Overview of metabolic pathways in the protozoan parasite Perkinsus Atlanticus/Olseni: Identification of potential targets for therapeutic drugs. Effects of stocking density on the growth and broodstock management of cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758). Reproductive biology of the black-mouthed cat dog, Galeus melastomus (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae) off the southern coast of Portugal.
Trophic food webs and ecosystem attributes of a water reservoir in the Ria Formosa (southern Portugal). Population biology of the cephalaspidean mollusk Haminoea orbygniana in a temperate coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa, Portugal). Weight-length relationship for eight species of the family Triglidae discarded on the south coast of Portugal.
Age, growth and reproduction of the axillary sea bream, Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1827), from the south coast of Portugal.
List of thesis supervised by members of the research unit
O papel de Zostera noltii na teia alimentar da Ria Formosa”, Universidade do Algarve (orientadores: Rui Santos, CCMar e Bruce Peterson, Laboratório de Biologia Marinha, Wood's Hole, EUA). Mestrado em Biologia e Geologia para o Ensino, Universidade do Algarve (orientadores Rui Santos e João Silva, CCMar) Conclusão prevista para 2006. Diploma em Biologia Marinha e Pescas, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve.
Padrões de Crescimento em Otólitos Larvais de Pomatoschistus pictus (Pesces, Gobiidae) Licenciatura em Biologia Marinha e Pescas, Universidade do Algarve. Orientadores: Maria Alexandra Chícharo e Emanuel Gonçalves ISPA). Levantamento taxonómico e distribuição de esponjas (Phylum Porifera) na costa algarvia. Orientadores: Jorge Gonçalves, Luís Fonseca, Carlos Afonso). Estágio Diplomado em Biologia Marinha e Pescas, Universidade do Algarve (orientadores Rui Santos e João Silva, CCMar) Conclusão prevista para 2006.
Pesquisa taxonómica e distribuição de Gorgónias (Anthozoa: Gorgonacea) na costa do Algarve. Orientadores: Jorge Gonçalves, Luís Fonseca, Carlos Afonso).
Description of the Research activities
Continue analysis of museum collections (including New York Science Museum and UK Museums) to pursue comparison of Bonelli’s eagle population from Southern Portugal with those
Moreover, a detailed study of the evolution of this family has also been performed in invertebrate genomes. Studies will continue in the context of the results obtained from BRIDGEMAP/Aquafirst, they will involve: 1. The use of microdiets from mouth opening will be one of the most important achievements in marine aquaculture.
Model simulations make it possible to study the dynamics of the changes in the larval AA and protein pools. The spawning performance of the 4 groups in captivity was evaluated based on the egg quality and hatchability of the eggs. Studies were carried out in the optimization of larval rearing conditions and feeding regimes for sole (Solea senegalensis), red pig (Pagrus pagrus) and sea bass (Epinephelus marginatus).
The feeding regime had an influence on growth and survival at the end of the pelagic phase. In the calm conditions where eggs are released, most eggs fall in the immediate vicinity of the source. It will be a powerful tool to assess the entire metabolism and C and N budgets of the ecosystem and to simulate the anthropogenic impacts in the Ria Formosa lagoon.
Other elements of the monitoring program include analyzes of abiotic variables (climate, algal and water nutrient concentrations). This line of research will continue to assess seasonal variation in the metabolic processes of community production and respiration of the biological communities of the Ria Formosa lagoon. Other sources and sinks, such as groundwater flow and the role of sediments, will also be addressed.
We will study the origin of flowering with the help of molecular tools (comparison of ITS ribosomal DNA sequences, population identification using microsatellites). The analysis of 23 areas along the Portuguese coast described by Ardré in the 1960s will continue. Manuscripts on new additions to the marine flora of the mainland coast of Portugal will be submitted.
Remediation and mitigation studies of the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecosystems, focusing on the Guadiana demo site in Ecohydrology.
The team will focus on assessing the biological impact of coastal dredging; seabed mapping and sensitivity/vulnerability analysis; recruitment of commercially important species in the Arada estuary (Algarve) and monitoring of the Ria Formosa ichthyofauna. A new approach based on Fisher's reproductive value will be used to assess the status of populations and their vulnerability to exploitation. Project "Octopus fishing in the Algarve: Improvement of artisanal fishing gear (POLVARTE)" (Reference: 22-05-01-FEDER-00018).
Distribution of the book to technicians and fishing professionals will be at the end of 2006 (November/December). Molecular evolution, phylogeny/molecular systematics and phylogeography Organization of the third "Conus Cape Verde Expedition III" to collect species of Conus. Completion of the first essays to collect crawfish larvae resulting in the modification of the trap design.
Continuation of the inventory of species present in ponds from the south of Portugal and studies related to the biology and population dynamics of the most important species. Organization of the "II Molecular Evolution Workshop" with the presence of David Swofford, Gavin Naylor and Mark Holder from Florida State University, USA. This is a particularly interesting area, as commercial exploitation continues without any existing assessment of population effects from the sink source.
An evaluation of the Conus species complex (C. venulatus and C.nifiver) will be carried out, which will give interesting insights into the processes of island development. A summary of the current status of this work was prepared by Dr. Ken Mackenzie and was published (http://www.diplectanum.dsl.pipex.com/newsletter/2004/newsl11.htm#upd) in As part of this activity, a paper entitled "Checklist of protozoan and metazoan parasites reported in the sea starfish Lophius piscatorius L" was published.
As explained in the previous report, it is possible that the different species of the genus Stephanostomum could make useful biological markers. This activity will be successfully completed during 2005, after the publication of the paper under preparation.
Externally funded Projects
Summary and objectives: The aim of the project is to study olfactory receptor neurons (CORNs) in the olfactory epithelium of marine fish. In the 1st part of the project, genes involved in the functional response to stress or exposure to pathogens will be identified. Summary and objectives: The bonito species represent the main center of diversification of the European marine aquaculture industry.
Abstract and Objectives: Salaria pavo is small bottom living fish in the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Atlantic coast. Title: "Minimizing the effects of stress in Senegalese tongue by amino acid supplementation - STRESSAA". Diets will be supplemented with individual key AA depending also on the results of the first part of the project.
One of the main problems in the culture of this species is the control of reproduction in captivity and the production of regular, high-quality spawn. Title: "The underlying mechanisms of the effect of microalgae on the early life stages of fish - MICROALGAE". This project will ultimately result in a better understanding of AA requirements during fish ontogenesis, which will have an impact in the aquaculture industry.
Title: "Cooperation between Algarve and Andalusia to promote marine aquaculture on the South Atlantic coast - PROMAR". Summary and objectives: Microalgae are microscopic photosynthetic organisms that form the basis of the food chain. Summary and Objectives: Most disease-causing bacteria in marine fish are opportunistic pathogens present as part of the normal marine microflora.
Ontogeny of the immune system organogenesis, non-specific cellular immunity and humoral immunity will be characterized in tongue. The effects of immunostimulants and selected probiotics on the development of the immune system, on the immune response, and on fish growth and survival will be assessed. To determine the effect of the commercial harvest on the genetic structure of the populations and its demographic consequences;.
Summary and Objectives: Evaluation of the ecological succession of vegetation of barrier islands in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa.
International and Inter-Institutional Cooperations
Objectivos: Análise da utilização das áreas interditas à pesca de anzol como medida de protecção do ambiente e dos recursos hídricos e como forma de garantir a sustentabilidade da actividade pesqueira no futuro. Equipa: Luís Chícharo (Líder CCMAR), Alexandra Chícharo (Universidade do Algarve), Carlos Costa Monteiro (IPIMAR CRIP/Sul); Miguel Gaspar (Coordenador, IPIMAR CRIP/Sul). Título (Impactos ecológicos e socioeconómicos das alterações dos caudais em três rios portugueses em estuários e zonas costeiras " (ERIC) . .).
Equipa: Maria José Costa (Instituto de Oceanografia da Faculdade de Ciências (Coordenadora), Alexandra Chícharo (CCMAR), Luís Chícharo.
Seminars given by CCMAR members in other institutions
Crescimento de larvas e alevina del lenguado (Solea senegalensis)” Divulgação e transferência dos resultados do programa INTERREG IIIA de cooperação transfronteiriça Algarve-Andaluzia no domínio da investigação pesqueira e aquícola, 28 e 29 de Junho, Ayamonte. Reproducción del lenguado (Solea senegalensis)” Divulgação e transferência dos resultados do programa INTERREG IIIA de cooperação transfronteiriça Algarve-Andaluzia no domínio da investigação pesqueira e aquícola, 28 e 29 de Junho, Ayamonte. Crecimiento, Bioenergética y Metabolism de Larvas de Peces” em “X Curso Avances en Acuicultura y Calidad Ambiental”, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC) e Facultad de Ciencias del Mar da Universidade de Cadiz, Cadiz, Puerto, .
Dissemination of scientific culture
Apresentação oral no 4º Encontro das Pescas, que decorreu no dia 4 de junho na Universidade do Algarve. Workshop na IX Assembleia Nacional de Estudantes de Biologia, subordinado ao tema "Caracterização das comunidades estuarinas do rio Arade", no dia 21 de Março de 2005, na Universidade do Algarve, Faro. Fotografias subaquáticas do projeto RENSUB na exposição de fotografia “Mar Imenso, Mar Intenso” organizada pelo CCMAR para comemorar o Dia Internacional do Mar, que decorreu de 15 a 30 de novembro na biblioteca central da UALG.
Orientações para uma prática de formação profissional integrada no curso técnico de aquacultura de Forpescas, ministrado pela aluna Vânia David, no Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), de 20 de Maio a 12 de Agosto de 2004. Participação em parte da divulgação científica no Projecto ARADE (Programa MARE) no programa de rádio "Na Corda Bamba", coluna "Ecoplaneta" que foi emitido na Rádio Costa d'Ouro no dia 15 de Janeiro de 2005.
Visiting scientists
Organization of Conferences, Workshops, Courses
Participation in scientific and advisory committees
