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The condition of coral reefs in the Cuban Archipelago is poorly known. We aimed to analyse coral assemblages across 199 reef sites belonging to 12 localities. Crest and fore reefs were assessed usi...

Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of polychaete assemblages were described in six subtidal sampling stations within Cienfuegos Bay, a Cuban semi-enclosed bay in the Caribbean Sea for 4 months (February and September 2006, February and May 2007). This bay is strongly polluted due to the accumulation of organic enrichment and heavy metals in sediments. Macrofaunal assemblages were impoverished and their distribution highly patchy across stations and months. Molluscs, arthropods and echinoderms were scarce, but small-size opportunistic polychaete species such as Polydora sp. and Streblospio benedicti were predominant. The synergistic effects of low hydrodynamics and hypoxia derived from organic enrichment probably explain the distribution patterns of macrofauna. Heavy metal contamination appears to have minor effects on fauna; low bioavailability of metals and tolerance of fauna can explain this hypothesis. Seasonal changes of macrofauna can be related to water stagnation in the wet (summer...

Two new genera of nematodes are described from the Caribbean Sea. Cienfuegia gen. nov. belongs to the Xyalidae based on the position of the anterior gonad constantly left of the intestine, cuticle clearly striated, second and third circle of anterior sensilla inserted at the same level and buccal cavity surrounded by pharynx. The new genus is differentiated from other genera by the buccal cavity divided in two chambers and by the four cephalic setae being longer than the six outer labial setae. Within the Xyalidae, Cienfuegia shows most affinities with the genera Daptonema and Theristus. Pseudoterschellingia gen. nov. is placed within the Linhomoeidae on the basis of the presence of anterior rounded amphidial fovea, unarmed narrow buccal cavity, distinctive cardia and presence of apophysis of gubernaculum. Pseudoterschellingia is closely related to the genera Terschellingia and Terschellingioides, but is differentiated by the crypto-spiral amphidial fovea, and conical buccal cavity surrounded by pharyngeal tissue.