Search

This study aimed to assess the dispersal patterns of macroinvertebrates at local and regional scales within typical tropical and semi-arid estuaries during periods of high and low rainfall. To analyze the dispersal potential of polychaete and mollusk communities, we considered four functional traits, categorized into 14 groups: larval development, fecundity, body size, and mobility. Diversity partitioning revealed that both typical tropical and semi-arid tropical estuaries showed a consistent trend of high functional alpha diversity across sampling periods. However, upon analyzing the influence of environmental variables and spatial factors (distance between sites using geographic coordinates) on functional dispersal categories, we found a difference between the two. The spatially structured environment influenced the functional diversity of communities in typical tropical estuaries during the sampling period. This occurred because of a clear longitudinal salinity gradient, making neighboring regions more similar and suitable for functionally similar taxa. In contrast, the semi-arid estuaries showed differences across the sampling periods in the relationship between environmental and/or spatial factors and potentially dispersal-related traits, demonstrating that temporal changes influenced the dispersal dynamics of the organisms. Therefore, the occurrence and distribution of potentially dispersal-related functional categories in estuaries are influenced more by environmental factors acting at smaller spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The two oyster species studied hold considerable economic importance for artisanal harvest (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and aquaculture (Crassostrea gasar). Their draft genomes will play an important role in the application of genomic methods such as RNAseq, population-based genomic scans aiming at addressing expression responses to pollution stress, adaptation to salinity and temperature variation, and will also permit investigating the genetic bases and enable marker-assisted selection of economically important traits like shell and mantle coloration and resistance to temperature and disease. Data description: The draft assembly size of Crassostrea gasar is 506 Mbp, and of Crassostrea rhizophorae is 584 Mbp with scaffolds N50 of 11,3 Mbp and 4,9 Mbp, respectively. The general masked bases by RepeatMasker in both genomes were highly similar using different datasets. The masked bases varied from 9.41% in C. gasar to 10.05% in C. rhizophorae and 42.85% in C. gasar to 44.44% in C. rhizophorae using Dfam and RepeatModeler datasets, respectively. Functional annotation with eggNog resulted in 34,693 annotated proteins in C. rhizophorae and 26,328 in C. gasar. BUSCO analysis shows that almost 99% of genes (5,295) are complete in relation to the mollusk orthologous genes dataset (mollusca_odb10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vayssierea is an understudied nudibranch genus characterized by its orange colouration and small size (up to 5 mm in length). To date, there are four described species, distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Here, individuals of Vayssierea were recorded for the first time in the North Atlantic Ocean on the Canary Islands (Spain). This study aims to evaluate the systematic and taxonomic status and distribution of the genus through multilocus phylogenetic, morphological, and radular analyses. Phylogenetic results show the monophyly of Vayssierea and evidence indicating that the genus is included in the new subfamily Okadaiinae stat. nov. within Polyceridae. According to species delimitation tests, four different species have been sequenced from Russia to Australia, in addition to our new records in the Atlantic Ocean, but more information is needed to identify the species. Nevertheless, our specimens from the Canary Islands belong to two different species, one of which is identical to the Australian species. Bearing in mind that they lack a planktonic larval stage; we hypothesize that they arrived by shipping transportation or aquarium releases, becoming a non-indigenous species of the Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia 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.)

Terrestrial snails are economically destructive agricultural pests that cause great damage to vegetables and crops. The present study was performed to evaluate the toxicity of synthetic organic derivatives and subsequent histopathological alterations in the feet of Achatina fulica (Bowdich) after exposure to (E)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-methylthiazole-5-yl) prop-2-en-1. Accordingly, the LC50 of the synthetic organic derivative was determined to be 1.4206±0.0981. These chemicals can easily penetrate the body of mollusks either by feeding or crawling on the surface, and the foot is the first point of contact. Histopathological and ultrastructural alterations were observed in the foot of Achatina fulica (Bowdich), as these organs play important roles in locomotion and mucus secretion. These alterations include degeneration of the normal structure of the cell by rupturing of the outer protecting membrane, and a large gap is created between the cells. The longitudinal muscle band is destroyed by increasing the space. These results are important from an economic point of view since these synthetic chemical compounds were used as molluskicdes for the control of Achatina fulica (Bowdich), which is an agricultural pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is based on the Molluscs samples present in National Zoological collection of Central Zone Regional centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur and the available Literatures. The Samples were collected back in the year from 1970 to 2017 by different tour parties surveying Madhav National Park and its vicinity over the years. The current study reveals the occurrence of 21 species of freshwater and Land mollusks belonging to 18 genera, 10 families, 7 orders of 2 classes of Phylum Mollusca. This is the first report of the mollusks species from this area which will help in evaluate the mollusks diversity of Madhav NP, Shivpuri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the development and testing of a bio-inspired self-burrowing dual anchor soft probe for potential geotechnical applications. Dual anchor refers to the form of movement in soils in which some bivalve molluscs adopted by alternately generating anchoring effects in the soil through shell expansion and fluid-filled feet. By mimicking this mechanism, this study used pneumatic artificial muscles as soft actuators and developed an autonomous burrowing probe. The structure and the performance of the actuators and the probe were investigated and optimized. The burrowing-out process of the dual anchor probe was not a simple upward movement. Instead, it rose in the inflation phase and slipped downward in the deflation phase. The difference between the two was a stride in one single step. In the sands with relative densities of 30%, 50%, and 80%, the total slips accounted for 18.8%, 19.6%, and 26.9% of the total upward movements, respectively. Thus, the entire movement process showed a reciprocating upward trend. The burrowing process could be divided into a restricted stage and a free stage according to whether shear failure occurs in the overlying soil layer. When the soil density was high, the initial stage of burrowing was in a restricted stage. The amount of rise and slip were at a low level and increased slowly as the number of cycles increased. When the burrowing process was in the free stage, the increase was basically stable at a high value and accompanied by small slips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pleurotomarioidea, commonly referred to as slit shells, constitute one of the most ancient and enduring lineages within the phylum Mollusca, with its fossil record tracing back to the Upper Cambrian epoch. Its rareness and evolutionary antiquity surpass even that of the nautilus. In this study, we conducted the first transcriptome sequencing and analyses of Entemnotrochus rumphii (Schepman, 1879), a representative species of Pleurotomarioidea. Full-length transcriptome sequencing of E. rumphii was performed using the PacBio Sequel II platform with SMRT technology. A total of 64.38 gigabytes of data and 964,550 polymerase reads were generated, resulting in 28,068,998 subreads after data filtering. After de-duplication, correction, and clustering, we identified 19,273 genes. Additionally, next-generation sequencing was performed on 11 tissues of E. rumphii. This investigation provides a detailed portrayal and analytical scrutiny of its transcriptomic landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study of benthic macroinvertebrates in the southwestern canton of Badeye in Chad was to analyze the community structure in relation to the physicochemical quality of water in the Man baptem tributary. A total of 4,012 benthic macroinvertebrates were identified and counted in 38 families. Arthropods were the most diverse, with 35 families and the most abundant (92.32%) of the total, followed by molluscs (6.65%) and annelids (1.02%). Insects predominated at all sampling stations (89.40%), followed by Gastropoda (6.75%), Malacostracans (2.85%), Hirudinea (0.57%), and Oligochaetes (0.45%). The preponderance of the Chironomidae, Psychodidae, and Physidae families in station A3 implies that the water at this station is of poor quality compared with the other 3 stations. The Shannon–Weaver and Pielou indices are higher at station A3, confirming some of the values of the physicochemical parameters at this station. In general, the four sampling stations are diverse. The abundance of certain benthic groups such as Diptera (Chironomidae) in the Man baptem tributary shows that this watercourse is subject to anthropogenic disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis is a physiological process with a role in vessel proliferation that is significant in tumor development. Inhibition of this process is called anti-angiogenesis, employing the use of various natural medical agents. These include mollusks, which are deemed as a source of different medicinal compounds that can act as anti-angiogenesis treatments utilized in cancer therapy. This study aims to investigate different concentrations of methanol extracts of a molluscan marine bivalve, Anodontia edentula, and determine the anti-angiogenic activity of the extract using chorioallantoicmembrane (CAM) assay. By utilizing vessel count analysis, results show A. edentula extracts exhibit anti-angiogenic activity, with negative values in percent growth and positive values in percent inhibition. Two out of four concentrations of extracts (1000 and 500 ppm) exhibit no significant difference with positive control (ibuprofen) regarding its anti-angiogenic ability. It is highly recommended to investigate the compounds responsible for the angiogenic inhibition observed in A. edentula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of studies investigating the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms and communities increases every year. Results are not easily comparable since the carbonate chemistry and ancillary data are not always reported in similar units and scales and are not calculated using similar sets of constants. To facilitate data comparison, a data compilation hosted by the PANGAEA Data Publisher was initiated in 2008 and is updated on a regular basis (10.1594/PANGAEA.962556; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC), 2023). By November 2023, a total of 1501 datasets (over 25 million data points) from 1554 papers had been archived. To easily filter and access relevant biological response data from this compilation, a user-friendly portal (https://oa-icc.ipsl.fr , last access: 9 November 2023) was launched in 2018. Here, we present an update of this data compilation since its second description by Yang et al. (2016) and provide an overview of the OA-ICC portal for ocean acidification biological response data, launched in 2018. Most of the study sites from which data have been archived are in the North Atlantic Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea, while polar oceans are still relatively poorly represented. Mollusca and Cnidaria are still the best-represented taxonomic groups. The biological processes most reported in the datasets are growth and morphology. Other variables that can potentially be affected by ocean acidification and are often reported include calcification/dissolution, primary production/photosynthesis, and biomass/abundance. The majority of the compiled datasets have considered ocean acidification as a single stressor, but their relative contribution has decreased from 68 % before 2015 to 57 % today, showing a clear tendency towards more data archived from multifactorial studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep‐sea chemosynthetic ecosystems are 'oases' of life powered by reducing geofluids, of which serpentinite‐hosted seeps are among the least studied. South Chamorro Seamount, a serpentine mud volcano on the Mariana Arc, has been known to host chemosynthesis‐based assemblages since 1996, but no detailed information on the fauna was published. Here, we revisited South Chamorro to characterise its biodiversity. We located two regions of chemosynthetic communities dominated by bathymodioline mussels, vesicomyid clams, and chaetopterid parchment worms: one on the northwestern flank ('Fryer Site') and one on the southern summit ('Summit Site'). We sampled a total of 20 species including 13 molluscs, five annelids, and two crustaceans – all present on the more active Summit Site but only a subset being found at Fryer Site. A mussel bed surrounding the Fryer Site was drilled by the Ocean Drilling Program in 2001 resulting in six holes, the deepest being 266 m (Hole 1200C). Cuttings ~50 cm deep still cover an approximately 60 m radius around Hole 1200C even 22 years later, and there is no sign of recovery. Low geofluid supply in serpentinite‐hosted seamounts may not allow decadal recovery of animal colonies, unlike a previous drilling site in an Okinawa Trough vent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mollusks encompass enormous disparity, including familiar clams and snails alongside less familiar aculiferans (chitons and vermiform aplacophorans) with complex multicomponent skeletons. Paleozoic fossils trace crown mollusks to forms exhibiting a combination of biomineralized shells and sclerites (e.g., scales, spines, and spicules). We describe a shell-less, Cambrian stem mollusk, Shishania aculeata gen. et sp. nov., with conical, hollow chitinous sclerites and a smooth girdle, broad foot, and mantle cavity. The sclerites have a microstructure of narrow canals consistent with the impressions of chaetal microvilli found in annelids and brachiopods. Shishania sclerites provide a morphological stepping stone between typical chaetae (chitinous bristles) and the external organic part of aculiferan sclerites that encloses a mineralized body. This discovery reinforces a common origin of lophotrochozoan chaetae and the biomineralized aculiferan sclerites, suggesting that the mollusk ancestor was densely covered with hollow chitinous chaetae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global spread of non-native species is leading to an increasing frequency of multiple co-occurring non-native species. We examined the co-occurrence of the bivalve mollusc Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) with three Ponto-Caspian amphipods (Dikerogammarus villosus, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, and Chelicorophium curvispinum) across England and Wales in association with in-situ substrate size. For all three amphipod species, substrate grain size where amphipods co-occurred with D. polymorpha was significantly finer than when recorded in isolation. Subsequently, we confirmed this via aquarium experiments. We examined the occurrence of D. villosus with D. polymorpha when present with cobbles, gravel, or sand from three population sources (co-location with abundant D. polymorpha populations, co-location with low populations, and naïve). Experiments demonstrated that D. villosus actively sought shelter on or near D. polymorpha, with their co-location being significantly more prevalent in finer grained substrates (sand > gravel > cobble). The strength of this co-location differed by population source, with those co-located with high D. polymorpha densities demonstrating a greater association. Our analyses and experiments indicate that D. polymorpha may facilitate Ponto-Caspian amphipod establishment in otherwise suboptimal locations, whereby mussel shells provide favourable structural habitat for the amphipods, analogous to the presence of coarse-grained benthic sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discoveries of new species often depend on one or a few specimens, leading to delays as researchers wait for additional context, sometimes for decades. There is currently little professional incentive for a single expert to publish a stand-alone species description. Additionally, while many journals accept taxonomic descriptions, even specialist journals expect insights beyond the descriptive work itself. The combination of these factors exacerbates the issue that only a small fraction of marine species are known and new discoveries are described at a slow pace, while they face increasing threats from accelerating global change. To tackle this challenge, this first compilation of Ocean Species Discoveries (OSD) presents a new collaborative framework to accelerate the description and naming of marine invertebrate taxa that can be extended across all phyla. Through a mode of publication that can be speedy, taxonomy-focused and generate higher citation rates, OSD aims to create an attractive home for single species descriptions. This Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA) approach emphasises thorough, but compact species descriptions and diagnoses, with supporting illustrations and with molecular data when available. Even basic species descriptions carry key data for distributions and ecological interactions (e.g., host-parasite relationships) besides universally valid species names; these are essential for downstream uses, such as conservation assessments and communicating biodiversity to the broader public. New information: This paper presents thirteen marine invertebrate taxa, comprising one new genus, eleven new species and one re-description and reinstatement, covering wide taxonomic, geographic, bathymetric and ecological ranges. The taxa addressed herein span three phyla (Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata), five classes, eight orders and twelve families. Apart from the new genus, an updated generic diagnosis is provided for four other genera. The newly-described species of the phylum Mollusca are Placiphorella methanophila Vončina, sp. nov. (Polyplacophora, Mopaliidae), Lepetodrilus marianae Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Lepetodrilidae), Shinkailepas gigas Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Phenacolepadidae) and Lyonsiella illaesa Machado & Sigwart, sp. nov. (Bivalvia, Lyonsiellidae). The new taxa of the phylum Arthropoda are all members of the subphylum Crustacea: Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Lepechinellidae), Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, gen. et sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Maeridae), Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Bopyridae), Mastigoniscus minimus Wenz, Knauber & Riehl, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Haploniscidae), Macrostylis papandreas Jonannsen, Riehl & Brandt, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Macrostylidae), Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Nannoniscidae) and Apseudopsis daria Esquete & Tato, sp. nov. (Tanaidacea, Apseudidae). In the phylum Echinodermata, the reinstated species is Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886 (Holothuroidea, Psychropotidae). The study areas span the North and Central Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the North, East and West Pacific Ocean and depths from 5.2 m to 7081 m. Specimens of eleven free-living and one parasite species were collected from habitats ranging from an estuary to deep-sea trenches. The species were illustrated with photographs, line drawings, micro-computed tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Molecular data are included for nine species and four species include a molecular diagnosis in addition to their morphological diagnosis. The five new geographic and bathymetric distribution records comprise Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov., Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, sp. nov., Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. and Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886, with the novelty spanning from the species to the family level. The new parasite record is Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., found in association with the hermit crab Pagurus fraserorum Landschoff & Komai, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family Parvoviridae consists of small, non-enveloped viruses with linear, single-stranded DNA genomes of approximately 4-6 kilobases, subdivided into three subfamilies, Parvovirinae, Densovirinae, and Hamaparvovirinae, and unassigned genus Metalloincertoparvovirus. Parvoviruses of aquatic animals infect crustaceans, mollusks, and finfish. This review describes these parvoviruses, which are highly host-specific and associated with mass morbidity and mortality in both farmed and wild aquatic animals. They include Cherax quadricarinatus densovirus (CqDV) in freshwater crayfish in Queensland, Australia; sea star-associated densovirus (SSaDV) in sunflower sea star on the Northeastern Pacific Coast; Clinch densovirus 1 in freshwater mussels in the Clinch River, Virginia, and Tennessee, USA, in subfamily Densovirinae; hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in farmed shrimp worldwide; Syngnathid ichthamaparvovirus 1 in gulf pipefish in the Gulf of Mexico and parts of South America; tilapia parvovirus (TiPV) in farmed tilapia in China, Thailand, and India, in the subfamily Hamaparvovirinae; and Penaeus monodon metallodensovirus (PmMDV) in Vietnamese P. monodon, in unassigned genus Metalloincertoparvovirus. Also included in the family Parvoviridae are novel parvoviruses detected in both diseased and healthy animals using metagenomic sequencing, such as zander parvovirus from zander in Hungary and salmon parvovirus from sockeye salmon smolts in British Columbia, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new data on the distribution and bioecological features of 42 species included in the regional Red Data Book have been obtained. These are 37 species of insects, three species of arachnids and two species of gastropods. For 17 species, the data on their distribution in the region turned out to be fundamentally new. Seven studied species are represented in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and 36 species in the Red Data Books of other subjects of the Russian Federation. The driving factors of negative impact on the populations of many species are the following: a) intensive, sometimes continuous logging and forest fires, b) large-scale and intensive use of pesticides by farmlands and on the adjacent territories, c) significant recreational load on typical habitats of rare species, d) death of many invertebrates on dirt roads caused by motor vehicles of tenants, hunters, producers of biological products, etc. e) unregulated grazing of livestock, running of horses’ herds, organization of new farmlands and their further active exploitation, as well as fires in the steppe zone. The most vulnerable and sensitive to anthropogenic influence species include Carabus hungaricus, Argyronom laodice, Clossiana thore, Crebeta deidamia, Neolysandra coelestinus, Bombus armeniacus, B. fragrans, B. pratorum and B. veteranus. The state of populations of Parnassius apollo, Bombus terrestris, B. serrisquama, Bombyllus major, Laphria gibbosa and Allohogna singoriensis is not particularly alarming. In our opinion, Anax parthenope, Dendroxena quadrinaculata, Mycetina cruciata, Chelis dahurica, Eresus kollari and Hirudo medicinalis deserve to be listed in the third edition of the Red Data Book of Chelyabinsk Oblast in category III or IV.

Relevanse. The article presents information about actively spreading potential pests of agricultural crops in the Central region of the Russian Federation – slugs and snails – invertebrates belonging to the genus of gastropods. The harmfulness of these pests is manifested in a decrease in the size of the crop, a decrease in its quality, loss of marketability and fruit keeping. The most seriously affected in this regard are the planting of cabbage, lettuce, peas, turnips, potatoes and cucumbers. Snails and slugs can serve as a source of infectious diseases, various fungal spores, bacteria and parasitic helminths are often carried with the mucus produced by their bodies, which often pose a threat to the health of people and pets.Methods. Visual surveys were carried out to determine the number of pests in the field and in the adjacent territory in the conditions of the Moscow region (Lyubertsy city district). The studies were conducted in accordance with officially approved methods. Data on the species composition of pests are analyzed. The possibility of active harmful activity and potential threat of gastropods in a changing climate and their adaptation in the conditions of the Central region of the Russian Federation is considered.Results. According to the results of the conducted research, it was found that in vegetable gardens and private farms, grape snail and arable slug are most often found, in potato plantings – field (arable slug). Recommendations on slug and snail control in the private sector and farms are given.

Nudibranch mollusks, which are well-known for their vivid warning coloration and effective defenses, are mimicked by diverse invertebrates to deter predation through both Müllerian and Batesian strategies. Despite extensive documentation across different taxa, mimickers have not been detected among annelids, including polychaetes, until now. This study described a new genus and species of polychaete living on Dendronephthya octocorals in Vietnam and Japan. Belonging to Syllidae, it exhibits unique morphological adaptations such as a low number of body segments, simple chaetae concealed within the parapodia and large and fusiform antennae and cirri. Moreover, these appendages are vividly colored, featuring an internal dark red area with numerous terminal white spots and bright yellow tips, effectively contributing to mimicking the appearance of a nudibranch. This discovery not only documents the first known instance of such mimicry among annelids, but also expands our understanding of evolutionary adaptation and ecological strategies in marine invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mollusc shells are among the most abundant and well-preserved organisms in sediments worldwide, but their shells are usually subject to fragmentation due to exposure time in the TAZ, which compromises their preservation potential. The shell strength of valves from life and death assemblages from the sandy beaches of Santa Clara (37°50′49″S, 57°30′16″W) and Mar Chiquita (37°44′45″S, 57°25′1.5″W) on the Bonaerense coast, southwest Atlantic Argentina, was analysed to capture the effect of taphonomic processes over time and to determine how intrinsic properties and taphonomic variables influence their shell strength. To achieve this, the mechanical resistance profile of the bivalve Eucallista purpurata was assessed using point load and microindentation tests, and the mineralogical composition and organic matter content of the shell, as well as morphological variables, were measured. We concluded that, as expected, shells from life assemblages were more resistant to compression than those from death assemblages, but surprisingly, right valves were more resistant to compression than left valves in both Mar Chiquita and Santa Clara death assemblages. No differences were observed between broken and unbroken shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collections of vertebrates and macroinvertebrates over two years from 26 lentic temporary water bodies each surveyed 1–4 times, in Ulster and Dutchess counties in the Hudson Valley of New York, USA, resulted in identifications of 166 species. These included species resident in temporary waters that have life stages resistant to drying and freezing, species that reproduce in temporary waters that need to mature before drying occurs, predatory species that visit temporary waters, and highly aquatic species that move overland to temporary waters. Temporary waters sampled had a range of hydroperiods from a few weeks to almost a year. Of the macroinvertebrates we identified to species, 75 were each collected in a single pool-survey (n = 62 pool-surveys). Pools with greater volume, more vegetation cover, lower pH and turbidity, and more sodium yielded greater species richness of macroinvertebrates, and species richness of certain taxa (eg Mollusca) were correlated with additional elements. We briefly discuss several unusual animal occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification of cryptic species is important for assessing biodiversity and conducting ecological studies. However, morphological classification methods face the loss of morphological information due to subjectivity in geometric morphometrics, while an incomplete database and horizontal gene transfer limit the molecular approach. A novel approach combining 3D modeling and artificial intelligence algorithms using morphological and molecular data was developed for species classification. Cryptic species from the Vignadula genus were used to test the feasibility of this new approach. Molecular identification results as data labels were used for training models, and for validating classification results of machine learning and deep learning. Our approach achieved accuracies of over 80% in distinguishing between V. atrata and V. mangle, which were identified by molecular data along China's coast. The result of the confusion matrix indicated the misidentified individuals were due to the morphological similarity in the intermediate zone. The feature importance analysis highlighted the significant contribution of average curvature—a 3D feature—to the task, indicating the feasibility of the 3D model in cryptic species classification. Utilizing 3D models and artificial intelligence, this study presents a novel approach for classifying cryptic species of molluscs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body patterning of trochophore larvae is important for understanding spiralian evolution and the origin of the bilateral body plan. However, considerable variations are observed among spiralian lineages, which have adopted varied strategies to develop trochophore larvae or even omit a trochophore stage. Some spiralians, such as patellogastropod mollusks, are suggested to exhibit ancestral traits by producing equal‐cleaving fertilized eggs and possessing "typical" trochophore larvae. In recent years, we developed a potential model system using the patellogastropod Lottia peitaihoensis (= Lottia goshimai). Here, we introduce how the species were selected and establish sources and techniques, including gene knockdown, ectopic gene expression, and genome editing. Investigations on this species reveal essential aspects of trochophore body patterning, including organizer signaling, molecular and cellular processes connecting the various developmental functions of the organizer, the specification and behaviors of the endomesoderm and ectomesoderm, and the characteristic dorsoventral decoupling of Hox expression. These findings enrich the knowledge of trochophore body patterning and have important implications regarding the evolution of spiralians as well as bilateral body plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and provide home to structurally diverse marine organisms. These creatures contribute to more than half of the biodiversity of the world and produce several bioactive molecules, including peptides. In the past years, scientific research has been focused on the compositions, sequences and structural features of marine‐derived peptides. Based on their amino acid sequences, they have demonstrated a wide range of biological functions, including antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiageing, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory and other multifunctional activities that are based on their structure, hydrophobicity, binding affinity, charge and other factors. This review focuses on novel techniques used to produce marine peptides and explores the structure–function relationships of these peptides derived from representative phyla, namely Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata, Echinodermata and Porifera. Furthermore, notable considerations regarding the structure–function basis of marine peptide applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss new data from Colonization Phase and Early Expansion/Development Phase assemblages in the pre‐contact Society Islands. We focus on analysis of marine faunal remains and fishing gear to infer diachronic shifts in subsistence practices at two well‐dated coastal sites. Both Colonization Phase (AD 950–1200) and Early Expansion Phase (AD 1200–1450) faunal assemblages are dominated by fish and mollusks as opposed to animal domesticates. Colonization Phase assemblages see higher capture of Scombrids and higher capture of marine mammals and turtle. Early Expansion fishhook assemblages and faunal remains document a movement towards increased capture of reef fish as well as the adoption of local styles and locally specific fishing practices. Overall, the diachronic trend in the Society Island diets is towards a decrease in turtle, marine mammal, and wild bird remains and an increase in terrestrial domesticated species roughly two hundred years after colonization, similar to patterns seen elsewhere in Eastern Polynesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since time immemorial, molluscs have been a popular source of food in North East India. Given the historical importance of snail consumption in the region, the current investigation was carried out to assess the nutritional properties of mollusc meat/tissue and shell. Three species of freshwater snails (Cipangopaludina sp. Brotia costula, Filopaludina bengalensis) and the bivalve Lamellidens sp. were identified from five states of North East India. Proximate and elemental analyses of mollusc meat revealed high amounts of nutrients (more crude protein (range 26.75–22.83%) and low fat (3.82–2.70%)) and minerals (especially calcium). Additionally, high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed (maximum 1.95% in B. costula). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) of the biodiversity hotspot Sundaland are experiencing severe anthropogenic threats, whilst their diversity and distribution remain poorly understood. Here, we present the first modern-day data on Unionida diversity and distribution across western Borneo. Mussels were surveyed and collected in the upper Kapuas and Pawan river basins in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and the Sambas Besar, Sarawak and Batang Sadong river basins in Sarawak, Malaysia. DNA sequencing (COI  + 16S +  ND1  + 18S + 28S) and morphological analyses were conducted to delineate and identify species, and reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and population genetics. Specimens belonged to six native genera and nine species, of which seven are endemic to Borneo and three are new to science, i.e. Ctenodesma mawonae Zieritz et al. sp. nov. Sarawak basin, and Ctenodesma bersinara Zieritz et al. sp. nov. and Rectidens lauris Zieritz et al. sp. nov. both Pawan basin. The monotypic genera Caudiculatus and Discomya were phylogenetically highly divergent from other known Gonideinae taxa, potentially indicating a separate tribe (for Caudiculatus) and subfamily (for Discomya). In addition, we report new records of the non-native Sinanodonta pacifica Heude, 1878 in the Batang Sadong and Kapuas river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sine-Saloum Delta, Senegal, development actors strive to 'develop' female mollusc gleaning. In an apparently boundless amphibious environment, domestication underlined by discursive dispossession figures as an attractive alteration of enclosure and material dispossession. It intervenes especially temporally in human and mollusc life and overlays the (material) dialectic of capitalist 'outside' and 'inside' with one of bringing humans and molluscs from an 'archaic' and 'wild' 'outside' into a 'modern' and 'cultivated' 'inside'. However, domestication projects remain entangled with the unruliness of molluscs and waters, and struggle with organisational problems and the agency of gleaners. The latter seek to foster and profit from the continuous production of 'outsides' and 'insides'. They attract, appropriate and undermine projects and integrate them as mere additions into their gleaning practice. In upholding their gleaning practice and complicating mollusc domestication in alliance with unruly molluscs and waters, I argue, gleaners can also resist their own domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a high‐diversity silicified assemblage of marine molluscs (Pelsa‐Vazzoler Lagerstätte) from the upper Ladinian of the Agordo Dolomites (northeastern Italy). New data on the Triassic rebound, after the end‐Permian mass extinction, constrain it to an interval of relatively stable climatic conditions. This Lagerstätte, in the Sciliar Formation, yields a structure comparable to the famous lower Carnian San Cassiano Lagerstätte and suggests that the radiation of benthic molluscs may have occurred as early as the late Middle Triassic. We classified more than 4800 Cassian‐type molluscs, measuring abundance distributions of 109 species, including one new family (Rhaetidiidae), three new genera (Pelsia, Gaetania, Agordozyga) and 21 new species: Grammatodon egortinus, Modiolus friesenbichlerae, Myoconcha busattae, Schizogonium letiziae, Predazzella? monarii, Eucycloscala nitida, Tricolnaticopsis elongatus, Cortinella stricta, Triadoskenea alpicornu, Trachynerita tenuicostata, Coelostylina civettae, Gaetania coronata, Agordozyga caprina, Euthystylus dincae, Zygopleura elongata, Diatrypesis agordina, Cryptaulax pelsae, Pseudoscalites karapunari, Promathildia gracile, Camponaxis ladinica and Striactaeonina ingens. In this fauna, associated with tropical carbonate platforms, epifaunal filter‐feeding bivalves adopted new antipredatory features and gastropods conquered new ecospace, including parasitism and microcarnivory on sponges and scleractinian corals. Small size was an advantage in an ecosystem of small, isolated patch reefs. This is how, where and when caenogastropod and heterobranch snails (groups that today dominate global marine diversity) began their rise in the marine benthos. The origins of some evolutionary innovations that are key to our understanding of the time and place of the Mesozoic Marine Revolution, are therefore pushed back to the Middle Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-chitin, a promising biopolymer for the production of chitosan and biomaterials, is sourced from fishery by-products. Herein, β-chitin has been extracted using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) for the first time, only the α-polymorph having been extracted using these solvents until now. Six acid, neutral, and alkaline DES systems were trialed, with only the alkaline DES systems, in particular potassium carbonate: glycerol (KGLY) at 100 or 120 °C for 2 or 3 h, resulting in high-purity β-chitin. The ensuing β-chitin was characterized in terms of chemical and physical structure, morphology, crystallinity, and thermal properties. Under the best extraction conditions, using the DES KGLY system, the β-chitin samples were highly pure, presenting an acetylation degree between 77 and 88%, a high crystallinity between 88 and 91%, and a maximum degradation temperature of around 350 °C. Moreover, the solvent system was easily recyclable with consistent performance over 3 cycles of re-use. The extraction method is well-suited for the extraction of crystalline β-chitin and could be integrated into future works in the production process of chitosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union's Green Deal concept prioritizes the installation of photovoltaic and wind turbine systems, with the aim of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding the use of renewable energy. The inclusion of metals/metaloids such as Cd, Pb, Ni, and As to PV panels may be a matter of concern because they may provoke numerous negative environmental effects, especially after decommissioning. Although the release of Pb and Cd from solar panels is generally low, these releases may increase, posing long-term harm. Cd and Pb, if only released from solar panels, can enter the environment, including soil and water, posing a significant risk to human health and ecosystems. Cd, in particular, can have profound and lasting negative impacts on animals and humans, affecting cellular responses, enzyme operations, and immune system functionality. Pb exposure, in turn, can induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity, disrupt ion regulatory pathways, and impair immune function. Despite efforts to reduce the release of toxic metals from PV panels, controlling their disposal and avoiding environmental contamination remains challenging. Discovering substitute materials for PV panel manufacture, implementing enhanced recycling procedures, performing bioremediation, and enforcing stronger restrictions are among the strategies to mitigate environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al) is used in everyday life and present in food drugs, packaging, industry, and agriculture. Although it is the most common metal in the Earth crust, a correlation has been demonstrated between its presence and various pathologies, even serious ones, especially of a neurological type. However, there is a histological gap regarding the role Al can have in contact with the covering and secreting epithelia. The alterations of the ventral and dorsal foot mucocytes and their secretions of the snail Eobania vermiculata caused by Al were investigated in situ by histochemical and lectin‐histochemical techniques. Administration to different experimental groups took place for 3 and 9 days with 50 and 200 μM of AlCl3. Several types of mucocytes were detected with a prevalent secretion of acid glycans in the foot of E. vermiculata. Sulfated glycans prevail in the dorsal region, with one type showing only fucosylated residues and another also having galactosaminylated and glycosaminylated residues. Carboxylated glycans prevail in the ventral region, with presence of galactosaminylated, glycosaminylated, and fucosylated residuals in both cells. Snails treated presented a general decrease of mucin amount in the secreting cells and affected the mucus composition. These changes could alter the rheological and functional properties of the mucus with possible implications for the health of the treated animals. Research Highlights: Snails were fed with Al‐contaminated lettuce at different concentrations.In the foot mucocytes produced mucus with prevailing acidic glycans.In the treated resulted a reduction in the amount of mucus and an alteration of glycan composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostrea chilensis (a flat oyster) is native to Chile and New Zealand. In Chile, this oyster has been cultured and harvested for at least 80 years. However, the culture of flat oysters has not developed like other aquaculture activities in Chile, mainly due to the inefficiency of the collectors (made of ribbed mussel shells) and the lack of spats produced. The objective of this study was to determine the capacity of spat collectors for the settlement of O. chilensis. For this purpose, field and laboratory experiments were carried out. Our results indicated that oyster larvae do not have a preference for either side of the shell (periostracum or nacreous) to settle on. However, after one year of growth in the field, juveniles were more abundant on the nacreous side of the shell (spat collector). Also, the oysters that settled on the nacreous side of the valve were larger. This was due to the fact that the periostracum had a greater number of epibionts, and they competed for space and resources with the settled oyster spats, causing a decrease in the abundance of oyster spats on that surface. Our findings raise the possibility that collectors could improve efficiency in the production of spats. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the Chilean oyster-farming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alien Red Sea goatfish, Parupeneus forsskali (Fourmanoir & Guézé, 1976), is a Lessepsian migrant, entering the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. This study explores its seasonal diet and biological traits in Cyprus, its non-native habitat. From August 2019 to July 2021, a total of 249 specimens were collected, ranging in total length (TL) from 5.8 to 27.7 cm, with a mean TL of 15.1 ± 4.54 cm (SD). These specimens were examined with respect to sex and season. Through various methods (F%, N%, W%, and IRI), the feeding habits of the species were analysed, revealing a diet dominated by Crustacea (mainly Decapoda) and Polychaeta, with the secondary consumption of Mollusca, Echinodermata, and others. Significant differences were found between males and juveniles and females and juveniles, with adults preferring Decapoda and juveniles Copepoda, while seasonal variations were mainly influenced by prey availability. The Red Sea goatfish exhibited ontogenetic niche shifts in its depth and habitat distribution, influenced by size and age. The trophic level (TROPH) of P. forsskali ranged from 3.22 to 3.46, corresponding to an omnivorous diet with a preference for animals. These findings suggest that P. forsskali is an opportunistic predator with a diverse diet, thriving in its new habitat and potentially impacting the local marine food webs by competing with economically important native species for resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioerosion traces are a powerful tool for reconstructing benthic paleo-communities through the geological record. The late Quaternary marine deposits of Patagonia (Argentina) are elongated ridges parallel to the present coast, rich in sand, gravel and shells, the latter being the main substrate for bioerosion traces. However, the ichnological studies in the Quaternary are scarce in high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. This work describes for the first time the bioerosion traces recorded in shells belonging to diverse taxa of mollusc from Quaternary deposits in Puerto Lobos, Southern of San Matias Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina). This study complements the scarce information on bioerosion traces in the Southern Hemisphere. A total of 710 mollusc shells were obtained from four Quaternary beach ridges at Puerto Lobos. As a result, 15 ichnotaxa were recorded for the first time in the site, 13 of them for the first time in the Holocene of San Matías Gulf. Through qualitative analysis, bioerosion patterns were observed in the late Quaternary of Puerto Lobos. The abundance of worm and sponge borings in the Pleistocene could be related to warm and sediment-free waters. On the contrary, the results of the bioerosion study in the Holocene and recent samples were very similar. This could indicate that the same environmental factor controlled both bioerosion patterns. For the Holocene, it was observed that the bioerosion pattern is mainly represented by trace produced by suspension and filter-feeding organisms, such as bryozoans, among others. Together with the increase in ichnodiversity, this could indicate an increase in nutrient availability in the San Matías Gulf associated with upwelling events. Therefore, our results reinforce the hypothesis proposed by previous authors that the upwelling events currently observed in the study area began during the mid-Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of morphology and developmental patterning in adult stages of many invertebrates are hindered by opaque structures, such as shells, skeletal elements, and pigment granules that block or refract light and necessitate sectioning for observation of internal features. An inherent challenge in studies relying on surgical approaches is that cutting tissue is semi-destructive, and delicate structures, such as axonal processes within neural networks, are computationally challenging to reconstruct once disrupted. To address this problem, we developed See-Star, a hydrogel-based tissue clearing protocol to render the bodies of opaque and calcified invertebrates optically transparent while preserving their anatomy in an unperturbed state, facilitating molecular labeling and observation of intact organ systems. The resulting protocol can clear large (> 1 cm3) specimens to enable deep-tissue imaging, and is compatible with molecular techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to visualize protein and mRNA localization. To test the utility of this method, we performed a whole-mount imaging study of intact nervous systems in juvenile echinoderms and molluscs and demonstrate that See-Star allows for comparative studies to be extended far into development, facilitating insights into the anatomy of juveniles and adults that are usually not amenable to whole-mount imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalopods like octopuses and cuttlefishes are known to secrete a ‘toxic saliva’ to inject into their prey, especially crustaceans since the XIX century. However, only in the mid-XX century were the first coleoid-specific toxins successfully isolated. Motivated by the growing interest on the global ocean as an almost inexhaustible source of novel bioactive compounds, we used RNA-Seq – based transcriptomics and de novo assembly of transcriptomes to screen the posterior salivary glands of Sepia officinalis (the common cuttlefish) from the Portuguese West coast for toxins and other bioactive proteins and peptides. Supported by microanatomical analyses, the posterior salivary glands constitute indeed the ‘venom gland’ whereas the more elusive anterior salivary glands (embedded in the buccal mass) are responsible for the production of mucin-rich saliva that is effectively the vehicle that transports the toxins as the venom is injected into the prey. Indeed, the transcriptomic profiling suggests that the cuttlefish venom is complex mixture of bioactive proteins, among which neurotoxins are major players, together with enzymes whose function is to digest the extracellular matrix to facilitate diffusion of the toxins. Nonetheless, by comparing with previous RNA-Seq data obtained from S. officinalis collected from other biogeographical areas, it may be suggested that significant inter-populational variation in venom composition can occur, which may potentially increase the span of bioactives secreted by these animals. We isolated and validated the full coding sequences for three important toxins, a cysteine-rich venom protein (CRVP), a venom insulin (VIns) and a cephalotoxin (CTX). The toxins seem to be relatively conserved among coleoids but diverging from other venomous mollusks such as cone snails. Their properties as potent modulators of glucose (in the case of VIns) and as potential neurotoxins (like CRVP and CTX) can render them primer targets for drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea is known to be a hot spot for marine biodiversity, especially if considering the highly specialized Heterobranchia mollusks. In recent years, there has been increasing effort to fill some knowledge gaps existing on Mediterranean heterobranch diversity, but, to date, several potentially interesting habitats remain unexplored. In fact, most studies have been focused on sea slugs inhabiting coastal areas and lakes, but those living in extremely variable areas like Mediterranean rocky tide pools remain almost completely ignored even if it is reported worldwide that they can host a high sea slug diversity. In this context, the rocky tide pool system near the 'Passetto' urban beach (Ancona, Italy) in the North Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea) represents a biodiversity hot spot, highlighting the importance of the conservation of this peculiar habitat. A preliminary quantitative survey on the associated Heterobranchia unveiled a thriving community residing in this limited and fragile habitat, and it inspired a more detailed investigation as performed in the present study. In order to reveal the presence of species that have gone unnoticed, an in-depth study was carried out between 2018 and 2022, which aimed to amplify the knowledge on this vulnerable environment and the fauna associated with this as yet poorly known habitat. Tide pooling activities corroborated by photographic analyses allowed the recording of 45 taxa in total and the addition of 25 species to the previously known list. Within those, (i) two species were potentially new to science, (ii) one was recorded in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, (iii) two species were added to the Italian fauna, and (iv) one species constituted a new record for Sector 9 of the Italian Seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiological monitoring of bivalve mollusk harvesting areas in the Marche region is based on the parameters of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. However, Regulation EU/2019/627 stated criteria based on E. coli only to determine the health status of these areas. Therefore, the reason for Salmonella spp. monitoring, as provided in the Marche region, could be aimed at reducing the risk of placing on the market contaminated bivalve mollusks. This study, using the results of microbiological monitoring carried out in the Marche region from 2015 to 2022 and the methods based on Bayes' theorem and Poisson's distribution, evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of Salmonella spp. monitoring in reducing the risk to the consumer. The results show that i) the use of a single sample unit significantly reduced the possibility of detecting non-compliance with the microbiological safety criterion; ii) the time taken to report positive results (average of approximately 10 days) did not allow the timely implementation of control measures; iii) the prevalence of positive outcomes was quite sporadic: a random trend of positivity is recognizable on a geographical and monthly basis for mussels and a geographical basis for striped clams; iv) considering the predictive value of E. coli against Salmonella spp., the specificity is very high and the negative predictive value versus Salmonella spp. would be >80%. In conclusion, the study shows that the monitoring of Salmonella spp. has a limited effect on reducing the risk to the consumer; however, in the cost/benefit assessment, other aspects not covered by this study should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents data on lithology, biostratigraphy, and molluscan paleontological characteristics of the Lower Volgian–Upper Ryazanian interval of the Yanov Stan Formation obtained from the core of the Novoyakimovskaya-1 parametric well. The formation consists of mudstone-siltstone intercalation with rare sandstone beds and numerous levels with carbonate concretions. For the first time, abundant glendonites are reported from the Yanov Stan Formation, including stratigraphic intervals from which they have not been previously known. An almost complete 290-m core of the Yanov Stan Formation with abundant ammonites and bivalves was obtained. This enabled us to develop a detailed biostratigraphic zonation of the section based on ammonites and bivalves. The following succession of ammonite zones, known in Western Siberia and, mainly, in Eastern Siberia (from bottom to top), was established: Paravirgatites lideri, Pavlovia iatriensis, Dorsoplanites ilovaiskii, D. maximus, Epivirgatites variabilis, Praechetates exoticus, Craspedites okensis, Praetollia maynci, Hectoroceras kochi, and Surites subanalogus. The bivalve succession, distinguished based on the members of the genus Buchia, includes the following Buchiazones: Buchia mosquensis, B. unschensis, B. okensis, ?B. jasikovi, and B. volgensis. The molluscan assemblages of the studied core, starting at least from the upper Middle Volgian, are similar to the coeval assemblages from the eastern part of the Yenisei–Khatanga depression and the Laptev Sea coast but differ from those from Western Siberia. This suggests the existence of some environmental factors that prevented the free distribution of mollusks from the western part of the Yenisei–Khatanga depression into the West Siberian basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North America is home to some of the most diverse freshwater mussel fauna (Mollusca: Unionidae) in the world, with the majority of mussel diversity located in the southeastern United States. Unfortunately, mussels are one of most imperiled groups in the world and species are declining across the United States. Anthropogenic habitats may function as refugia for some mussel species; however, many of these habitats are ignored during studies. The False River of Louisiana is a unique system that has separated from the Mississippi River and is dependent on an artificial canal system to maintain water levels. The canal may act as refugia for mussels during climatic events, but it is unknown whether the system can sustain mussels. To obtain an understanding of the structure and health of mussels within this anthropogenic structure, we surveyed mussels and fish at 11 sites in a section of artificial canal connected to the False River. We analyzed the mussel assemblage with regard to life history strategies and compared fish presence to known fish host use of our various mussel species. We collected 388 individuals of 13 live mussel species, with 5 additional species located as shell material. The fish assemblage consisted of 22 species of which 15 were hosts for at least one member of the mussel assemblage. The mussel assemblage primarily consisted of opportunistic species and host generalists with a few dominant species. This is, to our knowledge, the first mussel peer-reviewed mussel data reported from any portion of the False River system and the mussel assemblage appears to follow predictable trends for flashy systems noted in other rivers. Our study highlights that the False River canal system is capable of sustaining mussels and indicates that anthropogenic structures should be incorporated into future survey efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fauna expedition has been conducted in Padang Bindu Karst, South Sumatra in 2021. Among the collected samples, a total of 111 specimens of Opisthostoma platycephalum (Caenogastropoda: Diplommatinidae) were collected from six sampling plots. This discovery is the first record of the land snail species in the southern of Sumatra island, as previous research only recognized its presence in Aceh, North Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia. This discovery contributes to the understanding of the biodiversity of South Sumatran land snails and highlights the importance of protecting limestone habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater snail Latia neritoides occurs in certain streams and lakes of New Zealand's North Island. It defends itself against predators with a unique mechanism - the release of sticky, glowing mucus. Two possible origins of this defence mucus had earlier been suggested: the foot and the pneumostome area. After examining the glandular system of the foot in a previous study, in the present study we examined the general morphology of L. neritoides, focusing on the mantle cavity. With the first complete 3D model of L. neritoides now available, it is possible to evaluate previous morphological studies and to give non-specialists a better understanding of the soft part anatomy of this fascinating gastropod. As a by-product of this, we also compared the capabilities of μ-CT and HREM on a methodological level. We characterized the two most common gland types in the mantel cavity (Lmcg1/Lmcg2) on the basis of their ultrastructure. They are present in large numbers and, therefore, regarded as likely candidates for being the producers of one or more components of the defence mucus. This notion was confirmed by histochemical analyses of Lmcg1 and Lmcg2 and other gland types in L. neritoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population dynamics of Polititapes aureus from Tunisia were investigated monthly during a one-year period (2018). The possible future commercial benefits of the species as a significant resource of artisanal fisheries require better knowledge of its population dynamics. This study provides the first insight into population parameters by investigating its population structure, growth, mortality, and exploitation rate. Allometric relationships between body size and length were determined. The shell length/ total weight ratio indicated a positive allometric growth and was expressed as TW = 0.0002 SL3.103. Length frequency data were analyzed to estimate population parameters using FiSAT ΙΙ software. P. aureus showed lower growth rate (K = 0.46 yr–1) and asymptotic length (L∞ = 38.80) compared to those obtained for other bivalve species (mean values: K = 0.61 and L∞ = 55.02). Longevity (Tmax) and the growth performance index (φ') were 7.95 yr-1 and 2.84, respectively. Total mortality (Z) was estimated from the length-converted catch curve at 0.85 yr-1 and fishing mortality (F) at 0.03 yr-1. Both values of natural mortality (M = 0.82 yr-1) derived from bivalve literature and based on Pauly's (1980) empirical equation (M = 0.83 yr-1) developed for fish were comparable. The most intensive growth occurred during the first three years. The data presented herein are crucial for appropriate fisheries management and conservation of clams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out in calcareous fen habitats which share coverage with Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and the Birds Directive. A total of 27 taxa of molluscs were recorded: 23 gastropod and 4 bivalve species. Anisus vorticulus, one of the species of Community interest whose conservation requires designation of special conservation areas within the Habitats Directive Natura 2000, was subrecedent and accedent in mollusc communities. Calcareous fen habitats offer the aquatic organisms harsh environmental conditions including a relatively high temperature of the water up to 33.29 °C (undrained fens), oxygen deficits in the water, high pH of up to 11.08 (fen pools) and conductivity above 3000 μS cm−1 (fen ditches). Therefore molluscs have to face extreme environmental conditions. Temperature of the water, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were the parameters most associated with the distribution of mollusc species in the calcareous fen habitats. The abundance of submerged and floating macrophytes, the degree of habitat persistence and the fish predation pressure on molluscs also exerted a significant effect on their distribution. The calcareous fen habitats that are listed in Annex I of the European Union Habitats Directive create a unique valuable ecosystem that contributes to the natural diversity of aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bivalve mollusc Pinna nobilis, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, has been vanishing since 2016 from the whole basin because of an infection by multiple pathogens that caused mass mortality events. In the Eastern Mediterranean, some small populations seem to be resistant to the infection. These individuals could represent the only possibility for the species to recolonize desert habitats. Thus, according to the recommendations of IUCN, looking for living specimens of P. nobilis is a priority. With this goal in mind, we carried out surveys in different areas of Southern Italy, and in 2018, we launched a Citizen Science campaign to involve recreational and professional divers in this challenge. As a result of a monitoring activity carried out in 2022–2024, along the Ionian coast of Apulia, in Southern Italy, we can say that there are no more living specimens there but only empty shells. Concurrent to the vanishing of the queen P. nobilis, its congeneric P. rudis, resistant to the infection, seems to be taking advantage, becoming more common and colonizing habitats once exclusive to P. nobilis. In fact, from different areas of the Mediterranean, sightings of the new possible queen, P. rudis, are increasing, together with the discovery of individuals exhibiting morphological traits that are a mixture of the two species. In some cases, these morphological features are not easy to detect; nevertheless, the presence of these hybrids, resistant to the infection, is important for the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, seasonal changes in the diet of Petroleuciscus esfahani and Chondrostoma regium were investigated by collecting 200 samples of each species seasonally in 2013 from the Zayanndehroud River. The indicators of frequency occurrence index, numerical importance index and abundance of benthic organisms were used to determine the importance of food groups. In the current study, 7 classes, 11 orders and 33 families were identified along with other particles including filamentous algae, sediment particles and plant detritius in the intestine of P. esfahani and C. regium, most of which were aquatic insect larvae. The identified groups were related to Annelida (Oligochaeta and Hirudinea), Arthropoda (Crustacea, Insecta and Arachnids) and Mollusca (Bivalves and Gastropoda). The results showed that the highest presence of food groups in the intestines of the P. esfahani was related to Insecta and the least was related to Gastropoda and plant detritius. In the intestines of C. regium in spring, Insects and unknown food groups, in summer, Filamentous algae and Gastropoda, in autumn, filamentous algae and plant detritius, and in winter, Insecta and sediment particles were the most and least abundant, respectively. In general, it can be concluded that Insecta had the highest percentage of importance in both P. esfahani and C. regium, and the diets of these two fish in the Zainderud River are based on feeding on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]