Annual pattern of brooding and settlement in a population of the flat oyster Ostrea chilensis from central New Zealand

Temporal patterns of larval brooding and settlement were investigated in a flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis) population in Tasman Bay, central New Zealand. The proportion of the population brooding larvae and larval settlement rates were monitored over 26 months. A peak period of brooding activity began in late spring and continued through summer. Maximum rates of 17% and 23% of adult oysters brooding larvae occurred in November and December, and an estimated 55–78% of adult oysters incubated larvae over the entire summer breeding period. These proportions of brooders are higher than those previously reported for Tasman Bay. A very low level of brooding activity (1%) occurred during winter. Temporal trends in larval settlement closely tracked brooding patterns. Settlement was greatest between November and January, and there were very low rates in winter. The seasonal breeding pattern in the population was intermediate between northern and southern populations, confirming a latitudinal gradient of reproductive behaviour for O. chilensis in New Zealand. Results are useful in optimising the timing of substrate deployment in an enhancement programme for the oyster fishery.     

Modelling the influence of environmental and weather factors on the density of the invasive polychaete Boccardia proboscidea

The inter‐tidal zone around sewage discharges in a Southwest Atlantic shore (Mar del Plata, Argentina) is currently colonized by extensive inter‐tidal reefs of the invasive spionid Boccardia proboscidea. Understanding the links between both human and natural disturbances and the massive development of non‐indigenous species will help prevent marine bioinvasions, which are already favoured by global oceanic trade. We present herein predictive models for variations in the density of B. proboscidea around sewage discharges of Mar del Plata, using environmental (pH, turbidity, temperature, salinity and total organic matter content), weather (wind direction and storm records), spatial (sites) and temporal (season and year) variables. Density variations were modelled by generalized linear models, and model averaging (multimodel inference) was used to obtain predicted values. The highest predicted values of B. proboscidea density occurred at sites to the south of the sewage effluent in spring. These sites are more affected by urban effluent discharges and they showed increased B. proboscidea density when the north wind was predominant. In addition, B. proboscidea density values were higher in sites with 20–22 °C (seawater temperature), high total organic matter content in sediments and low salinity. The averaged model was only a good ‘predictive model’ for sites to the north of the outfall, but was useful as an ‘explanatory model’ in all sites. Such predictions may help to back up conservation and management policies and decisions.     

Environmental cues and seasonal reproduction in a temperate estuary: a case study of Owenia collaris (Annelida: Polychaeta,Oweniidae)

Coordination of gametogenesis and spawning during restricted breeding seasons increases availability of mates, fertilization rates, and often success of offspring. Orton’s Rule predicts water temperature as the dominant environmental cue for gametogenesis or spawning in temperate invertebrates. Crisp’s Rule predicts that species producing planktotrophic larvae will time their reproduction to ensure optimal nutrition for the larvae. Owenia collaris (Annelida: Oweniidae) is a temperate polychaete that produces planktotrophic larvae that remain in the water column for several weeks. Reproductive phenology and its relationship to the environment were investigated in an estuarine population of O. collaris using field and laboratory studies. Owenia collaris produced mature gametes between March and September each year during the productive season between the spring and fall transitions when day lengths were 12 h or more, alkalinity was 8.1 or higher, and temperature was 11 °C or higher. Gamete production was not related to seasonal changes in salinity or benthic phytoplankton concentrations and gametes were present prior to the spring phytoplankton bloom. In laboratory experiments, production of gametes was influenced somewhat by manipulating day lengths but not adult food. The association with predictable and stable environmental cycles (day length) and a broad spawning season suggest that this species is unlikely to mis-match with larval food availability which would lead to reduced availability of recruits in any given year, supporting Crisp’s Rule. Our data do not support the hypothesis that reproductive timing in this species is driven by access to excess energy required by adults to initiate the production of gametes. Our data also do not support Orton’s premise that temperature is the primary controlling factor of reproduction in this temperate marine invertebrate.     

Population structure and growth of polydorid polychaetes that infest cultured abalone Haliotis midae

Polydorid polychaetes can infest cultured abalone thereby reducing productivity. In order to effectively control these pests, their reproductive biology must be understood. The population dynamics and reproduction of polydorids infesting abalone Haliotis midae from two farms in South Africa is described using a length-based, age-structured model. Shells were infested mainly by introduced Boccardia proboscidea. Polydora hoplura and Dipolydora capensis were also present but in numbers too few to identify factors influencing infestation. At both farms, B. proboscidea lived for a minimum of 12 months. Growth rate, size at maturity, maximum size, infestation intensity, recruitment, percentage of the population brooding and mortality appear to be affected by abalone feeding regime and water temperature, and these factors need to be considered in controlling infestation. Brooders and recruits were present throughout the year, but increased significantly during mid- to late winter/early spring when water temperature and day length increased. Treatment measures should therefore be implemented throughout the year but with increased effort when water temperature increases.     

Comparative phylogeography and population genetic structure of three widespread mollusc species in the Mediterranean and near Atlantic

Although several studies have evaluated the genetic structure and phylogeographic patterns in many species of marine invertebrates, a general model that applies to all of them remains elusive. For example, some species present an admixture of populations with high gene flow, whereas others exhibit more complex patterns characterized by small‐scale unstructured genetic heterogeneity, even at a local scale. These differences are thought to be due to clear biological aspects such as direct versus indirect development, or the presence of lecithotrophic versus planktotrophic larvae, but few studies compare animals with similar distributions and life modes. Here, we explore the phylogeographic and genetic structure patterns in two chiton (Chiton olivaceus and Lepidopleurus cajetanus) and one abalone (Haliotis tuberculata) species co‐occurring in the same habitat. Samples were obtained from shallow rocky bottoms along the Iberian Peninsula (Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts), Italy, Croatia and Greece, and the mitochondrial markers COI and 16S rRNA gene were sequenced. Our data show evidence of admixture and population expansion in C. olivaceus and H. tuberculata, whereas L. cajetanus exhibited a ‘chaotic patchiness’ pattern defined by a high genetic variability with locality‐exclusive haplotypes, high genetic divergence, and a lack of geographic structure. Shared haplotypes were sampled in both coasts of Iberia (for H. tuberculata) and in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean (for C. olivaceus), potentially indicating high dispersal ability and a recent expansion. The processes underlying the fine‐scale structuring in L. cajetanus remain a mystery. These results are especially interesting because the reproductive mode of the two chitons is similar but differs from that of the abalone, with a veliger larva, while instead the genetic structure of C. olivaceus and H. tuberculata are similar, thus contrasting with predictions based on the life history of the three molluscs and showing that the genetic patterns of marine species may be shaped by many factors, including historical ones.     

Evidence of Ostrea lurida Carpenter, 1864, population structure in Puget Sound,WA, USA

Species traits that carry adaptive advantages such as reproductive timing and stress resilience may differ among populations. Knowledge and consideration of these traits should, therefore, be integrated into conservation efforts that include long‐term persistence of species. To test for adaptive differences between Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida, populations a reciprocal transplant experiment was carried out monitoring survival, growth and reproduction using three established populations of O. lurida within Puget Sound, WA, USA. Performance differed for each population. Ostrea lurida from Dabob Bay had the highest survival at all sites but the lowest reproductive activity and growth. Oysters from Oyster Bay demonstrated the greatest proportion of brooding females at a majority of sites with moderate growth and survival. Together these data suggest the existence of O. lurida population structure within Puget Sound and provide information on how broodstock should be selected for restoration purposes.     

Temporal variation in cannibalistic infanticide by the shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis: implications for reproductive success

Larvae of benthic marine organisms are released amid high densities of suspension feeding and predatory adults and are highly subject to being consumed, even by conspecifics or their own parent. During laboratory feeding trials conducted in June 2006, female shore crabs (Hemigrapsus oregonensis) from Stege Marsh in San Francisco Bay (37°54.530′ N, 122°19.734′ W) that released their larvae during the previous 24 h ate fewer conspecific larvae than females that had not recently released larvae, though the behavior was not repeated during similar trials in 2007. Additionally, the number of larvae eaten increased with increasing starvation time, and hungrier females showed a trend toward eating more larvae from a different species (Carcinus maenas) than larvae of conspecifics. Thus, suppression of suspension feeding may reduce conspecific predation of newly released larvae, but this response partially depends on hunger level. This is the first time crabs have been shown to suppress feeding to reduce cannibalism of larvae, and this behavior could affect reproductive success and population dynamics.     

A non-invasive anaesthetic method for accessing the brood chamber of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis)

A cost effective method to discern brooding from non-brooding specimens of the Chilean flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis Phillipi, 1844) is needed to optimise current hatchery practices for this species. Accordingly, we investigated the efficacy of two treatments, AQUI-S® and MgCl₂, in anaesthetising individuals of this species and then mapped any subsequent mortality of anaesthetised oysters. Oysters immersed for 3 h in solutions of 20, 40, 80 and 100 µL L^?1 of AQUI-S® exhibited no signs of anaesthesia and also recorded low levels of mortality (i.e. 8% or less). Conversely, oysters immersed in 30, 40 and 50 g L^?1 MgCl₂ showed between 96%–100% anaesthesia after 3 h whereas only 70% of oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 MgCl₂ were anaesthetised over this time period. Time taken for 50% of oyster shells to open (SO₅₀) was compared among MgCl₂ treatments with oysters immersed in 60 g L^?1 taking significantly longer than (103 min) those immersed in 30–50 g L^?1 (SO₅₀ values of 43, 54 and 37 min respectively). Furthermore, treating oysters with MgCl₂ resulted in low levels of mortality (i.e. 13% or less) and was not related to MgCl₂ concentration. Thus, our results show that immersing O. chilensis in MgCl₂ to be an efficient and cost effective method to access the brood chamber of this species. We recommend the use of 30 g L^?1 for routine anaesthesia and recommend that future work investigates the efficacy of cheaper MgCl₂ sources and what effects MgCl₂ anaesthetisation has on developing larvae.     

Sewage-induced polychaete reefs in a SW Atlantic shore: rapid response to small-scale disturbance

The intertidal zone around Mar del Plata’s sewage discharge (38° S, 57° W) is characterized by the presence of the non-indigenous spionid polychaete Boccardia proboscidea. This species has been classified as tolerant to moderate and high levels of organic contamination. During early stages of colonization this species can reach very high densities without suffering from interspecific competition, building biogenic structures such as reef. The aim of this work was evaluate the recovery time of the reef to a small-scale experimental physical disturbance. Five independent rocks with B. proboscidea reefs on them were selected randomly and a small-scale disturbance was generated by corers (16 cm²). At the beginning of the experiment, six corers were collected in each reef to produce the disturbance. The original density of B. proboscidea in each reef was determined in these corers. The reefs with disturbed corer were sampled on successive days to assess the reef recovery time. The number of larvae, juveniles and adults was quantified. Polychaete reefs had very high densities before the disturbance (mean density: 1,021,250 ind m⁻²). Boccardia proboscidea reefs had a fast recovery rate after small-scale disturbance. Four days after disturbance the density reached about 50% of the original density and after 5 days the disturbed reefs could not be differentiated from the undisturbed reef. The initial recolonization of disturbed patches occurs as a result of migration which appears to be driven by larvae and juveniles. These reefs can not be seen as biodiversity hotspots and the presence of the species demonstrates great environmental deterioration.     

Comparative descriptions of some oyster larvae from New Zealand and Chile,and a description of a new genus of oyster,Tiostrea

Detailed comparisons of the larvae of four species of New Zealand oyster (Saccostrea glomer‐ata, Crassostrea gigas, Ostrea lutaria, and a new species of Ostrea) and one Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) showed that larvae of species other than O. lutaria and O. chilensis share certain features. One conspicuous feature is a distinct tract, termed here the posterior dorsal sulcus, which runs from the posterior margin of prodissoconch I to the valve margin of prodissoconch II; other characteristic features are an umbonate, inequivalve shell and a provinculum bearing distinct teeth. The larvae of O. lutaria and O. chilensis, in contrast, lack the posterior dorsal sulcus, are nonumbonate, and have nearly equal valves with an edentulous provinculum. These distinctive features, together with other adult features, suggest that the two species are more appropriately included in a separate genus. The name Tiostrea is proposed for the new genus. Certain supraspecific groupings within the Ostreinae need to be re‐examined in the light of breeding experiments.     

Differentiation in reproductive traits of geminate mangrove crabs of the genus Aratus (Decapoda: Brachyura) across the Central American Isthmus

The mangrove crab Aratus pisonii was considered to have an amphi‐American distribution; however, a recent study revealed that the Eastern Tropical Pacific populations were genetically distinct, thus representing a new species: Aratus pacificus. These species separated by the Isthmus of Panama have diverged under different environmental conditions that may have influenced their reproductive biology. As the available information about this genus concerns almost exclusively the Caribbean species, the aim of the present study was to analyse and compare reproductive aspects of A. pacificus and A. pisonii obtained from both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica. Females were collected from April 2011 to April 2012, and reproductive features such as breeding season, size distribution of ovigerous females, fecundity, reproductive output, embryo volume and embryo water content were assessed. Both species produced embryos during the entire sampled period. Most females of A. pacificus carrying embryos close to hatching were found during the rainy season. Ovigerous females of A. pisonii were substantially larger and reached sexual maturity at a larger size than females of A. pacificus. Embryo production started in A. pacificus at a smaller female size than in A. pisonii. As fecundity increased with female size, the average fecundity was lower in A. pacificus. Females of A. pisonii produced larger embryos, which might be related to lower food availability: higher energy content in the embryo enhances the chances of larval survival. These data regarding reproductive features of the Pacific and Caribbean species support the conclusion to separate A. pacificus from A. pisonii.     

Intertidal biogenic reefs built by the polychaete Boccardia proboscidea in sewage‐impacted areas of Argentina,SW Atlantic

The rocky intertidal zone around the city of Mar del Plata (SW Atlantic, 38° S–57° W) is characterized by dense mussel beds of Brachidontes rodriguezii. This intertidal community develops on natural and artificial hard substrates, including abrasion platforms in sewage‐impacted areas. A monitoring program, designed to assess the effect of sewage discharge on intertidal macrobenthic communities, has been conducted since 1997. During the spring season of 2008, a new spionid polychaete (Boccardia proboscidea) was found near the sewage outfall, forming large biogenic reefs. This is the first report of biogenic reefs being built by a non reef‐forming spionid polychaete in areas organically impacted by sewage discharges. The aim of this work was to evaluate the spatial–temporal dynamics (% cover and density of B. proboscidea) of these reefs. These biogenic reefs covered almost the entire impacted site, reaching a density of 650,000 ind·m^?2. This phenomenon is unique in that there is no other record available worldwide of any other biogenic polychaete reefs that could be sewage‐induced. The presence and stability of these biogenic reefs is discussed in relation to increased organic contamination as a structuring factor.     

Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of females and offspring of red squat lobster,Pleuroncodes monodon (Decapoda,Munididae), from the Southeastern Pacific

Pleuroncodes monodon is an important fishery resource and key species from the Southeastern Pacific. During its prolonged reproductive period (from February to December), ovigerous females are exposed to seasonal variation in environmental factors (e.g. temperature and food availability), with higher levels of these environmental parameters during summer and lower in winter, and must adjust their biochemistry to ensure their own survival and that of their embryos. The aim of this study was to analyse seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of ovigerous females and their eggs. The data show that the content of lipids, proteins and organic matter in the hepatopancreases of females was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Similarly, the lipid content of the eggs was significantly higher in winter than in summer, yet the protein content of the eggs had the opposite pattern with greater values found in summer. Consistent with the ‘reproductive energetic model’, the initial and final energy produced by the hepatopancreas showed significant seasonal variations, whereas female investment in egg production (in absolute values) did not show significant seasonal differences. The seasonal differences observed in the biochemistry, organic matter and energy content of the female hepatopancreases may be related to the storage of energy for growth and reproduction. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the content of lipids, proteins and energy in eggs is likely related to embryogenesis and larval hatching in function with environmental conditions. Seasonal variation in the biochemical composition of P. monodon has direct effects on the marine food web and also upon fisheries.     

Chemical and structural defensive external strategies in six sabellid worms (Annelida)

In the marine environment, sessile invertebrates have developed an impressive array of mechanisms to avoid predation, bacterial exploitation, and epibiotic overgrowth. In the present study we investigated several defensive strategies adopted by six sabellids: the hard bottom species Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791), Branchiomma luctuosum Grube, 1869, Branchiomma bairdi (McIntosh, 1885), and Sabellastarte spectabilis (Grube, 1878), and the soft bottom species Myxicola infundibulum (Renier, 1804), and Megalomma lanigera (Grube, 1846), which have different morphological characteristics and geographical distribution. We examined and compared some defensive features such as branchial crown toughness, tube structure and strength, amount of released mucus, and antibacterial lysozyme‐activity in the mucus. The investigated species utilize a combination of defence and deterrence strategies that seems to be related to the colonized habitat. Tube strength was, higher in the hard bottom species compared with the soft bottom ones, where the tubes are generally buried and protected within the sediment. Branchial crown appeared stronger and resistant in hard bottom species, except for S. spallanzanii, which is the species showing the strongest tube. Sabella spallanzanii, M. infundibulum and S. spectabilis secreted high amount of mucus with high lysozyme‐like activity. By contrast, B. luctuosum, B. bairdi, and M. lanigera produced low amounts of mucus exerting lower antibacterial activity.     

中国经济头足类增养殖现状及展望

头足类(Cephalopods)是软体动物门的重要组成部分,在中国海洋渔业中占有重要的经济地位。开展头足类增养殖,对于保护中国种质资源、提高头足类产量具有重要意义。本文就目前中国主要的经济头足类,包括金乌贼(Sepia esculenta)、拟目乌贼(S.lycidas)、虎斑乌贼(S.pharaonis)、无针乌贼(Sepiella japonica)、长蛸(Octopus minor)、真蛸(O.vulgaris)以及短蛸(Amphioctopus fangsiao)的繁殖习性、幼体培育、成体养成等各阶段生活史的研究进展和存在问题进行阐述,并对其发展前景进行展望,旨在为中国头足类养殖产业提供借鉴。     

Vertical zonation patterns of scavenging amphipods from the Hadal zone of the Tonga and Kermadec Trenches

Deep-sea trenches present an ideal system in which to study vertical zonation, though the difficulties inherent in studying these great depths have thus far deterred such research. Here, we present the first account of the structure and vertical zonation of the scavenging guild residing in the hadal habitat of the Tonga and Kermadec Trenches (SW Pacific Ocean). Four species of scavenging amphipod (Eurythenes gryllus, Scopelocheirus schellenbergi, Hirondellea dubia, and Uristes sp. nov.) were captured with baited free-vehicle traps set 1 m above the seafloor and deployed to bottom depths between 5155 and 10,787 m. Each species occupied a distinct vertical zone of 3.5 km or less, and the scavenging amphipod assemblage vertically partitioned the hadal zone. Scavenging amphipod diversity and evenness sharply declined below 9 km. For S. schellenbergi and H. dubia, population structure was stratified ontogenetically. Early instars appeared to reside exclusively in the shallower depths of each species’ vertical zone, and were functionally missing from the median and deeper regions. We captured brooding Uristes sp. nov. females, documenting the first bait-attendance event of brooding amphipods in the hadal zone. Separation of habitat in conjunction with deviations in reproductive traits, behaviors, and nutritional strategies may facilitate the coexistence of these four related species in this harsh and confining habitat.     

Larval development of Boccardia knoxi,a shell‐infesting spionid polychaete

Larvae of Boccardia knoxi (Rainer) were reared in the laboratory after dissection from brood capsules extracted from the outer shell and perio‐stracum of Cookia sulcata and Haliotis iris collected from Tasman Bay, New Zealand. All the eggs within each brood capsule developed into embryos. The dissected larvae had provisional setae and fed on phytoplankton. Larval development is described through to metamorphosis.     

海洋线虫Litoditis marina低氧胁迫响应的转录组分析

全球气候变化导致海洋氧含量降低,海水低氧胁迫对海洋无脊椎动物的生长、发育和繁殖造成了严重的威胁。以海洋线虫Litoditis marina为实验对象,观察了其在不同氧浓度(21%、3%、1%和0.5%)条件下的生长发育速率,并对不同氧浓度条件下的L1幼虫样品进行了转录组测序和分析。实验结果表明,当环境氧浓度从21%下降至3%时, L. marina的发育成熟速度明显加快,进一步下降至1%时,产卵时间延长并和21%氧浓度接近,但当氧浓度为0.5%时,L.marina的产卵时间显著延迟。比较转录组分析表明,相比于21%氧浓度环境, 3%、1%和0.5%低氧条件下L. marina的糖酵解、糖异生、硫代谢和线粒体碳代谢等通路相关基因的表达显著上调;而寿命调控通路、细胞色素P450代谢通路和ABC转运蛋白相关基因的表达显著下调。研究结果发现的海洋线虫应对氧浓度胁迫的基因表达变化模式,为深入理解海洋无脊椎动物应答低氧胁迫分子机制提供了重要参考。     

Influence of diet and temperature on physiological energetics of Chorus giganteus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) during reproductive conditioning

The influence of two bivalve diets (Mytilus chilensis “chorito” and Tagelus dombeii "navajuela") at three temperatures (13, 15, and 18°C) was studied during the reproductive conditioning of Chorus giganteus (Lesson, 1829). Energy budgets were determined taking into account energy acquisition (ingestion and absorption) and energy expenditure (oxygen consumption, ammonia production, and energy placed into mucus production and egg laying). Relative physiological condition was assessed by calculating the scope for growth index (SFG). Diet and temperature both played key roles in the physiological energetic and reproductive conditioning of this snail. Tagelus was the preferred prey, probably because of its greater vulnerability to predatory attack by C. giganteus. The highest feeding rate was observed at 15°C, coinciding with optimal growth. Absorption efficiency was similar with both diets, despite the differential preference in prey. Temperature had no effect on oxygen uptake, but increased as the snails fed on Tagelus during the reproductive conditioning period. Diet was the main factor affecting SFG, and temperature, although significant, accounted for a lower percentage of variation in SFG. Highest growth rates were observed at 15°C on a Tagelus diet. Reproductive effort, measured as the proportion of the total energy budget of an organism that is allocated to reproduction, was highest at 18°C with a Tagelus diet. Energy would not be allocated for reproduction when the snails were fed with M. chilensis, as SFG was negative at all three temperatures.