Departamento De Biologia Research Articles

THE PORIFERA, CNIDARIA, BRYOZOA, AND ECHINODERMATA COLLECTIONS OF THE UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MARINE BIODIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE OF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

In the last years, in addition to recording the diversity, the biological collections have also been used as repositories for ecological data. In order to contribute to the knowledge of Brazilian biological collections and, consequently, Brazil’s biodiversity, especially marine, the present study brings data from four regional collections (phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, and Echinodermata) of the Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará. The composition and geographic distribution data of each phylum were obtained by analyzing the digital spreadsheets containing the information about the deposited material. Together, the analyzed collections have 1,378 lots, being 303 of Porifera, 131 of Cnidaria, 414 of Bryozoa, and 530 of Echinodermata. Despite their regional nature, the collections of Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Echinodermata of the Universidade Federal do Ceará represent, respectively, 6.5%, 6.9%, 10.7%, and 17.5% of the species so far recorded for the Brazilian coast. Although regional biological collections can help to better understand the diversity, there has never been a long-term policy formation and maintenance of scientific collections in Brazil. The preservation of these repositories, together with the sharing of their knowledge, will allow for more appropriate conservation decision-making in local, regional, and global scales.
 Keywords: biological collections, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, echinoderms.

Photoinactivation, repair and the motility-physiology trade-off in microphytobenthos

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 601:41-57 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12670 Photoinactivation, repair and the motility-physiology trade-off in microphytobenthos Silja Frankenbach*, William Schmidt, Jörg C. Frommlet, João Serôdio Departamento de Biologia and CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal *Corresponding author: s.frankenbach@ua.pt ABSTRACT: Microphytobenthos (MPB) inhabiting intertidal flats of estuaries form highly productive diatom-dominated biofilms. The capacity to sustain such high photosynthetic activity under conditions prone to cause photoinhibition is thought to be enabled by efficient photoprotective mechanisms, the main ones being the xanthophyll cycle (XC) and vertical migration (VM). This study compared the photoprotective capacity of 2 MPB communities inhabiting contrasting sedimentary habitats and relying on distinct light responses: epipelic communities, colonizing muddy sediments and using motility (VM) to regulate light exposure; and epipsammic communities, inhabiting sandier sediments and relying solely on physiological photoprotection (XC). The efficiency of physiological photoprotection of the 2 communities was compared regarding Photosystem II (PSII) photoinactivation caused by light stress. Lincomycin was used to distinguish photoinactivation from counteracting repair. Rate constants of PSII photoinactivation (kPI) and repair (kREC) were determined on cell suspensions, based on the light and time dependence of maximum quantum yield of PSII, Fv/Fm, as measured using multi-actinic imaging fluorometry. The results show that motile species, in comparison to epipsammic ones, are inherently more susceptible to photoinactivation (higher kPI), less dependent on the XC for preventing photodamage (smaller increase of kPI induced by nigericin) and more efficient regarding repair capacity (higher kREC). The distinct strategies exhibited by epipelic and epipsammic communities to cope with light stress support the hypothesized trade-off between photoprotective motility and photophysiology. Motile forms have a diminished physiological capacity for preventing photodamage and compensate using VM and a better repair capacity. Non-motile epipsammic forms rely mostly on physiological mechanisms to optimize photoprotection capacity. KEY WORDS: Microphytobenthos · Diatoms · Photoinactivation · Photoprotection · Repair · Vertical migration · Photoinhibition Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Frankenbach S, Schmidt W, Frommlet JC, Serôdio J (2018) Photoinactivation, repair and the motility-physiology trade-off in microphytobenthos. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 601:41-57. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12670 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 601. Online publication date: August 09, 2018 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research.

Benthic assemblages from a disturbed region by bottom-trawling fisheries off the SW Portuguese Margin

Event Abstract Back to Event Benthic assemblages from a disturbed region by bottom-trawling fisheries off the SW Portuguese Margin Sofia P. Ramalho1, 2*, Clara F. Rodrigues1, Mariana Almeida1, Patricia Esquete1, Luciana Génio1, Ascensão Ravara1, Nikolaos Lampadariou3, Ann Vanreusel2 and Marina R. Cunha1 1 University of Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Portugal 2 Ghent University, Department of Biology, Marine Biology Research Group, Belgium 3 Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Greece Bottom trawlers in operation off the SW Portuguese margin target predominantly deep-sea muddy-sediment areas bellow 200m water depth. To better understand the effects caused by this practice on the deep-sea benthic habitats biodiversity, three areas of interest along a continental slope area off the SW Portuguese margin were selected, using Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) data and in-situ observations obtained from Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) video surveys. These areas included a not trawled area, the main fishing ground and an area adjacent to the main fishing ground. In addition to video surveys, which allowed characterizing mega-epibenthic assemblages, replicate sediment samples across these areas were obtained for the study of macrobenthic assemblages, in terms of total standing stocks (abundance and biomass), total respiration, composition and both taxonomic and trophic diversity. Results showed that, in addition to the habitat heterogeneity associated with the study area, trawling pressure represents an important component of variation of the observed communities. Both fishing grounds that are recurrently impacted by trawling, and the adjacent areas that may be indirectly impacted by the re-suspended sediments and sporadically affected by trawl passages, showed a depletion of both mega-epibenthic and macro-infaunal abundances, lower taxonomic and trophic richness in comparison to undisturbed sites. Moreover, a lower functional redundancy resulting from the loss of species within most feeding guilds was observed in the macrofaunal core assemblage (i.e. characteristic, dominant or frequent taxa) of the areas under trawling disturbance. These results highlight the vulnerability of the deep-sea benthic ecosystems off the SW Portuguese margin to further increases in natural and anthropogenic disturbance or their synergistic effects. Acknowledgements This work was supported by CESAM (UID/AMB/50017) funds, granted by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)/MEC through national funds, and co-funded by FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. SPR work was funded through a MARES Grant, under Erasmus Mundus programme coordinated by Ghent University (FPA 2011-0016). CFR, PE, AR and LG were supported by the FCT grants SFRH/ BPD/107805/2015, SFRH/BPD/94985/2013, SFRH/BPD/112408/2015 and SFRH/BPD/96142/2013, respectively. Keywords: Mega-epifauna, macrofauna, Upper continental slope, trophic and structural biodiversity; disturbance, bottom-trawling fisheries, West Iberian Margin Conference: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018, Peniche, Portugal, 5 Jul - 6 Jul, 2018. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Fisheries and Management Citation: Ramalho SP, Rodrigues CF, Almeida M, Esquete P, Génio L, Ravara A, Lampadariou N, Vanreusel A and Cunha MR (2019). Benthic assemblages from a disturbed region by bottom-trawling fisheries off the SW Portuguese Margin. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2018.06.00143 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 28 Apr 2018; Published Online: 07 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: PhD. Sofia P Ramalho, University of Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Aveiro, Portugal, Portugal, sofia.pinto.ramalho@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Sofia P Ramalho Clara F Rodrigues Mariana Almeida Patricia Esquete Luciana Génio Ascensão Ravara Nikolaos Lampadariou Ann Vanreusel Marina R Cunha Google Sofia P Ramalho Clara F Rodrigues Mariana Almeida Patricia Esquete Luciana Génio Ascensão Ravara Nikolaos Lampadariou Ann Vanreusel Marina R Cunha Google Scholar Sofia P Ramalho Clara F Rodrigues Mariana Almeida Patricia Esquete Luciana Génio Ascensão Ravara Nikolaos Lampadariou Ann Vanreusel Marina R Cunha PubMed Sofia P Ramalho Clara F Rodrigues Mariana Almeida Patricia Esquete Luciana Génio Ascensão Ravara Nikolaos Lampadariou Ann Vanreusel Marina R Cunha Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Consumption and feeding preference of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) on native and non-native macroalgae from northern west coast of Iberia

Event Abstract Back to Event Consumption and feeding preference of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) on native and non-native macroalgae from northern west coast of Iberia André C. Cardoso1*, João N. Franco1, 2, Isabel Sousa-Pinto1, 2 and Francisco Arenas2 1 Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal 2 Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa Marine e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Portugal Herbivory plays a major role in driving patterns of abundance and distribution of primary producers in all systems, including lakes, forests, kelp forests and coral reefs. This biotic interaction exerts a strong control on seaweeds communities of most shallow rocky marine coasts where herbivores such as gastropods and sea urchins play a major role. Using a mesocosm experimental approach we investigate the consumption and feeding preference of one of the most abundant macrograzer species in the Portuguese coast, the Paracentrotus lividus, over different seaweed species occurring on the northern west coast of Iberia. Specifically, we determined the algal biomass consumption and preference by P. lividus on three brown algae: Laminaria ochroleuca, Saccorhiza polyschides and the invasive Undaria pinnatifida and three red algae: Chondrus crispus, Mastocarpus stellatus and the invasive Grateloupia turuturu. Macroalgae nutrient content (carbon and nitrogen), texture and chemical deterrents (polyphenolic content) was also examined and correlated with food preferences. Despite the high variability of algal consumption by P. lividus, our results suggest that among the studied seaweeds this grazer prefer native seghaweeds rather invasive seaweeds, suggesting that non-native seaweeds likely are not under eminent pressure by P. lividus at least in the area of study. References Franco, J., Wernberg, T., Bertocci, I., Duarte, P., Jacinto, D., Vasco-Rodrigues, N., & Tuya, F. (2015). Herbivory drives kelp recruits into ‗hiding‘in a warm ocean climate. Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 536, 1-9. Cacabelos, E., Olabarria, C., Incera, M., & Troncoso, J. S. (2010). Do grazers prefer invasive seaweeds?. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 393(1), 182-187. Gestoso, I., Olabarria, C., & Troncoso, J. S. (2010). Variability of epifaunal assemblages associated with native and invasive macroalgae. Marine and Freshwater Research, 61(6), 724-731. Keywords: grazing, Herbivory, sea urchin, seaweeds, Kelps Conference: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018, Peniche, Portugal, 5 Jul - 6 Jul, 2018. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Biodiversity, Conservation and Coastal Management Citation: Cardoso A, Franco J, Sousa-Pinto I and Arenas F (2019). Consumption and feeding preference of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) on native and non-native macroalgae from northern west coast of Iberia. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2018.06.00018 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 06 May 2018; Published Online: 07 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. André C. Cardoso, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal, andrecoutocardoso@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers André C. Cardoso João N. Franco Isabel Sousa-Pinto Francisco Arenas Google André C. Cardoso João N. Franco Isabel Sousa-Pinto Francisco Arenas Google Scholar André C. Cardoso João N. Franco Isabel Sousa-Pinto Francisco Arenas PubMed André C. Cardoso João N. Franco Isabel Sousa-Pinto Francisco Arenas Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

The hidden biology of the pockmarks located at Estremadura Spur (NE Atlantic)

Event Abstract Back to Event The hidden biology of the pockmarks located at Estremadura Spur (NE Atlantic) Clara F. Rodrigues1*, Sofia P. Ramalho1, Vitor Magalhães2 and Marina R. Cunha1 1 University of Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Portugal 2 Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Marine Geology and Georesources Division (DivGM), Portugal Pockmarks are crater-like geomorphic features that occur in the seafloor worldwide along both passive and active margins. Their association with subsurface oil and gas makes them interesting features for gas/oil industry. Pockmarks are thought to be formed rapidly, as a consequence of the sudden release of pressurized subsurface gas or pore-water. They can remain active, microseeping gas over long periods of time, or display periods of quiescence between eruptions. Both active and inactive pockmarks show geological and biological characteristics distinct from the surrounding seafloor. The PES project proposes a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the Estremadura Spur (NE Atlantic) pockmark field. Here we present the first results on the macrofaunal and microbial assemblages in their geologic context. Our investigations indicate that these pockmarks are, at present, inactive. The microbial assemblages comprise several phylotypes associated with the cycling of sulphur and nitrate compounds, as well as numerous known hydrocarbon degraders underlining the variable and reduced activity of the individual pockmarks. The macrofaunal assemblages are composed mainly by detritivores and some of the dominant taxa suggest the occurrence of reduced seafloor conditions. Inactive pockmarks have been studied to a limited extent and our results contribute to ascertain their ecological significance for the biological assemblages in the Portuguese margin. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the PES project (PTDC/GEOFIQ/5162/2014), financed by National funding through the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), Financial support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007638), to FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. CFR was supported by the FCT grant (SFRH/BPD/107805/2015). Keywords: macrofauna, Microbes, pockmarks, Reduced environments, assemblages Conference: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018, Peniche, Portugal, 5 Jul - 6 Jul, 2018. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Biodiversity, Conservation and Coastal Management Citation: Rodrigues CF, Ramalho SP, Magalhães V and Cunha MR (2019). The hidden biology of the pockmarks located at Estremadura Spur (NE Atlantic). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2018.06.00047 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Apr 2018; Published Online: 07 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Clara F Rodrigues, University of Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Aveiro, Portugal, Portugal, clara.rodrigues@ua.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Clara F Rodrigues Sofia P Ramalho Vitor Magalhães Marina R Cunha Google Clara F Rodrigues Sofia P Ramalho Vitor Magalhães Marina R Cunha Google Scholar Clara F Rodrigues Sofia P Ramalho Vitor Magalhães Marina R Cunha PubMed Clara F Rodrigues Sofia P Ramalho Vitor Magalhães Marina R Cunha Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Patterns of the vertical distribution limits of the limpet Patella depressa on the Portuguese coast

Event Abstract Back to Event Patterns of the vertical distribution limits of the limpet Patella depressa on the Portuguese coast Daniela Nobre1*, Maria I. Seabra1 and Teresa Cruz1, 2 1 Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (MARE), Portugal 2 Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Portugal The limpet Patella depressa is a keystone species in the rocky shores of the Northeast Atlantic. Vertical distribution limits may vary spatially and temporally due to different physical and biological factors. The spatial variation on the intertidal limits of the distribution of P. depressa, as well as on the abundance of this species, was studied during the winter of 2012, in three shores (two in the north - Moledo and Gelfa - and one in the southwest - Oliveirinha - coast of Portugal). In each shore, three transects across the vertical intertidal gradient were considered; within each transect, we measured the shore height at the lower and the upper limits of P. depressa distribution (defined by the position of the last individual found in the lower and upper extremes along the transect), as well as the horizontal extension (the distance along the rock surface) between those two limits. Densities of two size classes (<2 cm and > 2 cm of maximum shell length – MSL) of limpets in 0.25 m2 were assessed in the area of the species’ greatest abundance within the same transects (n = 6 replicates). Spatial variation of the in situ temperature at the lower and the upper limits of distribution was also analyzed by deploying limpet-biomimetic sensors at both limits in all shores and transects, recording semi-continuous temperature every 15 minutes. Furthermore, the temporal variation on the shore height of the vertical distribution limits was studied in Oliveirinha in two dates (March and July 2014) along seven to ten transects, by comparing the marked locations of each limit (the position of the last individual found in the lower and upper extremes along each transect) between dates. Overall, the height of the lower limit did not vary among shores, whereas the upper limit was, on average, one meter lower in Oliveirinha compared to Moledo and Gelfa. Total abundance was four times higher in the shores of the north coast, although the density of larger limpets (> 2 cm MSL) was twenty times higher in Oliveirinha. In all shores, temperature was more variable on the upper limits than on the lower limits, and the daily minimum temperature at both limits was consistently lower in Oliveirinha when comparing with the northern shores. Regarding temporal variation in Oliveirinha, although the average height of both lower and upper limits did not differ between dates, we found significant differences between dates in the relative direction of the change in individual positions marked for each limit, with a consistent decrease of both limits in July relatively to March. Keywords: Patella depressa, vertical distribution, temperature, abundance, limpets Conference: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018, Peniche, Portugal, 5 Jul - 6 Jul, 2018. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Biodiversity, Conservation and Coastal Management Citation: Nobre D, Seabra MI and Cruz T (2019). Patterns of the vertical distribution limits of the limpet Patella depressa on the Portuguese coast. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR'18 | International Meeting on Marine Research 2018. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2018.06.00051 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Apr 2018; Published Online: 07 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Ms. Daniela Nobre, Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (MARE), Lisbon, Portugal, daniela.nobre.silva@hotmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Daniela Nobre Maria I Seabra Teresa Cruz Google Daniela Nobre Maria I Seabra Teresa Cruz Google Scholar Daniela Nobre Maria I Seabra Teresa Cruz PubMed Daniela Nobre Maria I Seabra Teresa Cruz Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Evaluation of defatted krill meal as partial and total fishmeal replacement in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Evaluation of defatted krill meal as partial and total fishmeal replacement in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

MARCELY VALOIS, FERNANDO Z. VAZ-DE-MELLO &amp;amp; FERNANDO A. B. SILVA (2015) A taxonomic review of the Neotropical genus Hansreia Halffter &amp;amp; Martínez, 1977 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae). Zootaxa, 4027: 205–226.

In reviewing the taxonomy of the genus Hansreia Halffter &amp; Martínez, 1977 three new species were described: H. krinskii, H. grossii and H. peugeoti. However, the collection where the holotype of H. peugeoti is deposited was not indicated (Valois, Vaz-de-Mello &amp; Silva, 2015). According with ICZN (1999), this information is necessary to availability of a new specific and subspecific name published after 1999 (Article 16.4.2). Therefore, here we address the necessary information on the collection data of the holotype of H. peugeoti, currenty deposited in the CEMT (Seção de Entomologia da Coleção Zoológica, Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil):

COLEÇÃO MALACOLÓGICA “PROF. HENRY RAMOS MATTHEWS” DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ: 50 ANOS DE HISTÓRIA E CONTRIBUIÇÕES AO CONHECIMENTO DOS MOLUSCOS DO NORDESTE BRASILEIRO

A Coleção Malacológica “Prof. Henry Ramos Matthews” (CMPHRM) da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), apesar de ser considerada uma coleção de pequeno porte, tem merecido destaque por sua abrangência caracteristicamente regional, tendo um relevante acervo de espécies provenientes da costa nordeste do Brasil. Após 50 anos de existência, a CMPHRM ampliou seu acervo e vem contribuindo na formação de taxonomistas, curadores e pesquisadores, e no desenvolvimento de inúmeros estudos relativos, principalmente, aos moluscos marinhos. O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um relato histórico desta coleção, da sua criação até os dias atuais, bem como os aspectos quali-quantitativos relativos aos seus acervos até o momento. A CMPHRM é composta por duas séries: Série A localizada no Instituto de Ciências do Mar (Labomar) e Série B, no Laboratório de Invertebrados Marinhos (LIMCE) do Departamento de Biologia da UFC, sendo a última iniciada em 1988 e incorporada em 2010. Possui dois holótipos e 20 parátipos depositados, pertencentes a 14 espécies de gastrópodes e uma espécie de Scaphopoda. O acervo possui 10250 lotes, totalizando 74944 exemplares de 1197 espécies distribuídas em 208 famílias. Os gastrópodes são os predominantes em números de famílias, espécies, lotes e exemplares. A família Veneridae (Bivalvia) destaca-se em número de lotes e de exemplares. A maior parte dos lotes é proveniente dos estados da região Nordeste, especialmente do Ceará, de onde são oruindos a maioria dos lotes. Ao completar 50 anos de atividade, a CMPRHM consolida-se como referência no Nordeste do Brasil, com seu acervo sendo representativo da malacofauna de ambientes costeiros e da plataforma continental da região, com informações confiáveis e disponíveis à comunidade científica.

The northernmost South American fossil record of Boa constrictor (Boidae, Boinae) from the Plio–Pleistocene of El Breal de Orocual (Venezuela)

Onary-Alves, S.Y., Hsiou, A.S. & Rincón, A.D., July 2016. The northernmost South American fossil record of Boa constrictor (Boidae, Boinae) from the Plio–Pleistocene of El Breal de Orocual (Venezuela). Alcheringa 41, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518.Boa constrictor is an extant boid widely distributed through the neotropical region, from the north of Central America to central Argentina. The fossil record of the species includes examples from several localities across the Americas that extend beyond the current distribution of the species. Here we report the first Plio–Pleistocene fossils of Boa from Monagas state, Venezuela. The material comes from El Breal de Orocual (Maturín municipality), which is an inactive tar seep deposit emplaced within the Mesa Formation. The specimens consist of two isolated anterior trunk vertebrae, an articulated sequence of six mid-trunk vertebrae and two posterior trunk vertebrae. The vertebrae are attributed to B. constrictor based on the following features: robust and high vertebrae; thick zygosphene with a notched or concave anterior edge; presence of a paracotylar, subcentral and lateral foramina; marked parasagittal ridges; epizygapophyseal process evident on the dorsal surface of the postzygapophyseal articular facets and high blade-like neural spine. The presence of B. constrictor in northern of Venezuela indicates a palaeoenvironment probably like savanna crossed by rivers with riparian forests, and suggests the predominance of a mesothermal climate with a moderate rainfall.Silvio Y. Onary-Alves [silvioyuji@gmail.com], Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Comparada, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Annie S. Hsiou [anniehsiou@ffclrp.usp.br], Laboratório de Paleontologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Ascanio D. Rincón [paleosur1974@gmail.com], Laboratorio de Paleontología, Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Carretera Panamericana Km 11, 1020-A Caracas, Venezuela.

What can a multi tracer approach tell us about the ecology of two sympatric species of Globicephala genus?

What can a multi tracer approach tell us about the ecology of two sympatric species of Globicephala genus?

Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal)

Event Abstract Back to Event Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal) Pedro Seabra1*, Inês Louro1, Pedro Neves1, Rui P. Vieira2, 3 and Marina R. Cunha2* 1 Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Portugal 2 Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Portugal 3 University of Southampton, Ocean and Earth Sciences, United Kingdom Beach seine fishery (Arte Xávega) has a great tradition in Portugal and it is an activity with high socio-economic implications for small fishing communities. However, this fishery is characterised by the significant bycatch and discards of numerous species. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits of two dominant fish species from beach seine discards of Praia de Mira. The stomach contents of Chelidonichthys lucernus (TL = 12.7 - 18.5cm) and Trisopterus luscus (TL = 9.7 - 13.1cm), collected in September 2015, were analysed. Decapod crustaceans (mainly Crangon crangon) constitute the main food items of C. lucernus, while T. luscus also includes a large number of amphipods in their diet. Secondary prey of both species includes other small crustaceans (e.g. Brachyura and Cumacea), teleost fish larvae and small mollusks. Niche breadth and overlap were estimated using indexes of Levins and Pianka, respectively, showing a high level of specialization but also some degree of diet overlap between these two species; the occurrence of items in a reduced state of digestion suggests that C. lucernus is an opportunistic feeder. All the analysed specimens are juveniles and no empty stomachs were found, revealing the importance off shallow waters off Praia de Mira as feeding areas. Acknowledgements Thanks are due, for the financial support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017), to FCT/MEC through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. R.P. Vieira is supported by a doctoral grant from the Portuguese Science Foundation (SFRH/BD/84030/2012). Keywords: Discards, Beach seine, trophic ecology, Fishes, feeding habits Conference: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016, Peniche, Portugal, 14 Jul - 15 Jul, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster presentation Topic: Fisheries and Management Citation: Seabra P, Louro I, Neves P, Vieira RP and Cunha MR (2016). Feeding ecology of dominant fish species from beach seine discards (Praia de Mira, Central Portugal). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2016. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.04.00021 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 02 Jun 2016; Published Online: 13 Jul 2016. * Correspondence: Mr. Pedro Seabra, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, ppedro@ua.pt Dr. Marina R Cunha, Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal, marina.cunha@ua.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Google Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Google Scholar Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha PubMed Pedro Seabra Inês Louro Pedro Neves Rui P Vieira Marina R Cunha Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Use of ecotoxicological and genotoxicity assays to assess the water quality of the river Cubatão (Santa Catarina, Brazil), as a means of monitoring the water quality of the Babitonga Bay

Use of ecotoxicological and genotoxicity assays to assess the water quality of the river Cubatão (Santa Catarina, Brazil), as a means of monitoring the water quality of the Babitonga Bay

The stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery, management, conservation and aquaculture in Portugal: problems and challenges

The stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery, management, conservation and aquaculture in Portugal: problems and challenges

Water acidification activates the innate immune system of Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis

Water acidification activates the innate immune system of Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis

New dinosaur remains from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil (Candelária Sequence, Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone)

Pretto, F.A., Schultz, C.L., Langer, M.C. 4.02.2015. New dinosaur remains from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil (Candelária Sequence, Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone). Alcheringa 39, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518The oldest unequivocal dinosaurian records come from Upper Triassic strata, mostly from Argentina and Brazil. Recent fieldwork in the Brazilian deposits of Ischigualastian age (late Carnian–earliest Norian) have resulted in the collection of a new specimen (UFRGS-PV-1240-T) identified as dinosaurian by the presence of a concave emargination on the ventral surface of the femoral head and a well-developed deltopectoral crest on the humerus, which extends for ca 40% of its estimated proximodistal length. Although fragmentary, the material increases the dinosaurian record from the Late Triassic of Brazil, which is still modest when compared with coeval Argentine strata. Additionally, UFRGS-PV-1240-T augments the dinosaurian diversity at the ‘Sítio Janner’ site, which was until now restricted to the sauropodomorph Pampadromaeus barberenai. The new specimen is larger than most early dinosaurians (except for herrerasaurids), implying that members of the group were already occupying niches otherwise explored by other larger-bodied taxa in the ‘Sítio Janner’ palaeofauna, and Late Triassic palaeoenvironments in general.Flávio A. Pretto [flavio_pretto@yahoo.com.br] and Cesar L. Schultz [cesar.schultz@ufrgs.br] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Geociências, Setor de Paleovertebrados, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500—Bloco J, Prédio 43127, Campus do Vale, Agronomia−Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, CEP 91540-000; Max C. Langer [mclanger@ffclrp.usp.br] Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Biologia, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

Effects of flow regulation in the life-cycles of a Mediterranean cyprinid species, the Iberian chub (Squalius carolitertii Doadrio, 1988)

Event Abstract Back to Event Effects of flow regulation in the life-cycles of a Mediterranean cyprinid species, the Iberian chub (Squalius carolitertii Doadrio, 1988) Carlos M. Alexandre1*, Teresa Ferreira2 and Pedro R. De Almeida3 1 Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Portugal 2 CEF - Forestry Research Center, Portugal 3 Universidade de Évora, Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal River regulation tends to modify flow patterns, causing a reduction of discharge variability and disturbing environmentally cued life cycles of fishes. The objective of this study was to assess the changes in some of the most important life-cycle patterns of a resident freshwater fish species, the Iberian chub (Squalius carolitertii Doadrio 1988), caused by the hydrological alteration promoted by Vilarinho das Furnas Dam on River Homem. From May 2010 to June 2011, three sites were sampled in River Homem and three in River Vez, a nearby non-regulated river, selected as reference. Bi-monthly and fortnightly fish samples from the Iberian chub populations inhabiting the two selected rivers were collected and analyzed for fish age, growth and reproduction. River regulation operating in River Homem, for water derivation purposes, homogenized the flow pattern of the studied watercourse, causing a reduction in the magnitude and variability of monthly flow volumes that resulted in a set of bio-ecological deviations observed for the studied species. Shortly, seasonal pattern of gonad development was similar for male chubs from both rivers but distinct for females, particularly during the reproductive season. Moreover, female chubs inhabiting the non-regulated river presented higher fecundity but smaller oocytes than regulated river females. Seasonal pattern of fish condition was similar between the two rivers but chubs from the regulated river presented, globally, smaller values than the non-regulated river population. Findings from this study are important to understand the derivation in biological patterns imposed by regulated rivers on freshwater fish species and to be used as guiding elements for flow requirements implementations. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank Ana Ferreira, Catarina Mateus, Joana Ribeiro, Marta Candeias, Marta Lourenço, Nuno Andrade, Paula Valadas and Tadeu Pereira for their assistance during multiple sampling campaigns and laboratorial sessions. This study had the support of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (Pest-OE/MAR/UI0199/2011). C. M. Alexandre was funded with a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/66081/2009) by the FCT. Keywords: Fish life-cycles, Streamflow, flow regulation, Iberian chub, Mediterranean rivers Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Life Cycles, Migration and Connectivity Citation: Alexandre CM, Ferreira T and De Almeida PR (2015). Effects of flow regulation in the life-cycles of a Mediterranean cyprinid species, the Iberian chub (Squalius carolitertii Doadrio, 1988). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00002 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 03 Nov 2015; Published Online: 04 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Carlos M Alexandre, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Évora, 7004-516, Portugal, cmalexandre@fc.ul.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Carlos M Alexandre Teresa Ferreira Pedro R De Almeida Google Carlos M Alexandre Teresa Ferreira Pedro R De Almeida Google Scholar Carlos M Alexandre Teresa Ferreira Pedro R De Almeida PubMed Carlos M Alexandre Teresa Ferreira Pedro R De Almeida Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Impact of an oceanic port (Sines, Portugal) on the fish community

Event Abstract Back to Event Impact of an oceanic port (Sines, Portugal) on the fish community Nuno Mamede1*, Susana Celestino1, Cristina Espírito-Santo1, André Costa1, Teresa Silva1, João Castro1, 2 and Teresa Cruz1, 2 1 MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Portugal 2 Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Portugal Following the development of economic globalization, oceanic ports became important cores of economic activity and, therefore, potential sources of diffuse and chronic impacts on coastal ecosystems. Monitoring biological communities is a very important tool to assess these impacts. In a multi-environment monitoring programme of the oceanic port of Sines running for several years, the rocky subtidal macrobenthic community has been studied, including the fish community. Patterns of spatial and temporal variation of the diversity and structure of the fish community were studied in the summer of 2014 (two random dates sampled) sampling six areas in the port (three sheltered and three exposed) and two areas outside the port. The total number of taxa and the density of each observed taxon were quantified through visual censuses in belt transects by scuba diving. Data were analysed with univariate and multivariate techniques. Substrate physical features (bottom complexity and type) were sampled in the same transects. Outside areas were significantly different from the port areas. These differences were due to a lower number of taxa in the outside areas and, generally, to a greater abundance of several taxa in the port areas, such as some species with commercial value (e.g. seabreams Diplodus spp.). These results suggest that this port may provide favorable conditions for the occurrence of a greater fish diversity and abundance than outside areas, particularly for some species that live in subtidal rocky substrates. Recreational and commercial fishing interdiction, in place in most areas of this port for several years, may be responsible for these patterns. Acknowledgements This study is part of project MAPSi, funded by APS - "Administração dos Portos de Sines e do Algarve, S.A.". Keywords: Oceanic port, SINEs, Fish community, Monitoring, SCUBA diving Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Ecology, Conservation and Invasive Species Citation: Mamede N, Celestino S, Espírito-Santo C, Costa A, Silva T, Castro J and Cruz T (2015). Impact of an oceanic port (Sines, Portugal) on the fish community. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00029 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Oct 2015; Published Online: 04 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Mr. Nuno Mamede, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Sines, 7521-903, Portugal, nmamede@uevora.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Nuno Mamede Susana Celestino Cristina Espírito-Santo André Costa Teresa Silva João Castro Teresa Cruz Google Nuno Mamede Susana Celestino Cristina Espírito-Santo André Costa Teresa Silva João Castro Teresa Cruz Google Scholar Nuno Mamede Susana Celestino Cristina Espírito-Santo André Costa Teresa Silva João Castro Teresa Cruz PubMed Nuno Mamede Susana Celestino Cristina Espírito-Santo André Costa Teresa Silva João Castro Teresa Cruz Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Movement patterns of Mediterranean moray and European conger in a coastal MPA

Event Abstract Back to Event Movement patterns of Mediterranean moray and European conger in a coastal MPA Ana Filipa Silva1*, Bernardo R. Quintella2, 3, Tadeu J. Pereira1, 3, Ana Filipa Belo3, José L. Costa1, 3 and Pedro R. Almeida3 1 MARE, Portugal 2 FCUL, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Portugal 3 MARE, Departamento de Biologia, Portugal The Pessegueiro Island Marine Protected Area (MPA), SW coast of Portugal, was implemented in 2011 with the purpose of protect biodiversity and prevent over-exploitation of commercially important fish species. Amongst those species are the Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena) and the European conger (Conger conger). In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the importance of this MPA as a refuge/feeding area for these species and to evaluate its location and size adequacy. The study was carried out during the summer of 2013 and a total of 19 morays and 6 congers were tagged with acoustic transmitters. An array of 19 automatic receivers was deployed with a sampling design that spatially covered the entire MPA. The data from the receivers was analysed through multivariate statistics (PERMANOVA), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Network Analysis. Results showed that the Pessegueiro Island MPA is an important zone for both species since the tagged morays and congers spent 48% of the time within the area (average residency index). Also, KDE and Network Analysis showed that both species displayed relatively reduced home ranges, 20 ha in average for morays and 30 ha for congers, and the movements performed were limited to adjacent areas. Activity was more intense during night time for both species. Regarding morays, lunar cycle and sea conditions also seemed to influence their movement patterns. The data collected in this study highlight the importance of this MPA for the target species. Keywords: acoustic telemetry, activity patterns, Conger conger, Movement patterns, Muraena helena, Pessegueiro Island MPA Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Life Cycles, Migration and Connectivity Citation: Silva A, Quintella BR, Pereira TJ, Belo A, Costa JL and Almeida PR (2015). Movement patterns of Mediterranean moray and European conger in a coastal MPA. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00091 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 18 Nov 2015; Published Online: 19 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: MD. Ana Filipa Silva, MARE, Lisboa, Portugal, afilipamsilva@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Ana Filipa Silva Bernardo R Quintella Tadeu J Pereira Ana Filipa Belo José L Costa Pedro R Almeida Google Ana Filipa Silva Bernardo R Quintella Tadeu J Pereira Ana Filipa Belo José L Costa Pedro R Almeida Google Scholar Ana Filipa Silva Bernardo R Quintella Tadeu J Pereira Ana Filipa Belo José L Costa Pedro R Almeida PubMed Ana Filipa Silva Bernardo R Quintella Tadeu J Pereira Ana Filipa Belo José L Costa Pedro R Almeida Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Changes in the fish community structure after the implementation of Marine Protected Areas in the south western coast of Portugal

Event Abstract Back to Event Changes in the fish community structure after the implementation of Marine Protected Areas in the south western coast of Portugal Tadeu J. Pereira1, 2*, Joana Manique1, Bernardo Quintella1, 3, Nuno Castro1, Pedro R. Almeida2 and José L. Costa1, 3 1 MARE-ULisboa, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Portugal 2 MARE - UEvora, Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal., Portugal 3 Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly being recommended as management tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries. With the purpose of protecting the region’s biodiversity and prevent the over exploitation of marine resources, in February 2011 the MPAs of Ilha do Pessegueiro and Cabo Sardão were implemented in the “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina “(PNSACV) Natural Park, south western coast of Portugal. In these areas, commercial and recreational fishing became prohibited. In order to evaluate the effects of these MPAs, the structure of its fish communities and of adjacent control areas without fishing restrictions were studied in 2011/12 (immediately after implementation) and 2013 (two years after implementation). A total of 4 sampling campaigns were conducted (summer 2011, winter 2012, summer 2013 and winter 2013) using bottom trawl and gillnets. Faunal communities from the MPAs (treatment) were compared with adjacent areas (controls) and changes evaluated with time. Results revealed significant changes on abundance, having this parameter a slight increase after the implementation of the MPAs. Also, significant differences were observed on the structure of the protected areas communities when compared with neighbouring areas where fishing was still allowed, even though the small amount of time elapsed. In addition, specimens of larger size occurred more frequently within Ilha do Pessegueiro MPA in the last year of the study. Despite the young age of these MPAs, changes on their fish communities’ structure are already visible after only 3 years of protection, showing that these management measures may promote sustainable exploitation of fishing resources as well as protect species with conservation interest, thus leading to a global biodiversity increase. Acknowledgements This study is part of project PROTECT (31-03-05-FEP-0012; www.protect.uevora.pt) co-funded by Programme PROMAR. Keywords: marine reserve, MPA effectiveness, Fishing prohibition, no take zone, PNSACV Marine Park Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Ecology, Conservation and Invasive Species Citation: Pereira TJ, Manique J, Quintella B, Castro N, Almeida PR and Costa JL (2015). Changes in the fish community structure after the implementation of Marine Protected Areas in the south western coast of Portugal. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00025 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Oct 2015; Published Online: 04 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Tadeu J Pereira, MARE-ULisboa, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisbon, Portugal, tjpereira@fc.ul.pt Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Tadeu J Pereira Joana Manique Bernardo Quintella Nuno Castro Pedro R Almeida José L Costa Google Tadeu J Pereira Joana Manique Bernardo Quintella Nuno Castro Pedro R Almeida José L Costa Google Scholar Tadeu J Pereira Joana Manique Bernardo Quintella Nuno Castro Pedro R Almeida José L Costa PubMed Tadeu J Pereira Joana Manique Bernardo Quintella Nuno Castro Pedro R Almeida José L Costa Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.