Back to the future: restoring historical communities

En prens

The macrofauna associated to the bamboo coral Isidella elongata: to what extent the impact on isideidae affects diversification of deep-sea fauna

Macrofauna associated with the bamboo coral Isidella elongata was analysed in the Balearic Basin at depths of 697–1308 m. The diversity of associated macrofauna and the specific associations identified depended on different morphological characteristics of colonies, such as height or density of rami. Species associated with Isidella consisted mainly of sessile fauna, such as cnidarians (the actinian Amphianthus dornhii and the solitary coral Desmophyllum dianthus) and cirripeds (Gibossaverruca sp.). The strongest relationship (commensalism) occurred for the Pontogeneiidae amphipod Dautzenbergia megacheir, living attached to colonies of Isidella and represented by all population stages from adult (oostegal) females and males to juveniles. Species-coral relationships between Dautzenbergia and bamboo corals (Isididae) are plausible. Dautzenbergia spp. showed morphological differences between Atlantic (described by Walker 1897 as “eyes wanting”) and Mediterranean (with well-developed reddish eyes) specimens. This would suggest diversification of this genus, as has been recently suggested for Pleustidae associated with deep gorgonians. The diversity of the macrofaunal community associated with I. elongata was higher in the most mature (larger colonies with higher density) fields found NW of Mallorca, with higher colonies than in other parts of the Mediterranean. This was the only site where Gibossaverruca sp. (a first Mediterranean faunal record) and D. dianthus were collected. These complex associations between macrofauna and deep-water corals may provide arguments to protect these fragile ecosystems as a source of faunal diversity and diversification.Versión del editor3,87

Safety and immunogenicity of the protein-based PHH-1V compared to BNT162b2 as a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine in adults vaccinated against COVID-19 : a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority phase IIb trial

A SARS-CoV-2 protein-based heterodimer vaccine, PHH-1V, has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy young adults in a first-in-human, Phase I/IIa study dose-escalation trial. Here, we report the interim results of the Phase IIb HH-2, where the immunogenicity and safety of a heterologous booster with PHH-1V is assessed versus a homologous booster with BNT162b2 at 14, 28 and 98 days after vaccine administration. The HH-2 study is an ongoing multicentre, randomised, active-controlled, double-blind, non-inferiority Phase IIb trial, where participants 18 years or older who had received two doses of BNT162b2 were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive a booster dose of vaccine-either heterologous (PHH-1V group) or homologous (BNT162b2 group)-in 10 centres in Spain. Eligible subjects were allocated to treatment stratified by age group (18-64 versus ≥65 years) with approximately 10% of the sample enrolled in the older age group. The primary endpoints were humoral immunogenicity measured by changes in levels of neutralizing antibodies (PBNA) against the ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 strain after the PHH-1V or the BNT162b2 boost, and the safety and tolerability of PHH-1V as a boost. The secondary endpoints were to compare changes in levels of neutralizing antibodies against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the T-cell responses towards the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein peptides. The exploratory endpoint was to assess the number of subjects with SARS-CoV-2 infections ≥14 days after PHH-1V booster. This study is ongoing and is registered with , . From 15 November 2021, 782 adults were randomly assigned to PHH-1V (n = 522) or BNT162b2 (n = 260) boost vaccine groups. The geometric mean titre (GMT) ratio of neutralizing antibodies on days 14, 28 and 98, shown as BNT162b2 active control versus PHH-1V, was, respectively, 1.68 (p < 0.0001), 1.31 (p = 0.0007) and 0.86 (p = 0.40) for the ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 strain; 0.62 (p < 0.0001), 0.65 (p < 0.0001) and 0.56 (p = 0.003) for the Beta variant; 1.01 (p = 0.92), 0.88 (p = 0.11) and 0.52 (p = 0.0003) for the Delta variant; and 0.59 (p ≤ 0.0001), 0.66 (p < 0.0001) and 0.57 (p = 0.0028) for the Omicron BA.1 variant. Additionally, PHH-1V as a booster dose induced a significant increase of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells expressing IFN-γ on day 14. There were 458 participants who experienced at least one adverse event (89.3%) in the PHH-1V and 238 (94.4%) in the BNT162b2 group. The most frequent adverse events were injection site pain (79.7% and 89.3%), fatigue (27.5% and 42.1%) and headache (31.2 and 40.1%) for the PHH-1V and the BNT162b2 groups, respectively. A total of 52 COVID-19 cases occurred from day 14 post-vaccination (10.14%) for the PHH-1V group and 30 (11.90%) for the BNT162b2 group (p = 0.45), and none of the subjects developed severe COVID-19. Our interim results from the Phase IIb HH-2 trial show that PHH-1V as a heterologous booster vaccine, when compared to BNT162b2, although it does not reach a non-inferior neutralizing antibody response against the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain at days 14 and 28 after vaccination, it does so at day 98. PHH-1V as a heterologous booster elicits a superior neutralizing antibody response against the previous circulating Beta and the currently circulating Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 variants in all time points assessed, and for the Delta variant on day 98 as well. Moreover, the PHH-1V boost also induces a strong and balanced T-cell response. Concerning the safety profile, subjects in the PHH-1V group report significantly fewer adverse events than those in the BNT162b2 group, most of mild intensity, and both vaccine groups present comparable COVID-19 breakthrough cases, none of them severe. HIPRA SCIENTIFIC, S.L.U

Otolith size and its relationship with colour patterns and sound production

14 pages, 7 figures, 3 tablesA comparative, morphometric study was made of the 185 sagitta otoliths from 18 species belonging to four coastal perciform families of the north-west Mediterranean: the Labridae, Sparidae, Haemulidae and Sciaenidae. Species with relatively large otoliths belonged to groups considered specialists in sound production (sciaenids and haemulids), while those with small otoliths belonged to groups that rely on bright or contrasted colour patterns for visual communication (labrids). In sparids, species with clear body marks had smaller otoliths than species without dark stripes or dots. These findings support the hypothesis that otolith size is related to hearing ability in the inner earThis workwas supported by Spanish MICYT TIC2000-0376-p4-04 projectPeer reviewe

Otolitos de peces del Mediterráneo occidental y del Atlántico central y nororiental

Final version of the paper available at: http://www.icm.csic.es/scimar/index.php/secId/6/IdArt/3723/.[EN] The sagittal otolith of 348 species, belonging to 99 families and 22 orders of marine Teleostean fishes from the north and central eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean were described using morphological and morphometric characters. The morphological descriptions were based on the otolith shape, outline and sulcus acusticus features. The morphometric parameters determined were otolith length (OL, mm), height (OH, mm), perimeter (P; mm) and area (A; mm2) and were expressed in terms of shape indices as circularity (P2/A), rectangularity (A/(OL×OH)), aspect ratio (OH/OL; %) and OL/fish size. The present Atlas provides information that complements the characterization of some ichthyologic taxa. In addition, it constitutes an important instrument for species identification using sagittal otoliths collected in fossiliferous layers, in archaeological sites or in feeding remains of bony fish predators[ES] Se han descrito morfológica y morfométricamente los otolitos sagitta de 348 especies, pertenecientes a 99 familias y 22 ordenes, procedentes de Atlántico Oriental Central y Norte y el Mediterráneo occidental. La descripción morfológica se ha basado en las caraterísticas de la forma del otolito, de su contorno y del surco acústico. Se han dterminado los parámetros biométricos siguientes: longitud del otolito (OL, mm), anchura (OH, mm), perímetro (P; mm) y área (A; mm2) y se han expresado con distintos índices de forma: circularidad (P2/A), rectangularidad (A/(OL×OH)), aspecto (OH/OL; %) y OL/longitud del pez. Este atlas da nueva información para complementar la caracterización de algunos taxones ictiológicos. Además, constituye un instrumento importante para identificar especies mediante otolitos sagitta en yacimientos fósiles y arqueológicos o en estudios de alimentación de especies ictiófagasPeer reviewe

Otolith size trends in marine fish communities from different depth strata

24 pages, 3 figuresA comparison of 681 saccular otolith(sagitta) from 134 species belonging to six demersal communities from different depth strata and the epipelagic community from the north-western Mediterranean Sea was made in order to study otolith relative size and function related morphologies. A relationship between otolith size composition, habitat and depth was found. The epipelagic community was characterized by species with very small and small otolith sizes (68% of the epipelagic species). In the demersal communities, the proportion of species with large sagitta increased with depth until 750 m (reached 50% of the species of the upper slope). The abyssal community (between 1000 and 2000 m), however, was characterized by a decrease in the mean otolith size and an increase in the proportion of species with very small otoliths. With exception of the abyssal community, endogenous causes (a mixture of geneaology, plesiomorph characters shared by the all species of the taxonomic group and recent adaptive ones) may be even more important than exogenous factors in determining the otolith relative size. Within the endogenous causes that condition sagitta size, the adaptive features associated with specialization in acoustic communication are relevant.This work was supported by the Spanish MICYT TIC2000-0376-p4-04 (AFORO) and European Q5RS-2002-01610 (IBACS) projects.Peer reviewe

Uso del otolito sagitta y el diámetro del ojo para la caracterización ecológica de peces de profundidad: Aphanopus carbo and A. Intermedius del Atlántico nororiental

8 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables[EN] The sagittal otolith and eye diameter of two sympatric species of the genus Aphanopus, A. carbo and A. intermedius, from North Atlantic waters were investigated. The study objectives were to find morphometric variables of otoliths to identify the two species and relate ecomorphological characters of otolith and eye diameter to the depth distribution of each species. The otoliths of the two species are very similar, although significant differences in shape, otolith height and weight and the sulcus acusticus area were detected. The ratio between eye diameter and cephalic length (ED:CL ratio) was also significantly different. In both analyses A. carbo obtained higher values, which suggests that A. carbo and A. intermedius live in different spatial niches, and that A. carbo inhabits deeper waters. The ratio between the sulcus and otolith areas (S:O) was low compared to other fish species, which suggests that the hearing capacity of Aphanopus spp. is adapted to low frequency sound. This adaptation may be related to the oceanographic conditions in which these species live, and in particular to the characteristics of sound transmission in the “SOFAR channel”[ES] El otolito sagitta y el diámetro del ojo de dos especies simpátricas del género Aphanopus, A. carbo y A. intermedius, del Atlántico Norte fueron analizados. Los objetivos del estudio se centraron en encontrar las variables morfométricas del otolito que pudiesen ser empleadas en la diferenciación de ambas especies y en establecer una correspondencia entre la profundidad de distribución de las especies y las características ecomorfológicas del otolito y del diámetro del ojo. Los otolitos de ambas especies resultaron ser parecidos, si bien se detectaron diferencias significativas en la forma, en el peso y la anchura del otolito y en el área del sulcus acusticus. La proporción entre el diámetro del ojo y la longitud cefálica (ED:CL) también puso de manifiesto diferencias significativas entre ambas especies. En ambos análisis, los resultados indicaron que A. carbo alcanza valores mayores. Ello proporciona evidencias para poder afirmar que A. carbo y A. intermedius viven en nichos espaciales diferentes, habitando A. carbo aguas más profundas. La proporción entre al área del sulcus y el área del otolito (S:O) alcanzó valores bajos en comparación con otras especies, lo cual sugiere que la capacidad auditiva de Aphanopus spp. está adaptada a sonidos de baja frecuencia. Dicha adaptación podría estar relacionada con las condiciones oceanográficas donde viven estas especies y, en particular, con las características de la transmisión del sonido dentro del denominado “canal SOFAR”This study was co-funded by the research project PESCPROF 3 (ref: 05/MAC/4.2/M11 and co-financed by EU Interreg III-B programme), and pursued in collaboration with the pilot projects RAI-AP 36/2005 and 37/2005 co-financed by the EU and the Spanish GovernmentPeer reviewe