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Cetaceans' stranding data are a valuable information source about population indicators, biological analyses and causes of death. This study aimed to determine the species present on the north-western coast of Morocco, their spatio-temporal distribution and the potential causes of mortality of these stranded species. Ten cetacean species occurred on Morocco's north-western coast in the period from 2016 to 2021, from Jebha to Larache. These were bottlenose dolphin, short-beaked common dolphin, striped dolphin, common minke whale, Risso's dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Cuvier's beaked whales, killer whale and harbour porpoise. The most frequently stranded species were bottlenose dolphins (n = 30), striped dolphins (n = 61) and short-beaked common dolphins (n = 43). Additionally, these species were present in the study area throughout the year. There were no significant seasonal or monthly differences in the stranding events. In this study, 54.5% of all stranding cases showed interactions mainly with fisheries. Injuries and mutilations observed in the stranded cetaceans resulted from human interactions, thus increasing their probability of stranding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and fishing gear have negative impacts on both dolphins and fisheries. Therefore, the damage and economic loss caused to the purse seine fishery were evaluated on a spatio-temporal scale, and the catch composition was addressed. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the fishers, and observations aboard the boat were recorded between August 2018 and July 2019 in the M'diq region, northwestern Morocco. Throughout the study period, the frequency of fishing trips attacked by bottlenose dolphins was 44.75% (n=324), and the catch damage was 33%. In addition, depredated fishing operations were significantly lower in CPUE than unattacked ones. The total mending cost was 35,533.3$, with a difference between months and seasons. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) attacked 32.2% of the fishing operations. However, this frequency of fishing operations depredated by depth was not significant. The current study proved that these interactions inflict substantial economic losses on the fishers of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Six herbal infusions used worldwide (Matricaria chamomilla, Tilia cordata, Mentha piperita, Mentha pulegium, Uncaria tomentosa and Valeriana officinalis) were assayed for anti-genotoxicity using the Somatic Mutation And Recombination Test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. All these infusions are traditionally used for various medical purposes, including anti-inflammatory processes. Hydrogen peroxide was used as an oxidative genotoxicant to test the anti-genotoxic potency of the medicinal infusions. None of these infusions showed a significant genotoxicity, quite the reverse they were able to behave as desmutagens, detoxifying the mutagen hydrogen peroxide. The phenolic content of such herbal infusions is argued to be the possible scavenger of reactive oxygen radicals produced by the hydrogen peroxide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The area of Al Hoceima in Morocco occupies a strategic biological position concerning the trajectory of migratory species. Bycatch and standing data in this area are still lacking. However, knowledge of the number of stranded individuals/species and the bycatch rate/total catch for each fishing gear is crucial to adopting more effective conservation stratégies. Given this lack of information, monitoring of total standing and bycatch data was conducted from January To June 2021. Two different approaches were used in this study: on-board observation of longline, trawlers, and seiner vessels for bycatch rate and monitoring of the torture standing area through selfdéclaration by sensitized fishermen. The results showed the existence of two species. Dermochelys Caracas (Vandelli, 1761) (1 individual) was stranded on Calabonita beach, and Caretta-Caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) was caught in longliners (two individuals) and trawlers (three individuals). No individuals were reported in purse seiners. For the first time, preliminary data on the bycatch and standing of tortures in Al Hoceima have been determined and this information is vital To implementing future conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to extend our understanding of the seasonal formation of cellular cementum, and its functional relationships in fallow deer (Dama dama) from Mediterranean ecosystems, in order to achieve reliable cementochronology applications. We provide a specific reference for fallow deer in a specific ecosystem, as needed for forensic, paleontological and wildlife ecology research. A semi-quantitative rating of the last outermost increment deposited in the cellular cementum interradicular pad of the lower first molar (M 1), together with the knowledge of the animal's date of death, provided the methodological basis of this study. We also analyzed the occurrence of each cementum state by season, as well as the influence of the photoperiod and seasonal diet quality variations, using indices such as cell wall digestibility (CWD), protein (N), and carbohydrate (C). In adults more than 4 years old we detected a significant seasonal cementum growth pattern in spring-summer, whereas the formation of rest lines took place mainly from October to February. All of our findings show a photoperiod control of cementum seasonal growth patterns, linked to the organism's annual growth cycle, whereas N and C probably do not influence seasonal deposition patterns. The deposition of the cementum begins to stop when the photoperiod begins to decrease, i.e. when the days begin to be shorter, which in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain takes place in the autumn and winter months. At this time, the amount of dry matter in food consumed increases, and voluntary food intake decreases. The amount of dietary protein and carbohydrate seems to influence the amount of cementum deposited each year, rather than the seasonal deposition pattern, at least in adults. No significant seasonal pattern was found for the younger fallow deer. Until this seasonal pattern is clarified, young specimens should be excluded from cementochronology applications, such as season-at-death estimations. Studies on the quantitative thickness of cementum increments should also be performed in order to confirm cementochronology as a useful tool for studying climatic variations and their biological impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The port of Al Hoceima is located on the Mediterranean coast about 150 km west of Nador city, the western extremity of Al-Hoceima Bay, and is the only Mediterranean gateway in the North-Central region. The port of Al Hoceima is characterized by coastal and artisanal fishing. The objectives of this study were the knowledge of the main fleets that exist in the Al Hoceima region, to identify the different fishing gears used and to inventory, the fishing resources caught and landed in the port of Al Hoceima. A detailed survey (concerning the fishing vessels and their characteristics related to the fishing method and the landed catches) was used and analyzed during the period between Avril and September 2020 in the port of Al Hoceima. The results showed the existence of three types of coastal fleets. The benthic trawlers (15 units), the longliners (16 units), and the purse seiners (14 units). The catches of the fleets were depending on the target species and characterized by different types of species and also by those groups with a very high market value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants represent an important resource in new drug research. Antioxidant properties of plants can help to scavenge reactive oxygen species. The objective of this work was to evaluate the genotoxic, antigenotoxic, tumoricidal, and apoptotic effect of some major phenols (apigenin, bisabolol, and protocatechuic acid) from two medicinal plants, Matricaria chamomilla and Uncaria tomentosa. The wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster was used to evaluate the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the three phenols. The human model of HL-60 leukemia cells was used for the assessment of the cytotoxic effect, growth, and cellular viability. The apoptotic effect was evaluated using a DNA fragmentation assay based on the formation of internucleosomal units. Protocatechuic acid (0.25 and 1 mM), apigenin (0.46 and 1.85 mM), and bisabolol (0.56 and 2.24 mM) did not exhibit any genotoxic effect. The three phenols showed an antigenotoxic effect against the hydrogen peroxide effect and also exhibited tumoricidal activity. Apigenin (2.24-35.96 mM) showed a lower 50% inhibitory concentration (0.75 and 3.87 mM for the trypan blue test and WST-8 colorimetric assay, respectively) than bisabolol and protocatechuic acid. These phenolics also induced apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells. This study suggests that the antioxidant activity of Chamomilla and Uncaria could be partially responsible of their beneficial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Olive oil is an important source of mono-unsaturated fat and a prime component of the Mediterranean diet. The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and its high content of anti-oxidative substances. The objective of this study was to investigate the basis for the epidemiological information relating to the health benefits associated with the consumption of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). For this purpose, the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in wings of Drosophila melanogaster was applied to evaluate the antigenotoxic activity of six different EVOOs from four Spanish varieties (Hojiblanca, Nevadillo, Casta de Cabra, Picual). A two-level approach was followed: (1) determination of the lack of genotoxicity along with the antigenotoxic activity of EVOOs, through antigenotoxicity assays, with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative genotoxin, and (2) evaluation of the properties of three major distinctive components of EVOOs that could be responsible for their antigenotoxic activity. The EVOOs tested are shown to be non-genotoxic; they exhibited antigenotoxic activity against the effects of hydrogen peroxide. Triolein, tyrosol and squalene did not show genotoxic effects in the proliferative imaginal cells of D. melanogaster. The three components were antigenotoxic when combined with soybean oil, only triolein and tyrosol showed a clear desmutagenic effect when combined with hydrogen peroxide. Our results confirm the safety of EVOOs and their health-protective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out a study on age determination for Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) from growth marks in dental cementum. We investigated the age at which the first growth layer and first rest line appear in cementum of incisors (I1), molars (M1), and canines (C), and explained how to interpret these marks to determine age. We evaluated accuracy and precision of aging with rest lines of different tooth types. Age was estimated using a standardized counting method and a linear regression analysis, both based on rest-line number in permanent teeth of red deer aged between 4 and 44 months. The first growth layer occurred after dental eruption in all teeth studied. The first rest line appeared at 6 months in molars (M1) and at 15 months in incisors (I1). The second rest line appeared at 18 months in molars and incisors. Each consecutive rest line represented one year more in animal age. Subsequent analysis showed that canines do not give an accurate estimation of the real age. Molars and incisors did not yield the same values for age estimation. Molars gave the best results, aging 75% of animals correctly, while only 49% were aged correctly using incisors. Nevertheless, within a one-year confidence interval, 99% of the animals were aged correctly using molars, versus 86% using incisors. We suggest using the first lower molar for deer aging in Sierra Morena. Use of regression should be preferred to the standardized counting method for age determination when using incisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]