Relations between shell size and radula size in marine prosobranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

ABSTRACT The Gastropoda presents the highest adaptative radiation among the mollusks. This characteristic allowed the appearance of many forms of feeding, and with it, many strategies of capture and food processing. In this work, specimens belong to 14 marine prosobranch gastropod species were collected in the coast of Ceará State Northeast Brazil with the purpose to investigate the relation between shell size and radula size in gastropods with different diets and radula type. It was found significative correlations in Cerithium atratum, Collisella subrugosa, Fissurella rosea, Neritina virginea, Olivella minuta, Pisania pusio, Tegula viridula, and Thais haemastoma. Nonsignificative results were found in Littorina flava, Littorina ziczac, Nassarius vibex, Natica marochiensis, Pleuroploca aurantiaca, and Pugilina morio. The species with rhipidoglossate radula and the driller carnivores with rachiglossate radula are the ones that presented significative correlation among shell size and radula size. Other parameters that could influence the radular morphology (besides the radula type or diet) are environment pressure, prey searching and capture strategies and species ontogeny. RESUMO A classe Gastropoda é o grupo que possui a maior radiação adaptativa entre os moluscos. Essa característica permitiu o surgimento de várias formas de alimentação e, com elas, diversas estratégias de captura e processamento do alimento. Neste trabalho, 14 espécies de gastrópodes prosobrânquios marinhos foram coletados no litoral do Estado do Ceará nordeste do Brasil, com o objetivo de analisar a relação entre o tamanho da concha e o tamanho da rádula em animais com diferentes dietas e tipos radulares. O teste revelou correlações significativas em Cerithium atratum, Collisella subrugosa, Fissurella rosea, Neritina virginea, Olivella minuta, Pisania pusio, Tegula viridula e Thais haemastoma. Resultados não significativos forma encontrados em Littorina flava, Littorina ziczac, Nassarius vibex, Natica marochiensis, Pleuroploca aurantiaca e Pugilina morio. As espécies com rádula rhipidoglossa e os carnívoros perfuradores com rádula rachiglossa apresentaram correlação significativa na relação estudada. Outros parâmetros que podem influenciar na morfologia radular (além do tipo de rádula e dieta,) são a pressão do meio, as estratégias de procura e captura da presa e a ontogenia das espécies

Abrolhos Bank Reef Health Evaluated by Means of Water Quality, Microbial Diversity, Benthic Cover, and Fish Biomass Data

The health of the coral reefs of the Abrolhos Bank (southwestern Atlantic) was characterized with a holistic approach using measurements of four ecosystem components: (i) inorganic and organic nutrient concentrations, [1] fish biomass, [1] macroalgal and coral cover and (iv) microbial community composition and abundance. The possible benefits of protection from fishing were particularly evaluated by comparing sites with varying levels of protection. Two reefs within the well-enforced no-take area of the National Marine Park of Abrolhos (Parcel dos Abrolhos and California) were compared with two unprotected coastal reefs (Sebastião Gomes and Pedra de Leste) and one legally protected but poorly enforced coastal reef (the “paper park” of Timbebas Reef). The fish biomass was lower and the fleshy macroalgal cover was higher in the unprotected reefs compared with the protected areas. The unprotected and protected reefs had similar seawater chemistry. Lower vibrio CFU counts were observed in the fully protected area of California Reef. Metagenome analysis showed that the unprotected reefs had a higher abundance of archaeal and viral sequences and more bacterial pathogens, while the protected reefs had a higher abundance of genes related to photosynthesis. Similar to other reef systems in the world, there was evidence that reductions in the biomass of herbivorous fishes and the consequent increase in macroalgal cover in the Abrolhos Bank may be affecting microbial diversity and abundance. Through the integration of different types of ecological data, the present study showed that protection from fishing may lead to greater reef health. The data presented herein suggest that protected coral reefs have higher microbial diversity, with the most degraded reef (Sebastião Gomes) showing a marked reduction in microbial species richness. It is concluded that ecological conditions in unprotected reefs may promote the growth and rapid evolution of opportunistic microbial pathogens

The genetics of blood pressure regulation and its target organs from association studies in 342,415 individuals

To dissect the genetic architecture of blood pressure and assess effects on target-organ damage, we analyzed 128,272 SNPs from targeted and genome-wide arrays in 201,529 individuals of European ancestry and genotypes from an additional 140,886 individuals were used for validation. We identified 66 blood pressure loci, of which 17 were novel and 15 harbored multiple distinct association signals. The 66 index SNPs were enriched for cis-regulatory elements, particularly in vascular endothelial cells, consistent with a primary role in blood pressure control through modulation of vascular tone across multiple tissues. The 66 index SNPs combined in a risk score showed comparable effects in 64,421 individuals of non-European descent. The 66-SNP blood pressure risk score was significantly associated with target-organ damage in multiple tissues, with minor effects in the kidney. Our findings expand current knowledge of blood pressure pathways and highlight tissues beyond the classic renal system in blood pressure regulation

Puesta y desarrollo larvario de Pleuroploca aurantiaca (Lamarck, 1816) (Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae) del NE de Brasil

Spawn and larval development stages of Pleuroploca aurantiaca from northeast Brazil are described. The reproductive period lasted from August to December, with a peak in November. Spawn masses were composed of 29 ± 3 vase-shaped capsules which measured 9 ± 1 mm (n = 30) in length and 4.5 ± 0.5 mm (n = 30) in width. The exit plug was located on the apical area and measured 2.5 ± 0.5 mm (n = 30) in diameter. Each capsule had 353 ± 59 (n = 10) eggs that measured 240 ± 1 µm (n = 15) in diameter. On the tenth day, the intracapsular veliger stage was observed. The intracapsular pediveliger stage was observed on the twenty first day, when the individuals had a functional foot and a reduced velum. Hatching occurred on the thirtieth day, when the early juvenile measured 3 to 5 mm in length and there was no remaining velum. Only 1% of the eggs developed to the hatching stage. The rest were nurse eggs used by embryos as a food resource. Pleuroploca aurantiaca has an intracapsular metamorphosis development type.Se describe la puesta y los estadios de desarrollo larvario de Pleuroploca aurantiaca del NE de Brasil. El período reproductivo se extiende desde agosto a diciembre, con un pico en noviembre. Las masas de puesta están formadas por 29 ± 3 cápsulas en forma de vaso de 9 ± 1 mm de longitud (n = 30) y 4.5 ± 0.5 mm (n = 30) de anchura. El orificio de salida está localizado en el área apical y mide 2. 5 ± 0.5 mm (n = 30) de diámetro. Cada cápsula tiene 353 ± 59 (n = 10) huevos de 240 ± 1 ?m (n = 15) de diámetro. El estadio veliger intracapsular fue observado al décimo día. El estadio pediveliger intracapsular fue observado al vigésimo primer día, cuando los individuos ya tienen un pie funcional y un velum reducido. La eclosión tuvo lugar el día 30 y los primeros juveniles midieron entre 3 y 5 mm de longitud. No se observaron restos de velo. Sólo un 1% del total de huevos se desarrollaron hasta el estadio de eclosión. El resto fueron usados por los embriones como fuente de alimento. P. aurantiaca presenta un tipo de desarrollo metamórfico intracapsular

Barreiras às novas formas de coordenação no agrossistema do caju na região nordeste, Brasil Barriers to new coordination forms in the cashew nut agricultural system in northeast of Brazil

Embora a produção brasileira de amêndoa de castanha-de-caju tenha crescido nos anos 2000, sua participação no mercado internacional reduziu-se, revelando perda de competitividade desse agrossistema. A produtividade na produção rural é baixa e subsiste uma antiquada estrutura de governança das relações entre produtores, intermediários e processadores de castanha em casca. Novas formas de coordenação estão sendo testadas, mas ainda não foram capazes de substituir a antiga. O objetivo desse artigo é identificar o conjunto de barreiras à transformação dessa estrutura. O referencial teórico adotado encontra-se fundamentalmente na Economia de Custos de Transação. Para investigação empírica, adotou-se o método de pesquisa rápida (rapid appraisal), compreendendo entrevistas junto a uma amostra não probabilística de agentes da cadeia nos estados do Ceará, Piauí e Rio Grande do Norte. Os resultados mostram que há resiliência da estrutura de governança antiga, a qual está assentada na funcionalidade e capacidade de reação dos intermediários. Assim, a estratégia de mudança cautelosa das empresas processadoras é, por um lado, racional diante de grandes incertezas, e, por outro, lenta diante das transformações do mercado internacional.<br>Although the Brazilian production of cashew nuts has increased in the years 2000, its international market-share has decreased revealing competitiveness loss of this agri-system. Agricultural yields are low and a traditional governance structure among farmers, intermediaries, and cashew nut processing industries still subsists. New coordination forms have been tested, but they have not been able to substitute the old one. The objective of this article is the identification of barriers to the changes of this structure. The Economy of Transaction Cost is the theoretical approach adopted. For empirical investigation, a rapid appraisal method was adopted comprising interviews with stakeholders in the states of Ceará, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Norte. The results showed that resilience is remarkable in the old structure, which is underpinned in the functionality and capacity of reaction of intermediaries. Therefore, the cautious strategy adopted by the cashew nut processing industries is, on one hand, rational in the face of uncertainties, and, on the other hand, slow in the face of the international market changes

Circulating let-7e-5p, miR-106a-5p, miR-28-3p, and miR-542-5p as a Promising microRNA Signature for the Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease with high incidence and mortality. Colonoscopy is a gold standard among tests used for CRC traceability. However, serious complications, such as colon perforation, may occur. Non-invasive diagnostic procedures are an unmet need. We aimed to identify a plasma microRNA (miRNA) signature for CRC detection. Plasma samples were obtained from subjects (n = 109) at different stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. The patients were stratified into a non-cancer (27 healthy volunteers, 17 patients with hyperplastic polyps, 24 with adenomas), and a cancer group (20 CRC and 21 metastatic CRC). miRNAs (381) were screened by TaqMan Low-Density Array. A classifier based on four differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-28-3p, let-7e-5p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-542-5p) was able to discriminate cancer versus non-cancer cases. The overexpression of these miRNAs was confirmed by RT-qPCR, and a cross-study validation step was implemented using eight data series retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). In addition, another external data validation using CRC surgical specimens from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was carried out. The predictive model’s performance in the validation set was 76.5% accuracy, 59.4% sensitivity, and 86.8% specificity (area under the curve, AUC = 0.716). The employment of our model in the independent publicly available datasets confirmed a good discrimination performance in five of eight datasets (median AUC = 0.823). Applying this algorithm to the TCGA cohort, we found 99.5% accuracy, 99.7% sensitivity, and 90.9% specificity (AUC = 0.998) when the model was applied to solid colorectal tissues. Overall, we suggest a novel signature of four circulating miRNAs, i.e., miR-28-3p, let-7e-5p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-542-5p, as a predictive tool for the detection of CRC