CETUS Project

Congratulations to Nádia Silva for winning the Best Oral Presentation Award at this year’s Blue Think Conference (BTC)! 🏆👏🏼 She was recognized for her outstanding work under CIIMAR’s research line "Biology, Aquaculture & Seafood Quality". During her Master’s thesis, Nádia explored gene loss in cetaceans, focusing on the PNPLA1 gene, crucial in the formation of the skin barrier, which seems to be lost specifically in sperm whales. This work highlights the importance of studying the molecular processes underlying the mechanism that allowed cetaceans to better adapt to aquatic environments over millions of years. 🐋🔬 Huge congrats to Nádia on this well-deserved award! #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #GAMA #CIIMAR #BTC2024 #CIIMARphdcommittee #BTCconference #bluethinkconference

The Blue Think Conference (BTC), organised by the CIIMAR PhD Students Committee, is in full swing, taking place from 10 to 11 September! 🌊 One of the event's highlights was Luís Afonso's presentation, where he shared exciting insights from the GAMA expedition. Using advanced eDNA metabarcoding techniques, Luís was able to monitor marine species including the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), among others. 🧬🐬 These results provide a valuable snapshot of the top predator community that inhabits the Vigo and Vasco da Gama seamounts. #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #GAMA #CIIMAR #BTC2024 #CIIMARphdcommittee #BTCconference #bluethinkconference

Yesterday, Ana Mafalda Correia took the stage at the CIIMAR annual meeting to present "GAMA - Discovering Vasco da Gama & Vigo seamounts: expedition to the unknown". 🚤⛰️ This ambitious project led the CETUS team on a thrilling five-day expedition to explore the Vigo and Vasco da Gama seamounts, off Portugal's northern coast. During the presentation, Mafalda shared the main findings and results obtained during the expedition with our colleagues from CIIMAR. 🐳 #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #GAMA #CIIMAR

Raul Valente and Sara Araújo have just set sail aboard Monte da Guia for an exciting new mission! This time, they’re heading to the breathtaking Azores, one of the world’s hotspots for marine life. 🐋🐬 We could not be more excited for the journey ahead. 🥰 We wish you the best of luck, guys! We are eager to hear all about the exciting encounters you will experience. #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #grupoETE #transinsular

We're excited to share with you our latest publication - "Hidden in the blow - a matrix to characterise cetaceans’ respiratory microbiome: short-finned pilot whale as case study". Cetaceans are crucial indicators of ocean health, and respiratory diseases are a leading cause of death among these marine mammals. 🐋🌊 In our study, we focused on the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) to establish a baseline understanding of the respiratory microbiome found in their blow. Discover the full insights by clicking the link below to read the full article 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/dcpFNM6S #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch

Out at sea, the work continues! 🌊 Our dedicated team is still hard at it with visual monitoring of cetaceans. 🐋 Currently, Luís Afonso and Adriana Melo are on board, keeping a keen eye out for whales and dolphins. Stay tuned for updates from the field! #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #grupoETE #transinsular

While sailing between Madeira Island and Continental Portugal onboard the Monte da Guia, Tiago and Iolanda were treated to an incredible sighting, a playful striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) leaping nonstop through the waves 🐬 Seeing them in action is always a special moment! 🥰 Here's a glimpse of this encounter. 📷: Tiago Brandão #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #grupoETE #transinsular

Anxo and Tiago Brandão arrived at the Santa Apolónia Container Terminal today! Anxo is heading out, and we're welcoming Iolanda Silva onboard Monte da Guia! 🛳️ Iolanda will be joining Tiago for an exciting week ahead. Good luck, team! 🍀 Wishing you smooth seas and keep spotting lots of cetaceans! 🐋🐬 #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #grupoETE #transinsular

Over the past two weeks, Anxo and Tiago Brandão had the opportunity to observe several cetacean species between Continental Portugal and the Madeira Archipelago. Here’s what they encountered: ✅ Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) ✅ Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) ✅ Spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) ✅ Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) ✅ Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) ✅ Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) ✅ Gervais' beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) ✅ Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) ✅ Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Take a look at the photos to see the incredible moments they captured. 📸🐋🐬 📷: Anxo Gende #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch #grupoETE #transinsular

Check out our new publication! We want to share with all of you our latest review article about distribution and diversity of cetacean species along the northwest coast of Africa. The systematic literature review included 39 sources reporting on 36 species in the area, with a total of 2241 sightings and 2178 non-sighting records. The compiled information is essential to support effective conservation measures and ensure sustainable utilization of the living marine resources in this rapidly developing region. Have a look! 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/dWP97Qxb CIIMAR Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto | FCUP CIMA Research Foundation Institute of Marine Research - CSIC (Spanish Research Council) School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen #CETUSproject #marinemammals #cetaceans #ocean #oceanlife #oceanconservation #research #cetaceanmonitoring #cetaceanresearch