Stramonita Haemastoma Research Articles

Shell Utilization Pattern by the Hermit Crab Isocheles sawayai Forest and Saint Laurent, 1968 (Anomura, Diogenidae) from Margarita Island, Caribbean Sea, Venezuela

Isocheles sawayai is a hermit crab that is occasionally mentioned in the literature, and recently its distribution was extended to Venezuelan waters. Because no information on the biology and shell use patterns of this species inhabiting Caribbean waters is available, we provide the first information on shell occupation patterns of I. sawayai from Venezuela. Specimens were collected monthly from January to December 2000 along the sandy shore of Margarita Island, Venezuela. The 942 specimens collected showed different shell use patterns between the sexes and according to the reproductive condition of the females. The gastropods Leucozonia nassa (37.37%), Engoniophos unicinctus (25.37%), Nassarius vibex (4.88%), Melongena melongena (4.25%), and Stramonita haemastoma (3.82%) represent 76% of the total occupied shells. Of the total of 26 different shell species occupied by I. sawayai, males were found occupying 21, while females were found occupying all 26 shell species. In general, both sexes most frequently occupied L. nassa and E. unicinctus. However, the percentage of females occupying these shells was significantly higher than that of the males. Regression analyses showed the best correlation between crab size, shell aperture width, and shell internal volume. The current comparative investigation, in combination with other South Atlantic populations of I. sawayai, provided further evidence of shell use adaptation in hermit crabs from different areas, and increases our insight into shell use of shallow-water hermit crabs.

Archaeo-chemical analysis of Royal Purple on a Darius I stone jar

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array (PDA) detection was used for the microchemical analysis of a purple residue on the surface of a 2500-year old stone jar. This 30 × 37 cm pear-shaped marble vessel contains carved inscriptions praising the Persian king Darius I and is unique due to the use of quadrilingual writings on a vessel of that king. The major colorants identified in the purple pigment are 6,6′-dibromoindigo, 6-monobromoindigo, and 6,6′-dibromoindirubin, with negligible contributions by indigo and 6-bromoisatin. This analysis establishes that a marine mollusk was the source of the purple pigment, which is the famous Royal Purple or Tyrian Purple of the ancients. A comparison with the relative dye compositions of various Muricidae species (Hexaplex trunculus, Bolinus brandaris, and Stramonita haemastoma), and with their newly formulated Di-Mono Index values, suggests that the biological provenance of this ancient pigment was probably an indigo-deficient Hexaplex trunculus sea snail. The entire exterior of the vessel – including its base – was originally painted purple by using a fresco-type technique. This is only the second chromatographic finding of a molluskan purple colorant in use as an ancient paint pigment and not as a textile dye, and the only example yet discovered where it is the sole paint pigment on such a large royal art object.

Stramonita haemastoma as a bioindicator for organotin contamination in coastal environments

Stramonita haemastoma was investigated as a suitable bioindicator of TBT and TPhT contamination in the tropical Atlantic Ocean by: 1. Imposex induction in healthy females after inoculation with TBT and TPhT in the laboratory; and 2. Determining incidence of imposex in S. haemastoma collected from areas with various levels of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) and determining the concentrations of these chemical in its tissues and that of its prey, the mussell Perna pernas. Imposex intensities and organotin concentrations in tissues showed good correlation, indicating S. haemastoma as a reliable bioindicator of TBT and TPhT contamination in coastal waters. Body burden threshold of TBT and TPhT for imposex induction was estimated to be 10-20 ng g(-1).

New Imposex Development Index (IDI) for Stramonita haemastoma (Mollusca: Muricidae): A Transplantation Experiment in the Brazilian Northeast

A total of 600 Stramonita haemastoma (Mollusca: Muricidae) individuals, free of imposex, were transplanted into a marina with an intense ship flow. Thirty individuals were collected periodically until 210 days and analyzed according to RPLI (Relative Penis Length Index), RPSI (Relative Penis Size Index), IDI (Imposex Development Index, developed in this study), and imposex percentage. The proposed Imposex Development Index (IDI) presented three developmental paths, being two of them aphallic. The incidence of aphally was quite high along the experiment. An underdevelopment of the male characters in imposexed females was clearly observed. At first sample (15 days) all females showed evidence of imposex. RPLI and RPSI had a strong correlation with time along the transplantation. Correlation of imposex development (IDI) with time was also significant. This index increased gradually, reaching a stage IV at day 210, with all females showing a complete vas deferens.

Preliminary Appraisal of Imposex in Areas Under the Influence of Southern Brazilian Harbors

Imposex in gastropod mollusks is an efficient and low-cost biomarker for pollution by organotin compounds. Such substances are typically found in areas with an intense flux of vessels, such as marinas and harbors. This study preliminarily evaluated the occurrence of imposex in Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1758) populations along the areas under the influence of the main harbors from southern Brazil (Paranaguá, PR; São Francisco do Sul, SC; Itajaí, SC; and Rio Grande, RS). Although no chemical analyses were performed so far to confirm the presence of organotins, the occurrence of imposex strongly suggests a contamination by these compounds in the studied areas and it is likely that the closest from the harbors (as the main sources) the more contaminated the environment. However, due to the limitations of S. haemastoma, it is important to assess the response of alternative species adapted to mesohaline environments and non-consolidated substrates, in order to make up for the lack of indicator species for some areas such as Patos Lagoon and Itajaí-Açu estuaries.

Imposex in Two Muricid Species (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the Northeastern Brazilian Coast

Imposex is the occurrence of male sexual features in female prosobranch mollusks exposed to organotin compounds. Since imposex has measurable characteristics, it has been used as a bioindication tool for the presence of this kind of pollutants. Thus, this work aimed to monitor organotin pollution over areas under the influence of ten main harbors of North-eastern Brazilian coast. Imposex intensity was measured using the indexes VDSI, RPSI, RPLI and the percentage of imposexed females. At least one sampling site in each studied harbor showed imposex, suggesting a widespread contamination by organotin compounds. However, the observed imposex levels are lower than those obtained by other monitoring works in highly industrialized regions of Europe and Asia, confirming that organotin contamination levels are higher in the most industrialized regions of the world. Approximately 39% of all sampling sites (32 sites) did not show imposexed females, suggesting that this feature does not occur naturally in Stramonita haemastoma and Stramonita rustica.

Identification of the Coloring Constituents of Four Natural Indigoid Dyes

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method combined with spectrophotometric UV‐Vis detection is developed for the separation and identification of seven indigoid coloring compounds: indigotin, which is commercially available, and indirubin, 6‐bromoindigotin, 6′‐bromoindirubin, 6‐bromoindirubin, 6,6′‐dibromoindigotin, and 6,6′‐dibromoindirubin, which are synthesized to be used as reference compounds in the HPLC analysis. The chromatographic method is employed for the identification of the blue/purple coloring compounds in samples extracted from four mollusks, which have been used for the production of Tyrian Purple since antiquity: Hexaplex trunculus, Murex brandaris, Nucella lapillus, and Thais haemastoma. The composition of the analyzed samples, with respect to the reference materials, is compared and discussed. All seven indigoids are identified in Hexaplex trunculus and some of them are identified in the other three purple extracts.

Shell utilization pattern of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Crustacea, Anomura) in an estuary at São Vicente, State of São Paulo, Brazil

We evaluated the gastropod shell utilization pattern of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802) at Pescadores Beach in São Vicente, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly from May 2001 through April 2003, in the intertidal zone at low tide. The crabs were weighed and their carapace shield length measured. All gastropod shells were identified and had their shell biometric parameters (total length and aperture length) measured (mm) and weighed (g). A total of 2,344 hermit crabs (644 males, 1,594 females, 45 ovigerous females and 61 individuals in intersex), using 13 species of gastropod shells, were collected. Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767), Cymatium parthenopeum (Von Salis, 1793) and Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) comprised over 98% of all the shells. Male and intersex crabs were significantly larger than the females. This size difference strongly influenced the shell utilization pattern, principally in A. fulica, which has the largest shell size, that was only used by males and intersexual individuals of C. vittatus. Cymatium parthenopeum was the only shell species that showed a high determinant coefficient in all the biometric correlations evaluated. The high abundance of S. haemastoma shells and a strong correlation between crab size and shell aperture length established by a significant determination coefficient, indicated that C. vittatus uses this species as the principal resource for shell occupation at Pescadores Beach.

Pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Pagurus exilis (Anomura, Paguridae) on the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to determine the shell occupation pattern of Pagurus exilis using the percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationship between hermits and occupied shells. Specimens were collected monthly from July 2001 to June 2003. A total of 1737 individuals were collected, occupying 19 gastropod shell species. Buccinanops gradatum (82%) was the most occupied shell, followed by Natica isabelleana (6.4%), Stramonita haemastoma (3.2%), and Cymatium parthenopeum (2.2%). There was a differential shell utilization pattern between sexes; males occupied larger and heavier shells while the non‐ovigerous females occupied the lightest ones. Pagurus exilis occupied more bare shells instead of incrusted ones. Buccinanops gradatum was the most occupied shell species as a function of its availability in the survey, and this occupation is strongly associated with the higher internal volume presented by these shells.

Survey of imposex in prosobranchs mollusks along the northern Mediterranean coast of Morocco

Abstract Imposex, i.e., the superimposition of male sex organs on female gonochoristic neogastropods has been observed in more than 140 species worldwide and suggested as a suitable biomarker of tributyltin pollution in the marine environment. In this study, an imposex survey for three neogastropod species: Murex trunculus, Murex brandaris and Thais haemastoma was conducted for the first time at five sites along the northern Mediterranean coasts of Morocco. The imposex phenomenon was observed in the all surveyed sites. Nevertheless, rates of occurrence and degree of imposex were more important in both harbours sites (Tangier and Mdiq) characterized with heaving shipping activity than in the three seaside stations (Martil, Azla and Amsa) where only sporadic and small boats are used in traditional fishing activities.

Imposex induction in Stramonita haemastoma floridana (Conrad, 1837) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Muricidae) submitted to an organotin-contaminated diet

Marine organisms are affected by organotin compounds due to the cumulative, deleterious effects of these latter. The most evident and well known consequence of organotin contamination is imposex, a hormonal disruption that causes a superimposition of sexual male features in females of prosobranchia neogastropod molluscs such as Stramonita haemastoma floridana. Molluscs accumulate organotins mainly because of their poor ability to eliminate TBT and DBT from their tissues. The aim of this study was to analyze organotin uptake by ingestion experimentally, using uncontaminated subjects (S. haemastoma floridana) fed with organotin-contaminated oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae). A total of 248 gastropods, distributed in 7 tanks with uncontaminated water and contaminated food, were used in this study, a control group being fed uncontaminated oysters. Every 15 days, the individuals of one of the tanks were examined for the presence of imposex. Development of imposex was measured using the VDSI, RPSI and RPLI indexes. The animals had already developed imposex within the first 15 days, all the indexes measured (RPLI, RPSI and VDSI) having increased significantly with duration of exposure, indicating that the animals were probablycontaminated by the food and had accumulated the pollutant. New paths of imposex development were also observed.

Polychaete communities associated with gastropod shells inhabited by the hermit crabs Clibanarius erythropus and Calcinus tubularis from Ibiza, Mediterranean Sea

Shells inhabited by hermit crabs are unique microhabitats with an abundant epi- and endofauna. Using polychaetes as an example, communities associated with the whelk Stramonita haemastoma, the hermit crabs Clibanarius erythropus and Calcinus tubularis, as well as empty, damaged shells were investigated. No polychaete community was associated with live S. haemastoma: only 30% of the investigated gastropods harboured polychaetes. Hermit crab-occupied shells supported polychaete communities dominated by Spirorbidae in the case of Clibanarius erythropus and by small Sabellidae, Spirobranchus polytrema and Dipolydora armata in Calcinus tubularis. The polychaete fauna associated with empty shells was similar to that on shells previously inhabited by one of the hermit crab species but different from those of the surrounding hard bottom. The reproductive strategy of the some polychaetes species is adapted to life on this small-sized habitat.

Feeding habits and phenotypic changes in proboscis length in the southern oyster drill, Stramonita haemastoma (Gastropoda: Muricidae), on Florida sabellariid worm reefs

The southern oyster drill, Stramonita (= Thais, Kool 1987) haemastoma, is a common intertidal and subtidal predator in the southeastern United States. It uses specialized feeding structures and foraging strategies to bore holes through the shell of its bivalve prey. However, on the east coast of Florida, S. haemastoma, is common on sabellariid worm reefs constructed by the polychaete Phragmatopoma lapidosa (Walton Rocks Beach, Florida, 27°17′N, 80°12′W), a habitat where the snail’s typical prey are scarce. From 1999 to 2001, we examined the feeding habits of S. haemastoma on sabellariid reefs and the behavioral and morphological responses of S. haemastoma that accompanied switching from a diet of bivalves to sabellariids. On worm reefs S. haemastoma feeds on P. lapidosa by inserting the proboscis deep into a worm’s tube. Worm-feeding snails had longer proboscises (~3.7 times shell height) than bivalve-feeding conspecifics (~2.0 times shell height). Snails raised on different diets showed significant differences in proboscis length suggesting that the proboscis length is phenotypically plastic. Whereas typical oyster drills must bore holes for days before ingesting prey, S. haemastoma on worm reefs avoids boring and attacks and consumes worms in 15–50 min. In the laboratory, oyster drills consumed 1.7 worms per day, spending <1 h each day feeding. On sabellariid reefs, differences in feeding, handling costs, and prey value, are likely to have a significant effect on the ecology and life history of S. haemastoma in this habitat.

Effect of disturbance on foraging: whelk activity on wave-exposed rocky shores with minimal tidal range

For slow-moving rocky intertidal predators such as whelks, frequent stress can be detrimental. Most studies on the foraging behavior of whelks have been conducted in regions where tidal amplitude is >1 m and on relatively small species. We studied the effects of wave action, desiccation, and water temperature on the foraging behavior of a large (approximately 80 mm) rocky shore whelk, Stramonita haemastoma, at the small-tide ( 85% of the time. Whelks move into shelters or completely disappear when exposed to prolonged desiccation conditions that can last for days along the shore during spring and autumn. Foraging activity is greater at night than in daytime and might be related to lighter winds and calmer sea conditions at night. Laboratory experiments show that elevated water temperatures during winter do not result in increased predation rates relative to those measured during spring. This indicates that a seasonal endogenous biological rhythm may exist. Our findings demonstrate that the foraging activity of large whelks can be extremely constrained by high rates of disturbance, that is, frequent wave action, and less frequent desiccation. We claim that high rates of disturbance in the eastern Mediterranean explain why large whelks are scarce in intertidal habitats where food is plentiful but suitable shelter is rare.

Estructuras de bioerosión en moluscos marinos de la Formación Villa Soriano (Pleistoceno Tardío-Holoceno) de Uruguay

BIOEROSION STRUCTURES ON MARINE MOLLUSCS FROM THE VILLA SORIANO FORMATION (LATE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE) OF URUGUAY. Bioerosion structures found on marine molluscs of the Villa Soriano Formation (late Pleistocene-Holocene) of Uruguay are described, and the main paleoenvironmental parameters dominant during the depositional events are analyzed. The preference of the drilling site on the shell of the prey bivalves by predator gastropods is verified. Three ichnogenera were found: Entobia Bronn, 1838, Caulostrepsis Clarke, 1908 and Oichnus Bromley, 1981. Entobia records the presence of clionid sponges and Caulostrepsis the presence of boring polychaetes. Entobia is also an indicator of clean waters. On the other hand, Oichnus records the predation of gastropods on bivalves and other gastropods. The preferred site of the shell of Ostrea equestris by the predators is the center of the shell, and drills are more common on right valves, due to the life position of this species. Probable species of predators are Urosalpinx cala, U. haneti and Thais haemastoma on hard substrate prey species and Natica isabelleana on soft substrate prey species.

Imposex and surface sediment speciation: A combined approach to evaluate organotin contamination in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An integrated biological-chemical survey of organotin compounds was carried out in Guanabara Bay, the second most important Brazilian harbor complex. The biological survey revealed high levels of imposex in Stramonita haemastoma populations. Inside the bay values of relative penis length index from 42.7 to 107.6 and vas deferens sequence index from III to VI were found, while organisms collected outside the bay had values ranging from <0.1 to 35.2 and from 0 to II. None of the females sampled inside the bay were normal and imposex was found in all stations. Surface sediments in the bay are contaminated by tributyltin (10-522 ng/g d.w.) and triphenyltin (<3.9-39.4 ng/g d.w.) with greater concentrations close to shipyards and marinas. The observed predominance of parent compounds (TBT and TPT) is commonly found when recent inputs occur, but may also indicate slow degradation processes in the anoxic conditions of these sediments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a combined imposex-sediment approach to evaluate organotin contamination in marine environments of South America, and also the first report of TPT detection in environmental matrices in this region.

Life on the edge: do biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave-exposure correlate with habitat partitioning in predatory whelks?

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 282:193-204 (2004) - doi:10.3354/meps282193 Life on the edge: do biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave-exposure correlate with habitat partitioning in predatory whelks? Gil Rilov1,3,*, Yehuda Benayahu2, Avital Gasith1 1Institute for Nature Conservation Research, 2Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel 3Present address: Marine Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury,Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand *Email: gil.rilov@canterbury.ac.nz ABSTRACT: The rocky littoral is a highly stressed but species rich environment in which adaptive trade-offs underlie the specialization that permits habitat partitioning by closely-related species. Habitat partitioning by prey species is generally attributed to differential tolerances to physiological stresses and competition for resources. Partitioning by predators is, however, less understood and also mainly related to thermal tolerance. We test the hypothesis that differential biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave action can result in habitat partitioning of mobile predators using 2 Mediterranean whelks. Stramonita haemastoma is found mainly at wave-exposed habitats on lower midlittoral or shallow (1 to 3 m) subtidal rocks. By contrast, Hexaplex trunculus is found only subtidally in more quiescent littoral environments (shallow bays and lagoons or deeper in wave-exposed sites). Morphologically, S. haemastoma is squatter than H. trunculus and the ratio of its foot surface area to the maximum projected surface area of its shell is 35% higher, making S. haemastoma less prone to dislodgment by waves. Mechanically, at least a 2-fold higher force (12 N) is required to dislodge S. haemastoma from the substrate, probably due to its larger foot, because tenacity per foot area was similar between species. The feeding technique and foraging behavior of S. haemastoma is also adapted to life in high-energy environments. Higher feeding rates and much shorter prey handling time compared to H. trunculus allow this species shorter foraging bouts that reduce the risk of dislodgment and increase predation success in wave-exposed areas. H. trunculus thrives in low-flow habitats where food density is low compared to shallow subtidal rocks. This is compensated for by a broader diet than S. haemastoma, feeding on any available food item, including conspecifics, and by reducing adhesion when not feeding, thus saving energy. S. haemastoma is more adapted to survive desiccation conditions than H. trunculus, which may exclude the latter from intertidal habitats. Our findings suggest that habitat partitioning between the whelks is maintained mainly by a ‘distinct preferences’ mechanism that might be relevant for other benthic predatory species. KEY WORDS: Species distribution · Adaptation · Distinct preferences · Rocky shore · Wave action · Morphology Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 282. Online publication date: November 16, 2004 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2004 Inter-Research.

Shell utilization patterns of a tropical intertidal hermit crab assemblage

The shell selection and utilization patterns of three sympatric hermit crab populations (Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus) and shell availability were studied in a tropical intertidal low energy area. Shell availability (except for C. antillensis) was low and the hermit crabs showed overlap in size (mainly C. sclopetarius and C. vittatus). The influence of shell availability and selection on shell use was dependent on crab species. Clibanarius antillensis used mainly shells of Cerithium atratum, the most available shell species, while Clibanarius sclopetarius and C. vittatus occupied shells with lower availability in the studied area such as Chicoreus senegalensis, Stramonita haemastoma, Leucozonia nassa and Cymatium parthenopeum. The three species selected different gastropod shells with only Clibanarius antillensis using almost exclusively its preferred shell species in nature. The relationship between shield length and the weight of the used shell was not dependent on crab species or shell species, indicating that the size (not species) of the shells defines what size (not species) of crabs will occupy them.

Effect of an exotic prey on the feeding pattern of a predatory snail

The mussel Brachidontes pharaonis, which invaded the Mediterranean from the Red Sea about 120 years ago, has recently become abundant in many midlittoral and some infralittoral rocky habitats along the Israeli rocky shore. We investigated the influence of B. pharaonis, as a novel prey, on the foraging patterns of the large whelk Stramonita haemastoma in the field, and examined food preferences in the laboratory. S. haemastoma has shifted from indigenous species to feeding on the novel mussel when abundant. The whelk prefers to prey upon the invasive mussel over all indigenous species offered (e.g. barnacles and mussels), probably due to its larger size. In the midlittoral zone, the foraging activity of S. haemastoma is considerably low even where refuges are readily available (incisioned-rocks) and food density is high (mainly B. pharaonis). Higher proportions of whelks are actively foraging in the infralittoral zone but usually on smaller prey, mostly barnacles. We suggest that this differential foraging activity in the two zones is related to the degree of exposure to wave action. The midlittoral is inherently more exposed to wave action than the infralittoral, where sea conditions are more benign and the whelks may enjoy longer activity periods.

Physical constraints on the foraging ecology of a predatory snail

We studied the effects of aerial exposure and high summer temperatures on the southern oyster drill (Stramonita haemastoma), feeding on the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. In the laboratory, oyster drill feeding rates and growth were highest at 25 and 30°C, some mortality occurred at 35°C, all snails died at 40 and 45°C, and the 28-day LC 50 was 35.7°C. In a second experiment where both water temperature (25 vs . 33°C) and aerial exposure were varied, only simulated tidal exposure lowered oyster drill feeding and growth rates. In field cage experiments, oyster drills had reduced feeding rates and growth at intertidal sites, but snail growth rates increased in late summer with warmer water temperature. We therefore conclude that aerial exposure, not high temperature, is the major factor limiting oyster drill feeding and growth in intertidal oyster reefs. Field experiments with partial cages also suggested that ambient predation rates were much higher at a subtidal than at a nearby intertidal site. Because southern oyster drills have depressed feeding, growth, and possibly lower fitness in intertidal oyster reefs during the summer, this reduced predation risk may provide a refuge for intertidal oysters.