Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergio F. Nigenda-Morales, Meixi Lin, Paulina G. Nunez-Valencia, Christopher C. Kyriazis, Annabel C. Beichman, Jacqueline A. Robinson, Aaron P. Ragsdale, R. Jorge Urban, Frederick I. Archer, Lorena Viloria-Gomora, Maria Jose Perez-Alvarez, Elie Poulin, Kirk E. Lohmueller, Andres Moreno-Estrada, Robert K. Wayne
Summary: Industrial whaling in the 20th century led to the near extinction of several species, particularly the fin whales. However, a small resident population in the Gulf of California was not targeted by whaling. By analyzing the genomes of Eastern North Pacific and Gulf of California fin whale populations, researchers found that the two populations diverged around 16,000 years ago and the Eastern North Pacific population experienced a significant reduction during the whaling period. In contrast, the Gulf of California population remained small and isolated, relying on low levels of migration to maintain viability.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gregory M. Verutes, Sarah E. Tubbs, Nick Selmes, Darren R. Clark, Peter Walker, Oliver Clements
Summary: This study conducted seasonal habitat models for Irrawaddy dolphins in the Kep Archipelago based on environmental data and species occurrences, revealing their habitat preferences and distribution. The results can guide regional conservation efforts by taking into account the seasonality of the species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tim Awbery, Aylin Akkaya, Patrick Lyne, Laura Rudd, Gemma Hoogenstrijd, Madeleine Nedelcu, David Kniha, Mehmet Akif Erdogan, Cherisse Persad, Ayaka Amaha Ozturk, Bayram ozturk
Summary: This study conducted the first seasonal boat surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea of Turkey to understand the spatial distribution of cetacean species and assess the overlap with marine traffic. The study identified areas between Marmaris and Finike with high cetacean encounters and dense marine traffic, suggesting the need for restrictions on maritime activities in these areas.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelien de Greef, Anthony L. Einfeldt, Patrick J. O. Miller, Steven H. Ferguson, Colin J. Garroway, Kyle J. Lefort, Ian G. Paterson, Paul Bentzen, Laura J. Feyrer
Summary: This study provides valuable insights into the genetic structure, demographic history, and adaptations of the northern bottlenose whale. The presence of genetic subdivision and evidence of inbreeding highlight the vulnerability of the endangered Scotian Shelf population. The decline in effective population size poses risks to genetic diversity, emphasizing the importance of protecting habitat and promoting gene flow.
Article
Ecology
Felicia Vachon, Ana Eguiguren, Luke Rendell, Shane Gero, Hal Whitehead
Summary: Environmental variables are important drivers of species' distributions, but social and cultural processes can also shape habitat use. In the case of Eastern Caribbean sperm whales, individuals from different cultural groups have distinct distributions, indicating the importance of cultural factors. This study highlights the significance of cultural knowledge in shaping sperm whale ecology.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alicia Garcia-Gallego, Yaisel J. Borrell, Carlos Nores, Laura Miralles
Summary: Whaling in the North of Spain from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century severely depleted the North-East Atlantic population of the North Atlantic Right Whale, with long-lasting consequences. A study on public perception of cetaceans and whaling along the Cantabrian coast revealed that cultural imprint plays a significant role in citizens' attitudes towards cetacean conservation.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Morgana Vighi, Asuncion Borrell, Jennifer A. Jackson, Emma L. Carroll, Maria Grazia Pennino, Alex Aguilar
Summary: The impact of historical whaling may have been underestimated, with loss rates decreasing over time based on logbook records. Southern right whales and sperm whales were targeted species, with significant losses in the past whaling activities.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joanna Day, David Power, Rosemary Gales, John Bannister, Maxine P. Piggott, Kerstin Bilgmann, Robert Harcourt, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Luciana M. Moller
Summary: Understanding population structure in marine mammals is crucial for assessing the impacts of exploitation and conservation efforts. Sperm whales in Australian waters show low genetic diversity, and further studies are needed to understand population dynamics and management strategies.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tom B. Letessier, Laura Mannocci, Brittney Goodwin, Clare Embling, Asha de Vos, R. Charles Anderson, Simon N. Ingram, Andy Rogan, Samuel T. Turvey
Summary: The restricted distribution of many species to marginal or suboptimal areas due to human impacts makes it difficult to understand their ecological preferences based solely on modern data. However, the use of historical records allows us to gain insights into the ecological requirements of threatened species and inform conservation efforts. In this study, we investigated the distribution of sperm whales in the Western Indian Ocean using historical whaling logs and modern cetacean surveys. By comparing habitat suitability predictions based on these two data sources, we were able to assess the placement of marine protected areas and understand the impact of historical whaling on the current distribution of sperm whales.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Volkan Bektas, Pete Bettinger, Nate Nibbelink, Jacek Siry, Krista Merry, Katrina Ariel Henn, Jonathan Stober
Summary: This study focused on the distribution of the rare and threatened plant species eastern turkeybeard in the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, USA. Different modeling methods were used to develop a suitable habitat map, and key factors contributing to habitat suitability were identified. The findings of this study can be used to guide habitat conservation strategies in similar ecosystems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Isabel Cristina Avila, Nohelia Farias-Curtidor, Luisa Castellanos-Mora, Karina Bohrer do Amaral, Dalia C. Barragan-Barrera, Carlos Andres Orozco, Jorge Leon, Vladimir Puentes
Summary: This study combines data from offshore surveys and literature to describe the potential distribution of sperm whales in the Colombian Caribbean for the first time. The study suggests that the Colombian Caribbean may be an important tropical habitat for sperm whales.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Conor Ryan, Susannah Calderan, Cherry Allison, Russell Leaper, Denise Risch
Summary: Archived logbooks from Scottish shore-based whaling stations between 1903 and 1951 were used to map whale catch locations and update summary statistics on whale landings. The study highlights the historical significance of Scottish shelf-seas as habitats for different whale species, which was previously unknown. The findings also shed light on the impact of North-east Atlantic whaling on certain whale populations.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chuandong Tan, Jingwei Ma, Yusheng Yan, Ge Hong, Xuefei Wu
Summary: This study aims to prioritize wetlands in Wuhan City for waterbird conservation based on diversity, rarity, and conservation costs. The results reveal the primary environmental variables influencing the potential spatial distribution of waterbirds and identify cost-effective priority wetlands. Major wetland conservation gaps have been identified, and recommendations are made to enhance waterbird management in existing protected areas. This research provides scientific evidence and emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between conservation effectiveness and cost.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ligia Garcia, Jaris Veneros, Segundo G. Chavez, Manuel Oliva, Nilton B. Rojas-Briceno
Summary: This study used georeferenced global historical maps and the MaxEnt software to determine the occurrence probabilities of Cinchona plants in Peru, in order to establish priority areas for their conservation and restoration. The results showed that many areas with high and moderate occurrence probabilities were not covered by natural protected areas, and a significant portion of these potential cultivation areas were already degraded. These findings have important implications for the decision-making regarding the conservation and restoration of Cinchona plants in Peru.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ping He, Jiaying Li, Yunfeng Li, Ning Xu, Yu Gao, Longfei Guo, Tongtong Huo, Cheng Peng, Fanyun Meng
Summary: This study proposed a new method for planning the best species conservation habitat through fitting errors caused by a single model. The results indicated that human activities were the most important environmental parameter affecting the distribution of the three Ephedra species, and the combination of MaxEnt and Marxan models helped identify priority conservation areas. Protection of wild Ephedra and scaling up artificial planting should be prioritized based on the comprehensive analysis.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martine J. van den Heuvel-Greve, Anneke M. van den Brink, Sander T. Glorius, G. Arjen de Groot, Ivo Laros, Paul E. Renaud, Ragnhild Pettersen, Jan Marcin Weslawski, Piotr Kuklinski, Albertinka J. Murk
Summary: The study found that non-indigenous species in the Arctic may arrive in the region through ship traffic, with improved likelihood of survival in a warming environment. Monitoring the establishment rate and magnitude of potential NIS is crucial, and metabarcoding technique proved to be an effective tool for detecting new species in Svalbard marine waters.
Article
Oceanography
Achmad Sahri, Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika, Danielle Kreb, Albertinka J. Murk
Summary: The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on cetacean spatial distribution and habitat preferences in Indonesian waters to support national conservation and management planning. The results showed great heterogeneity in distribution among cetacean species, influenced by topographic variables and oceanographic processes. Key factors influencing distribution included bathymetry, distance to coast, chlorophyll-a concentration, and sea surface temperature.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Mert Gokalp, Tim Wijgerde, Albertinka Murk, Ronald Osinga
Summary: Through three consecutive culture trials, a successful method for culturing collagen-rich demosponges was developed. The optimal culture combination was determined based on the results of the trials, leading to consistent growth rates and high survival rates over the course of one year.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Niels W. P. Breve, Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke, Anthonie D. Buijse, Theodorus J. van Tuijn, AlberTinka J. Murk, Hendrik Winter, H. J. Rob Lenders
Summary: This study reconstructs the historical distribution of sturgeons in northwest Europe and highlights the impact of river fisheries, river regulation, and increased North Sea fishery on the collapse of sturgeon populations.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Cindy Peter, Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika, Jo Marie Vera Acebes, Nantarika Chansue, Louella Dolar, Gin Swen Ham, Ellen Hines, Wint Hte, Gianna Minton, Louisa Shobhini Ponnampalam, Lindsay Porter, Long Vu, Rodney Westerlaken, Yin Yin Htay, Tara Sayuri Whitty
Summary: We reviewed a paper that uses social media data to understand marine litter and marine mammals in Southeast Asia. However, we found that the methodology and conclusions of the paper paint an incomplete and inaccurate picture of stranding research in the region. By relying on a limited search of one social media platform and lacking ground-truthing, the paper unintentionally suggests that Southeast Asian scientists have not adequately investigated the issue of marine litter and its impact on marine mammals. In this commentary, we provide a more accurate account of stranding research in Asia and offer recommendations for improving future studies using social media for conservation assessment.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Correction
Biodiversity Conservation
Niels W. P. Breve, Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke, Anthonie D. Buijse, Theodorus J. van Tuijn, AlberTinka J. Murk, Hendrik V. Winter, H. J. Rob Lenders
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Achmad Sahri, Charlotte Jak, Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, Albertinka J. Murk, Virginia Andrews-Goff, Michael C. Double, Ron J. van Lammeren
Summary: This study aimed to predict the migratory corridors, suitable habitats, and overlap with marine traffic of pygmy blue whales. The results showed a high level of connectivity between Western Australia and the Banda and Molucca Seas in Indonesia. However, there were discrepancies between the designated migration lanes in Indonesian marine spatial planning and the migration routes suggested by this study.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antoine Karengera, Ilse Verburg, Mark G. Sterken, Joost A. G. Riksen, Albertinka J. Murk, Inez J. T. Dinkla
Summary: In this study, the nematode C. elegans was used as a model organism to detect the toxic potency of influent wastewater samples. Gene expression profiling revealed the presence and potency of molecular pathways induced by wastewater exposure. The study found that wastewater treatment significantly reduced the bioactive pollutant-load, and the gene expression profiling can be used for fingerprinting specific wastewater sources and identifying bioactive compounds.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antoine Karengera, Cong Bao, Toine F. H. Bovee, Inez J. T. Dinkla, Albertinka J. J. Murk
Summary: This study developed a bead-based assay for quantifying messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of multiple target genes directly from crude nematode lysates to fingerprint gene expression in C. elegans. The assay measured toxin-induced RNA transcripts by signal amplification and successfully measured the expression changes of multiple genes, indicating the type of toxin present.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Tom Wijers, Alwin Hylkema, Aaron R. Pilnick, Albertinka J. Murk, Joshua T. Patterson
Summary: This study optimized a new shaker bottle cultivation method for the long spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum and evaluated its effects on larval growth and survival. The method showed potential for providing juveniles to restock urchin-depleted reefs suffering from algae overgrowth.
Article
Ecology
Ewout G. Knoester, Veerle E. Plug, Albertinka J. Murk, Susan O. Sande, R. Osinga
Summary: The study found that browsing pressure is lower in fished zones compared to marine reserves and no-take zones, resulting in lower consumption of macroalgae. No-take zones have higher herbivorous fish biomass, mainly unicornfishes and scrapers, which are able to consume macroalgae more effectively. Fished sites dominated by damselfish have high sea urchin densities and low browsing pressure.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika, Kathryn Kazuko High, I. Made Jaya Ratha, Maria Margaretha Siko, Jo Marie Acebes, Ronaldo Meko Li Makin, Satri Nirma Meo, Evensius d'Alxandro, Pieter Robert Ebenhaezar Dido
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lucy C. M. Omeyer, Emily M. Duncan, Neil Angelo S. Abreo, Jo Marie V. Acebes, Lea A. AngSinco-Jimenez, Sabiqah T. Anuar, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Gonzalo Araujo, Luis R. Carrasco, Marcus A. H. Chua, Muhammad R. Cordova, Lantun P. Dewanti, Emilyn Q. Espiritu, Jovanie B. Garay, Elitza S. Germanov, Jade Getliff, Eva Horcajo-Berna, Yusof S. Ibrahim, Zeehan Jaafar, Jose Isagani B. Janairo, Thanda Ko Gyi, Danielle Kreb, Cheng Ling Lim, Youna Lyons, Putu L. K. Mustika, Mei Lin Neo, Sirius Z. H. Ng, Buntora Pasaribu, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Cindy Peter, Lindsay Porter, Noir P. Purba, Ernesto T. Santa Cruz, Shahriar Shams, Kirsten F. Thompson, Daniel S. Torres, Rodney Westerlaken, Tuempong Wongtawan, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: Southeast Asia is highly biodiverse and a major contributor to global marine plastic pollution. However, knowledge about the impacts of plastic pollution on marine megafauna in the region is lacking. A literature review and expert elicitation were conducted to gather information on cases of entanglement and ingestion of plastic by various marine species in Southeast Asia. The study found a limited number of published cases, especially for seabirds, highlighting the need for additional funding and data to address this issue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika, Kathryn K. High, Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, Achmad Sahri, I. Made Jaya Ratha, Muhammad Offal Prinanda, Firdaus Agung, Februanty S. Purnomo, Danielle Kreb
Summary: This article analyzes the spatial and temporal patterns of stranding events in Indonesia over a 26-year period. It provides insights into the country's stranding response and offers guidance for resource allocation. Suggestions for improving data collection are also included.
OCEANS-SWITZERLAND
(2022)