From climate perception to action : strategic adaptation for small island farming communities : a focus on Malta

Located in the central Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese islands are prone to a set of climate change impacts that are specific to the region. Local climatological records show a warming trend of both the annual maximum and minimum temperatures, where the incidence of warmer nights is becoming increasingly common. Coherence in the formulation and application of climate related policy that deals with climate change adaptation is fundamental in order to ensure avoidance of sectorial initiatives that may have unintended but negative adaptive consequences.peer-reviewe

DNA analysis supports the presence of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879) in Malta : a seasonal and multi-location investigation with additional notes on the central Mediterranean area

On the sole basis of morphometric analysis, it was routinely presumed that Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus, 1758), Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) and Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775), occur in Malta. Recent DNA-based investigations (in-part combined with morphometric analysis) on islands and continental landmasses in the central Mediterranean shed light on the phylogeography of these and other, closely related, species. The present contribution focuses on seasonal and multi-location investigations within Malta of the genera Pontia, Zizeeria and Polyommatus. Voucher specimens from Sicily, Lampedusa and Spain are also analysed. A total of 43 specimens, in the following configuration are examined: Pontia (n = 21), Polyommatus (n = 11), Zizeeria (n = 11). DNA results obtained confirm the presence in Malta of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879); conversely, Z. knysna and P. icarus are not reported from within the suite of specimens sequenced, while the presence of P. daplidice is confirmed from Lampedusa and, predictably, from the arid Monegros region in Spain.peer-reviewe

A bonanza of angelfish (Perciformes : Pomacanthidae) in the Mediterranean : the second documented record of Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

The second record of the Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus, 1758), is hereby documented for the Mediterranean, through a single individual spearfished within Maltese coastal waters. Considerations on the potential introduction pathway for the species, which is popular in the aquarium trade, are made.peer-reviewe

Tapping into hard-to-get information : the contribution of citizen science campaigns for updating knowledge on range-expanding, introduced and rare native marine species in the Malta-Sicily Channel

Considerable research effort has recently been invested into the reporting of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) within the Mediterranean Sea, with species’ first records from the Basin holding most prestige within the biological community. This invariably leads to a discard of secondary, unpublished records, which represent a vast repository of information. This study documents a total of 49 unpublished records (represented by 89 individuals) of nine Atlantic range-expanding and introduced species, as well as rarely-reported native and cryptogenic species, within the Malta-Sicily Channel, gleaned through citizen science efforts conducted on the islands of Malta and Sicily. The study also represents the second record of Pomadasys incisus (Bowdich, 1825) from Maltese waters, as well as the second record of Selene dorsalis (Gill, 1863) from the Mediterranean.peer-reviewe

The confirmed occurrence of Schedophilus medusophagus (Cocco, 1839) and Petromyzon marinus Linnaeus, 1758 in Maltese waters, central Mediterranean Sea

Specimens of two uncommon fish species, Schedophilus medusophagus and Petromyzon marinus, were recently collected in nearshore waters off the island of Malta in the central Mediterranean. Several morphological and biological parameters for the specimens are described. The findings ascertain the occurrence of the two species in the area and corroborate furthermore the substantial contribution to wildlife sightings made through social media and by citizen scientists, thus further increasing knowledge on Mediterranean biodiversity.peer-reviewe

Turning waste into a resource : isolation and characterization of high‐quality collagen and oils from Atlantic bluefin tuna discards

At the behest of the Green Deal, circular economy concepts are currently being widely promoted, not least within the aquaculture sector. The current study aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of extracting collagen and fish oils from waste Atlantic bluefin tuna biomass originating from the Maltese aquaculture industry. For collagen, a three‐stage methodology, consisting of pre‐treatment, extraction, and retrieval, was applied to biomass originating from bone, skin, muscle, and internal organs (offal) in order to extract both acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin‐soluble collagen (PSC). The chemical identity of the extracted collagen was confirmed through the conduction of hydroxyproline and SDS‐PAGE tests as well as through FTIR, whilst the extracted collagen was also tested for its microbiological and heavy metal profiles. The collagen yield was found to be highest for skin tissue and for PSC‐based protocols and is comparable to the yield cited in the literature for other tuna species. Oils were extracted through low temperature, high temperature, and enzymatic means. The fatty acid profile of the extracted oils was assessed using GC‐FID; this indicated high proportions of EPA and DHA. Yield indicated that the enzymatic extraction of oil is most effective. High heat and the presence of iron‐containing muscle starting material promote oxidation and rancidity. Further effort into the optimization of both collagen and lipid extraction protocols must be invested, with a special focus on the production of high‐value fractions that are much closer to the quality required for human use/consumption.peer-reviewe

First record of the flat needlefish Ablennes hians (Belonidae) in central Mediterranean waters (western Ionian Sea)

Two specimens of Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) were collected between 2018 and 2020 in nearshore waters off the island of Malta. The first occurrence of the flat needlefish in the central Mediterranean, almost contemporary to its first record in the eastern Levantine Sea, is briefly discussed.peer-reviewe

Bridging the knowledge gap on the distribution and typology of vermetid bioconstructions along the Maltese coastline : an updated assessment

In the Maltese Islands, insufficient attention has been paid to vermetid reefs, endemic Mediterranean bioconstructions widely distributed along the southern part of the basin. As a result, this is a largely-overlooked coastal ecosystem despite the multitude of ecosystem services it provides. The perennial urban development in the Maltese Islands calls for the adoption of urgent action to protect coastal habitats, in particular bioconstructions that increase biodiversity and contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. The objective of our study was to extensively document the presence and typology of the vermetid reef ecosystems along the coast of Malta and Gozo, assessing the occurrence of putative anthropogenic threats on the same ecosystem. Quantitative measurements were additionally taken to morphologically characterize the recorded bioconstructions. Furthermore, we tested the human pressure effect on the density of vermetid individuals and associated biodiversity. “True” trottoirs were only documented along the south-east coast of Malta, where unfortunately land reclamation projects are expected to be implemented. Although no direct relation between a number of assessed human activities and the density of vermetid individuals was reported in the current study, we suggest the conduction of further studies to investigate the influence of specific disturbances on the conservation status of this ecosystem. This study expands the existing knowledge on the status of vermetid reefs in the Maltese Islands and calls for management and conservation actions to preserve this bioconstruction.peer-reviewe

Using local ecological knowledge to search for non-native species in Natura 2000 sites in the central Mediterranean sea : an approach to identify new arrivals and hotspot areas

The management of biological invasions is among the most urgent of global challenges and requires a significant monitoring effort to obtain the information needed to take the appropriate decisions. To complement standard monitoring, citizen science is increasingly being used. Within citizen science, the approach of collecting and investigating Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) proved to be useful in the monitoring of non-native species. A LEK survey was carried out in 10 Sicilian and Maltese Natura 2000 sites in order to help in the early detection of non-native species. The survey was addressed to local fishers and SCUBA divers in order to investigate the occurrence of 24 selected marine non-native species and to identify potential hotspot areas of invasion through the use of six indicators: the occurrence of newly introduced nonindigenous species, the cumulative impacts of invasive alien species (CIMPAL) and the relative importance of species on the cumulative impacts (D1, D2, D3, and D4). The respondents confirmed the presence of 22 species since the year 2000 and reported 10 new ones registered in the investigated areas. The highest CIMPAL value was observed in two Sicilian Natura 2000 sites (ITA090028 and ITA040014) and the lowest on the western coast of Malta (MT0000101, MT0000102, MT0000103, and MT0000104) The four top-priority species according to indicators D1–D4 were Caulerpa cylindracea, C. taxifolia, Siganus luridus and S. rivulatus. The study produced a valid and useful scientific output to suggest and address management strategies to monitor the establishment of the non-native species.peer-reviewe

“New Alien Mediterranean Biodiversity Records” (November 2021)

This Collective Article includes records of 29 alien and cryptogenic species in the Mediterranean Sea, belonging to eight Phyla (Rhodophyta, Ochrophyta, Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata) and coming from 11 countries. Notes published here can be divided into three different categories: occupancy estimation for wide areas, new records for the Mediterranean Sea, and new records of species expanding within the Mediterranean Sea. The first category includes a visual survey held along the coastline of Peloponnese (Greece), which yielded records of 15 species. The second category includes the first Mediterranean records of the Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Greece) and of the Arabian monocle bream Scolopsis ghanam (Tunisia). The third category includes new records for countries (Ganonema farinosum in Malta, Cassiopea andromeda in Libya, Cingulina isseli in Greece, Okenia picoensis in Italy, Callinectes sapidus in Slovenia, Charybdis cf. hellerii in Malta, Urocaridella pulchella in Cyprus, Ablennes hians and Aluterus monoceros in Lebanon, and Fistularia petimba in Greece and Lebanon), new records for MSFD areas or regional seas (Septifer cumingii in the Greek Ionian Sea and F. petimba in the Marmara Sea), and confirmation of old, doubtful, or spurious records/statements (Branchiomma luctuosum in Tunisia, Thalamita poissonii in the Saronikos Gulf, and Pterois miles in Albania). Noteworthy, the three new records of F. petimba suggest that it may soon spread further in the Mediterranean Sea, as already happened for its congeneric Fistularia commersonii. Distributional data reported here will help tracing colonization routes of alien species in the basin and may facilitate the development of mitigation measures