Search

Lionfishes are recognized as invasive and predatory species in the world. The genus Pterois belongs to the Scorpaenidae family has 10 confirmed species. Among them, two species Pterois miles and P. volitans were reported as non-indigenous species in Turkish marine waters. Although dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins of lionfish have venom-releasing spines which can have systemic effects such as severe pain, fever, vomiting, and dizziness, there are no reports of death by lionfish in the literature anyway. After careful removal of the venomous spines, lionfish meat is suitable for human consumption. The bioactivity of homogenates obtained from the venomous spines of lionfish has been the subject of various research since the 1950s. Until now, it has been proven that the venomous spines of the lionfish contain anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and antibacterial compounds and can be used in biomedical applications as a natural resource of marine origin. Moreover, the spine shape of lionfish has provided inspiration that can be useful in designing reusable syringe needles and sterilizable plungers, thereby reducing biomedical waste and sharps disposal costs. Additionally, the fins and spines of lionfish, which are typically removed and discarded, are used to make jewellery. This review, therefore, focused on evaluating alternative management actions to bring these invasive fish into the economy and control their populations, owing to both their use in biomedical fields and their suitability for bioinspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These results match with the condition of I G. barbata i thalli during the extremely warm temperatures in the S'cuza lagoon, where temperatures can exceed 30 °C and reach up to 34 °C up to several days. In this study considerable differences were found between the main morphological features of the two forms of I G. barbata i thalli compared with I G. barbata i thalli at the same depth from the central part of the Istrian Coast ([28]). Graph: Figure 2: Thallus of Gongolaria barbata: (A) Attached thallus on a pebble; (B) detached thallus with the holdfast; (C) detached thallus without a holdfast. Keywords: attached form; detached form; Gongolaria barbata; lagoon; northern Adriatic EN attached form detached form Gongolaria barbata lagoon northern Adriatic 255 268 14 08/09/22 20220801 NES 220801 1 Introduction Fucalean species in the Mediterranean Sea are mainly represented by members of the genera I Cystoseira i , I Ericaria i and I Gongolaria i ([2]; [3]; [4]; [24]; [25]; [34]; [51]). [Extracted from the article]

Graph: Figure 4: Thalli of Ericaria barbatula cultivated for 12 months under long-day (A, B) and short-day (C, D) conditions and seasonally changing temperatures (phase B, Experiment 1). 2.3 Response variables The most indicative response variables for estimating photosynthetic performance/photoinhibition, growth, and reproduction were evaluated monthly (except in March and November 2013, and November 2014), in the marked thalli that were carefully cleaned of epiphytes and dead axes before measurements. The first experiment took place in two phases, under constant and seasonally changing temperatures, to test the main hypothesis that daylength, alone or in combination with temperature, affects the photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction of this species. Keywords: fucalean; maximum quantum yield; North Aegean Sea; relative growth rate; reproduction EN fucalean maximum quantum yield North Aegean Sea relative growth rate reproduction 269 277 9 08/09/22 20220801 NES 220801 1 Introduction Photoperiod (daylength) has been known to affect the development and flowering of higher plants since the beginning of the last century ([14]). [Extracted from the article]

Due to the lack of less-volatile compounds composition data of macroalgal supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extracts, the main goal of this study was to investigate their chemical profiles. SC-CO2 extraction (40 °C and 300 bar) was performed on seven macroalgal species including five brown (Halopteris filicina, Fucus virsoides, Dictyopteris polypodioides, Gongolaria barbata and Ericaria amentacea), one green (Codium bursa) and one red (Amphiroa rigida), that were collected from the Adriatic Sea. After the analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, the results revealed that fatty acids were the main components of the extracts. Hexadecanoic acid was found as dominant fatty acid in most of the species, while 3-hexyl-4,5-dithiacycloheptanone was dominant in D. polypodioides. Performed phytochemical study contributes to the knowledge of less-volatile composition of analyzed species indicating that the “species biodiversity“ factor was the most influent regardless of classification to brown, green or red macroalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental security is the guarantee of human well-being. This paper discusses the dynamic change process of wetland landscape pattern in Shengjin Lake of Anhui Province and establishes the ecological security Press-state-response model of Shengjin Lake and its driving forces in order to provide a scientific basis for further research and restoration on wetland protection of Shengjin Lake. With the support of remote sensing and GIS technology, four TM images in 1986, 1995, 2008 and 2019 were used as the basic information sources for analysis. The landscape pattern in Shengjin Lake has changed greatly with the significant increasing area of woodland and reed beach as well as the remarkable increasing area of water area, paddy field and construction land. The diversity index show an upward trend whereas the dominance index is contrary. The fragmentation degree is intensifying and the plaque types showed a trend of diversity. The intensified degree of landscape fragmentation and the growing number of patches will make the fragmentation of wetland ecosystem increasingly serious and influence the storage capacity of wetland, it will also change the hydrological conditions of the whole wetland and weaken the ecological benefits of wetland. In addition, the wetland ecological security index under the change of landscape pattern is decreasing years by years, the wetland ecological security form is in a state of warning and the situation is not optimistic. Through Pearson correlation analysis, it was found that agricultural development and utilization have a great impact on the population of white-headed crane in Shengjin Lake. In recent years, the economy development, increasing human population and construction land, and the intensification of reclamation activities as well as the transformation of the study area caused by human activities all have relatively reduced the area of natural wetland and affected the habitat of organisms. The ecological function of Shengjin Lake wetland is also continuing to decline. Natural and human factors have become the main driving forces of wetland pattern change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algal reefs, concreted by crustose coralline algae (CCA), are the main biotic reefs in temperate waters but rare in the subtropics and tropics. The world's largest known intertidal algal reef in the subtropics is the Taoyuan Algal Reef (TAR) located in the northwestern coast of Taiwan. The biodiversity and ecology of the TAR are scarcely explored, and now the reef is imperiled by industrialization. Here, we document cryptic species of CCA in Taiwan, particularly the TAR, by sequencing the psbA genes of over 1800 specimens collected across Taiwan. We also examine the ecological background of the TAR by surveying its benthic composition and measuring its environmental parameters. Our data reveal that the TAR harbours a high diversity of cryptic CCA species (27 molecular operational taxonomic units, or mOTUs), many of which are potentially new to science (18 mOTUs) and/or endemic to the TAR (9 mOTUs). Comparing the CCA species inventory of the TAR with the rest of Taiwan shows that the TAR represents a unique hotspot of CCA taxa in the waters of Taiwan. Our analyses show that variation in the CCA assemblages in the TAR is associated with geographic distance, sedimentation, and substrate type (for example, reef vs. hermit crab shell), suggesting that dispersal limitation and contemporary environmental selection shape the CCA assemblages in the TAR. The data from this study can inform the monitoring of human impacts on the health of the TAR and contribute to our understanding of the ecological processes underlying algal reef development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweeds are attracting increasing attention as an alternative healthy food and renewable drugs source and as agents of climate change mitigation that provide essential ecosystem services. In this context, seaweeds represent marine resources capable of supporting and pursuing the objectives of the Sustainable Blue Economy and the Bio-Based Circular Economy. In this review, we analyze the state of seaweed bio-based products and research on the Mediterranean Sea from the last 20 years. Results of this analysis show a large number of investigations focusing on antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities compared to on biofuels and bioplastics. Attempts at seaweed farming, although generally very limited, are present in Israel and some North African countries. Lastly, we focus on the Italian situation—including research, companies and legislation on seaweed production—and we discuss gaps, perspectives and challenges for the potential development of a sustainable seaweed industry according to the Sustainable Blue Economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many western countries show an increased interest in using algae in several sectors such as human food and animal feed, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, or bioenergy. Biomass of marine origin, and especially seaweed, is a key element for blue growth and is expected to contribute to the development of the growing European blue economy. Several Research and Development and Research and Innovation Projects result in the establishment of an emerging seaweed aquaculture in the Northern European countries. However, macroalgal cultivation and bioprocessing is still scarce in the Mediterranean area, particularly in Tunisia, where seaweeds are abundant on its coast, they remain little exploited. Ongoing projects from different research institutes focus on biological activities of macroalgae, the extraction of active compounds, and the potential uses as phycocolloids, pigments, lipids, and bioactive metabolites characterization as well as bioproduct enhancement. The results of these investigations demonstrate that macroalgae from the Tunisian coasts are a source of valuable compounds and that they can be used as a natural renewable resource suitable for a large array of industrial applications. Further to this, specific research activities on seaweed cultivation have been conducted particularly for Gracilaria and Ulva. In this paper, we highlight the potential of the seaweed sector in Tunisia in terms of biodiversity, cultivation, and bioprocessing and discuss the challenges in various sectors, i.e., biology, building capacity, technology, or policy, that currently hinder the expansion of a sustainable Tunisian seaweed industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the heterobranch mollusks Bursatella leachii (Blainville, 1817) and Melibe viridis (Kelaart, 1858) for the first time from the Dardanelles (Çanakkale Strait), Turkey. Individuals of these two species were observed in January 2020 on a sandy and seagrass bed of Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson and in groups among the algae Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskâl) J. Agardh. Although the Dar-danelles is one of the biodiversity hotspots in Turkish Seas and the abundance of marine invertebrates in particular regions is significantly high, the inventory of the sea slugs in the region is limited. This study improves the existing knowledge on the molluscan fauna of the Turkish Straits System, the species abundance in the region and their ecological characteristics. The current finding also represents the northernmost records in an invaded area at the Çanakkale Strait of Aegean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a shallow dark cave along the coast of Capo Palinuro (Campania, Italy), the finding of an unusual aggregation of individuals belonging to Marionia blainvillea (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia) has allowed to identify a population of Cervera atlantica (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) and to add this latter to the list of the hosts preyed by this tritoniid nudibranch. This association was confirmed by a second observation in a dark shallow cave in the Island of San Pietro (Sardinia, Italy). Moreover, a subsequent internet data mining shed light on the diet of M. blainvillea adding useful ecological notes on the scarcely known trophism characterizing Marionia species. Cervera atlantica is reported for the first time along the continental coast of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species pose threats to either human health or inflict ecological and/or economic damage. The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a Lessepsian species, is one of the most harmful species in the Mediterranean Sea, because of its potent neurotoxin, impacts on marine biodiversity, and the increased costs and labor they inflict on fishers. Since the catch and consumption of this pufferfish is prohibited by almost all countries bordering the Mediterranean, they have now expanded into the entire Mediterranean and Black Sea. We performed a comprehensive study of L. sceleratus covering ecological aspects, growth, reproduction, diet and trophic level based on samples from southwestern coasts of Turkey. The estimated growth parameters were L8 = 88.7 cm, K = 0.27 year-1, C = 0.6 and WP = 0.1. Their sexratio was M/F = 1:0.69. Lagocephalus sceleratus appears to be a batch spawner with discontinuous oocyte recruitment and has different spawning seasons in the Eastern Mediterranean which seem to be based on temperature cues which get shorter in duration as one moves north from the Suez. We also report their first positive ecological trait, that they are controlling some other invasive species through their diets, such as lionfish, Red Sea goatfish, rabbitfish and longspine sea urchins, in addition to controlling themselves through cannibalism, which appears to be density-dependent. They are indeed a top predator in the region with a trophic level of 4.1. We suggest that targeted fishing using improved gear-types to reduce fishing gear damages are initiated, and that finding commercial markets for pufferfish could help to naturally fund ongoing control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes among people who inject drugs (PWID) in North African countries, including Tunisia. This study aims to describe HCV genotypes circulating among Tunisian PWID. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 128 HCV-positive PWID were recruited between 2018 and 2019 from community-based harm reduction centers. After informed consent, sociodemographic characteristics and risk behavior data were obtained using an interviewer-administrated questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for further serological and molecular testing. Overall, five women and 123 men were included. The median age was 39.5 years. The majority of PWID (56.3%) had less than a secondary level of education, were single (57%), were unemployed (65.6%), were incarcerated at least once (93.0%), and had a history of residency in at least one foreign country (50.8%). During the previous 12 months, 82.0% reported having reused syringes at least once, 43.8% shared syringes at least once, while 56.2% had at least one unprotected sexual relation, and 28.1% had more than two different sexual partners. Tattooing was reported among 60.2%. All positive results for HCV-infection by rapid testing were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HCV-RNA was detectable in 79.7%. Genotyping showed a predominance of genotype 1 (52%) followed by genotype 3 (34%) and genotype 4 (10%). Four patients (4%) had an intergenotype mixed infection. Subtyping showed the presence of six different HCV subtypes as follows: 1a (53.2%), 1b (6.4%), 3a (33.0%), 4a (3.2%), and 4d (4.3%). This is the first study describing circulating HCV genotypes among PWID in Tunisia. The distribution of HCV genotypes is distinct from the general population with a predominance of subtypes 1a and 3a. These findings can be used to guide national efforts aiming to optimize the access of PWID to relevant HCV prevention and treatment measures including pangenotypic regimens for patients infected with HCV genotype 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of the northern brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus Ives, 1891, from Libyan nearshore waters is hereby documented. Thirteen individuals of the species were caught by artisanal fishers using a mixture of gill and trammel nets in September 2020 within the Umm-Hufayn Lagoon. This lagoon is situated within the Gulf of Bomba along the Libyan Cyrenaica coast, and this discovery extends the known Mediterranean distribution of this western Atlantic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algal diversity in aquatic environments can help assess the health status of ecosystems, provide information about invasions of new species and inform species diversity changes according to environmental conditions. An algal diversity survey (2016–19) of Nador Lagoon (northern Morocco) revealed the presence for the first time of the brown alga Cystoseira aurantia. Since 2015 this alga has been found in high abundance in the northwestern part of the lagoon, mainly around Attalayoun and Nador City. The thalli of larger specimens reached 60 cm in length, and all plants present were free-floating. The species was collected from the water surface to depths not exceeding 2 cm. Floating patches were usually found suspended above sandy and muddy substrates. Increased abundance of this species in the lagoon corresponds with new physico-chemical conditions and ecological parameters, principally resulting from increased water ventilation and improved water quality since 2012. The new communities of C. aurantia may offer a novel resource for the lagoon but high abundance could pose future threats to attached vegetation such as seagrasses and benthic algae by shading and the accumulation of organic detritus. Attention is drawn to taxonomic issues involving C. aurantia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metazoan/microbial bioconstructions, or biostalactites (BSTs), discovered in submarine caves of Apulia c. 20 years ago—and later found in several shallow‐water Mediterranean caves—are receiving increasing attention in the last years. Examination of a single BST from the "lu Lampiùne" cave (Apulia), at the limit between the Adriatic and the Ionian seas, has been addressed for the first time in this paper. The BST started growing at c. 6,000 years ago with a rapid accretion of large‐sized serpulids (Protula), slowing down since about 3,000–4,000 years ago with a shift in main bioconstructors, probably caused by environmental changes. The present‐day community on the outer BST surface is dominated by skeletonised epibionts, mostly small‐sized serpulids, bryozoans and foraminifers, which contribute carbonate to the BST growth, by encrusting sponges, and by a few endobionts, including boring bivalves and insinuating sponges. New data remarkably increase biodiversity known for the "lu Lampiùne" cave and the cave habitat in the region. Thirty‐five taxa (16 bryozoans, 10 serpulids, 3 brachiopods, 2 foraminifers, 2 sponges, 1 bivalve and 1 cirriped) are recorded for the first time from Apulian marine caves, highlighting the need for further research in the area. In addition, the BST‐associated community seems to differ from those of individual BSTs from other Mediterranean caves, revealing the individuality of these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA), Tunisia has committed to achieving the international goal of eliminating viral hepatitis. Because the specific DAA prescribed depends on viral genotype, viral genotyping remains of great importance. The aim of the present study was to outline the trends in the distribution of HCV genotypes from 2002 to 2017 in the Tunisian general population in order to guide authorities towards the most appropriate therapeutic strategies for preventing HCV infection. A total of 2532 blood samples were collected over a 16-year period and from all regions of Tunisia. Genotyping showed that genotype 1 (subtype 1b) was the most prevalent genotype in the country (n = 2012; 79.5%), followed by genotype 2 (n = 339; 13.3%). Genotypes 3, 4 and 5 were detected in 4.8%, 2.2% and 0.1% of the country's population, respectively. Mixed infections with different HCV genotypes were detected in 0.1% of the population (one case each of genotypes 1b + 4, 1b + 2 and 2 + 4). Interestingly, a significant increase in genotypes 2, 3 and 4 was observed over time (p = 0.03). Sixteen different subtypes were detected over the study period, most of which were subtypes of genotype 2, and some of these subtypes appeared to be new. Patients infected with genotypes 1a, 3 and 4 were significantly younger than those infected with genotypes 1b and 2 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, genotypes 1b and 2 were detected more often in women than men, while genotypes 1a and 3 were detected mostly in men (P < 0.01). Our study confirms a large predominance of genotype1/subtype1b in Tunisia and shows a significant increase in the prevalence of other genotypes over time. These findings reinforce the need for an additional HCV genotype survey to improve the design of treatment strategies in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) campaign was conducted in February 2019 in Karachi where needle-free injectors were introduced for the administration of the fractional dose of IPV (fIPV) on a large scale. This study aimed to determine the impact of needle-free injectors on vaccination coverage.Methods: In four towns of Karachi, fIPV was given using needle-free injectors "PharmaJet Tropis ID". Whereas, in six towns full dose of IPV was administered to children of 4-59 months of age. Cluster surveys through rapid convenience assessment method were conducted after the completion of vaccination activity.Results: A total of 33,815 households' data was analyzed. Among these, 27,650 (82.8%) children were vaccinated. In fIPV areas, 85.3% of children were vaccinated compared to 79.5% in full dose IPV areas. A comparison of reasons for unvaccinated showed that 1.6% of parents do not give importance to vaccination in fIPV areas compared to 4.2% in full IPV areas (p-value < 0.0001). More children were not vaccinated due to fear of injection 1.8% in full IPV areas compared to 0.7% in fIPV areas (p-value < 0.0001). The source of campaign information shows that more frequent mobile miking 3.1% was observed in fIPV areas compared to 0.4% in full IPV areas (p-value < 0.0001).Conclusions: Our analysis supports the fractional dose of IPV in mass campaigns to achieve good vaccination coverage especially using needle-free injectors "PharmaJet Tropis ID" and vigorous social mobilization activities are expedient in accomplishing high coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vessels involved in commercial marine shipping in Canada engage in the movement of goods or people by sea on the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. To explore the ways that the activities associated with commercial shipping can impact the marine environment, a suite of activity-based Pathways of Effects (PoE) conceptual models were developed. PoE conceptual models describe the pathways (linkages) between human activities, associated stressors, and their effects on endpoints, based on current knowledge. A visual representation of each PoE model is supported by text describing each pathway linkage based on scientific literature or expert opinion. Indigenous and local knowledge were not used in the current work. PoE models are useful tools for the scoping phase of a variety of environmental assessment, such as ecological risk assessment, environmental impact assessment, and cumulative effect assessments as they clearly outline activities and stressors and clarify connections between human activities and potential effects on ecological endpoints, and provide a science-based foundation for decision-making. The objective of these models and their supporting evidence is to provide a systematic review of the effects of shipping-associated activities on marine ecosystems. PoE models have been developed for five activities associated with commercial marine shipping in Canada: 1) anchoring and mooring, 2) vessel at rest, 3) grounding and sinking, 4) movement underway, and 5) discharge (divided into two PoE models: 'debris' and 'other'). The PoEs were developed to be broad enough to be adapted for application in a range of environments and locations and detail the potential stressors and effects that could be considered in an assessment. The activity-based PoE models contain fourteen stressors (e.g., substrate disturbance, vessel strikes) and are related to three effects (change in fitness, mortality, and change in habitat) on ten generic endpoints (e.g., marine mammals, physical habitat). The models only include activities related to the commercial movement of goods and people by vessels, not included in this document are other vessel activities such as fishing, seismic surveying, dredging, port operations (e.g., when at-berth and while berthing). Non-commercial vessels (e.g., recreational vessels) are also not specifically included in these models. Though endpoints have been identified for illustrative purposes here, ultimately the assessor is responsible for comprehensively scoping the specific endpoints (e.g., valued components) and stressors to be considered in any assessment. PoE models do not include any evaluation of the relative or absolute impact from these activities on specific endpoints; this would occur in a subsequent assessment step, such as risk assessment. The shipping PoE models should be considered "evergreen" and should be reviewed and updated when our understanding of these factors changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shipping is the greatest pathway of non-indigenous species (NIS) introductions, and port areas are considered as alien hotspots. In this study, we analyzed data covering a 112-year period and found that Saronikos Gulf in Greece, hosting one of the largest container port terminals in Europe, is a hotspot of NIS introductions. To date, 89 NIS have been recorded, of which 8 are characterized as invasive. Most species belong to the taxonomic group of Mollusca (33%), followed by Pisces (22%). For the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, we report the presence of the micromolluscs Sinezona plicata (Hedley, 1899) and Ringicula sp. Moreover, we provide evidence for the trend of NIS introduction in the Saronikos Gulf across the past 70 years, the pathways of introduction and their importance through time, as well as the distribution of the most invasive species in the Saronikos Gulf. The information provided herein can assist the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and inform NIS management. As Transport-Stowaway remains the main pathway of NIS introduction in the Saronikos Gulf, our principal recommendation is to reinforce regulations for the adoption of better antifouling practices and more effective ballast water treatment and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to determine the upper limit level of crystalline amino acid (CAAs) inclusion in tambaqui nutrition. Additionally, we investigated the possibility of total replacement of fish meal (FM) by soy protein concentrate (SPC). An FM‐based control diet was formulated to meet the known nutrient requirements of tambaqui, and three additional diets were prepared by replacing FM protein with 250, 500, and 750 g/kg nitrogen of CAA mixture. The fifth diet was formulated to completely replace the FM by SPC. A growth and a digestibility trial were performed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and three and four replicates, respectively. The optimum replacement level of FM protein by CAA was 280 g/kg based on daily weight gain (DWG). The apparent digestibility coefficients of the nutrients were higher in fish fed the SPC diet than the fish fed the FM diet. The whole‐body lipid and adiposity significantly declined with the increase of CAA in tambaqui diets. Protein and amino acid retention of tambaqui linearly declined with the increase of CAA. Blood chemistry metabolites were not affected by CAA inclusion. We concluded that the SPC could replace FM in tambaqui diets without affecting growth and nutrient digestibility. CAAs could replace FM intact protein up to 250 g/kg (or 97 g/kg inclusion level) without showing any adverse effect on growth and metabolism of tambaqui. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red Sea intertidal gastropod Nerita sanguinolenta is reported here for the first time from the Northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, where it was found at the landward face of a vermetid reef on 11 November 2019, and identified morphologically and by using molecular barcoding. Possible vectors for its introduction primarily include ship ballast or larval transport via the Suez Canal in multiple migration events. Investigation of the thermal affinities of N. sanguinolenta is required for understanding the potential for its proliferation in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth is a polygenic and environmentally controlled trait with the most influential genes being those of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), as they consist the core of the hypothalamic–pituitary–somatotropic (HPS) axis. As a result, the influence of environmental and dietary conditions on GH and IGF‐I gene expression has a great potential in planning to optimize fish health and production, as growth rate of fish is a key factor in aquaculture. In this review, we provide a molecular and physiological overview of GH and IGF‐I gene expression as well as all the participating factors regulating GH/IGF‐I axis in growth. We further discuss the genetic, dietary and environmental factors affecting growth rate. More importantly, how external factors in combination with diet such as temperature, photoperiod, salinity, pollutants and stocking density affect GH and IGF‐I expression and growth rate. In addition, there is evidence that photoperiod effect varies among species by altering the seasonal cycle of GH and IGF‐I gene expression and biological cycle of fish. Pollution has also a variable effect on GH, IGF‐I and fish growth rate, depending on the pollutant, species and sex. Finally, increased stocking density influences the HPS axis and growth, dependent on species, temperature and the stage of growth. Notably, interactions among these factors were observed by the reported importance, primarily feeding‐related stress one of the most important factors, while environmental would add or subtract on each other's optimal or suboptimal conditions in a hierarchy of significance, as further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of herbivorous fish in threatening marine forests of temperate seas has been generally overlooked. Only recently, the scientific community has highlighted that high fish herbivory can lead to regime shifts from canopy‐forming algae to less complex turf communities. Here, we present an innovative herbivorous fish deterrent device (DeFish), which can be used for conservation and restoration of marine forests. Compared to most traditional fish exclusion systems, such as cages, the DeFish system does not need regular cleaning and maintenance, making it more cost‐efficient. Resistance of DeFish was tested by installing prototypes at different depths in the French Riviera and in Montenegro: more than 60% of the devices endured several years without maintenance, even if most of them were slightly damaged in the exposed site in Montenegro. The efficacy of DeFish in limiting fish herbivory was tested by an exclusion experiment on Cystoseira amentacea in the French Riviera. In a few months, the number of fish bite marks on the seaweed was decreased, causing a consequent increase in algal length. The device here presented has been conceived for Mediterranean canopy‐forming algae, but the same concept can be applied to other species vulnerable to fish herbivory, such as kelps or seagrasses. In particular, the DeFish design could be improved using more robust and biodegradable materials. Innovative engineering systems, such as DeFish, are expected to become useful tools in the conservation and restoration of marine forests, to complement other practices including active reforestation, herbivore regulation, and regular monitoring of their status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions are considered an extreme risk to biodiversity, resulting in serious ecological and economic problems. Marine species have been introduced mainly through ballast water in estuaries, bays and inland waters, those bodies are historically threatened by intense urbanization making them highly susceptible to invasions. The gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta has been reported as an invasive species that commonly inhabits shallow water bodies, such as coastal bays and estuaries. Its native distribution range from Belize to Palm Beach -- Florida (Gulf of Mexico). The first occurrence of O. beta on the Brazilian coast was in Santos estuarine area, Southeastern region, and the second was further south, in the estuarine complex of Paranaguá, Southern region. Here we report the first occurrence of a single O. beta in Rio de Janeiro coast, which was caught in October 2017, using a beach seine in Bica Beach, a polluted sandy beach located in Guanabara Bay -- RJ. Considering the similarities among Guanabara Bay and other areas in Brazil, there is a potential for the establishment of O. beta populations in Guanabara Bay in a near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven species of the freshwater snail genus Semisulcospira, which are indigenous taxa of the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa, have been introduced into 17 localities, including five newly recorded localities. Among these species, S. dilatata Watanabe and Nishino, 1995, S. habei Davis, 1969, and S. rugosa Watanabe and Nishino, 1995 were firstly recorded as introduced species. The alien Semisulcospira snails could be identified based on the combination of three morphological characters: longitudinal ribs number of penultimate whorl of adult shell, spire angle of adult shell, and shell height of the largest embryonic shell. Accordingly, morphological identification of introduced Semisulcospira populations recorded in previously published studies was revisited. The introductions of Semisulcospira snails have been suggested to have occurred due to contamination of seedlings of other shellfish and fishes at most sites. Taking into account the potential impacts of accidental species introductions, seedlings should be carefully managed so as not to unintentionally introduce Semisulcospira snails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Dictyota (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) comprises parenchymatous algae occurring predominantly in tropical to warm-temperate waters and has gathered attention due to its diverse secondary metabolites with antibiofouling and pharmaceutical potential, its oil content, and its potential as animal feed. This has resulted in an increase in economic potential during the last decade. In this review, we summarise the recent knowledge on the genus and concentrate on the applications and the economic potential of Dictyota. In addition, the review summarises the taxonomy, anatomy, cytology, genetic data, life history, chemical composition, nutritional value and ecological and economic importance of Dictyota species. Currently, around 100 species are recognised together with the morphologically similar and closely related genera Dilophus, Canistrocarpus and Rugulopteryx (tribus Dictyoteae). The thallus is characterised by one or more lens-shaped apical cells that divide into cortical and medullary cell layers. Species typically grow in rocky intertidal pools and subtidal areas. Dictyota is consumed locally in the Caribbean, Malayan-Indonesian and Hawaiian regions. Extracts of Dictyota which contain active compounds, such as diterpenes and phlorotannins, have been attributed antimicrobial, health and wellness promoting effects which render them promising candidates for the design of functional foods, phytomedicinal products, and cosmetics. The high fraction of lipids and fatty acids has propelled emerging applications in the biofuel industry and as a feedstock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monografies de la Societat ďHistòria Natural de les Balears is the property of Societat d'Historia Natural de les Balears and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Monografies de la Societat ďHistòria Natural de les Balears is the property of Societat d'Historia Natural de les Balears and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Canopy‐forming algae play a key role in temperate coastal ecosystems sustaining complex habitats that provide food and refuge for rich associated biotic communities. These macroalgae are in decline in many coastal areas, where overgrazing by herbivores can lead to the loss of these highly structured and diverse habitats toward less complex sea urchin barren grounds. Once established, low productive barren grounds are considered stable states maintained by several positive feedback mechanisms that prevent the recovery of marine forests. To revert this global decline, restoration efforts and measures are being encouraged by EU regulations and local actions. Here, we tested the success of active revegetation techniques as a tool to promote functional and productive Treptacantha elegans forests in sea urchin barren grounds under different restoration strategies (active, and combined active with passive strategies). Active revegetation was performed in 6 barren grounds, 3 located inside a Mediterranean No‐Take marine reserve (active and passive strategy) and 3 outside (active strategy alone), following a three‐step protocol: (1) sea urchin population eradication, (2) seeding with Treptacantha elegans, and (3) enhancement of T. elegans recruitment. Revegetation success was assessed 1 year later in the six barren grounds, but was only achieved after combining active with passive restoration strategies. Our results encourage revegetation of barren grounds to shift from less productive habitats to complex T. elegans forests, highlight the potential of the combined passive and active restoration strategies, as well as the important role of marine reserves not only in conservation but also in ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides a multidisciplinary fine-scale description of a Mediterranean mesophotic new habitat dominated by the bivalve Neopycnodonte cochlear (Poli, 1795), building large and thick pinnacles on vertical cliffs at two study areas along the southern Italian coast. The pinnacles, constituted by a multilayered aggregation of living and dead specimens of N. cochlear, were interconnected with each other to form a framework of high structural complexity, never observed before for this species. The bioconstruction, considerably extended, resulted very complex and diversified in the associated community of structuring organisms. This latter included 165 taxa attributable to different ecological groups occurring in different microhabitats of the bioconstruction. Among the secondary structuring taxa there were scleractinians, serpulids and bryozoans, all contributing to the deposition of calcium carbonate, and poriferans, helping to bind shells together or eroding carbonate by boring species. In comparison with coralligenous sensu stricto and the recently described Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef, the Neopycnodonte bioconstruction showed peculiar features, since it lacked the major contribution of encrusting coralline algae and scleractinians as reef builders, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:-ParvovirusB19, a member of the genus Erythrovirus virus of the Parvoviridae family, causes several clinical diseases including infectious erythematosus, joints, fetalis hydrops or chronic hemolytic anemia like thalassemia syndrome, transient aplastic crises. B19 can be transmitted through respiratory secretions, blood products, and blood transfusions. Objective: To identify the seroprevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 virus in Patients with thalassemia major in Tikrit city. Material and method:- This lessons is a cross-sectional case control study that included 130 Patients infection with beta thalassemia attendance the Tikrit Military Hospital Department of Blood Diseases Unit as of 1/7 /2018 to 1/12/2018 major age ranging from 1-60 years and 50 healthy patients as control grouping. Blood sample were obtain for determination of specific antibodies IgG and IgM for HPV-B19 by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Results:- HPV B19 IgM antibodies were detected in 15 of 130 thalassemic patient(11.5%),and not detected in any patient of control group, P value ( 0.02).While anti-HPV B19 IgG antibodies were detected in 50 of 130 of thalassemic patient (38.5 %)and 2(4%) of 50 in control group(5%), P value(0.003).. the range age of the thalassemia patient was (2 -58 years) and B19 infection was highest in the 20-to-40 year range. And the result show the highest percentage to infected to virus during the blood transfusions once a month per month was 30(100%) anti-B19IgG and 8(26.7%) anti-B19IgM. Conclusion:-In this study, acute B19 infections were detect in patients with beta thalassemia major. showing of such high-risk groups can significantly reduce the incidence and prevalence of B19 infection; thus, screening is required for epidemiologic surveillance and disease-prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid temperature increase in the 1980-90s has been accompanied by dramatic and unprecedented changes in the biota and communities of the Ligurian Sea. This review uses existing historical series (a few of which have been purposely updated) to assess extent and consequences of such changes. A number of warm-water species, previously absent or occasional in the comparatively cold Ligurian Sea, has recently established thanks to warmer winters. Occurrence among them of invasive alien species is causing concern because of their capacity of outcompeting autochthonous species. Summer heatwaves, on the other hand, caused mass mortalities in marine organisms, some of which found refuge at depth. New marine diseases appeared, as well as other dysfunctions such as the formation of mucilage aggregates that suffocated and entangled benthic organisms. Human pressures have combined with climate change to cause phase shifts (i.e., abrupt variations in species composition and community structure) in different habitats, such as the pelagic environment, seagrass meadows, rocky reefs, and marine caves. These phase shifts implied biotic homogenization, reduction of diversity, and dominance by invasive aliens, and may be detrimental to the resilience of Ligurian Sea ecosystems. Another phase of rapid warming has possibly started in the 2010s and there are clues pointing to a further series of biological changes, but data are too scarce to date for proper assessment. Only well addressed long-term studies will help understanding the future dynamics of Ligurian Sea ecosystems and their possibilities of recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpodesmia barbatula (= Cystoseira barbatula) (Fucales, Phaeophyta) is a species endemic to the Southern Mediterranean Sea, which grows in clean waters on exposed sublittoral rocky shores. Together with other species of the genus Cystoseira sensu lato, it is an ecosystem engineer that forms dense canopy forests, sustaining biodiversity, productivity and nutrient cycling in temperate rocky reefs. Human impacts and climate stressors are seriously hampering these ecosystems and actual conservation efforts appear insufficient for their preservation. Restoration actions could be a solution for the loss of these habitats, but they require the deep knowledge of the target species. In the present study, we describe egg release, zygote development and germling growth of C. barbatula, poorly known, despite its importance in the upper sublittoral seaweed flora. The aim is to improve the knowledge on the early life stages of this rare and threatened species, towards its possible future restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of monitoring programs in the marine environment is often limited by the scarcity of information concerning medium/long-term time series observations (years-decades) in complex and variable systems. Marine submerged caves, in particular, have received relatively low research effort, as they are confined and difficult to access ecosystems. In this study, we describe the spatio-temporal variations of sessile benthic assemblages along the exterior-interior axis of the Cerro-Gordo submarine cave (Granada, Spain), from 2007 to 2016 using taxonomic (e.g., major taxonomic groups) and morphological (i.e., growth forms) descriptors. In contrast to our initial expectations (higher stability in the inner cave sector), significant temporal variations of sessile community structure and morphology occurred in both external and internal cave sectors. In addition, higher spatial differences were encountered among opposite cave walls in the inner dark sector, which is probably explained by small-scale variability in topography and siltation rate. In the outer semi-dark sector, community structure was more heterogeneous, although generally similar between opposite walls. Among the descriptors used, the morphological one was able to detect greater spatio-temporal variation in the outer semi-dark sector, while the taxonomic descriptor was more suitable in the inner dark sector. These results could provide a basis for future monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of the fragile cockle Fulvia fragilis (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) in Libyan coastal waters (south-eastern Mediterranean Sea) is reported here for the first time based on the collection of twenty-nine live specimens from the shoreline in close vicinity to Tripoli Harbour, situated to the west of the country. The present record fills a gap in the geographic range of F. fragilis - its occurrence is already documented from the neighbouring territories of Egypt, Italy, Malta, and Tunisia. Although there are no certainties regarding the precise arrival date of this non-native bivalve in Libyan coastal waters, its presence within the environs of Tripoli Harbour might allude to its facilitated spread through ballast water from commercial shipping activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although bryozoans are one of the dominant sessile phyla in Mediterranean marine caves, little information is available on the bryozoan diversity of this habitat in the eastern basin. In this study, bryozoan assemblages of two Aegean marine caves located at different depths and characterised by different morphology were studied. The examination of 30 quadrats (20 × 20 cm) scraped from the vertical walls and cave ceilings, at increasing distances from the entrances, yielded 74 taxa (67 living and 47 dead), half of which were shared by both caves. Cheilostomes largely prevailed (59 taxa) over cyclostomes and ctenostomes (14 and 1 species, respectively). Nodular to fungiform bioconstructions were formed by species with multilayered colonies in both caves. Differences in the taxonomic structure of bryozoan assemblages between the two caves as well as on the spatial variability of diversity, abundance and growth morphologies within each cave seem to be linked to the different cave morphology and associated environmental conditions. Moreover, a considerable number of taxa were reported for the first time from the Eastern Mediterranean and the marine cave habitat, supporting the idea that knowledge of their bryozoan diversity is far from being considered complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study quantifies the levels of five trace elements (TEs) Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the leaves and rhizomes of Cymodocea nodosa as well as the surficial sediments from three semi-enclosed coastal areas in Tunisia, in the south Mediterranean Sea. Samples were taken from the Bizerte and Ghar El Melh lagoons and from marina Cap Monastir. The TE ranking was found to be Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd in sediments and Zn > Cu = Ni = Pb = Cd in C. nodosa leaves and rhizomes. Except for Ni, levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd significantly differed between the sites. Translocation factors (TFs) were > 1 for all trace elements proving the high capacity of C. nodosa to accumulate TEs in its above-ground tissues. Results show that marina Cap Monastir's meadow exhibits higher TFs than the Bizerte and Ghar El Melh lagoons. This can be due to the presence of the non-indigenous species Halophila stipulacea. The present study highlights the need for further investigation on the effect of interspecific interaction on TE uptake by seagrasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and six specimens of the Por's goatfish, Upeneus pori Ben-Tuvia & Golani (1989), a Lessepsian species native to the Western Indian Ocean, were collected from bottom trawlers' catches from 2012 to 2016 on the deep shelf off the southern coast of Lampedusa Island (Strait of Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea). Since it first appeared in Iskenderun Bay (Turkey) in 1950, the Por's goatfish has quickly spread in Levantine Sea waters to become a commercial species used by local fisheries, while continuing its range expansion along the south-eastern coasts of the Mediterranean. Because the Strait of Sicily currently represents the westernmost sector of this species distribution area, it might serve as a stepping-stone for this species' expansion in the western basin of the Mediterranean. Supporting this hypothesis was our finding of specimens with post-spawning gonads. The pattern of westward expansion by the Por's goatfish in the Mediterranean Sea and its settlement in the Strait of Sicily are discussed in relation to the warming trend over the last 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experimental study we explore a dominance-subordination network within a key group of polyphagous opportunistic organisms. This study also includes the possible reconfiguration of this network after the arrival of exotic species of the same ecological guild. Intertidal sea anemone species have been used as an experimental model for this purpose. There are a few documented fight-specialized external morphological structures in actiniarians, including acrorhagii and catch-tentacles, which are also accompanied by a more-or-less differentiated endowment of cnidocysts. Although it is possible to identify an old immigrant in the native dominance-subordination network under study, we also explore the hypothetical arrival of an exotic population of a pantropical sea anemone species, and its effects on the current set of interactions. In this community we detected the presence of the alien species Diadumene lineata (= Haliplanella lineata, = H. luciae) of Pacific origin, which is considered to be a relatively old immigrant in European waters. Exaiptasia pallida (= Aiptasia pallida, among other synonyms), with a worldwide warm-tropical distribution, is here used experimentally as a second invasive alien. A simple Competitive Efficiency index (CEi) is proposed in order to quantify the competitive capacities of these species. The CEi of a given species is based on the percentage of conflicts won, lost, tied, and mutually avoided. Our results demonstrate how alien species can re-organize the hierarchy and dominance-subordination relationships in an established network of interactions, even considering the possible ecological substitution of natives by alien species which are ecologically equivalent (but not identical in their relationships). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A second species in the siphonous green algal genus Avrainvillea was recently discovered off the island of O'ahu in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Specimens were collected from Honolulu Harbor, including its entrance channel, and near Ke'ehi Harbor. These locations are both in Mālama Bay on O'ahu's south shore in or adjacent to urbanized estuaries, respectively. In situ observations, morphological and molecular assessments were conducted to examine the alga's habit and distribution, as well as to assess its putative species identification. New information The alga occurred in sand as single individuals or in clusters of several individuals at both sites, and near or within seagrass beds (Halophila decipiens) and algal meadows composed of the green alga Halimeda kanaloana and an unidentified Udotea species at the Ke'ehi Harbor site. All analyses supported both populations as representative of the same taxa, reported until further investigation in the broad Pacific as Avrainvillea cf. erecta based on morphological and molecular analyses. This record of a second Avrainvillea species in Hawai'i is of particular concern considering that an alga recognized as A. amadelpha, first observed in 1981 from two locales on O'ahu's south shore, has become invasive in Hawai'i's intertidal to mesophotic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern edge of the Djerba Island represents an important tourist pole. However, studies describing the environmental processes affecting this Island are scarce. Although never studied before, the peculiar Djerba lagoon is well known by the local population and by tourists. In July 2014, surface sediment and seawater samples were collected in this lagoon to measure grain size, organic matter content and living foraminiferal assemblages to describe environmental conditions. Seawater samples were also collected and the concentration of 17 chemical elements were measured by ICP-OES. The results show that a salinity gradient along the studied transect clearly impacts seagrass distribution, creating different environmental conditions inside the Djerba lagoon. Biotic and abiotic parameters reflect a transitional environment from hypersaline to normal marine conditions. Living benthic foraminifera show an adaptation to changing conditions within the different parts of the lagoon. In particular, the presence of Ammonia spp. and Haynesina depressula correlates with hypersaline waters, whilst Brizalina striatula characterizes the parts of the lagoon colonized by seagrass. Epifaunal species, such as Rosalina vilardeboana and Amphistegina spp. colonize hard substrata present at the transition between the lagoon and the open sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)