Joana
Vasconcelos

Research Stay at SLU Aqua · Öregrund

A new research stay has begun at SLU Aqua in Öregrund, Sweden, where I will be based for two months, from August to October 2026.

I am working alongside Yvette Heimbrand, with plenty of laboratory work, ideas and new developments already underway. This GoPro video offers a small glimpse behind the scenes. New things are on the way!

ISOBAY19

This week, PhD student Javier is participating in ISOBAY19, the 19th International Symposium on Oceanography of the Bay of Biscay, held in Donostia-San Sebastián. He is presenting two poster contributions: one focused on the genetic analysis of Aphanopus spp., and another on the population structure of Trachurus trachurus, the latter developed as part of the Final Degree Project of Marina Shui Fernández.

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Intensive Course in Coastal Ecology

During the first week of June, I joined four ECOAQUA-ULPGC colleagues and professors from the University of the Aegean in Mytilene, Lesvos, to deliver the ERUA-funded intensive course Coastal Ecology and Advanced Strategies for Climate Change Mitigation and Reversibility.

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Global Drivers of Size Variation in Patellid Limpets

Our new paper, Global Drivers of Size Variation in Patellid Limpets and Their Implications for Marine Protection and Conservation, is now available online. The study explores how limpet size varies across broad geographic and environmental contexts, and why these patterns matter for intertidal ecosystems, harvesting pressure and marine conservation.

Sampling Science in Action

Students from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Islands and Sustainability took part in a hands-on laboratory session sampling Trachurus mediterraneus. The activity connected biological sampling with the practical collection of data used to understand fish populations.

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Connecting Fisheries Science with Local Knowledge

On 4 March 2026, students from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Islands and Sustainability visited the Cofradía de Pescadores de Arguineguín as part of the courses Biological, Population and Fish Parameters (51303) and Ecological Modelling and Conservation Strategies (51302). The visit offered a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with the realities of small-scale fisheries, local management, and the role of fishers’ knowledge in building more sustainable island systems. We warmly thank Patrón Mayor Jesús David Vega Medina for welcoming us, and Ricardo Ortega, former Patrón Mayor of the Cofradía de Pescadores de Arguineguín, for the generous reception and guided tour of the facilities.

New Article

Unveiling regional population structure in blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus

New paper: using wavelet-based otolith contour analysis, we found clear regional differentiation in blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) across the NE Atlantic and the NW Mediterranean, with classification rates above 94%. Two main clusters separated African and European populations, and juvenile otoliths closely matched adult morphotypes. These results refine population boundaries and support improved stock identification for sustainable fisheries management.

Congratulations to Juan Carlos

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

On January 21, 2026, my Master’s student Juan Carlos de la Rosa Valdivia successfully defended his thesis titled Deciphering Mollusc Body Shape Adaptations to Varying Hydrodynamic Conditions and Substrate Types, earning an excellent mark of 9.4 out of 10. A very well deserved result that reflects his hard work and dedication throughout the project.

Santander Fellowship

Beca Santander | Ayuda Económica Para Personal Investigador Postdoctoral 2025

I have been awarded a fellowship in the 2025 call of the “Beca Santander | Ayuda Económica Para Personal Investigador Postdoctoral”. This competitive grant will provide financial support for my ongoing postdoctoral research and further strengthen my work in marine and environmental sciences.

Invited Talk

James Cook University · Global Ecology Lab

On 11 November 2025 I was invited by Dr. José Sanabria and the Global Ecology Lab at James Cook University (JCU, Townsville, Australia) to give the seminar “Beyond Boundaries: Body and Otolith Shape as Tracers of Population Structure and Resilience”. The talk explored how body shape and otolith contours can be used as natural tracers of population structure, connectivity and resilience in marine fishes.

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Scientific Stay

IMAS · University of Tasmania

From 27 October to 7 November 2025 I carried out a scientific stay at IMAS, University of Tasmania, working with Dr. Rick Stuart-Smith. Using geometric morphometrics on Reef Life Survey photographs, we explored how reef fish body shape varies across locations, and how these changes may reflect responses to environmental variables.

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Otolith Archives of Change: Ecotype Dynamics and Climate Stress in Baltic Herring and Cod

August T. Larsson Guest Researcher Programme 2025

I have been awarded the August T. Larsson Guest Researcher Programme 2025 to lead “Otolith Archives of Change: Ecotype Dynamics and Climate Stress in Baltic Herring and Cod.” Funding institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Host unit: SLU Aqua. Period: 2026–2028. Funding: 638 844 SEK (~60 000 €).

Dos artículos en Okeanos Nº 18–19

I’m pleased to share two outreach articles co-authored with Rodrigo Riera in the latest double issue of Okeanos – Revista de la Sociedad Atlántica de Oceanógrafos. Both pieces were written within the scope of the LAPACOM project.

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New Publication

Otolith Shape Reveals Hidden Variation in American Shad Populations

Our latest open-access paper, “Phenotypic variation in otolith shape of American shad across eastern North American rivers”, has just been published in Scientific Reports. Analyzing over 1,100 specimens from Canada to Florida, we found distinct otolith morphotypes linked to geography and environment.

Through the Lens: Lyanne’s 30-Year Morphotype Odyssey

Huge congratulations to Lyanne Pierina Ampuero Merino on completing her Individual Research Training Report, “Morphotype Diversity in a Small Pelagic Fish Species Across a Temporal Dataset of 30 Years.”

Work in Progress

Shell Shots in Focus: Juan Carlos’s Phorcus sauciatus Catalogue

Juan Carlos is completing a full photography registry of Phorcus sauciatus shells, setting the stage for a precise geometric morphometric analysis.

New Article with PhD Student Published in PLOS ONE

Wavelet Otolith Magic Unmasks Scabbardfish Secrets

By applying wavelet-based shape analysis to otoliths from 136 specimens (1990–2021), we distinguished Aphanopus carbo and A. intermedius, with implications for sustainable scabbardfish management.

New Article Published in Fisheries Oceanography

Adaptive Reproductive Strategies of Limpets

Our latest study reveals how Patella aspera and P. crenata adapt their reproduction to environmental and harvesting pressures on Gran Canaria's coasts.

New Article with Master’s Student Published in ECSS

Co-authored with my Master's student, this work examines how human-driven changes in the coastline affect shell morphology in limpets (Patella spp.) across Macaronesia.

New Publication

New research co-authored by Joana Vasconcelos reveals that habitat fragmentation significantly alters species diversity and community structure in seagrass meadows, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.

Strengthening Research & Innovation Networks at EXPER Regional Event in Terceira, Azores

On February 18–19, 2025, I participated in the EXPER Regional Event at TERINOV Science Park, Terceira Island, Azores, as part of the EXPER project.

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Application of Shape Analysis for Identifying Pelagic Fish Stocks

My latest scientific article, “Application of Shape Analysis for the Identification of Pelagic Fish Stocks,” has been published in Hydrobiologia.

Scientific Stay in Madeira

From January 13th to 17th, I had the pleasure of conducting a research stay in Madeira, Portugal. This stay provided an opportunity to advance one of my current research projects.

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Twenty Years of AFORO in Otolith Research

I’m excited to announce the publication of “Twenty Years of AFORO: New Developments and Connections Enhancing Otolith Research” in Fisheries Research.

Collaborating Across Borders: Research in Doha, Qatar

Since October 30, I have been working in Doha, Qatar, as part of an Erasmus+ fellowship, collaborating with Dr. Pedro Range from Qatar University.

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Choosing Wavelet Methods for Otolith Contour Studies

The article presents a comparative analysis of wavelet-based methods for identifying populations and phenotypes, contrasting the shapeR package with the AFORO methodology.

Rising Temperatures, Falling Fisheries

Causes and Consequences of Crossing the Tipping Point in a Small-Pelagic Community

This study addresses the impacts of global climate change on marine species, communities and ecosystems, with particular focus on small pelagic fish.

Phenotypic Response of a Geographically Expanding Species, Scomber colias

The study explores how Atlantic chub mackerel otolith shape reveals insights into the phenotypic response of this geographically expanding species.

Poster Presented at the IX International Symposium on Marine Science

Valencia, Spain

Dr. Vasconcelos presented a poster on phenotypic plasticity in the otolith contour of blackbelly rosefish, Helicolenus dactylopterus, in response to environmental factors.

Congratulations to Olivia Martínez Ruiz

Universidade da Coruña, Spain

On June 28, 2024, my master's student Olivia Martínez successfully defended her final master's thesis on “Unravelling the key environmental drivers in the limpets of a highly anthropogenised region” with distinction, earning a score of 9.8 out of 10.

Trip to Cape Verde with Master's Students

We took our international students from the Erasmus Mundus Master's Program in Islands and Sustainability to camp at Ervatão in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, where they helped monitor sea turtles alongside Cabo Verde Natura 2000.

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LAPACOM in the Local Radio

Our LAPACOM project, funded by FCT, was highlighted on a local radio station in the Canary Islands. Dr. Rodrigo Riera discussed “The Survival of the Lapa, a Small Giant of the Sea” on the Explora Podcast.

SLU Aqua's Newsletter

Erasmus+ at the Institute of Coastal Research

I'm at SLU Aqua's newsletter! Two weeks later and I've captured 700 otolith photos, with one more week to go.

Erasmus+ at the Institute of Coastal Research (Kustlaboratoriet)

SLU Aqua · Öregrund, Sweden

I am participating in a three-week scientific research project at the Institute of Coastal Research within SLU Aqua as part of an Erasmus+ fellowship, focusing on Baltic cod otolith shape.

American Shad Project

Since my research visit in November 2023 at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, under the guidance of Dr. Karin Limburg, I've been working on our project on the American Shad, Alosa sapidissima.

Updates on Pablo's Histological Method for Assessing Limpet Fecundity

The photographic documentation, oocyte counts and measurements from Pablo's thesis project are progressing smoothly.

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LAPACOM in the Local News

Our LAPACOM project funded by FCT featured in the local news in the Canary Islands, Radio Television Canaria.

Update in Our Histological Procedure for Limpet Fecundity Determination

The histological examination of the gonads from Patella aspera and Patella crenata for Pablo's Final Degree Thesis is progressing remarkably well.

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LAPACOM's Promotional Marketing

FCT · EXPL/MAT-APL/0262/2021

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Welcome to Fabiana Rosano

We are delighted to welcome Fabiana Rosano as our new member. During her four-month Erasmus+ Scholarship she will focus on practical work involving otolith contour analysis and geometric morphometrics in species of the genus Trachurus.

Histological Procedure for Limpet Fecundity Determination

We initiated the histological procedure to examine the gonads of Patella aspera and Patella crenata, with the aim of assessing their fecundity.

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Welcome to Rita Santana

We are delighted to welcome Rita Santana as our new member. Her degree work focuses on “Intraspecific variability in otoliths of Helicolenus dactilopterus from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.”

We're Back!

Today, Olivia resumed capturing and sampling limpets for morphometric analysis and histology, while María initiated the process of capturing images of the otoliths collected in recent samplings.

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LAPACOM's Timeline Video and Outputs

FCT · EXPL/MAT-APL/0262/2021

Preparing for Our Final Fish Sampling of the Year

Today we have 22 individuals of the species Trachurus trachurus for body and otolith shape analysis and for histological analysis.

New Image Analysis System

We have just received our new image analysis system, which is essential for analysing otolith contours.

Fish Sampling Day

Today we sampled 39 individuals of the species Trachurus trachurus for body and otolith shape analysis.

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Olivia's Practice Work

Olivia is moving ahead quickly with the practical work for her Master's thesis. She has photographed the shells of Patella aspera and P. crenata.

End of My Erasmus+ at ESF-SUNY

Syracuse, New York

With the assistance of Dr. Karin Limburg in cleaning the otoliths, we concluded this scientific stay by acquiring 1,234 photographs of American Shad otoliths captured from Florida to Canada.

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Erasmus+ at ESF-SUNY

Syracuse, New York

From the 5th to the 14th, Dr. Joana Vasconcelos will be conducting research at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry under the supervision of Dr. Karin Limburg, studying American Shad otolith contours.

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Visit to SLU-Aqua Facilities

Uppsala, Sweden

From the 24th to the 26th, Dr. Joana Vasconcelos visited the SLU-Aqua headquarters in Uppsala to collaborate on a joint project proposal with Dr. Yvette Heimbrand.

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7th International Otolith Symposium

Viña del Mar, Chile

Two posters were presented on the use of wavelets in the study of otolith contours and species identification.

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Another Happy Day at the Lab

Practical Work for Bachelor's Theses

Our days in the labs also have their fun moments, as well as a lot of work, of course.

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External Practicals and Bachelor's Thesis

Student Pablo Jesús Angulo Falcón

Today we welcomed Pablo Jesús Angulo Falcón, a student at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He will be doing his externship and final degree work with supervisor Dr. Joana Vasconcelos.

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External Practicals and Bachelor's Thesis

Student María Cirera Díaz

On September 26th, we initiated laboratory practical work as part of the external practicals and final degree project for María Cirera Díaz.

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External Practicals and Master's Thesis

Student Olivia Martínez Ruiz

On 19 September, we began the practical work in the field and laboratory as part of the external practicals and final Master's work of Olivia Martínez Ruiz.

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Research Master Students at the University of Groningen

University of Groningen Faculty of Spatial Sciences Research Master students, including the ISLANDS MSc, and teaching staff from the consortium universities met in Groningen.

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Presentation at the 1st ISLANDS Conference

Dr. Vasconcelos presented a talk on “The primary sector in touristic islands: the case of artisanal fisheries in Madeira” at the University of Groningen.

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1st ISLANDS Conference

6–7 September 2023 · University of Groningen

Dr. Joana Vasconcelos and Dr. Rodrigo Riera were invited as keynotes to the first ISLANDS Conference.

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Erasmus+ for Training Purposes 2023–2024

Dr. Vasconcelos was granted an Erasmus+ scholarship for training purposes by ULPGC to undertake a scientific visit at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

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New Article in Frontiers in Marine Science

LAPACOM Project · FCT

The paper “Fecundity, an overlooked life-history trait for coastal management of commercial molluscs?” was published online in Frontiers in Marine Science.

New Photos from the 4th LAPACOM Meeting

LAPACOM Project · FCT

LAPACOM Project Workshop at ULPGC

Between May 8th and 12th, the fourth meeting and workshop of the LAPACOM Project took place at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

New Article of the LAPACOM Project

Frontiers in Marine Science

The paper “Fecundity, an overlooked life-history trait for coastal management of commercial molluscs?” was accepted for publication.

3rd Meeting and Workshop of LAPACOM

Between March 27th and 31st, the third meeting and workshop of the LAPACOM Project took place at ULPGC.

Preparing for the 7th International Otolith Symposium

Researchers from BIOCON, IOCAG, IEO-CSIC and ICM-CSIC met at ULPGC to prepare contributions for the 7th International Otolith Symposium.

LAPACOM Project Panel

FCT · EXPL/MAT-APL/0262/2021

First LAPACOM Project Article Published Online

Following task 2 of the LAPACOM project, the first scientific article was published online: “Fecundity strategy of the highly exploited limpet Patella ordinaria from an oceanic archipelago”.

An Experience for Curious Minds

Uma experiência para mentes curiosas

Students of the third year of the Basic Education course at the University of Madeira demonstrated practical Biological Sciences activities to students from Horácio Bento de Gouveia School.

Activity within Animal Physiology

MARE-Madeira

On November 15, an activity on the frequency of cirri beating in Megabalanus azoricus as a function of temperature was organized jointly with MARE-Madeira.

Small Pelagic Fish: New Frontiers in Science and Sustainable Management

Dr. Alba Jurado-Ruzafa presented the poster communication “Using Otolith Phenotipic Variability to Infer Potential Population Differences of Scomber colias in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea” on behalf of all co-authors.

An Experience for Curious Minds

Uma experiência para mentes curiosas

Students of the third year of the Basic Education course at the University of Madeira prepared practical Biological Sciences activities for students of Horácio Bento de Gouveia School.

Field Work · Biosystematics

As part of the Biosystematics subject of the first year of the Biology course at the University of Madeira, students visited the Lota do Funchal to photograph fish species for body-shape analysis.

Field Work · Zoology I

As part of the Zoology I course unit, Dr. Rodrigo Riera gave a short lecture and demonstrated how to sample epifauna from algae.

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Virtual International Sclerochronology Conference

Dr. Vasconcelos presented a lightning talk and poster with preliminary results from an ongoing study on otolith shape analysis to differentiate two externally identical scabbardfish, Aphanopus spp.

LAPACOM Workshop at EAWAG

The second meeting of the LAPACOM project was held at EAWAG in Horw, Lucerne, Switzerland, during August.

IS-AR-FIS International Symposium

Between 6–8 July 2022, Dr. Joana Vasconcelos and Dr. Rodrigo Riera attended the International Symposium on Artisanal and Recreational Fishing in Islands Systems to present preliminary LAPACOM results on limpet fecundity.

Open Call for a Research Grant

BI/EXPL/MAT-APL/0262/2021/2022

Open call for one Research Grant for a student accepted in a master's degree within the LAPACOM project, financed by FCT.

Open Call for a Scientific Initiation Scholarship

BII/LAPACOM/2022

Open call for a Scientific Initiation Scholarship for undergraduate students within the LAPACOM Project, financed by FCT.

A Day in the Life of a Researcher

Horácio Bento de Gouveia School

Scientific outreach lecture within the LAPACOM project at the Horácio Bento de Gouveia School in Funchal, Madeira.

Senior Lectures · LAPACOM Project

A series of lectures were given at the University of Madeira by researchers participating in the LAPACOM project.

1st Kick-off Meeting of the LAPACOM Project

The first LAPACOM kick-off meeting took place between January 24 and 28, 2022 at the University of Madeira, with representatives from the institutions participating in the project.