Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Research

13 pages, 13821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psammophaga secriensia sp. nov., a New Monothalamid Foraminifera (Protista, Rhizaria) from the Romanian Black Sea Shelf

by Ana Bianca Pavel, Sylvain Kreuter, Maria Holzmann, Alin Enache, Rozalia Motoc and Jan Pawlowski

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(8), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11081546 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1184

Abstract

Based on molecular and morphological characters, we describe a new species of monothalamous foraminifera, Psammophaga secriensia sp. nov., that was sampled from two coastal locations (48 m and 53 m depth) on the Romanian Black Sea continental shelf. Molecular data further confirm its [...] Read more.

Based on molecular and morphological characters, we describe a new species of monothalamous foraminifera, Psammophaga secriensia sp. nov., that was sampled from two coastal locations (48 m and 53 m depth) on the Romanian Black Sea continental shelf. Molecular data further confirm its presence in the northeastern part of the Black Sea (Balaklava Bay, 5–10 m depth). Specimens of Psammophaga secriensia sp. nov. are characterized by an elongate to broadly pyriform test and a simple rounded aperture. The wall is translucent and the cytoplasm contains mineral grains of different sizes. The genus Psammophaga, including Psammophaga simplora and several undetermined morphotypes, has been reported from different areas of the Black Sea. Previous research using an integrative taxonomic approach has identified two additional species (Psammophaga zirconia; Psammophaga sp., Gooday et al., 2011) occurring in the Black Sea. Monothalamids are an important part of the meiobenthos in the Black Sea and our results increase the knowledge of foraminiferal diversity in this marginal sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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15 pages, 5403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Insight into the Taxonomy of Pseudo-nitzschia Genus from the Adriatic Sea: Description of P. brasiliana, P. galaxiae, P. hasleana, and P. linea

by Jasna Arapov, Tina Tomašević, Tina Bonačić, Mia Pejković, Mia Bužančić, Ivana Bušelić, Ivana Lepen Pleić, Silvia Casabianca, Antonella Penna, Sanda Skejić and Živana Ninčević Gladan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(7), 1370; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11071370 - 05 Jul 2023

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Abstract

Marine diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia are widespread and occur in various environments. About half of the species described today have been shown to be toxic, producing the potent neurotoxin, domoic acid. The Pseudo-nitzschia species are a common component of the Adriatic phytoplankton [...] Read more.

Marine diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia are widespread and occur in various environments. About half of the species described today have been shown to be toxic, producing the potent neurotoxin, domoic acid. The Pseudo-nitzschia species are a common component of the Adriatic phytoplankton community and are occasionally predominant. In the present study, the composition of the Pseudo-nitzschia species was studied in four distinct aquaculture areas from February 2022 to February 2023. These are the first results of a comprehensive study of Pseudo-nitzschia diversity combining morphological and molecular analyses. The integrated approach resulted in the confirmation of Pseudo-nitzschia brasiliana, Pseudo-nitzschia hasleana, Pseudo-nitzschia galaxiae, and Pseudo-nitzschia linea. The species, P. galaxiae, was the most frequently occurring, P. linea was found in all investigated areas, while P. hasleana and P. brasiliana were rare, and their distribution was limited mainly to Kaštela Bay. The findings of P. brasiliana and P. hasleana represent the first confirmation for the Adriatic Sea, while P. galaxiae and P. linea have not been previously reported along the eastern Adriatic coast. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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10 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of SNPs for Sibship Assignment in Farmed Banana Shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis)

by Chontida Phuthaworn, Nguyen Hong Nguyen and Wayne Knibb

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(7), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11071281 - 24 Jun 2023

Viewed by 994

Abstract

Pedigrees are essential components in selective breeding programs to manage genetic diversity and obtain accurate genetic parameter estimates to ensure long-term response to selection in captive populations. High throughput and cost-effective sequencing technologies has offered opportunities of using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to [...] Read more.

Pedigrees are essential components in selective breeding programs to manage genetic diversity and obtain accurate genetic parameter estimates to ensure long-term response to selection in captive populations. High throughput and cost-effective sequencing technologies has offered opportunities of using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to resolve penaeid shrimp pedigrees from mass spawning cohorts and communal rearing. Effects of SNPs for sibship assignment were investigated on 546 shrimp using two software programs, Colony and Sequoia. Assignment rates and accuracies using SNP subsets with six different minor allele frequencies (MAFs), four sets of SNPs, and five genotyping error rates were compared to the microsatellite-based pedigree established in a previous study. High MAFs and numbers of SNPs contributed to significant increases in assignment rates and accuracies, whereas genotyping error rates showed negligible impacts on assignment results. Sibship assignments achieved rates and accuracies of 98% and 83%, respectively, with a minimum number of 91 SNPs (average MAF ≥ 0.14), and the two different programs exhibited similar resulting patterns for different SNP subsets. High consistencies between SNP-based and microsatellite-based pedigrees showed that accurate pedigrees could be achieved by using SNPs and thus contribute to the long-term response to selection in farmed banana shrimp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

13 pages, 4722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Assessment of the Innovative Autonomous Tool CETOSCOPE© Used in the Detection and Localization of Moving Underwater Sound Sources

by Yann Doh, Beverley Ecalle, Fabienne Delfour, Cyprien Pankowski, Gildas Cozanet, Guillaume Becouarn, Marion Ovize, Bertrand Denis and Olivier Adam

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(5), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11050960 - 30 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1667

Abstract

The detection and localization of acoustic sources remain technological challenges in bioacoustics, in particular, the tracking of moving underwater sound sources with a portable waterproof tool. For instance, this type of tool is important to describe the behavior of cetaceans within social groups. [...] Read more.

The detection and localization of acoustic sources remain technological challenges in bioacoustics, in particular, the tracking of moving underwater sound sources with a portable waterproof tool. For instance, this type of tool is important to describe the behavior of cetaceans within social groups. To contribute to this issue, an original innovative autonomous device, called a CETOSCOPE©, was designed by ABYSS NGO, including a 360° video camera and a passive acoustic array with 4 synchronized hydrophones. Firstly, different 3D structures were built and tested to select the best architecture to minimize the errors of the localizations. Secondly, a specific software was developed to analyze the recorded data and to link them to the acoustic underwater sources. The 3D localization of the sound sources is based on time difference of arrival processing. Following successful simulations on a computer, this device was tested in a pool to assess its efficiency. The final objective is to use this device routinely in underwater visual and acoustic observations of cetaceans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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12 pages, 5812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assemblage Distribution of the Larval and Juvenile Myctophid Fish in the Kuroshio Extension Region: Winter 2020

by Hao Xu, Bilin Liu and Yangming Cao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(5), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11050898 - 23 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1155

Abstract

Myctophids are an ecologically important mesopelagic species in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Due to the wide distribution, great diversity and variable biological characteristics of the species, there is a lack of reliable information regarding their spawning and nursery grounds in the Kuroshio extension [...] Read more.

Myctophids are an ecologically important mesopelagic species in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Due to the wide distribution, great diversity and variable biological characteristics of the species, there is a lack of reliable information regarding their spawning and nursery grounds in the Kuroshio extension region. In this study, we identified a total of 110 myctophid individuals using DNA barcoding and morphological techniques, among which, the dominant genus was Ceratoscopelus, comprising 37.27% of the entire catch. The abundance of each sampling station was calculated, and its relationship with environmental variables was analyzed. Tweedie-Generalized Additive Model (GAM) analysis showed that copepod density, oceanic dynamic processes, and sea surface temperature were the primary factors influencing the distribution pattern of larvae and juvenile myctophid fish. The results further indicate that the Kuroshio extension plays a dominant role in the biological processes of these fish in this region. These findings provide crucial dynamic information for the scientific conservation and exploitation of myctophids, which could have significant implications for the management of these fish populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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11 pages, 2194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microplastics Detected in Sediments and Rocks Substrate of Marine Areas with Ghost Nets

by Dyana Vitale, Andrea Spinelli and Yolanda Picó

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(4), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11040750 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1972

Abstract

According to UNEP and FAO reports, the fishing nets abandoned in the seas around the world represent approximately 10% of the plastic waste present in the oceans. These nets, also called ghost nets, can be degraded over time, releasing microplastics and contaminating the [...] Read more.

According to UNEP and FAO reports, the fishing nets abandoned in the seas around the world represent approximately 10% of the plastic waste present in the oceans. These nets, also called ghost nets, can be degraded over time, releasing microplastics and contaminating the environment. Studying the presence and amount of microplastics in an area impacted by ghost nets in the Gulf of Cefalù, northern coast of Sicily, Italy can help to understand the level of contamination in these zones. The planned study methodology has been carried out by sampling sediment and rock substrate, on a quantitative basis, by scuba diving at seven stations selected as the most representative for the presence or absence of fishing nets in the study area. Two different extraction methods for sediment and rock samples were taken from the literature and modified for the present study. Microplastics determination was carried out according to, first, a visual identification and, second, a polymer type identification by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, demonstrating the presence of polyamide, nylon, or polyethylene in the impacted areas, probably derived from the degradation of fishing nets. The present study reports the first record of microplastics determination in rock substrate samples recollected by scuba diving activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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12 pages, 2265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Analysis of Two Divergent C4 Isotypes in the Classical and Lectin Pathways of Complement Activation in the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

by Rosli Nehlah, Akira Yamamoto, Takahiro Nagasawa, Tomonori Somamoto and Miki Nakao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(4), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11040707 - 25 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1007

Abstract

In the evolution of the complement system, a major humoral innate immune factor, the existence of multiple isotypes of the complement components is considered as a key strategy to enhance innate immune defense. Complement C4 is also diversified in a wide range of [...] Read more.

In the evolution of the complement system, a major humoral innate immune factor, the existence of multiple isotypes of the complement components is considered as a key strategy to enhance innate immune defense. Complement C4 is also diversified in a wide range of vertebrate species including teleost fish, possibly supporting the robust activation mechanism of the complement. To better understand the functional diversity of C4 isotypes in the teleost complement system, two C4 isotypes, C4-1 and C4-2, sharing only 32% amino acid sequence identity, were examined for binding specificities towards model target molecules representing microbe antigens and towards Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The results suggest that C4-1 and C4-2 behave similarly in binding to the tested targets, despite the predicted difference in binding specificity based on the thioester catalytic site. The participation of C4-1 in the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation was also explored using pathway-specific activating enzyme complexes, C1r/s and MBL-MASP2. As a result, C4-1 can be activated in both the classical and the lectin pathways, at higher efficiency in the classical pathway. Taken together, the present results imply that both C4-1 and C4-2 isotypes are fully functional in the complement activation cascades, probably playing comparable roles in innate immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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17 pages, 1508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Influence of Seasonal Water Column Dynamics on the Relationship between Marine Viruses and Microbial Food Web Components Using an Artificial Neural Network

by Marin Ordulj, Danijela Šantić, Frano Matić, Slaven Jozić, Stefanija Šestanović, Mladen Šolić, Jere Veža and Živana Ninčević Gladan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(3), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030639 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1573

Abstract

Artificial neural network analysis (ANN) is used to study the seasonal distribution of viruses and microbial food web (MFW) components in the open Adriatic Sea. The effect of viruses within the MFW is often overlooked, although viruses play an important role in microbial [...] Read more.

Artificial neural network analysis (ANN) is used to study the seasonal distribution of viruses and microbial food web (MFW) components in the open Adriatic Sea. The effect of viruses within the MFW is often overlooked, although viruses play an important role in microbial community dynamics. The results showed that the strongest influence is found in the nonlinear relationship between viruses and temperature. In addition, the algorithm showed that the number of viral populations in the P-limited open sea varies by season and according to the abundance of their main hosts, HB. A strong positive relationship between viruses and HB was found in more than 50% of the observed data. Moreover, this algorithm confirmed the association of the virus with the autotrophic part of the picoplankton and with heterotrophic nanoflagellates. The dynamics of the four resulting clusters, characterized by biological and environmental parameters, is described as a cyclic pattern in the water layer above the thermocline. Neural gas network analysis has been shown to be an excellent tool for describing changes in MFW components in the open Adriatic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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20 pages, 5367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fouling Community on Pinna nobilis Larval Collectors in the Adriatic—Impact of Invasive Species

by Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli, Dajana Kujundžić, Martina Naranđa, Donat Petricioli, Lucija Petricioli and Silvija Kipson

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(3), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030618 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1522

Abstract

In the last few years, the endemic Mediterranean bivalve Pinna nobilis has been exposed to dramatic mortality in its entire area, which could lead to the extinction of the species. Throughout the Mediterranean, a lot of effort is being put into finding ways [...] Read more.

In the last few years, the endemic Mediterranean bivalve Pinna nobilis has been exposed to dramatic mortality in its entire area, which could lead to the extinction of the species. Throughout the Mediterranean, a lot of effort is being put into finding ways of preserving it. One of the methods used to monitor recruitment and juveniles’ survival is the installation of collectors for bivalve larvae. We installed collectors at two locations: in Brijuni National Park (North Adriatic) and Luka Cove (central Adriatic). Our aim was to compare the fouling community on the collectors in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020), especially because the installation of collectors in 2020 coincided with mass mortality events of P. nobilis in the area. The number and size of juvenile P. nobilis and the qualitative and quantitative composition of the fouling communities were determined. The results show a reduction in the number and size of juvenile P. nobilis and an explosion of the invasive bivalve Anadara transversa population on collectors in the second year. In Luka Cove, another invasive species—the ascidian Styela plicata—also seriously affected other organisms on the collectors to the point of preventing analysis of the fouling community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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17 pages, 4261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Husbandry and Original Location on the Fouling of Transplanted Panels

by Emily Ralston and Geoffrey Swain

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(3), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030478 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1129

Abstract

The best way to stop the introduction of non-indigenous species (NISs) is by preventing their transport. In the case of ship hulls, this may be accomplished by managing entrainment onto the hull. This study was designed to examine the role of hull husbandry, [...] Read more.

The best way to stop the introduction of non-indigenous species (NISs) is by preventing their transport. In the case of ship hulls, this may be accomplished by managing entrainment onto the hull. This study was designed to examine the role of hull husbandry, i.e., cleaning and grooming, in fouling community structure and to determine the effect of husbandry on the recolonization of surfaces after a transplant was performed. A series of panels were placed at two locations along the east coast of Florida (Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet) that are typified by distinct fouling communities. Panels were subjected to one of three treatments: groomed weekly, cleaned every two months, or freely fouling. After four months, all panels were cleaned and transplanted between sites; no further husbandry was performed. Fouling community composition and coverage was characterized at monthly intervals both before and after transplantation. Hull husbandry was found to affect coverage and composition, with groomed panels carrying a lower cover of macrofouling in general. The effect of the original location on subsequent fouling composition and recolonization by specific organisms was confirmed for encrusting bryozoans, barnacles, sponges, and tunicates. Hull husbandry also affected subsequent fouling with specific preferences shown for surfaces that had been groomed, cleaned and undisturbed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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11 pages, 3522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spermiotoxicity of Nano-TiO₂ Compounds in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816): Considerations on Water Remediation

by Sara Ignoto, Roberta Pecoraro, Elena Maria Scalisi, Martina Contino, Greta Ferruggia, Stefania Indelicato, Roberto Fiorenza, Stefano Andrea Balsamo, Giuliana Impellizzeri, Francesco Tiralongo, Antonio Salvaggio and Maria Violetta Brundo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(2), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020380 - 08 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1351

Abstract

Despite the great utility of nanoparticles (NPs) in water remediation, their effects on marine ecosystems are unknown and unpredictable. The toxicity of the most used nanoparticles, such as ZnO, Ag, and TiO₂ on the purple sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816), has [...] Read more.

Despite the great utility of nanoparticles (NPs) in water remediation, their effects on marine ecosystems are unknown and unpredictable. The toxicity of the most used nanoparticles, such as ZnO, Ag, and TiO₂ on the purple sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816), has been demonstrated by several authors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TiO₂ sol-gel and TiO₂-rGO nanocompounds on both vitality and motility of spermatozoa of P. lividus. The spermatozoa were exposed at different times (30 and 60 min) and concentrations (10, 20, 40 µg/mL) of both nano-TiO₂ compounds. The results clearly showed a decrease in both vitality and motility of P. lividus spermatozoa exposed. In particular, vitality and motility were inversely related to both exposure time and concentration of TiO₂ sol-gel and TiO₂-rGO nanocompounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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33 pages, 5754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benthic Foraminifera and Productivity Regimes in the Kveithola Trough (Barents Sea)—Ecological Implications in a Changing Arctic and Actuopaleontological Meaning

by Anna Sabbatini, Matteo Bazzaro, Francesca Caridi, Cinzia De Vittor, Valentina Esposito, Renata Giulia Lucchi, Alessandra Negri and Caterina Morigi

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(2), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020237 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1940

Abstract

The rapid response of benthic foraminifera to organic carbon flux to the seafloor makes them promising bioindicators for evaluating the organic carbon stored in marine sediments. Fjords have been described as hotspots for carbon burial, potentially playing a key role within the carbon [...] Read more.

The rapid response of benthic foraminifera to organic carbon flux to the seafloor makes them promising bioindicators for evaluating the organic carbon stored in marine sediments. Fjords have been described as hotspots for carbon burial, potentially playing a key role within the carbon cycle as climate regulators over multiple timescales. Nevertheless, little is known about organic carbon-rich sediments in Arctic open shelves and their role in global carbon sequestration. To this aim, four sites have been sampled along a W-E transect across the Kveithola Trough located in the NW Barents Sea. Living (stained) benthic foraminiferal density, biodiversity and vertical distribution in the sediment were analysed together with the biogeochemical and sedimentological data. We identified two main depositional environments based on the relationship between benthic foraminiferal assemblages and carbon content in the sediments: (1) an oligotrophic land-derived organic matter region located in the outer part of the trough influenced by the warm and saline Atlantic Water; and (2) a stressed eutrophic environment, with high-content of metabolizable organic matter in the inner part of the trough, which comprises the main drift and the Northern flank of the trough. The freshness and good nutritional quality of the organic matter detected in the inner region could be the result of the better preservation of the organic matter itself, basically driven by the rapid burial of fine-grained organic-rich sediments enhanced by the cold and less saline Arctic Water coming from the Barents Sea. We conclude that foraminifera provide a tool to describe the Kveithola depositional environment as a carbon burial hotspot in a changing Arctic area subjected to a pulse of fresh food intended as biopolymeric carbon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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15 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benthic Opportunistic Polychaete/Amphipod Ratio: An Indicator of Pollution or Modification of the Environment by Macroinvertebrates?

by Alexey A. Maximov and Nadezhda A. Berezina

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010190 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1999

Abstract

The development of sensitive indicators reflecting the state of the environment is an important issue for the monitoring of marine ecosystems. The spionid polychaete Marenzelleria arctia and pontoporeiid amphipod Monoporeia affinis are common macrobenthic species in the brackish Gulf of Finland (the easternmost [...] Read more.

The development of sensitive indicators reflecting the state of the environment is an important issue for the monitoring of marine ecosystems. The spionid polychaete Marenzelleria arctia and pontoporeiid amphipod Monoporeia affinis are common macrobenthic species in the brackish Gulf of Finland (the easternmost Baltic Sea). This paper aims to apply the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes Amphipods (BOPA) and Benthic Opportunistic Annelid Amphipods (BO2A) indices based on the polychaete/amphipod ratio as indicators of the environmental state in this region. We analyzed the relationships between environmental variables and benthic indices based on samples from two benthic surveys in 2019 (10 sites) and 2020 (9 sites). The coastal sites were characterized by worse water quality (i.e., the higher concentration of hydrocarbons, total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a), but cleaner sediments (i.e., total phosphorus, organic carbon, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals) than offshore sites. The BOPA and BO2A correlated positively with the level of water pollution and negatively with sediment pollution. The activity of the benthic organisms seems to strongly influence the concentration of contaminants in sediments, so this factor hinders the use of BOPA and BO2A indices for the assessment of bottom sediments quality in the eastern Baltic Sea. At the same time, this study shows that BOPA and BO2A indices can be used in assessing water quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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14 pages, 6161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Initiating a DNA Barcoding Reference Library of Stony Corals from the Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea)

by Elad Nehoray Rachmilovitz, Omri Shabbat, Maayan Yerushalmy and Baruch Rinkevich

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(12), 1917; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10121917 - 06 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1919

Abstract

Accurate identification of scleractinian coral species is fundamental for proper biodiversity estimates, for aiding in efforts of reef monitoring, conservation, restoration, and for the management of coral reefs. Here, we provide the first DNA barcoding reference library for coral species in Eilat, Red [...] Read more.

Accurate identification of scleractinian coral species is fundamental for proper biodiversity estimates, for aiding in efforts of reef monitoring, conservation, restoration, and for the management of coral reefs. Here, we provide the first DNA barcoding reference library for coral species in Eilat, Red Sea, based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), targeting the identification of stony coral species from shallow (0–12 m) reefs. A total of 191 specimens were collected, depicting 14 families, 39 genera, and 94 species (all are new full species records to the BOLD system). Three species (Sclerophyllia margariticola, Cyphastrea magna, and Psammocora profundacella) are first records for Eilat’s coral reef. The results presented here strengthen the claim that COI is not universally informative for delimitation of stony coral species, a notion reinforced by the constructed maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree. This library is the first step in a long journey towards elucidating coral biodiversity in the coral reef at Eilat and for improving future management and monitoring efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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17 pages, 6599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

O₂ and CO₂ Responses of the Synaptic Period to Under-Ice Phytoplankton Bloom in the Eutrophic Razdolnaya River Estuary of Amur Bay, the Sea of Japan

by Pavel Semkin, Pavel Tishchenko, Galina Pavlova, Yuri Barabanshchikov, Petr Tishchenko, Maria Shvetsova, Elena Shkirnikova and Yulia Fedorets

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(12), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10121798 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1433

Abstract

Hydrological conditions are an important factor for aquatic ecosystems. Their contribution to stimulating phytoplankton bloom in eutrophic estuaries is not quite clear. We present the results of an outbreak of a phytoplankton bloom event observed in the eutrophic Razdolnaya R. estuary in 2022 [...] Read more.

Hydrological conditions are an important factor for aquatic ecosystems. Their contribution to stimulating phytoplankton bloom in eutrophic estuaries is not quite clear. We present the results of an outbreak of a phytoplankton bloom event observed in the eutrophic Razdolnaya R. estuary in 2022 from January 22 to February 23, when the estuary was covered by ice. The bloom spreads over 21 km from the river mouth bar to upstream in the near-bottom layer below the halocline. The Chl-a concentration in the bloom area increased from 15 to 100 μg/L, and the dissolved oxygen concentration from 350 to 567 μmol/kg at a rate of 11 μmol/(kg day) over the study period, while the CO₂ partial pressure was reduced to 108 µatm in the most oxygen-supersaturated waters. The Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve sea diatom was the dominant phytoplankton species in the bloom area. The opposite trend was observed near the boundary of the saline water wedge penetration over 29 km from the river mouth bar to upstream where the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased from 140 to 53 μmol/kg over a month, and partial pressure of CO₂ reached 4454 μatm. We also present the results obtained in February 2016 before and after a snowfall, when the ability of PAR to penetrate through the ice was impeded by a layer of snow. After the snowfall, photosynthesis in the under-ice water stopped and the oxygen concentration decreased to almost zero due to the microbiological destruction of the phytoplankton biomass. As such, the main effect of phytoplankton bloom is the formation of superoxia/hypoxia (depending on the light conditions), during the period of maximum ice thickness and minimum river discharge. Thus, this study demonstrates that the eutrophication in the future could lead to unstable ecosystems and large synoptic variations of dissolved oxygen and CO₂ partial pressure of the estuaries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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16 pages, 3545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Marine Archaeal Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Halococcus AMS12, Their Characterization, and Biological Properties

by Kamala Kannan, Sivaperumal Pitchiah, Jeevankumar Guduri Joseph, Dhanraj Ganapathy, Subramanian Sundarrajan and Seeram Ramakrishna

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(11), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10111788 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1765

Abstract

In the present study, halophilic archaea were isolated from a marine sediment sample. Totally, 15 isolates (AMS 1–15) were identified by molecular identification as belonging to the ten genera. Further, their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were extracted (3.172 g/L), and their bioactivity was [...] Read more.

In the present study, halophilic archaea were isolated from a marine sediment sample. Totally, 15 isolates (AMS 1–15) were identified by molecular identification as belonging to the ten genera. Further, their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were extracted (3.172 g/L), and their bioactivity was determined in terms of biosurfactant, emulsification, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and anticancer activity. The highest amount of EPS has been produced by Halococcus sp., AMS12. It is made up of 54.28% carbohydrates, 32.91% proteins, 2.41% lipids, and other compounds. Further, EPS has 43.69 ± 1.89 U/mg of gelatinase enzyme by degrading the substrate. The potential total antioxidant activity of 103.80 ± 0.02 (ascorbic acid equivalence (AAE)), total reducing power of 86.1 ± 0.25 AAE, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity of 97.23 ± 0.21%, the hydrogen peroxide scavenging of 60.8 ± 0.21%, and nitric oxide scavenging activity of 89.37 ± 0.24% were observed at 100 μg/mL of EPS. Hence, we conclude that the archeal EPS is multifunctional and useful for developing natural polymers for industrial, food, and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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14 pages, 1598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Mannosylerythritol Lipids (MELs) for Bioremediation: Effects of NaCl on M. antarcticus Physiology and Biosurfactant and Lipid Production; Ecotoxicity of MELs

by Petar Keković, Margarida Borges, Nuno Torres Faria and Frederico Castelo Ferreira

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(11), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10111773 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1715

Abstract

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a group of biosurfactants with a wide range of potential applications, due to their excellent tensioactive properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. One of the envisioned uses for MELs is in bioremediation in marine and terrestrial environments. However, knowledge regarding their [...] Read more.

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a group of biosurfactants with a wide range of potential applications, due to their excellent tensioactive properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. One of the envisioned uses for MELs is in bioremediation in marine and terrestrial environments. However, knowledge regarding their ecotoxicity is limited. The current costs of production for this biosurfactant are too high to make it competitive in the surfactant market. In an effort to facilitate the use of MELs for marine bioremediation purposes, their production using sea water in medium formulation was explored. Cells were exposed to different levels of NaCl during fermentation, and the effects of increased salinity on the cells and their performance was monitored. In addition, cells were briefly exposed to an osmotic shock, by introducing pure NaCl into the broth, to measure their physiological response. Although the overall effect of NaCl in the medium was negative, cells produced more lipases in these stress conditions. Furthermore, the changes triggered by the osmotic shock caused changes in the cell surface and affected their hydrophobicity, reducing the levels of MELs adsorbed to the cells, which in turn led to an increase in formation of MEL-rich beads. Marine-level salinity (3.5%) was found to be sufficient to enable production of MELs in unsterile conditions and inhibited an introduced bacterial contaminant. Finally, the toxicity levels of MELs to a model marine organism and plant model were lower than other biosurfactants and that of a commercial chemical dispersant used for bioremediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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12 pages, 1344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioremediation of Multiple Heavy Metals Mediated by Antarctic Marine Isolated Dietzia psychralcaliphila JI1D

by Janardan Ausuri, Filippo Dell’Anno, Giovanni Andrea Vitale, Fortunato Palma Esposito, Valerio Funari, Gianluigi Franci, Massimiliano Galdiero, Gerardo Della Sala, Pietro Tedesco, Daniela Coppola and Donatella de Pascale

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(11), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10111669 - 05 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3394

Abstract

Extreme environments host numerous microorganisms perfectly adapted to survive in such harsh conditions. In recent years, many bacteria isolated from these inhospitable environments have shown interesting biotechnological applications, including the bioremediation of polluted sites by hydrocarbons and heavy metals. In this work, we [...] Read more.

Extreme environments host numerous microorganisms perfectly adapted to survive in such harsh conditions. In recent years, many bacteria isolated from these inhospitable environments have shown interesting biotechnological applications, including the bioremediation of polluted sites by hydrocarbons and heavy metals. In this work, we present Dietzia psychralcaliphila JI1D, a psychrophilic bacterium, isolated from Deception Island, Antarctica, which is able to resist high concentrations (up to 1000 ppm) of heavy metals and to favor their removal from polluted water systems. In detail, D. psychralcaliphila JI1D can actively promote the sequestration of arsenic, copper, and zinc from the medium up to a maximum of 31.6%, 49.4%, and 38.9%, respectively. Moreover, genome analysis allowed for the identification of heavy metal tolerance genes, thus shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the detoxification ability of the bacterium. Other than the demonstrated ability of D. psychralcaliphila JI1D to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, this study indicates the possibility of using this bacterium in the bioremediation of contaminated matrices, for example, those containing inorganic pollutants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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17 pages, 6340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dental Morphology, Palaeoecology and Palaeobiogeographic Significance of a New Species of Requiem Shark (Genus Carcharhinus) from the Lower Miocene of Peru (East Pisco Basin, Chilcatay Formation)

by Alberto Collareta, René Kindlimann, Alessio Baglioni, Walter Landini, Giovanni Sarti, Alí Altamirano, Mario Urbina and Giovanni Bianucci

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(10), 1466; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10101466 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2541

Abstract

Nowadays, the requiem sharks comprise one of the most diverse and widespread families of selachians, i.e., Carcharhinidae. Among the carcharhinids, the genus Carcharhinus has the largest number of living species, namely, at least 35. Known from fossils as old as the Cretaceous, the [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the requiem sharks comprise one of the most diverse and widespread families of selachians, i.e., Carcharhinidae. Among the carcharhinids, the genus Carcharhinus has the largest number of living species, namely, at least 35. Known from fossils as old as the Cretaceous, the requiem sharks did not significantly radiate before the Eocene (when Carcharhinus also appeared), and their diversification mainly occurred in Neogene times. Here, we describe a new species of requiem shark, Carcharhinus dicelmai sp. nov., based on fossil teeth from Lower Miocene (18.4–18.1 Ma) strata of the Chilcatay Formation of the East Pisco Basin (southern Peru). Upper teeth of C. dicelmai sp. nov. are typically provided with a slender, smooth-edged cusp; a marked coronal twist; and a distal heel that bears 1–5 coarse, angularly lobate serrae that become more prominent toward the base of the cusp. The dentition of C. dicelmai sp. nov. appears less akin to that of most other carcharhines to the cutting-clutching type, and seemingly testifies to the development of more predominantly clutching adaptations. A carcharhinid tooth from the Burdigalian to lower Langhian Cantaure Formation of Venezuela is reassigned to C. dicelmai sp. nov., suggesting a trans-Panamanian distribution for this extinct shark species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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24 pages, 4077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Movements of Hatchery-Reared Dusky Groupers Released in a Northeast Atlantic Coastal Marine Protected Area

by Ana Filipa Silva, Bárbara Horta e Costa, José Lino Costa, Esmeralda Pereira, João Pedro Marques, João J. Castro, Pedro G. Lino, Ana Candeias-Mendes, Pedro Pousão-Ferreira, Inês Sousa, Luís Bentes, Jorge M. S. Gonçalves, Pedro Raposo de Almeida and Bernardo Ruivo Quintella

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(7), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10070904 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

No-take areas are key instruments to promote the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), particularly concerning the protection of endangered species such as the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). However, despite the establishment of no-take areas and the prohibition of catching this [...] Read more.

No-take areas are key instruments to promote the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), particularly concerning the protection of endangered species such as the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). However, despite the establishment of no-take areas and the prohibition of catching this species in a southwestern Portuguese MPA (SACVMP—‘Sudoeste Alentejano’ and ‘Costa Vicentina’ Marine Park) since 2011, there is still no evidence of population recovery. By using acoustic biotelemetry, this work aimed to evaluate the feasibility of restocking hatchery-reared adult dusky groupers in two no-take areas within the SACVMP. In 2019 and 2021, thirty groupers were tagged with acoustic transmitters and the site attachment and movements of the groupers were assessed in the releasing sites (no-take areas). None of the tagged fish settled down in either of the areas, leaving the no-take areas mainly at dusk and night. Some individuals displayed extended movements of more than a hundred kilometers along the Portuguese coast which was rarely reported for this species. At least in some coastal stretches, those movements were performed close to the shore, which may evidence the importance of coastal MPAs to protect and promote the connectivity of species more associated with rocky reef habitats. Following studies should focus on the conditions that promote site attachment and fidelity by hatchery-reared dusky groupers so that future large-scale restocking programs can be successful in MPAs with appropriate habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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10 pages, 1910 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Effects of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Fields at 27 GHz on Sperm Quality of Mytilus galloprovincialis

by Roberta Pecoraro, Santi Concetto Pavone, Elena Maria Scalisi, Carmen Sica, Sara Ignoto, Martina Contino, Antonio Salvaggio, Dimitra Marmara, Gino Sorbello, Loreto Di Donato and Maria Violetta Brundo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(4), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10040521 - 09 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 9710

Abstract

Recently, an increasing use of wireless internet technologies has been demonstrated. The devices which use these technologies emit in new spectral regions an electromagnetic radiation (EMF) which could interact with the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate in [...] Read more.

Recently, an increasing use of wireless internet technologies has been demonstrated. The devices which use these technologies emit in new spectral regions an electromagnetic radiation (EMF) which could interact with the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effect of electromagnetic fields at 27 GHz on sperm quality in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Sperm samples were collected from sexually mature males of M. galloprovincialis and placed in seawater. Once we evaluated the number and quality of spermatozoa, sperm cells were exposed to electromagnetic fields radiated by a pyramidal horn antenna. The effect of exposure was evaluated after 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 min by a light microscope and using an Eosin test. Ten replications were performed for each time series, and statistical analysis was carried out by t-test. Sperm motility decreased after 10 min of exposure, and after 30 min most of the spermatozoa were immobile and not vital. This study provides useful data on the potential ecological impact of the high-band 5G on animal fertility, the effect of which is currently under investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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14 pages, 15846 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Making of Massoia Lactone-Loaded and Food-Grade Nanoemulsions and Their Bioactivities against a Pathogenic Yeast

by Li Yuan, Hong-Qian Zhang, Zhe Chi, Guang-Lei Liu and Zhen-Ming Chi

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030339 - 01 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1927

Abstract

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been made for improving the delivery and disperse of bioactive compounds. In this study, it was found that the best ingredients for the stable Massoia lactone-loaded and food-grade NEs making were 560.0 µL of Tween-80, 240.0 µL of Span-80 and [...] Read more.

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been made for improving the delivery and disperse of bioactive compounds. In this study, it was found that the best ingredients for the stable Massoia lactone-loaded and food-grade NEs making were 560.0 µL of Tween-80, 240.0 µL of Span-80 and 200.0 µL of Massoia lactone. Then, 9.0 mL of distilled water was titrated into the mixture under continuous magnetic stirring (750 rotations min⁻¹) with about 2 drops per second for 20 min. Finally, the system was treated by ultrasonication using an ultrasonic generator (180 W and 22 KHz) for 5 min. All the prepared particles with a mean droplet diameter of 43 nm were spherical, had uniform size distribution and were equally distributed in the Massoia lactone-loaded NEs. The obtained Massoia lactone-loaded nanoemulsions (NEs) were very stable without changes of the mean droplet diameter and polydispersity indexes (PDI) for over two months under different conditions. As with free Massoia lactone, Massoia lactone loaded in the NEs had high anti-fungal activity against Metschnikowia bicuspidate LIAO, a pathogenic yeast causing milky disease in the Chinese mitten crab by damaging its cell membrane and causing cellular necrosis. Massoia lactone loaded in the NEs also had the DPPH radical scavenging activity and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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18 pages, 7491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pumping Rate and Size of Demosponges—Towards an Understanding Using Modeling

by Poul S. Larsen and Hans Ulrik Riisgård

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1308; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111308 - 22 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

Filter-feeding sponges pump large amounts of water and contribute significantly to grazing impact, matter transport and nutrient cycling in many marine benthic communities. For ecological studies it is therefore of interest to be able to estimate the pumping rate of different species from [...] Read more.

Filter-feeding sponges pump large amounts of water and contribute significantly to grazing impact, matter transport and nutrient cycling in many marine benthic communities. For ecological studies it is therefore of interest to be able to estimate the pumping rate of different species from their volume size or osculum cross-sectional area by means of experimentally determined allometric correlations. To help understand allometric data correlations and observed large variations of volume-specific pumping rate among species we developed a model that determines the pumping rate as a function of the size (volume) of a tubular-type demosponge described by 4 geometric length scales. The model relies on a choanocyte-pump model and standard pressure loss relations for flow through the aquiferous system, and density and pumping rate per choanocyte is assumed to be constant. By selecting different possibilities for increase of the length scales, which may also simulate different growth forms, we demonstrate that the model can imitate the experimental allometric correlations. It is concluded that the observed dependence of pumping rate on size is primarily governed by the hydraulics of pump performance and pressure losses of the aquiferous system rather than, e.g., decreasing density of choanocytes with increasing sponge size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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25 pages, 9463 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Vertebrate Palaeoecology of the Pisco Formation (Miocene, Peru): Glimpses into the Ancient Humboldt Current Ecosystem

by Alberto Collareta, Olivier Lambert, Felix G. Marx, Christian de Muizon, Rafael Varas-Malca, Walter Landini, Giulia Bosio, Elisa Malinverno, Karen Gariboldi, Anna Gioncada, Mario Urbina and Giovanni Bianucci

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111188 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5225

Abstract

The northward-flowing Humboldt Current hosts perpetually high levels of productivity along the western coast of South America. Here, we aim to elucidate the deep-time history of this globally important ecosystem based on a detailed palaeoecological analysis of the exceptionally preserved middle–upper Miocene vertebrate [...] Read more.

The northward-flowing Humboldt Current hosts perpetually high levels of productivity along the western coast of South America. Here, we aim to elucidate the deep-time history of this globally important ecosystem based on a detailed palaeoecological analysis of the exceptionally preserved middle–upper Miocene vertebrate assemblages of the Pisco Formation of the East Pisco Basin, southern Peru. We summarise observations on hundreds of fossil whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, turtles, crocodiles, sharks, rays, and bony fishes to reconstruct ecological relationships in the wake of the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum, and the marked cooling that followed it. The lowermost, middle Miocene Pisco sequence (P0) and its vertebrate assemblage testify to a warm, semi-enclosed, near-shore palaeoenvironment. During the first part of the Tortonian (P1), high productivity within a prominent upwelling system supported a diverse assemblage of mesopredators, at least some of which permanently resided in the Pisco embayment and used it as a nursery or breeding/calving area. Younger portions of the Pisco Formation (P2) reveal a more open setting, with wide-ranging species like rorquals increasingly dominating the vertebrate assemblage, but also local differences reflecting distance from the coast. Like today, these ancient precursors of the modern Humboldt Current Ecosystem were based on sardines, but notably differed from their present-day equivalent in being dominated by extremely large-bodied apex predators like Livyatan melvillei and Carcharocles megalodon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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21 pages, 3029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Four-Year Temporal Study of an Intertidal Artificial Structure in the English Channel

by Jean-Claude Dauvin, Maël Deloor, Jean-Philippe Pezy, Aurore Raoux, Pascal Claquin and Aurélie Foveau

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111174 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1614

Abstract

An experimental artificial structure was deployed in March 2014 on the intertidal zone of the Bay of Seine (eastern part of the English Channel), at intervals of one year until April 2018, i.e., from February 2015 onwards, two blocks were collected in April [...] Read more.

An experimental artificial structure was deployed in March 2014 on the intertidal zone of the Bay of Seine (eastern part of the English Channel), at intervals of one year until April 2018, i.e., from February 2015 onwards, two blocks were collected in April each year. This study provides an inventory of sessile and motile invertebrates living on the artificial hard-bottom and describes the stages of colonization and succession during the four-year study. A total of 84 taxa were identified including 13 sessile and 71 motile taxa. For the sessile fauna, only two taxa Balanus crenatus and Mytilus edulis had colonised the blocks in 2014, and the Taxonomic Richness (TR) was relatively stable during the next three years (between 8 and 10 taxa). The TR of the motile fauna showed an increase between 2014 (5 taxa) and 2015 (34 taxa), and then decreased from 54 taxa in 2017 to 29 taxa in 2018. The abundance of the sessile fauna was very high in 2014 due to the rapid settlement of the barnacle Balanus crenatus, which remained the dominant species throughout the study. Another barnacle Perforatus perforatus, the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and three ascidians including two non-indigenous species Perophora japonica and Corella eumyota, and Molgula sp. were also among the dominant taxa of the sessile fauna. In April 2014, the dominant motile taxa was the decapod Carcinus maenas juvenile, then in 2015 the fauna became dominated by pioneer taxa such as the amphipod of the genus Monocorophium and the tanaid Zeuxo holdichi. A reduction of mean abundance was observed in the last three years of the study, combined with diversification of the dominant species especially those of small size such as Peracarida. The study shows that the colonization of such blocks deployed on oyster tables in the intertidal zone is efficient to test the ability of building material to be colonized in this transition zone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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Review

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29 pages, 1162 KiB

Open AccessReview

Global Changes Alter the Successions of Early Colonizers of Benthic Surfaces

by Emanuele Somma, Antonio Terlizzi, Maria Costantini, Madalena Madeira and Valerio Zupo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(6), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11061232 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1793

Abstract

The successions of benthic communities over time are strongly influenced by the first colonizers, because surface associations are facilitated by modifications to the adhesive properties promoted by primary colonizers, such as bacteria, protozoans, diatoms, algal propagules, spores, and invertebrate larvae. Bacteria are often [...] Read more.

The successions of benthic communities over time are strongly influenced by the first colonizers, because surface associations are facilitated by modifications to the adhesive properties promoted by primary colonizers, such as bacteria, protozoans, diatoms, algal propagules, spores, and invertebrate larvae. Bacteria are often the first colonizers on marine submerged surfaces, both organic (e.g., algae, seagrasses and invertebrates) and inorganic. However, they are promptly followed by diatoms and other microorganisms. Consequently, diatoms may represent key elements in the determination of the colonization patterns, although the development of epiphytic communities is a dynamic process influenced by several factors, including nutrient availability, the ability to synthesize and secrete extracellular material, the competition among species and the influence of grazers on individual colonizers. The process may be drastically impacted by global warming and ocean acidification due to the increasing atmospheric levels of CO₂. The impact of such global stressors on benthic ecosystems, especially on the primary microphytobenthic assemblages, is still poorly investigated, and may have deleterious consequences for the benthic successions. In this review, we analyze the adhesion patterns of marine microorganisms according to their surface features and the effects of global changes on critical pioneer colonizers, such as the benthic diatoms. The results are remarkable, as they highlight emergent concerns in ecosystem conservation and the prediction of benthic communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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Other

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11 pages, 2733 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

A First Study on Distribution Characteristics of Common Dolphin in Korean Waters: A Study Using Data Collected during the Past 20 Years

by Joon-Taek Yoo, Kyum Joon Park, Kyunglee Lee and Dasom Lee

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(9), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11091635 - 22 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1062

Abstract

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the second-most bycaught species in Korean waters. To provide key information about their habitat boundaries and hotspots for spatial conservation and management, the spatial use of this species was examined using data obtained from sighting [...] Read more.

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the second-most bycaught species in Korean waters. To provide key information about their habitat boundaries and hotspots for spatial conservation and management, the spatial use of this species was examined using data obtained from sighting and bycatch surveys of cetaceans in the past 20 years. The 95% minimum convex polygon and 95% density contour of fixed-kernel analysis suggested that the boundary of the home range of common dolphins is limited to the coastal region (Busan–Sokcho) of the East Sea/Sea of Japan. From 50% density contours drawn by kernel density estimation, it was suggested that their hotspots are around the coast of Ulsan–Pohang, Doghae, and Sokcho within the home range. Common dolphins were not observed in the Yellow Sea. Hence, shallow waters in the geographic area of the coastal region of the Yellow Sea are likely not a suitable habitat for common dolphins in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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7 pages, 645 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

New Microsatellite Markers for the Model Coral Species Stylophora pistillata from Eilat, the Red Sea

by Jacob Douek, Elad Nehoray Rachmilovitz and Baruch Rinkevich

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020244 - 18 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1482

Abstract

Nineteen microsatellite loci, obtained by the whole genome sequencing approach, were developed and validated for the ‘smooth cauliflower’ coral Stylophora pistillata, a widespread Indo Pacific branching coral species. A sample size of 40 colonies collected at five reef sites along the northern [...] Read more.

Nineteen microsatellite loci, obtained by the whole genome sequencing approach, were developed and validated for the ‘smooth cauliflower’ coral Stylophora pistillata, a widespread Indo Pacific branching coral species. A sample size of 40 colonies collected at five reef sites along the northern Gulf of Eilat, the Red Sea, were genotyped, revealing loci reproducibly and suitable outcomes for wide applications, including population genetic studies. The 19 new microsatellite loci in this sample were composed of 4–20 alleles/locus, of which 10 microsatellites are highly polymorphic (≥10 alleles/locus). The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.289 and 0.957 (mean 0.597) and 0.101 and 0.911 (mean 0.726), respectively, and the Fixation Index (F), which also indicates the inbreeding coefficient, ranges between −0.174 and 0.569 (mean 0.207). The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranges between 0.100 and 0.904 (mean 0.699). This new set of microsatellite loci will be employed for population genetics studies as for identifying the distribution of various genotypes within S. pistillata chimeras. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Marine Biology)

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