Transitional spherulitic layer in the muricid Nucella lapillus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Mayk
Keyword(s):  
Nucella Lapillus

scholarly journals Localization and Bioreactivity of Cysteine-Rich Secretions in the Marine Gastropod Nucella lapillus

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Mariaelena D’Ambrosio ◽  
Cátia Gonçalves ◽  
Mariana Calmão ◽  
Maria Rodrigues ◽  
Pedro M. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Digestive Gland ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Gill Tissue ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Toxin Secretion ◽  
Molecular Damage

Marine biodiversity has been yielding promising novel bioproducts from venomous animals. Despite the auspices of conotoxins, which originated the paradigmatic painkiller Prialt, the biotechnological potential of gastropod venoms remains to be explored. Marine bioprospecting is expanding towards temperate species like the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus, which is suspected to secrete immobilizing agents through its salivary glands with a relaxing effect on the musculature of its preferential prey, Mytilus sp. This work focused on detecting, localizing, and testing the bioreactivity of cysteine-rich proteins and peptides, whose presence is a signature of animal venoms and poisons. The highest content of thiols was found in crude protein extracts from the digestive gland, which is associated with digestion, followed by the peribuccal mass, where the salivary glands are located. Conversely, the foot and siphon (which the gastropod uses for feeding) are not the main organs involved in toxin secretion. Ex vivo bioassays with Mytilus gill tissue disclosed the differential bioreactivity of crude protein extracts. Secretions from the digestive gland and peribuccal mass caused the most significant molecular damage, with evidence for the induction of apoptosis. These early findings indicate that salivary glands are a promising target for the extraction and characterization of bioactive cysteine-rich proteinaceous toxins from the species.

Reproductive Failure in Populations of the Dog-Whelk, Nucella Lapillus, Caused by Imposex Induced by Tributyltin from Antifouling Paints

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. Gibbs ◽  
G. W. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Reproductive Failure ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Egg Capsules ◽  
Male Characters ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Declining Populations

The development of male characters, notably a penis and a vas deferens, on the female (the phenomenon of ‘imposex’) of the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus, is described. Three stages are recognized: an ‘early’ stage involving the formation of a vas deferens and a small penis, an ‘intermediate’ stage characterized by the enlargement of the female penis to a size approaching that of the male and a ‘late’ stage during which the female opening (vulva) is occluded by overgrowth of vas deferens tissue. This blockage of the pallial oviduct prevents the release of egg capsules and renders the female sterile. The extent and cause of such reproductive failure is evident from the high incidence of females containing aborted capsules in declining populations close to sources of tributyltin (TBT) contamination. These same populations comprise fewer females than expected and it would appear that the accumulation of aborted capsules within the pallial oviduct eventually causes the premature death of the female.

A massive summer-kill of the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus, on the north Cornwall coast in 1995: freak or forerunner?

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.E. Gibbs ◽  
J.C. Green ◽  
P.L. Pascoe
Keyword(s):  
High Mortality ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Algal Bloom ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Littorina Littorea ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Sewage Outfall ◽  
The North ◽  
Algal Toxicity ◽  
Calm Weather

In the summer of 1995 a massive kill of the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus, occurred in Bude Bay on the north Cornish coast. High mortality was detectable along 12 km of shoreline. The only other intertidal species affected appeared to be another neogastropod, Ocenebra erinacea. The cause of the kill is unknown but the evidence suggests that it occurred in early July following an extended period of warm, calm weather in June. Possible causes of this event are discussed: algal toxicity may have been responsible since an algal bloom was detected offshore in July in the area. Laboratory experiments exposing gastropods to different species and concentrations of microalgae, designed to test whether N. lapillus is more sensitive than Monodonta lineata and Littorina littorea, gave inconclusive results. No comparable kill has occurred in the Bude area for at least 20 y, but it is suggested that nutrients from a newly-constructed, offshore sewage outfall may now stimulate local algal bloom development during calm weather periods.

An exposure scale for marine shores in western Norway

1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 975-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Dalby ◽  
E. B. Cowell ◽  
W. J. Syratt ◽  
J. H. Crothers
Keyword(s):  
Species Abundance ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Rocky Shores ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Extended Form ◽  
Independent Evidence ◽  
The North ◽  
Western Norway ◽  
The North Sea

A rocky shore exposure scale, intended primarily for use in the Fensfjord area, Western Norway, has been prepared. This scale is developed from an earlier scale devised by Ballantine for Milford Haven, Wales, making use of species abundance curves along the wave exposure gradient. Independent evidence for the validity of the scale is provided by shell shape variation in Nucella lapillus and by the height of the black lichen zone in the supralittoral fringe. The successive steps in the preparation of the scale are outlined, definitions of the exposure grades are given in tabular form for the restricted set of species analysed numerically and descriptions are provided in an extended form to provide a fuller picture for users of the scale. It is believed that the scale will prove applicable to other rocky shores around the North Sea.

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