Oceans, science, and universities: scientific study of the sea during the First Portuguese Republic / Oceanos, ciência e universidades: estudo científico do mar durante a Primeira República Portuguesa

Abstract Knowledge of the scientific study of the sea in the early twentieth century is essential to understand the process through which marine biology was institutionalised in Portugal. The first national biological stations were set up during the First Republic: the Estação de Zoologia Marítima da Foz in Porto, and the Aquário Vasco da Gama in Lisbon. This paper is a case study on the Estação da Foz, which played an important role by assisting the Zoology Institute at the Universidade do Porto in achieving its strategic objectives, and provides an understanding of the institutionalisation process for marine biology within a university context: its connection with teaching, research, the economy, and society.

Resumo O conhecimento do estudo científico oceanográfico do início do século XX é essencial para compreender o processo de institucionalização da biologia marinha em Portugal. As primeiras estações biológicas nacionais foram criadas durante a Primeira República: a Estação de Zoologia Marítima da Foz, no Porto, e o Aquário Vasco da Gama, em Lisboa. Este artigo é um estudo de caso sobre a Estação da Foz, que colaborou com o Instituto de Zoologia da Universidade do Porto no alcance de seus objetivos estratégicos, e aborda o processo de institucionalização da biologia marinha no contexto universitário: sua conexão com ensino, pesquisa, economia e sociedade.

Spatial benthic community analysis of shallow coral reefs to support coastal management in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico.

Caribbean coral reefs provide essential ecosystem services to society, including fisheries, tourism and shoreline protection from coastal erosion. However, these reefs are also exhibiting major declining trends, leading to the evolution of novel ecosystems dominated by non-reef building taxa, with potentially altered ecological functions. In the search for effective management strategies, this study characterized coral reefs in front of a touristic beach which provides economic benefits to the surrounding coastal communities yet faces increasing anthropogenic pressures and conservation challenges. Haphazard photo-transects were used to address spatial variation patterns in the reef's benthic community structure in eight locations. Statistically significant differences were found with increasing distance from the shoreline, reef rugosity, Diadema antillarum density, among reef locations, and as a function of recreational use. Nearshore reefs reflected higher percent macroalgal cover, likely due to increased exposure from both recreational activities and nearby unsustainable land-use practices. However, nearshore reefs still support a high abundance of the endangered reef-building coral Orbicella annularis, highlighting the need to conserve these natural shoreline protectors. There is an opportunity for local stakeholders and regulatory institutions to collaboratively implement sea-urchin propagation, restoration of endangered Acroporid coral populations, and zoning of recreational densities across reefs. Our results illustrate vulnerable reef hotspots where these management interventions are needed and recommend guidelines to address them.

Biomarkers responses of the clam Anomalocardia flexuosa in sediment toxicity bioassays using dredged materials from a semi-arid coastal system.

Few test organisms are employed for sediment toxicity assessments in Tropical regions, including Brazil. We assessed the ability of the clam Anomalocardia flexuosa to respond to contamination in sediment bioassays using dredging materials of a semi-arid region (Ceará State, NE Brazil), with attention to sublethal responses. Sediments were collected during and after dredging (survey 1 and 2, respectively) and animals exposed in laboratory over 28 days, with responses measured at 7 days. Bioaccumulation of contaminants was determined in whole-body soft tissues as a metric of bioavailability, and biomarkers' changes were monitored in terms of enzymes of phase I and II metabolism, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and antioxidant responses, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage (strand breaks). Clams accumulated aliphatic (AHs) and aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) compared to control conditions (day 0), with increased amounts of As, Cd, Cu, and Zn observed in some samples. The enzyme glutathione S-transferase was enhanced in animals exposed to samples, indicating activation of phase II metabolism. Changes observed in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), LPO and strand breaks were related to oxidative stress. AChE enzymatic activity also changed, as an indicator of neurotoxicity caused by sediment exposure. The computed integrated biomarker response index (IBR) ranked sites according to the contamination status and proximity to its sources. Correlations found for biomarkers and bioaccumulation of hydrocarbons indicated the influence of harbor activities, effluent discharges, and urban runoff on the sediment pollution of Mucuripe Bay. Data also showed that SQGs are unable to predict bioaccumulation and subchronic effects. Based on our results we consider that biomarkers responses in A. flexuosa are important endpoints to be applied in sediment toxicity bioassays in tropical regions.

Marine bacteria as source of antimicrobial compounds.

The marine environment encompasses a huge biological diversity and can be considered as an underexplored location for prospecting bioactive molecules. In this review, the current state of art about antimicrobial molecules from marine bacteria has been summarized considering the main phylum and sources evolved in a marine environment. Considering the last two decades, we have found as most studied group of bacteria producers of substances with antimicrobial activity is the Firmicutes phylum, in particular strains of the Bacillus genus. The reason for that can be attributed to the difficult cultivation of typical Actinobacteria from a marine sediment, whose members are the major producers of antimicrobial substances in land environments. However, a reversed trend has been observed in recent years with an increasing number of reports settling on Actinobacteria. Great diversity of chemical structures have been identified, such as fijimicyns and lynamicyns from Actinomycetes and macrolactins produced by Bacillus.

Spatiotemporal distribution of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish from Argentine Patagonian coast.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been recorded in the Chubut Province, Argentina, since 1980, mainly associated with the occurrence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins produced by dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium. PSP events in this area impact on fisheries management and are also responsible for severe human intoxications by contaminated shellfish. Within the framework of a HAB monitoring program carried out at several coastal sites along the Chubut Province, we analyzed spatiotemporal patterns of PSP toxicity in shellfish during 2000-2011. The highest frequency of mouse bioassays exceeding the regulatory limit for human consumption was detected in spring and summer, with average values of up to ≈70% and 50%, respectively. By contrast, a lower percentage of positive bioassays (2-8%) or no toxicity at all was usually detected during autumn and winter. The most intense PSP events were usually observed between November and January, with values of up to 4,000 µg STX eq 100 g-1, and showed a marked interannual variability both in their magnitude and location. In addition, a severe PSP outbreak was recorded during autumn, 2009, at Camarones Bay, with toxicity values of up to 14,000 µg STX eq 100 g-1. The scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus showed significantly higher toxicity values compared to other shellfish species in SJG and SMG, suggesting a lower detoxification capacity. Our results contribute to the understanding of HABs dynamics on the Argentine Patagonian coast.

Tunicate Heparan Sulfate Enriched in 2-Sulfated ß-Glucuronic Acid: Structure, Anticoagulant Activity, and Inhibitory Effect on the Binding of Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells to Immobilized P-Selectin.

Heparin or highly sulfated heparan sulfate (HS) has been described in different invertebrates. In ascidians (Chordata-Tunicata), these glycosaminoglycans occur in intracellular granules of oocyte accessory cells and circulating basophil-like cells, resembling mammalian mast cells and basophils, respectively. HS is also a component of the basement membrane of different ascidian organs. We have analyzed an HS isolated from the internal organs of the ascidian Phallusia nigra, using solution 1H/13C NMR spectroscopy, which allowed us to identify and quantify the monosaccharides found in this glycosaminoglycan. A variety of α-glucosamine units with distinct degrees of sulfation and N-acetylation were revealed. The hexuronic acid units occur both as α-iduronic acid and ß-glucuronic acid, with variable sulfation at the 2-position. A peculiar structural aspect of the tunicate HS is the high content of 2-sulfated ß-glucuronic acid, which accounts for one-third of the total hexuronic acid units. Another distinct aspect of this HS is the occurrence of high content of N-acetylated α-glucosamine units bearing a sulfate group at position 6. The unique ascidian HS is a potent inhibitor of the binding of human colon adenocarcinoma cells to immobilized P-selectin, being 11-fold more potent than mammalian heparin, but almost ineffective as an anticoagulant. Thus, the components of the HS structure required to inhibit coagulation and binding of tumor cells to P-selectin are distinct. Our results also suggest that the regulation of the pathway involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans suffered variations during the evolution of chordates.

Names of hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) established by Charles McLean Fraser (1872-1946), excluding those from Allan Hancock Expeditions.

An account is given of the names of families, genera, and species of hydroids established by C.M. Fraser of Canada, excluding those from Allan Hancock Pacific Expeditions and the Allan Hancock Caribbean Sea Expedition. The names of four families, 11 genera, and 101 species are attributed to him in this work, complementing those of another two genera and 164 species described by Fraser in various Allan Hancock publications. Information is provided on type localities of his new species, on locations and kinds of type material in existence, where known, and on the current taxonomic status of families, genera, and species described by him in works reviewed herein. Two replacement names (Thuiaria geniculata Fraser, 1918a and Salacia fraseri Calder, 1991) exist for Thuiaria distans Fraser, 1914a (not Thuiaria distans Allman, 1877). The widely overlooked senior synonym, T. geniculata, is recognized as the valid name of the species. Diphasia alta nom. nov. is proposed as a new replacement name for the permanently invalid junior primary homonym Diphasia robusta Fraser, 1943a (not D. attenuata robusta Billard, 1924). In addition, Cryptolaria crassa nom. nov. is proposed as a new replacement name for the junior secondary homonym Cryptolaria rigida (Fraser, 1948) [not C. rigida (Fraser, 1940a)]. Lectotypes have been designated for 47 of the species to establish objective standards for application of their names. Corymorpha adventitia Fraser, 1941b, from the Pacific coast of Panama, is assigned to Ralpharia Watson, 1980, as R. adventitia. No type specimens are known to exist for seven of the species considered, including one holotype (of Hebella eximia Fraser, 1944a) missing from its bottle. Particular attention has been paid to dating and chronology of the 51 publications of Fraser covered in this work. Earlier bibliographic errors are corrected, most notably establishing that the book Distribution and relationship in American hydroids was published in early 1947 rather than 1946 as per the title page.

Taxonomy of Oceanapia Norman, 1869 (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida: Phloeodictyidae) from the Brazilian coast.

The genus Oceanapia Norman, 1869 comprises 95 species worldwide, 20 from the Atlantic Ocean and seven from Brazil. Oceanapia includes sponges with hollow body and numerous fistulae; spicules are oxeas or strongyles and microscleres, if present, are sigmas or toxas. Specimens were collected by trawl at Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco and Pará States, Brazil. Two new species are described from the Northeast Region of Brazil: Oceanapia cordia sp. nov. and Oceanapia magna sp. nov. For two preoccupied combinations, new names are proposed, Oceanapia hechteli nom. nov. and Oceanapia topsenti nom. nov. Oceanapia stalagmitica (Wiedenmayer, 1977) is recorded and described for the first time from Brazil. A taxonomic study of seven specimens of Oceanapia from the North and Northeast region (Brazil) is given, including description, illustrations and geographical distribution. The two new species are compared with all other descriptions of Oceanapia from the Atlantic Ocean.

Quantitative Detection of Active Vibrios Associated with White Plague Disease in Mussismilia braziliensis Corals.

Over recent decades several coral diseases have been reported as a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems causing the decline of corals cover and diversity around the world. The development of techniques that improve the ability to detect and quantify microbial agents involved in coral disease will aid in the elucidation of disease cause, facilitating coral disease detection and diagnosis, identification and pathogen monitoring, pathogen sources, vectors, and reservoirs. The genus Vibrio is known to harbor pathogenic strains to marine organisms. One of the best-characterized coral pathogens is Vibrio coralliilyticus, an aetilogic agent of White Plague Disease (WPD). We used Mussismilia coral tissue (healthy and diseased specimens) to develop a rapid reproducible detection system for vibrios based on RT-QPCR and SYBR chemistry. We were able to detect total vibrios in expressed RNA targeting the 16S rRNA gene at 5.23 × 106 copies/µg RNA and V. coralliilyticus targeting the pyrH gene at 5.10 × 103 copies/µg RNA in coral tissue. Detection of V. coralliilyticus in diseased and in healthy samples suggests that WPD in the Abrolhos Bank may be caused by a consortium of microorganism and not only a single pathogen. We developed a more practical and economic system compared with probe uses for the real-time detection and quantification of vibrios from coral tissues by using the 16S rRNA and pyrH gene. This qPCR assay is a reliable tool for the monitoring of coral pathogens, and can be useful to prevent, control, or reduce impacts in this ecosystem.

Bacterias marinas productoras de compuestos antibacterianos aisladas a partir de invertebrados intermareales / Marine bacteria producing antibacterial compounds isolated from inter-tidal invertebrates

Se realizó actividades prospectivas de muestreo de invertebrados intermareales en la Bahía de Ancón (Lima - Perú) con el objetivo de seleccionar bacterias marinas productoras de sustancias antimicrobianas. El estudio comprendió el aislamiento de bacterias en agar marino, pruebas de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana in vitro y observaciones de microscopía electrónica. Se reporta el aislamiento, caracterización fenotípica y propiedades antimicrobianas de diez cepas de bacterias marinas que incluyen a los géneros Vibrio, Pseudomonas y Flavobacterium y del orden Actinomycetal que inhiben a patógenos de humanos. Los resultados indicarían que los invertebrados marinos serían fuentes de bacterias productoras de sustancias antibióticas.

Prospective sampling activities of intertidal invertebrates in the Ancon Bay (Lima, Peru) were done in order to select marine bacteria producing antimicrobial substances. The study included the isolation of bacteria in marine agar, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing and electronic microscopic observations. We report the isolation, phenotypical characterization and antimicrobial properties of 10 strains of marine bacteria including the genus Vibrio, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium, and the order Actinomycetae that inhibit human pathogens. The results indicate that the marine invertebrates would be sources of bacteria producing antibiotic substances.