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- Characterization of 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the temperate reef fish Lepadogaster lepadogaster, developed using 454-sequencingPublication . Teixeira, Sara; Candeias, Rui; Klein, Maria; Serrão, Ester; Borges, R.Abstract The clingfish, Lepadogaster lepadogaster is a reef fish species, abundant in temperate nearshore rocky reefs of the Eastern Atlantic and central and Eastern Mediterranean. To study genetic variability and population connectivity of this species, we developed fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markers. These were tested in one population and all but one, showed no departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Average overall observed heterozygosity was 0.66 and allelic richness was 8.9. Two primer pairs revealed possible linkage disequilibrium. These markers open perspectives for population genetic studies of this species to unravel connectivity and population biology, vital information for future conservation studies.
- Biomares, a LIFE project to restore and manage the biodiversity of Prof. Luiz Saldanha Marine ParkPublication . Cunha, A. H.; Erzini, Karim; Serrão, Ester; Gonçalves, E.; Borges, R.; Henriques, M.; Henriques, Victor; Guerra, M.; Duarte, C.; Marba, N.; Fonseca, MThe Marine Park Prof. Luiz Saldanha, in the coast of Arrabida, is the first marine park in continental Portugal. This area is a Nature 2000 site and is considered to be a hotspot for European marine biodiversity. In 2005, the management plan of the park was implemented, ending several habitat menaces, thereby allowing an application to the LIFE-NATURE Programme. The LIFE-BIOMARES project aimed at the restoration and management of the biodiversity of the marine park through several actions. The restoration of the seagrass prairies that were completely destroyed by fishing activities and recreational boating, was one of the most challenging. It included the transplanting of seagrasses from donor populations and the germination of seagrass seeds for posterior plantation to maintain genetic diversity in the transplanted area. One of the most popular actions was the implementation of environmental friendly moorings to integrate recreational use of the area with environmental protection. Several dissemination and environmental education actions concerning the marine park and the project took place and contributed to the public increase of the park acceptance. The seabed habitats were mapped along the park and a surrounding area to 100 m depth in order to create a habitat cartography of the park and to help locate alternative fishing zones. Biodiversity assessments for macrofauna revealed seasonal variations and an effect of the protection status. Preliminary results are presented and show that the marine park regulations are having a positive effect on biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries, thereby showing that these kind of conservation projects are important to disseminate coastal conservation best practices. The Biomares project is a model project that can be followed in the implementation of marine reserves and the establishment of the Natura 2000 marine network.
- Horizontal spatial and temporal distribution patterns of nearshore larval fish assemblages at a temperate rocky shorePublication . Borges, R.; Ben-Hamadou, Radhouan; Chicharo, Maria Alexandra Teodosio; Re, P.; Gonçalves, Emanuel J.There have been no previous studies of the composition of nearshore larval fish assemblages along the coast of Portugal. We aimed to describe the composition and horizontal distribution patterns of larval fish assemblages and their temporal dynamics near a rocky reef at depths shallower than 13 m (inshore) and at two miles (3.70 km) from shore (offshore), as well as along transects perpendicular to the shoreline, from the reef to 10 miles offshore (18.52 km). Samples were taken using 5 min sub-surface trawls at the rocky shore of the Arra´bida Marine Park (W Portugal). A total of 1021 larvae were collected, belonging to 61 taxa inshore and to 29 taxa offshore. Along transects, 626 larvae of 52 taxa were collected. Most larvae belonged to coastal species associated with rocky reefs. Total larval abundance and diversity were higher from May to July, which is consistent with the spawning activity of adults. Diversity and total larval abundance decreased significantly with increasing distance from shore, both in the inshore/offshore comparison and in the transects, where this decrease was evident at a very small spatial scale (within the first mile from the reef). Species assemblages differed in the pattern of distribution, with most species clearly associated to the extreme nearshore. The distribution patterns obtained were independent of the spawning mode of species. Results are discussed in the light of the possible physical mechanisms that can potentially act at the Arra´bida Marine Park to facilitate larvae retention and the role of larval behaviour.
- Short-term temporal fluctuation of very-nearshore larval fish assemblages at the Arrábida Marine Park (Portugal)Publication . Borges, R.; Vaz, J.; Serrão, Ester; Gonçalves, E. J.Understanding processes affecting fish recruitment and population connectivity is of major importance to the management of Marine Protected Areas. Fluctuations in recruitment of coastal fishes can be affected by processes occurring during the early life stages such as the dispersal and availability of larvae. In nearshore temperate environments, there is a lack of knowledge about the patterns of larval supply or biophysical interactions that may influence recruitment variability in these populations. With the objectives of investigating within season (Spring-Summer period) fluctuations that may affect recruitment, and of understanding patterns of larval retention close to the reefs, we used a plankton net attached to an underwater scooter to investigate weekly variation in the composition of fish larval assemblages, larval density and diversity and ontogenetic patterns of occurrence of fish larvae in the extreme nearshore environment of the Arrábida Marine Park (Portugal). The results from multivariate analysis (PERMANOVA and SIMPER) have showed a lower number of species dominating the assemblage, and significant differences in the abundance between species, when compared to previous studies. The presence of larvae in several developmental stages indicates some degree of retention. These findings are important to the management of the Marine Park.
- Engaging children in geosciences through storytelling and creative dancePublication . Matias, Ana Catarina; Carrasco, A. Rita; Ramos, Ana A.; Borges, R.Natural sciences have traditionally been disseminated in outreach activities as formal, one-way presentations. Nevertheless, innovative strategies are being increasingly developed using arts, gaming, and sketching, amongst others. This work aimed at testing an alternative and innovative way to engage non-expert audiences in ocean and coastal geology through a combination of scientific concept explanations and creative dancing. An informal education activity focusing on ocean dynamics was designed for 10-yearold students. It combines coastal science concepts (wind, waves, currents, and sand), storytelling techniques (narrative arc), and creative dance techniques (movement, imaginative play, and sensory engagement). A sequence of six exercises was proposed, starting with the generation of offshore ocean waves and ending with sediment transport on the beach during storm/fair-weather conditions. Scientific concepts were then translated into structured creative movements, within imaginary scenarios, and accompanied by sounds or music. The activity was performed six times with a total of 112 students. It was an inclusive activity given that all students in the class participated, including children with several mild types of cognitive and neurological impairment. The science and art activity aroused emotions of enjoyment and pleasure and allowed for effective communication between scientists and school community. Moreover, the results provide evidence of the activity’s effectiveness in engaging children and developing their willingness to further participate in similar activities.
- Short-term social modulation of 11-ketotestosterone urinary levels in males of cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus during male-femaleInteractionPublication . Borges, R.; Oliveira, R. F.; Almada, V. C.; Canario, Adelino V. M.After 48 hours social isolation, male individuals of Oreochromis mossambicus wera allowed to interact with a conspecifif female in the same aquarium during a period of six hours.
- Composition, temporal and spatial patterns of very-nearshore larval fish assemblages at the Arrábida marine parkPublication . Borges, Rita Alexandra Duarte; Gonçalves, Emanuel; Chícharo, Alexandra; Re, P.
- Larval development and allometric growth of the black-faced blenny Tripterygion delaisiPublication . Solomon, F. N.; Rodrigues, D.; Gonçalves, E. J.; Serrão, E. A.; Borges, R.Larval development and allometric growth patterns of the black-faced blenny Tripterygion delaisi are described from a larval series (body length, L-B = 3.30-12.10 mm) caught by light traps at the Arrabida Marine Park, Portugal. Larvae of T. delaisi possess distinctive morphometric and meristic characteristics which can be used to identify this species from related taxa. Pigmentation is sparse but characteristic, consisting of pigmented eyes, gas bladder pigmentation in the dorsal region, anal pigmentation and a row of regularly spaced postanal ventral melanophores. This pattern is present from as early as the yolk-sac stage and persists throughout all stages with just the addition of head and caudal pigmentation during the flexion and postflexion stages, respectively. The majority of fin development (with the exception of the caudal fin), occurs in the later stages of development. Myomere counts range between 37 and 45 for all stages. Growth is allometric during larval development. When inflexion points of growth were detected, growth was found to be biphasic with the inflexion points occurring within a very narrow range of L-B (8.70-8.90 mm) close to the mean +/- S.D. (9.44 +/- 1.48 mm LB) of postflexion larvae. Considering allometric growth patterns and ontogenetic descriptions together, the first developmental phase includes the preflexion and flexion stage larvae, while the second phase characterises the postflexion larvae prior to the transition from larvae to juvenile. (C) 2017 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
- High interannual variability in connectivity and genetic pool of a temperate clingfish matches oceanographic transport predictionsPublication . Klein, Maria; Teixeira, Sara; Assis, J.; Serrão, Ester; Gonçalves, Emanuel J.; Borges, R.Adults of most marine benthic and demersal fish are site-attached, with the dispersal of their larval stages ensuring connectivity among populations. In this study we aimed to infer spatial and temporal variation in population connectivity and dispersal of a marine fish species, using genetic tools and comparing these with oceanographic transport. We focused on an intertidal rocky reef fish species, the shore clingfish Lepadogaster lepadogaster, along the southwest Iberian Peninsula, in 2011 and 2012. We predicted high levels of self-recruitment and distinct populations, due to short pelagic larval duration and because all its developmental stages have previously been found near adult habitats. Genetic analyses based on microsatellites countered our prediction and a biophysical dispersal model showed that oceanographic transport was a good explanation for the patterns observed. Adult sub-populations separated by up to 300 km of coastline displayed no genetic differentiation, revealing a single connected population with larvae potentially dispersing long distances over hundreds of km. Despite this, parentage analysis performed on recruits from one focal site within the Marine Park of Arrabida (Portugal), revealed self-recruitment levels of 2.5% and 7.7% in 2011 and 2012, respectively, suggesting that both long-and short-distance dispersal play an important role in the replenishment of these populations. Population differentiation and patterns of dispersal, which were highly variable between years, could be linked to the variability inherent in local oceanographic processes. Overall, our measures of connectivity based on genetic and oceanographic data highlight the relevance of long-distance dispersal in determining the degree of connectivity, even in species with short pelagic larval durations.
- Early life history of larvae and early juvenile Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus off the Portuguese west coastPublication . Van Beveren, Elisabeth; Klein, Maria; Serrão, Ester; Gonçalves, Emanuel J.; Borges, R.Early life history traits (ELHTs) are key to understand recruitment patterns in marine animals. However, for reef fishes, studies on ELHTs are mainly focused on tropical systems and little is known for temperate reefs. In this study we used SMURFs (Standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Reef Fishes) to collect fish in a temperate rocky reef system (Arrabida Marine Park, Portugal) on a weekly basis for three months during the recruitment period. Six sub-surface SMURFs sampled 2490 Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) postlarvae and juveniles. Sagittal and lapilli otoliths were extracted from a subsample of 296 fish and ELHTs, such as size and age at settlement, growth rate and age at first secondary growth formation were examined. Additionally, we tested three growth curves and selected the best suited to back-calculate the hatching pattern based on the lengths of all sampled fish. Standard length ranged from 6.13 mm to 48.56 mm and subsampled fish were aged between 19 days to 44 days. Age and size at settlement were estimated between 19 days and 36 days for individuals of 6.13 mm and 24.95 mm, respectively. Otolith shape changed clearly with increasing age and, on average, secondary growth started to form on day 33 (+/-3 days). Age/length relationship was well described by a Gompertz growth model which was used to back-calculate hatching dates. Four distinct hatching cohorts were identified with fish of the earliest cohort showing a faster body and otolith growth. This study indicates that the nearshore environment might have an important role in the early growth, development and hence recruitment of Atlantic horse mackerel. Information on the early life history of Atlantic horse mackerel is key to understand recruitment processes for this economically and biologically important species. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.