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Dive into the research topics where Francisco Otero-Ferrer is active.

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Featured researches published by Francisco Otero-Ferrer.


Conservation Genetics | 2010

Species identification and genetic structure of threatened seahorses in Gran Canaria Island (Spain) using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers

Almudena López; Manuel Vera; Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Belén G. Pardo; Paulino Martínez; Lucía Molina; Carmen Bouza

A non-invasive DNA analysis of seahorse populations was carried out after extensive underwater surveys in Gran Canaria Island (Spain). In this geographical area, the presence of two species, Hippocampus hippocampus and H. guttulatus, has been previously reported. Sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) was used for specific identification of live seahorses sampled in situ, as a previous step to evaluate genetic structure based on ten microsatellite markers. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of a single species, H. hippocampus, in the seahorse communities found at Gran Canaria. No evidences of H. guttulatus or interspecific hybrids were found based on 16S rDNA and microsatellite data. The nuclear markers revealed low genetic diversity and lack of population structure across populations of Gran Canaria Island, with evidence of small population sizes. This study provides critical information to support conservation strategies of Gran Canaria seahorses.


Reproduction, Fertility and Development | 2016

Embryonic developmental plasticity in the long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus reidi, Ginsburg 1933) in relation to parental preconception diet

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Marisol Izquierdo; Alireza Fazeli; William V. Holt

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that parental periconception nutrition in adult seahorses affects the development and growth of their offspring. We tested the hypothesis that because seahorse embryos develop inside the males brood pouch, manipulation of the males diet would affect offspring growth and development independently of the females diet. Adult males and females were fed separately with either wild-caught crustaceans or commercial aquarium diet for 1 month before conception to influence the periconception environment. Approximately 10000 offspring were obtained from four different treatment groups (Male/Wild or Male/Commercial×Female/Wild or Female/Commercial). Weights, physical dimensions and fatty acid profiles of the newborns were determined. Offspring produced when the males receiving commercial diet were mated with wild-fed females were larger (P<0.05) than those produced by wild-fed males. When both males and females were fed with commercial diet, their offspring were significantly smaller than those from the other treatment groups. When commercial diet-fed females were mated with wild-fed males, the offspring showed distortion of the snout:head length ratio. These results support the view that the preconception diet received by males and females differentially affects embryonic development.


Journal of Fish Biology | 2015

First records of Hippocampus algiricus in the Canary Islands (north-east Atlantic Ocean) with an observation of hybridization with Hippocampus hippocampus.

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; R. Herrera; Almudena López; J. Socorro; Lucía Molina; Carmen Bouza

Morphometric and genetic analyses confirmed the first records of the West African seahorse Hippocampus algiricus at Gran Canaria Island (north-east Atlantic Ocean), and also the first evidence of interspecific hybridization in seahorses. These results provide additional data on the distribution of H. algiricus that may help to establish future conservation strategies, and uncover a new potential sympatric scenario between H. algiricus and Hippocampus hippocampus.


Biodiversity and Conservation | 2017

When natural history collections reveal secrets on data deficient threatened species: Atlantic seahorses as a case study

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; José A. González; Mafalda Freitas; Ricardo Araújo; José M. N. Azevedo; William V. Holt; Fernando Tuya; Ricardo Haroun

Natural history collections from museums and private institutions can play an important role supporting decisions in biodiversity conservation. Seahorse populations have suffered a worldwide decline, while many areas remain data deficient including areas subjected to heavy commercial trading, such as the coasts of West Africa. In this work, seahorse collections from museums and public institutions in Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands) were initially reviewed (1) to identify specimens not previously determined, and (2) to correct species determinations from Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. The morphological data (3) were tested for phenotypic variation of seahorses within and between Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. The presence of Hippocampus hippocampus (short-snouted seahorse) and Hippocampus algiricus (West African seahorse) was confirmed for the area, including new sightings along previous geographical distribution ranges. Morphological analyses partitioned seahorse species and several morphotypes within and between Macaronesia and adjacent West African coasts. This phenotypic plasticity was associated with cranial morphology. Such differences are a useful tool for tracking seahorse populations of varying species and origins. New information presented here, is valuable for improving the management and conservation of seahorses, particularly in areas threatened by illegal trading or other anthropogenic activities.


bioRxiv | 2017

Parallel use of a shared genomic island of speciation in clinal and mosaic hybrid zones between cryptic seahorse lineages

Florentine Riquet; Cathy Liautard-Haag; Lucy C. Woodall; Carmen Bouza; Patrick Louisy; Bojan Hamer; Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Philippe Aublanc; Vickie Beduneau; Olivier Briard; Tahani El Ayari; Sandra Hochscheid; Khalid Belkhir; Sophie Arnaud-Haond; Pierre-Alexandre Gagnaire; Nicolas Bierne

Diverging semi-isolated lineages either meet in narrow clinal hybrid zones, or have a mosaic distribution associated with environmental variation. Intrinsic reproductive isolation is often emphasized in the former and local adaptation in the latter, although both can contribute to isolation. Rarely these two patterns of spatial distribution are reported in the same study system, while this could provide fundamental information on the endless debate about the relative contribution of intrinsic reproductive isolation and local adaptation on the speciation process. Here we report that the low diversity long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus is genetically subdivided into five cryptic semi-isolated lineages. Along the Atlantic coasts, northern and southern lineages meet and coexist with little hybridization in the southwest of France, forming a clinal hybrid zone. In the Mediterranean Sea, two lineages have a mosaic distribution associated with lagoon-like and marine habitats. A fifth lineage was identified in the Black Sea. Genetic homogeneity over large spatial scales within each lineage, together with among-locus variance in differentiation levels between lineages and spatial patterns of introgression provide evidence that partial reproductive isolation is maintaining the divergence. Surprisingly, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean lagoon lineages are genetically similar for a single chromosome-wide island showing parallel genetic differentiation among regions. Since Atlantic lineages distribution lacks association with habitat variation, genetic parallelism suggests that a shared genomic barrier contributes to reproductive isolation in contrasted contexts - i.e. spatial vs. ecological. We discuss how a genomic hotspot of parallel differentiation could have evolved and become associated either with space or with a patchy environment in a single study system.Diverging semi-isolated lineages either meet in narrow clinal hybrid zones, or have a mosaic distribution associated with environmental variation. Intrinsic reproductive isolation is often emphasized in the former and local adaptation in the latter, although both can contribute to isolation. Rarely these two patterns of spatial distribution are reported in the same study system. Here we report that the long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus is subdivided into discrete panmictic entities by both types of hybrid zones. Along the European Atlantic coasts, a northern and a southern lineage meet in the southwest of France where they coexist in sympatry with little hybridization. In the Mediterranean Sea, two lineages have a mosaic distribution, associated with lagoon-like and marine habitats. A fifth lineage was identified in the Black Sea. Genetic homogeneity over large spatial scales contrasts with isolation maintained in sympatry or close parapatry at a fine scale. A high variation in locus-specific introgression rates provides additional evidence that partial reproductive isolation must be maintaining the divergence. Surprisingly, fixed differences between lagoon and marine populations in the Mediterranean Sea belong to the most differentiated SNPs between the two Atlantic lineages, against the genome-wide pattern of structure. These parallel outlier SNPs cluster on a single chromosome-wide island of differentiation. Since Atlantic lineages do not match the lagoon-sea habitat variation, genetic parallelism at the genomic island suggests a shared genetic barrier contributes to reproductive isolation in contrasting contexts -i.e. spatial vs. ecological. We discuss how a genomic hotspot of parallel differentiation could have evolved and become associated either with space or with a patchy environment in a single study system.


Aquaculture Research | 2010

Live prey first feeding regimes for short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles.

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Lucía Molina; J. Socorro; Rogelio Herrera; H. Fernandez-Palacios; María Soledad Izquierdo


Journal of The World Aquaculture Society | 2012

Effect of Different Live Prey on Spawning Quality of Short-Snouted Seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Lucía Molina; J. Socorro; H. Fernandez-Palacios; Marisol Izquierdo; Rogelio Herrera


XI Congreso Nacional de Acuicultura, Vigo (Pontevedra), del 24 al 28 de septiembre de 2007 | 2007

Efecto de la primera alimentación en la supervivencia y el crecimiento de crías de caballito de mar, Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Lucía Molina-Domínguez; Juan Antonio Socorro Cruz; H. Fernandez-Palacios; Marisol Izquierdo; M. Monroy; P. Villares; Rogelio Herrera


XI Congreso Nacional de Acuicultura, Vigo (Pontevedra), del 24 al 28 de septiembre de 2007 | 2007

Experiencias preliminares de cultivo de crías de Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758) en Gran Canaria

Lucía Molina-Domínguez; H. Fernandez-Palacios; Marisol Izquierdo; Rogelio Herrera; Francisco Otero-Ferrer; P. Villares


Reproduction, Fertility and Development | 2015

122 SEX-SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF PARENTAL DIET DURING PREGNANCY ON EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN THE LONG SNOUT SEAHORSE (HIPPOCAMPUS REIDI; GINSBURG, 1933)

Francisco Otero-Ferrer; Marisol Izquierdo; Alireza Fazeli; William V. Holt

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Carmen Bouza

University of Santiago de Compostela

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Almudena López

University of Santiago de Compostela

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