Assessments and diagnoses of aquatic ecosystem integrity based on integrity requirements of ecosystem service targets

This paper critically reviews the progress in ecosystem integrity(health)assessment of inland waters and provides future directions for assessment.Current biotic integrity assessments mainly use multimetric indices and predictive models to evaluate overall health status;the criteria largely rely on pristine reference sites,but such an approach is not applicable to unique natural waters and irreversibly modified waters.Biotic diagnostic assessments are still in the exploratory stage and can only diagnose possible stressor types and wide-ranges of their intensities through empirical models linking stressors and species-trait-indices.Current chemical integrity assessments mainly use criteria determined by small-scale ecotoxicity tests,rather than quantitative relationships developed between chemical factors and biotic effects in real ecosystems,thus potentially under or overestimating pollutant toxicity.Current physical integrity assessments focus on overall habitat quality,rather than quantitative habitat requirements,and thus cannot provide quantitative support for ecological restoration and conservation.Current hydrological integrity(environment flow)assessments largely depend on quantitative relationships between hydrological regimes with a few species and single groups,rather than with whole communities,and fail to comprehensively diagnose hydrological causes of biotic resource decline.In the future,integrity assessments need to be based on ecosystem integrity requirements of ecosystem service targets:first,there is a need to build quantitative relationships between biotic integrity and ecosystem services,assess requirements of community structure and function for service goals,and establish biotic integrity assessment methods;second,we must build quantitative relationships between biotic integrity and abiotic integrity in real ecosystems,assess chemical,physical,and hydrological integrity requirements of biotic needs,and establish diagnostic assessment methods.

Cladophora as ecological engineer:A new test from the largest lake of Qinghai-Tibet plateau with filamentous algal blooms

Filamentous algae blooms(FABs)have been increasing globally in recent years,and their presence can have both harmful and beneficial effects on aquatic ecosystems.As one of the most common FABs,Cladophora blooms have been reported in the lakes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the past few years.However,there have been few studies focused on how FABs impact other aquatic organisms,especially in alpine lakes since these are at the forefront of responding to global climate change.In this study,the phytoplankton communities in different regions of Qinghai Lake were profiled in different seasons using meta-barcode sequencing.The phytoplankton assemblages in areas with Cladophora blooms were compared to those without Cladophora.The phytoplankton community structure correlated with physicochemical properties including water temperature,electrical conductivity,nitrate,and the presence or absence of Cladophora blooms.The relative abundance of Bacillariophytes was found to be higher in zones with Cladophora blooms than in other regions.Significant seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass andβdiversity were observed in zones with Cladophora blooms.Growth and microbial degradation of Cladophora can change the pH,dissolved oxygen,secchi depth,and nitrate.Together with seasonal temperature and electrical conductivity changes,Cladophora growth can significantly impact the phytoplankton biomass,community dissimilarity and assembly process.These results showed that Cladophora plays a key role in littoral aquatic ecosystem ecology.

Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of micro(nano)plastics on aquatic microorganisms:Changes in potential function but not in overall composition

Micro(nano)plastics(MNPs)are a growing problem as persistent environmental pollutants.Here,we investigated the impact of MNPs on microorganisms in aquatic microbial floc exposed to NPs(80 nm)and MPs(8μm)for 35 days.Water quality indicators were tested weekly and microbiological analyses were conducted on Day 7 and 28 after exposure.The results showed that there were significant differences in the levels of total ammonia nitrogen or nitrite between the MNPs groups and the control group,spanning from Day 7 to Day 28.For the microbial response,microbial community richness in the NPs and MPs groups were significantly increased at Day 7.Functional prediction showed that the relative abundances of bacteria associated with the“Forms Biofilms”,“Potentially Pathogenic”,“Plastic Degradation”and nitrogen cycle processes were significantly different after MNPs exposure.The results suggest that MNPs had no significant effect on the microbial diversity of mature microbial flocs.Findings suggest MPs could cause an increase in the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria,while NPs do not.In addition,stress associated with MNPs affected the nitrogen cycle of microorganisms,and NPs exerted greater impacts than MPs.Findings from this study further our understanding of the impact of MNPs at environmentally relevant concentrations on microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.

Estimating SVCV waterborne transmission and predicting experimental epidemic development:A modeling study using a machine learning approach

Viral infectious diseases significantly threaten the sustainability of freshwater fish aquaculture.The lack of studies on epidemic transmission patterns and mechanisms inhibits the development of containment strategies from the viewpoint of veterinary public health.This study raises an epidemic mathematical model considering water transmission with the aim of analyzing the transmission process more accurately.The basic reproduction number R0 was derived by the model parameter including the water transmission coefficient and was used for the analysis of the virus transmission.Spring viremia of carp virus(SVCV)and zebrafish were used as model viruses and animals,respectively,to conduct the transmission experiment.Transmission through water was achieved by connecting two aquarium tanks with a water channel but blocking the fish movement between the tanks.With the collected experimental data,we determined the optimal hybrid machine learning algorithm to analyze the transmission process using an established mathematical model.In addition,future transmission was predicted and validated using the epidemic model and an optimal algorithm.Finally,the sensitivity of model parameters and the simulations of R0 variation were performed based on the modified complex epidemic model.This study is of significance in providing theoretical guidance for minimizing R0 by manipulating model parameters with containment measures.More importantly,since the modified model and algorithm demonstrated better performance in handling freshwater fish transmission problems,this study advances the future application of transmissible disease modeling with larger datasets in freshwater fish aquaculture.

Bio-ecological remediation of freshwater aquaculture environments:A systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Freshwater aquaculture plays an important role in the global aquaculture industry.The success of freshwater aquaculture relies on the integration of bio-ecological remediation technologies to ensure its sustainable development.This paper systematically reviews the global literatures on bio-ecological remediation of freshwater aquaculture environments from 1990 to 2021,and discusses in detail the research progress and status quo in this field using both bibliometric analysis and content analysis.Our results indicate that the number of publications per year has increased year by year,with a particularly rapid increase after 2015.Institutions and researchers from China and the USA publish the greatest number of papers and contribute the most to this field.By analyzing the research progress in this field,we also find that the protection and restoration of freshwater aquaculture environments has received attention since as early as 1990,such as the application of constructed wetlands and recirculating aquaculture systems.Recently,researchers have increasingly focused on the use of microbial communities in remediation.Furthermore,vanRijn,J's papers are of great value to the research in this field.In content analysis,the application of primary technologies,including plant selection,aquatic animals,microorganisms,and biological filtration and purification equipment,as well as ecological engineering technologies with combinations of various types of organisms,is described to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of remediation.The performance,advantages,disadvantages,or limitations and prospects of these technology applications are analyzed in detail.By comparison,ecological engineering is shown to be the best remediation technology,being most comprehensive,and well-established.Taken together,this paper composes and summarizes existing work in this field,and provides guidance for future research on the improvement of existing technologies and the development of new technologies,with the aim of enhancing remediation capability,improving ecological sustainability and ensuring economic viability.

Multi-species probiotics enhance survival,growth,intestinal microbiota and disease resistance of rohu(Labeo rohita)larvae

Multi-strain probiotics provide the most dependable approaches to improve health,immune response,and disease resistance in farmed fishes.In the present study,we examined the effects of multi-species probiotics on the survival,growth,immune response,and disease resistance of rohu(Labeo rohita)larvae.Newly hatched larvae from the day of first feeding(average weight of 0.003 g)were reared with multi-species probiotics having a combination of Bacillus subtilis(109 colony forming units(cfu)/mL)and Lactobacillus spp.(Lactobacillus plantarum,Lactobacillus buchneri-1011 cfu/mL)in water containing doses of 0(control-C),0.5 mL/L(treatment 1-T1),and 1.0 mL/L(treatment 2-T2)in triplicates for 90 days.After the experiment,a challenge test was performed to assess the fish's resistance to pathogenic Aeromonas veronii.Significantly higher survival was recorded in larvae of treated groups(87%in T2 and 79%in T1)compared to the control(62%).Significantly higher growth performance(weight gain and specific growth rate—SGR)was shown by the probiotic-treated larval groups compared to the control.Probiotic supplementation resulted in significantly higher counts of total viable colony(TVC)and lactic acid bacteria(LAB)in the intestine.Some immunological parameters(mucosal fold fattening,goblet cell abundance,expansion of lamina propria and enterocytes)of the gut were significantly better in probiotic-treated fish.The liver of treated fish showed irregular shape nuclei turning into regular shape and reducing spaces between the hepatic cells.Probiotic-treated fish had the highest post-challenge survival rate(90%)against A.veronii infection.The erythrocytes of challenged fish treated with probiotics had significantly lower frequencies of various nuclear and cellular abnormalities.These findings suggest that multi-species probiotic supplements could improve the survival,growth,health status,and immune response of rohu in the early stages of its development.

Diet variability of snappers(Teleostei:Lutjanidae)in a bay-to-reef ecosystem of the Mexican Caribbean

Fishes use environmental resources differently.Snapper ontogenic movements among coastal habitats lead to diverse diets.We investigated the diets of seven snapper species(Lutjanus apodus,L.analis,L.griseus,L.jocu,L.mahogoni,L.synagris,and Ocyurus chrysurus)in three interconnected coastal environments in the western Caribbean:Río Huach channel,Chetumal/Corozal bay,and the adjacent Xcalak reef lagoon.These three encompass all habitats used by the seven species in the study area.Snapper diets were mostly composed of fish and crustaceans,but dominance of either group varied among the studied habitats;for example,fish were the main prey for L.apodus from the reef lagoon zone,but second in the bay.Snappers are piscivorous-invertivorous mesopredators;the species that relied the most on fishes were L.griseus and L.jocu,whereas O.chrysurus preferred crustaceans.Stomach content results revealed a high degree of dietary overlap among species.Our findings suggested a tradeoff in relative weight between fish and crustaceans as the main food source of snappers at these connected areas,supporting the hypothesis of niche segregation.Our results can be used as a baseline to further our understanding of the ecology and differences in resource use by snapper species in an area undergoing important anthropogenic changes.

Plastic effects on marine and freshwater environments

In the 1930s,plastic items started to acquire popularity.Since then,they have overcome many barriers and are now important to many facets of society.Post-consumer plastic,however,is an environmental problem of increasing concern.Marine and freshwater environments are being impaired by plastic pollution,which is mostly the result of improper post-use plastic disposal.Herein I review recent literature on plastic effects to marine and freshwater environments,based on a Scopus search.Authors'keywords were analyzed and mapped.Results depicted microplastics as a global concern for the environment,animals,and human health,and was identified as a primary research focus and emerging topic concerning plastic effects on marine and freshwater environments.The foremost research gap is the lack of clear connections between the effects of plastic on human health,animal health,and the environment.Water pollution and its consequences on marine and freshwater environments are attributed primarily to human activity.

Assessment of water quality using benthic diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages:A case study in an East China canal

The East Zhejiang Canal is an artificial waterway located in the plains of East China.Because of its role in providing social services,it is frequently subjected to human activities affecting its health.To improve the water resource management and condition of this canal,assessment of its ecological health is necessary.We measured water quality variables and benthic diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages to evaluate the ecological status of the canal.We found that the canal was eutrophic with an average chemical trophic level index of 64.3 and an average trophic diatom index of 68.1(with Nitzschia palea,Melosira varians,and Navicula rostellata,Encyonema minutum abundant).Macroinvertebrate assemblages also showed that the canal was eutrophic based on the dominance of Limnodrilus sp.A low BMWP(Biological Monitoring Working Party)score further indicated the poor water quality of the canal.Correlation analysis indicated that phosphorus was the main driver of eutrophication in the canal.Consequently,more attention should be paid to reduce phosphorus loadings.

Bloom-forming cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates in five Argentinian reservoirs:Multi-year sampling

Harmful algal blooms are important threats to reservoir condition.Over a 15-year period,we sampled five Argentinian reservoirs to identify the responsible species for harmful algal blooms and determine the water quality factors driving their occurrence.These reservoirs exhibit diverse morphological and hydrological characteristics and are distributed across varying climatic zones.Cyanobacterial blooms included an array of species,including toxin producers such as Raphidiopsis raciborskii,Aphanizomenon gracile,and Microcystis aeruginosa.In contrast,dinoflagellate blooms were predominantly characterized by Ceratium.The cyanobacterial blooms primarily occurred in the shallower reservoirs located in warmer regions,whereas dinoflagellate blooms occurred where temperatures were lower.The most intense blooms occurred during the summer,and although cyanobacterial and chlorophyte blooms co-occurred,they never coexisted with dinoflagellate blooms.We identified cyanotoxins in the reservoirs over the past three years,a phenomenon previously unreported in the region.Given that these reservoirs are drinking water sources for human populations,ongoing and systematic monitoring is needed to protect public health.Controlling the proliferation of algae and cyanobacteria in reservoirs requires resource management at the watershed level,and in the case of the Itiyuro and El Limon,requires binational management with Bolivia.

Novel insights into the reproductive strategies of wild Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis)populations based on the kinship analysis

Understanding the reproductive strategy of an organism is important in conservation ecology as it directly affects the population performance under changing environmental conditions.Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis)are the largest anadromous fish in the Yangtze River,China.Currently,the species has only one spawning ground and has failed to spawn in recent years,leading it to the brink of extinction.To develop effective conservation measures,a further understanding of its reproductive strategy is needed.In our study,we conducted kinship analyses by using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA data from 216 wild juveniles collected over nine years(2006
2013,2015)to understand the mating system,breeding interval,effective number of breeding adults,and reproductive success.The results from these analyses suggested polygynandry,with some parents contributing up to eight half-sibling juvenile genotypes.Although the spawning ground was restricted to a limited area,genetic diversity was maintained at a relatively high level(observed heterozygosity from 0.698 to 0.787 and expected heterozygosity from 0.763 to 0.787)and inbreeding coefficients in each year-class ranged from
1% to 9%(low to modest detrimental effects on offspring).A parental inference analysis revealed that Chinese sturgeon have a breeding interval of 2-6 years,indicating that it has the potential to feed,accumulate nutrition in the ocean,and then migrate back to the Yangtze River for iteroparous reproduction.The annual effective number of breeders in the Yangtze River ranged from 14 to 161 during the study period,and it decreased by 62.1%from the 2011
2014 year-classes.This sharp population decline likely contributes to the reproduction failure.However,the ratios of effective to census population size(Ne/Nc)were all larger than 0.20 after the 2010 year-class,indicating relatively even reproductive success.Based on these results,a suggested approach to protect this species is to restock parent fish to increase the reproductive stock size and optimize the discharge of the Three Gorges Dam to reduce the unsuitable hydrological conditions and rehabilitate spawning ground habitats.

Construction of hybrid constructed wetlands for phosphorus chemical industry tailwater treatment in the middle Yangtze river basin:Responses of plant growth and root-associated microbial communities

Constructed wetlands are commonly utilized to treat industrial wastewater due to their effectiveness,affordability,and environmental benefits.Many phosphorus chemical enterprises in the middle Yangtze River basin are facing high pollution load challenges and efforts are needed to improve removal efficiency of pollutants.This work was the first to use constructed wetlands for phosphorus chemical industry tailwater(PCITW)treatment.The new hybrid constructed wetlands(CWs)proposed were the aeration horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland(AHSCW)and the integrated vertical flow constructed wetland(IVCW),which were constructed on a pilot scale.Here,the effectiveness of pollutant removal along hybrid CWs,wetland plant growth,and rootassociated microbial community responses to the PCITW were investigated.The results showed that there was spatial variation in removal of carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus in the hybrid CWs,and that the AHSCW and the IVCW played synergistic roles in the removal of pollutants.Compared with influent,the toxic effect of effluent to embryos of a rare minnow(Gobiocypris rarus)was alleviated.Exposure to the effluent resulted in no malformation or death for embryos.Plants and microorganisms in the wetland system of the phosphate chemical tailwater were then compared with the control system of municipal tailwater.Plants in the former system had lower root density,and higher average root diameter,root shoot ratio,specific root length,and specific surface area.Plant roots also had decreased NH_(4)^(+)uptake ability but increased Ca^(2+)uptake to adapt to the high load and complex pollution stress.Unlike the control system,stochastic mechanisms had a more important role than deterministic processes in shaping the microbial community assembly associated with the PCITW.Meanwhile,analysis of microbial network-level topological characteristics demonstrated substantial reduction in network interactions complexity and microbiome stability in the treatment system.Findings from this study suggest wetlands will be helpful for efficient purification of phosphorus chemical industry wastewater in the Yangtze River basin.

Species-level monitoring of rare and invasive fishes using eDNA metabarcoding in the middle and upper Yarlung Zangbo River, Tibet

Fish diversity of the Yarlung Zangbo River is very sensitive and vulnerable to biological invasion,anthropogenic activities and climate change,especially in the upper and middle reaches where several endemic fishes have become endangered and nearly ten invasive fishes have been established.Here,we used environmental DNA(eDNA)metabarcoding to monitor rare and invasive fishes,and to assess diversity in 25 sites from two wetlands(Lalu and Chabalang)and the main channel(YT),within the upper and middle reaches.To obtain a species-level resolution,we evaluated species discrimination potentials of three mitochondrial markers and found Cytb had the highest average genetic distance at each taxonomic level followed by COI and 12S.The 12S was unqualified for species assignment,as two species shared identical haplotypes.The newly designed Cytb primers used for metabarcoding showed an average mismatch of 0.28 and amplified well across species.In total,8942 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were obtained based on a 100%identity threshold,among which 98.1%were assigned to 24 fishes based on our custom-made database and the remaining were assigned to six fishes based on the NCBI nt database.Almost all captured fishes were detected by the eDNA method except for two species.However,12 fishes detected by the eDNA method were not listed in catch data for several sites,including one endangered species(Oxygymnocypris stewartii),four previously recorded non-native species and two unrecorded non-native species(Monopterus albus and Siniperca chuatsi).The alpha diversities estimated by eDNA and capture-based methods were correlated for sites at Lalu.Both methods revealed significant differences in community composition between YT and the wetlands.Our results provide both basic information for conservation and management of rare and invasive fishes in the Yarlung Zangbo River and a framework of fish eDNA metabarcoding with a species-level resolution.

Finding middle ground:Flow regimes designed for salmon and energy value

In regulated rivers,shaping seasonal flows to recover species at risk depends on understanding when to expect conflicts with competing water users and when their interests are aligned.Multi-objective optimization can be used to reveal such conflicts and commonalities.When species are involved,multi-objective optimization is challenged by the need to simulate complex species responses to flow regimes.Previously,we addressed that challenge by developing a simplified salmon model(Quantus)that defines cohorts of salmon by the river section and time in which they were spawned.Salmon in these space-time cohorts are tracked from the time redds(nests)are constructed until the cohort exits the tributary en route to the ocean.In this study,we modeled seasonal patterns in energy value and developed a Pareto-optimal frontier of seasonal flow patterns to maximize in-river salmon survival and hydropower value.Candidate flow regimes were characterized by two pulse flows varying in magnitude,timing,and duration and constrained by a total annual flow near the historical median.Our analysis revealed times when economic and salmon objectives were aligned and times when they differed.Pulse flows that favored higher energy value were timed to meet demand during extreme temperatures.Both salmon and hydropower objectives produced optimal flow regimes with pulse flows in early summer,but only solutions favoring hydropower value included high flows in mid-winter.Solutions favoring higher age-0 salmon survival provided an extended pulse flow in late winter/early spring,which suggests that access to productive floodplain habitat allowed faster growth and earlier out-migration and reduced the need for higher temperature-moderating flows later in spring.Minimum flows were also higher among solutions favoring salmon over energy.The tools used to produce these results can help to design simplified seasonal flow regimes by revealing compromise solutions that satisfy both fish and energy producers and highlighting when potential conflicts are likely.

Sperm whales in the waters off China:A glimpse of the past and present

Spatiotemporal information is crucial for cetacean research and conservation,particularly for wide-ranging and migratory species.Sperm whales(Physeter macrocephalus)are distributed worldwide in deep oceans;however,little is known about the species in the western margin of the Pacific Ocean.Here,we examined the available information related to the occurrence,distribution,and potential habitats of sperm whales in the waters off China.Historical whaling information(18th–20th century)indicates that sperm whales have been captured in the East China Sea(ECS)and South China Sea(SCS).Furthermore,sporadic strandings have been recorded since the 1910s,and more frequently from 1990 onwards.Since 1990,accidental sightings have been documented in the eastern ECS,northeastern and southern SCS,and their adjacent waters.More recently(2019–2022),field encounters have been reported in dedicated ship-based investigations in the Xisha and Nansha waters,providing robust evidence of the regular existence and potential residency of sperm whales in the northwestern and central areas of the SCS.Female nursery groups suggest that the Xisha waters might be an important nursing ground for sperm whales.Satellite tracking data from four adults showed that sperm whales in the SCS might display both fine-scale and long-distance movements.Taken together,it appears that sperm whales are currently active in the waters off China,and that deep waters(depth>200 m)in the ECS and SCS may provide the species with critical habitats.This review provides crucial baseline information on sperm whales in the waters off China,which may help to facilitate future research efforts and conservation initiatives for the species at national and cross-regional scales.More field investigations and other monitoring approaches including acoustic monitoring,biologging,photo-identification,and genetics are required to reveal the distribution,movement,and habitat use patterns of sperm whales in these waters.

An overview of research efforts to understand the effects of underwater sound on cetaceans

Cetaceans are aquatic mammals living in an environment that is more suited for hearing than vision.As such,their sensory systems largely utilize acoustic cues for navigation,communication,foraging,and predator avoidance.However,the elevation of underwater sound levels from increased human activities has adversely affected cetaceans’use of sound to perform vital life functions.To address those impacts,scientific studies have been conducted to understand the behavioral,psychoacoustical,physiological,and physical responses by cetaceans that have been exposed to anthropogenic sound.These studies range from captive experiments involving auditory thresholds and noise-induced threshold shifts,to field observations of behavioral disturbance from sound exposure,to post-mortem examinations of physical manifestations in stranded animals.Over the years,results from these studies have assisted regulatory agencies in developing a series of criteria and thresholds for cetacean conservation and management around the world.This paper provides a high-level overview of worldwide research efforts that have been dedicated to understanding the effects of underwater sound on cetaceans.The review is not intended to be exhaustive but rather to capture major efforts and significant findings in this field.In addition,the review excludes synthesis studies and modeling exercises that do not involve direct research on target species.

Water transfer determines the regional spread dynamics of non-native fish species

Interbasin water transfer projects(IBWT's)have emerged as dispersal corridors for aquatic species.However,little is known about how water transfer affects regional spread dynamics,or shapes the genetic diversity patterns of non-native populations.Shimofuri Goby Tridentiger bifasciatus is a globally introduced fish species with many wellestablished populations in IBWT's.Here,we used nuclear microsatellites to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the Shimofuri Goby in its native and introduced sites belonging to two IBWT's in China.Our objectives were to(1)reveal the genetic diversity patterns of the Shimofuri Goby during regional spread,and(2)identify its mode of spreading in water transfer systems.We observed(1)a high level of genetic diversity in non-native populations without evidence of bottleneck effects,(2)that non-native populations with a longer water transfer times had a higher private allele richness,and(3)that non-native populations showed a highly mixed genetic structure,low level of genetic differentiation,and no significant relationship between geographical and genetic distances.Our results indicate that the genetic patterns of diversity of non-native populations are mainly shaped by a linear cascade spread processes due to long-distance movement of larvae,and are probably related to propagule pressure caused by the construction of water transfer.To manage the non-native populations of T.bifasciatus,preventive actions and physical removal should be implemented in IBWT's.

Transcriptional profiles in zebrafish atp7a mutants and responses of atp7a mutants to Cu stress

As a copper(Cu)transport ATPase,ATP7A plays an important role in maintaining Cu homeostasis in the body,but the developmental and physiological roles of atp7a in zebrafish embryogenesis are rarely studied.In this study,normal morphological phenotypes of atp7a^(−/−)homozygous zebrafish were observed at both embryonic and adult stages,however,atp7a^(−/−)larvae exhibited delayed touch response and obvious transcriptome changes.Compared with the WT(wild type),differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in atp7a^(−/−)larvae showed the enrichment in gene ontology(GO)terms related to several processes including ATPase activity,oxidoreductase activity,active transmembrane transporter activity,ion binding,and the citrate cycle.Furthermore,decreases in both ATP content and Na+/K+-ATPase activity in atp7a^(−/−)embryos and larvae were unveiled.57 overlapping DEGs were found both in WT stressed with Cu and in WT mutated with atp7a,and GO term analysis indicated the enrichment in the genes related to neurexin family protein binding and neuronal cell-cell adhesion.Moreover,42 overlapping DEGs in Cu stressed WT and Cu stressed atp7a^(−/−)were identified.GO term analysis showed an enrichment in the genes related to heme binding,implying that Cu was independent of the integral function of atp7a to affect heme binding.In addition,genes involved in the negative regulation of angiogenesis were down-regulated in atp7a^(−/−)mutants with and without Cu stress,which failed to occur in WT,implying that the integral function of atp7a is required for maintaining the normal expression of angiogenesis genes.The integrative data in this study demonstrated that atp7a is required for ion transport and angiogenesis,and for Cu-induced neurexin family protein binding defects,rather than for Cu-induced heme binding defects,during zebrafish embryogenesis.These findings provide possible clues for human diseases with ATP7A dysfunction and imbalanced Cu homeostasis.

Initial discovery of microplastic pollution in Mnemiopsis leidyi(Ctenophora:Lobata)

The production of plastics has exponentially increased over time such that the observation of microplastics in the oceans has become a major concern given how frequently these particles and marine biota may interact.Microplastics can be ingested by diverse species,including invertebrates,which can lead to physical damage due to their small size and potentially chemical damage related to the ingestion of monomers,polymeric additives,or adsorbed chemicals.This study reports on the first evidence of microplastics in Mnemiopsis leidyi.Microplastics were described by type,quantified,and had their chemical composition identified.In total,328 samples of microplastic(MP)candidates were observed:blue fibers were the most abundant,followed by black,red,and green fibers as well as blue fragments.Three types of microplastics were chemically identified as polyurethane,unplasticized polyvinylchloride,and polyethylene polylauryllactam.Overall,this study demonstrated that Mnemiopsis leidyi have the capacity to incorporate microplastics.Although more studies are needed,Mnemiopsis leidyi is relatively abundant on the Atlantic coast and should be recommended for use as a bioindicator for microplastics.