Fine-scale Microbial Communities Associated with Manganese Nodules in Deep-sea Sediment of the Korea Deep Ocean Study Area in the Northeast Equatorial Pacific

Despite its potential significance for industrial utilization, any activities associated with the mining of manganese (Mn) nodules might have substantial impacts on benthic ecosystems. Because microorganisms respond quickly to changing environmental conditions, a study of microbial communities provides a relevant proxy to assess possible changes in benthic ecosystems associated with mining activities. We investigated fine-scale microbial community composition and diversity inside and on the surface of Mn nodules and in nearby deep-sea sediments in the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS) area located in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ) of the northeast equatorial Pacific. Although microbial cell density was lower within nodules (3.21 × 10⁶ cells g^-1) than in sediment (2.14 × 10⁸ cells g^-1), nodules provided a unique habitat for microorganisms. Manganese-oxidizing bacteria including Hyphomicrobium and Aurantimonas in Alphaproteobacteria and Marinobacter in Gammaproteobacteria were abundant in nodules, which implied that these bacteria play a significant role in nodule formation. In contrast, Idiomarina in Gammaproteobacteria and Erythrobacter and Sulfitobacter in Alphaproteobacteria were abundant in sediments. Meanwhile, Thaumarchaeota, a phylum that consists of ammonia-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophs, were the predominant archaeal group both in nodules and sediment. Overall, microbial communities in Mn nodules were unique compared to those observed in sediments. Furthermore, the phylogenetic composition of microorganisms in the KODOS area was distinguishable from that in the nodule provinces claimed by China and Germany in the CCFZ and nodule fields in the central South Pacific Gyre, respectively.     

中国南海中南部花水母亚纲一新属四新种记述

本文描述了采自中国南海中南部花水母亚纲一新属四新种：南海宽管水母，新属、新种Laticanna nanhaiensis gen.nov. et sp.nov.，芽拟原帽水母，新种Protiaropsis gemmifera sp.nov.，南海潜水母，新种Merga nanhaiensis sp.nov.和顶室无球水母，新种Rhabdoon apiciloculus sp.nov.。编制了深帽水母科已知属分属检索表和拟帽水母属、潜水母属以及无球水母属已知种分种检索表。模式标本保存于中国水产科学研究院南海水产研究所。     

中国南海水螅水母纲(刺胞动物门)分类研究Ⅴ:感棒水母科、触丝水母科、玛拉水母科和帽冠水母科(软水母亚纲)

本文审查了中国南海感棒水母科、触丝水母科、玛拉水母科和帽冠水母科有关种类。记述了二个新种：隆脊真唇水母，新种Eucheilota carinata sp.nov.和南海盐生水母，新种Halopsis nanhaiensis sp.nov.和二个新记录属种：十字胃水母Staurostoma sp.及阿弗罗八拟杯水母Octophialucium aphrodite（Bigelow，1928）。编制了触丝水母科和玛拉水母科所有已知属和分种的检索表。此外，还简介了中国南海感棒水母科、触丝水母科、玛拉水母科和帽冠水母科已知种类名录及分布。模式标本保存于国家海洋局第三海洋研究所。     

白令海大型底栖动物群落结构及其空间分布格局

Due to its unique geological location, the Bering Sea is an ideal place to investigate the water exchange and ecosystem connectivity of the Pacific Ocean–Arctic Ocean and subarctic–Arctic region. Based on a number of summer surveys(July to September, 2010, 2012 and 2014), macrobenthic communities and their spatial-temporal patterns are exhibited for the majority of the Bering Sea(53°59′–64°36′N). The results show that the macrobenthic communities were dominated by northern cold-water species and immigrant eurythermic species, and the communities assumed a dispersed and patchy distribution pattern. Polychaetes(Scoloplos armiger), crustaceans(Ceradocus capensis) and sea urchins(Echinarachnius parma) were the main dominant groups in the shallow shelves; the sea star(Ctenodiscus crispatus) and the brittle star(Ophiura sarsii) were the main dominant groups in the continental slope; whereas small polychaetes(Prionospio malmgreni) dominated the basin area. Sediment type, water depth, and currents were the major factors affecting the structure and spatial distribution of the macrobenthic communities. Compared with other seas, the shallow areas of the Bering Sea showed an extremely high-standing biomass. In particular, the northern shelf area(north of St. Lawrence Islands and west of 170°W),which is primarily controlled by Anadyr Water, is an undersea oasis. In contrast, a deficiency in the downward transport of particulate organic carbon has resulted in a desert-like seabed in the basin area. By comparing our results to previous studies, we found that macrobenthic communities of the Bering Sea have undergone significant structural changes in recent decades, resulting in a decrease in abundance and an increase in biomass.In addition, populations of amphipods and bivalves in the northern shelves have decreased significantly and have been gradually replaced by other species. These changes might be associated with advanced seasonal ice melting,changes in organic carbon input, and global warming, indicating that large-scale ecosystem changes have been occurring in the Bering Sea.     

中国南海水螅水母纲(刺胞动物门)分类研究Ⅳ:高手水母科(花水母亚纲)

本文复查了中国南海丝螅水母目高手水母科的所有属，解决了该科和一些属、种存在的分类问题，并给予更新的鉴别。以前，无手单肢水母Nubiella atentaculata Xu and Huang，2004包含在单肢水母属内，现变换为拟单肢水母新属Paranubiella n.gen.，隶属于高手水母科内，原无手单肢水母新组合为无手拟单肢水母Paranubiella atentaculata（Xu and Huang，2004） n.comb.。本文记述了二个新种：南海拟单肢水母，新种Paranubiella nanhaiensis sp.nov.和无突单肢水母，新种N.apapillaris sp.nov.。此外编制了高手水母科已知属和单肢水母属已知种的检索表，总结了中国南海高手水母科已知种名录。模式标本保存于国家海洋局第三海洋研究所。     

Effect of Mercury Chloride on the Chlorophyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> and Pheophytin Content in Marine Microalgae: Measuring the Flow of Autotrophic Phytoplankton Using Sediment Traps Data

The present work aimed to study the influence of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) on pigment content (chlorophyll a and pheophytin) in sediment traps on the basis of experimental data. The marine microalgal cultures of Conticribra weissflogii (Mediophyceae), Tetraselmis viridis (Chlorodendrophyceae), Amphidinium carterae (Dinophyceae), Nannochloropsis sp. (Eustigmatophyceae) were used. The obtained results revealed that the influence of mercury on pigment content as well as on photosynthetic activity was different in different species. The considerable decrease in phytopigments content was observed in Amphidinium carterae and Conticribra weissflogii, while the proportion of pheophytin increased. The pigment content of Tetraselmis viridis was not different from the control line, while for Nannochloropsis sp. the increase in pigment concentration was noticed. The complete immediate inhibition of photosynthetic activity was observed in Conticribra weissflogii, Tetraselmis viridis, Amphidinium carterae, while Nannochloropsis sp. responded only after 24 h of exposition. The pigment degradation rate was almost the same for diatoms and dinoflagellates. The equation for estimating the phytopigments content in sediment traps, that takes into consideration the exposition time, is proposed.     

Characteristics of Alkanes in Ferromanganese Nodules of the Clarion–Clipperton Fracture Zone

This work presents the first results of a comparative study on the composition and distribution of organic matter (OM) (TOC, n-alkanes, pristane, phytane) in ferromanganese nodules and underlying sediments (0–1 cm) from three sites within the Clarion–Clipperton Fracture Zone, Pacific Ocean. Samples were collected during Cruise 120 of the RSS James Cook in 2015. The studied nodules differ in size, shape, and morphology. The TOC content in the nodules is 0.15% on average with insignificant variations which is less than in the sediments. The molecular composition of n-alkanes in the nodules is mainly determined by modern bacterial activity with high preservation of terrigenous n-alkanes in the environment of the ore deposit formation.     

海南莺歌海青木刚毛藻及其附生藻的研究——形态分类、形态建成及环境适应

Based on specimens collected in Yinggehai, Hainan, China from 2013 to 2016, a stable epiphytic taxon is found on the surface of the individual of marine green alga Cladophora aokii Yamada. According to the morphological characteristics, the taxonomy of Cl. aokii and its epiphytes is carried out. There are some epiphytes attached on Cl. aokii Yamada including Cl. fascicularis(Mertens ex C. Agardh) Kützing, Chaetomorpha pachynema(Montagne) Kützing, Ceramium camouii Dawson, Licmophora abbreviata Agardh, Lyngbya sp. and Chattonella sp.. The formation of the individual of Cl. aokii is dissected and explained, which can help to analyze the adaption in details among this species, its epiphytes and native marine environment. The results reveal the marine macroepiphytic taxonomy in Hainan, China, and preliminarily explain the adaptive relationship between macroalgae and environment.     

On four closely related hypotrichous ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Spirotrichea): molecular characters, interspecific relationships and phylogeny defined with multigene sequence information

In order to clarify the phylogeny and relationships of the most confused hypotrichous ciliates, Holosticha-complex, four closely related holostichids (five populations), Holosticha bradburyae, H. diademata, Anteholosticha sp., and A. manca, were compared and analyzed using ITS2 secondary structures, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and SSrRNA gene sequences. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences of these four species were first sequenced, and they shared sequence identities ranging from 68.0% to 90.1%, while two populations of Anteholosticha sp. differed in three nucleotides (sequence identity 99.8%). There were several minor differences among ITS2 secondary structures of these species, while two populations of Anteholosticha sp. had the identical secondary structure. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences of stichotrichs using multiple algorithms (Neighbor-Joining, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian) revealed similar topologies. The results show that:(1) Holosticha bradburyae and H. diademata firmly clustered together with strong bootstrap supports, forming a sister clade with Anteholosticha sp., (2) Anteholosticha appeared to be a paraphyletic assemblage, in which the morphotype A. manca was more closely related to Diaxonella trimarginata than to its congener Anteholosticha sp. Phylogenetic analyses based on the SSrRNA gene and the combined sequences of SSrRNA gene and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region revealed the similar relationships between Holosticha and Anteholosticha, nevertheless their positions within the subclass Stichotrichia differed from each other inferred from different genes.     

中国南麂列岛产海洋底栖硅藻新种-南麂侧链藻(Pleurosira nanjiensis sp. nov.)的形态与分子系统学研究

本文描述了采自南麂列岛小柴屿岩相潮间带的一海洋底栖硅藻新种，南麂侧链藻（Pleurosira nanjiensis sp.nov.）。本研究使用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对该种进行了形态学观察，并基于SSU rRNA和rbcL基因重建了其系统发育关系。南麂侧链藻具有壳面橄榄形、椭圆形或圆形，壳面隆起，单眼突出于壳表面，2–3个唇状突（rimportulae），放射排列的线纹等特征，区别于其他侧链藻。     

东海富营养化封闭海水养殖海域浮游植物分布与控制因子

The distribution of phytoplankton and its correlation with environmental factors were studied monthly during August 2012 to July 2013 in the Yantian Bay. A total of 147 taxa of phytoplankton were identified, and the average abundance was in the range of 0.57×10~4 to 7.73×10~4 cell/L. A total of 19 species dominated the phytoplankton assemblages, and several species that are widely reported to be responsible for microalgae blooms were the absolutely dominant species, such as Skeletonema costatum, Navicula sp., Thalassionema nitzschioides,Pleurosigma sp., and Licmophora abbreviata. The monthly variabilities in phytoplankton abundance could be explained by water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN), and suspended solids. The results of a redundancy analysis showed that p H and nutrients, including DIN and silicate(SiO_4), were the most important environmental factors controlling phytoplankton assemblages in specific months. It was found that nutrients and pH levels that were mainly influenced by mariculture played a vital role in influencing the variation of phytoplankton assemblages in the Yantian Bay. Thus, a reduction of mariculture activities would be an effective way to control microalgae blooms in an enclosed and intensively eutrophic bay.     

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages as indicators of the paleoceanographic conditions in the eastern Equatorial Pacific

Five assemblages of benthic foraminifers reflecting the changes in the properties of the intermediate water masses and the biological productivity during different periods of the last glacial-interglacial cycle are defined based on the abundances and relative contents of indicative species in the upper 9 m of giant Core MD02-2529 from the Cocos Ridge. High bioproductivity and low oxygen content in the bottom water layer and sediments are established for the interstadial period based on the high abundance of the species Uvigerina peregrina, U. hispida, and C. pachyderma (Assemblage I) and especially for the Last Glacial Maximum (Assemblage II) with the dominant role of the same species and E. smithi. The transition from the glaciation to the current interglacial (Termination I, Assemblage III) is characterized by a high share of the epifaunal species C. wuellerstorfi and H. subhaidingeri, which indicates enhanced hydrodynamic activity and ventilation of the intermediate water washing the bottom. The end of Termination I was marked by strengthened selective dissolution of carbonate microfossils due to the increased influx of fresh organic matter to the bottom and/or advection of more aggressive intermediate waters. The diverse Early Holocene assemblage (Assemblage IV) points to variable ecological niches, while the abundance of the infaunal U. hispida in Assemblage V indicates low productivity of the surface waters and a low oxygen concentration in the bottom sediments of the Late Holocene.     

Indices based on silicoflagellate assemblages offer potential for paleo-reconstructions of the main oceanographic zones of the Southern Ocean

This study reports detailed silicoflagellate assemblage composition and annual seasonal flux from sediment traps at four locations along a transect across the Southern Ocean frontal systems. The four traps sampled the central Subantarctic Zone (SAZ, 47°S site), the Subantarctic Front (SAF, 51°S site), the Polar Frontal Zone (54°S site) and the Antarctic Zone (61°S site) across the 140°E longitude. Annual silicoflagellate fluxes to the deep ocean exhibited a similar latitudinal trend to those of diatom fluxes reported in previous work, with maxima in the Antarctic Zone and minima in the Subantarctic Zone. The data suggest that, along with diatoms, silicoflagellates are important contributors to biogenic silica export at all sites, particularly in the Subantarctic Zone. Two main silicoflagellate genera were observed, with Stephanocha sp. (previously known as Distephanus) dominating polar waters and Dictyocha sp. important in sub-polar waters. This is consistent with previous use of the Dictyocha / Stephanocha ratio to infer paleotemperatures and monitor shifts in the position of the Polar Frontal Zone in the sedimentary record. It appears possible to further refine the application of this approach by using the ratio between two Dictyocha species, because Dictyocha aculeata dominated at the Subantarctic Front, while Dictyocha stapedia dominated in the central Subantarctic Front. Given the well-defined environmental affinities of both species, a new SAF silicoflagellate index (SAF-SI) based on this ratio is proposed as a useful diagnostic for SAF and SAZ water mass signatures in the Plio-Pleistocene and Holocene sedimentary record.     

东印度洋现生浮游有孔虫

A brief morphometric study of the recent planktonic foraminifera in the eastern Indian Ocean was provided with the taxonomic key to species,synonyms,SEM microphotographs of shells and chamber arrays.By recent classification,currently 20 species representing 13 genera and 6 families(Canderinidae,Heterohelicoidae,Hedbergellidae,Higerigerinoidae,Globigerinoidae,and Globorotaloidae)identified from the planktonic material of the eastern Indian Ocean up to a depth of 200 m.Their distribution in water(0–200 m)also reports on the new range of expansion in the eastern Indian Ocean,with Dentigloborotalia anfracta,Hastigerina pelagica,Streptochilus globigerus,Globigerinella calida,Globigerinella adamsi,Orcadia reidelii,Tenuitella parkerae,Tenuitella compressa,reported for the first time in this study area.In general,only around 50 planktonic species are valid worldwide,more specifically the species,e.g.,H.pelagica,G.calida,G.adamsi,S.globigerus,O.riedeli,T.parkerae,T.compressa,which occur in the eastern Indian Ocean to fill the the paucity of the recent regional taxonomic literature and the problematic identification from the eastern Indian Ocean.This work aims to bridge this gap and help scientists,managers,educators and students to identify plankton foraminifers by using species notes and images.     

Species Composition and Distribution of Sibling Species of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus</Emphasis> Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons,Baltic Sea

The species compositions of the genus Chironomus in the Curonian and Vistula lagoons are very similar, represented by Ch. plumosus and Ch. balatonicus. In the Curonian Lagoon, in addition to these two species, Ch. muratensis and the first-generation interspecific hybrid Ch. muratensis × Ch. plumosus are also found. In this lagoon, Ch. plumosus occurs most frequently (84%); Ch. balatonicus is considered a subdominant species (24%). In the Vistula Lagoon, on the contrary, the high frequency of occurrence is typical of Ch. balatonicus (89%); for Ch. plumosus, it reaches only 11%. The Ch. plumosus population occupies most of the Curonian Lagoon; Ch. balatonicus is present only in its northern part, from the village of Juodkrante to the city of Klaipeda. In the Vistula Lagoon, Ch. balatonicus is distributed over almost its entire area, while Ch. plumosus is found locally, only near the mouth of the Nogat River. The distribution of the sibling species in the lagoons is determined by the salinity gradient.     

中国东南沿海小头虫科(环节动物:多毛类)一新种

中蚓虫是小头虫科较为常见的属，中国海区的样品过去常被鉴定为加洲中蚓虫Mediomastus californiensis Hartman。本研究中，来自东南沿海四个不同海区的118条中蚓虫样品被鉴定为一个新的种类，在此给出具体描述。这个新种具有如下特征：（1）第1至9刚节表皮双环型，刚毛束位于体节中间位置，而后的刚节多环型，刚毛束位于体节后半部；（2）后腹区具有疣足突起；（3）前4个胸刚节仅具双羽型翅毛状刚毛，其它体节仅具巾钩刚毛；（4）胸区巾钩刚毛的柄长且直，巾长为宽的3至5倍；（5）腹区巾钩刚毛不同于胸区，较短且具收缩部；（6）甲基绿染色模式独特。这个研究表明了中国海区的中蚓虫可能被误鉴定为加洲中蚓虫，而这个新种M.chinensis sp.nov.在东南沿海广为分布。     

四种贝类和鱼类外寄生车轮虫的国内新纪录

车轮虫是一类主要寄生于贝类和鱼类体表的缘毛类纤毛虫原生动物。本文对分别寄生于海洋贝类－－虾夷扇贝Mizuhopecten yessoensis，半咸水鱼类－－鲻鱼Mugil cephalus和双色鳗鲡Anguilla bicolor bicolor，以及淡水鱼类－－光唇鱼Acrossocheilus fasciatus鳃表和体表的虾夷扇贝车轮虫Trichodina pectenis，亚卓车轮虫T.jadranica，急尖车轮虫T.acuta和喙状车轮虫T.rostrata，进行了详细的分类学研究。本文第一次报道了虾夷扇贝车轮虫的活体和蛋白银染色后特征，该虫体也是国内新记录种。其它三个车轮虫物种感染的鱼类，均属新纪录宿主。同时，也报道了这四种车轮虫对宿主的感染率和感染强度。     

Long-Term Variability of UV Irradiance in the Moscow Region according to Measurement and Modeling Data

We have found distinct long-period changes in erythemal UV radiation (Q_er) characterized by a pronounced decrease at the end of the 1970s and a statistically significant positive trend of more than 5%/10 years since 1979 over the territory of the Moscow region according to the measurements and reconstruction model. The positive Q_er trend is shown to be associated mainly with a decrease in the effective cloud amount and total ozone content (TOC). Due to these variations, UV resources have significantly changed in spring for the population with the most vulnerable skin type I, which means a transition from the UV optimum to UV moderate excess conditions. The simulation experiments using the INM-RSHU chemistry climate model (CCM) for several scenarios with and without anthropogenic factors have revealed that the variations in the anthropogenic emissions of halogens have the most significant impact on the variability of TOC and Q_er. Among natural factors, noticeable effects are observed due to volcanic aerosol. The calculations of the cloud transmittance of Q_er are generally consistent with the measurements; however, they do not reproduce the observed value of the positive trend.     

A Baseline Assessment of Coral Reef in Malacca Straits,Malaysia

Coral reefs along the Malacca Straits (MS) are poorly developed mainly due to turbidity and sedimentation. This study describes the health status and community structure of the corals in Cape Rachado, West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (WCPM), utilizing the Coral Video Transect (CVT) technique. All the survey transects were categorized as ‘fair’ coral conditions (27.39 ± 5.41%–48.56 ± 18.96%) with the reef floor mainly covered by corals and sediment. Twelve families of coral comprised of 25 distinct genera were identified. Coral communities were differentiated into four clusters with each being predominated by Galaxea, Diploastrea, Fungia and Pectinia respectively. Among all, Pectinia is the most spectacular genera and dominated the survey area. Along the MS, Favia, Favites and Porites are commonly found while Porites and Pectinia dominated the reefs. Low coral cover and diversity was recorded in MS as compared to the reefs in the South China Sea (SCS). The most prominent results include changes in the dominant coral from Porites to Pectinia while some species such as Acropora were absent from the study area. Based on the presented data, the reef in the study area was predominantly occupied by sediment and the coral communities were formed by a species with a high tolerance to turbidity and sedimentation.     

Re-evaluation of Morphological Diagnostic Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hexapleomera</Emphasis> Dudich, 1931 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea), with Description of a New Species

An undescribed species of Tanaidacea was collected from Yokji Harbor in the southern coast of Korea. Hexapleomera yokjidona n. sp. can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the distinguishing features of a uropod with five articles, a pleopod basal article lacking inner seta, a mandible setal row with two setae, maxilliped coxa with two proximal setae, pereonites 1–3 together longer than wide, and pereopods 2–3 propodus with three ventral setae. To prove that H. yokjidona is a new species, detailed morphological characteristics of both genders are described and a comprehensive comparison among the species of the genus is tabulated. Additionally, diagnostic characteristics previously used to identify the species of Hexapleomera are reassessed and upgraded.