The smalleyed rabbitfish, Hydrolagus affinis (de Brito Capello, 1868) (Chimaeridae), is recorded from the archipelago of Madeira for the first time, based on seven specimens caught between 1200 and 2500 m depth. This record extends the previously known range of distribution of this species, and also confirms its vertical distribution down to 2500 m. Additional material collected from the Canary Islands and the Azores was used for comparison.
A new host and geographical record for Sarcotaces verrucosus is presented, being this first record of Sarcotaces sp. in the Southwest Atlantic. The taxonomic status of the species parasitizing the Argentine sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) from northpatagonian waters is analyzed using light microscopy and SEM observations. Prevalence and intensity were similar to those reported for other Sarcotaces species, and parasitism could be related to the distribution of sandperch in the spawning areas. In the San Matías Gulf, S. verrucosus has been found only on P. semifasciata, and the absence of this parasite in other demersal fishes inhabiting the same marine environment, suggests high specificity of S. verrucosus to the Argentine sandperch.
To determine allele frequencies, surveys of coat phenotypes of domestic cats were conducted in Madeira Island (Madeira archipelago) and Flores Island (Azores archipelago). The samples fitted a 1:1 sex ratio and panmitic populations were assumed based on the analysis of the O locus. The genetic profiles were compared to those from other Atlantic littoral populations and a marked deviation was detected at Flores Island referring to very high values of d, XV and I alleles. The differences were interpreted as indicating that cats from Flores may reflect the condition of continental cats in former times. The Madeira population is more similar to Western Europe probably due to more close and continual contact in recent years.
The parasitic fauna composition of the spring-spawning (SPR) and the summer-spawning (SSS) stocks of the shortfin squid Illex argentinus was studied in San Matías Gulf, Southwest Atlantic. Seven parasite taxa were identified: 3 cestodes (Scolex polymorphic, Scolex pleuronectis and Nybelinia lingualis), and 4 nematodes (Anisakis sp., Hysterothylacium sp., Ascarophis? sp. and Pseudoterranova? sp.). Based on the prevalence (P) and mean intensity (MI) S. polymorphic [cf. Prosobothrium sp.], S. pleuronectis (Onchobothriidae) and Anisakis were the main parasites of both stocks. P and MI of these parasites were higher in SPR than in SSS. Composition, P and MI of the enteric parasitic fauna found in the subpopulations of I. argentinus in the San Matías Gulf were different from those previously reported for the other stocks of the species that occur on the Argentine continental shelf. These results provide a substantial additional evidence for statement that the SPR and SSS stocks of I. argentinus from San Matías Gulf are biotopically isolated from the stocks that inhabit neighbouring areas of the Argentine continental shelf.
The number of ptyctimous mite species found in this study in the Bermuda Islands is 18: Mesoplophoroidea (1), Euphthiracaroidea (8) and Phthiracaroidea (9); 5 of them are new to science (Rhysotritia monodactyla sp. nov., Phthiracanis stenotus, sp. nov., Protophthiracarus finitimas sp. nov., Atropacarus (Atropacarus) paraclavatus sp. nov., Mesoplophora (Mesoplophora) paragaveae sp. nov.). The majority of species are widespread. The fauna of ptyctimous mites of Bermuda Islands is of mixed character, originating from all parts of the American continent.