Symbiotic bacteria in the nudibranch mollusk Dendrodoris nigra: fatty acid composition and ultrastructure analysis

In the present study, the hypothesis that marine nudibranch mollusks harbor symbiotic bacteria was tested using analyses of fatty acids as biochemical markers and transmission electron microscopy of the tissues of Dendrodoris nigra (Gastropoda/Opisthobranchia/Nudibranchia). An aberrant level of the odd-numbered carbon chain and branched fatty acids, iso- and anteiso- that are specific for bacteria, was detected in the nudibranch tissues. Their amounts in the notum exceeded significantly that in the viscera. Rod-shaped gram-negative bacteria were revealed in the epithelial cells of the notum and the mantle edge as well as in the adjoining glycocalix. These bacteria were enclosed in secondary vacuoles in the epithelial cells. The consequent stages of inoculation of the bacteria into the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, from adhesion to the apical surface to invagination of the cell membrane and formation of the vacuole with an enclosed bacterium, were observed. The presence of dividing bacteria suggests that the epithelium includes a renewable, dividing population of symbiotic bacteria. No bacteria were detected in the gonads and the digestive system. Probable functions of these symbiotic bacteria such as involvement in protection or defense from predators and environmental impacts as well as their nutritional role in the nudibranch are discussed.     

Physiological development of brooded larvae from two pocilloporid corals in Taiwan

In southern Taiwan, brooded larvae of Pocillopora damicornis and Seriatopora caliendrum are released year-round in synchrony with new moons, and each larval release occurs over multiple days. Using P. damicornis and S. caliendrum as a model system, we describe within-brood variation in larval phenotypes and test for release-day effects that influence larval performance in the pelagic phase. Research was conducted in 2010 using larvae from corals collected in June and July from Nanwan Bay (21°56.179??N, 120°44.85??E). In June, larval phenotypes of both species were characterized immediately following release, and their competency to settle assessed. In July, larvae of P. damicornis were collected on 3?days over the peak release period and incubated for 7?C11?days at 28.0?°C and 320???mol?quanta?m^?2?s^?1; their phenotypes and settlement competency were measured every 2?days. P. damicornis larvae released close to peak release were 1.6 times larger in size, contained twice the number of Symbiodinium larva^?1, and were 44?% more likely to settle in the first 24?h than larvae released early in the brood. In addition, peak-release larvae respired at a lower rate than larvae released late in the brood. Similarly, S. caliendrum larvae released close to peak release were 1.4 times larger in size and were 33?% more likely to settle in the first 5?h than larvae released early in the brood. In July, P. damicornis larvae differed between early (2?days prior to peak), peak, and late (2?days after peak) release. Protein content of early-release larvae was lower than peak- and late-release larvae, and this difference persisted throughout the development. Further, release day affected the way larval respiration varied throughout development. By showing that brooded coral larvae differ between release days and display maternal effects influencing performance in the swimming phase, our results suggest that pocilloporid corals utilize bet-hedging to increase reproductive success.     

Ecological drivers of group living in two populations of the communally rearing rodent, Octodon degus

Intraspecific variation in sociality is thought to reflect a trade-off between current fitness benefits and costs that emerge from individuals' decision to join or leave groups. Since those benefits and costs may be influenced by ecological conditions, ecological variation remains a major, ultimate cause of intraspecific variation in sociality. Intraspecific comparisons of mammalian sociality across populations facing different environmental conditions have not provided a consistent relationship between ecological variation and group-living. Thus, we studied two populations of the communally rearing rodent Octodon degus to determine how co-variation between sociality and ecology supports alternative ecological causes of group living. In particular, we examined how variables linked to predation risk, thermal conditions, burrowing costs, and food availability predicted temporal and population variation in sociality. Our study revealed population and temporal variation in total group size and group composition that covaried with population and yearly differences in ecology. In particular, predation risk and burrowing costs are supported as drivers of this social variation in degus. Thermal differences, food quantity and quality were not significant predictors of social group size. In contrast to between populations, social variation within populations was largely uncoupled from ecological differences.     

An invasive riparian tree reduces stream ecosystem efficiency via a recalcitrant organic matter subsidy

A disturbance, such as species invasion, can alter the exchange of materials and organisms between ecosystems, with potential consequences for the function of both ecosystems. Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an exotic tree invading riparian corridors in the western United States, and may alter stream organic matter budgets by increasing allochthonous litter and by reducing light via shading, in turn decreasing in-stream primary production. We used a before-after invasion comparison spanning 35 years to show that Russian olive invasion increased allochthonous litter nearly 25-fold to an invaded vs. a control reach of a stream, and we found that this litter decayed more slowly than native willow. Despite a mean 50% increase in canopy cover by Russian olive and associated shading, there were no significant changes in gross primary production. Benthic organic matter storage increased fourfold after Russian olive invasion compared to pre-invasion conditions, but there were no associated changes in stream ecosystem respiration or organic matter export. Thus, estimated stream ecosystem efficiency (ratio of ecosystem respiration to organic matter input) decreased 14%. These findings show that invasions of nonnative plant species in terrestrial habitats can alter resource fluxes to streams with consequences for whole-ecosystem functions.     

Development of a new standardised method for sustainable monitoring of the vulnerable pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa

The aim of this survey was to test a standardised method to follow the demographic evolution of a dense aggregative ‘forest’ population of the temperate gorgonian Eunicella verrucosa (Octocorallia, Gorgoniidae) using in situ photographic recordings. Distribution, density, growth and demographic evolution of the colonies was compared along two parallel transects. Computer treatment allowed the estimation of the total branch fan surface area, and the individual growth of tagged colonies was determined by measuring the increase in this surface area, using consecutive photographs taken at two-year intervals. To integrate the potential bias of branch overlapping, we proposed a correction factor between the in situ photographic surface area and the surface area of the gorgonian calculated from ex situ photographic surface area with all branches deployed. The surface-frequency distribution of colonies was converted to estimated-age-frequency distribution using an estimated growth curve based on the net growth rate. The technique used revealed significant differences in population structure and the dynamics of gorgonian colonies, as the two transects appeared to be influenced by different environmental conditions. The recruitment also seemed to vary according to year and transect, resulting in different densities. Our work showed clear results in characterising the variations of gorgonian demographic evolution at a small spatial scale; thus, it is assumed that this method could be a sustainable tool for coastal environmental managers.     

Effect of Macroalgal Expansion and Marine Protected Areas on Coral Recovery Following a Climatic Disturbance

Disturbance plays an important role in structuring marine ecosystems, and there is a need to understand how conservation practices, such as the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), facilitate postdisturbance recovery. We evaluated the association of MPAs, herbivorous fish biomass, substrate type, postdisturbance coral cover, and change in macroalgal cover with coral recovery on the fringing reefs of the inner Seychelle islands, where coral mortality after a 1998 bleaching event was extensive. We visually estimated benthic cover and fish biomass at 9 sites in MPAs where fishing is banned and at 12 sites where fishing is permitted in 1994, 2005, 2008, and 2011. We used analysis of variance to examine spatial and temporal variations in coral cover and generalized additive models to identify relations between coral recovery and the aforementioned factors that may promote recovery. Coral recovery occurred on all substrate types, but it was highly variable among sites and times. Between 2005 and 2011 the increase in coral cover averaged 1%/year across 21 sites, and the maximum increase was 4%/year. However, mean coral cover across the study area (14%) remained at half of 1994 levels (28%). Sites within MPAs had faster rates of coral recovery than sites in fished areas only where cover of macroalgae was low and had not increased over time. In MPAs where macroalgae cover expanded since 1998 there was no recovery. Where coral was recovering on granite reefs there was a shift in relative prevalence of colony life‐form from branching to encrusting species. This simplification of reef structure may affect associated reef fauna even if predisturbance levels of coral cover are attained. Efecto de la Expansión de Macroalgas y Áreas Marinas Protegidas sobre la Recuperación de Coral Después de una Perturbación Climática     

Ammonia uptake by plants

The paper considers the methodology and results of experimental determination of dry deposition and ammonia uptake by isolated plant leaves. Analytical expressions are proposed which allow a transition from rates obtained in an isolated chamber to dry ammonia deposition by standing crops leaves.     

The electromotor system of Torpedo

The electric organ of Torpedo, besides providing abundant amounts of cholinoceptive post-synaptic membrane for the isolation of the acetylcholine receptor protein, is a rich source of cholinergic nerve terminals. Using perfused, innervated tissue blocks from which synaptic vesicles in different functional states can be isolated, much information can be obtained about synaptic-vesicle dynamics. So far this is consistent with the view that the synaptic vesicles are the source of transmitter released on stimulation and that uptake of newly synthesized transmitter by the vesicles is dependent on their having discharged their previous charge of transmitter in at least one cycle of exo- and endocytosis. Studies of the protein composition of the vesicle membrane, especially when combined with similar information about the external presynaptic membrane, purified samples of which are now available from synaptosome (T-sac) preparations, promise to throw new light on the molecular mechanism underlying vesicle exo-/endocytosis.     

Membranpermeation und Antibiotika-Resistenz bei Bakterien

The resistance of mainly gram-negative bacteria against antibiotics is discussed with respect to new discoveries on the permeability barrier of the outer membrane. Proteins originally characterized as virus receptors have been found to be involved in the translocation of certain substrates across the membrane. Antibiotics can reach their target by the same “pores”.