Publications

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aversive responses by shore crabs to acetic acid but not to capsaicin.nociception is the ability to encode and perceive harmful stimuli and allows for a rapid reflexive withdrawal. in some species, nociception might be accompanied by a pain experience, which is a negative feeling that allows for longer-term changes in behaviour. different types of stimuli may affect nociceptors, but in crustaceans there is conflicting evidence about the ability to respond to chemical stimuli. this study attempts to resolve this situation by testing behavioural responses of the com ...201728365460
non-indigenous predators threaten ecosystem engineers: interactive effects of green crab and oyster size on american oyster mortality.non-indigenous green crabs (carcinus maenas) are emerging as important predators of autogenic engineers like american oysters (crassostrea virginica) throughout the eastern seaboard of canada and the united states. to document the spreading distribution of green crabs, we carried out surveys in seven sites of prince edward island during three fall seasons. to assess the potential impact of green crabs on oyster mortality in relation to predator and prey size, we conducted multiple predator-prey ...201728336053
moving beyond linear food chains: trait-mediated indirect interactions in a rocky intertidal food web.in simple, linear food chains, top predators can have positive indirect effects on basal resources by causing changes in the traits (e.g. behaviour, feeding rates) of intermediate consumers. although less is known about trait-mediated indirect interactions (tmiis) in more complex food webs, it has been suggested that such complexity dampens trophic cascades. we examined tmiis between a predatory crab (carcinus maenas) and two ecologically important basal resources, fucoid algae (ascophyllum nodo ...201728330919
parahepatospora carcini n. gen., n. sp., a parasite of invasive carcinus maenas with intermediate features of sporogony between the enterocytozoon clade and other microsporidia.parahepatospora carcini n. gen. n. sp., is a novel microsporidian parasite discovered infecting the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of a single carcinus maenas specimen. the crab was sampled from within its invasive range in atlantic canada (nova scotia). histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were used to show the development of the parasite within a simple interfacial membrane, culminating in the formation of unikaryotic spores with 5-6 turns of an isofilar pol ...201727993617
localization and expression of molt-inhibiting hormone and nitric oxide synthase in the central nervous system of the green shore crab, carcinus maenas, and the blackback land crab, gecarcinus lateralis.in decapod crustaceans, molting is controlled by the pulsatile release of molt-inhibiting hormone (mih) from neurosecretory cells in the x-organ/sinus gland (xo/sg) complex in the eyestalk ganglia (esg). a drop in mih release triggers molting by activating the molting gland or y-organ (yo). post-transcriptional mechanisms ultimately control mih levels in the hemolymph. neurotransmitter-mediated electrical activity controls ca(2+)-dependent vesicular release of mih from the sg axon terminals, whi ...201727989866
acute exposure to high environmental ammonia (hea) triggers the emersion response in the green shore crab.the physiological effects of high environmental ammonia (hea) exposure have been well documented in many aquatic species. in particular, it has recently been demonstrated that exposure to ammonia in fish leads to a similar hyperventilatory response as observed during exposure to hypoxia. in littoral crabs, such as the green crab (carcinus maenas), exposure to severe hypoxia triggers an emersion response whereby crabs escape hypoxia to breathe air. we hypothesized that exposure to hea in green cr ...201727863254
refuge quality impacts the strength of nonconsumptive effects on prey.prey often retreat into the safety of refuges for protection from predators. this shift into refuge can reduce foraging opportunities, escalating the costs of risk and the strength of nonconsumptive effects. such costs, however, may be shaped by the variation in resources that refuges harbor for prey foraging (i.e., refuge quality), and change dynamically via impacts on prey state. despite its potential importance, we lack an explicit understanding of how refuge quality impacts prey performance ...201727861773
characterization and antimicrobial evaluation of sppr-amp1, a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide from the mud crab scylla paramamosain.antimicrobial peptide (amp) is an important molecule in the innate immune system. here, we report the cloning and functional studies of proline-rich amps (pr-amps) from the three species of mud crab: scylla paramamosain, s. serrata, and the swimming crab portunus pelagicus. the deduced peptides revealed that they contain the putative signal peptides and encode for mature peptides, which contain sequence architecture similar to a 6.5-kda proline-rich amp of the shore crab, carcinus maenas which s ...201728479344
species-specific crab predation on the hydrozoan clinging jellyfish gonionemus sp. (cnidaria, hydrozoa), subsequent crab mortality, and possible ecological consequences.here we report a unique trophic interaction between the cryptogenic and sometimes highly toxic hydrozoan clinging jellyfish gonionemus sp. and the spider crab libinia dubia. we assessed species-specific predation on the gonionemus medusae by crabs found in eelgrass meadows in massachusetts, usa. the native spider crab species l. dubia consumed gonionemus medusae, often enthusiastically, but the invasive green crab carcinus maenus avoided consumption in all trials. one out of two blue crabs (call ...201729085761
hypoxia increases the risk of egg predation in a nest-guarding fish.for fish with parental care, a nest should meet both the oxygenation needs of the eggs and help protect them against predators. while a small nest opening facilitates the latter, it impedes the former and vice versa. we investigated how the presence of potential egg predators in the form of shore crabs carcinus maenas affects nest building, egg fanning, defensive displays and filial cannibalism of egg-guarding male sand gobies pomatoschistus minutus under two levels of dissolved oxygen. in the h ...201627853611
localization and identification of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone producing neurosecretory cells in the eyestalk of blue swimmer crab, portunus pelagicus.this study intensely focuses on to the localization and identification of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (chh) producing neurosecretory cells in the eyestalk of the blue swimmer crab portunus pelagicus. anti-carcinus maenas-chh was used to identify the location of chh neurosecretory cells by immunohistochemistry. ten pairs of eyestalks were collected from intact adult intermoult female crab and fixed in bouin's fixative. eyestalks were serially sectioned and stained with chrome-hematoxylin-phl ...201627460068
effects of an offshore wind farm (owf) on the common shore crab carcinus maenas: tagging pilot experiments in the lillgrund offshore wind farm (sweden).worldwide growth of offshore renewable energy production will provide marine organisms with new hard substrate for colonization in terms of artificial reefs. the artificial reef effect is important when planning offshore installations since it can create habitat enhancement. wind power is the most advanced technology within offshore renewable energy sources and there is an urgent need to study its impacts on the marine environment. to test the hypothesis that offshore wind power increases the ab ...201627780212
community shelter use in response to two benthic decapod predators in the long island sound.to investigate community shelter effects of two invasive decapod species, hemigrapsus sanguineus and carcinus maenas, in the long island sound (lis), we deployed artificial shelters in the intertidal and immediate subtidal zones. these consisted of five groups during the summer: a control, a resident h. sanguineus male or female group, and a resident c. maenas male or female group. we quantified utilization of the shelters at 24 h by counting crabs and fish present. we found significant avoidanc ...201627547570
effects of salinity on short-term waterborne zinc uptake, accumulation and sub-lethal toxicity in the green shore crab (carcinus maenas).waterborne zinc (zn) is known to cause toxicity to freshwater animals primarily by disrupting calcium (ca) homeostasis during acute exposure, but its effects in marine and estuarine animals are not well characterized. the present study investigated the effects of salinity on short-term zn accumulation and sub-lethal toxicity in the euryhaline green shore crab, carcinus maenas. the kinetic and pharmacological properties of short-term branchial zn uptake were also examined. green crabs (n=10) were ...201627486083
ocean acidification affects marine chemical communication by changing structure and function of peptide signalling molecules.ocean acidification is a global challenge that faces marine organisms in the near future with a predicted rapid drop in ph of up to 0.4 units by the end of this century. effects of the change in ocean carbon chemistry and ph on the development, growth and fitness of marine animals are well documented. recent evidence also suggests that a range of chemically mediated behaviours and interactions in marine fish and invertebrates will be affected. marine animals use chemical cues, for example, to de ...201627353732
expansion of the neuropeptidome of the globally invasive marine crab carcinus maenas.carcinus maenas is widely recognized as one of the world's most successful marine invasive species; its success as an invader is due largely to its ability to thrive under varied environmental conditions. the physiological/behavioral control systems that allow c. maenas to adapt to new environments are undoubtedly under hormonal control, the largest single class of hormones being peptides. while numerous studies have focused on identifying native c. maenas peptides, none has taken advantage of m ...201627179880
the small subunit rrna gene sequence of the chonotrich chilodochona carcini jankowski, 1973 confirms chonotrichs as a dysteriid-derived clade (phyllopharyngea, ciliophora).the chonotrichs are sessile ciliated protozoa that are ectosymbiotic on the body parts of a variety of crustaceans. they have long been considered a separate group because their sessile habit has resulted in the evolution of a very divergent body form and reproductive strategy compared to free-living ciliates. in the mid-20th century, the free-living dysteriid cyrtophorian ciliates were proposed as a potential sister clade because the chonotrich bud or daughter cell showed similarities during di ...201627151876
fatty acids of densely packed embryos of carcinus maenas reveal homogeneous maternal provisioning and no within-brood variation at hatching.embryonic development of decapod crustaceans relies on yolk reserves supplied to offspring through maternal provisioning. unequal partitioning of nutritional reserves during oogenesis, as well as fluctuating environmental conditions during incubation, can be sources of within-brood variability. ultimately, this potential variability may promote the occurrence of newly hatched larvae with differing yolk reserves and an unequal ability to endure starvation and/or suboptimal feeding during their ea ...201627132134
effect of microplastic on the gills of the shore crab carcinus maenas.microscopic plastic debris (microplastics, <5 mm in diameter) is ubiquitous in the marine environment. previous work has shown that microplastics may be ingested and inhaled by the shore crab carcinus maenas, although the biological consequences are unknown. here, we show that acute aqueous exposure to polystyrene microspheres (8 μm) with different surface coatings had significant but transient effects on branchial function. microspheres inhaled into the gill chamber had a small but significant ...201627070459
neuroendocrine disruption in the shore crab carcinus maenas: effects of serotonin and fluoxetine on chh- and mih-gene expression, glycaemia and ecdysteroid levels.serotonin, a highly conserved neurotransmitter, controls many biological functions in vertebrates, but also in invertebrates. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris), such as fluoxetine, are commonly used in human medication to ease depression by affecting serotonin levels. their residues and metabolites can be detected in the aquatic environment and its biota. they may also alter serotonin levels in aquatic invertebrates, thereby perturbing physiological functions. to investigate whethe ...201627060239
scaling the consequences of interactions between invaders from the individual to the population level.the impact of human-induced stressors, such as invasive species, is often measured at the organismal level, but is much less commonly scaled up to the population level. interactions with invasive species represent an increasingly common source of stressor in many habitats. however, due to the increasing abundance of invasive species around the globe, invasive species now commonly cause stresses not only for native species in invaded areas, but also for other invasive species. i examine the europ ...201626929814
the role of an ancestral hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated k+ channel in branchial acid-base regulation in the green crab, carcinus maenas.numerous electrophysiological studies on branchial k(+) transport in brachyuran crabs have established an important role for potassium channels in osmoregulatory ion uptake and ammonia excretion in the gill epithelium of decapod crustaceans. however, hardly anything is known of the actual nature of these channels in crustaceans. in the present study, the identification of a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel (hcn) in the transcriptome of the green crab carcinus ...201626787479
modelling the biological invasion of carcinus maenas (the european green crab).this paper proposes a system of integro-difference equations to model the spread of carcinus maenas, commonly called the european green crab, that causes severe damage to coastal ecosystems. a model with juvenile and adult classes is first studied. here, standard theory of monotone operators for integro-difference equations can be applied and yields explicit formulas for the asymptotic spreading speeds of the juvenile and adult crabs. a second model including an infected class is considered by i ...201626673728
laboratory simulation system, using carcinus maenas as the model organism, for assessing the impact of co2 leakage from sub-seabed injection and storage.the capture and storage of co2 in sub-seabed geological formations has been proposed as one of the potential options to decrease atmospheric co2 concentrations in order to mitigate the abrupt and irreversible consequences of climate change. however, it is possible that co2 leakages could occur during the injection and sequestration procedure, with significant repercussions for the marine environment. we investigate the effects of acidification derived from possible co2 leakage events on the euro ...201626599590
using environmental proteomics to assess pollutant response of carcinus maenas along the tunisian coast.biochemical responses to pollutants were studied at four tunisia littoral sites using carcinus maenas as a bioindicator. proteomic analysis was used to assess the global impact of complex pollution mixtures, and to provide new biomarkers and basic insights into pollutant toxicity. metal contents and metallothionein levels followed a gradient based on sampling sites: bizerte ≫ teboulba > gargour~mahres. approximately 900 and 700 spots were resolved in digestive glands and gills, respectively. gil ...201626402481
physiological responses to digestion in low salinity in the crabs carcinus maenas and cancer irroratus.osmoregulation and digestion are energetically demanding, and crabs that move into low salinity environments to feed must be able to balance the demands of both processes. achieving this balance may pose greater challenges for weak than for efficient osmoregulators. this study examined the rate of oxygen consumption (mo2) of carcinus maenas (efficient osmoregulator) and cancer irroratus (weak osmoregulator) as a function of feeding and hyposaline stress. the mo2 increased 2-fold in both species ...201626459987
seed predation by the shore crab carcinus maenas: a positive feedback preventing eelgrass recovery?there is an increasing interest to restore the ecosystem services that eelgrass provides, after their continuous worldwide decline. most attempts to restore eelgrass using seeds are challenged by very high seed losses and the reasons for these losses are not all clear. we assess the impact of predation on seed loss and eelgrass establishment, and explore methods to decrease seed loss during restoration in the swedish northwest coast. in a laboratory study we identified three previously undescrib ...201627977802
pathogenesis and autointerference in a virus disease of crabs.the course of an infection apparently caused by a filterable virus of the blood of the shore crab. carcinus maenas, has been experimentally studied in this host both at roscoff, france. where it was originally found, and at woods hole, mass., where the local species was also found susceptible. although a portion of the infected animals die with the symptoms of inadequate blood clotting, recovery of this function occurred promptly in about two-thirds of the animals. half of the animals that recov ...20164857421
an autoradiographical study of the localization of the uptake of glutamate by the peripheral nerves of the crab, carcinus maenas (l.). 20164822879
similarities between decapod and insect neuropeptidomes.background. neuropeptides are important regulators of physiological processes and behavior. although they tend to be generally well conserved, recent results using trancriptome sequencing on decapod crustaceans give the impression of significant differences between species, raising the question whether such differences are real or artefacts. methods. the blast+ program was used to find short reads coding neuropeptides and neurohormons in publicly available short read archives. such reads were th ...201627257538
the bacterial (vibrio alginolyticus) production of tetrodotoxin in the ribbon worm lineus longissimus-just a false positive?we test previous claims that the bacteria vibrio alginolyticus produces tetrodotoxin (ttx) when living in symbiosis with the nemertean lineus longissimus by a setup with bacteria cultivation for ttx production. toxicity experiments on the shore crab, carcinus maenas, demonstrated the presence of a paralytic toxin, but evidence from lc-ms and electrophysiological measurements of voltage-gated sodium channel-dependent nerve conductance in male wistar rat tissue showed conclusively that this effect ...201627023570
evaluation of fixed wavelength fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry as a biomonitoring tool of environmental contamination.a field study was carried out to investigate whether polyaromatic hydrocarbon (pah) contamination in shore crabs (carcinus maenas) could be measured using fluorescence spectrometry. crabs were collected as part of an integrated study to assess pah contamination in southampton water, uk. urine was collected from crabs via a non-destructive technique and analysed using fixed wavelength fluorescence (ff) and synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry (sfs) in order to determine the presence of pah ...201615178045
a comparison of the methods of molt staging according to drach and to adelung in the common shore crab, carcinus maenas. 20164281203
assessing the effects of trematode infection on invasive green crabs in eastern north america.a common signature of marine invasions worldwide is a significant loss of parasites (= parasite escape) in non-native host populations, which may confer a release from some of the harmful effects of parasitism (e.g., castration, energy extraction, immune activation, behavioral manipulation) and possibly enhance the success of non-indigenous species. in eastern north america, the notorious invader carcinus maenas (european green crab) has escaped more than two-thirds its native parasite load. how ...201526030816
de novo assembly of the carcinus maenas transcriptome and characterization of innate immune system pathways.the european shore crab, carcinus maenas, is used widely in biomonitoring, ecotoxicology and for studies into host-pathogen interactions. it is also an important invasive species in numerous global locations. however, the genomic resources for this organism are still sparse, limiting research progress in these fields. to address this resource shortfall we produced a c. maenas transcriptome, enabled by the progress in next-generation sequencing technologies, and applied this to assemble informati ...201526076827
[amitoses in the digestive gland of the grass crab (carcinus maenas)]. 20154451463
unravelling polar lipids dynamics during embryonic development of two sympatric brachyuran crabs (carcinus maenas and necora puber) using lipidomics.embryogenesis is an important stage of marine invertebrates with bi-phasic life cycles, as it conditions their larval and adult life. throughout embryogenesis, phospholipids (pl) play a key role as an energy source, as well as constituents of biological membranes. however, the dynamics of pl during embryogenesis in marine invertebrates is still poorly studied. the present work used a lipidomic approach to determine how polar lipid profiles shift during embryogenesis in two sympatric estuarine cr ...201526419891
lack of adult novel northern lineages of invasive green crab carcinus maenas along much of the northern us atlantic coast.introduced over 200 yr ago to the east coast of north america, carcinus maenas now ranges from new york to newfoundland. in the 1980s, a secondary invasion of european lineages, termed northern haplotypes, occurred in nova scotia. young-of-the-year sampled in 2007 revealed that northern haplotypes were present in low frequencies at several northwestern atlantic sites as far south as new york; a model predicted an increase in their range and frequency over time. we collected samples in 2013 and 2 ...201528127110
nitric oxide production and sequestration in the sinus gland of the green shore crab carcinus maenas.molting in decapod crustaceans is regulated by molt-inhibiting hormone (mih), a neuropeptide produced in the x-organ (xo)/sinus gland (sg) complex of the eyestalk ganglia (esg). pulsatile release of mih from the sg suppresses ecdysteroidogenesis by the molting gland or y-organ (yo). the hypothesis is that nitric oxide (no), a neuromodulator that controls neurotransmitter release at presynaptic membranes, depresses the frequency and/or amount of mih pulses to induce molting. no synthase (nos) mrn ...201525452501
effects of predation risk across a latitudinal temperature gradient.the nonconsumptive effects (nces) of predators on prey behavior and physiology can influence the structure and function of ecological communities. however, the strength of nces should depend on the physiological and environmental contexts in which prey must choose between food and safety. for ectotherms, temperature effects on metabolism and foraging rates may shape these choices, thereby altering nce strength. we examined nces in a rocky intertidal food chain across a latitudinal sea surface te ...201525433694
abundance of non-native crabs in intertidal habitats of new england with natural and artificial structure.marine habitats containing complex physical structure (e.g., crevices) can provide shelter from predation for benthic invertebrates. to examine effects of natural and artificial structure on the abundance of intertidal juvenile crabs, 2 experiments were conducted in kingston bay, massachusetts, usa, from july to september, 2012. in the first experiment, structure was manipulated in a two-factor design that was placed in the high intertidal for 3 one-week periods to test for both substrate type ( ...201526401456
low salinity enhances ni-mediated oxidative stress and sub-lethal toxicity to the green shore crab (carcinus maenas).nickel (ni) is a metal of environmental concern, known to cause toxicity to freshwater organisms by impairing ionoregulation and/or respiratory gas exchange, and by inducing oxidative stress. however, little is known regarding how nickel toxicity is influenced by salinity. in the current study we investigated the salinity-dependence and mechanisms of sub-lethal ni toxicity in a euryhaline crab (carcinus maenas). crabs were acclimated to three experimental salinities--20, 60 and 100% seawater (sw ...201526233920
size-balanced community reorganization in response to nutrients and warming.it is widely accepted that global warming will adversely affect ecological communities. as ecosystems are simultaneously exposed to other anthropogenic influences, it is important to address the effects of climate change in the context of many stressors. nutrient enrichment might offset some of the energy demands that warming can exert on organisms by stimulating growth at the base of the food web. it is important to know whether indirect effects of warming will be as ecologically significant as ...201526147063
transcriptome sequencing reveals both neutral and adaptive genome dynamics in a marine invader.species invasions cause significant ecological and economic damage, and genetic information is important to understanding and managing invasive species. in the ocean, many invasive species have high dispersal and gene flow, lowering the discriminatory power of traditional genetic approaches. high-throughput sequencing holds tremendous promise for increasing resolution and illuminating the relative contributions of selection and drift in marine invasion, but has not yet been used to compare the d ...201526118396
adaptive considerations of temperature dependence of neuromuscular function in two species of summer- and winter-caught crab (carcinus maenas and cancer pagurus).the aim of this study was to determine seasonal differences in the temperature dependence of neuromuscular parameters of the dactylopodite walking leg closer muscle in two species of freshly caught summer and winter decapod crabs. the relatively stenothermal cancer pagurus (cp) and eurythermal carcinus maenas (cm) muscle resting potential (rp) hyperpolarised significantly with increasing experimental temperature. the muscle rp in cm was seasonally dependent at acute temperatures above 20 °c wher ...201525994492
making sense of nickel accumulation and sub-lethal toxic effects in saline waters: fate and effects of nickel in the green crab, carcinus maenas.in freshwater, invertebrates nickel (ni) is considered an ionoregulatory toxicant, but its mechanism of toxicity in marine settings, and how this varies with salinity, is poorly understood. this study investigated ni accumulation and physiological mechanisms of sub-lethal ni toxicity in the euryhaline green crab carcinus maenas. male crabs were exposed to 8.2μg/l (the us epa chronic criterion concentration for salt waters) of waterborne ni (radiolabelled with (63)ni) at three different salinitie ...201525914092
biochemical and physiological responses of carcinus maenas to temperature and the fungicide azoxystrobin.research on the effects of thermal stress is currently pertinent as climate change is expected to cause more severe climate-driven events. carcinus maenas, a recognised estuarine model organism, was selected to test temperature-dependence of azoxystrobin toxicity, a widely applied fungicide. crabs' responses were assessed after a 10-d acclimation at different temperatures (5°c, 22°c, and 27°c) of which the last 72h were of exposure to an environmental concentration of azoxystrobin. sod and gst a ...201525835271
n-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase activity in feral carcinus maenas exposed to cadmium.cadmium is a priority hazardous substance, persistent in the aquatic environment, with the capacity to interfere with crustacean moulting. moulting is a vital process dictating crustacean growth, reproduction and metamorphosis. however, for many organisms, moult disruption is difficult to evaluate in the short term, what limits its inclusion in monitoring programmes. n-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (nagase) is an enzyme acting in the final steps of the endocrine-regulated moulting cascade, allowing ...201525560650
consistent individual differences in haemolymph density reflect risk propensity in a marine invertebrate.while the literature on consistent individual differences in correlated suites of physiological and behavioural traits is steadily growing for vertebrates, invertebrates have received less attention. the few studies that do exist have measured temporary physiological states (or responses), rather than consistent individual physiological traits. here, i explore the consistency of individual differences in physiology and behaviour of n=53 shore crabs (carcinus maenas) by repeatedly measuring haemo ...201526543575
ingestion of plastic microfibers by the crab carcinus maenas and its effect on food consumption and energy balance.microscopic plastic fragments (<5 mm) are a worldwide conservation issue, polluting both coastal and marine environments. fibers are the most prominent plastic type reported in the guts of marine organisms, but their effects once ingested are unknown. this study investigated the fate of polypropylene rope microfibers (1-5 mm in length) ingested by the crab carcinus maenas and the consequences for the crab's energy budget. in chronic 4 week feeding studies, crabs that ingested food containing mic ...201526529464
expression and distribution of neuropeptides in the nervous system of the crab carcinus maenas and their roles in environmental stress.environmental fluctuations, such as salinity, impose serious challenges to marine animal survival. neuropeptides, signaling molecules involved in the regulation process, and the dynamic changes of their full complement in the stress response have yet to be investigated. here, a maldi-ms-based stable isotope labeling quantitation strategy was used to investigate the relationship between neuropeptide expression and adaptability of carcinus maenas to various salinity levels, including high (60 part ...201526475201
sertraline accumulation and effects in the estuarine decapod carcinus maenas: importance of the history of exposure to chemical stress.sertraline is widely prescribed worldwide and frequently detected in aquatic systems. there is, however, a remarkable gap of information on its potential impact on estuarine and coastal invertebrates. this study investigated sertraline accumulation and effects in carcinus maenas. crabs from a moderately contaminated (lima) and a low-impacted (minho) estuary were exposed to environmental and high levels of sertraline (0.05, 5, 500 μg l(-1)). a battery of biomarkers related to sertraline mode of a ...201525305364
identification of biomarkers responsive to chronic exposure to pharmaceuticals in target tissues of carcinus maenas.a 28-day bioassay was performed with carcinus maenas to evaluate chronic effects caused by exposure to caffeine and ibuprofen (0.1-50 μg l(-1)) in sea water. lysosomal membrane stability (lms) was evaluated in hemolymph applying the neutral red retention assay (nrra); several biomarkers including ethoxyresorufin o-deethylase (erod), dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase (dbf), glutathione s-transferase (gst), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), lipid peroxidation (lpo) and dna damage were studied in gill, he ...201523562135
generational spreading speed and the dynamics of population range expansion.some of the most fundamental quantities in population ecology describe the growth and spread of populations. population dynamics are often characterized by the annual rate of increase, λ, or the generational rate of increase, r0. analyses involving r0 have deepened our understanding of disease dynamics and life-history complexities beyond that afforded by analysis of annual growth alone. while range expansion is quantified by the annual spreading speed, a spatial analog of λ, an r0-like expressi ...201526655354
[the effect of potassium, rubidium and cesium ions on the resting potential of muscle fibers of the crab carcinus maenas]. 201514244498
[on the use of single nerve fibers of the crab carcinus maenas for the study of biopotentials]. 201514183882
mechanistic target of rapamycin (mtor) signaling genes in decapod crustaceans: cloning and tissue expression of mtor, akt, rheb, and p70 s6 kinase in the green crab, carcinus maenas, and blackback land crab, gecarcinus lateralis.mechanistic target of rapamycin (mtor) controls global translation of mrna into protein by phosphorylating p70 s6 kinase (s6k) and eif4e-binding protein-1. akt and rheb, a gtp-binding protein, regulate mtor protein kinase activity. molting in crustaceans is regulated by ecdysteroids synthesized by a pair of molting glands, or y-organs (yos), located in the cephalothorax. during premolt, the yos hypertrophy and increase production of ecdysteroids. rapamycin (1μm) inhibited ecdysteroid secretion i ...201424269559
molt regulation in green and red color morphs of the crab carcinus maenas: gene expression of molt-inhibiting hormone signaling components.in decapod crustaceans, regulation of molting is controlled by the x-organ/sinus gland complex in the eyestalks. the complex secretes molt-inhibiting hormone (mih), which suppresses production of ecdysteroids by the y-organ (yo). mih signaling involves nitric oxide and cgmp in the yo, which expresses nitric oxide synthase (nos) and no-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (gc-i). molting can generally be induced by eyestalk ablation (esa), which removes the primary source of mih, or by multiple leg autotom ...201424198255
novel sheathless ce-ms interface as an original and powerful infusion platform for nanoesi study: from intact proteins to high molecular mass noncovalent complexes.development of nano-electrospray (nanoesi) sources allowed to increase significantly the sensitivity which is often lacking when studying biological noncovalent assemblies. however, the flow rate used to infuse the sample into the mass spectrometer cannot be precisely controlled with nanoesi and the robustness of the system could represent an issue. in this study, we have used a sheathless capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (cesi) prototype as a nanoesi infusion device. the hydrodynamic ...201423881366
joint effects of salinity and the antidepressant sertraline on the estuarine decapod carcinus maenas.concurrent exposure of estuarine organisms to man-made and natural stressors has become a common occurrence. numerous interactions of multiple stressors causing synergistic or antagonistic effects have been described. however, limited information is available on combined effects of emerging pharmaceuticals and natural stressors. this study investigated the joint effects of the antidepressant sertraline and salinity on carcinus maenas. to improve knowledge about interactive effects and potential ...201425217761
temporal characterization of mercury accumulation at different trophic levels and implications for metal biomagnification along a coastal food web.the main goal of this study was to assess temporal mercury variations along an estuarine food web to evaluate the mercury contamination level of the system and the risks that humans are exposed to, due to mercury biomagnification. the highest mercury concentrations in the sediments and primary producers (macrophytes) were observed during winter sampling. instead, the highest mercury concentrations in the water, suspended particulate matter as well as in the zooplanktonic and suprabenthic communi ...201425172612
hemigrapsus sanguineus in long island salt marshes: experimental evaluation of the interactions between an invasive crab and resident ecosystem engineers.the invasive asian shore crab, hemigrapsus sanguineus, has recently been observed occupying salt marshes, a novel environment for this crab species. as it invades this new habitat, it is likely to interact with a number of important salt marsh species. to understand the potential effects of h. sanguineus on this ecosystem, interactions between this invasive crab and important salt marsh ecosystem engineers were examined. laboratory experiments demonstrated competition for burrows between h. sang ...201425071995
uptake and retention of microplastics by the shore crab carcinus maenas.microplastics, plastics particles <5 mm in length, are a widespread pollutant of the marine environment. oral ingestion of microplastics has been reported for a wide range of marine biota, but uptake into the body by other routes has received less attention. here, we test the hypothesis that the shore crab (carcinus maenas) can take up microplastics through inspiration across the gills as well as ingestion of pre-exposed food (common mussel mytilus edulis). we used fluorescently labeled polystyr ...201424972075
climate change enhances the negative effects of predation risk on an intermediate consumer.predators are a major source of stress in natural systems because their prey must balance the benefits of feeding with the risk of being eaten. although this 'fear' of being eaten often drives the organization and dynamics of many natural systems, we know little about how such risk effects will be altered by climate change. here, we examined the interactive consequences of predator avoidance and projected climate warming in a three-level rocky intertidal food chain. we found that both predation ...201424947942
the crab carcinus maenas as a suitable experimental model in ecotoxicology.aquatic ecotoxicology broadly focuses on how aquatic organisms interact with pollutants in their environment in order to determine environmental hazard and potential risks to humans. research has produced increasing evidence on the pivotal role of aquatic invertebrates in the assessment of the impact of pollutants on the environment. its potential use to replace fish bioassays, which offers ethical advantages, has already been widely studied. nevertheless, the selection of adequate invertebrate ...201424934856
overview on the european green crab carcinus spp. (portunidae, decapoda), one of the most famous marine invaders and ecotoxicological models.green crabs (carcinus, portunidae) include two species native to europe--carcinus aestuarii (mediterranean species) and carcinus maenas (atlantic species). these small shore crabs (maximal length carapace, approximately 10 cm) show rapid growth, high fecundity, and long planktonic larval stages that facilitate broad dispersion. carcinus spp. have a high tolerance to fluctuations of environmental factors including oxygen, salinity, temperature, xenobiotic compounds, and others. shipping of carcin ...201424793074
the effects of a competitor on the foraging behaviour of the shore crab carcinus maenas.optimal diet theory suggests that individuals make foraging decisions that maximise net energy intake. many studies provide qualitative support for this, but factors such as digestive constraints, learning, predation-risk and competition can influence foraging behaviour and lead to departures from quantitative predictions. we examined the effects of intraspecific competition within a classic model of optimal diet--the common shore crab, carcinus maenas, feeding on the mussel, mytilus edulis. une ...201424691360
amount and metal composition of midgut gland metallothionein in shore crabs (carcinus maenas) after exposure to cadmium in the food.accumulation of cadmium in aquatic invertebrates may compromise human food safety and anthropogenic additions of cadmium to coastal areas cause concern. induction of crustacean metallothionein has been suggested as a useful biomarker for contamination of the aquatic environment with cadmium. we investigated how exposure to low concentrations of cadmium in the food affects the subcellular binding of cadmium with the shore crab carcinus maenas as model organism. approximately 80% of the assimilate ...201424685622
master of all trades: thermal acclimation and adaptation of cardiac function in a broadly distributed marine invasive species, the european green crab, carcinus maenas.as global warming accelerates, there is increasing concern about how ecosystems may change as a result of species loss and replacement. here, we examined the thermal physiology of the european green crab (carcinus maenas linnaeus 1758), a globally invasive species, along three parallel thermal gradients in its native and invasive ranges. at each site, we assessed cardiac physiology to determine heat and cold tolerance and acclimatory plasticity. we found that, overall, the species is highly tole ...201424671964
effect of meal type on specific dynamic action in the green shore crab, carcinus maenas.the effect of meal type on specific dynamic action was investigated in the green shore crab, carcinus maenas. when the crabs were offered a meal of fish, shrimp, or mussel of 3 % of their body mass the duration of the sda response and thus the resultant sda was lower for the mussel, compared with the shrimp or fish meals. in feeding behaviour experiments the crabs consumed almost twice as much mussel compared with fish or shrimp. when the animals were allowed to feed on each meal until satiated, ...201424531572
corrigendum to “persistent organic pollutants in the scheldt estuary: environmental distribution and bioaccumulation[environ. int. 48c (2012) 17–27].levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbdes) and organochlorine pesticides (ocps) were determined in the sediment and in several species (european flounder,platichthys flesus; common sole, solea solea; chinese mitten crab,eriocheir sinensis; shore crab, carcinus maenas; brown shrimp,crangon crangon; blue mussel, mytilus edulis and bristle worms,polychaeta) from 7 locations in the scheldt estuary (se, the netherlands–belgium). overall pop levels in the sedime ...201424505601
proteomic analysis in caged mediterranean crab (carcinus maenas) and chemical contaminant exposure in téboulba harbour, tunisia.this study uses proteomics approach to assess the toxic effects of contaminants in the mediterranean crab (carcinus maenas) after transplantation into téboulba fishing harbour. high levels of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in sediments. although their effects on vertebrates are well described, little is known about their early biological effects in marine invertebrates under realistic conditions. protein expression profiles of crabs caged for 15, 30 and 60 days were compared t ...201424433786
metals bioaccumulation and histopathological biomarkers in carcinus maenas crab from bizerta lagoon, tunisia.metals concentrations and histolopathological lesions of gills and digestive gland were investigated in carcinus maenas crabs sampled from bizerta lagoon and kuriat island (tunisia) as control site. the concentrations of trace metals varied between tissues, sites and sampling time. the highest levels of the analysed metals in gills and digestive gland were noted in menzel bourguiba and cimentery sites at both sampling times (february and july). the higher metals loads were associated with severe ...201424323326
camouflage and individual variation in shore crabs (carcinus maenas) from different habitats.camouflage is widespread throughout the natural world and conceals animals from predators in a vast range of habitats. because successful camouflage usually involves matching aspects of the background environment, species and populations should evolve appearances tuned to their local habitat, termed phenotype-environment associations. however, although this has been studied in various species, little work has objectively quantified the appearances of camouflaged animals from different habitats, ...201425551233
are genes faster than crabs? mitochondrial introgression exceeds larval dispersal during population expansion of the invasive crab carcinus maenas.biological invasions offer unique opportunities to investigate evolutionary dynamics at the peripheries of expanding populations. here, we examine genetic patterns associated with admixture between two distinct invasive lineages of the european green crab, carcinus maenas l., independently introduced to the northwest atlantic. previous investigations based on mitochondrial dna sequences demonstrated that larval dispersal driven by advective currents could explain observed southward displacement ...201426064543
thermal stress and predation risk trigger distinct transcriptomic responses in the intertidal snail nucella lapillus.thermal stress and predation risk have profound effects on rocky shore organisms, triggering changes in their feeding behaviour, morphology and metabolism. studies of thermal stress have shown that underpinning such changes in several intertidal species are specific shifts in gene and protein expression (e.g. upregulation of heat-shock proteins). but relatively few studies have examined genetic responses to predation risk. here, we use next-generation rna sequencing (rna-seq) to examine the tran ...201425377436
prey state shapes the effects of temporal variation in predation risk.the ecological impacts of predation risk are influenced by how prey allocate foraging effort across periods of safety and danger. foraging decisions depend on current danger, but also on the larger temporal, spatial or energetic context in which prey manage their risks of predation and starvation. using a rocky intertidal food chain, we examined the responses of starved and fed prey (nucella lapillus dogwhelks) to different temporal patterns of risk from predatory crabs (carcinus maenas). prey f ...201425339716
integrated biomarker responses of an estuarine invertebrate to high abiotic stress and decreased metal contamination.an integrated chemical-biological effects monitoring was performed in 2010 and 2012 in two nw iberian estuaries under different anthropogenic pressure. one is low impacted and the other is contaminated by metals. the aim was to verify the usefulness of a multibiomarker approach, using carcinus maenas as bioindicator species, to reflect diminishing environmental contamination and improved health status under abiotic variation. sampling sites were assessed for metal levels in sediments and c. maen ...201425314018
control region sequences indicate that multiple externae represent multiple infections by sacculina carcini (cirripedia: rhizocephala).the rhizocephalan barnacle, sacculina carcini, is a common parasite of the european shore crab, carcinus maenas, in which it causes significant detrimental physical and behavioral modifications. in the vast majority of cases, the external portion of the parasite is present in the form of a single sac-like externa; in rare cases, double or even triple externae may occur on the same individual host. here, we use a highly variable dna marker, the mitochondrial control region (cr), to investigate wh ...201425473481
linking individual diet variation and fecundity in an omnivorous marine consumer.individual diet variation is a common feature of populations. this variation may be particularly common in near-shore marine benthic habitats where omnivory is prevalent and prey availability is spatially variable. accurately predicting population responses to anthropogenic change that is occurring rapidly in these systems requires a quantitative link between individual diet variation and fecundity. here i develop this quantitative link for the european green crab carcinus maenas, specifically f ...201423996228
functional characterization of neuroendocrine regulation of branchial carbonic anhydrase induction in the euryhaline crab callinectes sapidus.carbonic anhydrase (ca) plays an essential role as a provider of counterions for na(+)/h(+) and cl(-)/hco3 (-) exchange in branchial ionic uptake processes in euryhaline crustaceans. ca activity and gene expression are low in crabs acclimated to full-strength seawater, with transfer to low salinity resulting in large-scale inductions of mrna and subsequent enzyme activity in the posterior ion-regulating gills (e.g., g7). in the green crab carcinus maenas, ca has been shown to be under inhibitory ...201425572216
carbonic anhydrase induction in euryhaline crustaceans is rate-limited at the post-transcriptional level.the transfer of euryhaline crustaceans from full-strength seawater to low salinity results in both a rapid up-regulation of carbonic anhydrase (ca; ec 4.2.1.1) mrna and a slow induction of ca activity. there is a delay of several days between the two processes, which is attributed to the time required to synthesize new enzyme. these delays may also be due to limitations in the cellular uptake of zn, which is a required post-translational active site modification to ca. to investigate these proce ...201424333600
a novel hormone is required for the development of reproductive phenotypes in adult female crabs.the crustacean male-specific androgenic hormone is widely accepted as a key factor in sexual differentiation and in the development of secondary sex characteristics. however, the mechanism by which the plethora of different reproductive strategies are controlled and executed in crustaceans is not known. we discovered in the blue crab, callinectes sapidus, a hitherto unknown neurohormone, named crustacean female sex hormone (cfsh), in distinct neurosecretory cells in the eyestalk ganglia. cfsh is ...201424280057
spontaneous alternation and locomotor activity in three species of marine crabs: green crab (carcinus maenas), blue crab (callinectes sapidus), and fiddler crab (uca pugnax).spontaneous alternation refers to the tendency of organisms to explore places that they have least recently visited. our previous work showed that alternation performance of carcinus maenas (invasive european green crab) was significantly higher than callinectes sapidus (native blue crab), and chance level performance (ramey, p. a., teichman, e., oleksiak, j., & balcı, f. [2009]. spontaneous alternation in marine crabs: invasive versus native species. behavioural processes, 82, 51-55.). in the c ...201424060243
in vitro superoxide production by hyaline cells of the shore crab carcinus maenas (l.).this study examines the phagocytic hyaline cells of the shore crab, carcinus maenas, for a respiratory burst in vitro. following stimulation of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate (pma), ferricytochrome c was reduced at 550 nm. addition of superoxide dismutase (sod) to the reaction mixture decreased this reduction, confirming that superoxide ions are produced by the stimulated hemocytes. phytohemagglutinin, con a, and lps were also shown to stimulate the cells although laminarin failed to e ...20148392007
rubidium uptake is increased in shore crabs, carcinus maenas, acclimated to dilute seawater.in dilute seawater, carcinus maenas hyperosmoregulates by actively absorbing na, k, and cl. here we characterize k uptake using a novel technique. rb was used as a tracer for k transport, and hemolymph rb levels were measured using cation chromatography. hemolymph rb was detectable at 0.1 mmol l(-1), which enabled determination of initial rate of rb uptake. crabs maintained for 3 wk in dilute artificial seawater (35% asw crabs) maintained na and k above the level of the external media and had el ...201311517457
when are resting water-breathers lacking o2? arterial po2 at the anaerobic threshold in crab.the minimum arterial o2 partial pressure (pao2) at which, in resting conditions, o2 consumption (mo2) can be maintained and below which anaerobic metabolism is initiated was studied in the crabs eriocheir sinensis and carcinus maenas at 15 degrees c. arterial po2, mo2 (in e. sinensis), blood lactate concentration ([lact]b) and blood copper concentration ([cu]b, an index of the blood o2 carrying capacity) were determined after 24 h exposure to inspired po2 (pio2) ranging from 2.7-2.1 kpa. they we ...20131626143
rapid transport of foreign particles microinjected into crab axons.the rapid transport of optically detectable organelles in axons has been well documented, although its molecular mechanism remains unknown. here we report that synthetic particles microinjected into the giant axons of the shore crab, carcinus maenas, are also transported, moving as though they were endogenous organelles. polystyrene beads, polyacrolein beads, paraffin droplets and glass fragments, of sizes up to 0.5 micron in diameter, have been tested. many of these foreign particles move rapid ...20136190095
specific dynamic action in the shore crab, carcinus maenas (l.), in relation to acclimation temperature and to the onset of the emersion response.the rate of oxygen uptake (mo(2)) of shore crabs following a period of fasting varied directly with acclimation temperature, with a q(10) of 2.96 between 7 degrees and 15 degrees c and a q(10) of 2.11 between 15 degrees and 22 degrees c. the factorial rise in mo(2) following a meal (specific dynamic action [sda]) ranged between 1.9 and 3.1 and varied with temperature, being highest at 15 degrees c and significantly lower at both 7 degrees and 22 degrees c, despite similar ration sizes in all gro ...201312324891
effect of meal size and body size on specific dynamic action and gastric processing in decapod crustaceans.meal size and animal size are important factors affecting the characteristics of the specific dynamic action (sda) response across a variety of taxa. the effects of these two variables on the sda of decapod crustaceans are based on just a couple of articles, and are not wholly consistent with the responses reported for other aquatic ectotherms. therefore, the effects of meal size and animal size on the characteristics of sda response were investigated in a variety of decapod crustaceans from dif ...201323916818
operant punishment of eye elevation in the green crab, carcinus maenas.extension of the eye after reflex withdrawal was suppressed by punishing each extension with a brief puff of air. experimental animals showed a decrease in the rate of responding, and an increase in the latency to the next response during 30-min sessions. the effect of punishment per se was controlled for by the use of yoked animals that received punishments whenever the experimental (master) animals did. this control group did not show the increased latency, and kept the eye erect for most of t ...20133675520
the common inhibitor innervates muscles proximal to the autotomy fracture plane in carcinus maenas.the neuron common to proximal leg muscles of the crab carcinus maenas projects to the propus opener nerve. inhibitory effects include hyperpolarizing postsynaptic potentials, prolonged muscle fiber membrane hyperpolarization upon repetitive stimulation and suppression of force development by excitatory motorneurons of the anterior levator. the soma of the common inhibitor of fifth legs is located ventrally along the ganglion midline, contralateral to its axonal projections.20133697693
early responses measured in the brachyuran crab carcinus maenas exposed to carbamazepine and novobiocin: application of a 2-tier approach.one of the main consequences of the constant input of pharmaceuticals to the aquatic environment is that biota might develop unknown chronic effects, thus affecting their health even at low concentrations. the aim of this study is to evaluate the health status of carcinus maenas employing a 2-tier approach, after 28 days of exposure to carbamazepine (cbz) and novobiocin (nov) at 0.1, 1, 10 and 50µgl(-1). lysosomal membrane stability (lms) is employed in tier 1. in tier 2 was applied a battery of ...201323916015
effect of nanomaterials on the compound action potential of the shore crab, carcinus maenas.little is known about the effects of manufactured nanomaterials on the function of nerves. the experiment aimed to test the effects of three different nanomaterials (1 mg l⁻¹ of tio₂ nps, ag nps or swcnt) on the compound action potential of the shore crab (carcinus maenas) compared with an appropriate bulk powder or metal salt control (bulk tio₂ powder, agno₃ and carbon black respectively). in single action potential recordings, there were no effects of any of the nanomaterials on the peak ampli ...201322394242
biogeographic variation in behavioral and morphological responses to predation risk.the expression of prey antipredator defenses is often related to ambient consumer pressure, and prey express greater defenses under intense consumer pressure. predation is generally greater at lower latitudes, and antipredator defenses often display a biogeographic pattern. predation pressure may also vary significantly between habitats within latitudes, making biogeographic patterns difficult to distinguish. furthermore, invasive predators may also influence the expression of prey defenses in e ...201323001623
biochemical effects in crabs (carcinus maenas) and contamination levels in the bizerta lagoon: an integrated approach in biomonitoring of marine complex pollution.the biochemical effects in carcinus maenas and contamination levels in seawater and sediments of bizerta lagoon (northeast of tunisia) were investigated. the levels of metals and hydrocarbons were higher in seawater and sediments in menzel bourguiba and cimentery in february and july than in the other sampling sites. differences among sites for glutathione s-transferase, catalase, acetylcholinesterase activities, and the content of lipid peroxidation and metallothioneins in two important organs ...201322976048
comparison of protein-extraction methods for gills of the shore crab, carcinus maenas (l.), and application to 2de.as it is well-established that protein extraction constitutes a crucial step for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2de), this work was done as a prerequisite to further the study of alterations in the proteome in gills of the shore crab carcinus maenas under contrasted environmental conditions. because of the presence of a chitin layer, shore crab gills have an unusual structure. consequently, they are considered as a hard tissue and represent a challenge for optimal protein extraction. in this s ...201324294114
an invasive species facilitates the recovery of salt marsh ecosystems on cape cod.with global increases in human impacts, invasive species have become a major threat to ecosystems worldwide. while they have been traditionally viewed as harmful, invasive species may facilitate the restoration of degraded ecosystems outside their native ranges. in new england (usa) overfishing has depleted salt marsh predators, allowing the herbivorous crab sesarma reticulatum to denude hundreds of hectares of low marsh. here, using multiple site surveys and field caging experiments, we show th ...201324279265
a role for haemolymph oxygen capacity in heat tolerance of eurythermal crabs.heat tolerance in aquatic ectotherms is constrained by a mismatch, occurring at high temperatures, between oxygen delivery and demand which compromises the maintenance of aerobic scope. the present study analyses how the wide thermal tolerance range of an eurythermal model species, the green crab carcinus maenas is supported and limited by its ability to sustain efficient oxygen transport to tissues. similar to other eurytherms, c. maenas sustains naturally occurring acute warming events through ...201323720633
microtopography of the eye surface of the crab carcinus maenas: an atomic force microscope study suggesting a possible antifouling potential.marine biofouling causes problems for technologies based on the sea, including ships, power plants and marine sensors. several antifouling techniques have been applied to marine sensors, but most of these methodologies are environmentally unfriendly or ineffective. bioinspiration, seeking guidance from natural solutions, is a promising approach to antifouling. here, the eye of the green crab carcinus maenas was regarded as a marine sensor model and its surface characterized by means of atomic fo ...201323635491
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