Ana Catarino

Publications

• 2.63

  Impact points

  Effects of seawater acidification on early development of the intertidal sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816).

  Laure Moulin, Ana Isabel Catarino, Thomas Claessens, Philippe Dubois

  Marine pollution bulletin. 10/2010; 62(1):48-54.

  The effect of pH ranging from 8.0 to 6.8 (total scale - pH(T)) on fertilization, cleavage and larval development until pluteus stage was assessed in an intertidal temperate sea urchin. Gametes were obtained from adults collected in two contrasting tide pools, one showing a significant nocturnal pH d... [more] The effect of pH ranging from 8.0 to 6.8 (total scale - pH(T)) on fertilization, cleavage and larval development until pluteus stage was assessed in an intertidal temperate sea urchin. Gametes were obtained from adults collected in two contrasting tide pools, one showing a significant nocturnal pH decrease (lowest pH(T)=7.4) and another where pH was more stable (lowest pH(T)=7.8). The highest pH(T) at which significant effects on fertilization and cleavage were recorded was 7.6. On the contrary, larval development was only affected below pH(T) 7.4, a value equal or lower than that reported for several subtidal species. This suggests that sea urchins inhabiting stressful intertidal environments produce offspring that may better resist future ocean acidification. Moreover, at pH(T) 7.4, the fertilization rate of gametes whose progenitors came from the tide pool with higher pH decrease was significantly higher, indicating a possible acclimatization or adaptation of gametes to pH stress.
• 2.57

  Impact points

  METAL CONCENTRATIONS, SPERM MOTILITY AND RNA/DNA RATIO IN TWO ECHINODERM SPECIES FROM A HIGHLY CONTAMINATED FJORD (SØRFJORD, NORWAY).

  Ana Isabel Catarino, Henrique Cabral, Kris Peeters, Philippe Pernet, Usha Punjabi, Philippe Dubois

  Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC. 03/2008;

  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and RNA/DNA ratio in echinoderms. Populations of Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus, that occur naturally along a contamination gradient of sediments by cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, in a Norwegian fjord (Sørfj... [more] This study aimed to evaluate the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and RNA/DNA ratio in echinoderms. Populations of Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus, that occur naturally along a contamination gradient of sediments by cadmium, copper, lead and zinc, in a Norwegian fjord (Sørfjord), were studied. Sperm motility, a measure of sperm quality, was quantified using a computer assisted sperm analysis system (CASA). The RNA/DNA ratio, a measure of protein synthesis, was assessed by a 1-dye, (Ethidium bromide, EB)/1-enzyme (RNase) 96-well microplate fluorometric assay. Although both species accumulate metals at high concentrations, neither sperm motility parameters in A. rubens nor the RNA/DNA ratio in both species were affected. The Sørfjord is still one of the most metal contaminated marine sites in Europe, but even so populations of A. rubens and E. acutus are able to endure under these conditions.

• The dual functions of sea urchin gonads are reflected in the temporal variations of their biochemistry

  Hughes AD, Kelly MS, Barnes DKA, Catarino AI, Black KD

  MARINE BIOLOGY. 02/2006; 148:789-798.

  Fatty acid analyses are emerging as a powerful technique to probe trophic interactions between organisms. In this paper, the application of both this procedure and gonad index (GI) determination on two populations (intertidal and subtidal) of the echinoid Psammechinus miliaris is reported. The inves... [more] Fatty acid analyses are emerging as a powerful technique to probe trophic interactions between organisms. In this paper, the application of both this procedure and gonad index (GI) determination on two populations (intertidal and subtidal) of the echinoid Psammechinus miliaris is reported. The investigation spanned the 3-month spawning period of Scottish west coast populations. In both populations a progressive decrease in the GI was found, coupled with an increasing maturity stage (from mature to spent). Sexual maturation and decrease in GI was synchronous between the two populations. In conjunction, there were distinct changes in gonad biochemistry. Differences in the fatty acid composition of the gonad reflected the changes in sexual maturation. Mature males and females had significant differences in the fatty acid composition of their gonads, whereas post-spawned individuals showed no gender differences. Male urchins had higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to females, and there was a dramatic reduction in the fatty acids 22:6(n-3) and 20:5(n-3) with increasing maturity stage. Using multivariate statistical techniques, these changes in the fatty acid composition of the sea urchin gonad were linked to habitat related diet differences combined with gender differences. These changes in the fatty acid signatures clearly reflect the dual function of the gonad as both a nutrient store and a reproductive organ.

• Gonad fatty acids and trophic interactions of the echinoid Psammechinus miliaris

  Hughes AD, Catarino AI, Kelly MS, Barnes DKA, Black KD

  MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES. 12/2005; 305:101-111.

  Abstract: Variation in gonadal somatic indices (GSI) and fatty acid signatures of 2 contrasting Scottish west coast populations of the echinoid Psammechinus miliaris were examined. P. miliaris was sampled from both the shallow subtidal and at the upper limit of its distribution in the intertidal. Th... [more] Abstract: Variation in gonadal somatic indices (GSI) and fatty acid signatures of 2 contrasting Scottish west coast populations of the echinoid Psammechinus miliaris were examined. P. miliaris was sampled from both the shallow subtidal and at the upper limit of its distribution in the intertidal. The intertidal population had a significantly higher GSI than the subtidal at both locations. Multivariate analysis (ANOSIM) of the fatty acid signature showed significant variation between the 2 depths as well as between sex and location. SIMPER analysis indicated a complex pattern of variation between location and depths. Both 20:4(n-6) and 20:5(n-6), associated with brown algae, were found in higher levels in subtidal populations, while levels of 22:6(n-3) were higher in the intertidal at one site, and 18:4(n-3) higher at the other. Of these acids, 22:6(n-3) is associated with filter feeding invertebrates, and 18:4(n-3) with green algae. Omnivorous diets in urchins have been associated with increased gonadal growth and the results from this study strongly suggest that the observed differences in GSI between intertidal and subtidal P. miliaris result from a higher quality diet in the intertidal, consisting of invertebrates and green algae.

• Genetic and morphological variation of Synaptura lusitanica Capello, 1868, along the Portuguese coast

  Cabral HN, Marques JF, Rego AL, Catarino AI, Figueiredo J, Garcia J

  JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH. 11/2003; 50:167-175.

  The Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica Capello, 1868, is distributed from Portugal to Angola. In Portugal, it occurs on the west coast and on the south-eastern coast. The genetic and morphological variation of S. lusitanica was studied based on protein electrophoresis and morphometric and meristi... [more] The Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica Capello, 1868, is distributed from Portugal to Angola. In Portugal, it occurs on the west coast and on the south-eastern coast. The genetic and morphological variation of S. lusitanica was studied based on protein electrophoresis and morphometric and meristic analyses of samples collected in four areas along the Portuguese coast. The genetic analysis was based on 12 loci, 10 of which were polymorphic. The morphological analysis included 12 morphometric measurements and 7 meristic counts. Both analyses indicated divergence between the west coast sample (Setubal) and the other samples collected in the south-eastern coast (Olhao, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo Antonio). Although the discreteness of the west coast individuals of S. lusitanica was not completely evident, a conservative approach to the fisheries management of this species would consider two independent stocks.

• Feeding ecology, age, growth and sexual cycle of the Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica

  Cabral H, Catarino AI, Figueiredo J, Garcia J, Henriques M

  JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 06/2003; 83:613-618.

  Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica, were collected from the Portuguese coast, between April 2001 and March 2002, to examine feeding habits, age and growth, and sexual cycle. Synaptura lusitanica fed on few prey items, its diet mainly composed of polychaeta, bivalvia and cephalochordata. Significa... [more] Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica, were collected from the Portuguese coast, between April 2001 and March 2002, to examine feeding habits, age and growth, and sexual cycle. Synaptura lusitanica fed on few prey items, its diet mainly composed of polychaeta, bivalvia and cephalochordata. Significant differences were found between the proportion of prey items according to season, length class of fish and coastal area. The main differences related to fish size were the higher ingestion of bivalvia by larger fish, in the west coast area, and the increase in the important cephalochordata for fish larger than 300 mm total length, in the south coastal areas. Polychaeta presented a lower importance in the spring-summer period while bivalvia increased its values in the autumn-winter period. Cephalochordata were more important in the autumn-winter period, but only for fish larger than 300 mm total length and in the south coastal areas. Vacuity was extremely high (mean value of 52%). Ages of S. lusitanica were determined from sagittae otoliths. The length of fish analysed varied from 157 mm to 480 mm, and the oldest fish was age 8. The von Bertalanffy growth equation parameters differed little between sexes, being the asymptotic length obtained for females higher compared to males. The highest values of the gonadosomatic index were obtained in summer, which was the period when the highest percentage of individuals in the spawning stage were recorded. Therefore, the spawning season seems to be from mid-spring (May) until the end of summer (September).