Even though seaweeds have been recognized as key players in the ocean-to-atmosphere transfer of iodine in other parts of the world, there is a complete lack of knowledge about iodine accumulation in seaweeds of the Arabian Gulf. Similarly, very little is known about fluorine in seaweeds, anywhere in the world. Given that the Arabian Gulf is of particular interest due to being an extreme environment, featuring some of the highest temperatures and salinities observed in any marine water body worldwide, this study endeavoured to conduct a preliminary survey of iodine and fluorine levels in 11 of the most common seaweed species in the region, supported by morphological and molecular (DNA barcode)-based identification. Iodine was determined by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, while ion chromatography was employed for analysis of fluoride. Species surveyed included Iyengaria stellata, Padina boergesenii, Chondria sp.Dictyota dichotoma, Colpomenia sinuosa, Feldmannia indica,Codium papillatum, Sargassum ilicifolium, S. ilicifolium var. acaraeocarpum, Sargassum asperifolium and Sargassum aquifolium. The findings of S. ilicifolium and S. ilicifolium var. acaraeocarpum reported here are new records both for Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf. P. boergesenii and D. dichotoma are new records for Kuwait.

Cephalopods are a versatile group with several mechanisms in place to ensure the success of future generations. The Patagonian long-finned squid (Doryteuthis gahi) populations on the southern Patagonian shelf are believed to be genetically homogenous but mechanisms connecting them geographically and temporally are unresolved. Individual growth is highly variable within cephalopod populations and is likely to affect individual patterns of migration and, thus, population connectivity as a whole. Therefore, this study aimed to make inferences about 2 population structure by analysing the size at which individuals were mature and aimed to describe the intrapopulation growth (allometric) trajectories of body shape, using landmark-based geometric morphometric techniques to describe phenotypes. Samples were collected from June 1999 to November 2017 around 52 o S and 58 o W. Smoothing curves from binomial generalised additive models (GAMs) suggested two size modes of maturity in females and one or multiple modes in males dependent on year and season. There was a gradual elongation of the mantle and an increase in the relative fin size throughout ontogeny. Shape scores from geometric morphometric shape coordinates revealed a continuous non-linear allometric trajectory with a significantly different slope angle for males exceeding 20.1 cm dorsal mantle length (DML). At the extreme of this continuum, the largest 'super-bull' form had a substantially more elongated body shape, a heavier fin and a larger fin area compared to the rest of the population, a body shape associated with enhanced swimming performance which may help to maintain population connectivity. The prevalence of these rare super-bulls in the fishery varied widely between years, suggestive of phenotypic plasticity. This study provides evidence that the D. gahi population on the southern Patagonian shelf has a complex population structure with high intraspecific variation. 1 Introduction Populations of animals often incidentally assume risk-spreading strategies that reduce the potential for population collapse. In many cases, a multi-generational structure provides a reserve of several year-classes of reproductively viable adults and genetic variability that reduces this risk of collapse or extinction (O'Dor 1998). Conversely, most cephalopods are characterised by short, often annual life-cycles with a complete turnover in biomass every one to two years. They therefore do not have a multi-generational structure to buffer against fluctuations in spawning and recruitment success (Pierce and Guerra 1994; Boyle and Rodhouse 2008). The flexibility inherent within many cephalopod populations may allow them to persist within the heterogeneous marine environment without a multi-generational buffer in place (O'Dor 1998). Although this is a group selectionist argument for phenotypic plasticity, it is plausible if many populations exist and population persistence depends on plasticity. Virtually every facet of cephalopod life-history examined to date has revealed an incre...

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For many types of seaweeds in Polar Regions, open questions remain about how their life cycle contributes to their overall adaptation to the extreme abiotic environment. This applies in particular to the major canopy-forming brown algae in much of the Antarctic Peninsula of the genus Desmarestia, which was investigated here. Diving surveys around Rothera Research Station (Adelaide Island, Antarctica) during December 2017–February 2018 revealed the widespread presence of a hitherto-unknown life form of Desmarestia sp. of a tender, feather-like morphology. Further studies explored whether this could be (1) a new, hitherto undescribed Desmarestia species (2) a new record for the region of a known Desmarestia species previously recorded elsewhere or (3) a so-far unknown life form of a species recorded for the region. Collections enabled the extraction of PCR-friendly DNA and sequencing of ITS1, which unambiguously showed that the samples belonged to Desmarestia menziesii, the only Desmarestia species presently recorded for the Adelaide Island/Marguerite Bay region. The presence of the juvenile morphology was subsequently confirmed throughout much of the natural range of D. menziesii during cruise-based diving surveys along the Western Antarctic Peninsula in 2019 and from collections at Anvers Island in 1989. Our collections thus constitute its juvenile morphology, which is not previously documented in the literature. The wider significance for the Polar seaweeds is discussed in the context of Taxonomy and Ecology.