Over a period of 10 years (October 2013 - March 2022) sampling effort was operated by the Fisheries and Benthic scientists of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) to keep molluscs specimens collected as by-catch when trawling during fish stock assessment around Iceland. These trawls were primarily made during deep-sea surveys (autumn campaign), as well as on shallower fishing grounds north-west of Iceland (March campaign). Some campaigns in May for stock evaluation of lobster (Nephrops norvegicusj and in August for flat fish surveys also contributed with samples. The size of the mesh of the trawls allowed mainly collection of macro-molluscs. Smaller molluscs (<10 mm) were collected in the stomach and gut of captured fish, mainly haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinusj and long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoidesj. By-catches from different origins (stones, shell debris, ghost fishing nets, sponges, corals, seaweeds, kelp holdfast, sweep ups) were photographed and analysed to isolate eventual hidden molluscs. The state of the sampled molluscs, alive or dead (empty shells), is reported in all cases. The link to the website is: https://www.hafogvatn.is/is/midlun/utgafa/haf-og-vatnarannsoknir/report-of-ten-years-of-mollusca-collection-in-icelandic-waters-by-the-marine-and-freshwater-research-institute-hv-2024-06
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose a significant threat to global public health. Among the factors contributing to the increase of EIDs today, habitat degradation stands out as a prominent driver, exerting both direct and indirect influences on disease dynamics. While it is commonly assumed that simply reversing ecosystem degradation will restore disease regulation mechanisms, such a presumption may oversimplify the complex response involved. My PhD project aims to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the impact of ecosystem restoration on zoonotic disease risk by examining terrestrial small mammal (TSM) and microparasite diversity within sampling sites following a chronosequence of ecosystem restoration in the Congo Basin. Through comprehensive sampling methods, including the capture of TSMs, and collection of iDNA and acoustic samples, the project will investigate how small mammal and microparasite diversity and prevalence evolve over time post-restoration. An emphasis will be placed on a subset of vector-borne and directly transmitted microparasites associated with African TSMs frequently found in the Congo Basin (i.e. Hepaciviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Orthonairovirus, Leptospira, Bartonella, and Anaplasma). The findings of this study will help unravel the complex interactions between ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and zoonotic disease risk, offering crucial insights for the improvement and safeguarding of human, animal, and ecosystem health. This research is situated within the framework of the RESTOREID project (Horizon Europe; PI: Herwig Leirs), which aims to investigate the role of landscape restoration in mitigating disease risk using various field sites in Europe and Africa.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
