Lionfish ( Pterois spp.) are hypothesized to negatively influence cryptobenthic reef fish assemblages through predation. We evaluated these potential effects on Caribbean reefs in Costa Rica and tropical reefs in Brazil. Brazil provided a reference condition for cryptobenthic assemblages prior to lionfish invasion, while the Costa Rica sites enabled comparisons between reefs inside marine protected areas (MPAs), where lionfish...

This study presents SST (Species Selection Tool), a climate-based framework designed to support species selection across geographic regions and climate scenarios. The tool was developed to enable breeders to examine species selection scenarios across countries and climate horizons. Beyond identifying promising species for testing, SST prioritizes candidate species, highlights opportunities for germplasm exchange, anticipates c...

Actinostella flosculifera (Le Sueur, 1817) is a common species of sea anemone in the tropical Atlantic’s coastal and reef ecosystems, with records ranging from Bermuda Islands to Brazil, and from some areas of the Eastern Atlantic. Actinostella flosculifera exhibits wide morphological variability, mainly in terms of coloration patterns and a range of different sizes. We conducted a morphological and genetic study of this speci...

Microbial pigments have been gaining prominence as sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes, which are often associated with environmental impacts and potential health risks. A wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and yeasts, are capable of producing pigments of industrial interest. Despite their potential, large-scale production still faces challenges related to cultivation costs and, in particular, extra...

The sorghum aphid, Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald, 1904) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a significant pest. This study classified the host suitability of seven Poaceae genotypes: commercial and wild sorghum ( S. bicolor , S. sudanense , S. bicolor verticilliflorum ), pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ), and maize ( Zea mays ). Aphid biological performance was assessed via leaf-disc bioassays under controlled conditions (24 ± 2 °C, 60...

As alkali-activated materials represent a technical and environmental alternative for reducing cement consumption, it is necessary to enable their applications under the same conditions in which traditional Portland cement (OPC) is used. Supported by records of good mechanical performance, durability, and capacity to incorporate industrial waste, studies have investigated their use in additive manufacturing or 3D printing—a te...

Aim Urbanization poses a significant challenge to terrestrial biodiversity, yet how different urban matrices drive functional responses across varying spatial scales remains unclear. We evaluated how urbanization impacts arthropod‐mediated ecosystem functions across different taxonomic groups and spatial scales, testing the hypothesis that environmental filtering in urban areas leads to scale‐dependent functional responses. Lo...

Urban coastal lagoons are heavily impacted by untreated sewage, industrial effluents and diffuse pollution, heightening ecotoxicological risks. Herein, Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) was employed as a sentinel species concerning metal exposure at the Jacarepaguá Lagoon Complex (JLC), a critical case of ecological degradation under intense anthropogenic pressure in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Samplings were con...

Background Integrating stem cell therapies into clinical settings faces several challenges, particularly in achieving the high cell yields necessary for attaining therapeutic doses. Preconditioning with hypoxic conditions has shown promise in enhancing the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)’ reparative capabilities of the central nervous system. Recent evidence suggests that oxygen concentration and exposure duration can shape MSCs...