Taxonomical and functional analyses of epifaunal polychaetes associated with Mussismilia spp.: the effects of coral growth morphology.

Background: The increasing habitat heterogeneity and complexity shows positive effects over different communities, leading to environmental diversity, access to resources and reducing the effectiveness of predation. In the present study we evaluate the structural and functional patterns of polychaete assemblages of three Mussismilia species with different coral morphology. Mussismilia hispida has a massive growth pattern; M. braziliensis also is a massive coral but forms a crevice in the corallum base; and M. harttii has a meandroid pattern. Methods: Ten individuals of the three Mussismilia species were sampled in two reefs in the Todos-os-Santos Bay, and we analyzed the differences in richness and abundance of polychaete species and the functional diversity metrics: Rao's quadratic entropy, functional dispersion, functional evenness, number of functional groups and functional richness, among Mussismilia species. Results: Two-way ANOVA with permutations showed significant differences for polychaete abundances and richness among Mussismilia species (higher values for M. harttii), but no differences were recorded when compared between the two coral reef areas studied. There was no statistical difference among coral species or between reefs in relation to the functional diversity components influenced by abundance, such as Rao quadratic entropy, functional dispersion, and functional evenness. Some individual polychaete functional traits presented differences among Mussismilia species, and that also helped us to build a picture about the effect of different growth structures over functional aspects of polychaete assemblages. Thus, the taxonomical approach, the analysis of individual functional traits and the functional diversity metrics are fundamental tools to characterize the assemblage of organisms associated with corals.

Description of a new Scottocheres Giesbrecht, 1897 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Asterocheridae), including an emended diagnosis and key for the genus.

The siphonostomatoid copepod genus Scottocheres was established by Giesbrecht in 1897 and now includes nine species. Consequently, these new species introduced new characteristics that must be considered to define the genus. This study provides an emended diagnosis of the genus, describes a new species, discusses the geographic distribution and hosts of the genus, and includes a key to the species. The new species was found associated with the sponge Callyspongia in Todos-os-Santos Bay and can be distinguished from its congeners by a set of characters that includes the presence of a unique seta on the inner margin of the second endopodal segment of legs 1 to 4 and only two spines on the outer margin of third endopodal element of leg 1.

A new genus and species, Panamapisa guaymii gen. nov. sp. nov., the first record of the family Eriopisidae Lowry amp; Myers, 2013 from Central America.

Eriopisidae is a widespread amphipod family, whose members have subcylindrical bodies, often do not have eyes, showing elongate third uropods in which the endopod is reduced and the exopod can become very long. This is the first record of Eriopisidae from Central America. Here, we describe the new genus and species Panamapisa guaymii gen. nov., sp. nov. from Bocas del Toro, Panama. The taxon differs from other members of the family in having a greatly enlarged merus on gnathopod 1, marginal setae on the dactyls of pereopod 5 to 7 and a third uropod nearly as long as the body.

A new Entomolepididae genus and a new species of Spongiopsyllus Johnsson, 2000 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) and their association with Aplysina Nardo, 1834 (Porifera, Demospongiae) in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil.

The Entomolepididae family is a small taxon with a very characteristic body morphology and is represented, in the Atlantic Ocean, by three genera and five species. A recent study in Todos-os-Santos Bay, in Bahia State, has revealed a new species of Spongiopsyllus and a new species and genus belonging to the Entomolepididae. The new species of Spongiopsyllus is found in association with the sponge Aplysina cauliformis (Carter, 1882) sampled at the Porto da Barra beach. It is distinguished from its congeners mainly by differences in the segmentation pattern of the antennule, endopod of antenna, and the setation of the maxillule, maxilla and maxilliped. The new genus and species from Parmulodinae Eiselt, 1959 is found in association with the sponge Aplysina solangeae Pinheiro, Hajdu Custódio, 2007, sampled at the Yacht Club Beach. The genus differs from others Parmulodinae mainly due to segmentation pattern of the antennule, endopod of antenna, maxilliped and swimming legs.

Two new Amphilochida (Amphipoda: Amphilochidea) associated with the bioinvasive Tubastraea coccinea fromTodos-os-Santos Bay, Bahia State, Brazil.

Two new species of amphipods associated with the bioinvasive coral Tubastraea coccinea from Todos-os-Santos Bay are described. The bioinvasive sun coral is known for competing with native coral species, which shelter a big diversity of associated fauna, especially amphipods. Leucothoe oxumae sp. nov. shows acute rostrum, antenna 1 about 1/4 of body length; gnathopod 1 carpochelate, propodus with 5 anterodistal robust setae; gnathopod 2 propodus fusiform, slightly serrated on palmar margin and posterodistal corner of epimeral plate 3 produced and rounded. Stenothoe ogumi sp. nov. is unique by showing a pronounced and developed maxilliped inner plate, gnathopod 2 propodus palm pointed with slightly undulated processes and two developed ones near hinge of dactylus and palmar margin beset with dense fringe of long setae. Updated taxonomic key to Leucothoe and Stenothoe species from Brazil are provided.

Two new species of Cryptopontius Giesbrecht, 1899 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Artotrogidae) associated with invertebrates from Northeastern Brazil.

Cryptopontius is the most species-rich genus in the family Artotrogidae with 25 species, being recorded in almost all oceans, except in the Arctic. However only three species of this genus have been recorded from the Brazilian coast, all of them along the coast of Pernambuco state. This study describes two new species of the genus. Cryptopontius phyllogorgius sp. nov. differs from other species by having 9-segmented antennule, and nine elements on the third exopodal segment of leg 4. Cryptopontius pentadikos sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having five expressed antennulary segments proximal to fused ancestral IX-XII, two setae on second endopodal segment of leg 1, eight elements on third exopodal segment of leg 1 and the free segment of leg 5 with two setae. A key to species of the genus Cryptopontius is provided.

A new superfamily and family of Hadziida (Amphipoda: Senticaudata), with a description of a new genus and new species from the Brazilian continental shelf.

A new monotypic superfamily, family, genus and species of Hadziida is described from the Brazilian continental shelf. Magnovioidea superfam. nov. Magnovidae fam. nov. and Magnovis gen. nov. are distinguished by the presence of: antenna 1 shorter than the peduncle of antenna 2; maxilliped outer plate falcate; palp, article 4 reduced and left and right mandibles with a well-developed molar that dominates the mandibular area. Eyes are absent. The type-species Magnovis elizabethae sp. nov. has strongly sexually dimorphic males in which gnathopod 2 is larger than gnathopod 1. Magnovidae fam. nov. occurs on the mid-continental shelf.

A new species of Ceradocus Costa, 1853 (Senticaudata: Maeridae) from Ceará State, Northeastern Brazil.

A new species of the genus Ceradocus Costa, 1853 is described from Northeastern Brazil. This species is unique in having: (1) male gnathopod 2 propodus palm ornamented, palmar corner defined by a soft spine; (2) spines along the entire posterior margin of epimeral plate 3, (3) telson with very long apical setae. This new species is the second species of this genus in Brazil. An updated taxonomic key to the Ceradocus of the world is also provided.

Description of a new species of Spongiopsyllus Johnsson, 2000, and redescriptions of Parmulodes verrucosus Wilson, 1944 and Entomopsyllus stocki Kim, 2004 with revised diagnosis of Entomopsyllus (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Entomolepididae).

The Family Entomolepididae is composed by 7 genera and 15 species. During a survey on the known species and the search for new species, a new Spongiopsyllus is described associated with sponge Aplysina insularis. The new species has antennule 14-segmented, four setae on both lobes of maxillule, some unique features on the leg setation and the armature of the maxilliped. These characteristics make the new species different from all other congeners in Spongiopsyllus. The diagnosis of Entomopsyllus was also revised once it does not consider the differences to Spongiopsyllus which was created posteriorly to its erection. An analysis of Entomopsyllus stocki also indicated that leg 5 somite and the genital somite are fused, instead of separated as originally stated, the structure is also redescribed. Finally, Parmulodes verrucosus is studied and an up-to-date description is provided, correcting some inconsistencies in the armature formula of the antennule and the leg setation, and providing re-analysis of the other appendages.

A review of Quadrimaera Krapp-Schickel Ruffo, 2000 (Amphipoda: Senticaudata) from Brazil.

Two new species of Quadrimaera are described from Brazil. Quadrimaera yemanjae sp. nov. shows article 2 of mandibular palp longer than the others, coxa 1 with anteroventral corner rounded and 8 concavities on gnathopod 2 propodus palm. Quadrimaera miramirandella sp. nov. shows coxa 1 with anteroventral corner rounded and produced, gnathopod 1 with carpus longer than propodus with plumose setae, telson lobes equal in length. New distributional records are reported for Q. cristianae, Q. rocasensis and Q. pieteri. The female of Quadrimaera rocasensis is described for the first time. Quadrimaera pieteri is reviewed and established in Brazil. A taxonomic key of the genus is provided.

A new species of Petalobrissus Lambert 1916 (Echinoidea: Faujasiidae) from the Jandaíra Formation, Potiguar Basin (Brazil).

A new Late Cretaceous species of Petalobrissus, Petalobrissus lehugueurae sp. nov., is described from the Jandaíra Formation, Potiguar Basin, state of Rio Grande do Norte. To date, this genus comprises a total of 20 species, only two of which, Petalobrissus setifensis and Petalobrissus cubensis have so far been recorded from the Jandaíra Formation. Petalobrissus lehugeurae sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners in that gonopores occupy only a small portion of the genital plates, in having a slit-like periproct and a unique abrupt depression of the test that forms a pronounced keel below the periproct. In addition, an identification key to species of Petalobrissus is presented.

A new Setacheres (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Asterocheridae) associated with Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti) (Porifera) from Brazil.

Recent surveys of the copepod fauna associated with the sponge Ircinia felix (Porifera, Dictyoceratida) in Brazil resulted in the discovery of a new siphonostomatoid species belonging to a recently erected genus of Asterocheridae. Setacheres portobarrensis sp. nov. possesses a 21-segmented antennule, with 3 free distal segments, after the aesthetasc. The third exopodal segment of leg 3 shows a distal seta instead of a spine as in some other congeners. The new species shows several unique features on the third endopodal segment of the antenna, the mandibular stylet, the inner lobe of the maxillule, and setules and spinules located in specific regions of legs 1 to 4. Setacheres portobarrensis sp. nov. follows the same distributional pattern as its congeners, and this is the first record of a siphonostomatoid copepod associated with Ircinia felix.

A new asterocherid genus (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) associated with Callyspongia Duchassaing & Michelotti and reassessment of six species of Asterocheres Boeck.

The family Asterocheridae Giesbrecht has several genera associated with sponges including Asterocheres Boeck, 1859. The type genus is commonly found in sponges but it is also recorded in echinoderms, bryozoans, and corals. A revision of the diagnosis of Asterocheres conducted in 2010 was the beginning of a reorganization process, culminating in the present status of 63 valid species. This study describes a new species and genus of the Asterocheridae. Neoasterocheres gen. nov. shares many characteristics with Asterocheres sensu stricto, except for the antennule segmentation which shows ancestral segments IX-XII fused to segment XIII. The new species of Neoasterocheres gen. nov. was found in association with the sponge Callyspongia sp. sampled at the Yatch Club Bay, located in Todos-os-Santos Bay, Salvador city, Bahia State, Brazil. A revision of the Asterocheres sensu stricto indicates that A. enewetakensis Humes, 1997, A. dysideae Humes, 1996b, A. humesi Varela, 2012, A. rotundus Malt, 1991, A. scutatus Stock, 1966, and A. serrulatus (Humes, 1996a) share this fusion and therefore should be transferred to the new genus. A redescription of Neoasterocheres serrulatus n. comb. is also provided, based on the examination of type specimens.

A new genus of Asterocheridae (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) ectoassociate of the ascidian Eudistoma vannamei Millar, 1977 (Polycitoridae) from Brazil.

Asterocheres Boeck, 1860 is the largest genus of the siphonostomatoid copepod family Asterocheridae, containing 63 valid species. The genus is known for its symbiotic relationships with many marine invertebrate taxa, especially sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, and echinoderms. Recent studies have restricted the diagnosis of this genus. Consequently, many species are now considered as species inquirendae. The present paper describes a new species living externally on the tunic of Eudistoma vannamei Millar, 1977, an endemic ascidian from Brazil. As the new species does not fit Asterocheres in the strict sense, a new genus is erected to accommodate it. Setacheres gen. nov. is characterized by its possession of two distal setae on the third endopodal segment of P3, thus differing from the distal seta and spine pattern that is deemed as diagnostic of Asterocheres. A revision and comparison of Asterocheres´ species inquirendae revealed eight species sharing the same generic characteristics and were thus reallocated as members of the new genus.

A new species of Cyphocarididae (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Lysianassoidea) from off the northeastern Brazilian coast.

This paper describes a species of the genus Cyphocaris Boeck, 1871, the first record of the family Cyphocarididae Lowry & Stoddart, 1997 from Brazil. Two specimens, both females, were found in the stomach contents of a tuna caught in the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago. The new species is characterized by coxae 4 and 5 both large, coxa 4 partially overlapping coxae 2-3; coxa of pereopod 5 with ventral laminar projection and well-developed anteroventral lobe, broadly rounded and apically folded backwards, basis with anterior margin broadly rounded and posterior margin with large subacute naked projection (or spur); uropod 3, outer ramus paddle-shaped; and telson elongate and deeply cleft, with a nail.

On the genus Elasmopus Costa, 1853 from the Northeastern Coast of Brazil with five new species and new records.

The genus Elasmopus is the most diverse in the Family Maeridae. Five new species and new records of Elasmopus from the Brazilian coast are herein described. The specimens were collected in intertidal and subtidal zones along the Northeastern Brazilian coast between 2010 and 2014. The distribution of Elasmopus longipropodus along the coast is extended. Eighteen species of Elasmopus are known from Brazil, not including these five new species. An identification key to the species of Elasmopus is provided.

A new species of the genus Dulichiella Stout, 1912 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Melitidae) from Pecém Harbor, Ceará state, Brazil.

A new species of the genus Dulichiella Stout, 1912 is described for the Northeastern Brazilian coast. The new species is recognized from the others in the genus by presenting (1) the accessory flagellum 5-articulate, (2) distolateral crown of gnathopod 2 of males with 4 spines, (3) Maxilla 1 inner plate, outer plate and palp distally enlarged and rounded, and (4) Pereopods 6 and 7 without bunches of long setae. This is the second species of Dulichiella recorded from South Atlantic and Brazilian waters.

Intracolonial variation in Siderastrea de Blainville, 1830 (Anthozoa, Scleractinia): taxonomy under challenging morphological constraints / Variação intracolonial em Siderastrea de Blainville (Anthozoa, Scleractinia): taxonomia sob limites morfológicos desafiadores

The morphology of sessile invertebrates, such as scleractinian corals, can be controlled by environmental and genetic mechanisms and, consequently, it is highly variable. Morphological variation has puzzled taxonomists by posing challenges to species classification within cryptic species complexes. The 'Atlantic Siderastrea Complex' is a suitable example. Because of overlapping diagnostic traits, the morphological interspecific limits of this group remain controversial and often resulted in doubtful synonyms. In addition, the recent identification of the Caribbean S. radians in the Southwestern Atlantic has revealed that intraspecific variation has been equivocally assessed. Traditionally, hierarchical categories of variation have been the criteria used to investigate the patterns of modular organisms as corals. However, despite its taxonomic and ecological implications, the category 'intracolonial' has been largely neglected. To evaluate the influences of intracolonial morphological variation in the identification of Atlantic siderastreids, colonies from Bahia State, northeastern Brazil, were collected and measured. Six characters were selected in S. radians and S. stellata, and the variation in these characters was analyzed with Discriminant Canonical Analysis. The columellar depth and diameter varied consistently within S. stellata and S. radians, but the septal number was the most important for differentiating the two species. The results of the study also represent the first report of S. radians on the northern coast of Bahia.

A morfologia de invertebrados sésseis, tais como corais escleractíneos, é controlada por mecanismos genéticos e ambientais e, por conseguinte, é muito variável. Entretanto, variação morfológica tem intrigado os taxonomistas principalmente por desafiar a identificação de complexos de espécies crípticas. O "Complexo Siderastrea do Atlântico" é um exemplo desta problemática. Por conta da sobreposição dos traços diagnósticos, os limites morfológicos interespecíficos deste grupo permanecem controversos e muitas vezes resultaram em sinonímias de interpretação duvidosa. Além disso, a recente identificação do S. radians para o Atlântico Sul revelou que a variação intra-específica tem sido avaliada equivocadamente. Tradicionalmente, categorias hierárquicas de variação são os critérios mais utilizados para investigar os padrões de organismos modulares como corais. No entanto, apesar de sua importância taxonômica e ecológica, a categoria "intracolonial" tem sido amplamente negligenciada. No sentido de elucidar a influencia de variação morfológica intracolonial na identificação do gênero Siderastrea, colônias do Estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil, foram coletadas e medidas. Seis características foram selecionadas em S. radians e S. stellata, e a variação destas características foi analisada através da Análise Discriminante Canônica. A profundidade e diâmetro columelar variaram de forma consistente dentro de S. stellata e S. radians, mas o número de septos foi o mais importante para diferenciar as duas espécies. Por fim, o estudo também provê o primeiro relato de S. radians no litoral norte da Bahia.