Marine Biological Station Research Articles

Seasonal changes in reproductive traits and paternity in the Japanese pygmy squid Idiosepius paradoxus

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 582:121-131 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12338 Seasonal changes in reproductive traits and paternity in the Japanese pygmy squid Idiosepius paradoxus Noriyosi Sato1,2,* 1Graduate School of Fisheries Science and Environmental Studies, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan 2Present address: Oki Marine Biological Station, Shimane University, Shimane, Japan *Corresponding author: norico3000@gmail.com ABSTRACT: Sperm production in males and sperm storage in females can change over an individual’s reproductive timespan. This implies that the strength of sperm competition may also change with time. The seasonal pattern of reproductive traits and paternity in the Japanese pygmy squid, which has 2 life-history types (large and small types having long and short reproductive periods, respectively), were compared among 3 reproductive periods: early and late reproductive period of the large type and middle reproductive period of the small type. Although the gonad somatic index (GSI) decreased during one of the reproductive periods in males, the number of spermatophores and the spermatophoric complex somatic index (SCSI) increased. The GSI was higher in large-type males, whereas the SCSI was higher in the small type. Multiple paternity was detected in all egg masses, and on average about 10 males were estimated to be sires in a single egg mass. Paternity numbers differed significantly between life-history types, whereas there were no significant differences between the early and late reproductive periods in the large type. These results imply that the Japanese pygmy squid is polyandrous and exposed to a very high level of sperm competition risk. Paternity numbers did not change during reproductive periods even when the reproductive traits changed between these periods. Seasonal changes in reproductive traits may have a minor effect on paternity in promiscuous animals. However, 2 life-history strategies were observed: large-type males, invested in transferring more sperm to one female, and small-type males that stored more spermatophores to copulate with many females. KEY WORDS: Cephalopod · Microsatellites · Parentage · Multiple paternity · Seasonal change Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Sato N (2017) Seasonal changes in reproductive traits and paternity in the Japanese pygmy squid Idiosepius paradoxus. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 582:121-131. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12338 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 582. Online publication date: November 06, 2017 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Historical connections between early marine science research and dissemination: the case study of aquarium Vasco Da Gama (Portugal) from late 19th century to mid-20th century

Abstract In the late 19th century, there was a bloom of public aquariums throughout Europe. Some of them were built for entertainment purposes, whereas others were connected to marine science stations. This article explores the origins and development of the aquarium/marine research station Vasco da Gama (Portugal) as an example of this duality. Initially, the aquarium was created in 1898 by the Portuguese Society of Geography, in a political context of national affirmation. In the first years, a deficient establishment, lack of financial resources, and scarce technical knowledge contributed for its degradation. Therefore, the Navy took over the aquarium in the early 1900s, delivering its management some years later to the Portuguese Society of Natural Sciences. After improvements and modifications, it became one of the first marine biological stations in 1919. This was important for the development of national marine science research at a time of scarce resources. Despite many years of a symbiotic relation between science research and dissemination, the demolition of part of the aquarium/marine station due to a road construction in 1940 brought issues of disequilibrium between both functions. This eventually led to the separation of aquarium and marine station in 1950. Other themes such as connections to national and international institutions are also discussed.

Desove espontáneo en cautiverio de la primera generación criada en laboratorio de corvina aguada, <i>Cynoscion squamipinnis</i> (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los desoves espontáneos de la primera generación de corvina aguada (Cynoscion squamipinnis) criada en cautiverio con el fin de realizar programas de repoblamiento y proyectos de maricultura. Los juveniles obtenidos de desoves espontáneos de peces silvestres capturados en el Golfo de Nicoya fueron criados en el Laboratorio de Reproducción y Cultivo de Peces Marinos de la Estación de Biología Marina, Universidad Nacional, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Los peces se mantuvieron en tanques de 18 t, con recambio de agua (100% diario), temperatura de 26.73 ± 1.15°C, salinidad de 32.60 ± 2.69 UPS y oxígeno disuelto de 6.20 ± 0.61 mg/L. Cada dos meses las corvinas fueron anestesiadas y examinadas para determinar su madurez sexual. En enero del año 2011, se comprobó mediante biopsias ováricas que una de las hembras estaba madura y se observaron ovocitos de 0.4-0.6 mm de diámetro, y mediante masaje abdominal se obtuvo semen fluido de los machos. En marzo del año 2011 comenzó un periodo de desoves espontáneos, sin realizar ningún estímulo ambiental u hormonal. En total se registraron 34 desoves de marzo a octubre del año 2011, obteniéndose un promedio de 85 996 huevos, con un máximo de 461 000 huevos y un mínimo de 4 500 huevos. El porcentaje de fertilización fue de 10-80%, con un promedio de 53.09 ± 26.97%. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre los desoves y las variables ambientales de la temperatura, la salinidad, el oxígeno disuelto, las mareas, las fases lunares y la precipitación.

Efficiency of Polychaete Nereis (Neanthes) Succinea as Biomonitor for Heavy Metals Pollution in the Red Sea, Egypt

Polychaetes nereids groups are the most common in shallow marine habitats and abundant in benthic communities. This group was proved to tolerate a high burden of heavy metals within their tissues. The current work assesses the effect of water criteria; sea water temperature, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), dissolved oxygen concentration, turbidity, conductivity and salinity on the uptake and storage of four heavy metals; Mn,, Pb, Cd and Cu in tissues of the marine polychaete worm Nereis succinea collected from two sites at Hurghada, Red sea; the Marine Biological Station (MBS) and the Fishing Port at Sakala (FPS). Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs) were determined to evaluate the capability of the investigated annelid worm to accumulate heavy metals, so as to be used as sentinel species for monitoring metal pollutants. Population density of the investigated polychaete was determined at both studied sites as related to water criteria. ANOVA statistical analysis has indicated significant higher concentration of Mn, Pb, Cd and Cu in water at FBS than MBS (P<0.01) and high tissue concentration of Mn, Cd, Pb and Cu at individuals collected from FBS (P<0.01). The highest value of annual mean of BAF at <i>Nereis</i> tissues were recorded for Cu (1023.09±816.55), while the lowest BAF was for Pb (162.97±118.03). Polychaete abundance was significantly higher at MBS. Significant effect was found for water criteria on metal bioaccumulation and population density of <i>Nereis</i>. Data were discussed to evaluate the sensitivity of <i>N. succinea</i> to heavy metal pollutants and its possible use as biological monitor for metal contaminants at marine habitats.

Pickworthiidae and Aqabarellidae New Family (Caenogastropoda, Mollusca) of Aqaba, Jordan: Their Larval Shells and Remarks about Their Evolution and Relation

Among small sized gastropods found in Aqaba (Jordan), Sansonia occurs relatively common with Sansoniacebuana which is recognized from the the fringing reef near the Marine Biological Station at Aqaba, while Mecoliotia and Chrystella are rare. Mecoliotia aqabaensis n. sp and Chrystella shinaqi n. sp are described with the later resembling Chrystella finckhi. They are compared with other members of the Pick-worthiidae, of which a new species of Discrevina from Indonesia is described. A species of Aqabarella new genus resembles in shape of its teleoconch members of the Pickworthiidae but its protoconch is distinct in ornament of the larval shell and shape of the aperture and it is placed in it own family, Aqabarellidae. Aqabarella urdunensis is relatively more common than the rare Aqabarella pulchella. Similar larval shells are found in Vanikoridae, Planaxidae and Cerithiidae, those of Littorinidae and Rissoidae are more distinct and all of them differ from those of the Aqabarellidae, while some ancient small species from the Triassic tropical Tethys had a similar protoconch.

Cartographic delimitation and characterization of potential marine artificial micro-reserves on the coasts of Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar)

Event Abstract Back to Event Cartographic delimitation and characterization of potential marine artificial micro-reserves on the coasts of Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar) Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas1*, Stefania Coppa2, Free Espinosa1 and José C. García-Gómez1 1 Universidad de Sevilla, Departamento de Zoología, Spain 2 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy Artificial Marine Micro-Reserves (AMMRs) is a protection concept for coastal defense structures where species or ecosystems of special interest are present. They are proposed areas that may be protected by the owners, performing an agreement with public administration to achieve the conservation goals. From AMMRs arise positive ecological and environmental aspects: direct protection of endangered species and indirect protection of non-protected species through reserve effect, increased probability of an early detection of non-native species, higher environmental integration of coastal structures and also the opportunity to implement the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60CE). The present study focused on the biological characterization of intertidal zone of breakwaters in Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar area), in order to obtain useful information and assess potential AMMRs. Intertidal levels studied were +0.25cm and +0.75cm over lowest tide, taking five random 25x25cm photographs to horizontal and vertical sides each within 10m transects. Species of interest were cataloged into different groups: Protected somehow (Pr), Bioindicators (Bi), Invasive or non-indigenous (In) and regulated harvest (Re). In addition, the number of waste was recorded to assess the anthropic impact over the different studied areas. Results show that artificial structures within the North Bay of Ceuta fits the needed requirements to be protected as an AMMR. It also has been detected settled over these structures a huge number of juveniles and adults of the endangered gastropod Patella ferruginea, and also of several species with some type of protection degree: Cymbula nigra, Dendropoma petraeum, Astroides calycularis and Lithophyllum byssoides. These results, bound by the appearance of several bioindicator species as Astroides calycularis, Dendropoma petraeum, Lithophyllum byssoides and Actinia equina are linked to the high quality and renovation of Ceuta’s port water. The abundance of adult reproductive specimens on the studied populations of the species above mentioned is a high incentive to consider the artificial structures within the North Bay as the first AMMR worldwide and, from a conservation point of view, to manage this area with a view to establish a future AMMRs network which may increase some species populations connectivity. Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their gratitude to Íñigo Donázar Aramendía for his help in the counting processes and Francisco Sánchez Martín y Luís de Amuedo Sánchez for their assistance and equipment provided. The present study was developed under the Marine Biology Station of Ceuta scientific projects, an institution supported by Autoridad Portuaria de Ceuta, Autoridad Portuaria de Sevilla, Ciudad de Ceuta, Aquagestión Sur, Watergames-GranAzul, Marina Hércules and CEPSA. The present study Keywords: Marine Micro-Reserves Networks, Coastal defense, Artificial systems, protected species, Strait of Gibraltar Conference: XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: 1. ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS Citation: Ostalé-Valriberas E, Coppa S, Espinosa F and García-Gómez J (2016). Cartographic delimitation and characterization of potential marine artificial micro-reserves on the coasts of Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00130 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 29 Apr 2016; Published Online: 03 Sep 2016. * Correspondence: Mr. Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas, Universidad de Sevilla, Departamento de Zoología, Sevilla, 41012, Spain, enriqueostalevalriberas@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas Stefania Coppa Free Espinosa José C. García-Gómez Google Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas Stefania Coppa Free Espinosa José C. García-Gómez Google Scholar Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas Stefania Coppa Free Espinosa José C. García-Gómez PubMed Enrique Ostalé-Valriberas Stefania Coppa Free Espinosa José C. García-Gómez Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

JAMBIO Coastal Organism Joint Surveys reveals undiscovered biodiversity around Sagami Bay

JAMBIO, Japanese Association for Marine Biology, has been organizing JAMBIO Coastal Organism Joint Surveys at Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, and Misaki Marine Biological Station, the University of Tokyo. The aims of the Surveys are to uncover the benthic marine fauna of the coastal areas in and around Sagami Bay, and to form a collaborative network between marine biologists across Japan. We have so far performed six surveys, with over 100 participants in total, using common equipment such as dredges, bottom mud samplers, and epibenthic sleds. Even in Sagami Bay, one of the most intensively studied marine environments in the world, we have succeeded in collecting about 50 probable undescribed species. Other species were collected for the first time from Sagami Bay or found from previously unreported depth. The Surveys could be useful for ecological and environmental studies as well. We plan to continue the JAMBIO Coastal Organism Joint Surveys to further reveal the rich biodiversity within and around Sagami Bay and to accelerate nationwide research collaborations. We also hope to expand the Surveys to include plants and protists, and to perform them at other areas in Japan. Through the Surveys, we aim to develop new cross-disciplinary research areas and to record the long-term transition of biota along the Japanese coast.

New insights into the controversy surrounding marine biological laboratory (Marine Station) facilities in the Firth of Clyde in the early twentieth century

Three letters from the Sheina Marshall archive at the former University Marine Biological Station Millport (UMBSM) reveal the pivotal significance of Sheina Marshall's father, Dr John Nairn Marshall, behind the scheme planned by Glasgow University's Regius Professor of Zoology, John Graham Kerr. He proposed to build an alternative marine station facility on Cumbrae's adjacent island of Bute in the Firth of Clyde in the early years of the twentieth century to cater predominantly for marine researchers.

The current status of the Adriatic sea fish biodiversity

Event Abstract Back to Event The current status of the Adriatic sea fish biodiversity Jakov Dulčić1* and Lovrenc Lipej2 1 Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Croatia 2 Marine Biological Station University of Ljubljana, Slovenia The marine biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is nowadays facing substantial structural changes in flora and fauna. Such changes were observed in the Adriatic Sea as well. During the last few decades, various factors including climate change, anthropogenic activity and lessepsian migration have altered the composition of Adriatic ichthyofauna. Furthermore, extensive investigations carried out in the last decades allowed us to recognize species previously not recorded or reported in this area. These changes are reflected in the number of species quoted in the checklist of Adriatic fishes, from 407 in 1996 (sensu Jardas, 1996) to 440 in 2010 (Agnatha 1, Elasmobranchii 52, Holocephali 1 and Actinopterygii 386) (sensu Lipej and Dulčić, 2010). The present updates for the period 2010-2014, were compiled from survey of relevant scientific papers and doctoral theses. Only those species which were reported and appropriately documented in scientific literature were taken into consideration. In the period of 2010-2014, twelve new fish species have been recorded in the Adriatic Sea such as Lobotes surinamensis, Siganus luridus, Paranthias furcifer, Holacanthus ciliaris, Elates ransonnetti, Enchelycore anatina, Caranx rhonchus, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Chrysiptera cyanea, Notoscopelus kroeyerii, Notoscopelus bolini and Dipturus nidaroniensis. These findings increase the number of fish species recorded in the Adriatic Sea to 452 (Elasmobranchii 53, Actinopterygii 397). Certain fish species were probably related to recent processes in the Adriatic Sea, such as bioinvasion and tropicalisation. Of the 14 Lessepsian migrants that were recorded in the Adriatic Sea, Fistularia commersonii and Siganus luridus proved to be successful invaders in its southern part. Some fish species were recorded for the very first time due to new research approaches and techniques in the area (e.g. cryptobenthic fish fauna). Keywords: Adriatic sea, Fishes, Biodiversity, changes, Lessepsian migrants Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Ecology, Conservation and Invasive Species Citation: Dulčić J and Lipej L (2015). The current status of the Adriatic sea fish biodiversity. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00073 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 13 Nov 2015; Published Online: 17 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Jakov Dulčić, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia, dulcic@izor.hr Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jakov Dulčić Lovrenc Lipej Google Jakov Dulčić Lovrenc Lipej Google Scholar Jakov Dulčić Lovrenc Lipej PubMed Jakov Dulčić Lovrenc Lipej Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

The Essen-based steel producer Alfred Krupp (1812-1887) as a reader of the flora and fauna of the Gulf of Naples. A look at the relationship of Anton Dohrn (1840-1909) to the house Krupp

A unfavourable notice written by industrial magnate Alfred Krupp (1812-1887) has been discovered on the posterior cover sheet of the first volume of the monumental series Fauna und Flora des Golfes von Neapel, edited by the Zoological Station at Naples (1880) Krupp's handwritten statement affords the opportunity to discuss in more detail the intricate relationship between the founder of the first marine biology station, Anton Dohrn (1840-1909), and the owner of the greatest steel factory in Europe, the Krupp-family at Essen. Although Anton Dohrn did not know about Krupp's disapproving comment he had a fine unerring instinct for the mentality of his negotiating partner, whose way of thinking rather aimed at the practical success and completion of armament factory, preventing thus a the serious rapprochement between the two personalities. Even when the Krupp-heir, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, later devoted to questions about marine biology in his new built house at Capri, and was willing to support the Zoological Station with high sponsoring, Anton Dohrn maintained a reserved attitude towards the Krupp's offer to support the marine research financially. Likewise, he remained unimpressed, when the steel magnate was shook by the smear campaign in Capri that ultimately led to Krupp's death in November 1902.

Jellyfish biochemical composition: importance of standardised sample processing

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 510:275-288 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10959 Jellyfish biochemical composition: importance of standardised sample processing T. Kogovšek1,2,*, T. Tinta1, K. Klun1, A. Malej1 1National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornač 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia 2Present address: Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 4-4 Kagamiyama 1 Chome, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan *Corresponding author: tjasa.kogovsek@mbss.org ABSTRACT: Jellyfish play a key role in many pelagic ecosystems, especially in areas of extensive bloom events. In order to understand their role in pelagic food webs and in biogeochemical cycling, the energy stored and the trophic level occupied by jellyfish need to be quantified. To date, the common protocols applied for quantifying jellyfish biomass and analyzing its biochemical composition have been the same as for crustacean zooplankton, despite the difference in the body composition of the 2 groups. With the goal of establishing a uniform and reliable protocol for assessing jellyfish biomass, elemental, stable isotope and amino acid pool composition, we compared several methods commonly used in zooplankton ecology. Our results show that jellyfish dry mass varied with ambient salinity changes, thus giving a poor representation of jellyfish biomass. Moreover, the content of organic matter determined as ash free dry mass was overestimated; it was on average 2.2 times higher when compared to the mass of the retained material after dialysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that during oven-drying at 60°C the protein-rich jellyfish tissue underwent significant changes: samples were (1) depleted in elemental C and N and total amino acid pool and (2) enriched in 15N, when compared to freeze-dried samples. We therefore suggest that freeze-drying should be selected over oven-drying before isotope and total amino acid analysis is applied. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the methods used to assess jellyfish biochemical composition should be carefully chosen. KEY WORDS: Scyphomedusae · Biochemical composition · Stable isotopes · Membrane dialysis · Salinity · Amino acid pool composition Full text in pdf format PreviousCite this article as: Kogovšek T, Tinta T, Klun K, Malej A (2014) Jellyfish biochemical composition: importance of standardised sample processing. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 510:275-288. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10959 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 510. Online publication date: September 09, 2014 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.

In love of meiofauna, morphology, and phylogenetic systematics: an obituary for Peter Ax 29.03.1927–02.05.2013

Peter Ax deceased on 2 May 1913. For more than 20 years, until 1993, he was editor of Zeitschrift fur Morphologie der Tiere, later renamed Zoomorphologie, then Zoomorphology. We will remember him as an influential zoologist strictly using evolution as the common base of systematics, as an enthusiastic and stimulating teacher, and as an extraordinary scientist. Peter Ax was born in Hamburg. After he finished the high school, he was forced to military service in the last days of World War II. Captured by the Russian Army, he once told me, he had tremendous luck to appear too weak and thus unfit for being transferred into captivity to Russia so that he finally was released into freedom. After having returned into the largely destroyed City of Hamburg, he decided to study biology at the University of Kiel in 1946. To decide freely what to do, he told me, was part of an immeasurable freedom he and his friends felt during the time after the war. It created an atmosphere of intense willingness to learn and to work hard at the subject of one’s choice. In Kiel, he soon joined the group of Adolf Remane, who was the leading German zoological systematist by that time. In Kiel, Adolf Remane and his group focussed on studying the biodiversity and ecology of the interstitial system of marine sediments in the Kiel Bight (Kieler Bucht), located in the Western part of the Baltic Sea. Within the scope of this research focus, Peter Ax studied the interstitial flatworm community, which marked the beginning of his continuous interest into free-living Platyhelminthes as well as into the interstitial realm in general throughout his entire scientific life. In 1950, he finished his Ph.D. thesis on the flatworm community in the Kiel Bight; this thesis was published 1 year later (Ax 1951). A postdoc position as assistant professor at the chair of Adolf Remane allowed him to extend his studies on the biodiversity, morphology, and ecology of interstitial flatworms to the Baltic Sea as well as to sandy beaches of the North Sea, the eastern Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean. At the marine biological station of Tvaerminne (Finland), he became familiar with the platyhelminths inhabiting brackish water environments. This special platyhelminth fauna remained one focus of his research and dominated his work particularly in the last period of active research (Ax 1959, 2008). T. Bartolomaeus (&) University of Bonn, Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany e-mail: tbartolomaeus@evolution.uni-bonn.de

The distribution of eared horse mussel, Modiolus auriculatus (KRAUSS, 1848) along the Red Sea coast of Egypt

A study on the ecology of the mussel Modiolus auriculatus that inhabits the inter-tidal rocky substrate of Hurghada area at the Red Sea coast of Egypt was carried out. A coastal survey had taken place during the period from February 2011 to January 2012; it covered the area between Ras Gharib (150km. North Hurghada City), of lat. 28° 21′ 43′′ and long. 33° 05′ 47′, and South El-Quseir of lat. 26° 05′ 53′′ and long. 34° 17′ 50′′. Eighteen sites were studied, and the surveyed species, M. auriculatus, was recorded in five stations out of those 18. The results of the survey also showed that the total number of individuals recorded at the station was 12,533 in five sites (Marine Biology station (NIOF), South El-Quseir, El-Quseir Harbor, North El-Quseir and Mangrove South Safaga); of which 12,133 of them were alive and 400 were dead. The examination of the field data sheets revealed that M. auriculatus was recorded at different types of habitats during the survey, and that each of these habitats had unique characters.

The history of acorn worm studies and marine biological stations in Japan(PROCEEDINGS, JSSZ SYMPOSIUM, 2013)

The history of acorn worm studies and marine biological stations in Japan(PROCEEDINGS, JSSZ SYMPOSIUM, 2013)

First data on sperm heteromorphism in the mussels Crenomytilus grayanus and Mytilus trossulus (Bivalvia) from the Sea of Japan

Bivalve mollusks of the family Mytilidae inhabit almost all regions of the world ocean. Representatives of the genera Mytilus and Crenomytilus that are impor� tant objects of the mariculture and commercial catch� ing, dominate in coastal waters of the Sea of Japan. In the study of reproductive strategies of mytilids, their spermatozoa were described by a number of authors [3, 8, 12–14]. The data covered, mainly, peculiarities of morphology and ultrastructure of spermatozoa and traditionally were used for decision of questions in tax� onomy of this group of mollusks. Transmission elec� tron microscopy has shown that mytilids are charac� terized by a “primitive” type of the spermatozoon, which is usually found in invertebrate animals with external fertilization [10]. Until recent time, it has been considered that only one sperm type is inherent in each species of mytilids. However, we have revealed unusual cases of the heteromorphism in the sperm of Gray’s mussel Crenomytilus grayanus (Dunker, 1853) and the Pacific blue mussel Mytilus trossulus Gould, 1850. The goal of this study was detailed analysis of the heteromorphism phenomenon in male gametes of these two species. Mature gonads of mollusks, collected in the Vostok Bay (the Sea of Japan) in July–August 2011 were used for the study. Material was collected at the Vostok Marine Biological Station of the Institute of Marine Biology. Under laboratory conditions, gonads were removed and crashed into small pieces, which were fixed at 4°C in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.2 M cacody� late buffer solution (pH 7.4) for 2–4 h. Then, the spec� imens were washed in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer solution for 15–20 min. The sperm suspension was placed by a pipette onto the surface of Thermanox cover slips (Cat. no. 72280), incubated until they sedimented (for 30 min), and then dehydrated in a series of accelerat� ing concentrations of ethanol, gradually bringing to a pure acetone. After that, the specimens were critical�

A History of the Cultured Pearl Industry

During the 18th and 19th centuries, studies of how pearls are formed were conducted mainly in Europe. The subsequent pearl culturing experiments conducted worldwide in the early 20th century, however, failed to develop into a pearl industry. In Japan, however, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in culturing blister pearls in 1893 under the guidance of Kakichi Mitsukuri, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) and the first director of the Misaki Marine Biological Station, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo. This success and subsequent developments laid the foundation for the pearl farming industry, developed new demand for cultured pearls in the European jewelry market, and initiated the full-scale industrialization of pearl culturing. In addition, research at the Misaki Marine Biological Station resulted in noteworthy advances in the scientific study of pearl formation. Today, pearls are cultured worldwide, utilizing a variety of pearl oysters. The pearl farming industry, with its unique origins in Japan, has grown into a global industry. Recently, the introduction of genome analysis has allowed cultured pearl research to make rapid progress worldwide in such areas as the dynamics of mother-of-pearl layer formation and biomineralization. This signals another new era in the study of pearls.

Initiating the Mollusk Genomics Annotation Community: Toward Creating the Complete Curated Gene-Set of the Japanese Pearl Oyster,Pinctada fucata

The genome sequence of the Japanese pearl oyster, the first draft genome from a mollusk, was published in February 2012. In order to curate the draft genome assemblies and annotate the predicted gene models, two annotation Jamborees were held in Okinawa and Tokyo. To date, 761 genes have been surveyed and curated. A preparatory meeting and a debriefing were held at the Misaki Marine Biological Station before and after the Jamborees. These four events, in conjunction with the sequence-decoding project, have facilitated the first series of gene annotations. Genome annotators among the Jamboree participants added 22 functional categories to the annotation system to date. Of these, 17 are included in Generic Gene Ontology. The other five categories are specific to molluskan biology, such as "Byssus Formation" and "Shell Formation", including Biomineralization and Acidic Proteins. A total of 731 genes from our latest version of gene models are annotated and classified into these 22 categories. The resulting data will serve as a useful reference for future genomic analyses of this species as well as comparative analyses among mollusks.

Scientific activity of Prof. Pranciškus Baltrus Šivickis at University of Philippines in 1922–1928.Is he still remembered in Philippines?

Pranciskus Baltrus Sivickis worked as Professor of Zoology at University of Philippines (UP) in 1922–1928. Irrespective of his quite short stay in this country, P. B. Sivickis is still remembered there. However, some important facts of his scien­tific activity are still obscure to Philippine scientists. In 1997, Philippines cele­bra­ted the centenary of Jose S. Domantay, an internationally acclaimed echinodermist. In commemoration of the event, M. F. Cichon wrote an article where he mentioned the first publication of J. S. Domantay that had been in general the first article on Philippine holothurians and “which he co-authored with P. B. Sivickis”. M. F. Cichon wrote about the influence exerted on J. S. Domantay by Philippine scientists, alas, in this context he did not mention P. B. Sivickis. M. F. Cichon was unaware that the first article on holothurians was a publication of the master thesis of J. S. Domantay supervised by P. B. Sivickis; therefore, the initial and the most important influence was exerted namely by him. In 2010, a 100-year anniversary of biology in UP was celebrated. On this occasion, F. Lacanilao made a survey of professors’ publications in SCI-indexed journals and made a top list of Philippine biologists. P. B. Sivickis was entered into this list. However, F. Lacanilao had no information on the following events: the exact dates of P. B. Sivickis’ service at UP, his publications in Science and Nature, his scientific career after his departure from Philippines. Also, in the survey he was referred to as an American. In 1923, P. B. Sivickis established Marine Biological Station in Puerto Galera (PG) and in 1924–1925 was Director of the Station. He demonstrated a perfect insight to choose PG as a location for the Station. In the 1980s a study by UP found out that PG area can boast the highest diversity of marine species in the world. PG was registered as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1973 and listed by Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World in 2005, and is the only bay in Philippines to be listed there. It is a pity that Philippine scientists did not remember who had been the founder of the Station in PG and the date it had been founded: according to M. D. Fortes, the Station was established by University of Philippines in 1932.

Philippine people and landscapes in the photographs from Pranciškus Baltrus Šivickis’ photoarchive

The photoarchive of Pranciskus Baltrus Sivickis (1882–1968), one of the most prominent Lithuanian biologists of the 20th century, is very large containing about 3 000 photos. This has been the first attempt at investigating the photoarchive. In the article, photos from the period 1922–1928 when P. B. Sivickis was professor at University of Philippines are published alongside with their analysis. The analysis of his photoarchive repeatedly reinforces the image of a personality of varied attainments. He liked to photograph and had a variety of interests: Philippine nature, landscape, architecture, historical monuments, traditions and customs, sketches of everyday life, engineering equipment, etc. This makes his photos of great value to historians who investigate the period of time (1922–1928) in general and the history of the country, ethnography and University of Philippines in particular. The majority of photos are portraits of his students and of University’s staff which shows that not only scientific activity but also pedagogical work has been very much to his liking. Many localities in Philippines have been photographed with the emphasis on Puerto Galera where P. B. Sivickis has established Marine Biology Station. In the photos we identified part of P. B. Sivickis’ assistants and students and the professorship of University of Philippines: President Rafael Palma, Dean of Liberal Arts College Maximo M. Kalaw and others. Of course, there is quite a number of artistic photos, however, in technical terms the quality is often far from satisfactory. The fact that sometimes photos have been glued in full to album pages or on Whatman paper is a great deterioration; besides, it aggravates the deciphering process – makes the reading of inscriptions on the reverse impossible. Apart from photographs taken by P. B. Sivickis the photoarchive also contains portraits of Philippine people taken in photo studios and given to him as a present. The gift portraits reveal the trends in photography of those times and allow us to make some suppositions about his personal life in Philippines.

新潟大学理学部附属臨海実験所

新潟大学理学部附属臨海実験所