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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Ingestion and transformation of algal turf by Echinometra mathaei on Tiahura fringing reef (French Polynesia).

The sea urchin Echinometra mathaei is the most abundant herbivore on many tropical reefs. We studied the ingestion and digestion diel rhythms, transformation of algal turf and bioerosion attributable to this species on the Tiahura fringing reef in French Polynesia. Ingestion rates showed a circadian rhythm with most feeding taking place during the night. Absorption of food occurred throughout the day with urchins digesting food outside of the feeding period. A total of 73% of the faecal pellets consisted of CaCO(3) eroded from the reef, 20% consisted of organic matter and 7% the refractory organic matter. Of the organic matter, lipids, carbohydrates and chlorophyll were digested and absorbed and proteins were expelled in the faecal pellets. An average individual bioerosion of 0.32 g day(-1) was estimated for E. mathaei from approximately a 35-mm test diameter on the Tiahura fringing reef. We further estimated that E. mathaei release 70.5 g m(2) y(-1) of carbohydrates, 43.8 g m(2) y(-1) of lipid, 23.3 g m(2) y(-1) of protein and 2.0 g m(2) y(-1) of total chlorophyll pigments.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Wuchereria bancrofti in blood samples from French Polynesia.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on a highly repeated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence found in Wuchereria bancrofti (the SspI repeat) has been developed to address the shortcomings of traditional diagnostic methods. In this field study in a W. bancrofti endemic region of French Polynesia, 373 human blood samples were collected and 100 microL of blood were screened by the SspI PCR assay and 1 microL by membrane filtration. The SspI PCR assay detected 99 of 113 blood samples in which microfilariae had been detected by filtration (sensitivity of 88%) with a specificity of 100%. All the samples missed by the SspI PCR assay had less than 8 microfilariae per mL of blood. To evaluate the efficacy of screening larger blood samples by PCR, both 100 microL and 500 microL samples from 50 patients with very low-level microfilaraemia were screened by the SspI PCR assay; the sensitivity increased from 60% to 84% when using the larger volume of blood. Finally, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based version of the SspI PCR assay was used to screen blood from 12 patients following treatment with diethylcarbamazine, ivermectin, or both. These results showed that the PCR assay closely paralleled the presence or absence of microfilariae in the blood and that no increase in the DNA level was seen immediately following drug treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Spatial distribution and coexistence of monogenean gill parasites inhabiting two damselfishes from Moorea island in French Polynesia.

The ectoparasite fauna of two damselfishes, Stegastes nigricans and Dascyllus aruanus, from Moorea Island in French Polynesia was investigated. Gills of these damselfishes were infected with congeneric Monopisthocotylea Monogenea belonging to the genus Haliotrema. Stegastes nigricans were found to harbour a guild of three Haliotrema species whereas only one species inhabited D. aruanus. Microhabitat distribution, inter- and intraspecific competition and interspecific associations on the gill were studied. Observations on site preference revealed no spatial segregation between the three congeneric species inhabiting the gills of S. nigricans. Juvenile and adult monogeneans of that guild occurred on the same microhabitat. The dominant species Haliotrema sp. 1 did not expand on the microhabitat when the intensity of infection increased. Interspecific association tests revealed positive and negative associations. Haliotrema sp. 4 expanded its distribution on the gills of Dascyllus aruanus when the intensity of infection increased suggesting the likelihood of intraspecific competition. Juvenile and adult monogeneans of Haliotrema sp. 4 appeared to segregate as a result of intraspecific competition. This competition may exist to enhance resource availability when the gill habitat is limited. Overlaps between niche breadth and species microhabitat were revealed for monogenean species inhabiting S. nigricans. Interspecific competition did not appear to play an important role in the distribution of S. nigricans congeneric ectoparasites. Reinforcement of reproductive barriers may have led to the avoidance of hybridization.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1989

Population bottlenecks in Polynesia revealed by minisatellites.

Tandem-repetitive highly variable loci in the human genome (minisatellites) have been used in gene mapping and as DNA "fingerprints", but they have not yet found much application in population genetics. We have investigate the capacity of six minisatellites to discriminate between four populations in Oceania. We find that in comparison to Melanesians, Polynesians have a significant loss of heterozygosity (or gene diversity), not noted using more traditional markers. We show also that the number of alleles, the allele distribution and the mutation rates at the Polynesian minisatellite loci do not deviate from those predicted by the neutral mutation/infinite allele model. The low gene diversity is therefore likely to be a result of the maintenance of small population sizes and bottleneck effects during the colonization of the Pacific.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

A novel exopolymer-producing bacterium, Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens subsp. payriae, isolated from a "kopara" mat located in Rangiroa, an atoll of French Polynesia.

An aerobic, mesophilic and heterotrophic marine bacterium designated RA19, able to produce two different exocellular polymers and zeaxanthin, was isolated from a French polynesian bacterial mat (localy named "kopara") situated in the atoll of Rangiroa. This microorganism, on the basis of its phenotypical features and the genotypic investigations, can be clearly assigned to the Parococcus zeaxanthinifaciens species and the name Parococcus zeaxanthinifaciens subsp. payriae is proposed. Optimal growth occurs between 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C, at pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and at ionic strength between 20 and 40 g/L of NaCl. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of DNA was 65.6%. This bacterium excreted, under laboratory conditions, two different polymers: a water-soluble exopolysaccharide (EPSI) consisting of 5 different sugars and a non-water-soluble macromolecule assumed to be of a glycoproteinic nature. The high sulfate content of the EPS1 and preliminary biological tests clearly showed that applications could be found in the very near future for both polymers in the cosmetic area. Their contribution to the viscous laminated microbial mat locally called "kopara" can be also mentioned.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1995

Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis in French Polynesia: age-specific patterns of microfilaremia, circulating antigen, and specific IgG and IgG4 responses according to transmission level.

The age-specific patterns of microfilaremia, Og4C3 antigenemia, anti-Brugia malayi IgG and IgG4 were assessed in 3 villages of low, medium and high transmission level for Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis. The prevalence rates for each of the 4 markers were clearly age dependent and their patterns strongly associated with the transmission level. The antigenemia prevalence rate was consistently higher than the microfilaremia prevalence rate, in all age groups. The prevalences of anti-B. malayi IgG and IgG4 responses were very similar and much higher than those of microfilaremia or antigenemia. Antibody responses reached the plateau at an earlier age and at a higher prevalence with increased intensity of transmission. For all the markers, the prevalence rates were significantly higher in males than in females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Filarial elephantiasis in French Polynesia: a study concerning the beliefs of 127 patients about the origin of their disease.

127 patients from Tahiti who were suffering from elephantiasis were interviewed about their opinion of the origin of their disease. Ancestral beliefs are still widely held even after 25 years of antifilarial campaigns which have resulted in a drastic decrease in endemicity with almost no clinical incidence. It is disappointing that the responsibility of mosquitoes is denied by a majority of patients. The explanations are to be found in the unusual evolution of this disease and in the small importance attached to sanitary education.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advantages of ivermectin at a single dose of 400 micrograms/kg compared with 100 micrograms/kg for community treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Polynesia.

In April and October in 1991-1993, 5 supervised single doses of ivermectin were given to inhabitants aged > or = 3 years in a Polynesian district: the first 3 treatments were with 100 micrograms/kg and the 2 latter with 400 micrograms/kg. At each treatment, about 97% of the eligible population (899) were treated and blood samples were collected just before treatment from 96% of the 613 inhabitants aged > or = 15 years. Following the 5 successive treatments, adverse reactions were observed in, respectively, 23.8, 13, 6.2, 13.6 and 7.9% of the microfilariae (mf) carriers, and in less than 1% of amicrofilaraemic subjects. Neither the frequency nor the intensity of adverse reactions was significantly different between single doses of 100 micrograms/kg and 400 micrograms/kg. Although the geometric mean microfilaraemia (GMM) was reduced, the mf carrier prevalence remained unchanged before and after 3 mass treatments with 100 micrograms/kg (21.4 and 20.7% respectively), and the mf recurrence rate 6 months after each dose of 100 micrograms/kg was roughly stable (respectively, 34.3%, 21.6% and 31.2% of the initial GMM). In contrast, after one dose round of 400 micrograms/kg, the mf carrier prevalence decreased significantly to 14.9% (P < 10(-6)), and the mf recurrence rate dropped to 9.9% (P < 10(-3)) of the initial GMM. These results confirm the safety and the effectiveness of 400 micrograms/kg of ivermectin for lymphatic filariasis control.

Adolescent↗