Cephalopods Research Articles

A NEW DAONELLA FROM THE LADINIAN PLATFORM OF THE ESINO LIMESTONE (SOUTHERN ALPS, ITALY)

The bivalve Daonella Mojsisovics, 1874 is very common in the Middle Triassic pelagic facies, whereas the record of this genus from shallow water limestones is rare. In the present paper a new species of Daonella , named D. pseudograbensis , is described from the Esino Limestone, a Ladinian (Middle Triassic) carbonate platform in the central Southern Alps. The species is described from Brembana Valley, where the Esino Limestone is rather rich in bioclastic lenses yielding faunas with bivalves, cephalopods, gastropods, brachiopods, corals and calcareous algae. Daonella pseudograbensis n. sp. is based on very well preserved specimens, which are often articulated and closed, all coming from the same locality. The new species shows a narrow range of intraspecific and ontogenetic morphologic variations. It is easy distinguishable from the other species of the genus for the outline and ornamentation; it therefore differs from D. grabensis Kittl, 1912, the most similar species, for the longer anterior dorsal margin.Pdf

The cephalopod macrosystem: A historical review, the present state of knowledge, and unsolved problems: 3. Classification of Bactritoidea and Ammonoidea

A new classification is proposed in which Bactritoidea and Ammonoidea are considered as subclasses. The subclass Bactritoidea includes a single order, Bactritida. The subclass Ammonoidea includes ten orders: Anarcestida (suborders Agoniatitina, Auguritina, Anarcestina, Gephurocerina, Timanocerina, and Prolecanitina), Tornocerida, Goniatitida (with suborders Goniatitina and Cyclolobina), Praeglyphiocerida, Clymeniida (with suborders Gonioclymeniina and Clymeniina), Medlicottiida, Ceratitida (with suborders Paraceltitina, Otocerina, Meekocerina, Sagecerina, Ptychitina, Ceratitina, Pinacocerina, Megaphyllitina, Arcestina, and Lobitina), Phyllocerida, Lytocerida (with suborders Lytocerina and Turrilitina), and Ammonitida (with suborders Psilocerina, Haplocerina, Stephanocerina, Cardiocerina, and Ancylocerina).

Revision of annulated orthoceridan cephalopods of the Baltoscandic Ordovician

The annulated orthoceridans of the Middle and Late Ordovician of Baltoscandia are described and their systematic frame is revised. The revision of these nautiloids, which are part of the Orthocerida and Pseudorthocerida, is based on the investigation of characters of the septal neck, the siphuncular tube, and the apex. An unequivocal terminology of these characters is suggested and applied. The shape of the septal neck and the siphuncular tube are described for the first time in <i>Palaeodawsonoceras</i> n. gen., <i>Striatocycloceras</i> n. gen., <i>Dawsonoceras fenestratum</i> Eichwald, 1860, and <i>Gorbyoceras textumaraneum</i> (Roemer, 1861). <i>Ctenoceras sweeti</i> n. sp. is erected. The apex of <i>Dawsonoceras barrandei</i> Horný, 1956 is figured and described for the first time. The distribution of the character states of the apex and the septal neck support the emendation of the families Orthoceratidae, Dawsonoceratidae, and Proteoceratidae. The analysis shows also that the families Kionoceratidae, and Leuroceratidae must be refused because they represent not natural groups. However, it is also shown that the present knowledge is not sufficient to establish an unequivocal classification of the Middle, and Late Ordovician annulate cephalopods. <br><br> Die orthoceriden Cephalopoden des Mittleren bis Späten Ordoviziums im Baltoskandium werden beschrieben und revidiert. Die Revision dieser Cephalopoden, welche zu den Orthocerida und Pseudorthocerida gehören, stützt sich auf die Untersuchung der Apikalenden, der Septalduten und der Form der Siphonalröhre. Eine eindeutige Terminologie für diese Merkmale wird vorgeschlagen und angewandt. Die Form der Septalduten und der Siphonalröhre von <i>Palaeodawsonoceras</i> n. gen., <i>Striatocycloceras</i> n. gen., <i>Dawsonoceras fenestratum</i>, Eichwald, 1860 und <i>Gorbyoceras textumaraneum</i> (Roemer, 1861) wird erstmals beschrieben. Die Art <i>Ctenoceras sweeti</i> n. sp. wird aufgestellt. Der Apex von <i>Dawsonoceras barrandei</i> Horný, 1956 wird erstmals beschrieben und dargestellt. Die neu gefundenen Merkmale stützen eine Emendation der Familien Orthoceratidae, Dawsonoceratidae und Proteoceratidae. Es wird daher dafür plädiert, die Familien Kionoceratidae (Hyatt, 1900) und Leuroceratidae (Sweet, 1964) nicht mehr zu verwenden, da diese keine natürlichen Gruppen repräsentieren. Die Untersuchung zeigt aber auch, dass es derzeit noch nicht möglich ist die annulaten Cephalopoden des Mittleren und Oberen Ordoviziums zweifelsfrei zu klassifizieren. <br><br> doi:<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmng.200600005" target="_blank">10.1002/mmng.200600005</a>

Revision of annulated orthoceridan cephalopods of the Baltoscandic Ordovician

Abstract. The annulated orthoceridans of the Middle and Late Ordovician of Baltoscandia are described and their systematic frame is revised. The revision of these nautiloids, which are part of the Orthocerida and Pseudorthocerida, is based on the investigation of characters of the septal neck, the siphuncular tube, and the apex. An unequivocal terminology of these characters is suggested and applied. The shape of the septal neck and the siphuncular tube are described for the first time in Palaeodawsonoceras n. gen., Striatocycloceras n. gen., Dawsonoceras fenestratum Eichwald, 1860, and Gorbyoceras textumaraneum (Roemer, 1861). Ctenoceras sweeti n. sp. is erected. The apex of Dawsonoceras barrandei Horný, 1956 is figured and described for the first time. The distribution of the character states of the apex and the septal neck support the emendation of the families Orthoceratidae, Dawsonoceratidae, and Proteoceratidae. The analysis shows also that the families Kionoceratidae, and Leuroceratidae must be refused because they represent not natural groups. However, it is also shown that the present knowledge is not sufficient to establish an unequivocal classification of the Middle, and Late Ordovician annulate cephalopods. Die orthoceriden Cephalopoden des Mittleren bis Späten Ordoviziums im Baltoskandium werden beschrieben und revidiert. Die Revision dieser Cephalopoden, welche zu den Orthocerida und Pseudorthocerida gehören, stützt sich auf die Untersuchung der Apikalenden, der Septalduten und der Form der Siphonalröhre. Eine eindeutige Terminologie für diese Merkmale wird vorgeschlagen und angewandt. Die Form der Septalduten und der Siphonalröhre von Palaeodawsonoceras n. gen., Striatocycloceras n. gen., Dawsonoceras fenestratum, Eichwald, 1860 und Gorbyoceras textumaraneum (Roemer, 1861) wird erstmals beschrieben. Die Art Ctenoceras sweeti n. sp. wird aufgestellt. Der Apex von Dawsonoceras barrandei Horný, 1956 wird erstmals beschrieben und dargestellt. Die neu gefundenen Merkmale stützen eine Emendation der Familien Orthoceratidae, Dawsonoceratidae und Proteoceratidae. Es wird daher dafür plädiert, die Familien Kionoceratidae (Hyatt, 1900) und Leuroceratidae (Sweet, 1964) nicht mehr zu verwenden, da diese keine natürlichen Gruppen repräsentieren. Die Untersuchung zeigt aber auch, dass es derzeit noch nicht möglich ist die annulaten Cephalopoden des Mittleren und Oberen Ordoviziums zweifelsfrei zu klassifizieren. doi:10.1002/mmng.200600005

The Sape Strait Cephalopod Resource and Its Response to Climate Variability

Dari tujuh jenis cephalopoda yang terdapat di Selat Sape, setiap tahunnya empat jenis cumi-cumi mendominasi (90%) tangkapan cephalopoda. Perikanan cumi-cumi dideskripsikan, terutama berkaitan dengan terjadinya fluktuasi tangkapan yang besar karena efek-ganda dari kegiatan penangkapan dan variabilitas iklim. Dua jenis alat tangkap utama, Bagan-Prahu dan Jala-Oras distandarisasi sebelum dipakai dalam analisis tangkapan-upaya penangkapan, sedangkan variabilitas iklim diwakili dengan indeks osilasi selatan (SOI). Suatu model dikonstruksi dengan cara menginkorporasikan nilai rata-rata tahunan SOI, upaya penangkapan dan tangkapan cumi-cumi. Model ini dapat dipergunakan dalam memperkirakan tangkapan cumi-cumi. Penggunaannya untuk memprediksi dan mengelola perikanan cumi-cumi memerlukan dilakukannya secara teratur (bulanan) monitoring tangkapan, tingkat upaya penangkapan dan SOI. Implikasi hasil kajian ini untuk riset dan pengelolaan dibahas dalam tulisan ini. Kata kunci : cephalopoda, cumi-cumi, variabilitas iklim, ENSO, indeks osilasi selatan Of seven cephalopod species occurring in the Sape Strait, four species of squid constitute 90% of the annual cephalopod catches. The squid fishery is described, with emphasis on its fluctuating catches due to the combined effects of fishing and climate variability. Two most important fishing gears, ‘Bagan Prahu’ (boat raft net) and ‘Jala Oras’ (light lured payang) were used and standardized in catch and fishing effort analysis. The southern oscillation index (SOI) was used to represent the climate variability component. A model was then developed by means of incorporating the SOI, fishing effort and squid catch. Average annual values of these three components were used to construct the model. The model can be a useful tool for predicting the squid catches. Its use for forecasting and managing the fishery requires regular monitoring the catch, fishing effort and the SOI, preferably monthly. Research and management implication of this finding is discussed. Key words : cephalopod, squid, climate variability, ENSO, southern oscillation index

Ancient cephalopod scavenges successfully with its pinhole eye

No abstract

Detection of domoic acid, the amnesic shellfish toxin, in the digestive gland ofEledone cirrhosaandE. moschata(Cephalopoda, Octopoda) from the Portuguese coast

L'acide domoique (DA). la toxine responsable de la maladie connue sous le nom d'intoxication amnesiante par fruits de mer (IAFM), est une toxine d'algues produite naturellement par quelques especes de diatomees du genre Pseudo-nitzschia, La toxine a ete detectee dans une vaste gamme d'organismes marins allant des copepodes aux baleines. Les cephalopodes, qui sont des membres importants de la chaine alimentaire et des predateurs actifs de vecteurs connus de toxines, tels que les bivalves, les crabes et quelques poissons, ont ete recemment impliques dans le transfert ou l'accumulation de DA. Nous presentons ici des donnees montrant des valeurs discernables de DA determinees par HPLC-UV (chromatographie en phase liquide - detection UV) et confirmees par la HPLC-MS (chromatographie en phase liquide - spectrometrie de masse) che/ deux especes de poulpes recoltees le long des cotes portugaises : Eledone cirrhosa et E. moschata. L'acide domoique a ete frequemment detecte dans la glande digestive de E. moschata et a occasionnellement atteint des concentrations excedant 100 μg g -1 . En revanche, E. cirrhosa a presente des concentrations en DA inferieures dans les quelques occasions ou il a ete detecte. E. moschata serait ainsi un vecteur potentiel dans le transfert de DA vers des niveaux trophiques superieurs de la chaine alimentaire marine cotiere, n'excluant pas les humains. Ces donnees, combinees avec des aspects connus du cycle de vie de l'espece, sont une etape necessaire pour la comprehension de l'accumulation des phycotoxines chez les cephalopodes.

頭足類生殖に関与する内分泌ホルモン

頭足類生殖に関与する内分泌ホルモン

The nature and significance of invertebrate cartilages revisited: distribution and histology of cartilage and cartilage-like tissues within the Metazoa

Tissues similar to vertebrate cartilage have been described throughout the Metazoa. Often the designation of tissues as cartilage within non-vertebrate lineages is based upon sparse supporting data. To be considered cartilage, a tissue should meet a number of histological criteria that include composition and organization of the extracellular matrix. To re-evaluate the distribution and structural properties of these tissues, we have re-investigated the histological properties of many of these tissues from fresh material, and review the existing literature on invertebrate cartilages. Chondroid connective tissue is common amongst invertebrates, and differs from invertebrate cartilage in the structure and organization of the cells that comprise it. Groups having extensive chondroid connective tissue include brachiopods, polychaetes, and urochordates. Cartilage is found within cephalopod mollusks, chelicerate arthropods and sabellid polychaetes. Skeletal tissues found within enteropneust hemichordates are unique in that the extracellular matrix shares many properties with vertebrate cartilage, yet these tissues are completely acellular. The possibility that this tissue may represent a new category of cartilage, acellular cartilage, is discussed. Immunoreactivity of some invertebrate cartilages with antibodies that recognize molecules specific to vertebrate bone suggests an intermediate phenotype between vertebrate cartilage and bone. Although cartilage is found within a number of invertebrate lineages, we find that not all tissues previously reported to be cartilage have the appropriate properties to merit their distinction as cartilage.

JURASSIC PALEONTOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF MURCIA (BETIC CORDILLERA, SOUTH-EASTERN SPAIN)

Jurassic rocks of the External and Internal Zones of the Betic Cordillera are widespread in the province of Murcia. Four areas are considered of special interest for stratigraphical and paleontological analysis: a) Sierra Quipar and b) Sierras Lugar-Corque (External Subbetic), c) Sierra Ricote (Median Subbetic) and d) Sierra Espuna (Malaguide Complex). The first two contain Jurassic sections including Sinemurian-Tithonian deposits, and major stratigraphic discontinuities, containing significant cephalopod concentrations of taphonomic and taxonomic interest, occuring in the Lower-Upper Pliensbachian, Lower/Middle Jurassic and Middle/Upper Jurassic boundaries. These areas are also relevant for biostratigraphical analysis of the Middle-Upper Jurassic interval. In the Sierra de Ricote, the Mahoma section is of especial interest for the study of Lias/Dogger transition. Casa Chimeneas section constitutes the best Subbetic site for the analysis of the Lower/Upper Bajocian boundary. In the La Bermeja-Casas de Vite area, the Bajocian-Tithonian interval is well-represented, including a parastratotype of the Radiolarite Jarropa Formation. Finally, the Malvariche section in Sierra Espuna represents the best Jurassic succession of Internal Zones of the Betic Cordillera and could be considered as a reference section for this Betic Domain. In this paper a heritage evaluation has been carried out for these classical jurassic sections with the object of protecting these sites according to the legal framework prevailing in the province of Murcia.

“Nude ammonoids”: a challenge to cephalopod phylogeny?

“Nude ammonoids”: a challenge to cephalopod phylogeny?

Egg capsule secretion in invertebrates: a new ovarian regulatory peptide identified by mass spectrometry comparative screening in Sepia officinalis

Mass spectrometry comparative screening was used to identify ovarian regulatory peptides involved in the successive steps of egg-laying in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. The peptide content of full-grown oocytes (FGO) was compared with that of oocyte-conditioned medium, which resulted in the detection of peptides that were present in both samples. These peptides, which are suspected of being released by the oocyte in the genital tract, were submitted to a structural analysis. This strategy led to the characterization of a new ovarian regulatory peptide (EISLDKD) able to inhibit the contractions of the whole female genital tract and of the main nidamental glands (MNG). As EISLDKD appeared to be the first regulatory peptide directly involved, at physiological concentrations, in the secretion of the egg capsule by the main nidamental glands, it was named SepCRP for Sepia Capsule Releasing Peptide. Mass spectrometry analysis clearly demonstrated that SepCRP was expressed during vitellogenesis by the ovarian follicles and released by the FGO in the lumen of the female genital tract. In association with the ovarian 5-HT, SepCRP would be responsible for the storage of FGO to avoid the spawning of unfertilized oocytes before mating. Released by the distal oviduct in the mantle cavity, SepCRP probably in association with a cocktail of ovarian regulatory factors targets the MNG to regulate the egg capsule secretion. Thus, the ovary appeared to be one of the main sources of regulatory peptides involved in the successive steps of egg-laying in the cephalopod mollusk S. officinalis.

Purification, characterization and molecular cloning of tyrosinase from the cephalopod mollusk, Illex argentinus.

Tyrosinase (monophenol, L-DOPA:oxygen oxidoreductase) was isolated from the ink of the squid, Illex argentinus. Squid tyrosinase, termed ST94, was found to occur as a covalently linked homodimeric protein with a molecular mass of 140.2 kDa containing two copper atoms per a subunit. The tyrosinase activity of ST94 was enhanced by proteolysis with trypsin to form a protein, termed ST94t, with a molecular mass of 127.6 kDa. The amino acid sequence of the subunit was deduced from N-terminal amino acid sequencing and cDNA cloning, indicating that the subunit of ST94 is synthesized as a premature protein with 625 amino acid residues and an 18-residue signal sequence region is eliminated to form the mature subunit comprised of 607 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular mass of 68,993 Da. ST94 was revealed to contain two putative copper-binding sites per a subunit, that showed sequence similarities with those of hemocyanins from mollusks, tyrosinases from microorganisms and vertebrates and the hypothetical tyrosinase-related protein of Caenorhabditis elegans. The squid tyrosinase was shown to catalyze the oxidation of monophenols as well as o-diphenols and to exhibit temperature-dependency of o-diphenolase activity like a psychrophilic enzyme.

Interactions between sterol biosynthesis genes in embryonic development of Arabidopsis.

The sterol biosynthesis pathway of Arabidopsis produces a large set of structurally related phytosterols including sitosterol and campesterol, the latter being the precursor of the brassinosteroids (BRs). While BRs are implicated as phytohormones in post-embryonic growth, the functions of other types of steroid molecules are not clear. Characterization of the fackel (fk) mutants provided the first hint that sterols play a role in plant embryogenesis. FK encodes a sterol C-14 reductase that acts upstream of all known enzymatic steps corresponding to BR biosynthesis mutants. Here we report that genetic screens for fk-like seedling and embryonic phenotypes have identified two additional genes coding for sterol biosynthesis enzymes: CEPHALOPOD (CPH), a C-24 sterol methyl transferase, and HYDRA1 (HYD1), a sterol C-8,7 isomerase. We describe genetic interactions between cph, hyd1 and fk, and studies with 15-azasterol, an inhibitor of sterol C-14 reductase. Our experiments reveal that FK and HYD1 act sequentially, whereas CPH acts independently of these genes to produce essential sterols. Similar experiments indicate that the BR biosynthesis gene DWF1 acts independently of FK, whereas BR receptor gene BRI1 acts downstream of FK to promote post-embryonic growth. We found embryonic patterning defects in cph mutants and describe a GC-MS analysis of cph tissues which suggests that steroid molecules in addition to BRs play critical roles during plant embryogenesis. Taken together, our results imply that the sterol biosynthesis pathway is not a simple linear pathway but a complex network of enzymes that produce essential steroid molecules for plant growth and development.

Aspekte der Taphonomie von Muschelkalk-Cephalopoden. Teil 2: Diagenese (Zementation und Kompaktion)

Aspekte der Taphonomie von Muschelkalk-Cephalopoden. Teil 2: Diagenese (Zementation und Kompaktion)

A phosphatized cephalopod mouthpart from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Oklahoma, U.S.A

A phosphatized cephalopod mouthpart from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Oklahoma, U.S.A

Impact of temperature on juvenile growth and age at first egg-laying of the Pacific reef squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana reared in captivity

Cephalopod mollusks exhibit highly plastic life cycle traits influenced primarily by the interactive effects of food availability, light cycle and temperature, with the latter perhaps the most influential. Hatchlings of the tropical reef squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana were hatched from field-collected eggs in the laboratory and cultured at different temperatures to evaluate the effect of temperature on growth rates. All groups showed rapid, sustained growth rates from hatching to a size of 10–25 g. Beyond this size range, growth was slower and not clearly exponential in form. Growth rate was closely linked to temperature. Squids grown at approximately 27 °C attained a size of 10 g in as little as 45 days at sustained growth rates of 12.2% body weight day−1 (%bw day−1), while squids cultured at 20 °C required almost 100 days to attain the same size at rates of 5.7%bw day−1. At an age of 55 days and approximately 1 g body weight, juvenile squids cultured at 20 °C were able to accelerate growth rates from 5.7%bw day−1 to over 12%bw day−1 when temperature was raised to 27 °C. They maintained this growth rate to a size of about 10 g and an age of at least 75 days post-hatching, indicating that body size and not age is the limiting factor for this rapid post-hatching growth. By comparison, conspecifics cultured near 27 °C from hatching had shifted out of the rapid post-hatching growth phase by day 50 at sizes between 10 and 50 g. The hatchlings from temperate to subtropical Japan had consistently higher growth rates at comparable temperatures than hatchlings from tropical Okinawa. When plotted as growth rate versus temperature, the Japanese group had a clearly higher slope to the relationship than the tropical populations, equivalent to a 2%bw day−1 difference in growth rate at 25 °C. Age at first egg-laying was decreased at higher culture temperatures; however, overall life span was not.

Anisákiasis en pescados frescos comercializados en el norte de Córdoba

Anisakiasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by live larvae of the Anisakidae Family found located in the body cavities and in the muscular systems of osseous fish and cephalopod mollusks. Humons inadvertently ingest these larvae when eating raw or undercooked infested fish. Symptoms are characterized by gastrointestinal disorders. The purpose of this study is that of ascertaining the frequency of anisakid larvae parasite infestation in fresh fish marketed in northern section of the province of Cordoba. Over a nine-month period, samples were taken of the species of sen fish sold to the greatest degree at all of the establishments in this sector. The parasite analysis was conducted at the Peñarroya Public Health Laboratory by the dissection method. A total of 1,261 samples of 18 different species were analyzed. The total frequency of parasite infestation was 15.8%. The species in which the most parasites were found was the blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) showing a 42% parasite infestation rate, and Anisakidos larvae were also found in: hake (Merlucius merlucius) (27.5%), whiting (Merlucius sp.) (26%), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), greater forkbeard (Phycis blennoides) (6.2%), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) (5.6%) and pouting (Trisopterus luscus) (5.5%) of the samples in which parasites were found. The monthly spread of the results reveals an increase in parasite infestation during the spring months, declining progressively up to the last months of the year. There is a significant degree of Anisakidos infestation in the species marketed in the northern section of the province of Cordoba. Nevertheless, the difficulty of detecting this parasite, the vague assessment of the degree of parasite infestation tolerable or unacceptable as set forth under regulations, the fact that some traditional dishes made from raw fish require fresh or refrigerated products and, lastly, the lack or complete lack of health education on the part of the population make it advisable for this emerging problem to be approached with greater rigor.

A new pseudorthoceratid cephalopod from the Kazanian (middle Late Permian) of Japan

A new pseudorthoceratid cephalopod from the Kazanian (middle Late Permian) of Japan

Structural Comparison of Cephalopod Hemocyanins: Phylogenetic Significance

Hemocyanins, the respiratory molecules of cephalopod mollusks, are hollow cylinders with five internal arches. Three hemocyanins representative of three orders of cephalopods (Benthoctopus species, Octopoda; Vampyroteuthis infernalis, Vampyromorpha; Sepia officinalis, Sepioidea) were subjected to cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. The structure of Benthoctopus hemocyanin, solved at 26.4-Å resolution, possesses arches comprising two identical functional units. The similarity between these functional units and the structure recently observed in X-ray crystallography for Octopus by Cuff et al. (J. Mol. Biol., 1998, 232, 522–529) allows the identification of their N- and C-terminal domains in the 3D reconstruction volume. Conversely, arches present in the 3D reconstruction volume of Sepia hemocyanin (21.8 Å resolution) contain four functional units that are disposed differently. The strong resemblance between the reconstruction volumes of Vampyroteuthis (21.4-Å resolution) and Benthoctopus hemocyanins suggests that Sepioidea diverged from a group containing Octopoda and Vampyromorpha.