Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the surrounding waters of Isabel Island in western-central Mexico: unveiling a little-known wintering area

The humpback whales which breed in the Mexican Pacific represent an important fraction (~38%) of the estimated population of the North Pacific. Despite the importance of Mexican waters for the reproductive habits of this species, little is known about the ecology of these whales, along the continental coast of Mexico. We analysed the temporal variation of abundance, group types, and inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island National Park as well as intra- and inter-seasonal movements with Banderas Bay breeding areas. Inter- and intra-annual recapture rates in Isabel Island National Park were low (1.8%); while 34% of 222 individuals photo-identified in Isabel Island National Park were also recaptured in Banderas Bay. Groups with calves were uncommon (9.5%), while pairs (33.5%) and competitive groups (29.5%) were more common. Intense singing activity was detected in the waters adjacent to Isabel Island. These waters seem to function as a reproductive corridor for the so-called ‘coastal stock’ of humpback whales in the waters adjacent to the continental coast of the Mexican Pacific. Therefore, mid- and long-term studies are needed to understand the dynamics of these displacements. Our findings suggest that Isabel Island National Park is an important area for the mating ecology of the humpback whales of the continental waters of the Mexican coast, and support the initiative to incorporate a Marine Protected Area within the Isabel Island National Park.

First observations of the Atlantic beach cricket, Pseudomogoplistes vicentae (Grylloidea: Mogoplistidae), in the Basque autonomous community, Spain

The Atlantic beach cricket Pseudomogoplistes vicentae Gorochov, 1996 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Mogoplistidae) is among the rare Orthoptera species that live exclusively in coastal habitats. It inhabits cobble beaches from North Africa to Great Britain, with populations known in Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Channel Islands, Wales and England. P. vicentae was found on the Spanish continental coast for the first time in 2018, in Asturias. The discovery of three populations in the Basque autonomous community (Northern Spain) is reported here, and useful information for increasing its detection and monitoring its populations is provided.

Результаты обследования колоний морских птиц восточной части Тауйской губы (Охотское море)

The results of the sea bird colonies census in the eastern part on the coast of the Tauy Bay, Zavyalov Island, and the Koni Peninsula are presented and discussed. Recent census allows to assess changes in nesting colonies of seabirds that occurred over the past 10-15 years. Total number of nesting seabirds is estimated as more than 92 thousand individuals. Gradual decrease in the number of seabirds colonies was observed on the west coast of the Koni peninsula. The great bulk of seabirds nesting in here is concentrated around Cape Bligan - 11,1 thousand individuals and on Cape Skalisty - 7.5 thousand individuals. Recovery of the colony of murres was recorded. On Cape Skalisty, after almost 30-year absence, and the number of murres quickly grows here. The number of breeding seabirds on Umara Island has remained stable for the last 10 years and is estimated as 60.2 thousand individuals. The total number of breeding seabirds along the surveyed part of the continental coast has decreased from 41.7 thousand individuals to 30.2 thousand in 2009-2019.

Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos

Detection of plastic debris degrading into micro particles across all oceanic environments and inside of marine organisms is no longer surprising news. Microplastic contamination now appears as one of the world’s environmental main concerns. To determine the levels of microplastic pollution at sea, water samples were collected across a 4000 km-trajectory in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and the Galápagos archipelago, covering an area of 453,000 square kilometres. Furthermore, 240 specimens of 16 different species of fish, squid, and shrimp, all of human consumption, were collected along the continental coast. Microplastic particles were found in 100% of the water samples and marine organisms. Microplastic particles ranging from 150 to 500 µm in size were the most predominant. This is one of the first reports simultaneously detecting and quantifying microplastic particles abundance and their impact on marine organisms of this region.