Histoincompatibility reactions in the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma

The xenogeneic- and allogeneic immunological specificity of the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma has been investigated. Xenogeneic histoicompatibility reactions have been observed between this hydrocoral and a series of species belonging to the Demospongiae and to the Anthozoa (both Hexacorallia and Octocorallia). The xenogeneic histoincompatibility reactions proceed in the following sequence: (a) Species-unspecific sensitization; (b) necrosis formation, which is very likely due to an autolytic process; (c) callus formation, due to an hyperplastic growth of stolons; and (d) formation of a contact barrier in form of a barrier layer or a restored stolonial layer. Allogeneic histoincompatibility reactions are restricted to those regions of the coral which are interspersed with polyps; allogenic fusion is observed between branches, with a high density of polyps and the “foot”-region, which is characterized by a low polyp density.     

The symbiotic relationship between the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma and the barnacle Savignium milleporum

Translocation of radioactive ¹⁴C and ³²P between the pyrgomatine barnacle Savignium milleporum and the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma in the Red Sea was investigated in order to discover any mutual nutritional benefits. Translocation of photosynthetic products from endosymbiotic zooxanthellae to the hydrocoral was demonstrated. There was no evidence that carbon was further translocated to the barnacle. However, hydrocorals bearing barnacles accumulated significantly more ¹⁴C and ³²P than those with no barnacles. The possibility that the hydrocorals recycle substances excreted by the barnacles is discussed in the context of the oligotrophic environment of the Red Sea.     

Bacterial Consortium of Millepora dichotoma Exhibiting Unusual Multifocal Lesion Event in the Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea

Colonies of the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma along the Gulf of Eilat are exhibiting unusual tissue lesions in the form of white spots. The emergence and rapid establishment of these multifocal tissue lesions was the first of its kind reported in this region. A characterization of this morphological anomaly revealed bleached tissues with a significant presence of bacteria in the tissue lesion area. To ascertain possible differences in microbial biota between the lesion area and non-affected tissues, we characterized the bacterial diversity in the two areas of these hydrocorals. Both culture-independent (molecular) and culture-dependent assays showed a shift in bacterial community structure between the healthy and affected tissues. Several 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from the affected tissues matched sequences of bacterial clones belonging to Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes members previously associated with various diseases in scleractinian corals.     

Comparative toxinological and immunological studies on the nematocyst venoms of the Red Sea fire corals Millepora dichotoma and M. platyphylla

A method appropriate for isolating of fire coral nematocysts of Millepora dichotoma (Md) and Millepora platyphylla (Mp) was described and compared with techniques that had been used before. Isolated nematocyst venoms of Md (Md-TX) and Mp (Mp-TX) were lethal to mice (had LD50 values of 0.51 and 0.21 microg/g mouse body, respectively) and displayed variable hemolytic, vasopermeable and dermonecrotic properties. The potent hemolysins of Md-TX and Mp-TX, which purified by gel filtration chromatography, possessed prominent proteins of molecular weights 35 and 31 kDa and had LD50 values 0.35 and 0.25 microg/g mouse, respectively. Hemolytic activities of crude venoms and their fraction could be inactivated using known anti-hemolytic agents. Both Md-TX and Mp-TX had distinguishable antigenic properties and their antisera raised in immunized mice and stung human were cross-reactive. ELISA assays showed an antigenic similarity among the studied fire coral homologous cytolytic counterparts.     

An integrated morpho-molecular approach to delineate species boundaries of Millepora from the Red Sea

Coral Reefs - Fire corals of the hydrocoral genus Millepora provide an important ecological role as framework builders of coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic. Recent works have...     

Genetic relationships of the hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis and its symbionts within and between locations across the Atlantic

Although the hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis is a prominent and ecologically relevant amphi-Atlantic reef builder, little attention has been given to its endosymbionts which are also involved in the survival and adaptation success of the species in different environments. In this study, we resolve the genetic relationships between M. alcicornis and its symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) within both sides and across the Atlantic. The COI and 16S-rDNA regions were selected for the host tissues, and the 23S-rDNA and ITS regions were chosen for the symbionts. Phylogenetic networks consistently showed that host populations from the eastern Atlantic archipelagos (Canary and Cape Verde Islands) were more related to western Atlantic populations than they were between them. However, results for Symbiodiniaceae species varied according to the molecular marker used. Samples from Mexico were grouped as Symbiodinium sp. (formerly Symbiodinium clade A) by both markers. Specimens from Puerto Rico were grouped as either Symbiodinium sp. or Breviolum sp. (formerly Symbiodinium clade B), according to the molecular marker used. Most samples from the eastern Atlantic were identified as Breviolum sp. by both markers, except for one sample from the Canary Islands and two samples from the Cape Verde Islands, which were identified as Cladocopium sp. (formerly Symbiodinium clade C) using ITS-rDNA. These results suggest that these two genera of Symbiodiniaceae may cohabit the same M. alcicornis colony. Because hydrocorals from the Canary Islands were phylogenetically related to the western Atlantic, but symbionts were more related to those of the Cape Verde Islands, the origin of the coral and its symbionts is probably different. This may be explained either by “horizontal” transmission, i.e. acquisition from the environment, or by a change in the dominant symbiont composition within the host. The flexibility of this hydrocoral to select symbionts, depending on environmental conditions, can provide new insight to understand how this coral may face ongoing climate change.

     

Synchronous reproduction of corals in the Red Sea

Multi-species synchronous spawning was first described on reefs off the east and west coast of Australia. In contrast, locally abundant species in the northern Red Sea and the central Pacific have little overlap in the time of reproduction. Consequently, the idea developed that high levels of spawning synchrony both within and among species was largely confined to Australian reefs. Here, we show that gamete maturity in colonies of the genus Acropora was highly synchronous in the Red Sea. In early April 2008, at two locations separated by 300 km, 13 of 24 species sampled had mature colonies, and a further 9 species had immature colonies. In late April–early May 2008, all colonies sampled had no oocytes, indicating colonies had spawned a few days after the full moon of 20 April 2008. Similarly, in 2009, 99% of colonies from 17 species at Hurghada were mature in late April, and all were empty in early May. Spawn slicks suggested many of these colonies had released gametes three night prior to the full moon on 8 May 2009. This level of synchrony in gamete maturity is among the highest ever recorded and similar to that typically recorded in Acropora assemblages on Australian reefs. While further work is required to document the night of gamete release, these data strongly suggest that high levels of spawning synchrony are a regular feature of these Red Sea coral assemblages and that multi-species spawning occurs on or around the full moon in April and/or May.     

A coral reef refuge in the Red Sea

The stability and persistence of coral reefs in the decades to come is uncertain due to global warming and repeated bleaching events that will lead to reduced resilience of these ecological and socio‐economically important ecosystems. Identifying key refugia is potentially important for future conservation actions. We suggest that the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) (Red Sea) may serve as a reef refugium due to a unique suite of environmental conditions. Our hypothesis is based on experimental detection of an exceptionally high bleaching threshold of northern Red Sea corals and on the potential dispersal of coral planulae larvae through a selective thermal barrier estimated using an ocean model. We propose that millennia of natural selection in the form of a thermal barrier at the southernmost end of the Red Sea have selected coral genotypes that are less susceptible to thermal stress in the northern Red Sea, delaying bleaching events in the GoA by at least a century.     

A new swallow from the Red Sea

A single specimen (Fig. 1), found dead on an islet off Port Sudan in spring 1984 is described as a distinctive new allospecies of African Cliff Swallow Hirundo spilodera.     

Opisthobranch molluscs of the Sudanese Red Sea

Eighteen opisthobranch species are described and illustrated from the Sudanese Red Sea, including seven new species, one new subspecies and three species for which this is the first Red Sea record. Eleven bullomorphs, four pleurobranchomorphs, four sacoglossans and four phyllidiid mudibranchs are now known from the Red Sea.
There appears to be a high percentage of endemic species in the Red Sea. This is what one might expect, in view of the conditions of near isolation, low temperatures and high salinity that prevailed in this sea 13000 23000 years ago.
Of the groups discussed in this paper, one Red Sea species has invaded the Mediterranean Sea, and one Mediterranean species has invaded the Red Sea, since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1867.
Many Red Sea species are very colourful, in comparison to Mediterranean ones. This could perhaps be because Red Sea waters are cleaner, thereby favouring the evolution of greater precision in colour markings.     

Opisthobranch molluscs of the Sudanese Red Sea

Eighteen opisthobranch species are described and illustrated from the Sudanese Red Sea, including seven new species, one new subspecies and three species for which this is the first Red Sea record. Eleven bullomorphs, four pleurobranchomorphs, four sacoglossans and four phyllidiid mudibranchs are now known from the Red Sea. There appears to be a high percentage of endemic species in the Red Sea. This is what one might expect, in view of the conditions of near isolation, low temperatures and high salinity that prevailed in this sea 13000 23000 years ago. Of the groups discussed in this paper, one Red Sea species has invaded the Mediterranean Sea, and one Mediterranean species has invaded the Red Sea, since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1867. Many Red Sea species are very colourful, in comparison to Mediterranean ones. This could perhaps be because Red Sea waters are cleaner, thereby favouring the evolution of greater precision in colour markings.     

Discrimination of coral reflectance spectra in the Red Sea

Benthic populations can potentially be mapped from remotely acquired spectral imagery, provided that they have distinctive reflectance signatures. We examined the spectral reflectance characteristics of 14 genera of Red Sea coral using a submersible spectroradiometer. Coral spectra varied quantitatively and qualitatively over the depth interval 5-20 m. Tissue pigment content had a larger effect on reflectance than colony morphology. Ten coral genera could be discriminated with a statistical probability of 52% on the basis of their absolute reflectance. Six groups of two to three coral genera could be discriminated with a probability of 60% on the basis of their rates of change in reflectance at specific wavelengths. All coral genera could be discriminated with a minimum probability of 59% on the basis of their proportionate reflectance at one wavelength as compared with another. Ratio analysis holds significant potential for interpretation of remotely sensed imagery because measurement of reflectance at six wavelengths generates 15 different parameters that can be used to identify and discriminate the component classes. The method distinguishes spectra on the basis of their shape rather than their amplitude, which helps to factor out light-induced variation in pigment concentration, exposing taxon-specific differences in pigment composition and morphology.     

A review of elasmobranch research in the Red Sea

Given the global concern about the status of elasmobranch fishes, the paucity of information on elasmobranchs in the Red Sea is worrisome. Management of elasmobranchs in areas other than the Red Sea has been helped by research on population ecology, reproductive biology and resource partitioning, subjects that are virtually absent in the Red Sea elasmobranch literature. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of elasmobranch biology in the Red Sea with the aim of facilitating research in a region that remains remarkably under-studied.     

中国沿海的赤潮问题

统计了中国沿海１９７２～１９９８年的赤潮事件３６０起（香港、台湾省未统计在内）,系统介绍了中国赤潮研究概况和研究机构与组织。对中国沿海的赤潮进行分海区分析。根据海洋学特征,中国赤潮可分为：近岸型（河口和内湾型）、外海型（外洋型）、外来型（外源型）、养殖区型赤潮。根据中国近十多年来发生赤潮的现状,可归纳为４个特点：①频率增高;②持续时间长、范围广和危害增大;③新记录和有毒种类增多;④“双相型”赤潮有上升趋势、类型多样等。     

Hemopexin increases the neurotoxicity of hemoglobin when haptoglobin is absent

Hemopexin (Hpx) binds heme with extraordinary affinity, and after haptoglobin may provide a second line of defense against the toxicity of extracellular hemoglobin (Hb). In this series of experiments, the hypothesis that Hpx protects neurons from Hb neurotoxicity was evaluated in murine primary cultures containing neurons and glial cells. Contrary to hypothesis, Hpx increased neuronal loss due to micromolar concentrations of Hb by 4‐ to 12‐fold, as measured by LDH release assay; conversely, the neurotoxicity of hemin was completely prevented. The endogenous fluorescence of Hpx was quenched by Hb, consistent with transfer of Hb‐bound heme to Hpx. This was associated with precipitation of globin chains, as detected by immunostaining and fluorescent Hb labeling. A portion of this precipitate attached firmly to cells and could not be removed by multiple washes. Concomitant treatment with haptoglobin (Hp) prevented globin precipitation and most of the increase in neuronal loss. Hpx weakly attenuated the increase in culture non‐heme iron produced by Hb treatment, quantified by ferrozine assay. However, Hb‐Hpx toxicity was iron‐dependent, and was blocked by deferoxamine and ferrostatin‐1. Up‐regulation of cell ferritin expression, a primary cell defense against Hb toxicity, was not observed on western blots of culture lysates that had been concomitantly treated with Hpx. These results suggest that Hpx destabilizes Hb in the absence of haptoglobin, leading to globin precipitation and exacerbation of iron‐dependent oxidative cell injury. Combined therapy with hemopexin plus haptoglobin may be preferable to hemopexin alone after CNS hemorrhage.

     

Intraflagellar transport is essential for mammalian spermiogenesis but is absent in mature sperm

Drosophila sperm are unusual in that they do not require the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system for assembly of their flagella. In the mouse, the IFT proteins are very abundant in testis, but we here show that mature sperm are completely devoid of them, making the importance of IFT to mammalian sperm development unclear. To address this question, we characterized spermiogenesis and fertility in the Ift88^Tg737Rpw mouse. This mouse has a hypomorphic mutation in the gene encoding the IFT88 subunit of the IFT particle. This mutation is highly disruptive to ciliary assembly in other organs. Ift88^−/− mice are completely sterile. They produce ∼350-fold fewer sperm than wild-type mice, and the remaining sperm completely lack or have very short flagella. The short flagella rarely have axonemes but assemble ectopic microtubules and outer dense fibers and accumulate improperly assembled fibrous sheath proteins. Thus IFT is essential for the formation but not the maintenance of mammalian sperm flagella.