29 February 2012

Marmorkrebs return to Nature


Marmorkrebs made their official “debut” to the English speaking scientific world in Nature, so I’m pleased that they are back in the pages of that journal, even if only in a small way. An article on poster sessions used a Marmorkrebs poster from last year as an illustration.

The article is available for free at the Nature Jobs website.

Reference

Powell K. 2012. Billboard science. Nature 483: 113-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nj7387-113a

14 February 2012

Vogt, 2012

Vogt G. 2012. Ageing and longevity in the Decapoda (Crustacea): a review. Zoologischer Anzeiger 251(1): 1-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2011.05.003

Abstract

Ageing and longevity is a neglected field of crustacean biology. Information on longevity is available for less than 2% of the extant species of the Decapoda. Maximum ages reliably determined range from 40 days to 72 years corresponding to a life span difference of a factor of 650. The shortest-lived decapods are planktonic dendrobranchiate shrimps, and particularly long-lived species with life spans of decades are found in the Astacidea. Most decapods seem to live for 1–10 years. High geographical latitude, the deep sea and freshwater caves promote longevity. The majority of the Decapoda is indeterminately growing and presumably characterized by negligible senescence. The adults of the determinately growing decapods like some brachyuran crabs suffer from mechanical senescence and are unable to regenerate lost appendages. The decapod crustaceans have developed many effective anti-ageing mechanisms including moulting, detoxification of free radicals, removal of cellular waste, renewal of tissues by life-long stem cell activity, regeneration of appendages, detoxification of environmental pollutants and isolation of pathogens and diseased tissue areas by melanisation and encapsulation. Age related diseases including cancer are virtually unknown. The present compilation of data on longevity and senescence in decapods is the first one that covers the whole spectrum of a higher invertebrate taxon. It is hoped to provide an interesting source of information for carcinologists and biogerontologists. Further improvement of knowledge on ageing and longevity in the Decapoda would be beneficial for crustacean aquaculture, fisheries and ecological modelling. Some decapods even have good potential to become models for general ageing research.

Keywords: Decapoda • life span • senescence • growth format • anti-ageing mechanisms • stem cells • biogerontology

Stloukal, 2009

Stloukal E. 2009. Recent distribution of non-indigenuous (sic) crayfish species in Slovakia. Folia faunistica Slovaca 14(19): 119-122. http://zoology.fns.uniba.sk/ffs/14-2009/19/stloukal-2009.htm

Abstract

Two non-indigenuous (sic) crayfish species (NICS) widely spread though Europe (namely spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) and signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)). Few other invasieve (sic) species do occur intemittent (sic) in water bodies of souther (sic) nad (sic) western part of the country.

Keywords: None provided.

Note: The map of Marmorkrebs introductions has been updated to include this record of a breeding population in Slovakia.

07 February 2012

Call for papers: The Crustacean Society 2012 summer meeting

Yup, conference season is not all that far away. So here’s a reminder that the summer meeting of the Crustacean Society is going to be held in Greece this June.

The last day of abstract submission is 29 February 2012. The last day for early registration (= reduced participation fees) is 31 March 2012.

Probably a little too far apart to go to this, then stay in Europe to the end of August to make the crayfish meeting in Austria.