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Palapedia schubarti n. sp. is the third species of the genus Palapedia , described from the northwestern Indian Ocean. Two species, P. persica and P. apeli , had already been recorded from the Persian Gulf, and the new species is described from farther south in Socotra Island. Palapedia persica has appendages markedly ornamented with large denticles, while P. apeli has distinctly smooth appendages. Compared to the two above-mentioned species, the new species has an intermediate position regarding the spination, with small denticles on the upper margin of the palm, fingers and anterior margin of walking legs. The morphology of the first male gonopod of P. schubarti n. sp. is very close to P. rastripes , described from Ceylon, and P. truncatifrons described from Japan. The new species, however, is easily distinguishable from those two congeners in having a spade form ending and several other characteristics of chelipeds and carapace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Itunella Brady, 1896 has a troubled taxonomic past, partly because of paucity of its members, but mostly because of inadequate research. A lack of detail in species descriptions and redescriptions, absence of alternative methods for testing species hypotheses, combined with a notion that most marine and estuarine animals have wide distributions and enormous intraspecific variability, all resulted in blurring of some interspecific boundaries, synonymizing without examination of the type material, and founding species diagnoses on dubious characters. Itunella yeondeokensis sp. nov. is described here in great detail from a small sandy beach on the east coast of Korea. It differs from all reported and illustrated congeners by an extremely long inner apical seta on the third exopodal segment of second to fourth swimming legs. This is the second member of this genus from Korea, the first one being described from three estuaries also on the east coast. All other congeners are European species. An overview of all published species and records of this genus is provided, as well as a dichotomous key to valid species to aid in their identification. Itunella kieferi sp. nov. is a new name for a single female from Germany, previously reported as a member of a widely distributed and polymorphic species. Résumé: Le genre Itunella Brady, 1896 a un passé taxonomique compliqué, en partie en raison de la rareté de ses membres, mais surtout à cause d'une recherche insuffisante. Un manque de détails dans les descriptions et les redescriptions des espèces, l'absence de méthodes alternatives pour tester les hypothèses des espèces, combinés à une notion que la plupart des animaux marins et d'estuaires ont de larges répartitions et une énorme variabilité intraspécifique ont pour résultat de rendre flou certaines limites interspécifiques, en établissant des synonymes sans que le matériel-type ait été examiné et en fondant des diagnoses d'espèces à partir de caractères discutables. Itunella yeondeokensis sp. nov. est décrite ici en grand détail, d'une petite plage sableuse sur la Côte Est de Corée. Elle diffère de tous les congénères reportés et illustrés par une soie apicale interne extrêmement longue sur le troisième segment de l'exopodite des secondes aux quatrièmes pattes natatoires. C'est le second membre de ce genre en Corée, le premier étant décrit de trois estuaires également de la Côte Est. Tous les autres congénères sont des espèces européennes. Une vue d'ensemble de toutes les espèces publiées et des mentions de ce genre sont fournies, ainsi qu'une clé dichotomique des espèces valides pour l'aide à l'identification. Itunella kieferi sp. nov. est un nom nouveau pour une femelle unique d'Allemagne, citée auparavant comme membre d'une espèce polymorphe à large répartition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the study of Brachyuran crabs or Palicoides whitei. Topics discussed include information on biological family that is Palicidae Bouvier; information on the marine environment habitat of Brachyuran crabs; and behavioral study of Brachyuran crabs. An overview of taxonomy of Brachyuran crabs is also presented.

The marine fauna of decapod Crustacea, in all its diversity, can be negatively affected as a result of environmental changes, both on a local or a global scale. The present study aims to report the existence of Cyrtograpsus angulatus Dana, 1851, on the northern Patagonian coast, while concurrently describing some other decapod species associated with the various habitats. C. angulatus was originally described from the Chilean coast north of 36°43′S, and the present study revealed its presence down to 44°S. In the estuaries investigated, C. angulatus is the exclusive decapod species, whereas in coastal zones it can coexist with other species of marine decapods. Nevertheless, according to the null model of the co-occurrence of species, the species associations tested did not show any structured pattern. Some ecological and biogeographical patterns in relation to this species and its biocoenoses are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Alpheopsis (Decapoda, Alpheidae) from the seas of China is reviewed. Two species belonging to the genus are described, including one newly recorded species, Alpheopsis yaldwyni Banner & Banner, 1973. In this study the mouthparts of the two species were dissected and illustrated for the first time. The differences between the Chinese material and previous descriptions are reported. A key to all species of the genus Alpheopsis is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The barnacles Tetraclita singaporensis and T. squamosa have a thick test to protect the animals against the diverse environmental stress of the tropical intertidal zone and also against predation by muricid gastropods. After the death of the barnacle, however, the empty test is often taken over by other marine fauna as well as semi-terrestrial animals. The sphaeromatid isopod Dynamenella ptychura was the most abundant inhabitant in empty tests observed in Singapore and Malaysia. Ovigerous crustaceans were common. Gastropod specimens comprised almost entirely juveniles of common intertidal species, including those of the littorinids Littoraria articulata and L. strigata. Gastropod eggs and veligers, insect larvae, pupae and nymphs, and spider spiderlings and immatures were also present. The haminoeid gastropod Smaragdinella was the dominant animal colonizing barnacles in a succession experiment. Temperature was significantly lower inside the empty test than outside, by 0.2°C. Almost 40% of the barnacle tests remained attached to the substratum for more than four months after the death of the individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All available biological, ultrastructural, and molecular data support the conclusion that the cirripedian suborders, Rhizocephala and Thoracica, are closely related. Williamson's speculations (Williamson, D. I., 2014. The origin of barnacles (Thecostraca, Cirripedia). Crustaceana, 87: 755-765) that the so-called hybridogenesis can explain how Rhizocephala evolved, rest on a selective choice of other authors' data and an ignorance of solid facts derived from decades of comparative anatomical and molecular studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records are provided for Stereomastis pacifica (Faxon, 1893) off the west coast of the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula. Including previous records obtained during the TALUD survey and by other authors, this species is now known from a total of 12 localities along the Baja California Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine cobble habitats in shallow waters are rich in faunal assemblages and known settling grounds for valuable fishery resources such as lobsters and crabs. Sampling these grounds is challenging as traditional techniques do not efficiently collect fast-moving benthic invertebrates. Typically, fast moving crustaceans are not sampled according to actual densities. This study used airlift suction sampling, pioneered in North America, to quantify benthic faunal assemblages in cobble grounds across 68 sampling locations in south-western Norway. In total, 72 species of benthic invertebrates (5276 individual specimens) were identified, with an overall sampling efficiency of 76.4%. Polychaeta and decapod crustaceans dominated the samples, with species diversity (Shannon Index, H′) highest in Location 3. Cluster and Ordination analyses were further used to relate assemblages to a number of selected variables. Overall, the study highlights that suction sampling provides a low-cost and efficient method for quantifying mobile benthic fauna in structurally complex marine habitats (i.e., cobble). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of marine epiplanktonic copepod of the genus Labidocera Lubbock, 1853 (Calanoida, Pontellidae), Labidocera kuwaitiana sp. nov., is described from the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf [=Persian Gulf] near Kuwait. The species belongs to the 'darwinii' species group because it has an endopod on the left fifth leg of the male, but differs distinctly from other members of the group in having a dorsal process on the genital double-somite in the female and a greatly elongated, toothed process on segments XXI-XXIII at the prehensile antennule in the male. The new species is closely related to L. acutifrons (Dana, 1849), but may be distinguished from L. acutifrons by details of the urosome and fifth leg in the female and details of the fifth leg and prehensile antennule in the male. The size of the eye lenses in Labidocera kuwaitiana sp. nov. males is shortly discussed. A key to the species of the 'darwinii' group is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine copepods have a great ability to accumulate trace metals from seawater. The trace metal content in marine copepods may vary both intra- and inter-specifically. However, the known specific trace metal content of the copepod sexes and according to the ovigerous status of the females is very limited. Copepod samples of Euchaeta concinna Dana, 1849, were collected from the southern East China Sea and separated into four groups: males; non-ovigerous females; ovigerous females without egg sacs, and egg sacs, in order to analyse the trace metal contents (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in these samples. These trace metal contents were found to range between 0.04 and 195.7 µg/g. Zinc, Fe, and Cu were the major components among the trace metals studied and their concentrations generally exceeded 10 µg/g. The trace metal contents in the copepod body generally exceeded the amount in the egg sacs. However, the Cr concentration in the egg sacs was much higher than that in the copepod body, either male or female, and the value ranked as second just behind Zn among the metals studied. The nickel content was also slightly higher in the egg sacs. This study provides the important finding that E. concinna egg sacs contained Cr concentrations out of all proportions to that of the copepod body. Yet, why E. concinna egg sacs contain relatively higher Cr concentrations than the body remains a question to be answered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on distribution and abundance of the knobby swimcrab Macropipus tuberculatus were collected from the by-catch during fishery-biological investigations of the trawling grounds ("Pipeta" Expedition) in the area of the northern and middle Adriatic Sea from 1985 to 1994. The area investigated was approximately 59000 km2 of the Adriatic continental shelf at predetermined, permanent stations along ten transects over different sediment types at depths of 10 to 430 m. The data obtained (abundance index: number of specimens per km2) were analysed in relation to depth, sediment type, time of day, and the stations where the species was recorded. The highest species abundance was recorded at depths greater than 200 m and in the area of clayey "relict" sand. In the area of investigation, M. tuberculatus was the most abundant on deeper parts of the continental shelf, and especially on the shelf border and upper slope bottoms in the southernmost part of the middle Adriatic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 112 species of Ostracoda was identified as a result of seasonal sampling (four periods a year corresponding to the seasons) at 16 stations in Bandirma Bay and Erdek Bay (Sea of Marmara, Turkey). Fifty-five of these represent new records for the fauna of the Sea of Marmara, and 18 are new records for the Recent marine fauna of Turkey. The number of ostracode species found in Erdek Bay was generally higher than that found in Bandirma Bay, except in spring. Herein the ostracode fauna of the region is documented and its structure discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the substrate colour preference and its effect on the specific growth rate (SGR), food intake and feeding efficiency (FE) of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931). Preference was tested in 50 cm diameter circular tanks divided into 4 lateral compartments, each filled with 2 cm depth of fine-grain, coloured sand (yellow, blue, green and red). The respective walls of each tank were also kept with the same colour, using coloured paper. Tanks were filled with 10 1 of water (salinity of 4) and illuminated with fluorescent light (n = 35). Tanks with natural sand (without a specific colour) were used as controls (n = 6). Thirty-five shrimps were observed individually for three days at 7, 10, 13 and 16 h, for 20 mm each time. Visit frequency to each compartment was registered every 2 mm. Shrimps did not show any preference for a specific colour substrate for the first two days, however, there was higher preference for the yellow and red substrates on the third day. Control shrimps did not show preference for any compartment. To test the effects of substrate colour on feeding rate and growth, 25 shrimps were isolated for 60 days in a 15-1 aquarium covered with coloured paper on the walls and filled with 2 cm of coloured substrate (yellow, blue, green, red and natural sand, n = 5 for each colour). Shrimps were fed daily and uneaten food removed and recorded. Shrimps were weighed every 10 days. Feeding rate was higher in the red environment than in blue or green environments, and FE was also higher for red than for blue shrimps group. SGR was higher in red and yellow environments. These results suggest that yellow and red substrate enhance the shrimps' visual perception and food detection, and thus supports the finding that these substrate colours can improve FE and SGR of cultivated shrimps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep-sea isopod Bathynomus pelor is a carnivorous scavenger that feeds on infrequent food falls provided by fish or cetaceans dying and dropping from upper levels of the sea. In order to understand the microanatomy of the mouthparts that allow B. pelor to survive in its competitive environment, the mouthparts of the animal and their setae were studied using scanning electron microscopy. B. pelor was found to display a diverse and site-specific collection of setae on its mouthparts that are suited to obtaining mechanosensory and chemosensory information from food. Some setae such as the densely setulated pappose and plumose setae on the maxilliped are suited to the retention of small particles of food in the pre-oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal composition of the diet of the infralittoral portunid crab, Portumnus latipes was determined, based on an analysis of 92 individuals collected from Imeros beach (northern Aegean Sea) during the four consecutive seasons of 2004. P. latipes seems to be an omnivorous species, mainly feeding on macroinvertebrates while macroalgae also participated in its diet. In winter, spring, and autumn, the dominant prey categories were Crustacea followed by Polychaeta and macroalgae, while in summer the order was Polychaeta followed by Crustacea and macroalgae. The observed seasonal differences in the composition of the diet of this species seem to reflect corresponding seasonal population changes of its preys. P. latipes seems to have a diet similar to its midlittoral congeneric, Portumnus lysianassa, since when wave action is reduced, P. latipes ascends to the midlittoral zone in order to feed. Stomach fullness percentages indicated a higher feeding activity of this species in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. This is probably due to the necessity of accumulating energy resources for the spawning period, which begins in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The longest river in Chile, the Loa, is in fact found in the Atacama Desert in the far north of the country. Being an important resource for the dry Antofagasta region, this river experiences high anthropogenic impacts due to water use for mining, urban, and agricultural activities. Unfortunately, few biological surveys have been conducted in the Loa, and the invertebrate fauna in particular is poorly known. The aim of this study is to characterize the microcrustacean species associations at various sites of the Loa River and some of its tributaries. Unexpectedly high species richness was detected at high-altitude sites, where the amphipods Hyalella fossamanchini and H. kochi were reported. At low-altitude sites only the ostracod Heterocypris panningi was found. No significant correlation was detected between species richness and salinity, nor between richness and conductivity. Although a null model community analysis indicated that the microcrustacean species associations in the Loa are largely random, species richness and altitude were significantly and positively correlated. Potential causes of this pattern include the accumulation of nutrients and pollution along the course of the river, as well as increasing temperatures in the lower-altitude zones of the river. The biogeography of the constituent members of the Loa fauna is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of lithodid crabs, Lithodes panamensis Faxon, 1893; L. wiracocha Haig, 1974; Paralomis diomedeae (Faxon, 1893); and P. papillata (Benedict, 1895), were collected during commercial cruises in the eastern Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica. Some remarks on their morphology and illustrations of some species are provided. A key to the species of the genus Lithodes from the eastern Pacific is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uroptychodes babai n. sp., a new species of squat lobster of the family Chirostylidae, and Uroptychodes barunae Baba, 2004, which is for the first time recorded from the East China Sea, are reported in the present paper. The new species is characterized by the lateral margins of the rostrum being almost entire, the carapace with the posterior two-thirds equipped with medium-sized spines, and the antennal scale overreaching the penultimate segment but failing to reach halfway the length of the ultimate segment of the antennal peduncle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and new species of ethusid crab is described from Vanuatu. The new genus is superficially similar to Parethusa in its smooth carapace and long second and third pereopods, but is unique in its bifurcated G2 and the absence of an interantennular septum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the correspondence of the seasonal patterns of Artemia salina with several environmental factors along a natural salinity gradient in four ponds (M1, M2, M3, and B1) located in the arid solar saltern of Sfax (southern Tunisia). The shape of the frontal knobs of males showed the dominance of the autochthonous species, A. salina. Artemia abundance and fecundity were assessed. Biometrics of A. salina stages were studied by comparing cyst size and body length. A. salina abundance displayed a clear seasonal and spatial variation. Abundance of live Artemia ranged between 0.25 × 103 and 1414 × 103 ind m–3. The highest numbers were recorded in pond M3, as nauplii (771.8 × 103 ind m–3 corresponding to 31.8 g m–3). This resulted from low male and female numbers (34 and 17 × 103 ind m–3, respectively). Artemia cysts were predominant (92.96% of total Artemia), and grouped in small (216 μm) and large (243 μm) sized cysts, which correlated negatively with temperature (r = –0.4, N = 294, p < 0.01) and salinity (r = –0.39, N = 294, p < 0.01), and positively with female fecundity (r = 0.6, p < 0.05). The large (270 μm) and small (216 μm) cysts suggested the presence of also the species A. parthenogenetica and A. franciscana in the saltern, respectively. Fecundity showed a summer-autumn distribution that correlated significantly (–0.6 and –0.9, N = 35, p < 0.01) with both temperature and salinity. A. salina performed best in M2 (more than 80 cysts per brood), at about 200 g l–1 and 26.8°C, with gravid females representing 20%. A. salina from the Sfax solar saltern was unable to withstand extreme temperatures (35°C), but tolerated extreme salinity (330 g l–1). Abundance, biometrics, and reproductive descriptors of A. salina appeared to be governed chiefly by temperature and salinity, the physical structure of the saltern, and food availability, such as the unicellular green alga, Dunaliella salina. Nauplii (mean length: 401 μm) from small-sized cysts encountered in the saltern might be a valuable food source for hatcheries of some small-mouthed marine fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An account of the Ciliata (Protozoa) recently described as epibionts on crustaceans is given herein. Eighty-seven species of ciliates are included, with indication of their taxonomic position, the basibiont crustacean species, and the localities were these epibiontic phenomena have been recorded. This overview actualizes the study of epibiosis in the Crustacea and could be of help in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several specimens of Ascidonia flavomaculata were collected during experimental fishing trials along the southern coast of Portugal. All specimens were associated with the solitary ascidian, Phallusia mammillata. The pontoniinae shrimp, A. flavomaculata is here recorded from the Portuguese coast for the first time, extending the species' known distribution range further north along the coast of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the relevant literature and a comparative study of adequate samples from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, revealed new key morphological features that facilitate a distinction of the Mediterranean species of Xanthidae. Based on this study, the Mediterranean Xantho granulicarpus Forest, 1953 is clearly distinguished from the Atlantic Xantho hydrophilus (Herbst, 1790) and Monodaeus guinotae Forest, 1976 is identical with Monodaeus couchii (Couch, 1851). For the species studied, additional information is given about their geographical distribution, as well as an identification key based on selected, constant features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of stygobitic cirolanid, Speocirolana xilitla n. sp., is described from Cueva de las Catarinas, in the environs of the town of Xilitla, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The new species represents the thirteenth species in the genus, extending its range 80 km to the south. The new species is characterized by an antenna composed of 51 articles, a rounded pleotelson, a uropodal protopod not reaching beyond the posterior margin of the pleotelson, and an exopod that is two-thirds the length of the endopod. Speocirolana xilitla is morphologically and geographically close to those species of the genus which also have a rounded pleotelson: S. pubens, S. prima, and S. pelaezi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Barbouria from Cozumel Island, Mexico, is described. The new species, Barbouria yanezi is similar to Barbouria cubensis in exhibiting a cornea narrower than the eyestalk, and in its telson ornamentation, but differs from the latter species in the number of rostral spines, the proportions of the scaphocerite, the relative proportions of the carpus and propodus of the first and second pereiopods, the relationship between the appendices masculina and interna, and in size: it is larger than B. cubensis. The geographical relationship between the species is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study of decapod crustacean fauna which was conducted along the northern coast of Cyprus. According to the first study on the decapod, only 12 species had been reported by the late 19th century. Specimens were obtained by means of a Van Veen grab, a dredge, and a trawl employed over sandy-silt bottoms at depths between 11 and 225 meters. The specimens, including those photographed, are preserved in 4% formaldehyde and deposited in the Museum of the Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir.

The article focuses on a new record of the ogyridid shrimp or ogyrides mjoebergi which were obtained by snorkelling over sandy bottoms at a depth of 5 meters along the Levantine coasts of Turkey. The specimens, including the one photographed, are preserved in 4% formaldehyde and deposited in the Museum of the Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir. A review of inventory studies relevant to this species indicates, that Ogyrides mjoebergi constitutes a new record.

An invasive Ponto-Caspian mysid, Hemimysis anomala G. O. Sars, 1907, was recorded in England for the first time in 2004. Usually a deep water species, in England H. anomala has been observed in shallow waters, in which it shelters under or within anthropogenic structures during daylight. This behaviour renders traditional, net-based survey methods ineffective. Therefore, a distribution survey of the English East Midlands was conducted by searching for individuals by torchlight after dark. H. anomala was found to be widespread within the study area, occurring at 24 out of 51 sites surveyed. However, the geographical limits of its distribution were not determined. The species occurred at low densities in canals and in backwaters of the River Trent, whilst dense swarms were observed in September 2005 in a regatta lake connected to the River Trent. H. anomala has the potential to spread through England's canal network and could colonize the lower reaches and estuaries of rivers including the River Thames and River Severn. Habitat preference analysis indicated that flowing water and absence of shelter prevented population establishment, although the species' U.K.distribution suggests that it can migrate through such areas of unsuitable habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bathymetric distributions and patterns of occurrence of anomurans (Decapoda, Anomura) on the continental shelf (0 to 200 m), upper slope (200 to 500 m), and middle slope (500 to 680 m) of the Turkish sector of the Aegean Sea (from Saros Bay in the north to Marmaris Bay in the south) were analysed based on benthic sampling surveys carried out between 1987 and 2006. A total of 1254 specimens belonging to 4 families and 29 species was identified from a total of 88 hauls taken at depths between 0 and 680 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding the growth of two species of river crabs, which include the Potamon fluviatile fluviatile and P. potamios palaestinensis, using the principles of fish stock evaluation. The researchers studied 265 individuals of P. fluviatile fluviatile from the Regional Reserve Monterano in Rome and 300 individuals of P. potamios palaestinensis from the Dead Sea are. It was found that the two species have significant differences in terms of their population structure and their size-class frequency distributions.

A new caridean shrimp belonging to the genus Eualus Thallwitz, 1891 (Decapoda, Caridea, Hippolytidae) is described on the basis of specimens from the south-eastern Australian continental shelf. Eualus pectiniformis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in having a combination of: a short rostrum bearing three dorsal teeth and either none, or a single ventral tooth, a rounded pterygostomial angle, epipods on the maxillipeds as well as on the anterior three pereopods, merus of third to fourth pereopods of males possessing a row of comb-like spines on the distoventral margin, and the dactyli of the ambulatory legs armed with 5 spines on the posterior margin next to the apical spine. A rare hippolytid species, Lysmata morelandi (Yaldwyn, 1971) is also recorded for the first time in Australian waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terrestrial isopod fauna of Israel has been surveyed throughout the past 80 years, and during the last 40 years especially by the present author, during which period additional collecting methods were applied. Altogether, 637 localities (547 since 1960) have been visited on 894 occasions (705 since 1960). Each of these localities was visited 1.54 times per year on an average. The largest numbers of localities investigated were in the Judean mountains and desert (103), whereas in the Arava and Eilat regions only five localities were visited. The largest number of collecting visits was to Mt. Carmel (125). In comparison, only eight visits took place to the Arava and Eilat regions. Of the 3349 vials of isopod collected, about two-thirds have so far been studied (2154 vials). In these, 41 species have been identified, including a new species yet to be described. The highest number of species per locality was found on Mt. Gilboa (1.0), versus the lowest in Samaria (0.09). The largest numbers of species were found in Galilee (25), and in Judea (20), whereas the lowest numbers were in the Arava and Eilat (4). These last provided the largest number of species recorded per visit (0.5), while the lowest number was recorded on the Coastal Plain (0.125). Much of the terrestrial isopod fauna (53.4%) is Mediterranean in origin. The remainder comes from other zoogeographic regions: Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudano-Dekanian. In their local distribution, isopods seem to spread into adjacent regions. The current distribution is probably to some extent dependent on the presence or abundance of appropriate shelters (e.g., stones) that provide a suitable microclimate, thus making survival possible under xeric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study which explores the marine fauna of the Persian Gulf in Iran. It states that the Persian Gulf have several species of majid crabs and the researchers focused on the two ovigerous females of Hyastenus inermis species. The gastric region of the species is described. The study found that the Hyastenus hilgendorfi species is common not only in the Persian Gulf but also in the Indo-West Pacific, the Mediterranean Sea and at the Suez Canal. The study further reveals that there is only one report on the presence of the Hyatenus diacanthus species at the Persian Gulf and the presence of Hyatenus inermis is very rare.

Two new species of copepods of the genus Nothobomolochus Vervoort, 1962 (Poecilostomatoida, Bomolochidae) parasitic on marine fishes of Taiwan, are described. They are: N. lizae n. sp. from Liza macrolepis (Smith) and N. longisaccus n. sp. from Thryssa hamiltonii (Gray). The former species is characteristic in having an armature of 0-I; 0-I; II on the endopod of leg 4. The latter species has a combination of the following features: three processes on the pedestal of the antennule subequal, and longer than the first two antennular setae; terminal claw on the maxilliped with distinctive auxiliary tooth; and an armature of II, I,5 on the terminal segment of the exopod of leg 4. Both species of host are the first species of their genus recorded for carrying a bomolochid copepod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of deep water apseudomorphan Tanaidacea are described: Leviapseudes tenuimanus n. sp., L. pleonudus n. sp., and Apseudes abyssalis n. sp. The material was collected during the "Eltanin" Cruises in the years 1963-69. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study regarding various species of decapod fauna of Turkey. Palicus caronii was previously reported from the west African coast, the Mediterranean coasts of Spain, Israel, Cyprus and Greece is now reported from the Turkish seas for the first time. The specie Ebalia tumefacta is distributed in the Atlantic Ocean and along the Mediterranean coasts of Spain and Greece is now recorded from the Turkish seas for the first time as well. Finally, with the addition of 5 new species in the study, the number of species of the decapod fauna distributed in the Turkish seas reaches a total of 227.

The original description of the marine cave species Spelaeonicippe provo Stock & Vermeulen, 1982 lacked the observation of a second segment on the outer ramus of the third uropod. The absence or presence of such segments are considered important diagnostic features. This article presents a redescription of the third uropod as a supplement on the original description of S. provo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Cantellius alphonsei sp. nov., was found on Montipora venosa during the first cruise of the Interuniversity Institute of Eilat (IUI) to Ile d'Alphonse in the Seychelles. This species shows some similarities to C. septimus (Hiro, 1938), but the differences between C. septimus and the barnacles from Ile d'Alphonse are clear and consistent and justify the designation of these barnacles as a new species. Comparison of the description and illustrations of C. septimus in the literature suggests numerous differences and probably indicate the presence of more than one species within the barnacles regarded as C. septimus. Acceptance of this assumption requires examination of material from a wide range of host corals and from different localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean slipper lobsters, Scyllarides latus, were captured, tagged, and released at selected sites off the western coasts of Sicily and Linosa Island (Mediterranean Sea) in the framework of a research project on restocking feasibility. During the programme (1995-97), 288 specimens of S. latus of Sicilian origin were handled, having 59 moults in the aquarium. Of the 115 that were released, 29 individuals were later recovered, many of which had grown in the meantime. In 1999, one more tagged female of S. latus was caught by a trammel net after 1575 days at sea, about 5 km from the place of release. The specimen was fully viable and showed an increase of 28% in carapace length and 100% in body weight, and both its external t-tag and the internal PIT were still readable. This record, together with previous in-captivity results and short- and long-term (up to 70 weeks) recaptures, allows an estimate of the slipper lobster's growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines an aggregation of monstrilloid copepods in a Western Carribean Reef Area in Mexico. Frequency of aggregation among monstrilloids; Factors affecting the aggregation of adult monstrilloid; Impact of light on the emergence of monstrilloids on the water surface.

This study examined behaviour of cave-adapted blind crayfish to novel territories of various sizes. Cave crayfish, Orconectes australis packardi, were kept within a dark room in individual aquaria for 7 days. They were then placed into a small tank (33 × 28 × 23 cm, 10-15 cm water depth), and a large tank (54 × 37 × 30 cm, 10-15 cm water depth). Time, distance of movements, and length of pauses were recorded. Upon initial placement in a new setting, crayfish will walk around the perimeter where their antenna can contact the side of the tank. The animals will subsequently move around the tank away from the perimeter, or they will begin to dig a burrow. Familiarity within the environment for an individual crayfish was defined as when the animal initiates digging or remains in one place for over 5 minutes. The study demonstrates that time required to become familiar to a new setting depends on the size of the setting. The authors suggest that a balance between sensory input and inner processing, termed familiarity, can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the occurrence of the semi-terrestrial shrimp, Merguia oligodon in crab burrows. Possible benefits and consequences of this behavior; Findings on the burrows of Neosarmatium smithi in Mida Creek and Gazi Bay; Observations on the behavior of M. oligodon.