Pedro Anastácio

Universidade de Évora | uevora · Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning

Commercial success of a pet species predicts its invasiveness, making the most traded species more likely to become introduced. Turtles are among the most traded species, making it critical to monitor their introduction, and in Portugal several invasive turtle species have been detected in nature. This study reports the first official record of Mau...

Climate change and associated shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns have become an increasing concern as drivers of ongoing biodiversity loss. The Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable, being both a biodiversity hotspot and a region very prone to desertification. Freshwater mussels are amongst the most threatened invertebrate t...

Freshwater turtles comprise 81% of all chelonian species despite freshwater systems only occupying 1% of the earth’s surface, and they are commonly exploited as pets and food resources. This contact between humans and turtles may put both sides at risk of disease transmission. Additionally, human impact on ecosystems can cause disease outbreaks in...

It is globally recognized that freshwater anglers can have a decisive role in promoting fish introductions. The aim of this study was to analyze freshwater anglers’ actions and perceptions regarding fish introductions, comparing two distinct situations, one with recently arrived non-natives fishes and another with older fish introductions, using th...

Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), leading to multi-faceted ecological, economic and health impacts worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula comprises an exceptionally biodiverse Mediterranean region with a high number of threatened and endemic aquatic species, most of them strongly impacted...

Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) is an endemic threatened species from the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we report the first observations of intraspecific cleaning behavior in isolated summer pools in the Guadiana River Basin (Portugal). We found that focal S. alburnoides solicited cleaning by adopting an immobile tail‐stand position known as “...

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 fre...

Biological invasions pose significant challenges in the Anthropocene, impacting ecosystem biodiversity and functioning. Ecological Niche Modeling is widely used to evaluate potential areas at risk of invasions, aiding in the prevention of invasive-species expansion and guiding conservation efforts in freshwater ecosystems. The main objectives of th...

The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained an incomplete version of Table 1, in which only 20 invasive alien species were published out of the top-ranked 24 that should have been. The correct Table 1 is shown below. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused.

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on tax...

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWRR) framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. Horizon scanning for high risk IAS is basic when implementing measures to reduce new invasions and to focus efforts on th...

Biological invasions are increasingly recognized as one of the major threats to biodiversity. The Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis) is native to East Asia, however, in southeastern South America this species has become one of the most pervasive invaders. Hovenia dulcis has many biological characteristics that favor the process of invasion and f...

Public engagement is vital to effectively manage Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and biosecurity campaigns directed to stakeholders are decisive to raise awareness regarding IAS regulations and problems. To design and implement adequate communication plans, stakeholders' perceptions and risk behaviors regarding IAS need to be monitored by surveys. IAS...

Several freshwater crayfish species, including Procambarus Clarkii, are both ecologically and commercially important benthic macroinvertebrates, remarkable for their potential to adapt and reproduce, but also for their unique abilities to face distinct abiotic and biotic environments and become successful invaders. While much has been done studying...

The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera has been suffering major population declines in Europe. This endangered species is a host specialist and exclusively requires salmonid species ( Salmo trutta and Salmo salar ) to complete its life cycle. In theory, obligatory biotic interactions should deserve special conservation attention, b...

Código de conduta para aquariofilia. Documento técnico preparado por LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515).

The invasive red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is present in most of the Portuguese rivers with well-known economic and environmental impacts, being also an important reservoir for many fungal and bacterial pathogens that can affect native aquatic fauna. Here the bacterial microbiota of the gut and carapace of the red swamp crayfish from three...

According to climate change scenarios the incidence of extreme events, such as flooding, is expected to increase worldwide. In the current climate change context, understanding behavioural responses of marine species to such stressors is essential, especially for species of high ecological and economic interest such as bivalves, which can be quite...

Invasive bivalves continue to spread and negatively impact freshwater ecosystems worldwide. As different metrics for body size and biomass are frequently used within the literature to standardise bivalve‐related ecological impacts (e.g. respiration and filtration rates), the lack of broadly applicable conversion equations currently hinders reliable...

Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies exóticas que se encuentran en etapa de establecimiento o de propagación de la invasión en aguas continentales de la península ibérica. La lista está basada en la evaluación sistemática de los datos en colaboración con un amplio equipo de expertos de España y Portugal. Esta lista de actualización es...

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the establishment or spread invasion stage in in-land waters at the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This updated list is an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regu...

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the transport or introduction invasion stage in inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This list is an important tool to support the implementation of the IAS Regulation,...

Updating information on the distribution of recently introduced and other poorly known non-natives is essential to prevent and control their spread and better address biological invasions. Here, we combine scientific and citizen science data to update the distribution of five recently arrived (i.e., < 25 years), non-native fish species (Alburnus al...

El comercio electrónico, la actividad de comprar o vender productos en servicios on-line o por internet, es una parte vital y creciente de la economía global. Esta actividad incluye la comercialización y venta de animales y plantas, incluidas especies exóticas, y en ocasiones, también especies invasoras a pesar de su prohibición. Adquirir estas esp...

One of the main drivers of biodiversity loss is the introduction of exotic invasive species. In 2011, an abundant population of Crangonyx pseudogracilis , a freshwater amphipod native to North America, was detected in Portugal. This study allowed us to better understand its biology, analysing the population dynamics in a temporary river and a small...

This guide is available at: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/11/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-INGLES-FINAL.pdf

This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf

This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf

Freshwater biodiversity is declining at an accelerated pace. Climate change and associated global warming and changes in precipitation patterns, combined with the expansion of generalist -invasive species are two of the main threats. Niche-based models (NBMs) are becoming inevitable tools in invasive species risk assessment and in conservation deci...

In the south of the Iberian Peninsula, many rivers are intermittent, a state most likely to be exacerbated by climate change, strongly affecting river biota. An additional challenge for native biota in this area is the arrival of new species, frequently aided by humans, and bivalves are particularly at risk. Here we assessed whether the native (Uni...

Experimental animal models are a valuable tool to study the neurobiology of emotional behavior and mechanisms underlying human affective disorders. Mounting evidence suggests that various aquatic organisms, including both vertebrate (e.g., zebrafish) and invertebrate (e.g., crayfish) species, may be relevant to study animal emotional response and i...

Procambarus clarkii is an important invasive freshwater species whose ecological plasticity allows for its establishment in different kinds of environments; such plasticity is also reflected in its diet with two main consequences: invasion success and impact on native biota. In order to investigate P. clarkii’s feeding habits, examine how its diet...

The feeding ecology of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis was studied by analyzing the stomach fullness and its content with regard to sex, size and brackish water habitats occurring on the coast of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Gdańsk and Vistula Lagoon, Poland) and the Atlantic (Tagus Estuary, Portugal). The presented results show that neither...

Aquarium pets release is an important vector for invasive species establishment in freshwater ecosystems. Here the perceptions and risk behaviors associated to this vector were evaluated using a survey. Portuguese aquarium hobbyists were interviewed through an on-line survey (Google forms) publicized in 9 web sites connected to this hobby (Facebook...

Os invertebrados aquáticos são importantes elementos dos ecossistemas ribeirinhos. Possuem adaptações e estratégias diversificadas para fazer face à multiplicidade de condições que se fazem sentir nestes ambientes, nomeadamente de velocidade de corrente, oxigénio dissolvido, tipo e quantidade de alimento disponível, entre outros. Desempenham import...

Invasive alien species are widespread in freshwater systems compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Among crustaceans, crayfish in particular have been widely introduced and are considered a major threat to freshwater ecosystem functioning. New emerging techniques for detecting and controlling invasive crayfish and protecting endangered native species...

We present the most updated list of non-native freshwater fauna established in Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. This list includes 67 species at national level but corresponds to 84 species records, of which 53 are in the mainland, 23 in the Azores and 8 in Madeira archipelagos. We also discuss the progression of the cumulat...

We present the most updated list of non-native freshwater fauna established in Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. This list includes 67 species at national level but corresponds to 84 species records, of which 53 are in the mainland, 23 in the Azores and 8 in Madeira archipelagos. We also discuss the progression of the cumulat...

Invasive species are one of the main threat to biodiversity. When an alien species is introduced into a new environment, fast identification and definition of management strategies may avoid or minimize impacts. When an invasive species is already established, the most adopted approaches are population control and monitoring. In order to perform su...

Among the many alien crustacean species so far recorded in the Mediterranean basin are numerous decapods—crayfish, crabs and prawns—that have in common the reputation of being both aggressive and adaptable to various environments. Their entrance to the Mediterranean basin has often been fostered by human actions, such as the transfer of new species...

Crangonyx pseudogracilis is a North American amphipod recently detected in Portugal and it is the first invasive freshwater amphipod detected in the Iberian Peninsula. The aim of this study was to assess the population structure and its invasion range in this area, but also to assess its pathogen profile and its origin through genetic analyses. Cra...

7. Invasive Freshwater Invertebrates and Fishes: Impacts on Human Health Catherine Souty-Grosset, Pedro Anastácio, Julian Reynolds and Elena Tricarico Abstract Inland waters are subject to more widespread biotic invasions than terrestrial ecosystems. During the last century, 756 aquatic species were introduced in Europe, frequently carrying new par...

In this work, the presence of the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in the Portuguese section of the Guadiana drainage (Iberian Peninsula) is confirmed based on morphological and molecular species identification. The spatial and temporal dispersal of this non-native catfish was also reconstructed for the Guadiana drainage, based mostly on online...

Pet release is important for the introduction of invasive species but propagule pressure from this pathway is higher in areas with intense human presence. In fact, potential invaders are frequently released into areas with sub-optimal environmental conditions, and are not able to reproduce or establish viable populations. SDMs are mainly focused on...

Freshwater ecosystems are known as hotspots of biodiversity. These systems and their resident shredder communities are very sensitive to multiple anthropogenic environmental disturbances. Disturbance in the form of invasion by alien species is a major contributor to the observed declines in biodiversity. In freshwater shredder communities, non-nati...

Effective management of invasive fishes depends on the availability of updated information about their distribution and spatial dispersion. Forensic analysis was performed using online and published data on the European catfish, Silurus glanis L., a recent invader in the Tagus catchment (Iberian Peninsula). Eighty records were obtained mainly from...

The Chinese mitten crab is known as a pest causing damage to fishing gears and fish. On the other hand, this highly invasive species is considered a delicacy by Asian migrants and therefore commercially fished and sold in many countries. The ingestion of plastic by the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis from the Baltic coastal waters (Poland) a...

An effective management of invasive fishes depends on the availability of updated data about the distribution and spatial dispersion. A forensic analysis was performed using online and published data about European catfish, Silurus glanis, a recent invader in the Tagus basin (Iberian Peninsula). Eighty records were obtained mainly from anglers' for...

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is an invasive crustacean with a widespread distribution, sometimes overlapping with the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). E. sinensis performs long river migrations, often moving overland to cross obstacles, but the factors affecting its movement are not well known. We studied its movement speed...

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas 1771), is an invasive freshwater species with major negative impacts, promoting changes in ecosystem structure and function and also contributing to economic losses. Navigation has been considered the primary vector of dispersion and little importance has been given to alternative natural (waterbirds)...

Temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affected by climate change. It determines physiological processes, ecological patterns and establishes the limits of geographic distribution of species. The induced thermal stress frequently results in physiological and behavioral responses and, in extreme cases, may lead to mortality episode...

Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) are two invasive freshwater species with a worldwide distribution. The objective of this work was to investigate how the two species move and use space in an area of recent coexistence. Simultaneously, we test the use of new tools and indices to describe their m...