Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fecal Pellets of a Marphysa Species (Annelida: Eunicidae) in the Yoro Tidal Flat, Japan.

The fecal pellets of Marphysa sp. E sensu Abe et al. (2019) (Annelida, Eunicidae) living in the Yoro tidal flat (Ichihara, Chiba, Japan) contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the concentrations rapidly decrease over time. To investigate the origin of the high-concentration PAHs in the fecal pellets and food sources of the worms, the PAH concentrations, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N), total organic carbon, and total nitrogen for two types of sediment (sands and reduced muds), fecal pellets, and the body of the worms were determined. The PAH concentrations and chemical properties of the fecal pellets were similar to those of the reduced muds (20-30 cm sediment depth). The δ13C, δ15N, and C/N values of reduced muds were the same as the typical values of terrestrial C3 plants, suggesting that reduced muds were derived from terrestrial plants. These data indicated that the worms selectively take up reduced muds containing high levels of PAHs. The δ13C and δ15N values of the worm bodies indicated that the worms did not use the organic carbon derived from terrestrial C3 plants as primary nutrition. Taking into consideration their selective uptake of reduced muds, excretion, and subsequent rapid decrease of PAHs in the fecal pellets, the worms could contribute to the remediation of chemical pollutants in the tidal flat sediments.

Hemerythrin-related antimicrobial peptide, msHemerycin, purified from the body of the Lugworm, Marphysa sanguinea.

A ∼1.7 kDa antimicrobial peptide was purified from the acidified body extract of the Lugworm, Marphysa sanguinea, by preparative acid-urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and C18 reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The identified peptide is composed of 14 amino acids with the N-terminal acetylation. Comparison of the identified amino acid sequences and molecular weight of this peptide with those of other known proteins or peptides revealed that this peptide had high identity to the N-terminus of hemerythrin of marine invertebrates and named the msHemerycin. The full-length hemerythrin cDNA of Lugworm was contained 1027-bp, including a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 60-bp, a 3'-UTR of 595-bp, and an open reading frame of 372-bp encoding 123 amino acids including the msHemerycin at the N-terminus. Tissue distribution of the msHemerycin mRNA suggests that it is constitutively expressed as a non-tissue-specific manner, however, a relatively higher expression level was observed in muscle (6.8-fold) and brain (6.3-fold), and the lowest level in digestive gland. The secondary structural prediction and homology modeling studies indicate that the msHemerycin might form an unordered structure and might act via unconventional mechanism. Our results suggest that the msHemerycin might be an innate immune component related to the host defenses in the Lugworm. This is the first report on the antimicrobial function of the peptide derived from the N-terminus of hemerythrin in the Lugworm, Marphysa sanguinea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the bait worm, Marphysa victori (Annelida; Polychaeta; Eunicida; Eunicidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Marphysa victori Lavesque, Daffe, Bonifácio & Hutchings, 2017, was 15,891 bp in length with a GC content of 41%, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The maximum-likelihood tree showed the closest relationship between M. victori and M. sanguinea.

Four new species of Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicida, Eunicidae) from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Four new species of Marphysa are described from Terengganu state on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, using morphological and molecular (cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene) data. These species belong to different groups of Marphysa: Marphysakertehensis sp. nov. belongs to Group A (Mossambica), Marphysamerchangensis sp. nov. and Marphysasetiuense sp. nov. belong to Group B (Sanguinea) and Marphysaibaiensis sp. nov. belongs to Group E (Gravelyi). Marphysakertehensis sp. nov. is characterised by having only limbate chaetae, absence of subacicular hooks, three types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick isodont with short and slender inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to nine branchial filaments. Marphysamerchangensis sp. nov. is characterised by the presence of eyes, unidentate subacicular hooks, four types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick anodont pectinate chaetae with five long and thick inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to six branchial filaments. Marphysasetiuense sp. nov. has mostly unidentate subacicular hooks (bidentate on several posterior chaetigers), four types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick anodont pectinate chaetae with seven thick and long inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to five branchial filaments. Marphysaibaiensis sp. nov. has bidentate subacicular hooks throughout, five types of pectinate chaetae, including a heterodont with 12 short and slender inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to eight branchial filaments. The designation of these new species based on morphology is fully supported by molecular data. Habitat descriptions of each species are also included.

Changes in the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fecal pellets of Marphysa sp. E and reduced mud in the Yoro tidal flat, Japan.

Marphysa sp. E (Annelida, Eunicidae), inhabiting the Yoro tidal flat (inner part of Tokyo Bay, Japan), ingests reduced mud comprising black and high viscosity sediments that contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); these PAHs are excreted within the fecal pellets. PAH concentration in the fecal pellets rapidly decrease to half its quantity 2 h after its excretion. To investigate their specificity of change, we analyzed the PAHs in fecal pellets and reduced mud using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PAH concentration of the fecal pellets was observed to decrease by 46 % in 2 h, whereas that of reduced mud decreased by only 8 % in the same duration. This suggests that the PAH concentration of reduced mud decreases only after passing through the worm's digestive system. These results indicate that Marphysa sp. E contributes to the purification of the tidal flat environment.

A closer look at the taxonomic and genetic diversity of endemic South African Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865.

The current study investigates the final unresolved cosmopolitan species of Marphysa in South Africa, Marphysa corallina, collected from KwaZulu Natal, Eastern and Western Cape provinces, together with another species collected from northern KwaZulu Natal. Morphological and genetic data prove that M. corallina, originally described from Hawaii, does not occur in South Africa. The curvature of the inner base on maxilla I, the elevated inner base of maxilla II, and the ventral cirrus as a transverse welt with a rounded tip allow us to identify it as a new species of Treadwellphysa, T. izinqa sp. nov. (common name: brown wonderworm). Characteristic traits include the basal reddish and distal golden colour of the subacicular hook, the ear-shaped postchaetal lobe, and tridentate falcigers which is reported for the first time for the genus. This species is harvested as bait on the south coast of SA, although less frequently than the more common blood wonderworm, Marphysa haemasona Quatrefages, 1866, and can be distinguished by its more uniform brown colouration and white-tipped antennae. A second species, Marphysa mzingazia sp. nov., is characterized by red eyes, six branchial filaments extending to the posterior end, the golden aciculae in posterior chaetigers, weakly bidentate yellow/brown subacicular hooks, and the presence of similar sized spinigers along the body. A molecular analysis based on cytochrome oxidase I fragments confirm both taxa as different species. A key for all South African species of Marphysa is included.

Polychaeta-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles: A potential antibacterial agent against Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND)-causing bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as a promising application in aquaculture. Their nano-sized dimensions, comparable to pathogens offer potential solutions for combating antibiotic resistance. In this study, AuNPs were synthesized by using polychaetes, Marphysa moribidii as the bio-reducing agent. Modifications were made to reduce agglomeration in green-synthesized AuNPs through ultrasonication. The antibacterial activities of AuNPs against V. parahaemolyticus were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the green synthesized AuNPs were comprehensively investigated. The successful formation of AuNPs was confirmed by the appearance of a red ruby colour and the presence of surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at 530 nm as observed from UV-vis spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical-shaped AuNPs with some agglomerations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed particle size of AuNPs ranging from 10 nm to 60 nm, meanwhile dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated an average particle size of 24.36 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of AuNPs, and no AuNPs were detected in the polychaetes extracts prior to synthesis. A brief ultrasonication significantly reduced the tendencies for AuNPs to coalesce. The green-synthesized AuNPs demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial efficacy against V. parahaemolyticus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests revealed that a concentration of 0.3 g/ml of AuNPs effectively inhibited V. parahaemolyticus. These findings highlighted the potential of green-synthesized AuNPs as antibacterial agents for the prevention and management of AHPND in aquaculture.

Three new deep-sea species of Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicida, Eunicidae) from Papua New Guinea (Bismarck and Solomon seas).

Three new species of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1866, Marphysabanana sp. nov., Marphysapapuaensis sp. nov., and Marphysazanolae sp. nov. are described from deep-sea sunken vegetation off Papua New Guinea, using both morphology and molecular data (for two species). With the presence of compound spinigers only and the branchiae present over many chaetigers, Marphysabanana sp. nov. belongs to the group B2. This species is characterised by the presence of eyes, the presence of branchiae starting from chaetiger 20, and by the presence of three types of pectinate chaetae and bidentate subacicular hooks starting from chaetigers 13-52. With the presence of compound falcigers only and the branchiae restricted to a short anterior region, Marphysapapuaensis sp. nov. belongs to the group C1. This species has a bilobed prostomium but no eyes, has branchiae from chaetigers 7 to 14-16 with up to 16 filaments. Marphysapapuaensis sp. nov. is also characterised by the presence of bidentate subacicular hooks from chaetiger 20 and by a single type of pectinate chaetae. Finally, Marphysazanolae sp. nov. belongs to the group C2, with the presence of compound falcigers only and the branchiae present over many chaetigers. This species is characterised by the absence of eyes, by the presence of branchiae with a single long filament starting from chaetiger 31, by unidentate subacicular hooks starting from chaetiger 28 and finally by one type of pectinate chaetae with very long outer teeth.

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Polychaeta Marphysa sanguinea in the anthropogenically impacted Tunis Lagoon: DNA damage and immune biomarkers.

This work assessed the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the polychaeta Marphysa sanguinea in Tunis Lagoon. Highest PAHs concentrations were accumulated at station E with maximum Σ PAH of 6028,87 ng/g DW. Changes in animal physiology were clearly related to bioaccumulated PAH. In fact, high levels of immune biomarkers (cyclooxygenase [COX] and lysozyme activity with maximum of 44631,10 FU/mn/mg protein and 0,017 lysozyme activity/mn/mg protein, respectively) were recorded at stations B and E. Triacylglycerol (TAG), the energy source, was lowest at the most polluted stations (E and B), while phospholipids (PL) were highest at the control station. Statistical analysis revealed a probable effect of both low and high molecular weight PAHs on variations in energy storage lipids (TAG and sterol and wax esters [SE/WE]) and membrane lipids, particularly PL. Our results encourage the use of M. sanguinea to assess pollution levels in coastal ecosystems.

A new species of Marphysa (Annelida: Eunicida: Eunicidae) from India, with notes on previously described or reported species from the region.

A new species of Marphysa is described from India using both morphology and molecular data. The new species, Marphysa madrasi, belonging to the Teretiuscula-group, is characterised by having antennae about 2x longer than the prostomium, maxillae II and IV with a relatively large number of teeth (Mx II with 8+9; Mx IV with 7+11), compound spinigers present on a large range of mid-body chaetigers (at least 83-159), and pectinate chaetae present from the first few anterior chaetigers. We discuss all the species of this genus lacking compound falcigers (i.e., those belonging to the Sanguinea-, Mossambica- and Teretiuscula-groups), which have been reported from India and compare them to our new species. Only two accepted species in these groups can be confirmed as occurring in India, M. madrasi n. sp. and M. gravelyi Southern, 1921. We provide a table that summarises the important characters useful to identify species in this group of Marphysa with compound spinigers.

Eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) fabricated by green synthesis using the crude extract of marine polychaete, Marphysa moribidii: biosynthesis, characterisation, and antibacterial applications.

The non-hazardous silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesised using the extract of a biological organism has gained widespread attention for various applications, mainly in healthcare. This study aimed at synthesising AgNPs using the aqueous extract of Marphysa moribidii (Annelida, Polychaeta) and to evaluate their antibacterial activities. AgNPs were synthesised in response to silver nitrate (AgNO3) with polychaete crude extract for 24 h incubation; the polychaete crude extract acted as both reducing and stabilising agents. The presence of biosynthesised AgNPs was confirmed by an analysis of colour variations from pinkish to yellowish-brown, as well as the appearance of surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) bands at 398-400 nm using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Biosynthesised AgNPs showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and S . epidermidis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia sp., Shigella sonnei, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Thus, the crude extract of M. moribidii has a potential as a reducing agent for the development of future nanometal-based antibacterial agent, AgNPs, for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria.

Spatio-temporal variability of biomarker responses and lipid composition of Marphysa sanguinea, Montagu (1813) in the anthropic impacted lagoon of Tunis.

In this study the Polychaeta Marphysa sanguinea, was tested to investigate the impact of metal pollution on the environmental state of a coastal Mediterranean lagoon, Tunis Lagoon (Tunisia). A multi-biomarker approach comprising glutathione-stransferase, cyclooxygenase, lysozyme activity, and lipid class composition of the Polychaeta was employed on a seasonal basis in the present investigation. The multivariate statistical approach (principal component analysis and Pearson correlation) clearly demonstrated different spatial patterns in biomarker values and lipid class concentrations. The phospholipids were the dominant lipid class in M. sanguinea, with the highest value found at the control station. The impact of pollution was most clearly observed on the main storage lipid class, triacylglycerol, which was lowest in the most impacted sites. Our work suggests that M. sanguinea can be used in warmer Mediterranean costal habitats as a sentinel species of contaminated ecosystems.

One new species and two redescriptions of Marphysa (Eunicidae, Annelida) species of the Aenea-group from Australia.

Species of Marphysa belonging to the Aenea-group have compound falcigers as the subacicular chaetae along the entire body. Around 30 species belong to this group, among these, two have originally been described based on Australian specimens, M. bifurcata and M. sessilobranchiata. Here, we redescribe both species based on type and non-type material and describe a species new to science, M. pseudosessiloa n. sp., including intraspecific variation. Informative features for the identification of these species are relative length of prostomial appendages in relation to prostomium, shape of notopodial cirri, left MxIV plate, left and right MxIV attachment lamellae and placement of branchial stem. A taxonomic key to species of Marphysa currently reported from Australia is also provided.

Three new species of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865 (Polychaeta: Eunicida: Eunicidae) from the south coast of China and redescription of Marphysa sinensis Monro, 1934.

Three new species of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865 (Polychaeta: Eunicida: Eunicidae) are described from the south coast of China, M. tripectinata n. sp., M. multipectinata n. sp. and M. tribranchiata n. sp. with comments on the usefulness of pectinate chaetae to separate species. Marphysa sinensis Monro, 1934 is redescribed with a lectotype designated. The genus Marphysa is widely collected for bait and export for recreational fishermen and anglers in China and yet the number of species involved and their native distribution is currently unknown. Such information is critical for aquaculture programs which are rearing these species.

A new species of the Marphysa sanguinea complex from French waters (Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic) (Annelida, Eunicidae).

A new species of Eunicidae, Marphysa victorisp. n., has been identified from Arcachon Bay, Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic. This new species, belonging to the sanguinea complex, is characterised by branchiae with long filaments from chaetigers 26-34, the presence of four types of pectinate chaetae with first ones present from chaetiger 2, a large number of both pectinate chaetae and compound spinigers, and the pygidium with only one pair of pygidial cirri. An identification key for European species of the genus Marphysa is provided.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the marine polychaete, Marphysa sanguinea (Polychaeta, Eunicida).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Marphysa sanguinea from northern China was determined. This entire sequence was 15,159 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a putative control region (D-loop). The base composition of the genome was 30.7% A, 30.3% T, 26.5% C and 12.6% G. Some PCGs shared nucleotides with neighboring genes, and all 13 PCGs had ATG as a start codon. Two complete stop codons (TAA, TAG) were used by the PCGs. Compared to other marine polychaetes and oligophaetes, most of the PCGS were without any rearrangement, except for ND2 and ND3, in which the order was reversed.