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Gallo E, Oprandi A, Bianchi CN, Morri C, Azzola A, Montefalcone M. Unexpected slow recovery of seagrass leaf epiphytes after the impact of a summer heat wave and concomitant mucilage bloom. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 189:106034. [PMID: 37290233 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The epiphytes of seagrass leaves constitute a peculiar community, comprised of a number of species specialized for this living substrate. Several studies report on the response of epiphytes to different pressures but no information exists about the effects of summer heatwaves, which have become frequent events in the last decades. This paper represents the first attempt to investigate the change in the leaf epiphyte community of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica due to the heatwave occurred in summer 2003. Thanks to a series of data collected seasonally between 2002 and 2006, and punctual data in the summers of 2014 and 2019, we assessed the change over time in the leaf epiphyte community. Temperature data trends were analysed through linear regression, while multivariate analyses (i.e., nMDS and SIMPER) were applied to cover data in order to assess changes over time in the epiphyte community. As a whole, the two most abundant taxa were the crustose coralline alga Hydrolithon and the encrusting bryozoan Electra posidoniae, which displayed the highest average cover values in summer (around 19%) and spring (around 9%), respectively. Epiphytes proved to be sensitive to temperature highs, displaying different effects on cover, biomass, diversity and community composition. Cover and biomass exhibited a dramatic reduction (more than 60%) after the disturbance. In particular, Hydrolithon more than halved, while E. posidoniae dropped sevenfold during summer 2003. While the former recovered comparatively quickly, the latter, as well as the whole community composition, apparently required 16 years to return to a condition similar to that of 2002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gallo
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Alice Oprandi
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Centre (GMC), Villa del Principe, Piazza Principe 4, I-16126, Genova, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Centre (GMC), Villa del Principe, Piazza Principe 4, I-16126, Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Azzola
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, I-90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Monica Montefalcone
- SEL (Seascape Ecology Laboratory), DiSTAV (Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, I-90133, Palermo, Italy
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Melvin SD, Chaousis S, Finlayson K, Carroll AR, van de Merwe JP. Field-scale monitoring of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas): Influence of site characteristics and capture technique on the blood metabolome. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2022; 44:101026. [PMID: 36191476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Given their threatened status, there is considerable interest in establishing monitoring techniques that can be used to evaluate the health of sea turtles in the wild. The present study represents a methodological contribution towards field-scale metabolomic assessment of sea turtles, by exploring differences in blood biochemistry associated with site characteristics and capture technique. We compared the metabolome of blood from animals at three locations (two coastal and one reefal), collected from turtles that were either resting or active, and sampled across multiple seasons at one location. Our results show clear differences in the metabolome of turtles from the three locations, some of which are likely attributable to differences in diet or forage quality and others which may reflect differences in other factors (e.g., occurrence of land-based contaminants or other biotic and/or abiotic stressors) between coastal and reefal sites. Our analysis also revealed the influence of capture technique on metabolite profiles, with numerous markers of physical exertion in animals captured while active that were absent in turtles sampled while resting. We observed a modest potential for temporal differences in the metabolome, but controlling for sampling time did not change the overall conclusions of our study. This suggests that temporal differences in the metabolome warrant consideration when designing studies to evaluate the status of sea turtles in the wild, but that site characteristics and capture technique are bigger drivers. However, sample size for this comparison was relatively small and further investigation of seasonal differences in the metabolome are warranted. Research exploring each of these factors more closely will further contribute towards achieving robust metabolomics analysis of sea turtles across large spatial and temporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Melvin
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Stephanie Chaousis
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kimberly Finlayson
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony R Carroll
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason P van de Merwe
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia. https://twitter.com/@DrVanders
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De Battisti D, Balestri E, Pardi G, Menicagli V, Lardicci C. Substrate Type Influences the Structure of Epiphyte Communities and the Growth of Posidonia oceanica Seedlings. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:660658. [PMID: 34025699 PMCID: PMC8139341 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.660658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Epiphytes colonizing adult seagrasses highly contribute to seagrass ecosystem functioning and plant growth. Yet, little information exists on epiphytic communities developing on seagrass seedlings. Moreover, for some species our knowledge about seedling performance is limited to early establishment phases, and the role of substrate type in affecting their growth is still unclear. These are considerable knowledge gaps, as seedlings play an important role in meadow expansion and recovery from disturbance. In this study, seedlings of Posidonia oceanica, a keystone species of the Mediterranean, were grown in a shallow (1.5 m deep) coastal area along the Tuscany coast (Italy). After five years of growth (July 2009), seedlings were collected and, through multivariate analysis, we examined whether the epiphytic communities of leaves (both internal and external side) and rhizomes, as well as the growth characteristics differed between rock and sand substrate. The epiphytic communities of seedlings largely reflected those found on adult shoots. Epiphyte cover was similar between the two leaf sides, and it was higher on seedlings grown on rock than on sand, with encrusting algae dominating the community. No differences in epiphyte cover and community structure on rhizomes were found between substrates. Seedling growth characteristics did not differ between substrates, apart from the number of standing leaves being higher on rock than on sand. No correlation was found among epiphyte communities and seedling growth variables (i.e., leaf area, maximum leaf length, number of leaves, total number of leaves produced, rhizome length, total biomass, and root to shoot biomass ratio). Results indicate that epiphytes successfully colonize P. oceanica seedlings, and the surrounding micro-environment (i.e., substrate type) can influence the leaf epiphytic community. This study provides new valuable insights on the biological interactions occurring in seagrass ecosystems and highlights the need for better understanding the effects of seedling epiphytes and substrate on the formation of new meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Gravili C, Cozzoli F, Gambi MC. Epiphytic hydroids on Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are winner organisms under future ocean acidification conditions: evidence from a CO2 vent system (Ischia Island, Italy). THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1899317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Gravili
- Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
- CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Rome, Italy
| | - F. Cozzoli
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) – National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monterotondo Scalo, Roma, Italy
| | - M. C. Gambi
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Center, Ischia, Italy
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Gerakaris V, Papathanasiou V, Salomidi M, Issaris Y, Panayotidis P. Spatial patterns of Posidonia oceanica structural and functional features in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean and E. Ionian Seas) in relation to large-scale environmental factors. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 165:105222. [PMID: 33461107 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the context of general ecosystem monitoring of the Greek coastal marine environment, a total of 22 descriptors of Posidonia oceanica meadows were studied in 69 study sites. Spatial variation of P. oceanica meadows' features in relation to specific environmental factors (i.e., light, physical exposure, temperature, and nutrients) controlling their dynamics was assessed in three sub-ecoregions of the Hellenic seas (Eastern Ionian, North Aegean, and South Aegean). The studied meadows differentiated by exhibiting varying growth patterns at both the local and sub-ecoregional scale. Significant differences in morphological and demographic descriptors were observed for meadows of the N. Aegean Sea as compared to those of the S. Aegean and the Eastern Ionian Seas. Light limitation was determined as the main driver differentiating the P. oceanica meadows' distribution (i.e., lower limit depth), demography (i.e., shoot density, meadow cover) and shoots' biometry (i.e., shoot length, shoot leaf surface and leaf biomass) along the mainland coastal zone of the N. Aegean Sea. Considering the projected decline of P. oceanica in the face of increasing natural and human impacts, this study offers a crucial ecological baseline that can enhance our understanding of P. oceanica meadows' trends, against which the efficiency of conservation plans and management actions may be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis Gerakaris
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens - Sounio Av., 19013 Mavro Lithari, Greece.
| | - Vasillis Papathanasiou
- Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DEMETER, 640 07 Nea Peramos, Kavala, Greece
| | - Maria Salomidi
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens - Sounio Av., 19013 Mavro Lithari, Greece
| | - Yiannis Issaris
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens - Sounio Av., 19013 Mavro Lithari, Greece
| | - Panayotis Panayotidis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens - Sounio Av., 19013 Mavro Lithari, Greece
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Helber SB, Procaccini G, Belshe EF, Santillan-Sarmiento A, Cardini U, Bröhl S, Schmid M, Reuter H, Teichberg M. Unusually Warm Summer Temperatures Exacerbate Population and Plant Level Response of Posidonia oceanica to Anthropogenic Nutrient Stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:662682. [PMID: 34290722 PMCID: PMC8287906 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.662682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Posidonia oceanica is a key foundation species in the Mediterranean providing valuable ecosystem services. However, this species is particularly vulnerable towards high coastal nutrient inputs and the rising frequency of intense summer heat waves, but their combined effect in situ has received little attention so far. Here, we investigated the effects of in situ nutrient addition during an unusually warm summer over a 4-month period, comparing different morphological, physiological and biochemical population metrics of seagrass meadows growing in protected areas (Ischia) with meadows already exposed to significant anthropogenic pressure (Baia - Gulf of Pozzuoli). Our study highlights that the effects of warmer than usual summer temperatures on the population level of seagrass meadows can be exacerbated if the plants are already exposed to higher anthropogenic pressures. Morphological and population level indicators mainly changed over time, possibly impacted by season and the warmer temperatures, and displayed more pronounced reductions in seagrasses from impacted sites. The additional nutrient supply had even more deleterious effects, as shown by a decrease in approximately 67% in cover in fertilized plots at high impacted sites and 33% at low impacted sites. Moreover, while rhizome starch concentration showed a seasonal increase in plants from low impacted sites it displayed a trend of a 27% decrease in fertilized plots of the high impacted sites. Epiphyte biomass was approximately four-fold higher on leaves of plants growing in impacted sites and even doubled with the additional nutrient input. Predicting and anticipating stress in P. oceanica is of crucial importance for conservation and management efforts, given the limited colonizing and reproductive ability and extremely slow growth of this ecosystem engineer. Our results suggest that monitoring efforts should focus especially on leaf area index (LAI), carbohydrate concentrations in the rhizomes, and epiphyte cover on leaves as indicators of the onset of stress in Posidonia oceanica, which can be used by decision makers to take appropriate measures before damage to the ecosystem becomes irreversible, minimize future human interference and strengthen the resilience of these important ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B. Helber
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
- *Correspondence: Stephanie B. Helber,
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - E. Fay Belshe
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Alex Santillan-Sarmiento
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Faculty of Engineering, National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
| | - Ulisse Cardini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefanie Bröhl
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Schmid
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hauke Reuter
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mirta Teichberg
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH, Bremen, Germany
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de Virgilio M, Cifarelli S, de Gennaro P, Garofoli G, Degryse B. A first attempt of citizen science in the genetic monitoring of a Posidonia oceanica meadow in the Italian Southern Adriatic Sea. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Nitrogen acquisition and resource allocation strategies in temperate seagrass Zostera nigricaulis: Uptake, assimilation and translocation processes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17151. [PMID: 30464310 PMCID: PMC6249313 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35549-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The dominant seagrass in Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Australia, Zostera nigricaulis, declined between 2000 and 2011, coinciding with the 'Millennium drought' that ended in 2009. These seagrasses are nitrogen-limited, underpinning the need to develop nitrogen budgets for better ecosystem management. Environmentally realistic measurements of specific uptake rates and resource allocation were undertaken to develop nitrogen budgets and test the hypothesis that the above-ground and below-ground compartments are able to re-mobilise ammonium and nitrate through uptake, translocation and assimilation to adapt to varying levels of nitrogen in the ecosystem. Uptake of 15N labelled ammonium and nitrate by above- and below-ground seagrass biomass, epiphytes and phytoplankton was quantified in chambers in situ. Preferential uptake of ammonium over nitrate was observed, where the uptake rate for nitrate was about one sixth of that for ammonium. Epiphytes and phytoplankton also registered an increased affinity for ammonium over nitrate. Translocation experiments demonstrated the uptake by both the above-ground and below-ground biomass, respectively from the water column and pore water, and subsequent translocation to the opposite compartment. Acropetal translocation (below- to above-ground biomass) was more prevalent than basipetal translocation. This is a unique outcome given basipetal translocation has been widely reported for Zostera by other researchers.
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Nelson WG. Development of an epiphyte indicator of nutrient enrichment: a critical evaluation of observational and experimental studies. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2017; 79:207-227. [PMID: 30220880 PMCID: PMC6134867 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
An extensive review of the literature describing epiphytes on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), especially seagrasses, was conducted in order to evaluate the evidence for response of epiphyte metrics to increased nutrients. Evidence from field observational studies, together with laboratory and field mesocosm experiments, was assembled from the literature and evaluated for a hypothesized positive response to nutrient addition. There was general consistency in the results to confirm that elevated nutrients tended to increase the load of epiphytes on the surface of SAV, in the absence of other limiting factors. In spite of multiple sources of uncontrolled variation, positive relationships of epiphyte load to nutrient concentration or load (either nitrogen or phosphorus) often were observed along strong anthropogenic or natural nutrient gradients in coastal regions. Such response patterns may only be evident for parts of the year. Results from both mesocosm and field experiments also generally support the increase of epiphytes with increased nutrients, although outcomes from field experiments tended to be more variable. Relatively few studies with nutrient addition in mesocosms have been done with tropical or subtropical species, and more such controlled experiments would be helpful. Experimental duration influenced results, with more positive responses of epiphytes to nutrients at shorter durations in mesocosm experiments versus more positive responses at longer durations in field experiments. In the field, response of epiphyte biomass to nutrient additions was independent of climate zone. Mesograzer activity was a critical covariate for epiphyte response under experimental nutrient elevation, but the epiphyte response was highly dependent on factors such as grazer identity and density, as well as nutrient and ambient light levels. The balance of evidence suggests that epiphytes on SAV will be a useful indicator of persistent nutrient enhancement in many situations. Careful selection of appropriate temporal and spatial constraints for data collection, and concurrent evaluation of confounding factors will help increase the signal to noise ratio for this indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter G Nelson
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Division, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, 2111 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, 97365, USA, Telephone: 1-541-867-5000,
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Nelson WG. Development of an epiphyte indicator of nutrient enrichment: threshold values for seagrass epiphyte load. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2017; 74:343-356. [PMID: 30294244 PMCID: PMC6171120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Metrics of epiphyte load on macrophytes were evaluated for use as quantitative biological indicators for nutrient impacts in estuarine waters, based on review and analysis of the literature on epiphytes and macrophytes, primarily seagrasses, but including some brackish and freshwater rooted macrophyte species. An approach is presented that empirically derives threshold epiphyte loads which are likely to cause specified levels of decrease in macrophyte response metrics such as biomass, shoot density, percent cover, production and growth. Data from 36 studies of 10 macrophyte species were pooled to derive relationships between epiphyte load and -25 and -50% seagrass response levels, which are proposed as the primary basis for establishment of critical threshold values. Given multiple sources of variability in the response data, threshold ranges based on the range of values falling between the median and the 75th quantiles of observations at a given seagrass response level are proposed rather than single, critical point values. Four epiphyte load threshold categories - low, moderate, high, very high, are proposed. Comparison of values of epiphyte loads associated with 25 and 50% reductions in light to macrophytes suggest that the threshold ranges are realistic both in terms of the principle mechanism of impact to macrophytes and in terms of the magnitude of resultant impacts expressed by the macrophytes. Some variability in response levels was observed among climate regions, and additional data collected with a standardized approach could help in the development of regionalized threshold ranges for the epiphyte load indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter G Nelson
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Division, Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch, 2111 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, 97365, USA, ph: 1-541-867-5000,
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Bacci T, Penna M, Rende SF, Trabucco B, Gennaro P, Bertasi F, Marusso V, Grossi L, Cicero AM. Effects of Costa Concordia shipwreck on epiphytic assemblages and biotic features of Posidonia oceanica canopy. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 109:110-116. [PMID: 27289288 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This research provides first information about Posidonia oceanica canopy in the area affected by Costa Concordia wreck. Percentage cover of algal and animal taxa on the leaves was estimated and biotic features of the meadow were measured in the period just after the shipwreck until its removal from the impacted site. Changes in epiphytic assemblages and some biotic features were detected in the Disturbed site compared with Control ones, highlighting effects due to the wreck presence and activities related to its removal. A temporary decrease of encrusting macroalgae and an increase of erected macroalgae and foraminifers, as well as a temporary increase of tip erosion of the canopy were detected in the Disturbed site. The obtained results were discussed and hypotheses about possible synergic effects occurred near the wreck were commented.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bacci
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
| | - M Penna
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - S F Rende
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - B Trabucco
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - P Gennaro
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - F Bertasi
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - V Marusso
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - L Grossi
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - A M Cicero
- ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
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12
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Montefalcone M, Morri C, Parravicini V, Bianchi CN. A tale of two invaders: divergent spreading kinetics of the alien green algae Caulerpa taxifolia and Caulerpa cylindracea. Biol Invasions 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-015-0908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Bellassoued K, Van Pelt J, Elfeki A. Neurotoxicity in rats induced by the poisonous dreamfish (Sarpa salpa). PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2015; 53:286-295. [PMID: 25243872 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.916311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Consumption of Sarpa salpa Linn. (Sparidae) in certain periods of the year is inadvisable because it can cause central nervous system disorders resulting in sea food poisoning. AIMS The present study assesses the cytotoxic effects of compounds, not-yet identified, present in the organ extracts of S. salpa, collected in autumn, the period corresponding to the peak in human health problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS The toxicity was assessed by mouse bioassay of aqueous extract of the fish organs. Wistar rats received daily extracts of different organs of S. salpa by gastric gavage for 7 d (0.3 mL of extract/100 g body weight BW). The dose of tissue extracts of viscera, liver, brain, and flesh of S. salpa administered to rats was as follows: 172, 313, 2050, and 2660 mg/kg BW, respectively. No deaths occurred during the period of treatment. RESULTS The lethal dose (LD50) determined for the crude ciguatoxin (neurotoxins) extracts of viscera, liver, brain, and flesh of S. salpa was as follows: 1.2, 2.2, 14.4, and 18.6 g/kg mouse, respectively. Changes in locomotor activity during the first 2 h and failure in breathing and no evident signs of gastrointestinal problems were recorded. We observed (1) induction of oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in groups that received extracts of liver (+425%) or viscera (+433%), and a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in cerebral cortex tissue by 13%, 25%, and 25% (LT: animals receiving liver extracts) and by 16%, 26%, and 27% (VT: animals receiving viscera extracts), respectively. In contrast, the administration of extracts of flesh and brain induced an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in cerebral cortex tissue by 26%, 23%, and 44% (FT: flesh extract) and 28%, 24%, and 46% (BT: brain extract), respectively; (2) a significant decrease for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in cerebral cortex was recorded in FT, BT, LT, and VT by 27, 34, 58, and 78%, respectively. Moreover, a significant decrease of AChE activity in plasma was recorded in FT, BT, LT, and VT by 16, 21, 38, and 48%, respectively; (3) the histological findings confirmed the biochemical results. CONCLUSIONS Liver and especially the visceral part of S. salpa presented toxicity, which clearly indicates the danger of using this fish as food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Bellassoued
- Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Sciences Faculty of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia and
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Ben Brahim M, Mabrouk L, Hamza A, Mahfoudi M, Bouain A, Aleya L. Bathymetric variation of epiphytic assemblages on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves in relation to anthropogenic disturbance in the southeastern Mediterranean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:13588-13601. [PMID: 25023658 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3315-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A survey of the epiphytic leaves of Posidonia oceanica was conducted along a depth transect at both the control station Attaya in the Kerkennah Islands and the disturbed Mahres station on the Sfax coast (Tunisia). Samples were collected by scuba divers at depths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 m in July 2008. We evaluated whether the pattern of spatial variability of the macroepiphyte assemblages of leaves of Posidonia oceanica differed in relation to anthropogenic interference. The results indicate that the decrease in shoot density and leaf length according to depth was low at Mahres. The biomass of epiphytic leaves and the percentage cover of epiphytic assemblages decreased with depth for both stations and heavily at Mahres, this decline being related to anthropogenic disturbance. This study shows that the highest values of epifauna and epiflora were detected at the disturbed station Mahres. Macroalgae assemblages decreased with depth at both stations and were dominated by Rhodophyta, whereas the percentage cover of the epifauna leaf that decreases according to depth was dominated by Hydrozoa and Bryozoa. Changes in epiphyte assemblages, epiphytic biomass, percentage cover, and species richness in proportion to Heterokontophyta, Rhodophyta, Cyanobacteria, Hydrozoa, Porifera, and Tunicata between the two stations constitute promising tools for detecting environmental disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounir Ben Brahim
- Faculté des Sciences Sfax, Université de Sfax, Route Soukra Km 3.5, BP 802, 3018, Sfax, Tunisia
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Crespo E, Lozano P, Blasco J, Moreno-Garrido I. Epiphyte toxicity bioassay for ecotoxicological and coastal monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:4647-4654. [PMID: 24648102 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3725-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine epibionts are organisms that grow on submerged surfaces. Those found on seagrass leaves are especially important because of their interactions with the plants, their contribution to primary production in these ecosystems, and their role as food source for heterotrophic fauna. Given the relative lack of ecotoxicological studies on epibionts, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of environmental pollution on epiphytes experimentally attached to artificial devices (mimes) consisting of thermally-sealed silicone tubes supported on bamboo sticks that mimic the morphology of seagrasses and serve as an anchor surface for marine epibionts. Mimes were installed on the sea floor in subtidal waters of the Rio San Pedro (Cádiz), collected after 28 days, and incubated in the laboratory with environmental concentrations of atrazine (herbicide), Irgarol (anti-fouling substance), and copper. Tube-dwelling diatoms formed the major component of the epiphyte community. Average surface covering, chlorophyll, and biomass content did not show significant differences between controls and treatments. The glutathione peroxidase activity increased significantly with 4 μg L(-1) of atrazine and 5 μg L(-1) of copper. This enzymatic activity increase seems to be sufficient to prevent oxidative cellular damage by removing reactive oxygen substances produced by oxidative stress; in addition to this enzyme, there might be other antioxidant enzymes which have not been measured in this study, that have also protected the organism from oxidative damage. Thus, the measurement of antioxidant enzymatic activity in epiphytes may be a useful toxicity indicator for coastal biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Crespo
- Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (CSIC), Campus Rio San Pedro, Puerto Real, 11510, Cadiz, Spain
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16
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Personnic S, Boudouresque CF, Astruch P, Ballesteros E, Blouet S, Bellan-Santini D, Bonhomme P, Thibault-Botha D, Feunteun E, Harmelin-Vivien M, Pergent G, Pergent-Martini C, Pastor J, Poggiale JC, Renaud F, Thibaut T, Ruitton S. An ecosystem-based approach to assess the status of a Mediterranean ecosystem, the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98994. [PMID: 24933020 PMCID: PMC4059631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biotic indices, which reflect the quality of the environment, are widely used in the marine realm. Sometimes, key species or ecosystem engineers are selected for this purpose. This is the case of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica, widely used as a biological quality element in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). The good quality of a water body and the apparent health of a species, whether or not an ecosystem engineer such as P. oceanica, is not always indicative of the good structure and functioning of the whole ecosystem. A key point of the recent Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the ecosystem-based approach. Here, on the basis of a simplified conceptual model of the P. oceanica ecosystem, we have proposed an ecosystem-based index of the quality of its functioning, compliant with the MSFD requirements. This index (EBQI) is based upon a set of representative functional compartments, the weighting of these compartments and the assessment of the quality of each compartment by comparison of a supposed baseline. The index well discriminated 17 sites in the north-western Mediterranean (French Riviera, Provence, Corsica, Catalonia and Balearic Islands) covering a wide range of human pressure levels. The strong points of the EBQI are that it is easy to implement, non-destructive, relatively robust, according to the selection of the compartments and to their weighting, and associated with confidence indices that indicate possible weakness and biases and therefore the need for further field data acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Personnic
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Charles F. Boudouresque
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Astruch
- GIS Posidonie, Pytheas Institute, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | - Sylvain Blouet
- Aire marine protégée de la côte Agathoise, site natura 2000, Agde, France
| | - Denise Bellan-Santini
- Aix-Marseille University, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie (IMBE), UMR 7263, Station Marine d'Endoume, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Bonhomme
- GIS Posidonie, Pytheas Institute, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Delphine Thibault-Botha
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Feunteun
- Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR 7208, Station Marine de Dinard, France
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Gérard Pergent
- Equipe Ecosystèmes Littoraux, FRES 3041, University of Corsica, Corte, France
| | | | - Jérémy Pastor
- Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Perpignan, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Poggiale
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Florent Renaud
- Aix-Marseille University, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie (IMBE), UMR 7263, Station Marine d'Endoume, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Thibaut
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Sandrine Ruitton
- Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, UM 110, Marseille, France
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Bellassoued K, Makni-Ayadi F, Van Pelt J, Elfeki A. Hepatotoxicity in rats induced by the poisonous dreamfish (Sarpa salpa). Toxicol Mech Methods 2013; 24:151-60. [PMID: 24274667 DOI: 10.3109/15376516.2013.869781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The present study was aimed to assess the cytotoxic effects of not-yet identified compounds present in organ extracts of Sarpa salpa, collected in autumn, the period with a peak in health problems. METHODS The toxicity was assessed by mouse bioassay of extract of the fish's organs. Wistar rats received daily extracts of different organs of S. salpa by gastric gavage for 7 d (0.3 ml of extract/100 g body weight, BW). The dose of tissue extracts of viscera, liver, brain and flesh of S. salpa administered to rats were as follows: 17.2, 31.3, 205, 266 mg/100g BW, respectively. No deaths occurred during the period of treatment. RESULTS The lethal dose (LD50%) determined for the crude ciguatoxin (neurotoxins) extracts of viscera, liver, brain and flesh of S. salpa were as follows: 1.2, 2.2, 14.4, 18.6 g/kg mouse, respectively. Changes in locomotor activity during the first 2 h and failure breathing and no evident signs of gastrointestinal problems were recorded. We observed: (1) Induction of oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in groups that received extracts of liver (+490%) or viscera (+592%). Accompanied by a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx) in liver tissue by 15%, 17%, 18% (LT: animals receiving liver extracts) and by 19%, 22%, 22% (VT: animals receiving viscera extracts), respectively. In contrast the administration of extracts of flesh and brain induced an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx) in liver tissue by 15%, 19%, 15% (FT: flesh extract) and 18%, 55%, 55% (BT: brain extract), respectively; (2) A significant increase in total metallothionein levels in liver tissue was recorded in (FT), (BT), (LT) and (VT) by 55%, 88%, 255% and 277%, respectively, (3) The histological findings confirmed the biochemical results. CONCLUSIONS Liver and especially visceral part of S. salpa presented toxicity, which clearly indicates the danger of using this fish as food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Bellassoued
- Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Sciences Faculty of Sfax , Sfax , Tunisia
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18
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Dhib A, Ben Brahim M, Turki S, Aleya L. Contrasting key roles of Ruppia cirrhosa in a southern Mediterranean lagoon: reservoir for both biodiversity and harmful species and indicator of lagoon health status. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 76:116-127. [PMID: 24079921 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of Ruppia cirrhosa meadow density and its epiphytic organisms in relation with environmental factors were studied in summer 2011 at five stations in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (GML; southern Mediterranean Sea). Eleven epiphytic groups were recognised among which diatoms and dinoflagellates were the dominant groups and greatest contributors to temporal dissimilarity. An overwhelming concentrations of harmful microalgae was recorded, mainly represented by the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima with maximal concentrations attaining 6 × 10(5)cells 100g(-1) of Ruppia fresh weight. The epifauna community accounted for only 1.4% of total epiphyte abundance and was comprised predominantly of nematodes (47.51%), ciliates (32.59%), fish eggs (7.2%) and larvae (4.95%). PERMANOVA analyses revealed a significant spatio-temporal variation of all epiphytic groups (p<0.01). In this study, R. cirrhosa and its epiphytes were studied as potential early warning indicators of the health status of GML waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Dhib
- Université de Franche-Comté, Laboratoire de Chrono-Environnement, UMR CNRS 6249, France; Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM), Laboratoire Milieu Marin, Centre la Goulette, Tunisia
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19
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Crespo E, Lozano P, Blasco J, Moreno-Garrido I. Effect of Copper, Irgarol and Atrazine on Epiphytes Attached to Artificial Devices for Coastal Ecotoxicology Bioassays. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 91:656-660. [PMID: 24121740 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-1122-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Toxic effects of copper, atrazine and irgarol were evaluated on epiphytes attached to mimes (artificial devices that mimic the morphology of seagrasses) in order to check sensitivity of this biological group. Tube-dwelling diatoms were the major component of the epiphyte community. Superoxide dismutase activity was enhanced by exposure to 25 and 50 μg L-1 of atrazine; the organism generates this antioxidant response to prevent cellular damage by removing reactive oxygen substances produced by oxidative stress. The measurement of antioxidant enzymatic activity in epiphytes could be a useful technique for ecotoxicology monitoring in marine coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Crespo
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Campus Río San Pedro s/n, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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20
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Mounir BB, Asma H, Sana BI, Lotfi M, Abderrahmen B, Lotfi A. What factors drive seasonal variation of phytoplankton, protozoans and metazoans on leaves of Posidonia oceanica and in the water column along the coast of the Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 71:286-298. [PMID: 23498657 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Revised: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A hierarchical sampling design was used during two seasons (spring (May) and summer (August) 2006). Using this design, three regions of the Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia) were analyzed for the distribution of microalgal, protozoan and metazoan assemblages in two different habitats: (1) the water column; and (2) on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile (P. oceanica) leaves in shallow meadows. A total of 85 species were obtained. In particular, the diatom family Naviculacea consistently dominated (both numerically and in their diversity) the micro-algae in all regions for the two seasons of the study and in both habitats. In the Chergui region, which is the closest area to a source of impact, fast growing centric diatoms (such as Thalassionema, Rhizosolenia, Striatella, and Skeletonema) were identified as indicators of high organic matter and nutrient enrichment in water bodies. Protozoan and metazoan species abundance in the different regions indicate a non-random spatial and temporal distribution of the epiphytic organisms on leaves of P. oceanica that correlated with phytoplankton. The results also indicate that (1) the abundance of micro- and macroorganisms in the three regions were higher on P. oceanica leaves than in the water column for the two seasons; (2) environmental factors such as currents and tide influenced assemblages; and (3) the highest abundance was due to direct exposure to the polluted coast of Sfax and the effect of tidal asymmetries generating nutrient-rich inputs from the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Brahim Mounir
- Institut National des Sciences et Technologie de la Mer, Centre de Sfax BP 1035, Sfax 3018, Tunisia
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21
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Bellassoued K, Hamza A, van Pelt J, Elfeki A. Seasonal variation of Sarpa salpa fish toxicity, as related to phytoplankton consumption, accumulation of heavy metals, lipids peroxidation level in fish tissues and toxicity upon mice. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:1137-1150. [PMID: 22535366 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2621-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate for Sarpa salpa the seasonal trend in the food sources, heavy metals bioaccumulation and the oxidative stress in the organs. In addition, the toxicity was assessed by mouse bioassay of extract of the fish's organs collected in autumn, the peak of occurrence of hallucinatory syndrome. The toxicity was further studied for compounds present in epiphyte collected from the sea at the end of spring and in summer that are digested by the S. salpa in these seasons. We observed a higher lipid peroxydation in different tissues of S. salpa compared to the control fish Diplodus annularis. Furthermore, heavy metals accumulation in organs of these fish showed a significant variation between the two species (P < 0.05). The lethal dose (LD50%) determined for crude ciguatoxin (neurotoxins) extracts of viscera, liver, brain and muscle of S. salpa were as follows: 1.217, 2.195, 14.395, 18.645 g/kg mouse, respectively. We noticed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the total amount of toxic dinoflagellates and the level of TBARS in the liver, the brain and the muscle, this for all seasons and all sizes. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect observed for epiphytes extract confirms the transfer of toxins originating from toxic dinoflagellates, which live as epiphytes on P. oceanica leaves, to the fish by grazing. Our work indicates that, toxic phytoplanktons and heavy metals accumulation are responsible for the increase of oxidative stress in the organs of S. salpa. Hence, the edible part of S. salpa, especially the viscera and liver, can cause a threat to human health, and consumption should, for this reason, be dissuaded.
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22
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Bellassoued K, Hamza A, Van Pelt J, Elfeki A. Evaluation of cytotoxic compounds in different organs of the sea bream Sarpa salpa as related to phytoplankton consumption: an in vitro study in human liver cell lines HepG2 and WRL68. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2012; 48:528-34. [PMID: 22821630 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-012-9533-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The present study was aimed to assess the cytotoxic effects of not-yet identified compounds present in organ extracts of Sarpa salpa, collected in autumn, the period with a peak in health problems. In addition, we studied the cytotoxicity of extracts of epiphytes found in the stomach content of S. salpa collected in summer and of epiphytes collected from the sea in the Sfax area at the end of spring. We tested these fractions in two human hepatic cell lines: HepG2 and WRL68. We observed a significant loss of viable cells when HepG2 cells were exposed for 72 h to acetone extracts of livers of S. salpa at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml protein. Proteins extracted from brain or muscle did not significantly induce cell death at the studied concentrations (≤10 mg/ml). There was a significant loss of viable cells when treated with liver extract of S. salpa dissolved in DMSO. Extracts of epiphytes collected in late spring showed a cytotoxic effect in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, we observed a significantly decreased cell viability of HepG2 at a dilution (1/40) of epiphyte extracts from stomach contents of two fish we had collected. The cytotoxic effect of the observed epiphyte extracts confirms the transfer of toxins originating from toxic dinoflagellates which live in epiphyte on the Posidonia oceanica leaves to fish organs by grazing. Hence, the liver of this fish can cause a threat to human health and consumption should for this reason be dissuaded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Bellassoued
- Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty of Sfax, Department of Life Sciences, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
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Losi V, Montefalcone M, Moreno M, Giovannetti E, Gaozza L, Grondona M, Albertelli G. Nematodes as indicators of environmental quality in seagrass ( Posidonia oceanica) meadows of the NW Mediterranean Sea. ADVANCES IN OCEANOGRAPHY AND LIMNOLOGY 2012; 3:69-91. [DOI: 10.1080/19475721.2012.670666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
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Johnston EL, Marzinelli EM, Wood CA, Speranza D, Bishop JDD. Bearing the burden of boat harbours: heavy contaminant and fouling loads in a native habitat-forming alga. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2011; 62:2137-44. [PMID: 21820680 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Boat harbours are an increasingly common form of artificial habitat. This paper presents a comparative study of contaminants and foulers of a habitat-forming native kelp (Saccharina latissima) in four marinas and four reference locations along the south-west coast of the UK. Fouling of algal laminae was light (<2% cover) in reference locations, while epibiota cover ranged from 25% to 80% of laminae in marinas. Metals associated with antifouling paints were up to six times more concentrated in algal tissues from marinas than from the reference locations. Marinas also carried the greatest cover and diversity of non-indigenous epibiota on the kelp laminae. This indicates not only a potential stress to kelps in these environments, but also the possibility that detached laminae will act as vectors for the dispersal of non-indigenous species. The development of boat harbours creates habitats that are high risk source localities for pollution-tolerant fouling organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Johnston
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
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25
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Papini A, Sordo L, Mosti S. SURFACE INTERACTIONS OF THE EPIPHYTIC MACROALGA HINCKSIA MITCHELLIAE (PHAEOPHYCEAE) WITH THE SHOALGRASS HALODULE WRIGHTII (CYMODOCEACEAE)(1). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2011; 47:118-122. [PMID: 27021717 DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2010.00935.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Meadows of Halodule wrightii (Cymodoceaceae) underwent a decline in a tidal flat located at Paranaguá Bay (Parana, SE Brazil). This decline appeared to be related to an overgrowth of the epiphytic macroalga Hincksia mitchelliae (Harv.) P. C. Silva (Phaeophyceae). In order to characterize the type of epiphytism between the alga and its plant host, we compared two samples from the beginning and end of the algal overgrowth via electron and optical microscopes. The investigation revealed that at both sampling periods, there was an epiphytism of type II, which is due to an infection of epiphytes strongly attached to the surface of the host but not associated to any apparent direct host-tissue damage. The presence of plasmodesmata between the cells of Hincksia only in the late stage of the host-epiphyte interaction indicated a change in the vegetative organization of Hincksia in relation to its host to improve nutrient absorption and distribution through the epiphyte cells. This is the first report on plasmodesmata in H. mitchelliae. The proposed mechanisms with which the algal epiphytes lead seagrasses to death are shadowing by adhesion on Halodule surface and disruption of its osmoregulatory system. Our findings have implications for the conservation and management strategies of seagrass ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Papini
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Università di Firenze, Via La Pira, 4 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Laura Sordo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Università di Firenze, Via La Pira, 4 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefano Mosti
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Università di Firenze, Via La Pira, 4 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Ben Brahim M, Hamza A, Hannachi I, Rebai A, Jarboui O, Bouain A, Aleya L. Variability in the structure of epiphytic assemblages of Posidonia oceanica in relation to human interferences in the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 70:411-421. [PMID: 20851462 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 07/31/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In this study we evaluate whether the pattern of spatial variability of the macro-epiphyte assemblages of leaves of Posidonia oceanica differed in relation to anthropogenic interference in the Gulf of Gabes (southern coast of Tunisia). A hierarchical sampling design was used to compare epiphytic assemblages at 5 m depth in terms of abundance and spatial variability at disturbed and control locations. The results indicate that the biomass and mean percentage cover decreased at locations near the point of sewage outlet in comparison to control locations. These losses were related to the distance from the source of disturbance. This study revealed that the diversity is reduced in disturbed locations by the loss of biomass and the mean percentage cover, explained by means of a multiple-stressor model which plays an important role in the macro-epiphytes' setting. It is urgent to propose the best management plans to save the remaining P. oceanica meadow in the Gulf of Gabes and its associated epiphytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounir Ben Brahim
- Université de Sfax, Faculté des Sciences Sfax, Route Soukra Km 3.5, BP 802, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia
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