Study of morphological charachteristic and distribution of Indomysis annandalei and Rhopalophthalmus sp. (Crustacea: Mysida) for the first time from Iranian costal of Persian Gulf

Mysida includes small planktonic Crustaceans that are cosmopolitan, this tiny animals could be found in variety of marine habitats and depts. In this investigation mysida populations were sampled and studied from Iranian costal waters of Persian Gulf (estuary of Arvand and Bahmanshir rivers) in monthly basis from March to October 2011. Sampling process was conducted using plankton net 300 µm mesh size and oblique tows were made from near the bottom to the surface in 7 stations. Finally two species identify and morphological charachteristic of Indomysis annandalei and Rhopalophthalmus sp. was drew with Camera Lucida. Species abundance was measured in different months and stations. Maximum value of the average abundance of species was shown in June (2.85 1 N per M^3)

First record of Sternaspis thorsoni (Polychaeta: Sternaspidae) from Northern Oman Sea (Chabahar Bay, Iran)

117-122In this study report of Sternaspis thorsoni from Iranian coasts of northern Oman Sea was undertaken. Sternaspid polychaetes are usually found at different depths of marine habitats ranging from soft bottoms of coastal waters to deep-sea areas. Sternaspis thorsoni was identified as a new species by Sendall & Salazar-Vallejo in 2013.. Sternaspis thorsoni was observed between 3m and 5.5m depths of Chabahar bay during March 2014. Previous record refers this species in the Persian Gulf from 3 to 110m depth

Fatty acid composition of Spirulina sp., Chlorella sp. and Chaetoceros sp. microalgae and introduction as potential new sources to extinct omega 3 and omega 6

Background: This study was carried out to determine the oil fatty acids from two special species of microalgae; Spirulina sp.,Chlorella sp. and also Chaetoceros sp. collected from Bahmanshir River. Materials and Methods: Sampling of microalgae Chaetoceros sp. from Bahmanshir River was under taken using bottle samplers during spring season of 2013. Microalgae Spirulina sp. and Chlorella sp. were supplied from Shrimp Research Institute of Iran in Bushehr Province. Samples then were cultured under controlled laboratory conditions and mass culture for 100 liters was undertaken. Isolation of microalgae species from water of cultured media was carried out using filtration and centrifugation methods. The fatty acid compositions were determined by Gas – FID chromatography. Results: Results showed that regarding Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) obtained from purified culture of Chaetoceros sp., Spirulina sp. and Chlorella sp. the maximum amount of total fatty acids were belonged to palmitic acids (C16:0) with 15.21%, 30.1% and 25.17% of total fatty acids  respectively. Analysis of Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) showed that in the Oleic acid was maximum amount of 34% in Spirulina sp. In addition the amount of MUFA in Chlorella sp. was 16.37% of total fatty acids. On the other hand the amount of palmeotic acid in purified culture of Chaetoceros sp. was 30.33% from total content of fatty acids. Analysis of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA), Linoleic acid (C18:2) (Omega 6), revealed maximum percentage in Spirulina sp. with 18.8%. Results of Alpha linoleic acid (C18:3) (Omega3) analysis showed maximum amount of 9.66% in Chlorella sp. compared to other microalgae with lower omega 3 contents. Spirulina sp. contained maximum amount of Linoleic acid (C18:2) with 18.8% of total fatty acids. Therefore, Spirulina sp. can be considered as a rich source of omega 6 for the purpose of fatty acid extractions. The presence of PUFA in Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp. was equivalent whereas the amount of Omega 3 in Chlorella sp. was higher than two other species. Conclusion: Results of this study revealed a diverse profile of fatty acids among many species of phytoplanktons and microalgae. There Chlorella sp. with a good candidate and a rich source of Omega 3 future applications. It is indicated that different species have totally different fatty acid profiles. Therefore, to acquire special products for a particular target, selection of specific species is essential

Ophiothela venusta

<i>Ophiothela venusta</i> (de Loriol, 1900) <p>Figs 2–4</p> <p> <i>Ophiocnemis venusta</i> de Loriol, 1900: 81, pl. 8 figs 2, 3.</p> <p> <i>Ophiothela venusta</i> —Cherbonnier & Guille 1974: 160–162, pl. 9 figs 1–6, fig. 62A–D, Price 1983: 65, fig. 28. <i>Ophiopsammium nudum</i> H. L. Clark, 1923: 341.</p> <p> <i>Ophiothela nuda</i> — A. M. Clark 1974: 469, A. M. Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976: 141.</p> <p> <i>Ophioteresis beauforti</i> Engel, 1949: 140 –143, fig. 1, pl. 7 figs 1–4.</p> <p> <i>Ophiothela beauforti</i> — Balinsky 1957: 22, pl. 4 fig. 16.</p> <p> <b>Material examined:</b> <i>Ophiothela venusta</i>, 104 specimens, northern Persian Gulf, port of Bushehr, on octocorals on shipwrecks, May 2015 and May 2016. <i>Ophiopsammium semperi</i>, paratype, Philippines, collected by S. Semper, late 1800s [SMNH-Type-5236].</p> <p> <b>Size range:</b> Disc diameter 2–8 mm, arm length 7–35 mm.</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> Arms coiled around the branches of gorgonians <i>Euplexaura</i> sp. and <i>Echinomuricea</i> sp. (Fig. 2). Colouration of live specimens is very variable: grey, yellow and black, red, blue, orange with black bands, purplish black. Colour ultimately changes after preservation in alcohol: grey, cream with brown or yellow, orange with black, completely black (Fig. 3 A–C). The specimens accord well with the description given for <i>O. venusta</i> by Price (1983).</p> <p>Five non-branching arms, plates obscured by thick skin. Disc rounded pentagonal, variable between individuals, and generally this species is highly polymorphic. Dorsal disc and arms covered with finely rugose, low, round and some higher conical granules in various combinations, often higher in the disc centre, low and round on the arms, obscuring radial shields, plates and scales (Fig. 3A 1, B1, C). Ventral disc and arms without granules (Fig. 3A 2, B2). Radial shields scalene triangular, almost meeting in the disc centre, in contact along almost their entire length, distally separated by a dorsal arm plate (Fig. 3E 1). Dorsal arm plates fragmented, on each arm joint several small, irregular platelets (Fig 3D 1). Oral papillae absent. Oral shield drop-shaped, with proximal acute angle, strongly convex distal and lateral edge, smaller than adoral shields. Madreporite larger than other oral shields. Adoral shields in contact proximally, broadly oval to quadrangular, restricted to the proximal part of the oral shield (Fig. 4B). Each jaw bears a cluster of tooth papillae on the ventral half of the dental plate, block-like teeth on the dorsal half (Figs 3D3, 4B, C, D). Ventral arms covered by thickened skin without granules, translucent in dried animals. Ventral arm plates separated, first plate narrow, longer than wide, second hexagonal, about as long as wide, further out up to twice as wide as long at distal edge, proximal edge half as wide as distal (Figs 3D3, 4C). No tentacle scales. Arm spines up to 5, minutely thorny, tapered, shortest spine dorsal, middle spine longest, slightly longer than an arm joint. Vertebrae with distalwards directed keel and proximal deep groove (Figs. 3E 1, 4E). Arm spine articulations with two thick lobes, connected by a thin bridge, surrounding large nerve and muscle openings (Fig. 4B).</p> <p> <b>Depth distribution:</b> 1.5–32 m depth. In the present study collected between 2 and 26 m.</p> <p> <b>Geographic distribution:</b> Persian Gulf (Mortensen 1940; Price 1983) Eastern Africa and Madagascar, East Indies (A. M. Clark & Rowe 1971), South Africa (A. M. Clark 1974) Australia (Rowe & Gates 1995).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> <i>Ophiothela venusta</i> is recorded for the first time from the northern Persian Gulf (Iranian coasts) by this study. Individuals live associated with gorgonians in tropical areas. The species is found in subtidal artificial reefs and coral reefs (probably always attached to gorgonians). <i>Ophiothela venusta</i> is an abundant species in the reef environment of the Persian Gulf but it has not been reported before, possibly due to technical problems with sampling on subtidal substrates and lack of clear keys for certain identification. Also, <i>O. venusta</i> is extremely variable in colour pattern and disc covering (granules, spines), which can make it hard to identify. It has been described multiple times under various names in several genera, which were finally recognized as conspecific by Cherbonnier & Guille (1978). We noted possible confusion of species in historical records. <i>Ophiothela venusta</i> has been described as a variable species with respect to dorsal disc covering (Cherbonnier & Guille 1978), from a dense coat of small round granules with conical spines to individuals with few low, scale-like granules. Mortensen (1940) figured several specimens of <i>Ophiopsammium semperi</i> with vivid colour pattern, sporting dark and light banded arms and large spots on the disc, encircled in white. Such a vivid and variable colouration is typical for <i>O</i>. <i>venusta</i>, whereas the original description of <i>O</i>. <i>semperi</i> suggests a more subdued colouration (Lyman 1874). Examination of a paratype of <i>O</i>. <i>semperi</i> showed that the species is covered by a dense, uniform coat of extremely small round granules on the dorsal disc and arms, including the lateral arm plates, and extending slightly onto the ventral disc. Only the ventral arms, most of the ventral disc and the oral frame are free from granules. The granules are smaller than those of <i>O</i>. <i>venusta</i>. The thick skin obscures all plates. Based on these observations, it seems likely that Mortensen's specimens were not <i>O</i>. <i>semperi</i> but <i>O</i>. <i>venusta</i>.</p> <p> Mortensen (1940) synonymized <i>Ophiopsammium semperi</i> with <i>Ophiopsammium rugosum</i> Koehler, 1905, regarding the differences in granulation as mere variation. A. M. Clark (1965) reported individuals of Koehler’s species with similar conical spines at the disc edge and in the disc centre. These specimens are similar to some of the specimens of <i>O</i>. <i>venusta</i> figured by Cherbonnier & Guille (1978), and given the possible misapplication of the name <i>O</i>. <i>semperi</i> by Mortensen, it is possible that <i>O</i>. <i>rugosum</i> may be conspecific with <i>O</i>. <i>venusta</i> but not with <i>O</i>. <i>semperi</i>. Hence, the limits between these species and between the genera <i>Ophiopsammium</i> and <i>Ophiothela</i> appear blurred at present.</p>Published as part of <i>Peyghan, Soroor, Doustshenas, Babak, Nabavi, Mohammad Bagher, Rounagh, Mohammad Taghi, Larki, Amir Ashtari & Stöhr, Sabine, 2018, New records of the brittle stars Ophiothela venusta and Ophiactis modesta (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the northern Persian Gulf, with morphological details, pp. 425-435 in Zootaxa 4527 (3)</i> on pages 427-431, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.11, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/2612224">http://zenodo.org/record/2612224</a&gt

New records of the brittle stars Ophiothela venusta and Ophiactis modesta (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the northern Persian Gulf, with morphological details

Peyghan, Soroor, Doustshenas, Babak, Nabavi, Mohammad Bagher, Rounagh, Mohammad Taghi, Larki, Amir Ashtari, Stöhr, Sabine (2018): New records of the brittle stars Ophiothela venusta and Ophiactis modesta (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the northern Persian Gulf, with morphological details. Zootaxa 4527 (3): 425-435, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.1

FIGURE 2 in New records of the brittle stars Ophiothela venusta and Ophiactis modesta (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the northern Persian Gulf, with morphological details

FIGURE 2. Live specimens of Ophiothela venusta associated with the gorgonian Euplexaura sp. A, note the high number of brittle stars (>10) and their colour variability with red–black–white bands, white–red, yellow–red and uniformly greyish–green animals. B, magnified upper right quarter of A, upper animal with wider dark blue and red bands, separated by thin white bands, lower animal with wide white and narrower red bands. Scale bars in millimetre

Ophiactis modesta Brock 1888

<i>Ophiactis modesta</i> Brock, 1888 <p>Fig. 5</p> <p> <i>Ophiactis modesta</i> Brock, 1888: 482; Balinsky 1957: 14, A. M. Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976: 163, Irimura 1981: 22, Liao & A. M. Clark 1995:216.</p> <p> <b>Material examined:</b> 36 specimens, northern Persian Gulf, port of Bushehr, on sponges on shipwrecks, May 2015 and May 2016.</p> <p> <b>Size range:</b> Disc diameter 1.5–4 mm, arm length 6–13 mm.</p> <p> <b>Description:</b> 6 arms (whole animal hexamerous), disc circular, dorsally covered by coarse, round scales, bearing few short, smooth, pointed spines, denser at the disc margin (Fig. 5A). Almost completely separated radial shields, half as long as disc radius, meeting at distalmost end, with white patch distally. Oral shield spearheadshaped to rhombic, with distal lobe. Multiple madreporites (3 in fig. 5B) of similar shape to oral shield, with single distal hydropore. Adoral shields curving around lateral edges of oral shields, distolaterally flaring. A single, large, operculiform oral papilla on the junction of oral plate and adoral shield, covering the second tentacle pore inside the mouth angle (Fig. 5B). Wide, tricuspid teeth. Dorsal arm plates contiguous, about twice as broad as long, rounded hexagonal in shape (Fig. 5C). Ventral arm plates hexagonal, wider than long, contiguous/overlapping (Fig. 5D). Single, round tentacle scale, covering the tentacle pore. Arm spines 4, minutely thorny, thick and blunt, middle one longest, about as long as an arm joint. Colouration of live specimens green with regular white spots.</p> <p> <b>Depth distribution:</b> Found at 2 m and 15 m in this study.</p> <p> <b>Geographic distribution:</b> Indo-Pacific including the Indian Ocean (Dahihande & Thakur 2017), Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea (Putchakarn & Sonchaeng 2004), Africa (Balinsky 1957), Western Australia (Marsh & Morrison 2004), Japan (Murakami 1963), Hawaii (MacKay 1945).</p> <p> <b>Remarks:</b> In this study, individuals were found in large densities inside an unidentified sponge. It was found on subtidal hard bottoms, artificial reefs and intertidal areas. This species is easily mistaken for <i>O. savignyi</i>, and Cherbonnier & Guille (1978) regarded <i>O</i>. <i>modesta</i> as a mere colour variant of <i>O</i>. <i>savignyi</i>. However, as noted by A.M. Clark & Courtman-Stock (1976), the radial shields are smaller (shorter than the disc radius) than in <i>O. savignyi</i> (longer than the disc radius) and the single oral papilla is much larger in <i>O. modesta</i> and round to oval in shape. Sometimes <i>O. savignyi</i> has 2 oral papillae but they are always quite small.</p>Published as part of <i>Peyghan, Soroor, Doustshenas, Babak, Nabavi, Mohammad Bagher, Rounagh, Mohammad Taghi, Larki, Amir Ashtari & Stöhr, Sabine, 2018, New records of the brittle stars Ophiothela venusta and Ophiactis modesta (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the northern Persian Gulf, with morphological details, pp. 425-435 in Zootaxa 4527 (3)</i> on pages 431-432, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.11, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/2612224">http://zenodo.org/record/2612224</a&gt