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Hermit crabs use different senses to search for and find shells. In most cases, chemical cues have been proven to act as a very efficient way of finding new shells. However, in intertidal environments, the water transports chemical signals in different directions and velocities may make it harder to track the source of the cue, so visual stimuli may be a more precise source of information. The hermit crab Calcinus californiensis shows a preference for the biconical shells of Stramonita biserialis, although the crabs may also use the less preferred shell of Nerita scabricosta. We were interested in exploring if C. californiensis identify the preferred shell species through vision in the absence of chemical stimuli. We presented both shell species to hermit crabs in two different sets of experiments. In one experiment, we presented to the hermit crabs real shells of N. scabricosta and S. biserialis, and in another, we presented only the silhouettes of the same shells. The hermit crabs discriminated between the real shells and the silhouettes of N. scabricosta and S. biserialis. Females attended with higher frequency to real shells and silhouettes of S. biserialis; while males attended more to shells and silhouettes of N. scabricosta. Although, larger males biased their attendance toward shells of S. biserialis. Our results show that visual perception may be more important than we have thought in intertidal animals.

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, initially designed to observe oceans and inland waters, proves valuable for mapping intertidal flat topography. This study presents a fusion method that integrates freely available SWOT interferometric altimetry data with Sentinel‐2 imagery. The density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm is employed to accurately identify observation data located in the intertidal zone. Intertidal topography with a 10 m resolution were generated from L2_HR_PIXC data collected during SWOT's science phase (July 2023–October 2024) in the intertidal region along the coast of Jiangsu Province, China. These Digital Elevation Models were compared with laser altimetry observations from the ICESat‐2. SWOT observations show high accuracy, with RMSEs of 0.24 m (multi‐cycle) and 0.41 m (single‐cycle), confirming their potential for intertidal monitoring. This study presents a data processing strategy that does not rely on ground‐based observations, demonstrating potential for application in a broader range of regions.

Two new species of Leptokoenenia Condé 1965 (Eukoeneniidae: Palpigradi), Leptokoenenia pelada sp. nov. and Leptokoenenia thalassophobica sp. nov., are described based on both male and female specimens collected in iron ore caves from the Brazilian Amazon. This is the first record of the genus for the Americas. Furthermore, a new combination is stated for Eukoenenia gallii based on its morphology.

Abstract Colonization of land from marine environments was a major transition for biological life on Earth, and intertidal adaptation was a key evolutionary event in the transition from marine- to land-based lifestyles. Multicellular intertidal red algae exhibit the earliest, systematic, and successful adaptation to intertidal environments, with Porphyra sensu lato (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) being a typical example. Here, a chromosome-level 49.67 Mb genome for Neoporphyra haitanensis comprising 9,496 gene loci is described based on metagenome-Hi-C-assisted whole-genome assembly, which allowed the isolation of epiphytic bacterial genome sequences from a seaweed genome for the first time. The compact, function-rich N. haitanensis genome revealed that ancestral lineages of red algae share common horizontal gene transfer events and close relationships with epiphytic bacterial populations. Specifically, the ancestor of N. haitanensis obtained unique lipoxygenase family genes from bacteria for complex chemical defense, carbonic anhydrases for survival in shell-borne conchocelis lifestyle stages, and numerous genes involved in stress tolerance. Combined proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses revealed complex regulation of rapid responses to intertidal dehydration/rehydration cycling within N. haitanensis. These adaptations include rapid regulation of its photosynthetic system, a readily available capacity to utilize ribosomal stores, increased methylation activity to rapidly synthesize proteins, and a strong anti-oxidation system to dissipate excess redox energy upon exposure to air. These novel insights into the unique adaptations of red algae to intertidal lifestyles inform our understanding of adaptations to intertidal ecosystems and the unique evolutionary steps required for intertidal colonization by biological life.

Changes in atmospheric CO 2 concentration have played a central role in algal and plant adaptation and evolution. The commercially important red algal genus, Pyropia (Bangiales) appears to have responded to inorganic carbon (C i ) availability by evolving alternating heteromorphic generations that occupy distinct habitats. The leafy gametophyte inhabits the intertidal zone that undergoes frequent emersion, whereas the sporophyte conchocelis bores into mollusk shells. Here, we analyze a high-quality genome assembly of Pyropia yezoensis to elucidate the interplay between C i availability and life cycle evolution. We find horizontal gene transfers from bacteria and expansion of gene families (e.g. carbonic anhydrase, anti-oxidative related genes), many of which show gametophyte-specific expression or significant up-regulation in gametophyte in response to dehydration. In conchocelis, the release of HCO 3 - from shell promoted by carbonic anhydrase provides a source of C i . This hypothesis is supported by the incorporation of 13 C isotope by conchocelis when co-cultured with 13 C-labeled CaCO 3 . The nori producing seaweed Pyropia yezoensis has heteromorphic generations that occupy distinct habitats. Here, via genome assembly, transcriptome analysis, and 13 C isotope labeling, the authors show the interplay between inorganic carbon availability and life cycle evolution in the intertidal environment.

Globally, shrimp farms occupied an estimated 3.490 million hectares (Mha) of land and operated 2.426 Mha of production ponds in 2018. Extensive shrimp farms used 1.804 Mha of farm area (1.377 Mha of production ponds), but produced 11.4% of global shrimp production. An estimated 1.718 Mha of land was required to produce ingredients for feeds used in semi‐intensive and intensive shrimp farming, bringing total land use to 5.160 Mha. Extensive production is located in the intertidal zone and much of this land formerly was or still is in mangrove areas. Expansion of shrimp farms into mangrove areas has slowed. Mangrove areas are inferior sites for shrimp farms, and governments have imposed stricter regulations to protect mangroves. Shrimp farming in mangrove areas is unnecessary to supply the global shrimp demand. Scenarios for increasing global shrimp production without further increase in shrimp farm area are presented. But, if the demand for shrimp continues to increase, it will be impossible to freeze the total land footprint for farmed shrimp, because the land needed for feed presently is roughly equal to the direct land use for shrimp farms. Direct land use for farms can be frozen through greater production pond yields.

Detailed research has documented gradual changes to biological communities attributed to increases in global average temperatures. However, localized and abrupt temperature anomalies associated with heatwaves may cause more rapid biological changes. We analysed temperature data from the South Island of New Zealand and investigated whether the hot summer of 2017/18 affected species of bull kelp, Durvillaea antarctica, D. poha and D. willana. Durvillaea spp. are large iconic seaweed that inhabit the low intertidal zone of exposed coastlines, where they underpin biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Sea surface temperatures during the summer of 2017/18 included the strongest marine heatwaves recorded in 38 years of existing oceanic satellite data for this region. Air temperatures were also high, and, coupled with small wave heights, resulted in strong desiccation stress during daytime low tides. Before-After analysis of drone images of four reef platforms (42, 42, 44 and 45 ˚S) was used to evaluate changes to bull kelp over the hot summer. Bull kelp loss varied among species and reefs, with the greatest (100%) loss of D. poha at Pile Bay in Lyttelton Harbour (44 ˚S). In Pile Bay, sea surface temperature exceeded 23 ˚C and air temperatures exceeded 30 ˚C, while Durvillaea was exposed for up to 3 hours per day during low tide. Follow-up surveys showed that all bull kelps were eliminated from Pile Bay, and from all reefs within and immediately outside of Lyttelton Harbour. Following the localized extinction of bull kelp in Pile Bay, the invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida recruited in high densities (average of 120 m-2). We conclude that bull kelps are likely to experience additional mortalities in the future because heatwaves are predicted to increase in magnitude and durations. Losses of the endemic D. poha are particularly concerning due to its narrow distributional range.

Tidally driven saltwater‐freshwater mixing in coastal aquifers can promote denitrification, a key process facilitating attenuation of terrestrially derived nitrate prior to groundwater discharge into coastal waters. However, to date the effect of rainfall recharge, which can greatly alter flow and mixing in intertidal zones, on this mixing‐dependent denitrification remains poorly understood. This study employs a numerical variable‐density groundwater flow and reactive transport model to evaluate the combined effect of rainfall recharge and spring‐neap tides on the spatial and temporal variability of the denitrification process. A systematic sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the temporal pattern (uniform, random, extreme, and seasonal) and magnitude of rainfall recharge, the reactivity of marine‐derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the chemistry of rainfall recharge (represented by four scenarios: no solutes, nitrate only, oxygen only, and both nitrate and oxygen). The results demonstrate that rainfall recharge and spring‐neap tides jointly regulate spatial and temporal patterns of denitrification. As DOC reactivity increases, the dominant driver of denitrification variability shifts from rainfall recharge to spring‐neap tides. While different rainfall recharge patterns yield similar annual nitrate removal via intertidal denitrification, they may cause significant differences in the variability of daily nitrate removal rates. Increased rainfall recharge generally reduces the nitrate removal rate unless the recharge itself introduces nitrate. Meanwhile, the proportion of nitrate removed, relative to the total terrestrial nitrate input, consistently decreases with increasing rainfall recharge, regardless of the chemistry of rainfall recharge. These findings provide new insights into hydrological and biogeochemical controls on denitrification dynamics in intertidal mixing zones of coastal aquifers, with important implications for estimating chemical fluxes into coastal waters and managing coastal ecosystems.

Coastal intertidal soft-sediment habitats provide ecosystem services to millions of people worldwide, yet are under intense pressure from land-use change and sea-level rise (SLR). Both pressures interact to reduce light reaching the seafloor, thereby disrupting benthic primary producers and the ecosystem functions and services they provide. This study considers the implications of altered light climate on microphytobenthic (MPB) production in shallow estuaries. Continuous measurements of seafloor photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were made over 9 mo on intertidal sandflats in 14 New Zealand estuaries spanning a turbidity gradient. A literature summary of benthic photosynthesis−irradiance curves was used to predict PAR limitation at sampling sites. Estimates of the proportion of time MPB would be light limited during emersion ranged from a median of 32−64% compared to a median of 55−100% during immersion. For estuaries close to 100% PAR limitation during immersion, emerged intertidal areas represent a refuge for MPB production which is vulnerable to SLR. Based on hypsometric curves (a representation of estuary bathymetry), the intertidal area of our study estuaries is predicted to decrease by 27−94% in response to SLR of 1.4 m. The combination of high PAR limitation during immersion and large losses of intertidal area will increase vulnerability to the loss of MPB production and the associated ecosystem services, which will push these ecosystems towards tipping points. The research highlights how the interplay between local and global scale stressors may ultimately trigger ecological collapse under future global change.

• Mangroves have colonised extreme intertidal environments characterised by high salinity, hypoxia and other abiotic stresses. Aegiceras corniculatum, a pioneer mangrove species that has evolved two specialised adaptive traits (salt secretion and crypto-vivipary) is an attractive ecological model to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to intertidal environments. • We assembled de novo a high-quality reference genome of A. corniculatum and performed comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to intertidal environments. • We provide evidence that A. corniculatum experienced a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event c. 35 Ma. We infer that maintenance of cellular environmental homeostasis is an important adaptive process in A. corniculatum. The 14-3-3 and H⁺-ATPase protein-coding genes, essential for the salt homeostasis, were preferentially retained after the recent WGD event. Using comparative transcriptomics, we show that genes upregulated under high-salt conditions are involved in salt transport and ROS scavenging. We also found that all homologues of DELAY OF GERMINATION1 (DOG1) had lost their heme-binding ability in A. corniculatum, and that this may contribute to crypto-vivipary. • Our study provides insight into the genomic correlates of phenotypic adaptation to intertidal environments. This could contribute not only within the genomics community, but also to the field of plant evolution.