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The present study contributes to the taxonomy of the family Sillaginidae, with comments on the distribution of its species in the Indian Ocean and an emphasis on the taxonomy and distribution of Sillago sihama. Thirty described and putative species with Indian Ocean distribution are listed, and a distribution range for each species is provided based on published data and results from the present study. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the barcoding portion of the mitochondrial COI gene is provided together with three approaches for molecular species delimitation, which includes 44 to 47 genetic lineages (depending on the species delimitation approach used) in the family Sillaginidae, 33 of them applying to described species and also 8 putative species, formerly misidentified as S. sihama. Inclusion of specimens from South Africa, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and the southern Red Sea (type locality) reveals one genetic lineage representing the true Sillago sihama. Distribution of the species is confined to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and other records under the name S. sihama are based on misidentifications. Several undescribed species identified as S. sihama are distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region and closely resemble S. sihama, but are not identical with this species and can be identified as members of different evolutionary lineages. Two species, S. sihama and S. soringa, reported from Bangladesh, represent the easternmost record of both species. These two species are described in detail, including swimbladder morphology. The study also shows that specimens from India identified as Sillago ingenuua McKay, 1985 are nested within a lineage previously referred to as S. ingenuua A, but are different from the lineage S. ingenuua B, representing a confirmed record of the clade S. ingenuua in the northern Indian Ocean. Comments on misidentifications of S. sihama from the Indian Ocean and western Pacific are provided. Furthermore, we propose that Sillago erythraea should be resurrected from its synonymy with S. sihama. As Sillago suezensis is identical with the former species, it becomes a junior synonym of S. erythraea.

A new species of Trimma is described from the Red Sea along the Saudi Arabian coast. Specimens and/or photographs of this species are available from the Egyptian Red Sea to Eritrea. These specimens, formerly identified as T. taylori, differ from all other samples from the Indo-Pacific currently identified as T. taylori in having 9 and 89 dorsal- and anal-fin rays respectively (vs. usually 10 and 10 rays), 13 pectoral-fin rays (vs. usually 14 rays), and cycloid scales covering the entire predorsal region from the upper base of the pectoral fin anterior to a convex line posterodorsally to just lateral to the base of the sixth first dorsal-fin spine (vs. predorsal region mostly or entirely covered with ctenoid scales). In addition, specimens from the Red Sea form a monophyletic lineage in a Maximum Likelihood analysis of the COI gene. In this tree, the new species is the sister group to a clade composed of three lineages. One is composed of specimens from the Maldives, which is the sister group of a single available specimen from the Seychelles. These two together are the sister group of specimens of a widespread western Pacific clade.

The gobiid species, Fusigobius humerosus sp. nov., is described based on 12 type and 18 non-type specimens collected from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of meristic and morphometric characters. The new species was formerly misidentified with F. humeralis: both are characterised by a semitranslucent body; head and body with numerous small dusky orange-yellow spots; a round black spot in humeral region just above base of pectoral fin; and a black spot subequal to pupil diameter at midbase of the caudal fin. However, Fusigobius humerosus sp. nov. differs from F. humeralis by scales on side of nape not extending forward to above posterior margin of preopercle (vs. scales variably extending forward to between above posterior preopercular margin and orbit); first dorsal-fin spine longest (vs. second and third dorsal-fin spines longest); shorter upper jaw; shorter anal-fin spine; and posterior nostril about halfway between orbit and anterior nostril (vs. posterior nostril closer to orbit). The most complete description of the genus Fusigobius is provided. In phylogenetic analyses of publicly available sequences of the barcoding portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, sequences derived from the new species form a separate and well-divergent monophyletic lineage. The resulting COI gene tree further suggests that the new Fusigobius species is phylogenetically most closely related to F. humeralis which forms its sister species in the maximum likelihood tree. Molecular species delimitation of available Fusigobius COI barcodes shows that 19 or 20 hypothetical divergent evolutionary lineages can be deduced depending on the analytical approach (ABGD = 19 and bPTP = 20), indicating a potentially higher taxonomic richness than the presently acknowledged 11 valid species. However, the assignment of available species names for some lineages remains uncertain, highlighting the need for an additional integrative taxonomic research on this genus.

New data based on multigene phylogenetic analyses using the COI, 16S, and cytb genes and subsequent molecular species delimitation revealed that the mugilid genus Chelon contains 11 species. Of these, two species, Chelon sp. A and Chelon sp. B, remained unidentified in previous studies. While Chelon sp. B seemingly is a close relative to C. dumerili (Steindachner, 1870), no more detailed information were provided for Chelon sp. A which is present along the east coast of South Africa. Genetic analyses performed in this study, revealed that specimens from the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the Red Sea are nested within one genetic lineage alongside Chelon sp. A. Morphological, morphometric, and meristic analyses of specimens from all three areas demonstrated that they belong to Chelon persicus Senou, Randall & Okyiama, 1995. Chelon persicus was originally described in the genus Chelon but was later placed either in the genus Liza or Planiliza. However, results presented herein confirm its placement in Chelon and its distribution range is extended in the Western Indian Ocean from the type locality (Arabian/Persian Gulf) west to the Red Sea and south to South Africa. Further, the uncertain validity of the recently described Chelon caeruleus Deef, 2018 from the Mediterranean Sea and a previously proposed generic character distinguishing Chelon from Planiliza and Parachelon, the shape of the paired postzygapophyses of the second vertebra, are briefly discussed.

The monocle bream Scolopsis vosmeri species complex is revised. Three species in the complex are recognized: Scolopsis vosmeri (Bloch, 1792), widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, from the northern Indian Ocean (Pakistan, western India, Sri Lanka, Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea, but not recorded from the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf, east African coast or Madagascar) to western Indonesia and Borneo; S. japonica (Bloch, 1793), restricted to the western Pacific Ocean from western Indonesia and north-western Australia east to the Philippines and north to southern Japan; and S. curite Cuvier, 1815, widespread from the western to the eastern Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. All three species are similar morphologically, and have been confused taxonomically, but phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcoding region shows they are evolutionarily divergent. The three species are redescribed in detail and characters found to distinguish them. Scolopsis vosmeri is easily distinguished from S. japonica and S. curite in having a white band along the side of the body; having a black spot on most body scales (versus greenish yellow spot in S. japonica and S. curite); in lacking a distinct black spot (sometimes a small and faint spot present) on the upper pectoral-fin base (versus small black wedge-shaped spot present in S. japonica and S. curite); caudal peduncle whitish in live individuals (versus caudal peduncle usually yellowish in S. japonica and S. curite); and pelvic and anal fins crimson to orange-red (versus yellow in S. japonica and S. curite). Scolopsis japonica and S. curite are indistinguishable by color pattern but differ in the degree of spination on the preopercular margin. Neotypes are designated for Scolopsis japonica and S. curite. Nomenclatural problems, including validity of the genus Scolopsis, are discussed. We regard Scolopsis curite Cuvier, 1815 as a valid binomial name and thus the type species of Scolopsis Cuvier, 1814 by subsequent monotypy.

The representatives of Cercamia from the Indian Ocean including Red Sea are reviewed and three new species are described: Cercamia spio n. sp., formerly known as C. eremia (Allen, 1987), is described from 14 specimens, 1733 mm SL, collected in 1015 meters from northern (Duba) to central (Jeddah) Saudi Arabia and from Jezirat Faraun, Egypt. It also has been photographed from the Gulf of Aqaba (Dahab, Egypt) and El Quseir (Mangrove Bay, Egypt). The new species is distinguished from other Indian Ocean Cercamia in having fewer developed gill rakers on lower limb (usually 11 versus usually 1213) and fewer anal-fin rays (11 versus usually 1213). Another new species, Cercamia laamu, n. sp., is described only from the Maldives and Chagos Archipelago based on five specimens 16.030.5 mm SL. It differs from all Indian Ocean Cercamia in having more greater number of the second dorsal-fin rays (10 versus usually 9), and a translucent body devoid of reddish marks versus small reddish dots and crisscross lines. The third new species, Cercamia mascarene, n. sp., is described from 40 specimens 1936 mm SL, from Rodrigues Island, Mauritius. It differs from Cercamia eremia in having a greater number of developed gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch (usually 13 versus usually 12). Free neuromasts and cephalic pores are illustrated for Cercamia mascarene and free neuromasts on the body and caudal fin are illustrated for Japanese specimens of C. cf. eremia. New diagnoses are provided for Cercamia cladara, the type species of the genus, and C. eremia. A map of collection locations for species of Cercamia is presented to show the breath of known occurrences in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. A new morphologic diagnosis is provided for Cercamia. A phylogenetic analysis of the barcoding portion of the mitochondrial COI gene, including all available sequences from members of the genus Cercamia, displays a much higher species diversity than expected, with high levels of divergence among recognized and undescribed species. A key to the described Indian Ocean species is provided.

Apogon fugax is described as a new species of cardinalfishes based on a specimen trawled off Jizan (Saudi Arabia), southern Red Sea, at a depth of 60-67 m; two specimens trawled off southwest of Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar, at 54-129 m; and two specimens trawled off Western Australia at 166 m. The new species shares characters with the modified 'talboti look-alikes' species group (i.e., A. caudicinctus, A. dianthus and A. soloriens) as well as A. rubrifuscus and A. deetsie (both previously also assigned to the latter species group) in having two supraneurals, 12 pectoral-fin rays (13 rays in A. soloriens), and an enlarged, membranous, ventral preopercular edge. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the apogonid tribe Apogonini, however, revealed that A. fugax n. sp. and its most closely related congeners, A. deetsie and A. rubrifuscus, form a separate phylogenetic clade unrelated to that formed by the 'talboti look-alikes' species group that is part of the A. unicolor species group. Apogon fugax n. sp. is distinguished from the species of the 'talboti look-alikes' species group, A. deetsie and A. rubrifuscus, in having a large head (2.2-2.4 in SL versus 2.4-2.8 in SL), longer first dorsal-fin spine (1.7-2.0 versus 2.7-4.0 in length of the second spine), and in their gill rakers count (developed gill rakers on the first gill arch 11-12 versus 8-9 in A. soloriens and 13-20 in the other four species).

A new species of toby fish, Canthigaster aziz, is described based on a single specimen collected from the northern Red Sea off Saudi Arabia. The holotype was trawled from a depth of 315 m, the second deepest record for the genus. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: 8 dorsal-fin rays; 8 anal-fin rays; 15 pectoral-fin rays; dorsal-fin origin opposite to anal-fin origin; five diffuse, saddle-like, black blotches along dark yellowish dorsal edge of body between nape and dorsal-fin origin; dorsal half of body light brown with concentrated dark pigments just behind eye and with a longitudinal, irregular, pale golden stripe running from area just behind eye to dorsal side of caudal peduncle; ventral half of posterior part of body pinkish with tiny subcutaneous black spots; head and ventral half of body before anus white; and all fins uniformly pale grey. A phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI barcoding region resulted in a new and unique evolutionary lineage for the new species that is sister to a clade composed of C. leoparda, C. pygmaea and C. valentini. It also shows C. aziz to be evolutionary deeply divergent from its closest congeners. In addition to the description of the new species, comparisons with congeners and a revised key to the Indo-Pacific species are provided.

A new species of snake eel Ophichthus olivaceus is described based on two specimens trawled from a depth of 35-63 m from a soft substratum off Jizan, Red Sea coast of southern Saudi Arabia. It differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: vertebrae 141-145; tail moderately short (2.15 in TL); head short (9.6-11.1 in TL); uniserial teeth in jaws and on vomer; pectoral fins slightly elongate, not lanceolate, upper rays longer than the lower; dorsal-fin origin above middle of pectoral fin; and a generally uniform, dark tan body with an olivaceous hue shading to tan or pale orange ventrally, with two pale yellow blotches above pectoral-fin base, snout and lower jaw dark brown, and olivaceous median fins. Its divergence from other mitochondrial-analyzed species is shown by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI barcoding region. A key to the Indian Ocean species is provided.

Thirty-eight species of moray eels (Muraenidae) from the Red Sea are reported in an updated review. A species account is provided for each species, along with a full synonymy of all nominal species described from the Red Sea. One species is new to science, G. pharaonis, and two species are new for the Red Sea, Gymnothorax phasmatodes (Smith) and Scuticaria tigrina (Lesson). Gymnothorax pharaonis n. sp. is a common species that has long been misidentified as G. undulatus (Lacepède), although it more closely resembles G. margaritophorus Bleeker, to which it is closely related phylogenetically. It is characterized by the following combination of characters: total vertebrae 123-128; body slender, depth at anus 17-28 in TL; maxillary teeth biserial, dentary and vomerine teeth in a single row; color brown with irregular dendritic pale markings, not interconnected or chain-like, with oblique, conspicuous, parallel streaks posteriorly in dorsal fin. The new record of the distinctive whitish G. phasmatodes is based on an underwater photograph taken at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The new record of Scuticaria tigrina is based on a specimen collected from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and underwater photographs taken from the northern part of the Red Sea. Based on an integrative taxonomical approach by a combination of morphological and phylogenetic analyses and re-examination of holotype specimens, Gymnothorax cinerascens (Rüppell) is resurrected as a valid species, and it is shown that previous records of G. hepaticus (Rüppell), with which it has previously been synonymized, should refer to G. cinerascens. The true G. hepaticus is redescribed based on examination of the holotype and additional specimens collected during the course of this study. The two species are distinguished by the color of the jaws, the position of the median intermaxillary teeth, and a slight difference in the preanal length. They are also clearly distinct genetically. The Red Sea record of Gymnothorax atolli (Pietschmann) is based on an error, possibly a misidentification of G. griseus (Lacepède). A key to the species of Red Sea moray eels and a phylogenetic tree of presently known lineages of Indo-Pacific moray eels are provided including recently collected Red Sea specimens.

The gobiid genus Koumansetta Whitley, placed in synonymy by some authors with the similar genus Amblygobius Bleeker, is redescribed and its validity based on an integrated morphological and molecular assessment is confirmed. The following characters have been found that distinguish Koumansetta from any of 15 recognized valid species of Amblygobius: oculoscapular transverse rows trp and tra long, extending dorsally well above level of rows x1 and x2; snout pointed, prominent, longer than eye diameter, with gently sloping dorsal profile, overhanging mouth; mouth subterminal; the upper limb of first gill arch with 1-2 slender, weak and soft gill rakers anteriorly, followed by 1-5 short, also soft, broad structures; first two dorsal-fin spines elongate, remaining spines progressively shorter; pelvic frenum absent; body brown to brown-green in upper and lateral sides with narrow yellow or orange longitudinal stripes on body and head, black ocellated spot on the second dorsal fin, and another black spot dorsoposteriorly on caudal peduncle. The following three species are assigned to Koumansetta: K. rainfordi Whitley, the type species of the genus, known from the western Pacific Ocean; K. hectori (Smith), the most widespread species, known from islands of the western Indian Ocean to Micronesia and Fiji; and a new species, restricted to the Red Sea and the inner Gulf of Aden. Koumansetta hoesei sp. nov. has formerly been confused with similar K. hectori, but differs in various details of coloration, and in some morphological characters. Moreover, K. hoesei sp. nov. is evolutionary well divergent from K. rainfordi and K. hectori, its closest relative, as shown by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial COI barcoding region. In addition to the description of the new species, brief species accounts are provided for K. hectori and K. rainfordi, and a key to the three species.

The labrid fish Cheilinus quinquecinctus Rüppell, originally described from the Red Sea, has long been regarded as a junior synonym of C. fasciatus (Bloch). Herein, both nominal species are redescribed, based on examination of the types and additional material from the Red Sea (for C. quinquecinctus) and the Indo-West Pacific (for C. fasciatus). Rüppell's description of Cheilinus quinquecinctus was originally based on three syntypes, and the most representative adult specimen is designated as the lectotype. We show that Cheilinus quinquecinctus is restricted to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and it differs from the similar C. fasciatus in having modally fewer gill rakers on the first gill arch, a total of 13-16 (mean 13.9, usually 13 or 14 ) (vs. 13-16, mean 14.7, usually 14 or 15), in developing a ragged posterior margin of the caudal fin with age (versus only upper and lower caudal-fin lobes developing with age), and in its color pattern. The phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcoding region accords with the species status of C. quinquecinctus with the placement of the two sister species in two divergent and reciprocally monophyletic evolutionary lineages. A full description of C. quinquecinctus and diagnosis of C. fasciatus is provided here for comparison. In addition, the data include a table of the results of the meristic and morphological examination of type and additional specimens of both species from throughout their distribution ranges as well as a table of gill-raker counts of all examined specimens. Underwater color photographs are provided for comparison of juveniles, females and males of both species.

A new whipray, Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov., described from material collected from the Red Sea and off Zanzibar (Tanzania), is probably more widespread in the northwestern Indian Ocean. It has been confused with other Indian Ocean whiprays of the genus Maculabatis (formerly Himantura in part) i.e. M. gerrardi and M. randalli. Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov. was first distinguished from these species by molecular analysis, and subsequently by a combination of morphological characters, i.e. disc shape, coloration, morphometrics and squamation. Molecular data suggest that it is most closely related to the morphologically similar M. gerrardi, which occurs further east in the Indian Ocean (Oman to Indonesia) and North-West Pacific (north to Taiwan). The dorsal disc of M. gerrardi typically has a full or partial coverage of white spots (usually present at least on the posterior disc), whereas M. ambigua sp. nov. is plain coloured. Maculabatis randalli, which occurs in the Persian and Arabian Gulfs, is plain coloured, but has a longer disc relative to its width, more acute and longer snout, longer head and larger intergill width, wider internasal distance, and a narrower secondary denticle band in adults. Maculabatis ambigua sp. nov. is relatively common in the shallow, soft-sedimentary habitats of the southern Red Sea from where it is taken as low-value or discarded bycatch of trawl fisheries. It is a medium-sized whipray with a maximum confirmed size of 840 mm disc width.

Harmful algal blooms are mainly caused by marine dinoflagellates and are known to produce potent toxins that may affect the ecosystem, human activities and health. Such events have increased in frequency and intensity worldwide in the past decades. Numerous processes involved in Global Change are amplified in the Arctic, but little is known about species specific responses of arctic dinoflagellates. The aim of this work was to perform an exhaustive morphological, phylogenetical and toxinological characterization of Greenland Protoceratium reticulatum and, in addition, to test the effect of temperature on growth and production of bioactive secondary metabolites. Seven clonal isolates, the first isolates of P. reticulatum available from arctic waters, were phylogenetically characterized by analysis of the LSU rDNA. Six isolates were further characterized morphologically and were shown to produce both yessotoxins (YTX) and lytic compounds, representing the first report of allelochemical activity in P. reticulatum. As shown for one of the isolates, growth was strongly affected by temperature with a maximum growth rate at 15°C, a significant but slow growth at 1°C, and cell death at 25°C, suggesting an adaptation of P. reticulatum to temperate waters. Temperature had no major effect on total YTX cell quota or lytic activity but both were affected by the growth phase with a significant increase at stationary phase. A comparison of six isolates at a fixed temperature of 10°C showed high intraspecific variability for all three physiological parameters tested. Growth rate varied from 0.06 to 0.19d -1 , and total YTX concentration ranged from 0.3 to 15.0pg YTXcell -1 and from 0.5 to 31.0pgYTXcell -1 at exponential and stationary phase, respectively. All six isolates performed lytic activity; however, for two isolates lytic activity was only detectable at higher cell densities in stationary phase., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The diversity and biogeography of populations of the toxigenic marine dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium, a major global cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), are represented by only a few studies based upon a low number of cultured isolates and remain poorly described in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Multiple clonal isolates (n=22) of the Alexandrium tamarense species complex, and a single isolate of A. tamutum, were collected from the water column while on board an oceanographic expedition to the west coast of Greenland. After culturing of these isolates under controlled conditions, their phylogenetic affinities within the genus Alexandrium were characterized by sequence analysis of nuclear large sub-unit (LSU) rDNA. Based upon morphological and molecular genetic criteria, all isolates of the A. tamarense species complex were consistent with membership in the Group I ribotype (previously known as the North American ribotype). Phenotypic signatures were also analyzed based upon their respective profiles of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) and allelochemical interactions against a target cryptophyte Rhodomonas, as determined by lytic potency. All isolates conforming to the A. tamarense Group I produced PST, but no toxins were detected in A. tamutum P2E2. Unusually, only carbamoyl toxins were produced among the A. tamarense Group I isolates from Greenland; sulfocarbamoyl derivatives, generally present in A. tamarense population from other locations, including the Arctic, North Pacific and North Atlantic, were absent from all isolates. Allelochemical activity, causing cell lysis of Rhodomonas, but generally being unrelated to cellular PST, was expressed by all A. tamarense isolates and also by A. tamutum, but varied widely in potency. Comparison of the genotypic (rDNA) and phenotypic (PST profile, allelochemical activity) characteristics of Greenland isolates with those of other Arctic populations reveals a complex pattern of intra-specific diversity. Estimation of diversity relationships is problematic because of the distinct patterns of divergence and lack of evidence of linkage among the alternative biomarkers and morphology. Nevertheless, such studies are necessary as the basis for constructing hindcasting scenarios and predicting changes in Alexandrium species distribution in the Arctic from the regional to the global scale., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dinoflagellates are a major cause of harmful algal blooms (HABs), with consequences for coastal marine ecosystem functioning and services. Alexandrium fundyense (previously Alexandrium tamarense) is one of the most abundant and widespread toxigenic species in the temperate Northern and Southern Hemisphere and produces paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins as well as lytic allelochemical substances. These bioactive compounds may support the success of A. fundyense and its ability to form blooms. Here we investigate the impact of grazing on monoclonal and mixed set-ups of highly (Alex2) and moderately (Alex4) allelochemically active A. fundyense strains and a non-allelochemically active conspecific (Alex5) by the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Polykrikos kofoidii. While Alex4 and particularly Alex5 were strongly grazed by P. kofoidii when offered alone, both strains grew well in the mixed assemblages (Alex4 + Alex5 and Alex2 + Alex5). Hence, the allelochemical active strains facilitated growth of the non-active strain by protecting the population as a whole against grazing. Based on our results, we argue that facilitation among clonal lineages within a species may partly explain the high genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Alexandrium populations. Populations of Alexandrium may comprise multiple cooperative traits that act in concert with intraspecific facilitation, and hence promote the success of this notorious HAB species., (© 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.)

Koeda et al. (2014) published a review of fishes of the genus Pempheris of the Red Sea. They concluded that there are four species: P. adusta Bleeker, P. mangula Cuvier, P. nesogallica Cuvier, and a new species, P. tominagai. We show that the first three species they cite are not present in the Red Sea, as follows. 1) P. adusta is a western Pacific species (type locality Ambon), described only from the holotype, and without a dark border on the anal fin. Koeda et al. (2014) mistakenly apply that name to P. flavicycla which is a widespread Indian Ocean species characterized by a prominent broad black border along the anal fin. Koeda et al. (2014) also redescribe P. adusta, using Indian Ocean specimens of P. flavicycla, despite the coloration difference and a 2.5% difference in the mtDNA sequence (COI) between Indian Ocean and W. Pacific populations. 2) P. mangula is a species from the east coast of India (type locality Visakhapatnam), clearly distinct in both gill-raker counts and a 1.1% sequence divergence in COI from its Red Sea relative P. rhomboidea. Pempheris mangula is not found west of India, and Koeda et al. (2014) mistakenly use DNA from Oman and Madagascar to represent P. mangula, instead of genetic material available from the type locality. 3) Pempheris nesogallica (type locality Mauritius) is unknown from the Red Sea. Koeda et al. (2014) separate P. nesogallica from P. rhomboidea (their "P. mangula") by eye size; we fail to find any difference (and they use their purported eye-size difference to erroneously rename one of the two syntypes of P. nesogallica as "P. mangula"). 4) Their new species P. tominagai is referred to as the Indian Ocean sister species of "P. schwenkii of the Pacific"; however, the type locality of P. schwenkii is the Batu Islands off the SW coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. They mistakenly include specimens of a distant South African species as paratypes of P. tominagai. We have determined that P. tominagai is a valid species endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They misidentify one lot of P. rhomboidea in the collection of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as their record of P. nesogallica from the Red Sea. They misidentify the specimen in their photograph of Fig. 1B as P. adusta and use it as material for their redescription of the species, but it is now shown to be a paratype of Pempheris bexillon Mooi & Randall, 2014. Additionally, they regard P. malabarica Cuvier as a junior synonym of P. molucca Cuvier, but the name P. molucca is based on a fanciful painting and is unavailable as a nomen dubium. They treat Pempheris russellii Day as a junior synonym of P. mangula; however, it is distinct in having longer pectoral fins, a larger eye, and more gill rakers. Their key to the species of Pempheris of the Red Sea is incorrect. We present a new key and conclude that only three species of Pempheris are presently known from the Red Sea: P. flavicycla, P. rhomboidea, and P. tominagai.

During a survey of demersal fishes of the southern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia off Jizan, 98 species were collected by trawling. Five of these represent new records for the Red Sea: Saurida longimanus, Dactyloptena gilberti, Jaydia novaeguineae, Pomadasys maculatus and Parapercis maculata. Additionally a specimen of the rare moray Gymnothorax reticularis, previously known from only three specimens, was collected. Records of two species, Parastromateus niger and Pseudorhombus arsius, that formerly were considered questionable, are confirmed by collection of new voucher specimens. Validity of Laeops sinusarabici is confirmed. This study documents parts of the diversity of the demersal fish communities on sandy areas of the southern Red Sea, but also emphasizes that a large proportion of this area has not been explored.

This article documents the addition of 139 microsatellite marker loci and 90 pairs of single-nucleotide polymorphism sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Aglaoctenus lagotis, Costus pulverulentus, Costus scaber, Culex pipiens, Dascyllus marginatus, Lupinus nanus Benth, Phloeomyzus passerini, Podarcis muralis, Rhododendron rubropilosum Hayata var. taiwanalpinum and Zoarces viviparus. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hay. ssp. morii (Hay.) Yamazaki and R. pseudochrysanthum Hayata. This article also documents the addition of 48 sequencing primer pairs and 90 allele-specific primers for Engraulis encrasicolus., (© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

The dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium is one of the major harmful algal bloom (HAB) genera with respect to the diversity, magnitude and consequences of blooms. The ability of Alexandrium to colonize multiple habitats and to persist over large regions through time is testimony to the adaptability and resilience of this group of species. Three different families of toxins, as well as an as yet incompletely characterized suite of allelochemicals are produced among Alexandrium species. Nutritional strategies are equally diverse, including the ability to utilize a range of inorganic and organic nutrient sources, and feeding by ingestion of other organisms. Many Alexandrium species have complex life histories that include sexuality and often, but not always, cyst formation, which is characteristic of a meroplanktonic life strategy and offers considerable ecological advantages. Due to the public health and ecosystem impacts of Alexandrium blooms, the genus has been extensively studied, and there exists a broad knowledge base that ranges from taxonomy and phylogeny through genomics and toxin biosynthesis to bloom dynamics and modeling. Here we present a review of the genus Alexandrium, focusing on the major toxic and otherwise harmful species.

This study investigates the genetic structure of an eukaryotic microorganism, the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii, from the Baltic Sea, a geologically young and ecologically marginal brackish water estuary which is predicted to support evolution of distinct, genetically impoverished lineages of marine macroorganisms. Analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) of 84 A. ostenfeldii isolates from five different Baltic locations and multiple external sites revealed that Baltic A. ostenfeldii is phylogenetically differentiated from other lineages of the species and micro-geographically fragmented within the Baltic Sea. Significant genetic differentiation (F(ST)) between northern and southern locations was correlated to geographical distance. However, instead of discrete genetic units or continuous genetic differentiation, the analysis of population structure suggests a complex and partially hierarchic pattern of genetic differentiation. The observed pattern suggests that initial colonization was followed by local differentiation and varying degrees of dispersal, most likely depending on local habitat conditions and prevailing current systems separating the Baltic Sea populations. Local subpopulations generally exhibited low levels of overall gene diversity. Association analysis suggests predominately asexual reproduction most likely accompanied by frequency shifts of clonal lineages during planktonic growth. Our results indicate that the general pattern of genetic differentiation and reduced genetic diversity of Baltic populations found in large organisms also applies to microscopic eukaryotic organisms.

Genotypic or phenotypic markers for characterization of natural populations of marine microalgae have typically addressed questions regarding differentiation among populations, usually with reference to a single or few clonal isolates. Based upon a large number of contemporaneous isolates from the same geographical population of the toxigenic species Alexandrium tamarense from the North Sea, we uncovered significant genetic substructure and low but significant multilocus linkage disequilibrium (LD) within the planktonic population. Between the alternative molecular genotyping approaches, only amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) revealed cryptic genetic population substructure by Bayesian clustering, whereas microsatellite markers failed to yield concordant patterns. Both markers, however, gave evidence for genetic differentiation of population subgroups as defined by AFLP. A considerable portion of multilocus LD could be attributed to population subdivision. The remaining LD within population subgroups is interpreted as an indicator of frequency shifts of clonal lineages during vegetative growth of planktonic populations. Phenotypic characters such as cellular content and composition of neurotoxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and allelochemical properties may contribute to intra- or inter-annual differentiation of planktonic populations, if clonal lineages that express these characters are selectively favoured. Nevertheless, significant phenotypic differentiation for these characters among the genetically differentiated subgroups was only detected for PSP toxin content in two of the four population subgroups. By integrating the analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, we developed a conceptual population genetic model to explain the importance of life-cycle dynamics and transitions in the evolutionary ecology of these dinoflagellates.