The authors would like to thank all the New England commercial lobstermen whose boats we were allowed to sample from - their cooperation is much appreciated. In addition, we thank Little Bay Lobster Company (Newington, NH) and Champlin&#39;s Seafood (Point Judith, RI) who allowed us to conduct sampling at their facilities. The following UNH students provided invaluable assistance throughout this study: Haley White, Fran&#231;oise Morrison, Sarah Havener, Audra Chaput, and May Grose. This project was supported by grants from NH SeaGrant to WHW (project # R/CFR-11) and a UNH Marine Program Grant to JSG.

Part A: Field Sampling Technique
1. Female Measurements
<ol>
	<li>For each female lobster, measure the carapace length (CL) and the width of the second abdominal segment to the nearest 1.0 mm using a pair of calipers. 
	NOTE: The second abdominal segment is measured because the width of the abdomen (where females carry their eggs) is an indicator of sexual maturity. In addition, it might be advantageous to ascertain the molt stage to later match these data with reproductive stage (see step 1.2).</li>
	<li>Clip a small distal portion off one of the abdominal pleopods (a standard methodological protocol in lobsters) and store the pleopod in clean seawater for later viewing with a dissecting microscope9. 
	NOTE: This step might also reveal the presence of cement glands on the pleopods, which are an indication that females are preparing to extrude their eggs10.</li>
</ol>
2. Needle Insertion
<ol>
	<li>Insert the syringe needle (18 G, see Table 1) ~1 cm into the seminal receptacle, angled toward the tail at ~45&#176; (Figure 1). 
	NOTE: In lobsters with intact sperm plugs, the needle may meet some resistance during insertion, as it is pushed through the sperm plug prior to reaching the highest concentration of sperm at the bottom of the seminal receptacle (Figure 1). 
	NOTE: The presence of the plug, in itself, is a reliable indicator that lobsters have mated. In some animals there may be little resistance, possibly because no spermatophore is present, the spermatophore is small, it has not hardened into a plug yet, or it may have already been used to fertilize one or more clutches of eggs.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 1" fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig1.jpg" width="600px" /> 
Figure 1. Needle insertion and view of lobster seminal receptacle. Inserting the blunt-tipped needle into the seminal receptacle of the lobster to extract a sperm sample. The angle and depth of the needle are both critical to obtaining consistent samples. Right: View of a seminal receptacle that has been dissected and split vertically. The sperm plug occupies the top or outermost portion of the receptacle, while the spermatozoa are located at the bottom (deepest point) of the receptacle. It is important to note that sampling below this depth may puncture the receptacle and result in a blood-contaminated sample. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to view larger image</a>.
3. Penetrating the Sperm Plug
<ol>
	<li>After the initial insertion, steepen the angle of the needle to nearly vertical (perpendicular to the body axis), and very slowly start to work it downwards into the receptacle.</li>
	<li>Keep the needle tilted at an angle so that the tip is pointed slightly towards the tail. In this case the needle tip is compressing the top of the plug, until it eventually penetrates into the matrix.</li>
	<li>Continue to slowly push the needle downwards until resistance is felt once more - this is the bottom of the receptacle and where the sample is taken.</li>
</ol>
4. Sperm Removal
<ol>
	<li>Remove a sample (often solid plug material, liquid sperm and other fluid) from the bottom of the receptacle and deposit the sample into a labeled 2.0 ml plastic tube.</li>
	<li>Flush the receptacle with ~0.1-0.5 ml of cold seawater.</li>
	<li>Remove approximately 0.3 ml of fluid and place in the same tube.</li>
	<li>Store sperm samples on ice until they can be examined in the laboratory. Part B: Examination of Sperm Samples in the Lab 
	NOTE: Samples removed from the seminal receptacles of individual lobsters should be examined to determine if sperm cells were present or absent.</li>
	<li>Remove ~50 &#181;l of fluid from each plastic tube, place on a glass slide with a cover slip, and view at 100X with a compound microscope.</li>
	<li>Score samples as: sperm scarce, numerous, or absent (this study did not quantify actual sperm numbers, Figure 2).</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 2" fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig2.jpg" width="600px" /> 
Figure 2. Lobster sperm sample images. Images of lobster sperm samples taken from a female's seminal receptacle, as viewed with a compound microscope at 40X magnification. Image on left shows a sample that contained numerous sperm while the other (right) illustrates a sparse sample (scale bar = 10 &#956;m). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/50498/50498fig2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to view larger image</a>.

<ol>
	<li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> FAO and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. , (2012).</li><li>MacDiarmid, A., Butler, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sperm+economy+and+limitation+in+spiny+lobsters.">Sperm economy and limitation in spiny lobsters.</a> Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 46, 14-24 (1999).</li><li>Kendall, M. S., Wolcott, D. L., Wolcott, T. G., Hines, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+male+size+and+mating+history+on+sperm+content+of+ejaculates+of+the+blue+crab+Callinectes+sapidus.">Influence of male size and mating history on sperm content of ejaculates of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus.</a> 230, 235-240 (2002).</li><li>Sato, T., Ashidate, M., Goshima, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+male+mating+frequency+and+male+size+on+ejaculate+size+and+reproductive+success+of+female+spiny+king+crab,+Parolithodes+brevipes.">Effects of male mating frequency and male size on ejaculate size and reproductive success of female spiny king crab, Parolithodes brevipes.</a> Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 296, 251-262 (2005).</li><li>Sato, T., Goshima, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impacts+of+male-only+fishing+and+sperm+limitation+in+manipulated+populations+of+an+unfished+crab,+Hapalogaster.">Impacts of male-only fishing and sperm limitation in manipulated populations of an unfished crab, Hapalogaster.</a> 313, 193-204 (2006).</li><li>Rondeau, A., Sainte-Marie, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variable+mate-guarding+time+and+sperm+allocation+by+male+snow+crabs+(Chionoecetes+opilio)+in+response+to+sexual+competition,+and+their+impact+on+the+mating+success+of+females.">Variable mate-guarding time and sperm allocation by male snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in response to sexual competition, and their impact on the mating success of females.</a> Biol. Bull. 201, 204-217 (2001).</li><li>Waddy, S. L., Aiken, D. E., Bauer, R. T., Martin, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Mating and insemination in the Ameri can lobster,Homarus americanus. Crustacean sexual behavior. , 126-144 (1990).</li><li>Johnson, K. J., Goldstein, J. S., Watson, W. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+methods+for+determining+the+fertility+status+in+early-stage+American+lobster,+Homarus+americanus,+eggs.">Two methods for determining the fertility status in early-stage American lobster, Homarus americanus, eggs.</a> J. Crust. Biol. 31, 693-700 (2011).</li><li>Aiken, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proecdysis,+setal+development,+and+molt+prediction+in+the+American+lobster+(Homarus).">Proecdysis, setal development, and molt prediction in the American lobster (Homarus).</a> 30, 1337-1344 (1973).</li><li>Aiken, D. E., Waddy, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cement+gland+development,+ovary+maturation,+and+reproductive+cycles+in+the+American+lobster+Homarus+americanus.">Cement gland development, ovary maturation, and reproductive cycles in the American lobster Homarus americanus.</a> J. Crust. Biol. 2, 315-327 (1982).</li><li>Pugh, T. L., Goldstein, J. S., Lavalli, K. L., Clancy, M., Watson, W. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=At-sea+determination+of+female+American+lobsters+(Homarus+americanus)+mating+activity:+Patterns+vs.+expectations.">At-sea determination of female American lobsters (Homarus americanus) mating activity: Patterns vs. expectations.</a> Fish. Res. 147, 327-337 (2013).</li><li>Bauer, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phylogenetic+trends+in+sperm+transfer+and+storage+complexity+in+decapod+crustaceans.">Phylogenetic trends in sperm transfer and storage complexity in decapod crustaceans.</a> J. Crust. Biol. 6, 313-325 (1986).</li><li>Talbot, P., Helluy, S., Factor, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reproduction+and+embryonic+development.">Reproduction and embryonic development.</a> Biology of the Lobster: Homarus americanus. , 177-216 (1995).</li><li>Cooper, R. A., Uzmann, J. R., Cobb, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Ecology of juvenile and adult Homarus. The biology and management of lobsters. 2, 97-142 (1980).</li><li>Estrella, B. T., McKiernan, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Catch-per-unit-effort+and+biological+parameters+from+the+Massachusetts+coastal+lobster+(Homarus+americanus)+resource:+description+and+trends.">Catch-per-unit-effort and biological parameters from the Massachusetts coastal lobster (Homarus americanus) resource: description and trends.</a> NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS. 81, (1989).</li><li>Waddy, S. L., Aiken, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+fertilization+and+consecutive+spawning+in+large+American+lobster,+Homarus+americanus.">Multiple fertilization and consecutive spawning in large American lobster, Homarus americanus.</a> Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 43, 2291-2294 (1986).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Atlantic+States+Marine+Fisheries+Commission+(ASMFC).+American+lobster+stock+assessment+report+for+peer+review.">Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). American lobster stock assessment report for peer review.</a> ASMFC Stock Assessment. , (2009).</li></ol>

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

This video and paper outline and demonstrate a method for determining if female lobsters have successfully mated. This approach is simple enough that it can be used for large-scale sampling of lobsters at sea by a variety of users. The method is based on detecting the presence of a spermatophore in the seminal receptacle that is passed from male to female lobsters during mating. These spermatophores partially harden into a sperm plug shortly after they are deposited in the receptacle; thus, the presence of a sperm plug i...

American lobster (Homarus americanus) is one of the most productive fisheries in the North Atlantic (~ 56,000 mt in 2011, valued over $390 million)1. However, there is a general lack of understanding regarding the reproductive dynamics of this species in wild populations. Generating more accurate estimates of reproductive output, including the number and sizes of individuals actively participating in reproduction, may improve the stock assessment process. For example, females that are prevented from achieving their full reproductive potential due to sperm limitation have been identified as a concern for several commercially exploited marine crustaceans including: spiny lobsters2, blue crabs3, king crabs4, stone crabs5, and snow crabs6. The overall goal is to determine if sperm limitation might be a factor in certain regions of the American lobster fishery as well.
The first signs of a potential sperm limitation problem in lobsters were observed while conducting an unrelated tagging study with ovigerous female lobsters (with visibly intact, recently extruded eggs). Recapture reports from fishermen indicated that ~15% of these animals had dropped their egg clutches after only 1-2 months. The working hypothesis was that some lobsters were carrying eggs that had not been fertilized and, as a result, &#39;fell off&#39;7. Preliminary data from a subsequent study have confirmed the fact that lobsters will extrude eggs even if they have not successfully mated and these unfertilized eggs are only carried for ~ 1 month8. Therefore, given the observation of females carrying unfertilized eggs in natural populations, we sought to determine the extent to which sperm limitation might be contributing to a submaximal level of reproduction by sexually mature lobsters. To achieve this goal, a technique was developed to detect the spermatophore deposited by males during mating.
This paper and video describe a noninvasive, simple method developed for ascertaining the mating success of female lobsters. The technique can be utilized quickly and reliably at sea, either aboard research or commercial fishing vessels. The details of this sampling method as well as some representative findings are presented to illustrate the application of the technique.

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	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">Calipers: Mitutoyo Digimatic</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Mitutoyo</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">500-196-20</td>
			<td style="width:231px;">http://www.globalindustrial.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">3 mL Luer-Lok&#8482; syringe</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Beckton-Dickinson</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">309585</td>
			<td style="width:231px;">www.bd.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:163px;">Monoject aluminum hub blunt needles, 18-G x 1</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Webster Veterinary</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">8881202348</td>
			<td style="width:231px;">www.mywebstervet.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">2.0 mL plastic storage tubes</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Eppendorf&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">wu-06333-72</td>
			<td style="width:231px;">http://www.coleparmer.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">Styrofoam cooler with ice</td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">Compound light microscope</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">BH System</td>
			<td style="width:231px;">http://www.olympusamerica.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:163px;">Glass sides with cover slip</td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;">75 mm x 25 mm, ~ 1 mm thickness</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="10">
			<td height="10" style="height:10px;width:163px;"></td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:163px;">Pipettor with disposable tips</td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:231px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a noninvasive method for in situ determination of mating success in female american lobsters (homarus americanus)

Despite being one of the most productive fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic, much remains unknown about the natural reproductive dynamics of American lobsters. Recent work in exploited crustacean populations (crabs and lobsters) suggests that there are circumstances where mature females are unable to achieve their full reproductive potential due to sperm limitation. To examine this possibility in different regions of the American lobster fishery, a reliable and noninvasive method was developed for sampling large numbers of female lobsters at sea. This method involves inserting a blunt-tipped needle into the female&#39;s seminal receptacle to determine the presence or absence of a sperm plug and to withdraw a sample that can be examined for the presence of sperm. A series of control studies were conducted at the dock and in the laboratory to test the reliability of this technique. These efforts entailed sampling 294 female lobsters to confirm that the presence of a sperm plug was a reliable indicator of sperm within the receptacle and thus, mating. This paper details the methodology and the results obtained from a subset of the total females sampled. Of the 230 female lobsters sampled from George&#39;s Bank and Cape Ann, MA (size range = 71-145 mm in carapace length), 90.3% were positive for sperm. Potential explanations for the absence of sperm in some females include: immaturity (lack of physiological maturity), breakdown of the sperm plug after being used to fertilize a clutch of eggs, and lack of mating activity. The surveys indicate that this technique for examining the mating success of female lobsters is a reliable proxy that can be used in the field to document reproductive activity in natural populations.

The data reported here were for a subset of female lobsters that originated from both nearshore and offshore locations. The nearshore group consisted of 44 lobsters that were captured in the coastal waters near Cape Ann, Massachusetts and transported in coolers to the laboratory for examination. A total of 186 offshore lobsters were captured on George&#39;s Bank and sampled at a commercial holding facility in New Hampshire.
Sperm samples were obtained from all of the animals and immediately ex...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Noninvasive Method For In situ Determination of Mating Success in Female American Lobsters Homarus americanus at JoVE.com

A Noninvasive Method For In situ Determination of Mating Success in Female American Lobsters Homarus americanus

Fishery-induced changes to exploited crustacean fisheries, such as the American lobster fishery, could potentially influence their reproductive dynamics, leading to a reduction in mating success. This study&#39;s goal was to develop a noninvasive method for ascertaining the mating success of female lobsters that may be physiologically or functionally mature.

A Noninvasive Method For In situ Determination of Mating Success in Female American Lobsters (Homarus americanus)

Despite being one of the most productive fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic, much remains unknown about the natural reproductive dynamics of American ...

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10.9K Views.  University of New Hampshire.  Рыболовство, вызванной изменения в эксплуатируемых ракообразных рыболовства, такие как американский омар рыболовства, может потенциально повлиять на их репродуктивные динамику, что привело к сокращению брачного успеха. Цель данного исследования заключала...

Video: A Noninvasive Method For In situ Determination of Mating Success in Female American Lobsters Homarus americanus

A Technique to Screen American Beech for Resistance to the Beech Scale Insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind.)

Beech bark disease (BBD) results in high levels of initial mortality, leaving behind survivor trees that are greatly weakened and deformed.&#160;The disease is initiated by feeding activities of the invasive beech scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga, which creates entry points for infection by one of the Neonectria species of fungus.&#160;Without scale infestation, there is little opportunity for fungal infection. Using scale eggs to artificially infest healthy trees in heavily BBD impacted stands demonstrated that these trees were resistant to the scale insect portion of the disease complex1.&#160;Here we present a protocol that we have developed, based on the artificial infestation technique by Houston2, which can be used to screen for scale-resistant trees in the field and in smaller potted seedlings and grafts.&#160;The identification of scale-resistant trees is an important component of management of BBD through tree improvement programs and silvicultural manipulation.

A Technique to Screen American Beech for Resistance to the Beech Scale Insect Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind.

Beech bark disease is initiated by feeding activities of the beech scale insect that create fungal entry points in the bark.&#160;Trees that are resistant to the scale insect are also disease resistant.&#160;Here we present the protocol we have developed to screen individual beech trees for beech scale resistance.

Beech bark disease (BBD) results in high levels of initial mortality, leaving behind survivor trees that are greatly weakened and deformed.&#160;The ...

VacuSIP, an Improved InEx Method for In Situ Measurement of Particulate and Dissolved Compounds Processed by Active Suspension Feeders

Benthic suspension feeders play essential roles in the functioning of marine ecosystems. By filtering large volumes of water, removing plankton and detritus, and excreting particulate and dissolved compounds, they serve as important agents for benthic-pelagic coupling. Accurately measuring the compounds removed and excreted by suspension feeders (such as sponges, ascidians, polychaetes, bivalves) is crucial for the study of their physiology, metabolism, and feeding ecology, and is fundamental to determine the ecological relevance of the nutrient fluxes mediated by these organisms. However, the assessment of the rate by which suspension feeders process particulate and dissolved compounds in nature is restricted by the limitations of the currently available methodologies. Our goal was to develop a simple, reliable, and non-intrusive method that would allow clean and controlled water sampling from a specific point, such as the excurrent aperture of benthic suspension feeders, in situ. Our method allows simultaneous sampling of inhaled and exhaled water of the studied organism by using minute tubes installed on a custom-built manipulator device and carefully positioned inside the exhalant orifice of the sampled organism. Piercing a septum on the collecting vessel with a syringe needle attached to the distal end of each tube allows the external pressure to slowly force the sampled water into the vessel through the sampling tube. The slow and controlled sampling rate allows integrating the inherent patchiness in the water while ensuring contamination free sampling. We provide recommendations for the most suitable filtering devices, collection vessel, and storing procedures for the analyses of different particulate and dissolved compounds. The VacuSIP system offers a reliable method for the quantification of undisturbed suspension feeder metabolism in natural conditions that is cheap and easy to learn and apply to assess the physiology and functional role of filter feeders in different ecosystems.

VacuSIP, an Improved InEx Method for In Situ Measurement of Particulate and Dissolved Compounds Processed by Active Suspension Feeders

We introduce the VacuSIP, a simple, non-intrusive, and reliable method for clean and accurate point sampling of water. The system was developed and evaluated for the simultaneous collection of the water inhaled and exhaled by benthic suspension feeders in situ, to cleanly measure removal and excretion of particulate and dissolved compounds.

Benthic suspension feeders play essential roles in the functioning of marine ecosystems. By filtering large volumes of water, removing plankton and ...

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

This paper introduces a procedure to investigate the adsorption of phosphonates onto iron-containing filter materials, particularly granular ferric hydroxide (GFH), with little effort and high reliability. The phosphonate, e.g., nitrilotrimethylphosphonic acid (NTMP), is brought into contact with the GFH in a rotator in a solution buffered by an organic acid (e.g., acetic acid) or Good buffer (e.g., 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid) [MES] and N-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid [CAPSO]) in a concentration of 10 mM for a specific time in 50 mL centrifuge tubes. Subsequently, after membrane filtration (0.45 &#181;m pore size), the total phosphorus (total P) concentration is measured using a specifically developed determination method (ISOmini). This method is a modification and simplification of the ISO 6878 method: a 4 mL sample is mixed with H2SO4 and K2S2O8 in a screw cap vial, heated to 148-150 &#176;C for 1 h and then mixed with NaOH, ascorbic acid and acidified molybdate with antimony(III) (final volume of 10 mL) to produce a blue complex. The color intensity, which is linearly proportional to the phosphorus concentration, is measured spectrophotometrically (880 nm). It is demonstrated that the buffer concentration used has no significant effect on the adsorption of phosphonate between pH 4 and 12. The buffers, therefore, do not compete with the phosphonate for adsorption sites. Furthermore, the relatively high concentration of the buffer requires a higher dosage concentration of oxidizing agent (K2S2O8) for digestion than that specified in ISO 6878, which, together with the NaOH dosage, is matched to each buffer. Despite the simplification, the ISOmini method does not lose any of its accuracy compared to the standardized method.

This paper introduces a procedure to investigate the adsorption of phosphonates onto iron-containing filter materials, particularly granular ferric hydroxide, with little effort and high reliability. In a buffered solution, the phosphonate is brought into contact with the adsorbent using a rotator and then analyzed via a miniaturized phosphorus determination method.

This paper introduces a procedure to investigate the adsorption of phosphonates onto iron-containing filter materials, particularly granular ferric ...

In Situ Hybridization Techniques for Paraffin-Embedded Adult Coral Samples

Corals are important ocean invertebrates that are critical for overall ocean health as well as human health. However, due to human impacts such as rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, corals are increasingly under threat. To tackle these challenges, advances in cell and molecular biology have proven to be crucial for diagnosing the health of corals. Modifying some of the techniques commonly used in human medicine could greatly improve researchers&#39; ability to treat and save corals. To address this, a protocol for in situ hybridization used primarily in human medicine and evolutionary developmental biology has been adapted for use in adult corals under stress.
The purpose of this method is to visualize the spatial expression of an RNA probe in adult coral tissue that has been embedded in paraffin and sectioned onto glass slides. This method focuses on removal of the paraffin and rehydration of the sample, pretreatment of the sample to ensure permeability of the sample, pre-hybridization incubation, hybridization of the RNA probe, and visualization of the RNA probe. This is a powerful method when using non-model organisms to discover where specific genes are expressed, and the protocol can be easily adapted for other non-model organisms. However, the method is limited in that it is primarily qualitative, because expression intensity can vary depending on the amount of time used during the visualization step and the concentration of the probe. Furthermore, patience is required, as this protocol can take up to 5 days (and in many cases, longer) depending on the probe being used. Finally, non-specific background staining is common, but this limitation can be overcome.

In Situ Hybridization Techniques for Paraffin-Embedded Adult Coral Samples

The goal of this protocol is to perform in situ hybridization on adult coral samples that have been embedded in paraffin and sectioned onto glass slides. This is a qualitative method used to visualize the spatial expression of an RNA anti-sense probe in paraffin-embedded tissues.

Corals are important ocean invertebrates that are critical for overall ocean health as well as human health. However, due to human impacts such as rising ...

A Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Rapid Identification of Bemisia tabaci

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an invasive pest of considerable importance, affecting the production of vegetable and ornamental crops in many countries around the world. Severe yield losses are caused by direct feeding, and even more importantly, also by the transmission of more than 100 harmful plant pathogenic viruses. As for other invasive pests, increased international trade facilitates the dispersal of B. tabaci to areas beyond its native range. Inspections of plant import products at points of entry such as seaports and airports are, therefore, seen as an important prevention measure. However, this last line of defense against pest invasions is only effective if rapid identification methods for suspicious insect specimens are readily available. Because the morphological differentiation between the regulated B. tabaci and close relatives without quarantine status is difficult for non-taxonomists, a rapid molecular identification assay based on the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology has been developed. This publication reports the detailed protocol of the novel assay describing rapid DNA extraction, set-up of the LAMP reaction, as well as interpretation of its read-out, which allows identifying B. tabaci specimens within one hour. Compared to existing protocols for the detection of specific B. tabaci biotypes, the developed method targets the whole B. tabaci species complex in one assay. Moreover the assay is designed to be applied on-site by plant health inspectors with minimal laboratory training directly at points of entry. Thorough validation performed under laboratory and on-site conditions demonstrates that the reported LAMP assay is a rapid and reliable identification tool, improving the management of B. tabaci.

A Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification LAMP Assay for Rapid Identification of Bemisia tabaci

This paper reports the protocol for a rapid identification assay for Bemisia tabaci based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. The protocol requires minimal laboratory training and can, therefore, be implemented on-site at points of entry for plant imports such as seaports and airports.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an invasive pest of considerable importance, affecting the production of vegetable and ornamental crops in many ...

Implantation of a New Micro Acoustic Tag in Juvenile Pacific Lamprey and American Eel

Juvenile Pacific Lamprey and American eels were used for laboratory evaluations to determine potential effects from tag implantation. Telemetry technology has been identified as a way to obtain more detailed information on movement and behavior across a broader spatial scale than is possible with other known technology. The purpose of this method is to provide a detailed step by step instruction on tag implantation for both lampreys and eel. For laboratory studies using actively migrating juvenile Pacific Lamprey (120-160 mm), we determined that the presence of the tag did not alter the swimming ability between tagged and untagged Individuals or have any significant tag loss (&lt;3%). Similar results were determined during laboratory testing of Yellow phase American Eels (113-175 mm). No mortality occurred during a 38-day holding period and there was minimal tag loss (3.8%). The presence of the tag did not have any significant effect on the swimming ability or survival of tagged eels compared to untagged controls and there was minimal tag loss.

This article illustrates the procedure for implanting a micro acoustic tag in juvenile Pacific Lamprey and American Eel. Our application is based on laboratory trials, which indicate that acoustic tags can be successfully implanted with no apparent effects on swimming ability or survival and minimal tag loss.

Juvenile Pacific Lamprey and American eels were used for laboratory evaluations to determine potential effects from tag implantation. Telemetry technology ...

A Telemetric, Gravimetric Platform for Real-Time Physiological Phenotyping of Plant&ndash;Environment Interactions

Food security for the growing global population is a major concern. The data provided by genomic tools far exceeds the supply of phenotypic data, creating a knowledge gap. To meet the challenge of improving crops to feed the growing global population, this gap must be bridged.
Physiological traits are considered key functional traits in the context of responsiveness or sensitivity to environmental conditions. Many recently introduced high-throughput (HTP) phenotyping techniques are based on remote sensing or imaging and are capable of directly measuring morphological traits, but measure physiological parameters mainly indirectly.
This paper describes a method for direct physiological phenotyping that has several advantages for the functional phenotyping of plant&#8211;environment interactions. It helps users overcome the many challenges encountered in the use of load-cell gravimetric systems and pot experiments. The suggested techniques will enable users to distinguish between soil weight, plant weight and soil water content, providing a method for the continuous and simultaneous measurement of dynamic soil, plant and atmosphere conditions, alongside the measurement of key physiological traits. This method allows researchers to closely mimic field stress scenarios while taking into consideration the environment&#8217;s effects on the plants&#8217; physiology. This method also minimizes pot effects, which are one of the major problems in pre-field phenotyping. It includes a feed-back fertigation system that enables a truly randomized experimental design at a field-like plant density. This system detects the soil-water-content limiting threshold (&#952;) and allows for the translation of data into knowledge through the use of a real-time analytic tool and an online statistical resource. This method for the rapid and direct measurement of the physiological responses of multiple plants to a dynamic environment has great potential for use in screening for beneficial traits associated with responses to abiotic stress, in the context of pre-field breeding and crop improvement.

A Telemetric, Gravimetric Platform for Real-Time Physiological Phenotyping of Plant&amp;#8211;Environment Interactions

This high-throughput, telemetric, whole-plant water relations gravimetric phenotyping method enables direct and simultaneous real-time measurements, as well as the analysis of multiple yield-related physiological traits involved in dynamic plant&#8211;environment interactions.

Food security for the growing global population is a major concern. The data provided by genomic tools far exceeds the supply of phenotypic data, creating ...

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Some species of mistletoes, an aerial plant hemiparasites, play a Janus-like role in ecosystems by being rich biodiversity hotspots due to their trophic and topic associations with various organisms and at the same time acting as biological pirates, exhausting the host trees by stealing water and nutrients via the haustorium. Many crop and timber trees are attacked by mistletoes, for example, dwarf mistletoes parasitize conifers, representatives of genus Tapinanthus target guava, and Phoradendron mistletoe target pecans. Recently, an increasing infestation of the European mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. album L.) in monoculture stands of common walnuts (Juglans regia L.)&#160;was recorded for the first time during 2018 in different regions of Kashmir Valley, India. The common chemical approach based on the spraying of mistletoe exophytes with the growth regulators, ethephon and glyphosate, was not efficient since V. album resprouted in the next vegetation season. Hand pruning of mistletoe was time-consuming, and a polyethylene covering resulted in the localized rotting of host tissues. The most efficient approach to eradicate mistletoe was the use of a novel tool called Mistletoe Eradicator, which allows to use mechanical and chemical means of mistletoe control simultaneously. It consists of a manipulating pole with the terminal pruning saw having a container filled with the growth regulator, from which the liquid slowly drops onto the saw blade through the nozzle. It allows working both from the ground and in the tree canopy. After the targeted application of 5%-10% ethephon or glyphosate to the base of the just pruned V. album stems (stubs), exophyte resprouting was significantly reduced 9 months after the pruning as compared to the only pruned or sprayed exophytes. An alternative variant of Mistletoe Eradicator was constructed in Ukraine filled just with a food color additive to track the liquid dropping and was successfully tested.

The protocol describes an easy-to-handle tool called Mistletoe Eradicator which combines mechanical and chemical approaches and is efficient in the control of mistletoe infestation on the host trees. The manuscript uses the European mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. album L.) as an example.

Some species of mistletoes, an aerial plant hemiparasites, play a Janus-like role in ecosystems by being rich biodiversity hotspots due to their trophic ...

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

Soil moisture directly affects operational hydrology, food security, ecosystem services, and the climate system. However, the adoption of soil moisture data has been slow due to inconsistent data collection, poor standardization, and typically short record duration. Soil moisture, or quantitatively volumetric soil water content (SWC), is measured using buried, in situ sensors that infer SWC from an electromagnetic response. This signal can vary considerably with local site conditions such as clay content and mineralogy, soil salinity or bulk electrical conductivity, and soil temperature; each of these can have varying impacts depending on the sensor technology.
Furthermore, poor soil contact and sensor degradation can affect the quality of these readings over time. Unlike more traditional environmental sensors, there are no accepted standards, maintenance practices, or quality controls for SWC data. As such, SWC is a challenging measurement for many environmental monitoring networks to implement. Here, we attempt to establish a community-based standard of practice for in situ SWC sensors so that future research and applications have consistent guidance on site selection, sensor installation, data interpretation, and long-term maintenance of monitoring stations.
The videography focuses on a multi-agency consensus of best-practices and recommendations for the installation of in situ SWC sensors. This paper presents an overview of this protocol along with the various steps essential for high-quality and long-term SWC data collection. This protocol will be of use to scientists and engineers hoping to deploy a single station or an entire network.

In Situ Soil Moisture Sensors in Undisturbed Soils

The determination of soil water content is a critical mission requirement for many state and federal agencies. This protocol synthesizes multi-agency efforts to measure soil water content using buried in situ sensors.

Soil moisture directly affects operational hydrology, food security, ecosystem services, and the climate system. However, the adoption of soil moisture ...

A Low-Cost Method of Measuring the In Situ Primary Productivity of Periphyton Communities of Lentic Waters

Measuring the in situ primary productivity of periphyton during the growing season gradient can elucidate the quantitative effect of environmental drivers (mainly phosphorus concentration and light intensity) and species composition on primary productivity. Primary productivity is mainly driven by light intensity, temperature, availability of nutrients, and distribution of the ionic species of the carbonate system in the respective depths of the euphotic zone. It is a complex system that is very difficult to simulate in the laboratory. This cheap, transportable, and easy-to-build floating barge allows measuring the primary productivity accurately-directly under the actual natural conditions. The methodology is based on measuring the primary productivity in real time using noninvasive oxygen sensors integrated into tightly sealed glass jars, enabling online oxygen flux monitoring and providing new insights into metabolic activities. Detailed seasonal in situ measurements of gross primary productivity of microbial mats (or other benthic organisms) can improve current knowledge of the processes controlling primary productivity dynamics in lentic waters.

A Low-Cost Method of Measuring the In Situ Primary Productivity of Periphyton Communities of Lentic Waters

Presented here is a cost-effective and transportable method/facility for measuring the primary productivity of microbial mats under actual in situ environmental temperature and light conditions. The experimental setup is based on widely available materials and can be used under various conditions while offering the advantages of laboratory-based models.

Measuring the in situ primary productivity of periphyton during the growing season gradient can elucidate the quantitative effect of environmental drivers ...