Lower genetic diversity in the limpet Patella caerulea on urban coastal structures compared to natural rocky habitats

Human-made structures are increasingly found in marine coastal habitats. The aim of the present study was to explore whether urban coastal structures can affect the genetic variation of hard-bottom species. We conducted a population genetic analysis on the limpet Patella caerulea sampled in both natural and artificial habitats along the Adriatic coast. Five microsatellite loci were used to test for differences in genetic diversity and structure among samples. Three microsatellite loci showed strong Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium likely linked with the presence of null alleles. Genetic diversity was significantly higher in natural habitat than in artificial habitat. A weak but significant differentiation over all limpet samples was observed, but not related to the type of habitat. While the exact causes of the differences in genetic diversity deserve further investigation, these results clearly point that the expansion of urban structures can lead to genetic diversity loss at regional scales

Potential crypticity within two decapod (Crustacea) genera: Galathea Fabricius, 1793 and Eualus Thallwitz, 1891 suggested by integrative taxonomic approach

Correct species identification and description are fundamental to understand the health status of marine ecosystems. The use of a single identification tool for species distinction may lead to species misidentifications, having major consequences for ecological studies. In the present research, we used an integrative taxonomic approach to identify benthic decapods belonging to the genera of Galathea Fabricius, 1793 and Eualus Thallwitz, 1891, collected in the Mediterranean Sea. 23 Galathea and 22 Eualus individuals were morphologically analyzed and sequenced at the mitochondrial COI gene to confirm their identity using the BOLD Identification Engine. Morphological identification revealed the presence of two Galathea and three Eualus species, while species delimitation based on DNA barcoding of COI sequences strongly suggested the presence of three Galathea and four Eualus species. Molecular analyses suggested the potential presence of two still undescribed species: one cryptic to Galathea squamifera and one cryptic to Galathea intermedia. Contrasting results obtained via morphological identification and the BOLD Identification Engine impeded the recognition of Eualus specimens and suggested misidentifications among BOLD reference records of Eualus cranchii, Eualus occultus, and Eualus pusiolus. These results demonstrated that morphological identification overlooks cryptic species and that misidentifications may occur, highlighting the importance of using an integrative approach to increase the current taxonomic knowledge of benthic invertebrates

Chasing genetic structure in coralligenous reef invertebrates: patterns, criticalities and conservation issues

Conservation of coastal habitats is a global issue, yet biogenic reefs in temperate regions have received very little attention. They have a broad geographic distribution and are a key habitat in marine ecosystems impacted by human activities. In the Mediterranean Sea coralligenous reefs are biodiversity hot spots and are classified as sensitive habitats deserving conservation. Genetic diversity and structure influence demographic, ecological and evolutionary processes in populations and play a crucial role in conservation strategies. Nevertheless, a comprehensive view of population genetic structure of coralligenous species is lacking. Here, we reviewed the literature on the genetic structure of sessile and sedentary invertebrates of the Mediterranean coralligenous reefs. Linear regression models and meta-analytic approaches are used to assess the contributions of genetic markers, phylum, pelagic larval duration (PLD) and geographical distance to the population genetic structure. Our quantitative approach highlight that 1) most species show a significant genetic structure, 2) structuring differs between phyla, and 3) PLD does not appear to be a major driver of the structuring. We discuss the implication of these finding for the management and conservation, suggesting research areas that deserve attention, and providing recommendations for broad assessment and monitoring of genetic diversity in biogenic reefs specie

Local sources of vulnerability to climate change and armed conflicts in East Africa

While socioeconomic and institutional factors are crucial in explaining the onset and evolution of conflicts, recent research suggests that climate change is a further indirect driver acting as a “threat multiplier”. This paper focuses on the concept of vulnerability to both climate change and conflicts to explain why some locations are more likely to engage in armed conflicts than others in the presence of a similar level of exposure to climatic changes. In particular, by means of a Spatial Autoregressive Model, we identify a set of local-specific vulnerability factors that increase conflict risk in East Africa. We employ a georeferenced database with a resolution of 25 × 25 km, covering the period 1997–2016. Results from our analysis provide some interesting insights: first, climate change does not increase conflict risk per se, but only in the presence of pre-existing vulnerabilities. Second, resource access and socioeconomic factors play a key role in driving the climate-conflict nexus especially in urban areas. In particular, vulnerability is increased whenever power is not distributed in such a way as to ensure an equitable distribution of resources. Overall, our findings suggest that, by addressing vulnerability factors that prevent adaptive capacity and an equitable distribution of resources, societies may benefit in terms of both diminished conflict risk and alleviation of climate change impacts

Evidence of genetic isolation between two Mediterranean morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae

Coralligenous assemblages are among the most species-rich and vulnerable habitats of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, data on connectivity patterns on species inhabiting these habitats, crucial to define management and protection priorities, are largely lacking. Moreover, unreliable species-level taxonomy can confound ecological studies and mislead management strategies. In the northwestern Mediterranean two Parazoanthus axinellae morphotypes differing in size, color and preferred substrate are found in sympatry. In this study, we used COI and ITS sequence polymorphism to assess (1) the genetic divergence between the two morphotypes, (2) their connectivity patterns and (3) their phylogenetic position within the Parazoanthidae. Specimens of P. axinellae were sampled in 11 locations along the northwestern Mediterranean; in 6 locations, samples of the two morphotypes were collected in sympatry. Small genetic diversity and structure were found within morphotypes, while marked and consistent differentiation was detected between them. Moreover, the less widespread morphotype appeared to be closer to Pacific species as P. juanfernandezii and P. elongatus. Our findings confirmed the limited knowledge on Parazoanthus species complex, and how this gap can have important implication for the conservation strategies of this widespread and valuable genus in the Mediterranean Sea

Disentangling the effects of sandy beach management on intertidal macrobenthic fauna: a path analysis approach

Sandy beaches are dynamic coastal ecosystems shaped by natural processes and human driven activities, hosting diverse macrobenthic communities that serve as key indicators of ecological health. This study examines the interplay between natural and anthropogenic drivers affecting these communities across five beaches along the Emilia Romagna coast, Italy. By employing path analysis, we quantified the direct and indirect effects of environmental variables, including sediment characteristics, physical processes, beach morphology, and management practices. Sampling was conducted at high and low tidal levels, analyzing 330 samples to assess community structure and diversity. Results reveal that both natural and human drivers significantly influence macrobenthic communities, with contrasting effects. Positive impacts were associated with beach nourishment, which increased habitat availability; while practices such as frequent mechanized cleaning and artificial dune construction negatively impacted diversity and abundance. Other drivers, including erosion and subsidence, exhibited complex relationships with species richness and community composition, highlighting the role of beach morphodynamics as a determinant of benthic diversity. Species-specific responses were observed, with the polychaete Scolelepis (scolelepis) squamata thriving in nourished environments, while Polydora sp. generally showed sensitivity to disturbance. The dominant bivalve Lentidium mediterraneum displayed neutral responses to management but was influenced by sediment properties. These findings emphasize the need for adaptive, ecologically sensitive beach management strategies that balance tourism demands with conservation goals. This study highlights the value of path analysis in unraveling complex ecological interactions, offering insights for the sustainable management of sandy beach ecosystems under increasing environmental and anthropogenic pressures. Future efforts should integrate these findings into broader frameworks addressing coastal resilienc

Hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease progression determined by temporal evolution of speech attractors in the reconstructed phase-space

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most widespread neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, affected by a number of alterations, among which speech impairments that, interestingly, manifests up to 10 years before other major evidences (e.g. motor impairments). In this regard, we investigated the feasibility of a model based on the temporal evolution of speech attractors in the reconstructed phase space to identify hallmarks of PD identification and progression. To this end, the adopted dataset was made of vocal emissions of 46 de-novo and 54 mid-advanced People with PD, plus 113 healthy counterpart. A statistical analysis was applied to test the identified hallmarks effectiveness for diagnostic support, monitoring, and staging of the disease. According to the obtained results, the adopted approach of considering the temporal evolution of speech attractors in the reconstructed phase-space results effective to discriminate among the three groups of pathological or healthy voice

The role of miRNAs in the inflammatory phase of skin wound healing

Wound healing (WH) is a fundamental physiological process to keep the integrity of the skin, therefore impaired and chronic WH is a common and severe medical problem and represent one of the biggest challenges of public health. The resolution of the WH inflammatory phase is characterized by a complex series of events that involves many cellular types, especially neutrophils, macrophages and inflammatory mediators, which are crucial for a correct wound closure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in wound repair. In fact, miR-142 is linked to inflammation modulating neutrophils' chemotaxis and polarization, while the polarization of M1 toward the M2 phenotype is driven by miR-223 and miR-132 is linked to chemokines and cytokines that activate endothelial cells and attract leukocytes and peripheral cells to the damage site. Thus, understanding the dysregulation of miRNAs in WH will be decisive for the development of new and more effective therapies for the management of chronic wounds

Multiple sclerosis and allergic diseases: is there a relationship?

Immune system disorders characterize various diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and allergic diseases (AD). In MS, T-helper (Th)1 cell phenotype is responsible for the disease onset and long-term evolution. On the other hand, excessive Th2 cell activity has been demonstrated in AD. The simultaneous increase of MS and AD in the same geographical areas, observed in recent years, has questioned the mutually exclusive correlation between MS and AD immunopathogenesis supported by the Th1/Th2 paradigm and has moved the interest in understanding possible overlaps. This manuscript aims to discuss the literature, collected over the past two decades, about the association between MS and AD, and both experimental and epidemiological studies have been reviewed. The results do not provide a solid correlation between AD and MS, although experimental studies support the involvement of the same cells and molecules in the immunopathogenesis of both diseases. Further studies, increasing knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these two disorders, could help to clarify if a positive or negative association links them and provide the possibility for the development of new therapies