Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals)

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Mostrant 1 - 20 de 1808

Timing and direction of faunal exchange between the Nearctic and the Palaearctic in Odonata
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024-05-31) Pàmies‐Harder, Maria; Múrria i Farnós, Cesc; Abbott, John C.; Abbott, Kendra; Kalkman, Vincent J.
Aim Species have different distribution patterns across the globe and among biogeographical regions. The Nearctic and Palaearctic regions share lineages because of their parallel biogeographic histories and ecological conditions. As the number of phylogenetic studies increases, there are more insights into past exchange events between these two regions and their effects on the current distribution of diversity. However, several groups have not been tested and an overall generalization is still missing. Here, we analyse the biogeographic history across multiple genera of odonates to elucidate a general process of species exchange, vicariance and species divergence between these two regions. Location The Holarctic, including the entire Nearctic and the East and West Palaearctic. Taxon 14 genera of Odonata (Insecta). Methods We reconstructed a time-calibrated phylogenetic tree for each genus to determine species relationships and divergence time using 3614 COI sequences of 259 species. Biogeographic ancestral range estimation was inferred for each phylogeny using BioGeoBEARS. Preferred habitat (lotic versus lentic) was established for each species. Results Exchange events were not restricted in time, direction or either lentic habitat or lotic habitat. Most genera crossed between both regions only once, and it was mainly across the Beringia, while three diverse anisopteran genera revealed multiple exchanges. Recent exchanges during the Pleistocene were associated with cold-dwelling and lentic species. Main Conclusions Our finding reveals the absence of a generalizable pattern of species exchange and divergence between the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions; instead, we found lineage-specific biogeographic patterns. This finding highlights the complexity of drivers and functional traits that shaped current diversity patterns. Moreover, it emphasizes that general conclusions cannot be formulated based on one single clade.
Temporal and spatial variation in trophic scenarios affects population demographic heterogeneity in Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata)
(Wiley, 2024-08-21) Hernández Matías, Antonio, 1974-; Peragon, Iván; Resano Mayor, Jaime; Moleón, Marcos; Virgós, Emilio; Real, Joan
The recognition of individual variation has fundamental implications for ecological, evolutionary and biodiversity conservation. There is increasing theoretical interest in how spatial and temporal variation in the environment can create differences in the demographic contribution of individuals over space and time. However, empirical information about the characteristics of the environmental drivers of key vital rates and their spatiotemporal variation is still scarce. Here, we used data generated by a monitoring scheme (1990–2015) of a population of a long-lived territorial avian predator, Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata, which included estimations of individuals’ diet through stable isotope analysis (2008–15), to evaluate whether temporal consistency in spatially structured dietary patterns affects key demographic parameters, namely productivity and survival, at territory scales. We found strong within-population heterogeneity in survival and reproduction rates associated with Eagle territories, with territory average values ranging, respectively, from 0.58 to 1.00 and from 0 to 1.71 for the overall study period. Reproduction and survival were predictable over, respectively, 4- and 3-year periods for the bulk of the population, which suggests that the environmental drivers of these vital rates changed at these temporal scales. Interestingly, the characteristics of and the temporal variation in the diets of territorial individuals during these periods were associated with their survival and reproduction. Based on these findings, we suggest that spatial and temporal variations in trophic scenarios potentially act as meaningful drivers of intrapopulation demographic heterogeneity.
Tempo and mode of diversification of the red devil spiders (Araneae: Dysderidae) of the Canary Islands.
(Wiley, 2024-11-27) Bellvert Bantí, Adrià; Pollock, Laura J.; Kaliontzopoulou, Antigoni; Arnedo Lombarte, Miquel Àngel
The study of adaptive radiations has shed light on our current understanding of evolution. However, previous studies examining the mode in which species diversified, how diversification rates varied, and how ecological specialisation affected these processes have found few different results across different taxa and geographic and ecological systems, showing how complex this process is. To gain a more complete picture of how species evolve, additional model systems that encompass alternative ecological requirements are needed. Here, we present the results of a study aimed at unravelling the diversification mode and evolutionary drivers of the spider genus Dysdera, the red devil spiders, endemic to the Canary Islands. These species exhibit remarkable phenotypic variability in their mouthparts, which has been related to different levels of specialisation in the predation of isopods. We explored patterns of lineage diversification and assessed the role of trophic specialisation as a driver of species diversification. Additionally, we used climatic variables, occurrence data and morphological information to unravel the underlying mode of speciation by means of joint species distribution models and age-range correlation methods. Our results reveal that red devil spiders underwent an early burst of diversification, followed by a slowdown of diversification rates, which is a hallmark of adaptive radiation. We also found evidence that the trophic morphology shaped diversification, with specialist species exhibiting higher rates of diversification. Finally, our analyses suggest that speciation occurred mostly in allopatry, with subsequent secondary sympatry following range expansión.
Spatio-temporal patterns of carnivore guild related to theirprey in a Mediterranean landscape
(Wiley, 2024-12-10) Peris, Albert; Mampel, Toni; Vilella, Marc; Pons i Julià, Daniel; Real, Joan; Puig-Gironès, Roger
Small mammal populations fluctuate significantly in abundance over time, affecting the entire food web. However, changes in their occupancy across a landscape receive less attention. While habitat features are relevant for some predators, diet specialization and prey distribution and abundance might play an important role in shaping predator populations. Using a multi-season occupancy analysis, we examined the spatio-temporal patterns of Mediterranean mesocarnivores—common genet, stone marten and red fox—focusing on the factors that influence their occupancy dynamics, particularly small mammal occupancy as a prey resource. Data was collected from December 2020 to May 2021 in the Sant Llorenc del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park using a camera-trap grid. We analysed small mammal occupancy dynamics and used these as covariates in predator occupancy models to explore predator–prey relationships. Additionally, we included the occurrence of each carnivore as a predictor for interspecific analysis, and kernel density functions were used to assess daily activity overlaps. Results showed that interspecific competitionsignificantly affected mesocarnivore occupancy, as genet occupancy was negatively correlated with the red fox occupancy. Although prey occurrence did not influence mesocarnivore occupancy, it did affect detectability, with genet and stone marten detectability being positively related to small mammal presence and high daily activity overlap between predators and prey. This suggests that mesopredators respond rapidly to prey abundance, highlighting the intricate temporal dependence between predator activity and prey occupancy. Dynamic occupancy and activity models provide a deeper understanding of predator–prey relationships at the local scale.
Modelling the Distribution of Key Mediterranean Gorgonians: An Ensemble Approach to Unravel Broad-Scale Patterns and Guide Conservation Efforts
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024-11-22) Amblàs i Novellas, David; Matos, Fábio L.; Linares Prats, Cristina; Figuerola-Ferrando, Laura; Zentner, Yanis; Garrabou, Joaquim
Aim Determining the species distribution and factors shaping it is a major challenge for conservation planning. Ecological niche models (ENMs) facilitate the comprehension of how environmental factors may influence species occurrence, providing spatially explicit information relevant to conservation. Therefore, our aim was to estimate the potential distribution of key habitat-forming Mediterranean gorgonians, whose conservation would protect many co-occurring species. Location Mediterranean Sea. Methods We modelled the potential distribution of the Mediterranean gorgonians Eunicella singularis, Eunicella cavolini, Paramuricea clavata and Corallium rubrum, using an ensemble ENM that combines nine algorithms. An extensive dataset of presence records (> 4378) collected through scientific surveys and citizen-science was intersected with oceanographic and topographic information within the coralligenous habitat depth range (< 150 m). This approach was used to map the habitat suitability of the study area for each species, assess related uncertainty, identify the most important factors shaping their distribution, and evaluate the overlap with the current network of Marine Protected Areas. Results The model identified higher habitat suitability for the occurrence of each gorgonian species in the NW Mediterranean, with roughness and temperature as the main drivers of their distribution. Conversely, the poorly sampled SE Mediterranean showed low habitat suitability, although there is a greater uncertainty associated with this estimate. The combined potential distribution of the four species is estimated to cover a quarter of Mediterranean shallow and mesophotic waters, but only 19% was included within protected areas. Main Conclusions The habitat suitability and uncertainty maps provide a valuable tool for the conservation and management of Mediterranean gorgonian species by offering spatially explicit information critical for marine spatial planning. The model estimates of habitat suitability showed low uncertainty for most of the study area, with few exceptions in the SE Mediterranean. Further studies, particularly in the SE Mediterranean will contribute to validate these results and will provide new information to improve future modelling efforts.
Mediterranean octocoral populations exposed to marine heatwaves are less resilient to disturbances
(Wiley, 2024-09-14) Capdevila Lanzaco, Pol; Zentner, Yanis; Rovira Mestres, Graciel·la; Garrabou, Joaquim; Medrano Cuevas, Alba; Linares Prats, Cristina
[eng] The effects of climate change are now more pervasive than ever. Marine ecosystems have been particularly impacted by climate change, with marine heatwaves (MHWs) being a strong driver of mass mortality events. Even in the most optimistic greenhouse gas emission scenarios, MHWs will continue to increase in frequency, intensity and duration. For this reason, understanding the resilience of marine species to the increase of MHWs is crucial to predicting their viability under future climatic conditions. In this study, we explored the consequences of MHWs on the resilience (the ability of a population to resist and recover after a disturbance) of a Mediterranean key octocoral species, Paramuricea clavata, to further disturbances to their population structure. To quantify P. clavata's capacity to resist and recover from future disturbances, we used demographic information collected from 1999 to 2022, from two different sites in the NW Mediterranean Sea to calculate the transient dynamics of their populations. Our results showed that the differences in the dynamics of populations exposed and those not exposed to MHWs were driven mostly by differences in mean survivorship and growth. We also showed that after MHWs P. clavata populations had lower resistance and slower rates of recovery than those not exposed to MHWs. Populations exposed to MHWs had lower resistance elasticity to most demographic processes compared to unexposed populations. In contrast, the only demographic process showing some differences when comparing the speed of recovery elasticity values between populations exposed and unexposed to MHWs was stasis. Finally, under scenarios of increasing frequency of MHWs, the extinction of P. clavata populations will accelerate and their capacity to resist and recover after further disturbances will be hampered. Overall, these findings confirm that future climatic conditions will make octocoral populations even more vulnerable to further disturbances. These results highlight the importance of limiting local impacts on marine ecosystems to dampen the consequences of climate change.
Interactive effects of Orobanche latisquama parasitism and drought stress in Salvia rosmarinus plants growing under Mediterranean field conditions
(Wiley, 2024-12-06) Jené Vinuesa, Laia; Massó Rodríguez, Marcel; Munné Bosch, Sergi
Mediterranean-type ecosystems are recognized as critical hotspots for both biodiversity and climate change. Within these environments, plants often interact with diverse species, including holoparasitic plants, while simultaneously facing increasing episodes of precipitation shortages and rising temperatures. Here, we investigated the impact of Orobanche latisquama Reut. ex Boiss infestation on the Mediterranean shrub Salvia rosmarinus (L.) Spenn (rosemary) across three populations along an altitudinal gradient, focusing on its effects on host tolerance and resilience to severe summer drought in its natural habitat. Results showed no major physiological impact of the parasite on the host during spring but revealed an enhanced photo- and antioxidant-protective response during the summer drought in rosemary plants infested with O. latisquama. Infested plants showed elevated contents of α-tocopherol and a shift in the ascorbate ratio towards its oxidized state during the summer, particularly in upper and sun-exposed leaves. This was accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde content, indicating enhanced lipid peroxidation. However, despite the heightened photo-oxidative stress observed in leaves from infested plants, no damage to photosystem II was observed, indicating a good tolerance of rosemary to the interaction between parasitism and drought. By autumn, all plants displayed similar recovery patterns, and the differences between infested and non-infested plants disappeared, thus indicating a high resilience to the combination of these biotic and abiotic stresses. Overall, these findings underscore the great adaptive mechanisms S. rosmarinus plants have evolved to endure severe summer drought, even when challenged by holoparasitic plant infestation, and provide new insights into plant-parasite interactions in Mediterranean-type ecosystems.
Differential response of roots and leaves to combined heat and salinity stresses in tomato plants
(Elsevier B.V., 2024-10-01) Mesa Parra, Tania; Romero, Agustí; Munné Bosch, Sergi
Despite our understanding of plant responses to single stresses, knowledge on how plants respond to combined abiotic factors and the underlying hormonal regulation is still very limited. Here, we aimed to examine the plant response to combined heat and salt stresses in tomato plants, the underlying hormonal response and the effectiveness of methyl jasmonate application in its alleviation. We measured fruit production and various stress markers in both roots and leaves, together with endogenous contents of stress-related phytohormones (including abscisic acid, salicylic acid and jasmonates) in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom), exposed to combined stress. In addition, we evaluated the effectiveness of a methyl jasmonate treatment as a priming agent to alleviate the negative effects of stress, with an emphasis on evaluating the effects of this hormone on triggering antioxidant protection by enhancement of vitamin E contents. Plants responded differently to combined stress treatment than to single stresses, but this differential response was organ-specific, with roots being more sensitive to stress than leaves. Both abscisic acid and jasmonates were involved in the plant response to combined stress but leaves and roots responded differently. Furthermore, abscisic acid and jasmonates correlated with vitamin E accumulation, most particularly in roots. Foliar application of methyl jasmonate at the flowering stage in plants challenged with combined stress did not improve fruit production but resulted in enhanced vitamin E accumulation in leaves. It is concluded that (i) roots and leaves show a differential sensitivity to both single and combined heat and salt stresses, (ii) the response of abscisic acid and jasmonates in plant stress responses seems to be markedly organ dependent, and (iii) foliar methyl jasmonate increased vitamin E accumulation under combined stress in tomato plants.
Trophic plasticity in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, as a function of resource availability and habitat features
(Inter-Research, 2020) Camps Castellà, Judith; Romero, Javier; Prado Villegas, Patricia
Factors controlling herbivory pressure are of central importance in shaping the sea-scape. In the Mediterranean, the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus is considered as a keystone her-bivore in seagrass meadows and macroalgal communities. Here we explored the trophic behaviorof this sea urchin in a shallow seagrass habitat of Cymodocea nodosa mixed with Caulerpa prolif-era and interspersed with sandy areas in Alfacs Bay, Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean). The sea-sonal pseudo-indigenous bryozoan Amathia verticillata is locally very abundant, and there is alsoan important population of pen shells Pinna nobilis, providing hard substrate and cover, thusbeing a unique environment for assessing sea urchin trophic behavior. To this end, we conductedan ensemble of food preference and foraging experiments and stomach content and stable isotopeanalyses. Our results showed that sea urchins strongly prefer A. verticillata over other localresources, and there was also an important presence of the bryozoan in stomach contents (ca.44%), coupled with green and decayed seagrass leaves. Stable isotope analyses revealed thatover the long term, ca. 65% of the diet of P. lividus was based on decayed seagrass leaves, fol-lowed by the bryozoan and green seagrass leaves (21.7 and 13.3%, respectively). The localavailability of P. nobilis provides a preferred substrate for sea urchins, which showed limitedforaging movements into the surrounding seagrass beds, particularly when A. verticillata wasattached to the pen shells. The apparently high contribution of animal and detrital food to P. lividus diet is unprecedented, and suggests an opportunistic feeding behavior in sea urchins in those habitats.
Trophic plasticity in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, as a function of resource availability and habitat features
(Inter-Research, 2020) Camps Castellà, Judith; Romero, Javier (Romero Martinengo); Prado Villegas, Patricia
Factors controlling herbivory pressure are of central importance in shaping the sea-scape. In the Mediterranean, the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus is considered as a keystone her-bivore in seagrass meadows and macroalgal communities. Here we explored the trophic behaviorof this sea urchin in a shallow seagrass habitat of Cymodocea nodosa mixed with Caulerpa prolifera> and interspersed with sandy areas in Alfacs Bay, Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean). The seasonal pseudo-indigenous bryozoan Amathia verticillata is locally very abundant, and there is alsoan important population of pen shells Pinna nobilis, providing hard substrate and cover, thus being a unique environment for assessing sea urchin trophic behavior. To this end, we conductedan ensemble of food preference and foraging experiments and stomach content and stable isotopeanalyses. Our results showed that sea urchins strongly prefer A. verticillata over other localresources, and there was also an important presence of the bryozoan in stomach contents (ca.44%), coupled with green and decayed seagrass leaves. Stable isotope analyses revealed thatover the long term, ca. 65% of the diet of P. lividus was based on decayed seagrass leaves, followed by the bryozoan and green seagrass leaves (21.7 and 13.3%, respectively). The localavailability of P. nobilis provides a preferred substrate for sea urchins, which showed limitedforaging movements into the surrounding seagrass beds, particularly when A. verticillata wasattached to the pen shells. The apparently high contribution of animal and detrital food to P. lividus diet is unprecedented, and suggests an opportunistic feeding behavior in sea urchins in those habitats.
Revisiting Chilean gorgonians (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae): taxonomic clarification and molecular phylogeny of Leptogorgia chilensis and Phycogorgia fucata.
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-12-15) Camps Castellà, Judith; Vargas, Sergio; Vera Escalona, Iván; Prado Villegas, Patricia; Hinojosa, Iván A.; Brante, Antonio
Most biodiversity studies of eastern Pacific octocorals have focused on the tropical shallow waters from Mexico to Peru, and more recently, on those off Chile. The first description of a Chilean octocoral dates back to the H.M.S. Challenger expedition (1873–1876), and since then, only a few descriptions of new coral species have been published from this region. In addition, the taxonomic status of most gorgonians reported from the temperate Pacific coast of South America remains uncertain due to the loss of the original type material. In this study, we use morphological characters and nuclear and mitochondrial markers to re-evaluate the taxonomy of the Chilean gorgonians Phycogorgia fucata and Leptogorgia chilensis. Our findings support the monophyly of Chilean Leptogorgia, confirm that Leptogorgia chilensis from Chile is distinct from specimens identified as the same species in California, and reveal that P. fucata, despite its unique morphology, should be included in the genus Leptogorgia.
Seeing through the gray box: an integrated approach to physiological modeling ofphytoplankton stoichiometry
(Frontiers Media, 2024-12-09) Jones, Catriona L. C.; Camps Castellà, Judith; Smykala, Mike; Sobol, Morgan S.; Inomura, Keisuke
The‘black boxes’ of ecological stoichiometry, planktonic microbes, have longbeen recognized to have considerable effects on global biogeochemical cycles.Signi cant progress has been made in studying these effects and expanding ourunderstanding of microbial stoichiometry. However, the‘black box’ has not beencompletely cracked open; there remain gaps in our knowledge of the fate ofelements within the phytoplankton cell, and the effect of external processes onnutrient uxes through their metabolism and into macromolecules and biomass -the eponymous‘gray box’. In this review paper, we describe the development of anintegrative modeling approach that involves a stoichiometrically explicit model ofMacromolecular Allocation and Genome-scale Metabolic Analysis (MAGMA) togain insights into the intra- and extracellular fluxes of nutrients using thecyanobacterium Parasynechococcus marenigrum WH8102 as a target modelorganism. We then describe an example of the genome-scale resources for P.marenigrum that can be used to build such an integrated modeling tool to seethrough the gray box of phytoplankton stoichiometry and improve ourunderstanding of the effects of resource supplies and other environmentaldrivers, especially temperature, on C:N:P demand, acquisition, and allocation atthe cellular level.
Blue LED light improves the antioxidant composition of Valencia oranges during postharvest: Impact on orange juice, pulp portion and peel residue
(Elsevier B.V., 2024-12-01) Mesa Parra, Tania; Romero, Agustí; Munné Bosch, Sergi
Valencia orange is the major citrus fruit produced worldwide and its outstanding health benefits are well-established. However, there is a pressing need to further enhance the nutritional quality of fruits and to revalorize the resulting residues, providing benefits for both public health and the environment. Here, Valencia oranges were exposed to blue LED light for 30 days at room temperature in controlled environment chambers, using darkness as a control. Examination of the blue LED light effects was performed focusing on visual aspects, weight loss, organoleptic properties, antioxidant content and oxidation status, together with the analysis of the phytohormonal profile. Blue LED light was found to boost fruit weight loss, particularly through dehydration of the peel, without altering pulp firmness or external appearance. Organoleptic quality, including texture and flavor, as well as total soluble sugar and acidity remained unchanged. Notably, blue LED light increased antioxidant levels, more specifically vitamin C and total phenols in the juice, and enhanced total antioxidant capacity in the peel. This suggests that blue LED light can enhance nutritional quality while preserving organoleptic properties. The increase in antioxidants is likely a protective response against photooxidative stress induced by the blue LED light. These findings highlight the potential of blue LED light to improve postharvest fruit quality with direct health benefits and support a circular economy by enhancing the value of orange peel waste.
Functional mechanisms underlying the persistence of Opuntia ficus-indica in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem after fire
(Elsevier, 2024-10-01) Santos, Jessyca A.S.; Villadangos Redondo, Sabina; Garcia, Queila S.; Munné Bosch, Sergi
Changes in fire regime can favor invasive plants in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. The goal of this experiment was to understand the post-fire dynamics of the invasive cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, by assessing the contribution and impact of clonal propagation and sexual reproduction on the recruitment of this species after fire. The number of O. ficus-indica new clones and seed-derived plants was estimated after a burn event in a natural area located in the western Mediterranean (Catalonia, NE Spain). Functional stress markers, relative growth rate, and contents of both growth- and stress-related phytohormones were measured. Furthermore, remaining plants damaged by fire were evaluated regarding fruit size, seed number, and viability, as well as other reproductive traits. Results showed that 95 % of the new recruits in the burned area were clones. Clones showed a higher water and chlorophyll content than seed-derived plants. The relative growth rate was consequently higher in clones than in seed-derived plants, which was also associated with higher contents of growth-related hormones (cytokinins and gibberellins) in the former. Furthermore, seeds produced by burned plants exhibited a thicker funicular envelope compared to seeds from unburned plants. It is concluded that, although clonal propagation was the main reproductive strategy observed after fire, its combination with sexual reproduction and efficient physiological strategies of survival guarantees persistence of this invasive plant species in burned areas due to an effective and fast recovery in cactus cover in the short term while contributing to the genetic variability in the population in the long term.
Trophic history of Hawaiian green turtles as revealed by stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) in the bones of museum specimens
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024-01-11) Velásquez Vacca, Adriana; Seminoff, Jeffrey A.; Jones, T. Todd; Balazs, George H.; Cardona Pascual, Luis
Understanding consumer trophic status and long-term dietary changes can yield information about impacts of altered habitats on their ecology. In Hawai'i, coastal ecosystems have been significantly modified by the introduction of invasive seaweeds and mangroves, high nutrient load and overfishing, but so far, much is still to be understood about how these changes have affected the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). This study analyzed stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios in the bone tissue of modern and museum specimens of green turtles collected from 1901 to 2020 in Oahu and the North-western Hawaiian Islands to understand how their isotopic niche has changed through time, a crucial step towards restoring the ecological role of a formerly decimated species. The standard ellipse size and the total area of the convex hull of the isotopic niche of green turtles in three periods (1901–1951, 1992–2008, and 2018–2020) were calculated. The stable isotope values of ancient green turtles (1901–1951) suggest that they relied heavily on macroalgae even before the introduction of exotic species and eutrophication promoted the development of algal pastures. However, a few ancient green turtles relied heavily on seagrasses, and others complemented their macroalgae-based diets with significant amounts of animal matter. Such diet specialists were missing from the sample of current green sea turtles, suggesting that these foraging strategies are less common or perhaps even absent in the current population. The results suggest that green turtles have converged on the use of the most abundant resource, red macroalgae, likely because of the homogenization and simplification of coastal habitats and food webs due to anthropogenic influences. Restoring the population size of herbivorous fishes and a more diverse ecosystem structure may be necessary to recover the array of trophic strategies formerly present in the Hawaiian green turtle population.
Marine protection enhances the resilience of biological communities on temperate rocky reefs
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024-02-25) Sanabria-Fernández, José A.; Alday, Josu G.
1. Conservation science faces the urgent challenge of halting the biodiversity loss caused by the biological crisis of the present era. To achieve this, conservation science requires cutting-edge tools to focus on vital properties of ecosystems, such as the resilience. Resilience informs about the cost of recovering biological communities. 2. Here, we developed a metric to quantify the ecological assemblage recovery cost based on the dissimilarity between unprotected and partially protected communities compared with totally protected communities in Cabo de Gata Marine Reserve. 3. Our results show that the biological assemblage composed of fish, macroinvertebrates and cryptic fish, and macroalgae species in unprotected zones requires a higher ecological recovery cost than in partially protected zones when moving towards a fully protected community. 4. This research contributes to monitoring marine the effectiveness of marine protection from a resilience perspective, with the goal of promoting the use of the recovery cost metric for building resilient coastal ecosystems.
Use of bird-borne radar to examine shearwater interactions with legal and illegal fisheries
(Wiley, 2023-12-19) Navarro Herrero, Leia; Saldanha, Sarah Delphine; Militão, Teresa; Vicente Sastre, Diego; March, David; González-Solís, Jacob
Seabirds interact with fishing vessels to consume fishing discards and baits, sometimes resulting in incidental capture (bycatch) and the death of the bird, which has clear conservation implications. To understand seabird–fishery interactions at large spatiotemporal scales, researchers are increasing their use of simultaneous seabird and fishing vessel tracking. However, vessel tracking data can contain gaps due to technical problems, illicit manipulation, or lack of adoption of tracking monitoring systems. These gaps might lead to underestimating the fishing effort and bycatch rates and jeopardize the effectiveness of marine conservation. We deployed bird-borne radar detector tags capable of recording radar signals from vessels. We placed tags on 88 shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea, Calonectris borealis, and Calonectris edwardsii) that forage in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem. We modeled vessel radar detections registered by the tags in relation to gridded automatic identification system (AIS) vessel tracking data to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of seabird–vessel interactions and identify unreported fishing activity areas. Our models showed a moderate fit (area under the curve >0.7) to vessel tracking data, indicating a strong association of shearwaters to fishing vessels in major fishing grounds. Although in high-marine-traffic regions, radar detections were also driven by nonfishing vessels. The tags registered the presence of potential unregulated and unreported fishing vessels in West African waters, where merchant shipping is unusual but fishing activity is intense. Overall, bird-borne radar detectors showed areas and periods when the association of seabirds with legal and illegal fishing vessels was high. Bird-borne radar detectors could improve the focus of conservation efforts.
Encouraging children’s learning and curiosity towards fish: the importance of outdoor science experiences and the inclusion of didactic activities
(Springer Nature, 2024-05-21) Fabré Mitjans, Noëlle; Maté García, Carmen; Vinyoles Cartanyà, Dolors
Outdoor educational activities provide unique opportunities to observe and understand wild animals, to enhance curiosity and to cope with misconceptions regarding the natural environment. The present work, addressed to 3–12 years-old children, focuses on three aims. First, we assessed whether a scientific fishing activity involving live animals, led by scientists and aimed at families, helps to improve the knowledge of children (N = 28) regarding the diversity of fish in the river. Second, we studied to what extent the activity allows the redirection of misconceptions and permits the elaboration of more complete mental models about fish morphology. Third, we studied if the participation and curiosity of children (N = 14) are encouraged by the incorporation of didactic dynamics into the initial proposal. The activity was performed in an urban park near the mouth of the Besòs river (Catalonia, Spain). In the first fishing, questionnaires and a drawing exercise where children had to depict a fish were distributed before and after the activity. In the second fishing, which included a game and a story in addition to the questionnaires and the drawing, the children’s behaviour while they observed the fish before and after these activities was monitored. Results show that a fishing activity contributes to improving the knowledge about the fish species that live in the river and can correct misconceptions about fish morphology for some children. It was also found that including didactic activities stimulates the curiosity, participation and satisfaction of children. Finally, some aspects to be improved are discussed.
Mejorando un cuento ambiental sobre las anguilas. Cómo la presencia de animales vivos y materiales interactivos incrementa la atención y la participación
(Universidad de Cádiz, 2024-03-21) Fabré Mitjans, Noëlle; Vinyoles Cartanyà, Dolors
Los cuentos ambientales, aparte de beneficiarse de los aspectos positivos asociados a las narraciones como pueden ser facilitar el aprendizaje y conectar con las emociones, permiten transmitir contenidos y fomentar valores y actitudes de respeto hacia el medio natural. Con el fin de dar a conocer el ciclo de vida de la anguila y hablar de las principales problemáticas que amenazan los ecosistemas fluviales, se describe el diseño e implementación de una actividad consistente en explicar un cuento ambiental junto al río Besós. Se llevaron a cabo seis sesiones en las que se explicó el cuento de diferentes maneras: en la primera variante se explicó utilizando únicamente las ilustraciones del cuento, en la segunda se añadió la observación de anguilas vivas, y en la tercera se repartieron imágenes entre los participantes que debían utilizarse en distintos momentos del relato del cuento. Se evaluó el efecto de cada variante en la atención y en el grado de participación de la audiencia en edad primaria. Para la segunda variante se pudo analizar también el efecto sobre dicha atención y participación en participantes en edad infantil y de secundaria. Los resultados muestran que la franja de edad que mantuvo niveles más altos de atención y participación fueron los niños/as de primaria. El contacto con anguilas vivas se asoció con una mayor comprensión de sus características y el uso de imágenes interactivas, incrementó notablemente la participación. En base a la experiencia se dan ideas de qué dinámicas pueden contribuir a que el cuento ambiental sea más efectivo.
Double-Edged Sword Effect of Jasmonoyl-Isoleucine on the Parasite–Host Interaction Between Field Dodder and Lentil
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd and the Association of Applied Biologists, 2025-07-01) Jené Vinuesa, Laia; Munné Bosch, Sergi
Since the discovery of auxins as cell division factors a century ago, impressive scientific advances related to phytohormones have revolutionized plant sciences and human progress. This review examines the key features of the ten hormonal groups that operate in plants, here referred to as the ‘classical ten’: auxins, gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins (CKs), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ETH), salicylates (SAs), jasmonates (JAs), brassinosteroids (BRs), peptide hormones (PEPs), and strigolactones (SLs). By leveraging historical data and sharpening the essentials of each hormonal group, their major functions are presented, with a discussion on what makes a compound a phytohormone and how it can be differentiated from hormone-like compounds and other signaling molecules. Hormonal receptors, long-distance transport, and differences between hormonal crosstalk, interactions, and complementation are discussed to illustrate the basics of hormonal action in plants.

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