Antarctic Starfish (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) from the ANDEEP3 expedition

This dataset includes information on sea stars collected during the ANDEEP3 expedition, which took place in 2005. The expedition focused on deep-sea stations in the Powell Basin and Weddell Sea.Sea stars were collected using an Agassiz trawl (3m, mesh-size 500µm), deployed in 16 stations during the ANTXXII/3 (ANDEEP3, PS72) expedition of the RV Polarstern. Sampling depth ranged from 1047 to 4931m. Trawling distance ranged from 731 to 3841m. The sampling area ranges from -41°S to -71°S (latitude) and from 0 to -65°W (longitude). A complete list of stations is available from the PANGAEA data system (http://www.pangaea.de/PHP/CruiseReports.php?b=Polarstern), including a cruise report (http://epic-reports.awi.de/3694/1/PE_72.pdf).The dataset includes 50 records, with individual counts ranging from 1-10, reaching a total of 132 specimens.The andeep3-Asteroidea is a unique dataset as it covers an under-explored region of the Southern Ocean, and that very little information was available regarding Antarctic deep-sea starfish. Before this study, most of the information available focused on starfish from shallower depths than 1000m. This dataset allowed to make unique observations, such as the fact that some species were only present at very high depths (Hymenaster crucifer, Hymenaster pellucidus, Hymenaster praecoquis, Psilaster charcoti, Freyella attenuata, Freyastera tuberculata, Styrachaster chuni and Vemaster sudatlanticus were all found below -3770m), while others displayed remarkable eurybathy, with very high depths amplitudes (Bathybiaster loripes (4842m), Lysasterias adeliae (4832m), Lophaster stellans (4752m), Cheiraster planeta (4708m), Eremicaster crassus (4626m), Lophaster gaini (4560m) and Ctenodiscus australis (4489m)).Even if the number of records is relatively small, the data bring many new insights on the taxonomic, bathymetric and geographic distributions of Southern starfish, covering a very large sampling zone. The dataset also brings to light six species, newly reported in the Southern Ocean.The quality of the data was controlled very thoroughly, by means of on-board Polarstern GPS systems, checking of identification by a renowned specialist (Prof. Michel Jangoux, Université Libre de Bruxelles), and matching to the Register of Antarctic Marine Species (RAMS) and World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). The data is therefore fit for completing checklists, for inclusion in biodiversity patterns analysis, or niche modeling. It also nicely fills an information gap regarding deep-sea starfish from the Southern Ocean, for which data is very scarce at this time. The authors may be contacted if any additional information is needed before carrying out detailed biodiversity or biogeographic studies.     

在沉积物暴露条件下2种海洋贝类对Cu、Pb 的富集动力学研究

首次通过构建海水-底泥-生物体体系,应用半静态双箱动力学模型室内模拟了沉积物暴露条件下文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)和缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)对Cu、Pb的生物富集实验,通过对富集与排出过程中文蛤体内重金属污染物的动态监测和对富集与排出过程监测结果的非线性拟合,得到了文蛤和缢蛏富集重金属的吸收速率常数K1、排出速率常数K2、生物富集因子BCF、富集平衡浓度CAmax、生物学半衰期B1/2等动力学参数。拟合结果得到的Cu、Pb各动力学参数分别为:文蛤K1为4.63—69.41,K2为0.05—0.08,CAmax为9.83—40.57,BCF为60.77—1444.56,B1/2为9.09—14.43;缢蛏K1为4.27—122.92。K2为0.05—0.07。CAmax为5.12—32.84。BCF为65.68—2112.02。B1/2为9.81—14.15。对模型的拟合优度检验结果显示,在沉积物暴露条件下文蛤和缢蛏对重金属Cu、Pb的生物富集数据符合双箱模型,模型的拟合优度良好。比较结果得出:吸收速率常数K1及生物富集因子BCF均随着外部水体金属暴露浓度的增大而减小;CAmax均随着外部水体金属暴露浓度的增大而增大;文蛤和缢蛏对Cu富集能力大于Pb;Cu在文蛤和缢蛏体内的生物学半衰期B1/2大于Pb;理论平衡状态下文蛤和缢蛏体内Cu、Pb的含量CAmax随着外部水体中金属暴露浓度的增大而增大,且呈显著正相关,实验结果表明在沉积物暴露条件下双箱动力学模型在一定条件下是可以应用于文蛤和缢蛏的富集动力学研究的,但仍需要进一步开展在不同条件下实验研究分析。     

Proteomic studies highlight outer‐membrane proteins related to biofilm development in the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. D41

Bacterial biofilm development is conditioned by complex processes involving bacterial attachment to surfaces, growth, mobility, and exoproduct production. The marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain D41 is able to attach strongly onto a wide variety of substrates, which promotes subsequent biofilm development. Study of the outer‐membrane and total soluble proteomes showed ten spots with significant intensity variations when this bacterium was grown in biofilm compared to planktonic cultures. MS/MS de novo sequencing analysis allowed the identification of four outer‐membrane proteins of particular interest since they were strongly induced in biofilms. These proteins are homologous to a TonB‐dependent receptor (TBDR), to the OmpW and OmpA porins, and to a type IV pilus biogenesis protein (PilF). Gene expression assays by quantitative RT‐PCR showed that the four corresponding genes were upregulated during biofilm development on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants unable to produce any of the OmpW, OmpA, and PilF homologues yielded biofilms with lower biovolumes and altered architectures, confirming the involvement of these proteins in the biofilm formation process. Our results indicate that Pseudoalteromonas sp. D41 shares biofilm formation mechanisms with human pathogenic bacteria, but also relies on TBDR, which might be more specific to the marine environment.     

Screening for antibacterial and antifungal activities in marine benthic invertebrates from northern Norway

Benthic marine invertebrates collected from sub-Arctic regions of northern Norway, were found to be a promising source of novel bioactive compounds against human and fish pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Lyophilized material from seven species of ascidians, six sponges and one soft alcyonid coral were extracted with 60% acidified acetonitrile (ACN). After separation into an ACN-rich phase (ACN-extract) and an aqueous phase, and subsequent solid-phase extraction of the aqueous phase, fractions differing in polarity were obtained and screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities, along with the more lipophilic ACN-extracts. Antimicrobial activity was determined against two Gram-negative, two Gram-positive bacteria, and two strains of fungi. Notably, all the invertebrate species in the study showed activity against all four strains of bacteria and the two strains of fungi. In general, the aqueous fractions displayed highest antimicrobial activity, and the most potent extracts were obtained from the colonial ascidian Synoicum pulmonaria which displayed activity against bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 0.02 mg/ml; the lowest concentration tested.     

Tracking and data–logging devices attached to elephant seals do not affect individual mass gain or survival

Understanding the cryptic lives of wide–ranging wild animals such as seals can be challenging, but with the advent of miniaturised telemetry and data–logging devices this is now possible and relatively straightforward. However, because marine animals have streamline bodies to reduce drag in their aquatic habitats, attaching external devices to their back or head may affect swimming performance, prey capture efficiency and ultimately, fitness. Given this, and allied welfare concerns, we assessed the short- and long-term consequences of external devices attached to southern elephant seal juveniles and adults under varying environmental conditions. We also assessed the effects of multiple deployments on individuals. There was no evidence for short-term differences in at-sea mass gain (measured as mass on arrival from a foraging trip) or long-term survival rate. The number of times that a seal carried a tracking device (ranging from 1 to 8 times) did not affect mass or estimated survival. Further, there were no tracking device effects in years of contrasting environmental conditions measured as ENSO anomalies. Consequently, we conclude that the current tracking devices available to researchers are valuable conservation tools that do not adversely affect the performance of a large marine mammal in terms of mass gain or survival probability over short (seasonal) or long (years) temporal scales.     

Twelve new polymorphic microsatellite markers from the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and cross-species amplification on other marine turtle species

We describe 12 new polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci and multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction conditions from the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta. Levels of polymorphism were assessed in 50 individuals from the nesting population of the Cape Verde Islands. Number of alleles ranged from 3 to 13 (average of 7.33) and the values of observed heterozygosities from 0.32 to 0.80 (average of 0.61). Cross-species amplification on three other marine turtles, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea, revealed polymorphism and variability at eight, eleven and three loci, respectively.     

The association of algicidal bacteria and raphidophyte blooms in South Carolina brackish detention ponds

Over the past 5 years, raphidophyte blooms have been frequently observed along the South Carolina coastal zone. During the 2002, 2003, and 2004 sampling seasons, we investigated temporal fluctuations of algicidal bacteria abundance against raphidophycean flagellates (Heterosigma akashiwo, Chattonella subsalsa, and Fibrocapsa japonica) using the microplate most probable number (MPN) method in three Kiawah Island brackish stormwater detention ponds (K1, K2, and K75). Local axenic isolates of H. akashiwo, C. subsalsa, and F. japonica were obtained and their susceptibility to algicidal bacteria tested. A total of 195 algicidal bacterial strains were isolated from raphidophyte blooms in the study ponds, and 6 of them were identified at the genus level, and the taxonomic specificity of their algicidal activity was tested against local (pond) and nonlocal isolates of raphidophytes (3 species, 10 total strains). In the ponds, a consistent association was found between raphidophyte bloom development and an increase in bacteria algicidal to the bloom species. In 12 of 15 cases, bloom decline followed the increase in algicidal bacteria to maximum abundances. Although variability was found in the taxonomic specificity of the algicidal bacteria effect (i.e. the number of raphidophyte species affected by a particular bacteria strain) and raphidophyte susceptibility (i.e. the number bacteria strains affecting a particular raphidophyte species), a toxic effect was always found when strains of a raphidophyte species were exposed to algicidal bacteria isolated from a bloom caused by that same species. The results suggest that algicidal bacteria may be an important limiting factor in raphidophyte bloom sustenance and can promote bloom decline in brackish lagoonal eutrophic estuaries.     

The value of harmful algal bloom predictions to the nearshore commercial shellfish fishery in the Gulf of Maine

In this study, we develop a framework for measuring the value of harmful algal bloom (HAB) predictions. The framework captures the effects of both private and public responses to HABs. Using data from the New England nearshore commercial shellfish fishery and impact estimates for a large-scale HAB event in 2005, we illustrate how the potential value of HAB forecasts may be estimated. The results of our study suggest that the long-term value of a HAB prediction and tracking system for the Gulf of Maine is sensitive to the frequency of HAB events, the accuracy of predictions, the choice of HAB impact measures, and the effectiveness of public and private responses.     

Marine drugs--macrolactins

The increasing demands for new lead compounds in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries have driven scientists to search for new bioactive natural products. Marine microorganisms are rich sources of novel, bioactive secondary metabolites, and have attracted much attention of chemists, pharmacologists, and molecular biologists. This mini-review mainly focuses on macrolactins, a group of 24-membered lactone marine natural products, aiming at giving an overview on their sources, structures, biological activities, as well as their potential medical applications.