Age-based demography and reproductive biology of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus</Emphasis> groupers, <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. polyphekadion,E. tauvina,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. howlandi</Emphasis> (Serranidae), inhabiting coral reefs in Okinawa

The demography and reproductive biology of three Epinephelus groupers (Serranidae), namely E. polyphekadion, E. tauvina, and E. howlandi in the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, were examined based on age assessment using otoliths and gonadal histology. The maximum ages for these three species were 26 year, 23 year, and 17 year. The von Bertalanffy growth functions were also determined for each species. The size and age at 50% female maturity were estimated to be 358 mm in total length (TL) and 6.0 year for E. polyphekadion, 371 mm TL and 6.7 year for E. tauvina, and 327 mm TL and 4.1 year for E. howlandi, respectively. Significant differences between the sexes in size and age frequencies were found in all three species, with males being larger and older than females, or transitional individuals. These results strongly indicated that the population of these three grouper species showed monandric protogynous hermaphroditism. The sex ratios of E. polyphekadion and E. tauvina were biased in favor of females, but that of E. howlandi was equivalent between sexes. The relative sizes of ripe testes indicated that the intensity of sperm competition varied among species suggesting different mating system of each species. Reproductive seasonality was similar among species, with active vitellogenesis coinciding with the annual rise in water temperature. The active spawning period was determined to be between April and May for E polyphekadion, in May for E. howlandi, and from March to June for E. tauvina.     

Aspects of the reproductive biology of the data-deficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mustelus minicanis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. norrisi</Emphasis> (Chondrichthyes: Triakidae) in the southern Caribbean Sea

Reproduction and maturation in the economically important, but data-deficient, Mustelus minicanis and M. norrisi were analysed using catches of populations exploited by a gillnet fishery during two years in the southern Caribbean Sea. In total, 691 female (mean ± SD total length–TL of 55.3 ± 5.8 cm) and 503 male (50.4 ± 4.9 cm TL) M. minicanis were assessed, with ~95% of all specimens deemed mature. Almost 25% of females were gravid (occurring between January and October) and with variable temporal development of up to six embryos (3.3 ± 1.2), implying protracted temporal parturition. Parity in the sex ratio of embryos, but not in landed catches, suggested sexual segregation across the fished area. The 50% sizes at maturity (M ₅₀) (± SE) were similarly estimated at 45.11 (± 0.39) and 45.48 (± 0.42) cm TL for females and males, respectively. Relatively fewer (235) M. norrisi were landed, with samples comprising 150 females (82.6 ± 18.1 cm TL) and 85 males (75.5 ± 17.7 cm TL). More than 30% of both sexes were immature. Ten percent of females were gravid (up to 11 embryos) and present in catches between October and February, coinciding with the northern hemisphere autumn/winter. Female and male M ₅₀s were 76.65 (± 1.16) and 69.63 (± 1.92) cm TL, respectively. The results imply variable inter-specific reproductive plasticity and the need for further life-history studies. Increasing gillnet selectivity might represent a simple precautionary management option for concurrently regulating catches of the smaller-bodied M. minicanis during peak abundances of gravid females and similar-sized juvenile M. norrisi.     

Effects of climate change on coral grouper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectropomus</Emphasis> spp.) and possible adaptation options

Global climate change is increasingly considered one of the major threats to tropical coastal fisheries, potentially undermining important revenue and food security provided by coral reef ecosystems. While there has been significant and increasing work on understanding specific effects of climate change on coral reef fishes, few studies have considered large-bodied fisheries target species, limiting understanding of the effects of climate change on tropical fisheries. This review focuses on coral grouper (Plectropomus spp., and mainly Plectropomus leopardus), which are heavily fished throughout the Indian and Pacific oceans, and represent an exemplar group to assess potential effects of climate change on coral reef fisheries. In experimental studies, P. leopardus appear to be extremely sensitive to increasing ocean temperature, exhibiting declines in survivorship, aerobic scope and activity with relatively moderate increases in temperature. As such, ongoing ocean warming may jeopardize the catchability of coral grouper and sustainability of reef-based fisheries, especially at low latitudes. Notably, a significant portion of wild stocks of P. leopardus are already exposed to temperatures (≥30 °C) that have been shown to compromise individual performance and body condition. While there are considerable knowledge gaps in predicting effects of global climate change on coral grouper, such as their capacity to avoid, acclimate or adapt to changes in local environmental conditions, current information suggests that there is cause for concern. As such, we take the formative steps to outline both ecological and socioeconomic adaptations that could reduce vulnerability of coral reef fisheries to climate impacts on stocks of coral grouper, using a linked socio-economic framework.     

Juvenile Greenland sharks <Emphasis Type="Italic">Somniosus microcephalus</Emphasis> (Bloch &amp; Schneider, 1801) in the Canadian Arctic

Life-stage-based management of marine fishes requires information on juvenile habitat preferences to ensure sustainable population demographics. This is especially important in the Arctic region given very little is known about the life histories of many native species, yet exploitation by developing commercial and artisanal fisheries is increasing as the ice extent decreases. Through scientific surveys and bycatch data from gillnet fisheries, we document captures of rarely reported juvenile Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus; ≤200 cm total length [TL]) during the ice-free period in the Canadian Arctic. A total of 22 juvenile animals (42 % of total catch; n = 54), including the smallest reliably measured individual of 117 cm TL, were caught on scientific longlines and bottom trawls in Scott Inlet and Sam Ford Trough over three consecutive years. Molecular genetic nuclear markers confirmed species identity for 44 of these sharks sampled; however, two sharks including a juvenile of 150 cm TL were identified as carrying a Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus) mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) haplotype. This represents the first record of a Pacific sleeper shark genetic signature in Greenland sharks in Eastern Arctic waters. Juvenile sharks caught as bycatch in gillnet fisheries were only observed offshore in Baffin Bay surrounding a fishery closure area, while larger subadult and mature Greenland sharks (>200 cm TL) were caught in all fishing locations, including areas where juveniles were observed. The repeatable occurrence of juvenile Greenland sharks in a fjord and their presence at two offshore sites indicates that these smaller animals either reside in nurseries or have defined home ranges in both coastal and offshore regions or undertake large-scale inshore–offshore movements.     

Integrated control of tobacco black shank by combined use of riboflavin and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> strain Tpb55

We investigated the effect of riboflavin on the biocontrol activity of Bacillus subtilis Tpb55 against Phytophthora nicotianae (Pn), which causes tobacco black shank. Riboflavin (0.2 mg ml^?1) significantly improved the biocontrol activity of Tpb55 (2.0 × 10⁸ cfu ml^?1). Riboflavin (0.02–0.5 mg ml^?1) alone could not significantly inhibit Pn growth. However, it enhanced the B. subtilis population, both in vitro and in tobacco roots and significantly increased the activity of defense enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and β-1,3-glucanase, in the roots of B. subtilis-treated tobacco seedlings. Our results indicate that riboflavin can stimulate the growth of B. subtilis Tpb55 and induce resistance to Pn in tobacco plants. These findings should boost the prospects for practical application of B. subtilis Tpb55 as a biocontrol agent against black shank of tobacco.     

Population Dynamic of the Mudskipper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Periophthalmus waltoni</Emphasis> Koumans, 1941 from the Bay of Hormozgan Province,Persian Gulf

We studied the population structure and reproductive biology of the mudskipper Periophthalmus waltoni Koumans, 1941, living on the mudflats of bay of Hormozgan province, Persian Gulf. The specimens were haphazardly and monthly collected from August 2008 to July 2009. A total of 2060 fishes was sampled, sexed 690 of which 221 (32%) were males, and 469 (68%) females. The total length (TL) and weight relationship demonstrated growth in both sexes was isometric with the function W = 0.0078TL^3.06. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated as 16.5 cm and 0.75 yr^–1, respectively. Age of the fish at zero length (to) was calculated–0.35 and the longevity was attained 3.65 year. The estimated Von Bertalanffy function was TL_(t) = 16.5[1–exp(–0.75(t + 0.35))]. Natural mortality (M) was estimated 1.74 yr^–1. Four cohorts were distinguished annuallywith mean of TL = 7.35, 10.17, 12.74 and 13.92 cm. The maximum recruitment rate was in January at 17.5%. The overall sex ratio (F: M) (1: 0.49) was significantly different than 1: 1. The peak of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) occurred in February. The size at onset of sexual maturity (LM₅₀)wasestimated at TL = 12 cm. The mean of absolute and relative fecundity were estimated as 3558 ± 2203 and 257 ± 101 eggs, respectively.     

High-efficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated <Emphasis Type="Italic">in planta</Emphasis> transformation in black gram (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna mungo</Emphasis> (L.) Hepper)

In vitro culture and genetic transformation of black gram are difficult due to its recalcitrant nature. Establishment of gene transfer procedure is a prerequisite to develop transgenic plants of black gram in a shorter period. Therefore, genetic transformation was performed to optimize the factors influencing transformation efficiency through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated in planta transformation using EHA 105 strain harbouring reporter gene, bar, and selectable marker, gfp-gus, in sprouted half-seed explants of black gram. Several parameters, such as co-cultivation, acetosyringone concentration, exposure time to sonication, and vacuum infiltration influencing in planta transformation, have been evaluated in this study. The half-seed explants when sonicated for 3 min and vacuum infiltered for 2 min at 100 mm of Hg in the presence of A. tumefaciens (pCAMBIA1304– bar) suspensions and incubated for 3 days co-cultivation in MS medium with 100 µM acetosyringone showed maximum transformation efficiency (46 %). The putative transformants were selected by inoculating co-cultivated seeds in BASTA^® (4 mg l^?1) containing MS medium followed by BASTA^® foliar spray on 15-day-old black gram plants (35 mg l^?1) in green house, and the transgene integration was confirmed by biochemical assay (GUS), Polymerase chain reaction, Dot-blot, and Southern hybridisation analyses.     

Forecasting lionfish sources and sinks in the Atlantic: are Gulf of Mexico reef fisheries at risk?

Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles complex) now permeate the entire tropical western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, but lionfish abundance has been measured only in select locations in the field. Despite its rapid range expansion, a comprehensive meta-population analysis of lionfish ‘sources’ and ‘sinks’ and consequentially the invader’s potential abundance and impacts on economically important, sympatric reef fishes have not been assessed. These data are urgently needed to spatially direct control efforts and to plan for and perhaps mitigate lionfish-caused damage. Here, we use a biophysical computer model to: (1) forecast larval lionfish sources and sinks that are also delineated as low to high lionfish ‘density zones’ throughout their invaded range, and (2) assess the potential vulnerability of five grouper and snapper species—Epinephelus morio, Mycteroperca microlepis, Epinephelus flavolimbatus, Lutjanus campechanus, and Rhomboplites aurorubens—to lionfish within these density zones in the Gulf of Mexico. Our results suggest that the west Florida shelf and nearshore waters of Texas, USA, and Guyana, South America, function both as lionfish sources and sinks and should be a high priority for targeted lionfish control. Furthermore, of the five groupers and snappers studied, the high fishery value E. morio (red grouper) is the Gulf of Mexico species most at risk from lionfish. Lacking a comprehensive lionfish control policy, these risk exposure data inform managers where removals should be focused and demonstrate the risk to five sympatric native groupers and snappers in the Gulf of Mexico that may be susceptible to dense lionfish aggregations, should control efforts fail.     

Age validation and seasonal growth patterns of a subtropical marsh fish: The Gulf Killifish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fundulus grandis</Emphasis>

Fundulus grandis (Baird and Girard), the Gulf Killifish, is an abundant species throughout the marshes of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Its wide distribution and high site fidelity makes it an ideal indicator species for brackish and salt marshes, which experience a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. Despite the ecological, commercial, and scientific importance of F. grandis, age determination methods have not been validated and little is known of its growth pattern. By combining a tag-recapture study with a chemical marker to stain otoliths, we validated an ageing method for F. grandis adults (49–128 mm TL) using whole sagittal otoliths and determined growth rates of recaptured individuals in winter (n = 58) and summer (n = 36) in Louisiana. Mean somatic growth in length was significantly greater during the winter (0.085 mm d^?1) than summer (0.054 mm d^?1). In contrast, mean otolith growth was significantly greater in summer (1.37 μm d^?1) than winter (0.826 μm d^?1). The uncoupling of somatic and otolith growth may be primarily attributed to warm summer temperatures, which led to enhanced otolith growth while simultaneously reducing somatic growth. Fundulus grandis was aged to a maximum of 2.25 years. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model were estimated as: L _∞  = 87.27 mm, k = 2.43 year^?1, and t ₀ = ?0.022. These findings reveal essential age and growth information for F. grandis and provide a benchmark to evaluate responses to environmental disturbances.     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">XPA</Emphasis> Polymorphisms Towards Lung Cancer Susceptibility and its Predictive Role in Overall Survival of North Indians

The present study investigated the role of Xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA) polymorphism (A23G and G709A) with lung cancer risk and its association with overall survival in North Indians. 370 cases and 370 controls were investigated to evaluate association between XPA polymorphism (A23G and G709A) with lung cancer risk using logistic regression analysis. A follow-up study was also conducted for 291 lung cancer cases illustrating correlation between overall survival in lung cancer patients and XPA variants. GG genotype showed an increased lung cancer risk (p = 0.0007) for A23G polymorphism whereas G709A polymorphism was associated with significant protective effect in heterozygous (AG) subjects (p = 0.001). When stratified according to smoking status an increased risk for lung cancer was observed for GG genotype in A23G polymorphism (p = 0.0002). A poor survival in females carrying variant genotype (GG) was observed (p = 0.001; MST = 4.16 months) for A23G polymorphism. Adenocarcinoma patients with heterozygous genotype showed an increased hazard ratio (p = 0.02) for A23G polymorphism. G709A was associated with a reduced hazard ratio marking a better survival among mutant females (HR 0.17; p = 0.05; MST = 18.63 months). It can be concluded that A23G polymorphism might contribute to increased lung cancer risk in North Indian population emphasizing on poor survival among females. G709A polymorphism might result in protective effect in lung cancer subjects. The present study had a low sample size but it could act as reference for the large sample studies in future.     

Hemato-Immunological Responses and Disease Resistance in Siberian Sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser baerii</Emphasis> Fed on a Supplemented Diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis>

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum on hemato-immunological parameters and resistance against Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii. Fish (14.6 ± 2.3 g) were fed three experimental diets prepared by supplementing a basal diet with L. plantarum at different concentrations [1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ colony-forming units (cfu) g^?1] and a control (non-supplemented basal) diet for 8 weeks. Innate immune responses (immunoglobulin (Ig), alternative complement activity (ACH50) and lysozyme activity) were significantly higher in fish fed the 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum diet compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, fish fed on various levels of L. plantarum significantly showed higher red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) and monocyte compared to those of the control group (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding experiment, some fish were challenged with S. iniae to quantify the level of disease resistance. The mortality after S. iniae challenge was decreased in fish fed a probiotic. These results indicated that dietary supplementation of L. plantarum improved immune response and disease resistance of Siberian sturgeon juvenile.     

Toxicity and Detoxification Mechanism of Black Pepper and Its Major Constituent in Controlling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</Emphasis> Olivier (Curculionidae: Coleoptera)

The survival, feeding response, and detoxification mechanism of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, a key pest responsible for destruction of date palm, was examined with different extracts of Piper nigrum and its major constituent (piperine) identified by GC-MS. In the present study, toxicity of different extracts of black pepper was evaluated by incorporating diffferent doses of extracts into the artificial diet of red palm weevil larvae. All extracts showed dose-dependent insecticidal activity to the tested eighth-instar red palm weevil larvae. Among all the extracts, maximum larvicidal activity was exhibited by chloroform (LD₅₀ = 342.62 mg/l), followed by dichloromethane (LD₅₀ = 357.78 mg/l), acetone (LD₅₀ = 372.57 mg/l), and ethanol (LD₅₀ = 408.88 mg/l). However, piperine, a major constituent of all black pepper extracts identified by GC-MS in the present work, was found to be the most potent treatment exhibiting the least LD₅₀ (219.88 mg/l). In addition, nutritional indices evaluated by calculating the efficiency of the conversion of ingested food (ECI) and digested food (ECD) at the same dose (219.88 mg/l) showed that there was maximum reduction in the ECI (49.90%) and ECD (62.21%) index of larvae fed diets incorporated with piperine. Larvae that were fed diets incorporated with different black pepper extracts experienced increases in the expression of detoxification genes (glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450), and this upregulation in detoxification genes (glutathione S-transferase, cytochrome P450 and esterase) was tremendously high in larvae fed diets incorporated with piperine. Results suggest that piperine is a promising bio-pesticide agent for the control of R. ferrugineus Olivier.     

Continued feeding on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diporeia</Emphasis> by deepwater sculpin in Lake Huron

Monitoring changes in diets of fish is essential to understanding how food web dynamics respond to changes in native prey abundances. In the Great Lakes, Diporeia, a benthic macroinvertebrate and primary food of native benthivores, declined following the introduction of invasive Dreissena mussels and these changes were reflected in fish diets. We examined the diets of deepwater sculpin Myoxocephalus thompsonii collected in bottom trawls during 2010–2014 in the main basin of Lake Huron, and compared these results to an earlier diet study (2003–2005) to assess if their diets have continued to change after a prolonged period of Dreissena mussel invasion and declined Diporeia densities. Diporeia, Mysis, Bythotrephes, and Chironomidae were consumed regularly and other diet items included ostracods, copepods, sphaerid clams, and fish eggs. The prey-specific index of relative importance calculated for each prey group indicated that Mysis importance increased at shallow (≤55 m) and mid (64–73 m) depths, while Diporeia importance increased offshore (≥82 m). The average number of Diporeia consumed per fish increased by 10.0% and Mysis decreased by 7.5%, while the frequency of occurrence of Diporeia and Mysis remained comparable between time periods. The weight of adult deepwater sculpin (80 mm and 100 mm TL bins) increased between time periods; however, the change in weight was only significant for the 80 mm TL group (p?<?0.01). Given the historical importance of Diporeia in the Great Lakes, the examination of deepwater sculpin diets provides unique insight into the trophic dynamics of the benthic community in Lake Huron.     

Detection and Quantification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae,Vibrio parahaemolyticus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">and Vibrio vulnificus</Emphasis> in Coastal Waters of Guinea-Bissau (West Africa)

V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus are recognized human pathogens. Although several studies are available worldwide, both on environmental and clinical contexts, little is known about the ecology of these vibrios in African coastal waters. In this study, their co-occurrence and relationships to key environmental constraints in the coastal waters of Guinea-Bissau were examined using the most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) approach. All Vibrio species were universally detected showing higher concentrations by the end of the wet season. The abundance of V. cholerae (ISR 16S-23S rRNA) ranged 0–1.2 × 10⁴ MPN/L, whereas V. parahaemolyticus (toxR) varied from 47.9 to 1.2 × 10⁵ MPN/L. Although the presence of genotypes associated with virulence was found in environmental V. cholerae isolates, ctxA+ V. cholerae was detected, by MPN-PCR, only on two occasions. Enteropathogenic (tdh+ and trh+) V. parahaemolyticus were detected at concentrations up to 1.2 × 10³ MPN/L. V. vulnificus (vvhA) was detected simultaneously in all surveyed sites only at the end of the wet season, with maximum concentrations of 1.2 × 10⁵ MPN/L. Our results suggest that sea surface water temperature and salinity were the major environmental controls to all Vibrio species. This study represents the first detection and quantification of co-occurring Vibrio species in West African coastal waters, highlighting the potential health risk associated with the persistence of human pathogenic Vibrio species.     

Two new feather mites of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Proctophyllodes</Emphasis> Robin, 1868 (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes)

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in Europe: Proctophyllodes markovetsi n. sp. from the tawny pipit Anthus campestris (L.) (Motacillidae) and P. loxiae n. sp. from the red crossbill Loxia curvirostra (L.) (Fringillidae). Males of P. markovetsi are most clearly distinguished from the closely related P. tchagrae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by having greater terminal lamellae (30–40 × 20–25 µm), the tips of genital arch curved medially, and the corolla of the anal sucker with 14–15 denticles; females of this species are characterised by the terminal appendages distinctly longer than the lobar region width. Males of P. loxiae differ from the closest species, P. fuchsi Mironov, 1997, by having smaller terminal lamellae (45–50 × 22–28 μm), the genital organ extending beyond the posterior margin of lamellae by half their length; females can be distinguished by having the terminal cleft noticeably wider than long (28–30 × 35–40 μm).     

Efficacy of plants extracts from the Cerrado against adult female of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dermacentor nitens</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae)

Dermacentor nitens tick is commonly found in the equine auditory canal, where it causes economic losses due to its direct damage, causing blood spoliation, stress, transmission of pathogens, and predisposition to myasis and secondary bacterial infection in its hosts. In this study we evaluated the effect of ethanolic extracts of Cerrado plants on biological parameters of engorged females of D. nitens. Ethanolic extracts were prepared from the leaves of Schinopsis brasiliensis, Piptadenia viridiflora, Ximenia americana, and Serjania lethalis at 25–150 mg mL^?1. Groups of 10 engorged adult females were treated with these extracts and compared with a control containing distilled water and another control with organophosphate, using five replicates for each group. Compared with the control with water, S. lethalis and X. americana extracts at 100 and 150 mg mL^?1 significantly inhibited the posture ability. Differently, extracts of S. brasiliensis and P. viridiflora were the most effective in inhibiting larval hatching. Extracts of X. americana and P. viridiflora showed effective inhibition of reproductive parameters of the tick, presenting dose-dependent effect with IC₉₀ 78.86 and 78.94 mg mL^?1, respectively. Theses effective extracts contained low condensed tannin levels and their HPLC chromatograms revealed the presence of flavonoids. The efficacies of P. viridiflora and X. americana extracts were higher than 90% indicating that these extracts are promising as alternative agents for D. nitens control.     

Feed-backs between genetic structure and perturbation-driven decline in seagrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Posidonia oceanica</Emphasis>) meadows

We explored the relationships between perturbation-driven population decline and genetic/genotypic structure in the clonal seagrass Posidonia oceanica, subject to intensive meadow regression around four Mediterranean fish-farms, using seven specific microsatellites. Two meadows were randomly sampled (40 shoots) within 1,600 m² at each site: the “impacted” station, 5–200 m from fish cages, and the “control” station, around 1,000 m downstream further away (considered a proxy of the pre-impact genetic structure at the site). Clonal richness (R), Simpson genotypic diversity (D*) and clonal sub-range (CR) were highly variable among sites. Nevertheless, the maximum distance at which clonal dispersal was detected, indicated by CR, was higher at impacted stations than at the respective control station (paired t-test: P < 0.05, N = 4). The mean number of alleles (Â) and the presence of rare alleles ( _r) decreased at impacted stations (paired t-test: P < 0.05, and P < 0.02, respectively, N = 4). At a given perturbation level (quantified by the organic and nutrient loads), shoot mortality at the impacted stations significantly decreased with CR at control stations (R ² = 0.86, P < 0.05). Seagrass mortality also increased with  (R ² = 0.81, P < 0.10), R (R ² = 0.96, P < 0.05) and D* (R ² = 0.99, P < 0.01) at the control stations, probably because of the negative correlation between those parameters and CR. Therefore, the effects of clonal size structure on meadow resistance could play an important role on meadow survival. Large genotypes of P. oceanica meadows thus seem to resist better to fish farm-derived impacts than little ones. Clonal integration, foraging advantage or other size-related fitness traits could account for this effect.     

Acetaldehyde kinetics of enological yeast during alcoholic fermentation in grape must

Acetaldehyde strongly binds to the wine preservative SO₂ and, on average, causes 50–70 mg l^?1 of bound SO₂ in red and white wines, respectively. Therefore, a reduction of bound and total SO₂ concentrations necessitates knowledge of the factors that affect final acetaldehyde concentrations in wines. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the acetaldehyde production and degradation kinetics of 26 yeast strains of oenological relevance during alcoholic fermentation in must under controlled anaerobic conditions. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and non-Saccharomyces strains displayed similar metabolic kinetics where acetaldehyde reached an initial peak value at the beginning of fermentations followed by partial reutilization. Quantitatively, the range of values obtained for non-Saccharomyces strains greatly exceeded the variability among the S. cerevisiae strains tested. Non-Saccharomyces strains of the species C. vini, H. anomala, H. uvarum, and M. pulcherrima led to low acetaldehyde residues (<10 mg l^?1), while C. stellata, Z. bailii, and, especially, a S. pombe strain led to large residues (24–48 mg l^?1). Acetaldehyde residues in S. cerevisiae cultures were intermediate and less dispersed (14–34 mg l^?1). Addition of SO₂ to Chardonnay must triggered significant increases in acetaldehyde formation and residual acetaldehyde. On average, 0.33 mg of residual acetaldehyde remained per mg of SO₂ added to must, corresponding to an increase of 0.47 mg of bound SO₂ per mg of SO₂ added. This research demonstrates that certain non-Saccharomyces strains display acetaldehyde kinetics that would be suitable to reduce residual acetaldehyde, and hence, bound-SO₂ levels in grape wines. The acetaldehyde formation potential may be included as strain selection argument in view of reducing preservative SO₂ concentrations.     

The fitness of the Brazilian damsel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stegastes fuscus</Emphasis> is increased by sharing the territory with the dusky grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus marginatus</Emphasis>

Stegastes fuscus and Epinephelus marginatus are known for co-habiting shelters. The damselfish S. fuscus uses the territory for nesting and must protect its eggs from grazers; the grouper E. marginatus is an omnivorous sit-and-wait predator. This study aims to evaluate the effect of juvenile groupers on the reproductive success of the Brazilian damsel. Twenty-five hours of underwater observations were done in São Sebastião and Ilhabela, Northern shore of São Paulo, Brazil. Fitness increase was measured by the egg-clutch area and number of contributing females in 130 nests shared by groupers and another 130 where damselfishes stood alone. An egg predator crab was placed into the damselfish territory, and behavioural responses during 2 min were recorded for nests with or without E. marginatus, 80 replicates each. Nests shared by the dusky groupers had more eggs and received eggs from more females too. While fathers who were alone in the territory had to deal with the egg predator crab, in shared nests, the grouper would take care of the intruder, sometimes feeding on it. Therefore, the Brazilian damsel may benefit from the presence of the dusky grouper by increasing the fitness and diminishing the costs of parental care.     

Toxin Gene Contents and Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> Strains Against Two Sugarcane Borer Species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diatraea saccharalis</Emphasis> (F.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. flavipennella</Emphasis> (Box)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) bears essential characteristics in the control of insect pests, such as its unique mode of action, which confers specificity and selectivity. This study assessed cry gene contents from Bt strains and their entomotoxicity against Diatraea saccharalis (F.) and Diatraea flavipennella (Box) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Bioassays with Bt strains were performed against neonates to evaluate their lethal and sublethal activities and were further analyzed by PCR, using primers to identify toxin genes. For D. saccharalis and D. flavipennella, 16 and 18 strains showed over 30% larval mortality in the 7th day, respectively. The LC₅₀ values of strains for D. saccharalis varied from 0.08 × 10⁵ (LIIT-0105) to 4104 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2707) spores + crystals mL^?1. For D. flavipennella, the LC₅₀ values of strains varied from 0.40 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2707) to 542 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2109) spores + crystals mL^?1. For the LIIT-0105 strain, which was the most toxic to D. saccharalis, the genes cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1C, cry1D, cry1F, cry1I, cry2Aa, cry2Ab, cry8, and cry9C were detected, whereas for the strain LIIT-2707, which was the most toxic to D. flavipennella, detected genes were cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1D, cry1F, cry1I, cry2Aa, cry2Ab, and cry9. The toxicity data and toxin gene content in these strains of Bt suggest a great variability of activity with potential to be used in the development of novel biopesticides or as source of resistance genes that can be expressed in plants to control pests.