Vertical zonation and functional diversity of fish assemblages revealed by ROV videos at oil platforms in The Gulf.

An assessment of vertical distribution, diel migration, taxonomic and functional diversity of fishes was carried out at offshore platforms in The (Arabian-Iranian-Persian) Gulf. Video footage was recorded at the Al Shaheen oil field between 2007 and 2014 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). A total of 12 822 individual fishes, from 83 taxonomic groups were recorded around the platforms. All the species identified are considered native to The Gulf, although Cyclichthys orbicularis and Lutjanus indicus were recorded for the first time in Qatari waters. Several trends were uncovered in the vertical distribution of the fish community; most species were observed between 20 and 50 m depth and fish abundance decreased towards the bottom, with the highest abundances recorded in the upper layers, i.e. down to 40 m depth. Vertical variation in fish diversity, however, was generally not accompanied by differences in vertical movements. Carnivores and invertivores were the dominant trophic groups, being found at each depth range from surface to seabed. The functional indices showed no significant differences between water depths or diel cycles. The study demonstrates that oil platforms represent a hotspot of fish diversity and interesting sites for studying fish communities, abundance and behaviour.

Are submarine groundwater discharges affecting the structure and physiological status of rocky intertidal communities?

This study evaluated the impacts of submarine groundwater discharges (SGD) on a rocky intertidal community of South Portugal, during April-November 2011. Chlorophyll-a concentration was higher at the SGD site in respect to the Reference site. Epibenthic community structure differed between sites, with an increase in Chthamalus spp. and a decrease in macroalgae coverage at the SGD site. The abundance and body size of Mytilus galloprovincialis were consistently higher at the SGD site. During mid-spring, under potentially higher SGD and less favorable conditions for coastal phytoplankton, the ecophysiological condition of M. galloprovincialis and G. umbilicalis was also higher at the SGD site. These beneficial effects on filter-feeders and herbivores probably resulted from local increases in prey availability, supported by SGD-driven nutrient inputs. Conversely, P. depressa was not favoured by SGD, probably due to a lower dependency on algae as food. The analysis of epibenthic community structure and ecophysiological condition represents a promising approach to disentangle the ecological impacts of SGD on intertidal ecosystems.

[Endovascular treatment of a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm in case of a specific aortitis]. / Endovaskuläre Therapie eines Aneurysma der thorakoabdominellen Aorta bei einer spezifischen Aortitis.

Successful endovascular repair of an aortic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta, laying directly cranial of the celiac artery, caused by a spondylodiscitis of the thoracoabdominal spine. While vascular surgeons refused the open resection of the infected aneurysm, endovascular treatment with a stent-graft was performed. Respecting the celiac artery by catheterisation, endovascular treatment was managed without occluding the A. Adamkiewicz. In case of an unknown infection peri- and postoperative treatment was performed of a prolonged antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy. In a follow-up of three months period, there was a complete regression of the inflammatory aneurysm and an improvement of the spondylodiscitis.