Showing papers in "Arquipelago : Life and Marine Sciences in 1998"

New observations on barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) of the Azores region

Abstract: Additions and revisions are made to the list of Cimpedia recorded from the Azores, including samples taken near hydrothermal vents and in the intertidal zone. Observations are reported on the distribution and breeding of Tesseropora atlantica, a relict oceanic species, not found on the continents, that incubates its larvae to the short-lived cypris stage. The degree of endemicity of Azorean barnacles is currently being revised, but most species . reported from the Azores are widely distributed in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The diversity of the shallow water group is low.

Notes on the food habits and predatory behaviour of the dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834)(Pisces: Serranidae) in the Azores

Abstract: Entre 1992 e 1995, forarn colhidos e examinados 57 exernplares de E. marginatus da ilha Terceira. 0 s seus cornprirnentos totais variararn entre 60 e 138 crn corn duas categorias de tarnanho. 0 coeficiente de vacuidade observado foi de 44,0% para exernplares de rnMio porte e 31,3% para grandes exernplares. As presas predominantes forarn o polvo comurn e peixes. Duas posturas de caGa diferentes foram obsewadas e s5io descritas.

Caprellid (Crustacea) - holothurian (Echinodermata) associations in the Azores

Abstract: Most species of caprellid amphipods live among algae, hydroids, sponges or bryozoans, but a considerable number has also been found to live in more specific associations with invertebrates such as gorgonians (cf. CANE 1974, 1983, LEWBEL 1978, HIRAYAMA 1988), sea anemones (STROOBANTS 1969), large crustaceans (cf. OfBRIEN 1975, GRIFFITHS 1977, BALDINGER 1992) and echinoderms (see below). Among echinoderms, most known associations are with starfish. Such associations have earlier been reviewed by MCCAIN (1968, 1979), VADER (1979), WIRTZ & VADER (1996). There are a few records of caprellids being found on sea urchins and on a brittle star (references in WIRTZ & VADER 1996; VOLBEHR & RACHOR 1997). Apparently, no associations involving holothurians have as yet been reported.

Postlarvae of Bathysaurus ferox (=Macristium chavesi) from the Azores waters

Abstract: The postlarvae of Bathysaurus ferox (Teleostei: Synodontidae) was described for the first time at the beginning of this century, as Macristium chavesi, based on one specimen. In 1998 two "Macristium" were caught in the Azores. In all 6 specimens are known. Our specimens are longer than those from the literature and show differences in some morphometric relationships. Both Macristium were caught at the surface. One of them was found drifting passively with all the fins expanded, among medusa. In this note we compare all the postlarvae of B. ferox reported, establishing a series of developmental stages. Also, we discuss some ecological features of the species, during this life cycle phase.

First record of the spined pygmy shark, Squaliolus laticaudus (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912) in the Azores, extending its distribution in the North-eastern Atlantic

Abstract: Alexandre Aires da Silva & Gui Menezes, Departamento de Oceanograj?a e Pescas, Universidade dos Agores, PT-9900 Horta, Portugal. Email: alexsilva@dop.uac.pt Pedro Cambraia Duarte, Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Cisncias da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, PT-I700 Lisboa, Portugal Ana Giga, Unidade de Cigncias e Tecnologias dos Recursos Aqudticos, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, PT-8000 Faro, Portugal.