Coming to Terms: The Mechanisms of Overplus and Luxury Phosphorus Uptake for Polyphosphate Storage in Microalgae and Yeast.

Polyphosphate (polyP) synthesis is ubiquitous in organisms, including microorganisms such as microalgae and yeasts, playing a crucial role in phosphorus (P) metabolism (e.g., storage) and in other vital functions.

A chickpea MAGIC population to dissect the genetics of complex traits.

Multiparent populations are now widespread in crop genetic studies as they capture more genetic diversity and offer high statistical power for detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs). To confirm the suitability of using a recently developed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population for genetic studies, we characterized the diversity of the eight founder lines and explored the linkage disequilibrium decay, marker coverage, segregation distortion, allelic variation, and structure of the population.

Ce, Gd and Yb accumulation in microalgae: an L-edge XAS study.

The extraction and separation of rare earth elements (lanthanides) can be difficult due to their chemical similarities. Biological processes can have very selective activity towards different elements. We investigated the use of microalgae for this purpose by looking at the interaction of Ce, Gd and Yb with the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which has been induced to form polyphosphate granules.

Limited effects of chronic exposure to field-realistic concentrations of carbamazepine on Deleatidium spp. mayfly nymphs.

Pharmaceuticals are a class of emerging organic contaminants found in freshwaters. Potential chronic effects of many legacy drugs (those developed pre-2006) on freshwater biota were not investigated thoroughly before their market release. Carbamazepine, a drug used to treat epilepsy and certain types of neuropathic pain, is a legacy contaminant commonly detected in surface freshwaters worldwide, yet its potential impacts on aquatic invertebrates are largely unknown.

Improving imputation accuracy across tropically adapted beef cattle: an application for Brahman and Nellore using whole-genome sequencing data.

Combining information of different breeds is a cost-effective strategy to increase the size and genetic diversity of reference populations, which would improve imputation and/or genomic prediction accuracies in comparison with single-breed evaluations. Here, we have evaluated the impact of combining sequence information from two of the most relevant tropically adapted beef cattle breeds (Brahman and Nellore) on imputation accuracies to the sequence level. Whole-genome sequencing data of 279 (128 Brahman and 151 Nellore) animals were used in this study.

A Novel Crustavirus as a Candidate Aetiology of Tail Fan Necrosis in New Zealand Red Rock Lobsters, Jasus edwardsii.

Tail fan necrosis (TFN) is a shell disease affecting spiny lobsters' outer integument, with significant implications for the health and commercial viability of red rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) in New Zealand. Despite its impact, the potential role of a microbial agent in TFN remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted metatranscriptomic analyses on matching uropod and haemolymph samples from 15 red rock lobsters exhibiting TFN symptoms to characterise the associated microbial communities and search for putative candidates for further investigation.

Examining the efforts of the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho to improve equity and diversity in the research system.

Aotearoa-New Zealand's research community has been shifting towards more societally-engaged and responsible approaches to better address complex socio-ecological challenges like biodiversity loss. Such approaches to research benefit from workforces diverse in career stage, disciplinary background, age, gender, ethnicity and worldview. Yet exclusionary practices and processes, including disciplinary and epistemic hierarchies which devalue the 'soft' sciences and Indigenous knowledges, continue to undermine transformative system change.

Building mission-led science communication and engagement capability in Aotearoa New Zealand: lessons from the National Science Challenges.

Mission-led research must be relevant, accessible and applicable to deliver realistic solutions to 'real-world' problems and questions. This can only be achieved through clear and effective communication of the sciences to engaged audiences, empowering people to respond to science with meaningful action. The Aotearoa New Zealand National Science Challenges enabled (MLSCE) capabilities to grow.

BuoyancyNet: a deep learning approach for assessing float buoyancy in mussel aquaculture.

The aquaculture sector is vital to Aotearoa New Zealand's (NZ) economy, with greenshell mussel cultivation playing a leading role. As the industry expands into more exposed offshore environments, maintaining proper buoyancy in mussel farm structures becomes increasingly challenging. Buoyancy issues can result in significant product losses through sinking or mussel detachment, creating a critical need for scalable, automated monitoring solutions.

Validation of a Relative Centrifugal Force method for the enumeration and detection of Campylobacter from chicken carcass rinsates.

Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently notified foodborne disease in New Zealand and poultry is the predominant infection source. New Zealand monitors Campylobacter present in poultry carcass rinsates under the National Microbiological Database (NMD) programme. To better monitor Campylobacter control improvements, a more sensitive method is required that can enumerate rinsates with lower Campylobacter numbers.

Exploring evolutionary mechanisms of genomic divergence in marine intertidal limpets.

Decades of research in population genetics have revealed that genetic divergence between populations and species is not uniformly distributed throughout the genome but rather exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity. Two main conceptual models-allopatric divergence and divergence with gene flow-have been proposed to explain this variability under natural selection. Here, we investigate patterns of genomic divergence in three marine limpet species, Scurria scurra, Scurria araucana, and Scurria ceciliana, across two major biogeographic breaks (30-34°S and 41-43°S).

Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of oyster resistance to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) disease induced by high temperatures.

Climate change and rising temperatures are frequently cited as key factors in the emergence of diseases. While the increase in temperature can alter host immunity, influence pathogen virulence, and change the geographic distribution of vectors and their associated pathogens, few studies have investigated the impact of temperature variations on the molecular mechanisms controlling disease permissiveness. The present study addresses this question on a panzootic and polymicrobial disease, the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS).

High ciguatoxin-producing Gambierdiscus clade (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae) as a source of toxins causing ciguatera poisoning.

Ciguatera Poisoning (CP) is caused by neurotoxins (Ciguatoxins, CTXs) produced by microbial eukaryotes (Gambierdiscus, Fukuyoa: Dinophyceae) that accumulate in seafood and can result in severe human illness. More than 80 % of the world's CP occurs in the South Pacific, and climate change is projected to increase cases. However, our understanding of CP is hindered because Gambierdiscus spp.

Microbial adaptations to acidic, nutrient- and metal-rich lakes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Four lakes in the same region of Aotearoa New Zealand were investigated to characterize sediment microbial communities and functions under contrasting environmental conditions. Two lakes, an acidic lake (Rototai) and a lake with elevated metals and nutrients (Killarney) were impacted by extreme stressors, while the lowland mesotrophic lake (Kaihoka East) and an alpine lake (Peel) were used as reference lakes. Using metabarcoding and metagenomics analysis, we profiled community composition, functional pathways, and resistance mechanisms in the lake sediments.

Metabolomic and physiological insights to ameliorate post-harvest stress in cultured mussels.

Introduction: Survival and quality of Green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) exported live could be further improved through enhanced post-harvest handling, aiming to reduce the physiological stress associated with transport out of water. Addressing these issues requires identifying treatments to reduce post-harvest stress and understanding underpinning molecular mechanisms.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate treatments (low temperature and MgCl anaesthetic baths) to mitigate post-harvest handling stress in mussels.

Portimine A maintains bioactivity following exposure to liver microsomes and cell lysates: no evidence for significant metabolic inactivation.

Purpose: Portimine is a marine cyclic imine toxin produced by the dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum. This compound has potent apoptotic activity against cancer cells in culture. However, despite the high cytotoxicity of portimine in vitro, it has low toxicity in vivo in comparison to related cyclic imine compounds.

Gaps and Data Ambiguities in DNA Reference Libraries: A Limiting Factor for Molecular-Based Biodiversity Assessments Using Annelids as a Case Study.

Regional DNA reference libraries are essential to improve the accuracy of molecular-based biodiversity assessments, species identification and conservation. However, these libraries are often incomplete, limiting the full potential of molecular tools. In this study, we evaluated the completeness of DNA barcode reference data for annelids from the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman and examined its implications for biodiversity assessments.

Assessing nature-based coastal defense.

Nature-based Coastal Defense is increasingly used to reduce climate risk, because considered effective, inexpensive and cost-effective, easy to implement, and no-regrets. This article discusses this positive framing through the analysis of 23 projects implemented in French overseas territories, using an ex-post expert judgment method considering enabling conditions (context, governance, funding, social acceptability), risk reduction (technical effectiveness; studies, monitoring and evaluation) and externalities (co-benefits and disbenefits; contribution to adaptation). 80% of projects aimed at reducing coastal erosion; 47.

A glimpse into the future: How the timing of sea ice formation influences associated microalgal communities.

This study investigates the impact of unseasonable storm events in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, in 2022 on eukaryotic microalgal communities (EMCs). We assessed EMCs from the fast-ice and sub-ice platelet layer (SIPL) associated with fast-ice formed during March (historical timing) and September (five months later). We compared three ice conditions: March-ice (fast ice with SIPL, frozen in March), September-ice (fast ice with SIPL, frozen in September), and September-no-SIPL (fast-ice without SIPL, frozen in September).

An approach for quantifying the influence of fish farm waste on hard-bottom habitats.

Sea-based fish farms release significant quantities of fish feaces, waste feed and associated contaminants into the surrounding environment, necessitating ecological effects-based monitoring. Traditionally, this has been achieved by measuring geochemical and biological properties of sediments obtained by a benthic grab. However, many modern high-capacity farms are situated over hard substrates, rendering conventional sampling methods ineffective and hindering environmental management.

Isolation, culture, and optimal growth conditions for the shellfish protozoan parasite, Perkinsus olseni.

Aquatic parasite cultures are a significant asset to improve our understanding of organism biology, transmission and disease progression, and evaluation of preventative and treatment measures. We adapted and optimized international standard methods for the isolation and culture of Perkinsus spp. for Perkinsus olseni.

Hybridization and introgression of the mitochondrial genome between the two species and (s.s.) using a wide genotyping approach: evolutionary and ecological implications.

and (s.s.) are the two zoonotic anisakids infecting cetaceans as well as pelagic/demersal fish and squids.

Characterising Sex-Specific Metabolite Differences in New Zealand Geoduck () Using LC-MS/MS Metabolomics.

Geoduck aquaculture is becoming a key component in meeting international market demand, given the natural and regulatory restrictions on wild geoduck supply. Geoduck clams are not sexually dimorphic, making it practically unfeasible to distinguish between males and females prior to a spawning event. To facilitate increased production of geoduck, a better understanding of reproductive biology and associated targeted bio-markers is required.

Past, Current and Future Techniques for Monitoring Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in Bivalve Molluscs.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a threat to human health caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with toxins of the saxitoxin class. Human health is protected by the setting of regulatory limits and the analysis of shellfish prior to sale. Both robust toxicity data, generated from experiments fitting into the ethical 3R framework, and appropriate analysis methods are required to ensure the success of this approach.

Structural Characterization of Pinnatoxin Isomers.

Pinnatoxins, a group of marine biotoxins primarily produced by the dinoflagellate , have garnered significant attention due to their potent toxic effects and widespread distribution in marine ecosystems. LC-MS analysis of shellfish and cultures revealed the presence of previously unidentified isomers of pinnatoxins D, E, F, and H, at levels approximately six times lower than those of known isomers. The chemical structures of these isopinnatoxins were determined using a combination of LC-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy, which demonstrated that the isomerization of each pinnatoxin occurred through the opening and recyclization of the spiro-linked tetrahydropyranyl D-ring to form a smaller tetrahydrofuranyl ring.