The hoary-throated spinetail and Rio Branco antbird are two bird species endemic to the Rio Branco drainage of Brazil and Guyana, currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Previous assessments of both species’ global populations focused on the Brazilian state of Roraima but did not include most of its border with Guyana, where significant areas of suitable habitat remain along the Ireng (Maú) and Takutu (Tacutu) Rivers. In July and August 2021, we conducted a survey to determine the extent of each species’ geographic range along the two rivers, and to estimate population sizes. We used playback surveys along 219 km of river to ascertain each species’ distribution and intensively sampled three forest blocks to determine densities. Both species were locally abundant on both sides of the international border. Rio Branco antbird occurred over a greater geographic range than hoary-throated spinetail, particularly along the Takutu River, but was confined to a narrower zone along the river edges. Both species appear to have retreated from habitat along the Ireng River that was occupied in the past, possibly due to habitat degradation from increasingly frequent fires. Nevertheless, our minimum estimates of 1147 antbirds and 851 spinetails in the study area represent, respectively, 7.5% and 17.8 % increases over current estimates of global population sizes, and indicate that the Guyana-Brazil border region may become a critical stronghold for both species if effective conservation measures are implemented. We propose establishment of a Key Biodiversity Area encompassing the core of both species’ distributions along the border; extensive follow-up work including stakeholder engagement to explore possibilities for habitat management and protection; and further field study to increase general ecological knowledge of these two bird species.

Synthesising knowledge on the health of marine ecosystems and the human activities is crucial to informing holistic marine management. In many coastal states, however, research is conducted in an ad hoc manner and rarely compiled into accessible repositories making it challenging for marine managers to identify knowledge gaps when allocating resources. Here we conduct a structured review of existing literature to identify the current state of marine and coastal knowledge in the Isles of Scilly, an oceanic archipelago in the UK. The archipelago's marine flora and fauna are biogeographically unique in the Northeast Atlantic, with a distinct mosaic of warm and cold temperate habitats and species and are also considered a rare example of a near pristine marine environment in the otherwise highly degraded Northeast Atlantic Ocean. We found 150 sources relating to the marine biodiversity and relevant human activities in the Isles of Scilly with increasing diversification of research topics in recent years. Sources however remain dominated by specific taxa and habitats, suggesting the Isles of Scilly would particularly benefit from future research into: (1) anthropogenic impacts associated with warming waters and intense seasonal vessel activity; (2) development of repeatable survey protocols that can underpin long-term, ecosystem-based monitoring and management (notably for reef and sediment habitats and the European spiny lobster); and (3) data gaps associated with marine teleost fish and elasmobranch communities including identifying core habitat. This review can therefore act as a baseline biological synthesis for the region and importantly, can inform future research priorities.

A single Stygiomedusa gigantea was caught by demersal crab trawl off Namibia at a fishing depth of 750 m. Although widely considered to be globally distributed in meso- and bathy-pelagic waters, this represents the first record of the species from the SE Atlantic and only the second from around Africa. The photographed specimen differs slightly from previous observations and attention is drawn to accurately recording future material.

Microcosmus squamiger, an ascidian with high invasion potential, is recorded for the first time in the Brazilian western Atlantic, between Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. The species was found near ports and marinas, and its introduction may have been favoured by intense nautical activity and climatic events such as La Niña. Coexistence with Microcosmus exasperatus, a morphologically similar species, was observed in all localities where M. squamiger was recorded. This discovery implies that a more rigorous process of species identification is necessary during monitoring activities, given that both species can be easily confused (only the syphon spinules differentiate them) and M. exasperatus is widely distributed with collection records dating back more than half a century on the Brazilian coast. The preference of M. squamiger for colder waters suggests that researchers in the Southeast and South Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina should closely monitor the arrival and possible environmental impacts of this species. The identification of M. squamiger in locations close to bivalve mariculture areas in Rio de Janeiro raises concern, as the species has the potential to compete with bivalves. This study highlights the importance of continuing to monitor the potential spread and the implications of the introduction of M. squamiger into Brazilian waters, as well as its relationship with M. exasperatus, a species already established in this same region.

Effluent waste generated from the intensive production of vannamei shrimp is known to play an essential role in increasing phytoplankton abundance and the alteration of environmental quality. This alteration is characterized by the presence of various organic compounds and their derivatives. The northern coastal area of Bangka Island represents a region in Indonesia that has witnessed significant growth and development as a vannamei shrimp cultivation zone. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate phytoplankton abundance and environmental quality in the waste of shrimp ponds in the northern coastal area of Bangka Island. The investigation procedures were carried out in four specific locations within this area, namely BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4. The results showed the presence of five–six distinct phytoplankton groups, including a total of 11–18 genera, within the effluent discharge from these ponds. The highest abundance of phytoplankton was recorded at BL3, with a value of 2,418,375 cells ml−1. The phytoplankton groups identified at all locations included Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Chryptophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Pyrrophyta. Euglenophyta was found at BL1 and BL3 but was not observed at BL2 and BL4. Furthermore, the most abundant group found in this study was Chlorophyta. The genera Nanochloropsis, Chlorella, Microcystis, and Nitzschia were consistently found in all the surveyed ponds. The calculation results showed that all locations had a moderate level of diversity, high evenness, and the absence of dominance. Based on the findings of principal component analysis, there was a commonality in parameters that exerted a strong influence on phytoplankton abundance, including nitrate, orthophosphate, and magnesium.

Collisions with powerlines affect birds worldwide, including countries such as Belgium where a nationwide model indicated high avian collision risk in the IJzerbroeken region (seasonally flooded riverside wetlands). Large numbers of waterbirds winter in this area, which is crossed by a 70-kV transmission line. To manage avian collision risk, the transmission system operator, Elia, installed AB Hammarprodukter’s FireFly™ FF line markers incorporating reflective, glow-in-the-dark, high contrast, and moving elements intended to increase the visibility of the transmission line to flying birds. We evaluated the effectiveness of FireFly line markers by comparing the numbers of avian carcasses found during 11 surveys annually in 2001 and 2018 (22 total surveys) before line markers were installed compared with 11 surveys conducted in 2021 after line marking. Before line marking, we found 30 avian carcasses attributable to collision in 2001 and 113 in 2018. After, we found six carcasses attributable to collision in 2021. In 2021, FireFly line markers correlated with a reduction in collision rate, depending on the pre-treatment year and species group, of at least 85% and up to 100%. The line was composed of two configurations, with half of the spans (two-thirds of the monitored line length) supported by tall pylons with shield wires, and half of the spans supported by shorter pylons without shield wires. After line marking, six collisions (100% in 2021) occurred on spans supported by tall pylons, and none (0%) occurred on spans supported by short pylons. Thus, in 2021, FireFly line markers correlated with an observed mortality reduction of at least 73% and up to 100%, depending on the configuration being considered. These findings suggest FireFly line markers substantially reduced wintering bird collisions in our study area.

Spix’s Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii, extinct in the wild since 2000, was successfully reintroduced in Brazil in 2022, leading to significant progress, including the hatching of wild chicks. However, recent restrictions on further releases by the Brazilian government have put the reintroduction programme into jeopardy. This study updates our 2023 population viability analysis (PVA) to assess the impact of these delayed releases on the wild population. Using six modelled scenarios, we confirm that without annual supplementation of captive-bred birds, the probability of extinction in the wild remains at 100%. Even a one-time release is insufficient to secure population stability. Our results highlight that those annual releases of at least 20 individuals are necessary to ensure long-term viability, with reduced but still essential growth achievable with 10 birds per year. Supplementation of the wild population does not compromise the long-term viability of the well-established captive population. We urge immediate action to resume the release programme in 2024 to prevent the species from once again facing extinction in the wild.

“Antarctic Ambassadorship” has emerged as an important concept in tourism, conservationist, and polar research communities. This article investigates tourists’ perceptions of “Antarctic Ambassadorship” through surveys and interviews conducted during and shortly after their travel to Antarctica, from 2015 to 2018. Interpretations of the term “Antarctic ambassador” varied widely but most hesitated to identify themselves this way. Tourists were not sure how to enact “Ambassadorship” or whether the actions they did take would “count.” Our findings suggest that the industry has great potential to promote Antarctic Ambassadorship by providing concrete ideas about what Ambassadorship might entail and offering tools for tourists to take concrete actions. We suggest a shift towards a focus on “Antarctic Civics” that would educate travellers about how Antarctica is governed and which institutions are responsible for its conservation, in order to empower tourists to engage in political advocacy in addition to personal lifestyle changes.

The Pacific bryozoan, Smittoidea prolifica Osburn, 1952, is reported for the first time from the Northwest Atlantic coast. Colonies were discovered during routine benthic sampling of Casco Bay, Maine, encrusting mussel shells and barnacles. Aiming to compare specimens from native and introduced locations, uncertainties about the Pacific range of S. prolifica were resolved by re-examining specimens from Japan, southern Korea, the United States west coast, and Mexico. The occurrence of this species in Japan was confirmed but southern Korea specimens were found to be Smittoidea spinigera (Liu, 1990). Comparisons of biometrics among specimens from widely dispersed locations where S. prolifica is native and introduced showed significant trends in variation with most characters largest for California and smallest for Germany. Zooid width was largest for Maine specimens. Comparisons between oceans showed that Pacific and Atlantic specimens differed significantly in all measures except zooid length and orifice width. Low substrate specificity and broad range of temperatures and salinities in occupied habitats suggests the potential for successful introduction is high. Smittoidea prolifica was most likely introduced through commercial shipping from the North Sea where it is an established non-native species. This was the third non-indigenous species found in Casco Bay discovered within the same timeframe and which shared the same likely region of origin. This spike matched a rise in commercial shipping from the Northeast Atlantic to Portland, Maine, suggesting this seaport is shifting towards becoming a bioinvasion hotspot.

Jellyfishes have ecological and societal value, but our understanding of taxonomic identity of many jellyfish species remains limited. Here, an approach integrating morphological and molecular (16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome oxidase I) data enables taxonomic assessment of the blubber jellyfish found in the Philippines. In this study, we aimed to resolve doubt on the taxonomy of Acromitoides purpurus, a valid binomen at the time of our research. Our morphological findings confirm that this jellyfish belongs to the genus Catostylus, and is distinct from known species of the genus inhabiting the Western Pacific, such as Catostylus ouwensi, Catostylus townsendi, and Catostylus mosaicus. Detailed morphological and molecular analyses of the type specimens from the Philippines with the other Catostylus species revive the binomen Catostylus purpurus and invalidate A. purpurus. Genetic analysis also distinguishes this Philippine jellyfish from C. townsendi and C. mosaicus. Through this study, we arranged several Catostylidae taxa into species inquirendae (Catostylus tripterus, Catostylus turgescens, and Acromitoides stiphropterus) and one genus inquirenda (Acromitoides) and provided an identification key for species of Catostylus. This comprehensive study confirms the blubber jellyfish as C. purpurus, enriching our understanding of jellyfish biodiversity. The integration of morphological and genetic analyses proves vital in resolving taxonomic ambiguities within the Catostylidae family and in the accurate identification of scyphozoan jellyfishes.

Little is known about the Chondrichthyes fauna of the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, notably on the species composition, distribution, and biology. Historically, only a few studies have focused on these issues. Basic taxonomy is one of the main tools employed in cataloguing, organizing, and initiating other, more specific, assessments regarding regional diversity. In this context, this study presents the most comprehensive list of shark and ray species occurring in the state of Espírito Santo to date. The compiled data were obtained from specimens deposited in ichthyological collections, literature reviews, and samplings conducted at fisheries landings and onboard commercial fleet vessels. The findings indicate 79 species, comprising 51 sharks and 28 rays. A total of 53.2% of threatened Brazilian marine elasmobranch species occur in the area, indicating the importance of carrying out local studies focusing on this group. A first record for the Brazilian large-eyed stingray, Hypanus marianae, was also observed for the state, increasing the southern limit of the species known distribution, previously considered restricted to the North and Northeast coasts.

Long-term marine monitoring programmes have provided numerous quantitative data on the composition of North Sea benthic communities and their changes over time, including species introductions. Particularly in the German Bight, the rapid environmental and hydrographical changes are promoting the spreading (usually anthropogenically mediated) of neobiota, with more than 150 species being registered to date. During routine seafloor monitoring, grab samples taken on the subtidal sandbank of the Borkum Reef Ground revealed the presence of the polychaete Streptosyllis nunezi in different years, a species previously unreported in the southern North Sea. In this paper, these individuals are described morphologically and the population status is discussed. Our finding demonstrates the importance of intensive and regular environmental monitoring programmes for the assessment of regional biodiversity and its potential changes.

The oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha represents one of the most important regions for Brazilian marine biodiversity, and is considered a ‘no-take’ marine area under law. More than 130 crustacean species have already been registered in the archipelago, with a significant number of caridean shrimps. Almost half of these shrimps belong to the family Alpheidae, making them an important marker of the species composition of the region. This study provides five new records of alpheids for the archipelago. Samples were taken in 2019 and 2022 from six locations around Fernando de Noronha, using active search during low tide and SCUBA diving in subtidal zones. The new records are Alpheus agilis, A. angulosus, A. rudolphi, Automate dolichognatha sensu lato, and Salmoneus ortmanni, and their DNA sequences have been made available alongside geographical distribution, photographs, ecological notes, and species remarks. All DNA sequences (mitochondrial 16S and cytochrome oxidase I genes) generated were compared with sequences available in Genbank and, in some cases, our sequences are the first for the species. Through this update, a total of 46 species of caridean shrimps have been recorded from Fernando de Noronha. Here we highlight the importance of checklists as a tool to keep an updated record of species' distributions. Continuous study of the native fauna of one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the Brazilian coast is essential to establish effective management and conservation plans for the region.

Antarctica is often cast as a last wilderness, untouched by humans and set aside for peace and science. Yet it also has a nuclear past that foreshadowed a shift in human interactions with the continent, away from development and towards protection. This paper examines the discourse around the installation and the dismantlement of PM-3A, the first and only large-scale nuclear reactor to have been used on the Antarctic continent. Affectionately known as “Nukey Poo,” the reactor was greeted with optimism by the USA and was seen as a catalyst for a more comfortable and technologically advanced future for the humans at McMurdo Station. This techno-optimism spurred visions of a resource-rich Antarctic future. When it became apparent a decade on that the reactor was too costly and had been leaking, the narration shifted to centre on environmental protection, resulting in the removal of a mountainside of gravel in the name of ecological restoration. The reactor is gone, but not forgotten – the site is designated as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty System. Spanning from the Cold War to the Madrid Protocol era, the story of Nukey Poo provides a useful lens through which to track the evolution of attitudes towards Antarctica and to reflect on imagined Antarctic futures.

Barnacles of the genus Conopea are obligate epibionts of gorgonians and antipatharians. The species Conopea saotomensis Carrison-Stone et al. 2013, previously only known from the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and the coast of Gabon, is reported from the Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, based on morphological examination and DNA barcoding of specimens. The new record extends the known range of the species about 3000 km to the northwest.

Extending over warmer environments in the Brazilian waters, the exotic vermetid Eualetes tulipa was first recorded from Ceará State (3°S) in 2005. In 2009, it was reported in cold-water environments in Rio de Janeiro State (22°S). Seven years later, E. tulipa was recorded from Rio Grande do Norte State (6°S) on rocky pools in sandstone reefs. In the present study, E. tulipa is for the first time recorded from Bahia State (12°S), associated with a biofouling community in the Todos-os-Santos Bay, co-occurring with exotic dendrophylliid corals (Tubastraea). The vermetid community recorded from Bahia State shows a great diversity of epibionts, mostly bivalves, cirripeds and sponges. The co-occurrence of Eualetes and Tubastraea corals must be monitored, once these exotic species are co-occurring in a protected environmental area, bringing concern on possible impacts on native benthic fauna.

Trophic competition among top predators is also influenced by environmental variability. However, the magnitude of the changes in contrasting events such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is poorly studied. The stomach contents of striped marlin (Kajikia audax), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) were analysed. We included the ENSO effect on the diet because we analysed organisms captured during 2010–2011 and 2014–2015, periods that, according to the Ocean Niño Index, were defined as the cold phase (CP) and warm phase (WP), respectively. Trophic diversity, feeding habits and strategy, trophic position (TP), trophic niche amplitude, and diet overlap were calculated. It was found that, despite a wide trophic spectrum, all three species were specialist predators in both phases. The most important prey species during both phases for striped marlin was Dosidicus gigas, while Auxis spp. was the most important prey of blue marlin. Dolphinfish fed mainly on Oxyporhamphus micropterus during the CP and Pleuroncodes planipes during the WP. Our results indicated that during both ENSO phases, all species maintained a trophic position similar to previous reports for the study area. However, for striped marlin, these differences were significant. Greater trophic competition was found during the CP (seven prey taxa shared) than in the WP (three prey taxa shared). These species often share the same environment, but their preference for feeding on different prey makes them occupy different trophic spaces, an aspect that allows their coexistence in time and space.

In 2013 and 2019, two separate encounters with a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) were documented within Indonesian waters. Of particular importance was ca. 6.0 m male C. carcharias that was captured in Lombok, Indonesia in 2013, where an upper lateral tooth was retained. Using the D-loop sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) associated with this captured white shark, the mtDNA was compared to the available mtDNA sequences in GenBank® associated with the Northwest Pacific and Australian (i.e. Southern-Western and Eastern) C. carcharias subpopulations to determine its point of origin. Results from the mtDNA analyses suggest that the point of origin for this captured C. carcharias is from one of the Australian subpopulations. When compared to primary literature, this migration presents a northerly range extension for this species; however, since it is unclear what Australian subpopulation this shark was from it is uncertain what subpopulation this range extension applies to. Although C. carcharias presence within Indonesian waters is likely a rare occurrence, being that Indonesia represents the largest shark fin exporter in the world, the utilization of these waters and potential unsustainable exploitation poses a definitive threat to this highly migratory top predator. Therefore, further research investigating the purpose and site fidelity of C. carcharias within these waters is critical to future multijurisdictional protection of this top predator.

Tanaidaceans have a worldwide distribution, with 36 families, 316 genera, and 1575 extant species described. This study aimed to compile the resulting taxonomic information for Brazilian waters obtained to produce the available online catalogue Taxonomic Catalogue of the Brazilian Fauna. Results show 63 species described for Brazilian waters: 30 Apseudomorpha and 33 Tanaidomorpha, distributed in 46 genera and 18 families. For apseudomorphan, Kalliapseudidae is the most diverse family (12.7%), followed by Apseudidae and Parapseudidae (9.5% each). For tanaidomorphan, Typhlotanaidae is the most diverse (15.9%) followed by Leptocheliidae (9.5%) and Tanaididae (7.9%). In Brazilian waters, more than 60% of Tanaidacea species are distributed in shallow waters (42 species; 63.6%), including continental areas, and about 1/3 are recorded from deep-sea (24 species; 36.4%). Southeast Region of Brazil holds most records with 46 occurrences, followed by the Northeast Region with 19 occurrences. Our results highlight the increasing number of publications and new Brazilian tanaids species in the last 15 years, and this is directly correlated to where specialists in alpha-taxonomy, systematics/phylogeny, and ecology are based in. Our current dataset also indicates an important aspect regarding the lack of taxonomic experts of Tanaidacea worldwide, but especially in Brazil. This study gives an overview of all the information that may help elucidate future research on the taxonomic diversity of tanaidaceans in Brazil, thus it is expected that this may encourage further studies and specialists for the group.

Omobranchus sewalli is a native Indo-Pacific blenniid recently introduced and established along the Brazilian coast. The putative introduction was through ballast water and/or ship hull biofouling. Herein, we report the presence of the species for the first time inside of the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC) which is recognized as a RAMSAR site and listed as a Wetland of International Importance. The mature specimens of O. sewalli were found in intertidal and shallow subtidal waters in the mixture zone in the estuary, suggesting the establishment of the population. The presence of port terminals in this area indicates that O. sewalli colonize PEC using ship hull fouling or larval dispersal from the shallow inner shelf.