【Aims】: The application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), including mitigating biotic stress factors in plants, was discussed, but the influence of SeNPs on yellow lupine growth and the concentration of defence-related phytohormones such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), during the seed germination stage and development of the seedlings of Lupinus luteus L. cv. Diament and Lupinus luteus L. cv. Mister, and during the cross-talk of SeNPs and pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lupini, has not been studied. Additionally, the aim of this study was also to investigate the changes in concentrations of phytohormones such as giberelic acid (GA3 and GA4) and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), playing important roles in the seed germination stage. Moreover, it was important to check whether the application of SeNPs had an impact on limiting the development of infection and Fusarium wilt.【Methods】: The experimental protocol used in this study was based on a model system: germinating seeds pretreated with SeNPs, or not pretreated, were inoculated with an F. oxysporum f. sp. lupini spore suspension or non-inoculated, and were transferred to hydroponic grow boxes containing Hoagland medium.【Results】: The analytical results of the QuEChERS method showed significant changes in concentration of defence-related phytohormones and GA3, GA4 and IAA concentrations, in SeNPs, Fusarium and SeNPs+Fusarium variants, in both Diament as well as Mister varieties. Moreover, the results of our research demonstrated that SeNPs induced better turgor of the embryo axes and the roots and limited the development of infections and fusariosis in comparison to the control. 【Conclusions】: The results provide a basis for further understanding the mechanisms of interaction of SeNP itself as well as SeNPs and F. oxysporum in the host plant.

Flaviviruses, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), continue to represent a serious global health challenge, with their spread into new regions highlighting the urgent need for novel antiviral strategies. Current therapeutic options are limited, and available vaccines face constraints in efficacy and safety, emphasizing the importance of alternative approaches capable of effectively counteracting infections caused by these viruses.

In this study, we investigated two antiviral molecules developed in our laboratory. Compound pep14-23 was previously shown to have antiviral activity against ZIKV and is now being evaluated for its effects on other flaviviruses. In parallel, we are assessing a newly developed molecule designed based on a different strategy.

Vero 81 cells were infected with ZIKV or DENV and treated with each molecule. Viral replication was monitored using plaque assays for ZIKV and indirect immunofluorescence for DENV. In ZIKV-infected cells, pep14-23 caused only a modest decrease in viral replication, whereas the new molecule exhibited strong inhibition at both 12 and 24 hours post-treatment. In DENV-infected cells, pep14-23 showed no significant effect, while the new molecule achieved near-complete suppression of viral replication, with no detectable DENV from 3 to 24 hours.

Overall, these studies provide important insights into the translational potential of these molecules, opening new avenues for their development as innovative tools for antiviral intervention and integrated vector control strategies.

This study investigates the population structure of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis, Brazil's primary fishery resource, by analyzing growth rates across its geographical distribution. Historically, the population is divided into a northern (22-24°S) and a southern stock (26-29°S), with a central area (25°S) hypothesized as a shared juvenile feeding ground. Individuals are believed to return to their natal stocks upon reaching sexual maturity. To test this long-standing hypothesis, this research compared the growth rates of 50 sardines, aged 2 to 7 years, from the northern, central, and southern areas. The methodology involved measuring the average distance between growth rings on otoliths (ear stones) and analyzing these distances using a generalized additive model for scale and shape, followed by Dunn's tests for multiple comparisons. The analysis revealed significant differences in growth patterns at specific life stages. For the earliest life stages (first and second post-nuclear rings), growth in the central area was distinct, supporting its role as a shared nursery ground. At ages 1 and 2, significant differences emerged between the southern area and both the northern and central areas but not between the north and central regions, indicating a mixing of stocks. By age 4, differences were found solely between the established northern and southern stocks, with no distinction between the central area and either stock. These growth rate findings robustly corroborate previous studies using geometric body shape and otolith chemistry. The results confirm the historical population model: juveniles from both stocks cohabitate and feed in the central area before returning to their respective northern or southern regions around their fourth year of life. This research provides critical evidence for the species' population dynamics, offering vital insights for its sustainable management and conservation.

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a key coastal species in the northeast Atlantic, supporting valuable commercial and recreational fisheries. However, within the Iberian divisions 8c–9a, as defined by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), information on stock structure remains scarce. To address this gap, otolith elemental composition (element:Ca ratios) was analysed in 75 pre-selected three-year-old individuals (25 per location) collected between January and March 2025 from three sites along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula: Avilés, Peniche, and Lagos. Elemental signatures from sagittal otoliths were obtained using solution-based and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SB-ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS) for bulk, core, and edge analyses, respectively. Six informative trace elements (Sr, Ba, Mg, Mn, Cu, and Li) were quantified, and spatial variation was assessed using univariate and multivariate statistics. Results revealed moderate spatial variability in otolith chemistry, with low to medium overall reclassification success (52% for bulk, 41% for core, and 56% for edge). Distinct elemental patterns were observed across locations, including elevated Mn:Ca ratios in Avilés, likely linked to local Mn pollution, and higher Li:Ca and Ba:Ca ratios in Peniche and Lagos, probably reflecting upwelling influence. Despite some regional heterogeneity, the overall overlap in otolith chemical signatures supports the ICES definition of a single, though not entirely homogeneous, seabass stock in the Iberian divisions (8c–9a). These results highlight a balance between connectivity and regional differentiation in D. labrax populations. Integrating complementary tools such as genetics, tagging, isotopic, and parasite assemblage analyses is recommended to further clarify connectivity and stock dynamics, supporting science-based management and conservation of seabass fisheries.

Baboons inhabit complex ecological and socio-political landscapes, from the savannahs, forests, and mountains of Africa to the arid, fragmented habitats of the Arabian Peninsula. These regions represent a crossroads where geography, governance, and adaptation intersect to shape intricate human–baboon dynamics. This integrative study synthesizes comparative insights across diverse species and management systems to reveal how spatial variation, policy frameworks, and behavioral plasticity jointly influence conflict patterns and conservation outcomes. Geography defines habitat heterogeneity and species distribution, influencing baboon ecological niches and interaction frequencies with human communities. Governance regimes range from decentralized, community-based management prevalent in African contexts to centralized, technology-driven approaches exemplified in Saudi Arabia, each mediating conflict mitigation and policy implementation differently. Adaptation, through behavioral flexibility and population responses, enables baboons to navigate increasingly anthropogenic landscapes, affecting coexistence potential and management challenges. Recognizing the convergence of these three pillars provides a multidimensional understanding essential for designing adaptive, locally tailored, and scalable conservation strategies. This framework highlights the importance of contextualizing human–wildlife interactions at ecological and governance crossroads to foster coexistence under accelerating environmental and social change. Our synthesis underscores priority areas for future research, particularly incorporating stakeholder perspectives, technological innovation, and climate resilience. Ultimately, this study offers a blueprint for reconciling ecological realities with socio-political complexities, advancing global baboon conservation in a dynamic Anthropocene.

Snowflake Forming Collagen Binding Aggregation Factors (SFCBAF) are unique surface proteins originally described in lactic acid bacteria. These proteins determine the autoaggregation phenotype and are likely to be involved in biofilm formation and adhesion processes., which may serve as one of the mechanisms facilitating bacterial survival and dissemination in the environment. To date, only five collagen-binding aggregation factors of this type have been characterized in detail: AggL from Lactococcus lactis, AggE from Enterococcus faecium, AggLb from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, AggLr from Lactococcus raffinolactis, and AggA from Tetragenococcus halophilus. In our research group, we have bioinformatically predicted and characterized new potential representatives of collagen-binding aggregation factors in phylogenetically diverse bacteria, including species beyond lactic acid bacteria, suggesting a possible role of horizontal gene transfer in their dissemination. In this study, we analyzed the genomic context of all genes encoding the predicted collagen-binding aggregation factors within a ±7000 nucleotide window from the borders of the predicted gene sequence. This analysis revealed potential genetic elements that may participate in the mobility of these factors. In the majority of analyzed sequences, genes encoding transposases, integrases, or other proteins associated with mobile genetic elements were detected in the immediate vicinity of the aggregation factor genes. These findings emphasize the important role of horizontal gene transfer in the formation and dissemination of collagen-binding aggregation factors among bacteria of various genera and ecological niches, facilitating the spread of adaptive genes and enhancing bacterial plasticity in changing environments.

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the most emblematic coastal fish species in the Northeast Atlantic, with high commercial value for fisheries and aquaculture, and importance for recreational fishing. Despite its socio-economic importance, the Iberian divisions (Cantabrian Sea, 8c, and the Atlantic Iberian waters, 9a), defined by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), lack stock delimitation data. Moreover, this species is missing basic biological information, a seasonal reproductive fishing ban, and its annual landings in this region are more than double the levels recommended by ICES. To investigate the population structure of D. labrax in these areas, 140 adult individuals (36–51 cm of total length) were collected between January and March 2025 in three locations along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula: Avilés (n=47), Peniche (n=48), and Lagos (n=45). Fish from each location were analysed for body geometric morphometrics (truss network) and otolith shape contour (elliptical Fourier descriptors). Data were evaluated using univariate and multivariate tests to assess spatial differences and reclassification success among locations. Results revealed regional differences using body morphometry and otolith shape analyses. The overall reclassification success was 68% for truss networking, 51% for otolith shape, and 65% when both methods were combined. Despite the observed differences, the absence of clear, isolated populations supports the ICES definition of a single, though not homogeneous, European seabass stock in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters. Nevertheless, individuals from Avilés exhibited distinctive morphometric patterns and otolith shapes, suggesting possible adaptations to local selective pressures in slightly different environments. Further studies integrating genetic tools, otolith chemistry, parasitic fauna and telemetry analyses, as well as other fish samples from adjacent areas such as the Bay of Biscay, are recommended to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the population structure and migration patterns of this key species in the Atlantic Iberian coastal waters.

The estuarine ecosystems are driven by pronounced gradients and dynamic processes, leading to high spatial and temporal variability in both biotic communities and abiotic conditions. This study examines the effect of a range of salinities on the chemical composition of the sagittal otoliths of Brazilian silversides Atherinella brasiliensis from two tropical estuaries (positive and hypersaline). Beach seine sampling was conducted in the upper and lower zones of the estuaries during both the rainy (June, August 2016) and dry seasons (October 2016, January 2017). Multi-elemental signatures (MESs: Element:Ca) of the bulk otoliths were obtained using solution-based inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (SB-ICP-MS). To determine the spatial variation in otolith signatures, we analyzed patterns of homogeneity and heterogeneity between estuaries using univariate and multivariate statistics. Overall, 121 otoliths were analyzed from adult fish collected in both estuaries. The data indicated significant differences in the elemental composition between individuals collected in positive and hypersaline estuaries. Elemental differences were mainly driven by Sr and Zn in the hypersaline estuary, while Ba and Mg were higher in the positive estuary. The MES compositions were correctly reclassified into their original groups in each zone from both estuaries: 86.7% and 83.3% in the positive estuary and 66.7% and 56.7% in the hypersaline estuary, for inferior and superior zones, respectively. The overall reclassification rate obtained using MESs was 73.3% for both estuaries. The salinity gradient in estuaries is the most influential habitat factor affecting species distributions, and the variation in elemental concentrations across the depositional time frame of the otolith reflects the exposure of fish to different salinity ranges.

Plastic pollution in marine environments is a growing ecological issue, yet the role of biofouling (biological colonisation of plastic surfaces) remains insufficiently understood, particularly with regard to its effects on plastic degradation and transport. This study examined how biofouling alters expanded PVC debris over time, both biologically and physically, through an in situ experiment conducted at the Marina of Oeiras, Portugal. Circular PVC slabs were submerged and retrieved after 7, 30, 60, and 180 days. Colonisation was assessed via microscopy DNA-based microbial identification using Sanger sequencing and dry-weight measurements.

Over the exposure period, clear ecological succession was observed: early colonisers such as Skeletonema pseudocostatum and Minidiscus spinulatus (diatoms) gave way to more diverse communities, including Nannochloropsis oculata and Melosira tropica and invertebrates like Watersipora subtorquata and Balanus trigonus. This biological progression reflected a maturing biofilm that likely influenced both the microbial composition and the material properties of the plastic.

Microbial analyses identified several plastic-associated species with known biodegradative capabilities, including Pseudomonas hunanensis, Comamonas testosteroni, and Fusarium spp., indicating potential early-stage microbial degradation. The presence of faecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Enterobacter sp. indicated anthropogenic influence, suggesting that human-derived nutrients may shape plastisphere communities.

These biological changes were paralleled by physical alterations:; disc weight increased steadily with time and depth, consistent with biomass accumulation.

Overall, marine biofouling drives significant biological and physical changes in plastic debris, with early evidence of microbial degradation. These interactions could influence the long-term fate, transport, and persistence of plastics in the ocean and should be integrated into marine plastic pollution models.

Acknowledgments:
This research was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, under project Interreg FreeliterAT.

The polyopisthocotylean ectoparasite Sparicotyle chrysophrii is causing devastating effects on gilthead seabream net-pen farms across the Mediterranean. Adult parasites attach to host gills by the haptor, rigged with dozens of specialized clamps, and feed on fish blood. Severe anemia occurs during high-intensity outbreaks, which provoke direct mortalities, secondary infections and lower fish performance. Fundamental aspects of the parasite’s physiology and morphology remain poorly understood.

Livee adult parasite specimens were retrieved from the gills of experimentally infected gilthead seabream. Parasites were fixed for histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), as well as confocal microscopy (CM). Histological worm sections, ultrathin sections (TEM), whole specimens (SEM), and fluorescent-labelled actin and tubulin filaments in whole mounts (CM) were examined.

Sensory, reproductive, and secretory/excretory structures were identified. The cephalic region gathers the highest concentration of presumably sensory cilia involved in feeding, whereas microvilli in the remaining parasite body might serve for host encounter and/or orientation with regard to water flow. The parasite's strong ability to lengthen/stretch and shorten/round their body is the result of the contraction of the longitudinal muscle fibers, which most probably contribute to the parasite’s exploratory behavior and/or interaction with other specimens. Further strong muscle fiber arrangements were also observed in the oral apparatus, male reproductive organ, and clamps. Additionally, specialized digestive cells involved in hemoglobin processing were identified.

Many of the observed morphological features have paramount roles in the parasite’s essential biological functions, such as feeding, host encounter, and spreading success. Deeper understanding will contribute to shedding some light on the host–parasite interaction and in turn aid in the development of effective and targeted control strategies against sparicotylosis.