Preface

A complex process of biological evolution resulted in the birth of multiple species of plants and animals. The basis of a synthetic approach to studying evolution is integration of Mendelian genetics with the theory of natural selection. The concept of an adaptational paradigm rests on the premises of attributes of heritable adaptation and genetic functioning stabilized through the process of natural selection. Most of the extant forms of metazoa evolved during the Precambrian–Cambrian transition. Evolutionary biologists debated on issues like protist ancestry of primitive metazoa, the evolutionary process of multicellularity, and the nature of favorable environment, which facilitated the birth of primitive forms with multicellularity. However, evolution of bilateral anatomy, coelomic organization, and biological defense mechanisms are assumed to be the major milestones of metazoan evolution that led to speciation in many invertebrate groups. Invertebrates are thermo-conformers and uniquely adapted to multiple thermal conditions. Evolution of effective ectothermy enabled their cells and tissues to function in diverse thermal regimes within a homeostatic range. Invertebrates, which represent more than 90 percent of the fauna, exhibit a wide range of diversity and uniqueness in relation to their body plan, physiology, behavior, and preferences for habitat and food. They are suitably adapted and distributed in almost all ecological conditions of earth. Evolution and organisation of coelom is considered as an important trend of evolution culminating in the formation of multidimensional body forms and subsequent adaptation in different bioecological conditions. The resilience of physiological functioning on an ecological stage holds the key of evolutionary success of almost all of the positive variants in the pathway of adaptation and speciation.

In this book, authors highlight important ecophysiological aspects and management-related issues of invertebrates across the phylogeny. Researchers working in the frontier areas of ecophysiology and animal management present their findings and analyses from different points of view. Science of animal management, in recent years, has been gaining special attention, particularly under the backdrop of environmental contamination and climate change. Animal forms like sponge, corals, and molluscs have already been identified as the major victims of global warming, climate change, chemical contamination, and habitat loss-related crises. Undesirable and unpredictable shifts in ocean current, rain fall, and ecothermal characteristics are the current issues of concern to the scientists working in the fields of ecophysiology, distribution, aquaculture, and animal management.

This book is comprised of informative multidisciplinary articles under two sections entitled "Ecophysiology" and "Management." In the first chapter in the section on "Ecophysiology," authors report the key features of French shell farming technology where the matured garden snails are allowed to hibernate under controlled microenvironmental conditions. Issues of survival, dormancy, and hibernation of all economically important snails are addressed along with the phenomenon of Oblomovism, a less studied physiological feature of many molluscs. This particular chapter bears special significance in applied malacology. In another chapter, scientists report the ecological, biological, and genetic impacts of *Millepora* hydrocorals on coral reefs. Status of taxonomy, biogeography, ecology, and symbiosis of

**II**

**Chapter 7 119**

**Chapter 8 131**

**Chapter 9 147**

**Chapter 10 165**

Formation, Persistence, and Recovery of Glass Sponge Reefs: A Case Study *by Jeffrey B. Marliave, Laura A. Borden, Jessica A. Schultz, Donna M. Gibbs* 

Artisanal Harvest of Shellfish in the Northeastern Atlantic: The Example of

*Ana Rita Pinto, João Delgado, Adriana Alves, José A. González, Mafalda Freitas* 

Assemblage of Gastropods in the Rocky Intertidal Zone of Asry Beach,

Spectral Discrimination of Live and Bleached Corals: A Case Study on

*Turbinaria peltata* (Esper, 1794) Using Field Spectroscopy *by Nandini Ray Chaudhury, Ashwin Gujrati, T.V.R. Murthy* 

Limpet and Topshell Fisheries in the Archipelago of Madeira *by Ricardo Sousa, Rodrigo Riera, Joana Vasconcelos, Lídia Gouveia,* 

*and C.H. Satyanarayana*

*and Glen J. Dennison*

*and Paulo Henriques*

Kingdom of Bahrain *by Belen T. Lumeran*

this less researched group of reef component are screened in depth. Strategies of reproduction, dispersal, and growth are examined in hydrocorals at the defined stage of ecological conditions. Authors also stress the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of coral to interpret the ecological and evolutionary basis of persistence of hydrocorals. Their role as ecological engineer is being challenged due to population decline. The next chapter in this section reports the chemoprotective and ameliorating potentials of an edible mollusc against cisplatin toxicity. Cisplatin and its metabolites exhibit genotoxicity by binding with DNA and thus appears to be physiologically hazardous to mammals. Pretreatment of experimental mice with molluscan extract indicate inhibition or reversal of the toxic effect of cisplatin. This novel report is significant in that it presents the biological importance of this gastropod in pharmacology and cancer therapy. The next chapter discusses schistosomiasis, which is a major parasitic disease of the human population of sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite is transmitted through freshwater snails, which serve as intermediate hosts of it. In this chapter, authors report the effects of the physicochemical profile of river water and the spatial distribution of the snail. The study was carried out around the delta of the Senegal River of Africa and the authors highlight the influence of selected water parameters including the concentrations of phosphates, nitrates, salinity, and conductivity on the relative density of the host snail. The study is significant for public health science, parasitology, and epidemiology.

The second section on "Management" represents the current status of technology and the scientific approach to sustainable management of selected invertebrate groups. Species groups with commercial and ecological significance are of general interest for environmental managers, aquaculturists, conservationists, and a section of biotechnologists. In the first chapter in this section, researchers report on the reproductive biology, seed production, and aquaculture strategy of the limpet. This chapter aims to develop a sustainable aquaculture technology for the Hawaiian limpet. Effective dietary manipulation is suggested for a better yield of this endemic species. Sponges of both freshwater and marine origin bear a significant role in ecology, ethnomedicine, and biotechnology. Many of the species are sources of biosilica and pharmacological compounds. Sponge fishery, in current years, has been gaining the attention of aquaculturists. An informative article on sponge fishery would enrich the understanding and knowledge base of the modern technologists of marine fishery. Application of cutting-edge technology for biological status evaluation of coastal invertebrates appears to be novel and unique. In one chapter, scientists highlight the efficacy and potential of field spectroscopy in screening the status of health of coral in situ. Hyperspectral signatures of live and dead corals were examined employing state-of-the-art technology. This report has significance in constructing a faunal map of coral and its subsequent conservation in the coastal ecosystem. In another chapter, scientists present a case study of formation and persistence of glass sponge reef. This type of reef is generally formed on glacial deposits. Use of barcoded stakes over a long period of time for identification and verification of location of the species is a novel feature of the study. Photographic documentation of growth, collapse, and regrowth were carried out in detail. The section of this book also contains a chapter stating the artisanal harvest of limpet and topshell at the north-eastern Atlantic. This important study reports the status of artisanal harvest operative in this region for a period of nearly three decades. This type of detailed characterization of gastropod harvesting helps in comparing future data under the backdrop of the increasing trend of resource utilization and species conservation. Assemblage of gastropod molluscs in the intertidal zone of Asry beach of the kingdom of Baharin was reported on the basis of field data gathered for a period of three years. Gastropods are the major intertidal fauna of

**V**

this region. This intertidal ecosystem is characterized by sandy and rocky substrata. Rocky substratum of beaches experiences a low level of anthropogenic stress and human intervention and its biota appear to be tolerable to temperature change as indicated by a stable state of gastropod assemblage. Authors suggest routine monitoring of the biodiversity status for effective protection and conservation of

This edited volume is a collection of chapters written on the basis of experimental and field-based scientific observations made by eminent scientists in their respective research fields. Recently, the disciplines of ecophysiology and management of invertebrates have been experiencing a shift in research paradigm. Availability and application of novel technology and sophisticated statistical tools led to the generation of newer sets of information in the field of invertebrate zoology. Biologists with diverse research backgrounds and interests have been participating in invertebrate research in a greater number than before. This unique compilation is expected to attract the new generation of students, researchers, and teachers towards the

**Sajal Ray**

India

Mexico

University of Calcutta,

**Genaro Diarte-Plata and Ruth Escamilla-Montes** Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CIIDIR Sinaloa),

the faunal assemblage along with their natural habitat.

discipline of invertebrate biology.

this region. This intertidal ecosystem is characterized by sandy and rocky substrata. Rocky substratum of beaches experiences a low level of anthropogenic stress and human intervention and its biota appear to be tolerable to temperature change as indicated by a stable state of gastropod assemblage. Authors suggest routine monitoring of the biodiversity status for effective protection and conservation of the faunal assemblage along with their natural habitat.

This edited volume is a collection of chapters written on the basis of experimental and field-based scientific observations made by eminent scientists in their respective research fields. Recently, the disciplines of ecophysiology and management of invertebrates have been experiencing a shift in research paradigm. Availability and application of novel technology and sophisticated statistical tools led to the generation of newer sets of information in the field of invertebrate zoology. Biologists with diverse research backgrounds and interests have been participating in invertebrate research in a greater number than before. This unique compilation is expected to attract the new generation of students, researchers, and teachers towards the discipline of invertebrate biology.

> **Sajal Ray** University of Calcutta, India

**Genaro Diarte-Plata and Ruth Escamilla-Montes** Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CIIDIR Sinaloa), Mexico

**IV**

this less researched group of reef component are screened in depth. Strategies of reproduction, dispersal, and growth are examined in hydrocorals at the defined stage of ecological conditions. Authors also stress the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of coral to interpret the ecological and evolutionary basis of persistence of hydrocorals. Their role as ecological engineer is being challenged due to population decline. The next chapter in this section reports the chemoprotective and ameliorating potentials of an edible mollusc against cisplatin toxicity. Cisplatin and its metabolites exhibit genotoxicity by binding with DNA and thus appears to be physiologically hazardous to mammals. Pretreatment of experimental mice with molluscan extract indicate inhibition or reversal of the toxic effect of cisplatin. This novel report is significant in that it presents the biological importance of this gastropod in pharmacology and cancer therapy. The next chapter discusses schistosomiasis, which is a major parasitic disease of the human population of sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite is transmitted through freshwater snails, which serve as intermediate hosts of it. In this chapter, authors report the effects of the physicochemical profile of river water and the spatial distribution of the snail. The study was carried out around the delta of the Senegal River of Africa and the authors highlight the influence of selected water parameters including the concentrations of phosphates, nitrates, salinity, and conductivity on the relative density of the host snail. The study is significant for public health science, parasitology, and epidemiology.

The second section on "Management" represents the current status of technology and the scientific approach to sustainable management of selected invertebrate groups. Species groups with commercial and ecological significance are of general interest for environmental managers, aquaculturists, conservationists, and a section of biotechnologists. In the first chapter in this section, researchers report on the reproductive biology, seed production, and aquaculture strategy of the limpet. This chapter aims to develop a sustainable aquaculture technology for the Hawaiian limpet. Effective dietary manipulation is suggested for a better yield of this endemic species. Sponges of both freshwater and marine origin bear a significant role in ecology, ethnomedicine, and biotechnology. Many of the species are sources of biosilica and pharmacological compounds. Sponge fishery, in current years, has been gaining the attention of aquaculturists. An informative article on sponge fishery would enrich the understanding and knowledge base of the modern technologists of marine fishery. Application of cutting-edge technology for biological status evaluation of coastal invertebrates appears to be novel and unique. In one chapter, scientists highlight the efficacy and potential of field spectroscopy in screening the status of health of coral in situ. Hyperspectral signatures of live and dead corals were examined employing state-of-the-art technology. This report has significance in constructing a faunal map of coral and its subsequent conservation in the coastal ecosystem. In another chapter, scientists present a case study of formation and persistence of glass sponge reef. This type of reef is generally formed on glacial deposits. Use of barcoded stakes over a long period of time for identification and verification of location of the species is a novel feature of the study. Photographic documentation of growth, collapse, and regrowth were carried out in detail. The section of this book also contains a chapter stating the artisanal harvest of limpet and topshell at the north-eastern Atlantic. This important study reports the status of artisanal harvest operative in this region for a period of nearly three decades. This type of detailed characterization of gastropod harvesting helps in comparing future data under the backdrop of the increasing trend of resource utilization and species conservation. Assemblage of gastropod molluscs in the intertidal zone of Asry beach of the kingdom of Baharin was reported on the basis of field data gathered for a period of three years. Gastropods are the major intertidal fauna of

Section 1

Ecophysiology

1

Section 1 Ecophysiology

Chapter 1

Abstract

tertime in colder climates.

3

Indoor Hibernation of Helix

Delia Berceanu-Văduva and Dragoş Nica

George Andrei Draghici, Cristina Deheleana, Razvan Susan,

The "Italian" outdoor snailfarming technology assumes that both mature and juvenile snails hibernate outdoor, protected by a thin sheet of unweaved coverlet (agryl sheet). In contrast, the "French" snailfarming technology implies that only mature brown garden snails (Helix aspersa) hibernate indoor, in strictly controlled microenvironmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and ventilation). This technology may also be viable for H. aspersa juveniles. Extremely high death rates occurring in Romanian outdoor snailfarms during colder winters (>80%) imposed the need to find alternative paths for a proper hibernation of H. aspersa. Using statistical analyses, close surveillance of technological flow, and controlled microenvironmental parameters, we assessed the possibility to adapt indoor hibernation for H. aspersa juveniles. The experiments lasted for 2 years (2006–2008) and were carried out on 34,000 H. aspersa juveniles and 15,000 mature ones, using different technological flows and microenvironmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and ventilation). They were performed in two stages and involved five case studies, conducted independently in three different locations: Floreşti (Mehedinţi county), Sântuhalm (Hunedoara county), and Muntenii de Sus (Vaslui county). The first stage tested the hypothesis in relation to survival rate of mature snails, H. aspersa, in the same conditions, whereas the second stage improved the technological flow, before its extensive application. We demonstrated that noncontrolled microclimate parameters (temperature, humidity, and ventilation) and the use of straw as hibernation support induced significant differences (P < 0.01) concerning death levels of H. aspersa juveniles as compared to their indoor hibernation in semicontrolled microclimate (temperature and ventilation). In the same hibernation microclimate, mature snails exhibited higher survival levels than the juvenile ones, irrespective of technological flow and origin (P < 0.0001). We also demonstrated that juveniles' weight loss displays a relatively constant variation (16.33–20.51%). In addition, the correlations between the individual average weight before and after hibernation were described by the same logarithmic regression. Furthermore, significantly higher survival rates of H. aspersa juveniles (P < 0.0001) have been registered when they had not been awakened during hibernation. Finally, we proved that indoor hibernation of H. aspersa juveniles in strictly controlled microenvironmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and ventilation) could represent a viable technology that improves the technological flow in outdoor snailfarming during win-

Keywords: microenvironment, snailfarming, hibernation, technology, monitored

aspersa Juveniles
