Francesco Mancini, Antonio O. Lillo, R. Bardelli, S. Vizzini, G. Mancinelli
A direct consequence of sea warming is the shift in the distribution range of thermo-tolerant species that have the potential to determine novel inter-specific interactions, ultimately altering food web structures and ecosystem processes. In this study, we investigated the trophic position of the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), a pelagic predator that has recently expanded its distribution in the Mediterranean basin and for which scant information is available on its functional role in recently-colonised areas. Nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes were determined in muscle tissues of bluefish specimens collected in south-east Italy in the Gulf of Taranto (NW Ionian Sea) and in the Strait of Otranto (SW Adriatic Sea) at two coastal sites showing contrasting oceanographic conditions. The bluefish trophic position (TP) was estimated using locally abundant forage fish species as isotopic baselines. The results indicated for bluefish from the Strait of Otranto a TP value of 5.1, significantly higher than that determined in the Gulf of Taranto (4.2), and exceeding stomach content-based estimations reported by the online database FishBase and by literature sources. A synthesis of 30 publications reporting isotopic data for the bluefish and its potential prey at a global scale indicated that the species’ trophic position varied considerably between 2.7 and 5.2. The observed variability depended on locationand on the baseline species used in the estimations. Yet, a significant difference in trophic position was observed for bluefish from transitional and inshore environments as compared with offshore areas, mirroring the results obtained from the Gulf of Taranto and the Strait of Otranto. The findings of the study highlight the high trophic plasticity characterizing the bluefish in recently colonized areas, suggesting that it may play a key role in facilitating the expansion of its distribution range. However, additional investigations are essential to provide an advanced resolution of the bluefish functional role in Mediterranean coastal food webs.
{"title":"Variation in the stable isotope trophic position of the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) from two Mediterranean sites: insights from a global meta-analysis","authors":"Francesco Mancini, Antonio O. Lillo, R. Bardelli, S. Vizzini, G. Mancinelli","doi":"10.12681/mms.29325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.29325","url":null,"abstract":"A direct consequence of sea warming is the shift in the distribution range of thermo-tolerant species that have the potential to determine novel inter-specific interactions, ultimately altering food web structures and ecosystem processes. In this study, we investigated the trophic position of the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), a pelagic predator that has recently expanded its distribution in the Mediterranean basin and for which scant information is available on its functional role in recently-colonised areas. Nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes were determined in muscle tissues of bluefish specimens collected in south-east Italy in the Gulf of Taranto (NW Ionian Sea) and in the Strait of Otranto (SW Adriatic Sea) at two coastal sites showing contrasting oceanographic conditions. The bluefish trophic position (TP) was estimated using locally abundant forage fish species as isotopic baselines. The results indicated for bluefish from the Strait of Otranto a TP value of 5.1, significantly higher than that determined in the Gulf of Taranto (4.2), and exceeding stomach content-based estimations reported by the online database FishBase and by literature sources. A synthesis of 30 publications reporting isotopic data for the bluefish and its potential prey at a global scale indicated that the species’ trophic position varied considerably between 2.7 and 5.2. The observed variability depended on locationand on the baseline species used in the estimations. Yet, a significant difference in trophic position was observed for bluefish from transitional and inshore environments as compared with offshore areas, mirroring the results obtained from the Gulf of Taranto and the Strait of Otranto. The findings of the study highlight the high trophic plasticity characterizing the bluefish in recently colonized areas, suggesting that it may play a key role in facilitating the expansion of its distribution range. However, additional investigations are essential to provide an advanced resolution of the bluefish functional role in Mediterranean coastal food webs.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44093231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dario CÓRDOBA GONZÁLEZ, A. Enguídanos, Ángel A. Valdés, M. Ballesteros
Specimens of Aplysia punctata inhabiting the Catalonian coast (NE Spain, Western Mediterranean Sea) display two different color patterns, which have been thought to represent two distinct species. However, molecular analyses conducted by other authors and confirmed herein show that there are no genetic differences between individuals of the two color morphs. At the same time, these color morphs display distinct life history traits, including different size, mating behavior, and egg mass and larvae coloration. In this paper, it is hypothesized that distinct diets are responsible of these differences. The results of this study confirm that small red specimens of A. punctata feed on red algae and primarily Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Plocamium cartilagineum; pigments from these algae give small specimens of A. punctata a very similar morphological appearance to adults of the Aplysia parvula species complex. In contrast, adult specimens of A. punctata feed preferentially on green algae of the species Ulva lactuca. This change in feeding behavior is probably related to defensive strategies involving camouflage. In addition, the egg masses take on a pink to reddish color that is retained in the larval stage of A. punctata juveniles.
{"title":"Changing feeding habits and ontogenetic dimorphism in juveniles and adults Aplysia punctata (Cuvier, 1803) (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) in the Mediterranean Sea","authors":"Dario CÓRDOBA GONZÁLEZ, A. Enguídanos, Ángel A. Valdés, M. Ballesteros","doi":"10.12681/mms.29735","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.29735","url":null,"abstract":"Specimens of Aplysia punctata inhabiting the Catalonian coast (NE Spain, Western Mediterranean Sea) display two different color patterns, which have been thought to represent two distinct species. However, molecular analyses conducted by other authors and confirmed herein show that there are no genetic differences between individuals of the two color morphs. At the same time, these color morphs display distinct life history traits, including different size, mating behavior, and egg mass and larvae coloration. In this paper, it is hypothesized that distinct diets are responsible of these differences. The results of this study confirm that small red specimens of A. punctata feed on red algae and primarily Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Plocamium cartilagineum; pigments from these algae give small specimens of A. punctata a very similar morphological appearance to adults of the Aplysia parvula species complex. In contrast, adult specimens of A. punctata feed preferentially on green algae of the species Ulva lactuca. This change in feeding behavior is probably related to defensive strategies involving camouflage. In addition, the egg masses take on a pink to reddish color that is retained in the larval stage of A. punctata juveniles.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41870016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Mačić, N. Đorđević, Mirko Đurović, S. Petović, T. Russo
The Adriatic Sea is one of the most exploited areas in the Mediterranean; however, a large part of the South Adriatic Sea remains largely unexplored. Unfortunately, direct and indirect anthropogenic impacts are increasing exponentially, causing a loss of flagship species and threatening ecosystem functioning. This has led to several international conventions demanding better protection and management of sensitive species and areas worldwide. Soft mud facies bearing the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis are indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). This study aimed a) to contribute to the knowledge on the distributions of F. quadrangularis and VMEs, and b) to assess the main threats, thus enabling better identification of areas that need protection and ecosystem base management. The results show that F. quadrangularis are distributed from 160 m to 400 m depth, with the highest population density of 0.83 colony/m2 reported in the Adriatic Sea at a 162 m depth. However, using video ground truthing, we registered stresses on deep-sea habitats originating from fishery and marine litter. Further research is needed to ascertain other potentially vulnerable areas. Moreover, international discussion is needed to determine future steps for the protection and sustainable use of resources beyond national jurisdictions.
{"title":"Improving knowledge of Funiculina quadrangularis and vulnerable marine ecosystems in the south Adriatic","authors":"V. Mačić, N. Đorđević, Mirko Đurović, S. Petović, T. Russo","doi":"10.12681/mms.29898","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.29898","url":null,"abstract":"The Adriatic Sea is one of the most exploited areas in the Mediterranean; however, a large part of the South Adriatic Sea remains largely unexplored. Unfortunately, direct and indirect anthropogenic impacts are increasing exponentially, causing a loss of flagship species and threatening ecosystem functioning. This has led to several international conventions demanding better protection and management of sensitive species and areas worldwide. Soft mud facies bearing the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis are indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). This study aimed a) to contribute to the knowledge on the distributions of F. quadrangularis and VMEs, and b) to assess the main threats, thus enabling better identification of areas that need protection and ecosystem base management. The results show that F. quadrangularis are distributed from 160 m to 400 m depth, with the highest population density of 0.83 colony/m2 reported in the Adriatic Sea at a 162 m depth. However, using video ground truthing, we registered stresses on deep-sea habitats originating from fishery and marine litter. Further research is needed to ascertain other potentially vulnerable areas. Moreover, international discussion is needed to determine future steps for the protection and sustainable use of resources beyond national jurisdictions.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45520806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of the study is to describe the macrofaunal composition of marine soft bottom habitats on the Catalan coast between a depth of 3 and 35 meters, considering all groups of macroinvertebrates. The study also aims to compare our data with previous studies focused on the NW Mediterranean and to define the variables that drive assemblage composition. Depending on the species composition and the structure of the assemblages, six different habitats, mainly defined by depth and sediment granulometry, are described. Shallow (<20 m) and deep (>20 m) habitats are easily distinguished and are subdivided in three habitats each: (1) very coarse and coarse sediments (coarse sediments); (2) medium, fine and very fine sands (fine sediments); and (3) muddy sediments. Fine sediments in both shallow and deep waters have emerged as the most common and extensive habitats along the coast up to a depth of 35 meters. Neither coarse nor muddy habitats are frequent. The characterization of shallow habitats produced some unexpected results with respect to previous studies: Spisula subtruncata and Lucinella divaricata were dominant, while neither Ditrupa arietina nor Owenia fusiformis, previously mentioned as dominant polychaetes in shallow fine sand habitats, were common. Polychaetes were, in general, the dominant group (both in species richness and abundance) in the six habitats, except in shallow fine sediments, which were dominated by mollusks. The study is a benchmark for future monitoring of soft bottom habitats on the Catalan coast to a depth of 35 meters.
{"title":"Species characterization of soft bottom habitats by depth and sediment particle size on the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean): unexpected species composition of the assemblages","authors":"S. Pinedo, E. Jordana, E. Ballesteros","doi":"10.12681/mms.28127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.28127","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the study is to describe the macrofaunal composition of marine soft bottom habitats on the Catalan coast between a depth of 3 and 35 meters, considering all groups of macroinvertebrates. The study also aims to compare our data with previous studies focused on the NW Mediterranean and to define the variables that drive assemblage composition. Depending on the species composition and the structure of the assemblages, six different habitats, mainly defined by depth and sediment granulometry, are described. Shallow (<20 m) and deep (>20 m) habitats are easily distinguished and are subdivided in three habitats each: (1) very coarse and coarse sediments (coarse sediments); (2) medium, fine and very fine sands (fine sediments); and (3) muddy sediments. Fine sediments in both shallow and deep waters have emerged as the most common and extensive habitats along the coast up to a depth of 35 meters. Neither coarse nor muddy habitats are frequent. The characterization of shallow habitats produced some unexpected results with respect to previous studies: Spisula subtruncata and Lucinella divaricata were dominant, while neither Ditrupa arietina nor Owenia fusiformis, previously mentioned as dominant polychaetes in shallow fine sand habitats, were common. Polychaetes were, in general, the dominant group (both in species richness and abundance) in the six habitats, except in shallow fine sediments, which were dominated by mollusks. The study is a benchmark for future monitoring of soft bottom habitats on the Catalan coast to a depth of 35 meters.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44791531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Franzitta, Aleesio Marrone, A. Gauci, J. Galdies, M. Mangano, G. Sarà, A. Deidun
In the Maltese Islands, insufficient attention has been paid to vermetid reefs, endemic Mediterranean bioconstructions widely distributed along the southern part of the basin. As a result, this is a largely-overlooked coastal ecosystem despite the multitude ofecosystem services it provides. The perennial urban development in the Maltese Islands calls for the adoption of urgent action to protect coastal habitats, in particular bioconstructions that increase biodiversity and contribute to mitigating the effects of climatechange. The objective of our study was to extensively document the presence and typology of the vermetid reef ecosystems alongthe coast of Malta and Gozo, assessing the occurrence of putative anthropogenic threats on the same ecosystem. Quantitative measurements were additionally taken to morphologically characterize the recorded bioconstructions. Furthermore, we tested thehuman pressure effect on the density of vermetid individuals and associated biodiversity. “True” trottoirs were only documentedalong the south-east coast of Malta, where unfortunately land reclamation projects are expected to be implemented. Although no direct relation between a number of assessed human activities and the density of vermetid individuals was reported in the current study, we suggest the conduction of further studies to investigate the influence of specific disturbances on the conservation status of this ecosystem. This study expands the existing knowledge on the status of vermetid reefs in the Maltese Islands and calls for management and conservation actions to preserve this bioconstruction.
{"title":"Bridging the knowledge gap on the distribution and typology of vermetid bioconstructions along the Maltese coastline: an updated assessment","authors":"G. Franzitta, Aleesio Marrone, A. Gauci, J. Galdies, M. Mangano, G. Sarà, A. Deidun","doi":"10.12681/mms.28348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.28348","url":null,"abstract":"In the Maltese Islands, insufficient attention has been paid to vermetid reefs, endemic Mediterranean bioconstructions widely distributed along the southern part of the basin. As a result, this is a largely-overlooked coastal ecosystem despite the multitude ofecosystem services it provides. The perennial urban development in the Maltese Islands calls for the adoption of urgent action to protect coastal habitats, in particular bioconstructions that increase biodiversity and contribute to mitigating the effects of climatechange. The objective of our study was to extensively document the presence and typology of the vermetid reef ecosystems alongthe coast of Malta and Gozo, assessing the occurrence of putative anthropogenic threats on the same ecosystem. Quantitative measurements were additionally taken to morphologically characterize the recorded bioconstructions. Furthermore, we tested thehuman pressure effect on the density of vermetid individuals and associated biodiversity. “True” trottoirs were only documentedalong the south-east coast of Malta, where unfortunately land reclamation projects are expected to be implemented. Although no direct relation between a number of assessed human activities and the density of vermetid individuals was reported in the current study, we suggest the conduction of further studies to investigate the influence of specific disturbances on the conservation status of this ecosystem. This study expands the existing knowledge on the status of vermetid reefs in the Maltese Islands and calls for management and conservation actions to preserve this bioconstruction.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49458900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We report two new algal records from the Maltese islands: Hincksia mitchelliae (= Feldmannia mitchelliae) (Phaeophyceae) and Palisada tenerrima (Rhodophyceae). The former species was grown in culture from an Ulva sp. blade, while the latter was collected in the field. Our study employed an innovative integrative approach including morphological criteria as well as molecular analysis. DNA data and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene and the rbcL plus RuBisCO spacer supported the separation of these two species from the closest-related congeners that had previously been reported from the Maltese islands.
{"title":"New records of Palisada tenerrima and Hincksia mitchelliae from the Maltese Islands revealed by molecular analysis","authors":"Angela G. Bartolo, G. Zammit, F. Küpper","doi":"10.12681/mms.26275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.26275","url":null,"abstract":"We report two new algal records from the Maltese islands: Hincksia mitchelliae (= Feldmannia mitchelliae) (Phaeophyceae) and Palisada tenerrima (Rhodophyceae). The former species was grown in culture from an Ulva sp. blade, while the latter was collected in the field. Our study employed an innovative integrative approach including morphological criteria as well as molecular analysis. DNA data and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene and the rbcL plus RuBisCO spacer supported the separation of these two species from the closest-related congeners that had previously been reported from the Maltese islands.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47772539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilija Ćetković, Patrick L Jambura, Ana Pešić, Zdravko Ikica, Aleksandar Joksimović
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is considered rare in the Adriatic Sea and the majority of records originate from the northern Adriatic, where a nursery area for this species close to the Po delta system has been repeatedly proposed. This study provides 5 new records and analyses the previously published records of sandbar sharks recorded around the delta of the River Bojana (in Montenegro, in the south-eastern Adriatic). The River Bojana located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, is the second largest river flowing into the Adriatic Sea, where it forms a highly productive ecosystem already known as a local hotspot for smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus spp.). New records of sandbar sharks have emerged as a result of citizen science (a social media survey) and direct reports from fishermen. The total length of C. plumbeus juveniles ranged from approximately 800 mm to 1100 mm, and most (n=5) were caught by set gillnets. The data presented here show that juveniles are consistently present around the estuary and indicate the importance of this fragile estuarine ecosystem for sandbar sharks. Additionally, this study also provides morphometric data collected from a single individual.
{"title":"Observations of juvenile sandbar sharks <i>Carcharhinus plumbeus</i> () around the Bojana River delta (Southern Adriatic Sea).","authors":"Ilija Ćetković, Patrick L Jambura, Ana Pešić, Zdravko Ikica, Aleksandar Joksimović","doi":"10.12681/mms.30166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.30166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The sandbar shark (<i>Carcharhinus plumbeus</i>) is considered rare in the Adriatic Sea and the majority of records originate from the northern Adriatic, where a nursery area for this species close to the Po delta system has been repeatedly proposed. This study provides 5 new records and analyses the previously published records of sandbar sharks recorded around the delta of the River Bojana (in Montenegro, in the south-eastern Adriatic). The River Bojana located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, is the second largest river flowing into the Adriatic Sea, where it forms a highly productive ecosystem already known as a local hotspot for smooth-hound sharks (<i>Mustelus</i> spp.). New records of sandbar sharks have emerged as a result of citizen science (a social media survey) and direct reports from fishermen. The total length of <i>C. plumbeus</i> juveniles ranged from approximately 800 mm to 1100 mm, and most (n=5) were caught by set gillnets. The data presented here show that juveniles are consistently present around the estuary and indicate the importance of this fragile estuarine ecosystem for sandbar sharks. Additionally, this study also provides morphometric data collected from a single individual.</p>","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":"23 4","pages":"748-753"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7614917/pdf/EMS183742.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10344707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Garzia, G. Furfaro, Walter Renda, ALESSANDRA-MARIA Rosati, P. Mariottini, S. Giacobbe
The introduction rate of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is rapidly growing, and their taxonomical identification is increasingly challenging. This uncertain identification often leads to an incorrect estimation of the number of alien species, their route of introduction, and their potential negative effects. This is particularly true for some bivalves, which are characterized by high variation in their shells, resulting in uncertain morphological identification. This is the case for two alien bivalves, i.e., an Isognomonidae and a Malleidae species, both characterized by confused historical colonization records in the Mediterranean Sea, misidentifications, and controversial and changing nomenclatures that have insofar negatively affected our knowledge on their geographical distributions. In this respect, molecular approaches provide a strategy that is especially useful when traditional taxonomy fails, and DNA barcoding is a powerful and well-known tool to obtain reliable identifications through efficient molecular markers. In this work, we used the 16S rRNA marker to assess the preliminary identification of Isognomon sp. and Malleus sp. specimens from different localities in the Southern Mediterranean Sea. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were applied to test the monophyly of the phylogenetic linages and to clarify their taxonomic positions, allowing a complete overview of the colonization and spreading of these two alien bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the Isognomon sp. specimens were identified as the Atlantic I. bicolor, highlighting that previously suggested invasive migration patterns, (i.e., the Lessepsian migration), must be reconsidered with stronger critical attention in light of currently occurring global changes.
{"title":"Mediterranean spreading of the bicolor purse oyster, Isognomon bicolor, and the chicken trigger, Malleus sp., vs. the Lessepsian prejudice","authors":"M. Garzia, G. Furfaro, Walter Renda, ALESSANDRA-MARIA Rosati, P. Mariottini, S. Giacobbe","doi":"10.12681/mms.29218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.29218","url":null,"abstract":"The introduction rate of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is rapidly growing, and their taxonomical identification is increasingly challenging. This uncertain identification often leads to an incorrect estimation of the number of alien species, their route of introduction, and their potential negative effects. This is particularly true for some bivalves, which are characterized by high variation in their shells, resulting in uncertain morphological identification. This is the case for two alien bivalves, i.e., an Isognomonidae and a Malleidae species, both characterized by confused historical colonization records in the Mediterranean Sea, misidentifications, and controversial and changing nomenclatures that have insofar negatively affected our knowledge on their geographical distributions. In this respect, molecular approaches provide a strategy that is especially useful when traditional taxonomy fails, and DNA barcoding is a powerful and well-known tool to obtain reliable identifications through efficient molecular markers. In this work, we used the 16S rRNA marker to assess the preliminary identification of Isognomon sp. and Malleus sp. specimens from different localities in the Southern Mediterranean Sea. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were applied to test the monophyly of the phylogenetic linages and to clarify their taxonomic positions, allowing a complete overview of the colonization and spreading of these two alien bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the Isognomon sp. specimens were identified as the Atlantic I. bicolor, highlighting that previously suggested invasive migration patterns, (i.e., the Lessepsian migration), must be reconsidered with stronger critical attention in light of currently occurring global changes.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43686047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seagrass habitats rank amongst the most valuable ecosystems in the biosphere. They support fisheries production, climate change mitigation, water quality improvement, and coastal protection. Faced with the current global crisis of accelerating losses of this key component of coastal environments, strong efforts have been expended within the conservation movement to flatten their decline curve. Although understanding the functioning of seagrass ecosystems and how they respond to stressors has improved over the last years, major gaps exist for West Africa including basic ecological and distributional knowledge. This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the structural development and dynamics of two Cymodocea nodosa meadows in Al Hoceima National Park (the unique official marine protected area of the Mediterranean Moroccan coast) using the reconstruction techniques as an indirect measurement of seagrass growth. C. nodosa’s leaves were remarkably invaded by epiphytes while leaf production, shoot density, above and belowground biomass, and vertical and horizontal rhizome elongation were in the lowest recorded values. Shoot age structure showed that since the second-year class, the survival rate of shoots has decreased. Regarding the severely slow recruitment rates, the populations’ net growths declined. Besides this negative growth trend, CymoSkewm biotic index assigned a slightly polluted ecological status to both meadows. The seagrass faces numerous pressures, mainly fishing by trawling and alien species invasion. The primary conservation challenge for C. nodosa of Al Hoceima National Park is ensuring that this marine protected area becomes operationally implemented and actively managed. Until then, the seagrass habitat-forming species is not safeguarded.
{"title":"Reconstruction of Cymodocea nodosa’s dynamics as a tool to examine the conservation status of a Mediterranean declared marine protected area","authors":"Loubna Boutahar, F. Espinosa, H. Bazairi","doi":"10.12681/mms.28238","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.28238","url":null,"abstract":"Seagrass habitats rank amongst the most valuable ecosystems in the biosphere. They support fisheries production, climate change mitigation, water quality improvement, and coastal protection. Faced with the current global crisis of accelerating losses of this key component of coastal environments, strong efforts have been expended within the conservation movement to flatten their decline curve. Although understanding the functioning of seagrass ecosystems and how they respond to stressors has improved over the last years, major gaps exist for West Africa including basic ecological and distributional knowledge. This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the structural development and dynamics of two Cymodocea nodosa meadows in Al Hoceima National Park (the unique official marine protected area of the Mediterranean Moroccan coast) using the reconstruction techniques as an indirect measurement of seagrass growth. C. nodosa’s leaves were remarkably invaded by epiphytes while leaf production, shoot density, above and belowground biomass, and vertical and horizontal rhizome elongation were in the lowest recorded values. Shoot age structure showed that since the second-year class, the survival rate of shoots has decreased. Regarding the severely slow recruitment rates, the populations’ net growths declined. Besides this negative growth trend, CymoSkewm biotic index assigned a slightly polluted ecological status to both meadows. The seagrass faces numerous pressures, mainly fishing by trawling and alien species invasion. The primary conservation challenge for C. nodosa of Al Hoceima National Park is ensuring that this marine protected area becomes operationally implemented and actively managed. Until then, the seagrass habitat-forming species is not safeguarded.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44011315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Tiralongo, O. Akyol, Sara A. A. Al Mabruk, P. Battaglia, Damla Beton, Banu Bitlis, J. Borg, M. Bouchoucha, M. Çınar, F. Crocetta, B. Dragičević, Jakov Dulčić Jdulčić, A. Evangelopoulos, Julian Jevans, Ana Fortič, Robin P. M. Gauff, C. Georgiadis, M. Gökoğlu, Daniele DANIELE GRECH, T. Guy‐Haim, M. Huseyinoglu, A. Lombardo, G. Marletta, F. Mastrototaro, F. Montesanto, F. Nunes, Aytaç Özgül, B. Öztürk, Dimitra-Lida Rammou, D. Scuderi, T. Terbıyık Kurt, Edigio Trainito, D. Trkov, Aylin Ulman, Vahdet Ünal, Ximena Velasquez
In this Collective Article on alien and cryptogenic diversity in the Mediterranean Sea we report a total of 19 species belonging to nine Phyla and coming from nine countries. Several of these records concern fish species, and of particular interest are the first records of: Terapon puta for Italian waters; Pteragopus trispilus from Malta; Plotosus lineatus from Cyprus; and the northernmost Mediterranean record of Lagocephalus sceleratus. The northernmost Mediterranean record was also reported for the sea urchin Diadema setosum. The portunid crab Thalamita poissonii was recorded for the first time in Libya. The copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus was recorded for the first time in the Marmara Sea. The polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum was recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean coast of France. The alien anemone Diadumene lineata was recorded for the first time from Slovenia. The macroalgae Sargassum furcatum was recorded for the first time from Italy. The new Mediterranean records here reported help tracing abundance and distribution of alien and cryptic species in the Mediterranean Sea.
{"title":"New Alien Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (August 2022)","authors":"F. Tiralongo, O. Akyol, Sara A. A. Al Mabruk, P. Battaglia, Damla Beton, Banu Bitlis, J. Borg, M. Bouchoucha, M. Çınar, F. Crocetta, B. Dragičević, Jakov Dulčić Jdulčić, A. Evangelopoulos, Julian Jevans, Ana Fortič, Robin P. M. Gauff, C. Georgiadis, M. Gökoğlu, Daniele DANIELE GRECH, T. Guy‐Haim, M. Huseyinoglu, A. Lombardo, G. Marletta, F. Mastrototaro, F. Montesanto, F. Nunes, Aytaç Özgül, B. Öztürk, Dimitra-Lida Rammou, D. Scuderi, T. Terbıyık Kurt, Edigio Trainito, D. Trkov, Aylin Ulman, Vahdet Ünal, Ximena Velasquez","doi":"10.12681/mms.31228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.31228","url":null,"abstract":"In this Collective Article on alien and cryptogenic diversity in the Mediterranean Sea we report a total of 19 species belonging to nine Phyla and coming from nine countries. Several of these records concern fish species, and of particular interest are the first records of: Terapon puta for Italian waters; Pteragopus trispilus from Malta; Plotosus lineatus from Cyprus; and the northernmost Mediterranean record of Lagocephalus sceleratus. The northernmost Mediterranean record was also reported for the sea urchin Diadema setosum. The portunid crab Thalamita poissonii was recorded for the first time in Libya. The copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus was recorded for the first time in the Marmara Sea. The polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum was recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean coast of France. The alien anemone Diadumene lineata was recorded for the first time from Slovenia. The macroalgae Sargassum furcatum was recorded for the first time from Italy. The new Mediterranean records here reported help tracing abundance and distribution of alien and cryptic species in the Mediterranean Sea.","PeriodicalId":51128,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Marine Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43910151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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