Pathophysiological Responses of Pinna nobilis Individuals Enlightens the Etiology of Mass Mortality Situation in the Mediterranean Populations

Due to the rapid decrease of Pinna nobilis populations during the previous decades, this bivalve species, endemic in the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized as ‘critically endangered’. In addition to human pressures, various pathogen infections have resulted in extended reduction, even population extinction. While Haplosporidium pinnae is characterized as one of the major causative agents, mass mortalities have also been attributed to Mycobacterium sp. and Vibrio spp. Due to limited knowledge concerning the physiological response of infected P. nobilis specimens against various pathogens, this study’s aim was to investigate to pathophysiological response of P. nobilis individuals, originating from mortality events in the Thermaikos Gulf and Lesvos and Limnos islands (Greece), and their correlation to different potential pathogens detected in the diseased animals. In isolated tissues, several cellular stress indicators of the heat shock and immune response, apoptosis and autophagy, were examined. Despite the complexity and limitations in the study of P. nobilis mortality events, the present investigation demonstrates the cumulative negative effect of co-infection additionally with H. pinnae in comparison to the non-presence of haplosporidian parasite. In addition, impacts of global climate change affecting physiological performance and immune responses result in more vulnerable populations in infectious diseases, a phenomenon which may intensify in the future.

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Noble Pen Shell (Pinna nobilis) Mortalities along the Eastern Adriatic Coast with a Study of the Spreading Velocity

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9070764 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 764

Author(s):

Željko Mihaljević ◽

Željko Pavlinec ◽

Ivana Giovanna Zupičić ◽

Dražen Oraić ◽

Aleksandar Popijač ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Techniques ◽

Dense Population ◽

Pinna Nobilis ◽

The North ◽

Pen Shell ◽

Adriatic Coast ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Mass Mortalities ◽

Digestive Glands ◽

Mycobacterium Spp

Noble pen shells (Pinna nobilis) along the Eastern Adriatic coast were affected by mass mortalities similarly to the populations across the Mediterranean basin. Samples of live animals and organs originating from sites on Mljet Island on the south and the Istrian peninsula on the north of the Croatian Adriatic coast were analyzed using histology and molecular techniques to detect the presence of the previously described Haplosporidium pinnae and Mycobacterium spp. as possible causes of these mortalities. To obtain more information on the pattern of the spread of the mortalities, a study was undertaken in Mljet National Park, an area with a dense population of noble pen shells. The results of the diagnostic analysis and the velocity of the spread of the mortalities showed a significant correlation between increases in water temperature and the onset of mortality. Moderate to heavy lesions of the digestive glands were observed in specimens infected with H. pinnae. A phylogenetic analysis of the detected Haplosporidium pinnae showed an identity of 99.7 to 99.8% with isolates from other Mediterranean areas, while isolated Mycobacterium spp. showed a higher heterogeneity among isolates across the Mediterranean. The presence of Mycobacterium spp. in clinically healthy animals a few months before the onset of mortality imposes the need for further clarification of its role in mortality events.

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Transplantation as a conservation action to protect the Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps11658 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 546 ◽

pp. 113-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S Katsanevakis

Keyword(s):

Conservation Action ◽

Pinna Nobilis ◽

The Mediterranean

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Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Nile Soft-Shelled Turtle (Trionyx triunguis) Along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Russian Journal of Herpetology ◽

10.30906/1026-2296-2020-27-6-307-315 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 307-315

Author(s):

Özgür Güçlü ◽

Bülent Bozdoğan

Keyword(s):

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Geographic Distance ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Genetic Variations ◽

Mediterranean Coast ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Mediterranean Populations ◽

Genetic Diversity And Structure ◽

Polymorphic Microsatellite ◽

The Mediterranean

The Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis) is distributed between Dalyan and Samandağ throughout the Mediterranean coast in Turkey. The Mediterranean subpopulation of the Nile soft-shelled turtle is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List Categories. This investigation aimed to determinate levels of genetic variations and patterns of genetic structures among Mediterranean populations in Turkey by using T. triunguis-specific microsatellite primers. A total of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci were studied among samples of 121 individuals collected from five populations in Turkey. Of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci used, 3 new were identified in this study. The genetic differentiation among the 5 studied populations of T. triunguis was significant (p 0.001). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that genetic variations occurred mainly within populations (89.7%) rather than among populations (10.3%). Structure analysis showed presence of two main groups among the Mediterranean T. triunguis populations. However genetic variations among populations were not correlated with geographic distance between the locations. Analysis of data showed that one of the populations (Dalyan) had undergone a bottleneck effect. Migration analysis indicates that T. triunguis migrates between five Mediterranean populations in Turkey. We concluded that based on our results the status of ‘critically endangered’ of T. triunguis should be maintained. Long term population genetic survey studies should be undertaken and changes in habitats of T. triunguis populations, as well as their population size and structure should be monitored for each population to be able to establish a clear strategy for protection of T. triunguis.

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Mitogenomics of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) reveals dramatic loss of diversity and supports historical gene-flow between Atlantic and eastern Mediterranean populations

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa084 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alba Rey-Iglesia ◽

Philippe Gaubert ◽

Gonçalo Espregueira Themudo ◽

Rosa Pires ◽

Constanza De La Fuente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Gene Flow ◽

North Atlantic ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Mediterranean Populations ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Western Sahara ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is one of the most threatened marine mammals, with only 600–700 individuals restricted to three populations off the coast of Western Sahara and Madeira (North Atlantic) and between Greece and Turkey (eastern Mediterranean). Its original range was from the Black Sea (eastern Mediterranean) to Gambia (western African coast), but was drastically reduced by commercial hunting and human persecution since the early stages of marine exploitation. We here analyse 42 mitogenomes of Mediterranean monk seals, from across their present and historical geographic ranges to assess the species population dynamics over time. Our data show a decrease in genetic diversity in the last 200 years. Extant individuals presented an almost four-fold reduction in genetic diversity when compared to historical specimens. We also detect, for the first time, a clear segregation between the two North Atlantic populations, Madeira and Cabo Blanco, regardless of their geographical proximity. Moreover, we show the presence of historical gene-flow between the two water basins, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and the presence of at least one extinct maternal lineage in the Mediterranean. Our work demonstrates the advantages of using full mitogenomes in phylogeographic and conservation genomic studies of threatened species.

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The Beneficial Health Effects of Vegetables and Wild Edible Greens: The Case of the Mediterranean Diet and Its Sustainability

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10249144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (24) ◽

pp. 9144

Author(s):

Elena Chatzopoulou ◽

Márcio Carocho ◽

Francesco Di Gioia ◽

Spyridon A. Petropoulos

Keyword(s):

Health Effects ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Scientific Interest ◽

Mediterranean Populations ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Healthy Diets ◽

The World ◽

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) concept as currently known describes the dietary patterns that were followed in specific regions of the area in the 1950s and 1960s. The broad recognition of its positive effects on the longevity of Mediterranean populations also led to the adoption of this diet in other regions of the world, and scientific interest focused on revealing its health effects. MD is not only linked with eating specific nutritional food products but also with social, religious, environmental, and cultural aspects, thus representing a healthy lifestyle in general. However, modern lifestyles adhere to less healthy diets, alienating people from their heritage. Therefore, considering the increasing evidence of the beneficial health effects of adherence to the MD and the ongoing transitions in consumers’ behavior, the present review focuses on updating the scientific knowledge regarding this diet and its relevance to agrobiodiversity. In addition, it also considers a sustainable approach for new marketing opportunities and consumer trends of the MD.

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Population structure and connectivity in the Mediterranean sponge Ircinia fasciculata are affected by mass mortalities and hybridization

Heredity ◽

10.1038/hdy.2016.41 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 117 (6) ◽

pp. 427-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

A Riesgo ◽

R Pérez-Portela ◽

L Pita ◽

G Blasco ◽

P M Erwin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Mass Mortalities

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Mediterranean Precipitation Response to Greenhouse Gases and Aerosols

10.5194/acp-2018-56 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Tao Tang ◽

Drew Shindell ◽

Bjørn H. Samset ◽

Oliviér Boucher ◽

Piers M. Forster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gases ◽

Climate Models ◽

Hydrological Cycle ◽

Global Climate ◽

Local Heating ◽

Global Climate Models ◽

Historical Period ◽

Radiative Balance ◽

Precipitation Decrease ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gases affect cloud properties, radiative balance and thus, the hydrological cycle. Observations show that precipitation has decreased in the Mediterranean since the 20th century, and many studies have investigated possible mechanisms. So far, however, the effects of aerosol forcing on Mediterranean precipitation remain largely unknown. Here we compare Mediterranean precipitation responses to individual forcing agents in a set of state-of-the-art global climate models (GCMs). Our analyses show that both greenhouse gases and aerosols can cause drying in the Mediterranean, and that precipitation is more sensitive to black carbon (BC) forcing than to well-mixed greenhouse gases (WMGHGs) or sulfate aerosol. In addition to local heating, BC appears to reduce precipitation by causing an enhanced positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)/Arctic Oscillation (AO)-like sea level pressure (SLP) pattern, characterized by higher SLP at mid-latitudes and lower SLP at high-latitudes. WMGHGs cause a similar SLP change, and both are associated with a northward diversion of the jet stream and storm tracks, reducing precipitation in the Mediterranean while increasing precipitation in Northern Europe. Though the applied forcings were much larger, if forcings are scaled to those of the historical period of 1901–2010, roughly one-third (31 ± 17 %) of the precipitation decrease would be attributable to global BC forcing with the remainder largely attributable to WMGHGs whereas global scattering sulfate aerosols have negligible impacts. The results from this study suggest that future BC emissions may significantly affect regional water resources, agricultural practices, ecosystems, and the economy in the Mediterranean region.

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The Effect of Abiotic Stresses on the Protein Composition of Four Hungarian Wheat Varieties

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants11010001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Dalma Nagy-Réder ◽

Zsófia Birinyi ◽

Marianna Rakszegi ◽

Ferenc Békés ◽

Gyöngyvér Gell

Keyword(s):

Abiotic Stress ◽

Protein Content ◽

Functional Properties ◽

Crop Production ◽

Global Climate ◽

Protein Composition ◽

Grain Protein Content ◽

Wheat Varieties ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Negative Effect

Global climate change in recent years has resulted in extreme heat and drought events that significantly influence crop production and endanger food security. Such abiotic stress during the growing season has a negative effect on yield as well as on the functional properties of wheat grain protein content and composition. This reduces the value of grain, as these factors significantly reduce end-use quality. In this study, four Hungarian bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum ssp. aestivum) with different drought and heat tolerance were examined. Changes in the size- and hydrophobicity-based distribution of the total proteins of the samples have been monitored by SE- and RP-HPLC, respectively, together with parallel investigations of changes in the amounts of the R5 and G12 antibodies related to celiac disease immunoreactive peptides. Significant difference in yield, protein content and composition have been observed in each cultivar, altering the amounts of CD-related gliadin, as well as the protein parameters directly related to techno-functional properties (Glu/Gli ratio, UPP%). The extent of changes largely depended on the timing of the abiotic stress. The severity of the negative effect depended on the growth stage in which abiotic stress occurred.

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Nitrogen isotope sclerochronology - insights into coastal environmental conditions and Pinna nobilis ecology

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-454 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Melita Peharda ◽

David Gillikin ◽

Bernd Schöne ◽

Anouk Verheyden-Gillikin ◽

Hana Uvanović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Shell Growth ◽

Time Interval ◽

Shell Surface ◽

Growth Axis ◽

Pinna Nobilis ◽

External Shell ◽

Isotopic Baseline ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Shell Powder

Pinna nobilis is a large bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea that lives in shallow coastal areas. Due to its size and relatively fast shell growth rates, it is an interesting taxon for high resolution geochemical and sclerochronological research. Subsequently to previous analyses of &#948;18O and &#948;13C in P. nobilis shells, here, we investigate nitrogen isotopes in the carbonate-bound organic matrix (&#948;15NCBOM) of this species. Our objectives were to test if P. nobilis shells (i) can be used as an indicator of the isotopic baseline of the system, and (ii) is a good candidate for obtaining high-resolution temporal data on environmental &#948;15N variability. Due to the multiple mass mortality events of P. nobilis spreading throughout the Mediterranean, including the Adriatic Sea, we also tested if (iii) P. nobilis geochemistry changes as a response to diseases.Shells were opportunistically collected by skin diving from 4 shallow coastal localities in the eastern Adriatic, as a part of a project on mortality monitoring. Specimens from Lim channel (October 2019), Ka&#353;tela Bay (January 2020) and Mali Ston Bay (November 2019) were collected alive, while in Pag Bay, shells of three recently dead specimens were collected in September 2020. Tissue and epibionts were removed and shells carefully cleaned and air-dried. Shell powder was collected by milling sample swaths by hand using a DREMEL Fortiflex drill equipped with a 300 &#956;m tungsten carbide drill bit. For &#948;15NCBOM analysis, three shells from each locality were processed and three replicas were collected from each of these shells by milling shallow lines parallel to the growth axis from the internal shell surface. In addition, high-resolution &#948;15NCBOM data were obtained for one shell from Ka&#353;tela by milling lines (N=40) perpendicular to the major growth axis from the external shell surface. From this shell we also collected shell powder for &#948;18Oshell and &#948;13Cshell analysis to enable placing &#948;15NCBOM into temporal context. Isotope samples were analyzed Union College on an elemental analyzer - isotope ratio mass spectrometer.Results indicate significant differences in &#948;15NCBOM between sampling localities, with lowest values recorded for shells from Pag Bay (3.73&#177;0.36&#8240;), and highest for shells sampled in Lim channel (7.04&#177;0.63&#8240;). High-resolution &#948;15NCBOM data obtained from the shell collected from Ka&#353;tela Bay corresponded to a time interval from spring 2018 to spring 2019. These data showed relatively small variations (5.02&#177;0.33&#8240;). However, &#948;15NCBOM values increased to 8.65&#177;1.61&#8240; closest to the shell margin, and were coupled with a decrease in &#948;13Cshell values, indicating that this animal was experiencing stressful conditions several months prior to its death. According to our findings, &#948;15NCBOM values serve as an indicator of the isotopic baseline of the ecosystem as well as a potential powerful tool to study bivalve physiology.Research was the supported by the Croatian Science Foundation, research project BivACME.

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Local adaptation of a Lessepsian invader species to winter conditions in the Mediterranean Sea

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-14762 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Débora Silva Raposo ◽

Raphaël Morard ◽

Christiane Schmidt ◽

Michal Kucera

Keyword(s):

Quantum Yield ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Red Sea ◽

Photosynthetic Activity ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Effective Quantum Yield ◽

Mediterranean Populations ◽

Cold Temperatures ◽

Invasion Front ◽

The Mediterranean

In recent decades the &#8220;Lessepsian&#8221; migration caused a rapid change in the marine community composition due to the invasion of alien species from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean Sea. Among these invaders is the large benthic foraminifera Amphistegina lobifera, a diatom-bearing species that recently reached the invasion front in Sicily. There it copes with colder winters and broader temperature than in its original source, the Red Sea. It is not yet known how (or if) the population from the invasion front has developed adaptation to this new thermal regime. Understanding the modern marine invasive patterns is a crucial tool to predict future invasive successes in marine environments. Therefore, in this study we aim to evaluate the physiological responses to cold temperatures of A. lobifera populations at three different invasive stages: source (Red Sea), early invader (Eastern Mediterranean) and invasion front (Sicily). For this, we conducted a culturing experiment in which we monitored the responses of the foraminifera (growth, motility) to temperatures of 10, 13, 16, 19&#176;C + control (25&#176;C) over four weeks. To address what is the role of their endosymbionts in the adaptation process, we also monitored their photosynthetic activity (Pulse Amplitude Modulation - PAM fluorometer) during the experiment. The growth rate of the foraminifera was reduced for all populations below 19&#176;C as well as the motility, reduced until 16&#176;C and dropping to zero below 13&#176;C. The response of the endosymbionts was however different. There was a reduced photosynthetic activity of the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean populations at colder temperatures observed by the lower maximum quantum yield (Fv:Fm) and effective quantum yield (Y(II)), when compared to their initial levels and to the other treatments. In the meantime, the endosymbionts of the Sicily population stood out with the highest photosynthetic activity (Fv:Fm and Y(II)) in the treatments bellow 13 &#176;C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we observed that while the host responses were similar between the three populations, the endosymbionts from the invasion front population shows the best performance at colder temperatures. This suggests that the photo-symbiosis has an important role in adaptation, most likely being a key factor to the success of past and future migrations.

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