Tropical Hydrobiology and Fisheries

OFF PRINT

THE AFRICAN JOURNAL OF Tropical Hydrobiology and Fisheries

****** »*n81 Of c*Usu

Vol. 2 1972 East African Literature Bureau NAIROBI DAR ES SALAAM KAMPALA

Notes and Comments

IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR MARINE BIOLOGY IN EAST AFRICA

In 1967 the then University College of A wide variety of littoral and sublittoral Dar es Salaam built a small laboratory on habitats can be reached from the Station. the shore at Kunduchi, 16 km from the Sandy beaches, rocky shores and creek main campus and 24 km north of Dar es mangrove are accessible on foot, while Salaam. This was used for undergraduate coastal mangrove, muddy shores and more field courses, and as a base for staff from extensive rocky areas can be reached by the University to carry out research. It soon road. Visiting the nearby reefs and islands became apparent that the urgent need for involves only a short boat trip, and here studies of the marine environment in the coral reefs, together with rocky and sandy East African area, and the lack of existing shores, are found. As yet the sublittoral facilities, necessitated the development of environment has been little explored. The the Kunduchi Marine Biology Station into continental shelf is 15 km wide off Kunduchi, a research establishment with its own staff so the immediate area is relatively shallow. of full time scientists. This operation began The tides are of the semi-diurnal type, in 1970: necessary structural modifications with a small diurnal inequality: the mean have been made to the building, staff have range is 3.14 m at spring tides and 1.13 m been recruited, and the Station has been at neap tides. The mean surface temperature equipped with an adequate range of field of the sea varies from 25°C in September and laboratory apparatus. A varied pro- to 29°C in March. gramme of research is now actively under The present establishment of the Marine way. Biology Station consists of three scientists The Marine Station has an area of 290 and a supporting staff of seven, as well as square metres, and shares some additional three current postgraduate research students. accommodation with the adjacent Fisheries An increase in these numbers is anticipated, Institute. It contains offices, a small library, which will enable the Station to operate a laboratories, stores and a workshop, and is broad based research programme embracing partly air conditioned. The usual services all the major fields of marine biology, are available, as well as an open sea water and serve as a centre for the training of circulation to supply a series of large aqua- local personnel. Visiting workers will always rium tanks. Small boats, out-board motors be welcome at Kunduchi provided that and a four wheel drive vehicle are available space is available: enquiries should be for field work. A programme for future addressed to the Head of the Zoology development has been drawn up, which Department. includes the provision of living accom- RICHARD G. HARTNOLL, modation for a number of permanent and Kunduchi Marine Biology Station, visiting workers, an upgraded sea water University of Dar es Salaam, system, and additional laboratory space. Tanzania. 76 NOTES AND COMMENTS

THE REDISCOVERY OF NOTOPOIDES LATUS HANDERSON IN THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN (CRUSTACEA-DECAPODA, RANINIDAE)

The small brachyuran family Raninidae Morphology Dana is represented in the Indo-West Pacific The material in hand agrees closely with region by eight genera, with only some twenty the description and figures given by Hender- species. One of the least known genera is son. The largest male specimen is considera- Notopoides, which contains only a single bly larger than the measurements given by species. This genus was first described by that author and the few small morphological Henderson (1888) on the basis of material differences noted can probably be ascribed collected by H.M.S. "Challenger" from the to growth changes. The measurements are Kei Islands, in the Banda Sea off Indonesia. summarized in Table 2. There have been no subsequent reports of this species in the ninety seven years since The male East African specimens are its original discovery. distinctly larger than the male whose measurements are given by Henderson, although it is During the course of tht study of the not clear that this was his largest specimen. benthic fauna off the coast of East Africa, Henderson's adult male specimen had a the Fisheries Research Vessel "Manihine" carapace length of 34 mm, in contrast to obtained five specimens of this rare species the present specimens with 48.9 mm. and (Table 1). These new records, collected 47.2 mm. (fig. 1). during a short period of time, indicate that the species is probably not uncommon in There is little change in the relation of this region, which also represents a great carapace length and breadth with increasing increase in its known geographica' range. size. In the East African specimens the ratio of carapace length to breadth varies Specimens have been deposited in the from 1.34 to 1.43, being greater in the collections of the National Museum, Nairobi, smaller specimens, but is smallest of all in the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Henderson's male specimens, with a ratio Leiden, and the National Museum, Singa- of 1.30. pore: Catalogue numbers are Crust. 1092; In Henderson's figure the tip of the Crust. D. 28567; NMS. 1972.8.4.1, malt of rostrum is distinctly beyond the level of 35x26 respectively. the line joining the tips of the antero-lateral carapace spines. In the East African male NOTOPOIDES LATUS HENDERSON specimens, the rostrum only very slightly exceeds this line. Except at the tip, which is Synonymy directed slightly upwards, the lateral margins Notopoides latus Henderson, 1888 "Chal- of the rostrum are distinctly granulate. lenger" Rep., Zool. 27: 1-221. plates 1-21. The same figure also shows a distinct (Fig. Notopoides latus Ihle, 1918. Siboga Exped. 2a) depression posterior to the fronto-orbital Monogr. 39 b2. 317 p. margin. In the East African specimens this Notopoides latus Gordon. 1966. In H. depression is obsolete. The three orbital Barnes ed. Some contemporary studies in processes also have granulated margins. marine science, p. 345-350 figs. 2-4. The medial process is distinct'y acute; the H 5C en Table 1. Details of specimens of Notopoides latus Henderson obtained from dredge hauls of the F.R.V. "Manihine". C No. Specimens Cruise Station Postition Depth Date Collector

1 2 ? 327 — 2°43.0' S 40°37.0' E 120 fm. 18 August 1971 P.S. Sandhu 2 1

r> H c CO

—3 78 NOTES AND COMMENTS

Table 2. Measurements of Notopoides latus Henderson obtained by F.R.V. "Manihine

Specimen: (2) (3) (4) (la) (lb)

Sex, S ? $ Carapace length, (mms.) 48.9 47.2 35.7 23.6 17.2 Carapace width (mms.) 36.5 34.8 25.3 17.2 12.0 CL/CW 1.34 1.35 1.41 1.37 1.43

intermediate lobe is subquadiate, with a angle, which is acutely produced. The convex anterior margin; the small lobe, postero-lateral margin of the carapace is medial to the antero-lateral spine is rounded. convex throughout its length and the carapace These three lobes are separated by perforate is less narrowed posteriorly than in Hender- fissures, which are open posteriorly but son's illustration. almost close anteriorly. A similar fissure The eyes are about 0.1 times the carapace separates the antero-lateral spine which is length, and are swollen basally, tapering blunt distally, from the inferior orbital distally. The medial borders of the merus and ischium of the third maxilliped are feebly raised, most noticeably on the merus, but more or less devoid of granulations. (Fig. 2b) The tip of the exopod distinctly exceeds the ischiomeral articulation. The second pereiopods also agree closely with Henderson's descriptions but the granulations on the dorsal aspect of the dactylus are arranged in three longitudinal rows forming feeble carinae. The male pleopods agree closely to the descriptions and figures provided by GORDON (1966).

Colouration The specimens were white ventrally and strongly mottled with orange dorsally on the carapace. The dorsal border of the carpus and palm of the first pereiopod were also pinkish. The second and third pereiopods were white and the dorsal surfaces of the fourth and fifth pereiopods were pinkish. The posterior margin of the dactylus of the fifth pereopod was dark blue-grey in colour.

Habitat Fig 1. Notopoides latus Henderson. Male, Stn. D. 15 The specimen from Cr. 332 was found (no. 2), dorsal view. Scale in millimeters. in sticky black mud with stones. The type THE REDISCOVERY OF NOTOPOIDES LATUS HENDERSON 79

Fig 2. Notopoides latus Henderson. Male, Stn. D. 15 (no. 2). (a) Dorsal view of frontal region, (b) Ventral view of oral and sternal region.

of substrate present at the other stations was not recorded. Like the specimen obtained from Cr. 332, the Challenger specimens were also noted as obtained from sticky black mud. The species apparently inhabits moderately deep water although the East African specimens were found in shallower water (80-120 fms) than the Indonesian specimens (140 fms).

Distribution Notopoides latus Henderson was previously recorded only from off Little Kei Islands, Indonesia. The East African distribution is shown in Fig. 3. It is remarkable that no further specimens of Notopoides latus Henderson have come to light since its original discovery by the Challenger Expedition almost a century ago. Henderson remarked that he had many 8 NOTES AND COMMENTS

Fig 3. Distribution of Notopoides latus Henderson in the western Indian Ocean. THE REDISCOVERY OF NOTOPOIDES LATUS HENDERSON 81

individuals of both sexes, all from the single stages of Ranina and Lyreidus, two genera station so that it was clearly not rare where which belong to the subfamily, Raninae. it occurred. Its discovery in the Western Indian Ocean off Kenya and Tanganyika, represents a very great increase in the known RESUME distribution of this species and its distribution La presence du crabe raninide tres rare, is now known not to be restricted to Indo- Notopoides latus Henderson, 1888, dans nesian waters. les eaux du Kenya et de la Tanzanie, est notee Cette espece n'avait pas ete reporte THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE depuis sa decouverte originale par l'Expedi- GENUS NOTOPOIDES tion du "Challenger", i'-y-a presque un SERENE AND UMALI (1972), based siecle. Cette redecouverte represente une on the structure of the first and second male grande extension de la distribution connue pleopods, divided Raninidae Dana into de ce:.te espece. two subfamilies, Notopinae Serene and Umali and Raninidae Serene and Umali. The first subfamily consists of the genera) REFERENCES Cosmonotus Adams and White, Notopus Gordon, I. (1966). On the spermatheca in the Ranini- dc Haan and the Indo-Pacific. species of dae (Crustacea: Decapoda), p. 343-354. In H. the genus Ranilia H. Milne Edwards. In Barnes, ed. Some contemporary studies in marine this subfamily the distal part of the male science. George Allen and Unwin Ltd., London. Henderson, J. R. (1888). Report on the Anomura second pleopod is foliaceous with a strongly collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years chitinous apical process that extends beyond 1873-1876. "Challenger" Rep., Zool. 27: 1-221, the tip of the first pleopod. The second pis. 1-21. subfamily, which includes Notopoides Ihle, J. E. W. (1918). Die Decapoda Brachyura des Henderson, consists of the genera Ranina Siboga-Expedition III, Oxystomata: Calappidae, Leucosiidae, Raninidae. Siboga Exped. Monogr. Lamarck, Raninoides H. Milne Edwards, 39b2): 159-322, figs. 78-148. Notosceles Bourne, Cyrtorhina Monod and Serene, R. and A. F. Umali (1972). The family Lyreidus de Haan. In these genera the male Raninidae and other new and rare species second pleopod has an accuminate apex of Brachyuran decapods from the Philippines and the first pleopod is distinctly longer than and adjacent region. Philip. Jour. Sci. 99 (1-2): 21-105, figs. 1-131, pis. 1-9. the second pleopod. i The differences in the morphology of the A. J. BRUCE male pleopods appear sufficient for the East African Marine Fisheries Research Organization, division of the Raninidae. However, more P.O. Box 81651, information on the larval stages of all Mombasa, Kenya and genera will be of great interest to support R. Serene, the validity of subfamilies. Unfortunately National Museum, present knowledge is limited on larval Stamford Road, Singapore. 82 NOTES AND COMMENTS

A NOTE ON SOME PARASITES OF MERLUCCIUS CAPENSIS (PISCES) AND THEIR ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

During the Southeastern Atlantic Expedi- Cynoscion striatus (both from the South tion of the German fishery research vessel West Atlantic), and their joint appearance "Walther Herwig" in 1967 the main emphasis in Merluccius capensis (from the South lay on selective fishing of the South African East Atlantic) may favour the view of a hake Merluccius capensis (von BRANDT pleistocenian migration of Merluccius from 1967). Some of the fish were found to be South America to South Africa (SZIDAT infested by ecto—and endoparasites both 1961, p. 12) (Figure 1). of which were collected whenever possible. The finding of Livoneca raynaudii also Large plerocercoids of Dibothriorhynchus agrees with this theory although this parasite grossum whose adult stage lives in the South was mainly reported from the South Pacific Atlantic Ocean in Lamna cornubica (L. (SCHIOEDTE and MEINERT 1884) and SZIDAT, personal communication) were Australia (HALE 1926). More recently it quite common as were cysticercoids of a has also been reported from Chile (MEN- Tetrarhynchus sp., which had also been ZIES 1962) and India (PILLAl 1954). reported in Cynoscion striatus off the Argenti- Whether, however, the different populations nian coast (MACDONAGH 1927, cited in show any subspecific characteristics or Szidat, personal communication). Brownish whether Livoneca raynaudii truly represents nematodes were infesting the ovaries of a worldwide species has to be decided by several fish, but could not be identified. comparative studies of the parasites. Never- The most common ectoparasite to be theless it does not seem completely impossible observed was the parasitic isopod Livoneca that this species may originate in the Aust- raynaudii (fam. Cymothoidae) whose early ralo-Pacific area and has extended its habitat larval stages were also found. eastwards simply by following its fish hosts. Unfortunately the total number of parasites Similar results have recently been given was not very large and therefore any con- by ESCHMEYER and HUREAU (1971) clusions drawn from the findings must be for the two fishes Sebastes mouchezi and tentative. However, the value in studying the S. capensis. It is also known that before the parasite fauna of Gadid-fishes has been last ice age (pliocene), migration of fishes demonstrated convincingly by SZIDAT from the Australian region to Southwest (1961), who showed that the South Eastern American waters has taken place (RAN- American species Merluccius hubbsi and DALL 1970). Pleistocenian migrations of M. gayi had more parasites in common Gadid-fishes from the Pacific around South with fishes from the North West Pacific America into the Atlantic have also been rather than with foims from the North confirmed (SZIDAT 1961). Atlantic. He concluded that the Merluccius population of the large Argentinian shelf originated from a Pacific stock and not, RESUME as was thought before, from a North Atlantic Quelques parasites de l'exterieur et de one. The occurrence of Dibothriorhynchus 1'interieur sont trouves au Merluce sud- grossum in Merluccius hubbsi (SZIDAT africain (Merluccius capensis) du 1'Atlantique 1961) and of Tetrarhynchus cysticercoids in de Sud-Est, qui sont identique avec des SOME PARASITES OF MERLUCCIUS CAPENSIS (PISCES) 83

Figure 1. Distribution of species. Crosses: Livoneca raynaudii; Dots: Dibothriorhynchus grossum and Tetrarhynchus cysticercoids. parasites connus des poissons de l'Atlantique V. B. MEYER-ROCHOW de Sud-Ouest. Les resultats confirment la Inst. f. Hydrobiologie u. Fischereiwissenschaft, these d'une migration pleistocenien des Olbersweg, West Germany. Present address: poissons de 1'Amerique du Sud a 1'Afrique Australian National University, du Sud. Canberra A. C.T. 2601, Research School of Biology Science, Neurobiology, P.O. Box 475, Australia. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Emige Endo—und Ektoparasiten des Sud- REFERENCES afrikanischen Seehechts Merluccius capensis Brandt, A. von (1967). Untersuchungen des FFS vom Sud-Ost-Atlantik sind identisch mif "Walther Herwig" im siidostlichen Atlantik. Formen, die von Fischen des Sud-West- Inf. Fischwirtschaft 14 (3): 104-124. Atlantiks bekannt sind. Die Ergebnisse Eschmeyer, W. N. and J. C. Hureai' (1971). Sebastes mouchezi, a senior synonym of Heliocolenus bekraftigen die Theorie, nach der im tristanensis, with comments on Sebastes capensis Pleistozan Wanderungen von Fischen des and zoogeographical considerations. Copeia siidamerikanischen Raumes in den siid- (3): 576-579. afrikanischen stattgefunden haben sollen. Hale, H. M. (1926). Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia 50: 201-234. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The author wishes to MacDonagh, E. (1927). Parasitos de peces comes- thank Prof. L. Szidat (Buenos Aires) for the tibles. Semana Medica 34: 373-376. [cited in identification of most of the material and Dr. Th. Szidat, personal communication], Bowman (Washington) for references to literature Menzies, R. J. (1962). The zoogeography, ecology on Livoneca raynaudii. and systematics of the Chilean marine isopods. 84 NOTES AND COMMENTS

Lund Universitet Acta Arsskrift, Afdelning 2, Szidat, L. (1961). Versuch einer Zoogeographie des 57 (11): 1-162. Siid-Atlantik mit Hilfe von Leitparasiten der 3illai, N. K. (1954). A preliminary note on the Meeresfische. Parasitolog. Schr. Reihe (13): Tanaidaceae and Isopoda of Travancore. Bull. 1-98. Res. Inst. Univ. Travancore (Kerala), 3c: Schioedte, J. C. and F. Meinhert (1884). Symbolae 1-21. ad monographiam Cymathoarum Crustaceorum andall, J. E. (1970). Easter Island—An ichthyolo- Isopodum Familiae, iv. Cymothoidae. Naturh. gical expedition. Oceans 3 (3): 48-59. Tidskr. 14: 221-454.

PRINTED BY E.A. COMMUNITY (CPS) PRINTER, NAIROBI 1973.