Lista sistemática y afinidades zoogeográficas de la ictiofauna del Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México

Two new species of the genus Colomastix (Amphipoda: Colomastigidae) associated with sponges from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, Mexico, SW Gulf of Mexico, are described. The specimens were collected from the sponges Amphimedon compressa and Desmapsamma anchorata at depths between 3 and 12 m. Colomastix sarae n. sp. and Colomastix escobarae n. sp. are compared to other, very similar species of the genus Colomastix. In addition, we provide ecological and distribution information of sponge-inhabiting Colomastix halichondriae, C. irciniae, and C. tridentata collected from this coral reef system.

A new sponge-inhabiting amphipod species (Crustacea, Gammaridea, Sebidae) from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, southwestern Gulf of Mexico

A new species of Leptostraca, Nebalia villalobosi, is described from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, SW Gulf of Mexico. The new species was found associated with the sponge Ircinia fistularis (Demospongiae) from the Blanquilla reef at a depth of 12 m. It differs from the closely related species N. longicornis and N. lagartensis in the form of the eyes and rostrum, the number of articles in the antennular and antennal flagella, the inner border of article 3 on the mandible palp, the length of the exopod of maxilla 2, the rounded denticles on pleonite 6, the enlarged tip on pleopod 5, and the caudal furcae being slightly longer than the telson and pleonite 7 combined. This is the first record of a leptostracan associated with the sponge Ircinia fistularis.

Variability of the thermohaline structure in the northern Veracruz Coral Reef System, Mexico

A new sponge-inhabiting leptostracan species of the genus Nebalia (Crustacea: Phyllocarida: Leptostraca) from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, Gulf of Mexico

A new species of amphipod of the genus Lysianopsis from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, SW Gulf of Mexico is described. Lysianopsis adelae n. sp., was collected in the sediments at the base of the sponge Aplysina fistularis at a depth of 10 m. The differences among L. alba, L. hummelincki, and L. ozona, recorded from Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are pointed out and they are compared with the new species.

Allende-Arandia, M.E.; Zavala-Hidalgo, J.; Romero-Centeno, R.; Mateos-Jasso, A.; Vargas-Hernandez, J.M., and Zamudio, L., 2016. Analysis of ocean current observations in the northern Veracruz Coral Reef System, Mexico: 2007–12. The Veracruz Coral Reef System (VCRS) is a marine protected area located on the continental shelf of Veracruz, in the SW Gulf of Mexico, that is formed by two reef conglomerates: one to the north, in front of the Port of Veracruz, and one to the south, in front of the Anton Lizardo tip. To characterize the currents and their variability for the northern reefs of the VCRS, ocean currents, meteorological parameters, and sea-level observations for the period 2007–12 were analyzed. The temporal variability of the currents was dominated by 2- to 10-day lasting events associated with the atmospheric synoptic conditions through the forcing of the along-coast wind-stress component over the Tamaulipas-Veracruz shelf. During autumn–winter, strong episodic southeastward currents prev...

A new species of commensal amphipod of the genus Leucothoe (Leucothoidae) is described from the Veracruz coral reef system, Veracruz, in the SW Gulf of Mexico. The specimens were collected from the sponge Aplysina fistularis at a depth of 10 m. The new species is compared to other closely related species of Leucothoe . Coxa 2 with acute anterior corner; propodus of gnathopod 2 with 7 long subapical setae, 27-28 thick medial setae arranged in 1 row, and 7 short submarginal setae; segment 2 of mandible palp with 5 setae and distal margin serrate; last segment of maxilliped palp with distal nail and inner margin covered with small spinules; telson triangular, trifid distally, including 2 apical setae and 2 pairs of medial pairs of plumose setae, are the main characteristics of Leucothoe hortapugai .

A helminthological survey was conducted on 78 red lionfish, Pterois volitans, collected in the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP). Register: trematodes (5 spp.), cestodes (1), and nematodes (2). Prevalence per species < 30% and mean intensity < 6.0. Three new host records are reported herein. The red lionfish is infected by species of endoparasites generalist and played a role as accidental host.

Two new species of amphipods of the genus Leucothoe, L. ortizi and L. hendrickxi, are described from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, Veracruz, Mexico. The specimens were collected from artificial substrates placed at a depth of 13 m. The two new species are compared to other, closely similar species of Leucothoe. Se describen dos nuevas especies de anfipodos del genero Leucothoe, L. ortizi y L. hendrickxi, colectadas en el Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, Veracruz, Mexico. Los especimenes fueron colectados en sustratos artificiales colocados a 13 m de profundidad. Las dos nuevas especies son comparadas con otras especies cercanamente relacionadas de Leucothoe.

Our objective was to study and evaluate the richness and diversity of Phlebotominae fauna in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve (DBBR) in the state of Espírito Santo, in southeastern Brazil. Sand fly collections were carried out during four consecutive nights each month between August 2007 and July 2008 at DBBR by using CDC automatic light traps and an illuminated Shannon trap. Specific richness (S) and Shannon diversity index (H) was calculated for each trap. We collected 18,868 sand flies belonging to 29 species and 13 genera. Nyssomyia yuilli yuilli was the most abundant species followed by Psychodopygus ayrozai, Ps. hirsutus, Psathyromyia pascalei, and Ps. matosi. We recorded Brumptomyia cardosoi, Br. troglodytes, and Ps. geniculatus for the first time in the state of Espírito Santo. We discuss the differences in diversity and richness of the sand flies in both traps and in relation to other Brazilian localities and biomes. We also discuss the possibility of wild transmission of Leishmania in the DBBR and the influence of the sand fly species in leishmaniasis transmission to the adjacent areas of the reserve.

A comprehensive systematic checklist of the marine ichthyofauna of Acapulco Bay and its adjacent coastal zone is presented. The information was obtained from field surveys using several methods, including: visual censuses, video-transects, subaquatic photography, and spearfishing captures; anesthesia of fish associated with reef ecosystems; gill-nets and beach seines; fish associated with oyster seed collectors; and fish caught by local fishermen. The checklist comprises 292 species from 192 genera, 82 families, 33 orders, and 2 classes. The families with the highest specific richness were the Carangidae, Haemulidae, and Sciaenidae, with 28, 20, and 19 species, respectively. At the genus level, there were records of seven Lutjanus species, six Caranx species, and five Haemulon, Cynoscion and Halichoeres species. A high percentage of the recorded species have a wide distribution, where 6.7 % are circumtropical, 31.2 % have a distribution that includes the Cortez and Panamic provinces, and 19.3 % of the species have a wide distribution that encompasses from the San Diegan to the Panamic province. Four species are endemic to the Mexican province (Pareques fuscovittatus, Malacoctenus polyporosus, Paraclinus stephensi and Stathmonotus lugubris), while Enneanectes reticulatus and Paraclinus monophthalmus are endemic to the Cortez and Panamic provinces, respectively, and represent new records for the Mexican central Pacific. The ichthyofauna recorded during this study is characteristic of the biogeographic transitional subtropical–tropical zone of the Eastern Pacific. Most specimens were tropical, and there was an important component of species belonging to over five different affinities, which could be a result of the different habitat preferences and dominant types of reproduction. Some explanations for the fish composition of this important touristic bay are discussed, as well as the need to establish a knowledge baseline of the natural resources of this ecosystem in order to outline adequate management and conservation strategies.

Acadjas are artificial systems aimed at enhancing fish production by providing additional substrata for development of plants and animals upon which the fish will feed. This study aims to evaluate the impact of acadjas on fish assemblages and on conservation of the fish fauna diversity in Lake Nokoue in Benin. Between June 2003 and September 2004, experimental acadjas were installed and monitored. Fish samples were obtained from two areas of Lake Nokoue (Ganvie and Zogbo stations) within and without acadjas with the assistance of artisanal fishermen. Physico-chemical parameters were also measured inside and outside of the experimental acadjas in the same two stations. Twenty-five fish species belonging to 17 families were identified in acadjas out of a total of 51 species belonging to 34 families inventoried in 2001 at Lake Nokoue (i.e. 49% of the specific richness of the ichthyofauna). Fifty-six percent of fish fauna caught in acadjas are estuarine forms and represent 78% of all estuarine forms of Lake Nokoue in 2001. The analysis of variance showed that the specific richness of the acadjas varied significantly according to the station (p < 0.05), with a high specific richness in Zogbo station where acadjas are less abundant. Acadjas are selective for some fish species such as cichlids which represent 95% of the total numeric abundance and contribute about 90% of the total fish biomass. The high densities of acadjas could contribute to the reduction of the richness of fish fauna. Rational management could consist of reorganizing the surface areas of Lake Nokoue by preserving areas for other fish species that do not colonize acadjas.

Antecedentes y Objetivos: El conocimiento ficológico para la región del Pacífico mexicano es amplio, la mayoría de los estudios han estado orientados a conocer la flora adherida a sustratos rocosos. Sin embargo, es reducido el número de trabajos acerca de macroalgas que crecen sobre organismos vivos, como las algas epizoicas. El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad contribuir al conocimiento de la flora algal epizoica en el Pacífico tropical mexicano. Métodos: Se llevaron a cabo cuatro muestreos del molusco Chiton articulatus en dos localidades de Guerrero, México, durante 2014, para conocer las algas que crecen sobre él. Además, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de estudios en el Pacífico tropical mexicano para obtener los registros de las algas que crecen sobre animales. Finalmente, se determinaron las algas en los moluscos mediante observaciones de talos completos y cortes. Resultados clave: En total se reportaron 124 especies, 81 géneros, 51 familias y 27 órdenes, distribuidos en cuatro divisiones de algas. Los órdenes con mayor riqueza específica fueron Ceramiales (23) y Corallinales (20) y las familias con mayor número de especies fueron Rhodomelaceae (13), Cladophoraceae (11) y Lithophyllaceae (10). Los géneros más diversos fueron Amphiroa y Cladophora (7). Se presentan, para Guerrero, 12 nuevos registros de especies, de los cuales tres son además nuevos registros para el Pacífico tropical mexicano y tres para el Pacífico de México. El estado con mayor número de especies registradas fue Guerrero (58). El sustrato más común fueron los moluscos. El grupo morfofuncional algal predominante fue los filamentos.Conclusiones: Los resultados de este trabajo demuestran que la biodiversidad de algas presente en los sustratos animales es alta, y contribuye notablemente a la riqueza específica registrada para Guerrero y para el Pacífico de México. Se hace patente la importancia de desarrollar más estudios que se enfoquen al conocimiento de la epibiosis algal.

A report and an updated list with comments on the species of freshwater molluscs of Argentina which covers an area of 2 777 815 km2 is presented. Distributions of Gastropoda and Bivalvia families, endemic, exotic, invasive as well as entities of sanitary importance are also studied and recommendations on their conservation are provided. Molluscs related to the Del Plata Basin have been thoroughly studied in comparison to others areas of the country. This fauna exhibits relatively the biggest specific richness and keeps its affinity with the fauna of other regions of the basin in areas of Paraguay and Brasil. The 4 500 records of molluscs considered in this paper arise from the study of the collections of Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires; Museo de La Plata, La Plata and Fundación "Miguel Lillo", Tucumán. These institutions keep very important collections of molluscs in southern South America. Field information has recently been obtained and localities cited by other authors are also included in the data base. Until today, 166 species have been described, 101 belonging to 10 families of Gastropoda and 65 to 7 of Bivalvia. Families with highest specific richness are Lithoglyphidae (22) and Sphaeriidae (25), respectively. The number of endemic species (those present only in Argentina) by family is: Gastropoda: Ampullariidae (1), Cochliopidae (10), Lithoglyphidae (11), Thiariidae (3), Chilinidae (11), Lymnaeidae (2) and Physidae (2?); Bivalvia: Hyriidae (1?); Etheriidae (1?) and Sphaeriidae (10). Families with a distribution that comprise almost the whole country are: the Sphaeriidae and the gastropods Cochliopidae, Chilinidae and Lymnaeidae. Families Erodonidae and Solecurtidae (Bivalvia) were registered in mixohaline environments from Buenos Aires province. Gastropod families Thiaridae and Glacidorbiidae show a very restricted distribution. The rest of the families are present mainly in the center and north of the country. Species of sanitary interest are the propagators of: schistosomiasis -Biomphalaria peregrina, B. straminea y B. tenagophila, Planorbidae-, fasciolasis -Lymnaea viatrix and L. columnella, Lymnaeidae- and dermatitis -Chilina gibbosa and C. fluminea, Chilinidae. Invasive species are: Corbicula fluminea (Corbiculidae) and Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae). The construction of new areas for the protection and conservation of the high risk endemic species of freshwater molluscs is a priority. It is necessary to give special attention to the species of the patagonic mountain range and of the mesopotamic area of the Del Plata Basin.