Human Activity as a Growing Threat to Marine Ecosystems: Plastic and Temperature Effects on the Sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus

Toxics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 66 - 66

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

Human activities increasingly threaten marine ecosystems through rising waste and temperatures. This study investigated the role of plastics as vectors for Vibrio bacteria effects temperature on sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus. Samples sponges were collected during July, August (high-temperature period), November (lower-temperature period). Bacterial growth responses analysed using biochemical biomarkers. The results revealed a peak in colony-forming units (CFU), particularly alginolyticus, August, followed by decrease November. In CFU counts spp. significantly higher with poor external appearance (characterized dull coloration heavy epiphytic growth) but returned to levels observed healthy Microplastics detected tissues both groups, concentrations found affected specimens. Biomarker analyses increased lysozyme, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase while malondialdehyde levels, indicating oxidative damage, sponges. conclusion, exhibited elevated reduced antioxidant detoxification under These findings suggest that combined impacts warming may pose significant risks S. spinosulus context global climate change.

Language: Английский

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Pruning dead branches in gorgonian forests as an effective restoration tool against mortality events induced by global change

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 110982 - 110982

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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Projected marine heatwaves over the Mediterranean Sea and the network of marine protected areas: a three-dimensional assessment

Climatic Change, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 178(2)

Published: Jan. 22, 2025

Abstract Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are periods of abnormally warm ocean temperatures that exert significant impacts on marine ecosystems. MHWs commonly identified as when temperature conditions surpass predetermined thermal thresholds. Although they can propagate beneath the ocean’s surface, typically assessed using sea surface temperatures. In this study, we investigate future progression and depth penetration across Mediterranean Sea existing network Protected Areas (MPAs). We utilize daily three-dimensional seawater projections from POLCOMS-ERSEM model for period 2006–2100 to 2000 m under RCP8.5 forcing scenario, explore spatio-temporal properties MHWs. employ two different baseline climatological establishing thresholds based which identified: one remains constant, while other is adjusted in time reflect evolving adaptive capacities ecosystems response long-term warming trends. Our analysis reveals that, regardless threshold applied, MPAs will experience long-lasting intense depths. While utilization a shifting results shorter milder shallow within (i.e. annual duration: 45 days per year mean intensity: 1.63 °C) compared fixed approach 195 1.89 °C), deeper zones exhibit saturation MHWs, with year-round events, particularly below 1000 m, both approaches. findings highlight profound into ocean's depths, posing serious threat protected Mediterranean, especially subsurface environments. Notably, our suggest expected demonstrate similar patterns those observed entire basin. are, thus, anticipated face equivalent challenges MHW impacts, affecting their biodiversity various

Language: Английский

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Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly and Annotation of Corallium rubrum: A Mediterranean Coral Threatened by Overharvesting and Climate Change

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Reference genomes are key resources in biodiversity conservation. Yet, sequencing efforts not evenly distributed across the tree of life raising concerns over our ability to enlighten conservation with genomic data. Good-quality reference remain scarce octocorals while these species highly relevant targets for Here, we present first annotated genome red coral, Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758), a habitat-forming octocoral from Mediterranean and neighboring Atlantic, impacted by overharvesting anthropogenic warming-induced mass mortality events. Combining long reads Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), Illumina paired-end improving base accuracy ONT-based assembly, Arima Hi-C contact data place sequences into chromosomes, assembled 532 Mb (20 309 scaffolds) contig scaffold N50 1.6 18.5 Mb, respectively. Fifty percent sequence (L50) was contained seven superscaffolds. The consensus quality value final assembly 42, single duplicated gene completeness reported BUSCO 86.4% 1%, respectively (metazoa_odb10 database). We 26,348 protein-coding genes 34,548 noncoding transcripts. This chromosome-level one Scleralcyonacea order, is currently used project based on whole-genome resequencing dedicated management C. rubrum.

Language: Английский

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First characterization of upper mesophotic coral assemblages in Santo Antão (Cabo Verde, East Atlantic Ocean): Demographic and community approaches provide baseline ecological data

Progress In Oceanography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 103432 - 103432

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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