Second Growth Phase Research Articles

Formation of vertical columnar seismic structures and seafloor depressions by groundwater discharge in the drowned Miami Terrace platform and overlying deep-water carbonates, southeastern Florida

The presence of vertical cross-formational fluid migration passageways within sedimentary basins can profoundly impact aquifer and reservoir fluid-flow and their identification is fundamental to informing management of subsurface fluid resources (groundwater, oil, gas). In an onshore and offshore southeastern part of Florida, 2D/3D seismic-reflection and bathymetry data document ∼153 vertical columnar structures composed of reflection disruptions up to 790 m in the height and averaging 360 m in diameter, and ∼219 subcircular to circular seafloor depressions up to 1334 m wide. Our study focuses on these features found within the offshore shallow-marine carbonate Miami Terrace platform, which drowned approximately at the end of the middle Miocene, and within overlying Plio-Quaternary deep-water carbonate slope and drift deposits. Most columnar structures are rooted in stratiform aquifers of the Miami Terrace platform and associated with faults or fault intersections produced by Eocene and circa late Miocene tectonics. The columns commonly terminate within the platform or as subcircular depressions along an amalgamated karstic and drowning unconformity at the platform top. The columns typically stretch upwards from a zone of deep karst cavity collapse through the Miami Terrace platform with upward decreasing sag on internal reflections. Following drowning and Plio-Quaternary partial burial of the Miami Terrace platform by deep-water deposits, the subcircular depressions and faults along the platform top were points of origin for a second phase of column growth upward into the deep-water deposits. The continuation of deep platform cavity collapse and column evolution produced pockmarks along paleo-seafloors within the deep-water deposits and at the present-day sea floor. The Plio-Quaternary pockmarks formed at water depths too deep to suggest an origin related to meteoric karst above or near sea level, but rather their formation is suggested to be related to cyclic sea level falls that drove increased groundwater head and density gradients, and seafloor discharge of offshore freshened groundwater sourced from the underlying platform. Plausibly, mixing of freshened groundwater and seawater at the seafloor discharge sites drove dissolution of the host deep-water deposits, which together with erosion by groundwater venting and current scouring formed the pockmarks.Seaward of the Plio-Quaternary seafloor pockmarks, at the late-middle Miocene upper slope of the Miami Terrace platform and along the regional karst/drowning unconformity is a slope-parallel band of ∼189 densely distributed subcircular seafloor depressions with diameters up to 1334 m at water depths up to ∼660 m. It is plausible that along the upper slope, faults and fractures produced by gravity-driven slope instability and possibly tectonics formed a dense network of fluid passageways that promoted upward artesian freshened groundwater flow to sites of discharge where mixing with seawater generated limestone dissolution and the depressions. But tectonic uplift may have forced emersion and initial meteoric sinkhole formation circa late Miocene with later enhancement by freshened groundwater discharge and bottom current erosion.

Histological characteristics of oocyte differentiation in the captive longnose seahorse Hippocampus trimaculatus (Leach, 1814).

This study aimed to explore the reproductive histology and oocyte differentiation of the longnose seahorse Hippocampus trimaculatus (Leach, 1814) in captivity. Five mature healthy females were histologically observed. The reproductive systems of the five specimens exhibited similar morphological characteristics with a pair of saccular creamy white ovaries merging caudally into a single gonoduct. There were two germinal ridges lined with a layer of germinal epithelium (GE). The ovarian maturation of this species was considered asynchronous. The oogenic cells were classified into oogonia and oocytes at several developmental phases based on their size and characteristics. Oogonia were identified among the connective tissue in the middle area of the GE. The stromal compartment contained oocytes that were classified into four distinct phases: the primary growth (PG) phase having two steps (perinucleolar and oil droplets-cortical alveolar steps) and the secondary growth (SG) phase with three oocyte types, including early SG oocytes, late SG oocytes, and fully grown oocytes. The atretic oocytes (AO) were observed in all stages of oogenesis. Postovulatory follicles were also seen among the ovarian connective tissue. The occurrence of postovulatory follicles suggested that the specimens analysed in this study were in the spawning period. This research provides new insights into the identification of the reproductive cycles and morphological characteristics of the ovary of H. trimaculatus.

New Type of SIOP Structure in Serpulidae: Formation and Evolutionary Implications

There is a controversy involved in the models of the formation of serpulid tube microstructures, which either have been formed in similar ways to molluscan structures or in an alternative, unique serpulid way. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of the tube microstructure of Crucigera zygophora has been performed. A new serpulid tube microstructure, an aggregative SIOP, has been discovered in C. zygophora, herein termed ASIOP. During the first phase of crystallization, the sparsely located nuclei of the ASIOP structure formed, and in the second phase of crystal growth, the nucleation of spherultic sectors took place on the surface of preformed nuclei. The ASIOP structure differs from SIOP by more sparsely located crystallisation centres (nuclei) and the slower formation (i.e., crystallisation) of basic units. The formation of the ASIOP structure cannot be fully explained by the classical carbonate slurry model. Future comparative studies should show whether molluscan crossed spindle-like structures and serpulid SIOP structures are structural analogues.

The spatio-temporal evolution and transformation mode of human settlement quality from the perspective of “production-living-ecological" spaces--a case study of Jilin Province

Amidst rapid industrialization and urbanization, urban and rural human settlements have witnessed marked transformations, each exhibiting distinct developmental trajectories and challenges. Utilizing the “Production-Living-Ecological" spatial theory within territorial planning, this study devises a comprehensive evaluation system for human settlement quality. It delineates the evolution of human settlement quality across 47 counties (districts) in Jilin Province from 1999 to 2020, elucidates the interplay among the three aforementioned dimensions, and identifies the prevailing modes of human settlement transformation. Key findings include: (1) Jilin Province has seen significant enhancements in human settlement quality. Notable shifts in this quality occurred in 2006 and 2015. The synergy and reciprocal influences among the production, living, and ecological dimensions have intensified, with coordination continually advancing. (2) Human settlement quality varies with higher levels in the east and south and lower levels in the west and north in Jilin Province, indicating a spatial clustering pattern. Living and ecological conditions are generally better in the east compared to the west, with noticeable economic-environmental mutual constraints in the west. (3) Given a certain socio-economic development threshold, the trajectory of human settlement quality sketches an overarching “S"-shaped growth pattern. This can be categorized into the first phase of fluctuation, followed by the second phase of significant growth and the third phase of slowing growth. This research furnishes foundational insights for fostering green, low-carbon human settlements and promotes the exploration of harmonious interactions between humans and nature, particularly within the ambit of carbon peak and neutrality objectives.

Cellulolytic enzymes in Microbulbifer sp. Strain GL-2, a marine fish intestinal bacterium, with emphasis on endo-1,4-β-glucanases Cel5A and Cel8.

Cellulose is an abundant biomass on the planet. Various cellulases from environmental microbes have been explored for industrial use of cellulose. Marine fish intestine is of interest as one source of new enzymes. Here, we report the discovery of genes encoding two β-glucosidases (Bgl3A and Bgl3B) and four endo-1,4-β-glucanases (Cel5A, Cel8, Cel5B, and Cel9) as part of the genome sequence of a cellulolytic marine bacterium, Microbulbifer sp. Strain GL-2. Five of these six enzymes (excepting Cel5B) are presumed to localize to the periplasm or outer membrane. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated that all six genes were highly expressed in stationary phase. The transcription was induced by cello-oligosaccharides rather than by glucose, suggesting that the cellulases are produced primarily for nutrient acquisition following initial growth, facilitating the secondary growth phase. We cloned the genes encoding two of the endo-1,4-β-glucanases, Cel5A and Cel8, and purified the corresponding recombinant enzymes following expression in Escherichia coli. The activity of Cel5A was observed across a wide range of temperatures (10-40 ˚C) and pHs (6-8). This pattern differed from those of Cel8 and the commercial cellulase Enthiron, both of which exhibit decreased activities below 30 ˚C and at alkaline pHs. These characteristics suggest that Cel5A might find use in industrial applications. Overall, our results reinforce the hypothesis that marine bacteria remain a possible source of novel cellulolytic activities.

The effect of diet density on allometry in pullet growth and early egg production

Understanding the effect of nutrition on pullet growth curves and body composition may help to design new feeding strategies that influence body composition and (long-term) laying performance. Therefore, this study examined the effect of nutrient density (low, medium or high metabolizable energy and essential amino acids), fed in the rearing phase until 17 wk of age, on Hy-Line white W80 pullet growth, body composition development and egg production performance until wk 35. Data were subjected to mixed model analyses. To determine a multiphasic allometric relationship between body components, an overall growth curve was established and inflection points were determined. The linear higher BW at the end of the rearing phase, due to increased diet density, was maintained during the peak production phase until wk 35. Egg production parameters were not affected by rearing diet density. Breast and body crude protein percentages were not influenced by dietary treatments, whereas body crude fat and abdominal fat pad percentages were linearly increased with diet density from early age onward. Body crude protein was initially deposited at the same rate as body dry matter. In a second phase of growth from wk 12 onward, crude protein deposition was lower than body dry matter deposition, but was not influenced by rearing diet. Body crude fat, on the other hand, initially grew at a lower rate than body dry matter, but increased in deposition rate during a second phase of growth starting at wk 2 to 5. Pullets fed the high density diet showed higher deposition of crude fat vs. dry matter as compared to pullets fed the medium density diets in the first phase until wk 2, but exhibited lower crude fat deposition in the second phase until wk 8. These results indicate that until approximately wk 12, crude protein deposition was mainly driving growth and was not influenced by diet density. From wk 5 to 6 onward, crude fat deposition relative to protein deposition increased and this was influenced by diet density from an early age.

Proteomic analysis of zebrafish folliculogenesis identifies YB-1 (Ybx1/ybx1) as a potential gatekeeping molecule controlling early ovarian folliculogenesis.

As in mammals, ovarian folliculogenesis in teleosts also consists of two phases: the primary growth (PG) and secondary growth (SG) phases, which are analogous to the preantral and antral phases respectively in mammals. In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis on zebrafish follicles undergoing the PG-SG transition aiming to identify factors involved in the event. Numerous proteins showed significant changes, and the most prominent one was Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1; Ybx1/ybx1), a transcription factor and mRNA-binding protein. YB-1 belongs to the Y-box binding protein family, which also includes the gonad-specific YB-2. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis showed no YB-2 homolog in zebrafish. Although ybx1 mRNA was expressed in various tissues, its protein Ybx1 was primarily produced in the gonads, similar to YB-2 in other species. In the ovary, Ybx1 protein started to appear in early follicles newly emerged from the germ cell cysts, reached the highest level in late PG oocytes, but decreased precipitously when the follicles entered the SG phase. In PG follicles, Ybx1 might function as a key component of the messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) in association with other RNA-binding proteins. Similar to mammalian YB-1, zebrafish Ybx1 also contains functional signals that determine its intracellular localization. In conclusion, Ybx1 may play dual roles of YB-1 and YB-2 in zebrafish. In the ovary, Ybx1 binds mRNAs to stabilize them while preventing their translation. At PG-SG transition, Ybx1 is removed to release the masked mRNAs for translation into functional proteins, leading to follicle activation.

Quantitative Analysis of Ovarian Dynamics of European Sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) during Its Spawning Period

Fish with indeterminate fecundity spawn multiple times throughout a protracted reproductive period. During that period several ovulation events succeed one another, and different oocyte developmental stages co-occur in the ovaries with new oocytes consistently recruiting from one growth phase to the next to form the sequential batches. In this study, we examined in detail the oocyte recruitment and development pattern of the sequential batches in a commercially important fish with indeterminate fecundity, the European sardine. The numbers and sizes of oocytes at different developmental stages were estimated for four phases of the ovulatory cycle (ovarian stages) and during the main spawning season (November–March) by applying the oocyte packing density theory in combination with stereological techniques. General linear models (GLMs) were used to test for changes in oocyte sizes as well as relative oocyte numbers per developmental stage within the different ovarian stages in the successive spawning months. A temporal association between several transition events of the oocyte development process was revealed. Specifically, the final maturation of the advanced batch triggered (a) the recruitment of oocytes from primary to secondary growth phase, (b) de novo vitellogenesis and (c) a surge of yolk deposition in primary vitellogenic oocytes. Oocyte recruitment was completed two days after the ovulation of the advanced batch and relative numbers of primary and secondary growth oocytes were thereafter stable until the next final maturation event. This pattern of oocyte recruitment and growth remained unchanged during the course of the spawning season. This study advances our knowledge on oocyte recruitment and development in fish with indeterminate fecundity, which is key to understanding reproduction and its drivers at the individual and population level.

Lessons on fruiting body morphogenesis from genomes and transcriptomes of Agaricomycetes.

Fruiting bodies (sporocarps, sporophores or basidiomata) of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) are among the most complex structures produced by fungi. Unlike vegetative hyphae, fruiting bodies grow determinately and follow a genetically encoded developmental program that orchestrates their growth, tissue differentiation and sexual sporulation. In spite of more than a century of research, our understanding of the molecular details of fruiting body morphogenesis is still limited and a general synthesis on the genetics of this complex process is lacking. In this paper, we aim at a comprehensive identification of conserved genes related to fruiting body morphogenesis and distil novel functional hypotheses for functionally poorly characterised ones. As a result of this analysis, we report 921 conserved developmentally expressed gene families, only a few dozens of which have previously been reported to be involved in fruiting body development. Based on literature data, conserved expression patterns and functional annotations, we provide hypotheses on the potential role of these gene families in fruiting body development, yielding the most complete description of molecular processes in fruiting body morphogenesis to date. We discuss genes related to the initiation of fruiting, differentiation, growth, cell surface and cell wall, defence, transcriptional regulation as well as signal transduction. Based on these data we derive a general model of fruiting body development, which includes an early, proliferative phase that is mostly concerned with laying out the mushroom body plan (via cell division and differentiation), and a second phase of growth via cell expansion as well as meiotic events and sporulation. Altogether, our discussions cover 1 480 genes of Coprinopsis cinerea, and their orthologs in Agaricus bisporus, Cyclocybe aegerita, Armillaria ostoyae, Auriculariopsis ampla, Laccaria bicolor, Lentinula edodes, Lentinus tigrinus, Mycena kentingensis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Schizophyllum commune, providing functional hypotheses for ~10 % of genes in the genomes of these species. Although experimental evidence for the role of these genes will need to be established in the future, our data provide a roadmap for guiding functional analyses of fruiting related genes in the Agaricomycetes. We anticipate that the gene compendium presented here, combined with developments in functional genomics approaches will contribute to uncovering the genetic bases of one of the most spectacular multicellular developmental processes in fungi. Citation: Nagy LG, Vonk PJ, Künzler M, Földi C, Virágh M, Ohm RA, Hennicke F, Bálint B, Csernetics Á, Hegedüs B, Hou Z, Liu XB, Nan S, M. Pareek M, Sahu N, Szathmári B, Varga T, Wu W, Yang X, Merényi Z (2023). Lessons on fruiting body morphogenesis from genomes and transcriptomes of Agaricomycetes. Studies in Mycology 104: 1-85. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.104.01.

Learning about the growing habits and reproductive strategy of Thinopyrum intermedium through the establishment of its critical nitrogen dilution curve

The perennial grain crop Thinopyrum intermedium can provide various ecosystem services and a dual production of grains and forage. Yet, to improve crop management, better knowledges of its physiological behavior and growing habits are required. The goal of this study was to characterize Th. intermedium nitrogen (N) requirements through the evaluation of its response to N fertilization and the subsequent determination of its critical nitrogen dilution curve (CNDC). A field experiment was implemented in Belgium during three growing seasons with various N fertilization schemes. Biomass of the different organs and their N contents were measured at specific phenological stages. To estimate the CNDC, a Bayesian hierarchical model was applied on the assembled dataset. The validity of the curve was assessed on an independent dataset including contrasted N situations. Globally, N fertilization had a positive impact on the dry matter (DM) of leaves, stems and ears (p-value<0.05). The aboveground biomass and N uptake were found maximum with fertilization comprised between 100 and 150 kg N/ha applied over the entire growing year. At grain harvest, total DM ranged from 7.0 to 16.4 t DM/ha for a fertilization strategy of 100 kg N/ha, depending upon the growing season. The N amount of the aboveground biomass was found to decrease during the second phase of the growing cycle. As observed with the proposed CNDC, the aerial N content tended to decrease with the evolution of growing stages and biomass accumulation. Through the low a-coefficient determined for the CNDC, it was confirmed that the crop had reduced need in terms of N nutrition. The reduced N requirements can be linked to the high N use efficiency and a potential resource-conservative strategy of the crop. This, combined with the observed decrease of the N uptake by the aboveground biomass during the second phase of growth, can be related to the long-term survival strategy of the crop. The latter requires substantial investments in perennial belowground structures coupled with reduced resource allocations to seeds. Our study has highlighted that Th. intermedium is able to reach a high shoot DM production with low N needs. Our proposed CNDC will be highly helpful to help define N requirements in various pedo-climatic environments and adjust accordingly the soil-crop management, among which the N fertilization. Ultimately, the low N requirements of Th. intermedium coupled with a high N use efficiency demonstrated that it could enhance agronomic and environmental benefits.

A mechanistic study of Pt particle electrodeposition and growth on a self-assembled monolayer as an active template

• Application of monolayers on gold as templates for deposition of Pt particles. • Evaluation of particle growth using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. • Evaluation of growth mechanism with SH model using chronoamperometric deposition. • Evaluation of growth mechanism using time dependant image J analysis of the SEM. • Comparing mechanism of growth evaluated using SH model with SEM analysis. Platinum is an essential component in many commercial catalytic processes. However, due to its cost and availability considerable effort is made to control the amount, location, and accessibility of the platinum species on an electrode surface. The current study investigates a low-cost, and versatile method for the deposition of Pt particles using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) as an active assisted template on a gold electrode. Alkane (HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) 8 CH 3 ), alcohol (HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) 9 CH 2 OH) and carboxylate (HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) 8 CH 2 COOH) terminated monolayers were used to probe the impact of hydrophobicity on particle size, population density and growth mechanism. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) were employed to induce particle growth. From the CA data a dimensionless theoretical plot was calculated based on the Scharifker and Hills model to establish the mechanism as either progressive or instantaneous. The time-dependent study revealed a progressive nucleation mechanism for Pt particles synthesized on all three electrode surfaces, whereas microscopy and image analysis revealed an instantaneous nucleation mechanism for the alkane template only and progressive nucleation pathways for the alcohol and carboxylate SAM surfaces. The results indicated that SAM templating could be used to effectively control particle growth in a predictable fashion, however there is a limitation in application of the existing model due to a combination of factors including the migration of the SAM monomers on the electrode surface, the hydrophobicity of the terminal moieties and the occurrence of secondary and subsequent nucleation and growth phases. In addition, post-particle deposition CV was used to determine the impact of the SAM template on the active area of the Pt particles available for catalysis and showed that the hydrophobic SAM coatings gave significantly higher activity.

Transcription factor NTL9 negatively regulates Arabidopsis vascular cambium development during stem secondary growth.

In plant stems, secondary vascular development is established through the differentiation of cylindrical vascular cambium, producing secondary xylem (wood) and phloem (bast), which have economic importance. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the genetic mechanism underlying this process. NAC with Transmembrane Motif 1-like transcription factor 9 (NTL9) plays a central role in abiotic and immune signaling responses. Here, we investigated the role of NTL9 in vascular cambium development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) inflorescence stems by identifying and characterizing an Arabidopsis phloem circular-timing (pct) mutant. The pct mutant exhibited enhanced vascular cambium formation following secondary phloem production. In the pct mutant, although normal organization in vascular bundles was maintained, vascular cambium differentiation occurred at an early stage of stem development, which was associated with increased expression of cambium-/phloem-related genes and enhanced cambium activity. The pct mutant stem phenotype was caused by a recessive frameshift mutation that disrupts the transmembrane (TM) domain of NTL9. Our results indicate that NTL9 functions as a negative regulator of cambial activity and has a suppressive role in developmental transition to the secondary growth phase in stem vasculature, which is necessary for its precise TM domain-mediated regulation.

Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of fruit cracking: A review

Fruit cracking is a serious physiological disorder that affects fruit quality and productivity. It is a pre-harvest disorder that results in poor quality of fruits; these are not marketable and cause economic losses to growers. Generally, fruit cracking occurs during the second phase of fruit growth when expanding pulp induces pressure to peel and peel becomes thinner and microcracks appear, ultimately fruit splits and drops off from tree. Several factors that contribute to fruit cracking are irregular water supply, heavy crop load, warm-humid climatic conditions, nutrient mis-management and hormonal imbalance. Cultivars having thinner peels and deficiency of Ca, K, B and P in soils are more prone to fruit cracking. This review provides the physiological and biochemical basis of fruit cracking along with recommended control measures to reduce this disorder. Foliar application of synthetic auxins, gibberellins and minerals (Ca, Zn, P and B) at different time intervals for different species to significantly reduce fruit cracking is included in this review. Further molecular studies need to be proposed to study the actual mechanism of cracking through function of genesand biotechnological approaches can be followed so that cracking resistant varieties are produced

Synthesis and Characterization of Atmospherically Relevant Hydroxy Hydroperoxides

Hydroxy hydroperoxides are formed upon OH oxidation of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere and may contribute to secondary organic aerosol growth and aqueous phase chemistry after phase transfer to particles. Although the detection methods for oxidized volatile organic compounds improved much over the past decades, the limited availability of synthetic standards for atmospherically relevant hydroxy hydroperoxides prevented comprehensive investigations for the most part. Here, we present a straightforward improved synthetic access to isoprene-derived hydroxy hydroperoxides, i.e., 1,2-ISOPOOH and 4,3-ISOPOOH. Furthermore, we present the first successful synthesis of an α-pinene derived hydroxy hydroperoxide. All products were identified by 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy for structure elucidation, additional 2D NMR experiments were performed. Furthermore, gas-phase FTIR- and UV/VIS spectra are presented for the first time. Using the measured absorption cross section, the atmospheric photolysis rate of up to 2.1 × 10−3 s−1 was calculated for 1,2-ISOPOOH. Moreover, we present the investigation of synthesized hydroxy hydroperoxides in an aerosol chamber study by online MS techniques, namely PTR-ToFMS and (NO3−)-CI-APi-ToFMS. Fragmentation patterns recorded during these investigations are presented as well. For the (NO3−)-CI-APi-ToFMS, a calibration factor for 1,2-ISOPOOH was calculated as 4.44 × 10−5 ncps·ppbv−1 and a LOD (3σ, 1 min average) = 0.70 ppbv.

Ultrastructural changes in mitochondria during oogenesis in two phylogenetically close fish species.

The ultrastructure of oocyte mitochondria and their contribution to the endogenous autosynthesis of the yolk was investigated in two clupeoid species, the Mediterranean sardine, Sardina pilchardus, and the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus. The structure and abundance of mitochondria differ in secondary growth oocytes of the two species, whereas they are similar in chromatin nucleolus and primary growth oocytes. Sardine oocytes show a higher percentage of mitochondria in the cytoplasm as they develop. However, the individual size of each mitochondrion decreases, becoming smaller than those observed in anchovy oocytes. The volume fraction of cristae in mitochondria of sardine oocytes gradually increased throughout the oocyte developmental phases up to the early secondary growth phase and then slightly decreased during the mid-secondary growth phase. In the cytoplasm of early secondary growth oocytes of anchovy, the percentage of mitochondria is larger than in mid-secondary growth oocytes. As oocytes develop, the size of mitochondria diminishes as well. In contrast to the volume fraction of cristae in mitochondria of sardine oocytes, the volume fraction of cristae in anchovy was decreased in early secondary growth oocytes and then it was increased during the mid-secondary growth phase. As a result, based on both cytoplasmic dynamics of each species and mitochondrial alterations, it was assumed that mitochondria in sardine play a role in the formation of yolk granules, whereas mitochondria in anchovy play a role in the lipid synthesis pathway. Both species showed exogenous heterosynthesis of yolk, through the process of pinocytosis in the zona radiata of oocytes.

Age, growth, and sexual dimorphism of the Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas edwardii).

Knowledge of population biological parameters can contribute to assessing the resilience of a population in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures. Southern Hemisphere long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas edwardii) are susceptible to high rates of live stranding-related mortality. However, the biological parameters of this population largely are unknown. In this study, age, growth, allometry, and sexual dimorphism are described using teeth and external body measurements obtained from 515 male, 776 female, and 229 individuals of unknown sex, stranded on the New Zealand coastline between 1948 and 2017. Maximum ages of 31 and 38 years were estimated for males (n = 163) and females (n = 239), respectively. Females ranged in length from 160 to 500 cm (modal size class 400–449 cm) and males from 165 to 622 cm (modal size class 500–549 cm). Length-at-birth for both sexes was estimated at 170 cm using a logistic regression model. Growth models for both sexes indicated a preliminary rapid growth phase followed by a second phase of slower growth. For males, a two-phase growth model also indicated a moderate growth spurt around the average age at attainment of sexual maturity (ca.12–13 years). Asymptotic lengths were estimated at 570 and 438 cm for males and females, respectively. We found strong evidence of sexual size dimorphism, with males significantly larger than females for 13 of 14 external measurements. We also found sexual dimorphism with respect to shape, with males having proportionally longer pectoral fins, wider tail flukes, and taller dorsal fins, than females. Estimates of length-at-birth, maximum ages, and sexual shape dimorphism for G. m. edwardii differed from those previously reported for the North Atlantic subspecies (G. m. melas), which may indicate subspecies or population-level differences in morphology, longevity, and sociality.

Histological observations on the oocyte development in the Picnic seabream, Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål 1775)

Histological analysis was carried out on ovarian development in the picnic seabream, Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål 1775) caught in the estuarine waters of Calicut, Kerala, India from January to December 2016. Four developmental phases of oocyte development were identified viz., oogonia proliferation and transformation into the primary oocyte, primary growth phase, secondary growth phase and maturation phase and these are similar to those described for other species. The reproductive development process begins in a very young ovary with the formation of oogonia, the cells originally derived from special primordial germ cells formed early in the embryonic development; their multiplication and differentiation are followed by the release of mature oocytes. Oocyte development stages observed in A. berda were chromatin nucleolus, early perinucleolar, late perinucleolar, lipid vesicle stage I oocyte, lipid vesicle stage II oocyte, primary yolk granule stage, secondary yolk granule stage, tertiary yolk granule stage, hydrated oocyte and atretic oocyte. The oocytes entered the maturation phase when they attained the maximum size of 459.6±71.83 µm. Histological examination of the mature ovaries showed the presence of all the different oocyte stages in the ovary of A. berda with an asynchronous mode of ovarian development shortly before spawning, indicating that the species is a multiple spawner.

Overview of Macro Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Students at the Putri Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School, Ternate City

Adolescents are one of the nutritionally vulnerable groups. At this time, adolescents enter the second phase of rapid growth and then physical growth declines as young adults enter. Problems that arise in adolescents are undernutrition and overnutrition. One that is related to nutritional status is nutrient intake which is very influential on a person's nutritional status. Nutrient intake is influenced by eating habits and eating patterns of adolescents themselves. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of macronutrient intake and nutritional status at the Putri Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School, Ternate City. The type of research used is descriptive research. The sampling technique used total sampling with a total sample of 29 people. The tools used were Microtoise, Bathroom Scale and form food recall 24. The results showed that the intake of macronutrients, as many as 28 people (96.6%) with less energy intake, 29 people (100.0%) with less protein intake, 16 people (55.2%) with more fat intake and 26 people (89.7%) with less carbohydrate intake. There were 25 people (86.2%) with normal nutritional status. It was concluded that from the results of the respondents had less protein intake and most had less energy and carbohydrate intake. On the other hand, most of these teenagers have good fat intake with normal nutritional status.

Reproductive dynamics of the invasive lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The lionfish Pterois miles invaded the Mediterranean Sea in 2012 and spread fast to the entire eastern basin. This study provides evidence of successful spawning and the first detailed analysis of P. miles ovarian dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea. The ovarian reproductive phases of mature females collected from Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean) between September 2017 and August 2018 were analysed, both macroscopically and histologically. The results suggested a prolonged oocyte recruitment and development season, and a spawning season that primarily occurred during summertime, even though spawning-capable females were caught also in autumn. A year-round spawning activity may have been inhibited due to seasonal variations in water temperature. Multiple oocyte developmental stages co-occurred in females at different reproductive phases, indicating that more than one oocyte batches were released per spawning season. The analysis of the spawning batch formation enabled the batch fecundity estimation at 3225-63149 oocytes. The oocyte development pattern described in this study shared characteristics with the indeterminate fecundity type, where new oocytes are recruited to the secondary growth phase in parallel with spawning activity. Climate change is likely to extend the spawning season of lionfish in the Mediterranean Sea and further favour its invasion. The information provided in this study is vital for the design of strategic and effective management plans to restrain the expansion of this highly invasive fish.

Histological and Ultrastructural Characterization of the Gonads of the Grunting Toadfish Allenbatrachus grunniens (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Pranburi River Estuary, Thailand

Information on the reproductive biology of toadfish remains limited. In this study, we examined the structure and development of gonads in the grunting toadfish Allenbatrachus grunniens (Linnaeus, 1758) using morphological, histological and ultrastructural methods. The fish were collected from the Pranburi River Estuary, Thailand, during the annual reproductive period for this species (January to December 2018). The ovary of this species was paired and had elongated sac-like structures parallel to the kidneys and the digestive tract. In females, we identified 4 oocyte differentiation phases in the ovary including oogonia proliferation phase, a primary growth phase that was further classified into 2 steps (perinucleolar and oil droplets-cortical alveolar steps), and a secondary growth phase that also contained 2 steps (secondary growth and full-grown oocyte steps) and post-ovulatory phases, indicating an asynchronous pattern in ovarian development for this species. Transmission electron microscopy showed the 4 layers including the zona pellucida, basement membrane, granulosa cells and theca cells, all of which initially appeared in the oil droplets-cortical alveolar stage. The zona pellucida and the granulosa cells were highly developed during the secondary growth stage. The granulosa cells contained abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum near the mitochondria. In males, the spermatogenesis was classified into spermatogonium to spermatozoa. Finally, we associated the morphological gonadal developments (stage I - IV) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI value) with the cellular developmental processes in both sexes. These results help integrate various levels of reproductive observations, which will be applied to understanding the reproductive cycle and development for aquaculture.