Composición de ácidos grasos de los caprélidos (Crustacea: Amphipoda) del estrecho de Gibraltar

The total fatty acid composition of nine species of caprellidean amphipods collected from the Strait of Gibraltar was investigated. All caprellids were characterised by high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5(n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6(n-3); other major fatty acids were the saturate palmitic acid, 16:0, and the monounsaturate oleic acid, 18:1(n-9). In spite of this general uniformity, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that Caprella acanthifera and C. grandimana differed from the remaining species ( C. danilevskii , C. equilibra , C. liparotensis , C. penantis , C. santosrosai , Phtisica marina and Pseudoprotella phasma ). These two species ( C. acanthifera and C. grandi- mana ) showed higher concentrations of 18:1(n-7) and 20:4(n-6) and lower percentages of 22:6(n-3). These results, together with higher values of the biomarker ratio 20:5(n-3)/22:6(n-3) and a lower ratio 18:1(n-9)/18:1(n-7), suggested a greater contribution of diatoms and macroalgae in the diet of C. acanthifera and C. grandimana and a lesser contribution of flagellates than in the remaining species. The cluster classification of the caprellid specimens from the Strait of Gibraltar based on the fatty acid composition was in agreement with the Cluster output from data of feeding behaviour. Sex-related changes in the fatty acid composition were also explored in C. acanthifera , C. danilevskii and C. penantis ; the percentage of 18:0, 20:4(n-6), and 20:5(n-3) was significantly higher in males, whereas 16:1(n-7) was higher in females. The intraspecific diferences of fatty acids in different environmental conditions seem to indicate that the consumption of diatoms in contrast to flagellates increases with the degree of eutrophication.Se estudió la composición de ácidos grasos de nueve especies de anfípodos caprélidos recolectados en el Estrecho de Gibraltar. Todos los caprélidos se caracterizaron por presentar niveles elevados de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, principal- mente eicosapentaenoico, 20:5(n-3), y docosahexaenoico, 22:6(n-3); otros ácidos grasos importantes fueron el saturado ácido palmítico, 16:0, y el monoinsaturado ácido oleico, 18:1(n-9). A pesar de este patrón general, los análisis univariantes y multivariantes mostraron que, atendiendo a la composición de ácidos grasos, Caprella acanthifera y C. grandimana se diferenciaron significativamente de las especies restantes ( C. danilevskii , C. equilibra , C. liparotensis , C. penantis , C. santosrosai , Phtisica marina y Pseudoprotella phasma ). Estas dos especies ( C. acanthifera y C. grandimana ) mostraron por- centajes más altos de 18:1(n-7) y 20:4(n-6) y más bajos de 22:6(n-3). Estos resultados, junto con valores más altos del bio- marcador 20:5(n-3)/22:6(n-3) y más bajos del 18:1(n-9)/18:1(n-7) sugieren una mayor contribución de diatomeas y macroalgas en la dieta de C. acanthifera y C. grandimana y una menor contribución de flagelados. El dendrograma de clasificación de los caprélidos del Estrecho de Gibraltar basado en la composición de ácidos grasos fue similar al obtenido a partir de los datos de comportamiento alimenticio de las especies. Los cambios en la composición de ácidos grasos con respecto al sexo fueron explorados en C. acanthifera , C. danilevskii y C. penantis ; el porcentaje de 18:00, 20:4(n-6), y 20:5(n-3) fue significativamente superior en machos, mientras que el de 16:1(n-7) fue superior en las hembras. Las diferencias intraespecíficas en la composición de ácidos grasos en diferentes condiciones ambientales parecen indicar que el consumo de diatomeas frente al de dinoflagelados se incrementa al aumentar el grado de eutrofización

Crecimiento gonadal y reproducción del erizo de mar Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) en el sureste de España

The gonadal index and reproductive state of the sea urchin Sphaerechinus granularis were studied for a year in three populations from southeast Spain. The development of the gonad during the period of study was assessed using histological methods and four maturity stages were considered for female specimens and two for male specimens. The study of gonad development showed a clearly defined annual cycle of gametogenesis with a single spawning period in summer-autumn. It begins in June at Torremuelle and Palmeral and a month later at La Herradura. The three populations exhibited similar reproductive patterns, having mature gonads in almost all the months. Though the environmental conditions were similar, the population from La Herradura had the highest Gonadosomatic Index value (GSI) and that from Torremuelle the lowest one.Se ha estudiado el índice gonadosomático y los estados reproductivos del erizo de mar Sphaerechinus granularis durante un año en tres poblaciones del sureste de España. El desarrollo de la gónada se estudió usando métodos histológicos; además, el estado de los individuos se determinó utilizando cuatro categorías de desarrollo gonadal para las hembras y dos para los machos. Existe un único periodo de puesta a lo largo del año, entre verano y otoño. En las estaciones de Torremuelle y Palmeral la puesta comienza en junio mientras que en La Herradura tiene un retraso de un mes. Las tres poblaciones muestran patrones reproductivos semejantes y se caracterizan por tener gónadas maduras casi todos los meses, aunque en proporciones distintas. Los valores del índice gonadosomático son mayores en La Herradura y menores en Torremuelle a pesar de que las condiciones ambientales son similares

Cambios ontogenéticos e intraespecíficos observados en la rádula de Polycera aurantiomarginata García and Bobo, 1984 (Gastropoda Opisthobranchia)

Polycera aurantiomarginata García and Bobo 1984 has a stable population in the intertidal area of El Portil beach (Huelva, SW Spain). This fact allowed specimens of different sizes to be collected from March 2001 to December 2003. In this paper, the ontogenetic variations of the radula of P. aurantiomarginata are studied. The radulae of 141 specimens were examined, 138 from El Portil and 3 from La Herradura (Granada, SE Spain). Specimens of 1.5-2 mm in length lack the typical radula described for P. aurantiomarginata. They have the so called pre-radula whose teeth are different in size and shape from the typical radula of the adults. In the specimens of 3 and 4 mm the pre-radula coexists with the characteristic radula, which is the single structure present in the specimens larger than 4 mm. The following features of the radula are included in this study: radular length, number of teeth rows and length of the outer lateral teeth. According to the three measured variables, the affinities among specimens without a pre-radula were established through cluster analysis, which defined three different groups (4-10 mm, 11-22 mm and 23-48 mm). Correlations between specimen length and radula length, number of rows and mean length of outer lateral teeth were significant. Feeding strategies could be related to the different morphology of the radula established by the Cluster analysis.Polycera aurantiomarginata García y Bobo, 1984 muestra una población estable y en la localidad de El Portil (Huelva, SW de España), lo que ha permitido la recolección, desde marzo de 2001 hasta diciembre de 2003, de un alto número de ejemplares de todos los tamaños. En el presente estudio se ha extraído la rádula de 141 animales, 138 recogidos en la zona intermareal de El Portil y 3 en La Herradura (Granada). Los tamaños de los animales han oscilado entre 1.5 mm y 48 mm. Se ha podido observar en los individuos de entre 1.5 y 2 mm la existencia de una pre-rádula cuyos dientes son morfológicamente diferentes a los de la rádula de los individuos mayores; sin embargo, en los ejemplares de 3 y 4 mm esta pre-rádula coexiste con la rádula típica, siendo esta estructura la única presente en individuos de longitud igual o mayor a 4 mm. A cada una de las rádulas extraídas, tanto con pre-rádula o sin ella, se le ha medido la longitud total de la cinta, la longitud del diente lateral externo y el número de filas de dientes. Considerando los tres parámetros medidos, las afinidades entre los ejemplares sin pre-rádula se establecieron a partir de análisis de Cluster, que definieron tres grupos distintos (4-10 mm, 11-22 mm y 23-48 mm). Las correlaciones existentes entre la longitud de los individuos y la longitud de la rádula, el número de filas y la longitud media de los dientes fueron significativas. Las diferencias morfológicas reconocidas en los grupos considerados podrían estar relacionadas con distintas estrategias alimentarias.

Jardins per a la salut

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia. Assignatura: Botànica farmacèutica. Curs: 2014-2015. Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són el recull de les fitxes botàniques de 128 espècies presents en el Jardí Ferran Soldevila de l’Edifici Històric de la UB. Els treballs han estat realitzats manera individual per part dels estudiants dels grups M-3 i T-1 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos de febrer a maig del curs 2014-15 com a resultat final del Projecte d’Innovació Docent «Jardins per a la salut: aprenentatge servei a Botànica farmacèutica» (codi 2014PID-UB/054). Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pels professors de l’assignatura. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica. També s’ha pretès motivar els estudiants a través del retorn de part del seu esforç a la societat a través d’una experiència d’Aprenentatge-Servei, deixant disponible finalment el treball dels estudiants per a poder ser consultable a través d’una Web pública amb la possibilitat de poder-ho fer in-situ en el propi jardí mitjançant codis QR amb un smartphone

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Guide for the mussel culture

This guide is focused in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Specifically, several recommendations and steps to culture this species in a hatchery are described, from the brodstock conditioning to larval culture as well as seed maintenance.Se trata de un documento que establece una serie de recomendaciones y pautas a seguir para el cultivo de mejill&oacute;n Mytilus galloprovincialis en criadero, desde la obtenci&oacute;n de larvas hasta el preengorde de semillas.</p

Diversity, community structure and habitat use of molluscs in marinas from the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa

Although the number of marinas along shorelines has significantly increased during the last years, there is a lack of studies on mobile epifauna associated to floating pontoons or infauna inhabiting soft bottoms of marinas. Artificial hard substrate (lateral surface of pontoons) and soft substrate (sediment) were sampled in 42 marinas along the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa and 48 different species of molluscs were found. Species richness and Shannon diversity values were higher in sediments than in hard substrates; multivariate analyses also revealed differences in species composition and trophic guilds between these two habitats. The most abundant species on the hard substrate were Mytilus galloprovincialis and Musculus subpictus, and Corbula gibba and Parvicardium exiguum in sediments. Although filter feeders were dominant in both habitats, herbivorous species were only found on the hard substrate while deposit feeders were restricted to sediments. As diversity, abundance and trophic patterns were not always consistent for all localities, a local scale effect must be considered in environmental programs for marinas. None exotic mollusc was detected, so this study provides baseline information necessary as a first step in monitoring programmes for early detection of new incoming exotic species. Faunistic knowledge is mandatory to provide local governments, policy makers and authorities with readily accessible species datasets and ecological information. This should be a priority to address an integrated and sustainable management of marinas.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades CGL 2017-82739-PFEDE

Biochemical composition, lipid classes, fatty acids and sexual hormones in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from cultivated populations in south Spain

Título del postprint: "Sexual maturation of mytilus galloprovincialis from cultured populations on South-Western Spain. Changes on biochemical composition and sexual hormones. Sex related differences"The mobilization of nutrients and sexual hormone changes during the reproductive cycle of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), as well as sex related differences have been assessed using adults brought from the field. Metabolites (glucose and glycogen) and lipid composition were determined in the mantle and digestive gland. Moreover, glucose and aminoacids in hemolymph have also been measured. Glucose and glycogen values were lower in ripeness stage in both sexes and tissues analyzed as well as glucose in hemolymph. Glucose was mobilized during sexual maturation to be accumulated as glycogen, which was used as an energy source explaining the low levels in ripeness stage. Lipid content enhanced with ripening in the female mantle while in the digestive gland increased at the beginning but decreased at the end in both sexes. These results suggested the accumulation of lipid for larval development in eggs as well as the energy source during gametogenesis. Triglycerides and phospholipids were the major lipid components in both sexes and tissues assessed, showing several changes mainly in males. Increasing levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) during gonad maturation mainly due to 22:6n-3 (DHA), have been also observed. Total lipids were higher in females than in males, while triglicerides dominated in females and phospholipids in males. The main fatty acids in both sexes were 16:0, 20:5n-3 (EPA) and DHA. Females showed higher percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower level of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) than males. Sexual hormones have also been analyzed and changes in progesterone and 17-β estradiol during gonadal development have been detected in both sexes. These data will help hatchery managers to determine the best nutritive strategy for producing large quantities of mussel seed.This research was supported by the research project 0251_ECOAQUA_5_E from the Programa de Cooperación Transfronteriza España–Portugal 2007–2013.Peer reviewe