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A purified Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) extract from L. tessellatus eggs was enzyme-hydrolyzed and then fractionated with DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography. The fractions were subsequently subjected to skin regeneration effects analysis against skin fibroblast (CCD-986sk) cell lines. Fraction 3 is evidently to have tyrosinase inhibition activity by 20.1% at concentration of 50 mg/mL. DOPA oxidation assay, collagenase inhibition activity assay, fibroblast proliferation assay, and production of type I C-peptide assays were done to further proof the skin regeneration effect of GAGs fractions. Results revealed that fraction 3 has effective skin regeneration activities at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims at assessing the life span of populations of the orchid L. loeselii during successional in dune slacks on the Wadden Sea islands. An inventory of Liparis loeselii populations was carried out on 6 islands, while the population structure was assessed in more detail on the island of Texel. The occurrence of the orchid was related to soil factors and hydrological conditions. Groundwater levels were measured in a dune area with natural dune slack formation. The groundwater composition was analyses and the freshwater lenses were modelled. Various scenarios were investigated, including sea level rise and sand nourishment. The window of opportunity for L. loeselii to colonize a new slack is relatively narrow. Under favorable management, the population can survive c. 20 years. Soil pH was positively correlated with the occurrence of L. loeselii populations, while a high organic matter content was negatively correlated. Sites with large populations of L. loeselii, were situated in young dune slacks, that functioned as flow-through lakes and has top soilsinfluenced by anoxic calcareous groundwater. Modelling showed that the freshwater lens would decrease due to sea level rise, while artificial sand nourishment could counteract this effect. The populations of the Hors area on Texel, the Netherlands, can survive for several decades due to continuous formation of new slacks. Discharge of calcareous groundwater is essential to keep the pH on a high level. The hydrological systems that supply dune slack with groundwater are relatively small and are vulnerable for changes in sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide fractions isolated from L. tessellatus eggs were purified and eluted using the DEAE-sepharose fast flow column. These were collected, tested and pooled based on their sugars content: F1, F2, and F3 which contain 26.8, 23.3, and 20.2% sulfated glycans; 34.5, 38.2, and 45.0% uronic acids; and 23.5, 19.0, and 7.5% acetylhexosamines and hexosamines, respectively. Hyaluronidase inhibitory effects of the fractions are in the order F3 > F2 > F1 > Ascorbic acid, with F3 having the highest inhibition among the fractions and that of the standard, ascorbic acid. The electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) confirmed the presence of uronic acids on F3, which could be a 0,2 A 2 fragment plus loss of methyl group which is very common among non-methylated, sulfated disaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dune slacks are important habitats, with many endangered plant species. A series of eleven dune slacks of 1–42 years old was studied in SW-Texel, the Netherlands, with the EU-habitat directive species Liparis loeselii present in all except the youngest and oldest. Analysis of aerial photographs revealed that new slacks are currently formed every 4–5 years. In each slack, topsoil and vegetation data were collected in 2010 and 2014–2015. During succession, vegetation changed from brackish pioneer stages to dune slacks with L. loeselii and Parnassia palustris and ultimately grassland species. Differences between dune slacks and sampling periods were mostly significant. Herb cover and soil C increased with slack age, and over the five year study period, while bare sand, bulk density and pH decreased. The annual pH-decrease was 0.055 and 0.075 for pH-H 2 O and pH-KCl respectively, and annual C-increase 0.16% and 35 g m − 2 . Liparis loeselii was only present between pH H2O 5.8–7.5 and pH KCl 5.6–7.6, and only occurred at C-content below 4.3%. In lime-poor dunes, environmental conditions thus become unsuitable approximately 34 years after the start of succession. In the dune slacks, Liparis loeselii established within 6 years, showed peak values after 11–16 years, and declined until conditions became unsuitable. Rejuvenation may occur after large storms with fresh sand deposits. However, even with further succession, the present populations are not endangered and probably last until 2040. With new dune slacks every 5 years, L. loeselii occurs in approximately eight different dune slacks at the same time, ensuring viable populations also in the future. This shows that adverse effects of succession can be counteracted by dynamics on local and landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liparis loeselii is a declining orchid species in almost all European countries, mostly because of habitat loss. Therefore, good knowledge about the species ecology, distribution and populations is required in order to substantiate measures for its conservation. The aim of this research was to evaluate all available information about distribution, habitat types and population sizes of L. loeselii in Lithuania, in order to reveal the current state of our knowledge and identify information gaps. The study was based on the analysis of herbarium specimens and information in publications and various databases (a total of 481 unique records were used: 118 from herbaria, 121 from literature and 242 from databases). Intensive accumulation of information about L. loeselii started in the second half of the 20th century and a particularly large number of records were made in the period from 2010 to 2015 during the implementation of inventory and mapping of EU Habitats all over Lithuania. A summary of all information about L. loeselii revealed that it was registered in a total of 93 grid squares, and is mainly confined to uplands. The available information is quite sufficient for the evaluation of the species distribution and prevailing habitats, but is incomplete for the evaluation of population sizes, demographic structures and population trends under changing habitat conditions. Additional investigations are, therefore, required to enable a more accurate assessment of the size and viability of the L. loeselii metapopulation in Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in distributional range and morphological characters between two color morphotypes of a snailfish, Crystallichthys matsushimae, were investigated. Specimens with yellow stripes (yellow morphotype) were collected only from southern part of the Sea of Japan, whereas those with rounded red markings (red morphotype) were collected from northern part of the Sea of Japan, the southern Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific coast of northern Japan. Although principal component analysis based on 24 morphometric characters did not result in clear separation of the two color morphotypes, the combination of anal and pectoral-fin ray counts clearly distinguished them. These differences in distributional ranges and counts suggest that the two color morphotypes represent two difference species or subspecies, although some differences in measurements and counts among local populations (northern Sea of Japan, southern Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific coast of northern Japan) of the red morphotype were also evident. Because snailfishes usually bear large demersal eggs and have no planktonic stage, the results suggested that migration among local populations is probably restricted due to their low dispersal ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to recover a heparin-like anticoagulant polysaccharide from Liparis tessellatus eggs (PLE) by using enzyme-assisted extraction technique. Extraction experiments were carried out using three different enzymes (Alcalase ® 2.4L, Flavourzyme ® 500MG, and Protamex ® ) under different conditions of temperature (45, 50, and 55 °C), pH (6.5, 7.0, and 7.5), incubation time (24, 36, and 48 h), and enzyme to substrate ratio ( E / S = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%, w/w), which were combined according to a D-optimal design. Statistical analysis of extraction results allowed identifying the variables with greater influence on the extraction yield, and selecting the conditions that maximize the PLE extraction. The best extraction results were achieved when using the Protamex ® enzyme in an E / S ratio of 1.34% (w/w), pH 6.60, 47.40 °C, during 26.50 h. Under these conditions, a polysaccharide yield of 2.10% (w/w) was obtained. Clotting time measurements, activated partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin time for evaluation of the anticoagulant properties of PLE were determined and showed increasing activities in correlation with the concentrations used. In the final step, the heparin-like nature of PLE was confirmed by digestion with heparinases I, II, and III, which showed ΔDiHS-0S, ΔDiHS-6S, ΔDiHS-diS1, and ΔDiHS-diS2 at compositions of 0.04, 0.03, 0.35, and 0.24 mol/g, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conserve endangered species, information is needed on (meta)population responses to habitat quality and management. As possibilities for long-term studies are generally limited, it is important to obtain as much information as possible in a single field season. We obtained such single-census data for the orchid Liparis loeselii , a European Habitat Directive species. Stage structures of 15 Dutch dune and fen populations were related to vegetation structure, environmental indicators, and management. Botanical inventory records from 1930 to 2003 were used to infer population life spans. Cluster analysis did not reveal successional stage structure types. Dense populations with high recruitment mainly occurred in open, young-successional vegetation with high soil pH. High soil humidity and acidification negatively affected orchid densities. Early mowing was preferable over late mowing in dune slacks, because the latter reduced juvenile densities. The predominant population life span was three to eight years, and similar for dune slacks and fens. Longer life spans were occasionally observed at mown sites with influx of base-rich water. Our results suggest high metapopulation dynamics. Long-term metapopulation viability requires the formation of new habitat by dune slack formation in dunes and peat removal in fens. Population persistence can be prolonged to some extent by mowing, extensive grazing, or sod removal if natural habitat formation is impossible. Our study demonstrates that useful information on (meta)population ecology and viability can be obtained in a single field season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report three new orchids to Taiwan, i.e., Cephalantheropsis longipes, Habenaria tsaiana and Nervilia linearilabia are presented. Cephalantheropsis dolichopoda (Fukuy.) Lin is a new combination from Calanthe dolichopoda Fukuy. Liparis sp. is an unknown species also included for reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the first record of the Montagu's sea snail Liparis montagui in Belgian waters. Topics discussed include the study of ecology and taxonomy of the fish species through monitoring programs, the population and distribution of the species, and the identification characteristics of the species.

The tanaka's snailfish Liparis tanakae (Gilbert & Burke) (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) is an economically important marine fish species in China. However, the helminth parasites of this fish are still poorly known. During a helminthological survey of Chinese marine fishes from 2011 to 2012, we revealed that L. tanakae was heavily infected with third-stage larvae and adults of ascaridoid nematodes (total prevalence 100 % and mean intensity 82.3 nematodes per fish). Four species of third-stage larvae Hysterothylacium liparis Li, Xu & Zhang, 2007, H. aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), Hysterothylacium fabri (Rudolphi, 1819), and Anisakis pegreffii (Campana-Rouget & Biocca, 1955) and a single species of adults H. liparis were differentiated and identified by morphological and molecular methods. The detailed morphology of the four species of third-stage larvae was also studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological and molecular characterization of the third-stage larvae of H. liparis was reported. Liparis tanakae represents a new host record for A. pegreffii and H. fabri. In addition, a new name, Hysterothylacium zhoushanense nom. nov. was also given to Hysterothylacium zhoushanensis Li, Liu & Zhang, 2012 to make the latinized specific epithet agree with this neuter generic name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present some results of a six-year (2008-2013) study in two localities of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. near Lake Engure. The annual cycle of L. loeselii, an early successional species, may indicate its potential survival in its typical wet habitat with fluctuating levels of water. Flowering of L. loeselii usually begins in the first decade of June and lasts for several weeks. If the initiation of development was delayed, leaves and inflorescence started to grow almost simultaneously. Development of the first fruit began during flowering and continued to August. Ripening of fruit and seeds occurred in September-October, and they were dispersed mostly by melt water of snow in spring, which is very important for populations in sites overgrowing with perennial herbs. The previous season capsules of L. loeselii remained till the middle of the next growing season; a part of the seeds remained in capsules and less than 1% of seeds had viable embryos. This may increase the survival potential of the population. The studies of herbarium records of L. loeselii in the area of Lake Engure showed that the annual cycles of L. loeselii have been similar and that the species has not responded drastically to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Character intercorrelation was studied in a natural population of the epiphytic orchid Liparis resupinata in northern Thailand, and patterns of morphological variation in relation to the local growth environment of individual plants were mapped. Massive occurrence of character intercorrelation was detected, but clone size only influenced few characters of individual flowering shoots. Variation in vegetative and floral organs was largely independent, but two cases differed from the general pattern: (1) the only character not defined by size (distance between apices of lateral sepals) exhibited largely independent variation; (2) ovary length was positively correlated with nearly all other characters. Major groups of vegetative and floral characters were found to covary with different combinations of ecological parameters. Although our study does not document the existence of phenotypic plasticity in L. resupinata, the overall patterns observed would be congruent with a scenario involving phenotypic plasticity. No positive correlation between variability and apparent morphological susceptibility to environmental influence was found; but floral characters were generally less variable and covaried with more ecological parameters than vegetative characters. Based on our observations, we make a few methodological recommendations for morphometric studies of species complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we formally describe Liparis pingxiangensis as a new species from Guangxi, China on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. It is easily distinguished from closely related species by strongly curved column without column wings, and broadly rhombic-elliptic lip with 2 uncinate calli at the base. In particular, it differs most markedly from its congeners in possessing two pollinia attached by long and prominent caudicles (not stipes), to a distinct sticky disc. This type of pollinarium, as far as we know, is not found in any other species of Liparis, and is also unique among the orchids with waxy pollinia. We then proceeded to a phylogenetic analysis to ascertain the systematic position of this enigmatic species. Molecular study based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK DNA sequence data supports L. pingxiangensis as a distinct species, which forms an independent lineage sister to L. nervosa and its allies (93% BS, 1.00 BPP). In the light of previous work, the findings have important implications for a better understanding of the well-supported pattern mainly based on vegetative features in Malaxideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Commercial fisheries of lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus have been carried out in Iceland for centuries. Traditionally the most valuable part is the eggs which are harvested for use as a caviar substitute. Previously reported parasitic infections from lumpfish include an undescribed intranuclear microsporidian associated with abnormal kidneys and mortalities in captive lumpfish in Canada. During Icelandic lumpfish fisheries in spring 2011, extensive enlargements to the kidneys were observed in some fish during processing. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogen responsible for these abnormalities. Methods: Lumpfish from the Icelandic coast were examined for the causative agent of kidney enlargement. Fish were dissected and used in histological and molecular studies. Results: Lumpfish, with various grades of clinical signs, were observed at 12 of the 43 sites sampled around Iceland. From a total of 77 fish examined, 18 had clear clinical signs, the most prominent of which was an extensive enlargement and pallor of the kidneys. The histopathology of the most severely affected fish consisted of extensive degeneration and necrosis of kidney tubules and vacuolar degeneration of the haematopoietic tissue. Intranuclear microsporidians were detected in all organs examined in fish with prominent clinical signs and most organs of apparently healthy fish using the new PCR and histological examination. One or multiple uniformly oval shaped spores measuring 3.12 ± 0.15 × 1.30 ± 0.12 µm were observed in the nucleus of affected lymphocytes and lymphocyte precursor cells. DNA sequencing provided a ribosomal DNA sequence that was strongly supported in phylogenetic analyses in a clade containing other microsporidian parasites from the Enterocytozoonidae, showing highest similarity to the intranuclear microsporidian Nucleospora salmonis. Conclusions: Intranuclear microsporidian infections are common in wild caught lumpfish from around the Icelandic coast. Infections can cause severe clinical signs and extensive histopathological changes, but are also present, at lower levels, in fish that do not show clinical signs. Some common features exist with the intranuclear microsporidian previously reported from captive Canadian lumpfish, but DNA sequence data is required from Canadian fish to confirm conspecificity. Based on phylogenetic analysis and the intranuclear location of the parasite, the name Nucleospora cyclopteri n. sp. is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The importance of the Arctic, in contributing to the knowledge of the overall ensemble of adaptive processes influencing the evolution of marine organisms, calls for investigations on molecular adaptations in Arctic fish. Unlike the vast majority of Antarctic Notothenioidei, several Arctic species display high hemoglobin multiplicity. The blood of four species, the spotted wolffish of the family Anarhichadidae and three Gadidae, contains three functionally distinct major components. Similar to many Antarctic notothenioids, Arctic Liparis tunicatus (suborder Cottoidei, family Liparidae) has one major hemoglobin (Hb 1) accompanied by a minor component (Hb 2). This paper reports the structural and functional characterisation of Hb 1 of L. tunicatus. This hemoglobin shows low oxygen affinity, and pronounced Bohr and Root effects. The amino-acid sequence of the β chain displays an unusual substitution in NA2 (β2) at the phosphate-binding site, and the replacement of Val E11 (β67) with Ile. Similar to some Antarctic fish Hbs, electron paramagnetic resonance spectra reveal the formation of a ferric penta-coordinated species even at physiological pH. The amino-acid sequences have also been used to gain insight into the evolutionary history of globins of polar fish. L. tunicatus globins appear close to the notothenioid clades as predicted by teleostean phylogenies. Close phylogenetic relationships between Cottoidei and Notothenioidei, together with their life style, seem to be the main factor driving the globin-sequence evolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Liparis adiastolus, a previously undescribed species from the coasts of Oregon and Washington, northwest United States, is described. The new species has probably been consistently confused with Liparis rutteri, which has a more northerly distribution. Liparis adiastolus is clearly distinguishable from all similar species in having 41-70 pyloric caeca, 35-39 vertebrae, 30-33 dorsal-fin rays, 32-35 pectoral-fin rays, disk 67-77% HL, and other distinctive characters. In addition to describing the new species, we select a lectotype of L. rutteri, provide an expanded diagnosis for that species, and discuss the confusion previously existing with regard to its identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the characteristics of capoeta capoeta capoeta. It is one of the subspecies of the genus Capoeta and it is distributed throughout southwest, south and central Asia. This subspecies is a popular taxon in the south Caspian Sea basin of Iran. The parasitological characteristics of khramulya have been studied in the Madarso stream of Golestan National Park. However, there is no published data on age and growth of C. c. capoeta in the southern Caspian Sea basin; the aim of present study was to investigate its age and growth characteristics from the Yasalegh stream in the Gorganrud basin.

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) in the present study were determined for three fish species: Collichthys niveatus Jordan & Starks, 1906; Ctenotrypauchen chinensis Steindachner, 1867 and Liparis tanakae (Gilbert & Burke, 1912), collected from Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea, China using bottom trawl nets from June to August 2014. The b parameters in the fitted LWRs for the three fish species were 2.882, 2.991 and 3.353, respectively. A new maximum total length (15.6 cm) for C. chinensis was recorded. The LWRs for the three fish species are first reported in FishBase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

isolation, structure elucidation and cytotoxic activity of three new pyrrolizidine alkaloids named nervosine VII, VIII, and IX [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The length–weight relationship of 21 species of fish from a coastal lagoon in the southwestern Gulf of California was estimated. These species were obtained as bycatch from the artisanal shrimp fishery. A total of 8522 specimens were used to estimate the parameters of the relationship, as well as at least 100 organisms per species. Differences between sexes were not found in any species. The slope ( b) showed values between 2.5 and 3.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the characteristics of a lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus. It is a pelagic and solitary species distributed on both North Atlantic Ocean coasts. The spawning behaviour and curious parental care of this species is well-known. Lumpfish migrate from the open ocean toward shallow coastal waters during the spawning season. Females lay eggs that adhere to rocks in the seaweed beds. The presence of this species in Galician latitudes is actually occasional, but regular, mainly in the first half of the year.