The main actors involved in parasitization of Heliothis virescens larva

At the moment of parasitization by another insect, the host Heliothis larva is able to defend itself by the activation of humoral and cellular defenses characterized by unusual reactions of hemocytes in response to external stimuli. Here, we have combined light and electron microscopy, staining reactions, and immunocytochemical characterization to analyze the activation and deactivation of one of the most important immune responses involved in invertebrates defense, i.e., melanin production and deposition. The insect host/parasitoid system is a good model to study these events. The activated granulocytes of the host insect are a major repository of amyloid fibrils forming a lattice in the cell. Subsequently, the exocytosed amyloid lattice constitutes the template for melanin deposition in the hemocel. Furthermore, cross-talk between immune and neuroendocrine systems mediated by hormones, cytokines, and neuromodulators with the activation of stress-sensoring circuits to produce and release molecules such as adrenocorticotropin hormone, alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and neutral endopeptidase occurs. Thus, parasitization promotes massive morphological and physiological modifications in the host insect hemocytes and mimics general stress conditions in which phenomena such as amyloid fibril formation, melanin polymerization, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and activation of the adrenocorticotropin hormone system occur. These events observed in invertebrates are also reported in the literature for vertebrates, suggesting that this network of mechanisms and responses is maintained throughout evolution

Autophagy–physiology and pathophysiology

“Autophagy” is a highly conserved pathway for degradation, by which wasted intracellular macromolecules are delivered to lysosomes, where they are degraded into biologically active monomers such as amino acids that are subsequently re-used to maintain cellular metabolic turnover and homeostasis. Recent genetic studies have shown that mice lacking an autophagy-related gene (Atg5 or Atg7) cannot survive longer than 12 h after birth because of nutrient shortage. Moreover, tissue-specific impairment of autophagy in central nervous system tissue causes massive loss of neurons, resulting in neurodegeneration, while impaired autophagy in liver tissue causes accumulation of wasted organelles, leading to hepatomegaly. Although autophagy generally prevents cell death, our recent study using conditional Atg7-deficient mice in CNS tissue has demonstrated the presence of autophagic neuron death in the hippocampus after neonatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury. Thus, recent genetic studies have shown that autophagy is involved in various cellular functions. In this review, we introduce physiological and pathophysiological roles of autophagy

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range

THE EFFICIENCY OF SELECTIVE TIDAL STREAM TRANSPORT IN GLASS EEL ENTERING THE GIRONDE (FRANCE)

Traditional estimation of migration speed is based on telemetry or marking of individual fish. Only a few numbers of fishes (or batches) are followed, often over short periods of time. We propose a method based on capture data from the professional fishery. It is applied to glass eel (Anguilla anguilla) in the Gironde basin (France). Migration speed is estimated using 2 methods: a rough method based on the analysis of seasonal abundance peaks for two métiers and a more precise method of cross-correlation, which compares speeds between several fishing areas. The methods are coherent and lead to mean migration speed ranging from 3 to 4 km/day. We define an index of efficiency of migration using selective tidal stream transport (STST efficiency index) as the ratio of the observed migration speed to the potential speed (flood tide current speed and swimming speed). For the glass eel in the Gironde basin this index ranges between 0.15 and 0.19. The glass eel behavior, which can explain this low value, is reviewed. Our STST efficiency index can be successfully applied for many fish or crustaceans using selective tidal stream transport. It can also be used for one species to compare results obtained on different basins

GEREM (Glass Eel Recruitment Estimation Model): A model to estimate glass eel recruitment at different spatial scales

International audienceGiven the importance of reliable recruitment estimates when assessing temperate eel stocks and enforcing appropriate management measures, surprisingly few analytical tools have been developed to estimate yearly glass eel recruitment. Of the models that do exist, large-scale models generally rely on strong assumptions relating to fishing activity, while other models generally estimate recruitment at the river basin scale. With the aim of filling this gap, we developed the GEREM (Glass Eel Recruitment Estimation Model) to estimate glass eel recruitment at different nested spatial scales. Our model simultaneously estimates annual recruitment at the river catchment level, at an intermediate spatial scale such as Eel Management Units (EMUs), and at a larger scale (e.g., a country). Provided sufficient data become available in the future, the analysis could be extended to the scale of the distribution area, which would be consistent with the population scale. In this study, the model was applied to France, using various recruitment indices obtained from 1960 to 2013. This provided trends and absolute recruitment estimates consistent with current expert knowledge. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the robustness of results to sources of uncertainty. This type of model fills an important gap in the range of quantitative tools presently available to estimate recruitment. It could be used in the future to establish total allowable catches in countries such as France where glass eels are fished commercially

Push net fishing seems to be responsible for injuries and post fishing mortality in glass eel in the Vilaine estuary (France) in 2007

Post fishing mortality of the glass eel was monitored in 2007 in the Vilaine estuary. The mortality of the glass eels varied from 2 to 82% (mean 42%) in the two days following the fishing. The mortality of samples collected by hand nets or from the trapping ladder was null. Alterations of the skin mucus were analyzed by the use of Indigo carmine. The mortality was significantly correlated with body injuries, but not to other environmental factors. The presence of a large injury on the body systematically led to the death of the glass eels, and among these dead glass eels, only 3.5% had no external injury. These results are discussed, along with the results from other estuaries, with a view to transport glass eels across Europe, with the objective of restoring the eel stock

A new sampling technique for larval lamprey population assessment in small river catchments

Office National de l'Eau et des Milieux AquatiquesLarval lampreys were sampled in a small river using a new method modified from the Surber bottom sampler for invertebrates. This method uses a rectangular dredge to sample a constant and small surface of sediments in soft substrate areas. It was compared to a classical point abundance sampling by electrofishing. Both methods generated large numbers of small samples encompassing the spatial heterogeneity of ammocoete distributions. However, the bottom sampler provided samples with higher abundance and was more efficient for small individuals. Furthermore, the equipment is cheap and the method is cost-effective, since it can be operated by only two people. It could therefore be applied at a large scale to collect information on lamprey populations and contribute to knowledge of their distribution, abundance and, in fine, to devise better conservation measures. (C

Shedding light on the river and sea lamprey in western European marine waters

Lampreys are ancestral jawless vertebrates with particularly complex life histories. Population declines resulting from increased anthropogenic pressure have been observed. For semelparous diadromous lampreys, the marine phase remains largely a black box, making targeted management and conservation measures difficult to implement. Here, we collated a database of 168904 hauls from both fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent surveys between 1965 and 2019. Lampreys were observed in only 254 hauls (20 cm) and occurred in autumn, indicating inshore migration. Our observations provide insight into the ecology of lampreys at sea and highlight study locations and gear types, which may be more pertinent for future research. Greater awareness is needed during surveys to collate catch information on lampreys and improve understanding of their ecology and phenology at sea