Article
Environmental Sciences
Andreu Santin, Jordi Grinyo, Maria Jesus Uriz, Claudio Lo Iacono, Josep Maria Gili, Pere Puig
Summary: Cold-water coral reefs (CWC) in the Mediterranean Sea are considered biodiversity hotspots, with sponge fauna within these habitats being poorly explored. The study provides new insights on sponge fauna associated with CWC in the Mediterranean, including the discovery of new species. While Mediterranean CWC appear as poriferan biodiversity hotspots, the current diversity values only represent a small fraction of the actual fauna.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrzej Pisera, Vasilis Gerovasileiou
Summary: Desmas-bearing demosponges known as lithistids have heavily silicified skeleton and are typically found in bathyal environments of warm and tropical areas, but may also occur in certain shallow marine caves. This study reports the presence of two lithistid species in the north-eastern Mediterranean marine caves, with an unexpected association between lithistids and freshwater springs leading to their development. Age estimation suggests that the large populations of lithistids discovered in the caves could be as old as 769-909 years, having colonized the caves from adjacent deep-water areas after the last glaciation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Andre Bispo, Eduardo Hajdu
Summary: This study describes two new species of Haliclona from Brazilian oceanic islands and the coast of Ceara State. One species is characterized by a surface color of light to deep red intermixed with white to beige areas, a white to beige choanosome, small fistular outgrowths, and blunt oxeas. The other species is characterized by a thickly encrusting to cushion-shaped habit, purple or light pink color, and a dense skeleton without microscleres. Attempts to extract genetic material from both species were unsuccessful. The number of known Haliclona species from the Brazilian coast is now 17.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Naoto Jimi, Itaru Kobayashi, Takeya Moritaki, Sau Pinn Woo, Shinji Tsuchida, Yoshihiro Fujiwara
Summary: Understanding the diversity of the parasitic crustacean Dendrogaster, which is an internal parasite, is challenging due to its detection difficulty. Previous assumptions of coevolution with asteroids as its host are unverified, resulting from the lack of phylogenetic studies. Through molecular phylogenetic analysis, a new species of Dendrogaster was discovered, suggesting that species diversification might be driven by habitat depth rather than coevolution with its host.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julio A. Diaz, Sergio Ramirez-Amaro, Francesc Ordines
Summary: The study identified 19 sponge species at the seamounts in the Mallorca Channel, including 3 new species and a new genus. Identification was done through morphological and molecular character analysis.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Angiolillo, Tomaso Fortibuoni, Bianca Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Tunesi
Summary: A monitoring programme was conducted in Italy to assess the status and distribution of coralligenous assemblages for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). A standardized monitoring protocol using ROV-imaging was employed, and the data from the first MSFD cycle (2015-2019) were analyzed. The results showed variations in litter quantities and composition among the three subregions, with fishery-related litter being the most common type (86%) and posing a threat to vulnerable coralligenous reefs. This study provides a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of Italian MSFD measures in addressing the negative impacts of marine litter.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Angiolillo, Michela Giusti, Lorenzo Rossi, Leonardo Tunesi
Summary: This study is the first to quantitatively describe a population of Dendrophyllia ramea on the Apollo bank, which was discovered during a ROV survey in the Ionian Sea in summer 2021. The study assesses the habitat description, bathymetric distribution, population density, and structure of the species through image analysis. The findings reveal a well-developed population of D. ramea on boulders at a depth of 70-80 m, with varying densities and negative impacts from deepwater fishing activities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ronald P. Kittle, Joseph L. L. Richards, Thomas Sauvage, Daniela Gabriel, William E. E. Schmidt, Suzanne Fredericq
Summary: Phymatolithon Foslie is a significant genus of crustose coralline algae, which plays an important ecological role in marine ecosystems worldwide. A new species of Phymatolithon, named Phymatolithon abuqirensis, was discovered in the Mediterranean Sea through molecular and morphological analyses, increasing the total number of known Phymatolithon species in the region to six.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martina Canessa, Federico Betti, Marzia Bo, Francesco Enrichetti, Margherita Toma, Giorgio Bavestrello
Summary: The number of observations of the basket star Astrospartus mediterraneus in the Mediterranean Sea has increased in recent decades due to divers, reports, and artisanal fishery. This species, which was once considered rare, is now potentially becoming a winner species in response to climate changes. This study combines literature information and data from the Ligurian Sea to understand the distribution and abundance of the basket star. The observations show that the basket star is found in a wide depth range and is associated with specific coral and sponge species. The number of specimens recorded varies over time, with a strong correlation to rainfall, which provides organic matter for these filter feeders.
Article
Oceanography
V. A. Shilov, Y. O. Kamenev, A. A. Semenchenko, S. I. Kiyashko, V. V. Mordukhovich
Summary: Four new species of vulcanellid sponges are described from the Piip submarine volcano and adjacent area, with pronounced vertical zoning. The dominant species, V. koltuni sp. nov., is abundant in hydrothermal vent areas, while the other species show different isotopic signatures indicating varied origins of organic matter in their diet. The phylogenetic analysis does not confirm the assumed relationship between Lamellomorpha Bergquist, 1968 and the family Vulcanellidae C ' ardenas, Xavier, Reveillaud, Schander & Rapp, 2011.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Oceanography
Michela Angiolillo, Gabriele La Mesa, Michela Giusti, Eva Salvati, Bianca Di Lorenzo, Lorenzo Rossi, Simonepietro Canese, Leonardo Tunesi
Summary: Scleractinian cold-water corals are key habitat engineers in the deep Mediterranean Sea, hosting a diverse range of species and playing a significant ecological role. Recent discoveries of new scleractinian CWC sites have been made in the Mediterranean Basin, highlighting the importance of urgent conservation measures due to negative impacts from deep-water fishing activities. The presence of vulnerable coral species on seamounts and banks underscores the need for specific marine protected areas to ensure their preservation.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Imad Krikech, Gea Oliveri Conti, Eloise Pulvirenti, Paola Rapisarda, Maria Castrogiovanni, Maria Maisano, Gael Le Pennec, Martine Leermakers, Margherita Ferrante, Tiziana Cappello, Mohammed Ezziyyani
Summary: The study found that microplastics are pervasive in Mediterranean sponges, indicating a pollution rate of 100%. The abundance of microplastics varies among sampling sites but not among sponge species. This study provides the first evidence of small microplastic ingestion in Mediterranean sponges and establishes an important baseline for their use as bioindicators of microplastic pollution in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Natsumi Hookabe, Naoto Jimi, Hiroyuki Yokooka, Shinji Tsuchida, Yoshihiro Fujiwara
Summary: A new species of Lacydonia, L. shohoensis sp. nov., was discovered in the Nishi-Shichito Ridge of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It shares similarities with L. anapaulae, but can be distinguished by the dorsal pigmentation on the pygidium and equally elongated non-pigmented pygidial lateral cirri.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreu Santin, Maria-Jesus Uriz, Javier Cristobo, Joana R. Xavier, Pilar Rios
Summary: Sponges are difficult to properly identify, especially in simple skeleton sponges and remote deep-sea environments. Researchers have discovered four new species in the Melonanchora genus and reassigned Melonanchora from the Okhotsk Sea to other genera. This study highlights the complexity of sponge taxonomy and the importance of accurate classification.
Article
Zoology
Marie Grenier, Charlotte Simmler, Pierre Chevaldonne, Noelle Callizot, Thierry Perez
Summary: This study adopted an integrative taxonomic approach to analyze samples of Spongiidae from the Northeast Atlantic. A new bath sponge species was discovered, and significant advances and changes were proposed for the systematics of the family.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Francesco Enrichetti, Elisa Baldrighi, Giorgio Bavestrello, Federico Betti, Simonepietro Canese, Andrea Costa, Michela del Pasque, Adriana Giangrande, Joachim Langeneck, Cristina Misic, Matteo Putignano, Margherita Toma, Marzia Bo
Summary: The new species Bispira riccardi sp. nov. inhabits the mesophotic NW Mediterranean Sea, showing sensitivity to temperature and currents, high density, and significant impact on meiofaunal abundance and diversity, highlighting the potential research value of deep Mediterranean Sea for sabellid diversity.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Angela Mazzeo, Jacopo Aguzzi, Marcello Calisti, Simonepietro Canese, Fabrizio Vecchi, Sergio Stefanni, Marco Controzzi
Summary: This article describes the commonly used grippers and tools in scientific underwater sampling and reviews the current state of research in underwater gripping technologies. The results indicate that commonly used grippers can perform the basic actions required for sampling and their functionality can be extended by using proper tools. The focus of research in recent years has shifted from validating specific technologies for marine applications to addressing the specific needs of underwater manipulation. The article also summarizes the environmental and operational requirements to consider in the design of an underwater gripper.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Angela Mazzeo, Jacopo Aguzzi, Marcello Calisti, Simonepietro Canese, Michela Angiolillo, A. Louise Allcock, Fabrizio Vecchi, Sergio Stefanni, Marco Controzzi
Summary: This paper extracts the basic actions and functional requirements of marine sampling through interviews with researchers and ROV technical operators, and points out that the deep-sea environment requires a versatile sampling system with rapid switching of external tools.
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carmen Rizzo, Erika Arcadi, Rosario Calogero, Valentina Sciutteri, Pierpaolo Consoli, Valentina Esposito, Simonepietro Canese, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo
Summary: Marine hydrothermal systems are extreme environments that strongly impact living organisms. They are of ecological and biotechnological importance, serving as natural laboratories for studying the effects of global environmental changes and as sources of isolated microbes for biotechnological purposes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriele Costa, Giorgio Bavestrello, Simonepietro Canese, Martina Canessa, Claudio Mazzoli, Paolo Montagna, Stefania Puce, Stefano Schiaparelli, Marco Bertolino
Summary: The presence of secondary bio-substrates formed by calcareous organisms in Antarctic seas is crucial for increasing the diversity of sessile benthic fauna. Stylasterid hydrozoa, with their branched carbonate structures, create a three-dimensional habitat that supports a high biodiversity of associated organisms, especially invertebrates.
Article
Zoology
M. Toma, F. Betti, G. Bavestrello, R. Cattaneo-Vietti, S. Canese, A. Cau, F. Andaloro, S. Greco, M. Bo
Summary: The occurrence, abundance and distribution of deep Mediterranean heterobranch fauna were evaluated through an extensive visual census. It was found that these fauna are mainly distributed in coastal areas but there are also species present in mesophotic environments. The composition of heterobranch fauna varies among different geographical regions, and the depth distribution of their food sources also affects their colonization in the deep sea.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mario La Mesa, Simonepietro Canese, Paolo Montagna, Stefano Schiaparelli
Summary: Although the near-shore and coastal habitats around the Antarctic Continent are limited, they are home to a diverse fish fauna dominated by notothenioids. This study conducted an underwater photographic survey in Terra Nova Bay and found that inshore waters are important for the local fish community, providing suitable habitats for settling, foraging, and spawning activities.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Torcuato Pulido Mantas, Giorgio Bavestrello, Marco Bertolino, Carlo Cerrano, Daniela Pica, Camilla Roveta, Barbara Calcinai
Summary: Red coral is often infested by boring sponges, which compromise its commercial value. Four sponge species, including a new species, have been identified in red coral collected from Cape Verde Archipelago. Advanced imaging techniques were used to study the erosion caused by these sponges.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Amaroli, Eleonora Tassara, Sara Ferrando, Stefano Aicardi, Claudio Pasquale, Marco Giovine, Marco Bertolino, Angelina Zekiy, Marina Pozzolini
Summary: The study investigates the effects of photo-biomodulation (PBM) on the regeneration of Chondrosia reniformis. The results show that PBM can accelerate the regeneration process, as evidenced by the upregulation of TGF3, TGF6, and TGF5 genes. The findings suggest that PBM's interaction with cell targets has been conserved throughout the evolution of life forms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geography
Andrea Giulia Varzi, Luca Fallati, Alessandra Savini, Valentina Alice Bracchi, Pietro Bazzicalupo, Antonietta Rosso, Rossana Sanfilippo, Marco Bertolino, Maurizio Muzzupappa, Daniela Basso
Summary: Peculiar columnar-shaped coralligenous (C) outcrops were documented offshore Marzamemi village (SE Sicily, Ionian Sea), and the extent and distribution of these outcrops were assessed using a new high-resolution bathymetric map. The C bioconstructions are mainly distributed along two depth ranges, 36-42 m and 86-102 m water depth.
Article
Zoology
G. Costa, A. Oprandi, G. Bavestrello, M. Castellano, M. Bertolino
Summary: The study found that the skeletons of most Porifera species can persist in sediment after the sponge dies. The seagrass Posidonia oceanica provides a stable deposit for these sponge spicules. The analysis of sediment samples can be used to assess past dynamics of the sponge community.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Giorgio Bavestrello, Federico Betti, Martina Canessa, Marzia Bo
Summary: This article describes the discovery of red coral samples and their accompanying species in the zoological collection of Lazzaro Spallanzani. These samples have helped in understanding the formation processes and diversity of red coral.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martina Canessa, Federico Betti, Marzia Bo, Francesco Enrichetti, Margherita Toma, Giorgio Bavestrello
Summary: The number of observations of the basket star Astrospartus mediterraneus in the Mediterranean Sea has increased in recent decades due to divers, reports, and artisanal fishery. This species, which was once considered rare, is now potentially becoming a winner species in response to climate changes. This study combines literature information and data from the Ligurian Sea to understand the distribution and abundance of the basket star. The observations show that the basket star is found in a wide depth range and is associated with specific coral and sponge species. The number of specimens recorded varies over time, with a strong correlation to rainfall, which provides organic matter for these filter feeders.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Pietro Battaglia, Simonepietro Canese, Eva Salvati, Silvestro Greco
Summary: The development of in situ observational tools has greatly improved the study of deep-sea cephalopods and their habitat. This paper presents in situ observations of rarely observed Mediterranean cephalopods, providing valuable insights into their behavior and characteristics. The findings contribute to the knowledge of elusive deep-sea species and highlight the importance of further exploration.