Histology and Mucous Histochemistry of the Integument and Body Wall of a Marine Polychaete Worm,Ophryotrochan. sp. (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) Associated with Steelhead Trout Cage Sites on the South Coast of Newfoundland

Abstract

Histology and mucous histochemistry of the integument and body wall of a marine polychaete worm,Ophryotrochan. sp. (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) associated with Steelhead trout cage sites on the south coast of Newfoundland. A new species of polychaete (Ophryotrochan. sp. (Annelida: Dorvilleidae)) was identified from sediment below Steelhead trout cages on the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The organisms were observed to produce a network of mucus in which groups of individuals would reside. Questions regarding the nature and cellular source of the mucus were addressed in this study. Samples of worms were taken from below cages and transported to the laboratory where individuals were fixed for histological study of the cuticle and associated mucus histochemistry. The body wall was organized into segments with an outer cuticle that stained strongly for acid mucopolysaccharides. The epidermis was thin and supported by loose fibrous connective tissue layers. Channels separating individual segments were lined with cells staining positive for Alcian blue. Mucoid cellular secretions appeared thick and viscous, strongly staining with Alcian blue and Periodic Acid Schiff Reagent. It was noted that lateral channels were connected via a second channel running through the anterior/posterior axis. The role of mucus secretion is discussed.

Application of polychaetes in (de)coupled integrated aquaculture: production of a high-quality marine resource

“…Species belonging to the genus Ophryotrocha can be found in organically enriched soft sediments (Dahlgren et al 2001), but the highest densities have been found in the deep sea on whale-falls (Dahlgren et al 2006, Wiklund et al 2009a,b, 2012, Salvo et al 2014 and hard substrates underneath fish farms in Norway and Canada (Murray et al 2012, Eikje 2013, Salvo et al 2014. Ophryotrocha spp.…”

A new annelid species from whalebones in Greenland and aquaculture sites in Newfoundland: Ophryotrocha cyclops, sp. nov. (Eunicida: Dorvilleidae)

“…Recently, opportunistic annelid complexes (termed OPC) were observed on rocky substrates underneath finfish aquaculture cages on the south coast of Newfoundland, and were linked to fish farm activity (Murray et al 2012;Hamoutene et al 2013). OPC are visible during video surveys of the seafloor: they typically form dense colonies surrounded by mucus that can completely obstruct the view of the substrate (Hamoutene et al 2013).…”

“…Annelids forming OPC in Newfoundland were identified as belonging to the genus Ophryotrocha Claparède & Mecznikow, 1869, family Dorvilleidae (Murray et al 2012). Dorvilleids live in a range of habitats from shallow water (Hilbig & Blake 1991;Prevedelli et al 2005) to the deep sea, including extreme habitats such as methane seeps (Levin & Michener 2002;Levin et al 2006;Decker & Olu 2010;Thurber et al 2010), hydrothermal vents (Blake & Hilbig 1990;Weiss & Hilbig 1992;Bergquist et al 2007;Paxton & Morineaux 2009), aquaculture sites FIGURE 4.…”

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture : Nutrient retention efficiency and valorisation of waste nutrients

“…Ophryotrocha species are also associated with organically enriched sediments (Dahlgren et al 2001). They are, however, mainly found in the deep sea on whale-falls (Dahlgren et al 2006, Wiklund et al 2009a) and on hard substrates underneath fish farms in Norway and Canada (Murray et al 2012, Salvo et al 2014. In this thesis we show that both polychaete species feed and grow on salmon faeces, and we highlight their potential as extractive species to be included in IMTA (Chapter 4 & 5).…”

“…as extractive species for IMTA systems. Species belonging to the genus Ophryotrocha can be found in organically enriched soft sediments (Dahlgren et al 2001), but the highest densities have been found in the deep sea on whale-falls (Dahlgren et al 2006, Wiklund et al 2009a,b, Wiklund et al 2012, Salvo et al 2014) and hard substrates underneath fish farms in Norway and Canada (Murray et al 2012, Eikje 2013, Salvo et al 2014. Ophryotrocha spp.…”