RESUMO
Gas chromatography with electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS) was used to quantify and compare halogenated natural products (HNPs) and selected anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in individual samples of 17 fish species from the Seychelles (Western Indian Ocean). The sum-HNP amounts (9.5-1100 ng/g lipid mass (lm)) were between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude higher than those of the sum of seven abundant polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (0.2-15 ng/g lm) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds (DDTs) (<1.1-43 ng/g lm). Within the group of HNPs, the two tetrabrominated phenoxyanisoles (aka methoxylated diphenyl ethers, MeO-BDEs), 2'-MeO-BDE 68 â« 6-MeO-BDE 47, were predominant in most cases. Pearson correlation analysis showed that MeO-BDE levels were positively correlated with less abundant HNPs (2,2'-diMeO-BB 80, 2',6-diMeO-BDE 68, and Br6-DBP) (p < 0.01). Accordingly, HNPs, rather than PCBs and DDTs, were the predominant polyhalogenated contaminants in the current species.
Assuntos
Produtos Biológicos , Peixes , Bifenilos Policlorados , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Peixes/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Produtos Biológicos/metabolismo , Produtos Biológicos/química , Bifenilos Policlorados/metabolismo , Bifenilos Policlorados/análise , Bifenilos Policlorados/química , Oceano Índico , Seicheles , Bioacumulação , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Recifes de CoraisRESUMO
In humans, gut microbiome (GM) differences are often correlated with, and sometimes causally implicated in, ageing. However, it is unclear how these findings translate in wild animal populations. Studies that investigate how GM dynamics change within individuals, and with declines in physiological condition, are needed to fully understand links between chronological age, senescence and the GM, but have rarely been done. Here, we use longitudinal data collected from a closed population of Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis) to investigate how bacterial GM alpha diversity, composition and stability are associated with host senescence. We hypothesised that GM diversity and composition will differ, and become more variable, in older adults, particularly in the terminal year prior to death, as the GM becomes increasingly dysregulated due to senescence. However, GM alpha diversity and composition remained largely invariable with respect to adult age and did not differ in an individual's terminal year. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the GM became more heterogenous in senescent age groups (individuals older than 6 years), or in the terminal year. Instead, environmental variables such as season, territory quality and time of day, were the strongest predictors of GM variation in adult Seychelles warblers. These results contrast with studies on humans, captive animal populations and some (but not all) studies on non-human primates, suggesting that GM deterioration may not be a universal hallmark of senescence in wild animal species. Further work is needed to disentangle the factors driving variation in GM-senescence relationships across different host taxa.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Aves Canoras , Animais , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/genética , Aves Canoras/microbiologia , Aves Canoras/genética , Animais Selvagens/microbiologia , Estudos Longitudinais , Seicheles , Bactérias/classificação , Bactérias/genética , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genéticaRESUMO
Unusually for oceanic islands, the granitic Seychelles host multiple lineages of endemic amphibians. This includes an ancient (likely ca. 60 million years) radiation of eight caecilian species, most of which occur on multiple islands.These caecilians have a complicated taxonomic history and their phylogenetic inter-species relationships have been difficult to resolve. Double-digest RAD sequencing (ddRADseq) has been applied extensively to phylogeography and increasingly to phylogenetics but its utility for resolving ancient divergences is less well established. To address this, we applied ddRADseq to generate a genome-wide SNP panel for phylogenomic analyses of the Seychelles caecilians, whose phylogeny has so far not been satisfactorily resolved with traditional DNA markers. Based on 129,154 SNPs, we resolved deep and shallow splits, with strong support. Our findings demonstrate the capability of genome-wide SNPs for evolutionary inference at multiple taxonomic levels and support the recently proposed synonymy of Grandisonia Taylor, 1968 with Hypogeophis Peters, 1879. We revealed three clades of Hypogeophis (large-, medium- and short-bodied) and identify a single origin of the diminutive, stocky-bodied and pointy-snouted phenotype.
Assuntos
Anfíbios , Filogenia , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Animais , Seicheles , Anfíbios/genética , Anfíbios/classificação , Filogeografia , Ilhas , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
BACKGROUND: Successful and inclusive policies that embrace oral health as part of the health agenda have the potential to alleviate the burden of oral diseases and to promote dental public health. This study aimed to understand the factors influencing the inclusion of oral health in health and public policy and regulations in the Seychelles. The barriers and opportunities for inclusion / non-inclusion as well as the impact thereof were explored. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative approach was adopted using document analysis and interviews as data collection strategies to allow for a complete analysis of the research problem. Using a purposive sampling approach, individual face to face interviews were conducted with patients, dental staff and representatives of the upper management. Policy and related oral health statistical documents were reviewed to ascertain how oral health was located and implemented from a national to a district level. Thematic analysis and content analysis were used to analyse and interpret the qualitative data. RESULTS: The study provided insight on how oral health is contextualised in the Seychelles and how public policy and strategic documents influences the oral health outcomes. There is fragmentation in how the health and oral health agendas are managed and it is coupled with a severe lack of involvement and commitment to address the latter. CONCLUSION: Oral health needs to be integrated in all relevant policies and public health programmes as part of the broader national NCDs in Seychelles in order reduce the incidence of oral diseases in the population.
Assuntos
Política de Saúde , Saúde Bucal , Humanos , Política de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Seicheles , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Entrevistas como AssuntoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The Seychelles COVID-19 vaccination campaign was initiated using two different vaccines during the first wave of the pandemic in 2021. This observational study estimated vaccine effectiveness against severe outcomes (hospitalisation and/or death) from individuals infected with COVID-19 in the Seychelles adult population during Beta and Delta variant transmission. METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study included all Seychellois residents aged ≥ 18 years who tested positive by RT-PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 between January 25, 2021, and June 30, 2021. We measured the relative risk (RR) of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 hospitalisation and/or death among individuals partially or fully vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (SII Covishield) or BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccines compared to unvaccinated individuals using modified Poisson regression. Controlling for age, gender and calendar month, vaccine effectiveness was estimated as 1-RR ≥14 days after the first dose and ≥7 days after the second dose for each available vaccine versus an unvaccinated control group. RESULTS: A total of 12,326 COVID-19 infections were reported in adult Seychellois residents between January 25, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Of these, 1,287 individuals received one dose of either BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) or ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 (SII Covishield) vaccine, and 5,225 individuals received two doses. Estimated adjusted effectiveness of two doses of either Sinopharm or SII Covishield was high, at 70% (95% CI 58%-78%) and 71% (95% CI 62%-78%) respectively. Sinopharm maintained high levels of protection against severe outcomes in partially vaccinated individuals at 61% (95% CI 36%-76%), while the effectiveness of one dose of SII Covishield was low at 29% (95% CI 1%-49%). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study demonstrated high levels of protection of two doses of two vaccine types against severe outcomes of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic driven by Beta (B.1.351) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variant predominance. One dose of ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 (Covishield SII) was found to be inadequate in protecting the general adult population against hospitalisation and/or death from COVID-19.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Vacinas de Produtos Inativados , Adulto , Humanos , ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , Hospitalização , Estudos Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2 , Seicheles , Masculino , FemininoRESUMO
Masses of plastic and other anthropogenic debris on beaches of inner Seychelles and derived from 53 organised clean-ups have been analysed. Debris and plastic densities ranged from 0.0011 to 0.1622 kg m-2 and 0.0004 to 0.1179 kg m-2, respectively, and data from successive cleans of the same beach resulted in respective median accumulation rates of 0.0293 and 0.0137 g m-2 d-1. There was no dependence of density or accumulation on beach location/aspect or season, but there were significant inverse relationships with beach area. This effect was attributed to most debris and plastic being trapped on the backshore by rocks and vegetation, and the areal proportion of backshore increasing with decreasing beach size. Plastic is derived from local littering and more distal sources, with polyethylene terephthalate bottles, flip-flops and Styrofoam fragments making important contributions. Without intervention and an increased risk of coastal flooding with climate change, beached debris on Seychelles is predicted to increase.
Assuntos
Ciência do Cidadão , Resíduos , Resíduos/análise , Plásticos , Seicheles , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , PraiasRESUMO
Many countries with tropical reef systems face hard choices preserving coral reefs in the face of climate change on limited budgets. One approach to maximising regional reef resilience is targeting management efforts and resources at reefs that export large numbers of larvae to other reefs. However, this requires reef connectivity to be quantified. To map coral connectivity in the Seychelles reef system we carried out a population genomic study of the Porites lutea species complex using 241 sequenced colonies from multiple islands. To identify oceanographic drivers of this connectivity and quantify variability, we further used a 2 km resolution regional ocean simulation coupled with a larval dispersal model to predict the flow of coral larvae between reef sites. Patterns of admixture and gene flow are broadly supported by model predictions, but the realised connectivity is greater than that predicted from model simulations. Both methods detected a biogeographic dispersal barrier between the Inner and Outer Islands of Seychelles. However, this barrier is permeable and substantial larval transport is possible across Seychelles, particularly for one of two putative species found in our genomic study. The broad agreement between predicted connectivity and observed genetic patterns supports the use of such larval dispersal simulations in reef system management in Seychelles and the wider region.
Assuntos
Antozoários , Recifes de Corais , Animais , Seicheles , Antozoários/genética , Genética Populacional , LarvaRESUMO
Understanding the respiratory modes of sharks has important implications for studying the metabolism, energetics, and behavioral strategies of different species. Here we provide the first reported observations of resting behavior in the gray reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, a species typically considered an obligate ram ventilator. Observations were made at several locations in the Republic of Seychelles, where sharks were found resting under reef ledges and were unresponsive to the presence of divers. These findings update our understanding of the respiratory mode of this species and have implications for future research.
Assuntos
Tubarões , Natação , Animais , SeichelesRESUMO
Some health agencies have issued precautionary principle fish advisories to pregnant women based on the presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in fish that could possibly be harmful to the developing fetus. Fish, however, is a rich source of selenium (Se) and other nutrients essential for normal brain development. Selenium is also thought to have a key role in alleviating MeHg toxicity. We estimated the dietary Se and MeHg intakes and dietary Se:Hg molar ratios from the fish consumed in a high fish-eating pregnant cohort where no adverse associations of fish consumption and outcomes has been reported. We used dietary data collected as part of the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 2 (n = 1419). In this cohort 98% of participants consumed fish, with an average intake of 106.2 g per day. Daily Se intakes from fish consumption were 61.6 µg/ d, within the range recommended during pregnancy. The mean dietary Se:Hg molar ratios was 6. These findings demonstrate that fish consumption exposes pregnant Seychellois women to Se in excess of MeHg. Based on these findings, fish consumption, especially fish with Se:Hg ratios above 1, may help pregnant women achieve optimum dietary Se intakes, which may protect against MeHg toxicity.
Assuntos
Mercúrio , Compostos de Metilmercúrio , Selênio , Criança , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Mercúrio/análise , Selênio/análise , Seicheles , Desenvolvimento Infantil , PeixesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Humans differ in the metabolism of the neurotoxicant methyl mercury (MeHg). This variation may be partially due to variation in genes encoding the transcription factor Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its negative regulator Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1), which regulate glutathione and related transporter and antioxidant proteins that play a role in the metabolism and neurotoxicity of MeHg. AIM: To elucidate a potential risk from genetic variation in NFE2L2 (encoding NRF2) and KEAP1 toward prenatal mercury exposure and child neurodevelopmental outcomes at 20 months and 7 years of age in a population with variable prenatal exposure to MeHg from maternal fish consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nutrition Cohort 2 is a mother-child cohort in the Republic of Seychelles. Children were genotyped for NFE2L2 (rs2364723, rs13001694) and KEAP1 (rs8113472, rs9676881) polymorphisms (N = 1285 after removing siblings). Total mercury (Hg) was measured in cord blood as a biomarker for prenatal MeHg exposure. Child neurodevelopmental outcomes included the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II administered at 20 months of age, and outcomes across multiple neurodevelopmental domains from 14 tests administered in children and 3 instruments completed by parents when children were 7 years of age. RESULTS: The mean cord blood MeHg concentration was 34 (95% CI 11, 75) µg/L. None of the four polymorphisms had a significant association (p < 0.05) with either cord MeHg or neurodevelopmental test results at 20 months. There were no significant associations between either NFE2L2 polymorphism and any developmental test scores. At 7 years, children carrying KEAP1 rs8113472 CA showed significantly worse performance on psychomotor function than children with the CC variant (finger tapping, dominant hand: ß - 1.19, SE 0.34; finger tapping, non-dominant hand: ß - 0.92, SE 0.31) and worse social communication (SCQ Total: ß 0.65, SE 0.27). Children carrying rs8113472 AA, versus children with CC, showed significantly better performance on social communication (SRS Total: ß - 8.88, SE 3.60). Children carrying KEAP1 rs9676881 AG, versus children with GG, showed significantly worse performance on psychomotor function (trailmaking A time: ß 8.66, SE 3.37) and cognition (KBIT Matrices: ß - 0.96, SE 0.36). CONCLUSION: No associations between NFE2L2 and KEAP1 polymorphisms and MeHg concentration were identified. However, at 7 years, KEAP1 polymorphisms were associated with differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children from a population with high fish intake.
Assuntos
Proteína 1 Associada a ECH Semelhante a Kelch , Mercúrio , Compostos de Metilmercúrio , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Gravidez , Desenvolvimento Infantil , Proteína 1 Associada a ECH Semelhante a Kelch/genética , Mercúrio/efeitos adversos , Mercúrio/toxicidade , Compostos de Metilmercúrio/efeitos adversos , Compostos de Metilmercúrio/toxicidade , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/genética , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/genética , SeichelesRESUMO
Small Island Developing States, such as Seychelles, are highly susceptible to oil pollution incidents, with limited infrastructure for detection and mitigation. While an oil spill could significantly impact Seychelle's tourism industry, contributing to ~40% of its GDP, the archipelago's vulnerability remains largely unknown. Here, we developed a high-resolution ocean circulation model for Seychelles Plateau, simulating currents over three years (2018-2020) to model oil spill dispersal to six ecologically and economically significant coastal areas. Our findings reveal distinct seasonality in offshore risk distribution, driven by seasonal fluctuations in atmospheric and oceanic circulations. We show that an oil spill originating from any part of the plateau could potentially impact a sensitive coastal site in less than five days. By identifying high-risk areas, including the major north-south shipping route, we emphasize the importance of close satellite and airborne monitoring for early warnings to protect Seychelles' coastal ecosystems and tourism industry.
Assuntos
Ecossistema , Poluição por Petróleo , Poluição por Petróleo/análise , Seicheles , Oceanos e Mares , Navios , Monitoramento AmbientalRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Consumption of fish yields many nutritional benefits, but also results in exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). The developing brain is known to be particularly susceptible to MeHg toxicity in high doses. However, the potential impact of low-level environmental exposure from fish consumption on children's neurodevelopment remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated postnatal MeHg exposure at 7 years and its association with a battery of 17 neurodevelopmental outcomes in a subset of children (n = 376) from 1535 enrolled mother-child pairs in Nutrition Cohort 2 of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS NC2). Each outcome was modeled in relation to postnatal MeHg exposure using linear regression, adjusting for prenatal MeHg exposure, levels of maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and several other covariates known to be associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. RESULTS: Median postnatal MeHg exposure at 7 years was 2.5 ppm, while the median prenatal MeHg exposure was 3.5 ppm. We found no statistically significant associations between postnatal MeHg exposure and any of the 17 neurodevelopmental outcomes after adjusting for prenatal MeHg exposure and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with previous cross-sectional analyses of the SCDS Main Cohort. Continued follow-up of the entire NC2 cohort at later ages with repeated exposure measures is needed to further confirm these findings.
Assuntos
Compostos de Metilmercúrio , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Gravidez , Feminino , Animais , Humanos , Compostos de Metilmercúrio/toxicidade , Compostos de Metilmercúrio/análise , Desenvolvimento Infantil , Seicheles/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Estudos de Coortes , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/induzido quimicamente , Contaminação de Alimentos/análise , Exposição Materna/efeitos adversosRESUMO
We characterized mercury and selenium in the fish consumed in the Seychelles Islands to determine if their levels are similar to fish consumed in the US. A secondary aim was to examine whether fish weight and species predict mercury and selenium in fish consumed in the Seychelles. We measured total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se) content of 10 samples from each of the 19 most frequently consumed fish species in Seychelles and for each calculated the Se:Hg molar ratios and the Selenium Health Benefit Value Index (HBV Se). Linear regression models examined associations with weight and species. Average MeHg levels in fish ranged from less than 0.01 ppm (streamlined spinefoot) to 0.7 ppm (bludger trevally) with an overall mean of 0.21 ± 0.23 ppm. Average Se levels ranged from 0.34 ppm (blue-barred parrot fish) to 0.93 ppm (blue-lined large-eye bream) with a mean of 0.54 ± 0.23 ppm. All fish species had a mean Se:Hg molar ratio > 1 and positive mean HBV Se index values. Weight was strongly predictive of MeHg and Se:Hg molar ratio, both across and within most species, but was less predictive of Se and HBV Se. Our study demonstrated that fish consumed in Seychelles have mercury and selenium content similar to that of fish consumed in the US. Fish in both countries have favorable positive values for Se:Hg molar ratios and HBV Se indexes. Because mercury and selenium concentrations in fish are similar to those in the US but fish consumption is substantially higher in Seychelles, the Seychellois make an ideal population in which to determine if there are adverse effects of prenatal, postnatal, and lifetime low dose MeHg exposure from fish consumption.
Assuntos
Mercúrio , Compostos de Metilmercúrio , Selênio , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Mercúrio/análise , Selênio/análise , Seicheles , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Peixes , Oceanos e Mares , Compostos de Metilmercúrio/análiseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: High concentrations of taurine are present in the developing human brain and maternal breast milk. Taurine is thought to influence fetal growth and brain development based on experimental rodent studies. As fish is an important dietary source of taurine, we investigated associations between taurine concentrations and child outcomes in a high fish consuming population. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between maternal and cord serum taurine concentrations and birth anthropometric measures and cognitive development in children at 20 months of age. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited between 2008 and 2011 as part of Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). Maternal taurine serum concentrations were measured at 28 week's gestation and in cord serum. Child weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth and neurodevelopment was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) at 20 months of age. Associations between taurine status, birth measures and neurodevelopmental outcomes were examined (n = 300) using regression models and adjusted for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Mean (SD) maternal and cord taurine concentrations were 124.9 (39.2) µmol/L (range 28.2-253.9 µmol/L) and 187.6 (60.0) µmol/L (range 55.0-417.4 µmol/L) respectively. We found no associations between maternal taurine concentrations and child anthropometric and neurodevelopmental measures (weight ß = -0.001, SE=0.001; length ß = -0.006, SE=0.006; head circumference ß = -0.002, SE=0.002; MDI ß = -0.005, SE=0.015; PDI ß = -0.004, SE=0.016; all P > 0.05), or between cord taurine concentrations and outcomes (weight ß = -0.001, SE<0.000; length ß = -0.001, SE=0.004; head circumference ß < 0.000, SE=0.002; MDI ß = 0.004, SE=0.010; PDI ß = -0.015, SE=0.012; all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Seychellois population have high maternal and cord taurine concentrations owing to their high fish intake and may be considered taurine replete compared to individuals who consume a Westernised diet. This high taurine status may explain why there were no significant associations between maternal and cord taurine concentrations and outcomes after adjusting for covariates.
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Infantil , Mães , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Criança , Animais , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Seicheles , Estado Nutricional , Desenvolvimento FetalRESUMO
BACKGROUND: An unprecedent increase in the number of cases and deaths reported from dengue virus (DENV) infection has occurred in the southwestern Indian ocean in recent years. From 2017 to mid-2021 more than 70,000 confirmed dengue cases were reported in Reunion Island, and 1967 cases were recorded in the Seychelles from 2015 to 2016. Both these outbreaks displayed similar trends, with the initial circulation of DENV-2 which was replaced by DENV-1. Here, we aim to determine the origin of the DENV-1 epidemic strains and to explore their genetic characteristics along the uninterrupted circulation, particularly in Reunion. METHODS: Nucleic acids were extracted from blood samples collected from dengue positive patients; DENV-1 was identified by RT-qPCR. Positive samples were used to infect VERO cells. Genome sequences were obtained from either blood samples or infected-cell supernatants through a combination of both Illumina or MinION technologies. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analyses of partial or whole genome sequences revealed that all DENV-1 sequences from Reunion formed a monophyletic cluster that belonged to genotype I and were closely related to one isolate from Sri Lanka (OL752439.1, 2020). Sequences from the Seychelles belonged to the same major phylogenetic branch of genotype V, but fell into two paraphyletic clusters, with greatest similarity for one cluster to 2016-2017 isolate from Bangladesh, Singapore and China, and for the other cluster to ancestral isolates from Singapore, dating back to 2012. Compared to publicly available DENV-1 genotype I sequences, fifteen non-synonymous mutations were identified in the Reunion strains, including one in the capsid and the others in nonstructural proteins (NS) (three in NS1, two in NS2B, one in NS3, one in NS4B, and seven in NS5). CONCLUSION: In contrast to what was seen in previous outbreaks, recent DENV-1 outbreaks in Reunion and the Seychelles were caused by distinct genotypes, all likely originating from Asia where dengue is (hyper)endemic in many countries. Epidemic DENV-1 strains from Reunion harbored specific non-synonymous mutations whose biological significance needs to be further investigated.
Assuntos
Vírus da Dengue , Dengue , Animais , Chlorocebus aethiops , Humanos , Dengue/epidemiologia , Sorogrupo , Reunião/epidemiologia , Filogenia , Seicheles , Células Vero , Surtos de Doenças , Genótipo , Sri LankaRESUMO
Background: Coral reef restoration projects are becoming a popular corporate environmental responsibility activity at hotel resorts. Such involvement of private businesses offers the potential to expand restoration into a new socioeconomic sector. However, the scarcity of user-friendly monitoring methods for hotel staff, but robust enough to detect changes over time, hinders the ability to quantify the success or failure of the restoration activity. Here, we present a monitoring method of easy application by hotel staff, without scientific training, using the standard resources available at a hotel resort. Methods: Survival and growth of coral transplants were evaluated over 1 year at a boutique coral reef restoration site. The restoration was tailored to the needs of a hotel resort in Seychelles, Indian Ocean. A total of 2,015 nursery-grown corals of branching (four genera, 15 species), massive (16 genera, 23 species), and encrusting (seven genera, seven species) growth types were transplanted to a 1-3 m deep degraded patch reef. A unique cement mix was used to transplant corals onto the hard substrate. On the north side of each coral selected for monitoring, we attached an 8.2 cm × 8.2 cm reflective tile. We used reflective tiles instead of numbered tags due to the expected amount of biofouling growing on the tag surface. Every coral was recorded with top view photography (perpendicular to the plane of coral attachment), with the reflective square in the field of view. We drafted a map of the site to facilitate navigation and re-sighting of the monitored colonies. Then, we developed a simple monitoring protocol for hotel staff. Using the map, and the reflective tiles, the divers located the coral colonies, recorded status (alive, dead, bleaching), and took a photograph. We measured the two-dimensional coral planar area and the change in colony size over time using contour tissue measurements of photographs. Results: The monitoring method was robust enough to detect the expected survival of coral transplants, with encrusting and massive corals outperforming branching corals. Survival of encrusting and massive corals was higher (50%-100%) than branching corals (16.6%-83.3%). The change in colony size was 10.1 cm2 ± 8.8 (SE). Branching coral survivors grew faster than massive/encrusting corals. A comprehensive approach to the boutique restoration monitoring experiment would have included comparisons with a control patch reef with a similar species composition to the coral transplants. However, the ability to monitor such a control site, in addition to the restoration site, was beyond the logistic capabilities of the hotel staff, and we were limited to monitoring survival and growth within the restoration site. We conclude that science-based boutique coral reef restoration, tailored to the needs of a hotel resort, combined with a simple monitoring method, can provide a framework for involving hotels as partners in coral reef restoration worldwide.
Assuntos
Antozoários , Animais , Recifes de Corais , Oceano Índico , SeichelesRESUMO
Parasite dispersal and host-switching may be better understood by knowing when they occurred. We estimated when the ancestor of a parasite of great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) dispersed to the Seychelles and began infecting the endemic Seychelles warbler (A. sechellensis). We used mitochondrial genomes and published molecular divergence rates to estimate the date of divergence between mitochondrial haplotypes of the parasite Haemoproteus nucleocondensis (lineage GRW01) in the great reed warbler and the Seychelles warbler. We also constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny of the hosts and their relatives to determine when the ancestor of the Seychelles warbler dispersed to the Seychelles. The two GRW01 lineages diverged ca 20-451 kya, long after the ancestor of the Seychelles warbler colonized the Seychelles ca 1.76-4.36 Mya. GRW01 rarely infects other species despite apparent opportunity. Humans were likely not involved in the dispersal of this parasite because humans settled the Seychelles long after the parasite diverged from its mainland relative. Furthermore, introduced birds are unlikely hosts of GRW01. Instead, the ancestor of GRW01 may have dispersed to the Seychelles with an errant migrating great reed warbler. Our results indicate that even specialized parasites can naturally disperse long distances to become emerging infectious diseases.
Assuntos
Haemosporida , Parasitos , Passeriformes , Aves Canoras , Animais , Humanos , Aves Canoras/genética , Haemosporida/genética , Seicheles , FilogeniaRESUMO
Maternal fish consumption exposes the fetus to beneficial nutrients and potentially adverse neurotoxicants. The current study investigated associations between maternal fish consumption and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Maternal fish consumption was assessed in the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 1 (n 229) using 4-day food diaries. Neurodevelopment was evaluated at 9 and 30 months, and 5 and 9 years with test batteries assessing twenty-six endpoints and covering multiple neurodevelopmental domains. Analyses used multiple linear regression with adjustment for covariates known to influence child neurodevelopment. This cohort consumed an average of 8 fish meals/week and the total fish intake during pregnancy was 106·8 (sd 61·9) g/d. Among the twenty-six endpoints evaluated in the primary analysis there was one beneficial association. Children whose mothers consumed larger quantities of fish performed marginally better on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (a test of nonverbal intelligence) at age 5 years (ß 0·003, 95 % CI (0, 0·005)). A secondary analysis dividing fish consumption into tertiles found no significant associations when comparing the highest and lowest consumption groups. In this cohort, where fish consumption is substantially higher than current global recommendations, maternal fish consumption during pregnancy was not beneficially or adversely associated with children's neurodevelopmental outcomes.