Hybridization and Introgression in Black Hakes (Merluccius polli and M. senegalensis): Evolutionary Dynamics and Conservation Implications in the Contact Zone Exploited by Multi-Species Fisheries.

Hybridization is relatively common between closely related species that share part of their distribution. Understanding its dynamics is important both for conservation purposes and to determine its role as an evolutionary mechanism. Here we have studied the case of black hakes (Merluccius polli and Merluccius senegalensis) in its contact zone.

High microplastics concentration in liver is negatively associated with condition factor in the Benguela hake Merluccius polli.

Microplastics (MPs) affect both marine and terrestrial biota worldwide for their harmful effects, which range from physical cell damage to physiological deterioration. In this research, microplastics were quantified from gills, liver and muscle of demersal Benguela hakes Merluccius polli (n = 94), caught by commercial trawling from northwest African waters. Plastic polymers were identified using Fourier Transformed-infraRed spectroscopy (FT-iR).

Emotional Distress in Cancer Patients During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health problems worldwide. The psychopathological implications of COVID-19 in cancer patients have rarely been addressed. Considering the increased vulnerability of oncology patients, this issue needs to be addressed to improve the long-term mental health status of these patients.

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fisheries Threatening Shark Conservation in African Waters Revealed from High Levels of Shark Mislabelling in Ghana.

Mislabelling of fish and fish products has attracted much attention over the last decades, following public awareness of the practice of substituting high-value with low-value fish in markets, restaurants, and processed seafood. In some cases, mislabelling includes illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to overexploit substitute species that are undetectable when sold under wrong names. This is the first study of DNA barcoding to assess the level of mislabelling in fish marketed in Ghana, focusing on endangered shark species.

DNA Analysis Detects Different Mislabeling Trend by Country in European Cod Fillets.

Atlantic cod, , is a highly appreciated fish in European seafood markets and is one of the most substituted fish species in the world. Fraud have been detected in European markets in the last decade, finding different substitute species sold as or Atlantic cod on the label. In this study, we analyzed 252 samples of fresh and frozen cod fillets sold in Germany, the Netherlands, and France using DNA barcoding.

Fraud in highly appreciated fish detected from DNA in Europe may undermine the Development Goal of sustainable fishing in Africa.

Despite high effort for food traceability to ensure safe and sustainable consumption, mislabeling persists on seafood markets. Determining what drives deliberate fraud is necessary to improve food authenticity and sustainability. In this study, the relationship between consumer's appreciation and fraudulent mislabeling was assessed through a combination of a survey on consumer's preferences (N = 1608) and molecular tools applied to fish samples commercialized by European companies.