Curvivirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the sea sponge Aplysina fistularis

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile bacterium, designated strain RKSG073T, was isolated from the sea sponge Aplysina fistularis, collected off the west coast of San Salvador, The Bahamas. Cells were curved-to-spiral rods with single, bipolar (amphitrichous) flagella, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-nitrate-reducing and required salt for growth. RKSG073T grew optimally at 30–37 °C, pH 6–7, and with 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant fatty acids of RKSG073T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c) and C16 : 0. Major isoprenoid quinones were identified as Q-10 and Q-9. Phylogenetic analyses of nearly complete 16S rRNA genes and genome sequences positioned strain RKSG073T in a clade with its closest relative Aestuariispira insulae AH-MY2T (92.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), which subsequently clustered with Hwanghaeella grinnelliae Gri0909T, Marivibrio halodurans ZC80T and type species of the genera Kiloniella , Thalassospira and Terasakiella . The DNA G+C content calculated from the genome of RKSG073T was 42.2 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic distinctiveness and polyphasic analysis, here we propose that RKSG073T (culture deposit numbers: ATCC collection = TSD-74T, BCCM collection = LMG 29869T) represents the type strain of a novel genus and species within the family Kiloniellaceae , order Rhodospirillales and class Alphaproteobacteria , for which the name Curvivirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

Naturally Formed Chitinous Skeleton Isolated from the Marine Demosponge Aplysina fistularis as a 3D Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering (TE) is a field of regenerative medicine that has been experiencing a special boom in recent years. Among various materials used as components of 3D scaffolds, naturally formed chitinous materials seem to be especially attractive because of their abundance, non-toxic and eco-friendly character. In this study, chitinous skeleton isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina fistularis (phylum: Porifera) was used for the first time as a support for the cultivation of murine fibroblasts (Balb/3T3), human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF), human keratinocyte (HaCaT), and human neuronal (SH-SY5Y) cells. Characterization techniques such as ATR FTIR, TGA, and μCT, clearly indicate that an interconnected macro-porous, thermostable, pure α-chitin scaffold was obtained after alkali–acid treatment of air-dried marine sponge. The biocompatibility of the naturally formed chitin scaffolds was confirmed by cell attachment and proliferation determined by various microscopic methods (e.g., SEM, TEM, digital microscopy) and specific staining. Our observations show that fibroblasts and keratinocytes form clusters on scaffolds that resemble a skin structure, including the occurrence of desmosomes in keratinocyte cells. The results obtained here suggest that the chitinous scaffold from the marine sponge A. fistularis is a promising biomaterial for future research about tissues regeneration.

Fulvivirga aurantia sp. nov. and Xanthovirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov., marine bacteria isolated from the sponge Aplysina fistularis, and emended description of the genus Fulvivirga

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, marine bacteria, designated as strains RKSG066T and RKSG123T, were isolated from a sponge Aplysina fistularis collected at a depth of 15 m off the west coast of San Salvador, The Bahamas. Investigation of nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene and whole genome-based phylogenies revealed that both strains belong to the order Cytophagales within the class Cytophagia and phylum Bacteroidetes . Strain RKSG066T formed a monophyletic clade with described members of the genus Fulvivirga , while strain RKSG123T formed a well-supported paraphyletic branch apart from this and other related genera within the family Flammeovirgaceae . For both RKSG066T and RKSG123T, optimal growth parameters were 30–37 °C, pH 7–8 and 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl; cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive, and flexirubin-type pigments were absent. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C18 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1 ω5c, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 1 ω9c and iso-C15 : 1 G for RKSG066T, and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1 ω5c, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) for RKSG123T. Menaquinone-7 was the major respiratory quinone for both strains. The DNA G+C contents of RKSG066T and RKSG123T were 39.5 and 36.7 mol%, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic distinctiveness and polyphasic analysis, the type strain RKSG066T (=TSD-73T=LMG 29870T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Fulvivirga , for which the name Fulvivirga aurantia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain RKSG123T (=TSD-75T=LMG 30075T) is proposed to represent the type species of a novel genus and species with the proposed name Xanthovirga aplysinae gen. nov., sp. nov. Additionally, the genus Fulvivirga is emended to include strains of orange-pigmented colonies that contain the predominant cellular fatty acids C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c and C18 : 1 ω9c.

CULTIVO EXPERIMENTAL DE DOS ESPONJAS MARINAS EN CONDICIONES DE LABORATORIO

Two species of sponges, Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter, 1882) and Aplysina fistularis insularis (Duch. and Mich., 1864) were observed and collected in the Santa Marta region (Colombian Caribbean). These sponges present special characteristics such as fast encrusting growth in D. anchorata, and asexual reproduction by budding in A. fistularis insularis. These processes were used to cultivate them on glass slides and simultaneously observe their behavior in laboratory conditions at different light exposures.

ASSOCIATION OF SYNALPHEUS (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, ALPHEIDAE) WITH THE SPONGES FROM PARQUE MARINO NACIONAL SISTEMA ARRECIFAL VERACRUZANO, SW GULF OF MEXICO

We assessed the association between five Synalpheus shrimp species (Synalpheus brevicarpus, Synalpheus fritzmuelleri, Synalpheus minus, Synalpheus scaphoceris, and Synalpheus towsendi) and five sponges (Amphimedon compressa, Aplysina fistularis, Ircinia fistularis, Ircinia. strobilina, and Sidonops neptuni) from parque marino nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano. Abundance of shrimp in each sponge species collected was noted. The Jaccard index (J) of association was applied to verify this association in six reefs in the park. Further, the correlation between shrimp carapace depth and sponge canal diameter was assessed. The total number of shrimps collected was 102, with the highest number of individuals (n = 62) for S. fritzmuelleri. The highest association was noted between S. towsendi and A. compressa (J = 1), followed by S. fritzmuelleri and I. fistularis (J = 0.88) and S. minus and I. strobilina (J = 0.66). The largest carapace depth (3.40 ± 0.20 mm) was observed for females of S. minus. A positive and significant correlation was noted between shrimp carapace depth and sponge canal diameter (P < 0.001).

VARIACIÓN ESPACIAL EN COMUNIDADES DE ESPONJAS DE LA COSTA ORIENTAL DE BAHÍA DE COCHINOS, CUBA

En octubre del 2002 se estudiaron las comunidades de esponjas en cuatro localidades del arrecife de la costa este de Bahía de Cochinos, Cuba. En cada localidad se establecieron sitios de muestreo de esponjas en las zonas ecológicas de cabezos coralinos (3 m), terraza somera (6-10 m) y terraza profunda (15 m). Se utilizó el método de transecto lineal de 10 m como unidad de muestreo para medir el cubrimiento del fondo y el marco cuadrado de 1 m para estimar la densidad de la comunidad. Los índices de heterogeneidad y de riqueza de especies mostraron variabilidad entre sitios y cierta tendencia a incrementarse con la profundidad. Se encontraron 30 especies pertenecientes a 19 familias y 21 géneros. Las especies más comunes fueron Mycale laevis, Aplysina cauliformis, Cliona aprica, Aplysina fistularis y Ectyoplasia ferox, las cuales conformaron el 48% del total de individuos identificados. La densidad fue moderada (2-8 ejemplares/m2) y se encontró variación entre sitios. La estación más cercana a mar abierto mostró un valor inferior, posiblemente por ser la más dañada tras el paso del huracán en el 2001. El estado general de la comunidad fue bueno, según los valores de diversidad alcanzados y las especies predominantes, aunque se muestran evidencias de afectaciones recientes producto de un huracán.The sponge communities at four locations on the east coast of Bahía de Cochinos were surveyed in October 2002. At each location, sampling sites were established in the ecological zones of patch reef (3 m), shallow terrace (6-10 m), and deep terrace (15 m). The line-transect method with a 10 m line as sampling unit was used to measure sponge bottom coverage, and a 1 m square grid was used to quantify sponge community density. Species heterogeneity and species richness indices showed variability among sites and tended to increase with depth. Thirty species belonging to 19 families and 21 genera were found. The most common species were Mycale laevis, Aplysina cauliformis, Cliona aprica, Aplysina fistularis, and Ectyoplasia ferox, which comprised 48% of the total individuals identified. Sponge density was moderate (2-8 specimens/m2) and showed variation among sites. The nearest station to open sea showed a lower density value, possibly due to disturbance from the passage of a hurricane in 2001. The general condition of the community was good, based on the diversity values reached and the predominant species, although evidence of impacts from recent hurricane were observed.

Lysianopsis adelae, new species of amphipod (Gammaridea: Lysianassidae) from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, SW Gulf of Mexico

A new species of amphipod of the genus Lysianopsis from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, SW Gulf of Mexico is described. Lysianopsis adelae n. sp., was collected in the sediments at the base of the sponge Aplysina fistularis at a depth of 10 m. The differences among L. alba, L. hummelincki, and L. ozona, recorded from Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are pointed out and they are compared with the new species.