Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandra Valdez-Cibrian, Jesus Emilio Michel-Morfin, Martin Gomez-Torres, Victor Landa-Jaime, Luis Gomez-Gastelum, Jose Luis Carballo
Summary: Scutellastra mexicana is the largest species of giant limpet in the world, previously used for food and mortuary offerings in prehispanic Mexico. The population of this species drastically decreased along the Mexican Pacific coast due to overexploitation in the past, leading to special protection under Mexican laws currently.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Michelle H. G. Wong, Yanni Mo, Bosco Pui Lok Chan
Summary: The Eld's deer, a tropical Asian deer species, is endangered and mainly found in the dry lowland forests of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. The population on China's Hainan Island is considered an island population of the Chinese Eld's deer, facing extinction threats.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hudson T. Pinheiro, Jose A. C. C. Nunes, E. O. C. Coni, E. C. G. Almeida, C. L. S. Sampaio, Carlos E. L. Ferreira, Pedro M. Meirelles, M. Hostim-Silva, Pedro H. C. Pereira, Vinicius J. Giglio, J. L. Gasparini, L. A. Rocha, Camilo M. Ferreira
Summary: The article discusses a new "inverted management" strategy in Brazil since June 2019, aimed at combating overfishing of parrotfish species. The innovative strategy allows the capture of endangered parrotfish species within management areas while banning it elsewhere, requiring collaboration among government, scientists, managers, and fishers. The main challenge lies in the implementation of challenging management rules, with existing MPAs lacking enforcement of endangered species regulations.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sultan Al Nahian, Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Rakesh Kumar, Tony R. Walker, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker, Abubakr M. Idris
Summary: The baseline abundance and distribution of marine litter were assessed on Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal. The most common items found were plastic bags, food wrappers, plastic bottles, straws, styrofoam, and fishing nets. Tourism, local markets, hotels, domestic waste, and fishing activities were identified as the primary sources of marine litter. The establishment of baseline results can help improve conservation and mitigation strategies on the island.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Luis Carballo, Eric Bautista-Guerrero, Yanez Benjamin, Luis Rodrigo Carballo, Jose Carlos Garcia-Gomez
Summary: Scutellastra mexicana, the largest patellid in the world, is one of the most endangered marine invertebrates from tropical Pacific rocky shores. The population has declined significantly due to illegal fishing, and it is now on the brink of extinction.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toby A. Patterson, Richard M. Hillary, Peter M. Kyne, Richard D. Pillans, Rasanthi M. Gunasekera, James R. Marthick, Grant J. Johnson, Pierre Feutry
Summary: By using sibling pairs, the abundance and connectivity of adult sharks in two river systems in Australia were estimated. The results showed male philopatry in the Adelaide River and high connectivity of males in the Alligator Rivers with the Adelaide River. This method allows simultaneous assessment of abundance and connectivity in rare and threatened species.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Piero Cossu, Laura Mura, Gian Luca Dedola, Tiziana Lai, Daria Sanna, Fabio Scarpa, Ilenia Azzena, Nicola Fois, Marco Casu
Summary: Knowledge of genetic diversity and its spatial distribution is crucial for improving conservation plans for endangered species. This study assesses the impact of sample size on genetic diversity metrics within and between populations of the marine endangered species Patella ferruginea using microsatellite genotypes. Within-population metrics are moderately affected by small sample size, but the bias is proportional to the effective population size and gene flow. Increasing sample size enhances the detection of genetic differentiation among populations, but the gain tends to be negligible between 30 and 50 individuals. The study highlights the importance of genetic monitoring in seemingly well-preserved but potentially isolated populations and suggests caution in interpreting genetic patterns based on small sample sizes when genetic differentiation is weak.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anais Charbonnel, Patrick Lambert, Geraldine Lassalle, Eric Quinton, Antoine Guisan, Lise Mas, Guillaume Paquignon, Marie Lecomte, Marie-Laure Acolas
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of the critically endangered European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) and identifies key factors influencing its habitat selection. The results suggest that bathymetry, temperature, salinity, bottom current velocity, and distance to the source population are important predictors of A. sturio distribution, while substrate type has little influence. The most suitable marine areas for A. sturio are predicted to be along the French Atlantic coast, the Seine and Somme bays, the Rhine delta, and certain coastal areas in the Cantabrian Sea.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianjiao Dai, Donghui Wen, Colin T. Bates, Linwei Wu, Xue Guo, Suo Liu, Yifan Su, Jiesi Lei, Jizhong Zhou, Yunfeng Yang
Summary: Nutrient scarcity has a significant impact on natural microbial communities. The ribosomal RNA gene operon (rrn) copy number is associated with bacterial growth rate and nutrient demand. The abundance of rrn copy number differs between nutrient-rich coastal sediment and nutrient-scarce pelagic zone of the global ocean. Positive correlations between community-level rrn copy number and nutrients are observed. Furthermore, inter-species co-exclusion is more apparent in coastal sediment than in ocean water samples.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Albert Fernandez-Chacon, Lucie Buttay, Even Moland, Halvor Knutsen, Esben Moland Olsen
Summary: The study found that marine protected areas have a positive impact on increasing the local survival and abundance of lobster populations, but also revealed demographic differences between sexes and geographic regions. These differences should be considered in the management and design of current and future MPAs.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda K. Pettersen, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, Peter D. Steinberg, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of MPAs in preserving fish zeta diversity in Batemans Marine Park, Australia. Results showed that MPAs had a greater stability in fish species turnover compared to partially protected and unprotected areas, with significantly shallower decline in zeta diversity and higher retention of harvested species. The protective effects of MPAs were observable within 4 years of implementation, while partial protection showed little improvement in stability compared to unprotected areas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Free Espinosa, Manuel Maestre, Jose Carlos Garcia-Gomez, Maria Isabel Cotaina-Castro, Carmen Pitarch-Moreno, Juan Manuel Paramio, Patricia Fort-Santa Maria, Natalia Garcia-Estevez
Summary: The Anthropocene era has led to a biodiversity crisis and the extinction of many species, disrupting ecosystems and their services. Translocating endangered species can be a valuable conservation resource, as long as clear goals and criteria are defined. This study proposes a methodology using Artificial Inert Mobile Substrates (AIMS) to mimic natural substrate topography for restocking Patella ferruginea, a highly endangered marine species. The translocation process showed high survival rates and the methodology proved useful for restocking and reintroduction efforts between donor and receiving areas.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Even Moland, Albert Fernandez-Chacon, Tonje Knutsen Sordalen, David Villegas-Rios, Susanna Huneide Thorbjornsen, Kim Tallaksen Halvorsen, Mats Huserbraten, Esben Moland Olsen, Portia Joy Nillos Kleiven, Alf Ring Kleiven, Halvor Knutsen, Sigurd Heiberg Espeland, Carla Freitas, Jan Atle Knutsen
Summary: This article reviews a suite of studies conducted in a network of coastal Marine Protected Areas in Skagerrak, Southeast Norway, focusing on the effects of protection on marine populations such as European lobster, coastal cod, and labrids. The studies found that MPAs had positive impacts on population density, survival, body size, phenotypic diversity, and also altered selection pressure on morphological and behavioral traits. The research emphasized the importance of long-term monitoring, collaboration with fishers and managers, and the inclusion of citizen science in understanding the effects of protection on marine species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica V. Redfern, Kelly A. Kryc, Lena Weiss, Brooke C. Hodge, Orfhlaith O'Brien, Scott D. Kraus, Ester Quintana-Rizzo, Peter J. Auster
Summary: One of the current challenges in conservation is balancing economic goals dependent on ocean resource extraction with marine biodiversity conservation. Using NCSM as a case study, it was found that allowing commercial fishing reduces species protections and poses risks to marine species in surface and midwater regions. This demonstrates that a fisheries management policy is insufficient to protect unique ecological resources like those found in the NCSM.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saravanan Soorangkattan, Kamala Dhasan Nalluchamy, Arumugam Nagarajan, Boobalan Thulasinathan, Maruthupandian Jayabalan, Jothi Basu Muthuramalingam, Arun Alagarsamy, Muthuchelian Krishnasamy
Summary: The study found that using a concentration of 2 mM of IBA growth hormone for cutting and air layering techniques significantly promotes the growth of E. venustus in the Western Ghats region of India. Higher rooting responses were observed during monsoon periods through cutting and air layering techniques.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elena Ortega-Jimenez, Francisco Sedano, Free Espinosa
Summary: Mollusc communities are at risk due to urban sprawl and artificial structures that cannot substitute natural substrates. The key drivers of community structure include complexity, chemical composition, and mineral type. Macro and microscale complexity, chemical composition, and mineral type should be considered in future designs of artificial substrates.
Article
Biology
J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Alma P. Rodriguez-Troncoso, Amilcar L. Cupul-Magana, Diana E. Morales-de-Anda, Jennifer E. Caselle, Juan P. Carricart-Ganivet
Summary: This study evaluated the temporal changes in geobiological growth characteristics of corals in the Islas Marias archipelago in the eastern tropical Pacific, and found that human activities and thermal anomaly events have negatively affected coral growth. However, signs of recovery were also observed in certain areas and time periods.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Violeta Martinez-Castillo, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Jose de Jesus Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Eric Bautista-Guerrero, Jacqueline Padilla-Gamino, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana
Summary: In the Central Mexican Pacific, nutrient levels and sedimentation conditions do not hinder coral growth and reproductive activity, but they may increase the abundance of bioeroders, compromising reef integrity and functionality.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Eric Clua, Fabian A. Rodriguez-Zaragoza, Jennifer E. Caselle, Alma P. Rodriguez-Troncoso, Mehdi Adjeroud, Alan M. Friedlander, Amilcar L. Cupul-Magana, Enric Ballesteros, Juan P. Carricart-Ganivet, Eric K. Brown
Summary: This study examines the spatial and temporal changes in coral community attributes at Clipperton, an isolated atoll in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The findings suggest that changes in coral assemblage structure may have long-term effects on the ecological functionality of the well-conserved coral reefs at Clipperton.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Sempere-Valverde, Patricio Ramalhosa, Sahar Chebaane, Free Espinosa, Joao Gama Monteiro, Alejandro Bernal-Ibanez, Eva Cacabelos, Ignacio Gestoso, Jose Manuel Guerra-Garcia, Joao Canning-Clode
Summary: Marinas serve as hubs for non-indigenous species and are part of a network of highly modified water bodies connected by recreational maritime traffic. Floating structures, particularly pontoons, have higher abundance of non-indigenous species within marinas and pose a risk for their introduction, establishment, and spread. This study investigated the influence of marina location and substratum type on fouling assemblages recruitment, exploring water parameters and substratum chemical composition. The findings highlight the importance of marina differences and structural morphology in shaping assemblages, with variations observed in species composition, biomass, and structure. Understanding these factors can contribute to better management of urban ecosystems and mitigating coastal ecosystems degradation.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo M. Pedraza-Pohlenz, Eduardo F. Balart, J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Michael E. Hellberg, Orion Norzagaray-Lopez, Rafael A. Cabral-Tena, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana, David A. Paz-Garcia
Summary: Differences in selective pressures and the energetic cost of gametes may lead to sexual dimorphism in gonochoristic corals. This study found sexual dimorphism in the corallites of the gonochoric broadcast spawner Porites lobata, with males having larger corallite area. Phenotypic modularity analysis showed that the integration of skeletal traits differs between sexes in both P. lobata and its congener P. panamensis, suggesting the degree of corallite integration may vary with reproductive mode.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cassandra de Alba-Guzman, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Rafael Andres Cabral-Tena, Fabian Alejandro Rodriguez-Zaragoza, Jose de Jesus Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana
Summary: Understanding the factors that determine spatio-temporal changes in echinoderm assemblages and their implications for habitat resilience requires considering biodiversity, species evenness, and species' niches. In this study tracking a Central Mexican Pacific echinoderm assemblage from 2012 to 2021, it was found that more heterogeneous benthic assemblages were associated with higher richness, diversity, evenness, and functional entity counts. Echinoderm taxonomic composition was influenced by ENSO events, with higher functional diversity observed during La Niña and SIM;a events. Conservation strategies should prioritize species with unique functional traits to maintain coral community functionality.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Pastora Gomez-Petersen, Jose de Jesus Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana, Marco Ortiz, Eduardo Rios-Jara, Fabian Alejandro Rodriguez-Zaragoza
Summary: The efficiency of two different substrates (natural vs. artificial) in promoting coral growth in three Pocillopora coral morphospecies was evaluated. The results indicate that substrate type does not affect Pocillopora growth, but seasonal changes have an impact. It is recommended to implement coral reef restoration programs during the warm season to enhance management actions in Isla Isabel National Park.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Jose de Jesus Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Pastora Contreras Medellin-Lopez, Hazel Maria Canizales-Flores, Enrique Godinez-Dominguez, Amilcar Levi Cupul Magana
Summary: This study determined the growth rate of Pocillopora coral in different locations in the Mexican Central Pacific region and found that the branching corals exhibited a similar growth rate with no significant differences between sites. Therefore, the implementation of a restoration program in this region is expected to be successful, as environmental conditions are not limiting factors.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Alma P. Rodriguez-Troncoso, Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip, Amilcar L. Cupul-Magana, Juan P. Carricart-Ganivet
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of assisted coral intervention on calcium carbonate production and ecological volume yielded by branching and massive corals from the central Mexican Pacific. The results showed that after one year of outplanting, coral carbonate production increased by 42% and ecological volume also increased. Furthermore, the study suggested that long-term coral restoration actions have the potential to significantly increase carbonate production.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Violeta Martinez-Castillo, Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, Jose de Jesus Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana
Summary: The 1997-98 El Nino event caused massive coral bleaching and mortality in the Central Mexican Pacific (CMP). Despite being considered a coral region unlikely to recover, recent restoration efforts have been implemented to rehabilitate the coral community. The study shows that the branching Pocillopora species in Punta de Mita can recover through their fast growth rates and ability to cope with thermal anomalies.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alma Paola Rodriguez-Troncoso, J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Raul Padilla-Guzman, Liza Danielle Kelly-Gutierrez, Amilcar Levi Cupul-Magana
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful implementation of a low-impact restoration technique in degraded coral communities in the Central Mexican Pacific. The findings suggest that fragmented corals can grow and recover at a fast rate, but the impact of environmental differences and seasonal variability should be considered.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
J. J. Adolfo Tortolero-Langarica, Patricia Salazar-Silva, Estefania Morales-Ruiz, Yuridia Curiel-Vizcarra, Juan P. Carricart-Ganivet
Summary: Morphological plasticity in hermatypic corals is an adaptive response, but the infestation of tube-dwelling polychaetes can negatively affect coral growth and structural stability.
Article
Biology
Jeimy D. Santiago-Valentin, Alma P. Rodriguez-Troncoso, Eric Bautista-Guerrero, Andres Lopez-Perez, Amilcar L. Cupul-Magana
Summary: This study aimed to describe the histological and cytological characteristics of Porites panamensis larvae. The results showed that the ectoderm was composed of heterogeneous, mono-ciliated, columnar epithelial cells, with nematocysts clustered at the oral pole of the ectoderm. Additionally, the endoderm contained secretory cells, lipids, and symbionts. These findings are important for understanding the life cycle and larval development of corals.
REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA TROPICAL
(2022)