Browsing by Author "Novais, Sara C."
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- Boat noise impacts Lusitanian toadfish breeding males and reproductive outcomePublication . Amorim, M. Clara P.; Vieira, Manuel; Meireles, Gabriela; Novais, Sara C.; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Modesto, Teresa; Alves, Daniel; Zuazu, Ana; Lopes, Ana F.; Matos, André B.; Fonseca, Paulo J.Anthropogenic noise is a growing threat to marine organisms, including fish. Yet very few studies have addressed the impact of anthropogenic noise on fish reproduction, especially in situ. In this study, we investigated the impacts of boat noise exposure in the reproductive success of wild Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus), a species that relies on advertisement calls for mate attraction, using behavioural, physiological and reproductive endpoints. Two sets of artificial nests were deployed in the Tagus estuary and exposed to either ambient sound or boat noise during their breeding season. Toadfish males spontaneously used these nests to breed. We inspected nests for occupation and the presence of eggs in six spring low tides (in two years) and assessed male vocal activity and stress responses. Boat noise did not affect nest occupation by males but impacted reproductive success by decreasing the likelihood of receiv-ing eggs, decreasing the number of live eggs and increasing the number of dead eggs, compared to control males. Treat-ment males also showed depressed vocal activity and slightly higher cortisol levels. The assessment of oxidative stress and energy metabolism-related biomarkers revealed no oxidative damage in noise exposed males despite having lower antioxidant responses and pointed towards a decrease in the activity levels of energy metabolism-related biomarkers. These results suggest that males exposed to boat noise depressed their metabolism and their activity (such as parental care and mate attraction) to cope with an acoustic stressor, consistent with a freezing defensive response/behaviour. Together, our study demonstrates that boat noise has severe impacts on reproductive fitness in Lusitanian toadfish. We argue that, at least fishes that cannot easily avoid noise sources due to their dependence on specific spawning sites, may incur in significant direct fitness costs due to chronic noise exposure.
- Correlation between trace element concentrations in the blood of female hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and egg quality in nesting populations of São Tomé IslandPublication . Morão, Inês F. C.; Simões, Tiago; Casado, Roger B.; Vieira, Sara; Ferreira-Airaud, Betânia; Caliani, Ilaria; Noi, Agata Di; Casini, Silvia; Fossi, Maria C.; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Novais, Sara C.Metals and metalloids can pose a significant threat to sea turtles, as these contaminants tend to accumulate in their bodies over time, due to their long lifespans and varied feeding habits. S˜ ao Tom´e and Príncipe’s archipelago hosts the last remaining rookery for hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the region. The study aimed to determine the levels of metals and metalloids accumulated by this population and to investigate their possible genotoxicity in nesting females’ blood as well as potential effects on their eggs in terms of morphometric characteristics and the quality of their lipidic reserves, essential for embryo development. Higher levels of Hg were found to be correlated with increased “lobed-shaped nuclei” in erythrocytic count, suggesting genotoxicity effects in this population. Higher levels of Se were correlated with thicker and heavier eggshells, while Pb levels were associated with the reduction of the egg’s diameter. Metal contamination in females’ blood significantly affected yolk polar fatty acids. Significant negative correlations were found between general metal contamination (PLI) and saturated fatty acids (SFA), while positive correlations were observed for essential omega-6 fatty acids (n6), mostly influenced by Cu, Fe, and Hg concentrations. This suggests that these omega-6 fatty acids are being synthesized from SFA, potentially indicating stress response by metal exposure. The present results point to some potential alterations in the normal embryonic development of these turtle eggs, influenced by metal contamination, which should raise some concerns about the future of this critically endangered species and call for additional conservation efforts in the region.
- Metal accumulation in female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Eastern Atlantic affects their egg quality with potential implications for embryonic developmentPublication . Morão, Inês F.C.; Simões, Tiago; Casado, Roger B.; Vieira, Sara; Ferreira-Airaud, Betânia; Caliani, Ilaria; Noi, Agata Di; Casini, Silvia; Fossi, Maria C.; Lemos, Marco F.L.; Novais, Sara C.Sea turtles, with their global distribution and complex life cycle, often accumulate pollutants such as metals and metalloids due to their extended lifespan and feeding habits. However, there are limited studies exploring the impact of metal pollution on the reproductive health of female sea turtles, specifically focusing on the quality of their eggs, which has significant implications for the future generations of these charismatic animals. Sao Tome Island, a crucial nesting and feeding habitat for green sea turtles, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research in this ecologically significant area. This study aimed to investigate whether metals and metalloids in the blood of nesting female green sea turtles induce genotoxic effects in their erythrocytes and affect their egg morphometric characteristics and the composition of related compartments. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate whether the quality of energetic reserves for embryo development (fatty acids in yolk's polar and neutral lipids) is influenced by the contamination status of their predecessors. Results revealed correlations between Cu and Hg levels and increased "lobed" erythrocytes, while As and Cu negatively influenced shell thickness. In terms of energy reserves, both polar and neutral lipid fractions contained primarily saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with prevalent 18:1n-9, 18:0, 16:0, 14:0, and 12:0 fatty acids in yolk samples. The yolk polar fraction was more susceptible to contaminant levels in female sea turtles, showing consistent negative correlations between pollution load index and essential n3 fatty acids, including linolenic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids, crucial for embryonic development. These metals accumulation, coupled with the reduced availability of these key fatty acids, may disrupt the eicosanoid and other important pathways, affecting reproductive development. This study reveals a negative correlation between metal contamination in female sea turtles' blood and egg lipid reserves, raising concerns about embryonic development and the species' future generations.