The genetic structure and evolutionary history of an endemic anchialine species, the shrimp Halocaridina rubra Holthuis, 1963 (Crustacean: Decapoda: Atyidae), was investigated across its range in the Hawaiian archipelago using mitochondrial (e.g., cytochrome oxidase subunit I and large subunit ribosomal) gene sequences. A survey of 573 individuals collected from 34 sites on the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, and Oahu revealed 13 distinct genetic groups belonging to eight divergent lineages. In general, a Halocaridina genetic group or lineage was restricted to a particular region of a single Hawaiian Island, with no individuals being exchanged between them. This pattern 1 Corresponding author (santos@auburn.edu). 675stems from a combination of intrinsic organismal properties such as large egg size, abbreviated development, restricted larval habitat and larval feeding mode, and extrinsic obstacles to gene flow in the form of a marine barrier and geologic features that compartmentalize the islands' aquifers. The phylogeographic structuring on and between islands suggests that evolutionary diversification in Halocaridina is driven by population fragmentation, isolation, and subsequent diversification in the aquifers of the Hawaiian Islands. Calibration of cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequence divergence between sister Halocaridina lineages to the geologic age of Kilauea volcano on Hawai'i implies that diversification in the genus is proceeding at a short-term rate of 20% per million years. The examined mitochondrial genes were generally inadequate for inferring phylogenetic relationships between the Halocaridina lineages.

Garlic, Allium sativum, is broadly used around the world for its numerous culinary and medicinal uses. Wild garlic, Allium vineale, has been used as a substitute for garlic, both in food as well as in herbal medicine. The present study investigated the chemical compositions of A. sativum and A. vineale essential oils. The essential oils from the bulbs of A. sativum, cultivated in Spain, were obtained by three different methods: laboratory hydrodistillation, industrial hydrodistillation, and industrial steam distillation. The essential oils of wild-growing A. vineale from north Alabama were obtained by hydrodistillation. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both A. sativum and A. vineale oils were dominated by allyl polysulfides. There were minor quantitative differences between the A. sativum oils owing to the distillation methods employed, as well as differences from previously reported garlic oils from other geographical locations. Allium vineale oil showed a qualitative similarity to Allium ursinum essential oil. The compositions of garlic and wild garlic are consistent with their use as flavoring agents in foods as well as their uses as herbal medicines. However, quantitative differences are likely to affect the flavor and bioactivity profiles of these Allium species.

Background: Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a popular culinary and medicinal herb. A literature survey has revealed that sage oils can vary widely in their chemical compositions. The purpose of this study was to examine sage essential oil from different sources/origins and to define the possible chemotypes of sage oil. Methods: Three different samples of sage leaf essential oil have been obtained and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. A hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out on 185 sage oil compositions reported in the literature as well as the three samples in this study. Results: The major components of the three sage oils were the oxygenated monoterpenoids α-thujone (17.2–27.4%), 1,8-cineole (11.9–26.9%), and camphor (12.8–21.4%). The cluster analysis revealed five major chemotypes of sage oil, with the most common being a α-thujone > camphor > 1,8-cineole chemotype, of which the three samples in this study belong. The other chemotypes are an α-humulene-rich chemotype, a β-thujone-rich chemotype, a 1,8-cineole/camphor chemotype, and a sclareol/α-thujone chemotype. Conclusions: Most sage oils belonged to the “typical”, α-thujone > camphor > 1,8-cineole, chemotype, but the essential oil compositions do vary widely and may have a profound effect on flavor and fragrance profiles as well as biological activities. There are currently no studies correlating sage oil composition with fragrance descriptions or with biological activities.

Ocean acidification (OA) can alter the development and physiology of many marine organisms. In addition to calcified invertebrates, studies documenting the responses of calcareous algae are critical because of their prominent role in habitat structure and carbonate production within coastal environments. While many studies report physiological responses, few have examined how OA might ultimately alter interactions with generalist herbivores via shifts in algal chemistry. This study describes a series of experiments that examine the influence of OA on the growth and herbivore defensive compounds of calcareous green algae (Halimeda spp.). One experiment was conducted in an open, outdoor seawater system with H. opuntia, while the other was conducted in an indoor, closed system with H. incrassata and H. simulans. Both experiments were conducted over similar ranges in pCO 2 (300 to 2400 µatm) and monitored shifts in calcification and herbivore defenses (calcium carbonate [CaCO 3 ] and terpenoid metabolite content). Feedings assays with common sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus and Diadema antillarum) were further conducted to test the degree to which shifts in algal chemistry influence herbivore feeding preferences. Our results were variable among Halimeda spp., highlighting that OA-induced shifts in chemical composition are species-specific. OA reduced the CaCO 3 content (% dry wt) of H. incrassata yet had no effect on H. opuntia or H. simulans. Terpenoid metabolite concentrations were unaltered by pCO 2 for all species. Assays with sea urchins revealed that feeding significantly increased on diets of lower CaCO 3 and secondary metabolite content. Our work suggests that certain algal species may be relatively more susceptible to OA-induced shifts in chemical composition, and those shifts have the potential to weaken the efficacy of herbivore defenses. Future research on how OA influences marine plant -herbivore interactions will improve our broader understanding of how OA stands to alter community and ecosystem properties.

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