Article
Immunology
M. Carla Piazzon, Ivona Mladineo, Ron P. Dirks, Elena Santidrian Yebra-Pimentel, Jerko Hrabar, Ariadna Sitja-Bobadilla
Summary: Ceratothoa oestroides, a generalist parasitic crustacean, negatively affects European sea bass aquaculture, causing growth delay in infected fish. Host immune responses are activated, particularly in the spleen, reshaping immunoglobulin response and suppressing T-cell mediated responses. Parasite feeding strategy is not hematophagous, and gene regulation related to growth impairment and starvation contributes to observed growth delay in infected animals. Host successfully mitigates parasite-inflicted damage through regenerative processes, with muscle contraction pathways upregulated and fibrosis-related pathways downregulated at the attachment/feeding site.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Slavica Colak, Vanesa Lorencin, Danijel Koncar, Tomislav Saric, Bruna Petani, Bosiljka Mustac
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal dynamics of the copepod parasite Lernanthropus kroyeri on cultured sea bass in the Mediterranean mariculture, finding a positive correlation between sea bass length and total number of parasites. Gravid females were most dominant in the summer season, suggesting that winter may be the best period for infection control and treatment. The data may contribute to the development of epidemiological models for preventive measures to improve health management of mariculture in the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean area as a whole.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amedee Roy, Christophe Lebigre, Mickael Drogou, Mathieu Woillez
Summary: This study tested different geostatistical methods to estimate species' abundance in estuaries and quantified robust indices of abundance adapted to these complex ecosystems. The results showed that geostatistical methods had greater predictive capabilities than the traditional stratified random estimator, but also had larger coefficients of variation.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Omkar Byadgi, Michela Massimo, Ron P. Dirks, Alberto Pallavicini, James E. Bron, Jacquie H. Ireland, Donatella Volpatti, Marco Galeotti, Paola Beraldo
Summary: The study investigated the molecular immune response of European seabass during ectoparasite protozoan Amyloodinium ocellatum infestation. RNA-seq analysis revealed differential gene expression in tissues, with upregulation of immune-related genes in gills and head kidney. Real-time PCR further confirmed the upregulation of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides during early infestation, providing insights into the immune response mechanisms involved in amyloodiniosis.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Jack Falcon, Maria Jesus Herrero, Laura Gabriela Nisembaum, Esther Isorna, Elodie Peyric, Marilyn Beauchaud, Joel Attia, Denis Coves, Michael Fuentes, Maria Jesus Delgado, Laurence Besseau
Summary: The hormone melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating pituitary hormone production in European sea bass, influenced by factors like photoperiod, temperature, and salinity. Seasonal variations in mRNA abundance of pituitary hormones and melatonin receptors were observed in different fish groups raised in sea water and brackish water. In vitro experiments showed that melatonin's effects on pituitary hormones varied based on concentration, month investigated, and fish's prior adaptation to different salinities, highlighting the diverse responses of the pituitary gland in fish facing changing environmental conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Maria Papapetrou, Zoi Kazlari, Kantham Papanna, Leonidas Papaharisis, Stavroula Oikonomou, Tereza Manousaki, Dimitrios Loukovitis, Lefteris Kottaras, Arkadios Dimitroglou, Evgenia Gourzioti, Charalampos Pagonis, Andreas Kostandis, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Dimitrios Chatziplis
Summary: The European seabass is a major commercial fish in Mediterranean aquaculture, but its production is negatively affected by outbreaks of parasitic, bacterial, and viral diseases. Genetic improvement for disease resistance is an important strategy for controlling infectious diseases in farmed fish. Research into genetic variations for resistance to gill parasites through cohabitation trials provides promising results for potential genetic improvement and further analysis using molecular markers.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Hijran Yavuzcan Yildiz, Ahmet Seref Korkmaz
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of Lernanthropus kroyeri on sea bass farming, showing signs of continuous infestation. The abundance of adult females was strongly correlated with the number of ovigerous adult females, playing a decisive role in the continuity of parasitic infection.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
A. Isabel Ferreira, Isabel Damas-Moreira, Kate L. A. Marshall, Ana Perera, D. James Harris
Summary: In this study, the diversity of blood parasites in the Aegean wall lizard across the Cyclades islands was investigated using microscopy and genetic techniques. The results showed a correlation between parasite abundance and island characteristics. The presence of a previously unreported parasite species was also confirmed. These findings highlight the complexity of host-parasite systems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jana V. V. Huml, Jonathan S. S. Ellis, Sarah Rustage, Mark J. F. Brown, Richard Billington, Mairi E. E. Knight
Summary: Within the small population paradigm, the study investigated the population genomics and parasite load of two bumblebee species across the UK and Ireland. The results showed that Bombus monticola had stronger population structuring and isolation-by-distance, with lower heterozygotes in the most isolated population. Ecological and demographic factors were found to be the main drivers of parasite prevalence, rather than heterozygosity. Distinct patterns of selection related to neonicotinoid insecticides were observed in both species. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring both common and rare species and further research on adaptive shifts in pollinator communities.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Christopher J. J. Brianik, Justin Bopp, Camilla Piechocki, Nancy Liang, Sabrina O'Reilly, Robert M. M. Cerrato, Bassem Allam
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of the ectoparasite Bdelloura candida in American horseshoe crabs. The results showed that B. candida was present in adult and juvenile crabs, with lower prevalence in juveniles. Infection intensity was influenced by sex, with higher intensities in adult females.
Article
Parasitology
Randi L. Rollins, Robert H. Cowie, Ma Vida Echaluse, Matthew C. Medeiros
Summary: This study revealed that the infection prevalence and intensity of Angiostrongylus cantonensis varies significantly among different snail species in different environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of understanding the complex interactions between host species and their environment for the transmission of neuroangiostrongyliasis.
Article
Parasitology
Sofia Arce, Leandro R. Antoniazzi, Agustin A. Fasano, Dario E. Manzoli, Micaela Gomez, Claudia C. Sosa, Martin A. Quiroga, Marcela Lareschi, Pablo M. Beldomenico
Summary: The prevalence and intensity of Ornithonyssus sylviarum in poultry farms are influenced by factors such as feather density, the presence of lice, and hen density. Contrary to previous research, this study found that mite populations are lowest during the summer season. The association between hen age and mite intensity also varies depending on the season.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
H. Tziouvas, P. Varvarigos
Summary: Intraperitoneal injection vaccination is effective for protecting European sea bass from economically important diseases. Oil adjuvants used in the vaccines can enhance immune response but also lead to chronic peritoneal inflammatory reactions. A three-year field study in Greek mariculture aimed to create a side-effect intensity scale for evaluation of post-injection vaccination effects in sea bass.
BULLETIN OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF FISH PATHOLOGISTS
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Veronica E. Adetunji, Gabriel A. T. Ogundipe, Olanike K. Adeyemo
Summary: Haemogregarines are a group of blood parasites found in reptiles, mammals, fish, and invertebrates. This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of haemogregarines in tortoises in Nigeria. The results showed a high prevalence of haemogregarine infection, with differences observed between tortoise species and seasons. These differences may be influenced by habitat characteristics, feeding habits of vectors and hosts, and seasonal variations in vector abundance.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stavroula Oikonomou, Athanasios Samaras, Maria Tekeoglou, Dimitrios Loukovitis, Arkadios Dimitroglou, Lefteris Kottaras, Kantham Papanna, Leonidas Papaharisis, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Michail Pavlidis, Dimitrios Chatziplis
Summary: This study investigates the genetic structure of stress response, body weight, and disease resistance in European seabass. The findings identify genomic regions affecting these traits and estimate their heritability. These results have important implications for genetic improvement in aquaculture breeding programs.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Catalina A. Garcia-Escudero, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Vasilis Gerakaris, Alexandros Tsakogiannis, Eugenia T. Apostolaki
Summary: Non-indigenous species pose a major threat to the native marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea. A reassessment of a reported exotic seagrass species in Salamina Island, Greece, using DNA barcoding revealed that it is likely a morphologically variant of Halophila stipulacea. This study highlights the importance of applying an integrated taxonomic approach to effectively monitor the introductions of non-indigenous species.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tomislav Roncevic, Marco Gerdol, Mario Mardirossian, Matko Males, Svjetlana Cvjetan, Monica Benincasa, Ana Maravic, Goran Gajski, Lucija Krce, Ivica Aviani, Jerko Hrabar, Zeljka Trumbic, Maik Derks, Alberto Pallavicini, Markus Weingarth, Larisa Zoranic, Alessandro Tossi, Ivona Mladineo
Summary: This study reveals the important role of antimicrobial peptides in the survival of the marine parasite Anisakis and elucidates their mechanism of action against bacterial infections. These peptides exhibit potent bactericidal activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains, making them promising candidates for further drug development.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
O. Nousias, S. Oikonomou, T. Manousaki, V Papadogiannis, N. Angelova, D. Tsaparis, A. Tsakogiannis, N. Duncan, A. Estevez, K. Tzokas, M. Pavlidis, D. Chatziplis, C. S. Tsigenopoulos
Summary: This study constructed a high-density genetic map of meagre using ddRAD sequencing and provided genomic appreciation for weight traits. Comparative genomics analysis with other teleost species revealed the evolutionary history of meagre's genome and highlighted its potential as a valuable resource for research and production.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sergio Vela-Avitua, Ingunn Thorland, Vasileios Bakopoulos, Kantham Papanna, Arkadios Dimitroglou, Eleftherios Kottaras, Papaharisis Leonidas, Bruno Guinand, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Muhammad L. Aslam
Summary: Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an infectious disease caused by the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) in European sea bass. A genome-wide association analysis revealed a strong signal of quantitative trait loci (QTL) at LG12, which explained around 33% of the genetic variance. The genes HSPA4L and/or REEP1 were found to be highly relevant in managing disease-associated symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dimitrios Tsaparis, Thomas Lecocq, Dimitrios Kyriakis, Katerina Oikonomaki, Pascal Fontaine, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos
Summary: The genetic background of pikeperch populations was assessed using genetic markers, revealing that current broodstocks have similar genetic diversity to wild populations. Genetic differentiation analysis showed that European pikeperch populations can be divided into two groups, with one predominantly found in Northern Europe and around the Baltic Sea, and the other primarily in Central Europe. Aquaculture broodstocks were found to have fish of a single origin with a few exceptions. The study provides valuable information on the genetic diversity of pikeperch and offers a genetic tool for fish stock management and improvement.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karla Alujevic, Tanja Segvic-Bubic, Igor Isajlovic, Zeljka Trumbic, Mirela Petric
Summary: The study identified the presence of two species, Alloteuthis media and Alloteuthis subulata, in the Eastern Adriatic through morphological and molecular analysis. A. subulata was found to have low genetic diversity with only two haplotypes present globally, while A. media exhibited high haplotype diversity. Genetic differentiation was observed between Atlantic and Adriatic populations of A. media, indicating distinct populations in different regions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Beatriz Villanueva, Almudena Fernandez, Ramon Peiro-Pastor, Carolina Penaloza, Ross D. Houston, Anna K. Sonesson, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Luca Bargelloni, Kutsal Gamsiz, Bilge Karahan, Emel O. Gokcek, Jesus Fernandez, Maria Saura
Summary: Population structure and genetic diversity between wild and farmed populations of gilthead sea bream and European seabass in the Mediterranean Sea were assessed in this study. Results showed clear differentiation between wild and farmed populations, with farmed populations showing high heterogeneity. Some farmed populations had a genetic makeup similar to wild populations. Effective population sizes were larger in wild populations and smaller in farmed populations.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Nelina Angelova, Theodoros Danis, Jacques Lagnel, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos, Tereza Manousaki
Summary: This study presents SnakeCube, an automated and containerized whole de novo genome assembly pipeline that runs within isolated, secured environments and is suitable for use in High Performance Computing (HPC) domains. It has been optimized for performance and tested for effectiveness with various inputs, highlighting its universal applicability in the field.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ivana Lepen Pleic, Ivana Buselic, Maria Messina, Jerko Hrabar, Luka Zuvic, Igor Talijancic, Iva Zuzul, Tina Pavelin, Ivana Andelic, Jelka Pleadin, Jasna Puizina, Leon Grubisic, Emilio Tibaldi, Tanja Segvic-Bubic
Summary: Plant-based diets supplemented with poultry by-product meal and Hermetia illucens pupae meal have great potential as alternative diets for European seabass, without affecting growth performance, gut homeostasis, or overall fitness. This also highlights the importance of animal proteins in the diets of European seabass.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ivona Mladineo, Artemis Charouli, Filip Jelic, Anand Chakroborty, Jerko Hrabar
Summary: Researchers have successfully developed an in vitro cultivation protocol for Anisakis pegreffii by testing different media and heat-inactivated sera. This method allows the parasite to complete its life cycle from the third larval stage to reproductive adults, which is crucial for research on vaccines, drug targets, transgenesis, and pathogenesis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jerko Hrabar, Mirela Petric, Serena Cavallero, Marco Salvemini, Stefano D'Amelio, Ivona Mladineo
Summary: The study revealed that marine and terrestrial hosts exhibit different transcriptome expression in early immune response, but show similarity in enhanced dynamics in terms of Gene Ontology, biological processes, and molecular functions, indicating that both hosts achieve the same effect through qualitatively different transcript cascades.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)