Isotope-based inferences of the trophic niche of short-finned pilot whales in the Webbnesia.

Knowledge of predator-prey interactions is key in ecological studies and understanding ecosystem function, yet this is still poorly explored in the deep-sea environment. Carbon (δC: C/C) and nitrogen (δN: N/N) stable isotope ratios of a deep-diving species, the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), were used to explore knowledge gaps on its ecological niche and foraging habitats in the Webbnesia marine ecoregion (Tenerife Island, n = 27 animals vs. Madeira, n = 31; 500 km apart) where animals display distinct levels of site fidelity.

Long-term monitoring of the fish community in the Minho Estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula).

Background: The paper presents an extensive fish sampling dataset spanning a long-term period from 2010 to 2019. The data were collected in Lenta Marina, an upstream area in the Minho Estuary of the NW Iberian Peninsula, which belongs to a LTSER (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) platform. To capture fish, fyke nets were utilised as the sampling method and deployed at Lenta Marina.

Dataset of the complete mitogenome of the deep-sea sailfin roughshark, Frade, 1929.

Chondrichthyans comprise a diverse group of vertebrate species with extraordinary ecological relevance. Yet, multiple members of this evolutionary lineage are associated with significant extinction risk. The sailfin roughshark is a deep-water benthic shark currently listed as vulnerable due to population declines in parts of its range.

The benthic food web connects the estuarine habitat mosaic to adjacent ecosystems.

Energy flows from land to sea and between pelagic and benthic environments have the potential to increase the connectivity between estuaries and adjacent ecosystems as well as among estuarine habitats. To identify such energy flows and the main trophic pathways of energy transfer in the Minho River estuary, we investigated the spatial and temporal fluctuations of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in benthic (and their potential food sources) and epibenthic consumers. Sampling was conducted along the estuarine salinity gradient from winter to summer of 2011.

A glimpse into the trophic ecology of deep-water sharks in an important crustacean fishing ground.

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.

Influence of climate change and extreme weather events on an estuarine fish community.

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change, and the increasing frequency of these events may lead to significant changes in fish assemblages. In this sense, this work aimed to study the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on fish assemblages in the Rio Minho estuary (Portugal). Between 2010 and 2019, continuous weekly sampling with fyke nets was carried out to assess the dynamics of fish assemblages in the estuary.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the endemic Iberian pygmy skate Stehmann, Séret, Costa, & Baro 2008 (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae).

Skates, Chondrichthyes fishes from order Rajiformes, are the most species-rich group of all Batoidea. However, their phylogenetic relationships and systematics is still a highly discussed and controversial subject. The use of complete mitogenome has shown to be a promising tool to fill this gap of knowledge.

Habitat use and food sources of European flounder larvae (, L. 1758) across the Minho River estuary salinity gradient (NW Iberian Peninsula).

The European flounder ( Linnaeus, 1758) exhibits plasticity for several life traits throughout its distribution range, including ontogenetic habitat shifts during early life, as well as the timing and duration of spawning. Estuaries are preferred as nursery habitat; however, the importance of specific salinity zones for larval development is not well-understood. Therefore, we aimed to identify the significance of distinct estuarine salinity habitats (i.

Benthic food webs support the production of sympatric flatfish larvae in estuarine nursery habitat.

Identifying nursery habitats is of paramount importance to define proper management and conservation strategies for flatfish species. Flatfish nursery studies usually report upon habitat occupation, but few attempted to quantify the importance of those habitats to larvae development. The reliance of two sympatric flatfish species larvae, the European flounder and the common sole , on the estuarine food web (benthic vs.