Conservation biology of the endangered orange coral. Astroides Calycularis

Falta palabras claveEl coral naranja, Astroides calycularis (Pallas 1766), se distribuye principalmente en el mar Mediterráneo sur-occidental debido a los requerimientos ambientales de la especie, sobre todo en temperatura y aguas trasparentes y bien oxigenadas. La especie habita fondos rocosos desde la superficie del mar hasta los 50 metros de profundidad y localmente se pueden encontrar poblaciones muy abundantes. Este emblemático coral se encuentra afectado por las actividades humanas desarrolladas en el litoral, incluyéndose en catálogos regionales y nacionales y en anexos internacionales como los convenios de Berna y Barcelona y la convención CITES. En la costa andaluza se encuentra el límite de distribución más occidental del coral naranja del norte del mar de Alborán (sur de la Península Ibérica). Por otro lado, Andalucía se caracteriza por un elevado desarrollo costero dirigido a cubrir las necesidades turísticas. Este hecho hace que las poblaciones presentes en este litoral se encuentren sometidas a diversos impactos. Por ello, el objetivo principal de la presente tesis doctoral es avanzar en el conocimiento de la biología y ecología de A. calycularis en el norte del mar de Alborán desde la perspectiva de la conservación

Biodiversity Assessment and Geographical Affinities of Discards in Clam Fisheries in the Atlantic–Mediterranean Transition (Northern Alboran Sea)

This study focused on the assessment and quantification of discards generated by clam fisheries along the northern Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean). Discard samples (n = 278) were collected throughout one year on board nine commercial vessels. A total of 129 species were identified, mostly represented by molluscs (72 spp.), arthropods (20 spp.) and echinoderms (12 spp.). Molluscs dominated in terms of abundance (67.5%) and biomass (94.2%). The superfamily Paguroidea (i.e. hermit crabs), together with undersized target individuals, were the most abundant taxa. The abundance and biomass of discards displayed significant maximum values in winter, which could be partly related to biotic factors including population dynamics of some dominant species. Multivariate analyses indicated the presence of different assemblages related to the targeted bivalve species, reflecting the transition between a fine surface-sands biocoenosis exposed to wave action and a well-sorted fine sands biocoenosis below 5 m depth. Analysis of biogeographical affinities showed that most discarded species (73.2%) have an extensive Atlantic range, whereas 7.1% have a restricted distribution within the Mediterranean. The presence of subtropical species highlights the uniqueness of this area (the Atlantic–Mediterranean transition) in European seas. The usefulness of discard analysis for biodiversity assessment is discussed.Postprin

Overview of the conservation status of Mediterranean anthozoans

The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM – Regional AssessmentThis report presents the conservation status of the anthozoans occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, based on the assessment of 136 species using the IUCN Red List methodology. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level to guide appropriate conservation actions in order to improve their statusVersión del edito

Mediterranean bioconstructions along the Italian coast

Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning

Spatio-temporal macrofaunal assemblages associated with the endangered orange coral Astroides calycularis (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae)

The orange coral Astroides calycularis is internationally protected due to its narrow distribution, its sensitivity to environmental changes and anthropogenic disturbance. Spatio-temporal macrofaunal assemblages associated with A. calycularis were studied along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. A total of 878 invertebrate specimens were collected, comprising 81species. At the 3 depths studied (0, 5 and 10 m), crustacean species were dominant in terms of abundance, followed by annelids and molluscs. Macrofaunal densities were higher in October and May, and lower in August and September. Janira maculosa (isopod), Lembos spp. (gammarid) and Stenothoe cavimana (gammarid) were the most abundant species, present in almost all depths and months. ANOVA analyses by month reflected significant differences in species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity, but no differences among depth ranges and no interaction between time and depth. PERMANOVA analyses showed significant differences in the associated macrofauna for time and depth, but no interaction was observed between these factors. These results indicate the ecological relevance of this Mediterranean scleractinian coral as a habitat for many macrofaunal groups. Furthermore, the conservation of this endangered species contributes to the preservation of high marine biodiversity.Junta de Andalucí

Oculina patagonica: un coral nativo del Mediterráneo ¿con un comportamiento invasivo?

Hasta hace poco tiempo se pensaba que el coral scleractinio Oculina patagonica era una especie introducida en el mar Mediterráneo, pero recientemente se ha demostrado que no es así. Sin embargo, debido al tipo de propagación invasivo que presenta la especie hace que sean necesarios estudios de seguimiento de las poblaciones. El presente estudio actualiza la base de datos georeferenciada sobre la presencia de las poblaciones de esta especie en el litoral de Andalucía (Sur de la Penísula Ibérica), realizada hace 5 años por parte de los autores de este trabajo, lo que refleja una dinámica de distribución de este coral muy activa