Fluctuations of the calcite compensation depth (CCD) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan)

Variations in the calcite compensation depth (CCD) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) since the early middle Miocene were inferred from data on age-depth relationships, sediment carbonate, and benthic foraminifers from ODP sites 794, 795, and 797. The CCD remained relatively shallow during much of the middle Miocene–Pliocene, and deepened sharply at the beginning of the Pleistocene. Since then it has fluctuated rapidly, possibly in relation to the onset of the northern hemisphere glacial cycles in the late Pliocene. The average CCD has deepened since at least the early middle Miocene, coinciding with the long-term drop in eustatic sea level. Received: 5 November 1998 / Revision accepted: 2 February 2000     

Bioconstructional features of the coral Cladocora caespitosa (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

The Mediterranean endemic Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767) is a colonial scleractinian coral belonging to the family Faviidae and the only zooxanthellate coral from Mediterranean whose colonies may fuse in reef‐like structures (hermatypic). Recent surveys are focused on three locations where banks occur in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia): near Prvi? Island in the northern Adriatic, near Pag Island in the central Adriatic and in Veliko jezero (Mljet National Park) in the southern Adriatic. The C. caespitosa bank in Veliko jezero covers an area more than 650 m² and is thus the largest bank of C. caespitosa found to date. The strong sea currents, which occur as a result of tidal exchange in the channel, appear to favour the growth of the bank. The goal of the study was to present the influence of major environmental factors upon the build‐up process of the coral bank. Biometrical parameters in the C. caespitosa colonies like diameter of the calyces, polyp ash free dry weight (AFDW), corallite linear growth rate and index of sphericity were investigated and compared from these three locations. The morphology of coral banks from the Adriatic Sea and the disposition of the biometrical values are affected by the sea currents, temperature and sedimentation.     

Life cycle of Marphysa sanguinea (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) in the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

The life cycle of a brackish water population of Marphysa sanguinea (Polychaeta Eunicidae), from the Venice Lagoon (Italy), was investigated from April 1993 to August 1994. Marphysa sanguinea is a large‐sized gonochoric species with annual iteroparous strategy and synchronous spawning at population level. The sex‐ratio was close to 1:1. There were no morphological differences between males and females and spawning occurred without epitokal metamorphosis. The gonadial activity was maximum during summer period in both sexes. From May to September in the females, the greater number of immature oocytes could be observed; starting from November immature oocytes decreased and progressively those with a wider diameter increased in number. Spawning took place in April–May and generally not all eggs were spawned, a small proportion being kept as a reserve material for the following gamete production. The pelagic phase (trochophore and metatrochophore stages) was short (2–3 days). The reduction in the dispersal phase, together with the development of a strong anterior musculature, brought to an early acquisition of the benthic habit, which was attained with the construction of the mucous tube inside of which the larva lived. The results highlighted that colonization of brackish environments took place thanks to morphological and physiological features that allow this species to live in a sediment layer characterized by the stability of the physical and chemical characteristics of the substratum.     

锯缘青蟹视神经节免疫细胞化学研究

采用兔抗哺乳类血清,应用链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶免疫细胞化学技术,观察了锯缘青蟹视神经节中5羟色胺、胰高血糖素、神经肽Y和生长抑素免疫阳性细胞和神经纤维的形态和分布,结果发现,视神经节的4个神经髓均有5羟色胺免疫阳性细胞,除X器检出1个较大型阳性细胞外,其余均为小型细胞.视外髓、视内髓和视端髓都具有胰高血糖素免疫阳性细胞,视端髓的神经髓质阳性染色深,X器中阳性细胞成群分布,窦腺免疫阳性反应强.神经肽Y免疫阳性细胞在视神经层和视外髓为小型阳性细胞,在视内髓和视端髓检出较大型阳性细胞,另有小型阳性细胞散布于X器中.生长抑素免疫阳性细胞分布于4个神经髓,数量少.4种免疫阳性物的特异性分布模式,可为其不同的神经生理作用提供形态学证据.     

Autonomous (Non-Plate-Tectonic) Geodynamics of the Pyrenees

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The tectonic structure, seismicity, and modern geodynamics of the roughly EW-trending Pyrenees are considered based on the literature data. Geological...     

A multi-trial diagnostic tool in fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) skin biopsies of the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea) and the Gulf of California (Mexico)

The main objective of this study was to apply a set of sensitive non-lethal biomarkers in skin biopsies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) to evaluate the toxicological status of this mysticete in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea) and in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez-Mexico). We developed a “multi-trial diagnostic tool” (based on field and in vitro studies), combining molecular biomarkers (western blot of CYP1A1, CYP2B) and gene expression (qRT-PCR of HSP70, ERα, AHR, E2F-1) with the analysis of OCs, PAHs and PBDEs. The study revealed a higher level of toxicological stress in the Mediterranean fin whales.     

Application of the fluorescence quenching titration method to the complexation of copper (II) in the Gironde Estuary (France)

Quenching of fluorescence emission by the Cu²⁺ ion is measured in five samples from the Gironde Estuary (France). Non-linear regression analysis allows us to calculate from experimental data the values of C_L (complexing capacities or total ligand concentrations), K (conditional stability constants) and I_ML (residual fluorescence at the end of the titration). The results obtained on the Gironde estuarine samples indicate that C_L values are very low (<0.1 micromolar) and K values decrease from upstream to downstream. The relatively high values of I_ML are an indication that much of the organic fluorescing matter does not bind to Cu²⁺.     

褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)与狭鳞庸鲽(Hippoglossus stenolepis)头颅骨骼特征的比较研究

文中对褐牙鲆和狭鳞庸鲽的头颅骨骼进行了比较研究。两者共同特征均有眼间隔发达、无眶蝶骨、翼蝶骨不发达 ,上枕骨与额骨连接 ,左右颅顶骨分离 ,但无基蝶骨 ,也没有伪头中骨。褐牙鲆与狭鳞庸鲽在骨骼形状结构上的分异多停留于骨块的形状、大小差异及嵴的发达程度上 ,其主要区别体现在围眼眶骨、鼻区骨块和颌齿排列等。最后还讨论了褐牙鲆和狭鳞庸鲽的特化以及鲽形目的起源问题。从骨骼结构看 ,鲽形目应起源于鲈形目而不是鲱形目     

Feeding Habits of Trisopterus minutus capelanus (Gadidae) Off the Eastern Coast of Spain (Western Mediterranean)

Abstract. The stomach contents of poor cod, Trisopterus minutus capelanus (Lacepède), were taken at monthly intervals off the eastern coast of the Gulf of Valencia (Spain). A total of 1276 were analyzed to determine diet according to fish size and season. The basic food consists of crustaceans (Mysidacea and Decapoda) and teleosts. Feeding habits varied with size: decapods and fishes were more abundant in the stomachs of larger specimens. Little seasonal variation in food habits was recorded.     

Isolation By Distance (IBD) signals in the deep-water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) (Decapoda,Panaeidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

The identification of boundaries of genetic demes is one of the major goals for fishery management, and few Mediterranean commercial species have not been studied from a genetic point of view yet. The deep-water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) is one of the most important components of commercial landings in Mediterranean, its fishery aspects have received much attention, regrettably without any concern for the genetic architecture of its populations. The population structure in the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea (captures from six Italian and two Greek landings) has been analysed on the basis of surveys carried out with mitochondrial and AFLP markers. Data revealed the presence of a gradual discrepancy along a west–east axis. This species, occurring mainly at a depth of between 100 and 400 m, is not strongly confined in isolated demes, but it demonstrates an ‘Isolation By Distance’ model, within the Mediterranean Sea, which includes geographical areas with a some degree of isolation. The role of hydrodynamic forces, such as currents, water fronts, is discussed; and a further evidence of the ‘Levantine isolation’ within Mediterranean basin is shown.     

Impacts of anthropogenic activities on the Changjiang(Yangtze)estuarine ecosystem(1998–2012)

Estuarine ecosystem has greatly changed in the recent decades due to anthropogenic perturbations in the Changjiang Estuary. Change patterns and impact factors were analyzed based on the continuous data...     

Juvenile form of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) (Pisces: Heterosomata: Rhombosoleinae) (note)

A juvenile (26 mm) specimen of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) is figured and described. Differences between the juvenile and adult forms, and characters distinguishing juvenile C. nudipinnis from the young of other New Zealand species of flatfish, are noted.     

联体线虫科(线虫动物门)系统分类研究进展

联体线虫科是自由生活海洋线虫中种类多样性较高的一个科,广泛分布于潮间带、浅海甚至超过6 000 m的深渊海底。联体线虫科目前已记录有19个属239个有效种(另有4个属由于原始描述较简单,被认为是疑似属),是当前海洋线虫分类学研究最为活跃的一个科。本文简述了联体线虫科的系统分类研究历史,回顾了这一类群的国内外系统分类学研究进展,对3个亚科的分类进一步做了梳理,并列出了各个属的种类检索表。     

Studies on the population ecology of Upogebia deltaura (Leach) (Crustacea, Thalassinidea)

Upogebia deltaura was collected quantitatively and qualitatively between June 1980 and August 1982 from a level, sandy bottom at a 12 m depth in the archipelago of Lysekil (on Gullmarsfjorden) about 70 km north of Göteborg, in western Sweden. A total of 347 individuals were obtained. The deepest burrows reached a depth of more than 65 cm into the substrate. During the cold season, U. deltaura was situated much deeper in the substrate than it was during the summer, probably as a result of ‘hibernation’. The average density was 5·0 individuals 0·1 m⁻², and the maximum of 10 specimens was found in one 0·1 m² sample. Out of the 341 individuals identifiable as to sex, 186 (54·6%) were females and 155 (45·4%) were males. Berried females were found between May and August, and the average number of eggs carried was 4757. Ecdysis took place between May and August; most females moulted in the middle of June and most males about one month later, in mid July. The chelipeds of large males were proportionally bigger than were those of large females. Maximum total body length of the females was 65·7 mm, and that of the males was 65·3 mm.     

Identification of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (mrp) related gene in red mullet (Mullus barbatus)

Multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXR) in aquatic organisms is mediated by the activity of the P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transporter that binds and actively effluxes different chemicals out of cell. In addition to the Pgp, several other, non-Pgp transport proteins have been recently identified in different human and animal tissues. Given their characteristics and tissue distribution we hypothesized that members of the so-called multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) family may be expressed in aquatic organisms. This study attempted to identify MRP related genes in different tissues of several marine and freshwater bivalves (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Dreissena polymorpha, Anodonta cygnea) and fish species (Mullus barbatus, Cyprinus carpio, Salmo trutta). Following an alignment of known MRP1 and MRP2 human sequences, as well as the GenBank available mrp2 sequences from different animals, we determined highly conserved regions and used them to design three pairs of consensus primers. Total RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed to cDNA and the obtained cDNAs were PCR amplified with the corresponding primers. The amplified PCR products were sequenced and their homology compared with Pgp and MRP protein sequences from different species. The expression of MRP related mRNA was clearly identified only in liver tissue isolated from red mullet, with homologies at the protein level ranging from 75% to 76%. Described results clearly pointed at the possibility that at least in the red mullet MXR as a general defense mechanism may be mediated by the activities of at least two different types of transport proteins.     

Burrowing behaviour of the paddle crab Ovalipes catharus (White, 1843) (Brachyura: Portunidae)

The burrowing behaviour of Ovalipes catharus (White, 1843) is described and compared with that of some other burrowing crabs. O. catharus is a fast, back burrowing crab which makes temporary burrows in soft sand. The average time from initiation of burrowing to complete submergence was 6.5 s, there was no difference between males and females but burrowing time increased significantly with crab size. Similar morphological adaptations are required for burrowing and swimming: streamlined body shape, smooth lightly constructed exoskeleton, and flattened legs. O. catharus has a reversed respiratory current like O. guadulpensis but it differs in its burrowing behaviour. Compared to some other crabs, burrowing in O. catharus is rapid.     

Larval shell development of the toheroa,Paphies ventricosa (Gray, 1843) (Mactracea: Mesodesmatidae)

The larval shells of Paphies ventricosa, reared to settlement in the hatchery, are similar in longitudinal profile to shells of some other mactracean larvae; the umbo‐stage larval shells are nearly round with the anterior margin less broadly curved than the posterior margin, the anterior end is longer than the posterior end, and the umbo is broadly rounded. Straight‐hinge larvae had total lengths up to 149 μm, and total heights up to 126 μm, and umbo larvae had total lengths up to 320 μm, and total heights up to 282 μm. The larvae settled in about 22 days at a size of about 270 μm. The larval hinge structure bears some similarities to those of other mactracean larvae.     

The ages of the storm beaches of the Lakshadweep (Laccadives)

Most of the islands in the Lakshadweep are marked by storm beaches on the eastern seaward shores and sandy beaches on the western lagoonal shores. The storm beaches consist of up to 3–4 sets almost at the same level and extend up to a distance of 5–12 km on some of the islands. They largely comprise uncemented pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders. The tracks for cyclones (1891–1960) show that the islands are normally hit by post-monsoon (November) cyclones from the east. The waves generated by these cyclones have formed the storm beaches. Radiocarbon dates of the storm beaches range from modern to 2975 ± 100 BP and indicate clustering between 3000 to 2000 BP and present to 500 BP. The younger storm beaches towards the shore suggest that parts of the islands have grown by about 30 m in the last 2780 years (Chetlat), 120 m in 1620 years (Kiltan) and even 100 m in 470 years (Minicoy). The absence of the storm beaches on some of the islands, younger beaches towards the shore and the clustering of ages, and the lack of lateral and chronological continuity may be explained by periodic stormy conditions rather than by the changes in the sea level. The number of storms in the Arabian Sea has varied from a minimum of 1 in 1949 to 10 in 1893, 1926 and 1930. It is very likely that such changes would have occurred in the past also.     

Live (stained) benthic foraminifera in the Whittard Canyon, Celtic margin (NE Atlantic)

Living (Rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera were investigated at 18 deep-sea stations sampled in the Whittard Canyon area (NE Atlantic). The stations were positioned along 4 bathymetric transects ranging from 300 to 3000 m depth: two along the main canyon axes (Western and Eastern branches) and two along adjacent open slopes (Western and Eastern slopes). The aim of this study was to assess changes of foraminiferal standing stock, composition and microhabitat in relation to the physico-chemical conditions prevailing at and below the sediment-water interface in various canyon and open-slope environments. Minimal oxygen penetration depths and maximal diffusive oxygen uptakes were recorded at upper canyon stations, suggesting a high mineralisation rate. This is confirmed by the high phytopigment concentrations measured in the sediment of the upper canyon axes. Foraminiferal abundance was positively correlated with diffusive oxygen uptake and phytopigment concentration in the sediment. This suggests a control of organic matter fluxes on the foraminiferal communities. Foraminiferal abundance was generally higher along the canyon axis compared to open-slope sites at comparable water depths. The species composition varied with water depth along all four transects, but was also different between canyon branches and adjacent slopes. The silty/sandy intercalations at many of the deeper canyon stations may have been rapidly deposited by fairly recent gravity flows. At station 51WB (3002 m), the faunal characteristics (strong dominance, shallow infaunal microhabitats) suggest that the foraminiferal community is in an early state of ecosystem colonisation after these recent sedimentation events, which would have supplied the important amounts of phytopigments.