Trial Assay for Safe First-Aid Protocol for the Stinging Sea Anemone Anemonia viridis (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) and a Severe Toxic Reaction

Anemonia viridis is an abundant and widely distributed temperate sea anemone that can form dense congregations of individuals. Despite the potential severity of its sting, few detailed cases have been reported. We report a case of a severe toxic reaction following an A. viridis sting in a 35-year-old oceanographer. She developed severe pain, itching, redness, and burning sensation, which worsened one week after treatment with anti-inflammatories, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Prompted by this event, and due to the insufficient risk prevention, lack of training for marine-environment users, and lack of research into sting-specific first-aid protocols, we evaluated the cnidocyst response to five different compounds commonly recommended as rinse solutions in first-aid protocols (seawater, vinegar, ammonia, baking soda, and freshwater) by means of the Tentacle Solution Assay. Vinegar and ammonia triggered an immediate and massive cnidocyst discharge after their application and were classified as activator solutions. Baking soda and freshwater were also classified as activator solutions, although with a lower intensity of discharge. Only seawater was classified as a neutral solution and therefore recommended as a rinse solution after A. viridis sting, at least until an inhibitory solution is discovered.

Trial Assay for Safe First-Aid Protocol for the Stinging Sea Anemone Anemonia viridis (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) and a Severe Toxic Reaction

Anemonia viridis is an abundant and widely-distributed temperate sea anemone that can form dense congregations of individuals. Despite the potential severity of its sting, few detailed cases have been reported. We report a case of a severe toxic reaction following an A. viridis sting in a 35-year-old oceanographer. She developed severe pain, itching, redness and burning sensation, which worsened one week after treatment with anti-inflammatories, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Prompted by this event, and due to the insufficient risk prevention, lack of training for marine-environment users and lack of research into sting-specific first-aid protocols, we evaluated the cnidocyst response to five different compounds commonly recommended as rinse solutions in first-aid protocols (seawater, vinegar, ammonia, baking soda and freshwater) by means of the Tentacle Solution Assay. Vinegar and ammonia triggered an immediate and massive cnidocyst discharge after their application and were classified as activator solutions. Baking soda and freshwater were also classified as activator solutions, although with a lower intensity of discharge. Only seawater was classified as a neutral solution and therefore recommended as a rinse solution after A. viridis sting, at least until an inhibitory solution is discovered.

Effects of Currently Used Antifouling Booster Biocides on Green Fluorescent Proteins in Anemonia Viridis

Some of the antifouling booster biocides affects the marine ecosystem negatively. The booster biocides which are resistant to degradation are accumulated in the sediment of the oceans. One of the sedentary organisms in the Mediterranean Sea is Anemonia viridis. The aim of this study is to show the toxicities of common biocides such as irgarol, seanine-211, zinc omadine, and acticide on the fluorescence by GFPs of A.viridis. The decreases in the fluorescence intensities of the GFP were measured within different booster biocide concentrations. The results show that fluorescent intensities of GFP proteins decreased more than 50 percent when they are exposed to different concentrations of irgarol, zinc omadine, acticide. In conclusion, ecosystem health should be prioritized when new antifouling paint compositions are proposed. From the results, it seems that A.viridis can be considered as a vulnerable organism and also it is sensitive to booster biocides within self-polishing antifouling paint formulations.

Mesoglea Extracellular Matrix Reorganization during Regenerative Process in Anemonia viridis (Forskål, 1775)

Given the anatomical simplicity and the extraordinary ability to regenerate missing parts of the body, Cnidaria represent an excellent model for the study of the mechanisms regulating regenerative processes. They possess the mesoglea, an amorphous and practically acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) located between the epidermis and the gastrodermis of the body and tentacles and consists of the same molecules present in the ECM of vertebrates, such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin and proteoglycans. This feature makes cnidarians anthozoans valid models for understanding the ECM role during regenerative processes. Indeed, it is now clear that its role in animal tissues is not just tissue support, but instead plays a key role during wound healing and tissue regeneration. This study aims to explore regenerative events after tentacle amputation in the Mediterranean anemone Anemonia viridis, focusing in detail on the reorganization of the ECM mesoglea. In this context, both enzymatic, biometric and histological experiments reveal how this gelatinous connective layer plays a fundamental role in the correct restoration of the original structures by modifying its consistency and stiffness. Indeed, through the deposition of collagen I, it might act as a scaffold and as a guide for the reconstruction of missing tissues and parts, such as amputated tentacles.

Scyphozoa Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskal, 1775): blooming on the coast of Gujarat, India and its predation by Anemonia viridis (Forsskal, 1775)

The jellyfish bloom, i.e. the aggregation of Pelagia noctiluca, which occurred in January 2016 along the Shivrajpur coast facing the Arabian Sea, is reported. The jellyfish population was studied based on the Pelagia noctiluca individuals that were stranded in low tide pools and those that were washed ashore. Transects were laid to collect data on the jellyfish density. The oceanographic and physicochemical parameters at the time of bloom were studied. The probability of correlation between the time of bloom and the movement of P. noctiluca was considered. Additionally, mating and predation on the species were documented. We assume that the jellyfish bloom might have drifted to this coast due to the landlocked characteristics of the Arabian Sea and northward movements of sea currents. So far, jellyfish has been known to be the dietary preference of several vertebrate predators. Here, we report an interesting event of Anemonia viridis feeding on Pelagia noctiluca during their blooms in several intertidal pools on the coast.

Phenology of Anemonia viridis and Exaiptasia diaphana (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from marine temperate ecosystems

Population dynamics in lower metazoans are strongly regulated by environmental factors. The running climate crisis could affect regularity of life strategies; therefore, studying life cycles and reproductive patterns of benthic species may provide key information on effects of environmental changes in temperate seas. The North Adriatic Sea is a peculiar basin due to high food availability and high fluctuations of physical parameters. Here, cnidarians are one of the most abundant taxa and sea anemones are the largest representatives. Aim of this study is to assess the life history and the reproductive biology of two potential species models: the sea anemones: Anemonia viridis and Exaiptasia diaphana. The present research is the first quantitative study on the variations in abundance and reproductive biology of the two species. We reported new insights about abundance fluctuations throughout the year and about the gametogenesis of the two sea anemones. In particular, data on spermatogenesis of A. viridis from the Mediterranean Sea were supplied for the first time.