1
|
Souto-Neto JA, David DD, Zanetti G, Sua-Cespedes C, Freret-Meurer NV, Moraes MN, de Assis LVM, Castrucci AMDL. Light-specific wavelengths differentially affect the exploration rate, opercular beat, skin color change, opsin transcripts, and the oxi-redox system of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 288:111551. [PMID: 37972916 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Light is a strong stimulus for the sensory and endocrine systems. The opsins constitute a large family of proteins that can respond to specific light wavelengths. Hippocampus reidi is a near-threatened seahorse that has a diverse color pattern and sexual dimorphism. Over the years, H. reidi's unique characteristics, coupled with its high demand and over-exploitation for the aquarium trade, have raised concerns about its conservation, primarily due to their significant impact on wild populations. Here, we characterized chromatophore types in juvenile and adult H. reidi in captivity, and the effects of specific light wavelengths with the same irradiance (1.20 mW/cm2) on color change, growth, and survival rate. The xanthophores and melanophores were the major components of H. reidi pigmentation with differences in density and distribution between life stages and sexes. In the eye and skin of juveniles, the yellow (585 nm) wavelength induced a substantial increase in melanin levels compared to the individuals kept under white light (WL), blue (442 nm), or red (650 nm) wavelengths. In addition, blue and yellow wavelengths led to a higher juvenile mortality rate in comparison to the other treatments. Adult seahorses showed a rhythmic color change over 24 h, the highest reflectance values were obtained in the light phase, representing a daytime skin lightening for individuals under WL, blue and yellow wavelength, with changes in the acrophase. The yellow wavelength was more effective on juvenile seahorse pigmentation, while the blue wavelength exerted a stronger effect on the regulation of adult physiological color change. Dramatic changes in the opsin mRNA levels were life stage-dependent, which may infer ontogenetic opsin functions throughout seahorses' development. Exposure to specific wavelengths differentially affected the opsins mRNA levels in the skin and eyes of juveniles. In the juveniles, skin transcripts of visual (rh1, rh2, and lws) and non-visual opsins (opn3 and opn4x) were higher in individuals under yellow light. While in the juvenile's eyes, only rh1 and rh2 had increased transcripts influenced by yellow light; the lws and opn3 mRNA levels were higher in juveniles' eyes under WL. Prolonged exposure to yellow wavelength stimulates a robust increase in the antioxidant enzymes sod1 and sod2 mRNA levels. Our findings indicate that changes in the visible light spectrum alter physiological processes at different stages of life in H. reidi and may serve as the basis for a broader discussion about the implications of artificial light for aquatic species in captivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Araújo Souto-Neto
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Micropollutants, Biophysics Institute Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Daniela Dantas David
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Zanetti
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristhian Sua-Cespedes
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Nathália Moraes
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Maria de Lauro Castrucci
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Boehm JT, Bovee E, Harris SE, Eddins K, Akahoho I, Foster M, Pell SK, Hickerson MJ, Amato G, DeSalle R, Waldman J. The United States dried seahorse trade: A comparison of traditional Chinese medicine and ecommerce-curio markets using molecular identification. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291874. [PMID: 37788253 PMCID: PMC10547177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tens of millions of dried seahorses (genus Hippocampus) are traded annually, and the pressure from this trade along with their life history traits (involved parental care and small migration distances and home ranges) has led to near global population declines. This and other forms of overexploitation have led to all seahorse species being listed in Appendix II under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The signatory nations of CITES recommended a 10-cm size limit of seahorses to ensure harvested individuals have reached reproductive maturity, and have thus had the chance to produce offspring, to maintain a more sustainable global seahorse fishery. We assessed adherence to CITES recommendations using DNA barcoding and size measurements to compare two prominent U.S. dried seahorse markets: (1) traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and (2) non-medicinal ecommerce and coastal curio (ECC). We also estimated U.S. import abundance from CITES records. Of the nine species identified among all samples (n = 532), eight were found in the TCM trade (n = 168); composed mostly (75%) of the Indo-Pacific species Hippocampus trimaculatus, and Hippocampus spinosissimus, and the Latin American Hippocampus ingens. In contrast, ECC samples (n = 344) included 5 species, primarily juvenile Indo-Pacific Hippocampus kuda (51.5%) and the western Atlantic Hippocampus zosterae (40.7). The majority of TCM samples (85.7%) met the CITES size recommendation, in contrast to 4.8% of ECC samples. These results suggest non-size discriminatory bycatch is the most likely source of imported ECC specimens. In addition, CITES records indicate that approximately 602,275 dried specimens were imported into the U.S. from 2004-2020, but the exact species composition remains unknown as many U.S. imports records list one species or Hippocampus spp. from confiscated shipments due to difficulties in morphological identification and large numbers of individuals per shipment. Molecular identification was used to identify the species composition of confiscated shipment imports containing undesignated species, and similar to TCM, found H. trimaculatus and H. spinosissimus the most abundant. By combining DNA barcoding, size comparisons, and CITES database records, these results provide an important glimpse into the two primary dried U.S. seahorse end-markets, and may further inform the conservation status of several Hippocampus species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J T Boehm
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- Subprogram in Ecology, Evolution Biology and Behavior, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Eric Bovee
- School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephen E Harris
- Subprogram in Ecology, Evolution Biology and Behavior, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- School of Natural and Social Science, SUNY Purchase College, Purchase, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Eddins
- The New School, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ishmael Akahoho
- Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment High School, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Marcia Foster
- Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment High School, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Susan K Pell
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael J Hickerson
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- Subprogram in Ecology, Evolution Biology and Behavior, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - George Amato
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Rob DeSalle
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - John Waldman
- Subprogram in Ecology, Evolution Biology and Behavior, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- Biology Department, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao Z, Liu Y, Jiang H, Yu H, Qin G, Qu M, Xiao W, Lin Q. Microbial profiles and immune responses in seahorse gut and brood pouch under chronic exposure to environmental antibiotics. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 253:114711. [PMID: 36868035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ocean antibiotics pose substantial risks to the adaptation and lifespan of marine organisms. Seahorses are unique owing to the occurrence of brood pouches, male pregnancy, and loss of gut-associated lymphatic tissues and spleen, which lead to increased sensitivity to environmental changes. This study evaluated the changes in microbial diversity and immune responses within the gut and brood pouch in the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus under chronic exposure to environmental levels of triclosan (TCS) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), which are common antibiotics in coastal regions. The results showed that microbial abundance and diversity within the gut and brood pouch of seahorses were significantly changed following antibiotics treatment, with the expression of core genes involved in immunity, metabolism, and circadian rhythm processes evidently regulated. Notably, the abundance of potential pathogens in brood pouches was considerably increased upon treatment with SMX. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of toll-like receptors, c-type lectins, and inflammatory cytokine genes in brood pouches was significantly upregulated. Notably, some essential genes related to male pregnancy significantly varied after antibiotic treatment, implying potential effects on seahorse reproduction. This study provides insights into the physiological adaptation of marine animals to environmental changes resulting from human activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yali Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Han Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haiyan Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Geng Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Qu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wanghong Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Qiang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bu X, Bai H. Recent Progress of Bio-inspired Camouflage Materials: From Visible to Infrared Range. Chem Res Chin Univ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-022-2170-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
5
|
Hernández-Urcera J, Dias Carneiro MD, Planas M. Turnover Rates and Diet–Tissue Discrimination Factors of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes in Seahorse Hippocampus reidi Juveniles Following a Laboratory Diet Shift. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101232. [PMID: 35625079 PMCID: PMC9138056 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The main aim of the present study was to ascertain the effect of two feeding schedules (including copepods and Artemia nauplii) on the early development and physiology of seahorse Hippocampus reidi juveniles. For that, we analyzed seahorse performance (growth and survival) and trophic patterns by means of stable isotopes. Our results highlight that the welfare and condition of juveniles were enhanced by extending the period of feeding on copepods up to day 10 after the male’s pouch release. The analysis of turnover rates for δ13C and δ15N revealed that switching copepods to Artemia nauplii at earlier developmental stages would reduce prey assimilation resulting in lower growth rates and survivals. The present study also provides for the diet–tissue discrimination factors for δ13C and δ15N in seahorse juveniles for the first time. Abstract The initial development of seahorse juveniles is characterized by low digestion capabilities. Stable isotope analysis is an effective tool in studies of trophic food webs and animal feeding patterns. The present study provides new insights for the understanding of growth and food assimilation in early developing seahorses following a laboratory diet switch. The study was performed in the early life stages of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi by assessing the influence of diet shift on changes and turnovers in carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope in juveniles. Newborn seahorses were fed for 60 days following two feeding schedules (A6 and A11) based initially on copepods Acartia tonsa and subsequently on Artemia nauplii (since days 6 and 11, respectively). After the prey shift, we determined δ13C and δ15N turnover rates as functions of change in either body mass (fitting model G) and days of development (fitting model D), contributions of metabolism and growth to those turnover rates, and diet–tissue discrimination factors. Survival, final dry weight, and final standard length for diet A11 were higher compared to diet A6. The shift from copepods to Artemia led to fast initial enrichments in δ13C and δ15N. Afterwards, the enrichment was gradually reduced until the isotopic equilibrium with the diet was reached. In most cases, both fitting models performed similarly. The isotopic analysis revealed that 100% of tissue turnover was attributed to growth in diet A11, whereas 19–25% was linked to metabolism in diet A6. Diet–tissue discrimination factors were estimated for the first time in seahorse juveniles, resulting in higher estimates for diet A11 (2.9 ± 0.7‰ for δ13C; 2.5 ± 0.2‰ for δ15N) than in diet A6 (1.8 ± 0.1‰ for δ13C; 1.9 ± 0.1‰ for δ15N). This study highlights the relevance of feeding on copepods and their effect on isotopic patterns and discrimination factors in seahorse juveniles after a dietary shift. Regarding the application of the results achieved in relation to the feeding schedules in the rearing of H. reidi, a long period of feeding on copepods during the first days of development is highly recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Hernández-Urcera
- Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.H.-U.); (M.P.); Tel.: +34-986231930 (J.H.-U.); +34-986214457 (M.P.)
| | - Mario Davi Dias Carneiro
- Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain;
- Laboratório de Piscicultura Estuarina e Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande–FURG, Rio Grande 96201, RS, Brazil
| | - Miquel Planas
- Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.H.-U.); (M.P.); Tel.: +34-986231930 (J.H.-U.); +34-986214457 (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang Y, Ying N, Huang Y, Zou X, Liu X, Li L, Zhou J, Zhao S, Ma R, Li X, Tan H, Fang W. Nucleospora hippocampi n. sp., an Intranuclear Microsporidian Infecting the Seahorse Hippocampus erectus From China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:882843. [PMID: 35601100 PMCID: PMC9114889 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.882843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The life cycle, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of a new intranuclear microsporidian, Nucleospora hippocampi n. sp., infecting the intestine of the Hippocampus erectus, were described. The histopathology revealed an extensive infection, mainly in the columnar epithelium of the intestinal mucosa layer. The enterocytes were the important target cell for Nucleospora hippocampi n. sp. infection. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that this microsporidian developed directly within the host cell nucleoplasm. In the intranuclear life cycle, the transformation from meront to sporogonial plasmodium was recognized by forming electron-dense disc structures, which were considered the polar tube precursors. The microsporidian showed the typical morphological characteristics of the family Enterocytozoonidae in the formation and development of spore organelles prior to the division of the sporogonial plasmodium. According to wet smear observation, eight spores were generally formed in a single host nucleus. Mature spores were elongated ovoids that were slightly bent and measured 1.93 × 0.97 μm. The isofilar polar tube was arranged in 7~8 coils in one row. Phylogenetic analysis of its small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrated that the parasite belonged to the Nucleospora group clade. The histological, ultrastructural, and molecular data support the emergence of a new species in the genus Nucleospora. This is the first report of Nucleospora species in Asia and threatened syngnathid fishes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Ying
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqing Huang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiong Zou
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Liu
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Letian Li
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junfang Zhou
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Zhao
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongrong Ma
- College of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xincang Li
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxin Tan
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hongxin Tan, ; Wenhong Fang,
| | - Wenhong Fang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hongxin Tan, ; Wenhong Fang,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
There is much documentation about seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) being threatened by habitat degradation and overfishing, but relatively few published studies mention their natural predators. The present study documents three cases in which seahorses are being caught by octopuses. In one case, the seahorse was partly consumed. These observations made at Bonaire (Caribbean Netherlands) and New South Wales (Australia) suggest that predation on seahorses by octopuses may be more widespread and common than previously thought.
Collapse
|