First record of Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, 1880 (Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae) in a natural freshwater lagoon of Uruguay, with notes on polyp stage in captivity / Primeiro registro de Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, 1880 (Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae) em uma lagoa natural de água doce do Uruguai, com observações da fase de pólipo em cativeiro

Abstract The freshwater cnidarian Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester 1880, has invaded lakes and ponds as well as artificial water bodies throughout the world. The first record in Uruguay corresponding to the jellyfish was made in 1961 in two artificial fountains, with no mention of the polyp form. Although local reports of other related polyp species have been made, information on the benthic form of C. sowerbii is lacking. Here we report the finding of live frustules, solitary individuals, medusae and colonies from a natural lagoon in August 2010, allowing us to observe the morphology and behavior of the polyp stage in captivity. In addition, molecular identification and remarks on the potencial path of introduction are presented. This is the first record in Uruguay of both polyp and medusa stages of C. sowerbii in a natural water body, Del Medio Lagoon (Dpto. de Florida), Uruguay.

Resumo O cnidário Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester 1880 de água doce, tem invadido lagos e lagoas, bem como corpos de água artificiais em todo o mundo. O primeiro registro no Uruguai correspondente à água-viva foi feita em 1961, em duas fontes artificiais, sem mencionar a forma de pólipo. Embora existem relatórios locais de pólipos de outras espécies relacionados, informações sobre a forma bentônica de C. sowerbii ainda são escassas. Neste trabalho se relata a ocorrência de frústulas vivas, de indivíduos solitários, medusas e colônias de uma lagoa natural, em agosto de 2010, onde foi possível observar a morfologia e comportamento da fase de pólipo em cativeiro. Além disso, identificação molecular e observações sobre a potencial via de entrada da espécies são apresentados. Este é o primeiro registro no Uruguai de ambos estágios de vida de C. sowerbii em um corpo de água natural, Lagoa Del Medio (Dpto. De Florida), Uruguai.

Fecundidad de la medusa Stomolophus meleagris (Rhizostomeae: Stomolophidae) en el Golfo de California / Stomolophus meleagris fecundity (Rhizostomeae: Stomolophidae) in the Gulf of California

The cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is regarded as a fishery resource with high commercial value, but with scarce biological information. With the aim to generate preliminary information on reproductive aspects, the present study analyzes its fecundity, based on the estimated number of vitellogenic oocytes in the gonad; in addition, we evaluated its relationship with the jellyfish body length, diameter and wet weight; and we established the relationship of the gonadosomatic index (IGS) with the jellyfish diameter and length. For this, a total of 30 specimens were collected, measured and weighed in a monthly basis, in Las Guásimas lagoon from January to May 2006. In order to estimate the gonad volume, 60 mature females were analyzed and their gonads were extracted and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Gonad images from histological preparations were analyzed and the number of vitellogenic and previtellogenic oocytes obtained. We used catch data from The Guásimas for population recruitment analysis, that was estimated with FISAT II. Among results, we found that fecundity increased with jellyfish length, diameter and total wet weight. The lower fecundity rates occured on February and the highest during May (11 873 071 and 37 528 197 millions of vitellogenic oocytes per gonad, respectively). The IGS increased with length and diameter of the specimens, at its maximum value of 3.7% was observed in May. A continuous production of previtellogenic oocytes were observed during the full collection period. The maximum recruitment was observed in July and November (37.50% and 28.01% respectively). The high fecundity observed in S. meleagris, suggests a high population reproductive potential that may support the possibility of an important fishery consolidation on this jellyfish.

La medusa Stomolophus meleagris es considerada un recurso pesquero de alto valor comercial. Debido a la relevancia de conocer aspectos de importancia biológica actualmente desconocidos, el presente trabajo analiza la fecundidad con base en la estimación del número de ovocitos vitelogénicos en la gónada; su relación con la longitud, diámetro y peso húmedo; y la relación del índice gonadosomático (IGS) con su diámetro y longitud. De enero a mayo 2006 se recolectaron 30 ejemplares mensuales que fueron medidos y pesados, de los cuales se analizaron 60 hembras maduras para calcular el volumen de sus gónadas. Se extrajeron las gónadas, se tiñeron con hematoxilina-eosina y se seleccionaron las hembras con madurez gonadal. Mediante la digitalización de imágenes se estimó el número de ovocitos vitelogénicos y previtelogénicos. Se emplearon datos de captura en Las Guásimas para el análisis de reclutamiento poblacional, estimado con FISAT II. La fecundidad se incrementó con la longitud, el diámetro y el peso húmedo total. La menor fecundidad se observó en febrero y la mayor en mayo (11 873 071 y 37 528 197 millones de ovocitos vitelogénico por gónada, respectivamente). El IGS se incrementó con la longitud y diámetro de los ejemplares, con su máximo en mayo de 3.7%. Se observó una producción continua de ovocitos previtelogénicos en todo el periodo de recolecta. El máximo reclutamiento se observó en julio y noviembre (37.50% y 28.01% respectivamente). La alta fecundidad encontrada en S. meleagris sugiere un alto potencial reproductivo para la población y sustenta la posibilidad de la consolidación de una importante pesquería de esta medusa.

Picadura de medusa Olindias sambaquiensis: Análisis de 49 casos

La picadura de la medusa o agua viva Olindia sambaquiensis es de ocurrencia frecuente en las playas de la costa de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Se notifican entre quinientas y mil picaduras de medusas por temporada en la localidad balnearia de Monte Hermoso, al sur de la provincia de Buenos Aires. El daño cutáneo que provoca por su elevada acción urticante plantea un serio inconveniente para el desarrollo del turismo. Durante el mes de enero de 1998, en la localidad de Monte Hermoso se reunieron un total de 49 casos que fueron examinados dentro de la hora posterior a la picadura. Veintiocho eran de sexo masculino (57.1%). La edad promedio fue de 16 ± 4.1 (rango 5-80). El 54% presentó lesiones eritemato-edematosas de configuración lineal, el 28% presentó lesiones predominantemente eritematosas y el 18% presentó placas eritemato-edematosas. En el 73% de los casos las lesiones se localizaron en miembros inferiores. Hemos redefinido la lesión cutánea producida por la medusa O. sambaquiensis, su evolución, sus dimensiones y localizaciones más frecuentes. Además, se ha tipificado y cuantificado el dolor que produce, y otros signos y síntomas que acompañan a la picadura en la hora posterior, a las primeras 24 horas y a los 30 días. Describimos las conductas terapéuticas utilizadas en nuestra costa, evaluamos la efectividad de algunas de ellas en el control del dolor y finalmente proponemos un esquema terapéutico para dicha picadura.

Olindias sambaquiensis jellyfish sting occurs frequently in Buenos Aires province coast beaches. Among five hundred and one thousand stings by jellyfish are reported each season at Monte Hermoso, a beach village in the South of Buenos Aires province. The skin damage provoked because of its highly irritant effect poses a serious issue related to tourism development. A total number of 49 cases that were examined during the first hour after the sting were enrolled in Monte Hermoso during January 1998. Twenty eight were males (57.1%). The average age was 16 ± 4.1 (range 5-80). Of them, 54% showed linear erythema-edematous lesions, 28% showed predominantly erythematous lesions, and in 18% the injuries were erythema-edematous plaques. In 73% of the cases the lesions were located in lower limbs. We had hereby redefined cutaneous lesions produced by O. sambaquiensis, its evolution, its dimensions and most frequent localizations. Besides, it has been typified and quantified the pain it provokes and other signs and symptoms that go with the sting during the posterior hour, during the first 24 hours, and after 30 days. We described the therapeutic conducts used in our coasts and we assessed the effectiveness of some of them in pain control, and finally we propose a therapeutic scheme for this sting.

Variación lipídica en los ovocitos de la medusa Stomolophus meleagris (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae), durante el desarrollo gonádico, en la laguna Las Guásimas, Sonora, México

Lipid variation in oocytes of the jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae) from Las Guasimas Lagoon, Mexico, during gonadal development. The jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris has potential for commercial exploitation but there is little information on their reproductive biology. This paper seeks to evaluate some biochemical and demographic characteristics of the species. Samples were taken monthly during 2005 and 2006. Jellyfish collected in 2005 were used to describe the characteristics and quantity of oocyte triglycerides and phospholipids with the Sudan black technique, and to ascertain the degree of gonadal development and sex ratio by the hematoxylin-eosin technique. The 2006 jellyfish were used to determine the size at first maturity and protein and total lipids contents. Four stages of development in both sexes were determined, with a continuous gamete development. The highest percentage of mature organisms was recorded in April. The proportion of sexes was 0.7:1.3. We found higher concentrations of triglycerides than phospholipids in the cytoplasm. There was a positive correlation between triglycerides and the diameter of the oocyte. The size at first maturity for both sexes was 105mm. The highest protein and lipids contents were obtained in April and March respectively. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (1): 119-130. Epub 2010 March 01.

La medusa S. meleagris, ha mostrado potencial de explotación pero hay escasa información sobre su biología reproductiva. El presente trabajo pretende conocer el contenido de los triglicéridos y fosfolípidos en los ovocitos durante el desarrollo gonadal, así como la proporción de sexos, talla de primera madurez y la concentración de proteínas y lípidos totales en la medusa. Se realizaron muestreos mensuales durante 2005 y 2006. A las medusas recolectadas en 2005, se les aplicó la técnica del sudán negro, para describir las características del ovocito y la cantidad triglicéridos y fosfolípidos y la técnica de hematoxilina-eosina para conocer el grado de desarrollo gonádico y la proporción de sexos. Las medusas del 2006 se emplearon para determinar la talla de primera madurez y el contenido de proteínas y lípidos totales. Se observaron cuatro fases de desarrollo en ambos sexos, con un desarrollo gamético continúo. El mayor porcentaje de organismos maduros se registró en abril. La proporción de sexos fue de 0.7:1.3. Se encontró mayor concentración de triglicéridos que de fosfolípidos en el citoplasma. Se obtuvo una correlación positiva entre triglicéridos y el diámetro del ovocito. La talla de primera madurez para ambos sexos fue de 105 mm. El mayor contenido de proteínas se obtuvo en abril y para lípidos en marzo.

Occurrence of the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii (Lankester, 1880) (Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae) in a calcareous lake in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil / Ocorrência da água-viva de água doce Craspedacusta sowerbii (Lankester, 1880) (Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae) em um lago calcário no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

The occurrence of the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii (=sowerbyi) Lankester, 1880 was recorded in April 2006 in the Lagoa Misteriosa water body, a calcareous lake (doline) in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Only Rotifera composed the zooplankton community was composed only of Rotifera and the environment was meso-eutrophic system. The nomenclature of C. sowerbii is discussed with regard to the use of the correct spelling and an alternative one. The distributions of C. sowerbii in Brazil include eight states and in South America the distribution includes four countries.

A ocorrência da água-viva de água doce Craspedacusta sowerbii (=sowerbyi) Lankester, 1880 foi registrada em abril de 2006, na lagoa Misteriosa, um lago calcário (dolina) no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. A comunidade zooplanctônica foi composta apenas por Rotifera e a qualidade da água do sistema apresentou uma classificação de meso-eutrófico. A nomenclatura foi discutida quanto às formas usuais de grafia do nome e proposta uma alternativa. A distribuição da C. sowerbii no Brasil inclui oito estados e na América do Sul a distribuição apontou quatro países onde a espécie foi registrada.

The Comparative Study on Main Medical Effect of Total Flavone in Culture of Saussurea Medusa Maxim and the Wild One / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory effect of total flavone in culture of Saussurea medusa Maxim and the wild one. Methods Different pain, inflammatory and immune models were made to investigate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory effect of total flavone in culture of Saussurea medusa Maxim and the wild one such as paw edema in mice, ear edema in rats and so on. Results There are obvious analgesic effect in pain caused by heat in total flavone in culture of Saussurea medusa Maxim and the wild one, and they have obvious restraining effect on paw edema in mice and ear edema in rats as well as on the function of transformation of lymphocyte T and B in rats. Moreover, there is no obvious difference between total flavone in culture of Saussurea medusa Maxim and the total flavone of the wild one. Conclusion Total flavone in culture ofSaussurea medusa Maxim and the wild one possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory effect, and there is no obvious difference between them.

Comparison on internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences of Tibetan medicine Saussurea medusa and its easily confusable species / 中草药

Object In order to identify the medicine at the molecular level, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of Saussurea medusa Maxim and its easily confusable species were sequenced Methods The double stranded DNA was amplified using PCR systems 9 600 kits and sequenced on an ABI 377 automated sequencer from both directions Results The ITS sequences of S medusa of different populations showed no variation, but there existed distinct variation between S medusa and its confusable species Conclusion ITS sequences can be used for the molecular authentication between S medusa and its confusable species