Post-larval development of the commercial sponge Spongia officinalis L. (Porifera, Demospongiae)

This study investigated the development of the larvae of Spongia officinalis in experimental conditions, after settlement on plastic substrates, using electron and light microscopy. The released larvae show a dark pigmented ring distinguishes the posterior larval pole. The youngest larvae, covered with a flagellate epithelium, move onwards by rotating on their longitudinal axis. Over time a creeping-like motion prevails, probably linked to the need for settlement. After a free-swimming period of 24-48 h, larvae settle on the artificial substrate by the anterior pole. At settlement, the flagellate epithelium is substituted by flattened cells, which delimit the outermost surface. Post-larvae were reared to about three months. The early phase of post-larval differentiation shows a solid interior mainly consisting of granular cells varying in shape and size. They are included in a dense collagen matrix that contains a conspicuous amount of bacteria. Lacunae are already evident in the initial phase of metamorphosis. In several of them, cell debris and nucleate cells are visible. This feature is consistent with a progressive reduction of the cell mass (autolysis). Neither choanocyte chambers nor canals differentiate. The morphogenetic process leads to a metamorph only consisting of vacuolated cells and collagen fibrils included in a thin fibrous coat.     

Revision of the genus Clathrina (Porifera, Calcarea)

The genus Clathrina has one of the most difficult systematic arrangements in the Porifera, Class Calcarea. Few morphological characters can be used to describe its species, and the systematics and the geographical distribution of its species have changed several times, according to the point of view of the systematists. 'Lumpers' consider that clathrinas are morphologically plastic, while 'splitters' believe that even slight morphological differences should be considered sufficient to distinguish between species. The morphology of several specimens/species of Clathrina , including the type species, when possible, was studied and used to produce the first revision of this genus. Using results obtained from previous morphological and molecular studies, the morphological characters were chosen and analysed in all studied specimens. In total, 43 species were found, nine of which are new to science. These results agree with the viewpoint that morphological characters such as type and distribution of spicules, size of actines, spines, anastomosis of the cormus, organization of the osculum and presence of granules in cells, are useful when establishing the taxonomy of the genus.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 139 , 1−62.     

来源于海绵的纳米生物硅材料及其相关酶研究进展

水生生物海绵的纳米结构的硅质骨针及其相关酶,在微电子、光纤及生物医学等方面具有诱人的前景,硅生物技术研究的发展有望成为纳米生物技术的一个新亮点。简要综述了海绵骨针的结构、组成及其形态发生过程,骨针合成代谢相关酶——硅聚合酶、骨针分解代谢相关酶——硅分解酶基因的克隆及表达影响因子,海绵骨针硅材料及其相关酶的获得、体外催化活性及潜在应用。     

Coscinoderma sporadense sp.n. from the Aegean Sea with comments on Coscinoderma confragosum (Porifera, Dictyoceratida)

Coscinoderma sporadense sp.n. is described from shallow waters in the North Aegean. This is the first record of a Coscinoderma species from the Mediterranean. The new species is compared to the deep water East Atlantic Coscinoderma confragosum Poléjaeff, 1884, and clear differences between them are established. The status of the genus Coscinoderma is discussed.     

Cold hardiness of the green gemmules of Spongilla lacustris L. (Porifera: Spongillidae)

Most green gemmules of Spongilla lacustris survived enclosure in ice at –20 °C for up to 30 days; however, their rate of germination at 20 °C was less rapid than that of control gemmules. The length of time spent at low temperature had little effect on gemmule survival. In contrast, repeated cooling to –20 °C and warming to 4 °C led to a progressive decline in gemmule viability. These results indicate that cold injury occurs primarily during transitions between high and low temperatures.     

The occurrence of Corvomeyenia carolinensis (Harrison, 1971) (Porifera: Spongillidae) in Connecticut

Examination of spicules from a living sponge confirmed thepresenceof Corvomeyenia carolinensis in Mohawk Pond, LitchfieldCounty, Connecticut. Until recently this species had only beenreported from one locality in South Carolina. Based uponspiculeobservations in dated sediment samples this species appears tohaveexisted within Mohawk Pond throughout the past 100+years.     

Liver iron depletion and toxicity of the iron chelator Deferiprone (L, CP20) in the guinea pig

The use of the iron chelator deferiprone (L, CP20, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one) for the treatment of diseases of iron overload and other disorders is problematic and requires further evaluation. In this study the efficacy, toxicity and mechanism of action of orally administered L were investigated in the guinea pig using the carbonyl iron model of iron overload. In an acute trial, depletion of liver non-heme iron in drug-treated guinea pigs (normal iron status) was maximal (approximately 50% of control) after a single oral dose of L1 of 200 mg kg, suggesting a limited chelatable pool in normal tissue. There was no apparent toxicity up to 600 mg kg. In each of two sub-acute trials, normal and iron-loaded animals were fed L (300 mg kg day) or placebo for six days. Final mortalities were 12/20 (L) and 0/20 (placebo). Symptoms included weakness, weight loss and eye discharge. Iron-loaded as well as normal guinea pigs were affected, indicating that at this drug level iron loading was not protective. In a chronic trial guinea pigs received L (50 mg kg day) or placebo for six days per week over eight months. Liver non-heme iron was reduced in animals iron-loaded prior to the trial. The increase in a wave latency (electroretinogram), the foci of hepatic, myocardial and musculo-skeletal necrosis, and the decrease in white blood cells in the drug-treated/normal diet group even at the low dose of 50 mg kg day suggests that L may be unsuitable for the treatment of diseases which do not involve Fe overload. However, the low level of pathology in animals treated with iron prior to the trial suggests that even a small degree of iron overload (two-fold after eight months) is protective at this drug level. We conclude that the relationship between drug dose and iron status is critical in avoiding toxicity and must be monitored rigorously as cellular iron is depleted.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the endangered Mediterranean sponge Spongia agaricina (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida)

The abundance of the bath sponge Spongia agaricina has decreased drastically in recent years and it is now considered an endangered species under Annex 3 of Bern and Barcelona conventions. We describe eight microsatellite markers and present data on their allelic variation and utility as high resolution genetic markers. We analyzed 36 individuals from two populations and found that the number of alleles per locus ranged between 1 and 7. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.72. We found deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations for some loci. We exclusively detected null alleles for those loci that deviated from Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Also, distributions of allele frequencies differed significantly between the two populations, making them suitable for population genetic analyses.     

On functional morphology of the skeleton in lychnisc sponges (Porifera,Hexactinellida)

By comparison with architectural models it can be shown that both the “euretoid” arrangement of fused spicules and lychnisc node itself should enhance the strength of the skeleton of the Lychniscosa. Contrary to expectation however, the Lychniscosa do not inhabit more turbulent waters than the Hexactinosa with a simpler skeletal structure. Possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Anaerobic mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by combining PCP-dechlorinating and phenol-degrading cultures

The dechlorination and mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP) was investigated by simultaneously or sequentially combining two different anaerobic microbial populations, a PCP-dechlorinating culture capable of the reductive dechlorination of PCP to phenol and phenol- degrading cultures able to mineralize phenol under sulfate- or iron-reducing conditions. In the simultaneously combined mixture, PCP (about 35 microM) was mostly dechlorinated to phenol after incubation for 17 days under sulfate-reducing conditions or for 22 days under iron-reducing conditions. Thereafter, the complete removal of phenol occurred within 40 days under both conditions. In the sequentially combined mixture, most of the phenol, the end product of PCP dechlorination, was degraded within 12 days of inoculation with the phenol degrader, without a lag phase, under both sulfate- and iron-reducing conditions. In a radioactivity experiment, [14C-U]-PCP was mineralized to 14CO2 and 14CH4 by the combined anaerobic microbial activities. Analysis of electron donor and acceptor utilization and of the production and consumption of H2, CO2, and CH4 suggested that the dechlorinating and degrading microorganisms compete with other microorganisms to perform PCP dechlorination and part of the phenol degradation in complex anoxic environments in the presence of electron donors and acceptors. The presence of a small amount of autoclaved soil slurry in the medium was possibly another advantageous factor in the successful dechlorination and mineralization of PCP by the combined mixtures. This anaerobic-anaerobic combination technology holds great promise as a cost-effective strategy for complete PCP bioremediation in situ.     

Distinct histomorphology for growth arrest and digitate outgrowth in cultivated Haliclona sp. (Porifera: Demospongiae)

The use of sponges in biotechnological processes is limited by the supply problem, and sponge biomass production is becoming a current topic of research. The distinction between characteristics for growth and growth arrest is also important for environmental monitoring. In this study, we analyze the morphology of the digitate outgrowths from the sponge Haliclona sp . The sponge Haliclona sp . was successfully cultivated for 14 months in a closed system. The morphological characterization of growth arrest was performed after submitting explants to starvation‐stress for approximately 2 weeks, to correlate morphology with growth and growth arrest. The digitate outgrowth showed three distinct regions: mature (MR), transition (TR) and immature (IR). Our data suggest a growth developmental program, with collagen fascicles guiding axial growth in IR, followed by progressive development of choanocyte chambers and large aquiferous systems at the more mature proximal region (choanosome). The intercalation of choanocyte chambers and small aquiferous systems inside collagen fascicles previously originated at the IR region can be responsible for thickening expansion and conversion of the collagen fascicles into columnar choanosome in MR. The growth arrest after starvation‐stress assay showed morphological changes in the IR corroborating collagen in the extreme tip of the digitate outgrowth as an important role in guiding of axial growth of Haliclona sp . The identification of distinct morphologies for growth and growth arrest suggest a growth developmental program, and these data could be useful for further investigations addressing sponge biomass gain and environmental monitoring.     

蚯蚓对麦秸分解速率的影响及其对氮矿化的贡献

蚯蚓在有机物分解和土壤的碳氮循环中起着重要作用.研究采用室内微宇宙模拟试验,研究接种不同密度的蚯蚓对秸秆分解和土壤氮素矿化的贡献.设置3个处理,HDT为接种6条蚯蚓,LDT为接种2条(相当于田间蚯蚓密度水平),ZDT为不接种作为对照.结果表明:整个分解过程中,蚯蚓的引入加速了秸秆的分解,尤其在分解前期,处理ZDT与HDT、LDT处理之间无论是分解率还是分解速率差异显著(P < 0.05),随着蚯蚓密度的增加,蚯蚓在分解过程中的作用比例增大.秸秆分解的整个过程中,蚯蚓对氮的矿化速率,HDT、LDT两个处理都递减,并且到后期两个处理趋于一致(HDT处理为24.2～14.0 kg · hm-2 · a-1,LDT处理为20.3～10.7 kg · hm-2 · a-1),说明从长期来看,在田间蚯蚓密度水平上增大蚯蚓的密度并不能增大基于地下食物网的蚯蚓对氮的矿化速率.     

Structure and function of the fresh water spongeEphydatia fluviatilis L. (Porifera)

Zusammenfassung Ephydatia fluviatilis nimmt partikuläre und gelöste Nahrung auf. Diese gelangt durch die einführenden Kanäle in den offenen mesenchymatischen Raum. Nahrungspartikel, insbesondere Bakterien, werden von den Choanocyten der Kragengeißelkammern reusenartig zurückgehalten und an Ort und Stelle von Choanocyten und zugewanderten Amöbocyten phagocytiert. Die lysosomale Verdauungskapazität der Amöbocyten übersteigt die der anderen phagocytierenden Zellen. Chaonocyten und Amöbocyten können ihre Phagosomen an Nahrung suchende Zellen abgeben.Im Mesenchym des Schwammes anfallende Exkremente werden von Endopinacocyten der ausführenden Kanäle transcytotisch nach außen befördert. Gelöste Proteine werden an der inneren Kragenbasis pinocytiert und in Nahrungsvakuolen gesammelt. Letztere werden an der Choanocytenbasis exocytiert, von Amöbocyten erneut endocytiert und lysosomal verdaut. Lamellär strukturierende Nahrungsreste nehmen den üblichen Defäkationsweg.

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Structure and function of the fresh water spongeEphydatia fluviatilis L. (Porifera)III. Capture of food, digestion and defecation

Summary Ephydatia fluviatilis ingests paniculate and dissolved food substances through the incurrent canal system into the open mesenchymal space. Particulate food, especially bacteria, is caught by the choanocytes of the flagellated chamber which form a filter-like structure, and phagocytosed by choanocytes and amoebocytes. The capacity of lysosomal digestion in the amoebocytes exceeds that of other phagocytotic cells. Both choanocytes and amoebocytes are able to transfer their phagosomes to other food-searching cells.Excrements released into the mesenchymal space are transported through the endopinacocytes into the excurrent canal system.Dissolved proteins are pinocytosed by the choanocytes at the inner face of the collar base and accumulated in food vacuoles. These are exocytosed at the basal side of the choanocytes and in turn endocytosed and digested by amoebocytes. Residual bodies with contents of lamellate structure are defecated in the same way via the endopinacocytes of the excurrent canals.

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Abkürzungen A Atrium (Abb. 1) - A Amöbocyt - AK ausführender Kanal - B Bakterium - Ch Choanocyt - D Diktyosom - E Exo-Endocytose - EK einführender Kanal - ER endoplasmatisches Retikulum - exV exocytierte Vakuole - FP Filopodium - G Geißel - GK Kragengeißelkammer - K Kern - Kr Kragen - M Mesenchym - Mi Mitochondrium - MV Mikrovilli des Kragens - N Nadel - NV Nahrungsvakuole - OR Oskularrohr - P Pore im Pinacoderm - PC Pinacocyt - Pd Pinacoderm - Pn Pinocytosevesikel - PV pulsierende Vakuole - R Reaktionsprodukt der sauren Phosphatase - SR Subdermalraum - TV Transcytosevakuole Herrn Prof. Dr. R. Danneel zur Vollendung seines 75. Lebensjahres in Dankbarkeit gewidmet. — Die Arbeit wurde durch Mittel der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft gefördert. — Für technische Assistenz danke ich Frau M. Geis und Frau B. Zarbock     

Finding the relevant scale: clonality and genetic structure in a marine invertebrate (Crambe crambe, Porifera)

Important changes in genetic relatedness may occur at extremely small scales in benthic invertebrates, providing key information about structuring processes in populations of these organisms. We performed a small-scale study of the population structure of the sponge Crambe crambe, in which 177 individuals from the same rocky wall (interindividual distances from 0 to 7 m) were genotyped using six microsatellite markers. 101 sponges had unique genotypes and the remaining 76 individuals formed 24 groups of sponges sharing genotypes (clones). Mean intraclone distances were found to be c. 20 cm. Spatial autocorrelation analyses showed a drastic decrease in genetic relatedness over the first 100 cm of distance. If the contribution of clonality to this pattern was eliminated, the trend was attenuated, but remained a marked one and was still significant within the first distance classes (30-40 cm). Estimated mean dispersal distances per generation were c. 35 cm, and neighbourhood sizes were estimated at c. 33 sponges. Genetic similarities with sponges of the same locality, or from other Mediterranean localities, were within the same range as those found in sponges 2-7 m apart. It is concluded that asexual reproduction plays an important role in structuring populations in this species. However, over and above the effects of clonality, a strong fine-scale genetic structure was present at distances in the range of tens of centimetres, probably as a result of short dispersal of larvae. This fine-scale genetic structure may be common in invertebrates with lecitotrophic larvae.     

A new genus and species of deep-sea glass sponge (Porifera, Hexactinellida, Aulocalycidae) from the Indian Ocean

New hexactinellid sponges were collected from 2589 m depth on the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean during deep-sea dredging. All fragments belong to a new genus and species, Indiellagen. n.ridgenensissp. n., a representative of the family Aulocalycidae described here. The peculiar features of this sponge, not described earlier for other Aulocalycidae, are: longitudinal strands present in several layers and epirhyses channelization.     

Diagnosis of iron deficiency in groundnut,Arachis hypogaea L.

Summary Investigations into iron deficiency have been hindered by the lack of a satisfactory diagnostic tissue test, which in turn results from the total iron content of plant tissue commonly being an unreliable index of the iron status. Our measurements of chlorotic and normal leaves of field grown groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) showed that total iron was unsatisfactory as the measure of iron status of plant tissue. It was found that iron status was better assessed from an estimate of the ferrous iron content of fresh leaf materials obtained by extraction with o-phenanthroline. Extractable iron content increased with leaf age. Chlorotic buds or the first fully opened leaf always contained less than 6μg extractable-Fe/g fresh tissue. Approved for publication as ICRISAT Journal Article No. 307.     

Influence of re-orientation on alignment to flow and tissue production in a Spongia sp. (Porifera:Demospongiae:Dictyoceratida)

Spongia individuals on intertidal reefs in Darwin Harbour displayed a distinct tendency to orientate towards a strong uni-directional water flow, their longest axis facing across the water current. Individuals rotated by 90° re-orientated tissue to face across the prevailing currents. There were significant differences in growth between re-orientated sponges, and both moved control and undisturbed control treatments. Compared to mean growth rates of −1.27 cm year⁻¹ (from undisturbed controls) and −1.68 cm year⁻¹ (from moved controls), re-orientated individuals had significantly higher growth rates (46.15 cm year⁻¹). Increased volumetric growth of re-orientated individuals was not a result of re-arrangement of existing tissue but a consequence of the production of more sponge tissue, evident by an increase in sponge volume. Increased tissue production identified in this study may be beneficial to researchers growing sponges for aquaculture purposes.     

Partition coefficients of the iron(III) complexes of pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone and its analogs and the correlation to iron chelation efficacy

Pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone and its analogs are orally effective Fe(III) chelators which show potential as drugs to treat iron overload disease. The present investigation describes the measurement of the partition coefficient of the apochelator and Fe(III) complex of 20 of these ligands. These measurements have been done to investigate the relationship between lipophilicity and the efficacy of iron chelation in rabbit reticulocytes loaded with non-heme ⁵⁹Fe. The results demonstrate a linear relationship between the partition coefficient (P) of the apochelator and its Fe(III) complex, and a simple equation has been derived relating these two parameters. Experimental data in the literature are in agreement with the equation. The relationship of the partition coefficients of the iron chelators and of their Fe(III) complexes to the effectiveness of the ligands in mobilizing iron in vitro and in vivo is also discussed.     

Effects of calcium and salinity on the growth rate of Ephydatia fluviatilis (Porifera: Spongillidae)

The freshwater sponge, Ephydatia fluviatilis (Porifera: Spongillidae), was maintained in a continuous-flow laboratory culture system under several conditions of calcium ion (Ca⁺⁺) concentration and salinity. Experimental results suggest that sponge growth rate increases with increasing Ca⁺⁺ concentration, that sponge growth rate decreases with increasing salinity, and that the negative effect of higher salinity can be overcome by increasing Ca⁺⁺ concentration. The experimental results correlate well with field observations on the effects of salinity and Ca⁺⁺ on the distribution of E. fluviatilis.