Global Diversity of the Stylasteridae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Athecatae)

The history and rate of discovery of the 247 valid Recent stylasterid species are discussed and graphed, with emphasis on five historical pulses of species descriptions. A table listing all genera, their species numbers, and their bathymetric ranges are presented. The number of species in 19 oceanographic regions is mapped, the southwestern temperate Pacific (region including New Zealand) having the most species; species are cosmopolitan from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic at depths from 0 to 2789 m. The current phylogenetic classification of the genera is briefly discussed. An illustrated glossary of 53 morphological characters is presented. Biological and ecological information pertaining to reproduction, development, commensals, and distribution is discussed. Aspects of stylasterid mineralogy and taxa of commercial value are discussed, concluding with suggestions for future work

Growth of the hermatypic coral Montastraea cavernosa in the Veracruz Reef System

The hermatypic coral Montastraea cavernosa is one of the most important reef-builders in the Veracruz Reef System, an ecosystem that has developed in a highly turbid environment. Despite the ecological importance of this species, studies about its growth rate are scarce. This study therefore aims to present the annual growth rates of the scleractinian coral M. cavernosa for the period 1923–2001 in the southern Gulf of Mexico (SGM). Average extension rate was 2.9 ± 0.9 mm yr–1 (σ), which is slightly lower, although not significantly different, than previous records for this species from other reef settings. No correlation was found between sea surface temperature and extension rate, indicating that growth could be influenced by some other factor. We suggest that, as the coastal SGM is a turbid environment, the conditions for coral development are harsher than in other reef areas with pristine waters, and that this could negatively affect the coral's performance, reducing its growth rate.

Heavy metals in macroalgae from the Veracruz Reef System, Southern Gulf of Mexico

The environmental levels of the heavy metals Cd, Cu and Pb were determined in benthic macroalgae in the summer season of 2007 at the Veracruz Reef System, southern Gulf of Mexico. Caulerpa, Dyctiota and Galaxaura samples were hand-collected, at 8-10 m depth, in the leeward reef slope at each of six selected reefs: Galleguilla, Blanquilla and Isla Verde reefs from the north reef group, and La Blanca, Isla de Enmedio and Anegada de Afuera reefs from the south reef group. Total average concentration of heavy metals were: Cu 2930±1867 ng g-1, Pb 22.8±13.0 ng g-1 and Cd 13.7±9.5 ng g-1, and it was considered that they varied in concordance with their availability in the water column. Heavy metal concentrations were lower in the south reef group than in its the counterpart, probably due to the presence of quelating sedimentary particles. The low concentrations of heavy metals in the macroalgae of the Veracruz Reef System reported here suggest that the coastal area in front of the port of Veracruz should not be considered as contaminated nowadays

Tasas retrospectivas de crecimiento del coral hermatípico Montastrea annularis (Scleractinia: Faviidae) en arrecifes al sur del Golfo de México

Coionies of Montastrea annularis were collected from 10 m deptb at Triángulo Oeste; Alacrán, Cayo Arcas, Cayo Arenas, Isla Verde and Anegada de Adentro coral reefs, in tbe soutb of the Gulf of Mexico. Growth rates were determined retrospectively, using tbe conventional radiographic technique (sclerochronology). Contact prints witb good defmition of tbe growth bands were obtained from 53 colonies. The general averages per year showed tbe lowest growth rate for 1972 (0.72 cm/yr) and the highest for 1991 (1.02 cm/yr), witb an average of 0.86 cm/yr for the 53 colonies. Thls·growth rate is similar to those reported for tbe same speeies and depth in otber Atlantic sites.En los arrecifes de Triángulo Oeste, Alacrán, Cayo Arcas, Cayo Arenas, Isla Verde y Anegada de Adentro, localizados al sur del Golfo de México, se recolectaron colonias del coral hermatípico Montastrea annularis a 10 m de profundidad. A cada colonia recolectada se le determinaron las tasas de crecimiento de manera retrospectiva, utilizando la técnica radiográfica convencional (esclerocronología). De 53 colonias se obtuvieron contactos fotográficos que mostraron buena deftnición de las bandas de crecimiento. Los promedios generales por año mostraron la tasa de crecimiento más baja para 1972 (0.72 cm/año) Y la más alta para 1991 (1.02 cm/año), con un promedio de 0.86 cm/año para las 53 colonias. Esta tasa de crecimiento es similar a las registradas en la misma especie a la misma profundidad para otras localidades del Atlántico

Macrocrustáceos incrustantes en el Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano: biodiversidad, abundancia y distribución Encrusting macrocrustaceans in the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano: biovidersity, abundance and distribution

Se analizaron la biodiversidad y los patrones de abundancia y distribución de los macrocrustáceos incrustantes, así como los registros nuevos y las ampliaciones de su ámbito geográfico. Fueron geoposicionados 6 sitios de muestreo en el parque arrecifal tomando en consideración la distancia de la costa, la geomorfología del ambiente arrecifal y la influencia de los contaminantes. En cada sitio se fijó una estructura de PVC con 6 placas artificiales entre los 8 y los 10 m de profundidad para la recolección de los macrocrustáceos incrustantes. Fueron identificados 8 161 organismos pertenecientes a 5 órdenes, 19 familias y 26 especies. De acuerdo con los valores de abundancia específica, dominaron el balano Amphibalanus amphitrite, seguido del tanaidáceo Leptochelia forresti y los anfípodos Ampithoe ramondi, Ampithoe sp. y Ericthonius brasiliensis. En este estudio se reconocieron 3 registros nuevos y 7 ampliaciones del ámbito geográfico. Finalmente, se comprobó la presencia de 2 grupos de macrocrustáceos, uno ubicado en el grupo norte y otro en el grupo sur del sistema arrecifal.<br>The biodiversity of encrusting macrocrustacean, abundance and spatial distribution patterns, as well as new records and range extensions were analyzed. Six sites were positioned in the reef park considering distance to the coast, the geomorphology of the reef environment and the influence of pollutants. At each site a PVC structure was placed with 6 artificial plates at a 8-10 m depth to collect the encrusting macrocrustaceans. A total of 8 161 organisms was collected that belong to 5 orders, 19 families and 26 species. The most abundant species was the cirriped Amphibalanus amphitrite, followed by the tanaid Leptochelia forresti and the amphipods Ampithoe ramondi, Ampithoe sp., and Ericthonius brasiliensis. Three new records and 7 range extensions were found in this study. Finally, the presence of 2 different groups of macrocrustaceans was detected, one in the southern part and another in the northern portion of the reef system