Search

Potentially harmful cyanobacterial blooms are an emerging environmental concern in freshwater bodies worldwide. Cyanobacterial blooms are generally caused by high nutrient inputs and warm, still waters and have been appearing with increasing frequency in water bodies used for drinking water supply and recreation, a problem which will likely worsen with a warming climate. Cyanobacterial blooms are composed of genera with known biological pigments and can be distinguished and analyzed via hyperspectral image collection technology such as remote sensing by satellites, airplanes, and drones. Here, we utilize hyperspectral microscopy and imaging spectroscopy to characterize and differentiate several important bloom-forming cyanobacteria genera obtained in the field during active research programs conducted by US Geological Survey and from commercial sources. Many of the cyanobacteria genera showed differences in their spectra that may be used to identify and predict their occurrence, including peaks and valleys in spectral reflectance. Because certain cyanobacteria, such as Cylindrospermum or Dolichospermum, are more prone to produce cyanotoxins than others, the ability to differentiate these species may help target high priority waterbodies for sampling. These spectra may also be used to prioritize restoration and research efforts to control cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) and improve water quality for aquatic life and humans alike.

The presence and diversity of marine non-native species, the number of new invasions, and the impact on native communities and habitats are important metrics used to assess the health of marine ecosystems. Monitoring for marine non-native species, using traditional approaches such as rapid assessment surveys (RASs), requires taxonomic expertise and may still fail to detect rare or inconspicuous species. This study reports a validation process for a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay based on the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene, designed to detect highly invasive tunicate Didemnum vexillum by targeting environmental DNA (eDNA) present in water samples. The D. vexillum qPCR assay showed high sensitivity, with the threshold limit of detection (LOD) and modeled LOD3 (based on triplicate qPCR reactions) estimated as 9.187 and 1.117 copies reaction–1, respectively and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was calculated as 18 copies reaction–1. Analyses of water samples collected from selected Pacific oyster farms and recreational marinas in Scotland showed 100% concordance between the historical data on presence of D. vexillum from RASs and detection of D. vexillum eDNA. Consistency of detection of D. vexillum eDNA among different sampling points within each infected sampling site varied, ranging between 100% positive throughout the site to some sampling points testing “negative” or only as “suspected” for D. vexillum. Sites with lower within-site detection consistency included sites with a low density of D. vexillum as reported by RASs or were sites undergoing D. vexillum management. The present pilot monitoring program demonstrates the potential to generate important data on presence of D. vexillum. This program will be scaled up across large geographic regions and used in the first instance to focus and target the traditional RASs to D. vexillum eDNA-positive sites in a cost-effective way, with an aim to verify the species presence by visual observation and direct Sanger sequencing of positive qPCR products.

Loch Creran on the west coast of Scotland supports the most expansive reefs of the serpulid (Serpula vermicularis) in the world. It also supports flame shell (Limaria hians) and horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) reefs, thereby ensuring this loch received designation as a European Special Area of Conservation in 2005. In 2015, environmental DNA of the invasive, non-native colonial tunicate Didemnum vexillum, which has a worldwide distribution, was detected in Loch Creran. Didemnum vexillum was confirmed as being present at an oyster farm in the sea loch, using the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI), following rapid intertidal and dive surveys in early September 2016. The abundance and distribution range assessment carried out at the farm indicated an early-stage D. vexillum invasion. The follow up dive surveys and wider loch intertidal surveys carried out in 2017 and 2018 confirmed that the D. vexillum presence continues to be associated exclusively with the oyster farm. This is the first time that such a highly invasive species has been found within a protected area of global significance and it has significant biosecurity and policy implications regarding how to manage such invasive species.

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is caused by the ectoparasite Paramoeba perurans found free-living in seawater. In recent years outbreaks of AGD have occurred in most salmon farming countries causing significant economic losses. Mussels co-cultured with salmon in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems may change pathogen dynamics on sites by acting as reservoirs or biological controls. Through the use of an 18S rRNA gene quantitative real-time PCR we tested the interactions between P. perurans and blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) under experimental conditions by means of water-borne transmission. Quantification of DNA from water samples revealed a rapid decrease in P. perurans DNA over two weeks in the presence of mussels under experimental conditions. P. perurans was detected on swabs from mussel shells up to 48 h post-exposure. Additionally, no P. perurans were detected in mussels collected from natural mussel beds and fish farms. These results indicate that mussels are not a likely reservoir host for P. perurans but may in fact actively remove water-borne P. perurans. Statement of relevance The blue mussel does not appear to pose a biosecurity risk as a vector for the pathogen responsible for amoebic gill disease in salmon ( Paramoeba perurans ), instead the presence of blue mussels in experimental challenges led to a rapid removal of the parasite. The findings provide valuable information for how mussels may modulate pathogen densities on finfish-mussel farms.

Didemnum vexillum Kott, 1982 is a tunicate known as the carpet sea squirt that is non-native to the UK. It has been reported from sites in the UK and Ireland based on morphological characteristics. Here we present the results of Cytochrome Oxidase I mitochondrial gene analyses to confirm species identification of specimens taken from several of the sites around the UK mainland coast where non-native tunicate colonies have been reported. The results confirm the identity of the UK carpet sea squirt samples as Didemnum vexillum and provide additional information on COI haplotypes present in the UK.

There is growing recognition that with sympathetic management, plantation forests may contain more biodiversity than previously thought. However, the extent to which they may support bat populations is contentious. Many studies have demonstrated active avoidance of coniferous plantations and attributed this to the lack of available roost sites and low invertebrate density. In contrast, other work, carried out in plantation dominated landscapes have shown that certain bat species are able to exploit these areas. However, the extent to which bats use plantations for roosting and foraging, or simply move through the plantation matrix to access more favourable sites is unclear. We radio tracked female Pipistrellus pygmaeus over two summers to establish the extent to which individual bats use Sitka Spruce plantations in southern Scotland for foraging and roosting and assess the implications for felling operations on bats. Maternity roosts identified (n = 17) were in all in buildings and most were large (> 500 individuals). We found no evidence of bats roosting in mature Sitka Spruce crop trees, although several bats used roosts in old or dead beech and oak trees as an alternative to their main maternity roost. Home ranges were much larger (mean 9.6 +/- 3.12 km(2)) than those reported from other studies (0.6-1.6 km(2)), and it is likely that roost availability rather than food abundance constrains P. pygmaeus use of Sitka Spruce plantations. At the landscape scale, most individuals selected coniferous habitats over other habitat types, covering large distances to access plantation areas, whilst at a local scale bats used forest tracks to access water, felled stands or patches of broadleaf cover within the plantation. Sitka Spruce plantations support a high abundance of Culicoides impuctatus, the Highland midge which may act as a reliable and plentiful food source for females during lactation, an energetically expensive period. The use of felled stands for foraging by bats has implications for forest management as wind turbines, following small-scale felling operations, are increasingly being installed in plantations; wind turbines have been associated with high bat mortality in some countries. Decisions about siting wind turbines in upland plantations should consider the likelihood of increased bat activity post felling.

Groin pain arising from adductor muscle injury is common amongst football code athletes and can result in significant time lost from sporting participation. The associated motor control deficits are not well understood.The aim of this study was to better understand the coronal plane muscle activation patterns associated with chronic adductor injury.Measures of muscle activation at various stages of the standing hip flexion manoeuvre were made with surface electromyography and motion capture in 9 male football code subjects with chronic adductor injury, and 9 matched controls.The gluteus medius to adductor longus activation ratio was significantly reduced in subjects with groin pain when the injured leg was either moving (F = 64.3, p 0.001) or in stance phase (F = 32.4, p 0.001) when compared to activity-matched uninjured subjects, equating to a difference varying between 20 and 40% depending on phase of movement. These differences were particularly due to decreased abductor muscle activation. No significant differences between the uninjured and injured side of patients was found.Football code athletes with groin pain exhibit significantly altered coronal plane muscle activation with comparison to uninjured subjects. These findings need to be taken into account when planning rehabilitation for these athletes.

(Received 15 May 2009; revised 14 April 2010; accepted 18 May 2010) Alexandrium is detected throughout Scottish coastal waters on a near annual basis, and corresponding paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins are found in Scottish shellfish. Previous studies at selected Scottish sites have shown diversity within the genus Alexandrium. In order to examine the distribution, diversity and toxicity of Alexandrium populations around the Scottish coast, historic cyst and cell data were compiled and cultures established from sediment and water samples. Historic data showed high cell densities of Alexandrium in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and mainland east coast. Low abundances of Alexandrium cysts were observed along the west coast. Four species of Alexandrium (A. tamarense, A. ostenfeldii, A. minutum and A. tamutum) were established in laboratory culture and identified using morphological criteria. Sequencing of LSU rDNA from isolates of A. ostenfeldii, A. minutum and A. tamutum confirmed their identification and showed them to be similar to other European strains. Alexandrium tamarense, identified by morphological criteria, was observed to have a widespread distribution around the coast. Both toxin- and non toxin-producing strains of this species were isolated, suggesting the presence of A. tamarense Groups I and III. Alexandrium ostenfeldii was isolated from the east coast and Shetland Isles and was observed to produce both spirolide and PSP toxins. Alexandrium tamutum was identified from cultures isolated from Shetland and Orkney, the most northerly observation of this species to date. PSP toxins were not detected in isolates of A. minutum from the east coast and Orkney or of A. tamutum under the culture conditions used. This study has highlighted the diversity of Alexandrium in Scottish waters and reveals the requirement for temporal and regional studies on a species level in order to understand the variation in cell densities and PSP toxicity that is observed on an annual and decadal scale.

Five bacterial strains were isolated from a non-toxigenic strain of the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech CCMP 116 (NEPCC C116), during a survey of the diversity of bacteria associated with paralytic shellfish toxin-producing cultures of Alexandrium spp. (Dinophyta). All strains were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, straight or curved rods. Cells were dimorphic, with stalks (or prosthecae) and non-motile or non-stalked and motile, by means of a single polar flagellum. The bacteria grew best at salt concentrations ranging from 2 to 10 % and growth occurred at 10 degrees C, but not at 50 degrees C. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA of the strains was determined to be 61-62 mol%. Major cellular fatty acids of the bacteria presented a unique profile. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the five strains to be related to genera of budding bacteria of marine origin in the 'Alphaproteobacteria', namely, Hirschia, Maricaulis and Hyphomonas, although they exhibited substantial differences in morphology, substrate utilization and fatty acid profile to members of these genera. The five strains are proposed to comprise a new species of a new genus, Oceanicaulis alexandrii gen. nov., sp. nov., the type strain of which is C116-18(T) (=DSM 11625(T)=NCIMB 13905(T)).

Background Groin pain is a common injury among football code athletes. The repetitive turning, twisting and kicking involved in such sports place supra-physiological stresses through the pelvic region. It has been suggested that rehabilitation of chronic groin pain requires specific sequencing of muscle activation to be effective. This has been identified as being a difference in subjects with groin and sacroiliac joint pain during lower limb movement. Aims The aims of this paper were to; (1) identify any differences in muscle activation before and during an active straight leg raise between football code groin sufferers and controls and to (2) highlight any differences in muscle activity between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides in the groin sufferers before and during an active straight leg raise. Methodology Nine subjects with groin pain and nine matched controls (matched according to age, weight and height) were used. Surface electromyogenic (EMG) electrodes were placed on six bilateral muscle groups – rectus femoris, biceps femoris, adductor longus, internal oblique, multifidus and gluteus medius. Movement was qualified with an active motion tracking system, while the subject lay on two force plates and performed an active straight leg raise manoeuvre. EMG, force and pelvic motion was analysed to demonstrate any muscle activation differences between the symptomatic and asymptomatic group. Results A significant difference was found between the symptomatic and asymptomatic limbs in both ipsilateral and contralateral adductor longus muscles (p Conclusion This study has shown that there are differences in the muscle groups supporting the pelvis during lower limb movement. Of this study’s findings, the most notable was that the gluteus medius and adductor longus muscles showed decreased activity in the groin sufferers group. The Adductor Longus decrease correlates with current literature, however the decreased activation of gluteus medius suggests that this muscle group should be integrated into the groin rehabilitation.