Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Biton-Porsmoguer, Daniela Banaru, Mireille Harmelin-Vivien, Philippe Bearez, Marc Bouchoucha, Francoise Marco-Miralles, Montse Marques, Josep Lloret
Summary: This study aims to explore the links between trophic ecology, physiology, and eco-toxicology in swordfish, as well as the risk to humans associated with consuming these fish. The results indicate that swordfish in the NW Mediterranean may be facing unfavorable feeding and reproduction conditions due to their poor physical condition and high mercury accumulation levels in the trophic web.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Girolametti, Anna Annibaldi, Silvia Illuminati, Oliana Carnevali, Mila Varola, Cristina Truzzi
Summary: Swordfish, important marine predators, are facing potential mercury contamination. Italian swordfish specimens showed significantly higher mercury levels than Spanish specimens, with many samples exceeding safety limits. This study highlights the need for monitoring and mitigation strategies to reduce health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena Fernandez-Corredor, Luca Francotte, Ilaria Martino, Fernando A. Fernandez-Alvarez, Salvador Garcia-Barcelona, David Macias, Marta Coll, Francisco Ramirez, Joan Navarro, Joan Gimenez
Summary: This study reconstructed the diet of juvenile swordfish in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea using stomach content and stable isotope analyses. The results showed a dietary shift with increasing consumption of cephalopods and decreasing consumption of Gadiformes between 2012 and 2020. The findings highlight the generalist and opportunistic diet of Mediterranean swordfish.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Davide Mugetti, Elena Colombino, Vasco Menconi, Fulvio Garibaldi, Walter Mignone, Andrea Gustinelli, Marino Prearo, Franco Guarda, Maria Teresa Capucchio
Summary: Copepods of the genus Pennella are parasites commonly found in marine aquatic organisms, including economically important fish like tuna and swordfish. They typically infest the host's muscle without causing damage to internal organs, but can pose risks to food safety and animal health. The severity of cardiac lesions caused by Pennella sp. in swordfish raises concerns about the potential impact on both food safety and wildlife health.
Article
Fisheries
Remi Millot, Lucie Vanalderweireldt, Laure Finelli Sandolo, Eric D. H. Durieux
Summary: Accurate age estimation is crucial for understanding fish population dynamics and health, especially for larger billfish species. This study determined the most accurate aging estimation methods for swordfish and found that otolith sectioning provided the most consistent age estimates across different readers. Additionally, the study estimated growth parameters for female and male swordfish, highlighting significant differences in growth rates and providing important information for the conservation of Mediterranean swordfish populations.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Remi Millot, Francois Poisson, David Macias, Samar Saber, Antoine Aiello, Eric Dominique Henri Durieux
Summary: In this study, we investigated the reproductive biology of swordfish in Corsican waters and found that they have a reproductive period mainly from June to July, with a peak in July. During this time, female swordfish lay successive batches of eggs. These findings are crucial for the management of Mediterranean swordfish stocks.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonella Preti, Stephen M. Stohs, Gerard T. DiNardo, Camilo Saavedra, Ken MacKenzie, Leslie R. Noble, Catherine S. Jones, Graham J. Pierce
Summary: The feeding habits of broadbill swordfish in the California Current were studied by analyzing stomach contents collected from 2007 to 2014. The study found that the diet of swordfish mainly consisted of cephalopods, but also included teleosts. The importance of different prey items varied depending on body size, location, and year. Factors such as prey availability, distribution, and abundance were identified as potential influences on dietary variation.
Article
Fisheries
Brian R. MacKenzie, Piero Addis, Pietro Battaglia, Pierpaolo Consoli, Franco Andaloro, Gianluca Sara, Anders Nielsen, Teresa Romeo
Summary: Management of fish populations and ecosystems suffers from data and knowledge gaps. This study analyzed neglected fishery data for swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea and found that new data improves our understanding of swordfish ecology.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fany Sardenne, Remi Millot, Elodie Bessis, Eleonora Puccinelli, Antoine Bideau, Fabienne Le Grand, Eric Dominique Henri Durieux, Philippe Soudant
Summary: This study investigated the lipid composition during gonad development of swordfish. The results showed that lipid classes and fatty acid concentrations remained unchanged during testes maturation, but followed an inverted U-shaped relationship with ovarian maturation. Swordfish gonads might represent a good food source for humans.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francesco Corrias, Efisio Scano, Giorgia Sarais, Alberto Angioni
Summary: This study evaluated the application of traditional dry salting and wet industrial injection salting methods in swordfish fillets. The results showed that wet injection salting was suitable for processing swordfish fillets, resulting in products with homogeneous salt concentration and longer shelf-life.
Article
Food Science & Technology
N. Cobas, L. Pineiro-Lago, L. Gomez-Limia, I Franco, S. Martinez
Summary: Swordfish is an economically and nutritionally important fish. The canning process led to loss of some vitamins, particularly vitamin D-3 and B-9, but the vitamin E content increased due to the frying and filling oils. The study findings may contribute to increasing knowledge about how processing, storage, and the filling medium influence the composition of canned fish.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giorgia Gioacchini, Sara Filippi, Rossella Debernardis, Luca Marisaldi, Riccardo Aiese Cigliano, Oliana Carnevali
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the cross-talk among metabolism, stress response, immune system and reproduction in immature and mature female swordfish. Transcriptomic and histological analysis revealed that mature females have compromised detoxification capacity and immune system, indicating higher susceptibility to environmental stress and pollutants during the reproductive season.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pablo Dufflocq, Maria Angelica Larrain, Cristian Araneda
Summary: Research in Chile identified food fraud incidents in the swordfish market, with vulnerable shark species being mislabeled or substituted. It is recommended to raise stakeholder awareness on shark conservation, establish specific labeling regulations, and enforce them effectively with DNA-based methods.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Federica Di Giacinto, Ludovica Di Renzo, Giuseppina Mascilongo, Valentina Notarstefano, Giorgia Gioacchini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Tanja Bogdanovic, Sandra Petricevic, Eddy Listes, Mia Brkljaca, Federica Conti, Chiara Profico, Barbara Zambuchini, Gabriella Di Francesco, Carla Giansante, Gianfranco Diletti, Nicola Ferri, Miriam Berti
Summary: The Mediterranean Sea faces a significant threat from microplastics, polymers, and additives. These contaminants can be consumed by fish and accumulate in their tissues. This study measured the levels of microplastics (MPs), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), bisphenol A (BPA), and p-phthalic acid (PTA) in the edible muscles of swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Analysis revealed that both species had similar levels of plastic contamination, although the shapes, colors, pigments, and polymers of the microplastics differed.
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yingcong Guo, Xuefang Wang, Xiuzhen Li, Feng Wu, Jiangfeng Zhu
Summary: This study analyzes the at-haulback mortality and its influencing factors of swordfish caught by Chinese tuna longline fishing fleets in the Indian Ocean. The results show that factors such as quarter, longitude, hook type, and Lower Jaw-Fork Length (LJFL) have a significant effect on the at-haulback condition and mortality of swordfish. This study provides important information for the conservation and management of swordfish.
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Oriol Vidal, David Teira
BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Nuria Sanz, Oriol Vidal, Sergi Garcia, Rafael Molina, Rosa-Maria Araguas
Summary: The study discusses the population distribution and species identification methods of several hedgehog species on the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting the recent discovery of the introduced species A. albiventris in Europe. It also analyzes the gene diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the European hedgehog E. europaeus.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maria Luisa Dettori, Elena Petretto, Michele Pazzola, Oriol Vidal, Marcel Amills, Giuseppe Massimo Vacca
Article
Fisheries
Nuria Perez Bielsa, Judith Olle, David Macias, Samar Saber, Jordi Vinas
Summary: This study confirms, for the first time, the presence of three young individuals of bigeye tuna within the Mediterranean Sea.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Rosa-Maria Araguas, Oriol Vidal, Sergi Garcia, Nuria Sanz
Summary: Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and roadkill mortality are important threats to European hedgehogs. Genetic analysis on hedgehog populations in the Iberian Peninsula revealed the presence of two distinct groups, northwest and northeast, with three genetically different clusters identified in the northeast. The northwest group showed higher genetic diversity and more stability, while in the northeast, some populations were found to be isolated and vulnerable.
Review
Fisheries
Marta Caballero-Huertas, Xenia Frigola-Tepe, Marta Coll, Marta Munoz, Jordi Vinas
Summary: Achieving sustainable fisheries requires following biologically and ecologically relevant processes to avoid depletion of genetic diversity. Uncertainties exist regarding the genetic population structure and local adaptation processes of the European sardine, with variations in genetic markers' abilities observed. The study highlights a mismatch between genetic stocks and currently defined managed stocks.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Caballero-Huertas, M. Vargas-Yanez, X. Frigola-Tepe, J. Vinas, M. Munoz
Summary: This study analyzed the body condition and reproduction data of Sardina pilchardus and found that sardines from Southern Portugal-Gulf of Cadiz had higher energy reserves and better reproductive abilities compared to those from the Alboran Sea. The researchers suggested that mature individuals might migrate from the former area to the spawning areas in the latter.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marta Caballero-Huertas, Marialetizia Palomba, Xenia Frigola-Tepe, Marta Munoz, Simonetta Mattiucci, Jordi Vinas
Summary: In recent years, the condition of the European sardine has been declining and the link between ascaridoid nematode parasitisation and fish status is not well understood. This study analyzed sardines from the Mediterranean and Atlantic to identify and characterize different species of ascaridoids and found a relationship between parasite intensity and fish body condition. This study highlights the importance of seasonal parasitological analysis in different seasons and breeding conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nuria Sanz, Nati Franch, Rosa-Maria Araguas, Jordi Vinas, Oriol Vidal
Summary: The introduction of alien species is a major cause of biodiversity loss. The American bullfrog is considered one of the most harmful invasive species, posing a threat to native amphibians. This study developed an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay to detect the early invasion process of the American bullfrog in the Ebre Delta, Spain, where traditional methods have limited success. The eDNA assay proved to be highly sensitive, allowing for early detection and control of the invasive species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gloria Janelle Espinoza, Jaime R. Alvarado R. Bremer
Summary: Coastal wetlands worldwide are experiencing high rates of loss and degradation, leading to a reduction in diversity in faunal populations. This study characterizes the mitochondrial DNA diversity for three common faunal residents of salt marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Article
Fisheries
Xenia Frigola-Tepe, Marta Caballero-Huertas, Jordi Vinas, Marta Munoz
Summary: The study evaluated the health status of sardines on the Catalan Coast, finding significant impacts of thermal regimes on spawning dynamics, body condition, and parasite infection. Sardines from the northern area had better condition, earlier spawning, and lower parasite incidence, with seasonal variations in nematode load.
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Oriol Vidal, David Teira
Summary: Breeds are classifications of domestic animals that share a set of conventional phenotypic traits, and despite being unrelated to humans, they are considered social kinds. Expert definitions of breeds are based on socially learnt conventions and skills, enabling scientific predictions. The concept of a breed is necessary for their authenticity.
Article
Fisheries
Judith Olle-Vilanova, Nuria Perez-Bielsa, Rosa Maria Araguas, Nuria Sanz, Samar Saber, David Macias, Jordi Vinas
Summary: This study assessed the population structure of bullet tuna in the western and central Mediterranean Sea, and found significant genetic differences between an Iberian Peninsula-Strait of Gibraltar stock and a North African stock. These differences are likely caused by differences in reproductive strategies, highlighting the importance of considering genetic diversity in management plans.
Article
Fisheries
Marta Caballero-Huertas, Xenia Frigola-Tepe, Jordi Vinas, Marta Munoz
Summary: This study analyzed the condition and reproductive potential of European sardines in the Gulf of Trieste. The results showed opposite patterns between fat reserves and reproductive potential, suggesting the use of direct lipid indices for assessing their contribution to reproduction. Additionally, female sardines had better condition and more advanced gonadal development during spring and summer.
