Article
Engineering, Marine
Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha, Angela Alves, Elsa Oliveira, Goncalo Calado
Summary: This study investigated the histological and ultrastructural features of the digestive system in Chaetopleura angulata and Acanthochitona fascicularis. Both species were found to be omnivorous, and the digestive tract epithelium consisted mainly of elongated absorptive cells with microvilli and cilia. These cells were involved in endocytosis, intracellular digestion, and storage of reserves. Secretory cells containing proteins and polysaccharides were present in the digestive tract, with distinct mucous cells and basophilic cells. Basal cells corresponding to enteroendocrine cells were also observed. The digestive tract wall consisted of muscle cells, nerves, and connective tissue.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha, Angela Alves, Elsa Oliveira, Goncalo Calado
Summary: The esophageal pouches of Chaetopleura angulata and Acanthochitona fascicularis are known as sugar glands due to their fluid rich in polysaccharide digesting enzymes. These glands are involved in extracellular and intracellular digestion, as well as storing lipid and glycogen reserves.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Boris Sirenko
Summary: The species composition of the genus Connexochiton has been revised, now consisting of six known species and three new species. The main characteristics of the genus include distinctive valve shape, delicately sculptured tegmentum, and unique teeth morphology.
Article
Zoology
Adriana Reyes-Gomez, Rafael Flores-Garza, Lizeth Galeana-Rebolledo, Gerardo Hernandez-Vera, Cristian M. Galvan-Villa, Carmina Torreblanca-Ramirez, Pedro Flores-Rodriguez, Sergio Garcia-Ibanez, Eduardo Rios-Jara
Summary: This study provides a documentation of the chiton species found in southern Mexico, with the discovery of a new species. Morphological variations were observed among chitons from different regions, highlighting the importance of studying local populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elliot Scanes, Laura M. Parker, Justin R. Seymour, Nachshon Siboni, Michael C. Dove, Wayne A. O'Connor, Pauline M. Ross
Summary: The study found a significant negative relationship between the metabolic rate and bacterial richness in oysters, with the bacterial community composition being influenced by metabolic rate, extracellular CO2, and extracellular pH. The effects of extracellular CO2 depended on genotype, and changes in metabolic rate aligned with a shift in ASVs abundance, indicating a clear relationship between host metabolism and the microbiome in oysters.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Boris Sirenko
Summary: The species composition of the genus Lepidochitona in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Atlantic was reviewed, revealing two new species. L. africana n. sp. was found in the area from False Bay to Mpenjati, KwaZulu-Natal on the southern coast of South Africa, while L. pakistana n. sp. is restricted to shallow waters of Pakistan. Additionally, the previously considered rare species L. turtoni was revisited. The taxonomy and composition controversy of the genera Lepidochitona and Cyanoplax were also discussed.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Liju Thomas, Ranjeet Kutty
Summary: Chiton research from the Indian coast is limited, with lack of taxonomic descriptions, information on species diversity and distribution. Chiton species diversity is high in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Gulf of Mannar, indicating the need for further research and validation.
Article
Zoology
Boris Sirenko
Summary: This study processed a collection of rare deep-sea chiton species from South Australia, Tasmania, and Heard Island. New species were discovered and described, and it was confirmed that the chiton fauna of Australia and New Zealand exhibit a high degree of endemism.
Article
Zoology
Boris Sirenko, Hiroshi Saito, Enrico Schwabe
Summary: Leptochiton belknapi is revisited based on a morphological study, and its intraspecific and age variability is determined. A new genus Belknapchiton is established based on the comparison with morphologically similar species, with Leptochiton belknapi as its type species. The new genus differs from Leptochiton in body size, perinotum scales, radula characteristics, and other features.
Article
Environmental Sciences
John T. Morris, Ian C. Enochs, Michael S. Studivan, Benjamin D. Young, Anderson Mayfield, Nash Soderberg, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Graham Kolodziej, Derek Manzello
Summary: This study examined the physiological and transcriptomic responses of common zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate Caribbean sponges to different pH conditions, including present-day and future ocean acidification scenarios. The results showed that the influence of ocean acidification on sponge bioerosion was nonlinear, with the highest rates observed under moderate pH conditions. However, under extreme end-of-century pH conditions, bioerosion rates plateaued or decreased, suggesting physiological impairment of the sponges. RNA-seq analysis revealed differentially expressed genes involved in stress response and suppressed metabolism. These findings have implications for the dissolution and long-term persistence of reef habitat structures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Bruno Dell'Angelo, Bernard M. Landau, Carlos Marques da Silva, Maurizio Sosso
Summary: Through analysis of extensive new material from the Mondego Basin in Portugal, 8 new species and two new genera of Pliocene chitons were discovered, providing new insights into the biodiversity of this region. This new data contributes to a clearer understanding of the Late Miocene to Recent eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeography of the Polyplacophora.
JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Maziere, M. Bodo, M. A. Perdrau, C. Cravo-Laureau, R. Duran, C. Dupuy, C. Hubas
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of ocean acidification and warming on the phototrophic communities of hypersaline microbial mats. While warming led to increased salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration, acidification treatments resulted in a higher abundance of chlorophyll derivatives but did not affect photosynthetic efficiency. This suggests a potential shift in the metabolism of green anoxygenic bacteria under acidification treatment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John Morris, Ian Enochs, Alice Webb, Didier de Bakker, Nash Soderberg, Graham Kolodziej, Derek Manzello
Summary: Ocean acidification is expected to affect coral reef ecosystems by changing calcification, bioerosion, and physiology of marine organisms. The study found that diurnal fluctuations in carbonate chemistry can impact the bioerosion rates of sponges, and this effect may be intensified by photosynthetic symbionts.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Zhenyue Lin, Xinqing Zheng, Jianming Chen
Summary: This study investigates the response of the coral microbiome to oceanic pH changes caused by anthropogenic climate change. The results show that both ocean acidification and alkalization disrupt the functional cores of the microbiome, affecting the carbon cycling and health of the coral holobiont. While bacterial species richness does not vary significantly among pH treatments, the community compositions show significant differences. Seawater alkalization leads to a stronger taxonomic shift and an increase in pathogens compared to acidification. The study highlights the importance of understanding the functional ecological role of the microbiome in coral resilience.
Article
Ecology
Dorsaf Kerfahi, Ben P. Harvey, Hyoki Kim, Ying Yang, Jonathan M. Adams, Jason M. Hall-Spencer
Summary: Plastics are accumulating and ocean waters are acidifying due to increased CO2. The metagenomic analysis of biofilms on plastic bottles in subtidal waters off Japan revealed significant changes in both the functional and taxonomic composition of the plastisphere, particularly the diatom group. These findings have potential implications for ocean ecology.
Article
Biology
Julia D. Sigwart, Lauren Sumner-Rooney
Summary: The study found that the visual network of eyed chitons expands continuously as new eyes are added at the shell margin and generated at regular time intervals. While chiton eyes are arranged bilaterally symmetrically with slight deviations from symmetry, the overall regularity and organization of the visual system are greater than previously appreciated, ensuring comprehensive sampling of the total field of view.
BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Kerry L. Howell, Ana Hilario, A. Louise Allcock, David Bailey, Maria Baker, Malcolm R. Clark, Ana Colaco, Jon Copley, Erik E. Cordes, Roberto Danovaro, Awantha Dissanayake, Elva Escobar, Patricia Esquete, Austin J. Gallagher, Andrew R. Gates, Sylvie M. Gaudron, Christopher R. German, Kristina M. Gjerde, Nicholas D. Higgs, Nadine Le Bris, Lisa A. Levin, Elisabetta Manea, Craig McClain, Lenaick Menot, Nelia C. Mestre, Anna Metaxas, Rosanna Milligan, Agnes W. N. Muthumbi, Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy, Sofia P. Ramalho, Eva Ramirez-Llodra, Laura M. Robson, Alex D. Rogers, Javier Sellanes, Julia D. Sigwart, Kerry Sink, Paul V. R. Snelgrove, Paris V. Stefanoudis, Paulo Y. Sumida, Michelle L. Taylor, Andrew R. Thurber, Rui Vieira, Hiromi K. Watanabe, Lucy C. Woodall, Joana R. Xavier
Summary: The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development offers a great opportunity for the deep-sea research community to achieve positive change in ocean use.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jin Sun, Runsheng Li, Chong Chen, Julia D. Sigwart, Kevin M. Kocot
Summary: Choosing the best assembly approach is crucial for high-quality genome assembly in molluscs. Recent advances in long-read sequencing technologies have led to a variety of assemblers, but benchmarking on molluscan genomes is lacking. This study evaluated 10 assemblers on two published molluscan genomes, providing recommendations for different genome properties.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Julia D. Sigwart, David R. Lindberg, Chong Chen, Jin Sun
Summary: The extraordinary diversity in molluscan body plans, and the genomic mechanisms that enable it, remains one of the great questions of evolution. The phylogenetic relationships among the eight distinct living taxonomic classes of molluscs are still controversial, and only around 53 genome assemblies have been accessioned to NCBI GenBank covering four of the eight classes. The available genomes also do not provide an optimal set of taxa for resolving deeper phylogenetic branches and further research is needed to delve into the peculiarities of genome evolution in molluscs.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Boris Sirenko, Julia D. Sigwart
Summary: The genus Leptochiton Gray, 1847 consists of small, pale, and deepwater chitons, lacking important morphological shell characters for systematic classification. Ecological and biogeographical patterns help distinguish species lineages and support morphological diagnoses. A new species, previously confused with Leptochiton assimilis and Leptochiton rugatus, has been described, showing morphological differences from closely related species.
MARINE BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
P. A. Green, E. M. George, K. A. Rosvall, S. Johnsen, S. Nowicki
Summary: Research on male zebra finches suggests that males with redder bills and higher testosterone production capabilities are more likely to win contests. While males exhibit categorical color perception, individual variation in the impact of this perception on color discrimination abilities does not predict contest behavior or outcomes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia D. Sigwart, Nur Leena W. S. Wong, Yuzine Esa
Summary: The newly described Muar Oyster is a new species with unique morphological characteristics that set it apart genetically, morphologically, and gastronomically from other oysters. However, many more global species of Magallana oysters remain undescribed, highlighting the importance of systematic understanding of this group for research on the diversity of global oysters and their sustainable use.
MARINE BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Biology
D. W. E. Sankey, K. L. Hunt, D. P. Croft, D. W. Franks, P. A. Green, F. J. Thompson, R. A. Johnstone, M. A. Cant
Summary: This study investigated conflict initiation and participation in groups, finding that small group size, low migration rate, and frequent interaction between groups increased intergroup competition and the evolution of "exploitative" leadership. Conversely, patterns favoring increased intragroup competition led to the emergence of "heroic" leaders. An alternative leader/follower "shared effort" outcome was also observed.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. A. Green, Faye J. Thompson, Michael A. Cant
Summary: Conflicts between social groups play a significant role in the evolution of cooperation and social organization in humans and animals. A study on banded mongooses reveals that the number of adult males and the age of the oldest male greatly affect the probability of group victory. Senior males have an advantage due to their fighting experience, but this advantage diminishes with age.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Boris Sirenko, Julia D. Sigwart
Summary: In this study, the distinction of Leptochiton alascensis from other closely related chitons was confirmed through the examination of its type material and specimens from Asia and America.
ARCHIV FUR MOLLUSKENKUNDE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julia D. Sigwart, Angelika Brandt, Davide Di Franco, Elva Escobar Briones, Sarah Gerken, Andrew J. Gooday, Candace J. Grimes, Kamila Gluchowska, Sven Hoffmann, Anna Maria Jazdzewska, Elham Kamyab, Andreas Kelch, Henry Knauber, Katharina Kohlenbach, Olmo Miguez-Salas, Camille Moreau, Akito Ogawa, Angelo Poliseno, Andreu Santin Muriel, Anne Helene S. Tandberg, Franziska I. Theising, Thomas Walter, Anne-Cathrin Woelfl, Chong Chen
Summary: Abyssal plains cover a large portion of the ocean floor and were previously considered featureless, but recent research has revealed substantial biological heterogeneity. By analyzing high-definition camera images from three stations in the Bering Sea, researchers found significant variations in the density and distribution of visible epifauna, including different megafaunal taxa. The findings suggest that abyssal habitats exhibit comparable levels of biological heterogeneity to terrestrial continental realms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia D. Sigwart, Chong Chen, Ekin Tilic, Miguel Vences, Torben Riehl
Summary: The increasing complexity and specialisation of modern sciences have led to the need for collaborative publications and involvement of commercial services. However, modern integrative taxonomy lags behind in terms of collaboration, and attempts at 'turbo taxonomy' have been unsatisfactory. To address this, we are developing a taxonomic service that provides fundamental data for new species descriptions and connects a global network of taxonomists. This service aims to tackle the challenges of extinction and inclusion crises in Anthropocene biodiversity loss.
News Item
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia D. Sigwart, Riley Pollom, Monika Bohm
Article
Zoology
Chong Chen, Julia D. Sigwart
Summary: Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are home to many unique species adapted to these chemosynthesis-based ecosystems. The exploration of vent fields, including those in the tropical Pacific, is increasing due to deep-sea mining. Molecular evidence has revealed that many vent endemic gastropod lineages consist of sibling species pairs in neighboring oceanic basins. In this study, previously unpublished descriptions of several species and a new genus were presented, which are important for their taxonomic recognition and potential conservation needs in the face of future environmental destruction.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia D. Sigwart, Robert Blasiak, Marcel Jaspars, Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, Deniz Tasdemir
Summary: The diverse life in the ocean is a rich source of inspiration for drug discovery, but the marine biodiscovery pipeline faces chronic underfunding, bottlenecks, and untapped potential. To broaden the biodiscovery pipeline and unlock the social and economic potential of the ocean genome, investments in fundamental research, equitable collaborations between academia and industry, opportunities for early-career researchers, data sharing, and conservation efforts are essential. Proper utilization of the treasures in the ocean can provide breakthroughs in human health, but efforts must be made to ensure the biodiscovery pipeline is not obstructed in favor of quick-fix solutions.
NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS
(2021)