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Careddu G, Botti M, Cristofaro M, Sporta Caputi S, Calizza E, Rossi L, Costantini ML. The Feeding Behaviour of Gall Midge Larvae and Its Implications for Biocontrol of the Giant Reed: Insights from Stable Isotope Analysis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121805. [PMID: 36552314 PMCID: PMC9775122 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The gall midge Lasioptera donacis, whose larval stage interferes with the reed's leaf development, is a potential candidate agent for the biological control of Arundo donax. Reed infestation is always associated with the presence of a saprophytic fungus, Arthrinium arundinis, which is believed to provide food for the larvae. Larvae also interact with a parasitic nematode, Tripius gyraloura, which can be considered its natural enemy. To deepen our knowledge of the plant-fungus-insect trophic interactions and to understand the effects of the nematode on midge larval feeding behaviour, we applied stable isotope analysis, one of the most effective methods for investigating animal feeding preferences in various contexts. The results showed that on average the fungus accounted for 65% of the diet of the midge larvae, which however consumed the reed and the fungus in variable proportions depending on reed quality (expressed as the C:N ratio). No differences in feeding behaviour were observed between parasitised and non-parasitised midge larvae, indicating that nematodes have no effect in this regard. Due to its trophic habits, L. donacis could be an effective control agent of A. donax and these results need to be considered when implementing biological control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Careddu
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcovalerio Botti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sporta Caputi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196 Rome, Italy
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Casella N, Careddu G, Calizza E, Sporta Caputi S, Rossi L, Belluscio A, Ardizzone G, Calcagnile L, Quarta G, D'Elia M, Costantini ML. Increasing nutrient inputs over the last 500 years in an Italian low-impacted seagrass meadow. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113298. [PMID: 34995890 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean and it has been widely used as a bioindicator. We studied the layers of a 500-year-old matte using a multiproxy approach (δ13C, δ15N, 14C and C and N concentrations in seagrass debris) in order to evaluate the potential of P. oceanica as a long-term environmental indicator of N pollution and CO2 emissions. From 1581 to 1800, accumulation rate was ca. 0.35 cm year-1, while in the last 100 years it has amounted to ca. 0.51 cm year-1. We observed increasing δ15N values with height in the vertical matte profile, indicating an increase in anthropogenic organic N inputs over time. In contrast, no clear trend in the δ13C values was observed. This study reconstructs the long-term impact of human activities on a seagrass meadow located off the Italian coast, yielding long-term background information that can help managers to implement efficient plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Casella
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Careddu
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy.
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sporta Caputi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Belluscio
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lucio Calcagnile
- CEDAD (CEnter of Applied Physics, DAting and Diagnostics), Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Gianluca Quarta
- CEDAD (CEnter of Applied Physics, DAting and Diagnostics), Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marisa D'Elia
- CEDAD (CEnter of Applied Physics, DAting and Diagnostics), Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy
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Careddu G, Ciucci P, Mondovì S, Calizza E, Rossi L, Costantini ML. Gaining insight into the assimilated diet of small bear populations by stable isotope analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14118. [PMID: 34238974 PMCID: PMC8266819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93507-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus) survive in an isolated and critically endangered population, and their food habits have been studied using traditional scat analysis. To complement current dietary knowledge, we applied Stable Isotope Analysis (SIA) to non-invasively collected bear hairs that had been individually recognized through multilocus genotyping. We analysed carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes of hair sections and bear key foods in a Bayesian mixing models framework to reconstruct the assimilated diet on a seasonal basis and to assess gender and management status effects. In total, we analysed 34 different seasonal bear key foods and 35 hair samples belonging to 27 different bears (16 females and 11 males) collected during a population survey in 2014. Most bears showed wide δ15N and δ13C ranges and individual differences in seasonal isotopic patterns. Vegetable matter (herbs, fleshy fruits and hard mast) represented the major component of the assimilated diet across the dietary seasons, whereas vegetable crops were rarely and C4 plants (i.e., corn) never consumed. We confirmed an overall low consumption of large mammals by Apennine bears consistently between sexes, with highest values in spring followed by early summer but null in the other seasons. We also confirmed that consumption of fleshy fruits peaked in late summer, when wild predominated over cultivated fleshy fruits, even though the latter tended to be consumed in higher proportion in autumn. Male bears had higher δ 15N values than females in spring and autumn. Our findings also hint at additional differences in the assimilated diet between sexes, with females likely consuming more herbs during spring, ants during early summer, and hard mast during fall compared to males. In addition, although effect sizes were small and credibility intervals overlapped considerably, management bears on average were 0.9‰ lower in δ 13C and 2.9‰ higher in δ 15N compared to non-management bears, with differences in isotopic values between the two bear categories peaking in autumn. While non-management bears consumed more herbs, wild fleshy fruits, and hard mast, management bears tended to consume higher proportions of cultivated fruits, ants, and large mammals, possibly including livestock. Although multi-year sampling and larger sample sizes are needed to support our findings, our application confirms that SIA can effectively integrate previous knowledge and be efficiently conducted using samples non-invasively collected during population surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Careddu
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Stella Mondovì
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Shokri M, Cozzoli F, Ciotti M, Gjoni V, Marrocco V, Vignes F, Basset A. A new approach to assessing the space use behavior of macroinvertebrates by automated video tracking. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:3004-3014. [PMID: 33841762 PMCID: PMC8019041 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual space and resource use are central issues in ecology and conservation. Recent technological advances such as automated tracking techniques are boosting ecological research in this field. However, the development of a robust method to track space and resource use is still challenging for at least one important ecosystem component: motile aquatic macroinvertebrates. The challenges are mostly related to the small body size and rapid movement of many macroinvertebrate species and to light scattering and wave signal interference in aquatic habitats.We developed a video tracking method designed to reliably assess space use behavior among individual aquatic macroinvertebrates under laboratory (microcosm) conditions. The approach involves the use of experimental apparatus integrating a near infrared backlight source, a Plexiglas multi-patch maze, multiple infrared cameras, and automated video analysis. It allows detection of the position of fast-moving (~ 3 cm/s) and translucent individuals of small size (~ 5 mm in length, ~1 mg in dry weight) on simulated resource patches distributed over an experimental microcosm (0.08 m2).To illustrate the adequacy of the proposed method, we present a case study regarding the size dependency of space use behavior in the model organism Gammarus insensibilis, focusing on individual patch selection, giving-up times, and cumulative space used.In the case study, primary data were collected on individual body size and individual locomotory behavior, for example, mean speed, acceleration, and step length. Individual entrance and departure times were recorded for each simulated resource patch in the experimental maze. Individual giving-up times were found to be characterized by negative size dependency, with patch departure occurring sooner in larger individuals than smaller ones, and individual cumulative space used (treated as the overall surface area of resource patches that individuals visited) was found to scale positively with body size.This approach to studying space use behavior can deepen our understanding of species coexistence, yielding insights into mechanistic models on larger spatial scales, for example, home range, with implications for ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as for the management and conservation of populations and ecosystems. Despite being specifically developed for aquatic macroinvertebrates, this method can also be applied to other small aquatic organisms such as juvenile fish and amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Shokri
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
| | - Francesco Cozzoli
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) ‐ National Research Council of Italy (CNR) via SalariaRomaItaly
| | - Mario Ciotti
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
| | - Vojsava Gjoni
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
| | - Vanessa Marrocco
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
| | - Fabio Vignes
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
| | - Alberto Basset
- Laboratory of EcologyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversity of the SalentoLecceItaly
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Irandoost F, Agah H, Rossi L, Calizza E, Careddu G, Costantini ML. Stable isotope ratios (δ 13C and δ 15N) and heavy metal levels in macroalgae, sediment, and benthos from the northern parts of Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 163:111909. [PMID: 33486406 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this investigation, δ13C and δ15N isotope ratios and heavy metal levels were assessed in macroalgae, sediment samples, and benthic species from northern parts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The highest δ15N values in algal samples (11±0.42), indicative of anthropogenic organic N inputs, were detected in the Sadaf region, whereas the lowest values (3.17 ± 0.12), indicative of anthropogenic inorganic inputs, were detected in the Parvaz region. In addition to sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), contamination factors (CF), enrichment factors (EF), contamination degree (CD), pollution load index (PLI), geo accumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were employed to assess the anthropogenic influence on sediment quality and to describe the sensitivity of the biota to toxic heavy metals. The obtained results demonstrate that the analyzed elements (Mn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, and V) had no ecological risk in the sampling area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Irandoost
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Homira Agah
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), No. 3, Etemadzadeh St., Fatemi Ave., 1411813389 Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Careddu
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Calizza E, Favero F, Rossi D, Careddu G, Fiorentino F, Sporta Caputi S, Rossi L, Costantini ML. Isotopic biomonitoring of N pollution in rivers embedded in complex human landscapes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 706:136081. [PMID: 31862596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic and hierarchical structure of rivers, together with disruption of the natural river continuum by human activities, makes it difficult to identify and locate sources of nutrient pollution affecting receiving waters and observe its dispersion, thus impairing monitoring efforts. The identification of reliable indicators of anthropogenic nitrogen inputs in catchments is therefore key to achieving effective management of polluted rivers. We tested the capacity of N isotopic signatures (δ15N) of epilithon and snails to provide useful indications of organic and inorganic anthropogenic N inputs in three Mediterranean rivers differing in terms of surrounding land use and physicochemical conditions. We used a combined approach based on (i) analysis of nutrient concentrations in water, (ii) CORINE land cover classification and drainage patterns in catchments and (iii) isotopic analysis of river biota to verify whether isotopic variations were indicative of anthropic activities in the watershed, the associated alteration of water quality, and the consequent impact on snail abundance and diversity. Variation in the δ15N of epilithon within and between rivers reflected localised and diffuse N inputs from inorganic and organic sources. Negative epilithon δ15N values (<0‰) indicated inorganic pollution from agriculture. Values between 4‰ and 8‰ and those above 8‰ respectively indicated moderate organic pollution from urban areas, and high organic pollution, mostly from waste waters. The diversity and abundance of snails decreased with increasing water pollution. While their isotopic variations reflected between-river differences, they failed to indicate within-river variations in anthropogenic N inputs, since the proportion of epilithon in their diet varied along the rivers. Concluding, epilithon was a reliable indicator of anthropogenic N sources across a wide range of nutrient concentrations and anthropogenic inputs, and the proposed approach allowed us to determine the nature of nitrogen pollutants, their sources, location and dispersion along rivers embedded in complex human landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - F Favero
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - D Rossi
- CNR-Water Research Institute, Research Area RM1, via Salaria km 29.300 C.P.10, 00015 Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - G Careddu
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - F Fiorentino
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - S Sporta Caputi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Rossi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - M L Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
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Pasquali V, Calizza E, Setini A, Hazlerigg D, Christoffersen KS. Preliminary observations on the effect of light and temperature on the hatching success and rate of Lepidurus arcticus eggs. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2019.1609093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Pasquali
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Setini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 1, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - David Hazlerigg
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen
- Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Department of Biology, University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
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Signa G, Calizza E, Costantini ML, Tramati C, Sporta Caputi S, Mazzola A, Rossi L, Vizzini S. Horizontal and vertical food web structure drives trace element trophic transfer in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:772-781. [PMID: 30623833 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite a vast amount of literature has focused on trace element (TE) contamination in Antarctica during the last decades, the assessment of the main pathways driving TE transfer to the biota is still an overlooked issue. This limits the ability to predict how variations in sea-ice dynamics and productivity due to climate change will affect TE allocation in the food web. Here, food web structure of Tethys Bay (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica) was first characterised by analysing carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) in organic matter sources (sediment and planktonic, benthic and sympagic primary producers) and consumers (zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish and birds). Diet and trophic position were also characterised using Bayesian mixing models. Then, relationships between stable isotopes, diet and TEs (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and V) were assessed in order to evaluate if and how horizontal (organic matter pathways) and vertical (trophic position) food web features influence TE transfer to the biota. Regressions between log[TE] and δ13C revealed that the sympagic pathway drives accumulation of V in primary consumers and Cd and Hg in secondary consumers, and that a coupled benthic/pelagic pathway drives Pb transfer to all consumers. Regressions between log[TE] and δ15N showed that only Hg biomagnifies across trophic levels, while all the others TEs showed a biodilution pattern, consistent with patterns observed in temperate food webs. Although the Cd behavior needs further investigations, the present findings provide new insights about the role of basal sources in the transfer of TEs in polar systems. This is especially important nowadays in light of the forecasted trophic changes potentially resulting from climate change-induced modification of sea-ice dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldina Signa
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Tramati
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Sporta Caputi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzola
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Loreto Rossi
- CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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The present state of Lake Bracciano: hope and despair. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-018-0733-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Orlandi L, Calizza E, Careddu G, Carlino P, Costantini ML, Rossi L. The effects of nitrogen pollutants on the isotopic signal (δ 15N) of Ulva lactuca: Microcosm experiments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 115:429-435. [PMID: 28027782 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Effects of two chemical forms of Nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-) on δ15N in Ulva lactuca were analysed separately and in mixture at two concentrations. We assessed whether the δ15N values of U. lactuca discriminate between Nitrogen from synthetic fertilisers (inorganic) and from fresh cow manure (organic), and the isotopic ability of the macroalga to reflect Nitrogen concentrations. Isotopic signature and N content of the macroalga reflected different nitrogenous sources and their concentrations after 48h. The inorganic Nitrogen source (NH4NO3) altered the isotopic values of the macroalgae more than Nitrogen from fresh cow manure (NO3-). δ15N values observed in the mixed solution did not differ from those displayed in NH4NO3 treatment alone. We conclude that stable isotope analysis of U. lactuca collected in an unpolluted site and experimentally submerged in sites suspected of being affected by disturbance is a useful tool for rapid monitoring of anthropogenic discharges of Nitrogen pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Orlandi
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Careddu
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Carlino
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy.
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; CoNISMa - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
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11
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Calizza E, Costantini ML, Rossi D, Pasquali V, Careddu G, Rossi L. Stable isotopes and digital elevation models to study nutrient inputs in high-arctic lakes. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-016-0515-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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12
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Rossi L, di Lascio A, Carlino P, Calizza E, Costantini ML. Predator and detritivore niche width helps to explain biocomplexity of experimental detritus-based food webs in four aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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