Review
Oceanography
Raquel Garcia-Vernet, Asuncion Borrell, Gisli Vikingsson, Sverrir D. Halldorsson, Alex Aguilar
Summary: The highly productive waters off Iceland are an important feeding ground for baleen whales, and during the summer feeding season, five balaenopterid species coexist by segregating their food sources to avoid competition, except for blue and fin whales, they all show clear ecological niche partitioning.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wang, Ri-Jin Jiang, Yi Xiao, Rui Yin, Feng Chen, Yong-dong Zhou, Han-Xiang Xu
Summary: This study investigates the ecological niche differences and resource sharing among five Sciaenid fish species in the waters of the Zhoushan Archipelago. The results show significant differences in carbon and nitrogen isotopic values in the muscle tissues of these fish species. Zooplankton is a key food resource for all species, and some species also feed on benthos organisms. Differences in trophic niche width and overlap are observed among the species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Zhimian Cao, Xinting Rao, Yating Li, Qingquan Hong, Lin Wei, Yang Yu, Claudia Ehlert, Bo Liu, Christopher Siebert, Ed C. Hathorne, Zhouling Zhang, Florian Scholz, Sabine Kasten, Martin Frank
Summary: The development of stable barium (Ba) isotope measurements provides a novel tool to investigate the geochemical cycling of Ba in the ocean and its sediments. Pore water profiles of dissolved stable Ba isotopic signatures (delta Ba-138(pw)) from shallow water sediments covering the entire Pearl River Estuary (PRE) in Southern China showed depth-dependent variations indicating preferential removal of low-mass Ba isotopes from the pore water during solution-solid phase interactions.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaomin Xia, Ying Liao, Jiaxing Liu, Sze Ki Leung, Pui Yin Lee, Lingshuai Zhang, Yehui Tan, Hongbin Liu
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of Synechococcus community along the salinity gradient and reveals the genetic traits and mechanisms that determine the niche partitioning and adaptation of Synechococcus clades.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Carolina Carcamo, Pepe Espinoza, Carlos Canales-Cerro, Stephanny Curaz-Leiva, Ana Brisca Guzman-Castellanos, Ivonne Quintanilla, Fernanda Vargas, Mauricio Zuniga, Francisco Fernandoy, Patricio Galvez, Rene Vargas, Alvaro Saavedra, Chris Harrod, Eric T. Schultz, Sebastian A. Klarian
Summary: Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values, the study analyzed the trophic position and the isotopic niche width of lanternfishes from three different areas in the Southern Pacific Ocean. The results showed that fish from Peru had slightly higher delta C-13 values compared with those from Chilean areas, while delta N-15 values increased with latitude. The trophic position of Myctophids varied among the study areas, with the highest in Central Chile and the lowest in Peru. Additionally, Peruvian fishes had a smaller isotopic niche than those from Chile.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tobias Buring, Jessica B. Jones, Graham Pierce, Francisco Rocha, Paco Bustamante, Maud Brault-Favrou, Alexander I. Arkhipkin
Summary: This study compared the stable isotope signatures of muscle and gladius tissues of the autumn and spring spawning cohorts and different sizes of the Patagonian longfin squid. The results showed that the autumn spawning cohort had higher delta C-13 values and delta N-15 values increased with increasing size. Muscle tissue was enriched in N-15 but slightly depleted in C-13 compared to gladius tissue. The estimated trophic level of adult squid was 3.2, with no significant differences between spawning cohorts.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tae Hee Park, Chung Il Lee, Tae-Hoon Kim, Dongyoung Kim, Hyun Je Park
Summary: In order to evaluate the impact of rainfall on the basal resources supporting food webs, we compared stable isotope ratios (813C and 815N) of fish consumers and organic matter sources between up- and down-sites in an estuary across different seasons and years. Our study found seasonal differences in the isotopic values of basal resources and fish consumers in both years. Changes in rainfall period resulted in significant differences in the isotopic values of fish consumers at the up-site, indicating a shift in food availability. However, the isotopic values of fishes remained consistent at the down-site, suggesting a negligible impact of rainfall on fish resources.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christopher T. Monk, Michael Power, Carla Freitas, Philip M. Harrison, Michelle Heupel, Anna Kuparinen, Even Moland, Colin Simpfendorfer, David Villegas-Rios, Esben M. Olsen
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between behavior type and diet in a protected population of Atlantic cod. By using acoustic telemetry and stable isotope compositions, the researchers determined the behavior and diet of the cod. The study further explored whether there were survival costs associated with behavior and diet.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
T. A. Johnston, A. D. Ehrman, J. J. Montgomery, H. K. Swanson
Summary: Variation among individuals in stable isotope composition is increasingly utilized as an ecological index of trophic niche size, assuming that most of the observed variation comes from differences in diet. The study found that non-dietary variation in delta C-13 and delta N-15 is usually a small component of the total delta C-13 and delta N-15 variation seen in wild lake trout populations, indicating that current isotopic niche metrics primarily capture dietary variation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bianca Possamai, David J. Hoeinghaus, Alexandre M. Garcia
Summary: Biological communities in estuarine ecosystems are influenced by environmental factors such as salinity, rainfall, and river flow, with the El Nino phenomenon impacting species composition and diversity patterns globally. Food-chain length (FCL) is an important attribute in community ecology, with estuarine FCL showing resilience to environmental variability and climatic perturbations. In a shallow-water estuarine community, El Nino events were found to increase species and trophic guild richness, while FCL varied but did not follow the predicted trend during periods of higher rainfall.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. C. Neves, M. Vannuci-Silva, G. Montanini, A. F. Azevedo, J. Lailson-Brito, T. L. Bisi
Summary: Species in sympatry can coexist by niche partitioning, as observed in the Ilha Grande Bay where four cetacean species frequently occur. Niche overlap was high for species with site fidelity, while the rough-toothed dolphin showed high segregation. The bay is a biodiversity hotspot, providing diverse resources for the studied cetacean community.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Deepa Shashikant Yogi, Akshay Naik, Prema Piyusha Panda, Ranjana Yadav, Aniket Desai, Mandar Nanajkar
Summary: Elasmobranchs, such as guitarfish, rays, and bamboo sharks, play an important role in marine food webs. In Caranzalem Bay, these species mainly feed on crustaceans, with different size classes showing dietary segregation. Low resource overlap was observed between and within elasmobranch species, possibly due to high prey availability in the bay.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lara S. Garcia-Corral, Carlos M. Duarte, Susana Agusti
Summary: The study found that surface plankton communities in Western Australia act as CO2 sinks, with NCP, GPP, and CR decreasing with decreasing nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations. Community respiration increases with temperature, showing a stronger thermal-dependence compared to gross primary production rates.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Victor Uber Paschoalini, Genyffer Cibele Troina, Laura Busin Campos, Marcos Cesar de Oliveira Santos
Summary: The research conducted in Brazil's southeastern coast on 10 cetacean species revealed distinct isotopic patterns categorizing the whales into migratory and resident groups, with variations in trophic positions and feeding habits. The study provides preliminary insights into the habitat use and coexistence of cetacean species in the region.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jieqiong Wang, Kai Wang, Yuchen Guo, Zimi Ye, Zhongyu Guo, Yu Lei, Xin Yang, Lilan Zhang, Junfeng Niu
Summary: The study found that halide ions and DOM from estuarine and coastal waters have effects on the photochemical transformation of propranolol, with Cl- increasing photodegradation rates of PRO while seawater DOM inhibiting it. Three new photochemical intermediates were identified in the presence of DOM or Cl-.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Mazzoni, Claudia Ferrario, Roberta Bettinetti, Roberta Piscia, Davide Cicala, Pietro Volta, Katrine Borga, Sara Valsecchi, Stefano Polesello
Article
Environmental Sciences
Davide Cicala, Gianluca Polgar, Jordi Rene Mor, Roberta Piscia, Stefano Brignone, Silvia Zaupa, Pietro Volta
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edoardo Calizza, Loreto Rossi, Giulio Careddu, Simona Sporta Caputi, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: Measuring the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species is crucial for managing invaded food webs. A novel approach was proposed to quantify trophic interaction strengths based on abundance, biomass, and diet data, which allowed for estimating economic loss and resilience of invaded food webs. The study revealed that species richness and food web complexity can affect resistance and economic impact of invasive species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edoardo Calizza, Geraldina Signa, Loreto Rossi, Salvatrice Vizzini, Giulio Careddu, Cecilia Doriana Tramati, Simona Sporta Caputi, Antonio Mazzola, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: The study found higher concentrations of trace elements in chick carcasses than in eggs, indicating increasing contamination in recent decades and high toxicity risks for penguin consumers. Isotopic conversion factors highlighted small differences among body tissues and conspecifics, suggesting that chick carcasses are reliable indicators of the energy pathways, trophic position, and exposure to TEs in the two penguin species.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulio Careddu, Paolo Ciucci, Stella Mondovi, Edoardo Calizza, Loreto Rossi, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: The Apennine brown bears primarily consume plant matter, with individual differences in seasonal isotopic patterns. Male bears have higher δ15N values than females in spring and autumn, indicating differences in dietary habits between genders. Management bears show differences in isotopic values compared to non-management bears, with elevated δ15N values in autumn.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolo Casella, Giulio Careddu, Edoardo Calizza, Simona Sporta Caputi, Loreto Rossi, Andrea Belluscio, Giandomenico Ardizzone, Lucio Calcagnile, Gianluca Quarta, Marisa D'Elia, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Posidonia oceanica as a long-term environmental indicator by analyzing a 500-year-old seagrass matte. The results showed an increase in anthropogenic organic nitrogen inputs over time, while no clear trend was observed for carbon isotopes. This study provides important information on the long-term impact of human activities on seagrass meadows.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Simona Sporta Caputi, Loreto Rossi, Xavier Pons, Giulio Careddu, Edoardo Calizza, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: Genetically modified (GM) crops are a good way to improve food and environmental safety by reducing insecticide use. This study explores the impact of GM and non-GM maize residues on the soil food web. The results suggest that non-GM maize residues are more attractive to invertebrate consumers and have an impact on nutrient flows in tritrophic detritus-based food webs.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biology
Giulio Careddu, Marcovalerio Botti, Massimo Cristofaro, Simona Sporta Caputi, Edoardo Calizza, Loreto Rossi, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: This study investigated the feeding relationships between giant reed, gall midge larvae, saprophytic fungus, and the effects of parasitic nematodes on midge larval feeding behavior. The results showed that the larvae feed on both the reed and the fungus and that parasitized larvae have the same diet as non-parasitized larvae. This research provides important insights for the biological control of giant reed and should be considered when implementing control measures.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Matteo Ventura, Giulio Careddu, Edoardo Calizza, Simona Sporta Caputi, Emmanuelle Argenti, David Rossi, Loreto Rossi, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: The volcanic Lake Bracciano in Central Italy, as a European biodiversity hotspot and habitat of endemic species, is facing threats to its rich biodiversity and human wellbeing due to sharply falling water levels since 2017. This review aims to examine the changes that have occurred in the lake in the last 20 years, reducing its capacity to provide ecosystem services, and to identify existing and potential threats for better resource management.
Article
Biology
Deborah Maccapan, Giulio Careddu, Edoardo Calizza, Simona Sporta Caputi, Loreto Rossi, Maria Letizia Costantini
Summary: In Antarctica, climate change could affect the diet and recruitment of Adelie penguins by influencing sea-ice dynamics. However, there have been few quantitative studies on the effects of sea-ice persistence on penguin chick diets. This study aimed to fill this gap by comparing penguin diets across different colonies and evaluating the influence of sea-ice persistence.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Letizia Costantini, Jerzy Piotr Kabala, Simona Sporta Caputi, Matteo Ventura, Edoardo Calizza, Giulio Careddu, Loreto Rossi
Summary: This study critically reviews the life history and ecology of the largemouth bass, its impact on ecosystems outside North America, and the effects of anthropogenic activities on its spread. The purpose is to identify environmental factors that promote or limit its invasive success and to find management measures that can mitigate its negative effects on freshwater biodiversity.