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Estudos sobre doenças de aves silvestres são essenciais no contexto da saúde pública, pois esses animais atuam como sentinelas, permitindo obter informações sobre uma determinada área geográfica. Além disso, as aves são fontes de proteína alimentar para os animais e, portanto, desempenham um papel importante no ciclo de vida do Sarcocystis. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar Sarcocystis spp. nos músculos do peito de aves de cativeiro naturalmente infectadas. Os músculos do peito de 89 aves foram coletados, e o DNA amplificado pela PCR do gene RNA ribossômico 18S para detecção de Sarcocystis spp. Os produtos da PCR foram sequenciados e 5,61% (5/89) amostras apresentaram 100% de similaridade com o Sarcocystis spp. (um Cyanoliseus patagonus, um Psittacula krameri, dois Pyrrhura frontalis e um Ramphastos dicolorus). O grande número de espécies naturalmente infectadas analisadas por métodos moleculares permitiu a detecção de Sarcocystis spp. em diferentes espécies de aves, corroborando a epidemiologia de Sarcocystis spp. Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro relato especificando a presença de Sarcocystis spp. no músculo do peito de espécies de aves.

Helminth infections are detrimental to the overall health of dogs; therefore, this study aimed to identify antiparasitic-resistant helminths and evaluate the infection rate and risk factors for parasitism in canines. For this purpose, a parasitological evaluation of 38 randomly selected animals was performed, followed by the evaluation of the anthelminthic efficacy of three drugs: pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel (Canex Composto®), fenbendazole (Fenzol Pet®), and milbemycin oxime with praziquantel (Milbemax C®). Among the evaluated animals, 22/38 (57.89%) tested negative and 16/38 (42.71%) tested positive for Ancylostoma caninum infection. Evaluation of the efficacy of antiparasitic drugs showed that 12/16 (75%) dogs were infected with helminths that were susceptible to pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel. Among those for which pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel was not effective, 3/4 (75%) were susceptible to fenbendazole, while the remaining case resistant to both pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel and fenbendazole was sensitive to milbemycin oxime with praziquantel (100%). The odds ratio of infection in dogs inhabiting environments containing soil or grass was 6.67 times higher than that in dogs inhabiting impermeable environments. Mixed-breed dogs (SRD) were 6.54 times more likely to be infected compared to purebred dogs. A. caninum resistant to pyrantel pamoate with praziquantel (4/16, 25%) and fenbendazole (1/4, 25%) were detected. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of coproparasitological monitoring by professionals before and after treatments to assess antiparasitic drug effectiveness, ensure animal health and welfare, and minimize animal exposure to risk factors.

This research study shows one teacher preparation program’s (TPP) attempt to better gauge coteaching implementation and how a TPP can provide more immediate pair support. We present findings from the analysis of 777 weekly coteaching reflection surveys completed by 44 secondary preservice teachers over 20 weeks of the clinical experience. The research team developed “ideal” benchmarks for the coteaching reflection prompts and analyzed the data in respect to these benchmarks to see how close preservice teachers met coplanning, coinstructing, and coassessing benchmarks. Data are reported according to these benchmarks, presenting these data for the entire cohort and by individual disciplines before providing detailed case studies for two pairs within the English cohort. Recommendations are provided for TPPs who want to use a similar coteaching reflection survey and approach to data analysis to inform more immediate pair support.

We present avidity sequencing, a sequencing chemistry that separately optimizes the processes of stepping along a DNA template and that of identifying each nucleotide within the template. Nucleotide identification uses multivalent nucleotide ligands on dye-labeled cores to form polymerase–polymer–nucleotide complexes bound to clonal copies of DNA targets. These polymer–nucleotide substrates, termed avidites, decrease the required concentration of reporting nucleotides from micromolar to nanomolar and yield negligible dissociation rates. Avidity sequencing achieves high accuracy, with 96.2% and 85.4% of base calls having an average of one error per 1,000 and 10,000 base pairs, respectively. We show that the average error rate of avidity sequencing remained stable following a long homopolymer.

About 5000 people in Italy suffer from hemophilia, the most common coagulation disorder. As for other chronic diseases, even in the case of hemophilia, the engagement of the patient is essential: the patients, in fact, must be empowered and helped to become strong partners of the care team and sensitized with respect to their rights and duties for the successful achievement of the goals set by their healthcare path. Hence the initiative to start a new research-intervention project in the field of hemophilia. The study had different phases of research: a first moment inspired by the principles of narrative medicine, aimed at collecting stories and narratives of patients with hemophilia related to the experience of the disease and therapy and expectations of active involvement in the relationship with the clinician. At the same time, among hematologists and patients has been surveyed the experience of therapeutical relationship and communication, to capture the aspects in which they feel effective and the areas of improvement and unmet needs. Subsequently, a workshop dedicated to patients and hematologists was organized to foster mutual awareness between these two targets and the formation of a better communication and relational skills of clinicians. The results of the project formed the basis for a policy brief document, aimed at disseminating recommendations to support better relationship and empathic communication between clinicians and patients.

24 pages, 7 figures, Continental shelf and margins contains a wide variety of habitats that have traditionally remained poorly explored because of their inaccessibility to humans and low-light conditions. This is the case of marine caves, coralligenous outcrops, sponge grounds, maërl beds, or gorgonian and black coral gardens, among others. These are habitats with high ecological and economical relevance but poorly resilient to disturbance events due to multiple factors; high temporal stability of the environmental conditions, slow growth rates, and late maturity of their assemblages, etc. Threats to the biodiversity and functioning of dark habitats encompass both local and regional factors, including climate change, coastal urbanization and pollution, invasive species, harvesting or tourism, among many others. The main strategies and actions toward the conservation and management of dark habitats encompass its legal protection and regulation of commercial activities and the development of monitoring tools and active ecological restoration approaches. Increasing our ecological and biological knowledge of this habitats, as well as the effectiveness of conservation initiatives, will largely rely upon the application of technical advances to the study of these habitats, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

We present a novel sequencing chemistry implemented as part of the AVITI system. Relying on the proximal DNA binding sites created through DNA amplification on a solid support, avidity sequencing uses multivalent nucleotide ligands on dye-labeled cores to simultaneously form polymerase-polymer nucleotide complexes bound to clonal copies of DNA targets. These polymer-nucleotide substrates, termed avidites, decrease the required concentration of reporting nucleotides by 100x and yield a negligible dissociation rate. We demonstrate the use of avidites within a novel sequencing technology that surpasses Q40 accuracy and enables a diversity of applications that include single cell RNA-seq and whole human genome sequencing.

We present avidity sequencing - a novel sequencing chemistry that separately optimizes the process of stepping along a DNA template and the process of identifying each nucleotide within the template. Nucleotide identification uses multivalent nucleotide ligands on dye-labeled cores to form polymerase-polymer nucleotide complexes bound to clonal copies of DNA targets. These polymer-nucleotide substrates, termed avidites, decrease the required concentration of reporting nucleotides from micromolar to nanomolar, and yield negligible dissociation rates. We demonstrate the use of avidites as a key component of a sequencing technology that surpasses Q40 accuracy and enables a diversity of applications that include single cell RNA-seq and whole human genome sequencing. We also show the advantages of this technology in sequencing through long homopolymers.

Cattle are the main hosts of Rhipicephalus microplus; however, this ixodid can also parasitize other animal species. We collected a specimen of R. microplus larvae from one bat Molossus rufus (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the Cachoeirinha municipality (29° 56' 52'' S and 51° 5' 43'' W), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimen was taxonomically identified using identification keys (Vargas 2006). This study reports the first occurrence of this species parasitizing insectivorous bats in Brazil.

This study enlists a transformative approach to mixed methods research in order to problematize what different methods can offer for expanding understandings of educator language attitudes and ideo...

Parasites of the genus Sarcocystis can infect several species of animals and cause multiple diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Felines are considered hosts of this protozoa; therefore, the present study aimed to detect anti-Sarcocystis spp.-specific antibodies in domestic cats that were under clinical evaluation, using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Anti-Sarcocystis-specific immunoglobulin Gs were detected in 24 out of 497 (4.82%) cat serum samples. These findings support the fact that natural Sarcocystis infections do occur in cats. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of domestic cats as both intermediate and definitive hosts in the Sarcocystis life cycle, maintaining the parasite and serving as a source of infection for various other animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify antibodies against the genus Sarcocystis in cats from a region in southern Brazil.

Pretomanid is a nitroimidazooxazine antimycobacterial drug that was approved as part of a three-drug oral regimen, consisting of bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid, for 6-months treatment of adults with pulmonary extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis or with complicated forms of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis by the food and drug administration in the United States and regulatory bodies in over 10 other countries. Nitroaromatic compounds as a class carry a risk of genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity based on reactive metabolite formation. A battery of good laboratory practice genotoxicity studies on pretomanid indicated that the compound was not genotoxic, however its hydroxy imidazole metabolite (M50) was genotoxic in the Ames assay. To assess the in vivo carcinogenic potential of pretomanid, hemizygous Tg.rasH2 mice were administered pretomanid once daily by oral gavage for 26 weeks. Male mice were given pretomanid in vehicle at doses of 0, 5, 15 and 40 mg/kg/day and female mice were given pretomanid in vehicle at doses of 0, 10, 30 and 80 mg/kg/day. Positive control mice of both sexes received intraperitoneal injections of urethane at 1000 mg/kg on Days 1, 3 and 5. There were no pretomanid-related early deaths, tumors, non-neoplastic microscopic findings, or gross necropsy findings at any dose level. The positive control gave the anticipated response of lung tumors. Oral administration of pretomanid to mice produced plasma exposure to the parent compound (high dose AUC of pretomanid 3 times the clinical AUC at the maximum recommended human dose) and exposure to the M50 metabolite (less than 10% of pretomanid) at all dose levels in both sexes. These data show that pretomanid was not carcinogenic in a transgenic mouse model at systemic exposures greater than human therapeutic exposures.

The seroprevalence of Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii was researched in swine raised in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Serum samples from 84 pigs from 31 farms were tested using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for both agents. Additionally, 53 samples of pork sausages and tissues destined for human consumption, including: salami, sausage, black pudding, heart, tongue, brain, and rib muscle, were submitted to PCR to detect DNA for each agent. The frequency of anti-Sarcocystis spp. antibodies was 36.9% (31/84), with titers ranging from 32 to 1024, and 25% (21/84) for anti-T. gondii antibodies, with titers ranging from 64 to 2048. Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii DNA were detected in 67.9% (36/53) and 13.2% (7/53) of samples, respectively. The presence of antibodies and the detection of DNA from Sarcocystis spp., and T. gondii suggests that the pigs were infected and may serve as an important reservoir for both parasites. The infection by these protozoa in the swine population is relevant to public health due to their zoonotic potential.

Considering the importance of Haemonchus contortus infection in herds along with parasitic resistance, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of the administration of adjuvants alone or in combination with anthelmintics for the treatment of H. contortus, in experimentally infected sheep. Thirty sheep of the Texel breed of both genders, raised in a herd located in the subtropical region of Brazil, were used in this experiment. Experimental infection with H. contortus was performed in sheep, and the infected sheep were then separated into groups for the administration of antiparasitic and immunostimulant drugs. The results obtained from the excretion of eggs per gram of feces and the count of parasites during necropsy affirm that the use of adjuvants in combination with anthelmintics is associated with higher efficacy of treatment, lower rate of reinfection, and retardation in the development of anthelmintic drug resistance by H. contortus. Based on these results, we can conclude that the combination of anthelmintics and immunostimulants may favor potential anthelmintic treatments for H. contortus. Considerando a importância da infecção por Haemonchus contortus em rebanhos juntamente com a resistência parasitária, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da administração de adjuvantes isolados ou em combinação com o tratamento anti-helmíntico no tratamento de H. contortus em ovinos infectados experimentalmente. Foram utilizados trinta ovinos da raça Texel, de ambos os sexos criados em um rebanho localizado na região subtropical do Brasil, foram utilizados no experimento. A infecção experimental por H. contortus foi realizada em ovinos, separados em grupos para administração de medicamentos antiparasitários e imunoestimulantes. Os resultados obtidos da excreção de ovos por grama de fezes e da contagem de parasitas durante a necropsia afirmam que o uso de adjuvantes em combinação com anti-helmínticos está associado a maior eficácia do tratamento, menor taxa de reinfecção e retardo do processo de desenvolvimento de resistência anti-helmíntica por H. contortus. Com base nesses resultados, podemos concluir que a combinação de anti-helmínticos e imunoestimulantes podem favorecer potenciais tratamentos anti-helmínticos para H. contortus.

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a causative agent of toxoplasmosis, an important and widespread zoonotic disease. The transmission of this disease in humans includes ingestion of sporulated oocysts present in contaminated water or food. T. gondii oocysts are widely distributed and toxoplasmosis is considered a major food- and waterborne pathogen worldwide, making drinking water containing sporulated T. gondii oocysts a major source of contamination for people. In the first half of 2018, an unprecedented outbreak of toxoplasmosis was reported in the city of Santa Maria, southern Brazil. The temporal and spatial distribution of the cases strongly suggested a waterborne infection. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate a possible involvement of treated water as a source of the outbreak. For this, piglets received potentially contaminated water ad libitum for 21 days and the infection was monitored by serology through IFAT and investigation of T. gondii DNA in tissues by PCR amplification of a 529 bp followed by mouse bioassays. All piglets receiving test water ad libitum for 21 days as well as positive controls seroconverted to T. gondii. T. gondii DNA was detected in 62.5% of the piglets that received test water. All mice inoculated with tissues from each positive piglet were PCR-positive. These results strongly indicated the presence of viable oocysts in the test water administered to the animals during the study.

Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy. One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed. Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated. This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.

Reproductive tests in cattle are of great economic importance, given the impact it can have on the production system and may be caused by agents. Neospora caninum and Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) are considered of great importance as reproductive and should be considered responsible for keeping animals persistently infected. The present study included 479 calf serum samples for export in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). All samples were screened for BVDV by an ELISA antigen. BVDV antigen-positive ELISA samples were isolated from BVDV in cell culture. An indirect immunofluorescence (IFT) technique was used to detect anti-N. caninum antibodies. Of the 479 export-treated serum samples, 361 were positive for BVDV antigens by ELISA and/or viral isolation test (361/479-75.36%), and 109 IFT-positive samples for N. caninum (109/479-22.75%). Despite detection of antibodies anti-N. caninum did not differ statistically between naturally infected BVDV and non-BVDV infected animals suggesting that there is no interference of BVDV infection on infection or detection rate of animals with N. caninum, positive animals in viral isolation and high DO in BVDV-Ag ELISA. may present active disease and consequent immunosuppression, contributing to a potential reactivation of N. caninum.

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan, recognized as an important cause of abortion in infection cattle worldwide, and is responsible for major economic losses in beef and dairy herds. There are scarce data on the presence of antibodies in fetal serum samples from beef cattle. The pathogen is straggling mainly by vertical transmission in ruminants. This study aimed to determine the frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies in fetal bovine serum. Overall, 751 fetal serum samples from slaughterhouses in Uruguaiana and Santo Ângelo (Rio Grande do Sul state) were used. Serologic diagnosis was made using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Slides were prepared by culturing infected Vero cells using tachyzoites of the N. caninum NC-1 strain and a serum dilution of 1:25. Of the 751 samples analyzed, 11.7% (88/751) were positive in the IFA assay. The results indicate an occurrence of neosporosis in the studied region, as well as the possibility of transplacental transmission of the protozoon, characterizing an important mechanism of propagation for the disease.

Serological techniques can detect antibodies against Sarcocystis spp., Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antigens in single or mixed infections. Immunofluorescent antibody tests (IFAT) is considered the gold standard technique for Sarcocystosis diagnostic in cattle serum and a positive IFAT result reflects Sarcocystis spp. infection. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to compare IFAT and Dot-blot for sarcocystosis diagnostic in experimentally infected mice and to investigate serological cross-reactions with N. caninum and T. gondii in these methods. Mice (Mus musculus) were inoculated intraperitoneally with bradizoites of Sarcocystis spp. or tachyzoites of N. caninum or T. gondii. Serum samples were obtained and analyzed by IFAT and Dot-blot for the three protozoa. Serum from N. caninum and T. gondii experimentally infected mice were tested by IFAT and reacted only to N. caninum or T. gondii antigens, respectively. Specific antibodies against Sarcocystis spp. were present in all animals experimentally infected with this protozoan, with IFAT titers from 10 to 800. Serum samples from mice experimentally infected with Sarcocystis spp., N. caninum and T. gondii and tested by Dot-blot demonstrated no cross reaction between protozoa. A Dot-blot using Sarcocystis spp. antigen appears to be a good alternative to IFAT in the serological diagnosis of Sarcocystosis.

Toxoplasma gondii is a major cause of reproductive losses in small ruminants in several countries. We describe here an outbreak of T. gondii-associated abortion in sheep in Southern Brazil. The flock was comprised of 55 adult sheep, and late-term abortions and stillbirths were detected in 15/36 (41.66%) gestating ewes. Serum samples collected from 45 sheep were tested for T. gondii through indirect immunofluorescence assay; IgM and IgG positive results were detected in 44.44% (20/45) and 86.67% (39/45) of the cases, respectively. Four fetuses and two placentas were pathologically evaluated. Gross changes were restricted to fetal membranes and were characterized by multifocal white areas in the cotyledons. Microscopically, these areas corresponded to necrotic foci affecting the chorionic epithelium accompanied by rare cysts of T. gondii. The main histological change in fetal tissues consisted of well-demarked and sparsely distributed necrotic foci in the central nervous system. Tissue samples from all four fetuses and one placenta had positive PCR results for T. gondii. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping using ten markers (SAG1, 5'-3'SAG2, alt.SAG2, SGA3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, and PK1) was carried out on one sample, and results were consistent with T. gondii clonal type III (ToxoDB-PCR-RFLP genotype #2, TgCpBr4).

The continental shelf and submarine canyon off Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) were declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) within the Natura 2000 Network in 2014. Implementing an effective management plan to preserve its biological diversity and monitor its evolution through time requires a detailed character ization of its benthic ecosystem. Based on 60 underwater video transects performed between 2007 and 2013 (before the declaration of the SCI), we thoroughly describe the composition and structure of the main mega benthic communities dwelling from the shelf down to 400 m depth inside the submarine canyon. We then mapped the spatial distribution of the benthic communities using the Random Forest algorithm, which incor porated geomorphological and oceanographic layers as predictors, as well as the intensity of the bottom-trawling fishing fleet. Although the study area has historically been exposed to commercial fishing practices, it still holds a rich benthic ecosystem with over 165 different invertebrate (morpho)species of the megafauna identified in the video footage, which form up to 9 distinct megabenthic communities. The continental shelf is home to coral gardens of the sea fan Eunicella cavolini, sea pen and soft coral assemblages, dense beds of the crinoid Leptometra phalangium, diverse sponge grounds and massive aggregations of the brittle star Ophiothrix fragilis. The submarine canyon off Cap de Creus is characterized by a cold-water coral community dominated by the scleractinian coral Madrepora oculata, found in association with several invertebrate species including oysters, brachiopods and a variety of sponge species, as well as by a community dominated by cerianthids and sea urchins, mostly in sedimentary areas. The benthic communities identified in the area were then compared with habitats/biocenoses described in reference habitat classification systems that consider circalittoral and bathyal environments of the Mediterranean. The complex environmental setting characteristic of the marine area off Cap de Creus likely produces the optimal conditions for communities dominated by suspension- and filter-feeding species to develop. The uniqueness of this ecosystem and the anthropogenic pressures that it faces should prompt the development of effective management actions to ensure the long-term conservation of the benthic fauna representative of this marine area, Hermes, Inventariación y designación de la Red Notura 2000 en Áreas Marinas del Estado Español, INDEMARES, DEEP CORAL, SI

Pretomanid is a nitroimidazooxazine antimycobacterial drug that was approved in more than 10 countries as part of a three-drug, all oral regimen, consisting of bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid (BPaL) for 6-months treatment of adults with pulmonary extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) or with complicated forms of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The toxicological profile of pretomanid was thoroughly evaluated in repeat-dose oral toxicity studies up to 39 weeks long in cynomolgus monkeys. Exposures up to 10-fold higher than in humans at the approved pretomanid dose (200 mg) were achieved in acute studies allowing for characterization of dose-limiting toxicity. Target organs and processes identified in acute and chronic toxicity studies included QT prolongation, nervous system effects, and liver effects (minimal hepatocellular hypertrophy without elevations in liver enzymes). In a 13-week study, no cataracts were present at the end of dosing, but 2 of 12 monkeys had cataracts at the end of a 13-week recovery period. No cataracts related to pretomanid administration were observed in subsequent 13-week or 39-week studies. No male reproductive toxicity was observed in these studies. No-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) were identified in all studies. Exposures at the NOAELs equaled, or exceeded, human exposure at the approved pretomanid dose with the exception of female monkeys in a 39-week chronic toxicity study. These data support the use of pretomanid as part of the 6-month BPaL regimen for treating XDR-TB and MDR-TB.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by T. gondii, a protozoa which affects humans and animals and is widely distributed worldwide. In humans, there is great concern due to the serious consequences that can occur in the infection of pregnant women and the newborn. The early diagnosis of gestational toxoplasmosis is important for treatment to be carried out in order to prevent vertical transmission or reduce damage. The diagnosis can be made through the detection of antibodies in pregnant women or neonates and PCR of amniotic fluid. Previous studies have also reported PCR of the placenta as a good diagnostic test. Our study evaluated the detection of T. gondii DNA in placenta samples from parturients seen at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, Southern Brazil and treated during the pregnancy. We performed PCR in forty samples and five were positive, representing 12.5%. When correlating the treatment time and the detection of DNA in the placentas, no significant result was found. The prevalence of positive samples was lower than in other studies in the literature. The data reaffirm the importance of carrying out the analysis of the placenta.

Reports of a lack of efficacy of most of the anthelmintic compounds for ruminants associated with the long-time necessity for creating new molecules have stressed the urgency to adopt alternative methods to control gastrointestinal parasites infection, such as strategies of sharing grazing areas. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate nematode populations affecting cattle and sheep that share grazing areas before and after treatment with different anthelmintic compounds, and investigate the efficacy of anthelmintic treatment in these naturally infected ruminants at farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The presence of co-infections by Haemonchus species was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for groups treated with a benzimidazole. Farms were selected by: farmers’ consent, presence of 42–60 (or more) calves and sheep per farm with counts of ≥ 200 eggs per gram of feces (EPG), availability of calves and lambs aging from 6 to 9 months, absence of anthelmintic treatment for both species for 60 days before the experimental period, and shared grazing areas between this species on each farm. Animals were distributed into six treatment groups for each ruminant species per farm and treated with: ivermectin, doramectin, moxidectin, levamisole, albendazole, and closantel. Levamisol was the most effective anthelmintic compound for both ruminant species. In general, Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were the genus present after tested treatments that were ineffective. PCR showed the presence of Haemonchus species co-infections between cattle and sheep. Therefore, this study demonstrated the similarity between nematode population, the presence of multi-resistant nematodes, and the presence of Haemonchus species co-infections affecting different ruminant species that share pastures.

7 pages, 3 figures, supporting information https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3118, In the Mediterranean Sea, gorgonians are among the main habitat-forming species of benthic communities on the continental shelf and slope, playing an important ecological role in coral gardens. In areas where bottom trawling is restricted, gorgonians represent one of the main components of trammel net bycatch. Since gorgonians are long-lived and slow-growing species, impacts derived from fishing activities can have far-reaching and long-lasting effects, jeopardizing their long-term viability. Thus, mitigation and ecological restoration initiatives focusing on gorgonian populations on the continental shelf are necessary to enhance and speed up their natural recovery. Bycatch gorgonians from artisanal fishermen were transplanted into artificial structures, which were then deployed at 85 m depth on the outer continental shelf of the marine protected area of Cap de Creus (north-west Mediterranean Sea, Spain). After 1 year, high survival rates of transplanted colonies (87.5%) were recorded with a hybrid remotely operated vehicle. This pilot study shows, for the first time, the survival potential of bycatch gorgonians once returned to their habitat on the continental shelf, and suggests the potential success of future scaled-up restoration activities, This study was developed within the frame of the ShelfReCover project (Ecological restoration of benthic ecosystem engineers on the Mediterranean continental shelf project) funded by the Fundación BBVA. Funding was also provided by the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 689518 (MERCES). This output reflects only the authors’ views, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein. M. Montseny was founded by an FPU 2014 research grant (FPU2014_06977) from the Spanish government. A. Gori received funding from a Beatriu de Pinos 2013 research grant (BP‐B00074) from the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU‐funded project Ithaca, as well as from a Juan de la Cierva 2015 research grant (IJCI‐2015‐23962) from the Spanish government

Eimeria spp. infection is one of the main diseases that affect young cattle in beef and dairy herds, leading to economic losses and compromising the performance and growth of animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different protocols of metaphylactic treatment with 5% toltrazuril (15 mg/kg) in naturally infected, extensively reared beef calves from birth to 1 year of age. We used 92 calves aged up to 2 weeks of life, initially divided into two experimental groups: treated and control. The animals were evaluated fortnightly with individual count of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) tests until weaning; thereafter, they were again divided into four subgroups: I-treated at both birth and weaning; II-treated at birth but not treated at weaning; III-not treated at birth but treated at weaning; and IV-neither treated at birth nor at weaning (control). During the experimental period, the animals were evaluated for weight gain, excretion of oocysts, and presence of pathogenic species of Eimeria spp. In the first stage of the study, less oocysts were excreted in the treated group for up to 75 days and at 150 days of age (p0.05). In the final stage of the study, significant differences occur between groups I and II, I and IV, II and III, and III and IV (p = 0.3512), in the collection 20 days after treatment. Eimeria bovis was the most frequently identified species during the experimental period. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the presence of diarrhea in the calves and the number of oocysts excreted, treated group (p = 0.0092) and untreated group (p = 0.2). There was no significant difference in weight gain of animals in any of the study periods (p0.05).

PurposeRadiodermatitis is likely to be an inevitable side effect of radiotherapy (RT) but experiencing pain relief during RT might contribute making treatment more acceptable and less impairing. The current study aimed to assess the subjective perceptions and experiences of skin toxicity in a sample of women undergoing adjuvant RT for breast cancer.MethodsEighty patients were randomly assigned to one out of two groups: treatment (i.e., a newly developed topical product) and control (i.e., standard-of-care). Patients underwent adjuvant RT for 3 weeks. Clinical assessment of radiodermatitis and self-reported levels of pain, relief, and perceptions of treatment response were collected at the initiation of RT (T1), during RT (T2 and T3), and 2 weeks after treatment completion (T4). To assess changes in skin-related QoL, a subgroup of patients completed the Padua Skin-Related QoL questionnaire at T0 (before the initiation of RT) and at T4.ResultsA comparable timing of onset and severity of radiodermatitis during treatment was observed in both groups. The treatment group reported lower levels of pain and higher levels of relief compared to the control group when skin toxicity was at its highest levels (T2 and T3). Independent of the group, levels of perceived improvements in clinical status increased over time, whereas skin-related QoL worsened from T0 to T4.ConclusionCurrent findings outline the relevance of integrating clinical evaluations of radiodermatitis with patients’ subjective experiences of skin toxicity in interventional studies. Moreover, they provide preliminary evidence about the soothing effect of a newly developed topical product, thus supporting its usefulness of as a supportive care.

5 pages, 2 figures, supplementary information https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-021-01243-3, Sea pens (Octocorallia, Pennatulacea) are a specialized and morphologically distinct group of octocorals. The majority of them have adapted to survive on soft sediments with the help of an anchoring muscular peduncle. The whip-like sea pen Protoptilum carpenteri is considered a deep-sea North Atlantic species, which recently has been documented also in the Mediterranean Sea, where its actual distribution and abundance are still unknown. Even less is known about its ecology and behaviour, its reactions after disturbance, and its possible escape strategies. Several species of pennatulaceans can withdraw partially or completely into the sediment, following an apparent rhythmic but unsynchronized procedure that is usually preceded by the closure of the autozooids and the expulsion of the water contained within the colony. The present study reports and discusses for the first time the extremely fast withdrawal behaviour of P. cf. carpenteri after in situ disturbance, This study was funded by ABRIC project (Ref. RTI2018-096434-B-I00). [...] We also recognize the institutional support of the Spanish Government through the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Tesi amb diferents seccions retallades per drets de l'editor Knowledge of the abundance, distribution patterns, and population ecology of antarctic benthic biodiversity have increased considerably during the last decades. Antarctic marine benthic biodiversity has been sampled primarily in areas close to research stations and mainly at shallow depths since more than 100 years using a range of sampling methods, including benthic sleds or trawls and grabs each of which targets a particular community or habitat. Recent technological advances and increased availability of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), manned submersibles, and video equipped towed gears have significantly increased accessibility to mid and outer continental shelves, continental slopes, submarine canyons and seamounts, thus allowing the direct observation and quantitative study of megabenthic assemblages wthout any impact on the benthic community. Due to the high cost and logistics of these benthic sampling, particularly in Antarctica, studies are often limited to only one biological sampling method. Results of biodiversity studies are used for a range of purposes, including taxonomy, trophic ecology, growth rates, reproductive ecology, environmental impact assessments, and predictive modelling, all of which underpin appropriate marine resource management. However, the generality of marine biodiversity patterns identified among different sampling methods is unknown. This is one of the resons why more comparative studies are necessary to better understand the ecosystem patterns and processes in antactic regions in a context of climate change scenario. Major regions of the Antarctic shelf appear to be undergoing rapid climate change, such as warming on the Antarctic Peninsula in the past few decades. Such climate change will affect benthic ecosystems through changes in benthic-pelagic coupling. For these porpouse this tesis pretend to generally understand the distribution and the eocological paper that benthic organisms have on the benthic ecosystem of the antarctic continental shelf. This thesis includes for chapters In the first chapter we investigate ophiuroid assemblages in terms of the distribution and diversity patterns at three different environmental regimes and depths in the Antarctic Peninsula. In the second chapter we assessed the health status of Antarctic gorgonian assemblages in a pristine and remote area in the southernmost part of the Weddell Sea continental shelf. In the third chapter we compared the performance of two sampling gears by assessing quantitative data on the continental shelf of three oceanographically very distinct regions in Antarctic Peninsula. Finally in the fourth chapter we tried to understand the way in which a gorgonian population affects the diversity of the surrounding megafaunal species, by characterizing gorgonian assemblages dwelling on two very contrasting continental shelves. El conocimiento de la abundancia, los patrones de distribución y la ecología de población de la biodiversidad bentónica antártica ha aumentado considerablemente durante las últimas décadas. La biodiversidad bentónica marina antártica se ha muestreado principalmente en áreas cercanas a las estaciones de investigación y principalmente a poca profundidad desde hace más de 100 años utilizando una variedad de métodos de muestreo, incluidos trineos o redes de arrastre bentónicos, cada uno de los cuales se dirige a una comunidad o hábitat en particular. Los recientes avances tecnológicos y una mayor disponibilidad de vehículos operados a distancia (ROV), sumergibles tripulados y aparatos de muestreo equipados con videocámara han aumentado significativamente la accesibilidad a las plataformas continentales, taludes continentales, cañones submarinos y montañas submarinas, lo que permite la observación directa y el estudio cuantitativo de comunidades megabentónicas sin ningún impacto en la comunidad misma. Debido al alto coste y la compleja logística de estos muestreos, particularmente en la Antártida, los estudios que se generan a menudo se limitan a un solo método de muestreo biológico. Los resultados de los estudios de biodiversidad se utilizan para una variedad de propósitos, que incluyen taxonomía, ecología trófica, tasas de crecimiento, ecología reproductiva, evaluaciones de impacto ambiental y modelos predictivos, todos los cuales sustentan la gestión adecuada de los recursos marinos. Sin embargo, se desconoce la generalidad de los patrones de biodiversidad marina que se pueden identificar entre los diferentes métodos de muestreo. Esta es una de las razones por las que se necesitan más estudios comparativos para comprender mejor los patrones y procesos de los ecosistemas en las regiones antárticas en un contexto de escenario de cambio climático. Las principales regiones de la plataforma antártica parecen estar experimentando un cambio climático rápido, como el calentamiento en la Península Antártica en las últimas décadas. Dicho cambio climático afectará a los ecosistemas bentónicos a través de cambios en el acoplamiento bento-pelágico. Para estos motivos esta tesis tiene como objetivo general comprender la distribución y el papel ecológico que tienen los organismos bentónicos sobre el ecosistema bentónico de la plataforma continental antártica. Esta tesis incluye cuatro capítulos En el primer capítulo se investigan las asociaciones de ofiuras en términos de patrones de distribución y diversidad en tres regímenes ambientales y profundidades diferentes en la Península Antártica. En el segundo capítulo se evalúa el estado de salud de las poplaciones de gorgonias antárticas en un área prístina y remota en la parte más meridional de la plataforma continental del mar de Weddell. En el tercer capítulo se compara el rendimiento de dos artes de muestreo mediante la evaluación de datos cuantitativos en la plataforma continental de tres regiones oceanográficamente muy distintas en la Península Antártica. Finalmente, en el cuarto capítulo se trata de entender la forma en que una población de gorgonias afecta la diversidad de las especies de megafauna asociadas, caracterizando conjuntamente dos poblaciones de gorgonias que habitan en dos plataformas continentales muy diferentes.

3 pages, 1 figure, [EN] During the 20th and 21st centuries, the growing demand for marine resources by Mediterranean countries has led to a gradual increase in fishing pressure. As a result, both coastal and continental Mediterranean waters have suffered from the impacts of trawling and, to a lesser extent, of artisanal fishing with longlines, trammel nets and other minor fishing gear (Grinyó et al. 2021, Demestre et al. 2021). Following the indications proposed by the European Marine Strategy, a set of particularly vulnerable areas has begun to be delimited, and protection measures are to be implemented for their conservation (Law 41/2010, of 29 December, on marine protection; https://www.boe.es/eli/s/l/2010/12/29/41). These areas seek to develop integrated policies to promote sustainable fishing practices that prevent the over-exploitation of natural resources while at the same time mitigating the impacts that may occur on benthic habitats, which are those found directly on the seafloor. Although fisher’s gilds are still operative in most marine protected areas, only a minority of scientific studies and management plans have integrated the experience and knowledge of fishers in such areas. This scant involvement of fishers in drawing up the management measures often results in their opposition to them, as well as a lack of motivation regarding proposals for a more sustaniable explotation and preservation of the marine environment. […], [ES] Durante los siglos XX y XXI, la creciente demanda de recursos marinos por parte de los países mediterráneos ha conllevado un aumento progresivo de la presión pesquera. Como consecuencia, tanto los fondos litorales como los de la plataforma continental han sufrido y sufren los impactos de la pesca de arrastre, y en menor medida, de la pesca artesanal con palangre, trasmallo de fondo y otros artes de pesca menores (Demestre et al. 2021, Grinyó et al. 2021). En este sentido, y siguiendo las indicaciones propuestas por la Estrategia Marina Europea, se ha empezado a delimitar un conjunto de áreas especialmente vulnerables donde se pretende aplicar medidas de protección para la conservación de sus fondos (Ley 41/2010, de 29 de diciembre, de protección del medio marino; https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2010/12/29/41). En estas áreas se busca desarrollar políticas integradas para promover prácticas de pesca sostenible que eviten la sobreexplotación de los recursos naturales y al mismo tiempo permitan mitigar los impactos que puedan producirse sobre los hábitats bentónicos, que son aquellos que se encuentran directamente sobre el lecho marino. A pesar de que actualmente en la mayoría de las áreas marinas protegidas siguen trabajando pescadores, sólo una minoría de los estudios científicos y planes de gestión han integrado la experiencia y el conocimiento de los mismos sobre dichas zonas. Esta escasa implicación de los pescadores en la elaboración de las distintas medidas de gestión suele generar un rechazo de las mismas por parte del sector pesquero, lo que a menudo conlleva una falta de motivación a la hora de implementar propuestas para conservar el medio marino y buscar un uso más sostenible del mismo. […], [CAT] Durant els segles XX i XXI, la creixent demanda de recursos marins per part dels països mediterranis ha comportat un augment progressiu de la pressió pesquera. Com a conseqüència, tant els fons litorals com els de la plataforma continental mediterrània han sofert i sofreixen els impactes de la pesca d’arrossegament, i en menor mesura de la pesca artesanal amb palangre, tresmall de fons i altres arts de pesca menors (Grinyó et al. 2021, Demestre et al. 2021). En aquest sentit, i seguint les indicacions proposades per l’Estratègia Marina Europea, s’ha començat a delimitar un conjunt d’àrees especialment vulnerables on es pretén aplicar mesures de protecció per a la conservació dels seus fons (Llei 41/2010, de 29 de desembre, de protecció del medi marí; https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2010/12/29/41). En aquestes àrees es busca desenvolupar polítiques integrades per a promoure pràctiques de pesca sostenible que evitin la sobreexplotació dels recursos naturals i al mateix temps permetin mitigar els impactes que puguin produir-se sobre els hàbitats bentònics, que són aquells que es localitzen directament sobre el llit marí. En aquest sentit, tot i que en l’actualitat en la majoria de les àrees marines protegides continuen treballant-hi pescadors, només una minoria dels estudis científics i plans de gestió han integrat l’experiència i el coneixement dels pescadors sobre aquestes zones. Aquesta escassa implicació dels pescadors en l’elaboració de les diferents mesures de gestió sol generar un rebuig de les mateixes per part del sector pesquer, la qual cosa sovint comporta una falta de motivació a l’hora d’implementar propostes per a conservar el medi marí i buscar una explotació més sostenible d’aquest. […]

12 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, supplementary data https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109301, Cold-water gorgonians dwelling on the continental shelf are a common by-catch of bottom-contact fishing practices. Given the slow growth and limited recruitment of cold-water gorgonians, the impact of fishing activities may seriously compromise the conservation of the highly complex coral gardens communities. For this reason, the development of effective active and passive restoration methods is nowadays a priority in order to enhance the natural recovery of impacted cold-water coral gardens. However, the ecological restoration of mesophotic and deep-sea communities remains extremely limited, due to its technological requirements and associated costs, which bring its wide-scale and long-term application into question. This study reports the preliminary results of the first large-scale active restoration of more than 400 cold-water gorgonians on the Mediterranean continental shelf. By actively involving local fishers during two consecutive fishing seasons, by-catch gorgonians were recovered and returned to the continental shelf (at 80–90 m depth). The monitoring surveys performed by using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) revealed that 460 gorgonian transplants survived over an area of 0.23 ha. The reintroduced cold-water gorgonian population was compared to a reference natural population in terms of size and spatial structure. The cost of the restoration amounted to 140,000 €/ha, which is significantly lower than that of any deep-sea restoration actions performed to date. The results of this cost-effective active restoration highlight the viability of large-scale restoration of impacted cold-water coral communities, with promising results for the conservation and recovery of mesophotic and deep-sea ecosystems, This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, Grant/Award Number: No 689518 (MERCES); the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition through the Pleamar Programme (RESCAP project), co-funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; Spanish Ministry for Education, Culture and Sports, Grant/Award Number: FPU 2014_06977 (FPU 2014 grant), and the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness, Grant/Award Number: IJCI-2015-23962 (JdC 2015 grant)., CL acknowledges the financial support from ICREA [ICREA Academia programme], With the institutional support of the ‘Severo OchoaCentre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by T. gondii, a protozoa which affects humans and animals and is widely distributed worldwide. In humans, there is great concern due to the serious consequences that can occur in the infection of pregnant women and the newborn. The early diagnosis of gestational toxoplasmosis is important for treatment to be carried out in order to prevent vertical transmission or reduce damage. The diagnosis can be made through the detection of antibodies in pregnant women or neonates and PCR of amniotic fluid. Previous studies have also reported PCR of the placenta as a good diagnostic test. Our study evaluated the detection of T. gondii DNA in placenta samples from parturients seen at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, Southern Brazil and treated during the pregnancy. We performed PCR in forty samples and five were positive, representing 12.5%. When correlating the treatment time and the detection of DNA in the placentas, no significant result was found. The prevalence of positive samples was lower than in other studies in the literature. The data reaffirm the importance of carrying out the analysis of the placenta. Key words: Placenta, PCR, toxoplasmosis.

Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy.One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed.Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated.This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.

Sarcocystosis is a disease caused by various Sarcocystis species, a coccidian protozoan parasite that infects humans and animals and is commonly found in ruminants. Although Sarcocystis occurs all over the world, the species responsible for infecting buffaloes in Brazil have not been identified. In this study, we used molecular methods to estimate the prevalence of natural Sarcocystis infection in buffaloes. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted for the first time to identify the species of this protozoan that are responsible for infecting buffalos in southern Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state. Heart samples from 80 buffaloes were subjected to microscopic examination followed by molecular analysis. Microcysts were present in 19 (23.75%) of 80 samples. The genomic DNA from the 19 cyst samples was extracted and amplified, and six sequences were obtained. The analysis was performed with the StandenPackage software, and the nucleotide sequences generated were analyzed by comparison with sequences in GenBank. All the sequenced samples were identified as Sarcocystis levinei. HIGHLIGHTS

12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, supplementary material https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2018.02.002, Highly diverse megabenthic assemblages dominated by passive and active suspension feeders have been recently reported in shelf edge environments of the Mediterranean Sea. Due to their frequent association with species of commercial interest, these assemblages have been heavily impacted by fishing. The vulnerability and low resilience of these assemblages, composed mainly by long-living and slow-growing species, have motivated the implementation of management measures such as the restriction of bottom trawling, and the establishment of large protected areas embracing these environments. The Menorca Channel is one of such areas recently included in the European Union Natura 2000 network. Quantitative analysis of video transects recorded at 95–360 m depth by manned submersible and remotely operated vehicles were used to characterize megabenthic assemblages and to assess their geographical and bathymetric distribution. Six different assemblages were identified, mainly segregated by substrate type and depth. Hard substrates hosted coral gardens and sponge grounds, whereas soft sediments were mainly characterized by large extensions of the crinoid Leptometra phalangium and the brachiopod Gryphus vitreus. The good preservation of most of the observed assemblages is probably related to a low bottom trawling pressure, which mainly concentrates deeper on the adjacent continental slope. Because of their biological and ecological value, management and conservation measures need to be established to preserve these benthic assemblages, This work was funded by the European project LIFE+ INDEMARES “Inventario y designación de la red Natura 2000 en áreas marinas del estado español” (LIFE07/NAT/E/000732)

10 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, supplementary data https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2020.102435, Image-based research in mesophotic and deep environments of the Mediterranean Sea has significantly increased during the past decades. So far, this research has been focused on the ecology of key structuring organisms such as scleractinians, antipatharians, gorgonians or large demosponges. However, the ecology of true soft corals has barely been studied and is still in a very preliminary stage. To overcome this situation, soft coral assemblages in shelf and slope environments of the Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean Sea) have been studied through the quantitative analysis of 85 video transect recorded over 38500 m2. Highest soft coral diversity was encountered on the shelf edge, resembling deep Mediterranean gorgonian patterns. Three soft coral assemblages, segregated by depth, substrate, and slope were identified: two monospecific ones composed by Nidalia studeri and Alcyonium palmatum, respectively and a multispecific one composed by Paralcyonium spinulosum, Alcyonium sp., Chironephthya mediterranea and Daniela koreni. The evaluated species presented average densities within the same range as other deep Mediterranean anthozoans ranging from 1 to 9 col.·m¿2. However, N. studeri and P. spinulosum punctually formed dense monospecific aggregations, reaching maximum densities of 49 col.·m¿2 and 60 col.·m¿2 respectively. Both species monopolized vast extensions of the continental shelf and shelf edge. The identification and ecological characterization of these assemblages brings new insight about deep Mediterranean anthozoan communities, and provides baseline for future management plans in the study area, This work was funded by the European project LIFE + INDEMARES ‘‘Inventario y designación de la Red Natura 2000 en áreas marinas del estado español” (LIFE07/NAT/E/000732) and the EU-ENPI CBC-Med project ECOSAFIMED "Towards Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Fisheries in the Mediterranean basin"(ENPI-ECOSAFIMED-II-B/2.1/1073, With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por Stefano Ambroso para obtener el título de Doctor en Ciencias del Mar por la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), realizada bajo la dirección del Dr. Josep-Maria Gili Sardà del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) y de la Dra. Nuria Teixidó Ullod de la Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.-- 140 pages, figures, tables, annexes, [EN] Knowledge of the abundance, distribution patterns, and population ecology of Antarctic benthic biodiversity have increased considerably during the last decades. Antarctic marine benthic biodiversity has been sampled primarily in areas close to research stations and mainly at shallow depths since more than 100 years using a range of sampling methods, including benthic sleds or trawls and grabs each of which targets a particular community or habitat. Recent technological advances and increased availability of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), manned submersibles, and video equipped towed gears have significantly increased accessibility to mid and outer continental shelves, continental slopes, submarine canyons and seamounts, thus allowing the direct observation and quantitative study of megabenthic assemblages without any impact on the benthic community. Due to the high cost and logistics of these benthic sampling, particularly in Antarctica, studies are often limited to only one biological sampling method. Results of biodiversity studies are used for a range of purposes, including taxonomy, trophic ecology, growth rates, reproductive ecology, environmental impact assessments, and predictive modelling, all of which underpin appropriate marine resource management. However, the generality of marine biodiversity patterns identified among different sampling methods is unknown. This is one of the reasons why more comparative studies are necessary to better understand the ecosystem patterns and processes in Antarctic regions in a context of climate change scenario. Major regions of the Antarctic shelf appear to be undergoing rapid climate change, such as warming on the Antarctic Peninsula in the past few decades. Such climate change will affect benthic ecosystems through changes in benthic-pelagic coupling. For this porpoise this thesis pretends to generally understand the distribution and the ecological paper that benthic organisms have on the benthic ecosystem of the Antarctic continental shelf. This thesis includes for chapters. In the first chapter we compared the performance of two sampling gears by assessing quantitative data on the continental shelf of three oceanographically very distinct regions in Antarctic Peninsula. In the second chapter we investigate ophiuroid assemblages in terms of the distribution and diversity patterns at three different environmental regimes and depths in the Antarctic Peninsula. In the third chapter we assessed the health status of Antarctic gorgonian assemblages in a pristine and remote area in the southernmost part of the Weddell Sea continental shelf. Finally, in the fourth chapter we tried to understand the way in which a gorgonian population affects the diversity of the surrounding megafaunal species, by characterizing gorgonian assemblages dwelling on two very contrasting continental shelves, [ES] El conocimiento de la abundancia, los patrones de distribución y la ecología de población de la biodiversidad bentónica antártica ha aumentado considerablemente durante las últimas décadas. La biodiversidad bentónica marina antártica se ha muestreado principalmente en áreas cercanas a las estaciones de investigación y principalmente a poca profundidad desde hace más de 100 años utilizando una variedad de métodos de muestreo, incluidos trineos o redes de arrastre bentónicos, cada uno de los cuales se dirige a una comunidad o hábitat en particular. Los recientes avances tecnológicos y una mayor disponibilidad de vehículos operados a distancia (ROV), sumergibles tripulados y aparatos de muestreo equipados con videocámara han aumentado significativamente la accesibilidad a las plataformas continentales, taludes continentales, cañones submarinos y montañas submarinas, lo que permite la observación directa y el estudio cuantitativo de comunidades megabentónicas sin ningún impacto en la comunidad misma. Debido al alto coste y la compleja logística de estos muestreos, particularmente en la Antártida, los estudios que se generan a menudo se limitan a un solo método de muestreo biológico. Los resultados de los estudios de biodiversidad se utilizan para una variedad de propósitos, que incluyen taxonomía, ecología trófica, tasas de crecimiento, ecología reproductiva, evaluaciones de impacto ambiental y modelos predictivos, todos los cuales sustentan la gestión adecuada de los recursos marinos. Sin embargo, se desconoce la generalidad de los patrones de biodiversidad marina que se pueden identificar entre los diferentes métodos de muestreo. Esta es una de las razones por las que se necesitan más estudios comparativos para comprender mejor los patrones y procesos de los ecosistemas en las regiones antárticas en un contexto de escenario de cambio climático. Las principales regiones de la plataforma antártica parecen estar experimentando un cambio climático rápido, como el calentamiento en la Península Antártica en las últimas décadas. Dicho cambio climático afectará a los ecosistemas bentónicos a través de cambios en el acoplamiento bento pelágico. Para estos motivos esta tesis tiene como objetivo general comprender la distribución y el papel ecológico que tienen los organismos bentónicos sobre el ecosistema bentónico de la plataforma continental antártica. Esta tesis incluye cuatro capítulos. En el primer capítulo se compara el rendimiento de dos artes de muestreo mediante la evaluación de datos cuantitativos en la plataforma continental de tres regiones oceanográficamente muy distintas en la Península Antártica. En el segundo capítulo se investigan las asociaciones de ofiuras en términos de patrones de distribución y diversidad en tres regímenes ambientales y profundidades diferentes en la Península Antártica. En el tercer capítulo se evalúa el estado de salud de las poblaciones de gorgonias antárticas en un área prístina y remota en la parte más meridional de la plataforma continental del mar de Weddell. Finalmente, en el cuarto capítulo se trata de entender la forma en que una población de gorgonias afecta la diversidad de las especies de megafauna asociadas, caracterizando conjuntamente dos poblaciones de gorgonias que habitan en dos plataformas continentales muy diferentes, This work has been developed within the ECOWED project, Ministerio Español de Economía y Competitividad (Ref.CTM2012-39350-C02-01)

6 pages, 4 figures, [EN] In recent years, the role of marine sessile organisms in the energy transfer processes in coastal ecosystems and the continental shelf has become evident. Many of those known as benthic suspension feeders use the “fine fraction” of matter in suspension or microplankton as a food source and this could be important for an understanding of these organisms’ success in various locations on the planet. Because of their great abundance, suspension feeder communities capture large amounts of particles and can regulate primary production directly, while indirectly regulating secondary production in the food chains of the coastline and the continental shelf. This paper reviews the available information on the functions performed by benthic suspension feeders in the coastal and platform communities, emphasizing their ecological importance, [CAT] En els darrers anys s’ha fet evident el paper primordial dels organismes marins sèssils en els processos de transferència d’energia en els ecosistemes litorals i de plataforma. Molts dels coneguts com a suspensívors bentònics empren com a font alimentària la «fracció fina» de la matèria en suspensió o microplàncton, i això podria ser important per entendre l’èxit d’aquests organismes en diverses localitzacions del planeta. A causa de la seva gran abundància, les comunitats de suspensívors capturen elevades quantitats de partícules i poden regular directament la producció primària, regulant alhora indirectament la producció secundària a les cadenes alimentàries del litoral i de plataforma. Aquest article se centra principalment a revisar la informació disponible relacionada amb les funcions que realitzen els suspensívors bentònics a lescomunitats litorals i de plataforma, i en destaca la rellevància ecològica, With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

Knowledge on basic biological functions of organisms is essential to understand not only the role they play in the ecosystems but also to manage and protect their populations. The study of biological processes, such as growth, reproduction and physiology, which can be approachedin situor by collecting specimens and rearing them in aquaria, is particularly challenging for deep-sea organisms like cold-water corals. Field experimental work and monitoring of deep-sea populations is still a chimera. Only a handful of research institutes or companies has been able to installin situmarine observatories in the Mediterranean Sea or elsewhere, which facilitate a continuous monitoring of deep-sea ecosystems. Hence, today’s best way to obtain basic biological information on these organisms is (1) working with collected samples and analysing thempost-mortemand / or (2) cultivating corals in aquaria in order to monitor biological processes and investigate coral behaviour and physiological responses under different experimental treatments. The first challenging aspect is the collection process, which implies the use of oceanographic research vessels in most occasions since these organisms inhabit areas between ca. 150 m to more than 1000 m depth, and specific sampling gears. The next challenge is the maintenance of the animals on board (in situations where cruises may take weeks) and their transport to home laboratories. Maintenance in the home laboratories is also extremely challenging since special conditions and set-ups are needed to conduct experimental studies to obtain information on the biological processes of these animals. The complexity of the natural environment from which the corals were collected cannot be exactly replicated within the laboratory setting; a fact which has led some researchers to question the validity of work and conclusions drawn from such undertakings. It is evident that aquaria experiments cannot perfectly reflect the real environmental and trophic conditions where these organisms occur, but: (1)in most cases we do not have the possibility to obtain equivalentin situinformation and (2) even with limitations, they produce relevant information about the biological limits of the species, which is especially valuable when considering potential future climate change scenarios. This chapter includes many contributions from different authors and is envisioned as both to be a practical “handbook” for conducting cold-water coral aquaria work, whilst at the same time offering an overview on the cold-water coral research conducted in Mediterranean laboratories equipped with aquaria infrastructure. Experiences from Atlantic and Pacific laboratories with extensive experience with cold-water coral work have also contributed to this chapter, as their procedures are valuable to any researcher interested in conducting experimental work with cold-water corals in aquaria. It was impossible to include contributions from all laboratories in the world currently working experimentally with cold-water corals in the laboratory, but at the conclusion of the chapter we attempt, to our best of our knowledge, to supply a list of several laboratories with operational cold-water coral aquaria facilities.

Special issue Bridging the gap between the shallow and deep oceans: The key role of submarine canyons.-- 13 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, The impacts of fishing activities on ecosystems represent an acknowledged environmental issue, especially considering the increasing demands for the conservation of biodiversity. Submarine canyons are complex environments that can harbor high biodiversity of benthic ecosystems and high biomass of fish species, thus representing preferential fishing areas for bottom trawling fleets. The effects of bottom trawling on the benthic epifauna were investigated over the soft-bottom margins of the Gioia Canyon (Southeastern Tyrrhenian Sea) by means of quantitative analysis of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) video transects and compared with the recent pattern of trawling intensity, reconstructed through processing of data collected with the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Four ROV transects were then performed at 320–540 m depth in areas affected by different trawling pressure. The analysis was focused on the bamboo coral Isidella elongata and the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis, which are considered indicator taxa of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and relevant in terms of sustainable management priorities. I. elongata only occurred at the two deeper stations, below 400 m depth. This species showed a clear relationship with trawling intensity, since its abundance was significantly higher under low trawling intensity, where coexistence of large (>20 cm height) and small colonies was observed. The relatively high prevalence of small colonies in areas exposed to higher trawling effort was interpreted as a consequence of the trawling activity that removed the larger colonies. However, the frequent occurrence of dead colonies and the diffuse presence of epibionts (e.g. the anemone Amphianthus dohrnii and the hydroid Clytia linearis) on living colonies indicate stressful conditions for I. elongata even in areas where trawling intensity was lower. Conversely, the relationship between trawling intensity and species abundance was not straightforward for F. quadrangularis; despite the lowest abundance of this species was recorded in areas subject to high trawling intensity, relatively high abundances were observed in areas with intermediate trawling effort. Although such distribution may be driven by other environmental factors, it suggests that vulnerability to bottom trawling can be different for the two species

Special issue on High environmental variability and steep biological gradients in the waters off the northern Antarctic Peninsula.-- 15 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables, supplementary material https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1911-4, Benthic ecological surveys using standardized methods are crucial for assessing changes associated with several threats in the Southern Ocean. The acquisition of data on assemblage structure over a variety of spatial scales is important to understand the variation of biodiversity patterns. During the ANT XXIX/3 (PS81) expedition of RV Polarstern, three different regions at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula were sampled: the northwestern Weddell Sea, the Bransfield Strait, and the northern boundary of the South Shetland Archipelago in the Drake Passage. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution and biodiversity patterns of ophiuroid assemblages in these regions and depths. We quantified different community parameters in terms of the number of species, abundance, and biomass. Additionally, we calculated various components of species diversity (alpha, beta, and gamma diversity) over the three regions. Based on the benthic surveys, we collected 3331 individuals that were identified to species level (17 species). Overall, species diversity, as measured based on rarefaction, species richness and evenness estimators, was higher in the Bransfield Strait compared to the Weddell Sea and Drake Passage. Two deep stations in the Weddell Sea showed high dominance only of Ophionotus victoriae. Significant differences in the patterns of alpha diversity were found among the regions but not between depth zones, whereas beta diversity showed no differences. Regarding the resemblance among the ophiuroid assemblages of each region, there was a significant gradient from east to west with a maximum distance between the stations in the Drake Passage and the Weddell Sea. This study provides a baseline for detecting potential effects related to climate change, and it furnishes a basis for the implementation of monitoring schemes of Antarctic assemblage, Cruise participation of PLG and NT was supported by the Spanish National Project ECOWED (CTM2012-39350-C02-01)

7 pages, 6 figures, Nowadays, there are an increasing number of reports of deep-sea accumulation of marine debris, often associated with a wide array of pernicious effects on benthic fauna. Nevertheless, there is still a huge knowledge gap regarding the interaction of benthic organisms and marine debris. In this paper, we report for the first time the colonization of plastic debris by the protected sponges Lycopodina hypogea. The sponges were discovered growing on plastic debris tangled with nylon ropes on the Blanes canyon (northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Over 30 individuals of L. hypogea were identified attached on ca. 10 cm2 plastic debris, an unusual feature for a species mostly known for low-density populations and a patchy distribution. The implications of this discovery are discussed, and it is suggested that marine debris might provide substrate for benthic species on otherwise unsuitable habitats, with its possible role as stepping-stones for deep-sea benthic connectivity needing further study, This work received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (ABRIC Project, Ref. RTI2018-096434-B-I00), With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)