One of the most well-known species in the bivalve family Limidae (d&#x2019;Orbigny, 1846) is the brightly colored Ctenoides scaber (Born, 1778), commonly known as the rough file clam or flame scallop. Distinguishing this bivalve from its close relative, C. mitis (Lamarck, 1807), can be difficult using only morphological features and has led to much taxonomic confusion throughout the literature. In this study, morphological characters were compared to a molecular phylogeny constructed using three genes (COI, 28S, and H3) in order to differentiate C. scaber and C. mitis. The phylogeny recovered two well-supported clades that differ significantly in shell rib numbers, but not tentacle colors. The two species were then placed in a larger phylogenetic context of the Limidae family, which revealed the need for further systematic revision across genera. As these bivalves are popular in aquaria, cannot be tank-raised, and have been overcollected in the past, proper species identification is important for assessing sustainable collection practices.

Lindsey F. Dougherty

Jingchun Li

Molecular Phylogeny and Morphological Distinctions of Two Popular Bivalves, Ctenoides scaber and Ctenoides mitis

Our current understanding of carbon exchange between partners in the Symbiodinium-cnidarian symbioses is still limited, even though studies employing carbon isotopes have made us aware of the metabolic complexity of this exchange. We examined glycerol and glucose metabolism to better understand how photosynthates are exchanged between host and symbiont. The levels of these metabolites were compared between symbiotic and bleached Exaiptasia pallida anemones, assaying enzymes directly involved in their metabolism. We measured a significant decrease of glucose levels in bleached animals but a significant increase in glycerol and G3P pools, suggesting that bleached animals degrade lipids to compensate for the loss of symbionts and seem to rely on symbiotic glucose. The lower glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase but higher glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase specific activities measured in bleached animals agree with a metabolic deficit mainly due to the loss of glucose from the ruptured symbiosis. These results corroborate previous observations on carbon translocation from symbiont to host in the sea anemone Exaiptasia, where glucose was proposed as a main translocated metabolite. To better understand photosynthate translocation and its regulation, additional research with other symbiotic cnidarians is needed, in particular, those with calcium carbonate skeletons.

V&#xed;ctor Hugo Molina

Ra&#xfa;l Eduardo Castillo-Medina

Patricia Elena Thom&#xe9;

Experimentally Induced Bleaching in the Sea Anemone Exaiptasia Supports Glucose as a Main Metabolite Associated with Its Symbiosis

The greatest threat to cetaceans in Sri Lankan waters was considered to be the direct take of small- and medium-sized cetaceans using harpoons and/or as bycatch until recently. However, ship strikes have probably been occurring for years but have not been recognized for what they were. For the current study, only animals with visible and prominent injuries related to collisions were evaluated. Data gathered between 2010 and 2014 included the species, morphometry, location, and date; tissue samples were collected for genetic analysis. When possible, a complete necropsy was conducted; otherwise, partial necropsies were conducted. The study confirmed 14 reports of ship strikes between whales and vessels out of all the strandings reported from 2010 to 2014. Most strikes (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="17.789pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2063904pt" id="M1" height="8.55521pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 17.789 8.55521"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-111" d="M495 86L479 114C446 82 419 66 409 66C401 66 401 72 406 97C420 166 436 231 453 297C489 435 454 448 428 448C406 448 384 439 354 422C305 394 222 327 161 247H159L183 345C200 415 194 448 173 448C143 448 82 410 23 351L38 325C64 349 95 371 105 371C111 371 116 365 109 336L25 -4L31 -12C50 -4 77 3 107 9C119 69 132 122 145 168C197 254 321 381 370 381C387 381 393 374 378 305L329 95C309 17 320 -12 345 -12C372 -12 430 19 495 86Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,10.158,0)"><path id="g117-34" d="M535 323V373H52V323H535ZM535 138V188H52V138H535Z"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="12.48pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2063904pt" height="8.55521pt" version="1.1" viewBox="21.3711838 -8.34882 12.48 8.55521"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.421,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,27.661,0)"><path id="g113-58" d="M244 635C114 635 38 519 38 422C38 317 111 240 217 240C236 240 255 244 277 256L345 292C311 140 203 39 59 15L64 -15C89 -15 150 -5 204 17C339 72 440 202 440 386C440 521 368 635 244 635ZM228 602C326 602 352 479 352 390C352 370 351 347 348 324C327 308 293 296 258 296C174 296 124 369 124 458C124 517 152 602 228 602Z"/></g></svg>, 64%) involved blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), although three other species were also documented, one Cuvier’s beaked whale, two great sperm whales, and one Bryde’s whale, as well as one unidentified baleen whale. Collision hotspots such as the southern waters of Sri Lanka are areas that warrant special attention in the form of vessel routing measures or speed limits, research on cetacean ecology, distribution, daily and seasonal movements, public service announcements, increased law enforcement presence, and other measures.

Ranil P. Nanayakkara

H. M. J. C. B. Herath

Report on 14 Large Whales That Died due to Ship Strikes off the Coast of Sri Lanka, 2010&#x2013;2014

Mud crab from the genus Scylla is also known as mangrove crab, which has been well-accepted as a good source of protein. Recently, the antioxidant properties present in mud crabs have been reported to have a part in the protection of cells against free radicals. Meanwhile, numerous antimicrobial peptides from mud crabs have managed to be characterized through the display of antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, this paper is an effort to collect recent literatures on antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in every part of mud crabs which include muscle tissue, hemolymph, and crab shell. Moreover, the effort to understand the biological properties of mud crabs is important to enhance its production in aquaculture industry. Therefore, this review hoped to attract the attention of natural product researchers to focus on the potential therapeutic applications of mud crabs.

Wan Roslina Wan Yusof

Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad

Mummedy Swamy

A Brief Review on the Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Peptides Revealed in Mud Crabs from the Genus of Scylla

Ocean sunfishes, with their peculiar morphology, large size, and surface habits, are valuable assets in ecotourism destinations worldwide. This study investigates site fidelity and long-range movements of short ocean sunfish, Mola ramsayi (Giglioli 1883), at Punta Vicente Roca (PVR) off Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands. Five individuals were tracked between 32 and 733 days using ultrasonic receivers and transmitters. Two of the 5 were also tracked with towed pop-off satellite tags. One travelled to the equatorial front covering 2700&#x2009;km in 53 days, with dive depths in the upper 360&#x2009;m at temperatures between 9.2&#xb0;C and 22&#xb0;C. During its westward travel, dives extended to 1112&#x2009;m (the deepest depth yet recorded for Molidae) into temperatures ranging between 4.5&#xb0;C and 23.2&#xb0;C. The remaining four individuals demonstrated site fidelity to PVR and were detected at the site between 128&#x2013;1361 times for a total of 3557 reports. Forty-eight percent of the reports occurred during daytime hours and 52&#x25; after dark. Presumed cleaning session durations had a median of 15 minutes and a maximum of nearly 100 minutes. No other ultrasonic arrays around Galapagos or in the Eastern Pacific regional network recorded the presence of tagged individuals. These data are combined with tourist vessel sightings and submersible observations to confirm Punta Vicente Roca as an important sunfish hotspot.

Tierney M. Thys

Alex R. Hearn

Kevin C. Weng

John P. Ryan

C&#xe9;sar Pe&#xf1;aherrera-Palma

Satellite Tracking and Site Fidelity of Short Ocean Sunfish, Mola ramsayi, in the Galapagos Islands

The octocoral Heliopora coerulea has emerged as one of the most dominant reef-building corals in the Bolinao Reef Complex, northern Philippines. One of the possible mechanisms that may contribute to the success of H. coerulea over scleractinian corals is its ability to compete effectively for space on the reef by inhibiting the settlement of coral larvae in its immediate vicinity. To determine whether H. coerulea can indeed inhibit larval recruitment, settlement tiles were deployed inside H. coerulea aggregations or on hard substrate at a distance of about 2 to 3 meters away. After three months of deployment, only a single H. coerulea recruit was observed on tiles placed within aggregations whereas many different coral recruits were observed on tiles placed on substrate away from the blue coral. These results suggest that adult H. coerulea can inhibit the settlement of scleractinian larvae. This effect may be mediated by various mechanisms, such as the production of allelopathic compounds, deployment of mesenterial filaments, and sweeper tentacles. However, further studies are needed to determine the modes of competition that are used by the coral.

Michael Atrigenio

Porfirio Ali&#xf1;o

Cecilia Conaco

Influence of the Blue Coral Heliopora coerulea on Scleractinian Coral Larval Recruitment

About this journal

Journal of Marine Sciences publishes original research articles as well as review articles&nbsp;in all areas of marine sciences including marine biology, oceanography, hydrology, coastal processes, technological developments, climate change, and policy.

Journal profile

Meet the editorial board

Journal of Marine Sciences maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

Editor spotlight

Submit your proposal

Do you think there is an emerging area of research that really needs to be highlighted? Or an existing research area that has been overlooked or would benefit from deeper investigation? Raise the profile of a research area by leading a Special Issue.

Special Issues

Author guidelines

Editorial board

Databases and indexing

Journal of Marine Sciences - Table of contents 2017

title

Journal of Marine Sciences publishes original research articles as well as review articles in all areas of marine sciences including marine biology, oceanography, hydrology, coastal processes, technological developments, climate change, and policy.

Journal of Marine Sciences