Renovació dels mètodes docents en biologia animal i vegetal : adequació a l'espai europeu d'educació superior

Des de les Unitats de Zoologia i Botànica s'imparteix l'assignatura Biologia Animal i Vegetal (BAV) en la llicenciatura de Veterinària, amb una metodologia docent basada majoritàriament en la classe magistral. La impartició de l'assignatura es veu dificultada per la massificació en les aules (nombre d'alumnes per grup de teoria entre 90 i 120). El present projecte té com a finalitat millorar les condicions d'aprenentatge i el rendiment de l'alumne mitjançant la renovació dels mètodes docents amb l'aplicació d'un nou model d'ensenyament en la docència de BAV, i el desenvolupament de nous materials docents i audiovisuals. Es pretén motivar a l'alumne vers la matèria i afavorir la seva autonomia a través del desenvolupament de les eines necessàries per millorar les condicions d'aprenentatge de la BAV. Durant aquest curs 2005/06 s'han realitzat les següents accions: utilització del campus virtual per posar a l'abast de l'estudiant els materials docents específics; planificació de seminaris teoricopràctics; elaboració d'una base de dades de preguntes d'elecció múltiple que permetin l'avaluació de cada tema o unitat independentment, a utilitzar com a eina d'autoaprenentatge i autoavaluació; elaboració de materials concrets que han potenciat el treball en equip tutoritzat en petits grups; valoració dels resultats que inclogui mesura dels rendiments, sistemes de comparació entre metodologies diferents i grau de satisfacció de l'estudiant.Els resultats obtinguts a la primera convocatòria indiquen un notable assoliment dels objectius, ja que el nombre d'alumnes tant presentats com que han superat l'assignatura s'ha incrementat considerablement

Parásitos e histopatología de Mullus barbatus y Citharus linguatula de dos zonas sometidas a diferente grado de contaminación del Mediterráneo noroccidental

The usefulness of fish parasite communities as bioindicators of environmental stress was tested on two benthic fish species, the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and the spotted flounder (Citharus linguatula), during the spring of 2006 at two sites of the Catalan coast (northwestern Mediterranean): an anthropogenic-impacted area located close to the city of Barcelona, and a less polluted area close to Blanes (Girona). Gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices and condition factor were determined for the fishes caught. Prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance and species richness of the parasites found in the survey were calculated for both species and locations, and the main histological alterations were recorded. Cysts of unknown aetiology and intestinal coccidians were reported only in red mullets from the area close to Barcelona, which were highly parasitized by the digenean Opecoeloides furcatus and the nematode Capillaria sp. However, a higher prevalence of Ichthyophonus sp. was reported in the spotted flounder from Blanes. Cysts of unknown aetiology, some nematodes and Ichthyophonus sp. may be associated with pollution.Se ha comparado la utilidad de las comunidades parasíticas de peces como bioindicadores de estrés ambiental en dos especies bentónicas de peces , el salmonete de fango Mullus barbatus y la solleta Citharus linguatula, durante la primavera de 2006 en dos lugares de la costa catalana (Mediterráneo NO): un área fuertemente impactada cerca de la ciudad de Barcelona, y una menos contaminada cerca de Blanes (Girona). Se determinó el índice gonadosomático, el índice hepatosomático y el factor de condición de los peces capturados. Se calculó la prevalencia, intensidad media, abundancia media y riqueza específica de los diferentes parásitos encontrados por especie y localidad, y se analizaron las principales alteraciones histológicas. Se han encontrado quistes de etiología desconocida y coccidios intestinales tan sólo en los ejemplares de M. barbatus de Barcelona, los cuales también estaban altamente parasitados por el digeneo Opecoeloides furcatus y el nematodo Capillaria sp. Se ha detectado Ichthyophonus sp. tan sólo en los ejemplares de C. linguatula, presentando una mayor prevalencia en los ejemplares de Blanes. Los quistes de etiología desconocida, algunos nematodos e Ichthyophonus sp. podrían estar relacionados con la contaminació

Estratègies : per a motivar als alumnes en matèries massa teòriques. L'exemple de la Biologia Animal a 1er i altres

Les jornades d'innovació docent a la Facultat de Veterinària tenen per objectiu l'intercanvi d'experiències docents entre el professorat de la Facultat com a punt de partida per reflexionar sobre l'estat actual de la docència i estimular la inclusió de noves activitats d'innovació als estudis de grau. Aquestes jornades estan organitzades pel Grup d'Innovació Docent de la Facultat de Veterinària amb el suport de la Unitat de Formació i Innovació Docent (OQD) de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Linking stocking densities and feeding strategies with social and individual stress responses on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Intensive aquaculture and poor management practices can cause stress and compromise welfare of farmed fish. This study aimed to assess the potential links between stocking densities and feeding methods with social and individual stress responses on juvenile seabream (Sparus aurata) through risk-taking and hypoxia tests. Seabream was first experimentally reared under two different densities: high (HD: 11-65 kg m−3) and low (LD: 3-15 kg m−3). After 120 days under these conditions, increment in fish weight was not affected by different stocking densities. HD seemed to induce a stronger schooling behavior on seabream juveniles seeking for the group safety during the risk test; while LD increased the mean number of movements per fish recorded and the time of first response. Additionally, HD conditions delayed the time of first response of proactive fish during hypoxia tests. Glucose levels were higher in reactive fish compared to proactive ones, being highly significant in fish reared at HD. In parallel, juvenile seabream was also experimentally reared for 106 days under two different feeding strategies: hand-feeding (HF) and self-demanding feeding (DF), which influenced fish growth and foraging behavior at group and individual level. HF method induced a positive effect on fish weight compared to DF systems. Time of first response during both hypoxia and risk-taking tests was shorter in HF fish than DF fish, and the mean number of movements per fish during risk-taking behavior tests was lower for DF fish compared to HF fish. No differences were found in glucose and cortisol concentrations between behavioral traits (proactive/reactive) and feeding strategies. Triggering actions of seabream in DF systems were also assessed, which seemed to be highly dependent on particular individuals and not related to proactive individuals. DF systems however reinforce the social hierarchy within the fish group, which might lead to a higher competitiveness for resources among fishes, increasing the social hierarchy, and therefore, the stress. The findings of this study provide valuable information to the industry for the management of fish stress and welfare under production conditions at social and individual level.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Assessment of the health status of the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the NW Mediterranean Sea from an interdisciplinary approach and implications for food safety

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThe European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) is a small pelagic fish with an outstanding commercial value supporting important fisheries and is a key component of pelagic ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. Progressive reductions in the population size of this species has been observed in the Mediterranean Sea during recent decades, accompanied by a decline in the body condition, as well as the size/age of maturation. Nonetheless, the health status has not been yet assessed using a holistic approach. Herein, we analyse the health status of the European anchovy, integrating distinct indicators from fish condition, enzymatic biomarkers, presence of tissue alterations, and parasite descriptors. In addition, we analyse the presence of anthropogenic items (AIs) in the digestive tract of fish and their potential impact on health status. Additionally, we assess the differences between current AIs values and those recorded over 12 years ago. None of the health indicators studied provided evidence of relevant pathologic conditions affecting this fish species in the studied area. However, changes in the pattern of liver parenchyma were found. Compared with anchovy populations from other distribution areas, no zoonotic parasites were recorded in this study, demonstrating a reduced risks associated with foodborne transmission to humans. AIs, such as fibres and plastic particles, were found in the digestive tract of half of the fish analysed. A significant increase was detected in AIs prevalence between 2007 (40 %) and 2019 (70 %), alongside differences in the abundance and typology of the AIs, though this does not seem to have impacted fish health yet. Therefore, our work underscores the importance of implementing a regular program to monitor the health status of this key species to better understand population dynamics and their drivers

Renovació dels mètodes docents en biologia animal i vegetal : adequació a l'EEES

Les assignatures de primer cicle Biologia Animal i Vegetal (BAV), de la llicenciatura de Veterinària, Biologia III: la Vida Animal, de la llicenciatura de Ciències Ambientals, i BAV, de la llicenciatura de Biotecnologia, s'impartien fins al curs 2004-2005 amb una metodologia docent basada majoritàriament en la classe magistral. La docència es veia dificultada per la massificació a les aules (el nombre d'alumnes era entre 90 i 120 per grup de teoria). A partir dels cursos 2005-2006 i 2006-2007 es va plantejar un projecte per millorar les condicions d'aprenentatge i el rendiment de l'alumne, mitjançant la renovació dels mètodes docents amb l'aplicació d'un nou model d'ensenyament en la docència de BAV, i el desenvolupament de nous materials docents i audiovisuals. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen un notable assoliment dels objectius, la valoració per part dels alumnes és molt positiva i el nombre d'alumnes, tant els que s'han presentat als exàmens com els que han superat les assignatures, s'ha incrementat considerablement.Las asignaturas de primer ciclo Biología animal y vegetal (BAV), de la licenciatura de Veterinaria; Biología III: la vida animal, de la licenciatura de Ciencias Ambientales; y BAV, de la licenciatura de Biotecnología, se impartían hasta el curso 2004-2005 con una metodología docente basada mayoritariamente en la clase magistral. La docencia se veía dificultada por la masificación en las aulas (el número de alumnos por grupo de teoría era de entre 90 y 120). A partir del curso 2005-2006 y 2006-2007 se planteó un proyecto para mejorar las condiciones de aprendizaje y el rendimiento del alumno mediante la renovación de los métodos docentes con la aplicación de un nuevo modelo de enseñanza en la docencia de BAV, y el desarrollo de nuevos materiales docentes y audiovisuales. Los resultados obtenidos indican una notable consecución de los objetivos: la valoración por parte de los alumnos es muy positiva y el número de alumnos, tanto de los presentados como de los que han superado las asignaturas, se ha incrementado considerablemente.Until academic year 2004-05 the courses in the first cycle of Animal and Plant Biology (APB) in the Veterinary Medicine program, Biology III: Animal Life from the Environmental Sciences degree programme, and APB from the Biotechnology degree programme were taught using a methodology based primarily on teacher-led classes. Teaching these classes was considered complicated because of the size of the classes (the number of students per class oscillated between 90 and 120). Starting in academic years 2005-06 and 2006-07, a project got underway to improve the learning conditions and students' performance by updating the teaching methods, applying a new teaching model for APB and developing new teaching and audiovisual materials. The results show that the goals were amply reached, the students have very highly rated this new approach, and the number of students who both sat for and passed the courses has also risen considerably

Information impact on consumers' perceptions towards aquaculture : Dismantling the myth about feeds for farmed fish

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICAquaculture products are commonplace in markets around the world. However, despite efforts to minimize the negative perceptions towards aquaculture, several misbeliefs or myths still persist, and thus globally consumers tend to value wild fish more highly than farmed fish. The lack of information has been shown to be one of the most important causes of this preference, driving buying decisions to be more emotional than rational. The aim of this study was to determine whether scientific-supported information contrasting one myth could contribute to a better perception of farmed products. To that end, consensus on a series of aquaculture-related issues among different scientists, external experts, and aquaculture societies was used to build up the scientific information. This information was provided to 300 Spanish consumers using two different communication tools (150 consumers each tool): an interactive web documentary and a written and printed document, to detect possible differences in the change of consumers' perception. Consumers were asked for their degree of agreement on a set of 14 statements before and after providing the scientific information. A variable collecting the assessment of each of the statements was calculated as the Overall-perception. Possible significant differences between the scores before and after providing the information and for the 'overall perception' were analysed separately for each communication tool as well as for the combined sample. Possible relationship between the consumers' perception with the sociodemographic factors, the consumers' knowledge and the fish consumption habits were also assessed. Results show that consumer's perception of aquaculture before the query were moderate (5.6 average in a 0 to 10 scale) but that it increased slightly but significantly and regardless of the communication tool used. Among sociodemographic factors, age and gender were the ones that most influenced consumer's perceptions, being older people those who exhibited a generally more positive opinion towards aquaculture. The effects of consumption habits and knowledge about aquaculture were also the two most explicative factors for change in perception. Importantly, the opinion of consumers with less knowledge about seafood products in general and production methods or consuming only wild fish products, improved after being exposed to the information. These results demonstrate the utility of science- and fact-based communication campaigns to improve the societal perception of aquaculture practices and products, regardless of the tool used to transmit this information

Anthropogenic pollutants in Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the NW Mediterranean Sea : Uptake assessment and potential impact on health

Altres ajuts: Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Agricultura ARP059/19/00003 ; Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MAltres ajuts: acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICAnthropogenic pollution is considered one of the main threats to the marine environment, and there is an imperious need to assess its potential impact on ecologically and economically relevant species. This study characterises plastic ingestion and tissue levels of potentially toxic metallic elements in Nephrops norvegicus and their simultaneous levels in abiotic compartments from three locations of the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). A multidisciplinary assessment of the health condition of N. norvegicus through condition indices, enzymatic biomarkers and histological techniques is provided, and its relationship with anthropogenic pollutant levels explored. Plastic fibres were commonly found in stomachs of N. norvegicus (85% of the individuals), with higher abundances (13 ± 21 fibres · ind) in specimens captured close to Barcelona. The presence of long synthetic fibres in near-bottom waters, as well as the mirroring trends in abundance among locations for water and ingested plastics, suggest that uptake from water may be occurring potentially through suspension feeding. The spatial variability in the levels of metallic elements in N. norvegicus was poorly correlated to the variability in sediments. In any case, present levels in abdominal muscle are considered safe for human consumption. Levels of ingested plastics only showed significant, yet weak, correlations with glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities. However, no other health parameter analysed showed any trend potentially associated to anthropogenic pollutant levels. Neither the condition indices nor the histopathological assessment evidenced any signs of pathologic conditions affecting N. norvegicus. Thus, it was concluded that presently there is no evidence of a negative impact of the studied pollutants on the health condition of N. norvegicus in the studied grounds

Aquaculture perceptions in the Barcelona metropolitan area from fish and seafood wholesalers, fishmongers, and consumers

Aquaculture provides more than half of the global seafood production and offers a wide diversity of high-quality products. However, its social acceptability is still not well established. The goal of this study was to determine the perceptions of aquaculture by different stakeholders along the seafood value chain in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The methodology used was based on a two-phase qualitative approach: the nominal group technique (NGT) and the Delphi survey. In the NGT phase, three groups, wholesalers, fishmongers and consumers, the latter divided into two subgroups according to the frequency of consumption of seafood, were used to collect and rank positive and negative perceptions about aquaculture. This information was subsequently used to build the questionnaire for the Delphi survey, which involved a group of experts from the board of the Wholesalers' Association, Fishmongers' Guild board and consumers' associations. Results showed that among the different stakeholders the highest concordance in positive aspects of aquaculture products included market issues and the stable quality of farmed products. On the other hand, the highest concordance in negative aspects included the lack of sufficient information about aquaculture, which was a serious issue for all stakeholders, and quality. Globally, animal welfare and environmental impact issues were not of much concern, although they included some minor positive and negative perceptions. The diversity of opinions among experts on certain aspects further emphasizes the need for more information, as they could have a potential role as information prescribers to consumers. We argue that information campaigns can take advantage of the positive perception of market issues (convenience, price, diversity) and quality stability to create a favourable predisposition towards aquaculture and thus help to introduce other problems in which perceptions generate a stronger debate. In communication or marketing campaigns, it is essential to highlight the quality and safety of farmed products, with a particular emphasis on the quality of fish feed as a guarantee of optimal nutritional and organoleptic properties of aquaculture products. Welfare and environment generate minor negative perceptions, so they should appear in campaigns, with a firm focus on the sustainability of the aquaculture sector, to improve its general image. In summary, the results of this study contribute to identifying the most relevant aspects to be taken into account to improve the public perception of aquaculture in the Barcelona area and may be of help in the design of similar efforts elsewhere.Postprint (updated version

Proposta metodológica para exame, registo e representação gráfica dos brocados aplicados

La falta de una fórmula común entre los profesionales y estudiosos que trabajan con los brocados aplicados ha llevado al grupo de trabajo europeo de especialistas en escultura policromada a definir un procedimiento para el examen, registro y representación gráfica que permita profundizar en el estudio de esta delicada y frágil técnica a través de una información normalizada. Este trabajo recoge los aspectos del brocado aplicado que han de ser examinados; cómo éstos pueden ser recogidos y registrados atendiendo a las condiciones y estrategias más inocuas para la obra y propone, por último, un procedimiento para su representación gráfica.The lack of a common formula among professionals and scholars for the study of applied brocades has led the European working group of specialists in polychrome sculpture to define a standardized procedure for examination, registration and graphic representation that allows a deeper understanding of this delicate and fragile technique. This work gathers the aspects of the applied brocade that have to be examined; how these can be collected and registered according to the most harmless conditions and strategies and proposes a procedure for their graphic representation.A falta de uma fórmula comum entre os profissionais e estudiosos que trabalham com brocados aplicados levou o grupo de trabalho europeu de especialistas em escultura policromada a definir um procedimento de exame, registo e representação gráfica que permita aprofundar o estudo desta delicada e frágil técnica através de uma informação normalizada. Este trabalho reúne os aspetos do brocado aplicado que devem ser examinados; como estes podem ser recolhidos e registados de acordo com as condições e estratégias mais inócuas para a obra e propõe, por fim, um procedimento para a sua representação gráfica