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Masanja F, Luo X, Jiang X, Xu Y, Mkuye R, Liu Y, Zhao L. Elucidating responses of the intertidal clam Ruditapes philippinarum to compound extreme oceanic events. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116523. [PMID: 38815474 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Ocean acidification and heatwaves caused by rising CO2 affect bivalves and other coastal organisms. Intertidal bivalves are vital to benthic ecosystems, but their physiological and metabolic responses to compound catastrophic climate events are unknown. Here, we examined Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) responses to low pH and heatwaves. Biochemical and gene expression demonstrated that pH and heatwaves greatly affect physiological energy enzymes and genes expression. In the presence of heatwaves, Manila clams expressed more enzymes and genes involved in physiological energetics regardless of acidity, even more so than in the presence of both. In this study, calcifying organisms' biochemical and molecular reactions are more susceptible to temperature rises than acidity. Acclimation under harsh weather conditions was consistent with thermal stress increase at lower biological organization levels. These substantial temporal biochemical and molecular patterns illuminate clam tipping points. This study helps us understand how compound extreme weather and climate events affect coastal bivalves for future conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xin Luo
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jiang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Robert Mkuye
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Pearl Oyster Research Institute, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liqiang Zhao
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Science and Technology Innovation Center of Marine Invertebrates, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China.
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2
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Stipcich P, Pansini A, Ceccherelli G. Resistance of Posidonia oceanica seedlings to warming: Investigating the importance of the lag-phase duration between two heat events to thermo-priming. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116515. [PMID: 38796990 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The increase of marine heat waves (MHWs) occurrence is exacerbated in Mediterranean Sea and temperature resilience-enhancing strategies on key species, such as the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, need to be investigated. "Priming" describes a stimulus that prepares an organism for an improved response to upcoming environmental changes by triggering a memory that remains during a lag-phase. The aim of this study, conducted in Sardinia (Italy), was to investigate whether the development of thermo-primed P. oceanica seedlings is affected by a field simulated MHW depending on the duration of the lag-phase. After the thermo-priming stimulus, seedlings had a 0, 7 or 14 days lag-phase and after that, for each lag-phase group, half of the seedlings experienced a simulated MHW (the other half served as controls). Some other seedlings did not experience either the priming stimulus or the lag-phase. Results did not show any evidence of a memory triggered by the priming stimulus, but they highlighted the importance of an acclimation phase before the highest temperature: seedlings that experienced a gradual increase of temperature had a higher number of leaves and shorter leaf necrosis length compared to seedlings that had a lag-phase between two heat events. Regardless the priming stimulus, MHWs slowed down the development of the leaf and root length. Considering the increase of temperature fluctuations, testing different intensities of priming and different length of lag-phase is necessary to provide information about the adaptive success of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Stipcich
- Department of Chemical Physical Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Arianna Pansini
- Department of Chemical Physical Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceccherelli
- Department of Chemical Physical Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre, Palermo, Italy
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3
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Aires T, Cúcio C, Brakel J, Weinberger F, Wahl M, Teles A, Muyzer G, Engelen AH. Impact of persistently high sea surface temperatures on the rhizobiomes of Zostera marina in a Baltic Sea benthocosms. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17337. [PMID: 38771026 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Persistently high marine temperatures are escalating and threating marine biodiversity. The Baltic Sea, warming faster than other seas, is a good model to study the impact of increasing sea surface temperatures. Zostera marina, a key player in the Baltic ecosystem, faces susceptibility to disturbances, especially under chronic high temperatures. Despite the increasing number of studies on the impact of global warming on seagrasses, little attention has been paid to the role of the holobiont. Using an outdoor benthocosm to replicate near-natural conditions, this study explores the repercussions of persistent warming on the microbiome of Z. marina and its implications for holobiont function. Results show that both seasonal warming and chronic warming, impact Z. marina roots and sediment microbiome. Compared with roots, sediments demonstrate higher diversity and stability throughout the study, but temperature effects manifest earlier in both compartments, possibly linked to premature Z. marina die-offs under chronic warming. Shifts in microbial composition, such as an increase in organic matter-degrading and sulfur-related bacteria, accompany chronic warming. A higher ratio of sulfate-reducing bacteria compared to sulfide oxidizers was found in the warming treatment which may result in the collapse of the seagrasses, due to toxic levels of sulfide. Differentiating predicted pathways for warmest temperatures were related to sulfur and nitrogen cycles, suggest an increase of the microbial metabolism, and possible seagrass protection strategies through the production of isoprene. These structural and compositional variations in the associated microbiome offer early insights into the ecological status of seagrasses. Certain taxa/genes/pathways may serve as markers for specific stresses. Monitoring programs should integrate this aspect to identify early indicators of seagrass health. Understanding microbiome changes under stress is crucial for the use of potential probiotic taxa to mitigate climate change effects. Broader-scale examination of seagrass-microorganism interactions is needed to leverage knowledge on host-microbe interactions in seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Aires
- Centro de Ciências Do Mar (CCMAR), Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR), Universidade Do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Catarina Cúcio
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janina Brakel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Martin Wahl
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ana Teles
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Ploen, Germany
| | - Gerard Muyzer
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aschwin H Engelen
- Centro de Ciências Do Mar (CCMAR), Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR), Universidade Do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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4
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James C, Layton C, Hurd CL, Britton D. The endemic kelp Lessonia corrugata is being pushed above its thermal limits in an ocean warming hotspot. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:503-516. [PMID: 38426571 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Kelps are in global decline due to climate change, which includes ocean warming. To identify vulnerable species, we need to identify their tolerances to increasing temperatures and determine whether tolerances are altered by co-occurring drivers such as inorganic nutrient levels. This is particularly important for those species with restricted distributions, which may already be experiencing thermal stress. To identify thermal tolerance of the range-restricted kelp Lessonia corrugata, we conducted a laboratory experiment on juvenile sporophytes to measure performance (growth, photosynthesis) across its thermal range (4-22°C). We determined the upper thermal limit for growth and photosynthesis to be ~22-23°C, with a thermal optimum of ~16°C. To determine if elevated inorganic nitrogen availability could enhance thermal tolerance, we compared the performance of juveniles under low (4.5 μmol · d-1) and high (90 μmol · d-1) nitrate conditions at and above the thermal optimum (16-23.5°C). Nitrate enrichment did not enhance thermal performance at temperatures above the optimum but did lead to elevated growth rates at the thermal optimum. Our results indicate L. corrugata is likely to be extremely susceptible to moderate ocean warming and marine heatwaves. Peak sea surface temperatures during summer in eastern and northeastern Tasmania can reach up to 20-21°C, and climate projections suggest that L. corrugata's thermal limit will be regularly exceeded by 2050 as southeastern Australia is a global ocean-warming hotspot. By identifying the upper thermal limit of L. corrugata, we have taken a critical step in predicting the future of the species in a warming climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody James
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Cayne Layton
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Catriona L Hurd
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Damon Britton
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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5
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Provera I, Martinez M, Zenone A, Giacalone VM, D'Anna G, Badalamenti F, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G. Exploring priming strategies to improve stress resilience of Posidonia oceanica seedlings. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116057. [PMID: 38301434 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Seagrasses' ability to store information after exposure to stress (i.e. stress memory) and to better respond to further stress (i.e. priming) have recently been observed, although the temporal persistence of the memory and the mechanisms for priming induction remain to be defined. Here, we explored three priming strategies in Posidonia oceanica seedlings, each inducing a different level of stress, for temperature and salinity. We investigated changes in morphometry, growth rate and biomass between primed and non-primed seedlings. The results showed similar behaviour of seedlings when exposed to an acute stress event, regardless of whether they had been primed or not and of the priming strategy received. This opens the debate on the level of stress necessary for inducing a priming status and the persistence of the stress memory in P. oceanica seedlings. Although no priming-induced stress resistance was observed, seedlings showed unexpectedly high resilience to extreme levels of both abiotic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Provera
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy.
| | - M Martinez
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - A Zenone
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo 4521, 90149 Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - V M Giacalone
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Via del Mare 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - G D'Anna
- Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), via Giovanni da Verrazzano 17, 91014 Castellammare del Golfo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - F Badalamenti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt), Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - L Marín-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia (IEO-CSIC), Varadero 1, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
| | - G Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
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6
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Vivanco-Bercovich M, Sandoval-Gil JM, Bonet-Meliá P, Cabello-Pasini A, Muñiz-Salazar R, Montoya LR, Schubert N, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G, Ferreira-Arrieta A. Marine heatwaves recurrence aggravates thermal stress in the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115943. [PMID: 38176159 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri grows in highly productive meadows along the Pacific coast of North America. This region has experienced increasingly severe marine heatwaves (MHWs) in recent years. Our study evaluated the impact of consecutive MHWs, simulated in mesocosms, on essential ecophysiological features of P. scouleri. Overall, our findings show that the plants' overall physiological status has been progressively declining. Interestingly, the indicators of physiological stress in photosynthesis only showed up once the initial heat exposure stopped (i.e., during the recovery period). The warming caused increased oxidative damage and a decrease in nitrate uptake rates. However, the levels of non-structural carbohydrates and relative growth rates were not affected. Our findings emphasize the significance of incorporating recovery periods in this type of study as they expose delayed stress responses. Furthermore, experiencing consecutive intense MHWs can harm surfgrasses over time, compromising the health of their meadows and the services they offer to the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
| | - Paula Bonet-Meliá
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Cabello-Pasini
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Ruiz Montoya
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Nadine Schubert
- CCMAR - Center of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Seagrass Ecology Group, C/Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Alejandra Ferreira-Arrieta
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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7
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Beca-Carretero P, Marín C, Azcárate-García T, Cara CL, Brun F, Stengel DB. Ecotype-Specific and Correlated Seasonal Responses of Biomass Production, Non-Structural Carbohydrates, and Fatty Acids in Zostera marina. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:396. [PMID: 38337929 PMCID: PMC10856944 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Seagrasses, which are marine flowering plants, provide numerous ecological services and goods. Zostera marina is the most widely distributed seagrass in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. This study aimed to (i) examine seasonal trends and correlations between key seagrass traits such as biomass production and biochemical composition, and (ii) compare seasonal adaptation of two ecotypes of Z. marina exposed to similar environmental conditions on the west coast of Ireland. During summer, plants accumulated higher levels of energetic compounds and levels of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) decreased. Conversely, the opposite trend was observed during colder months. These findings indicate a positive seasonal correlation between the production of non-structural carbohydrates and saturated fatty acids (SFAs), suggesting that seagrasses accumulate and utilize both energetic compounds simultaneously during favorable and unfavorable environmental conditions. The two ecotypes displayed differential seasonal responses by adjusting plant morphology and production, the utilization of energetic reserves, and modulating unsaturation levels of fatty acids in seagrass leaves. These results underscore the correlated seasonal responses of key compounds, capturing ecotype-specific environmental adaptations and ecological strategies, emphasizing the robust utility of these traits as a valuable eco-physiological tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Beca-Carretero
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
- Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Clara Marín
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Tomás Azcárate-García
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences & Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia L. Cara
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
| | - Fernando Brun
- Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain;
| | - Dagmar B. Stengel
- Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland (D.B.S.)
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8
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Ravaglioli C, De Marchi L, Anselmi S, Dattolo E, Fontanini D, Pretti C, Procaccini G, Rilov G, Renzi M, Silverman J, Bulleri F. Ocean acidification impairs seagrass performance under thermal stress in shallow and deep water. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117629. [PMID: 37967703 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on seagrasses have been widely investigated, predictions of seagrass performance under future climates need to consider multiple environmental factors. Here, we performed a mesocosm study to assess the effects of OA on shallow and deep Posidonia oceanica plants. The experiment was run in 2021 and repeated in 2022, a year characterized by a prolonged warm water event, to test how the effects of OA on plants are modulated by thermal stress. The response of P. oceanica to experimental conditions was investigated at different levels of biological organization. Under average seawater temperature, there were no effects of OA in both shallow and deep plants, indicating that P. oceanica is not limited by current inorganic carbon concentration, regardless of light availability. In contrast, under thermal stress, exposure of plants to OA increased lipid peroxidation and decreased photosynthetic performance, with deep plants displaying higher levels of heat stress, as indicated by the over-expression of stress-related genes and the activation of antioxidant systems. In addition, warming reduced plant growth, regardless of seawater CO2 and light levels, suggesting that thermal stress may play a fundamental role in the future development of seagrass meadows. Our results suggest that OA may exacerbate the negative effects of future warming on seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ravaglioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Anselmi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015, Orbetello, GR, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Debora Fontanini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carlo Pretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy; Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128, Livorno, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
| | - Gil Rilov
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Monia Renzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via Giorgieri, 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Jacob Silverman
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Italy.
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9
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Bonet-Melià P, Sandoval-Gil JM, Samperio-Ramos G, Vivanco-Bercovich M, Canino-Herrera SR, Durazo R, Camacho-Ibar VF, Alexandre A. Marine heatwaves can limit the role of surfgrasses as biofilters for wastewaters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115651. [PMID: 37832497 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) can have detrimental effects on seagrasses, but knowledge about the impacts on their ecosystem services remains scarce. This work evaluated Phyllospadix scouleri (surgrass) as a biofilter for wastewater discharges, and how warming associated with MHW may affect this ecological function. The nitrogen uptake kinetics and assimilation abilities for ammonium, nitrate, and urea were examined under two different warming scenarios (single and repeated events) simulated in a mesocosm. N-uptake kinetics were related to urban sewage discharges close to surfgrass meadows. Our results revealed that surfgrasses can serve as effective biofilters because of their high nitrogen uptake rates and above-average canopy biomass. Nonetheless, exposure to both experimental warmings resulted in a significant decline in their ability to incorporate and assimilate nitrogen. Consequently, MHWs may reduce the capacity of surfgrasses to function as nitrogen sinks and green filters for sewage waters, jeopardizing their role as Blue Nitrogen systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Bonet-Melià
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
| | - Guillermo Samperio-Ramos
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Sergio R Canino-Herrera
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Reginaldo Durazo
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Víctor F Camacho-Ibar
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Ana Alexandre
- Universidade do Algarve, Marine Plant Ecology Research Group, CCMAR, Centre of Marine Sciences, Faro, Portugal
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10
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Litsi-Mizan V, Efthymiadis PT, Gerakaris V, Serrano O, Tsapakis M, Apostolaki ET. Decline of seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) production over two decades in the face of warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 239:2126-2137. [PMID: 37366062 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The response of Posidonia oceanica meadows to global warming of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the increase in sea surface temperature (SST) is particularly severe, is poorly investigated. Here, we reconstructed the long-term P. oceanica production in 60 meadows along the Greek Seas over two decades (1997-2018), using lepidochronology. We determined the effect of warming on production by reconstructing the annual and maximum (i.e. August) SST, considering the role of other production drivers related to water quality (i.e. Chla, suspended particulate matter, Secchi depth). Grand mean (±SE) production across all sites and the study period was 48 ± 1.1 mg DW per shoot yr-1 . Production over the last two decades followed a trajectory of decrease, which was related to the concurrent increase in annual SST and SSTaug . Annual SST > 20°C and SSTaug > 26.5°C was related to production decline (GAMM, P < 0.05), while the rest of the tested factors did not help explain the production pattern. Our results indicate a persistent and increasing threat for Eastern Mediterranean meadows, drawing attention to management authorities, highlighting the necessity of reducing local impacts to enhance the resilience of seagrass meadows to global change threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Litsi-Mizan
- Biology Department, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, PO Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, GR-70013, Greece
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Pavlos T Efthymiadis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Vasilis Gerakaris
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 712, Anavyssos, Attiki, 19013, Greece
| | - Oscar Serrano
- Centre of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Cala Sant Francesc 14, Blanes, 17300, Spain
- School of Science & Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Manolis Tsapakis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71003, Greece
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11
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Yan W, Wang Z, Pei Y, Zhou B. How does ocean acidification affect Zostera marina during a marine heatwave? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115394. [PMID: 37598524 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Extreme ocean events caused by global warming, such as marine heatwaves (MHWs) and ocean acidification (OA), are projected to intensify. A combination of extreme events may have severe consequences for marine ecosystems. Zostera marina was selected to understand how seagrass adapts to OA in extremely hot conditions. By combining morphology, transcriptomics, and metabolomics under mesoscale experimental conditions, we systematically investigated the response characteristics of Z. marina. Extremely high temperatures had a pronounced effect on growth, and the combined effect of OA mitigated the inhibitory effect of MHW. Both transcriptomic and metabolomic results showed that Z. marina resisted OA and MHW by upregulating the TCA cycle, glycolysis, amino acid metabolism, and relevant genes, as well as by activating the antioxidant system. The results of this study serve to improve our understanding of dual effects of factors of climate change on seagrass and may be used to direct future management and conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Yan
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Zhaohua Wang
- First Institute of Oceanography, MNR, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Yanzhao Pei
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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12
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Nguyen HM, Ruocco M, Dattolo E, Cassetti FP, Calvo S, Tomasello A, Marín-Guirao L, Pernice M, Procaccini G. Signs of local adaptation by genetic selection and isolation promoted by extreme temperature and salinity in the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4313-4328. [PMID: 37271924 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Adaptation to local conditions is known to occur in seagrasses; however, knowledge of the genetic basis underlying this phenomenon remains scarce. Here, we analysed Posidonia oceanica from six sites within and around the Stagnone di Marsala, a semi-enclosed coastal lagoon where salinity and temperature exceed the generally described tolerance thresholds of the species. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were measured and plant samples were collected for the assessment of morphology, flowering rate and for screening genome-wide polymorphisms using double digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing. Results demonstrated more extreme SSTs and salinity levels inside the lagoon than the outer lagoon regions. Morphological results showed significantly fewer and shorter leaves and reduced rhizome growth of P. oceanica from the inner lagoon and past flowering events were recorded only for a meadow farthest away from the lagoon. Using an array of 51,329 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we revealed a clear genetic structure among the study sites and confirmed the genetic isolation and high clonality of the innermost site. In all, 14 outlier loci were identified and annotated with several proteins including those relate to plant stress response, protein transport and regulators of plant-specific developmental events. Especially, five outlier loci showed maximum allele frequency at the innermost site, likely reflecting adaptation to the extreme temperature and salinity regimes, possibly due to the selection of more resistant genotypes and the progressive restriction of gene flow. Overall, this study helps us to disentangle the genetic basis of seagrass adaptation to local environmental conditions and may support future works on assisted evolution in seagrasses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sebastiano Calvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Agostino Tomasello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
- Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Seagrass Ecology Group, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Faculty of Science, Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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13
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Nguyen HM, Andolina C, Vizzini S, Gambi MC, Winters G. Effects of anthropogenic pressures on the seagrass Halophila stipulacea and its associated macrozoobenthic communities in the northern Gulf of Aqaba. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 189:106073. [PMID: 37413952 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Halophila stipulacea is a tropical seagrass species, native to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean, while invasive to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. The benthic fauna assemblages associated with H. stipulacea in its native habitats and the potential effects of anthropogenic stressors on these assemblages remain unknown. We compared meadow characteristics, associated fauna assemblages and trophic niche structures of H. stipulacea from an impacted and a pristine site in the northern Red Sea. Seagrass cover and biomass were higher in the impacted site, however, the associated fauna community was more abundant and diverse in the pristine site. Both meadows showed comparable trophic niches based on stable isotope analysis. This study provides first insights into the macrozoobenthos associated with H. stipulacea in its native habitat and highlights the importance of better understanding the relationship between seagrasses and their associated biota and the potential effects of urbanization on this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Manh Nguyen
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada National Park, Mount Masada, 8698000, Israel; French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Dryland, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Israel.
| | - Cristina Andolina
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences-CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences-CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gidon Winters
- Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Masada National Park, Mount Masada, 8698000, Israel; Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Hatmarim Blv, Eilat, 8855630, Israel
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14
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Patrizia S, Vasilis R, Giulia C. Experimental thermocline deepening highlights the resilience of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: An opportunity to investigate shoot adaptability. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114824. [PMID: 36931153 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The deepening of the thermocline, correlated to the rising temperature, can contribute affecting seagrass performance in a changing climate scenario. Here, the effect of the thermocline deepening on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica has been investigated in Cyprus through a manipulative experiment that allowed also testing the effects of the irradiance, origin depth and translocation. P. oceanica shoots were collected from 31 m of depth and transplanted at 12 m under a shading net, simulating the 31 m light conditions. Morphology (i.e. leaf area, leaf necrosis, number of leaves) and physiology (i.e. growth rate) were evaluated. Thermocline and origin depth effects were found with an increase of leaf necrosis, while a translocation effect was highlighted by a decrease in leaf area. No differences in shoot growth rate due to treatments were found. This experiment indicated an overall wide morphological and physiological acclimation of P. oceanica cuttings in coping with future thermocline conditions and it indirectly provides information for restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stipcich Patrizia
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Resaikos Vasilis
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre (ENALIA), Acropoleos St. 2, Aglanjia 101, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ceccherelli Giulia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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15
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He B, Zhao Y, Liu S, Ahmad S, Mao W. Mapping seagrass habitats of potential suitability using a hybrid machine learning model. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1116083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide essential ecosystem services globally in the context of climate change. However, seagrass is being degraded at an accelerated rate globally due to ocean warming, ocean acidification, aquaculture, and human activities. The need for more information on seagrasses’ spatial distribution and health status is a serious impediment to their conservation and management. Therefore, we propose a new hybrid machine learning model (RF-SWOA) that integrates the sinusoidal chaos map whale optimization algorithm (SWOA) with a random forest (RF) model to accurately model the suitable habitat of potential seagrasses. This study combines in situ sampling data with multivariate remote sensing data to train and validate hybrid machine learning models. It shows that RF-SWOA can predict potential seagrass habitat suitability more accurately and efficiently than RF. It also shows that the two most important factors affecting the potential seagrass habitat suitability on Hainan Island in China are distance to land (38.2%) and depth to sea (25.9%). This paper not only demonstrates the effectiveness of a hybrid machine learning model but also provides a more accurate machine learning model approach for predicting the potential suitability distribution of seagrasses. This research can help identify seagrass suitability distribution areas and thus develop conservation strategies to restore healthy seagrass ecosystems.
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16
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Sandoval-Gil JM, Ruiz JM, Marín-Guirao L. Advances in understanding multilevel responses of seagrasses to hypersalinity. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 183:105809. [PMID: 36435174 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human- and nature-induced hypersaline conditions in coastal systems can lead to profound alterations of the structure and vitality of seagrass meadows and their socio-ecological benefits. In the last two decades, recent research efforts (>50 publications) have contributed significantly to unravel the physiological basis underlying the seagrass-hypersalinity interactions, although most (∼70%) are limited to few species (e.g. Posidonia oceanica, Zostera marina, Thalassia testudinum, Cymodocea nodosa). Variables related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism are among the most prevalent in the literature, although other key metabolic processes such as plant water relations and responses at molecular (i.e. gene expression) and ultrastructure level are attracting attention. This review emphasises all these latest insights, offering an integrative perspective on the interplay among biological responses across different functional levels (from molecular to clonal structure), and their interaction with biotic/abiotic factors including those related to climate change. Other issues such as the role of salinity in driving the evolutionary trajectory of seagrasses, their acclimation mechanisms to withstand salinity increases or even the adaptive properties of populations that have historically lived under hypersaline conditions are also included. The pivotal role of the costs and limits of phenotypic plasticity in the successful acclimation of marine plants to hypersalinity is also discussed. Finally, some lines of research are proposed to fill the remaining knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (IIO), Marine Botany Research Group, Ensenada, Baja California, 22860, Mexico
| | - Juan M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/ Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lázaro Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/ Varadero s/n, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
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17
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Soto W. Emerging Research Topics in the Vibrionaceae and the Squid- Vibrio Symbiosis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101946. [PMID: 36296224 PMCID: PMC9607633 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Vibrionaceae encompasses a cosmopolitan group that is mostly aquatic and possesses tremendous metabolic and genetic diversity. Given the importance of this taxon, it deserves continued and deeper research in a multitude of areas. This review outlines emerging topics of interest within the Vibrionaceae. Moreover, previously understudied research areas are highlighted that merit further exploration, including affiliations with marine plants (seagrasses), microbial predators, intracellular niches, and resistance to heavy metal toxicity. Agarases, phototrophy, phage shock protein response, and microbial experimental evolution are also fields discussed. The squid-Vibrio symbiosis is a stellar model system, which can be a useful guiding light on deeper expeditions and voyages traversing these "seas of interest". Where appropriate, the squid-Vibrio mutualism is mentioned in how it has or could facilitate the illumination of these various subjects. Additional research is warranted on the topics specified herein, since they have critical relevance for biomedical science, pharmaceuticals, and health care. There are also practical applications in agriculture, zymology, food science, and culinary use. The tractability of microbial experimental evolution is explained. Examples are given of how microbial selection studies can be used to examine the roles of chance, contingency, and determinism (natural selection) in shaping Earth's natural history.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Soto
- Integrated Science Center Rm 3035, Department of Biology, College of William & Mary, 540 Landrum Dr., Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
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18
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De novo assembly and annotation of the transcriptome of the endangered seagrass Zostera capensis: Insights from differential gene expression under thermal stress. Mar Genomics 2022; 66:100984. [PMID: 36116404 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Seagrasses are important marine ecosystem engineers but anthropogenic impacts and climate change have led to numerous population declines globally. In South Africa, Zostera capensis is endangered due to fragmented populations and heavy anthropogenic pressures on estuarine ecosystems that house the core of the populations. Addressing questions of how pressures such as climate change affect foundational species, including Z. capensis are crucial to supporting their conservation and underpin restoration efforts. Here we use ecological transcriptomics to study key functional responses of Z. capensis through quantification of gene expression after thermal stress and present the first reference transcriptome of Z. capensis. Four de novo reference assemblies (Trinity, IDBA-tran, RNAspades, SOAPdenovo) filtered through the EvidentialGene pipeline resulted in 153,755 transcripts with a BUSCO score of 66.1% for completeness. Differential expression analysis between heat stressed (32 °C for three days) and pre-warming plants identified genes involved in photosynthesis, oxidative stress, translation, metabolic and biosynthetic processes in the Z. capensis thermal stress response. This reference transcriptome is a significant contribution to the limited available genomic resources for Z. capensis and represents a vital tool for addressing questions around the species restoration and potential functional responses to warming marine environments.
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19
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Booth MW, Breed MF, Kendrick GA, Bayer PE, Severn-Ellis AA, Sinclair EA. Tissue-specific transcriptome profiles identify functional differences key to understanding whole plant response to life in variable salinity. Biol Open 2022; 11:276025. [PMID: 35876771 PMCID: PMC9428325 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants endure environmental stressors via adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. Studying these mechanisms in seagrasses is extremely relevant as they are important primary producers and functionally significant carbon sinks. These mechanisms are not well understood at the tissue level in seagrasses. Using RNA-seq, we generated transcriptome sequences from tissue of leaf, basal leaf meristem and root organs of Posidonia australis, establishing baseline in situ transcriptomic profiles for tissues across a salinity gradient. Samples were collected from four P. australis meadows growing in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Analysis of gene expression showed significant differences between tissue types, with more variation among leaves than meristem or roots. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed the differences were largely due to the role of photosynthesis, plant growth and nutrient absorption in leaf, meristem and root organs, respectively. Differential gene expression of leaf and meristem showed upregulation of salinity regulation processes in higher salinity meadows. Our study highlights the importance of considering leaf meristem tissue when evaluating whole-plant responses to environmental change. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Differences in seagrass leaf, meristem and root transcriptomes across variable salinities are due to tissue-specific processes. Leaf meristem contained the broadest process range, indicating preferential use for inferring plant-wide activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell W Booth
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Philipp E Bayer
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Anita A Severn-Ellis
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,Aquatic Animal Health Research, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, 6020, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Sinclair
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 1 Kattidj Close, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
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20
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Pazzaglia J, Santillán-Sarmiento A, Ruocco M, Dattolo E, Ambrosino L, Marín-Guirao L, Procaccini G. Local environment modulates whole-transcriptome expression in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica under warming and nutrients excess. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119077. [PMID: 35276251 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The intensification of anomalous events of seawater warming and the co-occurrence with local anthropogenic stressors are threatening coastal marine habitats, including seagrasses, which form extensive underwater meadows. Eutrophication highly affects coastal environments, potentially summing up to the widespread effects of global climate changes. In the present study, we investigated for the first time in seagrasses, the transcriptional response of different plant organs (i.e., leaf and shoot apical meristem, SAM) of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica growing in environments with a different history of nutrient enrichment. To this end, a mesocosm experiment exposing plants to single (nutrient enrichment or temperature increase) and multiple stressors (nutrient enrichment plus temperature increase), was performed. Results revealed a differential transcriptome regulation of plants under single and multiple stressors, showing an organ-specific sensitivity depending on plants' origin. While leaf tissues were more responsive to nutrient stress, SAM revealed a higher sensitivity to temperature treatments, especially in plants already impacted in their native environment. The exposure to stress conditions induced the modulation of different biological processes. Plants living in an oligotrophic environment were more responsive to nutrients compared to plants from a eutrophic environment. Evidences that epigenetic mechanisms were involved in the regulation of transcriptional reprogramming were also observed in both plants' organs. These results represent a further step in the comprehension of seagrass response to abiotic stressors pointing out the importance of local pressures in a global warming scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pazzaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alex Santillán-Sarmiento
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Faculty of Engineering, National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
| | - Miriam Ruocco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Dattolo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Ambrosino
- Department of Research Infrastructure for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lazaro Marín-Guirao
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy; Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Gabriele Procaccini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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21
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Rodríguez A, Moreno-Borges S, Brito A. Response of Cymodocea nodosa to ocean acidification and warming in the Canary Islands: Direct and indirect effects. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 176:105603. [PMID: 35325757 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As detected in warming and ocean acidification, global change can have profound impact on marine life. Its effects on seagrasses are becoming increasingly well-known, since several studies have focused on the responses of these species to global change conditions. However a few studies have assessed the combined effect of temperature and acidification on seagrasses. Overall in this study, the combined effects of increased ocean temperature and pH levels expected at the end of this century (+5 °C and pH 7.5) on Cymodocea nodosa from Canary Islands, were evaluated for one month through manipulative laboratory experiments. Growth, net production, respiration, gross primary production, chlorophyll-a concentration and its vulnerability to herbivory were quantified. Results showed a positive effect of decreased pH on growth and gross primary production, as well as greater vulnerability to consumption by the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. In contrast, increased temperature limited net and gross primary production. This study shows than in future scenarios, C. nodosa from the Canary Islands may be a losing species in the global change stakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain; Grupo de investigación BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Sergio Moreno-Borges
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Alberto Brito
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología. Grupo de investigación BIOECOMAC. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain
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22
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Soonthornkalump S, Ow YX, Saewong C, Buapet P. Comparative study on anatomical traits and gas exchange responses due to belowground hypoxic stress and thermal stress in three tropical seagrasses. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12899. [PMID: 35186485 PMCID: PMC8840093 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the belowground tissues and the rhizosphere is crucial for the growth and survival of seagrasses in habitats with highly reduced sediment. Such ability varies depending on plant anatomical features and environmental conditions. METHODS In the present study, we compared anatomical structures of roots, rhizomes and leaves of the tropical intertidal seagrasses, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis, followed by an investigation of their gas exchange both in the belowground and aboveground tissues and photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) in response to experimental manipulations of O2 level (normoxia and root hypoxia) and temperature (30 °C and 40 °C). RESULTS We found that C. rotundata and T. hemprichii displayed mostly comparable anatomical structures, whereas H. ovalis displayed various distinctive features, including leaf porosity, number and size of lacunae in roots and rhizomes and structure of radial O2 loss (ROL) barrier. H. ovalis also showed unique responses to root hypoxia and heat stress. Root hypoxia increased O2 release from belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic activity of H. ovalis but did not affect the other two seagrasses. More pronounced warming effects were detected in H. ovalis, measured as lower O2 release in the belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic capacity (O2 release and dissolved inorganic carbon uptake in the light and ETR). High temperature inhibited photosynthesis of C. rotundata and T. hemprichii but did not affect their O2 release in belowground tissues. Our data show that seagrasses inhabiting the same area respond differently to root hypoxia and temperature, possibly due to their differences in anatomical and physiological attributes. Halophila ovalis is highly dependent on photosynthesis and appears to be the most sensitive species with the highest tendency of O2 loss in hypoxic sediment. At the same time, its root oxidation capacity may be compromised under warming scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutthinut Soonthornkalump
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Yan Xiang Ow
- St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chanida Saewong
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Pimchanok Buapet
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand,Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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Wang M, Zhao W, Ma M, Zhang D, Wen Y, Zhong M, Luo C, Hu Z, Zhang Q. Intrinsic Photosensitivity of the Vulnerable Seagrass Phyllospadix iwatensis: Photosystem II Oxygen-Evolving Complex Is Prone to Photoinactivation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:792059. [PMID: 35283899 PMCID: PMC8914196 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.792059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Phyllospadix iwatensis, a foundation species of the angiosperm-dominated marine blue carbon ecosystems, has been recognized to be a vulnerable seagrass. Its degradation has previously been reported to be associated with environmental changes and human activities, while there has been a limited number of studies on its inherent characteristics. In this study, both the physiological and molecular biological data indicated that the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of P. iwatensis is prone to photoinactivation, which exhibits the light-dependent trait. When exposed to laboratory light intensities similar to typical midday conditions, <10% of the OEC was photoinactivated, and the remaining active OEC was sufficient to maintain normal photosynthetic activity. Moreover, the photoinactivated OEC could fully recover within the same day. However, under harsh light conditions, e.g., light intensities that simulate cloudless sunny neap tide days and continual sunny days, the OEC suffered irreversible photoinactivation, which subsequently resulted in damage to the photosystem II reaction centers and a reduction in the rate of O2 evolution. Furthermore, in situ measurements on a cloudless sunny neap tide day revealed both poor resilience and irreversible photoinactivation of the OEC. Based on these findings, we postulated that the OEC dysfunction induced by ambient harsh light conditions could be an important inherent reason for the degradation of P. iwatensis.
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