Littoral Caprellidea (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Phuket, Thailand

A collection of littoral caprellids from Phuket, Thailand has been studied. The material contained five species: Metaproto novaehollandiae (Haswell, 1880), Protogeton incertus Mayer, 1903, Aciconula sp., Metaprotella sandalensis Mayer, 1898, and Monoliropus hapipandi new species, which is described in the present paper. Monoliropus hapipandi can be distinguished from the remaining species of Monoliropus by the abdominal appendages reduced to a seta, the mandibular palp bi-articulate instead of tri-articulate, and by the presence of a striking bi-toothed projection on the penultimate article of the maxilliped palp. Monoliropus agilis, the closest species to M. hapipandi, is illustrated in detail based on the type material, for comparison of both species. Lateral view figures for all species are given and a key to the Caprellidea from Phuket is also provide

Los crustáceos caprélidos: pequeños desconocidos del Parque Natural del Estrecho

Los caprélidos son pequeños crustáceos marinos con distribución mundial, presentes en todas las latitudes y a todas las profundidades. Aunque son fundamentales en las redes tróficas marinas y sirven de alimento a muchas especies de peces, han sido muy poco estudiados. El laboratorio de Biología Marina de la Universidad de Sevilla ha desarrollado en los últimos años un estudio exhaustivo de las comunidades de caprélidos del Campo de Gibraltar. Se han descrito 8 especies nuevas para la ciencia y 6 nuevas citas para el Estrecho de Gibraltar ascendiendo hasta 28 el número de especies conocidas para el Campo de Gibraltar. La mayoría de las especies de caprélidos se han encontrado sobre algas e hidrozoos, aunque algunos viven en el sedimento. En cuanto al modo de alimentación, existen especies depredadoras, aunque la mayoría son detritívoras. Se ha observado canibalismo en la especie Phtisica marina y cuidado parental de los juveniles en Pseudoprotella phasma. Al carecer de fase larvaria planctónica y tener escasa capacidad de natación, los caprélidos tienen limitadas las posibilidades de dispersión. Sin embargo, son capaces de desplazarse largas distancias asociados a boyas a la deriva, trozos de cuerda, etc. Se ha demostrado también el valor de los caprélidos como bioindicadores de la calidad ambiental del medio marino.Caprellids are small marine crustaceans world-wide distributed in all latitudes and depths. In spite of being very important as trophic link in many marine ecosystems and important natural dietary component of a variety of fish species, caprellids have been scarcely studied. The Marine Biology Laboratory of the University of Seville have developed during the last years a comprehensive study of caprellids communities form the Strait of Gibraltar. Eight species have been described as new for Science and other six species represented new records for the area. Twenty eight species are known for the Strait of Gibraltar so far. Most of caprellids have been found clinging to seaweeds and hydroids, although several species live on sediments. In connection with feeding habitats, some species are predators but most of them are detritivores. We have observed cannibalism in the species Phtisica marina and parental care of juveniles in Pseudoprotella phasma. Caprellids lack plancktonic phase and have a reduced swimming capacity, having few possibilities of dispersion. However, passive rafting on drifting materials such as buoys, ropes, etc. let them to travel around long distances. Caprellids are also very useful as bioindicators of marine environment quality

Metaprotella tanzaniensis, a new caprellid (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Protellidae) from Tanzania, with a key to the species of Metaprotella

A new species of caprellidean amphipod, Metaprotella tanzaniensis, is described based on specimens collected by the expedition of “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History from the coasts of Tanzania. Metaprotella tanzaniensis differs primarily from the remaining species of Metaprotella by the 2-articulate pereopods 3 and 4 and the setal formula 1-x-1 of the mandibular palp. On the basis of these characteristics the diagnosis of the genus Metaprotella is modified. A key to the species of Metaprotella is provided and a discussion on the family Protellidae is included

Use of ICT by professors and students of the Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla: results from a survey sampling

La incorporación de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) en la enseñanza universitaria es una realidad cada vez más extendida. Para evaluar el uso de las TIC en la Facultad de Biología de Sevilla, se realizaron encuestas a 65 profesores, 65 alumnos de la licenciatura y 65 alumnos del grado. Tanto alumnos como profesores usan las TIC frecuentemente y las consideran útiles para mejorar la docencia, si bien existen recursos que no utilizan (Educlick, Elgg, Live Classroom, Wimba podcaster, etc.). Aunque la mayoría de los profesores hacen cursos de innovación docente, no suelen participar en congresos ni en proyectos de innovación. En el aula, el profesor usa preferentemente presentaciones power point y pizarra tradicional. Sólo una minoría usa la pizarra electrónica. La WEBCT se usa mucho para subir contenidos pero pocos profesores incluyen en ella tareas, cuelgan exámenes y autoevaluaciones y usan el foro. Los recursos electrónicos (revistas-e, libros-e, bases de datos) se utilizan asiduamente, sobre todo por los profesores. Los alumnos hacen poco uso de las tutorías, si bien en el grado son más frecuentes que en la licenciatura. La visita al despacho y el e-mail son los métodos más usados. Las redes sociales están mucho más extendidas entre alumnos que entre profesores. Los estudiantes las usan mucho para resolver dudas entre ellos, pero no con los profesores, con los que se comunican por e-mail. Los alumnos de grado están más satisfechos con la calidad de la docencia recibida (notable), que los de la licenciatura (aprobado). En general, los alumnos señalan que debe existir un mejor aprovechamiento de las TIC disponibles, tutorías online, grupos reducidos, mejor coordinación entre profesores, más salidas de campo y más prácticas relacionadas con el mundo laboral.The incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in university education is an increasingly common reality. To evaluate the use of ICT in the Faculty of Biology, Seville, 65 professors, 65 students of the degree and 65 students of the grade, were surveyed. Students and teachers use ICT frecuently and consider them useful for improving teaching, although they do not use several resources (Educlick, Elgg, Live Classroom, Wimba podcaster, etc.). Although most teachers attend teaching innovation courses, they rarely participate in conferences or innovation projects. In the classroom, the teacher uses Power Point presentations and preferably traditional blackboard. Only a minority use the electronic whiteboard. The WEBCT is widely used to upload contents, but few teachers include tasks, exams and use chats. Electronic resources (e-journals, e-books, databases) are used regularly, especially by teachers. Students make little use of tutorials. The visit to the office and e-mail are the most used. Social networks are much more widespread among students than among teachers. Students use them to discuss topics with other colleagues, but not with teachers. For this, they use e-mail. Grade students are more satisfied with the quality of education received (with honors), that the degree (approved). In general, students indicate that there must be a better use of available ICT, online tutoring, working in small groups, better coordination amongteachers, more field trips and applied practicals

Caprellidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent localities

he caprellid fauna of the Great Barrier Reef region is investigated. The study reports 22 species in 17 genera. Three new genera and seven new species are described (Hircella berentsae n.sp., Jigurru vailhoggett n.gen., n.sp., Mayericaprella arimotoi n.gen., n.sp., Orthoprotella pearce n.sp., Perotripus keablei n.sp., Pseudoprellicana johnsoni n.gen., n.sp. and Quadrisegmentum lowryi n.sp.). All species are figured and a key to the species is provided. An ecological study conducted at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, showed that Metaprotella sandalensis Mayer, 1898 and Quadrisegmentum triangulum Hirayama, 1988, were the most common species in the coral reef system. Although the caprellids were present at most sites around the Island, they were abundant only on hydroid and sediment substrate

Littoral caprellids (Crustacea: Amphipoda: caprellidea) from Philippines, with the description of a new species

Collections of littoral caprellids from Marinduque and Pamilacan Islands. Philippines, have been studied. The material contained three species: Metaproto novaehollandiae (Haswell, 1880), Protogeton in flatus Mayer, 1903 and Deutella philippinensis new species, which is described in the present paper. Deutella philippinensis new species is close to D. margaritae Guerra-Garcia, 2002 and Deutella mayeri Stebbing, 1895, but constant differences in the mouthparts, gnathopods, pereopods 3 and 4 and male abdomen revealed that the specimens from Philippines belong to a new species. This is the first record of the genus Deutella for the Western Pacifi

Respuestas a distintos tipos de manejo de la vegetación herbácea asociada a pinares de pino piñonero ("pinus pinea")

Se estudió el efecto de distintas perturbaciones (desbroce, fuego y pastoreo) sobre la composición de la vegetación herbácea asociada a una zona forestal repoblada con Pinus pinea en el sur de España. Se establecieron 20 parcelas de 0,1 hectárea donde se registraron valores de cobertura del matorral y densidad de herbáceas. Un cierto nivel de roza incrementa la diversidad de los estratos herbáceo y arbustivo. Un desbroce excesivo supone una disminución en la riqueza de especies y en el número de especies endémicas. El pastoreo en la zona (caballos, toros u ovejas) no incrementó en ningún caso la diversidad de los pastos. Estos son ricos en especies pero de escaso valor nutritivo. La singularidad taxonómica presentó valores bajos en todos los casos salvo en la zona afectada por el fuego, donde aumentó de forma importante para las herbáceas. Se proponen estrategias de gestión, conservación y aprovechamiento sostenible del pinar

Deep-sea Caprellidea (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Azores with the description of three new species

Guerra-García, José M. (2004): Deep-sea Caprellidea (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Azores with the description of three new species. Zoosystema 26 (2): 235-262, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.539337

Redescription of five rare caprellids (Crustacea : Amphipoda : Caprellidea) collected from Tanzanian coasts

Five species of the Caprellidea from Tanzania are redescribed and illustrated in detail. Falotritella biscaynensis McCain, 1968 and Paracaprella tenuis Mayer, 1903 had previously been reported only from the northwest Atlantic coast; the present work extends their distribution to the Indian Ocean. This study represents the first report on Triprotella amica Arimoto, 1970 since the original description from the Arabian Sea. Protella similis Mayer, 1903 had been found only in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines prior to this study. Pseudocaprellina pambanensis Sundara Raj, 1927, previously only known from India, is also redescribed