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Red macroalgae in the genus Porphyra are widely collected for human consumption and increasingly harvested along the North Atlantic coasts but their ability to withstand repeated harvesting and maintain high cover and abundance on natural shorelines remains poorly explored, raising sustainability concerns. Therefore, we investigated the effect of frequent hand-harvesting on Porphyra dioica in a population in South Wales, UK, where it is commercially harvested. Twelve control and twelve treatment quadrats were installed in spring and six control and treatment plots in autumn. Monthly hand-harvesting of P. dioica individuals larger than 5 cm was performed in the treatment plots, while the control plots remained undisturbed. We monitored P. dioica percentage cover, yield, thallus length and recruit density, as well as benthic flora and fauna. Harvesting only impacted P. dioica thallus length, resulting in 41% smaller thalli compared to unharvested plots during summer, with possible long-term implications (e.g. reproductive output). Strong seasonality of P. dioica cover and yield was observed, peaking during spring and summer. The results suggest high resilience of the opportunistic life strategy of P. dioica under frequent harvesting, but to allow for full recovery, we urge for a recovery period of more than the tested 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding upon large animals—even larger than the predator—by benthic cnidarians has been reported from many ecosystems but never exhaustively studied to date. By reviewing 38 papers on this topic, this review aims to recap the observations on the predatory behaviour of polyps, to establish feeding plasticity boundaries and to understand the contribute of this trophic strategy to the benthic–pelagic coupling. The reviewed documents published increasingly during the last two decades mostly reported observations on heterotrophic Anthozoa in shallow ecosystems collected through photo/video records. The main prey items are represented by gelatinous zooplankton and echinoderms. The lexical discordance in the considered papers highlights the need to standardize the terminology to describe the feeding behaviour of benthic Cnidaria, opportunistic and characterized by a strong plasticity. Given the importance of large prey in cnidarian trophism, we proposed an unambiguous terminology that will help the online search of literature and address future studies. We suggest identifying micro-predation (predator/prey size ratio ≥ 5:1) and macro-predation (predator/prey size ratio is ≤ 1:1) as distinct feeding modalities, because the capture of large prey involves peculiar movements of polyps, such as stretching and retracting of column and tentacles to pull the prey towards the mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most deep-sea organisms feed on the organic matter produced in surface waters and settle on the seafloor. In polar regions, sea ice algal detritus and phytoplankton detritus are the main food sources for benthic fauna that reach the seafloor in pulses. Climate change affects the extension and duration of sea ice cover, which may affect the quantity and quality of food reaching the seafloor, resulting in less ice algae and more phytoplankton biomass. We conducted onboard pulse-chase experiments using sediment cores collected from Baffin Bay, Amundsen Gulf, and the Beaufort Sea to study how macroinfaunal communities in the Canadian Arctic use both food sources. Dual-labeled (13C and 15N) diatoms, Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii (phytoplankton treatment) and Synedra hyperborea (ice algae treatment), were used as tracers of food consumption by macroinfaunal groups. Community structure was analyzed in each region and differences were found among sites. The total uptake of both food sources was higher in Baffin Bay; the macroinfaunal biomass was the highest, with facultative filter/surface-deposit feeders accounting for more than 70% of the total biomass. The Baffin Bay station was the only location where there were notable variations in the biomass-specific uptake of ice algae and phytoplankton detritus by the bivalves and polychaetes, as well as by the community as a whole. At the same time, both food sources were consumed in equal quantities at the Amundsen Gulf and Beaufort Sea stations. This suggests that ice algae are not preferentially uptaken, and macroinfaunal communities may be resilient to a decrease in ice algal input to the seafloor inflicted by sea ice reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benthic macroinvertebrate abundance and taxa richness associated with environmental variables were monitored monthly from September 2015 to August 2016 in the Nyamuhinga River. The benthic macroinvertebrate samples were collected using a D-frame aquatic net employing the man-time method. Environmental variables including pH, temperature, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured using a Combo HI 98129 and GREISIN-GER 020 multimeters, and water flow was assessed using the Float Method procedure. The Shannon–Wiener and equitability indices were then calculated to assess diversity and richness, facilitating the comparison of diversity within sites or stations. A total of 35,142 macroinvertebrate individuals were collected from the 12 sampling sites belonging to 29 genera, 27 families, and 9 orders. Diptera were the most abundant (71.83%) followed by Odonata (9.13%) and Ephemeroptera (7.11%). The findings showed that taxa richness decreased from upstream to downstream. At the same time, absolute abundance increased from downstream to upstream due to riparian vegetation, substrate type, plant debris, and organic matter which are habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates in the river. Environmental variables such as flow, pH, temperature, conductivity, and TDS varied between sites and stations because of habitat disturbances, contaminant discharges into the catchment, and inflow of tributary waters into the river. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results displayed that Eristalis and Chironomus were strongly associated with the flow, conductivity, TDS, temperature, and pH at the downstream sites related to anthropogenic activities from the catchment. From our results, the Nyamuhinga River needs conservation master plan/guidelines and increased awareness to reduce environmental impacts in Bukavu River catchments in the Lake Kivu basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the characteristics of benthic animal communities in different water functional areas and the driving factors affecting changes in the community structure of four water functional zones of the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River: the protection, buffer, reserve, and development and utilization zones. The results showed that the alpha diversity of the benthic animal communities in the protected and reserved zones was significantly higher than that of the buffer and development and utilization zones, and the benthic animal community structure differed significantly across different water functional zones. These zones indirectly affected the community of benthic fauna due to their environmental heterogeneity. Furthermore, the average degree, map density, and average clustering coefficient of the molecular ecological network were highest in the protected zone. The average path length was shorter, and there were more types and numbers of key species in the benthic animal community in the protected zone, indicating high levels of connectivity and efficiency in transferring substances, energy, and information between benthic animals. These results will provide a scientific basis for studying the characteristics and driving factors of benthic animal communities in the Yangtze River and have important significance for assessing and restoring aquatic ecology in the Yangtze River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate knowledge of geographic ranges of species is essential for effective conservation management. Species with large distributions and good connectivity are presumed to be resilient to adverse localized/regional conditions, whereas those with small ranges and, thus, smaller population sizes are more likely to be vulnerable. The rich benthic assemblages across the Southern Ocean are generally considered "Antarctic" with some input from South America contributing to diversity on the sub-Antarctic island shelves. However, molecular work over the past two decades is challenging the paradigm of a general Antarctic benthic fauna, with evidence mounting for assemblages being regionally unique in terms of genetic diversity, regardless of formal taxonomic species composition. The widely distributed brittle star, Amphiura belgicae, is one element of the Southern Ocean benthic assemblage that has a complex historical taxonomic background hinting that it may in reality be a complex of species, each with small geographic range and little connectivity. Our study identified deep genetic divisions between geographically isolated populations, particularly between those on the Patagonian shelf and elsewhere. Indeed, populations on the Patagonian shelf were more closely related to the sympatric sister species A. eugeniae than to any other Southern Ocean population. We compare our data with a study of Ophiuroglypha lymani from similar collections, highlighting that both show highly regionalized populations, particularly on Island shelves, and both share the curious phenomenon of a presumed outgroup species being an element of the ingroup. We suggest that the isolated populations of both these species are following distinct evolutionary and ecological trajectories and that both should be treated as species complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive colonial tunicate, Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2022 was initially observed in Atlantic Canada in Nova Scotia in 2013 and has since been expected to spread to the western side of the Canadian Bay of Fundy due to colonies known to be present in nearby Eastport, Maine. Since 2018, we collected water environmental DNA (eDNA) samples at eight sites in the Quoddy Region in the western side of the Canadian Bay of Fundy. In 2021 and 2022 we used diver-based visual surveys and sample collection, as well as a surface-deployed near-seafloor optical imaging system to document the presence and extent of D. vexillum in the Head Harbour/West Isles/Passages Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) within the Quoddy Region. Forty-one dive sites were surveyed via SCUBA, and seven near-seafloor camera transects were conducted at depths deeper than dive limits (~ 30 m), collecting continuous highdefinition video and periodic high-resolution still images. Didemnum vexillum was detected at two sites from eDNA metabarcoding and quantitative PCR in 2018, 2020 and 2021, and observed by divers at 11 sites, two of which exhibited extensive tunicate coverage. Of the 1945 m² area surveyed by the near-seafloor drift camera system, D. vexillum occurred at depths to 118 m and across a spatial extent of 858 m², of which 170 m2 contained numerous tunicate patches and/or a homogenous mat. Didemnum vexillum was observed extensively overgrowing benthic substrates and fauna, possibly threatening the diversity of natural benthic habitats in the EBSA and adjacent areas supporting numerous commercial fisheries. This study is the first to report D. vexillum presence in the Canadian western Bay of Fundy, and the first to observe colonies at depths exceeding previous records of 81 m. We conclude by providing advice on how to improve coastal invasive species surveys from the combination of biodiversity metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dal Lake supports a diverse group of fauna, including fishes, aquatic birds, zooplankton, and macrobenthic invertebrates. This study is the first taxonomic documentation of the leech fauna of Dal Lake. A total of nine leech taxa belonging to four families were identified and described: Glossiphoniidae - Alboglossiphonia weberi, A. heteroclita, Glossiphonia complanata, Helobdella stagnalis, Hemiclepsis marginata asiatica, and Theromyzon sp.; Erpobdellidae - Erpobdella octoculata; Hirudinidae - Poecilobdella granulosa; and Haemopidae - Haemopis indicus. Leeches play key roles in prey-predator dynamics and host-parasite relationships in freshwater ecosystems and as bioindicators of water pollution. This study provides essential data for taxonomic accounts and the diversity of leech fauna in Dal Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Arctic shelves, benthic food-webs are tightly linked to overlying primary production. In the seasonal ice zone, sympagic (ice-associated) primary production can be a major source of carbon for the benthos on productive inflow shelves. However, the role of sympagic organic matter is less well-understood in food webs of heavily ice-covered, less- productive outflow shelves, such as the northeast Greenland shelf. Highly branched isoprenoid biomarkers (HBIs) were used to track the relative distribution of sympagic and pelagic organic matter in the water column, sediments, and benthic fauna of the northeast Greenland shelf and fjords. Low pelagic HBI presence throughout the study area indicated a generally low production by pelagic diatoms (at the time of sampling). This was reflected in the benthos, as ~90% of their assimilated carbon was estimated to come from sympagic sources, indicating a benthic food-web highly reliant on sympagic production. This reliance was higher in coastal areas than on the open shelf, where the potentially higher pelagic productivity and shallower water on banks likely increased contributions of pelagic organic matter. As declining ice cover and reduced production of fast-sinking ice algae projected for Arctic shelves will likely result in weaker coupling between ice algae and the benthos, with possible consequences for future benthic-community structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known of the macrobenthos supported within stingray feeding pits. Compared to adjacent unpitted areas during low tide, macrobenthic abundance and biodiversity within the stingray pits might be expected to be (i) greater, the water-retaining pits functioning like rock pools; (ii) no different, since macrofaunal recolonisation can occur very rapidly; or (iii) less, consequent on the substratum changes that typify depressions in soft sediments. In both (i) and (iii) differences in composition of the supported assemblages would be expected, though not in (ii). To differentiate between these alternative hypotheses, faunal characteristics within intertidal stingray pits were compared to those in the adjacent background sandflat in Moreton Bay, Queensland, where the prey of the rays are the decapod crustaceans Trypaea and Mictyris that otherwise structure the benthic system. Results generally (though not totally) support hypothesis (ii), it being consistently found that feeding pits supported less macrobenthic abundance than the surrounding sandflat but subequal taxon density, evenness and patchiness of their faunas, and their taxonomic compositions were very similar. Such feeding pits undoubtedly structure many intertidal sandflats and increase both their topographical complexity and their habitat diversity, but this is not reflected in increased macrobenthic biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep‐sea benthic communities are strongly controlled by the quantity and quality of organic matter sinking from the ocean surface. The interaction between benthic fauna and seafloor sediments mainly occurs through bioturbation that modifies substrate properties (e.g., geochemical profiles). The intensity of the bioturbation has long been linked with organic matter and measured as a diffusive process by considering the vertical particle reworking (endobenthic bioturbation), disregarding the seafloor horizontal mixing (epibenthic bioturbation). Here, a novel approach to quantify horizontal mixing is presented: Seafloor Bioturbation Intensity (SBI). SBI calculations were based on seafloor image datasets from eight stations that reflected different environmental conditions in the north‐western Pacific (e.g., chlorophyll a, silicate). To calculate SBI, we characterized the area occupied by all different types of traces (i.e., lebensspuren) related to epibenthic bioturbation, trace makers, and their ingested sediment thickness. Our results showed a weak negative correlation between organic matter and SBI. This relationship contrast with the traditionally held view on vertical bioturbation intensity, where a dominant positive correlation is expected. It is demonstrated that lebensspuren morphotypes contributed differently to SBI. Not all morphotypes—and, by extension, their corresponding trace makers—are equally controlled by the same environmental factors. This investigation does not dismiss the importance of organic matter content, but emphasizes the importance of other environmental variables that need to be considered when determining the long‐term relation between epibenthic fauna and bioturbation intensity. Finally, we emphasize the importance of characterizing horizontal bioturbation for approaching global biogeochemical cycles and conservational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human pressures are changing ocean environments, such as a shift from fish‐ to squid‐dominated ecosystems in overfished, poorly oxygenated environments. After death, carcasses of upper ocean fauna sink to the seafloor where they provide food for demersal scavengers. It is unclear how shifts in carcass type impact abyssal scavengers. We performed baited benthic camera lander deployments in the Cabo Verde Abyssal Basin to test how a shift from fish‐ to squid‐dominated carrion could modify abyssal scavenger ecology. At the fish bait, peak scavenger abundance was greater and occurred later for the majority of observed fauna. However, removal rates of squid bait were up to 10‐fold greater, and a significantly different community composition developed, favoring faster organisms with lower chemosensory thresholds. At the fish bait, slower organisms were less disadvantaged as the bait persisted for longer periods allowing the development of a more complex community and dense amphipod aggregations. The rapid squid consumption indicates that the accumulation of this type of food fall at the seafloor may not occur, preventing scientific observations necessary to estimate the importance of squid carrion to the biological C pump and deep‐sea food webs. As such, the flux of squid carrion to the seafloor is likely greater than currently recognized in this part of the Atlantic. The differences observed between bait types indicate how future changes in upper ocean ecosystems may impact abyssal scavengers and their ecosystem functions, including controlling seafloor biomass, regulating the behavior of benthic fauna, and contributing to nutrient cycling and energy transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitatively most important process by which organic matter in marine sediments is mineralized is performed by sulfate‐reducing bacteria, resulting in the accumulation of total dissolved (free) sulfide (S2− = H2S + HS− + S2−) in porewater. S2− is toxic to benthic animals and vascular plants and measurements serve as a proxy for the deleterious effects of organic enrichment on benthic habitat, biodiversity, and ecosystem function. Methodologies for measuring S2− in water have been pursued for at least a century, and standard approaches employ colorimetry (methylene blue and iodometric titration) and potentiometry. These standard methods require between 1 and 200 mL of porewater, which can be laborious to obtain. The ion‐selective electrode method is widely employed as a practical approach for sediment S2− analysis but lacks analytical robustness and is highly prone to measurement biases that misinform research and environmental management decisions. A technically simple method is described, based on direct UV spectrophotometry, for the near real‐time field analysis of small porewater samples. The procedure prevents known measurement biases associated with particulate sulfide interference, S2− volatilization and oxidation, and represents a practical approach for monitoring organic enrichment and classifying benthic ecological quality status. Porewater concentrations between 200 and 15,000 μmol L−1 can be measured and instrument calibration is highly stable. The method has the capacity to rapidly process and analyze sediment samples at low cost, which helps resolve the problem of chronic under‐sampling associated with the use of traditional S2− methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrozoobenthos communities play significant ecological roles in coral reef ecosystems. However, they are frequently overlooked due to their cryptic appearance, and their diversity remains undiscovered, particularly in Indonesia. This comprehensive review of publications on the macrozoobenthos in the coral reef ecosystems of Java - the most populated island in Indonesia, was conducted to compile a species list and gain an overview of its community composition. We also assessed the existence of species that are frequently reported, endemic, protected, and threatened. Data analysis was performed with data from 53 publications appearing from the 1980s to 2022. In total, 482 species belonging to 4 phyla and 9 classes have been recorded. Mollusca is the most speciose phylum (n = 321), followed by Echinodermata (n = 106), Arthropoda (n = 49), and Platyhelminthes (n = 6). Generally, the northern part of Java is well studied and has larger numbers of recorded phyla and species. The highest species number (n = 266) has been recorded off the northern coast of West Java, while there are around 25–99 species in other regions. Echinoderms species such as Culcita novaeguineae, Diadema setosum, Echinothrix calamaris, and Holothuria atra had relatively higher occurrences than other taxa. We also noted the occurrence of giant clam Hippopus hippopus, which is protected by Indonesian law. This review provides fundamental knowledge of macrozoobenthic diversity in the coral reefs of Java, making it available to global audiences. However, it revealed a lack of research on benthic fauna in several areas with moderate to good coral cover conditions. Further research is needed to explore macrozoobenthic species richness in this region thoroughly, and periodic monitoring is essential to provide early warnings of possible changes and biodiversity loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exhibiting persistence in coastal sediment over extended periods. However, the mechanism of their uptake by marine organisms and distribution in habitat is less understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of MP contamination in burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue of Dotilla blanfordi in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat State. Methods: A total of 500 g of burrow sediment, 100 g of feeding pellets, and body tissue of 10 resident D. blanfordi were pooled as one replica. Such seven replicas from each site were analyzed for MP extraction from three sites, including Asharmata, Mandvi, and Serena, located in the Gulf of Kachchh. The standard protocol was used during the analysis of the collected samples in order to isolate MPs. Results: The abundance of MP was found higher in burrow sediment, feeding pellets and tissue of D. blanfordi at study site Mandvi, followed by Serena and Asharmata. The abundance of MP was found higher in D. blanfordi tissue, followed by burrow sediment and feeding pellet. A significant variation was observed in MP abundance among burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue. MPs with various shapes (fiber, film, and fragment), sizes (1–2, 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5 mm), and colors (blue, green, black, pink, purple, red transparent) were recorded from all the study sites. Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride were recognized as the chemical profile of the extracted MPs. The current investigation revealed greater accumulation of MPs in D. blanfordi's tissues compared to sediment and pellets, suggesting a risk of MP contamination in marine benthic fauna with a greater rate of bioaccumulation. D. blanfordi plays a significant role as a structuring agent for MP distribution in the intertidal flat through burrowing activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mid-Brunhes dissolution interval (MBDI; Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13 to 7; ~ 533–191 ka) is characterized by various paleoclimatic/paleoceanographic events in the world. We investigated fossil deep-sea benthic foraminifera and sediment geochemistry at the onset of the MBDI (~ 670–440 ka) using Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 758 and core GPC03 in the northeast tropical Indian Ocean (TIO), primarily focusing on the relationship between the paleoceanographic conditions of the surface and deep oceans. Based on multi-dimensional scaling, MDS axis 1 is related to the specific depth habitats of benthic foraminiferal fauna, possibly at the trophic level. In MDS axis 1, the difference between the two core sites was smaller from ~ 610 to 560 ka, whereas it was larger from ~ 560 to 480 ka. In contrast, MDS axis 2 may be related to the low food supply at episodic food pulses/relatively stable and low food fluxes. MDS axis 2 showed generally similar stratigraphic variations between the two cores during ~ 610–560 ka, but was different during ~ 560–480 ka. The proportion of lithogenic matter to biogenic carbonate was relatively low from ~ 610 to 530 ka under the highstand when sediment transport to the study area was reduced. Thus, both the depth gradient in the distribution of benthic foraminiferal fauna and the lithogenic supply between the two cores changed coincidently across the MIS 15/14 (~ 570–540 ka) transition. Such paleoceanographic conditions across MIS 15/14 transition were attributed to the long-term weakening of the wind-driven mixing of surface waters, which might have been caused by the weakening of the Indian summer monsoon in the northeast TIO, possibly with the northward displacement of the InterTropical Convergence Zone in the Northern Hemisphere. In particular, the depth gradient in the distributions of benthic foraminiferal faunas represents the paleoceanographic linkage between the surface and deep oceans through particulate organic matter ballasting by calcareous plankton skeletons in addition to lithogenic matter, which changed transiently and significantly across MIS 15/14 transition close to the onset of the MBDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specimens belonging to a new species in the genus Protocirrineris have been found during surveys along the southwestern coasts of the Netherlands. Protocirrineris stormae sp. nov, as described herein, were collected from the muddy bottom sediments in enclosed marine waterbodies and estuaries. This species is characterized by branchiae commencing from the first chaetiger and tentacular filaments arranged in two groups arising from chaetigers 2–3 that present one/two pairs of lobes, each bearing a single dorsal tentacle. From the current records of this species, it seems that P. stormae has an affinity for enclosed marine environments or parts of estuaries with minimal variability in salinity, higher transparency, and normal temperature regime. The discovery and study of this species contributes to a comprehensive characterization of benthic fauna in locations subjected to particular environmental stresses. Considering the extensive dataset available from the Southwestern Netherlands due to many years of sampling, it is plausible that P. stormae is a pseudo-indigenous species as there seem to be no records of similar or unknown Protocirrineris before 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Viruses present a significant challenge to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector. Perinereis, a valuable live-feed source in aquaculture, carries the risk of harboring unknown viruses, potentially jeopardizing the biosecurity of aquatic organisms. Despite this risk, there is a notable absence of research investigating novel viruses in Perinereis using meta-transcriptomic sequencing techniques. Therefore, it becomes imperative to explore the viral diversity within Perinereis. In this report, 12 previously unidentified viruses was documented in two distinct Perinereis species through meta-transcriptomic sequencing. These newly identified viruses were classified into four major viral families, shedding light on the intricate viral landscape within Perinereis. By unveiling these novel viruses, this research contributes to a broader knowledge base of the viral ecology in Perinereis, offering valuable insights into the potential risks and impacts associated with Perinereis in aquaculture settings. Such findings also highlight the need for enhancing biosecurity measures and disease management strategies within the aquaculture industry. Perinereis species are essential benthonic animals in coastal ecosystems and have significant roles as live feed in aquaculture, owing to their high-protein and low-fat nutritional profile. Despite their ecological importance, the viral communities associated with these organisms need to be better understood. In this study, we generated 2.6 × 108 reads using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and de novo assembled 5.3 × 103 virus-associated contigs. We identified 12 novel RNA viruses from two species, Perinereis aibuhitensis and P. wilsoni, which were classified into four major viral groups: Picobirnaviridae, Marnaviridae, unclassified Picornavirales, and unclassified Bunyavirales. Our findings revealed the hidden diversity of viruses and genome structures in Perinereis, enriching the RNA virosphere and expanding the host range of Picobirnaviridae, Marnaviridae, and Bunyavirales. This study also highlighted the potential biosecurity risk of the novel viruses carried by Perinereis to aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse clades of fishes adapted to feeding on the benthos repeatedly converge on steep craniofacial profiles and shorter, wider heads. But in an incipient radiation, to what extent is this morphological evolution measurable and can we distinguish the relative genetic vs. plastic effects? We use the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) to test the repeatability of adaptation and the alignment of genetic and environmental effects shaping poecilid craniofacial morphology. We compare wild-caught and common garden lab-reared fish to quantify the genetic and plastic components of craniofacial morphology across 4 populations from 2 river drainage systems (n  = 56 total). We first use micro-computed tomography to capture 3D morphology, then place both landmarks and semilandmarks to perform size-corrected 3D morphometrics and quantify shape space. We find a measurable, significant, and repeatable divergence in craniofacial shape between high-predation invertivore and low-predation detritivore populations. As predicted from previous examples of piscine adaptive trophic divergence, we find increases in head slope and craniofacial compression among the benthic detritivore foragers. Furthermore, the effects of environmental plasticity among benthic detritivores produce exaggerated craniofacial morphological change along a parallel axis to genetic morphological adaptation from invertivore ancestors. Overall, many of the major patterns of benthic-limnetic craniofacial evolution appear convergent among disparate groups of teleost fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen deficiency is a major problem in the Baltic Sea. To study the impact of hypoxia on the functional diversity of benthic fauna and the possibility of macrozoobenthos recovery, data were analyzed in a gradient of oxygen conditions in the Gdańsk Basin. The research conducted on the basis of biological traits analysis enabled us to analyze the number, type and spatial distribution of biological traits—a proxy for functions performed by macrozoobenthos. A significant depletion of macrofauna was already observed under conditions of reduced oxygen above the bottom, both in terms of functional diversity and biomass. Although taxa observed in hypoxia (DO < 2 mL L−1) perform a number of functions, the remaining species do not form complex structures in the sediments or cause deep bioturbation and bioirrigation. Moreover, their extremely low biomass plays an irrelevant role in benthic–pelagic coupling. Thus, benthic fauna under hypoxia is not an element that ensures the functioning of the ecosystem. We assess that traits important for species dispersal and the presence of taxa resistant to short-term hypoxia in the oxic zone above the halocline provide a "backup" for ecosystem functioning under altered diverse oxygen conditions below the halocline after cessation of hypoxia in the southern Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pace of biological invasions has increased in recent decades, leading to multiple invasions and the potential dominance of invasive species, destabilizing local ecological networks. This provides opportunities to study new ecological species interactions, including predation. Tropical freshwaters have been particularly concerned by aquatic invasions and we focused here on the Martinique island (Lesser Antilles). We examined the predator–prey relationships involving invasive Thiarid snails (Tarebia granifera and Melanoides tuberculata) and the native Neritina punctulata, both confronted with a newcomer predator, the redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). We conducted several mesocosm experiments to assess the impact of crayfish predation on snail survival and the passive and active antipredator responses of snails. A first experiment indicated snail survival rates between 50% and 80%, depending on crayfish size and sex. Notably, there was a negative correlation between snail survival and male crayfish size and the predation method (shell crushing vs. "body sucking") varied with crayfish size. The second experiment suggested no refuge size for snails, with both very small (<5 mm) and very large (>5 mm) unable to escape predation, regardless of crayfish size (from 77 to 138 mm) or sex. Finally, we investigated the escape behavior of Thiarids regarding three crayfish cues. Melanoides tuberculata tend to bury in the substrate and T. granifera to climb up aquarium walls, what was expected from their shell morphologies, and both responding to crayfish cues within minutes. Overall, C. quadricarinatus proves to be an efficient snail predator with limited escape options for snails, potentially contributing to the decline of certain snail populations in Martinique. This omnivorous predator might impact other native species across different groups, including shrimps and fish. Our study underscores the urgent need for monitoring efforts, solidifying the redclaw crayfish reputation as a dangerous invasive species for freshwater macrobenthic faunas worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of reworking sediments and thus shaping biogeochemical processes, marine bottom-dwelling animals are thought to play a pivotal role in many benthic environments. Bioturbation (particle reworking) includes the downward transport of particles into the sediment as a major process and is sometimes detected as subsurface maxima (peaks) of specific particulate substances (tracers). Here, we document the fact that subsurface peaks, such as those typically attributed to biological particle transport in sediments, may equally be generated by otter boards in bottom-trawling fishery. Boards can generate tracer peaks whereby they scoop sediment from the surface, flip it over, and deposit it onto the adjacent seafloor. These peaks are indistinguishable from those generated by benthic fauna burying surface material at sediment depth. We demonstrate this for the particle tracer chlorophyll a in silty sand from the western Baltic Sea with fauna that generally do not burrow deep in a global comparison. Our inability to distinguish the driving processes generating the peaks indicates limits to our understanding of the magnitude and spatial extent of bioturbation traces in this environment. It also poses a problem for the assessment of fishery resource use and benthic processes. However, based on natural fauna abundance, behavioral information, and fishery intensity data, we identify macrofauna and not otter boards as the dominant cause of peaks at the sites investigated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chironomids are probably the most speciose family among aquatic insects, colonizing almost all freshwater habitats. The emphasis of the present research is on: (1) taxonomic composition as the most efficient tool for describing biodiversity in natural habitats; and (2) natural habitat type as the most important factor able to explain different chironomid assemblages. This is because the habitat type summarizes a combination of different biotic and abiotic factors present at each site, determining taxa assemblages. Different spatial scales are often proposed as relevant factors for modeling community composition, but with regard to chironomids, spatial factors act only at a small scale, while environmental factors are the most important determinants for species distribution. Factors responsible for species distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates, including responses at different spatial scales, have been previously investigated. The aim of the present research was to review the most relevant factors explaining chironomid species distribution focusing on factors operating at different spatial scales, such as latitude, longitude, altitude, substrate, salinity, water temperature, current velocity, conductivity, acidity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient content etc. acting at regional levels and at a large or small water basin level. Data including chironomid species abundances from different lentic and lotic waters in Italy and other surrounding countries were analyzed using partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA) and multiple discriminant analysis (DISCR). Spatial analyses, including univariate Moran's I correlograms, multivariate Mantel correlograms and Moran's eigenvector maps (MEMs), were thereafter carried out. The results showed that habitat type, including different types of lotic waters (i.e., kryal, crenal, rhithral, potamal) and different lake types (i.e., littoral, sublittoral, profundal zones), is the most significant factor separating chironomid assemblages, while spatial factors act only as indirect influencers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eulimidae is a highly diverse family of gastropods that are often parasites of echinoderms. They are cosmopolitan and live from the intertidal to great depths. Despite its wide geographic and bathymetric distribution, no species of Eulimidae have been reported for the Salas & Gómez Ridge to date. In this study, we describe Melanella martarum sp. nov., which was collected during the EPIC oceanographic cruise onboard RV Mirai (JAMSTEC, Japan) in 2019. Seven specimens were collected with a modified Agassiz trawl on the summit of seamount "Pearl'' (Zhemchuznaya) in the Salas & Gómez Ridge (25.59°S, 89.13&lowbar;W) at 545 m depth. The morphology of M. martarum sp. nov. was compared with other Melanella species reported for the area, including Chile and Rapa Nui. DNA was extracted and partial sequences of the mitochondrial genes Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (COI) and 16S rDNA, and the nuclear gene Histone 3 (H3) were sequenced. Melanella martarum sp. nov. has morphological characteristics that separate it from other species of Melanella, such as the thickness and color of the shell, and the shape of the protoconch. In addition, M. martarum sp. nov. was genetically differentiated from other Melanella spp. sequences (uncorrected p distances from 18,1&lowbar;8.6% in mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA to 3% in nuclear H3 sequences). Although there is not much molecular data available for Eulimidae, the phylogenetic analysis confirms the results obtained by morphology, placing the species found on the Salas & Gómez Ridge within the genus Melanella. The current study advances the understanding of the poorly known benthic fauna found on seamounts in the easternmost part of the Sala & Gómez ridge, a location distinguished by a high level of endemism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profound environmental changes, such as drastic sea-ice decline, leave large-scale ecological footprints on the distribution and composition of marine biota in the Arctic. Currently, the impact of such stressors is not sufficiently understood due to the lack of pan-Arctic data that allow for estimating ecological baselines as well as modelling current and forecast potential changes in benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Here, we introduce the PAN-Arctic data collection of benthic BIOtas (PANABIO) and discuss its timeliness, potential, and details of its further development. The data collection contains individual datasets with records (presence, counts, abundance, or biomass) of benthic fauna, usually at genus level or species level, which were identified in field samples obtained at point-referenced locations (stations) by means of grabs, towed gear, or seabed imaging. The data cover the entire pan-Arctic realm, i.e. the central Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Laptev Sea, Kara Sea, Barents Sea (including the White Sea), Svalbard waters, Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea, Canadian Archipelago, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea as well as some adjacent sub-Arctic regions (Sea of Japan, Gulf of Okhotsk). Currently (as of 14 December 2023), PANABIO includes 27 datasets with a total of 126 388 records of 2978 taxa collected from 11 555 samples taken at 10 596 stations during 1095 cruises between 1800 and 2014. These numbers will increase with more data becoming available over time through contributions from PANABIO users. The data collection is available in a PostgreSQL-based data warehouse that can be accessed and queried through an open-access front-end web service at https://critterbase.awi.de/panabio (last access: 27 February 2024). A snapshot of the current data collection and its 27 individual datasets is also available from the data publisher PANGAEA (10.1594/PANGAEA.963640, Piepenburg et al., 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea sponge grounds are distributed globally and are considered hotspots of biological diversity and biogeochemical cycling. To date, little is known about the environmental constraints that control where deep-sea sponge grounds occur and what conditions allow high sponge biomass to develop in the deep sea. Here, we characterize oceanographic conditions at two contrasting high- and low-sponge-biomass sites off the northern Labrador Shelf in Canadian waters. Unique data for the region were collected by year-long benthic lander deployments equipped with current meters, turbidity and chlorophyll-a sensors, and sediment traps. Additionally, the regional oceanography was described by analysing vertical conductivity/salinity-temperature-depth (CTD) and Argo float profiles for the Northern Labrador Shelf from 2005 to 2022, including those from the CTD casts taken at the benthic lander stations. Benthic fauna stable isotopes were analysed to identify potential food sources. Our results revealed strong (0.26 ± 0.14 m s-1; mean ± SD) semidiurnal tidal currents at the high-sponge-biomass site, but twofold weaker currents (0.14 ± 0.08 m s-1; mean ± SD) at the low-sponge-biomass site. These tidal currents cause periodic temperature fluctuations, sediment resuspension, intense vertical flows across the slope, which during spring, contribute to transport of organic material to the seafloor during a diurnal tidal cycle. Periodic fluctuations in bottom water temperature confirm the amplified transport across the shelf break at the high-sponge-biomass site. The high-sponge-biomass area is situated where the Hudson Strait Ouflow, the Irminger Current, and the West Greenland Current converge, which could lead to downwelling. Bottom silicate concentrations were increased at the high-biomass sponge ground due to advection of silicate-rich bottom water from Baffin Bay. Finally, the arrival of chlorophyll-a rich material in spring at both the low- and high-sponge-biomass sites demonstrated tight benthic-pelagic coupling prior to the onset of stratification. Mass fluxes of trapped material were higher and consisted of less degraded material at the high-sponge-biomass site. Stable isotope signatures indicated that soft corals (Primnoa resedaeformis) fed on suspended particulate organic matter, while massive sponges (Geodia spp.) likely utilized additional food sources. Our results imply that benthic fauna at the high-sponge-biomass site benefit from strong tidal currents, which increases food supply, and favourable regional ocean currents that increase nutrient concentration in bottom waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment reworking by benthic infauna, namely bioturbation, is of pivotal importance in expansive soft-sediment environments such as the Wadden Sea. Bioturbating fauna facilitate ecosystem functions such as bentho-pelagic coupling and sediment nutrient remineralization capacities. Yet, these benthic fauna are expected to be profoundly affected by current observed rising sea temperatures. In order to predict future changes in ecosystem functioning in soft-sediment environments like the Wadden Sea, knowledge on the underlying processes such as sediment reworking, is crucial. Here, we tested how temperature affects bioturbation and its associated ecosystem processes, such as benthic nutrient fluxes and sediment oxygen consumption, using luminophore tracers and sediment incubation cores. We used a controlled mesocosm experiment set-up with key Wadden Sea benthos species: the burrowing polychaetes Arenicola marina and Hediste diversicolor, the bivalve Cerastoderma edule, and the tube-building polychaete Lanice conchilega. The highest bioturbation rates were observed from A. marina, reaching up to 375 cm²yr-1; followed by H. diversicolor, with 124 cm²yr-1 being the peak bioturbation rate for the ragworm. Additionally, the sediment reworking activity of A. marina facilitated nearly double the amount of silicate efflux compared to any other species. Arenicola marina and H. diversicolor accordingly facilitated stronger nutrient effluxes under a warmer temperature than L. conchilega and C. edule. The oxygen uptake of A. marina and H. diversicolor within the sediment incubation cores was correspondingly enhanced with a higher temperature. Thus, increases in sea temperatures may initially be beneficial to ecosystem functioning in the Wadden Sea as faunal bioturbation is definitely expedited, leading to a tighter coupling between the sediment and overlying water column. The enhanced bioturbation activity, oxygen consumption, and facilitated nutrient effluxes from these invertebrates themselves, will aid in the ongoing high levels of primary productivity and organic matter production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the deep sea, interactions between benthic fauna and seafloor sediment primarily occur through bioturbation that can be preserved as traces (i.e. lebensspuren). Lebensspuren are common features of deep-sea landscapes and are more abundant than the organisms that produce them (i.e. tracemakers), rendering lebensspuren promising proxies for inferring biodiversity. The density and diversity relationships between lebensspuren and benthic fauna remain unclear, and contradicting correlations have been proposed (i.e. negative, positive, or even null correlations). To approach these variable correlations, lebensspuren and benthic fauna were characterized taxonomically at eight deep-sea stations in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench area, together with two novel categories: tracemakers (specific epibenthic fauna that produce these traces) and degrading fauna (benthic fauna that can erase lebensspuren). No general correlation (overall study area) was observed between diversities of lebensspuren, tracemakers, degrading fauna, and fauna. However, a diversity correlation was observed at specific stations, showing both negative and positive correlations depending on: (1) the number of unknown tracemakers (especially significant for dwelling lebensspuren); (2) the lebensspuren with multiple origins; and (3) tracemakers that can produce different lebensspuren. Lebensspuren and faunal density were not correlated. However, lebensspuren density was either positively or negatively correlated with tracemaker densities, depending on the lebensspuren morphotypes. A positive correlation was observed for resting lebensspuren (e.g. ophiuroid impressions, Actiniaria circular impressions), while negative correlations were observed for locomotion-feeding lebensspuren (e.g. echinoid trails). In conclusion, lebensspuren diversity may be a good proxy for tracemaker biodiversity when the lebensspuren–tracemaker relationship can be reliable characterized. Lebensspuren–density correlations vary depending on the specific lebensspuren residence time, tracemaker density, and associated behaviour (rate of movement). Overall, we suggest that lebensspuren density and diversity correlations should be studied with tracemakers rather than with general benthic fauna. On a global scale, abiotic (e.g. hydrodynamics, substrate consistency) and other biotic factors (e.g. microbial degradation) may also play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global climate change, monitoring focused on temperature and benthic animals in intertidal flats and the development of metrics to assess climate change and ecosystem responses are essential for a sustainable society. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between intertidal sediment temperature and the distribution of benthic animals. To address this gap, in the present study, intertidal sediment temperatures were observed in 12 intertidal flats in 11 survey areas over 335 days, from October 2, 2019, to August 31, 2020, using water temperature data loggers. The characteristics of intertidal sediment temperatures were variable among the survey areas, and a correlation analysis suggested that such characteristics are possibly influenced by various spatial-scale factors, such as geographical, basin, and habitat scales. Furthermore, two sentinel crab species, Macrophthalmus japonicus and Macrophthalmus banzai were collected, and the number of wintering individuals of each species was estimated based on their carapace width to analyze the changes in abundances of the two species in each survey area. The results show that the number of days with daily minimum temperature ≥ 19 °C was the factor that influenced the abundance rate, suggesting that M. japonicus and M. banzai populations may decrease and increase, respectively, according to future climate change in Japan. Our findings emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring of sediment temperatures and benthic animals in intertidal flats to evaluate the influence of future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we explored the impact of saline–alkaline environments on the diversity and functional traits of benthic organisms. In environments with varying levels of salt, we noticed changes in living organisms, like improved swimming abilities and better adaptation to breathing in high-salinity conditions. These findings offer crucial insights to understand and manage ecosystems in saline–alkaline environments, particularly in the face of climate change. This study provides a practical foundation for conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the unique roles of benthic organisms across varying salinity levels. By revealing adaptive strategies and their ecological significance, our research contributes to global initiatives that address environmental challenges and promote enhanced ecosystem resilience. In this study, we investigated how changes in salinity affect biodiversity and function in 11 typical water bodies in the Altai region. The salinity of the freshwater bodies ranged from 0 to 5, the brackish water salinities ranged from 5 to 20, and the hypersaline environments had salinities > 20. We identified 11 orders, 34 families, and 55 genera in 3061 benthic samples and classified them into 10 traits and 32 categories. Subsequently, we conducted Mantel tests and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and calculated biodiversity and functional diversity indices for each sampling site. The results indicated that biodiversity and the proportion of functional traits were greater in freshwater environments than in saline environments and decreased gradually with increasing salinity. Noticeable shifts in species distribution were observed in high-salinity environments and were accompanied by specific functional traits such as swimming ability, smaller body sizes, and air-breathing adaptations. The diversity indices revealed that the species were more evenly distributed in high-diversity environments under the influence of salinity. In contrast, in high-salinity environments, only a few species dominated. The results suggested that increasing salinity accelerated the evolution of benthic communities, leading to reduced species diversity and functional homogenization. We recommend enhancing the monitoring of saline water resources and implementing sustainable water resource management to mitigate the impact of salinity stress on aquatic communities in response to climate-induced soil and water salinization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site‐occupancy modelling is widely used in ecology for understanding species distribution, habitat‐use and community changes but its application is still limited in paleoecology, where incomplete detection is also routine. Here, we make extensive expansions to an earlier multispecies occupancy model used to estimate the dynamics of relative species abundance in fossil communities. These expansions include incorporating counts of individuals at sites, explicitly allowing for the inclusion of specimens assignable to genus – but not species‐level, a situation common in paleontology, and modelling regional presence/absence. We provide simulations to check the performance of this new model, as well as simulations to quantify the benefits of using individual count data versus subsample occupancy data, and model estimates versus face‐value (raw) estimates, respectively. We also provide an empirical case study using occupancy data from a community of marine benthic colonial animals preserved in the Pleistocene of New Zealand. We find that the new model performs well, especially when it comes to recovering relative abundance dynamics and that it is well worth the effort to both collect individual count data and to include individuals unidentified to species‐level in the site‐occupancy modelling framework. This extended model can be widely applied in paleoecological settings and is necessary when both the average and uncertainty values of relative abundance dynamics need to be robustly estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrotricha are microscopic benthic animals found in almost all water bodies. To date, over 890 species distributed in 71 genera, 18 families, and two orders are known. There are 376 freshwater species, and several are also found in Italy; however, a compendium of the studies carried out so far, and a georeferenced distribution of the species, still need to be provided. This project summarizes information about the diversity and geographic distribution of Italian gastrotrichs. Diversity data, acquired over 239 years, were reviewed and corrected based on taxonomic and nomenclatural updates and, in addition to distribution information, were organized into a data matrix valuable for statistical analysis. The data were fed into geographic information system software to understand the overall figures more easily. The results indicated that Italy is one of the best-known countries regarding freshwater gastrotrichs. With 92 species in 17 genera and three families from 61 investigated localities, Italy counts 17 type localities and 19 endemic species. Despite this high biodiversity, many Italian regions still need to be investigated, and should, therefore, be the focus of future research. The implementation of a web-mapping plugin enabled the creation of interactive maps for an easy and modern method for sharing the work done, and the information acquired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the limited understanding of benthic fauna along the Algerian coast, this study was conducted to explore the diversity of bivalve mollusks specifically on the Algerian west coast. The primary objectives of this study were to create a comprehensive but not exhaustive inventory of bivalve species in this region and to analyze the distribution of these species within the study areas and neighboring regions. The research involved the investigation of numerous sandy beaches across four sectors of the Algerian west coast: Tlemcen, Béni-Saf, Ain-Temouchent, and Oran. Between June 2019 and April 2020, a random collection of empty bivalve shells was carried out in the foreshore zones of 16 beaches within these sectors. This extensive collection of 10,076 shells resulted in the identification of 56 bivalve mollusk species, categorized into 22 families. Among these families, the most prominent were Cardiidae, Donacidae, Glycymerididae, and Veneridae, serving as the most representative families across all four sectors. Notably, the Glycymerididae family was the most abundant along the Oran coast, with nearly 2,000 individuals, although they were less prevalent on the beaches of the Béni Saf sector. In contrast, the Veneridae family was prevalent on the beaches of the Tlemcen, Béni Saf, and Aïn-Témouchent sectors. Within the Veneridae family, there was remarkable diversity, featuring 11 species, followed by the Cardiidae family with 6 species, and the Limidae and Pectinidae families with 5 species each. Finally, among the identified species, the most abundant ones included Acanthocardia tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758), Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758), Glycymeris nummaria (Linnaeus, 1758), and Donax trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758), each belonging to the Cardiidae, Veneridae, Glycymerididae, and Donacidae families, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Eighteen Cibicidoides Rotaliid benthic foraminiferal species were erected from three localities in the Southern Tethys Chile, Egypt and Pakistan. An American diagnostic west hemisphere species C. vulgaris is added to the assemblage, which was later is also recorded from another localities in the eastern hemisphere in the Southern Tethys: Egypt and Iran . One of the identified species is believed here to be new: C. chilensis. Environmental conditions of the identified species of the genus Cibicidoides represent middle-outer neritic environment (100- 200 m) and show an affinity with Midway-Type Fauna "MTF". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Geloina erosa, an important animal in mangrove ecosystems, possesses both economic and environmental value. However, to date, there has been no research conducted on its miRNA. This study utilized high-throughput sequencing to identify 1412 miRNAs in three tissues: the gills, hepatopancreas, and muscles. Among these, 1047 miRNAs were identified as known conserved sequences. In conjunction with mRNA research, it was observed that approximately 33% of the transcripts were predicted to be predicted targets for miRNAs. Building upon our team's previous research on mRNA, it is worth noting that the majority of genes suppressed by miRNAs in different tissues align with their respective organ functions. Specifically, in gills, miRNAs predominantly regulated immune-related genes, substance transport, and cytoskeletal organization. In the hepatopancreas, miRNAs suppress genes involved in shell formation while also influencing cellular motor activity and metabolism. In muscle tissue, miRNAs were found to participate in metabolism, photoreceptive processes, and immune regulation. These findings suggest that miRNA regulation is finely tuned to swiftly respond to environmental changes. Overall, these discoveries provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms and biological processes of miRNA within G. erosa. They serve as a foundation for further validation and elucidation of these regulatory relationships. Geloina erosa is an important benthic animal in the mangrove, serving as an indicator organism for coastal environmental pollution. This study aimed to investigate the tissue-specific expression of miRNAs and their regulatory roles in predicted targets in G. erosa. Through miRNA sequencing and co-expression network analysis, we extensively studied the miRNA expression in three tissues: gills, hepatopancreas, and muscle. The results revealed a total of 1412 miRNAs, comprising 1047 known miRNAs, and 365 newly predicted miRNAs. These miRNAs exhibited distinct tissue-specific expression patterns. In the miRNA target gene prediction, a total of 7404 potential predicted targets were identified, representing approximately 33% of all unique transcripts associated with miRNAs. Further co-expression network analysis revealed nine modules, each showing a positive correlation with specific tissues (gills, hepatopancreas, or muscle). The blue module showed a significant correlation with gills (r = 0.83, p-value = 0.006), the black module was significantly related to the hepatopancreas (r = 0.78, p-value = 0.01), and the purple module was significantly correlated with muscle (r = 0.83, p-value = 0.006). Within these modules, related miRNAs tended to cluster together, while their correlations with other modules were relatively weak. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on miRNAs and their predicted targets in each tissue. In the gills, miRNAs primarily regulate immune-related genes, substance transport, and cytoskeletal organization. In the hepatopancreas, miRNAs suppressed genes involved in shell formation and played a role in cellular motor activity and metabolism. In muscle, miRNAs participate in metabolism and photoreceptive processes, as well as immune regulation. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the tissue-specific regulation of miRNAs in G. erosa, highlighting their potential roles in immune response, metabolism, and environmental adaptation. These findings offer important clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms and biological processes in G. erosa, laying the foundation for further validation and elucidation of these regulatory relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This investigation delves into the intricate world of aquatic life, specifically zoobenthos, and how they respond to a combination of environmental challenges: climate change, eutrophication, and pesticide contamination. These organisms play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems, affecting energy flow, nutrient cycling, and sediment decomposition. Unfortunately, these challenges have led to a decline in their numbers and changes in community structure. Notably, the warmer temperatures associated with climate change promote the abundance and diversity of zoobenthos while making these communities more similar across different sites. Pesticides like imidacloprid negatively impact the survival and growth of zoobenthos. Interestingly, when combined with warming, imidacloprid seems to mitigate its adverse effects, increasing species diversity. However, when nutrient loading is part of the equation, imidacloprid negatively affects species diversity. These findings reveal the intricate responses of zoobenthos to multiple stressors, offering valuable insights for ecosystem conservation and management. In simpler terms, this study explores how tiny underwater creatures react to a changing environment, which has consequences for our ecosystems. Multiple stressors, including climate change, eutrophication, and pesticide contamination, are significant drivers of the decline in lake zoobenthos. Zoobenthos play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, impacting energy dynamics, nutrient cycling, and sediment degradation. However, these stressors have led to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of zoobenthos, resulting in notable changes in species composition and structure. Eutrophication typically increases zoobenthos abundance while reducing taxonomic diversity. Climate change, such as warming and heatwaves, also affects the zoobenthos community structure, with different species exhibiting varying levels of adaptability to temperature changes. Additionally, pesticides like imidacloprid have negative effects on the survival and growth of zoobenthos. However, the interactions between imidacloprid and other stressors remain understudied. Here, we used 48 mesocosms (2500 L) to simulate shallow lakes. We combined nutrient loading, sustained warming, and the imidacloprid pesticide to test how these stressors interactively influence the survival and community of zoobenthos. The experimental results demonstrate that elevated temperatures have a significant impact on aquatic benthic organisms under different treatment conditions. The increase in temperature led to a notable rise in species richness and α-diversity, primarily attributed to the stimulation of metabolic activities in zoobenthos, promoting their growth and reproduction. This finding underscores the potential influence of climate change on aquatic benthic ecosystems, particularly in terms of its promoting effect on α-diversity. However, it is essential to note that elevated temperatures also reduced β-diversity among different sites, implying a potential trend toward homogenization in zoobenthos communities under warmer conditions. Moreover, this study revealed the interactive effects of multiple stressors on the diversity of aquatic benthic communities. Specifically, the pesticide imidacloprid's impact on zoobenthos is not isolated but demonstrates complex effects within various treatment interactions. In the presence of both temperature elevation and the addition of imidacloprid, the presence of imidacloprid appears to counteract the adverse effects of temperature elevation, resulting in increased species diversity. However, when imidacloprid coincides with nutrient input, it significantly affects α-diversity negatively. These findings highlight the complexity of zoobenthos responses to multiple stressors and how these factors influence both α-diversity and β-diversity. They provide valuable insights for further research on the conservation and management of ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater lakes are subjected to increasing eutrophication and algal blooms worldwide, which have dramatically impacted the aquatic biodiversity. This situation is especially true in the Yangtze River Floodplain, China. However, few researches have been focused on differences in the spatial and temporal patterns of benthic macroinvertebrates assemblages between the two adjacent lakes in this floodplain. In this study, we conducted seasonal investigations in 2021 to compare the spatial and temporal patterns of macroinvertebrates in Lakes Taihu and Lake Chaohu. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses showed Lake Taihu was found to have differences in assemblages within the lake, but Lake Chaohu was found to have uniform assemblage across the entire lake. Macrophyte-dominated lake regions (eastern Lake Taihu) were characterised by the highest species richness and diversity indices than those in other lake regions. The pollution sensitive species (e.g. EPT: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) were only distributed in the macrophytic areas of Lake Taihu. Corbicula fluminea, polychaetes Nephtys oligobranchia and Capitella sp. were dominant in the middle central lake regions in Lake Taihu. Lake Chaohu and the northern Lake Taihu, with turbid algal-dominated state, were characterised by dominance of Oligochaetes and Chironomids. These differences were attributed to varying habitats and environmental parameters among different lake regions. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) demonstrated that macrophytes, chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), temperature, ammonium (NH3-N) and electric conductivity (EC) were detected as important factors influencing such macroinvertebrate assemblage patterns between these two lakes. This study contributes to the scientific knowledge of within lake habitats, community assemblages, nutrients and pollution within these lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of potentially toxic element concentrations in fish is an important topic from the point of view of both nature conservation and human consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of S, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, and P in benthic and pelagic fish species in the Karatal river, which is fed by melting glaciers from the Dzungarian Alatau in Kazakhstan. In September 2022, 48 fish samples were collected. It has been demonstrated that the accumulation of chemical elements in fish species can be explained by both the physiological parameters of the fish species and the influence of glaciers that feed river habitats. The data presented in this study provide a synergistic view of pollutants affecting fish populations. Benthic fish contained more manganese and strontium than pelagic species, while the mutual accumulation of potassium, chromium, rubidium, and molybdenum was higher in pelagic fish. The synergistic concentration of calcium and phosphorus in pelagic fish was higher than that in benthic species, while the amount of zinc and sulfur was higher in benthic animals. Relatively elevated levels of mercury in fish were found. The study contributes to the discussion about the role of glacial environments in loading pollutants to aquatic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silvofishery is a system that combines mangrove and fishery to protect mangrove ecosystems and restore their functions, one of which is as a habitat for macrozoobenthos. Investigate the mollusks and mangrove density. Mollusk sampling was carried out on sub-plots measuring 1 x 1 m² in the mangrove vegetation transect, and mangrove density was measured by counting the number of trees directly on all of the mangrove species at two silvofishery ponds. A total of 16 species of mollusks were found at the observation site, consisting of gastropods and bivalves. The density of mollusks in July was 20 ind/m2 in pond I, while it recorded 9 ind/m2 in pond II. In October, after pond II rehabilitation, the density was inversely proportional to July, and the highest density was found in pond I at 10 ind/m2, while pond II measured 9 ind/m2. After rehabilitation, the index value H' decreased in pond I and pond II from 2.82 and 2.98 to 2.52 and 2.68, respectively. The mangrove density was 887 ind/ha in pond I and 686 ind/ ha in pond II. The substrate in both ponds was clay. Nitrate concentration values in the substrate in both ponds ranged from 0.27% to 0.29%, phosphate recorded a percentage of 0.07--0.09%, and C-organic ranged from 3.00% to 5.72%. The water's physicochemical parameters and the type and content of the substrate were still suitable for mollusk life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Messinian Salinity Crisis is considered as one of the most influential Cenozoic events that impacted negatively on the benthic fauna of the Mediterranean area. Changing environmental conditions, including a sharp reduction of water exchange between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, altered the geographical ranges of many organisms, including sponges (Porifera). Here, we report a unique assemblage of isolated sponge spicules from the upper Miocene of southwestern Spain. The newly recognized sponge fauna was inhabiting the Guadalquivir Basin--the corridor between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean at that time. It represents a taxonomically rich sponge community that consisted of members of "soft" and "lithistid" demosponges and hexactinellids. Demosponges are represented by at least thirty-four taxa, while hexactinellids are significantly rarer; only six taxa have been identified. From among eighteen taxa recognized to the species level, at least eight seem to be inhabiting this area to these days; six are recorded from adjacent areas, such as the Western Mediterranean, South European Atlantic Shelf, and the Azores, and three are present in the Red Sea and/or the Northern Atlantic. Intriguingly, some taxa seem to have their closest relatives in distant areas, such as the Indo-Pacific and Japanese waters which suggests that the range of some once widely-distributed populations shrunk after the isolation of the Mediterranean and the Messinian Salinity Crisis, surviving to the present day only in refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin is the most abundant natural polymer in the oceans, where it is primarily recycled by chitin-degrading microorganisms. Endozoicomonadaceae (Oceanospirillales) bacteria are prominent symbionts of sessile marine animals, particularly corals, and presumably contribute to nutrient cycling in their hosts. To reveal the chitinolytic potential of this iconic, animal-dwelling bacterial family, we examined 42 publicly available genomes of cultured and uncultured Endozoicomonadaceae strains for the presence of chitinase-encoding genes. Thirty-two of 42 Endozoicomonadaceae genomes harbored endo-chitinase- (EC 3.2.1.14), 25 had exo-chitinase- (EC 3.2.1.52) and 23 polysaccharide deacetylase-encoding genes. Chitinases were present in cultured and uncultured Endozoicomonadaceae lineages associated with diverse marine animals, including the three formally described genera Endozoicomonas, Paraendozoicomonas and Kistimonas, the new genus Candidatus Gorgonimonas, and other, yet unclassified, groups of the family. Most endo-chitinases belonged to the glycoside hydrolase family GH18 but five GH19 endo-chitinases were also present. Many endo-chitinases harbored an active site and a signal peptide domain, indicating the enzymes are likely functional and exported to the extracellular environment where endo-chitinases usually act. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clade-specific diversification of endo-chitinases across the family. The presence of multiple, distinct endo-chitinases on the genomes of several Endozoicomonadaceae species hints at functional variation to secure effective chitin processing in diverse micro-niches and changing environmental conditions. We demonstrate that endo-chitinases and other genes involved in chitin degradation are widespread in the Endozoicomonadaceae family and posit that these symbionts play important roles in chitin turnover in filter- and suspension-feeding animals and in benthic, marine ecosystems at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is aimed at investigating the effects of seasonal changes and habitat conditions on reproductive state and gonadal development of two macrobenthic fauna. Echinometra mathaei and Tridacna squamosa were collected seasonally (summer and winter) in July 2019 and January 2020 from three sites along the Red Sea coast, Egypt: Hamraween, Sedy Malek, and Porto Ghalb. Sexual differences and gonadal maturation in the two species were determined by performing biopsies of their gonads followed by morphologic analyses. Hematoxylin and eosin–stained gonadal sections were examined and analyzed. In E. mathaei, reproductive behavior was more active in the summer than in the winter; in T. squamosa, reproductive behavior was active almost all the year, especially during the winter. The reproductive activity and gonadal maturation of both species were affected by environmental factors. The results indicated that temperature is a vital factor affecting the reproductive activity of both species. This study concluded that temperature fluctuations may pose significant challenges to coastal marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profound environmental changes, such as drastic sea-ice decline, leave large-scale ecological footprints on the distribution and composition of marine biotas in the Arctic. Currently, the impact of such stressors is not sufficiently understood due to the lack of pan-Arctic data that allow for estimating ecological baselines, as well as modelling current and forecast potential changes in benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Here, we introduce a PAN-Arctic data collection of benthic BIOtas (PANABIO), and discuss its timeliness, potential, and details of its further development. The data collection contains records of benthic fauna at genus-level or species-level identified in field samples obtained by means of grabs, towed gear, or seabed imaging. Currently, it includes records of 2,968 species or genera, ranging from presence to counts, densities or biomass, grouped per sample. The data represent the pan-Arctic realm, covering all major marine areas, i.e., the central Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Laptev Sea, Kara Sea, Barents Sea (incl. White Sea), Svalbard waters, Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea, Canadian Archipelago, Beaufort Sea, and Bering Sea. All data are point-referenced sampling locations. Currently, 124,040 records from 10,645 samples taken at 10,631 stations between 1800 and 2014 are included, but these numbers will increase with more data becoming available. The data collection is available in a PostgreSQL-based data warehouse that can be accessed and queried through an open-access frontend web service at https://critterbase.awi.de/panabio. A snap shot of the current data collection (of 26 June 2023) is also available from the data publisher PANGAEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many sessile and tube-dwelling polychaetes can act as ecosystem engineers, influencing the physical–chemical and biological characteristics of their habitats, increasing structural complexity. Thus, they are considered structuring species. In summer of 2021, in southern Sicily (Ionian Sea), benthic assemblages dominated by Ampharetidae Amage adspersa were discovered via an ROV survey at a depth range between 166 and 236 m on muddy horizontal seafloor. Large aggregations of this species (up to 297.2 tubes m−2), whose tubes are formed from Posidonia oceanica debris, occurred alternately with tube-free areas. The area was characterized by the sporadic presence of vulnerable sea pens Funiculina quadrangularis (up to 0.08 col. m−2) and Virgularia mirabilis (up to 0.16 col. m−2), and it was possible to detect signs of trawling as well the presence of marine litter (up to 24.0 items 100 m−2). The habitat description, distribution, and density of the tubes of A. adspersa were assessed via imaging analysis. In addition, morphological diagnostic analyses were carried out on some sampled specimens and on their tubes. The acquired data shed new light on how polychaetes can exploit the dead tissues of P. oceanica, contributing to highlight interactions between benthic fauna and seagrass detritus in the marine environment and their ecological role in enhancing the spatial heterogeneity of soft areas of the Mediterranean seafloor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrobenthic traits, for example feeding mode, life history, morphology, are increasingly used for determining responses of macrobenthic fauna to environmental change and influences on ecosystem functioning. Yet, trait information is scarce or non-existent in several parts of the world, such as New Zealand. This deficit makes collecting trait data a difficult and time-consuming task, limiting its potential use in trait-based assessments. Here, we present the New Zealand Trait Database (NZTD) for marine benthic invertebrates, the first comprehensive assessment of macrobenthic traits in New Zealand. The NZTD provides trait information for more than 700 macrobenthic taxa, categorised by 18 traits and 77 trait modalities. The NZTD includes five freely downloadable datasets, (1) the macrobenthic trait dataset, with outcomes from a fuzzy coding procedure, (2) the trait source information, (3) the references by taxa, (4) the full references list, and (5) the full taxa list used in the NZTD. Establishing the NZTD closes the trait knowledge gap in New Zealand and facilitates future research applying trait-based approaches to New Zealand's coastal macrofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea benthic fauna is vital for a well-functioning marine ecosystem but is increasingly under threat from a changing environment. To monitor and conserve this fauna, an understanding of their large-scale spatial and bathymetric distribution and their environmental drivers is necessary. In this study, we conduct a multivariate analysis on abundance benthic fauna data collected at the phylum and multitaxon levels using an epibenthic sledge (EBS) across the Atlantic, and identify the environmental factors that affect such data. Our findings show a decrease in abundance with depth in most of the Atlantic but find relatively heterogeneous abundances with depth within the Southern Ocean. Principal component analyses indicate differences in environmental conditions south of the Antarctic Polar Front (~52° S), outlining contrasts in the quantities of macronutrients and physical factors. Despite this, community composition seemed markedly similar throughout the Atlantic with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current seemingly not affecting benthic community composition for higher taxonomic levels. Those differences that did occur were largely caused by benthic chlorophyll, benthic iron, and surface silicate through a Bio-ENV. Overall, we argue that further large-scale spatial and bathymetric distribution studies are important amid environmental changes that are driving shifts in benthic community abundance and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution associated with marine debris is of global ecological concern, as it threatens wildlife and local economies. Submerged marine debris alters local benthic species composition and community characteristics. The study site of Jaguri, Jeju Island, where a variety of submerged marine debris was found, was used to investigate the impact of submerged marine debris on the macrobenthic fauna of sandy and rocky substrates. The dominant macrobenthos taxon differed by sediment type; the polychaete Armandia lanceolata was dominant in sandy bottom environments and the mollusk Leiosolenus lischkei was dominant in rocky bottom environments. The presence of marine debris was associated with differences in biomass in both the soft and rocky areas. The site without debris had higher biomass in the soft area, and the site with nets had a higher density of benthic animals within the site with debris. In the rocky area. the site with debris had a higher biomass. Macrobenthos were affected by the type of deposited marine debris and the type of sediment substrate. This study provides a basis for future studies on the impact of debris on marine ecosystems and identified the benthos species affected by marine debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macro-invertebrate is an important part of the aquatic food web of urban rivers, and it is of great significance in understanding its ecological suitability for the stability of river ecosystems. Previous studies, such as those that have conducted suitability index and canonical correspondence analyses (CCAs), have widely used a macro-invertebrate suitability analysis; however, these studies can only confirm a few coupling relationships between the environment and macro-invertebrates. In our study, one-way ANOVA, HCA, PCA and GAM models were used to explain the differences in the spatial and temporal distribution of environmental factors, as well as to reduce data redundancy. A response curve of the critical environmental factors and macro-invertebrates was constructed, and the nonlinear relationship between these factors and benthic animals was quantified to analyze the ecological threshold of the macro-invertebrates. The study area was the Majiagou River, Harbin, China. The results show that COD had significant seasonal differences due to complex hydrological conditions, and most of the water quality factors had spatial differences. The GAM model explained 60% of the Margalef diversity index (MDI) variance. The relationship between chlorophyll-a and MDI was unimodal, and MDI and NH4+-N essentially showed a negative correlation; when the total nitrogen (TN) value reached 5.8 mg/L, MDI reached its peak. When MDI was higher than the mean value, the chlorophyll-a range was 18.1 μg/L~83 μg/L. The NH4+-N was less than 1.8 mg/L, and TN was 1.8~6.8 mg/L. This study provides a reference for the comprehensive management of urban river ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-water corals form an important part of temperate benthic ecosystems by increasing three-dimensionality and providing an important ecological substrate for other benthic fauna. However, the fragile three-dimensional structure and life-history characteristics of cold-water corals can leave populations vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance. Meanwhile, the ability of temperate octocorals, particularly shallow-water species, to respond to adjustments in their environment linked to climate change has not been studied. This study reports the first genome assembly of the pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa), a temperate shallow-water octocoral species. We produced an assembly of 467 Mb, comprising 4,277 contigs and an N50 of 250,417 bp. In total, 213 Mb (45.96% of the genome) comprised repetitive sequences. Annotation of the genome using RNA-seq data derived from polyp tissue and gorgonin skeleton resulted in 36,099 protein-coding genes after 90% similarity clustering, capturing 92.2% of the complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) ortholog benchmark genes. Functional annotation of the proteome using orthology inference identified 25,419 annotated genes. This genome adds to the very few genomic resources currently available in the octocoral community and represents a key step in allowing scientists to investigate the genomic and transcriptomic responses of octocorals to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]