不同年龄段大连群体菲律宾蛤仔EST-SSR多样性

为查明年龄结构对菲律宾蛤仔同一群体内遗传多样的影响,采用14个SSR分子标记对大连石河不同年龄段的野生蛤仔进行了检测。结果表明:不同年龄段(1龄-Age1、2龄-Age2、3龄-Age3)蛤仔均维持着较高的遗传多样性。根据POPGENE 1.31和SPSS16.0统计分析显示,位点Rp-11、Rp-12、Rp-19对3个年龄段蛤仔的等位基因数差异极显著(P<0.01);位点Rp-20、Rp-24、Rp-27、Rp-30对其差异显著(P<0.05);剩余7个位点表现为差异不显著(P>0.05)。在平均水平上,每位点等位基因数目Na为4.3095,有效等位基因数目Ne为2.3729,多态位点百分数P(%)为14。观察杂合度和期望杂合度都比较高,观察杂合度平均为Ho=0.2335,期望杂合度平均为He=0.5140。而且,Ne和He随年龄的变化表现出Age2>Age3>Age1的趋势。各年龄段蛤仔——Age1、Age2、Age3的平均观察杂合度(Ho)和平均期望杂合度(He)分别为0.2357、0.2546、0.2159和0.4951、0.5286、0.5184。Age2的遗传多样性指数高于Age1及Age3,遗传分化相对较低。其中,Age1与Age3蛤仔遗传距离最小,D为0.0195,即变异很小;而Age1与Age2遗传距离较大,D为0.0437,变化范围不大(0.0195—0.0437)。从遗传一致度的数值上看了3个年龄段蛤仔的遗传相似程度很大,平均为0.9655。Age1与Age3遗传相似程度高达0.9807,而Age1与Age2相似程度较小为0.9572。说明不同年龄段蛤仔相似程度非常高。根据不同年龄段蛤仔的遗传距离,采用UPGMA平均聚类方法对其进行聚类可知,Age3与Age1蛤仔间遗传距离较小,与Age2蛤仔差异较大。通过对等位基因频率进行卡方检验发现,随着年龄结构的变化,部分基因基因频率减小;同时随着年龄的增长,有部分等位基因得到了纯化。大连群体蛤仔总的遗传分化较低,其遗传分化指数Fst为0.0248(Fst<0.05),遗传分化系数为0.02,说明总的遗传变异中有2%来自于不同年龄段的蛤仔之间。遗传距离和遗传一致度均值分别为0.035和0.9655,基因流(Nm=9.8238)相对流畅,进一步表明年龄结构对蛤仔种群内遗传分化的影响较小。     

点源污染对胶州湾海水体系中不同形态重金属富集的影响

对胶州湾水体中悬浮颗粒物、柱状沉积物和底栖生物中重金属的污染与富集状况进行了分析与评价.结果表明:大量未处理的废水污水的排放入海与陆源物质向外海的有限扩散直接导致了点污染源对水体及生物体中重金属的富集.悬浮物中重金属的富集已明显受到人为因素的影响;柱状样的人为影响因子表明河口区沉积物的污染状况较其它海区重;胶州湾底栖生物体内重金属的含量与离污染源的远近有关系,底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔对重金属Cd的富集能力大于其它金属.     

环境因子及规格对菲律宾蛤仔幼贝潜沙行为的影响

作为埋栖型滩涂贝类的典型代表种类,菲律宾蛤仔Ruditapes philippinarum具有很强的潜沙行为。为了进一步了解其生态行为学,在室内实验室条件下,模拟了常见环境因子温度、盐度、p H值以及流速和规格大小对蛤仔幼贝(6—12 mm)潜沙速度的影响。结果表明,温度10—30℃,盐度25—30,p H值在6.0—9.0范围内蛤仔幼贝均能100%潜沙;在试验观察的4—5 h内,盐度由30突变至10时没有蛤仔潜沙,突变至20时有20%—30%潜沙(20℃,庄河蛤仔)或100%潜沙(15℃,福建蛤仔);p H值由8.0突变至10.0时不能潜沙;以暂养海水的温度(15或20℃)、盐度(30)和p H值(8.0)为中心,随着各个指标向两侧突变潜沙时间延长;流速为3、4和5 cm/s时,随流速增大潜沙速度加快;在规格6、9 mm和12 mm的幼贝中,以12 mm潜沙速度最快。若以半数潜沙时间(ET_(50))为判定指标,则适宜潜沙温度为15—20℃,盐度为25—30,p H值为7—9(莆田蛤仔)和8.0(庄河蛤仔)。在适宜条件下,蛤仔幼贝1 min内开始潜沙,3 min内有半数潜沙,5 min便全部潜沙。研究发现环境突变对蛤仔潜沙有明显影响,在天然海区放养蛤仔时应该注意购买地和放养海区温度、盐度和p H值的差异,并且选取10 mm以上幼贝放养效果较好。所得结论对完善菲律宾蛤仔幼贝的行为学及其底播养殖技术提供了有意义的参考。     

菲律宾蛤仔莆田群体与大连群体生物学比较

对菲律宾蛤仔莆田和大连群体形态及生物学进行了比较。菲律宾蛤仔大连群体和莆田群体的生物学零度(BZP)分别为6.77℃和10.99℃;有效积温(EAT)分别为315.21和172.79℃.d。通过人工促熟,大连群体繁殖期比自然海区提早1个月,莆田群体比自然海区提早5个月。莆田的蛤仔第1次最高产卵量可达104万粒,大连的蛤仔最高产卵量可达65万粒,大连的蛤仔卵径(66.13±2.40)μm(n=40),莆田的蛤仔卵径(71.88±3.14)μm(n=40),二者差异显著(p<0.01)。大连的蛤仔D形幼虫大小平均96.13(±5.83)μm×76.75(±4.46)μm(n=40);莆田的蛤仔D形幼虫大小平均107.63(±5.55)μm×82.88(±4.22)μm,二者差异显著(p<0.01)。莆田的蛤仔幼虫整个浮游期平均日增长9.63μm×9.79μm,大连的蛤仔幼虫整个浮游期平均日增长12.20μm×12.47μm,后者快于前者(p<0.01)。大连的蛤仔在水温25℃以上条件下,浮游期为10d左右,附着大小为179.9μm×174.4μm,附着至变态需8~9d,变态大小230.0μm×220.0μm,相同条件下,莆田的蛤仔浮游期仅5~6d,附着至变态只需4~5d,附着大小为174.9μm×171.4μm,变态大小仅为196.7μm×190.8μm。     

两种海星对三种双壳贝类的捕食选择性和摄食率

在实验室条件下,研究了多棘海盘车和海燕这两种海星对栉孔扇贝、菲律宾蛤仔和贻贝三种双壳贝类的捕食选择性和摄食率及温度的影响,测定了捕食Q₁₀温度系数。结果显示:多棘海盘车和海燕对三种贝类均可捕食,且表现出明显的捕食选择性,选择顺序依次为菲律宾蛤仔、贻贝和栉孔扇贝。海星对菲律宾蛤仔的摄食率显著高于其他两种贝类,分别为0.50和0.37个/d;对扇贝的摄食率最低,分别为0.05和0.07个/d。海星摄食率随水温升高而呈上升的趋势,总平均摄食干重分别为0.69 和0.79 g/d。水温从4.3 ℃升高到7.8 ℃多棘海盘车和海燕捕食Q₁₀系数分别为6.38和2.33,而水温从7.8 ℃升高至13.3 ℃时,Q₁₀系数没有显著升高,分别为1.13和1.22。说明水温从4.3 ℃升高时,海星捕食强度显著升高,是防御海星的重点时期。根据海星对贝类捕食的选择性,可在养殖笼内放入贻贝等低值贝类来保护扇贝,缓冲海星对扇贝的捕食,并在缓冲期间对养殖笼内的海星进行清除。     

菲律宾蛤仔EST_SSR标记与生长性状的相关分析

研究利用20个微卫星标记对菲律宾蛤仔斑马蛤F2代家系107个个体进行遗传多样性分析,并对标记位点与生长相关性状进行分析。在20个微卫星位点共检测到41个等位基因,各位点等位基因数为2—3个,等位基因片段大小为109—430 bp,平均等位基因数为2.05个。平均有效等位基因数为1.71个,观测杂合度平均值为0.504,期望杂合度的平均值为0.431,平均多态信息含量为0.324。经卡方检验,3个位点SSR11,SSR164和SSR213的基因型分布显著偏离了孟德尔定律(P0.01)。运用SPSS 20.0对20个微卫星位点与菲律宾蛤仔斑马蛤家系生长性状的相关性(壳长、壳宽、壳高和体重)进行连锁显著性检验。结果表明,SSR9位点与壳高存在显著的相关关系(P0.05),SSR135和SSR164位点与壳宽呈显著相关(P0.05),SSR142位点与体重呈显著性相关(P0.05)。研究结果可为菲律宾蛤仔的分子标记辅助选育提供参考。     

桑沟湾春季叶绿素a浓度分布及其影响因素

依据2014年5月走航和定点连续调查资料,分析了桑沟湾叶绿素a的空间分布及昼日变化特征,结合理、化环境因素的相关性分析,探讨影响叶绿素a浓度的主要因素。(1)走航调查的结果显示,桑沟湾春季叶绿素a浓度较低,叶绿素a浓度范围为0.11—1.40μg/L,平均为(0.64±0.36)μg/L。叶绿素a浓度从湾内向湾外逐步降低,贝类区混养区海带区外海区;湾内表层叶绿素a浓度均高于底层,而湾外的非养殖区则相反(2)网箱区叶绿素a浓度最高,日平均为1.70μg/L,显著高于其它3个区;海草区最低,为0.57μg/L,与海带养殖区无显著性差异,显著低于贝类养殖区和网箱区。叶绿素a浓度的总体趋势为:网箱区贝类区海带区和海草区。而且,不同养殖区域,叶绿素a浓度昼夜变化规律各不相同,反映了养殖活动的影响。海草区白天表层高于底层,而夜间则相反;网箱区底层均高于表层;贝类区表层均高于底层;海带区表底层叶绿素a浓度呈现出升降交替的规律。(3)叶绿素a浓度与硅酸盐、水温显著正相关,与其他环境因子,如氨氮、亚硝酸盐、磷酸盐等无显著相关性。硅酸盐和温度可能为影响桑沟湾春季浮游植物生长的主要限制性因素。(4)桑沟湾春季浮游植物生长受多重因素的限制,湾内营养盐浓度与叶绿素a浓度并未呈现显著的规律性,营养盐的上行控制和贝类摄食的下行控制均能影响浮游植物的生长。     

辽东山区次生林生态系统不同林型树干茎流的理化性质

为明确森林对降雨水质的影响,于2011年6-8月,对辽东山区次生林生态系统5种主要林型:落叶松人工林(Larix olgensis)(Lo)、花曲柳林(Fraxinus rhynchophulla)(Fr)、杂木林(Mb)、红松人工林(Pinus koraiensis(Pk)和蒙古栎林(Querus mongolica)(Om)中树干茎流和林外雨理化性质进行了监测.与林外雨相比,5种林型树干茎流均出现明显酸化(P＜0.05),酸化程度为:Pk＞ Lo＞ Fr＞ Om＞ Mb;各林型树干茎流的电导率、总溶解固体含量、氯离子浓度、硝酸根离子浓度、铵根离子浓度浓度和总磷浓度显著升高(P＜0.05),溶解氧浓度明显下降(P＜0.05).林型间相比,Lo与Pk的电导率和总溶解固体含量和Lo的氯离子浓度较高;Lo和Pk的硝酸根离子浓度和总磷浓度明显低于其它林型(P＜0.05);Mb的硝酸根离子浓度和总磷浓度显著高于其它林型(P＜0.05).各林型树干茎流的硝酸根离子浓度和胸径与树高的乘积呈显著正相关.上述结果主要受降雨因素(降雨前干沉降时间长度等)、林分特征(叶面积指数、树皮特征)、树木枝叶表层积累物质的理化性质等影响.结论:各林型树干茎流水质均明显下降,其中Mb树干茎流对雨水化学性质影响较大;Pk和Lo树干茎流水体纯度下降最为显著.     

丹酚酸B对高糖日粮小鼠消化系统自由基水平的影响

本文研究了丹酚酸B(salvianolic acid B,Sal B)对灌注及长期摄食高糖小鼠活性氧自由基(reactive oxygen species,ROS)的影响.结果表明:灌胃高糖使小鼠全血ROS于1.5 h达到最大值,灌胃葡萄糖的ROS释放量显著高于蔗糖(P＜0.05);灌胃高糖使小鼠血糖浓度于0.5 h达到最高,灌胃葡萄糖的小鼠血糖浓度有高于灌胃蔗糖的小鼠血糖浓度的趋势(P＞0.05);添加Sal B后并没有改变灌胃高糖小鼠的全血ROS释放和血糖浓度变化趋势,但有降低血糖趋势(P＞0.05),显著减少了ROS的释放量(P＜0.05);添加Sal B后显著降低长期高糖膳食小鼠的全血、肝脏、胰腺、胃、十二指肠、空肠和回肠的ROS释放量.     

饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因表达和抗菌能力的影响

在饲料中添加0、30和50 mg Cu/kg饲料的蛋氨酸铜,投喂凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)7、14和21d,检测对虾体组织铜蓄积、免疫相关基因(Toll受体mRNA和溶菌酶mRNA)表达水平和免疫抗菌能力的变化。结果表明:凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺铜含量随着饲料蛋氨酸铜添加量增加及投喂时间延长而显著增加(P0.05);对虾肌肉的铜含量显著低于肝胰腺的铜含量。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾肌肉、血淋巴及肝胰腺中溶菌酶活性无显著影响(P0.05)。对虾组织SOD活性因饲料中铜水平和投喂时间变化显著,添加30 mgCu/kg组对虾肌肉、血淋巴和肝胰腺中SOD活性在第21天时显著高于其他两组(P0.05)。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中溶菌酶mRNA表达水平无显著影响,但显著影响鳃组织Toll受体mRNA表达水平(P0.05)。第7天时凡纳滨对虾Toll受体mRNA表达水平随着饲料铜水平升高而显著升高(P0.05);第14和第21天时,Toll受体mRNA表达水平在摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组最高。人工急性感染溶藻弧菌(Vibrioalginolyticus)实验表明,第7天时,摄食添加50 mg Cu/kg组凡纳滨对虾全致死时间和半致死时间长于未添加铜组和添加30 mgCu/kg组,但在第14天,摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组的全致死时间和半致死时间最长。研究表明饲料铜添加水平不但影响组织中铜的蓄积,还影响凡纳滨对虾SOD活性和Toll受体mRNA表达水平,从而影响机体的抗弧菌能力。     

Bioaccumulation of copper, lead and zinc by the bivalves Macomona liliana and Austrovenus stutchburyi

Aquatic organisms take up heavy metals from surrounding environments which accumulate in their body tissues. In the region of Auckland, New Zealand, the heavy metals, copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) are the primary sediment contaminants of concern. Previous investigations have revealed adverse effects of Cu and Zn, but not of Pb, on estuarine infauna and a higher sensitivity of the deposit-feeding bivalve Macomona liliana than the suspension-feeding bivalve Austrovenus stutchburyi to these metals. In order to further examine the bioavailability of Cu, Pb and/or Zn and their interactive effects, bioaccumulation of Cu, Pb and Zn was measured in M. liliana and A. stutchburyi after 10-day exposure to these metals in the laboratory. Both bivalves accumulated Pb and Zn, while bioaccumulation of Cu only occurred in A. stutchburyi in the presence of Zn. There was some evidence that the presence of Pb could increase bioaccumulation of Zn. Bioaccumulation was generally much higher in M. liliana than in A. stutchburyi, potentially suggesting their higher uptake rates of metals and thus explaining the higher sensitivity of M. liliana to these heavy metals. Bioaccumulation of Pb in the bivalves and its potential influences on the bioavailability of other metals indicated that, despite the lack of any evidence for acute toxicity of Pb in previous studies, it could still pose a potentially important environmental threat. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals found in the present study also highlights the needs for further investigations of potential chronic toxicity of these metals.     

遮蔽行为对海刺猬摄食、生长和性腺性状的影响

海胆遮蔽行为对于海胆的生长和发育的影响目前还不清楚,在实验室条件下,研究了遮蔽行为对海刺猬(Glyptocidariscrenularis)摄食、生长和性腺性状的影响。实验设两个对照组和一个处理组:对照组为无任何遮蔽条件的空白组和以堆积砖块创造的黑暗空间来满足海胆的掩蔽行为的掩蔽组,遮蔽组则以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的贝壳作为遮蔽物来满足海胆的遮蔽行为。结果显示:遮蔽组的海胆周摄食量要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组与遮蔽组和掩蔽组之间的差异不显著(P>0.05);各组海胆的存活率没有显著差异(P>0.05);空白组和遮蔽组海胆的壳径、壳高、体重要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组和遮蔽组之间没有显著性的差异(P>0.05);空白组和遮蔽组的性腺湿重、性腺干重、性腺指数、壳湿重、壳干重、亚氏提灯湿重、亚氏提灯干重要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组和遮蔽组之间没有显著性的差异(P>0.05);空白组的提灯指数要显著小于遮蔽组和掩蔽组(P<0.05),而遮蔽组和掩蔽组之间没有显著的差异(P>0.05)。结果证明,遮蔽和掩蔽行为对海刺猬生长及发育的影响是有差别的,掩蔽行为对海刺猬的生长与发育造成了负面影响,而遮蔽行为在一定的生活环境条件下不会对其生长造成影响。研究表明,海刺猬的遮蔽行为反映了其对外界不利环境条件的一种适应性,且这种行为对其生长和发育的影响与掩蔽行为有所不同。至于海刺猬遮蔽行为的进化选择压力,目前的研究还不足以下定论,需要进一步深入的研究。     

The course and mortality of a hematopoietic neoplasm in the soft-shell clam,Mya arenaria

Results from two experiments containing approximately 280 Mya arenaria indicated that significantly higher (P < 0.05) mortality occurred within the neoplastic clam population than in the nonneoplastic clam population. Using an in vivo blood cytological technique, five levels of severity were established. The levels were based on the number of neoplastic cells in the circulation with level 1 as the lowest severity and level 5 as the highest severity. Neoplastic clams that were diagnosed as the lowest level had higher survival rates (60%) than those clams diagnosed as the highest level (0%). The hematopoietic neoplasm in M. arenaria followed one of three courses: (1) in approximately 50% of the neoplastic clams the disease progressed to a higher severity and resulted in death; (2) in approximately 40% of the neoplastic clams the disease was chronic, i.e., remained at a stable level; and (3) in approximately 10% of the neoplastic clams the disease diminished in severity or disappeared entirely. In addition, 10% of the clams diagnosed as nonneoplastic at the beginning of the experiments were neoplastic by the termination of the experiment. The contraction of the disease may have been de novo or by stimulation of latent infections.The prevalence of the neoplasm in clams collected from an epizootic area followed a biphasic seasonal pattern. The highest prevalences occurred in October, November, and in May. The hematopoietic neoplasm in M. arenaria was also age and species specific.     

Reduction of attractiveness to the sea star Asterias forbesi (Desor) by the clam Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus)

Both in field and laboratory choice tests, the sea star, Asterias forbesi (Desor), was attracted to distant upstream clams, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus). Clams exposed to upstream sea stars were chosen less frequently by downstream sea stars than clams without sea stars upstream. Sea stars neither attracted nor repelled downstream conspecifics.When clams were exposed to upstream sea stars, their oxygen consumption decreased, as did their pumping rate and activity (as measured by number of visible siphons). The former may result from one or both of the latter.It is concluded that clam and sea star sense each other over a distance by chemical cues. The response of the clam is a general lowering of activity which may result in decreased attractiveness to sea star predators. This response may serve as a defensive measure against distance detection by Asterias forbesi.     

不同实验生态环境对海刺猬遮蔽行为的影响

研究了较长时间生活在3种不同实验遮蔽条件下海刺猬(Glyptocidaris crenularis)的遮蔽行为特点。结果表明:不同生活环境下海刺猬都保持着遮蔽行为。生活在以贝壳作为遮蔽材料环境下(遮蔽组)和以砖块作为掩蔽材料环境下(掩蔽组)的海刺猬初次遮蔽耗时要显著短于生活在无遮蔽(或掩蔽)材料环境下(空白组)的海刺猬(N=3,P<0.05)。3组海刺猬用于遮蔽的贝壳总数和有遮蔽行为的海刺猬总数都呈现先增加后趋于平稳的趋势。掩蔽组有遮蔽行为的海刺猬总数要显著多于遮蔽组和空白组(P<0.05),后两者差异不显著。3组海刺猬用于遮蔽的贝壳总数差异不显著(P>0.05)。海刺猬遮蔽时对两种贝壳(菲律宾蛤仔和贻贝)存在显著的选择差异(P<0.05)。生活环境中一段时间内遮蔽物的缺失并不会使其失去这种行为,但是会在一定程度上影响该行为的强度。因此,光照很可能是海刺猬遮蔽行为的一个进化压力,该行为也许只是作为一种避光策略。海刺猬对遮蔽材料具有显著的选择性,这可能与遮蔽材料自身特征和海刺猬的生理状态相关。     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Sediments and Manila Clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from the Dalian Coast, China after the Dalian Port Oil Spill

We conducted an investigation of heavy metal concentrations in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and surface sediments after the Dalian Port oil spill. Samples were collected from three mariculture zones (Jinshitan, Dalijia, and Pikou) along the Dalian coast. Heavy metal concentrations in R. philippinarum were consistent and ranked in decreasing order of Zn > Cu > As > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg, while concentrations in surface sediments were ranked as Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > As > Cd > Hg, respectively. Bioaccumulation of Zn, Cd, and Hg had obviously occurred in R. philippinarum. Statistically significant correlations (p?<?0.05) between concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in R. philippinarum and in surface sediments were observed. Except for Cr and As, heavy metal concentrations in R. philippinarum were well within the legal limits for human consumption.     

Essential oil composition of Hypericum L. species from Southeastern Serbia and their chemotaxonomy

The essential oils of the aerial parts of nine species of Hypericum (Hypericum barbatum, Hypericum hirsutum, Hypericum linarioides, Hypericum maculatum, Hypericum olympicum, Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum richeri, Hypericum rumeliacum and Hypericum tetrapterum), collected from different locations in Southeast Serbia, were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC and GC–MS. The essential oils investigated were characterized by a high content of non-terpene compounds and a low content of monoterpenes. The contents of non-terpenes, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in oils of the species H. barbatum, H. richeri and H. rumeliacum (section Drosocaprium) were similar and these oils were characterized by high contents of fatty acids. The oils of H. hirsutum and H. linarioides (section Taeniocarpium) contained a high percentage of n-nonane. There were similarities in contents of non-terpenes and sesquiterpenes in oils of species that belong to the section Hypericum (H. maculatum, H. perforatum and H. tetrapterum). The oil of H. olympicum differed from others by higher terpene content. A comparison was also carried out of the chemical composition of the essential oils from flower, leaf and stem of H. perforatum and it revealed that the highest concentration of non-terpene compounds was found in the flower and stem oil, while a high concentration of sesquiterpenes was characteristic for leaf oil. There were significant differences in the concentrations of the same compounds in the essential oils of H. maculatum, H. olympicum and H. perforatum, collected in different years from the same location which could be explained by seasonal differences. All data were statistically processed with principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The main conclusion from the above data is that genetic and environmental factors both play a role in determining the composition of essential oils of the Hypericum species studied.     

Evolution of the tRNA gene family in mitochondrial genomes of five Meretrix clams (Bivalvia,Veneridae)

In contrast to the extreme conservation of nuclear-encoded tRNAs, organization of the mitochondrial (mt) tRNA gene family in invertebrates is highly dynamic and rapidly evolving. While gene duplication and loss, gene isomerism, recruitment, and rearrangements have occurred sporadically in several invertebrate lineages, little is known regarding the pattern of their evolution. Comparisons of invertebrate mt genomes at a generic level can be extremely helpful in investigating evolutionary patterns of variation, as intermediate stages of the process may be identified. Variation of mitochondrial tRNA organization among Meretrix clams provides good materials to investigate mt tRNA evolution. We characterized the complete mt genome of the lyrate Asiatic hard clam Meretrix lyrata, re-annotated tRNAs of four previously sequenced Meretrix clams, and undertook an intensive comparison of tRNA gene families in these clams. Our results 1) provide evidence that the commonly observed duplication of trnM may have occurred independently in different bivalve lineages and, based on the higher degree of trnM gene similarity, may have occurred more recently than expected; 2) suggest that “horizontal” evolution may have played an important role in tRNA gene family evolution based on frequent gene duplications and gene recruitment events; and 3) reveal the first case of isoacceptor “vertical” tRNA gene recruitment (VTGR) and present the first clear evidence that VTGR allows rapid evolution of tRNAs. We identify the trnS^− UCR gene in Meretrix clams, previously considered missing in this lineage, and speculate that trnS^− UCR lacking the D-arm in both M. lyrata and Meretrix lamarckii may represent the ancestral status. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 concatenate protein-coding genes provided opportunities to detect rapidly evolved tRNA genes via VTGR and gene isomerism processes. This study suggests that evolution of the mt tRNA gene family in bivalves is more complex than previously thought and that comparison of several congeneric species is a useful strategy in investigating evolutionary patterns and dynamics of mt tRNA genes.     

Seasonal variation in Emiliania huxleyi coccolith morphology and calcification in the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

A seasonal morphological variability is observed in Emiliania huxleyi var. huxleyi specimens, collected from discrete water samples in the Aegean Sea. Biometric analyses reveal a consistent pattern of increase in the size of coccoliths and coccospheres, including the thickness of the inner tube elements (INT), in winter/spring time low sea surface temperature and moderate productivity samples when compared with summer time high temperature-low productivity samples. The small range of salinity change in the Aegean Sea and the absence of seasonal pattern in nutrient content do not support any association with the observed increase in E. huxleyi coccolith size. A relatively increased [HCO₃^-] content is observed during spring-time interval related with the increase in the coccolith size, however it remains unclear which parameter of the carbonate system causes the observed effects.