Abstract Biomarkers of environmental contamination have been frequently used in the assessment of marine ecosystem quality because they provide quantitative measures of biological changes in organisms exposed to pollutants such as hydrocarbons from oil spills. Polychaetes have been tested as sentinel organisms of marine environmental health because they are abundant taxa of benthic assemblages and their sedentary lifestyle ensures chronic exposure to toxins in impacted areas. In this study, we evaluated whether the polychaete Scolelepis goodbodyi can be used as a reliable sentinel species for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from an experimental diesel spill in a dissipative sand beach in the Southern Atlantic. The design used in this study comprised replicated control and diesel impact sites sampled four times (one, two, four and seven days) before and after the impact. Total PAH levels reached 114.0 ng g -1 in the impact site one day after the diesel spill; however, the pattern of biomarker responses in S. goodbodyi was primarily influenced by spatial variation rather than being attributed to the simulated diesel spill. The apparent absence of a contaminating effect may be linked to the low levels of the toxins retained in the sediment after the spill was simulated to elicit a response or to the presence of an efficient repair system within the organism. Furthermore, the sediments tested in this study, composed of sandy fractions, had a low capacity to concentrate PAHs after the simulated diesel spill, which may have contributed to the low significant changes in their biomarker activities. Based on our results, further studies testing other Polychaeta species and simulating oil spills in sedimentary environments composed of fine sediments such as salt marshes and mangroves may help produce evidence on more effective biomarker responses in these organisms. areas (PAHs Atlantic one, (one two days 1140 114 0 114. 1 - however S organism Furthermore fractions activities results 11

Abstract Herpyllobiid copepods are highly transformed mesoparasites that infect marine benthic polychaete annelids. The genus Herpyllobius Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861, the most diverse in the family, was known to infect exclusively polychaetes of the family Polynoidae, but it was recently reported also on another family. Species of Herpyllobius have been reported mainly from cold latitudes including Arctic and Antarctic areas, except for two subtropical species. During the taxonomic examination of flabelligerid polychaetes collected from a Western Australian coral reef system, a mesoparasitic copepod was found infecting a specimen of Lamispina horsti (Haswell, 1892). The copepod represents an undescribed species of Herpyllobius. The new species, Herpyllobius paulayi n. sp. belongs to a group of congeneric species (Group III) lacking intergenital processes or sclerotized dots. It diverges from the other species in this group by its possession of a unique combination of characters: 1) a globose ectosoma with pilose surface; 2) elongate, thick cylindrical egg sacs with +10 egg rows; 3) endosoma discoid, short, with two lateral, asymmetrical flattened processes and a medial lobe; 4) it attaches to the host prostomium; and 5) it infects a non-polynoid subtropical polychaete species. annelids Lütken 1861 Polynoidae areas system Haswell, Haswell (Haswell 1892. 1892 . 1892) n sp Group III dots characters 1 surface 2 elongate 10 +1 rows 3 discoid short lateral lobe 4 prostomium 5 nonpolynoid non polynoid 186 189 + 18

ABSTRACT Members of several polychaete families inhabit rocky shores, including syllids, serpulids, eunicids, nereidids, and sabellids. The primary studies on consolidated substrates conducted in Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) date back to 2004, with multiple taxonomic studies having been carried out since then. In this study, we present an updated checklist on polychaetes from hard substrates in Sepetiba Bay, together with an identification key for the species. We also discuss the status and distribution of certain species along the Brazilian coast. Myrianida pachycera, Branchiomma bairdi, Branchiomma coheni, and Branchiomma conspersum represent new occurrences in Brazil. We extend the distribution of Proceraea anopla to Southeastern Brazil, and report 33 new records for Sepetiba Bay. We identify Halosydna glabra, Oxydromus obscurus, Oxydromus pugettensis, Marphysa sanguinea, Lysidice ninneta, Spirobranchus americanus, Polydora ciliata, Pseudonereis variegata, Nereis cf. oligohalina, and Schistomeringos rudolphi as requiring taxonomic revision, all of which have been recorded previously in Sepetiba Bay. However, the specimens we examine in this study differ from the original descriptions, indicating that a more comprehensive assessment of the respective species is needed along the Brazilian coast. shores syllids serpulids eunicids nereidids sabellids Rio Janeiro Brazil 2004 then coast pachycera bairdi coheni 3 glabra obscurus pugettensis sanguinea ninneta americanus ciliata variegata cf oligohalina revision However descriptions 200 20 2

ABSTRACT This study reviews the data published on the ecology of polychaete annelids of the family Syllidae associated with sponges (Porifera) and provides additional empirical data from samples collected at Paiva Beach (northeastern Brazil). This literature review collected data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, together with additional sources of information, to provide the best possible overview of the available data on the ecological relationships between these organisms. This review identified a total of 76 papers reporting on 68 associations between syllids and sponges, which involved 61 syllid species inhabiting 57 different sponge taxa. Although few studies have provided detailed data on the auto-ecology of the syllids associated with sponges, some information is available on their reproductive patterns, feeding habits, and role in the association. In this study, seven syllid genera were recorded inhabiting sponges of the genus Cinachyrella (Porifera: Tetillidae) at Paiva Beach in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, where a predominance of syllids of the genus Branchiosyllis was recorded. The syllids were found either on the outer surface of the sponges or in their inner channels, and most specimens were females, some of which presented stolons, indicating that they were using the sponges as a reproductive substrate. A new species of the genus Branchiosyllis is described based on our collected data. Branchiosyllis lanai sp. nov. can be identified by its relatively enlarged anterior region, cirriphore with a collar, and branchiae varying between domed and multilobed. The new species is compared with its morphologically most similar congeners. A synoptic table of the morphological variation found among the individuals of the type series is also provided, as well as an updated key to the identification of the Branchiosyllis species found on the Brazilian coast. Porifera (Porifera Brazil. Brazil . Brazil) databases organisms 7 6 5 taxa autoecology auto patterns habits association Tetillidae Pernambuco channels females stolons substrate sp nov region collar multilobed congeners coast

ABSTRACT This article shows a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on polychaetes from Brazil, with a focus on the growth of the field, publication venues, citation patterns, the collaboration among the Brazilian community and foreign researchers, and the main research topics over time. The analysis was based on a corpus of 568 articles published in 144 journals, covering a period from 1966 to 2022. The results reveal significant growth in the field, with a surge in publications particularly in the last decade. The top journals for publishing include Zootaxa, JMBA, and Zoologia. However, despite this growth, the overall impact of the research output remains somewhat limited, with most articles receiving relatively low numbers of citations, and those with more citations have broader research questions. This research community directed its efforts especially to taxonomy and phylogenetics research, community ecology, and physiology (ecotoxicology). These topics formed a common ground for more specialized themes. International collaboration was driven by research specialization, better infrastructure, and funding of developed countries. However, seeking collaborations with countries from the global south can also enrich the research conducted by the Brazilian community and stimulate new scientific inquiries. Embracing greater creativity and audacity as well as pursuing common goals, should yet enhance the quality of scientific research and sustain the remarkable growth and consolidation of this renowned research community. Brazil field venues patterns researchers time 56 14 196 2022 decade Zootaxa JMBA Zoologia However limited questions ecology ecotoxicology. ecotoxicology . (ecotoxicology) themes specialization infrastructure inquiries goals 5 1 19 202 (ecotoxicology 20 2

Resumen Introducción: El gusano de fuego Hermodice carunculata es un poliqueto común que puede depredar muchas especies de coral. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han examinado el efecto de la depredación del gusano de fuego en la demografía de los corales durante periodos sin brotes poblacionales. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar si la depredación por H. carunculata compromete el crecimiento, la supervivencia y el desempeño poblacional del coral amenazado Acropora cervicornis. Métodos: Fragmentos de coral criados en vivero (n = 99) se fijaron al fondo del arrecife Punta Melones en la Isla Municipio de Culebra, Puerto Rico. La actividad de depredación y sus consecuencias demográficas en los trasplantes de coral se evaluaron desde diciembre de 2020 hasta agosto de 2022. Se comparó la susceptibilidad a la depredación entre las colonias recolectadas directamente del arrecife y las que se originaron en fuentes externas (p. ej., viveros de coral). Con los datos demográficos, se desarrollaron modelos matriciales simples de población basados en el tamaño para 1) examinar si la depredación del gusano de fuego causa una disminución significativa en la tasa de crecimiento de la población (λ), 2) determinar las transiciones demográficas que más contribuyen a λ, y 3) determinar la(s) transición(es) demográfica(s) que explican las diferencias en λ al comparar escenarios que consideraron solo colonias depredadas o la combinación de colonias depredadas y no depredadas. Resultados: La depredación aumentó con el tiempo, observándose con mayor frecuencia en la zona de mayor relieve topográfico y en colonias ajenas al sitio de estudio. Los trasplantes consumidos parcialmente crecieron significativamente más lento que las colonias no depredadas; sin embargo, la depredación no amenazó su supervivencia. La probabilidad de ser atacado por el gusano de fuego aumentó con la complejidad morfológica de la colonia. El λ estimado para un escenario que consideraba solo las colonias depredadas fue de 0.99, mientras que, para un escenario en el que se consideraron tanto las colonias depredadas como las no depredadas, λ fue de 0.91. El crecimiento de la población, en ambos escenarios, estuvo influenciado principalmente por la probabilidad de que una colonia grande sobreviviera y permaneciera en el tamaño más grande. Conclusiones: Aunque la depredación puede tener un impacto negativo en el crecimiento de los corales, una tasa de supervivencia relativamente alta de las colonias depredadas compensa los efectos adversos. Dado que la supervivencia es la transición demográfica que más contribuye al crecimiento de la población, se podría concluir que, en un escenario sin brotes, la depredación por gusanos de fuego no debe ser la causa principal de la disminución de la población de A. cervicornis.

Abstract Introduction: The fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a widespread polychaete that can prey upon many coral species. However, few studies have examined the effect of fireworm predation on coral demographics during non-outbreak periods. Objective: To determine whether predation by H. carunculata compromised the growth, survival, and population performance of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis. Methods: Nursery-reared coral fragments (n = 99) were fixed to the bottom of Punta Melones reef in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Predation activity and its demographic consequences on coral outplants were assessed from December 2020 to August 2022. Susceptibility to predation was compared between colonies collected directly from the reef and those originating from outside sources (e.g., coral nurseries). With the demographic data, simple size-based population matrix models were developed to 1) examine whether fireworm predation led to a significant decline in population growth rate (λ), 2) determine the demographic transition(s) that contribute the most to λ, and 3) determining the demographic transition(s) that accounted for differences in λ when comparing scenarios that considered either only predated colonies or both predated and non-predated outplants. Results: Predation increased over time, being more frequently observed in the area with the highest topographic relief and on colonies foreign to the study site. Outplants that were partially consumed grew significantly slower than non-predated colonies; however, predation did not threaten their survival. The likelihood of being attacked by the fireworm increased with branching complexity. The estimated λ for a scenario considering only predated colonies was 0.99, whereas, for a scenario where both predated and non-predated colonies were considered, λ was 0.91. Population growth, under the two scenarios, was mainly influenced by the probability of a large colony surviving and remaining at the largest size. Conclusions: Although predation can negatively impact coral growth, the relatively high survival rate of predated colonies compensates for the adverse effect. Since survival is the demographic transition that contributes most to population growth, it could be concluded that under a non-outbreak scenario, fireworm predation may not be the primary cause of A. cervicornis population decline.

Abstract Continental margins usually have a high degree of environmental heterogeneity, which, in turn, promotes high benthic biodiversity. The South-Southeast regions concentrate the most well-mapped areas of the Brazilian continental margin regarding seafloor geomorphology and physical oceanography. However, the structure of the soft-sediment benthic fauna of the continental slope is still unknown. Characterization and understanding of the Brazilian continental slope biota are imperative since human activities are increasing in the last decades, especially after the discovery of the pre-salt reservoir in Santos Basin. In this study, we aimed to establish a baseline of the spatial distribution of the benthic macrofaunal communities regarding their latitudinal and bathymetric patterns in the Santos Basin to support future environmental monitoring activities in the region. As part of the Santos Project – The Santos Basin Regional Environmental Characterization (PCR-BS) – coordinated by CENPES/PETROBRAS, a benthic oceanographic cruise was carried out in 2019. Sediment samples were collected using a GOMEX-type box corer in 47 stations distributed in eight transects (400– 2,400 m depth range). In total, 12 additional stations (1,300–2,200 m) were defined to cover an area where oil and gas are exploited. Our results showed that macrofaunal assemblages of the Santos Basin present strong depth zonation related to changes in organic matter input, as well as to temperature, carbonate, and grain size. At local scale, the northern sector stood out for having a higher abundance of macrofauna in the upper slope (400 m) and it probably reflects the oceanographic processes and the organic enrichment caused by the upwelling events that occur at Cabo Frio region. The zonation pattern and the dominance of some polychaete, peracarid crustacean, and bivalve families were similar to other SE Brazilian continental margins. heterogeneity which turn biodiversity SouthSoutheast South Southeast wellmapped mapped oceanography However softsediment soft sediment unknown decades presalt pre salt study region PCRBS PCR BS (PCR-BS CENPESPETROBRAS CENPES PETROBRAS CENPES/PETROBRAS 2019 GOMEXtype GOMEX type 4 400– 400 2400 2 2,40 range. range . range) total 1 1,300–2,200 13002200 300 200 (1,300–2,20 exploited input temperature carbonate size scale (40 polychaete crustacean 201 40 240 2,4 1,300–2,20 1300220 30 20 (1,300–2,2 (4 24 2, 1,300–2,2 130022 3 (1,300–2, ( 1,300–2, 13002 (1,300–2 1,300–2 1300 (1,300– 1,300– 130 (1,300 1,300 13 (1,30 1,30 (1,3 1,3 (1, 1, (1

Resumen Introducción: El bivalvo Semimytilus patagonicus es un bioindicador potencialmente útil por su mecanismo de alimentación, y el gusano Pseudonereis gallapagensis también es interesante como bioindicador por ser bentónico, abundante y fuente de alimento para el calamar Doryteuthis gahi. Sin embargo, su sensibilidad a los contaminantes no ha sido suficientemente estudiada. Objetivo: Probar la utilidad del mejillón S. patagonicus y el poliqueto P. gallapagensis como herramientas ecotoxicológicas para detergentes en el medio marino. Métodos: Se utilizaron 120 individuos de S. patagonicus de Miraflores y 120 de P. gallapagensis de Barranco (ambos cerca de la ciudad de Lima, Perú). Para los bioensayos se utilizaron dos detergentes aniónicos (ingrediente activo, ia, dodecilbenceno sulfonato de sodio). Para S. patagonicus, con una longitud valver promedio de 32.3 ± 6.4 mm, probamos Ariel Doble Poder® (90 %) a concentraciones de 17.5, 35, 70 y 140 mg·ia·l-1, evaluadas a las 48 y 72 h de exposición; y para P. gallapagensis, con una longitud corporal total de 20.4 ± 8.8 mm, probamos Caricia® a 62.5, 125, 250, 500 y 1 000 mg·ia·l-1 a las 24, 48 y 72 h de exposición. Resultados: Los valores de CL50 (Concentración Letal Media) fueron de 34.95 mg·ia·l-1 para S. patagonicus y 102.48 mg·ia·l-1 para P. gallapagensis a las 72 h de exposición. Los detergentes fueron tóxicos para S. patagonicus y levemente tóxicos para P. gallapagensis. La clasificación de riesgo para S. patagonicus es “nocivo” y para P. gallapagensis “no clasificable”. Conclusiones: Estos dos bioindicadores permiten evaluar la toxicidad aguda del detergente comercial a base de SDBS en el ambiente acuático marino.

Abstract Introduction: The bivalve Semimytilus patagonicus is a potentially useful bioindicator because of its feeding mechanism, and the worm Pseudonereis gallapagensis is also interesting as a bioindicator because it is benthonic, abundant, and a food source for the squid Doryteuthis gahi. However, their sensitivity to contaminants has not been sufficiently studied. Objective: To test the usefulness of the mussel Semimytilus patagonicus and the polychaete Pseudonereis gallapagensis as ecotoxicological tools for detergents in the marine environment. Methods: We used 120 individuals of S. patagonicus from Miraflores and 120 of P. gallapagensis from Barranco (both near the city of Lima, Peru). For the bioassays, we used two anionic detergents (active ingredient, ai, Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate). For S. patagonicus, with an average valve length of 32.3 ± 6.4 mm, we tested “Double power Ariel®” (90 %) at concentrations of 17.5, 35, 70 and 140 mg ai l-1, evaluated after 48 and 72 h of exposure; and for P. gallapagensis, with a total body length of 20.4 ± 8.8 mm, we tested “Caricia®” at 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1 000 mg of ai l-1 at 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure. Results: The LC50 values (Mean Lethal Concentration) were 34.95 mg ia l-1 for S. patagonicus and 102.48 mg ia l-1 for P. gallapagensis at 72 h of exposure. The detergents were toxic for S. patagonicus and slightly toxic for P. gallapagensis. The risk classification for S. patagonicus is “harmful” and for P. gallapagensis “not classifiable”. Conclusions: These two bioindicators allow evaluating the acute toxicity of SDBS-based commercial detergents in the marine aquatic environment.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing polychaetes on the reproductive performance of female Cryphiops caementarius shrimp during successive spawning. The shrimp came from the Pativilca river (Peru). The maturation system consisted of nine fiberglass tanks (100 L), each with six individual culture containers. The treatments were: basal diet, diet based on fresh polychaetes and basal diet supplemented with polychaete meal. The polychaetes (Neanthes succinea, Halosydna brevisetosa and Nereis pelagica) came from a mollusk culture system. The experiment lasted 90 days. Females fed fresh polychaetes and the basal diet supplemented with polychaete meal matured in 17.16 and 19.61 days, respectively (p<0.05) and maintained four successive spawning. In contrast, with the basal diet they matured in 24.45 days and there were only three successive spawning. Fecundity was high (p<0.05) in the first spawning of females fed polychaetes (4007 and 3472 eggs) and low with the basal diet (2165 eggs) but decreased in successive spawning. Neither diet affected the volume of newly spawned eggs, but palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid content were high in the polychaete diets. Reproductive effort and reproductive performance were high in the first spawning of polychaete-fed females but decreased in successive spawning.

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de dietas con poliquetos en el desempeño reproductivo de hembras del camarón Cryphiops caementarius durante desoves sucesivos. Los camarones procedieron del río Pativilca (Perú). El sistema de maduración consistió en nueve tanques de fibra de vidrio (100 L), cada uno con seis recipientes de cultivo individual. Los tratamientos fueron: dieta basal, dieta a base de poliquetos fres- cos y dieta basal suplementada con harina de poliquetos. Los poliquetos (Neanthes succinea, Halosydna brevisetosa y Nereis pelagica) procedieron de un sistema de cultivo de moluscos. El experimento duró 90 días. Las hembras alimentadas con poliquetos frescos y con la dieta basal suplementada con harina de poliquetos maduraron en 17.16 y 19.61 días, respectivamente (p<0.05) y mantuvieron cuatro desoves sucesivos. En cambio, con la dieta basal maduraron en 24.45 días y solo hubo tres desoves sucesivos. La fecundidad fue alta (p<0.05) en el primer desove de las hembras alimentadas con poliquetos (4007 y 3472 huevos) y baja con la dieta basal (2165 huevos), pero disminuyeron en los desoves sucesivos. Ninguna dieta afectó el volumen de los huevos recién desovados, pero el contenido de ácido palmítico, esteárico y oleico fueron altos en las dietas con poliquetos. El esfuerzo reproductivo y el rendimiento reproductivo fueron altos en el primer desove de las hembras alimentadas con poliquetos, pero disminuyeron en los desoves sucesivos.

Abstract Ecosystem engineering species create, modify, and/or maintain the characteristics of the environment. The polychaete Phragmatopoma caudata builds large sand reefs in the intertidal region of the Brazilian coast with high structural complexity, favoring the increase of diversity and interactions among the species associated. However, there are no studies concerning the association of polychaetes with crustacean macrofauna in the northeastern Brazil ecoregion, leaving an information gap on baseline biodiversity. Our aim was to analyze the effect of P. caudata colonies (PC) on the local diversity of macrocrustaceans compared to the rocky shore (RS) microhabitat. Monthly collections were carried out in low tide from September 2015 to August 2016 on 10 × 10 m quadrants for fauna and environmental variables (temperature and salinity) samples. In each microhabitat, the capture effort was two hours by two researchers. We collected 3,390 individuals, 60% associated with the colonies of PC and 40% with the RS. The PC obtained higher Shannon diversity, Pielou evenness and species richness coupled with milder water temperature and salinity conditions (minor air exposure during tide), compared to the RS that obtained greater species dominance and more extreme abiotic conditions (major air exposure). The Porcellanidae family stood out because all its species were highly abundant and had high occurrence in the colonies. The tropical Brazil porcelain crab Pachycheles greeleyi was dominant in both microhabitats (major dominance in PC). The structural complexity in the reefs of PC promoted higher availability of niches for the species, as more shelter for the resident species and refugium for temporary species with preference for more complex microhabitats. Conservation managers should prioritize the health of these colonies and subsequent species that constitute important ecosystemic and fishery resources.

Abstract The horizontal distribution of plankton communities in a subtropical mixed estuarine system over one tidal cycle was investigated. Hydrological and planktonic samples were obtained twice on 17 July 2007 in a transect with ten stations in the Babitonga Bay estuary, south Brazil (~26°S). Hydrological variables did not vary spatially or tidally during samplings. However, in the cluster analyses both phyto and zooplankton were structured according to their estuarine position and in the inner stations also by the tidal condition. Phytoplankton abundances were higher during flood tide in the inner estuary (max. 122,583 ind.L-1), where diatoms dominated, particularly Diploneis bombus. However, the density at ebb tide increased towards outer estuary (max. >100,000 ind.L-1) and flagellates, mostly Gymnodinium spp., became abundant. Zooplankton abundances were higher at intermediate stations during both tides (max. 13,691 ind.m-3). The innermost stations were dominated by the copepod Acartia tonsa, while in the outermost stations Temora turbinata and the polychaete larvae Loimia sp. dominated. The results demonstrate how variable the estuarine plankton horizontal structure can be over short time-scales even in mixed estuarine systems under relatively homogeneous conditions, highlighting the importance to consider such temporal scales for a more accurate understanding of the dynamics of these communities.

RESUMO O costão rochoso de Praia Grande (Ubatuba, SP) é formado por matacões rochosos e recifes de areia formados por poliquetas sabelarídeos. Essas estruturas oferecem abrigo e área de forrageamento para diversos organismos marinhos, e atraem muitos turistas. O caranguejo Eriphia gonagra (Fabricius, 1781) habita essas estruturas, podendo ser utilizado como bioindicador, uma vez que estas podem ser afetadas por ações antrópicas. Por meio deste estudo avaliou-se o conteúdo estomacal e caracterizou-se os hábitos alimentares de uma população de E. gonagra, levando em consideração o sexo, tamanho e microhabitat. Amostragens mensais foram realizadas em 1996 e 1997 e os caranguejos foram capturados manualmente na Praia Grande. Assim, os espécimes amostrados foram caracterizados de acordo com o local de captura (microhabitat) como recife rochoso (RO) ou de areia (SR). Os itens mais abundantes foram moluscos, algas, poliquetos e crustáceos, sendo observada a importância destes grupos como recurso alimentar no ambiente estudado. Os moluscos foram mais abundantes nos estômagos dos caranguejos amostrados no RO, enquanto os demais item aumentavam nos caranguejos dos recifes de areia. Dentre os espécimes amostrados no SR, poliquetos foi o alimento foi mais comum, indicando que esse biótopo também é utilizado como fonte rica em proteínas. A proporção de itens diferiu também entre classes de tamanho. Conhecer tais hábitos é essencial para estudos de requisitos nutricionais, monitoramento de relações entre organismos, bem como para avaliação de impactos ecossistêmicos em costões rochosos.

ABSTRACT The rocky shores of Praia Grande, in Ubatuba (São Paulo, Brazil), are formed by rock and Sabellaridae polychaete sandy reefs. These microenvironments offer shelters and foraging areas for several marine organisms and attracts many tourists. The crab Eriphia gonagra (Fabricius, 1781) inhabits these structures and can be used as a bioindicator, since they may be affected by anthropogenic actions. This study evaluated the stomach contents and characterized the feeding habits of an E. gonagra population, inhabiting the rocky shores from Praia Grande, taking into account the sex, size, and microhabitat. Monthly samplings were performed in 1996 and 1997 and the crabs were manually captured on the rocky surface or into of the sand reefs. So, the specimens sampled were characterized according to their capture site (microhabitat) as rocky (RO) or sand reef (SR). The most abundant food items were Mollusca, algae, Polychaeta, and Crustacea, being observed the importance of these groups as a nutritive resource in the studied environment. Mollusks were more abundant in the stomachs of crabs sampled on the rocks, while the other items increased in the sand reefs crabs. In the specimens sampled in the SR, polychaetes were the item food more common, indicating that this biotope is also used as a rich source of protein. The proportion of items differed also between size classes. Knowledge of such habits is essential for nutritional requirements studies, monitoring relationships among organisms, as well as assessing future environmental impacts in consolidated coastal regions.

Abstract The present study describes the community diversity and gives a seasonal distribution of an intertidal macroalgal assemblage at Prainha Beach, Arraial do Cabo City in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Sampling was performed during four seasons of a 1-year period. Organisms were sampled and photographed using photoquadrats to quantify relative coverage. Ninety-six taxa of macroalgae were registered, including 23 chlorophytes, 19 ochrophytes, and 54 rhodophytes, while three barnacles, seven mollusks, one isopod, and one polychaete were recorded among the zoobenthos. In the upper intertidal zone, the coverage was frequently dominated by invertebrates. Macroalgae always dominated the middle and lower zones, covering almost 100 % in both zones. The highest values of species diversity (H’), richness (S), and turnover rates were found during the transition from spring to summer, which coincided with the upwelling period. A comparison with the 1980’s flora revealed that the major changes in the macroalgal assemblage were among species belonging to the same genera, unless new additions were provided. The combination of photoquadrats and minimally destructive sampling allowed a detailed description of the composition and structural characteristics of the intertidal zone, a methodology that should be applied to study protected marine areas.

Resumen Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies de poliquetos descritos para las costas del Caribe en Colombia con base en la revisión histórica de documentos. La lista taxonómica incluye referencias de nomenclatura, sinonimias, datos de la ecorregión, hábitat y batimetría. Mediante la revisión se pudo determinar que hasta septiembre del 2019 se han descrito 51 familias, 230 géneros y 293 especies con validez científica en la costa del Caribe en Colombia. Eunicidae es la familia con el mayor número de registros de especies, con un total de 33 (11,3 %), seguida de Syllidae, con 23 especies (7,8 %), y Nereididae, con 19 especies (6,5 %). La ecorregión Tayrona fue la que presentó la mayor diversidad, con el 32 % de los registros de especies, seguida de la ecorregión Magdalena, con 23,4 %. Los poliquetos en Colombia se han recolectado en hábitats naturales como manglares, pastos marinos e, incluso, como parásitos y comensales de otros organismos; sin embargo, cerca del 60 % de los registros taxonómicos corresponden a organismos recolectados en fondos blandos y duros, principalmente entre los 0 y 15 m de profundidad. Las descripciones y registros de especies en la costa Caribe colombiana se deben a las importantes contribuciones realizadas en el siglo XIX por investigadores internacionales y nacionales.

Abstract We present an updated list of the polychaete species described for the Caribbean coasts of Colombia after a historical review of the literature. The taxonomic list includes references to the nomenclature, the synonymies, the data from the ecoregion, the habitat and the bathymetry. Based on the review, we were able to determine that up to September 2019, 51 families, 230 genera, and 293 species with scientific validity had been described for the Colombian Caribbean coast. Eunicidae is the family with the highest number of records, with a total of 33 (11.3%) species, followed by Syllidae with 23 species (7.8%) and Nereididae with 19 species (6.5%). The Tayrona ecoregion presented the greatest diversity, with 32% of species records, followed by the Magdalena ecoregion with 23.4%. Polychaetes in Colombia have been collected in natural habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and even as parasites and commensals of other organisms; however, about 60% of the taxonomic records correspond to organisms collected in soft and hard bottoms, mainly between 0 and 15 m deep. The descriptions and records of species on the Colombian Caribbean coast are due to the important contributions made in the 19th century by international and national researchers.

Abstract Introduction: The Río Lagartos lagoon, located in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Gulf of Mexico, is a coastal hypersaline system ca. 80 km long (east-west). It comprises three basins: western (close to Río Lagartos fishermen village), middle (Las Coloradas) and eastern (close to El Cuyo fishermen village), that communicate through very narrow natural channels. Despite several studies have been performed on the vertebrate fauna, the aquatic invertebrates, and especially polychaetes, remain largely unknown. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the composition and distribution of the benthic polychaete community, and to analyse potential environmental drivers. Methods: The biological material was collected in 16 stations distributed along the lagoon during the rainy season (September 2017). Two replicates per station were obtained using a Ponar standard dredge or cores (6” diameter). Environmental variables such as grain size, organic carbon content in the sediments, and salinity, among others, were measured. Results: A total of 827 specimens belonging to 26 species and 16 families were identified. Of these, 23 species are new records for the Río Lagartos lagoon. Community composition changed between the different basins associated with strong gradients in salinity, subaquatic vegetation (algae and seagrasses) proportions in the samples and grain size. No polychaetes were recorded at the easternmost basin (El Cuyo basin), where salinity was between 67-80 psu. In the rest of the lagoon, the distribution of polychaetes was heterogeneous, especially near the mouth (western basin), where the highest and lowest density, species richness and diversity were recorded. The highest density was found at station 6, where dense algal mats of the genus Avrainvillea dominated. The families Syllidae and Nereididae were the most abundant and widely distributed families in the lagoon. The species Syllis lagunae and Nereis pelagica dominated the western basin and Prionospio heterobranchia and Sphaerosyllis taylori dominated the middle basin. Conclusions: The salinity records associated with some species were well above the top limits previously reported, establishing the euryhaline character of many species in the region.

Resumen Introducción: La laguna Río Lagartos, ubicada en la Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Lagartos, Yucatán, Golfo de México, es un sistema costero hipersalino con una longitud aproximada de 80 km (este-oeste). La laguna está conformada por tres cuencas (Río Lagartos, Las Coloradas y El Cuyo) comunicadas entre sí por canales naturales extremadamente estrechos. Aunque existen varios estudios sobre la fauna vertebrada asociada a la laguna, los invertebrados acuáticos, y especialmente la poliquetofauna, son todavía desconocidos. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la composición y distribución de los poliquetos bentónicos, y su relación con las condiciones ambientales. Metodología: El material biológico fue recolectado en 16 estaciones a lo largo del sistema lagunar durante la época climática de “lluvias” (septiembre 2017). Se tomaron dos réplicas por estación con una draga Ponar standard o un nucleador de PVC (diámetro= 6”). En cada estación se midieron distintas variables ambientales p. ej., granulometría, carbono orgánico en sedimento, salinidad, entre otras. Resultados: Se identificaron 827 ejemplares pertenecientes a 26 especies y 16 familias. De éstas, 23 especies son nuevos registros para la laguna Río Lagartos. La composición de la comunidad varió entre las distintas cuencas de la laguna en relación con importantes gradientes de salinidad, de la proporción de vegetación (algas y pastos) en la muestra y del tamaño de grano. En la cuenca este, El Cuyo, donde el rango de salinidad fue 67-80 ups, no se encontraron poliquetos. En el resto de la laguna, la distribución de los poliquetos fue heterogénea, especialmente cerca de la boca (cuenca de Río Lagartos), donde se registraron los valores más altos y más bajos de densidad, riqueza específica y diversidad. La densidad más alta se registró en la estación 6, donde la muestra estuvo dominada por densos lechos de algas del género Avrainvillea. Las familias Syllidae y Nereididae fueron las más abundantes y ampliamente distribuidas en la laguna. Las especies Syllis lagunae y Nereis pelagica dominaron en la cuenca de Río Lagartos y Prionospio heterobranchia y Sphaerosyllis taylori, en Las Coloradas. Conclusiones: Los rangos de salinidad reportados para algunas de las especies fueron mucho más altos que registros anteriores, estableciendo el carácter eurihalino de varias especies en la región.