Genetic diversity in cultured and wild marine cyanomyoviruses reveals phosphorus stress as a strong selective agent

Viruses that infect marine cyanobacteria–cyanophages–often carry genes with orthologs in their cyanobacterial hosts, and the frequency of these genes can vary with habitat. To explore habitat-influenced genomic diversity more deeply, we used the genomes of 28 cultured cyanomyoviruses as references to identify phage genes in three ocean habitats. Only about 6–11% of genes were consistently observed in the wild, revealing high gene-content variability in these populations. Numerous shared phage/host genes

Climate variance influence on the non-stationary plankton dynamics

We examined plankton responses to climate variance by using high temporal resolution data from 1988 to 2007 in the Western English Channel. Climate variability modified both the magnitude and length of the seasonal signal of sea surface temperature, as well as the timing and depth of the thermocline. These changes permeated the pelagic system yielding conspicuous modifications in the phenology of autotroph communities and zooplankton. The climate variance envelope, thus far little considered in climate-

Effects of ocean warming and acidification on survival, growth and skeletal development in the early benthic juvenile sea urchin (Heliocidaris erythrogramma)

 Co-occurring ocean warming, acidification and reduced carbonate mineral saturation have significant impacts on marine biota, especially calcifying organisms. The effects of these stressors on development and calcification in newly metamorphosed juveniles (ca. 0.5 mm test diam) of the intertidal sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma, an ecologically important species in temperate Australia, were investigated in context with present and projected future conditions. Habitat temperature and pH/pCO₂ were

Uptake and retention of metallic nanoparticles in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

We measured the uptake, distribution and elimination of two types of metallic nanoparticles (MetNPs) by the aquatic mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in static seawater column exposures. Test MetNPs included polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (PEG-FeOxNP) and PEG-functionalized cadmium-selenide quantum dots (PEG-Qdot). Exposure water was sampled at various times to assess MetNP clearance, and mussels were serially euthanized to assess uptake of MetNPs into the hemolymph, digestive gland, and

The Mediterranean Benthic Herbivores Show Diverse Responses to Extreme Storm Disturbances

Catastrophic storms have been observed to be one of the major elements in shaping the standing structure of marine benthic ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the effect of catastrophic storms on ecosystem processes. Specifically, herbivory is the main control mechanism of macrophyte communities in the Mediterranean, with two main key herbivores: the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the fish Sarpa salpa. Consequently, the effects of extreme storm events on these two herbivores (at the population level and on their

The Response of the Mediterranean Gorgonian Eunicella singularis to Thermal Stress Is Independent of Its Nutritional Regime

Over the last few decades, sessile benthic organisms from the Mediterranean Sea have suffered from the global warming of the world’s oceans, and several mass mortality events were observed during warm summers. It has been hypothesized that mortality could have been due to a nutrient (food) shortage following the stratification of the water column. However, the symbiotic gorgonian Eunicella singularis has also presented a locally exceptional mortality, despite its autotrophic capacities through the photosynthesis of its

MedSeA oceanographic cruise along the Mediterranean Sea

On the 2nd of May 2013 the MedSeA oceanographic cruise along the Mediterranean Sea departed from Cadiz. The major campaign objective is to conduct a comprehensive water column sampling from each of the basins of the Mediterranean Sea.  There will be sediment core sampling, plankton tows and aereosol collectors. The cruise has two legs: from Cadiz to Heraklion and from Heraklion to Barcelona (May 2, 2013 – June 2 – 2013). We will also deploy 4 bioArgo floats.  The MedSeA campaign is also part of an international program GEOTRACES that aims to characterize and study the seawater dissolved elements.

The MedSeA oceanographic cruise is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación(MICINN). We will sail with the research vessel Ángeles Alvariño of the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEC).

Please, visit the MedSeA oceanographic cruise blog for more information.