Benthic indexes applied to intertidal and infralittoral rocky bottoms in relation to the WFD and MSFD: assessing metrics

Currently used benthic indexes for the assessment of Good Ecological Status (GEcS) and Good Environmental Status (GenS) according to European legislations (WFD and MSFD) are reviewed. A total of 16 indexes have been found. The most targeted biocenosis are macroalgal communities. A catalogue of indexes with targeted biocenosis and applied metrics is presented

Invasive species in Balearic Islands: use of antioxidant biomarkers in marine organism in invasive events.

Abstract not availabl

Are feeding traits and habitat responsible of microplastics ingestion in fish, crustaceans and elasmobranches at the western Mediterranean?

Marine litter loads are increasing worldwide and impacts and effects on marine ecosystems and their inhabitants are still unknown [1,2]. Whereas interaction effects of macrolitter, especially on species as sea turtles and marine mammals has been more investigated, the microscopic fraction has been less addressed. Therefore, several key species of fish, crustaceans and elasmobranches have been studied to assess microplastics ingestion in the Western Mediterranean. Mean ingested microplastics (MPs) ranged up to 2.3 MPs/ind indicating a threat of this man made contaminant on species which are commercialised

Revising interactions of plastics with marine biota: evidence from the Mediterranean

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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

Anthropogenic effects on digestive gland of Pinna nobilis using oxidative stress biomarkers

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis L. is the largest endemic bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea under strict protection. The aim was to determine the effects of anthropogenic activity on antioxidant and oxidative stress biomarkers in digestive gland of P. nobilis. Antioxidant enzyme activities and protein oxidation were significantly increased in mussels sampled in the impacted area. The anthropogenic activities induced a situation of oxidative stress in P. nobilis, resulting in an antioxidant response and in an increased protein oxidatio

Espècies invasores a la Mar Balear: impactes sobre les comunitats marines litorals

Espècies invasores a la Mar Balear: impactes sobre les comunitats marines litoral