Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-09"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 52
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Seasonal variations of waterbird ecological networks under different saltpans managementPublication . Chefaoui, RosaHabitat change has increased the loss of wetlands and impacted highly on coastal biodiversity. Consequently, wetland-dependent species such as waterbirds have experienced a decline in their populations. This study pro poses an application of bipartite networks using both the sampled sites and species as nodes to assess seasonal variations in waterbirds composition and habitat specialization in response to the abandonment of saltpans. The sampling was carried out in active and abandoned saltpans of the Ria Formosa (Portugal) over four sampling periods to evaluate the temporal change in waterbird communities. Abundance was twice and species richness 14% higher in active saltpans than in abandoned ones. About 60% of the waterbirds indicated a high specificity towards active saltpans. Saltpans showed a high β-diversity and seasonal dynamic of waterbird community composition. Network dissimilarity across the year was dominated by turnover of the edges rather than species turnover. Dynamics in network structure and composition seemed to be related to bird dispersal, migration phenology, and habitat specialist strategies. Overall, this study highlights the importance of preserving the ac tivity of saltpans as it conditions abundance, richness and dynamics of waterbird populations. Continued efforts are needed to reduce threats to coastal wetlands and restore abandoned saltpans worldwide, since these are key habitats for the conservation of resident and migratory waterbirds.
- 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.
- Smoking cessation at the community pharmacy: determinants of success from a real-life practicePublication . Condinho, Mónica; Ramalhinho, Isabel; Sinogas, CarlosThe objectives of this study are to report the contribution of pharmacists to smoking cessa tion and study the determinants of smoking cessation success in eight pharmacies in Portugal (south) between 2009 and 2019. A real-life study was conducted with a sample of smokers who participated in pharmacist consultations. The sample included 135 smokers (average age of 47.9 ± 1.21 years), 79 (58.5%) of whom were male. In parallel with the motivation and behavioral approach, 116 (85.9%) smokers received pharmacological therapies: 108 (80.0%) were treated with nicotine replacement products and eight (5.9%) with non-nicotine medications. The interventions resulted in 70 (51.9%) smokers complying with the quit day, of whom 59 (43.7%) were smoking-abstinent at the end of the first month. Success rates were reduced to 32.6%, 28.1%, and 20.7% at the end of the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months, respectively. Smoking cessation was more successful for the participants receiv ing pharmacological therapies (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.001) and those who participated in more pharmacist consultations (χ 2 = 59.994, p < 0.001) and more telephone sessions (χ 2 = 17.845, p < 0.001). Pharmacists can contribute significantly to the promotion of smoking cessation. Smokers who are more thoroughly followed up by pharmacists showed increased success rates when compared with smokers having fewer sessions with pharmacists.
- Identifying habitats of conservation priority in the São Vicente submarine Canyon in Southwestern PortugalPublication . Nestorowicz, Iga-Maria; Oliveira, Frederico; Monteiro, Pedro; Bentes, Luis; Sales Henriques, Nuno; Aguilar, Ricardo; Horta E Costa, Barbara; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel SantosIdentifying vulnerable marine habitats is fundamental to promote evidence-based management and a sustainable use of our oceans. Although progress in the mapping of marine benthic habitats has been made, complex ecosystems such as submarine canyons remain largely unexplored, hampering evidence-based management from taking place in these ubiquitous features worldwide. Data from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey in the upper São Vicente Submarine Canyon in southwestern Portugal from 2011, was analysed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of megabenthic habitats, particularly those of conservation concern occuring between 90 and 560 m. Underwater videos from three exploratory dives, covering a total of 8.8 kilometers, were analyzed through multivariate and visual assessments, and the identified habitats were assessed against a set of criteria derived from current definitions of priority habitats. Thirteen potential priority habitats were characterized, out of which four distinct “coral gardens” and one “deep-sea sponge aggregation” are aligned with OSPAR definitions of priority habitats, and one corresponds to the habitat of a strictly protected sea urchin listed in the Habitats Directive. Three circalittoral sponge aggregations were also suggested based on the abundance of indicator species. The specific composition and diversity of priority habitats as described here, has not yet been described in any other canyon in the NE Atlantic region. Depth was revealed to be particularly important for the distribution of habitats, followed by relief and substratum. The approach presented in this study contributes to improve the understanding about submarine canyons, which is paramount to implement knowledge-based protection measures. Furthermore, it can be used to support future mapping efforts of deep-sea environments such as submarine canyons.
- The collapse of marine forests: drastic reduction in populations of the family Sargassaceae in Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)Publication . Bernal-Ibáñez, Alejandro; Gestoso, Ignacio; Wirtz, Peter; Kaufmann, Manfred; Serrao, Ester; Canning-Clode, João; Cacabelos, EvaSpecies of the genera Cystoseira, Ericaria, Gongolaria, and Sargassum (family Sargassaceae) are key components of the Mediterranean-Atlantic marine forests, essential for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Populations of these foundational species are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, likely to be intensified under future scenarios of climate change. The decline and even disappearance of these species have been reported in different areas of the world. At Madeira Island (NE Atlantic), populations of Gongolaria abies-marina, Ericaria selaginoides, Sargassum vulgare, and Sargassum filipendula, the most ecologically relevant species in Macaronesian marine forests, have been suffering a drastic decline during the last decades, especially on the southern coast of the island, where anthropogenic pressure is higher than on the north coast. The lack of sufficient temporal coverage on qualitative and quantitative studies of Sargassaceae communities in Madeira poses a challenge to establish a specific period for this decline. Consulting qualitative studies and historical records, we have set for the first time a timeline that shows an evident decrease in Sargassaceae populations in the last 20 years on Madeira Island. Following this timeline, we pinpoint the start of this decline in the first decade of the 2000s. This can be particularly confirmed for places like Funchal and Reis Magos, with significantly higher historical records. Currently, most benthic communities on shallow subtidal rocky reefs along the south coast are dominated by sea urchins and crustose coralline algae, the so-called sea urchin barrens. However, in some cases, they are entirely covered by a layer of sediment. We discuss the possible factors contributing to these drastic changes, bringing Madeira’s marine forests to a dramatic decline. As many animal species rely on marine forests, the decline of Sargassaceae populations represents an invaluable ecological loss for the coastal ecosystem of the island.
- In vitro antimicrobial and synergistic effect of essential oil from the red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne with conventional antibioticsPublication . Custódio, Luísa; Nafis, Ahmed; El Khalloufi, Fatima; Aknaf, Asmae; Oudra, Brahim; Marraiki, Najat; Al-Rashed, Sarah; Elgorban, AbdallahM; Syed, Asad; Hassani, LahcenObjective: To study the chemical profile, antimicrobial properties, and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne, collected in Morocco. Methods: The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The oil was evaluated for antibacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), and antifungal activity (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis), by the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined, as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole, by the checkerboard method. Results: Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil, comprising 96.27% of the total oil composition. Monoterpenes such as carvacrol (36.06%) were the most abundant compounds, followed by caryophyllene (14.67%), endo-borneol (9.04%), pyroterebic acid (3.23%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.13%). The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL, and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL, respectively. The minimummicrobicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL. A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole, with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50. Synergy was found in 80% of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms, with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.
- Earthworms and their cutaneous excreta can modify the virulence and reproductive capability of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungiPublication . Chelkha, Maryam; Blanco-Pérez, Rubén; Vicente-Díez, Ignacio; Bueno-Pallero, Francisco; Amghar, Souad; El Harti, Abdellatif; Campos-Herrera, RaquelEarthworms are ecological engineers that can contribute to the displacement of biological control agents such as the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and fungi (EPF). However, a previous study showed that the presence of cutaneous excreta (CEx) and feeding behavior of the earthworm species Eisenia fetida (Haplotaxida: Lumbricidae) compromise the biocontrol efficacy of certain EPN species by reducing, for example, their reproductive capability. Whether this phenomenon is a general pattern for the interaction of earthworms-entomopathogens is still unknown. We hypothesized that diverse earthworm species might differentially affect EPN and EPF infectivity and reproductive capability. Here we investigated the interaction of different earthworm species (Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus terrestris, and Perionyx excavatus) (Haplotaxida) and EPN species (Steinernema feltiae, S. riojaense, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) (Rhabditida) or EPF species (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) (Hypocreales), in two independent experiments. First, we evaluated the application of each entomopathogen combined with earthworms or their CEx in autoclaved soil. Hereafter, we studied the impact of the earthworms’ CEx on entomopathogens applied at two different concentrations in autoclaved sand. Overall, we found that the effect of earthworms on entomopathogens was species-specific. For example, E. fetida reduced the virulence of S. feltiae, resulted in neutral effects for S. riojaense, and increased H. bacteriophora virulence. However, the earthworm P. excavates increased the virulence of S. feltiae, reduced the activity of H. bacteriophora, at least at specific timings, while S. riojaense remained unaffected. Finally, none of the EPN species were affected by the presence of L. terrestris. Also, the exposure to earthworm CEx resulted in a positive, negative or neutral effect on the virulence and reproduction capability depending on the earthworm-EPN species interaction. Concerning EPF, the impact of earthworms was also differential among species. Thus, E. fetida was detrimental to M. anisopliae and B. bassiana after eight days post-exposure, whereas Lumbricus terrestris resulted only detrimental to B. bassiana. In addition, most of the CEx treatments of both earthworm species decreased B. bassiana virulence and growth. However, the EPF M. anisopliae was unaffected when exposed to L. terrestris CEx, while the exposure to E. fetida CEx produced contrasting results. We conclude that earthworms and their CEx can have positive, deleterious, or neutral impacts on entomopathogens that often coinhabit soils, and that we must consider the species specificity of these interactions for mutual uses in biological control programs. Additional studies are needed to verify these interactions under natural conditions.
- Estado actual de la Gestión Integrada de las Plagas y Enfermedades en melocotoneros, perales y cítricos en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, España, Portugal y UruguayPublication . Escudero, Lucía Adriana; Bosch, Dolors; Martínez Ferrer, María Teresa; Campos, José Miguel; Di Masi, Susana; Fiore, Nicola; Duarte, Amilcar; Kovaleski, AdalecioLa Gestión Integrada de Plagas (GIP) o el Manejo Integrado de Plagas (MIP) es un concepto que nació a mediados del siglo pasado gracias a los trabajos de dos grupos de investigación diferentes, uno norteamericano y otro europeo, que lo propusieron en el 10º C o n g r e s o I n t e r n a c i o n a l d e Entomología celebrado en Montreal, Canadá (Pickett et al., 1958; Kuenen, 1961). Un año después, la expresión “control integrado” fue propuesta por investigadores de California, siendo entonces internacionalmente aceptado (Stern et al., 1959). Este concepto, aplicado a un insecto plaga en el artículo citado, integraba el control químico existente en ese momento con el control biológico clásico, que se estaba desarrollando. La idea de integrar ambos sistemas procedió de la preocupación por los perjuicios ambientales producidos por los insecticidas de amplio espectro que se utilizaban entonces (DeBach y Bartllett, 1951; Smith y Allen, 1954), desarrollándose, posteriormente, diversos conceptos como el de nivel de daño y el de umbral económico de daño (Stern et al., 1959; Pedigo et al., 1986), muy importantes en el esquema de gestión.
- COVID-19 and people management: the view of human resource managersPublication . Gonçalves, Sónia P.; Santos, Joana; Silva, Isabel S.; Veloso, Ana; Brandão, Catarina; Moura, RitaCOVID-19 has brought an unexpected need for change within organizations, particularly regarding human resource management. The nature of this global crisis has meant that these processes remain under-systematized. The aim of this study, which uses an exploratory design and mixed-methods analysis, is to contribute to describing the changes in human resource management practices and processes that resulted from this pandemic and to present the outlook of human resource managers for the future. One hundred and thirty-six Portuguese companies participated in the study, with the answers provided by their human resource managers. Results show that the main changes have occurred in the processes of work and safety, training, work organization, recruitment and selection, induction and onboarding, and communication. The profiles that emerged showed an association between the level of change and size of the organization. There was an increase in the use of teleworking and layoffs, and a positive assessment of the organizations’ level of preparation and adaptation to this crisis. Human resource managers reported that the most evident changes in the future will be associated with the use of technology, teleworking, and work organization. These findings are of the upmost importance, as human resource managers are essential pillars in the adjustment of the organizations to this pandemic situation.
- Tagging, ranging patterns, and behavior of franciscana dolphins ( Pontoporia blainvillei ) off Argentina and Brazil: Considerations for conservationPublication . Wells, Randall S.; Cremer, Marta J.; Berninsone, Leonardo G.; Albareda, Diego; Wilkinson, Krystan A.; Stamper, M. Andrew; Paitach, Renan L.; Bordino, PabloThe franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is one of the most threatened cetaceans in the Southwestern Atlantic. Within their limited coastal range off Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, franciscanas face human activities, including artisanal gillnet fishing and coastal development. A lack of information on ranging patterns, population structure, and behavior for informing management led to efforts to develop and apply approaches to tag franciscanas in Argentina (Bahía Samborombon [BS], Bahía San Blas [BSB]) and Brazil (Baía Babitonga [BB]) during 2005–2013. Findingsfrom VHF tags deployed in BS in 2005 during feasibility tests for catching and handling franciscanas for tagging suggested residency over periods of weeks. Subsequently, satellite-linked tags confirmed patterns of residency at each site. Home range size varied, with ranges of 5–7 km2 for BB, 51–312 km2 for BS, and 49–1,014 km2 for BSB. Diving patterns varied across sites, with the animals using the entire water column, exposing them to fishing nets regardless of the depth at which the nets were set. Tracking durations and follow-up observations indicated that this research approach is useful for studies of franciscanas. Small, definable ranges facilitate relating specific geographically based threats to appropriate population units, increasing the potential for effective conservation.