有机宝石材料Corallium elatius的多级结构构建

以重要的宝石级红珊瑚品种Corallium elatius为研究对象,采用偏光显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜等测试手段,逐级还原了Corallium elatius样品从宏观到纳米的多级结构构建：有缺陷但具有一定定向性的纳米筹组成了亚微米单元;亚微米单元按一定方向排列形成了骨针单元;骨针单元的组合形成了片状单元;定向性近乎一致的片状单元沿界线（有机质）排列成了明暗相间的人字纹单元;人字纹单元以髓部为中心依次排列形成了Corallium elatius样品横截面的放射状纹理。每一级结构由更小尺度的结构单元组成,同时,多个同尺度单元又排列形成上一级结构。在这种多级嵌套结构中,每一级的结构单元具有几乎一致的定向性。随着结构单元尺度的细化,结构单元的定向程度降低。从生物矿物学角度探讨了不同尺度方解石模块的自组装模式,揭示了样品在有机质调控下的特殊结构,为后续的研究提供了方向。     

Distribution and population structure of deep‐dwelling red coral in the Northwest Mediterranean

Commercially harvested since ancient times, the highly valuable red coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) is an octocoral endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Eastern Atlantic Ocean, where it occurs on rocky bottoms over a wide bathymetric range. Current knowledge is restricted to its shallow populations (15–50 m depth), with comparably little attention given to the deeper populations (50–200 m) that are nowadays the main target of exploitation. In this study, red coral distribution and population structure were assessed in three historically exploited areas (Amalfi, Ischia Island and Elba Island) in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea) between 50 and 130 m depth by means of ROV during a cruise carried out in the summer of 2010. Red coral populations showed a maximum patch frequency of 0.20 ± 0.04 SD patches·m^?1 and a density ranging between 28 and 204 colonies·m^?2, with a fairly continuous bathymetric distribution. The highest red coral densities in the investigated areas were found on cliffs and boulders mainly exposed to the east, at the greatest depth, and characterized by medium percentage sediment cover. The study populations contained a high percentage (46% on average) of harvestable colonies (>7 mm basal diameter). Moreover, some colonies with fifth‐order branches were also observed, highlighting the probable older age of some components of these populations. The Ischia population showed the highest colony occupancy, density and size, suggesting a better conservation status than the populations at the other study locations. These results indicate that deep dwelling red coral populations in non‐stressed or less‐harvested areas may diverge from the inverse size‐density relationship previously observed in red coral populations with increasing depth.     

Deep‐water Corallium rubrum (L., 1758) from the Mediterranean Sea: preliminary genetic characterisation

The precious red coral Corallium rubrum (L., 1758) lives in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Eastern Atlantic Ocean on subtidal hard substrates. Corallium rubrum is a long‐lived gorgonian coral that has been commercially harvested since ancient times for its red axial calcitic skeleton and which, at present, is thought to be in decline because of overexploitation. The depth distribution of C. rubrum is known to range from c. 15 to 300 m. Recently, live red coral colonies have been observed in the Strait of Sicily at depths of c. 600–800 m. This record sheds new light on the ecology, biology, biogeography and dispersal mechanism of this species and calls for an evaluation of the genetic divergence occurring among highly fragmented populations. A genetic characterization of the deep‐sea red coral colonies has been done to investigate biological processes affecting dispersal and population resilience, as well as to define the level of isolation/differentiation between shallow‐ and deep‐water populations of the Mediterranean Sea. Deep‐water C. rubrum colonies were collected at two sites (south of Malta and off Linosa Island) during the cruise MARCOS of the R/V Urania. Collected colonies were genotyped using a set of molecular markers differing in their level of polymorphism. Microsatellites have been confirmed to be useful markers for individual genotyping of C. rubrum colonies. ITS‐1 and mtMSH sequences of deep‐water red coral colonies were found to be different from those found in shallow water colonies, suggesting the possible occurrence of genetic isolation among shallow‐ and deep‐water populations. These findings suggest that genetic diversity of red coral over its actual range of depth distribution is shaped by complex interactions among geological, historical, biological and ecological processes.     

Slow growth and early sexual maturity: Bane and boon for the red coral Corallium rubrum

This study investigates the size, age and growth of Corallium rubrum which is a key species of the only large reef-like structure in the Mediterranean Sea, the coralligéne. Two populations were studied in the Ligurian Sea at a depth between 36 and 42 m. Basal diameter, colony height and numbers of branches of 230 colonies were measured, and age and growth rates were assessed from 25 colonies. Mean growth rate was 0.2 mm yr⁻¹ of basal diameter growth, corresponding to a mean annual total branch length increase of 5 mm. These results point to a coral growth much slower than assumed in many earlier studies. Additionally, age and size at first reproduction were analysed. Male colonies were shown to become sexually mature at a minimum age of six years (1.2 mm of basal diameter), while female colonies reached maturity when at least 10 years old (2 mm of basal diameter). We further discuss the implications of slow growth and early sexual maturity for red coral management and conservation.     

Sponges Inhabiting a Mediterranean Red Coral Population

Abstract. A coastal red coral [Corallium rubrum (L.)] population, whose age structure and demographic parameters have been previously analysed, harbours 10 species of endobiotic sponges. This sponge assemblage differs considerably from that inhabiting other calcareous substrata of the surrounding area, suggesting some selectivity for red coral. The two most common endobiotic species, Spiroxya heteroclita T opsent and Cliona sarai M elone , are described in detail. The percentage of infested coral colonies increases according with colony age, with a sharp increment at four years. An increase in coral colony mortality observed at this age may be related to the increment of endobiotic sponge infestation.