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Kukavica B, Davidović-Plavšić B, Dmitrović D, Šukalo G, Savić A, Pešić V. Seasonal Dynamics of Oxidative and Antioxidative Parameters in Sadleriana fluminensis (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae). MALACOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.4002/040.064.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Kukavica
- University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78 000 Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Biljana Davidović-Plavšić
- University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78 000 Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dejan Dmitrović
- University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78 000 Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Goran Šukalo
- University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78 000 Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ana Savić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Pešić
- University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
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Dörler D, Dorn V, Widhalm T, Horacek M, Heigl F, Euteneuer P, Leisch F, Frank T, Zaller JG. Experimental indications of gardeners' anecdotes that snails interfere with invasive slugs. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11309. [PMID: 34026350 PMCID: PMC8121057 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasive Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris) is an important pest species in agriculture and horticulture in Europe. In the last decades it has spread across the continent where it outcompetes native slug and snail species, thus posing a threat for biodiversity. A popular anecdote suggests to promote Roman snails (Helix pomatia) in gardens because they are able to control A. vulgaris. We examined a potential interrelationship between these two species using a mesocosm experiment with lettuce plants. 13C-15N stable isotope labelling of lettuce allowed us to investigate interactions between Helix and Arion on weight gain/loss and herbivory. Additionally, we wanted to know whether different watering regimes (daily vs. every 3rd day watering of weekly amount) and earthworms alter these interactions. Egg predation of Helix on Arion eggs was further tested in a food-choice experiment. Arion showed a five times higher herbivory per body mass than Helix in a single-species setting. However, in mesocosms containing both species percentage of herbivory per body mass was significantly lower than in Arion-only mesocosms, especially when watered every three days. Overall isotope uptake via eaten lettuce was unaffected by the presence of the other species. Only very little predation (three out of 200 eggs) of Helix on Arion eggs was observed. Our results provide no evidence for a clear dismissal or confirmation of the popular gardener’s anecdote that Helix snails have a negative effect on Arion abundance or herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dörler
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Dorn
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresia Widhalm
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Micha Horacek
- Höhere Bundeslehr- und Forschungsanstalt Francisco Josephinum, BLT Wieselburg, Wieselburg, Austria
| | - Florian Heigl
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia Euteneuer
- Experimental Farm Gross-Enzersdorf, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gross-Enzersdorf, Austria
| | - Friedrich Leisch
- Institute of Statistics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann G Zaller
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Manea D, Ienciu AA, Ștef R, Peț I, Șmuleac L, Grozea I, Cărăbeț A, Drăghici GA, Nica DV. The "Sandwich" System: A Potential Solution for Protecting Overwintering Cornu aspersum Snails Reared in Semi-Intensive Heliciculture Farms in Colder Climates. ANIMALS : AN OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL FROM MDPI 2021; 11:ani11051420. [PMID: 34063451 PMCID: PMC8156156 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The Italian semi-intensive (ISISF) technology is widely used for rearing the Mediterranean snail, Cornu aspersum. It relies on protecting overwintering specimens with Lutrasil frost cloth (LFC). This approach yielded elevated mortalities in Romanian snail farms. We aimed to develop a simple and effective system for protecting overwintering C. aspersum adults in colder climates. This three-year, three-phase experiment investigated selected behavioral aspects and thermal protection efficiency of different protective structures. Mature gastropods in preparation for hibernation exhibited a significant preference for wood and ridge-tile micro shelters. Soil texture significantly influenced the burrowing behavior, but not the burrowing depth. The structure soil/LFC/straw/10-cm air cushion/high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—the “sandwich” system—was selected to be used as a protective system. Under farm conditions, adult snails tended to hibernate clustered together, attached to the lower surface of micro shelters. The “sandwich” system coupled with using ridge-tile/wood micro shelters resulted in significantly higher survival thanthe sole use of LFC. Predator occurrence appeared to exert a minor effect on snail survival. These data render the “sandwich” system a potential solution for overwintering C. aspersum breeders in colder climates. Abstract (1) Background: Hibernation in pens covered with LFC was associated with high mortality of C. aspersum snails in Romanian snail farms. This three-year study aimed to develop a simple, but effective system for protecting breeders in colder climates. (2) Methods: The first phase investigated the (pre)hibernal burrowing behavior and the overwintering habitat choice. Protective structures based on straw, LFC, and/or HDPE were tested at pilot level (no snails). The most suitable system was applied under farm conditions. (3) Results: Wood and ridge-tile micro shelters were significantly preferred to corrugated iron micro shelters. Burrowing specimens acted as shallow-burrowers, and this behaviorwas significantly more common for looser soils. All pilot systems displayed significantly higher thermal protection efficiency compared to the sole use of LFC. The balance between straw moistening and thermal protection favored using structure soil/LFC/straw/10-cm air cushion/HDPE. Its use yielded significantly higher survival compared to the sole use of LFC. Most hibernating snails clustered together in large groups, attached on the lower surface of micro shelters. Predator occurrence appeared to marginally affect overwintering survival. (4) Conclusions: The “sandwich” system could be an effective solution for overwintering mature C. aspersum snails in colder climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Manea
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Anișoara Aurelia Ienciu
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Ramona Ștef
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (R.Ș.); (D.V.N.)
| | - Ioan Peț
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Laura Șmuleac
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Ioana Grozea
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Alin Cărăbeț
- Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania; (D.M.); (A.A.I.); (L.Ș.); (I.G.); (A.C.)
| | - George Andrei Drăghici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Piaţa Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Dragoș Vasiles Nica
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Piaţa Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Correspondence: (R.Ș.); (D.V.N.)
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Koshelev OI, Gensytskyi MV, Koshelev VO, Yorkina NV, Kunakh OM. Anthropogenic load іs a leading factor in the morphological variability of Chondrula tridens (Gastropoda, Enidae) in the northwestern Azov Sea region. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/012114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphometric data are widely used in biology to assess intraspecific and inter-population variability and for bioindication and environmental condition assessment. The following hypotheses have been experimentally tested in the paper: 1) the vegetation type affects the change in the shell shape of Chondrula tridens martynovi Gural-Sverlova & Gural, 2010; 2) the change in the shell shape of this species is influenced by the biotope moisture regime; 3) the shell shape changes depending on the anthropogenic load level. The material in the form of empty, fully formed Ch. tridens shells was collected in 2019 in the north-western Azov region within the basin of the Molochna River. The collection points were located in settlements and outside them and differed in vegetation, moisture regime and level of anthropogenic load. The vegetation has been expertly attributed to two alternative types: herbaceous vegetation and tree plantations. By moisture level, the locations have been assessed as xerophytic and mesoxerophytic. The anthropogenic load levels have been assessed as low, medium and high. The study revealed that the morphological characteristics of Ch. tridens demonstrate a significant component of variability, which is due to the shell size. The shell size depends on the anthropogenic impact level. Under conditions of high anthropogenic impact, the shell size increases. Mollusks from locations with low and medium anthropogenic impact levels did not differ in shell size. After extraction of the size component, morphological properties develop three main trends of variability. The mouth apparatus development of mollusks does not depend on the vegetation type, but depends on the biotope moisture level and the anthropogenic transformation level. The mollusk shell elongation was observed to have the opposite dynamics of the height parameters in relation to the width and depended on the level of anthropogenic load. Rearrangement in the mouth apparatus depended on the biotope moisture level and the anthropogenic load level. There were distinguished four clusters, the quantitative morphological features of which allowed us to identify them as morphotypes. Each location was characterized by a combination of different morphotypes, according to which the sampling points may be classified. Morphotype 1 corresponds to biotopes with low level of anthropogenic load, morphotype 4 corresponded to biotopes with high anthropogenic load. Morphotypes 2 and 3 corresponded to moderate level of anthropogenic load. Vegetation type is not an important factor in determining the morphotypic diversity of populations. Under xerophytic conditions, morphotypes 2 and 3 are more common, and under mesoxerophytic conditions, morphotypes 1 and 4 are more common. The range of molluscs in different habitats needs to be expanded in the future to clarify climatic and other patterns.
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Schweizer M, Triebskorn R, Köhler H. Snails in the sun: Strategies of terrestrial gastropods to cope with hot and dry conditions. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:12940-12960. [PMID: 31788227 PMCID: PMC6875674 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial gastropods do not only inhabit humid and cool environments but also habitat in which hot and dry conditions prevail. Snail species that are able to cope with such climatic conditions are thus expected to having developed multifaceted strategies and mechanisms to ensure their survival and reproduction under heat and desiccation stress. This review paper aims to provide an integrative overview of the numerous adaptation strategies terrestrial snails have evolved to persist in hot and dry environments as well as their mutual interconnections and feedbacks, but also to outline research gaps and questions that remained unanswered. We extracted relevant information from more than 140 publications in order to show how biochemical, cellular, physiological, morphological, ecological, thermodynamic, and evolutionary parameters contribute to provide an overall picture of this classical example in stress ecology. These mechanisms range from behavioral and metabolic adaptations, including estivation, to the induction of chaperones and antioxidant enzymes, mucocyte and digestive gland cell responses and the modification and frequency of morphological features, particularly shell pigmentation. In this context, thermodynamic constraints call for processes of complex adaptation at varying levels of biological organization that are mutually interwoven. We were able to assemble extensive, mostly narrowly focused information from the literature into a web of network parameters, showing that future work on this subject requires multicausal thinking to account for the complexity of relationships involved in snails' adaptation to insolation, heat, and drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Schweizer
- Animal Physiological EcologyInstitute of Evolution and EcologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Rita Triebskorn
- Animal Physiological EcologyInstitute of Evolution and EcologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Steinbeis Transfer Center for Ecotoxicology and EcophysiologyRottenburgGermany
| | - Heinz‐R. Köhler
- Animal Physiological EcologyInstitute of Evolution and EcologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
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Kotsakiozi P, Parmakelis A, Konstantakis A, Valakos ED. Climatic conditions driving a part of changes in the biochemical composition in land snails: Insights from the endangered Codringtonia (Gastropoda: Pulmonata). Biologia (Bratisl) 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2016-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Pedrini-Martha V, Niederwanger M, Kopp R, Schnegg R, Dallinger R. Physiological, Diurnal and Stress-Related Variability of Cadmium-Metallothionein Gene Expression in Land Snails. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150442. [PMID: 26935042 PMCID: PMC4774997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The terrestrial Roman snail Helix pomatia has successfully adapted to strongly fluctuating conditions in its natural soil habitat. Part of the snail’s stress defense strategy is its ability to express Metallothioneins (MTs). These are multifunctional, cysteine-rich proteins that bind and inactivate transition metal ions (Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu+) with high affinity. In Helix pomatia a Cadmium (Cd)-selective, inducible Metallothionein Isoform (CdMT) is mainly involved in detoxification of this harmful metal. In addition, the snail CdMT has been shown to also respond to certain physiological stressors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological and diurnal variability of CdMT gene expression in snails exposed to Cd and non-metallic stressors such as desiccation and oxygen depletion. CdMT gene expression was upregulated by Cd exposure and desiccation, whereas no significant impact on the expression of CdMT was measured due to oxygen depletion. Overall, Cd was clearly more effective as an inducer of the CdMT gene expression compared to the applied non-metallic stressors. In unexposed snails, diurnal rhythmicity of CdMT gene expression was observed with higher mRNA concentrations at night compared to daytime. This rhythmicity was severely disrupted in Cd-exposed snails which exhibited highest CdMT gene transcription rates in the morning. Apart from diurnal rhythmicity, feeding activity also had a strong impact on CdMT gene expression. Although underlying mechanisms are not completely understood, it is clear that factors increasing MT expression variability have to be considered when using MT mRNA quantification as a biomarker for environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Department of Ecophysiology, Division of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
- * E-mail: (RD); (VPM)
| | - Michael Niederwanger
- Department of Ecophysiology, Division of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Renate Kopp
- Department of Ecophysiology, Division of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Raimund Schnegg
- Department of Ecophysiology, Division of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Department of Ecophysiology, Division of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria
- * E-mail: (RD); (VPM)
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Ni Q, Xu G, Wang Z, Gao Q, Wang S, Zhang Y. Seasonal variations of the antioxidant composition in ground bamboo Sasa argenteastriatus leaves. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:2249-2262. [PMID: 22408451 PMCID: PMC3292020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13022249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sasa argenteastriatus, with abundant active compounds and high antioxidant activity in leaves, is a new leafy bamboo grove suitable for exploitation. To utilize it more effectively and scientifically, we investigate the seasonal variations of antioxidant composition in its leaves and antioxidant activity. The leaves of Sasa argenteastriatus were collected on the 5th day of each month in three same-sized sample plots from May 2009 to May 2011. The total flavonoids (TF): phenolics (TP) and triterpenoid (TT) of bamboo leaves were extracted and the contents analyzed by UV-spectrophotometer. Our data showed that all exhibited variations with the changing seasons, with the highest levels appearing in November to March. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and FRAP methods. The highest antioxidant activity appeared in December with the lowest in May. Correlation analyses demonstrated that TP and TF exhibited high correlation with bamboo antioxidant activity. Eight bamboo characteristic compounds (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, homovitexin and p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid) were determined by RP-HPLC synchronously. We found that chlorogenic acid, isoorientin and vitexin are the main compounds in Sasa argenteastriatus leaves and the content of isovitexin and chlorogenic acid showed a similar seasonal variation with the TF, TP and TT. Our results suggested that the optimum season for harvesting Sasa argenteastriatus leaves is between autumn and winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxue Ni
- Agriculture and Food Science School, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mails: (Q.N.); (G.X.); (Z.W.); (Q.G.)
- School of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Guangzhi Xu
- Agriculture and Food Science School, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mails: (Q.N.); (G.X.); (Z.W.); (Q.G.)
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Agriculture and Food Science School, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mails: (Q.N.); (G.X.); (Z.W.); (Q.G.)
| | - Qianxin Gao
- Agriculture and Food Science School, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mails: (Q.N.); (G.X.); (Z.W.); (Q.G.)
| | - Shu Wang
- Nurturing Station for the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mail:
| | - Youzuo Zhang
- Agriculture and Food Science School, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an 311300, China; E-Mails: (Q.N.); (G.X.); (Z.W.); (Q.G.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +86-571-61075299; Fax: +86-571-61075299
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