Search Results (141)

Arundo donax L. has been introduced in markets worldwide due to its economic value. However, it is listed in the world’s 100 worst alien invasive species because it easily escapes from cultivation, and forms dense monospecific stands in riparian areas, agricultural areas, and grassland areas along roadsides, including in protected areas. This species grows rapidly and produces large amounts of biomass due to its high photosynthetic ability. It spreads asexually through ramets, in addition to stem and rhizome fragments. Wildfires, flooding, and human activity promote its distribution and domination. It can adapt to various habitats and tolerate various adverse environmental conditions, such as cold temperatures, drought, flooding, and high salinity. A. donax exhibits defense mechanisms against biotic stressors, including herbivores and pathogens. It produces indole alkaloids, such as bufotenidine and gramine, as well as other alkaloids that are toxic to herbivorous mammals, insects, parasitic nematodes, and pathogenic fungi and oomycetes. A. donax accumulates high concentrations of phytoliths, which also protect against pathogen infection and herbivory. Only a few herbivores and pathogens have been reported to significantly damage A. donax growth and populations. Additionally, A. donax exhibits allelopathic activity against competing plant species, though the allelochemicals involved have yet to be identified. These characteristics may contribute to its infestation, survival, and population expansion in new habitats as an invasive plant species. Dense monospecific stands of A. donax alter ecosystem structures and functions. These stands impact abiotic processes in ecosystems by reducing water availability, and increasing the risk of erosion, flooding, and intense fires. The stands also negatively affect biotic processes by reducing plant diversity and richness, as well as the fitness of habitats for invertebrates and vertebrates. Eradicating A. donax from a habitat requires an ongoing, long-term integrated management approach based on an understanding of its invasive mechanisms. Human activity has also contributed to the spread of A. donax populations. There is an urgent need to address its invasive traits. This is the first review focusing on the invasive mechanisms of this plant in terms of adaptation to abiotic and biotic stressors, particularly physiological adaptation. Full article

The aquaculture sector is essential for meeting seafood demand while ensuring sustainability. It involves farming fish, mollusks, crustaceans, other invertebrates, and algae in controlled environments, helping to conserve marine resources and reduce ecological pressures. Sustainable practices, such as an integrated multitrophic recirculating aquaculture system (IMTA-RAS) with fish and seaweed, can minimize the environmental impact of fish aquaculture. However, the impact of the introduction of macroalgae on the fish muscle metabolism has not been studied. This research examines the impact of growing Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) together with sea lettuce (Ulva ohnoi) on fish metabolism using high-resolution ¹H-NMR-based metabolomics. Three farming systems were compared. These were E₁, a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS); E₂, an IMTA-RAS integrating U. ohnoi for biofiltration; and E₃, an IMTA-RAS with U. ohnoi and Phaeobacter sp. strain 4UAC3, a probiotic bacterium isolated from wild U. australis known to counteract fish pathogens. A metabolomic analysis revealed that energy metabolism was enhanced in IMTA-RAS and even more in IMTA-RAS-Phaeobacter–grown fish, increasing overall metabolic activity. These results indicate that the presence of the algae with the probiotic had a clear impact on the physiological state of the fish, and this deserves further investigation. This study contributes to the understanding of the physiological responses of fish to innovative aquaculture practices, supporting the development of more sustainable and efficient management that reduces the environmental impact and increases fish health and welfare. Full article

Air exposure stress during live transport and subsequent reoxygenation are factors in the development of molecular/pathological and compensatory/adaptive responses. They affect the physiological functions and survival of economically important invertebrate species, in particular, crustaceans. In this study, we consider the effects of anoxia and subsequent reoxygenation on the physiological responses, signaling pathways involved in stress, and cell apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS) of the horsehair crab, Erimacrus isenbeckii. The results showed that 1 day of air exposure stress and 1 subsequent day of reoxygenation cause the immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) to change, suggesting that these changes may be associated with adaptive responses, which are presumably employed to avoid oxidative damage and provide the initial mechanism for survival. Caspase-3 immunoreactive neurons increased eight-fold in the brain and 7.2-fold in the VNC after 1 day of reoxygenation, and the TUNEL-positive cell percentage rose from 0% (control) to 8.4% in the brain and from 1.7% (control) to 13% in the VNC. The results of our study provide evidence that anoxia and reoxygenation can activate caspase-3 and facilitate apoptosis in the CNS of crabs. These results provide evidence that even short-term air exposure stress followed by reoxygenation can trigger significant apoptotic cell death in crustacean neural tissue, which is important for developing better live transport practices. Full article

Background: Ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) is a subclass of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EtnGpls) and is abundantly found in some marine invertebrates, including ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. PlsEtn is reported to exhibit physiological and nutritional hepatic functions; however, the effects of dietary PlsEtn on continuous acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury, including oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism, remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the dietary effects of PlsEtn from ascidian on chronic hepatic injury in APAP-treated mice. Methods: Five-week-old male ICR mice were divided into four groups (n = 12), which were treated with the respective experimental diet for two weeks and then the respective APAP-containing diet for five weeks. The results obtained after administering the PlsEtn-rich diet were compared with those obtained after the administration of a phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn)-rich diet, a major subclass of hepatic EtnGpls. Results: The PlsEtn-rich diet effectively suppressed the APAP-induced decrease in body and liver weights of mice; however, this suppressive effect was not observed in mice fed a PtdEtn-rich diet. APAP administration decreased the total fatty acid content in the liver, whereas a PlsEtn-rich diet alleviated this decrease and increased the hepatic content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which exhibits various hepatic functions. Moreover, dietary EtnGpl rich in PlsEtn or PtdEtn suppressed APAP-induced lipid oxidation in the liver. The protein expression results revealed that dietary EtnGpls reduced the expression of certain apoptosis-related proteins in the livers of APAP-administered mice compared to that in the APAP group. This reduction was particularly more effective in mice fed the PlsEtn-rich diet than in those on the PtdEtn-rich diet. Conclusions: Dietary EtnGpls, particularly PlsEtn, alleviated the hepatic cellular stress caused by continuous APAP consumption. These beneficial effects may depend on the subclass and may be related to DHA metabolism in the liver. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the role of PlsEtn in maintaining liver health. Full article

Mucomics is the study of mucus and its biochemical properties. This discipline has gained increasing attention due to the critical roles mucus plays in protection, adhesion, and communication across species. Ethical restrictions on vertebrate research have driven the interest in invertebrate models such as mollusks. Mollusks produce large amounts of mucus which has several functions, including immune defense, digestion, and environmental adaptation. Mollusks—terrestrial, freshwater, or marine—are valuable models for investigating mucus composition and its responses to environmental stressors, including heavy metal contamination. Histochemical and glycomic techniques have revealed variations in mucin glycosylation patterns that influence mucus functionality, such as its viscoelastic and adhesive properties. Bivalves and gastropods, widely used as bioindicators and generally not subject to regulatory constraints in experimental use, accumulate pollutants in their mucus, reflecting environmental health. Investigative techniques such as lectin histochemistry, proteomic, and glycomic analyses provide insights into the impact of contaminants on mucus composition. Further research on molluscan mucins can enhance understanding of their physiological roles, environmental interactions, and potential biomedical applications. By integrating molecular and histochemical approaches, mucomic studies offer a comprehensive perspective on mucus function, advancing both ecological monitoring and biotechnological applications. Full article

The Irisin/FNDC5 protein family has emerged as a pivotal link between exercise and the prevention of age-associated diseases. Irisin is highly expressed during exercise from skeletal and cardiac muscle cells, playing a critical role in mediating systemic health benefits through its actions on various tissues. However, Irisin levels decline with age, correlating with a heightened incidence of diseases such as muscle weakness, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegeneration. Notably, the administration of Irisin has shown significant potential in both preventing and treating these conditions. Recently, an Irisin/FNDC5 homolog was identified in an invertebrate Drosophila model, providing valuable insights into its conserved role in exercise physiology. Importantly, Irisin/FNDC5 has been demonstrated to regulate autophagy—a process essential for clearing excessive nutrients, toxic aggregates, and dysfunctional organelles—in both flies and mammals. Dysregulated autophagy is often implicated in age-related diseases, highlighting its relevance to Irisin/FNDC5’s functions. These findings deepen our understanding of Irisin/FNDC5’s roles and its potential as a therapeutic target for mitigating aging-related health decline. Further studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which Irisin regulates autophagy and its broader impact on physiological aging and related diseases. Full article

Perception alone can, in some cases, be sufficient to modulate aging and longevity. These influences on aging are perhaps mediated by changes in motivational states that regulate metabolism and physiology to impact health. Simple invertebrate models uniquely enable detailed dissection of integrative pathways linking perceptions to aging and remain the leading systems for advancing this field. Over the past 25 years, studies using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have demonstrated that sensory cues, such as those related to food or mating, can influence aging independently of the physical acts associated with them. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in these invertebrate models, focusing on two key areas of progress: (i) the discovery of lifespan modulation driven by novel sensory cues across multiple modalities, including non-sexual social experience, light, and dietary choices; and (ii) the assignment of new aging-regulation functions to specific neurons downstream of sensory perception. The latter offers an exciting first glimpse at the neuronal circuits integrating sensory cues, motivational states, physiology, and aging. Full article

Carnivorous plants have fascinated botanists and ecologists with their various unusual adaptations in organ structure, physiology, and complex interactions with other organisms since the time of Charles Darwin. Species of the genus Utricularia (bladderworts, family Lentibulariaceae) are carnivorous plants that prey mainly on invertebrates using traps (bladders) of leaf origin. In the traps, there are glandular trichomes called quadrifids, which produce digestive enzymes and absorb the products of prey digestion. These quadrifids are unique due to their highly complex glandular cell structure; hence, they are an excellent model for studying the cell wall and its specialization. The main aim of the study was to investigate the presence and distribution of homogalacturonans (HGs) and hemicelluloses in the cell walls of trichome cells and especially in cell wall ingrowths in the quadrifid cells. The following antibodies were used against the wall components: anti-HGs (homogalacturonans) —JIM5 (low methylesterified HGs), JIM7 (highly esterified HGs), LM19 (low methylesterified HGs), CCRC-M38 (a fully de-esterified HG), LM5 (galactan); anti-hemicelluloses—LM25 (galactoxyloglucan; XXLLG, XXLG, XXXG modules of xyloglucans), LM15 (xyloglucan), CCRC-M138 (xylan), LM11 (heteroxylan); and anti-mannans: LM20 (heteromannan) and LM22 (heteromannan). The localization of the examined compounds was determined using immunohistochemistry techniques and immunogold labeling. In quadrifid cells, we found differences in the presence of the epitope detected by the LM5 antibody in the cell walls. In addition, cell wall ingrowths represented distinct microdomains of the cell wall in terms of the occurrence of wall components (they were methylesterified and demethylesterified homogalacturonan-poor). Hemicelluloses (galactoxyloglucan and xyloglucan) and arabinogalactans co-occur in cell wall ingrowths. Also, a part of the cell wall of the pedestal cell, which forms a Casparian strip, represented a distinct microdomain. We did not detect epitopes recognized by LM11, LM20 and LM22 antibodies. Our research shows that several cell wall microdomains occur in the cell walls of quadrifid cells. They differ depending on the presence and distribution of low methylesterified HGs, highly esterified HGs, fully de-esterified HGs, galactan (the epitope detected by the LM5 antibody), xyloglucan, galactoxyloglucan, and xylan (the epitope detected by the CCRC-M138 antibody). Full article

FoxO is a member of the evolutionary conserved family of transcription factors containing a Forkhead box, involved in many signaling pathways of physiological and pathological processes. In mammals, mutations or dysfunctions of the FoxO gene have been implicated in diverse diseases. FoxO homologs have been found in some invertebrates, including echinoderms. We have isolated the FoxO cDNA from the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Pl-foxo) and characterized the corresponding gene and mRNA. In silico studies showed that secondary and tertiary structures of Pl-foxo protein corresponded to the vertebrate FoxO3 isoform, with highly conserved regions, especially in the DNA-binding domain. A phylogenetic analysis compared the Pl-foxo deduced protein with proteins from different animal species and confirmed its evolutionary conservation between vertebrates and invertebrates. The increased expression of Pl-foxo mRNA following the inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway paralleled the upregulation of Pl-foxo target genes involved in apoptosis or cell-cycle arrest events (BI-1, Bax, MnSod). In silico studies comparing molecular data from sea urchins and other organisms predicted a network of Pl-foxo protein–protein interactions, as well as identified potential miRNAs involved in Pl-foxo gene regulation. Our data may provide new perspectives on the knowledge of the signaling pathways underlying sea urchin development. Full article

The protandric shrimp Hippolyte inermis is the only known marine invertebrate whose sex determination is strongly influenced by the composition of its food. In H. inermis, a sex reversal is triggered by the ingestion of diatoms of the genus Cocconeis associated with leaves of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. These diatoms contain compounds that promote programmed cell death (PCD) in H. inermis and also in human cancer cells. Transcriptomic analyses suggested that ferroptosis is the primary trigger of the shrimp’s sex reversal, leading to the rapid destruction of the androgen gland (AG) followed by a chain of apoptotic events transforming the testes into ovaries. Here, we propose a molecular approach to detect the effects of compounds stimulating the PCD. An RNA extraction method, suitable for young shrimp post-larvae (five days after metamorphosis; PL₅ stage), was established. In addition, six genes involved in apoptosis, four involved in ferroptosis, and seven involved in the AG switch were mined from the transcriptome, and their expression levels were followed using real-time qPCR in PL₅ fed on Cocconeis spp., compared to PL₅ fed on a basic control feed. Our molecular approach, which detected early signals of sex reversal, represents a powerful instrument for investigating physiological progression and patterns of PCD in marine invertebrates. It exemplifies the physiological changes that may start a few days after the settlement of post-larvae and determine the life destiny of an individual. Full article

The use of marine invertebrates in ecotoxicology is important for an integrated approach which takes into consideration physiological responses and chemical levels in environmental matrices. Standard protocols have been developed and organisms belonging to different trophic levels are needed as model organisms to evaluate toxicant bioavailability and assess their impact on marine biota. The calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa is commonly used in ecotoxicology due to its widespread distribution and well-studied biology. However, different strains coming from various geographical areas are available, and possible variations in physiological characteristics raise concerns about the comparability of ecotoxicological results. This study compares the life cycle assessment and sensitivity of Adriatic and Baltic strains of A. tonsa exposed to nickel (Ni²⁺) in standardized acute and semi-chronic tests. Life cycle assessments revealed differences in egg production, egg-hatching success, and naupliar viability between the strains. The acute toxicity test demonstrated the significantly higher sensitivity of Adriatic strain nauplii to Ni²⁺ compared to the Baltic strain, whereas the semi-chronic test showed no significant difference in sensitivity between the strains. These findings suggest that while strain-specific differences exist in different geographical populations, responses to toxicants are not significantly different. Particularly, the semi-chronic assessments with both A. tonsa strains emphasized the robustness of this species as a model organism in ecotoxicology. Full article

The expression of the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC), widely associated with cell volume regulation, has never been directly demonstrated in annelids. Its putative presence was firstly recovered in silico, and then using immunofluorescence, its signal was retrieved for the first time in different tissues of four species of estuarine annelids from southern Brazil that are regularly subjected to salinity fluctuations. We tested two euryhaline species (wide salinity tolerance), the nereidids Alitta yarae and Laeonereis acuta (habitat salinity: ~10–28 psu), and two stenohaline species (restricted salinity tolerance), the nephtyid Nephtys fluviatilis (habitat salinity: ~6–10 psu), and the melinnid Isolda pulchella (habitat salinity: ~28–35 psu). All four species showed specific immunofluorescent labelling for NKCC-like expression. However, the expression of an NKCC-like protein was not homogeneous among them. The free-living/burrowers (both euryhaline nereidids and the stenohaline nephtyid) displayed a widespread signal for an NKCC-like protein along their bodies, in contrast to the stenohaline sedentary melinnid, in which the signal was restricted to the branchiae and the internal tissues of the body. The results are compatible with NKCC involvement in cell volume, especially in annelids that face wide variations in salinity in their habitats. Full article

Ethical behaviour tends to lead to the welfare consideration of animals, but much less so for invertebrates. Indigenous tradition often valued all animals as having an important role in life on the planet, a practical application of modern ecology. The Judaeo–Christian–Islamic tradition postulated ‘man’ as having dominion over all of Earth, resulting in anthropocentrism and careless practices. In contrast, the Buddhist/Hindu belief in rebirth leads to ahisma, or doing no harm. In the face of capitalist systems, practice does not necessarily follow these beliefs, especially in the ‘shepherding’ of domestic animals. Only Jainist beliefs value the lives of all invertebrates. Philosophers are often divorced from the physiological reality of the animals they muse about, and science’s traditions of objectivity and the simplest possible explanation of behaviour led to ignorance of invertebrates’ abilities. Ninety-seven percent of animals on the planet are invertebrates. We have a long way to go to provide moral standing and welfare consideration, which is consistent with the new information about the sentience of some of these animals. Full article

A large variety of microorganisms ingested with food constitute animals’ intestinal microflora, enhancing and maintaining the homeostasis of the host. Rations enriched with probiotics are a method recommended to prevent undesirable conditions. To date, research has been limited to farmed animals and reared fish, creating a knowledge gap concerning the effect of probiotics on the growth rate, physiological responses, and energy metabolism of invertebrates such as the land snail Cornu aspersum. Herein, juvenile snails (26.23 ± 0.5 mm shell diameter and 8.23 ± 1.02 g body weight) were fed L. plantarum probiotic-enriched rations in two different proportions (1.25 mg and 2.5 mg), and their growth rate was monitored for three months. Additionally, the RNA/DNA and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, HSP gene expression and protein levels, and ND2 expression, were measured in the hepatopancreas, digestive tract, and mantle. Although the snails’ growth rate was not affected, the RNA/DNA ratio presented an increase in various tissues, indicating an intense physiological response. Also, probiotic administration demonstrated low levels of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. HSP levels were higher in the presence of probiotics, probably signaling an attempt by the animal to face potentially stressful situations. Finally, ND2 expression levels in the hepatopancreas indicate intense metabolic and antioxidant activity. Full article

For marine invertebrates, the disruption of organismal physiology and behavior by nanoplastics (NPs) has been extensively reported. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are important for redundant protein breakdown, environmental changes, and intracellular protein transport. An exhaustive identification of Hsp70 genes and an experiment where different concentrations of NPs were stressed were performed to study how Hsp70 genes respond to NPs stress in Monodonta labio. Our results identified 15 members of Hsp70 within the genome of M. labio and provided insights into their responses to different concentrations of acute NP stress. Phylogenetic analyses revealed extensive amplification of the Hsp70 genes from the Hsc70 subfamily, with gene duplication events. As a result of NP stress, five of fifteen genes showed significant upregulation or downregulation. Three Hsp70 genes were highly expressed at an NP concentration of 0.1 mg/L, and no genes were downregulated. At 10 mg/L, they showed significant upregulation of two genes and significant downregulation of two genes. At 1 mg/L treatment, three genes were significantly downregulated, and no genes were significantly upregulated. Moreover, a purifying selection was revealed using a selection test conducted on duplicate gene pairs, indicating functional redundancy. This work is the first thorough examination of the Hsp70s in Archaeogastropoda. The findings improve knowledge of Hsp70s in molluscan adaptation to NP stress and intertidal living and offer essential data for the biological study of M. labio. Full article