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Open oceanic systems are affected by the contamination from microplastics (MPs; plastic particles ¡ 5 mm). These particles can resemble plankton in size and colour, and thus be ingested, directly or indirectly, by marine organisms. Few studies exist on the presence of this contaminant in oceanic epipelagic organisms, such as small planktivorous fish, and almost none focused on squid species. The present study investigated MPs abundance and characteristics in five ecologically and commercially important epi- and mesopelagic species from the North-East Atlantic collected off Madeira Island (Scomber colias, Trachurus picturatus, Stenoteuthis pteropus, Ommastrephes caroli, Loligo vulgaris). Visual analysis performed after digestion of the organic material found MPs in 98% of the fish (n=75) with an average content of 8.7 MPs per individual (stomach+intestine). In the three squid species analysed, MPs were found in 100% of the individuals (n=20), with an average content of 8.5 MPs per individual (stomach+gills+ink sac). Fibres were the main particle found, representing over 90% of the MPs in all the species. Differences in MPs content were found between species and between different body compartments. The present results indicate that squids are vulnerable to MPs ingestion as much as planktivorous fish, which have already been suggested as bioindicators for MPs monitoring in pelagic ecosystems. For squids, however, indirect ingestion of MPs through diet might be the primary mechanism of MPs intake. We suggest that trophic transfer of MPs occurs in these marine species. This study provides new knowledge into the level of contamination by MPs in poorly studied species (squids) inhabiting open oceanic waters, an environment still relatively unexplored. These are essential information to understand the ecological threat MPs pose to the marine ecosystem and humans. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427133/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

Ciguatera fish poisoning episodes have been recently reported in the Madeira Archipelago, requiring actions to protect both public health and economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries. Surveys on the occurrence of benthic harmful algal bloom (bHAB) species were performed during three consecutive years (from 2018 to 2020), at Cais do Carvão Bay, Funchal, Madeira. Samples collected on artificial substrates were analyzed for the presence of bHAB species, the seasonal succession of the bHAB community and the effects of abiotic factors on BHAB dynamics. The bHAB community was characterized by the presence of five genera: Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, Coolia, Prorocentrum, and Amphidinium. The abundance of the different genera showed marked differences. Ostreopsis displayed cell abundances several orders of magnitude higher than the other genera (841.05 x 103 cells 100 cm-2 (September 2018) and was recorded at all sampling dates. The second most abundant genus was Coolia, followed by Prorocentrum and Amphidinium. Gambierdiscus always showed the lowest cell densities (max. 0.43 x 103 cells 100 cm-2 (September 2018). During summer, Ostreopsis abundances exceeded, in several sampling dates the limits of level of concern for respiratory syndrome outbreaks (20 x 103 cells 100 cm-2) as referred to in the literature. In situ recorded abiotic data suggests that the increase of Ostreopsis densities could be linked to an increase in water temperature during summer. These results confirm Cais do Carvão Bay, as a potential high-risk area for bHAB development, especially concerning the genus Ostreopsis.

The brown alga Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) is an important macroalga in the North-eastern Atlantic archipelagos (i.e., Macaronesia). Notably in the Canaries it can dominate benthic assemblages. While the genus has been the subject of several ecological studies in the Canaries, no study has yet been conducted to assess species-level diversity of Lobophora in Macaronesia. We reassessed the diversity of Lobophora in Macaronesia, reporting the presence of seven species (L. caboverdeana sp. nov., L. canariensis, L. dagamae sp. nov., L. delicata, L. dispersa, L. littlerorum, and L. schneideri). Lobophora spp. from Macaronesia are morphologically and ecologically distinguishable. In the Canaries, L. schneideri dominates the photophilic assemblages from the intertidal to 20-30 m depth. Lobophora dagamae sp. nov. grows in less illuminated shallow habitats, and replaces L. schneideri from 30 to ~80 m. Lobophora canariensis also has a wide vertical distribution, from the intertidal to deep waters, while L. delicata, L. dispersa and L. littlerorum grow in shallow waters. The dominance of species with an upright habit versus prostrate or crustose species may be mediated by the pressure of herbivores. Four species have an amphi-Atlantic distribution: L. littlerorum, L. canariensis, L. delicata, and L. schneideri. Lobophora schneideri and L. delicata are furthermore distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. By sampling a pivotal region in the Atlantic, this study significantly improves our knowledge of Lobophora biogeography in the Atlantic Ocean. Macaronesia constitutes a species-poor region for Lobophora where no diversification events occurred, and a region of overlap between the Greater Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific. Ghent University; AZORESBIOPORTAL (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) FWO (GOH3817N) (UID/BIA/00329/2015-2018) (UID/BIA/00329/20) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

METEOR-Berichte

One of the first steps in understanding the relationships between populations and their habitats is to determine which areas they use with higher frequency. This study used systematic and non-systematic survey data from 2001-2002 and 2004-2012 to determine encounter rates and investigate temporal and spatial distribution of bottlenose dolphins around Madeira, Desertas and Porto Santo islands. A total 24,914 km of search effort was carried out and 199 sightings were recorded. Highest encounter rates were found off the east coast of Madeira and off Porto Santo. Moreover, higher encounter rates occurred over bathymetries ranging between 500-1,000 m during systematic surveys whereas in nonsystematic surveys relative high encounter rates were found in depths of 2,000-2,500m. Most dolphins were found to be distributed in depths

Aetea anguina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 11) Sertularia anguina Linnaeus, 1758: 816. Aetea anguina: Hincks 1880: 4, pl. 1, figs 4���5; Prenant & Bobin 1968: 80, figs 17, 18; Hayward & Ryland 1998: 100, fig. 16. Material examined. MMF 44298, 44300, 44311, 32 �� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. Only one previous work reported A. anguina in Madeira, as a common species on seaweeds (Norman 1909). Aetea anguina is considered a widespread species in temperate and tropical waters but not in polar waters. This species grows in shallow water, mainly on seaweeds, but it is possible to find it on rocks, shells, hydroids or other bryozoans (Prenant & Bobin 1966; Hayward & Ryland 1998). The specimens recorded in this study were found on rock samples, particularly parts covered by coralline algae., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on page 585, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Linnaeus, C. (1758) Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. 10 th Edition. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae, 824 pp.","Hincks, T. (1880) Contributions towards a general history of the marine Polyzoa. Part I. Madeiran Polyzoa. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 5, 6, 69 - 80.","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314."]}

Hippoporella maderensis Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fernández-Pulpeiro, 2014 (Figs 26–27) Hippoporella maderensis Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fernández-Pulpeiro, 2014: 146, figs 26–32. Material examined MMF 44304, 32º 38 ’03.34’’ N; 16 º 56 ’04.05’’ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. Hippoporella maderensis was recently described by Souto et al. (2014) from rhodoliths collected near Funchal, Madeira. The present specimens, with the same characters as the type material, were not found on rhodoliths but growing over coralline algae upon rocks. Therefore, the species might have a preference for colonizing substrata formed by coralline algae.

Schizoporella unicornis (Johnston in Wood, 1844) (Figs 24, 25) Lepralia unicornis Johnston in Wood, 1844: 19. Schizoporella unicornis: Hincks 1880: 288, pl. 35, figs 1, 2, 4, 5; Hayward & Ryland 1999: 220, figs 90 B, 91; Tompsett et al. 2009: 2230, figs 1 E, F, 2 A���F. Material examined. MMF 44294, 44307, 32 �� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. Schizoporella unicornis was recently redescribed by Tompsett et al. (2009) from the type material. Our specimens match the descriptions and figures given by these authors. The species appears to have a biogeographical range in the northeast Atlantic, from northwest Africa and Spain to the Faroes and western Norway (Hayward & Ryland, 1999). In Madeira it seems to be common, having been recorded previously by several authors (Busk 1860; Waters 1899; Norman 1909)., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on page 588, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Hincks, T. (1880) Contributions towards a general history of the marine Polyzoa. Part I. Madeiran Polyzoa. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 5, 6, 69 - 80.","Hayward, P. J. & Ryland, J. S. (1999) Cheilostomatous Bryozoa. Part 2. Hippothoidea - Celleporoidea. Synopses of the British Fauna, New Series, 14, 1 - 416.","Tompsett, S., Porter, J. S. & Taylor, P. D. (2009) Taxonomy of the fouling cheilostome bryozoans Schizoporella unicornis (Johnston) and Schizoporella errata (Waters). Journal of Natural History, 43, 2227 - 2243. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222930903090140","Busk, G. (1860) Zoophytology. Catalogue of the Polyzoa collected by J. Y. Johnson, Esq., at Madeira, in the years 1859 and 1860, with descriptions of new species. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, 8, 213 - 214, 280 - 285.","Waters, A. W. (1899) Bryozoa from Madeira. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1899, 6 - 16. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1365 - 2818.1899. tb 00139. x","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314."]}

Rhynchozoon papuliferum sp. nov. (Figs 28���34, Table 2) Rhynchozoon bispinosa var. Waters 1899: 14. Material examined. Holotype: MMF 44295, 32�� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Other material: MM- 5307, Rynchozoon bispinosa var. Madeira, with papillae, on Pinna Shell, Waters coll. Etymology. Latin papula, pimple, and ��� fer, suffix meaning bear or carry, alluding to Waters��� (1889) description of the frontal avicularia as ���papilliform.��� Description. Colony encrusting, able to bud zooids frontally. Autozooids with vitreous, nodular frontal shield bordered by 1 or, in some parts of zooids, 2 series of many conspicuous rounded marginal pores. Zooidal boundaries unclear in later ontogeny. Numerous uniporous septula in vertical lateral walls. Primary orifice orbicular, as wide as long; distal and lateral border with small denticulations, these more developed on distal margin, shorter proximally. Proximal rim of orifice with large U-shaped sinus occupying almost 2 / 3 of its width, slightly accentuated by smooth condyles. Deep asymmetrical peristome developing through ontogeny, not obscuring primary orifice. Oral spines absent. Median suboral, triangular avicularium present in most zooids, laterally directed, distally hooked, its proximal part projecting as a small uncinate process defining a lateral pseudosinus. Frontal avicularia very abundant, with triangular rostrum, cystid immersed in thickened frontal shield of ephebic zooids such that rostrum is at same level as shield surface; proximal part of avicularium triangular, shorter than rostrum. Ooecium globular, frontally flat, acleithral; endoecium completely calcified, ectoecium frontally uncalcified, with two calcified laminae prolonged proximally and joined centrally across labellum. Ooecium covered by secondary calcification in later ontogeny, with only frontal uncalcified ectoecium and proximal border remaining visible. Ancestrula unknown. Remarks. The new species from Madeira exhibits some similarity to R. bispinosum (Johnston, 1847) which, however, has two spines, a smaller number of marginal pores (always fewer than 10), and one sinus less developed. Additionally, in R. papuliferum sp. nov., frontal avicularia are very common, with a different morphology, notably a triangular proximal area, compared to R. bispinosum. Two other species of this genus, indicating a Macaronesian influence, were recently described from the south of Portugal��� Rhynchozoon celestinoi Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro, 2010 and Rhynchozoon rosae Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro, 2010 ���but both have several different characters. Whereas R. celestinoi has an elliptical orifice with a deep, quadrate sinus, R. rosae, with small colonies, has four oral spines and the peristome has a large suboral tubercle and encloses the orifice. SD, standard deviation; N, number of measurements. Waters (1899) noted that his Madeiran specimens differed from R. bispinosum in several respects, recording them as ��� Rynchozoon bispinosa var.��� but not formally naming the variety. According to his account, these specimens were characterized by the presence of ���very numerous small, papilliform avicularia scattered over the surface,��� with a slit-like opening under the mandible smaller than the mandible. We have examined the original specimens from Waters��� collection kept at the Manchester Museum (MM- 5306, MM- 5307) and can confirm that those labelled as ��� Rynchozoon bispinosum var.��� are conspecific with our specimens., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on pages 590-592, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Waters, A. W. (1899) Bryozoa from Madeira. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1899, 6 - 16. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1365 - 2818.1899. tb 00139. x","Johnston, G. (1847) A History of British Zoophytes. 2 nd Edition. Van Voorst, London, xvi, 488 pp., 74 pls.","Souto, J., Reverter-Gil, O. & Fernandez-Pulpeiro, E. (2010) Gymnolaemate bryozoans from the Algarve (southern Portugal): new species and biogeographical considerations. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 90, 1417 - 1439. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0025315409991640"]}

Beania maxilladentata Ramalho, Muricy & Taylor, 2008 (Figs 13���17) Beania maxilladentata Ramalho, Muricy & Taylor, 2008: 504, fig. 4; Vieira et al. 2010: 8, figs 9���11, 21 Material examined. MMF 44296, 44299, 44309, 32 �� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. The specimens found in Madeira fully match the morphological characteristics given for B. maxilladentata ���colony formed by branching uniserial chains of autozooids, zooid length 0.734���0.935 mm, attached to substratum by rootlets with up to 3 pairs of marginal spines and 2���4 oral spines, some of which may be replaced by 1���2 distolateral avicularia. A distinctive feature of the species is the strongly curved avicularian mandible with 1���2 tooth-shaped accessory structures. Madeira specimens exhibit the same patterns of branching, with new zooids formed from distal and lateral buds, and rootlets arising from the proximomedial buds. This species was previously known only from shallow waters of Rio de Janeiro (Ramalho et al. 2008; Vieira et al. 2010). Ramalho et al. (2008) considered this species endemic to Rio de Janeiro; the presence of this species in Madeira Island could be the result of a recent introduction. Only one species of Beania was previously recorded in Madeira��� Beania hirtissima (Heller, 1867) (see Norman 1909; Waters 1899); it has multiserial colonies and zooids with stout spines so confusion of the two species is improbable., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on pages 585-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Ramalho, L. V., Muricy, G. & Taylor, P. D. (2008) Taxonomy of Beania Johnston, 1840 (Bryozoa, Flustrina) from Arrial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Arquivos do Museu Nacional, 66, 499 - 508.","Vieira, L. M., Migotto, A. E. & Winston, J. E. (2010) Shallow-water species of Beania Johnston, 1840 (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata) from the tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic. Zootaxa, 2550, 1 - 20.","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314.","Waters, A. W. (1899) Bryozoa from Madeira. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1899, 6 - 16. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1365 - 2818.1899. tb 00139. x"]}

Rhynchozoon papuliferum sp. nov. (Figs 28–34, Table 2) Rhynchozoon bispinosa var. Waters 1899: 14. Material examined. Holotype: MMF 44295, 32º 38 ’03.34’’ N; 16 º 56 ’04.05’’ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Other material: MM- 5307, Rynchozoon bispinosa var. Madeira, with papillae, on Pinna Shell, Waters coll. Etymology. Latin papula, pimple, and – fer, suffix meaning bear or carry, alluding to Waters’ (1889) description of the frontal avicularia as ‘papilliform.’ Description. Colony encrusting, able to bud zooids frontally. Autozooids with vitreous, nodular frontal shield bordered by 1 or, in some parts of zooids, 2 series of many conspicuous rounded marginal pores. Zooidal boundaries unclear in later ontogeny. Numerous uniporous septula in vertical lateral walls. Primary orifice orbicular, as wide as long; distal and lateral border with small denticulations, these more developed on distal margin, shorter proximally. Proximal rim of orifice with large U-shaped sinus occupying almost 2 / 3 of its width, slightly accentuated by smooth condyles. Deep asymmetrical peristome developing through ontogeny, not obscuring primary orifice. Oral spines absent. Median suboral, triangular avicularium present in most zooids, laterally directed, distally hooked, its proximal part projecting as a small uncinate process defining a lateral pseudosinus. Frontal avicularia very abundant, with triangular rostrum, cystid immersed in thickened frontal shield of ephebic zooids such that rostrum is at same level as shield surface; proximal part of avicularium triangular, shorter than rostrum. Ooecium globular, frontally flat, acleithral; endoecium completely calcified, ectoecium frontally uncalcified, with two calcified laminae prolonged proximally and joined centrally across labellum. Ooecium covered by secondary calcification in later ontogeny, with only frontal uncalcified ectoecium and proximal border remaining visible. Ancestrula unknown. Remarks. The new species from Madeira exhibits some similarity to R. bispinosum (Johnston, 1847) which, however, has two spines, a smaller number of marginal pores (always fewer than 10), and one sinus less developed. Additionally, in R. papuliferum sp. nov., frontal avicularia are very common, with a different morphology, notably a triangular proximal area, compared to R. bispinosum. Two other species of this genus, indicating a Macaronesian influence, were recently described from the south of Portugal— Rhynchozoon celestinoi Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fernández-Pulpeiro, 2010 and Rhynchozoon rosae Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fernández-Pulpeiro, 2010 —but both have several different characters. Whereas R. celestinoi has an elliptical orifice with a deep, quadrate sinus, R. rosae, with small colonies, has four oral spines and the peristome has a large suboral tubercle and encloses the orifice. SD, standard deviation; N, number of measurements. Waters (1899) noted that his Madeiran specimens differed from R. bispinosum in several respects, recording them as ‘ Rynchozoon bispinosa var.’ but not formally naming the variety. According to his account, these specimens were characterized by the presence of “very numerous small, papilliform avicularia scattered over the surface,” with a slit-like opening under the mandible smaller than the mandible. We have examined the original specimens from Waters’ collection kept at the Manchester Museum (MM- 5306, MM- 5307) and can confirm that those labelled as ‘ Rynchozoon bispinosum var.’ are conspecific with our specimens.

Schizoporella dunkeri (Reuss, 1848) (Figs 21���23) Cellepora dunkeri Reuss, 1848: 90, pl. 10, fig. 27. Schizoporella unicornis var. longirostris Hincks, 1886: 226, pl. 10, fig. 2. Schizoporella dunkeri: Hayward & Ryland 1995: 39, pls 2, 3; 1999: 210, figs 84 C, D, 85; Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro 1999: 40, fig. 3 C. Material examined. MMF 44301, 44303, 44310, 32 �� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. The specimens studied here match the descriptions of Schizoporella dunkeri in the literature (Hayward & Ryland 1995, 1999; Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro 1999; Hayward & McKinney 2002). This species has a broad distribution along the North Atlantic coast, from the Faroe Islands and western Norway (Hayward & Ryland 1999) to the Canary Islands (Ar��stegui Ruiz 1984). It is also very abundant in several areas including the northwest Iberian Peninsula (Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro 1999, 2001). In the Mediterranean, despite difficulties with synonymy (see Hayward & Ryland 1995, 1999), it seems to be abundant from shallow water to 60 m and it is very common in the Adriatic (Hayward & McKinney 2002). Our findings represent the first record of S. dunkeri for Madeira., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on page 588, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Reuss, A. E. (1848) Die fossilen Polyparien des Wiener Tertiarbeckens. Haidingers Naturwissenschaftlichen Abhandlungen, 2, 1 - 109.","Hayward, P. J. & Ryland, J. S. (1995) The British species of Schizoporella (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida). Journal of Zoology, 237, 37 - 47. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1469 - 7998.1995. tb 02744. x","Hayward, P. J. & Ryland, J. S. (1999) Cheilostomatous Bryozoa. Part 2. Hippothoidea - Celleporoidea. Synopses of the British Fauna, New Series, 14, 1 - 416.","Aristegui Ruiz, J. (1984) Briozoos Quilostomados (Ectoprocta, Cheilostomata) de Canarias: Estudio sistematico, faunistico y biogeografico. PhD thesis, Universidad de La Laguna, Espana. [total page number unkown]"]}

Favosipora purpurea sp. nov. (Figs 2���10, Table 1) Material examined. Holotype: MMF 44306, 32�� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Paratypes: MMF 44302, 44308, data as for holotype. Etymology. Latin purpureus, purple, alluding to the colour of the specimens. Description. Colony encrusting, more or less circular, losing this form in the largest colonies, mounded, purple in colour, up to 2 cm diameter. Narrow marginal lamina striated with fine ridges orientated perpendicular to margin, indicating incipient zooids. Autozooids usually in uniserial series of 3���7 autozooids, radiating from the brood-chambers, losing the radial orientation in large colonies. Autozooids with rounded apertures and tapering peristomes, some bicuspid but most with only one triangular cusp. Polypide with eight tentacles. Kenozooids polygonal in outline, with variable apertural diameter, normally smaller than autozooids. Numerous pinhead spinules (mural spines) visible on interior walls of kenozooids, the heads very prickly. Brood-chamber irregularly shaped; roof densely perforated by tiny pseudopores. Up to 11 brood-chambers counted in one colony. Ooeciostome similar in size to adjacent autozooids, circular, situated at margin of brood chamber, just outside pseudoporous roof. An internal horizontal lamina perpendicular to aperture covers almost one-third of ooeciostome diameter. Ancestrula not observed. Remarks. Inclusion of these specimens in the genus Favosipora is justified by the following characters: colony adnate, simple and initially radial, formed by interior-walled autoozooids with simple peristomes, separated by numerous kenozooids, brood-chamber expanded, with the roof formed of exterior wall densely covered by pseudopores and with a simple ooeciostome. Previously, eleven recent species of Favosipora were known from the Indian and Pacific Oceans (Gordon 2014), most of them from the Southern Hemisphere (Gordon & Taylor 2001, 2010), the sole exceptions being Favosipora holdsworthii (Busk, 1875) described from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Favosipora adunca Dick et al., 2006 described from the Hawaiian islands. One fossil species, Favosipora ichnusae Toscano & Taylor, 2008 is also known from the Mediterranean. The present specimens represent the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean. None of the other described species have precisely the same expression of characters of the specimens studied here. The main distinctions are the tubular ooeciostome having a similar diameter to that of autozooids, partly closed by a horizontal lamina. The bicuspid peristome is not common in the other species, except in F. adunca, which lacks mural spines in the kenozooids. According to Gordon and Taylor (2001), species of Favosipora were occasionally identified in the literature as Discoporella (i.e. Disporella) or Lichenopora, two genera easily distinguished from Favosipora by their interior-walled brood-chambers. Few cyclostome species have been reported from Madeira. Johnson (1897) and Norman (1909) recorded three species attributed to Lichenopora ���as Lichenopora radiata (currently Patinella radiata (Audouin, 1826)), Lichenopora hispida (currently Disporella hispida (Fleming, 1828)) and Lichenopora irregularis (Johnson, 1897), but none of the descriptions pertaining to these is consistent with the genus Favosipora, and less with our specimens. One photograph in Wirtz (1995, p. 199) shows a similar specimen, described as an ���unidentified encrusting moss animal.��� SD, standard deviation; N, number of measurements, Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on pages 582-584, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Gordon, D. P. (2014) Favosipora MacGillivray, 1885. In: Bock, P. & Gordon, D. (2014) World List of Bryozoa. Available from: http: // www. marinespecies. org / aphia. php? p = taxdetails & id = 146811 (Accessed 3 November 2014)","Gordon, D. P. & Taylor, P. D. (2001) New Zealand Recent Densiporidae and Lichenoporidae (Bryozoa: Cyclostomata). Species Diversity, 6, 243 - 290.","Gordon, D. P. & Taylor, P. D. (2010) New seamount- and ridge-associated cyclostome Bryozoa from New Zealand. Zootaxa, 2533, 43 - 68.","Busk, G. (1875) Catalogue of Marine Polyzoa in the Collection of the British Museum. Part III. Cyclostomata. Trustees of the British Museum, London, 39 pp.","Toscano, F. & Taylor, P. D. (2008) A new Early Miocene bryozoan, Favosipora ichnusae sp. nov. (Cyclostomata), from the Isili Limestone of Sardinia, Italy. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Palaontologie Abhandlungen, 248, 301 - 308. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1127 / 0077 - 7749 / 2008 / 0248 - 0301","Johnson, J. Y. (1897) New cyclostomatous Bryozoa found at Madeira. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 6, 20, 60 - 65.","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314.","Wirtz, P. (1995) Unterwasserfuhrer Madeira, Kanaren und Azoren. Niedere Tiere. Stephanie Nagelschmid, Stuttgart, 247 pp."]}

Hippoporella maderensis Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro, 2014 (Figs 26���27) Hippoporella maderensis Souto, Reverter-Gil & Fern��ndez-Pulpeiro, 2014: 146, figs 26���32. Material examined MMF 44304, 32�� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. Hippoporella maderensis was recently described by Souto et al. (2014) from rhodoliths collected near Funchal, Madeira. The present specimens, with the same characters as the type material, were not found on rhodoliths but growing over coralline algae upon rocks. Therefore, the species might have a preference for colonizing substrata formed by coralline algae., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on page 589, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Souto, J., Reverter-Gil, O. & Ostrovsky, A. N. (2014) New species of Bryozoa from Madeira associated with rhodoliths. Zootaxa, 3795 (2), 135 - 151. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3795.2.3"]}

Reptadeonella violacea (Johnston, 1847) (Fig. 12) Lepralia violacea Johnston, 1847: 325, pl. 57, fig. 9. Microporella violacea: Hincks 1880: 216, pl. 30, figs 1, 2, 4. Reptadeonella violacea: Hayward & Ryland 1999: 186, figs 70 A,B, 71. Material examined. MMF 44305, 32�� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rocks. Remarks. Reptadeonella violacea is widespread in mostly warm-temperate areas, although in the Atlantic it reaches the Isle of Man (Hayward & Ryland, 1999). It is abundant in the Mediterranean, Cape Verde Islands, West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and the Pacific Coast of North America (Hayward & Ryland, 1999). In Madeira, R. violacea was previously recorded by Norman (1909) and is fairly common on the south coast of the island (Canning-Clode and Kaufmann, pers. obs.)., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on page 587, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Johnston, G. (1847) A History of British Zoophytes. 2 nd Edition. Van Voorst, London, xvi, 488 pp., 74 pls.","Hincks, T. (1880) Contributions towards a general history of the marine Polyzoa. Part I. Madeiran Polyzoa. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 5, 6, 69 - 80.","Hayward, P. J. & Ryland, J. S. (1999) Cheilostomatous Bryozoa. Part 2. Hippothoidea - Celleporoidea. Synopses of the British Fauna, New Series, 14, 1 - 416.","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314."]}

Scrupocaberea maderensis (Busk, 1860) (Figs 18���20) Scrupocellaria maderensis Busk, 1860: 280; 1861: 77, pl. 32, fig. 1; Norman 1909: 284. Scrupocabera maderensis: Vieira et al. 2014: 17, figs 15 A���C. Material examined. MMF 44297, 44312, 32 �� 38 ���03.34������ N; 16 �� 56 ���04.05������ W, 11 m, August 2013, on rock samples. Remarks. This species was originally described from a poorly preserved specimen from Madeira (Busk 1860) and later figured from another better-preserved specimen also from Madeira (Busk 1861). Recently Vieira et al. (2014) transferred the species to the new genus Scrupocaberea, based on the presence of a well-chitinized operculum, a toothed rim on the distal edge of ovicellate zooids, and the presence of paired axillary vibracula. The species was considered to be widespread in tropical and subtropical waters (Harmer 1926; Tilbrook 2006), but according to Vieira et al. (2014) several of these records represent a species complex that includes at least two more species; additional study, including molecular, is required for confirmation. The specimens found during the present study correspond to previous descriptions and to the new data given by Vieira et al. (2014). Our study is the first account using SEM images of new specimens of Scrupocaberea maderensis from Madeira., Published as part of Souto, Javier, Kaufmann, Manfred J. & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2015, New species and new records of bryozoans from shallow waters of Madeira Island, pp. 581-593 in Zootaxa 3925 (4) on pages 586-587, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/241100, {"references":["Busk, G. (1860) Zoophytology. Catalogue of the Polyzoa collected by J. Y. Johnson, Esq., at Madeira, in the years 1859 and 1860, with descriptions of new species. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, 8, 213 - 214, 280 - 285.","Norman, A. (1909) The Polyzoa of Madeira and neighbouring islands. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), 30, 275 - 314.","Busk, G. (1861) Description of new Polyzoa collected by J. Y. Johnston Esq., at Madeira. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, New Series, 1, 77 - 80."]}

Okadaic acid and its analogues are potent phosphatase inhibitors that cause Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) through the ingestion of contaminated shellfish by humans. This group of toxins is transmitted worldwide but the number of poisoning incidents has declined over the last 20 years due to legislation and monitoring programs that were implemented for bivalves. In the summer of 2012 and 2013, we collected a total of 101 samples of 22 different species that were made up of benthic and subtidal organisms such echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods from Madeira, São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) and the northwestern coast of Morocco. The samples were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Our main objective was to detect new vectors for these biotoxins. We can report nine new vectors for these toxins in the North Atlantic: Astropecten aranciacus, Arbacia lixula, Echinaster sepositus, Holothuria sanctori, Ophidiaster ophidianus, Onchidella celtica, Aplysia depilans, Patella spp., and Stramonita haemostoma. Differences in toxin contents among the species were found. Even though low concentrations were detected, the levels of toxins that were present, especially in edible species, indicate the importance of these types of studies. Routine monitoring should be extended to comprise a wider number of vectors other than for bivalves of okadaic acid and its analogues.

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The three-dimensional quantification of small scale processes in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere is one of the challenges of current atmospheric research and requires the development of new measurement strategies. This work presents first results from the newly developed Gimballed Limb Observer for Radiance Imaging of the Atmosphere (GLORIA) obtained during the ESSenCe and TACTS/ESMVal aircraft campaigns. The focus of this work is on the so-called dynamics mode data characterized by a medium spectral and a very high spatial resolution. The retrieval strategy for the derivation of two- and three-dimensional constituent fields in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere is presented. Uncertainties of the main retrieval targets (temperature, O3, HNO3 and CFC-12) and their spatial resolution are discussed. During ESSenCe, high resolution two-dimensional cross-sections have been obtained. Comparisons to collocated remote-sensing and in-situ data indicate a good agreement between the data sets. During TACTS/ESMVal a tomographic flight pattern to sense an intrusion of stratospheric air deep into the troposphere has been performed. This filament could be reconstructed with an unprecedented spatial resolution of better than 500 m vertically and 20 km × 20 km horizontally.

Pilot whales Globicephala spp. are known to display a hierarchical social pattern, but longitudinal data to infer population structure of short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus are rare. Using data collected between 2003-2011 in the oceanic archipelago of Madeira, the grouping structure of short-finned pilot whales was studied using photo-identification methods and mtDNA sequences and microsatellite markers to test the hypotheses that (1) there is at least one pelagic and one or more island-associated communities, and (2) groups are made of related individuals, with a matrilineal social structure. Pilot whales demonstrated a large degree of variability in site fidelity, including residents (up to 14-year interval), regular visitors and transients. The social and temporal analyses revealed a well-differentiated society with long-lasting relationships (of years). The genetic analyses suggested that individuals of the three residency patterns may not be genetically isolated, and that small groups are made up of related individuals, suggesting some degree of social philopatry, while large groups are probably temporary associations of smaller groups. It is proposed that the pilot whales encountered in Madeira belong to a single population encompassing several clans, possibly three clans of island-associated whales and others of transients, each containing two to three matrilineal pods, each with a mean of 15 individuals (SD=9, range: 4-29). We suggest that the clans interact for mating purposes when they meet. For management decisions, it is considered that the island-associated whales should not be regarded as demographically independent populations, but instead as stable social entities to be included in governmental management plans and requiring periodic evaluation of their status. The high proportion of marked individuals and low rate of mark change encourages further research in this species.

Six time-depth recorders attached with suction-cups were deployed in resident and transient adult short-finned pilot whales to evaluate their daytime diving characteristics in their preferred habitat area off Madeira Island. Here, data on the proportion of time spent at the surface and at different dive phases (descent, bottom and ascent), dive depths and dive rates are presented. With mean attachment durations of 2 h 31 min (SD=2 h), the whales spent a considerable amount of time at the surface (mean=76.3%, SD=18.6) and presented a low diving rate (mean=6.8 dives h‾¹, SD=6.1; considering dive as submergence deeper than 10 m). The maximum dive depth recorded in this study was 988 m, and dives deeper than 500 m, which were recorded from resident and transient whales, suggest foraging activity along their preferred habitat area. The analysis of dives deeper than 100 m shows that the percentage of time spent on descent, bottom or ascent varied between dives, with means of ~40, 30 and 30%, respectively.

International Symposium FloraMac2012. Colégio dos Jesuítas, Funchal, Madeira, 5-8 de Setembro de 2012.

Cruise M83/2 aimed at a characterization of the Amp��re Seamount ecosystem and at an analysis of its driving forces. Amp��re is part of the Horeshoe Seamount Chain which extends between Portugal mainland and the island of Madeira. The results of the study will be compared to other seamounts in the NE Atlantic, in particular to the well-studied Seine Seamount which is located 100 nm to the SW of Amp��re. Based on preliminary studies in the region, the project will test the hypothesis that, due to different flow conditions and/or different substrate properties, the Amp��re Seamount ecosystem is characterized by different community patterns, a higher diversity and productivity and a different trophic structure, as compared to Seine Seamount. The cruise covered physical, geological, biogeochemical and biological sampling at and around Amp��re Seamount. Basis were longitudinal and cross transects (with respect to mean flow) above the seamount, in comparison to reference stations outside the sphere of influence of the seamount. A variety of different sampling gears were employed, including CTD-rosette, plankton nets, benthic trawls, dredge, landers, longlines and traps, to assess, among others, the hydrographic properties of the water column, the dynamics of particulate organic matter, benthic and pelagic communities, and the properties of sedimentary and rocky substrates., METEOR-Berichte

Die Frankfurter Universitätsklinik hat mit der Eröffnung des interdisziplinären Brustkrebszentrums 1997 im Rhein-Main-Gebiet neue Maßstäbe bei der Behandlung von Brustkrebs gesetzt. Ziel ist es, die diagnostischen und therapeutischen Abläufe in der Brustkrebsbehandlung zu optimieren sowie die ökonomischen und fachlichen Ressourcen besser zu nutzen. Doch eine gute Therapie ist nur ein Werkzeug bei der Bekämpfung der seit Jahren zunehmenden Brustkrebserkrankungen. Nach Kaufmanns Ansicht ist es wichtig, "zweigleisig zu fahren: Früherkennungsmaßnahmen tragen dazu bei, Tumoren früh zu erkennen. Darüber hinaus gilt es, durch mehr Information mehr Körper- und Gesundheitsbewusstsein zu entwickeln. Denn wer gut informiert ist, hat die besseren Chancen."

Cruise M79/3 aimed at physical, biogeochemical and biological sampling at and around seamounts in the Cape Verde region. These seamounts are important targets for the local fishery, but nearly nothing is known about their ecology. In order to gain an advanced understanding of the functioning of these ecosystems within their special hydrographic and biogeochemical setting, and in comparison to other seamounts in the NE Atlantic, the following studies were performed on the example of Senghor Seamount and an oceanic reference station: - Identification and description of the physical forcing factors at Senghor Seamounts. - Assessment of the origin, quality and dynamics of particulate organic material in the water column and in the superficial sediments at the seamount. - Description of aspects of biodiversity, zoogeography and ecology of the seamount: communities, faunal connections, trophic relationships, dynamics and productivity. - Adding to the classification of seamounts based on topography and habitat types. In addition, geological samples were obtained at two further seamounts and at a young volcano field south of Santo Antao. Complementing studies performed on cruise M81/1 and on the islands, they will further our understanding of the geological history of the area., METEOR-Berichte

Brustkrebs ist die häufigste Krebserkrankung und Todesursache bei Frauen. Die Forschung der letzten Jahrzehnte hat gezeigt, dass es sich dabei nicht um eine einzelne, immer gleich verlaufende Erkrankung handelt. Vielmehr geht man heute davon aus, dass Brustkrebs eine heterogene Erkrankung mit verschiedenen Subtypen darstellt. Sie lassen sich klinisch und molekular deutlich von einander unterscheiden. Wichtiges Ziel der modernen Forschung und ihrer Methoden ist daher die Entwicklung einer individuellen Therapie für jede einzelne Patientin.

Meeting Abstract : 27. Deutscher Krebskongress. Berlin, 22.-26.03.2006. Docetaxel, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide (TAC) is considered today as one treatment option for patients with node-positive primary breast cancer. However, treatment is associated with anaemia grade 1-4 (2-4) in up to 95% (36%) of patients. We prospectively investigated the use of a primary prophylaxis with Darbepoetin alfa once every 3 weeks in 35 patients receiving six to eight cycles of TAC as neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Darbepoetin treatment started on day 1 of a TAC cycle if haemoglobin (Hb) was ≤ 14.0 g/dl. Dosage was adapted to 9 µg/kg if Hb was ≤ 13.0 g/dl on day 21 of the previous cycle, to 4.5 µg/kg if Hb was between 13.0 and 14.0 g/dl and was discontinued if Hb increased to ≥ 14 g/dl. The primary aim was to prevent Hb levels ≤ 12 g/dl before surgery. During 112 (50.2%) and 93 (41.7%) of 223 cycles, 4.5 µg/kg and 9 µg/kg Darbepoetin were given, respectively. Dosage was decreased from 9 to 4.5 µg/kg in 21 (60%) patients and 28 (12.4%) cycles. Treatment was discontinued due to Hb > 14.0 g/dl in 12 (34.3%) patients and 13 (5.4%) cycles. Hb level on day 21 of the last cycle was ≤ 12.0 g/dl in 4 (11.4%) patients. Eighteen (51.4%) patients during 36 (16.1%) cycles showed Hb levels ≤ 12 g/dl throughout treatment. No NCI-CTC grade 2 to 4 anaemia was observed. Symptoms of fatigue (FACT-AN) decreased slightly throughout treatment. Anaemia during TAC chemotherapy can be avoided by a single injection of Darbepoetin alfa every 3 weeks.

NIDECO Portrait and Annual Report

NIDECO Portrait and Annual Report

Ampere (35°05'N 012°55'W) and Great Meteor (30°00‘N 028°30‘W) Seamounts (subtropical NE-Atlantic) were visited in April 1996 and September 1998, respectively, to investigate the influence of these two seamounts on the distribution of phytoplankton. Measurements of the oceanographic conditions and biogeochemical parameters with different methods indicate an anticyclonic, topography following flow around Ampere Seamount, suggesting a slight upwelling of deeper water at a prominent cut at the southern slope and the formation of a Taylor cap at Great Meteor Seamount, responsible for a slight doming of the measured isopleths. Nevertheless, no significant upwelling into the nutrient depleted surface layers and also no significant enhancement of phytoplankton biomass could be detected at both seamounts. The phytoplankton community was clearly dominated by small-sized groups (pico- and nanoplankton). The distribution of these organisms could be explained by the observed hydrographic conditions. The results presented here for the two studied seamounts lead to the conclusion that a distinct seamount ecosystem exists.

Thema dieser Arbeit war die Beschreibung des Einflusses von Seamounts auf die Verteilung und Zusammensetzung von Phytoplanktonpopulationen. Dazu wurden exemplarisch zwei verschiedene Seamounts während zweier multidisziplinärer Expeditionen im subtropischen Nordostatlantik ausgewählt. Diese waren der Ampere Seamount (35°05’N 012°55‘W) und die Große Meteorbank (30°00’N 028°30‘W). I. Der Ampere Seamount wurde vom 29.04.-09.05.1996 während der Forschungsreise POS 218 mit FS „Poseidon“ besucht. Dort wurde versucht, ausgehend von einer zentralen Position, entlang radialer Schnitte über den Seamount dessen Einfluss auf die Verteilung des Phytoplanktons zu erfassen. Durch direkte Messung bzw. Beprobung der Wassersäule war eine Charakterisierung der abiotischen Umweltparameter Temperatur, Salzgehalt, potentielle Dichte, gelöster Sauerstoff, Nährsalze und Lichttiefe möglich. Weiterhin wurden der Phytoplanktonbestand und die Zusammensetzung der Phytoplanktonpopulation anhand mehrerer Untersuchungsmethoden beschrieben. Diese waren Bestimmungen von partikulärem organischem Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff, Chlorophyll a-Messungen, HPLC-Pigmentanalysen, mikroskopische Zählungen sowie die Bestimmung von gesamter und größenfraktionierter Primärproduktion. Zwei exemplarische Schnitte in Nord-Süd- bzw. West-Ost-Ausrichtung wurden ausgewählt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten deutlich einen Einfluss des Seamounts auf die abiotischen Umweltparameter. So ließ sich ein Anstieg der Isopyknen um etwa 20-30 m über dem Gipfelbereich feststellen im Vergleich zu Stationen, welche weiter entfernt vom Gipfel waren. Nährsalze waren im Allgemeinen an der Oberfläche nur in sehr geringen Konzentrationen nachzuweisen. Ein deutlicher Konzentrationsanstieg erfolgte ab einer Tiefe von etwa 75 m. Eine Ausnahme stellte die Südflanke des Seamounts dar, wo etwas höhere Nährsalzkonzentrationen schon ab Wassertiefen von etwa 30 m festgestellt wurden. Dies kann vermutlich auf die hydrografischen Bedingungen an dieser Stelle zurückgeführt werden. Erste, vorläufige Modellberechnungen lassen auf einen Einfluss eines starken Einschnitts an der sehr steilen Südflanke des Seamounts auf eine Strömung schließen, welche kälteres, nährsalzreicheres Tiefenwasser nach oben bringt. Auch bei der Verteilung der biotischen Variablen machte sich der Einfluss dieser Strömung bemerkbar. Die POC-Konzentrationen lagen im Mittel bei etwa 75.5 μg/l mit einem Tiefenmaximum bei ca. 80 m. An der Südflanke wiederum zeigte sich eine heterogene Verteilung der POC-Konzentration ohne deutlich ausgebildetes Maximum. Ein deutlich ausgebildetes Tiefenchlorophyllmaximum (TCM) wurde unterhalb der Dichtesprungschicht in Wassertiefen zwischen 50 und 100 m beobachtet, wie es allgemein für subtropische Meeresgebiete typisch ist. Auch das TCM zeichnete sich durch einen Anstieg um ca. 25 m im Gipfelbereich aus. Weiterhin war auffällig, dass das Chl a- und das Nitritmaximum in der gleichen Tiefe lagen. Dies könnte evtl. durch erhöhte Fraßaktivitäten und nachfolgende Anhäufung von Exkretionsprodukten des Zooplanktons erklärt werden, wie schon bei anderen Seamounts nachgewiesen wurde. Die Primärproduktion erreichte Werte, wie sie für diese Meeresregion schon früher bestimmt wurden. Auffällig war bei der fraktionierten Produktionsmessung die Dominanz von Pico- und Nanoplankton. Ein etwas höherer Anteil von Mikrophytoplankton an einigen Stationen könnte mit dem Auftrieb von etwas nährsalzreicherem Wasser an der Südseite des Ampere Seamounts zusammenhängen. Die Pigmentanalysen zeigten, dass die Phytoplanktonpopulation von Picoplanktongruppen bestimmt war. Diese waren in erster Linie Cyanophyceen und Prochlorophyceen, welche bis zur Tiefe des TCM vorherrschten. Unterhalb des TCM nahm der Anteil dieser beiden Gruppen ab, während Chrysophyceen, Chlorophyceen und Prymnesiophyceen zunahmen. Die Gruppen des Mikroplanktons, Dinophyceen und Bacillariophyceen, spielten nur eine untergeordnete Rolle. II. Die Große Meteorbank wurde vom 25.08.-23.09.1998 während der Forschungsreise M 42/3 mit FS „Meteor“ besucht. Auch dort wurde versucht, entlang verschiedener Schnitte über den Seamount dessen Einfluss auf die Verteilung des Phytoplanktons zu erfassen. Ausser den schon beim Ampere Seamount beschriebenen Messungen und Beprobungen zur Erfassung der abiotischen Umweltparameter und biotischen Variablen bzw. des Phytoplanktonbestands und der Zusammensetzung der Phytoplanktonpopulation wurden noch Zählungen des Picoplanktons anhand der Durchflusszytometrie sowie rasterelektronenmikroskopische Beobachtung und Auszählung der Coccolithophoridenflora (Prymnesiophyceae) durchgeführt. An der Großen Meteorbank wurden keine Bestimmungen der Primärproduktion gemacht. Zwei exemplarische Schnitte in Nord-Süd- bzw. West-Ost-Ausrichtung wurden ausgewählt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten auch bei diesem Seamount einen deutlichen Einfluss auf die abiotischen Umweltparameter. Ein Anstieg der Isopyknen um 30 m konnte über dem Bankplateau nachgewiesen werden. Als herausragendes Merkmal war hier eine ringförmige Vertiefung der durchmischten Schicht über den Flanken zu verzeichnen, was zu einer Isolierung der Wassermassen innerhalb dieser Ringstruktur führte. Dies spiegelte sich in der Verteilung der meisten untersuchten Parameter wider. So folgten ein Großteil der biogeochemischen Variablen wie die Nährsalze und der Chlorophyll a-Gehalt dem Aufwölben der Isopyknen. Die Nährsalze waren, wie schon beim Ampere Seamount, in den Oberflächenschichten fast vollständig erschöpft. Ein deutlicher Konzentrationsanstieg war erst ab Tiefen zwischen 100 und 125 m zu verzeichnen. Dies könnte zum einen durch eine stabilere Schichtung der Wassersäule und zum anderen durch die ausgeprägte Isolierung der Wassermassen über dem Plateau erklärt werden. Die mittleren Konzentrationen von partikulärem organischem Kohlenstoff (50.7 μg/l), Stickstoff (9.8 μg/l), des Phytoplanktonkohlenstoffs (0.6 μg/l) und des Chlorophyll a (0.06 μg/l) lagen an der Großen Meteorbank unterhalb der am Ampere Seamount festgestellten Werte. Dies könnte ebenfalls auf die zuvor erwähnte Schichtung und Isolierung zurückgeführt werden. Das Tiefenchlorophyllmaximum war zwischen 75 und 125 m gemessen worden. Deutlich war hier der Einfluss der hydrografischen Bedingungen über dem Bankplateau auf das Verteilungsmuster des Chlorophyll a-Gehaltes zu sehen, insbesondere die geringen Chlorophyll a-Gehalte über den Flanken. Dies kann auf die Isolierung der Wassermasse über dem Plateau zurückgeführt werden. Noch klarer als am Ampere Seamount war an der Großen Meteorbank die Dominanz von Pico- und Nanoplankton anhand der Pigmentanalysen zu erkennen. So erreichte der mittlere Anteil der Prochlorophyceen bis zu 75 % der Phytoplanktonpopulation. Diese Ergebnisse wurden durch die Untersuchungen mit Hilfe der Durchflusszytometrie bestätigt. So überwogen in den Oberflächenschichten zunächst Zellen der Gattung Synechococcus. Diese wurden mit zunehmender Tiefe durch Prochlorococcus ersetzt. Einen zahlenmäßig geringeren Anteil erreichten eukaryotische Picoplanktonzellen. In Biomasse umgerechnet überwog diese letzte Gruppe die beiden vorherigen allerdings. Dies ist auf die größeren Zellen der Picoeukaryoten zurückzuführen und konnte auch durch die höheren Zahlen der kleineren Zellen nicht kompensiert werden. An der Großen Meteorbank wurde eine erwartungsgemäß hohe Diversität von Coccolithophoriden gefunden. In den beiden untersuchten Tiefenhorizonten (100 und 200 m) zeigte sich bei 100 m die höhere Artenvielfalt und Abundanz, während bei 200 m nur noch wenige unversehrte Zellen gefunden wurden. Dies könnte mit Wegfraß durch Zooplanktonorganismen erklärt werden. Weiterhin reichte die mittlere euphotische Zone (0.1 % Lichttiefe) nur bis etwa 130 m, sodass nicht mehr genügend Licht für die Photosynthese zur Verfügung stand. Die Dominanz von Pico- und Nanoplankton ist allgemein aus oligotrophen Meeresgebieten, um welche es sich auch bei dieser Untersuchung handelte, bekannt und wird mit Anpassungen an die etwas höheren Nährsalzkonzentrationen in größeren Tiefen und die gleichzeitig verringerten Lichtintensitäten erklärt. Im Gegensatz zu einigen anderen Untersuchungen konnte an beiden Seamounts keine Erhöhung der Biomasse festgestellt werden. Auch die Primärproduktion, die nur am Ampere Seamount gemessen wurde, war nicht erhöht. Die dargestellten Ergebnisse lassen dennoch für beide untersuchten Seamounts auf ein getrenntes Ökosystem schließen. An der Großen Meteorbank wird dies insbesondere durch die Isolierung von Wassermassen und den darin enthaltenen Planktonorganismen über dem Bankplateau deutlich. Bernt Zeitzschel