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- A multibiomarker approach in the clam Ruditapes decussatus to assess the impact of pollution in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Coast of PortugalPublication . Cravo, Alexandra; Pereira, C.; Gomes, Tânia; Cardoso, Cátia; Serafim, M.A.; Almeida, Cheila; Rocha, T.; Lopes, Belisandra; Company, Rui; Medeiros, A.; Norberto, R.; Pereira, R.; Araújo, O.; Bebianno, Maria JoãoThe Ria Formosa lagoon is an ecosystem whose water quality reflects the anthropogenic influence upon the surrounding areas. In this lagoon, the clam Ruditapes decussatus has a great economical importance and has been widely used as a biomonitor. A multibiomarker approach (d-aminolevulinic acid dehy- dratase, metallothionein, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase, alkali-labile phosphates, DNA damage) was applied to assess the environmental quality of this ecosystem and the accumulation of contaminants and their potential adverse effects on clams. Clams were sampled in different shellfish beds in the period between July 2007 and December 2008 and abiotic parameters (temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen of seawater and organic matter in the sediment), condition index, metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb), TBTs and PAHs concentrations were measured in clam tissues. Data was integrated using Principal Component Analyses and biomarker indices: IBR (Integrated Biomarker Response) and HSI (Health Status Index). This multibiomarker approach enabled discrimination of a time and space trend between sites with different degrees of anthropogenic contamination, identifying one of them (site 2) as the most stressful and summer months as the most critical period for clams due to an increase of environmental stress (anthropogenic pressure along with extreme environmental conditions, e.g. temperature, dissolved oxygen, organic matter in the sediments, etc). The selected biomarkers provided an integrated response to assess the environmental quality of the system, proving to be a useful approach when complex mixtures of contaminants occur.
- Distribuição e padrões de utilização das conchas de caranguejos eremitas (Anomura) da Costa do AlgarvePublication . Almeida, Cheila; Erzini, Karim; Gonçalves, JorgeThe hermit crabs population of Algarve Coast on soft bottom, until 30 meters depth, between Faro and Portim?o, was analysed within the scope of a project on the biologic characterisation of the sea bed. Samples were made with a beam trawl. Weight and morphometric data were taken from the specimens as well from their associated shells with the objective to characterise the shell use. Eleven species were identified, presenting a new record of Pagurus chevreuxi to Portuguese coast. Diogenes pugilator was the specie most abundant and most relevant in the community, being the most important in all seasons except in winter and dominant in the 0-10 meters range depth. This dominance can be related with the continuously reproduction during all year, it has a dominant attitude in regard with the others and an adaptation to some environmental conditions like hydordinamism. Two more species, Anapagurus laevis and Spiropagurus elegans, together with the last one were permanent in the community, being the first one the most important between the 20-30 metres depth, and the second in the winter. A total of 38 gastropods species, a sponge and a cnidaria covering all the shell were identified with hermit crabs. From these just 19 have been found in the habitat as living gastropods what can represent a preference of shells apart of the availability. The gastropod shell more used was Turritella communis, apart being the fourth species in the gastropod community of the sampled area. Diogenes pugilator was the most versatile specie using the highest number of gastropod species. The shell diameter was the best factor to explain the use of shells by the hermit crabs. These crabs seem to choose the shell that better adjust to their body because it makes easier the movement and protect them when confronting with other individuals or predators.
- Ascidonia Flavomaculata (Heller, 1864), a new record for the Portuguese marine invertebrate fauna (Decapoda, Pontoniidae)Publication . Oliveira, Frederico; Almeida, Cheila; Gonçalves, J. M. S.Several specimens of Ascidonia flavomaculata were collected during experimental fishing trials along the southern coast of Portugal. All specimens were associated with the solitary ascidian, Phallusia mammillata. The pontoniinae shrimp, A. flavomaculata is here recorded from the Portuguese coast for the first time, extending the species’ known distribution range further north along the coast of the eastern Atlantic Ocean.