Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Multidisciplinary
43
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Conservation and exploitation status of skate species (Batoidea: Rajidae) in the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean Francesca Ferragut-Perello, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Natalia Petit-Marty, M. Teresa Farriols, Antoni Quetglas, Beatriz Guijarro, Francesc Ordines Plos One, 2026 Batoids play key roles in marine ecosystems, yet their slow life history traits make them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. The Balearic Islands remain a hotspot of batoid diversity, although multiple species could face conservation concerns. We combine genetic analyses based on mitochondrial COI genetic diversity with data-poor stock assessment methodologies to assess the conservation and exploitation status of the most abundant Rajidae species in the area. A total of 181 sequences of five wide distributed species and two Mediterranean endemic species ( Raja radula and Raja polystigma), were analysed and compared against a Mediterranean–Atlantic Rajidae genetic diversity framework. We also assessed the stocks of Dipturus oxyrinchus and Raja clavata , using the Bayesian state-space implementation of the Schaefer production model, as well as R. polystigma , using a length-based Bayesian biomass estimation method. The nucleotide diversity of most species was below the lower confidence interval of the median of the comparative framework. Despite this, the assessed species showed signs of recovery and sustainable exploitation. The biomass of R. clavata and D. oxyrinchus showed an important increase in recent years following reductions in fishing effort, while R. polystigma showed stability and sustainable exploitation. Raja brachyura , R. radula and Leucoraja naevus , with low overlap between their bathymetric distribution and the bottoms most intensively exploited by the bottom trawl fleet, showed the highest genetic diversities. Similarly, the low overlap of this fishery, at least with important fractions of the populations of R. clavata , R. polystigma and D. oxyrinchus , is in coincidence with their resilience to fishing exploitation. These findings highlight the importance of depth distribution in shaping resilience, emphasizing the need for species- and region-specific conservation strategies for these vulnerable species. In this sense, the integration of genetic monitoring with stock assessments is gaining relevance for detecting hidden vulnerabilities on threatened species such as batoids.
Insight into the biology, ecology and population trends of the brown skate, Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758, in the Balearic Islands Francesca Ferragut‐Perello, Maria Valls, Sergio Ramírez‐Amaro, Miquel Àngel Cortes‐Pujol, Beatriz Guijarro, Francesc Ordines Journal of Fish Biology, 2025 We studied the life‐history traits of the brown skate (Raja miraletus) population off the Balearic Islands, which is a species commonly caught as bycatch by the bottom trawl fishery in the Western Mediterranean. Samples and data were collected year‐round from commercial catches and yearly during spring–summer from the International Bottom Trawl Survey in the Mediterranean. The maximum total length observed was 43 cm, consistent with other Mediterranean regions but smaller than in Tunisia and Egypt. Recruitment was higher in winter, aligning with the observed summer spawning peak. The smallest sexually active individuals were 34 and 32 cm for females and males, respectively; with L50 values of 35.9 and 33.4 cm for females and males, respectively. Length–weight relationships differed between sexes for total weight but not for eviscerated weight, highlighting variations in the mass of the organs rather than the sexual dimorphism of carcasses. Growth parameters indicated slower growth (K = 0.14) and smaller L∞ (49.63 cm) in the Balearic Islands compared to other Mediterranean areas. The estimated trophic level from stomach contents was 3.72 ± 0.63, with crustaceans appearing as its main prey (accounting for 96% of Index of Relative Importance), with an ontogenetic dietary shift observed between adults and juveniles, transitioning from a diet based on a greater proportion of small crustaceans to one that includes larger crustaceans and fish. Juvenile and adult populations are not bathymetrically segregated. Both mean annual density and frequency of occurrence showed stability over two decades, potentially linked to the decrease in fishing pressure on the shelf and the implementation of protected areas. However, the historical context of overexploitation in the area emphasizes the need to consider this stability cautiously. The results presented here enhance the understanding of R. miraletus in the Balearic Islands, providing critical data for potential management and conservation purposes.
Vanneaugobius longignathus, a new gobiid species from São Tomé Island (eastern tropical Atlantic), with a rediagnosis of the genera Wheelerigobius and Vanneaugobius (Teleostei, Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) Spixiana, 2025
Genetic Diversity, Connectivity and Demographic History of the Small Red Scorpionfish Scorpaena notata at a Small Scale in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) Joan Riera, Adriana Tudurí, Beatriz Guijarro, Francesc Ordines, Antònia Picornell, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro Diversity, 2025 This study analyses for the first time the genetic diversity, connectivity, and evolutionary dynamics of the small red scorpionfish (Scorpaena notata) in the Balearic Islands, using two mitochondrial DNA markers: Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the Control Region (CR). Nucleotide diversity of the COI gene was found to be low compared to other commercial fish species, suggesting that fishing may be impacting the population despite being a by-catch species. In contrast, the CR showed higher genetic variability. Demographic history analyses suggest that S. notata underwent a population expansion during the Pleistocene, possibly driven by sea-level changes. Genetic structure analyses (Fst and AMOVA) indicated genetic homogeneity and high connectivity among the Balearic Islands’ population, likely facilitated by its passive dispersion via pelagic eggs and larvae and the oceanographic conditions of the region. Our results suggest that the entire Balearic Islands could be considered as a unique Management Unit, although its potential relation to other nearby areas, such as the Iberian Peninsula, along with the analysis of additional genetic markers, should be addressed in future studies.
Elasmobranch Mark–Recapture Experiment off the Balearic Islands: Insight into Scyliorhinus canicula Growth, Mobility, and Population Size Francesca Ferragut-Perello, Paula Sánchez-Zulueta, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Maria Teresa Farriols, Noemi Pasini, Beatriz Guijarro, Cristina Rodríguez-Cabello, Francesc Ordines Fishes, 2024 Despite the high diversity of elasmobranch fishes in the Balearic Islands, knowledge of their biology and population dynamics is still scarce. A recent mark-and-recapture experiment off the Balearic Islands tagged 3738 individuals of 23 shark and batoid species during MEDITS and CANAL bottom trawl scientific surveys from June 2021 to August 2023. Retrieval was reported for the sharks Scyliorhinus canicula and Mustelus mustelus, revealing relatively small home ranges for these species (0.2–38.5 km and 7.8–15.3 km for S. canicula and M. mustelus, respectively). Recapture efficiency was higher from scientific surveys than from commercial catches, highlighting potential challenges in collaboration with fishermen and recapture reports. Density estimates obtained from the MEDITS bottom trawl survey suggest a much larger population for S. canicula than estimates from the mark–recapture data, indicating MEDITS density estimates for this species may be overestimated due to its scavenger behavior perhaps favoring individuals searching for discards aggregated in the fishing grounds. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring, collaborative efforts, and improved reporting mechanisms to enhance our understanding of elasmobranch populations and provide support for sustainable management of these vulnerable marine species.
A new species of the genus Ophiomyxa (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiomyxidae) from the Mallorca Channel seamounts in the western Mediterranean FRANCESC ORDINES, SERGIO RAMÍREZ-AMARO, BELÉN CALERO, MARIA TERESA FARRIOLS, ENRIC MASSUTÍ Zootaxa, 2024 A new species belonging to the ophiuroid genus Ophiomyxa is described from the Mallorca Channel seamount, in the western Mediterranean Sea. It can be distinguished from other Ophiomyxa species by the lack of interradial marginal plates, three arm spines, the presence of two thin, transparent and completely perforated dorsal arm plates on each arm segment, the separate heptagonal ventral arm plates, the disk integument full of transparent rounded scales with scattered perforated ossicles, and a characteristic coloration of the disk, which in the living specimen is brown with abundant scattered bright white spots. Molecular analyses based on cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (DNA barcode) clearly support the assignment of the new species to Ophiomyxa. This discovery highlights the importance of the Mallorca Channel seamounts for the Mediterranean biodiversity conservation, as they seem to provide a suitable habitat for several invertebrate species, including recent descriptions of species and new Mediterranean records, which apparently have not established permanent populations along the closest continental margin.
The Second Record of Gymnesigobius medits Kovačić, Ordines, Ramirez-Amaro & Schliewen, 2019, the Deepest Benthic Gobiiform Species, and the Additional Records of Gobius xoriguer Iglésias, Vukić & Šanda, 2021 (Actinopterygii: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) Marcelo Kovačić, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Maria Teresa Farriols, Francesc Ordines Fishes, 2023 Gymnesigobius medits is reported for the first time after a recent description recorded from the Balearic Islands and from the slope of the Gulf of Vera on the Iberian Peninsula coast. The record from the Emile Baudot seamount on the Balearic Islands represents the deepest positive benthic gobiiform species record in general. The presence of the membrane connection between the pelvic fins in Gymnesigobius medits, presumed on the damaged fin in the original description, was confirmed. The recently described Gobius xoriguer is the first record from the Pitiusas and Columbretes islands and from the Iberian Peninsula coast. It appears to be widely distributed in the circalittoral bottoms, preferentially in red algae beds. Morphological identification of both species was confirmed using molecular analyses based on the sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (DNA barcode) gene. The deepest records of gobiiform fishes in oceans and seas are reviewed. The European seas, a well-studied area with eight gobiid species recorded deeper than 200 m, show high bathyal gobiid species richness compared to other areas. The real worldwide diversity of bathyal gobies, although only a fraction of the shallow water species richness of this taxon, is probably much larger than presently known.
Conservation Status Assessment of Demersal Elasmobranchs in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) over the Last Two Decades Alba Serrat, Maria Teresa Farriols, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Francesc Ordines, Beatriz Guijarro, Francesca Ferragut-Perello, Enric Massutí Fishes, 2023 More than half of the Mediterranean sharks and rays are threatened by fishing exploitation. However, population assessments are limited by the scarcity of specific data on fishing catches. In this study, we assessed temporal trends of the indicators developed within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive over the last two decades in order to assess the conservation status of demersal sharks and batoids in the Balearic Islands, which represent an important fraction of the bycatch of bottom trawling in this area. On the basis of a georeferenced, fishery-independent dataset of 19 species of elasmobranchs, we analyzed 20 year time series (2002–2021) of nine indicators regarding area distribution, population size, population status, and community structure. Between 30% and 50% of the elasmobranch species and functional groups showed increasing trends in distribution area and population size. This was especially true for batoids, whereas the distribution area and population size of most sharks remained stable over the study period. The remaining indicators showed stability or, in some cases, variable trends. Only in one case did we find a negative trend sustained all along the time series (i.e., the proportion of R. radula large individuals in relation to the reference period). Overall, our results suggest that the populations of elasmobranchs from the Balearic Islands show stable or recovery trends, mainly in terms of distribution area and density. However, it remains elusive whether this community can recover to the levels of more than half a century ago, before the development of the bottom trawl fishery, or whether this apparent current steady state should be interpreted as a new equilibrium.
Revalidation of Arnoglossus blachei, a species of flounder from off West Africa, with a redescription of Arnoglossus imperialis from the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (Teleostei: Bothidae) Ronald Fricke, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Francesc Ordines Scientia Marina, 2023 Blache’s flounder, Arnoglossus blachei Stauch, 1965, is redescribed from the eastern Atlantic (Morocco south to Namibia, including the Canary Islands, larvae reaching South Africa) and distinguished from the imperial flounder A. imperialis (Rafinesque, 1810) by having a live colouration of the lower side of males which is bright red (whitish in A. imperialis), the caudal fin with lateral-line scales 52-57 (vs. 58-63), and the dorsal-fin filaments in male light grey, with black margins, distally yellowish (vs. plain white). A lectotype is selected for Arnoglossus blachei. The species is compared with similar species. The externally similar species Arnoglossus imperialis is also redescribed; its distibution range is restricted to the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic, including Madeira and the Azores. Neotypes are selected to stabilize the usage of the names Bothus imperialis Rafinesque, 1810, Bothus punctatus Rafinesque, 1814, Rhombus cristatus Lowe, 1839 and Charybdia rhomdoidichthys Facciolà, 1885. Molecular analyses based on two mitochondrial fragments (12s rRNA and COI) clearly support the validity of A. blachei. Moreover, though A. blachei is morphologically close to A. imperialis, the two species show the highest genetic distances among all Arnoglossus species compared (including A. capensis, A. imperialis, A. laterna, A. rueppelii and A. thori). A key to the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species of Arnoglossus is presented.
Improving Scientific Knowledge of Mallorca Channel Seamounts (Western Mediterranean) within the Framework of Natura 2000 Network Enric Massutí, Olga Sánchez-Guillamón, Maria Teresa Farriols, Desirée Palomino, Aida Frank, Patricia Bárcenas, Beatriz Rincón, Natalia Martínez-Carreño, Stefanie Keller, Carmina López-Rodríguez, Julio A. Díaz, Nieves López-González, Elena Marco-Herrero, Ulla Fernandez-Arcaya, Maria Valls, Sergio Ramírez-Amaro, Francesca Ferragut, Sergi Joher, Francisco Ordinas, Juan-Tomás Vázquez Diversity, 2022
Spatial variability of chondrichthyes in the northern mediterranean Maria C. Follesa, Martina F. Marongiu, Walter Zupa, Andrea Bellodi, Alessandro Cau, Rita Cannas, Francesco Colloca, Mirko Djurovic, Igor Isajlovic, Angélique Jadaud, Chiara Manfredi, Antonello Mulas, Panagiota Peristeraki, Cristina Porcu, Sergio Ramirez-Amaro, Francisca Salmerón Jiménez, Fabrizio Serena, Letizia Sion, Ioannis Thasitis, Angelo Cau, Pierluigi Carbonara Scientia Marina, 2019
