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)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. M. Barber-Meyer, T. J. Wheeldon, L. D. Mech
Summary: The study found that wolves captured in wilderness areas tend to have a higher survival rate compared to those captured in non-wilderness areas, especially during harvest and post-harvest years. Non-wilderness wolves had higher rates of anthropogenic and illegal mortality. Wilderness wolves were less likely to die, pups were more vulnerable than adults, and males were less likely to die compared to females.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ana Cascales-Soler, Alfonso Angel Ramos-Espla, Aitor Forcada
Summary: Increasing human pressure has negatively affected the littoral environment, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have emerged as crucial conservation tools, including for the protection of species such as limpets (Patella spp.). A deep review of studies on Patella spp. in the Mediterranean Sea was conducted to assess the effectiveness of MPAs, revealing significant differences in the size of individuals between MPAs and non-protected areas.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. Ostale-Valriberas, A. Sabino-Lorenzo, A. Ali-Ahmed, A. Pavon-Paneque, J. Sempere-Valverde, F. Espinosa, J. C. Garcia-Gomez
Summary: This study focuses on the population dynamics of the critically endangered species Patella ferruginea in Ceuta and the environmental factors that affect its population structure. The results show that the population size of P. ferruginea has increased by 200% in the period 2011-2021, with the population inside Ceuta's harbor having the greatest increase of 1,288%. The study also highlights the concept of Artificial Marine Micro-Reserves as a new conservation measure.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Benjamin Geffroy
Summary: Recent observations have linked the quality of the environment to the development of an individual's sex. Harsh conditions often result in masculinization, while favorable conditions promote ovary development. This relationship is dependent on evolutionary constraints and is observed when females require more energy for reproduction. This knowledge provides new avenues for understanding how animals adapt their sex according to local environments.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lara Salgueiro de Gregorio, Lilian Franco-Belussi, Javier Goldberg, Classius De Oliveira
Summary: Environmental pollution, particularly contamination with endocrine disrupting chemicals like 4-nonylphenol and cyproterone acetate, plays a significant role in amphibian population decline. Exposure to these chemicals can trigger toxic and endocrine disrupting effects, leading to impaired growth rates in tadpoles and juveniles. Further research on the sublethal effects of different dosages of these compounds on native species is necessary to address concerns related to contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
E. Ostale-Valriberas, J. Sempere-Valverde, A. Pavon-Paneque, S. Coppa, F. Espinosa, J. C. Garcia-Gomez
Summary: During the Anthropocene, species extinction rates are increasing unprecedentedly, largely due to urbanization processes fragmenting ecosystems. However, some species like the intertidal mollusc Patella ferruginea can maintain stable populations in urbanized ecosystems. Establishing Artificial Marine Micro-Reserves (AMMR) can effectively protect endangered species like P. ferruginea.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Achala Vagal, Heidi Sucharew, Lily L. Wang, Brett Kissela, Kathleen Alwell, Mary Haverbusch, Daniel Woo, Simona Ferioli, Jason Mackey, Felipe de los Rios la Rosa, Eva A. Mistry, Stacie L. Demel, Elisheva Coleman, Adam S. Jasne, Kyle Walsh, Pooja Khatri, Sabreena Slavin, Michael Star, Cody Stephens, Dawn Kleindorfer
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate disparities in race, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) in the utilization of advanced neuroimaging in a population-based study. The results showed that the utilization of advanced imaging progressively increased over the years. Older patients and those with low SES were less likely to have advanced imaging, while racial differences depended on age.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malin Indremo, Anna Clara Jodensvi, Hans Arinell, Johan Isaksson, Fotios C. Papadopoulos
Summary: The study found a negative association between negative media coverage on transgender health care and referrals to gender identity clinics for children and adolescents. However, no changes in referral counts or time trends were observed for the other two media events.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Scott William Roy
Summary: Haldane's rule suggests that heterogametic sex performs poorly in interspecific hybrids due to the absence of one of the species' X/Z chromosomes, but this rule is still observed in mouse placentas with paternal X silencing. This could be attributed to the evolution of Y chromosomes promoting growth in the presence of maternal-paternal conflict, resulting in balanced sex investment arising from a complex intra- and intergenomic duel.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Stephen Picken, Harry Summers, Oday Al-Dadah
Summary: This study compared different patella height indices on X-ray and MRI in patients with patella instability. The findings showed significant differences between the two imaging modalities, with the Insall-Salvati ratio demonstrating the best reliability for measuring patella height.
SKELETAL RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Miho J. Tanaka, Alisha Sodhi, Isha Wadhavkar, Kylynn Kane, Maria Velasquez V. Hammerle, Kartik Velasquez Varadarajan, Paul Tornetta III
Summary: The optimal measurements and thresholds for trochlear dysplasia on MRI were evaluated to identify knees with patellar instability in male and female patients. The cartilaginous trochlear depth measurement had the highest diagnostic value.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jonathan R. Monsinjon, Jean-Michel Guillon, Jeanette Wyneken, Marc Girondot
Summary: Species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) can experience biased sex ratios in natural conditions. This study introduces a novel concept called thermal reaction norm for sexualization to model the effect of temperature on sex determination in TSD species. The results show that temperature can influence the sexualization of the gonad earlier than previously recognized. The new approach greatly outperforms previous ones in sex ratio prediction.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Biology
Gabriel A. B. Marais, J-F Lemaitre
Summary: Sex chromosomes play a crucial role in establishing the differences in longevity between males and females. This study explores the relationship between sex chromosomes and longevity differences in plants, and finds a trend that supports the predictions made based on knowledge accumulated in animals, despite the limitations in the dataset.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuhei So, Fumiko Tawara, Yu Taniguchi, Naohiro Kanayama
Summary: In this study, we explored whether there is a preference for certain genders among pregnant women. Through analyzing data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, we found that the sex of the previous children can influence the subsequent child's gender. This suggests that some women may have a bias towards conceiving either boys or girls.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juan Sempere-Valverde, Enrique Ostale-Valriberas, Manuel Maestre, Roi Gonzalez Aranda, Hocein Bazairi, Free Espinosa
Summary: This study in a marine protected area in the Mediterranean Sea investigated the temporal fluctuations of the coralligenous community, revealing that the rapid expansion of the non-native species R. okamurae led to changes in community structure and decline of sensitive species, highlighting the need for increased management efforts to protect this protected habitat.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
F. Espinosa, A. Pavon-Paneque, J. C. Garcia-Gomez
Summary: Limpets, especially giant limpets like Patella ferruginea, play a vital role in promoting marine biodiversity in coastal areas. Research indicates that there are differences in diet consumption between artificial and natural substrata for P. ferruginea. The study suggests that this endangered species can be used as an indicator for detecting anthropogenically derived organic matter in coastal areas, but further research is needed to assess the impact of artificial substrata from a conservation perspective.
MOLLUSCAN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Beal, Maria P. Dias, Richard A. Phillips, Steffen Oppel, Carolina Hazin, Elizabeth J. Pearmain, Josh Adams, David J. Anderson, Michelle Antolos, Javier A. Arata, Jose Manuel Arcos, John P. Y. Arnould, Jill Awkerman, Elizabeth Bell, Mike Bell, Mark Carey, Ryan Carle, Thomas A. Clay, Jaimie Cleeland, Valentina Colodro, Melinda Conners, Marta Cruz-Flores, Richard Cuthbert, Karine Delord, Lorna Deppe, Ben J. Dilley, Herculano Dinis, Graeme Elliott, Fernanda De Felipe, Jonathan Felis, Manuela G. Forero, Amanda Freeman, Akira Fukuda, Jacob Gonzalez-Solis, Jose Pedro Granadeiro, April Hedd, Peter Hodum, Jose Manuel Igual, Audrey Jaeger, Todd J. Landers, Matthieu Le Corre, Azwianewi Makhado, Benjamin Metzger, Teresa Militao, William A. Montevecchi, Virginia Morera-Pujol, Leia Navarro-Herrero, Deon Nel, David Nicholls, Daniel Oro, Ridha Ouni, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Flavio Quintana, Raul Ramos, Tim Reid, Jose Manuel Reyes-Gonzalez, Christopher Robertson, Graham Robertson, Mohamed Salah Romdhane, Peter G. Ryan, Paul Sagar, Fumio Sato, Stefan Schoombie, R. Paul Scofield, Scott A. Shaffer, Nirmal Jivan Shah, Kim L. Stevens, Christopher Surman, Robert M. Suryan, Akinori Takahashi, Vikash Tatayah, Graeme Taylor, David R. Thompson, Leigh Torres, Kath Walker, Ross Wanless, Susan M. Waugh, Henri Weimerskirch, Takashi Yamamoto, Zuzana Zajkova, Laura Zango, Paulo Catry
Summary: This study combines tracking data and breeding population size data to estimate the relative importance of national jurisdictions and high seas areas for migratory marine species, highlighting the stake each country has in managing biodiversity in international waters. The study quantifies the links between national populations of threatened seabirds and the regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) regulating fishing in the high seas, providing valuable information for the conservation and management of migratory species in the marine realm.
Article
Ecology
Leila Hmida, Chiheb Fassatoui, Sarra Missaoui, Jihen Zaghab, Mohamed Salah Romdhane, Francois Le Loc'h, Frida Ben Rais Lasram
Summary: The study on the invasive bivalve Pinctada imbricata radiata in Tunisian waters revealed stable genetic polymorphism and significant genetic differentiation between samples under different environmental stresses, with a greater influence of natural selection on genetic differentiation.
MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Loubna Boutahar, Free Espinosa, Juan Sempere-Valverde, Mohamed Selfati, Hocein Bazairi
Summary: The study revealed that Cymodocea nodosa can be used to monitor trace element pollution in the Marchica lagoon, with sediments near illegal discharges being heavily contaminated. Leaves and roots of the seagrass are good indicators of contamination, and can be used to design biomonitoring programs.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Chiheb Fassatoui, Sameh Hatira, Mohamed Salah Romdhane
Summary: In this study, condition factor and growth patterns of the invasive Atlantic blue crab in Ghar El Melh Lagoon, northern Tunisia were examined using biometric relationships. Results showed that growth patterns varied by sex and season, with width-weight relationship showing isometry to negative allometry growth, while length-weight relationship demonstrated isometry growth patterns, except for the summer sample which displayed positive allometry. Sex had a strong effect on the width-weight relationship, while the Fulton's condition factor varied significantly between seasons.
JOURNAL OF CRUSTACEAN BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Chiheb Fassatoui, Anne Chenuil, Mohamed Salah Romdhane
Summary: This study used geometric morphometrics and molecular genetics to analyze the population structure and genetic diversity of the endangered species Unio durieui in four Tunisian watershed basins. The results showed significant differences in shell shape among populations from different geographic regions, and genetic and phenotypic diversity were found to be correlated with climatic variables. These findings suggest that the nominal species U. durieui may consist of two biological species due to isolation by environment.
JOURNAL OF MOLLUSCAN STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Sedano, A. Pavon-Paneque, C. Navarro-Barranco, J. M. Guerra-Garcia, M. Digenis, J. Sempere-Valverde, F. Espinosa
Summary: Intertidal ecosystems are being replaced by artificial hard substrates due to human activities, leading to a decrease in global biodiversity. Eco-engineering measures face challenges in establishing global protocols for biodiversity enhancement. Research shows that different types of artificial substrates have varying impacts on marine life, highlighting the importance of local scale in management programs.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL 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
Ecology
M. Solis-Diaz, C. Navarro-Barranco, G. Mateu-Vicens, F. Espinosa
Summary: This study investigated the diversity and spatial distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera inhabiting coralligenous habitats of the Strait of Gibraltar, revealing a certain homogeneity in foraminiferal assemblages across different host substrates and study locations.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
E. Ostale-Valriberas, J. Sempere-Valverde, A. Pavon-Paneque, S. Coppa, F. Espinosa, J. C. Garcia-Gomez
Summary: During the Anthropocene, species extinction rates are increasing unprecedentedly, largely due to urbanization processes fragmenting ecosystems. However, some species like the intertidal mollusc Patella ferruginea can maintain stable populations in urbanized ecosystems. Establishing Artificial Marine Micro-Reserves (AMMR) can effectively protect endangered species like P. ferruginea.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joaquim Garrabou, Daniel Gomez-Gras, Alba Medrano, Carlo Cerrano, Massimo Ponti, Robert Schlegel, Nathaniel Bensoussan, Eva Turicchia, Maria Sini, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Nuria Teixido, Alice Mirasole, Laura Tamburello, Emma Cebrian, Gil Rilov, Jean-Baptiste Ledoux, Jamila Ben Souissi, Faten Khamassi, Raouia Ghanem, Mouloud Benabdi, Samir Grimes, Oscar Ocana, Hocein Bazairi, Bernat Hereu, Cristina Linares, Diego Kurt Kersting, Graciel la Rovira, Julia Ortega, David Casals, Marta Pages-Escola, Nuria Margarit, Pol Capdevila, Jana Verdura, Alfonso Ramos, Andres Izquierdo, Carmen Barbera, Esther Rubio-Portillo, Irene Anton, Paula Lopez-Sendino, David Diaz, Maite Vazquez-Luis, Carlos Duarte, Nuria Marba, Eneko Aspillaga, Free Espinosa, Daniele Grech, Ivan Guala, Ernesto Azzurro, Simone Farina, Maria Cristina Gambi, Giovanni Chimienti, Monica Montefalcone, Annalisa Azzola, Torcuato Pulido Mantas, Simonetta Fraschetti, Giulia Ceccherelli, Silvija Kipson, Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli, Donat Petricioli, Carlos Jimenez, Stelios Katsanevakis, Inci Tuney Kizilkaya, Zafer Kizilkaya, Stephane Sartoretto, Rouanet Elodie, Sandrine Ruitton, Steeve Comeau, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Jean-Georges Harmelin
Summary: This study reveals that the Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions, leading to five consecutive years of mass mortality events of marine organisms. The occurrence of these events is significantly related to the heat exposure from marine heatwaves observed at the surface and depths. The Mediterranean Sea is facing an unprecedented threat to its ecosystem's health and functioning due to the accelerated ecological impacts of marine heatwaves.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Loubna Boutahar, Free Espinosa, Hocein Bazairi
Summary: Seagrass habitats are valuable ecosystems that provide numerous benefits, but they are facing accelerating losses globally. This study investigated the structural development and dynamics of Cymodocea nodosa meadows in a marine protected area in Morocco, revealing the negative impact of epiphytes and other pressures on seagrass growth. The study highlights the importance of protecting seagrass habitats.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
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
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Khaled Gharbi, Afef Fathalli, Rym Essid, Chiheb Fassatoui, Mohamed Salah Romdhane, Ferid Limam, Amel Ben Rejeb Jenhani
Summary: This study isolated ten monoclonal microalgal cultures from Tunisian inland water bodies and identified several with potential antioxidant, antibacterial, antileishmanial activity, and high phycobiliprotein production. Some strains showed high activity, indicating promising potential as new antioxidants, phycocyanin sources, and candidates for leishmaniasis treatment.
OCEANOLOGICAL AND HYDROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES
(2021)