Salt tolerance in a neotropical orchid in the absence of local adaptation to salt spray.

PREMISE: Salt tolerance has rarely been investigated regionally in the neotropics and even more rarely in Orchidaceae, one of the largest families. Therefore, investigating local adaptation to salt spray and its physiological basis in Epidendrum fulgens, a neotropical orchid species, brings important new insights. METHODS: We assessed the degree of salt tolerance in E. fulgens by testing whether coastal populations are more tolerant to salt, which could point to local adaptation. To understand the physiological basis of such salt tolerance, we exposed wild-collected individuals to salt spray for 60 days, then measured leaf expansion, osmotic potential, sodium leaf concentration, chlorophyll leaf index, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative growth rate, and pressure-volume curves. RESULTS: There is no local adaptation to salt spray since both inland and coastal plants have a high tolerance to salt stress. This tolerance is explained by the ability to tolerate high concentrations of salt in leaf tissues, which is related to the high succulence displayed by this species. CONCLUSIONS: We showed an unprecedented salt tolerance level for an orchid species, highlighting our limited knowledge of that trait beyond the traditional studied groups. Another interesting finding is that salt tolerance in E. fulgens is linked to succulence, is widespread, and is not the result of local adaptation. We suggest that E. fulgens and its allied species could be an interesting group to explore the evolution of important traits related to tolerance to salt stress, like succulence.

Coastal natural products: a review applied to antimycobacterial activity.

Despite the many advances in drug research, natural products are still being explored as a promising source for discovering new bioactive compounds to treat global diseases such as tuberculosis. However, there is a lack of studies and information about coastal natural products, which thrive in the transitional environment between two different ecosystems and produce unique secondary metabolites. Mangroves, estuaries, and mudflats make up areas for coastal species and have shown promising results in antituberculosis research, some of them are present in hotspot areas. This review focuses on research conducted in coastal environments and explores the reasons why these natural products tend to outperform non-coastal ones against the causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Beyond drowning: Characteristics, trends, the impact of exposure on unintentional non-drowning coastal fatalities between 2012 and 22.

OBJECTIVES: Drowning has been the focus of coastal safety, but a notable proportion of coastal mortality is due to other causes of death. This study describes that burden and quantifies the impact of exposure on Australian unintentional coastal fatalities not due to drowning. METHODS: Analyses of Australian non-drowning coastal fatalities (NDCF) between July 2012 and June 2022 were conducted. Population and exposure-based rates were calculated for Australians 16+ years and compared to all-cause mortality rates. Time series analysis was performed using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: 616 NDCFs were recorded (0.27/100,000 pop.), with a decreasing average annual percent change of -5.1% (95% CI:-9.5 to -0.4). Cardiac conditions were the primary causal factor, involved in 52% of deaths. Higher fatality rates were seen among men and for incidents occurring in rural and remote areas. Fatality rates were disproportionately high among young adults when compared to all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Men, young adults, and those living in/visiting regional and remote areas represent high-risk populations. Proximity to emergency services and extended response times represent major determinants of NDCF. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Due to the high prevalence of NDCF, coastal safety practitioners should expand their attention beyond drowning to consider the broader range of coastal hazards and fatality types.

Hydrocarbon composition of oils spilt on the Brazilian coast in 2019 and 2022.

The chemical composition of spilt oils from events that took place on the north-eastern coast of Brazil in 2019 and 2022 was investigated to better understand their sources, and post-spill processes. Oils from both events originated from different sources, based on their fingerprints, hydrocarbons composition and specific biomarkers, such as the C23 tricyclic terpane and oleanane. Despite the differences, the source rocks share similarities in paleoenvironments and depositional conditions and both oils suffered little weathering, mainly due to evaporation and dissolution. Our findings for 2019 spilt oil reinforce that it is a mixed product, enriched both in lighter n-alkanes and 25-norhopanes. Differently, the 2022 samples exhibited characteristics of a non-processed crude oil that originated from a paraffinic deposit in storage tanks. The molecular composition and diagnostic ratios reported for samples from these spill events help to establish baselines for ongoing monitoring of oil spills in marine ecosystems.

Understanding pharmaceutical exposure and the potential for effects in marine biota: A survey of bonefish (Albula vulpes) across the Caribbean Basin.

Most research on pharmaceutical presence in the environment to date has focused on smaller scale assessments of freshwater and riverine systems, relying mainly on assays of water samples, while studies in marine ecosystems and of exposed biota are sparse. This study investigated the pharmaceutical burden in bonefish (Albula vulpes), an important recreational and artisanal fishery, to quantify pharmaceutical exposure throughout the Caribbean Basin. We sampled 74 bonefish from five regions, and analyzed them for 102 pharmaceuticals. We assessed the influence of sampling region on the number of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical assemblage, and risk of pharmacological effects. To evaluate the risk of pharmacological effects at the scale of the individual, we proposed a metric based on the human therapeutic plasma concentration (HTPC), comparing measured concentrations to a threshold of 1/3 the HTPC for each pharmaceutical. Every bonefish had at least one pharmaceutical, with an average of 4.9 and a maximum of 16 pharmaceuticals in one individual. At least one pharmaceutical was detected in exceedance of the 1/3 HTPC threshold in 39% of bonefish, with an average of 0.6 and a maximum of 11 pharmaceuticals exceeding in a Key West individual. The number of pharmaceuticals (49 detected in total) differed across regions, but the risk of pharmacological effects did not (23 pharmaceuticals exceeded the 1/3 HTPC threshold). The most common pharmaceuticals were venlafaxine (43 bonefish), atenolol (36), naloxone (27), codeine (27), and trimethoprim (24). Findings suggest that pharmaceutical detections and concentration may be independent, emphasizing the need to monitor risk to biota regardless of exposure diversity, and to focus on risk quantified at the individual level. This study supports the widespread presence of pharmaceuticals in marine systems and shows the utility of applying the HTPC to assess the potential for pharmacological effects, and thus quantify impact of exposure at large spatial scales.

A Comparative Analysis of Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Coastal and Inland Pecan Plantations.

Pecan forests (Carya illinoinensis) are significant contributors to both food and oil production, and thrive in diverse soil environments, including coastal regions. However, the interplay between soil microbes and pecan forest health in coastal environments remains understudied. Therefore, we investigated soil bacterial and fungal diversity in coastal (Dafeng, DF) and inland (Guomei, GM) pecan plantations using high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed a higher microbial diversity in the DF plantation than in the GM plantation, significantly influenced by pH and edaphic factors. The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota and Bacteroidota in the DF plantation, and Acidobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobiota in the GM plantation. Bacillus, Nitrospira and UTCFX1 were significantly more abundant bacterial genera in DF soil, whereas Candidatus Udaeobacter, HSB_OF53-F07 and ADurbBin063-1 were more prevalent in GM soil. Basidiomycota dominated fungal sequences in the GM plantation, with a higher relative abundance of Ascomycota in the DF plantation. Significant differences in fungal genus composition were observed between plantations, with Scleroderma, Hebeloma, and Naucoria being more abundant in DF soil, and Clavulina, Russula, and Inocybe in GM soil. A functional analysis revealed greater carbohydrate metabolism potential in GM plantation bacteria and a higher ectomycorrhizal fungi abundance in DF soil. Significantly positive correlations were detected between certain bacterial and fungal genera and pH and total soluble salt content, suggesting their role in pecan adaptation to coastal environments and saline-alkali stress mitigation. These findings enhance our understanding of soil microbiomes in coastal pecan plantations, and are anticipated to foster ecologically sustainable agroforestry practices and contribute to coastal marshland ecosystem management.

Cambios en la cobertura de manglares en Bahía Culebra, Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica (1945-2010) / Changes in mangrove coverage in Culebra Bay, North Pacific of Costa Rica (1945-2010)

ResumenLos manglares tienen gran importancia ecológica, económica, riqueza natural y prestan servicios ambientales. No obstante, son amenazados por la sobreexplotación, la contaminación y el cambio de uso de suelo. Costa Rica tiene manglares en las costas pacífica y caribeña. Según algunos estudios, la cobertura de manglar ha ido disminuyendo desde la década de 1980. Debido a que estos datos no son actualizados y se basan en estimaciones poco precisas, es necesario hacer una valoración de la extensión actual y la variación de la cobertura en los últimos años, que permita determinar cambios. En esta investigación se estudió la cobertura de dos manglares ubicados en Bahía Culebra, Pacífico Norte: Iguanita y Playa Panamá. Se usaron fotografías e imágenes de satélite para un período de 65 años (1945-2010). Se encontraron cambios espaciotemporales en la cobertura de manglar, bosques adyacentes y áreas sin vegetación. Las menores coberturas de manglar se registraron en la década de 1970, pero aumentaron en años posteriores. Los cambios en la cobertura de bosque alrededor de los manglares de Iguanita y Playa Panamá concuerdan con otros análisis históricos sobre el uso del suelo alrededor de Bahía Culebra. Antes de 1980 se dio un aumento de las prácticas de ganadería extensiva e intensiva, lo que aumentó la tasa de deforestación. Después de 1980 se abandonaron estas prácticas y la cobertura de bosque secundario aumentó hasta el año 2000. Para asegurar una adecuada protección de los manglares, es necesario evaluar también las áreas aledañas y establecer zonas de amortiguamiento alrededor, para reducir los impactos futuros.

Abstract:Despite the economic and environmental services that mangroves provide, they continue to be threatened by overexploitation, pollution, and land use change. Costa Rica has mangrove areas on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and cover has been declining since the 1980s. However, data on mangrove coverage are not continually updated and are often based on inaccurate estimates. It is therefore necessary to assess the current extension and variation of the mangrove cover in recent years, to determine changes. The mangrove cover was analyzed in two mangrove forests located in Bahía Culebra, North Pacific: Iguanita and Playa Panamá. For this, aerial photographs and satellite imagery were used to study changes for a 65 year period (1945-2010). Spatio-temporal changes were found in mangrove coverage, adjacent forests and areas without vegetation. Lower mangrove cover occurred during the 1970s (28.4 ha in Iguanita and 4.8 ha in Playa Panamá); but increased in recent years (38.9 ha in Iguanita and 12.0 ha in Panamá). Changes in forest cover by the Iguanita and Playa Panama mangroves were related to the history of land use around Bahía Culebra. Before 1980, there was extensive and intensive cattle ranching, increasing the deforestation rate; after that year, these practices were abandoned and secondary forest coverage increased until 2000. To ensure the adequate protection of mangroves, it is not only important to protect mangrove forests, but it is also necessary to establish buffer zones on their surroundings, to mitigate and/or reduce possible impacts. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 955-964. Epub 2016 September 01.

Pequenos mamiferos nao-voadores (Didelphimorphia, Rodentia) em campos litoraneos do extremo sul do Brasil

Non-volant small mammals are key elements in natural environments due its importance as food resource. This study aimed to investigate the species composition and habitat occupancy by non-volant small mammals (Didelphimorphia, Rodentia) in a coastal grassland area in southern Rio Grande do Sul coastal plain. Between April 2009 and March 2010 pitffal traps were used to capture small mammals in coastal grasslands associated to sand dunes and arbustive Restinga. We sampled 180 individuals including two marsupials (Cryptonanus guahybae and Didelphis albiventris) and seven rodent species (Calomys laucha, Cavia aperea, Ctenomys flamarioni, Deltamys kempi, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oxymycterus nasutus and Scapteromys tumidus). Cryptonanus guahybae, D. albiventris and C. flamarioni were captured only in dunes while C. aperea and O. nasutus were recorded only in arbustive Restinga habitats. Calomys laucha, D. kempi, O. flavescens and O. nasutus were captured in both habitats. Oligoryzomys flavescens and C. laucha were the most representative species in both habitats, comprising respectively 40.7 and 38.9% of captures in dunes and 56.3 and 34.9% of captures in Restinga habitats. The species richness recorded in the sampled coastal grasslands area was lower than those previously recorded in subtropical forest coastal systems.

Pequenos mamíferos não-voadores são elementos chave em ambientes naturais devido a sua importância como recurso alimentar. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a composição de espécies e a ocupação de habitat por pequenos mamíferos não-voadores (Didelphimorphia, Rodentia) em uma área de campos litorâneos na região sul da planície costeira do Rio Grande do Sul. Entre abril de 2009 e março de 2010 armadilhas de interceptação e queda foram utilizadas para a captura de pequenos mamíferos em campos associados a dunas e a restinga arbustiva. Foram amostrados 180 indivíduos pertencentes a duas espécies de marsupiais (Cryptonanus guahybae e Didelphis albiventris) e sete espécies de roedores (Calomys laucha, Cavia aperea, Ctenomys flamarioni, Deltamys kempi, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oxymycterus nasutus e Scapteromys tumidus). Cryptonanus guahybae, D. albiventris e C. flamarioni foram capturados somente em dunas, enquanto que C. aperea e O. nasutus foram registrados somente em restinga arbustiva. Calomys laucha, D. kempi, O. flavescens e O. nasutus foram capturados em ambos os ambientes. Oligoryzomys flavescens e C. laucha foram as espécies mais representativas em ambos os ambientes, compreendendo respectivamente 40,7 e 38,9% das capturas em dunas, e 56,3 e 34,9% das capturas em restinga. A riqueza de espécies registrada na área de campo litorâneo amostrada foi inferior a aquelas previamente registradas em sistemas florestais costeiros subtropicais.

Gerenciamento de dados marinhos no contexto brasileiro

In a context of rapidly growing demand of information and production of technical and scientific knowledge about biotic and abiotic parameters of marine and coastal environments, the process of design integrated databases programs and geo-portals for disseminating information becomes imperative. Although isolated efforts have been proposed in recent years in Brazil, the creation of broadly accessible databases seems inevitable. Furthermore, the peculiarities of acquisition and processing marine data (expensive, complex and dynamic) demand an optimization of time and resources for new research projects and knowledge basis. In this work we address this issue contextualizing the demands for the implementation and marine data modelling projects, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects providing guidelines and connectivities establishing future efforts towards the dissemination of marine and coastal information in Brazil.

Em um contexto de franco crescimento de demanda e produção de conhecimento técnico e cientifico a respeito de parâmetros bióticos e abióticos de ambientes marinhos e costeiros, a concepção de programas de desenvolvimento de bancos de dados e geo-portais de disseminação de informação torna-se imperativa. Embora apenas esforços pontuais tenham sido propostos nos últimos anos, a criação de bases de dados de acesso mais amplo parece inevitável tendo em vista as peculiaridades práticas de aquisição e processamento de dados marinhos: caros, complexos e dinâmicos. Este trabalho pretende abordar tal questão contextualizando as necessidades e demandas para projetos desta natureza, focando aspectos teóricos e práticos da implementação de modelos de dados marinhos propondo diretrizes para que esforços futuros sejam estabelecidos visando a disseminação da informação marinha e costeira no Brasil.

The holoplankton of the Santa Catarina coast, southern Brazil

This paper presents information from different sampling surveys carried out along the Santa Catarina coast in order to outline the biogeographical characteristics of the zooplankton in this region and identify species or groups of species with potential use as bioindicators. Based on a checklist of species of the zooplankton community in the state, it was observed that, in the warmer months of the year, the fauna is similar to that of the states of Paraná and São Paulo (e.g. Creseis virgula f. virgula, Penilia avirostris; Acartia lilljeborgi and Oithona oswaldocruzi), while in the colder months there are coastal representatives of the fauna of Rio Grande do Sul (e.g. Acartia tonsa). However, the zooplankton consists predominantly of warm water species for most of the year, which is typical of Tropical Shelf Waters. Various species of zooplankton can be used as hydrological indicators, enabling a distinction to be made between coastal waters which are influenced by continental inputs (e.g. Paracalanus quasimodo and Parvocalanus crassirostris), common in the north of the state, and processes of upwelling (e.g. Podon intermedius) and the influence of the Subtropical Shelf Front (e.g. Pleopis polyphemoides), coming from the south. The different environments investigated present a zooplankton abundance that depends on the influence of continental inputs and the possibility of their retaining and contribution for the coastal enrichment, which varies seasonally.

Este trabalho apresentada informações oriundas de diferentes amostragens realizadas ao longo da costa de Santa Catarina com o objetivo de esboçar as características biogeográficas do zooplâncton assim como identificar espécies ou grupos de espécies com potencial uso como bioindicadores. A partir de um cheklist das espécies da comunidade zooplanctônica do estado observou-se que nos meses quentes do ano a fauna é similar aos dos estados do Paraná e São Paulo (e. g. Creseis virgula f. virgula, Penilia avirostris; Acartia lilljeborgi e Oithona oswaldocruzi), enquanto que nos meses frios, apresenta representantes costeiros da fauna do Rio Grande do Sul (e. g.Acartia tonsa). Entretanto, o zooplâncton é dominantemente termófilo na maior parte do ano, típico da Água Tropical de Plataforma. Existem diversas espécies do zooplâncton que podem ser utilizadas como indicadoras hidrológicas, permitindo diferenciar águas costeiras sob influência de aportes continentais (e. g. Paracalanus quasimodo e Parvocalanus crassirostris), comuns no norte do estado, e de processos de ressurgências (e. g. Podon intermedius) e da influência da Frente do Prata originárias do sul (e. g. Pleopis polyphemoides). Os diferentes ambientes investigados apresentam uma abundância do zooplâncton dependente da influência de aportes continentais e da possibilidade de sua retenção e aproveitamento do enriquecimento costeiro que variam sazonalmente.