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13 pages, 2 tables, 11 figures, Fifteen specimens representing nine species of ceratioid fishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) were caught in Flemish Cap and Grand Banks of the western North Atlantic: Ceratias holboelli Krøyer, 1845 (Ceratiidae), Melanocetus murrayi Günther, 1887 (Melanocetidae), Leptacanthichthys gracilispinis (Regan, 1925), Dolopichthys karsteni Leipertz & Pietsch, 1987, Dolopichthys pullatus Regan & Trewavas, 1932, Oneirodes eschrichtii Lütken, 1871, Oneirodes macrosteus Pietsch 1974 and Oneirodes carlsbergi (Regan & Trewavas, 1932) (Oneirodidae), and Linophryne cf. brevibarbata Beebe, 1932 (Linophrynidae). Identification was carried out by means of integrative taxonomy, combining the examination of morphological and molecular characters (DNA barcoding). The analysis showed two morphological types of D. pullatus distinguishable by the shape and morphology of the esca and the number and size of the teeth. The occurrence of Oneirodes carlsbergi represents the northernmost record in the western Atlantic. As results of the molecular analysis, 15 new ceratioid sequences were added to molecular repositories, two of them, O. carlsbergi and Linophryne cf. brevibarbata for the first time. The comparison of some nucleotide sequences shows new relationships between the genera Bertella and Dolopichthys, and also makes it possible to correct some of the erroneous assignments made in the databases. The combination of classical and molecular taxonomy has been useful for the delimitation and characterisation of these ceratioid species, contributing to a better understanding of their distribution and inter- and intraspecific variability, The survey research has been funded by the European Union through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) within the National Program of collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy. David Barros-García was supported by national funds by FCT -Foundation for Science and Technology (2020.04364.CEECIND). Alejandro de Carlos was partly funded thanks to a grant for the consolidation and structuring of competitive research units in the universities of the Galician university system with reference ED431C 2019/28, awarded by the Xunta de Galicia

Poster.-- SIBIC 2022, IX Iberian Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, 20-23 Junio, Climate change is causing a northward shift of fish species and the tropicalisation of temperate zones. In this context, the toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus was found for the first time in 2018 in Galician waters (NW Spain), where a total of 39 specimens have been recorded so far in the southernmost part of those known as Rías Baixas. Preliminary analyses of the specimens showed a diet based mainly on crustaceans and molluscs. The length composition varied between 17 and 40 cm TL, and the estimated ages of seven individuals, with sizes ranging from 18 to 35 cm TL, ranged from 3 to 7 years. Histological reproductive analysis of 17 specimens showed an unbalanced sex ratio 2.4:1, favourable to males. Out of 12 males found, 2 (17%) were immature, ranging in size between 18 and 26.6 cm TL, whereas the other 10 (83%) were mature and greater than 25.8 cm TL. Furthermore, six of them were in the active spawning phase. Only five females were found, one (20%) being in the developing phase, and the remaining four (80%) in the spawning capable phase, with oocytes in the advanced vitellogenesis stage but without evidence of imminent spawning. These results suggest that this species is reproductively active in Galician waters. These results suggest that this species is already spawning in Galician waters. The molecular diversity of individuals from Galicia is null and similar to that found in the northernmost populations of the Portuguese coast that were sampled

11 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, Several specimens of Alepisaurus ferox Lowe, 1833 were caught in the coastal Galician waters (Northwest Spain). From two preserved specimens, morphometric and meristic parameters, along with DNA barcoding, confirmed the identification of the specimens. Examination of the stomach contents revealed a diverse diet with up to 13 different preys with only three species in common (swimming crab, salps and the hyperiid amphipod pram shrimp). It is the first time that gadid fishes Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1827) and Trisopterus luscus (Linnaeus, 1758), crustaceans Polybius henslowi Leach, 1820 [in Leach, 1815–1875] and Pasiphaea sivado (Risso, 1816), and parasitic nematodes of the genus Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 are reported in the stomach of this species. Histological examination of the gonads showed a simultaneous hermaphrodite strategy, with both ovary and testis in immature phase in the same gonad, but well differentiated. These results contribute to a better knowledge of this pelagic and mainly offshore fish species in coastal areas, Alejandro de Carlos research was funded in part by a grant from the Xunta de Galicia’s program for consolidation and structuring of competitive research units (code ED431C 2019/28)

This study combined morphological and molecular approaches to the species assignment of several rare or poorly known deep-water fishes caught between 549 and 1371 m depth during a Spanish bottom trawl survey in the Porcupine Bank, west of Ireland. The following fish species were identified: Nessorhamphus ingolfianus (Schmidt, 1912), Borostomias antarcticus (Lönnberg 1905), Scopelosaurus lepidus (Krefft and Maul 1955), Bathypterois dubius Vaillant, 1888, Evermannella balbo (Risso, 1820), Antimora rostrata (Günther, 1878), Melanonus zugmayeri Norman, 1930, Lyconus brachycolus Holt and Byrne, 1906, Paraliparis hystrix Merrett, 1983, Neocyttus helgae (Holt and Byrne, 1908), Platyberyx opalescens Zugmayer, 1911, Howella atlantica Post and Quéro, 1991, Lycodes terraenovae Collett, 1896 and Pseudoscopelus altipinnis Parr, 1933. The presence of L. brachycolus, P. opalescens and P. altipinnis is reported for the first time in the Bank. The DNA barcoding results were largely consistent with morphological identification in 10 species but four did not fit the current taxonomy, indicating cases of potential cryptic speciation, misidentification, synonymy or recent diversification. Among them, the results strongly suggest that P. garmani and P. hystrix are conspecific, making P. hystrix a junior synonym of P. garmani.

Infestations by shell-boring polychaetes have been gaining attention in recent years due to the harmful effects that their presence can pose to the growth and production of marine bivalves worldwide. The Galician region, located in the north-western corner of the Iberian Peninsula, is one of the major producers of marine bivalves in the word and therefore highly dependent on this industry. The recent finding of an unknown polychaete boring into the shells of the king scallop, Pecten maximus, has raised the attention of producers and authorities due to its potential harm to exploitable populations and the economical losses that could entail. The results from the morphological examination revealed the spionid Polydora hoplura as the only species present. DNA of a specimen was extracted and the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was partially sequenced for comparison with published sequences and confirmation of the morphological identification. Consequently, we report for the first time in the area the infestation of wild harvested populations of P. maximus by the mud worm Polydora hoplura. The presence of this shell-boring cosmopolitan invader could pose a threat to king scallop exploitation in Galicia; potential economic impacts need to be evaluated.

According to current systematics, the genus Halargyreus Günther, 1862 is composed of a single valid, widely distributed species, called H. johnsonii Günther, 1862, although DNA barcoding has previously suggested that specimens from New Zealand and Tasmania may belong to a different species. This research doubles the number of DNA barcodes of this species available in public repositories and expands the locations of the catches thereby allowing a better estimation of its intraspecific variability. A cladistic analysis of haplotype associations shows two independent clusters that could represent different species. These groupings overlap geographically in the North Atlantic Ocean, discarding the possibility of allopatry as previously proposed for the sequences from New Zealand and Tasmania. Similarly, none of the clusters could be assigned to H. johnsonii taking into account that the holotype comes precisely from the North Atlantic Ocean. Sequences from New Zealand and Tasmania are hierarchically linked to sequences from the North Atlantic, whereas other sequences from the South Seas, together with sequences from the North Atlantic and Pacific, form an independent group with no hierarchical link to the former. These preliminary results indicate not only the need to delve deeper into the systematics of the genus Halargyreus, but also suggest the existence of a complex of cryptic species of which an attempt should be made to clarify using the combined traditional and molecular taxonomies.

Evidences of changes in the fish fauna of Galician waters is documented based on the occurrence of 24 specimens belonging to eight warm affinity fishes. Information about the morphology and new findings of Desmodema polystictum (Trachipteridae), Halobatrachus didactylus (Batrachoididae), Dactylopterus volitans (Dactylopteridae) Anthias anthias (Serranidae), Callanthias ruber (Callanthiidae), Seriola rivoliana (Carangidae), Uranoscopus scaber (Uranoscopidae) and Sphyraena sphyraena (Sphyraenidae), is reported from Galician waters, where they are unusual or rare. Morphometric and meristic parameters confirmed the identification to species level of each specimen, which was also supported by DNA barcoding. In addition, sex identification by histology and oocyte measurements of several specimens were carried out. The record of D. polystictum supposes the first occurrence for Atlantic European waters and a new northernmost record of the distribution in the Eastern Atlantic. A Neighbour-Joining comparison of COI mitochondrial DNA sequences of D. volitans suggests the possible occurrence of an undescribed cryptic species or the existence of a species that could be resurrected from one of its many catalogued synonyms. According to the obtained rate, S. rivoliana is the species more commonly recorded. The gonad histological analysis proposes A. anthias and C. ruber as protogynous hermaphrodite species

Four specimens corresponding to three rare deep-water fish species were caught on the Porcupine Bank (Northeast Atlantic) in September 2019. These catches include the new northernmost records of Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti and Deep water dab Poecilopsetta beanii in the Atlantic Ocean and the second record of the latter species in its eastern zone. Three of the specimens were retained and their molecular identification also allowed the first time to obtain the Cataetyx alleni DNA barcode. The appearance of P. beanii, a West Atlantic species, in its eastern zone is discussed in relation to a possible phenomenon of transoceanic drift in the larval stage., SI

4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table., The first record of the goldblotch grouper, Epinephelus costae (Steindachner, 1878), from Galician waters is reported. Two specimens were recorded in the south of Galicia but only one of them was retained. Morphometric and meristic parameters, along with DNA barcoding, confirmed the identification of the preserved specimen whereas the other was identified based on a photograph. Results of the histological examination of the gonads of E. costae are also reported, showing a mature female at the beginning of the reproductive cycle. In addition, a review of the northern limit of distribution for the species is carried out.

The difficulties involved in the study of deep-sea species imply the existence of a wide gap in knowledge of this ecosystem. Here, we have obtained the mitogenome of the Oven's halosaur, Halosaurus...

13 pages, 2 tables, 3 figures, Gaidropsarus Rafinesque, 1810 is a genus of marine fishes, commonly known as rocklings, comprising 14 living species and showing a high ecological diversity from the intertidal zone to the deep sea. The systematics of this group has been controversial due to a general lack of representative specimens and the conservative morphology exhibited. A multidisciplinary approach combining the analysis of meristic data and the DNA barcode standard was applied in a species delimitation approach. Individuals representing eight valid and three unnamed species were collected, morphologically identified and archived in several museum collections. Comparison of DNA sequences shows complex results, furthering the idea of the difficult identification of specimens based on traditional taxonomy. DNA barcoding supports synonymies, like G. biscayensis–G. macrophthalmus and G. guttatus–G. mediterraneus, agreeing with the extensive overlaps observed in the meristic variables analysed and suggesting a reduction in the number of species. Genetic distances showed pairs of closely related species like G. granti–G. vulgaris and G. argentatus–G. ensis, the latter being only distinguished by one main distinctive character. Four deep-water specimens, morphologically classified only to the genus level, constituted three independent taxa apart from the ones present in this study and with no barcode matches in the repository databases. They could represent new records for the North Atlantic or unknown species of this genus. The results obtained show that more studies will be necessary to solve the systematics of this branch of the Gadiformes, This work was funded through the research project ECOMARG 3, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment, Spain, and the EC LIFE 07/NAT/E/000732+ ‘Nature Biodiversity’ INDEMARES project. Oceanographic surveys were partially funded by the EU through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund within the National Programme of data collection in the fisheries sector.

Multidisciplinary data coming from high-resolution seismic profiles, gravity core analysis (sedimentology and geochemistry), radiocarbon dating and metagenomics has been used to establish the stratigraphic framework as well as the geochemical and microbial context of the gassy sediments in the Ria de Vigo. Gas appears within the muddy sediments that compound the youngest Holocene seismic unit of the infilling of the ria and is mainly methane, generated by microbial decomposition in a rich organic matter depositional environment. Within the ria, the biogeochemical zonation is affected by the quality, quantity and age of the buried organic matter. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon clone libraries sequencing suggests that prokaryotic composition may be linked to the sediment type. Uncultured archaea common to the marine sub-sea floor of the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group (MCG) and Marine Benthic Group-D (MBGD) are dominant in these organic-rich estuarine and shallow marine sediments. The presence of Methanomicrobia and ANME in the sulphate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) from the estuarine gassy area indicates anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in these sediments. Desulfobacteraceae are also homogeneously distributed along the sediment columns, even in the methanogenic zone, suggesting the existence of a cryptic sulphur cycle driven by iron under the SMTZ. The older sediments retrieved from the non-gassy outer area of the ria contain less organic matter and appear to represent mainly a sulphate-reducing environment where SMTZ is not yet reached at the bottom of the sediment core. Methanogens of various affiliations and traces of methane are detected in this sulphate-reducing environment, with an unusual increase in concentration towards the sediment surface. Microbial methanogenesis in the sulphate-reducing zone of surface sediments, a process recently described in organic-rich sediments able to supply methanogenic substrates could reconcile these observations.

Deep-sea fish taxa are elusive, difficult to study, and in multiple cases, represent taxonomic conundrums. Here, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of the shortfin spiny eel, Notacanthus ...

17 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables, The taxonomy of ceratioid fishes is challenging and frequently based on a small num-ber of female specimens described for each species. Twenty ceratioid specimens caught on Flemish Cap and Grand Bank (western North Atlantic), representing 12 species and six families: Ceratias holboelli and Cryptopsaras couesii (Ceratiidae); Himantolophus albinares (Himantolophidae); Melanocetus johnsonii (Melanocetidae); Lophodolos acanthognathus, Oneirodes eschrichtii, Dolopichthys karsteni, and Leptacanthichthys gracilispinis (Oneirodidae); Caulophryne polynema (Caulophrynidae); and Haplophryne mollis, Linophryne brevibarbata, and L. bicornis (Linophrynidae) were identified by examination of morphological characters. DNA barcode sequences, from the 5′ end of the COI mitochondrial gene, were developed for 18 specimens and compared with all ceratioid barcode sequences available in public repositories. The analyses extended the ranges of some quantitative traits for certain species, high-lighted the possible existence of cryptic species in C.couesii with distinct ranges in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and indicated a close relationship between Bertellaand Dolopichthys meriting further attention. The authoritative identification of the 18 voucher specimens made possible detection of erroneous identifications of some se-quences extracted from the repositories and highlighting of taxonomic conflicts that should be the subject of future studies

8 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, The occurrences of 13 specimens belonging to 9 species of little known marine fishes in the Northeast Atlantic in 2017 and 2018 are reported. Information about the morphology and new findings of Decapterus tabl and Decapterus macarellus (Carangidae), Kyphosus vaigiensis (Kyphosidae), Remora osteochir (Echeneidae), Antigonia capros (Caproidae), Hyperoglyphe perciformis (Centrolophidae), Halobatrachus didactylus (Batrachoididae), Parapristipoma octolineatum (Haemulidae) and Zu cristatus (Trachypteridae) are reported in different locations, where they are categorized as unusual or rare. Morphometric and meristic parameters confirm the identification to species level of each specimen, also supported by DNA barcoding. Histological examination of reproductive tissue is carried out in four specimens to know the sex and their reproductive stage. All species are known from other areas of the Atlantic Ocean, but these findings are an important contribution to understanding their biology and distribution. These include a new northernmost record of Remora osteochir and Decapterus tabl in the eastern Atlantic and the first records of Antigonia capros, Hyperoglyphe perciformis, Halobatrachus didactylus and Parapristipoma octolineatum from Galician waters, This study was partially financed by the agreement between CSIC and Xunta de Galicia to analyse fisheries-dependent data from the monitoring program of small-scale fisheries in Galicia (Agreement No. 070401150009). RT was financially supported by the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira Project (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000001-Observatório Oceânico da Madeira-OOM)

In spite of our awareness that the biosphere is represented to a greater extent in the oceans than elsewhere, little is still known about the genetic structure and phylogeography of most deep-sea fish species. Here, different questions regarding the phenotypic and genetic diversity of deep-sea morid cod Lepidion lepidion across its distribution area have been investigated. Principal Component Analyses of 17 different morphological measurements indicated no differences between Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, but the presence of a latitudinal phenotypic gradient. The genetic analyses comprised three mitochondrial and two nuclear markers. Neutrality tests and mismatch distributions indicated events of demographic expansion in the western Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean that should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size. In addition, two different nuclear lineages partially mixed have been detected, suggesting isolation with secondary contact between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Moderate genetic structure was found in Aviles Canyon (NW Iberian Peninsula) showing limitations to gene flow and asymmetric migration, probably due to the oceanographic conditions in the area. The results suggest that genetic connectivity of L. lepidion is probably due to its pelagic stages.primarily to a one-way flux accumulating energy resources into deep-sea ecosystems., SI

5 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, The first record of the prickly puffer Ephippion guttifer (Tetraodontidae) from Galician waters (north‐west Spain) is reported based on a male specimen of 570 mm total length (LT) caught in the Ría de Vigo. Morphometric, meristic and DNA barcode data confirmed the identification. Histological examination of reproductive tissue was carried out in this species for the first time, showing a mature male in an actively spawning phase. A historical revision invalidates a previous record and establishes this as the northernmost confirmed capture ever reported in the north‐eastern Atlantic Ocean, This study was facilitated by the agreement between CSIC and Xunta de Galicia to analyse fisheries‐dependent data from the monitoring program of small‐scale fisheries in Galicia (Agreement No. 070401150009)

Notacanthiformes Goodrich, 1909, is an order of deep-sea teleost fishes with a leptocephalus larval stage whose biology and systematics are not widely known. The aim of this work was to apply the DNA barcode standard, based on COI sequence variation, to the delimitation of the species of this order, which is composed by the families Halosauridae (halosaurus) and Notacanthidae (spiny eels). The sequence data used for the analyses were obtained from two sources: 71 samples collected during oceanographic surveys in the North Atlantic Ocean (including the rare species Lipogenys gillii Goode & Bean, 1895) and 95 sequences collected from the BOLD data set. The neighbor-joining analysis of the barcodes was successful in identifying 96% of the specimens, representing 9 of 16 and 9 of 10 of the recognised species of halosaurus and spiny eels, respectively, including all the current genera. The comparison between the Atlantic and the BOLD data sets also flagged the possibility of occurrences of misidentification and cryptic species. A modern molecular tool like the DNA barcoding supports the previously morphological-based systematics of the order Notacanthiformes and will provide better access to the taxonomic knowledge of these deep-water fishes.

The occurrence of the alien species Anadara kagoshimensis is reported for the first time in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain) during 2013. Living specimens of this species have been recognized by morphological analysis. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene has been partially sequenced and Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses carried out to confirm its identification. This new record reaffirms the presence of A. kagoshimensis, previously reported as Anadara inaequivalvis, along the Atlantic European coast extending the known distribution range in Spanish waters to the south.

7 pages, 2 tables, 2 figures, The Notacanthiformes is an ancient group of deep-sea ray-finned fishes comprising 27 species in two families; Halosauridae and Notacanthidae. Although many studies have tried to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among the major clades of Elopomorpha, little is known about the evolutionary history of notacanthiforms. Molecular and morphological data were used to test previous hypotheses regarding the phylogenetic relationships among notacanthiform taxa, and to unravel the origin and evolution of this group. The molecular analyses of notacanthids showed similar results to those previously obtained employing osteological data, which proposed the existence of the Lipogenyinae (Lipogenys) and Notacanthinae (Notacanthus + Polyacanthonotus) subfamilies. Nevertheless, when the external morphology data is considered Lipogenys is more related to Notacanthus than Polyacanthonotus. The analyses could not fully resolve the inner relationships of the halosaurids. The time-calibrated tree of the order Notacanthiformes shows a long process of diversification spanning from the upper Cretaceous, to 50 million years after the K-Pg extinction, with the gradual emergence of all the modern families and genera of the group. This is the first specific phylogeny of the order Notacanthiformes, combining different analyses and data in order to obtain a wider perspective of the evolution and diversification of this group of fishes, This investigation was partially founded by the Spanish Ministry of Environment (research project ECOMARG 3), by the EC LIFE+ ‘Nature Biodiversity’ INDEMARES project (07/NAT/E/000732) and received additional funding from the Research Line BlueSensors, integrated in the Structured Program of R&D&I CORAL – Sustainable Ocean Exploitation: Tools and Sensors (reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000036), funded by the Northern Regional Operational Programme (NORTE2020) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). EF was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant SFRH/BPD/108445/2015

From 2009 to 2011 thirty-five specimens belonging to six halosaurid species of the family Halosauridae were captured in two different locations in the northern waters of Spain. The specimens were identified as belonging to the genera Halosauropsis Collett, 1896, Halosaurus Johnson, 1864 and Aldrovandia Goode & Bean, 1896, including the following species: Halosauropsis macrochir (Günther, 1878), Halosaurus ovenii Johnson, 1864, Halosaurus johnsonianus Vaillant, 1888, Aldrovandia affinis (Günther, 1877), Aldrovandia phalacra (Vaillant, 1888) and Aldrovandia oleosa Sulak, 1977. The morphometric measurements and meristic characters of these specimens are given. As a result, a new northern limit of distribution of A. oleosa from the northeastern Atlantic is reported. Using a taxonomical integrative approach, the mitochondrial DNA COI gene sequences from all individuals where determined and their comparison with morphological characters showed no incongruities. Among these specimens, the highest genetic distance within species was 0.8% while the lowest value between species was 3.3%. This ample barcoding gap has allowed the delimitation and assignment of all species reported in a way that matches the traditional taxonomical methods previously employed., Treinta y cinco ejemplares de seis especies de halosaúridos pertenecientes a la familia Halosauridae fueron capturados en dos lugares diferentes en aguas atlánticas del norte de España entre los años 2009 y 2011. Los ejemplares pertenecen a los géneros Halosauropsis Collett, 1896, Halosaurus Johnson, 1864 y Aldrovandia Goode & Bean, 1896, incluyendo las siguientes especies: Halosauropsis macrochir (Günther, 1878), Halosaurus ovenii Johnson, 1864, Halosaurus johnsonianus Vaillant, 1888, Aldrovandia affinis (Günther, 1877), Aldrovandia phalacra (Vaillant, 1888) y Aldrovandia oleosa Sulak, 1977. Se aportan sus medidas morfométricas y caracteres merísticos. Como resultado de este estudio, se establece un nuevo límite norte de distribución de A. oleosa en el Atlántico noreste. Se usó un enfoque basado en la taxonomía integrativa, comparando las secuencias del gen mitocondrial COI de todos los ejemplares y los caracteres morfológicos, sin que se mostrase incongruencia alguna. En el conjunto de los ejemplares, la mayor distancia genética observada a nivel intraespecífico fue del 0.8%, mientras que el valor más bajo al comparar entre pares de especies fue del 3.3%. Este amplio "Barcoding gap", ha permitido la delimitación y asignación de todas las especies citadas con el mismo resultado que los métodos taxonómicos tradicionales previamente empleados., SI

Descripció de dos exemplars de Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1820) capturats accidentalment amb un palangre semipelàgic al Mediterrani occidental En aquest treball es descriuen dos exemplars adults de Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1820) (Trachipteridae), un exemplar de 87,8 cm i una femella de 103 cm en estat de posta, capturats accidentalment amb un palangre semipelàgic per capturar al peix espasa, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758 al Mediterrani occidental. En aquest treball s’aporten les primeres dades sobre l’estat sexual descrites per al Mediterrani occidental., Description of two specimens of Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1820) accidentally captured in midwater longlines in the western Mediterranean Records of Zu cristatus are relatively rare in the Mediterranean. We report two adult Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1820) (Trachipteridae), one specimen of 87.8 cm (sex unknown) and one of 103 cm (female), that were by-caught by semi-pelagic longline targeting swordfish, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758 in the western Mediterranean. This paper provided the first data on the sexual state described for the western Mediterranean., Los registros de Zu cristatus son relativamente raros en el Mediterráneo. En el presente trabajo se describen dos ejemplares adultos de Zu cristatus (Bonelli, 1820) (Trachipteridae), un ejemplar de 87,8 cm (sexo indeterminado) y una hembra de 103 cm en estado de puesta, capturados accidentalmente con un palangre semi-pelàgico para capturar al pez espada, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758 en el Mediterráneo occidental. En este trabajo se aportan los primeros datos sobre el estado sexual descritos para el Mediterráneo occidental.

Three cDNA sequences encoding putative opine dehydrogenase (OpDH) enzymes from the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were obtained. The deduced amino acid sequences were clearly distinguishable from each other, showing that several OpDH transcripts could occur in the mussel tissues (p distance 0.46-0.55). When these sequences were aligned and compared with published databank proteins, the range of identity among the M. galloprovincialis OpDH and the strombine dehydrogenase from Ostrea edulis was 51-59 %, the best hit in the three comparisons, followed by OpDH enzymes from other marine invertebrates. Sequence alignment revealed structural motifs possibly related to the binding sites of the substrates. A phylogenetic analysis compared M. galloprovincialis OpDH and annotated sequences belonging to five phyla and seven taxonomic classes, including 19 species, representing the five OpDH protein family members. The phylogenetic tree clustered the OpDH enzymes according to the evolutionary relationships of the species and not to the biochemical reaction catalyzed.

The fabrication of silicon carbide scaffolds from the sea rush Juncus maritimus, by its thermal decomposition and subsequent infiltration with molten silicon was detailed. The preservation in the ceramics of the patterned surface and porosity of the plant was confirmed by electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry, and interferometric profilometry, where an increase of the surface roughness along the pattern, as a consequence of β-SiC crystals formation, was detected. Physicochemical characterization validated these ceramics as viable scaffolds for tissue engineering. To test the biological response, MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were incubated on the ceramics revealing a healthy morphology with filopodia extended in the pattern direction.

La necesidad de desarrollar nuevos implantes basados en materiales bioactivos que sean capaces de soportar grandes cargas mecánicas ha llevado a la producción de sustratos metálicos recubiertos con cerámicas bioactivas. Recientemente se ha propuesto un dispositivo alternativo que consiste en un sustrato de carburo de silicio (SiC) biomórfico recubierto con vidrio bioactivo, mediante la técnica de Depósito por Láser Pulsado (PLD), y que dispone de la resistencia mecánica adecuada, además de gran ligereza y una porosidad intrínseca muy favorable de cara a la implantación. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio interdisciplinar de este nuevo material centrado en la morfología y porosidad de sustratos de SiC provenientes de diferentes maderas, la bioactividad de los recubrimientos producidos por PLD y en la evaluación in vitro con células de osteosarcoma MG-63 con la que se ha determinado la citotoxicidad de estos materiales y se ha estudiado la influencia de los mismos en la adhesión y la proliferación celular. In the past years there was a need to develop new tough bioactive materials capable to resist high loads when implanted in the body, that led to the production of bioactive coatings on metallic substrates. A new approach, which consists of biomorphic silicon carbide (SiC) coated with bioactive glass by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), was recently presented. This new material joins the high mechanical strength, lightness and porosity of biomorphic SiC and the bioactive properties of PLD glass films. In this work, a multiple evaluation of this new material is presented starting from the biomorphic SiC morphology and porosity, following with the bioactivity in simulated body fluid of the coatings, and ending with a deep in vitro study with MG-63 cells. The citotoxicity of the SiC coated and uncoated and the cell proliferation and attachment were studied.

The aim of this study was to test the in vitro cytotoxicity of wood-based biomorphic Silicon Carbide (SiC) ceramics, using MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells. This innovative material has been recently developed and it exhibits unique mechanical properties towards their application in biomedical technology. In the solvent extraction test the SiC ceramic extracts had almost no effect on cellular activity even at 100% concentration. A similar behaviour was found for Ti6Al4V and bioactive glass, used as reference materials. The results of the cell morphology and the cellular attachment response have also demonstrated that the in vitro performance of these biomorphic SiC ceramics is qualitatively comparable to that produced by titanium alloy and bioactive glass, which seems very promising.

Alpha-L-fucosidase (FUC) is a glycosidase involved in the degradation of fucose-containing glycoconjugates. A cDNA representing the complete sequence of human FUC was inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-2T. High levels of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein were detected in Escherichia coli cells after induction with isopropyl thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside. The GST-FUC protein was mostly found as inclusion bodies and attempts to optimise its expression as a soluble form were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography on glutathione-sepharose and its fucosidase activity was characterised. After thrombin cleavage of the GST tag, the FUC precursor protein was purified by electro-elution.

The taxonomic identification of one Kyphosus sectatrix and two Kyphosus vaigiensis specimens caught in the European Atlantic waters of Galicia, northwestern Spain, was carried out by means of integrative taxonomy, combining the examination of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. Taxonomical assignation based on morphological characters of these specimens was tested by comparing their COI sequences with available data of Kyphosus deposited in public repositories. The resulting neighbour-joining tree defined four clades corresponding to Barcode Index Number (BIN) and indicated that some nucleotide sequences from Kyphosus, previously deposited, probably originate from misidentified specimens, as would be expected from cryptic and sympatric species. The specimens of Kyphosus vaigiensis represent a new record for the waters of Galicia and the northernmost record in the eastern Atlantic. This kind of herbivorous tropical fishes could play an important role in the tropho-dynamic context of this temperate coastal ecosystem.

The acid α-l-fucosidase is usually found as a soluble component of lysosomes where fucoglycoconjugates are degraded. In the present investigation, we have demonstrated the existence of a cell surface protein with enzymatic α-l-fucosidase activity that crossreacts specifically with a rabbit anti-(α-l-fucosidase) Ig. By different approaches, this α-l-fucosidase, which represents 10–20% of the total cellular fucosidase activity, was detected in all the tested human cells (hemopoietic, epithelial, mesenchymal). Two bands of ≈ 43–49 kDa were observed, although theoretical data support the possibility of having the same genetic origin that the known 50 to 55-kDa Mrα-l-fucosidase. We speculate about an alternative traffic pathway for the plasma membrane α-l-fucosidase to work on the rapid turnover of glycoproteins.

From 2009 to 2011 eleven specimens belonging to four bathygadid species of the family Bathygadidae were captured in two different locations in the northern waters of Spain. The morphometric measurements and meristic characters of these specimens are given. The specimens were identified as belonging to the genera Gadomus Regan, 1903, and Bathygadus Günther, 1878, including the following species: Gadomus dispar (Vaillant, 1888), Gadomus longifilis (GoodeBean, 1885), Gadomus arcuatus (GoodeBean, 1886) and Bathygadus melanobranchus Vaillant, 1888. As a result, a new northern limit of distribution of G. arcuatus from the northeastern Atlantic is reported. The first molecular identification and genetic interrelationships of Bathygadidae species, based on the mitochondrial COI nucleotide sequences -DNA barcodes- is reported. Sequences corresponding to specimens from the same species were identical and the overall mean genetic diversity (uncorrected p-distance) was 0.096 ± 0.008. Based on a morphological and meristic examination of the specimens, as well as on the available literature, an updated key of the members of the family Bathygadidae from the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean is provided.

The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. is distributed in Europe from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and British Isles. Recently, an abrupt change at allozyme frequencies has been pointed out between Atlantic and Mediterranean Iberian populations. M. galloprovincialis samples on both sides of the allozyme discontinuity area were taken between 1992 and 1994. Four samples were from pure populations and one from the French hybrid zone of M. galloprovincialis and M. edulis L. A pure M. edulis sample was used as the control population. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction site analysis of EcoRI enzyme was applied. Significant differentiation at the haplotype frequencies between Atlantic and Mediterranean M. galloprovincialis populations was found, which represented a mean variation of about 27% for the FA haplotype frequencies. This mtDNA differentiation pattern was geographically concordant with that for allozyme loci previously reported. Moreover, significant differences at haplotype frequencies between M. galloprovincialis from the hybrid zone and from pure Atlantic populations were unexpectedly found, exhibiting a mean variation of about 27% for FA haplotype. FA frequencies for M. galloprovincialis from the hybrid zone (> 68%) were not intermediate between those for Atlantic pure populations (43%) and for M. edulis (< 25%). Evolutionary implications of these macrogeographic genetic differentiations are discussed.

alpha-L-Fucosidase is a glycosidase involved in the degradation of fucoglycoconjugates and has a diagnostic significance because it has been described to be altered in several known diseases. However, in vitro studies on enzymatic activities may not reflect the real protein levels in tissues. This paper describes a simple method to quantify alpha-L-fucosidase protein levels in human crude extracts, combining the slot-blot technique and a nonradioactive immunoassay. Taking advantage of the similarities in different mammalian fucosidases, a polyclonal antiserum was raised against commercial purified alpha-L-fucosidase from bovine kidney that cross-reacted with the human colon enzyme. The method is able to detect as little as 0.75 ng alpha-L-fucosidase. To illustrate the direct application of this technique, we analysed and quantified alpha-L-fucosidase protein levels in 18 human colon crude samples. This technique could prove useful in clinical pathology, allowing fast and accurate measurement of alpha-L-fucosidase in crude extracts.

This is the first molecular identification of the Arrowhead dogfish Deania profundorum based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) ever made. It is based on four specimens caught in the Cantabrian Sea (north of Spain) during a monitoring survey in the summer of 2009. Three specimens of Deania calcea were also sampled as comparative material. The sequences obtained were in concordance with the identification of the Deania species. The two Deania species shared no COI haplotypes and showed a genetic distance of 3.6% (23 fixed differences out of 652 bp), which is within the range of congeneric species., Sí

A cDNA encoding the putative octopine dehydrogenase (OcDH) from the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was cloned and sequenced. The complete coding region was expressed in the bacteria Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein was purified. The M . galloprovincialis OcDH appears to have the highest affinity for the amino acid substrate l -arginine (88.22%), compared to l -alanine (9.04%) and glycine (2.74%). This enzyme showed no activity when taurine or β-alanine was used as substrate. These data strongly support that this recombinant enzyme is octopine dehydrogenase and not another opine dehydrogenase such as alanopine or strombine dehydrogenases. The superimposition of the theoretical three-dimensional model of the M . galloprovincialis OcDH and the crystal structure of its homologous counterpart from the great scallop Pecten maximus showed interesting changes in the amino acid binding site which could explain the differences found in the substrate affinity between the two molluscs. A phylogenetic analysis was performed comparing M. galloprovincialis OcDH and annotated sequences representing the five opine dehydrogenase (OpDH) protein family members. The phylogenetic tree which was obtained clustered the OpDH enzymes according to the evolutionary relationships of the species and not to the biochemical reaction catalysed. Octopine dehydrogenase has been identified in the Mytilidae family for the first time, having previously only been established in one other marine invertebrate ( P . maximus ) .