Mismatch between the ecological processes driving early life-stage dynamics of bivalves at two contrasting French Polynesian lagoons.

The pearl-farming industry depends mostly on the natural recruitment of pearl oysters. Little is known about the relative influence of different ecological processes on the natural recruitment of pearl oysters across biogeographical scales. Spatio-temporal dynamics of bivalve larvae and spats were described at Ahe and Mangareva, 1500 km apart across French Polynesia.

Effects of elevated temperature and CO on the respiration, biomineralization and photophysiology of the giant clam .

Many reef organisms, such as the giant clams, are confronted with global change effects. Abnormally high seawater temperatures can lead to mass bleaching events and subsequent mortality, while ocean acidification may impact biomineralization processes. Despite its strong ecological and socio-economic importance, its responses to these threats still need to be explored.

Influence of temperature and pearl rotation on biomineralization in the pearl oyster, .

The objective of this study was to observe the impact of temperature on pearl formation using an integrative approach describing the rotation of the pearls, the rate of nacre deposition, the thickness of the aragonite tablets and the biomineralizing potential of the pearl sac tissue though the expression level of some key genes. Fifty pearl oysters were grafted with magnetized nuclei to allow the rotation of the pearls to be described. Four months later, 32 of these pearl oysters were exposed to four temperatures (22, 26, 30 and 34°C) for 2 weeks.

Trophic status of earthen ponds used for semi-intensive shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris, Stimpson, 1874) farming in New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean).

We have investigated temporal variability in the quantity and biochemical composition of sediment organic matter along with variables proxies of water eutrophication (e.g., inorganic nutrient and chlorophyll-a) at two shrimp farms located in the Southern coast of New Caledonia and characterised by clear differences in shrimp feeding practices and levels of initial trophic conditions.

Brachidontes variabilis and Patella sp. as quantitative biological indicators for cadmium, lead and mercury in the Lebanese coastal waters.

The mussel, Brachidontes variabilis, and the limpet, Patella sp., were used as indicators to monitor cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations along the Lebanese coast. Studies were carried out in order to define the best strategy for assessing and minimizing the effects of size and physiological condition on the metal contents of the molluscs, and corrective models were constructed.

[Phytoplankton ecology along the French coasts: inter-site comparison].

The aim of this study is to characterize the large-scale geographical structures of microphytoplankton communities along French coasts. Once the temporal variability component shared by all sampled coastal sites was identified, and seasonal succession of microphytoplankton communities was described. A between-site analysis, using multiable comparison methods (STATIS), allowed the identification of three large areas according to the temporal variability patterns of microphytoplankton populations.

Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in mussels and oysters in France and the United States.

This paper compares data of 15 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations from two monitoring programs: the French Rdseau National d'Observation de la qualité du milieu marin (RNO) and the Mussel Watch project of the U.S. National Status and Trends (NST) program.

Integrated biomarker response: a useful tool for ecological risk assessment.

A battery of biomarkers is often used to evaluate the effects of exposure to chemical contaminants and detect responses to environmental stress. Unfortunately, field application of biomarkers is subject to various constraints (e.g.