Incorporating palaeogeography into ancestral area estimation can explain the disjunct distribution of land snails in Macaronesia and the Balearic Islands (Helicidae: Allognathini).

The systematics and biogeographical history of the Eastern Mediterranean and Macaronesian land snail tribe Allognathini (Helicidae: Helicinae) is investigated based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the genus-group systematics of the tribe needs to be revised. We show for the first time that the narrow-range endemics Lampadia and Idiomela from the Madeira Archipelago belong to Allognathini and represent together the sister group of the diverse Canary Island Hemicycla radiation. We therefore suggest synonymising Lampadiini with Allognathini. Sister to these Macaronesian genera was the Balearic Island Allognathus radiation. Pseudotachea was not recovered as a monophyletic group and the two currently recognised species clustered in Iberus. Similarly, Adiverticula was not recovered as a monophyletic group and clustered in Hemicycla. We therefore suggest synonymising Pseudotachea with Iberus and Adiverticula with Hemicycla. The six genera in Allognathini, which we distinguish here (Cepaea, Iberus, Allognathus, Hemicycla, Idiomela and Lampadia), originated in Western to South-western Europe according to our ancestral area estimation and the fossil record. The disjunct distribution of the Balearic Islands and Macaronesian sister clades and the mainly Iberian Iberus clade that separated earlier can be explained by the separation of the Betic-Rif System from the Iberian Peninsula during the late Oligocene to early Miocene, along with independent Miocene dispersals to the Balearic Islands and Macaronesia from the Iberian Peninsula, where the ancestral lineage became extinct.

Diatoms from small ponds and terrestrial habitats in Deserta Grande Island (Madeira Archipelago).

BACKGROUND: Freshwater diversity, and diatoms in particular, from Desertas Islands (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal) is poorly known, although the Islands are protected and became a Natural Reserve in 1995. During two field expeditions in 2013 and 2014 to Deserta Grande Island, several freshwater and terrestrial habitats were sampled. The analysis of these samples aims to contribute to the biodiversity assessment of the freshwater biota present in Deserta Grande Island. Here, we present the diatom diversity in Deserta Grande Island resulting from that survey. This study contributes to improve the knowledge of Madeira Archipelago freshwater diversity, particularly in the Desertas sub-archipelago. NEW INFORMATION: To our knowledge, we present the first diatom data for the Desertas sub-archipelago. This work resulted in a list of 60 diatom taxa for Deserta Grande, from which 57 were identified to species level. From the 60 new records for Desertas sub-archipelago, 30 of them were also new records for Madeira Archipelago. Several specimens could not be assigned to a known species and may be new diatom species not yet described.

Metal pollution affects both native and non-indigenous biofouling recruitment in a subtropical island system.

Hull fouling has been a driving force behind the development of most modern marine antifouling coatings that mainly contain copper based biocides to inhibit growth of fouling organisms. Despite these efforts, several non-indigenous species continue to be transferred via hull-fouling worldwide. In this study we designed a disturbance gradient with three commercial antifouling paints applied to PVC settling plates with different concentrations of copper oxide and allowed colonization of fouling communities in four marinas located at the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic). Overall, the antifouling treatments were effective in decreasing the diversity of fouling communities and spatial variability across marinas was observed. Increasing exposure to metal pollutants decreases both species cover and total diversity, independently of their native or NIS condition. However, evidences found suggest that long-term effects of copper based antifouling coatings can be modulated by metal-resistant species allowing a secondary substrate for the epibiosis of other species to establish.

Weight-length relationships of six shrimp species caught off the Madeira Archipelago, Northeastern Atlantic / Relações peso-comprimento de seis espécies de camarão capturados ao largo do arquipélago da Madeira, Atlântico Nordeste

Abstract Length and weight relationships and descriptive statistics are reported for six shrimp species caught off the Madeira archipelago between 1983 and 2014 using bottom and floating traps from depths ranging from 50 to 1,300 m. The parameter b ranged between 2.36 for Plesionika ensis and 2.97 for Plesionika williamsi. All species showed a pattern of negative allometric growth. To the authors' knowledge all weight-length relationships presented herein are recorded for the first time from the Madeira area, and in the cases of Ligur ensiferus and Plesionika ensis are the first references worldwide.

Resumo As relações peso-comprimento e a estatística descritiva foram estimadas para seis espécies de camarões, capturados ao largo do arquipélago da Madeira, entre 1983 e 2014, usando armadilhas de fundo e alvoradas entre os 50 e 1.300 metros de profundidade. O parâmetro b variou entre 2,36 para Plesionika ensis e 2,97 para Plesionika williamsi. Todas as espécies evidenciaram um padrão de crescimento alométrico negativo. De acordo com o conhecimento dos autores, todas as relações peso-comprimento são aqui apresentadas pela primeira vez para a área da Madeira e no caso de Ligur ensiferus e Plesionika ensis são a primeira referência mundial.

Annotated checklist of the fishes of the archipelago of Madeira (NE Atlantic): I-Chondrichthyes.

As part of an annotated checklist of fishes of the archipelago of Madeira, a list with all cartilaginous fishes recorded from the archipelago is presented. The list contains 67 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras, whose presence in the area the authors consider confirmed. Another 14 species previously referred for the area are now considered dubious records and five species are withdrawn from the list. Centrophorus uyato is here recorded for the first time from Madeira. Three species (Mitsukurina owstoni, Odontaspis noronhai and Chimaera opalescens) are so far only present in Madeira within Macaronesia. The 67 confirmed species are based on occurrences, substantiated by specimens in natural history museum collections or other published evidence. For all species, the first reference is given, as well as other relevant references for the archipelago and remaining Macaronesia.

Revision of the genus-group Hystricella R. T. Lowe, 1855 from Porto Santo (Madeira Archipelago), with descriptions of new recent and fossil taxa (Gastropoda, Helicoidea, Geomitridae).

The genus-group Hystricella R. T. Lowe, 1855 is revised on the basis of conchological, anatomical and genetic characteristics. A new genus Wollastoniagen. n., two recent species, W. jessicaesp. n. and W. klausgrohisp. n., and one recent subspecies, W. jessicae monticolassp. n. are described as new to science, as well as five fossil taxa, H. microcarinatasp. n., W. beckmannisp. n., W. falknerorumsp. n., W. ripkenisp. n., and W. inexpectatasp. n. For Helix vermetiformis R. T. Lowe, 1855, H. leacockiana Wollaston, 1878, H. oxytropis R. T. Lowe, 1831, H. duplicata R. T. Lowe, 1831 and H. oxytropis var. ß subcarinulata Wollaston, 1878 lectotypes are designated. For the taxa Helix bicarinata G. B. Sowerby I, 1824, Helix bicarinata var. ß aucta Wollaston, 1878 and Discula bulverii W. Wood, 1828 neotypes are selected. The taxa aucta and subcarinulata are elevated to specific rank. For the hitherto monospecific (sub-) genus Callina R. T. Lowe, 1855 it is shown that it is not closely related to the genus Discula but to the Hystricella-group and its generic rank is confirmed. The taxon D. bulverii W. Wood, 1828 is transferred from the genus Discula s. str. to the genus Callina. A further fossil taxon C. waldenisp. n. is described as new to science.

ResumoNo presente trabalho o grupo genérico Hystricella R. T. Lowe, 1855 é revisto com base em critérios morfológicos, anatómicos e genéticos. É descrito um novo género, Wollastonia gen. n., duas novas espécies atuais, W. jessicaesp. n. e W. klausgrohisp. n. e uma nova subespécie também atual, W. jessicae monticolassp. n. São também descritas neste novo género cinco novas espécies fósseis: H. microcarinatasp. n., W. beckmannisp. n., W. falknerorumsp. n., W. ripkenisp. n. e H. inexpectatasp. n. São designados lectótipos para as espécies, Helix vermetiformis R. T. Lowe, 1855, H. leacockiana Wollaston, 1878, H. oxytropis R. T. Lowe, 1831, H. duplicata R. T. Lowe, 1831 e H. oxytropis var. ß subcarinulata Wollaston, 1878. São designados neótipos para as taxones Helix bicarinata G. B. Sowerby I, 1824, Helix bicarinata var. ß aucta Wollaston, 1878 e Discula bulverii W. Wood, 1828. Os taxa aucta e subcarinulata são elevados à categoria de espécie. É demonstrado que o (sub) género, até agora monotípico, Callina R. T. Lowe, 1855, não está relacionado com o grupo genérico Discula, mas sim com o grupo genérico Hystricella e o seu estatuto de género é confirmado. O táxon D. bulverii W. Wood, 1828 é transferido do género Discula s. str. para o género Callina e é descrita uma nova espécie fóssil adicional, C. waldenisp. n.

Emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the archipelago of Madeira, Portugal (2016-2017).

We report the detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Madeira archipelago, Portugal. Viral circulation was confirmed by RT-qPCR and vp60 sequencing. Epidemiological data revealed the outbreak initiated in October 2016 in Porto Santo affecting wild and domestic rabbits. It was then detected three months later on the island of Madeira. Five haplotypes were identified and a genetic overall similarity of 99.54 to 99.89% was observed between the two viral populations. Unique single nucleotide polymorphisms were recognised in the Madeira archipelago strains, two of which resulting in amino acid substitutions at positions 480 and 570 in the VP60 protein. Phylogenetic investigation by Maximum Likelihood showed all the vp60 sequences from the Madeira archipelago group together with high bootstraps. The analysis also showed that the Madeira archipelago strains are closely related to the strains detected in the south of mainland Portugal in 2016, suggesting a possible introduction from the mainland. The epidemiological data and high genetic similarity indicate a common source for the Porto Santo and Madeira RHDV2 outbreaks. Human activity related to hunting was most probably at the origin of the Madeira outbreak.

Weight-length relationships of six shrimp species caught off the Madeira Archipelago, Northeastern Atlantic

Abstract Length and weight relationships and descriptive statistics are reported for six shrimp species caught off the Madeira archipelago between 1983 and 2014 using bottom and floating traps from depths ranging from 50 to 1,300 m. The parameter b ranged between 2.36 for Plesionika ensis and 2.97 for Plesionika williamsi. All species showed a pattern of negative allometric growth. To the authors knowledge all weight-length relationships presented herein are recorded for the first time from the Madeira area, and in the cases of Ligur ensiferus and Plesionika ensis are the first references worldwide.

Resumo As relações peso-comprimento e a estatística descritiva foram estimadas para seis espécies de camarões, capturados ao largo do arquipélago da Madeira, entre 1983 e 2014, usando armadilhas de fundo e alvoradas entre os 50 e 1.300 metros de profundidade. O parâmetro b variou entre 2,36 para Plesionika ensis e 2,97 para Plesionika williamsi. Todas as espécies evidenciaram um padrão de crescimento alométrico negativo. De acordo com o conhecimento dos autores, todas as relações peso-comprimento são aqui apresentadas pela primeira vez para a área da Madeira e no caso de Ligur ensiferus e Plesionika ensis são a primeira referência mundial.

The Madeira Archipelago As a Significant Source of Marine-Derived Actinomycete Diversity with Anticancer and Antimicrobial Potential.

Marine-derived actinomycetes have demonstrated an ability to produce novel compounds with medically relevant biological activity. Studying the diversity and biogeographical patterns of marine actinomycetes offers an opportunity to identify genera that are under environmental pressures, which may drive adaptations that yield specific biosynthetic capabilities. The present study describes research efforts to explore regions of the Atlantic Ocean, specifically around the Madeira Archipelago, where knowledge of the indigenous actinomycete diversity is scarce. A total of 400 actinomycetes were isolated, sequenced, and screened for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The three most abundant genera identified were Streptomyces, Actinomadura, and Micromonospora. Phylogenetic analyses of the marine OTUs isolated indicated that the Madeira Archipelago is a new source of actinomycetes adapted to life in the ocean. Phylogenetic differences between offshore (>100 m from shore) and nearshore (< 100 m from shore) populations illustrates the importance of sampling offshore in order to isolate new and diverse bacterial strains. Novel phylotypes from chemically rich marine actinomycete groups like MAR4 and the genus Salinispora were isolated. Anticancer and antimicrobial assays identified Streptomyces, Micromonospora, and Salinispora as the most biologically active genera. This study illustrates the importance of bioprospecting efforts at unexplored regions of the ocean to recover bacterial strains with the potential to produce novel and interesting chemistry.