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The male of the wolf spider Paratrochosina amica (Mello-Leitao 1941) is redescribed, and the female of this species is described for the first time. Additionally, we evaluate the phylogenetic position of P. amica using the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), the 12S rRNA (12S) and 16S rRNA (16S), NADH deshydrogenase subunit I (nad1) and the complete tRNA leu (L1). In live specimens we recognized three different morphotypes based on colour patterns. There were no differences in genitalic features of males and females among the three morphotypes. Molecular results through GMYC analyses did not identify independent evolutionary lineages. Genetic and taxonomic results support that the three morphotypes are conspecific. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the position of P. amica in the subfamily Allocosinae.

Este artículo contiene 18 páginas, 4 figuras., Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and mass mortality events (MMEs) of marine organisms are one of their main ecological impacts. Here, we show that during the 2015–2019 period, the Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions resulting in the onset of five consecutive years of widespread MMEs across the basin. These MMEs affected thousands of kilometers of coastline from the surface to 45 m, across a range of marine habitats and taxa (50 taxa across 8 phyla). Significant relationships were found between the incidence of MMEs and the heat exposure associated with MHWs observed both at the surface and across depths. Our findings reveal that the Mediterranean Sea is experiencing an acceleration of the ecological impacts of MHWs which poses an unprecedented threat to its ecosystems' health and functioning. Overall, we show that increasing the resolution of empirical observation is critical to enhancing our ability to more effectively understand and manage the consequences of climate change., This paper was supported by Euromarine. Joaquim Garrabou acknowledges the funding by the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” (CEX2019-000928-S), the MCIU/AEI/FEDER [HEATMED; RTI2018-095346-B-I00], Interreg-Med Programme MPA-Engage (1MED15_3.2_M2_337), the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Futuremares SEP-210597628). Nuria Teixido acknowledges the French National Research Agency (4Oceans-MOPGA grant, ANR-17-MPGA-0001) and internal funds from the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. Gil Rilov was supported by the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection. Hocein Bazairi, Free Spinosa, and Vasilis Gerovasileiou acknowledge the funding by the MAVA Fondation (MedKeyHabitats I Project) and the European Commission (Ecap-MED II Project; projects implemented by UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA). Alfonso Ramos was supported the CIESM “Tropical Signals,” Stelios Katsanevakis and Maria Sini were supported by the Project “Coastal Environment Observatory and Risk Management in Island Regions AEGIS+” (MIS 5047038), implemented within the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (NSRF 2014–2020), co-financed by the Hellenic Government (Ministry of Development and Investments) and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund), Stelios Katsanevakis, Maria Sini and Vasilis Gerovasileiou acknowledge the support of the MARISCA Project, co-funded by 85% by the EEA GRANTS, 2009–2014, and 15% by the Public Investments Programme (PIP) of the Hellenic Republic. Ivan Guala and Daniele Grech thanks thank the support of the project “Pinna nobilis—ricerca per la sopravvivenza: un'iniziativa di Citizen Science per tracciare la mortalità di massa di Pinna nobilis in Sardegna” project and the L/7 grant (CUP 87G17000070002) funded by the Regione Autonoma Sardegna. Jean-Baptiste Ledoux was funded by an assistant researcher contract framework of the RD Unit—UID/Multi/04423/2019—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE2020—Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) and national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This research was supported by the Strategic Funding UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 through national funds provided by the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the program PT2020. Bernat Hereu and Cristina Linares acknowledge the support of the long-term monitoring programme of the catalan Natural Parks, funded by the Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Cristina Linares acknowledges the support of the ICREA Academia programme. David Díaz acknowledges the support the research grant CTM2016-77027-R of the Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad and Program of Marines Strategies of Spain funded by MITERD. Jamila Ben Soussi was partially funded by the Fondation Albert 2 Monaco (MIMOSA Project) and the Tropical Signals Program of CIESM. Giovanni Chimienti was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PON 2014–2020, AIM 1807508–1, Linea 1), by the Ente Parco Nazionale del Gargano (Research agreement with CoNISMa N. 21/2018), and by the National Geographic Society (Grant EC-176R-18). Nathaniel Bensoussan acknowledges financial support from the European Commission through the programme “Caroline Herschell” in the context of the action “Developing Downstream applications and services on BIO-PHYsical characterization of the seascape for COASTal management” (BIOPHYCOAST). Monica Montefalcone and Annalissa Azzola collected some of their data on MMEs in the frame of the project “Mare Caldo” funded by Greenpeace Italy. Núria Marbà acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministries of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2012-32603, CGL2015-71809-P) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RTI2018-095441-B-C21). Diego K. Kersting acknowledges support by the postdoctoral fellowship programme Beatriu de Pinós funded by the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia) and the Horizon 2020 programme of research and innovation of the European Union under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 801370.

In general, malformations in spiders involve chelicerae, pedipalps, walking legs, and eyes, but those affecting female reproductive structures are not so frequent. A teratological case of a spider with a duplicated reproductive structure is described. The female specimen has the typical epigyne and a second one near the spinnerets. The second epigyne is less developed and seems to be non-functional. Similar malformations have been reported for Amaurobiidae and Salticidae, and here is presented for Gnaphosidae. Although it is widely known that temperature and humidity may induce abnormalities under experimental conditions, the causes behind teratological genitalia in wild females are unknown. This case opens the question of the origin of such a malformation and the ontogeny of female reproductive organs in spiders.

The genus Orchestina Simon is distributed worldwide and is characterized by having an enlarged fourth femur with which these species are capable of jumping. The genus is also characterized by having a well-sclerotized sperm duct, a near H-shaped arrangement of the eye group, a 4-4-3-3 pattern of raised receptors on the tarsal organs of the legs I–IV, respectively, and by lacking spines on all the legs. All these characters, together with molecular evidence, support the monophyly of the genus, as well as its placement as sister group of Oonopinae. Most American species of Orchestina inhabit the forest foliage and canopy, but in unforested areas they also occur in shrubs and grasses. In this work, we revise the American representatives of Orchestina in a comprehensive context for the first time. In the past, six species were known from the Americas: five from the United States and only one from South America, described from Venezuela. After the study of the principal collections of the world and several field trips to several South American countries, we describe 85 new species and redescribe all previously known species. Matching sexes was occasionally problematic; while females are very homogeneous in somatic traits, males may have modifications on different parts of the body, making the matching very difficult. Therefore, in this review 56 of the species are described from only one sex, whereas 20 unmatched species are informally described as morphospecies, pending the discovery of conspecific sexes. Two species, O. pavesiiformis Saaristo and O. dentifera Simon, originally known from Israel and Sri Lanka, respectively, are here reported as introduced in several countries in the Americas and other continents. O. justini Saaristo described from the Seychelles is here considered a synonym of O. dentifera. One species, O. truncata Wunderlich, previously known as a subfossil spider from Colombian Copal is here tentatively redescribed based on recent material from Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador; the female is also described for the first time. The species list by country is as follows (numbers refer to records, independently of the locality of the type material): United States (9 species: O. utahana Chamberlin and Ivie, O. moaba Chamberlin and Ivie, O. obscura Chamberlin and Ivie, O. saltitans Banks, O. nadleri Chickering, the introduced O. pavesiiformis Saaristo, and three new species, O. quasimodo, O. kamehameha, and O. auburndalensis); Mexico (3 species: O. utahana Chamberlin and Ivie, and two new species, O. nahuatl and O. chaparrita); Guatemala (1 new species: O. guatemala); Costa Rica (3 new species: O. laselva, O. griswoldi, and O. chiriqui; and the previously known O. truncata Wunderlich); Panama (5 new species: O. chiriqui, O. labarquei, O. pan, O. campana, and O. galapagos); Jamaica (2 species, the introduced O. dentifera Simon and O. galapagos); Haiti and Dominican Republic (only the introduced O. dentifera Simon); Colombia (6 new species: O. filandia, O. zingara, O. arboleda, O. cali, O. platnicki, O. pakitza; and O. truncata Wunderlich, plus the morphospecies OMI020 and OMI038); Venezuela (7 species: O. saltabunda; and 6 new, O. venezuela, O. aragua, O. bolivar, O. maracay, O. ranchogrande, and O. neblina); Trinidad and Tobago (1 new species: O. kairi); Guyana (1 morphospecies: OMI026); Ecuador (18 new species: O. galapagos, O. fernandina, O. erwini, O. ecuatoriensis, O. sotoi, O. magna, O. shuar, O. golem, O. waorani, O. tzantza, O. predator, O. goblin, O. yanayacu, O. otonga, O. santodomingo, O. quijos, O. mayo, O. laselva, and O. truncata Wunderlich, plus the morphospecies OMI020, OMI021, OMI022, OMI023, OMI024, OMI025, OMI026, OMI027, OMI029, OMI036, and OMI038); Peru (9 new species: O. cajamarca, O. comaina, O. atocongo, O. mancocapac, O. silvae, O. madrededios, O. pakitza, O. losamigos, O. golem, and the morphospecies OMI020, OMI023, OMI026, and OMI030); Brazil (25 new species: O. cristinae, O. coari, O. moura, O. valquiria, O. aproeste, O. caxiuana, O. para, O. taruma, O. retiro, O. divisor, O. juruti, O. platnicki, O. iemanja, O. bonaldoi, O. rapaz, O. itapety, O. catarina, O. leon, O. saudade, O. sarava, O. goblin, O. sotoi, O. golem, O. waorani, O. ucumar, the introduced O. pavesiiformis Saaristo, and O. dentifera Simon, plus the morphospecies OMI021, OMI023, OMI024, OMI025, OMI026, OMI027, OMI029, OMI032, OMI033, OMI034, OMI035, OMI036, OMI037, OMI039, and OMI040); Bolivia (3 new species: O. moyuchi, O. grismadoi, and O. ucumar); Chile (12 new species: O. pandeazucar, O. caleta, O. totoralillo, O. pizarroi, O. molles, O. granizo, O. quenies, O. curico, O. cachai, O. nahuelbuta, O. jaiba, and O. osorno); and Argentina (6 new species: O. ucumar, O. andianavarroi, O. luispi, O. cristinae, O. platnicki, O. jaiba, and the introduced O. pavesiiformis Saaristo). Although the internal relationships of the genus are still not clear, we suggest some groups of species based on morphological characters and geographic distributions. Species from the western United States share the presence of a net-shaped pattern of coloration and, in some species, modifications of carapace or first legs of males. Females of this group are characterized by the presence of a thin, generally long and twisted anterior receptaculum and external pockets on the epigastric region. This group inhabits in a geographic region that remained isolated during the late Cretaceous and is still isolated by geographic and climatic conditions. Species groups in South American members were more difficult to establish, given their wide diversity. However, some species are unique in having internal pockets in female genitalia and apophyses on the male copulatory bulb. The Chilean species are probably a monophyletic group; they are separated from the rest by the combined presence of external pockets and ridges on the epigastric region of female, whereas males are very similar in the morphology of copulatory bulb, which is very simple, with long embolus and sometimes with additional spineshaped apophysis. This group may have experienced events of isolation during and after the elevation of the Andes range. As in other members of the family the genus is interesting for the presence of secondary sexual characters in males whereas females are practically homogenous in somatic characters. However, female genital morphology is variable, which may suggest a coevolution with somatic characters in males and probably mechanical interactions. Although this work reveals the incredible diversity of this genus, many important geographic regions remain undersampled and records for some countries are entirely lacking. Fil: Izquierdo, Matías Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Ramirez, Martin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina

Una nueva especie del genero neotropical de zodaridos Epicratinus Jocque & Baert, 2005, E. santacruz , es descrita para el Departamento de Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Esta es la quinta especie descrita en el genero, y la primera zodarida conocida para Bolivia.

Anthropogenic drivers and global warming are altering the occurrence of infectious marine diseases, some of which produce mass mortalities with considerable ecosystemic and economic costs. The Mediterranean Sea is considered a laboratory to examine global processes, and the fan mussel Pinna nobilis a sentinel species within it. Since September 2016, fan mussels suffer a die-off, very likely provoked by the protozoan Haplosporidium pinnae. Population dynamic surveys, rescue programmes, larvae collector installation and protection of infected adults from predators, have increased knowledge about the factors conditioning the spread of the die-off; previous model simulations indicate that water temperature and salinity seem to be related to the manifestation of the disease, which at the end are strongly influenced by climate change and anthropogenic actions. The absence of natural recruitment implies that fan mussel populations are not recovering, but the survival of populations living in paralic environments provides an opportunity to study the disease and its conditioning factors. The fan mussel disease outbreak provides a case example for how climate change may mediate host-protozoan dynamics and poses several questions: are we witnessing the potential extinction of a sentinel species? Can we avoid it by applying active measures? If so, which measures will be more effective? How many other more overlooked species might experience a massive and unnoticed die-off before it is too late to implement any preservation action? This is especially relevant because the loss of keystone species can drive to community effects that influence marine ecosystem processes., This research was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, project 28-5310 “Rescate de 215 ejemplares de nacra (Pinna nobilis) y su mantenimiento en 5 centros especializados en el marco del Proyecto UFE IP-PAF INTEMARES (LIFE15 IPE ES 012)”, “Gestión integrada, innovadora y participativa de la Red Natura 2000 en el medio marino español” as well as those agreements and contracts with the participating entities (IFAPA, IRTA, IEO) derived from this project, and by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to project BF/HEM 15-1662, “The study, protection and possible breeding of pen shell (Pinna nobilis) in the Boka Kotorska Bay”. Maite Vázquez-Luis was supported by the postdoctoral contract, Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación (IJCI-2016-29329) of Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. G. Catanese was supported by a research contract from the INIA-CCAA (DOC INIA 8/2013) MINECO programme. The M. López-Sanmartín contract is co-financed by the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2013–2016, MINECO, ref. PTA215-11709-I.

Spiders have long been noted as classic examples of sexual behavior among arachnids, including extreme sexual dimorphism in some groups, and behavioral adaptations to diverse mating patterns. In recent decades, studies on the biology of Neotropical spiders have offered novel information on processes related to reproductive biology, including sexual selection. The present chapter synthesizes the large amount of knowledge on sexual selection and associated subjects in spiders from the Neotropics. Some of the groups considered in this review are mygalomorphs, lycosids and related, orb-weaving species, tetragnathids, social species, pholcids, and oonopids, among others. Concepts, patterns, mechanisms, and prospects on different areas of sexual selection are shown in detail for all these groups. In particular, here we highlight selected examples of the different contexts in which male–female interactions occur, such as mate choice, sexual cannibalism, sperm competition, and cryptic female choice. We outline the potential evolutionary consequences according to those contexts, with a final selection of model groups for specific experimental and comparative investigations.

Along many decades, protected environments were targeted by the scientific community for ecological research and for the collection of scientific information related to environmental aspects and biodiversity. However, most of the territory in hotspot regions with weak or even non legal protection has been left aside. These non-protected areas (NPA) could host high biodiversity values. This paper addresses how scientific effort on a NPA (CIAR) of 700 ha from the Atlantic Rain Forest, generates new information and tools for large-scale environmental and biodiversity management in NPAs. Information published during the last decade was summarized and complemented with subsequent novel data about biodiversity (new species, first records, DNA and chemical analyses, etc.). The results showed: 1 new genus (arachnid), 6 new species and several putative new species (fish and arthropod), 6 vulnerable species (bird and mammal) and 36 first records for Argentina (fish, arthropod, platyhelminth and fungi). When compared with protected natural areas of the same biome, the CIAR showed highly valuable aspects for fauna and environment conservation, positioning this NPA as a worldwide hotspot for some taxa. Indeed, when compared to international hotspots in a coordinated Malaise trap program, the CIAR showed 8,651 different barcode index numbers (∼species) of arthropods, 80% of which had not been previously barcoded. Molecules like Inoscavin A, with antifungal activity against phytopathogens, was isolated for the first time in Phellinus merrillii fungi. The study of major threats derived from anthropic activities measured 20 trace elements, 18 pesticides (i.e. endosulfans, chlorpyrifos, DDTs, HCHs) and 27 pharmaceuticals and drugs (i.e. benzoylecgonine and norfluoxetine) in different biotic and abiotic matrices (water, sediment, fish and air biomonitors). This integrated data analysis shows that biodiversity research in NPA is being undervalued and how multidisciplinary and multi-taxa surveys creates a new arena for research and a pathway towards sustainable development in emerging countries with biodiversity hotspots. Fil: Avigliano, Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Producción Animal. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Producción Animal; Argentina. Fundacion Bosques Nativos Argentinos Para la Biodiversidad.; Argentina Fil: Rosso, Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Lijtmaer, Dario Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Ondarza, Paola Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Piacentini, Luis Norberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "bernardino Rivadavia". Departamento de Invertebrados; Argentina Fil: Izquierdo, Matías Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Cirigliano, Andrea. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina Fil: Romano, Gonzalo Matías. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Núñez Bustos, Ezequiel Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "bernardino Rivadavia". Departamento de Invertebrados; Argentina Fil: Porta, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Mabragaña, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Grassi, Emanuel Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Palermo, Jorge Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica; Argentina Fil: Bukowski Loináz, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Tubaro, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Schenone, Nahuel Francisco. Fundacion Bosques Nativos Argentinos Para la Biodiversidad.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina

Objectives: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an intracanal composite anchorage to replace conventionally cemented titanium or bonded glass fibre posts. Materials and methods: Post space preparation was performed up to depths of 6mm (groups 1 and 2) and 3mm (group 3) in root filled mandibular premolars. In group 1, titanium posts were cemented with zinc phosphate cement. Glass fibre posts were adhesively cemented in group 2 using a dual-cure composite resin. In group 3, intracanal anchorage was solely performed with a dual-cure composite. All teeth were restored with standardised direct composite crowns without a ferrule. After thermo-mechanical loading, static load was applied until failure. Fracture patterns were assessed, and a microscopic analysis was performed to analyse the occurrence of additional cracks. Results: Group 2 revealed a significantly higher median fracture value (408N) than groups 1 and 3, while no difference was detected between group 1 (290N) and group 3 (234N) (p = .1417). In group 3, the more favourable fracture patterns were observed. However, the majority of teeth within this fracture category revealed additional minor cracks of the root. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, adhesive intracanal anchorage to a depth of 3mm with resin composite only has the same fracture resistance as titanium posts conventionally cemented to a depth of 6mm. Even teeth with repairable main fractures exhibited additional dentinal cracks on the root. Clinical relevance: Additional dentinal root cracks in the teeth with repairable main fractures may considerably impair their longevity.

The presence of the pantropical ascidian Microcosmus exasperatus has been an object of some taxonomic confusion in the Mediterranean Sea. A closely related species, M. squamiger was previously reported in the north of Tunisia (in 1962) as M. exasperatus; it has spread to the western Mediterranean and the northern part of the Ionian Sea, whereas, the reliable report of M. exasperatus has been made more recently (in 1998) in the Gulf of Gabès (South Tunisia), and later studies have confirmed its presence in the eastern Mediterranean basin (Lebanon and Israel). The occurrence of this species in Izmir (Turkey) extends its distribution range to the Aegean Sea. At present, the distributions of both species of Microcosmus are not overlapping in the Mediterranean, suggesting a different route of entrance, probably by the maritime traffic (M. squamiger via the Strait of Gibraltar; and M. exasperatus via the Suez Canal). The discontinuity in the distribution of M. exasperatus in the Mediterranean is analysed and discussed. This work was partly supported by the Scientific Research Projects of Ege University (Project number: 03 SUF 005).

Calyptraeid gastropods are common fouling organisms in some areas, and have been introduced frequently into bays and ports in the northern hemisphere. In some cases, introduced calyptraeids have spread extensively, while several other calyptraeid introductions have persisted but failed to expand geographically. Calyptraeid species are often difficult to identify to species making it difficult to identify the origin of many introductions. Here we use DNA sequence data to confirm that a Mediterranean population of the spiny slipper snail Bostrycapulus, previously referred to as B. aculeatus and B. calyptraeformis, is in fact B. odites from the South Atlantic, and that this population probably originated in South America.