Marine Protected Areas effectively maintain endemic Pinna nobilis populations

Coastal habitat degradation compromise sessile marine species. Populations of the endemic species, fan shell bivalve Pinna nobilis are declining in spite of species protection. Models analyzed environmental versus human-derived stressors as explanatory variables depicting populations at mesoscale level. Human stressors explained most variability in density spatial distribution significantly disturbing benthic communities, while habitat protection affected P. nobilis structure and physical aggression by anchoring highly impact on densities. Environmental variables played a secondary role, indicating that global change processes are not so relevant in coastal benthic communities as human-derived impacts

Applying Fourier analyses to assess influence of environmental factors on shell morphology of Mediterranean endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis

Environmental factors such as depth or hydrodynamics can influence the morphology of Pinna nobilis. In the present work the variation in shape morphology was studied by Fourier analysis according to different environmental conditions. Important differences were found within juveniles and adults. Discriminant analysis with elliptical Fourier descriptors was able to classify with high accuracy 97.1% of the individuals according to the factors studie

Isotopic tissue fractionation at bivalve Pinna nobilis, a non-invasive approach

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of muscle and mantle in Mediterranean endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis individuals have been analyzed to study tissue fractionation. Muscle tissue is enriched in both δ13C and δ15N compared to mantle on average 1.11 ‰ and 0.71 ‰, respectively. Analyses of mantle tissue do not involve sacrifice of individuals and are therefore proposed as a conservation tool in the study of P. nobilis

Intertidal and subtidal rocky shore sampling methods: a review. Addressing the needs of WFD and MSFD

With European legislations compelling Member States to evaluate their seas, the need of comparable data and methodologies grows. In the intertidal and the subtidal rocky shores, benthic communities (flora and fauna) and macroalgal communities are the most assessed. Strategies and methodologies applied are diverse. Visual censuses are the most used strategy, while quadrats are the most applied methodology. A review of different methods is presented

Annual cycle of 13C and 15N stable isotope signatures of adductor muscle at the bivalve Pinna nobilis

Pinna nobilis are efficient filter feeders bivalves and provide evidence of surrounding conditions. Individuals of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) have been sampled and isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N have been analyzed to study the annual cycle of the fan mussel in non-eutrophic waters. Values obtained in summer months are higher indicating the need to consider temporal shifts in stable isotope linked with trophic resources availabilit

Pinctada imbricata radiata in the Balearic Archipelago

The presence of Pinctada imbricata radiata (rayed pearl oyster) was explored in the Bay of Palma (Balearic Archipelago, NW Mediterranean Sea) by means of Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS). Forty-three specimens were found in rocky substrates from recreational marinas and neighbouring natural habitats, including Cabrera National Park. Average hinge length was 26.8 ± 13.3 mm and average shell height was 28.6 ± 16.2 mm; a maximum size of 55.6 × 55.9 mm was measured. The main occurrence of the exotic oyster in marinas, and also far away in Cabrera, points to maritime transport as the primary introduction vector; whereas records in the adjacent natural habitats suggest secondary spread by natural dispersal has occurred. Considering the populations of P. imbricata radiata documented in the Balearic Archipelago, the bivalve seems to be well established in the area. The study explores the potential of RAS as early detection tools for invasive species along the coastline, and recommends further assessment on the ecological impact of P. imbricata radiata in marine protected areas.En prens

Estado de conservación del bivalvo amenazado Pinna nobilis en el Parque Nacional de Cabrera.

Postprin