Two new species of Antarctic gorgonians (Octocorallia: Primnoidae) with a redescription of Thouarella laxa Versluys, 1906

Two new species of the genus Thouarella from Antarctic waters are described and illustrated from material collected on the Polarstern cruises ANT XVII/3 (EASIZ III), ANT XIX/5 (LAMPOS) and ANT XXI/2 (BENDEX). On the one hand, Thouarella viridis sp. nov. is placed in the subgenus Epithouarella due to the characteristic ornamentation of its marginal scales (the previously most recent species in this group was included by Ku¨kenthal in Zool Anz 33(1): 9–20, 1908). On the other hand, Thouarella minuta sp. nov. is included in subgenus Thouarella among the 14 species currently recognised, the main distinct feature being tiny polyps. Furthermore, a complete redescription is given of Thouarella laxa Versluys, 1906. Using the new technology available nowadays, such as images obtained with SEM, we provide accurate images of the polyps and sclerites. In addition, as a result of this study, T. laxa and its closest congener T. tydemani Versluys, 1906 are maintained as separate species, mainly due to their internal sculpture of body and coenenchymal scales

Four new species of thouarella (anthozoa: octocorallia: primnoidae) from antarctic waters

Four new Antarctic species of the genus Thouarella, all of them belonging to the subgenus Thouarella, are described and illustrated from material collected at the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and off Atka Bay (eastern Weddell Sea) on the Polarstern cruises ANT XIX/5 (LAMPOS), and ANT XXIV/2 (ANDEEP-SYSTCO). The study of our new taxa allows us to describe a wider variation in the number of the distal cycles of polyp scales, as well as the existence in the genus (and subgenus) of additional species with planar colonial morphologies. The new species are compared with their closest congeners

Revision and redescription of the species previously included in the genus Amphilaphis Studer and Wright in Studer, 1887 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae)

The taxonomy of the primnoid genus Amphilaphis Studer and Wright in Studer, 1887 has been in a confused state for a long time and a revision of the species included in that genus has become a necessity. We have revised and redescribed the species previously included in the genus using up-to-date technology, such as polyp and sclerite images obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As a result of this study, because the type species of Amphilaphis is actually a Thouarella species, we consider the genus Amphilaphis to be no longer valid. One of the species previously considered in Amphilaphis has a set of morphological characters that are not recognizable in any of the current primnoid genera. Primnocapsa n. gen. has a dichotomous branching pattern, polyps placed singly, in spirals around the branchlets, 8 opercular scales with the inner surface keeled and with 2 mounds basally and 8 marginal scales offset from the operculars. The new genus is described and illustrated. Moreover, one of the re-examined species has been included in a new subgenus, Faxiella n. subgen. of Plumarella Gray, 1870 because it has polyps placed in pairs. Finally, the remaining re-examined species have been included in the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870, one of the most specious primnoid genera

Life in extreme conditions : the paradox of Antarctic marine biodiversity

The study of pristine places is very important for learning about the state of the oceans before the impact of human beings. Due to the extreme environmental conditions of the Antarctic continental shelf ? its distance from other continents, depth, and the weight of the continental ice ? it offers us a great opportunity to better understand how a pristine ecosystem would normally be. In addition to a high level of biodiversity, Antarctic benthic organisms present patterns of demographic and spatial distribution that are different from the communities of the continental shelves in other seas and oceans of the world. This makes Antarctic benthic communities look, more than one might think, like the communities with the highest known biodiversity in the world

Pristine populations of habitat-forming gorgonian species on the Antarctic continental shelf

Declines in the abundance of long-lived and habitat-forming species on continental shelves have attracted particular attention given their importance to ecosystem structure and function of marine habitats. The study of undisturbed habitats defined as “pristine areas” is essential in creating a frame of reference for natural habitats free of human interference. Gorgonian species are one of the key structure-forming taxa in benthic communities on the Antarctic continental shelf. Current knowledge of the diversity, distribution and demography of this group is relatively limited in Antarctica. To overcome this lack of information we present original data on pristine and remote populations of gorgonians from the Weddell Sea, some of which display the largest colony sizes ever recorded in Antarctica. We assessed the distribution patterns of seven gorgonian species, a morphogroup and a family in front of the Filchner Ronne Ice Shelf (Weddell Sea) by means of quantitative analysis of video transects. Analysis of these videos showed a total of 3140 colonies of gorgonians with the highest abundance in the southern section and a significantly clumped distribution. This study contributes to the general knowledge of pristine areas of the continental shelf and identifies the eastern Weddell Sea as a hotspot for habitat-forming species

Evolutionary dynamics of a common sub-Antarctic octocoral family

Sequence data were obtained for five different loci, both mitochondrial (cox1, mtMutS, 16S) and nuclear (18S, 28S rDNA), from 64 species representing 25 genera of the common deep-sea octocoral family Primnoidae. We tested the hypothesis that Primnoidae have an Antarctic origin, as this is where they currently have high species richness, using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods of phylogenetic analysis. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny we also investigated the time of species radiation in sub-Antarctic Primnoidae. Our relatively wide taxon sampling and phylogenetic analysis supported Primnoidae as a monophyletic family. The base of the well-supported phylogeny was Pacific in origin, indicating Primnoidae sub-Antarctic diversity is a secondary species radiation. There is also evidence for a subsequent range extension of sub-Antarctic lineages into deep-water areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Conservative and speculative fossil-calibration analyses resulted in two differing estimations of sub-Antarctic species divergence times. Conservative analysis suggested a sub-Antarctic species radiation occurred ∼52 MYA (95% HPD: 36–73 MYA), potentially before the opening of the Drake Passage and Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) formation (41–37 MYA). Speculative analysis pushed this radiation back into the late Jurassic, 157 MYA (95% HPD: 118–204 MYA). Genus-level groupings were broadly supported in this analysis with some notable polyphyletic exceptions: Callogorgia, Fanellia, Primnoella, Plumarella, Thouarella. Molecular and morphological evidence supports the placement of Tauroprim

Primnoidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) of the SW Indian Ocean: new species, genus revisions and systematics

The Indian Ocean is one of the least-studied areas of the world’s largest biome, the deep sea. On an expedition to five seamounts along the SW Indian Ocean Ridge in 2011, thousands of specimens from deep-sea habitats were procured. We propose five new species of Primnoidae, a predominantly deep-sea octocoral family. The new species include three from the genus Narella, and one new species each from Primnoa and Primnoeides; the latter genus is revised and we propose Digitogorgia as its junior synonym. We support the new species placement within Primnoidae through taxonomic descriptions and the most comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of any deep-sea coral family (81 species across 29 genera). We also present a rare example of polar submergence (from the Antarctic shelf into deeper more Northern waters)

Genetic parameters for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida resistance, immunological markers and body weight in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

A challenge test for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp) resistance was carried out in two juvenile populations of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.): F2_ATL and F0_MED. At 250 days post-hatching (dph), a fish plasma sample was collected to measure humoral immune markers (peroxidase activity, bactericidal activity, and IgM immunoglobulin levels), and at 272 dph fish were weighed and inoculated with bacteria Phdp. From that time onwards, surviving fish were recorded for nine days, and days to death was registered. Heritabilities for body weight and Phdp survival were moderate, although for days to death the heritability was low. Regarding humoral immune markers, for peroxidase activity it was moderate, and for IgM levels and for bactericidal activity it was low. Genetic correlations for body weight with Phdp survival and days to death were high and positive, while with peroxidase activity and IgM levels they tended to be positive, although these estimates were not accurate. Regarding genetic correlations between Phdp survival and humoral immune markers, they were very high, positive with peroxidase activity, and negative with IgM levels and bactericidal activity. Some humoral immune markers, particularly peroxidase activity, along with performance traits such as body weight and absence of deformities, are proposed to be included in a selective breeding program to raise fish that are capable of coping with diseasesVersión del editor2,04

Guía clínica para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la distrofia miotónica tipo 1, DM1 o enfermedad de Steinert

La enfermedad de Steinert o distrofia miotónica tipo 1 (DM1), (OMIM 160900) es la miopatía más prevalente en el adulto. Es una enfermedad multisistémica con alteración de prácticamente todos los órganos y tejidos y una variabilidad fenotípica muy amplia, lo que implica que deba ser atendida por diferentes especialistas que dominen las alteraciones más importantes. En los últimos anos ˜ se ha avanzado de manera exponencial en el conocimiento de la enfermedad y en su manejo. El objetivo de la guía es establecer recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, el pronóstico, el seguimiento y el tratamiento de las diferentes alteraciones de la DM1. Esta guía de consenso se ha realizado de manera multidisciplinar. Se ha contado con neurólogos, neumólogos, cardiólogos, endocrinólogos, neuropediatras y genetistas que han realizado una revisión sistemática de la literatura. Se recomienda realizar un diagnóstico genético con cuantificación precisa de tripletes CTG. Los pacientes con DM1 deben seguir control cardiológico y neumológico de por vida. Antes de cualquier cirugía con anestesia general debe realizarse una evaluación respiratoria. Debe monitorizarse la presencia de síntomas de disfagia periódicamente. Debe ofrecerse consejo genético a los pacientes con DM1 y a sus familiares. La DM1 es una enfermedad multisistémica que requiere un seguimiento en unidades especializadas multidisciplinares