Human impacts on species and ecosystems are increasing at a drastic rate. Raptors, a group of birds particularly vulnerable due to their ecological traits, are heavily affected by a variety of direct and indirect threats. Identifying important areas used during the breeding season and assessing exposure to main risks is crucial for promoting effective management and conservation strategies. We GPS-tracked 25 Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae, i.e. 2% of the Italian breeding population from a colony in Sardinia, and identified an Important Conservation Area (ICA) of 8,099 km2. This ICA spans Sardinia (Italy, 83%) and Corsica (France, 17%), with only 29.1% of its area covered by Natura 2000 sites. During the breeding season falcons undertook extensive excursions across both sea and land (females: 159 ± 288, males: 198 ± 391 km), often reaching areas far from the colony and routinely encountering wind farms. In Sardinia, 10.2% of the region’s turbines were within the ICA. Around 53% of the locations during foraging excursions fell within the turbine rotor-swept zone (RSZ), and accelerometer data revealed that peak flight activity of falcons coincided with peak wind intensity, the moment when turbines are most likely to be operational. Overall, results suggested that Eleonora’s Falcons are highly mobile during the breeding season and that wind farms pose a potential threat. To aid in spatial planning and management, especially considering the predicted increase in offshore wind farms in the area, we provide the identified ICA freely available for download.

This article attempts a first historical periodisation of the checkered history of the French Southern Islands in the Indian Ocean. Beginning with early extractive activities during the 18th and 19th centuries and followed by colonial ambitions during the first half of the 20th century, the article also discusses the more recent efforts of the French government to reinforce sovereignty in the form of permanent bases, especially during the 1950s and 1960s. The most recent period covered of scientific affirmation and ecological restoration (1970s–2006) introduces a solid historical perspective on the still ongoing efforts (from 2006 onwards) of reinforced patrimonialisation and environmental protection of the French Southern Islands. Throughout all periods, our main attention is directed towards various forms of projects. Indeed, the project perspective allows to uncover largely forgotten ambitions and shows that the history of the French Southern Islands is closely connected to larger historical developments in the entire Antarctic and sub-Antarctic region.

Four new species of Poecilosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae) assigned to the genera Latrunculia and Iophon are described from South Africa and Namibia, located in the Namaqua ecoregion. The Porifera occurring along the continental shelf within this ecoregion are relatively well-known, with 76 species formally described in previous literature. Of these, 35 species belong to the Order Poecilosclerida. Additionally, Latrunculia (Aciculatrunculia) biformis is reported from the continental shelf on the west coast of South Africa, extending its range further northwards into the South Atlantic. DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetic analyses were employed to ensure accurate taxonomic assignment and designation of new species.

Crystal cells in echinoderms have been described in the literature as a type of coelomocyte (immune cell) containing a crystalline structure. Their putative function has been widely ascribed to osmoregulation but this assertion was never robustly tested. In the present paper, a review of crystal cells and crystalline structures provides evidence supporting a different identity and function. First, the same microcrystals can be found either free or encapsulated by a cell membrane (with or without a structure resembling a nucleus). Specifically, they are typically non-encapsulated when found inside tissues of internal organs and encapsulated when free floating in the hydrovascular or perivisceral fluids. Although usually individually packaged, microcrystals were also observed encapsulated in groups of up to four, with or without other particles. Their morphological features, coupled with their chemical and optical properties, match that of microcrystals of uric acid, described in other phyla, including chordates. Two pathways of excretion of these crystallised by-products were evidenced: rejected with sea water out of the respiratory tree and expelled via transrectal coelomoducts among coelomocyte aggregates. Overall, the present synthesis strongly supports that ‘crystal cells’ historically described as a distinct type of coelomocyte in holothuroids are phagocytes that have engulfed uric acid microcrystals generated as waste by metabolic activities.

The west coast of India is highly productive during the southwest monsoon (SWM; June–September), primarily due to coastal upwelling. While the SWM enhances pelagic productivity, it can also induce ecological disturbances in benthic habitats. Here, we report the negative impact of the SWM on the polychaete tube worm Spiochaetopterus sp., which inhabits translucent chitin-based tubes fixed in sandy/muddy subtidal zones. Monthly sampling and fortnightly onshore surveys were carried out along the central west coast of India (Goa) from May 2022 to July 2022. Pre-monsoon conditions in early May were characterized by weak wind, calm sea, and the absence of chitin tube deposition onshore. From late May to early June, increasing wind speed and wave height coincided with the large-scale dislodgement and accumulation of tubes along the shoreline (0.3–499 g/m2; 7–12,197 tubes/m2). In contrast, deposition along estuarine shores (Mandovi and Zuari) was delayed, likely due to weaker waves. Notably, no comparable deposition was observed on the northern (Mumbai) and southern (Kochi) sectors of the west coast. These findings demonstrate that the onset of the SWM triggers hydrodynamic disturbances that dislodge inter-tidal tube-dwelling polychaetes, with potential repercussions for benthic community structure, trophic pathways, and benthic-pelagic coupling. This study provides the first evidence linking SWM-driven hydrodynamics to large-scale dislodgement of chitin tubes along the central west coast of India. Future research should include in-situ time series observations to assess the fate of dislodged tube worms and to evaluate the biochemical properties and economic potential of their tubes for the blue economy.

The oceanic anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) are among the most diverse and ecologically distinctive groups of deep-sea fishes, exhibiting some of the most extreme morphological adaptations in the marine realm. Despite their remarkable biological traits, they remain among the most understudied vertebrates globally, primarily due to the logistical challenges associated with accessing their natural habitats. Here we report the diversity of oceanic anglerfishes collected during the AMAZOMIX scientific cruise, conducted in 2021 off northern Brazil, including the Amazon River plume, across depths ranging from the surface to approximately 1200 m. A total of 34 ceratioid specimens, representing six families and eight genera, were collected. Seven species were identified: Melanocetus johnsonii (Melanocetidae), Haplophryne mollis (Linophrynidae), Lophodolos acanthognathus, Oneirodes carlsbergi (Oneirodidae), Centrophryne spinulosa (Centrophrynidae), Gigantactis vanhoeffeni and Rhynchactis leptonema (Gigantactinidae). Haplophryne mollis, L. acanthognathus, C. spinulosa, and R. leptonema are reported for the first time in Brazilian waters. This study provides morphological and distributional remarks for all identified species and presents an updated checklist of deep-sea anglerfishes recorded in Brazilian waters.

The Arctic, once a climate victim, is now becoming a climate stressor. The melting ice has brought us closer to climate tipping points and, simultaneously, has made oil reserves in the Arctic more accessible. As a result, a clash has emerged between scientific warnings and climate change obstruction (CCO) discourses that prioritise economic ambitions over climate concerns. This study investigates whether, despite scientific warnings, Norway defends further oil extraction in the Arctic, thus aligning with CCO discourses by prioritising economic interests over climate urgency. Based on a qualitative inductive approach, we analyse four official White Papers from the Norwegian government, identify their discursive patterns and contrast them with CCO discourses found in the literature. We found that the Norwegian government exhibits an affinity with six CCO discourses: 1) Non-Transformative Discourse, 2) Responsibility Deflection Discourse, 3) Discourse of the Common Good, 4) Discourse of Higher Priorities or Loyalties, 5) The Legal Discourse, and 6) The Discourse of Good Intentions. We conclude that the Norwegian government has constructed a narrative where the recognition of climate urgency does not mean the renouncement of its long-term petroleum interests and further oil extraction in the Arctic. This narrative, named here as the “green oil” narrative, uses renewable energies to electrify the oil industry, thus presenting renewables as an ally of oil expansion rather than a step toward a fossil fuel phase-out. Overall, Norway’s current narrative fails to address oil dependency, defending and justifying oil extraction in the Arctic.

Microscopic epibionts are important components of an intertidal ecosystem. However, because the epibionts are established on habitats provided by basibiont (host) organisms, the epibionts are affected by both the characteristics of basibionts and the ambient environmental conditions. Here, we hypothesised that variations in the epibiont community were affected by the mobility, size, and surface roughness of the basibiont organisms, as well as by environmental conditions, which was tested over a one-month period in spring. Epibionts growing on 16 basibiont species belonging to Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Polyplacophora, and Echinoidea were collected from a rocky shore in Niigata, Japan. Most of the epibionts collected were diatoms, and the highest cell density of the epibionts was recorded on the surfaces of the limpet Cellana toreuma. The epibiont community changed significantly from April to May and was also shaped by the characteristics of the basibionts. The results indicated that basibionts with sessile, large, or smooth surfaces had higher taxonomic richness, Simpson diversity, and cell density of the epibionts than those with mobile, small, or rough surfaces. Multivariate analysis of the epibiont community confirmed the importance of these basibiont characteristics and the survey month. Six groups of epibiont communities were identified based on their contrasting sample communities, and each had its own indicator species. The results indicate that both environmental changes from April to May and changes in basibiont species promote changes in the epibiont community in this coastal region.

A review was carried out of studies on the diet of various Mediterranean teuthivorous predators (marine mammals, chondrichthyans, osteichthyans, seabirds, turtles, crustaceans, and cephalopods) and their cephalopod prey. Data extracted from the literature were analysed using multivariate statistical techniques. Three distinct groups of predators were identified according to the cephalopod species consumed. The most common prey of the predators are the ‘unidentified Cephalopoda’, followed by the sepiolid Heteroteuthis dispar and the ommastrephid squid Illex coindetii. The most important cephalopod predators are the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, the chondrichthyans Scyliorhinus canicula and Galeus melastomus, the swordfish Xiphias gladius, and the ommastrephid squid Todarodes sagittatus. The dietary preferences of the different teutophages, their geographical distribution and some ecological implications are discussed.

Specimens of shrimp Heptacarpus maxillipes (Thoridae) infected by parasitic barnacle Sylon hippolytes (Rhizocephala) were found for the first time along the Kuril Islands at a depth of 241–670 m. It is the second host from the genus Heptacarpus. Total number of hosts of S. hippolytes is currently 24. Carapace length of the infected shrimps ranged from 3 to 10 mm. Hosts had one or two parasitic externae of S. hippolytes. The size of the externa ranged from 1.5 to 9.0 mm in length and from 1.0 to 4.0 mm in height. Retinacula were not found. A single colleteric gland was present. Receptacles were absent. Regeneration of the ovary in the ovigerous externa was not observed. Sylon hippolytes produces only one larval generation. Larvae are hatched as small cyprids. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the belonging of our specimens to the monophyletic clade of S. hippolytes with genetic distances between subclades from 6.96 to 8.4%. High values of intraspecific distances in S. hippolytes from different areas may point to cryptic speciation within this rhizocephalan.

The family Yoldiidae encompasses protobranch bivalves with notable diversity in deep-sea habitats, with Yoldiella Verrill and Bush (1897) as the most speciose genus. In Brazilian waters, 11 species of Yoldiella have been recorded, including Yoldiella lapernoi Benaim and Absalão (2011) and Yoldiella paranapuensis Benaim and Absalão (2011), two species with similar shell morphology and overlapping geographical distributions. This study re-evaluated the taxonomic distinction between these two Yoldiella species using a combination of morphometric approaches. Size and growth rate comparisons were conducted using analysis of covariance and Bayesian model selection. The shell outline was compared using elliptical Fourier descriptors. The results did not support the current separation of these taxa. Instead, they reveal that the observed morphological differences are attributable to ontogenetic variation, indicating Y. paranapuensis as a juvenile stage of Y. lapernoi. This finding supports the synonymy of these two nominal species and highlights the importance of ontogenetic context in taxonomy.

The first report of Ophiophragmus luetkeni occurred in the British Virgin Islands; however, it was also recorded in Brazil, the United States Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago, yet its occurrence in Colombia was previously lacking. Between 2023 and 2024, four specimens were collected from sandy and muddy substrates in Cispatá Bay, Colombian Caribbean. Taxonomic identification was conducted through morphological observations and microstructural analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy. A comparative table for Ophiophragmus species recorded in Colombia are also provided. This new record increases the number of Ophiophragmus species in Colombia to three, contributing to the country’s marine biodiversity and expanding the knowledge of O. luetkeni distribution.

Preventing human-caused extinctions is a foundational aim of conservation. However, in addition to causing extinctions, humans have moved numerous species to new areas. A considerable percentage of these are threatened in their native ranges. Broadening our conservation ethos to include introduced species is contentious and requires critical thinking in empirical and normative dimensions to negotiate between conflicting conservation goals. Here, we present a series of questions to inspire critical thinking in the negotiation of these conflicts. Empirically, we suggest that conservationists should consider whether the effects of introduced species are due to their non-nativeness per se or are simply a consequence of the organism having a metabolism and taking up space. Importantly, this requires proper scientific comparison to the effects of similar native organisms – otherwise many claims of ‘harm’ are unfalsifiable and could be used to justify the eradication of any organism. We further propose questions to help conservationists sort facts from normative values, which often wear empirical clothes. Through empirical rigor, value transparency and critical justification of these values, we believe that twenty- first century conservation can become a future-facing and pluralistic discipline with a heightened ability to prevent extinctions in an increasingly unpredictable and novel biosphere.

Housing affordability is one of the main aspects required for sustainable development and society. However, the timely delivery of new homes is often constrained by the need to upgrade and expand essential infrastructure such as water and electricity networks. For water utilities, responses to growth typically involve intensive hydraulic analysis to assess water distribution systems (WDS) capacity, identify upgrade needs and evaluate options for system extensions. This process becomes significantly complex and resource-intensive under high growth conditions, where a higher volume of faster answers is required to address a wide range of uncertain future scenarios. This paper presents a concept of using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) integrating with hydraulic models to form an AI Agent to support WDS design. Specific features of Gen AI used within the hydraulic agent are discussed. A real-life case study demonstrated that the AI agent can analyse land development requests, trigger hydraulic simulations and identify augmentation needed, significantly reducing manual tasks. This offers a breakthrough strategy for water distribution system design and planning to enable sustainable water infrastructure development.