Black Band Research Articles

Metabolic complexities and heterogeneity in quorum sensing signaling molecules in bacteria isolated from black band disease in a Caribbean coral

Coral diseases contribute to the worldwide loss of coral reefs, with the Black Band Disease (BBD) being a prominent example. BBD is an infectious condition with lesions with a pigmented mat composed of cyanobacteria, sulphate-reducing, sulphide-oxidizing, and heterotrophic bacteria. We compared the heterotrophic bacterial communities of healthy and BBD-affected colonies of the Caribbean coral Orbicella faveolata using culture-dependent and -independent techniques. Twenty and 23 bacterial isolates were identified from healthy and diseased tissues, respectively, which differed in their capacities to metabolize carbohydrates and citrate, either anaerobically or aerobically. They also differed in their quorum-sensing (QS) activity, as QS signaling molecules were found exclusively, and QS-inhibition was found primarily, in isolates from diseased tissues. Screening of bacterial diversity by 16SrDNA metabarcoding showed that members of the bacterial genera Muricauda and Maritimimonas were dominant in healthy tissues whereas members of the cyanobacterial genus Roseofilum were dominant in diseased tissues. These results suggest that bacterial dysbiosis can be linked with altered bacterial communication, likely leading to diachrony and imbalance that may participate in the progression of BBD. Investigating physiological traits and QS-based communication offers insights into the onset and progression of coral infections, paving the way for novel strategies to mitigate their impact.

A new restricted-range Melanorivulus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the upper rio Guaporé, Chapada dos Parecis, Brazil

A new species of Melanorivulus, belonging to the Melanorivulus zygonectes species group, is described from the rio Galera, a tributary of the right bank of the upper rio Guaporé, Amazon basin, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. It is diagnosed from congeners by the following combination of characters: absence of pelvic fins; presence of a black band along the entire caudal-fin margin in males, typically more conspicuous on dorsal and ventral portions; presence of a wide oblique bars anteriorly and wide chevron-like marks posteriorly to middle of flank. This is the first record of the genus Melanorivulus for the rio Madeira basin.

Morphological variations in the African palm weevil, Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Kenya and Uganda

We investigated morphological differences in the African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) from Kenya (Busia and Kwale) and Uganda using a LEICA EZ4HD stereo microscope and an absolute digimatic caliper. Ten pronotal colour patterns were recorded, of which two (brown with two black spots and black with/without very faint brown bands of variable lengths and positions) are reported for the first time. Pronota of most R. phoenicis from Busia and Uganda were black with/without very faint brown bands of variable lengths and positions. Samples of R. phoenicis from Kwale were dominated by four reddish brown and three black bands, which either ran through the pronotal length or the reddish-brown bands coalesced anteriorly. The following pronotal colour patterns were male-specific: (i) two reddish brown bands, approximately ¾ the pronotal length and coalescing anteriorly, (ii) two reddish brown bands running through the pronotal length but discontinuous towards the posterior end and (iii) a brown pronotum with two black spots. Only the females had (i) two faint reddish brown bands running through the pronotal length, fading posteriorly and (ii) four reddish brown and three black bands, two of the former on either halves coalescing posteriorly. Females had longer snouts and mesocoxal distance, and wider elytra than males. Males possessed a longer profemur than females. Morphometric polymorphism was not linked to the site of sample collection. These findings provide additional diagnostic features and improve sexing of P. phoenicis and open opportunities for further research on the mechanisms for polymorphism in the species.

Stiphodon chlorestes, a new species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from Taiwan and Luzon.

Stiphodon chlorestes sp. nov. is described based on seven specimens collected from Taiwan and Luzon. It is a large-sized Stiphodon species sharing the second dorsal-fin rays 9-10 and pectoral-fin rays 14-16 with similar-sized congeners. However, it differs from them by the wider interorbital width and almost complete lack of scales on the occipital region in males. In addition, the new species can be further distinguished from all congeners by seven to eight oval bands or a black longitudinal band on the lower body, black and white spots on pectoral fins, and a short red or orange line on posterior upper edge of caudal fin. Molecular analysis based on the 680-bp mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) fragments also supports it as a distinct species belonging to the "Stiphodon elegans group" and a sister group of the clade consisting of Stiphodon multisquamus and Stiphodon palawanensis.

Från djävulsmusik till konstnärligt uttryck

From Devil's Music to Artistic Expression. The Korpela Movement, Black Metal, and Cultural PolicyThis text explores Korpelarörelsen, a Black Metal band that presents an audiovisual performance depicting a religious movement in Tornedalen during the early 20th century. In 2020 they received prolific funding from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee to conceive, rehearse and tour with the band. The article describes the band's unique portrayal of local history through the use of black metal music, while also discussing the boundaries between art and music, its implications for arts funding and the Black Metal genre's position in cultural hierarchies. The study draws on interviews, concert observations, and analysis of applications and documents outlining the funding decision from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. The historic religious Korpela movement has been described as a doomsday cult, which believed that practicing music and dance, extrovert “childlike behavior” and even nudity and free sex, was the path to salvation. The band Korpelarörelsen depicts this through raw Black Metal, atmospheric elements, spoken word passages, and peculiar onstage-rituals. Visual aesthetics, including black robes, corpse paint, and blood-like smears, contributed to the atmosphere of mystique, darkness, and death. Korpelarörelsen’s application for cultural funding strategically positioned the project as a collaboration between various art forms and emphasized the interaction between Black Metal aesthetics and music industry methods. Korpelarörelsen's innovative approach and funding success might offer possibilities for extreme music within culturally funded systems. This case study demonstrates how a Black Metal band from Tornedalen could potentially have cultural and political impact and pave the way for other extreme music groups seeking recognition and support.

Spatio-temporal variation in progression rates of black band disease between Pramuka Island and Pari Island of the Seribu Islands, Indonesia

Black band disease (BBD) is one of the oldest recognized diseases of scleractinian corals. This disease is little known on the variation of progression rates across relatively small spatial scales and how local variations in the environment can impact prevalence and spread. The purpose of this study was to explore the progression of BBD on genus Montipora in relation to spatio-temporal environmental parameters in two islands of the Seribu Islands, North Jakarta, Indonesia during dry season and rainy season. Monthly underwater pictures were taken for determining the progress of disease level. Interestingly, the progression rate of the disease recorded at Pramuka Island was higher (8.10 cm2 day-1) than the one at Pari Island (3.79 cm2 day-1). In Pramuka Island, the infected corals had almost 89% of the dead surface, compared to only 68% at Pari Island. Similar to other studies in the region, we confirmed that the disease progressed faster during the dry season, where the environmental parameters, such as temperature, light intensity, and phosphate, were starting to increase, while total organic matter, current flow rates, and turbidity were lower. Progression of the disease was significantly different between seasons (p<0.001), but not between sites (p=0.118). Therefore, the progress of BBD has a higher impact at the more populated Pramuka island than at the less populated Pari Island, in addition to the influence of environmental parameters on coral vulnerability to diseases.

Developmental and Housekeeping Genes: Two Types of Genetic Organization in the Drosophila Genome.

We developed a procedure for locating genes on Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes and described three types of chromosome structures (gray bands, black bands, and interbands), which differed markedly in morphological and genetic properties. This was reached through the use of our original methods of molecular and genetic analysis, electron microscopy, and bioinformatics data processing. Analysis of the genome-wide distribution of these properties led us to a bioinformatics model of the Drosophila genome organization, in which the genome was divided into two groups of genes. One was constituted by 65, in which the genome was divided into two groups, 62 genes that are expressed in most cell types during life cycle and perform basic cellular functions (the so-called "housekeeping genes"). The other one was made up of 3162 genes that are expressed only at particular stages of development ("developmental genes"). These two groups of genes are so different that we may state that the genome has two types of genetic organization. Different are the timings of their expression, chromatin packaging levels, the composition of activating and deactivating proteins, the sizes of these genes, the lengths of their introns, the organization of the promoter regions of the genes, the locations of origin recognition complexes (ORCs), and DNA replication timings.

Polythore vexilla sp. nov. from southwestern Ecuador (Odonata: Polythoridae)

Polythore vexilla sp. nov. (holotype ♂, allotype ♀: ECUADOR, Azuay Province, small tributary of Río Pijilí, about 4.1 km SE of Victoria, -2.940°, -79.5625°; approximate elev. 730 m, 11-IV-2008, K. J. Tennessen leg., deposited in Florida State Collection of Arthropods) belongs in the Andean clade of Polythore Calvert. Based on genital ligula morphology it appears to be most closely related to P. gigantea (Selys). The male is distinct from all congeners by the narrow, medial black band in all four wings; the central band in the female wings is similar to the male.

Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., a new wrasse from the Revillagigedo Archipelago of Mexico, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Labridae).

A new labrid fish species, Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., is described from eight specimens collected in the Revillagigedo Archipelago in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Mexico. The new species belongs to the Halichoeres melanotis species complex that is found throughout the region, differing by 2.4% in the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase I sequence from its nearest relative, H. melanotis from Panama, and 2.9% from Halichoeres salmofasciatus from Cocos Island, off Costa Rica. The complex is distinguished from others in the region by having a black spot on the opercular flap and a prominent black area on the caudal fin of males. The juveniles and initial phase of the new species closely resemble those of H. salmofasciatus and Halichoeres malpelo from Malpelo Island of Colombia, differing in having an oblong black spot with a yellow dorsal margin on the mid-dorsal fin of initial-phase adults as well as on juveniles. In contrast, the terminal-phase male color pattern is distinct from other relatives, being vermilion to orangish brown with dark scale outlines, a white patch on the upper abdomen, and a prominent black band covering the posterior caudal peduncle and base of the caudal fin. The new species adds to the list of endemic fish species for the isolated archipelago and is an interesting case of island endemism in the region. The discovery was made during the joint 2022 collecting expedition to the archipelago, which featured a pioneering collaborative approach to an inventory of an island ichthyofauna, specifically including expert underwater photographers systematically documenting specimens in situ, before hand-collection, and then photographed fresh, tissue-sampled, and subsequently vouchered in museum collections.

PAI Teachers' Efforts in Fostering Blink's Style of Dress in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze and find out the right efforts for PAI teachers in maintaining the dressing style of students, especially students who idolize the Black Pink band which is usually called Blink. This study used descriptive qualitative method. Using primary sources obtained from interviews with PAI teachers, school documents, and interviews with students who idolize Black Pink. In addition, researchers also get secondary sources that researchers get from the internet, books, and the latest journals. Based on the results of research that has been obtained, it shows that the right PAI teacher's efforts in maintaining Blink's dressing style at SMAN 06 Bekasi are to provide religious advice and advise students to be wise in using social media, provide examples to students, provide punishment if they violate with punishment that does not hurt, collaborate with the entire academic community, and parents. As well as creating a good environment for students, by introducing Islamic heroes and instilling moral values to students.

A fish can change its stripes: investigating the role of body colour and pattern in the bluelined goatfish.

Bluelined goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) rapidly change their body colour from a white horizontally banded pattern to a seemingly more conspicuous vertically banded red pattern, often when foraging. Given the apparent conspicuousness of the pattern to a range of observers, it seems unlikely that this colour change is used for camouflage and instead may be used for communication/signalling. Goatfish often drive multispecies associations, and it is possible that goatfish use this colour change as a foraging success signal to facilitate cooperation, increase food acquisition, and reduce predation risk through a 'safety in numbers' strategy. Using a novel approach, we deployed 3D model goatfish in different colour morphs-white without bands, white with black vertical bands, and white with red vertical bands-to determine whether the red colouration is an important component of the signal or if it is only the vertical banding pattern, regardless of colour, that fish respond to as an indicator of foraging success. Use of remote underwater video allowed us to obtain information without the influence of human observers on the communities and behaviours of other fish in response to these different colours exhibited by goatfish. We found that conspecifics were more abundant around the black- and red-banded model fish when compared with the white models. Conspecifics were also more likely to forage around the models than to pass or show attraction, but this was unaffected by model colour. No difference in the abundance and behaviour of associated heterospecifics around the different models was observed, perhaps due to the static nature of the models. Some species did, however, spend more time around the red- and black-banded fish, which suggests the change in colour may indicate benefits in addition to food resources. Overall, the results suggest that the body colour/pattern of U. lineatus is likely a signalling tool but further work is required to explore the benefits to both conspecifics and heterospecifics and to further determine the behavioural functions of rapid colour change in U. lineatus.

Revising the taxonomic status of Asystasia gangetica var. Krishnae Tandyekk., Pandur. & N. Mohanan (Acanthaceae)

AbstractThe taxonomic status of Asystasia gangetica var. krishnae has been evaluated and compared with the closely resembling taxon A. intrusa (synonyms: A. gangetica subsp. micrantha and A. micrantha). The trait that differentiates the two taxa, as per reports, is the occurrence of vertical violet‐black bands on the sides of anthers in the former taxon. The authors explain that var. krishnae could be the first report of A. intrusa for the country and suggest the possibility of neglecting the violet black bands in the previous descriptions of A. intrusa.

Temporal patterns in coral disease prevalences at Thudufushi Island, Maldives, 2010-2022.

Coral reefs are lately suffering a fast decline in biodiversity due to the coupled effect of climate change and disease outbreaks, which in recent decades have been reported with higher frequency and shorter intervals. Limited studies have been conducted on coral diseases in the Maldives resulting in the impossibility of assessing the temporal trend in their dynamics. In this context, we evaluated the change in the distribution, prevalence, and host range of 4 diseases, namely black band disease (BBD), brown band disease (BrB), skeletal eroding band (SEB) and white syndrome (WS), in the reef system around Thudufushi Island after an interval of 12 yr since the last assessment. In this period, the overall disease prevalence increased, except for BrB, with SEB showing the most severe increase in 2022 in comparison to 2010. The overall average prevalence of coral diseases is approximately 2%, indicating an increase of about 0.7% since 2010. Diseased coral colonies were found in all the investigated sites, with the east site being the most affected and SEB emerging as the most prevalent disease across all the investigated sites. The affected colonies belong to 13 genera, with Psammocora genus showing the highest overall mean disease prevalence. This study depicted a basic temporal trend in disease prevalence that confirms an increase in coral diseases in the region and calls for a dedicated national monitoring protocol to better understand and predict future coral disease dynamics at regional scales.

Method for Calculating the Coral Health Index (Case Study: Mapur Island, Bintan, Indonesia)

This study evaluates the health and condition of coral reefs in the Mapur Island - Bintan Conservation Area, located in the Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. The research was conducted at 5 site locations using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method, with a focus on hard coral cover and the Coral Health Index (CHI). Coral lifeform data were analyzed using Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe) software. The results revealed significant variability in coral cover, ranging from 14.47% to 59.27%, with an average of 39.36%, placing the coral reefs in the “Moderate” category. However, despite high hard coral cover at some sites, coral health varied, with certain locations exhibiting significant disease prevalence. Among the 5 sites surveyed for CHI, four were classified as “healthy,” while one were categorized “diseased.” Statistical analyses, including Welch’s t-test and Bayesian inference, indicated no significant difference between the CHI and hard coral cover, suggesting that high coral cover does not necessarily imply a healthier reef. Diseases such as Pink- Blotch Syndrome, Black Band Disease, and White Syndrome were prevalent across several sites, highlighting the influence of environmental stressors on coral health. The study underscores the importance of regular coral health monitoring and the need for conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of coral diseases and climate change. These findings provide crucial insights into the status of coral reefs in the Mapur Island - Bintan Conservation Area and contribute to broader efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.

Design and Implementation of a Fog Computing Architecture for IoT Data Analytics

The number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has exponentially increased, creating an explosion of data that requires sophisticated processing and analysis techniques. When it comes to meeting the demands of long duration and narrow band of the things' Internet applications, traditional cloud computing solutions may encounter difficulties. To overcome these issues, fog computing has developed into a workable concept for extending nube services all the way to the system's edge. The development of a fog computing architecture for the analysis of data from the internet of things is the topic of this study. Our system's three primary parts are fog nodes, edge devices, and a central cloud server. Sensors and edge devices of the Internet of Things (IoT) are in charge of local preprocessing and data collection. In between network edge devices and the cloud server, fog nodes act as intermediaries. Their actions have reduced the volume of raw data sent to the cloud for processing and archiving. One cloud server manages all aspects of data analysis, storage, and archiving. In order to show how effective and efficient our architecture is, Our approach was supported by data gathered from a variety of Internet-connected devices, and by lowering the amount of data transferred to the cloud, we were able to considerably lower lag and the use of black band. The network's core fog nodes also offered the processing capacity required to carry out analysis relatively instantly. The advantages of the board devices, given that a large number of Internet of Things applications require real-time or almost real-time data processing, this architecture stands out because to its capacity to lower latency, save bandwidth, and improve system efficiency.

The function of red and banded patterns in snakes: a review of hypotheses and evidence

Abstract The functions of bright bands in coral and other snakes have long been a puzzle. The most common opinion is that coral snakes display aposematic marks and that other red and black banded snakes in the Americas are mimics of coral snakes. Although supported by some evidence, the notion comes with unresolved difficulties. Here, I review the proposed functions of the colour of coral snakes and similar-coloured snakes, taking a more comprehensive view than usual, from the plausibility of aposematism in coral snakes to the apparent existence of a selective force for red and black banded patterns across the world. Theoretical models of the maintenance of aposematic signals do not seem applicable, hence aposematism has a low a priori plausibility in coral snakes. Evidence of avoidance is weak, field studies rely on unsettled methods and do not reproduce well, and two laboratory studies reporting strong innate fear are questioned. Coral snakes predict the geography and richness of ‘mimics’ in the Americas, but not in line with expectations. Conversely, polymorphism and evidence of local selection and of a worldwide selective force for patterns similar to coral snakes, including complex banded patterns, contradicts aposematism and mimicry and points to an undefined alternative. In summary, aposematism and mimicry fail on too many fronts to be sustained, existing alternatives also fail to be supported sufficiently, and hypotheses need to be formulated to account for the widespread selection for red and black bands and for complex banded patterns in snakes.

Glyptothorax siangensis, a New Species of Catfish (Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River Drainage, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Glyptothorax siangensis, new species, is described from the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners from the Ganga-Brahmaputra drainage and its neighbouring drainages by the following combination of characters: a thoracic adhesive apparatus with skin ridges present over almost the entire apparatus, including the sword-shaped median depression, which is narrowly opened posteriorly; an elongated dorsal spine distinctly greater than body depth at its origin, posteriorly serrated with 11–17 serrae; nuchal plate saddle-like with W-shaped extensions; shallow body depth; long nasal barbel, almost reaching the anterior margin of eye; a complete longitudinal black band across the distal half of dorsal-fin; and tips of neural spines extension visible as a row of ridges between dorsal-fin base and origin of procurrent rays of caudal-fin. This is the nineteenth species of Glyptothorax known from the Ganga-Brahmaputra drainage.

First Report of Diseases and Compromised Health Conditions on Hard Corals around Rodrigues Island, Southwest Indian Ocean

Coral diseases represent a prominent menace to coral reefs and to the associated ecological services they provide to the surrounding coastal communities. Studies on diseases and compromised health conditions (CHCs) on hard corals in the Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) are scarce, and their consequences are often overlooked. This study aimed to establish the baseline prevalence of diseases and CHC of hard corals around Rodrigues Island. Coral disease and CHC prevalence were visually assessed using 2 m × 50 m belt transects at eight sites around the island. This is the first report of four coral diseases, namely White Plague (WP), White Syndrome (WS), Black Band (BB), and Growth Anomalies (GA), and two CHCs, two forms of Pink Pigmentation Responses (PPR)—Pink Patches (PP) and Pink Line Syndrome (PLS)—observed on six genera of hard corals from the island of Rodrigues. PP on Fungia (15.92 ± 5.65%), followed by the WS on Montipora (4.67 ± 3.72%) and GA on Gardineroseris (4.16 ± 4.16%), so far unreported from the SWIO, were the most prevalent around the island. The least prevalent disease was BB on Montipora (0.13 ± 0.13%). Although the overall disease and CHC prevalence for Rodrigues Island (0.98 ± 0.30%) were much lower than the surrounding islands in the SWIO, the observations of these diseases and CHCs on hard corals and relevant environmental parameters warrant further in-depth characterization to better inform coral reefs management and conservation actions.

Novel diversity within Roseofilum (Desertifilaceae, Cyanobacteria) from marine benthic mats with description of four new species.

Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are natural phenomena in marine environments. Reports of BCMs occurring across coastal marine environments have increased, partly driven by nutrient loading and climate change; thus, there is a need to understand the diversity involved in the proliferations and potential toxicity of the BCMs. Furthermore, marine cyanobacterial mats are observed growing on and affecting the health of corals with one specific cyanobacterial genus, Roseofilum, dominating the microbial mats associated with black band disease (BBD), a destructive polymicrobial disease that affects corals. To explore the diversity of Roseofilum, cyanobacterial mats from various marine habitats were sampled, and individual isolates were identified based on morphology, 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, 16S-23S ITS rRNA region sequence dissimilarities, and phylogenomics. Four novel species of Roseofilum were isolated from benthic marine mats, three from the coasts of Florida, United States (R. capinflatum sp. nov., R. casamattae sp. nov., and R. acuticapitatum sp. nov.) and one from the coast of France (R. halophilum sp. nov.). Our analyses revealed that Roseofilum associated with coral BBD and those not associated with corals but rather from coastal benthic mats are systematically distinct based on both phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and LC-MS data indicated that microcystin production was found in one of the four species.

Mineralización, control estructural y modelado 3D de clavos mineralizados en la veta Julieta, distrito Casposo (Cordillera Frontal, San Juan, Argentina)

The Casposo District is located in the Cordillera Frontal, in the center-west of San Juan Province, Argentina. It is characterized by the presence of a low sulfidation epithermal system hosted in volcanic rocks of the Choiyoi Group, where the Mercado-Kamila and Julieta are the more important sectors, concentrating the largest resources of the district. Julieta consists of a quartz-calcite (Au-Ag) vein system, with colloform-banded and brecciated textures, as well as lattice-bladed replacements. In this study, a detailed analysis of the mineralogy and textures of the Julieta Vein system identifies 9 pulses grouped into 4 main events, 3 hydrothermal and 1 tectonic-hydrothermal. Pulses P1, P2 and P3 are barren and carbonated in nature. Pulses P4 and P5A are of chalcedony composition with a colloform-banded texture, where the last one shows cream-colored adularia bands and black ginguro bands, to which high Au (5,5 g/t) and Ag (52 g/t) values are associated. Pulse P5B is of silicic nature as well, although with a brecciated texture, whereas pulse P6 is siliceous carbonate. The composition of these pulses migrates to carbonates represented by P7 and P8, both of brecciated texture. Finally, the system closes with the tectonic-hydrothermal pulse P9. Julieta Vein has a dominant NW-SE strike, with minor subveins of E-W and N-S orientation, that can be divided into 3 segments: North, Central and South. The greater thicknesses, as well as the greater inclinations and high precious metals values are associated with inflections between the 3 segments. Concerning the ore shoots geometry, the structure has a main lithologically controlled subhorizontal ore shoot, while the secondary subvertical ore shoots are structurally controlled. Differences in the rheology of the host rock would control the vein morphology, forming a vertical jog. Factors such as the evolution of the mineralizing events, the vein morphology, and the precious metals distribution, allowed us to identify the importance of the lithological and structural controls in the development of mineralization in the Julieta Vein.