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Projeto de investigação
Understanding biodiversity patterns to advance the conservation of Europe’s fresh waters
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The silent extinction of freshwater mussels in Portugal
Publication . Lopes-Lima, Manuel; Reis, Joaquim; Alvarez, Maria G.; Anastácio, Pedro M.; Banha, Filipe; Beja, Pedro; Castro, Paulo S.; Gama, Mafalda; Gil, Maria G.; Gomes-dos-Santos, André; Miranda, Fernando Jorge Veloso; Nogueira, Joana Garrido; Sousa, Ronaldo; Teixeira, Amílcar; Varandas, Simone; Froufe, Elsa
Freshwater mussels are one of the most threatened animal groups in the world. In the European Union,
threatened and protected mussel species are not adequately monitored, while species considered to be common
and widespread receive even less attention. This is particularly worrying in the Mediterranean region, where
species endemism is high and freshwater habitats are severely affected by water scarcity. In the absence of hard
data on population trends, we report here a long-term comparison of freshwater mussel assemblages at 132 sites
covering 15 different hydrological basins in Portugal. This study reveals a widespread decline of 60 % in the
number of sites and 67 % in the overall abundance of freshwater mussels across Portugal over the last 20 years,
indicating that all species are rapidly declining and threatened with extinction. These results show that current
legislation and conservation measures are largely ineffective and highlight the importance of updating the
Habitats Directive to enforce standard monitoring protocols for threatened species in the European Union and to
extend monitoring to other freshwater species thought to be common and widespread. Efficient water management,
restrictions on irrigation expansion in important biodiversity areas, mitigation of hydrological changes
and loss of aquatic habitat connectivity caused by physical alterations are urgently needed to reverse these
declining population trends. For the severely endangered species Margaritifera margaritifera, Potomida littoralis,
and Unio tumidiformis, where populations are now critically low, more urgent action is needed, such as ex-situ
conservation, protection of remaining populations and large-scale habitat restoration.
Reactive Materials and Solutions Towards Treatment and Reuse of Waters with Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Publication . Silva, Adriano S.; Roman, Fernanda F.; Silva, Ana P. F.; Díaz de Tuesta, Jose Luis; Kalmakhanova, Marzhan; Snow, D.; Gomes, Helder T.
Intense population growth has significantly impacted the quality and access to water, resulting in increased production and release of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceutical compounds. Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) is a promising technology for the removal of CECs that relies on the use of solid catalysts to accelerate the reaction, its reactivity and stability depending greatly on the catalyst used. This work aims to compare three typically studied catalysts: a clay-based, a carbon-based and a hybrid material, consisting in carbon-shell metal nanoparticle structure. Hybrid catalysts combine the benefits of metal-based catalysts (high activity) and carbon-based catalysts (low leaching), indicating to be a suitable choice. However, it is highlighted that the development of proper soludons for treatment and reuse of waters must pass through detailed identification and quantification of CECs, allowing better catalyst evaluations under real scenario conditions.
Molecular insights into spined loaches (Cobitidae: Cobitis) reveal the complex evolutionary history of freshwater fishes in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa
Publication . Perdices, Anabel; Queirós, João; Alves, Maria Judite; Alves, Paulo Célio; Beja, Pedro; Buckley, David; Clavero, Miguel; Coelho, Maria Manuela; Filipe, Ana Filipa; Froufe, Elsa; Magalhães, Maria Filomena; Nogueira, Joana Garrido; Oliveira, João Manuel; Pou-Rovira, Quim; Sousa, Ronaldo; Suh, Jongmo; Teixeira, Amilcar; Varandas, Simone; Ventura, Marc; Veríssimo, Joana; Lopes-Lima, Manuel
Palaeogeographic and tectonic rearrangements of rivers have significantly influenced the phylogeography of Iberian and North African freshwater fishes, but their impact remains unclear. We revisit the phylogeographic relationships and diversification timelines of Cobitis (spined loaches, family Cobitidae) on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. Sampling 230 sites across 41 river basins, we analysed genetic variability using haplotype networks of two mitochondrial (Cytb and COI) and two nuclear (S7 and RAG-1) genes. A time-calibrated multilocus phylogeny was constructed and compared with the evolution timeline of the Iberian hydrographic network. Our results indicate that Iberian and North African Cobitis are monophyletic at the mitochondrial, but not at the nuclear level. Three new mitochondrial lineages, potentially new species, were identified in Iberia (2) and Morocco (1). Most Iberian Cobitis show wide distributions and frequent sympatry in major basins. Diversification started in the Mid-Late Miocene (7.9–8.9 Mya), with major speciation during the Late Miocene–Pliocene transition (6.5–5.7 Mya). Palaeographic changes in river basins, from endorheic to exorheic regimes, probably affected Cobitis speciation. Tectonic strike-slip faults probably influenced isolation, genetic mixing, and incomplete lineage sorting, particularly along Atlantic margins. These results highlight the interplay of geological and evolutionary processes in shaping freshwater fish diversity.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
POR_NORTE
Número da atribuição
2020.04637.BD