Nutritional value of seven demersal fish species from the North Atlantic Azores archipelago.

Valorization of azorean demersal fish species must focus quality. This study aims to assess the nutritional value, sodium content and fat quality index of seven commercially relevant demersal fish species from the Azores Region: blackspot seabream (), blackbelly rosefish (), splendid alfonsino (), alfonsino (), forkbeard (), offshore rockfish () and common mora (). Moisture, ash, crude protein, total sugars, total fat, fatty acid profile, sodium and salt content were assessed.

Morphological . molecular identification of trematode species infecting the edible cockle across Europe.

Identifying marine trematode parasites in host tissue can be complicated when there is limited morphological differentiation between species infecting the same host species. This poses a challenge for regular surveys of the parasite communities in species of socio-economic and ecological importance. Our study focused on identifying digenean trematode species infecting the marine bivalve across Europe by comparing morphological and molecular species identification methods.

Ecological quality assessment of estuarine macrobenthic communities using an integrative approach.

Macrobenthic communities play a crucial role in the functioning of estuarine ecosystems and serve as bioindicators of environmental quality. This study assessed the ecological quality of an estuarine system using the AMBI and M-AMBI indices. The following parameters were considered: (i) environmental factors (total organic matter, organic carbon, grain size, calcium carbonate), (ii) sediment trace metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Hg, Li, As), (iii) species composition (morphological and molecular identification), and (iv) anthropogenic activities.

Lipophilic marine toxins in sediments from Arrábida marine protected area, Portugal (NE Atlantic).

During the development and senescence of harmful algal blooms (HAB), most of the algae cells not ingested by grazers or filter-feeding organisms sink to the bottom, making sediments important reservoirs of algae toxins. In this study, lipophilic marine toxins were determined in the sediments collected from depths ranging from 5 to 145 m depth in the marine protected area of Arrábida (southwest Portuguese coast). Sediments were characterized in terms of granulometry, water and organic matter content.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals molecular damage associated with cryopreservation in Crassostrea angulata D-larvae rather than to cryoprotectant exposure.

Background: The Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata, a bivalve of significant economic and ecological importance, has faced a decline in both production and natural populations due to pathologies, climate change, and anthropogenic factors. To safeguard its genetic diversity and improve reproductive management, cryopreservation emerges as a valuable strategy. However, the cryopreservation methodologies lead to some damage in structures and functions of the cells and tissues that can affect post-thaw quality.

Coccolith-calcite Sr/Ca as a proxy for transient export production related to Saharan dust deposition in the tropical North Atlantic.

Atmospheric dust deposition can modulate the earth's climate and atmospheric CO through fertilising the ocean (nutrient source) and by accelerating the biological carbon pump through fuelling the ballasting process. To distinguish the biogeochemical effects of Saharan dust with respect to fertilization and ballasting, and to gain a broader perspective on the coccolith calcite Sr/Ca in relation to the drivers of coccolith export production, we determined the coccolith-Sr/Ca from a one-year (2012-2013) time-series sediment trap record in the western tropical North Atlantic (M4-49°N/12°W). High Sr/Ca were linked to enhanced export production in the upper part of the photic zone, most notably under windier, dry, and dustier conditions during spring.

Zooplankton biodiversity and temporal dynamics (2005-2015) in a coastal station in western Portugal (Northeastern Atlantic Ocean).

Long-term monitoring of zooplankton assemblages provides essential knowledge to assess key factors impacting marine ecosystems. Despite the importance of this type of data, monitoring stations worldwide are spatially and temporally limited due to the difficulty of maintaining them. In the northeastern Atlantic area, Cascais-Watch is one monitoring site operating since 2005, despite some constraints throughout the years, and has allowed the collection of important data on the zooplankton communities of the area.

Deep-sea mining: using hyperbaric conditions to study the impact of sediment plumes in the subtidal clam Spisula solida.

With the growing interest to exploit mineral resources in the deep-sea, there is the need to establish guidelines and frameworks to support hazard and risk assessment schemes. The present study used a subtidal species of filter-feeding bivalve, the clam Spisula solida, as a proxy to better understand the impacts of sediment plumes in marine organisms under hyperbaric conditions. Four concentrations of suspended sediments (0 g/L, 1 g/L, 2 g/L, and 4 g/L) were used in a mixture with different grain sizes at 4 Bar for 96 h.

Identification and characterization of a polyomavirus in the thornback skate (Raja clavata).

Members of the family Polyomaviridae have a circular double-stranded DNA genome that have been identified in various hosts ranging from mammals to arachnids. Here we report the identification and analysis of a complete genome sequence of a novel polyomavirus, Raja clavata polyomavirus (RcPyV1), from a cartilaginous fish, the thornback skate (Raja clavata). The genome sequence was determined using a metagenomics approach with an aim to provide baseline viral data in cartilaginous fish in different ecosystems.

Omega-3 index as risk factor in psychiatric diseases: a narrative review.

Numerous studies have described associations between the omega-3 index (defined as the RBC percentage of EPA and DHA) and mental conditions, but no risk stratification or target value has gathered consensus so far. This narrative review aims to summarize the published data on the association between omega-3 index and mental illness and to contribute to the concept of an omega-3 index in the field of mental health. The bibliographic searches have been carried out in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases to find relevant English language original research studies related to that association.

Feeding Yellow Worms to Meagre: Effects on Whole-Body Fatty Acid Profile and Hepatic and Intestine Oxidative Status.

This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of larvae (yellow worms) meal (TM) on meagre fish () whole-body fatty acids (FA) profile and hepatic and intestine oxidative status. For that purpose, fish were fed for 9 weeks a fishmeal-based diet (control) or diets including 10%, 20%, or 30% TM. With the increase in dietary TM level, whole-body oleic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated FA, and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) increased while saturated FA (SFA), n-3 PUFA, n-3 long chain-PUFA, SFA:PUFA ratio, n3:n6 ratio, and FA retention decreased.

Stressors of emerging concern in deep-sea environments: microplastics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and deep-sea mining.

Although most deep-sea areas are remote in comparison to coastal zones, a growing body of literature indicates that many sensitive ecosystems could be under increased stress from anthropogenic sources. Among the multiple potential stressors, microplastics (MPs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs/PCPs) and the imminent start of commercial deep-sea mining have received increased attention. Here we review recent literature on these emerging stressors in deep-sea environments and discuss cumulative effects with climate change associated variables.

Comparing otolith shape descriptors for population structure inferences in a small pelagic fish, the European sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792).

Otolith shape analysis has been one of the most used approaches to study population structure in the past decades. Currently, two sets of shape descriptors are used to perform otolith shape analysis, namely, Elliptic Fourier descriptor (EFd), which focuses on the overall otolith shape differences, and Discrete Wavelet descriptor (DWd), which is sensible to local differences along the otolith contour. Here, the authors conducted a comparative analysis of the performance of both the descriptors in reconstructing the population structure and connectivity patterns in a small pelagic fish species with a wide geographical distribution and fast growth rate, the European sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), for the first time.

What do oysters smell? Electrophysiological evidence that the bivalve osphradium is a chemosensory organ in the oyster, Magallana gigas.

The sensing of chemical cues is essential for several aspects of bivalve biology, such as the detection of food and pheromones. However, little is known about chemical communication systems in bivalves or the possible role of the osphradium as a chemosensory organ. To address this, we adapted an electrophysiological technique extensively used in vertebrates-the electro-olfactogram-to record from the osphradium in the Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas.

Gadolinium ecotoxicity is enhanced in a warmer and acidified changing ocean as shown by the surf clam Spisula solida through a multibiomarker approach.

Humans have exhaustively combusted fossil fuels, and released pollutants into the environment, at continuously faster rates resulting in global average temperature increase and seawater pH decrease. Climate change is forecasted to exacerbate the effects of pollutants such as the emergent rare earth elements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the combined effects of rising temperature (Δ = + 4 °C) and decreasing pH (Δ = - 0.

Single and combined ecotoxicological effects of ocean warming, acidification and lanthanum exposure on the surf clam (Spisula solida).

Lanthanum (La) is one of the most abundant emergent rare earth elements. Its release into the environment is enhanced by its use in various industrial applications. In the aquatic environment, emerging contaminants are one of the stressors with the ability to compromise the fitness of its inhabitants.

Assessment of larval quality of two bivalve species, Crassostrea angulata and Chamelea gallina, exposed and cryopreserved with different cryoprotectant solutions.

Marine bivalves are valuable resources, however, some shellfish populations are endangered due to factors such as anthropogenic pressure, pathologies or lack of reproduction synchrony. Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) and striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) have high socio-economic value and their endangered natural populations require rehabilitation. Cryopreservation is a valuable method for the preservation and management of genetic resources for aquaculture and restocking.

Metabarcoding the Antarctic Peninsula biodiversity using a multi-gene approach.

Marine sediment communities are major contributors to biogeochemical cycling and benthic ecosystem functioning, but they are poorly described, particularly in remote regions such as Antarctica. We analysed patterns and drivers of diversity in metazoan and prokaryotic benthic communities of the Antarctic Peninsula with metabarcoding approaches. Our results show that the combined use of mitochondrial Cox1, and 16S and 18S rRNA gene regions recovered more phyla, from metazoan to non-metazoan groups, and allowed correlation of possible interactions between kingdoms.

Comprehensive transcriptome profiling and functional analysis of the meagre (Argyrosomus regius) immune system.

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) belongs to the family Sciaenidae and is a promising candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture diversification. As a relatively recent species in aquaculture, the physiological consequences of the immune system activation in meagre are understudied. Spleen, as a primary lymphoid organ has an essential role in meagre immune and inflammatory responses.

Lanthanum and Gadolinium availability in aquatic mediums: New insights to ecotoxicology and environmental studies.

Studies dealing with Rare Earth Elements (REE) ecotoxicological behavior are scattered and with potential conflicting results. Climate change impacts on aquatic biota and is known to modify contaminants toxicokinetic. Nevertheless, the current knowledge on the potential interactions between climate change and REE is virtually non-existent.

Rare earth elements biomonitoring using the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Portuguese coast: Seasonal variations.

Increased Rare earth elements (REE) usage culminates in discharges into the environment. Mussels have been chosen as models in biomonitoring, hence, REE concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from six locations on the Portuguese coast were accessed to determine natural concentrations and possible linkage to local ecosystem characteristics and temporal variations, by determining them in distinct seasons (autumn and spring). Samples from Porto Brandão (located on the south bank of the Tagus estuary) exhibited the highest REE concentrations, while mussels from Aljezur (the southernmost point on the Portuguese coast) exhibited the lowest, in both seasons.

Fishmeal Dietary Replacement Up to 50%: A Comparative Study of Two Insect Meals for Rainbow Trout ().

The demand of optimal protein for human consumption is growing. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has highlighted aquaculture as one of the most promising alternatives for this protein supply gap due to the high efficiency of fish growth. However, aquaculture has been facing its own sustainability problem, because its high demand for protein has been traditionally satisfied with the use of fishmeal (FM) as the main source.