Regina Tristão da Cunha

Using taxonomically unbiased criteria to prioritize resource allocation for oceanic island species conservation

Oceanic islands have been the grand stage of documented extinctions. In view of limited resources, efficient prioritization is crucial to avoid the extinction of taxa. This work lists the top 100 management priority species for the European archipelagos of the Macaronesian region (Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands), taking into account both their protection priority and their management feasibility. Bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods and vertebrates were scored by species experts following two sets of criteria: (i) protection priority, including ecological value, singularity, public institutions’ management responsibilities and social value; (ii) management feasibility, including threats knowledge and control feasibility, external socio-economical support for management and biological recovery potential. Environmental managers weighted the same criteria according to their management importance. Final species scores were determined by the combination of both species valuation and criteria weighting. Vascular plants dominate the Top 100 list, followed by arthropods and vertebrates. The majority of listed taxa are endemic to one archipelago or even to a single island. The management feasibility criteria did not dictate that all taxa must be eminently endangered, as for most of the species it should be relatively easy to control threats. The main advantages of this process are the independent participation of scientists and conservation managers, the inclusion of criteria on both protection priority and management feasibility and the taxonomically unbiased nature of the process. This study provides a potentially useful biodiversity conservation tool for the Macaronesian archipelagos that could be readily implemented by the respective regional governments in future legislation.

Dissemination of antibiotic resistant Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli from wild birds of Azores Archipelago

Antibiotic-resistant is profoundly important to human and animal health, but the environmental reservoirs of resistance determinants are poorly understood, in particular in wild environments in remote Archipelagos. Moreover, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild bird populations is rather unknown. In the present study, we used the Azores Islands as a model study for antimicrobial resistance in a remote Archipelago, and examined the antibiotic resistance profile in enterococci and Escherichia coli recovered from faecal samples of wild birds collected in this Archipelago. A total of 138 enterococci and 115 E. coli isolates were analyzed for resistance to antimicrobial agents. Of the enterococcal isolates, Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent detected species (59 isolates), followed by Enterococcus faecium (40 isolates), Enterococcus durans (27 isolates) and Enterococcus hirae (12 isolates). The enterococci strains showed high percentages of resistance to tetracycline (32.6%), to ciprofloxacin (19.6%) and to erythromycin (11.6%). Lower level of resistance (<10%) was detected for ampicillin, chloramphenicol and teicoplanin. One vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis isolate was detected and harbored the vanA resistant gene. Resistance genes detected included tet(M) and/or tet(L), ermB in all tetracycline and erythromycin-resistant isolates. Resistance in E. coli isolates was detected for ampicillin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, streptomycin, and tobramycin. The blaTEM, aadA, aadA5, strA, strB, tet(A) and/or tet(B), and the intI genes were found in all ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim-resistant isolates respectively. The data shown in this study are essential to improve knowledge about the dissemination of resistant strains through wild birds from remote archipelagos such as the Azores Archipelago and the possible implications involved in transferring these resistances either to other animals or to humans.

Molecular characterization of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-containing Escherichia coli isolates in wild birds from the Azores Archipelago

To study the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-containing Escherichia coli isolates, and the mechanisms of resistance implicated, 220 faecal samples from wild birds were collected between 2006 and 2010 in the Azores Archipelago. Samples were spread on Slanetz–Bartley agar plates supplemented with 4 mg/l vancomycin and on Levine agar plates supplemented with 2 mg/l cefotaxime for VRE and ESBL-containing E. coli isolation, respectively. vanA-containing enterococcal isolates (four Enterococcus faecium and two Enterococcus durans) and vanC-1 Enterococcus gallinarum isolates were detected in six and seven faecal samples, respectively. VRE isolates showed ampicillin (n=11), ciprofloxacin (n=9), tetracycline (n=6), erythromycin (n=5), quinupristin/dalfopristin (n=3) and high-level kanamycin resistance (n=1). The tet(L) and/or tet(M) gene was found in all tetracycline-resistant isolates and the erm(B) gene in all erythromycin-resistant isolates. Three vanA-containing E. faecium and two E. gallinarum presented specific sequences of the Tn5397 transposon. Four VRE isolates harboured the ace virulence gene. One faecal sample revealed one ESBL-containing E. coli isolate that belongs to the A phylogenetic group, showed a phenotype of resistance to β-lactams and tetracycline, and harboured the bla CTX-M-14, bla SHV-12 and the tet(A) genes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on defining the prevalence of VRE and/or ESBL-containing E. coli strains in wild birds from the Azores. The data recovered are essential to improve knowledge about the dissemination of resistant strains through wild ecosystems and their possible implications by transferring these resistances to other animals or to humans.

The Azorean Biodiversity Portal: An internet database for regional biodiversity outreach

There is a growing interest in academia to provide biodiversity data to both the scientific community and the public. We present an internet database of the terrestrial lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods, vertebrates and coastal invertebrates of the Azores archipelago (Portugal, North Atlantic): the Azorean Biodiversity Portal (ABP, http://www.azoresbioportal.angra.uac.pt/). This is a unique resource for fundamental research in systematics, biodiversity, education and conservation management. The ABP was based on a regional species database (ATLANTIS), comprised of grid-based spatial incidence information for c. 5000 species. Most of the data rely on a comprehensive literature survey (dating back to the 19th century) as well as unpublished records from recent field surveys in the Azores. The ABP disseminates the ATLANTIS database to the public, allowing universal, unrestricted access to much of its data. Complementarily, the ABP includes additional information of interest to the general public (e.g. literature on Macaronesian biodiversity) together with images from collections and/or live specimens for many species. In this contribution we explain the implementation of a regional biodiversity database, its architecture, achievements and outcomes, strengths and limitations; we further include a number of suggestions in order to implement similar initiatives.There is a growing interest in academia to provide biodiversity data to both the scientific community and the public. We present an internet database of the terrestrial lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods, vertebrates and coastal invertebrates of the Azores archipelago (Portugal, North Atlantic): the Azorean Biodiversity Portal (ABP, http://www.azoresbioportal.angra.uac.pt/). This is a unique resource for fundamental research in systematics, biodiversity, education and conservation management. The ABP was based on a regional species database (ATLANTIS), comprised of grid-based spatial incidence information for c. 5000 species. Most of the data rely on a comprehensive literature survey (dating back to the 19th century) as well as unpublished records from recent field surveys in the Azores. The ABP disseminates the ATLANTIS database to the public, allowing universal, unrestricted access to much of its data. Complementarily, the ABP includes additional information of interest to the ge...

Autometallography and metallothionein immunohistochemistry in hepatocytes of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) after exposure to cadmium and depuration treatment

In this study, autometallography and immunohistochemistry were used to localize and quantify cadmium and metallothionein (MT) levels, respectively, in cellular compartments of turbot liver on exposure to cadmium for 7 days and further depuration treatment for 14 days. Metals weakly bound to proteins (i.e. MTs) in hepatocyte lysosomes were visualized as black silver deposits (BSDs) using a light microscope. With the aid of a newly developed immunohistochemical procedure, MTs were localized and semi-quantified in both the cytosolic and the lysosomal compartments of hepatocytes. The BSD extent in the lysosomes of hepatocytes increased significantly as a result of cadmium exposure. This response was evidenced after 1h. Further, a progressive increase in the volume density of BSDs occurred up to the seventh day. Total MT immunohistochemical levels increased at a lower rate, starting after 1 day of cadmium exposure. BSD extent values recovered after depuration, whilst MT levels remain unchanged. It is possible that the detoxification rate of metals via lysosomes was diminished, whilst MT levels remained unchanged, at least after 14 days of depuration. It can be concluded that autometallography and MT immunohistochemistry are good tools for clarifying metal and metal-MT trafficking routes in hepatocytes, and also that BSD extent and MT immunohistochemical levels in the lysosomes and cytosol of fish hepatocytes can be considered to be useful biomarkers of metal exposure.

Trophic ecology and bioindicator potential of the North Atlantic tope shark.

Sharks are top marine predators vital in maintaining ecosystem health and food web structure. In order to assess tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) trophic ecology, stable isotope ratios and trace metal concentrations in muscle tissue were determined, according to size and gender, for 124 individuals caught within the Mid-Atlantic region. Data was complemented and analysed according to previous stomach content information and compared with studies performed in the North East Atlantic. Our results revealed that tope sharks fed at a low trophic level and within a more pelagic-based food web when compared with other North Atlantic regions. MixSIR application reflected its piscivorous diet and study area topography, oligotrophic waters and volcanic nature, suggesting the occurrence of a Mid-Atlantic tope shark population. Considering a non-anthropogenic volcanic source for observed metal contents, the results reflect bioaccumulation and suggest biomagnification processes for As and Hg. These metals exceeded legislated maximum limits for some countries with a maximum of 28.98 ± 1.26 and 0.57 ± 0.01 mg kg(-1) wet weight, respectively, increasing significantly with size for both males and females. Conversely, Cr, Rb and Zn were relatively stable while Cd and Pb were not detected. Hg and Se were strongly correlated, suggesting a Se toxicity mitigation role. Given the tope shark travel capacity and the results obtained, the species may be used as a Mid-Atlantic bioindicator of environmental quality.

Baseline Levels of Metals in Volcanic Soils of the Azores (Portugal)

Data on metal concentrations present in the soils of the Azores (Portugal) are scarce. The goal of this study was to measure the current levels of several metals in the top horizon of soils of two areas, distinguishable by their volcanic activity and physical characteristics, in order to establish some baseline concentrations of these elements. Soil samples were taken in similar ways from five sites in a volcanically active area and another five sites in an area without volcanic activity. Particle-size fractions, % organic matter, moisture content, pH, and major and trace elements compositions were measured. In general, the concentrations of trace metals in the soils from Santa Maria (inactive volcanism) were higher than those from Furnas (active volcanism), with the exception of Zn. The soils from Furnas, which have slightly lower pH and less % clay-silt than Santa Maria, will probably make such trace metals as Zn become more readily bioaccessible, and therefore pose a larger threat to living organisms inhabiting these soils.

Beach debris in the Azores (NE Atlantic): Faial Island as a first case study.

Marine debris is widely recognised as a global environmental problem. This study assesses density, type, and temporal trends of marine debris in two sandy beaches of Faial Island (Azores, NE-Atlantic). During seven months (six days per month) the beaches were surveyed by performing 10 random transects at each site. Recorded items within the range 2-30 cm were organised into seven categories. Densities of total debris varied from 0 to 1.940 items m(-2), with plastics dominating both areas. Both beaches, presented the highest debris abundance in February, most probably related to prevailing winds and swell. Location and/or time of year also seemed to influence the type of debris present. These findings provide new insights into debris accumulation rates in the Azores, where no previous studies were made. It also confirms the global trend of increased plastics accumulation on shorelines, highlighting the need for further research in remote islands.

The connective tissue index of Helix aspersa as a metal biomarker

The digestive gland of adult land snails, Helix aspersa, sampled from four different sites in São Miguel island (Azores) was submitted to chemical analyses, autometallography and haemalum/eosin staining, in order to quantify the relative abundance of heavy metals, calcium cells and connective tissue cells. Metals were visualized, through light microscopy, as black silver deposits mostly in the connective tissue cells. Metal levels, essentially of Cu and Fe, were related to the relative volumetric density of connective tissue cells but not to the relative volumetric density of calcium cells from the digestive gland epithelium. Thus, the connective tissue index presented herein is suggested as a biomarker of Cu exposure in terrestrial mollusks.

Bioaccumulation of metals and PCBs in Raja clavata.

The goal of this study was to assess stable isotopes profiles, metals concentration and PCBs in Raja clavata muscle and liver, according to sex and size, and to elucidate its suitability as a Mid-Atlantic biomonitor. The results reflected bioaccumulation and suggested biomagnification processes for As and Hg in muscle tissue. Cd, Cu and Zn were detected in high amounts in liver, Cr, Mn and Rb were relatively stable and low, Pb was not detected and Sr was present in muscle at high levels, decreasing with length. Hg and Se were strongly correlated, suggesting a mitigation role. Both tissues presented low concentrations of PCBs, especially the dioxin-like congeners, although always higher in liver and not correlated with size. None of these contaminants exceed EU legislated limits. However, they need to be monitored given study areas location, volcanic nature and the expected increase of anthropogenic activity related to future prospective mining activities and the establishment of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between Europe and the USA.