Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-07"
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- Genetic hypervariability of a Northeastern Atlantic venomous rockfishPublication . Francisco, Sara M.; Castilho, Rita; Lima, Cristina S.; Almada, Frederico; Rodrigues, Francisca; Šanda, Radek; Vukić, Jasna; Pappalardo, Anna Maria; Ferrito, Venera; Robalo, Joana I.Background: Understanding the interplay between climate and current and historical factors shaping genetic diversity is pivotal to infer changes in marine species range and communities’ composition. A hylogeographical break between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean has been documented for several marine organisms, translating into limited dispersal between the two basins. Methods: In this study, we screened the intraspecific diversity of 150 individuals of the Madeira rockfish (Scorpaena maderensis) across its distributional range (seven sampling locations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins) using the mitochondrial control region and the nuclear S7 first intron. Results: The present work is the most comprehensive study done for this species, yielding no genetic structure across sampled locations and no detectable Atlantic-Mediterranean break in connectivity. Our results reveal deep and hyper-diverse bush-like genealogies with large numbers of singletons and very few shared haplotypes. The genetic hyper-diversity found for the Madeira rockfish is relatively uncommon in rocky coastal species, whose dispersal capability is limited by local oceanographic patterns. The effect of climate warming on the distribution of the species is discussed.
- Anthropogenic CO2 and ocean acidification in Argentine Basin water masses over almost five decades of observationsPublication . Fontela, Marcos; Velo, Antón; Gilcoto, Miguel; Pérez, Fiz F.The chemical conditions of the Argentine Basin (western South Atlantic Ocean) water masses are evaluated with measurements from eleven hydrographic cruises to detect and quantify anthropogenic and natural stressors in the ocean carbon system. The database covers almost half-century (1972-2019), a time-span where the mean annual atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2atm) increased from 325 to 408 ppm of volume (ppm). This increase of atmospheric CO2 (83 ppm, the 64% of the total anthropogenic signal in the atmosphere) leads to an increase in anthropogenic carbon (Cant) across all the water column and the consequent ocean acidification: a decrease in excess carbonate that is unequivocal in the upper (South Atlantic Central Water, SACW) and intermediate water masses (Sub Antarctic Mode Water, SAMW and Antarctic Intermediate Water, AAIW). For each additional ppm in CO2atm the water masses SACW, SAMW and AAIW lose excess carbonate at a rate of 0.39 ± 0.04, 0.47 ± 0.05 and 0.23 ± 0.03 μmol·kg-1·ppm-1 respectively. Modal and intermediate water masses in the Argentine Basin are very sensitive to carbon increases due low buffering capacity. The large rate of AAIW acidification is the synergic effect of carbon uptake combined with deoxygenation and increased remineralization of organic matter. If CO2 emissions follows the path of business-as-usual emissions (SSP 5.85), SACW would become undersaturated with respect to aragonite at the end of the century. The undersaturation in AAIW is virtually unavoidable.
- Deep chemometrics: validation and transfer of a global deep near‐infrared fruit model to use it on a new portable instrumentPublication . Mishra, Puneet; Passos, DárioRecently, a large near-infrared spectroscopy data set for mango fruit quality assessment was made available online. Based on that data, a deep learning (DL) model outperformed all major chemometrics and machine learning approaches. However, in earlier studies, the model validation was limited to the test set from the same data set which was measured with the same instru ment on samples from a similar origin. From a DL perspective, once a model is trained it is expected to generalise well when applied to a new batch of data. Hence, this study aims to validate the generalisability performance of the earlier developed DL model related to DM prediction in mango on a different test set measured in a local laboratory setting, with a different instrument. At first, the performance of the old DL model was presented. Later, a new DL model was crafted to cover the seasonal variability related to fruit harvest season. Finally, a DL model transfer method was performed to use the model on a new instrument. The direct application of the old DL model led to a higher error compared to the PLS model. However, the performance of the DL model was improved drastically when it was tuned to cover the seasonal variability. The updated DL model performed the best compared to the implementation of a new PLS model or updating the existing PLS model. A final root-mean-square error prediction (RMSEP) of 0.518% was reached. This result supports that, in the availability of large data sets, DL modelling can outperform chemometrics approaches.
- Dietary supplementation with curcumin nanomicelles, curcumin, and turmeric affects growth performance and silver nanoparticle toxicity in Cyprinus carpioPublication . Pirani, Fereshteh; Moradi, Shadieh; Ashouri, Samyar; Johari, Seyed Ali; Ghaderi, Edris; Kim, Hoi Pin; Yu, Il JeAn 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on growth performances, body composition, fatty acid profile, and biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and their ameliorative effects against toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A total of 120 healthy carps were randomly distributed into four equal treatments. Curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric were each added separately to the basal diet. After the feeding trials, all treatments were exposed to a non-lethal concentration of AgNPs (0.5 mg L−1) for 96 h. Fish fed dietary turmeric showed a significantly higher weight gain. The body protein content was significantly increased in all feeding groups, while the lipid content showed a significant decrease in the turmeric-treated group.Dietary turmeric improved the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). AgNP exposure led to increases in liver catalase (CAT) activity of carps fed with turmeric and curcumin. The lowest amount of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was obtained in fish fed with nanomicelle curcumin and curcumin diets. The lowest amount of silver accumulation in the liver of carps was found in fish fed with dietary curcumin nanomicelle. This experiment suggests that supplementation of turmeric (50 g kg−1) or curcumin (1000 mg kg−1) may play an important role in enhancing growth performances and fatty acid composition of the common carp.Moreover, administration of curcumin nanomicelle in the diet may have a potential ameliorative effect against toxicity of AgNPs.
- Reserve effect of a small North-East Atlantic marine protected area (Arrabida, Portugal) on soft-sediment fish speciesPublication . Martínez Ramírez, Lucas; Priester, Carl Robert; Sousa, Inês; Erzini, Karim; Abecasis, DavidThe implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) has been widely used as a tool to manage and conserve marine resources and services. Yet, to date, the reserve effect is still weakly evaluated, particularly for soft-sediment habitats. The Arrabida MPA, considered as a biodiversity hotspot, was fully established in 2009 on the west coast of Portugal and is characterized by large expanses of soft-sediment habitats. This MPA was established to protect biodiversity and to ensure the livelihood of the local small-scale fisheries community. Beyond before-after-control-impact (BACI) analyses were carried out on catch data (abundance and biomass) of 351 trammel net sets from experimental fishing campaigns (2007-2019) to study the reserve effect on demersal fish populations. The results show a declining trend in abundance inside and outside the protected area, with significant positive effects only found for undersize commercial species and Solea senegalensis, and a general increase in fish species total length. Despite the lack of any obvious reserve effect, the increase in fish length can be considered as a first sign. Anthropogenic pressures are generalized around the area, and transgressions of the restrictions are frequently observed inside the no-take zone. These can, among other aspects, delay or prevent the expected reserve effects. Therefore, enforcement and/or modification of the spatial plan must be incentivized to achieve the goals of the MPA.
- Contrasting drivers and trends of ocean acidification in the subarctic AtlanticPublication . Pérez, Fiz F.; Olafsson, Jon; Ólafsdóttir, Solveig R.; Fontela, Marcos; Takahashi, TaroThe processes of warming, anthropogenic CO2 (Canth) accumulation, decreasing pHT (increasing [H+]T; concentration in total scale) and calcium carbonate saturation in the subarctic zone of the North Atlantic are unequivocal in the time-series measurements of the Iceland (IS-TS, 1985–2003) and Irminger Sea (IRM-TS, 1983–2013) stations. Both stations show high rates of Canth accumulation with diferent rates of warming, salinifcation and stratifcation linked to regional circulation and dynamics. At the IS-TS, advected and stratifed waters of Arctic origin drive a strong increase in [H+]T, in the surface layer, which is nearly halved in the deep layer (44.7± 3.6 and 25.5 ± 1.0 pmol kg−1 yr−1, respectively). In contrast, the weak stratifcation at the IRM-TS allows warming, salinifcation and Canth uptake to reach the deep layer. The acidifcation trends are even stronger in the deep layer than in the surface layer (44.2± 1.0 pmol kg−1 yr−1 and 32.6 ± 3.4 pmol kg−1 yr−1 of [H+]T, respectively). The driver analysis detects that warming contributes up to 50% to the increase in [H+]T at the IRM-TS but has a small positive efect on calcium carbonate saturation. The Canth increase is the main driver of the observed acidifcation, but it is partially dampened by the northward advection of water with a relatively low natural CO2 content.
- Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: knowledge gaps, challenges and solutionsPublication . Garcia de Leaniz, Carlos; Gutierrez Rabadan, Carolina; Barrento, Sara I.; Stringwell, Rebecca; Howes, Paul N.; Whittaker, Ben A.; Minett, Jessica F.; Smith, Robert G.; Pooley, Craig L.; Overland, Ben J.; Biddiscombe, Leigh; Lloyd, Richard; Consuegra, Sofia; Maddocks, Jake K.; Deacon, Paul T. J.; Jennings, Ben T.; Rey Planellas, Sonia; Deakin, Amanda; Moore, Amber I.; Phillips, Daniel.; Bardera, Guillermo; Castanheira, Maria Filipa; Scolamacchia, Maria; Clarke, Nancy; Parker, Ollie; Avizienius, John; Johnstone, Malcolm; Pavlidis, MichalisLumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) are increasingly being used as cleaner fish to control parasitic sea lice, one of the most important threats to salmon farming. However, lumpfish cannot survive feeding solely on sea lice, and their mortality in salmon net pens can be high, which has welfare, ethical and economic implications. The industry is under increasing pressure to improve the welfare of lumpfish, but little guidance exists on how this can be achieved. We undertook a knowledge gap and prioritisa tion exercise using a Delphi approach with participants from the fish farming sector, animal welfare, academia and regulators to assess consensus on the main challenges and potential solutions for improving lumpfish welfare. Consensus among participants on the utility of 5 behavioural and 12 physical welfare indicators was high (87–89%), reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79, 95CI = 0.69–0.92) and independent of participant background. Participants highlighted fin erosion and body damage as the most use ful and practical operational welfare indicators, and blood parameters and behav ioural indicators as the least practical. Species profiling revealed profound differences between Atlantic salmon and lumpfish in relation to behaviour, habitat preferences, nutritional needs and response to stress, suggesting that applying a common set of welfare standards to both species cohabiting in salmon net-pens may not work well for lumpfish. Our study offers 16 practical solutions for improving the welfare of lumpfish and illustrates the merits of the Delphi approach for achieving consensus among stakeholders on welfare needs, targeting research where is most needed and generating workable solutions.
- Cessação tabágica em Farmácia Comunitária: benefícios que se sentemPublication . Condinho, Mónica; Sinogas, Carlos
- Impacts of pineapple peel powder on growth performance, innate immunity, disease resistance, and relative immune gene expression of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticusPublication . Palma, JorgeAn 8-week growth trial was conducted to examine the efficacy of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) on growth rate and immunity of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus. Three hundred Nile tilapia (20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed five diets containing different levels of PAPP at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g kg− 1 PAPP, respectively. After four and eight weeks of the feeding trial, growth rates, and immune responses were tested. A challenge test using Streptococcus agalactiae and relative immune gene expression were performed after eight weeks of PAPP feeding. It was found that skin mucus and serum lysozyme, skin mucus and serum peroxidase, alternative complement, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst activities were significantly increased with the addition of PAPP. The maximum (P ≤ 0.05) innate immune values were noted in fish fed 10 g kg− 1 PAPP. Similarly, the up-regulation of IL1, IL8, and LBP gene expressions were also detected in fish fed PAPP diets, with the maximum value was found in 10 g kg− 1 PAPP fed fish. The relative percentage of survival (RPS) of Oreochromis niloticus after the challenge test were (56.00%, 72.00%, 60.00%, and 44.00%) for the 5, 10, 20 and 40 g kg− 1 PAPP diets, respectively. Fish fed the 10 g kg− 1 PAPP supplemented diet achieved the highest (P < 0.05) survival rate against S. agalactiae. Growth and feed efficiency were outstandingly (P < 0.05) enhanced in the PAPP groups. In conclusion, PAPP can be potentially used as a feed additive in Nile tilapia culture under Biofloc system.
- Complexity in the middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Peninsular Southern Europe and application of refugium conceptsPublication . Carvalho, Milena; Bicho, NunoDuring the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in the Balkan, Italian and Iberian peninsulas of southern Europe, late Neanderthal and early Anatomically Modern Human (AMH) populations may have overlapped in some capacity. Many of the hypotheses and models for the transition interval suggest that Neanderthal populations remained in, or migrated to, refugial zones while AMHs colonized areas not suitable for, or abandoned by, Neanderthals. However, many hypotheses and models have not been conclusively tested due to general issues impeding a clear understanding of the relevant archeological record and because of a lack of specificity in defining and applying the term ‘refugium’. This paper briefly summarizes what is known about the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in southern European Peninsulas and discusses some new directions in the use of refugium concepts in the study of Neanderthal extinction and AMH dispersal. We highlight the complexity of the archeological record in each region and in the studies of refugia more generally. Finally, we make an appeal for generating local, multi‐proxy paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic records to address these complexities so that hypotheses and models integrating refugial concepts in explanations of the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition can be properly formulated and tested. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.