Family Muricidae Research Articles

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Mancinella alouina.

The Muricidae family in the Class Gastropoda comprises numerous species with a vast range of morphological features and a worldwide presence. The phylogeny of the Muricidae has been analyzed in previous studies; however, the evolutionary relationships among the main branches of the Muricidae remain unknown. In the present study, the mitochondrial genome of Mancinella alouina was sequenced. The mitochondrial genome was found to be 16,671bp in length and made up of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA and 2 ribosomal RNA genes). The genome has an A-T-rich region (66.5% A + T content) and all of the PCGs use the ATN start codon and the TAG or TAA stop codons. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of Mancinella alouina is similar to that of other Muricidae, except for Ocinebrellus inornatus and Ceratostoma burnetti. On the basis of a flexible molecular clock model, time-calibrated phylogenetic results indicate that the genus Mancinella diverged roughly 18.09Mya, and that the family Muricidae emerged in the Late Cretaceous. This study reveals the structural and sequence information features of the mitochondrial genome of Mancinella alouina. This study provides evidence for the relationships within the family Muricidae at the molecular level, and infer the divergence time. The results of phylogenetic analyses strongly support the current classification.

Insights into the genome of the ‘Loco’ Concholepas concholepas (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from low-coverage short-read sequencing: genome size, ploidy, transposable elements, nuclear RNA gene operon, mitochondrial genome, and phylogenetic placement in the family Muricidae

BackgroundThe Peruvian ‘chanque’ or Chilean ‘loco’ Concholepas concholepas is an economically, ecologically, and culturally important muricid gastropod heavily exploited by artisanal fisheries in the temperate southeastern Pacific Ocean. In this study, we have profited from a set of bioinformatics tools to recover important biological information of C. concholepas from low-coverage short-read NGS datasets. Specifically, we calculated the size of the nuclear genome, ploidy, and estimated transposable elements content using an in silico k-mer approach, we discovered, annotated, and quantified those transposable elements, we assembled and annotated the 45S rDNA RNA operon and mitochondrial genome, and we confirmed the phylogenetic position of C. concholepas within the muricid subfamily Rapaninae based on translated protein coding genes.ResultsUsing a k-mer approach, the haploid genome size estimated for the predicted diploid genome of C. concholepas varied between 1.83 Gbp (with kmer = 24) and 2.32 Gbp (with kmer = 36). Between half and two thirds of the nuclear genome of C. concholepas was composed of transposable elements. The most common transposable elements were classified as Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements and Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements, which were more abundant than DNA transposons, simple repeats, and Long Terminal Repeats. Less abundant repeat elements included Helitron mobile elements, 45S rRNA DNA, and Satellite DNA, among a few others.The 45S rRNA DNA operon of C. concholepas that encodes for the ssrRNA, 5.8S rRNA, and lsrRNA genes was assembled into a single contig 8,090 bp long. The assembled mitochondrial genome of C. concholepas is 15,449 bp long and encodes 13 protein coding genes, two ribosomal genes, and 22 transfer RNAs.ConclusionThe information gained by this study will inform the assembly of a high quality nuclear genome for C. concholepas and will support bioprospecting and biomonitoring using environmental DNA to advance development of conservation and management plans in this overexploited marine snail.

Genetic diversity, demography and connectivity in the marine snail Thaisella chocolata (Duclos, 1832): implications for sustainable fisheries management along the Peruvian coast

ABSTRACT Thaisella chocolata is a marine gastropod (family Muricidae) occurring from northern Peru to central Chile. It is of economic importance in these countries, where hundreds of tons are caught every year. In combination with El Niño–Southern Oscillation events, fishing activity has led to the collapse of Chilean populations, raising concerns about the state of Peruvian populations. The aim of this study is to assess the demography, genetic diversity and connectivity of T. chocolata along the Peruvian coast. This would provide important insights into the resilience of this species to anthropogenic disturbance. In this study, four locations along the coast of Peru were investigated for the first time. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained from 116 individuals and four microsatellites from 95 individuals. Both COI (combined with 156 publicly available sequences) and microsatellite data revealed very low genetic differentiation, despite a few significant φST and FST values between population pairs. The most likely gene flow model (MIGRATE-N) is panmixia between all locations, with gene flow occurring equally northwards and southwards. This pattern may be related to the surface currents along the Peruvian coastline combined with the high pelagic larval duration of T. chocolata. Hyperdiversity was found for the COI marker (πsyn > 5%). Microsatellite loci were also polymorphic, with a mean diversity of 12.69 alleles per locus per population. No recent population bottleneck was observed (microsatellite data), while at least one past demographic expansion was suggested (COI data). Given the high genetic diversity and connectivity, T. chocolata is expected to show high evolutionary resilience and can be considered as one management unit in terms of fisheries management. However, further studies, on, for example, the characterization of effective population size (using numerous nuclear loci), are required to confirm this hypothesis. In addition, precautionary fisheries measures should be maintained, given the recent collapse of T. chocolata stocks in Chile.

Whelks, rock-snails, and allied: a new phylogenetic framework for the family Muricidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

The worldwide distributed neogastropod family Muricidae comprises more than 1800 extant species of whelks, rock-shells, murex-shells, drill-shells, and coral-shells. Despite several attempts at a taxonomic revision based on morphological characters, the systematics of this family is still largely debated. Here, we present a molecular revision of the family Muricidae based on the largest dataset analysed so far, which comprises 384 specimens representing 360 species and includes, for the first time, all the currently recognised subfamilies. A molecular dataset of cox1, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and 28S rRNA genetic markers and six fossil-based calibration points were used to produce time-calibrated phylogenetic reconstructions, using a Maximum Likelihood approach. Our results confirmed the monophyly of most of the accepted subfamilies, suggested a revision of the taxonomic composition of Muricopsinae and Muricinae, and highlighted some lineages not immediately comprised in any of the recognised subfamilies. The origin and early diversification of the subfamilies of Muricidae occurred between 32 and 60 million years ago.

New Data on Exotic Muricid Species (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) from Spain Based on Integrative Taxonomy

The occurrence of Ocinebrellus inornatus and Rapana venosa, two exotic marine gastropods of the family Muricidae originating from the northwest Pacific, is reported in Spanish waters, specifically in the Galician waters (NW Spain) in 2023. Live specimens of O. inornatus were found on Illa de Arousa, in the Ría de Arousa, southern Galicia, where they are already established. Two new specimens of R. venosa are recorded in Galicia, one of them for the first time out of the Ría de Arousa, representing a range expansion for the species. The DNA barcoding analysis confirms the previous morphological identifications. It is suspected that both species may have been introduced through importation of clam spat and middle-sized oysters from countries such as France, the United Kingdom or Italy for subsequent culture, as has been the case with other exotic species that can currently be found in Galician waters. The continuous arrival of marine exotic species strongly supports the need to establish a monitoring program in Galician waters.

Three-dimensional visualization of predatory gastropod feeding teeth with synchrotron scanning.

Several families of neogastropod mollusks independently evolved the ability to drill through mineralized prey skeletons using their own mineralized feeding teeth, sometimes with shell-softening chemical agents produced by an organ in the foot. Teeth with more durable tooth shapes should extend their use and improve predator performance, but past studies have described only the cusped-side of teeth, mostly overlooking morphologies related to functional interactions between teeth. Here, we describe the three-dimensional morphology of the central drilling tooth (rachidian) from four species of the neogastropod family Muricidae using synchrotron tomographic microscopy and assemble a three-dimensional model of a multitooth series in drilling position for two of them to investigate their dynamic form. We find two new types of articulating surfaces, including a saddle joint at either end of the rachidian and a large tongue-and-groove joint in the center. The latter has a shape that maximizes contact surface area between teeth as they rotate away from each other during drilling. Articulating joints have not been described in Neogastropod radula previously, but they are consistent with an earlier hypothesis that impact forces on individual teeth during predatory drilling are dispersed by tooth-tooth interactions.

Diversity Of Marine Macro Molluscan Gastropods and Bivalves In The Intertidal Areas Of Ajuy, Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines

The Philippines has rich marine resources but are threatened by the effects of climate change and other activities made by humans. There is an inadequate or scarcity in literature on prominent impacts of climate change on the country’s rich biodiversity, specifically on marine ecosystem, thus this study aimed to determine the diversity of marine macro molluscan gastropods and bivalves on the intertidal areas of Ajuy, Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines. Marine macro gastropods and bivalves were surveyed monthly from October 2015 to March 2016 and transect method was carried out to assess species composition, abundance and occurrence. Shannon-Wiener index (H’) was utilized to determine the diversity of marine macro molluscan gastropods and bivalves in the area. Coefficient of correlation was used to determine correlation between physico-chemical properties of sea water with the diversity index value. There were a total of 8,705 individual mollusks sampled and classified up to 43 species of gastropods having 28 genera belonging to 20 families and 29 species of bivalves belonging to 22 genera out of 14 families. The family Muricidae was the best represented in species richness among the gastropods and family Veneridae among the bivalves. In family wise landing among the gastropods, the maximum number recorded was Batillariidae having a relative abundance of 46%. In bivalves, the most abundant family was Veneridae with 20.25% relative abundance. The Shannon-Wiener index value revealed that the area was still normal in terms of species diversity. Temperature and DO of sea water were positively correlated with the H’, whereas pH and salinity were negatively correlated. This study provided baseline information as to the status of marine macro molluscan gastropods and bivalves in the intertidal area of Ajuy, Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines.

Diversity and Life-Cycle Analysis of Pacific Ocean Zooplankton by Videomicroscopy and DNA Barcoding: Gastropods

The life cycles and biodiversity of Pacific coast gastropods were analyzed by videomicroscopy and DNA barcoding of individuals collected from tide pools and in plankton nets from a variety of shore stations. In many species (Families Calyptraeidae, Cerithiopsidae, Strombidae, Vermetidae, Columbellidae, Nassariidae, Olivellidae, Hermaeidae, Onchidorididae, Gastropteridae, Haminoeidae), the free-swimming veligers were recovered from plankton collections; in Roperia poulsoni (family Muricidae) veligers were usually recovered from egg sacs where they had been retained although some escapees were found in plankton collections; in Pteropurpura festiva (family Muricidae) free-living veligers were also found; and in Atlanta californiensis (family Atlantidae) both veligers and adults were obtained from plankton collections making this a holoplanktonic species. The results confirm that DNA barcoding based on COI gene sequencing is a useful strategy to match life-cycle stages within species as well as to identify species and to document the level of biodiversity within the gastropods.

DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF MARINE GASTROPODS ALONG CHENNAI AND CHENGALPATTU COAST OF TAMILNADU, INDIA

A survey on the diversity and abundance of marine gastropods was undertaken along the coast of Chennai, and Chengalpattu Districts of Tamilnadu, India. The study was conducted in Ennore, Neelankarai, and Kovalam. A total of 41 species of gastropods belonging to 5 orders, 24 families, and 31 genera were identified. In all three sites, the species Murex tribulus was found to be in abundance, followed by Turritella duplicata, Turritella attenuata, and Babylonia spirata. Three genera of Bufonaria and Turritella were recorded. A total of 6 species were reported belonging to the family Muricidae. The maximum diversity of species was found to be in Ennore. It may be due to the estuarine habitat, more organic sediments, and other resources.

A New Species of Murex (Gastropoda: Muricidae) From the Andaman Sea, Thailand

A new species of the genus Murex (Family Muricidae) is described from an island in the Andaman Islands chain off Pang-nga Province, southwest Thailand in the Andamanian Subprovince. This geographical subprovince is located in the eastern Andaman Sea, East Indian Ocean. Murex suttipraneeae sp. nov. is conchologically differentiated from a closely related species; Murex pecten Lightfoot, 1786 and its complex from other geographical provinces around the western Pacific rim.

Predicted future changes in ocean temperature and pH do not affect prey selection by the girdled dogwhelk Trochia cingulata

Predator–prey relationships can drive community dynamics in marine systems, but it remains unclear how future changes in seawater temperatures and pH will influence these relationships. This study assessed the effect of predicted future temperatures and pH on the prey choice of the girdled dogwhelk Trochia cingulata (family Muricidae) when offered native (Aulacomya atra, Choromytilus meridionalis) and alien (Semimytilus algosus) mussels. Whelks were exposed to three pH levels: 8.0 (current), 7.7 (intermediate) and 7.5 (extreme), at each of three temperatures: 9 °C (cooling), 13 °C (current) and 17 °C (warming) for 6 weeks. Thereafter, the prey preference and predation rate were compared among treatments. Within two weeks, 98% of whelks exposed to warming died, precluding assessment of how warming affects their prey preference. Despite high mortality, the highest predation rates were recorded at 17 °C regardless of the pH level, likely reflecting increased energy costs and ingestion rates associated with warming. In the remaining treatments whelks preferred S. algosus irrespective of the levels of seawater cooling or acidification. These results align with previous work that demonstrated a preference by T. cingulata for S. algosus and suggest that the predator–prey relationship between this whelk and its mussel prey is unlikely to be disrupted under future marine conditions.

Some New Records of Marine Gastropod from the Iraqi Coast

Eight marine gastropod records were recorded from the north west of the Arabian Gulf, Iraqi coast during March 2020. Th e species are Turritella cochlea Reeve, 1849 (family Turritellidae), Rhinoclavis fasciata (Bruguière, 1792) (family Cerithiidae), Semiricinula tissoti (Petit de la Saussaye, 1852) (family Muricidae), Ancilla castanea (G. B. Sowerby I, 1830) (family Ancillariidae), Bulla ampulla Linnaeus, 1758 (family Bullidae), Oliva bulbosa (Röding, 1798) (family Olividae), Naria turdus (Lamarck, 1810) and Erronea caurica quinquefasciata (Röding, 1798) (family Cypraeidae). Th ese records raise the number of marine gastropods from the Iraqi coast to 40 species.

Indirubin alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by suppressing fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation

Background and objectiveIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. Indirubin, a compound obtained from indigo-bearing plants or mollusks of the family Muricidae, has various bioactivities, including anti-tumor activity and anti-inflammation effect. However, whether indirubin could mediate its therapeutic effects on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis has not been addressed. MethodsThe impacts of indirubin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis were evaluated by pathological staining, western blot, RT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining. The effects of indirubin on fibroblast differentiation and related signaling were next investigated to demonstrate the underlying mechanisms. ResultsThe results indicated that indirubin-treated mice exhibited a definitively improved survival rate than that of the BLM-induced mice in a dose-depend manner. Additionally, administration of indirubin significantly alleviated inflammatory cells infiltration in BLM mice. Importantly, indirubin provided protection for mice against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis as manifested by the attenuating expression of fibrotic hallmarks, including fibronectin, collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Subsequently, we providedin vitro evidence revealing that indirubin suppressed fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation by repressed TGF-β/Smad signaling in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, our data showed that indirubin seemed to be safe in mice and fibroblasts. ConclusionOverall, indirubin could protect the mice against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by alleviated fibroblast differentiation and may be therapeutically beneficial for IPF patients.

Polyether macrocyclic polyketide from the muricid gastropod Chicoreus ramosus attenuates pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase

Macrocyclic compounds of multifaceted structural scaffolds are being increasingly reported from the marine environment, and gaining commercial importance due to their ability to inhibit the pro-inflammatory mediators. An unreported polyether macrocyclic polyketide characterized as 6-(butoxy)-13,15,22-trihydroxy-3,18-dioxatricyclo[18.3.1.011,16]tricosa-9,20-diene-4,8-dione was isolated from the marine gastropod mollusc Chicoreus ramosus (family Muricidae). The compound displayed potential anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 0.42 mg mL−1), which was analogous to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent aspirin (IC50 0.38 mg mL−1) and superior to ibuprofen (IC50 0.90 mg mL−1). Free radical scavenging abilities of the purified compound against oxidative agents (IC50 0.22 mg mL−1) were comparable to the commercially available antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole, IC50 0.25 mg mL−1; butylated hydroxytoluene, IC50 0.27 mg mL−1), and greater than α-tocopherol (IC50 0.60 mg mL−1). Molecular docking studies of the studied polyketide analog against 5-lipoxygenase indicated that the docked ligand could potentially bind to the target site of the enzyme with a less binding energy (−9.33 kcal mol−1) and docking score (−10.23 kcal mol−1). The present study recognized the potential of macrocyclic polyketide possessing tricosa-9, 20-diene-4,8-dione framework isolated from C. ramosus as a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory lead that could find its use in medicinal formulations.

Composition of Prosobranchia-Pulmonata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in rocky intertidal zone in the Marine Priority Region 32, Guerrero, Mexico

The aim of this research was the description of the taxocoenosis of Prosobranchia and Pulmonata subclasses (Gastropoda) associated with the rocky intertidal zone of the Marine Priority Region 32, Guerrero, Mexico. Based on known species richness, we examine the composition of the community based on the representation of families, assess abundance, the geographic distribution of species, estimate descriptive statistics of size, and estimate diversity. Sampling was conducted at 7 sites, the sampling unit was 1 m-2 and the sampling area was 10 m-2. One hundred and four species of subclass Prosobranchia and 4 species of subclass Pulmonata were identified. Columbellidae and Muricidae families showed higher species richness, meanwhile family Muricidae was the most abundant. Acanthais triangularis was the most representative species of the study area, and Macrocypraea cervinetta showed the greatest size. Twenty three species were found with broad distribution, 27 taxa with frequent distribution and 54 taxa with restricted distribution. Twenty eight species were represented by a single organism and 6 species with 2 organisms, these species were considered rare and were found in sites whose characteristic wave exposure is low to medium. Species richness was high and corresponds to that expected in the tropics.

Five Muricid Species New to Korean Malacofauna

Five species of Muricid molluscs collected from the Korean waters were identified as Coralliophila bulbiformis (Conrad, 1837), Coralliophila erosa (Roding, 1798), Mipus arbutum (Woolacott, 1954), Vokesimurex rectirostris (Sowerby II, 1841) and Mancinella echinulata (Lamarck, 1822). This is the first record from the Korea, providing a description of the species with illustration for the shell morphology. Including the present new records, the family Muricidae contained 23 genera and 46 species in the Korean waters.

Northeast Pacific record of the Paleogene genusPseudoperissolax(Neogastropoda: Muricidae: Muricinae) and its paleobiogeography

AbstractThe geologic record of the shallow-marine gastropod genusPseudoperissolaxClark, 1918 is documented in detail for the first time in a region of the northeast Pacific extending from southwestern Washington to northern Baja California, Mexico. This genus, which has been erroneously equated with thenomen dubium PerrisolaxGabb, 1861, comprises a very small group of species whose supra-generic ranking has been inconsistent.Pseudoperissolaxis placed here in family Muricidae Rafinesque, 1815 and subfamily Muricinae Rafinesque, 1815 based on the presence of varices, a club-shaped last whorl with noded carinae, and a long siphonal canal. The genus is represented in the northeast Pacific by the late PaleocenePseudoperissolax tricarnatus(Weaver, 1905) and the late Paleocene to late EocenePseudoperissolax blakei(Conrad, 1855).Pseudoperissolaxwas a warm-water gastropod that most likely originated during the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) in Madagascar and also questionably spread during this time to southern New Zealand. Its certain geologic range is early Paleocene to earliest Oligocene, with occurrences in western Kamchatka, southern Japan, southwestern Washington, southwestern Oregon, southern California, northern Baja California, Mexico, southern Alabama, and Nuevo León, northeastern Mexico. WhetherPseudoperissolaxmigrated into the northeast Pacific from Kamchatka or from Alabama and Mexico cannot be determined with certainty. The decline and eventual extinction of the genus coincided with the global-cooling event at the end of the Eocene.

Morphological Development of the Radula of Four Species of the Neogastropod Family Muricidae

Radular ontogenies of four species of the neogastropod family Muricidae are described through comparisons of early post-metamorphic and adult developmental stages, with specific focus on the rachidian (central) tooth. The degree of rachidian transformation during ontogeny varies from minor shape change to addition or loss of structural features important for assigning taxa to subfamilies. Changes include: flattening of the rachidian base and a switch from a short, beak-like to a long, flattened central cusp in the rapanine Stramonita biserialis; a switch from variable, asymmetric to regular, symmetric expression of inner lateral denticles in the basal muricid Timbellus phyllopterus; curvature of the rachidian base at the margins and separation of the pointed base endpoint from the radular membrane to form a marginal cusp in the muricine Chicoreus dilectus; and moderate straightening of the rachidian base in the ocenebrine Vokesinotus perrugatus. From these observations and previous work, we propose a plesiomorphic developmental sequence for the Muricidae and provide supporting evidence for the developmental origins of novel features of the muricid radula.

Suppressive subtractive hybridisation transcriptomics provides a novel insight into the functional role of the hypobranchial gland in a marine mollusc

The hypobranchial gland present in gastropods is an organ whose function is not clearly understood. Involved in mucus production, within members of the family Muricidae it is also the source of the ancient dye Tyrian purple and its bioactive precursors. To gain further insights into hypobranchial gland biology, suppressive subtractive hybridisation was performed on hypobranchial gland and mantle tissue from the marine snail Dicathais orbita creating a differentially expressed cDNA library. 437 clones were randomly sequenced, analysed and annotated and 110 sequences had their functions putatively identified. Importantly this approach identified a putative gene involved in Tyrian purple biosynthesis, an arylsulphatase gene. Confirmation of the upregulation of arylsulphatase in the hypobranchial gland compared to the mantle was demonstrated using quantitative real-time PCR. Other genes identified as playing an important role in the hypobranchial gland were those involved in mucus protein synthesis, choline ester regulation, protein and energy production. This study confirms that the hypobranchial gland is involved in the production of mucus secretion and also identifies it as a site of chemical interaction and biosynthesis. This study lays the foundation for a better understanding of the enzymatic production of Tyrian purple precursors within the gland.

Gastrointestinal and Hepatotoxicity Assessment of an Anticancer Extract from Muricid Molluscs

Marine molluscs from the family Muricidae are under development as a potential medicinal food for the prevention of colon cancer and treatment of gynaecological cancers. Here we report the outcome of the first in vivo toxicity assessment on an anticancer extract from a muricid mollusc containing brominated indole derivatives. Mice received the concentrated lipophilic extract by daily oral gavage over a two-week period. Mortality or clinical toxicity symptoms resulting from the extract were not detected during the trial, and there was no difference in the body weight of treated and control mice at the end of the trial. Histological analysis revealed some evidence for mild, idiosyncratic effects on the gastrointestinal tract and liver, including necrosis, fatty change, and inflammation in a small proportion (<40%) of mice. This is likely to result from first-pass hepatic metabolism of tyrindoxyl sulphate combined with second-pass metabolism of indoles. Overall however, oral administration of muricid extract containing brominated indoles does not result in severe clinical toxicity.