This study describes and recognises, using histological and microscopical examinations on a morphometrical basis, several gonad traits through the early life stages of Chiton articulatus and C. albolineatus. Gonadal ontogenesis, gonad development stages, sexual differentiation, onset of the first sexual maturity, and growth sequences or “early life stages” were determined. In addition, allometry between lengths and body weight pooled for both sexes per each chiton were calculated using equation Y = aXb. A total of 125 chitons (4≤TL≤40 mm, in total length “TL”) were used. All allometric relations showed a strong positive correlation (r), close to 1, with b-values above three, indicating an isometric growth. Gonadal ontogenesis and gonad development stages were categorised into three periods (“Pw” without gonad, “Pe” gonad emergence, and “Pf” gonadal sac formed) and four stages (“S0” gametocytogenesis, “S1” gametogenesis, “S2” mature, and “S3” spawning), respectively. Compound digital images were attained for each process. Periods and stages are overlapped among them and between species, with the following overall confidence intervals in TL: Pw 6.13–14.32 mm, Pe 10.32–16.93 mm, Pf 12.99–25.01 mm, S0 16.08–24.34 mm (females) and 19.51–26.60 mm (males), S1 27.15–35.63 mm (females) and 23.45–32.27 mm (males), S2 24.48–40.24 mm (females) and 25.45–32.87 mm (males). Sexual differentiation (in S0) of both chitons occurs first as a female then as a male; although, males reach the onset of the first sexual maturity earlier than females, thus for C. articulatus males at 17 mm and females at 32 mm, and for C. albolineatus males at 23.5 mm and females at 28 mm, all in TL. Four early life stages (i.e., subjuvenile, juvenile, subadult, and adult) are described and proposed to distinguish growth sequences. Our results may be useful to diverse disciplines, from developmental biology to fisheries management.

Gonad development stages (GDS) and, subsequently, the reproductive cycle are described by performing histology of some gonad portions. In polyplacophorans, gametogenesis is not enough to define GDS; further anatomical gonad features are relevant. In most adult polyplacophorans, the gonad is a simple anatomical structure that resembles and operates as one single gonadal acinus without glandular structure. These features have gone unnoticed causing inaccurate GDS assignment and, consequently, imprecise reproductive season in polyplacophorans. Here, dissection protocols that allow extracting a compact gonad are established. Emphasizing the anatomical structure of the whole gonad and the displacement of gametes, five GDS were assigned to both sexes of Chiton (Chiton) articulatus: I‐goniogenesis, II‐development, III‐ripe, IV‐spawning, V‐rest. Tissue platelets contribute importantly to GDS assignment and even help distinguishing between males and females. Neither a randomly selected portion of gonad nor a longitudinal section are recommended because it leads to misinterpretation higher than 50% in determining GDS and besides ignores displacement of gametes. A panoramic sweep across a complete transverse‐section of each gonad was validated as the best option for establishing GDS. This new methodology was tested on several polyplacophorans species, and seems generally applicable for histological assessment of reproductive cycle and reproductive season in polyplacophorans.

The chihuil sea catfish ( Bagre panamensis ) is endemic of the Eastern Pacific and is a species of fishery importance in the Mexican Pacific. The complete mitochondrial genome of Bagre panamensis has been assembled from Illumina sequencing data. The circular genome was 16,714 bp in lengh, and consist of 13 protein-coding, two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Base composition is 30.8% A, 26.6% T, 28.2% C, and 14.4% G, and 42.6% GC content. Protein-coding genes present two start codon (ATG and GTG) and eight stop codon (TAA, TCT, CCT, TTA, CAT, AAT, ATT, and TAG). The control region possesses the highest A + T (64.4%) and lowest G + C content (35.6%) among all mitochondrial regions. These data would contribute to the evolutionary studies of related taxa.

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Hoffmannola hansi (Mexican intertidal leather slug) is traditionally reported as an endemic species to the Gulf of California, Mexico. However, its presence in the southern Mexican Pacific has been mentioned in regional checklists and reports. Here we provide new records of H. hansi populations from at least 3 locations from Oaxaca, Mexico. The anatomical characteristics useful for H. hansi identification are described for both, living and preserved specimens. Specimen's reports from the Gulf of California to Oaxaca, Mexico, are mentioned, yielding a revised distribution throughout the Mexican Pacific. A map with the wider geographic distribution of H. hansi is also updated. Therefore, this species is not "endemic" to the Gulf of California, but is distributed throughout the Mexican Pacific. However its distribution is discontinuous with the possible existence of 2 cryptic species geographically separated by the Sinaloan gap: 1 in the North (Gulf of California) and 1 in the South. Additional work is needed to explore in more detail the complete geographical range of H. hansi populations on the entire Mexican Pacific Coast.

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