Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Baldrighi, Sarah Pizzini, Elisa Punzo, Angela Santelli, Pierluigi Strafella, Tommaso Scirocco, Elena Manini, Daniele Fattorini, Claudio Vasapollo
Summary: This study assessed the response and patterns of meio-and macrofauna in Ancona Harbor to different environmental conditions. The results showed differences in community structure and diversity between the two benthic size classes, with meiofauna being more sensitive to environmental features and contaminants.
Article
Ecology
Darwin Ramteke, K. Paramasivam, C. Viswanathan, K. R. Abhilash, J. Joyson Joe Jeevamani, V. Deepak Samuel, R. Sankar, R. Muruganandam, R. Purvaja, R. Ramesh
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of oyster habitats, benthic faunal assemblages, and functional feeding groups along Pulicat Lake in India. The study identified three major reefs and two minor beds, as well as four species of oysters. The macrofaunal assemblages consisted of 71 species from five major phyla, and were classified into five functional feeding groups. The analysis revealed that the oyster reefs/beds in Pulicat Lake have a moderate ecological quality status.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Miatta, Paul V. R. Snelgrove
Summary: The heterogeneous topography of continental margins can influence patterns of resource availability and biodiversity in deep-sea sediments. This study in the Northwest Atlantic continental margin found contrasting spatial patterns and drivers of benthic nutrient fluxes and macrofaunal communities in different sedimentary habitats.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Magda Nenciu, Victor Nita, Adrian Teaca, Adrian Popa, Tatiana Begun
Summary: The North-Western Black Sea shelf is highly susceptible to disruptions in its habitats and ecosystems, particularly from beam trawl fisheries targeting the invasive gastropod Rapana venosa. Previous studies have primarily focused on gear selectivity and by-catch rates, with limited research conducted in the region. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of beam trawling and propose effective management measures for sustainable zoning of the North-Western Black Sea shelf. Our findings indicate that beam trawling activities can significantly alter benthic habitat structure and call for further investigations to support ecosystem-based management in this marine protected area.
Article
Oceanography
Jill R. Bourque, Amanda W. J. Demopoulos, Craig M. Robertson, Furu Mienis
Summary: The study found that there is higher diversity in sediment communities adjacent to hard substrate habitats and along the axis of submarine canyons. The abundance and diversity of hard substrate adjacent sediment communities did not change with depth, mainly influenced by sediments with low organic matter content, while canyon and slope community assemblages were affected by depth and higher organic content.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
H. Gary Greene, John Aschoff
Summary: The potential for oil spills in the San Juan Archipelago of Washington State has become a growing concern. The diverse biological resources and tourist industry in the region are at risk of being adversely impacted by increased tanker vessel traffic and other types of marine traffic, which could lead to significant oil spills.
CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amy E. Fowler, Grace A. Loonam, April M. H. Blakeslee
Summary: Non-indigenous species, such as the Japanese mystery snail, Heterogen japonica, can cause declines in global freshwater biodiversity. In this study, the researchers surveyed ponds and rivers in the Mid-Atlantic USA and found that H. japonica populations have low genetic diversity and limited genetic structure compared to their indigenous range. They also discovered that female H. japonica individuals were more abundant and had a higher number of brooding embryos. This study suggests that H. japonica has the potential for further population growth and highlights the importance of studying invasive species' reproductive capacity and genetic diversity.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Stephanie A. Norman, Dyanna M. Lambourn, Jessica L. Huggins, Joseph K. Gaydos, Sandra Dubpernell, Susan Berta, Jennifer K. Olson, Victoria Souze, Alysha Evans, Betsy Carlson, Mandi Johnson, Rachel Mayer, Cathy King, Alyssa Scott
Summary: The study reveals the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in harbor seals and harbor porpoises in the Salish Sea, with porpoises more likely to harbor resistant organisms than seals. Differences in resistance patterns were observed between age classes and geographic regions, indicating potentially diverse environmental pools of resistant organisms in the area.
OCEANS-SWITZERLAND
(2021)