The effects of a marine fish-farm on the species richness and abundance of molluscs, decapods and echinoderms associated with a "Posidonia oceanica" meadow in Malta (Central Mediterranean)

The composition of the echinoderm, mollusc and decapod assemblages associated with a Posidonia oceanica meadow located close to a fish-farm varied with distance from the cages Three ecological zones were identified. The intermediate zone II (40-160m from the cages) had a higher species richness and abundance than either zones I (nearest the cages) and III (320m from the cages), probably due to the higher production resulting from a moderate level of nutrient enrichment at intermediate distances from the source of pollution.peer-reviewe

Baseline marine benthic surveys in the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

Extract from: MEDCOAST 97 : Proceedings of the Third International Conference on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment, Qawra, Malta / E. Ozhan (editor), (1997)During the period 1991 to 1997, extensive baseline studies of the submarine geomorphology, infralittoral habitats, macrobenthic assemblages, and demersal fish fauna, were carried out in 14 different sites around the Maltese Islands, using conventional SCUBA diving techniques. These were made as part of assessments of the environmental impact of existing or proposed projects, or in order to produce an inventory of coastal resources. In total, these surveys covered a sea-bed area of ca. 7.55Km² and a coastline length of ca 24 km, and represent the most extensive biological surveys of the marine environment carried out to date in the Maltese Islands. The results of these surveys have been presented as maps showing the type, location, and spatial extent of these physical and biological features. The Peres & Picard (1964) scheme, as adapted by Pen~s (1967; 1982) was used to classify and characterize the benthic assemblages recorded during the surveys. Our results show that, in tenus of spatial extent, the most important macrobenthic assemblages are the communities of photophilic 'algae on hard substrata, meadows of the sea-grass Posidonia oceanica and communities of bare well-sorted sand. For all these, many subtypes and facies exist, depending on the light intensity, hydrodynamic conditions, microtopography, sediment granulometry and other edaphic factors, and anthropic influences, including pollution. Other assemblages with a limited spatial distribution include meadows of the sea-grass (vmodocea nodosa and of the Lessepsian immigrant Halophila stipu/acea on sandy bottoms, the assemblages of boulder fields which are complexes of photophilic and sciaphilic communities, and those of marine caves. Our maps are supplemented by descriptions of the different habitats and macrobenthjc assemblages, species lists, and semi-quantitative data on percentage cover for the dominant macroalgae, shoot density counts for sea-grass meadows, and population density counts for the main macrofaunal species. These maps and data-sets are intended to be used (i) for assessing the status of habitats, species assemblages, and individual species, around the Maltese Islands in order to recommend appropriate measures for their conservation, including inclusion in red data lists; (ii) for designation of marine protected areas; and (iii) as baselines against which future monitoring studies and surveys can be compared.peer-reviewe

The state of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadow in the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

We have assessed the state of local Posidonica oceanica meadows by considering spatial and bathymetric distribution, general health and plant morphological characteristics. Our results show that dense and healthy meadows cover large areas off bottom of the Maltese coasts and extend to considerable depths, in places down to 43 meters.peer-reviewe

Alignment of marine habitat data of the Maltese Islands to conform to the requirements of the EU habitats directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC)

In 1992 the European Union (henceforth referred to as the EU) adopted a Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora that became known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. This Directive contains a range of measures aimed at the protection of species and habitats of EU interest. One of these measures requires each Member State to forward to the European Commission a list of sites proposed for inclusion in a EU-wide network of protected areas known as NATURA 2000. Sites adopted at Community level will be designated by Member States as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).peer-reviewe

Preliminary data on the occurrence and distribution of shallow water marine sponges (Porifera) around Maltese coasts

Data on the ecology of the Maltese Porifera is lacking altogether. Even documented basic information on the occurrence of commercial sponge species in Maltese coastal waters is unavailable. This study presents the results of a four-year diving survey aimed at studying the occurrence and distribution of shallow water sponges around the Maltese Islands.peer-reviewe

Preliminary data on bathymetric and temporal changes in the morphology of a Maltese Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadow

Preliminary data on the morphology of a local Posidonia oceanica meadow were obtained as part of an ongoing study on the community structure and composition of the vagile fauna associated with this seagrass. The values for Shoot Density, Leaf Standing Crop and Leaf Area Index obtained appear to be higher than those reported for meadows of this seagrass in other parts of the Mediterranean.peer-reviewe

Conference scene : Golden Helix Pharmacogenomics Days : educational activities on pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine

The Golden Helix Pharmacogenomics Days are high-profile international educational scientific meetings discussing pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. Here, we provide an overview of the scientific lectures and the topics discussed during the 4th Golden Helix Pharmacogenomics Day, held in Cagliari, Italy, on 7 October 2011, and the 5th Golden Helix Pharmacogenomics Day, that was held in Msida, Malta, on 3 December 2011. The scientific programs of both events included scientific and company lectures on pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics and personalized medicine by local and international speakers from Europe and the USA.peer-reviewe