Influence of a changing wave climate on the quality and morphometry of the stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes (Gmelin, 1789), along the coasts of NW Iberia.

Wave climate is shifting over the last decades along the Atlantic coasts of Europe ultimately driven by large-scale patterns of atmospheric variability forced by anthropogenic global warming. Changes in wave height and surf zone orbital currents are hypothesized to drive marked shifts in the shape of intertidal organisms such as the stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes, whose quality and market price are known to decrease non linearly with the peduncle length: width ratio S. This study evaluates wave trends in NW Iberian Peninsula, using the Spanish Port System 2006-2020 SIMAR wave hindcast. On the other hand, trends in stalked barnacle morphology and quality are estimated from 26 sites at the management regions of Baiona and A Guarda between 2011 and 2020. Results show evidence of temporal changes in barnacle quality and, especially, morphometry caused by simultaneous shifts in winter wave induced orbital currents. Because of the non linear relationship between S and the high quality threshold, large increases in S are usually translated to small reductions in quality. However, we identified a tipping point around S = 2.4 that if surpassed can lead to great drops in barnacle quality. In addition, changes in wave forcing will have different effects at each extraction site, as trends in wave climate are decoupled from barnacle morphometry at steeper sites sheltered from the predominant wave direction. In conclusion, this knowledge could be applied to develop site specific barnacle harvesting strategies based on annual wave climate forecasts. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-024-09838-2.

Editing of SlWRKY29 by CRISPR-activation promotes somatic embryogenesis in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom.

At present, the development of plants with improved traits like superior quality, high yield, or stress resistance, are highly desirable in agriculture. Accelerated crop improvement, however, must capitalize on revolutionary new plant breeding technologies, like genetically modified and gene-edited crops, to heighten food crop traits. Genome editing still faces ineffective methods for the transformation and regeneration of different plant species and must surpass the genotype dependency of the transformation process. Tomato is considered an alternative plant model system to rice and Arabidopsis, and a model organism for fleshy-fruited plants. Furthermore, tomato cultivars like Micro-Tom are excellent models for tomato research due to its short life cycle, small size, and capacity to grow at high density. Therefore, we developed an indirect somatic embryo protocol from cotyledonary tomato explants and used this to generate epigenetically edited tomato plants for the SlWRKY29 gene via CRISPR-activation (CRISPRa). We found that epigenetic reprogramming for SlWRKY29 establishes a transcriptionally permissive chromatin state, as determined by an enrichment of the H3K4me3 mark. A whole transcriptome analysis of CRISPRa-edited pro-embryogenic masses and mature somatic embryos allowed us to characterize the mechanism driving somatic embryo induction in the edited tomato cv. Micro-Tom. Furthermore, we show that enhanced embryo induction and maturation are influenced by the transcriptional effector employed during CRISPRa, as well as by the medium composition and in vitro environmental conditions such as osmotic components, plant growth regulators, and light intensity.

Hiding from heat: The transcriptomic response of two clam species is modulated by behaviour and habitat.

Rising occurrence of extreme warming events are profoundly impacting ecosystems, altering their functioning and services with significant socio-economic consequences. Particularly susceptible to heatwaves are intertidal shellfish beds, located in estuarine areas already stressed by factors such as rainfall events, red tides, eutrophication, and pollution. In Galicia, Northwestern Spain, these beds support vital shellfisheries, featuring the native clam Ruditapes decussatus and the non-indigenous R. philippinarum. Over recent decades, these populations have experienced notable abundance shifts due to various anthropogenic impacts, including climate change. In this habitat, patches of the seagrass Zostera noltei that coexist with bare sand can act as thermal refuges for benthic organisms such as clams. To assess the impact of heatwaves on these ecosystems, a mesocosm experiment was conducted. Juveniles of both clam species in two habitat types-bare sand and sand with Z. noltei-were exposed to simulated atmospheric heatwaves during diurnal low tide for four consecutive days. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis revealed that high temperatures had a more pronounced impact on the transcriptome of R. philippinarum compared to R. decussatus. The habitat type played a crucial role in mitigating heat stress in R. philippinarum, with the presence of Z. noltei notably ameliorating the transcriptomic response. These findings have direct applications in shellfishery management, emphasizing the importance of preserving undisturbed patches of Z. noltei as thermal refuges, contributing to the mitigation of heatwave effects on shellfish populations.

Are clam-seagrass interactions affected by heatwaves during emersion?

The increased frequency of heatwaves expected in the context of global warming will affect socio-ecological systems such as shellfish beds at intertidal seagrass meadows. A mesocosm experiment was performed to assess the effects of a simulated atmospheric heatwave during low tide on the bioturbation indicators and growth of the commercial juvenile native Ruditapes decussatus and the introduced clam R. philippinarum, and on their interactions with the seagrass Zostera noltei. Under the heatwave, heat dissipation at 5 cm depth was significantly greater in the sediments below Z. noltei than below bare sand, the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) of Z. noltei decreased and the clams tended to grow less. Furthermore, after the heatwave clams below bare sand tended to burrow deeper than those below Z. noltei, indicating that seagrass provided a refuge for clams. Ruditapes philippinarum grew less, and did not burrow as deeply as R. decussatus, which may imply greater vulnerability to desiccation and heat at low tide. The particle displacement coefficient (PDC) of R. philippinarum indicated lower bioturbation values in Z. noltei than in bare sand and was a suitable bioturbation indicator for juvenile Ruditapes spp. clams. In Z. noltei coexisting with R. philippinarum, the Fv/Fm values were higher than without clams after a recovery period, which may be linked to the assimilation of phosphate excreted by the clams and suggests a facilitative interaction. No such interaction was observed with R. deccusatus, probably because of its deeper burrowing depth. The findings suggest reciprocal facilitative interactions between R. philippinarum and Z. noltei and the potential contribution of Z. noltei to the sustainability of clams under global warming scenarios, which may support management actions aimed at enhancing the coexistence between shellfishing activities and seagrass conservation.

Loss of surficial sedimentary carbon stocks in seagrass meadows subjected to intensive clam harvesting.

Seagrass carbon stocks are vulnerable to physical disturbance. We assessed the effect of clam harvesting on the organic carbon (Corg) stocks in surface sediments in four intertidal Zostera noltei meadows on the Iberian Atlantic coast (Spain and Portugal), by comparing undisturbed and harvested areas. We also monitored the spatial cover of the meadows throughout the growing season. Sedimentary Corg content and Corg stocks were about four times lower in intensively harvested areas than in control areas, but there were not differences between areas with low harvesting pressure and control areas. Reductions of 53-85% in sedimentary Corg stocks of Z. noltei meadows were caused by intensive clam harvesting. The effect of intensive clam harvesting on Corg stocks increased throughout the growing season, but the area covered by the seagrass increased from 21 to 37%, suggesting rapid recovery of seagrass canopies and potential recovery of sedimentary Corg stocks.

Predation risk increases in estuarine bivalves stressed by low salinity.

Salinity drops in estuaries after heavy rains are expected to increase in frequency and intensity over the next decades, with physiological and ecological consequences for the inhabitant organisms. It was investigated whether low salinity stress increases predation risk on three relevant commercial bivalves in Europe. In laboratory, juveniles of Venerupis corrugata, Cerastoderma edule, and the introduced Ruditapes philippinarum were subjected to low salinities (5, 10 and control 35) during two consecutive days and, afterwards, exposed to one of two common predators in the shellfish beds: the shore crab Carcinus maenas and the gastropod Bolinus brandaris, a non-indigenous species present in some Galician shellfish beds. Two types of choice experiment were done: one offering each predator one prey species previously exposed to one of the three salinities, and the other offering each predator the three prey species at the same time, previously exposed to one of the three salinities. Consumption of both predators and predatory behaviour of C. maenas (handling time, rejections, consumption rate) were measured. Predation rates and foraging behaviour differed, with B. brandaris being more generalist than C. maenas. Still, both predators consumed significantly more stressed (salinity 5 and 10) than non-stressed prey. The overall consumption of the native species C. edule and V. corrugata was greater than that of R. philippinarum, likely due to their vulnerability to low salinity and physical traits (e.g., thinner shell, valve gape). Increasing precipitations can alter salinity gradients in shellfish beds, and thus affect the population dynamics of harvested bivalves via predator-prey interactions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00227-021-03942-8.

Testing a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) interdisciplinary training program model for higher education systems.

INTRODUCTION: An estimated 21 million Americans meet the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD), whereas 24% of the population engages in risky alcohol use leading to tremendous health and economic impacts (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017). Opioid misuse is a national public health emergency, with an estimated 46,802 opioid-related deaths occurring in 2018 (National Center for Health Statistics, 2020). Despite the high prevalence of risky substance use and SUDs, preservice education related to screening for and treating SUDs in health and behavioral health professions is inadequate (Dimoff, Sayette, & Norcross, 2017; Russett & Williams, 2015; Savage et al., 2014; Tabak et al., 2012). A critical need exists for an interdisciplinary, implementation science-informed approach for developing academic training programs in the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model within higher education systems. METHOD: We delineate a training model implemented within 5 health and behavioral health disciplines (nursing, social work, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and integrated behavioral health), informed by prominent implementation scientists (Proctor et al., 2011; Rogers, 2003). RESULTS: Faculty surveys (n = 33), interviews (n = 24), and syllabi and training records reviews indicated the Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment model was infused into course content by 89.47% of trained faculty and sustained in 90.47% of course syllabi at project close. CONCLUSION: The model demonstrated successful uptake and sustainability in higher education systems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Contrasting responsiveness of four ecologically and economically important bivalves to simulated heat waves.

Heat waves are expected to increase in duration and frequency, impacting coastal ecosystems, especially intertidal organisms living near their thermal tolerance limits. Sedentary infaunal species are limited to some extent in escapes from sudden temperature changes, rather modifications to their physiology and behaviour are expected. This may lead to strong ecological and economic impacts on commercial bivalve species, such as Venerupis corrugata, Ruditapes decussatus, the introduced Ruditapes philippinarum and Cerastoderma edule, the most relevant in NW Spain. We investigated lethal and sublethal effects of heat during low tide on these species in the laboratory. Summer temperatures experienced within field, shallow sediments at approximately 2 cm depth i.e. 20 °C (control), 27 °C, 32 °C, and 37 °C, were replicated during four consecutive days and the diffusion of heat at the burrowing depth of each species was estimated; temperature exposure was expressed as degree hours above 22 °C. After two days of tidal exposure, C. edule and V. corrugata suffered significant mortalities, and also the most dramatic decrease in scope for growth (SFG) as well as reduction in burrowing activity. After four days under stress, all species had negative SFG. On recovery, species showed compensation at longer exposures, particularly C. edule. These effects of temperature on mortality, growth potential and burrowing ability may increase the time to achieve commercial size and exposure to predation. Particularly, V. corrugata, with a center of distribution lower in the intertidal and subtidal, and C. edule, shallower in the sediment, may be the most affected. Clearly the intensity and frequency of heat waves will affect these key species in the intertidal sediment flats changing ecosystem functioning and fisheries management strategies.

Models for Counts and Particle Size Distributions of Subvisible Particle Data.

Traditional statistical analyses of subvisible particle data are usually based on either descriptive statistics, normal-based methods, or standard Poisson models. These methods often do not adequately describe the counts or particle size distribution. They usually ignore relevant information represented in the data, such as count correlation. Therefore, any meaningful analyses of subvisible particle data require a reasonable representation of counts and particle size distribution and the correlation in the data. Such comprehensive approaches are not widely available or used when analyzing subvisible particle data. In this article, we propose the use of generalized linear mixed models to analyze the counts and the particle size distribution of subvisible particle data. These models make optimal use of the information in the data and allow flexible approaches for the analyses of a wide range of data structures. They are readily accessible to practitioners through the use of modern statistical software. These models are demonstrated with two numerical examples using two different data structures.

Heatwaves during low tide are critical for the physiological performance of intertidal macroalgae under global warming scenarios.

The abundance and distribution of intertidal canopy-forming macroalgae are threatened by the increase in sea surface temperature and in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves caused by global warming. This study evaluated the physiological response of predominant intertidal macroalgae in the NW Iberian Peninsula (Bifurcaria bifurcata, Cystoseira tamariscifolia and Codium tomentosum) to increased seawater temperature during immersion and increased air temperatures during consecutive emersion cycles. We combined field mensuration and laboratory experiments in which we measured mortality, growth, maximum quantum yield and C:N content of the macroalgae. Air temperature was a critical factor in determining physiological responses and survivorship of all species, whereas high seawater temperature had sublethal effects. Cystoseira tamariscifolia suffered the greatest decreases in Fv/Fm, growth and the highest mortality under higher air temperatures, whereas C. tomentosum was the most resistant and resilient species. Two consecutive cycles of emersion under atmospheric heatwaves caused cumulative stress in all three macroalgae, affecting the physiological performance and increasing the mortality. The potential expansion of the warm-temperate species B. bifurcata, C. tamariscifolia and C. tomentosum in the NW Iberian Peninsula in response to increasing seawater temperature may be affected by the impact of increased air temperature, especially in a region where the incidence of atmospheric heatwaves is expected to increase.

Use of a monoclonal antibody-based assay for the early detection of an invasive bivalve in plankton samples.

The invasive mussel Xenostrobus securis was recorded for the first time in the Galician Rias Baixas (NW Spain) in 2007, within an area characterized by intense commercial culture of Mytilus galloprovincialis. The main aims of this study were to evaluate whether an immunological assay can be used to detect larvae of this species in field samples of plankton and to determine whether the distribution of larvae matched that of adults. The ability of two monoclonal antibodies to recognize the bivalve was tested by immunofluorescence. Only the M22.8 antibody recognized X. securis larvae. The staining pattern distinguished X. securis from M. galloprovincialis larvae in both laboratory cultures and field samples of plankton. The distribution of larvae did not match that of adults. This tool may prove very useful for monitoring the presence of this invasive species in the plankton, allowing rapid and specific recognition.

Responses to salinity stress in bivalves: Evidence of ontogenetic changes in energetic physiology on Cerastoderma edule.

Estuarine bivalves are especially susceptible to salinity fluctuations. Stage-specific sensibilities may influence the structure and spatial distribution of the populations. Here we investigate differences on the energetic strategy of thread drifters (3-4 mm) and sedentary settlers (9-10 mm) of Cerastoderma edule over a wide range of salinities. Several physiological indicators (clearance, respiration and excretion rates, O:N) were measured during acute (2 days) and acclimated responses (7 days of exposure) for both size classes. Our results revealed a common lethal limit for both developmental stages (Salinity 15) but a larger physiological plasticity of thread drifters than sedentary settlers. Acclimation processes in drifters were initiated after 2 days of exposure and they achieved complete acclimation by day 7. Sedentary settlers delay acclimation and at day 7 feeding activity had not resumed and energetic losses through respiration and excretion were higher at the lowest salinity treatment. Different responses facing salinity stress might be related to differences in habitat of each stage. For sedentary settlers which occupy relatively stable niches, energy optimisation include delaying the initiation of the energetically expensive acclimation processes while drifters which occupy less stable environments require a more flexible process which allow them to optimize energy acquisition as fast as possible.

Response of Two Mytilids to a Heatwave: The Complex Interplay of Physiology, Behaviour and Ecological Interactions.

Different combinations of behavioural and physiological responses may play a crucial role in the ecological success of species, notably in the context of biological invasions. The invasive mussel Xenostrobus securis has successfully colonised the inner part of the Galician Rias Baixas (NW Spain), where it co-occurs with the commercially-important mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. This study investigated the effect of a heatwave on the physiological and behavioural responses in monospecific or mixed aggregations of these species. In a mesocosm experiment, mussels were exposed to simulated tidal cycles and similar temperature conditions to those experienced in the field during a heat-wave that occurred in the summer of 2013, when field robo-mussels registered temperatures up to 44.5°C at low tide. The overall responses to stress differed markedly between the two species. In monospecific aggregations M. galloprovincialis was more vulnerable than X. securis to heat exposure during emersion. However, in mixed aggregations, the presence of the invader was associated with lower mortality in M. galloprovincialis. The greater sensitivity of M. galloprovincialis to heat exposure was reflected in a higher mortality level, greater induction of Hsp70 protein and higher rates of respiration and gaping activity, which were accompanied by a lower heart rate (bradycardia). The findings show that the invader enhanced the physiological performance of M. galloprovincialis, highlighting the importance of species interactions in regulating responses to environmental stress. Understanding the complex interactions between ecological factors and physiological and behavioural responses of closely-related species is essential for predicting the impacts of invasions in the context of future climate change.

Genetic structure of three Native Mexican communities based on mtDNA haplogroups, and ABO and Rh blood group systems.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this population genetics study were to describe mtDNA haplogroups and ABO and Rh blood group systems of 3 Native Mexican populations, to determine their genetic variability, and to compare their haplogroups with those of 13 Native Mexican populations previously reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The three communities under analysis were a Tepehua-speaking community from Huehuetla (Hidalgo state), an Otomi-speaking community from San Antonio el Grande (Hidalgo state), and a Zapotec-speaking community from Juchitán (Oaxaca state). Every subject studied in each community had four grandparents who were born in the same community and spoke the same language. The four Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups (A, B, C and D) were studied by restriction analysis and gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Regarding the blood groups, the O group was the most frequent in the three populations (97.2, 94.7, and 86.2%, respectively), as well as the Rh+ group (100, 100, 84%). The three populations analyzed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In respect to the mtDNA haplogroups, A, B, C and D, their percentage was 33.3, 36.1, 13.9 and 5.6 % in Huehuetla; 39.5, 13.2, 39.5 and 2.6 % in San Antonio el Grande, and 55.3, 21.0, 7.9 and 5.2 % in Juchitán. Between 5 and 11% of the haplogroups were of non-Amerindian origin, probably due to admixture with Caucasian and African populations, as has been reported in the past. No statistically-significant differences were found among the three populations studied or between them and 13 previously reported Native Mexican populations.

Chapter 5. Effects of the Prestige oil spill on the biota of NW Spain: 5 years of learning.

On 19 November 2002, the oil tanker Prestige broke into two and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 260 km off the north-western coast of Spain, releasing about 63,000 tonnes of Bunker C oil. The accident represented one of the largest environmental catastrophes in the history of European navigation. More than 1000 km of coastline and a huge variety of habitats were affected, ranging from supralittoral, intertidal and sublittoral levels to oceanic and bathyal environments. In this chapter, we review published results regarding the impact of the Prestige oil spill on marine organisms, at levels of biological organisation ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem. Although some research is still in progress, all results indicate a strong initial impact during the first year after the spill, mainly on intertidal communities and fishing resources, with recovery by 2004.

A standardisation of Ciona intestinalis (Chordata, Ascidiacea) embryo-larval bioassay for ecotoxicological studies.

A standardisation of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis embryo-larval bioassay for marine pollution assessment has been developed. The minimum percentage of embryogenesis success was established to assess the quality of the biological material used; minimum sample size and number of replicates per treatment were also estimated. The suitability of artificial and natural seawater for the incubation of ascidian embryos and larvae was compared, and the optimum conditions of temperature, salinity, pH, density of embryos in the vials and the sperm/egg ratio were investigated. On the basis of the 10th percentile of the distribution of larval abnormalities, we proposed a threshold of 50% normal larvae in the control in order to consider the test of acceptable biological quality. According to our results n=5 is a sufficiently high replication to detect 5% differences among treatment means with a power of P=90% and alpha=0.05, and a sampling size >/=222 allows a 95% confidence in the estimate with an error of 0.05. Egg density did not affect larval development within the range 1-20 eggs/ml, and the optimum sperm/egg ratio which fertilise 100% of the eggs was 3000-30,000 sperm/egg (i.e. 10(8)-10(7) sperm/ml). There were not significant differences between the two water types tested, and the optimum tolerance ranges were 18-23 degrees C temperature, 34-42 ppt salinity (42 ppt was the highest salinity tested), and 7.4-8.8 pH. The median effective concentration (EC(50)) of copper (Cu) causing a 50% reduction of normal hatched larvae was 54.2 microg/l (0.85 microM), which shows a sensitivity of this species similar to the commonly used bivalve and sea-urchin tests. The ascidian embryo-larval bioassay is an accurate, reliable, simple and rapid method that can be used in ecotoxicological studies.