The structure and functioning of ecosystems are largely determined by the interactions between species within a biological community. Among these interactions, species exhibiting similar vertical and spatial prey preferences can be identified, thereby belonging to the same trophic guild. Our study explored some trophic characteristics of a diverse megafaunal community (cetaceans, tunas, seabirds) in the Bay of Biscay (BoB).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe evaluated the incidence of microplastics in the digestive tract contents of four fish species: Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, Callionymus lyra and Mullus surmuletus. Alkaline digestion (10% KOH) was used to degrade the organic matter. The percentage of fish with microplastics was 78% (88% fibres, 12% fragments).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCannibalistic behaviour of European hake Merluccius merluccius was studied through the analysis of 49 836 gut contents belonging to individuals from 6 to 82 cm in total length (L(T)). Samples were collected every autumn between 1993 and 2009. The results showed that the consumption of conspecific individuals was consistent over space and time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBy combining an examination of stomach contents yielding a snapshot of the most recent trophic niche and the structure of parasite communities reflecting a long-term feeding niche, this study aimed at gaining more comprehensive information on the role of the small-sized deep-water velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax in the local food webs of the Galicia Bank and the canyon and valley system of the Avilés Canyon, which have been both proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. As far as is known, this study provides the first comparative parasite infracommunity data for a deep-sea shark species. Component parasite communities in E.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe feeding habits of birdbeak dogfish Deania calcea, velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax and blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus at Le Danois Bank, Cantabrian Sea, south Bay of Biscay were studied in relation to their bathymetric distribution. Deep-sea sharks were collected during two multidisciplinary surveys carried out in October 2003 and April 2004 at the Le Danois Bank. Two different habitats were defined: (1) the top of the bank, ranging from 454 to 642 m depth and covered by fine-sand sediments with a low percentage of organic matter, and (2) the inner basin located between the bank and the Cantabrian Sea's continental shelf, at depths of 810-1048 m, which was characterized by a high proportion of silt and organic matter.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelected key components of the continental shelf benthic and demersal communities were monitored for the two years following the Prestige oil spill (POS) in order to identify the possible ecological effects of the oil. This work includes the first results regarding changes in abundance, distribution and food habits of hake (Merluccius merluccius), four-spot megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and Pandalid shrimp (Plesionika heterocarpus) populations of Galician and Cantabrian Sea shelves following the POS. Significant reductions in the abundance of Norway lobster, Plesionika heterocarpus and four-spot megrim were detected in the POS maximum impact area, located over the Galician shelf.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo years after the Prestige oil spill (POS) an assessment of the effects on benthic fauna was carried out using the data obtained in five multidisciplinary surveys. Otter trawl, beam trawl, suprabenthic sled and box corer were used to study the main benthic compartments, along eight transects perpendicular to the coastline. Beam trawl was also employed to quantify the amount of tar aggregates on the continental shelf.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the frequency of dysphagia in CVA, its natural history and value as a risk factor of respiratory infection, malnutrition and death.
Patients And Methods: A prospective study was made of 187 consecutive patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). A standardized test for dysphagia was done during the first two days of the illness and repeated three days a week.