Valter M. Azevedo-Santos , Tailaine R. Pereira , Anne E. Magurran , Wagner M.S. Sampaio , Philip M. Fearnside , William F. Laurance , Tommaso Giarrizzo
{"title":"Aquatic pollution from truck spills: Urgent action needed in Brazil and beyond","authors":"Valter M. Azevedo-Santos , Tailaine R. Pereira , Anne E. Magurran , Wagner M.S. Sampaio , Philip M. Fearnside , William F. Laurance , Tommaso Giarrizzo","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>On 29 January 2024, a truck accident spilled concentrated sulfonic acid into a river in Brazil's State of Santa Catarina. This disaster, which occurred in a protected area, killed various types of fish (e.g., crenuchids, heptapterids, and loricariids) and probably many other less observable animals, such as small invertebrates. The accident, similar to others around the world, gained national and international media attention. Because truck accidents causing aquatic pollution through chemical spills are occurring not just in Brazil but also globally, the recent event led us to consider similar cases and to recommend potential measures to help mitigate biodiversity loss in waterbodies near roads. Three factors need to be considered: (i) human (drivers); (ii) truck (mechanical condition); and (iii) road (e.g., infrastructure). In addition, improved expert assessments of the negative impact of these accidents on biodiversity are needed. A requirement to aid recovery of polluted ecosystems should be incumbent upon the companies involved in truck accidents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100372"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bao Zhao , Ning Kong , Junyan Zhao , Shiqing Sun , Xiang Li , Ming Li , Lingling Wang , Linsheng Song
{"title":"Effects of water stratification on bacterial communities in scallop farming waters of the North Yellow Sea in China","authors":"Bao Zhao , Ning Kong , Junyan Zhao , Shiqing Sun , Xiang Li , Ming Li , Lingling Wang , Linsheng Song","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100369","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100369","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water stratification is a prominent oceanographic phenomenon in the North Yellow Sea, a vital region for mollusk aquaculture in northern China. Understanding the influences of water stratification on planktonic bacterial communities in those waters is crucial for the sustainable development of mollusk aquaculture in this region. In the present study, the bacterial community profiles across different water layers in a representative Yesso scallop farming area of Zhangzi Island in the North Yellow Sea were surveyed from March 2021 to January 2022. Water stratification was present in June, July, and August (the stratification period, abbreviated as S period) and absent in March, October, and January (the mixing period, abbreviated as M period), based on the vertical distribution of water temperatures. Results of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the alpha diversity of bacterial communities in the S period (Chao1 index: 500.78, Shannon index: 6.85) was significantly lower than in the M period (Chao1 index: 575.00, Shannon index: 7.24). The relative abundances of <em>Synechococcus CC9902</em> and <em>Vibrio</em> were significantly higher in the S period compared to the M period, while the abundance of <em>Clade Ia</em> showed the opposite trend. Water temperature, salinity, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen were identified as the main environmental drivers of the bacterial communities, which accounted for 22.4%, 20.0%, and 17.1%, respectively, of the total variation in bacterial community composition. Functional prediction suggested that the pathways associated with cytochrome biosynthesis and nutrient utilization of the bacterial communities were significantly enriched in the S period, while those involved in energy metabolism were enhanced in the middle and bottom layers compared to the surface layer during the S period. The connectivity of the molecular ecological network increased in the S period, with the number of edges, average degree, and average clustering coefficient being 574, 11.36, and 0.57 in the S period and 524, 9.44, and 0.51 in the M period, respectively. Collectively, these results indicated that water stratification led to a decrease in bacterial community diversity and an increase in the relative abundance of <em>Synechococcus CC9902</em> and <em>Vibrio</em>, which were potentially detrimental to mollusk health and aquaculture. Our results contribute to clarifying the dynamics of planktonic bacterial communities and their impacts on mollusk aquaculture in the context of intensifying ocean stratification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100369"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Na Zhao , Xiaoxu He , Qianwen Min , Deborah Mary Power , Zhongdian Dong , Changgeng Yang , Bo Zhang
{"title":"Sex-biased miR-456 targeting spire1/sox11 provides insights into the ceRNA-network of sexual regulation in fish","authors":"Na Zhao , Xiaoxu He , Qianwen Min , Deborah Mary Power , Zhongdian Dong , Changgeng Yang , Bo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100370","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100370","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism implicated in sex determination and differentiation in teleosts, which exhibit a diversity of sex-determining mechanisms. In this study, based on whole transcriptome sequencing data, a ceRNA regulatory network composed of sex-inclined miRNAs (miR-456), lncRNAs (<em>ASTR</em>), circRNAs (<em>circklhl29</em>), and target mRNAs (<em>spire1</em> and <em>sox11</em>) was uncovered in the gonadal tissues of <em>Seriola dumerili</em>, an oceanic species with lagged gonadal development. MiRNA-456 was identified as the core of the ceRNA regulatory network and suppressed the expression of <em>spire1</em> and <em>sox11</em>, interacting with the ncRNAs including <em>circklhl29</em> and <em>ASTR</em>. Co-localization of these sex-biased ncRNAs and mRNAs in the gonads suggests that this ceRNA network modulated the gonadal differentiation in both sexes of <em>S. dumerili</em>. <em>In vivo</em> injection in the gonads of <em>S. dumerili</em> suggested the miR-456 agonist could significantly inhibit expression of <em>sox11</em> and <em>spire1</em> in male testes, while significant regulatory effects of the miR-456 agonist and antagonist on <em>sox11</em> and <em>spire1</em> targets were not observed in female ovaries. The conserved binding sites for sequences of miR-456 and <em>spire1/sox11</em> targets in various fish species were aligned and dual luciferase reporter gene experiments clarified the universality of the mechanism by which miR-456 bound to inhibit <em>sox11/spire1</em> targets in large yellow croaker (<em>Larimichthys crocea</em>), half-smooth tongue sole (<em>Cynoglossus semilaevis</em>), and zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>). These results further support the notion that ceRNA networks may be a universal regulatory system in teleosts despite their highly divergent sex regulation programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100370"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hang Yang , Tan Tan , Gui Ren , Yunli Liu , Zisen Liu , Shibin Xia , Zhenbin Wu , Yi Zhang
{"title":"The dual nature of water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes): Environmental threats and sustainable solutions","authors":"Hang Yang , Tan Tan , Gui Ren , Yunli Liu , Zisen Liu , Shibin Xia , Zhenbin Wu , Yi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100359","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The invasive aquatic plant <em>Pontederia crassipes</em> (water hyacinth) presents significant ecological and economic challenges worldwide due to its rapid proliferation and dominance in freshwater ecosystems. This review synthesizes the multifaceted aspects of <em>P. crassipes</em>, from its ecological impacts to its potential applications, highlighting sustainable management strategies. Despite its invasiveness, <em>P. crassipes</em> exhibits remarkable potential in phytoremediation, biofuel production, biomaterial synthesis, and agricultural uses. Its ability to absorb pollutants, including heavy metals and nutrients, renders it valuable for environmental remediation. The conversion of <em>P. crassipes</em> into biochar, bioplastics, and industrial products aligns with circular economy principles, promoting resource recovery and environmental conservation. However, while these applications are promising in theory, real-world evidence demonstrating the successful mitigation of <em>P. crassipes</em>’ invasive potential through such methods remains minimal. Few case studies and field trials have shown positive impacts, underscoring the need for further research before conclusive recommendations can be made. Traditional management methods, such as mechanical, chemical, and biological controls, face limitations including labor intensity, environmental safety concerns, and ecological impacts. An integrated approach that combines these strategies is essential for effective management. Future research should prioritize large-scale case studies to evaluate the practical viability of these sustainable applications and their long-term ecological effects, ultimately repurposing <em>P. crassipes</em> from an invasive species into a valuable resource for global environmental sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100359"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative study and morphological plasticity of an Italian and a Chinese population of the protist ciliate Pseudokeronopsis erythrina (Hypotrichia, Kentrurostylida) with a mitochondrial genome analysis","authors":"Wenxin Xu , Leandro Gammuto , Valentina Serra , Xiaotian Luo , Fabrizio Erra , Jie Huang , Giulia Cerritelli , Giulio Petroni , Letizia Modeo","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two populations of the kentrurostylid ciliate <em>Pseudokeronopsis erythrina</em> Chen et al., 2011 were isolated from a brackish wastewater treatment plant, Pisa, Italy and from a nutrient-rich freshwater body, the East Lake, Wuhan, China. The populations were thoroughly investigated for their morphology, focusing on cell body plasticity. The study was supplemented with 18S rDNA phylogenetic analysis and mitogenome sequencing, following the integrative taxonomy approach. The Italian population possesses a great variation in terms of the frontal area, and the numbers of left marginal rows, and dorsal kineties. Additionally, the number of left marginal anlagen and dorsal kineties anlagen varied. For instance, additional small anlagen appeared in the left marginal rows, and two dorsal kineties anlagen derived from a single dorsal kinety. The Wuhan population resembled the type population (originally isolated from Guangzhou, China), differing only by the presence of an extra dorsal kinety. The existence of giant individuals characterized both new populations of <em>P. erythrina</em> although with some differences in their respective frequency and features. The 18S rDNA sequences of the Italian, Wuhan, and type populations were identical. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these three populations formed a distinct cluster within the clade containing <em>P</em>. <em>songi</em>, <em>P</em>. <em>parasongi</em>, and <em>P</em>. <em>flava</em>. The structure of the <em>P</em>. <em>erythrina</em> mitochondrial genome is also provided. The content of this genome closely resembled <em>Pseudourostyla cristata</em>, except for the absence of genes <em>nadh3</em> and <em>nadh6</em>. Our findings suggest that the Wuhan population represents an intermediate form between the type and Italian populations. The greater morphological plasticity observed in the Italian population underscores the importance of molecular data and integrative analyses in species identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100345"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanbin Chen , Hiotong Kam , Shirley Weng In Siu , Clarence Tsun Ting Wong , Jian-Wen Qiu , Alex Kwok-Kuen Cheung , Gandhi Rádis-Baptista , Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
{"title":"Neuroprotective Kunitz-like peptides identified from the octopus coral Galaxea fascicularis through transcriptomic analysis","authors":"Hanbin Chen , Hiotong Kam , Shirley Weng In Siu , Clarence Tsun Ting Wong , Jian-Wen Qiu , Alex Kwok-Kuen Cheung , Gandhi Rádis-Baptista , Simon Ming-Yuen Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Potassium voltage-gated channels are potential targets for the treatment of PD. The aim of this study is to identify novel potassium ion channel blockers for the treatment of PD through transcriptomic analysis of the coral species <em>Galaxea fascicularis</em>. After annotation by four different databases, four peptides were selected that showed characteristics of potassium ion channel blockers. These four peptides were subjected to multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. These four peptides were identified as of Kunitz-type peptides, are known as potassium ion channel blockers. The structures of the peptides were modeled and subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to verify their stability, which indicated that the peptide GfKuz1 showed the highest potency to block K<sub>V</sub>1.3 (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 3) among the reference peptides. The MD simulation of the peptide-protein complexes showed that GfKuz1 interacted with K<sub>V</sub>1.3, and was more compact and stable than the other potassium ion channel. The blocking effect was confirmed by a potassium ion bioassay. Furthermore, GfKuz1 showed no toxicity to PC-12 cells or zebrafish at concentrations up to 100 μM. In addition, GfKuz1 increased the PC-12 cell viability that was reduced by 6-hydroxydopamine hydrochloride, and also down-regulated the level of reactive oxygen species and activated the Nrf2 pathway. In summary, GfKuz1 reversed PD symptoms and is a potential peptide drug prototype for PD treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100358"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tishma Patel , John Y. Wang , Denise Greig , Ellen Hines
{"title":"An updated range-wide assessment of Neophocaena: Threats and priorities for research and conservation","authors":"Tishma Patel , John Y. Wang , Denise Greig , Ellen Hines","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Neophocaena</em> includes two species, the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (<em>N. phocaenoides</em>) and the Narrow-ridged finless porpoise (<em>N. asiaeorientalis</em>). The Indo-Pacific species is found in coastal waters from the Persian Gulf through south and southeast Asia to as far north as the Taiwan Strait. The Narrow-ridged finless porpoise ranges from the Taiwan Strait to the waters of northern China, Korea, and Japan. Within <em>N. asiaeorientalis</em> there are two subspecies, the Yangtze finless porpoise (<em>N. a. asiaeorientalis</em>), found in the Yangtze River and adjoining lakes in China, and the East Asian finless porpoise (<em>N. a. sunameri</em>), found in coastal marine waters of China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Korea, and Japan. In 2019, an international workshop was held on finless porpoise research and conservation. Participants shared that, in many regions, information on distribution, abundance and population structure is lacking or inadequate. A global assessment of research is critical to provide a basis for conservation planning. Anthropogenic activities (i.e., habitat degradation, pollution, etc.) are known threats, with fisheries bycatch the primary threat throughout the known distribution of finless porpoises. To conserve these cetaceans, research priorities include studies of abundance and distribution, habitat and ecology, fisheries-related mortality, increased public awareness, and bycatch mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100334"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marden S. Linares , Diego R. Macedo , Robert M. Hughes , Marcos Callisto
{"title":"City bug, country bug: How do benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages respond to an urbanization gradient taxonomically and functionally?","authors":"Marden S. Linares , Diego R. Macedo , Robert M. Hughes , Marcos Callisto","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2024.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lotic ecosystems are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of urbanization because of their close connectivity with the surrounding terrestrial ecosystems. There is, however, a knowledge gap in how the taxa and functions of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages respond to a gradient of urban land use and where their tipping points are along this gradient. Thus, we quantified how urban land use in stream catchments influenced benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages functionally and taxonomically. We found that urbanization affected benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage taxa and functions at tipping points of <10% of stream catchment urbanization. Greener human settlements are needed to minimize losses of sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa and their functions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yang Xu , Zhi-Ming Liu , Hao-Yang Xia, Wei Wang, Xin-Lan Deng, Chun-Ya Wu, Zi-Yu Xie, Xin-Yu Liang, Tiao-Yi Xiao, De-Liang Li, Jun-Hua Li
{"title":"Combined intestinal transcriptome and microbiome profiling highlights microbiota involved in growth and immunity of the Reeves’ turtle (Mauremys reevesii)","authors":"Yang Xu , Zhi-Ming Liu , Hao-Yang Xia, Wei Wang, Xin-Lan Deng, Chun-Ya Wu, Zi-Yu Xie, Xin-Yu Liang, Tiao-Yi Xiao, De-Liang Li, Jun-Hua Li","doi":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intestine serves as the primary digestive and essential mucosal immune organ, harboring diverse microbiota that play crucial roles in digestion, absorption, and host immunity. However, the association between the intestinal microbiota and host growth and immunity remains insufficiently established, particularly in ectothermic animals where microbiota are easily influenced by external environments. Herein, a comparative analysis of histology, gene expression, transcriptome, and microbiome was deployed to systematically investigate the potential relevance of growth traits, immune responses, and gut microbiota between Reeves' turtles with inferior (IGP) or superior growth performance (SGP). Our results revealed that, in comparison to the IGP group, the SGP group exhibited histological intestinal structures that were more conducive to digestion and absorption, thereby aligning with its superior growth traits. Moreover, transcriptomic annotation identified 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with growth and 70 DEGs involved in immunity. These DEGs showed significant enrichment in growth- and immunity-related GO terms and KEGG pathways. Further RT-PCR analyses validated the expression profiles of several genes related to growth and immunity across multiple tissues. In addition, analysis of microbial abundance revealed the presence of various sensitive indicator genera, such as <em>Lactobacillus</em> and <em>Brevundimonas</em>, which potentially imply host growth performance and immune response. At the phylum level, a more diverse and stable microbial interaction between intestinal microbiota in the SGP group and aquaculture water was predicted to contribute to superior growth performance and immunity. Furthermore, correlation analyses revealed a potential interplay between indicator genera with DEGs associated with growth and immune responses. Taken together, these findings highlight the intricate interplay of intestinal microbiota, environmental microbiota, as well as growth- and immunity-related genes in shaping host traits, providing valuable insights into promoting healthy culture practices for Reeves’ turtles from both molecular and microbiological perspectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101277,"journal":{"name":"Water Biology and Security","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100371"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}