Article
Ecology
Eneko Bachiller, Joan Gimenez, Marta Albo-Puigserver, Maria Grazia Pennino, Neus Mari-Mena, Antonio Esteban, Elena Lloret-Lloret, Jose Maria Bellido, Marta Coll
Summary: The study suggests that potential competition for food resources exists between round sardinella and European sardine and anchovy, but they exhibit similar predation capabilities on large krill in spring, and their overlapping utilization of nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes in food sources.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oscar Aznar-Alemany, Berta Sala, Karl J. Jobst, Eric J. Reiner, Asuncion Borrell, Alex Aguilar, Ethel Eljarrat
Summary: The levels of PBDEs in the muscle of striped dolphins from the Mediterranean Sea decreased by about 60% over three decades, with BDE-47, -99, -154, -100, and -153 as the main contributors. Additionally, alpha-HBCD was found in the majority of samples and remained stable over time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donna Dimarchopoulou, Ioannis Keramidas, Georgios Sylaios, Athanassios C. Tsikliras
Summary: The study revealed that the exploitation of Mediterranean Sea fisheries is no longer sustainable, resulting in the alteration of marine ecosystems due to overexploitation. While overall catches were declining, the pattern of exploitation and state of fish stocks varied among subdivisions, with the Levantine Sea and Sardinia showing a better status.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre J. Gannier, Gilles Boyer, Adrien C. Gannier
Summary: The striped dolphin is the most abundant cetacean species in the western Mediterranean Sea, but its habitat use has significantly decreased due to intense motorboat traffic. This study suggests that motorboat traffic is a likely contributing factor to the observed partial habitat loss of striped dolphins.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karen A. Stockin, Gabriel E. Machovsky-Capuska, Emily I. Palmer, Christophe Amiot
Summary: This study investigates the link between metals and nutrition in common dolphins from New Zealand, specifically focusing on the differences in prey composition and nutrient intake between immature and mature dolphins. The results suggest that the interaction between nutrients and metals varies depending on the sexual maturity of the dolphins. The findings have implications for understanding the impact of marine pollution, environmental fluctuations, and climate change on nutritional and trace metal interactions in marine predators during different reproductive stages.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fany Sardenne, Thomas Raynon, Jean-Marie Munaron, Carl D. van der Lingen, Oumar Sadio, Khady Diop, Pablo Brosset, Christophe Lebigre, Philippe Soudant, Marie Vagner, Laure Pecquerie
Summary: The use of a global model for the Clupeiformes produces more accurate corrected δ13C values than species-specific models. At the order level, the linear model outperforms the mass-balance model.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joan Gimenez, Silvia Puigarnau, Eric Moran, Antoni Lombarte, Maria Jose Gomez-Vives, Marta Coll, Joan Navarro
Summary: The study suggests that a reduction in the biomass of key forage fish species in the western Mediterranean Sea could impact the trophic preferences of the little tunny, leading to changes in its diet composition and prey consumption habits. These changes may be influenced by the decrease in the body size and biomass of anchovy and sardine, causing an increase in the consumption of alternative prey by the little tunny.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tommaso Valente, Maria Letizia Costantini, Giulio Careddu, Daniela Berto, Raffaella Piermarini, Federico Rampazzo, Alice Sbrana, Cecilia Silvestri, Daniele Ventura, Marco Matiddi
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between microplastic ingestion and the trophic ecology of three pelagic fish species from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Results show that different fish species play different ecological roles and that microplastic ingestion is influenced by the trophic position of the fish. The study provides new insights into the impact of microplastic contamination on the pelagic community.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Odei Garcia-Garin, Asuncion Borrell, Pere Colomer-Vidal, Morgana Vighi, Nuria Trilla-Prieto, Alex Aguilar, Manel Gazo, Begona Jimenez
Summary: This study investigates the biomagnification of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in striped dolphins in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea and examines the temporal trends of PFAS concentrations over the past three decades. The results show that PFAS, especially the long-chain compounds, have bioaccumulated in dolphins and may have potential health effects. The findings contribute to the understanding of PFAS pollution in marine ecosystems and can support future ecological risk assessments and management strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Philippe S. Munyandamutsa, Wilson L. Jere, Daud Kassam, Austin Mtethiwa
Summary: Local adaptation to the littoral and pelagic zones in two cichlid haplochromine fish species from Lake Kivu was investigated using morphometrics. Cranial variation, inferred jaw mechanics, kinematic transmission of the anterior jaw four-bar linkage, and inferred bite force were all found to exhibit habitat-specific differences. Additionally, sex-specific differences in craniofacial morphology were observed, with males showing longer heads than females in both habitats. Further studies on other Lake Kivu fish species are recommended to explore the observed trophic patterns and their genetic basis of divergences.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Silvia Bonizzoni, Nina Luisa Santostasi, Lavinia Eddy, Melissa Ann Riley, Mariana Ferreira da Silveira, Bernd Wursig, Giovanni Bearzi
Summary: This study investigates the social structure of striped dolphins in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, and finds that the population has larger group sizes and a high degree of social cohesion, possibly due to geographic isolation. These findings are important for the conservation and management of this endangered population, which is also a designated Important Marine Mammal Area within the European Union.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rosa Canales-Caceres, Francisco Gomariz-Castillo, Francisco Alonso-Sarria, Isabel Abel, Francisca Gimenez-Casalduero
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of striped dolphins in the Gulf of Mazarrón. The dolphins were usually found in medium-sized groups, although the group size decreased during the years 2006-2007. The results showed that oceanographic factors, such as geomorphometry and sea currents, played an important role in determining the distribution of the dolphins.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Chia-Ting Chen, Francois Carlotti, Mireille Harmelin-Vivien, Benoit Lebreton, Gael Guillou, Laura Vassallo, Marjorie Le Bihan, Daniela Banaru
Summary: The diet and trophic interactions of seven species of planktivorous fishes in the Bay of Marseille were studied. The study analyzed the taxonomic composition and size distribution of prey using stomach content analysis and continuous zooplankton sampling. The results showed differences in food composition and prey size among species, and suggested potential trophic competition between Engraulidae and Clupeidae.
Article
Ecology
Joan Gimenez, Matthieu Authier, Julio Valeiras, Esther Abad, Ana Marcalo, Marta Coll, Pauline Gauffier, M. Begona Santos, Renaud de Stephanis
Summary: Common dolphins in the Alboran Sea consume around 3.35 kg of food per day, including commercially valuable fish species, potentially leading to conflicts with the local fisheries.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Guelson Batista Silva, Lisa Elma Ailloud, Justin Monin Amande, Rafael Ferreira Muniz, Fabio Hissa Vieira Hazin, Doug Beare
Summary: This study explores the potential of plastic dart tags in studying trophic relationships and provides novel information on predation and cannibalism by tropical tunas in the Atlantic Ocean through observations of stomach contents and direct observations onboard tagging vessels.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Odei Garcia-Garin, Wissam Sahyoun, Sopheak Net, Morgana Vighi, Alex Aguilar, Baghdad Ouddane, Gisli A. Vikingsson, Valerie Chosson, Asuncion Borrell
Summary: In this study, the concentration of phthalates in the muscle tissue of fin whales from the feeding grounds off western Iceland was assessed. Five out of the 13 investigated phthalates were detected, with di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethylphthalate (DEP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) being the most abundant. The study found no significant relationship between phthalate concentrations and biological variables or changes over the 29-year period studied.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Bas, Angelica M. Tivoli, Ivan Briz i Godino, Monica Salemme, Fernando Santiago, Juan Bautista Belardi, Florencia Borella, Damian G. Vales, Enrique A. Crespo, Luis Cardona
Summary: This study compares the delta N-15 values and trophic position of two seabird species during the late Holocene. The results demonstrate that modern seabirds have higher delta N-15 values compared to their ancient counterparts in three regions. The temporal variability is likely influenced by changes in food availability and migratory patterns.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
L. Cardona, J. San Martin, L. Benito, J. Tomas, E. Abella, J. Eymar, M. Aguilera, J. A. Esteban, A. Tarrago, A. Marco
Summary: The ranges of many species are shifting poleward as global warming intensifies, but this process might be less intense in philopatric species, i.e. those with the tendency to reproduce at their natal sites. Marine turtles are highly philopatric and their vulnerability to global warming is exacerbated by aspects of their life history. Increased detection of nesting events in the Western Mediterranean Sea could be a response to global warming or increased sampling effort. Temperature data studies in Spanish beaches reveal that sand temperature is currently high enough for the incubation of loggerhead turtle clutches, but suitable conditions for regular nesting have only existed since 2010. The future establishment of a self-sustained population would require further temperature increases, but this process may be threatened by sea level rise impacts.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Massimiliano Drago, Celia Llorach, Unai Ormazabal Santa Cruz, Lisette Zenteno-Devaud, Lorena Rebolledo, Diego Rita, Manel Gazo, Luis Cardona
Summary: This study used stable isotope ratios in whiskers and blood of young and subadult male Antarctic fur seals to investigate their diet. The results showed that Antarctic fur seals rely predominantly on Antarctic krill year-round, with penguins as their secondary prey. These findings highlight the importance of considering the dietary reliance of young and subadult male Antarctic fur seals in ecosystem-based fisheries management.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Luis Cardona, Olga Renones, Adam Gouraguine, Fabiana Saporiti, Asuncion Borrell, Alex Aguilar, Joan Moranta
Summary: This study examines the impact of fishery exploitation on the trophic structure of carnivorous fish. The research was conducted in the Mediterranean Sea and the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, comparing areas open to fishing with marine protected areas (MPAs). Results indicate that fishing has a significant impact on the biomass and size structure of carnivorous fish, but does not affect the diversity of trophic resources, resource partitioning, or trophic redundancy. These findings suggest that MPAs may not be able to restore the original food web structure in fished seascapes.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandra Cani, Luis Cardona, Meica Valdivia, Enrique M. Gonzalez, Massimiliano Drago
Summary: By analyzing the sulfur (δS-34) and oxygen (δO-18) isotopic ratios in bone, the study reveals the habitat use of seven marine mammal species inhabiting the Rio de la Plata estuary and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. The integration of different stable isotope ratios helps to better delineate habitat partitioning between marine mammals in this complex ecosystem, providing valuable insights into their role in the ecosystem.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Maria Bas, Monica Salemme, Fernando Santiago, Ivan Briz I. Godino, Myrian Alvarez, Luis Cardona
Summary: This study aims to assess changes in marine fish consumption patterns by hunter-fisher-gatherer populations in the context of environmental change. It used stable isotope analysis and zooarchaeological quantitative analysis to investigate changes in fish consumption over time. The results revealed that changes in physical environment and the distribution of fish species led to variations in fish consumption patterns among hunter-fisher-gatherer populations during the Late Holocene.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Laura Stukonyte, Asuncion Borrell, Massimiliano Drago, Christina Lockyer, Gisli Vikingsson, Alex Aguilar
Summary: The effect of formic acid etching on stable C and N isotope ratios in sperm whale teeth dentine is investigated in this study. The results show that there are significant differences in the values of both elements between untreated and etched samples. Linear regression models are developed to estimate untreated values from etched half-sections.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Borrell, O. Garcia-Garin, A. Aguilar, M. Vighi, M. Valdivia, E. M. Gonzalez, D. Paez-Rosas, M. Drago
Summary: This study analyzed the aluminum concentrations in the bone of 10 species of marine mammals inhabiting different geographic areas with varying aluminum inputs. The results showed unusually high concentrations of aluminum in marine mammal bone compared to terrestrial animals, with the lowest concentrations in the Galapagos archipelago, followed by the Rio de la Plata estuary and Mauritania. The source of aluminum varied between regions, with anthropogenic sources dominating in the Rio de la Plata estuary and natural sources (wind-blown dust) in Mauritanian waters. The type of source determined the contamination levels, with anthropogenic sources being more significant for coastal species and declining with distance from the shoreline.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonios D. Mazaris, Charalampos Dimitriadis, Maria Papazekou, Gail Schofield, Aggeliki Doxa, Anastasia Chatzimentor, Oguz Turkozan, Stelios Katsanevakis, Aphrodite Lioliou, Sara Abalo-Morla, Mustapha Aksissou, Antonella Arcangeli, Vincent Attard, Hedia Attia El Hili, Fabrizio Atzori, Eduardo J. Belda, Lobna Ben Nakhla, Ali A. Berbash, Karen A. Bjorndal, Annette C. Broderick, Juan A. Caminas, Onur Candan, Luis Cardona, Ilija Cetkovic, Nabigha Dakik, Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia, Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos, Salih Diryaq, Costanza Favilli, Caterina Maria Fortuna, Wayne J. Fuller, Susan Gallon, Abdulmaula Hamza, Imed Jribi, Manel Ben Ismail, Yiannis Kamarianakis, Yakup Kaska, Kastriot Korro, Drosos Koutsoubas, Giancarlo Lauriano, Bojan Lazar, David March, Adolfo Marco, Charikleia Minotou, Jonathan R. Monsinjon, Nahla M. Naguib, Andreas Palialexis, Vilma Piroli, Karaa Sami, Bektas Sonmez, Laurent Sourbes, Dogan Sozbilen, Frederic Vandeperre, Pierre Vignes, Michail Xanthakis, Vera Kopsel, Myron A. Peck
Summary: As climate-related impacts threaten marine biodiversity globally, it is important to adjust conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Translating scientific knowledge into practical management is often complicated due to resource, economic and policy constraints, generating a knowledge-action gap. However, this study in the Mediterranean region demonstrates successful convergence of perceptions among key actors regarding prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures for marine turtle conservation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andres Moreira-Mendieta, Odei Garcia-Garin, Juan Pablo Munoz-Perez, Diego O. Urquia, Massimiliano Drago, Asuncion Borrell, Diego Paez-Rosas
Summary: Marine debris pollution, primarily plastics, poses a global threat to biodiversity. A study on the Galapagos sea lion found a significant presence of microplastics in their scat, mainly in the form of fibers. These findings establish a baseline framework for future research and management actions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Odei Garcia-Garin, Asuncion Borrell, Pere Colomer-Vidal, Morgana Vighi, Nuria Trilla-Prieto, Alex Aguilar, Manel Gazo, Begona Jimenez
Summary: This study investigates the biomagnification of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in striped dolphins in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea and examines the temporal trends of PFAS concentrations over the past three decades. The results show that PFAS, especially the long-chain compounds, have bioaccumulated in dolphins and may have potential health effects. The findings contribute to the understanding of PFAS pollution in marine ecosystems and can support future ecological risk assessments and management strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)