Estrategias de vida de un relevante pez de arrecife, la fula negra Similiparma lurida (Pomacentridae) en el Noroeste Atlántico

Similiparma lurida is a common fish inhabiting shallow-water rocky bottoms of the northeastern Atlantic oceanic archipelagos, and the coasts from Portugal to Senegal. This study was conceptualized to integrate information relative to key population traits of S. lurida, including length and age structure, growth, reproduction and length at maturity, with a description of abundance patterns on shallow reefs, including temporality of recruitment and habitat preferences by juveniles, sub-adults and adults. We then hypothesized that seasonal cycles of spawning and recruitment were synchronized. This species reaches a total length (TL) of up to 15.7 cm and an age of 18 years. Males grow faster and longer (K=0.28 years–1, L∞=14.487 cm TL) than females (K=0.23 years–1, L∞=13.461 cm TL), which affects the overall ratio of males to females (1:0.26). The size at which 50% of sexual maturity is reached was 10.344 cm TL for males and 8.471 cm TL for females. Fish increase growth during the spawning season, which occurs from November to March, including a maximum in February. After two months of this peak, juveniles reached maximum abundances (April) in high relief reef areas. Adults, however, show a preference towards rocky bottoms covered with algae interspersed with sand patches, suggesting ontogenetic changes in microhabitat preferences when juveniles turn into adultsSimiliparma lurida es un pez común que habita en aguas poco profundas de fondos rocosos someros de los archipiélagos oceánicos del Atlántico Norte, y las costas desde Portugal a Senegal. Este estudio se conceptualizó para integrar información relativa a atributos poblacionales clave de S. lurida, incluyendo: estructura de tallas y edad, crecimiento, reproducción y talla de primera madurez con la descripción de los patrones de abundancia en arrecifes poco profundos, incluyendo la temporalidad en el reclutamiento y preferencias de hábitat por juveniles, sub-adultos y adultos. Esta especie alcanza hasta 15.7 cm de longitud total (LT) y 18 años de edad. Los machos crecen más rápido y son más largos (K=0.28 years–1, L∞=14.487 cm LT) que las hembras (K=0.23 years–1, L∞=13.461 cm LT), lo que afecta a la sex ratio de machos y hembras (1:0.26). El tamaño en el que se alcanza el 50% de la madurez sexual fue 10.344 cm (LT) para los machos y 8.471 cm (LT) para las hembras. El crecimiento es mayor durante la temporada de desove, que ocurre de noviembre a marzo, incluyendo un máximo reproductivo en febrero. Dos meses después de este pico (abril), los juveniles alcanzaron abundancias máximas en zonas de arrecifes de gran relieve. Los adultos, sin embargo, muestran una preferencia hacia los fondos rocosos cubiertos de algas intercaladas con parches de arena, lo que sugiere cambios ontogenéticos en las preferencias de micro-hábitat cuando los juveniles se desarrollan en adultos

The upper-airway microbiome as a biomarker of asthma exacerbations despite inhaled corticosteroid treatment.

BACKGROUND: The response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma is affected by the interplay of several factors. Among these, the role of the upper-airway microbiome has been scarcely investigated. We aimed to evaluate the association between the salivary, pharyngeal, and nasal microbiome with asthma exacerbations despite receipt of ICS. METHODS: Samples from 250 asthma patients from the Genomics and Metagenomics of Asthma Severity (GEMAS) study treated with ICS were analyzed. Control/case subjects were defined by the absence/presence of asthma exacerbations in the past 6 months despite being treated with ICS. The bacterial microbiota was profiled by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Differences between groups were assessed by PERMANOVA and regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Afalse discovery rate (FDR) of 5% was used to correct for multiple comparisons. Classification models of asthma exacerbations despite ICS treatment were built with machine learning approaches based on clinical, genetic, and microbiome data. RESULTS: In nasal and saliva samples, case subjects had lower bacterial diversity (Richness, Shannon, and Faith indices) than control subjects (.007≤ P≤ .037). Asthma exacerbations accounted for 8% to 9% of the interindividual variation of the salivary and nasal microbiomes (.003≤ P≤ .046). Three, 4, and 11 bacterial genera from the salivary, pharyngeal, and nasal microbiomes were differentially abundant between groups (4.09*10-12≤ FDR≤ 0.047). Integrating clinical, genetic, and microbiome data showed good discrimination for the development of asthma exacerbations despite receipt of ICS (AUCtraining: 0.82 and AUCvalidation: 0.77). CONCLUSION: The diversity and composition of the upper-airway microbiome are associated with asthma exacerbations despite ICS treatment. The salivary microbiome has a potential application as a biomarker of asthma exacerbations despite receipt of ICS

First record of African brown snapper Lutjanus dentatus in the Canary Islands (north-eastern Atlantic Ocean)

3 pages, 1 figureThe African brown snapper Lutjanus dentatus is a fish native of the West African coastal zone of the Atlantic Ocean. Here we document the first recorded capture of this species in the Canary Islands, an archipelago close to Africa, in August 2013Peer reviewe

The structure of a nearshore fish assemblage at an oceanic island: insight from small scale fisheries through bottom traps at Gran Canary Island (Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic)

Unsuitable management of fisheries may lead to overexploitation of marine resources. Oceanic islands with narrow continental shelves, in particular, are sensitive to unsustainable levels of fishing intensity. Fish traps are the modality of artisanal professional fishing more important in the coastal waters of the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic) to capture demersal resources, which are deployed all year-round and allow a release of undersized captures. We aimed at studying the structure of nearshore fish assemblages through deployment of benthic bottom traps carried out at Gran Canary Island. A quantitative description of catches, in terms of abundance, biomass and sizes, of traps deployed from May to October 2009, between ca. 20 to 50 m depth, was carried out. We used this information to test whether the structure of nearshore fish assemblages at the island scale varied between three zones located at the NW, NE and E of the island with varying habitat structure. A total of 58 species (22 families) were collected for the overall study from a total of 2568 deployed traps. The species Sparisoma cretense (25% of the total biomass), the family Sparidae (16 species, 44%) and Mullus surmuletus (4%) accounted for more than 73% of the total catch in terms of biomass. The parrotfish, S. cretense, was the fish with the largest catches in terms of number of individuals, followed by Dentex gibbosus, Diplodus vulgaris, Stephanolepis hispidus, Chromis limbata and Mullus surmuletus. Differences in the structure of the fish assemblage at the island scale were not predicted by differences in the type of bottom. Fishing yields were similar between the NW (0.16 ± 0.02 kg trap-1 day-1) and NE side of the island (0.19 ± 0.01 kg trap-1 day-1), being lower at the E zone (0.15 ± 0.01 kg trap-1 day-1). The most abundant species, the parrotfish S. cretense, had a mean size close to its first maturity sizes (SFM50), while both D. gibbosus and D. vulgaris were below SFM50. In general, the mean size of Sparids was well below SFM50, an indication of overexploitation, while M. surmuletus and S. hispidus reached a mean size beyond their first maturity sizes

Fishing methods for sustainable shrimp fisheries in the Canary Islands (North-West Africa)

9 pages, 4 figures, 4 tablesDuring the past 20 years, experimental cruises have been conducted around the Canary Islands (North-West Africa) to investigate the biodiversity of the deep-sea ecosystem and to explore new fisheries resources. Although pandalid shrimps were shown to be very abundant in this region, information is lacking regarding the best fishing method for catching the different species of shrimp. Here, two types of traps were tested, a semi-floating shrimp trap and a traditional bottom trap, in an effort to improve the fishing gear effectiveness and to reduce the capture of non-target species. In total, nine species were captured, which were categorised into three main groups based on their depth of capture: Plesionika edwardsii, P. narval and P. holtuisi (100–400 m); P. ensis, P. martia, P. williamsi and Heterocarpus ensifer (400–800 m); and H. grimaldii and H. laevigatus (800–1 300 m). Significant differences were found in the capture of the different species: P. narval, P. ensis, P. edwardsii and H. ensifer were captured more readily using the semi-floating traps, whereas P. martia, P. williamsi, H. grimaldii and H. laevigatus were caught more efficiently with traditional bottom traps. This intra-specific difference in their capture was considered to be due to the differential motility of the species in the water column. There were indications that P. edwardsii and H. ensifer are an unexploited resource that has the potential to support a viable and sustainable fishery using semi-floating shrimp traps. Furthermore, the deeper-dwelling pandalid shrimps, H. laevigatus and H. grimaldi, could be a secondary target species using bottom trapsFinancial support was partially received from the EU FEDER in the framework of the PIC Interreg III B projects PESCPROF 1 (MAC/4.2/M12)Peer reviewe

Egg development and fecundity estimation in deep-sea red crab, Chaceon affinis (Geryonidae), off the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic)

6 pages, 5 figures, 1 tableThe goal of this work was to elaborate on reproductive knowledge of the deep-sea red crab, Chaceon affinis, off the Canary Islands by providing information regarding its egg development and fecundity. Six stages for eggs were observed, from fully filled with yolk to the embryo occupying almost all the space inside the egg. A correlation was established between egg stage and the colour of the egg mass. Morphological analyses indicated that the eggs are spherical in shape and that they increase the 10.7% in maximum diameter from the initial to the final stage. Fecundity (AFE, annual fecundity estimation), defined as the number of eggs borne per females, was calculated with two methods, manual by hand counter and using an automated morphology system. No statistical differences for the relationships carapace width (CW)–AFE and total weight (TW)–AFE were detected between the two methods. The number of eggs ranged from 199,690 to 566,956 (105–160 mm CW). A positive correlation was obtained between AFE and CW (r2 = 0.672) and TW (r2 = 0.785)The authors are indebted to José A. Pérez-Peñalvo, Rosa Domínguez-Seoane and Eliseba García for skilful technical assistance. Financial support was received from the EU ERDF in the framework of the PIC INTERREG III B project PESCPROF-2 (03/MAC/4.2/M8) and from the Spanish Government in the framework of project REDECA (CTM2005-07712-C03/MAR)Peer reviewe

Fishing methods for sustainable shrimp fisheries in the Canary Islands (North-West Africa)

9 pages, 4 figures, 4 tables.During the past 20 years, experimental cruises have been conducted around the Canary Islands (North-West Africa) to investigate the biodiversity of the deep-sea ecosystem and to explore new fisheries resources. Although pandalid shrimps were shown to be very abundant in this region, information is lacking regarding the best fishing method for catching the different species of shrimp. Here, two types of traps were tested, a semi-floating shrimp trap and a traditional bottom trap, in an effort to improve the fishing gear effectiveness and to reduce the capture of non-target species. In total, nine species were captured, which were categorised into three main groups based on their depth of capture: Plesionika edwardsii, P. narval and P. holtuisi (100–400 m); P. ensis, P. martia, P. williamsi and Heterocarpus ensifer (400–800 m); and H. grimaldii and H. laevigatus (800–1 300 m). Significant differences were found in the capture of the different species: P. narval, P. ensis, P. edwardsii and H. ensifer were captured more readily using the semi-floating traps, whereas P. martia, P. williamsi, H. grimaldii and H. laevigatus were caught more efficiently with traditional bottom traps. This intra-specific difference in their capture was considered to be due to the differential motility of the species in the water column. There were indications that P. edwardsii and H. ensifer are an unexploited resource that has the potential to support a viable and sustainable fishery using semi-floating shrimp traps. Furthermore, the deeper-dwelling pandalid shrimps, H. laevigatus and H. grimaldi, could be a secondary target species using bottom traps.Financial support was partially received from the EU FEDER in the framework of the PIC Interreg III B projects PESCPROF 1 (MAC/4.2/M12).Peer reviewe

First record of the cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae), from the Azores (NE Atlantic) and possible extension range for the West Atlantic

BACKGROUND. A lutjanid recently captured in Flores Island represents the first documented record of a snapper for the Azores Islands. Since this specimen was not made available to us besides photographs and a muscle sample, a genetic study approach was necessary in order to accurately describe and discuss this somewhat unexpected occurrence. The main objective of this paper was to explain and discuss the presence of this single specimen in this part of the north-eastern Atlantic. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The specimen was caught by spear fishers on 30 July 2014 off Flores Island. We analysed all available photographs and a sample of muscle tissue that was taken and preserved frozen to be used for DNA barcoding. RESULTS. The specimen was a reproductively mature female with a total length of 108.7 cm and weighing 14.84 kg. The body depth of the specimen from the Azores was 2.9 in SL and the analyses conducted showed no divergence from the Canary Islands specimen reported by García-Mederos and Tuset (2014) as Lutjanus dentatus (Duméril, 1861) with the body depth of 2.5 in SL, which demonstrates that this character is highly variable and not useful for species identification. CONCLUSIONS. The snapper specimen from the Island of Flores is a Lutjanus cyanopterus (Cuvier, 1828) and confirmed as first record for this part of the north-eastern Atlantic. Comparisons with a L. dentatus from the Canary Islands point towards synonymy although the available molecular evidence is too scarce and by no means conclusive.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Una mirada sobre la biodiversidad marina y bases para su gestión sostenible. Recursos pesqueros potenciales de profundidad de Cabo Verde / Um olhar sobre a biodiversidade marinha e bases para a sua gestaõsustentável. Potenciais recursos pesqueiros de profundidade de Cabo Verde.

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