ALBERT

Notes: Abstract The influence of three bacteria strains (Helgo 21, NCMB 308 and NCMB 13) on the life cycle ofTisbe holothuriae Humes 1957 was investigated under constant experimental conditions (19–20°C and 38‰ S). For each of the first six experiments, females (F1), whose life history was followed, were obtained from a common mother (F0). Experiment no 7 was carried out with adult females (F2) obtained during exp. 4. Females were bred in 50-ml dishes and transferred to a fresh container as soon as they produced a new egg-sac. Offspring (F2: exp. 1–6; F3: exp. 7) from successive egg-layings were counted as soon as they moulted into adults. Larval mortality was estimated by enumeration of the adults issuing from a known number of nauplii that had been fed different bacteria strains. Some difficulties arose in obtaining adults with NCMB 13: it appeared to be necessary to provide this first generation with a small quantity of TetraMin (commercial fish food) in order to initiate reproduction and obtain a second generation. However, in exp. 4, F2 adult females fed NCMB 13 became ovigerous and fertile without needing TetraMin. This result is interpreted as denoting an indispensable period of adaptation to the diet, which probably requires important changes at the enzymatic level. One experiment was carried out with Helgo 21; another one with NCMB 308; two with NCMB 13 (with a unique additional meal of TetraMin to allow reproduction), two with NCMB 13 during larval development, then only tetraMin during adult stage, and one with NCMB 13 alone (with females issued from exp. 4). Data obtained regarding longevity, duration of reproduction period, number of egg-sacs and number of adult descendants show an important variability between bacteria strains. Lower results were almost always obtained with Helgo 21 and NCMB 308. An interesting result lies in the maximum number of egg-sacs: low with Helgo 21 and NCMB 308 (5), but very ample with NCMB 13 (11 in one experiment). In experiment 7, carried out with animals bearing a large coefficient of inbreeding (0.375), the results concerning the maximum number of egg-sacs are good (10) as are the mean number of descendants per female (294: the highest number of the seven experiments). These results indicate that genetic factors involved in the reduction of descendants in ageing laboratory cultures can be suppressed to a certain extent by nutritional factors. The poor results obtained with Helgo 21 and NCMB 308 alone must be considered with caution: after a period of adaptation with an alimentary complement, these strains could perhaps permit an interesting production of copepods.

Notes: Abstract The microbial degradation of North Sea macroalgae was studied in laboratory microcosms, containing autoclaved seawater and a mixture of equal parts of air-driedDelesseria sanguinea, Ulva lactuca, andLaminaria saccharina (red, green and brown algae, respectively). To determine the influence of different organisms on the decomposition rate (expressed in terms of algal dry weight loss relative to the material present at time zero) and their development during decomposition processes, yeast, flagellates, ciliates, nematodes and a harpacticoid copepod species were introduced to the microcosms. Results show that microbial degradation compared to the controls was enhanced in the presence of non-axenic nematodes (Monhystera sp.) and protozoans, including bacterivorous ciliates (Euplotes sp. and aUronema-like sp.) and flagellates. No enhancement occurred with yeast (Debaryomyces hansenii) or with the harpacticoid copepodTisbe holothuriae. The most rapid algal dry weight loss (78.7% after 14 d at 18°C) occurred with the addition of raw seawater sampled near benthic algal vegetation and containing only the natural microorganisms present. These consisted mainly of bacteria with different morphological properties, whereby their numbers alone (viable counts) could not be correlated with algal dry weight loss. Although no single dominant species could be determined, lemon yellow pigmented colonies were frequently found. During decomposition in all microcosms the formation of algal particles 40–400 μm was observed, which were rapidly colonized by the other organisms present.

Notes: Summary Contradictory views are expressed in the literature on the question as to whether viruses induce anomalies in chromosomes. Vaccinia viruses in particular are generally stated to cause chromatid and chromosome breakage in L-cells (human embryonal lung tissue). The subject of the present paper is an experimental investigation of the effect of vaccinia viruses on the chromosomes of human blood lymphocytes. In the in vivo portion of this investigation the chromosomes were examined during and after viremia subsequent to vaccination. Only two of the eight vaccinated children examined showed a larger number of chromosome breaks during viremia than unvaccinated controls. This might possibly be due to different degrees of viremia, although local and general reactions were the same. Other causes might also be sought in vivo or in vitro, such as preparation of the chromosomes, or an unnoted mycoplasma infection of the lymphocyte cultures. In the in vitro portion of this investigation, cultures of human lymphocytes were infected with vaccinia viruses at different stages of incubation. In culture the virus concentrations exhibited a rapid initial decrease, which gradually tapered off during the period of observation. No increases in virus concentration were noted. The longer the period of infection with caccinia virus, the less growth shown by the lymphocytes, and the more mitotic cells with in toto destruction of the chromosome. Anomalies in individual chromosomes were not observed any more frequently than in controls.

Notes: Abstract Next to cellulose, chitin (composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine sugar units) is the most frequently occurring biopolymer in nature. Among the most common sources of chitin in the marine environment are copepods and the casings of their fecal pellets. During the mineralization of chitin by microorganisms, which occurs chiefly by means of exoenzymes, nitrogen and carbon are returned to the nutrient cycle. In this study, the microbial colonization of the moults (exuviae), carcasses and fecal pellets ofTisbe holothuriae Humes (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) was examined in the laboratory. Results obtained with DAPI staining indicated that a succession of microorganisms from rodshaped bacteria and cocci to starlike aggregates took place, followed by the yeastlike fungusAureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) Arnaud. No differences were noted between moults from various developmental stages, from nauplius to adult. The ventral sides and extremities of exuviae and carcasses were more rapidly colonized than other parts of the bodies. The casings of fecal pellets were frequently surrounded by bacteria with fimbriae or slime threads. In situ studies of chitin degradation (practical grade chitin from crustacean shells) with the mesh bag technique showed that about 90% of the original substance was lost after 3 months exposure in seawater at temperatures between 10 and 18°C. Chitinase activity was measured in the water at two stations near Helgoland, an island in the North Sea. A higher exoenzymatic activity was found in the rocky intertidal zone, compared to the Station Cable Buoy located between the main and Düne island. These values correspond to the higher bacteria numbers (cfu ml−1) found in the rocky intertidal: 10 to 100× greater than those found at the Cable Buoy Station.