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Background: Dermatophytes, the primary causative agents of superficial cutaneous fungal infections in humans, present a significant therapeutic challenge owing to the increasing prevalence of recurrent infections and the emergence of antifungal resistance. To address this critical gap, this study was designed to investigate the antifungal potential of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one against dermatophytes and assess its in vivo toxicological profile using brine shrimp and zebrafish embryo models. Methods: The antifungal activity of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one was evaluated against 30 clinical isolates of dermatophyte species, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, and Epidermophyton floccosum, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) using the broth microdilution method. The fungicidal activity was evaluated using time-kill assays. Toxicological effects were investigated using the brine shrimp lethality assay to determine Artemia salina nauplii mortality after 48 h of exposure, and the fish embryo acute toxicity test, which assessed lethality and developmental abnormalities in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos over a 96 h post-fertilization period. Results: 3-Benzylideneindolin-2-one exhibited consistent fungicidal activity across all dermatophyte species, with MICs ranging from 0.25 to 8 mg/L and MFCs ranging from 1 to 32 mg/L. Time-kill assays revealed a concentration-dependent fungicidal effect on the microconidia. The compound exhibited moderate toxicity to A. salina nauplii, with LC50 values of 69.94 mg/L and 52.70 mg/L at 24 and 48 h, respectively, while showing no significant lethality within the MIC range. In zebrafish embryos, concentrations below 7.5 mg/L did not significantly affect lethality, hatchability, or induce morphological abnormalities. However, at a concentration of 10 mg/L, the compound induced mild toxicity in embryos, evidenced by a significant increase in mortality and the presence of morphological anomalies such as yolk-sac and pericardial edema compared to the control group. Conclusions: The consistent antifungal activity of 3-benzylideneindolin-2-one against clinically significant dermatophyte species, combined with its low toxicity within the therapeutic window, underscores its potential as a promising lead compound for the development of effective therapeutics for dermatophytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brine shrimp Artemia are tiny crustaceans that inhabit saltwater habitats such as salt pans, coastal lagoons, and salt lakes. Also known as extremophiles, they thrive in extreme conditions including desiccation and high salinity, and are used as model organisms in scientific research across multiple disciplines, particularly in studies involving host-microbe interactions, microbiology and ecology, genetics, and environmental toxicity testing. Their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions makes them valuable indicators of ecosystem health. Additionally, Artemia is used in aquaculture research due to its high nutritional value and importance as live prey for marine fish and crustacean larviculture. This review delves into the distinct advantages and various features contributing to its status as a valuable model organism. Several case studies were highlighted, which elaborate on the important roles played by stress proteins within Artemia, unveiling their potential as crucial components in stress mitigation, especially under extreme salinities, anoxia, and temperatures. The review underscores the significance of leveraging stress proteins, particularly in the aquaculture sector. By tapping into the mechanisms of how stress proteins function, novel strategies and tools can be developed to effectively counteract the challenges posed by the dynamically changing conditions of stress. This synthesis of knowledge not only enhances our understanding of stress resistance in Artemia but also opens avenues for practical applications in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemia is an important live diet for shrimp and fish larvae in Indonesian hatcheries, yet its supply is highly dependent on imported products. Few hatcheries have been trying to culture and produce Artemia nauplii indoors. However, the artemia diet such as Tetraselmis chuii is very costly and laborious in preparation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of microalgal substitution with a formulated diet on the growth, fecundity, nauplii production, and survival rate of A. franciscana. A formulated diet (48% crude protein) was prepared and tested in a completely randomized design with five treatments (T1: 100% T. chuii as control, T2: 75% T. chuii and 25% formulated diets, T3: 50% T. chuii dan 50% formulated diets, T4: 25% T. chuii dan 75% formulated diets, T5: 100% formulated diets), and four replications. The results showed that the formulated diet can substitute microalgal diet up to 50% without significantly affecting the growth, fecundity, nauplii production, and survival rate of A. franciscana, P<0.05. These data are useful to improve A. franciscana culture to produce artemia biomass for feeding larvae of marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piper cf. arcuatum Blume is a plant that has long been used in traditional medicine in Indonesia. The community has used the leaves as antioxidants, antimicrobials, antidiabetics, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer agents. However, the stem part of Piper cf. arcuatum Blume has not been widely used. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Piper cf. arcuatum Blume stem. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) with Artemia salina larvae. Evaluation of its antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and antidiabetic evaluation via dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibition. Based on the results of this research, the three extracts showed very strong cytotoxic effects, with LC50 values of 14.65, 17.38, and 33.74 ppm, respectively. In contrast, E. coli and B. subtilis bacteria did not appear to be significantly affected. The methanol extract possesses the highest potential for inhibiting DPP IV, with a % inhibition value of 49.23±0.1%. These findings indicated that the stem of Piper cf. arcuatum Blume could potentially function as an antidiabetic agent and can prevent cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenogenesis is an asexual reproduction mode characterized by the development of a female oocyte without fertilization. From an evolutionary perspective, parthenogenesis seems less successful than the predominant sexual mode, though there are groups in which both reproductive types exist, an example of which is the genus Artemia Leach, 1819. This salt-tolerant crustacean inhabiting hypersaline environments contains regionally endemic sexual species and obligate parthenogenetic groups with different ploidy levels, collectively referred to as Artemia parthenogenetica. Here, we discuss the difficulties of using a common species concept in Artemia Leach, 1819. While sexual species are widespread and fit the Biological Species Concept (BSC), which emphasizes reproductive isolation to maintain species genetic integrity or cohesiveness, it does not apply to uniparental organisms originating from sexual species with major meiotic changes. We show that different ploidy levels of parthenogenetic Artemia groups with uniform nuclear gene pools are maternally independent genetic entities (or cohesive), collectively and wrongly referred to as Artemia parthenogenetica. Thus, we conclude that ' Artemia parthenogenetica ' is an invalid nominal specific name. Additionally, parthenogenetic Artemia groups cannot be considered a form of Artemia species (A. urmiana and/or A. sinica). In conclusion, we recommend using the term 'parthenogenetic lineage(s)' instead of 'parthenogenetic population(s)' to describe asexual Artemia group(s), because in modern population genetics and systematics, the term 'population' refers to interbreeding individuals with sexual reproduction. Furthermore, it clarifies that parthenogenetic lineages of Artemia are native to Mediterranean biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the antioxidant activities and total secondary metabolite amounts of different extracts (methanol, acetone, and water) obtained from the leaf and flower parts of Onopordum bracteatum, which was collected from Muğla (Türkiye) were determined for the first time. Antioxidant activity studies were performed with DPPH, ABTS, ß-Carotene/linoleic acid, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods. Secondary metabolite assays were carried out in order to determine the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total tannin contents of the extracts. In addition, the toxicities (Brine shrimp) of water extracts and the anthelmintic effects of methanol and water extracts were investigated. The leaf methanol extract of O. bracteatum with the highest antioxidant activity in all tests, except the FRAP test (DPPH: IC50= 0.26 ± 0.01 mg/mL, ABTS: IC50= 0.19 ± 0.003 mg/mL, ß-Carotene/linoleic acid: 72.98 ± 1.31%, CUPRAC: 34.02 ± 1.87 mg TE/g extract, FRAP: 3.96 ± 0.65 mg TE/g extract) used to determine the antioxidant activity was observed to have the highest total phenolic content (5.78 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g extract). The highest total flavonoid (32.17 ± 0.82 mg QE/g extract) and total tannin contents (16.41 ± 1.30 mg CE/g extract) were determined in leaf acetone and flower acetone extracts of O. bracteatum, respectively. Concerning the cytotoxic properties, concentration-dependent activity was seen in O. bracteatum water extracts against brine shrimp. Methanol extracts of O. bracteatum showed better anthelmintic activity than water extracts. The results will provide basic data for studies on the pharmacological and medical use of O. bracteatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of Artemia as a supplement to commercial feed during the nursery period, i.e., from post-larvae 10 up to post-larvae 30, is a common procedure in the shrimp industry. This practice provides larger and more resilient post-larvae (PL) that perform better in grow-out ponds. However, the production of brine shrimp is limited to a few natural salt lakes or man-made salt ponds worldwide, subject to strongly fluctuating yields and product quality. Therefore, ongoing research is focused on finding adequate live food alternatives. Nematodes, commonly known as worms, are animals that greatly fulfil the requirements to be used as live feed for aquatic organisms. Nematodes can be reactivated from their desiccated state by simple rehydration. Additionally, they are rich in protein and fatty acids, making them a favorable nutritional diet for shrimp larvae culture. This study demonstrated that nematodes can substitute Artemia in a co-feeding regime for the nursery of shrimp in a biofloc system, increasing the survival of the post-larvae after 20 days. This study evaluated nematodes as an alternative to live Artemia when provided in a co-feeding regime to Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) post-larvae (PL) reared in a biofloc nursery system. A 20-day experiment employing PL11 was performed for an evaluation of four dietary groups: control [C] (fed exclusively with a dry commercial feed); artificial Artemia [AA] (dry feed composed of extracted and processed Artemia cysts and dry commercial feed); live Artemia and dry commercial feed [LA]; and nematodes and dry commercial feed [N] (Panagrolaimus sp. dry nematodes). The diets were provided twice a day, with the remaining six feed provisions being a commercial dry feed for all experimental groups. A biofloc system was chosen as it offers a potentially sustainable approach to intensive shrimp farming. Alkalinity and pH in the [N] group were significantly higher in the last 5 days of the experiment (p < 0.05), likely causing the significantly lower nitrite levels observed in that same group (p < 0.05). Total and volatile suspended solids were significantly lower in the two live feed groups when compared with [C] and [AA] (p < 0.05). Although PL fed the dry diets exhibited higher growth rates (p < 0.05), the [N] and [LA] groups presented significantly higher final survivals (p < 0.05). No differences were found for survival after a salinity stress test (p ≥ 0.05). These results suggest that nematodes can successfully substitute Artemia in a co-feeding regime for P. vannamei PL reared in biofloc nursery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species are fundamental units of nature that need proper identification in order to assess and conserve biodiversity. Artemia is a model crustacean for population analysis and comparison in regionally endemic sexual species and parthenogenetic lineages distributed in hypersaline lakes, lagoons, and solar saltworks scattered in arid and semi-arid areas worldwide. The taxonomy of two American Artemia species has been controversial: Artemia monica Verrill, 1869 , adapted to the carbonate-rich conditions of Mono Lake (CA, USA), and Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 , a species broadly distributed in the Americas. The former species has been studied little, despite being listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List. In contrast, the latter has been studied extensively, is broadly distributed in the Americas, and has become established as a non-native invasive species in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Given the need to conserve A. monica , the intraspecific diversity of invasive A. franciscana , and the local species in areas invaded by this species, we reconsider their biodiversity and taxonomic status currently threatened by synonymization. In conclusion, A. monica and A. franciscana should be treated as two separate species that are isolated both ecologically and reproductively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the pivotal role of Artemia Leach, 1819 as food in larviculture and fisheries, it becomes imperative to continually reassess its resources and deepen our understanding of its species diversity. Such efforts are essential for the effective management of its commercial exploitation and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture activities. Here we present a comprehensive review of historical documents dating back to the 10th century and contemporary scholarly articles. The findings indicate the existence of 59 sites (natural resources and farming sites) across Iran where Artemia has been recorded. This is a significant increase from the 23 reported in the last checklist in 2016. The data indicate that regional A. urmiana Günther, 1899 occurrences warrant classification as "Critically Endangered" on the "Regional Red List" of Iran. Remarkably, apparently the Bazangan Lake has a natural population of Artemia, probably a consequence of climatic change. We highlight the threat posed to Artemia species diversity by the invasive American brine shrimp A. franciscana Kellogg, 1906, noting its presence in 12 locations compared to 7 in 2016. Preliminary studies suggest that the indigenous parthenogenetic Artemia lineages in Iran exhibit superior production potential when compared to both A. franciscana and the native A. urmiana. In light of these findings, the study recommends prioritizing the utilization of native parthenogenetic Artemia in aquaculture, to conserve Artemia biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal potential of plants encompasses a diverse array of compounds with therapeutic applications. These compounds have the potential to contribute to the development of innovative pharmaceuticals that enhance overall health. This study highlights the molecular identification, phytochemical analysis, teratogenic and cytotoxic effects of Gymnanthemum amygdalinum collected from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the identity of G. amygdalinum having 100 % similarity to their corresponding sequences. Also, G. amygdalinum exhibited secondary metabolites such as essential oils, phenols, sugars, anthraquinones, coumarins, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids. The plant extract has teratogenic effects as mortality rate was observed at 1000 and 10,000 ppm, correlated with low hatchability rate at the same concentrations. These findings demonstrated the potential for anticancer, leading to further evaluation of cytotoxicity employing Artemia salina and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2). As a result, G. amygdalinum was found to be moderately toxic in brine shrimp lethality assay with a mortality rate of 10 ppm and higher. Similarly, it is moderately toxic in HepG2 at a median concentration of 1000 ppm and highly toxic at 4000 ppm. Collectively, G. amygdalinum extract exhibits teratogenic and cytotoxic effects and is suitable for further studies at the same or higher concentrations. Accordingly, it is recommended to proceed to the next phase of study for anticancer and antiproliferative. This study provides a scientific foundation for future research, supporting the researchers in uncovering the medicinal potentials of not only G. amygdalinum but other medicinal plants as well.

The benzophenone (BP) family, including oxybenzone (BP-3), a prevalent sunscreen ingredient and environmental contaminant, has raised concerns since the year 2005. This study investigated oxybenzone toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii, focusing on the LC50 and developmental impacts. Zebrafish embryos (0.100–1.50 mg/L BP-3, 96 h) and A. salina (0.100–5.00 mg/L BP-3, 48 h) were tested with ultrasound-assisted emulsified liquid-phase microextraction (UA-ELPME) used for zebrafish tissue analysis. HPLC-DAD determined BP-3 concentrations (highest: 0.74 ± 0.13 mg/L). Although no significant zebrafish embryo mortality or hatching changes occurred, developmental effects were evident. Lethal concentrations were determined (A. salina LC50 at 24 h = 3.19 ± 2.02 mg/L; D. rerio embryos LC50 at 24 h = 4.19 ± 3.60 mg/L), with malformations indicating potential teratogenic effects. A. salina displayed intestinal tract alterations and D. rerio embryos exhibited pericardial edema and spinal deformities. These findings highlight oxybenzone's environmental risks, posing threats to species and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hebanthe eriantha is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine and a subject of commercial interest. The cytotoxicity effects from H. eriantha root extracts on cancerous and normal cells were assessed by the MTT method, and in vitro toxicity was evaluated on Artemia salina. The inhibition of the proliferation of bacteria and MIC values were examined by the disc diffusion and the broth microdilution method, respectively. Human colon cancer HCT116 and mouse breast tumour model 4T1 cells treated with methanolic extract showed a significant decrease in viability of cells with IC50: 272.6 and 88.5 µg/mL at 72h, respectively. The methanolic extract of H. eriantha showed moderate toxicity against A. salina (LC50: 589.4 µg/mL). In antimicrobial activity, the methanolic extract showed the highest inhibitory function against S. aureus and P. vulgaris (17.5 and 16 mm) with MICs of 500 µg/mL. The results confirmed the potential of plant roots as cytotoxic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal potential of plants encompasses a diverse array of compounds with therapeutic applications. These compounds have the potential to contribute to the development of innovative pharmaceuticals that enhance overall health. This study highlights the molecular identification, phytochemical analysis, teratogenic and cytotoxic effects of Gymnanthemum amygdalinum collected from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the identity of G. amygdalinum having 100 % similarity to their corresponding sequences. Also, G. amygdalinum exhibited secondary metabolites such as essential oils, phenols, sugars, anthraquinones, coumarins, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids. The plant extract has teratogenic effects as mortality rate was observed at 1000 and 10,000 ppm, correlated with low hatchability rate at the same concentrations. These findings demonstrated the potential for anticancer, leading to further evaluation of cytotoxicity employing Artemia salina and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2). As a result, G. amygdalinum was found to be moderately toxic in brine shrimp lethality assay with a mortality rate of 10 ppm and higher. Similarly, it is moderately toxic in HepG2 at a median concentration of 1000 ppm and highly toxic at 4000 ppm. Collectively, G. amygdalinum extract exhibits teratogenic and cytotoxic effects and is suitable for further studies at the same or higher concentrations. Accordingly, it is recommended to proceed to the next phase of study for anticancer and antiproliferative. This study provides a scientific foundation for future research, supporting the researchers in uncovering the medicinal potentials of not only G. amygdalinum but other medicinal plants as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential functional role(s) of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, a crucial crustacean species for aquaculture and stress response studies, was investigated in this study. Though we have previously reported that Hsp70 knockdown may have little or no impact on Artemia development, the gestational survival and number of offspring released by adult females were impaired by obscuring Hsp70 synthesis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that several cuticle and chitin synthetic genes were downregulated, and carbohydrate metabolic genes were differentially expressed in Hsp70-knockdown individuals. A more comprehensive microscopic examination performed in this study revealed exoskeleton structural destruction and abnormal eye lenses featured in Hsp70-deficient adult females 48 h after Hsp70 dsRNA injection. Cysts produced by these Hsp70-deficient broods, instead, had a defective shell and were smaller in size, whereas nauplii had shorter first antennae and a rougher body epicuticle surface. Changes in carbohydrate metabolism caused by Hsp70 knockdown affected glycogen levels in adult Artemia females, as well as trehalose in cysts released from these broods, indicating that Hsp70 may play a role in energy storage preservation. Outcomes from this work provided novel insights into the roles of Hsp70 in Artemia reproduction performance, cyst formation, and exoskeleton structure preservation. The findings also support our previous observation that Hsp70 knockdown reduced Artemia nauplius tolerance to bacterial pathogens, which could be explained by the fact that loss of Hsp70 downregulated several Toll receptor genes (NT1 and Spaetzle) and reduced the integrity of the exoskeleton, allowing pathogens to enter and cause infection, ultimately resulting in mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypersaline lakes in arid and semi-arid areas are unique ecosystems that harbour unique extremophile organisms such as Artemia , the paradigmatic example of adaptation to harsh living conditions. We assessed the mitogenomic biodiversity of Artemia species from the Tibetan Plateau, China, a remote and yet minimally disturbed ecosystem with a variety of hypersaline lakes. Analysis of ten Tibetan salt lakes demonstrated the occurrence of two regionally endemic species, Artemia tibetiana and Artemia sorgeloosi , with the latter being the dominant species with eight localities. Both species coexist in Jingyu and Jibu lakes, representing the first case of natural distribution overlap between sexual Artemia species. Artemia sorgeloosi exhibits higher genetic diversity and interpopulation differences, a result consistent with the heterogeneity of local salt lakes, local Artemia population demographics, and their adaptive potentials. Significant F ST values demonstrate a gene flow barrier between A. sorgeloosi populations that is compatible with an 'island biogeography' distribution pattern, making the Tibetan Plateau a sort of natural laboratory to study intraspecific population differences. Artemia sorgeloosi and the exotic Artemia franciscana were found coexisting in Yangnapen Lake, demonstrating the ability of this invasive species to colonize high-altitude inland habitats, and the need to monitor its presence and eventual expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two phages [VB_VaC_TDDLMA (phage TDD) and VB_VaC_SRILMA (phage SRI)] alone and in a cocktail to control Vibrio alginolyticus in brine shrimp before their administration in larviculture. Methods and results Phages were isolated from seawater samples and characterized by host spectrum, growth parameters, adsorption rate, genomic analysis, and inactivation efficiency. Both phages belong to the Caudoviricetes class and lack known virulence or antibiotic-resistance genes. They exhibit specificity, infecting only their host, V. alginolyticus CECT 521. Preliminary experiments in a culture medium showed that phage TDD (reduction of 5.8 log CFU ml−1 after 10 h) outperformed phage SRI (reduction of 4.6 log CFU ml−1 after 6 h) and the cocktail TDD/SRI (reduction of 5.2 log CFU ml−1 after 8 h). In artificial marine water experiments with Artemia franciscana , both single phage suspensions and the phage cocktail, effectively inactivated V. alginolyticus in culture water (reduction of 4.3, 2.1, and 1.9 log CFU ml−1 for phages TDD, SRI, and the phage cocktail, respectively, after 12 h) and in A. franciscana (reduction of 51.6%, 87.3%, and 85.3% for phages TDD, SRI, and the phage cocktail, respectively, after 24 h). The two phages and the phage cocktail did not affect A. franciscana natural microbiota or other Vibrio species in the brine shrimp. Conclusions The results suggest that phages can safely and effectively control V. alginolyticus in A. franciscana prior to its administration in larviculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemia is a brine shrimp genus adapted to extreme habitats like ranges salinity from 5–25 g/L and in temperatures from 9 to 35 °C. It is widely distributed and used as an environmental quality biomarker. Artemia franciscana and Artemia salina species are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies and genotoxicity assays due to their short life cycle, high fecundity rate, easy culture, and availability. Thus, considering the importance of these tests in ecotoxicological studies, the present study aimed to present Artemia genus as a biological model in genotoxicity research. To this end, we reviewed the literature, analyzing data published until July 2023 in the Web of Science, SCOPUS, Embase, and PubMed databases. After screening, we selected 34 studies in which the genotoxicity of Artemia for various substances. This review presents the variability of the experimental planning of assays and biomarkers in genotoxicity using Artemia genus as a biological model for ecotoxicological studies and show the possibility of monitoring biochemical alterations and genetic damage effects. Also highlight innovative technologies such as transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, as well as studies over successive generations to identify changes in DNA and consequently in gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and reproductive characteristics of brine shrimp Artemia from two western Algerian populations (El Melah and Timimoun) were studied for the first time alongside the northwestern population (Bethioua). Sexual, survival, growth, and reproduction were recorded for each population raised under standardized culture conditions. The morphological results showed that Artemia from the Timimoun and El Melah populations are bisexual, while the Bethioua population is parthenogenetic. After 20 days at salinity of 80 PSU, higher survival rates were found for the El Melah (85.5%) and Timimoun (72.0%) populations, while the Bethouia population showed the lowest survival rate (30.2%). Total body lengths of naupliar stages of the parthenogenetic populations were significantly longer than those of the bisexual populations. The Bethouia population displayed the highest absolute growth rate resulting in the largest adults compared to the bisexual populations. El Melah and Timimoun females were significantly larger morphologically in seven of the nine morphological characteristics compared to their respective males. The Bethouia females had smaller total and abdominal lengths compared to the females from the bisexual populations. The bisexual strains were significantly different from the parthenogenetic population in 9 of the 11 reproductive characteristics. Bethouia females, however, had the highest offspring/day/female and longest post-reproductive period compared to bisexual females. The Timimoun population adapted reproductive strategies differently compared to the other two populations: a late maturity (21.6 days), and more offspring/females (65.1). The data from the study will help future management and potential development of the Algerian brine shrimp populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on the influence of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) over the individual and combined effects of different nanomaterials on marine species is pertinent. The current study explores the role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in influencing the individual and combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) viz. aminated (NH2-PSNPs), carboxylated (COOH-PSNPs), and plain PSNPs and TiO2 NPs in the marine crustacean, Artemia salina. A. salina was interacted with pristine PSNPs, pristine TiO2 NPs, EPS incubated PSNPs, EPS incubated TiO2 NPs, binary mixture of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs, and EPS adsorbed binary mixture of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs for 48 h. The present study proves that, when compared to the pristine toxicity of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs, the coexposure of TiO2 NPs with PSNPs resulted in increased toxicity. The adsorption of algal EPS on the NMs (both in their pristine and combined forms) significantly increased the toxic nature of the NMs against A. salina. It was observed that with an increase in the hydrodynamic diameter of the particles, the mortality, oxidative stress, and ingestion of the NMs by A. salina increased. The uptake of Ti by A. salina from 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, EPS adsorbed 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs + NH2-PSNPs and the EPS adsorbed mixture of 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs + NH2-PSNPs was observed to be 0.043, 0.047, 0.186, and 0.307 mg/g of A. salina. The adsorption of algal EPS on the NMs (both in their pristine and combined forms) significantly increased the toxic nature of the NMs against A. salina. The major outcomes from the current study highlight the role of EPS in exacerbating the toxicity of NMs in marine crustaceans.

Populations of the species Artemia (Brine shrimp) in saltworks have become a popularity popular field of study for aquaculture for its significance for aquatic ecosystems as being an important source of sustenance for water birds in hypersaline food webs. Besides, species in the genus Artemia are the intermediate host of severe cestode species which are associated with flamingos. This study reports on the prevalence of native Artemia parthenogenetica parasitism of Flamingolepis liguloides in the Çamaltı saltern ecosystem in the Gediz wetland between January and December 2022 in Türkiye. Infected A. parthenogenetica was sampled from April to September 2022 in salt pans where flamingo birds and salt production are available for parasitological diagnosis. The parasites were determined in the abdomen, thorax and near the gut tract of A. parthenogenetica. The highest prevalence of parasite was found in juvenile individuals as 86.67±1.45% and adults as 76.06±1.16% in May. The main intensity was varied from 1.18±0.01 to 1.92±0.06 parasites per infected host depending on the sampling months and age of the brine shrimp. The most abundant parasite infestation was recorded as 1.44±0.02 parasites per investigated host in juvenile brine shrimp in June since seasonal conditions are favorable for such infestation.

In light of the pivotal role of Artemia Leach, 1819 as food in larviculture and fisheries, it becomes imperative to continually reassess its resources and deepen our understanding of its species diversity. Such efforts are essential for the effective management of its commercial exploitation and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture activities. Here we present a comprehensive review of historical documents dating back to the X century and contemporary scholarly articles. The findings indicate the existence of 59 sites (natural resources and farming sites) across Iran where Artemia has been recorded. This is a significant increase from the 23 reported in the last checklist in 2016. The data indicate that regional A. urmiana Günther, 1899 occurrences warrant classification as “Critically Endangered” on the “Regional Red List” of Iran. Remarkably, apparently the Bazangan Lake has a natural population of Artemia, probably a consequence of climatic change. We highlight the threat posed to Artemia species diversity by the invasive American brine shrimp A. franciscana Kellogg, 1906, noting its presence in 12 locations compared to 7 in 2016. Preliminary studies suggest that the indigenous parthenogenetic Artemia lineages in Iran exhibit superior production potential when compared to both A. franciscana and the native A. urmiana. In light of these findings, the study recommends prioritizing the utilization of native parthenogenetic Artemia in aquaculture, to conserve Artemia biodiversity.

Plants are natural resources providing several important bioactive compounds for human health. To discover such valuable properties, researchers need to focus on both the pharmacology and toxicity of plant materials. Preliminary toxicity assessment of plants using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test is a convenient, simple, and effective tool. However, some environmental parameters such as light, temperature and salinity need to be optimized for our own laboratory conditions and Artemia salina cysts produced in Vietnam. The obtained results indicated that the continuous lighting regime, temperature of 30 oC and salinity of 30 ppt are the most suitable parameters for cyst hatching within 24 hours and development of nauplii after 24 hours of hatching. Based on the optimal cyst-hatching procedure, the potential toxicity of 26 extracts from 24 poisonous plant species collected in Quang Tri was determined with median lethal concentration (LC50). The results showed that 3/26 extracts were extremely toxic with LC50 = 10 µg/mL; 10/26 extracts were highly toxic with LC50 from 10 µg/mL to 100 µg/mL; 8/26 extracts were moderately toxic with LC50 from 100 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL; 4/26 extracts had low toxicity with LC50 from 250 µg/mL to 1,000 µg/mL; and 1/26 extract was not toxic with LC50 > 1,000 µg/mL. The presented data could provide scientific evidence for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of these plant species. The optimal conditions for hatching A. salina cysts in this study will be applied in our laboratory for in vivo toxicity assessment of other plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meenatchi, S.; Iburahim, S.A.; Nayak, B.B.; Rathinam, R.B.; Paul, T.N.; Seenivasan, P.; Ramteke, K.; Ramanan, S.S.; and Anantharaja, K., 2024. A meta-analysis of artemia global research over seven decades (1949–2021). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(2), 395–407. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Brine shrimp are little planktonic crustaceans found all over the world in hypersaline habitats. Brine shrimp populations are found in numerous inland salt lakes and coastal salterns across the world. Scientometrics is a branch of statistics concerned with measuring and analyzing scholarly publications. The current study used a Web of Science database to thoroughly analyze and document the Artemia research output over the last seven decades. For this study, 9738 papers were examined using R software to evaluate the scientific productivity in this specified topic area. The global publishing share, rank, and evolution in terms of research and bibliometric indices, such as total citations, h index, and average number of citations per paper, were analyzed. The United States ranks first among the most productive nations in terms of total publications, accounting for 18.895%. India came in sixth place, accounting for 5.812% of total publications. The findings of the current study revealed the trend of artemia-related research studies published between 1949 and 2021. This study also highlighted the focal areas on this issue, about which future topics of research can be chosen for conservation and sustainable utilization of these vital resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handroanthus impetiginosus, popularly known as "ipê-roxo", is used in folk medicine to treat skin inflammations, infections, stomach diseases, and cancer. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained from the esterification reaction of fatty acids (FA) found in the hexane extract (HE) of seeds of H. impetiginosus were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the HE and FAMEs were evaluated. Methyl palmitate, methyl linoleate, methyl oleate, and methyl stearate were the major FAMEs obtained from the HE. The samples, especially the HE, exhibited a significant antioxidant potential analyzed by ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) assay. In the A. salina larvae bioassay, the HE showed no cytotoxic effects, but the FAMEs exhibited a high toxicity. This study reported, for the first time, the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the HE and FAMEs obtained from H. impetiginosus seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs) are metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that have gained significant attention in various fields due to their unique properties. They have potential applications in drug delivery, gas storage, and catalysis. However, their increasing use raises concerns about their potential environmental impact. Our study evaluates the effects of ≈90 nm ZIF-8 NPs in two planktonic species, the green microalga Nannochloropsis oculata and the brine shrimp Artemia salina. After synthesis and characterization (SEM, EDS, BET, and DLS) of nanoporous ZIF-8 NPs, a growth inhibition test on microalgae (72 h) and acute immobilization test on instar I and II of Artemia nauplii (48 h) were conducted following, OECD 201 and ISO/TS 20787, respectively. The toxicity of ZIF-8 NPs to both species was time- and concentration-dependent. The 72-h median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ZIF-8 NPs for N. oculata based on average specific growth rate and yield were calculated as 79.71 ± 8.55 mg L−1 and 51.73 ± 5.16 mg L−1, respectively. Also, the 48-h median effective concentration (EC50) of ZIF-8 NPs on immobilization rate of instar I and II were calculated as 175.09 ± 4.14 mg L−1 and 4.69 ± 0.34 mg L−1, respectively. Moreover, the swimming type of non-immobilized animals was affected by ZIF-8 NPs. These findings provide a good insight into the toxicity of nanoparticulate ZIF-8 to saltwater planktons and also confirm that instar II Artemia is more sensitive than instar I. This study demonstrated that ZIF-8 NPs, despite all their advantages, could have toxic effects on aquatic organisms. More studies are required to assess their potential environmental impact and develop strategies to mitigate their toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brine shrimp (Artemia) has existed on Earth for 400 million years and has major ecological importance in hypersaline ecosystems. As a crucial live food in aquaculture, brine shrimp cysts have become one of the most important aquatic products traded worldwide. However, our understanding of the biodiversity, prevalence and global connectedness of viruses in brine shrimp is still very limited. A total of 143 batches of brine shrimp (belonging to seven species) cysts were collected from six continents including 21 countries and more than 100 geographic locations worldwide during 1977–2019. In total, 55 novel RNA viruses were identified, which could be assigned to 18 different viral families and related clades. Eleven viruses were dsRNA viruses, 16 were +ssRNA viruses, and 28 were–ssRNA viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of the RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp) showed that brine shrimp viruses were often grouped with viruses isolated from other invertebrates and fungi. Remarkably, most brine shrimp viruses were related to those from different hosts that might feed on brine shrimp or share the same ecological niche. A notable case was the novel brine shrimp noda-like virus 3, which shared 79.25% (RdRp) and 63.88% (capsid proteins) amino acid identity with covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV) that may cause losses in aquaculture. In addition, both virome composition and phylogenetic analyses revealed global connectedness in certain brine shrimp viruses, particularly among Asia and Northern America. This highlights the incredible species diversity of viruses in these ancient species and provides essential data for the prevalence of RNA viruses in the global aquaculture industry. More broadly, these findings provide novel insights into the previously unrecognized RNA virosphere in hypersaline ecosystems worldwide and demonstrate that human activity might have driven the global connectedness of brine shrimp viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of the species Artemia (Brine shrimp) in saltworks have become a popularity popular field of study for aquaculture for its significance for aquatic ecosystems as being an important source of sustenance for water birds in hypersaline food webs. Besides, species in the genus Artemia are the intermediate host of severe cestode species which are associated with flamingos. This study reports on the prevalence of native Artemia parthenogenetica parasitism of Flamingolepis liguloides in the Çamaltı saltern ecosystem in the Gediz wetland between January and December 2022 in Türkiye. Infected A. parthenogenetica was sampled from April to September 2022 in salt pans where flamingo birds and salt production are available for parasitological diagnosis. The parasites were determined in the abdomen, thorax and near the gut tract of A. parthenogenetica. The highest prevalence of parasite was found in juvenile individuals as 86.67±1.45% and adults as 76.06±1.16% in May. The main intensity was varied from 1.18±0.01 to 1.92±0.06 parasites per infected host depending on the sampling months and age of the brine shrimp. The most abundant parasite infestation was recorded as 1.44±0.02 parasites per investigated host in juvenile brine shrimp in June since seasonal conditions are favorable for such infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate, the Brine shrimp activities and the larvicidal activities of Methanolic leaves and flower extracts of Calotropis procera. The larvicidal activities were studied on Anopheles, Culex, and Chironomus. Surviving larvae and brine shrimps were counted after every 3 hours up to 24 hours and the percentage of death at each dose and control was determined. The LC50 value of Brine Shrimps was 125 mg/ml at 24 hrs, for Anopheles larvae the value of this sample was 50 µg/ml at 24 hrs, for Culex larvae, 75 µg/ml at 21 hrs, and for Chironomus larvae, 125 µg/ml at 18 hrs. Death of larvae was increased with the increased concentration of crude extract. However, the outcome of the study failed to show acute toxic effects on brine shrimp and Chironomus larvae; but significant toxicity was observed in methanolic leaf extracts of Calotropis procera in mosquito larvae. This could have serious implications in vector control strategies and minimizing impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundBrine shrimp Artemia have an unequalled ability to endure extreme salinity and complete anoxia. This study aims to elucidate its strategies to cope with these stressors.Results and discussionHere, we present the genome of an inbred A. franciscana Kellogg, 1906. We identified 21,828 genes of which, under high salinity, 674 genes and under anoxia, 900 genes were differentially expressed (42%, respectively 30% were annotated). Under high salinity, relevant stress genes and pathways included several Heat Shock Protein and Leaf Embryogenesis Abundant genes, as well as the trehalose metabolism. In addition, based on differential gene expression analysis, it can be hypothesized that a high oxidative stress response and endocytosis/exocytosis are potential salt management strategies, in addition to the expression of major facilitator superfamily genes responsible for transmembrane ion transport. Under anoxia, genes involved in mitochondrial function, mTOR signalling and autophagy were differentially expressed. Both high salt and anoxia enhanced degradation of erroneous proteins and protein chaperoning. Compared with other branchiopod genomes, Artemia had 0.03% contracted and 6% expanded orthogroups, in which 14% of the genes were differentially expressed under high salinity or anoxia. One phospholipase D gene family, shown to be important in plant stress response, was uniquely present in both extremophiles Artemia and the tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini, yet not differentially expressed under the described experimental conditions.ConclusionsA relatively complete genome of Artemia was assembled, annotated and analysed, facilitating research on its extremophile features, and providing a reference sequence for crustacean research.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential toxicity of acetonic and methanolic extracts derived from the Euphorbia esula L. plant on various cell lines of human colorectal cancer (HCT116 and SW480), human embryonic kidney normal cells (HEK293), Artemia salina larvae, and its bactericidal effects. The cytotoxic effect of E. esula extracts on cell lines was performed using the MTT assay. In vitro toxicity and biocompatibility of extracts were also evaluated on A. salina and red blood cells by hemolysis test, respectively. The ability of the extracts to inhibit bacterial growth was examined by using the disc diffusion method, as well as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the microtiter broth dilution method. Results showed acetonic extract contains the highest concentration of flavonoid (16.17 µg Qu/mg) and phenol (34.84 µg GA/mg) compared to methanolic extract. The anti-proliferative effects of acetonic extract had the highest effect on HCT116 and HEK293 with IC50 of 64.80 µg/mL and 47.82 µg/mL at 72h, respectively. The hemolysis degree of the methanolic extracts was

Artemia, commonly known as brine shrimp, constitutes a globally distributed halophilic zooplankton organism, occupying hypersaline environments including inland lakes, salterns, and coastal salt lagoons. The genus Artemia encompasses regional endemic species and a diverse array of parthenogenetic lineages, which are characterized by various ploidy levels and distributed across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. The aim of the study is to investigate and determine the taxonomic status of an unusual mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) sequence among 14 different populations of Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906, collected from Cancun saltern in Mexico. DNA extraction and mtCOI gene amplification were conducted and taxonomic classification was achieved via BLAST analysis. A phylogenetic tree, constructed using Maximum Likelihood methodology, revealed the phylogenetic relationship between Mexican parthenogenetic Artemia and other parthenogenetic lineages of varying ploidy levels. The results unequivocally confirm the presence of parthenogenetic Artemia in Cancun saltern, aligning with sequences from Asia and Europe. Phylogenetic analysis positions revealed the Mexican specimens within the clade of diploid parthenogenetic lineages. The competitive vigor and reproductive capabilities of A. franciscana appear to have limited the expansion of parthenogenetic Artemia in North America. Further research endeavors are essential to unravel the enigmatic biogeography of parthenogenetic Artemia in North America and shed light on its potential native or introduced status.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the food industry and vibriosis is a major disease affecting finfish and shellfish production capabilities. In recent years, probiotics specifically lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have proven to be an environmentally friendly alternative to antibiotics to maintain aquatic animal health. In this study, five strains of indigenous LAB isolated from traditional and non-traditional sources were evaluated for their potency in the prevention of vibriosis in brine shrimp, Artemia salina as a model organism. The LAB were well tolerated at all doses, and no negative effects on the hatching ability of brine shrimps were observed when exposed to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KCFe63 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCCu21. Furthermore, all the tested LAB were able to protect the brine shrimp from the pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus under co-exposure and pre-exposure conditions. Molecular docking analysis revealed a high binding affinity of common probiotic metabolites lactic, butyric and propionic acids to the PirAvp and PirBvp proteins of V. parahaemolyticus which can prevent toxin formation and thereby acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). Overall results suggest that two strains, L. plantarum KCFe63 and L. fermentum NCCu21, are suitable candidates to reduce the incidence of vibriosis and AHPND during brine shrimp cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution is a threat to the marine environment, the destination of mismanaged plastic. Due to reduced size, microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) can interact with a wide range of organisms. Non-selective filter feeder zooplanktonic microcrustaceans are potential targets for MNP accumulation. Zooplankton is a key group for the food web, linking primary producers to secondary consumers. The genus Artemia has been widely used to investigate the effects of plastic particles on the biota. The present work critically reviewed the ecotoxicological studies about plastic particles and Artemia, pointing out methodological aspects and effects caused by MNPs, highlighting their importance and limitations, and suggesting directions for future research. We analyzed twenty-one parameters into four categories: characteristics of plastic particles, general particularities of brine shrimp, methodologies of the cultures, and toxicological parameters. The principal gaps in the area are the lack of methodological standardization regarding the physicochemical parameters of the particles, the biology of the animals, and culture conditions. Even though few studies performed realistic exposure scenarios, results indicate MNPs as potential harmful contaminants to microcrustaceans. The main effects reported were particle ingestion and accumulation followed by reduced brine shrimp survival/mobility. The present review poses Artemia as suitable animals for investigations concerning the risks of MNP exposure at the individual level and to the ecosystems, although protocol standardization is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate fraction of root bark extract of Synadenium glaucescens Pax (Euphorbiaceae) led to the isolation of two derivatives of ellagic acid. These included one new 3′,4′ -di-O-methylellagic acid-4α, L-rhamnopyranoside (1) and a known 3,4,3′-tri-O-methylellagic acid (2). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, while a High res. MS (FTMS-ESI–) was used for accurate mass measurement, which was compared with SciFinder data as well as with available literature. The BSLT results indicated that both 1 (LC50 = 2736.03 μg/mL) and 2 (LC50 = 531.19 μg/mL) were nontoxic at a maximum test concentration of 2400 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brine water drained from the desalination stations represents environmental concerns because of its extremely high salinity. Artemia (brine shrimp) is one of the crustaceans that can live in increased saline water. So, it can live in the desalination brine water. This study investigated the possibility of growing Artemia (Artemia franciscana), an essential live food for the aquaculture industry, in the brine water disposed of during the desalination process. Nine reproductive characteristics were examined for Artemia growing in desalination brine water, compared to seawater. Both types of water were brought from the Rumaila water desalination facility on the Mediterranean Sea in Marsa Matrouh, Egypt. The experiment included brine water of salinities: 50, 60, 70, and 80 ppt and two seawater salinities: 38 and 50 ppt. The food source used was the rice bran suspension to feed Artemia during the experiment. The results illustrated that the pre-reproductive and reproductive periods and % offspring encysted had higher values in higher salinities of brine water than seawater. The rate of offspring encysted in the brine water of 70 ppt reached 72.42%, followed by the brine water of 60 ppt. The results showed that the Artemia could grow in the brine water of the desalination plants till the adult stage. The results show no significant difference between both types of water in some variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential toxicity of acetonic and methanolic extracts derived from the Euphorbia esula L. plant on various cell lines of human colorectal cancer (HCT116 and SW480), human embryonic kidney normal cells (HEK293), Artemia salina larvae, and its bactericidal effects. The cytotoxic effect of E. esula extracts on cell lines was performed using the MTT assay. In vitro toxicity and biocompatibility of extracts were also evaluated on A. salina and red blood cells by hemolysis test, respectively. The ability of the extracts to inhibit bacterial growth was examined by using the disc diffusion method, as well as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the microtiter broth dilution method. Results showed acetonic extract contains the highest concentration of flavonoid (16.17 µg Qu/mg) and phenol (34.84 µg GA/mg) compared to methanolic extract. The anti-proliferative effects of acetonic extract had the highest effect on HCT116 and HEK293 with IC50 of 64.80 µg/mL and 47.82 µg/mL at 72h, respectively. The hemolysis degree of the methanolic extracts was <2% at 400 µg/mL. LC50 for the acetonic and methanolic extracts exhibited moderate and low toxicities on the brine shrimp larvae, with LC50 of 381.969 µg/mL and 1905.77 µg/mL, respectively. The bactericidal effect of 50 mg/mL acetonic extracts showed a clear zone inhibitory growth on Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with 34 mm and 35mm at the MIC and MBC values of 1000 and 2000 mg/mL, respectively. These findings could help to elucidate the anti-tumor, antibacterial, and toxic properties of E. esula extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tecoma stans (L.), popularly known as ipê-mirim, is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and digestive problems. The components of the hexane (HE) and methanol (ME) extracts obtained from the pericarp of T. stans were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in their methyl ester forms (FAME). The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts, fatty acids, and methyl esters were evaluated. Methyl linolenate, methyl linoleate, and methyl palmitate were the major compounds in the HE, while methyl hexacosanoate was the main component in the ME. The samples exhibited significant antioxidant potential by DPPH assay. In the Artemia salina larvae bioassay, FAME (HE) and FAME (ME) were considered toxic. This study showed, for the first time to our knowledge, the chemical composition of the hexane and methanol extracts from T. stans pericarp, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the extracts, fatty acids, and methyl esters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate is an herbicide widely used in agriculture but can present chronic toxicity in low concentrations. Artemia salina is a common bio-indicator of ecotoxicity; it was used herein as a model to evaluate the effect of highly diluted-succussed glyphosate (potentized glyphosate) in glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) exposed living systems. Artemia salina cysts were kept in artificial seawater with 0.02% glyphosate (corresponding to 10% lethal concentration or LC10) under constant oxygenation, luminosity, and controlled temperature, to promote hatching in 48 h. Cysts were treated with 1% (v/v) potentized glyphosate in different dilution levels (Gly 6 cH, 30 cH, 200 cH) prepared the day before according to homeopathic techniques, using GBH from the same batch. Controls were unchallenged cysts, and cysts treated with succussed water or potentized vehicle. After 48 h, the number of born nauplii per 100 µL, nauplii vitality, and morphology were evaluated. The remaining seawater was used for physicochemical analyses using solvatochromic dyes. In a second set of experiments, Gly 6 cH treated cysts were observed under different degrees of salinity (50 to 100% seawater) and GBH concentrations (zero to LC 50); hatching and nauplii activity were recorded and analyzed using the ImageJ 1.52, plug-in Trackmate. The treatments were performed blind, and the codes were revealed after statistical analysis. Gly 6 cH increased nauplii vitality (p = 0.01) and improved the healthy/defective nauplii ratio (p = 0.005) but delayed hatching (p = 0.02). Overall, these results suggest Gly 6cH treatment promotes the emergence of the more GBH-resistant phenotype in the nauplii population. Also, Gly 6cH delays hatching, another useful survival mechanism in the presence of stress. Hatching arrest was most marked in 80% seawater when exposed to glyphosate at LC10. Water samples treated with Gly 6 cH showed specific interactions with solvatochromic dyes, mainly Coumarin 7, such that it appears to be a potential physicochemical marker for Gly 6 cH. In short, Gly 6 cH treatment appears to protect the Artemia salina population exposed to GBH at low concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studying the influence of the main natural environmental factors on the interannual (2017–2021) and seasonal (from April to October) zooplankton dynamics of the large hypersaline Lake Kulunda located in the Kulunda steppe (Altai krai, Russia) are presented. The relationship of 13 main indicators of the structure of zooplankton (number and biomass in total, the main taxonomic groups: rotifers, copepods, cladocerans, and branchiopods, as well as different stages of the life cycle of Artemia) with the main hydrophysical and hydrochemical indicators (temperature, density, salinity, and pH of water) was analyzed separately by monthly and average annual (for the growing season) values. The influence of the studied factors on the characteristics of the brine shrimp population (number, biomass, and age structure), which dominated the zooplankton of this lake, was analyzed in more detail. It was revealed that the hydrophysical and hydrochemical regimes of the lake in different years are subject to significant changes and are reflected in the indicators of zooplankton. Changes in the structure of zooplankton under the influence of natural factors are mainly due to the stimulating effect of an increase in water mineralization on the Artemia population and its depressing effect on the brackish fauna. With a decrease in water salinity less than 100 g/dm3 since 2017 (127 g/m3) to 2021 (96 g/dm3) maximum (summer) Artemia biomass decreased from 167 to 17.7 g/m3. At the same time, the maximum biomass of rotifers, cladocerans, and copepods increased from 0.003, 0, and 0.63 to 6.21, 1.35, and 2.65 g/m3 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]