Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy is endemic in wild groupers (genus Epinephelus spp.) of the Algerian coast.

This work describes betanodavirus infection in two species of groupers (family Serranidae) from the Algerian coast: the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus and the golden grouper Epinephelus costae. At necropsy, characteristic clinical signs, external injuries, clouded eyes and brain congestion, generally associated with viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) infection were observed. The partial sequences of RNA1 and RNA2 from two viral strains were obtained, and the phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype closely related to strains previously detected in groupers in the same geographic area. Results obtained in this study support the hypothesis that VER disease is endemic in the Algerian grouper population.

Physicochemical Properties and Liposomal Formulations of Hydrolysate Fractions of Four Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) from the Northwestern Algerian Coast.

To promote the nutritional and pharmacological values of four sea cucumber species (Holothuria poli, H. tubulosa, H. arguinensis, and H. sanctori), harvested from the Algerian coast, we aimed to study their proximate composition, fatty acid profile and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Their phospholipids were also used to elaborate nanoliposomes and to encapsulate peptides obtained from the same source. After the physico-chemical characterization of nanoliposomes and peptides, in vitro analyses were realized. The four holothurian species showed a high amount of protein (49.26-69.34%), and an impressive lipid profile of 27 fatty acids, mainly composed of polar fatty acids (91.16-93.85%), with a high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content (50.90-71.80%), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (5.07-8.76%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (4.86-7.25%). A high phospholipids amount was also found (55.20-69.85%), mainly composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (51.48-58.56%). Their peptide fractions exhibited a high ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 0.30 to 0.51 mg/mL). The results also showed that the nanoliposomes do not induce cytotoxicity and cell death in human MSCs and no perturbation of proliferation for all the times and the tested concentrations, as well as the combined nanoliposomes and hydrolysates (HTS) at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. All four sea cucumbers show potential as a new source for omega-3, omega-6, and bioactive peptides.

On the presence of Ocnus planci Brandt, 1935 (Echinodermata: Dendrochirotida: Cucumariidae) in the Mostaganem region (Western Algerian coast).

In Algeria, few studies have been carried on the Holothuriodea especially the family Cucumariidae Ludwig, 1894. A specimen was caught as bycatch from a commercial benthic trawler on the Mostaganem coast (northwest of Algeria). Based on a detailed study of the morphological, anatomical and endoskeletal characters, this specimen is confirmed to be Ocnus planci (Brandt, 1835). We report it herein as the first observation from the Algerian west coast. This species has been recorded several times in the Mediterranean sea. It is characterised by a calcareous ring, whose radial plates are longer than the interradial plates, the presence of buttons and perforated button plates of different sizes in the body wall, as well as various shapes of rosettes, baskets and nodules with small perforations.

Morphological distinction of the Ophioderma Müller & Troschel, 1840 species (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiacanthida: Ophiodermatidae) from the Algerian west coast.

Ophioderma longicaudum (Bruzelius, 1805) is a very common brittlestar in the Mediterranean Sea that had been considered as a complex of cryptic species since 2009. Recently, five species were separated from this complex, but they remain morphologically very close. The aim of this study is to attempt for the first time to identify the species of Ophioderma found at the Algerian west coast, using morphological and morphometric analysis. A total of 67 individuals of Ophioderma species were collected from three stations at the Mostaganem coast (Salamandre, Stidia-East and Stidia-West) during 2020 and 2021 and between 1.5 and 8 m depth. The morphological features showed a strong variability between the analysed individuals. Some resembled O. hybridum Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020, others O. zibrowii Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020 and some O. longicaudum (Bruzelius, 1805). Few resembled O. africanum Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020 or O. guineense Greeff, 1882. The morphometric study displayed a significant discrimination between individuals and confirmed the morphological results suggesting that.

First record of Luidia atlantidea Madsen, 1950 (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Paxillosida: Luidiidae) in the Sidi-Medjdoub areaMostaganem (West Algerian coast, Mediterranean Sea).

The genus Luidia is currently represented in the Mediterranean Sea by three species, namely Luidia ciliaris (Philippi, 1837), Luidia sarsii sarsii (Dben Koren in Dben, 1844) and Luidia atlantidea (Madsen, 1950) which is an Atlantic species recently reported from the Spanish and Tunisian coasts. Two individuals of Luidia atlantidea were collected as bycatch from small-scale fisheries in the region of Sidi-Medjdoub (Mostaganem, Algeria) at a depth of 53 m. The detailed study of the morphological and anatomical characters allowed us to formally identify the two individuals of Luidia atlantidea and therefore to report it for the first time in the Algerian West coast.

Multiple records and polymorphism of Parastichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Stichopodidae) along the Algerian coast.

The family Stichopodidae is represented in the Mediterranean Sea by the genus Parastichopus which includes two non-endemic species; Parastichopus tremulus (Gunnerus, 1767) and Parastichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817). On the Algerian coast (southwestern Mediterranean Sea), two morphotypes of P. regalis were observed, one with dark spots on the dorsal surface and the other non-spotted. In total, 65 individuals of P. regalis were recorded from 22 stations along the Algerian coast during an oceanographic campaign. Twelve individuals (6 of each morphotype) were used for a comparative study of the morphological (including endoskeletal) characteristics. Table ossicles, the only ossicles of the body wall of the two morphotypes of P. regalis, are here compared with regard to the disk diameter of the tables and the total area of the surface of the disc. Statistical analysis did not show any significant differences between the spotted and the non-spotted morphotypes.

On the taxonomic status of Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa (s.s.) from the Algerian coast with the description of a new Mediterranean species, Holothuria (Holothuria) algeriensis n. sp. (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Holothuriidae).

In this study we redescribe the taxonomy of some holothuriid species collected from different localities of the Algerian coastal waters. Morphological (anatomical and endoskeletal) and previous molecular studies show the presence of two distinct morphotypes of Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa "A" "B". Morphotype "A" corresponds to the classical Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa Gmelin 1791, described by Koehler (1921) and hereafter referred to as H. (H.) tubulosa (s.s.), while morphotype "B", we believe, represents a new species, herein named H. (Holothuria) algeriensis n. sp. with characteristics significantly different from those of Holothuria (H.) tubulosa (s.s.). Both morphology and statistical analysis (Linear Discriminant Analysis) confirm significant differences between these two morphotypes. To visualize these differences, measurements made on ossicles of Holothuria (H.) tubulosa (s.s.) and Holothuria (H.) algeriensis n. sp. were compared with other species present in our collections, including the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Holothuria (Roweothuria) arguinensis Koehler Vaney, 1906, recently recorded from Algerian waters, the Mediterranean Holothuria (Roweothuria) poli Delle Chiaje, 1824 and Holothuria (Holothuria) stellati Delle Chiaje, 1824. We conclude that the two morphotypes of H. (H.) tubulosa are significantly different to warrant the recognition of a new species, H. (H.) algeriensis n. sp. and the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of the five species demonstrate this.

Paraleptopentacta, a new Mediterranean and north-west Atlantic sea cucumber genus, with the first record of P. tergestina n. comb. (Echinodermata: Dendrochirotida: Cucumariidae) from the north-western Algerian coast.

The genus Leptopentacta H.L. Clark, 1938 is here reviewed and restricted to include only the type species and related tropical Pacific forms, while a new genus Paraleptopentacta is erected to accommodate the Mediterranean and some north-west Atlantic species, formerly assigned to Leptopentacta. Paraleptopentacta n. gen. is characterized by a calcareous ring usually without posteriorly forked radial plates, in combination with body wall ossicles as an external layer of baskets (sometimes absent) and an inner layer of smooth (in one species knobbed), single-layered, multilocular plates, without a reticulum, as opposed to Leptopentacta H.L. Clark, 1938, which always has forked tails to the radial plates and ossicles as an external layer of rosettes and/or baskets and an inner layer of multi-layered or often reticulated scales/plates. A key separating both the genera and their species is provided. In addition, a first record of P. tergestina n. comb. (Sars, 1859), based on individuals collected as bycatch by a commercial benthic trawler in the Mostaganem region, north-west Algeria, is briefly described and its in vitro behavior noted.