Effects of reduced diameter of bag cultures on content of essential fatty acids and cell density in a continuous algal production system

Cell density and fatty acid (FA) content of Pavlova lutheri and Chaetoceros muelleri were analysed in a continuous algal production system (250-L bags) with reduced diameter. The cell density and FA content and composition in the algal production system were determined in replicate bags over a period of 5 weeks. The results showed that the cell density and essential FAs increased during the experiment for both species. After 5 weeks the mean cell numbers had increased to 6.0 ± 0.3 × 106 cells mL−1 in the P. lutheri bags and 6.0 ± 0.4 × 106 cells mL−1 in the C. muelleri bags. The content of total FAs increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all of the bags during the experiment. At the end of the experiment the mean total FA content were 2.7 ± 0.3 pg cell−1 in the P. lutheri bags and 1.8 ± 0.1 pg cell−1 in the C. muelleri bags. Maximum total FA content registered was 3.0 pg cell−1 in one of the P. lutheri bags. The content of the essential FAs (ARA, EPA, DHA) increased over time in both of the species. At the end of the experiment the content of EPA (0.6 ± 0.1 pg cell−1) and DHA (0.3 ± 0.0 pg cell−1) were highest in the P. lutheri bags, while ARA (0.1 ± 0.0 pg cell−1) was highest in C. muelleri. EPA and DHA constituted 22% and 11%, respectively, of total FA content in P. lutheri, while ARA constituted 6% of total FA content in C. muelleri. The results from this experiment indicate that flagellates such as P. lutheri perform better in narrow bags with improved light conditions, while diatoms like C. muelleri perform better in wider bags under light limitation. Implications for bivalve hatcheries are discussed

Bacteria associated with early life stages of the great scallop, Pecten maximus: impact on larval survival

International audienceA bacteriological study was carried out at a scallop (Pecten maximus) hatchery near Bergen, western Norway following a severe increase in mortality rates during the larval stages of the scallops. No larvae survived to settling, except for those in groups treated prophylactically with chloramphenicol. In order to identify pathogenic strains of bacteria, we performed a challenge test on 10- to 16-day-old larvae using isolated bacterial strains from the hatchery. Infection with six of these strains produced mortalities that were not statistically different from that resulting from infection with the known pathogen Vibrio pectenicida. However, about 5% of the strains tested in the challenge experiment produced higher motility rates than found in the unchallenged control group, indicating a possible probiotic effect. On the basis of 16S rDNA analysis on these strains, the phylogenetic tree indicated two groups of apparent pathogens: (1) one strain, LT13, grouped together with Alteromonas/Pseudoalteromonas; (2) a cluster of strains grouped together with Vibrio splendidus (LT06, LT21, LT73, PMV18 and PMV19). Strain LT13 was isolated from cultures of the microalga Chaetoceros calcitrans used for feed, while the other strains were isolated from larval cultures. Transmission electron microscopy showed intracellular bacteria that resembled bacteria in the groups Chlamydiaceae and Rickettsiaceae

Macromolecular sheets direct the morphology and orientation of plate-like biogenic guanine crystals

Animals precisely control the morphology and assembly of guanine crystals to produce diverse optical phenomena in coloration and vision. However, little is known about how organisms regulate crystallization to produce optically useful morphologies which express highly reflective crystal faces. Guanine crystals form inside iridosome vesicles within chromatophore cells called iridophores. By following iridosome formation in developing scallop eyes, we show that pre-assembled, fibrillar sheets provide an interface for nucleation and direct the orientation of the guanine crystals. The macromolecular sheets cap the (100) faces of immature guanine crystals, inhibiting growth along the π-stacking growth direction. Crystal growth then occurs preferentially along the sheets to generate highly reflective plates. Despite their different physical properties, the morphogenesis of iridosomes bears a striking resemblance to melanosome morphogenesis in vertebrates, where amyloid sheets template melanin deposition. The common control mechanisms for melanin and guanine formation inspire new approaches for manipulating the morphologies and properties of molecular materials.publishedVersio

Overcoming Ostrea edulis seed production limitations to meet ecosystem restoration demands in the UN decade on restoration

The European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, is a habitat-forming bivalve which was historically widespread throughout Europe. Following its decline due to overfishing, pollution, sedimentation, invasive species, and disease, O. edulis and its beds are now listed as a threatened and/or declining species and habitat by OSPAR. Increasing recognition of the plight of the oyster, alongside rapidly developing restoration techniques and growing interest in marine restoration, has resulted in a recent and rapid growth in habitat restoration efforts. O. edulis seed supply is currently a major bottleneck in scaling up habitat restoration efforts in Europe. O. edulis has been cultured for centuries, however, research into its culture declined following the introduction of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas to Europe in the early 1970 s. Recent efforts to renew both hatchery and pond production of O. edulis seed for habitat restoration purposes are hampered by restoration project timelines and funding typically being short, or projects not planning appropriately for the timescales required for investment, research-and-development and delivery of oyster seed by commercial producers. Furthermore, funding for restoration is intermittent, making long-term commitments between producers and restoration practitioners difficult. Long-term, strategic investment in research and production are needed to overcome these bottlenecks and meet current ambitious restoration targets across Europe

Studentenes erfaring med veiledning. Semesteroppgaver for bedring av sluttkarakterer i MNF 115.

MNF 115 “Natural science perspective on sustainable development” is an inter-faculty course for about 50 students. The course normally gets high student rating on general content and lectures, but low rating on student activity and engagement. In order to increase student activities throughout the semester new tasks as semester papers and seminars were introduced too. Student evaluation were performed 3 times (2002-2004). Results showed that small student group size (1-2 persons) functioned better than larger groups. Only small extra resources were necessary to significantly improve performance and results of semester papers, but lack of such resources significantly reduced the results. Increased effort on student activities connected to both writing, guidance, feedback and seminars did not improve the final exam results. Average final exam grade C was obtained without extra resources

Potential predation rates by the sea stars Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis, on juvenile scallops, Pecten maximus, ready for sea ranching

The potential for predation by the sea stars Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis on seed-size (41 ± 3 mm shell height) juvenile scallops (Pecten maximus), ready for seeding in sea ranching areas, was investigated in a 30-day laboratory predation experiment. There was no significant difference (P[0.05) in predation rate of large A. rubens (95–115 mm radium) and large M. glacialis (120–164 mm radius), which averaged 0.88 and 0.71 scallops individual-1 day-1, respectively. Maximum rates of predation were 2.44 scallops individual-1 day-1 for large A. rubens and 3.00 scallops individual-1 day-1 for large M. glacialis. Small M. glacialis (76–87 mm radius) had a significantly lower predation rate than large individuals of either species (average 0.13 scallops individual-1 day-1, P\0.05). Small A. rubens (50–80 mm radius) only began to prey on scallops when average scallop size was reduced to 35 mm. Based on estimated density of sea stars at a Norwegian sea ranching site and average predation rates, a population of scallops seeded at 10 m-2 would be reduced by between 0.5 and 11% in 1 month. Furthermore, using the highest observed predation rate, the degree of loss of scallops indicated that scallop culture via sea ranching would not be economically viable and thus methods for reducing scallop predation by sea stars are necessary

Significance of advection for the carrying capacities of fjord populations

Advective rates of nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton were estimated for the Masfjord, western Norway, in June and October 1985. The advective contribution to the phytoplankton biomass formation was dearly less than the local growth. Advection of nutrients, even below the photic zone, may have large implications for the new production of the fjord. The highest renewal rate (13.6 % d l ) due to advection was obtained for the mesozooplankton in June. While 20 % of this renewal was due to water advection alone, 80 % was due to the combined effect of the current profile and the vertical distribution of the mesozooplankton. Thus transport of mesozooplankton may exceed local growth significantly. The deep basin (494 m) of the fjord serves as a refuge for resident macrozooplankton and rnicronekton populations predating on mesozooplankton. Analysis suggests that such predators may be more sensitive to a change in the advective rate than to a similar change in the prey growth rate. Advection may be an important factor underlying the carrying capacity of mesozooplankton predators in fjords