males were heavier at any given length. As latitude decreased, a slow down in the increase in weight-at-length was observed in both sexes.

Description: In this study, the impact of oceanic data assimilation on ENSO simulations and predictions is investigated. The authors’ main objective is to compare the impact of the assimilation of sea level observations and three-dimensional temperature measurements relative to each other. Three experiments were performed. In a control run the ocean model was forced with observed winds only, and in two assimilation runs three-dimensional temperatures and sea levels were assimilated one by one. The root-mean-square differences between the model solution and observations were computed and heat content anomalies of the upper 275 m compared to each other. Three ensembles of ENSO forecasts were performed additionally to investigate the impact of data assimilation on ENSO predictions. In a control ensemble a hybrid coupled ocean–atmosphere model was initialized with observed winds only, while either three-dimensional temperatures or sea level data were assimilated during the initialization phase in two additional forecast ensembles. The predicted sea surface temperature anomalies were averaged over the eastern equatorial Pacific and compared to observations. Two different objective skill measures were computed to evaluate the impact of data assimilation on ENSO forecasts. The authors’ experiments indicate that sea level observations contain useful information and that this information can be inserted successfully into an oceanic general circulation model. It is inferred from the forecast ensembles that the benefit of sea level and temperature assimilation is comparable. However, the positive impact of sea level assimilation could be shown more clearly when the forecasted temperature differences rather than the temperature anomalies themselves were compared with observations.

Description: Changes in the molecular structure of a highly ordered kaolinite, intercalated with urea and potassium acetate, have been studied using Raman microscopy. A new Raman band, attributed to the inner surface hydroxyl groups strongly hydrogen bound to the acetate, is observed at 3605 cm (super -1) for the potassium acetate intercalate with the consequential loss of intensity in the bands at 3652, 3670, 3684 and 3693 cm (super -1) . Remarkable changes in intensity of the Raman spectral bands of the low-frequency region of the kaolinite occurred upon intercalation. In particular, the 144 and 935 cm (super -1) bands increased by an order of magnitude and were found to be polarized. These spectroscopic changes provide evidence for the inner surface hydroxyl group-acetate bond being at an angle approaching 90 degrees to the 001 face. Decreases in intensity of the bands at 243, 271 and 336 cm (super -1) were observed. The urea intercalate shows additional Raman bands at 3387, 3408 and 3500 cm-1 which are attributed to N-H vibrations after formation of the urea-kaolinite complex. Changes in the spectra of the inserting molecules were also observed.

Description: Recent attention to members of the sepiolid squid genus Euprymna and symbiotic associations with luminescent bacteria ( Vibrio fischeri strains) has prompted a review of this poorly-resolved group of squids. Twelve nominal species have been placed in this genus of which the majority are ill-defined, known only from their original descriptions and separated on the basis of inadequate characters. As a first step in resolving this group, a temperate Australian species, the Southern dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica , is here redescribed in detail. As the genus Euprymna currently stands, most members are only distinguished on the number and position of enlarged suckers in mature males. No diagnostic characters are available to identify females. All nominal species placed in this genus are reviewed and a key to proposed valid species is presented. Six species are considered here to be valid: Euprymna berryi, E. hoylei, E. morsei, E. scolopes, E. tasmanica and an undescribed species treated here as Euprymna sp. 1. Euprymna similis is a synonym of E. morsei of Japan. Due to inadequate original descriptions, and lost or poor type material, two species are considered here to be nomen dubia ( E. schneehageni and E. pusilla ), while the taxonomic status of four additional species remain unresolved ( E. albatrossae, E. bursa, E. phenax and E. stenodactyla ).

Description: Records of unusual cephalopods, taken as by-catch in Irish and Scottish waters in the years 1985–1995, are presented. Of most interest are three specimens of giant squid (Architeuthis) that were caught in bottom trawls off the west of Ireland between April and June 1995, all were mature males of mantle length ∼1000 mm. Other records include a large mature female Histioteuthis bonnellii from the west of Ireland and three specimens of the gelatinous incirrate octopus, Haliphron atlanticus.

Description: The statolith microstructure was studied in 142 females (mantle length, ML, ranging from 77–402 mm) and 119 males (72–328 mm ML) of Martialia hyadesi caught on the Patagonian and Falkland shelves and at the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone between 1989–94. The statolith microstructure dark zone in this species, contains narrower and more numerous growth increments than the dark zones of other ommastrephid squids. Assuming daily production of putative growth increments within statoliths males live up to 12 months, and females live up to 13 months. It is likely that the life cycle lasts c. 1 yr, but immature squids with ages 〉330–340 d suggest that a part of M. hyadesi populations could have life span 〉1 yr. Growth in length was best described by the Gompertz function, whereas growth in weight was best described by the logistic function. M. hyadesi is characterized by slow juvenile growth (〈100 mm ML), fast growth of immature squids and a sharp decrease in growth rates during maturation. M. hyadesi mature later (at ages 〉270 d) than other temperate ommastrephids, but maturation is rather rapid (2–3 months). In the south-west Atlantic, M. hyadesi hatch throughout the year.

Description: In this paper the performance of the global coupled general circulation model (CGCM) ECHO-2, which was integrated for 10 years without the application of flux correction, is described. Although the integration is rather short, strong and weak points of this CGCM can be clearly identified, especially in view of the model's performance of the annual cycle in the tropical Pacific. The latter is simulated with more success relative to the earlier version, ECHO-I. A better representation of the low-level stratus clouds in the atmosphere model associated with a reduction in the shortwave radiative flux at the air-sea interface improved the coupled model's performance in the southeastern tropical oceans, with a strongly reduced warm bias in these regions. Modifications in the atmospheric convection scheme also eliminated the AGCM's tendency to simulate a double ITCZ, and this behavior is maintained in the CGCM simulation. Finally, a new numerical scheme for active tracer advection in the ocean model strongly reduced the numerical mixing, which seems to enhance considerably the level of interannual variability in the equatorial Pacific. One weak point is an overall cold bias in the Tropics and midlatitudes, which typically amounts to 1°C in open ocean regions. Another weak point is the still too strong equatorial cold tongue, which penetrates too far into the western equatorial Pacific. Although this model deficiency is not as pronounced as in ECHO-1, the too strong cold tongue reduces the level of interannual rainfall variability in the western and central equatorial Pacific. Finally, the interannual fluctuations in equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are too equatorially trapped, a problem that is also found in ocean-only simulations. Overall, however, the authors believe that the ECHO-2 CGCM has been considerably improved relative to ECHO-1.

Description: The natural feeding of the two most abundant ommastrephid squid (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in Galician waters was studied and compared. A sample of 334 stomach contents of Todaropsis eblanae (34–222 mm ML) and 267 stomach contents of Illex coindetii (50–379 mm ML) caught by commercial trawlers was examined. A total of 21 (T. eblanae) and 23 (I. coindetii) different prey items, belonging to three zoological groups (Teleostei, Crustacea and Cephalopoda), were taken by these cephalopods. However, 43% of the T. eblanae diet comprised only one fish species, Micromesistius poutassou. The diet of these squid species was significantly influenced by the geographical area (both species), size (T. eblanae) and maturation (I. coindetii). Feeding rate of both species decreased with size, but the percentage of stomachs with food remains increased in maturing and mature females. Weight of prey captured was dependent on available prey sizes and, in small individuals, maximum prey weight was very close to the squid weight. Both squid species are mainly neritic nekto-benthic predators, but I. coindetii seems to have a broader and more pelagic diet.

Description: A mineralogical and 4OAr/39Ar study of 13 amphibole samples in the Kamila Amphibolite Belt and Kamila Shear Zone in northern Pakistan has found a correlation between the degree of greenschist facies alteration and quantity of excess 40Ar. Additionally, there is a north–south divide with amphibole samples from the northern region showing larger degrees of gree schist facies alteration, brittle deformation, and excess 40Ar incorporation compared to the predominantly plastically deformed, less altered, amphibole samples from the Kamila Shear Zone in the south. Acid leaching of two amphiboles from the Kamila Amphibolite Belt indicates that a large proportion of the excess 40Ar is correlated with later greenschist facies alteration hases, and can be easily removed by acid etching, thus revealing acceptable regional 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages.

Description: The size distribution of benthic nematodes was investigated along different gradients of food availability in various regions of the north-eastern Atlantic: I, across the continental margin and II, with increasing distance from the continental rise. An overall trend for miniaturization with increasing distance from the food source was found. Moreover, our results indicate that seasonally varying food supply or a periodically pulsed input of organic matter to the sea floor affects nematode size spectra. The hypothesis is proposed that the life cycle of deep-sea nematode species and hence the size structure of their populations are related to seasonal energy availability. This dependence might result in one year life spans of deep-sea nematodes and probably other meiofauna.

Description: Density-dependent effects of Anguillicola crassus larval infections in the copepod intermediate host were examined experimentally. Three species of copepods (Cyclops vicinus, C. viridis and C. fuscus) were subjected to a range of doses of larval A. crassus within infection arenas. Prevalence, intensity and parasite dispersion (variance: mean abundance) values increase and then approach an asymptote as infection dose increases. Infection parameters differ between species of copepod. Increasing temperature has a negative effect on the establishment of the parasite population within the intermediate host. Parasite-induced host mortality increases with dose. These mechanisms have the potential to regulate populations of A. crassus larvae within the copepod population and hence the whole suprapopulation.

Description: The size of fish and squid prey of Loligo forbesi was investigated using otoliths, beaks and statoliths collected from stomach contents analysis of samples obtained from Scottish and Irish waters between 1990 and 1993. Loligo forbesi was found to consume a large range of prey sizes, but prey size was always less than the predator size. Season was shown to significantly influence the predator size-prey size relationship for sprat and sandeel prey, but this itself could be influenced by seasonal changes in the size of prey. Fish prey size increased with increased predator size up to a mantle length (ML) of 200 mm. Loligo forbesi of mantle length 〉200 mm consumed a range of prey sizes, with no clear increase in the size of prey. For most prey taxa the relationship between prey size and squid size was similar, the exceptions being dragonets and silvery pout. Cannibalism by L. forbesi was mostly limited to larger L. forbesi (〉150 mm ML) feeding on smaller (20–50 mm ML) conspecifics.

Description: Statolith microstructure was studied in 162 specimens of Illex coindetii (mantle length ranging from 48 to 300 mm) captured on the shelves of Sierra Leone and Western Sahara between May and November 1987. Growth increments were revealed in all statoliths studied, but they were not well-resolved as in other congeneric species Illex illecebrosus and Illex argentinus . Age and growth rates were estimated assuming that growth increments within statoliths were produced. In both regions, differences in growth rates between sexes (females become larger than males) occurred first in length and then in weight. Geographical differences in sex-specific growth (Western Sahara squid grow faster and attain larger sizes than Sierra Leone squid) was apparent after 150 d in females and 120 d in males. Illex coindetii in Sierra Leone started maturing at smaller sizes but at approximately the same age as the Western Sahara squid. Small sized early maturing groups of I. coindetii with a life span of ~0.5 y occurred in both regions. However, large sized late maturing squid with a life span of ~1 y were encountered only in the Western Sahara. In waters of the west African shelf, I. coindetii spawn throughout the year.

Description: Metazoan meiofauna were studied in replicated multiple-corer samples obtained at a bathyal site (1320–1360 m depth) in the Porcupine Seabight (51°36′N 13°00′W) before (April) and after (July) the delivery to the seafloor of a phytodetrital pulse originating from the 1982 spring bloom. In all samples the metazoan meiofauna was dominated by nematodes; harpacticoid copepods and their nauplii were the second most abundant taxon. Population densities and biomass were very similar in both sample sets, the only significant differences being in the numbers of ostracods (higher in April) and nauplii (higher in July). Furthermore, vertical distribution patterns in the top 5 cm of sediment indicate that the meiofauna did not migrate towards the sediment surface following the phytodetrital pulse. The lack of a metazoan meiofaunal response contrasts with published evidence, based on the same samples, for a substantial increase in the foraminiferal abundance following the sedimentation event. Thus our results suggest that metazoans (as a whole) fail to exploit and utilize phytodetritus as rapidly as foraminifera. This probably reflects the energetic expense of egg production coupled with frequently slower rates of somatic growth among metazoans. In addition, foraminifera may outcompete metazoans for detrital food because they possess extremely efficient food-gathering organelles (granuloreticulate pseudopodia) and are able to raise their levels of metabolic activity very rapidly. However, metazoan responses at the species level, or over longer time periods (〉3 months), would not have been detected and so remain a possibility.

Description: Squid (Lolliguncula brevis) were exercised in a tunnel respirometer during a stepwise increase in water velocity in order to evaluate the anaerobic treshold, i.e. the critical swimming speed above which anaerobic metabolism contributes to energy production. The average anaerobic treshold was found at speeds of 1.5-2 mantle lenghts s-1. Above this velocity, α-glycerophosphate, succinate and levels fell and phospho-L-arginine was progressively depleted, while the levels of glucose 6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate rose. The finding of a simultaneous onset of anaerobic metabolism in the cytosol and the mitochondria indicates that a limited oxygen supply to the mitochondria elicits anaerobic energy production. This finding is opposite to the situation found in many other vertebrate and invertebrate species, in which energy covered by anaerobic energy production. This finding is opposite to the situation found in many other vertebrate and invertebrate species, in which energy requirements in exvess of aerobic energy production are covered by anaerobic metabolism, with mitochondira remaining aerobic. In L. brevis, swimming at higher speeds is associated with a small factorial increase in metabolic rate based on a high resting rate of oxygen cnsumption. Pressure recordings in the mantle cavity support this finding, indicating a high basal level of spontaneous activity at rest and a small rise in mean pressure at higher swimming velocity. Bursts of higher pressures from the jet support elevated swiming speeds and may explain the early transition to anaerobic energy production which occurs when pressure rises above 0.22-0.25kPa. The finding f mitochondrial hypoxia at a low critical speed in these squid is interpreted to be related to their life in shallow coastal and bay waters, which limits the necessity to maintain high swimming velocities. At increased swimming velocities, the animals oscilliate between periods of high and lo muscular activity. This behaviour is interpreted to reduce transport cost and to permit a longer-term net use of anaerobic resources when speed exceeds the critical value or when the squid dive into toxic waters. The simultaneous onset of anaerobic metabolism in the cytosol and the mitochondria emphasizes that squid generally make maximal use of available requirements are the highest among marine invertebrates.

Description: The genus Illex is likely to constitute a large portion of the annual world ommastrephid squid catches (Roper et al, 1984), even though specific official statistics are difficult to obtain. The broad-tail short-fin squid Illex coindetii is a widespread species ranging from the western to the eastern Atlantic (Roper et al., 1984) and east through the whole Mediterranean Sea (Mangold & Boletzky, 1987). Usually a by-catch of important fisheries, it is caught mainly by trawlers. Although its economic value is lower than that of other squid species (i.e. Loligo spp.), in the Sicilian Channel Illex coindetii may represent a valuable resource due to its abundance. In Italian waters, the available statistics (Cingolani et al., 1986) report that 2680 tonnes of ommastrephid squid were landed in 1982 (0.5% of the total landed catch). The main component of these was landed in Sicily (2183 tonnes), a consistently large part of which was no doubt Illex coindetii (Ragonese & Jereb, 1992). The catches came mainly from southern Sicilian waters (Sicilian Channel) where one of the major Mediterranean landing places is in Mazara del Vallo. Large trawlers (up to 200 gross tonnage) usually carry out long fishing trips (15–20 d), and Illex coindetii is caught mainly by those targeting Parapenaeus longirostris and Merluccius merluccius (Jereb & Ragonese, 1991).

Description: This communication presents the first records of mated female Loligo gahi in Falkland Island waters. In October 1993 fully mature mated female L. gahi were identified in samples taken from the commercial fishery in waters east of Lively Island, East Falkland, at depths of 145–174 m. Spermatophores were found in both the mantle cavity and buccal sites of deposition. These records, combined with past records of spent females, suggest spawning periods in late October/early November and April/May. These concur with two of the three periods of spawning suggested from previous studies of juvenile and adult L. gahi.

Description: Age, growth and maturation of Loligo vulgaris were studied by examination of growth increments within statoliths of 294 specimens (mantle length, ML, ranging from 31 to 498 mm) caught on the west Saharan shelf between 1985 and 1988. Maximum age was 335 d (290 mm ML) for females, and 396 d (498 mm ML) for males. Growth rates varied considerably among individuals with a greater range in males. Sexual dimorphism in length was apparent after about 210 d. Males and females diverged considerably in weight, with males reaching a greater weight after about 180 d. Growth in length between 124 and 396 d was best described by a power function, while growth in weight was best described by the Gompertz function. Males started maturing at 180–210 d and mature males ranged in age between 250 and 396 d; while females started maturing at 240–270 d and mature females ranged between 285 and 335 d. Loligo vulgaris hatched throughout the year with two distinct peaks; in winter (December - early March) and summer (June-July). The life cycle of L. vulgaris populations on the west Saharan shelf lasts ~1 y, with large males (〉450 mm ML) living slightly longer.

Description: The reproductive strategies of male and female Loligo forbesi Steenstrup, 1856 were investigated from samples obtained from commercial catches and research cruises in Irish waters. In females maturity increased with size, but in males two modes in the size at maturity were identified, with approximately 40% mature at small size (180–200 mm mantle length), and the remainder mature at 〉250 mm mantle length. The difference in estimated age of the two modes of mature males was small, so size differences were probably due to different growth rates. Growth and maturation proceeded together in both sexes over much of the life-cycle. The effect of maturation on relative growth of somatic tissues was examined using analysis of covariance and multivariate regressions. In males there was a significant decline in total mass, and in mass of mantle, head and viscera, relative to mantle length with maturation. In females total mass was not significantly affected by maturation, but relative masses of head, mantle and viscera declined with maturation, indicating that energy was diverted from somatic growth to gonad production. Potential fecundity estimates were obtained by counting eggs and ova in the oviduct and ovary of mature females and were in the range 2500 to 10,500 (mean 5800). Fecundity was positively related to mantle length. The ovaries of mature females contained a range of egg sizes and developmental stages, indicating that spawning probably occurs intermittently.

Description: PEEM allows ‘real-time’ observations to be made of solid-state transformations and other high-temperature processes taking place during vacuum-heating up to c. 2000°C The solid state transformations of an amphibole-rich hornblendite specimen have been observed in the temperature range of 750–1000°C (± 50°C Between c. 970–990°C a rapid change in orientation contrast was observed, indicating a structural rearrangement from an oxyhornblende crystal lattice to a clinopyroxene structure. This phase retains the original amphibole shape and texture (including two 120°C intersecting cleavage traces), but possesses a clinopyroxene crystal structure. At higher temperatures this phase is seen to decompose, forming iron oxides and other fine-grained products. PEEM has provided useful information on both the nature and rates of transformation of natural amphiboles which has proved invaluable in our understanding of the mineralogically-controlled mechanisms of argon release during 40Ar/39Ar dating of amphibole samples.

Description: The seasonal cycle over the tropical Pacific simulated by 11 coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (GCMs) is examined. Each model consists of a high-resolution ocean GCM of either the tropical Pacific or near-global means coupled to a moderate- or high-resolution atmospheric GCM, without the use of flux correction. The seasonal behavior of sea surface temperature (SST) and eastern Pacific rainfall is presented for each model. The results show that current state-of-the-art coupled GCMs share important successes and troublesome systematic errors. All 11 models are able to simulate the mean zonal gradient in SST at the equator over the central Pacific. The simulated equatorial cold tongue generally tends to be too strong, too narrow, and extend too far west. SSTs are generally too warm in a broad region west of Peru and in a band near 10°S. This is accompanied in some models by a double intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) straddling the equator over the eastern Pacific, and in others by an ITCZ that migrates across the equator with the seasons; neither behavior is realistic. There is considerable spread in the simulated seasonal cycles of equatorial SST in the eastern Pacific. Some simulations do capture the annual harmonic quite realistically, although the seasonal cold tongue tends to appear prematurely. Others overestimate the amplitude of the semiannual harmonic. Nonetheless, the results constitute a marked improvement over the simulations of only a few years ago when serious climate drift was still widespread and simulated zonal gradients of SST along the equator were often very weak.

Description: Arabian Sea sediments record changes in the upwelling system off Arabia, which is driven by the monsoon circulation system over the NW Indian Ocean. In accordance with climate models, and differing from other large upwelling areas of the tropical ocean, a 500,000-yr record of productivity at ODP Site 723 shows consistently stronger upwelling during interglaciations than during glaciations. Sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) reconstructed from the alkenone unsaturation index (U K′ 37) are high (up to 27°C) during interglaciations and low (22-24°C) during glaciations, indicating a glacial-interglacial temperature change of 〉3°C in spite of the dampening effect of enhanced or weakened upwelling. The increased productivity is attributed to stronger monsoon winds during interglacial times relative to glacial times, whereas the difference in SSTs must be unrelated to upwelling and to the summer monsoon intensity. The winter (NE) monsoon was more effective in cooling the Arabian Sea during glaciations then it is now.

Description: The current status of Antarctic Odontocetes – sperm whales Physeter catodon , killer whales Orcinus orca , long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melaena , hourglass dolphins Lagenorhynchus cruciger and poorly known species of beaked whales (family Ziphiidae)–were studied in Anatarctic waters using data gathered in sighting surveys conducted from 1976/77 to 1987/88. Temporal variation in density demonstrated the different migration patterns by species, especially between sperm whale and killer whale. Spatial distributions during mid-summer demonstrated different peaks of occurrence for each species by latitude that suggest possible segregation between the species. Killer whales occur mainly in the very southernmost areas, sperm whales in the southern half of the study area, beaked whales (mostly southern bottlenose whales Hyperoodon planifrons ) ranged over a wide area, and long-finned pilot whales and hourglass dolphins were mainly in the northern regions of Antarctic waters. Several longitudinal peaks of occurrence and apparent distribution gaps were identified for sperm, beaked and killer whales. Abundance estimates for south of the Antarctic Convergence in January are based on line transect theory and were 28 100 animals (coefficient of variation CV 0.18) sperm whales, 599 300 (0.15) beaked whales (mostly southern bottlenose whales), 80 400 (0.15) killer whales, 200 000 (0.35) long-finned pilot whales, and 144 300 (0.17) hourglass dolphins. Based on this, biomass of these species were estimated as 0.77 (sperm whales), 2.70 (beaked whales), 0.32 (killer whales), 0.16 (long-finned pilot whales) and 0.01 (hourglass dolphins) million tonnes. Consumption of food (mostly squid) by the Odontocetes is estimated as 14.4 million tonnes with 67% of the total consumed by beaked whales. Indirect consumption of Antarctic krill through the predation of squid by beaked whales is estimated to be c . 24 million tonnes. This value is similar to the estimate of krill consumption by penguins in the Antarctic (33 million tonnes). Odontocetes, especially southern bottlenose whales, are suggested to have a much greater role in the Antarctic ecosystem than has previously been considered.

Description: Subantarctic Marion Island is one of the few localities where the congeneric albatrosses Phoebetria fusca and P. palpebrata breed sympatrically. Chicks of both species at Marion Island were induced to regurgitate their stomach contents after being fed. Liquid formed over half the diet by mass. Cephalopods occurred most frequently in both species' diets. In terms of mass, cephalopods formed the larger part of the diet of sooty albatrosses, whereas fish was more important to light-mantled sooty albatrosses. Crustaceans and birds were also recorded for both species. Squid of the families Onychoteuthidae, Histioteuthidae, Chiroteuthidae and Cranchiidae occurred most abundantly in both species. Most squid taken by both albatrosses were of species known to float after death, suggesting that scavenging plays an important role in the species' foraging behaviour. Light-mantled sooty albatrosses consumed more squid restricted to the south of the Antarctic Polar Front than did sooty albatrosses, supporting a trend to latitudinal segregation of the two species while foraging.