Vibrissa growth rate in California sea lions based on environmental and isotopic oscillations

MARTHA PATRICIA ROSAS HERNANDEZ (2018, [Artículo])

Pinniped vibrissae provide information on changes in diet at seasonal and annual scales; however, species-specific growth patterns must first be determined in order to interpret these data. In this study, a simple linear model was used to estimate the growth rate of vibrissae from adult female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from San Esteban Island in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The δ15N and δ13C values do not display a marked oscillatory pattern that would permit direct determination of the time period contained in each vibrissa; thus, time (age) was calculated in two ways: 1) based on the correlation between the observed number of peaks (Fourier series) in the δ15N profile and the length of each vibrissa, and 2) through direct comparison with the observed number of peaks in the δ15N profile. Cross-correlation confirmed that the two peaks in the δ15N profile reflected the two peaks in the chlorophyll-a concentration recorded annually around the island. The mean growth rate obtained from the correlation was 0.08 ± 0.01 mm d-1, while that calculated based on the observed number of peaks was 0.10 ± 0.05 mm d-1. Both are consistent with the rates reported for adult females of other otariid species (0.07 to 0.11 mm d-1). Vibrissa growth rates vary by individual, age, sex, and species; moreover, small differences in the growth rate can result in significant differences over the time periods represented by the isotopic signal. Thus, it is important to assess this parameter on a species-by-species basis. © 2018 Rosas-Hernández et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

carbon, nitrogen, animal, California, chemistry, diet, female, island (geological), Mexico, Otariidae, physiology, Animals, California, Carbon Isotopes, Diet, Female, Islands, Mexico, Nitrogen Isotopes, Sea Lions CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y DEL ESPACIO OCEANOGRAFÍA OCEANOGRAFÍA

Cell carbon content and biomass assessments of dinoflagellates and diatoms in the oceanic ecosystem of the Southern Gulf of Mexico

LORENA PATRICIA LINACRE ROJAS (2021, [Objeto de congreso])

This study assessed the cell carbon content and biomass for genera of dinoflagellates and diatoms in the oceanic ecosystem of the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Carbon content estimates were based on biovolume calculations derived from linear dimension measurements of individual cells and the approximate geometric body shape of each genus. Then, biomass assessments were performed for both groups in two gulf regions (Perdido and Coatzacoalcos) using these carbon content factors and cell abundances. After four seasonal cruises, 11,817 cells of dinoflagellates and 3,412 cells of diatoms were analyzed. Diverse body shapes and cell sizes were observed among 46 dinoflagellate genera and 37 diatom genera. Nano-cells of dinoflagellates (68% <20 μm) and micro-cells of diatoms (77% 20–200 μm, mostly 50–75 μm) were predominant. According to this cell-size structure, on average, diatoms contained 40% more carbon per cell than dinoflagellates. Contrasting carbon content estimates were observed within the genera of both microalgae. Large carbon averages (>10,000 pg C cell-1) were attributed to Gonyaulacal and some occasional genera of dinoflagellates (e.g., Pyrocystis and Noctiluca) and centric diatoms. In contrast, values up to 3 orders of magnitude lower were found for Peridinial and Gymnodinial dinoflagellates and pennate diatoms. Based on these carbon content estimates, which can be considered representative for most of this oceanic ecosystem, seasonal and regional differences were found in the biomass assessments conducted for these functional groups. Overall, dinoflagellates (mostly low-carbon Gymnodinales) had larger depth-integrated biomass than diatoms (mainly rich-carbon centric forms) within the euphotic zone. An exception to it was the late-summer cruise at the Coatzacoalcos region when a surface bloom of centric diatoms was observed in stations influenced by river runoff. This work contributes useful reference information for future ecological studies and models for understanding the biogeochemical functioning of this open-ocean ecosystem. © 2021 Linacre et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Carbon, biomass, Oceanic ecosystem, Southern Gulf of Mexico, Mexico CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y DEL ESPACIO OCEANOGRAFÍA OCEANOGRAFÍA

Insights into the transboundary stock structure of white seabass, Atractoscion nobilis, along the coast of California and Baja California

Perspectivas sobre la estructura del stock transfronterizo de la corvina blanca, Atractoscion nobilis, a lo largo de la costa de California y de Baja California

ARTURO FAJARDO YAMAMOTO (2023, [Tesis de doctorado])

The white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) is a transboundary fishery resource that ranges from California, U.S., to Baja California Sur, Mexico, and within the north of the Gulf of California. It has been proposed two stock structure hypotheses that exist across their range in the eastern Pacific. However, still there are important data gaps to fill to understand the stock structure of this species. The aim of this study was to develop more information to understand the Pacific stock structure of the white seabass by (1) enhancing the baseline (catch-effort) information for the Mexican WSB fishery, (2) estimating the size-at-maturity and (3) describe the horizontal movement patterns and habitat utilization of adult WSB. Results suggest that the landings of the Mexican white seabass fishery showed an overall increase over the past 70 years. Landing fluctuations were associated with shifts in contextual factors, such as market changes and geopolitical events. For the past 20 years, the majority of harvest has come from Baja California Sur, with landings concentrated primarily in the fishery offices of Ciudad Constitución, Punta Abreojos, and San Carlos. White seabass females from southern Baja California mature at a size of 72.7 cm, while the males mature at a size of 58 cm. Moreover, regional differences of maturity were estimated where WSB from California matures larger than those from southern Baja California. A connectivity degree of white seabass adult was estimated between the coast of California and the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula. Overall, areas around islands and coastal areas are high-use areas for adult WSB. The Channel Islands, the region off Coronado Islands-Ensenada, the San Quintin region, and the Vizcaino Bay region are essential areas for WSB since different WSB ontogenic stages have been recorded. The spawning (March-September) and none spawning (October-February) seasons for adult WSB have marked differences in habitat utilization. Two migration pathways were estimated: one, a dispersal movement where adult white seabass moved northward to an area around the Channel Islands in California and a southward movement along the coast of the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula where multiple high-use areas were occupied and, second a return movement from north and south areas to a constrained and restricted area off the coast of Tijuana and San Quintin. Considering the information generated in this thesis, we have ...

La corvina blanca (Atractoscion nobilis) es un recurso pesquero transfronterizo que se extiende desde California, EE. UU., hasta Baja California Sur, México, y dentro del norte del Golfo de California. Se han propuesto dos hipótesis que describen la estructura del stock de la corvina blanca a lo largo de su área de distribución en el Pacífico oriental. Sin embargo, aún quedan vacíos en la información biológica-pesquera que nos permita comprender de una manera más robusta la estructura del stock. El objetivo de este estudio fue el desarrollar más información que nos permita comprender la estructura del stock de la corvina blanca que habita el Pacífico mediante (1) la reconstrucción de los desembarques de la pesquería mexicana, (2) la estimación del tamaño de madurez y (3) la descripción de los patrones de movimiento horizontal y el uso de hábitat de la corvina blanca adulta. Los resultados sugieren que los desembarques de la pesquería mexicana de corvina blanca mostraron un aumento en los últimos 70 años. Durante los últimos 20 años, la mayor parte de la captura proviene de Baja California Sur, concentrándose los desembarques en las oficinas pesqueras de Ciudad Constitución, Punta Abreojos y San Carlos. Las hembras de corvina blanca del sur de la Península de Baja California Sur maduran a una talla de 72,7 cm, mientras que los machos lo hacen a una talla de 58 cm. Además, se estimaron diferencias regionales de madurez, siendo que las corvinas blancas de California maduran a una talla mayor que las del sur de la Península de Baja California. Se estimó un cierto grado de conectividad de la corvina blanca adulta entre la costa de California y la costa oeste de la península de Baja California. En general, las áreas alrededor de las islas y las zonas costeras son zonas de alto uso para la corvina blanca adulta. Las islas del Canal, la región frente a las islas Coronado-Ensenada, la región de San Quintín y la región de la bahía Vizcaíno son zonas esenciales para la corvina blanca, ya que se han registrado diferentes fases ontogénicas en dichas zonas. El uso del hábitat de las corvinas blancas adultas durante la temporada de desove (marzo-septiembre) y la no desove (octubre-febrero) fue diferente. Se estimaron dos rutas migratorias: una, con movimientos de dispersión donde la corvina blanca adulta se desplazó hacia el norte alcanzando el área alrededor de las Islas del Canal en California, y un movimiento hacia el sur, a lo largo de la costa del litoral oeste...

White seabass, stock structure, landings reconstruction, size-at-maturity, habitat utilization Corvina blanca, estructura del stock, reconstrucción de desembarques, talla de madurez sexual, uso de hábitat CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS AGRARIAS PECES Y FAUNA SILVESTRE DINÁMICA DE LAS POBLACIONES DINÁMICA DE LAS POBLACIONES

Trophic ecology of Mexican Pacific harbor seal colonies using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes

MARICELA JUAREZ RODRIGUEZ (2020, [Artículo])

There is limited information that provides a comprehensive understanding of the trophic ecology of Mexican Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) colonies. While scat analysis has been used to determine the diet of some colonies, the integrative characterization of its feeding habits on broader temporal and spatial scales remains limited. We examined potential feeding grounds, trophic niche width, and overlap, and inferred the degree of dietary specialization using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in this subspecies. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N on fur samples from pups collected at five sites along the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Fur of natal coat of Pacific harbor seal pups begins to grow during the seventh month in utero until the last stage of gestation. Therefore pup fur is a good proxy for the mother's feeding habits in winter (∼December to March), based on the timing of gestation for the subspecies in this region. Our results indicated that the δ13C and δ15N values differed significantly among sampling sites, with the highest mean δ15N value occurring at the southernmost site, reflecting a well-characterized north to south latitudinal 15N-enrichment in the food web. The tendency identified in δ13C values, in which the northern colonies showed the most enriched values, suggests nearshore and benthic-demersal feeding habits. A low variance in δ13C and δ15N values for each colony (<1‰) and relatively small standard ellipse areas suggest a specialized foraging behavior in adult female Pacific harbor seals in Mexican waters. © 2020 Juárez-Rodríguez et al.

carbon, delta carbon 13, delta nitrogen 15, isotope, nitrogen, unclassified drug, carbon, nitrogen, Article, correlational study, feeding behavior, latitude, Mexico, nonhuman, organism colony, Pinnipedia, population abundance, species richness, troph BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL (ZOOLOGÍA) BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL (ZOOLOGÍA)

Vibrissa growth rate in California sea lions based on environmental and isotopic oscillations

MARTHA PATRICIA ROSAS HERNANDEZ (2018, [Artículo])

Pinniped vibrissae provide information on changes in diet at seasonal and annual scales; however, species-specific growth patterns must first be determined in order to interpret these data. In this study, a simple linear model was used to estimate the growth rate of vibrissae from adult female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from San Esteban Island in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The δ15N and δ13C values do not display a marked oscillatory pattern that would permit direct determination of the time period contained in each vibrissa; thus, time (age) was calculated in two ways: 1) based on the correlation between the observed number of peaks (Fourier series) in the δ15N profile and the length of each vibrissa, and 2) through direct comparison with the observed number of peaks in the δ15N profile. Cross-correlation confirmed that the two peaks in the δ15N profile reflected the two peaks in the chlorophyll-a concentration recorded annually around the island. The mean growth rate obtained from the correlation was 0.08 ± 0.01 mm d-1, while that calculated based on the observed number of peaks was 0.10 ± 0.05 mm d-1. Both are consistent with the rates reported for adult females of other otariid species (0.07 to 0.11 mm d-1). Vibrissa growth rates vary by individual, age, sex, and species; moreover, small differences in the growth rate can result in significant differences over the time periods represented by the isotopic signal. Thus, it is important to assess this parameter on a species-by-species basis. © 2018 Rosas-Hernández et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

carbon, nitrogen, animal, California, chemistry, diet, female, island (geological), Mexico, Otariidae, physiology, Animals, California, Carbon Isotopes, Diet, Female, Islands, Mexico, Nitrogen Isotopes, Sea Lions BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA INMUNOLOGÍA INMUNOLOGÍA

Modelo híbrido de sistemas energéticos para la evaluación del uso de energías renovables

Carlos Iván Torres González (2020, [Tesis de maestría])

En este trabajo proponemos un modelo híbrido para evaluar diferentes escenarios de generación de electricidad con energías renovables que maximiza el bienestar social desde la perspectiva económica contemplando un enfoque técnico sobre la estructura de costos de producción de electricidad. Adicionalmente, realizamos 2 simulaciones del modelo propuesto al sistema eléctrico de Baja California Sur para 10 períodos, contemplando 4 escenarios de producción limpia diferentes. De los resultados observados en ambas simulaciones podemos remarcar 2 puntos en términos de políticas públicas. El primer punto es la importancia de tener múltiples generadores que funcionen con combustibles renovables si se desea producir una proporción significativa de electricidad con FER. El segundo punto es el trade-off entre bienestar y emisiones de CO2. Los resultados sugieren que el aumento del consumo de electricidad es un elemento importante para aumentar el bienestar social. A su vez, el aumento de consumo eléctrico implica un aumento de producción, y por tanto un aumento de emisiones de CO2. Los resultados de la segunda simulación sugieren que con el aumento de la capacidad de generación limpia y costos eficientes, se pueden alcanzar niveles de bienestar casi iguales a los tradicionales, pero con la mitad de emisiones de CO2.

Electric power production -- Effect of renewable energy sources on -- Mexico -- Baja California Sur (State) -- 2015 -- Mathematical models. Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Effect of renewable energy sources on -- Mexico -- Baja California Sur (State) -- 2015 -- Mathematical models. CIENCIAS SOCIALES CIENCIAS SOCIALES

Do marine reserves increase prey for California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals?

ALEJANDRO ARIAS DEL RAZO (2019, [Artículo])

Community marine reserves are geographical areas closed to fishing activities, implemented and enforced by the same fishermen that fish around them. Their main objective is to recover commercial stocks of fish and invertebrates. While marine reserves have proven successful in many parts of the world, their success near important marine predator colonies, such as the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), is yet to be analyzed. In response to the concerns expressed by local fishermen about the impact of the presence of pinnipeds on their communities’ marine reserves, we conducted underwater surveys around four islands in the Pacific west of the Baja California Peninsula: two without reserves (Todos Santos and San Roque); one with a recently established reserve (San Jeronimo); and, a fourth with reserves established eight years ago (Natividad). All these islands are subject to similar rates of exploitation by fishing cooperatives with exclusive rights. We estimated fish biomass and biodiversity in the seas around the islands, applying filters for potential California sea lion and harbor seal prey using known species from the literature. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that the age of the reserve has a significant positive effect on fish biomass, while the site (inside or outside of the reserve) did not, with a similar result found for the biomass of the prey of the California sea lion. Fish biodiversity was also higher around Natividad Island, while invertebrate biodiversity was higher around San Roque. These findings indicate that marine reserves increase overall fish diversity and biomass, despite the presence of top predators, even increasing the numbers of their potential prey. Community marine reserves may help to improve the resilience of marine mammals to climate-driven phenomena and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem for the benefit of both pinnipeds and fishermen. © 2019 Arias-Del-Razo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Article, biodiversity, biomass, climate change, ecosystem resilience, environmental exploitation, fish stock, fishing, marine environment, marine invertebrate, nonhuman, Phoca vitulina, Pinnipedia, prey searching, Zalophus californianus, animal, biom BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL (ZOOLOGÍA) BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL (ZOOLOGÍA)

Desarrollo de interfaces de electrodos para la detección electroquímica de Bisfenol A: Estudio teórico

JAZMIN DELGADO AVILEZ (2023, [Tesis de maestría])

El bisfenol A (BPA), es un contaminante de origen industrial presente en efluentes y

aguas naturales, que representa un alto riesgo para el entorno ambiental y para la salud humana debido a su inherente toxicidad y su limitada capacidad de degradación. En este contexto, los sensores electroquímicos, generalmente basados en electrodos de carbono, son herramientas fundamentales con el propósito de detectar y cuantificar esta molécula. Sin embargo, estos dispositivos enfrentan desafíos sustanciales derivados de la inactivación electroquímica, un fenómeno atribuido a la formación de una capa aislante o polimerización durante el proceso de detección. La descripción de los mecanismos de reacción BPA/superficie del electrodo puede ser útil para identificar los sitios activos y contribuir a la elucidación del proceso de polimerización.

En esta investigación, se implementó un estudio teórico mediante Teoría de Funcionales de la Densidad (DFT) con el propósito de analizar con profundidad las interacciones entre el BPA en sus diversos estados de oxidación: oxidada (O), reducida (R) y monoprotonada (r*) y materiales de carbono. A tal efecto, se empleó el grafeno funcionalizado (plano basal, borde tipo silla y zigzag) como modelo representativo de la superficie del electrodo. Finalmente se evalúan las posibilidades de la dimerización del BPA o polimerización sobre varios grupos funcionales. El objetivo principal radica en la detección de grupos funcionales específicos que puedan inducir procesos secundarios, los cuales actúan como obstáculos para la eficaz detección electroquímica del BPA. La información resultante se instituye como un recurso valioso con miras al diseño y la optimización de sensores electroquímicos con un desempeño más robusto y sofisticado.

A continuación, se detalla la sinopsis general de este trabajo describiendo cada capítulo y las etapas involucradas en el estudio del modelo teórico de DFT para el sistema de reacción BPA/superficie del electrodo.

Capítulo 1. Estado del arte tanto de los usos industriales como las implicaciones

ambientales asociadas al Bisfenol A. Una de las problemáticas que se destacan es la necesidad de una detección precisa de esta molécula mediante sensores electroquímicos cuya limitación es la inactivación que presentan. También se describe la justificación del trabajo, así como el uso del modelo computacional, además de los objetivos y la hipótesis del mismo.

Capítulo 2. Descripción de los fundamentos teóricos basados en primeros principios, de la Teoría de Funcionales de la Densidad (DFT), con un enfoque especial en las aproximaciones para desarrollar modelos representativos que optimicen el tiempo de cálculo. Además, se detallan las características de la estructura y la superficie de los materiales de carbono considerados en el proceso de modelado.

Capítulo 3. Detalle del proceso de construcción del modelo de superficie para el estudio de las interacciones BPA/superficie del electrodo, donde se empleó el modelo del plano basal,así como los bordes tipo silla y zigzag del grafeno, con funcionalizaciones que incluyen COOH, OH, éter, epóxido, cetona y terminaciones de hidrógeno.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a contaminant of industrial origin present in effluents and natural waters. It represents a high environmental and human health risk due to its inherent toxicity and limited degradation capacity. In this context, electrochemical sensors, generally based on carbon electrodes, are fundamental to detecting and quantifying this molecule. However, these devices face substantial challenges from electrochemical inactivation, a phenomenon attributed to forming an insulating layer or polymerization during the sensing process. The description of the BPA/electrode surface reaction mechanisms can be helpful to identify the active sites and contribute to the elucidation of the polymerization process.

In this research, a theoretical study was implemented using Density Functional Theory (DFT) to analyze in depth the interactions between BPA in its various oxidation states: oxidized (O), reduced (R), and monoprotonated (r*) and carbon materials. For this purpose, functionalized graphene (basal plane, saddle edge, and zigzag) was used as a representative model of the electrode surface. Finally, the possibilities of BPA dimerization or polymerization on various functional groups are evaluated. The main objective is detecting specific functional groups that can induce secondary processes, which act as obstacles to the effective electrochemical detection of BPA. The resulting information is a valuable resource for designing and optimizing electrochemical sensors with more robust and sophisticated performance.

The general synopsis of this work is detailed below, describing each chapter and the

stages involved in the study of the theoretical DFT model for the BPA/electrode surface reaction system.

Chapter 1. State of the art of industrial uses and the environmental implications associated with Bisphenol A. One of the problems that stands out is the need for precise detection of this molecule using electrochemical sensors, whose limitation is the inactivation they present. The justification of the work is also described, as well as the use of the computational model, in addition to its objectives and hypothesis.

Chapter 2. Description of the theoretical foundations based on first principles of Density Functional Theory (DFT), focusing on approaches to develop representative models that optimize calculation time. Additionally, the structure and surface characteristics of the carbon materials considered in the modeling process are detailed.

Chapter 3. Detail of the construction process of the surface model for the study of BPA/electrode surface interactions, where the basal plane model was used, as well as the chair- type and zigzag edges of graphene, with functionalizations that include COOH, OH, ether, epoxide, ketone, and hydrogen endings.

INGENIERÍA Y TECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS TECNOLÓGICAS Oxidación de fenoles, Teoría de funcionales de la densidad (DFT), electrodos de carbono, desactivación electroquímica, Bisfenol A (BPA). Phenol oxidation, Density Functional Theory (DFT), carbon electrodes, electrochemical deactivation, Bisphenol A (BPA).

High quality diet improves lipid metabolic profile and breeding performance in the blue-footed booby, a long-lived seabird

ERICK GONZALEZ MEDINA (2018, [Artículo])

Understanding the role of diet in the physiological condition of adults during reproduction and hence its effect on reproductive performance is fundamental to understand reproductive strategies in long-lived animals. In birds, little is known about the influence of the quality of food consumed at the beginning of the reproductive period and its short-term effects on reproductive performance. To assess the role of diet in the physiological condition of female blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii (BFBO), during reproduction we evaluated whether individual differences in diet (assessed by using δ13C and δ15N values of whole blood from female birds and muscle tissue of the principal prey species) prior to egg laying and during incubation influenced their lipid metabolic profile (measured as triglyceride levels and C:N ratio) and their reproductive performance (defined by laying date, clutch size and hatching success). Females with higher δ15N values in their blood during the courtship and incubation periods had a higher lipid metabolic profile, earlier laying date, greater clutch size (2–3 eggs) and higher hatching success. Females that laid earlier and more eggs (2–3 eggs) consumed more Pacific anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus) and Pacific thread herring (Opisthonema libertate) than did other females. These two prey species also had high amounts of lipids (C:N ratio) and caloric content (Kcal/g fresh weight). The quality of food consumed by females at the beginning of reproduction affected their physiological condition, as well as their short-term reproductive performance. Our work emphasizes the importance of determining the influence of food quality during reproduction to understand the reproductive decisions and consequences in long-lived animals. © 2018 González-Medina et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

nitrogen 15, triacylglycerol, lipid, animal experiment, Article, breeding, carbon nitrogen ratio, clutch size, controlled study, courtship, diet, egg laying, female, food intake, hatching, lipid metabolism, muscle tissue, nonhuman, prey, reproduction CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y DEL ESPACIO OCEANOGRAFÍA OCEANOGRAFÍA