Comparative Environmental Impacts and Development Benefits of Coastal Aquaculture in Three Tropical Countries: Madagascar, Tanzania and Indonesia.

Aquaculture is still in early development in Madagascar and Tanzania, while in Indonesia, aquaculture has a long history. In Madagascar, villagers are farming seaweed and sea cucumbers, as part of small-scale community-based aquaculture (CBA). They followed a contractual model between a private farming company and farmers. Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public institutions in Madagascar jointly strive to reverse the trend of ongoing anthropogenic coastal degradation. In Tanzania, the cultivation of red seaweeds has been established for over 30 years, with declining production attributed to climate change. While shrimp farming still involves, to some extent, clearing of mangroves in Tanzania, seaweed culture has only mild impact on coastal ecosystems. Farming areas provide shelter and habitat for juvenile fish, crabs and other organisms. Therefore, NGOs ask for support to improve culture methods. Various problems and shortcomings in Indonesia have been clearly identified, including issues related to new aquaculture areas, pollutants, emerging diseases, insufficient broodstock and fry supply, as well as a lack of technology and manpower. To address these challenges and ensure the growth of aquaculture production, the government has implemented national policies and established training and broodstock centers throughout the country. In Madagascar, the CBA programme stands out as a success story and can serve as a template for other coastal regions and countries. In Tanzania, the adoption of CBA model for co-culture could be the future. In Indonesia, due to a very long coastlines and complicated legislation, IMTA seems to be particularly suitable, as successfully tested in model regions.

Metabolic Responses and Resilience to Environmental Challenges in the Sedentary Batrachoid Halobatrachus didactylus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801).

In the context of climate change, warming of the seas and expansion of hypoxic zones are challenges that most species of fish are, or will be subjected to. Understanding how different species cope with these changes in their environment at the individual level can shed light on how populations and ecosystems will be affected. We provide first-time estimates on the metabolic rates, thermal, and oxygen-related limits for Halobatrachus didactylus, a coastal sedentary fish that lives in intertidal environments of the Northeast Atlantic. Using respirometry in different experimental designs, we found that this species is highly resistant to acute thermal stress (CTmax: 34.82 ± 0.66 °C) and acute hypoxia (Pcrit: 0.59-1.97 mg O2 L-1). We found size-specific differences in this stress response, with smaller individuals being more sensitive. We also quantified its aerobic scope and daily activity patterns, finding this fish to be extremely sedentary, with one of the lowest standard metabolic rates found in temperate fish (SMR: 14.96 mg O2 kg-1h-1). H. didactylus activity increases at night, when its metabolic rate increases drastically (RMR: 36.01 mg O2 kg-1h-1). The maximum metabolic rate of H. didactylus was estimated to be 67.31 mg O2 kg-1h-1, producing an aerobic scope of 52.35 mg O2 kg-1h-1 (77.8% increase). The metrics obtained in this study prove that H. didactylus is remarkably resilient to acute environmental variations in temperature and oxygen content, which might enable it to adapt to the extreme abiotic conditions forecasted for the world's oceans in the near future.

Antifouling coatings can reduce algal growth while preserving coral settlement.

In the early stages after larval settlement, coral spat can be rapidly overgrown and outcompeted by algae, reducing overall survival for coral reef replenishment and supply for restoration programs. Here we investigated three antifouling (AF) coatings for their ability to inhibit algal fouling on coral settlement plugs, a commonly-used restoration substrate. Plugs were either fully or partially coated with the AF coatings and incubated in mesocosm systems with partial recirculation for 37 days to track fouling succession. In addition, settlement of Acropora tenuis larvae was measured to determine whether AF coatings were a settlement deterrent. Uncoated control plugs became heavily fouled, yielding only 4-8% bare substrate on upper surfaces after 37 days. During this period, an encapsulated dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT)-coating was most effective in reducing fouling, yielding 61-63% bare substrate. Antiadhesive and cerium dioxide (CeO2-x) nanoparticle (NP) coatings were less effective, yielding 11-17% and 2% bare substrate, respectively. Average settlement of A. tenuis larvae on the three types of AF-coated plugs did not statistically differ from settlement on uncoated controls. However, settlement on the NP-coating was generally the highest and was significantly higher than settlement found on the antiadhesive- and DCOIT-coating. Furthermore, on plugs only partially-covered with AF coatings, larval settlement on coated NP- areas was significantly higher than settlement on coated antiadhesive- and DCOIT-areas. These results demonstrate that AF coatings can reduce fouling intensity on biologically-relevant timescales while preserving robust levels of coral settlement. This represents an important step towards reducing fine-scale competition with benthic fouling organisms in coral breeding and propagation.

Insights into the bacterial community composition of farmed Caulerpa lentillifera: A comparison between contrasting health states.

The bacterial communities of Caulerpa lentillifera were studied during an outbreak of an unknown disease in a sea grape farm from Vietnam. Clear differences between healthy and diseased cases were observed at the order, genus, and Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) level. A richer diversity was detected in the diseased thalli of C. lentillifera, as well as the dominance of the orders Flavobacteriales (phylum Bacteroidetes) and Phycisphaerales (Planctomycetes). Aquibacter, Winogradskyella, and other OTUs of the family Flavobacteriaceae were hypothesized as detrimental bacteria, this family comprises some well-known seaweed pathogens. Phycisphaera together with other Planctomycetes and Woeseia were probably saprophytes of C. lentillifera. The Rhodobacteraceae and Rhodovulum dominated the bacterial community composition of healthy C. lentillifera. The likely beneficial role of Bradyrhizobium, Paracoccus, and Brevundimonas strains on nutrient cycling and phytohormone production was discussed. The bleaching of diseased C. lentillifera might not only be associated with pathogens but also with an oxidative response. This study offers pioneering insights on the co-occurrence of C. lentillifera-attached bacteria, potential detrimental or beneficial microbes, and a baseline for understanding the C. lentillifera holobiont. Further applied and basic research is urgently needed on C. lentillifera microbiome, shotgun metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metabolomic studies as well as bioactivity assays are recommended.

Extreme winter cold-induced osmoregulatory, metabolic, and physiological responses in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) acclimatized at different salinities.

Despite climate-change challenges, for most aquaculture species, physiological responses to different salinities during ambient extreme cold events remain unknown. Here, European seabass acclimatized at 3, 6, 12, and 30 PSU were subjected to 20 days of an ambient extreme winter cold event (8 °C), and monitored for growth and physiological performance. Growth performance decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in fish exposed at 3 and 30 PSU compared to 6 and 12 PSU. During cold stress exposure, serum Na+, Cl-, and K+ concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in fish exposed at 30 PSU. Serum cortisol, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were increased significantly (p < 0.05) in fish exposed at 3 and 30 PSU. In contrast, opposite trends were observed for serum protein, lactate, and triglycerides content during cold exposure. Transaminase activities [glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl-transaminase (γGGT)] were significantly higher in fish exposed at 3 and 30 PSU on days 10 and 20. The abundance of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in fish exposed at 3 and 30 PSU during cold shock exposure. In contrast, insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1) expression was significantly lower in fish exposed at 3 and 30 PSU. Whereas, on day 20, Na+/K+ ATPase α1 and Na+/K+/Cl- cotransporter-1 (NKCC1) were significantly upregulated in fish exposed at 30 PSU, followed by 12, 6, and 3 PSU. Results demonstrated that ambient extreme winter cold events induce metabolic and physiological stress responses and provide a conceivable mechanism by which growth and physiological fitness are limited at cold thermal events. However, during ambient extreme cold (8 °C) exposure, European seabass exhibited better physiological fitness at 12 and 6 PSU water, providing possible insight into future aquaculture management options.

Ecological and reproductive characteristics of holothuroids Isostichopus badionotus and Isostichopus sp. in Colombia.

Isostichopus badionotus and Isostichopus sp. are two holothuroids exploited in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Until recently, they were considered a single species. During one year, 222 individuals of Isostichopus sp. and 114 of I. badionotus were collected in two bays of the Santa Marta region to study their reproductive biology and collect information on their size, weight and habitat. Both sea cucumber morphotypes showed an annual reproductive cycle, with a reproductive season from September to November, closely related to the increase in water temperature and rainfall. In both sea cucumbers the population structure exhibited a unimodal distribution composed of mature individuals and a sex ratio of 1:1. Isostichopus sp. had an average size and weight (193 ± 52 mm and 178 ± 69 g) and size and weight at first maturity (175 mm and 155 g) that was much lower than I. badionotus (respectively, 324 ± 70 mm and 628 ± 179 g; 220 mm and 348 g). While 98% of Isostichopus sp. individuals were collected in the upper 2.5 m, on rocky bottoms between cracks, 73% of I. badionotus individuals were found between 3 and 7.8 m depth, exposed on sandy bottoms. These differences imply that management measures (e.g. minimum catch size) should not be the same for both sea cucumbers morphotypes.

Global warming overrides physiological anti-predatory mechanisms in intertidal rock pool fish Gobius paganellus.

In nature, a multitude of factors influences the fitness of an organism at a given time, which makes single stressor assessments far from ecologically relevant scenarios. This study focused on the effects of water temperature and predation stress on the metabolism and body mass gain of a common intertidal rock pool fish, Gobius paganellus, addressing the following hypotheses: (1) the energy metabolism of G. paganellus under predation stress is reduced; (2) G. paganellus shows thermal compensation under heat stress; and (3) thermal stress is the dominant stressor that may override predation stress responses. Individuals were exposed to simulated predation stress and temperature increase from 20 °C to 29 °C, and both stressors combined. Physiological effects were addressed using biochemical biomarkers related with energy metabolism (isocitrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, energy available, energy consumption rates), oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, catalase, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation), and biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferase). The results of this study revealed that predation stress reduced the cellular metabolism of G. paganellus, and enhanced storage of protein reserves. As hypothesized, hyperthermia decreased the aerobic mitochondrial metabolism, indicating thermal compensation mechanisms to resist against unfavourable temperatures. Hyperthermia was the dominant stressor overriding the physiological responses to predation stress. Both stressors combined might further have synergistically activated detoxification pathways, even though not strong enough to counteract lipid peroxidation and DNA damage completely. The synergistic effect of combined thermal and predation stress thus may not only increase the risk of being preyed upon, but also may indicate extra energy trade-off for the basal metabolism, which in turn may have ecologically relevant consequences for general body functions such as somatic growth and reproduction. The present findings clearly underline the ecological importance of multi-stressor assessments to provide a better and holistic picture of physiological responses towards more realistic evaluations of climate change consequences for intertidal populations.

Non-Covalent Postfunctionalization of Dye Layers on TiO2 - A Tool for Enhancing Injection in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

We report on newly tailored dye layers, which were employed, on one hand, for covalent deposition and, on the other hand, for non-covalently post-functionalizing TiO2 nanoparticle films. Our functionalization concept enabled intermixing a stable covalent attachment of a first layer with a highly versatile and reversible hydrogen bonding through the Hamilton receptor-cyanuric acid binding motif as a second layer. Following this concept, we integrated step-by-step a first porphyrin layer and a second porphyrin/BODIPY layer. The individual building blocks and their corresponding combinations were probed with regard to their photophysical properties, and the most promising combinations were implemented in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Relative to the first porphyrin layer adding the second porphyrin/BODIPY layers increased the overall DSSC efficiency by up to 43 %.

Effects of Thermal Stress on the Gut Microbiome of Juvenile Milkfish (Chanos chanos).

Milkfish, an important aquaculture species in Asian countries, are traditionally cultured in outdoor-based systems. There, they experience potentially stressful fluctuations in environmental conditions, such as temperature, eliciting changes in fish physiology. While the importance of the gut microbiome for the welfare and performance of fish has been recognized, little is known about the effects of thermal stress on the gut microbiome of milkfish and its interactions with the host's metabolism. We investigated the gut microbiome of juvenile milkfish in a thermal stress experiment, comparing control (26 °C) and elevated temperature (33 °C) treatments over three weeks, analyzing physiological biomarkers, gut microbiome composition, and tank water microbial communities using 16S amplicon sequencing. The gut microbiome was distinct from the tank water and dominated by Cetobacterium, Enterovibrio, and Vibrio. We observed a parallel succession in both temperature treatments, with microbial communities at 33 °C differing more strongly from the control after the initial temperature increase and becoming more similar towards the end of the experiment. As proxy for the fish's energy status, HSI (hepatosomatic index) was correlated with gut microbiome composition. Our study showed that thermal stress induced changes in the milkfish gut microbiome, which may contribute to the host's habituation to elevated temperatures over time.

What metabolic, osmotic and molecular stress responses tell us about extreme ambient heatwave impacts in fish at low salinities: The case of European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax.

Unprecedented shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns in recent decades place multiple abiotic stressors on the fish. In teleosts, metabolic, osmoregulatory, and molecular potential as tolerance responses to extreme ambient heatwave events at different salinities are poorly understood. The study was performed to evaluate the physio-biochemical stress responses and acclimation potential of European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax maintained at four different salinities followed by an extreme ambient heatwave exposure. Fish were kept at 32, 12, 6, and 2 psu for 35 days followed by a simulated extreme ambient heatwave (33 °C) exposure for 10 days. Fish growth performances, physio-biochemical and molecular responses were recorded. Fish acclimated at 32 and 2 psu exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) decreased growth performance. Serum [Na+] and [Cl-] ions were significantly lowered (p < 0.05) in 32 psu fish on day 10 of heatwave exposure. While serum glucose, triglycerides, and protein tended to decrease during the extreme ambient heatwave exposure, lactate content increased significantly (p < 0.05) in 32 psu fish on day 10. In 32 and 2 psu fish, serum metabolic enzymes, and cortisol levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the extreme heatwave exposure. On days 5 and 10, HSP70 mRNA was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in kidneys and gills of 32 and 2 psu fish, while Igf1 showed downregulation. In gills of 2 psu fish, ATPase Na+/K+-α1 and NKCC1 expression decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in 2 psu, in contrast, significant upregulation was observed at 32 psu fish during extreme ambient heatwave exposure. On days 5 and 10, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) upregulation was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in 32 and 2 psu fish. Results suggest that European seabass held at 12 and 6 psu water fare better physiological fitness during the tested extreme ambient heatwave event (33 °C), providing possible insights into options for future aquaculture management in a warming environment.

Effects of extreme ambient temperature in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax acclimated at different salinities: Growth performance, metabolic and molecular stress responses.

Extreme weather events are becoming more intense and frequent as a result of climate change. The modulation of hemato-physiological potential as a compensatory response to extreme warm events combined with different salinities is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the hemato-physiological and molecular response of European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax exposed to extreme warm temperature (33 °C) after prior acclimatization at 32 psu, 12 psu, 6 psu, and 2 psu water. Fish were acclimated to 32 psu, 12 psu, 6 psu, and 2 psu followed by 10 days extreme warm (33 °C) exposure. Along with growth performance and survival, hemato-physiological response and molecular response of fish were recorded. Fish held at 32 psu and 2 psu exhibited significantly lower growth performance and survival than those at 12 psu and 6 psu (p < 0.05). Red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit, and hemoglobin content were significantly decreased, while white blood cells (WBC), erythrocytic cellular abnormalities (ECA) and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) were found to increase significantly in 32 psu and 2 psu fish (p < 0.05). Plasma lactate was found to increase significantly in 32 psu fish on day 10 (p < 0.05). Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and TNF-α expression increased significantly in 32 psu and 2 psu fish (p < 0.05). Most of the repeated measured parameters indicated limited acclimation capacity during the extreme warm exposure at all four salinity groups. However, overall results indicate that European seabass acclimatized at 12 psu and 6 psu salinities, can cope better during extreme warm exposure (33 °C).

The effect of spatial position and age within an egg-clutch on embryonic development and key metabolic enzymes in two clownfish species, Amphiprion ocellaris and Amphiprion frenatus.

Since the size of newly hatched larval fish is directly related to egg size, small differences in initial egg size can be critical to survival and further development of offspring. Underlying processes causing size variation in fish offspring are still not entirely understood. In this study we investigated whether the spatial position of an individual egg within a clutch affects size variation in two benthic spawning coral reef fishes, the clownfishes Amphiprion ocellaris and A. frenatus. To evaluate the effects of within-clutch position on embryonic development, egg growth metrics and protein content were analysed on day 2, 5 and 8 after deposition (adp). Additionally the activities of the key metabolic enzymes citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated to evaluate the physiological status of the embryos. Central eggs of A. frenatus were significantly longer and heavier than peripheral eggs only on day 2 and 5 adp (2.07 mg, 2.59 mm vs. 1.84 mg, 2.49 mm). No significant differences were observed in A. ocellaris between eggs originating from a central or peripheral (5 mm from edge) position (1.33 mg, 2.26 mm vs. 1.15 mg, 2,18 mm). Diameter of the eyes did not differ between the two fish species nor between different positions, for any age group. The protein content of eggs (7.5% of wet weight) was independent of age, position and species. Enzymatic activity increased from 2 adp until peak activity was observed for both enzymes on day 8 adp, independent from position. The range of CS- and LDH-activity was 0.3-13.0 and 0.2-71.7 U g-1 wet weight, respectively. Significant differences in enzymatic activity were observed between age groups in both species, which in connection with significantly larger eggs of A. frenatus at day 2 and 5 adp could hint at a better O2 supply of central eggs. Potential implications for captive breeding are given.

Acclimation capability inferred by metabolic performance in two sea cucumber species from different latitudes.

The notion that thermal specialists from tropical regions live closer to their temperature limits than temperate eurytherms, seems too generalized. Species specific differences in physiological and biochemical stress reactions are linked to key components of organism fitness, like metabolic capacity, which indicates that acclimation potential across latitudes might be highly diverse rather than simplistic. In this study the exposure of a tropical (Holothuria scabra) and a temperate (Holothuria forskali) sea cucumber species to identical cold- and warm-acclimation stress was compared using the key metabolic parameters, respiration rate, enzyme activity (ETS, LDH, IDH), and energy reserve fractions (lipid, carbohydrate and protein). Results show much broader respiratory adjustments, as response to temperature change, in H. scabra (2-30 µgO2*gww-1*h-1) compared to H. forskali (1.5-6.6 µgO2*gww-1*h-1). Moreover, the tropical species showed clearly pronounced up and down regulation of metabolic enzymes and shifts in energy reserves, due to thermal acclimation, while the same metabolic indicators remained consistent in the temperate species. In summary, these findings indicate enhanced metabolic plasticity in H. scabra at the cost of elevated energy expenditures, which seems to favor the tropical stenotherm in terms of thermal acclimation capacity. The comparison of such holistic metabolic analyses between conspecifics and congeners, may help to predict the heterogeneous effects of global temperature changes across latitudinal gradients.

Intertidal triplefin fishes have a lower critical oxygen tension (Pcrit), higher maximal aerobic capacity, and higher tissue glycogen stores than their subtidal counterparts.

Decreased oxygen (O2) availability (hypoxia) is common in rock pools and challenges the aerobic metabolism of fishes living in these habitats. In this study, the critical O2 tension (Pcrit), a whole animal measure of the aerobic contribution to hypoxia tolerance, was compared between four New Zealand triplefin fishes including an intertidal specialist (Bellapiscis medius), an occasional intertidal inhabitant (Forsterygion lapillum) and two exclusively subtidal species (F. varium and F. malcolmi). The intertidal species had lower Pcrit values than the subtidal species indicating traits to meet resting O2 demands at lower O2 tensions. While resting O2 demand (standard metabolic rate; SMR) did not show a major difference between species, the intertidal species had higher maximal rates of O2 consumption ([Formula: see text]) and higher aerobic metabolic scope (MS). The high O2 extractive capacity of the intertidal species was associated with increased blood O2 carrying capacity (i.e., higher Hb concentration), in addition to higher mass-specific gill surface area and thinner gill secondary lamellae that collectively conveyed a higher capacity for O2 flux across the gills. The specialist intertidal species B. medius also had higher glycogen stores in both white muscle and brain tissues, suggesting a greater potential to generate ATP anaerobically and survive in rock pools with O2 tensions less than Pcrit. Overall, this study shows that the superior Pcrit of intertidal triplefin species is not linked to a minimisation of SMR, but is instead associated with an increased O2 extractive capacity of the cardiorespiratory system (i.e., [Formula: see text], MS, Hb and gill O2 flux).

Temperature-induced aerobic scope and Hsp70 expression in the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra.

The Aerobic Scope (AS), which reflects the functional capacity for biological fitness, is a highly relevant proxy to determine thermal tolerance in various taxa. Despite the importance of this method, its implementation is often hindered, due to lacking techniques to accurately measure standard- (SMR) and maximal- (MMR) metabolic rates, especially in sluggish marine invertebrates with low oxygen consumption rates, such as sea cucumbers. In this study the AS concept was modified to define a Temperature-induced Aerobic Scope (TAS), based on metabolic rate changes due to temperature adjustments rather than traditionally used physical activity patterns. Consequentially, temperature dependent peak and bottom O2 consumption rates, defined as Temperature-induced Maximal- (TMMR) and Standard Metabolic Rates (TSMR), respectively, served as MMR and SMR alternatives for the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra. TMMR and TSMR were induced through acute temperature change (2°C per hour; 17-41°C) until critical warm (WTcrit) and cold (CTcrit) temperatures were reached, respectively. In addition, Hsp70 gene expression linked to respiration rates served as synergistic markers to confirm critical threshold temperatures. O2 consumption of H. scabra peaked distinctly at WTcrit of 38°C (TMMR = 33.2 ± 4.7 µgO2 g-1 h-1). A clear metabolic bottom line was reached at CTcrit of 22°C (TSMR = 2.2 ± 1.4 µgO2 g-1 h-1). Within the thermal window of 22-38°C H. scabra sustained positive aerobic capacity, with assumed optimal performance range between 29-31.5°C (13.85-18.7 µgO2 g-1 h-1). Between 39-41°C H. scabra decreased respiration progressively, while gene expression levels of Hsp70 increased significantly at 41°C, indicating prioritization of heat shock response (HSR) and homeostatic disruption. At the cold end (17-22°C) homeostatic disruption was visible through incrementally increasing energetic expenses to fuel basal maintenance costs, but no Hsp70 overexpression occurred. TMMR, TSMR and TAS proved to be reliable metrics, similar to the traditional energetic key parameters MMR, SMR and AS, to determine a specific aerobic performance window for the sluggish bottom dwelling species H. scabra. In addition, the linkage between respiration physiology and molecular defense mechanisms showed valuable analytical synergies in terms of mechanistic prioritization as response to thermal stress. Overall, this study will help to define lethal temperatures for aquaculture and to predict the effects of environmental stress, such as ocean warming, in H. scabra.

Chemical predator signals induce metabolic suppression in rock goby (Gobius paganellus).

In nature, a multitude of both abiotic and biotic stressors influence organisms with regard to their overall fitness. Stress responses that finally impair normal biological functions may ultimately result in consequences for whole populations. This study focused on the metabolic response of the intertidal rock pool fish Gobius paganellus towards simulated predation risk. Individuals were exposed to a mixture of skin extracts from conspecifics and chemical alarm cues from a top predator, Octopus vulgaris. Oxygen consumption rates of single fish were measured to establish standard (SMR) and routine metabolic rates (RMR) of G. paganellus, and to address the direct response towards simulated predation risk, compared to handling and light stress. The SMR of G. paganellus (0.0301 ± 0.0081 mg O2 h-1 g-1 WW) was significantly lower than the RMR (0.0409 ± 0.0078 mg O2 h-1 g-1 WW). In contrast to increased respiration due to handling and light stress, the exposure to chemical predation cues induced a significant reduction in oxygen consumption rates (0.0297 ± 0.0077 mg O2 h-1 g-1 WW). This metabolic suppression was interpreted as a result of the stereotypic freezing behaviour as antipredator response of gobiid fish. Results underline the importance of biotic interactions in environmental stress assessments and predation as a biotic factor that will provide more realistic scenarios when addressing stress impacts in tidal rock pool organisms.

Bacterial Abundance and Community Composition in Pond Water From Shrimp Aquaculture Systems With Different Stocking Densities.

In shrimp aquaculture, farming systems are carefully managed to avoid rearing failure due to stress, disease, or mass mortality, and to achieve optimum shrimp production. However, little is known about how shrimp farming systems affect biogeochemical parameters and bacterial communities in rearing water, whether high stocking densities (intensive system) will increase the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we characterized bacterial communities in shrimp ponds with different population densities. Water quality, such as physical parameters, inorganic nutrient concentrations, and cultivable heterotrophic bacterial abundances, including potential pathogenic Vibrio, were determined in moderate density/semi-intensive (40 post-larvae m-3) and high density/intensive shrimp ponds (90 post-larvae m-3), over the shrimp cultivation time. Free-living and particle-attached bacterial communities were characterized by amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), salinity, chlorophyll a, pH, and dissolved oxygen differed significantly between semi-intensive and intensive systems. These variations contrasted with the equal abundance of cultivable heterotrophic bacteria and inorganic nutrient concentrations. Bacterial communities were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Flavobacteriia, Bacilli, and Actinobacteria. Halomonas and Psychrobacter were the most dominant genera in the particle-attached fractions, while Salegentibacter, Sulfitobacter, and Halomonas were found in the free-living fractions of both systems. Redundancy analysis indicated that among the observed environmental parameters, salinity was best suited to explain patterns in the composition of both free-living and particle-attached bacterial communities (R 2: 15.32 and 12.81%, respectively), although a large fraction remained unexplained. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, aggregated particles from intensive ponds loaded a higher proportion of Vibrio than particles from semi-intensive ponds. In individual ponds, sequence proportions of Vibrio and Halomonas displayed an inverse relationship that coincided with changes in pH. Our observations suggest that high pH-values may suppress Vibrio populations and eventually pathogenic Vibrio. Our study showed that high-density shrimp ponds had a higher prevalence of Vibrio, increased amounts of SPM, and higher phytoplankton abundances. To avoid rearing failure, these parameters have to be managed carefully, for example by providing adequate feed, maintaining pH level, and removing organic matter deposits regularly.

Urban coral reefs: Degradation and resilience of hard coral assemblages in coastal cities of East and Southeast Asia.

Given predicted increases in urbanization in tropical and subtropical regions, understanding the processes shaping urban coral reefs may be essential for anticipating future conservation challenges. We used a case study approach to identify unifying patterns of urban coral reefs and clarify the effects of urbanization on hard coral assemblages. Data were compiled from 11 cities throughout East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Naha (Okinawa). Our review highlights several key characteristics of urban coral reefs, including "reef compression" (a decline in bathymetric range with increasing turbidity and decreasing water clarity over time and relative to shore), dominance by domed coral growth forms and low reef complexity, variable city-specific inshore-offshore gradients, early declines in coral cover with recent fluctuating periods of acute impacts and rapid recovery, and colonization of urban infrastructure by hard corals. We present hypotheses for urban reef community dynamics and discuss potential of ecological engineering for corals in urban areas.

Metabolic and oxidative stress responses of the jellyfish Cassiopea to pollution in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan.

Physiological responses of jellyfish to pollution are virtually overlooked. We measured the activity of two glycolytic enzymes (pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein and chlorophyll a content in the jellyfish Cassiopea sp. from polluted and reference sites along the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan. In jellyfish from polluted sites, low PK/LDH ratios and high LDH activity clarify their reliance on anaerobic metabolism. PK and LDH were positively correlated in the jellyfish. While medusae from polluted sites showed no signs of oxidative stress damage, protein content was significantly lower. This might suggest protein utilization for energy production needed for maintenance. Unchanged LPO in polluted sites indicates the ability of jellyfish to keep reactive oxygen species under control. Overall these results suggest that the jellyfish seems to tolerate the current levels of pollution at the studied sites and they might be anaerobically poised to live at such habitats.

Singlet Fission for Photovoltaics with 130 % Injection Efficiency.

A novel pentacene dimer (P2) and a structurally analogous monomer (P1) were synthesized for use in n-type dye-sensitized solar cells. In P2, the triplet excited states formed by the rapid, spin-allowed process singlet fission were expected to enable carrier multiplication in comparison to the slow, spin-forbidden intersystem crossing seen in P1. A meta-positioning of the two pentacenes and the carboxylate anchor were chosen in P2 to balance the intramolecular dynamics of singlet fission and electron injection. Electron injection from energetically low-lying triplet excited states of pentacene units necessitated the intrinsic and extrinsic lowering of the Fermi level of the semiconductor. Indium-zinc oxide in the presence of Li+ was found to be the optimum choice for the photoelectrodes. Efficient electron injection from the triplet excited states of P1 and P2 was found, with a carrier multiplication of nearly 130 %.