Seasonal changes in population of the Amphipod Gammarus aequicauda (Martynov, 1931)

Monthly collections were made for one year (March 2001 to February 2002) in Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian sea, Italy), in order to establish the seasonal fluctuations of a population of Gammarus aequicauda (Crustacea, Amphipoda). Variations in the population structure, sex ratio and fecundity were studied. The population comprised all stages of the life cycle all year round, thus showing continuous reproduction. Size differences between males and females occurred throughout the year with males being larger than females. The recruitment of juveniles into the population occurred particularly in autumn-winter. Females consistently predominated in numbers over males during winter months. Female cephalic length was positively correlated with eggs number

New Fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea (November, 2016)

In this fourth Collective Article, with fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean, we present weight-length relationships for eight deep-sea fish species (Brama brama, Conger conger, Etmopterus spinax, Molva macrophthalma, Mora moro, Pagellus bogaraveo, Phycis blennoides) from the Eastern Ionian Sea; Scyliorhinus canicula from various locations in the Mediterranean Sea and weight-length relationships and condition factor of five Mugilidae species (Liza aurata, Liza saliens, Liza ramada, Mugil cephalus, Chelon labrosus) from a Mediterranean lagoon in the Ionian Sea. Moreover, we present otolith weight, fish length and otolith length relationships of the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the Aegean and Ionian Sea and otolith weight relationships in European hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Greek Seas

New Fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea (October 2015)

In this third Collective Article, with fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea, we present the historical length distribution of Lophius budegassa in the catch of commercial trawlers in the Greek seas; length-weight and length-length relationships of five flatfish species (Lepidorhombus boscii, L. whiffiagonis, Platichthys flesus, Pegusa lascaris and Solea solea) from different coastal areas of Turkey (Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea); growth of settled Polyprion americanus and length-weight relationships of this species and of Deltentosteus quadrimaculatus, Capros aper and three commercially important groupers in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; the age, growth and mortality of Zosterisessor ophiocephalus in the Eastern Adriatic Sea; the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Atherina boyeri in a Central Mediterranean semi-isolated lagoon, and also the length-weight and length-length relationships of three Alburnus species from different inland waters in Turkey

A toxicity scoring system for the 10-day whole sediment test with Corophium insidiosum (Crawford)

This study developed a tool able to evaluate the potential contamination of marine sediments detecting the presence or absence of toxicity supporting environmental decision-making processes. When the sample is toxic, it is important to classify its level of toxicity to understand its subsequent effects and management practices. Corophium insidiosum is a widespread and frequently recorded species along the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and western Baltic Sea with records also in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This amphipod is found in high abundance in shallow brackish inshore areas and estuaries also with high turbidity. At Italian level, C. insidiosum is more frequently collectable than Corophium orientale, making routine toxicity tests easier to be performed. Moreover, according to the international scientific literature, C. insidiosum is more sensitive than C. orientale. Whole sediment toxicity data (10 days) with C. insidiosum were organised in a species-specific toxicity score on the basis of the minimum significance difference (MSD) approach. Thresholds to rank samples as non-toxic and toxic were based on sediment samples (n = 84) from the Gulf of Taranto (Italy). A five-class toxicity score (absent, low, medium, high and very high toxicity) was developed, considering the distribution of the 90th percentile of the MSD normalised to the effects on the negative controls (samples from reference sites). This toxicity score could be useful for interpreting sediment potential impacts and providing quick responsive management information.This study developed a tool able to evaluate the potential contamination of marine sediments detecting the presence or absence of toxicity supporting environmental decision-making processes. When the sample is toxic, it is important to classify its level of toxicity to understand its subsequent effects and management practices. Corophium insidiosum is a widespread and frequently recorded species along the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and western Baltic Sea with records also in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This amphipod is found in high abundance in shallow brackish inshore areas and estuaries also with high turbidity. At Italian level, C. insidiosum is more frequently collectable than Corophium orientale, making routine toxicity tests easier to be performed. Moreover, according to the international scientific literature, C. insidiosum is more sensitive than C. orientale. Whole sediment toxicity data (10 days) with C. insidiosum were organised in a species-specific toxicity score on the basis of the minimum significance difference (MSD) approach. Thresholds to rank samples as non-toxic and toxic were based on sediment samples (n=84) from the Gulf of Taranto (Italy). A five-class toxicity score (absent, low, medium, high and very high toxicity) was developed, considering the distribution of the 90th percentile of the MSD normalised to the effects on the negative controls (samples from reference sites). This toxicity score could be useful for interpreting sediment potential impacts and providing quick responsive management information

A toxicity scoring system for the 10-day whole sediment test with Corophium insidiosum (Crawford)

This study developed a tool able to evaluate the potential contamination of marine sediments detecting the presence or absence of toxicity supporting environmental decision-making processes. When the sample is toxic, it is important to classify its level of toxicity to understand its subsequent effects and management practices. Corophium insidiosum is a widespread and frequently recorded species along the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and western Baltic Sea with records also in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This amphipod is found in high abundance in shallow brackish inshore areas and estuaries also with high turbidity. At Italian level, C. insidiosum is more frequently collectable than Corophium orientale, making routine toxicity tests easier to be performed. Moreover, according to the international scientific literature, C. insidiosum is more sensitive than C. orientale. Whole sediment toxicity data (10 days) with C. insidiosum were organised in a species-specific toxicity score on the basis of the minimum significance difference (MSD) approach. Thresholds to rank samples as non-toxic and toxic were based on sediment samples (n = 84) from the Gulf of Taranto (Italy). A five-class toxicity score (absent, low, medium, high and very high toxicity) was developed, considering the distribution of the 90th percentile of the MSD normalised to the effects on the negative controls (samples from reference sites). This toxicity score could be useful for interpreting sediment potential impacts and providing quick responsive management information.This study developed a tool able to evaluate the potential contamination of marine sediments detecting the presence or absence of toxicity supporting environmental decision-making processes. When the sample is toxic, it is important to classify its level of toxicity to understand its subsequent effects and management practices. Corophium insidiosum is a widespread and frequently recorded species along the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and western Baltic Sea with records also in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. This amphipod is found in high abundance in shallow brackish inshore areas and estuaries also with high turbidity. At Italian level, C. insidiosum is more frequently collectable than Corophium orientale, making routine toxicity tests easier to be performed. Moreover, according to the international scientific literature, C. insidiosum is more sensitive than C. orientale. Whole sediment toxicity data (10 days) with C. insidiosum were organised in a species-specific toxicity score on the basis of the minimum significance difference (MSD) approach. Thresholds to rank samples as non-toxic and toxic were based on sediment samples (n=84) from the Gulf of Taranto (Italy). A five-class toxicity score (absent, low, medium, high and very high toxicity) was developed, considering the distribution of the 90th percentile of the MSD normalised to the effects on the negative controls (samples from reference sites). This toxicity score could be useful for interpreting sediment potential impacts and providing quick responsive management information

Mediterranean Seafood: Functional Food Properties

An understanding of the biochemical composition of edible organisms is extremely important to determine their nutritional value. Some species can be recommended for human consumption only after assessing their nutritive value. Eating the right foods can help prevent, or more successfully manage, an illness. Seafoods have been recognized as nutraceuticals, or functional foods, with beneficial effects on one or more targeted functions. They contain important biochemical components, such as total protein, carbohydrates, and lipids, and in particular fatty acids, which are essential for human health. The aim of this study was to profile the chemical characteristics and nutritive value of certain species, caught in the Ionian Sea, that are of high commercial interest in Mediterranean countries and are found in fish markets

Lipid and Fatty Acid Compositions of Mytilus galloprovincialis Cultured in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Southern Italy): Feeding Strategies and Trophic Relationships

Lipid and fatty acid compositions of Mytilus galloprovincialis cultured in the Mar Grande of Taranto (southern Italy): feeding strategies and trophic relationships. Zoological Studies 49(2): 211-219. Lipid and fatty acid (FA) compositions were determined in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from June 2006 to May 2007 in the Mar Grande of Taranto, southern Italy. Total lipids significantly differed throughout the study period (ANOVA, p < 0.05), with higher values in summer (24.7% dry weight (DW)) and the lowest values in winter (3.5% DW). Triacylglycerols (TAGs) were the dominant lipid class in spring and summer accounting for 55.28% and 60.3% of total lipids, respectively, while in the autumn and winter phospholipids (PLs) were considerably greater than TAGs, comprising 55.16% and 47.5% of total lipids, respectively. Cholesterol did not show large variations over the seasons. Predominant FAs were saturated FAs (SAFAs) followed by monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs). The amount of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) was low. The 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, and 22:0 SAFAs, together with 14:1, 16:1 omega 7, 18:1 omega 9, 18:1 omega 7, 20:1 omega 9, and 24:1 omega 9 MUFAs, and the PUFA, non-methylene interrupted dienoic (NMID), were the most abundant FAs. FA biomarkers are frequently used to identify trophic relationships among marine invertebrates. In order to obtain indications on food sources of M. galloprovincialis, a variety of FA ratios and the sum of some FAs were determined. The sum of 18:1 omega 7 + odd-branched FAs indicated a moderate bacterial contribution to the mussel diet. A high 18:1 omega 9/18:1 omega 7 ratio together with a high level of 20:1w9 indicated an animal dietary input. Trophic markers suggested lows contribution of diatoms and dinoflagellates to the diet of M. galloprovincialis

Lipid Contents and Fatty Acid Compositions of Idotea baltica andSphaeroma serratum (Crustacea: Isopoda) as Indicators of FoodSources

Lipid contents and fatty acid compositions of Idotea baltica and Sphaeroma serratum (Crustacea: Isopoda) as indicators of food sources. Zoological Studies 51(1): 38-50. The lipid and fatty acid (FA) compositions of Idotea baltica and Sphaeroma serratum, from Mar Piccolo basin at Taranto (Ionian Sea), Italy, were analyzed during winter and summer to assess their feeding habits. The 2 isopods showed strong similarities in total lipid contents. Phospholipids (PLs) were the major lipid class in both species, followed by triacylglycerols (TAGs). A low proportion of energystorage lipids suggested a regular food supply. Twenty-seven fatty acids were identified in the species studied. Unsaturated FAs (UFAs) represented the predominant proportion in both species in the seasons studied. Among them, monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) showed higher levels. Regarding FAs corresponding to the potential food of the 2 isopods studied, I. baltica and S. serratum displayed different FA profiles. Large amounts of 18:2n-6 and18:3n-3 were found, especially in S. serratum suggesting a specific selection of phytodetritus from green algae or terrestrial material of neighboring vegetation. The FA marker for diatoms of I. baltica differed from that of S. serratum, although both species showed major consumption of diatoms during summer. Idotea baltica showed higher levels of 22:6n-3 and 20:4n-6 in winter suggesting a preference for dinoflagellates and macroalgae in this period. High levels of the carnivorous marker (the 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 ratio) reflected consumption of animal materials, especially in winter. Examination of trophic markers indicated that I. baltica and S. serratum consumed a mixed diet, showing that they have the ability to choose among available food sources