Article
Fisheries
M. J. Kingsford, M. Byrne
Summary: Rocky reefs in NSW consist of kelp forests and urchin-grazed barrens, which support a diverse range of species. The presence of barrens habitat is determined by the feeding activities of herbivorous invertebrates, especially the black sea urchin. This habitat has remained stable for decades and is crucial for reef-based organisms. However, in Tasmania, the situation regarding the black sea urchin differs from that in NSW, and this should be considered in the management approach for this species in both states.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Jian, Ting Zhang, Liu Lin, Jinfang Xiong, Haitao Shi, Jichao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations of trace elements in green turtles and their habitats in the Xisha Islands of the South China Sea. The results showed that the concentrations of elements in seawater and sediments were below the national standards, and different environmental factors influenced the element levels in green turtles. The study suggested that eggshells may not be a suitable bioindicator for exposure to toxic elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ernest J. M. Teo, Alexa Arganda, Robert Webster, Amanda Yappa, Dayana Barker, Stephen C. Barker
Summary: We conducted a study on 22,840 cases of tick paralysis in dogs and cats caused by the Eastern paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. The mortality rates were found to be 10% and 8% for dogs and cats, respectively, due to the toxins of the tick or euthanasia associated with complications. Our study on the distribution of tick paralysis cases in four regions along the eastern coast of Australia revealed variations in the life-cycle of the tick among regions and differences in the timing of tick paralysis season between more northerly and southerly latitudes. Victoria was found to have two tick paralysis seasons, while the other regions had only one season.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
M. D. Belando, J. Bernardeau-Esteller, I Paradinas, A. Ramos-Segura, R. Garcia-Munoz, P. Garcia-Moreno, L. Marin-Guirao, Juan M. Ruiz
Summary: This study explored the potential negative influence of the seaweed Caulerpa prolifera on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. Through extensive field sampling and modeling, it was found that the seaweed was not the main driver of seagrass distribution and abundance in this ecosystem, and there was no overall negative relationship between the two species. Both macrophytes have coexisted for decades without the seaweed progressively replacing the seagrass.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mike Climstein, Brendan Doyle, Michael Stapelberg, Nedeljka Rosic, Isolde Hertess, James Furness, Vini Simas, Joe Walsh
Summary: The prevalence of pre-skin cancer, non-melanoma skin cancers, and melanoma skin cancers in Australian surfers and swimmers was found to be higher than the general population. These findings emphasize the importance of regular skin cancer screenings for individuals who engage in surfing or swimming activities, as well as the need for sun protection strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lucia Rizzo, Tomas Vega Fernandez
Summary: Non-indigenous species (NIS) pose a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, where the non-indigenous invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylindracea affects marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This review provides a systematic analysis of the consumption of C. cylindracea by Mediterranean native and NIS species, exploring the benefits and drawbacks for native biota and human health. The goal is to synthesize knowledge and provide management tools for the occurrence of this NIS in the Mediterranean Sea, promoting an ecosystem-based approach to mitigate its ecological, economic, and social impacts.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Shahid Khan, Mohammed M. A. Almazah, Ataur Rahman, Ijaz Hussain
Summary: Climatic variables significantly impact agricultural production, making accurate knowledge of these variables essential for policy formulation. The Bureau of Meteorology monitored various climatic variables in New South Wales, Australia, but the placement of monitoring stations was not systematic. This study aims to optimize the monitoring network and minimize prediction error.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johannes R. Krause, Christian C. Lopes, Sara S. Wilson, Joseph N. Boyer, Henry O. Briceno, James W. Fourqurean
Summary: Although seagrass ecosystems globally decline due to human impacts, the Florida Keys has maintained stable benthic communities over the past 25 years. However, loss of the climax seagrass Thalassia testudinum has been observed in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, with no or partial recovery. Nutrient-enriched nearshore sites show a shift towards Halodule wrightii meadows, while major hurricanes have caused almost complete loss of seagrass meadows at offshore sites. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring programs in understanding benthic community trajectories and informing future seagrass conservation efforts.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ronald P. Kittle, Joseph L. L. Richards, Thomas Sauvage, Daniela Gabriel, William E. E. Schmidt, Suzanne Fredericq
Summary: Phymatolithon Foslie is a significant genus of crustose coralline algae, which plays an important ecological role in marine ecosystems worldwide. A new species of Phymatolithon, named Phymatolithon abuqirensis, was discovered in the Mediterranean Sea through molecular and morphological analyses, increasing the total number of known Phymatolithon species in the region to six.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
M. E. A. Bentaallah, N. E. Taibi, N. Cantasano
Summary: This study reports a new occurrence of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa cylindracea in the West Algerian coasts, with varying density distribution levels at different sites. The characterization of plant communities showed low cover for all species in the invasion zone, with Caulerpa cylindracea being more prevalent in Cap Carbon compared to other sites.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF GEO-MARINE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Redha H. Al-Hasan, Fatemah M. Al-Kherainej
Summary: A project was conducted to update and examine the current status of benthic marine algae, epiphytic diatoms, and marine Tracheophyta in the coastal area of Kuwait from 2014 to 2016. The study identified 173 species of algae, including 14 new records for Kuwait and two new records for the Arabian Gulf. A species of marine angiosperm was also discovered along the Kuwait coastal line. However, five algal species collected from Kuwait remain unidentified.
KUWAIT JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
James M. Mwendwa, William B. Brown, Paul A. Weston, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: Different barley cultivars show varying abilities to suppress weed growth, with cultivars exhibiting enhanced early vigour and PAR light interception generally proving more weed suppressive under optimal soil moisture conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew L. Riley, Sean Watt, Ningbo Jiang
Summary: Tropospheric ozone measurements in rural Australia are scarce, and the results from monitoring in Gunnedah show that ozone levels exceed Australia's ambient air quality standards. The background ozone mixing ratios in the region are also higher than the set standards.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Hichem Kara, Lamya Chaoui
Summary: This study confirms the presence of the American blue crab in the southwest Mediterranean, particularly its invasion of Mellah lagoon in Algeria. The analysis shows that this species is well established in the area, with significant numbers found in fishing gear and local markets. The potential impact on the local environment and native species, as well as the prospects for its fishing exploitation, are discussed in the context of current knowledge.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Heather F. Gidding, Sandrine Stepien, Jiahui Qian, Kristine K. Macartney, Bette Liu
Summary: By analyzing data from Australia, we found that the COVID-19 vaccination coverage is significantly lower among infected individuals compared to those who are uninfected across all age groups. To reduce COVID-19 illness rates, it is important to increase the uptake of scheduled vaccine doses, including among individuals who have previously been infected and have followed the recommended post-infection delay.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lidiane P. Gouvea, Paulo A. Horta, Eliza Fragkopoulou, Carlos F. D. Gurgel, Leticia M. C. Peres, Eduardo Bastos, Fernanda Ramlov, Giulia Burle, Gabrielle Koerich, Cintia D. L. Martins, Ester A. Serrao, Jorge Assis
Summary: This study highlights the importance of phenotypic plasticity and investigates the ecophysiological adjustments and thermal tolerances of Sargassum cymosum across a latitudinal gradient and future climate changes. The results show that both tropical and warm temperate populations are at risk of future losses, but compliance with the Paris Agreement may help safeguard Sargassum forests.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Neiva, Ricardo Bermejo, Alba Medrano, Pol Capdevila, David Milla-Figueras, Pedro Afonso, Enric Ballesteros, Brahim Sabour, Donatella Serio, Eduardo Nobrega, Joao Soares, Jose Valdazo, Fernando Tuya, Martina Mulas, Alvaro Israel, Sofia S. Sadogurska, Michael D. Guiry, Gareth A. Pearson, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: This study provides new insights into the systematics, species delimitation, and biogeography of Cystoseira s.l. in the North-east Atlantic. By using molecular markers, the researchers identified 27 molecular operational taxonomic units, including previously unknown cryptic diversity, and proposed redefinitions, reinstatements, and recognitions of certain taxa.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natacha Nikolic, Floriaan Devloo-Delva, Diane Bailleul, Ekaterina Noskova, Clement Rougeux, Chrystelle Delord, Philippe Borsa, Cathy Liautard-Haag, Mohamad Hassan, Amandine D. Marie, Pierre Feutry, Peter Grewe, Campbell Davies, Jessica Farley, Daniel Fernando, Sebastian Biton-Porsmoguer, Francois Poisson, Denham Parker, Agostino Leone, Jorden Aulich, Matt Lansdell, Francis Marsac, Sophie Arnaud-Haond
Summary: The blue shark is a widely distributed top predator, classified as Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean Sea and Near Threatened globally. Genetic studies have previously suggested a single global population. However, this study used a genome-wide approach and revealed two main groups, the Mediterranean Sea and northern Atlantic samples differentiated from Indo-west Pacific samples. Within the Atlantic Ocean, further genetic differentiation was observed, as well as between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The results highlight the importance of considering genetic population structure and demographic history in the management and conservation strategies of the blue shark.
Article
Ecology
Marcio A. G. Coelho, Gareth A. Pearson, Joana R. H. Boavida, Diogo Paulo, Didier Aurelle, Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Daniel Gomez-Gras, Nathaniel Bensoussan, Paula Lopez-Sendino, Carlo Cerrano, Silvija Kipson, Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli, Eliana Ferretti, Cristina Linares, Joaquim Garrabou, Ester A. Serrao, Jean-Baptiste Ledoux
Summary: This study found clear differentiation between Atlantic and Mediterranean lineages of the octocoral genus Paramuricea previously identified as P. clavata. Additionally, it identified a potential speciation event within the Atlantic population of P. cf. grayi involving two color morphotypes. These findings have important implications for conservation planning and validate the usefulness of phylotranscriptomics in resolving evolutionary relationships in octocorals.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fatemeh Parvizi, Arash Akbarzadeh, Ahmad Farhadi, Sophie Arnaud-Haond, Mohammad Sharif Ranjbar
Summary: Some mollusks exhibit color variation in their soft tissues, with the color of their mantle tissue being related to the color and radiance of their shells and pearls. This study analyzed the expression of biomineralization-related genes in different color morphs of the pearl oyster, Pinctada persica, and found significant differences, with higher gene expression in the orange morphotype, particularly in warmer seasons. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying biomineralization in pearl oysters.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lidiane P. Gouvea, Eliza Fragkopoulou, Kyle Cavanaugh, Ester A. Serrao, Miguel B. Araujo, Mark John Costello, E. H. Taraneh Westergerling, Jorge Assis
Summary: Through biophysical modeling and network analysis, we demonstrate that oceanographic connectivity can explain the genetic differentiation of mangrove populations, regardless of species, region, or genetic marker (significant regression models in 95% of cases, with an average R-square of 0.44 +/- 0.23 and Person's correlation of 0.65 +/- 0.17), systematically improving traditional isolation-by-distance models. Important connectivity indices also play a crucial role in explaining differentiation (R-square improvement of 0.06 +/- 0.07, up to 0.42). We further show that ocean currents produce skewed dispersal kernels for mangroves, highlighting the role of rare long-distance dispersal events in historical settlements.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana I. Tavares, Jorge Assis, Patrick D. Larkin, Joel C. Creed, Karine Magalhaes, Paulo Horta, Aschwin Engelen, Noelo Cardoso, Castro Barbosa, Samuel Pontes, Aissa Regalla, Carmen Almada, Rogerio Ferreira, Ba Mamadou Abdoul, Sidina Ebaye, Mohammed Bourweiss, Carmen Van-Dunem dos Santos, Ana R. Patricio, Alexandra Teodosio, Rui Santos, Gareth A. Pearson, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: The genetic differentiation of the seagrass species Halodule wrightii is not predicted by simulated oceanographic transport, suggesting that active dispersal vectors like grazers play a role in its distribution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Viktoria Balogh, Eliza Fragkopoulou, Ester A. Serrao, Jorge Assis
Summary: Species distribution data are crucial for monitoring biodiversity patterns and guiding conservation strategies. This study provides a quality-controlled dataset of cold-water coral diversity and distribution, which can be used by the scientific community to study biodiversity patterns and drivers, as well as by managers to guide conservation actions. The dataset represents the most up-to-date baseline for global cold-water coral diversity.
Article
Ecology
Lucilia S. Miranda, Silvia Tavares, Antonina dos Santos, Emanuel J. Goncalves, Ester A. Serrao, Marcio A. G. Coelho
Summary: This study reports for the first time the presence of the Lipkea species in Portugal, using data from citizen science platforms and collaboration between divers, scientists, and photographers. DNA analysis identified the species as Lipkearuspoliana, but there are similarities with Lipkeasturdzii, a species described in 1893 and never reported again. The study also provides ecological data, reviews records of Staurozoa in Portugal, and maps the global distribution of Lipkea.
Article
Plant Sciences
Elena Varela-Alvarez, Michael D. Guiry, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: This study investigates the morphology, reproduction, and phylogenetic relationships of two species in the Bangiaceae family. Results show that despite their almost identical external morphology, they are not only distinct species but also belong to different genera.
CRYPTOGAMIE ALGOLOGIE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eliza Fragkopoulou, Alex Sen Gupta, Mark John Costello, Thomas Wernberg, Miguel B. Araujo, Ester A. Serrao, Olivier De Clerck, Jorge Assis
Summary: This study estimates the intensity and duration of global marine heatwaves (MHWs) and explores the impact of subsurface MHWs on biodiversity. The results show higher intensity of MHWs at subsurface depths and increased duration with depth. Regions with high cumulative intensity overlap with the warm range of species distributions, making them more sensitive to thermal stress.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Carolina V. Mourato, Nuno Padrao, Ester A. Serrao, Diogo Paulo, Daniel Crespo
Summary: Seagrass restoration in open coast environments is challenging due to high biomass requirements. The checkers design aims to optimize biomass usage by transplanting fewer sods in a checkerboard pattern. This study shows the promise of the checkers method for large-scale restoration, but careful consideration of location or storm-mitigating measures is essential.
Article
Plant Sciences
Luna M. van der Loos, Quinten Bafort, Samuel Bosch, Enric Ballesteros, Ignacio Barbara, Estibaliz Berecibar, Aurelie Blanfune, Kenny Bogaert, Silke Bouckenooghe, Charles-Francois Boudouresque, Juliet Brodie, Ester Cecere, Pilar Diaz-Tapia, Aschwin H. Engelen, Karl Gunnarson, Soha Hamdy Shabaka, Razy Hoffman, Vivian Husa, Alvaro Israel, Mart Karremans, Jessica Knoop, Line Le Gall, Christine A. Maggs, Frederic Mineur, Manuela Parente, Frank Perk, Antonella Petrocelli, Conxi Rodriguez-Prieto, Sandrine Ruitton, Marta Sanson, Ester A. Serrao, Adriano Sfriso, Kjersti Sjotun, Valerie Stiger-Pouvreau, Gwladys Surget, Ergun Taskin, Thierry Thibaut, Konstantinos Tsiamis, Lotte Van de Weghe, Marc Verlaque, Frederique Viard, Sofie Vranken, Frederik Leliaert, Olivier De Clerck
Summary: Effective monitoring of non-indigenous seaweeds is important, but there is still uncertainty about the status of many species. This study analysed the status of presumed non-indigenous seaweed species in the Mediterranean Sea, Northeast Atlantic Ocean, and Macaronesia. A list of 140 undisputed non-indigenous species was produced, while the status of 87 species remained unclear. The study also found significant variation in the diversity of non-indigenous species between geographic regions. The current measures and policies are insufficient to battle the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species in the study area.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Filipe R. Ceia, Nathalie C. Silva, Vitor H. Paiva, Lurdes Morais, Ester A. Serrao, Jaime A. Ramos
Summary: The breeding populations of the yellow-legged gull have increased significantly due to the increase in refuse dumps and fisheries discards. The population growth was controlled through population control measures and trophic ecology showed strong relationships with oceanographic parameters and fisheries landings. Despite sporadic events affecting breeding individuals, the population has been stabilized and even reduced.
