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Graça Aranha S, Teodósio A, Baptista V, Erzini K, Dias E. A glimpse into the trophic ecology of deep-water sharks in an important crustacean fishing ground. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:655-668. [PMID: 36625079 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Deep-water sharks are among the most vulnerable deep-water taxa because of their extremely conservative life-history strategies (i.e., late maturation, slow growth, and reproductive rates), yet little is known about their biology and ecology. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the trophic ecology of five deep-water shark species, the birdbeak dogfish (Deania calcea), the arrowhead (D. profundorum), the smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus pusillus), the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) and the knifetooth dogfish (Scymnodon ringens) sampled onboard a crustacean bottom-trawler off the south-west coast of Portugal. We combined carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes with RNA and DNA (RD) ratios to investigate the main groups of prey assimilated by these species and their nutritional condition, respectively. Stable isotopes revealed overall small interspecific variability in the contribution of different taxonomic groups to sharks' tissues, as well as in the origin of their prey. S. ringens presented higher δ15 N and δ13 C values than the other species, suggesting reliance on bathyal cephalopods, crustaceans and teleosts; the remaining species likely assimilated bathy-mesopelagic prey. The RD ratios indicated that most of the individuals had an overall adequate nutritional condition and had recently eaten. This information, combined with the fact that stable isotopes indicate that sharks assimilated prey from the local or nearby food webs (including commercially important shrimps), suggests a potential overlap between this fishing area and their foraging grounds, which requires further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Graça Aranha
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Teodósio
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Vânia Baptista
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Karim Erzini
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Ester Dias
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Life History of the Arctic Squid Gonatus fabricii (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida) Reconstructed by Analysis of Individual Ontogenetic Stable Isotopic Trajectories. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243548. [PMID: 36552473 PMCID: PMC9774963 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cephalopods are important in Arctic marine ecosystems as predators and prey, but knowledge of their life cycles is poor. Consequently, they are under-represented in the Arctic ecosystems assessment models. One important parameter is the change in ecological role (habitat and diet) associated with individual ontogenies. Here, the life history of Gonatus fabricii, the most abundant Arctic cephalopod, is reconstructed by the analysis of individual ontogenetic trajectories of stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in archival hard body structures. This approach allows the prediction of the exact mantle length (ML) and mass when the species changes its ecological role. Our results show that the life history of G. fabricii is divided into four stages, each having a distinct ecology: (1) epipelagic squid (ML < 20 mm), preying mostly on copepods; (2) epi- and occasionally mesopelagic squid (ML 20−50 mm), preying on larger crustaceans, fish, and cephalopods; (3) meso- and bathypelagic squid (ML > 50 mm), preying mainly on fish and cephalopods; and (4) non-feeding bathypelagic gelatinous females (ML > 200 mm). Existing Arctic ecosystem models do not reflect the different ecological roles of G. fabricii correctly, and the novel data provided here are a necessary baseline for Arctic ecosystem modelling and forecasting.
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Golikov AV, Ceia FR, Sabirov RM, Batalin GA, Blicher ME, Gareev BI, Gudmundsson G, Jørgensen LL, Mingazov GZ, Zakharov DV, Xavier JC. Diet and life history reduce interspecific and intraspecific competition among three sympatric Arctic cephalopods. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21506. [PMID: 33299075 PMCID: PMC7726147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78645-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophic niche and diet comparisons among closely sympatric marine species are important to understand complex food webs, particularly in regions most affected by climate change. Using stable isotope analyses, all ontogenetic stages of three sympatric species of Arctic cephalopods (genus Rossia) were studied to assess inter- and intraspecific competition with niche and diet overlap and partitioning in West Greenland and the Barents Sea. Seven traits related to resource and habitat utilization were identified in Rossia: no trait was shared by all three species. High boreal R. megaptera and Arctic endemic R. moelleri shared three traits with each other, while both R. megaptera and R. moelleri shared only two unique traits each with widespread boreal-Arctic R. palpebrosa. Thus all traits formed fully uncrossing pattern with each species having unique strategy of resource and habitat utilization. Predicted climate changes in the Arctic would have an impact on competition among Rossia with one potential 'winner' (R. megaptera in the Barents Sea) but no potential 'losers'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Golikov
- Department of Zoology, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia.
| | - Filipe R Ceia
- Department of Life Sciences, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rushan M Sabirov
- Department of Zoology, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia
| | - Georgii A Batalin
- Laboratory of Isotopic and Elemental Analysis, Kazan Federal University, 420111, Kazan, Russia
| | - Martin E Blicher
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Bulat I Gareev
- Laboratory of Isotopic and Elemental Analysis, Kazan Federal University, 420111, Kazan, Russia
| | - Gudmundur Gudmundsson
- Collections and Systematics Department, Icelandic Institute of Natural History, 210, Gardabaer, Iceland
| | - Lis L Jørgensen
- Tromsø Branch, Institute of Marine Research, 9294, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gazinur Z Mingazov
- Laboratory of Isotopic and Elemental Analysis, Kazan Federal University, 420111, Kazan, Russia
| | - Denis V Zakharov
- Laboratory of Hydrobiology, Polar Branch of All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, 183038, Murmansk, Russia
- Laboratory of Zoobenthos, Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 183010, Murmansk, Russia
| | - José C Xavier
- Department of Life Sciences, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
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Lesser JS, James WR, Stallings CD, Wilson RM, Nelson JA. Trophic niche size and overlap decreases with increasing ecosystem productivity. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin S. Lesser
- Dept of Biology, Univ. of Louisiana 410 E. St. Mary Blvd. Lafayette LA 70504 USA
| | - W. Ryan James
- Dept of Biology, Univ. of Louisiana 410 E. St. Mary Blvd. Lafayette LA 70504 USA
| | | | - Rachel M. Wilson
- Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State Univ. Tallahassee FL USA
| | - James A. Nelson
- Dept of Biology, Univ. of Louisiana 410 E. St. Mary Blvd. Lafayette LA 70504 USA
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Golikov AV, Ceia FR, Sabirov RM, Ablett JD, Gleadall IG, Gudmundsson G, Hoving HJ, Judkins H, Pálsson J, Reid AL, Rosas-Luis R, Shea EK, Schwarz R, Xavier JC. The first global deep-sea stable isotope assessment reveals the unique trophic ecology of Vampire Squid Vampyroteuthis infernalis (Cephalopoda). Sci Rep 2019; 9:19099. [PMID: 31836823 PMCID: PMC6910912 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55719-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun, 1903, is a widely distributed deepwater cephalopod with unique morphology and phylogenetic position. We assessed its habitat and trophic ecology on a global scale via stable isotope analyses of a unique collection of beaks from 104 specimens from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Cephalopods typically are active predators occupying a high trophic level (TL) and exhibit an ontogenetic increase in δ15N and TL. Our results, presenting the first global comparison for a deep-sea invertebrate, demonstrate that V. infernalis has an ontogenetic decrease in δ15N and TL, coupled with niche broadening. Juveniles are mobile zooplanktivores, while larger Vampyroteuthis are slow-swimming opportunistic consumers and ingest particulate organic matter. Vampyroteuthis infernalis occupies the same TL (3.0–4.3) over its global range and has a unique niche in deep-sea ecosystems. These traits have enabled the success and abundance of this relict species inhabiting the largest ecological realm on the planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Golikov
- Department of Zoology, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia.
| | - Filipe R Ceia
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rushan M Sabirov
- Department of Zoology, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kazan, Russia
| | - Jonathan D Ablett
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD, London, UK
| | - Ian G Gleadall
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 980-0845, Sendai, Japan
| | - Gudmundur Gudmundsson
- Collections and Systematics Department, Icelandic Institute of Natural History, 210, Gardabaer, Iceland
| | - Hendrik J Hoving
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Heather Judkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 33701, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Jónbjörn Pálsson
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Amanda L Reid
- Australian Museum Research Institute, 2010, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rigoberto Rosas-Luis
- CONACyT-Tecnológico Nacional de México/I.T.Chetumal, 77013, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México.,Tecnologico Nacional de Mexico/I. T. Chetumal, 77013, Chetumal, México
| | | | - Richard Schwarz
- Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, 88302901, Itajaí, Brazil
| | - José C Xavier
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, CB3 0ET, Cambridge, UK
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Le Bourg B, Kiszka JJ, Bustamante P, Heithaus MR, Jaquemet S, Humber F. Effect of body length, trophic position and habitat use on mercury concentrations of sharks from contrasted ecosystems in the southwestern Indian Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 169:387-395. [PMID: 30529140 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The non-essential metal mercury (Hg) can have deleterious effects on health of organisms, and tends to bioaccumulate with age in long-lived organisms and to biomagnify along food webs. Because elasmobranchs are fished for human consumption and their Hg levels are frequently above the maximum Hg concentration recommended for fish consumption, understanding the drivers of Hg concentration is of considerable interest. Total Hg concentrations were analysed in muscle tissues of 14 shark and 2 batoid species (n = 339 individuals) sampled across multiple habitats (coastal, open ocean and bathyal) in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were analysed to assess whether relative trophic position and foraging habitats affected Hg concentrations. Hg concentrations increased with δ15N and body length, highlighting the mechanisms of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in relation with the trophic position and size of the individuals. Habitats where elasmobranchs were collected also affected their Hg concentrations. Bathyal sharks had high Hg concentrations that were almost similar to those of oceanic species, despite their lower relative trophic position. Higher bioavailability of Hg due to its enhanced methylation in deeper waters was considered as the most likely explanation for this result. These results highlight that multiple factors contribute to mercury accumulation in elasmobranchs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Le Bourg
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Université de Liège, Laboratory of Oceanology, MARE Centre, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151 Street, FL-33181 North Miami, USA
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Michael R Heithaus
- Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151 Street, FL-33181 North Miami, USA
| | | | - Frances Humber
- Blue Ventures, Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road, London N7 9DP, United Kingdom
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Dicken ML, Hussey NE, Christiansen HM, Smale MJ, Nkabi N, Cliff G, Wintner SP. Diet and trophic ecology of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) from South African waters. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177897. [PMID: 28594833 PMCID: PMC5464543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the diet and trophic ecology of apex predators is key for the implementation of effective ecosystem as well as species-based management initiatives. Using a combination of stomach content data and stable isotope analysis (δ15N and δ13C) the current study provides information on size-based and sex-specific variations in diet, trophic position (TP) and foraging habitat of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) caught in the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board bather protection program. This study presents the longest time-series and most detailed analysis of stomach content data for G. cuvier worldwide. Prey identified from 628 non-empty stomachs revealed a size-based shift in diet. Reptiles, birds, mysticetes, and large shark species increased in dietary importance with G. cuvier size, concomitant with a decrease in smaller prey such as batoids and teleosts. Seasonal and decadal shifts in diet driven primarily by changes in the importance of elasmobranchs and mammal (cetacean) prey were recorded for medium sized (150-220 cm) G. cuvier. Both stomach content and stable isotope analysis indicated that G. cuvier is a generalist feeder at the population level. Size-based δ13C profiles indicated a movement to offshore foraging habitats by larger G. cuvier. Calculated TP varied by method ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 (TPSCA for stomach contents) and from 3.6 to 4.5 (TPscaled and TPadditive for δ15N). Large (> 220 cm) G. cuvier did not feed at discrete trophic levels, but rather throughout the food web. These data provide key information on the ecological role of G. cuvier to improve the accuracy of regional food web modelling. This will enable a better understanding of the ecological impacts related to changes in the abundance of this predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Dicken
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice. South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Nigel E. Hussey
- University of Windsor–Biological Sciences, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Malcolm J. Smale
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Nomfundo Nkabi
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
| | - Geremy Cliff
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa
| | - Sabine P. Wintner
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa
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Torres P, Tristão da Cunha R, Rodrigues ADS. Mid-Atlantic elasmobranchs: Suitable metal scouts? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 117:203-213. [PMID: 28179057 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals are a hazard to marine fauna and human health. In this study we assess stable isotopes and metal content in Prionace glauca and Isurus oxyrinchus and analyse these results within and among other species and across regions and geographical areas. Also, we evaluate their suitability, together with Raja clavata and Galeorhinus galeus, as Mid-Atlantic bioindicators. Prionace glauca and I. oxyrinchus shared the same trophic level in a pelagic food web and did not present significant differences between genders or metals, except for As. Arsenic and Hg accumulated while Cd and Pb were not detected. One I. oxyrinchus presented Hg values above regulatory limits. A high Hg exposure was associated with I. oxyrinchus since its maximum weekly intake was exceeded. Elasmobranchs can be used as metal sentinels, each presenting different key features which defines a good marine bioindicator, allowing long-term monitoring at different temporal and spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Torres
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores. Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
| | - Regina Tristão da Cunha
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores. Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Armindo Dos Santos Rodrigues
- IVAR, Instituto de Investigação em Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
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Torres P, Tristão da Cunha R, Micaelo C, Rodrigues ADS. Bioaccumulation of metals and PCBs in Raja clavata. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 573:1021-1030. [PMID: 27607905 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to assess stable isotopes profiles, metals concentration and PCBs in Raja clavata muscle and liver, according to sex and size, and to elucidate its suitability as a Mid-Atlantic biomonitor. The results reflected bioaccumulation and suggested biomagnification processes for As and Hg in muscle tissue. Cd, Cu and Zn were detected in high amounts in liver, Cr, Mn and Rb were relatively stable and low, Pb was not detected and Sr was present in muscle at high levels, decreasing with length. Hg and Se were strongly correlated, suggesting a mitigation role. Both tissues presented low concentrations of PCBs, especially the dioxin-like congeners, although always higher in liver and not correlated with size. None of these contaminants exceed EU legislated limits. However, they need to be monitored given study area's location, volcanic nature and the expected increase of anthropogenic activity related to future prospective mining activities and the establishment of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between Europe and the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Torres
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal.
| | - Regina Tristão da Cunha
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 58, 9500-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
| | - Cristina Micaelo
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Avenida Brasília, 1446-009 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Armindo Dos Santos Rodrigues
- CVARG, Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos, - Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Apartado 1422, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
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