Morphology and ecology of Achnanthidium caravelense (Bacillariophyceae), a new species from Portuguese rivers

A new benthic freshwater diatom species belonging to the genus Achnanthidium Kütz. has been recorded from several watercourses in the North of Portugal. Achnanthidium caravelense Novais et Ector is described as a new species based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations, as well as on its ecological preferences as reconstructed from field observations. The most characteristic morphological features of this species are the different outline of the raphe valve (narrowly elliptic with linear margins) and the rapheless valve (narrowly elliptic to narrowly rhombic with moderately convex margins), the non-protracted broadly rounded apices and the length/width ratio. Furthermore, the areolae of the single row along the mantle are elongated and are more or less widely open, which is a characteristic discernible in girdle view under light microscopy. The species that A.caravelense resembles most is A. eutrophilum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert.; nevertheless it can be distinguished from the latter by the different raphe valve outline, its higher valve length/width ratio and autecology. A. caravelense is common and abundant in soft waters with low to moderate nutrient content in the North of Portugal

A new common species Achnanthidium caravelense (Bacillariophyceae) discovered in the rivers of North of Portugal

Achnanthidium caravelense Novais et Ector is described as a new species based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations, as well as on its ecological preferences as reconstructed from field observations (Novais et al. 2011). The most characteristic morphological features of this species are the different outline of the raphe valve (narrowly elliptic with linear margins) and the rapheless valve (narrowly elliptic to narrowly rhombic with moderately convex margins), the non-protracted broadly rounded apices and the length/width ratio. Furthermore, the areolae of the single row along the mantle are elongated and are more or less widely open, which is a characteristic discernible in girdle view under light microscopy. A comparison with the morphologically similar species Achnanthes standeri Cholnoky, A. taiaensis J. R. Carter, Achnanthidium affine (Grunow) Czarn., A. eutrophilum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert., A. exile (Kütz.) Round et Bukht. and A. minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarn. revealed that the species that A. caravelense resembles most is A. eutrophilum. Nevertheless it can be distinguished from the latter by the different raphe valve outline, its higher valve length/width ratio and ecological preferences. Achnanthidium caravelense is characterized by a set of distinct morphological and ecological features that separate it well from all other similar Achnanthidium species and it is common and abundant in soft water rivers with low to moderate nutrient content in the North of Portugal. There is therefore a rather high probability that this species also occurs in other European countries in rivers with suitable conditions but this Achnanthidium has not yet been recorded due to probable misidentifications with A. eutrophilum or A. minutissimum

Pet food safety: emerging bacterial hazards and implications for public health

Bacterial hazards in pet food, especially in raw diets, are a current public health issue to both pets and humans. The most substantial body of evidence and consequent risk stems from food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella and bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics (e.g. colistin, third generation of cephalosporins, linezolid). State-of-the-art methods, particularly whole-genome sequencing, have been fundamental to link bacterial pathogens from pet food to human cases across different countries. While there are limited data on antimicrobial resistance, it is becoming increasingly evident that pet food can harbor multidrug-resistant bacteria, calling for increased vigilance within a One Health perspective, namely, by identifying transmission routes of pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to pet food. A concerted action involving veterinarians, regulatory agencies, pet food industry, and other stakeholders is required to promote the awareness of pet food potential hazards to mitigate public health risks

Quantum Magnetic Impurities in Magnetically Ordered Systems

We discuss the problem of a spin 1/2 impurity immersed in a spin S magnetically ordered background. We show that the problem maps onto a generalization of the dissipative two level system (DTLS) with two independent heat baths, associated with the Goldstone modes of the magnet, that couple to different components of the impurity spin operator. Using analytical perturbative renormalization group (RG) methods and accurate numerical renormalization group (NRG) we show that contrary to other dissipative models there is quantum frustration of decoherence and quasi-scaling even in the strong coupling regime. We make predictions for the behavior of the impurity magnetic susceptibility that can be measured in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Our results may also have relevance to quantum computation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Diatoms of temporary and permanent watercourses in Southern Europe (Portugal)

The potential importance of benthic diatoms in Mediterranean watercourses has received limited academic attention historically. This study sought to provide baseline information for this poorly studied group. Temporary and permanent watercourses in Portugal differ in catchment characteristics, climatic variables and water chemistry. The benthic diatom communities were characterized in terms of ecological preferences and conservation status for taxa with relative abundance above 1% in at least one site covering 39 temporary sites (109 taxa) and 53 permanent sites (130 taxa). The low-profile guild dominated both temporary and permanent watercourses, followed by the high-profile and motile guilds. Indicator value analysis indicated that Amphora copulata, Cocconeis placentula, Diploneis separanda, Encyonopsis subminuta, Fragilaria radians, Gomphonema olivaceum, Gomphonema truncatum, Halamphora veneta, Navicula radiosa, Navicula veneta, Sellaphora seminulum and Ulnaria acus were indicators of temporary watercourses, whereas Encyonema minutum, Eunotia minor, Fragilaria rumpens, Fragilaria cf. socia and Navicula rhynchocephala were characteristic of permanent watercourses. Ecological preferences of indicator taxa were inferred on the basis of environmental variables that differed significantly between temporary and permanent watercourses. The importance of temporary watercourses for the maintenance of diatom biodiversity is discussed and explored

Comparaison morphologique de deux nouvelles espèces de Geissleria du Tage (Portugal) avec le matériel type de Navicula acceptata Hustedt et N. schoenfeldii Hustedt

Lors d’un suivi des diatomées benthiques prélevées dans les cours d'eau du Portugal, deux espèces de Geissleria morphologiquement semblables à G. schoenfeldii (Hust.) Lange-Bert. & Metzeltin et G. acceptata (Hust.) Lange-Bert. & Metzeltin ont été trouvées en juillet 2006 dans le fleuve Tage à Amieira (Portugal). Certaines différences morphologiques ayant été constatées entre ces populations de Geissleria du Tage et les illustrations présentées dans la littérature, une étude en microscopie optique et électronique à balayage a été réalisée à partir des échantillons portugais et du matériel type de Navicula acceptata Hust. et Navicula schoenfeldii Hust. Les résultats de cette analyse ont permis une meilleure caractérisation des deux espèces de Hustedt, de définir leurs principales différences morphologiques par rapport aux deux populations de Geissleria du Tage et de conclure qu’elles peuvent être considérées comme des espèces nouvelles pour la science. La première espèce est semblable à G. schoenfeldii mais sa taille est plus réduite. La deuxième espèce ressemble à G. acceptata mais possède deux stigmas situés l’un en face de l’autre nettement visibles en microscopie optique

Current insights into the effects of cationic biocides exposure on Enterococcus spp.

Cationic biocides (CBs), such as quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanides, are critical for controlling the spread of bacterial pathogens like Enterococcus spp., a leading cause of multidrug-resistant healthcare-associated infections. The widespread use of CBs in recent decades has prompted concerns about the potential emergence of Enterococcus spp. populations exhibiting resistance to both biocides and antibiotics. Such concerns arise from their frequent exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of CBs in clinical, food chain and diverse environmental settings. This comprehensive narrative review aimed to explore the complexity of the Enterococcus response to CBs and of their possible evolution toward resistance. To that end, CBs activity against diverse Enterococcus spp. collections, the prevalence and roles of genes associated with decreased susceptibility to CBs, and the potential for co- and cross-resistance between CBs and antibiotics are reviewed. Significant methodological and knowledge gaps are identified, highlighting areas that future studies should address to enhance our comprehension of the impact of exposure to CBs on Enterococcus spp. populations epidemiology. This knowledge is essential for developing effective One Health strategies that ensure the continued efficacy of these critical agents in safeguarding Public Health.</jats:p

Unraveling the Role of Metals and Organic Acids towards Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has a significant global impact on human, animal, and environmental health. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in clinical and animal production settings are the main drivers behind the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. However, other compounds with antimicrobial activity may also contribute to this global public health problem. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide detailed insights into the impact of metals and organic acids on the emergence and spread of AMR in the food chain, for which their role is not fully understood. The review examines the widespread use of organic acids in the food industry as feed additives or disinfectants, the crucial role of copper in animal growth and the harmful effects of mercury and arsenic as pollutants in food-producing environments. Additionally, it explores the antimicrobial mechanisms of metals and organic acids, the tolerance mechanisms developed by bacteria, and the interplay between genes responsible for metal tolerance and AMR. The comprehensive and integrated data presented highlights the need to further explore and understand the role of metals and organic acids as drivers of AMR to develop well-defined strategies effectively mitigating the AMR crisis within the food chain context.</jats:p

Diversidade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em áreas revegetadas após a mineração de bauxita.

A contribuição da diversidade dos FMAs para manutenção da diversidade e funcionalidade de ecossistemas naturais tem sido pouco estudada. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a diversidade de FMAs em áreas revegetadas em diferentes momentos. Com base na morfologia de esporos 13 espécies distintas foram encontradas, com predomínio de espécies dos gêneros Glomus e Acaulospora. Glomus macrocarpum foi a espécies mais freqüente e abundante e as parcelas das áreas revegetadas nos anos de 1985A1, 1998A1, 2002-1, 2002A1, 2004FP e 2006-1 apresentaram os maiores valores do índice de diversidade Shannon. Não foi observada relação entre o tempo de revegtação e a diversidade de FMAs

Invasive bivalves in fresh waters : impacts from individuals to ecosystems and possible control strategies

Invasive bivalves may cause great ecological, evolutionary, and economic impacts in freshwater ecosystems. Species such as Corbicula fluminea, Dreissena bugensis, Dreissena polymorpha, Limnoperna fortunei, and Sinanodonta woodiana are widely distributed hyper-successful invaders, but several others not yet invasive (or at least not considered as such) may become so in the near future. These species can affect hydrology, biogeochemical cycling, and biotic interactions through several mechanisms, with impacts ranging from individuals to ecosystems. Freshwater invasive bivalves can create no-analog ecosystems, posing serious difficulties for management, but new techniques are becoming available which may enhance options to detect early introductions and mitigate impacts. Although knowledge about the biology of these bivalves has increased considerably in the last two decades, several fundamental gaps still persist; we suggest new research directions that are worth exploring in the near future.This study was conducted in the scope of the project "ECO-IAS", funded by the Portuguese Foundation for the Science and the Technology and COMPETE funds (Contract: PTDC/AAC-AMB/116685/2010)