Evidence of genetic isolation between two Mediterranean morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae

Coralligenous assemblages are among the most species-rich and vulnerable habitats of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, data on connectivity patterns on species inhabiting these habitats, crucial to define management and protection priorities, are largely lacking. Moreover, unreliable species-level taxonomy can confound ecological studies and mislead management strategies. In the northwestern Mediterranean two Parazoanthus axinellae morphotypes differing in size, color and preferred substrate are found in sympatry. In this study, we used COI and ITS sequence polymorphism to assess (1) the genetic divergence between the two morphotypes, (2) their connectivity patterns and (3) their phylogenetic position within the Parazoanthidae. Specimens of P. axinellae were sampled in 11 locations along the northwestern Mediterranean; in 6 locations, samples of the two morphotypes were collected in sympatry. Small genetic diversity and structure were found within morphotypes, while marked and consistent differentiation was detected between them. Moreover, the less widespread morphotype appeared to be closer to Pacific species as P. juanfernandezii and P. elongatus. Our findings confirmed the limited knowledge on Parazoanthus species complex, and how this gap can have important implication for the conservation strategies of this widespread and valuable genus in the Mediterranean Sea

Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia: developmental and cognitive outcome in three adolescent patients

Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia (PTCD) is a recently described, rare disorder characterized by a peculiar cerebellar and brainstem malformation. Nineteen patients have been reported to date, of which only one in the adolescent age, and data on the clinical, cognitive and behavioural outcome of this syndrome are scarce

Strong reaction channels for the system F-17+Ni-58 at Coulomb barrier energies

The reaction dynamics induced by the F-17 Radioactive Ion Beam on the proton-shell closed Ni-58 target was studied at two colliding energies slightly above the Coulomb barrier. Charged reaction products were detected at forward angles and the quasi-elastic differential cross section was analyzed within the framework of the optical model in order to extract the reaction cross section and to investigate the relevance of direct reaction channels (inelastic scattering, breakup and transfer) at near-barrier energies. The comparison with the reaction induced by double-magic tightly-bound O-16 projectiles on the same target showed that the F-17 reaction cross section is moderately enhanced at the lower secondary beam energy. Direct reaction channels were also found to be more relevant than for the corresponding O-16-induced reaction

Does the breakup process affect the reaction dynamics for the systems17O,17F +58Ni at Coulomb barrier energies?

The scattering processes of two mirror projectiles, the well bound 17O (Sn = 4.143 MeV) and the loosely bound radioactive 17F (Sp = 0.600 MeV), on the proton closed shell target 58Ni were measured at several energies around the Coulomb barrier. The experimental data were analyzed within the framework of the optical model to extract the reaction cross section and to investigate the role played by direct reaction channels at near-barrier energies. The comparison shows a similar behaviour for the two A = 17 projectiles despite their very different binding energies and suggests a rather small effect of the 17F breakup channel on the reaction dynamics