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Angiolillo M, Di Lorenzo B, Izzi A, Giusti M, Nonnis O, Pazzini A, Trabucco B, Tunesi L. Healthy assemblages of Isidella elongata unintentionally protected from trawling offshore of Asinara Island (northwestern Sardinia, NW Mediterranean Sea). Sci Rep 2024; 14:12813. [PMID: 38834719 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63652-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Deep-sea coral assemblages are marine biodiversity hot spots. Because of their life history traits, deep-sea corals are highly vulnerable to the impacts of human activities such as fishing. The critically endangered "bamboo coral" Isidella elongata is a key structuring species of deep muddy bottoms that is susceptible to habitat destruction, particularly from trawling. A shallow population of this species was recently discovered by a multibeam and ROV survey offshore of the Asinara Island marine protected area (MPA) (northwestern Sardinia, NW Mediterranean Sea). This vulnerable marine assemblage has been found under healthy conditions at depths ranging from 110 to 298 m. Isidella elongata occurs on a muddy seafloor locally characterised by boulders associated with black coral species (Parantipathes larix and Antipathes dichotoma). The lush colonies of I. elongata seem to be related to natural protection from bottom trawling activity; nevertheless, the presence of lost fishing artisanal nets has been observed in the study area. These structuring species are indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and their conservation is essential for preserving marine biodiversity. Therefore, enlarging the perimeter of the Asinara Island MPA into its deeper western waters is suggested to ensure the protection of these valuable and vulnerable marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Angiolillo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - B Di Lorenzo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - A Izzi
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - M Giusti
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - O Nonnis
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - A Pazzini
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - B Trabucco
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - L Tunesi
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144, Rome, Italy
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De la Torriente A, Espinoza-León IM, Valenzuela-Lobos LA, Antolinez A, Serrano A. The southernmost Errina antarctica hydrocoral savannah in Patagonian waters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9579. [PMID: 38671082 PMCID: PMC11053091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60207-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine animal forest (MAF) are animal-dominated megabenthic communities that support high biodiversity levels and play key roles in ecosystem functioning. However, there is limited data available in Patagonian waters related to the presence of these vulnerable benthic communities. We report a monospecific MAF of Errina antartica in Angostura Tomms, which represents the southernmost known living MAF of this species. With coverages reaching up to 28.5% of the substrate from 1.23 m to, at least, 33 m depth is the shallowest stylasterid assemblage described worldwide to date. The size of the colonies ranged from 0.14 to 15.8 cm, with small colonies (< 10 cm) being the most abundant (99%). We hypothesize that this MAF might correspond to a recent colonization of a space, extending its distribution range towards shallower areas or it could be an assemblage formed at the limit of the species' distribution in which the environmental conditions are not optimal for the major development of the colonies. Additionally, results showed that habitats structured by three-dimensional sessile invertebrate such as E. antarctica showed higher values of species richness and alpha diversity than non-biogenic habitats. Analyses were based on 297 photos taken at 22 different sites in the western Strait of Magellan, along vertical transects from 5 to 25 m depth. Our study highlights the importance of the benthic communities existing in Patagonian waters, evidencing the need to act actively to ensure their maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana De la Torriente
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Santander (COST-IEO), CSIC, Promontorio San Martín s/n, 39004, Santander, Spain.
- Fundación Rewilding Chile, Puerto Varas, Chile.
| | | | | | - Ana Antolinez
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Santander (COST-IEO), CSIC, Promontorio San Martín s/n, 39004, Santander, Spain
| | - Alberto Serrano
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Santander (COST-IEO), CSIC, Promontorio San Martín s/n, 39004, Santander, Spain
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3
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Gregorin C, Di Vito M, Roveta C, Pulido Mantas T, Gridelli S, Domenichelli F, Cilenti L, Vega Fernández T, Puce S, Musco L. Reduction of small-prey capture rate and collective predation in the bleached sea anemone Exaiptasiadiaphana. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106435. [PMID: 38467089 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106435] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Cnidarians may dominate benthic communities, as in the case of coral reefs that foster biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services. Polyps may feed by predating mesozooplantkon and large motile prey, but many species further obtain autotrophic nutrients from photosymbiosis. Anthropogenic disturbance, such as the rise of seawater temperature and turbidity, can lead to the loss of symbionts, causing bleaching. Prolonged periods of bleaching can induce mortality events over vast areas. Heterotrophy may allow bleached cnidarians to survive for long periods of time. We tested the reinforcement of heterotrophic feeding of bleached polyps of Exaiptasia diaphana fed with both small zooplantkon and large prey, in order to evaluate if heterotrophy allows this species to compensate the reduction of autotrophy. Conversely to expected, heterotrophy was higher in unbleached polyps (+54% mesozooplankton prey and +11% large prey). The increase of heterotrophic intake may not be always used as a strategy to compensate autotrophic depletion in bleached polyps. Such a resilience strategy might be more species-specific than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Gregorin
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marica Di Vito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Camilla Roveta
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Torcuato Pulido Mantas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano Gridelli
- Cattolica Aquarium, Piazzale Delle Nazioni 1/A, 47841 Cattolica, Italy
| | | | - Lucrezia Cilenti
- National Research Council -National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production (CNR-ISPA), Via Michele Protano, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Tomás Vega Fernández
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefania Puce
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Salento University, Via Lecce - Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina, 61 90133 Palermo, Italy.
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Georges V, Vaz S, Carbonara P, Fabri MC, Fanelli E, Follesa MC, Garofalo G, Gerovasileiou V, Jadaud A, Maiorano P, Marin P, Mytilineou C, Orejas C, Del Mar Otero M, Smith CJ, Thasitis I, Lauria V. Mapping the habitat refugia of Isidella elongata under climate change and trawling impacts to preserve Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6246. [PMID: 38485718 PMCID: PMC10940633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56338-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The bamboo-coral Isidella elongata is a key habitat-forming species in the deep Mediterranean Sea. This alcyonacean is listed as an indicator of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and as Critically Endangered due to bottom trawling impacts. In this work, a modeling approach was used to predict and map the habitat suitability of I. elongata in the Mediterranean Sea under current environmental conditions. Occurrence data were modeled as a function of environmental parameters. Using climate change scenarios and fishing effort data, the risk of climate change and fisheries impacts on habitat suitability were estimated, and climate refugia were identified. A drastic loss of habitat is predicted, and climate change scenarios suggest a loss of 60% of suitable habitats by 2100. In the central Mediterranean, climate refugia overlapped with active fishing grounds. This study represents the first attempt to identify hot spots for the protection of soft bottom Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems for the entire Mediterranean Sea, and highlights areas most at risk from trawling. This work is relevant to the objectives of the EU Marine Strategy Framework and Maritime Spatial Planning Directives, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 regarding priority areas for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Georges
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, CNR IRBIM, Mazara del Vallo, Italy.
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Sète, Ifremer, IRD, France.
| | - Sandrine Vaz
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Sète, Ifremer, IRD, France
| | | | - Marie-Claire Fabri
- Ifremer, Centre de Méditerranée, Département Océanographie Et Dynamique Des Ecosystèmes, 83500, La Seyne Sur Mer, France
| | - Emanuela Fanelli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences - DiSVA, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Germana Garofalo
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, CNR IRBIM, Mazara del Vallo, Italy
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (Ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, NBFC, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vasilis Gerovasileiou
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Environment, Ionian University, 29100, Zakynthos, Greece
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes, Greece
| | | | - Porzia Maiorano
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environnement (DBBA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Chryssi Mytilineou
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes, Greece
| | - Covadonga Orejas
- Instituto Español de Oceanografia, IEO, Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón, Gijón, Spain
| | | | - Chris J Smith
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes, Greece
| | - Ioannis Thasitis
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, 101 Vithleem Street, 2033, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Valentina Lauria
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, CNR IRBIM, Mazara del Vallo, Italy
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (Ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, NBFC, Palermo, Italy
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5
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Godefroid M, Vandendriessche M, Todinanahary GGB, Ransquin I, Dubois P. Thermal sensitivity of black corals (Antipatharia: Hexacorallia): Comparisons between sympatric species from a thermally fluctuating site in Madagascar and between allopatric congenerics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168311. [PMID: 37926267 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168311] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated factors shaping the thermal sensitivity in antipatharians, a taxon whose members form dense aggregations in all oceans, harbouring a high biodiversity. First, we tested the thermal responses of five sympatric species (Antipathes grandis, Cupressopathes abies, Stichopathes cf. maldivensis, Cirrhipathes anguina and Cirrhipathes cf. spiralis) from the Great Reef of Toliara (Madagascar), using an acute ramping methodology. We then compared the thermal performance curves (TPCs) for oxygen consumption of these five species. Results indicated that phylogeny alone does not explain differences in thermal sensitivity (Antipathidae vs. Myriopathidae). On the contrary, morphology (branched vs. unbranched) appeared as a key factor, with unbranched species (S. cf. maldivensis, C. anguina, C. cf. spiralis) being more tolerant to thermal stress than branched ones (A. grandis and C. abies). Several hypothesis could explain these variations in thermal tolerance across morphology, such as tissue thickness, surface/volume ratio or mass-transfer efficiency. Secondly, we compared the TPC of Stichopathes from Madagascar with those previously obtained in congenerics from the Canary Islands and French Polynesia. This revealed a higher thermal tolerance in the two former than in the latter. It is proposed that it is linked to higher annual temperature variability (but not daily variability) in these two sites compared to French Polynesia. It is concluded that thermal sensitivity in antipatharians is linked to their morphology influencing their physiology and to their thermal history. Phylogeny at the family level plays a less important role in explaining differences in thermal sensitivity in antipatharians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Godefroid
- Marine Biology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP160/15, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Mathilde Vandendriessche
- Marine Biology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP160/15, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gildas Georges Boleslas Todinanahary
- Belaza Marine Station, Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, Rue Dr Rabesandratana HD, P.O. Box 141, 601 Toliara, Madagascar
| | - Ignace Ransquin
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place du Levant 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Philippe Dubois
- Marine Biology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP160/15, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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6
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Duncan EM, Vieira N, González-Irusta JM, Dominguez-Carrió C, Morato T, Carreiro-Silva M, Jakobsen J, Jakobsen K, Porteiro F, Schläpfer N, Herrera L, Ramos M, Rodríguez Y, Pereira JM, Fauconnet L, Rodrigues L, Parra H, Pham CK. Predicting the distribution and abundance of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the deep sea of the Azores (North Atlantic). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:166579. [PMID: 37652373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), represents a significant percentage of the global plastic pollution, currently considered one of the major sources from sea-based activities. However, there is still limited understanding of the quantities of ALDFG present on the seafloor and their impacts. In this study, data on the presence of ALDFG was obtained from a large archive of seafloor video footage (351 dives) collected by different imaging platforms in the Azores region over 15 years (2006-2020). Most ALDFG items observed in the images relate to the local bottom longline fishery operating in the region, and include longlines but also anchors, weights, cables and buoys. A generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to predict the distribution and abundance of ALDFG over the seafloor within the limits of the Azores Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using a suite of environmental and anthropogenic variables. We estimated an average of 113 ± 310 items km-2 (597 ± 756 per km-2 above 1000 m depth), which could imply that over 20 million ALDFG items are present on the deep seafloor of the Azores EEZ. The resulting model identified potential hotspots of ALDFG along the seabed, some of them located over sensitive benthic habitats, such as specific seamounts. In addition, the interactions between ALDFG and benthic organisms were also analysed. Numerous entanglements were observed with several species of large anthozoans and sponges. The use of predictive distribution modelling for ALDFG should be regarded as a useful tool to support ecosystem-based management, which can provide indirect information about fishing pressure and allow the identification of potential high-risk areas. Additional knowledge about the sources, amounts, fates and impacts of ALDFG will be key to address the global issue of plastic pollution and the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Duncan
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Nina Vieira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Telmo Morato
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Marina Carreiro-Silva
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | | | - Filipe Porteiro
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Nina Schläpfer
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Laura Herrera
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Manuela Ramos
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Yasmina Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - João M Pereira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Laurence Fauconnet
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Luís Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Hugo Parra
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Christopher K Pham
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal.
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Bilan M, Gori A, Grinyó J, Biel-Cabanelas M, Puigcerver-Segarra X, Santín A, Piraino S, Rossi S, Puig P. Vulnerability of six cold-water corals to sediment resuspension from bottom trawling fishing. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115423. [PMID: 37862847 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115423] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Bottom trawling can significantly affect benthic communities, directly through immediate removal of sessile organisms and indirectly through sediment resuspension. Submarine canyons, often surrounded by fishing grounds, are important habitats for cold-water corals (CWC). Vulnerability of CWCs to increased suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is key to understanding the severity of bottom trawling effects on those communities. Here we show survival, growth, and physiological response of six CWCs from a Mediterranean submarine canyon (Dendrophyllia cornigera, Desmophyllum dianthus, Desmophyllum pertusum, Madrepora oculata, Leiopathes glaberrima and Muriceides lepida), exposed to a long-term, aquarium-based sedimentary disturbance experiment. Compared to cup coral and octocoral, which did not exhibit symptoms of distress, our data indicate that colonial scleractinian corals and black coral, which experienced substantial polyp mortality in enhanced SSC treatments, are more vulnerable. Indirect impact of bottom trawling could thus contribute to structural simplification of CWC communities posing an additional stressor alongside with global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Bilan
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Andrea Gori
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Grinyó
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 53, 1790, AB, Den Burg, the Netherlands
| | - Marina Biel-Cabanelas
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xènia Puigcerver-Segarra
- Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreu Santín
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma 00196, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Università del Salento, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy; CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Roma 00196, Italy; Instituto de Ciências do Mar, LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
| | - Pere Puig
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Angiolillo M, Fortibuoni T, Di Lorenzo B, Tunesi L. First baseline assessment of seafloor litter on Italian coralligenous assemblages (Mediterranean Sea) in accordance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114597. [PMID: 36642002 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A monitoring programme for coralligenous assemblages was carried out in Italy for implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), aiming to characterise the coralligenous' environmental status and litter distribution. A standardised monitoring protocol, based on ROV-imaging, has been applied; this paper analyses the data obtained during the first MSFD cycle (2015-2019). Ninety-five areas were monitored at depths ranging between 14 and 199 m in the three subregions bordering Italy. Overall, 4316 macrolitter items were recorded. The median litter density was 2 items 100 m-2 (range: 0-120 items 100 m-2), but significant subregional differences emerged in litter quantities and composition. Fishery-related litter (mainly lines and ropes) was the most common type (86 %), affecting vulnerable coralligenous reefs. A first baseline is proposed for assessing achievement toward Good Environmental Status and evaluation of the efficacy of the Italian MSFD measures aiming to eliminate the negative effects of marine litter on vulnerable reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Angiolillo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Rome, Italy.
| | - Tomaso Fortibuoni
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - Bianca Di Lorenzo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Tunesi
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Rome, Italy
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9
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Low vulnerability of the Mediterranean antipatharian Antipathella subpinnata (Ellis & Solander, 1786) to ocean warming. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Food from the Depths of the Mediterranean: The Role of Habitats, Changes in the Sea-Bottom Temperature and Fishing Pressure. Foods 2022; 11:foods11101420. [PMID: 35626990 PMCID: PMC9142132 DOI: 10.3390/foods11101420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of the “Innovations in the Food System: Exploring the Future of Food” Special Issue, this paper briefly reviews studies that highlight a link between deep-sea fishery resources (deep-sea food resources) and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME), species, and habitats in the Mediterranean Sea, providing new insights into changes in commercial and experimental catches of the deep-sea fishery resources in the central Mediterranean over the last 30 years. About 40% of the total landing of Mediterranean deep-water species is caught in the central basin. Significant changes in the abundance of some of these resources with time, sea-bottom temperature (SBT), and fishing effort (FE) have been detected, as well as an effect of the Santa Maria di Leuca cold-water coral province on the abundance of the deep-sea commercial crustaceans and fishes. The implications of these findings and the presence of several geomorphological features, sensitive habitats, and VMEs in the central Mediterranean are discussed with respect to the objectives of biodiversity conservation combined with those of management of fishery resources.
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Environmental Status and Geomorphological Characterisation of Seven Black Coral Forests on the Sardinian Continental Shelf (NW Mediterranean Sea). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050732. [PMID: 35625460 PMCID: PMC9138414 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Black coral forests are three-dimensional components of the marine mesophotic benthic community that play a crucial role in the benthic–pelagic processes, enhancing substrate complexity and creating numerous ecological niches and biodiversity hotspots. The increase of natural and human pressures on these forests is decimating their sophisticated architecture, leading to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. This study assessed the environmental status of seven black coral forests dwelling in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea using the Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status Index. Our results showed how site-specific ecological conditions associated with different geomorphological settings can determine the variability of the environmental status among these habitats. Overall, most of the black coral forests investigated showed a “high” and “good” status; however, in two sites, a degraded benthic community and a marked anthropogenic impact determined a “moderate” and “poor” environmental status, highlighting the fragility of these communities to anthropogenic stressors, even in an area of low urbanisation, such as a Sardinian island. The scenario obtained by this study, combined with a more complete understanding of the processes that drive benthic communities’ dynamics, would facilitate the evaluation of potential measures for the appropriate management of human activities and the general conservation of mesophotic coral forests. Abstract Marine animal forests are key mesophotic ecosystems that are under threat from increasing natural and human pressures. Despite the fact that various international agreements strive to preserve these fragile ecosystems, the environmental status of the majority of these animal-structured environments is unknown. Assessing their environmental status is the first step needed to monitor these essential habitats’ health over time and include them within conservation and protection frameworks, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Based on Multibeam data and ROV footage, we characterized the geomorphological setting and evaluated the environmental status of seven black coral forests in the centre of the Western Mediterranean Sea, using the Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status (MACS) Index. The presence of two antipatharians, Antipathella subpinnata and Leiopathes glaberrima, characterized the seven investigated sites, dwelling on rocky substrate characterized by different environmental drivers (i.e., depth, slope of the substrate, terrain ruggedness, topographic positioning index, and aspect). From the combined evaluation of the associated benthic community status and the anthropogenic impacts affecting it, a “high” and “good” environmental status was assessed for five out of the seven studied black forests, with only two forests classified as having a “moderate” and “poor” status, respectively. Overall, our study showed a site-specific variability of mesophotic black coral forest status, explained by different biological community structures and environmental conditions mainly associated with morphological and anthropogenic factors.
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Lauria V, Massi D, Fiorentino F, Milisenda G, Cillari T. Habitat suitability mapping of the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima to support conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15661. [PMID: 34341451 PMCID: PMC8329192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95256-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The black coral Leiopathes glaberrima is an important habitat forming species that supports benthic biodiversity. Due to its high sensitivity to fishing activities, it has been classified as indicator of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). However, the information on its habitat selection and large-scale spatial distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is poor. In this study a thorough literature review on the occurrence of L. glaberrima across the Mediterranean Sea was undertaken. Predictive modelling was carried out to produce the first continuous map of L. glaberrima suitable habitat in the central sector of the Mediterranean Sea. MaxEnt modeling was used to predict L. glaberrima probability of presence as a function of seven environmental predictors (bathymetry, slope, aspect North-South and East-West, kinetic energy due to currents at the seabed, seabed habitat types and sea bottom temperature). Our results show that bathymetry, slope and aspect are the most important factors driving L. glaberrima spatial distribution, while in less extent the other environmental variables. This study adds relevant information on the spatial distribution of vulnerable deep water corals in relation to the environmental factors in the Mediterranean Sea. It provides an important background for marine spatial planning especially for prioritizing areas for the conservation of VMEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lauria
- IRBIM - Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council CNR (CNR), Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy.
| | - D Massi
- IRBIM - Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council CNR (CNR), Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy
| | - F Fiorentino
- IRBIM - Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council CNR (CNR), Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy
| | - G Milisenda
- Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo Complesso Roosevelt, 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - T Cillari
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo Complesso Roosevelt, 90149, Palermo, Italy
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Polychaete Diversity Related to Different Mesophotic Bioconstructions along the Southeastern Italian Coast. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13060239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the different mesophotic bioconstructions recently found along the Southeastern Italian coast, polychaetes have been proved to show high species richness and diversity, hitherto never investigated. In the present study, the species composition and functional role of polychaete assemblages were analysed; the updated key to identification of the Mediterranean species of genus Eunice was presented and some taxonomic issues were also discussed. On the total of 70 species Serpulidae and Eunicida were the dominant polychaetes. Facing similar levels of α-diversity, the polychaete assemblages showed a high turnover of species along the north-south gradient, clearly according to the current circulation pattern, as well as to the different bioconstructors as biological determinants. Indeed, Serpulidae were dominant on the mesophotic bioconstructions primarily formed by the deep-sea oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, while the Eunicida prevailed on the mesophotic bioconstructions mainly built by scleractinians. Lastly, the record of Eunice dubitata was the first for the Mediterranean and Italian fauna and proved this species to be characteristic of mesophotic bioconstructions.
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Size/Age Models for Monitoring of the Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea) and a Case Study Application. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8110951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa is a habitat-forming octocoral living in the East Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea where, under proper circumstances, it can form large populations known as coral forests. Although these coral forests represent vulnerable marine ecosystems of great importance, these habitats are still poorly known, and their monitoring is almost non-existent to date. For this reason, we compared two different models to infer the age of E. verrucosa based on nondestructive measurements of the colonies’ size, in order to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the existing tools for a potential application in long-term monitoring. We also applied the two models on a case-study population recently found in the northwest Mediterranean Sea. Our results showed which model was more reliable from a biological point of view, considering both its structure and the results obtained on the case study. However, this model uses solely the height of the colonies as proxy to infer the age, while the total branch fan surface area could represent a more appropriate biometric parameter to monitor the size and the growth of E. verrucosa.
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Lee BY, Richer De Forges B, Ng PKL. Revision of the deep-water spider crab genus, Scyramathia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880, with the description of a new species from the Mediterranean and notes on Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, and Anamathia Smith, 1885 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Epialtidae). ZOOSYST EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.48041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The taxonomy of the deep-water spider crabs of the genus Scyramathia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880, is revised and four extant species are recognised from the Atlantic and western Indian Ocean: S. carpenteri (Norman, in Thomson 1873) (type species), S. umbonata (Stimpson, 1871), S. hertwigi Doflein, in Chun 1900, and S. tenuipessp. nov.Scyramathia tenuipessp. nov. from the Mediterreanean is easily distinguished from its congeners by its slender and elongate ambulatory legs. All species are diagnosed and figured. The taxonomy of two allied genera from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, and Anamathia Smith, 1885, are also treated and their type species redescribed and figured.
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Assessment of Marine Litter in the Coralligenous Habitat of a Marine Protected Area along the Ionian Coast of Sicily (Central Mediterranean). JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8090656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean Sea, the coralligenous is an extremely important habitat for its biodiversity and role in carbon sequestration. However, coralligenous biocenosis is sensitive to many anthropogenic impacts, among which one of the major threats is the marine litter. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the marine litter present in the coralligenous habitat of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Isole Ciclopi (Sicily, Italy). Through the analysis of frames obtained by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) videos, data on the type of marine litter, grade of organisms’ coverage, litter-organism interactions, and seabed coverage of items were gained. Through ROV surveys, a low number of marine litter items was observed and most of them were fishing gears. On the found items there was a high degree of organisms’ coverage, which suggests that probably the marine litter was abandoned or lost since a long time. Overall, it was observed that in recent years the fishing activity in the MPA has not affected the coralligenous habitat. The present study represents a baseline for future monitoring programmes, which will be useful to develop protection measures and sustainable fishing, in order to preserve the coralligenous habitat of the MPA.
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Nowacki K, Stępniak I, Langer E, Tsurkan M, Wysokowski M, Petrenko I, Khrunyk Y, Fursov A, Bo M, Bavestrello G, Joseph Y, Ehrlich H. Electrochemical Approach for Isolation of Chitin from the Skeleton of the Black Coral Cirrhipathes sp. (Antipatharia). Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18060297. [PMID: 32498448 PMCID: PMC7344944 DOI: 10.3390/md18060297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel and effective methods for the isolation of chitin, which remains one of the fundamental aminopolysaccharides within skeletal structures of diverse marine invertebrates, is still relevant. In contrast to numerous studies on chitin extraction from crustaceans, mollusks and sponges, there are only a few reports concerning its isolation from corals, and especially black corals (Antipatharia). In this work, we report the stepwise isolation and identification of chitin from Cirrhipathes sp. (Antipatharia, Antipathidae) for the first time. The proposed method, aiming at the extraction of the chitinous scaffold from the skeleton of black coral species, combined a well-known chemical treatment with in situ electrolysis, using a concentrated Na2SO4 aqueous solution as the electrolyte. This novel method allows the isolation of α-chitin in the form of a microporous membrane-like material. Moreover, the extracted chitinous scaffold, with a well-preserved, unique pore distribution, has been extracted in an astoundingly short time (12 h) compared to the earlier reported attempts at chitin isolation from Antipatharia corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Nowacki
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Berdychowo 4, 60965 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.N.); (I.S.); ; (H.E.)
| | - Izabela Stępniak
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Berdychowo 4, 60965 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.N.); (I.S.); ; (H.E.)
| | - Enrico Langer
- Institute of Semiconductors and Microsystems, TU Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Mikhail Tsurkan
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Marcin Wysokowski
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60965 Poznan, Poland;
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner str. 3, 09599 Freiberg, Germany; (I.P.); (A.F.); (Y.J.)
| | - Iaroslav Petrenko
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner str. 3, 09599 Freiberg, Germany; (I.P.); (A.F.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yuliya Khrunyk
- Department of Heat Treatment and Physics of Metal, Ural Federal University, Mira Str. 19, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia;
- The Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Akademicheskaya Str. 20, Ekaterinburg 620990, Russia
| | - Andriy Fursov
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner str. 3, 09599 Freiberg, Germany; (I.P.); (A.F.); (Y.J.)
| | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Yvonne Joseph
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner str. 3, 09599 Freiberg, Germany; (I.P.); (A.F.); (Y.J.)
| | - Hermann Ehrlich
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner str. 3, 09599 Freiberg, Germany; (I.P.); (A.F.); (Y.J.)
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61614 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.N.); (I.S.); ; (H.E.)
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Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa in the Mediterranean Sea. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12050176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study reports the new finding of E. verrucosa forests in the Mediterranean Sea, and the updated distribution of this species that has been considered rare in the basin. In particular, one site off Sanremo (Ligurian Sea) was characterized by a monospecific population of E. verrucosa with 2.3 ± 0.2 colonies m−2. By combining new records, literature, and citizen science data, the species is believed to be widespread in the basin with few or isolated colonies, and 19 E. verrucosa forests were identified. The overall associated community showed how these coral forests are essential for species of conservation interest, as well as for species of high commercial value. For this reason, proper protection and management strategies are necessary.
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Cerrano C, Bastari A, Calcinai B, Di Camillo C, Pica D, Puce S, Valisano L, Torsani F. Temperate mesophotic ecosystems: gaps and perspectives of an emerging conservation challenge for the Mediterranean Sea. EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2019.1677790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Cerrano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A. Bastari
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - B. Calcinai
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - C. Di Camillo
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - D. Pica
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - S. Puce
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - L. Valisano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - F. Torsani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Enrichetti F, Dominguez-Carrió C, Toma M, Bavestrello G, Betti F, Canese S, Bo M. Megabenthic communities of the Ligurian deep continental shelf and shelf break (NW Mediterranean Sea). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223949. [PMID: 31622402 PMCID: PMC6797210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ligurian Sea is one of the most studied Mediterranean basins. Since the beginning of the last century, many research expeditions have characterized its benthic and pelagic fauna through scuba diving and trawl surveys. However, a large knowledge gap exists about the composition of benthic communities extending into the so-called mesophotic or twilight depth range, currently under intense pressure from commercial and recreational fishing. A series of visual surveys, carried out by means of remotely operated vehicles between 2012 and 2018, were conducted along the Ligurian deep continental shelf and shelf break, between 30 and 210 m depth, in order to characterize the main benthic biocoenoses dwelling at this depth range and to determine the most relevant environmental factors that explain their spatial distribution. Deep circalittoral communities of the Ligurian Sea were represented by a mixture of species belonging to the deepest extension of shallow-water habitats and deep circalittoral ones. Twelve major biocoenoses were identified, each one characterized by specific preferences in depth range, substrate type and seabed slope. Those biocoenoses included gorgonian and hydrozoan forests, dense keratose sponge grounds, Dendrophyllia cornigera gardens, bryozoan beds and soft-bottom meadows of sabellid polychaetes and soft-corals. Other less common aggregations included six forests of black corals and two populations of Paramuricea macrospina. A georeferenced database has been created in order to provide information to managers and stakeholders about the location of the identified communities and high-diversity areas, aiming to facilitate sustainable long-term conservation of the Ligurian benthic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Enrichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Okeanos Research Centre, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Horta, Portugal
- IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, Horta, Portugal
| | - Margherita Toma
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Betti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
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Coppari M, Zanella C, Rossi S. The importance of coastal gorgonians in the blue carbon budget. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13550. [PMID: 31537839 PMCID: PMC6753119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial (trees, shrubs) and marine (seaweeds and seagrasses) organisms act as carbon (C) sinks, but the role of benthic suspension feeders in this regard has been largely neglected so far. Gorgonians are one of the most conspicuous inhabitants of marine animal forests (mainly composed of sessile filter feeders); their seston capture rates influence benthic-pelagic coupling processes and they act as C sinks immobilizing carbon in their long-living structures. Three gorgonian species (Paramuricea clavata, Eunicella singularis and Leptogorgia sarmentosa) were studied coupling data of population size structure, biomass and spatial distribution in a NW Mediterranean area (Cap de Creus, Spain) with feeding, respiration and growth rates. In the study area, we calculated that P. clavata sequestered 0.73 ± 0.71 g C m−2 year−1, E. singularis 0.73 ± 0.89 g C m−2 year−1 and L. sarmentosa 0.03 ± 0.02 g C m−2 year−1. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to calculate the importance as C sinks of gorgonian species that we consider as a starting point to estimate the importance of marine animal forests in C sequestration, and to ensure appropriate management and protection especially in areas and at depths where they are concentrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Coppari
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. .,Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | | | - Sergio Rossi
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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19 Occurrence and Biogeography of Mediterranean Cold-Water Corals. MEDITERRANEAN COLD-WATER CORALS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-91608-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Ingrosso G, Abbiati M, Badalamenti F, Bavestrello G, Belmonte G, Cannas R, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Bertolino M, Bevilacqua S, Bianchi CN, Bo M, Boscari E, Cardone F, Cattaneo-Vietti R, Cau A, Cerrano C, Chemello R, Chimienti G, Congiu L, Corriero G, Costantini F, De Leo F, Donnarumma L, Falace A, Fraschetti S, Giangrande A, Gravina MF, Guarnieri G, Mastrototaro F, Milazzo M, Morri C, Musco L, Pezzolesi L, Piraino S, Prada F, Ponti M, Rindi F, Russo GF, Sandulli R, Villamor A, Zane L, Boero F. Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2018; 79:61-136. [PMID: 30012277 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ingrosso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Beni Culturali (DBC), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Genuario Belmonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Bertolino
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stanislao Bevilacqua
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Boscari
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cerrano
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Renato Chemello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Chimienti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Congiu
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corriero
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Costantini
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Francesco De Leo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Donnarumma
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guarnieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mastrototaro
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Milazzo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzolesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Prada
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ponti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio Russo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Sandulli
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Villamor
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zane
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Boero
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Genova, Italy
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24
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Cold-water coral communities in the Central Mediterranean: aspects on megafauna diversity, fishery resources and conservation perspectives. RENDICONTI LINCEI. SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-018-0724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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25
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Know the distribution to assess the changes: Mediterranean cold-water coral bioconstructions. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-018-0718-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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26
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Massi D, Vitale S, Titone A, Milisenda G, Gristina M, Fiorentino F. Spatial distribution of the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima (Esper, 1788) (Antipatharia: Leiopathidae) in the Mediterranean: a prerequisite for protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2018.1452990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D. Massi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - S. Vitale
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - A. Titone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - G. Milisenda
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - M. Gristina
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
| | - F. Fiorentino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Mazara del Vallo, Italy
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27
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Bo M, Barucca M, Biscotti MA, Brugler MR, Canapa A, Canese S, Lo Iacono C, Bavestrello G. Phylogenetic relationships of Mediterranean black corals (Cnidaria : Anthozoa : Hexacorallia) and implications for classification within the order Antipatharia. INVERTEBR SYST 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/is17043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Mediterranean black coral fauna includes type species of four antipatharian genera belonging to four different families, therefore phylogenetic studies hold great potential for enhancing systematics within the order. The analysis of six Mediterranean antipatharian species by means of nuclear sequence data of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) rDNA confirms the separation into different families, as was previously noted on a morphological basis, with a clear distinction of the family Leiopathidae, whose position is supported by a unique number of mesenteries and lack of spines on thicker ramifications. The position of a newly recorded black coral species for the Mediterranean basin belonging to the genus Phanopathes is discussed. Antipathes dichotoma, the type species of the genus Antipathes, on which the order Antipatharia was based, does not group with other members of the family Antipathidae. Supporting a recent finding based on mitochondrial markers, this suggests a critical need for revision of the families that will be impacted by reassignment of this nomenclaturally important taxon.
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28
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Mastrototaro F, Chimienti G, Acosta J, Blanco J, Garcia S, Rivera J, Aguilar R. Isidella elongata (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea) facies in the western Mediterranean Sea: visual surveys and descriptions of its ecological role. EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2017.1315745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Mastrototaro
- Department of Biology and CoNISMa LRU, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - G. Chimienti
- Department of Biology and CoNISMa LRU, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - J. Acosta
- Instituto Espanõl de Oceanografia, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - J. Rivera
- Instituto Espanõl de Oceanografia, Madrid, Spain
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