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We surveyed protozoan and metazoan parasites as well as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus and the palaemonid prawn Macrobrachium acanthurus native to the lower Jamapa River region of Veracruz, Mexico. The presence of parasites and the infection parameters were evaluated in 113 palaemonid prawns collected during the northwind (n = 45), rainy (n = 38) and dry seasons (n = 30) between October 2007 and July 2008, and in 91 shrimp collected in the rainy season between May and June 2008. In L. setiferus, ciliates of the subclass Apostomatia (Ascophrys sp.) were evident in gills, and third-stage larvae of the nematode Physocephalus sexalatus were evident in the stomach. Cestodes of the genus Prochristianella were evident in the hepatopancreas, while some gregarines of the genus Nematopsis, as well as unidentified larval cestodes, were observed in the intestine. Histology identified Ascophrys sp. in association with gill necrosis and tissue melanization. Slight inflammation was observed in intestinal epithelium near cestode larvae. In M. acanthurus, epibionts of the protozoans Epistylis sp., Acineta sp. and Lagenophrys sp. were observed under uropods, periopods and pleopods. An unidentified ciliate of the Apostomatia was also found in the gills, and Nematopsis was identified in the intestine. No histopathology was observed in association with these parasites. Moreover, neither WSSV nor IHHNV were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in any of the L. setiferus or M. acanthurus analysed.

The Blueline Surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigroris Valenciennes, formerly considered as wide-ranging in the central and western Pacific, is restricted to the Hawaiian Islands. Acanthurus nigros Gunther, type locality Vanuatu, is available for the sister species from the Pitcairn Islands west to the Great Barrier Reef and Caroline Islands. Although these two species are very similar in color, there are fin-ray and gill-raker differences, and the genetic difference (i.e., 4.12 % mtDNA cytochrome b sequence divergence) alone warrants species recognition.

Herbivory is an important driver of community structure on coral reefs. Adequate understanding of herbivory will mandate better knowledge of how specific herbivores impact reef communities and the redundancy versus complementarity of their ecological roles. We used algal communities generated by herbivore manipulations to assess such roles among Caribbean herbivorous fishes. We created large enclosures on a 16- to 18-m-deep reef to create treatments grazed for 10 months by: (1) only Sparisoma aurofrenatum, (2) only Acanthurus bahianus, (3) no large herbivorous fishes, or (4) natural densities of all reef fishes. After 10 months, we removed cages and filmed how free-ranging reef fishes fed among these treatments that differed in algal community structure. In general, Acanthurus spp. and Scarus spp. rapidly grazed exclosure and Sparisoma-only treatments, while Sparisoma spp. preferentially grazed exclosure and Acanthurus-only treatments. These patterns suggest complementarity between Sparisoma spp. and both Acanthurus spp. and Scarus spp. but redundancy between Acanthurus spp. and Scarus spp. Despite these generalities, there was also within-genera variance in response to the different treatments. For example, large Scarus spp., such as Scarus guacamaia, fed more similarly to Sparisoma spp., particularly Sparisoma viride, than to other Scarus spp. Moreover, the three common Sparisoma species differed considerably in the macroalgae to which they exhibited positive or negative relationships. Thus, herbivorous reef fishes vary considerably in their response to different algal communities and exhibit complex patterns of compensatory feeding and functional redundancy that are poorly predicted by taxonomy alone.

The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used generic name Acanthurus Forsskal, 1775 in its accustomed usage by the designation of Chaetodon sohal Forsskal, 1775 as the type species. The nominal species Chaetodon unicornis Forsskal, 1775 is currently the type species of Acanthurus by the subsequent designation of Jordan & Everman (1898), but this species currently belongs in the unicornfish genus Naso Lacepede, 1801, effectively rendering Acanthurus a senior synonym of Naso. It is proposed that all previous type fixations for Acanthurus including the one by Jordan & Evermann (1898) be set aside and that C. sohal be designated the type species of Acanthurus in accordance with the current usage of Acanthurus.

Macrobrachium is distributed globally in most biogeographical regions, and contains species with interesting mechanisms of evolution. We conducted an exhaustive survey on São Sebastião Island, the largest coastal island of the state of São Paulo. Here we provide a list of species (M. acanthurus, M. carcinus, M. heterochirus, M. olfersi, M. potiuna) together with the diagnosis, distribution, and remarks on each species, and a key for their identification. We compare our findings with available information on the genus. The high diversity of freshwater shrimps on the island is interesting in terms of biogeographical and evolutionary processes.

This study aimed to describe the epibiosis of barnacles Amphibalanus improvisus on eight adult Macrobrachium acanthurus males from the Mundaú Lagoon, state of Alagoas, Brazil. The number of epibiont barnacles varied from 247 to 1,544 specimens per prawn; these were distributed predominantly on the cephalothorax and pereiopods, but also on the abdomen and other appendices. Although some were already reproducing, most barnacles had been recruited recently or were still sexually immature; this suggests recent host arrival in that estuarine environment. Despite the fact that other barnacles occur in this region, A. improvisus is the only species reported as an epibiont on Macrobrachium acanthurus; this was also the first record of epibiosis on this host. The occurrence of innumerable specimens in the pereiopods' articulations and the almost complete covering of the carapace of some prawns (which also increased their weight) suggest that A. improvisus is adapted to fixate this kind of biogenic substrate and that the relationship between the two species biologically damages the basibiont.O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar a epibiose de cirrípedes Amphibalanus improvisus em oito camarões machos adultos da espécie Macrobrachium acanthurus provenientes da Laguna Mundaú, Alagoas, Brasil. O número de cirrípedes epibiontes variou desde 247 até 1.544 espécimes por camarão, distribuídos predominantemente no cefalotórax e pereiópodos, mas presentes também no abdome e demais apêndices. A grande maioria dos cirrípedes era recém-recrutada ou ainda estava sexualmente imatura, embora de alguns estivessem já em reprodução, sugerindo a chegada recente de seu hospedeiro no ambiente estuarino. Apesar de ocorrem outros cirrípedes na região, A. improvisus foi à única espécie relatada como epibionte em Macrobrachium acanthurus e isto se constituiu o primeiro registro de epibiose de Amphibalanus improvisus A ocorrência de inúmeros espécimes nas articulações dos pereiópodos e o recobrimento quase total da carapaça de alguns camarões (incrementando peso aos mesmos) indicam que a espécie epibionte está adaptada à fixação neste substrato biogênico e que a relação entre estas duas espécies traz prejuízos biológicos ao basibionte.

Artificial reefs have been deployed worldwide in shallow marine environments to enhance attraction and capture of fish, but, despite their potential as a fishery management option, few studies addressed whether fish assemblages will change with distance from a reef. We experimentally assessed the relationship between fish abundance and richness to increased distance (0, 25, 100, and 300 m) to reef balls deployed on a flat and homogeneous bottom, 9-m deep, on the north coast of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. A total of thirty fish species was associated with the reefs and the variation in species composition with sampling period or technique did not account for changes in fish assemblages with reef distance. Fish abundance and richness were significantly greater at the nearest distances (0 m and 50 m) to the reefs than at 300 m, but while the first dependent variable decreased exponentially with reef distance the later diminished linearly. Fish responses to reef distance were clearly species-specific and the tomtate ( Haemulon aurolineatum — the dominant species that probably used the reefs for shelter purposes) strongly influenced the exponential decreasing pattern found for the total number of fishes and abundance of Haemulidae. The abundance of the close congener Haemulon steindachneri , and of Chaetodon striatus , Serranus flaviventris and serranid species as a group also decreased, but linearly, with reef distance, probably related to variation in home-range. Acanthurus chirurgus and Scorpaena isthmensis decreased linearly in number with reef distance, probably due to feeding rather than refuge purposes. The abundance of Isopisthus parvipinnis tended to increase with reef distance, suggesting that artificial reefs might be unprofitable for those species less dependent on clear water or structurally complex habitats to obtain refuge or food. Overall, our study indicates that artificial reefs are a promising management tool to enhance fish capture in the oligotrophic waters and structureless bottoms of the north coast of Rio de Janeiro, but with varied rates of success, depending on the target species and fishing distance from the reefs.

Most research on cleaning symbioses on coral reefs has focused on fish clients being cleaned by smaller fishes. While many shrimps and other crustaceans are reported as cleaners, whether they remove parasites from fish hosts and can effectively regulate populations of ectoparasites is unclear. The effects of Pederson shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni), spotted shrimp (P. yucatanicus), and banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), on the parasitic monogenean Neobenedenia melleni on a host reef fish, blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus), were investigated. The abundance and size of N. melleni from fish with and without access to shrimps in a semi-natural macrocosm was quantified. P. pedersoni had a strong effect on both the abundance and size of parasites. In contrast, P. yucatanicus and S. hispidus had no effect on the abundance of parasites but had a small yet statistically significant effect on average size. These data suggest that P. pedersoni can play a significant role in the biological regulation of at least some ectoparasites on Caribbean reef fishes, but further suggest that some other shrimps regarded as “cleaners” may have little or no effectiveness at removing parasites and underscore the need for further verification before this term is applied.

The distribution of different species belonging to the freshwater shrimp genus Macrobrachium was studied along an altitudinal gradient in the Huitzilapan River, Veracruz, Mexico. Population surveys of M. heterochirus, M. carcinus and M. acanthurus were conducted along an 80 km long river stretch that started at 1045 m above sea level (asl) and ended at the estuary. In the dry and rainy seasons, sampling was conducted, at eight sampling sites along the river. The animals were collected with traps and casting nets. Five abiotic variables: temperature, salinity, water velocity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured. An altitudinal species segregation was observed: Macrobrachium heterochirus was most widely distributed in the dry season, from 1045 to 105 m asl, and most numerous at altitudes between 500 and 100 m; M. carcinus occurred at altitudes ranging from 280 to 5 m asl in both seasons; and M. acanthurus was restricted to the estuary below 5 m asl. Temperature decreased whereas water velocity increased with altitude, as was registered in both seasons. Our results indicate that seasonal differences shaped the distribution patterns of the three species. During the dry season, the distributions of the shrimp extended along the entire river, whereas in the rainy season their distribution was mainly in the lower area of river, and the main variables measured that have major influence in their abundance, seemed to be DO and water velocity. En este trabajo reportamos la distribucion de diferentes especies de langostinos del genero Macrobrachium a lo largo de un gradiente latitudinal en el rio Huitzilapan, Veracruz, Mexico. Un analisis poblacional de M. heterochirus, M. carcinus y M. acanthurus fue realizado a lo largo de un transecto de 80 km que inicio a los 1045 metros sobre el nivel del mar (msnm) y finalizo en donde el rio es un estuario. Se realizaron cuatro muestreos en las estaciones de secas (2) y en lluvias (2); ocho lugares fueron muestreados a lo largo del rio. Los animales fueron colectados con trampas y atarrayas, asimismo fueron medidos cinco variables abioticas (temperatura, salinidad, velocidad del agua, pH y oxigeno disuelto). Una segregacion altitudinal fue observada: Macrobrachium heterochirus fue la especie con una distribucion mas amplia en la estacion de secas desde los 1045 a los 105 msnm, prefiriendo areas a altitudes entre los 500 y los 100 m; M. carcinus ocurre a altitudes desde 280 a 5 m en ambas estaciones; y M. acanthurus estuvo restringida a la zona del estuario por debajo de los 5 msnm. La temperatura disminuyo donde la velocidad del agua se incremento con la altitud, esto fue registrado en ambas estaciones. Nuestros resultados indican que las diferencias estacionales marcan las distribuciones de las tres especies. Durante la epoca de secas, las distribuciones se extienden a lo largo de todo el rio. Mientras en la estacion de lluvias esta fue principalmente sobre el area mas baja del rio, y las principales variables medidas aqui que tienen una mayor influencia en sus abundancias fueron el oxigeno disuelto y la velocidad del agua.

The results of the first experiment involving polyculture of mullet (Mugil incilis) and freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium acanthurus) in Colombia are presented. An experimental pond, having a surface area of 1.15 ha, was stocked with seed collected from the wild. Collection of seed and stocking of ponds were facilitated by the coincidental start of the dry season and the migration toward freshwater of mullet and freshwater prawns in February, 1976. One hundred and thirty three days after stocking the pond yielded 241 kg of prawns (210 kg/ha) and 340 kg of mullet (296 kg/ha). Macrobrachium acanthurus achieve an average weight of 12 g and Mugil incilis reached an average weight of 70 g. The pond was not fertilized and only 430 kg of supplementary feed, mostly consumed by mullet, was presented. The results obtained for prawn production in this preliminary trial are compared to those achieved by other workers with this species and with Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

A second year of work on the selective breeding of Macrobrachium acanthurus resulted in the rearing of the F2 and F3 generations to maturity, and the F4 generation to the juvenile stage. A comparison of the growth of the F1 and F3 generations reared during roughly comparable periods in successive years shows that 129 F1 generation animals with an average age of 188 days had a mean size of 8.6 cm and 127 F3 generation animals with an average age of 177 days had a mean size of 9.4 cm. This increase in size is attributable partly to an increase in the percentage of males in the pond population, from 25% for the F1 generation to 65% for the F3 generation, and partly to the greater growth of F3 females. The radical change in the sex ratio was brought about by selecting the largest postlarval animals for our primary pond rearing experiment. The remaining postlarvae, selected from the same broods, were reared separately and at an average age of 178 days showed a sex ratio of 18% male and 82% female.

Effects of stocking density and three diets on growth and survival of 1 week post-metamorphic Macrobrachium rosenbergii and M. acanthurus were studied. Experiments were conducted on shrimp held for 2 months in laboratory tanks under a controlled temperature, light, and feeding regime. Initial stocking densities were 215, 430, 645, and 860 shrimp/m2 tank bottom. Shrimp were fed Purina 20% protein marine ration at 5% body weight daily. Habitat was gravel bottom. M. rosenbergii survival was highest at 215 shrimp/m2, but overall growth was best at 430 shrimp/ m2. M. acanthurus survival and growth were very erratic. Two commercially available diets (Purina 25% marine ration, and Purina No. 1 trout chow) and a “natural” diet composed of chopped fish, shrimp, earthworm, rice, and mung beans were selected for dietary studies. Shrimp were stocked at 107.5 shrimp/m2 tank bottom. A three-tiered habitat was added to reduce aggression and food competition. Shrimp were fed at 20% body weight daily for the first six weeks and 12% daily for the final two weeks. Trout chow produced the most rapid growth; maximum average increase in M. rosenbergii was from 0.03 g initially to 1.20 g after 2 months.

Macrobrachium larvae were reared in gradually increasing salinities and in constant salinities of 14, 16, 18, and 20 ppt. Best survival (36%) was achieved not only in an increasing salinity but also in a constant salinity of 16 ppt. In a controlled spawning experiment, temperature was lowered from 27.5 C to 24.0 C for 2 weeks. It was then returned to 27.5 C, and an average of 52.9% of the females tested spawned within 1 week.

A simple method for artificial insemination of Macrobrachium prawns is described and observations on breeding behavior, spermatophores and spawning are reported. The insemination procedure involves mechanical extrusion and attachment of sperm masses and has proved successful for intraspecific crosses of M. rosenbergii and M. acanthurus. Further, more than one female can be bred simultaneously by using sperm from a single male, an important consideration for inheritance studies. The following interspecific crosses also have been attempted with this method but without success: M. acanthurus ♂ x M. rosenbergii ♀, M. rosenbergii ♂ x M. acanthurus ♀, M. acanthurus ♂ x M. ohione ♀, M. rosenbergii ♂ x M. ohione ♀, and M. ohione ♂ x M. rosenbergii ♀. Manually placed sperm masses were retained through spawning in a few of the hybridization attempts, but fertilization was not obtained. However, since only a relatively small number of crosses have been attempted, additional efforts in this area appear warranted. Specifically, we believe that trials with more closely related species than those tested to date might prove more fruitful. Also, the potential use of this procedure in captive breeding or hybridization of other species of shrimp is noted.

Brood stock of Macrobrachium acanthurus and M. carcinus was caught in Spring, 1973 by dip netting at night in local canals. Larvae secured from ovigerous females were raised primarily in 946-liter tanks, and were fed Artemia nauplii, Tetramin, and ground tuna in initial experiments. In later rearing experiments, Artemia nauplii alone were used and were added to a rearing tank at the rate of the Artemia hatched from 25 cc of cysts per day. Two weeks after attaining the postlarval stage, the young shrimp were placed in 1/75th to 1/100th ha ponds. Data for male M. acanthurus show that they grow to a mean size of 10.0 cm in 4 months and 12.1 cm in 6 months. Females grow considerably more slowly, at least after achieving sexual maturity, and outnumber the males by about three to one. Insufficient postlarvae of M. carcinus were obtained from larval rearings to allow meaningful pond culture experiments. Attempts at hybridization of the two species were unsuccessful. Seminal fluid was removed from male M. carcinus by means of a hypodermic syringe with a blunt needle, but attempts to artificially inseminate females also failed.

This study aimed to assess the impact of harbor construction at Pecém (Brazil) upon the reef fish communities in tide pools. The monitoring was carried out through a visual census and sea water quality was evaluated by microbiological analyses. From March to December 2001, 1,425 individuals of 17 families and 25 species were registered. The most frequent species were Haemulon parra, Acanthurus chirurgus, Abudefduf saxatilis and Sparisoma axillare. The average species diversity for the whole period was 1.77 bits.ind -1. There was evidence that the tide pools gradually silted up, resulting in a reduction in species diversity and richness. The microbiological analyses indicated the presence of faecal coliforms in the water though not at significant levels. The present study could be useful as an early reference for future projects, using the fish communities as indicators for the impact upon the environment of the harbor construction and other human activities.O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi estudar os possíveis impactos sobre as comunidades de peixes que vivem em poças de maré na praia de Pecém-CE. O método de censo visual foi utilizado para o registro dos peixes, e a análise microbiológica para verificar a qualidade das águas. No período de março a dezembro de 2001 foram observados 1.425 indivíduos pertencentes a 17 famílias e 25 espécies em três poças estudadas. As espécies mais freqüentes foram Haemulon parra, Acanthurus chirurgus, Abudefduf saxatilis e o Sparisoma axillare. A diversidade média de espécies no período foi de 1,77 bits.ind-1. Durante a pesquisa foi observado um processo crescente de assoreamento na área de estudo, em decorrência da construção do porto de Pecém. No que concerne à balneabilidade das águas dessa praia, a avaliação não mostrou sinais significativos de poluição microbiológica, embora tenha sido detectada a presença de coliformes fecais. Os resultados desta pesquisa poderão servir como referência pioneira para futuros projetos de monitoramento para áreas que venham a sofrer com atividades de construção portuária.

We quantified Neobenedenia melleni from the skin of Caribbean surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) from June through October 2005 and 2007. Prevalence, or mean intensity of infection, or both, varied significantly among the 3 species, and among sites and between years for the most heavily infected species, blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus). Among 6 sites sampled, no more than 12% of ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus) were infected, compared with 10 to 100% of A. coeruleus. The prevalence of infection among doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus), collected at only 1 of the sites, was intermediate between the other 2 species (46%). Mean intensity (range) of infection for the few infected A. bahianus was 1 (1) to 3 (1-8), compared with 1.3 (1-2) to 14.3 (1-59) for A. coeruleus, and 2.5 (1-8) for A. chirurgus. Expected abundance of N. melleni on A. coeruleus from shallow bay sites was greater than for those from non-bay sites. Higher infections on A. coeruleus may be attributable to differences in habitat use, or susceptibility to infection, or both, compared to other species. Among site and between-year differences may be associated with differences in benthic habitat, or water conditions, or both. This system seems ideal for future comparative studies on the relationship between environmental variables and parasites on Caribbean coral reefs.

This study compared tidepool fish assemblages within and among habitats at Iparana and Pecém beaches, State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil, using visual census techniques. A total of 8,914 fishes, representing 25 families and 43 species were recorded. The most abundant taxon was Sparisoma spp, followed by Haemulon parra (Desmarest, 1823), Acanthurus chirurgus (Bloch, 1787) and Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Haemulidae was the most abundant family in number of individuals, followed by Scaridae, Acanthuridae and Pomacentridae. Within- and between- site differences in species assemblages probably reflected environmental discontinuities and more localized features, such as pool isolation episodes, or environmental complexity, both acting isolated or interactively. The locality of Iparana was probably subjected to a greater fishing pressure and tourism than Pecém, a potential cause for the observed lowest fish abundance and biodiversity. We conclude that tidepool ichthyofauna may be quite variable between and within reef sites. Thus, observations taken from or damages caused on one area may not be generalized to or mitigated by the protection of adjacent sites.

SANTOS, M. do C. F.; FONTELES FILHO, A. A. Biologia e pesca do amarão-canela, Macrobrachium acanthurus (Crustacea, Palaemonidae), no estuário do Rio Japaratuba, Estado de Sergipe. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar, v. 49, n.1, p. 59-66, jan. 2016. The freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium acanthurus, is an important fishing resource of Sergipe State’s coastal zone, being caught with traps in the Japaratuba River’s estuary. The samplings were taken in the period from January to December, 2011, adding up to 1,800 individuals, out of which 57.7% were males and 42.3% females. The mean annual cape length (CL) was 20.1 mm (males) and 15.6 mm (females), both of them with a modal length of 16.0 mm, having the mean length at first sexual maturity being estimated as 11.9 mm CL. The females were predominant in number in the period from April do September, which was shown to coincide with the reproduction season and the height of harvest for that species. The recruitment, as measured through the mean monthly size variation, extended over the continuous range of October to May. The fishing effort was measured as 100 traps-day, with a corresponding yield of 10.0 kg, and monthly revenues of US$1,800.00 (harvest’s peak) and US$ 200.00 (low harvest). With the aim of protecting the stock of M. acanthurus, this research work has provided valuable information to subsidize its sound management in Sergipe State. O camarão-canela, Macrobrachium acanthurus, é um importante recurso pesqueiro do litoral norte de Sergipe, sendo capturado com covos no estuário do Rio Japaratuba. As amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011, totalizando 1.800 indivíduos, dos quais 57,7% eram machos e 42,3% fêmeas. O comprimento médio anual do cefalotórax (CC) foi de 20,1 mm (machos) e 15,6 mm (fêmeas), ambos com valor modal em 16,0 mm, sendo o comprimento médio na 1ª maturidade sexual das fêmeas estimado em 11,9 mm CC. As fêmeas são numericamente predominantes de abril a setembro, período que coincidiu com o pico de reprodução e com safra dessa espécie. O recrutamento, levando-se em consideração o comprimento médio do cefalotórax, foi registrado para ambos os sexos no período contínuo de outubro a maio. O esforço de pesca foi medido na unidade 100 covos-dia, com produção média anual estimada em 10,0 kg e receita mensal em torno de R$ 4.500,00 (safra) e de R$ 500,00 (entressafra). Visando a proteger o camarão M. acanthurus, este trabalho fornece informações básicas para subsidiar sua gestão sustentável no Estado de Sergipe.

Platypus acanthurus (Beeson) n.comb. Crossotarsus acanthurus Beeson, 1937: 61. Carchesiopygus acanthurus (Beeson): Browne, 1962: 647. Taxonomy. Only the male holotype and two female allotypes are known. These were said to be deposited in the Buitenzorg Museum (now Bogor Zoological Museum) by Beeson, but have not been located. Beeson (1937) noted that the elytra are similar to those of Crossotarsus psilacanthurus (a species here transferred to Platypus - see below), and his detailed description of both sexes indicates that C. acanthurus should also be transferred to Platypus. Distribution. Indonesia (Java) only. Biology. Unknown., Published as part of Beaver, Roger A. & Sanguansub, Sunisa, 2015, A review of the genus Carchesiopygus Schedl (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae), with keys to species, pp. 401-412 in Zootaxa 3931 (1) on page 410, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3931.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/245328, {"references":["Beeson, C. F. C. (1937) New Crossotarsus (Platypodidae, Col.). Indian Forest Records, (New Series) Entomology, 3, 49 - 103.","Browne, F. G. (1962) Taxonomic notes on Platypodidae (Coleoptera). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 13, 4 (1961), 641 - 656. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222936108651189"]}

Platypus psilacanthurus (Beeson) n.comb. (Fig. 14) Crossotarsus psilacanthurus Beeson, 1937: 60. Carchesiopygus psilacanthurus (Beeson): Browne, 1962: 647. Taxonomy. The male holotype, and up to now the only recorded specimen, is inaccessible (IFRI). However, Beeson provided a clear description of the species, and in addition, we have examined a drawing of the elytral declivity (NMW) made by Schedl from the holotype. The specimens from Thailand (see below) agree with both Beeson���s description and the drawing. The species is clearly related to Platypus lewisi and P. lobacanthus. It has the characters of Platypus, not Carchesiopygus, and is here transferred to Platypus. Distribution. India (West Bengal), Thailand. New records. THAILAND, Phetchabun, Nam Nao NP, Sambon 3, 16 o42.41'N, 101 o35.3'E, 868m, pine forest, malaise trap, 25.ix.��� 2.x., 2��� 9.x., 9���16.x. 2006 (L. Janteab) (2 ♂, 1 ♀). Biology. Recorded from Dalbergia sissoo (���katus���) (Leguminosae) (Beeson 1937), and from Castanopsis?tribuloides (Fagaceae) by Beeson (1941). PLATE 5. Dorsal views of Platypus species. Figures 11���12. P.lobacanthus (Beeson) male (left) and female (right). Figure 13. P.dentipennis (Schedl) male. Figure 14. P.psilacanthurus (Beeson) male. Scale line = 1 mm., Published as part of Beaver, Roger A. & Sanguansub, Sunisa, 2015, A review of the genus Carchesiopygus Schedl (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae), with keys to species, pp. 401-412 in Zootaxa 3931 (1) on pages 410-411, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3931.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/245328, {"references":["Beeson, C. F. C. (1937) New Crossotarsus (Platypodidae, Col.). Indian Forest Records, (New Series) Entomology, 3, 49 - 103.","Browne, F. G. (1962) Taxonomic notes on Platypodidae (Coleoptera). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 13, 4 (1961), 641 - 656. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222936108651189","Beeson, C. F. C. (1941) The ecology and control of the forest insects of India and the neighbouring countries. The Author, Dehra Dun, 1007 pp. + 36 pls."]}

Acanthurus monroviae inhabits the African coasts from Morocco to South Africa and the Canaries. It is distributed in various tropical and subtropical seas all around the world. The species feeds mainly on benthic algae and forms large schools that overwhelm other herbivorous fish species. It has been recorded at the Brazilian coasts and at the Western Mediterranean Sea. One individual was reported at the south-eastern basin of the Mediterranean on the coasts of Israel. The present study describes the first record of the species in the Hellenic waters that was captured by spear fishing at Salamina Island by one of the authors.

We present a checklist of 278 species of reef fishes recorded along the coastline of Santa Catarina state, the southernmost limit of distribution of tropical ichthyofauna on the coast of Brazil. Twelve new species records for this state are presented: Acanthurus coeruleus, Acanthurus monroviae, Apogon americanus, Cantherhines macrocerus, Chaetodon sedentarius, Chromis flavicauda, Clepticus brasiliensis, Decapterus punctatus, Gymnothorax vicinus, Herpetoichthys regius, Muraena retifera and Stegastes partitus. Stegastes partitus and H. regius are reported for the first time, respectively, from the Southwestern Atlantic and for the coastal part of this region, while Acanthurus monroviae is reported for the second time for the Southwestern Atlantic. We present habitat distribution, trophic structure and comment on biogeographic affinities of this transitional region, discussing both remarkable species presences and absences.

The anaesthetic potential of the clove oil was tested on the following species of tropical reef fishes: Abudefduf saxatilis, Stegastes variabilis, Pareques acuminatus, Acanthurus chirurgus, Sparisoma axillare, Lutjanus apodus and Bathygobius separator. Induction and recovery times from anaesthesia were compared using various concentrations (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg I -1 ). Induction and recovery times were not affected by variations in fish total length. When exposed to any of the five tested concentrations of clove oil, specimens achieved a deep state of anaesthesia, with induction and recovery times of

Community structure and diet of roving herbivorous reef fishes were analysed in 13 study sites around the five islands of the Abrolhos Archipelago, north-eastern Brazil (17°58' S; 38°42' W). This area has been part of the Abrolhos Marine National Park since 1983. Abundances and diets of fishes within the families Scaridae, Acanthuridae and Kyphosidae were compared among groups of sites differing in benthic community structure and exposure regime. The abundance of roving herbivorous fishes was higher in shallower sites than in deeper sites. At all study sites, observations of total herbivorous reef fish community structure revealed that 64% of fishes were acanthurids, 33% were scarids and only 4% were kyphosids. This pattern was predominant in all study sites. The majority of fishes examined in this study had the bulk of their diet based on both algae (35-90%) and detritus (35-65%). Among groups of algae, filamentous algae were the most commonly consumed as the majority of roving herbivorous fishes in Abrolhos feed as scrapers and excavators. The exceptions were the kyphosids, which had a diet consisting primarily of macroalgae (mainly Phaeophyta), and Acanthurus coeruleus that consumed mainly turf algae and very little detritus. The data collected indicate that roving herbivorous fishes in the Abrolhos Archipelago are more abundant at calm sites where detritus and delicate algae, their major food resources, are more abundant. The results presented here, along with underwater observations, suggest that the abundance and diet of these three fish families are associated with substratum cover.

Patterns of community structure in the marine environment are strongly influenced by population relationships to biotic and physical gradients. The aim of this work is to explore the relationships of tropical rocky reef fish assemblages to wave exposure and benthic coverage in a gradient of distance from the coast. The study was conducted on the Guarapari Islands, southeastern Brazilian coast. Fish were sampled by underwater visual census (166 transects) and benthic cover was estimated with quadrats (223 replicates). Two main kinds of habitats were found to be derived from the close interrelation between exposure and benthic coverage: (1) exposed areas subjected to major hydrodynamic forcing, and (2) sheltered or moderately exposed areas. The first group is associated with mid-water schooling species like planktivorous labrids and Chromis, piscivorous Caranx, as well as gregarious omnivores like Abudefduf and Diplodus. In terms of benthic composition, macroalgae and encrusting calcareous algae prevail in this high-energy habitat. The second group is characterized by site-attached and reef associated species like territorial pomacentrids, invertebrate feeders such as Halichoeres poeyi and Chaetodon striatus, and small cryptobenthic fishes (e.g. blenniids and labrisomids). Turf algae, zoanthids and massive corals dominate this environment. Environmental plasticity is also common with some genera showing high abundances in all habitats (e.g. Holocentrus, Haemulon, Acanthurus). Examples of the coupling of food availability and fish abundance were found. Planktivores, territorial herbivores, macroalgae browsers and spongivores were positively related with the abundance of their preferred food items along the exposure gradient. Within-family analyses of Pomacentridae and Labridae showed that niche partitioning is likely occurring and seems to be mediated by swimming ‘ability’ and associated feeding performance.

We hypothesized that blue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus, territories on sites with low biogenic structure would be larger than territories on sites with relatively high biogenic structure due to differences in the amount and distribution of resources. We tested this hypothesis by tracking blue tang over uncolonized pavement and reef crest, two habitat types at opposite ends of the habitat structure spectrum. We recorded density, feeding rates and aggression events in order to evaluate our findings in the context of a territory model and the ideal free distribution model. Territories of A. coeruleus averaged nearly four times larger on pavement sites than on reef crest sites. Conversely, densities of A. coeruleus were significantly lower on pavement sites. While there was no significant difference in the average rates of movement between habitats, average turning angles were significantly higher on reef crest. There were no significant differences in feeding rates between habitats, suggesting that higher territory sizes and lower densities may allow fish on uncolonized pavement to match resource acquisition of fish on reef crest. The insignificant difference of aggression encounters between habitats suggests that movement and density differences among habitats are not solely legacies of differential settlement.

We examined the abundance of blue tang surgeonfish, Acanthurus coeruleus, in each of three social modes (schooling, territorial, and wandering) in relation to size class, ecological variables, population density and time of day to discern potential determinants of social organization. We found individuals from all three social modes in all four fringing reef habitats (back reef, flat, crest and spur and groove zones) at our main site. Territorial tang density was highest in the flat zone, lowest in the spur and groove zone and negatively related to adult damselfish density. A higher proportion of tangs formed schools in reef zones with the highest densities of territorial damselfishes (spur and groove, crest). In the back reef and flat zones, where damselfish densities were very low, tangs rarely formed schools. Tangs in the wandering mode were most abundant in the back reef. The density of territorial tangs did not change with time of day, but non-territorial tangs tended to wander more in the morning and to form schools more at midday. Small yellow-phase juveniles were always territorial, and the incidence of territoriality decreased in the larger size classes, while schooling and wandering increased. Among similar fringing reefs, the incidence of territoriality increased with increasing population density. These data suggest that life history stage, damselfish density, and conspecific population density are important determinants of blue tang social organization.

The influence of environmental variables on the planktonic growth, pelagic larval duration and settlement magnitude was examined for the coral reef surgeonfish Acanthurus chirurgus. Newly settled fish were collected daily from patch reefs in the San Blas Archipelago, Caribbean Panama for 3.5 years. Environmental influences on growth were examined at three different life history stages: from 0 to 6 days, 7 to 25 days and from 26 to 50 days after hatching. Larval growth was correlated, using multiple regression techniques, with a combination of factors including solar radiation, rainfall, and along-shore winds. Depending on the life history stage, these accounted for 13–38% of the variation in growth rates when all the months were included in the analyses. Correlations between environmental variables and growth also varied among seasons and were stronger in the dry than in the wet season. During the dry season solar radiation, rainfall and along-shore winds described 57%, 86% and 74% of the variability in growth between 0 and 6 days, 7 and 25 days and 26 and 50 days, respectively. During the wet season rainfall, along-shore winds and temperature only described 38% of the variability in early growth and 27% of growth just before settlement. No significant model was found to describe growth 7–25 days after hatching during the wet season. Rainfall, solar radiation and along-shore winds were negatively correlated with growth up to 25 days after hatching but positively correlated as larvae approached settlement at a mean age of 52 days. Over 65% of the variability in pelagic larval duration was accounted for by a regression model that included solar radiation and along-shore winds. When data sets from wet and dry seasons were analysed separately, along-shore winds accounted for 67% of the change in larval duration in the dry season, and solar radiation accounted for 23% of the variation in larval duration in the wet season. Only 22% of the variability in settlement intensity could be described by solar radiation and temperature, when all months of the year were included in the analysis. Solar radiation and rainfall were included in a regression model that accounted for 40% of the variation in numbers of fish settling during the dry season. This study suggests that the levels of solar radiation, along-shore winds and rainfall during the early larval life can have important effects on the growth, larval duration and consequently, the settlement magnitude of marine fishes. Results also highlight the need to account for seasonality and ontogeny in studies of environmental influences.

We studied territorial behaviour of the acanthurid surgeonfish Acanthurus sohal and pomacentrid damselfish Plectroglyphidodon leucozona on fringing reefs in Ras Mohammed National Park, Red Sea, Egypt. We investigated trespass times, the number of agonistic acts, their intensity and the agonism elicited (number agonistic acts/total trespass time) for all intruders. Five families (Pomacentridae, Chaetodontidae, Acanthuridae, Labridae and Scaridae) were dominant among the 14 we recorded in our study sites. Seven species belonging to four families were resident inside A. sohal territories. Of the other 66 species we observed, 45 are intruders. The territory-holder did not react equally agonistically toward all these intruders. A. sohal showed a high number of agonistic acts against conspecifics and the parrotfish Cetoscarus bicolor. The intensity of the agonistic encounters, however, showed a different picture, with a low level for conspecifics and C. bicolor, respectively. A. sohal showed a high degree of agonistic intensity toward only one parrotfish, Chlorurus sordidus. The highest values of ‘Agonism elicited’ were recorded against Scarus ghobban, followed by Siganus rivulatus and Zebrasoma desjardinii . Despite these high values, the intensity was relatively weak. The territories of A. sohal were large (average 12.5 m2); those of P.␣leucozona were ca. 20 times smaller (average 0.6 m2). A. sohal spent most of their time swimming (patrolling) along the territory border, stopping briefly to feed on algae. On the other hand, P. leucozona spent most of their time swimming and sheltering.

The ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus is a common inhabitant of reefs throughout the west and central Atlantic. We examined geographic variation in its demography among 10 locations spanning 56° of latitude. These populations exhibit a great diversity of growth trajectories, as well as 3-fold variation in terminal size and maximum longevity. There are strongly contrasting patterns of habitat variation in demography at 2 sites: at Bermuda, fish settle inshore, grow to about asymptotic size and then, when 2 to 6 yr old, relocate permanently to outer reefs, where they can reach 32 yr. At Belize, fish settle and attain 10 yr on both inner and outer reefs, but grow faster and reach a ~50% greater asymptotic weight on inner reefs. Habitat differences in growth at Belize largely span the range of variation among NW Atlantic locations. A. bahianus exhibits the fastest growth known for an acanthurid, and the strongest spatial variation in demography known for a tropical reef-fish. Maximum age, adult survivorship, terminal size and absolute growth rate are inversely related to temperature. However, relative growth rate is not: in all populations a similar percentage of mean asymptotic standard length (L∞) is achieved at 1, 2 and 3 yr, and then growth effectively ceases. Variation in longevity is related to temperature, and is largely independent of size. Variation in growth and size is related strongly to both habitat and temperature effects, and the rate of growth appears to set terminal size. High longevity at 3 isolated oceanic islands seems to reflect a temperature effect, rather than an island effect.

The ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus, an abundant small herbivore on reefs throughout the tropical west and central Atlantic, is a significant component of Caribbean trap- fishery catches. To assess effects of fishing on this species we compared its longevity, survivorship, size and abundance at localities throughout its range that have differing intensities and targets of fishing. Temperature explains nearly all of the geographic variation in maximum longevity of A. bahianus, and most of the variation in adult survivorship, with no indications of consistent fishing effects on either. Variation in maximum and median length (1.6-fold) and in abundance (16-fold) also are not consistently related to fishing. A. bahianus has similar demographic characteristics at 2 neigh- bouring (50 km apart) offshore Venezuelan reefs, one a well protected reserve, the other with intense fishing for predators. At Panama, the abundance of adult A. bahianus showed no trend of change from 1979 to 1997, as the local density of subsistence fishers increased by ~70%. The lack of consis- tent fishing-effects on this species found in this and some other studies may reflect a combination of (1) resilience to fishing mortality arising from rapid growth to asymptotic size, early maturity, small size and abundance, and (2) strong, natural, large- and small-scale spatial variation in demography and abundance obscuring any such effects. Effects of non-catastrophic fishing on sedentary reef- fishes with similar demographic characteristics probably will be revealed only through comparisons of subpopulations in adjacent fished and no-take areas involving careful consideration of small-scale habitat effects.

We visually observed fish traps in situ to identify the habitats exploited by the U.S. Virgin Islands fishery and to document species composition and abundance in traps by habitat. Fishers set more traps in algal plains than in any other habitat around St. John. Coral reefs, traditionally targeted by fishers, accounted for only 16 % of traps. Traps in algal plain contained the highest number of fishes per trap and the greatest numbers of preferred food species. Traps on coral reefs contained the most species, 41 of the 59 taxa observed in the study. Acanthurus coeruleus was the most abundant species and Acanthuridae the most abundant family observed in traps. Piscivore numbers were low and few serranids were observed. Traps in algal plain contained the most fishes as a result of: ecological changes such as shifts in habitat use, mobility of species and degradation of nearshore habitat (fishery independent); and, catchability of fishes and long-term heavy fishing pressure (fishery dependent). The low number of serranids per trap, dominance of the piscivore guild by a small benthic predator, Epinephelus guttatus, and dominance of trap contents overall by a small, fast-growing species of a lower trophic guild, Acanthurus coeruleus, all point to years of intense fishing pressure.

The presence of 'vagrants' of the eastern Atlantic surgeonfish Acanthurus monroviae is confirmed for the south-eastern coast of Brazil. Three other species, Aulostomus strigosus (Aulostomidae). Parablennius pilicornis (Blenniidae) and Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) have apparently also crossed the Atlantic from east to west, whereas the great majority of 'amphi-Atlantic' species appears to have their origin in the western Atlantic.

Mimicry is a widely documented phenomenon in coral reef fishes, but the underlying relationships between mimics and models are poorly understood. Juveniles of the surgeonfish Acanthurus pyroferus mimic the coloration of different pygmy angelfish Centropyge spp. at different locations throughout the geographic range of the surgeonfish, while adopting a common species-specific coloration as adults. This study examines the ecological and behavioural relationships between A. pyroferus and one of its models, Centropyge vroliki, in Papua New Guinea. Surgeonfish underwent a transition from the juvenile (mimetic) coloration to the adult (non-mimetic) coloration when they reached the maximum size of the angelfish. As typical of mimic-model relationships, mimic surgeonfish were always less abundant than their model. Spatial variation in the abundance of mimics was correlated with models, while the abundance of adults was not. We show that juvenile surgeonfish gain a foraging advantage by mimicking the angelfish. Mimic surgeonfish were always found within 1-2 m of a similar-sized individual of C. vroliki with which they spent c. 10% of their time in close association. When in association with angelfish, juvenile surgeonfish exhibited an increase of c. 10% in the amount of time spent feeding compared to when they were alone. This foraging benefit seems to be explained by reduced aggression by the territorial damselfish Plectroglyphidon lacrymatus, which dominates the reef crest habitat. While adult A. pyroferus and all other surgeonfish were aggressively displaced from damselfish territories, mimic surgeonfish and their models were attacked less frequently and were not always displaced. Stomach contents analysis showed that the diet of C. vroliki differed substantially from P. lacrymatus, while that of A. pyroferus was more similar to the damselfish. We hypothesize that mimics deceive damselfish as to their diet in order to gain access to food supplies in defended areas.

The osmotic response of adult prawns, Macrobrachium acanthurus and Macrobrachium carcinus from the coast of the southern Gulf of Mexico was studied in an adaptive sense. Four experimental treatments were employed to test the effects of gradual and abrupt changes in salinity. M. acanthurus is a hyperosmotic regulator in salinities between 0 and 20 psu, reaching its isosmotic point at 632 mOsm kg-1. Beyond this point, the species is hyposmotic. M. carcinus is a hyperosmotic regulator in salinities from 0 to 15 psu, with an isosmotic point at 490 mOsm kg -1 and showing a tendency to hypoconforming in high salinities. The maximum salinities tolerated were 25 psu for M. acanthurus and 30 psu for M. carcinus. Se hizo una comparacion de la respuesta osmorreguladora entre langostinos adultos de Macrobrachium acanthurus y Macrobrachium carcinus provenientes del sudeste del Golfo de Mexico. Los organismos se sometieron a cuatro diferentes tratamientos experimentales con cambios bruscos y graduales de salinidad. M. acanthurus presenta un comportamiento hiperosmotico en salinidades de 0 a 20 ups alcanzando su punto isosmotico en 632 mOsm kg-1 despues de este punto la especie esulto hiposmotica.M. carcinus presenta un comportamiento hiperosmotico en salinidades de 0 a 15 ups, con un punto isosmotico de 490 mOsmkg -1, con una tendencia a ser hipoconforme en altas salinidades. Las maximas salinidades toleradas por los organismos fueron de 25 ups para M. acanthurus de 30 ups para M. carcinus.

The blue tang Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch and Schneider, 1801 and the Red Sea bannerfish Heniochus intermedius Steindachner, 1893 are reported for the first time from the Maltese Islands, which also represents the first central Mediterranean record for both species. The new records are based on an individual of A. coeruleus observed in October 2013 and a specimen of H. intermedius caught in November 2014; no individuals of either species have been found since. The occurrence of these species in Malta may be due to a westwards range expansion in the Mediterranean, given that both species were previously recorded from the Levantine Sea, but they could also have been introduced directly in Maltese waters through the aquarium trade or by shipping, particularly since evidence for established populations in the eastern Mediterranean is lacking. The relevance of these new additions of thermophilic fishes to the central Mediterranean ichthyofauna is discussed in relation to ongoing biotic changes in this sea., peer-reviewed

While herbivorous fishes have been widely studied due to the major ecological role they play on coral reefs, the description of their trophic niche remains challenging. In this study, we asked how 10 species of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes partition trophic resources on a Caribbean reef. The determination of trophic niches was conducted using gut and stomach content and stable isotope analyses ( 15 N: 14 N and 13 C: 12 C ratios). The contributions of food source to fish diet were calculated with concentration-dependent mixing models. Stomach content analyses distinguished two species of Acanthuridae from other fish species: Acanthurus coeruleus due to its high ingestion of fleshy macroalgae and Acanthurus chirurgus due to its high ingestion of calcified macroalgae. Acanthuridae and Sparisoma aurofrenatum presented similar diets in terms of assimilation of food resources with a high contribution of detritus and invertebrates to their diets. The diets of Sparisoma rubripinne and Sparisoma chrysopterum were more heterogeneous by comparison to the previous species. Scarus iseri , Scarus vetula , Scarus taeniopterus and Sparisoma viride appeared to share a similar trophic niche characterized by the contribution of live coral and fleshy macroalgae to their diet. The resource use among herbivorous fishes was partially related to the nutritional quality of food sources, but also to their physical structure and the capacity of fish to process them efficiently. These results showed that the ten species occupy distinct trophic niches, indicating a high functional diversity among the Caribbean herbivorous fishes.

The occurrence of the doctorfish Acanthurus chirurgus is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, off Elba Island, Tyrrhenian Sea (42.726667° N, 10.434444° E). This record is tentatively related to aquarium release. The occurrence of Acanthuridae in the Mediterranean Sea is briefly reviewed, and some distributional notes on Acanthurus coeruleus and Acanthurus monroviae in the Mediterranean are provided.

A single specimen of a sub-adult specimen of the Atlantic species, Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch et Schneider, 1801, was collected in the Mediterranean coast of Israel. This collection was the first confirmed record of this species in the Mediterranean since hitherto it was known from this region only by a single underwater photograph from Cyprus. We postulate that this species may be considered as having established a population in this region.

Extinction risk is closely tied to body size, home range, and species distribution. Quantifying home range is critical for conservation, and can enable the use of concepts such as ‘umbrella species’, whose conservation protects other species due to shared habitat. To determine the value of the humphead wrasse as an umbrella species for coral reef conservation, we conducted a multi-year study of humphead wrasse home range at Palmyra Atoll, Central Tropical Pacific, tagging juvenile, female, and male individuals with acoustic transmitters. We quantified home range using 2 metrics, length and area, and determined if these metrics were related to the sex and maturity status of the individual. We recorded individual movements during 5030 fish-days, yielding detailed records for 14 individuals comprising 3 juveniles, 5 females, and 6 males. The home range of humphead wrasse measured over a 2 yr study was 0.4 to 14 km and changed with ontogeny. Females had larger home ranges than other reef fishes studied to date (n = 68), indicating value as an umbrella species for coral reefs. We compared the home range of the species to the size distribution of tropical marine protected areas (MPAs), and used a model to estimate the MPA length necessary to retain humphead wrasse. Most MPAs are too small to effectively protect the humphead wrasse.

(1) The preferred temperatures of Macrobrachium acanthurus were determined for prawns acclimated to 20°C, 23°C, 26°C, 29°C and 32°C, and the final preferendum estimate was (29.5°C). (2) The critical thermal minima (CTMin) and maxima (CTMax) were 11.0°C, 12.1°C, 13.0°C and 14.8°C, and 34.2°C, 35.0°C, 36.1°C and 39.8°C, respectively. (3) The zone of thermal tolerance assessed using the CTMin and CTMax boundaries was 644°C2. (4) The acclimation response ratio was between 0.33 and 0.62. (5) To cultivate this species in the southeastern region of Mexico it should be done in not

We visually censused fishes along transects on the back-reef and adjacent lagoons of bank-barrier reefs at 6 sites on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, to determine the extent to which coral reef fishes use lagoon habitats as nurseries. Fishes were recorded by size class (small, 5 cm) on the back-reef, and on 5 lagoon habitat types: patch-reef, rubble, seagrass, algal plain, and sand. We examined densities of 4 focal 'species' (Acanthurus spp. (A. bahi- anus and A. chirurgus), Haemulon spp. (all species of the Haemulon genus), Sparisoma aurofrena- tum, and Scarus iserti), and densities of all species combined to determine spatial and temporal pat- terns of habitat use. Although there was a general tendency for coral reef fishes to use lagoon habitats as nurseries, we discerned 2 patterns of habitat use: 1 group, exemplified by Acanthurus spp. and Haemulon spp., use lagoon patch-reef and rubble as nurseries in preference to back-reef and other lagoon habitats; in contrast, Sparisoma aurofrenatum and Scarus iserti preferentially use back-reef and, to a lesser extent patch-reef, as nursery, juvenile, and adult habitat. Temporal variation was greatest in the small size class and least in the large size class. Most settlement occurred during summer, which is when settlement in lagoon habitats was greatest, with a little settlement in winter in the back-reef habitat. For species that use lagoons as nurseries, lagoon habitats must provide advantages that offset the additional energy expense and predation experienced by both incoming larvae, as they cross over the reef and search for patch-reef and rubble, and juveniles, as they return to the reef during the juvenile-to-adult transition. Given the use of lagoon habitats as nurseries, there is a need for inclusion of lagoons in coral reef reserves.

Macrobrachium jelskii is a freshwater shrimp endemic to South America, occurring in all major Brazilian basins. It is used in various activities, such as fishing, fishkeeping and even as food for humans and animals, and therefore its distribution is affected by anthropic influence. Misidentification of M. jelskii is recurrent because of its morphological similarity to some sympatric species such as M. amazonicum and M. acanthurus. Thus, the aim of this study is to redescribe M. jelskii, proposing some characteristics that allow for a clearer differentiation of this species when compared to other similar congeneric species that occur in South America. The informative characters were the size and the shape of the rostrum, the ratio of the carpus and chela, the ratio of the chela and carapace length and the shape of the carpus of the second pereiopod, as well as the ratio between the length of the internal pair of posterior spine of telson and median apex of the posterior margin of telson. Although the intraspecific variability is high, the combination of the characters mentioned herein, including a morphological key, is very useful and makes it easier to differentiate between these three species.

Of the six species of giant river shrimps of the genus Macrobrachium that occur in the United States, three have been found in North and South Carolina – M. acanthurus, M. ohione and M. olfersii. Very few specific localities, especially those verified by voucher specimens, have previously been reported for the Carolinas. This note reports >153 specimens of these species from 42 localities in the two states.

Transitions between sex determination systems have occurred in many lineages of squamates and it follows that novel sex chromosomes will also have arisen multiple times. The formation of sex chromosomes may be reinforced by inhibition of recombination and the accumulation of repetitive DNA sequences. The karyotypes of monitor lizards are known to be highly conserved yet the sex chromosomes in this family have not been fully investigated. Here, we compare male and female karyotypes of three Australian monitor lizards, Varanus acanthurus, V. gouldii and V. rosenbergi, from two different clades. V. acanthurus belongs to the acanthurus clade and the other two belong to the gouldii clade. We applied C-banding and comparative genomic hybridization to reveal that these species have ZZ/ZW sex micro-chromosomes in which the W chromosome is highly differentiated from the Z chromosome. In combination with previous reports, all six Varanus species in which sex chromosomes have been identified have ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes, spanning several clades on the varanid phylogeny, making it likely that the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome is ancestral for this family. However, repetitive sequences of these ZW chromosome pairs differed among species. In particular, an (AAT)n microsatellite repeat motif mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization on part of W chromosome in V. acanthurus only, whereas a (CGG)n motif mapped onto the W chromosomes of V. gouldii and V. rosenbergi. Furthermore, the W chromosome probe for V. acanthurus produced hybridization signals only on the centromeric regions of W chromosomes of the other two species. These results suggest that the W chromosome sequences were not conserved between gouldii and acanthurus clades and that these repetitive sequences have been amplified rapidly and independently on the W chromosome of the two clades after their divergence.

[Three aspects of the reproductive biology (fecundity, size of ovigerous females, and egg size) of the freshwater prawns Macrobrachium acanthurus , M. heterochirus , and M. carcinus , in the Huitzilapan river, Veracruz, Mexico, were studied. Adults of Macrobrachium acanthurus and M. carcinus occupied the lower part of the river in the estuarine area, while reproductive M. heterochirus were distributed from 105 to 535 m altitude. Macrobrachium acanthurus exhibited significant differences in fecundity, mean size of ovigerous females, and egg size, according to the time of year. For M. heterochirus , egg size varied depending on the time of year and on their position in the river. Finally, for M. carcinus , egg size varied only depending on the time of year. Tres aspectos de la biologia reproductiva (fecundidad, talla de hembras ovigeras y tamano de huevo) de los camarones de agua dulce Macrobrachium acanthurus , M. heterochirus y M. carcinus , en el rio Huitzilapan, Veracruz, Mexico, fueron estudiados. Adultos de Macrobrachium acanthurus y M. carcinus ocuparon las partes bajas del rio en la zona estuarina, mientras que organismos reproductivos de M. heterochirus se distribuyeron de los 105 a los 535 m de altitud. Macrobrachium acanthurus exhibio diferencias significativas debidas a la epoca del ano en fecundidad, talla promedio de hembras ovigeras y tamano de huevo. Para M. heterochirus el tamano del huevo vario dependiendo de la epoca del ano y de la posicion dentro del rio. Finalmente, para M. carcinus , el tamano del huevo vario solamente debido a la epoca del ano., Three aspects of the reproductive biology (fecundity, size of ovigerous females, and egg size) of the freshwater prawns Macrobrachium acanthurus , M. heterochirus , and M. carcinus , in the Huitzilapan river, Veracruz, Mexico, were studied. Adults of Macrobrachium acanthurus and M. carcinus occupied the lower part of the river in the estuarine area, while reproductive M. heterochirus were distributed from 105 to 535 m altitude. Macrobrachium acanthurus exhibited significant differences in fecundity, mean size of ovigerous females, and egg size, according to the time of year. For M. heterochirus , egg size varied depending on the time of year and on their position in the river. Finally, for M. carcinus , egg size varied only depending on the time of year. Tres aspectos de la biologia reproductiva (fecundidad, talla de hembras ovigeras y tamano de huevo) de los camarones de agua dulce Macrobrachium acanthurus , M. heterochirus y M. carcinus , en el rio Huitzilapan, Veracruz, Mexico, fueron estudiados. Adultos de Macrobrachium acanthurus y M. carcinus ocuparon las partes bajas del rio en la zona estuarina, mientras que organismos reproductivos de M. heterochirus se distribuyeron de los 105 a los 535 m de altitud. Macrobrachium acanthurus exhibio diferencias significativas debidas a la epoca del ano en fecundidad, talla promedio de hembras ovigeras y tamano de huevo. Para M. heterochirus el tamano del huevo vario dependiendo de la epoca del ano y de la posicion dentro del rio. Finalmente, para M. carcinus , el tamano del huevo vario solamente debido a la epoca del ano.]

Three species of surgeonfish Acanthurus coeruleus (blue tang) (Block and Schneider), A. bahianus (ocean surgeonfish) (Castelnau), and A. chirurgus (doctorfish) (Block) were captured in the waters of the Florida Keys (24°03′N, 81°40′W). In total, 39 of these fish were captured between March and December of 1999. Items found in the stomachs of these fish were identified and analyzed for percent occurrence. These values were compared to percent occurrence values of the same items from random bottom transects taken at the point of capture to quantify any forage selectivity or avoidance behavior of these fish. A. bahianus selected for sand and chlorophytes and avoided phaeophytes. A. chirurgus also showed selection for sand and chlorophytes, while 58% of those sampled selected for phaeophytes and 42% avoided them. A. coeruleus avoided sand and selected for rhodophytes and chlorophytes. Phaeophytes were also selected for in 80% of A. coeruleus sampled. Understanding food preferences of free-ranging Florida surgeonfish may provide insight to improve nutritional management of captive herbivorous reef fish.