Loading...
5 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
- DNA barcoding of moon jellyfish (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Ulmaridae, Aurelia): two cryptic species from the Azores (ne atlantic, macaronesia), and evaluation of the non-íIndigenous species (NIS)Publication . Moura, Carlos J.; Magalhães, Bruno I.; Gonçalves, João M.Moon jellies are some of the most popular, widely distributed, and best-studied marine jellyfish. By the end of the past century only two or three Aurelia species were recognized, but with the rise of DNA barcoding studies, around thirty Aurelia species are presently accepted. Most of the species are morphologically indistinguishable and have restricted biogeography. We reveal, with COI, 16S, and ITS1-5.8S sequence data, two (pseudo-)cryptic species of Aurelia, potentially endemic to the Azores ecoregion, herein provisionally classified as A. "cf. pseudosolida" and A. "misteriosa". These species are closely related to the Mediterranean lineages of A. pseudosolida and A. persea, respectively. In the Azores, the shape of the campanula and oral arms readily distinguishes the two species: the former with folded oral arms and globose campanula, and the latter with flattened campanula and thick and long oral arms. Previous reports of A. solida and A. aurita in the Azores should generally correspond to A. "misteriosa" and A. cf. pseudosolida, respectively. The phylogenetic (re-)examination of the available DNA barcodes of Aurelia only evidenced human-mediated dispersal for A. coerulea, A. relicta, and A. aurita. Aurelia solida cannot be yet considered NIS in the Mediterranean. More jellyfish DNA (meta)barcoding should reveal further cryptic diversity, biological invasions, and phylogeographic inferences.
- Range extension for conopea saotomensis (crustacea; cirripedia: archaeobalanidae) in the tropical eastern atlanticPublication . Moura, Carlos; Wirtz, Peter; Nhanquê, Filipe T.; Barbosa, Castro; Serrao, Ester A.; Syoc, Robert VanBarnacles of the genus Conopea are obligate epibionts of gorgonians and antipatharians. The species Conopea saotomensis Carrison-Stone et al. 2013, previously only known from the islands of S & atilde;o Tom & eacute; and Pr & iacute;ncipe and the coast of Gabon, is reported from the Bijag & oacute;s archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, based on morphological examination and DNA barcoding of specimens. The new record extends the known range of the species about 3000 km to the northwest.
- Cassiopea andromeda (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) in the subtropical eastern AtlanticPublication . Gueroun, Sonia K. M.; Moura, Carlos; Almansa, Eduardo; Escánez, AlejandroThis study provides the first records of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda (Forsk & aring;l, 1775) in the eastern Atlantic supported by molecular analysis. Specimens were observed, recorded, and sampled in an inland aquaculture facility in September 2023 in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands). This new record officially demonstrates the geographical expansion of C. andromeda, and the introduction of a new potential invasive species in the Macaronesia oceanic island system.
- Hotspot of exotic benthic marine invertebrates discovered in the tropical east atlantic: barcoding insights from the bijagós archipelago, Guinea‐BissauPublication . Moura, Carlos; Wirtz, Peter; Nhanquê, Filipe T.; Barbosa, Castro; Serrao, Ester A.This study aimed to explore and document putative exotic marine benthic invertebrate species in the Bijag & oacute;s Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, to enhance understanding of marine biodiversity and address the extent of marine species introductions. The research was conducted in the Bijag & oacute;s Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located in Guinea-Bissau. The study involved the region's first scuba-diving survey of marine biodiversity. DNA barcoding was employed to assist in the identification of benthic invertebrate species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted with the available DNA barcodes to ensure accurate taxonomic assignments, detect cryptic species, and investigate the phylogeography of the taxa. The survey resulted in the discovery of 28 new species records for the Bijag & oacute;s Archipelago, including octocorals, scleractinians, hydroids, bryozoans, barnacles, and ascidians. Among these, six species were documented for the first time in the East Atlantic: Stragulum bicolor, Nemalecium lighti, Diphasia sp., Amathia alternata, A. distans, and Symplegma rubra. Molecular analyses revealed pervasive cryptic diversity within species previously listed as exotic, suggesting that some, such as the hydroids Plumularia setacea, Obelia geniculata, and Dynamena disticha, are not exotic due to their restricted biogeographic distributions. Many other species reported as introduced present only a few genetic lineages capable of long-distance dispersal due to human activities. The study highlights considerable gaps in the knowledge of West African marine biodiversity and suggests a substantial underestimation of the anthropogenic trade in exotic marine species between the Tropical East Atlantic and the Americas, and between the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, and West Africa. Detailed taxonomic and genomic analyses are necessary for understanding marine exotic species' biogeography and adaptive traits. Our findings challenge current classifications of exotic species and underscore the need for improved monitoring and management to prevent the spread of non-native marine species.
- The first record of Lysmata rauli Laubenheimer and Rhyne, 2010 (Decapoda: Caridea: Lysmatidae) from the tropical eastern AtlanticPublication . Wirtz, Peter; Moura, Carlos; Nhanquê, Filipe T.; Barbosa, Castro; Serrao, Ester A.Here we report the first record of the shrimp Lysmata rauli Laubenheimer and Rhyne, 2010 in the eastern Atlantic, from the intertidal at Kere Island, Bijag & oacute;s archipelago, Guinea-Bissau.