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The large branchiopod crustaceans (Anostraca, Notostraca, and Spinicaudata) of Qatar have only been examined recently. Although 15 nominal species have been reported for the Arabian Peninsula, there is confusion surrounding the determinations of previously collected taxa from Qatar, and the validity of some spinicaudatan taxa is in question. Most spinicaudatan clam shrimp taxa are poorly described; some lack type material or the type material has been lost. We provide a review of the taxa from Qatar and some records from adjacent Saudi Arabia. We recognise five large branchiopod crustacean taxa from Qatar (two anostracans, one notostracan, and two spinicaudatans) and provide new locality records from Umm Alshkoot and correct some previous literature statements. In addition, we comment on the likelihood of another ten taxa to occur in or near Qatar.

Cyst-forming Apicomplexa (CFA) of the Sarcocystidae have a ubiquitous presence as pathogens of humans and farm animals transmitted through the food chain between hosts with few notable exceptions. The defining hallmark of this family of obligate intracellular protists consists of their ability to remain for very long periods as infectious tissue cysts in chronically infected intermediate hosts. Nevertheless, each closely related species has evolved unique strategies to maintain distinct reservoirs on global scales and ensuring efficient transmission to definitive hosts as well as between intermediate hosts. Here, we present an in-depth comparative mRNA expression analysis of the tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages of Besnoitia besnoiti strain Lisbon14 isolated from an infected farm animal based on its annotated genome sequence. The B. besnoiti genome is highly syntenic with that of other CFA and also retains the capacity to encode a large majority of known and inferred factors essential for completing a sexual cycle in a yet unknown definitive host. This work introduces Besnoitia besnoiti as a new model for comparative biology of coccidian tissue cysts which can be readily obtained in high purity. This model provides a framework for addressing fundamental questions about the evolution of tissue cysts and the biology of this pharmacologically intractable infectious parasite stage., PLoS Pathogens, 18 (11), ISSN:1553-7374, ISSN:1553-7366

Este estudo tem como objetivos examinar o impacto do programa NORTE 2020 no VAB e emprego da economia portuguesa e se a riqueza global gerada se concentra na região Norte. Com base na análise input-output, estima-se que o investimento total aprovado no âmbito deste programa tenha um impacto no VAB nacional na ordem dos € 4 mil milhões e leve a criação de 112 mil postos de trabalho. O impacto na riqueza produzida concentra-se esmagadoramente na Região Norte. A competitividade e internacionalização corresponde à maior fração de investimento total aprovado por prioridade temática, mas é onde o impacto no VAB por euro investido é menor, distanciando-se dos multiplicadores das restantes prioridades. O efeito multiplicador no VAB do investimento no domínio do capital humano é o mais significativo., This study aims to estimate the impact of the NORTE 2020 program on the Portuguese economy GAV and employment and whether the global wealth generated is concentrated in the region. Based on the input-output analysis, the total investment approved under this program is estimated to have an impact on national GAV of around € 4 billion and lead to the creation of 112,000 jobs. The impact is overwhelmingly concentrated in the Northern Region. Competitiveness and internationalization correspond to the largest fraction of total investment approved by thematic priority, but this is where the impact on GAV per euro invested is the smallest, much smaller than the remaining thematic priorities’ multipliers. The multiplier effect on GAV of investment in human capital is the most significant.

A number of molluscs within the Class Bivalvia are defined by their ability to secrete fine silk like threads known as byssus which are used to anchor themselves to solid substrates. With relatively few exceptions the majority of these species remain in a sedentary state throughout their life attached via their byssal threads. However, observations of adult Pinctada imbricata radiata pearl oysters made during this study revealed this species’ ability to implement active movement. Byssal threads were secreted in a sequence of attachment and detachment phases, which resulted in the active displacement of the oyster. The oyster was observed, in the laboratory over a 9 day period, travelling a distance of 28cm in a horizontal path. After horizontal displacement, a vertical climbing phase was observed until the oyster reached the water surface at which point the byssus was discarded and the animal dropped, drifting in accordance with water current intensity. It is possible that these adaptations of byssal use are a result of environmentally induced evolutionary change within P. i. radiata. This work was funded by an award to Alexandra Leitão. This publication was made possible by the NPRP award [NPRP9-394-1-090 “The Pearl Oyster: from national icon to guardian of Qatar’s marine environment”] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings herein reflect the work and are solely the responsibility of the authors.

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