Abstract: The deep sea remains the least known biome. Despite this fact, anthropic activities have affected these regions in various ways. The objective of this study was to outline the scientific production scenario based on deep sea research and to analyze trends present in the literature. For this, the bibliographical resources available from the Web of Science (WoS) were surveyed. Between 1987 and 2016, 11,079 articles on the deep sea were published. Growth was over 100% from the first to second decade and 75% from the second to third. The most productive countries were the USA, Germany, France, England and Japan. Of the 404 journals that published articles on the deep sea, 10% accounted for approximately 60% of the total published articles. The keyword with the highest occurrence was “diversity”. In the first two decades, the keywords with the greatest “strength” were related to research on mining, especially for hydrocarbons. The description of new species and the analysis of the effects of climate change appear to be emerging trends in deep sea research. Mining continues to be primarily responsible for driving the development of deep sea research.

In Oniscidea, the marsupium is a ventral pouch where the offspring develop independently of an external water source. The marsupium is formed by five pairs of overlapping oostegites that develop in the females during their reproductive period. In this study, ovigerous females of 35 species were dissected, their oostegites were extracted, and the intra-marsupial offspring were counted. Two marsupium forms were recognized: distended, in which the oostegites protrude distally in relation to the sternites; and non-distended, in which the oostegites are parallel to the sixth and seventh sternites. Armadillidium nasatum, A. vulgare, Pudeoniscus birabeni, Circoniscus gaigei and Cubaris murina, conglobating species with a non-distended marsupium, and Neotroponiscus daguerri and N. carolii, non-conglobating species with a distended marsupium, have a concavity on the ventral floor of the 6th and 7th pereionites, here called the marsupial extension. This is the first record of a marsupial extension which extends beyond the area formed by the oostegites in Oniscidea.

In an ecological context, information on the movement and activity is important for understanding the requirements of habitat, resource usage patterns and the potential of interspecific interactions. The aim of this study was to examine the displacement pattern on daily activity and occupancy of substrates by Aegla manuinflata using radio-telemetry technique on field on Southern Brazil. Four adult males were monitored during nine days. The aeglids showed a significantly greater displacement toward upstream than downstream. Aegla manuinflata individuals showed higher displacement activity during the night period. Although activity was not constant: the animals spent one or more days without displacement. All aeglids showed locomotion activity concentrated between 11:43 p.m. and 02:25 a.m., although it was not restrict to sunset period and night. Individuals showed specific occupation of different types of substrate, but a pattern in the occupation of substrates as a function of the photoperiod was not observed. In this study, using a new technique for tracking aeglids, it was concluded that A. manuinflata is capable of actively dislocate throughout the stream, either toward upstream and downstream, passing through obstacles which may represent ability of re-colonization. The animals are more active during the night period, probably a strategy to avoid predators that are active during the day; the selection of substrate is not associated to sediment texture.

This study describes the morphology and arrangement of the cuticular structures of Hyalella castroi González, Bond-Buckup & Araujo, 2006 and Hyalella pleoacuta González, Bond-Buckup & Araujo, 2006, to identify specific characters that can be used in taxonomstudies of this genus. The entire cuticular surface of both species was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The data obtained were compared with available information for other members of Peracarida, mainly Amphipoda and Isopoda. Five different types of cuticular structures, including 30 types of setae, four types of microtrichs, three types of pores, and some structures formed by setules and denticles were identified. The results were compared with other groups of gammarids, and peracarideans, such as Thermosbaenacea and Isopoda. The use of cuticular structures as a tool for taxonomic studies showed important results, not only at species level, but also at genus, and family levels.

Uma nova espécie de Benthana Budde-Lund, 1908, é descrita de material coletado no sul do Brasil. B. cairensis sp. nov. distingue-se das outras espécies do gênero por apresentar 17 estetascos na antênula e o exópode do pleópode 1 do macho alongado, com um lobo e portando seis setas na margem lateral externa. A nova espécie assemelha-se a B. olfersii (Brandt, 1833) em várias características, mas pode ser diferenciada pela ausência do lobo com seis setas na margem externa da extremidade proximal do mero do pereiópodo 7. Além disso, B. olfersii é incluída, neste trabalho, no subgênero Benthanoscia, com base no material examinado.

A new species of Benthana Budde-Lund, 1908 is described from southern Brazil. Benthana cairensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the other species in the genus by having 17 aesthetascs on the antennula and the elongated male pleopod 1 exopod with a lobe on the inner lateral margin and up to six setae on the outer lateral margin. The new species most resembles B. olfersii (Brandt, 1833), but may be distinguished by lacking the lobe with six setae on the internal margin of the proximal extremity of the merus of pereiopod 7. Furthermore, we include B. olfersii in the subgenus Benthanoscia based on the examined material as described herein.

Neste estudo é descrita uma assembléia de isópodos terrestres no Parque Estadual de Itapuã e estimada a contribuição de duas espécies para o processamento da serapilheira. Após um ano, foram obtidos 3748 indivíduos, correspondendo a seis espécies de quatro grupos eco-morfológicos (em ordem de abundância): Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995, Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), Pseudodiploexochus tabularis (Giambiagi de Calabrese, 1939), Trichorhina sp., Alboscia itapuensis Araujo & Quadros, 2005 e Novamundoniscus gracilis Lopes & Araujo, 2003. A densidade mensal média correspondeu a 368 indivíduos por metro quadrado. As espécies A. itapuensis e N. gracilis representaram menos que 1% do total de indivíduos. As outras quatro espécies mostraram distribuição agregada. Atlantoscia floridana e B. glaber apresentaram 88% de indivíduos ocorrendo juntos. A biomassa mensal destas duas espécies foi de 4,92 kg ha-1 (B. glaber) e 0,97 kg ha-1 (A. floridana). As taxas de consumo, em mg mg-1 dia-1 foram 0,34 ± 0,04 (B. glaber) e 0,70 ± 0,18 (A. floridana). A eficiência de assimilação foi em torno de 30%. Foi estimado que as duas espécies juntas são capazes de processar 860 kg folhas ha-1 ano-1.

We present an assemblage of terrestrial isopods in Parque Estadual de Itapuã, southern Brazil, and estimate the contribution of two species to the leaf litter processing. After one year of sampling, we obtained 3748 individuals of six species and four eco-morphologic groups (in order of abundance): Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995, Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), Pseudodiploexochus tabularis (Giambiagi de Calabrese, 1939), Trichorhina sp., Alboscia itapuensis Araujo & Quadros, 2005 and Novamundoniscus gracilis Lopes & Araujo, 2003. Total monthly density corresponded to 368 individuals per square meter. The species A. itapuensis and N. gracilis represented less than 1% of total individuals. All the others showed aggregated distribution. Atlantoscia floridana and B. glaber had the highest proportion of individuals occurring together (88%) and a significant species association. Their monthly biomass averaged 4.92 kg ha-1 for B. glaber and 0.97 kg ha-1 for A. floridana. Consumption rates, obtained in the lab (in mg mg-1 day-1) were 0.34 ± 0.04 and 0.70 ± 0.18 for B. glaber and A. floridana, respectively and assimilation efficiency was about 30%. We estimated that both species together could process 860 kg leaves ha-1 year-1.

Esse estudo, baseado em dados de campo, esse estudo apresenta a curva de crescimento de Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995, um isópodo terrestre encontrado no Parque Estadual de Itapuã (PEI), Rio Grande do Sul. Os espécimes foram coletados mensalmente, de maio de 2004 a abril de 2005, no PEI. Os indivíduos capturados foram sexados e tiveram o cefalotórax mensurado e a curva de crescimento descrita a partir do modelo de von Bertalanffy. As curvas de crescimento para machos e para fêmeas são descritas pelas equações: Lt = 2,256[1-e-0,00394(t+91,128)] e Lt = 2,588[1-e-0,00301(t+101)], respectivamente. As curvas apresentam crescimento diferencial entre machos e fêmeas, com fêmeas atingindo maior L' mas com uma taxa de crescimento menor do que os machos. Com base na curva foi estimada a longevidade dos animais.

Based on field data, this study presents the growth curve of Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995, a terrestrial isopod species found in Parque Estadual de Itapuã (PEI), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Specimens were monthly sampled, from May 2004 to April 2005, at PEI. Captured individuals were sexed, their cephalothorax width was measured, and the growth curve was described according to von Bertalanffy's model. Male and female growth curves are described by the equations: Wt = 2.256[1-e-0.00394(t+91.128)] and Wt = 2.588[1-e-0.00301(t+101)], respectively. Curves show differential growth between males and females, with females reaching higher W<FONT FACE=Symbol>¥</FONT>, and a slower growth rate than males. Based on theses curves, life span was estimated.

Este trabalho apresenta a descrição dos três estágios de manca (M) do isópodo terrestre Porcelliodilatatus Brandt,1833 (Porcellionidae). Fêmeas ovígeras foram coletadas e mantidas em laboratório sob condições controladas (23°C ± 1°C e 14:10 h luz:escuro). Ao saírem do marsúpio as mancas (M) foram criadas individualmente e o seu desenvolvimento foi observado. Os estágios M I, M II, e M III foram descritos com base em caracteres gerais, ommatidia, e apêndices. O tempo médio de desenvolvimento para cada estágio foi: M I = 18,7 ± 1,5 h (n = 52), M II = 12,7 ± 1,19 dias (n = 101), e M III = 12,7 ± 0,45 dias (n = 24). O crescimento foi observado utilizando a medida da largura do cefalotórax. São apresentadas as características principais de cada estágio.

This paper presents the description of the three manca stages of the terrestrial isopod Porcelliodilatatus Brandt, 1833 (Porcellionidae). Ovigerous females were collected and kept in the laboratory under controlled conditions (23°C ± 1°C and 14:10 h light:darkness). After birth, mancas (M) were individually reared, and their development was observed. Stages M I, M II, and M III were described based on general characteristics, ommatidia, and appendages. The average development time of each stage was: M I = 18.7 ± 1.5 h (n = 52), M II = 12.7 ± 1.19 days (n = 101), and M III = 12.7 ± 0.45 days (n = 24). Growth was observed using measurements of cephalotorax width. The main characteristics of each stage are presented.

The observation of pigmentation alteration in isopod crustaceans induced by acanthocephalans, known as pigmentation dystrophy, has been documented in North America in species of the aquatic genera Asellus Geoffroy, 1764, Lirceus Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1820, and Caecidotea Packard, 1871, and in Europe, in Asellus. Recently, three depigmented specimens of Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), a terrestrial isopod, occurring from >Florida, USA to northern Argentina were found showing pigmentation dystrophy and harboring larval acanthocephalans. Photographic documentation of live and preserved, infected isopods is presented. Morphometric data and photomicrographs of the male, unencysted cystacanth specimen which allowed its placement in the genus Centrorhynchus Lühe, 1911 are presented. This is the first record of the phenomenon of pigmentation dystrophy in terrestrial isopod crustaceans, the first record of A. floridana infected by an acanthocephalan and the first record of a species of Centrorhynchus in a terrestrial isopod.