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A recently published study analyzed the phylogenetic relationship between the genera Centrodinium and Alexandrium, confirming an earlier publication showing the genus Alexandrium as paraphyletic. This most recent manuscript retained the genus Alexandrium, introduced a new genus Episemicolon, resurrected two genera, Gessnerium and Protogonyaulax, and stated that: “The polyphyly [sic] of Alexandrium is solved with the split into four genera”. However, these reintroduced taxa were not based on monophyletic groups. Therefore this work, if accepted, would result in replacing a single paraphyletic taxon with several non-monophyletic ones. The morphological data presented for genus characterization also do not convincingly support taxa delimitations. The combination of weak molecular phylogenetics and the lack of diagnostic traits (i.e., autapomorphies) render the applicability of the concept of limited use. The proposal to split the genus Alexandrium on the basis of our current knowledge is rejected herein. The aim here is not to present an alternative analysis and revision, but to maintain Alexandrium. A better constructed and more phylogenetically accurate revision can and should wait until more complete evidence becomes available and there is a strong reason to revise the genus Alexandrium. The reasons are explained in detail by a review of the available molecular and morphological data for species of the genera Alexandrium and Centrodinium. In addition, cyst morphology and chemotaxonomy are discussed, and the need for integrative taxonomy is highlighted.

A recently published study analyzed the phylogenetic relationship between the genera Centrodinium and Alexandrium, confirming an earlier publication showing the genus Alexandrium as paraphyletic. This most recent manuscript retained the genus Alexandrium, introduced a new genus Episemicolon, resurrected two genera, Gessnerium and Protogonyaulax, and stated that: “The polyphyly [sic] of Alexandrium is solved with the split into four genera”. However, these reintroduced taxa were not based on monophyletic groups. Therefore this work, if accepted, would result in replacing a single paraphyletic taxon with several non-monophyletic ones. The morphological data presented for genus characterization also do not convincingly support taxa delimitations. The combination of weak molecular phylogenetics and the lack of diagnostic traits (i.e., autapomorphies) render the applicability of the concept of limited use. The proposal to split the genus Alexandrium on the basis of our current knowledge is rejected herein. The aim here is not to present an alternative analysis and revision, but to maintain Alexandrium. A better constructed and more phylogenetically accurate revision can and should wait until more complete evidence becomes available and there is a strong reason to revise the genus Alexandrium. The reasons are explained in detail by a review of the available molecular and morphological data for species of the genera Alexandrium and Centrodinium. In addition, cyst morphology and chemotaxonomy are discussed, and the need for integrative taxonomy is highlighted.

High-throughput sequencing of microbial assemblages has been proposed as an alternative methodology to the traditional ones used in marine monitoring and environmental assessment. Here, we evaluated pico- and nanoplankton diversity as ecological indicators in NW Mediterranean coastal waters by comparing their diversity in samples subjected to varying degrees of continental pressures. Using metabarcoding of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, we explored whether alphadiversity indices, abundance of Operational Taxonomic Units and taxonomic groups (and their ratios) provide information on the ecological quality of coastal waters. Our results revealed that only eukaryotic diversity metrics and a limited number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa displayed potential in assessing continental influences in our surveyed area, resulting thus in a restrained potential of microbial plankton diversity as an ecological indicator. Therefore, incorporating microbial plankton diversity in environmental assessment could not always result in a significant improvement of current marine monitoring strategies.

Científicos del Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) y del Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Barcelona (ICM-CSIC) han propuesto un nuevo método, sencillo, barato y rápido para evaluar el buen estado ambiental del océano, que se basa en analizar la diversidad de microorganismos que viven en el agua

[EN] Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a topic of concern due to their impacts on the environment and society. These events are controlled by different factors, abiotic and biotic. Parasitism is a biotic factor that controls these blooms and helps to return to the non-bloom conditions. Among the group of marine parasites, Perkinsozoa members represent a major ecological and economical threat because of their invasive, pathogenic, and high phenotypic plasticity. This group of parasites hasa similar life cycle, which infects a host cell and after the development into a sporangium, the new parasites get out of it and will infect new hosts. However, before the infection parasites remain in a dormant stage, the sporangium, until a trigger activates them. One of the main triggers was demonstrated to be DMS (dimethylsulphide) in Parvilucifera sinerae. DMS is an organic sulphur compound produced by phytoplankton that has been demonstrated to have a role in chemical ecology. The objective of this project was to determine if this is a general in the family of Perkinsidae. We also tested if zooplankton exudates affect parasite activation due to its interaction as a competitor of the same prey. With laboratory experiments, we studied DMS triggeringin two species, Parvilucifera corolla and Perkinsea sp1. With this new data, we found that this is a general mechanism. The species used showed a significant activation when DMS was added. The results also indicated that the process of activation differs between the different species used. The time required and the percentage of activation were species-specific, although with a similar trend. Zooplankton exudates did show a parasite activation similar to the low DMS producer phytoplankton exudates. However, more research is neededin this field, [CAT] Les proliferacions d’algues tòxiques són un tema de preocupació a causa dels seus impactes al medi ambient i a la societat. Aquests esdeveniments estan controlats per diversos factors abiòtics i biòtics. El parasitisme és un factor biòtic que controla aquestes proliferacions i ajuda a tornar a les condicions de no proliferació. Dins dels paràsits marins, els membres de Perkinsozoa representen una amenaça ecològica i econòmica a causa de la seva invasivitat, patogènia i alta plasticitat fenotípica. Aquests paràsits presenten un cicle de vida similar, en el qual infecten a l’hoste i, després de desenvolupar-se en un esporangi, els nous paràsits surten i infecten a nous hostes. Tot i així, abans de la infecció els paràsits romanen en un estat inactiu, l’esporangi, abans que un factor desencadeni l’activació. Un d’aquests factors va ser demostrat i és el DMS (dimetilsulfur) en Parvilucifera sinerae. El DMS és un compost orgànic de sofre produït pel fitoplàncton que s’ha demostrat que té un rol en l’ecologia química. L’objectiu d’aquest projecte és determinar si aquest mecanisme és general de la família Perkinsidae. També es va testar si els exhudats de zooplàncton produeixen efectes en l’activació dels paràsits a causa de la seva interacció com a competidors sobre una mateixa presa. Amb experiments de laboratori vam estudiar el DMS amb altres dues espècies, Parvilucifera corolla i Perkinsea sp1. Amb les noves vam trobar que és un mecanisme general. Les espècies utilitzades van mostrar una activació significant amb el DMS. Els resultats també van indicar que el procés d’activació no és igual a totes les especies. El temps i el percentatge d’activació diferien, tot i seguir una mateixa tendència. Els exhudats de zooplàncton van mostrar una activació dels paràsits similar a la dels exhudats de fitoplàncton poc productor de DMS. Tot i així, més investigació és necessària

El Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), en coordinación con la Comisión de Igualdad y la Comisión Mujeres y Ciencia del CSIC, promueve el primer encuentro de las Comisiones de Igualdad de los centros del CSIC el próximo 10 de diciembre. El evento se enmarca en el proyecto europeo Leading Towards Sustainable Gender Equality Plans in Research Institutions (LeTSGEPs), que persigue la implementación de Planes de Igualdad de Género (GEP, por sus siglas en inglés) con integración del enfoque de presupuesto de género (GB, por sus siglas en inglés), en los centros de investigación y universidades del consorcio. del que forma parte el ICM-CSIC. La celebración del encuentro, que se hará de forma virtual, responde a tres objetivos. El primero es presentar a la comunidad CSIC el proyecto LeTSGEPs e informar sobre los procesos e instrumentos que está articulando el ICM en la formulación de su Plan de Igualdad con el impulso del mismo. El segundo objetivo es impulsar a la creación de la Red de Comisiones de Igualdad del CSIC como espacio para la generación de conocimiento, y la articulación e intercambio de buenas prácticas en torno los Planes de Igualdad de género bajo el liderazgo de la Comisión de Igualdad del CSIC. El último objetivo del encuentro es reflexionar sobre los mecanismos de articulación del Plan de Igualdad del CSIC con los Planes de los centros del CSIC, a partir de la experiencia del ICM. En la actualidad, un gran número de centros del CSIC cuentan con Comisiones de Igualdad o están propiciando su creación. “Con este encuentro queremos promover el intercambio de buenas prácticas entre los centros en materia de Igualdad de Género, así como contribuir a la creación de una Red de Comisiones de Igualdad de los Centros del CSIC, un objetivo marcado a nivel institucional por el CSIC”, explica la investigadora del ICM y coordinadora de LeTSGEPs Esther Garcés, Programa de la jornada: El primer bloque contará con la presencia de la presidenta del CSIC, Rosa María Menéndez, que inaugurará el evento y abordará el Compromiso del CSIC con la Igualdad de Género. A continuación, intervendrá el director del ICM, Josép Lluís Pelegrí, para explicar el trabajo que se está llevando a cabo en el instituto en materia de igualdad de género. Seguidamente, Beatriz Esteban (CSIC) y María Pilar López Sancho (CSIC) expondrán el trabajo de la Comisión de Igualdad y del Plan de Igualdad del CSIC, respectivamente; y Francisca Puertas lo hará sobre la labor de la Comisión Mujeres y Ciencia del CSIC. Cerrarán esta primera parte institucional del encuentro, Elena Torrecilla (ICM), que expondrá los proyectos de género que se están llevando a cabo con fondos de la Unión Europea; y Esther Garcés y Silvia Donoso (ICM), que presentarán el proyecto europeo LeTSGEPs, y cómo entienden desde el ICM la articulación de los Planes de Igualdad del centro con el Plan de Igualdad del CSIC. En el segundo bloque del encuentro las Comisiones de Igualdad de distintos centros del CSIC expondrán su recorrido, su trabajo, así como su experiencia previa de articulación en redes. Se contará igualmente con la experiencia de los centros que han logrado el distintivo de Igualdad del CSIC. Para avanzar en la generación de la Red de Comisiones de Igualdad de los centros del CSIC y ahondar en el intercambio de experiencias se generarán grupos de discusión que nos permitan establecer acuerdos y orientar las próximas acciones para seguir avanzando en la institucionalización de la igualdad de género en nuestros centros

Perkinsea are a group of intracellular protist parasites that inhabit all types of aquatic environments and cause significant population declines of a wide variety of hosts. However, the diversity of this lineage is mostly represented by environmental rDNA sequences. Complete descriptions of Perkinsea that infect marine dinoflagellates have increased in recent literature due to the identification, isolation and culturing of representatives during bloom events, contributing to expand the knowledge on the diversity and ecology of the group. Shallow coastal areas in the Baltic Sea suffer seasonal dinoflagellate blooms. In summer 2016, two parasitoids were isolated during a Kryptoperidinium foliaceum bloom in the Baltic Sea. Morphological features and sequences of the small and large subunit of the ribosomal DNA gene revealed these two parasitoids were new species that belong to the genus Parvilucifera. This is the first time that Parvilucifera infections are reported in the Inner Baltic Sea. The first species, Parvilucifera sp. has some morphological and phylogenetic features in common with P. sinerae and P. corolla, although its ultrastructure could not be studied and the formal description could not be done. The second new species, named Parvilucifera catillosa, has several distinct morphological features in its zoospores (e.g. the presence of a rostrum), and in the shape and size of the apertures in the sporangium stage, which are larger and more protuberant than in the other species of the genus. Infections observed in the field and cross-infection experiments determined that the host range of both Parvilucifera species was restricted to dinoflagellates, each one showing a different host preference. The coexistence in the same environment by the two closely related parasitoids with very similar life cycles suggests that their niche separation is the preferred host

Presentación del proyecto europeo LeTSGEPs Leading Towards Sustainable Gender Equality Plans in research performing organisations y cómo se entiende desde el ICM la articulación de los Planes de Igualdad del centro con el Plan de Igualdad del CSIC

High-throughput sequencing of microbial assemblages has been proposed as an alternative methodology to the traditional ones used in marine monitoring and environmental assessment. Here, we evaluated pico- and nanoplankton diversity as ecological indicators in NW Mediterranean coastal waters by comparing their diversity in samples subjected to varying degrees of continental pressures. Using metabarcoding of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes, we explored whether alphadiversity indices, abundance of Operational Taxonomic Units and taxonomic groups (and their ratios) provide information on the ecological quality of coastal waters. Our results revealed that only eukaryotic diversity metrics and a limited number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa displayed potential in assessing continental influences in our surveyed area, resulting thus in a restrained potential of microbial plankton diversity as an ecological indicator. Therefore, incorporating microbial plankton diversity in environmental assessment could not always result in a significant improvement of current marine monitoring strategies

A recently published study analyzed the phylogenetic relationship between the genera Centrodinium and Alexandrium, confirming an earlier publication showing the genus Alexandrium as paraphyletic. This most recent manuscript retained the genus Alexandrium, introduced a new genus Episemicolon, resurrected two genera, Gessnerium and Protogonyaulax, and stated that: “The polyphyly [sic] of Alexandrium is solved with the split into four genera”. However, these reintroduced taxa were not based on monophyletic groups. Therefore this work, if accepted, would result in replacing a single paraphyletic taxon with several non-monophyletic ones. The morphological data presented for genus characterization also do not convincingly support taxa delimitations. The combination of weak molecular phylogenetics and the lack of diagnostic traits (i.e., autapomorphies) render the applicability of the concept of limited use. The proposal to split the genus Alexandrium on the basis of our current knowledge is rejected herein. The aim here is not to present an alternative analysis and revision, but to maintain Alexandrium. A better constructed and more phylogenetically accurate revision can and should wait until more complete evidence becomes available and there is a strong reason to revise the genus Alexandrium. The reasons are explained in detail by a review of the available molecular and morphological data for species of the genera Alexandrium and Centrodinium. In addition, cyst morphology and chemotaxonomy are discussed, and the need for integrative taxonomy is highlighted

El projecte europeu LeTSGEPs té com a objectiu connectar diferents organitzacions de recerca, incloent l’ICM, en el disseny i implementació de plans d’igualtat de gènere (GEP). El projecte dissenyarà accions i implementarà mesures que condueixin a canvis institucionals sistèmics i abordin el biaix de gènere en les diferents organitzacions que es trobin en una etapa inicial d’implementació de mesures d’igualtat de gènere. Per aconseguir-ho, els socis més experimentats amb GEPs guiaran els altres socis a través dels diversos passos del projecte, seguint l’eina per a la igualtat de gènere en el món acadèmic i en la investigació (GEAR) desenvolupada per l’Institut Europeu per a la Igualtat de Gènere (2016) i amb el suport d’un comitè assessor científic qualificat. El projecte fomentarà l’ús de pressupostos amb enfocament de gènere (GB) al GEP, com un instrument per detectar els factors que fan que la desigualtat persisteixi a les institucions, ja que els pressupostos reflecteixen els compromisos polítics reals de les institucions. Els GEPs només tindran èxit si s’acompanyen ambunaassignació de fons específica relacionada per als objectius polítics i si les mesures establertes s’avaluen en funció del seu impacte. Mitjançant els pressupostos de gènere es pot definir un GEP més sostenible i potent. Altres característiques distintives del projecte són la formació específica al personal de l'ICM sobre GEPs i el suport continu durant la seva implementació. Des del seu inici, s’ha creat un grup de treball al nostre centre que reflecteix un ampli compromís amb la igualtat de gènere de tots els sectors de l’ICM, des del tècnic i científic fins l’administratiu i de gestió

How much temporal recurrence is present in microbial assemblages is still an unanswered ecological question. Even though marked seasonal changes have been reported for whole microbial communities, less is known on the dynamics and seasonality of individual taxa. Here, we aim at understanding microbial recurrence at three different levels: community, taxonomic group and operational taxonomic units (OTUs). For that, we focused on a model microbial eukaryotic community populating a long-term marine microbial observatory using 18S rRNA gene data from two organismal size fractions: the picoplankton (0.2–3 µm) and the nanoplankton (3–20 µm). We have developed an index to quantify recurrence in particular taxa. We found that community structure oscillated systematically between two main configurations corresponding to winter and summer over the 10 years studied. A few taxonomic groups such as Mamiellophyceae or MALV-III presented clear recurrence (i.e., seasonality), whereas 13%–19% of the OTUs in both size fractions, accounting for ~40% of the relative abundance, featured recurrent dynamics. Altogether, our work links long-term whole community dynamics with that of individual OTUs and taxonomic groups, indicating that recurrent and non-recurrent changes characterize the dynamics of microbial assemblages.

The European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) recommends pressure and impact analyses as a risk assessment method to achieve ecological quality objectives. Here we present the LUSI Improved Index, an approach based on the Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess continental pressures on coastal waters. LUSI Improved is an easy-to-use tool for modelling natural processes that combines spatial and non-spatial information from different data sets and integrates physical and socio-economic information to capture human pressure on coastal systems. This tool allows to establish a true pressure-impact relationships, based on LUSI Improved, as a proxy for pressure, and chlorophyll-a concentration, as a proxy for phytoplanktonic biomass (one of the elements of the WFD Biological Quality Elements) and, thus, the impact of eutrophication. Furthermore, by providing information on the different drives that trigger eutrophication in coastal waters, LUSI Improved meets the need for more knowledge on how to design measures to remedy anthropogenic damage to the environment

[EN] Coastal areas around the world are affected by Harmful Algae Bloom (HABs). Within the control mechanisms of HABs, parasites can control the dynamics of these microalgae. However, parasites exert asymmetric pressures on the different hosts, which indirectly affect other non-susceptible species, and, consequently, the evolution of the dynamics of the populations. Parvilucifera sinerae has been shown to be a general parasitoid of dinoflagellates, infecting primarily the genus Alexandrium. Despite being a generalist parasitoid and preferring certain species there are aspects of its virulence that are not clarified. P. sinerae is not able to infect some populations of Alexandrium minutum. In A.minutum clonal strains highly susceptible to P. sinerae, a part of the resistant population is always obtained. For this, my work has as main objective to evaluate whether any hereditary factor would explain the presence of non-infected A. minutum cells to the parasitoid P. sinerae. After selecting and testing different host strains to evaluate their susceptibility, strains were selected with the presence of non-infected cells with the highest percentage. Next, the resistance in the first generation of non-infected cells was analyzed and then there was a second generation of non-infected cells to re-test it under conditions of parasitoid infection. The results obtained showed that there is no consistent pattern of increasing, maintaining or decreasing the percentage of cells that escape the infection; they did not show either indications that the percentage of cells that escape the infection is due to a genetic cause, but is an intrinsic property of the host population with the parasitoid strain chosen, [CAT] Les zones costaneres d’arreu estan afectades per Proliferacions Algals Nocives (PANs). Dintre dels mecanismes de control de les PANs, els paràsits poden controlar la dinàmica d’aquestes microalgues. Ara bé, els paràsits exerceixen pressions asimètriques als diferents hostes, que a la vegada afecten indirectament a altres espècies no susceptibles. i, en conseqüència, a l'evolució de la dinàmica de les poblacions . Parvilucifera sinerae ha demostrat ser un parasitoide generalista de dinoflagel·lades, infectant principalment el gènere Alexandrium. Tot i ser un parasitoide generalista i preferir certes espècies hi ha aspectes de la seva virulència que no estan clarificades. P. sinerae no és capaç d’infectar algunes poblacions d’Alexandrium minutum. En soques clonals d’ A.minutum altament susceptibles a P. sinerae, sempre s’obté un part de la població resistent. Per a això, el meu treball té com a objectiu principal avaluar si algun factor hereditari explicaria la presència de cèl·lules no-infectades d’A. minutum al parasitoide P. sinerae. Després de seleccionar i testar diferents soques d’hoste per avaluar la seva susceptibilitat, es va escollir les soques amb presència de cèl·lules no-infectades amb major percentatge. Seguidament, es va analitzar la resistència en la primera generació de cèl·lules no-infectades i a continuació es va produir una segona generació de cèl·lules no-infectades per tornar a testar-la sota condicions d’infecció del parasitoide. Els resultats obtinguts van mostrar que no hi ha un patró consistent d’increment, manteniment o decrement del percentatge de cèl·lules que escapen a la infecció; tampoc van mostrar indicis que el percentatge de cèl·lules que escapen a la infecció sigui degut a una causa genètica, sinó que és una propietat intrínseca de la població de l’hoste amb la soca del parasitoid escollit

Presentación del libro 100 secrets dels oceans

Here we present the results of a new magnetostratigraphy for a middle Eocene record of the South Pyrenean foreland basin in Spain. The new Lascuarre section (ca. 650 m thick) provides new ages for fluvial (Capella Fm.), lacustrine (Escanilla Limestone), and fluvial to alluvial (Escanilla Fm.) systems. We show that the Capella Fm is of Lutetian age and the Escanilla Fm. is Bartonian. These results fill a chronostratrigraphic gap in the sedimentary record of the Tremp-Graus- Ainsa basin. Integration of our Lascuarre chronology with other magnetostratigraphic studies in the region allows for a complete snapshot of the entire source to sink system. This new data permits a comprehensive study of the propagation of upstream and downstream signals. Due to the quality of data, outcrops, and accessibility, our new correlation profile opens the possibility to study the source-to-sink expression of multiple drivers, and constitutes a, de facto, giant natural laboratory. An evaluation of the impact of the orbital cycles in the complete source-to-sink system is also being carried out. If successful, we will have an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms by which the climatic signals can be transferred along the sediment routing systems, and a high-resolution chronology.

Human activities on land result in the high-level production of nutrients. When these nutrients reach coastal waters, they could drive the eutrophication process. Here we present the Land Uses Simplified Index (LUSI), an easy-to-use tool for assessing continental pressures on coastal waters. This assessment is done by indirectly estimating continental nutrient loads and concentrations, and their influence on coastal waters. LUSI is based on systematic information describing both the land uses that influence coastal waters by providing nutrient-rich freshwater inflows (urban, industrial, agricultural, and riverine) and the coastline morphology, which can modify this influence, as it determines the degree of coastal water confinement and therefore the likelihood that these inflows will be diluted. A low LUSI value indicates that coastal waters are not or only slightly influenced by continental pressures and/or that these pressures are diluted. On the contrary, a high LUSI value indicates that coastal waters are strongly influenced by continental pressures and/or that these pressures are not diluted. LUSI fulfills a methodological gap, as a simple method to assess coastal pressures when there is a lack of information. Furthermore, it fulfills the requirement of the Water Framework Directive for a true pressure assessment (i.e., not confounded with impact), which for coastal waters imply using pressure data from land. An additional and important feature of LUSI is that it allows the establishment of pressure-impact relationships with impact indicators, such as those related to the Biological Quality Elements of the above Directive. For example, a relationship based on LUSI, as a proxy of pressure, and on the chlorophyll-a concentration, as a proxy of phytoplanktonic biomass and, thus, of the eutrophication impact. By providing insights into the land uses that trigger eutrophication in coastal waters, LUSI aids in the design of measures aimed at remediating anthropogenic

Els oceans constitueixen la major part del nostre planeta, i també la més desconeguda. I és que la nostra vida en depèn molt més del que ens podem pensar: ens proporcionen aliment, modulen el clima i són el veritable pulmó de la Terra, perquè la meitat de l’oxigen que respirem ve del mar. Els doctors en biologia i investigadors del CSIC Esther Garcés i Daniel Closa han escrit el primer llibre sobre aquesta matèria. Es diu 100 secrets dels oceans i aquí teniu una selecció de cinc de les curiositats que hi expliquen. [...]

Facsa organizó ayer, con la colaboración de la Obra Social la Caixa, la Universitat Jaume I y la Universitat de les Illes Balears, una jornada en Palma de Mallorca para analizar la problemática de la proliferación de algas marinas en aguas costeras

Per què el mar és de color blau, quins sorolls se senten a milers de metres de profunditat, què va passar amb el diluvi universal, per què es van tornar bojos els ocells a la pel·lícula de Hitchcock...? Els biòlegs Esther Garcés i Daniel Closa ens han explicat un munt de curiositats del seu últim llibre: "100 secrets dels oceans" (Cossetània)