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Hydrogels are widely used materials in biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural fields. However, these hydrogels are usually formed synthetically via a long and complicated process involving crosslinking natural polymers. Herein, we describe a natural hydrogel isolated using a ‘gentle’ acid treatment from the girdle of a chiton species ( Chiton articulatus ). This novel hydrogel is shown to have a proliferative effect on mouse fibroblast cells (cell line, L929). The swelling capacity of this natural hydrogel was recorded as approximately 1,200% in distilled water, which is within desired levels for hydrogels. Detailed characterizations reveal that the hydrogel consists predominantly (83.93%) of protein. Considering its non-toxicity, proliferative effect and swelling properties, this natural hydrogel is an important discovery for material sciences, with potential for further applications in industry. Whether the girdle has some hydrogel activity in the living animal is unknown, but we speculate that it may enable the animal to better survive extreme environmental conditions by preventing desiccation.

This study describes and recognises, using histological and microscopical examinations on a morphometrical basis, several gonad traits through the early life stages of Chiton articulatus and C. albolineatus. Gonadal ontogenesis, gonad development stages, sexual differentiation, onset of the first sexual maturity, and growth sequences or \"early life stages\" were determined. In addition, allometry between lengths and body weight pooled for both sexes per each chiton were calculated using equation Y = aX(b) . A total of 125 chitons (4≤TL≤40 mm, in total length \"TL\") were used. All allometric relations showed a strong positive correlation (r), close to 1, with b-values above three, indicating an isometric growth. Gonadal ontogenesis and gonad development stages were categorised into three periods (\"Pw\" without gonad, \"Pe\" gonad emergence, and \"Pf\" gonadal sac formed) and four stages (\"S0\" gametocytogenesis, \"S1\" gametogenesis, \"S2\" mature, and \"S3\" spawning), respectively. Compound digital images were attained for each process. Periods and stages are overlapped among them and between species, with the following overall confidence intervals in TL: Pw 6.13-14.32 mm, Pe 10.32-16.93 mm, Pf 12.99-25.01 mm, S0 16.08-24.34 mm (females) and 19.51-26.60 mm (males), S1 27.15-35.63 mm (females) and 23.45-32.27 mm (males), S2 24.48-40.24 mm (females) and 25.45-32.87 mm (males). Sexual differentiation (in S0) of both chitons occurs first as a female then as a male; although, males reach the onset of the first sexual maturity earlier than females, thus for C. articulatus males at 17 mm and females at 32 mm, and for C. albolineatus males at 23.5 mm and females at 28 mm, all in TL. Four early life stages (i.e., subjuvenile, juvenile, subadult, and adult) are described and proposed to distinguish growth sequences. Our results may be useful to diverse disciplines, from developmental biology to fisheries management.

The marine mollusc, commonly called sea cockroach or chiton Chiton articulatus , is a mollusc belonging to the group known as Polyplacophora because its shell is composed of eight individual plates. This mollusc inhabits the rocky intertidal shore of the Mexican Tropical Pacific, where it is endemic. It has ecological, but also economic, importance. Ecologically, it is the preferred food of the snail Plicopurpura pansa , a protected species, in the cultural heritage of the country. Additionally, it is a basibiont (generates substrate for other individuals) that maintains the biodiversity of the Region. Economically, it has changed from artisanal consumption to become a culinary tourist attraction, offered at restaurants as an exotic and aphrodisiac dish, in tourist places like Huatulco or Acapulco. Despite being an exploited resource for decades, little is known about its life history. The Mexican Authorities have not yet recognised this mollusc as a fishing resource, so that it does not have any law that controls its extraction, sale and consumption, putting at risk the recruitment, survival and permanence of this species. The goal of this project is the preservation and support for the management of the species. The Project \" Quiton del Pacifico Tropical Mexicano \" seeks to provide the biological, ecological, reproductive, genetic, anatomical and morphometric bases of the populations of Chiton articulatus . The project was structured in four stages: 1) field sampling and obtaining samples, 2) disclosure and presentation of the project, 3) inclusion of students at the undergraduate and graduate level, 4) application of results. The inclusion and recognition of C. articulatus as a fishing resource will achieve impact at the national and regional level through the implementation of laws that regulate its fishing, as well as its inclusion in management and food security policies. Additionally, this Mexican Chiton Project is currently replicating with chiton species in Galapagos, Ecuador.

Gastropod Plicopurpura pansa and polyplacophoran Chiton articulatus are species that coexist in the rocky intertidal of the Mexican tropical Pacific. It has been reported that P. pansa is a predator of C. articulatus, and both are abundant and dominant species on the rocky coast of Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. This study analyzed the response patterns of relative density and lengths of both species to five specific environmental factors at four rocky shores of this region. During the periods October-December 2010, and February-April 2011, systematic samples of both species were collected. Study sites differed in the complexity of substratum and waves. The number of organisms per square meter and total lengths were recorded, as well as sea temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-α. Relative densities of each species varied in the study sites and in all cases they were greater than 1.0 org/m2. We observed a relationship between polyplacophoran length, and sea temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-α; a relationship between the length and abundance of the gastropod, and substratum complexity; and finally, we observed a greater abundance of polyplacophoran in the areas of high waves. Differentiated behaviors of both species were also observed, depending on the characteristics of the rocky shore and environmental factors. The abundance and length of the carnivorous P. pansa were closely related to the characteristics of the rocky shore surface. Over time, the length of herbivorous C. articulatus was associated with physical and chemical parameters of the sea; while spatially, abundances were related to substratum type and wave intensity. El gasterópodo Plicopurpura pansa y el poliplacóforo Chiton articulatus, cohabitan en la zona intermareal rocosa del Pacífico tropical Mexicano. Se ha reportado que P. pansa es un depredador de C. articulatus, y que ambas son especies abundantes y dominantes en la costa rocosa de Acapulco, Guerrero, México. El presente estudio analizó los patrones de respuesta de la densidad relativa y longitudes de ambas especies a cinco factores ambientales registrados en cuatro localidades rocosas de esta región. Durante octubre y diciembre de 2010, así como febrero y abril de 2011, se realizaron muestreos sistemáticos. Los sitios de estudio difirieron en la complejidad del sustrato y oleaje. Se registró el número de organismos por metro cuadrado y su longitud total, así como la temperatura del mar, salinidad y clorofila-α. Las densidades relativas de cada especie variaron entre los sitios de estudio y en todos los casos fueron mayores a 1.0 org/m2. Se observó una relación de la longitud del poliplacóforo con la temperatura del mar, salinidad y clorofila-α; una relación de la abundancia y longitud del gasterópodo con la complejidad del sustrato; y por último, una mayor abundancia del poliplacóforo en zonas de alto oleaje. También, se observaron comportamientos diferenciados de las especies en función de las características de los sitios rocosos y de los factores ambientales. La abundancia y longitud del carnívoro P. pansa estuvieron estrechamente relacionadas con el tipo de sustrato rocoso. En el caso del poliplacóforo C. articulatus, a través del tiempo, su longitud se asocia con parámetros físico-químicos del mar; mientras que a nivel espacial, sus abundancias se relacionan con el tipo de sustrato y la intensidad de oleaje