Effects of environmental factors on the oxidative status of Anemonia viridis in aquaculture systems.

Due to its depletion in natural settings, the potential for aquaculture of the cnidarian Anemonia viridis is currently attracting research interest. Knowledge about the physiology of this species is necessary to ensure optimal development of, and well-being in, aquaculture. This study tested the effects of different abiotic (limited sunlight, brackish water) and biotic (integrated multitrophic aquaculture or IMTA) conditions on A.

A single-container procedure for multiple genomic DNA samples preparation for pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Genomic DNA preparation is a critical step for successful fingerprinting analysis by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). This paper presents a simple and rapid protocol to prepare DNA samples from up to 24 bacterial isolates simultaneously. It involves performing the conventional PFGE sample preparation steps (cell growth and harvest, agarose-immobilization of intact cells, and DNA release and purification) into a 24-wells culture plate, without subjecting the biological material to repeated transference of containers.

How to stay together? Habitat use by three sympatric sharks in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Sharks are top predators and play an important role in the regulation of marine ecosystems at lower trophic position. Mustelus californicus, Sphyrna zygaena, and Isurus oxyrinchus prove to be important fishery resources along the western coast of Baja California Sur and cohabit the same coastal areas, probably sharing resources. However, our knowledge about ecological dynamics of multiple species coexisting and sharing similar habitat resources is still limited, particularly for predators such as sharks.

Mercury, selenium and cadmium in juvenile blue (Prionace glauca) and smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) sharks from the Northwest Mexican Pacific coast.

Cadmium, selenium, and mercury concentrations were measured in muscle and liver of juvenile blue (Prionace glauca) and smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) sharks caught on the west coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, to evaluate the human health risk associated with its consumption. Cd and Hg were lower than the maximum allowable limit for human consumption established by the Mexican government (Hg = 1.0 μg g and Cd = 0.

Mercury and selenium concentrations in different tissues of brown smooth-hound shark (Mustelus henlei) from the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A study on mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations in the liver and muscle of brown smooth-hound shark Mustelus henlei and its principal prey items, was conducted in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Average Hg concentrations were found to be high in the muscle than in the liver; however, Hg concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits, and hence, the consumption of this species does not constitute a risk to human health. The mean Se concentrations were higher in the liver than in the muscle.

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of Cd in commercially sought brown smoothhound Mustelus henlei in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A study on cadmium concentration in Mustelus henlei (liver and muscle) was carried out in an area influenced by natural phosphorite deposits and coastal upwelling. Our results indicate that liver (0.96 μg/g) concentrations were higher compared to the muscle (0.