The draft genomes of Crassostrea gasar and Crassostrea rhizophorae: key resources for leveraging oyster cultivation in the Southwest Atlantic.

OBJECTIVES: The two oyster species studied hold considerable economic importance for artisanal harvest (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and aquaculture (Crassostrea gasar). Their draft genomes will play an important role in the application of genomic methods such as RNAseq, population-based genomic scans aiming at addressing expression responses to pollution stress, adaptation to salinity and temperature variation, and will also permit investigating the genetic bases and enable marker-assisted selection of economically important traits like shell and mantle coloration and resistance to temperature and disease. DATA DESCRIPTION: The draft assembly size of Crassostrea gasar is 506 Mbp, and of Crassostrea rhizophorae is 584 Mbp with scaffolds N50 of 11,3 Mbp and 4,9 Mbp, respectively. The general masked bases by RepeatMasker in both genomes were highly similar using different datasets. The masked bases varied from 9.41% in C. gasar to 10.05% in C. rhizophorae and 42.85% in C. gasar to 44.44% in C. rhizophorae using Dfam and RepeatModeler datasets, respectively. Functional annotation with eggNog resulted in 34,693 annotated proteins in C. rhizophorae and 26,328 in C. gasar. BUSCO analysis shows that almost 99% of genes (5,295) are complete in relation to the mollusk orthologous genes dataset (mollusca_odb10).

First identification of Angiostrongylus spp. in Lissachatina fulica and Cornu aspersum in Antioquia, Colombia / Identificación de Angiostrongylus spp. en Lissachatina fulica y Cornu aspersum en Antioquia, Colombia

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal and neural angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis and A. cantonensis, respectively, are zoonotic diseases involving snails as intermediate hosts. Colombia has already reported human cases, and the increasing distribution of Lissachatina fulica and Cornu aspersum raises public health concerns due to the potential risk of disease transmission in areas where parasites and hosts coexist. OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of Angiostrongylus spp. in snail species L. fulica and C. aspersum in Antioquia, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study had a population of 5,855 L. fulica and C. aspersum snails captured in the ten towns of the Valle de Aburrá (Antioquia, Colombia), 169 samples were collected in 28 sampling points. Lung tissues of the collected snails were dissected and analyzed to detect Angiostrongylus spp. through molecular techniques. RESULTS: Angiostrongylus spp. were identified in both L. fulica and C. aspersum. Angiostrongylus costaricensis was detected in 18 pooled prevalence of 30% (95% CI = 19.2-43.3), and Medellín was the municipality with the highest number of positive samples (33.3%). Seventy-two-point-two percent of the positive places reported the presence of rodents. None of the tests were positive for A. cantonensis. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide important insights into the epidemiology and distribution of Angiostrongylus spp. in Antioquia, Colombia. The identification of these parasitic nematodes in L. fulica and C. aspersum highlights the potential role of these snails as intermediate hosts in the transmission of Angiostrongylus spp. infections in the Valle de Aburrá, with implications for human and veterinary health.

Introducción: La angiostrongiliasis abdominal y neura ­causadas por Angiostrongylus costaricensis y A. cantonensis, respectivamente­ son zoonosis que involucran caracoles como huéspedes intermediarios. Colombia ya ha reportado casos en humanos y la ampliación de la distribución de Lissachatina fulica y Cornu aspersum aumenta la preocupación en salud pública debido al riesgo potencial de transmisión en áreas donde los parásitos y sus huéspedes coexisten. Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de Angiostrongylus spp. en caracoles de las especies L. fulica y C. aspersum en Antioquia (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal prospectivo con una población de 5.855 caracoles de L. fulica o C. aspersum, capturados en diez ciudades del valle de Aburrá; 169 muestras fueron recolectadas en 28 puntos de muestreo. Se disecaron los tejidos pulmonares de los caracoles y se emplearon técnicas moleculares para detectar la presencia de Angiostrongylus spp. Resultados: Angiostrongylus costaricensis fue detectado en 18 muestras agrupadas (30 %; IC95%: 19,2-43,3), tanto en L. fulica como en C. aspersum. Medellín fue el municipio con el mayor número de muestras positivas (33,3 %). El 72,2 % de los lugares positivos reportaron la presencia de roedores. Ninguna de las pruebas fue positiva para A. cantonensis. Conclusión: Estos hallazgos brindan información importante sobre la distribución de Angiostrongylus spp. en Antioquia (Colombia). La identificación de estos nemátodos en L. fulica y C. aspersum resalta el papel potencial de estos caracoles como huéspedes intermediarios en la transmisión de infecciones por Angiostrongylus en el valle de Aburrá, con implicaciones para la salud humana y veterinaria.

Ocean Species Discoveries 1-12 - A primer for accelerating marine invertebrate taxonomy.

Background: Discoveries of new species often depend on one or a few specimens, leading to delays as researchers wait for additional context, sometimes for decades. There is currently little professional incentive for a single expert to publish a stand-alone species description. Additionally, while many journals accept taxonomic descriptions, even specialist journals expect insights beyond the descriptive work itself. The combination of these factors exacerbates the issue that only a small fraction of marine species are known and new discoveries are described at a slow pace, while they face increasing threats from accelerating global change. To tackle this challenge, this first compilation of Ocean Species Discoveries (OSD) presents a new collaborative framework to accelerate the description and naming of marine invertebrate taxa that can be extended across all phyla. Through a mode of publication that can be speedy, taxonomy-focused and generate higher citation rates, OSD aims to create an attractive home for single species descriptions. This Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA) approach emphasises thorough, but compact species descriptions and diagnoses, with supporting illustrations and with molecular data when available. Even basic species descriptions carry key data for distributions and ecological interactions (e.g., host-parasite relationships) besides universally valid species names; these are essential for downstream uses, such as conservation assessments and communicating biodiversity to the broader public. New information: This paper presents thirteen marine invertebrate taxa, comprising one new genus, eleven new species and one re-description and reinstatement, covering wide taxonomic, geographic, bathymetric and ecological ranges. The taxa addressed herein span three phyla (Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata), five classes, eight orders and twelve families. Apart from the new genus, an updated generic diagnosis is provided for four other genera. The newly-described species of the phylum Mollusca are Placiphorellamethanophila Voncina, sp. nov. (Polyplacophora, Mopaliidae), Lepetodrilusmarianae Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Lepetodrilidae), Shinkailepasgigas Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Phenacolepadidae) and Lyonsiellaillaesa Machado & Sigwart, sp. nov. (Bivalvia, Lyonsiellidae). The new taxa of the phylum Arthropoda are all members of the subphylum Crustacea: Lepechinellanaces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Lepechinellidae), Cuniculomaeragrata Tandberg & Jazdzewska, gen. et sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Maeridae), Pseudionellapumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Bopyridae), Mastigoniscusminimus Wenz, Knauber & Riehl, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Haploniscidae), Macrostylispapandreas Jonannsen, Riehl & Brandt, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Macrostylidae), Austroniscusindobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Nannoniscidae) and Apseudopsisdaria Esquete & Tato, sp. nov. (Tanaidacea, Apseudidae). In the phylum Echinodermata, the reinstated species is Psychropotesbuglossa E. Perrier, 1886 (Holothuroidea, Psychropotidae).The study areas span the North and Central Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the North, East and West Pacific Ocean and depths from 5.2 m to 7081 m. Specimens of eleven free-living and one parasite species were collected from habitats ranging from an estuary to deep-sea trenches. The species were illustrated with photographs, line drawings, micro-computed tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Molecular data are included for nine species and four species include a molecular diagnosis in addition to their morphological diagnosis.The five new geographic and bathymetric distribution records comprise Lepechinellanaces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov., Cuniculomaeragrata Tandberg & Jazdzewska, sp. nov., Pseudionellapumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., Austroniscusindobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. and Psychropotesbuglossa E. Perrier, 1886, with the novelty spanning from the species to the family level. The new parasite record is Pseudionellapumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., found in association with the hermit crab Pagurusfraserorum Landschoff & Komai, 2018.

Doubling the known diversity of a remote island fauna: marine bivalves of the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas oceanic archipelagos (Southeastern Pacific Ocean).

Juan Fernández and Desventuradas are two oceanic archipelagos located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean far off the Chilean coast that received protected status as marine parks in 2016. Remoteness and access difficulty contributed to historically poor biodiversity sampling and limited associated research. This is particularly noticeable for bivalves, with most prior regional publications focused on single taxa or un-illustrated checklists. This study investigates marine bivalves collected between the intertidal and 415 m depth during (1) the 1997 IOC97 expedition aboard the M/V Carlos Porter, with special focus on scuba-collected micro-mollusks of both archipelagos, (2) two expeditions by the R/V Anton Bruun (Cruise 12/1965 and Cruise 17/1966), and (3) Cruise 21 of USNS Eltanin under the United States Antarctic Program, which sampled at Juan Fernández in 1965. Also, relevant historical material of the British H.M.S. Challenger Expedition (1873-1876), the Swedish Pacific Expedition (1916-1917), and by German zoologist Ludwig H. Plate (1893-1895) is critically revised. A total of 48 species are recognized and illustrated, including 19 new species (described herein) and six other potentially new species. The presence of two species mentioned in the literature for the region (Aulacomya atra and Saccella cuneata) could not be confirmed. The genera Verticipronus and Halonympha are reported for the first time from the Eastern Pacific, as are Anadara and Condylocardia from Chilean waters. Lectotypes are designated for Arca (Barbatia) platei and Mytilus algosus. These findings double the number of extant bivalve species known from the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas archipelagos, highlighting the lack of attention these islands groups have received in the past. A high percentage of species endemic to one or both archipelagos are recognized herein, accounting for almost 78% of the total. The newly recognized level of bivalve endemism supports the consideration of Juan Fernández and Desventuradas as two different biogeographic units (Provinces or Ecoregions) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Distribution, abundance, population structures, and potential impacts of the invasive snail, Tarebia granifera in aquatic ecosystems of north-eastern South Africa.

Aquatic ecosystems globally have been invaded by molluscs. Tarebia granifera is a highly successful invader, often becoming the dominant aquatic invertebrate species in an invaded ecosystem. Resultingly, it has been suggested that T. granifera may have severe negative impacts on these invaded ecosystems. Limited information is available regarding the population structures and densities of T. granifera, particularly in invaded countries such as South Africa, and information on this could assist in developing management and control strategies for this invasive species. The present study aimed to assess the current distribution, densities, and population structures of T. granifera in invaded habitats on the Limpopo and Phongolo River systems in South Africa. This was accomplished by collecting aquatic molluscs from sites across these systems. Water quality parameters were measured at each site and water samples were collected for chemical nutrient analyses. The density of snails was determined for each site and the population size and structure as well as birth rate was calculated for T. granifera. Tarebia granifera was found to be the dominant molluscan species in habitats where it was present and all size classes from newborn to mature adults were found throughout at some of the highest densities globally. Worryingly, native molluscan species, were often absent or in much lower densities than reported in literature at sites where T. granifera was present, suggesting a negative effect on the native molluscan density and diversity. Contrary to most previous studies, there were no significant correlations between T. granifera and the selected water quality parameters. Higher densities and newborn recruitment of T. granifera were observed in the spring than in autumn, likely in response to shifts in environmental conditions. This study provides crucial insights into the population structure, densities, and impacts of T. granifera in invaded habitats, particularly for relatively newly invaded regions such as southern Africa.

Diversification of von Willebrand Factor A and Chitin-Binding Domains in Pif/BMSPs Among Mollusks.

Pif is a shell matrix protein (SMP) identified in the nacreous layer of Pinctada fucata (Pfu) comprised two proteins, Pif97 and Pif 80. Pif97 contains a von Willebrand factor A (VWA) and chitin-binding domains, whereas Pif80 can bind calcium carbonate crystals. The VWA domain is conserved in the SMPs of various mollusk species; however, their phylogenetic relationship remains obscure. Furthermore, although the VWA domain participates in protein-protein interactions, its role in shell formation has not been established. Accordingly, in the current study, we investigate the phylogenetic relationship between PfuPif and other VWA domain-containing proteins in major mollusk species. The shell-related proteins containing VWA domains formed a large clade (the Pif/BMSP family) and were classified into eight subfamilies with unique sequential features, expression patterns, and taxa diversity. Furthermore, a pull-down assay using recombinant proteins containing the VWA domain of PfuPif 97 revealed that the VWA domain interacts with five nacreous layer-related SMPs of P. fucata, including Pif 80 and nacrein. Collectively, these results suggest that the VWA domain is important in the formation of organic complexes and participates in shell mineralisation.

New records of non-indigenous species from the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Crustacea, Mollusca), with a revision of genus Isognomon (Mollusca: Bivalvia).

We report new data on non-indigenous invertebrates from the Mediterranean Sea (four ostracods and 20 molluscs), including five new records for the basin: the ostracods Neomonoceratina iniqua, Neomonoceratina aff. mediterranea, Neomonoceratina cf. entomon, Loxoconcha cf. gisellae (Arthropoda: Crustacea)-the first records of non-indigenous ostracods in the Mediterranean-and the bivalve Striarca aff. symmetrica (Mollusca). Additionally, we report for the first time Electroma vexillum from Israel, and Euthymella colzumensis, Joculator problematicus, Hemiliostraca clandestina, Pyrgulina nana, Pyrgulina microtuber, Turbonilla cangeyrani, Musculus aff. viridulus and Isognomon bicolor from Cyprus. We also report the second record of Fossarus sp. and of Cerithiopsis sp. cf. pulvis in the Mediterranean Sea, the first live collected specimens of Oscilla galilae from Cyprus and the northernmost record of Gari pallida in Israel (and the Mediterranean). Moreover, we report the earliest records of Rugalucina angela, Ervilia scaliola and Alveinus miliaceus in the Mediterranean Sea, backdating their first occurrence in the basin by 3, 5 and 7 years, respectively. We provide new data on the presence of Spondylus nicobaricus and Nudiscintilla aff. glabra in Israel. Finally, yet importantly, we use both morphological and molecular approaches to revise the systematics of the non-indigenous genus Isognomon in the Mediterranean Sea, showing that two species currently co-occur in the basin: the Caribbean I. bicolor, distributed in the central and eastern Mediterranean, and the Indo-Pacific I. aff. legumen, at present reported only from the eastern Mediterranean and whose identity requires a more in-depth taxonomic study. Our work shows the need of taxonomic expertise and investigation, the necessity to avoid the unfounded sense of confidence given by names in closed nomenclature when the NIS belong to taxa that have not enjoyed ample taxonomic work, and the necessity to continue collecting samples-rather than relying on visual censuses and bio-blitzes-to enable accurate detection of non-indigenous species.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the disco clam, Ctenoides ales.

The bivalve subclass Pteriomorphia, which includes the economically important scallops, oysters, mussels, and ark clams, exhibits extreme ecological, morphological, and behavioral diversity. Among this diversity are five morphologically distinct eye types, making Pteriomorphia an excellent setting to explore the molecular basis for the evolution of novel traits. Of pteriomorphian bivalves, Limida is the only order lacking genomic resources, greatly limiting the potential phylogenomic analyses related to eyes and phototransduction. Here, we present a limid genome assembly, the disco clam, Ctenoides ales (C. ales), which is characterized by invaginated eyes, exceptionally long tentacles, and a flashing light display. This genome assembly was constructed with PacBio long reads and Dovetail Omni-CTM proximity-ligation sequencing. The final assembly is ∼2.3Gb and over 99% of the total length is contained in 18 pseudomolecule scaffolds. We annotated 41,064 protein coding genes and reported a BUSCO completeness of 91.9% for metazoa_obd10. Additionally, we report a complete and annotated mitochondrial genome, which also had been lacking from Limida. The ∼20Kb mitogenome has 12 protein coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNA genes, and a 1,589 bp duplicated sequence containing the origin of replication. The C. ales nuclear genome size is substantially larger than other pteriomorphian genomes, mainly accounted for by transposable element sequences. We inventoried the genome for opsins, the signaling proteins that initiate phototransduction, and found that, unlike its closest eyed-relatives, the scallops, C. ales lacks duplication of the rhabdomeric Gq-protein-coupled opsin that is typically used for invertebrate vision. In fact, C. ales has uncharacteristically few opsins relative to the other pteriomorphian families, all of which have unique expansions of xenopsins, a recently discovered opsin subfamily. This chromosome-level assembly, along with the mitogenome, is a valuable resource for comparative genomics and phylogenetics in bivalves and particularly for the understudied but charismatic limids.

Transcriptomic sequence dataset of a potential new model species for studying biomineralization Onchidoris muricata (Nudibranchia, Gastropoda, Mollusca).

Onchidoris muricata is a widespread shell-less species of nudibranch molluscs, which has unique for Gastropoda skeletal elements - subepidermal calcite spicules. The general and fine morphology of the spicules, as well as their maturation process in ontogenesis, have been studied in detail by authors. The uniqueness of spicules lies in their intracellular formation and location under the ectodermal epithelium, which is more typical for deuterostomes. We present O. muricata as a potentially new model species for studying calcification of intracellular protein structure. A total of 96 individuals were collected in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, both manually and by scuba diving. All individuals were divided into three groups based on morphological characteristics such as specimens' size, spicule condition etc. This division suggests the existence of three stages in postembryonic ontogenesis of O. muricata reflecting the maturation of the spicule complex. Total RNA samples were isolated from three size groups of molluscs in three biological replicates. Libraries were prepared from the polyadenylated RNA fraction and sequenced at NovaSeq6000 (Illumina), yielding a total of 112.8 Gb of 150 bp paired-end reads, corresponding to almost 1,000-fold coverage of the transcriptome. Representative transcriptome assembled de novo with Trinity. In addition to obtaining the transcriptome sequences of O. muricata, differential expression analysis was also performed for these three size groups. This allows us to trace the dynamics of molecular and biological processes during the life of a mollusc. The obtained data can then be used as a reference transcriptome for closely related species, to study specific expressed genes, to identify various unique sequences, including protein-coding ones, to understand biological processes, including biomineralization and much more.

Determination, expression and characterization of an UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside ß-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I) from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.

Molluscs are intermediate hosts for several parasites. The recognition processes, required to evade the host's immune response, depend on carbohydrates. Therefore, the investigation of mollusc glycosylation capacities is of high relevance to understand the interaction of parasites with their host. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside ß-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of hybrid and complex type N-glycans catalysing the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine to the α-1,3 Man antenna of Man5GlcNAc2. Thereby, the enzyme produces a suitable substrate for further enzymes, such as α-mannosidase II, GlcNAc-transferase II, galactosyltransferases or fucosyltransferases. The sequence of GnT- I from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, was obtained by homology search using the corresponding human enzyme as the template. The obtained gene codes for a 445 amino acids long type II transmembrane glycoprotein and shared typical structural elements with enzymes from other species. The enzyme was expressed in insect cells and purified by immunoprecipitation using protein A/G-plus agarose beads linked to monoclonal His-tag antibodies. GnT-I activity was determined towards the substrates Man5-PA, MM-PA and GnM-PA. The enzyme displayed highest activity at pH 7.0 and 30 °C, using Man5-PA as the substrate. Divalent cations were indispensable for the enzyme, with highest activity at 40 mM Mn2+, while the addition of EDTA or Cu2+ abolished the activity completely. The activity was also reduced by the addition of UDP, UTP or galactose. In this study we present the identification, expression and biochemical characterization of the first molluscan UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside ß-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I, GnT-I, from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Repurposing the drug, amprolium as a novel molluscicide against the land snail (Eobania vermiculata).

Amprolium (AMP) is an organic compound used as a poultry anticoccidiostat. The aim of this work is to repurpose AMP to control the land snail, Eobania vermiculata in the laboratory and in the field. When snails treated with ½ LC50 of AMP, the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total lipids (TL), urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased, whereas the levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total protein (TP), and glutathione (GSH) decreased. It also induced histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the digestive gland, hermaphrodite gland, kidney, mucus gland, and cerebral ganglion. Furthermore, scanning electron micrographs revealed various damages in the tegumental structures of the mantle-foot region of E. vermiculata snails. The field application demonstrated that the AMP spray caused reduced percentages in snail population of 75 and 84% after 7 and 14 days of treatment. In conclusion, because AMP disrupts the biology and physiology of the land snail, E. vermiculata, it can be used as an effective molluscicide.

Marine-Derived Peptides with Anti-Hypertensive Properties: Prospects for Pharmaceuticals, Supplements, and Functional Food.

Hypertension, a major health concern linked to heart disease and premature mortality, has prompted a search for alternative treatments due to side effects of existing medications. Sustainable harvesting of low-trophic marine organisms not only enhances food security but also provides a variety of bioactive molecules, including peptides. Despite comprising only a fraction of active natural compounds, peptides are ideal for drug development due to their size, stability, and resistance to degradation. Our review evaluates the anti-hypertensive properties of peptides and proteins derived from selected marine invertebrate phyla, examining the various methodologies used and their application in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and functional food. A considerable body of research exists on the anti-hypertensive effects of certain marine invertebrates, yet many species remain unexamined. The array of assessments methods, particularly for ACE inhibition, complicates the comparison of results. The dominance of in vitro and animal in vivo studies indicates a need for more clinical research in order to transition peptides into pharmaceuticals. Our findings lay the groundwork for further exploration of these promising marine invertebrates, emphasizing the need to balance scientific discovery and marine conservation for sustainable resource use.

Ecological baselines in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea shifted long before the availability of observational time series.

Native biodiversity loss and invasions by nonindigenous species (NIS) have massively altered ecosystems worldwide, but trajectories of taxonomic and functional reorganization remain poorly understood due to the scarcity of long-term data. Where ecological time series are available, their temporal coverage is often shorter than the history of anthropogenic changes, posing the risk of drawing misleading conclusions on systems' current states and future development. Focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, a region affected by massive biological invasions and the largest climate change-driven collapse of native marine biodiversity ever documented, we followed the taxonomic and functional evolution of an emerging "novel ecosystem", using a unique dataset on shelled mollusks sampled in 2005-2022 on the Israeli shelf. To quantify the alteration of observed assemblages relative to historical times, we also analyzed decades- to centuries-old ecological baselines reconstructed from radiometrically dated death assemblages, time-averaged accumulations of shells on the seafloor that constitute natural archives of past community states. Against expectations, we found no major loss of native biodiversity in the past two decades, suggesting that its collapse had occurred even earlier than 2005. Instead, assemblage taxonomic and functional richness increased, reflecting the diversification of NIS whose trait structure was, and has remained, different from the native one. The comparison with the death assemblage, however, revealed that modern assemblages are taxonomically and functionally much impoverished compared to historical communities. This implies that NIS did not compensate for the functional loss of native taxa, and that even the most complete observational dataset available for the region represents a shifted baseline that does not reflect the actual magnitude of anthropogenic changes. While highlighting the great value of observational time series, our results call for the integration of multiple information sources on past ecosystem states to better understand patterns of biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene.

Phylogenomics of Neogastropoda: The Backbone Hidden in the Bush.

The molluskan order Neogastropoda encompasses over 15,000 almost exclusively marine species playing important roles in benthic communities and in the economies of coastal countries. Neogastropoda underwent intensive cladogenesis in the early stages of diversification, generating a "bush" at the base of their evolutionary tree, which has been hard to resolve even with high throughput molecular data. In the present study to resolve the bush, we use a variety of phylogenetic inference methods and a comprehensive exon capture dataset of 1817 loci (79.6% data occupancy) comprising 112 taxa of 48 out of 60 Neogastropoda families. Our results show consistent topologies and high support in all analyses at (super)family level, supporting monophyly of Muricoidea, Mitroidea, Conoidea, and, with some reservations, Olivoidea and Buccinoidea. Volutoidea and Turbinelloidea as currently circumscribed are clearly paraphyletic. Despite our analyses consistently resolving most backbone nodes, 3 prove problematic: First, the uncertain placement of Cancellariidae, as the sister group to either a Ficoidea-Tonnoidea clade or to the rest of Neogastropoda, leaves monophyly of Neogastropoda unresolved. Second, relationships are contradictory at the base of the major "core Neogastropoda" grouping. Third, coalescence-based analyses reject monophyly of the Buccinoidea in relation to Vasidae. We analyzed phylogenetic signal of targeted loci in relation to potential biases, and we propose the most probable resolutions in the latter 2 recalcitrant nodes. The uncertain placement of Cancellariidae may be explained by orthology violations due to differential paralog loss shortly after the whole genome duplication, which should be resolved with a curated set of longer loci.

Why avoid naming diseases after animals? The case of "Molluscum contagiosum".

For over 200 years, the name molluscum contagiosum-a dermatological disease-has unfairly associated molluscs (the second largest group of animals on the planet) with this highly contagious infectious disease. Herein, arguments are presented demonstrating the serious problem of continuing to use this name, including animal welfare concerns. Thus, to minimize any unnecessary impacts on the biodiversity and conservation of molluscs, we follow WHO best practices in naming diseases to suggest the use of the new term 'wpox' or 'water warts' as a synonym for molluscum contagiosum.

Effect of Mollusca shell extracts on inhibition of kimchi over-acidification.

Mollusca species shell such as oyster shell (OS) and snail shell (SS), are discarded after taking the meat, and the discarded shell causes the environmental problems. Therefore, recycling shell waste could potentially eliminate the environmental problems. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of OS and SS as natural calcium resources. The minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium were analyzed in OS and SS extracts. Among them, the calcium content was the highest: 36.87 (%) and 33.42 (%) in the OS and SS extracts, respectively. Further, the content of ionized bioavailable form of calcium in OS and SS was higher than that of CaCO3 under simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. Additionally, OS and SS were added to kimchi, and their inhibitory effect on kimchi acidification was evaluated by assessing pH, titratable acidity and microbial analysis. As the results indicated that the addition of OS and SS had little effect on inhibiting the growth of lactic acid bacteria. However, it was confirmed that calcium neutralizes the organic acids produced during fermentation. Overall, the results of this study provide preliminary information on the re-use of OS and SS extracts as ionized natural calcium supplements and fermentation retardants.

Experimental data from the development of Lymnaea stagnalis embryo test for chemicals hazard assessment.

This study aimed to contribute to the development of an embryo-test using the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis, identified by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as a potential invertebrate test animal model. Together with the Potamopyrgus antipodarum, were the first mollusc models to be included in the organization testing guidelines. The focus was on validating an embryo toxicity test to cover the sensitive embryogenesis phase and on obtaining testing information on all of the model life cycle stages, contributing to close an identified gap within this context. Adhering to OECD guidelines, namely the L. stagnalis reproductive test, the study examined mortality rates, abnormality rates, development, growth, hatching rates, hearth rates, and pre-testing media suitability, during the embryogenesis, and the obtained dataset made available for further studies. Cadmium was chosen as the positive test compound due to its well-studied nature and the model's proven sensitivity to the compound, working as a reference compound for the test development. The data were collected in two 12-day assays under consistent conditions, each using 144 L. stagnalis embryos (<24 h old) from 6 egg masses (288 embryos total). Six 48-well microplates were utilized per assay, accommodating five different cadmium concentrations (32, 70, 155, 341, 750 µg/L) and a control group. Recorded parameters encompassed developmental stage, embryo position within the chorion, developmental abnormalities, hatchings, and mortality. Data analysis involved classifying embryos based on developmental stage and position, taking an exploratory approach to define the relevance of the different parameters in the compound hazard assessment during the embryogenesis. Measurements considered embryo area, perimeter, length, height, width, interocular distance, and heart rate. This dataset does not provide treated information but the raw data obtained during the proposed metodological development and toxicity testing process. The purpose of this article is to make the obtained raw data available, clearly defining the acquisition methodology to provide a comparison basis for future or existent works within this context.

Checklist of the marine malacofauna of Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy), with notes on relevant species.

Background: Culuccia is a small peninsula of about 3 km2 placed in north-western Sardinia (Italy) at the margin of the Maddalena Archipelago. The marine area surrounding this Peninsula is a Special Area of Conservation, included in the European Natura 2000 Ecological Network of protected areas, but until now, no information on biodiversity of this area is available. In 2021, a research project to study both terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Culuccia has started in order to fill this gap of knowledge. New information: This work provides the first inventory of the marine malacofauna of the coast of Culuccia. Fifteen sites were sampled seasonally for one-year by using different sampling methods and the present study shows the results from approximately 50 scientific SCUBA and free dive surveys, carried out in all main marine habitats of the studied area. In total, 259 species of molluscs were recorded along the coasts of the Culuccia Peninsula (0-25 m depth), belonging to the classes Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. Amongst the four classes recorded, gastropods were the most represented (66.90%; 173 species), followed by bivalves (28.10%; 73 species), polyplacophorans (4.60%; 12 species) and scapophods (0.40%; 1 species). Notes about distribution, conservation status and ecology for some valuable species are provided, together with images of representative species, consisting mainly of in situ photographs. Additionally, the present investigation recorded the presence of four alien species, whose Mediterranean distribution was extended to north-western Sardinia.

Metals and metallothionein evolution in snails: a contribution to the concept of metal-specific functionality from an animal model group.

This is a critical review of what we know so far about the evolution of metallothioneins (MTs) in Gastropoda (snails, whelks, limpets and slugs), an important class of molluscs with over 90,000 known species. Particular attention will be paid to the evolution of snail MTs in relation to the role of some metallic trace elements (cadmium, zinc and copper) and their interaction with MTs, also compared to MTs from other animal phyla. The article also highlights the important distinction, yet close relationship, between the structural and metal-selective binding properties of gastropod MTs and their physiological functionality in the living organism. It appears that in the course of the evolution of Gastropoda, the trace metal cadmium (Cd) must have played an essential role in the development of Cd-selective MT variants. It is shown how the structures and Cd-selective binding properties in the basal gastropod clades have evolved by testing and optimizing different combinations of ancestral and novel MT domains, and how some of these domains have become established in modern and recent gastropod clades. In this context, the question of how adaptation to new habitats and lifestyles has affected the original MT traits in different gastropod lineages will also be addressed. The 3D structures and their metal binding preferences will be highlighted exemplarily in MTs of modern littorinid and helicid snails. Finally, the importance of the different metal requirements and pathways in snail tissues and cells for the shaping and functionality of the respective MT isoforms will be shown.

Eyelid Lesion of Molluscum contagiosum: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral infection in children that affects the skin and oral mucous membranes. It is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a double-stranded DNA virus in the Poxviridae family. Transmission takes place via direct skin contact, self-inoculation, and exposure to contaminated objects. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of a single or multiple enlarged dome-shaped or doughnut-shaped flesh-colored papules with central umbilication, usually called "mollusca". The diagnosis of MC is based mainly on clinical observations, in addition to histopathological examinations to reveal characteristic molluscum bodies, also known as Henderson-Patterson bodies. Current treatment methods include mechanical, chemical, immune modulation, and antiviral treatments. In this context, we present a case involving a 42-year-old male infected with MC, outlining both the clinical and histopathological findings.