Plasticity of marine sponge habitat preferences with regard to light and water motion: the example of Batzella inops (Topsent, 1891) in submerged caves

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1784
Author(s):  
P. Nemoy ◽  
E. Spanier ◽  
N. Kashtan ◽  
A. Israel ◽  
D. L. Angel
Keyword(s):  
Marine Sponge ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Photosynthetic Activity ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Reciprocal Transplantation ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Transplantation Experiments

This study examined the effects of environmental conditions on the distribution of marine sponges. We measured the abundance of the sponge Batzella inops (Topsent, 1891) in two contrasting habitats: inside submerged caves and on the surfaces of submerged boulders. We hypothesised that caves are a preferred habitat for B. inops over the boulder surfaces, and tested this by descriptive (quadrate sampling) and manipulative (reciprocal transplantation) experiments. In addition, we tested B. inops in situ for the presence of photosynthetic activity. We found that B. inops is more abundant inside the caves (mean ± s.e.m., 1.2 ± 0.6individualsm–2) than on the outside boulder surfaces (0.15 ± 0.19individualsm–2). We also detected photosynthetic activity in B. inops in both habitats. The results of transplantation experiments suggested that the sponge prefers the transfer from inside to outside the cave rather than vice versa. Therefore, we conclude that although B. inops is more abundant in sheltered habitats, such as submerged caves, adult individuals of this sponge can survive transfer to exposed conditions. Altogether, our findings point to the plasticity of B. inops habitat preferences and may aid further research into conservation or mariculture of this and possibly other sponge species.

scholarly journals New from Old: Thorectandrin Alkaloids in a Southern Australian Marine Sponge, Thorectandra choanoides (CMB-01889)

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Shamsunnahar Khushi ◽  
Angela A. Salim ◽  
Ahmed H. Elbanna ◽  
Laizuman Nahar ◽  
Robert J. Capon
Keyword(s):  
Marine Sponge ◽  
Tissue Specificity ◽  
Spectroscopic Analysis ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Chemical Fractionation ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Michael Acceptor ◽  
Michael Acceptors ◽  
Stable Ring

Thorectandra choanoides (CMB-01889) was prioritized as a source of promising new chemistry from a library of 960 southern Australian marine sponge extracts, using a global natural products social (GNPS) molecular networking approach. The sponge was collected at a depth of 45 m. Chemical fractionation followed by detailed spectroscopic analysis led to the discovery of a new tryptophan-derived alkaloid, thorectandrin A (1), with the GNPS cluster revealing a halo of related alkaloids 1a–1n. In considering biosynthetic origins, we propose that Thorectandrachoanoides (CMB-01889) produces four well-known alkaloids, 6-bromo-1′,8-dihydroaplysinopsin (2), 6-bromoaplysinopsin (3), aplysinopsin (4), and 1′,8-dihydroaplysinopsin (10), all of which are susceptible to processing by a putative indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-like (IDO) enzyme to 1a–1n. Where the 1′,8-dihydroalkaloids 2 and 10 are fully transformed to stable ring-opened thorectandrins 1 and 1a–1b, and 1h–1j, respectively, the conjugated precursors 3 and 4 are transformed to highly reactive Michael acceptors that during extraction and handling undergo complete transformation to artifacts 1c–1g, and 1k–1n, respectively. Knowledge of the susceptibility of aplysinopsins as substrates for IDOs, and the relative reactivity of Michael acceptor transformation products, informs our understanding of the pharmaceutical potential of this vintage marine pharmacophore. For example, the cancer tissue specificity of IDOs could be exploited for an immunotherapeutic response, with aplysinopsins transforming in situ to Michael acceptor thorectandrins, which covalently bind and inhibit the enzyme.

MixAR

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Telmo Adão ◽  
Luís Pádua ◽  
David Narciso ◽  
Joaquim João Sousa ◽  
Luís Agrellos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
The Real ◽  
Points Of Interest ◽  
Real Scene ◽  
The Future

MixAR, a full-stack system capable of providing visualization of virtual reconstructions seamlessly integrated in the real scene (e.g. upon ruins), with the possibility of being freely explored by visitors, in situ, is presented in this article. In addition to its ability to operate with several tracking approaches to be able to deal with a wide variety of environmental conditions, MixAR system also implements an extended environment feature that provides visitors with an insight on surrounding points-of-interest for visitation during mixed reality experiences (positional rough tracking). A procedural modelling tool mainstreams augmentation models production. Tests carried out with participants to ascertain comfort, satisfaction and presence/immersion based on an in-field MR experience and respective results are also presented. Ease to adapt to the experience, desire to see the system in museums and a raised curiosity and motivation contributed as positive points for evaluation. In what regards to sickness and comfort, the lowest number of complaints seems to be satisfactory. Models' illumination/re-lightning must be addressed in the future to improve the user's engagement with the experiences provided by the MixAR system.

scholarly journals In-Situ Metatranscriptomic Analyses Reveal the Metabolic Flexibility of the Thermophilic Anoxygenic Photosynthetic Bacterium Chloroflexusaggregans in a Hot Spring Cyanobacteria-Dominated Microbial Mat

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 652
Author(s):  
Shigeru Kawai ◽  
Joval N. Martinez ◽  
Mads Lichtenberg ◽  
Erik Trampe ◽  
Michael Kühl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Microbial Mats ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Photosynthetic Bacterium ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Metabolic Flexibility

Chloroflexus aggregans is a metabolically versatile, thermophilic, anoxygenic phototrophic member of the phylum Chloroflexota (formerly Chloroflexi), which can grow photoheterotrophically, photoautotrophically, chemoheterotrophically, and chemoautotrophically. In hot spring-associated microbial mats, C. aggregans co-exists with oxygenic cyanobacteria under dynamic micro-environmental conditions. To elucidate the predominant growth modes of C. aggregans, relative transcription levels of energy metabolism- and CO2 fixation-related genes were studied in Nakabusa Hot Springs microbial mats over a diel cycle and correlated with microscale in situ measurements of O2 and light. Metatranscriptomic analyses indicated two periods with different modes of energy metabolism of C. aggregans: (1) phototrophy around midday and (2) chemotrophy in the early morning hours. During midday, C. aggregans mainly employed photoheterotrophy when the microbial mats were hyperoxic (400–800 µmol L−1 O2). In the early morning hours, relative transcription peaks of genes encoding uptake hydrogenase, key enzymes for carbon fixation, respiratory complexes as well as enzymes for TCA cycle and acetate uptake suggest an aerobic chemomixotrophic lifestyle. This is the first in situ study of the versatile energy metabolism of C. aggregans based on gene transcription patterns. The results provide novel insights into the metabolic flexibility of these filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs that thrive under dynamic environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Elicited ROS Scavenging Activity, Photoprotective, and Wound-Healing Properties of Collagen-Derived Peptides from the Marine Sponge Chondrosia reniformis

Marine Drugs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Pozzolini ◽  
Enrico Millo ◽  
Caterina Oliveri ◽  
Serena Mirata ◽  
Annalisa Salis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Marine Sponge ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
In Vitro Toxicity ◽  
Scavenging Activity ◽  
Ros Scavenging ◽  
General Chemical ◽  
Collagen Hydrolysates

Recently, the bioactive properties of marine collagen and marine collagen hydrolysates have been demonstrated. Although there is some literature assessing the general chemical features and biocompatibility of collagen extracts from marine sponges, no data are available on the biological effects of sponge collagen hydrolysates for biomedical and/or cosmetic purposes. Here, we studied the in vitro toxicity, antioxidant, wound-healing, and photoprotective properties of four HPLC-purified fractions of trypsin-digested collagen extracts—marine collagen hydrolysates (MCHs)—from the marine sponge C. reniformis. The results showed that the four MCHs have no degree of toxicity on the cell lines analyzed; conversely, they were able to stimulate cell growth. They showed a significant antioxidant activity both in cell-free assays as well as in H2O2 or quartz-stimulated macrophages, going from 23% to 60% of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity for the four MCHs. Finally, an in vitro wound-healing test was performed with fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and the survival of both cells was evaluated after UV radiation. In both experiments, MCHs showed significant results, increasing the proliferation speed and protecting from UV-induced cell death. Overall, these data open the way to the use of C. reniformis MCHs in drug and cosmetic formulations for damaged or photoaged skin repair.

scholarly journals Daily Variations of Photosynthetic Efficiency of Greenhouse Tomato Plants during Winter and Spring

2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Ayari ◽  
M. Dorais ◽  
A. Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Photosynthetic Efficiency ◽  
Photosynthetic Activity ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Protective Strategy ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Source Limitation

Daily and seasonal variations of photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll a (Chl-a) fluorescence and foliar carbohydrate content were studied in situ on greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. `Trust') plants grown under CO2 enrichment and supplemental lighting. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of seasonal variation of the photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) on photosynthetic efficiency of tomato plants and to determine the presence or absence of photosynthetic down-regulation under greenhouse growing conditions prevailing in northern latitudes. During winter, the fifth and the tenth leaves of tomato plants showed low, constant daily photosynthetic activity suggesting a source limitation under low PPF. In winter, the ratio of variable to maximum Chl-a fluorescence in dark adapted state (Fv/Fm) remained constant during the day indicating no photoinhibition occurred. In February, an increase in photosynthetic activity was followed by a decline during March, April, and May accompanied by an increase in sucrose and daily starch concentrations and constant but high hexose level. This accumulation was a long-term response to high PPF and CO2 enrichment which would be caused by a sink limitation. Thus, in spring we observed an in situ downregulation of photosynthesis. The ratio Fv/Fm decreased in spring compared to winter in response to increasing PPF. The daily decline of Fv/Fm was observed particularly as a midday depression followed by a recovery towards the end of the day. This indicated that tomato leaves were subject to a reversible inhibition in spring. Fv/Fm was lower in March than in April and May even though PPF was higher in April and May than in March. These results suggest that tomato plants develop an adaptive and protective strategy as PPF increases in spring.

scholarly journals Metagenomic exploration of the marine sponge mycale hentscheli uncovers multiple polyketide-producing bacterial symbionts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Storey ◽  
SK Andreassend ◽  
Joe Bracegirdle ◽  
Alistair Brown ◽  
Robert Keyzers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Sponge ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Defensive Symbiosis ◽  
Long Read ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Mycale Hentscheli

© 2020 Storey et al. Marine sponges have been a prolific source of unique bioactive compounds that are presumed to act as a deterrent to predation. Many of these compounds have potential therapeutic applications; however, the lack of efficient and sustainable synthetic routes frequently limits clinical development. Here, we describe a metag-enomic investigation of Mycale hentscheli, a chemically gifted marine sponge that pos-sesses multiple distinct chemotypes. We applied shotgun metagenomic sequencing, hybrid assembly of short-and long-read data, and metagenomic binning to obtain a comprehensive picture of the microbiome of five specimens, spanning three chemo-types. Our data revealed multiple producing species, each having relatively modest secondary metabolomes, that contribute collectively to the chemical arsenal of the holo-biont. We assembled complete genomes for multiple new genera, including two species that produce the cytotoxic polyketides pateamine and mycalamide, as well as a third high-abundance symbiont harboring a proteusin-type biosynthetic pathway that appears to encode a new polytheonamide-like compound. We also identified an additional 188 biosynthetic gene clusters, including a pathway for biosynthesis of peloruside. These re-sults suggest that multiple species cooperatively contribute to defensive symbiosis in M. hentscheli and reveal that the taxonomic diversity of secondary-metabolite-producing sponge symbionts is larger and richer than previously recognized. IMPORTANCE Mycale hentscheli is a marine sponge that is rich in bioactive small mol-ecules. Here, we use direct metagenomic sequencing to elucidate highly complete and contiguous genomes for the major symbiotic bacteria of this sponge. We identify complete biosynthetic pathways for the three potent cytotoxic polyketides which have previously been isolated from M. hentscheli. Remarkably, and in contrast to previous studies of marine sponges, we attribute each of these metabolites to a different producing mi-crobe. We also find that the microbiome of M. hentscheli is stably maintained among in-dividuals, even over long periods of time. Collectively, our data suggest a cooperative mode of defensive symbiosis in which multiple symbiotic bacterial species cooperatively contribute to the defensive chemical arsenal of the holobiont.

scholarly journals Transplantation of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica through naturalistic engineering techniques: value, weakness and further improvements

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Acunto ◽  
Luigi Piazzi ◽  
Francesco L. Cinelli ◽  
Anna Maria De Biasi ◽  
Lorenzo Pacciardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Hydrodynamic Conditions ◽  
Coastal System ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Selection Of

Transplantation of seagrasses is considered a useful method to favour the recovery of degraded meadows. Hence, many projects have been carried out worldwide and a manifold of techniques have been applied. However, the choice of transplantation procedures remains a main problem to be assessed. In order to optimize efforts and to minimize risks of plants loss, the applied methodologies should take into account typology of hosting substratum, hydrodynamic conditions, depth and seagrass species. Due to their fundamental ecological role in the Mediterranean coastal system, many restoration projects aiming to preserve Posidonia oceanica meadows took place in the last decades. Several transplantation techniques have produced different results. In fact the same transplanting methodology may originate diverse results under different environmental conditions. Recently, naturalistic engineering techniques developed on land, have been used for transplantations of P. oceanica. Pilot projects concerning small surfaces were carried out between 2006 and 2010. More recently, a large-scale program (0.1 km2) was realized in 2012 at Civitavecchia (Roma, Thyrrenian Sea). The applied technique consists basically of mattresses filled with sand coupled with a net covering able to hold steady in situ the plant rhizomes. These structures have been variously modified in time to be adapted to the different type of substratum and various hydrodynamic conditions of the transplanting sites. Following the results of these transplantation experiences, we analyzed pros and cons of the techniques in order to improve the methodology. Firstly, these techniques may be considered suitable to large-scale projects allowing to minimize transplantation times. Secondly, the rhizomes may be successfully fixed to the structures; the majority of the transplanted shoots was not damaged showing a very good vegetative vitality with the production of new rhizomes, leaves and roots few months after transplanting. Finally, this procedure is flexible, as the basic technique can be modified and tailored to the various environmental conditions of the different receiving site. However, the results obtained in different areas are highly heterogeneous suggesting that a careful selection of the hosting site is a focal point. To this aim, a pilot study before the beginning of large-scale project seems mandatory, providing a fundamental support to guarantee successful results.

scholarly journals Identification of Cytotoxicity of Marine Sponge Dendrilla Membranosa Against L929 Cell Line

2019 ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Joicy Abraham ◽  
Mahija S. P ◽  
Jency George ◽  
Manjusha W. A
Keyword(s):  
Marine Sponge ◽  
Octanoic Acid ◽  
L929 Cell ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Ms Analysis ◽  
Benzenedicarboxylic Acid ◽  
Sponge Extract ◽  
L929 Cell Line

Marine sponges are rich sources of pharmacological active compound. Marine sponge, Dendrilla membranosa was collected from the Vizhingam coast. The sponge extract was tested against eight human bacterial pathogens. The bioactive compounds present in marine sponge were determined by GC-MS analysis. The cytotoxic effect of the sponge was evaluated by using MTT assay. The extracts showed potent anti-bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pyogens. The bioactive compound present in marine sponge was identified by GC-MS analysis and the compounds are ethane, butane, formate pentane, Alpha d-galactopyranoside, 2-Ethylhexyl2-ethylhexanoate, Hexahydro hexitol, Styrene, Alpha-d glucopyranoside 1-pentyl-2-proppyl-1-octene, nonadecane, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis-2, Octanoic acid. The test material showed none cytotoxic response to fibroblasts cells. The results of present investigation revealed that, Dendrilla membranosa is a potential source of novel anticancer and antibacterial leads.

scholarly journals The occurence of rare and protected plant species on the peat bog near Lake Bikcze (Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lakeland)

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pogorzelec ◽  
Barbara Banach
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Peat Bog ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Drosera Rotundifolia ◽  
Western Shore ◽  
Betula Humilis ◽  
Menyanthes Trifoliata

This paper presents the results of a pilot field study, conducted in July 2007, designed to make floristic evaluation of the peat bog area adjacent to the western shore of Lake Bikcze (Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lakeland). The main aim of the study was to confirm the occurrence of populations of rare and legally protected plant species in this area and to identify, on a preliminary basis, habitat conditions in their stands. The occurrence of populations of the following strictly protected plant species: <i>Betula humilis</i>, <i>Salix lapponum</i>, <i>Salix myrtilloides</i>, <i>Carex limosa</i>, <i>Drosera intermedia</i>, <i>Drosera rotundifolia</i>, <i>Dactylorhiza incarnata</i>; and partially protected species: <i>Menyanthes trifoliata</i>, has been confirmed in the studied peat bog. Both an investigation of abiotic factors, conducted <i>in situ</i>, and an analysis of the species composition of the flora in terms of habitat preferences of particular groups of taxa have shown that the described rare plant species find suitable conditions for their growth and development in the studied peat bog.

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