ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3955-8186
Current Organisation
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
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Publisher: Editorial CSIC
Date: 03-10-2023
Publisher: Pensoft Publishers
Date: 13-01-2023
DOI: 10.3897/ZSE.99.95222
Abstract: The nudibranch ersity of the western Indian Ocean is comparatively one of the least studied in the world. In this paper a sponge-like Discodoridae nudibranch Jorunna liviae sp. nov. is described. The description is based on integrative anatomy, including molecular analysis of two genes (the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear H3), dissections, electron microscopy (SEM) of buccal elements, micro tomography of the spicule’s arrangements and ecological observations. This study provides the first ever molecular data of Jorunna species from the western Indian Ocean, helping to fill the gap to further understand this apparent paraphyletic genus.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 21-03-2016
DOI: 10.7287/PEERJ.PREPRINTS.1886V1
Abstract: Background. The trade in gill plates of devil and manta rays has increased greatly over the last two decades. The resulting increased mortality, in addition to mortality caused by by-catch, means that many ray populations are declining in size. The aim of this study was to ascertain the main demographic drivers of population change in reef manta rays ( Manta alfredi ) to increase our understanding of their demography and hence provide insight into potential conservation measures. Methods. We developed a population projection model for reef manta rays and used published life history data to parameterise the model and also used these data as points of reference to compare our model output to. Because little is known about yearling and juvenile survival of reef manta rays, we conducted our analyses across a range of plausible survival rate values of yearlings, juveniles, and also adults. Results. The model accurately captured observed patterns of variation in population growth rate, lifetime reproductive success and cohort generation time for different reef manta ray populations around the world. Varying the survival rates of the different life stages revealed that increasing adult annual survival rate always positively and additively affected population growth rate, lifetime reproductive success and cohort generation time. Variation in yearling and juvenile annual survival rate, however, had different and varying effects on the latter three population descriptors, highlighting the importance of obtaining accurate estimates of these survival rates from natural populations. Our elasticity analysis revealed that for both declining and stable populations, the population growth rate is most sensitive to changes in either juvenile or adult survival rate, depending on yearling and adult annual survival rate values. Discussion. Many reef manta ray populations are declining, resulting in local extinction unless effective conservation measures are taken. Based on our detailed demographic analysis, we suggest that reef manta ray conservation would particularly benefit from focusing on increasing juvenile and adult survival.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 24-08-2016
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.2370
Abstract: The trade in manta ray gill plates has considerably increased over the last two decades. The resulting increases in ray mortality, in addition to mortality caused by by-catch, has caused many ray populations to decrease in size. The aim of this study was to ascertain how yearling and juvenile growth and survival, and adult survival and reproduction affect reef manta ray ( Manta alfredi ) population change, to increase our understanding of manta ray demography and thereby improve conservation research and measures for these fish. We developed a population projection model for reef manta rays, and used published life history data on yearling and juvenile growth and adult reproduction to parameterise the model. Because little is known about reef manta ray yearling and juvenile survival, we conducted our analyses using a range of plausible survival rate values for yearlings, juveniles and adults. The model accurately captured observed variation in population growth rate, lifetime reproductive success and cohort generation time in different reef manta ray populations. Our demographic analyses revealed a range of population consequences in response to variation in demographic rates. For ex le, an increase in yearling or adult survival rates always elicited greater responses in population growth rate, lifetime reproductive success and cohort generation time than the same increase in juvenile survival rate. The population growth rate increased linearly, but lifetime reproductive success and cohort generation time increased at an accelerating rate with increasing yearling or adult survival rates. Hence, even a small increase in survival rate could increase lifetime reproductive success by one pup, and cohort generation time by several years. Elasticity analyses revealed that, depending on survival rate values of all life stages, the population growth rate is either most sensitive to changes in the rate with which juveniles survive but stay juveniles (i.e., do not mature into adults) or to changes in adult survival rate. However, when assessing these results against estimates on population growth and adult survival rates for populations off the coasts of Mozambique and Japan, we found that the population growth rate is predicted to be always most sensitive to changes in the adult survival rate. It is important to gain an in-depth understanding of reef manta ray life histories, particularly of yearling and adult survival rates, as these can influence reef manta ray population dynamics in a variety of ways. For declining populations in particular, it is crucial to know which life stage should be targeted for their conservation. For one such declining population off the coast of Mozambique, adult annual survival rate has the greatest effect on population growth, and by increasing adult survival by protecting adult aggregation sites, this population’s decline could be halted or even reversed.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-07-2017
Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)
Date: 02-04-2021
Abstract: Little is known about the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) of the East-African Coast genetic sub-unit (C1). With an estimated population size of 7000 whales, they demonstrate the resilience of the species after commercial whaling caused population numbers to decline drastically. Zavora Bay, Mozambique offers an ideal observation point of the passage of the whales during their annual migration towards the breeding ground of southern Africa and serves as an operating base to monitor this population. This study aimed at identifying the importance of Zavora Bay as part of this breeding ground and the core regions for humpback whale use within the study area. Results showed the waters off the coast of Zavora are actively used for breeding and do not merely serve as passage towards the wintering habitats. A mother-calf pair separation with a preference for shallower waters closer to shore was observed. Besides depth and distance to shore, slope also proved to have a significant influence on the distribution of adult humpback whales. Increased survey effort and more detailed investigation of the threats to humpback whales within the waters of Zavora are recommended.
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4359.1.1
Abstract: This paper provides the first comprehensive annotated and illustrated inventory of Nudipleura from Mozambique. A total of 267 species are recorded, including 61 putative new species, documented over a period of seven years from several localities along the coast. At least 20 species need further investigation through molecular and taxomic analysis. Of the 186 confirmed described species, 118 are new records for the Mozambican fauna. S ling was carried in tidal reefs and depths up to 60m on the subtropical and tropical coast of Mozambique. The most representative families were Chromodorididae (69 species), Discodorididae (30 species), Facelinidae (23 species) and Phyllididae (16 species). Nevertheless, a vast area of Mozambique remains unexplored, thus it is likely that the species documented here represent only a fraction of the true Nudipleura ersity of the country.
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 06-2006
DOI: 10.1590/S0102-33062006000200009
Abstract: Embora o conhecimento sobre a florística dos fragmentos de florestas estacionais semideciduais tenha crescido nos últimos anos, ainda sabe-se pouco sobre a comunidade de lianas (lenhosas ou herbáceas) nesses fragmentos. Assim, foi realizado o levantamento florístico de lianas na gleba Maravilha, pertencente ao Parque Estadual de Vassununga (Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP), a fim de colaborar com o conhecimento dessa comunidade e subsidiar futuros trabalhos que envolvam essa forma de vida. A área de estudo compreende 127,08 ha, com inverno seco e temperatura média anual de 22 ºC. Para a coleta do material, percorreu-se mensalmente toda a borda do fragmento e três trilhas no interior da mata, de agosto/2002 a setembro/2003. Foram identificadas 120 espécies de lianas, pertencentes a 30 famílias e 71 gêneros, das quais 51% das espécies são volúveis, 42% apresentam gavinhas e apenas 7% são escandentes. As famílias mais representativas em número de espécies foram: Bignoniaceae (26), Malpighiaceae (14), Sapindaceae (12) e Asteraceae (9). Houve baixa similaridade florística entre as espécies de lianas presentes na gleba Maravilha em relação a outras áreas de florestas estacionais semideciduais do interior paulista.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-06-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S13127-023-00611-0
Abstract: Color ontogeny and variations associated with discrete morphological differences may generate taxonomical challenges, which requires multiple data types and in-depth historical review. The nudibranch known as the Spanish dancer, Hexabranchus sanguineus , is a classic ex le with over 200 years of taxonomic confusion. Currently, H. sanguineus is accepted by most authors as a single species from the Indo-Pacific Ocean with Hexabranchus morsomus as a valid species from the Atlantic Ocean. Yet, despite these species being highly studied, their systematic status remains debatable. Over 30 synonyms have been proposed for H. sanguineus and even a distinct genus for H. morsomus . Here we provide, for the first time, a comprehensive review of all proposed names and an integrative taxonomic revision of the genus including morphological and molecular data. Our results reveal that H. sanguineus is a complex of five species: four previously described and an undescribed species, one of the largest nudibranchs in the world: Hexabranchus giganteus sp. nov. The genus Caribranchus is considered a junior synonym of Hexabranchus Ehrenberg, 1828 and the ontogeny of color pattern is discussed.
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Date: 03-06-2021
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4981.1.8
Abstract: The genus Orodoris Bergh, 1875 is a small genus that together with Miamira Bergh, 1875, was considered as a junior synonym of Ceratosoma A. Adams & Reeve, 1850. This decision was based on a morphological phylogenetic study conducted in 1999 that recovered the monophyly of the Ceratosoma. However, in 2012, molecular evidences led to the resurrection of Miamira, while Orodoris was retained as a junior synonym of Miamira with no further details. Here we revise the status of the genus Orodoris in light of the rediscovery of M. striata (syn. Orodoris striata Eliot, 1904). Our phylogenetic analysis revealed a close sister relationship between Miamira striata and Miamira miamirana Bergh, 1875 which nested within the Miamira clade. Therefore, to retain the monophyly of Miamira, the genus Orodoris should be maintained as a junior synonym of the former. This study proposes a neotype for M. striata and underscores the importance of reviewing historical taxonomic changes and investigating ancient descriptions prior to describing new taxa. Our study also confirms that Miamira magnifica Eliot, 1910 from the Indian Ocean and Miamira flavicostata Baba, 1940 from the Pacific Ocean represent two distinct, sister species.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/IS17095
Abstract: The species of the genus Halgerda Bergh, 1880, are restricted to the Indo-Pacific some being common inhabitants of reefs off the coast of Mozambique. These species have been relatively well studied morphologically, but few molecular data are available. During a seven-year period surveying the reefs of Mozambique, 11 Halgerda spp. were collected, six of which are described here. We provide details on their morphology, anatomy, novel genetic markers and additional information about their colour variation. The new species described herein are Halgerda leopardalis, sp. nov., H. mozambiquensis, sp. nov., H. jennyae, sp. nov., H. meringuecitrea, sp. nov., H. nuarroensis, sp. nov. and H. indotessellata, sp. nov., the last of which was found to be a pseudocryptic species of H. tessellata. Moreover, we identified two species complexes, one composed mainly of specimens from the Western Indian Ocean and another with specimens mostly from the Pacific Ocean and Western Australia.
Publisher: Cognizant, LLC
Date: 09-2011
DOI: 10.3727/154427311X13195453162732
Abstract: This article examines ers' perspectives and demographics in Tofo Beach, Inhambane. It discusses the urgent need for good management. Analysis is based on data collected from 530 semistructured questionnaires for ers and participatory observation during field research from April to December 2008. For 74% of respondents, the ing component was a key incentive to visit Mozambique. Most of the ers in Tofo are experienced and particularly wish to interact with whale sharks and manta rays. It is suggested that while marine tourism is a potential opportunity for sustainable tourism, it may be at risk due to the lack of management combined with the dependence on just a few marine mega fauna species not yet protected.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 25-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/JZS.12334
Location: Mozambique
Location: Brazil
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