Carinacuma umesi, a new genus and species of bodotriid cumacean (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida) from shallow waters of the Maryland Coastal Bays, Mid-Atlantic region, USA.

Carinacuma, a new bodotriid cumacean genus, is diagnosed to receive Spilocuma watlingi Omholt & Heard as its type species and C. umesi sp. nov., described from shallow waters (0.8 to 2.8 m) on the Mid-Atlantic coast of North America. Carinacuma gen. nov. has its closest affinities to the North American genera Spilocuma and Mancocuma, but can be distinguished from them and the other genera within the subfamily Vaunthompsoniinae by a combination of characters, including the presence of a dorsal carina or keel on pereonite 3 of the female, morphology of the antenna, absence of pleopods in the male, and the setation and segmentation of the uropods. Carinacuma umesi sp. nov., can be differentiated from its northern Gulf of Mexico cognate, C. watlingi comb. nov. by several characters, including: (1) maxilliped 3 carpus of female with inner margin bearing four to five simple setae, (2) uropod peduncle of female with inner margin bearing one sub-distal micro-serrate seta with single sub-terminal medial setule, (3) male antennule peduncle articles 1-2 sub-equal length, and (4) male antennule accessory flagellum slightly longer than basal article of main flagellum. A key to the five known males lacking pleopods within Vaunthompsoniinae is provided.

Analysis of Estrogenic Activity in Maryland Coastal Bays Using the MCF-7 Cell Proliferation Assay.

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) with estrogenic or estrogenic-like activity have been increasingly detected in aquatic environments and have been an issue of global concern due to their potential negative effects on wildlife and human health. This study used the MCF-7 cell proliferation assay (E-Screen) to assess the estrogenic activity profiles in Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs), a eutrophic system of estuaries impacted by human activities. Estrogenic activity was observed in all study sites tested. Water samples from MCBs increased MCF-7 cell proliferation above the negative control from 2.1-fold at site 8, located in Sinepuxent Bay close to the Ocean City Inlet, to 6.3-fold at site 6, located in Newport Bay. The proliferative effects of the sediment samples over the negative control ranged from 1.9-fold at the Assateague Island National Seashore site to 7.7-fold at the Public Landing site. Moreover, elevated cell proliferation (p < 0.05) was observed when cells were co-exposed with 17ß-Estradiol (E2), while reduction in cell proliferation was observed when cells were co-exposed with the antagonist ICI 182, 780 suggesting that cell proliferative effects were primarily mediated by the estrogen receptor (ER). These results suggest the occurrence of some estrogenic or hormonal-like compounds in the MCBs and are consistent with our previous findings based on vitellogenin analyses.

Antimicrobial and Genetic Profiles of Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated From the Maryland Coastal Bays, United States.

Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, found naturally in marine and estuarine environments, are the leading cause of seafood associated gastrointestinal illness and death. Consumption of improperly cooked crabs and handling of live crabs are potential routes of exposure to pathogenic bacteria such as V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus. Little information is available on serotype genetic and antimicrobial profiles of V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus recovered from Maryland estuaries. The aim of the present study was to determine the serotype of V. parahaemolyticus, evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic profiles of V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus isolated from water and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) samples collected from the Maryland Coastal Bays. One hundred and fifty (150) PCR confirmed V. parahaemolyticus including 52 tdh + (pathogenic) and 129 V. vulnificus strains were tested for susceptibility to twenty (20) different antibiotics chosen by clinical usage for Vibrio species. The O serogroups were determined using an agglutination test with V. parahaemolyticus antisera. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for molecular subtyping to investigate the genetic diversity among tested strains. The most prevalent serotypes were O5 (33.3%), O3 (18.7%) and O1 (14.7%). More than 41% of all tested Vibrio isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotics. Cephalothin showed the highest resistance (42% and 61%), followed by cefoxitin (42% and 31%) and ceftazidime (36% and 29%) for V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. Most strains (99-100%) were susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam, levofloxacin, piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and tetracycline. Fifty percent (50%) of the cephalothin resistant strains were crab isolates. Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus isolates demonstrated a high genetic diversity and 31% of V. vulnificus and 16% of V. parahaemolyticus strains were PFGE untypeable. No correlations were found between the V. parahaemolyticus serotype, pathogenicity, genetic and antimicrobial resistance profiles of both species of Vibrio. The observed high multiple drug resistance of V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus from blue crab and its environment is of public health concern. Therefore, there is a need for frequent antibiotic sensitivity surveillance for Vibrio spp.

Seasonal and Geographical Differences in Total and Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus Levels in Seawater and Oysters from the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays Determined Using Several Methods.

Oyster and seawater samples were collected from five sites in the Chesapeake Bay, MD, and three sites in the Delaware Bay, DE, from May to October 2016 and 2017. Abundances and detection frequencies for total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus were compared using the standard most-probable-number-PCR (MPN-PCR) assay and a direct-plating (DP) method on CHROMagar Vibrio for total (tlh+ ) and pathogenic (tdh+ and trh+ ) V. parahaemolyticus genes and total (vvhA) and pathogenic (vcgC) V. vulnificus genes. The colony overlay procedure for peptidases (COPP) assay was evaluated for total Vibrionaceae DP had high false-negative rates (14 to 77%) for most PCR targets and was deemed unsatisfactory. Logistic regression models of the COPP assay showed high concordances with MPN-PCR for tdh+ and trh+V. parahaemolyticus and vvhA+V. vulnificus in oysters (85.7 to 90.9%) and seawater (81.1 to 92.7%) when seawater temperature and salinity were factored into the model, suggesting that the COPP assay could potentially serve as a more rapid method to detect vibrios in oysters and seawater. Differences in total Vibrionaceae and pathogenic Vibrio abundances between state sampling sites over different collection years were contrasted for oysters and seawater by MPN-PCR. Abundances of tdh+ and trh+V. parahaemolyticus were ∼8-fold higher in Delaware oysters than in Maryland oysters, whereas abundances of vcgC+V. vulnificus were nearly identical. For Delaware oysters, 93.5% were both tdh+ and trh+, compared to only 19.2% in Maryland. These results indicate that pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was more prevalent in the Delaware Bay than in the Chesapeake Bay.IMPORTANCE While V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus cause shellfish-associated morbidity and mortality among shellfish consumers, current regulatory assays for vibrios are complex, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and relatively expensive. In this study, the rapid, simple, and inexpensive COPP assay was identified as a possible alternative to MPN-PCR for shellfish monitoring. This paper shows differences in total Vibrionaceae and pathogenic vibrios found in seawater and oysters from the commercially important Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from the Delaware Bay were more likely to contain commonly recognized pathogenicity genes than those from the Chesapeake Bay.

First record of Ianiropsis cf. serricaudis in Maryland Coastal Bays, USA (Crustacea, Peracarida, Janiridae).

During monthly sampling of benthic invertebrates at 13 stations in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs) from March to December 2012, a total of 29 individuals of Ianiropsis cf. serricaudis were collected. This species is being reported for the first time in MCBs. A detailed illustration and description of an adult male of I. cf. serricaudis from MCBs is presented. An illustrated key of males of Ianiropsis species belonging to the palpalis-group is also presented. The size of the largest male was 3.0 mm and that of the largest female was 2.5 mm. It is possible that I. cf. serricaudis was present in the MCBs, but overlooked during previous surveys of marine benthic invertebrates in the area because of its small body size and lack of taxonomic expertise.

A new species of Apolochus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridea, Amphilochidae) in Maryland coastal bays, USA with notes on its abundance and distribution.

A new amphilochid amphipod, Apolochus cresti sp. n. is described from specimens collected in the shallow waters of Maryland coastal bays, Mid-Atlantic region, at depths from 1.7 to 2.1 m. The new species appears to be most closely related to the northeastern Atlantic species, Apolochus neapolitanus sensu Krapp-Schickel, 1982. Apolochus cresti sp. n. can be distinguished from Apolochus neapolitanus by a combination of characters, including the shape of the lateral cephalic lobe, shape of the mandible molar process, relative length of mandible palp article 3, the carpal lobe length of gnathopod 2, and the lack of sub-marginal spines on antero-lateral surface of gnathopod 2. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the abundance of Apolochus cresti and the amount of macroalgae collected per station, bay, and month. Ovigerous females carrying eggs were present from March to May and in October, reaching their peak in May, although only ovigerous females carrying juveniles were found in May. Males were abundant in March and were collected also in May and October. A key for the separation of Apolochus species is presented.

ResumenUna nueva especie de anfípodo, Apolochus crestisp. n. es descrita con especímenes colectados en aguas someras de las bahías de Maryland, en la región del Atlántico medio a una profundidad entre 1.7 a 2.1 m. La nueva especie parece estar más cercanamente relacionada a la especie Apolochus neapolitanussensu Krapp-Schickel, 1982 del Atlántico este. Apolochus crestisp. n. puede ser distinguida de Apolochus neapolitanus por una combinación de caracteres, incluyendo la forma del lóbulo lateral cefálico, la forma del proceso molar de la mandíbula, la longitud relativa proporción del artículo 3 del palpo mandibular, la longitud del lóbulo del carpo del gnatópodo 2, y la falta de espinas sub-marginales en la parte antero-lateral del gnatópodo 2. El análisis del coeficiente de correlación de Spearman indica una correlación positiva entre la abundancia de Apolochus cresti y la cantidad de macro-algas colectadas por estación, y bahía, y mes. Hembras ovígeras cargando huevos fueron encontradas desde marzo a mayo y en octubre, alcanzando su pico en mayo; aunque solo hembras ovígeras cargando juveniles fueron encontradas en mayo. Machos fueron abundantes en marzo y fueron colectados también en mayo y octubre. Una clave para la separación de especies de Apolochus es presentada.

Recreational water quality control in Mississippi, USA: bacteriological assessment in the Pearl River and Ross Barnett reservoir.

We assessed the bacteriological water quality in the Pearl River and Ross Barnett reservoir, a major source of public raw water for the city of Jackson, Mississippi, USA and an important site for recreational activities for local residents and visitors. Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria are the most common and widespread health risks associated with such water contact activities as bathing, canoeing, and swimming in recreational waters. Water samples collected twice monthly from April 2004 to April 2005 from five different sites of the Pearl river/Ross Barnett reservoir were tested for heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and enterococci using membrane filtration technique. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity) were also analyzed using standard methods. The respective mean concentrations of bacteria in water samples were 8.9 x 10(4) +/- 7.4 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU) 100 mL(-1), 3.0 x 10(3) +/- 4.1 x 10(3) CFU 100 mL(-1), 2.3 x 10(2) +/- 5.4 x 10(2) CFU 100 mL(-1), and 2.3 x 10(2) +/- 4.8 x 10(2) CFU 100 mL(-1) for heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, enterococci, and fecal coliforms. The mean values of the physical and chemical parameters were at acceptable levels. Bacterial densities, however, significantly exceeded federal/state guidelines, raising public health concerns. Hence, control strategies should be developed and implemented to prevent further bacterial contamination of Pearl River-Ross Barnett reservoir water resource system.

The seasonality of fecal coliform bacteria pollution and its influence on closures of shellfish harvesting areas in Mississippi Sound.

Runoff from agricultural lands and farm animal feedlots is one of the major sources of fecal coliforms in surface waters, and fecal coliform (FC) bacteria concentrations tend to vary with season because of seasonal variations in climatic factors. However, El Niño--Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events may affect the extent and patterns of seasonality in FC levels in coastal waters. Water quality monitoring data for shellfish management collected during El Niño (1990, 1992, 1997), and La Niña (1999, 2000) years were analyzed to evaluate the extent to which these events influenced Pearl River stage, and bacterial levels, water temperature, and salinity in the western part of Mississippi Sound. Models to predict FC levels in relation to various environmental factors were also developed. In 1990, 1992 and 1997, FC geometric mean counts peaked in late winter (January/February) reaching 120 MPN (February 1990), 165 MPN (January 1992), and 86 MPN (January 1997), and then decreased considerably during spring and summer (1.2 - 19 MPN). Thereafter, FC abundance increased slightly in fall and early winter (1.9 - 24 MPN). Fecal coliform abundance during the 2000 La Niña year was much lower (1.0 -10.3 MPN) than in 1992 (1.2 - 165 MPN), and showed no seasonal pattern from January to August, perhaps due to the relative scarcity of rainfall in 2000. In 1995 (ENSO neutral year), peak geometric mean FC count (46 MPN) was lower than during El Niño years and occurred in early spring (March). The seasonal and between year variations in FC levels determined the number of days during which the conditionally approved shellfish growing area was opened for harvesting shellfish. For example, from January to April 1997, the area was not opened for shellfish harvesting, whereas in 2000, the number of days during which the area was opened ranged from 6 - 27 (January to April) to 24 - 26 (October to December). ENSO events thus influenced the extent and timing of the peak levels of fecal coliforms in Mississippi Sound. Models consisting of one or more of the variables: Pearl River stage, water temperature, and salinity were developed to predict FC concentrations in the Sound. The model parameter(s) explained 56 to 91% of the variations in FC counts. Management of shellfish in Mississippi Sound can be improved by utilizing information on the forecasted three to seven years occurrence of ENSO events. In addition, since Pearl River stage was the most important variable predicting FC concentration in the Sound, a study of the levels and sources of FC bacteria in the river, especially the middle and lower sections, is needed for developing a management plan for reducing FC bacteria pollution in the Sound.