Sternaspis Scutata Research Articles

Taxonomic diversity of the macrobenthos and its relationship with environmental factors in the Huanghe River (Yellow River) estuary and adjacent seas, China

Data on the macrobenthos, bottom seawater, and sediment from 26 sampling stations in the Huanghe River estuary and adjacent seas in China, were collected in June 2020. Community structure, species diversity, taxonomic diversity of the macrobenthos, and the relationships of these variables with environmental factors were analyzed. The funnels and contours of average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+) were used to indicate the disturbance status of the estuary seas. These findings revealed differences in macrobenthic community structure and biodiversity between the estuary and the adjacent seas. A total of 88 macrobenthic species were collected in the Huanghe River estuary and its adjacent seas. Abundances in the estuary, Section C, and Section D were 60 ind. m−2, 183 ind. m−2, and 320 ind. m−2, respectively, The biomass in the estuary, Section C, and Section D was 6.74 g·m−2, 15.72 g·m−2, and 9.07 g·m−2, respectively. There were significant differences in the number of species and their abundances between the estuary and adjacent seas (p < 0.01). Glycinde bonhourei, Sternaspis scutata, Moerella hilaris, Liljeborgia serrata, Iphinoe tenera, and Lineus sp. were the dominant species. The community dissimilarity of the estuary and adjacent seas reached >79.66% (p = 0.001). The results of k-means clustering analysis showed that the macrobenthic community could be divided into three types. High Margalef richness index (d) and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) values were observed in the northern portion of the estuary and the seas in Laizhou Bay. The theoretical mean values of Δ+ and Λ+ were 90.8 and 267.7, respectively. High values of Δ+ were observed in Section A2-B2-C2-D2 where the communities were distantly related. Low values were observed in Laizhou Bay. The distribution of Λ+ was the complete opposite of that of Δ+. Deviations in the 95% confidence interval were observed at five stations (A2, A3, B1, B2, and D2). The northern sea of the Huanghe River estuary was disturbed. Spearman correlation analysis showed that ∆ was positively correlated with total organic carbon, heavy metals, fine silt, and clay. Heavy metal and TOC in the Huanghe River estuary and adjacent seas may be positively correlated with the reproduction of opportunistic species.

A Novel CYP4 Gene Identified in the Polychaete Sternaspis scutata and Its Transcriptional Levels along the Coasts of the Liaodong Peninsula

Polychaetes (such as Sternaspis sculata) can biotransform polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment, and the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme is the key substance in this process. Here, a novel CYP gene was identified from S. sculata, a marine polychaete that is abundantly distributed along marine coasts worldwide. The full-length cDNA of the new CYP is a 1829 bp, encoding a protein of 509 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the CYP gene contains the conserved motifs of the P450 family (FxxGxxxCxG) and the characteristic sequences of the CYP4 family (EVDTFMFEGHDTT), showing high similarity to CYP4V from marine polychaetes. Therefore, the cDNA sequence might belong to the subfamily of CYP4V, tentatively named SsCYP4V. The expression levels of SsCYP4V in the field were detected in S. sculata sampled from six sites along the coasts of the Liaodong Peninsula. The results showed that the relative expression levels of SsCYP4V in S. sculata were significantly different among the sampling sites; however, no positive relationship was found between SsCYP4V expression levels and PAHs concentrations in the sediments. These findings suggested a complexity of CYP gene expression in the field, and SsCYP4V cannot be used as a biomarker for the field monitoring of PAH pollution.

아산만 중부해역에 서식하는 대형저서동물의 군집구조 및 저서 건강도 평가

This study was carried out to investigate the spatial distributions of the macrobenthic communities and ecological quality in the central Asan Bay from March to November 2014. In total, 78 species was found the mean abundance was 439 inds./㎡, Biomass was 17.28 gWWt/㎡. Based on the Le Bris (1988) index, there were 10 dominant species accounting for approximately 63% of total individuals. The major dominant species were Heteromastus filiformis, Theora fragilis, Sternaspis scutata, Paralacydonia paradoxa and Chaetozone setosa. Cluster and nMDS ordination analysis based on Bray-Curtis similarity identified 3 major station groups. BPI and AMBI analysis, it was found that the overall good status. These results showed that changes in sedimentary characteristics were the main factors behind spatial and temporal changes in the macrobenthic communities of the central area in Asan Bay.

Spatial pattern of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and their relationship with environmental variables on the East China Sea shelf

To detect the large-scale spatial pattern of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities and the relationship with their environment on the East China Sea shelf, forty sites were sampled for benthic macroinvertebrates and environmental variables during August and September 2015. A total of 12529 benthic macroinvertebrate individuals and 274 species were collected, with crustaceans being predominant, followed by mollusks. Four communities were identified by hierarchical agglomerative cluster (HAC) analysis and cross-verified by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination: an Inshore community (IC); a Transitional community (TC); a Northern offshore community (NOC); and a Southern offshore community (SOC). Significant differences in their community structure were found by permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). The indicator species varied among the four communities, with Solenocera crassicornis, Sternaspis scutata and Virgularia sp. dominating IC, Solenocera koelbeli, Trachysalambria curvirostris and Nitidotellina valtonis dominating TC, Parapenaeus fissuroides, Onustus exutus and Drachiella morum dominating NOC, and Heikeopsis japonica, Solenocera pectinulata and Actiniaria dominating SOC. Significant differences among communities were detected for species number (S), Margalef's index (d), Pielou's index (J′), Hill's number (N∞), total taxonomic distinctness (SΔ+), average phylogenetic diversity (Φ+), total phylogenetic diversity (SΦ+) and abundance through statistical analyses. The redundancy analysis (RDA) model revealed that turbidity, silicate and depth were significant environmental variables influencing the benthic macroinvertebrates. Variation partitioning (VPA) showed that water characteristics had a greater impact than sediment conditions on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the East China Sea.

Macrobenthic Biomass and Secondary Production in the Northern East China Sea and the Relative Importance of Environmental Variables1

Studies on secondary production can lead to a better understanding of the functions of the macrobenthic ecosystem. To determine the secondary productionand production-to-biomass ratio(P/B) of the macrobenthic community in the northern East China Sea, we conducted annual investigations in the northern East China Sea from 2012 to 2016. In this study, the secondary production and P/B values of the macrobenthic community in the northern East China Sea, China, were described and analysed using PCA and Spearman rank correlation analysis. A total of 61 species were collected and identified, and the results showed that Polychaeta was the most speciose group. The polychaete Sternaspis scutata and holothurian Acaudina molpadioides were found to be the most important contributors to the total abundance and total biomass across all sampling areas and years. The Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated that community abundance was positively correlated with depth but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) and suspended solids (SS). The P/B was much lower than that found in previous reports from this area, mainly due to the collection of large individuals of A. molpadioides from Sanmen Bay. The low P/B value also indicated that more effort and time are needed to rehabilitate the benthic marine ecosystem in this area.

Long-distance influence of the Rhône River plume on the marine benthic ecosystem: Integrating descriptive ecology and predictive modelling

The Gulf of Lions (GoL) is among the most productive areas of the Mediterranean Sea, with the Rhône River contributing with as much as 90% of the liquid and solid materials (including anthropogenic chemicals) reaching the area. In this paper, we assessed whether classical descriptive ecology and MaxEnt predictive species distribution modelling were able to provide complementary information when analysing the long-distance influence of the river discharges on the GoL benthic ecosystem. Samples were collected in August 2014 from 12 stations covering the sedimentary plain of the deep submarine delta, from the Gulf of Fos to Gruissan. Sediments were mostly muddy with a high organic carbon and low P and N contents first decreasing and then increasing from east to west. The same pattern occurred for chlorophyll-a, particulate organic carbon and sea surface temperature, and was overall correlated with metal and pollutant contents derived from agricultural, port, urban and industrial sources driven by Rhône outputs. We observed a typical deltaic succession in the benthos, showing a relatively low diversity and including polychaetes (Sternaspis scutata) and holothurians (Oestergrenia digitata) known to be indicators of high sedimentation rates. Overall, benthos showed an inversed pattern regarding environmental variables, an evident consequence of the Rhône River influence. The suitability of some species was either positively or negatively correlated with some of the environmental variables, producing species-specific predicted distribution patterns, with the highest amount of information allowing to predict distributions being mainly provided by organic pollutants. Even with a limited number of available samples, our integrated approach reveals to be a very robust tool to highlight hidden patterns and contributes to improve our knowledge on how river-mediated anthropogenic discharges may influence biodiversity distribution and functional patterns in marine benthic ecosystems.

Application of a new protocol to evaluate the benthic impacts of aquaculture: Colonization of experimental units for monitoring by polychaeta

A range of different protocols and indices have been developed in recent years for the definition of Environmental Quality Standards in aquaculture. However, it can be difficult to compare these protocols or indices between different regions or different habitats due to spatial heterogeneity at different scales. We carried out a field study to estimate the effectiveness of experimental units (sediment-filled trays) as an environmental management tool. The experimental units were filled with two different sediments - sand and mud - and placed underneath two fish farm facilities for one month. Using polychaetes to assess the ecological status, AMBI and multidimensional analysis showed clear results, and had further value when combined with sulphide concentrations measures. Sandy experimental units had a greater sensitivity for the detection of organic matter enrichment. The species with the most pronounced responses in the facilities studied were Capitella capitata, Spiochaetopterus costarum, Capitella minima, Pseudopolydora pulchra and Aricidea (Strelzovia) claudiae in the fish farm, and Gallardoneris iberica, Micronephtys stammeri, Sternaspis scutata and Ampharete lindstroemi in the reference area without organic enrichment. Experimental units provide a complete and reliable source of information about the environmental quality status of fish farms, and with further refinement they could be used as a management tool for aquaculture monitoring. Experimental units could be used as a management tool for aquaculture monitoring; data of polychaete recolonization with AMBI and multidimensional analysis showed clear results.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Sternaspis scutata (Sternaspidae, Annelida)

IIn this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Sternaspis scutata wassequenced. The mitochondrial genome is 15 300 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding sequences, 2 rRNAs, 21 tRNAs and 1 non-coding region. All these genes are in the heavy strand. Most protein-coding genes begin with an ATG codon, while NAD4L utilize ATT. The common termination codon is TAA, except for atp6 terminated with TAG, and cox2, atp8, nad2, nad6 terminated by incomplete codon T. Seen from the phylogenetic tree, Sternaspis scutata, Pista cristata and Terebellides stroemii from the same Order (Terebellida) clustered into one branch.

Functional roles of an engineer species for coastal benthic invertebrates and demersal fish.

Through their tissues or activities, engineer species create, modify, or maintain habitats and alter the distribution and abundance of many plants and animals. This study investigates key ecological functions performed by an engineer species that colonizes coastal ecosystems. The gregarious tubiculous amphipod Haploops nirae is used as a biological model. According to previous studies, the habitat engineered by H. nirae (i.e., Haploops habitat) could provide food and natural shelter for several benthic species such as benthic diatoms belonging to the gender Navicula, the micrograzer Geitodoris planata, or the bivalve Polititapes virgineus. Using data from scientific surveys conducted in two bays, this study explored whether (1) the Haploops sandy‐mud community modifies invertebrate and ichthyologic community structure (diversity and biomass); (2) H. nirae creates a preferential feeding ground; and (3) this habitat serves as a refuge for juvenile fish. Available Benthic Energy Coefficients, coupled with more traditional diversity indices, indicated higher energy available in Haploops habitat than in two nearby habitats (i.e., Sternaspis scutata and Amphiura filiformis/Owenia fusiformis habitats). The use of isotopic functional indices (IFIs) indicated (1) a higher functional richness in the Haploops habitat, related to greater diversity in food sources and longer food chains; and (2) a higher functional divergence, associated with greater consumption of a secondary food source. At the invertebrate‐prey level, IFIs indicated little specialization and little trophic redundancy in the engineered habitat, as expected for homogenous habitats. Our results partly support empirical knowledge about engineered versus nonengineered habitats and also add new perspectives on habitat use by fish and invertebrate species. Our analyses validated the refuge‐area hypothesis for a few fish species. Although unique benthic prey assemblages are associated with Haploops habitat, the hypothesis that it is a preferential feeding area was not verified. However, specialist feeding behavior was observed for predators, which calls for further investigation.

Sternaspis chilensis n. sp., a new species from austral Chilean channels and fjords (Annelida, Sternaspidae).

Sternaspis chilensis n. sp. is described based on specimens collected in channels and fjords of southern Chile and previously identified as Sternaspis scutata (Ranzani, 1817), originally described from the Meditarrean Sea. Sternaspis chilensis n. sp. is described based on the features of the shield with anterior margins rounded and anterior depression shallow; marginal shield chaetal fascicles arranged with an inverted C-shaped pattern; and distribution of the integument papillae. Sternaspis chilensis is widely distributed in the Magellan Province from Estero Reloncaví (41°32'54"S, 72°19'48"W) to Strait of Magellan (53°34'S, 70°04'W), between 50 and 515 m depth.

동해 발전소 주변의 저서다모류 군집에 영향을 미치는 환경 요인

저서퇴적상은 다모류 군집에 가장 많은 영향을 주고 있지만, 다양한 퇴적상을 가지는 온배수 지역에서 저서다모류 서식에 영향을 주는 환경 요인 연구는 거의 없다. 본 연구는 동해 연안 저서다모류의 종 조성 및 군집 분포에 따른 공간적 분포 양상을 파악하였고, 이에 영향을 미친 환경요인들을 측정하였으며, 발전소에서 배출되는 온배수와 퇴적상의 차이가 저서다모류에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 저서다모류 군집의 특성을 조사하기 위하여 2006년 8월에서 2013년 2월까지 온배수 영향이 있는 울진, 고리 지역과 비교대상 지역인 후포 지역을 포함한 세 지역에서 생물을 채집하였다. 조사결과 총 283종, 평균 4,912개체/<TEX>$m^2$</TEX>의 저서다모류가 출현하였다. 주요 우점종으로는 Spiophanes bombyx, Magelona japonica, Lumbrineris longifolia, Sternaspis scutata 등 이었으며, 울진과 후포지역은 S. bombyx, 고리 지역은 M. japonica가 최우점 출현하여 지역별로 차이가 있었다. Lumbrineris longifolia와 M. japonica는 일반적인 동해 연안에 많은 수로 우점 서식하지만 조사지역의 발전소 취 배수구 지역에 거의 출현하지 않아 발전소 취 배수구 지역의 인위적인 환경교란이 저서다모류 종 조성에 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 세 지역을 종합하여 다모류 군집 분석을 실시 한 결과 퇴적물 내의 총 유기탄소량과 퇴적물의 입도, 퇴적상에 따른 군집으로 나뉘는 양상을 보였다. 그러므로 본 연구에서 다모류의 군집구조는 발전소 온배수 및 취 배수구의 인위적인 환경 교란에 의한 영향은 발전소 취 배수구 주변에 국한되며 그 이외의 지역에서는 퇴적물 내의 총 유기탄소량과 퇴적물의 입도 등 지역 간 퇴적상 조성에 보다 큰 영향을 받는 것으로 여겨진다. The East Sea is almost entirely composed of sandy facies, and the facies type is the major factor influencing benthic polychaete communities. There have been few studies of the effects of environmental factors on benthic polychaetes in thermal discharge areas consisting of different sediment types. This study identified the spatial distribution patterns based on the species composition and distribution of benthic polychaete communities, and the environmental factors influencing benthic polychaetes near power plants were investigated. The polychaete communities in the Uljin, Hupo, and Gori coastal areas near the power plants in the East Sea were seasonally investigated from August 2006 to February 2013. As a result, 283 species were collected. The dominant species were Spiophanes bombyx, Magelona japonica, Lumbrineris longifolia, and Sternaspis scutata. Spiophanes bombyx was the dominant species at Uljin and Hupo, but M. japonica was the dominant species at Gori. Two dominant species from the coastal waters of the East Sea, Lumbrineris longifolia and M. japonica, were rare in the power plant water intake or drainage areas. Cluster analysis was performed to divide the study area into groups by the total organic carbon content, sediment grain size and facies patterns. This study suggests that the community structures of polychaetes are more affected by the total organic carbon, grain size of sediment and facies than by disturbance from thermal discharge, which only affected the polychaete community near power plant drainage areas.

Variation in the macrofaunal community over large temporal and spatial scales in the southern Yellow Sea

To detect large, temporal- and spatial-scale variations in the macrofaunal community in the southern Yellow Sea, data collected along the western, middle and eastern regions of the southern Yellow Sea from 1958 to 2014 were organized and analyzed. Statistical methods such as cluster analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination (nMDS), permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), redundancy analysis (RDA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were applied. The abundance of polychaetes increased in the western region but decreased in the eastern region from 1958 to 2014, whereas the abundance of echinoderms showed an opposite trend. For the entire macrofaunal community, Margalef's richness (d), the Shannon-Wiener index (H′) and Pielou's evenness (J′) were significantly lower in the eastern region when compared with the other two regions. No significant temporal differences were found for d and H′, but there were significantly lower values of J′ in 2014. Considerable variation in the macrofaunal community structure over the past several decades and among the geographical regions at the species, genus and family levels were observed. The species, genera and families that contributed to the temporal variation in each region were also identified. The most conspicuous pattern was the increase in the species Ophiura sarsii vadicola in the eastern region. In the western region, five polychaetes (Ninoe palmata, Notomastus latericeus, Paralacydonia paradoxa, Paraprionospio pinnata and Sternaspis scutata) increased consistently from 1958 to 2014. The dominance curves showed that both the species diversity and the dominance patterns were relatively stable in the western and middle regions. Environmental parameters such as depth, temperature and salinity could only partially explain the observed biological variation in the southern Yellow Sea. Anthropogenic activities such as demersal fishing and other unmeasured environmental variables may be more responsible for the long-term changes in the macrofaunal community.

Distribution of polychaete assemblage in relation to natural environmental variation and anthropogenic stress

Polychaete are diverse species of the soft-bottom community, and are often used as indicators in environment monitoring programs. However, the effects of anthropogenic activities and natural environmental variation on polychaete assemblage are rarely addressed. The goals of this study are to identify the effects of natural environmental variation and anthropogenic stress on polychaete assemblage, and to explore the relationship between the polychaete assemblage structure and anthropogenic stress without considering the natural environmental variation. Based on the data collected from the surveys conducted in the tidal flat of Jiaozhou Bay, the relationship between polychaete assemblage structure and environmental variables was determined using multivariate statistical methods including hierarchical cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The results showed that the polychaete assemblage was dominated by two species, Amphictene japonica and Heteromastus filiformis, and could be divided into two subgroups characterized by high and low species abundance. CCA illustrated that the natural environmental variables including water temperature and the distance from coast had primary effects on the polychaete assemblage structure; while stress of contaminants, such as As and Hg, had the secondary influences; and stress from the aquacultured species, mainly Ruditapes philippinarum, had a limited effect. Colinearity between the natural environmental variables and anthropogenic stress variables caused a critical divergence in the interpretation of CCA results, which highlighted the risk of a lack of information in environment assessment. Glycinde gurjanovae, Sternaspis scutata and Eulalia bilineata may serve as the ‘contamination indicators’, which need to be confirmed in future studies.

여자만 연성저질의 여름철 대형저서동물 공간분포

Macrobenthic community was studied at 87 stations including intertidal and subtidal area in Yoja Bay, south coast of Korea in summer season of July 2001. Duplicate sediment samples were taken using a van Veen grab () in each station. Mud facies of the sediments were widly distributed in the bay. And relatively high content of sand was shown in the Bulgyo-cheon stream estuary. A total of 274 species was occurred with a mean density of and a mean biomass of . The polychaetes were species- and density-dominant faunal group with a total of 122 species (44.5% of the total number of species), and mean density of (65.8% of the mean density). Meanwhile, molluscs were biomass-dominant faunal group with . Bio-Env. analysis showed that the combination of bottom salinity and sand content of the surface sediments was highly correlated to the major macrobenthic communities. The macrobenthic species number, decreasing toward inner bay from mouth of the bay, was significantly correlated to the sediment environmental variables and bottom water salinity. The spatial distribution of abundance showed significant correlation to the sand and mud contents and mean grain size of the surface sediments. Major dominant species were Minuspio japonica (polychaete) with a mean density of at upper part of the bay where salinity was low and Eriopisella sechellensis (amphipod) with in central part of the bay. Species diversity (H`) was in the mouth part of the bay and ranged 2.0-3.0 in the inner part of the bay, which showed a significant positive correlation to bottom salinity. Total number of species also showed significant correlations to the sediment composition and bottom salinity. Based on the cluster analysis the macrobenthic community of the bay was classified into five station groups from the bay mouth toward the inner part of the bay depending on the species composition. From the SIMPER analysis Minuspio japonica, Eriopisella sechellensis and Sternaspis scutata mainly contributed to the classification of station group. These results suggested that the macrobenthic communities of the bay were mainly influenced by bottom salinity together with sediment composition, and that the studies of spatial distributions of major dominant species and benthic communities should be conducted continuously to monitor the Yeoja Bay benthic environment.

Shallow-water polychaete assemblages in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and its possible use in the evaluation of good environmental state

Sarda, R., Serrano, L., Labrune, C., Gil, J., March, D., Amouroux, J.M., Taboada, S., Bonifacio, P. and Gremare, A. 2014. Shallow-water polychaete assemblages in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and its possible use in the evaluation of good environmental state. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 71: 289–301. Forty-four shore-normal transects along the Northwestern Mediterranean coast between the mouth of the Rhone River (France) and Valencia City (Spain) were sampled during the REDIT-I (September 1998, [R1]) and REDIT-II (December 1999, [R2]) campaigns. Polychaete distribution patterns on shallow littoral fine sands (10 to 50 m water depths) were analyzed at a regional scale. A total of 359 species of polychaetes were identified which represents 38% of all polychaete species recorded in the western Mediterranean. Four main soft-bottom communities were identified from the samples in the area: Littoral Fine Sands, Littoral Sandy Mud, Terrigenous Coastal Mud and Detritic Sand. Predominantly sandy environments were characterized by Ditrupa arietina and Owenia fusiformis while Lumbrineris latreilli, Hilbigneris gracilis and Sternaspis scutata were numerically dominant in muddy environments. Biological diversity assessments at different temporal and spatial scales are required by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) in accordance with criteria and methodological standards of Good Environmental Status (GEnS). Selected indicators for descriptors are explored based on this mesoscale assessment.

Authorship of some polychaete (Annelida) names derived from the works of Renier and Savigny.

Full citations of animal specific or generic names ultimately derived from unpublished manuscripts should commemorate the work of the person who described the new species as well as the person who eventually validly published the name. We suggest that biologists should use the following authorships when citing these names: Terebella infundibulum Renier in Meneghini, 1847 (now used in the genus Myxicola); Nereis coccinea Renier in Meneghini, 1847 (now used in the genus Lumbrineris); Thalassema scutatum Renier in Ranzani, 1817 (now known as Sternaspis scutata); Polynoe Savigny in Lamarck, 1818. The case of Myxicola infundibulum is further complicated by a possible homonymy, and to avoid confusion we suggest that the name is used for the Myxicola species found in the Adriatic.

Revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta, Sternaspidae)

To the memory of William Ronald Sendall Sternaspid polychaetes are common and often abundant in soft bottoms in the world oceans. Some authors suggest that only one species should be recognized, whereas others regard a few species as widely distributed in many seas and variable depths from the low intertidal to about 4400 m. There are some problems with species delineation and the distinctive ventro-caudal shield has been disregarded or barely used for identifying species. In order to clarify these issues, the ventral shield is evaluated in specimens from the same locality and its diagnostic potential is confirmed. On this basis, a revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta: Sternaspidae) is presented based upon type materials, or material collected from type localities. The sternaspid body, introvert hooks and shield show three distinct patterns, two genera have seven abdominal segments and tapered introvert hooks, and one genus has eight abdominal segments and spatulate introvert hooks. The ventro-caudal shield has three different patterns: stiff with ribs, and sometimes concentric lines, stiff with feebly-defined ribs but no concentric lines, and soft with firmly adhered sediment particles. Sternaspis is restricted to include species with seven abdominal segments, falcate introvert hooks, and stiff shields, often exhibiting radial ribs, concentric lines or both. Sternaspis includes, besides the type species, Sternaspis thalassemoides Otto, 1821 from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis affinis Stimpson, 1864 from the Northeastern Pacific, Sternaspis africana Augener, 1918, stat. n. from Western Africa, Sternaspis andamanensis sp. n. from the Andaman Sea, Sternaspis costata von Marenzeller, 1879 from Japan, Sternaspis fossor Stimpson, 1853 from the Northwestern Atlantic, Sternaspis islandica Malmgren, 1867 from Iceland, Sternaspis maior Chamberlin, 1919 from the Gulf of California, Sternaspis princeps Selenka, 1885 from New Zealand, Sternaspis rietschi Caullery, 1944 from abyssal depths around Indonesia, Sternaspis scutata (Ranzani, 1817) from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis spinosa Sluiter, 1882 from Indonesia, and Sternaspis thorsoni sp. n. from the Iranian Gulf. Two genera are newly proposed to incorporate the remaining species: Caulleryaspis and Petersenaspis. Caulleryaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of falcate introvert hooks, seven abdominal segments, and soft shields with sediment particles firmly adhered on them; it includes two species: Caulleryaspis gudmundssoni sp. n. from Iceland and Caulleryaspis laevis (Caullery, 1944) comb. n. from Indonesia. Petersenaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of spatulate introvert hooks, eight abdominal segments, and stiff shields with poorly defined ribs but no concentric line; it includes Petersenaspis capillata (Nonato, 1966) from Brazil and Petersenaspis palpallatoci sp. n. from the Philippines. Neotypes are proposed for eight species: Sternaspis thalassemoides, Sternaspis affinis, Sternaspis africana, Sternaspis costata, Sternaspis fossor, Sternaspis maior, Sternaspis scutata and Sternaspis spinosa, to stabilize these species-group names, and a lectotype is designated for Sternaspis laevis which is transferred to Caulleryaspis gen. n. The geographic range of most species appears to be much smaller than previously indicated, and for some species additional material in good condition is needed to clarify their distributions. Keys to genera and to all species are also included.

乳山近海大型底栖动物功能摄食类群

根据2006年12月至2007年11月对乳山近海的调查样品,报道了该海域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的生态学状况。结果表明:乳山近海大型底栖动物以食底泥者和肉食者占较大优势,其次为滤食者,食碎屑者、杂食者、植食者相对丰度较小;食底泥者的优势种为中蚓虫、不倒翁虫、丝异蚓虫和轮双眼钩虾,肉食者的优势种为寡鳃齿吻沙蚕、圆筒原盒螺和纽虫,滤食者的优势种为滑理蛤、菲律宾蛤仔、金星蝶铰蛤和江户明樱蛤;各功能摄食类群分布受有机负荷和底质类型限制;基于大型底栖动物功能类群的生态参数评价结果表明,乳山近海大型底栖动物群落健康状况由虚弱趋于不稳定,大部分站位大型底栖动物群落受到轻度扰动,底栖生态质量状况较优良;冗余分析表明,盐度、水温、总氮、悬浮物、溶解氧、总有机碳和硅酸盐等7个因子与乳山近海大型底栖动物功能摄食类群存在较显著的相关性。;The trophic structure of the benthic communities in the coastal waters off Rushan, situated off the southern coast of the Shangdong Peninsula, in the Yellow Sea, was characterized according to a feeding functional guild approach, based on sampling surveys conducted from December 2006 to November 2007. Macrobenthic organisms were assigned to six distinct trophic groups (herbivores, deposit-feeders, filter-feeders, carnivores, detritus-feeders, omnivores) and the feeding diversity and ecosystem health of the research area was estimated using the Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou's evenness index, and Infaunal Trophic Index (ITI), applied in conjunction with a Marine Biotic Index (AMBI). The dominance of feeding groups was related to environmental variables using multivariate ordination techniques (Redundancy Analysis). The results show that deposit-feeders and carnivores were the most abundant functional groups, making up 34% and 31% of the benthic communities in terms of relative abundance, respectively, followed by filter-feeders (22%), the detritus-feeders (7%), omnivores (5%), and herbivores (1%). The dominant deposit-feeding species were <em>Mediomastus californiensis</em>, <em>Sternaspis scutata</em>, <em>Heteromastus filiforms</em> and <em>Ampelisca cyclopst</em> while the dominant carnivorous species were <em>Nephtys oligobranchia</em>, <em>Eocylichna cylindrella</em> and <em>Nemertinea</em> sp.; and the dominant filter-feeding species were <em>Theora lubrica</em>, <em>Venerupis philippinarum</em>, <em>Trigonothracia jinxingae</em> and <em>Moerella jedoensis</em>. When seasonal variation was incorporated into the analysis, deposit-feeders had the highest relative abundance (39.3% in December 2006) and mean abundance (107.4 ind/m² in May 2007), followed by carnivores (37.9% in November 2007, 94.7 ind/m² in May 2007) and filter-feeders (27.2% in November 2007, 77.4 ind/m² in May 2007), while herbivores abundance accounted for only 1.1% and 2.9 ind/m2 in December 2006. With regard to spatial distributions, sites G1 and B4 had the highest values of deposit-feeders with relative abundances of 73.3% (recorded in August 2007) and densities of 385 ind/m² (May 2007) respectively. The highest abundance of carnivores was recorded at site A1 (74% and 285 ind/m² in November 2007) whereas sites H1 and D2 exhibited the highest abundance of filter-feeders, with relative abundances of 100% (recorded in August 2007) and densities of 325 ind/m² (May 2007) respectively. The distribution of each functional feeding group was significantly related to organic load and sediment type. Assuming that a healthy environment is characterized by all feeding groups being present, with a clear dominance of deposit-feeders, feeding diversity would be expected to be maximal with the evenness feeding diversity index close to one. Most of the stations in the research area exhibited good or high feeding diversity, corresponding to a healthy ecological state, with the exceptions of stations A1, G1, and I2, that showed occasionally low feeding diversity, ITI and AMBI values. The poor condition at these sites was mainly related to disturbance impacts and natural accumulation of organic matter, with some feeding groups being absent or present at low relative abundances, with one or two groups dominating the community, which was particularly the case with deposit feeders. The redundancy analysis (RDA) results of indicated that salinity, water temperature, total nitrogen, suspended matter, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, and silicate were significant predictors of community trophic structure variance (<em>p</em><0.05).

Ecology and spatial distribution of selected polychaete species from the Italian continental shelf

Data from several research and monitoring projects carried out between 1999 and 2009, for a total of 26 study areas located along the Italian continental shelf (Mediterranean Sea), were extracted from ISPRA's data set, to revise and update the existing information on the ecology and spatial distribution of 20 selected soft-sediment polychaete species. The species were selected taking into account their spatial distribution and ecological role in the benthic assemblages and the existence of voucher specimens deposited in ISPRA's reference collection. Samplings were taken at 872 stations on soft sediments, at depths ranging from 1 to 155 m. Surface sediment composition data were available at each site. The number of specimens from the selected species was extracted at each site, and relative abundance (%)calculated. The spatial distribution of each species was investigated according to the biogeographical zones identified in the Italian Seas. The distribution of five species (Aponuphis bilineata, A. brementi, A. fauveli, Nothria conchylega, and Onuphis eremita) was updated. Several species that were previously considered to be characteristic of a specific biocenosis, sensu Pérès & Picard (1964), e.g. Diopatra neapolitana, Ditrupa arietina, Notria conchylega and Sternaspis scutata, were found to be distributed over a wider bathymetric and granulometric range of surface sediments. Indicator Species Analysis highlights that the distribution of 17 selected species depends on definite granulometric characteristics of the sediment. This new relevant information outlines the important contribution of environmental monitoring programmes to scientific knowledge.

동해 기장군 주변해역에 서식하는 대형저서동물의 군집구조

본 연구는 부산광역시 기장군 주변해역에 서식하는 대형저서동물의 출현 종수, 개체수, 생체량 및 군집구조를 파악하기 위하여 2006년 3월부터 11월까지 계절별로 현장조사를 실시하였다. 본 연구해역에서 출현한 대형저서동물은 총 157종/<TEX>$18m^2$</TEX>과 552개체/<TEX>$m^2$</TEX> 이었다 출현 종수는 최소 62종/<TEX>$1.8 m^2$</TEX>(동계와 춘계)에서 최대 122종/<TEX>$l.8 \;m^2$</TEX> (추계)의 범위를 보였다. 반면 개체수는 6,540~17,920개체/<TEX>$18m^2$</TEX>의 범위에 춘계에 가장 적었고, 추계에 가장 많았다. 본 연구에서 출현한 대형저서동물의 개체수 자료를 기초로 군집분석(집괴분석과 다차원배열법)을 실시한 결과, 대형저서동물 군집은 크게 3개의 그룹으로 구성되었다. 그룹 1은 외해역에 위치한 수섬 50m 이상과 평균입도 <TEX>$6.2{\sim}7.1{\Phi}$</TEX>범위의 정점 8~ 10, 12, l3, 17 및 18이, 그룹 2는 수심 40 m 내외의 평균입도 <TEX>$6.0{\sim}7.0{\Phi}$</TEX>를 나타내는 정점 5~7, 11과 14~16으로 구성되었다. 마지막으로 그룹 3은 수심 30 m 이하의 평균입도 <TEX>$3.5{\sim}6.9{\Phi}$</TEX> 범위를 보이는 정점 1~4가 포함되었다. 각 그룹별 우점종을 보면, 그룹 I에서는 긴자락송곳갯지렁이 (Lumbrineris longifolia), 북방호두조개(Ennucula tenuis) 및 미동정 옆새우류(Amphipoda spp.)가, 그룹 2에서는 이매패류의 아기반투명조개 (Theora fragilis)와 다모류의 작은사슴갯지렁이 (Ampharete arctica)등이 특정적이었다. 그룹 3은 다모류의 양손갯지렁이 (Magelona japonica)와 오뚜기갯지렁이 (Sternaspis scutata)의 밀도가 우세하였다. 이상의 결과로, 본 연구해역에 서식하는 대형 저서동물의 군집구조와 시공간적 분포패턴은 해역의 수심과 퇴적상에 의해 영향을 받는 것으로 판단할 수 있었다. This study investigated the community structure and spatio-temporal variation of macrobenthic assemblages around Gijang Province, East Sea of Korea. Macrobenthos collected seasonally using a modified van Veen grab sampler from March to November 2006. A total of 157 macrobenthic fauna were collected. The overall average macrobenthos density were <TEX>$552 \;ind/m^2$</TEX>. The species number of macrobenthos was in the range from 62 in winter and spring to 122 in autumn. On the other hand, abundance fluctuated between 6,540 (in spring) and 17,920 (in autumn) inds./<TEX>$18m^2$</TEX>. Cluster analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) were applied to assess the spatio-temporal fluctuation in the macrobenthic assemblages. Cluster analysis and nMDS ordination analysis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity identified 3 station groups. The group 1 (station 8~10, 12, 13, 17 and 18) was characterized by high abundance of the polychaete Lumbrineris longifolia, the bivalve Ennucula tenuis and the Amphipoda spp., with mean phi range from <TEX>$6.2{\Phi}$</TEX> to <TEX>$7.1{\Phi}$</TEX> (above 50m water depth). The group 2 (station 5~7, 11, 14~16) was numerically dominated by the po1ychaete Ampharete arctica and the bivalve Theorafragilis (mean phi: <TEX>$6.0{\sim}7.0{\Phi}$</TEX>; within 40 m water depth). Finally group 3 (station 1~4) was characterized by high density of the polychaetes Magelona japonica and Sternaspis scutata, with mean phi range from <TEX>$3.5{\Phi}$</TEX> to <TEX>$6.9{\Phi}$</TEX> (below 30 m water depth). In conclusion, the Macrobenthic community structure showed a distinct spatial and temporal trend, which seemed to be related to the water depth and sediment composition.