*Corresponding author, e-mail: antolic@izor.hr
A checklist of brown algae (Heterokontophyta: Phaeophyceae) from the eastern Adriatic coast, based on records published from 1948 to 1997, is presented. For geographic analysis the coast is divided into three parts: northern, middle, and southern. A total of 180 macroalgal taxa at specific and infraspecific levels are recognized, in which 12 new combinations are proposed.

The identification key covers 20 species of Blennioidea presently known in the Adriatic Sea, and one additional species known to occur in freshwaters. The standard format of a dichotomous bracket key was used. The key was developed in order to make the process of identification of Adriatic blennioids clear, simple and non-destructive, thus providing a small number of easily verifiable characters instead of proposing overlapping or highly variable characters. The key is also aimed at in-the-lab-training of SCUBA observers, since many biases may influence the accuracy and precision of blennioid identification when using non-destructive visual census techniques

A sample of 450 specimens of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus (Linnaeus, 1758), from the middle and south Adriatic was biometrically analysed. The total length of all specimens ranged from 7.0 to 25.8 cm. Eighteen morphometric and eight meristic characteristics were determined. Sexual dimorphism was observed in seven morphometric measurements. There were no differences in meristic characters between sexes. Relative growth was studied by comparing changes in morphological characters with growth in standard and head length. The results obtained suggest the existence of one unique population of S. porcus in the Adriatic Sea

The sand star Astropecten irregularis (Pennant, 1777) is a very common species in the Adriatic Sea. This study establishes the distribution, biomass and abundance of that species on the continental shelf of the open waters in the northern and middle Adriatic Sea based on experimental sampling by bottom trawl during 11 cruises of the “Pipeta” Expedition (1985-1994). Five hundred and eighteen bottom trawl hauls were performed at 56 predetermined permanent stations along ten transects, over different sediment types at depths of 10 to 430 m. Astropecten irregularis was recorded in 82.2% of the hauls, with the highest biomass and abundance indices at depths from 10 to 50 m. The deepest record was in a haul from 313.5 to 412.5 m depth. Even though it was recorded all over the investigated area, it was most abundant in some areas of the northernmost part of the Adriatic, and very abundant in the areas along the western coast. The highest average biomass and abundance indices were recorded on sand-silt-clay sediment, on silty sand and sandy silt and on the clayey silt and silty clay

Facciolella oxyrhyncha was recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean coast of Israel. The present record extends considerably its eastward distribution from the Bay of Antalya which was considered hitherto its most eastern point of distribution

The study was carried out along the Cyprus coast, Levantine basin. A total of 9 samplings were conducted at 5 stations and 2 different biotopes. One species (Gnathia dentata) is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea, two species (Campecopea hirsuta and Eurydice truncata) are new for the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and two species (Cyathura carinata and Paradella dianae) for the fauna of Cyprus

This paper presents research data on the growth, size class frequency and reproduction of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in Bistrina Bay, eastern Adriatic Sea coast, Croatia. The population was sampled on a monthly basis and from depths ranging between 0 and 3 m from the surface. Size class frequency of the test diameter showed that the population size ranges between 10 and 65 mm in the area with the main population in the class 30-45 mm. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were found: TD8=7.07 cm, K=0.182, to=-1.403 years. The estimated longevity was found to be 15.06 years. The gonad somatic index annual distribution showed that the peak of reproduction occurs in April. The average GSI values range between 1.33±0.96% in September and 4.83±2.02% in April

Seasonal and spatial distributions of cadmium (Cd) and organic matter (OM) in sediment and suspended matter of the semi-enclosed Kaštela Bay (middle Adriatic Sea) were investigated at four stations during a one year period (April 2000 - April 2001). Samples of surface sediment and suspended matter were collected monthly. One sediment core was sampled at every station at the beginning of the sampling period. Cd concentrations in surface sediment and suspended matter were in the range of 0.082-0.904 mg kg-1 and 0.131-1.057 mg kg-1, respectively. The distribution pattern of Cd between sediment and suspended matter clarified Cd transport throughout the bay. The suspended matter acts as a collector and carrier of Cd in the bay. The higher concentrations in suspended matter were associated with lower concentrations in the sediments, which indicated that sediment resuspension has an important role in the distribution of Cd between sediments and suspended matter. The spatial distribution of Cd in the sediment and suspended matter of Kaštela Bay was in accordance with the prevailing circulation in the bay and indicated a partially anthropogenic origin of Cd. The vertical distribution revealed a decrease of Cd concentration with sediment depth, which also indicated an anthropogenic origin. Seasonal differences in the accumulation of Cd were recorded with concentrations being higher during the autumn-winter season, in accordance with a higher degree of sediment resuspension during this period

Cymothoa indica, a cymothoid isopod, is reported for the first time parasitizing Myripristis murdjan (Pinecone soldierfish), a reef-associated Indo-pacific fish, collected from the Red Sea, Egypt. The specimens observed are mature females and males. It is distinguishable from the other members in the genus principally by having a poorly developed amphicephalic process, oblong body, pyriform cephalon and presence of well-developed lobe on ischium of pereopod VII. Parasites were found in greater numbers in the buccal cavity (62.5%) than in the branchial cavity (18.75%) of Myripristis murdjan with a total prevalence of 81.3%. In addition to the infection prevalence, mean intensity and site specificity are discussed

*Corresponding author, e-mail: zorica@izor.hr
The otolith (sagitta) measurements of five pelagic fish species - Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758); Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792); Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758; Scomber japonicus Houttuyn, 1780 and Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761) – were obtained by image analysis of catch samples retrieved from the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Three dimensionless shape descriptors of form factor (FF), roundness (RD) and aspect ratio (AR) were analysed and revealed statistically significant differences between the otoliths of the stated pelagic fish species. Maximum otolith length (LO) and otolith weight (WO) were linearly correlated to total fish length (TL) for each studied fish species; they were increasing proportionally during fish growth