MEDUSA: Marine benthic Ecological Data from Underwater imagery Surveys of sub-Antarctic Crozet environments.

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the sub-Antarctic Crozet archipelago is located in a region facing significant environmental changes impacting a poorly known marine biodiversity. Underwater imagery constitutes a valuable non-invasive approach for gathering ecological data and improving our knowledge of ecosystems' vulnerability. We here compiled two datasets, encompassing 17 video-imagery surveys of Crozet nearshore environments conducted in 2021 and 2022 at two sites of Ile de la Possession: Baie du Marin and Crique du Sphinx.

In situ mapping of biomineral skeletal proteins by molecular recognition imaging with antibody-functionalized AFM tips.

Spatial localizing of skeletal proteins in biogenic minerals remains a challenge in biomineralization research. To address this goal, we developed a novel in situ mapping technique based on molecular recognition measurements via atomic force microscopy (AFM), which requires three steps: (1) the development and purification of a polyclonal antibody elicited against the target protein, (2) its covalent coupling to a silicon nitride AFM tip ('functionalization'), and (3) scanning of an appropriately prepared biomineral surface. We applied this approach to a soluble shell protein - accripin11 - recently identified as a major component of the calcitic prisms of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis [1].

Molecular characterization of accripin11, a soluble shell protein with an acidic C-terminus, identified in the prismatic layer of the Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis (Bivalvia, Pteriomorphia).

We have identified a novel shell protein, accripin11, as a major soluble component of the calcitic prisms of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis. Initially retrieved from a cDNA library, its full sequence is confirmed here by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. The sequence of the mature protein is 103 residues with a theoretical molecular weight of 11 kDa and is moderately acidic (pI 6.

Coccidial oocyst release: once a day or all day long? Tropical bird hosts shed new light on the adaptive significance of diurnal periodicity in parasite output.

Many parasites spend part of their life cycle as infectious forms released from an infected host in the external environment, where they may encounter and infect new hosts. The emergence of infectious life stages often occurs once a day to minimize mortality in adverse environments. In bird hosts, intestinal parasites such as coccidia are generally released with feces in the late afternoon.

Origin of the natural variation in the storage of dietary carotenoids in freshwater amphipod crustaceans.

Carotenoids are diverse lipophilic natural pigments which are stored in variable amounts by animals. Given the multiple biological functions of carotenoids, such variation may have strong implications in evolutionary biology. Crustaceans such as Gammarus amphipods store large amounts of these pigments and inter-population variation occurs.