ARQ - LMS - Número 17A
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Artigos publicados no Número 17A - 1999
CONTENTS:
Borges, P. A. V. - Plant and arthropod species composition of sown and semi-natural pasture communities of three Azorean islands (Santa Maria, Terceira and Pico)Simões, A. M.& S. Grenier - An investigation into the overwintering capability of Istocheta aldrichi (Mesnil) (Diptera: Tachinidae) a parasitoid of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on Terceira Island, Azores
Azevedo, J. M. N., H. I. R. Cepeda & J. B. Rodrigues - Notes on the biology of Centrolabrus caeruleus Azevedo, 1999 (Teleostei: Labridae)
Eijiroh N. & J. Núñez - A new species of shallow water Sabellariidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from Madeira Island, Portugal, and Canary Islands, Spain
Goclick, E., G. M. König & A. D. Wright - Collection and secondary metabolite investigations of marine organisms from the two Azorean islands Faial and São Jorge
Morato, T., E. Solà, M. P. Grós & G. Menezes - Diets of forkbeard (Phycis phycis) and conger eel (Conger conger) off the Azores during spring of 1996 and 1997
Afonso, P., F. M. Porteiro, R. S. Santos, J. P. Barreiros, J. Worms & P. Wirtz - Coastal marine fishes of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea)
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Schäfer, H. - An inland population of Azorina vidalii (Watson) Feer on Faial IslandWirtz, P. - Hydatina physis (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Azores
Boisseau O., R. Prieto, D. Nicholson & J. Gordon - An Atlantic cetacean survey using yachtsmen: a pilot study
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- Diets of forkbeard (Phycis phycis) and conger eel (Conger conger) off the Azores during spring of 1996 and 1997Publication . Morato, Telmo; Solà, Encarnacion; Grós, Maria P.; Menezes, Gui M.The forkbeard, Phycis phycis, and conger eel, Conger conger, are two coastal species, with a wide bathymetric and geographical distribution. The longline fleet of the Azores catches these two important commercial species. Few studies on their diet composition were found in literature. Data were collected during the demersal cruise surveys that took place aboard the R/V “Arquipélago” during the spring of 1996 and 1997. Stomachs of 53 forkbeards and 95 conger eels were examined to define their diets. Both species fed primarily on fishes, mainly on two benthopelagic species (Capros aper and Macroramphosus scolopax). However, the relative importance of fish was higher for conger eel than for forkbeard, which fed secondarily on decapods. Prey composition of the diet did not vary between sexes, predator size or areas. However, some differences were found on diet composition between depth strata. Prey composition indicates that both predators have the ability to feed near the bottom on benthic prey or in the water column on benthopelagic species.
- An Atlantic cetacean survey using yachtsmen : a pilot study.Publication . Boisseau, Oliver; Prieto, Rui; Nicholson, Desmond; Gordon, JonathanIn the summer of 1998, yachtsmen sailing from the Caribbean to the Azores were encouraged to take part in an Atlantic cetacean survey. The principle aim of this project was to evaluate the potential of using regular seafarers as sources of data on cetacean distribution. Identification guides and sighting forms were distributed and participants were asked to record any cetacean sightings as well as to conduct routine set-effort watches. A secondary aim of the project was to investigate reports of illegal whaling in the Atlantic. Data collected from the yachtsmen reveal a concentration of sightings along the mid- Atlantic ridge, perhaps corresponding to an increase in productivity in this area. No further reports of whaling activity were made. Although this work only involves a small data set, it illustrates how useful yachtsmen can be in assisting research in otherwise inaccessible regions. Future involvement of yachtsmen in cetacean surveying should be encouraged, as long-term data sets gathered in this way can be invaluable in revealing offshore trends.
- Hydatina physis (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Azores.Publication . Wirtz, PeterThe opisthobranch gastropod Hydatina physis (Linné, 1758) is recorded from the Azores for the first time. The distribution of the species is reviewed. Colour photos of live animals are presented and colour variation of the species is discussed.
- An inland population of Azorina vidalii (Watson) Feer at Faial Island.Publication . Schäfer, HannoAn inland population of Azorina vidalii (Watson) Feer (Campanulaceae) near Capelo, Faial island, and the special habitat are described. The origin is discussed.
- Coastal marine fishes of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea).Publication . Afonso, Pedro; Porteiro, Filipe M.; Santos, Ricardo S.; Barreiros, João P.; Worms, Jean; Wirtz, PeterSince the early works of Balthazar Osório, at the turn of the century, only few papers have been published on the ichthyofauna of São Tomé island. The papers dealing with these fishes were compilations of previous works or the results of a few scientific expeditions (e.g. "Galathea" and "Calypso"). In this paper, we present the results of several surveys carried out from the island over the last decade, together with an annotated revision of the known bibliography for the area. The result is an inventory of the coastal fish of São Tomé island. Our records (124 species belonging to 59 families) are based on fish captured, photographed or observed whilst diving and also on those landed by local artisanal fishermen. In this paper we report a total of 185 confirmed coastal species and 67 families. Twenty-seven of these are reported for the first time for the area, and three other unidentified species may represent new species to science. The best represented families are Carangidae (14 species), Serranidae (11 species), Gobiidae and Scombridae (8 species each). Despite its proximity to the African Continent, it is clear that these islands harbour a particular fish fauna, including several amphiatlantic species, which, in the eastern Atlantic, occur only around oceanic islands (e.g., Epinephelus ascencionis, Paranthias furcifer, Mulloidychtis martinicus, Bodianus pulchellus, Chromis multilineata, Gnatholepis thomsoni, Melychthis niger). The coastal ichthyodiversity of São Tomé is apparently poorer than that of the adjacent coasts, showing a significant influence of the islands further west, St. Helena and Ascencion.
- Collection and secondary metabolite investigations of marine organisms from the two Azorean Islands Faial and São Jorge.Publication . Goclik, Eva; König, Gabriele M.; Wright, Anthony D.In March and April of 1997 a total of 35 samples of marine organisms were collected from the Azorean Islands of Faial and São Jorge. These samples included 3 species of Chlorophyta, 7 species of Phaeophyta, 10 species of Rhodophyta, 2 species of Chordata, 3 species of Mollusca, and 7 species of Porifera. Of these samples Laxosuberites rugosus (Porifera), and Pachymatisma johnstonia (Porifera), are new records for the Azores. Secondary metabolite investigations of a number of these samples led to the isolation of para-hydroxybenzyl cyanide from the sponge Laxosuberites rugosus, and oxindol from the sponge Tedania anhelans. Both these compounds are reported here from the marine environment for the first time. These compounds were assessed for their human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1-RT) and tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibition activities, and para-hydroxybenzyl cyanide found to inhibit the activity of TK to 64% at the 200 Fg/ml level. This is the first report of the TK activity of parahydroxybenzyl cyanide.
- A new species of shallow water Sabellariidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from Madeira Island, Portugal, and Canary Islands, Spain.Publication . Nishi, Eijiroh; Núñez, JorgeA new species of Sabellariidae (Annelida, Polychaeta), Lygdamis wirtzi, is described, based on material from Madeira and Canary Islands, northeastern Atlantic Ocean. The specimens were collected from sandy bottom at 7 to 14 m depth. The new species is characterised by the shape of the inner and outer paleae and of the nuchal hooks. The feeding position of living animals is described.
- Notes on the biology of Centrolabrus caeruleus Azevedo, 1999 (Teleostei: Labridae)Publication . Azevedo, José M. N.; Cepeda, Helena I. R.; Rodrigues, João BernardoCentrolabrus caeruleus is a recently described littoral fish whose biology is poorly known, despite the fact that it is very abundant in the Azores. This paper presents general information about the age and growth, food and reproduction of this species. Males grow to larger sizes than females, and there are sexual differences in colour and behaviour. Preliminary von Bertalanffy growth curves are given for both sexes, based on modal analysis of the monthly length-frequency distributions. The length-weight relationship is also given. Food is dominated by small phytal invertebrates. Reproduction occurs mainly between March and June. Young of the year are seen from July on. Territorial males build algal nests where females spawn. Details of nest building, and of the courtship and spawning behaviours are given.
- An investigation into the overwintering capability of Istocheta aldrichi (Mesnil) (Diptera: Tachinidae) a parasitoid of Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on Terceira Island, Azores.Publication . Simões, Ana M.; Grenier, S.A study of diapause in the parasitic fly Istocheta aldrichi (Diptera: Tachinidae) was undertaken to help investigate the possibility of its establishment in Terceira as a biological control agent of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). It was concluded that pupae should be imported from the USA only when they are almost ready to emerge, and to optimise rearing conditions there to increase emergence percentages. Conditions are not ideal for its development in Terceira, as this univoltine parasitoid has a high pupal mortality both in laboratory cultures and outdoors during the overwintering period. These studies should continue until I. aldrichi has become established in the Azores.
- Plant and arthropod species composition of sown and semi-natural pasture communities of three Azorean islands (Santa Maria, Terceira and Pico)Publication . Borges, Paulo A. V.Recent sowed and old semi-natural pastures from three Azorean islands (Santa Maria, Terceira and Pico) were investigated in terms of plant and arthropod species composition. Semi-natural sites were shown to be well suited to reveal distinct within island trends in semi-natural pasture communities. Variation in the composition of the vascular plants follows an altitudinal gradient, which is, a dry-wet gradient, and also human influences. It is in Santa Maria, as well as in the recent sown pastures of Terceira, that the influence of human activities on vascular plant communities is most dramatic. However, for arthropods these factors seem to be less important. Variation in the species composition of arthropod assemblages within each island is less evident, and the composition of sites reflects more regional (biogeographic) factors. The results also emphasize the importance of non intensive pasture management practices in the Azores for the colonization of this habitat by endemic arthropod species. Both the vascular plant and arthropod data, subject to analysis using Sörensen’s Index of Similarity reveal that, with minor exceptions, there is a clear separation of habitats only within islands. Moreover, similar overall patterns are obtained using TWINSPAN, reinforcing the importance of regional processes in shaping the arthropod composition of the Azorean pastures.