Isolation of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus from mummichog, stickleback, striped bass and brown trout in eastern Canada

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was isolated from mortalities occurring in populations of mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus, brown trout, Salmo trutta, and striped bass, Morone saxatilis, in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. The isolated viral strains produced a cytopathic effect on the epithelioma papillosum cyprini cell line. Serum neutralization indicated the virus was VHSV and sequencing identified the rhabdovirus isolates as the North American strain of VHSV. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolates are closely related and form a distinguishable subgroup of North American type VHSV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of VHSV in mummichog and striped bass.     

Dispersal of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) larvae on the southeast U.S. continental shelf: results of a coupled vertical larval behavior – 3D circulation model

In the marine environment, pelagic dispersal is important for determining the distribution and abundance of populations, as well as providing connections among populations. Estimates of larval dispersal from spawning grounds are important to determining temporal and spatial patterns in recruitment that may have significant influences on the dynamics of the population. We present a case study of the dispersal of Centropristis striata (black sea bass) larvae on the southeast U.S. continental shelf. We use a coupled larval behavior – 3D circulation model to compare the effects of the timing and location of spawning against that of larval vertical migration on larval dispersal. Using the results of field data on larval vertical distributions, we compare the dispersal of virtual 'larvae' which have ontogenetic changes in vertical behavior with that of particles fixed near the surface and near the bottom. Larvae were released at potential spawning sites four times throughout the spawning season (February through May) for 3 yr (2002–04) and tracked for the assumed larval duration (from 27 to 37 days including the egg stage). Results indicate that adult behavior, in the form of spawning time and location, may be more important than larval vertical behavior in determining larval dispersal on the inner- and mid- continental shelves of this region.     

The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals

• 1. In February 2002, France, Italy and Monaco agreed to establish an international sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals. The resulting Pelagos Sanctuary encompasses over 87500 km² of the north‐western Mediterranean Sea, extending between south‐eastern France, Monaco, north‐western Italy and northern Sardinia, and surrounding Corsica and the Tuscan Archipelago.
• 2. The Pelagos Sanctuary illustrates how the tenets of Marine Protected Area (MPA) design can be reconciled with the dynamic nature of oceanic systems, because its spatial scale was defined by oceanographic and ecological considerations, specifically the location of the Ligurian permanent frontal system.
• 3. By expanding protective measures beyond national waters, the Pelagos Sanctuary also sets a precedent for the implementation of pelagic protected areas in the high seas. The Pelagos Sanctuary will contribute to the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea at two scales: (i) locally, by protecting important cetacean foraging and breeding grounds in the Ligurian Sea, and by providing ‘umbrella’ protection to other marine predators in this area; and (ii) regionally, by empowering other conservation measures, such as the Specially Protected Areas Protocol of the Barcelona Convention and the wider goals of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas (ACCOBAMS).
• 4. However, because few cetacean species are resident within the Sanctuary, their effective long‐term conservation will require large‐scale management and coordinated monitoring throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow-field observations of a tidally driven island wake used by marine mammals in the Bay of Fundy, Canada

Correlations between fine‐scale oceanographic features and aggregations of marine mammals are frequently reported, but the physical forces shaping these relationships are rarely explored. We conducted a series of oceanographic observations and remote sensing surveys of an oceanographic feature near Grand Manan Island known to attract marine mammals on flood tides. We tracked drift drogues from cliff‐top with a theodolite and conducted box‐type surveys with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) to assess flow patterns within the oceanographic feature. The feature was also visualized with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) scenes. Drift drogues were advected towards a shear line originating near the northern tip of the island and entrained in one or more eddies downstream. ADCP surveys confirmed the presence of the shear line between rapid easterly flow and slower return flow. As the tide progressed, the shear line extended and manifested a single anti‐cyclonic eddy at its distal end. As the flood tide progressed, northerly flow along the eastern shore of the island intensified and deflected the shear line northwards, shedding the eddy at slack high water. SAR images confirmed the presence of the shearline and eddy system, illustrating the evolution of a wake behind the island on flood tides. Profiles of flow direction and acoustic backscatter revealed secondary flows within the wake consistent with models and observations of other wakes. Oceanographic and remote sensing observations confirm that an island wake is generated by tidal flow past Grand Manan Island and provide an ecological context for the predictable aggregations of odontocete and mysticete cetaceans observed foraging within this region.     

From the drawing board to the field: an example for establishing an MPA in Penghu,Taiwan

• 1. In order to promote the establishment of the first marine protected area (MPA) in Taiwan, the conservation values of 12 reef sites in the Penghu Islands were evaluated. The results together with a 6‐year surveillance programme revealed that the Chinwan Inner Bay (CIB) possesses the best coral community in the Penghu Islands with the highest coral cover, high species diversity and habitat types, as well as a high conservation value.
• 2. Utilization of biological resources and socio‐economic factors of CIB were investigated by intensive field surveys and a complete visit‐and‐poll survey respectively. Most of the fishing at CIB is for recreational purposes and is characterized by low investment, low harvest rates, high dependence on weather conditions, and self‐consumption.
• 3. The socio‐economic data showed that there was basically no direct conflict of interests with local communities at two neighbouring villages, and most local residents indicated that they would support the MPA proposal.
• 4. A blueprint for a CIB MPA based on the results of these biological and socio‐economic investigations is proposed. Environmental threats including anchor damage and the predation of Drupella snails need to be ameliorated and monitored through the implementation of appropriate management. The involvement of local communities is key to the success of this MPA and environmental education is recommended to promote public awareness.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

饲料中维生素K3含量对大口黑鲈消化能力、血清代谢指标、肌肉氨基酸和脂肪酸组成的影响

为研究饲料中维生素K₃含量对大口黑鲈消化能力、血清代谢指标、肌肉氨基酸和脂肪酸组成的影响,在基础饲料中分别添加不同水平的维生素K₃,配制成维生素K₃含量分别为0.78(K0组)、5.80(K5组)、10.82(K10组)、15.84(K15组)和20.85 mg/kg(K20组)的5种试验饲料,对初均重为(12.96±0.07)g健康大口黑鲈幼鱼进行为期8周的饲养试验。结果表明:添加维生素K₃的各组胃和肠道的蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均显著低于K0组(P<0.05)。K10组、K15组和K20组的表观消化率和蛋白质表观消化率显著低于K0组(P<0.05)。K20组的血清尿素氮含量显著高于其他4组(P<0.05),血清总蛋白、白蛋白、总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量在各组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。肌肉必需氨基酸、非必需氨基酸和总氨基酸含量以及必需氨基酸指数在各组之间无显著差异(P>0.05),但是随着饲料中维生素K₃含量的增加,必需氨基酸和总氨基酸含量呈增加的趋势。K15组的肌肉单不饱和脂肪酸含量显著高于其他4组(P<0.05),其中C16∶1n7和C18∶1n5含量均较其他组显著升高(P<0.05)。肌肉饱和脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸含量在各组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上可知,饲料中添加维生素K₃可以改善大口黑鲈肌肉氨基酸组成,但当饲料中维生素K₃含量≥5.80 mg/kg时会使大口黑鲈的消化能力下降,并且高剂量的维生素K₃会改变大口黑鲈的蛋白质和脂质代谢。     

中的鞘氨醇类代谢产物

从中国香港红树林的两株南海海洋真菌(2526#和1850#)的代谢产物中分离到4个化合物，通过完整的波谱数据分别解析为鞘氨醇类化合物N-(2’，3‘-二羟基二十四碳酰基)-1，3-二羟基-2-氨基十八烷(A)、n-(2’，3‘-二羟基二十六碳酰基)-1，3-二羟基-2-氨基十八烷(B)、2‘-dehydroxycerebroside D(C)和cerebroside D(D)。化合物A和B未见文献报道。     

Molecular structure of endotoxins from Gram-negative marine bacteria: an update

Marine bacteria are microrganisms that have adapted, through millions of years, to survival in environments often characterized by one or more extreme physical or chemical parameters, namely pressure, temperature and salinity. The main interest in the research on marine bacteria is due to their ability to produce several biologically active molecules, such as antibiotics, toxins and antitoxins, antitumor and antimicrobial agents. Nonetheless, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), or their portions, from Gram-negative marine bacteria, have often shown low virulence, and represent potential candidates in the development of drugs to prevent septic shock. Besides, the molecular architecture of such molecules is related to the possibility of thriving in marine habitats, shielding the cell from the disrupting action of natural stress factors. Over the last few years, the depiction of a variety of structures of lipids A, core oligosaccharides and O-specific polysaccharides from LPSs of marine microrganisms has been given. In particular, here we will examine the most recently encountered structures for bacteria belonging to the genera Shewanella, Pseudoalteromonas and Alteromonas, of the γ-Proteobacteria phylum, and to the genera Flavobacterium, Cellulophaga, Arenibacter and Chryseobacterium, of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum. Particular attention will be paid to the chemical features expressed by these structures (characteristic monosaccharides, non-glycidic appendages, phosphate groups), to the typifying traits of LPSs from marine bacteria and to the possible correlation existing between such features and the adaptation, over years, of bacteria to marine environments.