MARINE ZOOLOGY

Author: MORÓN AYALA JULIO.
Year: 2003.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.

Summary: The importance of fishing for tuna in the Indian Ocean Ãndico has grown rapidly since 1984 until today. The study and evaluation of stocks of the species of tuna harvested in the ocean is still very limited compared with that of other oceans where tropical tuna are exploited for a long time. A major hurdle for assessments of tuna in the sea, lies in the difficulty of obtaining real abundance indices from fisheries statistics. In the case of fishing for tuna to the fence, establish a unit effort to calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE1) as an index of abundance real people exploited, it is quite difficult so complex that this is fishing and exploit migratory pelagic species of tuna, organized in cardúmenes mainly yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and list (Katsuwonus pelamis). This paper seeks to describe and evaluate the factors affecting the catchability of the art of fence, studying the detection systems used to locate banks tuna (radars, helicopters, sonar, etc..), And its effect on the catchability, estimating the power of fishing for tuna purse seine fleet (carrying capacity of vessels, speed and distance traveled, networks, etc.). taking into account the time the fleet and operational experience and knowledge acquired fishermen on the fishery. The main part of the study will focus on the description and analysis of the difficulty of establishing rates in the abundance of tuna fisheries. Describe the characteristics of tuna fisheries affecting the catchability and calculations of indices of abundance, and there will be an approximation to the estimates of abundance indices and the extent of actual fishing effort, once estimated evolution the cerquera catchability of the fleet in the Western Indian Ocean.

Author: GARCÍA MARCH JOSÉ RAFAEL.
Year: 2004.
University: VALENCIA [www.uv.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE MATEMÁTICAS - UNIVERSITAT DE VALÈNCIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.

Summary: The bivalve Pinna nobilis, belonging to the order Pterioidea, is a species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, which normally live in the seagrass beds, where smienterrado, anchored by the biso filaments. This is the largest mollusk in the Mediterranean, as it may exceed 80 cm in length. The widespread deterioration of coastal areas has also affected this species, which has been included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, Annex IV of the Barcelona Convention and Annex II of the National Endangered Species List. This draft thesis represents a new contribution on the characteristics of the populations of this species in their natural environment from a proactive approach, addressing the change in time for a dense population located at the inlet of Moraira (Alicante). Also, it has been deepened in the study of aspects of their biology and physiology as the system of fixing the substrate, which has been described in detail, as well as the activity of the study of valves and opening weighted the same. Finally, it has studied the dynamics of the valves morphometry, a very characteristic of eta kind, able to build the shell of an original form after major erosion processes earlier, but its feature triangular shape is lost in the process . The results have highlighted the great importance of hidrodinamismo in the structure of the population and the existence of significant differences in the density of individuals and the average sizes, which increase with increasing depth. Also, there have been very significant differences in mortality rates and growth, according to the peak depth inhabited by individuals. The large number of filaments linking the animal to the fund, more than 20,000, and fixing the various strategies, which are characterized by highly developed, have assumed that the attachment to the substrate is essential for the survival of individuals, in response to hydrodynamic stress. The study of the activity of the valves has demonstrated that this species makes circadian cycles and circalunares, following closely the position of the Sun and Moon, so that overall, Pinna nobilis closing the valves at night, except when moon is present in the sky illuminated over 50%. Finally, the study of the dynamics of morphometry shell has identified a number of internal registers that are used to study the age and growth of individuals. Moreover, the discovery of a process neoformación the shell, mediated processes of erosion and reconstruction previous involves an explanation to the causes of this kind of polymorphism. In this regard, it provides for the first time an explanation supported by ample evidence, the way papyracea of the shell described by Czihak and Dierl (1961).

Author: FUENTES MOLEDO CARMEN LIDIA.
Year: 2004.
University: VIGO [www.uvigo.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR.
Place of preparation: INSTITUTO ESPAÑOL DE OCEANOGRAFÍA (VIGO).

Summary: This Doctoral thesis is divided into four major sections: obtaining copies of octopus Octopus vulgaris, stages of cultivation techniques marking paralarvas and marking techniques juveniles. Obtaining jemplares. This section shows the methodology followed to achieve the copies needed to carry out the various experiences of growing and marking. It describes the techniques employed by a fishing boat kind of extractive sector, and also describes and appreciate different transport modes for juveniles and adults. Cultivation of Octopus vulgaris. This is not the central theme of the thesis, but its inclusion was considered timely because it was necessary to have some basic techniques of cultivation, for a given permit obtaining paralarvas to develop experiences marked and, secondly, to analyze the evolution and persistence of marking systems, both in paralarvas as juveniles. It proposes a method of cultivation in the larval also provides enhanced Artemia zoeas of spider Maja squinado with satisfactory outcome. For the fattening stage presents a table of technical production to an industrial level. Dialing paralarvas of Octopus vulgaris. It provides a technique for marking with alizarin complexone, baths 60 mgl-1 concentration and 6 hours. The alizarin is incorporated in the estatolitos; the mark is detected by the same extraction and observation under fluorescence microscope. 800 000 paralarvas thus were trasportadas and released to the Ria de Vigo were recaptured one of the copies. Marking of juvenile Octopus vulgaris. It shows the preliminary experiments carried out to find a system of marking (marking) or labeling (tagging) suitable for octopus. After probajo systems as varied as (loop type marks, burn with liquid nitrogen, metal marks for rabbit, plastic webbing, lancets, trading pins, brackets pending jewelry, acrylic paint, disks Peterson, T-type marks, etc.) the report concludes that for ease of the procedure for marking, injuries and persistence marks type T are the most appropriate. 465 copies were released and scored three points in the Ria de Vigo (near Cies Islands, stelae Islands and the island of St. Simon), the recapture rate was 8%, octopus mostrarón generally sedentary behavior; rates growth obtained were lower than those in captivity.

Author: QUINTAS PÉREZ PATRICIA.
Year: 2004.
University: VIGO [www.uvigo.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR.

Summary: In order to increase awareness of the benthic communities on the coast of Galicia, was held in Ensenada O Grove (Ria de Arousa) mapping bionómica and sediment to describe molluscs and annelid polychaetes associated with prairies of the marine phanerogams Zostera moarina and Z. Moltii. The samples were collected with a dredge quantitative type Van-Veen and then analyzes the sedimiento and fauna (calculation of parameters pobalcioneles, multivariate analysis, trophic structure.) Zosteral of sits on sedimientos muddy content moderafos carbonate and organic matter. The values of species richness (159 taxa) and diversity are high and fauna is distributed on a continuous basis over the seasons. In the mud with Z. Noltii close to the river, wildlife is akin to that of the "Community reduced concrete" to describe the Atlantic coast. In the rest of zosteral not exise a specific community. On one side are common species s muddy sediments without vegetation and on the other hand many of them faneróganas. The trophic structure of zosteral is represented by species depositívoras and the other group (omnivores, herbivores, carroéros and ectoparasites), conditioned by the amount of litter there. It also conducted a follow-up bimonthly for a year through diving conescafandra autonomously to know the evolution of mollusks and polychaetes associated with a paradera of Z. Navy. It recogierón samples in two installments, separating the leaf fraction of rizomasedimento to know the composition and distribution of wildlife in both strata. The densities are high especially in summer and autumn and winter in keeping wealth is fairly constant over the period studied. Considerantdo fraction sheet and the highest densities of rizoma-sedimento appear inthe verano - otoño sheet and the rhizome in the winter. In the fraction leaf both groups have an important wealth ocn polychaetes (Syllidae, Nereididae) and gastropods (Trochidaes, Rissoidae) and the rhizome dominate polychaetes infaunales and some bivalves. The fauna rizoma-sedimento introduced minor seasonal differences that of the sheet subjected to greater stress currents and dynamic life of the plant. The road dominate suspensívoros and Others group and the rizona the depositívoros, among others.

Author: CACABELOS REYES EVA.
Year: 2005.
University: VIGO [www.uvigo.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS.

Summary: During the winter of 1999 were sampled benthic communities of Ensenada San Simon (Ria de Vigo, Galicia). The presence of grasslands in the marine phanerogams Zostera marina L. And Zostera noltii Hornem. Characterize the interior of the creek, mostly muddy nature, in which the hit on mussel farming is a practice deeply rooted. The cove is subject to significant fluctuations in salinity due to the mouth of several freshwater channels, which are mainly located in the internal part of the estuary. The only relevant studies on the benthic fauna in the area have been the work of ROLÁN (1983) and ROLÁN, OTERO-SCHMITT and ROLÁN-ÁLVAREZ (1989), focused on a malacológico, and both are covered by more studies extensive covering the Ria de Vigo. Samples were collected at 29 stations with a dredge-type Van-Veen. It collected 5 mirrors at each station and tamizaron samples mesh of 0.5 mm. The material was fixed with formaldehyde retained at 10% in the countryside and wildlife has been preserved in ethanol at 70% after their separation and identification. Besides the physical and chemical parameters were measured in the sediment and water on the spot, and conducted granulometric analysis. As additional data have been performed content analysis in organic matter and carbonate. In the 29 seasons of this study identified a total of 96009 individuals belonging to 388 taxa. Of these, a total of 266 were identified specific level. The results show that most of the individuals belong to the group of annelid polychaetes, nematodes and gastropod mollusks, making the 73.5% of the total. In terms of the number of taxa, the annelid polychaetes are best represented (120 taxa), followed by crustaceans malacostráceos (91 taxa) and shellfish gastropods (35 taxa) and bivalves (30 taxa). There is a general trend of increase in the number of species, values of the population parameters and structure of communities from intertidal zones internal toward the mouth of the creek. The depth is the determining factor in the spatial distribution of benthic macrofauna in Ensenada San Simon, which is distributed 4 groupings macrofaunísticas or facies: Two variants of the community Macoma described by Thorson (1957), characterized by Hydrobia ulvae-Streblospio shrubsolii and Rissoa labiosa-Turboella radiata, correspond to the intertidal areas and marginal little depth. The varieties of the community Abras dawn, which chaetozone gibber-Melinna palmata and Ampharete finmarchica-Pseudopolydora paucibranciata are more features, located in the deep mud in the vicinity of the Strait and channel of communication with the island of St. Simon.

Author: PÉREZ LANDA VÍCTOR.
Year: 2005.
University: PAÍS VASCO [www.ehu.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAÍS VASCO.

Summary: Quality assessment of sediments are traditionally based on the physico-chemical characterization. However, recent trends are more oriented towards an integrated assessment to include information about the effects of sediment on the biota. Due to the need to develop biological tools were selected amphipods Corophium multisetosum and Corophium urdaibainse present in estuaries Cantabrico This, to validate their use in sediment toxicity. In the case of Corophium urdaibaiense, a newly described species, we performed, in addition, an annual study of population dynamics. For both species were carried out sensitivity studies with cadmium and ammonia in the liquid phase and assessed the influence of physical factors such as seasonality, and biological, such as the size of amphipods. These studies were supplemented by a battery of contaminated sediments from ports, which were compared with results of other species of amphipods. Finally, toxicity studies were included in an integration methodology. With the basis of the method TRIAD, has proposed an integration procedure adapted to the characteristics of the Basque coast. The proposed methodology was applied to two case studies: environmental monitoring of the estuary of Oiartzun, and management of dredging the port of Ondarroa. Finally, we discuss the utility of the proposed methodology and its limitations in the conceptual framework of Weight-Of-Evidence and for the future trends for evaluating the quality of sediments.

Author: PRIMO PÉREZ CARMEN.
Year: 2005.
University: VIGO [www.uvigo.es].
Place of defense: FACULTADE DE CIENCIAS.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS, UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGO.

Summary: In this paper we studied the taxonomy of wildlife ascidiológica in the Bransfield Strait and the Strait of Guerlache in Antarctic waters, using samples collected during the campaign CIEMAR 99/00. Study of these samples has allowed the identification of 32 species, divided into 13 genera and 8 families. One of the species, Tetrazona ciemari, is new to science. Also contributing were new morphological data of 9 species and extending the known distribution of 5 species. It has also carried out a study biogeographic regions cold (Antarctica and Subanatártica) and templado (Sudamericana, Suneozelandesa and Tasmania) Surah Hemisphere, to which we added the region templado-cálida of South Africa to include the southern part of all the continental masses in this hemisphere. Also included groups of islands of Tristan da Cunha, Ámsterdam-Saint Paul and Mount submerged Vema. In the analysis of similarities between species and between regions is observed first separation of these groups of islands and Vema, possibly due to the isolation that are subject to these areas. The rest seem generally separated depending on the temperature: R. Surneozelandesa it relates to the Subantártica through the provinces of Antípodas in the first and Macquarie in the second, and finally R. Sadamericana and R. Antarctica, the latter largely related to its geological history and current watershed conditions. In the classification of elements biogeographic there is a high number of endemic species in all regions, a dominance of cosmopolitan in the warmer regions and species distributed in the southern hemisphere in the cooler and a low percentage of species found only in cold regions . In addition, R. Antarctica has very little relation to the regions of South Africa, Tasmania or Surneozelandesa, but there seems to be related to the R. Sudamericana. Moreover, a more detailed study of R. Antarctica, we find that this is a very homogeneous, with a high proportion of endemic species and closely related to the R. Sudamericana. The distribution strategies lonely life / colonial appeared to be inconsistent with the fact that in tropical regions dominate agencies colonial and cold regions in the lonely. In addition, the results agree very well with the two other works of biogeography of invertebrates, except for the provinces of Bouvet and South Georgia, suneozelandesa of Antípodas and South Africa from Namibia, which in our case can not be considered as such . Finally, it has tried to speculate on the origin of the ascidiofauna Antarctic. It is characterized mainly by a fauna evolved in situ relicta the wildlife Dondwana, which feeds the exchange of species with R. Sudamericana and has served as a source for the dispersal of species adjacent to the biogeographic regions, possibly through the circumpolar current drift of the West.

Author: POLA PÉREZ MARTA.
Year: 2005.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE MADRID [www.uam.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS.

Summary: During this Doctoral Thesis, has worked on the revision of a global subfamily shellfish gastropods nudibranquios. To that end, the deposited material was used in numerous museums and public institutions as well as fresh material collected at different places in the world geography, both personally and with the help of many professionals and fans of malacología. The collected material was examined in detail both its external and internal anatomy. It conducted detailed redescripciones of all known species currently expanding the original descriptions mostly provided very little information and were very old. In addition, specimens were collected from undescribed species, significantly expanding the knowledge about this subfamily. Moreover, studies were carried out both morphological and molecular phylogenetic of the three genres included in the subfamily Nembrothinae (Nembrotha, Roboastra and Tambja). These studies were conducted independently for each gender and finally combining resutlados phylogenetic based on morphological characters with those obtained molecularly. RESULTS There has been extensively all its objectives. During the enjoyment of the scholarship, there have been 3 stays, it has participated in a research project, three campaigns diving scientist and has attended 4 international congresses. Se han realizado 12 publications, 9 of them directly part of this thesis. 7 of these articles have already been published.

Author: HERNANDEZ PEREZ JOSE CARLOS.
Year: 2006.
University: LA LAGUNA [www.ull.es].
Place of defense: F.FISICA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGIA.

Summary: In recent decades we have seen in the Canary Islands, Madeira Islands Wild and there has been an increase in stocks of hedgehog Diadema aff. Antillarum Philippi, 1845 in funds infralitorales rocky, which have been gradually depopulated algae by the action ramoneadora of urchins and covered with a crust of calcareous algae that give it a whitish color to the funds, which will be known name blanquizales. This phenomenon is well known in many parts of the world and is caused by different species of sea urchins. In all these areas, including the Canary Islands, has been identified as the main cause overfishing of species that normally prey on the hedgehog, while other important environmental factors such as temperature have not been valued properly. The consequences of this imbalance is the loss of marine biodiversity, production and environmental functions that came to play important algal cover, such as the role of breeding and rearing of juvenile fish in fishing interest, among many others. Made review of published papers conclude that we knew a small part of the biology and ecology of D. Aff. Antillarum it was necessary to determine the biological and environmental factors governing the cycle of gonadal maturation as well as settlement rates and recruitment to various spatial and temporal scales, which was certainly vital and basic to know the population dynamics of this hedgehog such ecological importance. Studies of the frequency gonadal show a clear seasonality of the gonads, appearing clear up during the months of June-July, and minimum during the months of September-October regardless of the locality and habitat studied. Likewise, gametogenesis is also a clear annual cycle of variations, starting in October and November. The spawning season is located between the months of June, July and August. Habitat does not seem to affect the process gametogénico while spawning a higher percentage of people in border areas with high availability of food. The production gamética rose from the year 2002 until the year 2004 in the habitat blanquizal, however always remained high on the rim. Comparative studies show that the method of gonadal index is a good method to assess the maturation of gónadas. The larval settlement presents a clear temporal and spatial variation, although the pattern is repeated every among localities and years of study. It is a process basically unimodal with a clear peak in the months of August, September and October. In the village of Abbots was detected a clear increase in the level of settlement for years over the study period. Recruitment also presented a clear temporal and spatial variation, although the emergence of individuals smallest detectable (four to six millimeters) occurs in the months of November, December and January, regardless of the locality studied. The presence of recruits is determined positively by the presence of adults, tilting the substrate and the number of holes, and negatively by the coverage of macrophytes corticados. The settlement and the recruitment maintain a positive correlation, in addition, we see a clear trend of increased recruitment and settlement between the year 2002 and 2004 in the village of Abbots. The density of adult submitted a large temporal and spatial variation, with a clear increase for the years 2005 and 2006 in the villages of Abbots and Boca Crab. The increase in the index gonadal and gametogenesis are determined by the length of the day and coverage of macroalgae two months earlier. The fotoperiodos shorts seem to trigger the onset of gametogenesis and subsequently increased availability 8 algal pr 551 imaveral accelerates ripening. The settlement is determined by the maximum temperatures when éstan exceed the limit of 23Â ° C is triggered an exponential increase in the number of post-larvas and youth recently settled. In view of the outcome seems clear that the rising temperatures that have experienced the shallow waters of the Canary Islands favors the expansion of this key herbivore. The average summer higher than 23Â ° C are especially influential in the settlement of the larvae and therefore in recruiting post. EStos pulses generated in the hot summers helping to maintain high population densities.

Author: GÓMEZ DE SEGURA DOMÍNGUEZ AMAIA.
Year: 2006.
University: VALENCIA [www.uv.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE FARMACIA.
Place of preparation: INSTITUTO CAVANILLES DE BIODIVERSIDAD Y BIOLOGÍA EVOLUTIVA.

Summary: Eight species of cetaceans, fin whale (Ba / aenoptera physa / us), sperm whale (Physeter catodon), calderón policy (G / obicepha / for me / as), calderon Qris (Grampus griseus), zifio Cuvier (Ziphius cavirostris), dolphin listing (Stene / / coeruleoa / ba), hinnies dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and common dolphin (/ phinus / phis), together with a single species of sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), regularly inhabit waters of the Western Mediterranean. All these species are now protected by various national and international agreements because of their conservation problems. However, if conservation measures are effective, basic biological information is needed to protect the species, in particular, information on abundance and distribution. The biological knowledge about this aspect of cetaceans and sea turtles were very rare in the Western Mediterranean, limited to opportunistic data and a sample of more than ten years ago. This study investigates the abundance and distribution of the three most abundant species of cetaceans in the area (listed dolphin, dolphin and hinnies calderón gray) and the loggerhead sea turtle, obtained based on air sampling conducted in aauas Spanish Mediterranean. The study of abundance, was estimated density of each of the species using the method of linear transect and study the temporal and spatial differences of this density. The study of distribution, related the location of the sightings with key environmental factors available in the area (depth, slope, temperature aaua and concentration of chlorophylls) using models Linear Generalizados (GLMs). We sampled air seasonal aauas of Valencia and Murcia (total area = 32,000 km1 from June 2000 to March 2003 using the methodology linear transect. Were sampled a total of 20,200 km. Effort in which observed 1,153 turtles bobas , 182 groups listed dolphin, 29 groups of dolphins hinnies and 17 groups calderón gray. loggerhead sea turtle is present in the study area throughout the year, contrary to previous information from data opportunistic. density surface in winter is equal to or even higher than in other seasons. Moreover, in some years there may be an influx of turtles in the spring months, increasing density in the area. absolute abundance of loggerhead sea turtle in the area of study estimated at 18954 turtles (95% C / = 6679-53783) although its density varies according to season and year sampled. These results suggest that the stock of turtles in the area will not be able to withstand the high Threats anthropogenic to which are subjected (particularly catches). Therefore it is necessary to lIeven out conservation measures in the area and are conducting censuses in the future in order to determine the population trends of this species as threatened. has been estimated 15778 dolphins listings (95% C / = 10940 - 22756) are present in the study area (absolute abundance) without seasonal deferencias observed. While there are methodological differences with respect to a study that found the density of this species in 1991 , which do not allow to determine precisely the tendency of the population, if it appears that the number of dolphins listings has increased considerably over these 10 years recovering from the disease he suffered then. density absolute average hinnies dolphin in the study area was estimated 1333 Dolphins (95% C / = 739-2407). has been estimated an abundance of 493 pilot whales gray in the study area (95% C / = 162 -1498), but this value is probably very underestimated because they do not it has been correct for animals who were diving and thus were not observed. This abundance of information could not be used to assess threats to 8 s is 9dd tán under different populations because information on threats is very low. however, these results serve as a baseline for future estimates of abundance that allow determine the status and population trends of each especie.Respecto the distribution patterns of different species, the loggerhead sea turtle was observed throughout the study area and their distribution was not related to any of the environmental parameters studied. distribution list dolphin was only related to the depth, preferring waters between 900 and 1900 m has been detected two areas with the highest probability of occurrence of this species in the area: one in the Gulf of Valencia and the other in the south of Murcia. distribution hinnies dolphin was not related to any of the parameters studied, but only this species have been observed in water with depths in 1000 m. The distribution of gray calderón was related to the depth, like the dolphin list, but this kind preferred deeper waters (between 1500 and 2500 m deep). Lastly, I believe the abundance of dolphin listing model space, recently used a new methodology for estimating populations of cetaceans. density obtained through models Generals (GAMs) was very similar to that obtained with the method of linear transect, conventionally used to estimate populations of cetaceans. addition, using spatial models , the accuracy of estimates improvement, especially when it estimated abundances in small areas. Therefore, this new methodology, particularly useful for data from opportunistic platforms, it seems to be a good approximation to estimate densities cetaceans.

Author: BADILLO AMADOR FRANCISCO JAVIER.
Year: 2006.
University: VALENCIA [www.uv.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS.

Summary: In point of epizoitos, has found a total of 39 taxa belonging to 105 edged Cnidaria, Annelida, Crustácea, Mollusca and Ectoprocta. Of these, only a small number are true specialists sea turtles, as círripedos balanomorfos of families Chelonibiidae and Platylepadiidae, copepodo Balaenophilus sp, hirudíneo Ozobranchus margoi and ef anfipodo Podocerus chelonophilus. A second group of species presents a very high degree of association with the sea turtles, but also have been found in other habitats, such as tanaidaceo Hexapleomera robust, Isopoda Caprella andreae and Hyale grimaldii and decápodo Plans minutus. The last group, and larger, is composed of generalist species that can colonize other living or inert substrates, which are part of communities epibiontes of sea turtles with relative frequency. These include the cirrípedos Lepas spp Conchoderma virgatum, and Balanus spp; bivalve molluscs, amphipods, polychaetes sedentary, and briozoos hydrozoa. The discovery of some of these species because it raises some interest emerging in the Mediterranean, as balánido specialist marine turtles Stephanolepas muricata and copepod Balaenophilus sp. Other species were new records as epizoitos sea turtles globally, as the mollusk Bittium sp. On isópodo Idotea sp. And anfipodo Jassa sp. Or in the Mediterranean, as lepádido Lepas anserifera, bivalves Hiatella arctica and Musculus sp. Washing external turtles bobas studied revealed the presence of a copepod harpacticoide the family Balaenophilidae with a high prevalence. A morphometric study compared the copies found and others Balaenophilus umigamecolus species to which they were assigned at first, revealed differences that show they belong to a new species. The absence of any activity yet its final allocation, and pending the outcome of ongoing studies, the present paper chooses to call these copies comoBalaenophilus sp. It has also done a redescripción of a. Umigamecolus from copies of the original sample of Japan, where he described the species. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has enabled the discovery of new characters not mentioned in the original description, as well as the correction of some others. Given the controversy in the literature, this work has been carried out a study on habitat and feeding species of the genus Balaenophilus in order to find out the kind of partnership that exists with their hosts. So, has been studied B. Unisetus species inhabitant of several species of cetaceans misticetos and Balaenophilus sp. Species found by us in C. Caretta western Mediterranean. An examination of its contents through the digestive and SEM techniques inmunohistoquimicas, and the study of histopathological lesions associated with Balaenophilus sp. Suggests that both species feed on the host tissue, mostly by keratin. The association of these exclusive copepods with whales and sea turtles could be due precisely to their ability to exploit this resource, relatively rare in the marine environment. Likewise. It has been performed for the first time a study quantified some of the determinants of diversity epizoítos in C. Caretta. To avoid bias arising from the use of stranded copies, has been used only data of the presence / absence. Likewise. Attempts have been made to quantify the effect of different methodologies on the sampling results in order to evaluate the impact of such biases in the comparisons between faunísticas d 8 iferente ee9 s studies. According to our results. Community potential epizoítos of any individual of C. Caretta in the western Mediterranean can be understood comprised of a group of specialists (inherent in the community for the sake of historical expertise) and a set of generalist species of inanimate floating substrates (most variable and dependent on geographical factors). Unlike studies in the western Atlantic coast, the analysis of the biotic interactions of colonization in our area of study shows global partnerships positive or neutral species specialists, in the case of non-specialists. We have not found relationships between species exclusion. In addition, we found that the presence of algal genera Polysiphonia determines the presence of a core of 3 species specialists frequent, malacostráceos Caprella andreae, Hyale grimaldii and Hexapleomera robust. It has also been confirmed statistically positive relationship between the size of the turtles bobas, and the number of species epizoítos. Finally, the results of our analysis also suggest a seasonal effect on the wealth of species, although this would need to be confirmed with a larger sample size. In point of endoparasites, has found a total of 10 species of helminths. All of them in the digestive tract: 8 fluke digeneos (Enodiotrema megachondrus, Calycodes anthos, Hemiuroidea spp., Pachypsolus irroratus, Rhytidodes gelatinosus, Orchidasma amphiorchis, Plesiochorus cymbiformis. Pleurogonius trigonocephalus) and 2 nematodes (Kathlania leptura and Anisakis sp. Type I). Excluding digeneo Hemiuroidea spp. And nematode Anisakis sp. Type I, considered parasites accidental, the rest are specialists in sea turtles. The study of the diversity of the communities helminticas gastrointestinal C. Caretta reveals that these are an isolated system for the exchange of parasites with other marine vertebrates. In the western Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle must "uphold" their wildlife specialists parasites because neither the exchanges with other species of sea turtles. At turtles bobas singles (infracomunidad), the communities of parasites are very impoverished, being composed of species, although specialists, appeared very low prevalence. This could be explained by the nature ectotérmico of turtles, his great vagilidad and its broad diet. A comparative analysis of the composition and structure of communities helminthic two groups of turtles of different origins (confiscated and stranded) revealed no differences, despite the fact that if your diet showed significant differences, at least two groups of major dams numerically, the pelagic tunicates and teleósteos. It is suggested that this is because the digeneos specialists turtles bobas used gastropods and bivalves as hosts or intermediaries. In fact, though weak, was found linking some wildlife parásitaria found and such dams.

Author: MURUA AURICENEA HILARIO.
Year: 2006.
University: PAÍS VASCO [www.ehu.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: UNVIERSIDAD DEL PAÍS VASCO.

Author: LINARES PRATS CRITINA.
Year: 2006.
University: BARCELONA [www.ub.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE BIOLOGÍA.

Summary: The work of this thesis deals with the conservation of the species most emblematic of gorgoninas Mediterranean, the Red gorgonian Paramuricea clava. It conducted various studies with the objective of: 1-Knowing the distribution and structure of their populations as well as their health status. 2-phase study to be unaware of the life cycle of this species and their population dynamics modeling. 3-To study the effects of the shocks most important and lastly. 4, - Provide solutions to enhance the conservation of this species, through the modeling of the long-term effects of these disturbances and simulation of potential management measures as well as propose a technique of restoration to try to improve the viability and the most affected populations . The results of the first paragraph, which is a kind show with a very restricted distribution suggesting that is sensitive to the variability of abiotic factors. The structures sizes are generally bell-shaped structures that suggest a major failure in the recruitment process. In the second block, first looks at the early stages of life they were unaware of this kind show that these early stages have a very high mortality and a very moderate capacity dispersion do suggest serious problems for the colonization of new areas through sexual reproduction. With this knowledge, we were able to model the dynamic population by demographic matrix models, which we saw a significant decline in the populations studied with significant probability of extinction, population growth rates are much more sensitive to the survival of large colonies and for the viability of the population is of little importance recruitment, which is consistent with the results obtained for other species of trees that show a high longevity, as we estimate for the red gorgonian. In the third part, it shows that lso effects of the massive patterns identified during recent years in the Mediterranean and linked to global warming, have important effects in these populations showing the importance of the impacts deferred after the impact on mortality of colonies and his effort player. In the last part, we can see that the modeling of two significant impacts for these populations, the mass mortalities and the intense activity of diving, has important long-term effects but improving management of stocks intensive bucio can reach improving the viability of these populations. The risk of increased frequency of these events mortality show the risk of extinction of these populations and the important role of synergistic effects when the two populations acting at the same time. These results evidence the importance of improving the management of diving to face the risk of resorting mass mortality events linked to global warming. Finally, we propose the restoration of populations through transplantation recovered fragments of colonies that have been torn out of the population. On the one hand we develop a technique with which we get a very similar survival wings natural colonies of such stature, and on the other hand modelizamos effort transplant necessary to ensure the viability of populations show that to significantly improve the viability is necessary the transplants are performed the least every two years and with an efficiency of large transplant. All these results confirm that we are ahead of a species very fragile and a low residence compared with growing populations detected in 8 s ecosis 358 items marine, stressing the need for proper management of these populations to try to ensure feasibility of the populations most superficial of red gorgonian to our coastline.