Marine Biology

ESTRUCTURA DE LA COMUNIDAD DEL PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA EN AGUAS SOMERAS DE LA BAHÍA DE TAGANGA, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Revista U.D.C.A Actualidad & Divulgación Científica, 2008

The Taganga bay supports a strong anthropogenic pressure that threatens the communities and marine ecosystems... more The Taganga bay supports a strong anthropogenic pressure that threatens the communities and marine ecosystems established in this sector, especially organisms sensible to environmental changes and contamination like the echinoderms. In this study, the structure of the Phylum Echinodermata community in shallows waters of Taganga bay was determined, with the purpose of establishing a base line for monitoring the human activities impact on the marine fauna of this tourist sector. For the survey of the main species of this phylum, field trips were organized from January to September of 2006, identifying the existing species of echinoderms in the area by visual census and manual collects. The samplings were taken in the intermareal zone up to a depths of <10m; the 283 specimens collected were identified in the laboratory of CIZEM at the Magdalena University following the corresponding keys for each class and genus. A systematic list is presented for this locality that includes 18 species of echinoderms distributed in five classes and twelve, being the Class Echinoidea and Ophiuroidea the best represented in terms of richness with seven and six species respectively, as well as of relative abundance

Morphological abnormality in the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) in the Colombian Caribbean

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Cybium 2011, 35(1): 79-80.

morphological abnormality in the rostral cartilage of the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & schneider,... more morphological abnormality in the rostral cartilage of the longnose stingray Dasyatis guttata (Bloch & schneider, 1801) is documented for the first time in a male specimen captured by artisanal fisheries on the North coast of the
colombian caribbean

Metabolic rates and primary productivity of the marine macroalgae Dictyopteris delicatula in Taganga Bay, Colombian Caribbean

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Revista de Biologíia Marina y Oceanografíia, 2011

Metabolic rates and photosynthetic performance of Dictyopteris delicatula were measured in the south of
Taganga... more Metabolic rates and photosynthetic performance of Dictyopteris delicatula were measured in the south of
Taganga Bay and on Inca-Inca beach, Colombia, during September and November 2007, as part of a monitoring program
of water quality and pollution associated with the stormwater system of the city of Santa Marta. Concentrations of
chlorophyll-a of D. delicatula did not show significant differences between both areas but the average rates of net
primary productivity and respiration differed significantly, likely due to the effect of the nutrient loadings from the
stormwater outlet in Taganga Bay, altering the physiological processes of the macroalgal community

Presencia de juveniles de tiburón aletinegro Carcharhinus limbatus (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) en la zona norte de la ecoregión Tayrona, Caribe colombiano

by Juan Diego Gaitán-Espitia

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 2008

The presence of two young Carcharhinus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1839) is documented. The individuals were collected by... more The presence of two young Carcharhinus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1839) is documented. The individuals were collected by artisanal fishers in the area around the Don Diego River mouth (11º18’N-73º43’W) at the north of the Tayrona National Natural Park influence zone in the Colombian Caribbean. This is the first record of this species in the area. The specimens examined are described herein

Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Marine Conservation

by Joshua Drew

A new approach to estimation of the length-weight relationship of Pollicipes pollicipes (Gmelin, 1789) on the Atlantic coast of Galicia (Northwest Spain): Some aspects of its biology and management

by Marta Sestelo

This study was undertaken using data drawn from 5 sites along the Atlantic shoreline of Galicia (Northwest Spain) for... more This study was undertaken using data drawn from 5 sites along the Atlantic shoreline of Galicia (Northwest Spain) for a period of 2 y. The length–weight relationship of Pollicipes pollicipes (Gmelin, 1789) was estimated to observe the way in which individuals of this species gain weight as they increase in size. A classic allometric model was used for the purpose. As an alternative, a more general nonparametric model was also estimated, using local linear kernel smoothers. Comparison of these two models showed that use of the nonparametric model resulted in a better fit of the data. In addition, derivatives were used for estimating a size of capture for this species. For the same purpose, we also estimated this crustacean’s mean size at sexual maturation (L50) and the number of broods that it spawns per annum. Individuals! weight gain, a female maturity size of 15.7 mm, and P. pollicipes! estimated 1.73 broods per annum tend to suggest a size of capture based on a rostrocarinal length of 21.50 mm.

Marine genomics Europe, resources for aquaculture

by Adelino Canario

Society of Experimental Biology, Barcelona. July 2005, Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology 141A: S87

A Novel Method to Aid Individual Identification of Common Seals (Phoca vitulina)

by Sam Hardman

Brooding and development of Anasterias minuta (Asteroidea: Forcipulata) in Patagonia, Argentina

by Damian Gaspar Gil

Damian G Gil, Graciela Escudero, Hector E Zaixso, published in Marine Biology 2011

Brooding, embryonic and larval development, and the influence of environmental and biological factors in tidepool... more Brooding, embryonic and larval development, and the influence of environmental and biological factors in tidepool habitats were studied in the sea star, Anasterias minuta, at various sites along ~220 km of the Patagonian coast. This species has a benthic, lecithotrophic development that includes eight distinct developmental stages. A larval organ, the connection cord, is developed from a small preoral lobe at early stages of development and becomes larger and thinner at advanced stages. Fecundity and average egg size increased with female body size. The regression of log egg number to log sea-star size and weight at different sites had a slope significantly less than 3.0, resulting in negative allometry and indicating that brood capacity was limited in large females. Development was generally synchronous among sites, but varied within each brood at advanced stages, with more developed brooded larvae located at the periphery of the brood mass. Brooding was synchronous among various populations at different years and spatial scales, and extended over a period of 8 months. The highest proportion of brooding females occurred during May and June (austral winter). Juveniles were released mainly during September. The likelihood of finding brooding sea stars decreased with increasing sea water temperature, tidal height, and wave exposure, and increased with increasing body size. Both body size of brooding females and brooding rate were higher in the infralittoral fringe than at midlittoral levels. A revision of the current model of brooding behavior and development among forcipulate sea stars is given.

Desarrollo de Herramientas para Inmunodetección: Generación de Anticuerpos Policlonales, Monoclonales y Bibliotecas de Fagos.

by Leonardo Mantilla Aldana

S. Magadan, E. Garet, Mantilla, L. y A. González-Fernández. 2011. In: J. M. Garcia Estevez, C. Olabarria, S. Perez, Rolán-Alvarez, E. y J. Rosón. Métodos y Técnicas en Investigación Marina. Editorial Tecnos. 195-204 p

ISBN: 978-84-309-5208-3

EFECTO DE LOS EXTRACTOS DE ORGANOS HEMATOPOYETICOS DEL TIBURON NODRIZA, Ginglymostoma cirratum (BONNATERRE, 1788) EN UN CULTIVO in vitro DE CELULAS TUMORALES

by Leonardo Mantilla Aldana

Memorias X Seminario Nacional de Ciencias y Tecnologías del Mar. Octubre 28 – 31, 1996.

A preliminary study of the effects of the aquoses extracts of the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) haematopoietic... more A preliminary study of the effects of the aquoses extracts of the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) haematopoietic organs (liver, epigonadal organ, kidney, cartilage and plasma), on the culture of the tumorals cells producer of specific antibodies with the A blood group (hibridomas) was carried out. The experiments were complemented with a control of specifity using the liver and cartilage extracts of the skate Rhinobatos percellens. The monitoring of the growth and metabolism showed that the
epigonal organ extract caused apoptosis in the hibridomas, the liver extract and the plasma provoked cell necrosis and the other extracts as the liver and cartilage of the skate caused inhibition on the growth and cell metabolism.

Historical Ecology of Late Holocene Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) from Northern British Columbia: Isotopic and Zooarchaeological Perspectives

by Paul Szpak

Szpak, P., Orchard, T.J., McKechnie, I., Gröcke, D.R., 2012. Historical Ecology of Late Holocene Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) from Northern British Columbia: Isotopic and Zooarchaeological Perspectives. Journal of Archaeological Science 39:1553-1571.

We examined the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) bone collagen from ten late... more We examined the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) bone collagen from ten late Holocene (ca. 5200 years BP – AD 1900) archaeological sites in northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Because sea otters are now extinct from much of this region and have not fully re-colonized their former range (e.g. Haida Gwaii and most of northern BC) these data represent an important first step towards better understanding sea otter foraging ecology in BC. The isotopic data suggest a diet composed primarily of benthic invertebrates, with a very low reliance on epibenthic fish. There is very low isotopic and thus inter-individual dietary variability in Holocene BC sea otters during the late Holocene. Furthermore, zooarchaeological abundance data suggest that otters represented a widespread and significant focus of aboriginal hunting practices on the northern BC coast during the mid- to late-Holocene. The consistent reliance on a small number of low trophic level prey and limited dietary variability in Holocene BC sea otters, may reflect top-down impacts on otter populations by aboriginal peoples. As part of our assessment of sea otter diet, we review trophic discrimination factors (Δ13C and Δ15N) for bone collagen from published literature and find marked variability, with mean values of +3.7±1.6 for Δ13C (n = 21) and +3.6±1.3 for Δ15N (n = 15).

Genomics of the proteorhodopsin-containing marine flavobacterium Dokdonia sp. MED134

by Pere Puigbò

González JM, Pinhassi J, Fernández-Gómez B, Coll-Lladó M, González-Velázquez M, Puigbò P, Jaenicke S, Gómez-Consarnau L, Fernàndez-Guerra A, Goesmann A, Pedrós-Alió C.

Proteorhodopsin phototrophy is expected to have considerable impact on the ecology and biogeochemical roles of marine... more Proteorhodopsin phototrophy is expected to have considerable impact on the ecology and biogeochemical roles of marine bacteria. However, the genetic features contributing to the success of proteorhodopsin-containing bacteria remain largely unknown. We investigated the genome of Dokdonia sp. MED134 (Bacteroidetes) for features potentially explaining its ability to grow better in light than darkness. MED134 has a relatively high number of peptidases suggesting that amino acids are the main carbon and nitrogen sources. In addition, MED134 shares with other environmental genomes a reduction in gene copies at the expense of important ones, like membrane transporters, which might be compensated by the presence of the proteorhodopsin gene. The genome analyses suggest Dokdonia sp. MED134 is able to respond to light at least partly due to the presence of a strong flavobacterial consensus promoter sequence for the proteorhodopsin gene. Moreover, Dokdonia MED134 has a complete set of anaplerotic enzymes likely to play a role in the adaptation of the carbon anabolism to the different sources of energy it can use, including light or various organic matter compounds. In addition to promoting growth, proteorhodopsin phototrophy could provide energy for the degradation of complex or recalcitrant organic matter, survival during periods of low nutrients, or uptake of amino acids and peptides at low concentrations. Our analysis suggests that the ability to harness light potentially makes MED134 less dependent on the amount and quality of organic matter or other nutrients. The genomic features reported here may well be among the keys to a successful photoheterotrophic lifestyle.

Williams, J. P., J. T. Claisse, D. J. Pondella, L. Medeiros, C. F. Valle and M. A. Shane. 2012. Patterns of Life History and Habitat Use of an Important Recreational Fishery Species, Spotfin Croaker, and Their Potential Fishery Implications. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 4(1):71-84.

by Jeremy T. Claisse

Abstract Spotfin croakers Roncador stearnsii, a prized recreational catch, were collected throughout the Southern... more Abstract Spotfin croakers Roncador stearnsii, a prized recreational catch, were collected throughout the Southern California Bight, primarily as bycatch from a long-term, scientific gill-net collection effort. The maximum otolith-based age in the present study was 24 years?14 years greater than in a previous scale-based aging study. Multiple models were used to estimate mean length at age, including models that utilize larvae as well as juveniles and adults, and the model selection results suggest sexual dimorphism in growth patterns. The juvenile and adult catch per unit effort reflected a clear pattern of habitat selectivity, with fish strongly preferring soft-bottom habitats. Catches in rocky-reef areas were limited but tended to increase with water temperature. The data also suggest that spotfin croakers segregate themselves sexually during the spawning season, when recreational fishing from jetties will target males and fish caught in bays and estuaries are more likely to be spawning females. These results provide further evidence for the importance of protection and restoration efforts for estuaries and bays along this well-developed coastline. The growth of larvae captured in plankton tows in July and September 2004 was substantially faster than that of larvae sampled in May, which coincided with warmer sea surface temperatures, highlighting a potentially important relationship relating temperature (and therefore geography) and settlement success

The effect of an invasive species on predation rates upon intertidal barnacles

by Rachel Linaker

Third year project from BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth. Published in The Plymouth Student Scientist, 2011, 4, (2), pages 66-82.

Non-indigenous species invasions are considered a large threat to native biota however the effects of which have been... more Non-indigenous species invasions are considered a large threat to native biota however the effects of which have been relatively understudied with respect to intertidal systems. Current literature surrounds the movement of species, however relatively little attempt has been made to quantify the effect. Using the invasive oyster drill Ocenebra erinacea and the native dogwhelk Nucella lapillus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of an invasive species‟ on predation rates over a one-week period feeding on the intertidal barnacle Chthamalus montagui. This was conducted by testing for the effects of increased conspecific density (abundance increase) and biodiversity (species number/identity) against the background predation rates established in single whelk trials at two different temperatures. As expected due to metabolic demand, there was a positive effect of temperature on predation rate. The results also revealed a significant occurrence of underyielding, whereby the whelks predated less efficiently in both density and biodiversity tests. Despite plant or algal studies expecting a degree of increased ecosystem function to occur with an increase in species richness and functional diversity, it was assumed that due to both species having a similar distribution and trophic niche, interspecific competition for resource acquisition would have occurred. Warming air and oceanic temperature trends are expected to alter the distribution and abundance of both native and invasive species, and the effects of which are effectively predicted using this study. However, both create problematic scenarios that need to be addressed promptly.

Coral and mollusc resistance to ocean acidification adversely affected by warming

by Jason Hall-Spencer

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are expectedto decrease surface ocean pH by 0.3–0.5 units... more Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are expectedto decrease surface ocean pH by 0.3–0.5 units by 2100 (refs 1, 2), lowering the carbonate ion concentration of surfacewaters. This rapid acidification is predicted to dramatically decrease calcification in many marine organisms3, 4. Reduced skeletal growth under increased CO2 levels has already been shown for corals, molluscs and many other marine organisms4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The impact of acidification on the ability of individual species to calcify has remained elusive, however, as measuring net calcification fails to disentangle the relative contributions of gross calcification and dissolution rates on growth. Here, we show that corals and molluscs transplanted along gradients of carbonate saturation state at Mediterranean CO2 vents are able to calcify and grow at even faster than normal rates when exposed to the high CO2 levels projected for the next 300 years. Calcifiers remain at risk, however, owing to the dissolution of exposed shells and skeletons that occurs as pH levels fall. Our results show that tissues and external organic layers play a major role in protecting shells and skeletons from corrosive sea water, limiting dissolution and allowing organisms to calcify10, 11. Our combined field and laboratory results demonstrate that the adverse effects of global warming are exacerbated when high temperatures coincide with acidification.

Effects of ocean acidification on macroalgal communities

by Jason Hall-Spencer

Porzio L., Buia M. C., & Hall-Spencer J. M., in press. Effects of ocean acidification on macroalgal communities.... more Porzio L., Buia M. C., & Hall-Spencer J. M., in press. Effects of ocean acidification on macroalgal communities. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2011.02.011.



There are high levels of uncertainty about how coastal ecosystems will be affected by rapid ocean acidification caused by anthropogenic CO2, due to a lack of data. The few experiments to date have been short-term (< 1 year) and reveal mixed responses depending on the species examined and the culture conditions used. It is difficult to carry out long-term manipulations of CO2 levels, therefore areas with naturally high CO2 levels are being used to help understand which species, habitats and processes are resilient to the effects of ocean acidification, and which are adversely affected. Here we describe the effects of increasing CO2 levels on macroalgal communities along a pH gradient caused by volcanic vents.

Macroalgal habitat differed at taxonomic and morphological group levels along a pH gradient. The vast majority of the 101 macroalgal species studied were able to grow with only a 5% decrease in species richness as the mean pH fell from 8.1 to 7.8. However, this small fall in species richness was associated with shifts in community structure as the cover of turf algae decreased disproportionately. Calcitic species were significantly reduced in cover and species richness whereas a few non-calcified species became dominant. At mean pH 6.7, where carbonate saturation levels were < 1, calcareous species were absent and there was a 72% fall in species richness. Under these extremely high CO2 conditions a few species dominated the simplified macroalgal assemblage and a very few exhibited enhanced reproduction, although high CO2 levels seemed to inhibit reproduction in others.

Our data show that many macroalgal species are tolerant of long-term elevations in CO2 levels but that macroalgal habitats are altered significantly as pH drops, contributing to a scant but growing body of evidence concerning the long-term effects of CO2 emissions in vegetated marine systems. Further study is now needed to investigate whether the observed response of macroalgal communities can be replicated in different seasons and from a range of geographical regions for incorporation into global modelling studies to predict effects of CO2 emissions on Earth’s ecosystems.



Porzio L., Buia M. C., & Hall-Spencer J. M., in press. Effects of ocean acidification on macroalgal communities. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2011.02.011. Article (subscription required).

Mission Scandola 56 (10-20 septembre 1992) rapport scientifique

by Christophe Morhange

Economic utility of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida): implications for Arctic archaeology

by Mark Diab

Effect of neuroactive compounds on the settlement of mussel (Perna canaliculus) larvae

by Tim Young

Published in 'Aquaculure' Volume 319, Issues 1-2, 1 September 2011, Pages 277-283

Herein, we present the first laboratory study on the effects of pharmacologically active compounds on larval... more Herein, we present the first laboratory study on the effects of pharmacologically active compounds on larval settlement of the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. Competent hatchery-reared larvae were exposed to seawater containing excess K+ in the form of KCl and K2SO4 and the neurotransmitters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine. Both KCl and K2SO4 were identified as active inducers of larval settlement with maximum inductions occurring after exposures to 10 and 7.5 mM, respectively. Peak settlement response to KCl was higher (> 64%) than that achieved with K2SO4 (> 41%). GABA did not induce larval settlement and displayed toxic and settlement inhibitive effects at 10−4 and 10−3 M. Acetylcholine induced larval settlement (> 49%) at 10−4 M with minimal acute toxic effects (LC < 10%). To gain insight into the class of acetylcholine receptors involved, atropine was used to block the muscarinic-type receptors. Atropine treatment alone did not inhibit settlement compared to control assays, indicating that muscarinic-type receptors are not involved in settlement behavior. Furthermore, results showed that atropine did not significantly decrease acetylcholine induced settlement responses, which suggests an active role of the nicotinic-type receptors in the biochemical pathways of mussel settlement. Results of this study provide new insights on the mechanism of settlement behavior in P. canaliculus, which may have direct application to the growing New Zealand aquaculture industry.