Esponjas como “hoteles vivientes” en cuevas submarinas del Mediterráneo

Although sponges constitute the dominant sessile organisms in marine caves, their functional role as ecosystem engineers has received little attention in this habitat type. In this study the associated macrofauna of the massive/tubular ecosystem-engineering sponges Agelas oroides and Aplysina aerophoba was studied across distinct ecological zones of two eastern Mediterranean caves. Our results revealed that the examined sponges supported a considerable associated macrofauna. A total of 86 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time as sponge symbionts and typical cave dwellers. Crustaceans predominated in terms of abundance but polychaetes showed the highest number of taxa. A clear differentiation was observed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two sponges, attributed not only to the sponge species but also to differences in the surrounding environment. Density, diversity and the trophic structure of the sponge-associated macrofauna did not vary significantly along the horizontal axis of the surveyed caves. These findings suggest that sponges form a quite stable habitat, maintaining their functional role as ecosystem engineers across the studied marine caves and increasing habitat complexity in the impoverished inner dark cave sectors.A pesar de que las esponjas constituyen el grupo sésil dominante en cuevas submarinas, su papel como ingenieros del ecosistema dentro de estos ambientes ha recibido muy poca atención. En el presente trabajo, se ha estudiado la macrofauna asociada a las especies Agelas oroides y Aplysina aerophoba (ambas con una morfología masiva-tubular y consideradas como especies ingenieras del ecosistema) a lo largo de diferentes ambientes situados en dos cuevas marinas del Mediterráneo oriental. Nuestros resultados ponen de manifiesto que las dos especies de esponjas consideradas albergan una abundante fauna asociada. Se encontró un total de 86 taxones diferentes, muchos de los cuales son citados por primera vez como simbiontes de esponjas y habitantes de cuevas submarinas. Aunque los crustáceos fueron el grupo dominante en términos de abundancia, fueron los poliquetos los que presentaron la mayor riqueza taxonómica. Las comunidades asociadas a una y otra esponja presentaron claras diferencias, lo cual se atribuye no solo a diferencias relacionadas con las especies hospedadoras sino también al ambiente circundante. La densidad, diversidad y estructura trófica de la macrofauna asociada a las esponjas no varió significativamente a lo largo del eje horizontal de las cuevas muestreadas. Estos resultados sugieren que las esponjas forman un hábitat bastante estable, manteniendo su papel funcional como ingenieros del ecosistema a lo largo de las cuevas submarinas y, por tanto, incrementando la complejidad del hábitat en los sectores más internos, empobrecidos y oscuros de las cuevas

New Mediterranean biodiversity records (October, 2014)

The Collective Article 'New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of alien and native species respectively. The new records of alien species include: the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis (Crete and Lakonikos Gulf, Greece); the red alga Grateloupia turuturu (along the Israeli Mediterranean shore); the mantis shrimp Clorida albolitura (Gulf of Antalya, Turkey); the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, Ionian Sea); the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Chios Island, Greece); the isopod Paracerceis sculpta (northern Aegean Sea, Greece); the sea urchin Diadema setosum (Gökova Bay, Turkey); the molluscs Smaragdia souverbiana, Murex forskoehlii, Fusinus verrucosus, Circenita callipyga, and Aplysia dactylomela (Syria); the cephalaspidean mollusc Haminoea cyanomarginata (Baia di Puolo, Massa Lubrense, Campania, southern Italy); the topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Civitavecchia, Tyrrhenian Sea); the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (Plemmirio marine reserve, Sicily); the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Saros Bay, Turkey; and Ibiza channel, Spain); the Indo-Pacific ascidian Herdmania momus in Kastelorizo Island (Greece); and the foraminiferal Clavulina multicamerata (Saronikos Gulf, Greece). The record of L. sceleratus in Spain consists the deepest (350-400m depth) record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The new records of native species include: first record of the ctenophore Cestum veneris in Turkish marine waters; the presence of Holothuria tubulosa and Holothuria polii in the Bay of Igoumenitsa (Greece); the first recorded sighting of the bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus in Maltese waters; and a new record of the fish Lobotes surinamensis from Maliakos Gulf.peer-reviewe

BIONOMY STUDY ON THE SEA ANEMONES (ACTINIARIA, ANTHOZOA) OF THERMAIKOS GULF

THE RESEARCH CARRIED OUT IN THERMAIKOS GULF REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF 15 SPECIESOF SEA ANEMONES. NINE OF THE FIFTEEN SPECIES FOUND, ARE REPORTED FOR THE FIRSTTIME FROM THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND ONE FROM THE AEGEAN SEA. ACCORDING TO THE SELECTIVE PREFERENCE SHOWED BY THE VARIOUS ANEMONE SPECIES TO VARIOUS TYPESOF SUBSTRATES, THEY CAN BE DIVIDED TO 4 GROUPS. INFORMATION ON THE FEEDING HABITS OF THE ANEMONES WERE COLLECTED ONLY FOR 4 SPECIES (A. EQUINA, A. VARIDIS, C. PARASITICA AND C. PEDUNCULATUS) BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTED NUMBER OF SPECIMENSBELONGING TO THE REST OF THE SPECIES. DURING THIS STUDY, VARIOUS SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ANEMONES AND OTHER BENTHIC ORGANISMS WERE OBSERVED SOME OF WHICH ARE REPORTED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE A. VARIDIS POPULATION STUDIED WAS SETTLED IN A WELL FORMED ASSEMBLAGE BUT POOR IN SPECIES NUMBER COMPARED TO OTHER RELEVANT ASSEMBLAGES. BY THE USE OF THREE ARBITRARY AGE CLASSES THE SEASONAL AGE CONSTRUCTION OF THE POPULATION SHOWED A DIFFERENTIATION WHICH SHOULD BE ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO THE MIGRATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUALS FOR VARIOUS REASONS, BUT ALSO TOCHANGES IN THE INTENSITY OF AXCUAL REPRODUCTION. DURING THE STUDY OF THE VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF A. VIRIDIS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MEAN WEIGHT OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE POPULATION INCREASES WITH THE DEPTH AND THE DISTANCE FROM THE COAST.Η ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΠΟΥ ΕΓΙΝΕ ΣΤΟ ΘΕΡΜΑΙΚΟ ΚΟΛΠΟ ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΨΕ ΤΗΝ ΥΠΑΡΞΗ 15 ΕΙΔΩΝ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΙΩΝ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΩΝ. ΑΠΟ ΤΑ 15 ΕΙΔΗ ΠΟΥ ΒΡΕΘΗΚΑΝ ΤΑ 9 ΑΝΑΦΕΡΟΝΤΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΗ ΦΟΡΑ ΩΣ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΙΔΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΗΣ ΜΕΣΟΓΕΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΑΝΙΔΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΙΓΑΙΟΥ. ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΛΕΚΤΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΗΣΗ, ΠΟΥ ΕΔΕΙΞΑΝ ΤΑ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΑ ΕΙΔΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΩΝ ΣΕ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΟΥΣ ΤΥΠΟΥΣ ΥΠΟΣΤΡΩΜΑΤΩΝ ΕΓΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗΣ, ΜΠΟΡΟΥΝ ΝΑ ΔΙΑΚΡΙΘΟΥΝ ΣΕ 4 ΚΑΤΗΓΟΡΙΕΣ. ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΤΡΟΦΙΚΕΣ ΣΥΝΗΘΕΙΕΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΩΝ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΘΗΚΑΝ ΜΟΝΟ ΓΙΑ 4 ΕΙΔΗ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΩΝ ΤΑ: A. EQUINA, A. VIRIDIS, C. PARASITICA ΚΑΙ C. PEDUNCULATUS ΕΞΑΙΤΙΑΣ ΤΟΥΠΕΡΙΟΡΙΣΜΕΝΟΥ ΑΡΙΘΜΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΑΤΟΜΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΑΛΛΩΝ ΕΙΔΩΝ. ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΡΚΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΡΕΥΝΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΕΣ ΣΥΜΒΙΩΤΙΚΕΣ ΣΧΕΣΕΙΣ ΜΕΤΑΞΥ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΕΜΩΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΛΛΩΝ ΒΕΝΘΙΚΩΝ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΩΝ, ΜΕΡΙΚΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ ΟΠΟΙΕΣ ΑΝΑΦΕΡΟΝΤΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΗ ΦΟΡΑ. Ο ΠΛΗΘΥΣΜΟΣ ΤΟΥ A. VIRIDIS ΠΟΥ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΕ ΗΤΑΝ ΕΓΚΑΤΑΣΤΗΜΕΝΟΣ ΜΕΣΑ ΣΕ ΜΙΑ ΣΥΝΕΥΡΕΣΗ ΚΑΛΑ ΣΥΓΚΡΟΤΗΜΕΝΗ ΑΛΛΑ ΦΤΩΧΗ ΣΕ ΕΙΔΗ ΣΥΓΚΡΙΤΙΚΑ ΜΕ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΑΝΑΛΟΓΕΣ ΣΥΝΕΥΡΕΣΕΙΣ. ΜΕ ΤΟΝΚΑΘΟΡΙΣΜΟ ΤΡΙΩΝ ΑΥΘΑΙΡΕΤΩΝ ΚΛΑΣΕΩΝ ΗΛΙΚΙΑΣ Η ΕΠΟΧΙΚΗ ΗΛΙΚΙΑΚΗ ΣΥΓΚΡΟΤΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΠΛΗΘΥΣΜΟΥ ΕΔΕΙΞΕ ΜΙΑ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ, Η ΟΠΟΙΑ ΘΑ ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΔΟΘΕΙ ΚΥΡΙΩΣ ΣΤΙΣ ΜΕΤΑΝΑΣΤΕΥΣΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΤΟΜΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΠΛΗΘΥΣΜΟΥ, ΠΟΥ ΓΙΝΟΝΤΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΟΥΣ ΛΟΓΟΥΣ, ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΙΣ ΜΕΤΑΒΟΛΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΤΑΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΕΝΗ ΠΟΛΛΑΠΛΑΣΙΑΣΜΟΥ ΤΟΥΣ. ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΤΑΚΟΡΥΦΗΣ ΔΙΑΝΟΜΗΣ ΤΟΥ A. VIRIDIS ΔΙΑΠΙΣΤΩΘΗΚΕ ΟΤΙ ΤΟ ΜΕΣΟ ΒΑΡΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΤΟΜΩΝ ΕΝΟΣ ΠΛΗΘΥΣΜΟΥ ΑΥΞΑΝΕΤΑΙ ΟΣΟ ΑΥΞΑΝΕΙ ΤΟ ΒΑΘΟΣ ΚΑΙ Η ΑΠΟΣΤΑΣΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ AΚΤΗ

Mass Mortality of Shallow-Water Temperate Corals in Marine Protected Areas of the North Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

Coral mortality is a global phenomenon of increasing magnitude, correlated with climate change. Prolonged marine heatwaves have particularly affected the north Aegean Sea in summer 2021, threatening shallow-water stony corals, such as Balanophyllia europaea and Cladocora caespitosa. To assess their population status, ten coastal, rocky-bottom stations dispersed in Natura 2000 sites of Chalkidiki (north Aegean) were surveyed using non-destructive techniques in autumn 2021. At each station, corals’ abundance was estimated in situ, by counting the number of B. europaea polyps within randomly placed 50 × 50 cm quadrats, and the number of C. caespitosa colonies along three replicate belt transects 1 × 10 m. The status of corals was qualitatively assigned as healthy, bleached (partially or complete), or in necrosis (partial or complete). B. europaea was found in 80% of stations; in total, 58.17% of the coral specimens were affected by necrosis. C. caespitosa was found in 30% of stations; in total, 27.49% of the coral colonies were partially bleached and 11.32% in necrosis. Another nine sessile invertebrates (sponges, bivalves, and ascidians) were observed in necrosis. These results highlight the need to establish monitoring programs on vulnerable sessile invertebrate populations along the Aegean Sea to assess climate change impacts

Amphipoda species (Suborders: Amphilochidea and Senticaudata) from Vasiliko Bay, Cyprus: New records, information on their biogeography and an annotated checklist from the coasts of Cyprus

Rousou, Maria, Plaiti, Wanda, Lowry, Jim, Charalambous, Stephanos, Chintiroglou, Chariton Charles (2020): Amphipoda species (Suborders: Amphilochidea and Senticaudata) from Vasiliko Bay, Cyprus: New records, information on their biogeography and an annotated checklist from the coasts of Cyprus. Zootaxa 4896 (3): 373-408, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4896.3.

Temporal variations in fine sand assemblages in the North Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

Two sites were selected in the North Aegean Sea for the study of shallow fine sand assemblages, which are poorly known in the Eastern Mediterranean. The biomonitoring of these sites can provide useful information on the impact of human activities on the macrofaunal and meiofaunal composition of these assemblages. In order to examine this impact, sampling took place in five different periods between 2000 and 2001. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of the communities at the two sites showed certain differences, mostly between the sites and the year of sampling rather than between sampling periods, which would be the expected outcome. The communities seem to be affected by a combination of the human activities with the particular hydrodynamics of the studied sites

Sponges as “living hotels” in Mediterranean marine caves

Although sponges constitute the dominant sessile organisms in marine caves, their functional role as ecosystem engineers has received little attention in this habitat type. In this study the associated macrofauna of the massive/tubular ecosystem-engineering sponges Agelas oroides and Aplysina aerophoba was studied across distinct ecological zones of two eastern Mediterranean caves. Our results revealed that the examined sponges supported a considerable associated macrofauna. A total of 86 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time as sponge symbionts and typical cave dwellers. Crustaceans predominated in terms of abundance but polychaetes showed the highest number of taxa. A clear differentiation was observed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two sponges, attributed not only to the sponge species but also to differences in the surrounding environment. Density, diversity and the trophic structure of the sponge-associated macrofauna did not vary significantly along the horizontal axis of the surveyed caves. These findings suggest that sponges form a quite stable habitat, maintaining their functional role as ecosystem engineers across the studied marine caves and increasing habitat complexity in the impoverished inner dark cave sectors

Oceanographic Research in the Thermaikos Gulf: A Review over Five Decades

The Thermaikos Gulf (TG) is a semi-enclosed, river-influenced, marine system situated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, sustaining both urban coastal regions and ecologically preserved natural areas. Facing a plethora of environmental and anthropogenic pressures, the TG serves as a critical nexus where human activities intersect with marine ecosystems. The quality and health of the TG’s marine environment are tightly linked to the socioeconomic activities of the coastal communities comprising approximately 1.5 million inhabitants. The main features of the TG’s environmental dynamics and ecological status have been scrutinized by dedicated research endeavors during the last 50 years. This review synthesizes the seminal findings of these investigations, offering an evaluation of their contribution to research, their present collective impact, and their trajectory toward the future. A severe deterioration of the TG’s environmental quality was detected in the 1970s and 1980s when the treatment of urban wastewater was completely absent. A steady trend of recovery was observed after the 1990s; however, so far, the goal of a “good environmental state” mandated by national legislation and European directives has not been achieved. A clear reduction in research was detected after 2010, associated with the recession of the Greek economy, following the “golden period” for research in the TG from the mid-1990s until the late 2000s. The most important research gaps and uncertainties are discussed, while specific targeted recommendations for the improvement of monitoring and understanding of the physical, biochemical, and ecological state of the gulf are provided: (i) increase in permanent observational stations (temporally and spatially); (ii) inclusion of all major environmental parameters; (iii) monitoring of the quantity and quality of all land-originated freshwater discharges; (iv) monitoring and management of important aspects of the marine environment that have received minimal attention in the past (e.g., coastal erosion, plastic pollution); (v) development of accurate prediction tools (e.g., numerical techniques) to support first-level responders and efficient management; (vi) establishment of a supervising public entity that would support the holistic overview and management of the entire TG. These suggestions are directed at overcoming the existing uncertainties in the knowledge of the TG, safeguarding its ecological integrity and its role as a crucial link to marine biodiversity and sustainability in the Mediterranean basin

Polychaetes (Annelida) of Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean Sea): An Updated and Annotated Checklist including New Distribution Records

The diversity and distribution of polychaetes in the coastal area and the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus is presented based on both the literature records and new data acquired in a wide range of environmental monitoring programmes and research projects. A total of 585 polychaete species belonging to 49 families were reported in Cyprus waters; among them, 205 species (34%) were recorded based on the literature only, 149 (26%) were new records based on our own data, and a total of 231 spp. (40%) were recorded from both the literature and new data. A total of 51 polychaete species were identified as non-indigenous; among them, 32 were confirmed as alien species, 4 were considered cryptogenic, and 15 were considered questionable as there were doubts about their identity. The Indo-Pacific Schistomeringos loveni was reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, while four species already reported in the literature, namely, Bispira melanostigma, Fimbriosthenelais longipinnis Leonnates aylaoberi, and Rhodopsis pusilla, were added to the list of non-indigenous polychaetes in the Mediterranean Sea. The current work highlights the importance of implementing environmental monitoring programmes and carrying out research surveys targeting benthic macrofauna assemblages