Angler’s preferences, perceptions and practices regarding non-native freshwater fish

It is globally recognized that freshwater anglers can have a decisive role in promoting fish introductions. The aim of this study was to analyze fresh water anglers’ actions and perceptions regarding fish introductions, comparing two distinct situations, one with recently arrived non-natives fishes and another with older fish introductions, using the Iberian Peninsula as a case study. To achieve this goal, a bilingual survey was implemented on-line in Portugal and Spain and in person (direct inquiries) in two Iberian regions: Lower Ebro (older fsh introductions) in Spain; and Lower Tagus (recent fish introductions) in Portugal. Results showed spatial diferences in perceptions and actions, namely about the target species, awareness of the impact of non-native fishes, fish introductions reported and proportion of anglers that wanted new fish species. In the Ebro river there is a high percentage of foreign anglers, higher awareness of fish introduction impact and lower introduction rates reported than in the Tagus river. However, popularity of non-native species like European catfish, was higher in the Ebro. In general, although risk behaviors such as use of fish as life bait was of low prevalence for both countries (approx. 5%), it corresponds to large numbers of fish being introduced. Our conservative estimates revealed 273,600 events of bait discharge per year. Regarding the intentional introductions, we estimated a total of 140,000 intentional introduction (illegal) events per year. These findings may help to improve monitoring, awareness and fisheries management programs led by governmental agencies.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia; Comissão Europeia; Governo da Catalunhainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differential Regulation of Ceruloplasmin Isoforms Expression in Macrophages and Hepatocytes

Prémio de melhor poster.Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is an acute-phase protein that has been implicated in iron metabolism due to its ferroxidase activity, assisting ferroportin (Fpn) on cellular iron efflux. However, Cp exhibits both anti- and pro-oxidant activities and its physiological functions remain unclear. Cp can be expressed as a secreted or as a membrane glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein (GPI-Cp), this latter one being mostly expressed in the brain. Herein, we studied the expression of both Cp isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, mouse macrophages and human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2, using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting techniques. Co-localization of Cp and Fpn was also investigated by immunofluorescence in mouse macrophages. Cp was detected by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence in membrane and cytosol of all cells types studied. The Cp detected at cell surface was identified as the GPI-isoform by PI-PLC test and shown to localize in lipid rafts in monocytes, macrophages and HepG2 cells. In macrophages, increased expression levels and co-localization of Fpn and GPI-Cp at cell surface lipid rafts were observed after iron treatment. Such upregulation of Cp by iron was not observed in HepG2 cells. Our results revealed an unexpected ubiquitous expression of the GPI-Cp isoform in immune and hepatic cells. A differential regulation of Cp in these cells may reflect distinct physiological functions of this oxidase according to cell-type specificity. In macrophages, GPI-Cp and Fpn likely interact in lipid rafts to export iron. A better insight into the expression of both Cp isoforms in different cell types will help to clarify its role in many diseases related to iron metabolism, inflammation and oxidative biology.This work was supported by National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, I.P (Grants BID 02/2006-I and BIC/07/2004-IV), INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche, France; ANR- 08-GENO-000) and Luso-French Integrated Actions 2008-2009 (F-28/08 and F-21/09) and by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Grant SFRH/BD/48671/200

Lymphocyte ceruloplasmin and Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. However, it has been postulated that a dysregulation of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance may be important to its pathogenesis. Ceruloplasmin (CP) is an acute phase protein expressed at the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with antioxidant properties and with a relevant role in iron (Fe) metabolism

Evaluating the range expansion of recreational non-native fishes in Portuguese freshwaters using scientific and citizen science data.

Updating information on the distribution of recently introduced and other poorly known non-natives is essential to prevent and control their spread and better address biological invasions. Here, we combine scientific and citizen science data to update the distribution of five recently arrived (i.e., < 25 years), non-native fish species (Alburnus alburnus, Ameiurus melas, Rutilus rutilus, Sander lucioperca and Silurus glanis) and one rare, longer established (i.e., > 50 years), non-native (Esox lucius) in Portugal. These species have been increasingly targeted by recreational fishermen, thus likely expanding their distribution. Specifically, we obtained distribution maps for each species, based on data gathered through a comprehensive search for records in 1) scientific literature, 2) unpublished reports of research projects, and 3) citizen science databases. We gathered 443 valid records, of which 64% were from citizen science data, mainly provided by recreational fishermen. Data highlighted that all species have expanded their distribution in the last 20 years, with high numbers of new records for A. alburnus, S. lucioperca and S. glanis, mostly located in the Tagus, Guadiana and Douro river basins. Changes in species distributions reflected dispersal within invaded basins and colonisation of previously unoccupied drainages. Integrating citizen science with scientific data provides an effective framework to understand non-native species introduction and spread, stressing the need for increasingly encourage and engage recreational fishermen in information sharing

O peixe-gato-europeu (Silurus glanis) - um gigante no rio tejo: dispersão, distribuição e ecologia

O peixe gato europeu (Silurus glanis) é mais uma espécie não nativa que foi introduzida nos rios da Península Ibérica. Neste trabalho é apresentado o padrão de dispersão desta espécie no rio Tejo desde o primeiro registo em Espanha em 1998 até à atualidade. Mais de 80 registos foram obtidos principalmente através de fóruns e blogs de pesca desportiva. Atualmente estima-se que esta espécie esteja distribuída por mais de 700 km de linhas de água do rio Tejo e que ocupe preferencialmente zonas de albufeiras em cursos de água de ordem elevadas. Adicionalmente foi analisada a dieta de peixes capturados no rio Tejo por pescadores profissionais ao longo de 2016 e 2017 e os resultados preliminares são apresentados. Foram encontradas diferenças na composição da dieta entre os indivíduos de habitats lóticos e lênticos sendo que o grupo dos Crustáceos seguido dos Teleósteos foram as presas mais representativas. Também são discutidos os impactos desta espécie não nativa na composição, estrutura e funcionamento do ecossistema fluvial do rio Tejo

Perceptions and risk behaviors regarding biological invasions in inland aquatic ecosystems

Public engagement is vital to effectively manage Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and biosecurity campaigns directed to stakeholders are decisive to raise awareness regarding IAS regulations and problems. To design and implement adequate communication plans, stakeholders’ perceptions and risk behaviors regarding IAS need to be monitored by surveys. IAS do not recognize borders and most countries are not biogeographically isolated. Therefore, in ternational information and consensus are necessary when applying measures at a biogeographic scale. Our bilingual survey was performed at the Iberian Peninsula, targeting the general public, decision-makers and other stakeholders, covering all taxa associated to inland aquatic ecosystems. We found differences in IAS’ awareness between countries, and between different stakeholder groups. Results showed that the awareness of socioeco nomic and human health impacts is substantially lower when compared with impacts on biodiversity. We found that the perception regarding the predation impacts is consistent across groups and countries, while other per ceptions differ. The negative socioeconomic impact on angling due to IAS introductions is widely recognized. However, angling is also the activity most referred as positively impacted by IAS due to fish introductions. Most responders knew what IAS are, providing correct species examples. For all three awareness types (Biodiversity, Socio-economic and Human health) the model regressions showed that the most important predictor was the country of provenance of the respondent, followed by Education level for the socio-economic and biodiversity regressions and the stakeholder group in the Human health regression. We can conclude that in Portugal and Spain the general public and other key target-groups have reduced understanding of some threats posed by IAS. We highlight that raising awareness about IAS impacts on humans, namely on socio-economic aspects and human health, may be more effective and it is certainly needed in education campaigns towards IAS

Origin and history of Phoxinus (Cyprinidae) introductions in the Douro basin (Iberian Peninsula): an update inferred from genetic data

The number of non-native freshwater fishes in the Iberian Peninsula has been greatly increasing. In this study, individuals of the genus Phoxinus were detected in 18 out of 138 stream sites sampled across the Douro Basin in 2017 and 2018. A total of 26 individuals were barcoded using partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes for species identification and determination of geographical origin. Molecular data provided the first record of a second Phoxinus species in western Douro (Portugal, Iberian Peninsula), with haplotypes closely matching those found in the Charente River (southern France). This species is suspected to be a recent introduction associated with the use of minnows as live bait by freshwater anglers, which was facilitated by human movements between France and Portugal. Individuals from watercourses in eastern Douro (Spain) were genetically assigned to Phoxinus bigerri, an introduced species previously known for that region, which confirms reports of introduction events from Ebro to Douro Basin probably also related to freshwater angling and facilitated by geographic proximity. The potential ecological impacts of this genus in the region are unknown and need further investigation.We acknowledge Fernando Teixeira, Fernando Miranda, Mario Ferreira, Sara Carona, Jose Pedro RamiAo and Francisco Carvalho for the valuable assistance during fieldwork. We specially thank Maria Filomena MagalhAes for previous fruitful discussions and logistic support. We are grateful to Matthias F. Geiger and Andrea Corral Lou for facilitating genetic data and coordinates of sampling sites. Finally, we appreciate the comments of the three anonymous reviewers that improved the quality of the manuscript. AFF and AGR were supported by the project FRESHING founded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and COMPETE (PTDC/AAGMAA/2261/2014 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-356016824). FMSM was supported by the FCT PhD grant SFRH/BD/104703/2014. This study was conducted as part of the projects FRESHING and FRESHCO. The latter is also supported by FCT and COMPETE (PTDC/AGR-FOR/1627/2014 - 04/SAICT/2015) and UID/AGR/04033/2019. Logistic support was also facilitated by the ENVMETAGEN - Capacity Building at InBIO for Research and Innovation Using Environmental Metagenomics project at CIBIO laboratories (668981; EUH2020-WIDESPREAD-2014-2)

RECOMENDAÇÕES ESTRATÉGICAS PARA A GESTÃO TRANSNACIONAL DE LAGOSTINS E CARANGUEJOS EXÓTICOS INVASORES NAS ÁGUAS INTERIORES DA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA

Um objetivo importante do LIFE INVASAQUA é desenvolver ferramentas que melhorem a gestão e aumentem a eficácia no Alerta Precoce e Resposta Rápida para Espécies Exóticas Invasoras (EEI) na Península Ibérica. Desenvolvemos um processo participativo com especialistas para obter recomendações estratégicas para a gestão transnacional de lagostins e caranguejos exóticos invasores em águas continentais de Espanha e Portugal. As recomendações foram concebidas para servir de instrumento orientador para identificar uma direção estratégica seguindo a governação espanhola e portuguesa que já está a ser desenvolvida. As recomendações resultantes são uma ferramenta importante para apoiar a implementação do Regulamento EEI da UE. Em última análise, as informações incluídas podem ser utilizadas para atingir a meta da Estratégia de Biodiversidade da UE para 2030 de combate às espécies exóticas invasoras, e também para a implementação de outras políticas da UE com requisitos relativos a espécies exóticas, como as Diretiva Aves e Habitats, Diretiva-Quadro da Estatégia Marinha (DQEM) e Diretiva-Quadro da Água (DQA)

Strategic Recommendations for the Transnational Management of Invasive Alien Crayfish and Crabs in Iberian Inland Waters

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. We developed a participative process with experts in order to obtain Strategic Recommendations for the transnational management of invasive alien crayfish and crabs in inland waters of Spain and Portugal. They promote the coordinated management between Spain and Portugal, in order to facilitate implementation of international commitments and best practices and to support development of policies and targets on IAS management at Iberian scale. They were designed to serve as a guiding tool seeking to identify a strategic direction for the Spanish and Portuguese governance that is already being developed. The resulting Strategic Recommendations are important tools supporting the implementation of the IAS EU Regulation. Ultimately, the information included can be used for achieving the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 for combatting IAS, and also for implementing of other EU policies with requirements on alien species, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives

A horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland waters

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on taxa with expert opinion, we identified the most relevant aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., those with the greatest geographic extent (or probability of introduction), severe ecological, economic and human health impacts, greatest difficulty and acceptability of management. We highlighted the 126 most relevant IAS already present in Iberian inland waters (i.e., Concern list) and 89 with a high probability of being introduced in the near future (i.e., Alert list), of which 24 and 10 IAS, respectively, were considered as a management priority after receiving the highest scores in the expert assessment (i.e., top-ranked IAS). In both lists, aquatic IAS belonging to the four thematic groups (plants, freshwater invertebrates, estuarine invertebrates, and vertebrates) were identified as having been introduced through various pathways from different regions of the world and classified according to their main functional feeding groups. Also, the latest update of the list of IAS of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 includes only 12 top-ranked IAS identified for the Iberian Peninsula, while the national lists incorporate the vast majority of them. This fact underlines the great importance of taxa prioritisation exercises at biogeographical scales as a step prior to risk analyses and their inclusion in national lists. This HS provides a robust assessment and a cost-effective strategy for decision-makers and stakeholders to prioritise the use of limited resources for IAS prevention and management. Although applied at a transnational level in a European biodiversity hotspot, this approach is designed for potential application at any geographical or administrative scale, including the continental one