Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana I. Azevedo Neto, Manuela I. Parente, Eva Cacabelos, Ana Cristina Costa, Andrea Zita Botelho, Enric Ballesteros, Sandra Monteiro, Roberto Resendes, Pedro Afonso, Afonso C. L. Prestes, Rita F. Patarra, Nuno V. Alvaro, David Mila-Figueras, Raul M. A. Neto, Jose M. N. Azevedo, Ignacio Moreu
Summary: The research conducted on the macroalgal flora of Santa Maria Island in the Azores archipelago revealed 261 taxa of macroalgae, with 52 new records, 2 Macaronesian endemics, 10 introduced species, and 18 species of uncertain status. This study provides valuable information on the ecology and occurrence of species around the Island, contributing to the overall knowledge of the Azorean macroalgal flora.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geology
Zhongwei Zhao, Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Liliana Rusu, Carlos S. Melo, Sergio P. Avila, Diya Das, Pedro Afonso, Joaquim Pombo, Joao Duarte, Aurora Rodrigues
Summary: Based on different measurements, sediment deposition is speculated to occur around Santa Maria Island during extreme conditions, even though there are contradictory evidence. The actual deposition patterns are more complex than predicted, despite the model forecasting sediment mobilization areas.
Article
Geography, Physical
Matus Hyzny, Carlos S. Melo, Ricardo S. Ramalho, Ricardo Cordeiro, Patricia Madeira, Lara Baptista, A. Cristina Rebelo, Cynthia Gomez, Alfred Uchman, Markes E. Johnson, Bjoern Berning, Sergio P. avila
Summary: The study reviewed the presence of decapod crustaceans in the Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil record of Santa Maria Island, increasing the number of species from one to 10, with four being reported for the first time worldwide. The research suggests that the ancient decapod assemblages of the Azores were similar to modern ones, and that no tropical crab species from Cabo Verde or Senegal reached the Azores during specific periods. The overall marine taxa reported from the island's Pliocene and Pleistocene outcrops have increased, highlighting the scientific significance of its paleontological heritage.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Claudia Sacchetti, Bernard Landau, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: In this work, the Lower Pliocene gastropod assemblages of Santa Maria Island are revised and seventy-seven species representing 61 genera are identified. Two new species are described. The study reveals that the Azorean subprovince/ecoregion was already in place in the Lower Pliocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Arpad David, Alfred Uchman, Ricardo S. Ramalho, Jose Madeira, Carlos S. Melo, Patricia Madeira, Ana Cristina Rebelo, Bjoern Berning, Markes E. Johnson, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: Pliocene body fossils from Santa Maria Island in Azores have been studied for decades, with recent attention focusing on ichnofossils. Deposits from the Baia de Nossa Senhora section contain well-preserved invertebrate borings, providing insights into the dispersal of benthic faunas. The borings, belonging to various ichnogenera, suggest that the bearing bioclasts have been exposed for several years on the sea floor.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geology
Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Christoph Beier, Zhongwei Zhao, Sergio Avila, Elsa-Marie Portanyi, Aurora Rodrigues
Summary: This study proposes a new method to calculate carbonate production rates based on carbonate content data and sediment transport flux. The results show that carbonate production rates increase with depth and distance from the coastline in nearshore environments.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
L. Baptista, H. Meimberg, S. P. Avila, A. M. Santos, M. Curto
Summary: The study of the rissoid Cingula trifasciata in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean revealed differentiation between insular and continental populations, with potential cryptic diversity. Factors such as dispersal ability, habitat type, and oceanographic currents were found to shape the population structure of C. trifasciata in the remote Azores Archipelago. The study highlights the complexity of gene flow in marine invertebrates and suggests the potential for further research using SSR-GBAS in non-model species.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Carlos S. Melo, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Carlos M. da Silva, Ines Galindo, Alberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Lara Baptista, A. Cristina Rebelo, Patricia Madeira, Antje H. L. Voelker, Markes E. Johnson, Samuel A. Arruda, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: Controlled by ecological and physical factors, marine species distribution varies due to global climatic changes, resulting in range expansion and contraction. The fossil record from the Macaronesian region reveals a northward range expansion of tropical species during the Last Interglacial period. This study presents a comprehensive revision and update of marine mollusc checklists, documenting latitudinal and longitudinal range expansions in the Macaronesian archipelagos. However, certain warm-water species failed to reach the northern Azores and Madeira archipelagos due to longer distances and ecological filtering effects.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geology
Zhongwei Zhao, Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Liliana Rusu, Carlos S. Melo, Sergio P. Avila, Diya Das, Pedro Afonso, Joaquim Pombo, Joao Duarte, Aurora Rodrigues
Summary: Based on different measurements, sediment deposition is speculated to occur around Santa Maria Island during extreme conditions, even though there are contradictory evidence. The actual deposition patterns are more complex than predicted, despite the model forecasting sediment mobilization areas.
Editorial Material
Geography, Physical
Carlos S. Melo, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Carlos M. da Silva, Ines Galindo, Alberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Lara Baptista, A. Cristina Rebelo, Patricia Madeira, Antje H. L. Voelker, Markes E. Johnson, Samuel A. Arruda, Sergio P. Avila
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geology
Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Christoph Beier, Zhongwei Zhao, Sergio Avila, Elsa-Marie Portanyi, Aurora Rodrigues
Summary: This study proposes a new method to calculate carbonate production rates based on carbonate content data and sediment transport flux. The results show that carbonate production rates increase with depth and distance from the coastline in nearshore environments.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cristina Rebelo, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Carlos S. Melo, Markes E. Johnson, Alberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Ines Galindo, Rui Quartau, Lara Baptista, Sergio P. Avila, Michael W. Rasser
Summary: Rhodoliths are widely found around the shores of Fuerteventura Island, with the most prominent species being Lithothamnion cf. corallioides. The debris from washed up rhodoliths contributes to the formation of modern beach sediments. Various types of rhodolith deposits can be found on the northern coast of the island, with examples like the "Popcorn Beach" near Caleta del Bajo de Mejillones.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Claudia Sacchetti, Bernard Landau, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: In this work, the Lower Pliocene gastropod assemblages of Santa Maria Island are revised and seventy-seven species representing 61 genera are identified. Two new species are described. The study reveals that the Azorean subprovince/ecoregion was already in place in the Lower Pliocene.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lara Baptista, Giulia Fassio, Serge Gofas, Marco Oliverio, Sergio P. Avila, Antonio M. Santos
Summary: This study conducted a systematic molecular review on the genus Tricolia from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, revealing a new genetic lineage and suggesting the need for reclassification of certain species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Carlos S. Melo, Carlos Marques da Silva, Daniele Scarponi, Esther Martin-Gonzalez, Emilio Rolan, Alejandra Rojas, Sergio Martinez, Luis Silva, Markes E. Johnson, Ana Cristina Rebelo, Lara Baptista, Antje Voelker, Ricardo S. Ramalho, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: To understand the evolutionary processes and patterns of current island biodiversity, a study was conducted on the Last Interglacial (LIG) period in the Macaronesia geographical region. The study presented a revised checklist and examined the status of Macaronesia as a marine biogeographic unit during the LIG. The analysis showed differences between the LIG and present-day scenarios, highlighting the importance of geographical connotation when using the term Macaronesia.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Correction
Geology
Zhongwei Zhao, Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Liliana Rusu, Carlos S. Melo, Sergio P. Avila, Diya Das, Pedro Afonso, Joaquim Pombo, Joao Duarte, Aurora Rodrigues
Correction
Geology
Zhongwei Zhao, Neil C. Mitchell, Rui Quartau, Sandra Moreira, Liliana Rusu, Carlos S. Melo, Sergio P. Avila, Diya Das, Pedro Afonso, Joaquim Pombo, Joao Duarte, Aurora Rodrigues
Article
Ecology
Lara Baptista, Bjoern Berning, Manuel Curto, Andrea Waeschenbach, Harald Meimberg, Antonio M. Santos, Sergio P. Avila
Summary: This study investigated the genetic and morphological characteristics of Reteporella species in the Azores Archipelago. The results revealed two genetically distinct clades of Azorean Reteporella, as well as three historically reported species and four putative new species. Inclusion of Mediterranean Reteporella specimens also led to the discovery of new species. The study highlights the underestimation of bryozoan diversity and calls for further revision in taxonomy.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
