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The European Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species entered into force in 2015, with the aim to fulfill regional and international biodiversity goals in a concerted manner. To date, the Regulation listed 66 Invasive Alien Species (IAS) that are subject to legal controls. Only one of these is marine. A recent lionfish (Pterois miles) invasion has been closely monitored in the Mediterranean and a detailed risk assessment was made about the profound impacts that this invasive fish is likely to have on the fisheries and biodiversity of the region. In 2016–21, lionfish rapidly became dominant predators along Eastern Mediterranean coasts, yet the process for their inclusion on the EU IAS list has been lengthy and is ongoing. There is an urgent need to learn from this experience. Here, we recommend improvements to the Regulation 1143/2014 and the risk assessment process to protect marine ecosystems and secure the jobs of people that rely on coastal resources.

Simple SummaryAnimal personality research is a growing field, since understanding animal personalities has notable implications in ecology and the evolution of animal behaviours. In the current study, we tested different methods described in the literature to obtain robust individual behavioural profiles. Data collected through behavioral observations were categorised into activity budgets, space usage, and social interactions for each individual. In addition, behavioural profile questionnaires were completed by the three zoo keepers who had regular interactions with the bears. The questionnaires included 22 adjectives, which were rated on a scale of 1–12 depending on how well they described each individual bear. The mean ratings of the keepers were used to create the behavioural profiles by adding the adjectives to the appropriate domains, according to the NEO Five Factor Inventory of personality model (NEO-FFI). The data gathered was used to produce behavioural profiles for all animals, in order to clarify the personality characteristics of each subject. Testing and improving existing methodologies to determine animal personality is important for providing optimal welfare and management of captive animals, since it can help to develop more effective management regimes in zoos by remodelling husbandry according to each animal’s personality type.AbstractThree brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) individuals and two sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus) individuals were observed in captivity to produce behavioural profiles for each individual. Data collected through behavioural observations were used to produce activity budgets, and to identify space usage and certain aspects of social behavior. Behaviour monitoring allowed the researchers to evaluate the welfare of the animals by identifying the occurrence of stereotypic behaviours, which are sometimes associated with stress. Behavioural profiles were created using data obtained through behavioural observations (coding) and keeper questionnaires (rating). The behavioural observations indicated a number of stereotypic behaviours in sloth bears but not in brown bears. The uniformity of zone usage was calculated to investigate if the enclosure size and features were adequate for use, and a social aspect of otherwise solitary animals was also identified. The behavioural profiles generated through coding and rating were compared to determine the reliability between these two methods in Ursids. Profiles were not compared between individuals since this study is not a comparison between different personality types but rather an effort (one of the few ones existing in literature) to select a valid and reproducible methodology capable of assessing personality in bears.

BackgroundNatalizumab is highly effective in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, prolonged treatment is associated with increasing risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), with treatment-associated risk up to 1:125 in some patients.MethodsWe audited the use of natalizumab at St George’s Hospital against NICE and NHS England criteria, examining documented reasons for initiation, ongoing monitoring and termination of treatment between 2014–2016.Results19 patients (15F) initiated treatment, 5 of whom later stopped/switched treatment (PML risk (1), continued relapses (1), pregnancy (2), progressive disease (1)). 2/3 patients were re-consented at JCV seroconversion. Only 1/19 patient was informed of stopping criteria prior to treatment initiation. 15/19 patients had treatment duration >3 months, of whom 9/15 had regular Consultant reviews. 12/15 had the presence/absence of relapses and 5/15 had EDSS explicitly documented.ConclusionsAlthough natalizumab is being initiated appropriately, there is inadequate discussion of stopping criteria. Improved documentation is required around disability including EDSS. Potential solutions include clear stopping criteria in patient information leaflets and patient self-monitoring of EDSS. The importance of a full multiple sclerosis team with specialist therapies nurses is highlighted.