Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rongliang Zhang, Hua Zhang, Hui Liu, Jianmin Zhao
Summary: Artificial reefs can support trophic structure and pathways similar to those of natural reefs, although there may be spatial differences in pathway magnitudes. The study shows that the development of artificial reef systems over the years enables them to be comparable to natural reef systems. Future research should focus on comparing specific trophic compartments and combining trophic ecology with community structure to better understand the development of artificial reef systems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marilia Higino Mussy, Ronaldo de Almeida, Dario Pires de Carvalho, Leidiane Caroline Lauthartte, Igor Bruno Barbosa de Holanda, Marcelo Gomes de Almeida, Izidro Ferreira de Sousa-Filho, Carlos Eduardo de Rezende, Olaf Malm, Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos
Summary: The isotopic signatures of carbon in primary consumer fish species in the Madeira River basin show a distinct pattern. This study revealed significant differences between the two main groups of primary consumers in the basin. The mercury and delta N-15 data indicated higher trophic magnification factors in fish specimens collected from lakes compared to those from rivers. Piscivorous/carnivorous species exceeded recommended values for total mercury and methylmercury concentrations. Preventive measures and ongoing biomonitoring of fish species are necessary to reduce potential toxic effects and detect alterations in mercury concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ian Silver-Gorges, Jeroen Ingels, Giovanni A. P. dos Santos, Yirina Valdes, Leticia P. Pontes, Alexsandra C. Silva, Patricia F. Neres, Arvind Shantharam, Destin Perry, Andrew Richterkessing, Sofia Sanchez-Zarate, Laura Acevedo, Anthony J. Gillis, Simona A. Ceriani, Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes
Summary: Sea turtles face numerous threats during migrations and at foraging grounds. Analyzing epibionts of nesting turtles can provide insights into their foraging and spatial ecology. Certain epibiont taxa may indicate foraging regions used by loggerhead turtles.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henrike Bruechner-Huettemann, Sebastian Hoess, Christoph Ptatscheck, Marvin Brinke, Janina Schenk, Walter Traunspurger
Summary: The study assessed the value of NemaSPEAR[%]-index in evaluating the ecological status of freshwater ecosystems. It found that the index performed robustly in correlating with the toxic potential of sediments, indicating its added value compared to macrofauna-based indices.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. F. Bezerra, J. A. Seminoff, G. E. Lemons, D. G. Slotton, K. Watanabe, C. T. Lai
Summary: Aquatic pollution, specifically mercury contamination, is found to be widespread and strongly associated with diet and local contamination background in batoid species, exceeding EPA water quality standards. By using multiple biogeochemical tracers, researchers were able to uncover trophic interactions and mercury accumulation among batoid populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
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
Environmental Sciences
Dhanya Mohan Lal, Giri Bhavan Sreekanth, Chitra Soman, Anupam Sharma, Zeba Jaffer Abidi
Summary: The food and feeding relationships in the Ulhas River Estuary (URE) were analyzed using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures. The results showed that there were both a phytoplankton-based pelagic food chain and a detritus-based benthic food chain in URE. The ecosystem in URE exhibited a broader food web structure and higher trophic diversity, indicating the influence of anthropogenic activities on nitrogen pollution and trophic disturbance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenzhe Xu, Yongxin Dang, Siu Gin Cheung, Zhinan Zhang, Jun Sun, Ankang Teng, Paul K. S. Shin
Summary: The addition of stable isotope tracers can enhance isotopic differences of primary producers, allowing for a wider food-web resolution than using natural abundance stable isotopes alone. In a study near Halophila minor seagrass bed in Hong Kong, China, a N-15 addition experiment revealed larger dietary contributions of benthic microalgae for some infauna species compared to natural abundance stable isotopes data. This suggests the importance of combining NASIs with isotope tracer addition for a more accurate determination of dietary contributions and trophic statuses in ecosystems with similar primary producer isotope values.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brittany R. Charrier, Jeroen Ingels, Seth L. Danielson, Sarah L. Mincks
Summary: This study investigates the community structure, composition, and biomass of meiofauna in the Pacific Arctic region. It identifies distinct communities of meiofaunal-sized and macrofaunal-sized nematodes in different sub-regions, indicating the importance of these organisms in the benthic ecosystem. The study also provides important data for assessing ecosystem function in a rapidly changing Arctic.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Danae Guiserix, Emmanuelle Albalat, Henriette Ueckermann, Priyanka Davechand, Linda M. Iaccheri, Grant Bybee, Shaw Badenhorst, Vincent Balter
Summary: Radiogenic strontium isotopes (Sr-87/Sr-86) are a useful tool for investigating migration and landscape use. The study shows that the Sr-88/Sr-86 ratio may reveal unknown dietary and physiological information. Furthermore, the delta Sr-88 values in tooth enamel can differentiate between plants and herbivores, but the distinction between herbivores and carnivores requires further research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jeong Won Kim, Hyeong-Gi Kim, Hyein Kim, Stephen John Hawkins, In-Soo Seo, Chul-Woong Oh
Summary: This study investigated the spatial variability of macrofaunal and meiofaunal assemblages in intertidal flats on the southern coast of Korea. The assemblages differed significantly in species richness, density, and composition among stations. Sediment-related variables and heavy metals were found to be the main environmental factors influencing the spatial variability of the assemblages, with additional factors affecting meiofauna.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Nuria Sanchez, Daniela Zeppilli, Elisa Baldrighi, Ann Vanreusel, Max Gasimandova Lahitsiresy, Christophe Brandily, Lucie Pastor, Lara Macheriotou, Guillermo Garcia-Gomez, St ephanie Dupre, Karine Olu
Summary: The study found that in active pockmarks, there is a higher density of meiofauna, but lower density of macrofauna. In the top oxygenated layers of sediment, there is higher richness and abundance of macroand meiofauna. Some taxa appear to be more tolerant to extreme conditions and may serve as potential bioindicators of pockmark activity in the area.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Albuquerque, Antonio Bode, Juan Ignacio Gonzalez-Gordillo, Carlos M. Duarte, Henrique Queiroga
Summary: Marine neuston, a group of zooplankton that live near the ocean surface, is one of the least studied zooplankton groups. This study characterized the neustonic communities across different oceanic provinces and found that the differences in stable isotopes are related to environmental characteristics. The trophic structure of neuston communities is generally consistent across different regions, but the size and overlap of trophic niches may vary depending on food availability.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose M. Guerra-Garcia, Carlos Navarro-Barranco, Macarena Ros, Francisco Sedano, Rafael Espinar, Alejandro Fernandez-Romero, Gemma Martinez-Laiz, Jose A. Cuesta, Inmaculada Giraldez, Emilio Morales, Marta Florido, Juan Moreira
Summary: The study emphasized the importance of soft-bottom benthic communities in marinas for managing programs and developed an integrative assessment method to evaluate the ecological status of marinas. The results showed that ecological indicators such as Marinas Environmental Pollution Index, Biocontamination Index, and macrofaunal diversity indices can be used to distinguish marinas in the Southern Iberian Peninsula and assign "sustainable quality seals" to them.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Wang, Hang Zhang, Haolin Zhong, Zhidong Xue
Summary: Protein domains are crucial units for protein classification, function understanding, and design, with various prediction methods and databases available in the past two decades. These methods are categorized into sequence-based and structure-based approaches, each with its own advantages and limitations. Popular online protein domain databases are overviewed, with discussions on potential improvements of prediction methods.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aldo Hernandez, Fabian J. Tapia, Gonzalo S. Saldias, Renato A. Quinones
Summary: The study assessed the spatial variation in community structure among 30 areas for the management and exploitation of benthic resources in central Chile, identifying key external factors influencing benthic associations. The research found strong associations between benthic community structure and terrain and surface-ocean conditions, with fishery-related variables having little effect. These results provide valuable insights for improving ecosystem assessments and management strategies in the future.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paula A. Ruiz-Ruiz, Sergio Contreras, Angel Urzua, Eduardo Quiroga, Lorena Rebolledo
Summary: This study analyzed the fatty acid compositions of three species in a pristine Patagonian fjord and found that Munida gregaria had the highest concentrations of all fatty acids, suggesting it may be a good quality food source supporting the fjord trophic web in the Southern Hemisphere. The results provide insights into diet compositions and differences among species for fatty acid compositions and proportions, laying the foundation for future modeling of ecosystem responses to food intake in environments characterized by low phytoplankton biomass and high sensitivity to climate variability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Santiago E. A. Pineda-Metz, Americo Montiel
Summary: The study of meroplankton dynamics in a sub-Antarctic proglacial basin in Gallegos Sound, Chile, revealed distinct seasonal differences in composition and abundance, with higher levels during austral spring and late winter. These differences were directly related to seasonal variations in chlorophyll a fluorescence and temperature, suggesting a common pattern for sub- and Polar fjords in terms of meroplanktonic temporal dynamics.
Article
Ecology
Alejandra Mora-Soto, Austin Capsey, Alan M. Friedlander, Mauricio Palacios, Paul E. Brewin, Neil Golding, Paul Dayton, Brigitta Van Tussenbroek, Americo Montiel, Whitney Goodell, Catalina Velasco-Charpentier, Tom Hart, Erasmo C. Macaya, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Marc Macias-Fauria
Summary: By analyzing historical nautical charts and surveys, researchers found that ocean currents, wave exposure, and coastal geomorphology are the critical factors predicting the extent of giant kelp forests in the sub-Antarctic region. Despite significant natural and human-induced changes over the past two centuries, this diverse kelp ecosystem has shown remarkable persistence.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
So-Young Kim, Dhongil Lim, Lorena Rebolledo, Taewook Park, Oliver Esper, Praxedes Munoz, Hyoung Sul La, Tae Wan Kim, SangHoon Lee
Summary: Studies on the Amundsen Sea polynya show that environmental shifts in the region over the past 350 years are closely linked to large-scale climate patterns such as the Southern Annular Mode and El Niño-Southern Oscillation. It is speculated that changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation induced by increasing greenhouse gas levels have played a significant role in the mid-20th century invigoration of Circumpolar Deep Water intrusion. This research highlights the impact of global warming on the Antarctic environment and its connection to ocean-atmosphere reorganizations.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristian Rodrigo, Erick Cifuentes, Rodrigo Fernandez, Jose Andrade, Lorena Rebolledo, Diego Munoz, Praxedes Munoz
Summary: A study in Europa Fjord near the Southern Patagonian Icefield reveals that glacier retreat and increased meltwater discharge have influenced sediment delivery and accumulation rates, impacting marine fjord ecosystems. Through detailed analysis of multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, sub-bottom seismic profiles, and sediment core samples, the study provides insights into the glacial and sedimentary evolution of the fjord and its connection to neighboring fjords.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis Bedrinana-Romano, Patricia M. Zarate, Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete, Francisco A. Viddi, Susannah J. Buchan, Ilia Cari, Ljubitza Clavijo, Robert Bello, Alexandre N. Zerbini
Summary: This study provides abundance and distribution estimates for several species of whales in the Chilean portion of the Humboldt Current Ecosystem, and identifies areas where efforts should be prioritized to address negative interactions between vessels and cetaceans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Massimiliano Drago, Celia Llorach, Unai Ormazabal Santa Cruz, Lisette Zenteno-Devaud, Lorena Rebolledo, Diego Rita, Manel Gazo, Luis Cardona
Summary: This study used stable isotope ratios in whiskers and blood of young and subadult male Antarctic fur seals to investigate their diet. The results showed that Antarctic fur seals rely predominantly on Antarctic krill year-round, with penguins as their secondary prey. These findings highlight the importance of considering the dietary reliance of young and subadult male Antarctic fur seals in ecosystem-based fisheries management.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniela Droguett, Cristobal Arredondo, Catherine Dougnac, Alejandro Kusch, Americo Montiel, Alejandro Vila
Summary: A study conducted in a seabird breeding site in southern Tierra del Fuego, Chile, found that the breeding success of Black-browed albatrosses is affected by predation from Andean condors and Southern caracaras, highlighting the importance of species interactions for conservation management in the area.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Patricio A. Diaz, Carlos Molinet, Miriam Seguel, Edwin J. Niklitschek, Manuel Diaz, Gonzalo Alvarez, Ivan Perez-Santos, Daniel Varela, Leonardo Guzman, Camilo Rodriguez-Villegas, Rosa Figueroa
Summary: This study examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of PSP toxicity in clams in two fishing grounds in southern Chile. The results showed differences in the spatial variability and temporal dynamics of PSP toxicity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cristian Gallardo-Escarate, Valentina Valenzuela-Munoz, Gustavo Nunez-Acuna, Diego Valenzuela-Miranda, Fabian J. Tapia, Marco Yevenes, Gonzalo Gajardo, Jorge E. Toro, Pablo A. Oyarzun, Gloria Arriagada, Beatriz Novoa, Antonio Figueras, Steven Roberts, Marco Gerdol
Summary: The blue mussel Mytilus chilensis is an endemic and key socioeconomic species on the southern coast of Chile, supporting a booming aquaculture industry. However, its production is threatened by microorganisms, pollution, and environmental stressors. Understanding the genomic basis of local adaption is important for sustainable shellfish aquaculture.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jiaming Pan, Hsing Wen Lin, David W. Gerdes, Kevin J. Napier, Jichi Wang, T. M. C. Abbott, M. Aguena, S. Allam, O. Alves, D. Bacon, P. H. Bernardinelli, G. M. Bernstein, E. Bertin, D. Brooks, D. L. Burke, A. Carnero Rosell, M. Carrasco Kind, J. Carretero, M. Costanzi, L. N. da Costa, M. E. S. Pereira, J. De Vicente, S. Desai, P. Doel, I. Ferrero, D. Friedel, J. Frieman, J. Garcia-Bellido, M. Gatti, R. A. Gruendl, J. Gschwend, K. Herner, S. R. Hinton, D. L. Hollowood, K. Honscheid, D. J. James, K. Kuehn, N. Kuropatkin, M. March, F. Menanteau, R. Miquel, F. Paz-Chinchon, A. Pieres, A. A. Plazas Malagon, M. Raveri, M. Rodriguez-Monroy, A. K. Romer, E. Sanchez, M. Schubnell, I. Sevilla-Noarbe, M. Smith, E. Suchyta, G. Tarle, D. Tucker, A. R. Walker, N. Weaverdyck
Summary: The study examines the photometric properties of Jupiter Trojans and analyzes their color distribution and size correlation. The research uses data from the Dark Energy Survey to study 573 unique Jupiter Trojans and finds that the color distribution of L5 Trojans is similar to that of L4 Trojans. The study also observes that the color of L5 Trojans becomes less red with fainter absolute magnitudes, which is consistent with the trend in L4 Trojans. C- and P-type asteroids outnumber D-type asteroids in the L5 Trojans sample.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kevin J. Napier, Larissa Markwardt, Fred C. Adams, David W. Gerdes, Hsing Wen Lin
Summary: Trojan asteroids, due to their resonance with their host planet, can provide important insights into the dynamical and chemical history of the solar system. While Jupiter and Neptune have long-term stable Trojan asteroids, Earth currently lacks such Trojans. This study uses simulations to investigate the effects of large collisions on Earth's Trojans, and suggests that these collisions can disrupt and potentially eliminate the Trojan population.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Simon B. Porter, John R. Spencer, Anne Verbiscer, Susan Benecchi, H. A. Weaver, Hsing Wen Lin, J. J. Kavelaars, Wesley C. Fraser, David W. Gerdes, Marc W. Buie, Kelsi N. Singer, Joel W. Parker, S. Alan Stern
Summary: This study presents high-precision orbits for 15 trans-Neptunian objects observed by the New Horizons spacecraft and predicts future opportunities to observe stellar occultations by them. These observations would help in the search for contact-binary TNOs and contribute to the understanding of the size-frequency distribution of the Kuiper Belt.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Karen Araya, Praxedes Munoz, Laurent Dezileau, Antonio Maldonado, Rodrigo Campos-Caba, Lorena Rebolledo, Paola Cardenas, Marcos Salamanca
Summary: This study presents evidence of marine submersion events and flooding in the coast of Chile over the past 1000 years. Sedimentary records from the Pachingo wetland were analyzed, revealing extreme events caused by storm surges, tsunamis, and heavy rains. The geochronological analysis further confirmed the timing and nature of these events.