scholarly journals New historical data for long-term swordfish ecological studies in the Mediterranean Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 5867-5877
Author(s):  
Brian R. MacKenzie ◽  
Teresa Romeo ◽  
Piero Addis ◽  
Pietro Battaglia ◽  
Pierpaolo Consoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trap Fishery ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Management of marine fisheries and ecosystems is constrained by knowledge based on datasets with limited temporal coverage. Many populations and ecosystems were perturbed long before scientific investigations began. This situation is particularly acute for the largest and commercially most valuable species. We hypothesized that historical trap fishery records for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1758) could contain catch data and information for other, bycatch species, such as swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758). This species has a long history of exploitation and is presently overexploited, yet indicators of its status (biomass) used in fishery management only start in 1950. Here we examine historical fishery records and logbooks from some of these traps and recovered ca. 110 years of bycatch data (1896–2010). These previously neglected, but now recovered, data include catch dates and amounts in numbers and/or weights (including individual weights) for the time period before and after major expansion of swordfish fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. New historical datasets such as these could help understand how human activities and natural variability interact to affect the long-term dynamics of this species. The datasets are online and available with open access via three DOIs, as described in the “Data availability” section of the article.

scholarly journals New historical data for long-term swordfish ecological studies in the Mediterranean Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. MacKenzie ◽  
Teresa Romeo ◽  
Piero Addis ◽  
Pietro Battaglia ◽  
Pierpaolo Consoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trap Fishery ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Management of marine fisheries and ecosystems is constrained by knowledge based on datasets with limited temporal coverage. Many populations and ecosystems have been perturbed long before scientific investigations have begun. This situation is particularly acute for the largest and commercially most valuable species. We hypothesized that historical trap fishery records for bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, could contain catch data and information for other, bycatch species, such as swordfish, Xiphias gladius. This species has a long history of exploitation and is presently overexploited, yet indicators of its status (biomass) used in fishery management only start in 1950. Here we examine historical fishery records and logbooks from some of these traps and recovered ca. 110 years of bycatch data (1896–2010). These previously-neglected, but now recovered, data include catch dates and amounts in numbers and/or weights (including individual weights) for the time period before and after major expansion of swordfish fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. New historical datasets such as these could help understand how human activities and natural variability interact to affect long-term dynamics of this species.

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring programme of the hydrological variability in the Mediterranean Sea: a first overview of the HYDROCHANGES network

Ocean Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Schroeder ◽  
C. Millot ◽  
L. Bengara ◽  
S. Ben Ismail ◽  
M. Bensi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Sampling Interval ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Hydrological Variability ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Term Monitoring

Abstract. The long-term monitoring of basic hydrological parameters (temperature and salinity), collected as time series with adequate temporal resolution (i.e. with a sampling interval allowing the resolution of all important timescales) in key places of the Mediterranean Sea (straits and channels, zones of dense water formation, deep parts of the basins), constitute a priority in the context of global changes. This led CIESM (The Mediterranean Science Commission) to support, since 2002, the HYDROCHANGES programme (http//www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/hydrochanges.htm), a network of autonomous conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) sensors, deployed on mainly short and easily manageable subsurface moorings, within the core of a certain water mass. The HYDROCHANGES strategy is twofold and develops on different scales. To get information about long-term changes of hydrological characteristics, long time series are needed. But before these series are long enough they allow the detection of links between them at shorter timescales that may provide extremely valuable information about the functioning of the Mediterranean Sea. The aim of this paper is to present the history of the programme and the current set-up of the network (monitored sites, involved groups) as well as to provide for the first time an overview of all the time series collected under the HYDROCHANGES umbrella, discussing the results obtained thanks to the programme.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Sea climatic indices: monitoring long term variability and climate changes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasia Iona ◽  
Athanasios Theodorou ◽  
Sarantis Sofianos ◽  
Sylvain Watelet ◽  
Charles Troupin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Climatic Indices ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. We present a new product composed of a set of thermohaline climatic indices from 1950 to 2015 for the Mediterranean Sea such as decadal temperature and salinity anomalies, their mean values over selected depths, decadal ocean heat and salt content anomalies at selected depth layers as well as their long times series. It is produced from a new high-resolution climatology of temperature and salinity on a 1/8° regular grid based on historical high quality in situ observations. Ocean heat and salt content differences between 1980–2015 and 1950–1979 are compared for evaluation of the climate shift in the Mediterranean Sea. The spatial patterns of heat and salt content shifts demonstrate in greater detail than ever before that the climate changes differently in the several regions of the basin. Long time series of heat and salt content for the period 1950 to 2015 are also provided which indicate that in the Mediterranean Sea there is a net mean volume warming and salting since 1950 with acceleration during the last two decades. The time series also show that the ocean heat content seems to fluctuate on a cycle of about 40 years and seems to follow the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation climate cycle indicating that the natural large scale atmospheric variability could be superimposed on to the warming trend. This product is an observations-based estimation of the Mediterranean climatic indices. It relies solely on spatially interpolated data produced from in-situ observations averaged over decades in order to smooth the decadal variability and reveal the long term trends with more accuracy. It can provide a valuable contribution to the modellers' community, next to the satellite-based products and serve as a baseline for the evaluation of climate-change model simulations contributing thus to a better understanding of the complex response of the Mediterranean Sea to the ongoing global climate change. The product is available here: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1210100.

scholarly journals Cured primary hyperparathyroidism after fine-needle aspiration biopsy-induced parathyroid disappearance

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elda Kara ◽  
Elisa Della Valle ◽  
Sara De Vincentis ◽  
Vincenzo Rochira ◽  
Bruno Madeo
Keyword(s):  
Primary Hyperparathyroidism ◽  
Fine Needle Aspiration ◽  
Needle Aspiration ◽  
Complete Disappearance ◽  
List Type ◽  
Fine Needle ◽  
Time Period ◽  
History Of

Summary Spontaneous or fine-needle aspiration (FNAB)-induced remission of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) may occur, especially for cystic lesions. However, the disease generally relapses over a short time period. We present a case of PHPT due to an enlarged hyperfunctioning parathyroid that underwent long-term (almost 9 years) clinical and ultrasonographic remission after the disappearance of the lesion following ultrasound (US)-assisted FNAB. A 67-year-old woman with PHPT underwent biochemical and US examinations that confirmed the diagnosis and showed a lesion suggestive for parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. US-FNAB of the lesion confirmed its parathyroid nature by means of elevated levels of parathyroid hormone within the needle washing fluid. At the second visit, the patient referred slight neck swelling that resolved spontaneously in the days after the US-FNAB. At subsequent follow-up, the enlarged parathyroid was not found; it was visible neither with US nor with magnetic resonance imaging. Biochemical remission persists after 9 years. This is the first reported case of cure of PHPT after US-FNAB performed on a hyperfunctioning parathyroid resulting in its complete disappearance over a period of 9 years of negative biochemical and ultrasonographic follow-up. Learning points: Spontaneous or fine-needle aspiration-induced remission of primary hyperparathyroidism can occur. Both circumstances may present disease relapse over a variable time period, but definite remission is also possible even though long-term periodic follow-up should be performed. Parathyroid damage should be ruled out in case of neck symptomatology after parathyroid fine-needle aspiration or spontaneous symptomatology in patients with history of primary hyperparathyroidism.

scholarly journals Fine-tuning citrate synthase flux potentiates and refines metabolic innovation in the Lenski evolution experiment

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik M Quandt ◽  
Jimmy Gollihar ◽  
Zachary D Blount ◽  
Andrew D Ellington ◽  
George Georgiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Evolution Experiment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Second Wave

Evolutionary innovations that enable organisms to colonize new ecological niches are rare compared to gradual evolutionary changes in existing traits. We discovered that key mutations in the gltA gene, which encodes citrate synthase (CS), occurred both before and after Escherichia coli gained the ability to grow aerobically on citrate (Cit+ phenotype) during the Lenski long-term evolution experiment. The first gltA mutation, which increases CS activity by disrupting NADH-inhibition of this enzyme, is beneficial for growth on the acetate and contributed to preserving the rudimentary Cit+ trait from extinction when it first evolved. However, after Cit+ was refined by further mutations, this potentiating gltA mutation became deleterious to fitness. A second wave of beneficial gltA mutations then evolved that reduced CS activity to below the ancestral level. Thus, dynamic reorganization of central metabolism made colonizing this new nutrient niche contingent on both co-opting and overcoming a history of prior adaptation.

From Catastrophe to Recovery: Stories of Fishery Management Success

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
High Price ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Illegal Fishing ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Commercially Important

<i>Abstract.</i>—This chapter provides the history of the Caspian Kutum <i>Rutilus kutum</i> (Kamensky 1901) fishery in the Caspian Sea, analyzes long-term changes of stock condition and the main causes of fluctuations in abundance, and describes conservation measures that allowed resumption of fishing. Caspian Kutum (Cyprinidae family) is an endemic, semi-anadromous, medium-sized fish, reaching 53–67 cm in total length (rarely 71 cm) and weighing up to 4.0 kg (rarely 5.0 kg). Commercially important fisheries occur in Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. Flesh and roe are enjoyed as food and have a high price in markets. Variability in sea level, construction of hydroelectric power plants on rivers, water irrigation withdrawals, industrial and domestic pollution, overfishing, and illegal fishing resulted in a sharp decline of Caspian Kutum abundance and resulted in a total ban on harvest in Russia between 1995 and 2004. In Iran, fishing for Caspian Kutum continued due to their stocking program. Conservation measures for Caspian Kutum stocks (e.g., listing in federal and local Red Data books, fishing ban, fight against illegal fishing), as well as an increase of artificial propagation in Iran, Azerbaijan, and Dagestan (Russia) during subsequent years, have allowed the recovery of stocks in Russian waters to 1990s levels as well as the resumption of fishing. The follow lessons may be applicable to fishery management programs elsewhere:

scholarly journals Sponge community variation along the Apulian coasts (Otranto Strait) over a pluri-decennial time span. Does water warming drive a sponge diversity increasing in the Mediterranean Sea?

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  
pp. 1519-1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Costa ◽  
Giorgio Bavestrello ◽  
Valerio Micaroni ◽  
Maurizio Pansini ◽  
Francesca Strano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Biodiversity Monitoring ◽  
Sponge Diversity ◽  
Community Variation ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Mass Mortalities

AbstractClimate change and heavy anthropic pressures are giving rise to important modifications in the rocky benthic communities of the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, sponge assemblages have been deeply affected due to the susceptibility of some species to dramatic phenomena such as mass mortalities or widespread variations in the abundance of other species. For this reason, long-term biodiversity monitoring of the sponge assemblages is important for understanding the direction of changes over time. We studied the sponge fauna living off Tricase Porto (Otranto Strait) and compared its composition with the results of a study conducted in the same area 50 years ago. The comparison indicated that the sponge diversity of this area has strongly increased in the last 50 years and a large number of the sponges recorded in the old survey are still present in the recent community. This evidence matches with other results obtained from different localities of the Mediterranean Sea indicating an increase of sponge diversity, possibly due to the present water warming. The description of two new Demosponge species, Diplastrella boeroi sp. nov. and Spirastrella angulata sp. nov., is also provided.

Priming-Induced Shift in Synaptic Plasticity in the Rat Hippocampus

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 2024-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
John J. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Crossover Point ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

The activity history of a given neuron has been suggested to influence its future responses to synaptic input in one prominent model of experience-dependent synaptic plasticity proposed by Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM theory). Because plasticity of synaptic plasticity (i.e., metaplasticity) is similar in concept to aspects of the BCM proposal, we have tested the possibility that a form of metaplasticity induced by a priming stimulation protocol might exhibit BCM-like characteristics. CA1 field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) obtained from rat hippocampal slices were used to monitor synaptic responses before and after conditioning stimuli (3–100 Hz) of the Schaffer collateral inputs. A substantial rightward shift (>5-fold) in the frequency threshold between long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) was observed <1 h after priming. This change in the LTD/P crossover point occurred at both primed and unprimed synaptic pathways. These results provide new support for the existence of a rapid, heterosynaptic, experience-dependent mechanism that is capable of modifying the synaptic plasticity phenomena that are commonly proposed to be important for developmental and learning/memory processes in the brain.

The alternative futures of the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture: from salinity research to greening the desert

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohail Inayatullah ◽  
Ismahane A. Elouafi
Keyword(s):  
Action Learning ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Alternative Futures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Short Run ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anticipatory Action

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present findings, based on a report for the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), of the preferred visions, scenarios and strategies of stakeholders articulated at a workshop held in Dubai from November 25 to 26, 2012. Design/methodology/approach – The “six pillars” approach to foresight was used to articulate visions of preferred futures of over 50 international stakeholders, including representatives from the UAE Government, national and international donors, the private sector and leading scientists from universities and international scientific institutions. These visions were then translated into a strategic and business plan for ICBA. Findings – The research center was successfully able to use foresight methods to develop a long-term strategic plan, continuing its history of innovation in knowledge-based research relating to saline and marginal environments. Novel visions and strategies for water and food futures were developed. A risk assessment of each vision was conducted. Research limitations/implications – This case study presents visions with scenarios and strategic pathways. It illustrates the utility in setting long-term visions first and then linking with strategic plans. Limitations include that the success of such a venture cannot be judged for at least five to six years. While in the short run, resources – human, partnerships, capital and leadership – have been mobilized, it is too soon to gauge real success of the foresight workshop, project. Practical implications – The study shows links between visions, scenarios and strategic pathways. Social implications – The study includes valuable discussions by leading scientists of water and food futures as well as the organizational and leadership capabilities required to deliver alternative futures. Originality/value – One of the few workshop-oriented interventions in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) region using the anticipatory action learning six pillars framework is included. The study contrasts normal expert-based conferencing in the MENA region.

scholarly journals A high-resolution free-surface model of the Mediterranean Sea

Ocean Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tonani ◽  
N. Pinardi ◽  
S. Dobricic ◽  
I. Pujol ◽  
C. Fratianni
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Argo Data ◽  
Basic Model ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. This study describes a new model implementation for the Mediterranean Sea with what is currently the highest vertical resolution over the Mediterranean basin. The resolution is of 1/16°×1/16° in the horizontal and has 72 unevenly spaced vertical levels. This model has been developed in the frame of the EU-MFSTEP project and is the operational forecast model currently used at the basin scale. The model considers an implicit free surface and this characteristic enhances the model's capability to simulate the sea surface height variability and the net transport at the Strait of Gibraltar. In this study we show the calibration/validation experiments performed before and after the model was used for forecasting. The first experiment consists of a six-year simulation forced by a perpetual year forcing, and the other experiment is a simulation from January 1997 to December 2004, forcing the model with 6-h atmospheric forcing fields from ECMWF. The model Sea Level Anomaly has been compared for the first time with satellite SLA and with ARGO data to provide evidence of the quality of the simulation. The results show that this model is capable of reproducing most of the variability of the general circulation in the Mediterranean Sea. However, some basic model inadequacies stand out and should be corrected in the near future.

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