Records of predatory, con-specific and human induced mauls on fish from the Northeast Atlantic and Black Sea

Present study aims to describe records of mauled and con-specific injures in various fish inhabiting different environment and to discuss possible impacts on fish behavior and ontogenesis. The fish specimens were collected from the Black Sea and Azores Islands (NE Atlantic). Individuals of European flounder, Pleuronectes flesus, common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca and turbot, Scophthalmus maximus with missing dorsal and caudal fins and flesh, were found in the Black Sea. Specimens with severe mauls of the ocean sunfish, Mola mola, almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana and sargo, Diplodus sargus were recorded from the Azores Islands. All of them were caught alive and survived severe mauls caused by predators or by accidents with propellers, fishing nets. The NE Atlantic records, although possibly caused by natural predation, are more probably than not the result of negative interactions with human activity. Numerous records of mauled fish species from both regions show that the problem with adverse effects of fisheries is quite important. Predatory and con-specific injuries obviously are compatible with basic fish vital functions of described cases. The problem with negative anthropogenic interactions seems to be insufficiently investigated and need more attention by responsible managers and decision makers

Notas sobre os hábitos alimentares e comportamento predatório do mero, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) (Pisces: Serranidae) nos Açores

Entre 1992 e 1995, foram colhidos e examinados 57 exemplares de E. marginatus da ilha Terceira. Os seus comprimentos totais variaram entre 60 e 138 cm com duas categorias de tamanho. O coeficiente de vacuidade observado foi de 44,0% para exemplares de médio porte e 31,3% para grandes exemplares. As presas predominantes foram o polvo comum e peixes. Duas posturas de caça diferentes foram observadas e são descritas.ABSTRACT: Between 1992 and 1995, 57 individuals of E. marginatus were collected near Terceira Island. Their sizes ranged from 60 to 138 cm, total length, with two size categories. Stomach contents were analysed. Vacuity coefficient was 44,0% for medium size specimens and 31,3% for large specimens. Octopus and fishes were the dominant prey. Two different hunting postures were also observed and described

Etograma de Parablennius sanguinolentus parvicornis (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1836) (Pisces: Blenniidae) dos Açores

No presente artigo concentramo-nos no etograma qualitativo de Parablennius sanguinolenrus parvicomis. O etograma inclui a descrição de cerca de quarenta padrões de comportamento ilustrados por desenhos baseados cm registos vídeo e fotografias. Os aspectos mais distinctivos do etograma, em contraste com outras espécies intertidais, são: i) a capacidade dos indivíduos para nadarem distâncias superiores a 1 metro sem contacto com o rundo. ii) a formação, pelo macho parental, de uma clareira em frente e à volta da entrada do ninho. iii) a incidência de padrões de comportamento com elevação do corpo em relação ao fundo (altamente conspícuo na natação sinal, mas também presente em muitas das actividades em que a natação é utilizada como modo de locomoção).ABSTRACT: This paper describes the ethogram of Parablennius sanguinolentus parvicomis. The ethogram includes the description of around forty patterns of behaviour illustrated by drawings mostly prepared from video recordings and photographs. The most distinctive features of the ethogram, by contrast with other common intertidal species, are: i) the capacity of the individuals to swim distances over 1 metre al one go, ii) the formation of a clearing in front of or around the nest entrance by the parental male, iii) the incidence of patterns or behaviour that elevate the body in relation to the bottom (highly conspicuous in signal swimming, but a150 present in all sets of activities in which swimming is used as a mode of locomotion)

Ensaios de penetração nos solos graníticos da região norte de Portugal: Algumas correlações

Foram realizados ensaios SPT, DPH, DPL e CPT nos solos graníticos em vários locais urbanos da Região Norte de Portugal, essencialmente do Porto, Braga e Guimarães. Obtiveram-se correlações entre resultados dos ensaios SPT-DPH; CPT-DPL; CPT-DPH e DPH-DPL, que são apresentadas. Para a correlação SPT-DPH os resultados do penetrómetro usado foram convertidos nos do penetrómetro indicado no Eurocódigo 7 (parte 3) com vista a uma normalização. Os resultados do SPT foram afectados do factor profundidade segundo a regra prevista no mesmo Eurocódigo (EC7). Os resultados das correlações (lineares) foram obtidos usando o conhecido programa para computador SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Faz-se a discussão deles no fim do trabalho. Fazem-se também considerações sobre a aplicação dos resultados dos ensaios penetrométricos à determinação das características de resistência e de rigidez dos solos ensaiados

Marine Fishes of the Azores : annotated checklist and bibliography : a catalogue of the Azorean marine ichthyodiversity

A list of the marine fishes of the Azores is presented. The list is based on a review of the literature combined with an examination of selected specimens available from collections of Azorean fishes deposited in museums, including the collection of fish at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores (Horta). Personal information collected over several years is also incorporated. The geographic area considered is the Economic Exclusive Zone of the Azores. The list is organised in Classes, Orders and Families according to Nelson (1994). The scientific names are, for the most part, those used in Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (FNAM) (Whitehead et al. 1989), and they are organised in alphabetical order within the families. Clofnam numbers (see Hureau & Monod 1979) are included for reference. Information is given if the species is not cited for the Azores in FNAM. Vernacular names are always both presented in Portuguese (Azorean names) and English. Synonyms, misspellings and misidentifications found in the literature in reference to the occurrence of species in the Azores are also quoted. The 460 species listed, belong to 142 families; 12 species are cited for the first time for the Azores. Details are given for 23 other species cited for the first time for the Azores in the Red Book of Portuguese Vertebrates (ICN 1993). Fifty-four ambiguous and/or exceptional occurrences are included in an appendix. A second appendix contains the remaining corrections to the checklist of fish included in ICN (1993). The paper concludes with a synthesis and an annotated indexed bibliography of the marine fishes of the Azores. Most references are available through the library of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores.The publication of the present work was funded by the Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT)- Lisboa. The research was made possible through grants received from Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Pescas-Horta (Açores), INVOTAN- Lisboa, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian- Lisboa, Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento- Lisboa. The work was developed at the Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas of the Universidade dos Açores

Le parasite isopode, Anilocra physodes, nouvelle source de nourriture pour le poisson lézard Synodus saurus (Synodontidae)

Copyright © 2015 Société Française d'Ichtyologie.During a wide project carried out on the behavior and reproduction of the Atlantic lizardfish Synodus saurus in the Azores (NE Atlantic), specimens of the ectoparasitic isopod Anilocra physodes were discovered in various stomachs contents of these piscivorous predatory fish. This intriguing result allowed us to conclude for the first time that fish species can ingest their own parasites, which becomes doubly beneficial, since it releases them from para- sites but it is also a new food source.RÉSUMÉ: Au cours de différents travaux menés sur le comportement et la reproduction du poisson lézard de l’Atlantique, Synodus saurus, aux Açores (Atlantique NE), des ectoparasites isopodes, Anilocra physodes, ont été découverts dans divers contenus stomacaux de ces prédateurs piscivores. Ce résultat intriguant nous a permis de conclure pour la première fois que des espèces de poissons peuvent ingérer leurs propres parasites, ce qui peut être doublement bénéfi- que pour eux, qui, tout en s’en libérant, disposent d’une nouvelle source de nourriture

Seasonal changes in a sandy beach fish assemblage at Canto Grande, Santa Catarina, South Brazil

Copyright © 2004 Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF).Neste trabalho realizaramse amostragens, com uma rede de praia, de modo a estudar a comunidade de peixes de substrato arenoso na enseada de Canto Grande, Santa Catarina, Brasil. As amostragens realizaramse em intervalos de 3 horas durante períodos de 24 h, numa base bimensal, entre Abril de 1996 e Fevereiro de 1997. Verificouse existir uma variação sazonal no número de espécies, densidade de peixes e biomassa, tendo os valores mais elevados ocorrido em Fevereiro (38 espécies, 257.6 peixes 1000 mˉ², 2286.4 g 1000 mˉ²). Recolheuse um total de 67 espécies, pertencentes a 56 géneros e a 33 famílias, sendo a comunidade dominada por sete espécies pertencentes a três famílias: Atherinella brasiliensis (Atherinidae); Brevoortia pectinata, Harengula clupeola e Sardinella brasiliensis (Clupeidae); Anchoviella lepidontostole, Cetengraulis edentulus e Lycengraulis grossidens (Engraulidae). Tanto a diversidade de espécies (H′) como a equitabilidade (J′) foram médias a elevadas ao longo do ano devido à baixa dominância. A maior mudança na estrutura da comunidade ocorreu entre os meses de Inverno (Julho e Agosto) e as outras estações. Nenhuma das espécies dominantes pode ser classificada como residente. Os principais predadores foram Pomatomus saltator (Inverno) e Trichiurus lepturus (Verão). A maior parte das espécies observadas foram ou peixes juvenis ou espécies pelágicas de pequeno tamanho e fortemente gregárias.ABSTRACT: A shallow-water fish assemblage, over a soft, sandy bottom, at Canto Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, was sampled with a beach seine. Sampling was undertaken at 3 h intervals over 24 h on a bimonthly basis between April 1996 and February 1997. There was a seasonal variation in the number of species, density of fishes and biomass with the highest values in February (38 species, 257.6 fish 1000 mˉ², 2286.4 g 1000 mˉ²). A total of 67 species, belonging to 56 genera and 33 families were collected and the assemblage was dominated by seven species belonging to three families: Atherinella brasiliensis (Atherinidae); Brevoortia pectinata, Harengula clupeola and Sardinella brasiliensis (Clupeidae); Anchoviella lepidontostole, Cetengraulis edentulus and Lycengraulis grossidens (Engraulidae). Species diversity (H′) and equitability (J′) were medium to high throughout the year due to the low dominance. The largest change in the assemblage structure occurred between winter months (July and August) and the other seasons. None of the dominant species can be classified as a resident. Main predators were Pomatomus saltator (winter) and Trichiurus lepturus (summer). Most of the species observed were either juvenile fish or small pelagic and strongly gregarious species

A 3D printed drug delivery implant formed from a dynamic supramolecular polyurethane formulation

Using a novel molecular design approach, we have prepared a thermo-responsive supramolecular polyurethane as a matrix material for use in drug eluting implants. The dynamic supramolecular polyurethane (SPU) is able to self-assemble through hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions, resulting in an addressable polymer network with a relatively low processing temperature. The mechanical properties of the SPU demonstrated the material was self-supporting, stiff, yet flexible thus making it suitable for hot-melt extrusion processing, inclusive of related 3D printing approaches. Cell-based toxicity assays revealed the SPU to be non-toxic and therefore a viable candidate as a biocompatible polymer for implant applications. To this end, the SPU was formulated with paracetamol (16 %w/w) and 4 wt% or 8 wt% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an excipient and hot melt extruded at 100 °C to afford a 3D printed prototype implant to explore the extended drug release required for an implant and the potential manipulation of the release profile. Furthermore, rheological, infra-red spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the chemical and physical properties and compatibility of the formulation components. Successful release of paracetamol was achieved from in vitro dissolution studies and it was predicted that the drug would be released over a period of up to 8.5 months with hydrophilic PEG being able to influence the release rate. This extended release time is consistent with applications of this novel dynamic polymer as a drug eluting implant matrix

Juvenile Sphyraena viridensis, preyed by the lizard fish Synodus saurus. A new predatory association from the Azores

Copyright © 2008 Société Française d’Ichtyologie.Les juvéniles de Sphyraena viridensis, proies de Synodus saurus, une nouvelle association prédateur-proie aux Açores. Au cours d’un travail sur l’écologie (comportement, alimentation et reproduction) du poisson lézard, Synodus saurus, aux Açores (Atlantique NE) nous avons découvert, dans plusieurs contenus stomacaux, des exemplaires postlarvaires et des juvéniles de la bécune à bouche jaune Sphyraena viridensis. Non seulement cette découverte nous a permis d’obtenir, pour la première fois, des postlarves de cette espèce de barracuda mais nous avons réussi à décrire une action de prédation d’un poisson épibenthique envers une espèce pélagique

Preliminary notes on the reproductive biology of the lizardfish, Synodus saurus (Actynopterygii: Synodontidae) in the Azores

Copyright © 2003 Société Française d’Ichtyologie.Between March and November 2000, 307 specimens of the lizardfish Synodus saurus (Linnaeus 1758) were captured on several coastal areas of Terceira Island, Azores. This species is an important coastal epibenthic predator. Although common, its biology, namely its reproduction, is virtually unknown. During the study period, 206 females (155 mm to 460 mm TL) and 101 males (269 mm to 290 mm TL), were captured. Sex ratio was 2:1 with more males in June. Gonados-somatic Index (GSI) for females and males attained its maximum values during Spring and Summer, showing that these are the most intensive reproduction periods. Hepato-somatic Index (HSI) suggests that this species may well recur on body reserves for energy metabolization in gonad development. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary in order to confirm this assumption. Ovarian histology, presenting different oocytarian phases, indicates that this species has an asynchronous posture. The male increment of June, associated to higher GSI values, suggests that this could represent a moment of intense competition for females, within the studied area.RÉSUMÉ: Notes préliminaires sur la reproduction du poisson lézard, Synodus saurus (Actinopterygii : Synodontidae) aux Açores. Entre mars et novembre 2000, 307 poissons lézard, Synodus saurus (Linnaeus, 1758) ont été capturés à divers endroits de la côte de l’île Terceira, aux Açores. Cette espèce est un important prédateur épibenthique. Bien qu’elle soit une espèce assez commune, sa biologie, et surtout sa reproduction, est virtuellement inconnue. Pendant cette étude, 206 femelles (de 155 mm à 460 mm LT) et 101 mâles (de 269 à 290 mm LT) ont été capturés. Le sexe ratio était de 2:1, avec plus de mâles en juin. L’indice gonado-somatique (GSI) pour les femelles et les mâles, a atteint ses valeurs les plus élevées au printemps et en été, ce qui montre que ces mois constituent la période de reproduction la plus intense. L’indice hépato-somatique (HSI), indique que les réserves corporelles sont susceptibles d’être utilisées pour le développement des gonades. Cependant, cette hypothèse doit être confirmée par d’autres études. L’histologie de l’ovaire, qui présente des phases ovocitaires différentes, indique que S. saurus a une ponte asynchrone. L’augmentation du nombre de mâles en juin, associée aux valeurs plus élevées de GSI, suggère l’existence, à cette période, d’une intense compétition pour les femelles