Browsing by Author "Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro"
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- Assessing microplastic uptake and impact on omnivorous juvenile white seabream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) under laboratory conditionsPublication . Müller, Carolin; Erzini, Karim; Teodosio, Maria; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Baptista, Vânia; Ekau, WernerPrevious laboratory feeding experiments, representing the state-of-the-art methodology to investigate micro-plastic (MP) ingestion and its impact for fish, tend to disregard both the significance of applying realistic MP densities and the potential relevance of biofilm-coating for ingestion probability. This experiment assessed the uptake of either pristine or biofilm-coated MP particles and the physiological impacts for juvenile white seab-ream for MP concentrations consistent with those found in the field along with natural prey over a course of 3.5 weeks. Results indicate the ability of juvenile D. sargus to discriminate between edible and non-edible prey. A distinct preference for biofilm-coated over pristine particles could not be verified. No significant impact on growth and condition was found except for high levels of MP ingestion. The outcomes highlight the importance of performing MP feeding experiments mimicking natural conditions to reliably assess the impact of MP on early life stages of fish.
- Cytotoxic and hemolytic activities of extracts of the fish parasite dinoflagellate amyloodinium ocellatumPublication . Moreira, Márcio; Soliño, Lucia; Marques, Cátia L.; Laizé, Vincent; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Fidalgo E Costa, Pedro; Soares, FlorbelaThe dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum is the etiological agent of a parasitic disease named amyloodiniosis. Mortalities of diseased fish are usually attributed to anoxia, osmoregulatory impairment, or opportunistic bacterial infections. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic proximity of A. ocellatum to a group of toxin-producing dinoflagellates from Pfiesteria, Parvodinium and Paulsenella genera suggests that it may produce toxin-like compounds, adding a new dimension to the possible cause of mortalities in A. ocellatum outbreaks. To address this question, extracts prepared from different life stages of the parasite were tested in vitro for cytotoxic effects using two cell lines derived from branchial arches (ABSa15) and the caudal fin (CFSa1) of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and for hemolytic effects using erythrocytes purified from the blood of gilthead seabream juveniles. Cytotoxicity and a strong hemolytic effect, similar to those observed for Karlodinium toxins, were observed for the less polar extracts of the parasitic stage (trophont). A similar trend was observed for the less polar extracts of the infective stage (dinospores), although cell viability was only affected in the ABSa15 line. These results suggest that A. ocellatum produces tissue-specific toxic compounds that may have a role in the attachment of the dinospores’ and trophonts’ feeding process.
- Dataset on functional and chemical properties of the medicinal halophyte Polygonum maritimum L. under greenhouse cultivationPublication . Rodrigues, Maria Joao; Monteiro, Ivo; Placines, Chloé; Castañeda-Loaiza, Viana; Ślusarczyk, Sylwester; Matkowski, Adam; Pereira, Catarina; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Custódio, LuísaThis data article includes data and analyses on the effect of different agronomic techniques on the production of Polygonum maritimum L. (sea knotgrass), namely different salinity irrigation treatments (0, 100, 200, 300 and 600 mM of NaCl) and a multi-harvest regime, and their relation with the chemical profile (ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry - UHRMS), in vitro antioxidant [radical-scavenging activity (RSA) of DPPH and ABTS, copper chelating activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power] and anti-inflammatory (nitric oxide reduction on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages) activities. For further interpretation of the data presented in this work, please see the related research article "The irrigation salinity and harvesting affect the growth, chemical profile and biological activities of Polygonum maritimum L." (Rodrigues et al., 2019).
- Distinguishing the effects of Water volumes versus stocking densities on the skeletal quality during the Pre-Ongrowing Phase of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)Publication . Dellacqua, Zachary; Di Biagio, Claudia; Costa, Corrado; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Ribeiro, Laura; Barata, Marisa; Gavaia, Paulo; Mattei, Francesco; Fabris, Andrea; Izquierdo, Marisol; Boglione, ClaraGilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) production is a highly valued aquaculture industry in Europe. The presence of skeletal deformities in farmed gilthead seabream represents a major bottleneck for the industry leading to economic losses, negative impacts on the consumers’ perception of aquaculture, and animal welfare issues for the fish. Although past work has primarily focused on the hatchery phase to reduce the incidence of skeletal anomalies, this work targets the successive preongrowing phase in which more severe anomalies affecting the external shape often arise. This work aimed to test the effects of: (i) larger and smaller tank volumes, stocked at the same density; and (ii) higher and lower stocking densities maintained in the same water volume, on the skeleton of gilthead seabream fingerlings reared for ~63 days at a pilot scale. Experimental rearing was conducted with gilthead seabream juveniles (~6.7 ± 2.5 g), which were selected as ‘non-deformed’ based on external inspection, stocked at three different densities (Low Density (LD): 5 kg/m3 ; Medium Density (MD): 10 kg/m3 ; High Density (HD): 20 kg/m3 ) in both 500 L and 1000 L tanks. Gilthead seabream were sampled for growth performance and radiographed to assess the skeletal elements at the beginning and end of the experimental trial. Results revealed that (i) LD fish were significantly longer than HD fish, although there were no differences in final weights, regardless of the water volume; (ii) an increase in the prevalence of seabream exhibiting cranial and vertebral axis anomalies was found to be associated with increased density. These results suggest that farmers can significantly reduce the presence of some cranial and axis anomalies affecting pre-ongrown gilthead seabream by reducing the stocking density.
- Draft genome sequence of Vibrio chagasii 18LP, isolated from Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae reared in aquaculturePublication . Sanches-Fernandes, Gracinda M. M.; Califano, Gianmaria; Keller-Costa, Tina; Castanho, Sara; Soares, Florbela; Ribeiro, Laura; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Mata, Leonardo; Costa, RodrigoWe report the draft genome sequence of Vibrio chagasii strain 18LP, isolated from gilthead seabream larvae at a fish hatchery research station in Portugal. The genome presents numerous features underlying opportunistic behavior, including genes coding for toxin biosynthesis and tolerance, host cell invasion, and heavy metal resistance.
- Draft genome sequence of vibrio jasicida 20LP, an opportunistic bacterium isolated from fish larvaePublication . Sanches-Fernandes, Gracinda M. M.; Califano, Gianmaria; Keller-Costa, Tina; Castanho, Sara; Soares, Florbela; Ribeiro, Laura; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Mata, Leonardo; Costa, RodrigoWe present the genome sequence of Vibrio jasicida 20LP, a bacterial strain retrieved from larvae of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), a highly valuable, model fish species in land-based aquaculture. Annotation of the V. jasicida 20LP genome reveals multiple genomic features potentially underpinning opportunistic associations with diverse marine animals.
- Eco-innovative aquafeeds biofortified with asparagopsis taxiformis to improve the resilience of farmed white seabream (Diplodus sargus) to marine heatwave eventsPublication . Marmelo, Isa; Lourenço-Marques, Cátia; Silva, Iris A.L.; Soares, Florbela; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Mata, Leonardo; Marques, António; Diniz, Mário Sousa; Maulvault, Ana LuísaExtreme weather events, like marine heatwaves (MHWs), are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing several challenges to marine ecosystems and their services. As disease outbreaks are often prompted by these acute phenomena, it is essential to develop ecoinnovative strategies that can efficiently improve farmed fish resilience, especially under suboptimal rearing conditions, thereby ensuring a sustainable aquaculture production. This study aimed to unveil farmed juvenile white seabream ( Diplodus sargus, , 28.50 +/- 1.10 g weight, n = 150) immune and antioxidant responses under a category II MHW in the Mediterranean Sea (+4 degrees C, 8 days of temperature increase plus 15 days of plateau at the peak temperature) and to investigate whether a 30 days period of prophylactic biofortification with Asparagopsis taxiformis (1.5 %, 3 % and 6 %) enhanced fish resilience to these extreme events. Several biomarkers from different organization levels (individual, cellular, biochemical and molecular) were assessed upon 30 days of biofortification (T30), exposure (after 8 days of temperature increase + 15 days at peak temperature, T53) and recovery (8 days of temperature decrease, T61) from the MHW. Results showed that MHW negatively affected the fish physiological status and overall wellbeing, decreasing specific growth rate (SGR) and haematocrit (Ht) and increasing erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). These adverse effects were alleviated through biofortification with A. taxiformis. . Seaweed inclusion at 1.5 % was the most effective dose to minimize the severity of MHW effects, significantly improving immune responses of D. sargus (i.e. increased levels of immunoglobulin M, peroxidase activity and lysozyme expression) and modulating antioxidant responses (i.e. decreased LPO, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity). These findings confirm that A. taxiformis is a functional ingredient of added value to the aquaculture industry, as its inclusion in marine fish diets can beneficially modulate fish immunity and resilience under optimal and adverse rearing conditions.
- Effect of dietary l-glutamine supplementation on the intestinal physiology and growth during Solea senegalensis larval developmentPublication . Matias, Ana Catarina; Viegas, Ana Rita; Couto, Ana; Lourenço-Marques, Cátia; Aragão, Cláudia; Castanho, Sara; Gamboa, Margarida; Candeias-Mendes, Ana; Soares, Florbela; Modesto, Teresa; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Ribeiro, LauraThe maturation of the intestinal digestive and absorptive functions might limit the amount of absorbed nutrients to fulfil the high requirements of the fast-growing marine fish larva. Glutamine (Gln) has been described to improve intestinal epithelium functions, due to its involvement in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary 0.2% Gln supplementation on aspects of intestinal physiology, protein metabolism and growth -related genes expression in Senegalese sole larvae. Experiment was carried out between 12 and 33 days post hatching (DPH) and fish were divided into two experimental groups, one fed Artemia spp. (CTRL) and the other fed Artemia spp. supplemented with Gln (GLN). GLN diet had two times more Gln than the CTRL diet. Samples were collected at 15, 19, 26 and 33 DPH for biometry, histology, and digestive enzymes activity, and at 33 DPH for gene expression, protein metabolism and AA content determination. Growth was significantly higher for Senegalese sole fed GLN diet, supported by differences on protein metabolism and growth -related gene expression. Slight differences were observed between treatments regarding the intestinal physiology. Overall, GLN diet seems to be directed to enhance protein metabolism leading to higher larval growth.
- Efficiency of 2-phenoxyethanol and Clove Oil for Reducing Handling Stress in Reared Meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Pisces: Sciaenidae)Publication . Barata, Marisa; Soares, Florbela; Almeida, Ana Catarina; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Ribeiro, Laura; Aragão, CláudiaThe effect of two anesthetics, 2-phenoxyethanol (2-PE) and clove oil (COil) were studied in meagre, Argyrosomus regius. This study aimed to determine the adequate dose of anesthesia for different aquaculture procedures, to assess a sedative or stressor effect of low anesthetic concentrations, and to assess the effect of low anesthetic doses at high fish densities for longer periods of time on fish survival and behavior. Anesthetics were tested at different concentrations: 2-PE at 100, 250, 400, 550, and 700mg/L; COil at 25, 40, 55, 70, and 85mg/L. Meagre became anesthetized within 10min when using concentrations above 250mg/L for 2-PE and above 40mg/L for COil. Deep anesthesia was achieved at 700 and 85mg/L, for 2-PE and COil, respectively. The fish did not react when blood was collected at these concentrations. Plasma cortisol and glucose levels were similar between sedated meagre with both 2-PE-100mg/L and COil-10mg/L, and the control (not sedated; P>0.05). This suggests that low concentrations of these anesthetics induce similar stress response as handling without anesthesia during routine activities. No mortality was registered when meagre was maintained at high densities with low concentrations of each anesthetic for 2h.
- Exploring Omega-3′s impact on the expression of Bone-Related Genes in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)Publication . Luján-Amoraga, Leticia; Delgado-Martín, Belén; Lourenço-Marques, Cátia; J. Gavaia, Paulo; Bravo, Jimena; Bandarra, Narcisa M.; Dominguez, David; Izquierdo, Marisol S.; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Ribeiro, LauraDietary supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids seems to promote skeletal health. Therefore, their consumption at imbalanced or excessive levels has offered less beneficial or even prejudicial effects. Fish produced in aquaculture regimes are prone to develop abnormal skeletons. Although larval cultures are usually fed with diets supplemented with Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), the lack of knowledge about the optimal requirements for fatty acids or about their impact on mechanisms that regulate skeletal development has impeded the design of diets that could improve bone formation during larval stages when the majority of skeletal anomalies appear. In this study, Argyrosomus regius larvae were fed different levels of Omega-3s (2.6% and 3.6% DW on diet) compared to a commercial diet. At 28 days after hatching (DAH), their transcriptomes were analyzed to study the modulation exerted in gene expression dynamics during larval development and identify impacted genes that can contribute to skeletal formation. Mainly, both levels of supplementation modulated bone-cell proliferation, the synthesis of bone components such as the extracellular matrix, and molecules involved in the interaction and signaling between bone components or in important cellular processes. The 2.6% level impacted several genes related to cartilage development, denoting a special impact on endochondral ossification, delaying this process. However, the 3.6% level seemed to accelerate this process by enhancing skeletal development. These results offered important insights into the impact of dietary Omega-3 LC-PUFAs on genes involved in the main molecular mechanism and cellular processes involved in skeletal development.
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