Search

14 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, supplementary material https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14110, To obtain a better understanding of the functioning of ecosystems and how they respond to disturbance, it is necessary to identify the relevant biotic interactions and specific trophic roles. Predation is one of the most important biotic interactions that can also define the spatial patterns of other species. Many predators are considered key species for the functioning and maintenance of ecosystems, as they play an important ecological role that can influence the dynamics at lower trophic levels. The Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus is one of the most valued European fishing stocks. However, its value and capture have declined over the last decade. In the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua is the main predator of N. norvegicus. However, this species is not present in the Mediterranean Sea, and little is known about which species might prey on N. norvegicus in this area. Here, we combine 2 methodologies—genetic identification of stomach contents and stable isotope analyses—to identify, for the first time, the main predators of N. norvegicus in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we have created the Predation Index, which determines the most influential predator affecting N. norvegicus population dynamics. Our results reveal that the major predators are the cephalopods Sepietta spp. and Abralia veranyi, which probably affect the early stages of N. norvegicus, followed by the elasmobranch Scyliorhinus canicula and the bony fishes Merluccius merluccius, Trigla lyra, and Conger conger. To evaluate possible fluctuations in the N. norvegicus population, we consider the assessment of these predator populations crucial, M.V. was supported by a predoctoral fellowship of the FPU program of the Spanish Government (FPU18/01775). J.N. and J.G. were funded by the Spanish National Program Ramón y Cajal (RYC-2015-17809) and Juan de la Cierva-Formación (FJC2019-040016-I) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain, respectively. This study is part of the projects RESNEP (CTM2017-82991-C2-1-R) and BITER (PID2020-114732RB-C31) financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain. This work acknowledges the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

XIII Reunión del Foro Científico sobre la pesca española en el Mediterráneo, 20-21 de septiembre de 2022, La Ràpita.-- 6 pages, 2 figures, El mar Mediterráneo contiene entre el 7 y el 10 % de la biodiversidad marina del planeta y sostiene una actividad pesquera importante tanto a nivel social como económico. [...]

XIII Reunión del Foro Científico sobre la pesca española en el Mediterráneo, 20-21 de septiembre de 2022, La Ràpita.-- 5 pages, 3 figures, La pesquería de cerco española del Mediterráneo se encuentra ante un doble reto ecológico y socioeconómico. [...]

Individual stable isotope data.

14 pages, 6 figures, 1 table.-- Open access, Dolphins play a key role in marine food webs as predators of mid-trophic-level consumers. Because of their mobility and relatively long life span, they can be used as indicators oflarge-scale changes in the ecosystem. In this study, we calculated the trophic position (TP) of 5 dolphin species from the Canary, Madeira and Azores Islands using bulk and compound-specific stable isotope ratios from muscle tissue to assess trophic adaptations to recent changes in the availability of feeding resources. Dolphin TP values were then compared with those of 7 other species of cetaceans from this region. Analysis of stable nitrogen isotopes in amino acids of the common dolphin indicated non-significant effects of changes in the basal resources of the food web and thus supported the use of bulk samples for TP estimations. Dolphins occupied an intermediate TP (mean: 3.91 to 4.20) between fin (3.25) and sperm whales (4.95). Species-specific TP were equivalent among islands. However, TP increased for the common dolphin and decreased for the bottlenose dolphin (the latter also becoming more oceanic) between 2000 and 2018 in the Canary Islands. These results suggest different impacts of recent changes in the oceanography and in the pelagic food web of the Macaronesian region on the trophic ecology of dolphin species, This study was supported in part by the projects QLOCKS (PID2020-115620RB-I00), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain), MISTIC SEAS 2 (‘Applyinga subregional coherent and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD’), funded by the Directorate General Environment of the European Commission (Grant Agreement No. 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2), MISTIC SEAS 3 (‘Developing a coordinated approach for assessing Descriptor 4 via its linkages with D1 and other relevant descriptors in the Macaronesian subregion’), funded by the Directorate General Environment of the European Commission (Grant Agreement No. 110661/2018/794676/SUB/ENV.C2), RACAM (Rede de Arrojamentos de Cetáceos do Arquipélago da Madeira), implemented by the Madeira Whale Museum and funded by the Machico Municipality and projects MARCET (MAC/1.1b/149) and MARCET II (MAC/2.6c/392), both co-financed by EU Programme INTERREG MAC 2014−2020, and through the Commission (28-5307) for ‘Technical scientific advice for the protection of the marine environment: assessment and monitoring of marine strategies, monitoring of marine protected areas of state competence (2018−2021)’ of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Demographic Challenge (MITECO). Data collection in the Azores was supported by FCT and FRCT through TRACE-PTDC/MAR/74071/2006, MAPCET-M2.1.2/F/012/2011, IF/00943/2013/CP1199/CT0001 (FEDER, COMPETE, QREN, POPH, ESF, Portuguese Ministry for Science and Education, Azores 2020 Operational Programme). M.A.S. was funded by SUMMEREU-H2020 GA 817806. M.A.S. and R.P. were funded by OP AZORES 2020, through the EU Fund 01-0145-FEDER-000140. Okeanos is funded by FCT (UIDB/05634/2020) and by the Regional Government of the Azores (M1.1.A/REEQ.CIENTÍFICO UI&D/2021/010). J.G. was supported by the Spanish National Programme Juan de la Cierva-Formación (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 FJC2019-040016-I). This work acknowledges the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S) to the Institute of Marine Science (ICM-CSIC)

3 pages, 2 figures, [EN] Marine mammals, seabirds and other marine predators such as sharks, tunas and swordfishes are charismatic species that people identify with. They have inspired award-winning documentaries and popular movies, as well as many books for children and coffee tables. They also attract millions of people to observe them in natural places all over the world, and some of them are considered important species for local and global fisheries and iconic food for some cultures. Unfortunately, many species of marine predators are decreasing in number and some are even threatened or extirpated from some marine areas. Overall, their poor conservation status and the low viability of their populations within the Anthropocene era are directly or indirectly linked to human-driven impacts, such as direct exploitation or mortality due to accidental capture (by-catch) during fishing, the impact of climate change, the depletion of their prey through the exploitation of marine resources and the loss or degradation of marine habitats. […], [ES] Los depredadores marinos, como los mamíferos marinos, las aves marinas y los grandes peces depredadores, como los tiburones, los atunes o los peces espada, son considerados especies carismáticas con las que el ser humano acostumbra a empatizar. Han inspirado multitud de documentales y películas, así como numerosos libros para niños y charlas de divulgación para adultos. También atraen a millones de personas para su observación en libertad en diferentes lugares del mundo y, algunos de ellos, se consideran especies importantes para las pesquerías locales y globales, así como recursos importantes para algunas culturas. Por desgracia, la abundancia de muchos depredadores marinos está disminuyendo e incluso algunos de ellos están amenazados o han desaparecido de zonas donde previamente residían. En general, su mal estado de conservación y la escasa viabilidad de sus poblaciones, durante la llamada era del Antropoceno, están directa o indirectamente ligados a diferentes impactos humanos, como son la explotación directa o la mortalidad debida a la captura accidental en pesquerías, el impacto del cambio climático, la reducción de su alimento y la degradación de los hábitats marinos donde están presentes. […], [CAT] Els depredadors marins, com els mamífers marins, els ocells marins i els grans peixos depredadors, com els taurons, les tonyines o els peixos espasa, són considerades espècies carismàtiques amb les quals l’ésser humà acostuma a empatitzar. Han inspirat multitud de documentals i pel·lícules, així com nombrosos llibres per a nens i xerrades de divulgació per a adults. També atreuen a milions de persones per a la seva observació en llibertat en diferents llocs del món i, alguns d’ells, es consideren espècies importants per a les pesqueres locals i globals, així com recursos importants per a algunes cultures. Per desgràcia, l’abundància de molts depredadors marins està disminuint i fins i tot alguns d’ells estan amenaçats o han desaparegut de zones on prèviament residien. En general, el seu mal estat de conservació i l’escassa viabilitat de les seves poblacions durant l’anomenada era del Antropocè estan directament o indirectament lligat a diferents impactes humans, com són l’explotació directa o la mortalitat deguda a la captura accidental en pesqueres, l’impacte del canvi climàtic, la reducció del seu aliment i la degradació dels hàbitats marins on són presents. […]

4 pages, 2 figures, [EN] The oceans cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface and contain about 97% of the living space on the planet and somewhere between 500000 and 10 million different species. Oceans provide humans with natural benefits such as seafood provisioning, carbon storage and climate regulation –the so-called ecosystems services. However, despite their paramount importance for the maintenance of life and human wellbeing, oceanic systems are among the most complex, poorly understood and impacted biomes. […], [ES] Los océanos cubren aproximadamente el 71% de la superficie de la Tierra, representan el 97% del espacio habitable del planeta, y alojan entre 500.000 y 10 millones de especies marinas. Los océanos son también una incalculable fuente de beneficios para los humanos, ofreciéndonos múltiples servicios ecosistémicos: constituyen una de las principales fuentes de alimentos y juegan un papel fundamental en el ciclo del carbono y en la regulación del clima. A pesar de su importancia en el mantenimiento de la vida y el bienestar humano, los océanos se encuentran entre los biomas de la Tierra más complejos, desconocidos e impactados por la presión del clima y las actividades humanas. […], [CAT] Els oceans cobreixen aproximadament el 71% de la superfície de la Terra, representen el 97% de l’espai habitable del planeta, i allotgen entre 500.000 i 10 milions d’espècies marines. Els oceans són també una incalculable font de beneficis per als humans, oferint-nos múltiples serveis ecosistèmics: constitueixen una de les principals fonts d’aliments i juguen un paper fonamental en el cicle del carboni i en la regulació del clima. Malgrat la seva importància en el manteniment de la vida i el benestar humà, els oceans es troben entre els biomes de la Terra més complexos, desconeguts i impactats per la pressió del clima i les activitats humanes. […]