Composición, abundancia y distribución de los sifonóforos (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) en el Domo de Costa Rica, en febrero y marzo de 1979 / Composition, abundance and distribution of siphonophores (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the Costa Rica Dome, in February and March of 1979

Introducción: El Domo de Costa Rica es considerado como uno de los lugares de mayor importancia debido a que es una zona de afloramiento de agua, donde se desarrolla una alta productividad primaria. Los sifonóforos son organismos depredadores que constituyen uno de los grupos más abundantes de la biomasa zooplanctónica. Objetivo: Analizar la composición específica, la abundancia y la distribución de los sifonóforos. Métodos: Las muestras fueron obtenidas durante la campaña oceanográfica DOMO I realizadas en febrero y marzo de 1979 por el personal del Laboratorio de Oceanografía Física del Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Las muestras de zooplancton fueron recolectadas con una red estándar tipo CalCoFI elaborada con malla de 0.3 mm y analizadas en el Laboratorio de Invertebrados de la Facultad de Ciencias de la UNAM. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 30 especies de las cuales 27 pertenecen al suborden Calycophorae y tres al suborden Physonectae. Eudoxoides mitra, Muggiaea atlantica, Chelophyes contorta y Lensia hotspur fueron las especies dominantes; C. Contorta mostró una amplía distribución con 85% de aparición, seguida por Eudoxoides mitra (82%), Agalma okeni (73%), Muggiaea atlántica (64%) y Abylopsis eschscholtzi (61%). La fase poligástrica fue predominante en las especies de calicóforos y la fase eudoxia solo fue observada en Diphyes dispar, Eudoxoides mitra, Chelophyes appendiculata, Ceratocymba dentata, Abylopsis eschscholtzi, Abylopsis tetragona, Bassia bassensis y Enneagonum hyalinum. Conclusión: La alta diversidad y densidad de los sifonóforos en esta investigación muestra su importancia en la gran productividad del Domo de Costa Rica.

Introduction: Costa Rica Dome is considered as a place with great importance, characterized by an upwelling event with high primary productivity. Siphonophores are predatory organisms that constitute one of the most abundant groups of the zooplankton biomass. Objective: To analyze the specific composition, abundance and distribution of siphonophores from the upwelling region of the central America. Methods: Samples were obtained during the oceanographic campaign DOMO I, which was carried out during February and March of 1979 by the 'Laboratorio de Oceanografía Física del Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)'. The zooplankton samples were collected with a standard CalCoFI net with 0.3 mm mesh, and then analyzed in the laboratory. Results: A total of 30 species were identified, of which 27 belong to the suborder Calycophorae and three to the suborder Physonectae. Eudoxoides mitra, Muggiaea atlantica, Chelophyes contorta and Lensia hotspur were dominant species. C. contorta was observed with a wide distribution in the study area occupying 85% of the stations. It is followed by Eudoxoides mitra (82%), Agalma okeni (73%), Muggiaea atlántica (64%) and Abylopsis eschscholtzi (61%). The poligastric stage of calycophores species was predominant and the eudoxie stage was only observed in Diphyes dispar, Eudoxoides mitra, Chelophyes appendiculata, Ceratocymba dentata, Abylopsis eschscholtzi, Abylopsis tetragona, Bassia bassensis and Enneagonum hyalinum. Conclusion: The high diversity and density of siphonophores in this research show their importance on the great productivity in the Costa Rica Dome.

Bioconversion of α-chitin into N-acetyl-glucosamine using chitinases produced by marine-derived Aeromonas caviae isolates.

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide with great application potential in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomaterial areas. GlcNAc is currently produced by chemical hydrolysis of chitin, but the current processes are environmentally unfriendly, have low yield and high cost. This study demonstrates the potential to produce GlcNAc from α-chitin using chitinases of ten marine-derived Aeromonas isolates as a sustainable alternative to the current chemical process. The isolates were characterized as Aeromonas caviae by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using six housekeeping genes (gltA, groL, gyrB, metG, ppsA, and recA), not presented the virulence genes verified (alt, act, ast, ahh1, aer, aerA, hlyA, ascV and ascFG), but showed hemolytic activity on blood agar. GlcNAc was produced at 37 °C, pH 5.0, 2% (w/v) colloidal chitin and crude chitinase extracts (0.5 U mL-1) by all the isolates with yields from 14 to 85% at 6 h, 17-89% at 12 h and 19-93% after 24 h. The highest yield of GlcNAc was observed by A. caviae CH129 (93%). This study demonstrates one of the most efficient chitin enzymatic hydrolysis procedures and A. caviae isolates with great potential for chitinases expression and GlcNAc production.

Are natural reservoirs important for cholera surveillance? The case of an outbreak in a Brazilian estuary.

UNLABELLED: Paranaguá Bay is one of the largest estuarine systems on the Southern Brazilian coast. The only recorded cholera outbreak in this region since the early 20th century occurred in 1999 and resulted in 467 cases and at least three reported deaths in a population of approx. 150 000 people. This short communication reports historical, unpublished data related to that outbreak. Water, zooplankton and bivalve samples were collected and evaluated using direct fluorescence assay to determine whether Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 and O139 were present in the estuarine system at that time. Most of the water (83%) and zooplankton samples (75%) were positive for V. cholerae O1, while V. cholerae O139 was not detected. Shellfish (Mytella sp.) were also positive for V. cholerae O1. These results indicate that the estuary, including biological vectors such as copepods and bivalves, comprise an important reservoir of V. cholerae O1 and a probable waterborne pathway for the disease, in addition to contamination with untreated sewage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Despite most of the cholera cases that occurred in Brazil during the 7th pandemic were located in the northern areas of the country, a significant outbreak in Paranaguá, an estuary in the south coast, resulted in at least three deaths in 1999. We report here the detection of Vibrio cholerae O1 in water, zooplankton and bivalve samples during the outbreak, using direct fluorescence assay as an alternative method for the traditional plate culture employed at the time by the Brazilian Sanitary Agency. Results demonstrate that aquatic natural reservoirs comprise a potential route of transmission of cholera, in addition to untreated sewage and routine monitoring is recommended.

The role of microorganisms in a planktonic food web of a floodplain lake.

Food webs include complex ecological interactions that define the flow of matter and energy, and are fundamental in understanding the functioning of an ecosystem. Temporal variations in the densities of communities belonging to the planktonic food web (i.e., microbial: bacteria, flagellate, and ciliate; and grazing: zooplankton and phytoplankton) were investigated, aiming to clarify the interactions between these organisms and the dynamics of the planktonic food web in a floodplain lake. We hypothesized that hydrological pulse determines the path of matter and energy flow through the planktonic food web of this floodplain lake. Data were collected monthly from March 2007 to February 2008 at three different sites in Guaraná Lake (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil). The path analysis provided evidence that the dynamics of the planktonic food web was strongly influenced by the hydrological pulse. The high-water period favored interactions among the organisms of the microbial loop, rather than their relationships with zooplankton and phytoplankton. Therefore, in this period, the strong interaction among the organisms of the grazing food chain suggests that the microbial loop functions as a sink of matter and energy. In turn, in the low-water period, higher primary productivity appeared to favor different interactions between the components of the grazing food chain and microorganisms, which would function as a link to the higher trophic levels.

Caracterización espacial y biogeográfica de las asociaciones de macroalgas de Bahía del Rincón, Baja California Sur, México / Spatial and biogeographic characterization of macroalgal assemblages from Bahía del Rincón, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Macroalgal studies in Baja California Sur have dealt mainly with occurrence and seasonality, but some areas are poorly known even for these basic data. Bahía del Rincón-La Rivera is an important high-productivity fisheries area where coastal infrastructure development is under way. A spatial characterization of the marine flora from Bahía del Rincón-La Rivera was done by intensive sampling at different depths and localities with skin and SCUBA diving. At least 500m2 were surveyed in each site. Additionally, quantitative sampling was done in ten random 25 cm2 quadrates per site. In the intertidal section, density and cover estimates were used. We also investigated the historical records and geographical affinities. A total of 72 species were identified (most were red algae: 62%). We found no general trend in the biogeographical affinities, which varied with each taxonomic group. Most brown algae species were tropical-endemic; red algae temperate- cosmopolite and green algae tropical-cosmopolite. In the spatial assemblage structure we found a high similarity between the intertidal areas, but a low similarity in shallow or deeper areas (3-5 m). This pattern was the same when we compared the abundance of the main species. We suggest that there are significant spatial differences in recruitment and development of the assemblages in relation to vertical distribution (depth)and position along the shore. There is a clear-cut Gelidium-Jania belt in the intertidal zone and a Padina-Dictyota belt below the low tide. Sporadic and year-round species occur in the intertidal zone, annual and perennial species below the low tide line. Sites differ in recruitment and this affects the abundance of other species (such as coraline and Caulerpa species). Temperature and sedimentation affect seasonality, but community structure is relatively constant throughout the year

Se caracterizó la flora marina de la zona de Bahía del Rincón -La Rivera por medio de prospecciones intensivas en diferentes localidades a varias profundidades. Además, se realizó un análisis intenso de la literatura y por este mismo medio la determinación de las afinidades geográficas de las especies. En total se encontraron 72 especies, donde la mayor proporción (62%) correspondió a las algas rojas. En el caso de las afinidades biogeográficas se observó que la mayor proporción varió en función de la división, donde para algas cafés las predominantes fueron de naturaleza tropical/ endémica y para las algas rojas fueron las templadas/ cosmopolitas. Espacialmente se encontró una alta similitud entre las zonas someras estudiadas más no así entre las someras y profundas donde existen diferencias significativas. En el caso de la zona intermareal se determinaron diferencias significativas con áreas submareales y entre sitios de la zona somera y profunda basados en las abundancias de los principales taxa. Con base en los resultados se sugiere que existen diferencias verticales en reclutamiento y desarrollo de las poblaciones en relación a su distribución

[Spatial and biogeographic characterization of macroalgal assemblages from Bahía del Rincón, Baja California Sur, Mexico]. / Caracterización espacial y biogeográfica de las asociaciones de macroalgas de Bahía del Rincón, Baja California Sur, México.

Macroalgal studies in Baja California Sur have dealt mainly with occurrence and seasonality, but some areas are poorly known even for these basic data. Bahia del Rincón-La Rivera is an important high-productivity fisheries area where coastal infrastructure development is under way. A spatial characterization of the marine flora from Bahia del Rincón-La Rivera was done by intensive sampling at different depths and localities with skin and SCUBA diving. At least 500 m2 were surveyed in each site. Additionally. quantitative sampling was done in ten random 25 cm2 quadrates per site. In the intertidal section, density and cover estimates were used. We also investigated the historical records and geographical affinities. A total of 72 species were identified (most were red algae: 62%). We found no general trend in the biogeographical affinities, which varied with each taxonomic group. Most brown algae species were tropical-endemic; red algae temperate-cosmopolite and green algae tropical-cosmopolite. In the spatial assemblage structure we found a high similarity between the intertidal areas, but a low similarity in shallow or deeper areas (3-5 m). This pattern was the same when we compared the abundance of the main species. We suggest that there are significant spatial differences in recruitment and development of the assemblages in relation to vertical distribution (depth) and position along the shore. There is a clear-cut Gelidium-Jania belt in the intertidal zone and a Padina-Dictyota belt below the low tide. Sporadic and year-round species occur in the intertidal zone, annual and perennial species below the low tide line. Sites differ in recruitment and this affects the abundance of other species (such as coraline and Caulerpa species). Temperature and sedimentation affect seasonality, but community structure is relatively constant throughout the year.

Viable but nonculturable Vibrio cholerae O1 in the aquatic environment of Argentina.

In Argentina, as in other countries of Latin America, cholera has occurred in an epidemic pattern. Vibrio cholerae O1 is native to the aquatic environment, and it occurs in both culturable and viable but nonculturable (VNC) forms, the latter during interepidemic periods. This is the first report of the presence of VNC V. cholerae O1 in the estuarine and marine waters of the Rio de la Plata and the Argentine shelf of the Atlantic Ocean, respectively. Employing immunofluorescence and PCR methods, we were able to detect reservoirs of V. cholerae O1 carrying the virulence-associated genes ctxA and tcpA. The VNC forms of V. cholerae O1 were identified in samples of water, phytoplankton, and zooplankton; the latter organisms were mainly the copepods Acartia tonsa, Diaptomus sp., Paracalanus crassirostris, and Paracalanus parvus. We found that under favorable conditions, the VNC form of V. cholerae can revert to the pathogenic, transmissible state. We concluded that V. cholerae O1 is a resident of Argentinean waters, as has been shown to be the case in other geographic regions of the world.

[Molecular study of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 isolated from zooplankton of São Marcos Bay/São Luis - MA, Brasil]. / Estudo molecular de Vibrio cholerae não-O1 isolado de zooplâncton da Baía de São Marcos/São Luis - MA, Brasil.

The study was developed to analyze the plasmidial DNA, research virulence genes and identify genetic diversity of 31 strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 isolated from zooplankton of the Bacanga and Anil rivers in São Luis-MA. The study of plasmidial DNA showed 2 or 3 plasmids from 10 strains between 5.5 and 40 kilobasis. There was only single ribotype pattern. PCR methods did not show the genes ctxA, ace and zot, while RADP-PCR identified genetic diversity in the strains, showing the potential for variability in this species.

[Association between Vibrio cholerae and zooplankton of estuaries of São Marcos Bay/São Luis - MA, Brazil]. / Associação de Vibrio cholerae com o zooplâncton de águas estuárias da Baía de São Marcos/São Luis - MA, Brasil.

This study was carried from October 1997 to October 1998 with the purpose of investigating the link between the species Vibrio cholerae and zooplankton in the estuaries of rivers Anil and Bacanga in São Luis, Maranhão. Research of viable but non culturable forms of Vibrio cholerae O1, and analyze the correlation between pH values, salinity and water temperature with the presence of bacteria in zooplankton samples. The traditional method of cultivation and fluorescent antibody technique were applied to detect the bacteria. A total of 52 samples of zooplankton were collected. There was a predominance of Copepoda. The culture enabled 55 isolates of Vibrio cholerae non-O1. The serogroups O1 and O139 were identified in 37 (71.1%) and 17 (32.7%) samples respectively by the fluorescence. Viable but non culturable forms of Vibrio cholerae were detected in 70.8% of the samples studied. A significant correlation was established between salinity and the water's pH value and Vibrio cholerae.

Occurrence and distribution of Vibrio cholerae in the coastal environment of Peru.

The occurrence and distribution of Vibrio cholerae in sea water and plankton along the coast of Peru were studied from October 1997 to June 2000, and included the 1997-98 El Niño event. Samples were collected at four sites in coastal waters off Peru at monthly intervals. Of 178 samples collected and tested, V. cholerae O1 was cultured from 10 (5.6%) samples, and V. cholerae O1 was detected by direct fluorescent antibody assay in 26 out of 159 samples tested (16.4%). Based on the number of cholera cases reported in Peru from 1997 to 2000, a significant correlation was observed between cholera incidence and elevated sea surface temperature (SST) along the coast of Peru (P < 0.001). From the results of this study, coastal sea water and zooplankton are concluded to be a reservoir for V. cholerae in Peru. The climate-cholera relationship observed for the 1997-98 El Niño year suggests that an early warning system for cholera risk can be established for Peru and neighbouring Latin American countries.