Joana Micael
Azores University, Biology Departement, Department Member
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Figure 2 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
Figure 6 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
Figure 7 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
Figure 5 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
Figure 13 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) M...more
Figure 1. Location of the Azores Archipelago and islands isotopic ages.
Figure 4 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
Figure 3 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) Ma...more
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Figure 15 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) M...more
Figure 12 from: Neto AIA, Moreu I, Rosas Alquicira EF, León-Cisneros K, Cacabelos E, Botelho AZ, Micael J, Costa AC, Neto RMA, Azevedo JMN, Monteiro S, Resendes R, Afonso P, Prestes ACL, Patarra RF, Álvaro NV, Milla-Figueras D, Ballesteros E, Fletcher RL, Farnham W, Tittley I, Parente MI (2021) M...more
This study was performed to identify the seabird species occurring on Ilheu de Vila Franca do Campo (IVFC) off Sao Miguel island, Azores, giving a special emphasis on the description of their ecology and threats. Flush counts, ground... more
This study was performed to identify the seabird species occurring on Ilheu de Vila Franca do Campo (IVFC) off Sao Miguel island, Azores, giving a special emphasis on the description of their ecology and threats. Flush counts, ground searches and raft counts were conducted and two types of natural habitats were identified. The results confirmed the nesting of two endangered species and revealed three other possible breeders enhancing the importance of the islet for the protection and conservation of Azorean seabird populations. Although playing an important role on the conservation of Cory’s shearwater and Common tern populations, the islet can be threatened by continuous habitat degradation by human disturbance. The implementation of a habitat restoration program is suggested for the islet in a near future. RESUMO Foi feito um levantamento das especies de aves marinhas que ocorrem no Ilheu de Vila Franca do Campo, com especial enfase para a sua ecologia e ameacas. Foram realizadas ...
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The invasive bryozoan Amathia verticillata has been associated with native biodiversity and economic losses around the world and in 2009, it was detected on one island of the Azores Archipelago and has since spread to other islands. The... more
The invasive bryozoan Amathia verticillata has been associated with native biodiversity and economic losses around the world and in 2009, it was detected on one island of the Azores Archipelago and has since spread to other islands. The present study provides insights into the reproductive strategies of this species through the analysis of brooded embryos, the number of internodes and the degree of colony branching over a one year period in more than 200 colonies. These remote oceanic islands provide good environmental conditions for A. verticillata to diversify its gene pool, since the species is able to carry out sexual reproduction year-round. In contrast, population dynamics of A. verticillata seem to be strongly correlated with changes in temperature and the local photoperiod. Field intervention aimed at reducing the population in affected areas should be conducted in the winter when the number of potential colonizing fragments that might be generated by intervention is smaller.
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Research Interests: Oceanography and Biology
Os equinodermes desempenham um papel ecológico importante nas comunidades marinhas, ocupando vários níveis tróficos, sendo expostos a diferentes géneros bacterianos, cujas resistências a antibióticos constituem um bioindicador da poluição... more
Os equinodermes desempenham um papel ecológico importante nas comunidades marinhas, ocupando vários níveis tróficos, sendo expostos a diferentes géneros bacterianos, cujas resistências a antibióticos constituem um bioindicador da poluição marinha. Atualmente, estes animais são vistos como uma fonte potencial de novas biomoléculas para uso farmacêutico e o seu consumo mundial tem vindo a aumentar com a globalização da cultura alimentar humana. Neste trabalho analisou-se a prevalência de E. coli, assim como a sua resistência a diferentes famílias de antibióticos, a partir de 250 amostras fecais de equinodermes (64 Arbacia lixula, 35 Holothuria mammata, 111 Holothuria sanctori, 18 Sphaerechinus granularis, 22 Paracentrotus lividus) do arquipélago dos Açores. Os equinodermes foram capturados na área costeira através de mergulho e, na superfície, as amostras foram colhidas directamente do ânus de cada animal, com a ajuda de zaragatoas estéreis e transportadas de imediato para o laboratóri...
The macroalgal flora of the Island of São Miguel (eastern group of the Azores Archipelago) has attracted the interest of many researchers in the past, the first publications going back to the nineteenth century. Initial studies were... more
The macroalgal flora of the Island of São Miguel (eastern group of the Azores Archipelago) has attracted the interest of many researchers in the past, the first publications going back to the nineteenth century. Initial studies were mainly taxonomic, resulting in the publication of a checklist of the Azorean benthic marine algae. Later, the establishment of the University of the Azores on the Island permitted the logistic conditions to develop both temporal studies and long-term research and this resulted in a significant increase on research directed at the benthic marine algae and littoral communities of the Island and consequent publications. Prior to the present paper, the known macroalgal flora of São Miguel Island comprised around 260 species. Despite this richness, a significant amount of the research was never made public, notably Masters and PhD theses encompassing information regarding presence data recorded at littoral and sublittoral levels down to a depth of approximate...
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Detection of new non-indigenous species is often delayed when taxonomically challenging taxa are involved, such as small-sized marine organisms. The present study highlights the relevance of scientific cooperation in the early detection... more
Detection of new non-indigenous species is often delayed when taxonomically challenging taxa are involved, such as small-sized marine organisms. The present study highlights the relevance of scientific cooperation in the early detection of the invader amphipod Stenothoe georgiana. Originally described from North Carolina (USA), the species was recently found in Chile and the Western Mediterranean. Here, we provide the first record of the species in Macaronesia, Atlantic coasts of continental Europe, North Africa and Australia, and extend its known distribution along the Mediterranean coast. Just like other small crustaceans, shipping (including recreational boating) and aquaculture are probably the main vectors of introduction and secondary spread for this amphipod species. This case of S. georgiana sheds light on the importance of promoting taxonomical knowledge, and building multidisciplinary expertise networks that ensure an effective spread of alien species information. We also ...
The amphipod Ericthonius didymus Krapp-Schickel, 2013 is reported for the first time outside its type locality in European waters, from the French Atlantic coast and from the Azores, Portugal. In particular, a large population was... more
The amphipod Ericthonius didymus Krapp-Schickel, 2013 is reported for the first time outside its type locality in European waters, from the French Atlantic coast and from the Azores, Portugal. In particular, a large population was recorded in Arcachon, France. Molecular analyses were made to confirm the validity of three closely related Ericthonius species: E. didymus, E. convexus and E. pugnax. An identification key is provided, distinguishing Ericthonius species into three groups, based on the presence or absence of stridulating ridges on coxa 2 and posterodistal lobe on basis of male pereopod 5.
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Acrothamnion preissiiis an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, and is listed among the 100 worst non-indigenous species. In July and August 2009, this non-native red macroalga was found for the first time in the Azores (on Santa... more
Acrothamnion preissiiis an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, and is listed among the 100 worst non-indigenous species. In July and August 2009, this non-native red macroalga was found for the first time in the Azores (on Santa Maria), and this represents the first record of this species in the Atlantic. Here, we describe the establishment of this invasive species in the Atlantic. In recent surveys,A. preissiidisplayed an invasive behaviour. As suggested for the Mediterranean Sea, hull fouling is the most likely vector for its introduction into the Azores.
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Neotropic cormorant ( Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is a monomorphic species widely distributed along the American Continent. We used a rapid and efficient molecular technique centred on the chromo-helicase-DNA-binding gene in order to... more
Neotropic cormorant ( Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is a monomorphic species widely distributed along the American Continent. We used a rapid and efficient molecular technique centred on the chromo-helicase-DNA-binding gene in order to differentiate male and female sex chromosomes based on the size of introns. Males presented a Z chromosome with a single band of 664 base pairs, and females presented the same band plus a shortest one corresponding to the W chromosome with 459 base pairs.
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The advances of molecular techniques have increased the development of cost and time-effective libraries of molecular markers, such as microsatellites, which allow us to estimate genetic parameters in order to characterise species'... more
The advances of molecular techniques have increased the development of cost and time-effective libraries of molecular markers, such as microsatellites, which allow us to estimate genetic parameters in order to characterise species' population structures. The Neotropic Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is one of the most abundant and widespread seabirds from the American continent, being present in a wide range of habitats, however further information about genetic markers in this species is scarce. A total of 26 pairs of primers were synthesised and 22 microsatellites were amplified correctly; 11 of them were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to seven with a mean of 4.6 per locus. Six loci showed significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The microsatellite markers identified and characterised in the present study are the first set developed for P. brasilianus and will contribute to the genetic map, quantitative traits mapping, and p...
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Trends in abundance, temporal occurrence and spatial distribution of marine and brackish non-indigenous species (NIS) are part of the indicators to assess the compliance of Good Environmental Status in the European Marine Strategy... more
Trends in abundance, temporal occurrence and spatial distribution of marine and brackish non-indigenous species (NIS) are part of the indicators to assess the compliance of Good Environmental Status in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU-MSFD). European-wide regional and national databases for NIS will be useful for the implementation of the EU-MSFD but there are still spatial gaps for some regions and taxonomic groups. In 2009, Portugal was among the countries with the lowest reported numbers of NIS in Europe and a national online database on NIS was not available. This study provides an updated list of NIS registered in Portuguese coastal and estuarine waters, including mainland Portugal and the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. A list of 133 NIS was cataloged, most of which recorded in the last three decades, showing that this area of the North Atlantic is no less prone to introductions than neighboring areas. Most NIS reported in the current inventory are native in the Indo-Pacific region. Fouling and ballast water are the most likely introduction vectors of NIS in the studied area but shipping routes connecting to the NIS native regions are rare, indicating that most species are secondary introductions. The high number of NIS in the Azores and Madeira islands indicates that this ecosystem type seems to be more susceptible to invasions but these preliminary results might be biased by a higher number of studies and knowledge on the NIS occurrence on the islands.
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... JOANA MICAEL ALUNA DE DOUTORAMENTO ... equinodermes costeiros dos Açores, o que permitiu a ac-tualização da lista de espécies deste gru-po referenciada para o arquipélago, ten-do sido publicada na mais recente edi-ção da compilação da... more
... JOANA MICAEL ALUNA DE DOUTORAMENTO ... equinodermes costeiros dos Açores, o que permitiu a ac-tualização da lista de espécies deste gru-po referenciada para o arquipélago, ten-do sido publicada na mais recente edi-ção da compilação da Fauna e flora dos Açores ...
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The reproductive cycle of Ophidiaster ophidianus (strictly protected status) from São Miguel Island, in the Azorean Archipelago was studied. The reproductive strategy; the energy allocation of each sex during the reproductive cycle and... more
The reproductive cycle of Ophidiaster ophidianus (strictly protected status) from São Miguel Island, in the Azorean Archipelago was studied. The reproductive strategy; the energy allocation of each sex during the reproductive cycle and the nutritional condition of the population were analyzed. Gonadal index (GI) showed a clear seasonal pattern with spawning between August and October but histological examination revealed that
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ABSTRACT The continuous growth in fish consumption and related activities is stressing the fishing industry worldwide. To counteract this, mariculture might represent an opportunity for consumers, industry and marine resource... more
ABSTRACT The continuous growth in fish consumption and related activities is stressing the fishing industry worldwide. To counteract this, mariculture might represent an opportunity for consumers, industry and marine resource sustainability, as long as careful site selection is taken into consideration. The current study was developed to assess potential sites for the implementation of marine fish-cage industries on the Azores Archipelago (North Atlantic), through the application of a multi-criteria approach based on geographic information. Descriptors that may have either direct or indirect influences on the development of mariculture activity in the Açores were discriminated into factors and constraints and grouped into environmental, socioeconomic, and administrative categories. Factors were weighted and data integrated using geographic information system (GIS) methods. Suitability maps were generated and a total area of 17.7 km2 was identified as suitable for mariculture in São Miguel Island, segmented into different option levels. This multiple criteria approach provides the information necessary for stakeholders to realize the effects of each descriptor in possible implementation sites for mariculture. This will be a useful tool to improve environmental planning, management and decision-making for mariculture activities.