Abstract. The RAPSODI (Radiosonde Atmospheric Profiles from Ship and island platforms during ORCESTRA, collected to Decipher the ITCZ) radiosonde dataset was collected during the ORCESTRA field campaign in August and September 2024. It is designed to investigate the mechanisms linking mesoscale tropical convection to tropical waves and to air-sea heat and moisture exchanges that regulate convection and tropical cyclone formation. The campaign began at the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica (INMG) on Sal in the Cape Verde Islands, continued with ship-based observations aboard the German research vessel R/V Meteor during an Atlantic transect, and concluded at the Barbados Cloud Observatory (BCO) in the eastern Caribbean. Over the 52 d campaign, a total of 624 radiosondes were launched at high temporal frequency (typically every three hours), capturing high-resolution vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, pressure, and winds from three complementary platforms. The dataset encompasses raw, quality-controlled, and vertically gridded data, is detailed in this paper and offers a valuable resource for investigating the atmospheric structure and processes shaping tropical convection and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The datasets generated in this study include raw radiosonde measurements (Level 0), oscillating and merged radiosonde profiles (Level 1), and vertically gridded profiles (Level 2), which are publicly available via the ORCESTRA data portal and DOI-referenced archives (Winkler et al., 2025a; https://ipfs.io/ipns/latest.orcestra-campaign.org/raw/BCO/radiosondes/, Winkler et al., 2025b; https://ipfs.io/ipns/latest.orcestra-campaign.org/raw/INMG/radiosondes/, Winkler et al., 2025c; https://ipfs.io/ipns/latest.orcestra-campaign.org/raw/METEOR/radiosondes/, Winkler et al., 2025d; https://doi.org/10.82246/BAFYBEIHXRAJOJUQZYX65QSO7AMA6NGVREETKDW3HQZX3SDZFB7LCMG6VAQ, Winkler et al., 2026; https://doi.org/10.82246/BAFYBEIA34AUWYVBH2RQ7CN7AGUZZ7PULQ2KRDDDIEESM6KPYSI, Winkler and Rixen, 2026a; https://doi.org/10.82246/BAFYBEID7CNW62ZMZFGXCVC6Q6FA267A7IVK2W, Winkler and Rixen, 2026b).

Understanding the molecular basis of adaptation and the genetic architecture of complex traits are longstanding goals in biology. One problem impeding this understanding is the complexity of continental populations, with their complicated demographic histories, gene flow and secondary contact. In contrast, island populations represent simpler systems where uncovering the genetic basis of complex traits and tracing how traits built up is much more tractable. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the Cape Verde Islands populations represent a case of long-range colonization and adaptation to a divergent selective regime. Here, we describe the development and testing of a new multiparent intercross doubled haploid population of A. thaliana from the Cape Verde Islands. This population balances the representation of natural diversity and overcomes the shortcomings of existing resources, such as biparental recombinant inbred lines and genome-wide association populations. Specifically, it captures variation that segregates within the archipelago but is fixed on individual islands. We mapped the genetic basis of flowering time, rosette size, and photosystem II efficiency (ΦPSII) in this inter-island intercross population, representing traits that we hypothesized may be evolving under strong selection during the colonization of the archipelago. We identified functional loci underlying these traits, including FRI K232X and FLC R3X for flowering time, and IRT1 G130X for ΦPSII and rosette size. Our multiparent intercross population complements existing mapping resources and provides a robust framework for investigating the genetic basis of complex traits in A. thaliana. This work emphasizes the value of island systems and complementary approaches for advancing our understanding of genetic adaptation.

This study provides information on main reproductive characteristics of Tarentola nicolauensis. Egg-laying behavior, clutch size, reproductive effort, size, weight, incubation period and post-oviparous weight loss of eggs as well as hatching characteristics of offspring in captivity were described. It was found that Tarentola nicolauensis produces relatively few clutches in the course of a laying season and that the majority of clutches contain a single large egg rather than two comparatively small eggs. Hatching size and hatching weight of the hatchlings correspond to the egg sizes. These reproductive traits are characteristic of many endemic species of Tarentola of the Cape Verde Islands. Studies on life history and ecology of animals are important for species conservation. Such studies are unfortunately limited for reptiles. Therefore, studies in captivity are important and complement field studies.

In 1783 four “Philosophical Expeditions” departed from Lisbon to Portuguese Overseas Territories – Brazil, Angola, Mozambique-Goa and the Cape Verde Islands – in order to explore and catalogue their untapped natural resources. They were led by four young naturalists, former students of Domingos Vandelli at the University of Coimbra. Numerous shipments of natural products of the flora and fauna were sent to the Royal Museum and Botanical Garden of Ajuda, including specimens, drawings, maps, and reports. In 1808, during the French occupation of Portugal, the best specimens and manuscripts from the Museum of Ajuda were expropriated by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire for the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris. Since then, no systematic review has been conducted with these collections, except for the botanical material from Cape Verde. In order to accomplish the goals of analysing and identifying the botanical outcomes of those Portuguese scientific expeditions, the following materials were investigated: 1) herbarium specimens from the “Herbarium Brasiliense Dr. Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira”, deposited in the Herbarium of the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC) of the University of Lisbon (LISU); 2) those from the “Herbarium Lusitanicum”, which were taken by Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to the Paris Herbarium (P); 3) the duplicates/unicates (ex LISU) that were sent in 1874 to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K); 4) the original iconography produced by the draughtsmen José Joaquim Freire and Joaquim José Codina, currently preserved in the Manuscripts Section of the Fundação Biblioteca Nacional in Rio de Janeiro and in the Museums of the University of Lisbon; 5) copies of the original iconography, made by draughtsmen and disciples of the Casa do Risco of the Royal Museum and Botanical Garden of Ajuda, currently deposited in the Library of the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro; 6) memoranda and lists of shipments of material from the Philosophical Expeditions, which are found in the Manuscripts Section of the National Library of Rio de Janeiro and in the Historical Archive of the Museums of the University of Lisbon; and 7) the literature produced about Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira and other Portuguese Philosophical Expeditions of the 18th Century to Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Goa. The official documents of the French requisition of specimens from the Portuguese collections reported a number of 2,815 herbarium specimens: 1,360 from Brazil (1,114 – Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, 129 – Joaquim Vellozo de Miranda, 117 – José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo), 88 from Cochinchina (João de Loureiro), 216 from Angola (Joaquim José da Silva), 289 from Peru, 35 from Goa (Manuel Galvão da Silva), 562 from Cape Verde (João da Silva Feijó), 83 from Cape of Good Hope, and 182 from Uppsala. Up to the present, considering only the collections of the Philosophical Expeditions, 1,284 specimens of the so-called Herbarium Lusitanicum in Paris have been located, belonging to 870 species attributable to Ferreira. From the other expeditions, 151 specimens from Angola, 345 from Cape Verde, and 15 from Goa have also been located. Among the disastrous consequences of that requisition, there was a gradual decline of the Royal Museum of Ajuda. The herbarium itself remained at Ajuda until 1874, when it was transferred to the Escola Polytechnica. The recovered specimens are currently at LISU, pertaining to the “Herbarium Brasiliense Dr. Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira”, which encompasses 1,275 specimens of 973 species (390 of the latter attributable to him). In the present account, a contextualisation and synthesis of knowledge about the Portuguese Philosophical Expeditions, particularly related to botany, is presented. All located specimens are listed and commented upon whenever showing relevant issues on provenance, identification, possible mixture of material, erroneous attribution, or other points of interest, like geographical distribution, nomenclatural types, and typifications. The identity of Laurus discolor Rich. has been unveiled, which has priority over Endlicheria sericea Nees. I here provide a new combination in Endlicheria: Endlicheria discolor comb. nov. (≡ Laurus discolor Rich.). The holotype specimen of Thylacanthus ferrugineus Tul., collected in Angola by Joaquim José da Silva, is illustrated and confirmed to belong to Julbernardia paniculata (Benth.) Troupin. As Thylacanthus has nomenclatural priority over Julbernardia Pellegr., I here propose nine nomenclatural combinations in Thylacanthus: Thylacanthus bifoliolatus comb. nov. (≡ Paraberlinia bifoliolata Pellegr.); Thylacanthus brieyi comb. nov. (≡ Berlinia brieyi De Wild.); Thylacanthus globiflorus comb. nov. (≡ Brachystegia globiflora Benth.); Thylacanthus gossweileri comb. nov. (≡ Berlinia paniculata var. gossweileri Baker f.); Thylacanthus hochreutineri comb. nov. (≡ Julbernardia hochreutineri Pellegr.); Thylacanthus letouzeyi comb. nov. (≡ Julbernardia letouzeyi Villiers); Thylacanthus magnistipulatus comb. nov. (≡ Berlinia magnistipulata Harms); Thylacanthus seretii comb. nov. (≡ Berlinia seretii De Wild.); and Thylacanthus unijugatus comb. nov. (≡ Julbernardia unijugata J.Léonard). Additionally, lectotypes for the names Paraberlinia bifoliolata (second-step), Berlinia brieyi, Brachystegia globiflora, Julbernardia hochreutineri (second-step), Julbernardia letouzeyi (second-step), and Berlinia magnistipulata, as well as for Laurus discolor, are designated.

Abstract Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, island territories in underdeveloped countries have seen how their image as earthly paradises has led to a significant influx in tourists. Thus, there is need for researchers to focus in island countries. However, less attention is placed in Cape Verde (CV) at the global level, hence the importance of this study. The results of this study of CV contradict the projections often made in the literature for the pandemic years 2020-21. The analysis of official statistics -World Bank; World Travel & Tourism Council; National Statistics Institute of CV; Ministério do Turismo e Transportes, CV; World Tourism Organization- has showed the enormous contribution of tourism to economic recovery in the post-crisis period. Nevertheless, the interviews to the local economic and social agents has evidenced the existence of a deep gap between what local population demand and what the authorities decide. Indeed, tourism demand has reached pre-pandemic levels, but it is mainly channelled towards islands specialising in sun and beach tourism. By contrast, tourist flows to islands specialising in more sustainable forms of tourism, such as rural tourism, are still much lower than in pre-Covid 19 times.

Abstract The Cape Verde Islands — Upper Guinea contact zone became the first location where Pt. crioulo and its loan translations Sp. criollo , Fr. créole and En. creole were used to designate pidgin or creole varieties. Approaching this issue from the perspective of language ideologies, we differentiate between the perspective of local communities and the perception of European outsiders, and hence between the use of autoglossonyms, i.e., names given by speakers, and the use of alloglossonyms, i.e., names given by outsiders. The paper illustrates how labels for local languages were (mis-)used within the outsiders’ othering strategy, becoming subject to ideological stances.

Ecological links between the yellowfin tuna and an isolated archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean revealed by otolith chemistry.

Spotlight: Evolution of Saline-tolerant Arabidopsis in the Cape Verde Islands.

Toxic benthic dinoflagellates are predicted to increase with increased temperature stratification and eutrophication. Total rRNA was extracted from cells washed off macroalgae collected at low tide from selected sites on north and western coasts of Boa Vista Cape Verde. The rRNA was tested for the presence of certain toxic dinoflagellates using a molecular barcode to each target species and detected with electrochemical measurement methods in order to establish which macroalga could harbour benthic dinoflagellates. We provide a first rough indication of their density and distribution and probe sensitivity. Toxic planktonic dinoflagellates were also collected from the washes of the macroalgae, indicating that they had likely settled out of the plankton and were trapped on the surface and within the branches of macroalgae. Notably certain benthic dinoflagellates were also found to be abundant in the two plankton samples taken. Electrochemical detection with a biosensor is an alternative cheaper and easier to use method for the detection of toxic algae. A northward progression of emergent toxic tropical species has been now detected with our methods from Cape Verde to the northern Iberian Peninsula because climate change has modified ocean temperatures to enable their survival.

Soil salinization poses a notable threat to agriculture. The Cape Verde Islands are located 600 km off the coast of Africa and are characterized by arid environments and high-salinity soils. Here, we find that Arabidopsis thaliana plants native to these islands accumulate glucuronyl-mannose that protects them from salt stress. We map the ability to produce this metabolite to an α glycosidase family 38 gene that we named GH38cv. Plants carrying mutant alleles of GH38cv do not present defects on growth, fitness, or biotic resistance under standard laboratory conditions but show better germination rates, longer roots, better hydric status, and higher fitness than nonmutated plants when exposed to salt stress. Notably, deleterious mutations in GH38cv have evolved independently on two separate islands within the Cape Verde archipelago, illustrating an example of parallel evolution for salt tolerance in this environment. Our findings reveal a knowledge-driven method to develop salt-resilient crops, which could be attractive to both conventional and organic agriculture.

In arid regions with low precipitation, like most of the Cape Verde islands, irrigation is essential for maintaining agricultural production and food security. However, due to significant investment needs, it is critical to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce water losses. The aim of this study is to evaluate irrigated agriculture in Cape Verde and its relationship with water scarcity through the calculation of key indicators and the analysis of statistical and remote sensing data. Crop production data were collected from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and climatic data from the National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics of Cape Verde (INMG) and FAO’s WaPOR platform. The aridity index was calculated using the UNEP method based on data from INMG. The island of Sal showed the lowest aridity index value (0.07), while Cachaço (São Nicolau island) had the highest (0.41). Sugarcane is currently the dominant irrigated crop, covering over 3000 hectares, about 62% of irrigated land, despite its high water demands. The expansion of sugarcane threatens long-term water sustainability and food production. Promoting crops with higher water productivity and technical training are key actions to ensure the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Cape Verde. Findings point to the urgent need to improve irrigation infrastructure, maintenance, and system design.

Felsic magmatism and hydrothermal activity of the Central Igneous Complex of Boa Vista (Cape Verde islands): Insights from zircon, titanite and apatite geochronology

Leia arsona Hutson, 1978 is a species of Diptera Mycetophilidae, not common in Europe. This species is widespread around the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea with records from the Cape Verde Islands, Madeira, Azores, Algeria, Tunisia, England, Switzerland, Malta and Israel. In Italy it is the first report as species, in Sicily it is the first report as genus and species.

In his treatise Geographia Claudius Ptolemy (2nd century CE), located six Fortunate Insule in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa. The identification of these islands has sparked debate among scholars: were they imaginary islands, the Lesser Antilles, Cape Verde islands, or the Canary Islands? This study examines these four theories, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. The difficulty in reaching a definitive answer lies in the lack of knowledge about the ancient sources behind Ptolemy′s work.

Atlantic oceanic islands host a unique fauna of endemic lizards, at least some of which closely interact with local native and alien plants. Knowledge of these interactions is necessary for effective protection of the island’s biodiversity. Interactions between the endemic Cape Verdean skink Chioninia stangeri (Scincidae) and three native plant species – Tribulus cistoides, Zygophyllum simplex (both Zygophyllaceae) and Lotus sp. (Fabaceae) were studied and photographically documented on the island of Săo Vicente (Cape Verde Islands) in September 2024. Florivory appears to have an important place in the feeding strategy of C. stangeri. Lizards frequently consumed the flowers of all three plant species studied. Flowers of Z. simplex and Lotus sp. were eaten completely. In the case of Tribulus cistoides, the lizards consumed mainly the petals and stamens, leaving most of the pistils undamaged. While eating the petals, the lizards touched the reproductive organs of T. cistoides and the pollen grains stuck to their snout. This is the first observation of pollen transport in Chioninia scincid lizards. Possible contribution of C. stangeri to the pollination of T. cistoides is discussed.

Petrel extinction in Macaronesia (North-East Atlantic Ocean): the case of the genus <i>Pterodroma</i> (Aves: Procellariiformes: Procellariidae)

Abstract During the “Tydeman” CANCAP VII expedition to the Cape Verde Islands in 1986 and the “Tyro” MAURITANIA II Expedition to the Banque d’Arguin off the coast of Mauritania in 1988, several specimens belonging to two species within the genus Periclimenes were trawled from deep water constituting range extensions for both species. The specimens are here compared with previous descriptions, illustrated, and their distribution is discussed.

The Cape Verde palm tree, Phoenix atlantica, holds significant ecological and cultural importance within the Cape Verde archipelago. However, its genetic distinctiveness has been questioned due to its close relationship and morphological similarity to the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). In this study, we used an expanded sample set, 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and a plastid minisatellite to characterize P. atlantica in Cape Verde and investigate its relationship with other Phoenix species. Our findings identify genetic markers that differentiate the P. atlantica genetic pool, including a unique fixed allele. We also provide evidence of the recent divergence of P. atlantica from Northern African date palm populations, suggesting a relatively recent colonization of Cape Verde by palm trees. Additionally, we characterized the genetic composition of palm tree populations across three Cape Verde islands, concluding that wild samples from certain populations in Boavista and Sal are best suited for establishing a seed and/or germplasm bank for replantation efforts, representing a crucial step for the conservation of Cape Verde's natural heritage. Overall, our results enhance the understanding of the historical trajectories and genetic characterization of palm trees in Africa, offering valuable insights for conservation strategies.

Oceanic islands have been recognized as natural laboratories in which to study a great variety of evolutionary processes. One such process is evolutionary radiations, the diversification of a single ancestor into a number of species that inhabit different environments and differ in the traits that allow them to exploit those environments. The factors that drive evolutionary radiations have been studied for decades in charismatic organisms such as birds or lizards, but are lacking in lichen-forming fungi, despite recent reports of some lineages showing diversification patterns congruent with radiation. Here we propose the Ramalina decipiens group as a model system in which to carry out such studies. This group is currently thought to be comprised of five saxicolous species, all of them endemic to the Macaronesian region (the Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary and Cape Verde islands). Three species are single-island endemics (a rare geographic distribution pattern in lichens), whereas two are widespread and show extreme morphological variation. The latter are suspected to harbor unrecognized species-level lineages. In order to use the Ramalina decipiens group as a model system it is necessary to resolve the group's phylogeny and to clarify its species boundaries. In this study we attempt to do so following an integrative taxonomy approach. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on six molecular markers, four of which are newly developed and generated competing species hypotheses based on molecular (species discovery strategies based on both single locus and multilocus datasets) and phenotypic data (unsupervised clustering algorithms based on morphology, secondary chemistry and geographic origin). We found that taxonomic diversity in the Ramalina decipiens group has been highly underestimated in previous studies. In consequence, we describe six new species, most of them single-island endemics and provide a key to the group. Phylogenetic relationships among species have been reconstructed with almost full support which, coupled with the endemic character of the group, makes it an excellent system for the study of island radiations in lichen-forming fungi. Citation: Blázquez M, Pérez-Vargas I, Garrido-Benavent I, et al. 2024. Endless forms most frustrating: disentangling species boundaries in the Ramalina decipiens group (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), with the description of six new species and a key to the group. Persoonia 52: 44-93. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2024.52.03 .

The single specimen of Bairdia fasciata Brady, 1870 in the Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, is declared to be the holotype by monotypy. Because it is a closed carapace, the internal characters remain unknown. Taxonomically, neither the genus nor the species is identifiable, nor can the subsequent identification in Belize be confirmed. New sampling at the type locality in the Cape Verde Islands is recommended, to recover a population for taxonomic re-description. Here, two new species of Genus Bairdoppilata are described from the carbonate platform of Belize, Ba. magnafasciata, n. sp. and Ba. parvafasciata, n. sp. Both display similarities to B. fasciata from the Cape Verde Islands, but neither one can be identified with that species. Both species are widely distributed in shallow coastal assemblages around the central and northern Caribbean. In taxonomy, names matter, and the correction of published misidentifications is essential. Clarification of these species enables more accurate delineation of ecological and biogeographical distributions in Caribbean assemblages.