Marine Biology Research – Ocean Exploration and Marine Ecosystems

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Three issues have been published in Marine Biology Research since our last editorial featuring – among other exciting work – new descriptions, systematic revisions, and detailed biological characterization of marine taxa discovered in remote, unexplored waters. These accomplishments clearly demonstrate that new information has to be collected in our oceans in order to develop a fuller understanding of biological diversity and structure, vital prerequisites of marine ecosystem research. Future studies are needed to provide insights into organism–environment relationships and intrinsic biological characteristics. These investigations should also facilitate the search for appropriate indicators of local and global change and predictors of ecological impact.

Figure 1.  The narcomedusa Aeginura grimaldii Maas, 1904, was encountered during both the Mar-ECO cruise in summer 2004 (http://www.mar-eco.no/Shiptoshore/g._o._sars/cruise_journal_gosars/21July) and the Gulf of Maine cruise in autumn 2004 (http://www.at-sea.org/missions/maineevent5/preview.html); photographer: David Shale (www.davidshale.com).

In order to fulfil the journal's ever-increasing needs in marine biodiversity and ecosystem research, three new subject editors have recently joined us: Professor Nianzhi George Jiao, State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Xiamen, China – microbial ecology and carbon cycling; Dr Geir Ottersen, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway – climate effects and populations dynamics; Dr Marsh J. Youngbluth, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 U.S. 1, North, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA – macrozooplankton ecology and behaviour. Welcome!

We devote this issue to the memory of Dr Francesc Pagès, marine biologist and gelatinous zooplankton systematist. Marsh Youngbluth sent us the following remembrances:

A gifted young man, our modest colleague and jovial friend, Francesc Pagès, departed this life on 5 May 2007. His innate curiosity and boundless enthusiasm for gelatinous plankton was a motivating spirit in the oceanographic community. Those who sailed with Francesc were privileged to witness his uncanny ability to notice species overlooked by most of us. He scrutinized every bucket of plankton with a characteristic, up close and personal ritual. Initially, he would peer intently into a beaker to search for familiar silhouettes, carefully scooping or siphoning creatures that looked unfamiliar. Subsequently, he invariably plunged his hands into the plankton soup to feel for what he did not see. Finally, at the microscope he entertained himself and anyone in hearing distance with monosyllabic moans. Francesc savoured his profession and generously shared his discoveries and wisdom at meetings and workshops. His scientific pursuits in seas and oceans focused on the systematics of gelatinous zooplankton (ctenophores, siphonophores, medusae, salps, doliolids, pyrosomes and molluscs) and their ecology (physical–biological coupling within near-shore and up-welling regimes, predatory roles, and symbiotic associations). Be sure to read his publications.

We miss him!

A list of authored and co-authored publications by Francesc Pagès appears at the end of this issue.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark