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Browsing MARE - Artigos em revistas internacionais by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Naturais::Ciências Biológicas"
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- Acoustic fish community in a biogeographic transition zone of the Northeast AtlanticPublication . Ríos, Noelia; Pereira, Jodanne; Muñoz-Duque, Sebastian; Silva, Gonçalo; Pais, Miguel Pessanha; Fonseca, Paulo J; Vieira, Manuel; Amorim, Maria Clara P; Francis JuanesAbstract Fish sounds are a significant component of marine soundscapes. Recently, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) arose as a promising tool for ecological monitoring, but a good characterization of fish acoustic communities is still needed. This study is the first to characterize the fish acoustic community at a biogeographic transition zone in the Northeast Atlantic. The research was conducted in a marine protected area (MPA) along the Portuguese mainland coast. Based on a literature review, we identified 29 (19.3%) sound-producing fish species present at this MPA, while 70 species (46.7%) were considered potentially soniferous. Using in situ acoustic recordings to detect potential fish sounds, we found 33 putative fish sounds that were categorized using a simple dichotomous classification. The temporal and spectral features of the 13 most prevalent sound types were characterized and compared among them and with available recordings to identify similarities. Finally, hydrophone recordings coupled with baited remote underwater video systems were tested as a method to identify sound sources. This study provides the first fish sound catalogue from the Portuguese mainland coast, laying the foundations to survey fish communities in coastal habitats with PAM.
- Bioprospecting bioactive peptides in Halobatrachus didactylus Body Mucus: From in silico insights to essential in vitro validationPublication . Cunha, Marta Fernandez; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.; Brassesco, María Emilia; Almada, Frederico; Gonçalves, David; Pintado, Maria ManuelaFish body mucus plays a protective role, especially in Halobatrachus didactylus, which inhabits intertidal zones vulnerable to anthropogenic contaminants. In silico predicted bioactive peptides were identified in its body mucus, namely, EDNSELGQETPTLR (HdKTLR), DPPNPKNL (HdKNL), PAPPPPPP (HdPPP), VYPFPGPLPN (HdVLPN), and PFPGPLPN (HdLPN). These peptides were studied in vitro for bioactivities and aggregation behavior under different ionic strengths and pH values. Size exclusion chromatography revealed significant peptide aggregation at 344 mM and 700 mM ionic strengths at pH 7.0, decreasing at pH 3.0 and pH 5.0. Although none exhibited antimicrobial properties, they inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Notably, HdVLPN demonstrated potential antioxidant activity (ORAC: 1.560 μmol TE/μmol of peptide; ABTS: 1.755 μmol TE/μmol of peptide) as well as HdLPN (ORAC: 0.195 μmol TE/μmol of peptide; ABTS: 0.128 μmol TE/μmol of peptide). Antioxidant activity decreased at pH 5.0 and pH 3.0. Interactions between the peptides and mucus synergistically enhanced antioxidant effects. HdVLPN and HdLPN were non-toxic to Caco-2 and HaCaT cells at 100 μg of peptide/mL. HdPPP showed potential antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects, with IC50 values of 557 μg of peptide/mL for ACE inhibition and 1700 μg of peptide/mL for α-glucosidase inhibition. This study highlights the importance of validating peptide bioactivities in vitro, considering their native environment (mucus), and bioprospecting novel bioactive molecules while promoting species conservation.
- Hematological and blood chemistry profiles of the Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) in a Portuguese wildlife rehabilitation centerPublication . Marques, Gonçalo N.; Guerra, Joana S.; Leal, Miriam O.; Neves, JoãoThe Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) is increasingly recognized as a sentinel species for freshwater ecosystem health due to its resilience to environmental pollutants. Despite its ecological significance, there is a lack of research on the blood profile of this vulnerable species. This study assessed the hematological and biochemical profile of healthy individuals admitted to Zoomarine’s Porto d’Abrigo rehabilitation center in southern Portugal between 2015 and 2024. This investigation revealed significant differences between the established data and the reference intervals reported in a Spanish study, notably in total erythrocyte (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), differential counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils, total protein (TP), creatine kinase (CK), potassium (K+), phosphorous (PHOS), and glucose (GLU) levels. Significant differences were also observed between captive and wild-rescued individuals in monocyte percentages, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and CK levels. No seasonal influence was detected except in the differential count of eosinophils. These findings indicate a possible geographical, environmental, and captivity-induced variation, providing the first comprehensive species-specific hematological and biochemical intervals for M. leprosa derived from a healthy population. This study enhances the understanding of M. leprosa health within a One Health framework by offering critical diagnostic benchmarks for veterinary care and facilitating conservation strategies.
- Metapopulation distribution shapes year‐round overlap with fisheries for a circumpolar seabirdPublication . Rexer‐Huber, Kalinka; Clay, Thomas A.; Catry, Paulo; Debski, Igor; Parker, Graham; Ramos, Raül; Robertson, Bruce C.; Ryan, Peter G.; Sagar, Paul M.; Stanworth, Andrew; Thompson, David R.; Tuck, Geoffrey N.; Weimerskirch, Henri; Phillips, Richard A.Although fisheries bycatch is the greatest threat to many migratory marine megafauna, it remains unclear how population exposure to bycatch varies across the global range of threatened species. Such assessments across multiple populations are crucial for understanding variation in impacts and for identifying the management bodies responsible for reducing bycatch. Here, we combine extensive biologging data from white‐chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) populations (representing >98% of their global breeding population) with pelagic and demersal longline and trawl fishing effort to map the global distribution and fisheries‐overlap hotspots for the most bycaught seabird in the Southern Hemisphere. We tracked the year‐round movements of 132 adults in 2006–2018 and examined spatial overlap among seven populations comprising three genetically distinct groupings (metapopulations). Foraging areas during the nonbreeding season were more concentrated than during breeding, with birds from all populations migrating to continental shelf or upwelling zones, but with low spatial overlap among metapopulations. Fisheries overlap differed more among than within metapopulations, underlining that these should be considered separate management units. Overlap with pelagic longline fisheries was greatest for Indian Ocean populations, and from the fleets of South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, and Spain, off southern Africa and in the High Seas. Overlap with demersal longline and trawl fisheries was greatest for Indian and Atlantic Ocean populations, within the Exclusive Economic Zones of South Africa, Namibia, and Argentina, and with the South Korean demersal longline fleet in the High Seas. The high overlap with South Korean longliners in the southwest Atlantic Ocean is of particular concern as demersal fishing in this region is not covered by any Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO). We also identified fisheries‐overlap hotspots within RFMOs where there are no seabird‐bycatch mitigation requirements (1.5%–53.1% of total overlap within the area of competence of each RFMO), or where current mitigation regulations need to be strengthened. Our recommendations are that management bodies target the high‐priority fisheries we have identified for improved bycatch monitoring, mandatory best‐practice bycatch mitigation, and close monitoring of compliance, given the conservation concerns for white‐chinned petrels and other threatened seabirds. Biologging, Bycatch mitigatio, Geolocator, Longline fisheries, Migratory connectivity, Regional Fisheries Management Organization, Trawl fisheries, White-chinned petrel
- Metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in a grey seal Halichoerus grypus: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characterizationPublication . Marques, Gonçalo Nogueira; Marti-Garcia, Bernat; Leal, Miriam Oliveira; Silva, Nuno Urbani Ramos da; Flanagan, Carla Anne; Suárez-Bonnet, Alejandro; Leal, M OliveiraA 33 yr old female grey seal. Halichoerus grypus presented with inappetence and progressive weight loss. Medical management included blood analysis, imaging, and fecal evaluation, along with multimodal supportive therapy, which periodically improved the overall medical condition. Six months after the initial presentation, the clinical condition deteriorated significantly, including severe hyporexia, hematemesis, and marked neutrophilic leukocytosis, which led to the decision to euthanise based on welfare grounds. Necropsy findings included severe thickening of the distal esophagus, cardia, and proximal gastric fundus, as well as multiple nodular to cystic structures over the stomach’s serosa, omentum, and mesentery. Histologically, a mucinous gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed, with metastasis to the gastric lymph nodes and prominent carcinomatosis involving the omentum, mesentery, and diaphragm. Immunohistochemically, the gastric adenocarcinoma was positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, weakly positive for COX-2 and E-cadherin, and negative for vimentin. The Ki-67 proliferative index was low (0.8). Although rare, this case offers further insights into the clinical presentation, histopathology, and immunohistochemical profile of gastric tumors in pinnipeds.
- Migratory Connectivity and Non‐Breeding Habitat Segregation Across Biogeographical Scales in Closely Related Seabird TaxaPublication . Morera‐Pujol, Virginia; Catry, Paulo; Magalhães, Maria; Péron, Clara; Reyes‐González, José Manuel; Granadeiro, José Pedro; Militão, Teresa; Dias, Maria P.; Oro, Daniel; Igual, José Manuel; Dell'Omo, Giacomo; Müller, Martina; Paiva, Vitor H.; Metzger, Benjamin; Neves, Verónica; Navarro, Joan; Karris, Georgios; Xirouchakis, Stavros; Cecere, Jacopo G.; Zamora‐Marín, José Manuel; Forero, Manuela G.; Afán, Isabel; Ouni, Ridha; Romdhane, Mohamed Salah; Felipe, Fernanda De; Zajková, Zuzana; Cruz‐Flores, Marta; Grémillet, David; González‐Solís, Jacob; Ramos, RaülIn highly mobile species, Migratory Connectivity (MC) has relevant consequences in population dynamics, genetic mixing, conservation and management. Additionally, in colonially breeding species, the maintenance of the breeding geographical structure during the non‐breeding period, that is, a strong MC, can promote isolation and population divergence, which ultimately can affect the process of lineage sorting. In geographically structured populations, studying the MC and differences in environmental preferences among colonies, populations, or taxa can improve our understanding of the ecological divergence among them.We investigated the MC and non‐breeding ecological niche of three seabird taxa from the genus colonies, we assess the level (from taxa to colony) at which MC and non‐breeding spatial and environmental segregation emerge. At a taxon level, we found a clear difference in the non‐breeding distributions between Cory's. and Scopoli's shearwaters, and a clear ecological divergence between Cory's and Cape Verde shearwaters. At an intermediate aggregation level, we found that birds breeding in proximity had similar non‐breeding habitat preferences, while birds breeding in very distant colonies (and therefore classified in different populations) had different non‐breeding habitat preferences. Furthermore, within each taxon, we found more structure (i.e. stronger MC) and non‐breeding divergence at an intermediate aggregation level than at the colony scale, where MC was weak. Main Conclusions These results suggest that conspecifics from nearby colonies mix in common non‐breeding areas, but not with birds from more distant colonies or different taxa. These results support the need for management and conservation strategies that take into account this structure when dealing with migratory species with high connectivity.
- Mitonuclear genetics reveals a novel perspective on the stock structure and fishery management of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the Atlantic OceanPublication . Queiroz-Brito, Maria Clara G.; Mendonça, Fernando F.; Robalo, Joana; Arocha, Freddy; Diaha, N’Guessan Constance; Amandé, Monin Justin; Sow, Fambaye Ngom; Angueko, Davy; Travassos, Paulo; Torres, Rodrigo A.The skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis is the worldwide most fished and economically significant tuna species. In the Atlantic Ocean, the management strategy of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) includes two stocks: (a) eastern (SKJ-E) and (b) western (SKJ-W) stocks. However, the genetic cohesiveness between these stocks remains poorly understood. Here, we provide this information through mitochondrial [control region (CR)] and nuclear (intron S7) data. In both markers, high genetic diversity and no contraction signals in effective population sizes were found, supporting the species conservation status as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN and the results of the latest ICCAT assessment of the two stocks. In general, no well-defined genetic-geographic structure was detected, which may be explained by the specie life history strategies, such as large population effective sizes and migratory behavior, with a broad geographical distribution, that reduce the isolation, inbreeding, and genetic drift effects. However, pairwise FST values within and between the Eastern and Western Atlantic suggest some weak to moderate genetic differentiation. These results involved mainly the Eastern Temperate Zone, represented herein by the Azores archipelago. It is important to highlight that higher differentiation levels were found between sites from different stocks. In addition, the CR data revealed a weak but significant genetic differentiation between the eastern and western stocks (FST = 0.0006). These results can be used to improve and support the ICCAT management strategies of skipjack tuna stocks, highlighting the need for a reevaluation and possible alignment between Eastern and Western Atlantic management actions. Similar content being viewed by others
- Nutrient input from green turtle eggs and hatchlings in a west Africa Island and its nearshore environmentPublication . Ferreira Raposo, Cheila Sofia; Patrício, Ana Rita; Catry, Paulo; Barbosa, Castro; Camará, Assana; Regalla, Aissa; Rebelo, RuiSea turtle nesting brings marine-derived nutrients into sandy beach ecosystems, potentially influencing their dynamics. We investigated nutrient input from green turtle Chelonia mydas eggs and hatchlings into coastal habitats in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. We assessed two islands within the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park (‘JVPMNP’), with contrasting sea turtle nesting density: very low (João Vieira) and very high (Poilão). On each island, we analyzed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in one pair of plant species (coinvine Dalbergia ecastaphyllum bush/baobab Adansonia digitata tree) and two pairs of predator species (tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor/African rainbow crab Cardisoma armatum and sea catfish Carlarius spp./crevalle jack Caranx hippos). The first species in each pair is distributed closer to nesting sites, while the second is found further inland or offshore. Stomach content analysis was also conducted for fishes. Results supported nutrient input from turtle clutches benefiting the species living near nesting sites. Shoreline coinvines at Poilão had higher δ15N (5.1 ± 3.2‰) compared to João Vieira (≈0‰), suggesting assimilation of turtle-derived 15N. Shoreline tufted ghost crabs at Poilão had enriched δ15N (15.2 ± 0.7‰ vs. João Vieira’s 12.2 ± 1.1‰) and δ13C (− 13.4 ± 0.7‰ vs. João Vieira’s − 18.7 ± 1.4‰), likely reflecting predation upon eggs and hatchlings. Sea catfishes at Poilão frequently consumed unhatched turtle eggs washed into the sea (17% frequency of occurrence) and hatchlings (up to 27%). This study suggests that nutrient availability from turtle nests influences and supports shoreline plants and consumers at JVPMNP.