Biogeography pattern of the marine angiosperm Cymodocea nodosa in the eastern Mediterranean Sea related to the quaternary climatic changes

Acknowledgments This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund – ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: THALES. The authors would like to thank M. Malandrakis and A. Lolas for their contribution to sampling.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Responses of the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to combined temperature and salinity stress at the ionomic, transcriptomic, ultrastructural and photosynthetic levels

Acknowledgements We are particularly grateful to David E. Salt and John M.C. Danku (University of Aberdeen, now at the University of Nottingham) for providing facilities and guidance for the ionomics work within the framework of this study. This research was funded by the European Commission (European Social Fund – ESF; grant no. 375425) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: THALES - Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Funds (Project Acronym: MANTOLES). We would also like to thank the TOTAL Foundation (Project “Diversity of brown algae in the Eastern Mediterranean”), the European Commission under its Horizon 2021 Research and Innovation Programme (grants ZEROBRINE, grant agreement No. 730390, and WATERMINING, grant agreement No. 869474) and the UK Natural Environment Research Council for their Supplort to FCK (program Oceans 2025 – WP 4.5 and grants NE/D521522/1 and NE/J023094/1). The MASTS pooling initiative (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and contributing institutions; grant reference HR09011) is gratefully acknowledged.Peer reviewedPostprin

High Connectivity of the White Seabream (Diplodus sargus, L. 1758) in the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean Basin

Population dynamics in the marine realm can shape species’ spatial structure and genetic variability between given geographical areas. Connectivity is an important factor of species’ population structure. In this study, we examined the genetic diversity and structure of white seabream (Diplodus sargus, L. 1758) in the eastern Mediterranean basin, using a panel of four microsatellite markers. Recorded low FST values within the study area indicate little evidence of genetic differentiation among populations. Results suggest high gene flow which may imply near-panmixia between populations, indicating the possibility of a probable movement of adult migrants, or strong passive drift at sea in early life stages of the species. To this extent, bibliographically speaking, different species within the Sparidae family favor altered population dynamics patterns with respect to local populations and genetic divergence, in the context of the molecular marker used

Small Scale Fisheries, Dolphins and Societal Challenges: A Case Study in the City of Volos, Greece

Existing literature on dolphin-fisheries interaction focused on Greece reveals both an undeveloped area for research, but also a lack of relevant data in this field. Although imperative, relevant research has been slow on innovation and cooperation among universities, official bureaus, and NGOs that are obliged to work together as European and national laws dictate. Most of the research in this new field focuses on the interaction between marine mammals and local fisheries, suggesting that this relationship may be problematic for both parties since the former are being treated (at least occasionally) with brutality, while the latter try to deal with economic loss. Dolphins and fishermen operate within the same ecological niches for their survival, the main area of conflict being nutritious fish. Anthropological research on ethnic identity has long dealt with antagonistic relationships over resources between adjacent groups of people. Marine biologists’ research in Greece focuses on the human factor, and some of its shortcomings may well be seen as the result of limited, or an absence of, training in social sciences. This article attempts to draw from anthropological theory to shed light on a particular symbiosis between humans and dolphins. Multidisciplinary approaches gain ground in a wide range of research interests and seem to be fruitful in terms of theoretical and practical results

Morphology and Genetic Structure Profile of Farmed Snails <i>Cornu aspersum aspersum</i> and <i>Cornu aspersum maximum</i> in Greece

The subspecies of the species Cornu aspersum, C. a. aspersum, and C. a. maximum are the dominant farmed species in Greece. The morphological and molecular polymorphism of the two aforementioned subspecies has not been studied in depth. In this study, the polymorphism of snails of the two subspecies derived from seven snail farms throughout Greece was studied using morphological and molecular markers. Firstly, the snail samples of both subspecies were categorized in three shell patterns based on shell color and existence of bands. The conducted population structure analysis revealed three major clusters among the farmed snail populations. As concerns genetic diversity, six loci (Ha5, Ha6, Ha8, Ha9, Ha10, and Ha11) were tested for their polymorphism. Genetic variation was reported within populations rather than among populations. Finally, the obtained data highlighted a common gene pool broodstock for snail farms throughout Greece

The Protective Role of Melatonin in Sperm Cryopreservation of Farm Animals and Human: Lessons for Male Fish Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is a technique that offers various advantages, especially in fish, among others, that makes the reproduction of species easier through a constant supply of sperm, synchronization of the gamete availability of both sexes, storage of semen for genetic improvement programs, reduction in the cost by eliminating the need to maintain male broodstock, and conserving the gametes of endangered species. However, freezing and warming procedures for cryopreservation lead to a reduction in the quality and viability of cryopreserved sperm because of oxidative stress. For this reason, the enrichment of extender media with antioxidants is a common method of cryopreservation of the semen of several fish species. Recently, many studies have been published for the protective role of antioxidants and especially of melatonin on male fertility preservation both in farm animals and humans, demonstrating the beneficial effects of melatonin as a sperm cryoprotectant. On the other hand, very few studies were conducted using melatonin as an antioxidant in different male fish species for semen cryopreservation. We conclude that the use of moderate concentrations of melatonin are beneficial to semen preservation, and the mechanisms through which melatonin acts positively on spermatozoa need to be further investigated to establish improvement protocols for cryopreservation in fish species

Hox genes polymorphism depicts developmental disruption of common sole eggs

In sole aquaculture production, consistency in the quality of produced eggs throughout the year is unpredictable. Hox genes have a crucial role in controlling embryonic development and their genetic variation could alter the phenotype dramatically. In teleosts genome duplication led paralog hox genes to become diverged. Direct association of polymorphism in hoxa1a, hoxa2a & hoxa2b of Solea solea with egg viability indicates hoxa2b as a potential genetic marker. High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis was carried out in 52 viable and 61 non-viable eggs collected at 54±6 hours post fertilization (hpf). Allelic and genotypic frequencies of polymorphism were analyzed and results illustrated a significantly increased risk for non-viability for minor alleles and their homozygous genotypes. Haplotype analysis demonstrated a significant recessive effect on the risk of non-viability, by increasing the odds of disrupting embryonic development up to three-fold. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the paralog genes hoxa2a and hoxa2b, are separated distinctly in two clades and presented a significant ω variation, revealing their diverged evolutionary rate

Malpigmentation of common sole (Solea solea) during metamorphosis is associated with differential synaptic-related gene expression

In farmed flatfish, such as common sole, color disturbances are common. Dyschromia is a general term that includes the color defects on the blind and ocular sides of the fish. The purpose was to examine the difference in gene expression between normal pigmented and juveniles who present ambicoloration. The analysis was carried out with next-generation sequencing techniques and de novo assembly of the transcriptome. Transcripts that showed significant differences (FDR < 0.05) in the expression between the two groups, were related to those of zebrafish (Danio rerio), functionally identified, and classified into categories of the gene ontology. The results revealed that ambicolorated juveniles exhibit a divergent function, mainly of the central nervous system at the synaptic level, as well as the ionic channels. The close association of chromophore cells with the growth of nerve cells and the nervous system was recorded. The pathway, glutamate binding–activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors–long-term stimulation of postsynaptic potential–LTP (long term potentiation)– plasticity of synapses, appears to be affected. In addition, the development of synapses also seems to be affected by the interaction of the LGI (leucine-rich glioma inactivated) protein family with the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) ones

Hox genes polymorphism depicts developmental disruption of common sole eggs

In sole aquaculture production, consistency in the quality of produced eggs throughout the year is unpredictable. Hox genes have a crucial role in controlling embryonic development and their genetic variation could alter the phenotype dramatically. In teleosts genome duplication led paralog hox genes to become diverged. Direct association of polymorphism in hoxa1a, hoxa2a & hoxa2b of Solea solea with egg viability indicates hoxa2b as a potential genetic marker. High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis was carried out in 52 viable and 61 non-viable eggs collected at 54±6 hours post fertilization (hpf). Allelic and genotypic frequencies of polymorphism were analyzed and results illustrated a significantly increased risk for non-viability for minor alleles and their homozygous genotypes. Haplotype analysis demonstrated a significant recessive effect on the risk of non-viability, by increasing the odds of disrupting embryonic development up to three-fold. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the paralog genes hoxa2a and hoxa2b, are separated distinctly in two clades and presented a significant ω variation, revealing their diverged evolutionary rate.</p