Review
Oceanography
Morane Clavel-Henry, Jordi Sole, Nixon Bahamon, Marta Carreton
Summary: Marine fronts play a crucial role in driving species dispersal, particularly affecting larval retention and dispersal. This study in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea highlights the significant impact of density front variability on larval transport and connectivity between different shrimp populations on each side of the front.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Marta Carreton, Guiomar Rotllant, Morane Clavel-Henry, Nixon Bahamon, Francesc Sarda, Joan B. Company
Summary: The study focuses on the distribution of A. antennatus larvae off the Eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast and its implications on local fishery management measures. Through extensive zooplankton sampling at various depths, over 6500 larvae were found, with observations supported by an Individual-Based Model. The proposal to divide the management area into three zones aims to improve fisheries management practices.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Sara Dallares, Aina Carbonell, Joan E. Cartes
Summary: Knowledge on settlement stages of marine fauna is scarce, especially for mobile organisms such as crustaceans. This study describes the first-settled stage of the red shrimp Aristeus antennatus and maps the seasonal distribution and density of small juveniles in the Balearic Basin.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Morane Clavel-Henry, Elizabeth W. North, Jordi Sole, Nixon Bahamon, Marta Carreton, Joan B. Company
Summary: This study investigated the spawning sites of deep-sea red and blue shrimp larvae in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, finding that larvae may exchange between different fishing areas, which could inform regional management plans.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gaetano Catanese, Jean Remi Trotta, Mikel Iriondo, Antoni Maria Grau, Andone Estonba
Summary: The study used GBS methods to discover a large number of SNPs, selected 80 important SNP loci for A. antennatus populations, and found significant differentiation among populations from different sampling sites. The two SNP panels showed comparable population assignment power and patterns of differentiation.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Alba Abras, Jose-Luis Garcia-Marin, Sandra Heras, Manuel Vera, Melania Agullo, Laia Planella, Maria Ines Roldan
Summary: The study evaluated the growth and recruitment of male Aristeus antennatus in fishing grounds, revealing an increase in male numbers during the spawning season, mostly composed of pre-adult males reaching expected sizes from the growth of winter juveniles, with some specimens also originating from nearby grounds, indicating horizontal dispersal of male juveniles via oceanographic currents.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Melania Agullo, Sandra Heras, Jose-Luis Garcia-Marin, Manuel Vera, Alba Abras, Laia Planella, Maria Ines Roldan
Summary: This study assessed the genetic diversity within spawning grounds of the blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The results showed high connectivity among the spawning grounds and stable genetic diversity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alba Abras, Jose-Luis Garcia-Marin, Sandra Heras, Melania Agullo, Manuel Vera, Laia Planella, Maria Ines Roldan
Summary: This study quantified the key biological processes of growth, recruitment, and dispersal pattern in the blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus, with a focus on females' genetic demography and horizontal movement between fishing grounds. The findings provide critical information for future management measures to ensure long-term conservation of A. antennatus populations.
Article
Oceanography
Ana Perez-del-Olmo, Simona Georgieva, Sara Dallares, Maria Constenla, Aneta Kostadinova, Maite Carrasson
Summary: Current knowledge about deep-sea parasites is limited, and there is a lack of data on population differentiation at different scales. This study aimed to identify metazoan parasites in deep-sea fish species from the Western Mediterranean using an integrative taxonomic approach. The study found low species diversity and host specificity of Lepidapedon spp., with two species infecting multiple hosts. Genetic and ecological analyses showed the lack of genetic differentiation but significant differences in epidemiological parameters associated with host species, geographical area, and bathymetric range. The study highlights the importance of combining population genetics and ecological analyses to understand connectivity patterns among deep-sea parasite populations.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Maria Cristina Da Silva Cortinhas, Ileana Ortega, Sarah de Souza Alves Teodoro, Maira Proietti, Arianna Masello, Ralf Kersanach, Roberta Barutot, Rony Roberto Ramos Vieira, Carla Firpo, Cecilia Mauna, Luiz Felipe Cestari Dumont
Summary: The red crab Chaceon notialis is a species endemic to the Southwestern Atlantic, with populations from Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Despite distinct phenotypic differences observed in morphometric analyses between populations from Brazil/Uruguay and Argentina, genetic analyses revealed a single panmictic population with no genetic structuring. This suggests that management measures in each country will impact the population dynamics of others, highlighting the need for international cooperation for sustainable fisheries.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Leme Pablos, Ana Kristina Silva, Noemy Seraphim, Luiza de Moraes Magaldi, Anete Pereira de Souza, Andre Victor Lucci Freitas, Karina Lucas Silva-Brandao
Summary: The study on Atlantic Forest White Morpho butterflies shows that there is no clear species diversification and population structure among the populations, suggesting that the current distinction between the two species is unreasonable. Northern samples exhibit more intragroup structure, and clustering tests indicate the existence of three genetic clusters, with turnover between the states of Paran ' a and Sa similar to o Paulo.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Noel Vella, Adriana Vella
Summary: This study investigates the genetic connectivity of the Shortfin mako shark in the Mediterranean Sea and finds significant differences between the Mediterranean population and other global populations, with the Mediterranean possibly having unique haplotypes. It provides the first insight into the mtDNA control region diversity of the critically endangered species in the Mediterranean Sea and emphasizes the importance of conserving this species in the region.
Article
Ecology
Russell S. Pfau, Ashley N. Kozora, Ana B. Gatica-Colima, Philip S. Sudman
Summary: This study examined the genetic diversity of the desert pocket gopher, Geomys arenarius, using multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. The research found two subspecies of this endemic species, each with distinct genetic differences. Mapping of potentially habitable soils revealed barriers to dispersal. Populations of the southern subspecies had higher genetic diversity, possibly due to greater availability of suitable soils or higher food density.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Corey Kirkland, Marta Farre
Summary: Through analyzing mitochondrial genomes, we constructed a phylogenetic tree of Arvicolinae species, revealing significant genetic diversity in captive water voles in Britain and confirming the classification of British water voles into two clades. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation genetics research in this species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leyi Xi, Yanan Sun, Ting Xu, Zhi Wang, Man Ying Chiu, Sophie Plouviez, Didier Jollivet, Jian-Wen Qiu
Summary: This study investigated the genetic connectivity of the annelid genus Hesiolyra distributed at hydrothermal vents along the East Pacific Rise (EPR). The results showed genetic divergence between northern and southern populations as well as loss of genetic diversity in the southern population. The study highlights the importance of a multi-locus approach in understanding the genetic history of marine species with strong dispersal capabilities.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
L. Carugati, R. Melis, A. Cariani, A. Cau, V. Crobe, A. Ferrari, M. C. Follesa, M. L. Geraci, S. P. Iglesias, P. Pesci, F. Tinti, R. Cannas
Summary: Skates are difficult to identify due to their conservative body morphology, leading to taxonomic confusion and mislabelling. Accurate classification is crucial for reliable stock assessments and effective conservation plans, especially for endangered species.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aglaia Antoniou, Tereza Manousaki, Francisco Ramirez, Alessia Cariani, Rita Cannas, Panagiotis Kasapidis, Antonios Magoulas, Marta Albo-Puigserver, Elena Lloret-Lloret, Jose Maria Bellido, Maria Grazia Pennino, Maria Cristina Follesa, Antonio Esteban, Claire Saraux, Mario Sbrana, Maria Teresa Spedicato, Marta Coll, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos
Summary: By evaluating genetic variation across the entire genome, the study found evidence of local adaptation and population structuring in Sardina pilchardus, which is a highly exploited species. The findings highlight the importance of physical and ecological factors in maintaining population structure, and suggest the need for continuous monitoring under a seascape genomic approach. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the species' responses to climate change and can aid in predicting future changes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elisabetta Cilli, Francesco Fontani, Marta Maria Ciucani, Marcella Pizzuto, Pierangelo Di Benedetto, Sara De Fanti, Thomas Mignani, Carla Bini, Rocco Iacovera, Susi Pelotti, Filippo Spadola, Donata Luiselli, Sabrina Lo Brutto
Summary: This study utilized a neglected lion skeleton to undertake a multidisciplinary project, enhancing naturalistic museum collections and sharing learning material. The results show that this approach has important opportunities for biodiversity preservation and driving conservation policies.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Cristina Gioia Di Camillo, Giorgia Luzi, Afghan Danial, Luciano Di Florio, Barbara Calcinai, Sabrina Lo Brutto, Jessica Luana Santana Mendonca de Oliveira, Agnese Fumanti, Carlo Cerrano
Summary: The macrofauna in the intertidal zone of sandy beaches plays an important role in the trophic connectivity between land and sea. However, urbanized beaches with breakwater barriers and tourism activities have negative impacts on the energy transfer from marine to terrestrial habitats. This study aims to increase our knowledge about the macrofauna in the Mediterranean sandy coasts and identify taxa that are sensitive to human-induced stresses. The results show differences in macrofauna composition and abundance between a highly frequented beach and a marine protected area, which may be attributed to the combined effect of breakwater barriers and intense trampling, especially in the summer.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riccardo Melis, Laura Vacca, Alessia Cariani, Laura Carugati, Charis Charilaou, Simone Di Crescenzo, Alice Ferrari, Maria Cristina Follesa, Cecilia Mancusi, Valentina Pinna, Fabrizio Serena, Letizia Sion, Fausto Tinti, Rita Cannas
Summary: The thornback ray is the most important chondrichthyan in terms of landings in the Mediterranean Sea. Genetic diversity information should be considered in fisheries management and conservation policies. Microsatellite markers were used to study the genetic features of thornback ray populations, revealing significant genetic differences between Mediterranean and Atlantic rays, as well as within the Mediterranean Sea.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
F. P. Mancuso, S. Lo Brutto, R. Chemello, G. Sara, A. M. Mannino
Summary: Brown foundation seaweeds are important for increasing substrate heterogeneity and shaping biodiversity in rocky coastal ecosystems. However, they are declining due to human activities and climate change, leading to less complex habitats. This study investigates the role of structural attributes of two intertidal macroalgae in shaping their associated epifaunal assemblages. The findings suggest that besides seaweed substrate attributes, wave action and chemical defense might also play a role in structuring the assemblages.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Riccardo Melis, Laura Vacca, Alessia Cariani, Laura Carugati, Alessandro Cau, Charis Charilaou, Simone Di Crescenzo, Alice Ferrari, Maria Cristina Follesa, Farid Hemida, Sarah Helyar, Sabrina Lo Brutto, Letizia Sion, Fausto Tinti, Rita Cannas
Summary: This study used microsatellite markers to analyze the population genetics of the small-spotted catshark. Significant genetic differences were found between geographic populations in the Mediterranean Sea and between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. The results also suggest that the Strait of Gibraltar does not represent a complete barrier to the exchange of individuals between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paolo Stara, Riccardo Melis, Andrea Bellodi, Maria Cristina Follesa, Carlo Corradini, Laura Carugati, Antonello Mulas, Michela Sibiriu, Rita Cannas
Summary: This study analyzed 270 specimens of Spatangidae trawled in the Sardinian seas to identify diagnostic characters at the genus level and distinguish two distinct forms within the studied material. Based on morphological and genetic analysis, most individuals were classified as Spatangus purpureus, while a few were similar to Spatangus raschi. Based on the differences, the authors propose to maintain the genus Spatangus and establish the new genus Propespatagus to include other species previously classified as Spatangus. These findings contribute to taxonomic clarification and species identification in the Mediterranean region.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sabrina Lo Brutto, Antonina Badalucco, Rocco Iacovera, Elisabetta Cilli, Maurizio Sara
Summary: The latest reorganization of the Vertebrate collections at the Pietro Doderlein Museum of Zoology has resulted in a check-list of Mammal taxa, including stuffed, fluid-preserved, and anatomical specimens. The project, part of the National Biodiversity Future Center's agenda, aims to enhance Italian natural history museums. The collection contains 679 specimens from 157 specific taxa, representing an important asset for biodiversity research in the Mediterranean area.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Sabrina Lo Brutto
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlo Pipitone, Gianna Innocenti, Paola Pepe, Maria Tumbiolo, Sabrina Lo Brutto
Summary: This article describes the Crustacea collection preserved in the Museum of Zoology P. Doderlein in Palermo, Italy. The collection consists mainly of Decapoda, and also includes Stomatopoda, Isopoda, Amphipoda, and Cirripedia. The collection includes common species, some of which are now protected.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Riccardo Melis, Simone Di Crescenzo, Alessia Cariani, Alice Ferrari, Valentina Crobe, Andrea Bellodi, Antonello Mulas, Laura Carugati, Elisabetta Coluccia, Maria Cristina Follesa, Rita Cannas
Summary: This study focused on three species of electric rays in the Mediterranean Sea, and found that the population in Sardinia has high genetic diversity and should be prioritized for conservation. The study also confirmed the presence of only the three species in the investigated area, but suggested the possibility of cryptic species in other regions and genera/families.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alice Ferrari, Valentina Crobe, Rita Cannas, Rob W. Leslie, Fabrizio Serena, Marco Stagioni, Filipe O. Costa, Daniel Golani, Farid Hemida, Diana Zaera-Perez, Letizia Sion, Pierluigi Carbonara, Fabio Fiorentino, Fausto Tinti, Alessia Cariani
Summary: The Raja miraletus species complex shows high morphological and ecological stability in the Eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Through genetic analysis, we discovered multiple sibling taxa and cryptic speciation, supporting the idea of stabilising selection. Despite high species diversity, skates (Rajiformes) have conserved morphology and ecology. Our study confirms the taxonomic boundaries of three recognized species and reveals hidden genetic structures that can contribute to conservation efforts.
Article
Fisheries
Margherita Toma, Marzia Bo, Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti, Simonepietro Canese, Martina Canessa, Rita Cannas, Frine Cardone, Laura Carugati, Alessandro Cau, Giuseppe Corriero, Maria Cristina Follesa, Maria Mercurio, Silvestro Greco, Franco Andaloro, Giorgio Bavestrello
Summary: An analysis of ROV dives along the Italian coasts revealed the current distribution and habitat preferences of the red coral species Corallium rubrum. The species is widespread, with higher abundance in Sardinia. It prefers depths between 75 m and 125 m, and thrives in habitats dominated by crustose coralline algae.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
