Long-term monitoring of the fish community in the Minho Estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula).

Background: The paper presents an extensive fish sampling dataset spanning a long-term period from 2010 to 2019. The data were collected in Lenta Marina, an upstream area in the Minho Estuary of the NW Iberian Peninsula, which belongs to a LTSER (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) platform. To capture fish, fyke nets were utilised as the sampling method and deployed at Lenta Marina. This dataset offers valuable insights into the abundance of each collected taxa recorded over time. New information: The dataset reports a comprehensive compilation of data on the abundance of fish species observed in the area during the sampling period (includes zeroes when a given taxonomic entity was absent in a given sampling event). It provides a detailed record of the abundances of the fish community through time in a frequent sampling regime (on average, sampling was done every 6 days). The dataset shows that the amount of fish from invasive taxa exceeds the count of fish from native taxa in the Minho Estuary.

Hydrodynamic conditions affect the proteomic profile of marine biofilms formed by filamentous cyanobacterium.

Proteomic studies on cyanobacterial biofilms can be an effective approach to unravel metabolic pathways involved in biofilm formation and, consequently, obtain more efficient biofouling control strategies. Biofilm development by the filamentous cyanobacterium Toxifilum sp. LEGE 06021 was evaluated on different surfaces, glass and perspex, and at two significant shear rates for marine environments (4 s-1 and 40 s-1). Higher biofilm development was observed at 4 s-1. Overall, about 1877 proteins were identified, and differences in proteome were more noticeable between hydrodynamic conditions than those found between surfaces. Twenty Differentially Expressed Proteins (DEPs) were found between 4 s-1 vs. 40 s-1. On glass, some of these DEPs include phage tail proteins, a carotenoid protein, cyanophynase glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase, and the MoaD/ThiS family protein, while on perspex, DEPs include transketolase, dihydroxy-acid dehydratase, iron ABC transporter substrate-binding protein and protein NusG. This study contributes to developing a standardized protocol for proteomic analysis of filamentous cyanobacterial biofilms. This kind of proteomic analysis can also be useful for different research fields, given the broad spectrum of promising secondary metabolites and added-value compounds produced by cyanobacteria, as well as for the development of new antibiofilm strategies.

Proteomics reveals multiple effects of titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles in the metabolism of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silver (Ag) NPs are among the most used engineered inorganic nanoparticles (NPs); however, their potential effects to marine demersal fish species, are not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the proteomic alterations induced by sub-lethal concentrations citrate-coated 25 nm ("P25") TiO2 or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated 15 nm Ag NPs to turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. Juvenile fish were exposed to the NPs through daily feeding for 14 days. The tested concentrations were 0, 0.75 or 1.5 mg of each NPs per kg of fish per day. The determination of NPs, Titanium and Ag levels (sp-ICP-MS/ICP-MS) and histological alterations (Transmission Electron Microscopy) supported proteomic analysis performed in the liver and kidney. Proteomic sample preparation procedure (SP3) was followed by LC-MS/MS. Label-free MS quantification methods were employed to assess differences in protein expression. Functional analysis was performed using STRING web-tool. KEGG Gene Ontology suggested terms were discussed and potential biomarkers of exposure were proposed. Overall, data shows that liver accumulated more elements than kidney, presented more histological alterations (lipid droplets counts and size) and proteomic alterations. The Differentially Expressed Proteins (DEPs) were higher in Ag NPs trial. The functional analysis revealed that both NPs caused enrichment of proteins related to generic processes (metabolic pathways). Ag NPs also affected protein synthesis and nucleic acid transcription, among other processes. Proteins related to thyroid hormone transport (Serpina7) and calcium ion binding (FAT2) were suggested as biomarkers of TiO2 NPs in liver. For Ag NPs, in kidney (and at a lower degree in liver) proteins related with metabolic activity, metabolism of exogenous substances and oxidative stress (e.g.: NADH dehydrogenase and Cytochrome P450) were suggested as potential biomarkers. Data suggests adverse effects in turbot after medium/long-term exposures and the need for additional studies to validate specific biological applications of these NPs.

Effects of exposure to the UV-filter 4-MBC during Solea senegalensis metamorphosis.

Many personal care products integrate UV-filters, such as 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), a compound frequently detected in aquatic habitats, including coastal areas. However, the potential effects of 4-MBC to saltwater species have been poorly studied. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to study the effects of 4-MBC exposure on Solea senegalensis during metamorphosis, a sensitive life stage of this flatfish. To achieve this, fish were exposed to 4-MBC (0.2-2.0 mg L-1) for 48 h at the beginning of metamorphosis (13 days after hatching, dah). After this period, the fish were transferred to a clean medium. They were fed and maintained until more than 80% of individuals in the control group completed the metamorphosis (24 dah). Mortality, malformations, and metamorphic progression were studied daily. Growth, behavior, and biochemical markers of neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), oxidative stress (catalase, CAT; lipid peroxidation, LPO), detoxification (glutathione S-transferase, GST), and anaerobic metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) were also determined at the end of the experiment. An acceleration of metamorphosis progression was observed during and 2 days after the 4-MBC exposure in all concentrations tested. In addition, reduced length, inhibition of CAT activity, and induction of oxidative damage were observed (lowest observed effect concentration, LOEC = 0.928 mg L-1 4-MBC for length, CAT, and LPO). Short-term exposure to 4-MBC at the onset of metamorphosis affected S. senegalensis at several levels of organization, even after 9 days in a clean medium, including growth and metamorphic progression, suggesting possible long-term adverse effects in this species.

Effects of ultraviolet radiation to Solea senegalensis during early development.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reaching the Earth surface is increasing and scarce information is available regarding effects of this stressor to early life stages of marine vertebrates. Therefore, this work aims to study the effects of UVR exposure during early development stages of the flatfish Solea senegalensis. Firstly, fish were exposed to UVR (six daily doses between 3.4 ±â€¯0.08 and 8.6 ±â€¯0.14 kJ m-2) at the following moments: gastrula stage (24 h post fertilization, hpf), 1 and 2 days after hatching (dah, 48 and 72 hpf, respectively). In a second bioassay, fish at the beginning of metamorphosis were exposed to UVR (one or two daily doses of 7.2 ±â€¯0.39 or 11.1 ±â€¯0.49 kJ m-2) and then maintained until the end of metamorphosis. Mortality and effects on development, growth and behaviour were evaluated at the end of both bioassays (3 dah and 18 dah, respectively). Biomarkers of neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), oxidative stress (catalase, CAT) and biotransformation (glutathione S-transferase, GST) were also determined at the end of the early larvae bioassay, and metamorphosis progression was evaluated during the second bioassay. UVR exposure caused distinct effects depending on life stage. Altered pigmentation, decreased growth, impaired fish behaviour and AChE and GST inhibition were observed at the earlier larval phase. Whereas, decrease in growth was the main effect observed at the metamorphosis stage. In summary, the exposure of S. senegalensis early stages to environmentally relevant UVR doses led to adverse responses at different levels of biological organization, which might lead to implications in later life stages.

Insecticidal properties and chemical composition of Piper aduncum L., Lippia sidoides Cham. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi essential oils against Plutella xylostella L.

In the laboratory, were evaluated the effects (residual contact and feeding deterrence) of the essential oils from the leaves of Piper aduncum, Lippia sidoides and Schinus terebinthifolius, as well as eleven selected constituents and binary blends of oils in different proportions against 3rd instar larvae of Plutella xylostella (L.). The Piper oil demonstrated the greatest toxicity (LC50 = 0.31 µL/mL) and feeding deterrence (DC50 = 1.08 µL/mL) between oils tested. Dillapiole (LC50 = 1.01 µL/mL; DC50 = 1.10 µL/mL) and carvacrol (LC50 = 6.03 µL/mL; DC50 = 0.075 µL/mL) demonstrated the greatest toxicity and feeding deterrence between constituents tested, respectively. Based on the fractional effects indices for the blends, a synergistic interaction was found for the blend of the Lippia and Schinus oils at a proportion of 75 and 25%, respectively. The present findings indicate that this blend could be used in the control of P. xylostella, as the literature reports populations resistant to the active ingredient in the positive control, Premio®. Further studies are needed for the development of a new botanical insecticide based on the active ingredients in oils from L. sidoides and S. terebinthifolius to improve efficiency, stability and the cost-benefit in the control of P. xylostella.

Ecotoxicity and genotoxicity of cadmium in different marine trophic levels.

Cadmium ecotoxicity and genotoxicity was assessed in three representative species of different trophic levels of marine ecosystems - the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa, the decapod shrimp, Palaemon varians and the pleuronectiform fish Solea senegalensis. Ecotoxicity endpoints assessed in this study were adult survival, hatching success and larval development ratio (LDR) for A. tonsa, survival of the first larval stage (zoea I) and post-larvae of P. varians, egg and larvae survival, as well as the presence of malformations in the larval stage of S. senegalensis. In vivo genotoxicity was assessed on adult A. tonsa, the larval and postlarval stage of P. varians and newly hatched larvae of S. senegalensis using the comet assay. Results showed that the highest sensitivity to cadmium is displayed by A. tonsa, with the most sensitive endpoint being the LDR of nauplii to copepodites. Sole eggs displayed the highest tolerance to cadmium compared to the other endpoints evaluated for all tested species. Recorded cadmium toxicity was (by increasing order): S. senegalensis eggs < P. varians post-larvae < P. varians zoea I < S. senegalensis larvae < A. tonsa eggs < A. tonsa LDR. DNA damage to all species exposed to cadmium increased with increasing concentrations. Overall, understanding cadmium chemical speciation is paramount to reliably evaluate the effects of this metal in marine ecosystems. Cadmium is genotoxic to all three species tested and therefore may differentially impact individuals and populations of marine taxa. As A. tonsa was the most sensitive species and occupies a lower trophic level, it is likely that cadmium contamination may trigger bottom-up cascading effects in marine trophic interactions.

Acaricidal activity and repellency of essential oil from Piper aduncum and its components against Tetranychus urticae.

The chemical composition of essential oil of leaves of Piper aduncum L., growing wild in a fragment of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in northeastern Brazil, was determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The acaricidal activity and repellency of the essential oil and its components [dillapiole (0.28 g/ml), α-humulene (0.016 g/ml), (E)-nerolidol (0.0007 g/ml) and ß-caryophyllene (0.0021 g/ml)] were evaluated in the laboratory against adults of Tetranychus urticae Koch. The mites were more susceptible to the oil in fumigation tests (LC(50) = 0.01 µl/l of air) than in contact test with closed Petri dish (LC(50) = 7.17 µl/ml); mortality was reduced by approximately 50 % in the latter test. The repellent action of the oil and toxicity by fumigation and contact did not differ significantly from the positive control (eugenol). The repellent activity was attributed to the components (E)-nerolidol, α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene, whereas toxicity by fumigation and contact was attributed to ß-caryophyllene. The effect of Piper oil and the role of its components regarding host plant preference with a two-choice leaf disk test are also discussed.