Biology subjects

Moura, C. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Moura, C. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Revealing Hidden Threats: Marine Invertebrate Invasions in the Banc d'Arguin National Park (PNBA), Mauritania, Explored Through DNA Barcoding

The Banc dArguin National Park (PNBA) in Mauritania, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, faces growing threats from human activities and biological invasions. This study aimed to document marine invertebrate diversity in the PNBA and identify non-native and potentially invasive species. Samples were collected during expeditions in 2021 and 2022, using scuba-diving, drag dredging, and manual intertidal collection across depths of 0 to 20 meters. Through DNA barcoding of COI and 16S genes, 17 species from three phyla--Cnidaria, Bryozoa, and Arthropoda-- were identified, with several cryptic taxa detected. Evidence of human-mediated introduction was found in hydroids (Bougainvillia, Pennaria, Obelia), bryozoans (Amathia, Bugula, Schizoporella), and barnacles (Amphibalanus), suggesting invasions from regions like Brazil, and the Indo-Pacific. Notably, Amathia brasiliensis and Amathia cf. vidovici were recorded for the first time in West Africa, alongside the detection of two other Amathia species, raising concerns about their potential impact on the PNBAs biodiversity and ecosystem services. The presence of these exotic species, likely introduced via international maritime traffic and fishing activities, highlights the parks vulnerability. The study underscores the utility of DNA barcoding for detecting cryptic diversity and tracking species dispersal, recommending urgent conservation measures and biosecurity protocols to protect the PNBAs unique marine ecosystems.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2024

Hotspot of Exotic Benthic Marine Invertebrates Discovered in the Tropical East Atlantic: DNA Barcoding Insights from the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau

AimThis study aimed to explore and document putative exotic marine benthic invertebrate species in the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, to enhance understanding of marine biodiversity and address the extent of marine species introductions. LocationThe research was conducted in the Bijagos Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located in Guinea-Bissau. MethodsThe study involved the regions first scuba-diving survey of marine biodiversity. DNA barcoding was employed to assist in the identification of benthic invertebrate species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted with the available DNA barcodes to ensure accurate taxonomic assignments, detect cryptic species, and investigate the phylogeography of the taxa. ResultsThe survey resulted in the discovery of 28 new species records for the Bijagos Archipelago, including octocorals, scleractinians, hydroids, bryozoans, barnacles, and ascidians. Among these, seven species were documented for the first time in the East Atlantic: Stragulum bicolor, Tubastraea tagusensis, Nemalecium lighti, Diphasia sp., Amathia alternata, A. distans, and Symplegma rubra. Molecular analyses revealed pervasive cryptic diversity within species previously listed as exotic, suggesting that some, such as the hydroids Plumularia setacea, Obelia geniculata, and Dynamena disticha, are not exotic due to their restricted biogeographic distributions. Many other species reported as introduced present only a few genetic lineages capable of long-distance dispersal due to human activities. Main ConclusionsThe study highlights considerable gaps in the knowledge of West African marine biodiversity and suggests a substantial underestimation of the anthropogenic trade in exotic marine species between the Tropical East Atlantic and the Americas, and between the Indo-Pacific and West Africa. Detailed taxonomic and genomic analyses are necessary for understanding marine exotic species biogeography and adaptive traits. Our findings challenge current classifications of exotic species and underscore the need for improved monitoring and management to prevent the spread of non-native marine species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2024

Global genomics of the man-o'-war (Physalia) reveal biodiversity at the ocean surface

The open ocean is a vast, highly connected environment, and the organisms found there have been hypothesized to represent massive, well-mixed populations. Of these, the Portuguese man-o-war (Physalia) is uniquely suited to dispersal, sailing the ocean surface with a muscular crest. We tested the hypothesis of a single, panmictic Physalia population by sequencing 133 genomes, and found five distinct lineages, with multiple lines of evidence showing strong reproductive isolation despite range overlap. We then scored thousands of citizen-science photos and identified four recognizable morphologies linked to these lineages. Within lineages, we detected regionally endemic subpopulations, connected by winds and currents, and identified individual long-distance dispersal events. We find that, even in these sailing species, genetic variation is highly partitioned geographically across the open ocean. SummaryThe open ocean is a vast and highly connected environment. The organisms that live there have a significant capacity for dispersal and few geographic boundaries to separate populations. Of these, the Portuguese man-o-war or bluebottle (genus Physalia) is uniquely suited to long-distance travel, using its gas-filled float and muscular crest to catch the wind and sail the sea surface. Physalia are distributed across the globe, and like many pelagic organisms, have been hypothesized to represent a massive, well-mixed population that extends across ocean basins. We tested this hypothesis by sequencing whole genomes of 133 samples collected from waters of over a dozen countries around the globe. Our results revealed five distinct lineages, with multiple lines of evidence indicating strong reproductive isolation, despite regions of range overlap. We combined these data with an independent dataset of thousands of images of Physalia uploaded to the citizen-science website inaturalist.org, which we scored for morphological characters including sail size, tentacle arrangement, and color. From these images, we identified four recognizable morphologies, described their geographical distribution, and linked them to four of the lineages identified with genomic data. We conclude there are at least four species, three of which correspond to species proposed by scientists in the 18th and 19th centuries: P. physalis, P utriculus, and P. megalista, along with one as yet unnamed species Physalia sp. from the Tasman Sea. Within each species, we observe significant population structure, with evidence of persistent subpopulations at a regional scale, as well as evidence for individual long-distance dispersal events. Our findings indicate that, instead of one well-mixed, cosmopolitan species, there are in fact multiple Physalia species with distinct but overlapping ranges, each made up of regionally endemic subpopulations that are connected by major ocean currents and wind patterns.

zoology↗