Physiological response measures (respiration, clearance, byssus production, survival) of Perna viridis during a 91 day exposure experiment to microplastics in Bogor, Indonesia, 2014

Perna viridis from the Bay of Jakarta was exposed to different concentrations (0, 21.6, 216 and 2160 mg/l) of PVC microplastic particles for 91 days in a controlled laboratory experiment. Particles were negatively buoyant, but were regularly resuspended from the sediment, mimicking tidal events. The particles were contaminated with the organic pollutant fluoranthene, except for one control group, which was exposed to the highest plastic concentration (2160 mg/l) but with clean particles. Within the 91 days survival was monitored. After 40 - 44 days of the exposure, physiological responses of all mussel individuals were measured. Respiration rates were measured as the decrease of oxygen in a sealed container in 20 minutes. Clearance rates were determined by measuring the depletion of algal cells in the water in 30 minutes. Byssus production was assessed by counting the number of newly formed byssus discs within 24 hours.

Impact of atmospheric pCO2, seawater temperature, and calcification rate on the delta 18O and delta 13C composition of echinoid calcite (Echinometra viridis)

The tropical echinoid Echinometra viridis was reared in controlled laboratory experiments at temperatures of approximately 20°C and 30°C to mimic winter and summer temperatures and at carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressures of approximately 487 ppm-v and 805 ppm-v to simulate current and predicted-end-of-century levels. Spine material produced during the experimental period and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of the corresponding culture solutions were then analyzed for stable oxygen (delta 18Oe, delta 18ODIC) and carbon (The tropical echinoid Echinometra viridis was reared in controlled laboratory experiments at temperatures of approximately 20°C and 30°C to mimic winter and summer temperatures and at carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressures of approximately 487 ppm-v and 805 ppm-v to simulate current and predicted-end-of-century levels. Spine material produced during the experimental period and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of the corresponding culture solutions were then analyzed for stable oxygen (delta18Oe, delta18ODIC) and carbon (delta13Ce, delta13CDIC) isotopic composition. Fractionation of oxygen stable isotopes between the echinoid spines and DIC of their corresponding culture solutions (delta18O = delta18Oe - delta18ODIC) was significantly inversely correlated with seawater temperature but not significantly correlated with atmospheric pCO2. Fractionation of carbon stable isotopes between the echinoid spines and DIC of their corresponding culture solutions (Delta delta13C = delta13Ce - delta13CDIC) was significantly positively correlated with pCO2 and significantly inversely correlated with temperature, with pCO2 functioning as the primary factor and temperature moderating the pCO2-delta13C relationship. Echinoid calcification rate was significantly inversely correlated with both delta18O and delta13C, both within treatments (i.e., pCO2 and temperature fixed) and across treatments (i.e., with effects of pCO2 and temperature controlled for through ANOVA). Therefore, calcification rate and potentially the rate of co-occurring dissolution appear to be important drivers of the kinetic isotope effects observed in the echinoid spines. Study results suggest that echinoid delta18O monitors seawater temperature, but not atmospheric pCO2, and that echinoid delta13C monitors atmospheric pCO2, with temperature moderating this relationship. These findings, coupled with echinoids' long and generally high-quality fossil record, supports prior assertions that fossil echinoid delta18O is a viable archive of paleo-seawater temperature throughout Phanerozoic time, and that delta13C merits further investigation as a potential proxy of paleo-atmospheric pCO2. However, the apparent impact of calcification rate on echinoid delta18O and delta13C suggests that paleoceanographic reconstructions derived from these proxies in fossil echinoids could be improved by incorporating the effects of growth rate.13Ce, delta13CDIC) isotopic composition. Fractionation of oxygen stable isotopes between the echinoid spines and DIC of their corresponding culture solutions (delta18O = delta18Oe - delta18ODIC) was significantly inversely correlated with seawater temperature but not significantly correlated with atmospheric pCO2. Fractionation of carbon stable isotopes between the echinoid spines and DIC of their corresponding culture solutions (delta13C = delta13Ce - delta13CDIC) was significantly positively correlated with pCO2 and significantly inversely correlated with temperature, with pCO2 functioning as the primary factor and temperature moderating the pCO2-delta13C relationship. Echinoid calcification rate was significantly inversely correlated with both delta18O and delta13C, both within treatments (i.e., pCO2 and temperature fixed) and across treatments (i.e., with effects of pCO2 and temperature controlled for through ANOVA). Therefore, calcification rate and potentially the rate of co-occurring dissolution appear to be important drivers of the kinetic isotope effects observed in the echinoid spines. Study results suggest that echinoid delta18O monitors seawater temperature, but not atmospheric pCO2, and that echinoid delta13C monitors atmospheric pCO2, with temperature moderating this relationship. These findings, coupled with echinoids' long and generally high-quality fossil record, supports prior assertions that fossil echinoid delta18O is a viable archive of paleo-seawater temperature throughout Phanerozoic time, and that delta13C merits further investigation as a potential proxy of paleo-atmospheric pCO2. However, the apparent impact of calcification rate on echinoid delta18O and delta13C suggests that paleoceanographic reconstructions derived from these proxies in fossil echinoids could be improved by incorporating the effects of growth rate.

Seawater carbonate chemistry and calcification in the tropical urchin Echinometra viridis in a laboratory experiment

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) has risen from approximately 280 to 400 ppm since the Industrial Revolution, due mainly to the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and cement production. It is predicted to reach as high as 900 ppm by the end of this century. Ocean acidification resulting from the release of anthropogenic CO2 has been shown to impair the ability of some marine calcifiers to build their shells and skeletons. Here, we present the results of ocean acidification experiments designed to assess the effects of an increase in atmospheric pCO2 from ca. 448 to 827 ppm on calcification rates of the tropical urchin Echinometra viridis. Experiments were conducted under the urchin's winter (20 °C) and summer (30 °C) water temperatures in order to identify seasonal differences in the urchin's response to ocean acidification. The experiments reveal that calcification rates decreased for urchins reared under elevated pCO2, with the decline being more pronounced under wintertime temperatures than under summertime temperatures. These results indicate that the urchin E. viridis will be negatively impacted by CO2-induced ocean acidification that is predicted to occur by the end of this century. These results also suggest that impact of CO2-induced ocean acidification on urchin calcification will be more severe in the winter and in cooler waters.

Asian green mussels (Perna viridis) transplanted between Jakarta Bay and Lada Bay, West Java, Indonesia (April 2012 - November 2013)

The Asian green mussel Perna viridis is tolerant to environmental stress, but its robustness varies between populations from habitats that differ in quality. So far, it is unclear whether local adaptations through stressinduced selection or phenotypic plasticity are responsible for these inter-population differences. We tested for the relevance of both mechanisms by comparing survival under hypoxia in mussels that were transplanted from an anthropogenically impacted (Jakarta Bay, Indonesia) to a natural habitat (Lada Bay, Indonesia) and vice versa. Mussels were retrieved 8 weeks after transplantation and exposed to hypoxia in the laboratory. Additional hypoxia tests were conducted with juvenile mussels collected directly from both sites. To elucidate possible relationships between habitat quality and mussel tolerance, we monitored concentrations of inorganic nutrients, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, phytoplankton density and the mussels' body condition index (BCI) for 20 months before, during and after the experiments. Survival under hypoxia depended mainly on the quality of the habitat where the mussels lived before the hypoxia tests and only to a small degree on their site of origin. Furthermore, stress tolerance was only higher in Jakarta than in Lada Bay mussels when the BCIs were substantially higher, which in turn correlated with the phytoplankton densities. We explain why phenotypic plasticity and high BCIs are more likely the causes of populationspecific differences in hypoxia tolerance in P. viridis than stress-induced selection for robust genotypes. This is relevant to understanding the role of P. viridis as mariculture organism in eutrophic ecosystems and invasive species in the (sub)tropical world.

Natural high pCO2 increases autotrophy in Anemonia viridis (Anthozoa) as revealed from stable isotope (C, N) analysis

Contemporary cnidarian-algae symbioses are challenged by increasing CO2 concentrations (ocean warming and acidification) affecting organisms' biological performance. We examined the natural variability of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the symbiotic sea anemone Anemonia viridis to investigate dietary shifts (autotrophy/heterotrophy) along a natural pCO2 gradient at the island of Vulcano, Italy. delta 13C values for both algal symbionts (Symbiodinium) and host tissue of A. viridis became significantly lighter with increasing seawater pCO2. Together with a decrease in the difference between delta 13C values of both fractions at the higher pCO2 sites, these results indicate there is a greater net autotrophic input to the A. viridis carbon budget under high pCO2 conditions. delta 15N values and C/N ratios did not change in Symbiodinium and host tissue along the pCO2 gradient. Additional physiological parameters revealed anemone protein and Symbiodinium chlorophyll a remained unaltered among sites. Symbiodinium density was similar among sites yet their mitotic index increased in anemones under elevated pCO2. Overall, our findings show that A. viridis is characterized by a higher autotrophic/heterotrophic ratio as pCO2 increases. The unique trophic flexibility of this species may give it a competitive advantage and enable its potential acclimation and ecological success in the future under increased ocean acidification.

Nuevos datos sobre la distribución de Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1786, en el noroeste de África.

[ES] Se indica la presencia de Bufo viridis en los territorios del Sáhara Occidental, unos 400 km al Sureste del área de distribución conocida para la especie.

The Intrahippocampal Infusion Of Crotamine From Crotalus Durissus Terrificus Venom Enhances Memory Persistence In Rats.

Previous research has shown that crotamine, a toxin isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus, induces the release of acetylcholine and dopamine in the central nervous system of rats. Particularly, these neurotransmitters are important modulators of memory processes. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of crotamine infusion on persistence of memory in rats. We verified that the intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine (1 μg/μl; 1 μl/side) improved the persistence of object recognition and aversive memory. By other side, the intrahippocampal infusion of the toxin did not alter locomotor and exploratory activities, anxiety or pain threshold. These results demonstrate a future prospect of using crotamine as potential pharmacological tool to treat diseases involving memory impairment, although it is still necessary more researches to better elucidate the crotamine effects on hippocampus and memory.

Compartment Syndrome After South American Rattlesnake (crotalus Durissus Terrificus) Envenomation.

In order to report the outcome of a patient who developed compartment syndrome after South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) envenomation, confirmed by subfascial pressure measurement and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 63-year-old male was admitted 1 h after being bitten on the right elbow by a large snake, which was not brought for identification. Physical and laboratory features upon admission revealed two fang marks, local tense swelling, paresthesia, intense local pain, hypertension, coagulopathy, and CK = 1530 U/L (RV < 170 U/L). The case was initially treated with bothropic antivenom (80 mL, intravenously), with no improvement. Evolution within 13-14 h post-bite revealed generalized myalgia, muscle weakness, palpebral ptosis, and severe rhabdomyolysis (CK = 126,160 U/L) compatible with envenoming by C. d. terrificus. The patient was then treated with crotalic antivenom (200 mL, intravenously), fluid replacement, and urine alkalinization. Twenty-four-hour post-bite MRI showed marked muscular edema in the anterior compartment of the right forearm, with a high subfascial pressure (40 mmHg) being detected 1 h later. ELISA of a blood sample obtained upon admission, before antivenom infusion, revealed a high serum concentration of C. d. terrificus venom. No fasciotomy was performed and the patient was discharged seven days later without sequelae. Snakebite by C. d. terrificus with subfascial venom injection may lead to increased intracompartmental pressure.

Intrahippocampal Infusion Of Crotamine Isolated From Crotalus Durissus Terrificus Alters Plasma And Brain Biochemical Parameters.

Crotamine is one of the main constituents of the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Here we sought to investigate the inflammatory and toxicological effects induced by the intrahippocampal administration of crotamine isolated from Crotalus whole venom. Adult rats received an intrahippocampal infusion of crotamine or vehicle and were euthanized 24 h or 21 days after infusion. Plasma and brain tissue were collected for biochemical analysis. Complete blood count, creatinine, urea, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), creatine-kinase (CK), creatine kinase-muscle B (CK-MB) and oxidative parameters (assessed by DNA damage and micronucleus frequency in leukocytes, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls in plasma and brain) were quantified. Unpaired and paired t-tests were used for comparisons between saline and crotamine groups, and within groups (24 h vs. 21 days), respectively. After 24 h crotamine infusion promoted an increase of urea, GOT, GPT, CK, and platelets values (p ≤ 0.01), while red blood cells, hematocrit and leukocytes values decreased (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, 21 days after infusion crotamine group showed increased creatinine, leukocytes, TBARS (plasma and brain), carbonyl (plasma and brain) and micronucleus compared to the saline-group (p ≤ 0.01). Our findings show that crotamine infusion alter hematological parameters and cardiac markers, as well as oxidative parameters, not only in the brain, but also in the blood, indicating a systemic pro-inflammatory and toxicological activity. A further scientific attempt in terms of preserving the beneficial activity over toxicity is required.

Contribuição para o estudo dos Rhinotragini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): I. mudança de status nos subgêneros de Ommata white, 1855 e revisão de Agaone Pascoe, 1859

Todos os subgêneros de Ommata são elevados a gênero, levando-se em consideração a diversidade de caracteres encontrados em cada um deles. Agaone é revisto e uma nova espécie é descrita do Brasil (Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro): A. punctilla sp. nov. Cantharoxylymna Linsley, 1934 é considerado sinônimo junior de Agaone. Grupiara gen. nov. é descrito para alocar Ommata (Agaone) viridis Gounelle, 1911.