Lifespans and growth patterns of two deep-sea corals: Primnoa resedaeformis and Desmophyllum cristagalli

A subfossil fragment of the deep-sea gorgonian coral Primnoa resedaeformis was ¹⁴C AMS dated along a radial growth transect. Dates ranged from 2600±50 at the outside, to 2920±60 ¹⁴C years BP near the interior, suggesting an age of <300 years. The avergae radial growth was approximately 0.044 mm.yr^–1. Based on comparisons with live-collected specimens, we estimate the entire colony may have been about 0.5–0.75 m tall, with a linear tip extension rate of 1.5–2.5 mm.yr^–1. Towards the centre of the main stem, the coral skeleton is composed of alternating couplets, 200 m in width, of gorgonin (a horn-like organic skeletal protein) and calcite. We believe these couplets are annual. Within this larger scale of banding are finer couplets of gorgonin and calcite, with frequencies suggesting lunar monthly periodicity. Both scales of banding may reflect fluctuations in food supply from sinking POM, or from tidally-resuspended bottom POM, along with benthic consumers. Outer skeletal growth is predominantly massive calcite with intermittent gorgonin layers. If carbonate precipitation in this zone were continuous, approximately 25 m radial growth would be deposited every year. The Scleractinian Desmophyllum cristagalli lives to <200 years, and has rates of linear extension of 0.5–1.0 mm.yr^–1. The skeletons show growth bands approximately 10 m wide, which may be annual. Due to tissue extension and retraction in life, parts of the skeleton may be overgrown, or suffer dissolution. Although we have shown in previous publications that sea water temperatures may be obtained from analysis of this coral, periods of skeletal dissolution, coupled with isotopic disequilibrium, will make obtaining long climatic records extremely difficult.     

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa, the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, with a key to known Menispora species

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa is described as the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, based on specimens from Canada and the Czech Republic, and single spore isolations from both morphs. The fungus produces superficial, more or less globose, papillate, dark brown to black smooth perithecia (200–)220–250 × (220–)230–260 μm. The asci are unitunicate, 8-spored, cylindrical-fusiform, (110–)120–133(–145) × 12–14 with a distinct apical, nonamyloid annulus 1–1.5 μm high, 3.5–4 μm wide. The ascospores are fusiform, 19–24 × 5–6 μm, hyaline, 3-septate, smooth, and 2-seriate in the ascus. The morphology of the teleomorph and anamorph are similar to that of C. ovoidea (anamorph: M. glauca), differing in dimensions of asci and ascospores, and in the disposition and morphology of the phialides of the anamorphs. The generic concept and phylogeny of Menispora is briefly discussed, and a key to the 11 species currently accepted in the genus is provided.     

Feasibility study of exponential feeding strategy in fed-batch cultures for phenol degradation using Cupriavidus taiwanensis

An indigenous phenol-degrading bacterial isolate Cupriavidus taiwanensis R186 was used to degrade phenol from an aqueous solution under fed-batch operation. An exponential feeding strategy combined with dissolved oxygen control was applied based on kinetic characteristics of cell growth and phenol degradation to meet sufficient metabolic needs for cellular growth and achieve the best phenol removal efficiency. Without the stress of phenol inhibition, the optimal set point of specific growth rate of exponential feeding for fed-batch phenol degradation was found to be 0.50–0.55μ_max (μ_max denotes the maximum specific growth rate from Monod model). Meanwhile, the sufficient set point of dissolved oxygen for maximal phenol degradation efficiency was approximately at 10–55% air saturation. With the optimal operation conditions, the best phenol degradation rate was 0.213 g phenol h⁻¹, while a shortest treatment time of 15 h was achieved for complete degradation of 11.35 mM (ca. 3.20 g) of phenol.     

l-Dopa synthesis using tyrosinase immobilized on magnetic beads

Magnetic beads were prepared via suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of ferric ions. Following polymerization, thermal co-precipitation of the Fe(III) ions in the beads with Fe(II) ions under alkaline condition resulted in encapsulation of Fe₃O₄ nano-crystals within the polymer matrix. The magnetic beads were activated with glutaraldehyde, and tyrosinase enzyme was covalently immobilized on the support via reaction of amino groups under mild conditions. The immobilized enzyme was used for the synthesis of l-Dopa (1-3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine) which is a precursor of dopamine. The immobilized enzyme was characterized by temperature, pH, operational and storage stability experiments. Kinetic parameters, maximum velocity of the enzyme (V_max) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) values were determined as 1.05 U/mg protein and 1.0 mM for 50–75 μm and 2.00 U/mg protein and 4.0 mM for 75–150 μm beads fractions, respectively. Efficiency factor and catalytic efficiency were found to be 1.39 and 0.91 for 75–150 μm beads and 0.73 and 0.75 for 50–75 μm beads fractions, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the soluble tyrosinase was 0.37. The amounts of immobilized protein were on the 50–75 μm and 75–150 μm fractions were 2.7 and 2.8 mg protein/g magnetic beads, respectively.     

Spongiose spumellarian radiolaria: The functional morphology of the radiolarian skeleton with a description ofSpongostaurus,a new genus

Two spumellarian species of the new genusSpongostaurus are described. Both construct a lobed central capsule enclosing a spongiose skeleton. The larger of the two reaches proportions of several cm in the length of the capsule lobes. The ultrastructural cytoplasmic features of the new species designate them as congeners with close affiliation with other spongiose groups. The importance of cytoplasmic characters relative to skeletal morphotypical characters is discussed in relation to radiolarian systematics.     

Ultrastructure of Triangulamyxa amazonica n. gen. and n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea), a parasite of the Amazonian freshwater fish, Sphoeroides testudineus (Teleostei, Tetrodontidae)

Triangulamyxa amazonica n. gen. and n. sp. (Myxozoa, Ortholineidae), found in the lumen of the intestine of the freshwater fish Sphoeroides testudineus, is described. The fish were collected from the Amazon River near the city of Algodoal, State of the Pará, Brazil. Numerous irregular plasmodia containing different stages of sporogony, including spores, were observed. The plasmodia were lying free in the lumen or had slender pseudopodia-like cytoplasmic processes in contact with intestinal epithelial cells with microvilli projections. Spores, which are equilaterally triangular in valvar view with rounded pointed ends and ellipsoidal in transverse section, are 8.5 μm long, 7.6 μm wide, and 3.8 μm thick. The anterior end of the spores contains two equal drop-shaped polar capsules measuring 2.6 μm in length, each having an isofilar polar filament with 5–6 turns. The characteristics of the spore shape, the spore wall structure and its ridge organization, the plasmodial characteristics and the identity of the host suggest that the parasite is a new genus and species, which is herein designated T. amazonica.     

Clipperton Atoll (eastern Pacific): oceanography,geomorphology, reef-building coral ecology and biogeography

Coral reef geomorphology and community composition were investigated in the tropical northeastern Pacific during April 1994. Three areas were surveyed in the Revillagigedo Islands (Mexico), and an intensive study was conducted on Clipperton Atoll (1,300 km SW of Acapulco), including macro-scale surface circulation, sea surface temperature (SST) climatology, geomorphology, coral community structure, zonation, and biogeography. Satellite-tracked drifter buoys from 1979–1993 demonstrated complex patterns of surface circulation with dominantly easterly flow (North Equatorial Counter Current, NECC), but also westerly currents (South Equatorial Current, SEC) that could transport propagules to Clipperton from both central and eastern Pacific regions. The northernmost latitude reached by the NECC is not influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, but easterly flow velocity evidently is accelerated at such times. Maximum NECC flow rates indicate that the eastern Pacific barrier can be bridged in 60 to 120 days. SST anomalies at Clipperton occur during ENSO events and were greater at Clipperton in 1987 than during 1982–1983. Shallow (15–18 m)and deep (50–58 m) terraces are present around most of Clipperton, probably representing Modern and late Pleistocene sea level stands. Although Clipperton is a well developed atoll with high coral cover, the reef-building fauna is depauperate, consisting of only 7 species of scleractinian corals belonging to the generaPocillopora, Porites, Pavona andLeptoseris, and 1 species of hydrocoral in the genusMillepora. The identities of the one Pocilpopora species and one of the twoPorites species are still unknown. Two of the remaining scleractinians (Pavona minuta, Leptoseris scabra) and the hydrocoral (Millepora exaesa), all formerly known from central and western Pacific localities, represent new eastern Pacific records. Scleractinian corals predominate (10–100% cover) over insular shelf depths of 8 to 60m, and crustose coralline algae are dominant (5–40% cover) from 0.5 to 7m. Spur and groove features, constructed of alternating frameworks ofPocillopora andPorites, and veneered with crustose coralline algae, are generally well developed around most atoll exposures. Although crustose coralline algae predominate in the breaker zone (with up to 100% cover), a prominent algal ridge is absent with only a slight buildup (ca. 10 cm) to seaward. Frequent grazing by the pufferfishArothron meleagris results in the removal of large amounts of live tissue and skeleton fromPorites lobata. Acanthaster planci is present, but rare. The grazing of large diadematid sea urchins, (2 species each ofDiadema andEchinothrix) on dead corals cause extensive erosion in some areas. Large numbers of corals on the 15–18 m terrace had recently suffered partial (P. lobata, 60–70% maximum of all colonies sampled) or total (Pocillopora sp., 80% maximum) mortality. The lengths of regenerating knobs and the rates of linear skeletal growth inP. lobata, determined by sclerochronologic analysis, indicated a period of stress during 1987. Massive skeletal growth is significantly higher at intermediate (16–17 m) than shallow (6–8 m) depths with mean extension rates of 1.5 mm yr^–1 inP. lobata and 1.4 mm yr^–1 inP. minuta at intermediate depths. Skeletal growth inP. lobata was depressed during the 1987 El Nifio event at Clipperton. The branching coralPocillopora sp. demonstrated high and similar skeletal growth rates at both shallow (25.4 mm yr^–1) and intermediate (26.5 mm yr^–1) depths. The presence of widely distributed Indo-Pacific zooxanthellate corals at Clipperton and the Revillagigedo Islands indicates that these NE Pacific Islands probably serve as a stepping stone for dispersal into the far eastern Pacific region.     

Intraspecific morphological variation with biometry of Distephanus speculum (Silicoflagellata)

Living specimens of Distephanus speculum (Silicoflagellata) were collected in waters of <150 m depth in the Pacific Sector of the Southern Ocean (57°31.6′S, 150°02.9′E), South of Tasman Island, and a biometric study has been conducted. The skeleton of D. speculum has a simple morphology, which can be readily expressed quantitatively. Using a new methodology, repeated measurements were obtained and converted to numerical indices. The circumference of the basal rings was the most useful character for subdivision into groups, and using this parameter we recognized two populations in the 620 studied specimens: (1) 500 individuals were placed in Group A, with a basal ring circumference of 53 to 67 µm, and a difference in length of spine axes from 2 to 6 μm; and (2) 120 individuals were placed in Group B (basal ring circumference 80 to 105 µm, difference in length of spine axes 3 to 6 µm). The circumference of the basal ring in Group B is approximately 10 µm smaller than in Distephanus speculum giganteus [Bukry, D., 1979. Comments on opal phytoliths and stratigraphy of Neogene Silicoflagellates and Coccoliths at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 397 off Northwest Africa. Initial report of the DSDP, Washington, 49:977–1009.], and Distephanus boliviensis [Bukry, D., 1976a. Silicoflagellate and coccolith stratigraphy, Norwegian–Greenland Sea. Initial Report of DSDP LEG 38. Initial report of the DSDP, Washington, 38:843–855.; Bukry, D., 1976b. Silicoflagellate and coccolith stratigraphy, southeastern Pacific Ocean, Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 34. Initial report of the DSDP, Washington, 34:715–735].     

Effects of temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of the red tide dinoflagellate Gyrodinium instriatum Freudenthal et Lee

The effects of temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of the red tide dinoflagellate Gyrodinium instriatum Freudenthal et Lee were examined in the laboratory. Exposed to 45 different combinations of temperature (10–30 °C) and salinity (0–40) under saturating irradiance, G. instriatum exhibited its maximum growth rate of 0.7 divisions/day at a combination of 25 °C and a salinity of 30. Optimum growth rates (>0.5 divisions/day) were observed at temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 °C and at salinities from 10 to 35. The organism could not grow at ≤10 °C. In addition, G. instriatum burst at a salinity of 0 at all temperatures, but grew at a salinity of 5 at temperatures between 20 and 25 °C. It is noteworthy that G. instriatum is a euryhaline organism that can live under extremely low salinity. Factorial analysis revealed that the contributions of temperature and salinity to its growth of the organism were almost equal. The irradiance at the light compensation point (I₀) was 10.6 μmol/(m² s) and the saturated irradiance for growth (I_s) was 70 μmol/(m² s), which was lower than I_s for several other harmful dinoflagellates (90–110 μmol/(m² s)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Huffmanela lata</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae: Huffmanelinae) from the shark <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos</Emphasis> (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae) off New Caledonia

Huffmanela lata n. sp. is described from eggs only, which were found in a small black spot on the skin near the gill opening of a shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, caught off Nouméa, New Caledonia, South-West Pacific. The eggs are 77–88 (mean 84) μm in length and 52–63 (mean 57) μm in width, with a thick (6–8 μm) shell, apparently spinose. Mobile larvae, 200–250 μm in length, were visible in the eggs. The species is distinguished from other members of the genus by the dimensions and shape of its eggs, which are the broadest ever reported. This is the second species of Huffmanela described from a shark, after H. carcharhini (MacCallum, 1925), to which it appears closely related in terms of its site in the skin and the nature of the egg surface.     

Experimental and observational studies of radiolarian physiological ecology: 2. Trophic activity and symbiont primary productivity ofSpongaster tetras tetras with comparative data on predatory activity of some Nassellarida

The prey ofSpongaster tetras tetras, determined by transmission electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections through food and digestive vacuoles, was predominantly picoplankton (1 to 3 μm, largely monerans) and only occasional vacuoles contained masses of larger digested organic matter. By contrast, Nassellarian specimens collected in the same location and fixed and examined identically contained nanoplankton prey (5–10 μm) including small phytoplankton cells. The differences in prey may reduce competition for nutritional resources and account for the co-existence of these two groups of radiolaria in the same water mass. The primary productivity of the symbionts in intactS. tetras tetras was assessed at varying light levels to more fully document potential sources of carbon compounds for nutrition. Thirty-five μg of carbon were fixed per radiolarian per hour at an intensity as low as 20 μE/m²/s which is approximately one-third the maximum productivity in the intensity range of 170 to 260 μE/m²/s. The mean abundance ofS. tetras tetras, density of potential prey, and physico-chemical characteristics of the water are presented for early spring (March–April), mid-summer (June and July), and late summer (August). The mean density ofS. tetras tetras varied from c. 12 individuals/m³ during the low productivity periods (spring and late summer) to 37.8 individuals/m³ in July. The concentration of cyanobacteria was at a peak during July while larger autotrophic plankton was at a minimun further suggesting that cyanobacteria can be a significant food source forS. tetras tetras.     

Novel Psychropiezophilic Oceanospirillales Species Profundimonas piezophila gen. nov., sp. nov., Isolated from the Deep-Sea Environment of the Puerto Rico Trench

The diversity of deep-sea high-pressure-adapted (piezophilic) microbes in isolated monoculture remains low. In this study, a novel obligately psychropiezophilic bacterium was isolated from seawater collected from the Puerto Rico Trench at a depth of ∼6,000 m. This isolate, designated YC-1, grew best in a nutrient-rich marine medium, with an optimal growth hydrostatic pressure of 50 MPa (range, 20 to 70 MPa) at 8°C. Under these conditions, the maximum growth rate was extremely slow, 0.017 h⁻¹, and the maximum yield was 3.51 × 10⁷ cells ml⁻¹. Cell size and shape changed with pressure, shifting from 4.0 to 5.0 μm in length and 0.5 to 0.8 μm in width at 60 MPa to 0.8- to 1.0-μm diameter coccoid cells under 20 MPa, the minimal pressure required for growth. YC-1 is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic heterotroph. Its predominant cellular fatty acids are the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) C_16:1 and C_18:1. Unlike many other psychropiezophiles, YC-1 does not synthesize any polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Phylogenetic analysis placed YC-1 within the family of Oceanospirillaceae, closely related to the uncultured symbiont of the deep-sea whale bone-eating worms of the genus Osedax. In common with some other members of the Oceanospirillales, including those enriched during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, YC-1 is capable of hydrocarbon utilization. On the basis of its characteristics, YC-1 appears to represent both a new genus and a new species, which we name Profundimonas piezophila gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Monitoring airborne genotoxicants in the rubber industry using genotoxicity tests and chemical analyses

This research was designed to examine the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds in airborne pollutants in the rubber industry using an integrated chemical/biological approach. Inhalable airborne particulate matter (PM-10: <10 μm) was collected in four rubber factories using a high-volume sampler equipped with a cascade impactor for particle fractionation. The organic extracts of two different fractions (0.5–10 μm and <0.5 μm) were examined for mutagenicity with the Ames test and for in vitro DNA-damaging activity in human leukocytes by single-cell microgel electrophoresis (Comet assay). The extracts were also studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. Nitrosamines in ambient air were sampled on cartridges and analysed by GC with a thermal energy analyser (TEA) detector. Airborne volatile genotoxins were monitored in situ using a clastogenicity plant test (Tradescantia/micronuclei test). The results showed that airborne particulates were mainly very fine (<0.5 μm) and that trace amounts of genotoxic nitrosamines (N-nitrosodimethylamine: 0.10–0.98 μg/m³; N-nitrosomorpholine: 0.77–2.40 μg/m³) and PAH (total PAH: 0.34–11.35 μg/m³) were present in air samples. Some extracts, particularly those obtained from the finest fractions, were mutagenic with the Ames test and genotoxic with the Comet assay. In situ monitoring of volatile mutagens using the Tradescantia/micronuclei test gave positive results in two working environments. The results showed the applicability of this integrated chemical–biological approach for detecting volatile and non-volatile genotoxins and for monitoring genotoxic hazards in the rubber industry.     

Effects of three organophosphorus pesticides on population growth and sexual reproduction of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas

Effects of organophosphorus pesticides including dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos on population growth and sexual reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth and 4-d resting egg production tests. The results showed that all the three organophosphorus pesticides influenced significantly the population growth rate, the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females in the rotifer populations and the resting egg production of the rotifers. Both dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos influenced markedly the mictic rate of the rotifers, but triazophos did not. Compared to the controls, both dichlorvos at 10.0–1000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.01–100.0 μg/L increased the population growth rate, but the reverse was also true for dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos at 10000.0 μg/L made the rotifers dead after 24-hr exposure. Dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L, and chlorpyrifos at 1000.0 μg/L all increased the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females. Both dichlorvos at 10000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the mictic rate. Dichlorvos at 10.0 μg/L and 100.0 μg/L, and triazophos and chlorpyrifos both at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the resting egg production. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos, and mictic rate is a suitable endpoint for monitoring the effects of dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on the reproduction of the rotifers. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are more sensitive to dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos than mictic rate.     

Fluxes of carbon dioxide and water vapor above paddy fields

Atmospheric fluxes of carbon dioxide and water vapor were measured by the eddy correlation technique over a paddy field in 1989. The carbon dioxide was transported downward during daylight hours due to photosynthesis of the paddy crop. The downward flux of carbon dioxide increased with increasing net radiation. Maximum values of downward flux varied with the growing stage of the paddy crop: ca. 0.3 mg m^–2 s^–1 at early vegetative growth stage and ca. 1.3 mg m^–2 s^–1 at ear formation stage. The daytime totals of downward flux of carbon dioxide also showed seasonal variation reflecting the photosynthetic activity of the paddy crop: ca. 6 g m^–2 at early vegetative growth stage in June and 40 g m^–2 at ear formation stage in September. The seasonal variation of daily totals of carbon dioxide flux shows that carbon dioxide of about 28 t ha^–1 is fixed by the paddy crop from transplanting to harvesting. Taking into account the water use efficiency, the paddy crop requires water in amounts at least 100 times that of carbon dioxide fixed by photosynthesis. It is noted that the correlation coefficients between carbon dioxide, water vapor and vertical wind velocity have constant values under near neutral and free convective regimes.     

ATP concentration dependency of the tubule-extrusion velocity from the axonemes

ATP-driven tubule-extrusion from trypsintreated axonemes of sea urchin sperm flagella was induced by adding ATP. Using a CTC-9000 Night Vision Camera system including a video tape recorder, velocity of the tubule-extrusion process was measured and found to increase with increasing ATP concentration. Minimum concentration of ATP inducing the tubule-extrusion was around 4 μM. The velocity at 18–22 °C was around 1.8 μm/sec at 10 μM ATP and 6.6 μm/ sec at 1 mM ATP.     

Rapid mass spectrometric analysis for ascorbate and related organic acids in small volumes of plasma for use in pediatric subjects

A gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric isotope dilution method was developed for analysis of ascorbate on 10 μl samples of plasma. This assay was reproducible (standard deviation of less than 4%) and gave values for plasma ascorbate content within 8% of our previously published gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric method. Non-specific sample preparation allowed other analytes to be determined on the same sample by adjusting data acquisition parameters and adding the appropriate internal standard. Analysis on 28 subjects fell within the expected range for plasma ascorbate 68±29 μm (11.9±5.0 μg/ml) and established a normal range for plasma threonate of 28.1±2.4 μm (3.8±0.4 μg/ml).     

Structural forms and possible roles of aligned cytoskeletal biopolymers in hagfish (slime eel) mucus

The hagfish, marine benthic dwellers, are primitive vertebrates which, upon stress, secrete massive quantities of mucus from slime glands of the integument by the holocrine mode. Lysis of each gland thread cell releases a single, intermediate filament-rich thread ( 60 cm × 1.5 μm), which collectively modulates the hydration and cohesiveness of mucus. In this report, with the Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stouti), we showed that the threads exhibit a tendency for self-assembly into novel, aligned and intertwined cytoskeletal aggregates (“cables”). Large cables (15–40 cm in length, 50–800 μm in width) can be physically prepared from the whole mucous exudate, but similar smaller cables (0.1–10 cm in length, 50–200 μm in width) were found occurring naturally, particularly at the ends of laid eggs. Threads and cables may facilitate adhesion of mucus to the integument of the fish, restrict eggs to an optimum spawning site, and abet defense against invasive organisms.