Thermal heterogeneity is an important factor for maintaining the genetic differentiation pattern of the pelagic barnacle Lepas anatifera in the northwest Pacific.

Macrobenthic invertebrates are ubiquitously distributed in the epipelagic zone of the open ocean. Yet, our understanding of their genetic structure patterns remains poorly understood. Investigating the genetic differentiation patterns of pelagic Lepas anatifera and clarifying the potential roles of temperature maintaining this pattern are crucial for our understanding of the distribution and biodiversity of pelagic macrobenthos. In the present study, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) from three South China Sea (SCS) populations and six Kuroshio Extension (KE) region populations of L. anatifera sampled from fixed buoys and genome-wide SNPs from a subset of populations (two SCS populations and four KE region populations) were sequenced and analyzed for investigating the genetic pattern of the pelagic barnacle. Water temperature was different among sampling sites; in other words, the water temperature decreased with latitude increases, and the water temperature on the surface was higher than in the subsurface. Our result showed that three lineages with clear genetic differentiation were found in different geographical locations and depths based on mtDNA COI, all SNPs, neutral SNPs, and outlier SNPs. Lineage 1 and lineage 2 were dominant in the subsurface populations and surface populations from the KE region, respectively. Lineage 3 was dominant in the SCS populations. Historical events during the Pliocene epoch shaped the differentiation of the three lineages, while, nowadays, temperature heterogeneity maintains the current genetic pattern of L. anatifera in the northwest Pacific. The subsurface populations were genetically isolated from the surface populations in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region, implying small-scale vertical thermal heterogeneity was also an important factor maintaining the genetic differentiation pattern of the pelagic species.

Two complete mitochondrial genomes of the barnacle Lepas anatifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Scalpellomorpha, Lepadidae) implying the possibility of cryptic speciation.

The barnacle Lepas anatifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Scalpellomorpha, Lepadidae) is a worldwide distributed species. For investigating its genetic diversity in the northwest Pacific, two complete mitochondrial genomes were determined and analyzed. The lengths of the two complete mitogenomes were 15,708 bp and 15,703 bp, respectively. Both of them contained typical 37 genes with an identical order to L. anserifera Linnaeus, 1767 and L. australis Darwin, 1851 mitogenome. Except for ND1 and ND2, 11 protein-coding genes (PCGs) started with an ATN initiation codon (ATA, ATG, ATC, and ATT). Twelve PCGs were terminated with TAA or TAG stop codon, whereas ND1 possessed an incomplete termination codon (T-). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that L. australis and L. anserifera clustered together, and then with L. anatifera. The distinct genetic distances (0.17) based on concatenated sequence of 13 PCGs between the two mitogenomes of L. anatifera suggest the existence of cryptic speciation. Additional samples from multiple localities should be collected and analyzed to deepen the understanding of cryptic diversity within the northwest Pacific.

Characterisation and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus tamarii Causing Banana Fruit Rot.

Banana fruit rot is a common postharvest disease of the banana fruit. The appearance of rot symptoms on the surface of the fruits reduces the quality and marketability of banana. From rot lesions on banana fruits, three Aspergillus isolates were isolated. Based on morphological characteristics and sequences of Internal Transcribed Spacer, ß-tubulin and calmodulin, the isolates were identified as A. tamarii. Pathogenicity tests of the isolates, conducted using mycelial plugs with wounded and unwounded treatments, showed A. tamarii as the pathogen of banana fruit rot. Rot symptoms were highly severe on wounded banana fruits compared to unwounded fruits, and therefore, wounded banana fruits are more susceptible to A. tamarii infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of A. tamarii as a causal pathogen of banana fruit rot. This study indicated A. tamarii is one of postharvest rot pathogens of banana.

Reput buah pisang merupakan penyakit lepas tuai yang lazim pada buah pisang. Kemunculan gejala reput pada permukaan buah mengurangkan kualiti dan kebolehpasaran buah pisang. Dari lesi reput pada buah pisang, tiga pencilan Aspergillus telah dipencilkan. Berdasarkan ciri-ciri morfologi dan jujukan Trankripsi Penjarak Dalaman (ITS), ß-tubulin dan kalmodulin, pencilan tersebut dikenal pasti sebagai A. tamarii. Ujian kepatogenan yang dilakukan menggunakan palam miselium dengan rawatan luka dan tidak luka, menunjukkan A. tamarii merupakan patogen reput buah pisang. Gejala reput amat teruk pada buah pisang yang luka berbanding buah yang tidak luka. Oleh itu, buah pisang yang luka lebih mudah dijangkiti A. tamarii. Pada pengetahuan kami, ini adalah laporan pertama A. tamarii sebagai patogen penyebab reput buah pisang. Kajian ini menunjukkan A. tamarii merupakan salah satu patogen reput pisang lepas tuai.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Crustacea, Maxillopoda, Cirripedia).

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Lepadidae). The genome sequence is 15,502 bp in size. Except for CO1, 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) start with an ATN initiation codon (ATA, ATG, ATC and ATT). Twelve PCGs were terminated with TAA or TAG stop codon, whereas ND1 possessed an incomplete termination codon (T- -). We compared the mitogenome structure of L. australis to those of other cirripeds and a typical arthropod Homarus americanus. The PCGs in the L. australis mtgenome showed a typical gene arrangement, identical to the arthropod pattern in other cirriped genomes. However, at least 8 tRNA genes were translocated and 2 tRNA genes were inverted in the coding polarity. Unique differences in L. australis mtgenome included translocation of trnS2, trnD and trnI. These results are useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships among cirripedians, and additional mtgenome information of barnacles including the polar species would allow exploration of the thoracican relationships and mtgenome modifications in the barnacle evolution.

Expression of Npas4 mRNA in Telencephalic Areas of Adult and Postnatal Mouse Brain.

The transcription factor neuronal PAS domain-containing protein 4 (Npas4) is an inducible immediate early gene which regulates the formation of inhibitory synapses, and could have a significant regulatory role during cortical circuit formation. However, little is known about basal Npas4 mRNA expression during postnatal development. Here, postnatal and adult mouse brain sections were processed for isotopic in situ hybridization using an Npas4 specific cRNA antisense probe. In adults, Npas4 mRNA was found in the telencephalon with very restricted or no expression in diencephalon or mesencephalon. In most telencephalic areas, including the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), piriform cortex, neocortex, hippocampus, dorsal caudate putamen (CPu), septum and basolateral amygdala nucleus (BLA), basal Npas4 expression was detected in scattered cells which exhibited strong hybridization signal. In embryonic and neonatal brain sections, Npas4 mRNA expression signals were very low. Starting at postnatal day 5 (P5), transcripts for Npas4 were detected in the AON, CPu and piriform cortex. At P8, additional Npas4 hybridization was found in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal layer, and in primary motor cortex. By P13, robust mRNA expression was located in layers IV and VI of all sensory cortices, frontal cortex and cingulate cortex. After onset of expression, postnatal spatial mRNA distribution was similar to that in adults, with the exception of the CPu, where Npas4 transcripts became gradually restricted to the most dorsal part. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of Npas4 mRNA is mostly restricted to telencephalic areas, and the temporal expression increases with developmental age during postnatal development, which seem to correlate with the onset of activity-driven excitatory transmission.

Evaluation of the floating time of a corpse found in a marine environment using the barnacle Lepas anatifera L. (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Pedunculata).

Human activities involving water may result in a crime scene. Typically, death may be due to natural causes, homicide, or mass disasters. Decomposition in water is a complex process where many factors may interplay. Human remains in water are subject to many potential interactions, depending upon the remains themselves, the type of water and the characteristics of the water. A number of studies are focused on the decomposition process of the corpse in water, on the identification of the post mortem submersion interval (PMSI) and on the diagnosis of drowning, but very few studies consider the fate of floating remains in any aquatic environment. The following case describes a corpse found on a shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea (South West of Italy, Calabria Region). The corpse and the soles of his shoes were colonized by the barnacle Lepas anatifera L. (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Pedunculata). The analyses of the barnacles present on the corpse aided in the evaluation of the floating time of the corpse which assisted in estimating the minimum time since death.

Gooseneck barnacles (Lepas spp.) ingest microplastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

Substantial quantities of small plastic particles, termed "microplastic," have been found in many areas of the world ocean, and have accumulated in particularly high densities on the surface of the subtropical gyres. While plastic debris has been documented on the surface of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) since the early 1970s, the ecological implications remain poorly understood. Organisms associated with floating objects, termed the "rafting assemblage," are an important component of the NPSG ecosystem. These objects are often dominated by abundant and fast-growing gooseneck barnacles (Lepas spp.), which predate on plankton and larval fishes at the sea surface. To assess the potential effects of microplastic on the rafting community, we examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 385 barnacles collected from the NPSG for evidence of plastic ingestion. We found that 33.5% of the barnacles had plastic particles present in their gastrointestinal tract, ranging from one plastic particle to a maximum of 30 particles. Particle ingestion was positively correlated to capitulum length, and no blockage of the stomach or intestines was observed. The majority of ingested plastic was polyethylene, with polypropylene and polystyrene also present. Our results suggest that barnacle ingestion of microplastic is relatively common, with unknown trophic impacts on the rafting community and the NPSG ecosystem.