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- A Fish-Based Tool for the Quality Assessment of Portuguese Large RiversPublication . Faro, António Tovar; Ferreira, Maria Teresa; Oliveira, João ManuelMultimetric indices play a pivotal role in assessing river ecological quality, aligning with the European Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) requirements. However, indices developed specifically for large rivers are uncommon. Our objective was to develop a fish-based tool specifically tailored to assess the ecological quality in Portuguese large rivers. Data were collected from seven sites in each of three Portuguese large rivers (Minho, Guadiana, and Tagus). Each site was classified using an environmental disturbance score, combining different pressure types, such as water chemistry, land use, and hydromorphological alterations. The Fish-based Multimetric Index for Portuguese Large Rivers (F-MMIP-LR) comprises four metrics: % native lithophilic individuals; % alien individuals; % migrant individuals; and % freshwater native individuals, representing compositional, reproductive, and migratory guilds. The index showed good performance in separating least- and most-disturbed sites. Least-disturbed sites were rated ‘high’ or ‘good’ by F-MMIP-LR, contrasting with no such classification for most-disturbed sites, highlighting index robustness. The three rivers presented a wide range of F-MMIP-LR values across the gradient of ‘bad’ to ‘high’, indicating that, on a large spatial extent, the biological condition was substantially altered. The F-MMIP-LR provides vital information for managers and decision-makers, guiding restoration efforts and strengthening conservation initiatives in line with the WFD
- Lactic acid bacteria: a sustainable solution against phytopathogenic agentsPublication . Saragoça, A.; Canha, H.; Varanda, Carla; Materatski, Patrick; Cordeiro, A.I.; Gama, J.Biological control agents (BCAs) are beneficial living organisms used in plant protection to control pathogens sustainably. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have gained attention in biopesticides due to their safety as recognized by the Food and Drug Administration. These bacteria possess antifungal properties, demonstrating inhibitory effects through nutrient competition or the production of antimicrobial metabolites. Numerous Lactobacillus species have shown the ability to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms, primarily through acid production. The organic acids secreted by LAB reduce the pH of the medium, creating a hostile environment for microorganisms. These organic acids are a primary inhibition mechanism of LAB. This article reviews several studies on LAB as BCAs, focusing on their inhibition modes. Additionally, it discusses the limitations and future challenges of using LAB to control phytopathogens for sustainable agriculture.
- Fluctuations in Mediterranean Diet adherence pre- and post-pandemic : a study of portuguese cohorts 2019–2024Publication . Andrade, Vanda; Pinto, PaulaBackground/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a lifestyle offering numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the adherence to the MD is moderate even in Mediterranean countries. While sociodemographic factors influence MD adherence, additional impacts occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional longitudinal study with three cohorts of Portuguese adults analyzes MD adherence before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores the effect of sociodemographic variables. Methods: Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and MD adherence were assessed in the years 2019, 2021, and 2024 with an online self-filled questionnaire. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Results: MEDAS score increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2019 to 2021 (6.2 ± 0.7 to 7.7 ± 0.1), followed by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in 2024 (7.2 ± 0.1) relative to 2019, which was more pronounced in participants with higher income. Accordingly, a trend in healthier
- Local factors have a greater influence on the abundance of alfalfa weevil and its larval parasitoids than landscape complexity in heterogeneous landscapesPublication . Levi‑Mourao, A.; Meseguer, R.; Madeira, Filipe; Martinez‑Casasnovas, J.A.; Costamagna, A.C.; Pons, X.Context The alfalfa weevil Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive pests of alfalfa worldwide. Both local and landscape-scale factors can significantly infuence crop pests, natural enemies, and the efectiveness of biological control services, but the relative infuence of these factors is unclear. Objectives We investigated the infuence of the local variables and surrounding landscape composition and configuration on the abundance of alfalfa weevil, and on the abundance and parasitism rates of its larval parasitoids, Bathyplectes spp. Methods We sampled 65 commercial alfalfa fields along the Ebro Basin, Spain, over a period of 3 years, recording the field characteristics and landscape structure at three buffer radii of 250, 500 and 1000 m from the center of each field. Results The abundance of weevil larvae was positively associated with the field perimeter and with the uncut alfalfa surrounding the pipes of the sprinkler irrigation system, but only one configuration variable was positively correlated: the alfalfa edge density. No local characteristics or landscape structures were associated with the abundance of adult weevils. The abundance of Bathyplectes spp. adults was positively associated to local factors such as the densities of alfalfa weevils and aphids. Few landscape structure variables, such as alfalfa edge density and Simpson’s Diversity Index, had explanatory value only at 250 m buffer radius. The rate of larval parasitism was affected by local variables, such as alfalfa weevil abundance and field age. Conclusion Our results provide, for the first time in the Mediterranean region and Europe, evidence of the relative importance of landscape structure and local factors on the abundance of the alfalfa weevil and its larval parasitoids, Bathyplectes spp. The strongest infuences were based on local characteristics.
- Bisifusarium lunatum causing cladode soft rot in pear cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) in BrazilPublication . Xavier, L.M.S.; Farias, O.R.; Barbosa, P.R.R.; Varanda, Carla; Materatski, P.; Oliveira, V.S.; Porcino, M.M.; Barros, A.P.; Silva, H.F.; Batista, F.R.C.; Correia, K.C.; Nascimento, L.C.Cactus pear variety Miuda (Nopalea cochenillifera L. Salm-Dyck) is an important crop for the Northeast region of Brazil, composing one of the main sources of animal feed. By April 2021, cladode rot caused death of several cactus pear plants in a production area located in Itaporanga, Paraíba State, Brazil (7°21'55.35'S, 38°11'38.68'W). The infected cladodes showed brown circular necrotic spots and soft rot with perforations that extended throughout the cladode, followed by tipping over and death of the infected plants. The incidence of the disease ranged from 10 to 30% of the plants. Bisifusarium strains were isolated and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA). The colonies were purple in color on PDA. On SNA, macroconidia (n = 100) were abundant, hyaline, slightly falcate, and three-septate, measuring 11.0 to 23.1 × 2.3 to 4.1 µm. Microconidia (n = 100) were oval and generally aseptate, measuring 4.1 to 8.7 × 2.3 to 3.0 µm. Conidiogenic cells formed into short monophialides. Chlamydospores were not observed. According to these morphological features, the pathogen was initially identified as Bisifusarium lunatum (Gryzenhout et al. 2017). For further confirmation of the identification, the partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-a) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes were sequenced for a representative isolate (CMA 34; GenBank accession nos. OR536502 for TEF1-a and OR553509 for RPB2) and compared with other Bisifusarium species from the GenBank database. Subsequently, it was subjected to a phylogenetic analysis of maximum likelihood, including previously published sequences. According to BLAST searches, the TEF1-a and RPB2 sequences were 99% (637/640 nt) and 100% (312/312 nt) similar to B. lunatum (COUFAL0213: TEF1-a [MK640219] and RPB2 [MK301291]), respectively. The isolate was also clustered in a clade containing the ex-type of B. lunatum with 100% support (SH-aLRT and UFboot), being confidently assigned to this species. The pathogenicity test was performed as described by Medeiros et al. (2015) by using healthy 2-month-old cactus pear seedlings (n = 10) cultivated in a greenhouse. Sterile toothpicks were distributed over colonies of the representative isolate grown on PDA at 25 ± 2°C for 7 days. Seedling cladodes were stuck with the toothpicks, moistened with sterile water, and covered with transparent plastic bags for 24 h, thus simulating a humid chamber. Following 3 months, all control plants (stuck with sterile toothpicks) remained healthy, whereas those inoculated with the representative isolate exhibited rot symptoms. This test was performed two times. B. lunatum was reisolated from symptomatic cladodes and identified as previously described, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of B. lunatum causing soft rot on N. cochenillifera in Brazil. Besides N. cochenillifera, this species was also reported on Opuntia ficus-indica in India (Gryzenhout et al. 2017), which raises concern regarding its ability to infect other forage sources for cattle feed in Brazilian semiarid regions. The present study highlights that the precise identification of B. lunatum is a key factor to adjust control strategies and management of the disease to prevent the spread of this disease to other crops.
- Nutritive value and condensed tannins of tree legumes in silvopasture systemsPublication . Silva, I.A.G.; Dubeux Jr., J.C.B.; Souza, Carla G.; Moreno, M.R.; Santos, M.V.F.; Apolinário, V.X.O.; Mello, A.C.L.; Cunha, M.V.; Muir, J.P.; Junior, M.A.L.Introducing legumes into C4-dominated tropical pastures, may enhance their sustainability but has some pasture management constraints. One potential alternative is using arboreal legumes, but several of these species have relatively high condensed tannin (CT) concentrations, which negatively impact forage quality. There is limited knowledge, however, on how arboreal legume leaf CT content varies over the year and how this might impact forage quality. The objective of this 2 year study was to assess the seasonal variation of CT and nutritive value for ruminants of the tropical tree legumes gliricidia [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex. Walp.] and mimosa (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth). The research was carried out in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil on well-established pastures in which either legume was present with signalgrass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf.). We determined CT and nitrogen concentrations, in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), and leaf δ13C and δ15N from January to October of 2017 and 2018. All parameters were afected (P< 0.05) by the interaction between legume species and sampling time, with generally higher leaf CT content for mimosa than gliricidia, and both were reduced at the start of the dry season, although much more drastically for mimosa. The IVDOM was strongly afected by CT content and increased at the start of the dry season, coincidentally when C4 grass forage quality typically decreased. There is a marked species efect, with CT from gliricidia impacting IVDOM more than the same CT content from mimosa. While N concentration from mimosa also increased at the start of the dry season, that for gliricidia did not vary over the year. We conclude that although these arboreal legumes have relatively high CT contents, these reduce during the dry season when CT concentrations coinciding with a reduced forage quality as the protein content for C4 grasses is usually inadequate in this season.
- Utilidad del enriquecimiento ambiental en las interacciones y caudofagia en cerdosPublication . Araújo, J.P.; Lopes, I.F.; Cerqueira, J.L.; Machado, I.A.; Vicente, António; Almeida, J.P.El desarrollo de comportamientos anormales como la caudofagia en los cerdos es un serio desafío del bienestar y económico de la moderna producción, motivada por factores de riesgo multifactoriales. El enriquecimiento ambiental y el uso de manipulables es una medida fundamental para contribuir para disminuir las interacciones con las colas y consecuentemente la reducción de la caudofagia.
- Local environment and fragmentation by drought and damming shape different components of native and non-native fish beta diversity across pool refugesPublication . Martelo, J.; Gkenas, C.; Ribeiro, D.; Alves, M.J.; Ribeiro, F.; Cucherousset, J.; Gago, João; Magalhães, M.F.Pool refuges are critical for maintaining stream fish diversity in increasingly intermittent streams. Yet, the patterns and drivers of beta diversity of native and non-native fish in pool refuges remain poorly known. Focusing on Mediterranean streams, we decomposed beta diversity of native and non-native fish into richness difference (RichDiff) and species replacement (Repl), and local (LCBD, LCBDRichDiff and LCBDRepl) and species (SCBD) contributions. We assessed the influence of environmental and spatial factors associated with drought and damming fragmentations on beta diversity components and LCBDs, and of local species richness and occupancy on LCBDs and SCBD, respectively. Overall, non-native species showed a more limited occupancy of pool refuges than native fish. RichDiff dominated beta diversity, though it was influenced by drought and damming fragmentations for native fish and local environment for non-native fish. Repl for native fish was slightly influenced by local environment, but for non-native fish was largely driven by drought and damming, albeit with a contribution of local environment as well. LCBD and LCBDRichDiff increased in pools in low order streams for native fish and at low elevations for non-native fish, and with high or low species richness. SCBD was higher for native species with intermediated pool occupancy, but for non-native species with low occupancy. Our results suggest that stream fragmentation may drive native species loss and non-native species replacement in pool refuges, and that environmental filtering may shape non-native species loss. Pools in lower order streams har bouring unique species-rich or species-poor assemblages should be prioritize for conservation and restoration, respectively, and pools at low elevation with unique non-native assemblages should deserve control efforts. We encourage the partitioning of beta diversity and individual analysis of native and non-native fish in intermittent streams, which may be key in stressing the importance of pool refuges in safeguarding native fish diversity.
- Exploring the relationship between mediterranean diet adherence and subjective well-being among Greek and Cypriot adultsPublication . Deligiannidou, G.E.; Philippou, E.; Vasiari, E.; Andrade, Vanda; Massaro, M.; Chervenkov, M.; Ivanova, T.; Jorge, Rui; Dimitrova, D.; Ruskovska, T.; Miloseva, L.; Maksimova, V.; Smilkov, K.; Ackova, D.G.; García-Conesa, M.T.; Pinto, Paula; Kontogiorgis, C.A.Associations between subjective well-being (SWB) and dietary habits, employment status, and habitual activities are increasingly capturing the focus of researchers as well as policymakers worldwide. This study aimed to explore these associations in a sample of the population in Greece and Cyprus via an online survey. In total, 936 questionnaires (470: Cyprus, 466: Greece) were analyzed to study the associations between the Mediterranean Diet (MD) (using the 14-item MEDAS score, (14-MEDAS)), subjective well-being (SWB), and several socioeconomic factors. Key remarks of this survey highlight the positive impact of MD adherence on some well-being items. Namely, statistically significant differences were found on the following items: Satisfied with life (p < 0.001), Life worthwhile (p < 0.001), Feeling happy (p < 0.001), worried (p = 0.005), and depressed (p = 0.001), when comparing Low MD adherence (14-MEDAS < 5) to High MD adherence (14-MEDAS > 10). Other lifestyle habits such as spending time with friends and family, spending time in nature, and habitual physical activity were associated with aspects of SWB such as Life satisfaction, Life worthwhile, Feeling happy, and energetic. The findings support adherence to the MD, since it is associated with higher life satisfaction and self-reported happiness in this sample and should be considered when developing health policies on well-being.
- Diet of non-native pikeperch Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal: a first perspective on Tejo basin dietary patternsPublication . Ribeiro, D.R.; Gago, João; Gkenas, C.; Ferreira, M.; Gabriel, S.; Ribeiro, F.The introduction rate of new species is expanding worldwide, being a major driver of biodiversity loss and biotic homogenisation (Strayer & Dudgeon 2010). Such phenomenon is particularly serious in Mediterranean regions (Anastácio et al. 2019) with the modification of habitats (construction of dams and barriers) associated with the establishment of non-native fish (hereafter NNF) (Radinger et al. 2019). The spread of these species promotes a cascade effect disrupting the food webs and ecosystems (Baxter et al. 2004, Clavero et al. 2013). Iberia is a bio-invasion hotspot for freshwater fish introductions containing nearly 30% of NNF relative to total number of present fish species (Leprieur et al. 2008, Leunda 2010). For instance, Portuguese freshwaters contain 20 NNF of a total of 64 fish species, and nearly half of these non-natives have arrived in the last 2 decades (1 new NNF/2 years) (Anastácio et al. 2019). Some of recent NNF are top predators with potential high impact to fish communities and aquatic food webs (Ribeiro & Leunda 2012). The pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) arrived to mainland Portugal in 1997, being firstly reported in Ermal reservoir (Ave basin, NW Portugal) (Barros et al. 1998). In less than a decade, it was spread across mainland Portugal, reaching the Guadiana basin in 2005 (Ribeiro et al. 2009a, b). Only one study has addressed the pikeperch diet in Iberian freshwaters (Perez-Bote & Roso 2012), being important to evaluate its predation pressure in different habitats (lotic and lentic) within its invaded range. Here it is described the diet of pikeperch in Tejo basin and how the diet competition varies between different habitats.