Prvi nalaz endemskog žarnjaka Spinimuricea klavereni (Carpine & Grasshoff 1975) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Plexauridae) u Jadranskom moru

We present the first record of the endemic Mediterranean anthozoan Spinimuricea klavereni (Carpine & Grasshoff 1975) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Plexauridae) for the Adriatic Sea (Boka Kotorska bay, Montenegro). A density of 0.72 colonies m-2 could be measured in the area, which was com-pared with the scant available data in the literature. Having in mind that this species is very rare and endemic for the Mediterranean, it is important to increase our knowledge on its distribution and biology in order to better assess its ecological role, the pending threats and the need for specific conservation measures.Prikazan je prvi nalaz endemičnog sredozemnog žarnjaka Spinimuricea klavereni (Carpine & Grasshoff 1975) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Plekauridae) za Jadransko more (Bokokotorski zaliv, Crna Gora). Dobijeni rezultati i izmjerena gustina od 0,72 kolonije m-2 su uspoređeni s oskudnim podacima dostupnim u literaturi. Imajući u vidu da je ova vrsta vrlo rijetka i endemska za Sredozemno more, važno je poboljšati znanje o njenoj distribuciji i biologiji kako bismo bolje procijenili njenu ekološku ulogu, prijetnje i potrebu za određenim mjerama zaštite

A new perspective on the distribution of Camachoaglaja africana (Pruvot-Fol, 1953) and Biuve fulvipunctata (Baba, 1938) (Gastropoda, Cephalaspidea) in the Mediterranean and the NE Atlantic

During underwater monitoring, one specimen of Camachoaglaja africanaand one of Biuve fulvipunctata were found at the ‘Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo’ Marine Protected Area, allowing to expand the known Mediterranean range of distribution of these two species. The finding of both species constitutes the first report for NE Sardinia and the whole Tyrrhenian Sea. By coupling data obtained from the analysis of social media and those present in the bibliography it was also possible to speculate on alternative pattern of distribution of these two species at a global scale. Finally, it is also confirmed the importance of repeated monitoring activities over time on the mooring buoys which act as steppingstone habitats for epifauna or for larval settlement and that are capable to provide important additional information on local biodiversity

What are you doing here? Investigating on an unexpected association in shallow Mediterranean dark caves sheds new light on the diet of Marionia blainvillea (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia)

In a shallow dark cave along the coast of Capo Palinuro (Campania, Italy), the finding of an unusual aggregation of individuals belonging to Marionia blainvillea (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia) has allowed to identify a population of Cervera atlantica (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) and to add this latter to the list of the hosts preyed by this tritoniid nudibranch. This association was confirmed by a second observation in a dark shallow cave in the Island of San Pietro (Sardinia, Italy). Moreover, a subsequent internet data mining shed light on the diet of M. blainvillea adding useful ecological notes on the scarcely known trophism characterizing Marionia species. Cervera atlantica is reported for the first time along the continental coast of Italy

Lithology could affect benthic communities living below boulders

AbstractStructure and diversity of sessile zoobenthic assemblages seem to be driven not only by chemical-physical constraints and biological interactions but also by substrate lithology and its surface features. Nevertheless, broadly distributed crustose epilithic corallines could mask the role of substrate on animal settling. To evaluate the direct influence of different rocky substrates, occurrence and coverage of several sessile species, growing on the dark (i.e. coralline-free) face of sublittoral limestone and granite boulders were compared in the Tavolara MPA (Mediterranean Sea). The analysis of photographic samples demonstrated significant differences in terms of species composition and coverage, according to lithology. Moreover, limestone boulders were widely bare, while the cover per cent was almost total on granite. The leading cause of observed patterns could be the different level of dissolution of the two types of rocks, due to their different mineral composition and textural characteristics. Limestone has previously been shown to have higher dissolution compared with granite, and consequently, a more unstable surface. Our results suggest that, in dark habitats, the absence of the crustose coralline layer allows more rock dissolution and consequent lower stability of the limestone compared with granite, which, in turn, reduces the zoobenthos colonization

Tritonia nilsodhneri Marcus Ev., 1983 (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia, Tritoniidae): prvi nalaz za Jadransko more i novi podaci o ekologiji i distribuciji mediteranske populacije

The nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri, usually feeding on a variety of gorgoniacean species, is known from different localities of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Knowledge of the host preferences of the Mediterranean populations is still scarce. Few records of this nudibranch have been reported from the eastern Mediterranean basin. With this report, the occurrence of T. nilsodhneri within the Mediterranean basin is extended to the Adriatic Sea. Furthermore, the list of the host species associated to the Mediterranean populations for feeding habits is increased from two up to five. Mediterranean specimens of T. nilsodhneri were observed for the first time feeding and spawning on Leptogorgia sarmentosa, Eunicella cavolini and E. labiata. Finally, these last two Gorgoniidae species are also reported here as a new host species for T. nilsodhneri.Morski puž golać, Tritonia nilsodhneri, poznat je s različitih lokaliteta istočnog Atlantskog oceana i Sredozemnog mora, a obično se hrani raznim vrstama gorgonija. Podatci o domaćinima za ovu vrstu u Sredozemlju su još uvijek rijetki. Postoji nekoliko zapisa o ovom pužu u istočnom dijelu Sredozemlja. Ovim radom zabilježena je nazočnost vrste T. nilsodhneri u Jadranskom moru. Nadalje, popis vrsta domaćina koji su povezani sa hranjenjem i mriještenjem sredozemne populacije se povećao sa dva na pet. Sredozemni primjerci T. nilsodheri su po prvi put zabilježeni tijekom hranjenja i mriješćenja na vrstama Leptogorgia sarmentosa, Eunicella cavolini i E. labiata. Ove posljednje dvije spomenute vrste Gorgonida su u ovom radu po prvi put zabilježene kao nova vrsta domaćina za T. nilsodheri

First records of Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora) from the Ligurian, Thyrrhenian and Ionian Seas (Western Mediterranean) and first record of Phyllorhiza punctata (Cnidaria) from the Western Mediterranean.

* Corresponding author Abstract The gelatinous macroplankters Mnemiopsis leidyi and Phyllorhiza punctata are recorded for the first time from the Italian coasts of the Western Mediterranean. In the framework of the CIESM Jellywatch campaign in the summer of 2009, M. leidyi was recorded from the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas, including swarming episodes that, together with those reported from Spain in the same period, suggest a great success of the species in the Western Mediterranean. A single specimen of P. punctata has been recorded from Sardinia. These species do not sting or harm humans and no impact on tourism is expected, but they might harm fisheries by predating on fish eggs and larvae and their prey, zooplankton. The large distribution area of M. leidyi suggests that the species invaded the Western Mediterranean during the summer of 2009, but its establishment is still uncertain, since the populations might not withstand winter conditions. The isolated record of P. punctata just indicates that it can reach this part of the Mediterranean

Using complementary visual approaches to investigate residency, site fidelity and movement patterns of the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) in a Mediterranean marine protected area

AbstractAssessing individuals' abundance, residency (presence at a site within a certain period) and site fidelity (tendency to return to the same site in subsequent seasons or years) is crucial for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of spatial conservation/management measures regarding ecologically and socio-economically valuable species. Using underwater visual census (UVC) and photo-identification (photo-ID) techniques, we estimated the abundance, residency and site fidelity of the dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus, at two protected sites within the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Italy) in the summers of 2017–2018. The scope and spatio-temporal resolution of the study was extended by involving volunteer recreational divers in the photo collection. Grouper mean densities varied significantly across sampling dates, with a significant variability between the 2 years and the two investigated sites. At least 94 grouper visited the study sites in the summers of 2017–2018 based on the analysis of 968 high-quality photos using a semi-automated software to photo-identify individuals. Overall, the most frequently sighted grouper was recorded on 32 different days and 21 individuals (22%) identified in 2017 were re-sighted in 2018. The participation of volunteer recreational divers helped detect the inter-site (3.5–4 km apart) movements of a female and a male, supporting previous findings regarding the occurrence of reproduction-related movements. This study provides novel insights into the residency and site-fidelity patterns of the dusky grouper, and its small-scale movements probably related to reproduction. Specifically, we provide indications that effective protection from fishing should encompass the entire area used by grouper for reproductive movements

Preservation of modern and MIS 5.5 erosional landforms and biological structures as sea level markers : a matter of luck?

The Mediterranean Basin is characterized by a significant variability in tectonic behaviour, ranging from subsidence to uplifting. However, those coastal areas considered to be tectonically stable show coastal landforms at elevations consistent with eustatic and isostatic sea level change models. In particular, geomorphological indicators—such as tidal notches or shore platforms—are often used to define the tectonic stability of the Mediterranean coasts. We present the results of swim surveys in nine rocky coastal sectors in the central Mediterranean Sea using the Geoswim approach. The entire route was covered in 22 days for a total distance of 158.5 km. All surveyed sites are considered to have been tectonically stable since the last interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 5.5 [MIS 5.5]), because related sea level markers fit well with sea level rise models. The analysis of visual observations and punctual measurements highlighted that, with respect to the total length of surveyed coast, the occurrence of tidal notches, shore platforms, and other indicators accounts for 85% of the modern coastline, and only 1% of the MIS 5.5 equivalent. Therefore, only 1% of the surveyed coast showed the presence of fossil markers of paleo sea levels above the datum. This significant difference is mainly attributable to erosion processes that did not allow the preservation of the geomorphic evidence of past sea level stands. In the end, our research method showed that the feasibility of applying such markers to define long-term tectonic behaviour is much higher in areas where pre-modern indicators have not been erased, such as at sites with hard bedrock previously covered by post-MIS 5.5 continental deposits, e.g., Sardinia, the Egadi Islands, Ansedonia, Gaeta, and Circeo. In general, the chances of finding such preserved indicators are very low.peer-reviewe

A new species from the Mediterranean Sea and North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Knoutsodonta pictoni n. sp (Gastropoda Heterobranchia Nudibranchia)

Knoutsodonta pictoni n. sp. (Gastropoda Heterobranchia Nudibranchia) is described here based on morphological and molecular analyses of specimens from Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. Ecological notes on the egg development and new species distribution range are also presented. COI DNA barcoding was used to molecularly identify this species and to assess one sequence present in Genbank but for which identification was not provided. Furthermore, the intraspecific genetic divergence was explored for specimens belonging to different populations

Aliens in changing seascapes: a newly reported non-native sacoglossan (Mollusca, Heterobranchia) in the western Mediterranean Sea

We report the discovery of the Indo-Pacific sacoglossan Elysia nealae Ostergaard, 1955 from northeastern Sardinia (Central Tyrrhenian Sea). This is the first record of this species in the western Mediterranean Sea and only the second for the whole of the Mediterranean Sea following a report from Cape Epanomi, Greece. We discuss the identification of this species as well as the expansion of its geographical range. Data on the ecology and behavior of E. nealae leads us to hypothesize that the increase in the Mediterranean’s water temperature due to climate change has favored this non-native species and contributed to its expanded distribution