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- The golden mackerel: first report of a xanthic Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) from Sines, PortugalPublication . Vasco-Rodrigues, Nuno; Santos, Simão; Espírito-Santo, Cristina; Almada, FredericoIn this study, a single xanthic case of the Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus is reported. The individual, with a total lenght (TL) of 306 mm, was captured off Sines (Portugal) in March 2018, by a local fishing boat, using a seine net. This represents the first record of xanthism for this species and for any species of mackerel. The specimen is described here and compared with those of normal pigmentation. Considerations about the paucity of records for this or similar species are presented here, and the possibility of this condition being more frequent than previously thought is discussed.
- Seasonal Variation in Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of Grey Triggerfish Balistes capriscus Captured Along the Coast of PortugalPublication . Simões, Tiago; Carvalho, João; Sousa, Ana; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Gil, Maria M.; Pedrosa, Rui; Tecelão, CarlaProximate composition (ash, moisture, total protein, and fat contents) and fatty acid profile of Balistes capriscus (grey triggerfish) were assessed over a 6-months period (April to September, 2011) in animals captured along the coast of Peniche (Portugal). High protein (18.9% to 21.4%) and low lipid (0.5% to 0.8%) contents were determined. The highest lipid level was found in June-captured animals. High proportions of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) were observed (53.87 ± 2.00%) together with substantial quantities of oleic acid (27.58 ± 1.09%) and palmitic acid (16.52 ± 0.93%). Docosahexaenoic acid accounted for 77% of the total PUFA and was 7 times more abundant than eicosapentaenoic acid, and the n-3/n-6 ratio was 7.2. Gender did not influence lipid levels and the fatty acid profile, but seasonal variations were observed for PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. Overall, the nutritional properties of this underexploited species may be comparable to those of other lean fish species with higher economic value. Practical Application: Balistes capriscus is an abundant species in the Atlantic and underexploited in the Eastern Atlantic coast, with very few studies reported. This study was aimed to add commercial value to the species through its nutritional evaluation. B. capriscus is characterized by high protein and low fat contents. High proportions of n-3 PUFA, mainly docosahexaenoic acid, were noted for the grey triggerfish. Nutritional properties of this species may be comparable to those of other lean fish species.
- Metabolic Profile of Four Selected Cathinones in Microsome Incubations: Identification of Phase I and II Metabolites by Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass SpectrometryPublication . Lopes, Beatriz T.; Caldeira, Maria João; Gaspar, Helena; Antunes, Alexandra M. M.Consumption of synthetic cathinones, the second largest class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) reported worldwide, represents a serious public health risk. One of the biggest challenges created by the rapid spread of NPS on the illegal drug market is the discovery of selective biomarkers for their detection in biological matrices, which is only possible through the study of their metabolic profile. The synthetic cathinones 4′-methyl-N,N-dimethylcathinone (4-MDMC), 4′-methyl-N,N-diethylcathinone (4-MDEC), 4′-chloro-α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4Cl-PVP), and 4′-chloroethylcathinone (4-CEC) are NPS recently seized in Europe, and, with the exception of 4-CEC, no metabolism study was reported for these cathinones. With the ultimate goal of overcoming this gap, these cathinones were incubated in vitro in human and rat liver microsomes in the presence of Phase I and II (glucuronidation) co-factors, using α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) as positive control. The metabolite identification was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). This allowed the identification of multiple Phase I and glucuronide metabolites of the selected cathinones. Additionally, a new glucuronide conjugate, derived from the recreational drug α-PVP, was herein identified for the first time. Importantly, we have demonstrated that 4-MDMC and 4-MDEC can act as prodrugs of the controlled substances 4-MMC and 4-MEC, respectively. The metabolites herein identified are expected to play an important role not only by acting as potential selective biomarkers of the intake of the synthetic cathinones selected for this study but also to understand their potential adverse effects and link these causative agents to toxicities, thereby helping in the treatment of non-fatal intoxications.
- Assessment of the Levels of Pollution and of Their Risks by Radioactivity and Trace Metals on Marine Edible Fish and Crustaceans at the Bay of Bengal (Chattogram, Bangladesh)Publication . Biswas, Krishna Prasad; Hossain, Shahadat; Deb, Nipa; Bhuian, A.K.M. Saiful Islam; Gonçalves, Sílvia C.; Hossain, Shahadat; Hossen, Mohammad BelalMarine environmental pollution is a longstanding global problem and has a particular impact on the Bay of Bengal. Effluent from different sources directly enters rivers of the region and eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal. This effluent may contain radioactive materials and trace metals and pose a serious threat to the coastal environment, in addition to aquatic ecosystems. Using gamma spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, a comprehensive study was carried out on the radioactivity (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs) and trace metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cr) concentrations, respectively, in fish and crustacean species collected from the coastal belt of the Bay of Bengal (Chattogram, Bangladesh). The analysis showed a noticeable increment in the levels of different radioactive pollutants in the marine samples, although the consumption of the studied fish and crustacean species should be considered safe for human health. Anthropogenic radionu-clide (137Cs) was not detected in any sample. Furthermore, the metal concentrations of a small num-ber of trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cr) were found to be higher in most of the samples, which indicates aquatic fauna are subject to pollution. The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR) were calculated and compared with the per-missible safety limits. It was found that consuming the seafood from the Bay of Bengal may cause adverse health impacts if consumption and/or means of pollution are not controlled.
- EditorialPublication . Novais, Sara C.; Maranhão, Paulo
- Development of a new multiplex-PCR tool for the simultaneous detection of the fish pathogens Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio harveyi and Edwardsiella tardaPublication . Pinto, Micaela Ferreira; Baptista, Teresa; Afonso, Clélia Correia NevesDisease assessment and management in cultured aquatic animals is a major concern in commercial aquaculture. Disease outbreaks have direct effects on fish production, causing serious economic losses in this industry. This can be overcome by early detection through molecular high sensitivity tools such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). One of the most critical steps in the study of bacterial fish diseases is the precise identification of the infectious agent. Considering the damage that some bacteria can cause to fish and humans, the development of a rapid detection method for the four target species that demonstrates to be simple, accurate and low cost is an essential step for the prevention and early treatment of these diseases. Edwardsiella tarda (ACC 36.1), Vibrio harveyi (DSM 19023), Vibrio anguillarum (AQV 55.1) and Vibrio alginolyticus (CECT 521) were selected as targets of a multiplex PCR tool. The multiplex PCR reactions were performed in various reaction conditions, including different annealing temperatures (between 49 °C and 55 °C) and changes in the MgCl2 concentration from 2mMto 8 mM. Best results were obtained at 51 °C and MgCl2 concentration from 4mM to 6 mM. Primers were tested using purified DNA from the respective bacterial strains, yielding bands at expected sizes, which can be identified on agarose gels with clearness and without overlapping sizes. Results indicate that this multiplex PCR tool is suitable for the detection of target pathogens and may, in the future, have extended practical application in commercial aquaculture.
- Cleaning interactions of fishes at São Tomé Island, West AfricaPublication . Vasco Rodrigues, Nuno; Fontes, Jorge; Bertoncini, A.This study reports six new types of cleaning interactions among tropical reef fish species at São Tomé Island, and confirms previously reported interactions for this area. Spicara melanurus was recorded as a cleaner for the first time, and Abudefduf saxatilis was confirmed in this role, following reports from the Southwest Atlantic. Individuals belonging to the family Labridae were the most commonly-observed cleaners, involved in over 85% of recorded interactions. Juveniles of Bodianus speciosus played a key role as cleaners, interacting with at least seven client species. In addition, some of the client fishes, including Paranthias furcifer and Acanthurus monroviae, interacted with at least four cleaner fish species. All cleaner fish species reported in this study were facultative; obligate cleaners appear to be absent from this region.
- Cytotoxic effects of Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris phytoproducts in cancer cellsPublication . Beeby, Ellie; Magalhães, Mariana; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Pires, Isabel M.; Cabral, CéliaEthnopharmacological relevance: The past few years have witnessed an increasing interest in essential oils (EOs) as potential therapeutic agents against a wide variety of pathologies, including cancer. EOs extracted from Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris (R. segetum) are a clear example of a phytoproduct with therapeutic applications, as it is widely used in traditional medicine due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and these properties were already validated by previous studies. Although, it is well established that inflammation is a key hallmark of cancer, with a key role promoting tumorigenesis, and being chronic inflammation often associated with tumorigenic processes, there are no previous studies regarding the assessment of the antitumoural potential of R. segetum EOs. Aim of the study: The present study intends to be the first to evaluate the antitumoural proprieties of R. segetum EO phytoproducts in cancer cell models. Materials and methods: For this, R. segetum EOs were extracted from plants collected at either flowering (RS_Fl) or fruiting (RS_Fr) stage. The impact on proliferation and viability of treatment with R. segetum EO extracts was assessed using in vitro 2D and 3D models. Results: Both R. segetum EOs presented effective antiproliferative/viability effects, evidence noted by low IC50 values in 2D models, and significant reduction of spheroid size in 3D in vitro models. Mechanistically, treatment with R. segetum EOs was associated with an altered G1 (associated with p21 stabilisation), and subsequent induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Overall, these results indicate that R. segetum EOs have potential as suitable antitumoural therapeutic agents.
- Sandy beach macrofaunal assemblages as indicators of anthropogenic impacts on coastal dunesPublication . Bessa, Filipa; Cunha, David; Gonçalves, Sílvia; Marques, João CarlosOcean sandy beaches are iconic recreational assets to society and have undergone rapid degradation caused by both natural and anthropogenic pressures. A major effect of urbanisation on biota stems from artificial structures placed in aquatic systems. While the installation of these structures has been widespread, our understanding of how they impact shoreline habitats and fauna is relatively limited. On the sandy Leirosa Beach, on the European Atlantic coast (Portugal), a decade of cumulative impacts was recorded, with disruption of the frontal dune, dune nourishment and the incorporation of geotextiles to reconstruct the dune and maintain it as an artificial structure. Two years after the dune rehabilitation process at Leirosa Beach, seasonal sampling campaigns (from spring 2010 to winter 2011) were carried out to assess the effects of the artificial dune (and the first signs of its eventual disruption) on macrofauna compared to a natural dune on the same beach. During the study period, the rehabilitated foredune maintained the average slope, with similar sediment characteristics (finer sediments) when compared with the natural dune system, with no physical significant differences being appreciated between the two sites. The macrofaunal assemblages were represented especially by crustaceans (amphipods and isopods), with similar mean total density, taxon richness and diversity between sites. Special attention was given to the supralittoral species, and the results revealed that the natural zone harboured a significantly higher density of sandhopper Talitrus saltator with respect to the artificial zone. PERMANOVA results detailed the significant difference that occurred, particularly during the warmer seasons (spring and summer 2010), the recruitment period described for this species along this coast. In fact, SIMPER analysis revealed that T. saltator accounted for 46% of the dissimilarities between the natural and artificial dune sites. The presence of geotextiles extending across the supralittoral zone appeared, on the one hand, to allow for the presence of talitrids, but the application of textiles around the area prevented them from burrowing, thus causing them to avoid the rehabilitated area. The results highlighted the potentially negative effects of this artificial dune system if textile disruption continues, and the usefulness of T. saltator as an effective and reliable ecological indicator for these ecosystems. Thus, evaluating the risks and magnitude of human interventions is a major challenge for sandy beach ecologists, and baseline information is required if we are to better understand how resident macrofaunal species deal with future impact scenarios.
- Mechanisms of bioinvasions by coastal crabs using integrative approaches – A conceptual reviewPublication . Rato, Lénia D.; Crespo, Daniel; Lemos, Marco F. L.Crustaceans are amongst the most reported invaders of coastal habitats, and predatory brachyuran crabs one of the most successful marine invasive groups. They hold high tolerance to abiotic stress and their genetic, life-history, and behavioural adaptation mechanisms prompt their invasive conspicuousness. However, there is a generalized ambiguity on the specific processes that make these bioinvasions successful. No trait-related patterns have yet been found, mostly since traits attributed solely to non-indigenous crab species lack confirmation by comparison with their native counterparts and across each other. Therefore, this review discusses the available literature on fitness and plasticity of brachyuran crabs under global changes, and advances the increasing importance of addressing native versus non-native invasive species comparisons in the annals of brachyura invasion dynamics. Further on, integrative approaches are highlighted and proposed as innovative tools to disentangle trait-related tolerance, overall crab phenotypic plasticity and further adaptation. These indicator tools will advance the knowledge on crabs’ invasive potential, which ultimately affects upcoming population dynamics and ecosystem services, adding value to an effective management of coastal bioinvasions.