Background: The European hake () is a commercially valuable demersal species widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea. Assessing the condition of fish populations in their natural habitats is challenging due to the lack of reliable reference points.
Objective: This study aimed to utilize hematological analysis as an economical method to evaluate the physiological and health status of European hake, addressing the gap in hematological data for this species.
The red porgy () and the common dentex () are Sparidae species of high commercial value, traded in the Greek market. In some cases, fish species identification from Greek fisheries is difficult for the consumer due to the strong morphological similarities with their imported counterparts or closely related species such as , , and , especially when specimens are frozen, filleted or cooked. Techniques based on DNA sequencing, such as barcoding, accurately identify species substitution incidents; however, they are time consuming and expensive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authentication of food products and the verification of their identity are of major importance for consumers. Food fraud through mislabeling is an illegal practice consisting of the substitution of an expensive food product by a relatively cheaper one, misleading false labelling of their origin and adulteration in processed or frozen products. This issue is particularly of high importance concerning fish and seafood, which are easily adulterated primarily due to difficult morphological identification.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Mediterranean monk seal () is classified by the IUCN as "endangered," with a global population estimated to number fewer than 800 individuals. Our understanding of the biology and health status of the species is still limited, rendering every medical case a challenge for conservationists and veterinary clinicians. Although studying and managing disease in wild marine hosts is complex and challenging, studying and mitigating the effects of any disease to the Mediterranean monk seal is of utmost importance for conservation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF