Age, growth and mortality of dog snapper Lutjanus jocu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in the northeast coast of Brazil

Idade e crescimento do Lutjanus jocu foi determinada através da leitura de marcas de aposição em otólitos sagittae. 216 indivíduos, capturados no entorno da montanha oceânica Sirius e na plataforma continental do Ceará (05°03's; 36°02'w) até a Bahia (09°01's; 35°12'w) tiveram seus otólitos extraídos. Marcas opacas que provavelmente formam-se anualmente foram observadas em otólitos inteiros (n=210) e em otólitos seccionados (n=197) apresentando peixes com idades entre 0 a 20 e 25 anos respectivamente. O modelo de crescimento de Bertalanffy ajustado por métodos não lineares dos mínimos quadrados aos dados de idade e comprimento resultou em valores de Li= 77,22 cm, K= 0,110 and t0= -3,73. Medidas incrementais da 1ª a 20ª marca opaca em otólitos seccionados (n=39) foram usadas para retrocalcular os comprimentos e as respectivas idades resultando em valores de Li= 71,20 cm, K= 0,112 e t0= -4,32. Leitura de otólitos seccionados de L. jocu é uma técnica confiável para a determinação da idade e crescimento desta espécie, que apresentou longevidade de média a alta com crescimento lento. A taxa de mortalidade total (Z) estimada através da curva de captura foi 0,134 correspondendo a 87,5% de sobrevivência anual. A mortalidade natural (M) calculada pelo método de Ault et al. (1998) foi 0,12 para uma longevidade de 25 anos.The age and growth of Lutjanus jocu was assessed through readings of growth marks in sagitta otoliths. From August 1996 to March 2000, fish were sampled (n=3.539) in the northeast portion of the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone. Sagitta otoliths were extracted from a sub sample of 216 individuals caught around the oceanic bank Sirius (03°59' s; 35°59' w) and over continental shelf from Ceará (05°03's; 36°02'w) to Bahía States (09°01's; 35°12'w). Opaque bands, presumed to be annual, were observed on whole (n= 210) and sectioned (n= 197) otoliths, showing ages from 0 to 20 and from 0 to 25 years respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth model was fit to length-at-age data resulting in the values of Li= 77.22 cm, K= 0.110 and t0= -3.73. Incremental widths from the first to twentieth opaque band on sectioned otoliths (n = 39) were used on back calculation of length-at-ages and the estimated values were Li= 71,20 cm, K= 0.112 e t0= -4.32. Otolith reading from sections is a reliable technique for aging L. jocu, which presented medium to high longevity and slow growth. Total mortality (Z) estimated by the catch curve was 0.134 corresponding to an annual survival rate of 87.5%. The natural mortality (M) estimated by the Ault et al. (1998) methodology was 0.12 for 25 years of longevity

Paisaje acústico de arrecifes de coral costeros protegidos y desprotegidos del Atlántico tropical

Behavioural patterns and distributions of crustaceans, fish and mammals can be inferred from acoustic recordings of the extremely noisy marine acoustic environment. In this study, we determined the soundscape of protected and non-protected marine areas between January and April 2016. Sonobuoy (a device for sound monitoring) recordings began at sunset and lasted approximately 12 hours per day. The results show a complex soundscape dominated by biological sounds produced by crustaceans and fish. Six fish chorus-dominant frequencies between 200 and 1000 Hz occurred at a similar time each day, except for chorus I. The choruses consisted of high-energy callings after the last reef line within the protected area. However, fish choruses showed low energy levels in unprotected areas. The results show the importance of protected areas for fish populations and the usefulness of passive acoustics to monitor biodiversity of sounds of commercial fish in Brazilian tropical costal reefs.Los patrones de comportamiento y la distribución de crustáceos, peces y mamíferos pueden inferirse a partir de grabaciones acústicas del ambiente acústico marino extremadamente ruidoso. En este estudio, determinamos el paisaje sonoro de áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) y no protegidas entre enero y abril de 2016. Las grabaciones de “sonoboyas” (un dispositivo para monitoreo de sonido) comenzaron al atardecer y duraron aproximadamente 12 horas por día. Los resultados muestran un paisaje acústico complejo dominado por sonidos biológicos producidos por crustáceos y peces. Se encontraron seis frecuencias dominantes de coros de peces entre 200 y 1000 Hz, encontrados a la misma hora todos los días, excepto el coro I. Los coros consistían en llamadas de alta energía después de la última línea de arrecife dentro del área protegida. Sin embargo, los coros de pescado presentaron niveles de energía bajos en áreas desprotegidas. Los resultados muestran la importancia de las áreas protegidas para las poblaciones de peces y la utilidad de la acústica pasiva para monitorear la biodiversidad de los sonidos de los peces comerciales en los arrecifes costeros tropicales brasileños

Hábitos alimenticios y aspectos poblacionales del salmonete manchado, Pseudupeneus maculatus (Perciformes: Mullidae) sobre la plataforma continental del noreste de Brasil

This study provides information about the feeding habits, population aspects and spatial distribution of the spot­ted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus, along the coast of the tropical Brazilian continental shelf. Distribution patterns are described using length frequencies and catch rates. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), along with stomach contents, were analysed to determine the diet of the spotted goatfish. Multivariate analysis and numerical indicators of the diet, such as numerical frequency, frequency of occurrence and weight percentage, were computed to evaluate the diet composition. The mean trophic position was defined using both stable isotope ratios and stomach content analysis. The length at first maturity for the species was determined as 13.7 cm. A slight pattern in size distribution was observed, with mean size increasing with depth along the shelf. The diet was mainly composed of crustaceans, teleosts and Polychaeta. No clear dietary difference was found between habitat types, water depth or latitude. Both trophic positions estimated by stable isotopes and stomach contents analysis ranged between levels 3 and 4. P. Maculatus was found to be feeding on many rare and infrequent prey items, classifying it as a generalist zoobenthivorous predator, probably due to its efficient search strategy.En este estudio se analizaron los hábitos alimenticios y aspectos biológicos del salmonete manchado (Pseudu­peneus maculatus) frente a la costa brasileña. Para describir los patrones de distribución se analizó la estructura de tallas y las tasas de captura. El nivel trófico y la dieta alimenticia se determinaron mediante análisis isotópicos de carbono (δ13C) y nitrógeno (δ15N), además del contenido estomacal. La composición de la dieta fue determinada con análisis multivariados e indicadores numéricos, como la frecuencia numérica, frecuencia de ocurrencia y el porcentaje del peso. Los resultados indicaron que la talla de primera madurez se encuentra en 13.7 cm. Se observó que la talla media incrementó en relación con el fondo. Por otro lado, la dieta estuvo compuesta por crustáceos, teleósteos y poliquetos, asimismo no se evidenciaron diferencias significativas por tipo de hábitats, profundidad y grado de latitud. Los niveles tróficos estimados oscilaron entre 3 y 4, determinándose que P. Maculatus se alimentó de diversas presas, probablemente debido a su eficiente estrategia de búsqueda, clasificándose como depredador zoobentívoro generalista

Foraminifera as health bioindicators in nearshore and offshore Brazilian coral reef sediments

Abstrac

Foraminifera on coral reefs of Brazil: the FOCO project

Abstrac

Mesophotic reef fish assemblages of the remote St. Peter and St. Paul's Archipelago, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Brazil

Mesophotic reef fish assemblages (30-90 m depth) of the small and remote St. Peter and St. Paul's Archipelago (SPSPA), Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Brazil, were characterized using remotely operated vehicles. Ordination analyses identified distinct fish assemblages in the upper (30-50 m) and lower (50-90 m) mesophotic zones, the former characterized by high abundances of species that are also abundant at euphotic reefs (Caranx lugubris, Melichthys niger, Stegastes sanctipauli and Chromis multilineata) and the latter dominated by two mesophotic specialists (Prognathodes obliquus and Chromis enchrysura). Planktivores dominated fish assemblages, particularly in the upper mesophotic zone, possibly due to a greater availability of zooplankton coming from the colder Equatorial Undercurrent in mesophotic depths of the SPSPA. Turf algae, fleshy macroalgae and scleractinian corals dominated benthic assemblages between 30 and 40 m depth, while bryozoans, black corals and sponges dominated between 40 and 90 m depth. Canonical correspondence analysis explained 74 % of the relationship between environmental characteristics (depth, benthic cover and complexity) and structure of fish assemblages, with depth as the most important independent variable. Juveniles of Bodianus insularis and adults of P. obliquus and C. enchrysura were clearly associated with branching black corals (Tanacetipathes spp.), suggesting that black corals play key ecological roles in lower mesophotic reefs of the SPSPA. Results from this study add to the global database about mesophotic reef ecosystems (MREs) and provide a baseline for future evaluations of possible anthropogenic and natural disturbances on MREs of the SPSPA.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico-CNPqCNPqFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Programa Posgrad Oceanog Biol, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Biol Zool, BR-58059900 Joao Pessoa, PB, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Monitoramento Ambiental, BR-58297000 Rio Tinto, PB, BrazilUniv Estadual Paraiba, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservac, BR-58109753 Campina Grande, PB, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Oceanog, Ctr Tecnol & Geociencias, BR-50670901 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, Ctr Ciencias Exatas & Nat, Dept Sistemat & Ecol, BR-58051900 Joao Pessoa, PB, BrazilInst Pesquisas Jardim Bot Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, BR-21944970 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, SAGE COPPE, BR-21944970 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Dept Oceanog Biol, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, Dept Engn & Meio Ambiente, BR-58297000 Rio Tinto, PB, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, BrazilCNPq: 557185/09-2CNPq: 484875/2011-6Web of Scienc

Common variants in Alzheimer’s disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores

Funder: Funder: Fundación bancaria ‘La Caixa’ Number: LCF/PR/PR16/51110003 Funder: Grifols SA Number: LCF/PR/PR16/51110003 Funder: European Union/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Number: 115975 Funder: JPco-fuND FP-829-029 Number: 733051061Genetic discoveries of Alzheimer's disease are the drivers of our understanding, and together with polygenetic risk stratification can contribute towards planning of feasible and efficient preventive and curative clinical trials. We first perform a large genetic association study by merging all available case-control datasets and by-proxy study results (discovery n = 409,435 and validation size n = 58,190). Here, we add six variants associated with Alzheimer's disease risk (near APP, CHRNE, PRKD3/NDUFAF7, PLCG2 and two exonic variants in the SHARPIN gene). Assessment of the polygenic risk score and stratifying by APOE reveal a 4 to 5.5 years difference in median age at onset of Alzheimer's disease patients in APOE ɛ4 carriers. Because of this study, the underlying mechanisms of APP can be studied to refine the amyloid cascade and the polygenic risk score provides a tool to select individuals at high risk of Alzheimer's disease

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

Common variants in Alzheimer's disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores.

Funder: Funder: Fundación bancaria ‘La Caixa’ Number: LCF/PR/PR16/51110003 Funder: Grifols SA Number: LCF/PR/PR16/51110003 Funder: European Union/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Number: 115975 Funder: JPco-fuND FP-829-029 Number: 733051061Genetic discoveries of Alzheimer's disease are the drivers of our understanding, and together with polygenetic risk stratification can contribute towards planning of feasible and efficient preventive and curative clinical trials. We first perform a large genetic association study by merging all available case-control datasets and by-proxy study results (discovery n = 409,435 and validation size n = 58,190). Here, we add six variants associated with Alzheimer's disease risk (near APP, CHRNE, PRKD3/NDUFAF7, PLCG2 and two exonic variants in the SHARPIN gene). Assessment of the polygenic risk score and stratifying by APOE reveal a 4 to 5.5 years difference in median age at onset of Alzheimer's disease patients in APOE ɛ4 carriers. Because of this study, the underlying mechanisms of APP can be studied to refine the amyloid cascade and the polygenic risk score provides a tool to select individuals at high risk of Alzheimer's disease

Multiancestry analysis of the HLA locus in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases uncovers a shared adaptive immune response mediated by HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes

Across multiancestry groups, we analyzed Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) associations in over 176,000 individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) versus controls. We demonstrate that the two diseases share the same protective association at the HLA locus. HLA-specific fine-mapping showed that hierarchical protective effects of HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes best accounted for the association, strongest with HLA-DRB1*04:04 and HLA-DRB1*04:07, and intermediary with HLA-DRB1*04:01 and HLA-DRB1*04:03. The same signal was associated with decreased neurofibrillary tangles in postmortem brains and was associated with reduced tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid and to a lower extent with increased Aβ42. Protective HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes strongly bound the aggregation-prone tau PHF6 sequence, however only when acetylated at a lysine (K311), a common posttranslational modification central to tau aggregation. An HLA-DRB1*04-mediated adaptive immune response decreases PD and AD risks, potentially by acting against tau, offering the possibility of therapeutic avenues