Les pigments respiratoires de la faune inféodée à l'hydrothermalisme océanique profond

Examples of the two main classes of circulating respiratory pigments (heme pigments and hemocyanins) have been found in four typical members of the deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities. The studies now in progress concern the hemoglobin of Calyptogena ; the erythrocruorins of Alvinella and Riftia ; and the hemocyanin of Bythograea . This paper summarizes the available data of the molecular structure of these pigments and the functional properties allowing some of them to fix and transport oxygen, sulphide and carbon dioxide. The erythrocruorins of Riftia are the most conspicuous of these respiratory proteins since they seem to be able to carry oxygen and sulphide simultaneously, these substances being fixed at two different sites of the pigment molecule

Extracellular Hemoglobins of Hydrothermal Vent Annelids: Structural and Functional Characteristics in Three Alvinellid Species

Volume: 179Start Page: 366End Page: 37

Faune aquatique souterraine de France : base de données et éléments de biogéographie

: Subterranean aquatic fauna of France : data base and biogeography. Many data exist on the aquatic subterranean fauna of France but they are scattered. Thus, large scale patterns of ground water biodiversity are still poorly documented due mainly to the lack of synthesis. Since 2002, we are currently gathering existing information on the distribution of sty gobite species in France. A first inventory is presented in this paper. The present data base contains 381 species and subspecies corresponding to more than 5700 records. This diversity indicates that the sty gobite fauna of France is among one of the richest ground water fauna in Europe. Our current knowledge of groundwater biodiversity varies markedly among zoological groups and regions. We are currently implementing the present data set in order to provide a distribution pattern as complete as possible of stygobite richness in France. The data base will be used for delineating hot-spots of biodiversity (specific richness, endemism), for identifying priority areas for conservation and for formulating and testing hypotheses on the origin and drivers of groundwater biodiversity.De nombreuses données existent sur la faune aquatique souterraine de France mais elles sont encore dispersées. Depuis 2002, un effort a été entrepris pour rassembler sous la forme d'une base de données, les informations disponibles concernant la distribution de cette faune aquatique souterraine de France. Un premier bilan en est présenté dans cet article. La base comprend actuellement 381 espèces et sous-espèces correspondant à plus de 5700 enregistrements. Cette diversité place la faune française parmi l'une des plus riches faunes aquatiques souterraines d'Europe. Le bilan réalisé montre que l'état actuel des connaissances est très hétérogène en fonction du groupe zoologique considéré et de la région étudiée. La base de données sera utilisée pour identifier les régions à forte de biodiversité (richesse spécifique, endémisme) et les aires françaises de conservation prioritaires. Elle permettra également de formuler et de tester différentes hypothèses sur l'origine et les facteurs responsables de la biodiversité aquatique souterraine.Ferreira David, Dole Olivier Marie-José, Malard Florian, Deharveng Louis, Gibert Janine, Bou Claude, Brancelj A., Coineau Nicole, Falkner M., Falkner Gerhard, Galassi D., Giani Narcisse, Ginet René, Henry J.-P., Jouin-Toulmond C., Juget Jacques, Lescher-Moutoué Françoise, Magniez G., Marmonier Pierre, Mathieu Julien, Richoux Philippe, Turquin Marie-José. Faune aquatique souterraine de France : base de données et éléments de biogéographie. In: Karstologia : revue de karstologie et de spéléologie physique, n°42, 2e semestre 2003. Les cavités glaciaires sous le regard des spéléologues. pp. 15-22

Basal chromodorid sperm ultrastructure (Nudibranchia, Gastropoda, Mollusca)

The relationship between three genera considered basal in the Chromodorididae (Cadlina, Tyrinna, Cadlinella) has not yet been resolved by traditional morphological means. Here we examined the sperm ultrastructure of Tyrinna nobilis, Tyrinna evelinae, Cadlina flavomaculata and Cadlina cf. nigrobranchiata, with the expectation of finding phylogenetically informative characters. No Tyrinna or Cadlina species showed sperm similarities to Cadlinella. Both Cadlina species and Tyrinna nobilis (but not T. evelinae) exhibited coarse striations in the acrosomal pedestal. The putative fibers that occurred between the coarse striations of the pedestal are condensed into a layer in Cadlina and Tyrinna, but not in other species that also have coarse striations (Gymnodoris), and may constitute evidence for a close relationship. Tyrinna evelinae possessed fine acrosomal striations, which was shared with other Chromodorididae, Actinocyclidae and the cryptobranchs Rostanga and Aphelodoris. We also examined the sperm ultrastructure of 'Chromodoris' ambiguus, an animal which has shown molecular affinities to species of Cadlina, and not Chromodoris. The sperm of 'C'.' ambiguus did not exhibit the typical Cadlina characteristics, but also showed important differences to other investigated Chromodoris species