Tactical decisions for changeable cuttlefish camouflage : visual cues for choosing masquerade are relevant from a greater distance than visual cues used for background matching

Author Posting. © Marine Biological Laboratory, 2015. This article is posted here by permission of Marine Biological Laboratory for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Biological Bulletin 229 (2015): 160-166.Cuttlefish use multiple camouflage tactics to evade their predators. Two common tactics are background matching (resembling the background to hinder detection) and masquerade (resembling an uninteresting or inanimate object to impede detection or recognition). We investigated how the distance and orientation of visual stimuli affected the choice of these two camouflage tactics. In the current experiments, cuttlefish were presented with three visual cues: 2D horizontal floor, 2D vertical wall, and 3D object. Each was placed at several distances: directly beneath (in a circle whose diameter was one body length (BL); at zero BL [(0BL); i.e., directly beside, but not beneath the cuttlefish]; at 1BL; and at 2BL. Cuttlefish continued to respond to 3D visual cues from a greater distance than to a horizontal or vertical stimulus. It appears that background matching is chosen when visual cues are relevant only in the immediate benthic surroundings. However, for masquerade, objects located multiple body lengths away remained relevant for choice of camouflage.This work was funded by DARPA/DSO grant no. W15P7T-13-D-CT04

Defensive responses of cuttlefish to different teleost predators

Author Posting. © Marine Biological Laboratory, 2013. This article is posted here by permission of Marine Biological Laboratory for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Biological Bulletin 225 (2013): 161-174.We evaluated cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) responses to three teleost predators: bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), and black seabass (Centropristis striata). We hypothesized that the distinct body shapes, swimming behaviors, and predation tactics exhibited by the three fishes would elicit markedly different antipredator responses by cuttlefish. Over the course of 25 predator-prey behavioral trials, 3 primary and 15 secondary defense behaviors of cuttlefish were shown to predators. In contrast, secondary defenses were not shown during control trials in which predators were absent. With seabass—a benthic, sit-and-pursue predator—cuttlefish used flight and spent more time swimming in the water column than with other predators. With bluefish—an active, pelagic searching predator—cuttlefish remained closely associated with the substrate and relied more on cryptic behaviors. Startle (deimatic) displays were the most frequent secondary defense shown to seabass and bluefish, particularly the Dark eye ring and Deimatic spot displays. We were unable to evaluate secondary defenses by cuttlefish to flounder—a lie-and-wait predator—because flounder did not pursue cuttlefish or make attacks. Nonetheless, cuttlefish used primary defense during flounder trials, alternating between cryptic still and moving behaviors. Overall, our results suggest that cuttlefish may vary their behavior in the presence of different teleost predators: cryptic behaviors may be more important in the presence of active searching predators (e.g., bluefish), while conspicuous movements such as swimming in the water column and startle displays may be more prevalent with relatively sedentary, bottom-associated predators (e.g., seabass).This project was funded by a United States Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Sciences Office (DARPA DSO) Grant (HR0011-09- 1-0017)

Successive Bouts of Cycling Stimulates Genes Associated with Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Exercise increases mRNA for genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative enzyme capacity. However, little is known about how these genes respond to consecutive bouts of prolonged exercise. We examined the effects of 3 h of intensive cycling performed on three consecutive days on the mRNA associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in trained human subjects. Forty trained cyclists were tested for VO2max (54.7 ± 1.1 ml kg−1 min−1). The subjects cycled at 57% wattsmax for 3 h using their own bicycles on CompuTrainer™ Pro Model trainers (RacerMate, Seattle, WA) on three consecutive days. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis pre- and post-exercise on days one and three. Muscle samples were analyzed for mRNA content of peroxisome proliferator receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), sirtuin 1 (Sirt-1), cytochrome c, and citrate synthase. Data were analyzed using a 2 (time) × 2 (day) repeated measures ANOVA. Of the mRNA analyzed, the following increased from pre to post 3 h rides: cytochrome c (P = 0.006), citrate synthase (P = 0.03), PGC-1α (P \u3c 0.001), and Sirt-1 (P = 0.005). The following mRNA showed significant effects from days one to three: cytochrome c (P \u3c 0.001) and citrate synthase (P = 0.01). These data show that exhaustive cycling performed on three consecutive days resulted in both acute and chronic stimuli for mRNA associated with mitochondrial biogenesis in already trained subjects. This is the first study to illustrate an increase in sirtuin-1 mRNA with acute and chronic exercise. These data contribute to the understanding of mRNA expression during both acute and successive bouts of prolonged exercise

Quercetin Ingestion Does Not Alter Cytokine Changes in Athletes Competing in the Western States Endurance Run

The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of quercetin on plasma cytokines, leukocyte cytokine mRNA, and related variables in ultramarathoners competing in the 160-km Western States Endurance Run (WSER). Sixty-three runners were randomized to quercetin and placebo groups and under double-blinded methods ingested 1000 mg/day quercetin for 3 weeks before the WSER. Thirty-nine of the 63 subjects (n = 18 for quercetin, n = 21 for placebo) finished the race and provided blood samples the morning before the race and 15–30 min postrace. Significant prerace to postrace WSER increases were measured for nine proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory plasma cytokines, cortisol (quercetin = 94%, placebo = 96%), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (mean ± SE absolute increase, quercetin = 31.8 ± 4.2, placebo = 38.2 ± 5.0 mg/L), and creatine kinase (CK) (quercetin = 21,575 ± 3,977, placebo = 19,455 ± 3,969 U/L), with no significant group differences. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA did not change post-WSER, with a significant decrease measured for leukocyte IL-8 mRNA (0.21 ± 0.03-fold and 0.25 ± 0.04-fold change from rest, quercetin and placebo, respectively) and significant increases for IL-1Ra mRNA (1.43 ± 0.18-fold and 1.40 ± 0.16-fold change, quercetin and placebo, respectively) and IL-10 mRNA (12.9 ± 3.9-fold and 17.2 ± 6.1-fold change, quercetin and placebo, respectively), with no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, quercetin ingestion (1 g/day) by ultramarathon athletes for 3 weeks before a competitive 160-km race significantly increased plasma quercetin levels but failed to attenuate muscle damage, inflammation, increases in plasma cytokine and hormone levels, and alterations in leukocyte cytokine mRNA expression

Covington, GA

Prepared by the Spring 2015 Preservation Planning Class. These Design Guidelines were created to guide property owners and the Historic Preservation Commission during the review process. The Guidelines ensure the continued historic integrity of properties within the district. The Covington Historic District and the North Covington Historic District are outlined within this document.https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_heritagepreservation/1012/thumbnail.jp

Muscle damage is linked to cytokine changes following a 160-km race

Abstract Muscle damage and perceived soreness following the 160-km Western States Endurance Run were related to changes in plasma cytokines and use of nonsteroidal anti-inXammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Subjects included 60 ultramarathoners (mean § SE, age 45.3 § 1.1 years) who Wnished the race in under 30 h (26.3 § 0.4 h). Blood samples were collected the morning prior to and immediately following the race, and subjects recorded muscle soreness during the week following the race using a 10-point Likert scale (DOMS). Seven plasma cytokines were measured including IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, IL-1ra, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inXammatory protein 1 (MIP-1 ). Cytokine changes were compared between NSAID users and nonusers, and correlated with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and DOMS. SigniWcant increases were measured for all seven cytokines, with the greatest fold increases seen for IL-6 (125£), IL-10 (24£), and G-CSF (12£). CPK was correlated with changes in IL-6, G-CSF, IL-10, IL-1ra, and MCP-1 (r D .49-.68), (P < .001), but not IL-8 or MIP-1 . DOMS averaged 7.1 § 0.3 the day after the race, and 5.0 § 0.3, 2.5 § 0.2, and 1.6 § 0.1 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days post-race, respectively, and each was correlated with CPK (r D .40-.63, P < .001) and changes in IL-6, G-CSF, IL-10, and MCP-1 (r D .28-.77, P < .05). A comparison of NSAID users (72% of athletes) and nonusers showed no diVerences in CPK or DOMS, but did reveal greater increases in Wve of seven cytokines in the NSAID users (P < .05). In conclusion, muscle damage in athletes competing in a 160-km race was signiWcantly correlated with post-race DOMS and increases in Wve of seven cytokines. NSAID users did not experience a reduction in muscle damage or DOMS, but did have higher post-race plasma levels in Wve of seven cytokines

Characterization of symbiotic bacteria found in a female reproductive organ of multiple cephalopod species

Cephalopod International Advisory Council Conference, Cephalopods in the Anthropocene: Multiple Challenges in a Changing Ocean, April 2-8, 2022, Sesimbra, PortugalAnimals often recruit symbiotic bacteria that are used for digestion, defense, and/or development. Many female decapod cephalopods possess a reproductive organ called the accessory nidamental gland (ANG), which hosts a consortium of bacteria that is acquired from the environment. Bacteria from the ANG are transferred to egg jelly coats where they are hypothesized to provide protection against fouling and pathogenic microorganisms. Bacteria from the ANG of some cephalopod species also have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. To understand the geographic and taxonomic distribution of ANG symbionts among cephalopods, we characterized the ANG microbiome from eleven species of squid and cuttlefish from four families that include Sepiolidae, Loliginidae, Idiospiidae, and Sepiidae and span seven different geographic locations. Sequencing and analysis of the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal gene revealed that the ANG microbiomes of the four different cephalopod families were significantly different (p < 0.001). However, members of the Sepiolidae and Idiosepiidae that were collected from five distinct geographic regions had similar ANG microbiomes consisting of bacteria from the Class Verrucomicrobiae, Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Similar ANG communities shared among these cephalopod groups may indicate a conserved antimicrobial function involved with egg defense. Understanding ANG bacterial diversity will also assist with the development of tractable cephalopod species that can be used as model organisms to study host-microbe interactionsN

Symbiotic organs shaped by distinct modes of genome evolution in cephalopods.

Microbes have been critical drivers of evolutionary innovation in animals. To understand the processes that influence the origin of specialized symbiotic organs, we report the sequencing and analysis of the genome of Euprymna scolopes, a model cephalopod with richly characterized host-microbe interactions. We identified large-scale genomic reorganization shared between E. scolopes and Octopus bimaculoides and posit that this reorganization has contributed to the evolution of cephalopod complexity. To reveal genomic signatures of host-symbiont interactions, we focused on two specialized organs of E. scolopes: the light organ, which harbors a monoculture of Vibrio fischeri, and the accessory nidamental gland (ANG), a reproductive organ containing a bacterial consortium. Our findings suggest that the two symbiotic organs within E. scolopes originated by different evolutionary mechanisms. Transcripts expressed in these microbe-associated tissues displayed their own unique signatures in both coding sequences and the surrounding regulatory regions. Compared with other tissues, the light organ showed an abundance of genes associated with immunity and mediating light, whereas the ANG was enriched in orphan genes known only from E. scolopes Together, these analyses provide evidence for different patterns of genomic evolution of symbiotic organs within a single host

Probable Psittacosis Outbreak Linked to Wild Birds

Residence in the upper Blue Mountains, age of 50–64 years, direct contact with wild birds, and lawn mowing without a grass catcher were associated with psittacosis