Marine Natural History Research Articles

Sponges in the continental shelf (73 – 210 m) of the southwestern area of Isla Fuerte and Alta Guajira, with the description of new records for the Colombian Caribbean

The biodiversity of sponges in environments beyond 50 m is poorly known, as access to this type of environment without specialized technology is difficult. This study aims to understand the biodiversity of the group present on the continental shelf of the southwestern area of Isla Fuerte and Alta Guajira. Sponge samples were collected via trawls during exploration sessions in hydrocarbon blocks between 73 and 210 m, which were fixed and taken to the sponge collection of the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia (MHNMC) in 2012. Then, in 2022, these samples were processed and identified in the laboratory using standard methods. A taxonomic list is presented, with 89 taxa belonging to the classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha, which are grouped in 16 orders, 33 families, 51 genera, and 45 species, out of which 10 are new records for the Colombian Caribbean. Only one species was identified for Alta Guajira, which could be attributed to a difference in substrate composition and to the fact that, in the Isla Fuerte sector, due to diapirism and gas emanation events in the continental shelf, there is a greater availability of food, which can support the composition of sessile benthic organisms such as sponges.

Benthic molluscs collected in Western Antarctica during the “Caldas”, “Admiral Padilla” and “Admiral Campos” expeditions, southern summers 2014-2015, 2016-2017 and 2018-2019

This research is part of the results of the three first expeditions of Colombia to West Antarctica and it focused on the systematics and taxonomic diversity of the benthic community of molluscs collected between 5 and 400 m deep. The Sampling sites where mollusks were collected were located along the Gerlache and Bransfield straits, around the Palmer Archipelago and the South Shetland Islands, adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula. The list of identified species that are deposited in the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia - Makuriwa, of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Research “José Benito Vives de Andréis” -Invemar, is presented. This inventory consisted of 15 specimens distributed in 10 taxa, of which 7 were shelled gastropods (including 5 microgastropods) and 3 were bivalves. Four microgastropods were placed in greater taxonomic categories due to the low knowledge of these taxa in the region (Anatoma sp., Cingulopsoidea sp., Truncatelloidea sp. and Eatoniella sp.). The other gastropod species (3) were Margarella antarctica, Prosipho turritus and Nacella concinna. The bivalves found were Philobrya sublaevis, Adacnarca nitens and Thracia meridionalis. The identified species have previously been recorded in West Antarctica. Some of them, like the bivalves, show a circumantarctic distribution. Nacella concinna was the most abundant taxon. In coherence with the general objective of the “BioGerlache-Antarctica” project, the results generate contributions to the biological inventories of Antarctica, contributing to expand the information to define possible conservation areas in the future.

Benthic polychaetes collected in the III Expedición “Admiral Padilla” Austral Summer 2016-2017, to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula

Polychaeta represents the most diverse class in the phylum Annelida, mainly composed by marine organisms, with some terrestrial and freshwater representatives. The present work records the information of the benthic polychaetes, which were collected in four stations in the northern sector of the Antarctic Peninsula, in the III Expedición “Admiral Padilla” verano austral 2016-2017, including taxonomy, relative abundance and frequency of occurrence by family. A total of 326 individuals were quantified, distributed in 12 families: Apistobranchidae, Capitellidae, Cirratulidae, Dorvilleidae, Maldanidae, Nereididae, Orbiniidae, Paraonidae, Serpulidae, Sigalionidae, Spionidae and Syllidae, and the suborder Terebelliformia. Cirratulidae, and Paraonidae were predominant in terms of abundance and frequency. A previous taxonomic analysis has shown morphological variability in the families Cirratulidae, Dorvilleidae, Maldanidae, Paraonidae and Syllidae, and the suborder Terebelliformia. The samples were processed, and deposited at the Marine Natural History Museum of Colombia (MHNMC) – Makuriwa from the Marine and Coastal Research Institute “José Benito Vives de Andréis - Invemar.

Rocky shores as tractable test systems for experimental ecology

AbstractRocky shore ecology has been studied for a long time, starting with qualitative descriptions and becoming more quantitative and experimental over time. Some of the earliest manipulative experimental ecological studies were undertaken on rocky shores. Many, over time, have made considerable contributions to ecological theory, especially highlighting the importance of biological interactions at the community level. The suitability of rocky shores as convenient test systems for ecological experimentation is outlined. Here we consider contributions from rocky shores to the emerging concepts of supply-side ecology, the roles of competition, predation and grazing, disturbance and succession and positive interactions in structuring communities along environmental gradients. We then address alternative stable states, relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and bottom-up and top-down control of ecosystems. We briefly consider the feedback and synergies between ecological concepts and experimental work on rocky shores, whilst still emphasizing the traditional values of marine natural history upheld in JMBA since its first publication. The importance of rigorous experimental designs championed by Underwood and co-workers is emphasized. Recent progress taking advantage of new technologies and emerging approaches is considered. We illustrate how experimental studies have shown the importance of biological interactions in modulating species and assemblage-level responses to climate change and informed conservation and management of coastal ecosystems.

Deep-sea Coral Taxonomy Workshop, Colombia 2019

Corals are some of the conspicuous taxa in deep-sea ecosystems. Yet, characterizing coral diversity is difficult and requires a combination of both morphological and genetic data. Many leading coral taxonomy experts are close-to retirement or have already retired. It is now imperative that the hands-on expertise that these taxonomists have – much of which is not captured in manuscripts or books – is transferred to the next generation. The Deep-Sea Coral Taxonomy Workshop, funded by a Lounsbery award from the Deep-Sea Biology Society, aimed to provide a training opportunities and build taxonomic capacity in Colombia and Latin America. Workshop participants examined the deep-sea coral diversity of the southern western Caribbean, a poorly explored region. The three-day workshop was based mainly on hands-on activities focused on octocorals and black corals, and included introductory talks to the taxonomy of these groups and identification activities using specimens. Thanks to the workshop, it was possible to review and update the classification database of the Makuriwa Marine Natural History Museum collection. Additionally, four new species from the families Clavulariidae, Plexauridae and Gorgoniidae were identified and will be described in the near future.

John Robertson Henderson (1863–1925): Scotland, India and anomuran taxonomy

John Robertson Henderson was born in Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he qualified as a doctor. His interest in marine natural history was fostered at the Scottish Marine Station for Scientific Research at Granton (near Edinburgh) where his focus on anomuran crustaceans emerged, to the extent that he was eventually invited to compile the anomuran volume of the Challenger expedition reports. He left Scotland for India in autumn 1885 to take up the Chair of Zoology at Madras Christian College, shortly after its establishment. He continued working on crustacean taxonomy, producing substantial contributions to the field; returning to Scotland in retirement in 1919. The apparent absence of communication with Alfred William Alcock, a surgeon-naturalist with overlapping interests in India, is highlighted but not resolved.

First stranding record of Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) in the Colombian Caribbean

The dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima, is one of the lesser known Odontoceti species, in spite of its worldwide distribution, and is considered rare due to the difficult identification in the field. Detailed information is scarce and mostly comes from stranding events or bycatch animals, just a few sightings correspond to live specimens. In the Caribbean Basin, the species has been reported in the Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and Venezuela. We present the first stranding record of Kogia sima in the Colombian Caribbean coast from a pregnant female in Mendihuaca region, Magdalena Department. The specimen showed no fishing or entanglement lines whatsoever, and the overall condition was good. Morphological measurements were taken and the confirmation of the species was made from the following features: body length, height and position of dorsal fin, position of blowhole, and number of teeth in the lower jaw. The record of the adult specimen is documented in the System of Information of Marine Biodiversity of Colombia –SIBM and the fetus is deposited in the Mammal collection of the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia –MAKURIWA under the catalogue number INV-MAM004.

Popularizing marine natural history in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain

The literary and pedagogic style of books popularizing marine natural history for the British public shifted during the nineteenth century. Previously, natural history books had been written largely by men, with notable exceptions like Isabella Gifford, Mary Gatty and Mary Roberts. Gentlemen naturalists tended to be clerics or medics; educated men conventionally viewing their interest as revelatory of the Divine in nature. Typically, women were less well educated than men but some from clerical backgrounds, having better access to learning, became significant popularizers of natural history. Gosse's works promoting aquaria and “rock-pooling” (typically among the middle classes), helped to develop a ready market for the plethora of popular seashore books appearing in the 1850s; with coastal access being facilitated by expansion of the railways. Controversies concerning evolution rarely penetrated works aimed at a popular readership. However, the style adopted by marine natural history writers had changed noticeably by the end of the nineteenth century. The earlier conversational dialogue or narrative forms gave way to a more terse scientific style, omitting references to the Divine. Evolutionary ideas were affecting populist texts on littoral natural history, even if only covertly.

Sea dragons: predators of the prehistoric oceans

Working from the fossil record, Ellis explores the natural history of these fierce predators, speculates on their habits, and tells how they eventually became extinct or did they? He traces the 200-million-year history of the great ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs who swam the ancient oceans and who, according to some, may even still frequent the likes of Loch Ness. Picture if you will seventy-foot dragons with foot-long serrated teeth, or an animal that looked like crocodile crossed with shark the size of small yacht. With its impossibly long neck, Plesiosaurus conybeari has been compared to a giant snake threaded through the body of At length of nearly sixty feet, Mosasaurus hoffmanni boasted powerful jaws and teeth that could crunch up even the hardest-shelled giant sea turtle. And Kronosaurus queenslandicus, perhaps the most formidable of the lot, had skull nine feet long more than twice that of Tyrannosaurus Rex with teeth to match. The first book about these amazing animals in nearly century, Sea Dragons draws upon the most recent scientific research to vividly reconstruct their lives and habitats. Their fossils have been found all over the world in Europe, Australia, Japan, and even Kansas in lands that once lay on the floors of Jurassic and Triassic seas. Along the way, the book also provides intriguing insights into and entertaining tales about the work, discoveries, and competing theories that compose the fascinating world of vertebrate paleontology. Ellis also graces his text with set of incomparable illustrations. Widely hailed as our foremost artist of marine natural history, he depicts vividly how these creatures probably appeared and, through these likenesses, invites us to speculate on their locomotion, their predatory habits, their very lifestyles. A genuine book of marvels and wonders, Sea Dragons will certainly stir one's curiosity about our planet's prehistoric past.

HUMBOLDT UND DAS MEER: EINE OZE ANOGRAPHIEGESCHICHTLICHE BESTANDSAUFNAHME

Humboldt and the Ocean. A Synopsis of his Contributions to Marine Sciences. During his “Journey to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent” about 200 years ago, Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) made many oceanographic observations in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean. His main interest was the interrelation between climate and global ocean circulation, which is still one of the major topics in current marine research. Ever since, in 1790, he first saw the open ocean at the North Sea coast, when he, in the company of Georg Forster embarked on his trip to England, Humboldt had a longing for the ocean, especially the Pacific, and a strong interest in matters relating to oceanography. Unfortunately his marine texts are scattered over his major publications, many notes have never been published. Humboldt did not finish his decade-long work on “Oceanica,” a synopsis of his marine natural history ideas. Meanwhile it is generally accepted that Humboldt, although not an oceanographer in the modern meaning of the word, certainly belongs to the list of pioneers of marine sciences. Geographers and oceanographers of Kiel University, have especially covered Humboldts lasting marine legacy in the last century. His innovative and classical concepts of climate-driven thermohaline ocean circulation are background for some current international marine research projects.

George Atkinson 1885–1974 (M.B.A. Staff 1904–1910)

By the death of George Tatton Atkinson at Lowestoft on the 30th November, 1974, in his ninetieth year, the last link is broken with those famous pioneering days when the M.B.A. undertook, on behalf of the Government, the first official English fishery investigations by opening a special laboratory at Lowestoft in 1902 under the direction of Dr Walter Garstang. It is fitting that the life of George Atkinson should be recorded in our pages. Born in 1885 he came from a great sea-faring family and combined his love of the sea with an intense interest in marine natural history. As soon as he left school in 1904 he joined Garstang as an assistant working particularly on the biology of the plaice.

Fishers of the Murex (Notes for a Bibliography of Marine Natural History)

Previous articleNext article No AccessFishers of the Murex (Notes for a Bibliography of Marine Natural History)Joel W. HedgpethJoel W. Hedgpeth Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Isis Volume 37, Number 1/2May, 1947 Publication of the History of Science Society Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/347963 Views: 3Total views on this site Citations: 3Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1947 History of Science SocietyPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Frank N. Egerton History of the Ecological Sciences, Part 35: The Beginnings of British Marine Biology: Edward Forbes and Philip Gosse, Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 91, no.22 (Apr 2010): 176–201.https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9623-91.2.176Daniel Merriman Edward Forbes-Manxman, Progress in Oceanography 3 (Jan 1965): 191–206.https://doi.org/10.1016/0079-6611(65)90018-2 George Sarton , and Frances Siegel Seventy-First Critical Bibliography of the History and Philosophy of Science and of the History of Civilization (To October 1947), Isis 39, no.1/21/2 (Oct 2015): 70–139.https://doi.org/10.1086/348945

Report on the Brachiopoda obtained by the United States Coast Survey Expedition, in charge of L. F. de Pourtales, with a Revision of the Craniidæ and Discinidæ

THIS is another important instalment of the published results of the deep-water dredgings made by our Transatlantic cousins and friends in the Gulf of Mexico. The first was issued in 1869, and consisted of a Preliminary Report on the Echini and Starfishes, by Prof. Alexander Agassiz. A report by Dr. Stimpson on the Crustacea procured in the same expedition is announced as nearly ready; and that distinguished zoologist has also undertaken the still greater charge of a report on the Moliusca. It is impossible to over-rate the impulse which will be every where given by such explorations to the study of marine Natural History. We are now entering on quite a new phase of research, and commencing a survey of the hitherto unknown world beneath the waters. Regarded not merely in a biological, geological, or physical aspect, but also as a basis of sound education, these investigations ought not to be neglected by any civilised nation, especially by Great Britain, which, it is hoped, will never cede her well-earned maritime prestige, and her laudable ambition of discovery. This has been forcibly urged as a duty on the Government in an admirable article which appeared in the Spectator of the 22nd of July. In the pages of NATURE (meaning, of course, the present periodical, and not the mythical book to which fanciful writers are wont to allude), some of the results obtained in our deep-sea explorations of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean have been already noticed; and next year will in all probability inaugurate an expedition on a more extensive scale, and worthy of this rich and intellectual country. Sweden has performed her part most nobly, by sending out, in 1869, the Josephine frigate for the exploration of the sea-bed lying between the coast of Portugal and the Azores, and this year a corvette and tender to Baffin's Bay and Davis's Straits. Russia despatched, last year, a frigate to New Guinea for a similar purpose, under the scientific charge of an experienced naturalist, Mr.N. M. v. Maclay. We are now informed on good authority that Drs. Noll and Grenadier, two German naturalists, are projecting a dredging expedition along the coasts of Portugal and Morocco to the Canaries. Even France, in the midst of her troubles, devoted some of her energy and vast resources to the peaceful object of dredging in the lower part of the Bay of Biscay, under the personal superintendence of the Marquis de Folin, the Commandant at Bayonne. In Canada a Government schooner has been lately placed at the disposal of the Natural History Society of Montreal for dredging the deeper part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But the United States, not content with the laurels she had gained in the Gulf of Mexico, has this year promoted two separate expeditions; one, under the charge of the veteran and celebrated Professor Louis Agassiz, and Count Pourtales, to proceed along the south-eastern coasts of the Atlantic from Bermuda, through the Straits of Magellan to the Galapagos and San Francisco, dredging all the way; and the other, under the charge of Mr. Dall, the author of the Report above cited, has already gone from California to the Aleutian Islands. Report on the Brachiopoda obtained by the United States Coast Survey Expedition, in charge of L. F. de Pourtales, with a Revision of the Craniidæ and Discinidæ. By W. H. Dall. (Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, at Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass.) With two plates. (Cambridge, U.S., 1871, 8vo.)