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Godefroid M, Gouveia A, Otero-Ferrer F, Espino F, Tuya F, Dubois P. Higher daily temperature range at depth is linked with higher thermotolerance in antipatharians from the canary islands. J Therm Biol 2023; 115:103593. [PMID: 37331319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Sensitivity to ocean warming is generally expected to be lower in populations from more heterogeneous thermal environments, owing to greater phenotypic plasticity and/or genotype selection. While resilience of benthic populations from thermally fluctuating environments has been investigated at a variety of spatial scales, this has received limited attention across depths and has remained unresolved for Antipatharian corals, key habitat-forming species across a wide bathymetric range in all of the world oceans. In this study, we aimed at addressing the thermal sensitivity of Antipatharian corals across depths characterized by different levels of temperature fluctuations. We used an acute ramping experimental approach to compare the thermal sensitivity of colonies of (1) the branched Antipatharian Antipathella wollastoni (Gray, 1857) from two distinct depths (25 and 40 m) in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain); and of (2) unbranched mesophotic (80 m) Stichopathes species, from Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain; S. gracilis (Gray, 1857)), and Stichopathes sp. clade C from Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Results showed that the daily temperature range in Gran Canaria was larger at mesophotic depths (3.9 °C vs. 2.8 °C at 40 and 25 m, respectively) and this coincided with lower thermal sensitivity in mesophotic colonies of A. wollastoni. Second, S. gracilis from Lanzarote showed a lower thermal sensitivity than the previously studied Stichopathes sp. clade C from Mo'orea (French Polynesia) inhabiting a less variable habitat. These results are in line with the climate variability hypothesis, which states that populations under more variable thermal conditions have a lower sensitivity to warming than those from more stable environments, as they have adapted/acclimated to these higher levels of temperature fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Godefroid
- Marine Biology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt, CP 160/15, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Adriana Gouveia
- BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino de Taliarte, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Gran Canaria, Spain; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino de Taliarte, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino de Taliarte, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Fernando Tuya
- BIOCON, IU-ECOAQUA, Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino de Taliarte, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Philippe Dubois
- Marine Biology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt, CP 160/15, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium
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Tuya F, Schubert N, Aguirre J, Basso D, Bastos EO, Berchez F, Bernardino AF, Bosch NE, Burdett HL, Espino F, Fernández-Gárcia C, Francini-Filho RB, Gagnon P, Hall-Spencer JM, Haroun R, Hofmann LC, Horta PA, Kamenos NA, Le Gall L, Magris RA, Martin S, Nelson WA, Neves P, Olivé I, Otero-Ferrer F, Peña V, Pereira-Filho GH, Ragazzola F, Rebelo AC, Ribeiro C, Rinde E, Schoenrock K, Silva J, Sissini MN, Tâmega FTS. Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges. Sci Total Environ 2023:164818. [PMID: 37315600 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Global marine conservation remains fractured by an imbalance in research efforts and policy actions, limiting progression towards sustainability. Rhodolith beds represent a prime example, as they have ecological importance on a global scale, provide a wealth of ecosystem functions and services, including biodiversity provision and potential climate change mitigation, but remain disproportionately understudied, compared to other coastal ecosystems (tropical coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, seagrasses). Although rhodolith beds have gained some recognition, as important and sensitive habitats at national/regional levels during the last decade, there is still a notable lack of information and, consequently, specific conservation efforts. We argue that the lack of information about these habitats, and the significant ecosystem services they provide, is hindering the development of effective conservation measures and limiting wider marine conservation success. This is becoming a pressing issue, considering the multiple severe pressures and threats these habitats are exposed to (e.g., pollution, fishing activities, climate change), which may lead to an erosion of their ecological function and ecosystem services. By synthesizing the current knowledge, we provide arguments to highlight the importance and urgency of levelling-up research efforts focused on rhodolith beds, combating rhodolith bed degradation and avoiding the loss of associated biodiversity, thus ensuring the sustainability of future conservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain.
| | - Nadine Schubert
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Julio Aguirre
- Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Daniela Basso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, CoNISMa Research Unit of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Eduardo O Bastos
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Flávio Berchez
- Instituto de Biociências/Instituto de Estudos Avançados, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Angelo F Bernardino
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Néstor E Bosch
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain; Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), Telde, Spain
| | - Heidi L Burdett
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden; Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
| | - Cindy Fernández-Gárcia
- School of Biology, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica; Research Center in Marine Sciences and Limnology (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ronaldo B Francini-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Patrick Gagnon
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Jason M Hall-Spencer
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shizuoka, Japan; School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
| | - Laurie C Hofmann
- Marine Aquaculture Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Paulo A Horta
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Nicholas A Kamenos
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden; Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Line Le Gall
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Rafael A Magris
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Sophie Martin
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 7144 Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Wendy A Nelson
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pedro Neves
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal; Observatório Oceânico da Madeira, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (OOM/ ARDITI), Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Irene Olivé
- Department of Integrative Marine Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohn, Naples, Italy
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain; Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), Telde, Spain
| | - Viviana Peña
- BioCost Research Group, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Guilherme H Pereira-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Federica Ragazzola
- Department of Integrative Marine Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohn, Naples, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Ana Cristina Rebelo
- Divisão de Geologia Marinha, Instituto Hidrográfico, Lisboa, Portugal; BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBio Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Portugal; SMNS - Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal; IFCN-Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM, Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Eli Rinde
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kathryn Schoenrock
- School of Natural Sciences, The Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - João Silva
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Marina N Sissini
- Lab. de Ecologia e Conservação de Ambientes Recifais (LECAR), Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Frederico T S Tâmega
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Marinha, Instituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira (IEAPM), Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil
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Navarro-Mayoral S, Tuya F, Prado P, Marco-Méndez C, Fernandez-Gonzalez V, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Espino F, Antonio de la Ossa J, Vilella DM, Machado M, Martínez-Crego B. Drivers of variation in seagrass-associated amphipods across biogeographical areas. Mar Environ Res 2023; 186:105918. [PMID: 36791539 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Amphipods are one of the dominant epifaunal groups in seagrass meadows. However, our understanding of the biogeographical patterns in the distribution of these small crustaceans is limited. In this study, we investigated such patterns and the potential drivers in twelve Cymodocea nodosa meadows within four distinctive biogeographical areas across 2000 Km and 13° of latitude in two ocean basins (Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). We found that species abundances in the assemblage of seagrass-associated amphipods differed among areas following a pattern largely explained by seagrass leaf area and epiphyte biomass, while the variation pattern in species presence/absence was determined by seagrass density and epiphyte biomass. Seagrass leaf area was also the most important determinant of greater amphipod total density and species richness, while amphipod density also increased with algal cover. Overall, our results evidenced that biogeographical patterns of variation in amphipod assemblages are mainly influenced by components of the habitat structure, which covary with environmental conditions, finding that structurally more complex meadows harboring higher abundance and richness of amphipods associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Navarro-Mayoral
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Patricia Prado
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Candela Marco-Méndez
- Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Carrer Accés Cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fernandez-Gonzalez
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio de la Ossa
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - David Mateu Vilella
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Margarida Machado
- Centre of Marine Sciences of University of Algarve (CCMAR-UAlg), Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 7, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Begoña Martínez-Crego
- Centre of Marine Sciences of University of Algarve (CCMAR-UAlg), Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 7, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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Bosch NE, Espino F, Tuya F, Haroun R, Bramanti L, Otero-Ferrer F. Black coral forests enhance taxonomic and functional distinctiveness of mesophotic fishes in an oceanic island: implications for biodiversity conservation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4963. [PMID: 36973395 PMCID: PMC10043018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32138-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The degradation of shallow ecosystems has called for efforts to understand the biodiversity and functioning of Mesophotic Ecosystems. However, most empirical studies have been restricted to tropical regions and have majorly focused on taxonomic entities (i.e., species), neglecting important dimensions of biodiversity that influence community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Here, using a subtropical oceanic island in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (Lanzarote, Canary Islands), we investigated variation in (a) alpha and (b) beta functional (i.e., trait) diversity across a depth gradient (0-70 m), as a function of the presence of black coral forests (BCFs, order Antipatharian) in the mesophotic strata, a vulnerable but often overlooked 'ecosystem engineer' in regional biodiversity. Despite occupying a similar volume of the functional space (i.e., functional richness) than shallow (< 30 m) reefs, mesophotic fish assemblages inhabiting BCFs differed in their functional structure when accounting for species abundances, with lower evenness and divergence. Similarly, although mesophotic BCFs shared, on average, 90% of the functional entities with shallow reefs, the identity of common and dominant taxonomic and functional entities shifted. Our results suggest BCFs promoted the specialization of reef fishes, likely linked to convergence towards optimal traits to maximize the use of resources and space. Regional biodiversity planning should thus focus on developing specific management and conservation strategies for preserving the unique biodiversity and functionality of mesophotic BCFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor E Bosch
- Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), 35214, Telde, Spain.
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain.
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Bramanti
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, 66500, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), 35214, Telde, Spain
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
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Tuya F, Pérez-Neira F, Espino F, Bosch NE, Meyers EK, Jiménez-Alvarado D, Castro JJ, Sobral A, Otero-Ferrer F, Haroun R. Coastal sharks and rays in the Northeastern Atlantic: From an urgent call to collect more data to the declaration of a marine corridor. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Espino F, González JA, Bosch NE, Otero-Ferrer FJ, Haroun R, Tuya F. Distribution and population structure of the smooth-hound shark, Mustelus mustelus (Linnaeus, 1758), across an oceanic archipelago: Combining several data sources to promote conservation. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9098. [PMID: 35845375 PMCID: PMC9277611 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharks play a key role in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. More ecological information is essential to implement responsible management and conservation actions on this fauna, particularly at a regional level for threatened species. Mustelus mustelus is widely found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and catalogued as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN European assessment. In this study, data on the distribution and population structure of this species across the islands of the Canarian archipelago, located along an east to west gradient in the north‐eastern Atlantic, were collected by taking advantage of “Local Ecological Knowledge,” in terms of sightings in coastal waters and long‐term imprints on the local gastronomic heritage, and decadal fisheries landings. Both sources of quantitative data (sightings and fisheries landings) demonstrated that adults of M. mustelus has a significantly larger presence in the eastern and central, than in the western islands of the archipelago. This is also reflected on local gastronomic legacies, with a larger number of recipes in the eastern and central islands. Adult smooth‐hound sharks were significantly more observed in sandy and sandy‐rocky bottoms, with individuals seen throughout the entire year, whereas juveniles aggregate on very shallow waters in spring and summer. Such aggregations require a special management strategy, as they play a key role in critical life stages; these sites should be protected from human perturbations. We also suggest a temporal fishing ban between April and October, when individuals tend to concentrate on nearshore waters. Because of the large differences in presence of this shark among the Canary Islands, management of the species should be adapted to the specific peculiarities of each island, rather than adopting a management policy at the entire archipelago‐scale. Overall, this study sets the basis for further investigation to promote conservation of this vulnerable shark in the study region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Espino
- Research Group in Biodiversity and Conservation, IU-ECOAQUA, Scientific and Technological Marine Park Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Telde Canary Islands Spain
| | - José Antonio González
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Marina Aplicada y Pesquerías, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Canary Islands Spain
| | - Néstor E Bosch
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Francisco J Otero-Ferrer
- Research Group in Biodiversity and Conservation, IU-ECOAQUA, Scientific and Technological Marine Park Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Telde Canary Islands Spain
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Research Group in Biodiversity and Conservation, IU-ECOAQUA, Scientific and Technological Marine Park Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Telde Canary Islands Spain
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Research Group in Biodiversity and Conservation, IU-ECOAQUA, Scientific and Technological Marine Park Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Telde Canary Islands Spain
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Tuya F, Aguilar R, Espino F, Bosch NE, Meyers EKM, Jiménez‐Alvarado D, Castro JJ, Otero‐Ferrer F, Haroun R. Differences in the occurrence and abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago using complementary data sources: Implications for conservation. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16704-16715. [PMID: 34938467 PMCID: PMC8668743 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Batoids, distributed from shallow to abyssal depths, are considerably vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Data deficiencies on the distribution patterns of batoids, however, challenge their effective management and conservation. In this study, we took advantage of the particular geological and geomorphological configuration of the Canary Islands, across an east-to-west gradient in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, to assess whether patterns in the occurrence and abundance of batoids varied between groups of islands (western, central, and eastern). Data were collected from shallow (<40 m, via underwater visual counts and by a local community science program) and deep waters (60-700 m, via ROV deployments). Eleven species of batoids, assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, were registered, including three "Critically Endangered" (Aetomylaeus bovinus, Dipturus batis, and Myliobatis aquila), three "Endangered" (Gymnura altavela, Mobula mobular, and Rostroraja alba), two "Vulnerable" (Dasyatis pastinaca and Raja maderenseis), and two "Data Deficient" (Taeniurops grabata and Torpedo marmorata). Also, a "Least Concern" species (Bathytoshia lata) was observed. Overall, batoids were ~1 to 2 orders of magnitude more abundant in the central and eastern islands, relative to the western islands. This pattern was consistent among the three sources of data and for both shallow and deep waters. This study, therefore, shows differences in the abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago, likely related to varying insular shelf area, availability of habitats, and proximity to the nearby continental (African) mass. Large variation in population abundances among islands suggests that "whole" archipelago management strategies are unlikely to provide adequate conservation. Instead, management plans should be adjusted individually per island and complemented with focused research to fill data gaps on the spatial use and movements of these iconic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | | | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Nestor E. Bosch
- School of Biological SciencesOceans InstituteUniversity of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - David Jiménez‐Alvarado
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Jose J. Castro
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Francisco Otero‐Ferrer
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
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Tuya F, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Del Pilar-Ruso Y, Espino F, Manent P, Curbelo L, Otero-Ferrer F, de la Ossa JA, Royo L, Antich L, Castejón I, Máñez-Crespo J, Mateo-Ramírez Á, Procaccini G, Marco-Méndez C, Terrados J, Tomas F. Partitioning resilience of a marine foundation species into resistance and recovery trajectories. Oecologia 2021; 196:515-527. [PMID: 34009470 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The resilience of an ecological unit encompasses resistance during adverse conditions and the capacity to recover. We adopted a 'resistance-recovery' framework to experimentally partition the resilience of a foundation species (the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa). The shoot abundances of nine seagrass meadows were followed before, during and after simulated light reduction conditions. We determined the significance of ecological, environmental and genetic drivers on seagrass resistance (% of shoots retained during the light deprivation treatments) and recovery (duration from the end of the perturbed state back to initial conditions). To identify whether seagrass recovery was linearly related to prior resistance, we then established the connection between trajectories of resistance and recovery. Finally, we assessed whether recovery patterns were affected by biological drivers (production of sexual products-seeds-and asexual propagation) at the meadow-scale. Resistance to shading significantly increased with the genetic diversity of the meadow and seagrass recovery was conditioned by initial resistance during shading. A threshold in resistance (here, at a ca. 70% of shoot abundances retained during the light deprivation treatments) denoted a critical point that considerably delays seagrass recovery if overpassed. Seed densities, but not rhizome elongation rates, were higher in meadows that exhibited large resistance and quick recovery, which correlated positively with meadow genetic diversity. Our results highlight the critical role of resistance to a disturbance for persistence of a marine foundation species. Estimation of critical trade-offs between seagrass resistance and recovery is a promising field of research to better manage impacts on seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | | | - Yoana Del Pilar-Ruso
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pablo Manent
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Leticia Curbelo
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose A de la Ossa
- Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Royo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Laura Antich
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Inés Castejón
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Julia Máñez-Crespo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain.,Universidad de Los Lagos, 5480000, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Ángel Mateo-Ramírez
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain.,GEMAR Group, Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Puerto Pesquero s/n, Apdo. 285, 29640, Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | - Jorge Terrados
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Fiona Tomas
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
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9
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Martínez-Crego B, Prado P, Marco-Méndez C, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Espino F, Sánchez-Lizaso JL, de la Ossa JA, Vilella DM, Machado M, Tuya F. Driving factors of biogeographical variation in seagrass herbivory. Sci Total Environ 2021; 758:143756. [PMID: 33333301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the crucial role of herbivory in shaping community assembly, our understanding on biogeographical patterns of herbivory on seagrasses is limited compared to that on terrestrial plants. In particular, the drivers of such patterns remain largely unexplored. Here, we used a comparative-experimental approach in Cymodocea nodosa meadows, across all possible climate types within the seagrass distribution, 2000 km and 13° of latitude in two ocean basins, to investigate biogeographical variation in seagrass herbivory intensity and their drivers during July 2014. Particularly, the density and richness of herbivores and their food resources, seagrass size, carbon and nitrogen content, as well as latitude, sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and sediment grain size, were tested as potential drivers. We found that shallow meadows can be subjected to intense herbivory, with variation in herbivory largely explained by fish density, seagrass size, and annual sea temperature range. The herbivorous fish density was the most important determinant of such variation, with the dominant seagrass consumer, the fish Sarpa salpa, absent at meadows from regions with low herbivory. In temperate regions where herbivorous fish are present, annual temperature ranges drive an intense summer herbivory, which is likely mediated not only by increased herbivore metabolic demands at higher temperatures, but also by higher fish densities. Invertebrate grazing (mainly by sea urchins, isopods, amphipods, and/or gastropods) was the dominant leaf herbivory in some temperate meadows, with grazing variation mainly influenced by seagrass shoot size. At the subtropical region (under reduced annual temperature range), lower shoot densities and seagrass nitrogen contents contributed to explain the almost null herbivory. We evidenced the combined influence of drivers acting at geographic (region) and local (meadow) scales, the understanding of which is critical for a clear prediction of variation in seagrass herbivory intensity across biogeographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patricia Prado
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Candela Marco-Méndez
- Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Carrer Accés Cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300 Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Sánchez-Lizaso
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio de la Ossa
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - David Mateu Vilella
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Margarida Machado
- University of Algarve (UAlg-CCMAR), Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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10
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Máñez-Crespo J, Tuya F, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Royo L, Pilar-Ruso YD, Espino F, Manent P, Antich L, Castejón-Silvo I, Curbelo L, de la Ossa JA, Hernan G, Mateo-Ramírez Á, Pereda-Briones L, Jiménez-Ramos R, Egea LG, Procaccini G, Terrados J, Tomas F. Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa across biogeographical regions and times: Differences in abundance, meadow structure and sexual reproduction. Mar Environ Res 2020; 162:105159. [PMID: 32992225 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are key habitat-forming species of coastal areas. While previous research has demonstrated considerable small-scale variation in seagrass abundance and structure, studies teasing apart local from large-scale variation are scarce. We determined how different biogeographic scenarios, under varying environmental and genetic variation, explained variation in the abundance and structure (morphology and biomass allocation), epiphytes and sexual reproduction intensity of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Regional and local-scale variation, including their temporal variability, contributed to differentially explain variation in seagrass attributes. Structural, in particular morphological, attributes of the seagrass leaf canopy, most evidenced regional seasonal variation. Allocation to belowground tissues was, however, mainly driven by local-scale variation. High seed densities were observed in meadows of large genetic diversity, indicative of sexual success, which likely resulted from the different evolutionary histories undergone by the seagrass at each region. Our results highlight that phenotypic plasticity to local and regional environments need to be considered to better manage and preserve seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Máñez-Crespo
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Conservación y Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Los Lagos, Camino Chinquihue Km 6, Puerto Montt, Chile; Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain.
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain
| | | | - Laura Royo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Yoana Del Pilar-Ruso
- Departamento de Ciencias Del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pablo Manent
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Laura Antich
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Inés Castejón-Silvo
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - L Curbelo
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - José A de la Ossa
- Departamento de Ciencias Del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Gema Hernan
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain; Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Ángel Mateo-Ramírez
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain; Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Puerto Pesquero, S/n, Fuengirola, Málaga, 9640, Spain
| | - Laura Pereda-Briones
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Rocío Jiménez-Ramos
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Luis G Egea
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | | | - Jorge Terrados
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
| | - Fiona Tomas
- Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marquès, 21 - 07190, Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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11
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Espino F, Brito A, Haroun R, Tuya F. Macroecological analysis of the fish fauna inhabiting Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows. J Fish Biol 2015; 87:1000-1018. [PMID: 26436373 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, patterns in the taxonomic richness and composition of the fish fauna inhabiting Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows were described across their entire distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, the study tested whether there are differences in the composition of fish assemblages between those ecoregions encompassed by the distribution range of C. nodosa, and whether these differences in composition are connected with differences in bioclimatic affinities of the fish faunas. A literature review resulted in a total of 19 studies, containing 22 fish assemblages at 18 locations. The ichthyofauna associated with C. nodosa seagrass meadows comprises 59 families and 188 species. The western Mediterranean (WM) Sea has the highest species richness (87 species). Fish assemblages from the Macaronesia-Canary Islands, the Sahelian Upwelling, South European Atlantic Shelf and the WM differ, in terms of assemblage composition, relative to other ecoregions. In contrast, the composition of the fish fauna from the central and eastern Mediterranean overlaps. There is a significant serial correlation in fish assemblage composition between adjacent ecoregions along the distribution range of C. nodosa. Dissimilarities in assemblage composition are connected with the geographical separation between locations, and the mean minimum annual seawater temperature is the environmental factor that explains most variation in fish assemblage composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Espino
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Campus de Tafira, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - A Brito
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Ecología Marina y Conservación, Unidad de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Biología Animal, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - R Haroun
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Campus de Tafira, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - F Tuya
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Campus de Tafira, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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12
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Tuya F, Png-Gonzalez L, Riera R, Haroun R, Espino F. Ecological structure and function differs between habitats dominated by seagrasses and green seaweeds. Mar Environ Res 2014; 98:1-13. [PMID: 24836641 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine vegetated habitats, e.g. seagrass meadows, deliver essential functions and services to coastal ecosystems and human welfare. Impacts induced by humans, however, have facilitated the replacement of seagrasses by alternative vegetation, e.g. green rhizophytic seaweeds. The implications of habitat shifts for ecosystem attributes and processes and the services they deliver remain poorly known. In this study, we compared ecosystem structure and function between Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows and bottoms dominated by Caulerpa prolifera, a green, native, rhizophytic seaweed, through 5 ecological proxies: (i) primary production (via community metabolism), (ii) composition and abundance of epifauna (a proxy for provision of habitat for epifauna), composition and abundance of (iii) small-sized (juvenile) and (iv) large-sized (adult) fishes (proxies for provision of habitat for fishes), and (v) sediment retention (a proxy for sediment stabilization). Four of these proxies were greater in C. nodosa seagrass meadows than in C. prolifera beds: gross primary productivity (∼1.4 times), the total abundance, species density and biomass of small-sized fishes (∼2.1, 1.3 and 1.3 times, respectively), the total abundance and species density of large-sized fishes (∼3.6 and 1.5 times, respectively), and sediment stabilization (∼1.4 times). In contrast, the total abundance and species density of epifauna was larger (∼3.1 and 1.7 times, respectively) in C. prolifera than in C. nodosa seagrass beds. These results suggest that ecosystem structure and function may differ if seagrasses are replaced by green rhizophytic seaweeds. Importantly, ecosystem functions may not be appropriate surrogates for one another. As a result, assessments of ecosystem services associated with ecosystem functions cannot be based on exclusively one service that is expected to benefit other services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Centro en Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Marine Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Lydia Png-Gonzalez
- Centro en Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Marine Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Riera
- Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico (CIMA SL), Arzobispo Elías Yanes 44, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Department of Biodiversity, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), 5825 Doha, Qatar
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Centro en Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Marine Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Centro en Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Marine Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
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13
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Abstract
Early diagnosis and treatment for malaria has a significant impact on the severity of the disease and contributes to the interruption of its transmission. Fourteen high-risk families and nine locality-matched families, with no recent history of malaria, participated in an ethnographic study which aimed to document malaria episodes and to examine treatment paths for fevers locally termed malaria and perceived to be malaria. The study, conducted in Morong, Bataan, a low malaria endemic area in the Philippines, used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods over a period of 12 months. Six treatment categories were identified; self-treatment with Western medicines and clinic consultations had almost equal frequencies. Twenty-six treatment paths were recognised which consisted of the six categories singly or in combination. More than 80% of the undiagnosed malarya illnesses were treated with antimalarials of inappropriate dosages. More adult men than women self-treated, but there was no significant difference by gender in terms of clinic consultation for illness. The majority of clinic consultations were made for young children. The implications for control are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Espino
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Metro Manila, Philippines
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14
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Espino F, Manderson L, Acuin C, Domingo F, Ventura E. Perceptions of malaria in a low endemic area in the Philippines: transmission and prevention of disease. Acta Trop 1997; 63:221-39. [PMID: 9088436 DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(96)00623-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Qualitative methods were used to gather data on community perceptions of malaria in Morong, Bataan. People recognised an illness which they called "malarya' through a discrete set of symptoms: high fever and intense chills, with or without a severe headache. Self-medication was common. Enquiry into perceptions of cause and prevention of the disease revealed a complex mixture of beliefs involving environmental conditions, the mosquito vector and parasites, but included also various ideas about dirty water, diet, hunger and conditions of hygiene. The implications of these findings for disease control, and the relationship between knowledge and practices, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Espino
- Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Metro Manila, Philippines.
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15
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Saul A, Belizario VY, Bustos MD, Espino F, Lansang MA, Salazar NP, Torres E. Stability of malaria in a community in Bataan, the Philippines: prospects for control. Acta Trop 1997; 63:267-73. [PMID: 9088439 DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(96)00626-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Malaria in Morong, Bataan, The Philippines, a municipality with relatively low level, but stable malaria is associated with small foci of relatively high endemicity. Although there is little association between age and symptomatic malaria, there is a reservoir of asymptomatic cases which are present throughout the year. Risk analysis suggests that the greatest risk factor in acquiring malaria depends on place of residence and not on occupation, including those associated with forest activities such as charcoal making. Foci of infection and the timing of symptomatic cases is closely correlated with breeding sites and abundance of adult Anopheles flavirostris. In spite of this close association, widely held views in the community that malaria is not related to mosquito transmission are likely to make better malaria control based on vector control difficult to sustain. Observation of treatment practices in the community and estimates of the number of apparently asymptomatic carriers from active case detection illustrate the importance of delayed treatment in providing a continuing reservoir of infection. These results highlight the need for improved early case detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Saul
- Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health and Nutrition, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia.
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