Red calcareous algae create bio-aggregations ecosystems constituted by carbonate calcium, with two main morphotypes: geniculate and non-geniculate structures (rhodoliths may form bio-encrustations on hard substrata or unattached nodules). This study presents a bibliographic review of the order Corallinales (specifically, rhodoliths), highlighting on morphology, ecology, diversity, related organisms, major anthropogenic influences on climate change and current conservation initiatives. These habitats are often widespread geographically and bathymetrically, occurring in the photic zone from the intertidal area to depths of 270 m. Due to its diverse morphology, this group offers a special biogenic environment that is favourable to epiphyte algae and a number of marine invertebrates. They also include holobiont microbiota made up of tiny eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. The morphology of red calcareous algae and outside environmental conditions are thought to be the key forces regulating faunistic communities in algae reefs. The impacts of climate change, particularly those related to acidification, might substantially jeopardise the survival of the Corallinales. Despite the significance of these ecosystems, there are a number of anthropogenic stresses on them. Since there have been few attempts to conserve them, programs aimed at their conservation and management need to closely monitor their habitats, research the communities they are linked with and assess the effects they have on the environment.

Scientific illustration can be defined as a realistic representation of an object that the illustrator or the scientist observes, pointing out features that they want to show. Over the years, illustration has fulfilled different objectives, becoming an indispensable tool in the science service, being extremely important to understanding the natural world and recognized as a significant factor in the emergence of modern science (MOSER, 2014). The scientific illustration helps to define the object in a simple way, being instantly “readable” or easy to interpret, even for a non-erudite and is a form of visual scientific communication (ALCARAZ; CORREIA; CERVIÑO, 2015; MOSER, 2014). For these reasons, drawing is a tool appreciated by scientists. The aim of this article is to show the different areas of application of scientific illustration and also the emergence of the digital illustration, particularly the 3D illustration.

One of the most prevalent autochthonous polychaete taxa in the European Atlantic and Mediterranean seas is the genus Hediste (Nereididae, Polychaeta, Annelida). Its species provide food for aquatic life, such as fish and crustaceans, playing significant ecological roles in trophic webs. Until 2022, only the species Hediste diversicolor was referenced for Atlantic and Mediterranean waters; nonetheless, it is a cryptic species, in which Hediste pontii in the Adriatic Sea, and Hediste astae in the Aegean, Black, Caspian, and Baltic seas have recently been established. In this paper, we propose a new species of polychaete, Hediste sinesimplex sp. nov. for the Western Mediterranean, Baltic and Eastern North seas, based on an integrative approach, focusing on traditional taxonomy and DNA barcoding analysis. In addition to the morphological description, we have also included 3D models of this new species to exemplify the use of this technique for in-depth morphological description.

Few studies on the diversity of macroalgae species have been carried out in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. With this study, we intend to provide a descriptive taxonomic morphological characterization of the macroalgae species collected in Portuguese coastal areas (e.g. Moledo beach and Vila Praia de Âncora) and Spanish coastal areas (O Muiño, A Guarda, at the mouth of the Minho River), and to organize these organisms in the future "Natural History Museum of the Iberian Peninsula-NatMIP". To do this, we collected and identified macroalgae from different parts of the region, which were systematically organized and placed in the NatMIP, which is currently part of the Aquamuseu do Rio Minho, Vila Nova de Cerveira municipality. This list of species obtained includes a total of 40 specimens of 24 valid species (of which only Chondrus crispus var. filiformis has not been found in other studies of the Portuguese coast), belonging to 11 orders, 4 classes (Ulvophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae) and 3 phyla (Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta). Thus, we wish to contribute to the literature, as data from this region is limited. This study is also an important resource, as we have kept the observed specimens preserved in the NatMIP collection and they can be used for future research, including environmental monitoring studies. Poucos estudos sobre a diversidade de espécies de macroalgas têm sido realizados no Noroeste da Península Ibérica. Com o presente estudo, pretendemos fornecer a caracterização descritiva taxonómica morfológica das espécies de macroalgas recolhidas em zonas costeiras portuguesas (por exemplo na praia de Moledo e Vila Praia de Âncora) e espanholas (O Muiño, A Guarda, na desembocadura do rio Minho), e organizar estes organismos no futuro “Natural History Museum of the Iberian Peninsula” / Museu de História Natural da Península Ibérica-NatMIP. Para isso, recolhemos e identificamos macroalgas de diferentes pontos desta região, que foram sistematicamente organizadas e colocadas no NatMIP, que atualmente faz parte do Aquamuseu do Rio Minho, no município de Vila Nova de Cerveira. Esta lista de espécies obtida inclui um total de 40 exemplares de 24 espécies válidas (das quais, apenas Chondrus crispus var. filiformis não foi encontrado noutros estudos da costa portuguesa), pertencentes a 11 ordens, 4 classes (Ulvophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Bangiophyceae e Florideophyceae) e 3 filos (Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta e Rhodophyta). Assim, desejamos contribuir para a literatura, pois os dados desta região são limitados. Este estudo também é um recurso importante, pois mantivemos os espécimes observados conservados na coleção do NatMIP e podem ser utilizados para pesquisas futuras, incluindo estudos de monitorização ambiental.