scholarly journals Description of Aurelia pseudosolida sp. nov. (Scyphozoa, Ulmaridae) from the Adriatic Sea

Water ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Rade Garić ◽  
Mirna Batistić

Until 2021, the genus Aurelia contained eleven described species (WoRMS, 2020), with many genetic species still awaiting a formal description. In 2021, ten new species of Aurelia were described almost solely from genetic data in a novel attempt to use genetic characters as diagnostic characters for species descriptions, leaving seven genetic species still undescribed. Here we present the description of a new Aurelia species from the Adriatic Sea using an integrative taxonomy approach, i.e., employing molecular as well as morphological characteristics in order to describe this new Aurelia species. The species is described based on a single medusa sampled from the town of Rovinj (Croatia), North Adriatic, amidst combined blooms of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidy and cnidarian Aurelia solida in the summer of 2020. Based on genetic data, the newly described Aurelia pseudosolida sp. nov. has never been sequenced in any of the previous investigations of the molecular diversity of Aurelia. This is the second species belonging to Discomedusae described from the North Adriatic in little more than half a decade, which could be yet another indication of the susceptibility of the North Adriatic to proliferation of non-indigenous gelatinous species, especially if we take into account historical as well as recent blooms of suspected non-indigenous gelatinous species such as Muggiaea atlantica, Aurelia solida, Mawia benovici and Mnemiopsis leidy.

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1035-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakov Dulčić

The capture of the cornich blackfish, Schedophilus medusophagus, larvae from the Adriatic Sea represents an easterly extension in range of this species, and the first larval record in Adriatic waters.Schedophilus medusophagus Cocco, 1839, is a mesopelagic species from temperate waters of the north-eastern and north-western Atlantic and the western Mediterranean (Bini, 1968; Tortonese, 1975; Haedrich, 1986). The first record of this fish from the Adriatic Sea was reported in 1880 according to Ninni (1912). The second record was during the invasion of medusae Pelagia noctiluca (Malej, 1982; Rottini-Sandrini & Stravisi, 1982; Vučetić, 1982,1983) in Pelješac channel near the town of Korčula-island Koršula (central Adriatic) in 1982 (Onofri, 1986). Ten juvenile specimens, from 10·0 to 20·0cm total length (TL), were collected with medusae at 2m depth. This record Onofri (1986) connected with the ingression of inter-median waters (50–100 m) in the central Adriatic influenced the increase of salinity and temperature in 1982. Jardas (1996) noted that S. medusophagus is a very rare species in the Adriatic Sea.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Gaskin ◽  
Mark Schwarzländer ◽  
Hariet L. Hinz ◽  
Livy Williams ◽  
Esther Gerber ◽  
...  

AbstractPerennial pepperweed is an invasive plant species in North America, native to temperate Eurasia and northern Africa. Effective biological control depends upon correct taxonomic identification. Therefore, we investigated morphological and genetic data (cpDNA sequences and amplified fragment length polymorphisms [AFLP]) in its native range, where the species is at times treated as multiple taxa (L. latifolium, L. affine and L. obtusum). We also analyzed genetic data to determine the number and distribution of haplotypes and genotypes in the invaded range. Using Bayesian analysis, we found three clusters of AFLP genotypes in the native range, but little correlation between these clusters and morphological characters used to distinguish taxa. Also, we found combinations of morphological character states within many native range plants that are incompatible with current species descriptions, offering no support for splitting L. latifolium sensu lato into three species. In North America 97% of the genetic variation was among populations and there were only eight AFLP genotypes in 288 plants, suggesting few introductions or a severe bottleneck, and little or no creation of new genotypes since introduction. We found plants in the native range that are genetically similar (88 to 99%) to six of the eight invasive AFLP genotypes, suggesting that Kazakhstan and China are origins for much of the North American invasion.


Author(s):  
Daryl A. Cornish ◽  
George L. Smit

Oreochromis mossambicus is currently receiving much attention as a candidater species for aquaculture programs within Southern Africa. This has stimulated interest in its breeding cycle as well as the morphological characteristics of the gonads. Limited information is available on SEM and TEM observations of the male gonads. It is known that the testis of O. mossambicus is a paired, intra-abdominal structure of the lobular type, although further details of its characteristics are not known. Current investigations have shown that spermatids reach full maturity some two months after the female becomes gravid. Throughout the year, the testes contain spermatids at various stages of development although spermiogenesis appears to be maximal during November when spawning occurs. This paper describes the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of the testes and spermatids.Specimens of this fish were collected at Syferkuil Dam, 8 km north- west of the University of the North over a twelve month period, sacrificed and the testes excised.


2012 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 298-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Potemkin ◽  
T. Ahti

Riccia marginata Lindb. was described by S. O. Lindberg (1877) from the outskirts of the town of Sortavala near the north shore of Lake Ladoga, Republic of Karelia, Russia. The species has been forgotten in most recent liverwort accounts of Europe, including Russia. Lectotypification of R. marginata is provided. R. marginata shares most characters with R. beyrichiana Hampe ex Lehm. It differs from “typical” plants of R. beyrichiana in having smaller spores, with ± distinctly finely areolate to roughly papillose proximal surfaces and a narrower and shorter thallus, as well as in scarcity or absence of marginal hairs. It may represent continental populations of the suboceanic-submediterranean R. beyrichiana, known in Russia from the Leningrad Region and Karelia only. The variability of spore surfaces in R. beyrichiana is discussed and illustrated by SEM images. A comparison with the spores of R. bifurca Hoffm. is provided. The question how distinct R. marginata is from R. beyrichiana needs to be clarified by molecular studies in the future, when adequate material is available. R. marginata is for the time being, provisionally, included in R. beyrichiana.


Author(s):  
N.P. Demchenko ◽  
N.Yu. Polyakova

The situation in the ecology of the Crimean Peninsula in recent years was discussed in the article. The analysis of absolute and integrated indicators of the anthropogenic impact showed that the ecological situation remains difficult, and according to some indicators even continues to deteriorate. In summer 2018, the situation had worsened because of the large chemical release of titanium dioxide on the north of the Crimea from the holding pond of a large Russian plant that is situated near the town of Armyansk. This, in turn, led to the contamination of the large territory on the north of the peninsula. This fact indicates insufficient control by officials of the Republic of Crimea over the implementation of the RF laws for environmental protection by business owners of various forms of ownership, especially private ownership, the level of responsibility for the environment of which is very low.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Jorge Lobo-Arteaga ◽  
Miriam Tuaty-Guerra ◽  
Maria José Gaudêncio

Pyromaia tuberculata is native to the north-eastern Pacific Ocean and currently established in distant regions in the Pacific Ocean and southwest Atlantic. Outside its native range, this species has become established in organically polluted enclosed waters, such as bays. The Tagus estuary, with a broad shallow bay, is one of the largest estuaries in the west coast of Europe, located in western mainland Portugal, bordering the city of Lisbon. In this study, sediment samples were collected in the estuary between 2016 and 2017. Several adult specimens of P. tuberculata, including one ovigerous female, were morphologically and genetically identified, resulting in accurate identification of the species. The constant presence of adults over a 16-month sampling period suggests that the species has become established in the Tagus estuary. Moreover, their short life cycle, which allows for the production of at least two generations per year, with females reaching maturity within six months after settlement, favours population establishment. Despite being referred to as invasive, there are no records of adverse effects of P. tuberculata to the environment and socio-economy in regions outside its native range. However, due to its expanding ability, its inclusion in European monitoring programmes would indeed be desirable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 702
Author(s):  
Hüseyin Özkan Sertlek

The national measures in several European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic also affected offshore human activities, including shipping. In this work, the temporal and spatial variations of shipping sound are calculated for the years before and during the pandemic in selected shallow water test areas from the Southern North Sea and the Adriatic Sea. First, the monthly sound pressure level maps of ships and wind between 2017 and 2020 are calculated for frequencies between 100 Hz to 10 kHz. Next, the monthly changes in these maps are compared. The asymptotic approximation of the hybrid flux-mode propagation model reduces the computational requirements for sound mapping simulations and facilitates the production of a large number of sound maps for different months, depths, frequencies, and ship categories. After the strictest COVID-19 measures were applied in April 2020, the largest decline was observed for the fishing, passenger and recreational ships. Although the changes in the number of fishing vessels are large, their contribution to the soundscape is minor due to their low source level. In both test areas, the spatial exceedance levels and acoustic energies were decreased in 2020 compared to the average of the previous three years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 686
Author(s):  
Angela Carluccio ◽  
Francesca Capezzuto ◽  
Porzia Maiorano ◽  
Letizia Sion ◽  
Gianfranco D’Onghia

Baited lander represents a low impact technique, an alternative to the traditional trawl sampling for collecting data on fish diversity and abundance, especially for threatened species such as Chondrichthyes living in sensitive habitats. In this study, distribution and abundance of cartilaginous fish were compared between two geographic areas, the southern Adriatic Sea and the north-western Ionian Sea, with two low impact sampling gears, an experimental bottom longline and a baited lander. Species diversity was evaluated by applying ecological indices and difference in mean abundances were tested using multivariate analysis. A total of 13 species of cartilaginous fish were collected. Significant differences in the assemblage recorded in the same area using different sampling tools were detected and no significant differences were detected among different areas explored with the same method. Using longline, the most abundant species collected in both areas was Galeus melastomus, while using lander, the most observed species were Dalatias licha in the southern Adriatic Sea and Hexanchus griseus in the north-western Ionian Sea. According to IUCN classification, of the 13 species collected, 2 are near threatened and 5 are threatened. A better governance of sensitive habitats coinciding with the essential fish habitat for these species would ensure them a better conservation status.


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