Works presented

Summary
The kinase p38alfa is involved in multiple cellular processes, including the regulation of energy metabolism. Previous studies by the group analyzed its function in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a key region for the control of energy homeostasis, food intake, and glucose metabolism. To this end, p38alfa was deleted in the two main neuronal populations present in the ARC nucleus, AgRP neurons and POMC neurons. It was found that deletion in POMC neurons causes a loss of body weight, whereas deletion of p38alfa in AgRP neurons causes an increase in body weight in mice. This suggests a differential regulation of body metabolism depending on the neuronal type where p38alfa is deleted, highlighting the relevance of studying in depth the physiological implications of this kinase. The present work focused on analyzing the peripheral consequences and the relationship between the deletion of p38alfa in AgRP neurons in mice fed a standard diet, and its influence on metabolically relevant tissues such as the liver, white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT). To this end, the three tissues were studied from a histological point of view, but the expression of proteins related to thermogenesis, such as UCP1 (Uncoupling Protein 1), and proteins related to hepatic lipolysis, such as LPL (lipoprotein lipase), were also analyzed using Western blot and q-PCR techniques. Morphologically, an increase in adipocyte size was observed in WAT, BAT, and liver in those mice in which p38alfa was deleted in AgRP neurons. Regarding the evaluation of a possible decrease in thermogenesis as a possible explanation for the weight gain in these animals, no significant differences were found in BAT, and a trend toward reduced expression of UCP1 in WAT was observed. At the hepatic level, an increase in lipid accumulation was detected, confirmed by specific staining and accompanied by an alteration in the expression of FGF21 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 21), suggesting a possible metabolic compensation pathway mediated by it. In short, this work delved into the mechanisms of intertissue communication mediated by p38alfa in the hypothalamus, and its role in the regulation of metabolism, to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity

Direction
MUÑOZ PATIÑO, ANA MARIA (Tutorships)
FOLGUEIRA COBOS, CINTIA (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rivadulla Fernández, Juan Casto (Chairman)
ADRIO FONDEVILA, MARIA FATIMA (Secretary)
RODRIGUEZ PALLARES, JANNETTE (Member)

Summary
The production of turbot in Galicia has become a key industry and a source of employment, highlighting the role of companies such as Stolt Sea Farm. This Master Thesisintroduces the production process of turbot, as well as the organizational structure and facilities that the Quilmas plant has to achieve efficient production. The functions of the welfare department are further developed, focusing on the health control of the farm and the main pathologies affecting it. The tasks of the production department are also described, with special emphasis on food management and population density control.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Castaño Varela, Iria (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
SANTOS RODRIGUEZ, MARIA ISABEL (Member)

Summary
This study analyzes the trophic ecology of the mesozooplankton community in the Ría de A Coruña, a coastal area strongly influenced by seasonal upwelling. Through stable isotopes and compound-specific isotope analysis of individual amino acids (CSIA-AA), trophic positions (TPGlx and TPAla) of mesozooplankton were estimated, allowing for the differentiation between classical (herbivory-based) trophic pathways and those involving the microbial loop. Environmental and meteorological data (temperature, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll a, and upwelling index) from monthly samplings in the years 1995, 2004, 2015, and 2021 were integrated into the analysis. The results show seasonal variability in trophic positions: lower values during upwelling periods indicate the dominance of herbivory over other trophic strategies, while higher values in winter reflect increased trophic complexity and microbial influence. Correlation analyses and PCA revealed that this seasonal variation in mesozooplankton TP was primarily driven by environmental variability associated with upwelling (notably temperature, chlorophyll a, and dissolved nutrient concentrations). This study demonstrates that the use of CSIA-AA, combined with environmental variable analysis, is an effective tool for more accurately estimating trophic structure in pelagic ecosystems that are highly dynamic due to upwelling events, which directly impact the base of the food web and, consequently, ecosystem functionality.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Viana González, Inés (Co-tutorships)
Rodríguez Ramos, Tamara (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is an inheritable cerebro-vascular disorder caused by pathogenic variants (VP) in the NOTCH3 gene. In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) lines derived from patients carrying different VP, along with a control subject, were employed to assess their usefulness for in vitro disease modelling. The main objectives were, firstly, to characterise the generated hiPSCs, including pluripotency marker expression and their capacity for directed differentiation into the three embryonic lineages (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm), and, secondly, to investigate the aberrant accumulation of the Notch3 protein associated with the pathology in hiPSCs using immunofluorescence assays in order to analyse possible differences between the patients and the control subject. These preliminary studies validated the quality and stability of the generated hiPSC lines, a critical step for their use in future cellular models and for exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in CADASIL.

Direction
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Tutorships)
CAMPOS PEREZ, FRANCISCO (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Ferreira Faro, LilianRosana (Chairman)
Spuch Calvar, Carlos (Secretary)
CANDAL SUAREZ, EVA MARIA (Member)

Summary
This master’s thesis describes the activities carried out during my traineeship at the Lira turbot (Carnota) aquaculture plant, owned by the Stolt Sea Farm. An introduction is included on the current status of aquaculture and the importance of the culture of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). In addition, the facilities and organization of the farm are described, as well as the main pathologies detected in the plant. The tasks performed in the Welfare and Production departments are detailed, highlighting the importance of health control and efficient management of food to ensure optimal crop development and improve productive results.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Castaño Varela, Iria (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
SANTOS RODRIGUEZ, MARIA ISABEL (Member)

Summary
The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a species of great commercial interest with a long tradition of exploitation in Galician waters that has experienced a great decline in recent decades. These organisms have a very limited capacity for movement, living in burrows dug in the sediment which its nature being one of the parameters that determine their presence by conditioning the construction of these structures. The following work seeks to analyse the relationship between the population density of the Norway lobster in Galicia (subdivided into two sections (north and south) differentiated by the 43rd parallel north), the percentage of fine sediment fraction (sampled using two methods: collector and dredge) and other abiotic parameters. It has been found that the presence and abundance of the Norway lobster in the north and south is conditioned by the percentage of silt and clay. Furthermore, a dome-type relationship has been observed between the abundance of Norway lobsters and the percentage of the fine fraction in the northern area sampled by collector, while in the southern area this relationship is less evident. In addition, a non-linear relationship with depth and a marked decline over time in Norway lobster’s abundance have been observed.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Otero Villar, Jaime (Co-tutorships)
González Herraiz, Isabel (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
The persistence of environmental contaminants such as mercury (Hg) and organochlorine pesticides poses a significant threat to wildlife, particularly to species occupying higher trophic levels. This study assessed the usefulness of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) as a biomonitor for these compounds in Galicia, through the analysis of non-invasive matrices (feathers and pellets) collected from nine localities with different land-use types. The objectives were to quantify Hg and pesticide levels, determine the most appropriate matrix for biomonitoring, and explore potential links with human activity. Results revealed the widespread presence of Hg in all samples, with significantly higher concentrations in the rachis compared to the feather barbs, suggesting endogenous accumulation via the bloodstream during feather growth. In contrast, pellets showed much lower and more variable concentrations, limiting their effectiveness as a bioindicator matrix. Eleven different pesticides were detected, including long-banned substances such as DDT, lindane, and dieldrin, reflecting their high environmental persistence. Overall concentrations were low, and no risk thresholds were exceeded for the species. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed certain groupings based on contaminant load and land use, with the highest concentrations observed in areas of intensive agriculture and livestock farming. These findings reinforce the value of feathers as a reliable and non-invasive tool for monitoring persistent contaminants in wild birds and contribute to a better understanding of the spatial distribution of pollution in agricultural landscapes.

Direction
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Tutorships)
VARELA RIO, ZULEMA (Co-tutorships)

Court
AMIGO VAZQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Chairman)
LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ, Mª DEL CARMEN (Secretary)
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Member)

Summary
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive technique that allows modulation of cerebral oscillatory activity. In this study, theta-gamma coupled tACS (6 Hz-80 Hz), a pattern associated with both episodic and working memory processes, which are disrupted in the early stages of cognitive decline, was applied. Twenty-two adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participated in a randomized, counterbalanced, within-subject design, receiving two intervention conditions (real vs. sham), each consisting of eight consecutive sessions of tACS (20 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) combined with cognitive training, separated by a washout period of 6 to 12 weeks. Resting-state eyes-closed EEG was recorded at three time points: (1) a baseline measure before interventions began, and (2-3) two post-intervention recordings, after completion of each condition (real and sham tACS). EEG data were preprocessed and analyzed to extract power in the theta and gamma bands. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were then conducted with factors session, intervention, and electrode. The analysis revealed significant differences in theta power in parietal regions (F(1,21) = 8.48, p = .008) and temporal regions (F(1,21) = 6.57, p = .018), with a significant increase in mean theta power (defined range: 5.5-6.5 Hz) at P3 (p = .047) and focal theta power (defined range: 5.9-6.1 Hz) at T7 (p = .043) following real tACS. No comparable effects were observed at the homologous electrodes in the right hemisphere or under the sham condition. No significant effects were found in the gamma band. These results provide preliminary evidence that theta-gamma coupled tACS can modulate resting-state theta activity in regions associated with frontoparietal and frontotemporal networks involved in memory functions. This finding may have implications for future non-invasive intervention strategies in the early stages of cognitive decline.

Direction
GALDO ALVAREZ, SANTIAGO (Tutorships)
CORREA JARABA, KENIA SHAILY (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Chairman)
CESPON GONZALEZ, JESUS (Secretary)
VICENTE ALBA, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Member)

Summary
During the internship period at Bersolaz, belonging to the Cooke España group, it was possible to observe the overall operation of a fattening farm dedicated to the intensive farming of sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in floating cages on the Mediterranean coast, although it was possible to observe and participate in different departments such as feeding and maintenance, special emphasis was placed on the health department, which monitored and diagnosed diseases such as winter syndrome, photobacteriosis or sparicotilosis in gilthead sea bream, and in the case of sea bass, also focused on the prevention of photobacteriosis and the monitoring of the gonadal maturation of the males and the control of sudden death by maturation (SMS). In the feeding department, it was possible to monitor their growth, as well as modifications in the formulation of feed, adapting to new needs, both for growth and treatment of diseases. On the other hand, in the maintenance department, I observed the activities carried out such as changing nets, replacement of stakes, buoys or extraction of mortality, considering this department as the heart of the company. This experience has allowed me to consolidate theoretical knowledge and develop key practical skills for my development in the aquaculture sector.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Castellar Carranza, Eva María (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
PEREIRA DOPAZO, CARLOS (Member)

Summary
This thesis presents a general overview of the farming of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at MOWI Ireland, based on the external internship carried out in their Fish Health and Cleaner Fish departments. The main pathologies detected, such as AGD, CGD, SRS, PD or tenacibaculosis, as well as diagnostic methods (qPCR, necropsies, health checks) and therapeutic and preventive strategies (vaccination, freshwater treatments, cleaner fish) are discussed. In addition, the role of phytoplankton and events such as harmful algal blooms (HABs) in fish health is discussed and environmental monitoring procedures are detailed. The thesis emphasises the importance of integrated health management to improve animal welfare, reduce the use of antibiotics and ensure the sustainability of the production system.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Vesanto , Sandra (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
PEREIRA DOPAZO, CARLOS (Member)

Summary
Schwann cells are specialized glial cells of the peripheral nervous system that elaborate the myelin sheath along large axons. This enables saltatory conduction of the nerve impulse and provides trophic and metabolic support for these axons. Any defect in the myelin sheath either due to Schwann cells alterations or to the nervous environment, because of genetic or acquired diseases, can lead to debilitating and even fatal neurological disorders, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). At present, there is no cure or adequate pharmacological treatment for these diseases. In a preliminary pharmacological screening, we identified several small-molecule drugs that can modulate the induction of myelination in Schwann cells in vitro, which we have validated with secondary confirmatory hit assays. In addition, we have studied how some of these drugs modulate the expression of mRNA and essential proteins for the myelin sheath formation, with promising results. The studied drugs belong to the Prestwick library, most of them are approved for use by different drug regulating agencies, which would facilitate their introduction into the clinic. This work paves the way towards the search for new effective therapeutic options to treat peripheral neuropathies, currently with no effective pharmacological treatments.

Direction
Woodhoo , Ashwin (Tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rivadulla Fernández, Juan Casto (Chairman)
ADRIO FONDEVILA, MARIA FATIMA (Secretary)
RODRIGUEZ PALLARES, JANNETTE (Member)

Summary
This Master's Thesis presents the experience gained during the internship period at the turbot fattening facility of Stolt Sea Farm in Lira. It provides an overview of the company, with a specific focus on the Lira plant, reviewing the tasks carried out by the different departments and offering an in-depth analysis of the pathologies affecting the farm. Finally, the internship is evaluated, and several improvement proposals are suggested.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Castaño Varela, Iria (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
PEREIRA DOPAZO, CARLOS (Member)

Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous microparticles secreted into the extracellular space by all cell types. Although EVs were originally considered as vehicles for the elimination of waste molecules, their involvement in multiple physiological and pathological processes is now recognised. In the field of Neuroscience, EVs has gained interest as a potential source of biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of diverse neurological diseases. Moreover, EVs present optimal characteristics as potential vectors for drug delivery to the brain. Therefore, it would be interesting to characterise EVs not only in physiological but also pathological conditions. The use of in vitro models such as cell cultures could be interesting due to their mechanistic advantages and their ability to produce proteins similar to those synthesised in vivo. The aim of the present study was to perform a functional characterisation of EVs produced by different human neuronal lines derived from neuroblastomas: IMR-32, SK-N-BE(2) and SH-SY5Y by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For this purpose, a bioinformatics analysis of the identified proteins was performed to evaluate the associated GO terms (i.e., biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions). The results obtained suggested that neuronal culture-derived EVs reflect essential features of EVs such as their heterogeneity, their dependence on the origin and physiological state of the parental cell or their vital role in intercellular communication. In addition, enrichment of different specific processes was observed in each of the neuronal lines. In general, neuronal cultures could be an useful in vitro model to study the protein content of neuron-derived EVs, especially in those situations where the simplicity of the environment could be considered an advantageous aspect.

Direction
LABANDEIRA GARCIA, JOSE LUIS (Tutorships)
Cantero Lorente, José Luis (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Ferreira Faro, LilianRosana (Chairman)
Spuch Calvar, Carlos (Secretary)
CANDAL SUAREZ, EVA MARIA (Member)

Summary
The Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus L) population in Galicia are experiencing a downfall in their numbers. This Galician population is mostly on a permanent resident status the year round, hence studying its distribution not only as a breeding species, but also as a wintering population is accurate. This research aims to determine the environmental factors (physical and meteorological) that hold influence in the presence and abundance of this species in the Galician shoreline during winter. The presence of this Kentish plover is determined by climatic factors regarding temperature, such as the daily range of temperature and the annual average temperature, whereas the variables concerning precipitation do not seem to conditionate the presence of this species in the Galician shoreline. Aside, the abundance can be explained by physical factors, which characterize the beaches where most individuals can be spotted. Beaches associated with lagoons and with larger spans have proved to be the factors that influence the most in the wintering populations. Contrarily, the presence of dune vegetation has shown a negative influence in the abundance of Kentish plover populations.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Chairman)
BASELGA FRAGA, ANDRES (Secretary)
ROMERO BUJAN, MARIA INMACULADA (Member)

Summary
Spain is a benchmark in aquaculture due to the diversity of cultivated species, with Galicia being the main production region for mussels and clams. However, the sector faces significant health challenges, particularly related to bacterial diseases. Currently, the most widely used method for bacterial identification is 16S rDNA gene sequencing, although its routine application is limited by high costs and the time required. In this context, this study evaluates the effectiveness of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry as a fast and reliable alternative for identifying bacteria associated with the microbiota of fish and mollusks in Galicia. A total of 348 bacterial strains were analyzed, both from collections and isolates, considering three different variables: culture medium, incubation time, and temperature. Technical (n = 3) and biological (n = 10) replicas were conducted, resulting in 653 assays distributed across 10 target plates. The samples were processed using the MALDI TOF Biotyper MBT smart system, and the obtained spectra were compared with the Bruker database. Additionally, 70 Main Spectrum Profiles (MSP) were generated using Mass Up software, with which a customized database (GiPA1) was built. A satisfactory identification was obtained in 200 strains: 119 with high confidence (score 2.00) and 81 with medium confidence (score between 1.70 and 1.99), with a high concordance with 16S rDNA gene sequencing (Kappa index = 0.89). The identified species mainly belong to the genera Vibrio, Photobacterium, Aeromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and Shewanella, although some limitations in species-level discrimination were observed due to the lack of specific spectral profiles in the Bruker database and reduced identification capability in strains cultured for more than seven days. The results demonstrated that MALDI TOF is an effective, rapid, and reproducible tool for bacterial identification in aquaculture. Its high operational scalability, capable of processing dozens to hundreds of samples per day, makes it an ideal tool for aquaculture diagnostic laboratories. Its implementation could optimize diagnostic processes and contribute to more efficient sector management.

Direction
BARJA PEREZ, JUAN LUIS (Tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
The macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae has been recognized as one of the most problematic invasive species in marine ecosystems of the western Mediterranean and the northeastern Atlantic over recent decades. Its rapid spread and high coverage significantly alter the benthic community, generating cascading effects on other faunal groups that have not yet been studied. In this work, the impact of the species on the structure and interactions of the benthic fish community on the southern coast of Madeira is evaluated. For this purpose, underwater video cameras were used to document the presence, interest, use of shelter, and foraging activity (duration and number of bites) on this species and another tree-like macroalga in the area across three zones and different treatments: ASP (plots dominated by Asparagopsis taxiformis), RGX (plots dominated by R. okamurae), and RGXASP (approximately 50% coverage of both species). The results show that, in terms of community structure, there are no significant differences between the different treatments. However, certain interaction patterns were detected, such as presence and use of shelter, where R. okamurae does not seem to generate a clearly negative effect on the fish community. Nevertheless, the foraging rate and number of bites were considerably lower in areas with high coverage of R. okamurae, suggesting that this macroalga and/or its associated fauna do not represent a high nutritional value resource, potentially altering the trophic structure in monopolization scenarios, as observed in other invaded areas. This study highlights the need to continue monitoring the expansion of R. okamurae on invaded coasts to mitigate its potential impacts on ecosystem functionality.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Florido Capilla, Marta (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
Recognition of the individual and sexual identity of conspecifics is fundamental for regulating social and adaptive behavior in animals. This socio-sexual recognition, mediated primarily by visual and olfactory cues, modulates reproductive, hierarchical and territorial interactions through the synchronization of hormonal and neural processes. Although multisensory communication has been extensively documented in model species such as Mesocricetus auratus and Drosophila melanogaster, its study in fish is still limited. In this context, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has established itself as an exceptional experimental model due to its small size, fast life cycle, high reproductive rate, low maintenance cost and ease of genetic manipulation. The present study focused on developing and validating a new experimental paradigm for the analysis of socio-sexual discrimination in zebrafish by studying their ability to distinguish between different types of conspecifics. We assessed how male and female zebrafish responded to different socio-sexual stimuli, assessing both their sexual preference and exploratory behavior to visual, olfactory or combined visual and olfactory cues. The results indicated that the socio-sexual recognition of males relies mainly on olfactory cues in the recognition of conspecifics. In contrast, females did not show a distinct preference, which could be related to their less active role in courtship and a greater investment in evaluating the social and environmental context before making reproductive decisions. Furthermore, the consistently high levels of exploration observed in all trials, together with the results of the control experiments, in which individuals showed no preference when presented with conspecifics of the same sex, supported the validity of the experimental paradigm employed.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Espigares Puerto, Felipe (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
The production and release of defensive chemical compounds is a strategy employed by plants to protect themselves against their aggressors. In pines, the production and emission of terpenes are key functions in both direct and indirect resistance. However, there is limited knowledge about the factors that modulate the emission of these compounds. Advances in this field could lead to interesting applications for improving forest health. In this study, we experimentally investigated studied changes in terpene emission and foliar content following the induction of defenses in pine seedlings. The induction was carried out by applying methyl jasmonate (MeJa), an important phytohormone involved in herbivore damage signaling. We used plants from four families, which allowed for the collection of information regarding genetic variation. We selected 32 seedlings from four half-sister families. The experiment was conducted in four blocks, each containing two plants from each family (n=8), in a growth chamber. The volatiles were collected using carbon traps connected to air flow pumps. Sampling of volatile and foliar terpenes was carried out before and five days after the application of MeJa at a low concentration (5 mM). The solution was applied to half of the plants. The mono- and sesquiterpenes in needles and carbon traps were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). To identify the influence of variables on terpene levels, we applied generalized linear models (GLM) with fixed effects, and the correlation coefficient was calculated based on Pearson’s model. Upon analyzing the constitutive defenses (before induction), we found a significant family effect on the concentration of total terpenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Five days after the induction application, no significant changes were found in foliar concentration, although greater variation was observed between plants. The family effect on concentration remained for total terpenes and monoterpenes, and furthermore, a significant interaction effect between family and treatment was identified for these two categories. The induction resulted in a significant increase in the emission of monoterpenes and total terpenes, with the emission rate in induced plants being 3.6 times higher than in controls. We found a significant correlation between foliar concentration and the induced emission rate only for the monoterpene 3-carene, which was not observed for the other compounds. Terpene emission appears to be a rapid and MeJa-dependent induced mechanism, activated even when exposed to low MeJa concentrations. The family effect has a strong influence on the concentration of volatile terpenes in the leaves and persists after 5 days of plant exposure to low MeJa concentrations. The FamxMeJa interaction indicates a different sensitivity to MeJa between families that should be considered. The experimental procedure appears to be appropriate for future studies.

Direction
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Tutorships)
Sampedro Pérez, Luis (Co-tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Chairman)
BASELGA FRAGA, ANDRES (Secretary)
ROMERO BUJAN, MARIA INMACULADA (Member)

Summary
Ombrotrophic peatlands are recognized as valuable natural archives for reconstructing atmospheric mercury deposition. This study investigates the relationship between Hg concentration and peat organic matter (POM) composition by comparing two geographically and bioclimatically distinct peatlands: Store Mosse, a boreal bog in southern Sweden, and Chao de Lamoso, an Atlantic bog in northwestern Spain. Mercury concentrations were quantified using a Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80), while peat organic matter composition and humification were assessed trough Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Spectral indices and transposed principal component analysis (tPCA) revealed contrasting patterns of POM composition among the two sites. The observed correlation between Hg concentrations and polysaccharide-rich fractions suggests that labile organic matter plays a key role in Hg retention and underscore the influence of site-specific climatic and biogeochemical factors. These results highlight the importance of incorporating molecular-level peat composition analysis into future assessments of Hg deposition, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change and peatland degradation.

Direction
MARTINEZ CORTIZAS, ANTONIO MANUEL (Tutorships)

Court
AMIGO VAZQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Chairman)
LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ, Mª DEL CARMEN (Secretary)
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Member)

Summary
The aim of this study was to analyse long-term changes (2001-2023) in the structure of a passerine bird community, both during wintering and breeding, in a reedbed habitat at the Anllóns river estuary (A Coruña, NW Spain) based on ringing data. For the wintering community we expected a priori a change in the origin of the birds (with a lower representation of birds from higher latitudes) within the context of modern warming. For this purpose, the 7 species with the most complete information were selected and the variation over time in mean size (and variance) of wing chord, eighth primary (P8), tarsus and wing/tarsus ratio were studied. For the breeding community, a change in composition caused by the general increase in Sus scrofa wild boar populations linked to the abandonment of the rural world was initially expected. To test this hypothesis, temporal changes in the Shannon index and variation in the relative abundances of the 9 breeding species were analysed. There was no evidence of change in the origin of birds in any of the species selected to test the first hypothesis, using body size as a proxy. In the case of the second hypothesis, the Shannon index remained roughly constant over time and relative community abundances also did not follow a consistent temporal pattern. We conclude that, contrary to initial expectations, both communities (wintering and breeding) have hardly changed over the 22-year study period. Such constancy suggests a lack of effect of climate warming in recent decades and points to the absence of substantial environmental changes in the estuary during the breeding period. The profound ecological changes associated with the abandonment of the countryside in recent decades do not seem to have affected the study area, probably because cultivation ceased more than 40 years ago, judging by the available aerial images from the 20th century, and plant succession is at an advanced stage. Wild boars do not seem to have influenced the breeding community as these birds do not breed strictly on the ground, although in some cases they nest close to the ground.

Direction
MARTÍNEZ ABRAÍN, ALEJANDRO (Tutorships)
Maestro Saavedra, Miguel Ángel (Co-tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Chairman)
BASELGA FRAGA, ANDRES (Secretary)
ROMERO BUJAN, MARIA INMACULADA (Member)

Summary
The document outlines health management practices in Atlantic salmon aquaculture at Mowi ASA, Ireland. It details key processes such as the selection and management of the breeding stock, egg fertilization and incubation, health monitoring, vaccination, and biosecurity. Additionally, it addresses common diseases, including salmon rickettsial septicemia, tenacibaculosis, and amoebic gill disease, as well as control strategies such as the use of cleaner fish. Finally, it highlights challenges such as the proximity of farming stations and the need to reduce antibiotic use through vaccination programs.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Vesanto , Sandra (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
SANTOS RODRIGUEZ, MARIA ISABEL (Member)

Summary
Climate change is predicted to negatively affect mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) culture in Galicia. In order to take measures against that impact, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms of the species involved in heat resistance. Heat Shock Proteins (hsp) are a key factor in cellular homeostasis as well as the biological response to thermal stress. However, comparative analyses of HSP gene expression in different conditions of thermal stress have not yet been carried out. This research establishes the bases to carry out such analyses by characterizing HSP genes, establishing the phylogenetic relationships of their gene families and calibrating specific primers for quantitative PCR experiments. Ten genes potentially involved in the response to thermal stress were chosen and sequenced. Their phylogenetic analysis showcased interspecific grouping of the orthologous genes according to gene sub-family rather than to species. Primers for six HSP genes and one housekeeping gene were successfully designed and calibrated. Their standard curves and their efficiencies for qRT-PCR analyses were also established. This study provides a molecular tool to quantify the differential expression of HSP genes in response to in vitro induced thermal stress in M. galloprovincialis.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Presa Martínez, Pablo (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
SANTOS RODRIGUEZ, MARIA ISABEL (Member)

Summary
Determining the age of fish in natural environments is crucial for understanding their biology and ecology, and otoliths, by recording growth rings, represent a valuable tool in this process. However, their reliability must be validated for each species. This study analyzes the use of otoliths as a method for estimating age in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and their relationship with the organism’s actual growth. Zebrafish possess three pairs of otoliths (lapillus, asteriscus, and sagitta), but due to the fragility of the sagitta, the analysis focused on the first two. The results show that the lapillus is the most suitable otolith for age estimation, as its ring count correlates better with the fish’s actual age (R² lapillus = 0.6909 vs. R² asteriscus = 0.6481). However, the growth models generated indicate that while the lapillus predicts a more accurate maximum length (L∞ = 2.87 cm vs. 2.96 cm in the real model), it overestimates the growth rate (k = 8.46 years vs. 2.03 years in the real model), suggesting that it grows faster in proportion to the fish. On the other hand, the asteriscus predicts a growth rate closer to the actual one (k = 2.79 years) but overestimates the expected maximum length (L∞ = 3.95 cm vs. 2.96 cm in the real model). This suggests that while the asteriscus is optimal for predicting age, it does not accurately reflect the organism’s final size. Given the number of fish used (18), these data and the reliability of the models obtained could be improved by increasing the sample size, including older fish, and optimizing ring visualization techniques. In this regard, experiments were conducted using stains such as alizarin red (ARS) and tetracycline (TC-H), which are incorporated into the otolith during growth. However, the results were also insufficient, requiring better concentration adjustments. Overall, the results indicate that otolith growth in zebrafish follows an allometric pattern and suggest that the periodicity of ring formation changes with age: in young individuals (less than 94 days), rings appear almost daily, while in adults (over 371 days), they form every 2–3 days, which could be affecting the accuracy of age estimates. In conclusion, although the lapillus emerges as the best age indicator in zebrafish, its use still requires adjustments to improve accuracy. Future research should focus on optimizing ring reading and refining growth models to achieve more reliable estimates.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Rey Sanz, Javier (Co-tutorships)
Marí Beffa, Manuel (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis in the organism. Its thermogenic capacity is due to its ability to dissipate the energy obtained through the electron transport chain in the form of heat, thanks to the uncoupling protein UCP1. The activity of BAT is modulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), in addition to various hormonal pathways. There are multiple pathologies of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that alter the transmission of nerve impulses to peripheral organs and also affect the perception of afferent signals from these organs, which is necessary to maintain body homeostasis. Among them is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), the most common hereditary neurodegenerative disease. Currently, there is no evidence of an effect on the modulation of BAT thermogenic activity in these patients. However, symptoms related to the inability to regulate body temperature in response to external stimuli have been reported in other diseases with a similar etiology, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. In this study, we found differences in both the acute and chronic thermogenic response in mice with CMT1A compared to healthy WT mice. Finally, our functional, molecular, and morphological analyses demonstrate several significant alterations in the thermogenic response of BAT following cold exposure.

Direction
Woodhoo , Ashwin (Tutorships)
VARELA REY, MARTA MARIA (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rivadulla Fernández, Juan Casto (Chairman)
ADRIO FONDEVILA, MARIA FATIMA (Secretary)
RODRIGUEZ PALLARES, JANNETTE (Member)

Summary
The Iberian Peninsula experiences a high incidence of wildfires, particularly in the northwest, with shrublands being the most affected ecosystems, accounting for nearly 60% of the burned area. The species associated with these formations are exposed to recurrent disturbances, impacting the seed bank and compromising regeneration. In the current context of climate change, a modification of the fire regime is expected, which will vary by region and could increase the exposure of certain species to this type of disturbance. In this regard, ecological niche modeling is a useful tool to analyze the potential overlap between species’ distribution areas and regions with a higher incidence of fire. This study aims to evaluate the response of four shrubland species (Cytisus commutatus, Erica erigena, Erica vagans, and Vaccinium myrtillus) to wildfires, integrating ecological niche analysis with germination response. To achieve this, an experiment was designed in which seeds were subjected to treatments involving temperature, smoke, ash, and charcoal, and germination percentage and rate were assessed. In parallel, current and future ecological niche modeling was conducted using two different bioclimatic models. The results revealed differential responses. V. myrtillus was highly sensitive to fire, showing strong inhibition and no stimulation, while the other three species responded positively to moderate temperatures. Additionally, E. erigena and E. vagans also responded positively to smoke. The strongest inhibitions occurred under high temperatures and high concentrations of ash. Germination speed was only affected in E. erigena. Niche modeling indicates current overlaps among the species and significant future contractions. Overlaps with areas of high fire incidence were evident for most species, except for E. erigena, which showed the opposite trend. Integrating all findings, it is clear that V. myrtillus could face population declines. However, the other three species, which exhibit adaptive strategies to cope with fire, appear more resilient and may benefit in a future climate change scenario.

Direction
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Tutorships)
SERRANO PEREZ, LUIS MIGUEL (Co-tutorships)
Cruz de la Fuente, Óscar (Co-tutorships)

Court
AMIGO VAZQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Chairman)
LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ, Mª DEL CARMEN (Secretary)
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Member)

Summary
Introduction: Cognitive impairment is an increasing social and healthcare challenge, closely linked to population aging. In addition to cognitive alterations, anxiety and emotional changes can limit social participation and affect personal identity, also impacting close relationships. In this context, non pharmacological interventions, such as music, emerge as safe options to promote well-being and strengthen the connection with one's personal history. Objectives: To analyse the impact of a musical intervention on anxiety, quality of life, well-being, and participation in people with cognitive impairment, and to study their previous relationship with music. Materials and methods: This quasi-experimental study without a control group analysed the effect of a group musical intervention in people with cognitive impairment. The intervention was carried out in a local association through participatory sessions that included singing, musical creation, and synchronised movement. The entire intervention was designed with an approach inspired by popular culture and the connection to the sea. Validated tools were used to assess anxiety (Hamilton), quality of life (QoL AD), wellbeing (MiDAS), relationship with music (MRQ), and participation (MTED). Results: In the study population (n=17), a trend towards a reduction in total anxiety levels was observed after the intervention (baseline 5,4 + 2,93 final 4,5 + 2,65; p=0,10), with a greater change in psychic anxiety than in somatic anxiety. A possible positive impact on quality of life was found (QoL AD baseline 37,4 + 2,31 and final 37,7 + 2,13; p=0,374), with improvements in several items. An increase in well-being related to the musical intervention (MiDAS) was observed across the four sessions. The MRQ showed great variability in participants' previous relationship with music. Finally, there was an increase in participation levels from the first session (MTED 16,2 + 3,71) to the last session (MTED 16,6 + 3,64), especially regarding the degree of communication during the session. Conclusion: These findings suggest a possible beneficial effect of a musical intervention in this population group and highlight the need to implement such interventions.

Direction
Ferreira Faro, LilianRosana (Tutorships)
Spuch Calvar, Carlos (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Chairman)
CESPON GONZALEZ, JESUS (Secretary)
VICENTE ALBA, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Member)

Summary
The dynamic interaction between the homeostatic and hedonic systems regulates food intake in individuals. To understand how these two systems relate, a computational model was developed that explores different mechanisms of interaction between them. The homeostatic system was modeled using a set of differential equations that represent the temporal variation of substances such as ghrelin and leptin, which are key in regulating the sensation of hunger and satiety. The mathematical model realistically simulates the hunger signal based on physiological principles, reflecting how the body manages its energy balance. Complementarily, the hedonic system was represented through a reinforcement learning system, following the Q-Learning approach. The agent that integrates this system explores a grid environment and there learns to locate and consume food based on the reward, or hedonic cue, obtained for each action. For each state of the agent, the hedonic cue is calculated from the Q values associated with each possible action. The Q value reflects the expected reward after performing a certain action in that state. The study, through simulation, focuses on the integration of these two signals: the hunger signal calculated by the differential equations of the homeostatic system, and the hedonic signal generated by the agent's reinforcement learning system. Since the agent's behavior is influenced by both its physiological need and the desirability of food, identifying the integration mechanism of both systems is key to understanding and predicting decision-making regarding food intake. The main objective of this work is to simulate and test various hypotheses about how these two systems interact. For example, the aim is to explore scenarios where one system can dominate the other, where there are signals influencing both directions, analyze the dynamics of intake oscillations, and understand how variations in key parameters in each system affect overall eating behavior. This hybrid approach offers a tool to investigate the complex relationship between biological need and pleasure in the regulation of eating.

Direction
Sánchez Vila, Eduardo Manuel (Tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
BARREIRO IGLESIAS, ANTON (Chairman)
Pérez Fernández, Juan (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
The shortage of expert taxonomists with knowledge of several biological groups hinders species identification and community monitoring. Metabarcoding allows for mitigating this problem by identifying numerous individuals simultaneously through the sequencing of genetic markers. However, this method does not always enable the detection of all species or the accurate estimation of abundance. One of the causes is the variation in specimen biomass, which affects the relative amount of DNA contributed by each one. This can be minimised by sorting individuals by size, but it increases sequencing costs. A more economical alternative is the mixture (known as pooling) of the lysates from the different size groups. Another factor that affects the results is the affinity of the primers with the DNA sequences, so it is important to determine the specific primers for the target group. The aim of this study is to optimize and validate the metabarcoding technique to determine the composition of epiphytic beetle communities, testing the validity of more economical alternatives. For that, specimens were separated into three size categories and identified morphologically. Samples were processed through three different metabarcoding procedures: one that sequences samples by size and two that use pooling. The pooling methods differ in the criterion used to determine the volume of lysate from each size: one utilise abundance values, while the other uses a ratio (4:16:80) that introduces a greater volume of lysate from small specimens. After sequencing, the resulting taxonomic inventory was analysed and different facets of diversity were calculated from the results of the molecular procedures used and the morphological identification, comparing them with each other. Before sequencing, the most effective primer for this type of sample was selected and the possibility of using a single par was tested. Metabarcoding provided a community inventory similar to morphological identification, detecting less genera but with higher taxonomic resolution. Size-based sequencing proved to be the method that provides results most similar to morphological approach, detecting between 5% and 9% more genera than the pooling methods. However, none of the sequencing methods provided accurate abundance estimates, even affecting the abundance distribution and the values of diversity indices. This indicates that metabarcoding with size-based sequencing is the optimal method for presence and absence studies, but it is not recommended for abundance studies.

Direction
GOMEZ RODRIGUEZ, CAROLA (Tutorships)
LORENZO CARBALLA, MARÍA OLALLA (Co-tutorships)

Court
AMIGO VAZQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Chairman)
LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ, Mª DEL CARMEN (Secretary)
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Member)

Summary
This report focuses on and describes the various activities carried out during the internship period at the company Stolt Sea Farm (SSF), specifically at a processing plant within the Department of Quality, Traceability, and Environment. The following sections present various theoretical concepts related to quality, traceability, and food safety to provide context and a foundation for understanding the different activities and procedures carried out during the internship. Furthermore, this internship provides insight into how a processing and packaging plant operates, including the different stages of production from the reception of the fish and its handling to its subsequent transport and sale. The report also describes the various controls and procedures undertaken during the internship to ensure the quality, traceability, and food safety of SSF’s products

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
González García, Mª Luz (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
PEREIRA DOPAZO, CARLOS (Member)

Summary
Dryopteris guanchica and Dryopteris aemula are two relict pteridophyte species associated with humid forests with oceanic influence. In order to understand the factors that determine their distribution, this work approaches the characteristics of their bioclimatic niche by means of ecological niche modeling (ENM) to infer their possible past distribution since the late Pleistocene as well as their future distribution in different climate change scenarios. At the same time, the ecological niche was studied in greater geographic detail by means of ecosystem function attributes (EFAs), to evaluate aspects related to the conservation of the species. The revision of herbarium material, used to incorporate territorial presences to the models, revealed, apart from numerous incorrect determinations, the existence of D. guanchica specimens with an atypical morphology, whose niche was analyzed independently. The results show that D. aemula has always had a wider distribution along the European Atlantic arc, while D. guanchica has a more restricted and fragmented distribution. The island of Madeira, the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands archipelago and the northwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula emerge as key potential refuges in the history of the two species.Future projections show significant contractions in currently occupied areas. The combination of habitat suitability and connectivity analysis identified critical areas for conservation, linked to optimal thermophilic oak woodland habitat quality, supporting the expansion of current conservation areas (SCAs) to ensure the preservation of these threatened ferns. These results highlight the vulnerability of relict ferns to climate change and the need to integrate ENMs and EFAs to improve conservation strategies.

Direction
SERRANO PEREZ, LUIS MIGUEL (Tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Chairman)
BASELGA FRAGA, ANDRES (Secretary)
ROMERO BUJAN, MARIA INMACULADA (Member)

Summary
Climate change-induced marine heatwaves (MHWs) and habitat fragmentation are increasingly recognised as key drivers of ecological shifts in marine benthic ecosystems. This study investigates the individual and interactive effects of MHWs and habitat fragmentation on community dynamics, recovery potential, and vulnerability to biological invasions. Using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Systems (ARMS), benthic samples were collected from Faro de las Puercas (Gulf of Cádiz) to establish baseline conditions. Subsequently, synthetic assemblages were exposed to controlled mesocosm experiments simulating moderate (24C) and extreme (28C) MHW scenarios alongside habitat Fragmentation treatments. Finally, non-fragmented assemblages were deployed in a marina environment to assess post-disturbance recovery under natural conditions. Results from the mesocosm phase revealed that MHWs and fragmentation significantly influenced benthic community composition but had no significant effect on species richness or diversity indices. Fragmentation modified species distribution, increasing community heterogeneity without necessarily reducing biodiversity. No clear synergistic interaction between MHWs and fragmentation was observed, suggesting these stressors act independently. The post-experimental marina phase revealed the recruitment of five new species, including Bugula neritina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Clavelina cf. oblonga Herdman, 1880. Overall, the findings highlight that while MHWs alter species composition and habitat fragmentation reshapes structural heterogeneity, their combined impact does not exacerbate these effects. The lack of significant interactions between these stressors suggests that community responses may be mediated by species-specific tolerances rather than purely additive or synergistic effects.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Gestoso García, Ignacio José (Co-tutorships)
Carmona Barnosi, Leila María (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)

Summary
Report on external internships in the Avramar company located in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community, during the months of September and January (2024 - 2025). In the company, croaker, sea bream and sea bass species are grown in a total of 48 cages, some 25 meters in diameter and others 38 meters in diameter. Feeding is automated from a platform - silo located within the offshore facility. In this, the feed is loaded into different tanks depending on the type of feed and the size of the pellet. The feed is directed from the office or from the platform itself. Finally, I was lucky enough to participate in all the maneuvers carried out on the farm, such as fishing or planting fingerlings.

Direction
BANDIN MATOS, MARIA ISABEL (Tutorships)
Gil Cardona, Daniel (Co-tutorships)

Court
LAMAS FERNANDEZ, JESUS (Chairman)
MAGARIÑOS FERRO, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
SANTOS RODRIGUEZ, MARIA ISABEL (Member)

Summary
As forested habitats in Galicia have developed over the past decades towards a rise of plantations for production purposes, different articles have addressed the topic of the effect of native forested habitats and plantations on biodiversity. Nevertheless, there has been little attention towards mixed habitats, comprising of a mixture of autochthonous and alien species. This study analyses the differences between species abundance, richness and composition across a range of four types of forested habitats: eucalyptus globulus plantations (EP), oak forests (CP, dominated by Quercus robur), and mixed forested habitats: oak forests with dispersed eucalyptus (CM) and eucalyptus plantations with dispersed oaks (EM). To carry out this study, bird vocalizations were registered with audio recorders throughout 32 sites, 8 sites for each type of habitat, at different moments during the day. From the samples collected, the number and duration of the vocalizations were gathered for each site as a measure of species abundance, and species were identified from each recording to obtain values of species richness and species composition for each site. After collecting the data, different statistical analyses were made for studying species abundance and richness (ANOVA, Fisher’s test and Tukey’s test), rarefaction curves and Chao2 indicator were used, and different analyses were made to study species composition (ANOSIM, NMDS and CDA). These analyses revealed that the habitat has a significant effect on species richness, number of vocalizations and species composition, but not on the duration of vocalizations. Mixed formations, CM and EM, had the highest abundance and highest alpha richness, but these values aren’t significantly different compared to oak forests. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between EP and the other habitats (with all of them or only with CM and EM, depending on the statistical analysis used). EP had the lowest abundance and lowest alpha richness, although its total richness wasn’t the lowest. Moreover, EP has the biggest difference in species composition compared to the rest of the habitats. It has species related to shrubs and adapted to human disturbed habitats, and it shows lower relative frequence of specialist and generalist forest bird species. The surprising capacity of mixed forested habitats to harbour bird biodiversity shown in this study, invites to reflect upon their effect on regional biodiversity conservation and on the implications these results have for forest management, when knowing that eucalypts have proven to have negative effects on ecosystems as they behave as an invasive species in Southern Europe. Results showing significant improvement of bird communities in eucalypt plantations and mixed habitats encourage to aim forest management measures in that direction, which could in turn have a considerable effect on biodiversity on these plantations, reducing its negative impact significantly. Future research can focus on improving the actual knowledge on mixed forested habitats in Galicia, studying their effects on other taxonomic groups.

Direction
Calviño Cancela, María (Tutorships)
Martín Herrero, Julio (Co-tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ ESCRIBANO, JOSE ANGEL (Chairman)
BASELGA FRAGA, ANDRES (Secretary)
ROMERO BUJAN, MARIA INMACULADA (Member)

Summary
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) allows for the modulation of brain oscillatory activity and has been associated with improvements in working memory (WM) in healthy individuals. However, its effectiveness in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether theta gamma tACS combined with cognitive training (CT) improves performance on a WM task and modulates electrophysiological activity related to selective attention (N2b) and WM updating processes (P3b), and whether these effects differ by sex. Twenty six adults with SCD/MCI (ages 57-83) participated in a counterbalanced crossover design, in which each participant received two interventions (real and sham), separated by 6 to 12 weeks. Each intervention consisted of eight consecutive sessions of tACS (20 minutes) combined with CT (30 minutes). Theta-gamma tACS was delivered at 6 Hz with 80 Hz bursts locked to the peaks of each theta cycle, targeting the AF3 electrode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). WM performance was assessed before and after each intervention using a visual delayed match-to-sample task. Behavioral measures (accuracy, reaction times, and correct rejections) were recorded, and the amplitudes of N2b (F3, F4, C3, C4) and P3b (F3, F4, P3, P4) event-related potentials (ERPs) were analyzed. Repeated-measures ANOVAs (Condition x Session x Sex) showed significant improvements in women following real tACS, with faster reaction times (F(1,24) = 5.211, p = .032) compared to the sham condition. No significant effects were observed in men. Regarding ERPs, ANOVAs (Condition x Session x Sex) revealed a consistent post-intervention amplitude increase in N2b, particularly in low-load tasks, regardless of sex. For P3b, repeated-measures ANOVAs (Condition x Session x Electrode x Sex) also showed post-intervention amplitude increases and topographical effects across electrodes. No systematic effects of experimental condition or sex were found. These findings suggest that theta-gamma tACS may partially enhance response speed in women with SCD/MCI and could be a promising tool to modulate attentional and updating processes in this population.

Direction
GALDO ALVAREZ, SANTIAGO (Tutorships)
CORREA JARABA, KENIA SHAILY (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Chairman)
CESPON GONZALEZ, JESUS (Secretary)
VICENTE ALBA, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Member)

Summary
The municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas, located in a high-density forest fire cluster in Mexico, has faced an increase in the frequency and burned area of fires between 2019 and 2024, surpassing the averages for 2012 to 2024, especially in coniferous and montane cloud forests. This study modeled the probability of forest fire occurrence (2012 to 2024) using logistic regression, incorporating topoclimatic predictors (e.g., wind speed), landscape predictors (e.g., green biomass density, forest-agriculture interface), and demographic predictors (e.g., population density). A fire probability map was generated, and the relative importance of the predictors was assessed. The model, evaluated over 100 iterations, showed useful discriminatory capacity (mean AUC ROC 0.791, standard deviation 0.018), but low positive predictive value (34%), indicating better identification of environmentally susceptible areas than of precise ignitions. The most influential predictors were green biomass density (WDVI.Q3, 15% decrease in AUC ROC when excluded), herbaceous layer density (MSAVI .Q1, 10%), percentage of affected forest (Perc.Des), and wind speed (Wind). Interactions between anthropogenic and landscape variables are key to analyzing the two areas of maximum probability: West (85%, conifers, low accessibility) and East (95%, cloud forest, atypical fires in February) near population centers. Limitations include the 1 km2 resolution, which smooths local variations, and the exclusion of fire records without burned area polygons, potentially biasing spatial patterns.

Direction
DIAZ VARELA, RAMON ALBERTO (Tutorships)
REGOS SANZ, ADRIAN (Co-tutorships)
Vega Nieva, Daniel José (Co-tutorships)

Court
AMIGO VAZQUEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Chairman)
LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ, Mª DEL CARMEN (Secretary)
REYES FERREIRA, OTILIA (Member)

Summary
Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state characterized by increased feelings of tiredness and/or a transient decline in cognitive performance, caused by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity. Recent research suggests that mental fatigue may lead to impairments in motor control, affecting postural stability. Classical theories consider postural balance to be primarily regulated by spinal and brainstem reflexes, requiring minimal executive involvement. However, it has recently been proposed that executive control plays a substantial role (top-down) over motor structures involved in balance. These findings suggest that different areas involved in executive control (various regions of the prefrontal cortex PFC, active during different cognitive tasks) may be differentially involved in postural balance control. If so, mental fatigue could impair postural control. Some preliminary studies, albeit limited, support this, but the mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, this study aims to determine the impact of fatigue generated by cognitive tasks linked to different executive functions (inhibitory control and working memory) on postural stability. To do so, three experimental sessions (n=8, young individuals) were conducted, inducing mental fatigue through three different cognitive tasks (including a control task). Tasks were repeated multiple times per session while assessing participants' static postural balance. Spinal motoneuron excitability was also evaluated via the H-reflex recruitment curve at the beginning and end of each session, which slope is negatively associated with postural stability. The level of fatigue induced by the three tasks increased with task repetition. When postural control was assessed during cognitive task performance, greater postural instability was observed as repetitions progressed, accompanied by a decrease in the maximal H-reflex amplitude. However, these effects were independent of the type of cognitive task inducing fatigue. Our results suggest significant prefrontal control over human postural regulation.

Direction
Arias Rodríguez, Pablo (Tutorships)
Rivadulla Fernández, Juan Casto (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Pombal Diego, Manuel Ángel (Chairman)
Covelo Fernández, Ana (Secretary)
Folgueira Otero, Mónica (Member)

Summary
Previous research has demonstrated an interaction between cognitive activity and nociception, showing that performing cognitive tasks decreases pain perception. Furthermore, the presentation of painful stimuli interferes with the performance of such tasks, with both effects reflected in changes in brain electrical activity (EEG). In these studies, cognitive tasks are typically presented on a computer screen while painful stimuli are applied to the hand. This setup makes it impossible to dissociate whether the observed effects are due to attentional drift from the stimulated hand or to other factors such as the cognitive load of the tasks. To separate the effects of attentional drift and cognitive load, we designed wristbands with screens. These wristbands, worn on both wrists, allow participants to perform tasks either ipsilaterally or contralaterally to the hand receiving nociceptive stimulation. In the experimental session, we recorded EEG during the application of a temporal summation of second pain (TSSP) paradigm, which consisted of presenting series of 12 nociceptive thermal stimuli. Simultaneously, participants performed two n-back working memory tasks: 0-back (low cognitive load) and 2-back (high cognitive load). The sample consisted of 21 healthy university students (aged 18 to 29 years). We evaluated the magnitude of TSSP and the event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with the cognitive tasks for each condition. Additionally, we used self-reported scales related to anticipatory anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Analyses indicated that TSSP was not significantly affected by the level of cognitive load or attentional drift, nor by the interaction between these factors. However, the amplitude of the N2 and P3 components in response to the visual stimuli used in the cognitive task increased with cognitive load (2-back mayor 0-back) and with attentional drift (contralateral mayor ipsilateral). These results suggest that attention to nociceptive stimuli draws processing resources away from cognitive task performance, while also highlighting the complexity of the interaction between nociceptive and cognitive processes.

Direction
Carrillo De la Peña, María Teresa (Tutorships)
Gil Ugidos, Antonio (Co-tutorships)

Court
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Coordinator)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Chairman)
CESPON GONZALEZ, JESUS (Secretary)
VICENTE ALBA, FRANCISCO JAVIER (Member)

Summary
This study analyzed the abundance and diversity patterns of the demersal species community along the northwest coast of Galicia, linking them with environmental, temporal, and spatial factors. Data from the Cigala Sentinel Campaigns conducted between 2017 and 2022 were used, covering a bathymetric range between 111 and 530 m. Abundance analyses were performed for the entire community and separately for each of the described taxonomic groups: osteichthyes, chondrichthyes, crustaceans, cephalopods, echinoderms, and others. All groups showed a significant relationship with depth, but no effect was observed for the entire community as a whole. Over the time series, a significant increase in general abundance and by group was detected, although methodological limitations should be considered when interpreting the results. The fishing area El Fondón and the northern part of Cape Finisterre recorded the highest diversity points in our study, with the latter being an area characterized by strong upwellings that result in high primary productivity.

Direction
DOMINGUEZ CONDE, JESUS (Tutorships)
Otero Villar, Jaime (Co-tutorships)
González Herraiz, Isabel (Co-tutorships)

Court
BESTEIRO RODRIGUEZ, MARIA CELIA (Chairman)
BALBOA MENDEZ, SABELA (Secretary)
Rodriguez Diaz, Miguel Angel (Member)