Taxonomic identity and the effect of temperature and irradiance on the photosynthesis of an indoor tank-cultured red alga Agardhiella subulata from Japan

We determined through morphological and rbcL phylogenetic analyses that a previously unidentified, but introduced species of macroalga, which has been easily cultivated in indoor tanks in Japan, is Agardhiella subulata (Solieriaceae). Additionally, the photosynthetic biology of this alga was examined by inducing photosynthetic activity under a variety of water temperatures and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) to clarify the optimal conditions needed for its efficient cultivation. Photosynthetic activity was evaluated by using both dissolved oxygen (DO) and pulse amplitude modulated-chlorophyll fluorometric (PAM) techniques, and focused on elucidating temperature and PAR levels that would potentially maximize productivity. The DO method revealed that the net photosynthetic rates at 24 °C quickly increased as PAR increased, and approached a P _max of 27.8 mg O₂ g _ww ^?1  min^?1 (95 % Bayesian credible interval, BCI 23.8–32.1). The maximum gross photosynthetic rate occurred at 26.7 °C (BCI 24.4–28.3 °C). However, PAM experiments indicated that for the maximum quantum yield, the optimal temperature was 23.7 °C (BCI 22.7–24.6) and the maximum relative electron rates occurred when the water temperature was 31.0 °C (BCI 30.6–31.5). This study suggests that the broad tolerance of maximal photosynthetic activity to temperature (22.7–31.5 °C) is one of the main reasons why this alga can be successfully cultivated year-round.     

Differential growth rates related to initiation of piscivory by hatchery-reared larval Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis

Fast growth plays an important role in survival processes during the early life stages of both field-captured and hatchery-reared Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis. Marked growth variations in hatchery-reared tuna larvae are frequently observed even for the same age and within the same rearing tank after the onset of the piscivory. We hypothesized that these small growth variations in the growth of tuna larvae at the onset of piscivory lead subsequently to large growth variations and tested the hypothesis using three size groups (large, intermediate and small) of hatchery-reared fish by nitrogen stable isotope and otolith analyses. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the large group rapidly utilized prey fish larvae, but the smaller groups depended more on rotifers as the main prey item relative to the large group. The otolith radius from the core to the increment corresponding to the first feeding on yolk-sac larvae was compared among the three size groups. The results revealed that the large group had larger otolith radii than the small and intermediate groups. Our findings suggest that small growth variations apparent during the early larval stage of tuna could induce further large growth variations in the late-larval and juvenile stages through differences in the initial ability to utilize piscivory.     

Abnormal morphology in megalopae of the swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus during seed production: causes and prevention

The occurrence of morphologically immature megalopae, which retain zoeal features such as dorsal spines and furcae of telson, is closely correlated with larval mass mortality during seed production of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus in Japanese hatcheries. To determine the cause of immature megalopal morphology, zoeae were reared with various supplementary schedules and density of diets (rotifer, Artemia and phytoplanktons including Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata). In addition, to assess the relationship between immature morphology and endocrine control, the effect of causative dietary factor was compared with the effect of eyestalk ablation at various timing during zoeal development. Megalopal immature morphology was more distinct in Chlorella‐supplemented groups than in Nannochloropsis‐supplemented groups. High density Chlorella supplementation was associated with the highest incidence of immaturity and resulted in larval mass mortality. The premoult of the third zoeal stage was identified as a critical period at which Chlorella supplementation led to the highest incidence of immaturity. This critical period coincided with the critical period at which larval metamorphosis was regulated by the eyestalk neurosecretory system. Our results suggested that the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology under culture conditions is most likely caused by phytoplankton (especially, Chlorella) supplementation, which disrupts the endocrine regulation. On the basis of our results, we successfully prevented the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology in 500 L tanks by excluding the influence of phytoplankton before the critical period (i.e. discontinuing phytoplankton supplementation and supplying rotifer cultured with non‐phytoplankton materials).     

Mortality processes of hatchery‐reared Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) larvae in relation to their piscivory

In mass culture of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis, yolk‐sac larvae of other species are fed as a major prey item to tuna larvae from 7 to 8 mm in total length. Marked growth variations in tuna larvae are frequently observed after feeding of yolk‐sac larvae, and this variation in the growth of tuna larvae is subsequently a factor leading to the prevalence of cannibalistic attacks. To elucidate details of the mortality process of hatchery‐reared tuna larvae after the initiation of yolk‐sac larvae feeding, we compared the nutritional and growth histories of the surviving (live) tuna larvae to those of the dead fish, found dead on the bottom of the tank, as direct evidence of their mortality processes. Cause of mortality of tuna larvae 3 and 5 days after the initiation of feeding of yolk‐sac larvae was assessed from nitrogen stable isotope and otolith microstructure analyses. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the live fish rapidly utilized prey fish larvae, but the dead fish had depended more on rotifers relative to the live fish 3 and 5 days after the initiation of feeding of yolk‐sac larvae. The growth histories based on otolith increments were compared between the live and dead tuna larvae and indicated that the live fish showed significantly faster growth histories than dead fish. Our results suggest that fast‐growing larvae at the onset of piscivory could survive in the mass culture tank of Pacific bluefin tuna and were characterized by growth‐selective mortality.     

Estimation of water quality dynamics under long-term anoxic state in organically polluted reservoir by field observations and improved ecosystem model

In closed water bodies with significant organic pollution, anoxification due to thermal stratification leads to the elution of nitrogen and phosphorus from the bottom sediment and the generation of sulfide, resulting in further degradation of the water environment. This study focuses on the water quality dynamics in an organically polluted reservoir exhibiting long-term anoxification using two approaches: (1) field observations of seasonal changes in vertical profiles of dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfide and (2) construction of a water quality prediction model based on an ecosystem model incorporated with anaerobic biochemical processes. Iron and sulfate reduction occurred simultaneously because nitrate–nitrogen was reduced by denitrifying bacteria after the anoxification, and iron reduction became the main factor of the increase in ammonium–nitrogen and phosphate–phosphorus. The redox state of the bottom sediment surface, when anoxification began to occur, greatly affected the water quality dynamics caused by gradual reductive reactions under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, the calculation accuracy of ammonium–nitrogen, phosphate–phosphorus, and sulfide was highly improved by modifying the conventional model based on the field observations. The characteristics of water quality under anaerobic conditions were sufficiently reflected in the upgraded ecosystem model. The proposed water quality prediction model could be used to quantitatively estimate the water environment dynamics in organically polluted water bodies. The model could be developed further in the future to solve the problems caused by long-term anoxification.     

Weeds as the potential inoculum source of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum fructicola</Emphasis> responsible for strawberry anthracnose in Nara,Japan

Colletotrichum fructicola is a major causal agent among anthracnose pathogens of strawberry in Nara, Japan. We hypothesized that a wide range of weeds growing in and around strawberry fields are inoculum sources of the disease and investigated their potential as hosts of C. fructicola. We also examined the influence of herbicide treatment on C. fructicola sporulation on weeds. The fungus was detected on 31 of 541 (5.7%) leaves sampled from 13 weed species from 2005 to 2008. The fungus was most frequently isolated from leaves of Amaranthus blitum with an isolation frequency of 17.9%; inoculation of A. blitum with the pathogen caused brown leaf spots. Other weeds such as Digitaria ciliaris, Galinsoga ciliata, Solidago altissima, Erigeron annuus, and Sonchus oleraceus were found to harbor the fungus at lower rates (4.3–8.1%) without symptoms. C. fructicola formed acervuli on leaves of A. blitum, D. ciliaris, and S. oleraceus after plants were killed by a herbicide (glyphosate). These results demonstrated that infected weeds associated with strawberry cultivation are potential inoculum sources of C. fructicola, especially after herbicide treatment.     

Serotonergic signals enhanced hamster sperm hyperactivation

In the present study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms underlying sperm hyperactivation enhanced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hamsters. First, we examined the types of 5-HT receptors that regulate hyperactivation. Hyperactivation was significantly enhanced by 5-HT_2A and 5-HT₄ receptor agonists. Moreover, the results of the motility assay revealed that 5-HT_2A, 5-HT₃, and 5-HT₄ receptor agonists significantly decreased the velocity and/or amplitude of sperm. Under 5-HT₂ receptor stimulation, hyperactivation was associated with phospholipase C (PLC), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) receptor, soluble adenylate cyclase (sAC), and protein kinase A (PKA). In contrast, under 5-HT₄ receptor stimulation, hyperactivation was associated with transmembrane adenylate cyclase (tmAC), sAC, PKA, and CatSper channels. Accordingly, under the condition that sperm are hyperactivated, 5-HT likely stimulates PLC/IP₃ receptor signals via the 5-HT_2A receptor and tmAC/PKA/CatSper channel signals via the 5-HT₄ receptor. After sAC and PKA are activated by these stimulations, sperm hyperactivation is enhanced.