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A new gobiid species is described from ten specimens, 9.2 – 16.7 mm SL, collected from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. The new species is most similar to Sueviota pyrios from the Gulf of Aqaba in the northern Red Sea. It differs from S. pyrios by having no large red spots on the dorsal and caudal fin elements, no elongate spines in the first dorsal fin, a shorter pelvic fin that does not reach the anus, branched pectoral fin rays, and a projecting lower jaw. The new species is further distinguished from all its congeners by a complete lack of cephalic sensory canals and pores. Specimens were found in small caves and overhangs at depths between 10 and 53 meters.

Abstract Understanding how mesopredators partition their diet and the identity of consumed prey can assist in understanding the ecological role predators and prey play in ecosystem trophodynamics. Here, we assessed the diet of three common coral reef mesopredators; Pseudochromis flavivertex, Pseudochromis fridmani, and Pseudochromis olivaceus from the family Pseudochromidae, commonly known as dottybacks, using a combination of (i) visual stomach content analysis, (ii) stomach content DNA metabarcoding (18S, COI), and (iii) stable isotope analysis (δ15N, δ13C). In addition, P. flavivertex is found in two distinct color morphs in the Red Sea, providing an opportunity to analyze intra‐morph differences. These techniques revealed partitioning in the dietary composition and resource use among species. Arthropods comprised the main dietary component of P. flavivertex (18S > 60%; COI > 10%) and P. olivaceus (18S = 57.2%), while P. fridmani ingested predominantly mollusks (18S = 51.3%, COI = 24.6%). Despite being small predators, microplastics were found in the gut content of some of these fishes. Stable isotope analysis showed differences in species' isotopic niche breadth and trophic position. Pseudochromis olivaceus presented the largest isotopic niche (SEAC = 1.61‰2), while P. fridmani showed the smallest isotopic niche (SEAC = 0.45‰2) among species. Although the two techniques used for stomach content analysis did not show differences in the diet within color morphs of P. flavivertex, they differed in the isotopic niche and resource use. Despite our limited sampling, our findings provide evidence of species‐specific differences in the trophic ecology of dottybacks and demonstrate their important role as predators of cryptic invertebrates and small fishes. This study highlights the importance of combining several approaches (short‐term: visual analysis and DNA metabarcoding; and long‐term: isotope analysis) when assessing the feeding habits of coral reef fish, as they provide complementary information necessary to delimit their niches and understand the role that small mesopredators play in coral reef ecosystems.

Abstract: Rhodolith distribution, morphology, and cryptofauna have been minimally studied on fringing reefs. We present the first study to examine both rhodolith distribution and associated cryptofauna in a tropical fringing reef, located along the microtidal, wave-dominated north shore of Moorea, French Polynesia. We find higher abundances of larger, rounder, and more branching rhodoliths in locations where longer waves impact the fringing reef. Among 1879 animals extracted and identified from 145 rhodoliths, ophiuroids, polychaetes, decapod crustaceans, and gastropods are most abundant, with a wide range of additional taxa contributing to diversity. Large and branching rhodoliths contain the greatest number and diversity of cryptofaunal organisms and are the preferred habitat of rigid-bodied, non-burrowing forms. Overall, exposure to waves entering the lagoon through passes appears to be a critical determinant of rhodolith abundance, morphotype, and in turn cryptofaunal composition in fringing reef habitats.

The occurrence of Megalops cyprinoides (Megalopidae) in the Red Sea has been confirmed through the collection of two specimens by recreational fishers at freshwater inputs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Meristic and morphometric characters are provided, complemented by molecular COI sequences, which confirm their identification as M. cyprinoides. These molecular findings also indicate a widespread monophyletic lineage. The limited availability of freshwater inputs to the Red Sea likely restricts suitable habitats for M. cyprinoides, contributing to its low population size in the region and its previous absence from regional ichthyological records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reports of adverse menstrual events emerged during the COVID‐19 vaccination campaign in multiple countries. This raised the question whether these reports were caused by the vaccines. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate comparative studies on this topic (registered at PROSPERO [CRD42022324973]). Methods: We included observational studies such as cohort studies and surveys comparing the response to self‐reported questionnaires between post‐ versus pre‐vaccination data. PubMed and Cochrane Library searches were conducted on 1 September 2023. The primary outcome was the incidence of any prespecified adverse menstrual event, and the outcome measure was the risk ratio. The meta‐analysis was conducted by using the Mantel–Haenszel method and the random effects model. We summarized the results on risk factors as well as key findings of the studies included. Results: We retrieved 161 references from electronic databases and additional sources such as references lists. Of those, we considered 21 comparative observational studies. The meta‐analysis of any adverse menstrual adverse event reported in 12 studies resulted in a pooled estimate (risk ratio 1.13; 95% CI, 0.96–1.31) that did not favor any group. The analysis was constrained by considerable clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Risk factors for self‐reported menstrual changes included a history of COVID‐19 infection, the concern about COVID‐19 vaccines, smoking, previous cycle irregularities, depression, and stress, and other issues. Conclusions: The risk ratio did not favor any group and heterogeneity was prevalent among the studies. Most studies suggested that the reported changes were temporary, minor, and nonserious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algunas condiciones paleoclimáticas de la región pampeana fueron deducidas por medio de la interpretación de características geomorfológicas y pedológicas dé una transecta de 300 Km de longitud (65°05' W – 36°05' S a 62°05' W - 38°05' S) Y de un perfil con dos paleosuelos y tres capas de tosca respectivamente. Las características geomorfológicas fueron las mismas a lo largo de la transecta: planicies con tosca de aproximadamente 2 m de espesor en la parte superior, disectadas por valles. Hacia el W se detectaron dos niveles de planicies y valles sin drenaje integrado. Hacia el E se vió que las planicies están también coronadas con tosca, pero los valles pertenecen a un sistema de paleocauces con drenaje dentrítico, que desemboca en el Océano Atlántico. Los materiales finos dispuestos en el fondo de los valles y la disección de la tosca en sus bordes, hablan de una formación de estos por acción hídrica. El rellenado de los valles ubicados hacia el W con arena eólica, que frecuentemente producen una inversión del relieve, indican condiciones ambientales más secas. El perfil estudiado se encuentra ubicado en el extremo occidental de la transecta, posiblemente en el nivel de planicies más antiguas. La acción de climas con frecuentes periodos húmedos y secos se dedujo de a) las característica: del paleosuelo más profundo (estructura prismática, conteniendo abundancia de concreciones de Fe y Mn ) típicas de un Bt de un planosol formado bajo condiciones alternativamente subhídricas y secas; b) las características del paleosuelo superior (estructura poliédrica, contenidos de arcilla altos, concreciones de Fe y Mn) típicas de un Bt de un suelo de estepa, formado bajo condiciones estacionales alternativamente secas y húmedas; c) la génesis de la tosca "per descensum" bajo condiciones inicialmente húmedas (translocación del CaC03) y posteriormente secas (endurecimiento de la tosca), d) la acción del agua seguido por el viento en la formación de los valles. Amplitudes de humedad progresivamente menores de esos climas se dedujeron de a) la formación de un planosol más profundamente que un suelo de estepa en el mismo perfil, b) el incremento en la dureza y la relación Si:Ca hacia las toscas más profundas, e) el mayor contenido de concreciones de Fe y Mn en las porciones inferiores del perfil. Publicado en Zentralblatt für Geologie und paläentologie - Teil, 1987 (3/4): 1-9. Stuttgart.

The physical properties of coarse - textured soils in semiarid regions often deteriorate with use. We hypostatized that the changes in the physical properties of the soil were related to the cropping sistem employed. 5urface sampled of 52 Entic Haplustolls under three diferents uses (24 under continuous cultivation), 18 under rotation wuth grass Ieys (R), and 10 virgin soils M were analyzed for c1ay, silt, organic malter anrd water content, bulk density, compaction and aggregate stability. Data were analyzed statistically using principal components, canonical variables, and discriminant functions. A satisfactory segregation of the soils according to discriminant properties (coarse organic matter, aggregate stability, and suceptibility lo compaction) was obtained. The model developed satisfactory classified the soils under different uses (100% R, 83% e, and 88% V). Principal component analysis also showed that bulck density, compaction, and wet aggregate salability are related lo organic matter content. We conclude that, in the studied region, the lower the ratio of organic matter lo clay + soil content, the more severe the physical deterioration of the soils. Resúmenes de Trabajos presentados en otras publicaciones (por docentes de la UNLPam.) Publicado en Soil Science, Vol 163 N°7.