Taxonomic assessment of species of the genus Octopus from the northeastern Pacific via morphological, molecular and morphometric analyses.

Species of the genus Octopus from the northeastern Pacific are ecologically and economically important; however, their taxonomy is confusing and has not been comprehensively assessed. In this study, we performed a taxonomic evaluation of these species considering the morphological characteristics of the original descriptions, a molecular analysis of partial COI-gene sequences, and a traditional morphometry analysis of nine body measurements. Several interesting findings were obtained with our results: for instance, we updated the diagnoses of some species by including characters such as the number of lamellae per demibranch and the presence of chromatophores in the visceral sac; we deposited partial COI-gene sequences of species that had not been incorporated into the GenBank repository; and according to the morphometric analysis, we confirmed that the lengths of arms I-IV are relevant to discriminate the species under study. The taxa evaluated were morphologically, molecularly and morphometrically well-delimited; however, features such as funnel organ shape and arm length proportions in regard to dorsal mantle length are either not included in the diagnosis of the genus Octopus or overlap with other genera. Hence, this information, combined with the results obtained from the molecular analysis, supports the generic re-assignation of two of the species evaluated.

Predatory flying squids are detritivores during their early planktonic life.

Cephalopods are primarily active predators throughout life. Flying squids (family Ommastrephidae) represents the most widely distributed and ecologically important family of cephalopods. While the diets of adult flying squids have been extensively studied, the first feeding diet of early paralarvae remains a mystery. The morphology of this ontogenetic stage notably differs from other cephalopod paralarvae, suggesting a different feeding strategy. Here, a combination of Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) and DNA metabarcoding of wild-collected paralarvae gut contents for eukaryotic 18S v9 and prokaryotic 16S rRNA was applied, covering almost every life domain. The gut contents were mainly composed by fungus, plants, algae and animals of marine and terrestrial origin, as well as eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms commonly found in fecal pellets and particulate organic matter. This assemblage of gut contents is consistent with a diet based on detritus. The ontogenetic shift of diet from detritivore suspension feeding to active predation represents a unique life strategy among cephalopods and allows ommastrephid squids to take advantage of an almost ubiquitous and accessible food resource during their early stages. LCM was successfully applied for the first time to tiny, wild-collected marine organisms, proving its utility in combination with DNA metabarcoding for dietary studies.

Ciguatera in Mexico (1984⁻2013).

Historical records of ciguatera in Mexico date back to 1862. This review, including references and epidemiological reports, documents 464 cases during 25 events from 1984 to 2013: 240 (51.72%) in Baja California Sur, 163 (35.12%) in Quintana Roo, 45 (9.69%) in Yucatan, and 16 (3.44%) cases of Mexican tourists intoxicated in Cuba. Carnivorous fish, such as snapper (Lutjanus) and grouper (Epinephelus and Mycteroperca) in the Pacific Ocean, and great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and snapper (Lutjanus) in the Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea), were involved in all cases. In the Mexican Caribbean, a sub-record of ciguatera cases that occurred before 1984 exists. However, the number of intoxications has increased in recent years, and this food poisoning is poorly studied in the region. Current records suggest that ciguatera fish poisoning in humans is the second most prevalent form of seafood poisoning in Mexico, only exceeded by paralytic shellfish poisoning (505 cases, 21 fatalities in the same 34-year period). In this study, the status of ciguatera in Mexico (epidemiological and treatment), and the fish vectors are reviewed. Dinoflagellate species Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, and Prorocentrum are related with the reported outbreaks, marine toxins, ecological risk, and the potential toxicological impact.

The role of water on the structure and mechanical properties of a thermoplastic natural block co-polymer from squid sucker ring teeth.

Hard biological polymers exhibiting a truly thermoplastic behavior that can maintain their structural properties after processing are extremely rare and highly desirable for use in advanced technological applications such as 3D-printing, biodegradable plastics and robust composites. One exception are the thermoplastic proteins that comprise the sucker ring teeth (SRT) of the Humboldt jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas). In this work, we explore the mechanical properties of reconstituted SRT proteins and demonstrate that the material can be re-shaped by simple processing in water and at relatively low temperature (below 100 °C). The post-processed material maintains a high modulus in the GPa range, both in the dry and the wet states. When transitioning from low to high humidity, the material properties change from brittle to ductile with an increase in plastic deformation, where water acts as a plasticizer. Using synchrotron x-ray scattering tools, we found that water mostly influences nano scale structure, whereas at the molecular level, the protein structure remains largely unaffected. Furthermore, through simultaneous in situ x-ray scattering and mechanical tests, we show that the supramolecular network of the reconstituted SRT material exhibits a progressive alignment along the strain direction, which is attributed to chain alignment of the amorphous domains of SRT proteins. The high modulus in both dry and wet states, combined with their efficient thermal processing characteristics, make the SRT proteins promising substitutes for applications traditionally reserved for petroleum-based thermoplastics.

Variabilidad estacional e interanual de la concentración de clorofila a y temperatura superficial del mar en la región occidental del Golfo de México: 1996-2007 / Seasonal and inter-annual variability in chlorophyll a and sea surface temperature in the western Gulf of Mexico: 1996-2007 / Variabilidade estacional e interanual da concentração de clorofila a e temperatura superficial do mar na região ocidental do Golfo do México: 1996-2007

Se presenta una descripción general del patrón estacional de la clorofila a (Chl-a) y temperatura superficial del mar (TSM) en la región occidental del Golfo de México (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán y Quintana Roo), así como el análisis de la variabilidad interanual en los estados de Tabasco y Campeche como estudios de caso. Las series de tiempo se estimaron a partir de imágenes de satélite derivadas de los sensores OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) y AVHRR (1996-2006). Se identificaron dos periodos donde predominaron las condiciones cálidas (1997-1999) y frías (2000-2001), los cuales podrían relacionarse con cambios en la estructura del ecosistema de esta región.

A general description of the seasonal pattern of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Western Gulf of Mexico (Taumalipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quitana Roo) is presented, as well as an analysis of the inter-annual variability in the states of Tabasco and Campeche, as case studies. The time series were estimated from satellite images obtained with the OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) y AVHRR (1996-2006) sensors. Two periods when warm conditions (1997-1999) and cold conditions (2000-2001) predominated were identified, which could be related to changes in the regional ecosystem.

Apresenta-se uma descrição geral do padrão estacional da clorofila a (Chl-a) e temperatura superficial do mar (TSM) na região ocidental do Golfo do México (Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán e Quintana Roo), assim como a análise da variabilidade interanual nos estados de Tabasco e Campeche como estudos de caso. As séries de tempo se estimaram a partir de imagens de satélite derivadas dos sensores OCTS-SeaWiFS (1996-2007) e AVHRR (1996-2006). Identificaram-se dois períodos onde predominaram as condições cálidas (1997-1999) e frias (2000-2001), os quais poderiam relacionar-se com mudanças na estrutura do ecossistema desta região.

Análisis socioeconómico de las pesquerías de camarón y calamar gigante en el noroeste de México / Socio-economic analysis of shrimp and jumbo squid fisheries in northeastern Mexico

Se analiza, desde la perspectiva socioeconómica, el desempeño de la pesquería de camarón y calamar gigante en la región noroeste de México. Se ubica a estas dos pesquerías en el contexto de sus orígenes y orientación exportadora, argumentando que estos dos elementos han marcado el ritmo de explotación de esos recursos. Se describe el comportamiento de las capturas y los ingresos generados por las dos pesquerías. Se concluye que, a pesar que estos dos recursos son fuente de empleo e ingreso, no resuelven los problemas estructurales de la pesca en la región, ya que existen factores biológicos y de mercado que deben ser considerados para que estas dos pesquerías sean ambientalmente sustentables y económicamente eficientes.

Historic development of winter wheat yields in five irrigation districts in the sonora desert Mexico

Se analiza la historia del desarrollo del cultivo invernal de trigo en 5 distritos de riego en el noroeste de México. El rápido crecimiento de los rendimientos de trigo invernal en el noroeste de México se puede describir mediante el ajuste de los parámetros del modelo logístico. En las series de tiempo analizadas existe variación común, la cual está representada por la tendencia positiva de las series y la cual se considera es producto de la Revolución Verde. Esta tendencia explica el 80 por ciento de la variación observada. Sin embargo, las condiciones sociales, económicas y geográficas sugieren desarrollos diferenciales. Se definen cuatro tipos de desarrollos agrícolas diferentes: los fronterizos (Mexicali-San Luis-Río Colorado), la agricultura indígena (Colonias Ejidales Yaquis), la agricultura privada (Agricultores de los Valles Yaqui y Mayo), y los Pioneros (Agricultores del Valle de Santo Domingo en Baja California Sur). El desarrollo individual de cada grupo se compara con la curva de rendimientos a nivel nacional. Nuestro objetivo es comparar los rendimientos del trigo en los valles irrigados del noroeste de México durante los períodos de la Revolución Verde y de estabilización de los rendimientos, basados en eventos históricos y sociales. Se discute la posibilidad de incrementar la productividad como una función del máximo histórico alcanzado a nivel regional y nacional