Unintentional dispersal of aquatic invertebrates via footwear and motor vehicles in a Mediterranean wetland area

• 1. Several human activities, such as actions for nature conservation, research and recreational activities, are closely associated with inland aquatic habitats that are usually considered as isolated island habitats. In this study, the possibility of unintentional dispersal of aquatic invertebrates among water bodies via footwear and motor vehicles was investigated.
• 2. Mud samples collected from boots and from the tyres and wheel cases of cars used for field work by biologists (Camargue, Southern France) were hatched under laboratory conditions and also checked for the presence of unhatched propagules. A large number of organisms hatched and invertebrate propagules from a wide range of taxa were encountered (including Artemia, freshwater large branchiopods, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Rotifera, Turbellaria, Nematoda, etc.). The results also demonstrated that different research groups tend to transport the aquatic invertebrates typical for their respective study systems.
• 3. Human dispersal of aquatic invertebrates has been studied mainly on large continental scales, such as in the case of transoceanic transport via ballast water in ships. This study provides evidence that dispersal via footwear and motor vehicles may result in frequent dispersal of aquatic invertebrates on a local scale, and we presume also occasionally over longer distances. Given the rapid spread of invasive zooplankton species (e.g. Artemia franciscana encountered in this study), we promote caution and recommend cleaning before transport of any equipment which comes in contact with water or aquatic sediment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Pathogenesis of Streptococcus infantarius subspecies coli Isolated from Sea Otters with Infective Endocarditis

The Gram positive bacterial coccus Streptococcus infantarius subspecies coli is increasingly linked with development of fatal vegetative infective endocarditis and septicemia in humans, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and other animals. However, the pathogenesis of these infections is poorly understood. Using S. infantarius subsp. coli strains isolated from sea otters with infective endocarditis, this study evaluated adherence and invasion of epithelial and endothelial cells, adherence to extracellular matrix components, and macrophage survival. Significant adherence to endothelial-derived cells was observed for 62% of isolates, 24% adhered to epithelial cell lines, and 95% invaded one or both cell types in vitro. The importance of the hyaluronic acid capsule in host cell adherence and invasion was also evaluated. Capsule removal significantly reduced epithelial adherence and invasion for most S. infantarius subsp. coli isolates, suggesting that the capsule facilitates attachment to and invasion of epithelium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing revealed that all isolates adhered significantly to the extracellular matrix components collagen IV, fibronectin, laminin and hyaluronic acid. Finally, significant bacterial survival following phagocytosis by macrophages was apparent for 81% of isolates at one or more time points. Taken collectively these findings indicate that S. infantarius subsp. coli has multiple pathogenic properties that may be important to host colonization, invasion and disease.     

建立捻转血矛线虫单虫种分离株的方法

为获得捻转血矛线虫单虫种感染性三期幼虫(L3),以尾鞘长、尾鞘末端尾丝有无和尾丝长占尾鞘长的比例为依据,从自然混昆合感染有捻转血矛线虫的绵羊粪便中培养并分离该种线虫的L3,然后用6 000条分离的L3经口灌服3~4月龄绵羊。结果显示,绵羊感染后17 d从粪便中检出虫卯,105 d EPG(每克粪便虫卵数)达4 410,至168 d下降为2 010;人工感染10个月后将绵羊剖杀,从其皱胃中收集到捻转血矛线虫成虫2 261条。经鉴定,从人工感染绵羊的粪便中培养和分离出的L3符合捻转血矛线虫L3的特征。     

糙皮侧耳褐腐病和褐斑病病机理研究初报

鉴定了山东省糙皮侧耳主要侵染性病害褐腐病和褐斑病的症状和病原菌,并分别确定了其优势病原菌。     

黄海绿潮暴发前江苏紫菜养殖海域绿藻显微繁殖体分布特征

对2012年12月至2013年4月黄海绿潮暴发前江苏紫菜养殖海域绿藻显微繁殖时空分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,在每月的调查中,调查海域绿藻显微繁殖体密度高值区均集中在如东近岸紫菜养殖海域。调查海域绿藻显微繁殖体数量在时间分布上呈逐渐升高的趋势。2012年12月至2013年4月调查海域平均绿藻显微繁殖体数量分别为56、71、471、550和1 049 ind/L。应用ITS序列与5S rDNA间隔序列分析并构建系统发育树发现,江苏紫菜养殖海域绿藻显微繁殖体种类组成为浒苔(Ulva prolifera)和曲浒苔(Ulva flexuosa)。通过对调查海域绿藻显微繁殖体种类构成比例分析发现,在绿潮暴发前2-4月,黄海绿潮优势种浒苔显微繁殖体成为江苏紫菜养殖海域的优势种。大量绿藻显微繁殖体可以在春末海区温度回升时期迅速萌发,因此推测江苏紫菜养殖海域存在的大量绿藻显微繁殖体为黄海绿潮的暴发提供了种子库。