scholarly journals Spatial distribution and feeding substrate of butterflyfishes (family Chaetodontidae) on an Okinawan coral reef

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9666
Author(s):  
Atsushi Nanami
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Substrate Selection ◽  
Coral Rubble ◽  
Coral Polyp ◽  
Feeding Substrate ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Selection Of

Coral reefs support diverse communities, and relationships among organisms within these communities are quite complex. Among the relationships, clarifying the habitat association and foraging substrate selection relative to habitat characteristics is of central importance to ecology since these two aspects are the fundamentals for survival and growth of organisms. The aims of the present study were to investigate the spatial distribution and feeding substrate selection of 14 species of butterflyfishes on an Okinawan coral reef in Japan. Species-specific spatial distributions varied with habitat characteristics (e.g., encrusting corals, massive corals, branching Acropora and rock). For feeding substrates, seven species of obligate coral polyp feeders exhibited significant positive selectivity for tabular Acropora, corymbose Acropora, encrusting corals and massive corals but significant negative selectivity for dead corals, coral rubble and rock. Among six species of facultative coral polyp feeders, two species exhibited significant positive selectivity for encrusting corals and massive corals, and one species showed significant positive selectivity for dead corals as feeding substrates. In contrast, three species exhibited no significant positive selectivity for any feeding substrates. A similar result was observed for one non-coralline invertebrate feeder. Among the 14 species, 12 species showed a relatively close relationship between spatial distribution and feeding substrates but the remaining two species did not. The present study is the first study to elucidate species-specific spatial distributions and feeding substrate selection of butterflyfishes on an Okinawan coral reef. The results of the present study suggest that diverse substrates, including various types of living corals (especially encrusting corals, massive corals, tabular Acropora, corymbose Acropora and branching Acropora) and non-coralline substrates (rock) are the primary determinants of spatial distributions and feeding sites. Thus, diverse substrates are important for maintaining high species diversity of butterflyfishes and changes of the substrates would likely change the spatial patterns and foraging behavior, although species-specific responses may be found, depending on their species-specific dependence on vulnerable substrates.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of parrotfishes and groupers in an Okinawan coral reef: size-related associations in relation to habitat characteristics

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12134
Author(s):  
Atsushi Nanami
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Cephalopholis Argus ◽  
Chlorurus Microrhinos ◽  
Epinephelus Ongus ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Substrate Types

Parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarini) and groupers (Epinephelidae) are important fish groups that are regarded as the fisheries targets of primary importance in coral reefs. In order to establish ecosystem-based management of these two fish groups, clarifying the spatial distribution relative to habitat characteristics is of central importance. The present study investigated the spatial distributions of 12 parrotfishes species and seven groupers species in relation to environmental characteristics in an Okinawan coral reef. Ten out of the 12 parrotfish species and all seven grouper species showed species-specific spatial distributions. Four substrate types in the inner reefs (branching Acropora, bottlebrush Acropora, dead branching Acropora, and dead bottlebrush Acropora), three substrate types in the exposed reefs (massive coral, other coral, and calcium carbonate substratum), and water depth showed significant associations with the spatial distribution of fishes. Among the 12 parrotfish species, two species (Scarus spinus and S. forsteni) and four species (S. psittacus, S. hypselopterus, S. dimidiatus and S. ghobban) were primarily found in exposed reefs and inner reefs, respectively. Among the seven grouper species, two species (Cephalopholis argus and C. urodeta) and two other species (C. miniata and Epinephelus ongus) were primarily found in exposed reefs and inner reefs, respectively. Size-related spatial distribution was also found for three parrotfish species (Chlorurus microrhinos, Scarus rivulatus and S. hypselopterus), indicating that smaller-sized and larger-sized individuals were respectively found at sites with greater coverage of substrates with fine structure (live bottlebrush Acropora and dead bottlebrush Acropora) and coarse structure (live branching Acropora, dead branching Acropora and calcium carbonate substratum). The present study suggested that the spatial distribution of parrotfishes and groupers is not necessarily associated with the higher coverage of living corals, but positively associated with high substrate complexity. Thus, actual spatial distributional patterns of species should be considered to select candidate sites for protection and conservation for the two fish groups.

Substrate selection of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchusspp.) in the Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orly Perry ◽  
Yuval Sapir ◽  
Gad Perry ◽  
Harry Ten Hove ◽  
Maoz Fine
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Substrate Selection ◽  
Tropical Reefs ◽  
Hermatypic Corals ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
Sessile Organisms ◽  
Selection Of

Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchusspp.) are prominent sessile organisms inhabiting hermatypic corals in tropical and sub-tropical reefs. Until recently, most of the largerSpirobranchusspecies were considered to be in obligatory associations with live hermatypic corals. However, recent studies indicate that someSpirobranchusspecies can build tubes on artificial substrate as well and that others may show preferences for using specific species of corals and hydrozoans as substrates. In the present study, we conducted a survey ofSpirobranchusspp. substrate preference in the Gulf of Eilat. We found seven morphotaxa ofSpirobranchus, of which two may be a single new species. We show thatSpirobranchustaxa differ not only in their morphology, but also in their substrate use. Our results demonstrate that the ecological niche ofSpirobranchusis species-specific, and a putative innate preference exists for some substrates.

scholarly journals Spatial distributions, feeding ecologies, and behavioral interactions of four rabbitfish species (Siganus unimaculatus, S. virgatus, S. corallinus, and S. puellus)

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Nanami
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Slender Body ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Behavioral Interactions ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Species Specific

Clarifying the underlying mechanisms that enable closely related species to coexist in a particular environment is a fundamental aspect of ecology. Coral reefs support a high diversity of marine organisms, among which rabbitfishes (family Siganidae) are a major component The present study aimed to reveal the mechanism that allows rabbitfishes to coexist on coral reefs in Okinawa, Japan, by investigating the spatial distributions, feeding ecologies, and behavioral interactions of four species: Siganus unimaculatus, S. virgatus, S. corallinus, and S. puellus. All four species had a size-specific spatial distribution, whereby small individuals were found in sheltered areas that were covered by branching and bottlebrush Acropora spp. and large individuals were found in both sheltered and exposed rocky areas. However, no clear species-specific spatial distribution was observed. There was some variation in the food items taken, with S. unimaculatus primarily feeding on brown foliose algae, red foliose algae, and red styloid algae, and S. virgatus and S. puellus preferring brown foliose algae and sponges, respectively. However, S. corallinus did not show any clear differences in food preferences from S. virgatus or S. unimaculatus, mainly feeding on brown foliose algae and red styloid algae. The four species exhibited differences in foraging substrate use, which was probably related to differences in their body shape characteristics: S. unimaculatus has a slender body with a remarkably protruding snout and mainly used concave substrates for feeding, whereas S. virgatus has a deeper body with a low degree of snout protrusion and mainly used convex substrates. The other two species have a low degree of snout protrusion combined with a deeper body in the case of S. corallinus and a slender body in the case of S. puellus and used concave, flat, and convex substrates to an equal degree for feeding. Behavioral interactions were categorized into “agonistic behaviors” (attack and agonistic displays) and “no interactions.” For all four species, a greater frequency of agonistic behaviors was observed when two conspecific pairs approached each other than when two heterospecific individuals encountered each other. Together, these results suggest that food item partitioning is one of the main factors enabling the coexistence of these four syntopic rabbitfish species, which is enhanced by species-specific differences in feeding substrates as a result of their different body shape and behavioral characteristics.

scholarly journals Regulating the Regulators: Mechanisms of Substrate Selection of the O-GlcNAc Cycling Enzymes OGT and OGA

Glycobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah M Stephen ◽  
Trevor M Adams ◽  
Lance Wells
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Sensing ◽  
Substrate Selection ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Dynamic Modification ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Outstanding Question ◽  
Glcnac Transferase ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Partner Proteins ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Thousands of nuclear and cytosolic proteins are modified with a single β-N-acetylglucosamine on serine and threonine residues in mammals, a modification termed O-GlcNAc. This modification is essential for normal development and plays important roles in virtually all intracellular processes. Additionally, O-GlcNAc is involved in many disease states, including cancer, diabetes, and X-linked intellectual disability. Given the myriad of functions of the O-GlcNAc modification, it is therefore somewhat surprising that O-GlcNAc cycling is mediated by only two enzymes: the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which adds O-GlcNAc, and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA), which removes it. A significant outstanding question in the O-GlcNAc field is how do only two enzymes mediate such an abundant and dynamic modification. In this review, we explore the current understanding of mechanisms for substrate selection for the O-GlcNAc cycling enzymes. These mechanisms include direct substrate interaction with specific domains of OGT or OGA, selection of interactors via partner proteins, posttranslational modification of OGT or OGA, nutrient sensing, and localization alteration. Altogether, current research paints a picture of an exquisitely regulated and complex system by which OGT and OGA select substrates. We also make recommendations for future work, toward the goal of identifying interaction mechanisms for specific substrates that may be able to be exploited for various research and medical treatment goals.

scholarly journals The identification of novel immunogenic antigens as potential Shigella vaccine components

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruklanthi de Alwis ◽  
Li Liang ◽  
Omid Taghavian ◽  
Emma Werner ◽  
Hao Chung The ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Core Genome ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Carrier Proteins ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Bactericidal Antibody ◽  
In Vivo Testing ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Background Shigella is a major diarrheal pathogen for which there is presently no vaccine. Whole genome sequencing provides the ability to predict and derive novel antigens for use as vaccines. Here, we aimed to identify novel immunogenic Shigella antigens that could serve as Shigella vaccine candidates, either alone, or when conjugated to Shigella O-antigen. Methods Using a reverse vaccinology approach, where genomic analysis informed the Shigella immunome via an antigen microarray, we aimed to identify novel immunogenic Shigella antigens. A core genome analysis of Shigella species, pathogenic and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli, led to the selection of 234 predicted immunogenic Shigella antigens. These antigens were expressed and probed with acute and convalescent serum from microbiologically confirmed Shigella infections. Results Several Shigella antigens displayed IgG and IgA seroconversion, with no difference in sero-reactivity across by sex or age. IgG sero-reactivity to key Shigella antigens was observed at birth, indicating transplacental antibody transfer. Six antigens (FepA, EmrK, FhuA, MdtA, NlpB, and CjrA) were identified in in vivo testing as capable of producing binding IgG and complement-mediated bactericidal antibody. Conclusions These findings provide six novel immunogenic Shigella proteins that could serve as candidate vaccine antigens, species-specific carrier proteins, or targeted adjuvants.

scholarly journals Substrate Selection of Ascidian Larva: Wettability and Nano-Structures

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
Euichi Hirose ◽  
Noburu Sensui
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Substrate Selection ◽  
Artificial Structures ◽  
Substrate Preferences ◽  
Nano Structures ◽  
Hydrophobic Materials ◽  
Faunal Communities ◽  
Adhesive Organs ◽  
Fouling Organisms ◽  
Selection Of

Ascidians are marine sessile chordates that comprise one of the major benthic animal groups in marine ecosystems. They sometimes cause biofouling problems on artificial structures underwater, and non-indigenous, invasive ascidian species can potentially and seriously alter native faunal communities. Ascidian larvae are usually tadpole-shaped, negatively phototactic, and adhere on substrates by secreting a glue from their adhesive organs. Although larvae often prefer hydrophobic surfaces, such as a silicone rubber, for settlement, hydrophobic materials are often used to reduce occurrence of fouling organisms on artificial structures. This inconsistency may indicate that an attractive surface for larvae is not always suitable for settlement. Micro-scale structures or roughness may enhance the settlement of ascidian larvae, but settlement is significantly reduced by a nano-scale nipple array (or moth-eye structure), suggesting functional properties of similar structures found on the body surfaces of various invertebrates. The substrate preferences of larvae should be one of the important bases in considering measures against biofouling, and this review also discusses the potential uses of materials to safely reduce the impacts of invasive species.

scholarly journals Open Plot Project: an open-source toolkit for 3-D structural data analysis

Solid Earth ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tavani ◽  
P. Arbues ◽  
M. Snidero ◽  
N. Carrera ◽  
J. A. Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Source Code ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Geological Modelling ◽  
Analysis Tools ◽  
Transect Analysis ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. In this work we present the Open Plot Project, an open-source software for structural data analysis, including a 3-D environment. The software includes many classical functionalities of structural data analysis tools, like stereoplot, contouring, tensorial regression, scatterplots, histograms and transect analysis. In addition, efficient filtering tools are present allowing the selection of data according to their attributes, including spatial distribution and orientation. This first alpha release represents a stand-alone toolkit for structural data analysis. The presence of a 3-D environment with digitalising tools allows the integration of structural data with information extracted from georeferenced images to produce structurally validated dip domains. This, coupled with many import/export facilities, allows easy incorporation of structural analyses in workflows for 3-D geological modelling. Accordingly, Open Plot Project also candidates as a structural add-on for 3-D geological modelling software. The software (for both Windows and Linux O.S.), the User Manual, a set of example movies (complementary to the User Manual), and the source code are provided as Supplement. We intend the publication of the source code to set the foundation for free, public software that, hopefully, the structural geologists' community will use, modify, and implement. The creation of additional public controls/tools is strongly encouraged.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document