Conceptual model of global plants entrapping plastics

Aquatic plants, seagrasses, macrophytes, mangroves, and riparian vegetation are responsible for some of the most important ecosystem services provided on the Earth. Given their role in trapping plastics along rivers, we propose a new ecosystem service of plastic entrapment by global plants. Although research started recently to study vegetation trapping plastics, little is known about the global patterns of plastic retention and remobilization by vegetation through different habitats. Given those gaps, we synthesize global data on plastic entrapment in plants providing a conceptual model to describe processes for plastic retention by vegetation. Our results demonstrate how vegetation has a pivotal role in entrapping plastics across spatial and temporal scales, finding the higher density of plastics on plants rather than in the adjacent water area. Furthermore, we proposed a conceptual model (i.e., Plant Plastic Pathway) of plants entrapping plastics, highlighting spatial and temporal scales of plastic retention and release processes in different habitats. Thus, we anticipate our conceptual model to be a starting point for more sophisticated future studies, putting effort into looking at plastic-vegetation dynamics. Our conceptual model may have a crucial effect if applied to plastic hotspot area detection with clean-up and mitigation actions in riverine ecosystems

Using Social Media to Determine the Global Distribution of Plastics in Birds’ Nests: The Role of Riverine Habitats

Plastics are widely distributed in all ecosystems with evident impacts on biodiversity. We aimed at examining the topic of plastic occurrence within bird nests. We conducted a systematic search on three social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to fill the gap of knowledge on plastic nests worldwide. As a result, we observed nests with plastics mostly belonging to synanthropic species inhabiting riverine habitats, mainly in Europe, North America, and Asia, with an increase in occurrence over the years. Two common and generalist freshwater species (Eurasian Coot Fulica atra and Swans Cygnus sp.) showed the highest frequency of occurrence of plastic debris. We suggest plastics in bird nests as a proxy for debris occurring in the environment. However, our data may be biased, due to our sample’s low representativeness. Therefore, more data are necessary to have more information on plastic distribution. In conclusion, social media might be pivotal in indicating plastic hotspot areas worldwide and being an indicator of plastic pollution within the environment

Non-native Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) (Bivalvia, Veneroidea) in Central Italy: do the waters pumped by Reclaimed Agencies may have a role in spreading through translocation?

Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, is an invasive mollusk species (Bivalvia, Veneridae) known to cause several negative impacts in freshwater ecosystems where it has been introduced. In the 2022 summer season a total drying up took place in the “Torre Flavia” wetland, a Special Protection Area (Latium, central Italy): it made possible a survey of biological remains deposited in the bottom of the wetland channels (> 2,000 m in total length). During this survey, for the first time, we recorded valves belonging to 68 specimens of Asian clam. We did not record living specimens. This is the first case of occurrence of this mollusk in a wetland basin (the fourth record for Central Italy). The population would not appear to have naturalized locally but, probably, individuals could be accidental arrived by the waters pumped by the Reclaimed Agency. We discussed the implications about the role of these Agencies in favour involuntarily the translocation of both native and non-native species from the dewatering pumps (along the Tiber River) to surrounding land reclaimed wet areas (channels and swamps) and croplands connected to the artificial water system

Non-native Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) (Bivalvia, Veneroidea) in Central Italy: do the waters pumped by Reclaimed Agencies may have a role in spreading through translocation?

Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, is an invasive mollusk species (Bivalvia, Veneridae) known to cause several negative impacts in freshwater ecosystems where it has been introduced. In the 2022 summer season a total drying up took place in the “Torre Flavia” wetland, a Special Protection Area (Latium, central Italy): it made possible a survey of biological remains deposited in the bottom of the wetland channels (> 2,000 m in total length). During this survey, for the first time, we recorded valves belonging to 68 specimens of Asian clam. We did not record living specimens. This is the first case of occurrence of this mollusk in a wetland basin (the fourth record for Central Italy). The population would not appear to have naturalized locally but, probably, individuals could be accidental arrived by the waters pumped by the Reclaimed Agency. We discussed the implications about the role of these Agencies in favour involuntarily the translocation of both native and non-native species from the dewatering pumps (along the Tiber River) to surrounding land reclaimed wet areas (channels and swamps) and croplands connected to the artificial water system

Meristics of the Etruscan goby Padogobius nigricans

The Etruscan goby Padogobius nigricans is a running water dwelling vulnerable species inhabiting the Tuscano-Latium district. Since many aspects of the biology of this species are still unknown, our research was aimed at describing its meristic features to observe how ontogeny and sexual dimorphism affect the studied traits, and thus provide useful characters for preservation purposes. Significant intra- and inter-population differences were detected for some meristic traits. In particular most of the studied parameters were affected by ontogeny but not sexual dimorphism except for the caudal fin, for which different values were registered for both sexes in two of the three studied populations. This suggests that the meristic pattern may change from one population to another. Considering the short geographic distance and the similar environmental conditions among the analysed locations, this differentiation was not expected. From the results of this research, there seems to be a considerable scope for further studies on P. nigricans due to the paucity of data regarding the morphology and meristics of this species

A 3D journey on virtual surfaces and inner structure of ossa genitalia in Primates by means of a non-invasive imaging tool

Novel bio-imaging techniques such as micro-Computed Tomography provide an opportunity to investigate animal anatomy and morphology by overcoming limitations imposed by traditional anatomical drawings. The primate genital bones are complex anatomical structures whose occurrence in both male penis (baculum) and female clitoris (baubellum) may be difficult to assess in individual cadavers. We tested a 3-step methodological protocol, including different techniques ranging from inexpensive/simple to more expensive/sophisticated ones, by applying it to a sample of primate species, and resulting in different levels of data complexity: (1) presence/absence manual palpation method; (2) 2D X-ray plates; 3) 3D micro-CT scans. Manual palpation failed on 2 out of 23 specimens by detecting 1 false negative and 1 false positive; radiography failed once confirming the false positive, however firmly disproved by micro-CT; micro-CT analysis reported the presence of 9 bacula out of 11 male specimens and 1 baubellum out of 12 female specimens. A different baculum position was identified between strepsirrhine and haplorrhine species. We also aim to assess micro-CT as a non-invasive technique providing updated anatomical descriptions of primate ossa genitalia. Micro-CT 3D volumes showed the surface of some bones as rough, with a jagged appearance, whereas in others the surface appeared very smooth and coherent. In addition, four main types of bone internal structure were identified: 1) totally hollow; 2) hollow epiphyses and solid diaphysis with few or several channels inside; 3) totally solid with intricate Haversian channels; 4) totally solid with some channels (structure of single baubellum scanned). Ossa genitalia appeared as a living tissue having its own Haversian-like channels. The high resolution of micro-CT 3D-images of primate genital bones disclosed additional form variability to that available from genital bone 2D images of previous studies, and showed for the first time new internal and external morphological characters. Moreover, micro-CT non-invasive approach proved appropriate to recover much of scientific knowledge still hidden and often neglected in both museum specimens and primate cadavers only destined to necropsy

Claw asymmetry in crabs: approaching an old issue from a new point of view

Abstract Crabs are considered exceptional examples of antisymmetry resulting from the phenomenon of heterochely. Here we investigate morphometrically both the size and the shape of heterochely in 28 crab species, distributed unequally along a brachyuran phylogeny. We address the importance of investigating claw size and shape for interspecific comparisons by linking geometric morphometric outputs to phylogenetic data for 134 brachyuran species. New indices introduced as new sexual dimorphic characters of size and shape, namely heterometry (right chela size/left chela size) and heteromorphy (Procrustes distance between right and left chelae shape), revealed sexually dimorphic differences in diverse crab species. We demonstrate that both size and shape heterochely occur amongst the examined species, but there are no ecological correlations. Our study demonstrates that claw similarity between two or more species was due mainly to phylogenetic relatedness rather than ecological convergence, suggesting that claw morphological features could be useful morphological markers in phylogenetic studies. Although further investigation is needed, this study represents one of the first to thoroughly analyse the origin and evolution of heterochely within the Brachyura clade

Growth, longevity, and mortality of the Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède, 1802) in a mediterranean lake (Rome, Italy)

The analysis of the structure and dynamics of an invasive population of the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacépède, 1802) in a Mediterranean wetland was the main goal of this study. Demographic potentialities were described by means of the Von Bertalanffy parameters, the latter obtained using length-at-age data. The mean values of the observed four age classes (recognized by the scale reading) were analysed by the Gulland & Holt analytical method, in order to calculate the curvature parameter (k = 0.49) and the asymptotic length (L∞ = 31). The Von Bertalanffy parameters were not considered to be affected by sexual dimorphism since no between-sexes differences were found in size and population structure. Besides the two previous parameters, we computed longevity of 5 years, with only a limited number of Largemouth Bass reaching this age (due to a high fishing mortality rate). Structure and dynamics of this population seem to reveal its stability and spreading potential, as an expression of the favourable ecological conditions encountered in the study area. Growth parameters reflect the acclimation capability of M. salmoides in a non-native habitat and show the ecological plasticity of this species, capable of colonizing many temperate and warm habitats worldwide, Mediterranean wetlands includedCroissance, longévité et mortalité de l'Achigan à grande bouche Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède, 1802) dans un lac méditerranéen (Rome, Italie).- L'objectif de notre étude est l'analyse de la structure et de la dynamique d'une population invasive de l'Achigan à grande bouche (Micropterus salmoides Lacépède, 1802) dans un lac méditerranéen. La croissance a été décrite par les paramètres de Von Bertalanffy, eux-mêmes obtenus en utilisant les données « taille à l'âge ». Les valeurs moyennes des quatre classes d'âge observées (identifiées par la lecture des écailles) ont été analysées par la méthode analytique de Gulland & Holt, dans le but de calculer le paramètre de courbure (k = 0.49) et la longueur asymptotique (L∞ = 31). Les paramètres de Von Bertalanffy ne semblent pas liés au dimorphisme sexuel car nous n'avons pas trouvé de différences dans la taille ou dans la structure de la population entre les deux sexes. La longévité observée est de cinq ans, mais peu de spécimens atteignent cet âge, du fait d'un taux élevé de mortalité liée à la pêche. La structure et la dynamique de cette population semblent révéler sa stabilité et sa capacité d'expansion, expressions des conditions favorables rencontrées par l'espèce sur le site d'étude. Les paramètres de croissance reflètent les capacités d'acclimatation de Micropterus salmoides dans un habitat qui n'est pas celui d'origine et montrent la plasticité de l'espèce, capable de coloniser de nombreux habitats tempérés et chauds à travers le monde et notamment les zones humides méditerranéennes

Euryhaline Aliens Invading Italian Inland Waters: The Case of the Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896

none6Alien invasive species represent a major threat in Italian freshwaters. Despite national and European regulations aimed at the control and prevention of new invasive species, the number of allochthonous species is increasing and so is the rate of spread. One of the most widespread invasive animals in coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea is the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, a native of the Western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina. The species is euryhaline, and besides coastal waters, it is also commonly recorded in upper estuaries and lower reaches of rivers. Considering its fast adaptability and invasiveness, the main purpose of this work is to assess whether its biological plasticity and invasive capability may represent, in addition to marine and coastal habitats, also a potential threat for inland waters. Samples were collected in seven sites distributed between Southern and Central Italy. The new records are herein presented, starting from the original introduction by ballast waters and the actual westward migration in inland waters of Latium and Tuscany. In addition, the threat to biodiversity is also discussed, considering the blue crab aggressiveness toward both vertebrates and invertebrates, which may limit the distribution of native freshwater fish and macrofauna.Massimiliano Scalici, Stefania Chiesa , Giorgio Mancinelli, Pietro Maria Rontani, Andrea Voccia, Francesco Nonnis MarzanoScalici, Massimiliano; Chiesa, Stefania; Mancinelli, Giorgio; Maria Rontani, Pietro; Voccia, Andrea; Nonnis Marzano, Francesc