Synergy between mechanical injury and toxins triggers the urticating system of marine fireworms

Simonini, Roberto; Maggioni, Federica; Zanetti, Federica; Fai, Sergio; Forti, Luca; Prevedelli, Daniela; Righi, Sara

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151487

Cited by 4 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Given the high phylogenetic closeness of E. complanata to H. carunculata [22], we hypothesized that secondary metabolites related to complanine could also account for the stinging capacity of the latter species [18]. Quite surprisingly, during our efforts to isolate the amino alcohol, we found an unexpected chemical diversity of metabolites whose structures differed from complanine and that underpin fireworm stinging capacity as a whole.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Bloodworms are equipped with four strong jaws that inject a proteinaceous venom [15,16], while fireworms display stinging dorsal chaetae. In the largest and most charismatic species, the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata, the dorsal chaetae break off when touched, playing both defensive and offensive actions against predators and preys, and inducing cutaneous inflammation in people affected [17,18]. The high sensitivity to breakage on contact of the chaetae might be ascribed to their calcareous nature and inner structure, characterized by a central cavity that could store chemicals [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high sensitivity to breakage on contact of the chaetae might be ascribed to their calcareous nature and inner structure, characterized by a central cavity that could store chemicals [19]. Indeed, close examinations of predator-prey interactions and feeding bioassays have provided evidence for the deterrent action of the dorsal chaetae, which is triggered by a synergy between mechanical penetration and the release of compounds [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Novel Natural Compounds and Their Anatomical Distribution in the Stinging Fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

et al. 2022

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Increasing evidence in the field of bioprospection fosters the necessity of studying poorly investigated poisonous marine invertebrates to expand knowledge on animal venom biology. Among marine annelids, amphinomid fireworms are notorious for their bearded trunk equipped with a powerful stinging capacity. Here, a methodological workflow based on analytical chemistry techniques (compound isolation followed by mass spectrometry and spectroscopy analyses) was applied to gain new insights, leading to the identification and structural elucidation of an array of natural products from Mediterranean specimens of Hermodice carunculata. Eight betaine-derived unprecedented compounds, named “carunculines”, were detected, bearing two terminal ammonium groups tri-and disubstituted at the Cα (A, B) and a series of different alkyl chains (I–VIII). The mixture of chemicals was found in all the body parts of H. carunculata, supporting a mechanism of action triggered by their vehiculation inside the dorsal chaetae, and subsequent injection when chaetae break off on contact. Preliminary investigations to understand adaptive features were also performed, showing a trend in carunculine abundance that fits into the evolutionary history of these worms. These findings shed light on the chemical ecology of amphinomids, giving reasons for the success of H. carunculata in benthic environments and providing promising novel metabolites for biotechnological implications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Novel Natural Compounds and Their Anatomical Distribution in the Stinging Fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

et al. 2022

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“…The traps were set up based on our knowledge of Mediterranean H. carunculata behaviour (Simonini et al, 2017(Simonini et al, , 2018Righi et al, 2019;Simonini et al, 2021). Tens of specimens tend to form large groups close to dead animals in the field (Celona & Comparetto, 2010;Rodrigo et al, 2014;Schulze et al, 2017), or find refuge in artificial structures like drilled bricks, creating aggregations in aquaria (Authors' personal observation).…”

Section: Fireworm Trap Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Mediterranean, its feeding activity may extend over a wide range of prey, including cnidarians, nudibranchs, chitons, ascidians, and echinoderms (Simonini et al, 2017(Simonini et al, , 2018. H. carunculata predatory abilities are related to brittle stinging chaetae, whose deterrent capacities are due to a combination of needle-like shape, calcareous composition and vehiculated chemicals (Righi 2021;Simonini et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and catch efficiency of an attracting device to collect and monitor the invasive fireworm Hermodice carunculata in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2021

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The fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida) is emerging as a native invader and a neonative species in the Central Mediterranean basins. Its ongoing areal expansion has probably been triggered and pursued by the climate alterations which are affecting the Mediterranean environments and biota. However, increased H. carunculata abundance and distribution may be miscalculated and underestimated due to the lack of effective tools for collection and monitoring. Indeed, fireworms spend most of the daytime in crevices and holes, making it impossible to obtain reliable data in underwater surveys.In this study, traps were developed to provide suitable shelter and food to fireworms, and their effectiveness and specificity were assessed by testing different immersion times, environmental conditions and types of bait. Pierced plastic baskets adapted for fireworm capture proved to be extremely easy to set up, reproducible, cheap, and highly specific. The devices were used in 11 sites located along the Ionian Apulian coast (Italy). They resulted suitable and effective: more than 90% of the traps baited with raw fish succeeded in capturing H. carunculata specimens, with an average of 8-9 fireworms captured per trap. The traps were deployed in a depth range of 1.5-9 m with immersion times of up to 4 h, and even large sized fireworms (> 32 cm in length) were caught. These attracting devices could be successful in different forthcoming challenges, allowing the collection of a great number of fireworms to investigate their impact on rocky bottom communities, distribution and potential for bioprospecting. Besides, the cheapness and ease of use of the traps also make them suitable for Citizen Science studies and sampling campaigns aiming at characterizing the expanding populations. Future applications will be critical to improve deployment success and test user friendliness.

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Optimal growth and feeding behaviour of the valuable bait Halla parthenopeia (Polychaeta: Oenonidae) in small-scale rearing systems

Ferri,

Righi,

Prevedelli

et al. 2024

Aquaculture

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Synergy between mechanical injury and toxins triggers the urticating system of marine fireworms

Cited by 4 publications

References 52 publications

Novel Natural Compounds and Their Anatomical Distribution in the Stinging Fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

Novel Natural Compounds and Their Anatomical Distribution in the Stinging Fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

Development and catch efficiency of an attracting device to collect and monitor the invasive fireworm Hermodice carunculata in the Mediterranean Sea

Optimal growth and feeding behaviour of the valuable bait Halla parthenopeia (Polychaeta: Oenonidae) in small-scale rearing systems

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