A Novel Bunyavirus Discovered in Oriental Shrimp (Penaeus chinensis)

Herein, we describe a novel bunyavirus, oriental wenrivirus 1 (OWV1), discovered in moribund oriental shrimp (Penaeus chinensis) collected from a farm in China in 2016. Like most bunyaviruses, OWV1 particles were enveloped, spherical- to ovoid-shaped, and 80–115 nm in diameter. However, its genome was found to comprise four segments of (-)ssRNA. These included an L RNA segment (6,317 nt) encoding an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp) of 2,052 aa, an M RNA segment (2,978 nt) encoding a glycoprotein precursor (GPC) of 922 aa, an S1 RNA segment (1,164 nt) encoding a nucleocapsid (N) protein of 243 aa, and an S2 RNA segment (1,382 nt) encoding a putative non-structural (NSs2) protein of 401 aa. All the four OWV1 RNA segments have complementary terminal decanucleotides (5′-ACACAAAGAC and 3′-UGUGUUUCUG) identical to the genomic RNA segments of uukuviruses and similar to those of phleboviruses and tenuiviruses in the Phenuiviridae. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the RdRp, GPC, and N proteins of OWV1 were closely related to Wēnzhōu shrimp virus 1 (WzSV-1) and Mourilyan virus (MoV) that infect black tiger shrimp (P. monodon). Phylogenetic analyses also suggested that OWV1 could be classified into a second, yet to be established, species of the Wenrivirus genus in the Phenuiviridae. These wenriviruses also clustered with Wenling crustacean virus 7 from shrimps and bunya-like brown spot virus from white-clawed crayfish. Of note there were no homologs of the NSs2 of OWV1 and MoV/WzSV-1 in GenBank, and whether other crustacean phenuiviruses also possess a similar S2 RNA segment warrants further investigation. In addition, we established a TaqMan probe-based reverse-transcription quantitative PCR method for detection of OWV1, and it was detected as 1.17 × 102—1.90 × 107 copies/ng-RNA in gills of 23 out of 32 P. chinensis samples without an obvious gross sign. However, the discovery of OWV1 highlights the expanding genomic diversity of bunyaviruses.

Karakterisasi Enzim Xilanase dari Isolat Bacillus sp. UJ131 di Hutan Mangrove Margasari Lampung Timur sebagai Kandidat Probiotik

<strong>Characterization of Xilanase Enzyme by Bacillus sp. UJ131 A Probiotic Candidate from the Mangrove of Margasari, East Lampung</strong>. Mangrove are known to have high biodiversity as a potential location for exploration of enzyme-producing bacteria, one of which is the xylanase enzyme. Xylanase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the xylan-rich hemicellulose substrate. This research aims to produce and know the character of xylanase enzyme by Bacillus sp. UJ131 isolate which was isolated from the oriental shrimp in Margasari mangrove forest of East Lampung. Xylanase enzymes are produced from the bacteria by growing them in sea water complete (SWC) broth containing xylan beechwood. Characterization xylanase enzyme consist of pH, temperature, and metal ions. The results showed that xylanase had an optimal time of 18 hours with xylanase activity of 0.18 U/ml, and optimally at pH 6 and temperature 70°C. The addition of Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions increase enzyme activity, but Fe3+, Cu2+ and Mg2+ ions decrease xylanase enzyme activity. At a maximum reaction speed of 0.25 U/ml, the xylanase enzyme can produce 1.30 μM xylose per minute

Record of an established population of Palaemon macrodactylus Rathbun, 1902 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) in the Mediterranean Sea: confirming a prediction

The capture of larvae of Palaemon macrodactylus off Mallorca (Balearic Islands) has been recently reported as evidence of a potential presence of a population of this species in the Mediterranean Sea. Photos of this species, taken during dives in the Sacca di Goro (northern Adriatic) were published in the same year, but no specimen could be collected at that time. Herein we report the capture in 2013 of numerous individuals of the oriental shrimp, including ovigerous females, both in the Sacca di Goro and in the Lagoon of Marano and Grado (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy), confirming the existence of a well-established population of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.

First record of the oriental shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus M. J. Rathbun, 1902 in the Baltic Sea

The present paper reports for the first time on the occurrence of the oriental shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus M. J. Rathbun, 1902 in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea in 2014. Ovigerous females and young individuals were found, indicating a possible establishment of this species in the Baltic Sea.

First record of Palaemon macrodactylus Rathbun, 1902 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) in the western Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s hotspots for marine bio-invasions. Most invasions are first documented based on an initial record of occasional adult captures. However, reports of larval stages could indicate that there is an adult population that is reproducing and therefore well established in the area. The spread of the oriental shrimp, Palaemon macrodactylus, from its native estuarine waters of southeast Asia to new regions worldwide is well documented. We report the first record of this species in the Mediterranean based on the presence of its larval stages in plankton samples. Decapod larvae were collected in five offshore plankton surveys performed off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean), and zoeae III and VI of the oriental shrimp werefound among them. Taking into account the duration of the successive developmental stages, and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the study area, these larvae were most probably spawned by adult populations not yet documented. The larvae were found in marine waters despite the fact that adults usually inhabit brackish waters. Our study is a good example of how plankton studies can help to detect larval stages of invasive species before the adult populations are detected.